Fasting before doing Qurbani.
Q. I am going to do qurbani and I remembered last year I fasted for one week prior to the day of Eid but I can’t remember clearly. Can you please tell me when I should start fasting for this, what day and when should I end the fastng and the rules for this fasting (no cutting nails and so on)?
A. The first 10 days of the month of Dhul Hijja are indeed very blessed, and the Prophet (SA) spoke highly about the virtues of fasting, and offering optional Salaah. Hence, it is very virtuous to observe fast when the month enters until the 9th of Dhul Hijja. The 10th of Dhul Hijja is the first day of Eid and it will not be permissible for you to fast on any of the days of Eidul Adha.
So, to answer your question, you can begin to fast from the 1st. of Dhul Hijja and continue to fast for a few days or a week or even one day (whatever you desire). The fast of the day of Arafah is also very virtuous, and you can also observe this day in fasting.
With respect to the begining of the month, the 1st. Day of Dhul Hijja is expected to be on Monday 8th November 2010 and the 9th of Dhul Hijja (day of Arafah) is expected to be on 16th November.
It is also evident in the hadith that whoever intends to do the Qurbani then he/she should not remove the unwanted hair of the body, trim the hair and cut the nails, until they do the sacrifice on the day of Qurbani. The scholars have stated that this is mustahab. (Commendable).
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan