7 Types of Sunnah Fasting that Have Extraordinary Meaning in Human Life

Kapanlagi.com - Fasting is one of the acts of worship performed by all Muslims. Fasting itself has 2 types, there are sunnah fasting and obligatory fasting. The well-known obligatory fasting is Ramadan fasting. However, there are many types of sunnah fasting that can be performed.

Fasting, or known as shaum in Arabic, is an act of worship by abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset. Unlike obligatory fasting, not performing sunnah fasting will not result in sin, but those who perform it will receive extraordinary rewards.

For those of you who want to perform sunnah fasting, here are 7 types of sunnah fasting that you can do. Let's check it out KLovers.

1. Benefits of Sunnah Fasting

Benefits of Sunnah Fasting (credit: Freepik)

Before knowing what types of voluntary fasting there are, it is better for you to first know the benefits of voluntary fasting itself. Yes, voluntary fasting can be done by Muslims who want to do it. This fasting is good to do and will receive great rewards, but will not receive punishment if not done. There are many virtues in performing voluntary fasting, as mentioned in a hadith narrated by Imam Muslim which states:

"Every good deed done by a person will be multiplied by ten good deeds up to seven hundred good deeds that are equivalent. Allah Almighty says (which means), 'Except for fasting. Fasting is for Me and I will reward it, because a person has left desires and food for My sake.' For those who fast, they will receive two happinesses, namely the happiness when they break their fast and the happiness when they meet their Lord. Indeed, the scent of the mouth of those who fast is more fragrant in the sight of Allah than the fragrance of musk oil."

There are many types of voluntary fasting that we can do. Even by performing many of these fasts, the body also receives extraordinary rewards. Here are some benefits of voluntary fasting that you can know:

- Training oneself to control desires

- Training simplicity of life

- Maintaining body health

- Getting accustomed to obedience in worship

- Receiving many virtues by imitating the noble habits of the Prophet Muhammad. SAW.

2. Prohibited Times for Sunnah Fasting

Although it is a voluntary fast, you should also know that there are certain times that are prohibited for performing Sunnah fasting. And here are some of the prohibited times when performing Sunnah fasting:

- Fasting on the day of Arafah is recommended for those who are not performing Hajj.

- Only fasting on Fridays (except if Friday coincides with the day of fasting of Prophet David).

- Fasting at the end of the month of Sha'ban (except if it coincides with the fasting of Prophet David or the fasting on Mondays and Thursdays).

- Fasting on the two major holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Specifically for Eid al-Adha, it is recommended not to eat or drink until after the Eid prayer.

- Fasting in the middle of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah (on the 11th, 12th, and 13th dates).

- The recommended fasting in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah falls only on the first ten days.

- Women who are menstruating or postpartum (after giving birth).

- Fasting of a woman without her husband's permission.

- Someone who is sick and it endangers their safety.

3. Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays

Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays (credit: Freepik)

The first type of voluntary fasting is fasting on Mondays and Thursdays. The most common and frequently heard voluntary fasting is fasting on Mondays and Thursdays. This fasting is performed every Monday and Thursday and is a voluntary fasting practice directly exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad. There are several hadiths that mention fasting on Mondays and Thursdays.

Abu Qotadah Al Anshori RA was once asked about fasting on Mondays, and he answered, "That day is the day I was born, the day I was sent or the day the revelation was sent down to me." (HR. Imam Muslim No. 1162).

Then there is also the virtue of fasting on Mondays and Thursdays mentioned in another hadith, which states:

"The gates of heaven are opened on Mondays and Thursdays. A loyal servant who does not associate anything with Allah will be forgiven (on that day), except for someone who is in conflict or has a problem with his brother. It will be said to them, 'Resolve their issues until they both reconcile.'" (HR. Imam Muslim No. 2565).

There are two virtues that we can obtain by fasting on Mondays and Thursdays. The first is to earn rewards for performing deeds at a preferred time (Mondays and Thursdays are the days when our deeds are reported to Allah) and the second is the opportunity for the body to rest every week.

4. Fast of David

Then another type of voluntary fasting is the fast of David. The fast of David is said to be the most difficult voluntary fast. This worship was exemplified by the Prophet David (AS) and also practiced by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The way to do it is by alternating fasting days (fasting one day and not fasting the next day).

