Standing at Arafah
Does the determination of the Day of Arafah differ by location, and does this change the date of the Arafah fast for those not performing wukuf?
Answer in brief
The Day of Arafah is determined from the start of Dhul Hijjah, so its date can differ between places with different moon-rising points (matla'). Scholars disagree: the Shafii school holds that each distant region exercises its own judgement through moon sighting and calculation, while the majority hold that other countries follow the country that sighted the moon first. This fatwa inclines to the first view and stresses that the ruler's decision should be followed. In Malaysia, 9 Dhul Hijjah 1437 AH fell on Sunday, 11 September 2016, and fasting is recommended for those not at Arafah, including fasting on a Sunday alone since it is a fast with a specific cause.
Summary written by DHUMY from the Malay original and checked against it.
Dibolehkan untuk berpuasa pada hari Ahad walaupun tidak diiringi dengan puasa pada hari sebelum atau selepasnya kerana ianya puasa yang bersebab iaitu berdasarkan nas galakan berpuasa pada hari Arafah yang kebetulan jatuh pada hari Ahad di Malaysia.
Source
IRSYAD HUKUM HAJI DAN KORBAN SIRI 17: PERBEZAAN PENENTUAN HARI ARAFAH DAN JUGA PUASA PADA HARI TERSEBUTOffice of the Mufti of the Federal Territories · Irsyad al-Fatwa: Hajj & Sacrifice edition · Published 9 September 2016
This page summarises a published fatwa; it is not a new ruling. For your own situation, read the full fatwa or consult the mufti office of your state.