Arafah Fasting a Day Before Eid al-Adha 1447 H/2026 Erases Two Years of Sin
Arafah fasting will be observed a day before Eid al-Adha. This year, it falls on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.
Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Adha 1447 H on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. Below is the intention for Arafah fasting along with its merits.
Intention for Arafah Fasting
The intention for Arafah fasting a day before Eid al-Adha, sourced from the MUI Indonesia website, is:
نَوَيْتُ صَوْمَ عَرَفَةَ سُنَّةً لِلّٰهِ تَعَالَى
Nawaitu shauma ’arafata sunnatan lillāhi ta’ālā.
Meaning: ‘I intend to fast on Arafah as a sunnah for Allah Almighty.’
Arafah fasting is a valuable opportunity for Muslims to increase righteous deeds during the sacred days of Dhu al-Hijjah. Besides being a means of forgiveness for minor sins, it carries great blessings and rewards from Allah.
Merits of Arafah Fasting
This confirmed sunnah fasting has several merits, as cited from the book ‘The Most Complete Guide to Daily Muslim Worship’ by KH. Muhammad Habibillah:
- Forgiveness of Two Years’ Sins
Muslims who observe Arafah fasting will receive forgiveness for sins of the previous year and the coming year. This is confirmed by several hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), including:
وَسُبِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ فَقَالَ: يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ الْمَاضِيَةَ وَالْبَاقِيَةَ.
Meaning: ‘When asked about fasting on the Day of Arafah, he replied, ’It expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.’ (Sahih Muslim)
صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنَّهُ يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ وَالسَّنَةَ الَّتِي بَعْدَهُ.
Meaning: ‘I hope that fasting on the Day of Arafah will expiate the sins of the year before and the year after.’ (Sahih Muslim)
- Liberation from Hellfire
This is also confirmed by a hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW):
مَا مِنْ يَوْمٍ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنْ يُعْتِقَ اللَّهُ فِيْهِ عَبْدًا مِنَ النَّارِ مِنْ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ.
Meaning: ‘There is no day on which Allah frees more servants from Hellfire than the Day of Arafah.’ (Sahih Muslim)
- Best Supplication
The meaning of the above is that supplications on the Day of Arafah are the most virtuous. Muslims observing this fast will gain significant rewards.
خَيْرُ الدُّعَاءِ دُعَاءُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ وَخَيْرُ مَا قُلْتُ أَنَا وَالنَّبِيُّونَ مِنْ قَبْلِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ.
Meaning: ‘The best supplication is that on the Day of Arafah. And the best words I and the prophets before me have said are: ’There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner. His is the dominion, His is the praise, and He is over all things competent.’ (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
Understanding Arafah fasting, its merits, intention, schedule, and observance is hoped to help Muslims perform this worship with sincerity and meaning.