The month of Dhul Hijjah (the twelfth lunar month) is one of the sacred months in Islam (cf: Qur’an 9: 36) and the month of pilgrimage (Hajj) to the Holy House (Ka’bah) in the city of Mecca. Meanwhile, the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah (the Arafah Day) is one of the most sacred days of the Islamic lunar Calendar and it is the day before Eid al-Adha (Eid of Sacrifice). On this day, Allah invites His servants towards his worship and obedience and spreads His bounties and blessings. Imam Zain al-Abideen (PBUH) while describing the significance of this day said: “O God, this is the day of Arafah, a day which You have made noble, given honour and magnified within it. You have spread Your mercy, showed kindness through Your pardon, made plentiful Your giving and by it, You have been gracious towards Your servants.” (Sahifa as-Sajjadiyyah, Dua No. 47)
Significance of Arafah Day
Arafah is a mountain about 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of Mecca in the plain of Arafah. Mount Arafah reaches about 70 m (230 ft) in height and is known as the “Mountain of Mercy” (Jabal ar-Rahmah). At the dawn of the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, Muslim pilgrims will make their way from Mina to a nearby hillside and plain called Mount and the Plain of Arafah. According to hadith, the hill is the place where the Prophet Muhammad stood and delivered a sermon to the Muslims who had accompanied him for the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Widah).
It is pertinent to mention that according to Shi’a jurisprudence, pilgrims of Hajj must stay at Mount Arafat (i.e., Wuquf at Arafat) from the beginning of Zawaal on the ninth of Dhu al-Hijjah till sunset, as it is considered the second obligation in Hajj-ut-Tamatu’. The intention of performing this act of worship has to be nothing except to gain proximity to Allah. The requirement is the presence in Arafat, regardless of whether the pilgrim is riding, walking, sitting or moving. The stay of pilgrims in Arafah is said to lead to the forgiveness of their sins.
On the day of Arafah, pilgrims of Hajj gather in Mount Arafah and in addition to observing ritual prayer, supplication and asking for forgiveness, they give thanks to Allah for giving them the opportunity of performing Hajj.
Due to the significance and greatness of this day, many supplications and other acts of worship have been recommended by Infallible Imams (peace be upon them) and religious authorities on this day. One of the most famous supplications of this day is the supplication of Arafah by Imam al-Husain (PBUH) which was composed and recited by Imam al-Husain on the Day of Arafah in the desert of ‘Arafah. The supplication is usually recited by Shi’a on the same day. This supplication contains some of the highest theological and spiritual teachings.
Meanwhile, it is important to mention that many hadiths described Arafah Day as a special day of forgiving sins. (Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 4, p. 146, 541) To such an extent that it is said in a Prophetic saying that whoever is not forgiven in the Night of Majesty (Laylat al-Qadr) of the month of Ramadan, the only place where such a person could be forgiven is on Mount Arafah.
Similarly, the day has also been described as the day of answering supplications of the supplicants. (Ṣadūq, Man lā yaḥḍuruh al-faqīh, vol. 2, p. 211) Supplication for the fulfilment of one’s material and spiritual needs is highly encouraged on this day, to such an extent that one cannot supplicate on this day due to fasting fatigue is advised to abandon the fast and focus mainly on the supplication (Dua).
It is narrated that Imam Zain al-Abidin (PBUH) heard someone begging people for financial aid on the day of Arafah. The Imam (PBUH) said to him: “Woe unto you that on a day like this, you are asking from other than Almighty Allah. This is a day when the mercy and grace of Allah reach (even) the fetus in the womb.”
The Infallible Imams (peace be upon them) from the pure Prophet’s Household (ahl al-Bayt) highly honoured and respected this day and advised their adherent to do the same. According to reliable reports, special acts of worship have been prescribed and recommended on both the eve and the day of Arafah. The following are some of the recommended deeds (Aamaal):
The Eve of Arafah
The devotional acts on this night are as follows:
1. Recitation of the supplication: “اللهم یا شاهد کل نجوی” (Check: Mafatih al-Jinan for details). It is narrated that Almighty Allah will forgive one who says this supplication at the ‘Arafah Night or Friday nights.
2. It is recommended to repeat one thousand times the Ten Statements of Glorification (Tasbihaat) (Check: Mafatih al-Jinan for details)
3. It is recommended to say the supplication, dedicated to Arafah Day and the Friday nights and days, which begins with the expression: “اللهم من تعیّا”
4. It is highly recommended to visit the holy Shrine of Imam Husain (PBUH) at the land of Karbala and stay there up to the ‘Eid al-Adha Day (the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah) so that Almighty Allah will save from all evils of that year.
The Day of Arafah
Among the recommended acts on Arafah Day include:
1. Fasting: In al-Misbah, al-Kaf`ami says that it is recommended to observe fasting on `Arafah Day unless fasting prevents one from the recitation of supplications.
2. Ghusl (Ritual bath): Perform Ghusl (before noon) on ‘Arafah’ Day.
3. Ziyarat of Muslim ibn Aqeel: The martyrdom anniversary of Muslim ibn Aqeel (peace be upon him) was on the ninth of Dhul al-Hijjah.
4. Recitation of Ziyarat of Imam Husain (PBUH).
5. It is recommended to recite the Zuhr and Asr Prayers under the open sky.
6. Two-unit (rakaah) prayer: After obligatory prayers, it is recommended to offer a two-unit prayer reciting Surah al-Fatihah and Surah al-Tawhid in the first unit while Surah al-Fatihah and Surah al-Kafirun in the second.
7. Two-unit (rakaah) prayer under the open sky: After the ‘Asr Prayer and before the reciting the supplications of ‘Arafah’ Day, offer another 2-unit prayer (like Fajr prayers) under the open sky, confessing one’s sins before Allah. One who offers this prayer will be granted the reward of being present on Mount Arafah and having all sins forgiven.
8. Giving charity
9. Salaat of Imam Ali (PBUH) – four units (Rakaah)
10. Dua of Imam Husain (PBUH) for the Day of ‘Arafah
11. Dua 47 from Sahifa of Imam Ali Zain al-Abideen (PBUH)
12. Recitation of some selected supplications (Check Mafatih al-Jinan for details).
SOURCE: Mafatih al-Jinan by Sheikh Abbas Qummi
