By Raji Toheeb
In Islam, there is sanctity to some four months in the Hijjrah calendar over others. However, this sanctity varies according to the divine will of Allah. Dhul Qa’dah is one of the sacred months where the initiation of fighting is prohibited. Then, Dhul Hijjah was the month of Arafat and Hajj. For being the first month, Muharram has its sanctity with the two days (9th and 10th day) called Taasu’a (the day Allah saved Prophet Musa from the evils of Pharaoh) and Ashu’a. Rajab, joins with its sacredness, too. However, it is important to respect the month which Allah has chosen to be sacred, for reasons He knows best.
Allah says: “Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them…”
Qur’an, 9:36.
Nonetheless, in Dhul-Hijjah,(the last month of the Islamic calendar), Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him ) said, “There is no day greater and more beloved to Allah than these (first) ten days of Dhul Hijjah. However, in the ten days is the day of Arafat which is one of the beloved days that Allah completed the religion, perfected His favor and was pleased with Islam as a religion.”
Allah says: “Today I have completed your religion for you, perfected My favor upon you and am pleased with al-Islam as a religion for you.﴿ [Surah Al-Ma’idah, 3]
In other words, on this day, Allah is full of praise and esteem for His servants in the front of His angels, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“On this day (Arafah), Allah SWT, the Most Exalted, descends to the nearest heaven, and He is proud of His servants on the earth and says to those in heavens, look at My servants, they have come from far and near, with hair disheveled and faces covered with dust, to seek my Mercy. Even if their sins are as much as the sand or the froth of the sea, I shall forgive them.”
With the act of worship of His servants, Allah answers all supplications (duas), forgives the sins of those who repent, and grants salvation from the Hellfire.
Importantly, the day of ‘Arafah is also significant because Allah SWT swore by this day in Surah al Burooj. It is known that Allah SWT promises by nothing except that which is great and mighty, so the Day of Arafah is greatly significant:
“By the sky containing great stars. And [by] the promised Day. And [by] the witness and what is witnessed.” (85: 1-3)
In respect to fasting, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about fasting on the day of Arafat. He ﷺ replied, “Fasting on the day of Arafat is an expiation for the preceding year and the following year.” [Muslim]
This day is very sacrosanct to the extent that Prophet Muhammad says ” there’s no day on earth in the sight of Allah that is superior to the day of Arafat. On this day, Allah will come to this earth, and all the living beings in the sky will be happy that this day meets us on earth.”
It’s a day of forgiveness, for whoever seeks, it’s a day of elevation, for whoever wishes, a day that Allah will answer all prayers, and will send down His blessings in manifolds.
This day is one of the best opportunities for the followers of Prophet Muhammad to be free from hell fire. Whoever prays endlessly on this day will be equaled by Allah with the dwellers of paradise. Not only those who are capable of visiting the Holy land (Mecca) would be eligible for forgiveness and blessing on this day, but anyone who can pray fervently on this day will be entitled for forgiveness.
In addition, the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with him) recommended us to fast on this day, fasting on this day is one of the best thing that can make us His beloved, as the prophet says ” Fasting on the day of Arafat is an expiation for the preceding year and the following year.” [Muslim]
However, alms giving is not left out, it’s one of the commendable acts on this day. Muslims are advised to share love among one another through charity
Praise on the Day of Arafat
The Prophet emphasized tirelessly on the reason why he wanted us to pray fervently on this day. He said ” the best prayer is the one said on the day of Arafat ”.
The Messenger of Allah said about the Dua on the Day of Arafah: “The most excellent dua is the dua on the Day of Arafah, and the best of what I and the prophets before me have said, is ‘There is nothing that deserves to be worshiped in truth except Allah SWT, He is Alone and has no partners, to Him belongs the dominion and to Him belongs all praise, and He is All-Powerful over all things.’” (Muwatta)
“Lailaha illalahu wahadahu lasharikalahu lahulmulku walahu hamdu wahuva alakulli shayin kadir”
It translates as follows, ”There is no God but Allah alone Who has no partner, to whom dominion belongs, to whom praise is due, and who has power over anything.” It is the Sunnah of our Prophet Mohammed (Peace upon him) to recite Tahleel (‘La Ilaha illallah’), Takbeer (‘Allahu Akbar’), Tahmeed (‘Allhamdulillah’), and Tasabeeh(‘Subhanallah’) as many times as possible on this day.
Among other voluntary prayers could be:
‘ Rabbana Ātina Fidduunyah Ahsanatan, Wa fill Akhirati Hasanatan, Wa qinah A’zaban Nari”
“Allahumo Inna As’ alukal Hudah, Wa tuqa’, Wal Ãfāf”
“Allahumma Aslih liy Deeniy Alladhi Huwa Ismotu Amriy, Wa Aslih liy Dunyahyal Ladgi feeha Maãshiy, Wa Aslih liy Akhiratil Lladhi feeha Maãdiy, Waj A’lil Hayata ziyādatan liy Fi Kulli Kairi, Waj A’lil Maota rāhatan liy min Kulli Sharrin.”
O Allah, set right my religion, which is the safeguard of my affairs; and set right my world, wherein is my living; and set right my next life, to which is my return, And make life for me an increase in all good and make death a relief for me from every evil.
[Sahih Muslim 2720]
Not only that, any other prayers that have been prescribed by the Qur’an or Hadith are also permitted to be called Allah on this day. Our prayers should revolve around our parents, lovers, children, health, friends, families, teachers, and everyone who has impacted us.
In conclusion, never use this day to curse anyone, or abuse or fight. The day should be centered only on prayers because it’s the only prayer that can change a bad destiny to a good one.
I pray Allah answers all our prayers and spare our lives beyond the day. Indeed He’s the most capacitated God and sufficient for our requests. (Ameen)