OTHER FASTS

Several other fasts are mentioned.  One is the Ashura fast, observed on the tenth day of Muharram.  The Ashur day �was one which the Jews respected and they treated it as �Id� (2522), and in the pre-Islamic days, �Quraish used to fast on this day� (2499); but after Muhammad migrated to Medina he made it optional for his followers.  Other voluntary fasts are mentioned, but we need not go into them here.

One interesting thing about these fasts is that one could declare one�s intention of observing them in the morning but break them without reason in the evening.  One day, Muhammad asked �Aisha for some food, but nothing was available.  Thereupon Muhammad said: �I am observing fast.� After some time, some food came as gift, and �Aisha offered it to Muhammad.  He asked: �What is it?� �Aisha said: �It is hais [a compound of dates and clarified butter].� He said: �Bring that.� �Aisha further narrates: �So I brought it to him and he ate it�; and then he said: �This observing of voluntary fasts is like a person who sets apart Sadaqa out of his wealth.  He may spend it if he likes, or he may retain it if he so likes� (2573).

author : ram swarup