Is there any virtue in offering du’aa’ on the day of ‘Arafah for those who are not on Hajj?

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Will du’aa’ offered on the day of ‘Arafah by those who are not on Hajj be answered?.
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Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no day on which Allaah ransoms more of His slaves from the Fire than the day of ‘Arafah. He draws close then He boasts about them before the angels and says, ‘What do these people want?’” Narrated by Muslim (1348). 

It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best of du’aa’ is du’aa’ on the day of ‘Arafah, and the best that I and the Prophets before me said is ‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahu’l-mulk wa lahu’l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer (There is no god but Allaah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the dominion, to Him be praise, and He has power over all things).” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (3585)’ classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb (1536). 

It was narrated from Talhah ibn ‘Ubayd ibn Kurayz in a mursal report: “The best of du’aa’ is du’aa’ on the day of ‘Arafah.” Narrated by Maalik in al-Muwatta’ (500); classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’ (1102). 

The scholars differed concerning this virtue of du’aa’ on the day of ‘Arafah, whether it applies only to those who are in ‘Arafah or it includes other places. The more correct view is that it is general and that the virtue is connected to the day, but undoubtedly those who are in ‘Arafah have combined the virtue of the place with the virtue of the time. 

Al-Baaji (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

The words “The best of du’aa’ is on the day of ‘Arafah” mean the dhikr with the greatest blessing, the greatest reward and that which is most likely to be answered. It may be interpreted as referring to pilgrims only, because the meaning of du’aa’ on the day of ‘Arafah is very true in their case, and applies especially to them. But if the day of ‘Arafah is regarded in general terms, it is described as such because of the pilgrims being there. And Allaah knows best. End quote. 

Al-Muntaqa Sharh al-Muwatta’ (1/358). 

It is proven that some of the salaf regarded “al-ta’reef” as permissible, which means gathering in the mosques to offer du’aa’ and remember Allaah (dhikr) on the day of ‘Arafah. Among those who did that was Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him). Imam Ahmad also regarded it as permissible although he did not do it himself. 

Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

Al-Qaadi said: There is nothing wrong with ta’reef, gathering in the afternoon of the day of ‘Arafah in the regions (i.e., other than ‘Arafah). Al-Athram said: I asked Abu ‘Abd-Allaah (i.e., Imam Ahmad) about ta’reef in the regions, where they gather in the mosques on the day of ‘Arafah, and he said: I hope that there is nothing wrong with it, as more than one did it. Al-Athram narrated that al-Hasan said: The first one who did ta’reef in Basra was Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah have mercy on him). Ahmad said: The first ones who did it were Ibn ‘Abbaas and ‘Amr ibn Hurayth. 

Al-Hasan, Bakr, Thaabit and Muhammad ibn Waasi’ used to attend the mosque on the day of ‘Arafah. Ahmad said: There is nothing wrong with it, it is only du’aa’ and remembrance of Allaah (dhikr). It was said to him: Do you do it? He said: As for me, no. And it was narrated that Yahya ibn Ma’een attended (the mosque) with the people on the afternoon of ‘Arafah. End quote. 

Al-Mughni (2/129). 

This indicates that they thought that the virtue of the day of ‘Arafah did not apply only to the pilgrims only, although gathering to remember Allaah and say du’aa’ in the mosques on the day of ‘Arafah was not narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Hence Imam Ahmad did not do it, but he allowed it and did not forbid it, because it was narrated that some of the Sahaabah did it, such as Ibn ‘Abbaas and ‘Amr ibn Hurayth (may Allaah be pleased with them). 

And Allaah knows best.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah's Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

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