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12-Feb-2026 
Table of Contents
Although it is not included with the feasts of Islam, the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah is one of the great feast days in Islam. On this day, Almighty Allah commanded His servants to obey and worship Him. He thus extended for them the tables of His benevolence and magnanimity. On this day too, Satan becomes abject, lowly, expelled, and angry more than any other day.
It is narrated that Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin (a.s.), on the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah, heard someone begging people for financial aid. The Imam (a.s.) said to him:
“Woe is you! On such a day, do you beg other than Almighty Allah? On this day, even fetuses in wombs are expected to be included with the mercy of Almighty Allah and they will be delighted.”
The Day of ‘Arafah is on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah and is one of the most important days in the Islamic calendar. It was on this day that Allah (SWT) perfected His religion, completed His favours upon His beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and approved Islam as a way of life! Subhan’Allah.
Allah (SWT) refers to this day in Surah al-Maidah of the holy Qur’an:
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” (Quran | 5:3)
The Day of ‘Arafah is also known as Yawm Al-Waqf (the Day of Standing), referring to the fact that pilgrims stand in front of their Lord for long periods of time, asking for His divine mercy.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also said: “Hajj is Arafah.”
For pilgrims performing Hajj, the Day of ‘Arafah is the most significant day and is the essence and heart of the pilgrimage.
The Day of ‘Arafah is on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. Expected to fall on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 (subject to moon sighting).
The Day of ‘Arafah is a very important day for Muslims, as it is a day of immense divine forgiveness, mercy and blessings.
It is a day of redemption for Muslims and an opportunity for purification and seeking Allah’s pleasure. Many of us may have fallen short in our pledges made during Ramadan to improve our character and behaviour and to become closer to Allah (SWT).
The Day of ‘Arafah offers another opportunity to cleanse our hearts and remember our purpose and destination.
‘Arafah is also the day in which the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made his farewell sermon during his final pilgrimage.
For those performing Hajj, the Day of ‘Arafah is the most important day. As the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Hajj is Arafah.” (Abu Dawud)
It is recommended to perform bathing (Ghusl) on this day.
It is recommended to visit the holy tomb of Imam al-Hussain (a.s.), for its reward is equal to the reward of one thousand times of Hajj, one thousand times of ‘Umrah, and one thousand times of jihad (holy war), and even more.
The narrations entailing the great merits and rewards of visiting the holy tomb of Imam al-Hussain (a.s.) on the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah have been uninterruptedly reported. In fact, the reward of visiting the holy tomb of Imam al-Hussain (a.s.) and having the honor of attending therein is not less than the reward of attending on Mount ‘Arafat and even more.
It is recommended to offer a two unit prayer immediately after the obligatory Asr Prayer before saying the supplicatory prayers of ‘Arafat. This prayer should be offered outdoors and it should include confessions of sins. One who offers this prayer will be granted the reward of attending Mount ‘Arafat and having all sins forgiven.
After this prayer, it is recommended to begin with the acts and supplications of the ‘Arafat Day that are reported from the Holy Infallibles (a.s.).
It is recommended to observe fasting on the ‘Arafat Day, unless fasting prevents the supplications. It is also recommended to bathe oneself before midday (Zohr) and to visit the holy tomb of Imam al-Hussain (a.s.) on day and night.
At midday (Zohr), it is recommended to leave one’s house and offer the obligatory Zohr and Asr prayers outdoors with complete performance of their parts. After accomplishment, it is recommended to offer a two unit prayer reciting Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Tawheed in the first unit and Surah al-Faatehah and Surah al-Kafirun in the second.
After that, it is recommended to offer a four unit prayer reciting at each unit Surah al-Faatehah once and repeating Surah al-Tawheed fifty times.
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي فِي السَّمَاءِ عَرْشُهُ سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي فِي الْأَرْضِ حُكْمُهُ سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي فِي الْقُبُورِ قَضَاؤُهُ
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي فِي الْبَحْرِ سَبِيلُهُ سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي فِي النَّارِ سُلْطَانُهُ سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي فِي الْجَنَّةِ رَحْمَتُهُ سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي فِي الْقِيَامَةِ عَدْلُهُ
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي رَفَعَ السَّمَاءَ سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي بَسَطَ الْأَرْضَ
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي لَا مَلْجَأَ وَلَا مَنْجَى سُبْحَانَ الَّذِيْ لَا مَلْجَأَ وَلَا مَنْجَى مِنْهُ إِلَّا إِلَيْهِ
سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ
وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ
وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ
Then, repeat Surah al-Tawheed one hundred times, Ayah al-Kursi one hundred times, and invoke blessings upon Muhammad and his Household one hundred times.
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ
لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَ يُمِيتُ
وَ يُمِيتُ وَ يُحْيِي وَهُوَ حَيٌّ لَا يَمُوتُ
بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ
وَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ الَّذِي لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ
الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَ أَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ يَا اللهُ
يَا رَحْمٰنُ يَا رَحِيْمُ
يَا بَدِيْعَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَ الْإِكْرَامِ
يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ يَا حَنَّانُ يَا مَنَّانُ يَا لَا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اَنْتَ
اَمِيْنَ
اللّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ يَا مَنْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيَّ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيدِ
يَا مَنْ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَ قَلْبِهِ يَا مَنْ هُوَ بِالْمَنْظَرِ الْأَعْلَى وَ بِالْأُفُقِ الْمُبِينِ
يَا مَنْ هُوَ الرَّحْمَنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَى
يَا مَنْ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
أَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
Then, submit your needs and they will be granted, by the permission of Almighty Allah.
