FASTING and the First Ten days of Dhul Hijjah

by Asma bint Shameem

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are the best days of the entire year. 

And the acts of ibaadah done in these days are more rewarding than at any other time of the year. 

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ  said: 

"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days." 

The people asked, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah?" 

He said, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, 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." 

(al-Bukhaari 969)

So the Sahaabah used to take  advantage of these beautiful days of Dhul Hijjah and exert themselves in ALL kinds of ibaadah including FASTING.

Since these are the BEST days of the entire year, then what better worship is there during the day than fasting?

So here are some points related to that. 

1. Do NOT fast on the 10th

It is haraam to fast on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah which is the day of Eid al-Adhaa. 

Fasting is only recommended for the first NINE days of Dhul Hijjah.

🍃 Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“The Prophet ﷺ  forbade fasting on the day of al-Fitr and al-Nahr.” (al-Bukhaari, 1992; Muslim, 827)

2. These are Nafl fasts

The fasts of the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah are ”voluntary” or Nafl fasts. 

If you fast these days, you’re rewarded for it. 

If you don’t fast them, you’re not sinful. 

In other words, you don’t “HAVE” to fast them. 

But it would be great if you do. 

3. The Prophet ﷺ LOVED to fast the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah

Fasting these days is an established Sunnah.

The Prophet ﷺ himself used to fast these days and so did the Noble Sahaabah.

🍃 One of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ said: 

“The Prophet ﷺ used to fast on the first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah and the day of ‘Ashoora’, and three days each month, the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays.”

(al-Nasaa’i, Abu Dawood- saheeh by al-Albaani)

4. Do I “have” to fast ALL nine days?

No. Since these are Nafl (voluntary) fasts, the choice is yours.

If you can fast from 1-9 of Dhul Hijjah, that’s good.

But if you can’t do that, then fast as many days as you can.

And it will be a source of reward for you.

5. Do fast the 9th of Dhul Hijjah

The 9th of Dhul Hijjah is the Day of Arafah. 

And it’s highly recommended to fast this day (for the non-Haaji) as fasting on it expiates sins of TWO YEARS of your life!

🍃 Abu Qataadah radhi Allaahu anhu said that the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Arafah and he said: 

“It expiates for the past and coming years.” 

(Muslim 1162)

6. If you’re performing Hajj, do not fast the ninth of Dhul Hijjah

Fasting the ninth is only recommended for those who’re NOT going for Hajj. 

The scholars said that it’s NOT recommended for the Haaji to fast on the NINTH of Dhul Hijjah (Day of Arafah).

In fact, it is “disliked”. 

🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said: 

“As for the pilgrim, it is NOT SUNNAH for him to fast on the day of ‘Arafah, because the Prophet ﷺ did not fast on the day of ‘Arafah during the Farewell Pilgrimage. 

In Saheeh al-Bukhaari it is narrated from Maymoonah radhi Allaahu anhaa that the people were not sure whether the Prophet ﷺ was fasting on the day of ‘Arafah, so she sent him some milk when he was standing in ‘Arafah, and he drank it whilst the people were looking on.”

(Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen part 20, question 404)

7. Perfect chance to make up your MISSED fardh fasts during these days!

If you have Fardh fasts to make up from this past Ramadhaan, then make them up in the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah. This is the perfect chance!

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“No days in which the good deeds are better than these days – referring to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.” (Al-Bukhaari 969)

So if these are the best ten days of the year, and the Sahaabah were keen to do as many good deeds in these days as possible, then what better chance than this to make up the Ramadhaan fasts that you owe?

🍃 Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:

“If a person fasts the day of ‘Arafah or the day of ‘Ashoora’, and he still owes fasts from Ramadhaan, his fast will be valid.

But if he intended to fast that day to make up for a missed Ramadhaan fast, he will have TWO REWARDS: the reward of the day of ‘Arafah or the day of ‘Ashoora’, and the reward for making up the missed fast.” (Fataawa as-Siyaam (438)

So go ahead and fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah to make up your Ramadhaan fardh fasts. 

Pay back the debt you owe Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, in these virtuous days. 

These are the PERFECT, most BEAUTIFUL days for doing that. 

And Allaah knows best.