What to do on 'Arafah | Khutbah by Dr. Omar Suleiman

Summary

The sermon begins by praising Allah and bearing witness to His oneness and the prophethood of Muhammad. It highlights the significance of the Day of Arafah, described by the Prophet Muhammad as the best day the sun has risen upon. The speaker emphasizes the importance of renewing one's covenant with Allah, acknowledging His blessings, and seeking forgiveness through supplication. The sermon also discusses the rituals and spiritual significance of Arafah, encouraging the faithful to approach the day with intention and dedication, highlighting the mercy and forgiveness Allah offers on this day.

Takeaways

• 🙏 Praising Allah: The sermon begins by praising Allah and acknowledging Muhammad as His final messenger, asking for peace and blessings upon him, the prophets, their families, and companions.
• 🌞 Day of Arafah: The speaker emphasizes that the Day of Arafah is the best day of the year, a day for Muslims to know their Lord and renew their covenant with Him.
• 📜 Historical Significance: All prophets before Muhammad emphasized the importance of the Day of Arafah, reinforcing the concept of the oneness of God.
• 🕌 Pillars of Islam: The Day of Arafah is linked to the five pillars of Islam, particularly highlighting the transition from the first pillar (testimony of faith) to the last (Hajj).
• 💧 Renewal and Repentance: The day is seen as a time to renew one’s faith, repent, and acknowledge both Allah’s blessings and one’s own shortcomings.
• 🤲 Importance of Dua: Supplication (dua) on the Day of Arafah is highly emphasized, with the best supplication being the acknowledgment of Allah’s oneness and greatness.
• 🕋 Place and Time: Arafah is significant both as a place and as a time. Even those not physically present at Arafah can observe its spiritual significance through fasting and prayer.
• 💤 Preparation: Preparing for the Day of Arafah involves rest and intentionality, aligning one's actions and prayers with the day’s spiritual importance.
• 📅 Planning for Arafah: The speaker encourages planning for the Day of Arafah as one would for significant personal events, emphasizing its unparalleled spiritual importance.
• 🤝 Renewal of Covenant: The day is described as a time to sign a new covenant with Allah, committing to significant personal changes and reaffirming one’s purpose in life.

Q & A

What is the significance of the day of Arafah according to the script?

The day of Arafah is described as the best day that the sun has risen upon, a day when the supplication of believers is most powerful and the forgiveness of Allah is abundant. It is a day to renew one's covenant with Allah and to seek His mercy and blessings.

Why is the day of Arafah considered the best day of the year?

The day of Arafah is considered the best day of the year because it is a day of immense forgiveness and mercy from Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described it as the day when the supplications of believers are most likely to be accepted.

What is the primary activity recommended for believers on the day of Arafah?

The primary activity recommended for believers on the day of Arafah is to continuously renew their covenant with Allah, engage in supplication, and praise Him for all His blessings.

What does the term 'Arafa' mean, and what is its significance?

The term 'Arafa' means 'to come to know.' It signifies the day when believers come to know their Lord deeply, acknowledging their own shortcomings and the blessings bestowed upon them by Allah.

What is the role of fasting on the day of Arafah for those not performing Hajj?

For those not performing Hajj, fasting on the day of Arafah is highly recommended. It is a means of seeking forgiveness and blessings from Allah, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to fast on this day before the pilgrimage was obligatory.

How should believers prepare for the day of Arafah according to the script?

Believers should prepare for the day of Arafah by setting their intentions to worship and seek forgiveness from Allah, fasting if possible, starting their day with Fajr in congregation, and spending the day in continuous supplication and remembrance of Allah.

What does the script say about the significance of the time and place of Arafah?

The script highlights that Arafah is both a significant place and a significant time. Standing in Arafah combines the blessings of both, but even those who cannot be there physically can still participate in the worship and gain the benefits of the day.

What is the best way to spend the last hour of the day of Arafah?

