Voluntary Fasting

The meaning of the Hadīth: Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) informs about the condition of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) regarding fasting and praying at night. He said that he used to leave fasting in a certain month until a person would think that he has not fasted any day of that month; for not fasting for many days. Conversely, he used to fast in a certain month so many days that one would think that he has not broken his fast at all in that month; for his consistent fasting for many days. Likewise, he has not committed himself to pray at a certain time at night. Rather, he used to pray at the beginning of the night sometimes, other times in the middle, and other at the last part of it; such that if you wished to see him praying at night, you would be able to. And if you wished to see him sleeping at night, you would be able to as well. Therefore, his deeds were moderate between excess and negligence.

- رياض الصالحين من كلام سيد المرسلين، أبو زكريا محيي الدين النووي، تحقيق ماهر الفحل، دار ابن كثير، دمشق، بيروت، الطبعة: الأولى 1428هـ. - بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، سليم بن عيد الهلالي، دار ابن الجوزي، الدمام، الطبعة: الأولى 1415هـ. - نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، مجموعة من الباحثين، مؤسسة الرسالة، بيروت، الطبعة: الرابعة عشر 1407هـ. - صحيح البخاري، محمد بن إسماعيل البخاري الجعفي، تحقيق: محمد زهير الناصر، دار طوق النجاة (مصورة عن السلطانية بإضافة ترقيم: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي)، الطبعة: الأولى 1422هـ.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified that whoever fasts a day in Jihad, and it is said in Jihad or otherwise, sincerely for the sake of Allah, seeking reward and recompense from Allah, then by His grace, Allah will distance him from the Fire seventy years.

1. An-Nawawi said: The merit of fasting in the way of Allah, and it is meant to apply to whoever is not harmed by it, does not neglect any rights because of it, and does not hamper his ability to fight or fulfill any of the missions of his fight.
2. Encouraging and motivating the voluntary fast.
3. It is obligatory to offer the fast sincerely for Allah's sake and seek His pleasure, not for showing off, gaining a good reputation, or any other purpose.
4. As-Sindi said: His statement (in the way of Allah) may mean simply having a sincere intention or fasting while being a warrior in battle. The second meaning is the more apparent one.
5. Ibn Hajar said: His statement (seventy falls) refers to fall as a specific time of the year, but here it means a year. Fall is mentioned specifically instead of the other seasons—summer, winter, and spring—because fall is the most fruitful season, as it is the time when fruits are harvested.

صحيح البخاري (4/ 26) (2840). صحيح مسلم (2/ 808) (1153). تيسير العلام، لعبد الله البسام (ص346). تنبيه الأفهام شرح عمدة الإحكام، لابن عثيمين (3/ 465). الإفهام في شرح عمدة الأحكام، لابن باز (ص426). خلاصة الكلام على عمدة الأحكام، لفيصل آل مبارك (ص162).

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade fasting on Friday, except when being coupled with fasting a day before it or a day after it, or when it is part of a regular fast.

تأسيس الأحكام للنجمي، ط2، دار علماء السلف، 1414ه. تيسير العلام شرح عمدة الأحكام للبسام، حققه وعلق عليه وخرج أحاديثه وصنع فهارسه: محمد صبحي بن حسن حلاق، ط10، مكتبة الصحابة، الإمارات - مكتبة التابعين، القاهرة، 1426 هـ تنبيه الأفهام شرح عمدة لأحكام لابن عثيمين، ط1، مكتبة الصحابة، الإمارات، 1426ه عمدة الأحكام من كلام خير الأنام صلى الله عليه وسلم لعبد الغني المقدسي، دراسة وتحقيق: محمود الأرناؤوط، مراجعة وتقديم: عبد القادر الأرناؤوط، ط2، دار الثقافة العربية، دمشق ، بيروت، مؤسسة قرطبة، 1408 هـ صحيح البخاري، تحقيق: محمد زهير بن ناصر الناصر، ط1، دار طوق النجاة (مصورة عن السلطانية بإضافة ترقيم: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي)، 1422ه. صحيح مسلم، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، دار إحياء التراث العربي، بيروت، 1423 هـ.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that his beloved friend and companion (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) advised and entrusted him with three things: First: Fasting three days of every month. Second: Performing the two Rak‘ahs (unit of prayer) of Duha (forenoon prayer) daily. Third: Performing Witr before sleeping for whoever fears not waking up at the end of the night.

1. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gave his Companions different pieces of advice based on his knowledge of their conditions and what suits each of them, as Jihad is suitable for the strong one, worship is suitable for the devoted worshipper, knowledge is suitable for the knowledgeable, and so on.
2. Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalāni said about his statement: (fasting three days of every month); this apparently refers to the White Days, namely the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the Hijri month.
3. Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalāni said: It signifies that it is recommended to pray Witr before sleep for the one who is not confident about waking up.
4. The importance of these three deeds, given the fact that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), advised a number of his Companions to observe them.
5. Ibn Daqīq al-‘Eid said about his statement: (the two Rak‘ahs of Duha): Perhaps he mentioned the minimum with which the deed is confirmed, and this indicates that the Duha prayer is recommended and that its minimum number of Rak‘ahs is two.
6. Time of the Duha prayer: It starts almost 15 minutes after sunrise, and its time extends to almost 10 minutes before noon. Its number: Its minimum number of Rak‘ahs is two; however, there is a difference in opinion regarding the maximum; it is said: eight Rak‘ahs, and it is said: Its maximum has no limit.
7. Time of Witr: It starts right after the ‘Ishā’ prayer until the break of dawn. Its minimum number of Rak‘ahs is one, and the maximum is eleven Rak‘ahs.

صحيح البخاري (3/ 41) (1981). صحيح مسلم (1/ 499) (721). تيسير العلام، للبسام (ص342). تنبيه الأفهام شرح عمدة الأحكام، لابن عثيمين (3/ 456). خلاصة الكلام على عمدة الأحكام، لفيصل آل مبارك (ص159).

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) informs us in this Hadīth that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said that the best fast and night prayer in the sight of Allah, the Almighty, are those of His Prophet Dawūd (peace be upon him). He used to fast one day and not fast on the next day, as this manner of fasting fulfills worship and gives the body its share of rest at the same time. He used to sleep the first half of the night to wake up feeling active enough to perform worship. He would then pray one third of the night then sleep its last sixth to be active for the acts of worship that were to be performed in the early morning. This is the way that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged Muslims to follow.

عمدة الأحكام، تأليف: عبد الغني بن عبد الواحد المقدسي، تحقيق: محمود الأرناؤوط، دار الثقافة العربية ومؤسسة قرطبة، الطبعة الثانية، 1408هـ. تيسير العلام، تأليف: عبد الله بن عبد الرحمن البسام، تحقيق محمد صبحي بن حسن حلاق، مكتبة الصحابة ومكتبة التابعين، الطبعة العاشرة، 1426 هـ. تأسيس الأحكام شرح عمدة الأحكام، تأليف: أحمد بن يحي النجمي: نسخة إلكترونية لا يوجد بها بيانات نشر. تنبيه الأفهام شرح عمدة الإحكام، تأليف: محمد بن صالح العثيمين، مكتبة الصحابة ومكتبة التابعين، الطبعة الأولى: 1426هـ. خلاصة الكلام على عمدة الأحكام، تأليف: فيصل بن عبد العزيز آل مبارك، الطبعة الثانية، 1412هـ. صحيح البخاري، تأليف: محمد بن إسماعيل البخاري، تحقيق: محمد زهير الناصر، الناشر: دار طوق النجاة الطبعة: الأولى 1422هـ. صحيح مسلم، تأليف: مسلم بن الحجاج النيسابوري، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، الناشر: دار إحياء التراث العربي، بيروت.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was told that ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr swore to fast every day and stay in prayer all night without sleep for his entire life. So he asked him whether he had said that and he answered that he had. The Prophet told him that such a commitment would be beyond his endurance, so he should combine worship with rest by fasting and eating; praying at night and sleeping and restricting his voluntary fasting to three days a month, which would grant him the reward of fasting the whole year. However, ‘Abdullāh said that he could handle more than that. He kept asking to do more fasting until he reached its ultimate form, which is fasting like Prophet Dawūd, namely fasting every other day. He asked to do more from a desire to do more good deeds, but the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told him that there was no fast better than that.

عمدة الأحكام، تأليف: عبد الغني بن عبد الواحد المقدسي، تحقيق: محمود الأرناؤوط، دار الثقافة العربية ومؤسسة قرطبة، الطبعة الثانية، 1408هـ. تيسير العلام، تأليف: عبد الله بن عبد الرحمن البسام، تحقيق محمد صبحي بن حسن حلاق، مكتبة الصحابة ومكتبة التابعين، الطبعة العاشرة، 1426 هـ. تأسيس الأحكام شرح عمدة الأحكام، تأليف: أحمد بن يحي النجمي: نسخة إلكترونية لا يوجد بها بيانات نشر. تنبيه الأفهام شرح عمدة الإحكام، تأليف: محمد بن صالح العثيمين، مكتبة الصحابة ومكتبة التابعين، الطبعة الأولى: 1426هـ. الإفهام في شرح عمدة الأحكام، للشيخ عبد العزيز بن عبد الله بن باز، تحقيق: سعيد بن علي بن وهف القحطاني، الطبعة الأولى، 1435 هـ. خلاصة الكلام على عمدة الأحكام، تأليف: فيصل بن عبد العزيز آل مبارك، الطبعة الثانية، 1412 هـ . صحيح البخاري ، تأليف: محمد بن إسماعيل البخاري ، تحقيق: محمد زهير الناصر، الناشر: دار طوق النجاة الطبعة: الأولى، 1422هـ. صحيح مسلم ، تأليف: مسلم بن الحجاج النيسابوري، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، الناشر: دار إحياء التراث العربي – بيروت.

