Fasting the Day of 'Arafah

Follow @AhleDhikr On the authority of Aboo Qataadah (May Allaah be Pleased with him) that the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked,"What is your view on fasting the day of 'Arafah?" He replied,"I hope that Allaah Will Expiate sins for the previous and forthcoming year." The man then said,"Oh Messenger of Allaah! What is your view on fasting the day of 'Aashoora?" He replied,"I hope that Allaah Expiates sins for the previous year."

It is narrated on the authority of Zayd bin Arqam (May Allaah be Pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about fasting the day of 'Arafah and he said,"It expiates sins for the year you are in and the forthcoming year."

It is heavily emphasised to fast on the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah for the one who isnt preforming the Hajj. The day of 'Arafah is the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah and it is the most emphasised day from the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah. This is because the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about fasting the day of 'Arafah and he (Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him) said,"I hope that Allaah Will Expiate sins for the previous and forthcoming year." Based on this, it is even more emphasised to fast the day of 'Arafah than the day of 'Aashoora because the Prophet only mentioned one year of expiation (for the day of 'Aashoora).

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(Fasting on the day of 'Arafah) has two conditions: that the fasting is done by those who arent doing the Hajj and that one is not in 'Arafah. So what is apparent (from the statement of some of the scholars) is that if one is prevented from reaching 'Arafah, such as those who are not doing the Hajj or are doing the Hajj but are stuck in traffic and cant get to 'Arafah, then fasting is prescribed in such cases. What is also apparent (from the statement of the scholars) is that of one is physically in 'Arafah but is not doing the Hajj, such as those working there and the likes, then fasting is also prescribed for them.

The pilgrim at 'Arafah should not fast and it is not prescribed for them because the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him) prohibited them to fast on the day of 'Arafah. Although this narration has some weakness in its authenticity, some people fasted on the day of 'Arafah with great difficulty so the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him) asked for a bowl of milk be sent and he drank from it whilst everyone was watching him. This was done to explain to them that they should not fast because this day, (the pilgrims) are engaging in dua' and others acts of worship. Especially that the last part of this day is the most virtuous time to make dua'. So if people were to fast then the last part of thier day will be a time of tiredness and they would not be able to make dua'. Especially if the day of 'Arafah occurs in the summer where the days are long and hot. So if one gets tired then the great benefit of this day would be lost. It is possible for one to fast another time so based on this, the correct opinion is that fasting on the day of 'Arafah for the pilgrim is Makrooh as for those not on Hajj, then it is a confirmed Sunnah.

Shaykh Muhammad bin Saaleh al-'Uthaymeen (May Allaah have Mercy on him)

http://af.org.sa/ar/node/2664