Be A GOOD MUSLIM

10 Things to Do on The Day of Arafah (for Non-Hajjis)

So here's a thought..

If I can't go to Makkah for Hajj (for any reason) even though I really want to, what can I do to make sure I get all the rewards of Hajj from any part of the world?

Or do you ever ask yourselves...

Will the Muslims who can never make a trip to Makkah for Hajj in their entire lifetime due to financial or health-related issues, never be rewarded the same as people who are blessed with the opportunity to perform Hajj?

There are people in the world, striving to earn money to do Hajj atleast once in their entire life, praying day and night that Allah blesses them with a single chance to do Hajj...

On the other hand, there are those who are performing Hajj, but they wish every day for the Hajj to end so that they can go back to the comfort of their homes and do exactly as they were doing before the most uncomfortable experience of their lives.

Who do you think deserves more praise from The Almighty Allah?

Allah gives all of His people an opportunity to erase their sins on this special Day of Arafah.

The complete first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah are given immense value by Allah S.W.T. He attaches so much importance to these days that He S.W.T swears by them in The Holy Quran.

Allah, the Most High & Exalted says: "By the Dawn; By the ten nights" [Surah Al-Fajr:1-2]

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad S.A.W emphasized the importance of these 10 days by saying: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked , "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He said, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out, giving himself and his wealth up for the cause (of Allah), and came back with nothing." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

Therefore, all those Muslims who wish to be performing Hajj this year but can't, should put in all their efforts and earn the rewards Allah has promised for all on the day of Arafah.

Here's a short list of what you can do on the Day of Arafah to make the most out of it..

1) Fasting during the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah (especially on The Day of Arafah)

Allah has made certain days and nights more spirituality elevating than the rest of the year. The first 9 days including the Day of Arafah are the most blessed days of the year. And the blessed act of worship that's very dear to Allah (S.W.T) is fasting. Allah says:

Almighty Allah says, "All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except fasting, which is for Me and I shall reward for it."' [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

That's why it's a sunnah of our beloved Prophet S.A.W to fast during the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah. Especially on the Day of Arafah.

If you don't fast all 9 days then atleast try to fast the Day of Arafah. Afterall, it's just ONE day. And you know what happens when you do that?

The Prophet (S.A.W) was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah, so he said:

Abu Qatadah Al-Ansari (R.A) narrated, "The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W) was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah (the 9th of the month of Dhul Hijjah). He replied, "Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation for the preceding year and the following year." [Muslim]

Important points to note: Fasting is prohibited on the day of Eid (10th Dhul Hijjah). Fasting is also prohibited on the Day of Arafat for the pilgrims performing Hajj.

2) Stay clear of Major sins

People tend to focus so hard on praying extra nawafil and doing extra Ibadah that they forget the order of priority of deeds in the eyes of Allah.