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Fasting on the Day of Arafah Friday, 12 November 2010 05:05
The ninth day of Dhul Hijjah (the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar) is the day of Arafah. It is the day when pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafah to pray. On this day, Muslims all over the world who do not witness the annual Haj should spend the day in fasting, in preparation for the three days festivity following Eidul Adha, the celebration marking the end of the Haj commemorating Prophet Ibrâhîm’s (May Allah be pleased with him) willingness of sacrifice.
Abû Hafsah reported that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:
“Fasting on the day of Arafah absolves the sins for two years: the previous year and the coming year, and fasting on ‘ashûra, (the tenth day of Muharram) atones for the sins of previous years.” (Bukhârî and Tirmidhî)
In another saying the Prophet’s wife Hafsah (May Allâh’s mercy upon her) said:
“Four things the Messenger of Allâh never neglected: Observing fast on the day of Aashûra, Arafat, three days every month, and offering fajr sunnah prayers early in the morning.” (Muslim)
These statements are proof that fasting on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah, the day before Eidul Adha was a lifelong practice of the Prophet, as his wife reported.
There are some reports that fasting is prohibited on the day of Arafah. However, it must be understood that this refers to a person performing the Haj. If a person is on the Haj, there is no fast for him or her on the day of Arafah.
That is undoubtedly a blessing for him because of the hardships of the pilgrimage. Umm Al Fadl reported:
“The companions doubted whether the Prophet was fasting on Arafah or not. She decided to prove to them that he was not, so she said, ‘I sent to him milk, which he drank while he was delivering the khutbah (sermon) on Arafah.” (Al Bukhârî)
Prohibiting the pilgrims from fasting on these days is a great mercy for them, for fasting will exert undue hardship on the person performing the Haj, while they are primarily concerned with their pilgrimage. Above all, the pilgrim would not be fasting anyway because he is travelling.
www.sunnahonline.com