So that sins are forgiven on the Day of Arafah

The Day of Arafah is a sacred day, marked by the revelation of a verse in which Allah declares the perfection of His religion. Allah says:

God bless you نِعْمَتي ورَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الإسْلامَ دِينًا

“"Today I have perfected your religion for you, and have fulfilled My blessings on you, and I have approved that Islam will be a religion for you."” (Al-Ma'idah : 3)

Al-Imam Al-Bukhari narrated that someone who was a Jew said to Umar bin Khattab that if this verse was revealed in their religion then indeed the day this verse was revealed would be made a holiday, then Umar bin Khattab said:

نزلت ورسول الله قائم بعرفة يوم الجمعة

“"This verse came down when Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam stood on Arafah on Friday"‘

The glory of this day is added to the flood of Allah's forgiveness and the time of liberation of His servants from the torment of hell. Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said:

ما من يوم أكثر من أن يعتق الله فيه عبدا من النار من عرفة

“"There is no day on which Allah frees more slaves from hell than the day of Arafah."”

So, every soul who experiences this precious time but lets it pass by and misses out on God's forgiveness is truly at a loss. To avoid being among those lost souls, we should pay attention to the aspects that can help us get our sins forgiven.

Among them were written by Imam Ibnu Rajab in his book Lata'if Al-Ma'arif :

First, Performing the Arafah fast

The first facility that should not be missed is fasting on the day of Arafah, the Prophet said:

God willing

“"Fasting on the day of Arafah, I hope that Allah will erase (the sins) of the past year and the year to come."” (Narrated by Muslim)

Each of us is a sinner, so we should use this opportunity to melt away our sins as best we can.

Second, Protecting body parts from sin

Forgiveness on the day of Arafah is promised to those who always protect their bodies from things that Allah hates. The Prophet said:

يوم عرفة هذا يوم من ملك فيه سمعه وبصره ولسانه غُفِرَ له

“"The Day of Arafah is the day on which whoever is able to restrain his hearing, sight and speech (from immorality), will be forgiven."” (Narrated by Ahmad)

So let us guard our tongues from backbiting and slander, guard our hands from hurting and injuring, guard our eyes from seeing what Allah has forbidden, and guard our ears from listening to bad things.

Third, Increase the recitation of the Kalima of Tauhid

The day of Arafah is the day when the teachings of monotheism were perfected, so it is fitting that we increase our recitation of the sentence of monotheism which is the main teaching of this noble religion. A friend of the Prophet named Ibn Umar said:

كان أكثر دعاء النبي يوم عرفة “لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له له God willing

“In the past, the sentence that the Prophet said most often on the day of Arafah was:

“لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا الله وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ لَهُ God willing, God willing, God willing, God willing, God willing كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ”

Fourth, Kneel in prayer and supplication

Don't let the day of Arafah pass in vain. Increase your knocking on the door of heaven, asking, surrendering, and crying before Allah. Ask for whatever you need for your worldly and afterlife needs, for this is the day when prayers are answered.

Fifth,  Open your chest to forgive other people's mistakes

Often, God's forgiveness is withheld because we still harbor resentment. Learn to forgive others and avoid repaying evil with evil. Allah says:

وَلْيَعْفُوا وَلْيَصْفَحُوا ۗ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفَرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ

“…and let them forgive and be open-minded. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you?” (An-Nur : 22)

If we want Allah to forgive our mounting sins, then make it easy to forgive His servants who have wronged us.

These are some of the things we should do, may Allah forgive our sins.