If countries differ with regard to when the day of 3Arafah is, with whom should I fast?
Shaykh Ibn 3Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: what if the day of 3Arafah is different because of the moon being sighted at different times in different countries? Should we fast according to the moon sighting in the country where we are or according to the moon sighting in al-Haramayn (the two Holy Sanctuaries)?
He replied: "This is based on a difference of opinion among the scholars: Is there only one moon sighting for the whole world or does it vary according to when the moon rises in different places?
The correct view is that it varies according to when the moon rises in different places.
For example, if the moon is sighted in Makkah, and today is the ninth, and it is sighted elsewhere one day before Makkah, and the day of 3Arafah in Makkah is the tenth for them, it is not permissible for them to fast on this day because it is Eid.
Similarly if it so happens that they sight the moon after Makkah, and the 9th in Makkah is the 8th for them, then they should fast the day that is the 9th for them, which is the 10th in Makkah. This is the correct view, because the Prophet sallAllaahu 3alayhi wa sallam said:When you see it (the new moon) fast and when you see it break your fast.
Those who did not see the moon in their own location have not seen it. Just as people are unanimously agreed that the times for dawn and sunset vary according to their own location, so too the months are also worked out by location, just like the daily timings.(2)
Best Du3aa' on the Day of 3Arafah
It was narrated from 3Abd-Allaah ibn 3Amr ibn al-3Aas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet sallAllaahu 3alayhi wa sallam said: The best of du3aa is du3aa on the day of 3Arafah, and the best that I and the Prophets before me said is:
لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ، له الملك ، وله الحمد ، وهو على كل شيء قدير
Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahul-mulk wa lahul-hamd wa huwa 3ala kulli shayin qadeer'
(There is no god but Allaah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the dominion, to Him be praise, and He has power over all things). (3)
It was narrated from Talhah ibn 3Ubayd ibn Kurayz in a mursal report: The best of du3aa is du3aa on the day of 3Arafah. (4).
The scholars differed concerning this virtue of du3aa on the day of 3Arafah, whether it applies only to those who are in 3Arafah or it includes other places. The more correct view is that it is general and that the virtue is connected to the day but undoubtedly those who are in 3Arafah have combined the virtue of the place with the virtue of the time.
Al-Baaji (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
The words The best of du3aa is on the day of 3Arafah mean the dhikr with the greatest blessing, the greatest reward and that which is most likely to be answered. It may be interpreted as referring to pilgrims only, because the meaning of du3aa on the day of 3Arafah is very true in their case, and applies especially to them. But if the day of 3Arafah is regarded in general terms, it is described as such because of the pilgrims being there. And Allaah knows best". (5)
========================================================================References:>(1) Saheeh Muslim
(2) Majmoo al-Fataawa, 20.
http://islamqa.com/en/ref/40720/
(3)At-Tirmidhi (3585) classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb (1536).
(4) Narrated by Maalik in al-Muwatta (500); classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami (1102)
(5) <span>http://islamqa.com/en/ref/70282
(There is no god but Allaah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the dominion, to Him be praise, and He has power over all things). (3)
It was narrated from Talhah ibn 3Ubayd ibn Kurayz in a mursal report: The best of du3aa is du3aa on the day of 3Arafah. (4).
The scholars differed concerning this virtue of du3aa on the day of 3Arafah, whether it applies only to those who are in 3Arafah or it includes other places. The more correct view is that it is general and that the virtue is connected to the day but undoubtedly those who are in 3Arafah have combined the virtue of the place with the virtue of the time.
Al-Baaji (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
The words The best of du3aa is on the day of 3Arafah mean the dhikr with the greatest blessing, the greatest reward and that which is most likely to be answered. It may be interpreted as referring to pilgrims only, because the meaning of du3aa on the day of 3Arafah is very true in their case, and applies especially to them. But if the day of 3Arafah is regarded in general terms, it is described as such because of the pilgrims being there. And Allaah knows best". (5)
========================================================================References:>(1) Saheeh Muslim
(2) Majmoo al-Fataawa, 20.
http://islamqa.com/en/ref/40720/
(3)At-Tirmidhi (3585) classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb (1536).
(4) Narrated by Maalik in al-Muwatta (500); classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami (1102)
(5) <span>http://islamqa.com/en/ref/70282
