04/06/2025
What is the Day of ‘Arafah?
The Day of ‘Arafah is on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, and this year it is expected to fall on 5th June 2025 in the UK, depending on the sighting of the moon. It is one of the most important days in the Islamic calendar.
It was on the Day of ‘Arafah that Allah (SWT) perfected His religion, completed His favours upon His beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and approved Islam as a way of life! Subhan’Allah.
Allah (SWT) refers to this day in Surah al-Maidah of the Holy Qur’an...This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.
[Quran | Surah Al-Ma'idah | 5:3]
The Day of ‘Arafah is also known as Yawm Al-Waqf (the Day of Standing), referring to the fact that pilgrims stand in front of their Lord for long periods of time, asking for His Divine Mercy.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also said:
There is no day on which Allah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of ‘Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on ‘Arafah), and then He reveals before His Angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking.
[Hadith | Muslim]
For pilgrims performing Hajj, the Day of ‘Arafah is the most significant day and is the essence and heart of the pilgrimage.
When is the Day of ‘Arafah 2025?
The Day of ‘Arafah is on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. Depending on the sighting of the moon, this year the Day of ‘Arafah is expected to fall on 5th June 2025.
As the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar calendar, the Day of ‘Arafah falls ten days earlier each year.
Why is the Day of ‘Arafah so important?
The Day of ‘Arafah is a very important day for Muslims, as it is a day of immense divine forgiveness, mercy and blessings.
It is a day of redemption for Muslims and an opportunity for purification and seeking Allah’s pleasure. Many of us may have fallen short in our pledges made during Ramadan to improve our character and behaviour and to become closer to Allah (SWT).
The Day of ‘Arafah offers another opportunity to cleanse our hearts and remember our purpose and destination.
‘Arafah is also the day in which the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made his farewell sermon during his final pilgrimage and bore witness that Allah (SWT) perfected His religion, completed His favours upon His beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and approved Islam as a way of life! Subhan’Allah.
For those performing Hajj, the Day of ‘Arafah is the most important day. As the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
Hajj is Arafat.
[Hadith | Abu Dawud}
Find out more about the benefits and importance of the Day of Arafah here.
What are five recommended actions for the Day of ’Arafah?
The following acts of worship are highly encouraged on the Day of ‘Arafah.
1. Fasting
It is highly recommended to fast on the Day of ‘Arafah if one is not performing Hajj. Fasting on this day is Sunnah and expiates sins of the previous year and the coming year. It is a powerful way to gain blessings and become closer to Allah (SWT).
2. Increase acts of worship
As the most virtuous day of the year for Muslims, it’s important to increase our good deeds in order to gain the blessings of the day.
Whether we are performing Hajj or at home this year, we should devote ourselves to Dhikr and seeking nearness to Allah.
The best acts of Dhikr on this day include offering Nafl (optional) prayers, reading Qur’an and sending Salawat (salutations) upon the Prophet (PBUH).
3. Make lots of Dua
The Day of ‘Arafah is a day of acceptance of Dua and Allah showers His mercy and forgiveness to those who turn to Him.
Make abundant heartfelt Duas for yourselves, your family and for the Muslim Ummah, that Allah forgives our sins, fulfils our needs, and allows us to become closer to Him.
It is also Sunnah to recite the Tahleel (Laa ilaaha il-lal-laah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (Alhamdulillaah) frequently on the Day of ‘Arafah, and on the days of Eid – 11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
Find out more about Du’as for the Day of Arafah here.
4. Give Sadaqah
It’s important to remember our brothers and sisters in need across the globe on this blessed day. Giving Sadaqah is one of the most virtuous acts of worship, and giving Sadaqah on this holy day can help us gain blessings.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
Sadaqah extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.
[Hadith | Timidhi]
You can donate Sadaqah with Islamic Relief here.
5. Reflect and show gratitude
The Day of ‘Arafah is a time for introspection and reflection. We should aim to reflect upon our actions during the past year, seek to rectify our shortcomings, and ask for forgiveness for our sins.
The Day of ‘Arafah is also a blessed time to reflect on the blessings that Allah (SWT) has provided us with, and to thank Him. Many Muslims celebrate the day by strengthening ties with family and friends, exchanging greetings and sharing food.
Give your Zakat and Sadaqah during the blessed days of Dhul Hijjah and reap the rewards of this blessed month. Don’t forget though to give your Qurbani in time for Eid!
What do pilgrims do on Hajj on the Day of ‘Arafah?
