Voluntary fasting

“I [father of Abu Nawfal bin Abi ‘Aqrab (ra)] asked the Messenger of Allah [saws] about fasting and he said, ‘Fast one day of the month.’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah [saws] let me do more let me do more.’ He said, ‘You are saying, “O Messenger of Allah [saws] let me do more let me do more?” Then fast two days of each month.’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah [saws] let me do more let me do more; I am able.’ He said, ‘Let me do more, let me do more; I am able for it.’ Then the Messenger of Allah [saws] fell silent until I thought that he was going to refuse my request. Then he said, ‘Fast three days of each month.’”[74]

“The Messenger of Allah [saws] would fast during the beginning of every month for three days and Friday was the least of the days that he did not fast.”[75]

“The Messenger of Allah [saws] used to fast – meaning from the ghurrah [beginning] of each month – three days.”[76]

Reward for fasting three days every month

“The Messenger of Allah [saws] was told that I [‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘As (ra)] had said, ‘I shall most certainly spend my nights in standing [in prayer] and my days fasting for as long as I live.’ The Messenger of Allah [saws] said, ‘Are you the one who said that?’ I said to him, ‘I did say it O Messenger of Allah [saws].’ The Messenger of Allah [saws] said, ‘You are not able to do that. Fast and break your fast sleep and get up [to pray]. Fast three days every month for each deed brings a tenfold reward, and that will be like fasting for a lifetime.’ I said, ‘I am able to do better than that.’ He said, ‘Fast one day and break your fast for two days.’ I said, ‘I am able to do better than that O Messenger of Allah [saws].’ He said, ‘Fast one day and break your fast one day. That is the fast of Dawud peace be upon him and it is the best of fasting.’ I said, ‘I am able to do better than that.’ The Messenger of Allah [saws] said, ‘There is nothing better than that.’ If I had accepted the three days that the Messenger of Allah [saws] spoke of that would have been dearer to me than my family and my wealth.”[77]

“The Messenger of Allah [saws] entered my apartment and said, ‘I have been told that you stand all night [in prayer] and fast all day.’ I [‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘As (ra)] said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Do not do that. Sleep and stand [in prayer]; fast and break your fast. For your eyes have a right over you, your body has a right over you, your wife has a right over you, your guest has a right over you and your friend has a right over you. I hope that you will have a long life and that it will be sufficient for you to fast three days of each month. That is fasting for a lifetime because a good deed is equal to ten like it.’ I said, ‘I feel able to do more.’ I was strict, so I was dealt with strictly. He said, ‘Fast three days each week.’ I said, ‘I am able to do more than that.’ I was strict, so I was dealt with strictly. He said, ‘Observe the fast of the Prophet of Allah [swt], Dawud peace be upon him.’ I said, ‘What was the fast of Dawud?’ He said, ‘Half of a lifetime.’”[78]

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