Fasting on the White Days

Question

Is fasting on the white days part of Shia belief?

Answer 1

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.

Ayatollah Khamenei (may God protect him):

Fasting is recommended throughout the year (except for prohibited and disliked days), but it is especially recommended on certain days, including:

1. The first and last Thursday of each month, and the first Wednesday of the second ten days of each month.

2. The 13th, 14th, and 15th days of each month (the white days).

3. The months of Rajab and Sha'ban (either or both, even for one day).

4. The birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on the 17th of Rabi' al-Awwal.

5. The day of the Prophet's mission (27th of Rajab).

6. The day of Ghadir (18th of Dhu al-Hijjah).

7. The day of the earth's expansion (25th of Dhu al-Qi'dah).

Source: Message on Prayer and Fasting, Types of Fasting, Section 977

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Ayatollah Sistani (may God protect him):

There are many recommended fasts, and it is confirmed to fast for three days each month, preferably on the first Thursday of the month, the last Thursday, and the first Wednesday of the middle ten days. Fasting on the day of Ghadir is equivalent to - as mentioned in some narrations - (one hundred accepted Hajj and one hundred accepted Umrah), as well as fasting on the birthday of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the day of his mission, the day of the earth's expansion - which is the 25th of Dhu al-Qi'dah - and the day of Arafah for those who are not weakened in their supplication without doubt about the new moon, and the day of Mubahala, which is the 24th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the entirety of Rajab, the entirety of Sha'ban, and some of each of them according to the varying degrees of merit, the day of Nowruz, the first and third and seventh days of Muharram, and every Thursday and Friday if they do not coincide with a holiday.

Source: Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 1, Recommended, Disliked, and Forbidden Fasting, Section 1064

May you be successful in all good.