✦ Hadith Reflection
Why the Prophet ﷺ Fasted on Mondays and Thursdays — And Why It Matters for You
Your deeds are being presented to Allah twice every week. What do you want them to look like?
Have you ever reached a Monday feeling heavy — spiritually scattered, behind on everything, not sure where last week even went? Most of us drag ourselves into the week without realising that Monday is not just a new day. In Islam, it carries a weight most people have never been told about.
There is a beautiful hadith from the Prophet ﷺ that changes the way you see every Monday and Thursday for the rest of your life. Once you understand it, you will never let these two days pass carelessly again.
تُعْرَضُ الأَعْمَالُ يَوْمَ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَالْخَمِيسِ فَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يُعْرَضَ عَمَلِي وَأَنَا صَائِمٌ
"Deeds are presented (to Allah) on Monday and Thursday. So I love for my deeds to be presented while I am fasting."
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ | Sunan al-Tirmidhi 747 | Graded Hasan
What Does "Deeds Being Presented" Actually Mean?
This is one of those hadith that you might read quickly and move past — but sit with it for a moment.
Twice every week — every Monday and every Thursday — your deeds from the past days are presented before Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Not just recorded by angels (which happens constantly), but specifically shown and acknowledged.
💡 Scholars explain that this is not because Allah needs to be "informed" — He already knows everything. Rather, it is an act of honour and accountability for us. Like a student submitting their work, these two days are your weekly spiritual check-in with your Creator.
And in this same hadith, the Prophet ﷺ tells us his personal response to this reality: he wanted to be fasting when that happened. He wanted to be found in a state of worship when his deeds were placed before Allah.
The Gates of Jannah Open on These Days Too
There is more. In a related narration from Sahih Muslim, we learn something even more profound about Mondays and Thursdays:
"The Gates of Paradise are opened on Monday and Thursday, and every servant who does not associate anything with Allah will be forgiven — except for a man who is at odds with his brother. It will be said: 'Delay these two until they are reconciled.'"
— Sahih Muslim 2565
The doors of Jannah open. Allah forgives. But there is one group that is held back — those carrying grudges. Those who have not reconciled with their brothers and sisters in faith.
This changes everything. These two days are not just about fasting — they are about arriving before Allah in the best possible state: worshipping, humble, and at peace with those around you.
Why Monday and Thursday Specifically?
Monday holds an additional special significance in the Sunnah — it is the day the Prophet ﷺ was born, and he specifically mentioned this as a reason he fasted on Mondays (Muslim). But why Thursday?
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Weekly Accountability
These two days frame the working week — one at the start, one near the end. A built-in spiritual rhythm for your entire week.
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Born on a Monday
The Prophet ﷺ was asked about fasting on Mondays. He said: "That is the day I was born and the day I received revelation." (Muslim)
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Wisdom Only Allah Knows Fully
Scholars say the full wisdom of these specific days belongs to Allah. What we know is the instruction — and that is enough to act on.
Why Did the Prophet ﷺ Choose to Fast on These Days?
Think about this with your heart, not just your mind.
The Prophet ﷺ knew his deeds were going to be presented to Allah. He did not respond to that knowledge by trying to cram in extra good deeds at the last moment. He chose fasting — a quiet, invisible act of worship that only Allah sees.
No one knows you are fasting unless you tell them. There is no performance in it. It is pure ibadah between you and Allah. And that is exactly the kind of deed you want presented.
🌿 When you fast on Mondays and Thursdays, you are essentially saying: "Ya Allah, when my record is opened today — find me in a state of worship for You."
How to Start the Sunnah of Monday and Thursday Fasting
You do not have to be perfect. You do not have to fast every single week without missing. You just have to begin. Here is how:
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Make your niyyah (intention) the night before. Before sleeping on Sunday or Wednesday night, quietly intend in your heart: "I am fasting tomorrow for the sake of Allah." That is it.
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Have suhoor if you can. Even a few dates and water. The Prophet ﷺ said there is barakah in suhoor (Bukhari). But if you miss it, your fast is still valid — scholars agree you can make niyyah for a voluntary fast before Dhuhr, as long as you have not eaten.
