Which is the best sequence among fasting alternate days, continuous fasting, Mondays and Thursdays, and the White Days, in terms of preference? Is it true that one who fasts alternate days is not considered to be fasting continuously if he breaks his fast on the two Eids and the days of Tashreeq?

The best voluntary fasting is the fasting of Dawud (peace be upon him), which is to fast one day and break fast the next. This is because it is more challenging for the soul and more beloved to Allah Almighty than perpetual fasting. Perpetual fasting is disliked (makruh), and fasting one day and breaking fast the next is better than it.

If perpetual fasting is disliked, then fasting on Mondays and Thursdays and the White Days is better than it. And fasting on Mondays and Thursdays is better than the White Days, because it is more numerous. It is preferable to combine fasting on these days.

Whoever fasts one day and breaks fast the next must break their fast on the Days of Tashreeq and the two Eids.