Assalammualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Alhamdulillah!
This is a Great Reminder to my Sinful self…
Voluntary Fasting
Fasting in general and voluntary fasting in particular is a great worship at all times.
Fasting is not restricted to Ramadan, it is an act of worship that can be [and should be in some cases] performed at any time and at any place except when not recommended.
Indeed, it is a worship that draws the believer closer to ALLAH and closer to perfection.
- Six days of the month of Shawwal:
Abu Ayyoub reported that the Messenger of ALLAH, salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam said :
“Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and then follows it by fasting six days during the month of Syawall will be rewarded as if he had fasted the entire year.” [Related by Muslim, at-Tirmithi, Ibn Majah, Abu Dawood and Ahmad by way of Jabir].
These days can be anytime during the month of Syawal except the first day because it is unlawful to fast the day of Eid.
These days do not have to be at beginning of the month nor do they have to be consecutive.
Hence, Muslims should seize this opportunity and fast these six days to get ALLAH’s reward.
Why does the fasting of six days of Syawal after Ramadan equate to that of the whole year ?
Some `Ulamaa’ explain this from the fact that the good deed is rewarded ten times.
Thus fasting six days is like fasting 60 days, added to 30 days of Ramadan times 10 (i.e. 300) it makes it a year (360 days).
- The day of `Arafah (9th Dhu-al-Hijjah) :
This is for those who are not performing the Hajj (pilgrimage).
Abu Qatadah said : the Messenger of ALLAH, salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam, said:
“Fasting on the day of `Arafah is an expiation [of sins] for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it and the fasting the day of `Aashuraa’ [10th of Muharram] is an expiation for the year preceding it. [Muslim, an-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah, Abu Dawood].
- Fasting three days of every month:
`Amr Ibn Sharhabeel said : The Messenger of ALLAH, salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam said :
“Shall I not inform you of what takes away the whispers of the chest”, they said yes tell us, he said ” fasting three days from every month”.
[an-Nasaa’i; Saheeh]
Abu Dharr Al-Ghifaari said: “The Messenger of ALLAH, salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam, said
“Whoever fasts from every month three days, it is like fasting the whole year, then ALLAH revealed what backs this in His book “Whoever comes with a good deed, he is rewarded ten folds”, one day for ten. [Ibn Majah and at-Tirmithi].
Abu Dharr Al-Ghifaari said: “The Messenger of ALLAH, salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam, said
“O Abu Dharr! if you fast three days of every month, then fast the 13th, the 14th and the 15th [these are call the al-ayaam al-beedh, the white days]”. [Note these are dates of the Islaamic Month!] [Ahmad, an-Nasaa’i and at-Tirmithi; Sahih]
Subhanallah!
Alhamdulillah!
Wallahualam Bissawab
Have a Very Happy & Blessed Syawal 1430H
Just me,
Bro aLi
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