9th Dhul Hijjah – Day of Arafah: The Day of Mercy

The Essence of Arafah: The Day of Mercy

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.”

Devotional Acts on the Day of Arafah

First: Perform Bathing (Ghusl)

It is recommended to perform bathing on this day.

Second: Visit the Holy Tomb of Imam al-Hussain (AS)

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.

Third: Two-Unit Prayer After Asr

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.

Extensive Duas and Dhikr for the Day of Arafah

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.

The Doxology (Dhikr) from the Holy Prophet (SAWW)

Say the following doxology that is reported from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.):

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي فِي السَّمَاءِ عَرْشُهُ سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي فِي الأَْرْضِ 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 الأَْرْضَ

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي لاَ مَلْجَأَ وَلاَ مَنْجَى مِنْهُ إِلاَّ إِلَيْهِ

Repeat 100 Times

Then, repeat the following doxology one hundred times:

سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ وَالحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ

وَلاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ 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.

Repeat 10 Times Each

Then, repeat the following doxological and supplicatory statements ten times each:

لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ

لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَ يُمِيتُ

وَ يُمِيتُ وَ يُحْيِي وَهُوَ حَيٌّ لاَ يَمُوتُ

بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ

وَهُوَ عَٰلى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ الَّذِي لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ

الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَ أَتُوبُ إِلَيٰهِ يَا اللَّهُ

يَا رَحْمٰنُ يَا رَحِيْمُ

يَا بَدِيْعَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الاَْرْضِ يَا ذَا الْجَلاَلِ وَ الاِْكْرَامِ

يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ يَا حَنَّانُ يَا مَنَّانُ يَا لاَ اِلٰهَ اِلاَّ اَنْتَ

اَمِيْنَ

Supplication to Allah

Then, say the following:

الٰلّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ يَا مَنْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيَّ مِنْ حَبْلِ الوَرِيدِ

يَا مَنْ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ المَرْءِ وَ قَلْبِهِ يَا مَنْ هُوَ بِالمَنْظَرِ الاَعْلَى وَ بِالاْفُقِ المُبِينِ

يَا مَنْ هُوَ الرَّحْمَنُ عَلَى العَرْشِ 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.

Supplication from Imam al-Sadiq (AS)

You may then say the following supplicatory prayer that is reported from Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) who 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 أَرْحَمَ مَنِ اسْتُرْحِمَ اللّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَٰى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ فِي الأَوَّلِينَ

وَ صَلِّ عَلَٰى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ فِي الآخِرِينَ وَ صَلِّ عَلَٰى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ فِي الْمَلاَْ

وَ صَلِّ عَلَٰى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ فِي الْمُرْسَلِينَ

اللّهُمَّ أَعْطِ مُحَمَّدًا الْوَسِيلَةَ وَ الْفَضِيلَةَ

اَللّهُمَّ بَلِّغْ مُحَمَّدًا صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ

مِنِّي تَحِيَّةً كَثِيرَةً وَ سَلاَمًا

What is the Day of Arafah?

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: “For pilgrims performing Hajj, the Day of ‘Arafah is the most significant day and is the essence and heart of the pilgrimage.”

When is the Day of Arafah 2026?

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.

Why is the Day of Arafah So Important?

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).

5 Recommended Actions for the Day of Arafah

The following acts of worship are highly encouraged on the Day of ‘Arafah:

1. Fasting

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).

2. Increase Acts of Worship

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).

3. Make Lots of Dua (Supplication)

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.

4. Give Sadaqah

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.” (Timidhi).

5. Reflect and Show Gratitude

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.

Dua for the Day of Arafah

Muslims are encouraged to recite the following dua on the day of ‘Arafah:

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ ، وَحْدَهُ لاَ 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'”

Dua al-Arafah: The Masterpiece of Imam Hussain (AS)

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.

This comprehensive supplication is highly recommended and can be found in Mafatih al-Jinan and other prayer books.

Iraq Ziarat Planning for Dhul Hijjah 2026

Weather Considerations

May/June in Iraq is the start of the intense summer. Temperatures can exceed 40°C (104°F). Our packages include air-conditioned transport and hotels close to the Shrines (Haram) to ensure your comfort during this blessed journey.

Crowd Management

The 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah (Day of Arafah) and Eid al-Ghadir (18th Dhu al-Hijjah) see massive influxes of pilgrims to Iraq’s holy shrines.

Book your Land Package at least 3-4 months in advance to secure your place during this blessed season.

Visit Imam Hussain on the Day of Arafah

Remember: Visiting the holy tomb of Imam al-Hussain (AS) on the Day of Arafah carries the reward of one thousand times of Hajj, one thousand times of Umrah, and one thousand times of jihad — and the reward is not less than attending Mount Arafat itself, and even more!

This Day of Arafah 2026 (May 26), be among those who gain this immense reward. Stand at the blessed shrine of Imam Hussain (AS) in Karbala, recite Dua al-Arafah, and experience the divine mercy that descends on this sacred day.

Plan your blessed journey now: www.ziaratplanner.com