Dhul-Hijjah 5, 1447 (May 22, 2026)
Assalaamun Alaykum Warahmatullah Taallah Wabarakatuhu
“Arafat is Hajj” — The Day of Mercy, Unity and Transformation
All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, we seek His help, and we seek His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil within ourselves and from the consequences of our bad deeds. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide; and whoever He allows to stray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Prophet Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, his companions, and all those who follow his path until the Day of Judgment.
Dear brothers and sisters in Islam,
Fear Allah as He should be feared, and know that among the greatest days in the sight of Allah is the Day of Arafat. It is a day filled with mercy, forgiveness, freedom from Hellfire, acceptance of prayers, and renewal of faith.
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“Al-Hajj ‘Arafah.” That is, Arafat is Hajj.
This declarative statement points to the central importance of Arafat in the pilgrimage. Without standing at Arafat, there is no Hajj. It is the heart of Hajj, the soul of Hajj, and the greatest gathering of believers on earth.
The plain of Mount Arafat is not just an ordinary place. It is a place where tears are shed, sins are forgiven, hearts are softened, and destinies are changed. On that day, millions of Muslims stand together in humility before Allah — rich and poor, black and white, kings and laborers, scholars and ordinary people — all wearing simple garments, all calling upon one Lord.
Allah says in the Noble Qur’an:
“Then when you depart from Arafat, remember Allah at al-Mash‘ar al-Haram.”
— Surah al-Baqarah 2:198
Dear fellow Muslims,
The Day of Arafat teaches humanity many lessons.
First: The lesson of equality and unity.
On Arafat, there is no superiority except through righteousness. No tribe is greater than another. No race is better than another. Humanity returns to its original reality: servants of Allah.
This reminds us of the farewell sermon delivered by the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, near Arafat during his final pilgrimage. He declared that an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, and a non-Arab has no superiority over an Arab, except through piety and righteousness.
How much the world needs this message today. In many societies, including Nigeria, people are divided by ethnicity, politics, tribe, region, and religion. Suspicion has replaced brotherhood. Hatred has replaced compassion. Yet Arafat reminds us that unity is strength and division is destruction.
A Muslim should never look down upon another person because of wealth, language, skin color, or social status.
We were all created by Allah and we shall all return to Him.
Second: The lesson of repentance and forgiveness.
The Day of Arafat is a day of mercy beyond imagination. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
“There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafat.”
Imagine millions of people raising their hands, crying to Allah, confessing their sins, seeking forgiveness. Some come with heavy burdens of wrongdoing. Some come with broken hearts. Some come after years of disobedience. Yet Allah opens the doors of mercy for them.
This teaches us never to despair of Allah’s mercy.
No matter how many sins a person has committed, Allah can forgive them if they sincerely repent. Whether the sins are hidden or public, whether they involve neglect of prayer, dishonesty, oppression, family conflicts, or immoral behavior — the door of tawbah remains open.
Arafat teaches us that the best of people are not those who never sinned, but those who return to Allah sincerely after sinning.
Third: The lesson of preparation for the Day of Judgment.
The gathering of Arafat resembles the gathering of humanity on the Day of Resurrection.
Millions stand in one place under the sun, waiting, praying, hoping for mercy.
One day, every human being will stand before Allah alone.
Titles will disappear. Wealth will disappear. Power will disappear.
What will remain are our deeds.
Arafat reminds us to prepare for that final meeting with Allah.
How many people who stood on Arafat last year are no longer alive today? How many planned for tomorrow but never reached it?
Death does not ask about age, wealth, or status. Therefore, a wise believer prepares constantly through prayer, charity, honesty, kindness to parents, good treatment of spouses and children, and service to humanity.
Dear servants of Allah,
Even those who are not performing Hajj can benefit greatly from the Day of Arafat.
Among its great acts of worship is fasting. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said that fasting on the Day of Arafat expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year for those who are not on pilgrimage.
What a tremendous opportunity from Allah.
It is also a day for abundant supplication.
The Prophet said:
“The best supplication is the supplication on the Day of Arafat.”
