| Key Takeaways |
| Islam recognizes over a dozen confirmed voluntary fasting days annually, each carrying distinct spiritual rewards established by authentic hadith. |
| The Prophet ﷺ fasted every Monday and Thursday, citing these days as when deeds are presented before Allah — making them the most regular Sunnah fasts. |
| Fasting six days of Shawwal after Ramadan combines with the obligatory fast to equal the reward of fasting an entire year, according to authentic hadith. |
| The Day of Arafah fast on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah expiates sins for two years — one past and one future — making it the most spiritually significant single voluntary fast. |
| Ashura fasting on the 10th of Muharram, paired with the 9th or 11th, is a confirmed Sunnah that expiates the sins of the preceding year. |
Sunnah fasting days in Islam are voluntary fasts prescribed by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ beyond the obligatory fasting of Ramadan. They include weekly fasts on Mondays and Thursdays, monthly fasts on the three White Days, and annual fasts on specific dates like Arafah, Ashura, and the six days of Shawwal. Each carries confirmed evidence from authentic hadith.
These voluntary fasts serve as spiritual purifiers, habit-builders, and closeness to Allah — particularly valuable for non-Arabic speaking Muslims seeking a fuller, more structured Islamic practice. Understanding which days to fast, and why, transforms voluntary fasting from an abstract concept into a living, scheduled act of worship.
What are the Sunnah Fasting Days?
Sunnah Fasting can be weekly, monthly, or occasional. It differs from Ramadan fasting. In Ramadan, you must have the intention of fasting (Niyyah) before dawn, while for Sunnah fasting, you don’t need to have this intention before Fajr. You can make the intention when you wake up and continue fasting for the rest of the day.
Let’s explain the difference between them.
These fasting days are:
- Mondays and Thursdays.
- Three days of the Hijri month, especially the 13th, 14th, and 15th.
- Most of Sha’ban.
- Six days of Shawwal, except the day of Eid al-Fitr.
- The day of Ashura, which is the 10th day of the month of Muharram.
- The first nine days of Dhu al-Hijjah, including the day of Arafat for non-Hajj Muslims.
1. Monday and Thursday Fasting as Weekly Sunnah
The most consistently observed voluntary fasts in Islamic practice are the Monday and Thursday fasts, which the Prophet ﷺ maintained throughout his life. These two days hold a unique spiritual significance: they are the days when the deeds of every person are presented before Allah. The Prophet ﷺ preferred to be in a state of fasting during that presentation.
The Prophet ﷺ was asked about fasting on Monday, and he said:
“Deeds are presented on Monday and Thursday, and I love that my deeds be presented while I am fasting.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 747)
This establishes Monday fasting with three layered reasons: the Prophet’s birth, his mission, and the descent of revelation. Thursday fasting shares the presentation-of-deeds honor.
For students at Shaykhi Academy, our instructors often note that establishing a weekly fasting rhythm on these two days creates an anchor for spiritual accountability — something that benefits Quran learners and general Islamic studies students alike.
How Do Monday and Thursday Fasts Fit Into a Regular Schedule?
| Day | Significance | Recommended Action |
| Monday | Birth of the Prophet ﷺ, first revelation, deeds presented | Fast with the intention of following the Sunnah |
| Thursday | Deeds presented before Allah | Fast alongside Monday when possible |
| Both days skipped | No penalty | Resume the following week |
Fasting both days every week is the full Sunnah. If one is missed, the other alone still carries reward.
Many of our students at Shaykhi Academy begin with Thursday fasting only, then gradually add Monday once the habit is established — a realistic, structured approach our Al-Azhar-certified instructors actively recommend in one-on-one sessions.
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2. Fasting the Three White Days as Monthly Sunnah
The Three White Days — the 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Islamic month — are called al-Ayyam al-Bid (الأيام البيض) because the full moon illuminates these nights.
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged fasting these three days each month, and according to authentic narration, he himself observed this practice consistently.
Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“If you want to observe Saum on three days in a month, then fast on the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth of the (lunar) month.” [At-Tirmidhi]
Ten times three equals thirty — the entire month. Repeated every month, this equals a full year of fasting, perpetually. This is the reward attached to these three days from an authentic, verified source.
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3. Fasting on the Day of Arafah
Fasting on the Day of Arafah — the 9th of Dhul Hijjah — carries the most documented reward of any single voluntary fast in Islam. It is specifically recommended for Muslims who are not performing Hajj that year. Those performing Hajj are not required to fast on this day, as they are engaged in the pillar of standing at Arafah.
The Prophet ﷺ was asked about fasting on the Day of Arafah, and he said:
“It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.” (Sahih Muslim)
No other voluntary fast carries this explicit two-year expiation in authentic hadith. This makes the Arafah fast one of the most spiritually efficient acts of worship available to a non-Hajj-performing Muslim.
