Referring to the fast of Arafah, I want to have some clear answers.

Question ID: 
1263
zai***@yahoo.co.uk asks:

Question

Al Salaam Alaikum

Referring to the fast of Arafah, I want to have some clear answers. In Mauritius we are having the 9th Zul Hijjah on Friday while in Arabia it falls on Thursday which clearly depicts that Arafah is on Thursday and not Friday. So how come we are fasting on friday despite knowing that Arafah is on Thursday. Deliberately fasting on Eid day is forbidden. Sighting of the moon is important as we all know and we need to follow the laws of the native. However nowadays we don't have lack of communication as it was the case long ago where people were unaware of what was happening in other places.Please clarify.

Jazak Allah

Answer

Wa alaikumus salaam.

By saying day of Arafah, according to us it was not the intention of Nabi (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) to fast on the day when the Haaji would be in Arafaat, as it was practically almost impossible in those days. The Sahabah did not understand it as such. Therefore the day of Arafah means the 9th of Zul-Hijjah and it will be decided according to the sighting of the moon in the concerned place. This explanation is in accordance with what Hazrat Aisha (Radhiyallaahu anha) explained to Hazrat Masrooq (Radhiyallaahu anhu).