A bedouin with unkempt hair came to God's Apostle and
said, "O God's Apostle! Inform me what God has made
compulsory for me as regards the prayers." He replied:
"You have to offer perfectly the five compulsory prayers
in a day and night (24 hours), unless you want to pray
Nawafil." The bedouin further asked, "Inform me what God
has made compulsory for me as regards fasting." He
replied, "You have to fast during the whole month of
Ramadan, unless you want to fast more as Nawafil." The
bedouin further asked, "Tell me how much Zakat God has
enjoined on me." Thus, God's Apostle informed him about
all the rules (i.e. fundamentals) of Islam. The bedouin
then said, "By Him Who has honored you, I will neither
perform any Nawafil nor will I decrease what God has
enjoined on me. God's Apostle said, "If he is saying the
truth, he will succeed (or he will be granted Paradise)."
The Prophet observed the fast on the 10th of Muharram ('Ashura),
and ordered (Muslims) to fast on that day, but when the
fasting of the month of Ramadan was prescribed, the
fasting of the 'Ashura' was abandoned. 'Abdullah did not
use to fast on that day unless it coincided with his
routine fasting by chance.
(The tribe of) Quraish used to fast on the day of Ashura'
in the Pre-lslamic period, and then God's Apostle ordered
(Muslims) to fast on it till the fasting in the month of
Ramadan was prescribed; whereupon the Prophet said, "He
who wants to fast (on 'Ashura') may fast, and he who does
not want to fast may not fast."
God's Apostle said, "Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a
shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid
sexual relation with his wife and should not behave
foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him
or abuses him, he should tell him twice, 'I am fasting."
The Prophet added, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the
smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is
better in the sight of God than the smell of musk. (God
says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food,
drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I
will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of
good deeds is multiplied ten times."
Umar asked the people, "Who remembers the narration of the
Prophet about the affliction?" Hudhaifa said, "I heard the
Prophet saying, 'The affliction of a person in his
property, family and neighbors is expiated by his prayers,
fasting, and giving in charity." 'Umar said, "I do not ask
about that, but I ask about those afflictions which will
spread like the waves of the sea." Hudhaifa replied,
"There is a closed gate in front of those afflictions." 'Umar
asked, "Will that gate be opened or broken?" He replied,
"It will be broken." 'Umar said, "Then the gate will not
be closed again till the Day of Resurrection." We said to
Masruq, "Would you ask Hudhaifa whether 'Umar knew what
that gate symbolized?" He asked him and he replied "He ('Umar)
knew it as one knows that there will be night before
tomorrow, morning.
The Prophet said, "There is a gate in Paradise called
Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through
it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will
enter through it. It will be said, 'Where are those who
used to observe fasts?' They will get up, and none except
them will enter through it. After their entry the gate
will be closed and nobody will enter through it."
God's Apostle said, "Whoever gives two kinds (of things or
property) in charity for God's Cause, will be called from
the gates of Paradise and will be addressed, 'O slaves of
God! Here is prosperity.' So, whoever was amongst the
people who used to offer their prayers, will be called
from the gate of the prayer; and whoever was amongst the
people who used to participate in Jihad, will be called
from the gate of Jihad; and whoever was amongst those who
used to observe fasts, will be called from the gate of
Ar-Raiyan; whoever was amongst those who used to give in
charity, will be called from the gate of charity." Abu
Bakr said, "Let my parents be sacrificed for you, O God's
Apostle! No distress or need will befall him who will be
called from those gates. Will there be any one who will be
called from all these gates?" The Prophet replied, "Yes,
and I hope you will be one of them."
God's Apostle said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the
gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are
closed and the devils are chained."
I heard God's Apostle saying, "When you see the crescent
(of the month of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see
the crescent (of the month of Shawwal), stop fasting; and
if the sky is overcast (and you can't see It) then regard
the crescent (month) of Ramadan (as of 30 days)".
The Prophet said, "Whoever established prayers on the
night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward
from God, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and
whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere
faith, and hoping for a reward from God, then all his
previous sins will be forgiven."
The Prophet was the most generous amongst the people, and
he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel
visited him, and Gabriel used to meet him on every night
of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet used to
recite the Holy Qur'an to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met
him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which
causes rain and welfare).
The Prophet said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech
and evil actions, God is not in need of his leaving his
food and drink (i.e. God will not accept his fasting.)"
