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﴿ فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴾

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The wisdom behind prohibiting pilgrims from fasting on the Day of 'Arafah

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What is the wisdom behind prohibiting the pilgrim from fasting on the Day of 'Arafah?

Answer: The wisdom, according to the scholars, is that it is a day of festival, and it is a day on which one should engage in what causes energy and strength for supplication, humility before Allah, and remembrance. Fasting may weaken one from doing so. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding the Day of 'Arafah, the Day of Sacrifice, and the Days of Tashriq:
Our festival, O people of Islamعيدنا أهل الإسلام
meaning: the five days: the Day of 'Arafah, the Day of Sacrifice, and the three Days of Tashriq. He said about them:
Our festival, O people of Islamعيدنا أهل الإسلام
. Likewise, Friday, because it is a day of festival, fasting on it alone was prohibited. Therefore, the best course on the Day of 'Arafah is not to fast. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited fasting on the Day of 'Arafah at 'Arafah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stood on the Day of 'Arafah in a state of not fasting, and milk was brought to him while he was standing at 'Arafah on his mount, so he drank it while the people were watching him (peace and blessings be upon him).
So the Sunnah for pilgrims is not to fast on the Day of 'Arafah, but rather to be in a state of not fasting; because it is stronger for them in worship and more energetic for them in doing good; and because it is a day of festival, and festivals are not days for fasting. However, it is a day of festival on which fasting is not forbidden, but rather breaking the fast is recommended, for those not on Hajj, such as the people of cities and villages. For them, the Sunnah is to fast; because it is an excellent day on which one fasts. But as for the pilgrims, it is a festival for them, so the best for them is not to fast, but rather to stand at 'Arafah in a state of not fasting, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did. As for the people of villages, cities, and deserts, the Sunnah for them is to fast on the Day of 'Arafah, because it is an excellent day. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed that fasting on it expiates the year before it and the year after it. It is a great day, but in the case of the pilgrims, it is a festival for them, and breaking the fast is prescribed for them on it. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
Source binbaz.org.sa

The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.

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