What Are the Most Important Days to Fast Outside of Ramadan?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul Sami‘ al-Yakti

Question

What are the most important days to fast outside of Ramadan?

Answer

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. Blessings and peace be upon the Master of the Messengers, his Family, and all his Companions.

Fasting is among the greatest acts of worship that lead a person to piety. Some of the most significant days recommended for fasting outside of the obligatory days include fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, three days of each month, six days of Shawwal, the day of ‘Arafa for those not on Pilgrimage, the day of ‘Ashura and the day before it, as well as fasting in the month of Sha‘ban, including the fifteenth day of it, and the sacred months among others, except for those days on which fasting is prohibited, as mentioned in the noble hadiths. Allah knows best.

Detailed Answer

Fasting is one of the greatest acts of worship that elevates a servant to the status of piety, as Allah (Most High) says, “O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you—so perhaps you will become mindful (of Allah).” [Quran, 2:183]

It strengthens the believer’s relationship with his Lord and generally keeps him in a state of mindfulness and watchfulness of Allah (Most High), among other fruits and significant purposes for which it was prescribed.

By the wisdom of Allah (Most High), to extend grace to His believing servants who desire to gain more reward and virtue or atone for some sins and transgressions, He has legislated fasting on additional days beyond the numbered days He has made obligatory in Ramadan.

We will mention these days outside of Ramadan briefly, with arrangement and evidence:

Firstly – Obligatory Fasting:

Makeup fasting: Makeup fasting for missed days of Ramadan, as Allah (Most High) says: “So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then (let them fast) an equal number of days (after Ramadan).” [Quran, 2:185]

Vow fasting: For those who vow to fast specific days to Allah (Most High) upon the fulfillment of a certain matter, this becomes obligatory.

Expiatory fasting: Required in certain situations, such as a person who has had sexual relations during the daytime of Ramadan and is unable to free a slave but is capable of fasting, expiation for accidental killing, and Zihar (a form of divorce in Islamic law), among others.

Secondly – Voluntary or Nafl Fasting

This fasting includes the following days and situations:

Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays: Due to their virtues, as narrated by ‘Aisha (Allah be pleased with her):

“The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) was keen to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.” [Tirmidhi; Nasa’i; Ibn Maja]

Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“Deeds are presented to Allah on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like that my deeds be presented while I am fasting.” [Tirmidhi]

Abu Qatada (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was asked about fasting on Monday, and he said, “That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I received revelation.” [Muslim]

Fasting three days each month: Known as the white days (13th, 14th, and 15th of the lunar month). Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) stated, “My beloved advised me to fast three days of every month, perform the Duha prayer, and offer the Witr prayer before sleeping.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

Fasting six days of Shawwal: Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it will be as if they fasted for a lifetime.” [Muslim]

Fasting during the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijja: Ibn ‘Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” When asked whether this included Jihad, he replied: “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, unless a man goes forth with his life and wealth and returns with neither.” [Bukhari]

Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafa for those not on pilgrimage: Abu Qatada (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) was asked about fasting on the Day of ‘Arafa, to which he replied, “It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.” [Muslim]

Fasting on the Day of ‘Ashura and the day before or after it: Ibn ‘Abbas (Allah be pleased with them both) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) fasted on the day of ‘Ashura and commanded others to fast on it. [Bukhari; Muslim]

In another narration, “If I remain alive till next year, I would definitely fast on the 9th.” [Muslim]

Fasting during the month of Sha‘ban, particularly the 15th day, and the sacred months: Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The best fasting after Ramadan is fasting Allah’s month of Muharram, and the best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer.” [Muslim]

‘Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) narrated, “The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) did not fast in any month more than Sha‘ban. He used to fast all of Sha‘ban and, in another narration, almost all of Sha‘ban.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

The fast of Dawud  (Allah bless him and give him peace) for those who are able: Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn al-‘As (Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

“The most beloved prayer to Allah was the prayer of Dawud, and the most beloved fasting to Allah was the fasting of Dawud. He would sleep half the night, get up and pray for one-third of it, and sleep again for a sixth of it; and he would fast one day and not the next.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

Fasting for those unable to marry: Abdullah Ibn Mas‘ud (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to us, “O young men, those of you who can support a wife should marry, for it restrains eyes (from casting evil glances) and preserves one from immorality; but he who cannot afford it should observe fast for it is a means of controlling the sexual desire.” [Ibid.]

Any day of the year with exception: General voluntary fasting on any day of the year except on days when fasting is prohibited, which includes the two days of Eid, the days of Tashriq, and the day of doubt for those who do not have the habit of fasting as a precaution. [Hisni, Kifayat al-Akhyar]

These are the fasting days outside of Ramadan, and Allah knows best.

Summary

I urge you to, first and foremost, ensure you fulfill the obligatory fasts. After that, it is recommended that you establish a regular practice of fasting on specific days that you consistently observe, such as Mondays and Thursdays, as well as other religiously significant days. Avoid burdening yourself with fasting obligations that Allah has not imposed upon you, or that may be difficult for you to fulfill, such as vows and others.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad, his Family, and all his Companions.

Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Abdul Sami‘ al-Yakti