1.) What is the importance of the ‘Day of Arafaat’, for people who are not in Hajj, and how should they observe it? 2. Should it be observed on the same day as in Makkah, or per the local calendar?

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For Q2 as an example, this year (2002 C.E./1422 Hijri) Yaum-e-Arafaat (9th of Thoul Hajjah) falls on Thursday (Feb 21st) in Saudi Arabia, but in Chicago, it falls on Friday (Feb 22nd). It?s confusing on which day I should fast and observe it. Second issue is, in other neighboring cities, like Detroit, here in the USA, Eid-ul-Adha has been declared to be on Friday, based on the Saudi calendar, but in Chicago, the committees have declared it to be on Saturday. But still several people are observing it on Friday, even my sister who lives close to my house is observing it on Friday, whereas I am fasting this day (being the 9th). How can this be addressed, and what should the correct stance be?

Mufti Ebrahim Desai · Accepted Answer

Hajj with all its rituals is restricted to the specific places, e.g. Mina, Arafaat, etc.

However, one should involve himself in Ibaadat and Dhikr keeping the greatness of the day in mind. Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) mentions in Hadith on the authority of ibn Abaas (Radhiallaahu Anhu) that, 'There is no days greater in the sight of Allah and there are no days in which actions are beloved to Allah Ta'ala than 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. Hence, increase in it Tasbeeh (recitation of Subhaanallah), Tahmeed (recitation of Alhamdulillah), Tahleel (recitation of Laa ilaaha illallaah) and Takbeer (recitation of Allaahu Akbar). (Mutajirur raabih pg.418)

In another Hadith, Hadhrat Abu Hurayra narrates Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) as saying, 'There are no days more beloved to Allah in which he is worshipped than the 10 days of Dhul Hijja - the fast of each day is equivalent to the fast of a year and standing up in worship of the night of Laylatul Qadr. (Ibid)

The day of Arafaat should be spent in condition of fasting and involved in the Dhikr of Allah Ta'ala. Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'Fasting on the day of Arafaat is a means of wiping off the previous years as well the coming year's sins.' Also Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'Fasting on the day of Arafaat is equal to fast of 1000 days.'

All days of the Islamic calendar, e.g. Eid, Hajj, etc. should be observed as per local calendar. The respective days should be observed according to the sighting of the moon in your area.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

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