Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs has called on Muslims to engage in recommended acts of worship on the Day of Arafah, including fasting, supplication, remembrance of Allah, exaltation, sincere repentance, seeking forgiveness, reciting the Quran, giving charity, and performing other good deeds.
In a statement issued today ahead of Arafah and Eid Al Adha, the ministry also urged Muslims to perform Eid prayers, recite takbeer from the dawn of Arafah until the afternoon of the final day of Tashreeq, strengthen family ties, visit relatives and friends, spread joy among children and loved ones, and support the needy through charity and kindness.
The statement emphasized that Arafah, observed on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, holds special significance in Islam as a day of divine mercy, forgiveness, and salvation from Hellfire.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, in hadith, that there is no day in which Allah frees more people from Hell than the Day of Arafah. It is also the day when Allah perfected the religion.
The Prophet further stated that the best supplication is that of the Day of Arafah, encouraging increased prayers on this sacred day. For non-pilgrims, fasting on Arafah is highly recommended, as it expiates the sins of the previous and upcoming year.
The statement also highlighted the virtues of Eid Al Adha, observed on the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah, which marks the greatest festival for Muslims. It is the day of sacrifice, with offering an Udhiyah (sacrificial animal) being a confirmed Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The statement added that the sacrifice must be a permissible livestock animal, camel, cattle, sheep, or goat, meeting Islamic age and health criteria, and slaughtered within the prescribed time from after Eid prayers until sunset on the third day of Tashreeq.
Other recommended acts on Eid, as the statement mentioned, include performing Eid prayers, continuing the takbeer recitations, maintaining family ties, bringing happiness to loved ones, and supporting the underprivileged through charity and goodwill.
The ministry urged Muslims to seize the blessings of these sacred days by intensifying remembrance, supplication, worship, and righteous actions.
