Fasting on the Day of Arafah

[N. Truth Seeker]

 








The 9th day of Dhul Hijjah
 
The 9th day of Dhulhijjah is called 'Yawn e Arafah' (The Day of 'Arafah). This is the day when the Hujjaj (Haji pilgrims, plural of Hajj) assemble on the plain of 'Arafat near  Makkah where they perform the 'Wuqoof of' Arafat (the stay in 'Arafat).  In Arabic Mount Arafah is known as Jabal Arafah (جبل عرفات ).
 
 
The Fast of Youmul 'Arafah

“This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favor unto you, and have chosen for you as religion al-Islam. “  5:3  Al-Maidah.

V.5:3 is one the final Revelations of the Noble Quran that came to the beloved final Messenger (pbuh) shortly before his passing. Mount Arafah is the spot where he (pbuh) delivered his final sermon to thousands who had gathered on and around the Mount.  This Verse was revealed approximately during the same period.

"Al-Islam" translates in English as “The Surrender,” that is, surrender to the will of Allah The Almighty.

Mount Arafah is a hill six miles east of Makkah on the plains of Arafah.   It is 230 feet in height and it also known as Jabal Ar-Rehmah or Mount of Mercy.   As stated, day of Arafah is the 9th day of the month of Dhul Hijja and the culmination of Hajj when pilgrims gather on and around Mount Arafah to ask ALLAH for HIS forgiveness and blessings.   One of the very blessed days of the year, it is a very great day to repent before The Almighty and return to the Truth for those who haven’t yet.
 
For those not performing hajj, it is desirable to fast on this day, a nafl fast.  It sometimes occurs that 9th Dhul Hijja falls on different days in different countries according to the sighting of the moon. In such cases, Muslims of each country should observe the nafl fast (those who are able to) on the day of Arafah according to the lunar dates of their own country.   But please know, this is an optional or nafl fast, not an obligatory (fard) fast and is not mentioned in the Noble Quran.
 

Related post:
What does the Quran say about Hajj?   (At the end of this post you will also find several other relevant links of related posts).

[Zainab_M]

Alhumdulilah.   May The Almighty grant everyone the opportunity to perform Hajj.  Unfortunately because of materialistic interest, people everywhere are making Hajj a very costly event beyond affordability limits of many sincere believers.

[N. Truth Seeker]

Ameen.

Your absolutely right about high cost, sister.  That's really unfortunate.

[Zainab_M]

Btw - December 7, 2008 will be 9th Dhul Hijjah in North America.  I just thought of reminding those who prefer fasting on this day.  But remember, it's not a Quraanic dictate and therefore not fard.  It's optional.  But optional worship (or optional Ibadah) also adds to our good deeds if performed with sincere devotion.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Thanks sister.  We already had it in mind.  We mostly fast this day in an effort to acquire some extra blessings.  Unfortunately I couldn't fast today becoz of this sudden sneezing and sore throat.  But did do some extra nafls after Isha.  Other than me, everyone in our household were fasting.  Alhumdulilah.

[Ruhi_Rose]

Yes, it's not fard, not a Quranic instruction.   But it's a big day because when people see or hear of the pilgrims near Mount Arafat, praying and supplicating to Allah, there's something so special about it that it sweeps away your heart.  Thus we fulfil our desire by fasting and extra prayers.  Unfortunately I too didn't fast this time.  I should have.  InshAllah, I certainly will next time.  In any case, I did think a lot about Allah through zikr, salaat and dua.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

 Nov.5, 2011.  Did anyone fast this day and this year which was the 9th day of Hajj and the Day of Arafat?   Thank Allah, all of us at home (except the two youngest kids) observed fast.  May Allah accept it from us. Ameen. 

Please note for I repeat ,,no one in my household is under the Hadith spell  😊   We fast only for our own self satisfaction and peace of mind / heart as this is an important and inspiring day for voluntary worship of Allah, the Almighty.

[Ruhi_Rose]

We too observed fast on day of Arafat yesterday ..  🙂   But NOT because of Hadith, rather to please our souls for the sake of Allah. 

[Zainab_M]

9 Dhul Hijja 1443 (July 8, 2022).  Salaams and peace.  Remember dear all, tomorrow is the 9th day of Dhul Hijja corresponding to July 8th, a very nice day to observe a nafl fast and additional worship of The Almighty, The One and Only.

[Ruhi_Rose]

Wa'salam.   Yeah dear Sis, thanks for the lovely reminder.  We're all fasting tomorrow, Insh'Allah. 

Going to do some cooking for Iftar of Yawn Arafah 🙂 so I have minimal work in the kitchen tomorrow

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Walaikum Salam.   Many thanks for the reminder dear Sis Zainab.  Insh'Allah the plan is for all to fast.  Verse 5:3 is such a beautiful one, mesmerizing!

Sis Ruhi, cooking what for Iftar tomorrow 😁 ..... send some to us also 🤩

[Zainab_M]

True Sis,  the Day of Arafah is a reminder of V.5:3 ..

[Ruhi_Rose]

 😁😆 .... okay Insh'Allah, I will send  .....

Keeping it simple Sis .... fried rice with veggies (peas, tomatoes and bell pepper) and chicken qorma.  "Qorma" is special curry with the best spices.  For dessert, cupcakes.  Kids wanted kheer (the Pakistani rice pudding) but no time for that, so got chocolate cupcakes from Walmart.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Yummy-o-yumz !! 😃  

[Zainab_M]

😀