Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Is it ok to fast one day before Id -ul Adha ie the day of Arafath?
Do we have to give sadaqa before the id ul Adha salat prayer?
Can we give the sacrifice in our home country as we stay in a foreign land?
What does Allah subhan nahu wataala mean by when He subhan nahu wataala speaks of Heavens in the HOly Quran-is it limited to the sky above us or does it refer to the entire universe?

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Answer:

Fast ten days of dhul

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: Is it ok to fast one day before Id -ul Adha ie the day of Arafath?

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 2431 Narrated by One of the wives of the Prophet (saws)

Hunaydah ibn Khalid narrated from his wife on the authority of one of the wives of the Prophet (saws) who said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (saws) used to fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, Ashura' and three days of every month.’

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 2419 Narrated by Abu Qatadah

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: ‘The observance of three days' fast every month and of one Ramadan to the other (i.e. the fast of Ramadan every year) is (equivalent to) a perpetual fast. I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of Arafah may atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming year, and I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of Ashura' may atone for the sins of the preceding year.’

Beloved Sister in Islam, it is indeed a Sunnah and a preferred practice of the Messenger of Allah (saws) to fast the first nine days of the month of ‘Dhul-Hijjah’ for one who is not actually on the Hajj pilgrimage. If one, for any reason is unable to fast all the nine days, one may fast any number of days in the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah; and if one is not able to do even that, then one should at least observe the fast on the blessed Day of Arafah, for this one fast atones for the sins of the preceding and the coming year.

The fasts of the first nine days of the month of ‘Dhul-Hijjah’ and of the Day of Arafah are considered supererogatory worship; if one observes them one would receive a huge reward from Allah Subhanah, and if for any reason one is unable to perform them, there is no sin.

Your Question: Do we have to give sadaqa before the id ul Adha salat prayer?

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.579

Allah's Messenger (saws) enjoined the payment of one Sa' of dates or one Sa' of barley as ‘Zakat-ul-Fitr’ on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he (saws) ordered that it be paid before the believers went out to offer the 'Id-ul-Fitr’ prayer (on the 1^st day of Shawwal).

Unlike the ‘zakat-ul-fitr’ which every believer is enjoined and obliged to pay before one offers the ‘Id-ul-Fitr’ prayers after the month of Ramadan, there is no obligation on one to give any ‘sadaqah’ before the ‘Id-ul-Adha’ prayers; but if, of their own will wishes to give ‘sadaqah’ before or after the prayers, there is absolutely no harm and no restriction.

If one chooses to offer the ‘Sunnah’ sacrifice on the Day of Adha, it is highly recommended and preferred that one distribute at least a portion of their sacrifice amongst the poor and needy of society.

Your Question: Can we give the sacrifice in our home country as we stay in a foreign land?
For one not performing the Hajj pilgrimage, the sacrifice on the Day of Adha is not obligatory, but rather an extremely preferred Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws). For those not on the Hajj pilgrimage, one is at absolute liberty to offer the Sunnah sacrifice wherever they will, if they wish to they may offer it in the place or nation they reside in, or if they wish in a foreign nation.

Your Question: What does Allah subhan nahu wataala mean by when He subhan nahu wataala speaks of Heavens in the HOly Quran-is it limited to the sky above us or does it refer to the entire universe?

The Arabic term ‘Sama’ (plural: ‘Samawaat’) literally means an enormous height or space; and it includes the space of the sky/skies above and all that is contained therein, the sun, the moon, all the heavenly bodies, etc. of the entire universe.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 31 Surah Luqmaan verses 10-11:

10 He (Allah) created the ‘samawaat’ (heavens) without any pillars that ye can see; He set on the earth mountains standing firm lest it should shake with you; and He scattered through it beasts of all kinds. We send down rain from the sky and produce on the earth every kind of noble creature in pairs.

11 Such is the Creation of Allah! Now show Me what is there that others besides Him have created? Nay, but the transgressors are in manifest error.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 67 Surah Mulk verse 3:

3 He Who created the seven ‘samawaat’ (heavens) one above another; no want of proportion wilt thou see in the Creation of (Allah) Most Gracious; so turn thy vision again: Seest thou any flaw?

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 29:

29 It is He who hath created for you all things that are on earth; moreover His design comprehended the ‘samawaat’ (heavens) for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments; and of all things He has Perfect Knowledge.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 17 Surah Israa verse 44:

44 The seven ‘samawaat’ (heavens) and the earth and all beings therein declare His glory: there not a thing but celebrates His Praise; and yet ye understand not how they declare His Glory! Verily He is Oft- Forbearing, Most Forgiving!

The absolute majority of the scholars in Islam take the plural ‘samawaat’ to mean the skies or space of the entire universe, and when the singular term ‘sama’ is used in the Glorious Quran, they take it to mean the nearest sky or space which envelops the planet earth. And Allah Alone Knows Best.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 41 Surah Haa Meem verse 12:

12 So He completed them (the ‘samawaat’ or heavens) as seven firmaments in Two Days and He assigned to each heaven its duty and command. And We adorned the lower ‘sama’ (sky) with lights and (provided it) with guard. Such is the Decree of (Him): the Exalted in Might, Full of knowledge.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan