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Siyam al-Nafl — Voluntary Fasting: The Prophet's Schedule and the Benefits of Supererogatory Fasts

صِيَامُ النَّفل — الصِّيَامُ الاِختِيَارِيّ: جَدوَلُ النَّبِيِّ وَفَوَائِدُ الصِّيَامِ التَّطَوُّعِيّ
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Siyam al-Nafl (صِيَامُ النَّفل — voluntary fasting; supererogatory fasts beyond the obligatory Ramadan fast; acts of devotion the Prophet [SAW] performed regularly and specifically recommended) is one of the most accessible forms of additional worship in Islam. Unlike many nawafil acts, which require specific times or places, voluntary fasting can be performed by any healthy Muslim on any of the designated or unrestricted days. The Prophet's own fasting schedule was extensive: *'The Prophet [SAW] used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.'* (Tirmidhi — authenticated) When asked why, he responded: *'These are the days when deeds are presented to Allah, and I like my deeds to be presented while I am fasting.'* (Nasa'i) The Prophet also: *'Fasting three days of every month is like fasting for an entire lifetime.'* (Bukhari and Muslim — authenticated) — based on the principle that each good deed is multiplied by ten, making 3 days × 10 = 30-day equivalent each month. The six fasts of Shawwal after Ramadan: *'Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six [days] of Shawwal, it is as if he has fasted for a lifetime.'* (Muslim — authenticated)

The Prophetic Calendar of Voluntary Fasts

Weekly fasts — Mondays and Thursdays: The Prophet fasted on both days regularly. His stated reason (deeds presented to Allah on these days) gives the act a specific theological significance: fasting on the day your deeds are reviewed is a form of presenting oneself in the best state before Allah.

Monthly fasts — Ayyam al-Beed (the White Days): The 13th, 14th, and 15th of each Islamic lunar month — called ‘white days’ because the full moon is visible throughout the night. The Prophet: “If you fast three days of the month, fast the 13th, 14th, and 15th.” (Tirmidhi)

Six days of Shawwal: The month following Ramadan. These six fasts, combined with Ramadan’s 29-30 days, give the mathematical equivalent of a full year of fasting (29/30 + 6 = 35-36 days × 10 multiplication = 350-360 = full year). This is one of the most popular voluntary fasts.

Monday of Muharram — ‘Ashura (10th): The Prophet fasted on ‘Ashura before the Ramadan obligation was revealed. When asked about it: “It is expiation for the previous year.” (Muslim). He also recommended adding the 9th (Tasu’a) to distinguish the Muslim fast from the Jewish fast of Yom Kippur which falls on the 10th.

First 9 days of Dhu al-Hijja (especially the 9th — ‘Arafah day): For those not performing Hajj, fasting the day of ‘Arafah is the most recommended fast outside Ramadan: “Fasting the day of ‘Arafah, I hope from Allah, will expiate the sins of the previous year and the coming year.” (Muslim)

Fasting the Entire Month of Sha’ban

The Prophet fasted more in Sha’ban than any month outside Ramadan. ‘A’isha said: “He used to fast all of Sha’ban, or most of it.” (Bukhari and Muslim) Sha’ban’s special status as the gateway month to Ramadan — a time of preparation — is the reason for this practice.

Days When Fasting Is Prohibited

Days when nafl fasting is forbidden:

  1. Eid al-Fitr (1st of Shawwal) — absolutely prohibited
  2. Eid al-Adha (10th of Dhu al-Hijja) — absolutely prohibited
  3. Ayyam al-Tashriq (11th, 12th, 13th of Dhu al-Hijja for those performing Hajj) — prohibited for Hajj pilgrims; some scholars allow voluntary fasting for non-pilgrims
  4. Fasting Fridays alone (Friday only, without Thursday or Saturday alongside) — disliked per some hadith
  5. Fasting Saturdays alone — disliked per some hadith

The Fast of David (AS): The Prophet called this the best voluntary fasting schedule — fast every other day: “The most beloved prayer to Allah was the prayer of David and the most beloved fasting to Allah was the fasting of David: he used to sleep for half of the night, stand [in prayer] for a third, and sleep for a sixth, and he would fast one day and not fast the next.” (Bukhari)

See also: Fiqh Overview, Fiqh Madhabs, Maqasid Al Shariah, Understanding Dua, Adhkar, Arafah

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