The best way to spend the last hour of the day of Arafah is in intense supplication and seeking forgiveness, as it is the most special time of the day when Allah's mercy is at its peak.

What is the main message conveyed about Allah's mercy on the day of Arafah?

The main message is that Allah's mercy is immense and all-encompassing on the day of Arafah. Believers are encouraged to have complete certainty in Allah's forgiveness and to renew their covenant with Him through sincere supplication.

What advice does the script offer for those unable to fast on the day of Arafah?

The script advises that if one cannot fast on the day of Arafah due to circumstances beyond their control, they should still have the intention to fast. Allah will grant them the full reward as if they had fasted because of their sincere intention.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 The Significance of Praising Allah

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of praising Allah and recognizing His exclusive right to be worshipped. It highlights the significance of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and sends blessings upon him and the prophets before him. The speaker mentions the special significance of the Day of Arafah, described by the Prophet Muhammad as the best day the sun has risen upon. It’s a day of profound supplication and recognition of Allah’s blessings and mercy.

05:00

🕋 The Pillars of Islam: From Testimony to Hajj

This section delves into the five pillars of Islam, focusing on the first and last pillars: the testimony of faith and Hajj. It explains how the testimony marks a new beginning with Allah, while Hajj represents an enactment of death, where believers reaffirm their covenant with Allah. The importance of continuously renewing one's covenant with Allah through supplication on the Day of Arafah is stressed.

10:03

✨ The Essence of Arafah: Knowing Your Lord

The paragraph explores the meaning of Arafah, which is to know one's Lord. It explains that knowing Allah leads to understanding oneself and recognizing personal shortcomings. The supplication on this day includes praising Allah for His blessings and seeking forgiveness. The day is marked by fasting and reflection, even for those not performing Hajj, emphasizing its significance in the Islamic faith.

15:04

🙏 The Worship and Preparation for Arafah

This section provides practical advice for preparing for and observing the Day of Arafah. It encourages starting the day with communal prayer, engaging in continuous supplication, and making a significant personal change as a covenant with Allah. The narrative includes an anecdote about Abdullah bin Mubarak and Sufyan Thawri, illustrating the profound spiritual impact and mercy associated with the Day of Arafah.

21:01

🌅 Final Reflections and Supplications

The concluding paragraph underscores the importance of utilizing the Day of Arafah for deep supplication and sincere worship. It highlights the time between Asr and Maghrib as especially significant for making dua. The speaker prays for the audience to be among those forgiven and sincerely dedicated to their supplications, seeking Allah's mercy and forgiveness on this sacred day.

Keywords

💡Day of Arafah

The Day of Arafah is considered the best day of the year in Islam, a day when Allah forgives the sins of those observing it. It is a significant day of pilgrimage, prayer, and fasting, marking the day when Muslims believe they all stood before Allah. The script emphasizes its importance, describing it as the day when the Prophet Muhammad said supplications are most accepted.

💡Supplication

Supplication, or 'du'a,' is the act of calling upon Allah for help, guidance, or forgiveness. The script highlights the Day of Arafah as the best day for supplication, noting that the best supplication is the acknowledgment of Allah's oneness. This act of worship is repeatedly mentioned as central to the day’s activities.

💡Oneness of Allah

The oneness of Allah, or 'Tawhid,' is the fundamental concept in Islam that Allah is the sole deity, deserving of worship and obedience. The script stresses renewing this covenant with Allah, particularly on the Day of Arafah, by repeating 'la ilaha illallah,' affirming that all power and blessings belong to Him.

💡Covenant

A covenant in this context refers to the agreement and commitment between Muslims and Allah. The script encourages believers to renew their covenant with Allah on the Day of Arafah by reaffirming their faith and dedication. It involves acknowledging past shortcomings and committing to live according to Allah's commands.

💡Fasting

Fasting is abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset. The script mentions that fasting on the Day of Arafah is highly meritorious, as it was a practice of the Prophet Muhammad and brings immense spiritual rewards and forgiveness from Allah.

