3 Recommended Sunnah Fasting in the Month of Dhu al-Hijjah, Full of Special Virtues

Dream - The month of Dhu al-Hijjah is synonymous with the performance of the hajj pilgrimage and also the feast of sacrifice or Eid al-Adha. Not only that, the month of Dhu al-Hijjah also has its own special privileges for Muslims. Where there is an extraordinary reward for Muslims who perform good deeds.

One of the deeds that friends of Dream can do is voluntary fasting. This is also what the Prophet Muhammad did at the beginning of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. As told by Hunaidah bin Kholid from his wife, some of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad said:

"The Prophet Muhammad used to fast for nine days at the beginning of Dhu al-Hijjah, on the day of Ashura (10th of Muharram), fast for three days every month,..." (HR. Abu Daud)

However, this fasting is not obligatory. You can fast for the full nine days or only part of the days. However, try not to leave out the fasting of Arafah because it can erase sins for two years.

Here are some types of voluntary fasting in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah that have special virtues as summarized by Dream from various sources.

Voluntary Fasting in the Month of Dhu al-Hijjah

Daily Fasting of Dhu al-Hijjah

The first type of fasting is the daily fasting of Dhu al-Hijjah. This fasting is carried out on the first 10 days of Dhu al-Hijjah, specifically from the 1st to the 7th day of Dhu al-Hijjah. However, friends of Dream can do it at any time during the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Now, for those of you who want to observe this voluntary fasting, here is the intention:

أُصُومُ يَوْمَ غَدٍ عَنْ أَدَاءِ شَهْرِ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ سُنَّةً لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى.

Nawaitu shauma hadzal yaumi 'an adaa’i syahri Dzilhijjah sunnatan lillaahi ta'aalaa.

Meaning: "I intend to observe the voluntary fasting of Dhu al-Hijjah today for the sake of Allah."

Tarwiyah Fasting

The second type of voluntary fasting in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah is the Tarwiyah fasting. This fasting is carried out on the 8th day of Dhu al-Hijjah. For friends of Dream who want to observe it, it is important to recite the following intention:

أُصُومُ غَدًا عَنْ أَدَاءِ سُنَّةِ يَوْمِ التَّرْوِيَّةِ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى.

Nawaitu shauma ghadin 'an adaai sunnati yaumit Tarwiyyati lillaahi ta'aalaa.

Meaning: "I intend to observe the voluntary Tarwiyah fasting tomorrow for the sake of Allah."

Arafah Fasting

The next voluntary fasting in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah is the Arafah fasting. This fasting is carried out on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, which is one day before Eid al-Adha. The Arafah fasting also coincides with the congregation of hajj pilgrims performing the wukuf (standing) ritual in Arafah. For friends of Dream who want to observe the Arafah fasting, it is recommended to recite the following intention:

أُصُومُ غَدًا عَنْ أَدَاءِ سُنَّةِ عَرَفَةَ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى.

Nawaitu shauma ghadin 'an adaa i sunnati Arofah Lillaahi Ta'aalaa.

Meaning: "I intend to observe the voluntary Arafah fasting tomorrow for the sake of Allah."

Virtues of Fasting in the Month of Dhu al-Hijjah

Here are several virtues that can be obtained by observing voluntary fasting in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah:

Multiplied Rewards

Muslims who observe voluntary fasting in the first 10 days of Dhu al-Hijjah will receive multiplied rewards. This is in accordance with the following hadith:

"There are no days on which Allah loves to be worshipped more than the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah. Fasting on each of these days is equivalent to fasting for a year, and standing in prayer on each of these nights is equivalent to standing on the Night of Power." (HR. At-Tirmidzi)

Sins Forgiven for 2 Years

Observing fasting on the Day of Arafah, which falls on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, can forgive sins for two years. That is, sins from the past year and sins in the coming year. As explained in the following hadith:

"Fasting on the Day of Arafah can forgive sins from the past year and sins in the coming year. Fasting on the Day of Ashura can forgive sins from the past year." (HR. Muslim)

Prayers Answered

Another virtue of observing fasting in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah is that prayers are answered by Allah SWT. More precisely, those who fast on the 2nd day of Dhu al-Hijjah.

At that time, Allah SWT answered the prayer of the Prophet Yunus (Jonah) and brought him out of the belly of the fish. Therefore, those who fast on that day are considered to have worshipped and fasted for one year without committing any sins.

Then, Muslims who fast on the 3rd day of Dhu al-Hijjah, their prayers will be answered by Allah SWT. And if they fast on the 4th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, their difficulties will be removed and they will be gathered with the righteous on the Day of Judgment.

Delivered from the Punishment of Hellfire

Observing fasting in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah can also keep a person away from the fire of Hell. This is in accordance with the saying of the Prophet Muhammad:

"There is no day on which Allah frees His servants from the Hellfire more than the Day of Arafah. He draws near and boasts about them to the angels, saying, 'What do these people want?'." (HR. Muslim)