Day of Arafah 2023: The ninth day of the Islamic lunar month, or June 27 this year, is the Day of Arafah (or Arafat). It’s the second day of Hajj and the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar, Dhul-Hijjah. This is the finest day of the year for Muslims. The day is the culmination of the pilgrimage for Muslims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, who congregate on the Arafah plain to pray and beg for forgiveness. The fifth pillar of Islam is pilgrimage, so the Day of Arafah bears great significance for Muslims. The Day of Arafah is known as the day when, if desired, Allah will forgive the sins of millions of Muslims. Arafah is known as the day Allah completed the Islam religion. It was also the day an important verse of the Qur’an, Surah al Maa’adah 5:3, was revealed, making it a significant date. The UAE observes the Day of Arafah as a national holiday.
WHEN IS DAY OF ARAFAH 2023?
The Day of Arafah, which commemorates the moment when Islam was perfected and endorsed as a way of life for all Muslims, occurs on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah on the Islamic calendar, or June 27 on the Gregorian calendar this year.
HISTORY OF DAY OF ARAFAH
Muslims observe the Day of Arafah as a very holy and virtuous day. Near the end of his life, the Prophet Muhammad delivered his farewell sermon on Mount Arafah to the many Muslims with whom he completed Hajj. While standing on the plain of Arafah, the verse 5:3 of the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
The Day of Arafah is also known as ‘Freedom from Fire.’ The meaning of the name Arafah is “to know.” Although fasting is not required for non-pilgrims, the majority of Muslims fast on this day because it is known for expunging transgressions. This day commemorates the completion of the Islamic religion and divine revelation.
Islam teaches Muslims to observe the Day of Arafah as a day of thanksgiving, hence the commemoration of Eid the following day. It is also a day of tremendous forgiveness and the possibility of great reward. On this day, Hajj pilgrims are not required to fast. This is in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet, as he himself did not fast on this day while conducting pilgrimage.
Today, one can find up to 1.5 million Muslims making their way to the arid plains of Mecca to pray and beseech God. They can spend hours repenting and praying on the mountain, just as the Prophet Muhammad did. Typically, the entire day is devoted to supplication, devotion, and worship, prayer.
Hajj 2023: Date, History, Significance, Arrangements and More
DAY OF ARAFAH TRADITIONS
The annual Hajj pilgrimage is obligatory for all Muslims. Hajj is the holiest period of the year in Islam and the fifth pillar of the religion. The pilgrimage consists of seven rituals and customs that are performed sequentially. The House of Allah, also known as the Holy Kaaba, is encircled seven times. Following a day of prayer atop Mount Arafat, Muslims spend the night in Muzdalifah. The distance between Al-Safa and Al-Mawra is traversed seven times after a ritual involving the throwing of stones symbolising the stoning of the demon. Finally, the farewell Tawaaf is performed anticlockwise. The Hajj rituals are significantly more complex than this, but these are the essential procedures.
Those who cannot make the pilgrimage to Mecca spend the day supplicating, praying, and fasting. The Day of Arafah offers Muslims a significant spiritual reward.
5 FACTS ABOUT THE DAY OF ARAFAH
A moment to celebrate
Eid is commemorated the day after the beginning of the pilgrimage.
Strength in numbers
It is said that on this day, Satan is incensed as he watches millions of people whom he has tempted to sin, repent, and pray.
Fridays are times of prayer
On a Friday, the Prophet Muhammad stood on the plain of Arafah, which is one of the reasons why Friday is a holy day in Islam.
Forgiveness
This day affords Muslims the opportunity to have their offences from the previous year and the coming year forgiven.
When you assume
It is said that the Day of Arafah contains so many blessings that it is equivalent to 10,000 days of virtue.
DAY OF ARAFAH DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | July 19 | Monday |
| 2022 | July 9 | Saturday |
| 2023 | June 27 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | June 15 | Saturday |
| 2025 | June 5 | Thursday |
