The Ruling on the Arrival Tawaf and Fasting on the Day of 'Arafah for the Pilgrim

Question:
Is the arrival tawaf obligatory or a recommended practice? And is there evidence that the pilgrim standing at 'Arafah is not required to fast on that day?

Answer:
The arrival tawaf is a recommended practice (sunnah). When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived, he performed tawaf and then sa'y. So if a person comes in summer and intends to go to Makkah for the purpose of Hajj, intending to go to 'Arafah, and does not perform the arrival tawaf, there is no blame on him; he can perform it later. However, if he arrives before that, intends to go to the Ka'bah, performs tawaf and sa'y, and then proceeds to 'Arafah, this is better. And if he has the means, he performs tawaf and sa'y, shortens his stay, and exits the state of ihram, making it an 'Umrah, and then enters the state of ihram for Hajj on the eighth day, becoming one who performs tamattu'. This is also better.

The presenter: Is the arrival tawaf obligatory or a recommended practice? And is there evidence that the pilgrim standing at 'Arafah is not required to fast on that day?

Answer: Yes, the one standing at 'Arafah does not fast. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stood while not fasting, and he prohibited fasting on the Day of 'Arafah while at 'Arafah. So the pilgrim does not fast on the Day of 'Arafah; rather, it is the non-pilgrim who fasts. And if he has a fast to make up, he fasts before 'Arafah or after 'Arafah. Yes.