When to Observe the Fast of Arafah
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are a special gift from Allah for the believers, with both the days and nights being highly blessed.
Deeds and worship during these ten days are more beloved to Allah than those performed on other days of the year. Numerous narrations in the Quran and Hadith emphasize the virtues of deeds and worship during these ten days.
From the sighting of the Dhul-Hijjah moon until the 10th, a true believer should strive to fast as many days as possible and engage in abundant worship at night.
During these days, it is recommended to offer voluntary prayers, recite the Quran, engage in tasbih (glorification of Allah), tahleel (declaration of the oneness of Allah), tawbah (repentance), and seek forgiveness through prayers and tears.
Even if one cannot fast all nine days, fasting on the Day of Arafah is highly meritorious.
In a hadith narrated by Abu Qatadah (RA), the Prophet (PBUH) said, "Fasting on the Day of Arafah, I hope from Allah, will expiate for the sins of the previous year and the following year." (Muslim, Hadith: 740)
Hazrat Hafsah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) used to fast on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah and on the Day of Ashura. (Sunan Abu Dawood, Nasai, Musnad Ahmad)
The Day of Arafah, or Yawm al-Arafah, is the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, the day when pilgrims gather at the plain of Arafat, which is a key part of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Globally, the Islamic lunar dates are determined in four ways: locally sighting the moon, following the dates of Mecca and Medina or Saudi Arabia, based on the first sighting from anywhere in the world, or using astronomical calculations.
Due to these different methods, there can be two or three variations in the lunar dates globally, leading to one or two-day differences between countries.
In Bangladesh, two practices are prevalent: determining dates by local moon sighting and following the Saudi Arabian dates.
The first group's scholars state that Yawm al-Arafah is the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah. Therefore, wherever in the world the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah falls, that is the Day of Arafah for the local inhabitants.
The 9th of Dhul-Hijjah is the Day of Arafah or Yawm al-Arafah, just as the 8th is Yawm al-Tarwiyah and the 10th is Yawm al-Nahr or the Day of Sacrifice. Similarly, the 9th is the Day of Arafah.
The second group's scholars explain that the Prophet (PBUH) did not specify a date in the hadith about the virtues of fasting on the Day of Arafah, but rather a specific day, which is the day of Hajj when pilgrims are at Arafat.
Thus, the fast should be observed on the day of Hajj, not just on the 8th or 9th, since Hajj only takes place in Mecca. Therefore, the Day of Arafah fast should be observed globally on the same day as the Hajj.
Fasting any day from the 1st to the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, including the Day of Arafah, is ideal. If not all nine days, fasting on both the 8th and 9th is also good to fulfill the Day of Arafah fast safely.
If someone wishes to fast only on the Day of Arafah, they can follow any of the globally accepted methods or the two prevalent practices in Bangladesh with sincerity and piety to receive full rewards.
As stated in a hadith, "Actions are judged by intentions." (Bukhari and Muslim).
Whoever sincerely follows and practices what they find most authentic and logical will earn the reward. However, ordinary people should avoid opposing different opinions, as it is inappropriate and unfair. Only qualified scholars can debate or critique other views with evidence and arguments.
The author is the Joint Secretary-General of the Bangladesh National Imam Association and Assistant Professor at the Ahsania Institute of Sufism
