Islamic Events & Sacred Seasons

The White Days are the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each Hijri month, named for the bright moonlit nights around the full moon. Fasting these three days is a recommended Sunnah and a practical way to maintain regular voluntary fasting.

Recommended actions

• Fast the 13th, 14th, and 15th of Jumada Al-Awwal if health and circumstances allow.
• Make the intention for voluntary fasting and take suhur.
• Add Qur’an, dhikr, du‘a, and charity without neglecting obligations.
• If unable to fast all three, fast other permissible days to maintain the general Sunnah of three monthly fasts.

References

Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi 761, Sunan Abi Dawud 2449, Sunan al-Nasa’i 2420, and Sahih al-Bukhari 1981.

The White Days are the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each Hijri month, named for the bright moonlit nights around the full moon. Fasting these three days is a recommended Sunnah and a practical way to maintain regular voluntary fasting.

Recommended actions

• Fast the 13th, 14th, and 15th of Jumada Al-Thani if health and circumstances allow.
• Make the intention for voluntary fasting and take suhur.
• Add Qur’an, dhikr, du‘a, and charity without neglecting obligations.
• If unable to fast all three, fast other permissible days to maintain the general Sunnah of three monthly fasts.

References

Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi 761, Sunan Abi Dawud 2449, Sunan al-Nasa’i 2420, and Sahih al-Bukhari 1981.

The White Days are the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each Hijri month, named for the bright moonlit nights around the full moon. Fasting these three days is a recommended Sunnah and a practical way to maintain regular voluntary fasting.

Recommended actions

• Fast the 13th, 14th, and 15th of Rajab if health and circumstances allow.
• Make the intention for voluntary fasting and take suhur.
• Add Qur’an, dhikr, du‘a, and charity without neglecting obligations.
• If unable to fast all three, fast other permissible days to maintain the general Sunnah of three monthly fasts.

References

Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi 761, Sunan Abi Dawud 2449, Sunan al-Nasa’i 2420, and Sahih al-Bukhari 1981.

The White Days are the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each Hijri month, named for the bright moonlit nights around the full moon. Fasting these three days is a recommended Sunnah and a practical way to maintain regular voluntary fasting.

Recommended actions

• Fast the 13th, 14th, and 15th of Sha'ban if health and circumstances allow.
• Make the intention for voluntary fasting and take suhur.
• Add Qur’an, dhikr, du‘a, and charity without neglecting obligations.
• If unable to fast all three, fast other permissible days to maintain the general Sunnah of three monthly fasts.

References

Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi 761, Sunan Abi Dawud 2449, Sunan al-Nasa’i 2420, and Sahih al-Bukhari 1981.

The middle night of Sha'ban is associated with narrations concerning Allah’s forgiveness. Sunni scholars differ over the strength and interpretation of these reports. No particular celebration, fixed prayer, or formula is established as an agreed Sunnah.

Recommended actions

• Make sincere tawbah and ask Allah for forgiveness.
• Forgive others and repair strained relationships.
• Make personal du‘a and continue ordinary voluntary worship.
• Avoid presenting disputed practices or guaranteed rewards as established Sunnah.

References

Qur’an 39:53. See also Ibn Majah 1390; scholars differ regarding the supporting narrations and their grading.

Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed and fasting was made obligatory for eligible Muslims. The Islamic day begins at sunset, while the first obligatory fast begins at the following dawn. The start should follow the announcement or calendar method adopted by one’s community.

Recommended actions

• Confirm the start of Ramadan with a trusted local authority.
• Make the intention to fast and prepare for suhur before dawn.
• Set a sustainable plan for prayer, Qur’an, charity, and family responsibilities.
• Learn the rulings concerning illness, travel, pregnancy, and missed fasts.

References

Qur’an 2:183–185. See also Sahih al-Bukhari 1900 and Sahih Muslim 1080 concerning beginning and ending the fast by sighting the crescent.

The final ten nights are the most spiritually important nights of Ramadan. Laylat al-Qadr occurs within them and is better than a thousand months. Its exact date is concealed, so Muslims are encouraged to seek it throughout the last ten nights, especially the odd-numbered nights.

Recommended actions

• Increase night prayer, Qur’an recitation, dhikr, and charity.
• Seek Laylat al-Qadr throughout the final ten nights, especially the odd-numbered nights.
• Prepare a personal du‘a list.
• Frequently say: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa fa‘fu ‘anni (“O Allah, You are Pardoning and love to pardon, so pardon me”).
• Consider i‘tikaf where practical.
• Protect these nights from unnecessary distractions.

References

• Qur’an 97:1–5 — the virtue of Laylat al-Qadr.
• Sahih Muslim 1167 — seeking Laylat al-Qadr during Ramadan’s final ten nights.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 2024 and Sahih Muslim 1174 — the Prophet ﷺ intensified his worship during the final ten nights.
• Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 3513 — the du‘a taught to ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها.

The final ten nights are the most spiritually important nights of Ramadan. Laylat al-Qadr occurs within them and is better than a thousand months. Its exact date is concealed, so Muslims are encouraged to seek it throughout the last ten nights, especially the odd-numbered nights.

Recommended actions

• Increase night prayer, Qur’an recitation, dhikr, and charity.
• Seek Laylat al-Qadr throughout the final ten nights, especially the odd-numbered nights.
• Prepare a personal du‘a list.
• Frequently say: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa fa‘fu ‘anni (“O Allah, You are Pardoning and love to pardon, so pardon me”).
• Consider i‘tikaf where practical.
• Protect these nights from unnecessary distractions.

References

• Qur’an 97:1–5 — the virtue of Laylat al-Qadr.
• Sahih Muslim 1167 — seeking Laylat al-Qadr during Ramadan’s final ten nights.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 2024 and Sahih Muslim 1174 — the Prophet ﷺ intensified his worship during the final ten nights.
• Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 3513 — the du‘a taught to ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها.

Eid al-Fitr marks the completion of Ramadan and is a day of gratitude, communal prayer, generosity, family ties, and lawful celebration. Fasting on Eid is prohibited.

Recommended actions

• Give Zakat al-Fitr before the Eid prayer.
• Perform ghusl, dress well, and eat before leaving for the prayer.
• Recite the Eid takbir and attend the congregational prayer.
• Visit relatives, include those who may be alone, and celebrate without extravagance.

References

Qur’an 2:185. See also Sahih al-Bukhari 1503 and 1990, and Sahih Muslim 984 and 1137.

The White Days are the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each Hijri month, named for the bright moonlit nights around the full moon. Fasting these three days is a recommended Sunnah and a practical way to maintain regular voluntary fasting.

Recommended actions

• Fast the 13th, 14th, and 15th of Shawwal if health and circumstances allow.
• Make the intention for voluntary fasting and take suhur.
• Add Qur’an, dhikr, du‘a, and charity without neglecting obligations.
• If unable to fast all three, fast other permissible days to maintain the general Sunnah of three monthly fasts.

References

Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi 761, Sunan Abi Dawud 2449, Sunan al-Nasa’i 2420, and Sahih al-Bukhari 1981.