Is It Permissible to Fast the Day After Eid? Understanding the Days of Tashriq and the Two Eids
Question
Is it permissible to fast the day right after Eid. Explain Days of Tashriq, and explain the 2 seperate eids please. Please explain using hadiths me and my friends are debating about this. Jazakumallahu Khair Sheikh
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
1. The Shari Context
Islam established two annual festivals for the Muslim community: Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha. These days are meant to be days of gratitude, celebration, and remembrance of Allah, and the Sharia specifically prohibited fasting on them.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There are two days on which fasting is not permitted: the day of Eid al Fitr and the day of Eid al Adha.”
Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
Therefore fasting on the day of either Eid itself is strictly prohibited.
In addition to the day of Eid al Adha, the Sharia also addressed the days immediately after it, known as the Days of Tashriq.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The days of Tashriq are days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allah.”
Sahih Muslim
This establishes that these days are meant for celebration and remembrance, not fasting.
2. Scholarly Discussion
The jurists distinguish between the two Eids and their surrounding days.
Eid al Fitr occurs on the first day of Shawwal and marks the completion of Ramadan. Only that day itself is prohibited for fasting.
Eid al Adha occurs on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah and is connected to the rites of Hajj and the sacrifice. The prohibition of fasting extends beyond the day of Eid itself to include the Days of Tashriq.
The Days of Tashriq are the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul Hijjah. The majority of scholars from the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafii, and Hanbali schools hold that fasting on these days is prohibited.
There is one limited exception mentioned by the scholars: pilgrims performing Hajj who are required to offer a sacrifice but cannot afford it may fast during the Days of Tashriq as part of their required fasting for Hajj. This is based on the report:
“No one was allowed to fast during the Days of Tashriq except those who could not find a sacrificial animal.”
Sahih al Bukhari
Outside of that specific Hajj circumstance, fasting during the Days of Tashriq is not permitted.
3. Application to the Question
If the question refers to the day after Eid al Fitr:
It is permissible to fast. In fact, many Muslims begin fasting the six days of Shawwal starting from the second day of Shawwal.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted the entire year.”
Sahih Muslim
Therefore fasting the day after Eid al Fitr is allowed and may even be recommended if one intends the six days of Shawwal.
If the question refers to the day after Eid al Adha:
Then fasting is not permitted because the days immediately after Eid al Adha are the Days of Tashriq (11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul Hijjah), which are days of eating and celebration.
Thus the ruling differs depending on which Eid is being discussed.
4. Relevant Usul Principle
لا اجتهاد مع النص
There is no independent reasoning when a clear text exists
When authentic hadith explicitly prohibit fasting on specific days, juristic reasoning cannot override that clear ruling.
Final Ruling
Fasting on the day of Eid al Fitr or Eid al Adha is strictly prohibited. After Eid al Fitr, fasting the next day is permissible and commonly practiced as part of the six days of Shawwal. After Eid al Adha, however, fasting is not allowed on the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul Hijjah, which are the Days of Tashriq, except for a limited case related to pilgrims performing Hajj who cannot offer a sacrifice.
And Allah knows best.