How can voluntary fasting or extra charity support sincere repentance for adults? 

Parenting Perspective 

For adults, both voluntary fasting and extra charity serve as powerful tools in the process of Tawbah (repentance). These acts of devotion not only help purify the heart and strengthen the relationship with Allah but also demonstrate a genuine commitment to personal growth. While seeking forgiveness from Allah is essential, taking tangible steps like fasting or giving extra charity shows sincerity and a desire to correct one’s wrongs. 

Voluntary Fasting: A Means of Spiritual Purification 

Fasting, particularly voluntary fasting, is an excellent way for adults to seek Allah’s forgiveness and cleanse the soul. By abstaining from food, drink, and other physical comforts, we demonstrate self-control and turn our focus away from worldly distractions. This practice also serves as a form of gratitude, as it teaches us to value the blessings Allah has bestowed upon us. 

Extra Charity: A Tangible Act of Repair 

Charity is one of the most significant acts of Sadaqah in Islam. Voluntary charity acts as a means of repairing past wrongs and compensating for mistakes. By giving charity, we not only help those who are less fortunate but also purify our wealth and cleanse our hearts of greed. As adults, we can teach our children the importance of charity by example, showing them that giving is an integral part of repentance. 

How Voluntary Fasting and Charity Reinforce Each Other 

Both fasting and charity work hand in hand in supporting repentance. Fasting helps one detach from worldly desires, while charity allows one to actively serve others. For example, fasting helps foster empathy for the poor, making the act of charity feel more heartfelt. Similarly, when giving charity, the individual may reflect on their own blessings and express gratitude to Allah. 

Practical Steps for Voluntary Fasting and Charity 

Here are some practical steps for voluntary fasting and charity: 

• Schedule Regular Voluntary Fasts: Encourage adults to fast on the days recommended by the Prophet ﷺ, such as Mondays and Thursdays, or the white days (13th, 14th, and 15th of each Islamic month). 

• Give Charity Regularly: Whether through monetary donations or helping others with time, adults can make charity a consistent habit. 

• Combine Both Acts: An adult can fast and make extra charity during the same time period to double the reward. 

By incorporating both voluntary fasting and charity into a lifestyle of repentance, adults not only seek forgiveness from Allah but also work to make meaningful changes in their lives. 

Spiritual Insight 

The Multiplication of Good Deeds 

The noble Quran shows us that acts of charity have a powerful, multiplying effect, spiritually and materially. By giving charity as part of our repentance, we are not only helping others but also sowing the seeds of spiritual growth. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verse 261: 

‘ The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah (Almighty) is like the parable of a seed (of grain) which grows seven stems; on each stem is one hundred grains…’ 

Voluntary charity, done with the intention of repentance, purifies our wealth and our hearts. 

The Immense Reward of Fasting 

The teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ highlight the immense reward of fasting, especially voluntary fasts. It shows that fasting is not only an act of self-discipline but also a means of earning immense spiritual rewards. 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 1716, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Whoever fasts during Ramadan and follows it with six days of fasting in Shawwal, it is as if he has fasted for a lifetime.’ 

For adults, fasting becomes a way to seek Allah’s forgiveness and purification, turning an ordinary act into a profound means of spiritual renewal. Through the practice of voluntary fasting and extra charity, adults learn that repentance is a comprehensive process of turning to Allah for forgiveness, while also taking responsibility for their actions.