B i s m i l l a a h i r R a h m a a n i r R a h e e m
As Salaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barkaatuh!
Response to those who say that fasting on the day of ‘Arafah is not Sunnah
We
have a Shaykh who says that fasting on the day of ‘Arafah is not
Sunnah, and it is not permissible to fast on this day. I hope that you
can answer this question, because this Shaykh distributes pamphlets
which tell people not to fast on the day of ‘Arafah.
Praise be to Allaah.
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 in
al-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 in
al-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.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was
asked: What is the ruling on fasting the day of ‘Arafah for non-pilgrims
and
pilgrims?
He replied: Fasting on the day of ‘Arafah for non-pilgrims is
a confirmed Sunnah.
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Arafah and he
said: “I ask Allaah that it may expiate for (the sins of) the year that
comes before it and the year that comes after it.” According to another
report he said: “It expiates for the past and coming years.”
As for the pilgrim, it is not Sunnah for him to fast on the
day of ‘Arafah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) did not fast on the day of ‘Arafah during the Farewell
Pilgrimage.
In Saheeh al-Bukhaari it is narrated from Maymoonah (may Allaah be
pleased with her) that the people were not sure whether the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was fasting on the day of
‘Arafah, so she sent him some milk when he was standing in ‘Arafah, and he
drank it whilst the people were looking on. End quote.
Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
(part 20, question no. 404)
Fasting on the day of ‘Arafah is makrooh for the pilgrim and
not mustahabb. If this is what the speaker meant, then he is correct. But
if
what he meant is that it is not prescribed to fast on the day of ‘Arafah
for
non-pilgrims, then this is a mistake which clearly goes against the saheeh
Sunnah, as stated above.
And Allaah knows best.
Islam Q&A
http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/98334/
My Lord!
grant me that I should be grateful for Thy favor
which Thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents,
and that I should do good
such as Thou art pleased with, and make me enter,
by Thy mercy, into Thy servants, the good ones.
Aameen, Ya Rabb-ul-Aalameen!
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