Fasting And VirtuesFasting the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah and the Day of Arafah
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.
Fasting is among the noblest righteous deeds, and it falls under the general statement of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم about the virtue of good deeds in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. For this reason, many Muslims are keen to fast whatever they can of the first nine days, especially the Day of Arafah for the non-pilgrim.
General RulingIs Fasting the Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah Prescribed?
What is meant by fasting the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is fasting the first nine days, because the tenth day is Eid al-Adha, and fasting it is forbidden.
It is established that righteous deeds in these days are beloved to Allah, and fasting is a righteous deed. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
"There are no days in which deeds are better than in these days."
مَا العَمَلُ فِي أَيَّامٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنْهَا فِي هَذِهِ.
They said: Not even jihad? He said:
"Not even jihad, except a man who goes out risking himself and his wealth and returns with nothing."
وَلَا الجِهَادُ، إِلَّا رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ يُخَاطِرُ بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ، فَلَمْ يَرْجِعْ بِشَيْءٍ.
Narrated by Al-Bukhari.
Whoever fasts some of these days or all of them except Eid has done a righteous deed in great days.
Ninth DayThe Virtue of Fasting the Day of Arafah
The Day of Arafah is the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, and fasting it for the non-pilgrim is among the best voluntary fasts. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked about fasting the Day of Arafah, and he said:
"It expiates the previous year and the coming year."
يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ المَاضِيَةَ وَالبَاقِيَةَ.
Narrated by Muslim.
This is a great virtue that shows Allah's mercy toward His servants, and that He opens doors of forgiveness through deeds made easy for those whom Allah enables.
Pilgrim And Non-PilgrimShould the Pilgrim Fast the Day of Arafah?
It is better for the pilgrim not to fast the Day of Arafah if fasting weakens him from du'a, dhikr, and standing at Arafah, because the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم stood at Arafah while not fasting.
As for the non-pilgrim, the Sunnah for him is to fast the Day of Arafah if he is able.
Important NoteCan the Day of Eid Be Fasted?
It is not permissible to fast the day of Eid al-Adha, which is the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم forbade fasting the day of Eid al-Fitr and the Day of Nahr.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم forbade fasting the day of Fitr and the day of Nahr.
نَهَى النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمِ الفِطْرِ وَالنَّحْرِ.
Agreed upon, from the hadith of Abu Sa'id al-Khudri رضي الله عنه.
Ease And MercyIs It Required to Fast All Nine Days?
Fasting the nine days of Dhul-Hijjah is not obligatory, but it is a recommended righteous deed for whoever is able. Whoever fasts all or some of them has done well, and whoever cannot fast is not sinful. He should increase in dhikr, charity, du'a, and Qur'an recitation.
Fiqh IssueWhat If Arafah Falls on a Friday?
If the Day of Arafah falls on a Friday, it is permissible to fast it by itself, because the person is not fasting it merely because it is Friday; he is fasting it because it is Arafah. This differs from singling out Friday for fasting without a reason.
Making Up FastsCan One Combine the Intention of Ramadan Make-Up and Arafah?
Whoever has Ramadan fasts to make up, the safer and more complete path is to begin with the make-up fast and hope for the virtue of the blessed time. Some scholars allowed fasting a make-up fast on the Day of Arafah while hoping for the virtue of that day. However, it is better not to delay making up Ramadan until time becomes tight.
FAQDoes fasting Arafah expiate major sins?
The basic principle is that expiation mentioned in texts like this refers to minor sins. Major sins require sincere repentance with its conditions.
FAQIs someone sinful if he does not fast Arafah?
No. Fasting the Day of Arafah is Sunnah for the non-pilgrim, not obligatory, but missing it means missing a great virtue.
FAQCan I fast only one or two days of the ten?
Yes. A Muslim fasts whatever is easy for him, and the best day to be keen on is Arafah for the non-pilgrim.
FAQCan the Days of Tashriq be fasted?
The Days of Tashriq are days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allah. They are not fasted except by pilgrims who cannot find the sacrificial animal, according to the details mentioned by the scholars.
ConclusionConclusion
Fasting the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah is a great righteous deed, and the greatest of them is fasting Arafah for the non-pilgrim. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم informed us that it expiates the previous year and the coming year. Whoever cannot fast should still seize these days with dhikr, du'a, repentance, and all other doors of good.
