The Day of Arafat: 5 Things That Hit Differently This Year
Tonight begins the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah — the Day of Arafat. The holiest day of the year in the Islamic calendar. It is a day of immense forgiveness — forgiveness of sins, and the most significant day for Hajj pilgrims.
And for many reasons… this year, it’s hitting me differently than
it ever has before.
Maybe it's where I am in life, the state of the world, or just that Allah is softening my heart in new ways. All I can say is Alhamdulillah, and offer something from my journey to others. Insha’Allah it helps.
Here are my top 5 reasons the Day of Arafat hits different this year:
Arafat is about renewal. This year, I’m ready to release and embrace what Allah has in store. Prophet Muhammad (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)
Muslims around the world will fast, engage in dhikr, and supplicate, drawing nearer to Allah whether at home or on the plains of Arafat. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I intend to be among them. May Allah renew me and you. اللهم آمين.
Here’s a great video I watched that helped me to understand the great blessing of today.
Since Ramadan, I’ve been trying to memorize Surah Al-Mulk. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said this Surah will protect us on the Day of Judgment — and Allah knows, I will need all the help I can get.
It’s a beautiful Surah — a reminder of Allah’s perfect, unmatched power. But there’s one ayah that especially touched my heart —
“He who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed. And He is the Almighty, the Oft-Forgiving.” (67:2)
I’ve read this surah countless times before, but this year it struck me that:
Allah mentions death before life.
Life is not the beginning. Death is.
My mother — may Allah be pleased with her and protect her and my father from the punishments of the grave — passed away on June 5th. I try not to commemorate this date. But this year, on June 5th, the day of Arafat, I can’t help but feel lighthearted thinking of my mother’s beginning.
This is a special day. One in which I make dua with full hope:
That Allah forgives her sins.
That He grants her Jannah.
That her grave is a garden of light.
And that we meet again, in a place where there is no more parting. اللهم آمين.
I have to be honest. It’s hard for me to fast outside of Ramadan. It really is. But this year — this year it feels more important than ever. This year, it feels foolish not to.
So I’m reminding myself — and inviting you too! Let’s all fast tomorrow, calling upon Allah to grant us patience.
Patience for those long hours.
Patience for that sweet moment when the sun finally sets — and that tall glass of water disappears faster than my daughter’s Eid candy.
And ultimately… enough patience that one day, we’ll hear the angels greet us at the gates of Jannah with those beautiful words:
“Salaamu-Alaikum. Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured.” And excellent is the final home. (Quran 13:24)
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ gave his last sermon on Mount Arafat during his final Hajj. What a blessing from Allah to have a record of his exact words. This year I find myself marveling at how comprehensive the sermon was.
The Prophet touched upon our spiritual, societal and financial responsibilities - to ourselves, our families and our communities. He lifted the burden of interest from those suffering under its weight. And he reminded us — explicitly — that racism has no place in Islam.
May Allah reward me and you for continuing to pass on the Prophet’s words. Let’s share them widely today.
Read and share…
Last but not least… this year more than ever… I WANT TO MAKE HAJJ!
I’ve been all over the world — planes, trains and automobiles! But for no good reason, when I was in a stronger financial position, Hajj was far from mind. Astaghfirullah.
Now I find myself counting my blessings — and counting my coins. Or maybe I should say... my blessed coins. And with every coin, every prayer, every longing — my heart is calling:
"Labbaik Allahumma labbaik."
"Labbaik Allahumma labbaik."
“Here I am, O Allah, here I am.”
“Here I am, O Allah, here I am.”
I dream of making Hajj. Today, I’m putting a plan in motion.
Starting with dua. Starting with intention. Starting with belief that if Allah wills it, no barrier is too great. May Allah make it easy for me — and for you — to make Hajj next year. To light the fire, here’s the link to the Saudi Visa Office.