The blessed day of Arafah and sunnahs for Eid ul Adha

The Islamic calendar is adorned with numerous significant days that hold immense religious and spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide. Among these special occasions, the Day of Arafah stands out as one of the most revered and highly anticipated events in the Islamic calendar. Falling on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, the Day of Arafah marks a pinnacle moment in the Hajj pilgrimage, when millions of Muslims gather on the plains of Arafah to seek forgiveness, blessings, and mercy from Allah (‎سبحانه وتعالى). This blog post delves into the importance of the Day of Arafah, exploring its historical background and authentic Hadiths and narrations that emphasize its significance.

1. THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The Day of Arafah holds its roots in the farewell pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wida) of Prophet Muhammad (‎ﷺ), which took place in the final year of his life. During this pilgrimage, the Prophet (‎ﷺ) delivered his famous sermon on the plains of Arafah, known as the "Sermon of Farewell." This sermon encapsulated vital teachings, emphasizing unity, equality, and the importance of preserving the rights and dignity of fellow Muslims.
   

2. THE VIRTUES OF THE DAY OF ARAFAH The Day of Arafah carries tremendous virtues and blessings, as highlighted in several authentic Hadiths. Prophet Muhammad (‎ﷺ) said, "There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah" (Muslim). On this sacred day, Muslims engage in fasting, supplication, and various acts of worship to seek the pleasure of Allah (‎سبحانه وتعالى) and attain forgiveness for their sins. The day of Arafah is also significant because this amazing ayah was revealed on this day:

ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمَ دِينًۭا ۚ

This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion."

(Surah al Maa'idah 5:3)

FASTING ON THE DAY OF ARAFAH: One of the most recommended acts on the Day of Arafah is voluntary fasting. The Prophet Muhammad (‎ﷺ) said, "Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the preceding and upcoming years" (Muslim). This fast is not obligatory for those performing Hajj, as they are engaged in other rites. However, for those not performing Hajj, it is highly recommended to observe this fast and reap the immense rewards associated with it.

SUPPLICATION AND REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH: The Day of Arafah is an opportune time for Muslims to engage in intense supplication and remembrance of Allah (‎سبحانه وتعالى). Prophet Muhammad (‎ﷺ) said, "The best supplication is the supplication on the Day of Arafah" (Tirmidhi). Muslims are encouraged to beseech Allah (‎سبحانه وتعالى) for forgiveness, mercy, guidance, and blessings. It is a time for deep introspection, acknowledging one's shortcomings, and seeking repentance.

Dua for the day of Arafah:

La ilaha illallah, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa huwa "ala kulli shai'in qadir None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise and He is Able to do all things. "The best of supplication is the supplication of the Day of 'Arafah. And the best of what I and the Prophets before me have said is: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, Alone, without partner, to Him belongs all that exists, and to Him belongs the Praise, and He is powerful over all things [Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3585]

-Make Dhikr (remembrance of Allah),

On this blessed day, any act of worship you do will result in more good deeds, so step up your remembrance of Allah, which you can do at any time of the day, during virtually any activity.

Repeat the specific Dhikr prescribed in the Sunnah. An especially blessed phrase is, “SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi, SubhanAllahil Adheem” (Glory be to Allah and all praise is due to Him).

Prophet Muhammad (‎ﷺ), said: “Two words (subhanAllah wa bihamdihi) are light on the tongue, weigh heavily in the balance, and are loved by the Most Merciful One.”

