FASTING THE DAY OF ‘ARAFAH

Narrated by Abu Qatadah (Radhiallaho anhu):  Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Fasting on the day of ‘Arafah is an expiation for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it. Fasting the day of ‘Ashurah is an expiation for the year preceding it.”

This is related by “the group,” except for al-Bukhari and at-Tirmidhi.

The ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah is the day of ‘Arafah, [Sunday 7 December 2008] since it is on this day that the pilgrims gather at the mountain plain of ‘Arafah, praying and supplicating to their Lord. It is mustahabb (highly recommended) for those who are not pilgrims to fast on this day, since the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) 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 (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) 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]

Imaam at-Tirmidhee (d.275H) – rahimahullaah – 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 (radiyallaahu ‘anhu).

[5] Related by Muslim (no. 1348), from ‘Aa’ishah (radiyallaahu ‘anhaa).

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

Source: Troid.org