Have you ever wondered, if you have free time, whether it is better to prioritize voluntary prayers (Nawafil) or voluntary fasting? This question often arises in our minds for those of us who want to draw closer to Allah but are confused about prioritizing good deeds.
The scholars of Fiqh from the Shafi’i school have discussed this issue in depth for centuries. One of the main references that elaborates on this is the book Asna al-Matalib by Sheikhul Islam Zakariya al-Ansari, along with its commentary (ḥāshiyah) by Imam Ar-Ramli.
Let’s thoroughly discuss which of these two great acts of worship holds the “champion” position, and how we should approach them in our daily lives.
Why is Prayer Considered the King of Physical Worship?
In the view of the majority of Shafi’i scholars, after a person embraces Islam (enters Islam), the first-ranked physical worship (ibadah badaniyah) is Prayer (Salat).
Sheikh Zakariya al-Ansari wrote in his book:
قوله : ( أَفْضَلُ عِبَادَاتِ الْبَدَنِ ) بَعْدَ الْإِسْلَامِ ( الصَّلَاةُ ) لِخَبَرِ الصَّحِيحَيْنِ: أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ فَقَالَ الصَّلَاةُ لِوَقْتِهَا
“The most important act of worship after entering Islam is Prayer, based on a hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim: ‘What is the most virtuous deed?’ The Prophet answered: ‘Prayer at its appointed time.'”
Why is prayer so special that it surpasses other forms of worship? Imam Ar-Ramli provided a very logical reason in his Hasyiyah. Prayer is referred to as a “complete package.” When you pray, you are not merely performing physical movements. It already encompasses:
- Dzikir and Tasbih: Your mouth praises Allah.
- Reading the Qur’an: You are obligated to read Al-Fatihah.
- Facing the Qibla: Focus of worship direction.
- Thaharah: You must be in a state of purity.
- Covering Aurat: Modesty in dress.
No other act of worship combines all these elements at once except prayer. In fact, Allah refers to prayer as “Iman” (faith) in the Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah verse 143, which demonstrates how closely linked faith of the heart is to the movements of prayer.
The Fasting Camp’s Arguments: The Secret of Sincerity
Although prayer holds the highest position, there is another opinion stating that Fasting is actually more virtuous. This opinion is not without basis. They adhere to a very popular Qudsi Hadith:
« قَالَ اللَّهُ كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ لَهُ إلَّا الصَّوْمَ فَإِنَّهُ لِي وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ »
“Allah says: ‘Every action of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting, for indeed it is for Me and I will reward it.’”
What is the meaning of “Fasting is for Me”? There is a fascinating secret here.
- Anti-Riya’ (Showing off): Prayer, charity, and pilgrimage are visible acts of worship. Others can see you performing them. But fasting? No one knows you are fasting except you and Allah. This act of worship is the most protected from ostentation (Riya).
- Emulating the Attribute of Allah (As-Samadiyyah): One of the attributes of Allah is As-Samad, which some scholars interpret as the The Essence that is Self-Sufficient and requires no sustenance. When fasting, a servant is emulating this attribute of self-sufficiency.
Imam Ar-Ramli explained: “Because the emptiness of the stomach from food and drink refers to the attribute of Samadiyyah… then the attribution is appropriate because fasting has a special resemblance to the attribute of Allah.”
Imam Nawawi’s Resolution: Frequency vs. Unit Weight
This debate often leaves us confused. Imam Nawawi, a great scholar within the Shafi’i school of thought, offers a very fair clarification in his book Al-Majmu’.
He explained that this comparison of “which is more virtuous” applies in the context of increasing frequency.
- If the question is: “I have free time throughout the year, is it better for me to regularly perform many Sunnah prayers or many Sunnah fasts?” Then the answer is to increase Sunnah prayers.
- However, if calculated per unit of worship, Fasting One Day is clearly heavier and more virtuous than Praying Two Rak’ahs which only takes 5 minutes.
Therefore, do not compare one day of fasting with two rak’ah of prayer. But compare the lifestyle of those who pray regularly with those who fast regularly.
Brief Comparison Table
To better understand the differences in perspective, please refer to the following table:
| Aspect | Prayer | Fasting |
| Form of Worship | Movement (Ruku’, Sujud) & Recitation | Self-Restraint (Imsak) |
| Nature | Visible (Dzahir), a combination of many acts of worship | Hidden (Sirri/Inner) |
| Main Excellence | Includes Quranic recitation & Prostration | Trains sincerity & suppresses desires |
| Position in Fiqh | The most important bodily worship absolutely | Important because of direct connection to Allah |
| Scholars’ Advice | More preferable to increase its frequency | More preferable in weight per unit (1 day) |
Imam Al-Ghazali’s View: Medicine According to the Illness
This section is the most interesting and relevant for all of us. Imam Al-Ghazali in his book Ihya’ Ulumuddin invites us to move away from rigid “ranking” debates. He views worship as medicine for the heart.
According to Al-Ghazali, the best worship is that which most effectively treats the “illness” you are suffering from. He makes a clever analogy about Bread and Water:
“It is not permissible to state absolutely that Bread is superior to Water. The best bread is for the hungry person, and the best water is for the thirsty person.”
How is it applied?
- Miserly/Worldly People: If your heart disease is stinginess or excessive love of wealth, then praying thousands of rak’ahs may not cure you. The best medicine for you is Charity (Sedekah). Spending money is more beneficial for you than night prayers.
- Those Dominated by Desire: If your main problem is difficulty restraining your gaze, lust of the stomach, or biological lust, then the best worship for you is Fasting.
- Arrogant People: If you feel arrogant, Salat is the best medicine because within it is the position of prostration, placing the head (the most noble part) to the ground.
Therefore, first recognize your heart’s condition before choosing your preferred menu of worship.
What about Seeking Knowledge?
Perhaps you are wondering, “If voluntary prayer is the best of physical worship, should I abandon religious gatherings for voluntary prayer?”
The answer is: No.
The book Asna al-Matalib provides an important note (istidrak). When scholars state “Sunnah prayers are more virtuous“, this is a comparison with fellow supererogatory worship (such as voluntary fasting). This does not apply when compared with Seeking Shar’i Knowledge.
Learning religion and memorizing the Qur’an (which is obligatory) is a Fardhu Kifayah obligation. In the principles of Fiqh, worship that has the status of Fardhu (obligatory) always has a higher degree than Sunnah worship. Therefore, attending a religious assembly to understand religion remains more virtuous than occupying oneself with voluntary prayers in the corner of the mosque.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the obligatory prayer (ṣalāt farḍu) also more highly recommended than fasting during Ramaḍān?
Yes. In the pillars of Islam, prayer is the pillar of religion. Obligatory prayer (salat fardhu) is a daily obligation that must not be neglected under any conditions, while fasting has concessions (rukhsah) for travelers or the sick.
If I am in Mecca, which is more virtuous?
There are differing opinions. Some scholars state that performing prayer is the primary act of worship in Mecca. However, Imam Al-Mawardi and Sheikh ‘Izzuddin bin Abdissalam argue that specifically in Mecca, increasing the number of Thawaf is more virtuous for visitors (not native residents) because Thawaf can only be performed there, while prayer can be performed anywhere.
Which should I choose: Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays or Dhuha/Tahajud prayers?
Ideally, do both. However, if you must choose due to physical limitations or time constraints, revert to the opinion of Imam Al-Ghazali: which is most effective in guarding your heart? If fasting makes you weak and emotional (thus disrupting work), then increase voluntary prayers and remembrance. If you feel that voluntary prayers are often rushed, try fasting to train patience.
Hopefully, this explanation helps you prioritize your daily worship. Remember, the most important thing is not just the number of rak’ahs or days of fasting, but the sincerity and the impact of worship on improving our character.
Reference
al-Anṣārī, Zakariyā. Asnā al-Maṭālib fī Sharḥ Rawḍ al-Ṭālib. With ḥāshiyah by Aḥmad al-Ramlī. Edited by Muḥammad az-Zuhrī al-Ghamrāwī. Cairo: al-Maṭbaʿah al-Maymānīyah, 1313 H. Reprinted by Dār al-Kitāb al-Islāmī.
