The ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah (the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar) is the day of 'Arafah. It is the day when pilgrims stand on the plain of 'Arafah to pray. On this day, Muslims all over the world who do not witness the annual hajj should spend the day in fasting, in preparation for the three days festivity following 'Eid ul-Adha (the celebration marking the end of the hajj commemorating the Prophet Ibrâhîm's willingness of sacrifice).


Abû Hafsah, may Allâh be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said:

"Fasting on the day of 'Arafah absolves the sins for two years: the previous year and the coming year, and fasting on 'ashûra, (the tenth day of Muharram) atones for the sins of previous years." [Reported by all except al-Bukhârî and Tirmidhî]

In another saying the Prophet's wife Hafsah, may Allâh be pleased with her, said:

"Four things the Messenger of Allâh never neglected: Observing fast on the day of 'ashûra, 'Arafat, three days every month, and offering fajr sunnah prayers early in the morning." [Muslim]

These statements are proof that fasting on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, the day before 'Eid ul-Adha was a lifelong practice of the Prophet, peace be upon him, as his wife reported.

There are some reports that fasting is prohibited on the day of 'Arafah. However, it must be understood that this refers to a person performing the hajj. If a person is on the hajj, there is no fast for him or her on the day of 'Arafah. That is undoubtedly a blessing for him because of the hardships of the pilgrimage. In a saying reported by Umm al-Fadl, may Allâh be pleased with her, she said:

"The companions doubted whether the Prophet was fasting on 'Arafah or not. She decided to prove to them that he was not, so she said, 'I sent to him milk, which he drank while he was delivering the khutbah (sermon) on 'Arafah.' " [Recorded by al-Bukhârî]

Prohibiting the pilgrims from fasting on these days is a great mercy for them, for fasting will exert undue hardship on the person performing the hajj, while they are primarily concerned with their pilgrimage. Above all, the pilgrim would not be fasting anyway because he is travelling.

It is mustahabb to fast the first eight days of Dhu’l-Hijjah for pilgrims and others.



Praise be to Allaah. 




Fasting on the first eight days of Dhu’l-Hijjah is mustahabb for pilgrims and others, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: 


“There are no days in which good deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days.” They said: O Messenger of Allaah, not even jihad for the sake of Allaah? The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allaah, unless a man goes out with his self and his wealth and comes back with neither.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (969) and al-Tirmidhi (757), from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him). 


It says in al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah (28/91): The fuqaha’ are unanimously agreed that it is mustahabb to fast during the first eight days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, before the day of ‘Arafah. The Maalikis and Shaafa’is stated that it is Sunnah to fast on these days for the pilgrim too. End quote. 


It says in Nihaayat al-Muhtaaj (3/207): It is Sunnah to fast the eight days before the day of ‘Arafah, as is stated in al-Rawdah, and that applies equally to pilgrims and others, but it is not Sunnah for the pilgrim to fast on the day of ‘Arafah, rather it is mustahabb for him not to fast then, even if he is able for it, following the example of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and so that he will have more strength for du’aa’. End quote. 


And Allaah knows best.

Great Islamic web sites :-

Dr. Zahlool Al-Najjar Websites 


IN Arabic

http://www.elnaggarzr.com/

IN English

http://www.elnaggarzr.com/en/index.php

 IN French

http://www.elnaggarzr.com/Test_fre/france/index_F.asp

In Spanish


http://www.elnaggarzr.com/Test_fre/Spanish/index_S.asp

In Chinese


http://www.elnaggarzr.com/Test_fre/China/1.htm

Dr. Zahlool Al-Najjar is a great Muslim Geologist and Scientist who wrote many books, publications (131 publications as shown on his resume in English), and 10s of journals and reports proving many of the Noble Quranic Geological and Scientific Claims to be accurate through Modern Science and Technologies.

Read more :-

http://www.elnaggarzr.com/CV-E.htm

He is well known in the Scientists community of Geology in both the US and Europe, because much of his work and research, especially during his early days of scientific research, was done in these countries while he resided and studied in them.