💡Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Hajj is the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, a mandatory act for Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it at least once in their lifetime. The script discusses how the Day of Arafah is integral to Hajj, symbolizing a return to one’s spiritual origins and complete devotion to Allah.

💡Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is the final prophet in Islam, whose teachings and actions are a model for Muslims. The script frequently invokes his example and teachings, particularly his emphasis on the Day of Arafah as a day of immense spiritual significance and the best day for supplication.

💡Forgiveness

Forgiveness from Allah is a central theme of the Day of Arafah. The script highlights that Allah's mercy is abundant on this day, and Muslims seek forgiveness for their past sins through sincere repentance and supplication. It stresses the importance of believing in Allah’s willingness to forgive.

💡Angels

Angels in Islam are beings created by Allah who serve various roles, including recording deeds and delivering messages. The script describes how on the Day of Arafah, Allah calls the angels to witness the devotion of believers, and it is a day when Allah boasts about His servants to the angels.

💡Remembrance (Dhikr)

Dhikr involves remembering and glorifying Allah through specific phrases and prayers. The script encourages Muslims to engage in Dhikr throughout the Day of Arafah, particularly the phrase 'la ilaha illallah,' to renew their covenant with Allah and express gratitude for His blessings.

Highlights

We begin by praising Allah and bearing witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Him, and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His final messenger.

We ask Allah to send His peace and blessings upon Muhammad, all of the prophets and messengers that came before him, his family and companions, and those that follow in their blessed path until the Day of Judgment.

This Monday is literally the best day of the year, the day of Arafah, which the Prophet (peace be upon him) described as the best day that the sun has risen upon.

The best supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafah: 'There is no deity except Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs all praise, and to Him belongs all blessings, and He has power over all things.'

On the day of Arafah, all of us stood before Allah and an oath was taken, where Allah asked each and every one of us, 'Am I not your Lord?' and we all said, 'Yes, we bear witness.'

The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned that the promised day is the Day of Judgment, the witness is the best day of the week (Friday), and the witnessed day is the day of Arafah.

On the day of Arafah, Allah calls the angels and says, 'Look at all of these people around the world, calling upon Me and invoking Me in their languages, coming to the place of Arafah, covered in dust and exhausted.'

The day of Arafah represents one of the five pillars of Islam. The first pillar is the testimony of faith, and the last pillar is Hajj, where we go back to our Lord in an enactment of death.

Throughout the day of Arafah, the best thing you can do is renew your covenant with Allah by continuously affirming His oneness.

The word Arafah means to come to know, to come to know your Lord. If you know your Lord, then you know yourself, and if you know yourself, you will know your own shortcomings in regards to your Lord.

The dua that we say throughout the day of Arafah acknowledges Allah's oneness and praises Him for the blessings He showers upon us throughout the year.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us the chief of seeking forgiveness: 'You are my Lord, You created me, and I am Your slave. I am upon the promise and covenant that I have taken with You to the best of my ability.'

On the day of Arafah, acknowledging Allah's blessings upon you is a prerequisite to understanding your own deficiencies, leading to the most sincere version of your supplication.

The mercy of Allah on the day of Arafah is not limited to those standing in the place of Arafah but covers everyone renewing their covenant with Allah on that day.

The intention to worship Allah on the day of Arafah is crucial, and if you are unable to fast for any reason, the Prophet (peace be upon him) assured that the reward is still there because of your intention.

