Day of Arafah: The Day of Turn Around
Bismillahi Rahman Roheem
All praises belong to Allah; we adore Him and hope for His Blessings. May His Peace and Blessings continue to shower upon our Noble guide, Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his household, his companions, and those who follow his footstep now and till the Day of Judgment!
It is important as human to remind ourselves always because our heart does rotten like metal so we need constant reminder to polish the heart, mind and our consciousness.
The Day of Arafah is the ninth day of Zhul-Hijjah, the Day that confirmed the rites of Hajj pilgrimage before the Eid Day on Tenth day of Zhul-Hijjah.
The First ten days of Zhul-Hijjah is referenced back to the Quran Chapter "Surah Al-Fajr".
This is one of the earliest of the Surahs to be revealed, probably within the first ten chronological orders. Its mystic meaning is suggested by contrasts in nature and in man's long history. Thus does it enforce the lesson of Faith in the Hereafter to "those who understand".
Man's history and legendry knowledge show that greatness does not last and the proudest are brought low. For enforcing moral and spiritual truths, the strictest history is no better than legend. Indeed all artistic history is legend, for it is written from a special point of view.
Man is easily cowed by the contrasts in his own fortunes, and yet he does not learn from them the lesson of forbearance and kindness to others, and the final elevation of goodness in the Hereafter. When all the things on which his mind and heart are set on this earth shall be crushed to nothingness, he will see the real glory and power, love and beauty, of Allah, for these are the light of the Garden of Paradise.
And this Surah came down to let us understand Man, his mission towards the End and his choice of abode in the Hereafter. Man is apt to forget the contrasts in nature and life, and all that they mean in his spiritual growth. Perchance his mind is so absorbed in what he sees that he doubts the vast Realities he does not see. The Present makes him blind to the Past and to the Future. Fooled by glory, he fears not a fall: And falter in disaster, he gives up Hope And sometimes Faith. Let him study Nature, and History, and restore his Faith: Realizing the Sure Event, the Hereafter, Let him find his fullest fulfillment in the service and the good pleasure of Allah!
Bismillahi Rahman Roheem: Surah Al-Fajr verses 1-5 with commentaries.
1. By the Break of Day:
The scholars told us that; four striking contrasts are mentioned, to show Allah's Power and Justice, and appeal to "those who understand". The first is the glory and mystery of the Break of Day. It just succeeds the deepest dark of the Night, when the first rays of light break through. Few people except those actually in personal touch with nature can feel its compelling power. In respect both of beauty and terror, of hope and inspiration, of suddenness and continuing increase of light and joy, this "holy time" of night may well stand as the type of spiritual awakening from darkness to Faith, from Death to Resurrection.
2. By the Ten Nights:
By the Ten Nights are usually understood the first ten nights of Zhul Hijjah, the sacred season of Pilgrimage. From the most ancient times Makkah was the centre of Arab pilgrimage. The story of Abraham is intimately connected with it. In times of Paganism various superstitions were introduced, which Islam swept away. Islam also purified the rites and ceremonies, giving them new meaning. The ten days specially devoted to the Hajj introduce a striking contrast in the life of Makkah and of the pilgrims. Makkah, from being a quiet secluded city, is then thronged with thousands of pilgrims from all parts of the world. They discard their ordinary dress-representing every kind of costume-to the simple and ordinary Ihram; they refrain from every kind of fighting and quarrel; they abstain from every kind of luxury and self indulgence; they hold all life sacred, however humble, except in the way of carefully-regulated sacrifice; and they spend their nights in prayer and meditation.
Narrated by Ibn Abbas (R.A); the Prophet of Allah Muhammad (SAW) said: “No good deeds on other days are superior to those on these (first ten days of Zhul Hijjah)” Then the companions of the prophet said: “Not even Jihad?” He replied, Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah’s sake) and does not return with any of those things” (Bukhari. Vol 2. Hadith 86).
