Keep in mind that the fasts of Rabi’-ul-Aakhir are neither Fard nor Wajib, they are Nafl fasts instead.

اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه! Besides Fard fasts, Nafl fasts also contain many benefits of this world and the Hereafter. Furthermore, what can be said about its reward. 

Blessings of Nafl fasts

By means of fasting, Allah Almighty gets pleased; Iman is protected; one attains deliverance from the hellfire; one is granted entry into Jannah (paradise); the diseases of stomach are cured; and it improves the digestive system. Sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure levels remain stable and the risk of a heart attack gets mitigated. Blood volume decreases and the heart finds extremely beneficial ease. Mental strain, physical strain, depression and other psychological disorders are removed. It reduces obesity and eliminates additional fat from one’s body. The possibility of having children increases many-folds for women that do not have children.

Let us listen to three sayings of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم regarding the virtues fasting, and join Dawat-e-Islami in its movement of Nafl fasts:

Virtues of voluntary fasts

   ۔1The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated: ‘Whoever keeps one Nafl fast, Allah Almighty will plant a tree for him in Paradise whose fruit will be smaller than a pomegranate and bigger than an apple. It will be as sweet as honey (that has not been separated from the beeswax) and tasteful (like pure honey that has been separated from the beeswax). Allah, the Most Generous, will feed the fasting person the fruit of that tree on the Day of Judgement.’ (Mu’jam-e- Kabeer, vol. 18, p. 366, Hadees 935)

   ۔2The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated: ‘Every hair of the fasting person does Tasbeeh (glorifies Allah) for him. On the Day of Judgement, a dining mat decorated with pearls and jewels will be laid down under the throne for the fasting people which will be as big as the boundaries of the world. This dining mat will have various types of heavenly foods, drinks and fruits; they will eat and drink, and be in peace and comfort, while the