Fasting is one of the tasks assigned to Muslims during the month of Ramadan. Millions of Muslims fast from sunrise to sundown for an entire month. After Ramadan, not many Muslims fast often, as it is not required. However, there are plenty of days outside of Ramadan that Muslims are encouraged to fast, as it is part of the Sunnah, the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. This article will cover these recommended fasting days and explain why the Prophet (PBUH) fasted on these days.
Right after Ramadan comes the month of Shawwal, which starts with Eid-Ul-Fitr, Islam's biggest holiday. Following the celebrations of Eid, Muslims are encouraged to fast six days in this month. These fasting days can be consecutive or scattered. Abu Ayub narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan, then follows it with six from Shawwal, then that is (equal in reward) to fasting every day (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 759)."
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would also fast three days every month. Mondays, Thursdays, and then Mondays of the following week. This is because it is believed that a Muslim’s good deeds are presented to Allah (SWT) on these days. This prophetic tradition is mentioned in numerous hadith, such as: It was narrated that Umm Salamah said: “The Messenger of Allah used to fast three days of every month: The Monday and Thursday of the first week and the Monday of the following week (Sunan an Nasa’i 2365).”
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “Deeds are presented on Monday and Thursday, and I love that my deeds be presented when I am fasting (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 747).”
The Day of ‘Arafah is the ninth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. This day is also the last day of Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage. The Prophet (PBUH) would fast on Arafah, as mentioned in this hadith: It was narrated from Abu Qatadah that the messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah, I hope from Allah, expiates for the sins of the year before and the year after (Sunan Ibn Majah 1730).”
Although it is recommended to fast on the Day of ‘Arafah, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would not fast if he was actively performing Hajj. Umm al-Fadl, daughter of al Harith, said: “On the day of 'Arafah some people near her argued whether the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was fasting, some saying that he was, and others saying that he was not. I, therefore, sent him a cup of milk while he was observing the halt at 'Arafah on his camel, and he drank it (Sunan Abi Dawud 2441).”
The Day of 'Ashura was another day the Prophet and his companions would often fast. This day is on the tenth of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, and marks the day when Musa (Moses) parted the Red Sea. Interestingly, fasting on ‘Ashura was a pre-Islamic tradition, and the Quraish would fast on this day. The Prophet Muhammad, upon migrating to Medina, learned that Jews were fasting on ‘Ashura to commemorate Musa. The Prophet said, “we are closer to Moses than you are,” and advised Muslims to fast ‘Ashura for three days, two days, or on the day itself. It is important to note that while Jews do not fast on the day of ‘Ashura in the Islamic calendar, it is likely that the Prophet’s observance was on a coincidental overlap between ‘Ashura and Yom Kippur, a Jewish holiday. Furthermore, before Ramadan, ‘Ashura was an obligatory fast, but after Ramadan was established, it became optional. Aisha said: “Quraish used to fast on the day of ‘Ashura in the Pre-Islamic period, and Allah's Messenger (PBUH) too, used to fast on that day. When he came to Medina, he fasted on that day and ordered others to fast, too. Later when the fasting of the month of Ramadan was prescribed, he gave up fasting on the day of ‘Ashura and it became optional for one to fast on it or not.”
Now that Ramadan is over, it is good for Muslims to carry on the habits applied. Fasting is not only good religiously but physically as well. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, would fast multiple times throughout the year, and by following his tradition, Muslims can be more like him. The effort placed during Ramadan should not end there. Continuing religious acts such as fasting will help Muslims strengthen their faith and get closer to Allah (SWT) for years to come.
Source: https://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/resources/islamic-calendar/muharram/day-of-ashura/
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