and for zihār in every respect. If he intends to observe it on separate days, it resembles making up missed Ramadan fasts in every respect.

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Voluntary fasting is fasting other than obligatory fasting, observed on any day of the year apart from the month of Ramadan, the days of Tashrīq, the Day of Sacrifice, and Eid al-Fitr. Some days are better than others, as we shall explain, Allah willing.

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Fasting the month of Ramadan is an individual obligation. Allah Most High has enjoined it in His Book and made it obligatory upon His servants. He, Mighty and Majestic, says:

“O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous.” [al-Baqarah: 183]

“For a limited number of days. Whoever among you is ill or on a journey must fast an equal number of other days.” [al-Baqarah: 184]

He, Mighty and Majestic, also says:

“The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed as guidance for mankind and clear proofs of guidance and the criterion. Whoever among you is present during that month must fast it, and whoever is ill or on a journey must fast an equal number of other days.” [al-Baqarah: 185]

The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:

“Islam is built upon five: testifying that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, establishing prayer, paying zakat, fasting the month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage to the House for whoever is able to undertake the journey.”

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Fasting becomes binding when six conditions are met: reaching puberty, being Muslim, being of sound mind, being healthy, being resident rather than travelling, and being free of menstrual and postnatal bleeding. These six conditions fall into four categories:

One is a condition for fasting to be obligatory, for its observance to be valid, and for making it up to be obligatory, namely,