Therefore, increase in du‘a for yourselves, your families, your communities, and the Ummah. Pray for peace in troubled lands. Pray for unity among Muslims and Christians in Nigeria. Pray for leaders to govern with justice and compassion. Pray for the youth to be guided away from drugs, violence, internet fraud, and immoral behavior. Pray for families to be strengthened by love and faith.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Arafat also teaches sacrifice and patience. Pilgrims endure heat, crowding, exhaustion, and difficulty for the sake of Allah. This reminds us that Jannah is not attained through comfort alone. Every believer will face tests.
Some are tested with poverty. Some with sickness. Some with family problems. Some with loneliness or disappointment. But patience for the sake of Allah always carries reward.
Allah says:
“Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without measure.”
— Surah az-Zumar 39:10
As we reflect upon Arafat, let us ask ourselves:
Have we forgiven those who wronged us?
Have we repaired broken family ties?
Have we fulfilled the rights of our spouses, parents, neighbors, and children?
Have we prepared for our return to Allah?
Arafat is not merely a place in Saudi Arabia. It is a school of spiritual transformation. Its message should continue long after Hajj ends.
May husbands become more caring.
May wives become more supportive.
May leaders become more just.
May youths become more responsible.
May communities become more united.
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O Allah, forgive our sins and shortcomings. O Allah, grant us sincere repentance before death. O Allah, unite our hearts upon truth and righteousness. O Allah, bless Nigeria with peace, justice, security, and mutual understanding among all people. O Allah, grant those who desire Hajj the opportunity to perform it. O Allah, accept the Hajj of the pilgrims and return them safely to their families.
Indeed Allah commands justice, excellence, and kindness to relatives, and He forbids immorality, wrongdoing, and oppression. He admonishes you so that you may take heed.
Remember Allah, the Most High; He will remember you. Thank Him for His blessings; He will increase you. And the remembrance of Allah is greater, and Allah knows what you do.
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…an important clarification 👇👇👇
*Shaving hair and clipping the nails during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah for those intending to offer the Eid sacrifice*
The issue of shaving the hair or clipping the nails during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah for a person intending to offer the Eid sacrifice (Udhiyah/Qurbani) is a matter of scholarly discussion in Islamic jurisprudence.
The basis of the ruling comes from a Hadith narrated by Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“When the ten days (of Dhul Hijjah) begin, and one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, let him not remove anything from his hair or nails until he has offered the sacrifice.” – Sahih Muslim.
Majority Scholarly View
Many scholars, especially from the Hanbali school, hold that it is prohibited (haram) or at least strongly discouraged for the person offering the sacrifice to:
– cut hair,
– shave,
– clip nails,
– or remove skin intentionally
from the beginning of Dhul Hijjah until the animal is slaughtered.
They say this ruling applies only to the person paying for or offering the sacrifice, not necessarily to all family members.
Other Scholarly Opinions
Scholars from the Maliki and Shafi‘i schools generally consider it recommended (mustahabb) to avoid cutting hair and nails, but they do not regard doing so as sinful.
The Hanafi school largely views it as permissible, although avoiding it is considered virtuous.
Therefore, the matter is one of legitimate scholarly difference.
Wisdom Behind the Ruling
Scholars mention several wisdoms:
– It resembles some aspects of the condition of pilgrims performing Hajj.
– It encourages spiritual discipline and reverence during the sacred days.
– It symbolizes complete devotion while awaiting the sacrifice.
Important Clarifications
If someone cuts his/her hair or nails intentionally, the sacrifice is still valid according to the scholars.
There is no expiation (kaffarah) required.
Forgetfulness or necessity carries no blame.
Bathing, combing, washing, and ordinary hygiene remain permissible.
Strongest and Safest Practice
The safer and more cautious approach for anyone intending to offer the sacrifice is:
– avoid shaving or cutting hair,
– avoid clipping nails, from the sunset before the 1st of Dhul Hijjah until after the sacrifice is performed on Eid day or during the days of Tashriq.
This way, one follows the Hadith directly and avoids scholarly disagreement.
May Allah accept the sacrifices, prayers, and good deeds of the Ummah during the blessed days of Dhul Hijjah.
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Endeavour to recite Surah Al-Kahf (Chapter 18: Verses 1-110).
Juma’ah Mabrouq
