Ayyamul Bidh Fasting and Its Hadith According to Islam

An explanation of the Ayyamul Bidh voluntary fast, namely fasting for three days each month on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the Hijri calendar, along with the hadith evidence that recommends it.

• Ayyamul Bidh fasting is recommended to be observed every month on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the Hijri calendar, in accordance with the Prophet's instruction to some of his Companions such as Abu Hurairah and Abu Dzar.
• This three-day monthly fast was mentioned by the Prophet as one of three pieces of advice he never abandoned until his death, along with the Dhuha prayer and the witr prayer before sleeping.
• The Prophet stated that this three-day monthly fast carries the same reward as fasting for an entire year.
• It is narrated that the Prophet always observed Ayyamul Bidh fasting, whether he was at home or travelling.

Ayyamul Bidh Fasting and Its Hadith According to Islam

Namely the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each Hijri month, also called Ayyamul Bidh fasting. This fast is a sunnah to be practised every month.

The basis is a hadith from Abu Hurairah ra, who said:

"The Messenger of Allah instructed me to fast 3 days every month" (HR Bukhari Muslim)

From Abu Dzar ra, the Messenger of Allah saw said:

"If you fast 3 days each month (Ayyamul Bidh), then fast on the 13th, 14th and 15th (HR At-Tirmidzi, An-Nasai)

From Abu Hurairah radhiyallahu 'anhu, he said,

أَوْصَانِى خَلِيلِى بِثَلاَثٍ لاَ أَدَعُهُنَّ حَتَّى أَمُوتَ صَوْمِ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ، وَصَلاَةِ الضُّحَى ، وَنَوْمٍ عَلَى وِتْرٍ

"My beloved (i.e. the Prophet, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) instructed me with three pieces of advice which I do not abandon until I die: 1- fasting three days every month, 2- performing the Dhuha prayer, 3- performing the witr prayer before sleeping." (HR. Bukhari no. 1178)

From 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al 'Ash, the Prophet shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam said,

صَوْمُ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ صَوْمُ الدَّهْرِ كُلِّهِ

"Fasting three days every month is like fasting the whole year." (HR. Bukhari no. 1979)

From Abu Dzar, the Prophet shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam said to him,

يَا أَبَا ذَرٍّ إِذَا صُمْتَ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ فَصُمْ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ وَأَرْبَعَ عَشْرَةَ وَخَمْسَ عَشْرَةَ

"If you wish to fast three days every month, then fast on the 13th, 14th, and 15th (of the Hijri month)." (HR. Tirmidzi no. 761 and An Nasai no. 2425. Abu 'Isa Tirmidzi said that this hadith is hasan).

From Ibnu Milhan Al Qoisiy, from his father, he said,

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- يَأْمُرُنَا أَنْ نَصُومَ الْبِيضَ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ وَأَرْبَعَ عَشْرَةَ وَخَمْسَ عَشْرَةَ . وَقَالَ هُنَّ كَهَيْئَةِ الدَّهْرِ

"The Prophet, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him, used to instruct us to fast on ayyamul bidh, namely the 13th, 14th and 15th (of the Hijri month)." And he said, "Ayyamul bidh fasting is like fasting for a year." (HR. Abu Daud no. 2449 and An Nasai no. 2434. Shaykh Al Albani said that this hadith is shahih)

From Ibnu 'Abbas radhiyallahu 'anhuma, he said,

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَا يُفْطِرُ أَيَّامَ الْبِيضِ فِي حَضَرٍ وَلَا سَفَرٍ

"The Prophet, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him, used to fast on ayyamul bidh both when not travelling and when travelling." (HR. An Nasai no. 2347. Al Hafizh Abu Thohir said that the chain of this hadith is hasan. Shaykh Al Albani said that this hadith is hasan).

Read related articles:

Arafah Fasting (9 Dzul Hijjah)

Tasu'a and Asyura' Fasting (9 and 10 Muharram)

The 6-day fast after Eid al-Fitr (Syawal Fasting)

Ayyamul Bidh Fasting

Monday–Thursday Fasting

Sunnah of Dawud Fasting

Fasting All Year Round (Shaumu ad-Dahr)

Forbidden Fasting

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