Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays is a sunnah the Prophet carefully observed.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) observed fasting on Mondays and Thursdays and looked forward to these fasts with joy. He said, "Deeds are presented to Allah on Mondays and Thursdays; I like my deeds to be presented while I am fasting." He would break his fast with fresh dates, or dried dates if none were available, or else with a few sips of water. These two days of fasting create a steady spiritual rhythm.
What is the hadith source of this sunnah?
This sunnah rests on the following hadiths. The reference gives the collection, chapter and number where the hadith appears.
- T745 Tirmizî, Savm, 44.
- T747 Tirmizî Savm, 44.
- T696 Tirmizî, Savm, 10.
More sunnahs in Prayer & Worship
As a table with references: Prayer & Worship sunnahs.
- A Supplication on Leaving Home: Reciting a supplication every time you leave home means setting out in Allah's name and trusting in Him.
- Tasbih After Prayer: Saying subhanallah, alhamdulillah and Allahu akbar thirty-three times each after every prayer is a remembrance the Prophet taught.
- Salawat on Friday: Sending abundant salawat on Fridays is a beautiful expression of love and devotion to the Prophet.
- Making Repentance a Habit: Repenting a hundred times a day stands for the heart's constant cleansing and turning to Allah.
- Reflection and Remembering Death: Remembering death and reflecting deeply protects the heart from attachment to the world.
- Reading the Qur'an with Understanding: Reading the Qur'an slowly and with understanding carries it not merely to the voice but to the heart.
- Lawful Provision: Eating what is pure and lawful, and keeping away from the doubtful and the forbidden, is required by faith.
- Praying with Humility: Praying with humility and calm is a sunnah the Prophet both practiced and advised.
- Praying the Fajr Sunnah at Home: Praying the sunnah of Fajr at home and the obligatory prayer in congregation at the mosque was the Prophet's practice.
The Sunnah & Hadith app sends this and other sunnahs as short reminders spread across your day. Free for iPhone, no ads: download on the App Store.