Subhan’Allah, the day the deen was completed is upon us.
In Al-Saheehayn it was reported from Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra) that a Jewish man said to him, “O Ameer al-Mu’mineen, there is an ayah in your Book which you recite; if it had come to us Jews, we would have taken that day as an Eid.” ‘Umar said, “Which ayah?” He said: “This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (al-Maidah) interpretation of the meaning. ‘Umar said, “We know on which day and in which place that was revealed to the Prophet (saw). It was when he was standing in Arafah on a Friday.”
In regards to fasting on the Day of Arafah for those who are not doing Hajj, it is mustahhab meaning it is highly recommended. For those who are doing Hajj, it is not Sunnah for that person to fast. This is because the Prophet (saw) did not fast on this day in Arafah. He actaully forbade it.
For the sinning believers it is the day of forgiveness of sins, and freedom from the Hellfire.
it was narrated from Aisha (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said: “There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels, saying, ‘What do these people want?”
Sahih al-Muslim
Here are some things you can do to get the best out of the day of Arafah:
- Read Qur’an, make tasbeeh, tahleel, tahmeed, and takbeer (Allahu Akbar, la ilaha ila Allah, Alhamdulilah)
- Pray the Dhuhr with the included sunnah prayers (4 rakat before Dhuhr and 2 after)
- Listen to the Arafah speech if you are able to
- Pray the Asr and recite the evening dhikr
- Read as much Qur’an as possible and especially increase your dua before the adhan of the Maghrib. Pray for yourself, loved ones and the Ummah.
- Make dua that the sun of Arafah doesn’t set until you are saved from the Hellfire.
- Break your fast on an odd number of dates
- May Allah accept from us all
Increase the recommended dhikr of the day of Arafah:
لا اله الا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد، وهو على كل شيء قدير
La ilaha ila Allah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahu al-mulk wa lahu al-hamd, wa huwa ala kulli shay’in qadir
(There is no god worthy of worship but Allah, alone, without partner. His is the sovereignty, and His the praise, and He has power over everything).
My Daily Deen 