General RulingIs Fasting the Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah Prescribed?
What is meant by fasting the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah is fasting the first nine days, because the tenth day is Eid al-Adha, and fasting it is forbidden.
It is established that righteous deeds in these days are beloved to Allah, and fasting is a righteous deed. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
"There are no days in which deeds are better than in these days."
مَا العَمَلُ فِي أَيَّامٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنْهَا فِي هَذِهِ.
They said: Not even jihad? He said:
"Not even jihad, except a man who goes out risking himself and his wealth and returns with nothing."
وَلَا الجِهَادُ، إِلَّا رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ يُخَاطِرُ بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ، فَلَمْ يَرْجِعْ بِشَيْءٍ.
Narrated by Al-Bukhari.
Whoever fasts some of these days or all of them except Eid has done a righteous deed in great days.
Reports And RecommendationWas Fasting the Nine Days Reported from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and the Salaf?
A specific hadith has been reported about fasting the nine days of Dhul-Hijjah. Some of the wives of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم used to fast the nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, the Day of Ashura, and three days of every month."
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يصوم تسع ذي الحجة، ويوم عاشوراء، وثلاثة أيام من كل شهر.
Narrated by Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i, and Ahmad. Some scholars graded it hasan or sahih, while others discussed its chain.
However, the recommendation to fast the nine days does not depend on this hadith alone, because fasting is included under the general righteous deeds that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم encouraged during these days, and fasting is among the noblest righteous deeds.
It is also reported from Aishah رضي الله عنها that she said:
"I never saw the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم fasting during the ten days at all."
ما رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم صائما في العشر قط.
Narrated by Muslim.
Scholars answered this by explaining that her negation may mean that she did not see him fasting them, or that he sometimes left fasting them for a reason, or that she did not intend to negate the permissibility or recommendation of fasting them. The established virtue of righteous deeds in these days is enough to show the recommendation of fasting for whoever is able.
For this reason, Imam An-Nawawi رحمه الله said about fasting these days that they are strongly recommended, especially the ninth, meaning the Day of Arafah.
Al-Hafiz Ibn Rajab رحمه الله mentioned, while discussing fasting these days, that among those who fasted the ten was Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما. He also mentioned reports from Al-Hasan, Ibn Sirin, and Qatadah about the virtue of fasting them, and that this was the view of most or many scholars.
In Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, reports are mentioned from some of the Salaf regarding fasting them, including what is narrated from Muhammad ibn Sirin, Mujahid, Ata, and Isa ibn Ali ibn Abdullah ibn Abbas that they used to give attention to fasting these days. It is also narrated from Layth ibn Abi Sulaym that he mentioned Mujahid fasting the ten, and that Ata would give attention to them and strive to fast them.
When some of the Salaf said "fasting the ten," what is meant is fasting the days that may be fasted from the ten, namely the first nine only, because the tenth day is Eid al-Adha and fasting it is forbidden. For this reason, Ibn Sirin disliked saying "he fasted the ten" and said: It should be said "he fasted the nine," so that no one imagines the Day of Nahr is included in fasting.
Ninth DayThe Virtue of Fasting the Day of Arafah
The Day of Arafah is the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, and fasting it for the non-pilgrim is among the best voluntary fasts. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked about fasting the Day of Arafah, and he said:
"It expiates the previous year and the coming year."
يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ المَاضِيَةَ وَالبَاقِيَةَ.
Narrated by Muslim.
This is a great virtue that shows Allah's mercy toward His servants, and that He opens doors of forgiveness through deeds made easy for those whom Allah enables.
