Selected Days to Observe Saum (Sawm) (Fast) (Roja)

Insha’ALLAH these are the Selected Days to Observe Saum (Sawm) (Fast) (Roja)

[Based on Islamic Calendar. i.e Hijri Calendar]

[NOTE-List Given As: Month (in bold form) – Date (in digit) and [Days]]

1. Muharram محرّم (or Muharram al Haram) - 9 to 10, 13 to 15 

2. Safar صفر  (or Safar al Muzaffar) - 13 to 15, and Last [Yawm al-Arba'aa' يوم الأربعاء  (fourth day)/Wednesday] 

3. Rabiy al-Awwal ربيع الأوّل  (Rabiy I) - 13 to 15 

4. Rabiy al-Shany ربيع الثاني  (or Rabiy al-akhir) ربيع الآخر أو  (Rabiy II) - 13 to 15 

5. Jumada al-Ula جمادى الأولى  (Jumada I) - 13 to 15 

6. Jumada al-Shany جمادى الثانية  (or Jumada al-Akhirah) جمادى الآخرة أو  (Jumada II) - 13 to 15, 29 

7. Rajab رجب (or Rajab al-Murajab) - 13 to 15, 27, 29 

8. Shabaan شعبان (or Shabaan al-Muaazzam) - 13 to 15 

9. Ramadan رمضان (or Ramadan al-Mubarak)  - 1 to before ‘Id Day 

10. Shawwal شوّال  (or Shawwal al-Mukarram) - 13 to 19 

11. DhU al-Qaida ذو القعدة  (or DhU al-Qidah) - 13 to 15, and every [Yawm al-Ithnayn

يوم الاثنين  (second day)/Monday] 

12. DhU al-Hijja ذو الحجة  (or DhU al-Hajja) - 9, 14 to 21

Keep Something in Mind If You Are Intent to Observe Saum (Sawm) (Fast) (Roja)

Sahih Bukhari: Volume 3, Book 31: Fasting, Number 196:

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As (R.A):

ALLAH [S.W.T]’s Apostle [S.A.W.S] said to me, "O 'Abdullah (R.A)! Have I not been informed that you fast during the day and offer prayers all the night?" 'Abdullah (R.A) replied, "Yes, O ALLAH [S.W.T]’s Apostle [S.A.W.S]!" The Prophet [S.A.W.S] said, "Don't do that; fast for few days and then give it up for few days, offer prayers and also sleep at night, as your body has a right on you, and your wife has a right on you, and your guest has a right on you. And it is sufficient for you to fast three days in a month, as the reward of a good deed is multiplied ten times, so it will be like fasting throughout the year." I insisted (on fasting) and so I was given a hard instruction. I said, "O ALLAH [S.W.T]’s Apostle [S.A.W.S]! I have power." The Prophet [S.A.W.S] said, "Fast like the fasting of the Prophet David (P.B.U.H) and do not fast more than that." I said, "How was the fasting of the Prophet of Allah [S.W.T], David (P.B.U.H)?" He said, "Half of the year," (i.e. he used to fast on every alternate day). Afterwards when 'Abdullah (R.A) became old, he used to say, "It would have been better for me if I had accepted the permission of the Prophet [S.A.W.S] (which he gave me i.e. to fast only three days a month)."

Sahih Bukhari: Volume 3, Book 31: Fasting, Number 206:

Narrated Abu Huraira (R.A):

I heard the Prophet [S.A.W.S] saying, "None of you should fast on Friday unless he fasts a day before or after it."

Sahih Bukhari: Volume 3, Book 31: Fasting, Number 211:

Narrated Abu 'Ubaid (R.A) (the slave of Ibn Azhar):

I witnessed the 'Id with 'Umar bin Al-Kattab (R.A) who said, ALLAH [S.W.T]’s Apostle [S.A.W.S] has forbidden people to fast on the day on which you break fasting (the fasts of Ramadan) and the day on which you eat the meat of your sacrifices (the first day of 'Id ul Fitr and 'Id ul-Adha).

