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Voluntary Fasts
The
Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, has exhorted us to fast
during the following days: six days of the month of Shawwal, first
ten days of Dhul-Hijjah for those not performing the
pilgrimage, the month of Muharram.
1-Six
Days of The Month of Shawwal:
Abu
Ayyub Al-Ansari reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be
upon him, said: “Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan and
then follows it with six days of Shawwal will be [rewarded] as
if he had fasted the entire year.” (Related by "the
group," except for Al-Bukhari and An-Nasa'i.)
According to Ahmad, one may fast on these days consecutively or
nonconsecutive, as neither practice is preferred over the other.
Hanafiyyah and Shaf`iyyah maintain that it is preferable to fast on
consecutive days after the `Eid.
2-The
First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah, Especially The Day of `Arafah, for
Non-pilgrims:?
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Abu
Qatadah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: "Fasting
on the day of `Arafah is an expiation for two years, the year preceding
it and the year following it. Fasting the day of `Ashurah is an
expiation for the year preceding it." This is related by
"the group," except for al-Bukhari and At-Tirmidhi.
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`Uqbah
ibn `Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah said: “The day
of `Arafah, the day of sacrifice, and the days of Tashreeq are `Eids
for us-Muslims-and they are days of eating and drinking."
(Related by "the five," except Ibn Majah. At-Tirmidhi
grades it Authentic.)
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Abu
Hurairah stated: "The Messenger of Allah forbade fasting on
the day of 'Arafah for one who is actually at `Arafah."
(Related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah. At-Tirmidhi
comments: "The scholars prefer that the day of `Arafah be
fasted unless one is actually at `Arafah (i.e. performing
pilgrimage)."
3-Fasting
during the month of Muharram, especially the day of `Ashurah and The
Preceding and Following Days:
Abu
Hurairah reported: "I asked the Prophet: 'Which prayer is the
best after the obligatory prayers?' He said: 'Prayer during the
middle of the night.' I asked: 'Which fast is the best after
the fast of Ramadan?' He said, 'The month of Allah that you call
Muharram.' " (Related by Ahmad, Muslim, and Abu Dawud.)
Mu`awiyyah ibn Abu Sufyan reported that he heard the Messenger of
Allah saying: “Concerning the day of `Ashurah, it is not
obligatory upon you to fast on it as I do. Whoever wishes may
fast and whoever does not wish to is not obliged to do so."
(Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.)
`Aishah stated: “The tribe of Quraish used to fast on the day of `Ashurah
in the days before Islam, as did the Prophet. When he came to
Madinah, he still fasted on it and ordered the people to do
likewise. Then, when fasting during the month of Ramadan became obligatory,
he said: 'Whoever wishes may fast [`Ashurah] and whoever wishes may
leave it.’" (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)
According to al-Bukhari and Muslim, Musa Al-Ash`ari reported:
"The Jews would honor the day of `Ashurah as an festival. The
Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: 'You [Muslims]
are to fast on it.'" Ibn 'Abbas reported: "The Messenger
of Allah fasted on the day of `Ashurah and ordered the people to
fast on it. The people said: 'O Messenger of Allah, it is a day
that the Jews and Christians honor.' The Prophet said, 'When the
following year comes-Allah willing--we shall fast on the
ninth.' The death of the Prophet came before the following
year." (Recorded by Muslim and Abu Dawud.) In one version
the wording is: “If I remain until next year, we shall fast the
ninth," meaning, in addition to the the tenth. (Related by Muslim
and Abu Dawud.)
The scholars have mentioned that the fast of `Ashurahis of three
levels:
1.
Fasting three days--that is, on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of
Muharram;
2.
Fasting on the 9th and 10th; and
3.
Fasting only on the 10th.
