THE DAY OF ARAFAH AND ITS GREAT SIGNIFICANCE

Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation for two years
It is highly recommended (mustahabb) for non-pilgrims to fast during this day for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah, so he said, “It expiates the sins (Minor) of the past year and the coming year.” [Muslim]

Allah frees slaves from the fire on Arafat more than any other day:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘There is no day on which Allah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on ’Arafah), and then He revels before His Angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking.” [Tirmidhi]

Forgiveness of the Sins even if they are like the foam on the Sea:
As for you staying till the evening in Arafah, then Allah descends to the sky of the Dunya and He boasts about you to the Angels, and says: ‘My slaves have come to Me, looking rough, from every deep valley hoping for My mercy, so if your sins were equivalent to the amount of sand or the drops of rain or like the foam on the sea I will forgive them. So go forth My slaves! Having forgiveness and for what or who you have interceded for.’
[Reported by at-Tabarani in his book “al-Kabeer” and by al-Bazaar. Shaykh Al-Albani graded it Hassan. Taken from ‘Saheeh al-Targheeb wa Tarheeb’. Volume 2, Page 9-10, hadeeth no. 1112]

[Source : Ahadith regarding the benefits and blessings of Hajj - Translated by Abbas Abu Yahya Taken from 'Saheeh al-Targheeb wa Tarheeb' By the Shaykh Muhammad Nasr ud-Deen al-Albaani]

Allaah expresses His pride to His angels:  
It was reported from Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah expresses His pride to His angels at the time of ‘Ishaa’ on the Day of Arafah, about the people of Arafah. He says, ‘Look at My slaves who have come unkempt and dusty.’” [Narrated by Ahmad and classed as Saheeh by al-Albaani].

Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) saying, “The best of supplications are those on the Day of `Arafah.” [Tirmidhi, Ahmad, Malik, and others]  

A repost from islaamictruths.blogspot.com

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 10 DAYS OF DHUL HIJJAH

“By the dawn; By the 10 nights” [al-Fajr 89:1-2]. Subhanallah, for Allah to make a promise on the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, you can imagine how significant these days are.

Abu Hurairah relates that the Messenger of Allah (sallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “There are no days more loved to Allah for you to worship Him therein than the ten days of Dhul Hijja. Fasting any day during it is equivalent to fasting one year and to offer salatul tahajjud (late-night prayer) during one of its nights is like performing the late night prayer on the night of power. [i.e., Lailatul Qadr].” [Related by at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and al-Baihaqi]

The Prophet (sallalahu alaihi wasallam) commanded us to recite a lot of Tasbeeh (“Subhan-Allah”), Tahmeed (“Al-hamdu Lillaah”) and Takbeer (“Allaahu akbar”) during this time.

Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (sallalahu alaihi wasallam) said: “There are no days greater in the sight of Allah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel (“La ilaaha ill-Allah”), Takbeer and Tahmeed.” (Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated that it is saheeh).





Even if we are not able to fast during the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah, we should never miss out on fasting on the Day of Arafah. Fasting on the day of Arafah is of huge significance as well, and it has been stated that fasting on this day wipes out the sins committed during the previous year and the year to come Subhanallah!

During these 10 days, we should remember Allah abundantly, engage in doing a lot of Amal and do things that are sure to earn for us the pleasure of Allah.

Ibn Umar (ral) and Abu Huraira (ral) would go into the marketplaces during these days and raise their voices in Takbir. The people in the marketplace would then also raise their voices with the Takbir the Takbir in response [Sahih Bukhari]. This way, marketplaces, a place hated by Allah becomes a place filled with His remembrance, Subhanallah!

Now, being well aware of the significance of these ten days, we as Muslims, should welcome the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah with the same fervor and enthusiasm as we anticipate and welcome the blessed month of Ramadhan.

WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDED ACTS IN THESE DAYS?

1. Prayer - It is highly recommended to perform the obligatory acts at their prescribed times (as early as possible) and to increase oneself in the superogatory acts, for indeed, this is what brings a person closer to their Lord. The Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, said:

"Upon you is to increase in your prostration to Allah, for verily you do not prostrate to Allah with even one prostration, except that He raises you in degrees and decreases your sins because of it." [Reported by Muslim]

2. Fasting - "The Prophet, upon whom be peace, would fast on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, the day of Ashura and three days in every month." [Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, an-Nisa'i and others]

Imam an-Nawawi said that fasting in these ten days is extremely recommended.

3. Saying allahu akbar, la illaha illallah and alhamdulillah - It is found in the aforementioned narration of Ibn 'Umar:

"So increase yourselves in saying la illaha illallah, allahu akbar and alhamdulillah."

Strive with us, O Muslims in reviving this Sunnah that has become lost in these times and it was almost forgotten, even amongst the people of righteousness.

There are a number of ways of making takbir that have been narrated by the companions and their followers and from these ways is the following:

• Allahu akbar, allahu akbar, allahu akbar kabirun.
• Allahu akbar, allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, wallahu akbar, wa lillahil hamd.
• Allahu akbar, allahu akbar, allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, allahu akbar wa lillahil hamd.

4. Fasting on the day of 'Arafah - Fasting has been affirmed on the day of 'Arafah, where it has been confirmed from the Prophet, peace be upon him, that he said regarding fasting on the day of 'Arafah:

"Be content with the fact that Allah will expiate for you your sins for the year before (the day of 'Arafah) and the year after (the day of 'Arafah)." [Reported by Muslim]

Let's make the most of it, In Sha Allah.