Fasting Before Eid Al Adha: Rules, Benefits, and Timing

The Muslim Ummah will soon witness one of the great seasons of worship, a field for competing in acts of obedience, and blessed days for striving in good deeds. It is the season of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, the best days of this world. For this reason, Muslims love fasting before Eid Al Adha.

 The reason why the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are considered superior to the rest of the days of the year is that the greatest acts of worship are all gathered within them. Such a combination does not occur at any other time, because Hajj takes place only during these days.

Understanding the rulings and virtues related to fasting before Eid Al Adha helps Muslims prepare spiritually and physically for one of the greatest Islamic celebrations. So we will explain the Islamic guidance regarding fasting during the days before Eid Al Adha, the significance of the Day of Arafah, who should participate in fasting, common misconceptions, and the many benefits attached to this noble act of worship.

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Is Fasting Before Eid Al Adha Allowed

The Prophet ﷺ said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days…”

The phrase “righteous deeds” in these narrations includes all good actions, whether obligatory acts or voluntary acts of worship, including fasting.

So, Yes, fasting before Eid Al Adha is not only allowed but highly recommended for those who are able to do so. However, fasting is not permitted on the day of Eid itself, which is the tenth of Dhul Hijjah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade fasting on Eid Al Adha and during the Days of Tashreeq, which are the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul Hijjah.

Benefits of Fasting Before Eid

Allah the Almighty swore by these days, and when Allah swears by something, it indicates its great status and immense virtue, for the Most Great only swears by what is great. Allah says:

“By the dawn, and by the ten nights.” (Surah Al-Fajr 89:1–2)

The “ten nights” refer to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, according to the majority of Qur’anic commentators.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Allah the Almighty said: Every deed of the son of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for Me, and I alone will reward it.”

When the virtue of fasting is combined with the excellence of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, the reward of fasting before Eid Al Adha becomes even greater by the permission of Allah. Among its benefits are:

1. Drawing closer to Allah the Exalted and increasing in faith and piety.
2. Forgiveness of sins and erasure of mistakes.
3. Renewing one’s connection to acts of worship and Islamic rituals.
4. Attaining immense reward and great spiritual blessings.

Fasting on the Day of Arafah Explained

Among all forms of fasting before Eid Al Adha, fasting on the Day of Arafah holds exceptional importance. The Day of Arafah falls on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah and coincides with the central ritual of Hajj, where pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat in devotion and supplication.

For Muslims who are not performing Hajj, fasting on this day is strongly recommended. It was narrated from Aisha رضي الله عنها that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah. Indeed, Allah draws near to His servants and then boasts about them before His angels…”

Who Should Fast and Who Should Not

Although fasting before Eid Al Adha is highly rewarding, Islamic teachings also emphasize mercy, ease, and realistic capability. Not everyone is required or encouraged to fast under every circumstance.

The Prophet ﷺ forbade fasting on the Day of Arafah for those who are at Arafah performing Hajj. The Prophet ﷺ himself stood at Arafah while not fasting, and milk was brought to him while he was on his mount at Arafah, so he drank it while the people were watching him, peace and blessings be upon him. 

So, the Sunnah for pilgrims is not to fast on the Day of Arafah; rather, they should remain non-fasting, because this gives them greater strength for worship and more energy to perform righteous deeds.

Recommended Acts of Worship During the First Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

Among the righteous deeds that Muslims can take advantage of during these blessed days are:

1. Preserving the Obligatory Acts of Worship

The first and most important of these deeds is maintaining the obligatory acts of worship. Foremost among them is observing the five daily prayers at their proper times. In a sacred hadith, Allah the Almighty says:

“My servant does not draw nearer to Me with anything more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him…”

Among the obligatory duties are also honoring one’s parents and maintaining family ties.

2. Increasing in Voluntary Acts of Worship

This includes voluntary prayers such as the regular Sunnah prayers before and after the obligatory prayers, the Duha prayer, and قيام الليل (night prayer). The continuation of the previous sacred hadith states:

“And My servant continues to draw near to Me with voluntary deeds until I love him.”

3. Fasting

Fasting carries a tremendous reward, especially during these blessed days. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will distance him from the Fire by seventy years.”

Particularly important is fasting on the Day of Arafah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“I hope from Allah that fasting on the Day of Arafah will expiate the sins of the year before it and the year after it.”

4. Reciting the Noble Qur’an

Among the righteous deeds during these ten days is reciting the Qur’an. Whoever reads the Qur’an receives a great reward. For every letter recited there is a good deed, and each good deed is multiplied tenfold. The Prophet ﷺ explained that “Alif Lam Mim” is not counted as one letter; rather, Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter.

5. Remembering Allah (Dhikr)

Dhikr is an easy and accessible act of worship. It does not require purification, a specific time, or a particular posture. A Muslim may remember Allah at all times and in every condition, as Allah says:

“Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides.”

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ specifically encouraged abundant remembrance during these ten days, saying:

“There are no days greater in the sight of Allah, nor days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so increase in them your declarations of tahlil, tahmid, and takbir.”

6. Supplication (Du‘a)

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The best supplication is the supplication of the Day of Arafah. The best words that I and the prophets before me have said are: ‘There is no god but Allah alone without partner. To Him belongs the dominion and all praise, and He has power over all things.’”

Common Misunderstandings

Several misunderstandings surround fasting before Eid Al Adha, and clarifying them helps Muslims practice correctly and confidently.

Misunderstanding 1: Fasting All Ten Days Is Required

Correction: A Muslim may fast on any of these first nine days of Dhul Hijjah, and it is not required to fast all of them. There is also no harm if a person chooses to draw closer to Allah through other acts of worship that may be easier for them, such as remembrance of Allah (dhikr) and supplication (du‘a). In all cases, fasting on the day of Eid Al Adha and the Days of Tashreeq is not permitted.

Misunderstanding 2: The Fast of Arafah Is Obligatory

Correction: Fasting on the Day of Arafah is highly recommended but not obligatory. A Muslim who cannot fast due to illness, work difficulty, or personal hardship is not sinful.

Misunderstanding 3: Fasting Alone Is Sufficient

Correction: There are many other righteous deeds that are recommended in these blessed days, including: reciting and learning the Qur’an, seeking forgiveness, spreading peace and greetings, feeding others, reconciling between people, enjoining good and forbidding evil, guarding one’s tongue and chastity, showing kindness to neighbors, honoring guests, giving charity, removing harm from the road, spending on one’s wife and family, visiting the sick, helping fulfill the needs of others, and sending prayers and blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ.

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Conclusion

All righteous deeds are recommended during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, and they contain immense goodness. Among the greatest of these deeds is fasting before Eid Al Adha, as it has been narrated that the Prophet ﷺ used to fast during these days. It was also reported that a man asked the Prophet ﷺ about fasting on the Day of Arafah, and he said:

“I hope from Allah that it will expiate the sins of the previous year and the coming year.”

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FAQs

Is fasting before Eid Al Adha mandatory?

No, fasting before Eid Al Adha is voluntary and recommended, not obligatory.

Which day is most important to fast before Eid Al Adha?

The Day of Arafah, which falls on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah.

Can pilgrims fast on the Day of Arafah?

Pilgrims performing Hajj are generally discouraged from fasting on the Day of Arafah.

Is fasting allowed on Eid Al Adha itself?

No. Fasting on Eid Al Adha is prohibited because it is a day of celebration, eating, and gratitude.