Whenever Hajj season comes, I get thrilled. My heart becomes overjoyed because of witnessing the ummah getting united again; and the community regaining the unifying spirit of worship after it faded away months before.
This Hajj season gives me high hopes of God’s mercy and forgiveness; a season in which I make an effort to maintain my spiritual high and boost my faith.
We’re now entered the most precious days of Dhul Hijjah. Allah swears by these days because of their great importance and benefit. However, though these days are the most virtuous days of the year, they are a real test and a big challenge for us.
Unlike Ramadan when the devils are chained, worship becomes easy, and, thus, we become pure and spiritual beings, the days of Hajj are harder and more challenging; because while we strive to boost our worship and attempt to remain sinless, Satan does his best to divert us from that state of purity.
As we strive in worship, Satan works hard to make us slip up. More than any other time of the year, he keeps his whispers stronger, and he strives to make us sin and doubt God’s mercy. And that’s a real challenge since the time of our father Abraham.
What is the Best Day?
In these precious days, there is one most important day that without it, hajj is not valid: The day of Arafah. The day in which Allah perfected Islam; the day in which He forgives all sins and multiplies rewards.
In the last ten nights of Ramadan, God made the Night of Power unknown to us so as we strive in the worship of Him and get the best rewards. However, in the first days of Dhul Hijjah He made it clear which day is the best to easily benefit from it.
The day of Arafah, in the mount of mercy, where masses of people gather to worship one God and ask for His forgiveness and mercy. The image of those millions of people who gather in this most important day makes me tremble; it reminds me of the Day of Resurrection, when all people from all race will be summoned to be judged for their deeds.
Recommended Deeds
So, in this key ritual, while pilgrims spend the whole day until sunset in worship and remembering God, we too should strive to spend the day in making our tongues moist with dua and dhikr as much as possible.
Make plenty of dua.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
The best dua is dua on the day of Arafa, and the best thing that I or the Prophets before me have said is ‘There is no god but Allah, alone, without any partner’ (La ilaha illa’llah, wahdahu la sharika lah.)” (At-Tirmidhi)
Fast this special day.
Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah, I hope from Allah, expiates for the sins of the year before and the year after. (Ibn Majah)
So be wise and prepare for the best day of all days!
