Arafat & It’s Spiritual Importance
Have you ever wondered why the Day of Arafat is so special to Muslims around the world? Let's dive in and find out together!
A Day Set Apart
The Day of Arafat is a significant day for Muslims worldwide. It's not just a regular day - Allah Himself has marked it as special, making it a unique opportunity for Muslims to seek forgiveness and personal growth.
Divine Closeness
On this day, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that Allah liberates more people from the Fire of Hell than on any other day. Allah comes closer to His creation and asks His Angels, "What do these people desire?" This makes the Day of Arafat a beacon of spiritual healing and a time for seeking forgiveness.
A Pilgrim's Journey
The Day of Arafat falls on the ninth day within the first ten blessed days of Dhul-Hijjah. During the Hajj pilgrimage, pilgrims’ journey to Mount Arafat. They spend the entire day praying and asking for Allah's mercy and forgiveness. Mount Arafat is considered a sacred place, the level area is called “The Plain of Arafat” According to some scholars, this Mountain is where the Prophet Muhammad gave the “Farewell Sermon.”
Perfecting the Faith
This day is also significant because it's the day when Allah completed the religion of Islam and blessed us with His favor. Umar ibn al-Khattab, a companion of the Prophet, reported man from another tribe said, “O leader of the believers, there is a verse you recite in your book and, had it been revealed to us as Jews, we would have taken that day as a celebration.” Umar said, “Which verse is it?” The man recited the verse, “Today I have completed your religion for you, perfected My favor upon you, and have chosen Islam as your religion.” (5:3)
Umar said, “I know the day and place in which this verse was revealed to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. It was while he was standing on the day of Arafat on Friday.”
Fasting and Charity
Many Muslims observe fasting on the Day of Arafat as an act of devotion, which is believed to erase past sins. It's also a day when many Muslims give generously to charity for additional blessings. This day encourages Muslims to extend their hands in service to those in need. Qurbani takes place, shortly after, a sacrifice – something we will explore in our next blog post!
Day of Reflection
In essence, the Day of Arafat is a powerful day of introspection. It invites Muslims to reflect on their actions, strive for improvement, and show compassion to those around them.
