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Arafat Day

Arafat Day and it’s Significance

Arafat Day is an important occasion during the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah or Hajj

The 9th day of the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah marks a significant day for Muslims, yet it is a day not so well known or talked about in the rest of the world. The day is called the Day of Arafat.

On the first day of the Hajj Pilgrimage, Muslims sweep out of Mecca toward Mina, a small uninhabited village east of the city. As their throngs spread through Mina, the pilgrims generally spend their time meditating and praying, as the Prophet did on his pilgrimage. During the second day, the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, pilgrims leave Mina for the plain of Arafat. The Prophet is reported to have asked Allah to pardon the sins of pilgrims who stood at Arafat, and was granted his wish. Thus, the hopeful pilgrims prepare to leave this plain joyfully, feeling reborn without sin and intending to turn over a new leaf.

Just after sunset, the mass of pilgrims proceed to Muzdalifah, an open plain halfway between Arafat and Mina. There they first pray and then collect pebbles to use on the following days. The next day begins the Eid holiday or Eid al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice.

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Why Arafat Day?

The Day of Arafat is the only day when Muslims gather together at Arafat Mountain in an act of unity to pray and fast for their religion and to offer sacrifices as they remember that Abraham offered Ishmael, not Isaac. It is called the Day of Repentance. It was from this site that Muhammad gave his famous Farewell Sermon in his final year of life.

The Day of Arafat is doubtless the most unified day of any Muslim event. Imagine many thousands gathered together at Arafat Mountain in unity, praying and fasting and stoning a representation of the devil.

How to Pray

Pray that as Muslims remember Abraham and his willingness to offer his son to God, that many would have a revelation of Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice, and the purposes God demonstrates through the lives of Old Testament prophets.

 

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8 Comments

  1. I didn’t understand your explanation about the “son” which is God but is God in person… so you mean, the god in person, which is the “son”, who is Jesus, is praying for his other self which is in heaven?(when he said “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”)? Why should he? Think again. Why would he do that? Another question. Did Jesus(personally) ever said that he is the God, and that he is the god in person, and that you should pray to him? Did he? Or is it just the simple explanation of you(christians) when you didn’t understand the situation. It is clear that before Jesus was crucified, he even prayed to God to save him. So if he is what you believe he is, the he doesn’t even know what will happen to him? Astagfirullah. Turn to Allah before you Return to Him.

  2. There seems to be a huge misunderstanding here. Muslims believe both isaac and ismael are sons of Abraham. We commemorate this day because Abraham and his wife Hajra had ismael after a very long time and lots of prayers and yet he was willing to sacrifice him for the sake of Allah. Ismael is the direct descendant of of the last prophet Muhammad pbuh, while Isaac is the other son of Abraham and the brother of ismael. Jesus foretold the coming of Muhammad as the last prophet because he was also a messenger of Allah and brought the message of peace. Its in all of the old scriptures of the Bible.’ There is only one God, Allah. Allah, the Eternal. He begets not, nor is he begotten. And there is no one like Him’ ( surah ikhlas, last surah of the Holy Quran.

  3. I don’t quite understand what all the fuss is about—these people are obviously observing a Muslim holiday. They might as well be Muslims themselves with all their talk of fasting and prayer! The very definition of a Muslim! Indeed, you could have fooled me!

    Happy day of Arafat, my dear Christian-Muslims!

  4. u wrote mistakes in placing isaac.iinstead of ismail.please correct it..u r wrong..if ur correct please give the references of Quran and hadith with page numbers. Thank Q

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