What is the Law of Fasting Arafah When There is Already Idul Adha? This is the Explanation of the Scholars

Dream – The celebration of Idul Adha 1444 H in Indonesia is different again. The government has decided that the Hajj holiday falls on Thursday, June 29, 2023, based on the results of the isbat session of the government through the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

Different determinations were conveyed by PP Muhammadiyah in its proclamation which decided that the 10th of Dzulhijjah 1444 H falls on June 28, 2023.

With the difference in the day of Idul Adha, people who follow the government's decision will only start fasting Arafah on June 28, 2023. This means that when performing the fasting of Arafah, we can already see many people celebrating Idul Adha by slaughtering sacrificial animals.

Such differences of opinion are not new and are recommended to be approached wisely and with tolerance. However, questions certainly arise in the minds of the people regarding the law of fasting Arafah when there are already some people celebrating Idul Adha.

This question arises because performing voluntary fasting on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of Dzulhijjah, which are included in the days of Tashriq, is prohibited.

This question is quite disturbing for some people. Therefore, in this article, Dream will try to explain this issue with the opinions of several scholars. Let's take a look at the explanation of the law of fasting Arafah when there is already Idul Adha below.

Prohibition of Fasting during Idul Adha

Idul Adha is one of the days when fasting is prohibited for Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad clearly prohibited fasting on the day of Idul Adha.

From Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri, he quoted the words of the Prophet Muhammad. He said: "The Prophet Muhammad prohibited fasting on two days, namely Idul Fitri and Idul Adha." (HR. Muslim)

Meanwhile, if we look together, the determination of Idul Adha in Indonesia is marked by differences. The government has set the date of 10 Dzulhijjah to fall on June 29, 2023. Meanwhile, PP Muhammadiyah has set June 28, 2023 as the day of Idul Adha.

The difference in the determination of the day of Idul Adha certainly affects the difference in the observance of fasting Arafah. When the community is still fasting Arafah, some people who follow the Muhammadiyah decree have already celebrated Idul Adha. The concern about the law of fasting Arafah when there is already Idul Adha certainly troubled the minds of the people.

The Law of Fasting Arafah When There is Already Idul Adha

This issue has been widely discussed by scholars. Even during the time of the Prophet Muhammad, there were cases like this. Sheikh Al-Albani in the silsilah Al-Ahadist ash-Shahihah showed a hadith that tells the story of Aisha still practicing fasting Arafah even though there was concern that the day coincided with Idul Adha elsewhere.

Sheikh Al-Albani recounted, "Masruq (a Tabi'in) advised her (Aisha) not to fast Arafah on the 9th of Dzulhijjah because he was afraid that it was the 10th of Dzulhijjah which is forbidden to fast."

Then Aisha answered Masruq's concerns by saying, 'everything is prioritized by following the majority.' Aisha then quoted a hadith that the Prophet Muhammad had said:

"Fasting is the day when all of you fast. Idul Fitri is the day when all of you celebrate. Idul Adha is the day when all of you slaughter." (HR. Tirmidhi)

With the support of this hadith, Sheikh Al-Albani argues that it is not a problem to practice fasting Arafah even though there is already Idul Adha. Because fasting Arafah on June 29, 2023 already refers to the government as the authorized party and is followed by the majority of the Indonesian people.

The Prophet Muhammad also advised his people to obey the decisions of leaders among humans. Allah also said in Surah An-Nisa verse 59 which means:

"O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result."