The Importance of the Day of Arafah
It is a recommended sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) for those who are not pilgrims to fast on this day, since the Prophet (pbuh) was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah, so he said:
“It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.”
(Muslim)
The Prophet (pbuh) also said:
“There is no day on which Allaah 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 reveals before His Angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking.”
(Muslim)
What should I do on the day of arafah?
Fast: Fasting is highly encouraged and recommended for those not going on hajj. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.” (Muslim)
Make Dua: Saying this du’aa very often: laa ilaaha ill-allaahu, waḥdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu, wa huwa ‛alaa kulli shay’in qadeer Meaning: None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and all praise and He is over all things omnipotent.
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
“The most excellent dua is the dua on the Day of Arafah, and the best of what I and the prophets before me have said, is There is nothing that deserves to be worshiped in truth except Allah, He is Alone and has no partner, to Him belongs the dominion and to Him belongs all praise, and He is All-Powerful over all things.”
(Muwatta)Making Tahleel, Takbeer, Tahmeed and Tasbeeh: Its is a sunnah of our Prophet (pbuh) to recite the Tahleel, Takbeer and Tahmeed as many times as possible on the day of Arafah, and also on the days of Tashreeq (11, 12 and 13th of Dhul Hijjah):
Tahleel is to say “Laa ilaaha il-lal-laah”
Takbeer is to say “Allahu Akbar”
Tahmeed is to say “Alhamdulillaah”
Tasbeeh is to say “Subhanallaah”
Seek forgiveness from Almighty Allah: The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “On this day, Allah, the most Exalted, descends to the nearest heaven, and He is proud of His servants on the earth and says to those in heavens, look at My servants, they have come from far and near, with hair disheveled and faces covered with dust, to seek my Mercy. Even if their sins are as much the sand or the froth of the sea, I shall forgive them.”