Ibn Majah

Benefits and Issues:

➊ Regarding the mentioned narration, our esteemed researcher writes that its chain of transmission is weak; however, the previous hadith 1730 suffices for it because it conveys the same meaning as this one. Other researchers have also considered it actionable and authoritative due to the previous hadith. See: (Irwa’ al-Ghalil 4/109, 110 and Sunan Ibn Majah by Dr. Bashar Awwad, Hadith: 1731).

➋ The Day of ‘Arafah refers to the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah. It is called the Day of ‘Arafah because on this day the pilgrims are stationed in the plain of ‘Arafat, and the standing (wuquf) at ‘Arafat is the greatest pillar of Hajj. Whoever does not reach ‘Arafat on this day, his Hajj is not valid.

➌ In such ahadith, the forgiveness of sins generally refers to minor sins (saghirah), but due to sincerity of intention, perhaps some major sins (kabirah) may also be forgiven. Some people fast on the Day of ‘Arafah according to when it is the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah in Saudi Arabia; this is not correct, because for acts of worship that are tied to specific times, the location of the person performing the act is what is considered. Just as in Pakistan we do not delay the Zuhr prayer until the sun declines in Makkah, nor do we delay breaking the fast here until the sun sets in Madinah, similarly, the date in each city depends locally on the sighting of the moon or not.

For further details, see the benefits and issues under Hadith: 1652.