Virtues of the Day of Arafah by Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse

This day, the day of Arafah is a blessing for those who performed the pilgrimage (Hajj) to the Sacred House of Allah and stood on the plain of Arafah. It is also a blessed day for all Muslims wherever they might find themselves in the world.

If you witness this day and struggle to perform worships in it, Allah by His great Favour will grant you the (full) reward of Hajj while you remain at your place in your town. You will be at your town while you reap the merit (in reward) of the one who performed Hajj and stood on the plain of Arafah.

This day has been mentioned by Allah’s Messenger (may Allah grant him blessings and give him peace) in what was narrated by Abu Qatadah r.a. He said: “Allah’s Messenger (may Allah grant him blessings and give him peace) was asked concerning the fast on the day of Arafah and he said: It is expiation for the year before it and the year after it.”

That is, for the fast on this single day, Allah wipes the sins of the previous year and the coming year. It is authentically narrated on the authority of many companions who said: “We used to estimate the fast on the day of Arafah with the worship of two consecutive years.”

For this, the fast on the day of Arafah for those who are not on the plain of Arafah (that is those who are not performing the pilgrimage) is a tradition (Sunnah) among the guiding traditions (of Allah’s Messenger, may Allah grant him blessings and give him peace) and a great advantage.

In fact, it is authentically narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that fasting on the day of Arafah is equivalent to (fasting for) ten thousand (10,000) days. Fasting on the days of Zul Hijjah is equivalent to (fasting for) a thousand days, and fasting on the day of Arafah is equivalent to ten thousand days.

For fasting one day (day of Arafah), Allah gives you reward (in merit) for fasting for ten thousand days on earth.

It is indeed a great opportunity and indeed a big merit. A sound believer (Mu’min) whose faith is perfect ought to take advantage of this day (that is, seek to reap the fruits of it) or strive in it.

Translated from the Arabic by: Ibrahim Abdulmalik