The fast of David is also the most beloved voluntary fast to Allah SWT. This is in accordance with a hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari. And the hadith states:

"The best prayer in the sight of Allah is the prayer of Prophet David (AS). And the best fast in the sight of Allah is the fast of David. Prophet David used to sleep in the middle of the night and then he would pray in the third part of the night, then he would sleep again in the sixth part of the night. As for the fast of David, it is fasting one day and not fasting the next day."

Because the fast of David is performed almost every day, the Prophet Muhammad did not recommend us to add other voluntary fasts (if we have already performed the fast of David).

5. Fasting in Shawwal

Puasa Syawal (credit: Freepik)

As the name suggests, this voluntary fast is observed in the month of Shawwal, precisely after the month of Ramadan. Fasting in Shawwal is performed for 6 days, consecutively or non-consecutively. One of the virtues of fasting in Shawwal is mentioned in a hadith narrated by Imam Muslim, which states:

"Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days in Shawwal, it is as if they have fasted the whole year."

Another virtue is mentioned in another hadith narrated by Ibn Majah, which states:

"From Tsauban, a former slave of the Prophet Muhammad, from the Prophet Muhammad, he said, 'Whoever fasts six days in Shawwal after Eid al-Fitr, it is as if they have fasted the whole year. For whoever does a good deed, they will be rewarded with ten similar deeds.'"

6. Ayyamul Bidh Fasting

Another recommended voluntary fasting practice taught by the Prophet Muhammad SAW is fasting for 3 days in the Hijri month. This fasting, known as Ayyamul Bidh, is observed on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the month. Because it is performed during the full moon, it is also called the white fasting. The hadith that serves as a reference for the observance of Ayyamul Bidh fasting is:

From Ibn Milhan Al Qoisiy, from his father, he said, "The Messenger of Allah, may peace and blessings be upon him, used to command us to fast on Ayyamul Bidh, which are the 13th, 14th, and 15th (of the Hijri month)." And he said, "Fasting Ayyamul Bidh is like fasting for a year." (HR. Abu Daud no. 2449 and An Nasai no. 2434).

7. Dzulhijjah Fasting

Dzulhijjah Fasting (credit: Freepik)

Dzulhijjah is a recommended voluntary fasting practice performed for 10 days in the month of Dzulhijjah. This fasting is observed for the first 9 days of Dzulhijjah. On the tenth day, which coincides with the celebration of Eid al-Adha, we are only required to fast until the completion of the Eid prayer. After that, it is not permissible to continue fasting as it is forbidden.

The virtue of fasting in Dzulhijjah can be found in a hadith narrated by Imam Tirmidhi which states, "There are no days in which Allah loves good deeds more than the first ten days of Dzulhijjah. Fasting during its daytime is equivalent to fasting for a year, and praying during its nighttime is equivalent to praying on the Night of Power."

8. Muharram Fasting

Muharram fasting is basically the term for all voluntary fasts performed in the month of Muharram. In ancient times, Jews and Christians also fasted on the 10th of Muharram. To differentiate from their practice, the Prophet Muhammad advised the Muslim community to accompany the Ashura fast with an additional fast a day before or after it.

This is part of the Muharram fasting. The virtue of fasting in the month of Muharram is mentioned in a hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari which states, "Muharram fasting is the most virtuous fasting after Ramadan fasting."

9. Sha'ban Fasting

Fasting in Sya'ban (credit: Freepik)

The last type of voluntary fasting is the Sha'ban fasting, which is performed in the month of Sha'ban. The month of Sha'ban is special because it precedes the arrival of Ramadan. In a hadith, it is mentioned that the Prophet Muhammad did not fast much in other months except in the month of Sha'ban. In a hadith narrated by An Nasa'i, it is stated:

"Sha'ban is the month in which people become neglectful, between the months of Rajab and Ramadan. It is the month when various deeds are presented to Allah, the Lord of all creation. Therefore, I like to fast when my deeds are presented to Him."

There is no specific date recommended for observing Sha'ban fasting. We can do it on any date and for as many days as we are able to. Fasting in the month of Sha'ban is also known as a practice before entering the month of Ramadan, when Muslims are obligated to fast for a full month.

Those are the 7 types of voluntary fasting that have extraordinary meanings for both worldly and afterlife. Hopefully, by knowing all the types of voluntary fasting and their meanings, we are able to perform some of these voluntary fasts with sincere intentions for the sake of Allah SWT.

(kpl/dhm)