Transcripts

we begin by praising allah

and bearing witness that none has the

right to be worshipped or

unconditionally obeyed except for him

and we bear witness that muhammad

sallallahu alaihi wasallam is his final

messenger we ask allah to send his peace

and blessings upon him

all of the prophets and messengers that

came before him

his family and companions that served

alongside him and those that follow in

their blessed path until the day of

judgment

and we ask allah to make us amongst them

dear brothers and sisters this monday

is literally the best day of the year

a time that if allah gives us the

ability to see it may allah allow us to

live to see it

and allow us to be accepted on that day

may never come back to us and it's a day

that the prophet saws

described as

the best day that the sun has risen upon

is the day of arafah

the day that you come to know your lord

every single

year the prophet saws

that the best supplication is the

supplication

on that day of araf

and the best of what i and the prophets

before me have said

meaning all of the prophets were guided

to this day

they said on that day la ilaha

to him belongs all praise to him belongs

all blessings

and to him belongs power over all things

this is what all of the prophets would

say on this day

the day that marks him

the day that marks the moment that we

all stood in front of allah

and just as you look around and you see

all of these people spread out today

all of us stood before allah on that day

and it was upon us that an oath was

taken

allah asked each and every single one of

us am i not your lord

and all of us say bella yes

we bear witness. we bear witness

the du'a or that oath that the prophet

saws

mentions that allah refers to in the

quran when he says

the prophet saws said in an authentic

narration that al-yaman maurud

the promised day is the day of judgment

the shahid the witness is

the best of all days of the week which

is the day of friday

and mashud the day of the witnessed

is the day of arafah where allah calls

the angels

and says look at all of these people

around the world

calling upon me invoking me in their

languages

coming to the place of arafah which

we'll talk about in a moment

covered in dust exhausted their sleep

schedules off each one of them with

their own

unique each one of them with their own

hopes

calling upon one god the day that the

angels witness that allah has forgiven

all of us may allah subhanahu wa ta'ala

make us amongst those that are forgiven

allah

ameen the day that represents one of the

five pillars of islam this is very

interesting

that of the five pillars of islam the

first pillar

which we will witness today in sha'a

ta'ala is when someone

testifies to the oneness of god for the

very first time

ash hadou allah

one pillar of islam fulfilled by one

statement one testimony

in which you turn the page with your

lord everything that has been done

before is forgotten you come back to

your origin

and enter into that fitrah that's the

first pillar of islam

and the last pillar of islam is hajj

where you go back to your lord in an

enactment of death

wearing the clothes of death once again

testifying

responding to your call affirming your

oneness

uncorrupted and undistracted by

everything that the world has thrown at

me

recognizing my purpose in life is to

worship you

and hajj is that moment where once again

you stand in front of allah subhanahu

ta'ala saying throughout the day

you are only one and i'm coming to you

fully acknowledging that

on my terms responding to you

o allah and the prophet sallallahu

alaihi wasallam is teaching us that

throughout the day of

the best thing that you can do is renew

that covenant

over and over and over again before you

think about your

wish list before you think about all the

things you want to ask your lord

throughout the day la ilaha

continuously renewing your covenant with

allah subhanahu wa ta'ala throughout the

day

and the word arafa means to come to know

to come to know who to come to know

your lord woman

and if you know your lord then you know

yourself

and if you know yourself

then once you know your lord and then

you know yourself then you will

naturally know

your own shortcomings in regards to your

lord the blessings that he has bestowed

upon you

are a prerequisite to you understanding

the deficiency with which you have

responded which then leads you to the

most sincere version of your

supplication

realize that the dua that we say

throughout that day

does not just have an acknowledgement of

allah's oneness but a praise

for all of the blessings that he showers

upon us throughout the year

and the prophet saw islam taught us

the chief of seeking forgiveness

you are my lord you created me and i am

your slave

and i am upon the promise the oath the

covenant that i have taken with you

i will perform to the best of my ability

i seek refuge in you from what i have

done and i admit to you

all of your niram all of the blessings

that you have descended upon me what

about

and how i have responded in a way

in which shortcoming is inevitable due

