What to do if you are not able to fast Arafat?

Arafat Day is one of the most noble days in Islam. It was present in 9 Zulhijah, when millions of pilgrims stood in the field of Arafat, prayed, and asked for forgiveness from God. For Muslims who are not sustainable, it is recommended to increase charity, and one of the most organized practices is Arafat fasting. The priority is very large, as mentioned in the hadith narrated from Abu Qatadah, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam say,

On Arafa’s Day, I rely on God to redeem the sunnah before him and the sunnah behind him

“Arafat fasting, I hope God can eradicate sin a year ago and a year in the coming year.” [1]

Ibn Qudamah Rahimahullah said,

This is an honest day, a generous vacation, and its amazing virtue

“Arafat Day is a glorious and pleasant day, a noble party, and great priority.” [2]

But in the reality of life, there are some Muslims who have a strong desire to achieve this great reward, but their bodies cannot afford. Either due to illness, physical weakness, old age, breastfeeding, pregnancy, or other causes. Then what can be done by those who cannot afford?

Understand the law of fasting arafat

Arafat fasting is the law of sunnah Miracle (highly recommended), not mandatory. Therefore, for those who don’t do it innocent, by law. An-Nawawi Rahimahullah said,

As for the verdict about this problem, al -hafi’i and his friends said: desired to fast on Arafa’s day for someone who was in Arafa

“As for the law of this problem, Imam Asy-Shafi’i and his friends (Sheikh Madzhab scholars) said, ‘This is poured (recommended) fasting on Arafat Day for those who are not in Arafat (not pilgrims).” [3]

Ibn Muflih Rahimahullah said,

Desired to speed up ten days dhu al -hijjah, And ninth, which is Arafa’s day, in a round voice

“Asked to fast in the first ten days of Zulhijah, and the most emphasized was the ninth day, namely Arafat Day, based on ijma ‘ (Ulama agreement). ” [4]

If you cannot, then don’t force it

Islam is a religion of mercy that does not burden beyond ability. Allah Story said,

God does not burden the soul except his capacity

“God does not burden the soul except in accordance with his abilities.” [5]

Islamic Sharia is also built on the basis of affection and convenience. God does not want to complicate His servants. Allah Story said,

God wants you to make it easier, and don’t want difficulties for you

“God wants ease for you and does not want difficulties for you.” [6]

Sheikh As-Sa’di Rahimahullah Exploring the verse in his book, “God will make it easier for you to go to the greatest and easiest. Therefore, all God’s commands to His servants are initially full of comfort. [7]

If someone is sick, weak, or experiencing physical difficulties that can worsen his condition when fasting, then there is no need to force themselves, because it is contrary to the goals of the Shari’a that maintains the soul and health.

Sincere intentions are still noted the reward

If someone really wants to fast but is hampered, then his good intentions are still recorded as a gift. God’s messenger Shoullahu ‘alaihi wasallam say,

Conversely, the works with the intention

“Indeed, charity depends on his intention …” [8]

Even in another hadith,

Anyone who is good and does not do it, it is written for him, and anyone who has good deeds, he does it, he is written for him up to seven hundred twice

“Anyone who intends to do a goodness but has not done it, then it is recorded for him one good. And whoever intends to do good and then do it, then it is recorded for him ten goodness to seven hundred times.” [9]

In another hadith it is mentioned about some friends who are hindered to follow the war because of the aging, but still get reward. Jabir bin Abdillah tells about his story with the Messenger of Allah and said,

We are with the Prophet ﷺ in the invaders, and he said: The city has a man without a path, and you do not cut the valley, but they are with you, the disease loves them. And in narration: except your part in wages.

“We are with the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam In a war, then he said, ‘Indeed in Medina there are some people who you do not take a journey or pass through a valley, but they are with you; They are blocked by illness. ‘”

In another history he said, “They also get a gift with you.” [10]

The above hadith teaches that if someone wants (intending) to do good deeds, but is blocked by illness or circumstances that he does not want, then God still writes the perfect reward for him.

