In today’s world, we often mark significant occasions in our lives—such as birthdays, anniversaries, or memorable milestones—by preparing special meals, inviting friends, and celebrating with joy. While these customs bring happiness, our true role model, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), commemorated important moments in a deeply spiritual way. As the perfect example for us, he showed gratitude to Allah the Exalted by fasting on key days throughout the week and year. This act of voluntary fasting was not only a means of seeking Allah’s blessings but also an expression of his unwavering devotion and gratitude. In this article, we will explore the specific occasions on which the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) observed voluntary fasts, drawing lessons from his life to inspire us. May Allah enable us to follow in the blessed footsteps of our Beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
Thursdays and Mondays
Besides the obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) most frequently observed voluntary fasting on Mondays and Thursdays.
It is reported in Mutawatir Ahadith that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would regularly fast on Thursdays and Mondays. You may wonder, what does Mutawatir mean? In the context of Hadith, Mutawatir refers to a narration that has been transmitted by such a large number of companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that it becomes widely accepted and deeply rooted in the Ummah. This level of transmission places it among the most authentic and reliable categories of Hadith. Below, I will share some of these narrations.
It is narrated by Mother of the Believers Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was “devoutly committed to fasting every Monday and Thursday.” [Ash-Shama’il Al-Muhammadiyah, Hadith 304]
Mother of the Believers Hazrat Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with her) also narrated that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) “used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Hadith 2367)
Some Mutawatir Ahadith mention the wisdom in fasting on Mondays and Thursdays. According to Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Deeds are presented on Monday and Thursday, and I love that my deeds be presented while I am fasting.” [Jami at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 747]
In another tradition, Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that the gates of Paradise are opened on Monday and Thursday. Whoever has not associated anything with Allah will enter through them and will be forgiven, except for the two who shun each other, about whom it would be said, “Return these two until they make amends.” [Jami at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2023]
Regarding the excellence of Mondays, Hazrat Abu Qatadah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) related that when the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked about fasting on Monday, he responded, “It was the day on which I was born, on which I was commissioned with prophethood or revelation was sent to me.” [Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1162b]
There is a prayer of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that he would regularly recite on Thursdays, which is worth mentioning.
It was narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prayed:
اَللّٰھُمَّ بَارِكْ لِأُمَّتِي فِي بُكُورِهَا يَوْمَ الْخَمِيس
“O Allah, bless my Ummah in the early mornings of Thursday.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 2237]
Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih V (may Allah be his Helper) has also encouraged Ahmadis to observe this Sunnah. He advises us to fast on Monday and/or Thursday and to pray two Nawafil, especially dedicating these prayers to support Ahmadis who are being persecuted in Pakistan and other countries.
Three Days
We find a weak narration recorded by Imam Tirmidhi in his Shama’il at-Tirmidhi and Shamail al-Muhammadiyya about the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) fasting on three days of one week in a month and on another three days in the following month. This might have been a specific practice at one time, but Allah knows best.
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) stated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would fast on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays in one month, and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in the next month [Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 746].
Wednesdays
Once, when asked about voluntary fasting, our beloved Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied: “You have a duty to your family. Fast during Ramadan and the following month, and every Wednesday and Thursday. You will then have observed a perpetual fast.” [Mishkat al-Masabih, Hadith 2061]
The Tenth of Muharram
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It was an ancient custom prevalent even pre-Islam, during the Days of Ignorance, to fast on the tenth day of this month. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also used to fast on this day. The day is also known as the day of Ashura.
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) related, “During the pre-lslamic period of ignorance, the Quraish used to observe fasting on the day of Ashura, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) himself used to observe fasting on it too. But when he came to Medina, he fasted on that day and ordered the Muslims to fast on it. When (the order of compulsory fasting in) Ramadan was revealed, fasting in Ramadan became an obligation, and fasting on Ashura was given up, and who ever wished to fast (on it) did so, and whoever did not wish to fast on it, did not fast.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 4504]
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) also related that when the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came to Madinah, he found that the Jews also fasted on the day of Ashura (i.e., the 10th of Muharram). They used to say that this was the great day on which Allah the Almighty saved Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) and drowned the people of Pharaoh and that as a sign of gratitude to Allah, Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) observed the fast on this day.’ Upon this, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘I am closer to Moses than they.’ So, he observed the fast (on that day) and ordered the Muslims to fast on it.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3397]
In another narration, Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The best fasting after the month of Ramadan is the month of Allah, Al-Muharram, and the best prayer is prayer at night.” [Sunan an-Nasa’i , Hadith 1613]
Full Moon
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also used to fast during the three days of the full moon each month, known as Ayyam al-Beedh (13, 14, and 15 of the lunar month). It is narrated by Hazrat Abu Dhar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “If you want to observe fasting on three days in a month, then fast on the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth of the (lunar) month.”[(Riyad as-Salihin, Hadith 1262]
Sha’ban
Our most beloved Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also used to fast frequently during the month of Sha’ban, which is the month preceding Ramadan. Regarding this Hazrat Umm-e-Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) stated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would not fast any two consecutive months except Sha’ban and Ramadan (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Hadith 2352). According to som narrations which quote Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), he used to fast the entire month of Sha’ban, except a few days [Sunan an-Nasa’i, Hadith 2355].
However, it ought to be noted that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) advised, “None of you should fast a day or two before the month of Ramadan unless he has the habit of fasting (voluntarily); (and if his fasting coincides with that day,) then he can fast that day.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1914]
Shawwal
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would also fast for six days in the month of Shawwal, which is the month following Ramadan. These fasts are recommended as they carry great blessings and reward, completing the reward of fasting for the entire year.
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Ayyub Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ كَانَ كَصِيَامِ الدَّهْرِ
“Whoever fasts Ramadan then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is like fasting for the year.” [Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1164]
In Summary
In a comprehensive narration of Hazrat Abu Qatada al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him), it is mentioend that Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) a few questions about fasting, which were answered profoundly.
Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, “What is the position of one who fasts perpetually?” The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) answered, “He neither fasted nor broke it.”
Then, he was asked, “What about him who fasts for two days and does not fast one day?” The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Is anyone capable of doing that?”
Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, “What is the position of him who fasts for a day and doesn’t fast on the other day?” Thereupon, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “That is the fast of my brother David, peace be upon him.”
Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) then asked, “What about him who fasts one day and doesn’t fast for two days?” Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “I wish I were given the strength to do that.”
He was also asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said, “It was the day on which I was born. on which I was commissioned with prophethood or revelation was sent to me.”
Asked about fasting on the day of Arafah (9th of Dhul Hijjah), he stated, “It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year.” And regarding fasting on the day of Ashura, he said, “It expiates the sins of the preceding year.”
He also stated, “Fasting three days every month and that of Ramadan every year is a perpetual fasting. I seek from Allah that fasting on the Day of Arafah may atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming years, and I seek from Allah that fasting on the Day of Ashura may atone for the sins of the preceding year.” [Sahih Muslim, Kitab as-siyam, Hadith 1162a, 1162b]
It is also important to note that there are certain days on which the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prohibited fasting. These are special days meant for celebration, reflecting Islam’s balanced approach which encourages moderation in all things. Some of these days include Fridays—unless it coincides with one’s regular fasting schedule—the two Eids, and the Day of Arafah if one is performing Hajj. Each of these holds special significance.
May Allah the Almighty enable us to follow the blessed footsteps of our Holy Master, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
