Nasihah. Q&A - Vegetable Fast in Muharram

[riaz bhana]

Nasihah (Advice): 

The greatest voluntary fast

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr Radhiyallahu Anhu reported: Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam said, “There is no (voluntary) fast greater than the fast of Dawood Alayhis Salaam, half of time. Fast on one day and eat on the next.” (Muslim)

Explanation: The fast of Nabi Dawood Alayhis Salaam is to perpetually alternate your days between fasting and eating. Fasting in this way prevents the body from acclimatising to consistent fasting and hence there is greater reward for the sacrifice is greater.

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Question and Answer:

Q. I have met a few people that have said they vegetable fast during the first 10 days of Muharram, as in they do not eat meat for the first 10 days of Muharram. Please can you advise if this is necessary, the benefits and why it is done?

(Question published as received)

A. A vegetable fast during Muharram or during any time of the year has no basis in Islam. Considering such a fast to be a part of Deen will be a Bid’ah (an innovation alien to Islamic teachings). Vegetable fasts are practiced by Hindus and Christians as they refrain from meat during their fasts.

For further information regarding the fasts of Muharram you may access the following article prepared by Mufti Taqi Usmani Saheb available here.  

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best 

 

Fatwa Department
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) 
Council of Muslim Theologians

[riaz bhana]