As we emerged from Ramadan, it is essential to remind ourselves of the various benefits that abound in our passage to another Ramadan next year. Part of those benefits are the voluntary fasts on specific days that have been .sanctioned for fasting by the Shariah. Fasting is not restricted to Ramadan, it is an act of worship that can be [and should be in some cases] performed at other times. Indeed, it is a worship that draws the believer closer to Allaah and closer to perfection. In prayer many of us pray Sunna [supererogatory/optional/voluntary] prayer before or after mandatory prayer, called Rawatib, such as four Rak'at before Zuhr salaah and two after, two after Maghrib and 'Isha and the two rak'at of Fajr before salaat Subh. These are prayers we pray before or after a mandatory prayer.
Similarly, there is a mandatory fasting and that is Ramadan just as one performs the Rawatib before and after the Fardh prayer one should fast before and after Ramadan just as the Rawatib were set by the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) in some specific manner and amount, the Nafl [optional] Fasting was also set by the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam). The following is a review of the fasting of some days that were recommended by the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam).
Six days of the month of Shawwal
Abu Ayyub (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Whoever fasts the month of Ramadhan and then follows it by fasting six days during the month of Shawwal will be rewarded as if he had fasted the entire year." (Muslim)
These days can be any time during the month of Shawwal except the first day because it is unlawful to fast the day of Eid. These days do not have to be at the beginning of the month nor do they have to be consecutive. Hence, Muslims should seize this opportunity and fast these six days to get Allaah's reward.
Why does the fasting of six days of Shawwal after Ramadan equates that of the whole year? Some scholars have suggested that the good deed is rewarded ten times. Thus fasting six days is like fasting 60 days, added to 30 days of Ramadan multiply by 10 (i.e. 300) it makes it a year. Allaah knows best!
The day of 'Arafah
This is for those who are not performing the Hajj (pilgrimage). Abu Qatadah said: The Messenger of Allaah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam), said:
"Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation [of sins] for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it and the fasting the day of 'Aashuraa' is an expiation for the year preceding it." (Muslim)
Fasting three days of every month
'Amr Ibn Sharhabeel (RA) said: A man came to. The Messenger of Allaah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) and said: "O Messenger of Allaah! what do you say to a man who fasts the whole year [time], on this the Messenger of Allaah, (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"I wish he would not eat anything during the year, he said "what about two thirds of the year," he replied "more", he said what about half of it, he said more and then said: "Shall I not inform you of what takes away the whispers of the chest?" and they said yes tell us. He said "fasting three days from every month." (an-Nasaa'i; Sahih)
Abu Dharr AI-Ghifari (RA) said "The Messenger of Allaah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Whoever fasts from every month three days, it is like fasting the whole year, then AIlaah revealed what backs this in His book "Whoever comes with a good deed, he is rewarded ten [olds", one day for ten." (Ibn Majah)
Abu Dharr AI-Ghifari (RA) said: "The Messenger of Allaah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"O Abu Dharr! If you fast three days of every month, then fast the 13th, the 14th and the 15th [these are call the al-ayaam al-beedh, the white days}". (Ahmad, Sahih)
Fasting Mondays and Thursdays
'Aa'ishah (RA) said: The Messenger of Allaah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to fast Mondays and Thursdays", (an- Nasaa'i; Sahih)
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported- that the most the Prophet, (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) would fast would be Monday and Thursday, He was asked about that and he said:
"The deeds of people are presented to Allaah on every Monday and Thursday. AIlaah forgives every Muslim except for those who are deserting each other. He says: "leave them for later." (Ahmad; hasan)
Tasu'a and 'Aashuraa'
Tasu'a and 'Aashuraa' are respectively the ninth and the tenth day of the month of Muharram. Ibn Abbas (RA) reported: "The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) came to Madinah and found the Jews fasting the day of Aashuraa. He asked them: "why are you fasting this day?' They said: "This is a great day Allaah saved Musa (alayhi salaam) and the tribes of Israel from their enemies on this day and therefore Musa fasted on it.
"The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: 'We have more of a right to Mousa than you. " So he fasted on that day also and ordered the people to fast on that day." (Bukhari).
When the Prophet, (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) fasted the day of Aashuraa, the people told him that this day is a day that Jews and Christians honour. The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "When the following year comes, AIlaah willing, we shall fast both the ninth and the tenth day of Muharram (that is to be different from the Jews and the Christians." (Muslim).
Fasting during the month of Muharram
The month of Muharram is the first month of the lunar year. Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported: "I asked the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam): "Which prayer is best after the obligatory prayers?" He said: "Prayer during the middle of the night." I asked: 'Which fast is best after the fast of Ramadhan?" He said: 'Fasting during the month of Muharram." (Muslim).
Fasting during the month of Sha'baan
Shabaan is the month before Ramadan. 'Aa'isha (RA) said: "I have never seen the Messenger of Allaah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam), completing the fast of a month as he did for Ramadan, and I have never seen him fasting so much as he would in Sha'baan." (Bukhari)
Fasting of a woman in her husband's presence
Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"A woman is not to fast [even] for one day while her husband is present except with his permission, unless it is 'during Ramadan." (Muslim)
Intention for voluntary fasting
As opposed to Ramadan, the intention does not have to be made before dawn. The person can intend fasting [and start fasting) after dawn any time [even after noon) given that he did not eat anything. 'Aa'ishah said: The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) came to us one day and said:
"Do you have any [food]?" We said "No". He said: "Therefore. I am Fasting." (Muslim)
Breaking & Making up voluntary fast Ummu Hani (RA) reported that the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam), 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 me [Ummu Hani) and I said: "I am fasting", The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam), 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". (Ahmad)
In another narration, Ummu Hani (RA) said 'I am fasting but I dislike to return your leftover.' He said: "If it [the day you are fasting] is a making up for a day of Ramadan then make up another day for it, and if it is a voluntary fasting day, then if you wish make it up and if you wish not don't" (Ahmad)
'Aishah (RA) said: The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) came to us one day and said,
"Do you have any [food]?"
We said "No". He said:
"Therefore, I am Fasting", and then he came to me after that day and Iwas gifted some Hais [a kind of food). so I left it for him, and he used to like al-Hais. She said: "O Messenger of Allaah! We were gifted some Hais and I left some for you. He said:
"Bring it closer to me, though I woke up with the intention of fasting, I will eat from it."
Then he said:
"The example of the voluntary fasting is like the man who takes out money [to give] for charity, if he likes he give it and if he likes he keep it." (Ibn Majah; Hasan)
Voluntary fasting was something very common among the pious predecessors and they are for us to follow.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited