Compiled by: Quraan & Sunnah Team.
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Praise is to Allah and peace and blessing be upon His messenger Mohammad (saw) and upon his family. We are living in a time unlike any other period in the history of mankind. We have mastered technology to a degree unimaginable just fifty years ago.Various technological achievements have gradually transformed the way human beings perform day to day routines as well as how we interact with one another. However, despite these accomplishments, we have never lived in a more tumultuous time than now. We have simultaneously become the most capable and the most confused generation in history. We are living in times of extreme uncertainty and in an age of extreme opposites. The wealth that certain societies have amassed today dwarfs any past civilizations’ at their most prosperous.Yet at the same time the divide between those who possess such wealth and the poor of the world has never been wider. Even
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with the advances in medicine and agricultural science, epidemic disease and wide spread famine are approaching record numbers. Most of the technological advances we see have been transformed into the most awe inspiring destructive forces the world has ever known. If there was ever a time in the history of the Earth that man could bring about what certain people call ‘Armageddon’ or the ‘apocalypse’ , it is indeed now. People are desperate for a solution. A solution that is neither a quick fix nor a band-aid but a solution that goes to the core of what plagues mankind and provides a lasting cure. That solution is Islam. In this small booklet we will describe one such solution based on Fasting. Fasting in Ramadan is not discussed in this booklet rather we are discussing other voluntary fasting prescribed by ALLAH (swt) that His slaves should voluntarily seek to draw closer to Him, after per-
A GUIDE TO VOLUNTARY FASTING
forming the obligatory acts of worship, by doing more of the same kinds of acts of worship, and He has assigned to that great rewards, as the Prophet (saw) told us that his Lord said: “My slave does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My slave continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I will love him, When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, he seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it.” (al-Bukhaari, 6502). InshaALLAH we hope this booklet will help you to observe voluntary fasting and become a better muslim and set examples for others. InshaALLAH.
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“Whoever fasts one day for the sake of ALLAH (swt), ALLAH (swt) will keep his face seventy years’ distance from Hell,”
A GUIDE TO VOLUNTARY FASTING by Qur’aan & Sunnah Team. you can visit our website at
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A GUIDE TO VOLUNTARY FASTING
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A GUIDE TO VOLUNTARY FASTING
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Bismillah Al-Rahman, AlRahim, Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatallahi wa barakatahu, Praise be to ALLAH (swt). By His Wisdom, ALLAH (swt) has prescribed that His slaves should voluntarily seek to draw closer to Him, after performing the obligatory acts of worship, by doing more of the same kinds of acts of worship, and He has assigned to that great rewards, as the Prophet (saw) told us that his Lord said: “My slave does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My slave continues to draw near to
A GUIDE TO VOLUNTARY FASTING
Me with supererogatory works so that I will love him, When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it.” (al-Bukhaari, 6502).
Naafil fasts falls into two main categories: 1. General voluntary fasts 2. Specific voluntary fasts
General Voluntary Fasting: General voluntary fasts (i.e., not restricted to any particular
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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
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to ALLAH (swt) is the prayer of Dawood (as), and the most beloved fasting to ALLAH (swt) is the fasting of Dawood (as). He used to sleep half the night, stand in prayer for onethird 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,
A GUIDE TO VOLUNTARY FASTING
1159)
Specific Voluntary Fasting: 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-allah ibn Mas’ood (ra): “We were young men with the Prophet (saw) and we did not have anything (i.e., we could not afford to get married). The Messenger of ALLAH (swt) (saw) 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
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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 (ra) said: “The Messenger Muhammad
sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam was keen to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.” (al-Nasaa’i, 2320; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh alJaami’ al-Sagheer, 4827).
The Prophet (saw) 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,
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1162).
With regard to the monthly fasts, it is mustahabb to fast on three days of each month. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (ra) said: “My close friend [i.e., the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam] 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 MessengerMuhammad Page 7
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sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam 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).
