Day of Arafah 2027: Date, Fasting, Dua and Takbir
Day of Arafah 1448 is expected on Saturday 15 May 2027. How non-pilgrims fast it (Muslim 1162), the dua of Arafah, the takbir, and a plan for the day.
This guide explains common views and sources. It is not a fatwa. For your own situation, ask a scholar or imam you trust.
The Day of Arafah is the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, the day the pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafah. For everyone else it is the single most valuable fasting day of the year outside Ramadan. In 1448 AH it is expected on Saturday 15 May 2027 (Umm al-Qura); where the month started a day later it falls on Sunday 16 May. The actual date depends on moon sighting or the local authority and may differ by a day. Eid al-Adha follows the next day.
Why it matters
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about fasting the Day of Arafah and said it expiates the sins of the year before and the year after (Muslim 1162). No other single fast carries that description. It also falls inside the ten days of Dhul Hijjah, of which the Prophet said no good deeds are more beloved to Allah than those done in them (Bukhari 969). For the whole ten-day plan, see the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
The fast for non-pilgrims
The Arafah fast is a sunnah fast for those not performing Hajj. Pilgrims do not fast it, following the Prophet's practice at Arafah, so that they are strong for the standing and the dua.
Practical points:
- Intention: the intention for a voluntary fast can be made in the heart before Fajr, or, in the majority view, even during the day if you have eaten nothing since Fajr. Deciding the night before keeps suhoor simple.
- Suhoor and iftar: the usual times apply; check the prayer times for your city on the day. In mid-May the fast is long in the northern hemisphere, about 17–18 hours in London and 16 in New York, and about 11–12 hours in Sydney and Cape Town.
- Pair it with the 8th if you can. Fasting the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah is recommended; if you can only manage two, the 8th and 9th (Friday 14 and Saturday 15 May 2027) are a natural pair.
- If you cannot fast for health reasons, the day still has its dua and dhikr; talk to your doctor before any fast that may affect a condition.
The dua of Arafah
The Prophet said that the best dua is the dua of the Day of Arafah, and the best thing he and the prophets before him said is: "La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahu al-mulku wa lahu al-hamdu wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir" (reported by al-Tirmidhi). The meaning is: there is no god but Allah alone, without partner; His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He has power over all things.
The afternoon of Arafah, from after Dhuhr until Maghrib, is the time the pilgrims spend standing in dua, and it is a good time for everyone else to do the same. A simple structure for the afternoon:
| Time | What |
|---|---|
| After Dhuhr | Recite the Arafah dhikr above 100 times, slowly |
| Mid-afternoon | Personal dua: forgiveness, family, needs; in any language |
| After Asr | Istighfar, blessings on the Prophet; read from the Qur'an |
| Last hour before Maghrib | Dua again; this is when the pilgrims' standing ends |
| Maghrib | Break the fast; the takbir of the days begins (see below) |
Our duas page lists short duas with meanings that work on Arafah as well as in Ramadan.
The takbir of the days
From Arafah to the end of the days of tashreeq, Muslims say the takbir: "Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahi al-hamd" (there are several reported forms).
There are two kinds:
- Unrestricted takbir, said at any time of day during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah and the days of tashreeq, in the markets, at home, on the way to prayer.
- Restricted takbir, said immediately after each obligatory prayer. The majority of scholars place it from Fajr on the Day of Arafah (Saturday 15 May 2027) until Asr on the last day of tashreeq (Wednesday 19 May 2027): 23 prayers in all. Hanafis hold it as obligatory after each of these prayers; other schools regard it as sunnah. Some scholars give slightly different start or end points.
Said aloud by men and quietly by women in most views, it is one of the clearest signs of the season.
The Day of Arafah on a Saturday
In 2027 Arafah falls on a Saturday for most of the world, which makes the fast easier for many people who work on weekdays. A possible plan:
- Friday 14 May: Jumu'ah; fast the 8th if you can; suhoor planned for Saturday.
- Saturday 15 May, before Fajr: suhoor; intention for the Arafah fast.
- Morning: the usual prayers, unrestricted takbir, Qur'an.
- Afternoon: the dua structure above.
- Maghrib: iftar; restricted takbir after Maghrib; the night of Eid.
- Sunday 16 May: Eid al-Adha prayer in the morning; see the Eid prayer guide.
If your country observes Arafah on Sunday 16 May
Some sighting-based countries may begin Dhul Hijjah a day after Umm al-Qura, placing the 9th on Sunday 16 May and Eid on Monday 17 May. The question of whether to fast on the Saudi Arafah or on your own country's 9th is a known difference among scholars; both positions are held by respected authorities. Follow your local authority or a scholar you trust, and do not let the question overshadow the day. The moon-sighting guide explains why the dates can differ, and the Islamic calendar 2027 lists the surrounding dates.
Checklist
- Confirm the local date of 9 Dhul Hijjah with your masjid.
- Decide tonight: fast the 8th as well, or the 9th only.
- Check suhoor and Maghrib times on the prayer times page.
- Set a reminder for the afternoon dua window.
- Learn the Arafah dhikr by heart; it is one line.
- Begin the restricted takbir after Fajr on the day.
The day is short and comes once a year. Clear the afternoon for it if you possibly can.
Useful tools
Questions and answers
When is the Day of Arafah in 2027?
9 Dhul Hijjah 1448, expected on Saturday 15 May 2027 (Umm al-Qura). In countries that sight the Dhul Hijjah crescent a day later, it falls on Sunday 16 May. The actual date depends on moon sighting or the local authority.
Should I fast on the day Saudi Arabia observes Arafah, or on the 9th in my country?
Scholars differ. Some say the fast follows the standing at Arafah itself, so fast the Saudi date; others say it follows the 9th of Dhul Hijjah in your own country's calendar. Both views are held by respected scholars. Follow your local authority or ask a scholar you trust; if the dates coincide, as is expected in most countries in 2027, there is no issue.
Do pilgrims fast on Arafah?
No. The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not fast at Arafah during Hajj, and pilgrims are advised not to, so they have strength for the standing and dua. The fast is for those not on Hajj.
Does the Arafah fast expiate major sins?
The hadith (Muslim 1162) speaks of expiation for the year before and the year after. Scholars explain this as minor sins; major sins need sincere repentance. The fast is still a great mercy.
Can I fast Arafah if I still owe Ramadan fasts?
The schools differ on combining or prioritising qada and voluntary fasts. The safest advice is to make up missed Ramadan fasts first; some scholars allow a voluntary fast while qada remains, others discourage it. Ask a scholar you trust.
Sources
- Sahih Muslim 1162
- Sahih al-Bukhari 969
- Qur'an 2:185
- Jami' al-Tirmidhi (the best dua is the dua of Arafah)