Is it permissible to fast on the Day of Arafah if it falls on a Saturday, given the detestability of fasting on Saturdays?
It is disliked to fast on Saturday alone, based on the hadith: "Do not fast on Saturday unless it is what Allah has made obligatory upon you." This is to avoid resembling the Jews who venerate this day. The dislike is removed if one does not single out Saturday for fasting, such as by fasting a day before it or a day after it, or if it coincides with a customary fast like fasting one day and breaking fast the next, or if it coincides with a religious occasion like the Day of Arafah or Ashura, or if there is a reason for it, such as a vow.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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