What dua do I say on the day of Arafah?

The dua the Prophet ﷺ called the best

The Prophet ﷺ said that the best dua is the dua of the Day of Arafah, and the best words that he and the prophets before him said are: "La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadir" (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3585; graded hasan by al-Albani, though some scholars grade it weak).

It means: "There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He has power over all things." Repeat it as often as you can through the day.

Why the day is so special

Arafah is the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, the day pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafat. The Prophet ﷺ said there is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah (Sahih Muslim 1348). For those not on Hajj, fasting it expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year (Sahih Muslim 1162). See Should I fast on the Day of Arafah?

What else to ask for

• Forgiveness: "Astaghfirullah", or "Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa fa'fu 'anni" (O Allah, You are Forgiving and love to forgive, so forgive me).
• Good in both worlds: the well-known Quranic dua below, which pilgrims say often.
• Your family: guidance for parents, children and non-Muslim relatives.
• Your personal needs: a job, health, marriage, peace of mind. Be specific and honest.

A simple plan for the day

You don't need a perfect schedule. Try this:

• Write a short dua list the night before, so you don't go blank.
• Fill gaps at work or school with the tahlil above and "Astaghfirullah".
• Save your longest dua for the late afternoon until Maghrib, the time pilgrims are still standing at Arafat. Many scholars see it as the peak of the day.
• Break your fast with dua, too.

Women on their period can do all of this except the fast. For more on this season, see What are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah? and What are the best times to make dua?