The day of ‘Arafah; the best day in the Sight of Allah Ta’ala

Is this Hadith reliable?

ما من يوم أفضل عند الله من يوم عرفة ينزل الله إلى السماء الدنيا فيباهي بأهل الأرض أهل السماء، فيقول: انظروا إلى عبادي شعثا غبرا ضاحين جاؤوا من كل فج عميق يرجون رحمتي، ولم يروا عذابي، فلم ير يوم أكثر عتقا من النار من يوم عرفة

Answer

Yes. Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahumallah) has recorded this Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna Jabir (radiyallahu ‘anhu). He has declared the Hadith authentic.

(Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 3853. Also see: Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith: 2840 and Musnad Abi Ya’la, Hadith: 2090)

Translation

There is no better day in the sight of Allah Ta’ala than the Day of ‘Arafah. Allah’s [Mercy] descends to the lowest sky and He boasts to the inhabitants of the heavens about the inhabitants of the earth, saying: ‘Look at my servants, appearing dishevelled and dusty, standing in the sun and not shading themselves from it. They came from every distant place hoping for My Mercy and they have not seen my punishment.’ There is no day wherein more people are granted emancipation from Jahannam than the day of ‘Arafah.’”

Also see here and here

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar