CORRECTION

In an article published by us, dated 30 Zul Hajj 1441, it was mentioned that fasting on the last day of the Islamic year secures forgiveness for sins committed  during the course of the whole year, and for fasting on the 1^st Muharram one will be forgiven for sins committed the whole of the succeeding  year.

Several brothers queried the authenticity of this claim, and requested the reference. Although we endeavoured to find the source, we have not managed to trace any Hadith in this regard. We also requested some other Ulama. They too did not manage to find any Hadith to support the claim made by us.

We were under the impression of having read this claim in some kitaab many years ago, hence on the basis of this impression we proffered the naseehat regarding fasting on these days. On checking Beheshti Zewer, we have learnt of the following two Mas’alahs:

(1) It is mentioned in the Hadith that whoever fasts on the 10^th Muharram, the sins committed during the past year will be forgiven.

(2) There is immense thawaab for fasting on the 9^th Zil Hajj. By fasting on this day, sins of the previous year and sins of the succeeding year are forgiven.

It now appears that relying on our memory, we had confused the days. The Thawaab mentioned in our earlier article refers to fasting on 9^thZul Hajj and 10^th Muharram, NOT to the last day of Zul Hajj and the first day of Muharram although there is much merit fasting on these days as well.

5 Muharram 1442 – 25 August 2023