4-Fasting
Most of The Month of Sha`ban:
The
Prophet would fast most of the month of Sha`ban. `Aishah said:
"I never saw the Messenger of Allah fast a complete month save for
Ramadan, and I have never seen him fast more in a month than he did
in Sha`ban." (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)
Usama ibn Zaid inquired: “O Messenger of Allah, I never find you
fasting in any month like you do during the month of Sha`ban.” The Prophet
responded: “That is a month the people neglect. It comes between
Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are raised
to the Lord of the Worlds. I love that my deeds be raised while I am
fasting." (Related by Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i, and by Ibn
Khuzaimah in his Authentic.)
Some people fast on the 15th of Sha`ban in particular, thinking that
that day contains more virtues than the other days. This is an unsubstantiated
claim.
5-Fasting
During The "Forbidden" Months:
The
"forbidden" months (during which killing is forbidden) are
Dhul-Qi`dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. It is preferred to
fast a lot during these months.
A man from the tribe of Bahila came to the Prophet and said: “O
Messenger of Allah, I am the man who came to you during the first
year.” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“What has changed you? You used to be much more handsome!” He
answered: “I did not eat save during the night since I left
you.” The Messenger of Allah asked: “Why did you punish
yourself? Fast during the month of patience [that is, Ramadan]
and then one day of every month.” The man said: "Add
something to that for me, for I have more strength than
that." The Prophet responded: “Fast two days [a month]."
The man said: "Add more for me." The Prophet said three
times: "Fast from the forbidden months, then leave
fasting." He pointed with three of his fingers by clenching
them and releasing them. (Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah,
and Al-Baihaqi with a good chain.)
Fasting during Rajab contains no more virtue than during any other
month. There is no sound report from the Sunnah that states that it
has a special reward. All that has been related concerning it is not
strong enough to be used as a proof. Ibn Hajar says: "There is no
authentic hadith related to its virtues, not fasting during it or on
certain days of it, nor concerning exclusively making night prayers during
that month.”
6-Fasting
Mondays and Thursdays:
Abu
Hurairah reported that the most the Prophet would fast would be
Monday and Thursday. He was asked about that and he said: “The
actions are presented on every Monday and Thursday. Allah forgives
every Muslim or every believer, except for those who are boycotting
each other. He says [about them]: 'Leave them.' " (Related by
Ahmad with an Authentic chain.) It is recorded in Sahih Muslim
that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when asked about
fasting on Monday, said: “That is the day on which I was born and
the day on which I received revelations.”
7-Fasting
Three Days of Every Month:
Abu
Dharr Al-Ghafari reported: “The Messenger of Allah ordered us to
fast for three days of every month--that is, on the days of the full moon
(the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the lunar month). And he said: 'It is
like fasting the whole year.' " (Related by An-Nasa’i and by Ibn
Hibban, who graded it Authentic.)
It is related that the Prophet would fast on Saturday, Sunday, and
Monday of one month and on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of
the next month. He would also fast for three days at the beginning
of the month, or on the first Thursday and the next two Mondays of
the month.
A
Person Performing Voluntary Fasting Can Break His Fast:
Umm
Hani reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,
entered her room during the day of the conquest of Makkah. He was offered
something to drink and he drank from it. Then he offered it to Umm
Hani and she said: "I am fasting." The Prophet said:
"The one who is fasting voluntarily is in charge of
himself. If you wish you may fast and if you wish you may break your
fast." (Recorded by Ahmad, Ad-Daraqutni, and Al-Baihaqi.)
Abu
Said Al-Khudri said: "I prepared food for the Prophet. He came
to me with some of his Companions. When the food was laid out, one
of the men said: 'I am fasting.' The Messenger of Allah said: 'Your
brother has invited you and incurred expenses in your behalf.' Then
he asked [him], ‘Break your fast and fast another day in its place
if you wish.' " (Related by Al-Baihaqi. Al-Haafidh says it is
of a Sound chain.)
Most scholars maintain that one who is performing a voluntary fast
can break it. It is, however, preferred to make up that day later
on. The preceding view is clear and authentic hadith are
support for that position.
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