Fasting the first Nine Days of Dhul-Hijjah is a Sunnah Hunaydah ibn Khaalid narrated upon the authority of his wife who said, “Some of the wives of the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihiwasallam) told me that the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihiwasallam) used to fast the Day of ‘Aashoorah, the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, and three days out of every month*.” (Imam Ahmad, An-Nasaaee) *- 13th, 14th, and 15th every month Commentary: Imam An-Nawwawee (rahimahullaah) said with reference to fasting the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, quote: “It is extremely preferable to do so.” Fatwah from Shaikh al-‘Uthaimeen about fasting first Nine Days of Dhul-Hijjah A questioner asked Shaikh al-‘Uthaimeen (rahimahullaah) the following question: Question: Oh Shaikh, are there any authentic ahadith that mention fasting the first [nine] days of Dhul-Hijjah? Answer by Shaikh al-‘Uthaimeen: quote: “Fasting the first [nine] of Dhul-Hijjah is from the righteous actions without doubt. And the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam said, “There are not any days in which righteous actions are done that are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days.” They said, “Oh Messenger of Allaah, not even jihad in Allaah’s cause?” He said, “Not even jihad in Allaah’s cause, except for a man who left out with his self and his wealth, and he did not return with either.” So fasting is included in the general context of this hadith. And there appears a hadith stating that the Messenger of Allaah salallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam used to fast the first ten of Dhul Hijjah, not counting the ‘Eid [in other words, the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah]. And Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal rahimahullaah takes this position and it is authentic. Fasting in the first ten [of Dhul-Hijjah, excluding the Eid] is sunnah. Yes.” [19/09 10:50 pm] shaista salafi: Fasting nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah is mustahabb. This is indicated by the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), as narrated in the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him): “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah then these ten days – i.e., ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah).” They said: “O Messenger of Allaah, not even jihad for the sake of Allaah?” He said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allaah, unless a man goes out himself with his wealth and does not come back with anything (i.e., he expends all his wealth and is martyred).” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 969. And it was narrated from Hunaydah ibn Khaalid from his wife that one of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah and the day of ‘Ashoora’ and three days of each month – the first Monday and two Thursdays.” Narrated by Imam Ahmad, 21829; Abu Dawood, 2437; classed as da’eef in Nasab al-Raayah, 2/180, but classed as saheeh by al-Albaani. With regard to fasting on the day of Eid, this is haraam, as is indicated by the marfoo’ hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him): “He [the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)] forbade fasting on the day of (Eid) al-Fitr and the day of al-Nahr (the day of sacrifice, i.e., Eid al-Adha).” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 1992; Muslim, 827. The scholars are unanimously agreed that it is haraam to fast on these days. Righteous deeds on these ten days are better than on others. With regard to fasting, that should only be done on nine of them; the tenth day is the day of Eid when it is haraam to fast. Based on this, what is meant by the virtue of the ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah is fasting nine days only, even though they are called ten days. See Sharh Muslim by al-Nawawi, hadeeth no. 1176. Indeed it is a great favour and blessing from Allah that He has made for His righteous servants periods of time within which they can increase in good deeds to attain great rewards and one of these opportunistic periods is the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah (the final month of the Islamic Calendar, in which the Hajj is performed). Superiority of the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah The excellence of these ten days have been mentioned in the Quran and the Sunnah. 1. Allah says in the Quran: By the dawn and by the ten nights … [Al-Quran 89:1-2] Ibn Kathir said that the ten nights referred to here are the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and this opinion was also held by Ibn Abbas, Ibn az-Zubair, Mujahid and others. 2. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: There are no deeds as excellent as those done in these ten days. They (the companions listening) said, Not even Jihad? He, peace be upon him, said, No, not even Jihad except a man who goes forth endangering his life and wealth and does not return with anything. [Recorded by Imam al-Bukhari] 3. Allah says: … and remember the name of Allah in the appointed days. [Al-Quran 2:203] Ibn Abbas and Ibn Kathir said this means in the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. 4. The Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, said: There are no other days that are as great as these in the sight of Allah, the Most Sublime. Nor are there any deeds more beloved to Allah then those that are done in these ten days. So increase in tahlil (to say la illaha illallah), takbir (to say allahu akbar) and tahmid (to say alhumdulillah). [Reported by at-Tabarani in al-Mujum al-Kabir] 5. With regards to the noble companion Said bin Jubair, when the days of Dhul-Hijjah began he would strive to increase in good actions with great intensity until he was unable to increase anymore. [Reported by ad-Darimi] 6. Ibn Hajar says in Fath al-Bari: The most apparent reason for the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah being distinguished in excellence is due to the assembly of the greatest acts of worship in this period, i.e. salawat (prayers), siyam (fasting), sadaqah (charity) and the Hajj (pilgrimage). In no other periods do these great deeds combine. What are the Recommended Acts in these Days? 1. Prayer - It is highly recommended to perform the obligatory acts at their prescribed times (as early as possible) and to increase oneself in the superogatory acts, for indeed, this is what brings a person closer to their Lord. The Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, said: Upon you is to increase in your prostration to Allah, for verily you do not prostrate to Allah with even one prostration, except that He raises you in degrees and decreases your sins because of it. [Reported by Muslim] 2. Fasting - This has been mentioned as one of the acts of righteousness where Hanbada ibn Khalid reports on the authority of his wife who reports that some of the wives of the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, The Prophet, upon whom be peace, would fast on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, the day of Ashura and three days in every month. [Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, an-Nisai and others] Imam an-Nawawi said that fasting in these ten days is extremely recommended. 3. Saying allahu akbar, la illaha illallah and alhamdulillah - It is found in the aforementioned narration of Ibn Umar: So increase yourselves in saying la illaha illallah, allahu akbar and alhamdulillah. Imam al-Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, said: Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with them both, used to go out to the markets in the ten days saying the takbir causing the people to follow them in this action. He also said: Umar ibn al-Khattab used to say the takbir in his mimbar in Mina, whereupon the people of the mosque hearing Umar, would start to say the takbir as would the people in the markets until the whole of Mina was locked in glorifying Allah. Ibn Umar used to say the takbir in Mina during these ten days and after prayers, whilst on his bed, in his tent, in his gathering and whilst walking. What is recommended is to say the takbir aloud due to the fact that Umar ibn al-Khattab, his son and Abu Hurayrah used to do likewise, may Allah be pleased with them all. Strive with us O Muslims in reviving this sunnah that has become lost in these times and it was almost forgotten, even amongst the people of righteousness and goodness all of which is unfortunately in opposition to what the best of generations were upon (preserving and maintaining the superogatory acts). There are a number of ways of making takbir that have been narrated by the companions and their followers and from these ways is the following: Allahu akbar, allahu akbar, allahu akbar kabirun. Allahu akbar, allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, wallahu akbar, wa lillahil hamd. Allahu akbar, allahu akbar, allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, allahu akbar wa lillahil hamd. 4. Fasting on the day of Arafah - Fasting has been affirmed on the day of Arafah, where it has been confirmed from the Prophet, peace be upon him, that he said regarding fasting on the day of Arafah: Be content with the fact that Allah will expiate for you your sins for the year before (the day of Arafah) and the year after (the day of Arafah). [Reported by Muslim] However, whoever is at Arafah as a pilgrim then fasting is not expected of him, as the Prophet, peace be upon him, stopped at Arafah to eat. May the peace of Allah be upon his Prophet, the family of the Prophet and all of his companions.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 19:48:04 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015