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Is it permissible for me to carry on fasting so that Allah might help me to give up smoking, even though the Sunnah of the beloved Prophet is to fast on Mondays and Thursdays? I only want to repent from this sin and not to go against the way of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)
Praise be to Allah.
If what is meant is fasting every day, so that you continue fasting continuously without breaking the fast except on days when fasting is forbidden, such as the two Eids and the days of at-tashreeq (the three days following Eid al-Adha), then the more correct scholarly view is that it is makrooh and is not allowed.
But if what you meant is continuing to fast for part of the year, there is nothing wrong with that, as it is confirmed by the Sunnah. Al-Bukhaari (1806) and Muslim(1890) narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that Hamzah ibn‘Amr al-Aslami asked the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): O Messenger of Allah, I am a man who fasts continually for periods of time; can I fast when travelling? He said: “Fast if you wish and do not fast if you wish.”
An-Nasaa’i (2319) narrated from Usaamah ibn Zayd that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to fast continuously until it was said that he would not break the fast, and then he refrain from fasting until it was said that he would not fast.
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh an-Nasaa’i.
Al-Bukhaari (1833) and Muslim (1956) narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to fast until we said that he would not break the fast, and he used to refrain from fasting until we said that he would not fast. And I never saw the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) fast any month in full except Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more than he did in Sha‘baan.
Shaykhal-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
With regard to fasting continuously for part of the year, this is something that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to do. He would fast until one would think that he would not break the fast, and he would refrain from fasting until one would think that he would not fast. Similarly, he would spend some entire nights in prayer (qiyaam), such as the last ten nights of Ramadan, and he would spend other nights in prayer occasionally. This is what is mentioned in as-Sunan.
End quote fromMajmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 22/304
Better than that is the fast of the Prophet of Allah Dawood (peace be upon him). He used to fast one day and not the next. Al-Bukhaari (1841) and Muslim (1962) narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him): News reached the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) that I was fasting continually and spending every night in prayer. Either he sent for me or I met him and he said: “Have I not been informed that you fast and do not break the fast, and that you pray? Fast (some days) and do not fast (some other days),pray (qiyaam) for part of the night and sleep. For your eyes have a right over you and your soul has a right over you and your family has a right over you.” He said: I have the strength to do that. He said: “Then observe the fast of Dawood, peace be upon him. He said: How (did he fast)? He said: “He used to fast one day and not fast one day, and he did not flee if he met (the enemy in battle).”
According to another report, “It is the proper way of fasting.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3165) and Muslim (1962)
According to another report, “There is nothing better than that.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1840) and Muslim (1962)
Ibn al-Qayyim(may Allah have mercy on him) said:
It is proven in as-Saheehayn that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The best kind of fast is the fast of Dawood.” According to another version: “There is nothing better than the fast of Dawood; he used to fast one day and not the next.” This clear saheeh text that dispels all doubt shows that fasting one day and not the next (i.e., fasting alternate days) is better than fasting continually.
End quote from Tahdheeb as-Sunan, 7/71
But the best advice for each individual is that he should choose for himself the naafil acts of worship that he is able to do and persist in, and he should not take upon himself that which will prevent him from doing other kinds of good deeds.
So look at what you are able to do and strive to do it; seek to do naafil acts of worship that are proven in reports from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), with regard to fasting and other deeds.
With regard to giving up smoking, that is a good thing and we encourage you to go ahead with it; be determined and be firm with yourself concerning it. There is no doubt that fasting will help you to a great extent with that. Try to keep yourself busy with acts of worship and find a good environment so that you will not be tempted to go back to this bad habit.
See also the answer to question no. 47565
And Allah knows best.