The Importance of Arafah and Tarwiyah Fasting 

Arafah Fasting is a sunnah fasting that is carried out on the day of Arafah, namely at the time of wukuf in the land of Arafah on 9 Dzulhijah by pilgrims. Wukuf at Arafah can be said to be the core of the implementation of the pilgrimage. Therefore Arafah fasting is highly recommended for people who do not perform the pilgrimage. The technical implementation is similar to other fasts.

The virtue of Arafah fasting is as narrated from Abu Qatadah Rahimahullah. Rasulullah SAW said: “Fasting on the day of Arafah can erase the sins of the past two years and will come, and fasting Assyura (the 10th of Muharram) removes the sins of the past year. (HR. Muslim). While the Tarwiyah fast is carried out on the day of Tarwiyah, namely on the 8th of Dzulhijjah. This is based on an editorial in the hadith which means that fasting on the day of Tarwiyah erases one year’s sins, and fasting on the day of Arafah removes (sins) two years.

Fasting Arafah and tarwiyah is highly recommended to share the pleasures that are being felt by the pilgrims who are carrying out worship in the holy land. The first ten days of the month of Dzulhijjah are special days. Ibn Abbas RA narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: There is no deed that is more pleasing to Allah (SWT) than a good deed done in the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. The companions asked: “O Messenger of Allah! even if jihad is in the way of Allah? The Messenger of Allah said: Even if jihad is in the way of Allah, except for a man who goes out with himself and his property, then does not return forever (becomes a martyr).” (Narrated by Bukhari)

As for the intention of fasting tarwiyah and arofah as follows, “Nawaitu shauma ghodin min yauit tarwiyah / min yaumi arafata sunnatal lillahi ta’ala” (*)