Fasting on the day of Arafah (9th of Dhul Hijjah)
عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ: أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ سُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ، فَقَالَ
يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ الْمَاضِيَةَ وَالْبَاقِيَةَ
Yukaffiru as-sanata al-māḍiyata wa al-bāqiyah
On the authority of Abu Qatadah (رضي الله عنه), that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ ) was asked concerning fasting on the day of ‘Arafah so he said:
It expiates sins of the previous year as well as the following year
(Sahih Muslim – Narrated by Abu Qatadah)
An-Nawawi (رحمه الله) said: “Its meaning is that it expiates the sins of the one who fasts it for that of two years, and the intent by that is of the minor sins, and this is similar to the expiation of the errors through performance of wudhu. Thus, if there are no more minor sins, then it is hoped for a lessening from the major sins, and if there are not to be; then through the raising of the ranks.”
