Day of Arafat And Its Significance.

The day of Arafat is an Islamic holiday falls on the 9th day of Dhul-al-Hijjah of the Islamic calendar.

It's the second day of the Haji pilgrimage and the day after is the first day of the major Islamic holiday of Eid-al-Adha.

At dawn of this day, Muslim pilgrims will make their way from Mina to a nearby hillside and plain called Mount Arafah.

Mount Arafah was the place where Adam met Hawa after Allah sent them out of the paradise. It was this Mount that Muhammad gave out his last famous sermons in the final year of his life.

Muslims hold that part of the Quran verse announcing that the religion of Islam had been perfected was revealed on this day. (Quran 5:3).

       FASTING ON THE DAY OF ARAFAH

Fasting on the day of Arafah is a highly recommended sunnah which entails a great reward; Allah forgives the sin of two years.

Imam An-Nawawi mentioned in his book "Al-Majmu" with regard to the ruling on fasting for non-pilgrims.

 Imam As-Syafil and his companions said; It's sunnah to fast on the day of Arafah for the one who is not in Arafah.

Prohibiting the pilgrims from fasting on these days is a great mercy for them, for fasting will exert undue hardship on the person performing the Hajj.  Above all, Much Muhammad did not fast while he stood before Allah offering supplication in Arafah. 

On the other hand, Those who are not performing their hajj may observe fasting to gain the merit of the blessed days.

        SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DAY OF ARAFAH

Hajj as the fifth pillars of Islam. The climbing of the mountain turns the pilgrims into Alhaji and Alhaja. 

The day has several significance that played in the life of human being as it is a clear crystal from Almighty Allah that he perfected the religion. 

Arafah Exemplifies Equality Before Allah.  It demonstrates the concept of equality of mankind, the most profound message of Islam, which allows no superiority on the basis of race, gender,  or social status. 

The only preference in the eye of Allah is piety as stated in the Quran. "The best amongst you in the eyes of God is most righteous."

Arafah as a reminder of the day of judgement. The Arafah is a reminder of the grand assembly on the day of judgement when people will stand equal before God waiting for their final destiny.

According to the prophet "God does not judge according to your bodies and appearance but he scans your heart and looks into your deeds".

Love of Brotherhood is an important significance in the performance of Arafah. People of all races, colour, from all over the world coming together as one. It has proved the power of one God.

All ate as one, slept as one, as stated in the Quran(49:13). Every attitude accented the oneness of man under one God.

Written by; 

Babatunde Abdulhakim Adekunle.