Virtues of Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays

Islam teaches us many things. Alhamdulilah for the deen of Allah (swt). Amongst the things we are taught is the voluntary fasting on Monday and Thursday. Fasting in itself for the sake of Allah has a reward that has no limit. Abu Hurayrah (ra) narrates that the Prophet (saw) said,

Allah (swt) says: Fasting is Mine and it is I who give reward for it. (A man) gives up his sexual passion, his food and his drink for my sake. Fasting is like a shield, and he who fasts has two joys: a joy when he breaks his fast and a joy when he meets his Lord. The change in the breath of the mouth of him who fasts is better in Allah’s (swt) estimation than the smell of musk. 

~Al-Bukhari (also by Muslim, Malik, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa’i and Ibn Majah).

Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays every week of the month is the best for us as Muslims. Doing this righteous deed will ensure that we actually fast 8 days of the month which fulfills the three days of each month fasting recommendation as well.

The Prophet (saw) was asked about the voluntary fasting on Mondays, and he replied saying,

“On that day I was born, and on it the Revelation came to me.”

~Sahih Muslim

Furthermore, our beloved Prophet (saw) said that the “deeds of people are presented to Allah (swt) on Mondays and Thursdays, so I like that my actions be presented while I am fasting.” Aside from the religious virtues of fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, fasting has numerous health benefits. May Allah guide us all and allow us to fast as much as possible, Ameen!