Fasting On The 9th of Dzulhijjah

“Mom, my teacher said I have to save for sacrificial animals. Why  do I have to sacrifice?” asked my son.

“To share for those who are not able to so that they can enjoy the delicious taste of lamb meat or beef too,” I answered.

“How come they have never eaten mutton or beef?” my son questioned.

“That is life, son. Some people are capable and some are not capable. Those who are not able should be grateful to remain healthy and for all that Allah (SWT) has given. Those who are able should never forget to always share because in that wealth there are rights for people who cannot afford it,” I explained. “It is also fair to fast prior to sacrifice as commanded. That’s where Allah (SWT) does not make a distinction between those who are poor or who are rich. With fasting human sincerity becomes clear in addition to providing sacrificial animals.”

“If we look at the story of Abraham (SAW) and how he willingly sacrificed his son for slaughter it can cause us to think: have we ever considered what we can sacrifice willingly? By sacrificing we give to people who cannot afford what we can and by fasting we are like the people who are carrying out the pilgrimage.”

Abu Qotadah, he said that the Prophet (SAW)said:

صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِى قَبْلَهُ وَالسَّنَةَ الَّتِى بَعْدَهُ وَصِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِى قَبْلَهُ

“The fast of Arofah (9 Dzulhijjah) can eliminate sins of last year and next year. Fast of Asyuro (10 Muharram) will eliminate the sins of the past year. “(HR. Muslims no. 1162)

Except for those who are wukuf at Arafat in order to perform the pilgrimage, it is not advisable to fast on that day. Based on the hadith of Ibn Abbas, (RA) that the Messenger (SAW), breaking at Arafat, the mother of Fadhl sent him a glass of milk, and he drank it. “(HR.Tirmidzi: 750, Al-Albanian validated in saheeh Tirmidhi)

It is also narrated from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar (RA) that he was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah at Arafah and he answered:

حَجَجْتُ مع النبي e فلم يَصُمْهُ وَمَعَ أبي بَكْرٍ فلم يَصُمْهُ وَمَعَ عُمَرَ فلم يَصُمْهُ وَمَعَ عُثْمَانَ فلم يَصُمْهُ وأنا لَا أَصُومُهُ ولا آمُرُ بِهِ ولا أَنْهَى عنه

“I perform the pilgrimage with the Prophet (SAW) and he did not fast on that day. I was with Abu Bakr (RA) and he did not fast on it. I was with Umar (RA) and he did not fast on it. I was with Uthman (RA) and he did not fast on it. And I did not observe it, and I did not order it, nor am I against it. “(HR.Tirmidzi: 751. Validated by Al-Albanian in saheeh Tirmidhi)

From Abu Hurairah, Rosulullah (SAW) said:

“All the deeds of Adam are for him except fasting, it is for Me and I will reply, fasting is a shield (from evil deeds) and when one of you is fasting, then let him not to say dirty things or scream out loud, and when one censures him or calls him to fight, let him say, ‘I am fasting.’ By the soul essence of Muhammad in His hand, so the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is more fragrant in the sight of Allah than the fragrance of musk. People who fast won two pleasures: when he breaks he feels happy and when he comes to his Lord He is pleased with the fast.”

Hopefully with fasting on the day of Arafah you will feel  like those who perform Hajj. If you have not performed hajj yet may it be expedited and if you have performed hajj may it increase your faith, amin.

Jabal Rahmah, Makkah
Jabal Rahmah, Makkah
Scroll to Top