THE MOST VIRTUOUS DAY: THE DAY OF ARAFAH

Rasûlullâh (sallallâhu alayhi wa sallam) said: “There is not a day that is more virtuous than the day of Arafah in the sight of Allâh Azza wa Jalla. On the day of Arafah, Allâh Ta‘âlâ manifests in the heaven with His mercy, praising His servants on Earth to His angels in heaven by saying: “Look at my servants. Despite having not witnessed My torment, they have come from far on dusty paths, with dishevelled hair, sweat, and dust, hoping for My Rahmah (mercy). My servants are saved from the torment of hell and forgiven the most on the Day of Arafah.”

“The Shaytân has never been seen as more furious, humiliated, and desperate on any other day than on the day of Arafah. That is because Allâh’s mercy descends, and He pardons the sins on the day of Arafah. He (Shaytân) was also seen like that at the Battle of Badr before; because he saw that Jibrâîl (alayhis salâm) was establishing the rows of angels (against the enemy).”

“Whoever asks Allâh Ta‘âlâ on the day of Arafah, for any of his needs, either concerning here or the hereafter, it will be granted.”

Rasûlullâh (sallallâhu alayhi wa sallam) prayed for his Ummah (community) on the night before Arafah. Accepting his prayer Allâh Ta‘âlâ said: “Except those who abused others’ rights, your entire Ummah has been forgiven. Indeed, I make the oppressor pay for the right of him whom he oppressed.”

Rasûlullâh (sallallâhu alayhi wa sallam) pleaded: “O my Rabb! If you wish, you can give Your Jannah (paradise) to the oppressed and forgive the oppressor.” On the night preceding Arafah, this supplication was not responded to. In the Fajr, Rasûlullâh (sallallâhu alayhi wa sallam) repeated his prayer at Muzdalifah, and then he was told: “You have been given what you wanted. Upon this, Rasûlullâh (sallallâhu alayhi wa sallam) smiled, and on seeing him smile, Hadrat Abû Bakr and Umar (radhiyallâhu anhumâ) asked for its reason. Rasûlullâh (sallallâhu alayhi wa sallam) said: “On learning that my Du‘â (prayer) has been accepted and my Ummah has been forgiven, Iblîs, the enemy of Allâh, has become desperate and has thrown dust and sand over himself. That is why I smiled on seeing him like that.”