Praise be to Allaah. The ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah (the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar corresponding to 9th of dhul hijjah, 1435 - 3/10/2014) is the Day ofArafah. It is the day when pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafah to pray. Fasting on the day of ‘Arafah is a confirmed Sunnah for those who are not performing Hajj. It was narrated from Abu Qataadah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Arafah and he said: “It expiates for the past and coming years.” Narrated by Muslim (1162). According to another report: “I ask Allaah that it may expiate for (the sins of) the year that comes before it and the year that comes after it.” Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said inal-Majmoo’(6/428), which is a Shaafa’i book: With regard to the ruling on this matter, al-Shaafa’i and his companions said: It is mustahabb to fast on the day of ‘Arafah for the one who is not in ‘Arafah. As for the pilgrim who is present in ‘Arafah, al-Shaafa’i said in al-Mukhtasar and his companions said: It is mustahabb for him not to fast, because of the hadeeth of Umm al-Fadl. A number of our companions said: It is makrooh for him to fast this day. Among those who stated that it is makrooh were al-Daarimi, al-Bandaneeji, al-Muhaamili in al-Majmoo’ and al-Musannaf fi’l-Tanbeeh, and others. End quote. Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Mughni (4/443), which is a Hanbali book: It is a great and noble day, and a blessed festival which is of great virtue. It is narrated in saheeh reports from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that fasting it is expiation for two years. End quote. Ibn Muflih (may Allaah have mercy on him) said inal-Furoo’(3/108), which is also a Hanbali book: It is mustahabb to fast the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, especially the ninth day, which is the day of ‘Arafah, according to scholarly consensus. End quote. Al-Kasaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Badaa’i’ al-Sanaa’i’(2/76), which is a Hanafi book: With regard to fasting the day of ‘Arafah, for people other than those who are performing Hajj it is mustahabb, because of the many ahaadeeth which recommended fasting on this day, and because it is superior to other days. That also applies to the pilgrim if it will not make him too weak to stand in ‘Arafah and say du’aa’, because this is combining two acts of worship. But if it will make him too weak, then it is makrooh, because the virtue of fasting on this day is something that may be made up in some other year, whereas the virtue of standing in ‘Arafah and making du’aa’ is something that is not attainable for most people, except once in a lifetimes, therefore attaining that virtue (of standing in ‘Arafah and making du’aa’) takes precedence. In Sharh Mukhtasar Khaleel, by al-Khurashi (6/499), which is a Maaliki book, it says: “Fasting on the day of ‘Arafah, for one who is not doing Hajj, and the ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah,” what is meant is that fasting on the day of ‘Arafah is mustahabb for the one who is not doing Hajj. As for the pilgrim, it is mustahabb for him not to fast this day, so as to strengthen himself for supplicating (du’aa’), and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not fast during Hajj. End quote. In Haashiyat al-Dasooqi(5/80) it says: “It is recommended to fast on the day of ‘Arafah …”, what is meant is that it is particularly recommended on this day, otherwise fasting is recommended in general. It is true that one should avoid fasting on Friday by itself. There are hadith that indicate that the practice should be avoided. However, if one is accustomed to fasting on a certain day or a special day such as ‘Arafat or ‘Ashura were to fall on a Friday then one could fast that day by itself because they would be intending to fast on the special day and not Friday per say.
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 20:47:25 +0000
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