SAWM 360
What is the Day of Arafah?
The 9th of Dhul Hijjah is the day the pilgrims stand at the plain of Arafat — the heart of Hajj. For everyone not on Hajj, it is a day of fasting, du'a and remembrance. The Prophet ﷺ was asked about fasting it and said:
"It expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year."— Sahih Muslim
Who should fast it — and who shouldn't
- Non-pilgrims: strongly recommended (sunnah mu'akkadah for many scholars).
- Pilgrims at Arafat: should not fast — the Prophet ﷺ stood at Arafat unfasting, to stay strong for du'a.
The first nine days of Dhul Hijjah
Arafah is the peak of a bigger opportunity: the Prophet ﷺ said no righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than those done in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Fasting any of days 1–9 is rewarded; many Muslims fast all nine, or at least the 8th and 9th.
When is Arafah this year?
It depends on the moon: Dhul Hijjah begins with a confirmed sighting, and Arafah is day 9 — the day before Eid al-Adha. Because the Hijri year is ~11 days shorter, the Gregorian date changes every year, and regional moon-sighting differences can shift it by a day. The practical answer: follow a live Hijri calendar. SAWM 360 flags Arafah (and the whole first week of Dhul Hijjah) on your calendar and sends a reminder the evening before, so the niyyah and the suhoor are both handled.
Catch Arafah every year with SAWM 360
- Check the calendar in Dhul Hijjah — days 1–9 carry the 📈 Dhul Hijjah badge; Arafah is flagged with its own marker.
- Enable the Arafah reminder — you're notified the night before with your local suhoor deadline.
- Fast Fajr → Maghrib — the day view shows your exact window and estimated duration.
- Mark it completed — Arafah counts toward your Dhul Hijjah merit and your yearly stats.
Frequently asked questions
What is the reward for fasting the Day of Arafah?
The Prophet ﷺ said it expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year (Sahih Muslim) — the greatest reward attached to any single voluntary fast.
Should pilgrims on Hajj fast Arafah?
No — the sunnah for pilgrims standing at Arafat is not to fast, following the Prophet's ﷺ example, to keep strength for worship and du'a.
What if I can't fast the 9th — can I fast other Dhul Hijjah days?
Yes. Fasting any of the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah is virtuous; the ten days are the most beloved days for righteous deeds. SAWM 360 tracks each one.