The White Days (Ayyam al-Bid) fasting: 13th, 14th, and 15th of each month

The White Days Fasting(Ayyam al-Bid) : A Detailed Study

The White Days (Ayyām al-Bīḍ) refer to the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month, during which fasting is highly recommended in Islam. These days are named “white” because the moon is at its brightest, illuminating the night sky. Fasting on these days is a Sunnah practice that carries immense spiritual and physical benefits.

The Prophet ﷺ said:
“صَوْمُ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ صَوْمُ الدَّهْرِ كُلِّهِ”
“Fasting three days of every month is equivalent to fasting for a lifetime.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1979, Muslim 1159)

The wisdom behind fasting on these days lies in their spiritual purification and health benefits. It enhances self-discipline, earns continuous rewards, and aligns with the natural biological rhythm of the body. Scholars mention that fasting Ayyām al-Bīḍ helps believers maintain consistency in voluntary acts of worship while reaping the rewards of a perpetual fast.

By following this Sunnah, Muslims cultivate gratitude, self-restraint, and a deeper connection with Allah. While not obligatory, fasting on these days is a simple yet powerful practice that brings immense barakah (blessings) in both this life and the Hereafter.

What Are the White Days (Ayyam al-Bid)?

The term Ayyam al-Bid refers to the middle days of the lunar month, specifically the 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Islamic month. The word “Bid” comes from the Arabic root word “Bida”, meaning “white,” referring to the bright full moon that appears on these days, which makes the nights particularly luminous.

The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) recommended fasting on these days due to their spiritual significance. It is believed that these days hold a special reward, and fasting on them is a way to attain closeness to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). The White Days are an opportunity for Muslims to engage in voluntary worship, purify their hearts, and seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness.

Fasting on the White Days: The Sunnah of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)

The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) regularly fasted on the White Days, and this act has been recorded in numerous Hadiths. Fasting on these days is part of the broader tradition of voluntary fasting, and its benefits are immense. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

“صُمْنَ أَيَّامِ الْبَيْضِ، الثَّالِثَةَ عَشَرَ وَالرَّابِعَةَ عَشَرَ وَالْخَامِسَةَ عَشَرَ”
(رواه ابن ماجه، حديث رقم 1652)

This Hadith is a direct command from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) to observe fasting on these specific days, and it is widely recognized as part of the recommended Sunnah fasts in Islam. The Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم) practice of fasting on these days provides us with an important example of how to incorporate voluntary fasts into our lives.

The Virtue of Fasting on the White Days

Fasting on the White Days holds a significant place in Islam due to the immense rewards and benefits it offers. Some of the key virtues of fasting on these days are as follows:

• Purification of the Soul: Just like the fast during the month of Ramadan, fasting on the White Days serves as a means of spiritual purification. It is an opportunity to cleanse one’s heart from worldly distractions, refocus on worship, and strive for closeness to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى).

• Forgiveness of Sins: The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said that fasting is a means of expiating sins, and fasting on these days is no exception. Every voluntary fast brings forgiveness for minor sins.

“مَن صَامَ لِلَّهِ فَغَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ ذُنُوبَهُ”
(صحيح مسلم)

• Strengthening Taqwa (God-Consciousness): Fasting builds taqwa, or God-consciousness, by training Muslims to control their desires and be mindful of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) emphasized that fasting brings one closer to Allah.

“الصَّوْمُ جُنَّةٌ يَحْتَسِبُهُ عَبْدِي لِي فَيُكَفِّرُ عَنْهُ جَنَاحَهُ”
(صحيح البخاري)

• Increased Rewards: The rewards for fasting on these days are numerous. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has promised immense rewards for those who engage in voluntary acts of worship, especially fasting. These fasts are seen as a means of gaining additional rewards in the Hereafter.

The Quranic Perspective on Fasting and Voluntary Acts of Worship

While the Quran does not specifically mention the White Days, it emphasizes the importance of fasting in general and the merit of voluntary acts of worship. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in Surah Al-Baqarah:

“يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ”
(سورة البقرة، الآية 183)

This verse highlights that fasting is a way to attain righteousness. While this refers primarily to the obligatory fast during the month of Ramadan, it sets the foundation for understanding the significance of voluntary fasts, such as those on the White Days, which can lead to further spiritual purification.

Another relevant verse regarding voluntary acts of worship comes from Surah Al-Muzzammil:

“يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ قُمْ فَأَنْذِرْ وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّرْ وَثِيَابَكَ فَطَهِّرْ وَالرُّجْزَ فَاهْجُرْ وَلا تَمْنُنْ تَسْتَكْثِرُ وَلِرَبِّكَ فَصْبِرْ”
(سورة المزمل، الآيات 1-4)

This verse encourages Muslims to engage in extra acts of worship, including fasting and prayer. By performing these voluntary acts, Muslims can strengthen their relationship with Allah and increase their rewards.

Hadiths Related to the White Days

There are several Hadiths that describe the practice of fasting on the White Days and emphasize the rewards associated with this act. One such Hadith is narrated by Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه), in which the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

“صُمْنَ أَيَّامِ الْبَيْضِ، الثَّالِثَةَ عَشَرَ وَالرَّابِعَةَ عَشَرَ وَالْخَامِسَةَ عَشَرَ”
(رواه ابن ماجه، حديث رقم 1652)

This Hadith underscores the importance of fasting on these specific days and marks them as a means of increasing one’s closeness to Allah. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) personally practiced this fasting and encouraged his followers to do the same.

In another narration, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

“أفضَلُ الصِّيَامِ بَعْدَ صِيَامِ رَمَضَانِ صِيَامُ شَهْرِ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّمِ وَأفضَلُ الصَّلاةِ بَعْدَ فَرِيقٍ صَلَاةُ اللَّيْلِ”
(صحيح مسلم)

While this Hadith speaks primarily about fasting in the month of Muharram, it further reinforces the idea that voluntary fasting brings great rewards and can lead to spiritual purification.

The Benefits of Fasting on the White Days

The practice of fasting on the White Days offers numerous benefits to Muslims, both spiritually and physically.

• Strengthened Faith: Fasting helps Muslims develop patience and strengthen their faith. The act of withholding from food and drink allows Muslims to realize the importance of discipline, and it brings them closer to Allah.

• Physical Detoxification: Just like fasting in Ramadan, voluntary fasting helps detoxify the body by giving it time to rest and recover. Fasting allows the digestive system to reset and promotes overall health.

• Increased Gratitude: Fasting on the White Days helps develop a sense of gratitude for the blessings of food, drink, and other provisions. Muslims become more mindful of the privileges they enjoy and grow in their appreciation for Allah’s sustenance.

Conclusion