The rulings of fasting on the day of Ashura, the fasts of Sha’ban, and the fasts of Monday and Thursday

① It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah رضي الله عنه that it was asked from the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم about fasting on the tenth of Muharram, and he صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:

يكفر السنة الماضية

“By fasting on this day, the sins of the previous year are forgiven.”

② It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم fasted on the tenth of Muharram and commanded to fast on this day.

③ Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما also narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:

لئن بقيت إلى قابل لأصومن التاسع

“If I live until next year, I will also fast on the ninth of Muharram.”

Explanation: The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم intended to fast on the ninth of Muharram due to opposition to the Jews, because the Jews also fasted on the tenth of Muharram. Another possibility is that the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم combined fasting on the ninth with the tenth of Muharram instead of fasting only on the tenth. And Allah knows best.

① Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not fast more in any other month than Sha’ban because he used to fast the entire month of Sha’ban. And in another narration, it is mentioned that he fasted less in Sha’ban.

② Sayyiduna Ibn Mulhan (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to command us to fast on the Ayyam al-Beed (the 13th, 14th, and 15th days of the lunar month).

③ Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both of them) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not leave fasting on the Ayyam al-Beed even while traveling or at home.

Note: The 13th, 14th, and 15th days of the lunar month are called Ayyam al-Beed because their nights are very bright. This is because on these nights the moon shines brightly and radiantly throughout the night.

① It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on Monday, and he (peace be upon him) said:

ذلك يوم ولدت فيه ، ويوم بعثت فيه ، وأنزل على فيه

“This is the day on which I was born, the same day on which prophethood was granted to me, and the same day on which revelation was sent down to me.”

② It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

تعرض الأعمال يوم الإثنين والخميس فأحب أن يعرض عملي وأنا صائم

“Deeds are presented on Monday and Thursday, so I like that my deeds be presented while I am fasting.”

③ Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reports that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to try to fast on Monday and Thursday.