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Use the day differently. Monday and Thursday are your two weekly "reset" days. Do more dhikr. Seek more istighfar. Let your tongue be cleaner, your heart softer.
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Mend what needs mending. Remember the hadith about grudges. Use these days as a reason to check: is there anyone in your life you are carrying resentment toward? These days, try to let it go — for your own sake, and because Allah is watching.
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Make dua at iftar. The dua of a fasting person at the moment of breaking their fast is accepted (Ibn Majah). End your Monday and Thursday with your heart wide open — ask Allah for everything.
A Dua to Say on These Blessed Days
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ
"O Allah, I ask You for pardon and well-being."
— One of the most beloved duas of the Prophet ﷺ (Ibn Majah)
On the days your deeds are being presented — ask for pardon. Ask Allah to cover your shortcomings with His mercy. This dua is beautifully fitting for Mondays and Thursdays.
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A Gentle Note for the Sisters Reading This
If you are on your menses and cannot fast on these days — you are not missing out. Your worship during that time takes a different form, and Allah does not reduce your reward for what He Himself has excused you from.
You can still honour Mondays and Thursdays by:
- Increasing your dhikr and istighfar on these days
- Making extra dua — especially in the morning
- Being intentional about forgiveness and letting go of grudges
- Listening to Quran or Islamic reminders on these days
Allah sees all of it. None of it is lost.
Your Deeds Are Being Presented Right Now
If you are reading this on a Monday or Thursday — this is not a coincidence.
Somewhere, in a way we cannot fully comprehend, your record is being acknowledged before your Creator today. What has this week looked like? What has it sounded like? What has it felt like in your heart?
It is okay if the honest answer is: not great. That is why we have istighfar. That is why we have tawbah. That is why these two days repeat — every single week — without exception — because Allah knows we need regular chances to return to Him.
🌿 The fact that deeds are presented twice a week is not a threat. It is an act of mercy. It means you are never more than a few days away from a fresh start.
So this Monday, this Thursday — try fasting. Or if that feels like too much right now, just be aware. Know that today is different. Speak more kindly. Seek forgiveness more sincerely. Let your heart soften a little.
And trust that Allah — al-Ghafoor, ar-Raheem — is not looking at your record to find fault. He is looking at it hoping to find reasons to show you mercy.
May our deeds be presented on the best days, in the best state, before the Most Merciful. Ameen.
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How to Observe Monday and Thursday Fasting — A Quick Guide
Here is a simple step-by-step to help you build this Sunnah consistently:
- Make niyyah the night before — a sincere intention in your heart is all you need
- Have suhoor before Fajr (even water counts)
- Increase dhikr and istighfar throughout the day
- Resolve any conflicts — arrive before Allah with a clean heart
- Make dua at iftar — your supplication is answered
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fasting on Mondays and Thursdays obligatory?
No, it is a recommended Sunnah (mustahabb), not obligatory. But the Prophet ﷺ practiced it consistently, which makes it among the most beloved optional acts of worship.
What if I miss the niyyah and only remember in the morning?
For voluntary fasts, scholars of the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools allow you to make niyyah before Dhuhr (midday), as long as you have not eaten or drunk anything since Fajr. Check with a scholar for your specific madhab.
Can I fast only one of the two days?
Yes. Fasting either Monday or Thursday individually still carries great reward. Start with one and build from there.
What about women on their menses — are their deeds still presented?
Yes. Allah records and presents all deeds. Women during their period are excused from fasting and salah, and their reward is not reduced. They can still honour these days with dhikr, dua, and intentional worship.
Does the hadith mean Allah does not know our deeds until they are presented?
No — Allah is All-Knowing (Al-Aleem) and is fully aware of everything at all times. The presentation is an act of divine wisdom and honour, not information-gathering. It serves as a means of accountability and mercy for us, not a need for Allah.
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The Sukoon Seeker
A Muslim woman writing about faith, healing, and returning to Allah — one honest reflection at a time. Sabr and Sukoon is a space for Muslim women navigating hardship, spiritual struggle, and the quiet work of inner peace. All content is grounded in Quran, Sunnah, and lived experience.
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