Sahih Bukhari: Volume 3, Book 31: Fasting, Number 224:

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas (R.A):

I never saw the Prophet [S.A.W.S] seeking to fast on a day more (preferable to him) than this day, the day of 'Ashura', or this month, i.e. the month of Ramadan.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 2, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2368:

'Abdullah b. 'Umar (R.A) reported:

 ALLAH [S.W.T]’s Messenger [S.A.W.S] as saying: The month (of Ramadan) may consist of twenty nine days; so when you see the new moon observe fast and when you see (the new moon again at the commencement of the month of Shawwal) then break It, and if the sky is cloudy for you, then calculate it (and complete thirty days).

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 3, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2382:

Abu Huraira (R.A) reported:

 ALLAH [S.W.T]’s Messenger [S.A.W.S] as saying: Do not observe fast for a day, or two days ahead of Ramadan except a person who is in the habit of observing a particular fast; he may fast on that day.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 9, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2412:

Anas (R.A) reported:

 ALLAH [S.W.T]’s Messenger [S.A.W.S] as saying: Take meal a little before dawn, for there is a blessing in taking meal at that time.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 9, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2415:

Zaid b. Thabit (R.A) said:

 We took meal shortly before dawn along with the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S]. We then stood up for prayer. I said: How much span of time was there between the two (acts, i.e. taking of Sahri and observing of prayer)? He said (a span of reciting) fifty verses.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 9, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2420:

Abu 'Atiyya (R.A) reported:

 I and Misruq (R.A) went to 'A'isha (R.A) and Masruq (R.A) said to her: There are two persons among the Companions of Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] none of whom abandons the good, but one of them hastens to observe sunset prayer and break the fast, and the other delays in observing the sunset prayer and in breaking the fast, whereupon she said: Who hastens to observe sunset prayer and break the fast? He said: It is 'Abdullah (R.A). Upon this she said: This is how the Messenger of ALLAH [S.A.W.S] used to do.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 10, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2423:

Ibn Abi Aufa (R.A) reported:

 We were with the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] on a journey. When the sun sank he said to a person: Get down and prepare barley meal for us. Upon this he said: Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S], let there be dusk. (He the Holy Prophet [S.A.W.S]) said: Get down and prepare barley meal for us. He (the person) said: There is still (the light of) day upon us. (But) he got down (in obedience to the command of the Holy Prophet [S.A.W.S]) and prepared a barley meal for him and he (the Holy Prophet [S.A.W.S]) drank that (liquid meal) and then said: When you see the night approaching from that side (west) (and he pointed towards the east with his hand), then the observer of the fast should break it.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 11, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2434:

Anas (R.A) reported:

 That the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] observed Saum Wisal during the early part of the month of Ramadan. The people among Muslims also observed uninterrupted fast. This (news) reached him (the Holy Prophet [S.A.W.S]) and he said: Had the month been lengthened for me I would have continued observing Saum Wisal, so that those who act with forced hardness would (have been obliged) to abandon it. You are not like me (or he said): I am not like you. I continue to do so (in a state) that my LORD feeds me and provides me drink.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 17, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2488:

'A'isha (R.A) reported:

 That Hamza b. Amr al-Aslami (R.A) asked the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] thus: Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S], I am a person devoted much to fasting. Should I fast during the journey? He (the Holy Prophet [S.A.W.S]) said: Fast if you like and break it if you like.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 19, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2504:

Abdullah b. 'Umar (R.A) reported:

 That (the Arabs of) pre-Islamic days used to observe fast on the day of Ashura and the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] observed it and the Muslims too (observed it) before fasting in Ramadan became obligatory. But when it became obligatory, the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] said: 'Ashura is one of the days of ALLAH [S.W.T], so he who wished should observe fast and he who wished otherwise should abandon it.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 19, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2520:

Ibn'Abbas (R.A) reported:

