بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Imām al-Hajjāwi said:
يسن صيام تسع ذي الحجة، و يوم عرفة لغير حاج بها
“It is sunnah to fast the first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah and the day of ‘Arafah for non-pilgrims.”
Shaykh Salih al-Fawzān said in explanation:
It is mustahabb (recommended) to fast these days as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
مامن أيام العمل الصالح فيها أحب إلى الله من هذه الأيام قالوا يا رسول الله : ولا الجهاد في سبيل الله قال ولا الجهاد في سبيل الله إلا رجل خرج بنفسه وماله فلم يرجع من ذلك بشئ
“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allâh than these ten days.” The people asked, “Not even jihâd for the sake of Allâh?” He said, “Not even jihâd for the sake of Allâh, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” (Sahīh al-Bukhārī 2/457. Imām Ahmads Musnad 1968)
Fasting is considered a righteous deed on these nine days. In fact, fasting is among the best deeds as elaborated by the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم in many narrations*.
[*This is supported in another hadīth narrated from Hunaidah ibn Khâlid from his wife, that one of the wives of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, who said:
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يصوم تسعة من ذي الحجة ويوم عاشوراء، وثلاثة أيام من كل شهر: أول اثنين من الشهر، وخميسين
“The Prophet used to fast on the first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah and the day of ‘Âshoora’, and three days every month: the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays.” (Sunan An-Nasâi 2419. Sunan Abu Dawûd 2437. Declared Sahîh by Shaykh Al-Albânî)]
The prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said regarding fasting the day of ‘Arafah,
يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ الْمَاضِيَةَ وَالْبَاقِيَةَ
“It will expiate the sins of the previous and upcoming year.” (Sahīh Muslim 1162)
However, fasting on this day is only recommended for non-pilgrims. Those performing Hajj are not recommended to fast, thereby following the example of the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. (Sharh Zād al-Mustaqni’ 614)
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymīn said :
Among the recommended days of fasting is the day of ‘Arafah. The day of’ Arafah falls within the last month of the year, hence it expiates for al-madiyah, which is the outgoing year and al-bāqiyah – the coming year. It expiates for two years. (Sharh Riyād al-Sālihīn 1249)
Imām al-San’ānī said :
‘Arafah is a term used for the 9th of Dhu’l-Hijjah. [The expiation of sins mentioned in the hadīth] refers to minor sins which are written off by the observance of this act of fasting. As for major sins, they can only be forgiven with repentance. As for the people’s rights, liabilities and their monetary obligations as far as an indebted person is concerned, their forgiveness depends entirely on the will of the people one owes to. (Bulūgh al-Marām 552, Subul-as-Salam)
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