to

the magnificence of you and the

blessings that you have descended upon

me

and subhanallah throughout the day on

the day of arafah you are acknowledging

that as well because you can't know your

own deficiency

unless you acknowledge his blessings

upon you the same way that you can't

know that you are his slave if you don't

acknowledge him as your master

the same way that you can't negate all

of the other gods unless you acknowledge

and affirm the oneness of god the god of

abraham the god of moses the god of

jesus the god of muhammad

sallallahu alaihi wasallam may his peace

and blessings be upon all of his

prophets

you cannot do one without the other and

look at the similarity

of those duas as they come together now

here's the thing a lot of times

when you think of arafah you think of a

place

you think of the place of arafah arafat

is so much more spectacular

when you're actually there in the makhan

in the place

and you see the pilgrims covered in dust

you can envision

what the hadith is telling you about the

humility of the people that are coming

before their lord

leaving everything behind acknowledging

his oneness

sleep deprived but hopeful in his mercy

you can see it when you're there in

arafah

but as ibn he said arafat is makhan

and zaman it's a place and a time

woman was a man and if a person is

blessed to stand

in the place of arafah may allah

subhanahu wa ta'ala allow us all another

opportunity

to stand in arafah then he combines or

she combines the blessing of the time

and the place but you have to remember

that there ibada of arafat the worship

of arafah for the prophet saws

for seven years before hajj was fasting

it was fasting the day of araf and

medina longing for the opportunity to

stand in arafah just like we longed for

it

it was a remarkable day a special day to

the prophet saws and the muslims every

single year

without hajj and we have to renew that

in our hearts that this is the best day

of the year

you know you think about what you would

do sometimes it just takes our own drive

to then dictate the way that we achieve

our goals

you think about what you would do if you

had the most important day of your life

right which we'll just say for the sake

of it your wedding

the day that you have a child or your

spouse gives birth to a child the day of

your child's graduation

that day is a momentous day

on that year's calendar you're looking

forward to it you are longing for it

and as if points out how amazing is it

that

like allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in

ramadan we don't know which of the last

ten nights is the last ten nights so the

best night of the year is concealed so

we strive for all ten nights right

but we know exactly when arafa is

we know exactly when arafa is we know

the day

we know the time we can plan for it we

have no doubt that this is the best day

of the year

we have no doubt that everything the

prophet saws said is happening is

happening in those moments where allah

is boasting to the angels

and forgiving his creation

the prize of being forgiven on that day

that is for everyone that is observing

this a man of that day

the time of that day that is not just

for the people standing in the makhan in

the place of arafah

the forgiveness from allah that comes on

that day covers

everyone that is renewing that covenant

with allah

on that day so what do we do on that day

well first and foremost the intention

comes back to the intention from now

ya allah i'm going to worship you on

that day ya allah i'm going to fast that

day and you know what if you can't fast

for any reason the prophet saws

assured you that the reward is there any

way because you had the intention and if

you were prohibited

by means or by circumstances that are

out of your hands then allah has written

down for you the full reward

so i'm going to fast that day i'm going

to observe

that day i'm going to look forward to

that day

everything before that day as i planned

for that day is

ibadah is an act of worship you know in

java

that i seek the reward for my sleep the

same way i seek the reward for being

awake why

because i sleep so that i can be more

energetic

in the worship of allah and in the

performance of charity and all good

deeds in the service

of allah and his creation the sleep

is with the intention of energizing

myself so you know what

you're sleeping early on sunday nights

is a form of ibadah it's an act of

worship go to sleep early on sunday

night

get yourself ready on sunday nights the

sahur that you wake up for

the prophet saws said the angels send

their prayers upon the people as they're

doing the sahur start off your day

with the super on that day and

subhanallah if you think about hajj

because there is a parallel

yamataria the day before arafah the

prophet saws would take the sahaba to

minna

what would they do nothing rest

rest i'm going to rest i'm going to

nourish myself

that in and of itself is part of the

worship of the day of adaf i'm going to

think about my dura's on that day

i'm going to prepare with allah

subhanahu wa ta'ala you know you're