3. By the Even and Odd (contrasted):
Even and Odd is interpreted differently by different religious scholars. Some say “Even” is the Day of Slaughtering of the sacrifices (Eid-ul-Adha 10th of Zhul Hijjah) and Odd is the Day of Arafah (day of completion of Hajj rites, 9th of Zhul Hijjah)
Some say the contrast between even and odd forms the subject of learned argument among those who deal with the properties of numbers. In any case, even and odd follow each other in regular succession: each is independent, and yet neither is self-sufficient. In ultimate analysis every even number is a pair of odd ones. And all things go in pairs, in the animal world and other creatures pairs are but two, and yet each is a complement of the other. Both abstract and concrete things are often understood in contrast with their opposites. Why should we not, in spiritual matters, understand this life better with reference to the Hereafter, and why should we disbelieve in the Hereafter simply because we cannot conceive of anything different from our present life?
4. And by the Night when it passes away:
That is, the last part of the night, just before full day-light. Note the gradations:
• First, the turn of the night, when just the first rays of daylight break through;
• Secondly, the social and institutional rites of religion, like those during the ten nights of Pilgrimage;
• Thirdly, when the usual contrast between the Here and Hereafter vanishes, and we can see heaven even here; and
• Lastly, when this world vanishes, the full light of Day arrives, and we see Reality face to face.
5. Is there (not) in these and adjuration (or evidence) for those who understand? :
All these Signs draw our attention, like solemn adjurations in speech, to the profoundest mystery of our inner life, viz., how from utter depths of darkness ignorance or even degradation-Allah's wonderful light or Revelation can lead us by contrast into the most beautiful sunshine of a glorious spiritual Day. But the contrast suggest also the opposite process as a corollary-how resistance to Allah's fight would destroy us utterly, converting our greatness or glory to perdition, as happened with the peoples of Arab antiquity, the 'Ad and the Thamud, and the type of the powerful but arrogant and godless monarch, the Pharaoh of Egypt. Like a man with a bounded horizon, the average man does not understand these long-range mysteries of life, and we have needed to pray that we may be of "those who understand".
Understanding the Prophet's Life on the Day of Arafah
Jabir reported that the Prophet (SAW) said, “There is no day better in the sight of Allah than the Day of Arafah. On this day Allah, the Almighty and the Exalted One, descends to the nearest heaven, and He is proud of His slaves on the earth and says to those in heaven, ‘Look at My servants. They have come from far and near, with hair disheveled and faces covered with dust, to seek My mercy, even though they have not seen My chastisement.' Far more people are freed from the Hellfire on the Day of Arafah than on any other day.” [Ibn Hibban]
The Prophet (SAW) spent the day at Arafah until almost sunset. Then he said, “O Bilal, ask the people to be quiet and listen to me.” Bilal stood up and asked the people to be quiet and listen to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). When the people were quiet, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “O people, a little while ago Jubril (peace be upon him) came to me. Gave me salutations from Allah and informed me that Allah Has forgiven those who spend the Day at Arafah and those who stop at Al-Mashar Al-Haram, and that He has guaranteed them [relief from] debts.” [Ibn Al-Mubarak]
Abu Ad-Darda reported that the Prophet (SAW) said, “On no other day does the Satan feel so belittled, humiliated, and angry as he does on the Day of Arafah. The reason for this is the mercy of Allah that descends (this day) and the forgiveness that He grants to people for major sins, except the day of the Battle of Badr, which witnessed a far greater mercy of Allah descending upon people, which caused great sadness to Satan." (Reported by: Malik and Al-Hakim).
In conclusion the Day of Arafah is tagged the Day of TURN AROUND or TURNING POINT in a man’s life. Dua is the only way to change our destiny as to soothe our desires for good.
May Allah accept the Hajj of the pilgrims, forgive their sins, protect their families and grant them safe return to home. May Allah accept the Dua, worships and sacrifice that we at home make in the first ten days of Zhul-Hijjah.
