Ramadan: how important is it to fast 3 days of every month?

"Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will keep his face seventy years' distance away from the Fire because of it." (Reported by Muslim, 2/808)

Fasting is something which is just for Allaah, and Allaah will give multiple rewards without measure for it. The hadeeth says: "[Allaah says:] Fasting is Mine and it is I Who give reward for it."

(Al-Bukhaari, Fath, no. 1904)

The virtues of Ayyam al-Beed. Here are some ahadeeth:

Jareer ibn 'Abdullaah (radiAllaahu 'anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:"Fasting three days of each month is fasting for a lifetime, and ayyam al-beed are the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth." (Narrated by al-Nasaa'i (2420); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, (1040)).

"Beed'' is the plural of "Abyad'' which means white. Three days of 13, 14 and 15 of lunar month are called "Al-Ayyam-ul-Beed'' for the reason that their nights are bright because of the moonlight. The moon begins to diminish gradually after these days.

Abu Dharr (radiAllaahu 'anhu) said: The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said to me:"If you fast any part of the month, then fast the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth." (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, (761); al-Nasaa'i, (2424); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, (1038)).

Abu Hurayrah (radiAllaahu 'anhu) said: "My close friend [i.e., the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam)] advised me to do three things which I will never give up until I die: fasting three days each month, praying Duha, and sleeping after praying Witr." (al-Bukhaari, 1178; Muslim, 721).

The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:

'Shall I not tell you of something that will take away the evil of the heart? Fasting three days of each month.'

(an-Nisaa'i 2/2386)

Inshaa'Allaah ta'ala, for this month of Rabi al-Akhar (Thani) 1435 Hijri, Ayyam al-Beed will fall on:

13th - Yawm al-Khamis (Thursday), 02/13th 2013

14th - Yawm al-Jummah (Friday), 02/14th 2013

15th - Yawm as-Sabt (Saturday), 02/15th 2013

**Also remember the fasting of Monday & Thursday inshaa'Allaah**

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam)said: "Deeds are shown (to Allaah) on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like my deeds to be shown when I am fasting." [Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 747; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1041.]

Inshaa`Allah let us try to make the effort to fast these three days and be consistent!

Narrated `Aisha bint Abu Bakr (radiAllahu `anhumma): The Prophet (salAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) was asked, "What deeds are loved most by Allah?" He (salAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, "The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few." He added, 'Don't take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability."