These are days, each of which has a virtue. So fasting six days of Shawwal, if a person fasts Ramadan and follows it with them, is like one who fasted the entire year. And this is a virtue that is not attained.
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The questioner : Noble Shaykh, which is better: voluntary fasting, specifically the six days of Shawwal, or fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, or three days of every month, or fasting on the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah and the Day of 'Arafah, or the ninth and tenth of Muharram? Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good?
The Shaykh : These days each have their own virtue. Fasting the six days of Shawwal, if a person fasts Ramadan and follows it with these days, is like one who has fasted the entire year. This is a virtue that is not achieved by fasting on Mondays and Thursdays. However, if a person fasts on Mondays and Thursdays in the month of Shawwal and intends them to count toward the six days, he will receive the reward, because if he fasts on Mondays and Thursdays, he will complete six days before the month ends.
As for fasting the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah and the Day of 'Arafah, it also has a distinction. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 757Sahih (Darussalam) meaning the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah. They said, "And what about jihad in the cause of Allah?" He said: Sunan Ibn Majah 1727Sahih (Darussalam).
As for fasting on the Day of 'Arafah, he said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 749Da'if (Darussalam) But it should be known that fasting on the Day of 'Arafah is not prescribed for the pilgrim standing at 'Arafah, because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was not fasting on that day and he announced his breaking of the fast to the people, and they witnessed it so that they would follow him in this. This action of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), which he displayed to his Ummah so that they would know of it and follow him in it, specifies the generality of the hadith indicating the virtue of fasting on the Day of 'Arafah, which I mentioned earlier.
As for fasting on the ninth and tenth of Muharram, it also has a special merit. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding the fasting of the tenth of Muharram:Sunan Ibn Majah 1738Sahih (Darussalam) But he (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered that a day before it or a day after it be fasted, and he said: meaning along with the tenth. So the Sunnah for one who wants to fast the tenth of Muharram is to fast the ninth day before it. If he is unable to do so, he fasts the eleventh day. This is in order to differ from the Jews, who used to fast it because Allah saved Musa and his people in it and destroyed Pharaoh and his people. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you. The listener Muhammad Taha from Deir al-Zor, Syria, says.
The Shaykh : These days each have their own virtue. Fasting the six days of Shawwal, if a person fasts Ramadan and follows it with these days, is like one who has fasted the entire year. This is a virtue that is not achieved by fasting on Mondays and Thursdays. However, if a person fasts on Mondays and Thursdays in the month of Shawwal and intends them to count toward the six days, he will receive the reward, because if he fasts on Mondays and Thursdays, he will complete six days before the month ends.
As for fasting the ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah and the Day of 'Arafah, it also has a distinction. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than those ten days.
ما من أيام العمل الصالح فيهن أحب إلى الله من هذه الأيام العشرNot even Jihad in the cause of Allah, unless a man goes out with himself and his wealth and does not bring anything back.
ولا الجهاد في سبيل الله إلا رجل خرج بنفسه وماله ولم يرجع من ذلك بشيءAs for fasting on the Day of 'Arafah, he said:
I anticipate that Allah will forgive (the sins) of the year after it, and the year before it.
أحتسب على الله أن يكفر السنة التي قبله والسنة التي بعدهAs for fasting on the ninth and tenth of Muharram, it also has a special merit. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding the fasting of the tenth of Muharram:
I hope, will expiate for the sins of the previous year.
أحتسب على الله أن يكفّر السنة التي قبلهIf I live to next year, I will fast the 9th.
لئن عشت لقابل لأصومن التاسعThe questioner : May Allah bless you. The listener Muhammad Taha from Deir al-Zor, Syria, says.