By Abdikarim Haji Abdi Buh
Both the fast of ʿArafah and the fast of ʿAshura are among the most rewarding voluntary acts of worship in Islam. They are opportunities to seek Allah’s forgiveness, renew one’s faith, and draw closer to Him. Although both involve fasting, they commemorate different events and carry distinct spiritual significance.
1. The Fast of the Day of ʿArafah (9th of Dhul-Hijjah)
The Day of ʿArafah is the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, one day before Eid al-Adha. It is regarded as one of the holiest days of the Islamic year.
On this day, millions of Muslims performing Hajj gather on the plain of Mount Arafat in one of the most important rites of the pilgrimage. For Muslims who are not performing Hajj, fasting on this day is highly recommended.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Fasting on the Day of Arafah, I hope from Allah, expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.” (Reported in Sahih Muslim)
This is an extraordinary promise. Few acts of worship are associated with such a great reward.
Spiritual Benefits of Fasting on Arafah
- Forgiveness of sins: The fast is a means of expiating minor sins committed during the previous year and the coming year.
- Drawing closer to Allah: Fasting cultivates sincerity, humility, patience, and self-discipline.
- A day of accepted supplication: The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The best supplication is the supplication made on the Day of Arafah.”
- A day of mercy: Allah’s mercy and forgiveness are especially abundant on this day, and many scholars encourage Muslims to spend it in prayer, remembrance (dhikr), Qur’an recitation, and sincere repentance.
Why Pilgrims Do Not Fast
Those performing Hajj are generally not encouraged to fast on Arafah, because they need physical strength for the demanding rituals of the pilgrimage. The Prophet ﷺ himself did not fast on that day while standing at Arafah during his Farewell Pilgrimage.
2. The Fast of the Day of ʿAshura (10th of Muharram)
The Day of ʿAshura falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.
It commemorates one of the greatest miracles in sacred history: Allah saved Prophet Moses (Musa, peace be upon him) and the Children of Israel from the tyranny of Pharaoh by parting the sea.
When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ arrived in Madinah, he found the Jewish community fasting on this day in gratitude to Allah. He said:
“We have more right to Moses than they do.”He then fasted the day and encouraged Muslims to fast it as well.
The Prophet ﷺ also said: “Fasting the Day of Ashura, I hope that Allah will expiate the sins of the previous year.”(Reported in Sahih Muslim)
Why Muslims Fast Ashura
Ashura is a day of:
- Gratitude to Allah for His protection and deliverance.
- Following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Seeking forgiveness for minor sins committed during the previous year.
- Reflecting on Allah’s support for truth and justice over oppression.
Should Muslims Fast One Day or More?
Before his death, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“If I live until next year, I will fast the ninth (as well).”
Because of this, scholars recommend:
- The 9th and 10th of Muharram (the preferred practice),
- or the 10th and 11th,
- while fasting only the 10th is still considered valid.
Comparing the Two Blessed Fasts
| Day | Date | Main Significance | Reward |
| Arafah | 9 Dhul- Hijjah | The greatest day of Hajj; a day of mercy and forgiveness | Expiates minor sins of the previous year and the coming year (for those not on Hajj) |
| Ashura | 10 Muharram | Commemorates Allah’s rescue of Prophet Musa and his people | Expiates minor sins of the previous year |
The Meaning of “Expiation of Sins”
Islamic scholars explain that the forgiveness mentioned in these hadiths refers primarily to minor sins. Major sins require sincere repentance (tawbah), which includes:
- Feeling genuine remorse.
- Immediately abandoning the sinful act.
- Resolving never to return to it.
- If another person’s rights were violated, restoring those rights or seeking forgiveness.
Beyond Forgiveness
While the forgiveness of sins is one of the greatest rewards, these fasts offer many other spiritual benefits:
- They strengthen one’s relationship with Allah.
- They cultivate patience and gratitude.
- They remind believers of Allah’s mercy and justice.
- They help purify the heart from pride, anger, and attachment to worldly pleasures.
- They encourage increased worship through prayer, Qur’an recitation, charity, and remembrance of Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ taught that Allah says in a sacred narration (Hadith Qudsi):
“Every deed of the son of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for Me, and I alone reward it.”
(Reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
This highlights the unique status of fasting. Unlike many other acts of worship, its sincerity is known fully only to Allah, making it one of the most intimate expressions of devotion.
For Muslims who are able, observing the fasts of ʿArafah and ʿAshura each year is a beautiful way to seek Allah’s forgiveness, renew one’s faith, and follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. They remind believers that Allah’s mercy is vast and that even simple acts of sincere worship can carry immense spiritual rewards.
Sahih Muslim
Sahih Muslim is one of the most important collections of hadith—reports describing the words, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad—in Sunni Islam. Compiled by the 9th-century scholar Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, it is widely regarded as among the most authentic hadith collections and is commonly ranked alongside Sahih al-Bukhari as a foundational source of Islamic tradition.
Related Major Hadith Collections
Compilation and Method
Sahih Muslim was compiled during the third century of the Islamic calendar. Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj applied rigorous standards when evaluating chains of transmission (isnad) and the reliability of narrators, selecting only reports he considered authentic. The collection is particularly valued for its careful organization and for presenting multiple transmission routes of the same report when relevant.
Structure and Contents
The work covers a broad range of subjects including faith, worship, ethics, family life, commercial dealings, and legal matters. It is arranged into thematic books and chapters, allowing readers and scholars to locate narrations related to specific topics. The collection contains several thousand narrations when accounting for repeated transmission chains.
Importance in Islamic Scholarship
For Sunni Muslims, Sahih Muslim serves as a primary source for understanding prophetic teachings after the Qur’an. Jurists, theologians, historians, and hadith specialists have relied on it for centuries in the development of Islamic law and religious thought. Its authenticity standards and scholarly reception have made it one of the most studied works in the hadith tradition.
Legacy and Influence
The collection has inspired numerous commentaries, translations, and academic studies across the Muslim world. Along with Sahih al-Bukhari, it forms part of the Sahihayn (“the Two Authentic Collections”), a designation reflecting its exceptional status within Sunni hadith literature. Its influence continues in religious education, legal scholarship, and contemporary Islamic studies.
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