1) Identify the difference between a voluntary and an obligatory fast.

1. Unlike the voluntary fast, it is permissible to break an obligatory fast.
2. Voluntary fast is known as fard, whereas obligatory fast is known as nafl.
3. Unlike the voluntary fast the intention for an obligatory fast cannot be made during the day.
4. There is no difference between the two.

2) What is true of fasting the six days in the month of Shawwal?

1. Whoever fasts during Ramadan and then fasts the six days of Shawwal will be absolved from the fasts of Ramadan in the following year.
2. A person may observe one of the six fasts of Shawwal on the day of Eid.
3. Fasting the six days of Shawwal must be done consecutively.
4. None of the above.

3) A person wakes up and prays the Fajr prayer. After having a hearty breakfast he makes a decision to keep a voluntary fast. Would this voluntary fast be valid?

1. Yes, because the intention to fast a voluntary fast can be made during any part of the day.
2. No, because not eating and drinking from the onset of Fajr is a condition for the voluntary fast to be valid.
3. No, because the intention to fast a voluntary fast must be made before the Fajr prayer.
4. Yes, because a voluntary fast is unconditional and is valid no matter what one chooses to do during or after keeping the fast.
5. None of the above.

4) On which of the following days is it forbidden to fast?

1. Eid-ul-Fitr.
2. Yaum ul-Arafah
3. Ashura.
4. None of the above.

5) Identify the difference between the fasts of Ramadan and voluntary fasts.

1. The intention for voluntary fasts can be made at any time in the day as opposed to the Ramadan fasts which require the intention to be made the night before.
2. Breaking voluntary fasts without a legitimate reason is a serious sin as opposed to the Ramadan fasts.
3. Voluntary fasts may be kept despite having performed actions that nullify the fast such as eating as opposed to the Ramadan fasts.
4. None of the above.

6) Identify the names of some of the important Islamic months in terms of fasting from the following:

1. Muharram and Ashura.
2. Muharram and Ramadan.
3. Sha'ban and Arafah.
4. Rajab and Ashura.

7) With the exception of the month of Ramadan for which the Prophet would fast the entire month, which other month did the Prophet fast the majority of its days?

1. Muharram.
2. Sha'ban.
3. Safr.
4. Rajab.