Day of Arafah 2026 Countdown

The Day of Arafah (Yawm Arafah) in 2026 is expected on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, corresponding to the 9th of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH. This is the day before Eid al-Adha. The date follows the Saudi official moon sighting announcement and may shift by 1 day.

The Day of Arafah (Arabic: Yawm Arafah) is the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is considered the greatest and most sacred day of the entire Islamic year. On this day, Hajj pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat near Mecca for the Wuquf (standing), which is the central pillar of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Fasting on the Day of Arafah (for non-pilgrims) is one of the most virtuous fasts in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: 'Fasting the Day of Arafah, I hope from Allah that it will expiate the sins of the year before it and the year after it.' (Sahih Muslim). This means fasting one day can erase the minor sins of two full years.

Fasting on the Day of Arafah is Sunnah Mu'akkadah (strongly recommended) for those who are NOT performing Hajj. Pilgrims at Arafat should not fast, as the Prophet (PBUH) did not fast on this day during his Hajj. For everyone else, it is one of the most rewarded voluntary fasts in Islam.

The Prophet (PBUH) said: 'The best dua is the dua of the Day of Arafah, and the best thing that I and the prophets before me have said is: La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa ala kulli shayin qadir (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).' (Tirmidhi).

Yes, the Day of Arafah falls exactly one day before Eid al-Adha. Arafah is on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, and Eid al-Adha begins on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. The Arafah fasting day ends at sunset, and the following morning marks the start of the Eid celebrations.

On the Day of Arafah, millions of Hajj pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat (also called the Plain of Mercy) from midday until sunset. This standing (Wuquf) is the most essential pillar of Hajj; without it, the Hajj is invalid. Pilgrims spend the time in supplication (dua), seeking forgiveness, and making prayers. The Prophet (PBUH) said: 'Hajj is Arafah.'

Non-pilgrims are encouraged to: 1) Fast the entire day (dawn to sunset). 2) Make abundant dua, especially the Arafah dua. 3) Recite Takbir (Allahu Akbar). 4) Read Quran. 5) Give charity. 6) Seek forgiveness (istighfar). 7) Send blessings upon the Prophet (salawat). The day is one of the greatest opportunities for worship outside of Ramadan.

Fasting the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah (1st through 9th, which is Arafah) is highly recommended. The Prophet (PBUH) said: 'There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days' (Bukhari). If you can only fast one day, the 9th (Day of Arafah) is the most rewarded. Fasting on the 10th (Eid al-Adha) is prohibited.

Wuquf al-Arafah (the Standing at Arafat) is the central and most essential ritual of Hajj. Pilgrims must be present at the plain of Arafat for any amount of time between Dhuhr (noon) and Fajr (dawn) of the following day (10th Dhul Hijjah). Missing Wuquf invalidates the entire Hajj. The gathering symbolizes the Day of Judgment.

Use the live countdown timer at the top of this page for the exact number of days, hours, minutes, and seconds until the Day of Arafah on May 26, 2026. The counter updates in real time.

The specific virtue of erasing two years of sins applies to fasting on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah (Arafah day) only. However, fasting the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah is also recommended. Some scholars recommend fasting at least the 8th and 9th of Dhul Hijjah together if possible.

Yes. 9 Zil Hajj (also written as 9 Dhul Hijjah, 9 Zulhijjah, or 9 Zilhajj) is the Day of Arafah. Different transliterations exist across regions: Dhul Hijjah (standard Arabic), Zil Hajj (Urdu/South Asian), and Zulhijjah (Malay/Indonesian). All refer to the same 12th month of the Islamic calendar.

Scholars differ on this. The Hanafi school allows fasting Arafah with the intention of making up missed Ramadan fasts and gaining the Arafah reward. The Shafi'i and Hanbali schools recommend completing missed Ramadan fasts first before voluntary fasts. Consult your local scholar for guidance specific to your situation.