QabasDay of Arafah 2026
Expected date
Tuesday, 26 May 2026
9 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 AH
Dates follow the Umm al-Qura calendar of Saudi Arabia. Where the month begins with the local sighting of the new moon, the date can be one day earlier or later.
The Day of Arafah is the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, when the pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafah, the greatest pillar of Hajj. It is the day before Eid al-Adha and one of the best days of the year.
From the Quran and Sunnah
- If you are not on Hajj, fast it: it expiates the sins of the year before and the year after. (Muslim)
- Make much dua: the best dua is the dua of the Day of Arafah. (At-Tirmidhi)
- Do good deeds in the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, the best days for them. (Al-Bukhari)
- Remember Allah often in these days with takbir, tahlil and tahmid. (Quran 22:28)
Hadith
عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «ما مِنْ أيَّامٍ العمَلُ الصَّالِحُ فيها أحبُّ إلى اللهِ مِن هذه الأيام» يعني أيامَ العشر، قالوا: يا رسُولَ الله، ولا الجهادُ في سبيلِ الله؟ قال: «ولا الجهادُ في سبيلِ الله، إلا رجلٌ خَرَجَ بنفسِه ومالِه فلم يَرْجِعْ من ذلك بشيءٍ». Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than on these days," referring to the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. They said: "O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the cause of Allah?" He said: "Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah, except that of a man who goes out (to Jihad) with his self and his property but returns with none of them."
Explanation
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) points out that good deeds in the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah are better than those performed during the other days of the year. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about Jihad in the cause of Allah outside these ten days, as to whether it is better or the good deeds performed in these days. This is because it was well established among them that Jihad is one of the best deeds. In response, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said that good deeds on these days are better than Jihad performed on other days, with the exception of a man who goes out for Jihad and risks his life and property for the cause of Allah and he loses both his property and life. This is what is better than good deeds in these virtuous days.
صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ وَالسَّنَةَ الَّتِي بَعْدَهُ Fasting the Day of Arafah — I hope from Allah that it expiates the year before it and the year after it.
See also
Other years
Day of Arafah 2027Day of Arafah 2028
Other occasions
Islamic New Year 2026Ashura 2026Isra and Mi'raj 2026Ramadan 2026Laylat al-Qadr 2026Eid al-Fitr 2026Eid al-Adha 2026 Islamic calendar 1447 AH
Questions
When is Day of Arafah 2026?
Day of Arafah 2026 is expected on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, which is 9 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 AH in the Umm al-Qura calendar.
Is the date of Day of Arafah confirmed?
Not until the new moon is sighted. Many countries announce the start of the month the evening before, so the date can move by one day.
Should pilgrims fast on the Day of Arafah?
No. The fast is for those who are not on Hajj. The Prophet ﷺ did not fast on Arafah during his Hajj.