Prayer For The Intention Of Fasting On Monday, Thursday, And Its Virtues

JAKARTA - Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) advocated fasting on Mondays and Thursdays. Prophet Muhammad SAW chose the two days for fasting. What's the cause?

Reported from nu.or.id, the following hadith quote by Sheikh Abu Zakariya Al-Anshori in fathul Wahhab at least helps answer,

وقال تعرض الأعمال يوم الاثنين والخميس فأحب أن يعرض عملي وأنا صائم رواهما الترمذي وغيره

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "The deed is shown before Allah on Mondays and Thursdays. I am glad that my deeds were shown while I was fasting." HR Turmudzi and others.

As for what time it is shown, we do not find any explanation of the time in the hadith above. Is it 8 a.m., 10 o'clock, or Zuhr time? Shaykh Bujairimi in his work Attajrid Linaf'il Abid, Hasyiyah ala Fathil Wahhab said,

قوله (وأنا صائم) أي قريب من زمن الصوم لأن العرض بعد الغروب كما تقدم

The phrase "When I am fasting" means, close to fasting. Because deeds are shown after sunset when people have for broke their fast.

Here is a prayer of fasting intentions Monday and Thursday.

For Monday:

"Nawaitu sauma yaumal itsnaini sunnatan lillahi ta'ala" (Monday)

It means: I intend to fast sunnah on Monday because Allah ta'ala.

For Thursday:

"Nawaitu sauma yaumal khomiisi sunnatan lillahi ta'ala" (Thursday)

It means: I intend to fast on Thursday because Allah ta'ala.