FASTING THE DAY OF ’ARAFAH

 

The ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah is the day of ’Arafah which will fall on the 23^rd of September 2015 inshaAllaah, since it is on this day that the pilgrims gather at the mountain plain of ’Arafah, praying and supplicating to Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى.

It is mustahabb (highly recommended) for those who are not pilgrims to fast on this day, since the Prophet (صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) was asked about fasting on the day of ’Arafah, so he said, “It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.” [4]

Likewise, the Prophet (صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) said, ‘There is no day on which Allaah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of ’Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on ’Arafah), and then He revels before His Angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking.” [5]

Imâm at-Tirmidhee (d.275H) رحمه الله said, “The People of Knowledge consider it recommended to fast on the day of ’Arafah, except for those at ’Arafah.” [6] 

[4] Related by Muslim (no. 1162), from Aboo Qataadah (رضي اللّه عنـه).

[5] Related by Muslim (no. 1348), from ’Aa‘ishah (رضي الله عنها).

[6] Refer to Jaami’ut-Tirmidhee (3/377).