About the difference between the fasting times of Arofah and Eid al-Adha in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong

DDHK.ORG - About the difference between the fasting times of Arofah and Eid al-Adha in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong

Peace, mercy and blessings of God

Ustadz, I want to ask about the fasting of Arofah and Eid al-Adha which was discussed by many people on social media yesterday.

When in Saudi Arabia the pilgrims are performing wukuf Arafah, meaning the day after is Eid al-Adha. That means, if we are in Hong Kong and the Arofah fast is set to coincide with Eid al-Adha in Saudi Arabia, it means we are fasting on the day of Tasyrik, which is forbidden to fast.

How to deal with this?

Thank you, Ustadz.

Greetings, Fulanah

ANSWER:

ليكم السلام الله ات

Bismillah… There are three methods to determine when a Muslim fasts Arafah on the 9th of Dhulhijjah. Are as follows:

First, reckoning (calculation of astronomy). This method is considered very accurate, practical, and efficient because it can be said that it almost does not go wrong. Even if you don't see (ru'yah) the new moon (month 1), it has been determined that it has entered the 1st because the new moon is already in existence (there are) even though it is not visible.

Second, ru'yatul hilal (seeing the new moon). This method does not mean leaving the reckoning as above. However, to ensure the astronomical count, it is necessary to make efforts to reconnoiter the new moon in every mathla' (the place where the new moon appears).

So in each country there can be differences when it falls on the 1st because some have succeeded in seeing the new moon and some have not. So for example, when Saudi Arabia managed to see the new moon of Dzulhijjah on Thursday evening, June 30, 2022, the country determined that Eid al-Adha would fall on Saturday, July 9, 2022, where Arofah day fell on Friday, July 8, 2022.

However, in other countries that both celebrate the new moon on Thursday, June 30, 2022 not all of them are successful, so they complete the month of Dzulqa'dah to 30 days, so that Dhulhijjah falls on July 1 where Eid al-Adha falls on July 10 , while the day of Arofah falls on Saturday, July 9, 2022.

Third, method of following wukuf in Arofah. Namely, determining the beginning of Dzulhijjah according to the decision of Saudi Arabia because that is where the Hajj, including the wukuf of Arofah, is carried out. So, there are those who argue that fasting Arofah must follow wukuf in Arofah. Worried, if we are fasting Arofah elsewhere but in Saudi it is Eid al-Adha, then fasting is prohibited on that day. So instead of getting a reward, you get a sin.

However, there are things we need to note that the sunnah fasting of Arofah 9 Dzulhijjah was prescribed long before the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam made the pilgrimage and performed wukuf in Arofah. In fact, according to many narrations, fasting the sunnah of Arofah has existed since the 2nd year of Hijriyah, while the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam only performed wukuf and made the pilgrimage in 10 Hijriyah.

So, from the year 2 to 9 Hijriyah, Arofah did not have any wukuf activities because there was no Hajj ritual. So fasting Arofah does not always have to refer to the same as when wukuf in Arofah.

As for the differences in Eid al-Adha in each country, it is natural because they have the right to determine when the first day of the month of Dzulhijjah falls with the ru'yatul hilal method in each mathla'. Even Saudi clerics of the caliber of Sheikh Utsaimin do not dare to blame if there is a country that determines the beginning of Dzulhijjah is different from Saudi Arabia because of differences in mathla' and when to see the new moon, so that there is a difference between Arofah & Eid al-Adha days.

So, if the scholars and the government in Hong Kong have determined the beginning of Dzulhijjah to fall on July 1, 2022, then for my brothers and sisters there, I invite you to follow the decision there. Even though the day of Arofah in Hong Kong coincides with the Eid al-Adha holiday in Saudi Arabia, it does not necessarily make us sinful for fasting on the Saudi Eid al-Adha. Because in Hong Kong it is still the 9th of Dzulhijjah and it is still the day of Arofah.

Hopefully we are wiser and wiser in understanding the differences of opinion among the Muslims.

Wallâhu a'lam bish-showâb.

Hope it works!

Peace, mercy and blessings of God

...

(Answered by: Ustadz Very Setiyawan, Lc., S.Pd.I., MH)

#Friends of Migrants want to consult about Islamic religious issues and life issues? Come on, submit the question via WhatsApp message to number +852 52982419. [DDHKNews]