Fasting on the days of Arafah and Ashura

Fasting on the days of Arafah and AshuraOur master Abu Qatadah (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about the observance of fasting on the Day of Arafah. He said, “It is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year and the current year.”  (Sahih Muslim p.367 v.1)

Our master Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that, “The Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) observed fasting on the Day of Ashura (10th Muharram) and commanded us to fast on this day.”  (Sahih Bukhari p.268 v.1)

Our master Abu Qatadah (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about the observance of fasting on the Day of Ashura and he replied, “It is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year.” (Sahih Muslim p.368 v.1)

To fast on the Day of Arafah is mustahab for a person who is not performing Hajj. If he is performing Hajj, it will only be mustahab (recommended) if one does not fear becoming weak as a result. (Raddul Muhtar p.336 v.3)

It is the consensus of the scholars that to fast on the Day of Ashura is mustahab. There are three categories in fasting on the Day of Ashura:

• To fast on the 10th of Muharram and a day before it

• Or on the day after it

• Or on the 10th by itself

Ibn Qayyim (Allah grant him mercy) writes that it is not correct to put an order of detestability (saying it is makruh) if someone just fasts on the 10th of Muharram as the Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) during his lifetime fasted only on the 10th and he made a wish that if he was alive the following year he would fast on the 9th as well. (Maarifus Sunan p.432-p.434 v.5)

The least one may do is to fast on the 10th of Muharram. (Fathul Bari p.290 v.4)

Only Allah knows best.

By: Moulana Mohammed Tosir Miah