Virtues of the Day of Arafah (9th of Dhul Hijjah)

Aisha radiyallahu anha reports that Rasulullah sallallaahu alayhi wasallam said, “There is no day in which Allah sets free more souls from the fire of hell than on the day of Arafah. And on that day Allah draws near to the earth and by way of exhibiting His Pride remarks to the angels, ‘What is the desire of these (servants of mine)?’” (Muslim)

Talhah radiyallahu anhu reports that Rasulullah sallallaahu alayhi wasallam said, “Apart from the day of the Battle of Badr, there is no day on which the Shaytan is seen to be more humiliated, more rejected, more depressed and more infuriated, than on the day of Arafah, and indeed all this is only because of beholding the abundance of descending mercy (on the day) and Allah's forgiveness of the great sins of the servants.” (Mishkat)

Abu Qataadah al-Ansari radiyallahu anhu narrated that Rasulullah sallallaahu alayhi wasallam was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah. He said, “It compensates for the (minor) sins of the past and the coming year.” (Muslim, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)

Virtues of the Night of Eid

The nights of both Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr are described in the Hadith as amongst the great and sacred nights in the Muslim calendar. To remain awake on the nights of Eid and perform ibaadah (worship) is a source of great virtue and reward.

Abu Umarah radiyallahu anhu related that Aishah radiyallahu anha reports that Rasulullah sallallaahu alayhi wasallam said, “Whosoever stays awake and performs ibaadah on the nights of the two Eids, with hope for abundant reward (from Allah), his heart will not die on the day (i.e. Qiyamah) when all hearts will be dead." (Targheeb)

Muadh ibn Jabal radiyallahu anhu relates that Rasulullah sallallaahu alayhi wasallam said, “Jannat is waajib (incumbent) for those who stay awake with the intention of making ibaadah on the following nights: 8th, 9th and 10th of Dhul Hijjah, the night of Eid al-Fitr, and the night of the 15th of Shaban.” (Targheeb)