the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that he said: “By Him in whose hand is my soul, the odour of the fasting person’s breath is more pleasant to Allah than the fragrance of musk. He gives up his desire, his food and his drink only for My sake. Fasting is Mine, and I shall reward it. Every good deed is rewarded tenfold, up to seven hundred times, except fasting: it is Mine, and I shall reward it.”

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The virtues of fasting are many. The best day to fast after Ramadan is the day of ‘Āshūrā’. Fasting it was obligatory before Ramadan was prescribed. Because of its excellence, it was accorded a distinction granted to no other day: even someone who had not intended to fast it the night before, or who only learned of it after eating or drinking, could fast it. It has also been said that this applied only when fasting it was obligatory. It is reported that fasting it expiates a year’s sins, and that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) did not single out any particular day for fasting except ‘Āshūrā’. There is disagreement over its date: some say it is the tenth, while others say it is the ninth. Anyone wishing to be sure of observing it should therefore fast both the ninth and the tenth. Ibn Shihāb used to fast it while travelling, although he would advise people not to fast Ramadan while travelling. When asked about this, he replied, “Ramadan can be made up on other days, whereas this day would be missed.”

Fasting the ten days of Dhū al-Hijjah, the day of Minā and the day of ‘Arafah is encouraged. Regarding Allah’s words—mighty and majestic—“By ten nights” [al-Fajr: 2], it has been said that these are the ten days of Dhū al-Hijjah. Regarding “the even and the odd,” it has been said that the even is the Day of Sacrifice and the odd is the day of ‘Arafah. Regarding “a witness and that which is witnessed,” it has been said that the witness is Friday and that which is witnessed is the day of ‘Arafah. It is reported that fasting the day of ‘Arafah is like fasting two years, fasting the day of Minā is like fasting one year, and fasting any of the remaining ten days is like fasting a month. This applies to those not performing Hajj. For those performing Hajj, however, not fasting on the day of ‘Arafah is better than fasting it. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) did not fast that day.

Fasting during the sacred months is better than fasting during other months. They are four: Muharram, Rajab, Dhū al-Qa‘dah and Dhū al-Hijjah. Within the sacred months, some days are more excellent than others. ‘Ā’ishah said: “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would fast until we would say that he would not