Arafat Day: November 15
Arafat Day is an Islamic Holy Day.
Arafat Day is the day on which the Islamic religion is said to have been perfected and Allah’s Favour was complete. It is celebrated 70 days after the end of Ramadan, precedes the the major Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Adha, and is the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage. While the Day of Arafat is always on the same day of the Islamic calendar (falling on the 9th day of Dhul Hijja of the lunar Islamic calendar) the date on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar and the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar.
History of Islam’s Arafat Day
Arafat Day is the culminating event of the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, observed on the second day of the pilgrimage rituals. Mount Arafat and Plain Arafat is the site where, on his final year of life, the Prophet Muhammad gave his Farewell Sermon. This sermon is a summary of his teachings and can be divided into three major points: a reminder of the basic elements of faith in the One God, the Rule of Law, and the Morality and Rules of Justice.
Islam’s Arafat Day Traditions, Customs and Activities
At dawn, pilgrims will make their way from Mecca to nearby Mount Arafat and Plain Arafat. During the day, Muslim pilgrims walk to and stay in the Arafat Mount and Plain in sincere devotion and supplication for God’s infinite forgiveness. Pilgrims will cry in repentance seeking God’s mercy, recite prayers, and stand together as equals in their state of sinfulness. For all Muslims who do not participate in the pilgrimage, the day is to be observed by fasting and prayers the entire day. Fasting on this day is worth two years of expiation; one for the year that ends and one for the year ahead. It is a day of forgiveness for sins, similar to Yom Kippur for the Jews.
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