Tijaniyyah Practices for Yawm al-‘Arafah

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is adapted from an article by Ustadz Fakhr ad-Din Uwaysi al-Madani. 

The Day of ‘Arafah is the greatest day of the year, just as Laylat al-Qadr is the greatest night.  Besides lots of dzikr and du’a, the following has been the practice by the shuyukh of the Tijaniyyah for that sacred day and after. 

The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) used to fast on that day.  He also said that Allah (s.w.t.) will Forgive the sins of the past year, and the coming year, of the person who fasts on that day.  Shaykh Ibrahim ibn ‘Abdullah Niyas al-Kawlakhi (q.s.) used to say that this means that the person who fasts on that day will hopefully live another year. 

We are encouraged to recite Ayat al-Hirsw, 360 times, before sunset with the intention of Protection, Mercy and Guidance for the whole year: 

سُوۡرَةُ التّوبَة

لَقَدۡ جَآءَڪُمۡ رَسُولٌ۬ مِّنۡ أَنفُسِڪُمۡ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيۡهِ مَا عَنِتُّمۡ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيۡڪُم بِٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬ (١٢٨) فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقُلۡ حَسۡبِىَ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ عَلَيۡهِ تَوَڪَّلۡتُ‌ۖ وَهُوَ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ (١٢٩) 

Now has come unto you a Messenger from amongst yourselves: it grieves him that you should perish: ardently anxious is he over you: to the believers is he most kind and merciful.  But if they turn away, say, “Allah suffices me: There is no god but He: On Him is my trust - He is the Lord of the Throne (of Glory) Supreme!” (Surah at-Tawbah:128-129) 

These blessed verses are known as Ayat al-Hirsw.  They contain great Divine Secrets.  This was narrated from our Murshid, Shaykh Abu al-‘Abbas Ahmad ibn Muhammad at-Tijani (q.s.) himself. 

We are also encouraged to recite a special swalawat called Yaqutat al-Haqa’iq, “The Rubies of Realities,” 161 times.  The reward of this ‘ibadah is considered equivalent to standing at ‘Arafah.  However, this is only for those of the Tijaniyyah who have ‘ijazah to do so.  This unique swalawat granted by the Prophet (s.a.w.) to Shaykh Ahmad at-Tijani (q.s.) in a state of wakefulness. 

Those who are able should prepare for the slaughtering of the sacrifice on the ‘Iyd al-Adhha.  It is a great sunnah of the prophets, from Abraham (a.s.) to Muhammad (s.a.w.).  There are great blessings in this sunnah on that day.  Every Muslim who is able should try to slaughter one sheep for every member of their family.  If they cannot afford to do so, then they should try to slaughter one for each spouse.  If that is also not possible, then try to slaughter at least a sheep or a goat for the entire family. 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) said that our intentions for slaughtering reach Allah (s.w.t.) even before the blood falls on the ground.  He also stated that our sins are Forgiven in accordance with every hair of that the sacrifice.  It is preferred for one to slaughter the sacrifice himself in his hometown, reciting the takbir with his family.  However, it is allowed to send the money elsewhere to get the sacrifice done there. 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) recommended that all those who conduct the sacrifice not cut their nails or hair , from the 1^st of the month until the Day of ‘Iyd in imitation of the pilgrims.  However, it is not a condition.  It is also recommended that on ‘Iyd al-Adhha, we eat nothing before the swalat al-’iyd, and thereafter eat from the sacrifice as there is great barakah in that sacrificial meat. 

We must recite the takbir loudly after every swalah fardhu from the fajr of the Day of ‘Arafah, 09^th Dzu al-Hijjah until the ‘aswr of the 13^th day.  It is a sunnah in which we celebrate Allah’s (s.w.t.) Bounties on the pilgrims and on this blessed ummah of Muhammad (s.a.w.). 

Shaykh Ibrahim Niyas (q.s.) also gave some advice to his students on what to do in the holy nights of Ramadhan.  We mention them here again, as the occasion is similar and the virtues of these actions remain evergreen. 

This is from a letter written by the Shaykh (q.s.) in Kaolack around 1934, mentioned in the handwritten collection entitled ad-Durrah al-Kharidah wa al-Yaqutah al-Faridah min Rasa’il Swahib al-Faydhah at-Tijaniyyah wa Hamil Rayat ash-Shari’ah wa ath-Thariqah wa al-Haqiqah fi as-Sirri wa al-‘Alaniyyahi, “The Unique Pearl and the Rare Ruby from the Letters of the Bringer of the Tijani Faydhah and the Carrier of the Banner of Shari’ah, Thariqah and Haqiqah in Private and Public.”  He said, “I advise you to promptly recite the awrad of the Tijani Path, for they are the best adzkar of tarbiyyah.  And I advise you to talk about and discuss the status of our Shaykh al-Khatm at-Tijani with your fellow disciples, for that is better than all awrad.  And I advise you to mention and recall his faydhah through which Allah (s.w.t.) Established His Realities in your hearts and made you taste His Divine Sciences.  So that you may comprehend the value of this blessing, and thank Allah (s.w.t.), and not be ungrateful.”