The Day of Arafah refers to the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, and fasting on this day is a Sunnah.
Numerous hadiths mention the virtues of fasting on the Day of Arafah. One such narration is:
The Prophet ﷺ was asked about fasting on the Day of Arafah. He said: “It expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.” (Sahih Muslim – 1162)
In Makkah, pilgrims stand in Arafah on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, based on local moon-sighting. Similarly, in other countries, fasting on the Day of Arafah is observed on their own 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, which may differ due to local moon sightings.
This is the view adopted by the majority of Islamic scholars and is considered a strong and reliable opinion.
Notably, this view is supported by prominent scholars such as Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (Rahimahullah), as well as contemporary Islamic institutions like Darul Uloom Deoband and the Islamic Fiqh Council of the Muslim World League (Rābitat al-‘Ālam al-Islāmī).
This is also the official stance of the Fatwa Committee and Executive Committee of the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU). You may view their detailed ruling at the following link: https://www.acju.lk/clarification-on-fasting-on-the-day-of-arafah-in-sri-lanka-2/
Based on this, the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah in Sri Lanka for this year will be on Friday, 6th June 2025.
As fasting on the Day of Arafah is from among the Sunnah fasts specifically mentioned in Hadith, it is permissible in Shari’ah to fast on Friday even if it is observed alone, without needing to fast an additional day.
Further clarification regarding fasting only on Fridays or Saturdays can be viewed at the following link:
https://www.acju.lk/ta/fr-std-fst-ftw/
May Allah Ta‘ala grant all of us the ability to fast on the Day of Arafah and attain its great rewards.
Aameen.
Executive Committee : https://www.acju.lk/executive-committee-en/
Fatwa Committee: https://www.acju.lk/fatwa/
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU)
