171. Al-Muharram: The Month Of Voluntary Fasting

By Asma bint Shameem 

Alhamdulillaah!

Great news!

Al-Muharram, the month  of *voluntary fasting* is here! 

A chance to earn tremendous rewards! 

A beautiful opportunity to gain the Pleasure of Allaah!

How’s that, you ask?

*Fasting this month is the most beloved of fasting to Allaah after the fasting of Ramadhaan. *

“The best of fasting after Ramadhaan is fasting Allaah's month of al-Muharram.”

(Muslim 1163)

*The rewards of fasting are SO VAST that they’re known only to Allaah!*

“Every deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied between ten and SEVEN HUNDRED times. 

Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala said: Except fasting. It is for Me and I shall reward for it. He gives up his desires and his food for My sake.” 

[Muslim (1151)]

*Each day of fasting will distance you further and further away from the Fire of Hell!*

"No servant fasts a day for the sake of Allaah except that Allaah removes the hellfire seventy years away from his face." (Muslim)

*Fasting will take you to Jannah!*

Abu Umamah  radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

"I came to the Messenger of Allaah sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and said: 

'Order me to do a deed that will allow me to enter Paradise.' 

He said: 
'Stick to fasting, as there is no equivalent to it.' 

Then I came to him again and he said: 'Stick to fasting."' (an-Nasa'ee; saheeh by al-Albaani)

*You will be honored on the Day of Judgment!*

“In Paradise there is a gate called al-Rayyaan, through which those who used to fast will enter on the Day of Resurrection, and no one but they will enter it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who fasted?’ They will get up, and none will enter it but them. When they have entered, it will be locked, and no one else will enter.” 

(al-Bukhaari 1763, Muslim 1947). 

*In this month is the day of Aashooraa; the day the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam LOVED to fast!*

Ibn Abbas radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“I did not see the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam as eager to fast a day and preferring it over others except for this day of Ashooraa and this month of Ramadhaan.” (al-Bukhaari 1902, Muslim 1132) 

*It is also recommended to fast the ninth and eleventh of this month*  

Al-Hakam ibn al-A’raj reported: 

I went to Ibn Abbas radhi Allaahu anhu and I said, 

“Tell me about fasting the day of Ashooraa.” 

Ibn Abbas said, 

“When you see the crescent of the month of al-Muharram, count the days and wake up to fast on the ninth day.” 

I said, 
“Is this how the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam fasted it?” 

Ibn Abbas said, 
“Yes.” 

(Saheeh Muslim 1133)

Ibn Hajar said, 

“The fast of Ashooraa has three levels: 

-the lowest is to fast one day, 

-the next is to fast the ninth day along with it, 

-and the next is to fast the ninth, tenth, and eleventh days.” 

(Fath al-Baari 1896)

*Great opportunity of fasting coming up in the next few days:*

If you can’t fast most of this month, then at least try and fast the following days:

*Thursday* Aug 27 2020: *Sunnah fasting of Thursday*

*Friday* Aug 28 2020: 

*The Day before Aashooraa*

(The 9th of Muharram)

*Saturday* Aug 29 2020: *The Day of Aashooraa*

(The 10th of Muharram)

*Sunday* Aug 30 2020: *The Day after Aashooraa*

(The 11th of Muharram)

*Monday* Aug 31 2020: *Sunnah fasting of Monday*

*Tuesday* Sept 01 2020: *Sunnah fasting of Ayyaam al-Beedh or the White Days*

(The 13th of Muharram)

*Wednesday*  Sept 02 2020:  

*Sunnah fasting of Ayyaam al-Beedh or the White Days*

(The 14th of Muharram)

*Thursday* Sept 03 2020:  

*Sunnah fasting of Ayyaam al-Beedh or the White Days*

(The 15th of Muharram)

In addition to these days, do try and fast the rest of Mondays and Thursdays of this month, as well. 

Alhamdulillaah!

So many days!

So many opportunities!

So come on my brothers and sisters!

Let’s try and fast as much as we can in this beautiful month and make the most of this great opportunity. 

Allaah is literally handing out rewards to us in the form of fasting! 

What’s stopping YOU from reaping these blessings and earning His Great Pleasure?!