"Deeds are presented", meaning: to Allah, the Almighty. “On Monday and Thursday. So, I like my deeds to be presented while I am fasting”, meaning: out of seeking a higher reward from Allah. According to the second wording: "Gates of Paradise are opened on Mondays and Thursdays", it is true because Paradise has been already created. “And every slave [of Allah] who associates nothing with Allah will be forgiven”, meaning: only the minor sins will be forgive, while the major sins require a repentance. “Except for a man”, meaning: a person “who is at odds with his brother”, meaning: who is on bad terms with his brother in Islam. “It will be said: Delay”, meaning: Allah says this to the angels. “These two”, meaning: such two men who are in conflict. They will be delayed in order to deter them, or because of their sin of turning their backs on each other. “Until” such an enmity is removed and “they are reconciled.” This indicates that one must take the initiative to get rid of the grudge and animosity between him and his fellow Muslim brothers. He should do so even if this does not appeal to him. He should be patient and seek reward for doing this from Allah, the Almighty, because such an act results in a good end. It becomes easier for the person to do something if he realizes the good and reward it entails. Similarly, thinking of the warning against misdeeds makes it easy for the person to avoid committing such a bad act.

شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين، نشر: دار الوطن للنشر، الرياض، الطبعة: 1426هـ. رياض الصالحين، للنووي، تحقيق: ماهر الفحل، دار ابن كثير - بيروت، الطبعة الأولى 1428هـ - 2007م. صحيح مسلم, ترقيم محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي, دار إحياء التراث العربي, بيروت. نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين, مؤسسة الرسالة, الطبعة الرابعة عشر, 1407هـ. إرواء الغليل في تخريج أحاديث منار السبيل، للشيخ الألباني، الناشر: المكتب الإسلامي – بيروت، الطبعة الثانية 1405 هـ - 1985م. كنوز رياض الصالحين، نشر: دار كنوز إشبيليا، الطبعة الأولى، 1430هـ - 2009م. سنن الترمذي، تحقيق بشار عواد، دار الغرب الإسلامي – بيروت، 1998م. تحفة الأحوذي بشرح جامع الترمذي، للمباركفورى، الناشر: دار الكتب العلمية – بيروت. مرقاة المفاتيح شرح مشكاة المصابيح، لعلي القاري، الناشر:دار الفكر، بيروت - لبنان، الطبعة الأولى، 1422هـ - 2002م. فيض القدير شرح الجامع الصغير، للمناوي، الناشر: المكتبة التجارية الكبرى - مصر، الطبعة الأولى، 1356.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was informed that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) was fasting continuously without breaking his fast throughout the year and was praying the entire night without sleeping. So, he forbade him from doing that and said to him: Fast and break your fast, and stand in prayer and sleep. He forbade him from fasting continuously and standing in prayer all night, and said to him: If you do that, your eyes will become weak and sunken, and your soul will become exhausted and weary. The one who fasts the entire year has not truly fasted, as he does not obtain the reward of fasting due to violating the prohibition, and he does not experience the benefit of breaking the fast, as he is constantly abstaining. Then he guided him to fasting three days of each month, as it is equivalent to fasting the entire year, because each day is counted as ten days, which is the minimum multiplication of a good deed. ‘Abdullah said: Indeed, I am capable of more than that. He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Then fast the fast of David (peace be upon him), which is the best type of fast, as he used to fast every other day and he would not flee when facing the enemy because the way he adopted in fasting did not weaken his body.

1. Fasting three days of each month is equivalent to fasting the entire year because a good deed is counted as ten, and this makes them thirty days. So, if one fasts three days each month, it will be as if he has fasted the entire year.
2. Among the methods of calling people to Allah is encouraging them to perform good deeds and mentioning their reward and the reward of regularly practicing them.
3. Al-Khattābi said: In conclusion, the story of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr denotes that Allah Almighty did not command His slave to worship Him through fasting alone, but through various types of worship. If he exhausts his effort in fasting, he will fall short in other acts of worship. Therefore, it is preferable to practice moderation in fasting so that one may retain some strength for other forms of worship. This is indicated by the Prophet's statement about David (peace be upon him): "And he would not flee when facing the enemy," because he would gain strength from breaking his fast for the sake of Jihad.
4. The prohibition of going to extremes and practicing affectation in worship, and goodness lies in adhering to the Sunnah.
5. The view adopted by the majority of scholars is the dislike of fasting continuously throughout the year. It becomes prohibited if one imposes undue hardship on oneself, harms oneself, or abandons the Sunnah of his Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and believes that something other than his Sunnah is better.

صحيح البخاري (3/ 40) (1979). صحيح مسلم (2/ 812) (1159). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (2/ 214). كنوز رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (3/ 297).