Day of Arafah (Arafat)

‘Arafah is the ninth day of Dhu’l-Ḥijjah, the 12th and final month in the Islamic calendar. It occurs on the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca (and its surrounding religious waymarks). Muslims are obligated to perform at least once in their lifetimes, if able.

As it was the day that Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon as he finished the Hajj toward the end of his life, Arafah (Arafat) day is important to Muslim pilgrims. It also celebrates the finality of Islam’s faith and divine revelation and is viewed as a day of forgiveness and repentance.

Muslims in Oman would fast on the Day of Arafah to observe Arafat Day and purify their spirits in anticipation of the eternal salvation of entering paradise. In addition, they would perform other good deeds like reciting the Quran, reading it, or simply listening to it. They would also refrain from engaging in harmful behaviours, avoid acting in an unfriendly manner and recite holy prayers and duas to be absolved of their sins from the previous year and those of the upcoming year.