Also read: Arafat Priority and Priority

Replace with other practices

For those who cannot speed up Arafat, there are still many useful doors that day. Among them:

Improve warnings and destiny

Arafat Day is part of the first 10 days of Zulhijah, which is highly recommended to increase memory. God said,

And they remember the name of God in the information age

“And for them to mention the name of Allah on the days of the deceased.” [11]

The-Buhawi Rahimahullah said,

Desirable to increase Dhikr and request, and try to do it

“So it is advisable to increase memories and prayers, and seriously in that matter.” [12]

Pray on Arafat Day

Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam say,

The best use is prayer on Arafa Day

“The best prayer is prayer on Arafat Day.” [13]

In the hadith narrated by Ibn Umar, he said,

The expansion of God’s messenger, hopefully God’s prayer and peace is above him, is Arafa Day: There is no God but God alone, and there is no partner for him. Forty

“The latest Prophet’s prayer on Arafat Day is: Lāha Ilāha Illāhūka Sharīka, my lahul-mul, biyadihil-kal-cali shay shay shay shayi ; ” [14]

For those who cannot fast, it is advisable to increase prayer on that day, seek forgiveness, compassion, and all the wishes of the world.

Give alms and do good

If the body is not strong enough to fast, then replace it by feeding fasting, or giving alms to the poor. Prophet sHallalahu ‘alaihi wa sallam say,

Anyone who violates fasting people has a gift, but he does not reduce gifts from fasting people

“Anyone who feeds fasting to break, he will get a gift from fasting, without reducing the prize of fasting.” [15]

Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam say,

Afraid of fire, and if it is difficult, if you don’t find it, then a good word

“Protect yourself from hellfire, even by (giving (giving) half of the date. If there is no (can be given), then with good words.” [16]

Don’t be sad if you can’t fast

O my brother, don’t feel that your inability is a barrier to being close to God.

Sometimes, tears and sincerity in limitations are even more loved by Him than practices that look big but empty than sincerity.

Be thankful if you still remember Allah, even though it’s weak. Be thankful if you keep praying, even if you can’t hold hunger. Because God sees intention, not just outward deeds. Allah ‘Azza from Jalla said,

And what you do for good, because God has knowledge

“Whatever goodness you do, then in fact Allah knows it.” [17]

May Allah accept our intentions and actions, strengthen our bodies, expand our food, and take us to the next arafat in a healthy and obedient state. Amen.

Also read: Determination of Arafat Day If there is a difference in Mathla ‘

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Jember, 16 Zulkaidah 1446/14 May 2025

Writer: Gazzeta Raka Putra Setyawan

Article Muslim.or.id

Footnote:

[1] O’clock. Muslim

In another history narrated by a Muslim priest,

I think with God to redeem the sunnah before him and the sunnah afterwards

“I hope that God will erase the sin of the previous year and years afterwards.”

[2] Al-mughni, 4: 443.

[3] Al-Majmu ‘, 6: 428.

[4] Al-Furū ‘, 3: 108.

[5] QS. Al-Baqarar: 286.

[6] QS. Al-Baqarar: 185

[7] Tysir All-Crime Ar-Rahman to provide interpretation of Columb Al-Mannan, matter. 84.

[8] HR. Bukhari and Muslim.

[9] O’clock. Muslim.

[10] O’clock. Muslim.

[11] QS. Al-Hajj:

[12] Al-Adzkar, matter. 198; Through Maktabah Syamilah.

[13] O’clock. Tirmidzi, Hasan.

[14] Hadith Hasan, Told by Imam Ahmad.

[15] O’clock. Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah; Tirmidzi said, “Hasan Hasan Sahih”.

[16] O’clock. Bukhari, Muslim, and An-Nasa’i. This pronunciation is mentioned by the third.

[17] QS. Al-Baqarah: 215.