170. Kill Two Birds With One Stone

By Asma bint Shameem 

We all know that the most beloved fasting to Allaah after the month of Ramadhaan is in this month of Muharram. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“The BEST fasting after the month of Ramadhaan is fasting in the month of MUHARRAM.” (Muslim) 

Then what better chance than to use this month to make up for any previous FARDH fasts that we had missed for ANY reason and need to make up?!

The ulama explain that since the fasting of Muharram is ‘non specific’, it's allowed to fast with TWO intentions; 

1. making up the fardh fasts 

2. fasting in Muharram 

This way you get to do TWO things at the same time and earn DOUBLE REWARDS! 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:

“If a person fasts the day of ‘Arafah or the day of ‘Ashoora’, and he still owes fasts from Ramadhaan, his fast will be valid. But if he intended to fast that day to make up for a missed Ramadhaan fast, he will have TWO REWARDS: the reward of the day of ‘Arafah or the day of ‘Ashoora’, and the reward for making up the missed fast.” 

(Fataawa as-Siyaam (438)

You can fast *throughout* most of this month of Muharram including the NINTH and the TENTH. 

The ulama of the Standing Committee said:

“If you fast the tenth and eleventh of Muharram with the intention of making up days that you owe from Ramadhaan, that is permissible and will make up for two of the days that you owe.” 

(Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 11/401)

So use this perfect chance to fast in this month of Muharram and make up all the fardh fasts you needed to. 

And get double rewards. 

Yes that's right. 

Achieve two goals with one effort. 

Two birds. 

One stone. 

Alhamdulillaah