One whose fasting is like the fasting of Dawud, and whose fast falls on Friday; should he fast it or not? And the Shaykh’s remarks on fasting on Saturday.

The questioner : The fasting of Dawud (peace be upon him) is the best fasting: fasting one day and breaking the fast the next. But how do we reconcile this with the hadith prohibiting breaking the fast on Friday by fasting?

The Shaykh : What is the scenario you have in mind that led you to ask for reconciliation?

The questioner : He fasts one day and breaks the fast the next.

The Shaykh : Okay, so what did he fast? What did he fast, for example?

The questioner : He fasts Friday and breaks the fast on...

The Shaykh : Did he fast Thursday?

The questioner : Did you fast Friday?

The Shaykh : Did you fast Friday? Then you break the fast on Saturday. Isn’t that the problem you have?

The questioner : The problem is that Friday should not be singled out for fasting; one should fast a day before it and a day after it.

The Shaykh : My brother, no problem. You are talking about the fast of Dawud, fasting one day and breaking the fast the next. The example you mean is that he fasted Thursday and broke the fast on Friday—may Allah guide us and you. I understand from your question that you mean he fasted Thursday and broke the fast on Friday, and wants to fast Saturday. That is the meaning of fasting one day and breaking the fast the next. But you are informing us of the opposite; so clarify your question—may Allah bless you.

The questioner : Can he, for example, follow the fast of Dawud? He fasts, for example, Saturday and Sunday, breaks the fast on Monday, and fasts?

The Shaykh : You have now left out Friday and Thursday!—may Allah guide you.

Another questioner : ... .

The Shaykh : No problem, let’s get to this. We don’t want to go in circles. What are we getting to? What does it mean? Where is the problem?

The questioner : I fast Friday and break the fast on Saturday.

Another questioner : So he broke the fast on Thursday, fasted Friday, and breaks the fast on Saturday.

The Shaykh: All right.

Another questioner : And he singled out Friday for fasting.
...

Another questioner : That is his intention: he fasted Friday.

The Shaykh : Did he single out Friday?

Another questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : Okay, is it prohibited to fast on Friday—as far as you know? A question? Is it prohibited to fast on Friday alone, as far as you know?

The questioner : ... .

The Shaykh : My brother, the hadith is authentic, but I am asking so that we can build on it. Okay, is fasting one day and breaking the fast the next obligatory? Obligatory?

The questioner: No.

The Shaykh : No. Okay, if something that is not obligatory—rather, it is a recommended practice or a recommended act—conflicts with what the Lawgiver has prohibited, which takes precedence?

The questioner : ... .

The Shaykh : Yes, that is the answer. So why are you confused by this question? For example: the rule of fasting one day and breaking the fast the next comes up. He fasts, for example, the day of... he fasts a day. What do I say? I want to come to a day, just one day, a day of Eid.

The questioner: ... .

The Shaykh : No, I don’t want Saturday right now, because the issue of Saturday is built on the premises I am mentioning. He fasts one day and breaks the fast the next. A day of fasting comes, and it is a day of Eid, Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha. Does he fast? The answer is no. Why? Because the prohibition takes precedence. Then, the four days of Eid: he breaks the fast on one day, and the first day of Eid, Eid al-Adha, comes. He breaks the fast on it. The day after that, does he fast or break the fast? Do the four days of Eid follow the previous system?
The questioner: ...

The Shaykh : Yes?

Another questioner : He breaks the fast.

The Shaykh : He breaks the fast. Why? By this rule, and we always and forever point to the saying of the scholars: “When a prohibitive factor and a permissive factor conflict, the prohibitive factor takes precedence over the permissive factor.” So, if in the turn of fasting one day and breaking the fast the next, it comes that he fasts Friday alone, then at that time, fasting Friday alone must be broken.
After all these premises, the resolution of the issue regarding fasting on Saturday comes. People may find something problematic that is not actually problematic. Why? Because it is not customary for them. Meanwhile, the previous research mentioned above regarding fasting on Friday and regarding fasting on a day of Eid has no problem. Why? Because it is established in their minds that these two days are prohibited from being fasted: Friday when singled out, and the day of Eid as well. When his saying (peace and blessings be upon him) comes: , how am I accustomed to fasting one day and breaking the fast the next, and the day of fasting is Saturday? What is this big problem? What is the difference between fasting on Saturday, which is prohibited? Or fasting on Friday, which is prohibited? Or fasting on a day of Eid, which is prohibited? There is no problem at all. From these problems, the Day of 'Arafah comes, or the Day of 'Ashura falls on a Saturday. There is no problem, my brother. These are virtuous days, but they have no virtue if a prohibition occurs; because the prohibitive factor takes precedence over the permissive factor. Then, we mention on this occasion something that must be mentioned: if a Muslim who is accountable leaves a day of fasting that is part of his system, that is his habit of fasting one day and breaking the fast the next, but the day of fasting collides with a time when fasting is prohibited, he leaves that day and does not fast it. He does not lose; he gains. Likewise, if the Day of 'Ashura or the Day of 'Arafah falls on a Saturday and he leaves it, he leaves it because it coincided with Saturday. This is not a loss; due to his saying (peace and blessings be upon him), and this is the end of the answer: . So, the one who leaves fasting on Saturday because of the prohibition surrounding it draws near to Allah by this leaving, unlike if he fasted in violation of the prohibition of the Messenger of Allah.
Please?