We are including all kinds of nafil fasting in this article so as to be more useful. Annual fasts are observed on specific days, or during periods when it is Sunnah to fast. The specific days include the following: A). The day of ‘Aashoora’ which is the tenth of Muharram. It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) was asked about fasting on Page 8
the day of ‘Aashoora’. He said, “I do not know of any day on the Messenger Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam fasted that was better than this day and any month that was better than this month.” (alBukhaari, 2006; Muslim, 1132).
It is Sunnah to fast the day before or the day after along with ‘Aashoora’, in order to be different from the Jews. B). The day of ‘Arafaah’, which is the ninth day of Dhu’lHijjah. It is mustahabb only for those who are not standing in ‘Arafaah itself, as the Messenger Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said concerning the virtue of the three fasts mentioned
A GUIDE TO VOLUNTARY FASTING
above: “The observance of three days’ fast every month and that of Ramadan every year is equivalent to fasting for the entire year. I seek from ALLAH (swt) that fasting on the day of ‘Arafaah may atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming years, and I seek from ALLAH (swt) that fasting on the day of ‘Aashoora’ may atone for the sins of the preceding year.” (Muslim, 1162).
The periods during which it is Sunnah to fast include the following: A). The month of Shawwaal. It is Sunnah to fast six days of Shawwaal, because the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi
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wa sallam said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan then fasts six days of Shawwaal, it is as if he fasted for a lifetime.” (Muslim, 1164). B). The month of Muharraam: it is Sunnah to fast whatever one can of 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).
C). The month of Sha’baan, as it was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (ra) said: “The Messenger (saw) used to fast until we thought that he would never break his fast, and he would not fast until we thought that he would never
fast. I never saw the Messenger Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam fast an entire month apart from Ramadaan, and the month in which I saw him fast the most was Sha’baan. He used to fast all of Sha’baan or all of it apart from a few days.” (alBukhaari, 1969; Muslim, 1156).
Muslims who are keen to do good must realize the great virtue of performing voluntary fasts for the sake of ALLAH (swt), as it says in the hadeeth of the Prophet (saw): “Whoever fasts one day for the sake of ALLAH (swt), ALLAH (swt) will keep his face seventy years’ distance from Hell,” (al-Nasaa’i, 2247; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan
A GUIDE TO VOLUNTARY FASTING
al-Nasaa’i, 2121).
We ask ALLAH (swt) to make us among those whose faces He keeps far away from Hell and its heat, and to bless us with Paradise. Ameen Some more info about the question usually asked by people, Is it better to fast 3 days in a month or twice weekly (Monday & Thursday)? Read below for authentic answers. 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 Page 9
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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. If you decide fasting 8 days in a month is little difficult, and decided you will fast only three days in a month, then 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. Following is the hadeeth which Page 10
speaks about voluntary fasting. 1. It was narrated from Abu Qataadah al-Ansaari that Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam was asked about fasting on Mondays. He said: “On that day I was born, and on it the Revelation of Qur’an came to me on Monday.” Narrated by Muslim, 1162.
2. It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (ra) said: The Prophet (saw) 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 (ra) that the Messenger (saw) said: “Deeds are shown (to
A GUIDE TO VOLUNTARY FASTING
ALLAH (swt)) 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 alTargheeb, 1041.
4. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (ra) said: “My close friend [the Prophet (saw)] advised me to do three things which I will not give up until I die: fasting three days of each month, praying Duha, and sleeping after Witr. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1124; Muslim, 721. 5. It was narrated from Mu’aadhah al-‘Adawiyyah that she asked ‘Aa’ishah,(ra) the wife of the Prophet (saw), “Did the Messenger of ALLAH (swt)
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(saw) fast three days of every month?” She said, “Yes.” She said to her: “Which days of the month did he fast?” She said, “He did not mind which days of the month he would fast.” Narrated by Muslim, 1160.
6. It was narrated from Jareer ibn ‘Abdallah (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said: “Fasting three days of each month is fasting for a lifetime, and ayaam al-beed are the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth.” Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 2420; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1040.
7. It was narrated that Abu Dharr (ra) said: The Messenger (saw) said to me: “If you fast any part of the month, then fast
the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi,
761; al-Nasaa’i, 2424; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1038.