renewing your covenant with allah so

here's a challenge for you

one major change that you're going to

make in life on the best day of the year

it's worth it

what are you signing the contract with

this monday

what's the change you're making this

monday and if you can't think of a

change we have a bigger problem

what's the change you're making on

monday what are you signing that

contract with allah that covenant that

you are renewing on monday it's a day of

covenant

not just the day of supplication a day

that brings us back to ya

allah i am going to live my life the way

that you

have commanded me to live my life in

hopes for what you have promised me in

the next

what's the covenant what's the contract

that you're signing on monday

as you come to allah subhanahu ta'ala

starting off the day

with fajr in jamaa in congregation

this masjid better be as full on monday

at fajr as it is right now for jumara

and to make it easy for you we'll have a

halaqa after fajr talking about the

virtues of

so that when you repeat it throughout

the day you'll remember it and you stay

till sunrise

you have hajj written down for you on

the day of arafah

so make sure you're here on monday

morning insha'allah

if you're in the community live stream

is not allowed for you

find a way to cut it off for dallas you

need to be here the malaika

you start off your day with fajr in

jamaa start off your day

with the remembrance of allah subhanahu

wa ta'ala start off your day with the

two raka's of duha

sunrise with allah subhanahu ta'ala and

then spend the day in dura

and be certain

call upon your lord while you are

certain in the answer

don't say allah for

forgive me if you want to or if you will

no call upon allah with complete

certainty in his answer on that day the

prophet saws spent that whole day in dua

if you can't think of what you're going

to say for the hours of that day

start getting your list together but let

the top of that list be what

the dhikr that the prophet sawsom taught

us and then

forgiveness from allah subhanahu wa

ta'ala the greatest thing that you could

ask

from him on that day and then what's

your contract

subhanallah i want you to think about

this all the duras

all the hadith about being accepted from

allah

all the verses in the quran

your lord said call upon me and i will

answer you

when my servant asks about me then i am

close all of that

how much is it multiplied by on the best

day of the year

when the dua is more accepted on that

day than any other time of the year

how close are you to allah on that day

when you make your dua

and yes certainty in allah's mercy

is not complacency with your own

sinfulness

what are you signing the contract with

what's the change you're making on

monday

and i want to end insha'allah with this

beautiful ether this beautiful narration

with subhan allah i want you to put

yourself on the scene the makhan of

arafa may allah take us back to

the place of arafa abdullah bin mubarak

the great scholar great ascetic great

sage

he saw sufiyan

he gave several about this scholar and

sage and teacher of sincerity

he said i came up to sufyan authority on

the day of arafah

the scene by the way he was on his knees

and it was towards the end of the day of

arafah

and he was on his knees crying in front

of allah subhanahu wa ta'ala

his eyes were flowing with tears his

hands were raised

his knees were on the ground this is

the school of sincerity the teacher of

how to be an ascetic

he sees him and abdullah mubarak used to

alternate one year in hajj one year he'd

go out in battle

subhan allah always free sabi he said i

walked up to him on that day of arafah

and i said to him o safiyan as the sun

was about to set on the day of arafah

man

who is the worst person or who is in the

worst state

amongst all of those that are amongst us

today

as

the worst person in this gathering on

this day as the mercy of allah is

descending

and he responds

the person who thinks that allah will

not forgive him

that's the worst person on the day of

arafah is the person that thinks that

allah

will not forgive them subhanallah the

mercy of allah

is that the meccan of arafat the place

of arafat a person showed up

right before the tenth day then they are

counted amongst those that observe the

arafah

what then of the person who spends their

entire day on the zaman on the time

period of arafah

making dura schedule it from now

place your duas there from now start the

day right

end the day right end the day right

because the best part of

by the way is the time between astr and

maghrib the last hour of arafah just

like if you were there in arafah

and the sun is setting and you're trying

to catch those last that you suddenly

remembered

as the sun is setting the day of special

especially

in its last moments may allah allow us

to observe it and count us amongst the

forgiven

may allah subhanahu wa allow us to be

sincere in our dua and our supplications

and answered in everything that we come

to him with

may allah subhanahu ta'ala forgive us

for our shortcomings on that day

and always

foreign

you