God's Apostle said, "God said, 'All the deeds of Adam's
sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for
Me, and I will give the reward for it.' Fasting is a
shield or protection from the fire and from committing
sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual
relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody
should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am
fasting.' By Him in Whose Hands my soul is' The unpleasant
smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is
better in the sight of God than the smell of musk. There
are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time
of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he
will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his
fasting."
While I was walking with 'Abdullah he said, "We were in
the company of the Prophet and he said, 'He who can afford
to marry should marry, because it will help him refrain
from looking at other women, and save his private parts
from looking at other women, and save his private parts
from committing illegal sexual relation; and he who cannot
afford to marry is advised to fast, as fasting will
diminish his sexual power."
God's Apostle mentioned Ramadan and said, "Do not fast
unless you see the crescent (of Ramadan), and do not give
up fasting till you see the crescent (of Shawwal), but if
the sky is overcast (if you cannot see it), then act on
estimation (i.e. count Sha'ban as 30 days)."
God's Apostle said, "The month (can be) 29 nights (i.e.
days), and do not fast till you see the moon, and if the
sky is overcast, then complete Sha'ban as thirty days."
The Prophet said, "The month is like this and this," (at
the same time he showed the fingers of both his hands
thrice) and left out one thumb on the third time.
The Prophet or Abu-l-Qasim said, "Start fasting on seeing
the crescent (of Ramadan), and give up fasting on seeing
the crescent (of Shawwal), and if the sky is overcast (and
you cannot see it), complete thirty days of Sha'ban."
The Prophet vowed to keep aloof from his wives for a
period of one month, and after the completion of 29 days
he went either in the morning or in the afternoon to his
wives. Someone said to him "You vowed that you would not
go to your wives for one month." He replied, "The month is
of 29 days."
God's Apostle vowed to keep aloof from his wives for one
month, and he had dislocation of his leg. So, he stayed in
a Mashruba for 29 nights and then came down. Some people
said, "O God's Apostle! You vowed to stay aloof for one
month," He replied, "The month is of 29 days."
The Prophet said, "We are an illiterate nation; we neither
write, nor know accounts. The month is like this and this,
i.e. sometimes of 29 days and sometimes of thirty days."
The Prophet said, "None of you should fast a day or two
before the month of Ramadan unless he has the habit of
fasting (Nawafil) (and if his fasting coincides with that
day) then he can fast that day."
It was the custom among the companions of Muhammad that if
any of them was fasting and the food was presented (for
breaking his fast), but he slept before eating, he would
not eat that night and the following day till sunset.
Qais bin Sirma-al-Ansari was fasting and came to his wife
at the time of Iftar (breaking one's fast) and asked her
whether she had anything to eat. She replied, "No, but I
would go and bring some for you." He used to do hard work
during the day, so he was overwhelmed by sleep and slept.
When his wife came and saw him, she said, "Disappointment
for you." When it was midday on the following day, he
fainted and the Prophet was informed about the whole
matter and the following verses were revealed: "You are
permitted To go to your wives (for sexual relation) At the
night of fasting." So, they were overjoyed by it. And then
God also revealed: "And eat and drink Until the white
thread Of dawn appears to you Distinct from the black
thread (of the night)." (2.187)
When the above verses were revealed: 'Until the white
thread appears to you, distinct from the black thread,' I
took two (hair) strings, one black and the other white,
and kept them under my pillow and went on looking at them
throughout the night but could not make anything out of
it. So, the next morning I went to God's Apostle and told
him the whole story. He explained to me, "That verse means
the darkness of the night and the whiteness of the dawn."
When the following verses were revealed: 'Eat and drink
until the white thread appears to you, distinct from the
black thread' and of dawn was not revealed, some people
who intended to fast, tied black and white threads to
their legs and went on eating till they differentiated
between the two. God then revealed the words, 'of dawn',
and it became clear that meant night and day.
Bilal used to pronounce the Adhan at night, so God's
Apostle? said, "Carry on taking your meals (eat and drink)
till Ibn Um Maktum pronounces the Adhan, for he does not
pronounce it till it is dawn.
Zaid bin Thabit said, "We took the Suhur with the Prophet
. Then he stood for the prayer." I asked, "What was the
interval between the Suhur and the Adhan?" He replied,
"The interval was sufficient to recite fifty verses of the
Quran."
The Prophet fasted for days continuously; the people also
did the same but it was difficult for them. So, the
Prophet forbade them (to fast continuously for more than
one day). They slid, "But you fast without break (no food
was taken in the evening or in the morning)." The Prophet
replied, "I am not like you, for I am provided with food
and drink (by God)."
