The Day Of Contemplation

 The Same Dream During Three Nights

On the eighth night of Żul-Hajj, Sayyidunā Ibrāĥīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـصَّلٰوة ُ وَالـسَّلَام dreamt that someone said, ‘Indeed Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has ordered you to slaughter your son.’ From dawn to dusk, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام continued to contemplate whether the dream was from Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ or from satan. This is the reason why eighth Żul-Hajj was named ‘يَوۡمُ التَّرۡوِيَه’, i.e. the day of contemplation. On the ninth night of Żul-Hajj, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام had the same dream and was convinced that the dream was from Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, which is why ninth Żul-Hajj is referred to as ‘يَوۡمِ عَرَفَه’, i.e. the day of recognition. After he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام had the same dream once again on tenth Żul-Hajj, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام made a firm intention of sacrificing his son, which is why tenth Żul-Hajj is called ‘يَوۡمُ النَّحۡر’, i.e. the day of slaughter. 

(Tafsīr Kabīr, vol. 9, pp. 346)