it is reported with the soundest chain of transmission that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The day of the greater pilgrimage is the Day of Sacrifice” (1). Abū Hurayrah (2) and a number of the Companions (3) said the same.
The Day of Arafah is a prelude to the Day of Sacrifice, for it is devoted to standing at Arafah, humble supplication, repentance (4), and seeking pardon. Then, on the Day of Sacrifice, the pilgrims come as guests and pay their visit. Hence its circumambulation is called the circumambulation of visitation: they have been purified of their sins on the Day of Arafah, and are then permitted, on the Day of Sacrifice, to visit Him and be admitted into His presence in His House. This is why that day includes slaughtering sacrificial animals, shaving the head, stoning the pillars, and most of the rites of Hajj. The acts performed on the Day of Arafah are like ritual purification and bathing in preparation for this day.
Likewise, He has given the ten days of Dhū al-Hijjah precedence over other days, for they are the best days in Allah’s sight. It is established in Sahīh al-Bukhārī (5) that Ibn Abbās reported that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than during (6) the ten days.” They asked, “Not even jihad in Allah’s cause?” He replied: “Not even jihad in Allah’s cause, except for a man who goes forth with his life and wealth and returns with neither.” These are the ten days by which Allah Most High swore in His Book, saying:
“(26) (1) And by ten nights.” [al-Fajr: 1–2],