For students enrolled in Shaykhi Academy’s Online Islamic Studies Course for Beginners, the Day of Arafah is taught within the broader context of Dhul Hijjah’s first ten days — which Allah Himself swore by in Surah Al-Fajr (89:2) — establishing the sacred weight of this month in the Quran itself.
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4. Fasting Six Days of Shawwal Multiply Ramadan’s Reward
The six days of Shawwal are fasted after Eid al-Fitr, at any point within the month of Shawwal. They do not need to be consecutive, though fasting them consecutively immediately after Eid is a recognized practice. Their reward is mathematically connected to Ramadan’s spiritual multiplication.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime.” (Sahih Muslim)
5. Fasting the Day of Ashura
Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, holds historical and spiritual depth that most voluntary fasting guides present incompletely. The Prophet ﷺ found the Jews of Medina fasting on this day when he arrived.
They informed him it commemorated the day Allah saved Musa (Moses) ﷺ and his people from Pharaoh, and Musa fasted it in gratitude. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“We have more right to Musa than you,” and he fasted it and commanded fasting it. (Sahih al-Bukhari)
The reward: fasting Ashura expiates the sins of the preceding year, according to authentic narration in Sahih Muslim.
Should You Fast the 9th of Muharram Alongside Ashura?
Yes — this is the confirmed Sunnah of differentiation. The Prophet ﷺ intended to fast the 9th alongside the 10th to distinguish Muslim practice from Jewish practice. He said:
“If I live until next year, I will certainly fast the ninth as well.” (Sahih Muslim)
He passed away before the following Muharram arrived. Scholars therefore recommend fasting either the 9th and 10th, or the 10th and 11th of Muharram together.
Fasting the 10th alone is still valid and rewarded, but adding the adjacent day fulfills the prophetic intention more completely.
This distinction matters — and it is precisely the depth of ruling that structured Islamic education at an institution like Shaykhi Academy covers systematically.
6. Fasting Days in Dhul Hijjah
The first nine days of Dhul Hijjah are collectively among the most virtuous of the year. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
While the Day of Arafah (9th) is explicitly recommended for fasting, scholars recommend fasting the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah (excluding the 10th, which is Eid al-Adha and forbidden to fast).
| Day(s) | Action | Ruling |
| 1st–8th of Dhul Hijjah | Recommended fasting | Strongly encouraged — multiple scholarly positions |
| 9th (Arafah) | Fast explicitly | Confirmed Sunnah — expiates two years of sins |
| 10th (Eid al-Adha) | No fasting | Forbidden (Haram) |
8. Fasting in Sha’ban
The Prophet ﷺ fasted more in Sha’ban than in any other month outside of Ramadan. This is an often-overlooked voluntary fasting opportunity. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) observed:
“I never saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) fast a complete month except in Ramadan, and I never saw his fast more in any month than in Sha’ban.” (Sunan Abi Dawud 2434)
Scholars explain that the Prophet ﷺ fasted most of Sha’ban, not necessarily all of it — “except a little” confirms it was not complete.
The wisdom scholars cite: Sha’ban precedes Ramadan, and regular fasting in it conditions the body and soul for the obligatory fast, much like a warm-up before intensive training.
One practical note our instructors at Shaykhi Academy share with adult learners: fasting increases the spiritual focus needed to memorize and review Quran.
Students in our Online Hifz Course often report that voluntary fasting days improve their concentration during memorization sessions — a consistent observational pattern, not an isolated experience.
For those pursuing Quran memorization, understanding why it is important to memorize the Quran adds another dimension to these spiritual practices.
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Is Fasting Every Alternate Day Allowed in Islam?
The fast of Dawud (Prophet David ﷺ) — fasting every alternate day — is described in authentic hadith as the most beloved fasting to Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The most beloved fasting to Allah is the fast of Dawud — he used to fast every alternate day.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
However, the Prophet ﷺ also cautioned that this pattern is demanding and that those who adopt it should be certain they can sustain it. He told Abdullah ibn Amr, who had committed to this practice: “You will not be able to do that,” indicating the fast of Dawud is a high aspiration, not a casual commitment.
For non-Arabic speaking Muslims building their Islamic practice, the recommended entry point is the White Days fast (three days monthly) or the Monday-Thursday fast — both proven sustainable rhythms with verified prophetic endorsement.
