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l) The best fast, next to the obligatory fasting, is to fast every other day, No one may fast more .
"Abdullah Ibn Amr" once told the Prophet "I have strength to fast". The Prophet told him
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"Observe the fast of David, no more."
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Abdullah asked "What is it?"
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The Prophet answered:
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"Half the dahr."
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In another version, according to "al-Bukhari", the Prophet answered.
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"Fast one day and break the fast another."
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Abdullah observed. "But I can do better."
The Prophet said;
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"There is nothing better"
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2) Another good procedure in voluntary fasting is to fast three days every month.
Abdullah said that the Prophet once asked him.
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"Abdullah, I was told that you spend the day in fasting and the night in prayer."
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Abdullah answered in the affirmative, whereupon the Prophet commanded him.
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"Do not do so. Fast one day and break it the next. Pray part of the night and sleep the rest".
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"You leave an obligation towards your body, your eyes and your wife."
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"It is enough to fast three days every month your reward is tenfold
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3) It is recommended to fast on Mondays and Thursdays – provided the total fasting days not exceed the half-dahr fast:
"Hafsa" said: "The Prophet used to fast Mondays and Thursdays."
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4) It is also recommended to fast six days during the month of shawwal (the month following Ramadan),
The Prophet said:
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"Fasting in Ramadan and following it with six days in Shawwal is tantamount to the dahr Siyam (all year round fast) Whoever makes a good deed is repaid tenfold."
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5) It is recommended to fast the Day of 'Arafat (the days on which pilgrims stand at Mount 'Arafa in Mecca).
The Prophet said.
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"The 'Arafat fast redeems two years, one past and one future"
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6) Among the days of voluntary fasting is the Day of Ashoura. "Ibn Abbas" said: "I know of no other day than Ashoura, which the Prophet fasted in recognition of its merits over all other days".
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7) The month of Muharram is good for voluntary fasting, The Prophet was asked about the best fast next to Ramadan. He said. "al-Muharram."
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8) It is recommended to fast the greater part of Sha'ban, 'Aisha said;
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"The Prophet used to fast for a complete month only in Ramadan, Next to that he fasted most often in Sha'ban".
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