An inquirer asks, “It is mentioned in the Prophetic Sunnah that the fasting of our Master Dawud (peace be upon him) is the most beloved form of fasting to Allah Almighty. Are there any guidelines set by scholars that govern the preference of the fasting of Dawud over other forms of voluntary fasting?”

The fasting of Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) is one of the best forms of voluntary fasting. It consists of fasting one day and breaking the fast the next, and it is superior even to fasting regularly throughout the year. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) encouraged it and informed us that it is among the greatest and most beloved deeds to Allah Almighty. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said, “Indeed, the most beloved fasting to Allah is the fasting of Dawud, and the most beloved prayer to Allah is the prayer of Dawud (peace be upon him). He would sleep for half the night, pray for a third of it, and then sleep for a sixth of it; and he would fast one day and break the fast the next” (recorded by Bukhari and Muslim). ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr also narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said to him,
“Fast one day and break the fast the next, for that is the fasting of Dawud (peace be upon him) and it is the best [form] of fasting.”
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr then said, “I am able to do better than that.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) replied, “There is nothing better than that”
(recorded by Bukhari and Muslim).

Islamic jurists have explicitly maintained that the best form of fasting is the fasting of our Master Dawud (peace be upon him).[1] However, this legitimacy and virtue are subject to two conditions:

1. That such a fast does not weaken the body to the extent that one becomes incapable of fulfilling obligatory duties.[2]

2. That such a fast does not lead to weariness or boredom. The Mother of the Believers, ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said, “Undertake only those acts of worship that you are able to do, for Allah does not grow weary [of giving reward] until you grow weary [of performing the acts of worship]”
(Bukhari and Muslim). In another narration, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
“Allah does not grow weary until you grow weary. Engage in acts of worship only to the extent of your ability” (recorded by imam Malik in Al-Muwatta’).[3]

And Allah Almighty knows best.