What is the Fasting of Prophet Dawud and Its Evidence According to Islam

An explanation of the fasting of Dawud, which is alternating fasting (fasting one day and not fasting the next), which the Prophet Muhammad called the best voluntary fast, along with the origin of this recommendation to the Companion Abdullah ibn Amr.

• The Prophet Muhammad called the fasting of Dawud as the best fasting in the sight of Allah, equivalent to fasting half of the year and more virtuous than fasting for the entire year without a break.
• This fasting imitates the practice of Prophet Dawud who would fast one day and then not fast the next day, alternating in this manner.
• This recommendation came about when the Companion Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As was enthusiastic about fasting and praying at night every day without stopping, but the Prophet forbade him because he feared he would neglect other obligations.
• The Prophet gave a gradual solution, from fasting three days a month to eventually the fasting of Dawud as the most excellent form of worship that still suits human capability.
• It is also mentioned the habit of Prophet Dawud in night worship, namely sleeping at the beginning of the night, waking to pray during the last third of the night, then sleeping again before waking for the Fajr prayer and remembering Allah at the time of the pre-dawn meal.

The fasting of Dawud is the best fasting, this fast is like fasting half of the year and better than fasting for the entire year.

The fasting of Dawud is a recommendation of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to his Ummah who wish to constantly worship and work for Allah the Most High yet remain in accordance with the Islamic Shariah. Fasting is done alternately with exceptions for the forbidden days of fasting.

From Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As, he said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him:

"The best prayer in the sight of Allah is the prayer of Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him). And the best fasting in the sight of Allah is the fasting of Dawud. Prophet Dawud used to sleep in the middle of the night and pray during the last third of the night and sleep again in the last sixth. As for the fasting of Dawud, it is fasting one day and not fasting the next day. (Narrated by Bukhari)"

In another narration it is said:

"There is no fasting more virtuous than the fasting of Dawud. The fasting of Dawud means half a year has been fasted because one fasts one day and does not fast the next. (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)"

Sheikh Abdurrahman ibn Nasir As-Sadi (may Allah have mercy on him) conveyed, "The hadith above clearly shows that fasting Dawud is the best of all fasting."

Indeed, the fasting of Dawud is more virtuous than fasting performed throughout the entire year. However, fasting Dawud is recommended to be done by those who are able and should not cause negligence of obligatory deeds and more important matters.

Abdullah ibn Amr was very enthusiastic about obedience. He wanted to perform fasting every day without stopping, and he also wanted to perform night prayer all night. Because of this, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade him.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) provided him with a better solution that suits human nature.

For fasting, he was advised by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to fast three days every month. However, Abdullah ibn Amr desired so much to constantly worship Allah the Most High that he still felt it was not enough and wanted to do more.

Then he was given a solution by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to perform fasting one day and not fast the next day. And then there is nothing more virtuous than this. Likewise for night prayer, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave guidance like the prayer of Prophet Dawud.

Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) in his life used to sleep in the middle of the first night until the last third of the night. Then Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) would wake up to perform prayer until the last sixth of the night.

After that, he would sleep again to rest his body so that he would have energy to perform the Fajr prayer, remember Allah, and seek forgiveness at the time of the pre-dawn meal.

Read related articles:

Fasting on Arafah (9th of Dhu al-Hijjah)

Fasting of Tasu'a and Ashura (9th and 10th of Muharram)

Fasting 6 days after Eid al-Fitr (Fasting in Shawwal)

Fasting During the White Days (Ayyam al-Bidh)

Fasting on Monday and Thursday

Fasting of Prophet Dawud (David)

Fasting Throughout the Year (Shaumu ad-Dahr)

Forbidden Fasting

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