Almost All of the Muslim Ummah get Excited when then Month of Ramadan arrives, special preparations are made for Month. Perhaps it is a guaranteed Month of the year when a poor doesn’t sleep with his stomach empty for 30 days. And when the Holy Month Leaves, almost all of us feel sad within our hearts. The Main Branch of Ramadan is to keep Fasts for 30 days conservatively and are Obligatory on every free Sane Adult Muslim.
Besides Ramadan, our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) used to keep fasts on other days. Although it’s not compulsory for us to keep those fasts but it is highly recommended to keep them as it is a way of following the footsteps of our Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), and gaining more rewards from Allah and hence getting more closer to Him.
The Six Days of Shawwal:
Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) used to fast six days in the Month of Shawwal immediately after Ramadan. He said: “Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal will be rewarded as if he had fasted the entire year.” In the Ijma of many Scholars, its recommended to fast for six consecutive days after Eid but however it is permitted to fast any six days of the Month of Shawwal except Eid Day.
The Day of Arafah:
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) is reported to have said: “Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it. Fasting the day of Ashurah is an expiation for the year preceding it.” However, fasting is only for those who are not performing the Hajj.
The Two Days of Muharram:
When the Holy Prophet (SAWS) migrated to Madinah, he saw the Jews of the city fasting on the 10th Muharram. He asked them why they are fasting and they replied that they fast thanking God for giving victory to Prophet Musa (AS). Prophet (SAWS) said to them that the Muslims had more rights to Musa (AS) than them and thus instructed the Muslims to fast on the Day of Ashura. Later he asked the Muslims to fast the 9th of Muharram additionally to the 10th in order differentiate themselves from the Jews and told them he would do the same if he lived he next year, Unfortunately Prophet (SAWS) passed away later in Rabi Al Awwal.
Mondays and Thursdays:
Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) used to fast on every Monday and Thursday, it is in a Sahih Chain when asked about fasting on Mondays the Prophet (SAWS) said: “That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I received revelations.”
Fasting the 13th, 14th, and 15th of Every Month:
It also a sunnah to fast on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of every month also known as Ayyam Al Beedh. Prophet (SAWS) said: “It is like fasting the whole year”
Other than keeping these Sunnah Fasts it is also beneficial for a Muslim to keep Nafl Fasts. In the End, it will only be beneficial to him and Bring the Believer more closer to his Lord.
May Allah enable us to follow the footsteps set by His Messenger (SAWS) and Lead us to the Straight Path
