Thursday is the Day of Arafah for Muslims this year

The day before the big Eid al Adha is called The Day of Arafah. It is such a special day in the sight of Allah, and we know this because several significant things happened on this day:
* “This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” [5:3]. ‘Umar said, “We know on which day and in which place that was revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). It was when he was standing in ‘Arafaah on a Friday.”
* Fasting on this day is an expiation for two years.
* It is the day on which Allaah took the covenant from the progeny of Adam.
It was reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah took the covenant from the loins of Adam in Na’maan, i.e., ‘Arafaah. He brought forth from his loins all his offspring and spread them before Him, then He addressed them, and said: ‘Am I not your Lord? They said, ‘Yes, we testify,’ lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘Verily, we have been unaware of this.’ Or lest you should say: ‘It was only our fathers aforetime who took others as partners in worship along with Allaah, and we were (merely their) descendents after them; will You then destroy us because of the deeds of men who practised Al-Baatil (i.e., ploytheism and committing crimes and sins, invoking and worshipping others besides Allaah)?’ [al-A’raaf 7:172-173]
* It is the day of forgiveness of sins, freedom from the Fire and pride in the people who are there.

Insha'Allah myself and my family will be fasting Thursday. I'm encouraging Heba to fast as much as she can tomorrow. She did a few hours back in Ramadan. Musa has been able to fast since two years ago, so I don't think he'll have any trouble tomorrow. I'm so happy for such a blessed day to be upon us, and it makes celebrating Eid even more fulfilling. For me, as a Muslim, doing acts of worhip (like fasting, praying, helping needy) are acts that make the holidays just so much more meaningful. Celebrating the feast is not just about *me* or about my kids. It is always tied in with an act of worship that you do for the sake of Allah only. Then the Eid day feels like a true reward for you, and you feel like you gave something as well. May Allah guide us and keep us steadfast.