Virtues Of The 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah And Proof Of Fasting On These Days

– From the writings of Sheikh ul-Islaam ibn Taymiyyah, Sheikh Bin Baz, and Sheikh ibn Uthaimeen -

Sheikh-ul-Islaam ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) was asked as is mentioned by Ibnul Qayyim, “Which is more virtuous & beneficial, the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah or the last 10 days of Ramadhan?”

So he answered by saying that “the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are more virtuous than the last 10 days of Ramadhan, and the last 10 nights of Ramadhan are more virtuous than the last 10 nights of Dhul Hijjah.” Then his Illustrious student and great scholar Ibnul Qayyim (رحمه الله) commented on this verdict and said: 

“… And if the intelligent and noble one was to reflect upon this answer, he would find it satisfactory and sufficient. For indeed, there are no days (in the year) more beloved to Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى that righteous actions are done within them than the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, since within them are the days of Ara’faah (9th day of Dhul Hijjah) and the day of Nahr (10th day) and the day of Tarwiyah (8th day). As for the 10 nights of Ramadhan, they are the nights of revitalization which the Messenger صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم used to be up in awakening within them all, and within it is a night which is better than 1000 months. So whoever answers without such an elaboration, then he is incapable to prove his statement with authentic evidences.”

(Taken from the book bada’ee Al-Fawaaid of ibnul Qayyim – under the chapter ‘the preference between Aa’isha & Fatimah.’)

The validity of fasting the Day Of Arafah & the first 9 days Of Dhul-Hijjah

 

Please note before reading:

The fasting of the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah is often referred to as the fasting of the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah. The intended meaning is still the first 9 days as Eid is the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah and it is impermissible to fast on the day of Eid.

Day of Arafah

1)     Is fasting the Day of Arafah legislated?

The answer is Yes. It is Mustahab (recommended) as it comes in the hadith of Abu Qatadah al-Ansari reported by Muslim that the Messenger of صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم was asked concerning fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah. He صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم replied:

(Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation of last year’s and next year’s sins.)

The First 9 days of Dhul-Hijjah

2)     Is fasting the first 9 days of Dhul-Hijjah legislated?

We begin by mentioning that there does not exist any authentic ahadith which specify the fasting of the first 9 days of Dhul-Hijjah. Likewise, there does not exist any authentic ahadith which state that the Messenger صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم fasted these first nine days of the month either.

One may then feel compelled to ask where has the tradition of fasting the first 9 days come from?

The answer is that it is taken from the generality of the hadith of Ibn Abbasرضي اللّه عنـه that the Messenger صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم said:

Ten Points for the First Ten days of Dhul-Hijjah

 

1. The first ten days are actually nine days with the addition of the day of Eid. It is called the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, but only nine of it is for fasting as the tenth day is the beginning of Eid. It is impermissible to fast on the day of Eid, this is a consensus amongst the people of knowledge.

2. It is permissible to fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah with the last day being the day of Arafah for those not doing Hajj. The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said in a hadith narrated by ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما (in at-Tirimidhi):

“There are not any days that good deeds are more beloved to Allaah than those done in these ten days.”

3. In these days, it is recommended that there is a lot of remembrance of Allaah سبحان و تعالى - this is for all of the ten days.

4. In these days, it is recommended that one makes takbir of Allaah (saying Allaahu akbar) - this is for all of the ten days.

5. In these days, it is recommended to read the Qur'aan as much as possible and give charity - this is for all of the ten days.

6. The ninth day is the day of Arafah. The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه و سلم said in an authentic narration:

“Verily on the day of Arafah there is expiation of sins for the year before and the year after.”

(Abi Qatada رضي الله عنه, reported in Sahih Muslim and At-Tirmidhi).

So therefore it is a great day, so it is recommended to fast that day for those not doing Hajj. Fasting is only permissible for the first nine days as the tenth day is the day of Eid.