Fasting on Memorable Days

I said to him: ’May I be sacrificed for you, is there another ‘Id for the Muslims, besides the two ‘Ids?‘ He replied, ‘Yes, O Hassan, there is a greater and more important ‘Id than these.’ I then asked, ‘And what day is that?’ He replied, ‘It is the day when ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) was appointed as the banner and lighthouse for people.’ I then said, ‘May I be sacrificed for you, what then should we do on this (day)?’ He replied, ‘Fast, O Hassan, increase your blessings upon Muhammad and his family, and denounce before Allah those who did injustice to them. Verily, the prophets, may the blessings of Allah be upon them, would command the successors to celebrate the day when they were appointed as a successor, as ‘Id.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if one fasts on such day?’ He replied, ‘Fasting on this day is equal to fasting for sixty months. Do not ignore fasting on the twenty-seventh of the month of Rajab, for it is the day when prophethood came down up on Muhammad (sw). Its reward is equal to sixty months (of fasting) for you.”’

“Abu al-Hassan, the 1st (a.s.), has said ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, sent Muhammad (SAW), as a mercy for the worlds on the twenty-seventh of the month of Rajab. Allah counts one’s fasting during this day as fasting for sixty months. On the twenty- fifth of Dhul al-Qa’dah, the House was established, and it was the first instance of mercy established on earth. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, made a place to gain rewards and a place of inviolability. Allah counts one’s fasting during this day as fasting for sixty months. On the first day of Dhul Hajjah, Ibrahim, the friend of the Beneficent was born. Allah counts one’s fasting during this day as fasting for sixty months.”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Are there for Muslims other ‘Id besides, Friday, the tenth of the month of Dhul Hajjah and the first day of the month of Shawwal?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Yes, there is such a day, in fact, it is of greater importance.’ I then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, which days are they?’ He replied, ‘One is the day during which the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, announced the appointment of ’Amir al-Mu’minin (as the executor of his will), saying, “Whoever’ s guardian I am, Ali also is his guardian.’” I then asked, ‘Which day is this day?’ He replied, ‘What do you have to do with the day; the year goes around, however, it is the eighteenth of the month of Dhul Hajjah.’ I then asked, ‘What should we do during this day?’ He replied, ‘You should pay attention to Allah, majestic is whose mention, by fasting, worshipping and speaking of Muhammad and his family, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. The Messenger of Allah advised ’Amir al-Mu’minin to celebrate this day as ‘Id. This is what the prophets would do. They would advise the executors (of their wills) to celebrate this day as a day of ’Id.’”

“Abu al-Hassan, meaning al-Rida (a.s.), once came out to us on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Dhul Qa’dah and said, ‘Fast, for today I have awoken while fasting.’ We then said, ‘May we be sacrificed for you, which day is it?’ He replied, ‘It is the day during which the mercy (of Allah) was spread, the earth was extended, al-Ka‘bah was placed in it, and Adam (AS) descended therein.’”