After praying Fajr Salah in Mina, pilgrims performing Hajj head to the Plains of Arafat. They recite istaghfar (asking for forgiveness) and make supplications, marking the Day of ‘Arafah when we ask Allah (SWT) for forgiveness for our sins.
Upon reaching the plains of Mount Arafat, pilgrims observe shortened Dhuhr and Asr prayers (two rakat instead of four).
On this day there is a sermon delivered from Masjid al-Nimra on Mount Arafat. If you are performing Hajj, remember to listen to the khutbah if possible. Your group may also facilitate a translation of this sermon in English.
Pilgrims stand on the Plains of Arafat and make lots of Dua, asking Allah (SWT) for forgiveness.
Dua for Day of ‘Arafah
Muslims are encouraged to recite the following Dua on the day of ‘Arafah:
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ ، وهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Transliteration: laa ilaaha ill-allaahu, waḥdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu, wa huwa ‛alaa kulli shay’in qadeer.
Translation: None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and all praise and He is over all things omnipotent.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
The best supplication is the supplication on the Day of 'Arafah, and the best words that I and the prophets before me have said are 'La ilaha illa Allah, wahdahu la sharika lahla hul mulk wa lahul hamd wa huwa ala kulli shayin qadeer'
[Hadith | Tirmidhi]
It is also Sunnah to recite the Tahleel (Laa ilaaha il-lal-laah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (Alhamdulillaah) frequently on the Day of ‘Arafah, and on the days of Eid- 11th, 12th 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
As a day in which Allah loves to forgive those who turn to him, remember to also turn to Allah with sincerity and ask for forgiveness for past sins.
What are the virtues of the Day of ‘Arafah?
The Day of ‘Arafah is an extremely blessed day and holds immense spiritual significance for Muslims.
In order to maximise the rewards of the Day of ‘Arafah, we should strive to devote ourselves to Allah, turn to Him in supplication and increase our good deeds such as reciting the Holy Qur’an and Salawat (salutations) upon the Prophet (PBUH).
It is also a time for seeking forgiveness and for strengthening our ties with family and friends.
Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah and performing acts of worship can help us earn great rewards, forgiveness of our sins and to gain Divine nearness.
What are some merits of the Day of ’Arafah?
Increasing acts of worship can be beneficial to maximise the rewards of this blessed day. Here are a few reasons why this is such a significant day:
It’s the day when Islam was perfected
As mentioned, Allah said in the Qur’an:
This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.
[Qur’an | Surah Al Ma'idah | 5:3]
Expiation and forgiveness of sins
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah expiates sins for the previous and coming year [Hadith | Muslim]. This is a chance for you to gain closeness to Allah (SWT) and reflect on your actions.
It’s also the day when Allah descends down from the sky in a way befitting of Him and says to His angels:
My slaves have come to Me, looking rough, from every deep valley hoping for My mercy, if your sins were equivalent to the amount of sand or the drops of rain or like the foam on the sea I will forgive them. So go forth My slaves! Having forgiveness and for what or who you have interceded for.
[Hadith | Tabarani]
It’s the day where Allah frees more souls from Hell
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
There is no day in which Allah sets free more souls from the fire of hell than on the day of Arafah.
[Hadith | Muslim]
Fasting and increasing in your good deeds on this day will be a way for you to increase in your du’as and seek protection from the Hellfire.
Day of ‘Arafah Hadith
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made several references to the importance of the Day of ‘Arafah and the virtues and rewards of the holy day:
There is no day on which Allah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of 'Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on 'Arafah), and then He boasts before His Angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking.
[Hadith | Muslim]
Other Hadiths on the Day of ‘Arafah
The promised day is the Day of Resurrection, the witnessed day is the Day of 'Arafah, and the witnessing day is Friday.
[Hadith | Tirmidhi]
As for you staying till the evening in 'Arafah, then Allah descends to the sky of the Dunya and He boasts about you to the Angels, and says: 'My slaves have come to Me, looking rough, from every deep valley hoping for My mercy, so if your sins were equivalent to the amount of sand or the drops of rain or like the foam on the sea I will forgive them. So go forth My slaves! Having forgiveness and for what or who you have interceded for.'
[Hadith | Tabarani]
Allah expresses His pride to His angels at the time of 'Isha' on the Day of 'Arafah, about the people of 'Arafah. He says, 'Look at My slaves who have come unkempt and dusty.'
[Hadith | Ahmad]
