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!
What should we do?
At least we can share with our fellow Brothers / Sisters …
Have a Very Happy & Blessed Eid Mubarak ! Maaf Zahir & Batin !!
May ALLAH SWT Accepts Our Doas/Supplications, Prayers, Zakat.. etc






December 23rd, 2009 at 6:40 pm
After searching for this information, I will have to say most people agree with you on this topic.
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Sweet, finally a post that fulfills my research. So many people get this topic wrong. You are a great thinker.
December 26th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Thanks for expanding on this subject. I have been searching via yahoo for the past few hours. I have read many of your other posts and they are great. I can’t wait for your next post. I also like the theme, where did you get it?
December 28th, 2009 at 1:48 am
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on.You have done a marvellous job!
January 18th, 2010 at 5:10 am
A thoughtful insight and ideas I will use on my blog. You’ve obviously spent some time on this. Well done!
January 18th, 2010 at 6:08 am
I thought it was going to be some boring old post, but it really compensated for my time. I will post a link to this page on my blog. I am sure my visitors will find that very useful.
January 20th, 2010 at 1:49 am
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the latest stuff you post.
January 20th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Aw, this was a really quality post. In theory I’d like to write like this too - taking time and real effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and never seem to get something done.
January 21st, 2010 at 3:30 pm
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the latest stuff you post.
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:01 am
I am really enjoying reading your well written articles. It looks like you spend a lot of effort and time on your blog. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work!