Best Days to Fast in Islam Arafah, Ashura & More

After Ramadan, many Muslims wonder how to maintain that spiritual momentum. The answer lies in knowing the best days to fast in Islam, alongside the days when fasting is forbidden. Whether you have searched for ‘what is fast in Islam’ or ‘when to fast Islam,’ this guide provides the clarity you need. This comprehensive guide was created by the Quran Bliss Academy Editorial Team, certified Quran and Islamic Studies educators with over a decade of experience teaching non-Arab Muslims around the world to ensure an authentic, guided path.

Best Days to Fast in Islam 

Fasting is one of the most rewarding acts of worship in Islam, and it isn’t limited to Ramadan. Once the obligatory month ends, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم continued fasting on specific days throughout the year, and these voluntary fasts are known as Sunnah fasts. Below are the best days to fast in Islam, drawn directly from his example and explained one by one.

Mondays and Thursdays

• Routine: The easiest weekly habit to build and maintain consistently.
• Significance: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Deeds are presented to Allah on Monday and Thursday, and I like my deeds to be presented while I am fasting.” (Sahih al-Tirmidhi).
• Benefit: Imitates the Sunnah directly, providing a simple, repeatable answer for anyone asking when to fast.

 

The White Days (Ayyam al-Bid)

• Timing: The 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Islamic month.
• Significance: Known as the “White Days” because the moon is at its brightest. The Prophet (ﷺ) advised: “If you fast three days of the month, then fast the 13th, 14th, and 15th.” (Sahih al-Tirmidhi).
• Tip: Many Muslims use a lunar calendar app to track these dates as they shift on the Gregorian calendar.

The Day of Arafah (9th of Dhul-Hijjah)

• Timing: Widely regarded as the best day for fasting in Islam for those not performing Hajj.
• Reward: The Prophet (ﷺ) stated: “Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.” (Sahih Muslim).
• Planning: It is helpful to mark this date early on your calendar each year.

The Day of Ashura (10th of Muharram)

• History: Commemorates the day Allah saved Prophet Musa (AS) and his people from Pharaoh.
• Practice: Recommended to pair with the 9th or 11th of Muharram.
• Reward: Fasting this day “expiates the sins of the previous year.” (Sahih Muslim).

Six Days of Shawwal

• Timing: Any six days throughout the month of Shawwal (they do not need to be consecutive).
• Reward: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted the whole year.” (Sahih Muslim).
• Benefit: The perfect way to maintain Ramadan’s spiritual momentum.

The First Nine Days of Dhul-Hijjah

The spiritual importance of 10 days of dhul hijjah stems from the fact that good deeds performed during this window are more beloved to Allah than at any other time of the year.

• Importance: Good deeds performed during these days are more beloved to Allah than at any other time.
• Practice: The Prophet (ﷺ) stated: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Sahih al-Bukhari).
• Goal: Fasting these days helps you approach the day of arafah 2026 with consistency and devotion.

If you are planning your worship for dhul hijjah 2026, marking these first nine days early will help you fast consistently and prepare for the peak of the month. 

Is Voluntary Fasting More Than Just Refraining from Food? 

Yes. Fasting is never just about enduring hunger; it is a deliberate act of drawing closer to Allah. Voluntary fasting—observed on the sunnah days to fast in Islam—purifies the heart and builds self-control.

As taught in any Five Pillars of Islam Online Course, Sawm is not limited to Ramadan. It is a year-round practice rooted in the Qur’an: 

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ﴾ 

(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:183).

Beyond physical discipline, voluntary fasting offers profound spiritual benefits:

• Forgiveness of Sins: A simple, powerful way to erase minor wrongs.
• Closeness to Allah: Reflects sincere devotion beyond obligatory duties.
• Boundless Reward: The Prophet (ﷺ) taught that Allah rewards fasting directly, without a fixed multiplier.
• Stronger Taqwa: Builds patience and mindfulness that transforms daily life.

 

 

How to Prepare for Sunnah Fasting?

Many of our students at Quran Bliss Academy struggle with consistency. Often, this happens because they understand the what but not the why. For those looking to define the 5 pillars of islam beyond the basics, our courses provide the spiritual depth needed to turn these acts of worship into lifelong habits.

