Deciding the day of the Eid outside of Saudi Arabia Fatwa No: 86990
- Fatwa Date:17-2-2004
I am from Pakistan; people usually celebrate Eids one day later than in Saudi Arabia. Now we are facing a problem for fasting on the day of Arafah, whether we fast on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah as the religious scholars believe in Pakistan or on the day when the pilgrims gather in the place of Arafah as some scholars who studied in Saudia say? Please answer me in the light of Qur'an.
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
What the scholars in Pakistan said is the right and correct opinion. In fact, fasting the day of Arafah is not linked to a place. It is rather linked to a time.
So, if it is proved in your area that Arafah day is a given day, you should fast that day. This should not be a matter of disagreement between people in the same country.
We implore Allah, The Almighty to guide all the Muslims to the right path, and unite them.
Allah knows best.