Harun Yahya Websites.

http://www.harunyahya.com/

 Mircles of the Noble Quran

http://www.harunyahya.com/miracles_of_the_quran_01.php

http://www.harunyahya.com/c_miracles_quran.php

Quran_archaeology

http://www.harunyahya.com/c_quran_archaeology.php

myth_called_matter

http://www.harunyahya.com/c_myth_called_matter.php

Design nature

http://www.harunyahya.com/c_design_nature.php

Miracles of the Noble Quran.  Video files.


http://www.hyahya.org/m_video_miracles_quran.php

Harun Yahya Refute darwinism

http://www.harunyahya.com/c_refutation_darwinism.php

Harun Yahya Refute atheism

http://www.harunyahya.com/c_refutation_atheism.php

Read that Great Book 

http://www.islam-guide.com/

A great book that contains several articles backed by good Scientific references that prove several of the Noble Quran's Scientific Miracles.

New Islamic Portal www.YaNabi.com.

http://www.yanabi.com/

Good islamic website

http://www.ummah.com/

Islam Online 

A web site that contains the great work of the Egyptian Sheikh (Minister) Yusuf Al-Qaradawi; may Allah Almighty always be pleased with him.

In Arabic language 

http://www.islamonline.net/arabic/index.shtml

In English  language 

http://www.islamonline.net/English/index.shtml

A great web site built by a Muslima sister who recently embraced Islam
May Allah Almighty always be pleased with her.

http://www.themodernreligion.com/index.html

More Websites About Islam

http://islamans.tripod.com/index.htm

http://www.harunyahya.org/Eng/homeeng.html

http://www.harunyahya.org/

http://www.members.tripod.com/safia71/

Comparative Studies, questions & Answers to the most spotlighted issues in Islam. Link to Yusuf Ali's translation of the Quran.

http://islam101.net/

Islamic City

Islamic City Center of Islamic resources geared towards Muslims. Quran, Ahadith, Prayer Time, etc.

http://www.islamicity.com/

sunnah.com

The Islam Page --- A storehouse of links to information about all areas of Islam.

http://sunnah.com/

islaam.com

Hadith (sayings of Prophet Mohammed peace be upon him), hear the Holy Quran with RealAudio. Principles of Islam.

http://islaam.com/


islamworld.net

Learn more about Islam, woman in Islam, organization, comparative religion, and other things.

http://islamworld.net/


www.cair.com:

 Find local mosques searched by zip codes or states, learn about the Muslims status in the U.S., learn about community activities done by Muslims, and you can also donate to help the poors.

http://www.cair.com/

Bridgebuilding Between Christian and Muslim


http://www.islamicity.org/mosque/Bridge.htm


God as seen in Christianity and Islam

http://www.angelfire.com/fl/religions/god.html

Listen To Inter-Faith Dialogues  (J. Badawi)

http://www.islamicity.com/multimedia/cybertv/ch21/

Islam On The Rise  (Some comparative info).

http://members.tripod.co.uk/islamonrise/index.html

Black Stone

http://www.angelfire.com/ny/dawahpage/bstone.html

Tolerance In Islam

http://users.erols.com/gmqm/toleran1.html

PROOF OF PRESERVATION OF THE QUR'AN

http://www.iol.ie/~afifi/BICNews/Sabeel/sabeel3.htm

The Buhayra Monk Incident 
(Refutes the claim that the prophet got his teachings from Christian sources)

http://www.renaissance.com.pk/mjucri98.html

Stories of new Muslims.

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/newmuslims/

Islamic–World.net 

A very good site about Islam and Islamic history and information.

http://islamic-world.net/

www.al-usrah.net

Has a good collection of Islamic articles.

http://www.al-usrah.net/

Islamic site in French.

http://www.oumma.com/

Arab Marriage Connection.

Its called the "Arab Marriage Connection" and is a site for Muslimahs (or their families) to find good brothers and vice-versa, Insha'Allah. The site is closely monitored to make sure everything is modest.

http://www.singlemuslim.com/

An ON LINE Dictionary to the Arabic words used in the Noble Quran.

http://www.emuslim.com/quran/lughat.asp

What would Prophet Muhammad do? 

This site was made by brother William Colletti; an American Muslim brother who embraced Islam.

http://www.wwmd.50megs.com/

A 6-year old boy memorized the Noble Quran.

http://www.al-islam.org/biographies/tabatabai/

Islam, Quran and Al-Qiyamah (Day of Judgement)


http://www.al-qiyamah.org/

Shedding some Light on Islam.

http://eulogium.4t.com/belief.html

www.what-is-islam.org 

This web site uses flash technology that plays neat looking videos about Islam and Christianity.

http://www.what-is-islam.org/

About the Prophet Muhammed peace be upon him

In Arabic 

http://www.rasoulallah.net/

In English 

http://www.rasoulallah.net/v2/index.aspx?lang=en

in Hebrew

http://www.rasoulallah.net/v2/index.aspx?lang=heb

GERMAN

http://www.rasoulallah.net/v2/index.aspx?lang=gr

Italian

http://www.rasoulallah.net/v2/index.aspx?lang=it

China 

http://www.rasoulallah.net/v2/index.aspx?lang=ch

Spanish

http://www.rasoulallah.net/v2/index.aspx?lang=es

French

http://www.rasoulallah.net/v2/index.aspx?lang=fr

Russian

http://www.rasoulallah.net/v2/index.aspx?lang=ros

Indonesian

http://www.rasoulallah.net/v2/index.aspx?lang=indo

Portuguese

http://www.rasoulallah.net/v2/index.aspx?lang=por

Great Websites

http://www.islamalways.com/

http://islamnewsroom.com/

http://www.islam101.com/

http://english.islamway.com/

http://www.islamtomorrow.com/

http://www.iloveislem.com/

http://www.ahmed-deedat.net/

Introduction for Non Muslims

Islam: The True Religion

http://www.islamworld.net/true.html

A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam

http://www.islam-guide.com/

The Muslim Belief

http://www.islamworld.net/aqeedah.html

I want to be a Muslim..Now what?

http://www.islamworld.net/condfa.html

How to become a Muslim

http://www.islamworld.net/become.html

Stories of People finding the truth

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/newmuslims/

Certainty: Condition of "La ilaha ill Allah"

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=389

Shahada - Confession of Faith

http://muttaqun.com/shahada.html

Answer all questions About islam

In arabic

http://www.islamqa.com/ar

English

http://www.islamqa.com/en

China.. 中文

http://www.islamqa.com/zh

French.. Français

http://www.islamqa.com/fr

Español

http://www.islamqa.com/es

Japanese..日本語 

http://www.islamqa.com/ja

Indonesian

http://www.islamqa.com/id

RUSSIAN ..Русский 

http://www.islamqa.com/ru

Hindi 

http://www.islamqa.com/hi

Turkish

http://www.islamqa.com/tr

اردو
Urdu


http://www.islamqa.com/ur

Uygur

http://www.islamqa.com/ug

The Noble Quran

Quran Information

http://www.islamworld.net/quran.info.html

Topic Index of the Quran

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/quranindex.html

Index of Quran by Surah

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/

Search Quran by Word

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/reference/searchquran.html

Search Quran in Arabic or English

http://quran.nu/

Quran in Arabic script

http://quran.nu/index.asp

Transliteration of the Quran

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/transliteration/

Translations of the Holy Quran

English

http://quran.al-islam.com/Page.aspx?pageid=221&BookID=15&Page=1

Français

http://quran.al-islam.com/Page.aspx?pageid=221&BookID=16&Page=1

Deutsch

http://quran.al-islam.com/Page.aspx?pageid=221&BookID=17&Page=1

Türkçe

http://quran.al-islam.com/Page.aspx?pageid=221&BookID=18&Page=1

Melayu

http://quran.al-islam.com/Page.aspx?pageid=221&BookID=19&Page=1

Indonesia

http://quran.al-islam.com/Page.aspx?pageid=221&BookID=20&Page=1

Bosnian

http://www.kuranikerim.com/bosnian/m_indexb.htm

Urdu

http://www.pakdata.com/quran/

Albanian

http://www.iiu.edu.my/deed/quran/albanian/index.html

Bangla

http://www.muslimtents.com/banglaquran/quran/list.html

Russian

http://www.kuran.gen.tr/

The Noble Quran English translation by Dr. Muhsin Khan and Dr. Muhammad Al-Hilali

http://quran.nu/

The best website for listening to the best reciters of Qura'an 

http://www.tvquran.com

Translations of THE NOBLE QURAN

http://www.islamway.com/SF/quran/

Tafseer (An explanation of the verses of the Quran).

