Year Round Fasting Calendar
In his masterpiece work Massalik Al Jinaan or Paths to Paradise, dealing with Faith, Worshipping, Fasting, Moral Behavior, Rules of Good Conduct, to name a few; In the chapter of Fasting, the Sheikh brings out the some days and months disseminated in the Lunar Calendar in which Muslims are heartened to fast, besides the traditional fasting month of Ramadan, in that they contain innumerable benefits and countless blessings, from Allah (SWT) for anyone who is habituated to fast them.
This following table compiles the corresponding days and months as enumerated in Massalik Al Jinaan. The bold characters are the corresponding months in Wolof; Arabic months are in Italic. We have also taken the precaution to mention the number of days in each month of the lunar calendar that are different in the count, from the Gregorian calendar.
Refer to Massalik Al Jinaan or Paths to Paradise of Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacke for more about the importance of fasting and why it is so relevant for the Shaykh to elaborate a chapter on the subject, for the benefit of the faster if followed as prescribed by Allah (SWT).
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January
Muharam,3rd , 9th,10th
Tamxarit
Fast all month
30 days
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February
Safar
Diggi Gamou
29 days
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March
Rabi Al Awwal
Gamou
30 days
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April
Rabi Al Atham
Raki Gamou
29 days
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May
Jumada Al Ula
Rakaati Gamou
29 days
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June Jumada Ath Thamiya
Maamu Koor
29 days
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July
Rajab,27th Ndeyi Koor
Fast all month
30 days
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August
Shaabaan, 11th
Baraxlu
Fast all month
30 days
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September
Ramadan
Koor
30 days
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October
Shawaal
kori
29 days
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November Dhul Qada, 25th
Diggi
30 days
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December Dhoul Hijja, 8th/ 10th
Tabaski
Fast all month
30 days
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FASTING
As regards to fasting that definitely one of the efficient means of seeking Allah’s satisfaction and favors
For there is one Heaven’s gate which will be reserved to those who were regularly striving in fast…
Our eminent Malick had the habit of fasting three days out of any month
Which entails to his benefit the particular Favors owed to an unbroken fasting, thanks to the Grace of the Majestic Lord that multiplies any good deed by ten
Are specially regarded as beneficial the fasting of seven particular days scattered throughout the year (see above table)
Whosoever of fasting these days takes the habit will achieve all his purposes
It has been quoted from the Prophet (saws), the Chosen by Excellence. May Allah, Who has guided and elected him, bless him
That there is so many advantages in fasting in fasting these days that one is unable to enumerate them all…therefore devote you thereto…
Likewise is considered desirable the fasting of the entire months of Rajab, Muharram…
…The first nine days of Dhu-l-Hijja and the whole month of Sha’ban.
THE DAY OF ASHURA
Scholars are nevertheless unanimous in granting preference to the day of Ashura…
For the reward attached to its fasting is far more considerable – strive thou well to fasting all these days during thy lifetime!
Certain practices [during the day of Ashura] have been recommended from what is taken from [the prophet], the Head of Mankind
May the Eternal-Absolute impart Him Peace and Blessings, as to his family, his Companions and all that are upright
Such practices are:
- Fasting
- Praying
- Consolidating Kinship bonds
- The ritual bath
- Giving Charity
- Nails Cutting
- Applying antinomy around eyelids
- Paying visit to the ill
- Paying visit to the righteous
- Fondling kindly the head of a little Muslim orphan
- Reciting the Surah Al-Ikhlas one thousand times
- The making of a copious meal for one’s family
It has been said that bathing on that day has faculty to ward off ill health and that the applying of antinomy safeguards against blindness
As for the feasting of our kin, that increases our means of subsistence by the by the Permission of the Supreme Protector
Moreover, do know that the day of Ashura is endowed with certain historical particularities- as reported by who that knows
That is notably, the day on which our Lord forgave Adam, the forefather of mankind and the first Messenger
From what is reported to us, that is on that same day Noah’s Ark drew alongside Mount Judi…
On that day was read sea cleft for Moses and took place the miraculous birth of Jesus
On that day Pharaoh was drowned, as the Prophet Jonas was withdrawn from the entrails of the fish.
…Who obtained [on that same day] the forgiveness of our Lord, the most Forbearing; likewise, the Honorable Prophet Joseph was put out of the well [he had been thrown down by his brother], by heavenly Mercy.
On the day of Ashura did Allah prevented the fire from burning His friend Abraham and so was the latter secured…
On that day was elevated the Prophet Idris, who, that is imparted highness [by his Lord]; on that day ascended Jesus, the Spirit of Allah, the God-Fearing prophet
On that day likewise, did our lord grant complete remission to David from aught he had committed in the past…
The ritual covering of the Sacred House [the Kaaba] is also periodically performed on the day of Ashura- may peace and Blessings be granted to all theses messengers…
Now, do realize that fasting consists not in only abstaining from eating and drinking- delude not thyself …
How many that are fasting with people and who will derive therefrom naught but mere hunger and thirst!
In fact real fasting consist in preventing all thy limbs from aught that might entail heedlessness [vis-à-vis Allah’s Reverence]…
Do then refrain from casting thy eyes at what is prohibited to look at [as indecencies], from walking towards it[as dens of vice], from uttering or lending thy ear [to outrageous remarks]
…And from turning over improper thoughts in thy mind, just the way thou abstain from eating and drinking- hold thou that in mind
fill not up thy stomach with an ill-considered dish, neither at sunrise nor at sunset, for that would deprive thee of much reward
For any who weights down his stomach with a heavy meal, who soaks therewith much drinks and who deeply sleeps
…May be ranked amongst mere animals [which are only bound to behave so]; for much good has he lost and no doubt he will perish [if he amends not]…
There are however some who overeat like oxen, at the beginning and the breaking of their fast
…Who load down their stomachs until their heart become “obstructed”
…And diverted from the remembrance of their Lord! Though believing they have duly fasted, such people will obtain naught therefrom on Resurrection Day…
May Allah preserve us from delusions and from aught that may cause harm…