# Sunnah Fasting Days: The Complete Guide to Voluntary Fasting

> Markdown twin of https://sawm360.com/guides/sunnah-fasting-days — last updated 2026-10-11. SAWM 360 is published by OKTRA.

Beyond Ramadan, the Prophet ﷺ kept a rhythm of voluntary fasts through the whole year — Mondays and Thursdays, three white days a month, and the great single days like Arafah and Ashura. Here is every sunnah fasting day, its reward, and a system to actually keep up with them.

## The weekly sunnah: Mondays and Thursdays

The Prophet ﷺ fasted Mondays and Thursdays regularly. When asked why, he explained that deeds are presented to Allah on those two days: *"I love that my deeds be presented while I am fasting."* He also said Monday was the day he was born and the day revelation began. Two fasts a week, every week — this is the backbone of a voluntary fasting habit.

## The monthly sunnah: the white days

The 13th, 14th and 15th of every Hijri month — the nights of the full moon — are the **Ayyam al-Beed** (white days). Fasting three days each month is rewarded like fasting the whole year, since each good deed counts tenfold. [Full white days guide →](https://sawm360.com/guides/white-days-fasting.md)

## The yearly sunnah days

- **Day of Arafah (9 Dhul Hijjah):** expiates the sins of the previous and the coming year, for those not on Hajj. [Guide →](https://sawm360.com/guides/day-of-arafah-fasting.md)
- **Tasu'a & Ashura (9–10 Muharram):** Ashura expiates the previous year; adding the 9th is sunnah. [Guide →](https://sawm360.com/guides/ashura-fasting.md)
- **Six days of Shawwal:** with Ramadan, "as if fasting the entire year." [Guide →](https://sawm360.com/guides/fasting-six-days-of-shawwal.md)
- **First nine days of Dhul Hijjah:** the best days for righteous deeds, fasting included.

## Days when fasting is forbidden

Never fast on Eid al-Fitr (1 Shawwal) or Eid al-Adha (10 Dhul Hijjah), and the days of Tashriq (11–13 Dhul Hijjah) are for eating and remembrance. Check these dates before you plan a voluntary fast.

## The real challenge is remembering

None of these dates live on the Gregorian calendar your phone shows you. The white days drift ~11 days earlier every year; Arafah and Ashura move with the lunar months. That's why most people who *intend* to fast the sunnah days quietly stop by mid-year — the calendar never reminds them. This is exactly the problem SAWM 360 was built to solve.

### How to keep every sunnah fast with SAWM 360

1. **Open the Calendar tab** — every sunnah day is pre-marked: Mon/Thu, white days, Arafah, Tasu'a/Ashura, Shawwal, Dhul Hijjah.
2. **Turn on fasting reminders** — the app nudges you the evening before a sunnah day so you can make your intention (niyyah).
3. **Fast and tap “Fast Completed”** — each fast is logged with its type — sunnah, white day, Ashura and so on.
4. **Earn your monthly merit** — complete the recommended fasts of the month to move from Bronze toward Gold Merit.
5. **Share your merit card** — post your month's achievement to friends and family.

[Download free on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/sawm-360/id6756280452) [Get it free on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sawm360.app)

## Frequently asked questions

### Which sunnah fasts should a beginner start with?

Start with the three white days each month — just three days, huge reward. Add Mondays or Thursdays when you're ready. SAWM 360 marks both on your calendar automatically.

### Can I combine a sunnah fast with a make-up (qada) day?

Scholars differ; many allow making up a missed Ramadan day on a virtuous day and hope for both rewards. Ask a scholar you trust — and use the app to log the day either way.

### What are the merit badges in SAWM 360?

Each month the app counts your recommended fasts (Mon/Thu, white days, special days) and awards a merit — Bronze, Silver, Gold and beyond — which you can share as a beautiful card.

## Build a fasting habit that lasts all year

SAWM 360 pre-marks every sunnah day and reminds you before each one. Free on iOS.

[Download free on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/sawm-360/id6756280452) [Get it free on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sawm360.app)

## Related guides

- [White Days Fasting: When Are the White Days This Month?](https://sawm360.com/guides/white-days-fasting.md)
- [Fasting on the Day of Arafah: Date, Reward & How to Prepare](https://sawm360.com/guides/day-of-arafah-fasting.md)
- [Ashura Fasting: Why Fast the 9th & 10th of Muharram](https://sawm360.com/guides/ashura-fasting.md)