Plan Arafah without inventing obligations.
For a person not performing Hajj, fasting the Day of Arafah has an authentic virtue. The checklist below is only an organiser for good deeds.
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A central day of Hajj
The Day of ʿArafah is the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah. Pilgrims gather at ʿArafah as a central rite of Hajj, while Muslims around the world devote the day to worship, remembrance and duʿā.
Fasting for those not performing Hajj
The Prophet ﷺ said that fasting the Day of ʿArafah expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year. The Prophet ﷺ himself did not fast while standing at ʿArafah during Hajj, which is why this recommendation is especially for those not performing Hajj.
Allah’s mercy on ʿArafah
ʿA’ishah reported that there is no day on which Allah frees more servants from the Fire than the Day of ʿArafah; the hadith says that Allah draws near and praises the pilgrims before the angels.
Duʿā and remembrance
A widely quoted report in Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhi says that the best supplication is the supplication of ʿArafah and includes the dhikr:
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu wa huwa ʿalā kulli shay’in qadīr.
What to prioritise
For a non-pilgrim: fast if able, make sincere duʿā, repent, remember Allah and fill the day with good deeds. For a pilgrim at ʿArafah, follow the Hajj rites and Prophetic practice.