How Tafseer is Performed? by Ibn Taymeeyah

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=29

In the Shade of the Quran - Part 30 by Sayyid Qutb

http://www.islamworld.net/qutb/shade.html

Quran Tafsir Ibn Kathir Great Web site to Explain Every verse in Quran (English) 

http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php

http://www.tafsir.com/

Explanation of Surah al-Ikhlaas -
 The Chapter of Purity by Shaykh-ul-Islam Taqi ad-Deen Ibn Taymiyyah

http://www.islamworld.net/docs/ikhlas.html

Adwaa al-Bayaan by MUHAMMAD AL-AMEEN ASH-SHANQEETEE
 (Tafseer translated into English)

http://www.islamworld.net/ADWAA/

Signs of Allah’s Existence

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=469

A Reminder of the Story of `Aad and Thamud   Imam Ibn Kathir

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=578

Al-Hamdulillaah

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=20

Allah Grants Help and Victory to Followers of the True Deen
Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=580

Commentary on the Basmala   Imam at-Tabari

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=359

Commentary on the Verse 35:32
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=28

Explanation of Soorah al-`Asr -
The Time   Imam Ibn Kathir

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=23

Explanation of Soorah al-Kaafiroon -
The Disbelievers   Imam Ibn Kathir

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=24

Explanation of Soorah al-Qadr
Imam Ibn Kathir

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=332

Explanation of the First Verse in Soorah al-Hujuraat
Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=247

Seek Help in Patience and Prayer (Explanation of 2:153-154)
Imam Ibn Kathir

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=381

Tafseer of az-Zalzalah (99):7-8
Imam Ibn Kathir

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=26

Tafseer of the Salaf   Imam Ibn Taymiyyah

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=30

Warning From Abandoning the Qur'aan

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=33

How To Benefit From the Qur'aan

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=34

The Excellence of the Followers of the Qur'an

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=35

The Veneration of the Mighty Qur'an by Imam al-Bayhaqi

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=37

The Qur'anic Path

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=36

The Names and Attributes of the Quraan Shaykh Muhammad Jameel Zeeno

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=396

The Miracle of Qur'anic Eloquence and Style By Dr. Abdul Radhi Muhammad Abdul Mohsen

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=421

The Virtues of the Qur'an By Shaykh `Abdul Qadir al-Arna'oot

Part 1

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=442

Part 2

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=443

The Meaning of The Pronoun "We" As Used in The Qur'aan

http://www.islaam.net/display/display.php?id=569&category=2

Tafsir in arabic 
Tafsir ibn kathir (in arabic)

http://quran.al-islam.com/Page.aspx?pageid=221&BookID=11&Page=1

Tafsir el tabarie  (in arabic)

http://quran.al-islam.com/Page.aspx?pageid=221&BookID=13&Page=1

Tafsir el Galaleen  (in arabic)

http://quran.al-islam.com/Page.aspx?pageid=221&BookID=12&Page=1

Tafsir el kortobie  (in arabic)

http://quran.al-islam.com/Page.aspx?pageid=221&BookID=14&Page=1

videos About islam

http://www.tubeislam.com/

http://www.shareislam.com/

http://www.allahsquran.com/all_about_the_quran.php

science islam

http://www.scienceislam.com/

Prophet of islam.com

http://prophetofislam.com/

HADITH AND SUNNAH:

Search all collections of Hadiths

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/reference/searchhadith.html

Chapter 1 from Sharh Riyaad-is-Saalieheen (Explanation of Riyaad-us-Saaliheen) -
 Shaykh Saleem al-Hilaalee

http://www.islaam.net/display/display.php?id=15&category=6

Sahih Bukhari Hadith Database (Includes on-line text search)

