Should I make duaa on the day of Arafah even though I’m NOT at Hajj?

by Asma bint Shameem 

We all know the virtues of the Day of Arafah Alhamdulillaah. 

It is the BEST day of the entire year.

And Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala forgives more people on this day than on any other day. 

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:  

“There is no day on which Allaah ransoms more of His slaves from the Fire than the day of ‘Arafah. He draws close then He boasts about them before the angels and says, ‘What do these people want?’” (Muslim 1348). 

We also know that duaa made on this day is the BEST duaa. 

If there was ever a day to make duaa, then today is that day.

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said: 

“The best of du’aa’ is du’aa’ on the day of ‘Arafah, and the best that I and the Prophets before me said is:

‎لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ ، وهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahu’l-mulk wa lahu’l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer”

“There is no god but Allaah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the dominion, to Him be praise, and He has power over all things.” 

(al-Tirmidhi 3585; hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb 1536)

That’s amazing Alhamdulillaah!

How blessed are those who were invited for Hajj this year.

Baarak Allaahu feehim.  

But should “I” also make duaa and Istighfaar, even though I’m not at Hajj?

Yes!

The scholars say that we should make lots of duaa and istighfaar on the Day of Arafah even if we’re not at Hajj.

🍃 Al-Baaji said: 

“The words “The best of du’aa’ is on the day of ‘Arafah” mean the dhikr with the greatest blessing, the greatest reward and that which is most likely to be answered. 

It may be interpreted as referring to pilgrims only, because the meaning of du’aa’ on the day of ‘Arafah is very true in their case, and applies especially to them. 

But if the day of ‘Arafah is regarded in general terms, it is described as such because of the pilgrims being there. And Allaah knows best.”

(Al-Muntaqa Sharh al-Muwatta’ 1/358). 

🍃 And someone asked Shaikh Salih al-Fawzaan regarding this duaa:

“Is this (duaa) on the Day of Arafah specifically for the pilgrims only or is it for other than the pilgrims who want [to do] that?

Shaikh Salih al-Fawzaan said:

“Like we mentioned in the answer [before], this is general for the pilgrims and for other than them except that it more emphasized for the pilgrims over others. 

This is because the pilgrims, as we mentioned, are in Arafah. They are wearing the Ihraam. 

So it is more hoped that their supplication is accepted and it is more emphasized over other than them. 

Others can participate with them in this affair. 

So like this, it is Sunnah to fast on ‘Arafah for other than the pilgrims who are not in Makkah [i.e. not making Hajj]. 

So it is from the Sunnah for the non-pilgrims that they fast on the day of ‘Arafah for those who are in distant lands and so they fast this day as it is a virtuous day and so they should busy themselves with remembrance of Allaah and making supplication and seeking forgiveness within it.”

Subhaan Allaah! 

What a beautiful chance for us to ask Allaah for His Forgiveness and Mercy, even though we’re thousands of miles away from Makkah and not performing Hajj!

So let us go ahead and take advantage of this golden opportunity!

Let us keep ourselves busy with the remembrance of Allaah this Noble day. 

Let’s make lots of duaa. 

Beg for forgiveness....

Make sincere Taubah....

This is our chance.

And Allaah knows best.