While fasting Ramadan is obligatory, the Prophet ﷺ fasted voluntarily throughout the year — and encouraged us to do the same. Voluntary (nafl) fasting draws us closer to Allah and earns immense reward.
"Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will distance his face from the Fire by seventy years."— Sahih al-Bukhari & Muslim
Allah says of fasting: "It is for Me, and I shall reward it." (Hadith Qudsī)
The Prophet ﷺ regularly fasted on Mondays and Thursdays. He said deeds are presented to Allah on these days, and he loved for his deeds to be presented while fasting. Monday was also the day he ﷺ was born and first received revelation.
Fasting three days of each month equals the reward of fasting the whole month (as each good deed is multiplied tenfold). The Prophet ﷺ recommended the "white days" — the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month, when the moon is full and bright.
The Prophet ﷺ said of the six days of Shawwāl: "Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwāl, it is as if he fasted the entire year." (Sahih Muslim)
Before taking on voluntary fasts, remember to make up any obligatory days you missed from Ramadan (due to travel, illness, or menstruation). These make-up (qaḍā') fasts take priority and should be completed before the next Ramadan.
Many of these fasts fall in the blessed months. Read more about them: