the rites of this great day—remembrance of Allah and supplication.
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The view that fasting ʿArafah while one is actually at ʿArafah is not recommended is held by the majority of scholars, including the three imams: Mālik, al-Shāfiʿī, and Aḥmad. This position is reinforced by the report in al-Bukhārī (1853) and Muslim (1896): “Umm al-Faḍl sent some milk to the Prophet ﷺ, and he drank it while delivering the sermon at ʿArafah.” Ibn ʿUmar likewise said, “I performed the pilgrimage with the Prophet ﷺ, then with Abū Bakr, then with ʿUmar, and then with ʿUthmān, and none of them fasted that day.”
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Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah remarked that the Day of ʿArafah is itself an Eid, citing the narration recorded by Imām Aḥmad (16739) from ʿUqbah ibn ʿĀmir in which the Prophet ﷺ said, “The Day of ʿArafah, the Day of Sacrifice, and the Days of Tashrīq are our festivals, we people of Islam.” The festive aspect and communal gathering are most evident for the pilgrims, more so than for anyone else.
Nothing prevents a single ruling from embodying multiple wisdoms and secrets; indeed, the rulings of Allah the Exalted are founded upon securing benefits and warding off harms. All praise belongs to Allah for His innumerable blessings.