A father forbidding his daughter from fasting on some supererogatory days

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The first question of Fatwa no. 10935 I am a 29-year-old lady. I have been working as a teacher for 8 years. I have a brother and three married sisters who reside in a neighboring country. I am the favorite child of my parents as I look after them and support them. We live in Bahrain. (Part No. 25; Page No. 198) They wish for nothing but my well-being. As I have close contact with my father, I sometimes tend to be strict when giving religious advice. However, he does not get upset but labels me as a "Wahhabism" advocate. I did not listen to him when he asked me not to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.He said that I grew feeble due to fasting frequently and therefore advised me to fast on either Mondays or Thursdays. However, I feel strong enough to stand fasting on Mondays and Thursdays. I said to him "Leave me alone with my Lord."

A: If the reality is as you have mentioned, you are not regarded as an undutiful person to your father. There is nothing wrong with your disobedience to him when he demanded you not to fast on both Mondays and Thursdays. Fasting on these two days, when it is affordable, is an act of worship. No person should be obeyed when he forbids doing an act of worship. Furthermore, he obviously did not mean to force you to abandon fasting, but he cares about your health.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!