If voluntary fasting occupies a student of knowledge from studying and reviewing, should he leave it off?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you, esteemed Shaykh: Some students of knowledge, out of their increased eagerness,
The Shaykh : Huh?
The questioner : Some students of knowledge, out of their eagerness and desire for more good, fast a lot of voluntary fasts, fasting one day and breaking the fast the next. However, this affects their acquisition of knowledge on the other hand, such as not reviewing the texts or the Qur'an. What is the ruling on this action?
The Shaykh : Fasting is undoubtedly a righteous deed, one of the best deeds, and Allah has singled it out for Himself in His saying:Sahih al-Bukhari 7538, . But there is a deed better than it, which is seeking knowledge. Seeking knowledge is better than fasting, and I mean: voluntary fasting. If fasting one day and breaking the fast the next prevents him from engaging in knowledge, we tell him: You are now doing the lesser and leaving the greater, for seeking knowledge is better. Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Nothing is equal to knowledge for one whose intention is sound. It was said: What is the soundness of the intention? He said: He intends to remove ignorance from himself and from others."
As for a man who has become accustomed to fasting, and fasting is easy for him in summer and winter, and it may even make him more energetic, then this does not turn him away from seeking knowledge nor prevent him from it. For this reason, you find that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not fast one day and break the fast the next; rather, he would fast on Mondays and Thursdays and three days of every month, but he did not fast one day and break the fast the next, because he was occupied with what is more important.
As for a man who is a worshipper and is not occupied with knowledge, and fasting does not prevent him from voluntary prayer, reading the Qur'an, and the morning and evening dhikr, then it is good for him to fast as Dawud fasted.
The Shaykh : Huh?
The questioner : Some students of knowledge, out of their eagerness and desire for more good, fast a lot of voluntary fasts, fasting one day and breaking the fast the next. However, this affects their acquisition of knowledge on the other hand, such as not reviewing the texts or the Qur'an. What is the ruling on this action?
The Shaykh : Fasting is undoubtedly a righteous deed, one of the best deeds, and Allah has singled it out for Himself in His saying:
the fast is for Me, so I will give the reward for it
الصومُ لي وأنا أجزي بهAnd Dawud used to fast one day and break the fast the next, and that is the best of fasting.
وكان داود يصوم يوماً ويفطر يوماً وهو أفضل الصيامAs for a man who has become accustomed to fasting, and fasting is easy for him in summer and winter, and it may even make him more energetic, then this does not turn him away from seeking knowledge nor prevent him from it. For this reason, you find that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not fast one day and break the fast the next; rather, he would fast on Mondays and Thursdays and three days of every month, but he did not fast one day and break the fast the next, because he was occupied with what is more important.
As for a man who is a worshipper and is not occupied with knowledge, and fasting does not prevent him from voluntary prayer, reading the Qur'an, and the morning and evening dhikr, then it is good for him to fast as Dawud fasted.