Answer
Short Answer:
- The white days (shining days) are the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth of each Islamic month.
- Fasting is not an action. It is the abandonment of certain actions/pleasures for the sake of Allah. It shows faith and sincerity.
- It is also training on being detached from the attachments of this temporary world, and being attached to Allah alone.
- On account of that, He gives spiritual and physical rewards in this life and the next, because Allah is with those who rely on Him, and Allah loves those who rely on Him and Allah is the Wali (Protective Friend/Ally) of those who rely on Him.
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Salam Alaykum Dear reader,
The answers to your questions are in the blessed hadiths (sayings and teachings) of the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him).
Regarding the white days, it was narrated from Jarir bin ‘Abdullah that the Prophet said:
“Fasting three days of each month is fasting for a lifetime, and the white days (shining days) are the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth.” [Sunan an-Nasa’i]
In addition to that, in another hadith, we learn that Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘As (May Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“Observing Saum (fasting) on three days of every month is equivalent to a full month’s fasting.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Fasting & the Special Unmatched Reward from Allah
Fasting is a highly rewarded act by Allah Almighty.
Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) says:
“Allah, the Majestic, and the Exalted said: Every act of the son of Adam is for him except fasting. It is done for My sake, and I will give a reward for it. By Allah in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk. [Sahih Muslim]
Also, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“The reward of every (good) deed of a person is multiplied from ten to seven hundred times. Allah (SWT) says: ‘The reward of observing Saum (fasting) is different from the reward of other good deeds; Saum is for Me, and I Alone will give its reward. The person observing Saum abstains from food and drink only for My sake.’ The fasting person has two joyous occasions, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time of meeting his Rubb. Surely, the breath of one observing Saum is better smelling to Allah than the fragrance of musk.” [Muslim]
In addition to that, it was narrated that Abu Umamah said: “I said:
‘O Messenger of Allah, tell me of action (I should do).’ He said: ‘Take to fasting, for there is nothing equal to it.”‘ [Sunan An-Nasa’i]
Spiritual & Physical Purification & Discipline
Fasting helps with self-discipline and the purification of the spiritual and physical beings.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“Allah the Exalted and Majestic said: ‘Every act of the son of Adam is for him, except As-Siyam (the fasting) which is (exclusively) for Me, and I will reward him for it.’ Fasting is a shield. When anyone of you is observing fast, he should neither indulge in obscene language nor should he raise his voice; and if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him, he should say: ‘I am fasting.‘ By Him in Whose Hand the soul of Muhammad is, the breath of one observing Saum is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk. The one who fasts, experiences two joys: he feels pleasure when he breaks the fast. He is joyful by virtue of his fast when he meets his Rubb.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Closeness and Receiving the Love of Allah
Fasting the white days is a nafila (voluntary/supererogatory act). And every nafila (supererogatory act) is done for the purpose of seeking Allah’s Love, and it is a direct means for earning Allah’ Love. and if Allah loves a person, their life will be filled with blessings.
On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Verily Allah ta’ala has said: ‘Whosoever shows enmity to a wali (friend) of Mine, then I have declared war against him. And My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more loved to Me than the religious duties I have obligated upon him. And My servant continues to draw near to me with nawafil (supererogatory) deeds until I Love him. When I Love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, and his sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him; and were he to seek refuge with Me, I would surely grant him refuge.’ ” [Al-Bukhari]
This hadith shows that Wilaya of Allah (closeness to Allah) is achieved by fulfilling obligatory deeds, and then increasing in nawafil (voluntary). This brings one to Allah’s Love and His Wilaya. And the reward of Wilaya is:
“Unquestionably, [for] the allies of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. Those who believed and were fearing Allah. For them is good news in this worldly life and the Hereafter. There is no change in the promise of Allah. That is ˹truly˺ the ultimate triumph.” (Quran 10: 62-64)
Summary of the rewards of fasting:
- Blessings in the quantity of the reward (lifetime)
- Blessings in the quality of the reward (unmatched special reward from Allah)
- Purification of the spiritual and physical beings
- Earning the closeness and Love of Allah
- Facilitation of affairs on account of the Closeness and Love of Allah
- Experiencing two joys: first when breaking the fast (mindfulness and a meaningful appreciation of the blessings). Second, joy by virtue of this fast when one meets Allah on the Day of Judgement.
And Allah knows best.
I hope this helps.
Salam and please keep in touch.
(From Ask About Islam archives)
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