Every one of us has dreams — things we yearn for, work hard for, and tie our happiness to. We spend so much emotional, physical, and financial energy chasing them. Yet often, we neglect the easiest and most powerful path to achieving them: exposing ourselves to the sacred breezes of divine mercy.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Indeed, your Lord has winds of mercy during the days of your life, so expose yourselves to them. Perhaps one of these breezes will reach you, and you will never be miserable again.”
Imam al-Ghazali quoted this hadith in Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din. Though some scholars have questioned its chain, the meaning is firmly supported by other authentic sources. These divine breezes come in the form of answered du‘a, uplifted hardship, and spiritual elevation — especially during specific, blessed times.
Among these moments are:
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- The Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah)
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- Laylat al-Qadr
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- The final third of the night
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- The last hour before Maghrib on Fridays
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- Du‘a at the time of breaking fast
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- While travelling
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- In sujood (prostration)
All these are sacred times in which du‘a is likely accepted — but only if the heart is truly turned to Allah. As the scholars said:
“Whoever is sincere with Allah, Allah will be sincere with him.”
Your Soul Needs Charging — Arafah Is the Station
Your soul is like a phone battery — it needs to be recharged. And one of the greatest recharge stations in the Islamic calendar is the Day of Arafah. This is a day of divine honour, a day of forgiveness, and a day of emancipation from Hellfire.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said (narrated by Muslim):
“There is no day on which Allah frees more slaves from the Fire than the Day of Arafah. He comes close and expresses pride to the angels…”
Even your worldly goals — success, marriage, children, livelihood — are more likely to be answered on this sacred day.
In a hadith narrated by al-Tirmidhi, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“The best supplication is the supplication of the Day of Arafah. And the best of what I and the Prophets before me have said is:La ilaha illa Allah, wahdahu la sharika lah, lahu’l-mulk, wa lahu’l-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir.”
In his book al-Istidhkār, Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr said:
“Supplications and days differ in merit, but such differences are only known through divine revelation. The Day of Arafah, Jumu‘ah, and ‘Ashura’ are among those singled out for such distinction.”
Practical Plan for the Day of Arafah
To make the most of this blessed day, I advise you — dear reader — to write down a personal du‘a list: everything you long for in this life and the next. Call upon Allah with certainty, and you’ll witness the astonishing power of answered prayer.
Here’s a beautifully structured action plan adapted from the beloved author Dr. Khalid Abu Shaadi:
The Night Before Arafah:
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- Sleep early intending to strengthen yourself for worship — even your sleep becomes worship.
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- Wake before Fajr for suhoor; Allah and His angels send salawat on those who eat suhoor.
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- Pray at least 4 rak‘ahs of Qiyam; make long sujood and ask Allah for both dunya and akhirah.
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- Spend time in istighfar before Fajr, to be among those praised in the Qur’an as “seeking forgiveness before dawn.”
Fajr to Sunrise:
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- Make wudu consciously, imagining sins being washed away.
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- Say the du‘a after wudu: “Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah…” — the Prophet ﷺ said the eight gates of Paradise open for whoever says it.
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- Pray Fajr in congregation if possible.
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- After Fajr, remain seated in your prayer spot doing dhikr, tasbih, tahmid, and tahlil, and read Qur’an until 15 minutes after sunrise.
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- Then pray 2 rak‘ahs of Duha to gain the reward of Hajj and ‘Umrah — complete, complete, complete.
Daytime Hours:
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- If you can, stay awake all day, filling every moment with dhikr and du‘a.
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- If needed, rest briefly with the intention of rejuvenating for worship.
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- Pray at least 4 rak‘ahs of Duha after sunrise.
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- Rotate between takbir, Qur’an, du‘a, and reflection.
Dhuhr to Maghrib:
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- Pray Dhuhr on time. Continue takbir and dhikr.
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- Make plenty of du‘a, especially: La ilaha illa Allah, wahdahu la sharika lah, lahu’l-mulk, wa lahu’l-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir.
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- Pray ‘Asr, recite evening adhkar, then immerse yourself in du‘a until sunset.
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- Ask Allah not to let the sun set on Arafah without you being among the freed from Hellfire.
Sunset and Beyond:
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- As Maghrib approaches, don’t feel arrogant over your deeds. You don’t know if your efforts are accepted, and even if they are, you don’t know if you’ll remain firm. Remember — Iblis worshipped Allah for centuries, yet fell.
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- Stay humble. Stay hopeful. Beg Allah for acceptance and steadfastness.
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- When Maghrib arrives, break your fast with du‘a — for the fasting person has a du‘a that is never rejected.