STANDING ON THE PLAINS OF ARAFAH: The Day of Arafah holds utmost significance for those pilgrims who are performing Hajj. On this day, pilgrims gather on the plains of Arafah, engaging in a day-long vigil of worship and supplication. Standing at Mount Arafah, pilgrims plead to Allah (‎سبحانه وتعالى) for forgiveness and mercy, seeking His divine intervention in their lives. The atmosphere is imbued with a sense of humility, devotion, and a collective desire for spiritual purification.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HAJJ AND THE DAY OF ARAFAH: The Day of Arafah is intrinsically linked to the Hajj pilgrimage. It is on this day that pilgrims perform one of the essential rituals of Hajj, known as "Wuquf," where they stand in earnest devotion at the plain of Arafah from noon until sunset. This ritual symbolizes the Day of Judgment when all humanity will gather before Allah (‎سبحانه وتعالى). The act of standing on the plains of Arafah serves as a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of worldly life and the importance of seeking forgiveness and repentance.

THE MERCY AND FORGIVENESS OF ALLAH: The Day of Arafah represents a unique opportunity for Muslims to seek the mercy and forgiveness of Allah (‎سبحانه وتعالى). Prophet Muhammad (‎ﷺ) said, "There is no day when Allah sets free more slaves from the Fire than the Day of Arafah" (Muslim). Muslims believe that on this day, sincere repentance and heartfelt prayers are more likely to be accepted by Allah (‎سبحانه وتعالى), leading to the forgiveness of sins and liberation from the torment of Hellfire.

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ARAFAH AND EID AL-ADHA: The Day of Arafah holds profound significance as it is followed by Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice. Eid al-Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah (‎سبحانه وتعالى). The proximity of these two occasions highlights the importance of submission to Allah's will, sacrifice, and the recognition of His mercy and blessings.

ACTS OF WORSHIP ON THE DAY OF ARAFAH: Aside from fasting and supplication, there are various acts of worship that Muslims can engage in on the Day of Arafah. These include recitation of the Quran, seeking knowledge, giving charity, and performing voluntary prayers. Each of these acts serves to enhance one's spiritual connection with Allah (‎سبحانه وتعالى) and foster a sense of devotion and gratitude.

The Day of Arafah is a sacred and blessed day in the Islamic calendar, offering Muslims an opportunity for spiritual renewal, forgiveness, and mercy from Allah (‎سبحانه وتعالى). Through fasting, supplication, and acts of worship, Muslims seek closeness to their Creator, acknowledging their weaknesses and shortcomings. The historical significance, virtues, and rituals associated with the Day of Arafah reinforce the importance of unity, humility, and devotion in the lives of Muslims. By embracing the teachings and traditions surrounding this auspicious day, Muslims can embark on a journey of self-reflection, seeking forgiveness, and experiencing the immense blessings that flow from the mercy of Allah (‎سبحانه وتعالى).

SUNNAHS FOR THE DAY OF EID UL ADHA

Day of 'Eid is not meant to disobey Allah. 'Eid is for the one who's obedience increases, 'Eid is for the one who's sin is forgiven.

The Days of Tashriq (10th, 11th, 12th, Dhul Hijjah) are days of eating and drinking, and in a similar narration with the addition of Remembrance of Allah. The Sunnahs to be followed on the day of Eid ul Adha are as follows:

• Doing ghusl before going out to the prayer

It was narrated in a sahih hadith in al-Muwatta and elsewhere that ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar used to do ghusl on the day of al-Fitr before going out to the prayer-place in the morning. (Al-Muwatta 428)

Al- Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said that the Muslims were unanimously agreed that it is recommended to do ghusl for 'Eid prayer .

The reason why it is recommended is the same reason as that for doing ghusl before Jumu’ah and other public gatherings. Rather on ‘Eid the reason is even stronger

• Eating after the prayer on Eid al-Adha:

On Eid al-Adha it is recommended not to eat anything until one comes back from the prayer, so he should eat from the udhiyah if he has offered a sacrifice. If he is not going to offer a sacrifice there is nothing wrong with eating before the prayer.

• Takbir on the day of 'Eid:

“(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbir (Allahu Akbar: Allah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” [al-Baqarah 2:185]

Al-Walid ibn Muslim said: “I asked al-Awza’i and Malik ibn Anas about saying Takbir out loud on the two ‘Eids. They said, Yes, ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar used to say it out loud on the day of al-Fitr until the imam came out (to lead the prayers).”

Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri (may Allah have mercy on him) used to say, “The people used to recite takbir from the time they came out of their houses until the imam came in.”

• Time for takbir on ‘Eid al-Adha

In the case of ‘Eid al-Adha, the takbir begins on the first day of Dhu’l-Hijjah and lasts until sunset on the last of the days of tashriq.

It was narrated in the Musannaf of Ibn Abi Shaybah with a sahih isnad from Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that he used to recite takbir during the days of tashriq:

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah, wa Allahu akbar, Allah akbar, wa Lillah il-hamd

(Allah is Most Great, Allah is most Great, there is no god but Allah, Allah is Most great, Allah is most great, and to Allah be praise).

• Offering congratulations

The etiquette of ‘Eid also includes the congratulations and good wishes exchanged by people , no matter what the wording, such as saying to one another Taqabbala Allah minna wa minkum (May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you” or “‘Eid mubaarak” and other permissible expressions of congratulations.

Jubayr ibn Nufayr said: “When the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) met one another on the day of ‘Eid, they would say to one another, “May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you.” Ibn Hajar said, its isnad is hasan. (Al-Fath, 2/446)

• Adorning oneself on the occasion of ‘Eid

It is Sunnah to adorn oneself for 'Eid by wearing one’s best clothes; that does not come under the heading of imitating the non-Muslims

So a man should wear the best clothes that he has when going out for 'Eid.

With regard to women, they should avoid adorning themselves when they go out for ‘Eid , because they are forbidden to show off their adornments to non-mahram men. It is also haram for a woman who wants to go out to put on perfume or to expose men to temptation, because they are only going out for the purpose of worship.

• Going to the prayer by one route and returning by another.

Jabir ibn ‘Abd-Allah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “On the day of ‘Eid, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to vary his route.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 986)

It was said that the reason for that was so that the two routes would testify for him on the Day of Resurrection, for the earth will speak on the Day of Resurrection and say what was done on it, both good and bad

• Eid Prayer for women

It is prescribed for Muslim women to go out to the prayer place on the day of Eid, to offer the Eid prayer with the Muslims, not wearing perfume and not showing off any adornment.

Al-Bukhaari (324) and Muslim (890) narrated that Umm ‘Atiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) commanded us to bring out on al-Fitr and al-Adha the girls who had reached puberty, menstruating women and women in seclusion. The menstruating women were to keep away from the prayer but to witness goodness and the du’aa’ of the Muslims. I said: O Messenger of Allah, one of us may not have a jilbaab. He said: “Let her sister lend her a jilbaab to wear.”

It is not obligatory for women, rather it is Sunnah for them, and they should offer this prayer in the prayer place with the Muslims, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) instructed them to do that.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked:

Is it permissible for a woman to offer the Eid prayer in her house?

He replied: what is prescribed for women is to offer the Eid prayer in the Eid prayer place with the men, because of the hadeeth of Umm ‘Atiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her). Therefore the Sunnah is for the women to go out to the Eid prayer place with the men. As for women offering the Eid prayer in their houses, I know of no Sunnah concerning that.

He was also asked:

A woman is asking about Eid prayer for women, because we do not have any prayer place for women, so the women gather in my house and I lead them in offering the Eid prayer. What is the ruling concerning that? Please note that my house is private and far away from the men.

He replied:

The ruling concerning that is that this comes under the heading of innovation. Eid prayer can only be offered in congregation with the men. Women are instructed to go out to the Eid prayer place and offer the prayer with the men; they should be behind them and avoid mixing with them.

With regard to doing the Eid prayer in her house, this is a grave mistake. There is no report from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him and his family) or from his Companions that the women offered the Eid prayer in their houses. Eid mubarak from the family of Elana Muslimah.

تَقَبَّلَ اللهُ مِنَّا وَمِنكُم

“May Allah accept [this worship] from you and us”.