Does the Early Zulhijah Fast Have to Be Nine Consecutive Days? The Ruling and Its Virtues
Entering the month of Zulhijjah, Muslims begin to prepare for the celebration of Eid al-Adha. However, before the feast arrives, there are Sunnah acts that can be performed. One of them is fasting in Zulhijjah’s early days.
Typically, this Sunnah fasting is undertaken from the 1st to the 9th of Zulhijjah. The exhortation to fast is often understood as fasting for nine full days. This has led some to worry that the fast would be invalid if they cannot fast for nine consecutive days.
So, what exactly is the ruling on fasting in Zulhijjah’s early days? To answer this question, here is a comprehensive explanation of the ruling, intention, method, and Sunnah of fasting in Zulhijjah that should be known.
Does the Early Zulhijah Fast Have to Be Nine Consecutive Days?
Fasting at the start of Zulhijjah is one of the recommended deeds for Muslims. This is supported by the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
“The Prophet (PBUH) used to fast during the nine days of Zulhijjah, the Day of Arafah, three days each month, and the first Monday and Thursday of each month.” (Hadith attributed to Ahmad and Abu Dawud)
This hadith provides one basis for encouraging fasting at the start of Zulhijjah, specifically from the 1st to the 9th of Zulhijjah. However, because fasting in Zulhijjah is a Sunnah act, it is not obligatory to fast for nine days in a row.
Muslims may fast on only certain days according to their ability, especially on the 9th of Zulhijjah, which coincides with the Day of Arafah. In a hadith recorded by Muslim, it is stated that fasting on Arafah can expiate sins for the past year and the year to come.
This year, Muslims can perform the early Zulhijjah fast from Monday, 18 May 2026 (1 Zulhijjah 1447 AH) to Tuesday, 26 May 2026 (9 Zulhijjah 1447 AH). Here is the schedule to facilitate planning:
Monday, 18 May 2026 / 1 Zulhijjah 1447 AH: Fasting for Zulhijjah (Sunnah), Monday
Tuesday, 19 May 2026 / 2 Zulhijjah 1447 AH: Fasting for Zulhijjah
Wednesday, 20 May 2026 / 3 Zulhijjah 1447 AH: Fasting for Zulhijjah
Thursday, 21 May 2026 / 4 Zulhijjah 1447 AH: Fasting for Zulhijjah / Thursday
Friday, 22 May 2026 / 5 Zulhijjah 1447 AH: Fasting for Zulhijjah
Saturday, 23 May 2026 / 6 Zulhijjah 1447 AH: Fasting for Zulhijjah
Sunday, 24 May 2026 / 7 Zulhijjah 1447 AH: Fasting for Zulhijjah
Monday, 25 May 2026 / 8 Zulhijjah 1447 AH: Tarwiyah fast
Tuesday, 26 May 2026 / 9 Zulhijjah 1447 AH: Arafah fast
Niyyah for the Early Zulhijjah Fast – Full Text for 1-9
Before undertaking the fast, Muslims are advised to recite the intention (niyyah) for fasting. This is important to establish the heart’s intention and focus the purpose of the fast, namely worship of Allah the Almighty. Here are the intentions for fasting in Zulhijjah, as quoted from the Nahdlatul Ulama Online Jawa Barat site:
Intentions for 1-7 Zulhijjah
نَوَيْتُ صَوْمَ شَهْرِ ذِيْ الْحِجَّةِ سُنَّةً لِلّٰهِ تَعَالَى
Latin: Nawaitu shauma syahri dzil hijjah sunnatan lillaahi ta’aalaa.
Translation: I intend to fast the Sunnah month of Zulhijjah for Allah the Exalted.
Intentions for 8 Zulhijjah (Tarwiyah)
نَوَيْتُ صَوْمَ تَرْوِيَةَ سُنَّةً لِلّٰهِ تَعَالَى
Latin: Nawaitu shauma tarwiyata sunnatan lillaahi ta’aalaa.
Translation: I intend to fast Tarwiyah as a Sunnah for Allah the Exalted.
Intentions for 9 Zulhijjah (Arafah)
نَوَيْتُ صَوْمَ عَرَفَةَ سُنَّةً لِلّٰهِ تَعَالَى
Latin: Nawaitu shauma ’arofata sunnatan lillaahi ta’aalaa.
Translation: I intend to fast Arafah as a Sunnah for Allah the Exalted.
How to Observe the Early Zulhijah Fast
Observing the Early Zulhijah Fast is essentially the same as other Sunnah fasts. Muslims are encouraged to have sahur and to recite the niyyah before beginning the fast. Then, one may begin the fast from the dawn of day until sunset, abstaining from eating, drinking, and anything that would break the fast.
Sunnah Practices in the Early Zulhijah
Besides the fasting, there are several other Sunnah acts recommended during the early days of Zulhijah. Quoting the book Keutamaan 10 Hari Pertama Bulan Zulhijah by Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdurrahman al Jibrin, the recommended practices are as follows:
- Increase Dhikr
One of the most recommended practices in the first 10 days of Zulhijjah is to increase remembrance of Allah (dhikr). This can be done by reciting Takbir (Allahu Akbar), Tahmid (Alhamdulillah), and Tahlil (La ilaha illallah), after prayers or at other times. In addition to reminding one of Allah’s greatness, this practice also aims to enliven the blessed month with the phrases of tawhid.
- Increase in Good Deeds
Another recommended practice during the early Zulhijjah days is to increase good deeds such as charity, reading the Qur’an, helping others, and performing Sunnah acts. Doing good deeds during these days has many virtues because they fall within a time period made glorious by Allah the Exalted.
- Repent and Abandon Sin
In addition to increasing worship, Muslims are urged to repent and abandon all forms of sin. This is a form of seeking forgiveness from Allah and resolving not to repeat it. Zulhijjah is one of the four sacred months in which good deeds and sins are multiplied.
Thus, the explanation on the ruling of fasting for 9 days at the start of Zulhijjah. In conclusion, Muslims are not required to observe nine consecutive days of fasting. According to the scholars’ explanations, Muslims may fast on specific days according to their ability. May it be beneficial!