The Day of 'Arafah

What is the Day of Arafah?

The Day of Arafah is on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah and is one of the most important days in the Islamic calendar. This year the Day of Arafah is expected to fall on Saturday 15th June 2024.

It was on this day that Allah (SWT) perfected His religion, completed His favours upon His beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW), 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.

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 (SAW) also said:

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 2024?

The Day of Arafah is on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. This year, it is expected to fall on Saturday 15th June 2024.

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 (peace be upon him) 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 (peace be upon him), 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 (SAW) said: “Hajj is Arafat” (Abu Dawud).

What to do on 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 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 (peace be upon him).
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. 
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 (peace be upon him) 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.

Fasting on the Day of Arafah

For those who are unable to perform Hajj, it is highly recommended to fast on the Day of Arafah. There is great reward in doing so, as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also said:

Allah forgives sins on the Day of Arafah even if they are many, and we should not underestimate the immense mercy of Allah.

“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.” (Tabarani)

However, pilgrims who are performing Hajj do not generally fast as they are travellers, and fasting would be difficult for them. The main focus for them on this day is Dua.

“The people of knowledge consider it recommended to fast on the Day of ’Arafah, except for those at ‘Arafat’.” (Tirmidhi)

Fasting on the Day of Arafah is a great way of earning Allah’s pleasure. In order to gain maximum benefit, as well as refraining from food and drink, we should aim to refrain preoccupying our thoughts with anything other than Allah, and to contemplate on His glory and mercy while seeking His grace of forgiveness.

Is fasting mandatory on the Day of Arafah?

Fasting on the Day of Arafah is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended for those who are not performing Hajj, according to all Madhabs (schools of thought).

It is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to fast on the Day of Arafah, on which Allah loves to forgive his servants. 

The blessings of fasting on the Day of Arafah can benefit Muslims for the whole year.

Dua for Day of Arafah

Muslims are encouraged to recite the following Dua on the day of Arafah:

Dua: 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 (peace be upon him) said:

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 (peace be upon him). 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.

Day of Arafah Hadith

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made several references to the importance of the Day of Arafah and the virtues and rewards of the holy day:

Other Hadiths on the Day of Arafah

We ensure our content is reviewed and verified by qualified scholars to provide you with the most accurate information. This webpage was last reviewed by Sheikh Saalim Al-Azhaari.

Page last reviewed: 26th June 2023.