Dear Brothers,
Asalamu Alaikkum Warahmathullahi Wabarakathu
Nowadays, a recent argument that some people put forth is that the observing of fast in connection with Arafah should be on the same day (week day) when Arafah takes place at Makkah. I would like to bring to the attention of all concerned a few aspects on this issue
The date of Hajj is to be determined in accordance with the sighting of the moon. This annual date is a LUNAR DAY and NOT a week day. Holy Qur'an (See Chapter 2:189) specifically mentions this fact.
The Basis for fixation of timing for the whole mankind as well as for Hajj is sighting of Hilals (Ahillath), according to Qur'an.
So, for Arafah all the people should observe the timing based on hilal, it is hilal that are the signs not Arfah, accordings to Qur'an
The word "Hiya" in the verse points towards the fact that it is only ahillath ie, Hilals are the basis for determining Hajj or Arafah. Hajj and Arafah are equivalent terms according to Hadith. So the day of Arafah is not a weekday, it is a Lunar day. This is very easy to understand. This Lunar day occurs only in two successive week days by whatever calculation we adopt except the unscientific and irrational basis adopted by the so called Hijra Committee of India. The Holy Qur'an also states that Earth is created in two days (See Chapter 41:9)
So the concept of two days is inherent in the creation of the Earth itself. At any point of time there are two days in Earth. Thus the custom of observing the fasts and celebration of Eid depending up the sighting of the New Moon occuring in two successive days can go back till the date of creation of the Earth
Nevertheless this Lunar day which occurs in two successive week days appearing before us render universal equality like the Lunar month gives the different climatic conditions in various countries in different years. I shall explain this by quoting an example.
Suppose we observe the Arafah fasting on a single week day, let us analyse the situation, The Live telecast of Arafah Ijthimah is being watched by the people all over the word.
9 hours before the sunset in Arafah, the people in New Zealand will break their fast and withdraw the support. Depending upon the distance towards west Australia in 7 hours, Japan in 6 hours, Malaysia in 5 hours, Indonesia 4 hours before, thus India before 2½ hours will break their fast. But Arafah still continues. There shall be no change for this state of affairs until the Last Day (End of the World)
On the other hand the muslims in America ranging from Brazil to Alaska witness the live telecast, being unable to observe the fast and to extend timely moral support. Thus only after the conclusion of Ijthimah and sunset in Arafah they can start their fast. For this situation also there shall be no change till the end of the world.
This means that the people in eastern countries observe and break the fast before Arafah conclusion whereas Muslim in western countries begins the fast only after the conclusion of Arafah. Thus there is no equality of opportunity among the Muslims of different countries if we look at them as a whole. This situation continues permanently.
NOW
Let us take the day of Arafah as a LUNAR DAY in the light of Qur'an and Hadith as explained in the beginning. Then we take the day of Arafah as our annual Lunar date (not a weekday) which occurs in two successive days. There is no permanent point from where a lunar day starts. It starts from where the first sighting of the crescent takes place. Therefore, the countries, which are east to the crescent, will get the Lunar day as the second weekday. Their fast will then begin only after the conclusion of Arafah as we have seen in the case of western countries. Similarly, when the new moon falls in the western countries and not visible at Makkah they are to observe and break the fast before the conclusion of Arafah since their lunar day will be prior to that of Makkah.
Thus, we can find here the universality and equality of opportunity to observe the fast before and after the Arafah by the Muslim all over the world in accordance with their turn depending upon the sighting of the new moon. This is what Holy Qur'an said " hilals are signs for the whole mankind and also for Hajj ". Here "Nas" means people all over the world " Hajj or Arafah is not sign. It is Hilals that are the signs "
This situation rendering universality and equal oppertunity is inherent only in the case of determining dates based on the movement of the moon. Solar days (weekdays) cannot claim this universality and equality.
If however the readers not able to catch the point I may quote from the world famous book of Jurisprudence "Fathul Mu-een" - It is also a Sunnah to observe fast on 8th day of Zul Hijja along with 9th day. But observing fast on 8th and giving interval on 9th is not at all desirable.
Rasheed Usman