The Day of 'Arafah and the fast thereon

The Day of 'Arafah

The day of ‘Arafah and the fast thereon is the ninth day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. Fasting on the day of ‘Arafah is a confirmed Sunnah for those who are not performing Hajj. 

Is the day on which Islam was perfected and Allaah’s Favour was completed. Q5:3

Is a day of Eid for the people who are in that place ('Arafah). It was reported that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab said: “It – i.e., the aayah ‘This day I have perfected…’ was revealed on a Friday, the Day of ‘Arafaah, both of which are Eids for us.”

Is a day by which Allaah swore an oath. 89:3, Q85:3, al-Tirmidhi and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani.

Is the day on which Allaah took the covenant from the progeny of Adam. Q7:172-173

The Day which Allaah will ask: “What Do These People Want? Allah Will Ask” In Sahih Muslim it was narrated from ‘Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels, saying, *‘What do these people want?’”* It was reported from Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allah expresses His pride to His angels at the time of ‘Ishaa’ on the Day of Arafah, about the people of Arafah. He says, ‘Look at My slaves who have come unkempt and dusty.’” Narrated by Ahmad and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani.

Is the day of forgiveness of sins, freedom from the Fire and pride in the people who are there. it was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no day on which Allaah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of ‘Arafaah. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels, saying, ‘What do these people want?’” Saheeh Muslim 1348, Ahmad and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani.

Is the best period for du’a. It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) 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 ‘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 (3585)’ classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb (1536), Maalik in al-Muwatta’ (500); classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’ (1102), Al-Muntaqa Sharh al-Muwatta’ (1/358), Al-Mughni (2/129).

Fasting on this day is an expiation for two years. Ahmad 2/304, Abu Daud 2438, Ibn Majah 1730 classed as Saheeh in Al Irwah 952

There is no harm in combining between fasting on Mondays or Thursdays and ‘Arafah if they coincide. They are voluntary fasting, if one intended both, that is preferable. For similar fatwa - Mughni al-Muhtaaj (2/184) and Hawaashi Tuhfat al-Muhtaaj (3/457) Fatawa al-Siyaam (438), Nihaayat al-Muhtaaj (3/208)

Fasting on Friday when it coincides with ‘Arafah: Ibn Qudamah said: “It is makruh to single out the day of Friday for fasting, unless that coincides with a fast which one usually observes, such as a person who fasts alternate days, and a day that he fasts coincides with Friday, or a person who has the habit of fasting on the first or last day of the month, or the middle day of the month.” al-Mughni, vol. 3, p. 53, al-Bukhari, 1849, Muslim, 1929, al-Bukhari, al-Sawm, 1850, al-Siyam, 1930

Excluded from this prohibition is one who fasts the day before or after, or if it coincides with days that he habitually fasts, such as one who fasts al-Ayyam al-Bid (the 13th, 14th and 15th of each hijri month), or who has the habit of fasting a specific day such as the Day of ‘Arafah, and it coincides with a Friday. al-Majmu’ Sharh al-Muhadhdhab, vol. 6, p. 479, al-Fatawa al-Kubra, vol. 6, p. 180, al-Sharh al-Mumti’, vol. 6, p. 465, Fath al-Bari by Ibn Hajar, Fatwa al-Lajnah al-Daimah, vol. 10, p. 347

May Allaah grant us an understanding of His religion