The stay of pilgrims in Arafah is said to lead to the forgiveness of their sins.

The stay of pilgrims in Arafah is said to lead to the forgiveness of their sins. On the day of Arafah, pilgrims of Hajj gather in Mount Arafah and in addition to observing ritual prayer, supplication and asking for forgiveness, they give thanks to Allah for giving them the opportunity of performing Hajj.

Due to the significance and greatness of this day, many supplications and other acts of worship have been recommended by Infallible Imams (peace be upon them) and religious authorities on this day. One of the most famous supplications of this day is the supplication of Arafah by Imam al-Husain (PBUH) which was composed and recited by Imam al-Husain on the Day of Arafah in the desert of ‘Arafah. The supplication is usually recited by Shi’a on the same day.

This supplication contains some of the highest theological and spiritual teachings. Meanwhile, it is important to mention that many hadiths described Arafah Day as a special day of forgiving sins. (Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 4, p. 146, 541) To such an extent that it is said in a Prophetic saying that whoever is not forgiven in the Night of Majesty (Laylat al-Qadr) of the month of Ramadan, the only place where such a person could be forgiven is on Mount Arafah.

Similarly, the day has also been described as the day of answering supplications of the supplicants. (Ṣadūq, Man lā yaḥḍuruh al-faqīh, vol. 2, p. 211) Supplication for the fulfilment of one’s material and spiritual needs is highly encouraged on this day, to such an extent that one cannot supplicate on this day due to fasting fatigue is advised to abandon the fast and focus mainly on the supplication (Dua).

It is narrated that Imam Zain al-Abidin (PBUH) heard someone begging people for financial aid on the day of Arafah. The Imam (PBUH) said to him: “Woe unto you that on a day like this, you are asking from other than Almighty Allah. This is a day when the mercy and grace of Allah reach (even) the fetus in the womb.” The Infallible Imams (peace be upon them) from the pure Prophet’s Household (ahl al-Bayt) highly honoured and respected this day and advised their adherent to do the same.

According to reliable reports, special acts of worship have been prescribed and recommended on both the eve and the day of Arafah. The following are some of the recommended deeds (Aamaal): The Eve of Arafah The devotional acts on this night are as follows: 1. Recitation of the supplication: “اللهم یا شاهد کل نجوی” (Check: Mafatih al-Jinan for details).