The 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the Day of Arafah, is among the most virtuous days of the year. It has been described as a special day for the forgiveness of sins and the acceptance of prayers. The plain of Arafat is a land where the prophets — from Adam to the Final Prophet, and from his successors, Ali ibn Abi Talib to the Promised Mahdi (peace be upon them all) — have been present.
The Secret Behind the Naming of This Land
“Arafah” is the name of a place where Adam and Eve, after their descent to earth, found and recognized each other again. For this reason, it was named so. (1)
The name “Arafah” is derived from the land of Arafat (a place near Mecca where one must stand on this date). It has been said that it is called Arafat because it is a distinct and well-known land among the mountains. (2)
When Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), was asked about the reason for naming “Arafat” with this name, he said:
“The reason is that Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) recognized the rituals of Hajj through the descriptions that were shown to him of Arafat.” (3)
In the plain of Arafat, Gabriel, the angel of divine revelation, taught the rituals of Hajj to Abraham, and he would say: “Araftu, Araftu (I recognized, I recognized).”
The Declaration of the Succession of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) in Arafat
Alqamah al-Hadrami narrates from Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him):
“When the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was standing in Arafat, Gabriel descended to him from Allah Almighty and said: ‘O Muhammad, Allah the Almighty sends His greetings to you and informs you that the time of your departure is near and your life is coming to an end. I am sending you toward an inevitable destiny. Now, strengthen your covenant and prepare your will. Whatever knowledge and heritage of the past prophets you possess — including the weapons, the Ark, and other signs of prophethood — entrust them to your successor after you. He is My conclusive proof over the people, and he is none other than Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him). Appoint him to this station among the people and renew their covenant and allegiance with him. Remind them of the covenant I took from them: that they must accept the guardianship (Wilayah) of My vicegerent, love him, and know that the true master and guardian of every believing man and woman is Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him). For I have never taken the soul of any prophet except that I first perfected his religion and completed My blessing through the Wilayah of My friends and enmity toward My enemies.'” (4)
The Secrets and Reasons for Standing in Arafat
The land of Arafat holds many secrets. It is a sacred place connected with tears and lamentation. Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), said regarding the secret of standing in Arafat:
“Arafat is outside the boundaries of the sanctuary (Haram). The guest of God must supplicate and weep outside the city’s gate until he becomes worthy of entering the sanctuary.” (5)
On the afternoon of the Day of Arafah and at noon on the tenth day, when the pilgrims are present in Mina, Allah Almighty boasts to the angels and says:
“These are My servants who have come from far and near with great difficulties, have forbidden themselves many pleasures, have slept on the sands of the deserts of Arafat and Mina, and with dusty faces, they express their weakness and humility before Me.”
The Day of Forgiveness
Regarding the greatness and significance of the Day of Arafah and the acceptance of repentance on this day, it suffices to mention this narration in which Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) said:
“It was said to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family): ‘O Messenger of Allah, which of the people of Arafat is the most sinful?’ The Prophet replied: ‘The one who returns from Arafat while thinking that he has not been forgiven.'” (6)
- Raghib Isfahani, Mufradat, 1404 AH, p. 331.
- Mustafawi, Al-Tahqiq li Kalimat al-Quran al-Karim, vol. 8, p. 120.
- Tafsir Nur al-Thaqalayn, vol. 1, p. 196.
- Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 37, p. 202.
- Usul al-Kafi, vol. 4, p. 224.
- Al-Ja’fariyat, p. 64.
