بِسْمِ ٱللّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
What is the significance of the day of Arafah?
The 9th of Zhul Hijjah is the day of Arafah is and it is also the name of the area where Hajis make Wuqoof (to stand on the plains of Arafah on the 9th of Zhul Hijjah) during pilgrimage.
Arafah stems from the Arabic word to ‘recognize’ or ‘understand’. Hence, some scholars opine that Arafah is called so, as it is the place where Nabi Adam (peace be upon him) and Sayyidah Hawa (Allah be pleased with her) met and recognized one another. It is also opined that when Hazrat Jibreel (peace be upon him) taught Nabi Ibrahim (peace be upon him) the rites of Hajj, he asked him, “Have you understood?” and he replied, “I have understood.” This occurred in this vicinity; hence it’s called Arafah. However, the more preponderant opinion is that Arafah is named so because it is higher than the area surrounding it, hence land on high ground is referred to as Arafaa’u in Arabic. Surah Al–A’raaf refers to a high place between Jannah and Jahannam.
A Hadeeth in Muslim Shareef states that on the day of Arafah, Allah Ta’aala emancipates His slaves from the fire of Jahnannam more than any other day. To keep fast on the day of Arafah is Mustahab (preferable) for those who are not in Hajj, in fact Aala Hazrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (Allah be pleased with him) states,
“The most excellent of all Mustahab fasts is the day of Arafah.”
(Fataawa Razvia, Vol. 20, pg. 444, Published by Raza Foundation, Lahore)
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (peace be upon him) has explained the excellence and merit of keeping fast on the day of Arafah:
- ‘I trust Allah Ta’aala that the fast of Arafah will erase the sins of the previous and forthcoming year.’ (Ibn Majah)
- Sayyidah A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) states, ‘Rasoolullah (peace be upon him) used to say that fast on the day of Arafah is equal to fasting a thousand days.’ (At Targheeb wat Tarheeb)
(Amjadul Ahaadeeth, Vol. 1, pg. 564-5, Published by Ahsanul Ulema Publications, Ladysmith)
The fast on the day of Arafah (9th Zhul Hijjah) should be observed according to one’s local calendar, not according to the calendar of Saudi Arabia.
Fasting on the day of Arafah is not Mustahab for those on Hajj if they fear weakness and loss of physical strength by observing the fast. If they are healthy enough to observe the fast and it won’t impede their physical strength in completing the rites of Hajj, then it will be good if they observe it.
And Allah and His Rasool know best.
Darul Iftaa
Islamic Lifestyle Solutions
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