Day of Arafah Fasting: The Most Rewarded Fast in the Year

There is a single hadith that should make every Muslim circle the 9th of Dhul Hijjah on their calendar.

The Prophet ﷺ was asked about fasting on the Day of Arafah. His answer:

صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ وَالسَّنَةَ الَّتِي بَعْدَهُ

Siyamu yawmi Arafata ahyasibu 'alAllahi an yukaffira as-sanatal-lati qablahu was-sanatal-lati ba'dahu

"Fasting on the Day of Arafah, I hope from Allah, expiates the sins of the year before it and the year after it." — (Sahih Muslim 1162)

Two years of minor sins, wiped by a single voluntary fast. There is no other voluntary fast in the entire Islamic year that carries this explicit promise.

What the Day of Arafah Is

The Day of Arafah is the 9th of Dhul Hijjah — the day on which the pilgrims performing Hajj stand at the plain of Arafah, just outside Makkah, in the most spiritually intense moment of their entire pilgrimage.

While the pilgrims are standing there — weeping, making dua, seeking forgiveness — Allah descends to the lowest heaven and boasts to His angels about those who have gathered. The Messenger ﷺ said:

"There is no day on which Allah frees more of His servants from Hellfire than the Day of Arafah." — (Sahih Muslim 1348)

The entire day is a cosmic event. For those not on Hajj, fasting is the primary way to participate in the mercy that descends on this day.

Who Should Fast — And Who Should Not

Fast if you are not on Hajj. This is strongly recommended for every Muslim who is able. The hadith is explicit and the reward is unlike any other voluntary fast.

Do not fast if you are on Hajj. This is the scholarly consensus. The pilgrims need their strength for the standing at Arafah, which is the spiritual core of Hajj. Fasting would weaken the very worship that defines the day. The fast was given to those who cannot be there — it is a consolation gift of extraordinary value.

If you are making up missed Ramadan fasts, scholars differ on whether you can count the Arafah fast as a make-up. The stronger opinion is that the Arafah fast is a separate act with its own reward, and it is best to fast with the explicit intention of this day's fast rather than treating it as a Ramadan make-up.

How to Maximise the Day of Arafah

The fast is the foundation. But the Day of Arafah is so significant that it deserves more than just abstaining from food.

Abundant Dhikr

The Prophet ﷺ said the best dhikr is La ilaha illallah alone. On this day, the scholars recommend a specific dhikr from a hadith of Ibn Umar:

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu yuhyi wa yumitu wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir

"There is no deity except Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty, and to Him belongs all praise. He gives life and causes death. In His hand is all goodness, and He is capable of all things."

Repeat this abundantly throughout the day — especially in the afternoon hours.

Sincere Istighfar

Allah's forgiveness on this day is especially accessible. Make it personal:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ كَرِيمٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun karimun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni

"O Allah, You are Pardoning and Generous, You love to pardon, so pardon me."

This dua was taught specifically for Laylatul Qadr, but scholars note that the Day of Arafah shares the same character of intense divine mercy and is equally appropriate.

Dua After Asr

The afternoon of the Day of Arafah — particularly after Asr until before Maghrib — is one of the most powerful windows for dua in the entire year. Use it. Make specific duas. Write them down the night before if it helps you focus.

See dua for arafah for specific supplications recommended for this day.

Track Your Day of Arafah Worship

DeenBack helps you track your fasting, dhikr, and dua sessions on the Day of Arafah — so you make the most of the most rewarding day outside of Ramadan.

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Sadaqah

Giving charity on this day multiplies its impact alongside the fast and dhikr. Even a small amount given with sincere intention participates in the goodness of the day.

How the Day of Arafah Fits Into Dhul Hijjah

The Day of Arafah is the peak of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah — which the Prophet described as the best days of the entire year for righteous deeds. (Sunan Ibn Majah 1727)

If you have not been consistent in worship, this entire ten-day window is an opportunity for acceleration. Fasting the Day of Arafah is the crown of those ten days.

See fasting on Ashura for the other major voluntary fast with explicit expiation, and white days fasting for a monthly practice to maintain your relationship with voluntary fasting between the major occasions.

Signs Your Fast Is Being Received

You will not get a notification. But when you complete the day with sincerity — having fasted, made dhikr, asked for forgiveness, given sadaqah — the characteristic feeling that follows is something like lightness. A sense of having cleaned something.

That experience is not the measure of the fast's value. The value is in Allah's promise, regardless of what you feel. But the feeling — when it comes — is a gift on top of the gift.

Common Questions

I forgot to fast on the Day of Arafah — can I make it up? No. Voluntary fasts have a specific context; the Day of Arafah can only be observed on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah. If you missed it, you missed it for this year. The opportunity returns next year. Use fasting on Monday and Thursday to maintain the fasting habit in the meantime.

I am menstruating on the Day of Arafah — how can I participate? You cannot fast, but you can participate fully in the dhikr, dua, Quran recitation, and sadaqah of the day. The reward for those acts is not reduced. The specific reward for the fast is also not permanent lost — Allah knows your circumstance and His generosity accounts for it.

Is it better to fast the whole ten days of Dhul Hijjah? The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have fasted the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah. (Sunan Abu Dawud 2437). If you can do this, it is excellent. If not, fasting the 9th alone is still described with the two-year expiation reward.

The Most Generous Day Outside Ramadan

Ramadan gets a month. Arafah gets a day. But the reward per day is arguably more condensed on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah than on any other voluntary fast in the year.

Fast it. Fill it with dhikr. Pour your heart into dua in the afternoon hours. And let Allah do what He has promised He loves to do on this day: forgive.

Prepare Your Day of Arafah Worship Plan

DeenBack helps you plan and track your Day of Arafah fast, dhikr sessions, and dua list — so you arrive at this extraordinary day prepared, not scrambling.

Free download. Premium features available in-app.