السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
It’s Wednesday 29th July 2020. My chosen topic today is ‘Yawm-e-‘Arafah’.
Tomorrow (Thursday) is the 9th of Ẓūl Ḥijjah, well known as the Day of ‘Arafah. It is one of the most blessed days of the Islamic calendar. Under normal circumstances, a staggering 2 million Muslims would have graced the Plains of ‘Arafah.
Muslims from all over the globe, of all colours and races, all clothed similarly, all with just one goal on this most virtuous day, to be forgiven by The Almighty on the Day of Judgement. سُبْحَانَ الله, what an auspicious occasion.
Alas, this year, it will not be the same. Around 10,000 residents of Saudi will be praying for the same. However, we here in the UK and other parts of the world can still achieve the virtues of this most remarkable day.
- Our Holy Prophet, صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, is reported to have said ‘Fasting on this day is a forgiveness for 2 years, the sins of the previous year and of the coming year‘. (Muslim)
- In another Ḥadīth, the Holy Prophet, صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, is reported to have said ‘There is no day on which Almighty Allāh frees more people from the fire, than the Day of ‘Arafah’. (Muslim)
What wonderful virtues for fasting on this day, سُبْحَانَ الله.
Last year, we were in the auspicious company of Shaikhul Islam Mufti Muḥammad Taqī Us̱mānī and Ḥaḍrat Mawlānā Muḥammad Yūsuf Motālā at Ḥaḍrat’s house in Ramsbottom. Ḥaḍrat mentioned to Mufti Taqī Ṣāḥib regarding a pious scholar, who always used to fast on Yawm-e-‘Arafah, saying: ‘On Yawm-e-‘Arafah you keep one roza (fast) and 2 years’ sins are forgiven, whilst on Āshūrā, you fast for 2 days and one year’s sins are forgiven’.
So brothers and sisters, let’s all go for it, اِنْ شَاءَ الَّلهُ. Yes it’s a long fast, in fact very long, and the weather forecast is showing a hot day during which we will be busy in preparations for ‘Eid ul-Aḍḥā. However, the rewards are just as great. Therefore, let’s not miss out.
Finally, do keep in mind that it is an optional fast, not compulsory. If you are going to find it very difficult, then feel free not to fast. However, do make the most of the night (the virtues of which were covered in the message from 19 July), and the day, by spending as much time as possible in ‘Ibādat
Almighty Allāh make this Day of ‘Arafah’ a means of forgiveness for all of us, Āmeen.
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Request for Du’ās
وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala