Though Fasting is one of the most important obligation, however, there are some disliked and impermissible fasts as well. In this detailed post, you will learn about the voluntary fasts as well as the disliked and impermissible fasts in Islam.
Voluntary Fasts
1. Six days of Shawwaal: For a person who has completed fasting the month of Ramadhan, it is preferred to complete these six days consecutively.
2. Day of ‘Arafah: For a person who is not performing Hajj.
3. The Day of ‘Aashoorah: The tenth of Muharram along with the ninth and/or eleventh of Muharram.
4. Every Monday and Thursday.
5. Three days of every month: Specifically the 13th, 14th and 15th of each Islamic month.
6. Throughout the month of Muharram.
7. Fasting the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah.
8. The month of Sha’baan: Especially the first half of Sha’baan, however in the second half of Sha’baan a person should reduce the number of days he is fasting. He should not fast the last days of Sha’baan so they are joined to the first days of Ramadhan.
Disliked Fasts
Singling out Friday or Saturday. However, if a person fasts one of these days due to a specific reason then it is not disliked. For example, if the Day of ‘Arafah falls on a Saturday it is permissible to fast.
Impermissible Fasts
1. To specifically single out the month of Rajab for fasting.
2. To fast a day of doubt i.e. fasting the last day of Sha’baan with the excuse that “perhaps Ramadhan has entered.”
3. The days of Eid.
4. Fasting the days of Tashreeq – with the exception of a person performing Hajj who is required to but unable to sacrifice a sacrificial animal.
5. Joining two consecutive days of fasting without breaking the fast in between.
Making up Missed Days
It is recommended for a person to make up missed days of fasting immediately after the day of Eid. It is not permitted for a person to delay making up missed fasts until the next Ramadhan. The relatives of a deceased person can make up for any missed days on behalf of the deceased.
