The best day for the Muslims & the Worst day for Shaytan

In the name of Allah, the ever gracious, the merciful.

The first ten days of Dhul Ḥijjah are amongst these special periods. Though, unlike Ramaḍān, this season of worship is often overlooked and neglected by many. The Messenger of Allah (Peace and benediction of Allah be on him) described these days as the best days in the sight of Allah (Ibn Ḥibbān). One of these 10days is the day of Arafat coinciding with Thursday, 5th June, 2025. The Day of ʿArafah (9th of Dhul Ḥijjah) is the best day of the year. It is the day on which sins are forgiven, souls are emancipated from the Hell-fire, and duʿās are readily accepted. This day is also special because it was the day Allah (subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā) bestowed upon our Ummah’s greatest gift: He perfected the religion of Islam and completed His favour upon us.

ʿUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) narrated: ‘Once a Jew said to me: “O leader of the believers! There is a verse in your (Holy) Book which you all recite; had it been revealed to us Jews, we would have taken that day (on which it was revealed) as a day of celebration.”’ ʿUmar (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) asked him: “Which verse?” The Jew replied:

 “Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My blessing upon you, and chosen Islam as your religion.” (5:3)

ʿUmar (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) replied: “No doubt, we know the day and the place when this verse was revealed to the Prophet ﷺ. It was Friday and the Prophet ﷺ was standing at ʿArafah (i.e. the Day of ḥajj)” (Bukhārī). One of the recommended acts of the day for those not at Arafat is Fasting.

Fasting

When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about the fast of the Day of ʿArafah, he said: “It wipes away the (sins) of the past year and upcoming year” (Muslim). If you have been unable to fast for the first eight days of Dhul Ḥijjah, ensure not to miss out on the amazing reward of fasting on this special day.

Freedom from Hell-fire

The Prophet ﷺ said: “There is no day in which Allah sets free more slaves from Hell-fire than the Day of ʿArafah. Indeed, He draws near, and He then boasts about them to the angels and says: ‘What do these (slaves of mine) want?’” (Muslim)

On this day, Allah (subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā) frees a huge number of His servants from the Hell-fire. This is Shayṭān’s worst day in the year. In just a few hours, years of Shayṭān’s efforts to mislead man come to naught. What enrages him even more is that not only does Allah free the pilgrims from the Hell-fire, but He frees the non-pilgrims too.

Allah frees from the Fire even those who are not physically in ʿArafāt, therefore the next day is ʿEīd and a celebration for the pilgrims and non-pilgrims alike.” – Ibn Rajab (raḥimahullāh)

ʿAbdullāh b. al-Mubārak (raḥimahullāh) approached Sufyān al-Thawrī on the evening of ʿArafah. Sufyān al-Thawrī (raḥimahullāh) was sitting on his knees and weeping bitterly. ʿAbdullāh b. al-Mubārak (raḥimahullāh) asked him: “Who is in the worst situation amongst these masses?” He replied: “The one who thinks that Allah will not forgive him.”

Ḥakīm b. Ḥizām (raḥimahullāh) would stand in ʿArafah with 100 camels and 100 slaves. He would then free the slaves for the sake of Allah. The people would then start crying loudly, saying: “O Allah! Your slave freed his slaves, and we too are Your slaves, so free us (from the Hellfire).”

 

The Day of Duʿa

The best action on this great day is duʿā’. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The best duʿā’ is the duʿā’ of the Day of ʿArafah. The best of what I and the Prophets before me have said is:

 

“Laailah ila Allah, wahadau laa sharikalahu, lahuli muliku walahul amdu, wahuwa ala kulshay  Qadeer”

There is no god worthy of worship but Allah. He is Alone and He has no partner whatsoever. To Him Alone belong all sovereignty and all praise. He is over all things All-Powerful” (Tirmidhī).

 

 

Tips for the Day

In addition to the obligatory and voluntary good deeds, the following are specific actions for the Day of ʿArafah:

1. Fast on this day.

2. After each farḍ ṣalāh and generally throughout the day, recite the takbīrāt of tashrīq:

“Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. There is no god worthy of worship but Allah and Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest and all praise is for Allah alone.”

3. Keep repeating with reflection:

There is no god worthy of worship but Allah. He is Alone and He has no partner whatsoever. To Him Alone belong all sovereignty and all praise. He is over all things All Powerful” (Tirmidhī).

4. Make lots of duʿā’, particularly between ʿAṣr and Maghrib.

5. Seek forgiveness and protection from Hell-fire.

Concluding Remarks.

From His mercy, Allah placed the Night of Qadr at the end of Ramaḍān; the best days of the year at the end of the year (Dhul Ḥijjah); and the Day of ʿArafah at the end of these best days, to give us a chance to make up for our shortcomings. Let us make the most of this day.