Search In Fatwa

Fasting all days except Friday

Question

I am interested in know if it is proper for me to fast all days except Fridays in order to be nearer to Allaah.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

The scholars may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them differed in opinion regarding fasting consecutively apart from 'Eed days and the three days following 'Eed Al-Adh-Haa. The majority of scholars may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them are of the view that this is desirable if this does not lead to being weakened to an extent that one is unable to perform an obligation, or fulfil a right. However, other scholars may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them disliked it as the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) forbade us to fast the whole year.

We advise the dear questioner that if he is able to fast, then he can fast every other day, as the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) advised 'Abdullaah Ibn 'Amr Ibn Al-'Aas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him saying: "Fast one day and break fast the other day, this is the fasting of the Prophet Daawood (David)  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention and it is the best fasting." [Al-Bukhari] So this is our advice for the questioner, as fasting every day usually weakens the person from performing an obligation, or not fulfilling his rights or his wife's (or family's) rights or his guest and neighbours rights. The best in religion is to be moderate.

Lastly, it should be noted that it is forbidden to fast on 'Eed days and the three days following 'Eed Al-Adh-Haa, except for a pilgrim who is performing Hajj At-Tamattu' and was financially unable to sacrifice. It is confirmed that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) forbade us from fasting these days.

Allaah knows best.

Related Fatwa