The Day of Arafat

The Day of Arafat is a significant Islamic Holy Day, in which it is said that the religion had been perfected. It is the final day of the Hajj pilgrimage and the day before the Eid ul-Adha holiday (Festival of the Sacrifice). It is also called the Day of Repentance. At dawn on this day, millions of Muslim pilgrims will make their way from Mecca to the nearby hillside and plain called Mount Arafat and the Plain of Arafat. It was from this site that Muhammad gave his famous Farewell Sermon in his final year of life.

The Day of Arafat is doubtless the most unified day of any Muslim event. Imagine Muslims gathered together at Arafat Mountain in unity, praying and fasting and stoning the devil whom they say tried to stop their father Abraham from offering Ishmael and offer Isaac instead. You see, Muslims declare that Ishmael is the son of the promise, not Isaac. Muslims offer sacrifices in remembrance that Abraham offered Ishmael as a sacrifice for their sins! (Those who complete the Hajj are told all the sins before the journey are forgiven.)

Why Pray for Muslims During Arafat Day?

For years the whole Christian community has praying for Ramadan, the ‘Night of Power’ the Hajj season, and many other Muslim occasions, but this year the Lord opened our eyes about the importance of Arafat day, which the Muslim prophet Mohammed said, * “the Hajj is Arafat”.

A special report for you to download contains background information and the specific prayer requests as laid out by the Arab Middle East Network. Download the Day of Arafat Prayer Guide (PDF) (right click, “save as”)
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