From me and my Family to you all: EID MUBARAK KULU AAM WA ANTUM BIKHAIR
Allahu Mustahan
All praises belong to Allah; we adore Him and hope for His Blessings. May His Peace and Blessings continue to shower upon our Noble guide, Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his household, his companions, and those who follow his footstep now and till the Day of Judgment!
It is important as human to remind ourselves always because our heart does rotten like metal so we need constant reminder to polish the heart, mind and our consciousness.
The Day of Arafah is the ninth day of Zhul-Hijjah, the Day that confirmed the rites of Hajj pilgrimage before the Eid Day on Tenth day of Zhul-Hijjah.
The First ten days of Zhul-Hijjah is referenced back to the Quran Chapter "Surah Al-Fajr".
This is one of the earliest of the Surahs to be revealed, probably within the first ten chronological orders. Its mystic meaning is suggested by contrasts in nature and in man's long history. Thus does it enforce the lesson of Faith in the Hereafter to "those who understand".
Man's history and legendry knowledge show that greatness does not last and the proudest are brought low. For enforcing moral and spiritual truths, the strictest history is no better than legend. Indeed all artistic history is legend, for it is written from a special point of view.
Man is easily cowed by the contrasts in his own fortunes, and yet he does not learn from them the lesson of forbearance and kindness to others, and the final elevation of goodness in the Hereafter. When all the things on which his mind and heart are set on this earth shall be crushed to nothingness, he will see the real glory and power, love and beauty, of Allah, for these are the light of the Garden of Paradise.
And this Surah came down to let us understand Man, his mission towards the End and his choice of abode in the Hereafter. Man is apt to forget the contrasts in nature and life, and all that they mean in his spiritual growth. Perchance his mind is so absorbed in what he sees that he doubts the vast Realities he does not see. The Present makes him blind to the Past and to the Future. Fooled by glory, he fears not a fall: And falter in disaster, he gives up Hope And sometimes Faith. Let him study Nature, and History, and restore his Faith: Realizing the Sure Event, the Hereafter, Let him find his fullest fulfillment in the service and the good pleasure of Allah!
Bismillahi Rahman Roheem: Surah Al-Fajr verses 1-5 with commentaries.
1. By the Break of Day:
The scholars told us that; four striking contrasts are mentioned, to show Allah's Power and Justice, and appeal to "those who understand". The first is the glory and mystery of the Break of Day. It just succeeds the deepest dark of the Night, when the first rays of light break through. Few people except those actually in personal touch with nature can feel its compelling power. In respect both of beauty and terror, of hope and inspiration, of suddenness and continuing increase of light and joy, this "holy time" of night may well stand as the type of spiritual awakening from darkness to Faith, from Death to Resurrection.
2. By the Ten Nights:
By the Ten Nights are usually understood the first ten nights of Zhul Hijjah, the sacred season of Pilgrimage. From the most ancient times Makkah was the centre of Arab pilgrimage. The story of Abraham is intimately connected with it. In times of Paganism various superstitions were introduced, which Islam swept away. Islam also purified the rites and ceremonies, giving them new meaning. The ten days specially devoted to the Hajj introduce a striking contrast in the life of Makkah and of the pilgrims. Makkah, from being a quiet secluded city, is then thronged with thousands of pilgrims from all parts of the world. They discard their ordinary dress-representing every kind of costume-to the simple and ordinary Ihram; they refrain from every kind of fighting and quarrel; they abstain from every kind of luxury and self indulgence; they hold all life sacred, however humble, except in the way of carefully-regulated sacrifice; and they spend their nights in prayer and meditation.
Narrated by Ibn Abbas (R.A); the Prophet of Allah Muhammad (SAW) said: “No good deeds on other days are superior to those on these (first ten days of Zhul Hijjah)” Then the companions of the prophet said: “Not even Jihad?” He replied, Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah’s sake) and does not return with any of those things” (Bukhari. Vol 2. Hadith 86).