1. Set your intention (niyyah) the night before, since most sunnah fasts require this
2. Eat a light suhoor instead of skipping it, even if it’s just dates and water
3. Pick a recurring day, like Monday, so the habit becomes automatic rather than a decision you re-make weekly
4. Track which fasting sunnah days you’ve completed each month, so the habit doesn’t quietly slip

Once this becomes routine, you’ll stop needing to look up best days to fast Islam every month, since the rhythm becomes second nature

 

The Rewards of Fasting Sunnah Days

Before going through each day in detail, here’s a quick side-by-side view of the most recommended fasting days in Islam and what each one offers. It’s a fast way to see what are the best days to fast in Islam without scrolling through every hadith first.

Day	Key Reward	Frequency
Mondays & Thursdays	Deeds presented to Allah while fasting	Weekly
White Days (13th-15th)	Reward of fasting the whole month	Monthly
Day of Arafah	Expiates sins of two years	Yearly
Day of Ashura	Expiates sins of the previous year	Yearly
Six Days of Shawwal	Reward of fasting the whole year	Yearly

This table covers the most commonly asked-about sunnah days of fasting in Islam, but each one deserves a closer look at the hadith evidence behind it.

Which 5 Days Are Forbidden for Fasting in Islam?

After all this talk of recommended fasting, it surprises some new students to learn that Islam also draws clear lines around when fasting is simply not allowed. Knowing which 5 days are forbidden for fasting in Islam is just as important as knowing the best day to fast in Islam.

• Eid al-Fitr (1st of Shawwal): a day of celebration after Ramadan, not abstinence
• Eid al-Adha (10th of Dhul-Hijjah): A day of sacrifice and gratitude, when Muslims focus on the sunnah of distribution, including giving zakat for eid al adha and sharing food with those in need. 
• The three Days of Tashreeq (11th, 12th, 13th of Dhul-Hijjah): days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allah

There is one narrow exception. Pilgrims performing Hajj Tamattu’ who could not offer a sacrifice may fast during the Days of Tashreeq if they missed fasting before Eid al-Adha, as mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:196).

Arabic: “لَا صِيَامَ فِي العيدَيْنِ: عيدِ الفِطْرِ وعيدِ الأَضْحَى” 

Start Your Spiritual Journey with Quran Bliss

Knowing the best days to fast in Islam, along with the days when fasting is forbidden, provides a clear, sustainable way to keep your heart connected to Allah all year long. 

• At Quran Bliss Academy, we believe that spiritual growth is a journey best taken with guidance.
• Whether you are looking to master your recitation or deepen your understanding of Islamic practices, our certified educators are here to support you every step of the way.

Ready to elevate your worship? Book your free trial class today and join our community of learners dedicated to bringing the light of the Quran into their daily lives.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best days to fast in Islam?

When students ask this in class, the same five names come up every time: Mondays and Thursdays, the White Days, the Day of Arafah, the Day of Ashura, and six days of Shawwal.

What days do Muslims fast each week?

Outside Ramadan, the most consistent weekly answer is Monday and Thursday, since the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم observed these two days regularly throughout his life.

Can you fast any day in Islam?

When people first ask this, the short answer is mostly yes. Voluntary fasting is encouraged on many days, but Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and the three Days of Tashreeq are explicitly off-limits.

What are the sunnah days to fast in Islam?

The most recommended sunnah fasts include Mondays and Thursdays, the three White Days each lunar month, six days of Shawwal, the Day of Arafah, and the Day of Ashura.

Why is fasting forbidden on Eid days?

These two days exist for celebration, gratitude, and communal feasting, marking either the end of Ramadan or commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion, so fasting would work against their purpose.

How many days do Muslims fast outside Ramadan?

There’s no fixed number, since most of these fasts are voluntary. A consistent Muslim might fast roughly 8 days a month through Mondays and Thursdays alone, plus a handful of special days throughout the year.

What is the best fasting time according to the Sunnah?

Rather than one single best time, the Sunnah spreads recommended fasting across the year, weekly through Mondays and Thursdays, monthly through the White Days, and on a few singular dates with exceptional reward.