Bakrid 2026: The last month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Zilhijja, is considered important for Bakrid and Hajj pilgrims. Bakrid is a sacred festival of Islam and Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, which is considered mandatory for every able-bodied Muslim in Islam.

This year, Bakrid will be celebrated in India on 28th May and in Saudi a day earlier i.e. on 27th May. Haj pilgrimage has started from 25th May. The day of Arfa is considered the most important among the 5-6 days of Haj pilgrimage. On this day, millions of Hajj pilgrims from all over the world gather near the historic plain and mountain near Arafat and offer prayers. Let us know about Arfa and Arafat a day before Bakrid.

difference between arafa and arafat

Arfa and Arafat occur a day before Bakrid or Eid-ul-Azha. Generally people consider it to be the same, but there is a difference between Yaum-e-Arafa and Arafat. The biggest difference between Arfa and Arafat is that, Arfa is a holy day and Arafat is a holy place.

Also read: Hajj Special: Hajj started amid the echo of ‘Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik’, march to Arafat today

When is Yaum-e-Arafah?

Arfa is a day before Bakrid. However, due to time difference, the day of Arafah may also change along with the difference in the date of sighting of the moon in different countries. This year Bakrid will be celebrated in India on 28th May. Therefore, in India, the day of Arafah will be on 27th May, whereas in Saudi, today is the day of Arafah on 26th May. On the day of Arfa, people spend time in prayer and worship and those Muslims who do not perform Hajj, also keep Roza (Yaum-e-Arafa).

Arfa is an opportunity for Muslims to pray, contemplate and seek mercy from Allah. Prayer for the day of Arfa-La ilaha il-Allahu, Vadhu La Sharika Lah, Lahaul-Mulku or Lahaul-Hamdu, Wa hua ala kulli shayin kadir.

what is arafat

Arafat is the holy place (Mount Arafat) located about 20 km from the Grand Mosque in Mecca near Saudi, where it is believed that Prophet Mohammed gave the last sermon. On the day of Arfa, Haj pilgrims gather at this holy place and pray.

Bakrid will be celebrated after Arfa and Afraat

Bakrid is celebrated on the 10th of Dhul-Hijja after Arafah and Afraat. The festival of Bakrid is celebrated in memory of the sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim Alaihissalam. According to Islamic belief, on the orders of Allah he had decided to sacrifice his son. Pleased with his obedience, Allah sent a dumba in place of his son, since then the tradition of sacrifice has been going on.

Also read: Eid-al-Adha 2026: Month-e-Zilhijja starts from today in Saudi, Bakrid date confirmed in India too