3. By the Even and Odd (contrasted):
Even and Odd is interpreted differently by different religious scholars. Some say “Even” is the Day of Slaughtering of the sacrifices (Eid-ul-Adha 10th of Zhul Hijjah) and Odd is the Day of Arafah (day of completion of Hajj rites, 9th of Zhul Hijjah)
Some say the contrast between even and odd forms the subject of learned argument among those who deal with the properties of numbers. In any case, even and odd follow each other in regular succession: each is independent, and yet neither is self-sufficient. In ultimate analysis every even number is a pair of odd ones. And all things go in pairs, in the animal world and other creatures pairs are but two, and yet each is a complement of the other. Both abstract and concrete things are often understood in contrast with their opposites. Why should we not, in spiritual matters, understand this life better with reference to the Hereafter, and why should we disbelieve in the Hereafter simply because we cannot conceive of anything different from our present life?
4. And by the Night when it passes away:
That is, the last part of the night, just before full day-light. Note the gradations:
• First, the turn of the night, when just the first rays of daylight break through;
• Secondly, the social and institutional rites of religion, like those during the ten nights of Pilgrimage;
• Thirdly, when the usual contrast between the Here and Hereafter vanishes, and we can see heaven even here; and
• Lastly, when this world vanishes, the full light of Day arrives, and we see Reality face to face.
5. Is there (not) in these and adjuration (or evidence) for those who understand? :
All these Signs draw our attention, like solemn adjurations in speech, to the profoundest mystery of our inner life, viz., how from utter depths of darkness ignorance or even degradation-Allah's wonderful light or Revelation can lead us by contrast into the most beautiful sunshine of a glorious spiritual Day. But the contrast suggest also the opposite process as a corollary-how resistance to Allah's fight would destroy us utterly, converting our greatness or glory to perdition, as happened with the peoples of Arab antiquity, the 'Ad and the Thamud, and the type of the powerful but arrogant and godless monarch, the Pharaoh of Egypt. Like a man with a bounded horizon, the average man does not understand these long-range mysteries of life, and we have needed to pray that we may be of "those who understand".
Understanding the Prophet's Life on the Day of Arafah
Jabir reported that the Prophet (SAW) said, “There is no day better in the sight of Allah than the Day of Arafah. On this day Allah, the Almighty and the Exalted One, descends to the nearest heaven, and He is proud of His slaves on the earth and says to those in heaven, ‘Look at My servants. They have come from far and near, with hair disheveled and faces covered with dust, to seek My mercy, even though they have not seen My chastisement.' Far more people are freed from the Hellfire on the Day of Arafah than on any other day.” [Ibn Hibban]
The Prophet (SAW) spent the day at Arafah until almost sunset. Then he said, “O Bilal, ask the people to be quiet and listen to me.” Bilal stood up and asked the people to be quiet and listen to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). When the people were quiet, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “O people, a little while ago Jubril (peace be upon him) came to me. Gave me salutations from Allah and informed me that Allah Has forgiven those who spend the Day at Arafah and those who stop at Al-Mashar Al-Haram, and that He has guaranteed them [relief from] debts.” [Ibn Al-Mubarak]
Abu Ad-Darda reported that the Prophet (SAW) said, “On no other day does the Satan feel so belittled, humiliated, and angry as he does on the Day of Arafah. The reason for this is the mercy of Allah that descends (this day) and the forgiveness that He grants to people for major sins, except the day of the Battle of Badr, which witnessed a far greater mercy of Allah descending upon people, which caused great sadness to Satan." (Reported by: Malik and Al-Hakim).
In conclusion the Day of Arafah is tagged the Day of TURN AROUND or TURNING POINT in a man’s life. Dua is the only way to change our destiny as to soothe our desires for good.
May Allah accept the Hajj of the pilgrims, forgive their sins, protect their families and grant them safe return to home. May Allah accept the Dua, worships and sacrifice that we at home make in the first ten days of Zhul-Hijjah.
From me and my Family to you all: EID MUBARAK KULU AAM WA ANTUM BIKHAIR
Allahu Mustahan
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