By Asma bint Shameem
What is the significance of fasting this day of Arafah?
Fasting the day of Arafah is a Confirmed Sunnah of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam and his Sahaabah.
Abu Qataadah radhi Allaahu anhu that the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Arafah and he said:
“It expiates for the past and coming years.”
[Muslim (1162)]
And he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 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.” (Saheeh Muslim)
How can I fast the day of Arafah if the dates of Dhul Hijjah where I live, are different from Saudi Arabia?
You are supposed to fast the *“ninth”* of Dhul Hijjah according to where you *live*.
And NOT according to Saudi Arabia.
It’s just like we offer our daily prayers according to where we live and not according to Saudi Arabia.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
“Fast when you see it (the new moon) and break your fast when you see it.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
So we should go by the dates of the month according to where we live.
Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“The correct view is that it varies according to when the moon rises in different places.
For example, if the moon is sighted in Makkah, and today is the ninth, and it is sighted elsewhere one day before Makkah, and the day of ‘Arafah in Makkah is the tenth for them, it is not permissible for them to fast on this day because it is Eid.
Similarly if it so happens that they sight the moon after Makkah, and the 9th in Makkah is the 8th for them, then they should fast the day that is the 9th for them, which is the 10th in Makkah. This is the correct view, because the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
“When you see it (the new moon) fast and when you see it break your fast.”
Those who did not see the moon in their own location have not seen it.
Just as people are unanimously agreed that the times for dawn and sunset vary according to their own location, so too the months are also worked out by location, just like the daily timings.”
(Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 20)
Can I fast on the day of Arafah with the intention to make up the fardh fasts that I missed from Ramadhaan?
Yes you can do that and there’s double reward in that.
Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“ If a person fasts the day of ‘Arafah or the day of ‘Ashoora’, and he still owes fasts from Ramadan, his fast will be valid, but if he intended to fast that day to make up for a missed Ramadhaan fast, he will have TWO REWARDS: the reward of the day of ‘Arafah or the day of ‘Ashoora’, and the reward for making up the missed fast.”
[Fataawa as-Siyaam (438)]
Can I fast the day of Arafah by itself even if it’s on a Friday or Saturday?
Generally speaking, it’s disliked to fast on a Friday or Saturday by itself.
But it’s ALLOWED to fast on this day by itself if there’s a REASON to do so.
That’s because you’re not fasting on Friday or Saturday just because it’s “Friday” or “Saturday”.
Rather the reason you’re fasting is because it’s the *”Day of Arafah”*.
The scholars of the Standing Committee said:
“It is permissible for a Muslim to fast on a Friday to make up a day from Ramadhaan, even if he fasts the Friday on its own.”
(Fatwa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, vol. 10, p. 347)
And Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:
“If it happens to be one of the days when it is prescribed to fast, such as Ayyaam al-Beed (the 13th, 14th and 15th of each hijri month), ‘Arafah, ‘Ashoora’, six days of Shawwaal for one who has fasted Ramadaan, and the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah.
There is nothing wrong with that, because he is not fasting because it is Saturday, rather it is because it is one of the days when it is prescribed to fast.”
[Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Rasaa’il (20/57)]
What is the best Dhikr on this day of Arafah?
The best dhikr on this day is to say
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ ، وهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The best of du’aa’ is du’aa’ on the day of ‘Arafah, and the best that I and the Prophets before me said is
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ ، وهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahu’l-mulk wa lahu’l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer”
“There is no god but Allaah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the dominion, to Him be praise, and He has power over all things.”
(al-Tirmidhi-hasan by al-Albaani)
Can *everyone* say this dhikr or it is only for those Hajjis that are present at Arafah?
Yes we can and should say this beautiful dhikr even if we’re not at Hajj.
Shaikh Salih al-Fawzaan said:
“Like we mentioned in the answer [before], this is general for the pilgrims and for other than them except that it more emphasized for the pilgrims over others.
This is because the pilgrims, as we mentioned, are in Arafah. They are wearing the Ihraam. So it is more hoped that their supplication is accepted and it is more emphasized over other than them.
Others can participate with them in this affair.
So like this, it is Sunnah to fast on ‘Arafah for other than the pilgrims who are not in Makkah [i.e. not making Hajj].
They fast this day because it is a blessed day and they busy with the remembrance of Allah and supplicating and seeking forgiveness”
Does this apply to making duaa as well? Even if we’re not at Hajj?
Yes we should make lots of duaa on the day of Arafah.
It’s the best duaa we can make.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The best of du’aa’ is du’aa’ on the day of ‘Arafah.”
(at-Tirmidhi; hasan by al-Albaani)
This applies to those that are present at Hajj AND to those who are not.
The scholars said:
“The scholars differed concerning this virtue of du’aa’ on the day of ‘Arafah, whether it applies only to those who are in ‘Arafah or it includes other places.
The more correct view is that it is general and that the virtue is connected to the day, but undoubtedly those who are in ‘Arafah have combined the virtue of the place with the virtue of the time.” (Islamqa Fatwa # 70282)
Should I recite the talbiyah on this Day even though I’m not at Hajj?
No you should NOT do that.
The Talbiyah is a special dhikr that’s said by the PILGRIMS ONLY and NOT by those at home.
And Allaah knows best
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