Sunnah Days to Fast Throughout the Year
ASSEMBLED BY MALLAM ABBA ABANA, KUBWA, ABUJA, NIGERIA
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Monday 14th Muharram 1443 AH and 23rd August 2021 CE
Reminder after Ramadaan
Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah. As-Salaam Alaikum WA-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu.
Praise be to Allaah; we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (ﷺ) is His slave and Messenger.
Help us Answer the Ummah! Every second, everywhere someone needs an answer. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “A person who leads others to doing what is good will earn the same reward as those who do it.” (Muslim, 1893).
وَلَا تَهِنُواْ وَلَا تَحۡزَنُواْ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَوۡنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ (١٣٩)
“Do not lose hope, nor be sad. You will surely be victorious if you are true in Faith.” And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it].” [Holy Quran Chapter Al Imran Ayah 139]
إِن يَنصُرۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَكُمۡۖ وَإِن يَخۡذُلۡكُمۡ فَمَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَنصُرُكُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦۗ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلۡيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ (١٦٠)
“If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allah let the believers rely.”
[Holy Quran Chapter Imran Ayah 160]
Preamble
With the end of Ramadan comes the beginning of nostalgia. We count down the days until next Ramadan, and often feel at a loss.
While Ramadan is a special time, there are ways to incorporate the blessings of fasting on regular basis. The Prophet, peace be upon him, would fast, not continuously, but periodically, throughout the year. Fasting is another act of worship, and its reward is one promised by Allah - so one can only begin to imagine the magnitude of blessings.
While one can fast any time of the year, there are days specifically mentioned that carry more reward should one partake in fasting.
1. Shawal - 6 Days in Shawal
The month of Shawwal immediately follows the month of Ramadan and offers a great opportunity to continue the good habits gained in Ramadan. It can be difficult to switch eating habits so quickly after Ramadan, so many find it fruitful to fast intermittent days after the end of Ramadan, and take advantage of the blessings.
Abu Ayyoob reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime” [Muslim].
2. Weekly – Fasting Mondays and Thursdays
Aishah ra narrated: "The Prophet (ﷺ) used to try to fast on Mondays and Thursdays" [Tirmidhi, Nasai, and Ibn Majah].
If we want to discover which is better, fasting on Mondays and Thursdays or fasting three days of each month, we find that fasting on Mondays and Thursdays is better than fasting on three days of each month, because if a person fasts on Mondays and Thursdays each week, that means that he is fasting eight days each month, so he will have done both: fasted on Mondays and Thursdays and fasted three days of the month.
The three days of each month may be fasted at the beginning of the month, in the middle or at the end, and may be done separately or consecutively, but it is better to fast on the Ayaam Al-Beed, which are the days on which the moon is full, namely the 13th, 14th and 15th of each lunar month.
There follow a number of ahaadeeth which encourage fasting on Mondays and Thursdays:
1 – It was narrated from Abu Qataadah al-Ansaari that the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) was asked about fasting on Mondays. He said: “On that day I was born, and on it the Revelation came to me.” Narrated by Muslim, 1162.
2 – It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (ﷺ) was keen to fast on Mondays and Thursdays. Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 745; al-Nasaa’i, 2361; Ibn Maajah, 1739; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1044.
3 – It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “Deeds are shown (to Allaah) on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like my deeds to be shown when I am fasting.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 747; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1041.
Fasting twice a week is not only Sunnah, or tradition of the Prophet, but in fact is said to be a healthy routine for your body. There are studies that show that intermittent fasting is an opportunity for the body to cleanse itself of waste and to increase one's metabolic rate, helping burn more calories.
3. Most Blessed Day of the Week - Fridays
Fridays are the most blessed day of the week. Rewards of good deeds are multiplied, however, one should not fast Friday alone, but in combination with Thursday or Saturday.
Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say: "None of you should fast on Friday unless he fasts a day before or after it" [Bukhari].
