Ramadan, the month of obligatory fasting, has come to an end. Daily fasting is disciplining and helps to structure one's day around the worship of God Almighty. But, apart from this, voluntary fasting is also encouraged in Islam. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "All his deeds the son of Adam does for himself, except the fast he does for My sake, and I will repay him for it." He also said: "Whoever observes fasting one day in the way of Allah - Allah will remove his countenance from the Fire for seventy years" (Al-Bukhari; Muslim).
Is it possible to subject one's voluntary fasts to a certain routine during the rest of the year? In the example of Ramadan, we see the importance of the habit and intention of regular worship.
There is a good in voluntary fasting that many people underestimate. After all, every obligatory form of worship has a desirable form in Shariah as well. This also applies to fasting. Through desirable worship, the Muslim corrects the omissions and deficiencies of obligatory worship.
You can fast voluntarily on all days except public holidays. It is also not permissible to fast specifically on Fridays. However, there are certain days for voluntary fasting on which it is preferable to fast on other days. These constitute the recurring weekly and monthly cycles of fasting.
What are the best days of the week to fast?
It is Monday and Thursday. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The deeds of people are presented to Allah on Monday and Thursday, and I want my deeds to be presented at the time when I am fasting" (At-Tirmidhi). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was also asked about fasting on Monday and he replied: "On this day I was born and on this day the first revelation was sent down to me" (Muslim).
It is now the month of Shawwal, whose six days of fasting are of great significance. Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "One who fasts in the month of Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal is equal to one who fasts throughout the whole year" (Ahmad)
You may choose to observe the fast on Mondays and Thursdays. There is no obstacle to this and a Muslim will be credited both for observing the Shawwal fast and for observing on Mondays and Thursdays.
What are the best days of the month to fast?
It is advisable to fast for three days each month. It can be any three days. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Fasting for three days every month is like a permanent fast" (Al-Bukhari; Muslim).
However, it is desirable that they should be "white days": the thirteenth, the fourteenth and the fifteenth of each lunar month. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "If you wish to fast three days in a month, then fast on the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth days" (At-Tirmidhi).
Is it possible to subject one's voluntary fasts to a certain routine during the rest of the year? In the example of Ramadan, we see the importance of the habit and intention of regular worship.
There is a good in voluntary fasting that many people underestimate. After all, every obligatory form of worship has a desirable form in Shariah as well. This also applies to fasting. Through desirable worship, the Muslim corrects the omissions and deficiencies of obligatory worship.
You can fast voluntarily on all days except public holidays. It is also not permissible to fast specifically on Fridays. However, there are certain days for voluntary fasting on which it is preferable to fast on other days. These constitute the recurring weekly and monthly cycles of fasting.
What are the best days of the week to fast?
It is Monday and Thursday. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The deeds of people are presented to Allah on Monday and Thursday, and I want my deeds to be presented at the time when I am fasting" (At-Tirmidhi). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was also asked about fasting on Monday and he replied: "On this day I was born and on this day the first revelation was sent down to me" (Muslim).
It is now the month of Shawwal, whose six days of fasting are of great significance. Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "One who fasts in the month of Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal is equal to one who fasts throughout the whole year" (Ahmad)
You may choose to observe the fast on Mondays and Thursdays. There is no obstacle to this and a Muslim will be credited both for observing the Shawwal fast and for observing on Mondays and Thursdays.
What are the best days of the month to fast?
It is advisable to fast for three days each month. It can be any three days. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Fasting for three days every month is like a permanent fast" (Al-Bukhari; Muslim).
However, it is desirable that they should be "white days": the thirteenth, the fourteenth and the fifteenth of each lunar month. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "If you wish to fast three days in a month, then fast on the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth days" (At-Tirmidhi).
