Fasting on the day of doubt

On the night of the thirtieth of Sha’ban we went out to sight the crescent, but the weather was cloudy so we could not see it. Should we fast the thirtieth day of Sha’baan, because it is a day concerning which there is some doubt?.
Praise be to Allaah.
This is what is called the “day of doubt”, because there is doubt concerning it – is it the last day of Sha’baan or the first day of Ramadaan? Fasting on this day is haraam because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Fast when you see the new moon and break your fast when you see the new moon, and if you are not sure, then complete the number of Sha’baan as thirty days.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1909).
‘Ammaar ibn Yaasir said: “Whoever fasts on the day concerning which there is doubt has disobeyed Abu’l-Qaasim (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).” Thiswas narrated by al-Tirmidhi and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 553.
Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar said: “It was understood from this that it is haraam to fast the day of doubt, because the Sahaabah would not say such a thing based on personal opinion, so a report such as this has the same status as a marfoo’ hadeeth.
The scholars of the Standing Committee said concerning the day of doubt, “The Sunnah indicates that it is haraamto fast this day.” (Fataawaal-Lajnah, 10/117)
Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, after mentioning the difference of opinion concerning the ruling on fasting the day of doubt: “The most correct of theseviews is that it is haraam, but if it is proven to the ruler that it is obligatory to fast this day and he commands the people to fast, then no one should go against his opinion, and that means that no one should show that he is not fasting on that day, rather a person (who has a different opinion) may not fast, but he should do so secretly.”

:-* key word:- Days on which it is forbidden to fast

4a] He wants to continue fasting so that he can give up smoking

4a]
So look at what you are able to do and strive to do it; seek to do naafil acts of worship that are proven in reports from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), with regard tofasting and other deeds.
With regard to giving up smoking, that is a good thing and we encourage you to go ahead with it; be determined and be firm with yourself concerning it. There is no doubt that fasting will help you to a great extentwith that. Try to keep yourself busy with acts of worship and find a good environment so that you will not be tempted to go back to this bad habit.

And Allah knows best.

:-* key word:- Days on which it is forbidden to fast

4] He wants to continue fasting so that he can give up smoking

4]
Is it permissible for me to carry on fasting so that Allah might help me to give up smoking, even though the Sunnah of the beloved Prophet is to fast on Mondays and Thursdays? I only want torepent from this sin and not to go against the wayof the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)
Praise be to Allah.
If what is meant is fastingevery day, so that you continue fasting continuously without breaking the fast except on days when fasting is forbidden, such as the two Eids and the days of at-tashreeq (the three days following Eid al-Adha), then the more correct scholarly view is that it is makrooh and is not allowed.
For more information please see the answer to question no. 144592
But if what you meant is continuing to fast for part of the year, there is nothing wrong with that, as it is confirmed by the Sunnah. Al-Bukhaari (1806) and Muslim (1890) narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that Hamzah ibn‘Amr al-Aslami asked the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): O Messenger of Allah, I am aman who fasts continuallyfor periods of time; can I fast when travelling? He said: “Fast if you wish anddo not fast if you wish.”
An-Nasaa’i (2319) narrated from Usaamah ibn Zayd that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to fast continuously until it was said that he would not break the fast, and then he refrain from fasting until it was said that he would not fast.
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh an-Nasaa’i.
Al-Bukhaari (1833) and Muslim (1956) narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to fast until we said that he would not break the fast, and he used to refrain from fasting until we said that he would notfast. And I never saw the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) fast any month in full except Ramadan, and I never sawhim fast more than he didin Sha‘baan.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah havemercy on him) said:
With regard to fasting continuously for part of the year, this is somethingthat the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to do. He would fast until one would think that he would not break the fast, and he would refrain fromfasting until one would think that he would not fast. Similarly, he would spend some entire nights in prayer (qiyaam), such as the last ten nights of Ramadan, and he would spend other nights in prayer occasionally. This iswhat is mentioned in as-Sunan.
End quote from Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 22/304
Better than that is the fastof the Prophet of Allah Dawood (peace be upon him). He used to fast one day and not the next. Al-Bukhaari (1841) and Muslim (1962) narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him): News reached the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) that I was fasting continually and spending every night in prayer. Either he sent for me or I met him and he said: “Have I not been informed that you fast and do not break the fast, and that you pray? Fast (some days) and do not fast (some other days), pray (qiyaam) for part of the night and sleep. For your eyes have a right over you and your soul has a right over you and your family has a right over you.” He said: I have the strength to do that. He said: “Then observe the fast of Dawood, peacebe upon him. He said: How (did he fast)? He said: “He used to fast one day and not fast one day, and he did not flee if he met (the enemy in battle).”
According to another report, “It is the proper way of fasting.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3165) andMuslim (1962)
According to another report, “There is nothing better than that.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1840) and Muslim (1962)
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
It is proven in as-Saheehayn that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The best kind of fast is the fast of Dawood.” According to another version: “There is nothing better than the fast of Dawood; he used to fast one day and not the next.” This clear saheeh text that dispels all doubt shows that fasting one day and not the next (i.e., fasting alternate days) is better than fasting continually.
End quote from Tahdheebas-Sunan, 7/71
But the best advice for each individual is that he should choose for himself the naafil acts of worship that he is able to do and persist in, and he should not take upon himself that which will prevent him from doing other kinds of good deeds.

