The Prohibition of Fasting on the Days of Eid and the Reality of Fasting on the Prophet’s ﷺ Birthday
All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, and his companions altogether. To proceed:
Islam is a complete way of life, in which the position of acts of worship and the days of Eid have been clearly defined. The Noble Prophet ﷺ forbade fasting on certain days, so that a person acts in accordance with the true spirit of the religion and avoids innovation and excess.
➊ Fasting on the Days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha is Forbidden
Hadith:
On the authority of Abu Sa‘eed al-Khudri, from the Prophet ﷺ, he said:
“There is no fasting on two days: the day of Eid al-Fitr and the day of al-Nahr (Eid al-Adha).”
[Sunan ad-Darimi, Book of Fasting, Hadith: 1791]
Translation:
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Two days of fasting are not allowed: the day of Eid al-Fitr and the day of Eid al-Adha.”
Takhrij al-Hadith:
Authenticated by Husayn Salim Asad ad-Darani: Its chain is Saheeh.
This narration is Muttafaq ‘alayh (agreed upon). See:
- [Saheeh al-Bukhari: 1992, 1995]
- [Saheeh Muslim: 1137]
- [Sunan Abi Dawood: 2417]
- [Sunan at-Tirmidhi: 772]
- [Sunan Ibn Majah: 1721]
- [Musnad Abi Ya‘la: 1160]
- [Saheeh Ibn Hibban: 1617]
- [Musnad al-Humaydi: 767]
Explanation:
These two days are for the Muslims to rejoice, give thanks, and feast. Turning these days into sorrow and hardship by fasting is not only impermissible but haram.
➋ Friday is a Weekly Eid
Hadith:
On the authority of Abu Hurairah, he said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade fasting on Friday unless it is joined with a day before it or a day after it.”
[Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Fasting, Hadith: 1723]
Translation:
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade fasting on Friday alone, unless it is fasted with a day before or after.
Takhrij al-Hadith:
- Saheeh al-Bukhari / Fasting 63 (1985)
- Saheeh Muslim / Fasting 24 (1144)
- Sunan Abi Dawood / Fasting 50 (2420)
- Sunan at-Tirmidhi / Fasting 42 (743)
- Musnad Ahmad (2/458) (Saheeh)
- Tuhfat al-Ashraf: 12503
Shaykh al-Albani: Saheeh
Shaykh Zubair Ali Zai: Bukhari and Muslim
Explanation:
Friday has been described as a weekly Eid. Therefore, it is prohibited to single it out with fasting. However, if one fasts on Thursday or Saturday along with it, then it is permissible.
➌ Fasting on Mondays (Day of the Prophet’s ﷺ Birth)
Hadith:
On the authority of Abu Qataadah al-Ansari رضي الله عنه, that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about fasting on Mondays, and he replied:
“It is the day on which I was born and the day on which revelation came down to me.”
[Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith: 2117; Saheeh Muslim: 1162 (meaning)]
Translation:
Abu Qataadah al-Ansari رضي الله عنه narrated that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about fasting on Mondays, he said: “It was the day I was born, and the day on which revelation was sent down to me.”
Explanation:
Fasting on Mondays is recommended (mustahabb).
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commemorated his birthday by fasting.
If the day of his birth had been an Eid, then fasting on that day would not have been allowed, because fasting on Eid is prohibited.
Conclusion
- Fasting on the days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha is haram.
- Friday is a weekly Eid, and fasting on it alone is also prohibited.
- Fasting on Mondays is recommended, as it was the day of the Prophet’s ﷺ birth and the day revelation descended upon him.
From this, it becomes absolutely clear that the birthday of the Prophet ﷺ is not an Eid, because if it were, fasting on that day would not have been permissible.
