Is it permissible for one who has a vowed fast to fast voluntarily, such as on the Day of 'Arafah, the Day of 'Ashura, or other days?
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The questioner : Is it permissible for one who has a vowed fast to fast voluntarily, such as on the Day of 'Arafah, the Day of 'Ashura, or other days?
The Shaykh : If the vow is specific to that day, it is not permissible to fast it as a voluntary act. For example, if a man vows to fast the Day of 'Arafah, or vows to fast next Sunday, and it happens to be the Day of 'Arafah, he should not intend to fast the Day of 'Arafah, but rather intend to fast the vowed fast.
The first issue is: if one vows to fast the Day of 'Arafah, and his intention is to fast the Day of 'Arafah voluntarily, then he fasts it as a voluntary act according to his intention. However, if he vows to fast the Day of 'Arafah as an obligation by virtue of the vow, then it is obligatory for him to fast it with the intention of fulfilling the vow he made upon himself.
The Shaykh : If the vow is specific to that day, it is not permissible to fast it as a voluntary act. For example, if a man vows to fast the Day of 'Arafah, or vows to fast next Sunday, and it happens to be the Day of 'Arafah, he should not intend to fast the Day of 'Arafah, but rather intend to fast the vowed fast.
The first issue is: if one vows to fast the Day of 'Arafah, and his intention is to fast the Day of 'Arafah voluntarily, then he fasts it as a voluntary act according to his intention. However, if he vows to fast the Day of 'Arafah as an obligation by virtue of the vow, then it is obligatory for him to fast it with the intention of fulfilling the vow he made upon himself.