Lessons

Ramadan & Fasting

A practice fast before Ramadan

Learn how and when to try voluntary fasts to prepare your heart and body for Ramadan.

2 short lessons · about 2 min · every point has its source

1. Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays

Preparing for Ramadan can feel overwhelming if you are new to fasting. Taking small steps helps build your strength and calm your mind. Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward for men and women who fast.¹

The Prophet ﷺ made an effort to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.² When asked about fasting on Monday, he explained that it was the day he was born and the day revelation came down to him.³

These two days carry special spiritual blessings. Our deeds are presented on Monday and Thursday, and the Prophet ﷺ loved for his deeds to be presented while fasting.⁴ On these same days, Allah forgives every Muslim, except two people who have broken ties, until they reconcile.⁵

Choosing one of these days is a gentle way to practice before the holy month arrives. You can learn how your body responds to the fast, adjust your daily routine, and soften your heart through voluntary devotion.

2. Timing your fasts before Ramadan

As Ramadan approaches, you might feel eager to prepare your body. When excitement builds, you might wonder if fasting during the final days before the sacred month is a good idea. However, the Prophet ﷺ gave clear instructions not to fast a day or two right before Ramadan.⁶

There is an important exception to this rule. The word nawafil means voluntary prayers or fasts beyond what is required. If you already have a set pattern of voluntary fasts, you may continue that schedule even if it falls on those days.⁶ If you are in the habit of observing a particular fast, you may fast on that day.⁷

For those without an established routine, waiting brings clarity. The Prophet ﷺ instructed Muslims to begin fasting when the new crescent moon is sighted.⁸ Setting these days aside keeps voluntary fasts separate from the obligatory month of Ramadan. Resting before the month begins also protects your health. In the Quran, Allah tells us that He intends ease for you and does not intend hardship.⁹

Sources

1. Quran 33:35 (Al-Ahzab)
   Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward
2. Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhi 745
   Aishah narrated: "The Prophet used to try to fast on Mondays and ThursdaysGrading: Ahmad Muhammad Shakir: Sahih; Al-Albani: Sahih; Zubair Ali Zai: Isnaad Sahih
3. Sahih Muslim 1162e Read it in full
   Abu Qatada Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Massenger (ﷺ) was asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: It is (the day) when I was born and revelation was sent down to me
4. Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhi 747
   Abu Hurairah narrated that:the Messenger of Allah said: "Deeds are presented on Monday and Thursday, and I love that my deeds be presented while I am fastingGrading: Ahmad Muhammad Shakir: Sahih; Al-Albani: Sahih; Bashar Awad Maarouf: Hasan; Zubair Ali Zai: Isnaad Hasan
5. Sunan Ibn Majah 1740
   It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays. It was said: “O Messenger of Allah, why do you fast on Mondays and Thursdays?” He said: “On Mondays and Thursdays Allah forgives every Muslim except two who have forsaken one another. He says: ‘Leave these two until they reconcile.’”Grading: Al-Albani: Sahih; Muhammad Fouad Abd al-Baqi: Sahih; Zubair Ali Zai: Isnaad Hasan
6. Sahih al-Bukhari 1914 Read it in full
   Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "None of you should fast a day or two before the month of Ramadan unless he has the habit of fasting (Nawafil) (and if his fasting coincides with that day) then he can fast that day
7. Sahih Muslim 1082a Read it in full
   Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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
8. Sahih al-Bukhari 1906 Read it in full
   Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) mentioned Ramadan and said, "Do not fast unless you see the crescent (of Ramadan), and do not give up fasting till you see the crescent (of Shawwal), but if the sky is overcast (if you cannot see it), then act on estimation (i.e. count Sha'ban as 30 days)
9. Quran 2:185 (Al-Baqarah)
   The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful

Every point in this lesson rests on a verse of the Quran or a hadith, listed above. Hadith come from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, or from other collections only where every listed scholar graded them sahih or hasan. Found a mistake? Tell us.

More on ramadan & fasting

• A day of fasting, from suhoor to iftarLearn how to begin, guard, and break your daily fast with confidence.
• Fasting when your family is not MuslimLearn how to uphold your fasts while showing gentle kindness and love to non-Muslim relatives.
• If you cannot fast: illness, travel and other reasonsLearn Allah's allowances for missed fasts, feeding substitutes, and how to make up days.
• The nights of Ramadan and Laylat al-QadrDiscover the blessings of Ramadan night prayers and how to seek the special Night of Decree.