Du'a Arafah (Imam Husayn's Supplication at Arafah)

Du'a Arafah (Arabic: دعاء عرفة) is the famous supplication that Imam Husayn ibn Ali (peace be upon him) recited on Mount Arafah on the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah during his Hajj pilgrimage. This supplication is considered one of the most sublime examples of addressing Allah in Islamic history.

Du'a Arafah by Imam Husayn is a long and profound supplication that begins with praise of Allah, reviews His countless blessings upon humanity, acknowledges human weakness and need for Allah, and culminates in a heartfelt prayer for mercy and forgiveness. One of the most well-known passages is: "My God! You have been generous in Your favors to me, but my gratitude has been meager. You have tested me with Your blessings, but I have responded with disobedience."

The supplication is narrated by Bishir ibn Ghalib, who heard Imam Husayn recite it on the Day of Arafah. It is documented in Iqbal al-A'mal by Sayyid ibn Tawus and in Mafatih al-Jinan by Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi. It is recommended to recite it on the afternoon of the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, which is the Day of Arafah — even for those not on Hajj.

For many Shia Muslims, Du'a Arafah is one of the year's most emotionally moving supplications. The recitation often takes place communally in mosques and husayniyyahs, and the audience is deeply moved by its content. Du'a Arafah is a testament to Imam Husayn's profound spiritual level and his extraordinary relationship with Allah — the same Imam who later sacrificed everything in Karbala for the cause of truth.