The Day of Arafah (Arabic: Yawm al-Rabbi) is a unique Islamic day that falls on the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah. It’s the twenty-first day of Ramadan, the Islamic month of Ramadan, and the climax of the fasting month.
Many scholars believe that the Day of Arafah was created by a great prophet whose words were meant to be preserved and not translated into scripture. Therefore, it was made as a special religious day. Muslims consider any other religion’s sacred days sacred as long as those other religions aren’t practicing witchcraft.
When is The Day of Arafah 2024?
The Day of Arafah was created by a scholar named Muqaddimah B. al-Araf. He explained the creation of the Day of Arafah to his master, ‘O Allah, make me your messenger and a shield over my people against their enemy; fulfill my desire in yourself to be a spreader of Islam in conquering nations whom you have threatened with evil, and that they are obedient to your will and your religion.’ (Treatise on the Day of Arafah, page xvi.)
- Year > 2024
- Date > 18 & 19 July
- Weekday > Sunday & Monday
History of the Day of Arafah
The Day of Arafah was started by Muqaddimah when he went to Mecca to carry out his intent. Once at the mosque, he stood before the mosque and prayed to Allah, reciting the Quraish (Koran) with his hands while narrating the stories of the prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) companions and being answered by the holy congregation. The sound of voices of hundreds of arafas or monks resounded in the area, which was the signal for all the monks gathered in prayer. When the pilgrims’ leader got down from his horse, all the regions gathered around him and repeated the call for prayer till heaven and earth replied in Amen.
The Day of Arafah is considered to expiate the past sins of a Muslim by all Muslim pilgrims, who are also called “Alama Rabbina” or “emirs.” Muslims believe that by acting as visiting the mausoleum every day, they are purifying themselves and purifying the past, in which they were wronged by the unbelievers who did not believe in Allah. By doing this, they say that all the past sins will be purged, and they will be enlightened with the knowledge of proper conduct and how to deal with others rightly.
The Day of Arafah’s Activities
The Day of Arafah also highlights that forgiveness is critical to Islam. All Muslims, when harming Karam, darbars, and any other kind of worshiping Allah, have to make sure that they show the utmost modesty. This shows the world and its oppressors that the Muslim way of life is always to forgive others so that their blessings may spread all over the world.
God’s power is so mighty that even if someone is sinning against them or the religion of Islam, the believers still have to pray for them and ask for forgiveness so that their deeds may benefit all believers.
The Day of Arafah Observance
Every year, thousands of Muslims from all parts of Pakistan, India, Kashmir, and other South Asian countries come to the city of Mecca to partake in the annual Day of Arafah. During the Day of Arafah, all Muslims worldwide fast until they reach the masjid (mosque) at Al-Balad, the biggest mosque in Islam. They then proceeded to Al-abad, another mosque, and continued the fast. This is one of the Islamic calendar’s three most critical annual pilgrimages. The third and final destination of Al-abad is the holy city of Mecca, which is located two hundred and sixty-five kilometers away from Arafat by car.
During the Day of Arafah, all Muslims who can, Balad and Al-Abad, must take par to participate in a fasting ritual. This aims to wash away all sins from past wrongdoings and to invite the divine presence. Once all sins are washed away, the journey to Al Islamabad will be completed. The believers can say goodbye to their loved ones before welcoming them back to the earth after performing dharma (pleasure prayer) for each other in the coming year.
The ninth day of Ramadan is Dhul-Haj, or the Night of Judgment. It is believed by followers of Islamic holidays that the Night of Arafah will herald the end of Ramadan and the start of a new Muslim calendar. The Night of judgment is also called the Night of Power and is considered a time when the will of Allah is most manifest. In Islamic belief, the coming of caliphs, the mosques’ leaders, will herald a new Islamic calendar following the caliph’s death.
