DAY OF ARAFAT (9TH ZILHAJ)

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.

The devotional acts on this day are as follows:

First: It is recommended to perform bathing on this day.

Second: It is recommended to visit the holy tomb of Imam al-Husayn (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-Husayn (a.s.) on the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah have been uninterruptedly reported. If fact, the reward of visiting the holy tomb of Imam al-Husayn (a.s.) and having the honor of attending therein is not less than the reward of attending on Mount ‘Arafat and even more.

The form of Ziyarah on this day will be cited later.

Third: 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 on Mount ‘Arafat and having all sins forgiven.

After this prayer, it is recommended to begin with the acts and supplications of the ‘Arafat Day that are reported from the Holy Infallibles (a.s.). Although these acts and supplications are too numerous to be mentioned in this book, I will try to mention a number of them.

In al-Misbah, al-Kaf’ami says that it is recommended to observe fasting on the ‘Arafat Day, unless fasting prevents from saying the supplications. It is also recommended to bathe oneself before midday (zohr) and to visit the holy tomb of Imam al-Husayn (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. After that, it is recommended to offer a four unit prayer reciting at each unit Surah al-Faatehah once and repeating Surah al-Tawheed fifty times.

This is in fact the prayer of Imam Ali Ameer al-Momineen(a.s.) that has been already mentioned within the rites of Fridays.

In Iqbal al-A’mal, Sayyid Ibn Tawus says:

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

Then, repeat the following doxology (zikr) one hundred times:

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.

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

Then, say the following:

The, submit your needs and they will be granted, by the permission of Almighty Allah.

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:

You may then say the famous supplicatory prayer known as Dua Ummi-Dawud, which has been previously cited within the devotional acts of Rajab.

You may then say the following doxology (zikr) whose reward is too much to be mentioned:

You may then say the famous supplicatory prayer

This supplicatory prayer has been previously mentioned within the rites at Friday nights.

You may then say the supplicatory prayer that has been mentioned by Shaykh al-Tusi in Misbah al-Mutahajjid. It is ascribed to Imam Zayn al-’Abidin (a.s.) and it begins with the following statement:

It is worth mentioning that this supplicatory prayer, which has not been cited herein because of its lengthiness, is also advisably said during the ritual of al-wuquf ‘al a‘arafah (Halting At Mount ‘Arafat), which is one of the rituals of Hajj.

It is also highly advisable to say the 47th supplication of al-Sahifah al-Kamilah al-Sajjadiyyah. It is recommended to say the supplicatory prayer, which comprises all the requirements of worldly and religious life, with reverence.