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/

Sahih al-Bukhari.Com

http://sahihalbukhari.com/sps/sbk/

Sahih Muslim (Partial)

http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muslim/

Sahih Muslim (Full Translation)

http://www.iiu.edu.my/deed/hadith/muslim/index.html

Sunan Abu Dawud

http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/abudawud/

Muwatta Malik

http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muwatta/

An-Nawawis Forty Hadeeth

http://www.islamworld.net/nawawi.html

Forty Hadith Qudsi

http://www.islamworld.net/40.html

Authentic Supplications of the Prophet by Waleed K.S. Al-Essa

http://www.qss.org/archives/asop/tc.html

Guide to Understanding An-Nawawi's 40 Hadeeth

http://www.qss.org/articles/nw40/00.html

Indispensability of Hadith

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=232

Hadeeth- Rules for Acceptance and Transmission

http://www.islaam.net/display/display.php?id=20&category=6

Some Commonly Quoted Fabricated Ahaadeeth

http://www.islaam.net/display/display.php?id=21&category=6

Rules Governing the Criticism of Hadeeth

http://www.islaam.net/display/display.php?id=191&category=6

The Science of Hadith

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/scienceofhadith/atit.html

Seerah (Biography of the Prophet Muhammad (saw)
The Message of the Prophet's Seerat by Abul A'la Mawdudi

http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Articles/sunnah/message_of_the_prophets_seerat.htm

Twelve Proofs that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a True Prophet

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=61

The Prophet Muhammads Conduct and Morals as an Evidence of His Prophethood By Dr. Abdul Radhi Muhammad Abdul Mohsen

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=424

The Fiqh us-Seerah Epilogue By Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=422

Description of the Prophet (SAW) #1

http://www.islaam.net/display/display.php?id=582&category=6

Importance of the Sunnah
The authority of the Prophet and his Sunnah

http://www.islamworld.net/auth.html

On the Obligation of Man to Accept the Authority of the Prophet

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=204

The Status of Sunnah in Islam

http://www.qss.org/articles/status.html

Using The Aahaad Hadith In Issues Of `Aqidah

http://www.qss.org/articles/Aahaad.html

Examining Our Love for the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=254

What is Related From the Early Muslims and Imams About Following the Sunnah - by Qadi `Iyyaad


http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=285

Rights of the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam - by Sh. Muhammad Saalih Aal-`Uthaymeen

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=284

Introduction to The Sunnah and Its Position in the Islamic Law

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=240

Following the Messenger of Allah is a Must

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=239

The Deviation of those who are satisfied with The Qur'an to the exclusion of Hadeeth

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=44

Status of Ahaadeeth in:
"The Lawful and Prohibited in Islaam"

http://www.islamworld.net/HADITH/QARADAWI.html

Riyad-us-Saliheen

http://www.islamworld.net/HADITH/RIYADUS.html

Signs Before the Day of Judgement

http://www.islamworld.net/HADITH/SIGNS.html

Adab al-Mufrad of Imaam Bukhaaree

http://www.islamworld.net/HADITH/Mufrad.html

Fundamental Beliefs in Islam
Islam: The True Religion

http://www.islamworld.net/true.html

Pillars of Faith - Sh.Ja`far Sheikh Idris

Introduction

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=48

God

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=49

The Hereafter

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=50

The Angels

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=51

The Books

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=52

The Messengers

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=53

Qadar

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=54

Conclusions

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=55

The Necessity to Refer to the Qur'an and Sunnah

http://www.islamworld.net/refer_q_and_s.html

Rights of Allah by Sh. Ibn `Uthaymeen

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=296

Mankind's Greatest Need

http://www.troid.org/articles/aqeedah/introductorymaterial/greatestneed.htm

Aqeedah: The Muslim Belief by Shiakh Mohammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaimeen

http://www.islamworld.net/aqeedah.html

Authentic Islaamic 'Aqeedah & What Opposes it by Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz

http://www.islamworld.net/aqeedah.html

The Prerequisites of the Declaration of Faith by Jamal al-Din Zarabozo

http://www.islamworld.net/condfa.html

Aqeedatul-Waasitiyyah by Ibn Taymiyyah

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/introduction/wasiti/taimiyah_1.html

General Prescripts of Belief in the Qur'an and Sunnah

http://www.qss.org/archives/aqeedah/1.html

Three chapters from "The Fundamentals of Tawheed" by Abu Ameenah Philips

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/tawheed/abutaw/abutaw_1.html

More than 50 links To Great comparative Religion Websites

http://truth-revealed1.blogspot.com/2010/11/more-than-50-links-to-great-comparative.html