The fast of the day of Arafat

It is recommended to fast on the day of A'rafah. The day of A'rafah is the 9th Zul-Hijjah or the eve of Baqr Eid.

According to a Hadith in Sahih Muslim, Allah Ta'aala forgives the sins of the previous year and the coming year by fasting on that day. According to the explanation of the scholars of Deen‎, only the minor sins are forgiven. As for the major sins, one must make Taubah for them to be forgiven. It is also possible that Allah Ta'aala pardons whoever He wants without him even making Taubah.

After all, a person may receive the will to repent and make a sincere Taubah of his sins by the Barakah (blessing) of a Nafl Roza (an optional fast) and changes his life for the better. We must not neglect any Nafl Roza by minimizing their importance under the pretext of it not being obligatory. They may become a means to reform a person's life. That is why, as far as possible, we should not miss out on such opportunities.

It is recommended to fast on the 9th Zul-Hijjah. The 9th Zul-Hijjah of each locality and each country depends on the calculation and decision of the relevant authority of that country. It does not have to coincide with the time or day when the Haji (pilgrims) are in the plain of Arafah. Such a question arose during the time of Hazrat Aisha ‎(Radiyyallahu Anha)‎ and Hazrat Aisha ‎(Radiyyallahu Anha)‎ had said that one must take into consideration the place where one resides. According to an incident mentioned in Musannaf Abdur Razzaaq and Al-Baihaqui, Hadrat Masruq‎ (Radiyyallahu Anhu)‎ came to Hazrat Aisha ‎(Radiyyallahu Anha)‎ on the day of A'rafah. Hazrat Aisha (Radiyyallahu Anha)‎ had asked to serve Hazrat Masruq (Radiyyallahu Anhu)‎ "Saweeq" (a type of cream or paste made of wheat and dates). Hazrat Masruq ‎(Radiyyallahu Anhu)‎ preferred not to fast on that day, as a precautionary measure of the possibility that that day could be the day of Eid in Makkah. As for Hazrat Aisha ‎(Radiyyallahu Anha)‎, she fasted. Hazrat Masruq ‎(Radiyyallahu Anhu)‎ asked her:

"O mother of the believers! Are you fasting today? Who knows that maybe today is the day of Eid?"

Hazrat Aisha ‎(Radiyyallahu Anha)‎ replied:

"The day of Eid is the day that the head of the state and the great majority celebrate ..."

This anecdote indicates that the fast of A'rafah should be observed on the 9th day of Zul-Hijjah according to the calculation of our country, not according to the day that it may be in Makkah.

[English version of "Roza jour ‘Arafah" - Al Jamiat - Vol.2 No.14]