Of the actions of the Righteous Predecessors in winter: Fasting

Fasting is the easy prey in winter. `Amir ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Fasting in winter is the easy prey." [Reported by Ahmad and At-Tabarany, and Al Albany graded it as good].

Ibn Rajab Al Hanbaly (may Allah bestow mercy on his souls) said in his book "Lata'if Al Ma`arif": Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say: Shall I guide you to the easy prey? People said: Yes. He said: Fasting in winter.

Imam Al Khattaby said: The meaning of easy prey is very easy for a fasting person because thrist shall not catch him in winter.

Abu Sa`id Al Khudry (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: I heard of the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: "Anyone fasts for one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years." [Reported by Al Bukhari and Muslim, and these are the words of Al Bukhari]. Imam An-Nawawy said: The meaning is: Keeping away from fire and be safe of it. This implies that a person shall not hear its sound and shall be safe of it.

Therefore, we have to fast frequently in winter, especially in the following cases:

A- The three white days of each month: 13th, 14th, 15th of every Hijri month according to the sound opinion. It was reported in Sahih Al Bukhari from the Hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: "My friend (i.e. the Prophet) instructed me to observe three practices Fasting three days every month, offering the Forenoon Salah (Duha), and offering Witr (Prayer with an odd number of units) before going to sleep."

Al Hafizh ibn Hajar Al `Asqalany said in his book "Fathul-Bary Sharh Sahih Al Bukhari": The meaning of three days here is the white days [during which the moon is full].

Ibn Milhan Al Qaysy reported from his father who said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to command us to fast the days of the white (nights during which the moon in full): Thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth of the month. He said: This is like keeping perpetual fast." [Reported by Abu Dawud and Al Albany graded it as authentic].

Jarir ibn `Abdullah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Fasting three days every month is like fasting the entire lifetime; and the "White Days" are the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth (of each lunar month)." [Reported by An-Nasa'y and Al Albany graded it as good].

B- Fasting Mondays and Thursdays: `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that "The Prophet (peace be upon him) was intent on fasting on Mondays and Thursdays." [Reported by At-Tirmidhy and Al Albany graded it as authentic].

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Deeds are presented (before Allah) on Mondays and Thursdays and I love that my actions are reviewed while I am fasting." [Reported by At-Tirmidhy and Al Albany graded it as authentic].

C- The best kind of fasting for those who are able to handle it is the fasting of David (peace be upon him) who used to fast a day and break the fast the following day. `Abdullah ibn `Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was informed that I say: "By Allah, I will fast all the days and pray all the nights as long as I live. On that, Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) asked me. "Are you the one who says: 'I will fast all the days and pray all the nights as long as I live?' " I said: "Yes, I have said it." He said: "You cannot do that. So fast (sometimes) and do not fast (sometimes). Pray and sleep. Fast for three days a month, for the reward of a good deed is multiplied by ten time, and so the fasting of three days a month equals the fasting of a year." I said: "O Allah's Messenger! I can do (fast) more than this." He said: "Fast on every third day. I said: I can do (fast) more than that, He said: "Fast on alternate days and this was the fasting of David which is the most moderate sort of fasting." I said: "O Allah's Messenger! I can do (fast) more than that." He said: "There is nothing better than that." [Reported by Al Bukhari and Muslim].