Even the hearts filled with sins yearn to change if there is any iota of faith (Imaan) in them. Not finding any way out to change for good, Almighty Allah, yet again provides some great opportunities for such broken hearts to turn towards Allah. Some special days (hours) in the year are so special that a little attention towards Almighty Allah may change ones destiny!
Yawn-Al-Arafah (The day of 9th Dhul-Hijah) is one such blessing from Almighty Allah.
Laylatul Qadr is hidden but the day of Arafah is right in front of us. The greatest day of the year. Supplications are accepted and answered, sins are forgiven and mercy of Almighty is endless. If you waste this day, you have only yourself to blame! This is your moment, don’t sleep on it. The mercy of Merciful is looking for those who are seeking it.
It is the day when Prophet Muhammed (SAW) stood in the hot desert of Arafah, on the Mount Arafah (Jabal-Al-Rahmat). He continuously sought the divine blessings for this Ummah. A day of Joy for every Muslim, a day of repentance for every Muslim, a day of forgiveness for every Muslim. The Day of Arafah is a day of immense forgiveness, where Allah (SWT) is said to free more souls from Hell than on any other day of the year.
The day of Arafah is such a great blessing from Almighty Allah that there is no parallel to it. Even the first ten days of Dhul-Hijah are considered to be the best ten days of the year.
On this day, it is believed that everyone will be resurrected and gathered on Mount Arafat to be held accountable for their actions. On this day, we shall fast to cleanse our souls to receive the ultimate reward of entering Jannah (Paradise). This day also marks the climax of Hajj.
It is the day when the religion of Islam was perfected.
Allah (SWT) revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW): ”Today, I have perfected for you your religion, completed upon you My blessing and have approved for you Islam as your religion.” (Qur’an 5:3)
It is the day when the Prophet (SAW) gave his last sermon.
Prophet Muhammed (SAW) delivered his farewell sermon on Mount Arafah. He reminds us to follow the Qur’an and Sunnah and addressed racism, gender equality and human rights.
On this day Allah (SWT) releases souls from Hell.
The Prophet (SAW) said: “There is no day in which Allah sets free more souls from the fire of hell than on the day of Arafah.” (Muslim)
It is the essence of Hajj.
The ritual of Hajj would not be complete without the blessed journey to Mount Arafah. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Hajj is Arafah.” (Nasa’i)
Repenting on the Day of Arafah is a way of renewing your promise to Allah (SWT) and starting afresh.
It is a day when Allah (SWT) descends down from the sky.
For the people who stay in Arafah, Allah (SWT) descends to the sky and says to His angels: “My slaves have come to me, looking rough, from every deep valley hoping for my mercy, so if their sins are equivalent to the amount of sand or the drops of rain or like the foam on the sea I will forgive them. So go forth My slaves! Having forgiveness for what and whom you have interceded for.” (at-Tabarani)
It is the greatest day of the Islamic Year.
“Fasting on the day of Arafah expiates the sins from the past and coming year.” (Muslim)
Fasting is one of the most favourable acts of worship for Allah (SWT). Fasting on the Day of Arafah is another chance for you to reflect and gain closeness to Allah (SWT) without any worldly distractions.
It is the day when shaitan is humiliated, The Prophet ﷺ said: “Apart from the day of the Battle of Badr there is no day on which the Shaitan is seen to be more humiliated, more rejected, more depressed and more infuriated, than on the day of Arafat, and indeed all this is only because of beholding the abundance of descending Mercy (on the day) and Allah’s forgiveness of the great sins of the servants.“ [Mishkat]
Al-‘Abbaas ibn Al-Midraas, may Allah be pleased with him, said,
“The Prophet, ﷺ , supplicated abundantly for the forgiveness and mercy of his Ummah (nation) on the night of ‘Arafat, the next day he did the same in Muzdalifah. He, ﷺ smiled when he finished. Some of the Sahaabah (Companions) asked, “May my father and mother be sacrificed for your sake, you smiled at a time which you never smiled previously, may Allah always make you happy, what made you smile?” He ﷺ said:“I smiled because of the predicament of Satan, the enemy of Allah. After Allah accepted my supplications for my Ummah and forgave those who transgressed against themselves. Satan started pouring soil upon his head and crying out for his own destruction, so I smiled at his grief.” [Ahmad]
Now let›s ponder over it and ask few questions to ourselves!
Do we have the time to be wasted in markets, on shopping and in making friends?
Hasn›t the time come when we shall make a strong and clear intention to change for good?
Isn›t the time ripe to seek the blessings of Almighty Allah through repentance?
Now, when we have such a great day by the blessings of Almighty Allah, we must be grateful to Almighty Allah for blessing us with such a great day. At the same time, we shall make a list of all our problems and put it before Almighty Allah. It is the only court, from where the issues are addressed without any mediator. Let›s get directly connected with Almighty Allah and seek His blessings for all our affairs for this world and the hereafter!
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