On the Day of Arafah, pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat, standing there from before noon until sunset, seeking Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. They supplicate, exalt, and praise Allah, remaining until their hearts are filled with tranquility.
Even though we are in our own countries, our hearts are with the pilgrims, exalting, praising, and thanking Allah. We pray to be among them in future years when Allah boasts about us to the angels, as mentioned in the Hadith narrated by Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “As for your standing at Arafah, indeed Allah descends to the lowest heaven and boasts about you to the angels, saying: ‘These are My servants; they have come to Me disheveled and dusty from every distant pass, hoping for My mercy and fearing My punishment, though they have not seen Me. How would it have been if they had seen Me!'”
The Ruling on Sadaqah on the Day of Arafah
Sadaqah on the Day of Arafah is highly recommended and beloved to Allah. Sadaqah has a profound impact on both the giver and receiver, forgiving sins, removing hardships, and elevating ranks. The benefits of Sadaqah are multiplied on the Day of Arafah, as the rewards for righteous deeds are greater than on other days.
The Virtue of Sadaqah on the Day of Arafah
The first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah are the best days of the year, and they are the most beloved to Allah, comparable to the last ten nights of Ramadan. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi)
The crown jewel of these days is the Day of Arafah, the best and greatest among them. Acts of worship on this day are rewarded manifold. The virtue of Sadaqah on the Day of Arafah is immense because Sadaqah is central to our faith, accompanying us throughout the year with its blessings. It is one of the most significant means of drawing closer to Allah on this day.
Recipients for Spending on the Day of Arafah
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “No servant gives a Sadaqah of a date, from honest earnings – and Allah only accepts what is pure – except that Allah takes it with His right hand and nurtures it for the giver as one of you nurtures his colt, until it becomes like a mountain.”
From the Prophet’s guidance, we understand that the avenues for spending on the Day of Arafah, and otherwise, are numerous and not confined to specific amounts or times. Any amount given from the heart is blessed, potentially alleviating hunger, thirst, or other hardships faced by the beneficiary. Continuous Sadaqah, such as Sadaqah Jaryiah, has an enduring impact that extends until the Day of Judgment.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “When a person dies, all their deeds end except three: Sadaqah Jaryiah, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them.”
Can Sadaqah on the Day of Arafah Be Donated to Another Country?
According to the website of Sheikh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him), there is no prohibition against transferring Zakat to other countries if the need is greater or the situation is dire, although the poor in the giver’s locality are prioritized. There is no harm in sending Sadaqah on the Day of Arafah to places in need, potentially addressing significant gaps faced by the beneficiaries there.
Donating Sadaqah on the Day of Arafah to Support Students in Syria
This year, as the Day of Arafah approaches, our brothers and sisters in northern Syria continue to suffer from prolonged hardships. As with any crisis, students are among the most affected, with educational infrastructure severely damaged by conflicts. This situation has resulted in approximately 2.5 million children being out of school in northern Syria, according to UNICEF.
Masarat Initiative aims to support these students and invites you to donate Sadaqah on the Day of Arafah to support students in Syria. We present to you the educational projects and sponsorships for students who have dropped out of school, student activities, academic advising, and vocational training programs. These various streams all serve to enhance the lives and education of students. This is a valuable opportunity to invest in these blessed days, especially the Day of Arafah, by contacting us to help reignite the light of hope for building the future of society and the nation as a whole.
Conditions for Accepting Sadaqah
To ensure that Sadaqah is accepted and beneficial, it is essential to adhere to the following conditions:
- Sincere Intention for Allah: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Actions are judged by intentions.”
- Lawful and Pure Wealth: Allah is pure and only accepts what is pure.
- Joy and Anticipation of Reward: The giver should be happy and hopeful of great rewards when offering Sadaqah.
- Respecting the Dignity and Humanity of the Recipient.
- Secrecy: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Sadaqah given in secret extinguishes the wrath of the Lord.”
