VOLUNTARY FASTING (al-Tatawwu')

VOLUNTARY FASTING (al-Tatawwu')
      1)The best fast, next to the obligatory fasting, is to fast every other day. No one may fast more.
 
     Abdullah Ibn Amr once told the Prophet:"I have strength to fast".

The Porphet told him:
"Observe the fast of David, no more." "Abdullah asked: "What is it?"

The Prophet answered: "Half the dahr."
 
   In another version, according to al-Bukhari, the Prophet answered: "Fast one day and break the fast another."Abdullah observed "But I can do better."

The Prophet said:
"There is nothing better."

     2) Another good procedure in voluntary fasting is to fast three days every month.

      Abdullah said that the Prophet once asked him "Abdullah, I was told that you spend the day in fasting and the night in prayer." Abdullah answered in the affirmative, whereupon the prophet commanded him "Do not do so. Fast one day and break it the next. Pray part of the night and sleep the rest. You have an obligation towards your body, your eyes and your wife. It is enough to fast three days every month. Your reward is tenfold."

      3) It is recommended to fast on Mondays and Thursdays- provided the total fasting days do not exceed the half-dahr fast: Hafsa said: "The Prophet used to fast Mondays and Thursdays."

    4) It is also recommended to fast six days during the month of shawwal (the month following Ramadan).

     The Prophet said:
"Fasting in Ramadan and following it with six days in Shawwal is tan tamount to the dahr Siyam (all year round fast) whoever makes a good deed is repaid tenfold."

    5) It is recommended to fast the Day of `Arafat (the days on which pilgrims stand at Mount `Arafa in Mecca).

The Prophet said:
"The `Arafat fast redeems two years... one past and one future."

    6) Among the days of voluntary fasting is the Day of Ashoura.

Ibn `Abbas said:
"I know of no other day than Ashoura, which the Prophet fasted in recognition of its merits over all other days".
 
     7) The month of Muharram is good for voluntary fasting. The Prophet was asked about the best fast next to Ramadan. He said: "al-Muharram."
 
     It is recommended to fast the greater part of Sha'ban.

`Aisha said:
"The Prophet used to fast for a complete month only in Ramadan. Next to that he fasted most often in Sha'ban."
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