[41]. Ha-Mim_Al-Sajdah (Prostration) also known as Surah Fussilat [They Are Explained in Detail]: Ayat 023-024

২৩. তোমাদের পালনকর্তা সম্বন্ধে তোমাদের এ ধারণাই তোমাদেরকে ধ্বংস করেছে। ফলে তোমরা ক্ষতিগ্রস্তদের অন্তর্ভুক্ত হয়ে গেছ।

২৪. অতঃপর যদি তারা সবর করে, তবুও জাহান্নামই তাদের আবাসস্থল। আর যদি তারা ওযরখাহী করে, তবে তাদের ওযর কবুল করা হবে না। 

Ayat 23. And that thought of yours which you thought about your Lord, has brought you to destruction, and you have become (this Day) of those utterly lost!

Ayat 24. Then, if they have patience, yet the Fire will be a home for them, and if they beg for to be excused, yet they are not of those who will ever be excused.

Tafseer of Surah Ha-Mim Al-Sajdah (or Surah Fussilat) Ayat 23. "But this thought of yours which ye did entertain concerning your Lord, hath brought you to destruction, and (now) have ye become of those utterly lost!" 'You now see the situation! We were given for your use and service. You misused us, to your own utter and irretrievable destruction!" Ayat 24. If, then, they have patience, the Fire will be a home for them! and if they beg to be received into favour, into favour will they not (then) be received. If they have patience: there is sarcasm in the meaning. "Let them not be impatient; they will soon find a home in the Fire of Hell! If they ask for grace and forgiveness then, it will be too late."

Hazrat Abu Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) was asked about the observance of Saum (fasting) on the day of `Arafah. He said, "It is expiation for the sins of the preceding year and the current year.''  [Muslim Book 006, Chapter 33, Hadith # 2603].

Lesson: as mentioned in this Hadith the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah is called Yaum-Arafah. On this day, pilgrims stop and stand in prayers at Arafat which is the most important ritual of Hajj, so much so that Hajj is deemed incomplete without it. On that day, the pilgrims are engaged in the remembrance of Allah and prayers as that is their most important worship on that day. For this reason, Saum is not desirable for them, but for other people, Saum has a special merit. The importance and merit of this Saum can be judged from the fact that it expiates sins for two consecutive years: the previous year and the current year. But these sins relate only to the minor sins, not the major ones, or become a means of elevation of one's status.