The Muslim can observe a voluntary fast on any day of the year that he wishes, except those which are known to be forbidden. (The details of Forbidden days are given at end of this article)
1. Mondays and Thursdays:
It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (SAWW) was keen to fast on Mondays and Thursdays. ( al-Tirmidhi, 745; al-Nasaa’i, 2361; Ibn Maajah, 1739;Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1044)
The Messenger of Allaah (SAWW) was asked about fasting on Mondays. He said: “On that day I was born, and on it the Revelation came to me(Muslim, 1162)
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (SAWWW) said: “Deeds are shown (to the lord of the World) on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like my deeds to be shown when I am fasting.” ( al-Tirmidhi, 747)
Benefit: Fasting twice a week is not only Sunnah 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 and loose weight.
1. Fridays:
Fridays are the most blessed day of the week. When rewards of good deeds are multiplied and all supplications are accepted however, one should not fast Friday alone, but in combination with Thursday or Saturday.
Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard the Prophet,(SAWW) say: "None of you should fast on Friday unless he fasts a day before or after it" (al-Bukhaari, 1849, Muslim, 1929)
3. The White Days (Ayam Al-Beedh):
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.
It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (SAWW) 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.” ( al-Bukhaari 1874 , Muslim 1159).]
It was narrated from Jareer ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (SAWW) said: “Fasting three days of each month is fasting for a lifetime, and ayaam al-beed are the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth.” ( al-Nasaa’i, 2420)
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (SAWW) said: The Prophet (SAWW) advised me to do three things which I will not give up until I die: fasting three days of each month, praying Duha and going to sleep after Witr. (al-Bukhaari 1124, Muslim 721).
4. 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.
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 1164).
Benifit:
l It is easy to continue the routine of Ramadan.
l Switching the eating habits so quickly after Ramadan can be difficult, so take advantages of both worlds by fasting in Shawal.
1. Day of Ashura and Muharram:
It is Sunnah to fast during this month, because of the hadeeth:
“The best of fasting after Ramadaan is the month of Muharram, and the best of prayer after the obligatory prayers is prayer at night (qiyaam al-layl).” (Muslim, 1163)
Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: “I never saw Allah’s Messenger (SAWW) so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of `Ashura’, and month of Ramadan.” (Al-Bukhari, Hadith 1867)
Narrated by Hadrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her):“Quraish used to fast on the day of 'Ashura' in the Pre-lslamic period, and Allah's Apostle too, used to fast on that day. Later when the fasting of the month of Ramadan was prescribed, he gave up fasting on the day of 'Ashura' and it became optional for one to fast on it or not. (Al Bukhari ch 31, H220)
It is Sunnah to fast the day before or the day after along with ‘Aashoora’, in order to be differentiate from the Jews.
2. Arafah - 9th of Dhul-Hijjah
Fasting on the day of ‘Arafaah, (9th of Dhul-Hijjah) is highly recommended and mustahabb, as the Messenger of Allaah (SAWW) said:
“I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of ‘Arafaah may atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming years, and I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of ‘Aashoora’ may atone for the sins of the preceding year.” (Muslim, 1162).
The first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah are definitely days of special blessings in which we are encouraged to exert ourselves vigorously in acts of devotion, worship, and righteous deeds. (See al-Bukhaari 969 )
7. Shaban
The month of Shaban precedes the month of Ramadan, and is an ample opportunity to prepare for Ramadan, both spiritually and physically.
‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “The Messenger of Allah (SAWW) used to fast all of Sha’baan, he used to fast Sha’baan apart from a few days. (al-Bukhaari, 1970; Muslim, 1156).
(Note: It is not allowed to fast after halfway through Sha’baan except for those who observes fasts regularly or who are continuing after fasting before halfway through the month.)
“Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will keep his face seventy years’ distance from Hell,” (al-Nasaa’i, 2247; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan al-Nasaa’i, 2121).
Forbidden Days for Fasting:
Following are the days on which fasting is haraam
And these days of fasting Prohibition:
1. Fasting on the two Eid Days . Eid al-Fitr and Adha.
2. Fasting in mid-Hijjah (11, 12, 13 Dhu al-Hijjah/Ayam Al-TAshreeq).
3. Fasting during menstruation or childbirth in women.
4. Fasting is where prohibited by her husband.
5. Fasting for the sick that if he fasted then it will harm it.
6. Deliberately singling out Friday for fasting.
The Virtue of Fasting Sunnah
The virtues of fasting are immense, and a number of saheeh ahaadeeth state this, such as the following:
l In Paradise there is a gate called Al-Rayyaan, through which those who fast will enter, and no-one else will enter through it. After they have entered, it will be locked and no-one else will enter it. (Al Bukhari 1763)
l “Allah said: Every deed of the son of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for me and I shall reward for it…”(Al bhukhari 1761, Al Muslim 1946)
Health benefits of Fasting:
Fasting;
Removes toxins from the body.
Relax the digestive organs.
Lowers blood pressure.
Lowers cholesterol levels.
Sooth the soul and help with mood disorder.
Improves insulin sensitivity.
Helps clear the skin and prevent acne.
Fasting has social benefits as well like:
Provide a sense of empathy for others who are less fortunate.
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