Voluntary Sawm (Fasting): (Part 1)

The benefits of voluntary Sawm and recommended days of fasting.

There are many benefits that a Muslim can derive from fasting and it is for this reason that so many Muslims throughout the world delight in fasting voluntarily. Fasting has only positive properties and among them are the following: it purifies the heart, reduces the need for food and water whilst awakening our senses to the underprivileged, it teaches us to curb our desires and it strengthens our relationship with Allah. Fasting is one of the greatest means of achieving taqwaa.

Taqwaa means being conscious of Allah, fearing Allah, practicing piety and being righteous throughout one’s life. Voluntary fasting is a means to attaining the above-mentioned outside the parameters of the Sawm, observed during Ramadaan which is obligatory.

The Prophet ﷺ said,

الصيام جنة من النار ، كجنّة أحدكم من القتال ( ابن ماجة).

“Fasting is a shield from the Hellfire like the shield of one of you in battle.” [Ibn Maajah]

The Prophet ﷺ also said,

إن في الجنة بابا يقال له الريان، يدخل منه الصائمون يوم القيامة، لا يدخل منه أحد غيرهم ، يقال أين الصائمون ، فيقومون لا يدخل منه أحد غيرهم ، فإذا دخلوا أغلق ، فلن يدخل منه أحد. ” ( البخاري )

“Verily there is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayyaan that the people who observed fasting will enter through on the Day of Resurrection, and no one will enter it other than them. It will be said, ‘Where are the fasting people?’ So they will stand (and enter it) and none will enter through it other than them. Then after they have entered, it will be closed and no one will enter it (after them).” (Al-Bukhaari)

There are certain days which have been recommended by the Prophet ﷺ for voluntary fasting. They are:

Day of ‘Arafah – which corresponds to the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah. This is for those who are not performing Hajj.

Day of ‘Aashooraa – which corresponds to the 10th of Muharram. The Prophet ﷺ said,

قَالَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: ” صَوْمُ يَوْمَ عَرَفَةَ كَفَّارَةٌ سَنَتَيْنِ سَنَةٍ مَاضِيَةٍ وَسَنَةٍ مُسْتَقْبَلَةٍ وَصَوْمُ يَوْمٍ عَاشُورَاءَ كَفَّارَةٌ سَنَةٍ مَاضِيَةٍ.” (أحمد )

“Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah expiates the sins of two years, the previous year and the forthcoming year; and fasting on the Day of “Aashooraa’ expiates the previous year (i.e. its sins).” [Ahmed]

It is also advisable to fast on the 9th together with the 10th day of the month of Muharram. The Prophet said,

“لئن بقيت إلى قابل لأصومن التاسع” (رواه مسلم)

“When the next year comes, if Allah wills, we shall fast the ninth day (as well).” [Muslim]

The Prophet ﷺ was asked about the merits of another month after Ramadaan and replied,

” وأفضل الأشهر شهر الله الذي تدعونه المحرم” (النسائي)

“The month of Allah, which you call Al-Muharram.” [An-Nasaai]

Sha’baan It is also highly recommended to fast the first half of the month of Sha’baan.

‘Aa’ishah reported:

عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت “ما رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم استكمل صيام شهر قط إلا رمضان وما رأيته في شهر أكثر صياما منه في شعبان (البخاري)

“I never saw Allah’s Messenger observing Sawm (fast) for a whole month except Ramadaan, and I did not see him observing Sawm (fast) in any month more than in Sha’baan”. [Al-Bukhaar]

The Prophet ﷺ also advised us to fast the six days of Shawwaal when he said,

من صام رمضان ثم أتبعه ستا من شوال كان كصيام الدهر” (رواه أحمد ومسلم)

“Whoever fasts Ramadaan followed by (fasting) six days of Shawwaal, it is like fasting the entire year.” [Ahmed & Muslim]

First ten days of Dhul-Hijjah These have also been recommended for voluntary Sawm by the Prophet ﷺ when he said,

ما من أيام العمل الصالح فيها أفضل منه في هذه يعنى العشر الأوائل من ذي الحجة – (البخاري)

“There are no days in which a righteous deed is more beloved to Allah the Mighty and Majestic than these days, meaning the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.” [Al-Bukhaari]

The white days of the month – The Prophet ﷺ also advised us to observe voluntary fasting on the white days of every Hijri month (i.e. the 13th, 14 and 15th) as well as Mondays and Thursdays. It is reported that the Prophet ﷺ said,

إِنَّ الْأَعْمَالَ تُعْرَضُ كُلَّ اثْنَيْنِ وَخَمِيسٍ أَوْ كُلَّ يَوْمِ اثْنَيْنِ وَخَمِيسِ فَيَغْفِرُ اللهُ لِكُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ أَوْ لِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ” (مسند أحمد)

“Verily the deeds are presented (before Allah) every Monday and Thursday and Allah forgives every Muslim or every believer.” [Ahmad]

Alternate Days – It is not preferable to fast continuously day after day. It is rather advisable to fast every alternate day. The Prophet ﷺ said,

وقد ثبت في الصحيحين أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “أحب الصلاة إلى الله صلاة داود، وأحب الصيام إلى الله صيام داود: كان ينام نصف الليل، ويقوم ثلثه، وينام سدسه، وكان يصوم يوماً، ويفطر يوماً، ولا يفر إذا لاقي. ” ( البخاري ومسلم)

“The most beloved fast to Allah is the fast of Daawood and the most beloved prayer to Allah is the prayer of Daawood. He used to sleep half the night, stand (in prayer) one-third of it, and sleep one-sixth of it; and he used to fast on one day and not fast on one day (i.e. every other day).” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Voluntary Fasting is also recommended for the person who is unable to get married.

The Prophet ﷺ advises:

يا معشر الشباب من استطاع الباءة فليتزوج، فإنه أغض للبصر وأحصن للفرج، ومن لم يستطع فعليه بالصوم فإنه له وجاء (البخاري ومسلم)

“Whoever is able to afford it should get married, for verily it helps to keep the gaze lowered and it protects the private parts. And whoever is not able (to marry) then he must fast, for indeed it is a means of cutting off desires.” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]

Voluntary Sawm holds many advantages for Muslims who want to draw closer to Allah .The Prophet ﷺ offers us advice on the appropriate times to perform voluntary fast so that we can derive the maximum spiritual benefit. A Muslim fasts out of love for Allah ﷻ and we should aspire to practice voluntary fasting consistently. Consistent fasting will provide the soul with continuous nourishment and strengthens taqwaa.