 That the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] arrived in Medina and found the Jews observing fast on the day of 'Ashura. The Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] said to them: What is the (significance) of this day that you observe fast on it? They said: It is the day of great (significance) when ALLAH [S.W.T] delivered Moses (P.B.U.H) and his people, and drowned the Pharaoh and his people, and Moses (P.B.U.H) observed fast out of gratitude and we also observe it. Upon this the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] said: We have more right, and we have a closer connection with Moses (P.B.U.H) than you have; so ALLAH [S.W.T]’s Messenger [S.A.W.S] observed fast (on the day of 'Ashura), and gave orders that it should be observed.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 19, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2524:

Ibn Abbas (R.A) was asked about observing of fast on the day of Ashura, whereupon he said:

 I do not know ALLAH [S.W.T]’s Messenger [S.A.W.S] singling out any day's fast and considering it more excellent than another, except this day (the day of Ashura) and this month, meaning the month of Ramadan.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 19, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2526:

Hakam b. al-'Araj (R.A) reported:

 I went to Ibn 'Abbas (R.A) and he was reclining using his mantle as a pillow near the fountain of Zamzam. I said to him: Tell me about fasting on Ashura. He said: When you see the new moon of Muharram then count the (days) and observe fast on the 9th. I said to him: Is it how the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] observed the fast? He said: Yes.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 26, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2557:

Ibn Abbas (R.A) reported:

 A woman came to the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] and said: Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S], my mother has died and there is due from her a fast of vow; should I fast on her behalf? Thereupon he said: You see that if your mother had died in debt, would it not have been paid on her behalf? She said: Yes. He (the Holy Prophet [S.A.W.S]) said: Then observe fast on behalf of your mother.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 29, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2573:

'A'isha (R.A), the Mother of the Believers, reported:

 That one day the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] said to me: 'A'isha (R.A), have you anything (to eat)? I said: 'Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S], there is nothing with us. Thereupon he said: I am observing fast. She said: The Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] went out, and there was a present, for us and (at the same time) some visitors dropped in. When the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] came back, I said to him: Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S], a present was given to us, (and in the meanwhile) there came to us visitors (a major Portion of it has been spent on them), but I have saved something for you. He said: What is it? I said: It is hais (a compound of dates and clarified butter). He said: Bring that. So I brought it to him and he ate it and then said: I woke up in the morning observing fast. Talha (R.A) said: I narrated this hadith to Mujahid (R.A) and he said: This (observing of voluntary fast) is like a person who sets apart Sadaqa out of his wealth. He may spend it if he likes, or he may retain it if he so likes.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 30, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2575:

Abu Huraira (R.A) reported:

 ALLAH [S.W.T]’s Messenger [S.A.W.S] as saying: If anyone forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks he should complete his fast, for it is only ALLAH [S.W.T] WHO has fed him and given him drink.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 31, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2581:

Abu Salama (R.A) reported:

 I asked 'A'isha (R.A) about the fasting of the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S]. She said: He used to observe fast (at times so continuously) that we said: He has fasted (never to break), and he did not observe fast till we said: He has given up perhaps never to fast, and I never saw him observing (voluntary fasts) more in any other month than that of Sha'ban. (It appeared as if) he observed fast throughout the whole of Sha'ban except a few (days).

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 31, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2582:

'A'isha (R.A) reported:

 The Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] did not observe fast in any month of the year more than in the month of Sha'ban, and used to say: Do as many deeds as you are capable of doing, for ALLAH [S.W.T] will not become weary (of giving you reward), but you would be tired (of doing good deeds); and he also said: The deed liked most by ALLAH [S.W.T] is one to which the doer adheres constantly even if it is small.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 32, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2596:

'Abdullah b. 'Amr b. al-'As (R.A) reported:

