Voluntary Fasts

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that Allah’s Apostle, Salla Allahu Alayhi Wasallam, said, what translated means,

“Allah said, ‘All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him: the good deeds will be multiplied ten times to seven hundred time, except fasting, which is for Me and I will reward for it accordingly. He abandons his (sexual) desire, food and drink for Me.’ Verily, there are two joyous and pleasurable moments for the fasting person: one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other is when he will meet his Lord (in the Hereafter). Verily, the unpleasant odor emanating from the mouth of the fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the scent of musk.”

[Al-Bukhari & Muslim].

“There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayyan, and those who frequently fast will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection, and none except them shall enter through it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to fast?’ They will stand up, and none except them will enter through it. Upon entry, that gate will be closed and no one else will enter through it.”
[Al-Bukhari].

“The fasting person has at the time of breaking his fast a Du’aa’ that is not rejected.”

[Ibn Majah & Al-’Hakim].

Outside of Ramadan, there are various days in which the Prophet (saws) recommended and/or fasted.

Voluntary fasts in the sunnah, e.g.

• Six days of Shawwal.
• Ashura: 2 days fasting; 9th and 10th of Muharram.
• Day of Arafat: Fasting for those not performing Hajj on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah.
• Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays.
• Fasting three days every month.

Types of fasting are described here in more detail.  Try fasting 2 days per Islamic calendar month.  It will help keep up the discipline, your mind focused, build good character, and inshaAllah reap so much reward from Allah (swt).  You also get to experience a little bit of what to expect in the Ramadan to come in the not too distant future, as the days get longer.

When Allah says fasting is only for Him, it is because no-one but Allah and the person fasting truly knows whether they are fasting or not.  Remember fasting does not mean just nil by mouth.  You must also fast with your tongue and your actions.

Try the following Fasting schedule:

Muharram [sacred month]: 2 days (9th and 10th),  Ashura being on the 10th.  It’s also encouraged to fast as many days as possible in this month – the Messenger sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, used to fast in Muharram more than any other month (outside of Ramadan).

Safar: 2 days (a Monday and a Thursday) or 13th, 14th & 15th (or any 3 days).

Rabi 1: 2 days (a Monday and a Thursday) or 13th, 14th & 15th (or any 3 days).

Rabi 2: 2 days (a Monday and a Thursday) or 13th, 14th & 15th (or any 3 days).

Jumada 1: 2 days (a Monday and a Thursday) or 13th, 14th & 15th (or any 3 days).

Jumada 2: 2 days (a Monday and a Thursday) or 13th, 14th & 15th (or any 3 days).

Rajab [sacred month]: 2 days (a Monday and a Thursday) or 13th, 14th & 15th (or any 3 days). Tip: start preparing for Ramadan now!

Sha’ban: 2 days (a Monday and a Thursday) or 15th (for those observing Shabe-barath, i.e. 15th of Sha’ban). It’s also encouraged to fast as much as possible in the first half of this month, and not to fast after the 15th of this month, unless you’re making up for missed Ramadan fasts).

Ramadan: The whole month – obligatory.

Shawwal: Any 6 days. If you fast six days in this month after observing Ramadan, it is equivalent to fasting the entire year – subhanAllah!

Dhul-Qidah [sacred month]: 2 days (a Monday and a Thursday) or 13th, 14th & 15th (or any 3 days).

Dhul-Hijjah [sacred month]: Day of Arafat (9th of Dhul-Hijjah) or the first 9 days. First 9 days leading upto and including Day of Arafat.

Days fasting is forbidden:

Eid-ul-Fitr (1 day). 1st of Shawwal.

Eid-ul-Adha and 3 days of tashreek (total 4 days). 10th of Dhul-Hijjah.