Fasting on a Friday
Question
Q. Concerning the fast on the 15th of Sha’ban, which coincides with a Friday, is it permissible to observe a single Nafl fast on that day? I understand that some scholars say Nafl fasts are typically not recommended on Fridays.
Answer
In principle, fasting on a Friday within the Hanafi Mazhab is neither prohibited nor deemed undesirable, whether it be a Nafl or a Qadha fast. Consequently, the coincidence of the 15th of Sha’ban with a Friday this year will not affect the fast for those intending to observe a Nafl fast specifically on the 15th of Sha’ban. That said, there exists an opinion that fasting exclusively on a Friday is discouraged. However, in this case, the fast is not being kept because it is a Friday. Rather, one is observing the fast because it is the 15th of Sha’baan. Therefore, there would be no objection to fasting on this day. Observing a Sunnah or Nafl fast on a Friday is entirely permissible. (Bada’i 2/79, al-Fiqh al-Islami 1/1644)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Council of Muslim Theologians 223 Alpine Road, Overport Durban, South Africa
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