Day of Arafah 2027: Date, Fasting Reward and the Best Dua

The Day of Arafah, 9 Dhul-Hijjah, is the heart of Hajj. On that day pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafah, near Makkah, from midday until sunset, in what the Prophet ﷺ called the essence of the pilgrimage: “Hajj is Arafah” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 889). For everyone else, it is the day of one of the most rewarded voluntary fasts in Islam.

Date in 2027

	Date
1 Dhul-Hijjah 1448 (Umm al-Qura)	Friday 7 May 2027
8 Dhul-Hijjah — Day of Tarwiyah	Friday 14 May 2027
9 Dhul-Hijjah — Day of Arafah	Saturday 15 May 2027
10 Dhul-Hijjah — Eid al-Adha	Sunday 16 May 2027

The final date depends on Saudi Arabia’s sighting of the Dhul-Hijjah crescent, announced around 29 Dhul-Qa’dah — expected on the evening of Thursday 6 May 2027. If the crescent is not seen that evening, Dhul-Qa’dah completes 30 days and every date above moves one day later.

For comparison, Arafah 1447 fell on Tuesday 26 May 2026, and Arafah 1449 is expected on Thursday 4 May 2028.

The reward of fasting Arafah

“Fasting the Day of Arafah — I hope from Allah that it expiates the year before it and the year after it.” (Sahih Muslim 1162)

The scholars explain that this refers to minor sins; major sins require repentance. Some, such as al-Nawawi, add that if a person has no minor sins, the fast raises their rank instead. Compare this with Ashura, which expiates one year: the fast of Arafah is mentioned as worth two.

The Prophet ﷺ also said: “There is no day on which Allah frees more servants from the Fire than the Day of Arafah” (Sahih Muslim 1348). The day is one of forgiveness for pilgrims and non-pilgrims alike.

Who should not fast

Pilgrims at Arafah. Umm al-Fadl reported that people were unsure whether the Prophet ﷺ was fasting at Arafah, so she sent him milk, which he drank in front of everyone (Sahih al-Bukhari 1988). Most scholars therefore say it is better for pilgrims not to fast, so they have strength for dua and worship during the standing.

Anyone for whom fasting would cause harm — the ill, the elderly, pregnant or breastfeeding women who fear harm — since this is a voluntary fast.

Everyone else is encouraged to fast if they can.

When your local calendar differs from Saudi Arabia

In some countries, particularly in South Asia, the local calendar may put 9 Dhul-Hijjah on Sunday 16 May while pilgrims stand at Arafah on Saturday 15 May. Which day should you fast?

• View 1: fast on the day the pilgrims stand at Arafah. The day’s virtue is linked to the standing at Arafah, which happens once, on Saudi Arabia’s date.
• View 2: fast on 9 Dhul-Hijjah by your local calendar. The fast is tied to the date in the calendar you follow, just as Ramadan and Eid are.

Both views are held by contemporary scholars. Many mosques announce which day they recommend. If your local Eid al-Adha falls on Sunday 16 May, you cannot fast on Sunday, so you would fast on Saturday under either view. If your local Eid is Monday 17 May, follow your mosque’s guidance.

Fasting Arafah while owing Ramadan fasts

A frequent question: “I still have Ramadan days to make up — can I fast Arafah as a make-up fast?” Scholars give three answers:

1. Fast it as a make-up fast and hope for the virtue of the day as well — the position of many Shafi’i scholars, who hold that the virtue of a special day is attained by any fast on it.
2. Fast it as a voluntary fast, since the make-up fasts can be done later in the year — the view of many scholars who allow voluntary fasts before completing make-up fasts when time remains.
3. Make up the Ramadan fasts first, fasting Arafah voluntarily only once none remain — the view of some Hanbali scholars.

In practice, many people make up missed fasts in the weeks before Dhul-Hijjah so the question does not arise.

The best dua of the day

“The best supplication is the supplication on the Day of Arafah, and the best thing that I and the prophets before me have said is: La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 3585)

لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد، وهو على كل شيء قدير “There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He has power over all things.”

Many scholars say the hours from ‘Asr to Maghrib are especially precious, as they are the climax of the pilgrims’ standing.

How to spend the day if you are not on Hajj

1. Suhoor before Fajr on Saturday 15 May 2027. Check your local Fajr time on our prayer times page — in mid-May, fasts in northern Europe will be long (in London, with the Muslim World League method, Fajr is around 02:40 and Maghrib around 20:45 — about 18 hours).
2. Begin the takbir after Fajr. The specific takbir after each obligatory prayer starts from Fajr on the Day of Arafah, according to the most widely followed view.
3. Plan a block of dua between ‘Asr and Maghrib — write your list of duas in advance.
4. Say the dua of Arafah above many times.
5. Give charity and keep your tongue and eyes from wrongdoing — a fast is not only from food.
6. Break your fast at Maghrib with family, then prepare for Eid al-Adha the next morning: the Eid takbir, clothes, and the qurbani arrangements.

What the pilgrims are doing

Understanding the pilgrims’ day helps those at home connect with it.

• Morning: pilgrims travel from Mina to the plain of Arafah, about 20 km east of Makkah.
• After midday: they pray Dhuhr and ‘Asr together, shortened, and listen to the sermon from Masjid Namirah.
• Until sunset: the wuquf — the standing. Pilgrims remain on the plain making dua, reciting Quran and asking forgiveness. Being present at Arafah at any time between midday and dawn of the 10th is the one rite without which Hajj is not valid.
• After sunset: they leave for Muzdalifah, where they pray Maghrib and Isha together and spend the night under the open sky.

The Prophet ﷺ stood at Arafah facing the qiblah, raising his hands in dua until the sun set. Those at home can mirror that in spirit by setting aside the late afternoon for supplication.

A simple structure for your dua

Long lists of duas can feel overwhelming. One way to structure the time between ‘Asr and Maghrib:

1. Begin with praise of Allah and blessings on the Prophet ﷺ.
2. Repeat the dua of Arafah above.
3. Ask forgiveness — for yourself, your parents, your family and all believers.
4. Ask for your needs in this life and the next — be specific, in any language.
5. Pray for others: the sick, the oppressed, those who asked you to remember them.
6. End with praise and blessings on the Prophet ﷺ again.

Writing your list on the morning of Arafah means you will not forget the people who matter most when the time comes.

The Day of Arafah in history

The Day of Arafah during the Prophet’s farewell pilgrimage in 10 AH is also the day on which the verse was revealed: “This day I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favour upon you, and approved for you Islam as religion” (5:3). Umar ibn al-Khattab confirmed it was revealed on the Day of Arafah, which that year fell on a Friday (Sahih al-Bukhari 45).

The Prophet’s farewell sermon on that day contained some of his most famous words on the sanctity of life and property, the rights of women, and the equality of believers.

Summary

• Day of Arafah 1448: expected Saturday 15 May 2027; Eid al-Adha on Sunday 16 May.
• Fasting it expiates two years of minor sins (Sahih Muslim 1162) — for those not on Hajj.
• Best dua: La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah…
• If your local calendar differs from Saudi Arabia, follow your mosque’s guidance on which day to fast.