Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
I know that fasting is recommended for those who are wanting to marry, in order to control their sexual impulses. Would I be right in saying, that fasting every other day outside Ramadan, is the practice of the Prophet Dawud and therefore beneficial to spiritual and physical health?
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
Gradualism is the sunna. Most people would find it physically, spiritually, and emotionally overwhelming to fast every other day right away.
Rather, start with something more manageablesuch as the Prophetic recommendation to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.
Then, once this has become a consistent habit, add other recommended fastssuch as fasting the White Days’ (the days the moon is full, namely the 13th, 14th, and 15th days of lunar months).
This way, you could gradually build up towards the fast of the Noble Prophet Dawud (peace and blessings be upon him, our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and companions), or to some other level of consistent fasting that is sustainable, spiritual enriching, and physically endurable given one’s circumstances, nature, responsibilities, and commitments.
Sayyida A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came to her while a certain woman was with her. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked who the woman was, and was told that it was so-and-so, and her prayer was mentioned. He said (peace and blessings be upon him), “Not so! Take from works that which you can manage, forby Allah!Allah does not tire until you do.” And the most beloved of religion to him was that which its doer remains steadfast on. [Bukhari and Muslim]
And Allah alone gives success.