The Sorrowful Prayers of the Salaf: Repentance Cries Rising at Arafat
The prayers, repentance, and supplications of the pious predecessors (Salaf) in the spiritual atmosphere of Arafat are filled with deep meanings. These prayers express the most sincere relationship between a person and their Lord. Here is a compilation of some important prayers reportedly recited by the Salaf at Arafat:
PRAYERS OF THE PIOUS PREDECESSORS (SALAF)
“O Allah! Who can praise himself before You? My tongue is bound by sins, what use is any deed of mine that would serve as a means to You, or do I have an intercessor besides hoping for Your mercy? O Allah! I know that because of my shortcomings, neither my position in Your presence nor the ability to seek forgiveness from You remains. But You are the Most Generous of the generous! O Allah! Although I am not worthy of Your mercy, Your mercy may reach me! For Your mercy is vast enough to encompass everything! O Allah! No matter how great my fault, it becomes insignificant compared to Your forgiveness! Forgive them, O All-Generous Allah!”
Our Lord! You only forgive obedient servants; where do the sinners go? Our Lord! You only bestow mercy and compassion upon those who possess piety; from whom do the criminals seek help?
I am in need of You every moment! But you have no need for me! As my Creator, only You can forgive me! Return me from where I stand, having fulfilled all my needs, granted my requests, and realized my wishes!
O Allah, the Lord of those who seek and possess their needs! O Allah, who knows what passes through the minds of those who are silent! O Allah, there is no other Lord to be expected for help except You! O Allah, there is no other creator above whom awe is feared! O Allah, there is no vizier to be approached, nor a gatekeeper to bribe! O Allah, whose generosity and beneficence increase as requests multiply; whose abundance and grace increase as needs increase! O Allah! You welcome every guest! And we are Your guests! Welcome us in your Paradise!”[1]
These prayers deeply convey a person’s helplessness and need for Allah, while also emphasizing the importance of seeking refuge in His boundless forgiveness and generosity. The supplications of the Salaf are a source of admonition and inspiration for Muslims today.
Footnote:
[1] See Ghazali, Ihyau Ulumi’d-Din, Beirut 1990, I, 337-338; Bayhaqi, Shuabu’l-Iman, II, 25-26.