The word ‘Arafah comes from the root word ع ر ف which means ‘to come to know’.
Scholars said there are different interpretations of where the word ‘Arafah/Arafaat’ stems from:
– Where people gather together in this land as pilgrims and get ‘to know each other ’.
– When Adam (as) descended from Jannah and landed in India and Hawa in Jeddah (al-Qurtubi). They met after searching on Arafah, ‘recognising each other’.
– Where people repent to Allah on the day of Arafah, in private conversation to Allah and in the process ‘know themselves’.
– When Jibreel (as) was showing Ibrahim (as) the rituals of Hajj, he said ‘do you know this place?’. Ibrahim (as) responded ‘I know, I know (‘Araftu, ‘Araftu).
– Finally, a possible origin of ‘Arafah’ is patience. If someone is described as a رَجُلٌ عَارِفٌ this actually means ‘a patient and humble man’. In this case, they are patient in supplication and submissive to Allah whilst enduring hardship to worship Allah. Allah knows best.
A blessed day to fast tomorrow folks. May Allah accept from us all.