The Practising Muslim · Voluntary Worship

Supererogatory Fasting and Night Prayers

Test knowledge on intentions for supererogatory fasting and benefits of night prayers.

5 questions · Medium · about 2 minutes

Test yourself properly, with scoring and instant feedback.

5 questions, about 2 minutes.

Take the quiz
Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 5 questions.

1. When may someone form the intention for a voluntary fast during the day?

  • If they have not done anything that breaks the fast since dawn. (correct answer)
  • Even if they already ate or drank after dawn.
  • Only after sunset the night before.
  • Only if the fast is obligatory.

Why

For a voluntary fast, the intention may be formed during the day, unlike an obligatory fast, which requires the intention from the night before. But the voluntary fast is valid only if the person has not eaten, drunk, or done anything else that breaks the fast since dawn. If they already did something that invalidates the fast, then simply refraining for the rest of the day does not count as a valid voluntary fast.

View source on IslamQA →

2. What is the difference between a general voluntary fast and a specific-reason voluntary fast regarding intention?

  • A general voluntary fast may be intended during the day, but a specific-reason fast needs intention before dawn to attain that specific reward. (correct answer)
  • Both are valid with full specific reward even if intended after half the day passes.
  • Both must always be intended after sunrise.
  • Neither requires intention at all.

Why

A general supererogatory fast may be intended during the day, provided nothing that breaks the fast has happened since dawn. But if the virtue is tied to a specific day or reason, such as the six days of Shawwal, the day of ‘Arafah, Mondays and Thursdays, or ayyam al-beed, then the person does not attain the full specific-day reward unless they intended the fast from the beginning of the day.

View source on IslamQA →

3. Which regular voluntary fasting pattern is described as better than fasting only three days each month?

  • Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays. (correct answer)
  • Fasting only one day at the end of each month.
  • Fasting only when the month begins.
  • Fasting three days only if they are not ayyam al-beed.

Why

Fasting Mondays and Thursdays is described as better because it includes more days each month and also fulfils the idea of fasting at least three days monthly. The three monthly fasts may be done at the beginning, middle, or end of the month, separately or consecutively, but it is better to fast ayyam al-beed: the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month.

View source on IslamQA →

4. Why is fasting a great deal in Sha‘ban recommended?

  • It is a month many people are heedless of, and deeds are raised then. (correct answer)
  • It is obligatory like Ramadan.
  • It replaces fasting Ramadan.
  • It is connected to the physical preparation for Hajj.

Why

It is recommended to fast a great deal in Sha‘ban. The source reconciles reports by explaining that the Prophet ﷺ fasted most of Sha‘ban, though not necessarily every day of the month in every report. One reason given is that Sha‘ban falls between Rajab and Ramadan, when many people are heedless, and it is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the Worlds.

View source on IslamQA →

5. What is the ruling on praying Tarawih at home and reciting silently as the imam?

  • The prayer is valid, though praying in the mosque and reciting aloud as imam is better. (correct answer)
  • The prayer is invalid because Tarawih must be in the mosque.
  • The prayer is invalid because reciting aloud is obligatory in every view.
  • The person must repeat all the rak‘ahs.

Why

Tarawih at home is permissible because it is nafl, but praying with the imam in the mosque is better. Tarawih is one of the prayers in which Qur’an is normally recited aloud, and following that Sunnah is better for the imam. However, according to the cited majority view, reciting aloud in loud prayers is recommended, not obligatory, so reciting silently does not invalidate the prayer.

View source on IslamQA →

A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

More in Voluntary Worship

Browse all 281 quizzes or explore guidance topics.