Is it permissible to fast one day or two days before the Day of 'Arafah, or is it obligatory to fast from the beginning of the month, i.e., from the first day of Dhul-Hijjah until the ninth day, which is the Day of 'Arafah?
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The questioner : The questioner, who used the initials M.A. from Hail, asks: Is it permissible to fast one day or two days before the Day of 'Arafah, or is it obligatory for us to fast from the beginning of the month, i.e., from the first day of Dhul-Hijjah until the ninth day, which is the Day of 'Arafah?
The Shaykh : It is not obligatory for a person to fast the entire ten days of Dhul-Hijjah; rather, if he limits himself to fasting the Day of 'Arafah, that is sufficient. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about fasting the Day of 'Arafah and said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 749Da'if (Darussalam) However, fasting the ten days, meaning the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, is a recommended practice (sunnah). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged it when he said: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 757Sahih (Darussalam) They said: "And not even jihad in the cause of Allah?" He said: Sunan Ibn Majah 1727Sahih (Darussalam) And no one doubts that fasting is among the righteous deeds; indeed, it is among the best of deeds. So much so that Allah the Exalted singled it out for Himself in His saying in the Qudsi Hadith: Sunan Ibn Majah 3823 Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh.
The Shaykh : It is not obligatory for a person to fast the entire ten days of Dhul-Hijjah; rather, if he limits himself to fasting the Day of 'Arafah, that is sufficient. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about fasting the Day of 'Arafah and said:
I anticipate that Allah will forgive (the sins) of the year after it, and the year before it.
أحتسب على الله أن يكفر السنة التي قبله والسنة التي بعدهThere are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than those ten days.
ما من أيام العمل الصالح فيهن أحب إلى الله من هذه الأيام العشرNot even Jihad in the cause of Allah, unless a man goes out with himself and his wealth and does not bring anything back.
ولا الجهاد في سبيل الله إلا رجل خرج بنفسه وماله ولم يرجع من ذلك بشيءEvery deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied for him, between ten and seven hundred times for each merit. Allah said: 'Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I shall reward for it.'
كل عمل ابن ءادم له الحسنة بعشر أمثالها إلى سبعمائة ضعف إلا الصوم فإنه لي وأنا أجزي بهThe questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh.