Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
I have heard that it is prohibited to fast after eid for a bunch of days. Could you please explain?
Walaikum assalam,
It is impermissible and sinful to fast the Two Eid Days, and the 3 Days After Eid al-Adha [11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhu’l Hijjah].
Abu Sa`id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reports that, “The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) forbade fasting on two days: the Eid of Fitr and the Eid of Slaughtering.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
And the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, “The days of slaughtering are days of eating, drinking, and remembrance of Allah Mighty and Exalted.” [Muslim]
Imam Ibrahim al-Halabi (Allah have mercy on him) states in Multaqa al-Abhur, in which he gathered the four main primary texts [1] of the Hanafi school with additions:
“It is unlawful to fast the two Eid Days, and the days of tashriq [f: 11th to 13th of Dhu’l Hijjah].”
Shaykh Zada (Allah have mercy on him) explains in his commentary, Majma` al-Anhur,
“This is because of the transmitted prohibition against fasting these days.” [Halabi/Shaykh Zada, Majma` al-Anhur Sharh Multaqa al-Abhur, 1.232]
The Hanbali Imam Muwaffaq al-Din Ibn Qudama explains in his al-Mughni that,
“There is consensus (ijma`) of the people of knowledge that fasting the two Eid days is interdicted, and forbidden for voluntary, generally vowed, make up, and expiatory fasts.” [Ibn Qudama, al-Mughni, 3.51]
Imam al-Kasani explained in his Bada’i` al-Sana’i`, of which Ibn Abidin said, ‘I have not seen a comparable book among our school’s works,’ [Radd al-Muhtar, 1.68, Bulaq ed.] that the fast itself is valid, as reason would indicate, and the prohibition indicates dislikedness (with validity). [Kasani, Bada’i` al-Sana’i`, 2.78]
And Allah alone gives success.
Walaikum assalam,
Faraz Rabbani.
[1] These four main primary texts (mutun) are: Imam Quduri’s Kitab, Imam Mawsuli’s Mukhtar, Imam Nasafi’s Kanz al-Daqa’iq, and al-Wiqaya.
MMVIII © Faraz Rabbani and Qibla.
All rights reserved
No part of this article may be reproduced, displayed, modified, or distributed without the express prior written permission of both copyright holders. For permission, please submit a request at our Helpdesk.
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Knowledge is only through study." While some knowledge can be gained from reading or casually listening to lectures, the best means to gain knowledge is through finding a qualified teacher and then setting up a systematic program of learning. Picking up a book or reading an article and trying to figure things out on our own is no substitute for learning from someone who has a direct link to our living tradition.
Through joining an online class at Qibla, you can benefit from convenient, online courses that will give you access to reliable scholars and our popular curriculum learning tracks. Knowledge gained in these courses will both build your iman and assist you in putting into practice what you learn. Don't give yourself less than you deserve, register today.
