Day of Arafah: Fasting, Dua and Its Virtues in Hadith

On the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, the pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafah from midday until sunset, hands raised in dua. Most of us watch it from far away, on a screen. Yet the Day of Arafah is not only for the pilgrims. The Prophet ﷺ gave the rest of us a fast that expiates two years of sins, and told us which words are the best to say on that day. Here are 5 authentic hadith about the Day of Arafah, what they mean, and how to make the most of it from home.

When is the Day of Arafah in 2027?

The Day of Arafah is the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, the day before Eid al-Adha. In 2027 it is expected on Saturday 15 May, with Eid al-Adha on Sunday 16 May. These are estimates: the sighting of the new moon decides, so the date in your country may differ by a day. All the key dates are on our Islamic calendar page, and the whole season is covered in Dhul Hijjah: the best 10 days of the year.

1. Fasting on the Day of Arafah: two years of sins

Abu Qatadah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ was asked about many kinds of voluntary fasting, one after another. Among them:

One day of fasting, and the reward reaches back over the year that has passed and forward over the year to come. In the same hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said the fast of Ashura expiates the year before it, so the fast of Arafah carries twice that. In another narration of this hadith he said he hoped from Allah that it would expiate the year before and the year after (Sahih Muslim 1162a), which teaches us to fast it with hope, not with a sense that we have earned it.

Try this: set your intention the night before, eat suhoor even if it is small, and keep the fast quiet: less scrolling, more dhikr. Fasting does not replace tawbah, so pair it with a sincere istighfar for the things you know you need to leave.

2. The day Allah frees the most people from the Fire

‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

As HadeethEnc explains, Allah saves from the Fire whomever He wills on this day more than on any other day, and He draws near to His servants in a way that befits His majesty, showing the angels the honor of the pilgrims. They left their families, spent their wealth and tired their bodies, seeking only His forgiveness and His pleasure, and whatever they seek, they will receive according to their intentions.

Try this: on the afternoon of Arafah, make one dua that you do not usually make: ask Allah by name to free you, your parents and your family from the Fire.

3. The Day of Arafah dua: the best words to say

‘Amr ibn Shu’ayb narrated from his father, from his grandfather, that the Prophet ﷺ said:

In transliteration: Lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamd, wa huwa ʿalā kulli shayʾin qadīr. The hadith says two things: dua on this day is the best dua of all, and these words of tawhid are the best thing to say. The same words, said 100 times on any day, carry a great reward of their own (see the reward of La ilaha illallah 100 times).

Try this: keep these words on your tongue through the afternoon, in between your own duas. The hadith gives no number, so say them as often as you can, with presence of heart.

A note on its grading

At-Tirmidhi narrates this hadith in his collection (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 3585). He called it hasan gharib through that chain and said one of its narrators, Hammad ibn Abi Humayd, is not strong; Darussalam grades that chain Da’if. Al-Albani graded the hadith Sahih in his notes on Mishkat al-Masabih, and Mishkat adds that Malik reported a similar wording from Talhah ibn ‘Ubaydillah, up to “who has no partner”. We go with al-Albani’s grade and show the difference openly. New to hadith grades? Read how hadith grading works.

4. The Prophet ﷺ did not fast at Arafah during Hajj

Umm al-Fadl bint al-Harith (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of al-‘Abbas, reported what happened during the Farewell Hajj:

He drank in front of the people so that everyone could see he was not fasting. This is why the fast of Arafah is known as a sunnah for those who are not on Hajj: the pilgrim at Arafah has a long day of standing and dua, and the Prophet ﷺ himself did not fast it there. For a ruling that fits your situation, please ask a qualified local scholar.

Try this: if someone you know is going for Hajj this year, send them a list of duas to make for you at Arafah, and promise to fast and make dua for them at home.

5. The day the religion was perfected

‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked about a verse of the Quran, and he knew exactly when and where it came down:

The verse is Surah al-Ma’idah 5:3. ‘Umar’s answer shows that the Day of Arafah was already a great day for the Muslims: the day Allah completed His favor on them and perfected their religion, while the Prophet ﷺ stood in dua on the plain.

Try this: on the Day of Arafah, thank Allah for Islam itself. Say alhamdulillah for the guidance you have, and ask Him to keep you on it until you meet Him.

Bringing it together

The Day of Arafah gives us three things in one day: a fast that expiates two years, the best time of the year for dua, and a day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than on any other. The pilgrims receive it standing on the plain. We receive it at home, at work or on the school run, through a fast, a few quiet minutes before sunset, and the words of tawhid.

Reflection: The angels are asked, “What do these people want?” It is worth asking ourselves the same question before the day comes. If we arrive at Arafah with no list, the afternoon passes in a blur. If we arrive with our needs written down, for this life and the next, every minute of it has a purpose.

Questions people ask

Key lessons

• Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the year before and the year after.
• No day sees more servants freed from the Fire than the Day of Arafah.
• The best dua is the dua of Arafah, and the best words are: there is no god but Allah alone, who has no partner.
• The Prophet ﷺ did not fast at Arafah during his Hajj, so the fast is for those not on Hajj.
• The verse “This day I have perfected for you your religion” came down on the Day of Arafah.

If this were your last Day of Arafah, what would you ask Allah for? Write it down today, so the list is ready when the day comes.

Save this to Pinterest so you can plan your fast and dua before the Day of Arafah