8. It was narrated from Abu Qutaadah al-Ansaari (ra) that the Messenger (saw) was asked about his fasting. The Messenger (saw) got angry, then ‘Umar (ra) said, “We are content with Allah as our Lord, with Islam as our religion, with Muhammad as our Prophet and with the oath of allegiance (bay’ah) that we have given.” Then he was asked about one who fasts for a lifetime and he said, “He did not fast and he did not break his fast.” [i.e., it becomes a routine
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for him such that he no longer feels the difference between fasting and not fasting] Then he was asked about fasting two days and not fasting for one day, and he said, “Who is able to do that?” Then he was asked about fasting one day and not fasting for two days, and he said, “Would that ALLAH (swt) gave us strength for that.” And he was asked about fasting one day and not fasting one day (i.e., fasting alternate days) and he said, “That is the fasting of my brother Dawood (as).” And he was asked about fasting on Mondays, and he said, “That is the day on which I was born and the day on which my mission
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began (or on which Revelation came down to me).” And he said, “Fasting for three days each month and Ramadaan each year is the fast of a lifetime.” And he was asked about fasting on the Day of ‘Arafaah, and he said, “It expiates for the past year and the coming year,” and he was asked about fasting on the Day of ‘Ashoora’, and he said, “It expiates for the past year.” Narrated by Muslim, 1162.
9. It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (ra) said: “The Prophet Mohammad (saw) used to fast until we thought that he would never break his fast, then he would not fast until we thought that he would never fast. I never
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saw the Messenger (saw) fasting a complete month apart from Ramadaan, and I never saw him fast in any other month more than Sha’baan.” (Narrated by alBukhaari, 1868; Muslim, 1156). 10. It was narrated from Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari (ra) that the Messenger Mohammad (saw) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it is as if he fasted for a lifetime.” Narrated by Muslim, 1164. It is clear from these hadeeth that fasting is encouraged, whether it is one or two days each year, one day each week, three days each month, fasting one day and not fasting two days or vice versa, or fasting one day and not the next. A GUIDE TO VOLUNTARY FASTING
The matter is flexible. This hadeeth also clearly indicates that there is no set limit or any specific number of days to be fasted. And ALLAH (swt) knows best. Apart from getting closer to ALLAH (swt) there are many other benefits from fasting in other months than Ramadan, you will have to read the benefits of Ramadan and fasting to get more details, as this article was just for the voluntray fasting in other months than Ramadan we haven’t included the benefits of Ramadan, inshaALLAH may be in future we will release the second edition of this series which includes the benefits of fasting as main subject, inshaALLAH.
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This book is not bound by any copyright law, you are free to use this booklet anywhere free of cost or even without mentioning us. We believe to spread the words of ALLAH (swt) and His messenger and prophet Mohammad (saw) we dont require to take permission from people, ALLAH (swt) has given that permission, so feel free to use this booklet for daw’ah. Da’wah is an Arabic word which comes close to the word “invite” or “invitation” in English. The understanding of the usage of the word “Da’wah” with regard to the faith of Islam is that it is the responsibility of the Muslims to “invite” all humanity to the way of Islam, i.e., submission to the One True God (ALLAH (swt)) on His terms. Da’wah is incumbent on all Muslims and must be done in compliance with the methodology already established by the last Prophet of Islam, Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam (may Allaah exalt his mention). Muslims therefore must exercise their efforts and use all permissible means to invite others to the truth they have. Bearing the message is a serious responsibility and a noble task and, as such, it has to be performed with knowledge, seriousness, consideration and wisdom. JazakALLAH Khier for reading this booklet and we hope this book has inspired you to follow the voluntary fasting, and also inspired you to share this book in which ever form you feel feasible. Before we end this footnote, please do remember the people behind this booklet in your prayers, and ask ALLAH to bless us, so that we can bring more such books. InshaALLAH.
Team Qur’aan & Sunnah
A GUIDE TO VOLUNTARY FASTING
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