The Reward of Voluntary Fasting (Nafl)
While fasting during the month of Ramadan is obligatory, engaging in voluntary fasting throughout the year is one of the greatest Sunnahs. The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Whoever fasts a day in the way of Allah, Allah will move his face away from the Hellfire by a distance of seventy years." (Bukhari).
The Sunnah Days to Fast
The Prophet (PBUH) established a pattern of highly recommended fasting days:
- Mondays and Thursdays: Deeds are presented to Allah on these days.
- The White Days (Ayyam al-Bidh): The 13th, 14th, and 15th days of every lunar month.
- The Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah): For those not performing Hajj, it expiates the sins of two years.
- The Day of Ashura (10th Muharram): It expiates the sins of the previous year.
Differences in Intention (Niyyah)
A key Fiqh ruling differentiates obligatory and voluntary fasts. For a Ramadan fast, the intention must be made before Fajr. However, for a voluntary fast, if a person wakes up, has not eaten or drunk anything, they are allowed to make the intention to fast any time before Islamic midday.
Study the Nuances of Fiqh
What breaks a fast and what doesn't? How do you make up missed fasts? Learn all these essential rulings in our Fiqh Learning Course.
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