Fasting Day of Arafah (tomorrow) Nov 26th.

Society Religion & Philosophy
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The Excellence of Observing Saum on the Day of ‘Arafah, ‘Ashura’ and Tasu’a (i.e., 9th of Muharram)
1250. Abu Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was asked about the observance of Saum (fasting) on the day of `Arafah. He said, "It is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year and the current year.’’
[Muslim].

Commentary: The ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah is called Yaum-Arafah . On this day, pilgrims stop and stand in prayers at Arafat which is the most important ritual of Hajj, so much so that Hajj is deemed incomplete without it. On that day, the pilgrims are engaged in the remembrance of Allah and prayers as that is their most important worship on that day. For this reason, Saum is not desirable for them, but for other people, Saum has a special merit. The importance and merit of this Saum can be judged from the fact that it expiates sins for two consecutive years: the previous year and the current year. But these sins relate only to the minor sins, not the major ones, or become a means of elevation of one’s status.

  1. Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) observed Saum (fasting) on the day of Ashura’ and commanded us to fast on this day.
    [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: Ashura' 10th of Muharram. In another Hadith, it is stated that when the Prophet (PBUH) emigrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah, he saw that the Jews were fasting on this day. He asked them why they did this on that day, and they told him that they did it for the reason that Allah granted Prophet Musa emancipation from Pharaoh on this day, and so they observed Saum in token of their joy. On this, he (PBUH) said that in this happiness of Prophet Musa, Muslims have a greater right to observe Saum than the Jews. Consequently, he also observed Saum on 10th of Muharram. Then, he said that if he lived the following year, he would observe Saum on 9th of Muharram also so that they would make themselves different from the Jews. According to another Hadith, he (PBUH) ordained the Muslims to observe Saum on Ashura’ and in addition one more Saum on 9th or 11th of Muharram in opposition to the Jews. (Musnad Ahmad, Vol.4, P-21, edited by Ahmad Shakir; and Mujamma Az-Zawaid, Vol.3, P-188). Thus observance of two Saum on this occasion is a Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). These two Saum can be observed either on 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th of Muharram. It is regrettable indeed that present-day Muslims do not follow this Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) and instead observe the baseless practices of mourning assemblies (Majalis), which is a grave sin practised by Shiah.

  1. Abu Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was asked about observing As-Saum (the fast) on the tenth day of Muharram, and he replied, "It is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year.‘’
    [Muslim].

  2. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "If I remain alive till the next year, I shall also observe fast on the ninth of Muharram.‘’
    [Muslim].

Commentary: Some people think these words stand to mean that `he will observe Saum on the 9th of Muharram only. But this interpretation does not agree with other Ahadith. In order to oppose the Jews, he (PBUH) resolved to observe one more Saum with that of 10th of Muharram and ordained it for the Muslims. In this connection, we have quoted above the authority from Musnad Ahmad. Hence, the meanings we have given in the translation of the text are correct.

Source: The Excellence of Observing Saum on the Day of 'Arafah, ‘Ashura’ and Tasu’a (i.e., 9th of Muharram)

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Re: Fasting Day of Arafah (tomorrow) Nov 26th.

The Best Days in the World (Islaam.Com)

The Blessed Days of Dhul Hijjah

In what follows, we will highlight some of the Sunnah regarding these days, hoping by this to provide an incentive to make the best out of them and gain Allaah’s reward, in shaa’ Allaah.

The First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

“The best days in the world are the Ten days.” [Ibn Hibbaan, al-Bazzaar, authenticated in Saheeh Jaami` us-Sagheer #1133]

“There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved by Allaah than these (ten) days.” [al-Bukhaaree, at-Tirmidhee and others] The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, was then asked: “Not even Jihaad in Allaah’s way?” He replied: “Not even Jihaad in Allaah’s way; except for a person who went out (for Jihaad) with his self and wealth and came back with none (i.e. lost all for Allaah).” [at-Tirmidhee, authenticated in al-Albaanee’s Irwaa’ ul-Ghaleel, #953]

All good deeds can be done during these days and the early generations of Muslims used to exert themselves excessively in worshipping Allaah. In particular, fasting and dhikr (mentioning and remembering Allaah) are to be done in plenty on these days.

