Is it prescribed to fast the ten days of Dhul Hijjah for one who intends to perform Hajj, and is it required to fast all of them, or is it permissible to fast some of them?
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The questioner : Her third question says: If one is fasting the ten days of Dhul Hijjah and intends to perform Hajj, should he fast them or not? And is it required that all ten days be fasted, or is it permissible for one who wishes to do so voluntarily to fast some of them?
The Shaykh : Fasting the ten days of Dhul Hijjah is not obligatory. If a person wishes, he may fast them, and if he wishes, he may not, whether he travels for Hajj or remains in his country. This is because any fasting that is voluntary leaves the person with a choice. Accordingly, if she is in her country and wishes to fast, let her fast. Then, if she travels and finds hardship in fasting due to the journey, she should not fast, for it is not befitting for one who finds fasting difficult during travel to fast, whether obligatory or voluntary.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Her other question asks: What is meant by the noble verse in His saying...
The Shaykh : Yes, but on the Day of 'Arafah, do not fast, for the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was not fasting on the Day of 'Arafah. It has been narrated from him in a hadith whose authenticity is questionable that he prohibited fasting on the Day of 'Arafah while at 'Arafah.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : Fasting the ten days of Dhul Hijjah is not obligatory. If a person wishes, he may fast them, and if he wishes, he may not, whether he travels for Hajj or remains in his country. This is because any fasting that is voluntary leaves the person with a choice. Accordingly, if she is in her country and wishes to fast, let her fast. Then, if she travels and finds hardship in fasting due to the journey, she should not fast, for it is not befitting for one who finds fasting difficult during travel to fast, whether obligatory or voluntary.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Her other question asks: What is meant by the noble verse in His saying...
The Shaykh : Yes, but on the Day of 'Arafah, do not fast, for the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was not fasting on the Day of 'Arafah. It has been narrated from him in a hadith whose authenticity is questionable that he prohibited fasting on the Day of 'Arafah while at 'Arafah.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.