Is it permissible to fast on Saturday if it coincides with the Day of 'Arafah, as a standalone fast?
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The questioner : O Shaykh, may Allah preserve you, a woman became ritually pure on Friday, and the standing at 'Arafah was on Saturday. Is it permissible to fast on Saturday as a standalone fast?
The Shaykh : What did you say?
The questioner : Fasting on Saturday, the Day of 'Arafah.
The Shaykh : Do you mean it is not for a specific reason?
The questioner : No, no, in the countries.
The Shaykh : Fasting on Saturday is permissible if there is a reason, such as if it coincides with the Day of 'Arafah or the Day of 'Ashura, or if one is among those who fast one day and break the fast the next, and his fast happens to fall on a Saturday; in that case, there is no harm. However, if he fasts it alone for no reason, some scholars have said: there is no harm in that either, because the prohibition that came in authentic reports or with valid evidence is regarding fasting on Friday. As for Saturday, the hadith that came regarding it is said to be: "This is an anomalous hadith and is not acted upon." Among those who said this is our Shaykh, 'Abd al-'Aziz ibn Baz, may Allah grant him understanding and have mercy on him. He says: "The prohibition of fasting on Saturday is an anomalous hadith that is not acted upon, because it contradicts the authentic hadiths. For, So his saying: is clear evidence that there is no harm in fasting on Saturday. It is known that when a hadith contradicts strong, authentic hadiths and is weaker than them, it is considered anomalous, as is the rule in the terminology of hadith: that the anomalous is what a trustworthy narrator contradicts in relation to one who is more trustworthy than him. Accordingly, fasting on Saturday is not absolutely disliked, whether it is combined with the day before or the day after, or not combined, and whether it has a reason or not. And on this basis, we say: if one fasts on Saturday, there is no blame on him. But Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, in the well-known view among his followers, says: that fasting Saturday alone for no reason is disliked. And if he fasts another day with it, either Friday or Sunday, there is no harm in that, just as there is no harm if it is for a reason.
And perhaps this is the closest of the opinions, so that we do not nullify the hadith of prohibition regarding fasting on Saturday. It is said: whoever fasts on Saturday because it is Saturday, what is that? It is prohibited. We do not say: it is not permissible; we say: it is prohibited. And whoever fasts it for a reason or combines it with another day, there is no harm. Yes.
The Shaykh : What did you say?
The questioner : Fasting on Saturday, the Day of 'Arafah.
The Shaykh : Do you mean it is not for a specific reason?
The questioner : No, no, in the countries.
The Shaykh : Fasting on Saturday is permissible if there is a reason, such as if it coincides with the Day of 'Arafah or the Day of 'Ashura, or if one is among those who fast one day and break the fast the next, and his fast happens to fall on a Saturday; in that case, there is no harm. However, if he fasts it alone for no reason, some scholars have said: there is no harm in that either, because the prohibition that came in authentic reports or with valid evidence is regarding fasting on Friday. As for Saturday, the hadith that came regarding it is said to be: "This is an anomalous hadith and is not acted upon." Among those who said this is our Shaykh, 'Abd al-'Aziz ibn Baz, may Allah grant him understanding and have mercy on him. He says: "The prohibition of fasting on Saturday is an anomalous hadith that is not acted upon, because it contradicts the authentic hadiths. For,
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was approached by a woman from the Banu Juwayriyah, and she was fasting on Friday. He said: "Did you fast yesterday?" She said: "No." He said: "Will you fast tomorrow?" She said: "No." He said: "Then break your fast."
النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أتت إليه امرأة جويرية وهي صائمة يوم الجمعة قال : أصمت أمس ؟ قالت : لا قال : أتصومين غدا ؟ قالت : لا قال : فأفطريDo you fast tomorrow?
أتصومين غداAnd perhaps this is the closest of the opinions, so that we do not nullify the hadith of prohibition regarding fasting on Saturday. It is said: whoever fasts on Saturday because it is Saturday, what is that? It is prohibited. We do not say: it is not permissible; we say: it is prohibited. And whoever fasts it for a reason or combines it with another day, there is no harm. Yes.