Dhikr

Ibn `Abbaas commented on the verse <<…and to mention Allaah’s name [plentifully] on Known days>> [22:28] by saying: <…these known days are the ten days [of Dhul Hijjah].> [Tafseer ibn Katheer]

Fasting

One of the wives of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: "Allaah’s Messenger used to fast the (first) nine days of Dhul Hijjah, the day of Ashooraa’, and three days of each month. [Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood #2129]

Fasting on all these days, however, is not a waajib (compulsory), nor is it a constant sunnah that the Messenger, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, never dropped. Aa’ishah said: “I never saw the Messenger, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, fast the ten days.” [Muslim]

The Day of `Arafah - The Best Day of the Whole Year

The day of Arafah is the day when the pilgrims stand in worship on the Mountain of Arafah.

“Fasting the day of Arafah expiates the [minor] sins of two years: a past one and a coming one. And fasting the day of Aashooraa’ expiates the sins of the past year.” [Muslim]

"There is no day on which Allaah azza wa jall frees people from the Fire as He does no the day of Arafah. He comes close (to those standing on `Arafah) and then revels before His angels, saying: “What are these people seeking?” [Muslim]

The Day of al-`Ad-haa

The tenth of Dhul-Hijjah is Eed ul- Ad-haa or the day of an-Nahr (slaughtering). It marks the conclusion of the major rites of Hajj, and commemorates Allaah’s bounty on His Messenger Ibraaheem, when He gave him a ram to sacrifice as ransom for his son Ismaaeel, `alayhimassalaam.

"The day of al-Fitr *, the day of an-Nahr, and the days of Tashreeq are Eed days for us Muslims. They are days of eating and drinking." [Ahmad, an-Nasaa’ee, Saheeh ul-Jaami #8192]

The Three Days Following Eed ul-Ad-haa

On these days, the pilgrims complete their rites, Muslims continue with their `Eed celebrations, and are prohibited to fast. “The days of tashreeq are days of eating, drinking and mentioning Allaah.” [Muslim]

The Sacrifice

Allaah azza wa jall mentioned the sacrifice together with the first and foremost worship in Islaam: prayer. This is a clear indication of its great importance. Thus He ordered His Messenger, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, to slaughter sacrifices by saying: <<…Pray unto your Lord and slaughter [your sacrifice]…" [109:2]

Ruling

The general concensus of the Muslim scholars is that the sacrifice is an important sunnah, and a worship called for in the Law of Allaah. However, they differ as to whether it is nafl (voluntary) or waajib (mandatory) for those who can afford it. Some scholars have explained the different ahaadeeth on the subject by stating that the sacrifice is obligatory on those who can afford it and not obligatory on those who cannot.

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: "He who has the capacity, and does not sacrifice, may not approach our musallaa (place of prayer - on the Eed)." [Ibn Maajah, Ahmad and others, authenticated by Al-Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan Ibn Maajah, #2533]

Regarding this hadeeth, Imaam ash-Shaukaanee said: “Prohibiting the one who could afford to sacrifice, but did not do so, from approaching the musallaa indicates that he must have left off a waajib, as it becomes useless to offer the salaah without this waajib [obligation].” [Nayl ul-Awtaar]

Avoid Cutting Hair or Nails

The one who plans to sacrifice (normally, the head of household) is prohibited to cut his hair or nails from the first Dhul Hijjah until he offers the sacrifice. “For the one who has a slaughtering to perform (on `Eed then, once the hilaal (crescent) of Dhul Hijjah is observed, let him not cut any of his hair or nails until he sacrifices.” And in another narration: “Once the ten days start, for those of you who havethe intention to sacrifice, let them not cut any of their hair or nails (until they sacrifice).” [Muslim] This prohibition is the opinion of the majority of the scholars of the early generations of Muslims.

Allaahu A`lam

Our last call is all praise is to Allaah and may His salaah and salaam be upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family.*