I have a question regarding 'fasting'. When we strive for some work, we ask Allah for it. We will pray 2,4,6 (as wished) Raka'h Nafl for that work. Is this permissible for us to do the same for 'fasting'? Is this act permissible for an important task on a particular day if we fast so that Allah will grant us success?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

According the Four Schools of Fiqh, it is desirable to perform Salatul-Haajah (the prayer of need).

Ibn Abu Awfa narrated that the Prophet said: “Whoever needs something from Allah or a human being, should perform Wudu well and then perform two Raka'hs of prayers. Then, he should thank Allah, The Exalted, and seek Allah's blessing for the Prophet and say: 'There is no God but Allah, The Clement, The Generous, Glory be Allah, The Lord of The Great Throne, Praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Universe. O Allah! I ask you to bestow your Mercy on me, to protect me from every sin, to give me a share of every good and to grant safety from every misdeed. O Allah! Leave not for us a sin which You have not forgiven, nor a care which You have not removed, nor a need the fulfillment of which is pleasing to You which You have not fulfilled. O The Most Merciful of those who show mercy.”

Here, we state that Muslim scholars like to act according the above-mentioned Hadeeth although it is weak.

Salatul-Hajaah consists of two Raka'hs of prayer according to the Maaliki, Shaafi'i, Hanbali, Schools of jurisprudence, and an opinion among the Hanafi School. The Hanafi School of jurisprudence say this prayer is of four Raka'hs. And whoever likes to do other good actions that bring him nearer to Allah, The Exalted, he can perform fasting and give money as a charity and so on.

This, Allah willing, will lead to satisfying one's need but one should not think that such actions are confirmed Sunnah or are an essential part of the Sahree'ah.

Allah knows best.