 ALLAH [S.W.T]’s Messenger [S.A.W.S] as saying: The best fasting in the eye of ALLAH [S.W.T] is that of David (P.B.U.H), for he fasted for half of the age (he fasted on alternate days), and the best prayer in the eye of ALLAH [S.W.T], the Exalted and Majestic, is that of David (P.B.U.H), for he slept for half of the night and then stood for prayer and then again slept. He prayed for one-third of the night after midnight. He (the narrator) said: I asked 'Amr b. Dinar (R.A) whether 'Amr b. Aus (R.A) said: That he stood for prayer one-third of the night after midnight. He said: Yes.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 33, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2603:

Abu Qatada al-Ansari (R.A) reported:

 That the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] was asked about his fasting. The Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] felt annoyed. Thereupon 'Umar (R.A) said: We are pleased with ALLAH [S.W.T] as the LORD, with Islam as our Code of Life, with Muhammad [S.A.W.S] as the Messenger and with our pledge (to you for willing and cheerful submission) as a (sacred) commitment. He was then asked about perpetual fasting, whereupon he said: He neither fasted nor did he break it, or he did not fast and he did not break it. He was then asked about fasting for two days and breaking one day. He (the Holy Prophet [S.A.W.S]) said: And who has strength enough to do it? He was asked about fasting for a day and breaking for two days, whereupon he said: May ALLAH [S.W.T] bestow upon us strength to do it. He was then asked about fasting for a day and breaking on the other, whereupon he said: That is the fasting of my brother David (P.B.U.H). He was then asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: It was the day on which I was born, on which I was commissioned with Prophethood or Revelation was sent to me, (and he further) said: Three days' fasting every month and of the whole of Ramadan every year is a perpetual fast. He was asked about fasting on the day of 'Arafa (9th of Dhu'I-Hijja), whereupon he said: It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year. He was asked about fasting on the day of 'Ashura (10th of Muharram), whereupon be said: It expiates the sins of the preceding year. (Imam Muslim (R.A) said: That in this hadith there is a) narration of Imam Shu'ba (R.A) that he was asked about fasting on Monday and Thursday, but we (Imam Muslim (R.A)) did not mention Thursday for we found it as an error (in reporting).

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 34, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2608:

Imran b. Husain (R.A) reported:

 That ALLAH [S.W.T]’s Apostle [S.A.W.S] said to a person: Did you observe any fast in the middle of this month (Sha'ban)? He said: No. Thereupon the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] said: Fast for two days instead of (one fast) when you have completed (fasts of) Ramadan.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 35, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2612:

Abu Huraira (R.A) reported:

 That he (the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S]) was asked as to which prayer was most excellent after the prescribed prayer, and which fast was most excellent after the month of Ramadan. He said: Prayer offered in the middle of the night and the most excellent fast after (fasting) in the month of Ramadan is the fast in ALLAH [S.W.T]'s month al-Muharram.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 36, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2614:

Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (R.A) reported:

 ALLAH [S.W.T]’s Messenger [S.A.W.S] as saying: He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of Shawwal. It would be as if he fasted perpetually.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 38, Book 6: Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm), Number 2637:

Abdullah b. Umar (R.A) reported:

 That the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] used to observe i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. Nafi' (R.A) said: Abdullah (R.A) showed me the place in the mosque where the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] used to observe i'tikaf.

Sahih Muslim: Chapter 9, Book 7: Pilgrimage (Kitab Al-Hajj), Number 2735:

Ka'b b. 'Ujra (R.A) reported:

 That the Messenger of ALLAH [S.W.T] [S.A.W.S] stood near him and lice were falling from his head. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet [S.A]) said: Do these vermin’s trouble you? I said: Yes. Thereupon he said: Then shave your head; and it was in connection with me that this verse was revealed: "Whoever among you is sick or has an ailment of the head, he (may effect) a compensation by fasting or alms or a sacrifice". He (the Holy Prophet [S.A.W.S], therefore) said to me: Observe fast for three days or give a quantity of alms enough to feed six needy persons or offer sacrifice (of an animal) that is available.