Chapter on Voluntary Fasting

It is recommended to fast on Mondays and Thursdays, on the Day of ‘Arafah, on ‘Ashura’ together with Tasu‘a (the ninth of Muharram), during the three white days, and for six days in Shawwal—the latter being better if observed consecutively.

It is disliked to single out Friday or Saturday for fasting. Perpetual fasting throughout one’s life—apart from the two ‘Eid days and the days of Tashriq—is disliked if it is feared to cause harm or lead to the neglect of another duty, but it is commendable for those not so affected.

Anyone who begins a voluntary fast or prayer may abandon it, and no make-up is required. If someone starts a make-up fast that must be performed immediately—that is, the fast owed by one who deliberately broke his fast—it is unlawful for him to break it. According to the sounder opinion, the same prohibition applies even when the make-up is not time-sensitive, provided the original breaking of the fast was not willful.