Hajj :Hadeeth Study: The Best Supplication for the Day of ‘Arafah

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful…

The Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) said:

خير الدعاء دعاء يوم عرفة، وخير ما قلت أنا والنبيون من قبلي: لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير

“The best supplication is the one made on the Day of ‘Arafah. The best thing said by me and the previous prophets is: There is no deity worthy of worship other than Allaah, who is alone, having no partner. His is the dominion, and to Him belongs all praise. He is, of everything, All-Capable.”

The hadeeth was collected by Imam at-Tirmithee and others, and it has been authenticated by the scholars. [1]
14 Points of Benefit Derived From or Related to the Hadeeth:
1 - The Day of ‘Arafah is the ninth day of the month of Thul-Hijjah. The Day of ‘Arafah this year (1434), is Friday, October 3, 2014. The following day is ‘Eed al-Adh-haa, the second of the two annual holidays in Islam. [2]
2 - The best day of the year to supplicate to Allaah is the Day of ‘Arafah, while the best night for supplication is Laylat al-Qadr in Ramadhan. The Day of ‘Arafah is found within the best ten days of the year, the first ten of Thul-Hijjah, while Laylat al-Qadr is found in the best ten nights of the year, the last ten nights of Ramdhaan. While supplications in general may be made during both great opportunities, both have a specific supplication that stands out as the very best thing to use.
3 - The previous prophets used to remember Allaah with this great supplication.
4 - Allaah’s Power and Capability is unlimited, unrestricted, and always in accordance with His perfect and complete Wisdom. Muslims never describe Allaah with weaknesses, flaws, or inability. These are attributes He has negated in His Book.
5 - You can practice and review your pronunciation of this supplication by using this short MP3 audio file along with this printable text.
6 - You can review your understanding of the basic meanings of this supplication by reviewing this short MP3 audio file.
7 - A du’aa’ (supplication) does not always include a request. Here, the du’aa’ is entirely words of praise, with nothing being directly requested.
8 - While the pilgrims standing on Mt. Arafah during Hajj are in the best position to have their prayers answered, Muslims should take advantage of the virtuous daylight hours of the Day of ‘Arafah wherever they are by supplicating and remembering Allaah, the Most High.
Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan concluded that this supplication for the Day of ‘Arafah is for all Muslims everywhere, while of course it is stressed more for the pilgrims on Hajj. [3]
9 - The best way to praise Allaah is to mention His Oneness and sole right to be worshipped alone.
10 - Calling upon Allaah alone is one of the greatest acts of worship one can offer.
11 - Calling upon others besides Allaah is an act of shirk (polytheism), which nullifies all of a person’s deeds. This includes:

• Asking the dead (prophets, righteous, etc.) to do something for you
• Asking the dead (prophets, righteous, etc.) to intercede for you with Allaah

Allaah, the Most High, has said:

وقال ربكم ادعوني أستجب لكم إن الذين يستكبرون عن عبادتي سيدخلون جهنم داخرين
“And your Lord has said: Call upon Me (alone), and I shall respond to you. Verily, those who arrogantly refuse to worship Me (alone) shall enter the Hellfire disgraced.” [4]

12 - Some supplications are better and more beloved to Allaah than others, while this is only known through textual evidence, [5] like in this case.
13 - Supplications made on the Day of ‘Arafah shall be accepted by Allaah, except when a person transgresses by saying or doing things displeasing to Allaah. [6]
Some things which prevent one’s supplications from being answered are: impermissible income or nourishment, hastiness in expecting a response, asking for prohibited things, and saying “in shi’ta” (meaning: “if You will”), or ”in shaa’ Allaah” when requesting something.
14 - The additional phrase found in some narrations of the hadeeth: ( بيده الخير ) “In His Hand is all goodness”, after the statement, “To Him belongs all praise,” is not authentic as part of the supplication for the Day of ‘Arafah. [7]
And Allaah knows best.
Written by: Moosaa Richardson
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Imam at-Tirmithee collected the hadeeth in his Jaami’ (#3585), and pointed out a weakness in its chain. However, the hadeeth has other supporting chains which allow the scholars of hadeeth to accept its authenticity. See Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah (#1503).
[2] The moon for the beginning of Thul-Hijjah was sighted after 29 days of Thul-Qi’dah, and thus Thul-Hijjah began on Sunday, October 6, 2013. [Source]
[3] From an answer given by Shaykh al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him), as found on his official website: http://alfawzan.af.org.sa/node/8980 (Arabic audio) [Arabic text]
[4] Soorah Ghaafir (40:60) and its meaning
[5] As mentioned by al-Haafith Ibn ‘Abdil-Barr in Alistithkaar (2/531).
[6] Alistithkaar (2/531)
[7] Dha’eef al-Jaami’ as-Sagheer (#4464)