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) said: If you wish to please Muhammad and the Household of Muhammad – peace be upon them all – you may say the following invocation:
اَللّهُمَّ يَا أَجْوَدَ مَنْ أَعْطَى وَ يَا خَيْرَ مَنْ سُئِلَ
وَ يَا أَحْمَ مَنِ اسْتُرْحِمَ اَللّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَٰى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ فِي الْأَوَّلِينَ
وَ صَلِّ عَلَٰى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ فِي الْآخِرِينَ وَ صَلِّ عَلَٰى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ فِي الْمَلَإِ
وَ صَلِّ عَلَٰى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ فِي الْمُرْسَلِينَ
اَللّهُمَّ أَعْطِ مُحَمَّدًا الْوَسِيلَةَ وَ الْفَضِيلَةَ
اَللّهُمَّ بَلِّغْ مُحَمَّدًا صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ
مِنِّيْ تَحِيَّةً كَثِيرَةً وَ سَلَامًا
سُبْحَانَ اللهِ قَبْلَ كُلِّ أَحَدٍ، وَسُبْحَانَ اللهِ بَعْدَ كُلِّ أَحَدٍ، وَسُبْحَانَ اللهِ مَعَ كُلِّ أَحَدٍ
وَسُبْحَانَ اللهِ يَبْقَى رَبَّنَا وَيَفْنَى كُلُّ أَحَدٍ
وَسُبْحَانَ اللهِ تَسْبِيْحًا يَفْضُلُ تَسْبِيْحَ الْمُسَبِّحِيْنَ
The following acts of worship are highly encouraged on the Day of ‘Arafah.
It is highly recommended to fast the Day of ‘Arafah if one is not performing Hajj. Fasting on this day is sunnah and expiates sins of the previous year and the coming year. It is a powerful way to gain blessings and become closer to Allah (SWT).
As the most virtuous day of the year for Muslims, it’s important to increase our good deeds in order to gain the blessings of the day. Whether we are performing Hajj or at home this year, we should devote ourselves to dhikr and seek nearness to Allah. The best acts of dhikr on this day include offering nafil (optional) prayers, reading Qur’an and sending salawat (salutations) upon the Prophet (PBUH).
The Day of ‘Arafah is a day of acceptance of dua and Allah showers His mercy and forgiveness to those who turn to Him. Make abundant heartfelt duas for yourselves, your family and for the Muslim ummah, that Allah forgives our sins, fulfills our needs, and allows us to become closer to Him.
It is also sunnah to recite the Tahleel (Laa ilaaha il-lal-laah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (Alhamdulillaah) frequently on the Day of ‘Arafah, and on the days of Eid – 11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
It’s important to remember our brothers and sisters in need across the globe on this blessed day. Giving sadaqah is one of the most virtuous acts of worship, and giving sadaqah on this holy day can help us gain blessings. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Sadaqah extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.” (Tirmidhi).
The Day of ‘Arafah is a time for introspection and reflection. We should aim to reflect upon our actions during the past year, seek to rectify our shortcomings, and ask for forgiveness for our sins. The Day of ‘Arafah is also a blessed time to reflect on the blessings that Allah (SWT) has provided us with, and to thank Him. Many Muslims celebrate the day by strengthening ties with family and friends, exchanging greetings and sharing food.
Muslims are encouraged to recite the following dua on the day of ‘Arafah:
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Transliteration: laa ilaaha ill-allaahu, waḥdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu, wa huwa ‛alaa kulli shay’in qadeer
Translation: “None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without a partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and all praise and He is over all things omnipotent.”
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“The best supplication is the supplication on the Day of ‘Arafah, and the best words that I and the prophets before me have said are ‘La ilaha illa Allah, wahdahu la sharika lah, la hul mulk wa lahul hamd wa huwa ala kulli shayin qadeer'”
The hallmark of this day is the recitation of the Dua al-Arafah, which Imam Hussain (as) recited near Mount Arafat. It is a masterpiece of theology, focusing on the oneness of God, gratitude, and humble repentance.
It is also highly advisable to say the 47th supplication of al-Sahifah al-Kamilah al-Sajjadiyyah. It is recommended to say the supplicatory prayer, which comprises all the requirements of worldly and religious life, with reverence. (Mafatih al-Amal pg no. 506)
Iraq 2026 (Dhu al-Hijjah) Weather: May/June in Iraq is the start of the intense summer. Temperatures can exceed 40°C (104°F). Our package includes air-conditioned transport and hotels close to the Shrines (Haram).
Crowds: The 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah and Eid al-Ghadeer (18th Dhu al-Hijjah) see massive influxes of pilgrims. Book your “Land Package” at least 3–4 months in advance.
🕋 Plan your pilgrimage today: www.ziaratplanner.com
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