The Regularity of Fasting Days in Dhul al-Hijjah

Question:
May Allah reward you, O honorable scholar. A questioner asks: Is fasting the ten days of Dhul al-Hijjah a recommended practice (sunnah)? Because some say that the regularity of fasting them every year has no basis, and that nothing has been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?

Answer:
I have told you how many times these people are dishearteners. Their aim is to dishearten people so that they do nothing. They say everything is not valid, everything is weak, and I do not know how it is. These are dishearteners and slanderers, so do not pay attention to them. Fasting the ten days of Dhul al-Hijjah is prescribed and recommended (mustahabb); because it falls within the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) than these ten." It was said: "Not even jihad in the cause of Allah?" He said: "Not even jihad in the cause of Allah, except for one who goes out with his person and his wealth and returns with nothing." And righteous deeds include fasting; because fasting is among the best of deeds, so it falls within this authentic hadith. Second: It was reported from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) that he fasted, he fasted the ten days of Dhul al-Hijjah, as mentioned by the author of al-Muntaqa, al-Mujaddid Ibn Taymiyyah, in al-Muntaqa. He attributed to some of the authors of the Sunan that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) fasted these ten days. Even if the hadith is not established, the inclusion of this in the general statement: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are better and more beloved to Allah than these ten" includes fasting; because it is a righteous deed. But these are lazy people who want to dishearten people from righteous deeds, so do not pay attention to them.