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Brilio.net - It turns out that fasting is not only done during the month of Ramadan. There are various types of sunnah fasting that can be done throughout the year. This sunnah fasting is like a bonus level in a gamewe have already received rewards from obligatory fasting, but we can still add more rewards!
Sunnah fasting is an additional worship that is recommended but not obligatory. Even so, its benefits are extraordinary! In terms of health, sunnah fasting can help detoxify the body and increase endurance. Spiritually, it is a way to get closer to Allah SWT.
Interestingly, there are many variations of sunnah fasting with different times and methods. Some are only for a day, some are for months. Some are done every week, while others are only done once a year. The variations are indeed very many!
Come on, let's look at each of these sunnah fasts. Who knows, after reading this article, you might be excited to try one of them. But remember, even though it's sunnah, your intention must remain right and follow the rules. Don't make things difficult for yourself.
1. Fasting on Monday and Thursday.Monday Thursday fasting is one of the most popular sunnah fasts and is often done by Muslims. As the name suggests, this fast is done every Monday and Thursday.
- Virtue: Monday is the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, and he often fasted on this day. Thursday is believed to be the day when good deeds are brought before Allah SWT.
- How to carry it out: The intention to fast is done at night or before dawn. Fasting is carried out like Ramadan fasting, from sunrise to sunset. Can be done every week or just occasionally.
- Benefits: Trains patience and self-control regularly, gives the body time to rest from the digestive process, and increases productivity at the beginning and middle of the week.
David's fast is known as the most favored fast of Allah SWT, imitating the fasting pattern of the Prophet David AS.
- Virtue: Considered the fairest fast because it provides a balance between fasting and non-fasting. The Prophet Muhammad SAW praised this fast in several hadiths.
- How to Implement: Fast for one day and not fast for one day, alternately. Start at any time, but must be consistent with the pattern of one day fasting, one day not fasting.
- Benefits: Trains consistency and discipline in worship, gives the body time to adapt to changing eating patterns, and increases physical and mental endurance.
The Arafah fast is performed on the 9th of Dzulhijjah, coinciding with the day of the Hajj pilgrimage in the Arafah plain.
- Virtue: Believed to be able to erase the sins of the past year and the year to come. Highly recommended for those who are not performing the Hajj pilgrimage.
- How to Implement: The intention of fasting Arafah is done on the night of the 9th of Dzulhijjah. Fasting is done for a full day like fasting in Ramadan.
- Benefits: Increases the sense of solidarity with the Hajj pilgrims, becomes a moment for self-introspection and asking for forgiveness, and an opportunity to gain great rewards in a short time.
The Ashura fast is observed on the 10th of Muharram, a day that has important historical value in Islam.
- Virtue: Believed to be able to erase the sins of the past year and commemorate the rescue of Prophet Musa AS and his people from Pharaoh.
- How to Implement: It is recommended to fast on the 9th and 10th of Muharram. If you can only do one day, then choose the 10th of Muharram.
- Benefits: Momentum to be grateful for the blessings of safety and freedom, strengthening the unity of Muslims by remembering shared history, as well as the opportunity to improve oneself at the beginning of the Hijriyah year.
The Shaban fast is performed in the month of Shaban, the 8th month in the Hijri calendar, a month before Ramadan.
- Virtue: Prophet Muhammad SAW often fasted in this month, even more than in other months besides Ramadan. It is considered a spiritual preparation for Ramadan.
- How to do it: You can fast for a few days or the entire month of Shaban. Avoid fasting in the second half of Shaban if you are not used to it, to maintain stamina ahead of Ramadan.
- Benefits: Gradually train yourself to fast for Ramadan, an opportunity to increase worship before the arrival of the holy month, and cleanse the body and soul in preparation for welcoming Ramadan.
This fast is carried out for six days in the month of Shawwal, the month after Ramadan.
- Virtue: It is believed that fasting in Ramadan followed by fasting for six days in Shawwal is equivalent to fasting for a whole year. It shows consistency in worship after Ramadan.
- How to Perform: Can be done six consecutive days after Eid al-Fitr or anytime during the month of Syawal, it does not have to be consecutive.
- Benefits: Maintaining the spirit of worship after Ramadan, the opportunity to increase rewards after Ramadan, and training oneself to be consistent in worship.
This fast can be done three days every month, usually on the white days (Ayyamul Bidh), namely the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the Hijri month.
- Virtue: The Prophet Muhammad SAW recommended this fast as an alternative for those who were unable to fast David. It is considered equivalent to fasting throughout the year.
- How to Perform: Can be performed on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the Hijri month (white days) or on any day of the month, not necessarily in sequence.
- Benefits: Gives the body the opportunity for regular monthly detoxification, trains consistency in worship, and maintains a balance between fasting and normal activities.
(brl/tin)
