Fasting on Monday and Thursday: Hadith and virtues

Fasting every Monday and Thursday is a recommended voluntary practice rooted in the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Its purpose is not to earn a guaranteed outcome, but to train the heart, restrain appetite and place good deeds on days of special significance in the Sunnah. The habit also allows worshippers to continue the spirit of Ramadan after its thirty days have ended.

Those who cannot fast are not falling behind or committing a sin. Travellers, people who are ill, and others with valid exemptions should act according to Islamic guidance, making up missed days when necessary or seeking an alternative where permitted. Voluntary fasting remains a balanced act of devotion when it is undertaken sincerely, safely and consistently with a person’s circumstances.

The hadith behind the practice

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Deeds are presented on Monday and Thursday, and I wish that a righteous deed would be submitted while I am fasting.” This narration appears in Jami at-Tirmidhi’s Book of Fasting, where the hadith is described as sound and authentic. The wording connects fasting with a righteous deed and presents Monday and Thursday as important days for the presentation of deeds.

The narration does not mean that good and bad actions are recorded only on those two days. It teaches that deeds are brought before Allah and that the Prophet wished to be in a state of worship when his righteous deeds were submitted. Fasting therefore strengthens rather than replaces other acts of obedience, such as honest work, prayer, charity and kind treatment of others.

For broader reading about Islam and contemporary Muslim life, the religious coverage published by Bahria Sports provides useful context for readers exploring how traditional practices fit into everyday life.

What the narration means

A “righteous deed” is broad. It can include the fast itself, but it also covers any good action performed for the sake of Allah. A person may fast while treating colleagues fairly, caring for a relative, avoiding gossip, giving quietly in charity or completing a duty with integrity. The value of the practice lies in combining bodily discipline with inward intention and outward conduct.

A related narration describes fasting on Monday and Thursday as expiation for what occurred between the two days. This wording should not be expanded into a claim that fasting erases every sin or replaces repentance. Its practical meaning is that the two voluntary fasts can serve as a shield for minor wrongs when the person maintains faith, shows remorse and corrects harmful behaviour.

Intention is central to the reward. The person resolves before dawn to fast for Allah’s sake, not for weight loss, social approval or financial advantage. Intention does not need to be spoken aloud, but making it conscious helps prevent the fast from becoming a routine detached from worship. Renewal of intention may also be important when continuing the habit over time.

The virtues of regular fasting

Regular voluntary fasting builds self-control. Repeatedly delaying breakfast and choosing a modest meal at iftar can cultivate patience, mindfulness and restraint beyond the limited days of Ramadan. This spiritual training often carries into ordinary habits, including spending, speaking, eating and using time. The aim is a person whose character remains balanced when fasting is no longer present.

The practice also expresses gratitude for ordinary provisions such as water, food and the ability to work. It reminds the worshipper that abundance is a trust and that satisfaction can be found in simplicity. Voluntary fasting can therefore be understood as a short but meaningful cycle of discipline, reflection and renewed intention.

Consistency can further strengthen communal identity. Families and friends may arrange early suhoor, attend prayers and share iftar, while workplaces and community centres can support Muslims observing the fast. The communal dimension should support rather than pressure anyone, particularly those who are ill, travelling, pregnant or managing demanding health conditions.

Fasting in the Australian context

Australian dawn and sunset times vary considerably. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth may share a calendar date while experiencing different periods of daylight, especially around daylight-saving changes. Published prayer times and local astronomical calculations can help worshippers identify suhoor and iftar, rather than relying on a timetable designed for another country.

The Australian working week also shapes the routine. Many people attend early gym sessions, commute before sunrise, take breakfast at work and socialise over weekend brunches on Saturday and Sunday. Because Monday and Thursday are ordinary workdays here, fasting requires advance meal planning and portable food choices. Families with school-age children may need to coordinate breakfast, lunches and an early evening meal.

Supermarkets such as Woolworths, Coles and many independent grocers usually carry dates, oats, legumes, electrolyte drinks and halal-labelled meat, although selection and prices vary by location and season. Shoppers can consult a current market update to compare availability and make economical purchases for suhoor and iftar. Mosques, community kitchens and local Muslim businesses often provide additional options during the month.

Method, exemptions, and common errors

A voluntary fast begins with a clear intention before the agreed dawn and ends at sunset on the same day. Suhoor provides nourishment and hydration, while iftar traditionally begins with dates and water. Someone who forgets to eat suhoor may still begin the fast, provided no food is consumed after dawn. An accidental bite or sip does not normally invalidate the fast; deliberately eating or drinking does, except under the specific rules attached to illness, travel and other concessions.

Islam does not require a sick person to fast when doing so would cause harm. The Prophet, peace be upon him, instructed those with valid exemptions to make up missed days later. Travellers can often substitute charity or another approved concession, while elderly people and those with chronic conditions should follow the guidance of knowledgeable scholars. Pregnant and breastfeeding women may also qualify for exemptions. Medical advice is especially important for people managing diabetes, medication schedules or other health risks.

Some Muslims wrongly assume that fasting Monday and Thursday is compulsory after Ramadan or that it guarantees success in this world. Others treat it as a competition, monitor public streaks or continue despite warning signs of illness. In Australia, religious belief is protected under Commonwealth and state or territory anti-discrimination laws, including the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1998. The Fair Work Act 2009 does not create an automatic right to special leave solely because a practice is religious, but workplace agreements, awards or policies may allow flexible hours or roster changes. Written communication and advice from Fair Work or a legal centre can help employees address scheduling problems.

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Begin with a sincere intention, choose the days that fit your health and commitments, and arrange your suhoor and iftar thoughtfully. Fast on Monday and Thursday for the sake of Allah, seek sincere and beneficial deeds, and return to these blessed days whenever illness, travel or other valid responsibilities require a temporary pause.