On the prescribed days throughout the year, excluding days when fasting is prohibited.

A guide to voluntary fasting

Recommended fasts and a sustainable beginning that does not harm your health or neglect duties.

Ruling at a glance

Voluntary fasting is recommended. It must not displace an obligatory fast or a necessary right. If ill, consult a trusted clinician and ask about the applicable ruling.

Start with what you can sustain

Begin with three days each month, or Mondays and Thursdays.
You may choose the white days: the 13th, 14th and 15th of the Hijri month.
For someone able without harm, the best pattern is the fast of Dawud: alternate fasting and non-fasting days.

Days with particular merit

Six days of Shawwal after Ramadan, together or separately.
The first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah for non-pilgrims, especially Arafah, and Ashura together with the ninth of Muharram.
The Prophet frequently fasted in Sha‘ban.

Days not to fast

Fasting is prohibited on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Do not fast the days of Tashriq, apart from the established exception for pilgrims unable to offer the sacrifice.
Do not single out Friday unless it coincides with your usual fast or another prescribed occasion.

Beneficial actions

✓ Keep a sincere intention and a sustainable routine.
✓ Take suhur late and break the fast promptly at sunset.
✓ Guard your conduct and speech.
✓ Attend to obligatory make-up fasts before expanding voluntary practice when needed.

Important reminders

! If a trusted clinician determines fasting poses significant harm, find out the relevant religious concession.
! Do not let voluntary fasting undermine necessary work, financial support or family rights.
! Vowed fasts, expiations and make-up fasts have distinct rulings.

Evidence and sources · English renderings of the meaning

Fasting Ramadan followed by six days of Shawwal is like fasting the whole year.

Sahih Muslim ↗

Whoever fasts a day for Allah will have their face distanced from the Fire by seventy years.

Sahih ↗