Monday is no ordinary day in Islam. It is the day on which the greatest of all creation — Sayyidunā Muḥammad ﷺ — was born, the day on which revelation first descended upon him, and the day he ﷺ chose to mark with fasting out of gratitude to Allah ﷻ. Here are eleven virtues of Monday drawn from the Qurʾān and authentic Ḥadīth.
1. The Day the Prophet ﷺ Was Born
When the Prophet ﷺ was asked about fasting on Mondays, he replied: “That is the day on which I was born, and the day on which I received revelation.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 1162) Monday carries this eternal distinction — the day the mercy to all worlds entered this earth.
2. The Day Revelation First Descended
The first revelation of the Qurʾān — the words Iqraʾ bismi Rabbik — descended on a Monday. The Qurʾān, the greatest miracle and the timeless guide for humanity, entered the world on this blessed day.
3. The Prophet ﷺ Fasted Every Monday
Abū Hurayrah ؓ reported: “The Prophet ﷺ used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.” When asked why, he gave the reason above. (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim) Following this Sunnah fast earns both physical and spiritual benefit.
4. Deeds Are Presented to Allah on Mondays
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Deeds are presented on Monday and Thursday. I love that my deeds be presented while I am fasting.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 2565) What better way to have one’s deeds presented than in a state of fasting?
5. The Gates of Paradise Open on Mondays
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The gates of Paradise are opened on Monday and Thursday, and every servant who does not associate anything with Allah is forgiven.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 2565)
6. A Day of Divine Forgiveness
On the same authority, Allah ﷻ forgives every Muslim on Mondays and Thursdays — except those who are in dispute with one another. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Leave them until they reconcile.” This teaches us the importance of resolving conflicts so we do not miss divine forgiveness.
7. Increasing Salāwāt on Mondays
Since Monday is the day of the Prophet’s ﷺ birth, scholars recommend increasing ṣalawāt — blessings upon him ﷺ — on this day. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever sends one blessing upon me, Allah will send ten blessings upon him.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 408)
8. A Connection to the Prophetic Sunnah
Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays was a consistent practice of the Prophet ﷺ. Sayyidatunā ʾĀʾshah ؓ confirmed: “The Prophet ﷺ used to be keen on fasting on Mondays and Thursdays.” (al-Tirmidhī, no. 745 — Ḥasan)
9. The Completion of Creation
According to narrations, Allah ﷻ began the creation of the heavens and earth on Sunday and completed His creation of light, mercy and guidance on Monday. It is the day creation was blessed with completion.
10. The Day the Prophet ﷺ Arrived in Madīnah
The blessed entry of the Prophet ﷺ into Madīnah al-Munawwarah during the Hijrah took place on a Monday — the day the city was illuminated by his arrival ﷺ, as the Anṣār came out to greet him singing Tālaʿa al-Badru ʿAlaynā.
11. The Day the Prophet ﷺ Passed from This World
The Prophet ﷺ passed from this world on a Monday — 12 Rabī al-Awwal. From birth to departure, Monday frames the earthly life of the greatest of all creation ﷺ. It is a day marked eternally by his blessed presence in the world.
May Allah ﷻ grant us the tawfīq to fast on Mondays in the footsteps of the Prophet ﷺ, to increase our ṣalawāt upon him, and to honour the day of his blessed birth. Āmīn.
