The Special Fasts Muslims Usually Observe

• As RAMADAN Ends

Fasting in Islam does not aim at inflicting punishment upon people or saddling upon them unbearable burdens. The underlying idea behind it is to teach moderation and spiritual discipline so that human temptations may not become so wild and uncontrollable as to flout the commands of the Great Master.

The exercise of abstaining from things otherwise lawful in the ordinary course of life, at the behest of Allah, strengthens man’s morality and self-control and deepens in him the consciousness of the Lord. This is what distinguishes fasting in Islam from fasting in other religions.

While Ramadan is a special time, there are ways to incorporate the blessings of fasting on a regular basis. The Prophet, peace be upon him, would fast, not continuously, but periodically, throughout the year. While one can fast any time of the year, there are days specifically mentioned that carry more reward should one partake in fasting. We call them supererogatory or nawafil fasts for they are not compulsory but Muslims are enjoined to observe them.

6 DAYS IN SHAWWAL

The month of Shawwal immediately follows the month of Ramadan and offers a great opportunity to continue the good habits gained in Ramadan. It can be difficult to switch eating habits so quickly after Ramadan, so many find it fruitful to fast intermittent days after the end of Ramadan, and take advantage of the blessings. 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 Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime” [Muslim]. Al-Nawawi says: “Scholars have explained that it is like observing a year of fasting because the reward of one’s good deeds are multiplied 10-fold. Therefore, fasting in the month of Ramadan is like fasting for 10 months and fasting for 6 days in the month of Shawwal is like fasting for two months.”

MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS

Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays is a noble tradition of Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). When the Messenger of Allah was asked about why he fasted on Mondays, he said: “On (that day) I was born and on it Revelation came down to me.”

Al-Tirmidhi (747) narrated, in a hadith from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Deeds are presented (to Allah) on Monday and Thursday and I like my deeds to be presented when I am fasting.”

FRIDAYS

Fridays are the most blessed day of the week. Rewards of good deeds are multiplied, however, one should not fast Friday alone, but in combination with Thursday or Saturday.

Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard the Prophet, peace be upon him, say: “None of you should fast on Friday unless he fasts a day before or after it” [Bukhari].

THE WHITE DAYS (AYAM AL-BEEDH)

The white days fast, also termed Ayam Al-Beedh, is another way of fasting to achieve the reward of fasting for a lifetime. Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas said: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 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” [Bukhari and Muslim].

The white days are referred to as the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the lunar calendar, so it may not be the same days each month of the solar Gregorian calendar. The days are named as such due to the moon being full and the light it reflects is at maximum. It’s not necessary to fast all three days.

DAY OF ASHURA – 10TH OF MUHARRAM

Ashura Fast comes up on the 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. This commemorates the day Allah saved Prophet Musa, peace be upon him, and his followers from their adversaries. There’s no day better to fast in after Ramadan than Muharram.

Ibn Abbas was asked about observing fast on the day of Ashura, whereupon he said: “I do not know Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him, singling out any day’s fast and considering it more excellent than another, except this day (the day of Ashura) and this month, meaning the month of Ramadan” [Muslim].

Prophet Muhammad singled it out as a recommended fasting day and made it a meritorious act for his followers. He also recommended fasting the day before and after. Through fasting, all of one’s sins for the previous year are forgiven.

ARAFAH DAY- 9TH OF DHUL-HIJJAH

For those not performing Hajj, fasting the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah (the 10th being Eid Al-Adha) is recommended. In particular, the Day of Arafah, being the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, is highly recommended. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him was reported to have said whoever observes fasting on the day of Arafah enjoys the benefit of expiation for his or her sins of the preceding year and the current year” [Muslim].

RAJAB

Rajab, also called the month of Allah, is the seventh month of the Islamic calendar and one of the 4 sacred months in Islam. Fasting in Rajab is encouraged because fasting during sacred months is given greater reward by Allah Almighty than fasting in the remainder of the year. In a Hadith in which Ibn ‘Umar was asked whether the Prophet (PBUH) used to fast in Rajab. He said: “Yes, and he would ennoble it (the month of Rajab).”

If you’re looking for a way to prepare for Ramadan and fulfil acts that are pleasing to Allah (SWT) during the month in which deeds are raised, there’s no better way than following the example of our Prophet (PBUH) and fasting in Rajab.

SHABAN

The month of Shaban is the 8th month and the preceding month to Ramadan. This is an opportunity for Muslims to prepare for Ramadan, both spiritually and physically. It was narrated that Aishah reported that the Prophet liked the month of Shaban more than any other month as far as supplementary fasting is concerned [Bukhari].

The 15th Shaban is considered as one of the most precious nights of the year. Shab-e-Barat is known as the night of forgiveness.

Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was reported in a hadith to have said, 2 Allah gazes at His creation on the fifteenth night of Sha’ban and then forgives all His slaves except for two types of people: those who attribute partners to Allah and those who have rancour for their fellow Muslims’. [Ahmad]

In another reference, the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said: “On the 15th of Shaban, from sunset until dawn, Allah (SWT) asks His servants, 2 is there anyone seeking forgiveness from me so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone seeking provision from me so I may provide for him? Is there anyone suffering so I may relieve his suffering? 2 “ [Ibn Majah].

GENERAL VOLUNTARY FASTS

Aside from the days on which it is forbidden to fast – the 2 days of Eid (Eid Fitri and Eid Adha), and the 3 days of Al-Tashreeq (11th, 12th, 13th of Dhul-Hijjah), the Prophet, peace be upon him, would fast intermittently throughout the year. So, based on one’s capacity, fasting is a beloved act of worship. May Allah accept from us the efforts put forth this past Ramadan and grant us the strength to observe the remaining special fasts after Ramadan.

–JAMIU ABUBAKAR