In this article, we will try to understand the 8 types of fasting in Islam. Fasting is called Sawm in Arabic and the one who fasts is called Sayyim. In Islamic terminology, fasting is abstaining from food, drink and bodily desires from dawn (Fajr) to sunset in order to gain the pleasure of Allah Almighty.
There are eight types of fasting in Islam. Below we understand the eight types of fasting in Islam:
Fixed Obligatory Fasting
This is one of the eight types of fasting in Islam. A fast that is both obligatory and has a specific time, such as fasting the entire holy month of Ramadan once a year, is a fixed obligation, as its time is also specific and its command is found in the Holy Quran.
Indefinite obligatory fast
This is also included in the eight types of fast in Islam. This refers to fasts that are obligatory but their time is not fixed and can be kept anytime and at any time according to convenience, such as the fasts of Ramadan, which are obligatory at a fixed time. If due to some religious excuse one cannot fast during Ramadan, then all the fasts of Ramadan that have been missed can be kept at any time during the year or in life. This is called the indefinite obligatory fast.
Indefinite obligatory fast
This is the third type of fast in Islam. Such fasts that are obligatory and their time is also fixed. This means taking a vow to fast on a specific day or making a promise to Allah Almighty that if I accomplish such and such a task, I will fast on 27 Rajab. This is called the indefinite obligatory fast.
Non-obligatory fasting
This refers to fasting that is obligatory but has no fixed time for it, such as someone vowing that if I accomplish such and such a task, I will fast for two days for the sake of Allah Almighty, but he did not specify any day, month or time. This is called non-obligatory fasting.
Sunnah fasting
Such fasts that the last Prophet of Allah Almighty, Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him), kept with his own free will. These are called Sunnah fasting. Fasting on 9-10 Muharram, fasting on the Day of Arafah, i.e. 9 Dhul-Hijjah, fasting on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of every month.
Nafl fasting
Such fasts that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) himself encouraged to keep, as it is mentioned in the Holy Hadith that whoever fasts the holy month of Ramadan and then fasts 6 days of Shawwal after that, it is as if his act is like fasting for the whole year. (Muslim, Kitab al-Sayam).
Makrooh Fasting
Fasting only on Saturdays, fasting only on the 10th of Muharram, fasting by a married woman without her husband’s permission is makrooh, and fasting by pilgrims in the state of Ihram and fasting on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah in the plain of Arafat is also makrooh. (Abu Dawud)
Haram Fasting
This is the eighth and last of the eight types of fasting in Islam. There are five days in the Islamic calendar on which fasting is haraam. Those days are as follows:
1. Eid al-Fitr
2. Eid al-Adha
3. The days of Tashreeq (these are 3 days)
If a person intentionally does not break his fast for two or more days, such fasting is also haraam. (Abu Dawud)
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