Fatwa's Insights - Worship

THE 38TH MEETING OF THE PERLIS STATE FATWA COMMITTEE / 2018

8 - 9 NOVEMBER 2018 / 30 SAFAR & 1 RABIUL AWWAL 1440H

FATWA ON THE DETERMINATION OF EID AL-ADHA AND ARAFAH FASTING

1) Any country that shares the same matla' (lunar horizon) should celebrate Eid on the same date. Likewise for the determination of Arafah fasting. Whereas any country with a different matla', the determination of Eid is based on the decision of the ulil amri (those in authority), as it involves the manifestation of unity together with Muslims in that locality.

2) As for the determination of the recommended Arafah fast, it is a matter of disagreement (khilaf) among scholars. The majority of scholars issue fatwas that each person should follow the determination of the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah in their respective countries, and this view has strong justifications. However, since it is a personal practice, a person may choose to fast according to either the Day of Wuquf at Arafah or the 9th Dhul-Hijjah of countries with differing horizons.

Among the evidence:

The Word of Allah the Almighty:

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الأهِلَّةِ قُلْ هِيَ مَوَاقِيتُ لِلنَّاسِ وَالْحَجِّ

Translation: They ask you (O Muhammad) concerning the crescents. Say: "The crescents are signs to mark fixed periods of time for (the affairs and practices of) mankind, especially the pilgrimage (Hajj)." (al-Baqarah: 189)

The statement of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him):

الصَّوْمُ يَوْمَ تَصُومُونَ وَالْفِطْرُ يَوْمَ تُفْطِرُونَ وَالأَضْحَى يَوْمَ تُضَحُّونَ

Translation: Fasting is the day you all fast, breaking the fast is the day you all break your fast, and Eid al-Adha is the day you all perform the sacrifice. (Narrated by Imam al-Tirmidhi).

3) At the same time, the Islamic world is urged to manifest unity in the determination of important days in Islam.