When is Arafah Day and its benefits

All months of the Islamic calendar, including the month of Ramadhan and the month of Dhul Hijjah, depend on the sighting of the moon (to determine the beginning of the month).

It is known and there is consensus on the fact that the rites of Hajj begin on the 8th day of Dhul Hijjah, with the 9th being the important day, since it is the day on which one must be in Arafat, and end on the 10th, which is Eid al-Adha.

Both Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr were established by the Prophet, peace be upon him, when he arrived in Medina, while Hajj became obligatory in the ninth year of Hijrah (hence, nine years after the Prophet’s emigration from Makkah to Medina). There are many Ahadiz who confirm this.

For example, Ana bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, said that in the time before Islam the people in Medina used to celebrate two days every year. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) came to Madinah he said:

You used to have two days of celebration. Allah has replaced these days with two better days: the day of Fitr and the day of Adha.

Therefore, the day of Eid al-Fitr is not governed by the rituals of Hajj, although it may seem that it is because it follows the 9th of Dhul Hijjah. Therefore Eid al-Adha does not depend on the Hajj, but on when the moon of the month of Dhul Hijjah is sighted.

Something similar happens with the day of Arafah. The day of Arafah is the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, and, if it is true that it is the day on which pilgrims are on the plain of Arafat, for those who do not follow the Saudi Arabian moon sighting (and not because its validity is disputed, but because the Saudi Arabian sighting is not applicable worldwide) this does not mean that it is the day of Arafah elsewhere (since they can be seen in the Arafat). have sighted the moon differently).

Therefore, the day of Arafah is not linked to a place, which might seem the simplest reasoning, but to a time. This time is established by the lunar sighting, and the lunar sighting is not global.

The day of Arafah is the day on which Allah completed the Deen

It is recorded in the compilation of al-Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of ‘Umar bin al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, that a Jew said to him: “O Commander of the believers! There is a verse in your Scripture, that if it had been revealed to us Jews on that day we would have taken it as a feast day.” Umar asked, “What verse? The man said, “Today I have completed your Worship Practice for you, I have completed My blessing upon you, and I have gladly accepted Islam as a Worship Practice.” (5:3) ‘Umar said, “I know the day and the place when this [verse] was revealed. It was revealed when the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, was standing on Mount Arafat on the Day of Jumu’ah. A similar narration is mentioned by Imam al-Tirmidhi on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas. That version mentions: “It was revealed during the day ‘Eid, in Jumu’ah, during the Day of Arafa.”

Arafah Day is one of the best days of the year

Jabir ibn’Abd Allaah, may Allaah be pleased with him, conveyed that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah are the best days before Allaah.” One man asked, “Are these days better than the equivalent of days spent fighting for the cause of Allah?” The Prophet replied: “They are better than an equivalent number of days spent fighting for the cause of Allah, except for the one who sets out for it using his wealth and his life and returns without either.” (Bukhari)

It is the day when Allah frees more people from the fire

«And there is no better day in the eyes of Allah than the Day of ‘Arafah. On this day, Allah, may He be exalted, descends to the nearest heaven, and is proud of his slaves on earth and says to those in heaven: ‘Look at my servants. They came from far and near, with disheveled hair and dusty faces, to seek My mercy, even though they did not see My punishment. Many more people are delivered from the Fire on the Day of ‘Arafah than on any other day ’». (Ibn Hibban)

Allah forgives the faults of all those who are on Arafat’s esplanade on this day

Ibn al-Mubarak narrated from Sufyan al-Thawri, from al-Zubayr ibn ‘Ali, from Anas ibn Malik, who said: The Prophet spent the day in Arafah until almost sunset. Then he said, “O Bilal, ask people to be quiet and listen to me.” Bilal stood up and asked the people to be silent and listen to the Prophet. When the people were silent, the Prophet said: ” O people, just now Jibril, peace be upon him, came to me. He gave me greetings from Allah and informed me that Allah has forgiven those who spend the Day in Arafah and those who stop at Al-Mash’ar Al-Haram, and that He has guaranteed their debts «.

At this, ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab stood up and asked: “O Messenger of Allah, is this only for us?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “This is for you and for all those who will come after until the Day of Judgment.” Umar exclaimed: “How abundant and blessed are the bounties of Allah!”

Allah forgives the sins of the past year and the coming year to those who fast in it

Abu Hafsah, may Allah be pleased with him, conveyed that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Fasting on the day of ‘Arafah absolves sins for two years: the year before and the year after, and fasting on ‘Ashura (the tenth day of Muharram) atonements for the sins of the past year.”

This is so except for those who are on the plain of Arafat on this day as part of their Hajj, since it is not permissible for them to fast on this day.