Fasting on the Day of ARAFAH
When should you fast Dhul Hijjah?
Fasting on the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah is highly recommended, and is an act that the Prophet (saw) partook in and encouraged others to do as well. The most important day for fasting during Dhul Hijjah comes on the 9th day, the day of Arafah, where 2 years’ worth of sins will be forgiven in light of fasting.
Abu Qatadah Al-Ansari (RAA) narrated, ‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah (the 9th of the month of Dhul Hijjah). He replied, “Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation for the preceding year and the following year.” He was also asked about fasting on the day of Ashura (the 10th of the month of Muharram). He replied, “Fasting on the day of Ashura is an expiation for the preceding year.” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was also asked about fasting on Monday, and he replied, “This is the day on which I was born and the day on which I was sent (with the Message of Islam) and the day on which I received revelation.” Related by Muslim.
ابوقتادہ رضی اللہ عنہ کہتے ہیں کہ رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا: میں سمجھتا ہوں کہ عرفہ کے دن روزہ رکھنے کا ثواب اللہ تعالیٰ یہ دے گا کہ اگلے پچھلے ایک سال کے گناہ بخش دے گا -۔
Sunan Ibn Majah – 1730
عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ اَلْأَنْصَارِيِّ - رضى الله عنه - { أَنَّ رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ - صلى الله عليه وسلم -سُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ. قَالَ: ” يُكَفِّرُ اَلسَّنَةَ اَلْمَاضِيَةَ وَالْبَاقِيَةَ “, وَسُئِلَ عَنْ صِيَامِ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ. قَالَ: ” يُكَفِّرُ اَلسَّنَةَ اَلْمَاضِيَةَ ” وَسُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمِ اَلِاثْنَيْنِ, قَالَ: ” ذَاكَ يَوْمٌ وُلِدْتُ فِيهِ, وَبُعِثْتُ فِيهِ, أَوْ أُنْزِلَ عَلَيَّ فِيهِ ” } رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ.
صحيح. رواه مسلم ( 1162 ) ( 197 )، وساقه الحافظ بتقديم وتأخير.
The best supplication is the one made on the Day of Arafah.
The Messenger of Allāh صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said: The best supplication ever said by myself and the previous Prophets is:
*لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ*
*‘There is no deity worthy of worship [in truth] other than Allāh, who is alone, having no partner or associate. His is the dominion, and to Him belongs all praise. He has power over all; everything, All-Capable.’”*
Saheeh at-Tirmidhi, 3585 | Shaykh al-Albāni, رحمه الله | Hasan
Saheeh al-Jāmi’, 3274 | Shaykh al-Albāni, رحمه الله | Hasan
Translation: Authentic Quotes