This excerpt is taken from the book of Fadhilat al-Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani, may Allah have mercy on him, Ahkam and Masail of Ramadan.
Correct Perspective on Nafl Fasting :.
Question :.
Some Nafl fasts are observed in Rajab, are they at the beginning of the month, in the middle, or at the end?
Fatwa :.
There is no specific hadith regarding the virtue of fasting in the month of Rajab. A hadith narrated from Sayyidina Usama bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) is found in Sunan Nasai and Sunan Abi Dawood, which Imam Ibn Khuzaymah (may Allah have mercy on him) has declared authentic. Sayyidina Usama (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I said, O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)! I do not see you fasting in any month as much as you do in Sha'ban. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
ذلك شهر يغفل عنه الناس بين رجب ورمضان، وهو شهر ترفع فيه الأعمال إلى رب العالمين فأحب أن يرفع عملي وآنا صائم
"This is a month between Rajab and Ramadan, which people are heedless of, whereas it is a month in which the deeds of the Lord of the worlds are presented. Therefore, I like that when my deeds are presented, I am in a state of fasting."
Reference: (Musnad Ahmad: 5/201, Sunan Nasai: 4/201)
However, there is a general encouragement to fast three days in every month. There is also encouragement to fast on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month. The encouragement to fast in the sacred months (Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab) and on Mondays and Thursdays has been mentioned. Rajab is included in this. If you want to fast every month, you should fast the three white days (13th, 14th, 15th) or on Mondays and Thursdays. Otherwise, there is flexibility in this (meaning voluntary fasting can be done at any time). However, there is no legal basis for specifically fasting in Rajab.
