Approaching Eid al-Adha, This is the Reading of the Intention of Fasting Arafah and Also Know Its Extraordinary Virtue

Kapanlagi.com - Soon, Muslims will meet the celebration of Eid al-Adha or commonly known as the Feast of Sacrifice. As we know, this Islamic festival is commemorated every 10th of Zulhijah, or this year falls on August 31, 2020. Before entering the celebration, Muslims are recommended to observe the fast of Arafah. Therefore, it is important for you to know the reading of the intention of fasting Arafah and its virtues.

The fast of Arafah is performed one day before the celebration of Eid al-Adha or coinciding with the time when Hajj pilgrims perform the standing at Arafah. This means that this year the fast of Arafah is performed on July 30, 2020. As a highly recommended voluntary or sunnah practice, performing the fast of Arafah will be rewarded with multiplied rewards.

To further motivate you to perform the fast of Arafah, here is a review of the reading of the intention of fasting Arafah along with its virtues, summarized from various sources.

1. Reading of Arafah Fasting Intention

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Just like any other fasting worship, Arafah fasting also has a specific intention that must be recited before performing it. Without a sincere intention, fasting worship can become in vain. If the intention to fast for Ramadan is recited on the night before the fasting day arrives, then there are two times for Arafah fasting. First, the intention to fast for Arafah can be recited on the night before fasting or secondly, during the day when you are about to fast.

1) The reading of the intention to fast for Arafah at night is as follows:

Nawaitu shauma ghadin 'an adaa'i sunnati Arafah lillaahi ta'aalaa.

Meaning: "I intend to fast the sunnah of Arafah tomorrow for the sake of Allah SWT."

2) The reading of the intention to fast for Arafah during the day is as follows:

Nawaitu shauma haadzal yaumi 'an adaa'i sunnati Arafah lillaahi ta‘aalaa.

Meaning: "I intend to fast the sunnah of Arafah today for the sake of Allah SWT."

Both readings of the intention to fast for Arafah above can be recited according to the time condition. However, it should be noted that the reading of the intention to fast for Arafah during the day will only be valid if you have not had a meal after the dawn prayer.

2. Procedure for Fasting Arafah

Apart from the intention, there is nothing special that distinguishes the procedure for fasting Arafah from other fasts. The pillars of fasting Arafah are the same as other fasts. You are required to refrain from hunger, thirst, and other desires from sunrise until sunset, at the time of Maghrib prayer.

3. Virtues of Fasting Arafah

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As one of the highly recommended voluntary acts of worship, fasting Arafah has extraordinary virtues. One of the most exceptional virtues is the forgiveness of sins for the past year. This is as mentioned by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in one of his hadiths:

"Fasting on the day of Arafah expiates the sins of the previous and upcoming year, and fasting on the day of Ashura (10th of Muharram) expiates the sins of the previous year," (Narrated by Muslim).

4. Voluntary Fasting in the Month of Zulhijah

In addition to fasting on the Day of Arafah on the 9th of Zulhijah, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also recommended his followers to fast on the early days of the month of Zulhijah. As conveyed in the following hadith:

"Narrated by Hunaidah Ibn Khalid, from his wife, from one of the wives of the Prophet (pbuh) (it was narrated that) she said: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) used to fast on the nine days of Zulhijah, the Day of Ashura, three days of every month, and the first Monday and Thursday of every month" (Narrated by Abu Dawud, Ahmad, and al-Baihaqi).

It means that it is highly recommended to fast from the 1st to the 8th of Zulhijah, not only on the Day of Arafah, in order to attain maximum blessings. Then continue with fasting on the Day of Arafah on the 9th of Zulhijah.

5. Prohibited Fasting on the Days of Tashriq

In addition to the recommended fasting on the 1st to the 9th of Zulhijah, there are also days in the month of Zulhijah when Muslims are prohibited from fasting. These days are called the Days of Tashriq. The Days of Tashriq in the month of Zulhijah fall on the 10th to the 13th of Zulhijah, or on the Gregorian calendar this year on July 31 - August 3, 2020.

So that is the intention and the virtues of fasting on the Day of Arafah along with important information related to this voluntary fasting. Therefore, do not miss the opportunity to receive blessings and virtues from fasting on the Day of Arafah this year.

(kpl/psp)