Sheikh Sayyed Sabiq, stated in his well-known book, Fiqh As-Sunnah: One must maintain a complete state of purity, face the direction of the Ka`bah, and seek forgiveness from Allah as much as possible. A pilgrim should glorify Allah, and supplicate for one’s well being and welfare in this worldly life and in the Hereafter, and for others, with fervor, attention, and with hands raised in supplication.
Usamah Ibn Zayd reported: “I was riding behind the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in `Arafah, while he raised his hands in supplication to Allah.” (Reported by An-Nasa’i)
`Amr Ibn Shu`ayb reported from his father and his grandfather, who said that on the Day of `Arafah the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) mostly supplicated with these words: “La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul mulk wa lahul hamd, biyadihil khair wa huwa `ala kulli sha’yin qadeer (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah Alone. He has no partners. To Him alone belongs the Kingdom, and all praise. In His hand is all that is good, and He has power over all things).”
It is reported by Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi (and this is the wording of At-Tirmidhi) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The best supplication is that of the Day of `Arafah, and the best thing that I and other Prophets before me said, is: ‘La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu lahul mulk wa lahul hamd wa huwa ‘ala kuli sha’in qadeer.”‘
Al-Husayn Ibn Al-Hasan Al-Maruzi reported: “I asked Sufyan Ibn `Uyaynah, ‘What is the best supplication for the Day of `Arafah?’ He replied, ‘La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu.’ I said, ‘But this is glorifying Allah and praising Him, and it is not a supplication.’ Thereupon Sufyan responded, ‘Don’t you know the hadith of Malik Ibn Al-Harith which explains it.’ I asked him, ‘Tell me about it.’ He said, ‘Mansur narrated from Malik Ibn Al-Harith that he said, “Allah, the Almighty, and the Exalted One, says: ‘If a servant of Mine occupies himself in extolling and praising Me instead of asking Me for his needs I give him better than what I give to those who ask for their needs.”‘ Then he added, ‘This explains the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).’
At-Tirmidhi also reported from `Ali that the most frequently used supplication by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) during his stay in `Arafah was, “Allahumma lakal hamdu kalladhi naqulu wa khairam mimma naqulu, Allahumma laka salati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamati wa ilaika ma’abi wa laka rabbi turathi allahumma inni a`uzhu bika min `azhabil qabri wa waswasatis sadri wa shatatil amri allahumma inni a`uzhu bika min sharri ma tahubbu bihi riyhu (All praise belongs to You, O Allah! As we say, and better than what we can say. O Allah! My prayers, my worship, my life and my death are all for You. O Allah! To You is my return! To You belong all that I own. O Allah! I seek refuge with You from the torment of the grave, evil whispers, confusion, and from whatever the wind may bring.)”