4. Fasting Three Days Every Month -The White Days (Ayam Al-Beedh)
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me: “It is sufficient for you to fast three days every month, because for every good deed you will have (the reward of) ten like it, so that will be like fasting for a lifetime” [Bukhari and Muslim].
The white days refer to the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the lunar calendar, so it may not be the same days each month of the solar Gregorian calendar. The days are named as such due to the moon being full and the light it reflects is at maximum. It’s not necessary to fast all three days.
5. Month of Muharram - Day of Ashura - 10th of Muharram
The month of Muharram is the first month of the Arabic year, and it is one of the four sacred months of Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, the number of months with Allaah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allaah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred (i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the 11th and the 12th months of the Islamic calendar). That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein”[Holy Quran al-Tawbah 9:36]
The 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, commemorates the day Allah saved Prophet Musa, peace be upon him, and his followers from their adversaries. There’s no day better to fast in after Ramadan than Muharram.
Ibn Abbas was asked about observing of fast on the day of Ashura, whereupon he said: “I do not know Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) singling out any day's fast and considering it more excellent than another, except this day (the day of Ashura) and this month, meaning the month of Ramadan” [Muslim].
It is recommended to fast on the 9th of ‘Ashoora’ with the 10th
‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: When the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) fasted on the day of ‘Ashoora and told the people to fast, they said, “O Messenger of Allaah, this is a day that is venerated by the Jews and Christians.” The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said, “Next year, if Allaah wills, we will fast on the ninth day.” But by the time the following year came, the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) had passed away. Narrated by Muslim, 1916.
1. Scholars regarded it as Mustahabb to fast on the eleventh of Muharram because it was narrated from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) that he instructed people to fast on this day.
2. The scholars also mentioned another reason for it being Mustahabb to fast on the eleventh, which is to be on the safe side with regard to the tenth day, because people may be mistaken in sighting the new moon of Muharram, and it may not be known exactly which day is the tenth.
6. Arafah - 9th of Dhul-Hijjah
For those not performing Hajj, fasting the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah (the 10th being Eid Al-Adha) is recommended. In particular, the Day of Arafah, being the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, is highly recommended.
Abu Qatadah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, was asked about the observance of fasting on the day of Arafah. He said, "It is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year and the current year" [Muslim].
7. Month of Shaban fasting
The month of Shaban precedes the month of Ramadan, and is an ample opportunity to prepare for Ramadan, both spiritually and physically.
It was narrated that Aishah reported that the Prophet(ﷺ) liked the month of Shaban more than any other month as far as supplementary fasting is concerned [Bukkhari].
Abu Dawood (3237), al-Tirmidhi (738) and Ibn Naajah (1651) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “When Sha’baan is half over, do not fast.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 590
Al-Bukhaari (1914) and Muslim (1082) narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said: “Do not anticipate Ramadaan by fasting one or two days before it begins, but if a man habitually fasts, then let him fast.”
This indicates that fasting after halfway through Sha’baan is permissible for someone who has the habit of fasting, such as a man who regularly fasts on Mondays and Thursdays, or who fasts alternate days, and the like.
Al-Bukhaari (1970) and Muslim (1156) narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) used to fast all of Sha’baan, he used to fast Sha’baan except a few days.” This version was narrated by Muslim.
Is it allowed to fast every day? Continuously (after Ramadan)
If what is meant is fasting every day, so that you continue fasting continuously without breaking the fast except on days when fasting is forbidden, such as the two Eids and the days of at-tashreeq (the three days following Eid al-Adha), then the more correct scholarly view is that it is makrooh and is not allowed.
But if what you meant is continuing to fast for part of the year, there is nothing wrong with that, as it is confirmed by the Sunnah. Al-Bukhaari (1806) and Muslim (1890) narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that Hamzah ibn ‘Amr al-Aslami asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): O Messenger of Allah, I am a man who fasts continually for periods of time; can I fast when travelling? He said: “Fast if you wish and do not fast if you wish.
”Recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari
Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said to me, "The most beloved fasting to Allah was
the fasting of (the Prophet) David who used to fast on alternate days. And the
most beloved prayer to Allah was the prayer of David who used to sleep for (the
first) half of the night and pray for 1/3 of it and (again) sleep for a sixth
of it."
Summary on General Voluntary Fasts
Aside from the days on which it is forbidden to fast - the two days of Eid, the three days of Al-Tashreeq (11th, 12th, 13th of Dhul-Hijjah), the Prophet, peace be upon him, would fast intermittently throughout the year. Based on one’s capacity, fasting is a beloved act of worship.
Naafil fasts fall into two main categories:
1 – General voluntary fasts (i.e., not restricted to any particular time or circumstances). The Muslim may observe a voluntary fast on any day of the year that he wishes, except those which are known to be forbidden, such as the two Eid days, on which fasting is haraam, and Ayaam al-Tashreeq (the three days following Eid al-Adha), on which fasting is haraam except on Hajj for those who do not have a hadiy (animal for sacrifice).
Also excluded is deliberately singling out Friday for fasting, because it was reported that this is not allowed. One of the best forms of voluntary fasting is to fast alternate days for those who are able to do that, as it says in the hadeeth: “The most beloved prayer to Allaah is the prayer of Dawood (peace be upon him), and the most beloved fasting to Allaah is the fasting of Dawood. He used to sleep half the night, stand in prayer for one-third of the night, and sleep for one-sixth, and he used to fast alternate days.” (al-Bukhaari, 1131; Muslim, 1159).
In order for this kind of fasting to be regarded as virtuous, it should not weaken a person and make him unable to do his primary duties, as it says in the hadeeth: “he used to fast alternate days, and he never ran away from battle (because he used to break his fast at times of jihad).” (al-Bukhaari, 1977; Muslim, 1159)
2 – Specific voluntary fasts. These are superior to general voluntary fasts, and are of two types:
The first type is fasts which are specific to a type of person, such as young men who cannot get married, as mentioned in the hadeeth of ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him): “We were young men with the Prophet (ﷺ) and we did not have anything (i.e., we could not afford to get married). The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said to us, ‘O young men, whoever among you can afford to get married, then let him do so, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding chastity. And whoever is not able to do that, then let him fast, for that will be a shield for him.’” (al-Bukhaari, 5066; Muslim, 1400).
This kind of fasting is more emphasized so long as a person is single, and this prescription is more emphatic the more provocation there is. There is no mention of any specific number of days in this case.
The second type is fasts prescribed at specific times, which vary, with some being weekly, some monthly and some annual. The weekly fasts are on Monday and Thursday, on which days fasting is Mustahabb. It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah said: “The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) was keen to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.” (al-Nasaa’i, 2320; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer, 4827).
The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked about fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, and he said: “Those are two days on which people’s deeds are shown to the Lord of the Worlds, and I want my deeds to be shown to Him when I am fasting.” (al-Nasaa’i, 2358; Ibn Maajah, 1740; Ahmad, 8161; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1583).
He was asked about fasting on Mondays and he said, “On that day I was born and on that day revelation came to me.” (Muslim, 1162).
With regard to the monthly fasts, it is Mustahabb to fast on three days of each month. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “My close friend [i.e., the Prophet (ﷺ)] advised me to do three things which I will never give up until I die: fasting three days each month, praying Duha, and sleeping after praying Witr.” (al-Bukhaari, 1178; Muslim, 721).
It is Mustahabb to observe this fast in the middle of the hijri month, on the days called Ayaam al-Beed. It was narrated that Abu Dharr said: “The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said to me, ‘If you fast any part of the month then fast on the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth.’” (al-Nasaa’i, 2424; Ibn Maajah, 1707; Ahmad, 210; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer, 673).
If fasting would have no boundaries, I would die in a fast as the much I love fasting mostly?
May Allah accept from us the efforts put forth the last Ramadan and allow us to continue our good habits?
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