:-* key word:- Days on which it is forbidden to fast
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Senior Citizens of India

Even before you are aware of it, retirement is around the corner and
with it comes a sense of apprehension, trepidation and maybe a sense
of anticipation. The first few days when you acquire the status of a
senior citizen are full and the consequences of retirement have yet to
sink in. A month passes and time hangs heavily and in a sense you feel
lost, but a change in attitude can alter all that. The Indian
government hasgiven many concessions to senior citizens and it would
do good if you focused on the advantages rather than the
disadvantages. Even at a personal level you can think of it as a new
beginning rather than an end of a phase. Look around you, wake up to
the things around you, have a new perspective and find time for all
those things that you wanted to do but could never get done.
Books and reading are all time favorite hobbies to indulge in.
InIndia, subjects like astrology, tarot reading and palm reading have
attracted many. So serious do these senior citizens become that you
would never guess theywere novices. Heated discussions, debatable
debates on politics and religion have alsoengrossed quite a few. Then
there is this small segment, which focuses on economy and finance.
Many Indians who have never taken investment seriouslystart reading
business magazines, and catch up on bullish and bearish trends in the
market. Surprisingly many of them become prudent about investment and
offer a lot of advice to the so-called tyros. Listening to music,
attending music festivals, participating in musical activities help to
turn thefocus from retirement to aesthetics. Many philanthropic
Indians have been known to devote their attention to social causes and
have been known to form clubs, which volunteer to help people. The
sense of deep satisfaction that one gets from this is absolutely
incomparable. Developing a passion for sports, evoking an interest in
everythingaround you keeps you mentally healthy and emotionally fit.
There is a decline in mental abilities as one ages and this is mostly
an offshoot of certain pathological changes in the human brain. While
senior citizens become more mature in judgment , the ability to recall
things declines. Doing crossword puzzles, solving things mentally and
a conscious effort to relate and recall can greatly alleviate this
decline. Aging is only in the mind, you are as old as you want to be.
Reading spiritual books, committing the Saint Kabir's shlokas to
memory is a wonderful exercise for the human brain, for it emphasizes
the fact that nothing, no matter however difficult is unconquerable. A
positive attitude and a desire to learn as many new things as possible
is the key to a full and happy life. Many computer institutes in India
conduct computer coursesfor senior citizens and they are able to use
the Internet, send e-mails all over the world, store information
relating to investments and handle their bank accounts. There are
limited job openings for senior citizens but ideally they should take
a job only if they have to.
Exercise, yoga and meditation keep senior citizens in good physical
condition, as they are less prone to ailments, which tend to dog their
footsteps oncethey have crossed 60. Physical conditioning augurs
emotional and mental well being. Exercise tones muscles, improves
circulation of blood, reduces stress and wards off depression.Joints
remain flexible, the risk of arteriosclerosis is reduced, muscle and
bone loss is drastically reduced. In India, many old people have taken
to doing pranayama on a regular basis.
For Senior citizens, this is a period of growth and the proper time to
attain the riches that life has to offer. This is the time in their
lives when they can live their lives they way they actually want to.
The concessions they are entitled to makes it actually worth being a
senior citizen. Airlines offer discounted fares and the Indian
railways offer a discount on all tickets . There are separate queues
for senior citizens at the post office , railway counters and some
buses even have seatsreserved for them. It all boils down to one
thing---It can actually be quite appealing to be senior citizen once
you look at yourself with esteem and have confidence in your
abilities. Eat healthily, exercise, sleep well andextract every ounce
of elixir that life has to offer.