Ruling 1716 — Fasting (Ṣawm)

Fasting on any day of the year – apart from the days on which fasting is unlawful or disapproved, which were mentioned previously – is recommended; and it has been recommended more to fast on some days, such as: 1. the first and last Thursday of each month, and the first Wednesday after the tenth of the month. If someone does not fast on these days, it is recommended that he make them up. In the event that one cannot fast at all [on these days], it is recommended that he give for each day one mudd of food or 12.6 nukhuds[1] of minted silver[2] to a poor person; 2. the 13 th, 14th, and 15th of each month; 3. the entire month of Rajab and Shaʿbān, or at least some days of these two months, even if only one day; 4. the Eid of Nawrūz;[3] 5. from the 4th to the 9th of Shawwāl; 6. the 25 th and 29th of Dhū al-Qaʿdah; 7. from the 1st to the 9th of Dhū al-Ḥijjah (until and including the Day of ʿArafah); however, if due to weakness from fasting one cannot recite the supplications (duʿāʾs) of the Day of ʿArafah, then fasting on that day is disapproved; 8. the auspicious day of Eid al-Ghadīr (the 18th of Dhū al-Ḥijjah); 9. the day of Mubāhalah (the 24th of Dhū al-Ḥijjah); 10. the 1 st, 3rd, and 7th of Muḥarram; 11. the joyous birthday of the Most Noble Messenger (Ṣ) (the 17th of Rabīʿ al-Awwal); 12. the 15 th of Jumādā al-Ūlā; 13. the day of Mabaʿth of His Eminence, the Most Noble Messenger (Ṣ) (the 27th of Rajab). If someone keeps a recommended fast, it is not obligatory for him to complete it. In fact, if a fellow believer invites him to eat, it is recommended for him to accept the invitation and break his fast during the day, even if it is after ẓuhr.