Chart of All Sunnah Fasting Days in Islam
Sunnah fasting in Islam refers to voluntary fasts outside of Ramadan that hold significant spiritual rewards. Specific Sunnah fasting days include Mondays and Thursdays, as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) often observed them, along with the three “white days” (13th, 14th, and 15th) of each Hijri month, most of Sha’ban, the six days of Shawwal, the day of Ashura, and the first nine days of Dhu al-Hijjah, especially the Day of Arafah.
| Fasting Day | Significance | Rewards & Hadiths |
| Mondays & Thursdays | Deeds are presented to Allah on these days | Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) fasted on these days, saying: “Deeds of people are presented (to Allah) on Mondays and Thursdays, so I like my actions to be presented while I am fasting.” (Tirmidhi) |
| The White Days (13th, 14th, 15th of Hijri Month) | Sunnah to fast three days each Hijri month | Abu Dharr (RA) reported: “If you fast three days of the month, then fast the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth.” (Tirmidhi) |
| Most of Sha’ban | Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) fasted frequently in Sha’ban as deeds are presented to Allah | Aishah (RA) said: “I never saw the Messenger of Allah fast more in any month than in Sha’ban.” (Bukhari & Muslim) |
| Six Days of Shawwal | Equivalent to fasting a whole year | Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted for a lifetime.” (Muslim) |
| Ashura (10th Muharram) & Tasu’a (9th Muharram) | Commemorates the day Allah saved Prophet Musa (AS) | Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Fasting on the day of Ashura, I hope, will expiate for the sins of the previous year.” (Muslim) |
| First Nine Days of Dhu al-Hijjah | Best days for good deeds, especially fasting | Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Bukhari) |
| Day of Arafah (9th Dhu al-Hijjah) | Highly recommended for non-Hajj Muslims | Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates for the sins of the past year and the coming year.” (Muslim) |
Importance of Sunnah Fasting Days In Islam?
Fasting Sunnah days means fasting days outside Ramadan which are neither for expiation nor vow.
Fasting these days have a great reward as prophet Mohammed peace be upon him said”
مَنْ صَامَ يَوْمًا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بَعَّدَ اللَّهُ وَجْهَهُ عَنِ النَّارِ سَبْعِينَ خَرِيفًا”
which means:
“If anyone fasts for a day while engaged in jihad, God will remove him* seventy years’ distance from hell.”
*Literally, ‘his face’.
So this reward will be provided to the fasting Muslim who engaged in Jihad or a Muslim who is fasting and seeking this reward from Allah Almighty.
Each Sunnah fasting day holds unique benefits. For instance, fasting on Mondays and Thursdays is encouraged as these are days when deeds are presented to Allah. The six days of Shawwal are said to be equivalent to fasting an entire year when combined with Ramadan.
Ashura, observed on the 10th of Muharram, carries the reward of expiating sins from the previous year, and the Day of Arafah brings forgiveness for sins of both the previous and coming years. These practices embody a strong tradition of devotion and gratitude, aiming for spiritual purification and deeper connection with Allah.
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Conclusion
Voluntary fasting is one of the most accessible and consistently rewarding forms of worship available to every Muslim — no special location, no financial cost, and no particular scholarly training required to begin. What distinguishes those who fast regularly from those who intend to is structure: knowing which days carry which rewards, and why, transforms intention into practice.
The Monday-Thursday rhythm builds weekly accountability. The White Days fast transforms three days into a month’s worth of reward. Arafah and Ashura anchor the Islamic year spiritually. And Shawwal’s six days seal Ramadan’s benefit. Together, these fasts form a complete voluntary worship framework that the Prophet ﷺ himself observed and taught with consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sunnah Fasting Days in Islam
Is It Permitted to Break a Voluntary Fast Before Iftar Time?
A voluntary fast may be broken before sunset, according to the majority of scholars, though it is better to complete it. The Prophet ﷺ was reported to have broken a voluntary fast on certain occasions. However, breaking it without a valid reason is disliked (Makruh) in the Maliki and Hanbali schools, and some scholars recommend making it up as a courtesy, though it is not obligatory.
What Is the Difference Between Sunnah Fasting and Nafl Fasting?
Sunnah fasting refers specifically to fasts the Prophet ﷺ observed regularly and recommended — like Monday-Thursday fasts, the White Days, Ashura, and Arafah. Nafl fasting is a broader category covering any voluntary fast not specifically tied to a Sunnah occasion. All Sunnah fasts are Nafl, but not all Nafl fasts are Sunnah. The distinction matters for reward: Sunnah fasts carry specific, narrated rewards; general Nafl fasts carry the general reward of voluntary worship.
How Should a New Muslim Approach Voluntary Fasting?
New Muslims should begin with Ramadan fasting as the obligatory foundation, then gradually incorporate Sunnah fasts. The Monday or Thursday fast is the gentlest entry point — one day per week, clearly tied to prophetic practice, with manageable duration. After three to six months of consistency, adding the White Days creates a monthly rhythm.