Once the Prophet ordered a person on 'Ashura' (the tenth
of Muharram) to announce, "Whoever has eaten, should not
eat any more, but fast, and who has not eaten should not
eat, but complete his fast (till the end of the day).
At times God's Apostle used to get up in the morning in
the state of Janaba after having sexual relations with his
wives. He would then take a bath and fast.
The Prophet used to kiss and embrace (his wives) while he
was fasting, and he had more power to control his desires
than any of you. Said Jabir, "The person who gets
discharge after casting a look (on his wife) should
complete his fast."
(daughter of Um Salama) that her mother said, "While I was
(lying) with God's Apostle underneath a woolen sheet, I
got the menstruation, and then slipped away and put on the
clothes (which I used to wear) in menses. He asked, "What
is the matter? Did you get your menses?" I replied in the
affirmative and then entered underneath that woolen sheet.
I and God's Apostle used to take a bath from one water pot
and he used to kiss me while he was fasting."
My father and I went to 'Aisha and she said, "I testify
that God's Apostle at times used to get up in the morning
in a state of Janaba from sexual intercourse, not from a
wet dream and then he would fast that day." Then he went
to Um Salama and she also narrated a similar thing.
The Prophet said, "If somebody eats or drinks forgetfully
then he should complete his fast, for what he has eaten or
drunk, has been given to him by God." Narrated 'Amir bin
Rabi'a, "I saw the Prophet cleaning his teeth with Siwak
while he was fasting so many times as I can't count." And
narrated Abu Huraira, "The Prophet said, 'But for my fear
that it would be hard for my followers, I would have
ordered them to clean their teeth with Siwak on every
performance of ablution." The same is narrated by Jabir
and Zaid bin Khalid from the Prophet who did not
differentiate between a fasting and a nonfasting person in
this respect (using Siwak).
Aisha said, "The Prophet said, "It (i.e. Siwak) is a
purification for the mouth and it is a way of seeking
God's pleasures." Ata' and Qatada said, "There is no harm
in swallowing the resultant saliva."
I saw 'Uthman performing ablution; he washed his hands
thrice, rinsed his mouth and then washed his nose, by
putting water in it and then blowing it out, and washed
his face thrice, and then washed his right forearm up to
the elbow thrice, and then the left-forearm up to the
elbow thrice, then smeared his head with water, washed his
right foot thrice, and then his left foot thrice and said,
"I saw God's Apostle performing ablution similar to my
present ablution, and then he said, 'Whoever performs
ablution like my present ablution and then offers two
Rakat in which he does not think of worldly things, all
his previous sins will be forgiven."
A man came to the Prophet and said that he had been burnt
(ruined). The Prophet asked him what was the matter. He
replied, "I had sexual intercourse with my wife in Ramadan
(while I was fasting)." Then a basket full of dates was
brought to the Prophet and he asked, "Where is the burnt
(ruined) man?" He replied, "I am present." The Prophet
told him to give that basket in charity (as expiation).
While we were sitting with the Prophet a man came and
said, "O God's Apostle! I have been ruined." God's Apostle
asked what was the matter with him. He replied "I had
sexual intercourse with my wife while I was fasting."
God's Apostle asked him, "Can you afford to manumit a
slave?" He replied in the negative. God's Apostle asked
him, "Can you fast for two successive months?" He replied
in the negative. The Prophet asked him, "Can you afford to
feed sixty poor persons?" He replied in the negative. The
Prophet kept silent and while we were in that state, a big
basket full of dates was brought to the Prophet . He
asked, "Where is the questioner?" He replied, "I (am
here)." The Prophet said (to him), "Take this (basket of
dates) and give it in charity." The man said, "Should I
give it to a person poorer than I? By God; there is no
family between its (i.e. Medina's) two mountains who are
poorer than I." The Prophet smiled till his pre-molar
teeth became visible and then said, 'Feed your family with
it."
A man came to the Prophet and said, "I had sexual
intercourse with my wife on Ramadan (while fasting)." The
Prophet asked him, "Can you afford to manumit a slave?" He
replied in the negative. The Prophet asked him, "Can you
fast for two successive months?" He replied in the
negative. He asked him, "Can you afford to feed sixty poor
persons?" He replied in the negative. (Abu Huraira added):
Then a basket full of dates was brought to the Prophet and
he said (to that man), "Feed (poor people) with this by
way of atonement." He said, "(Should I feed it) to poorer
people than we? There is no poorer house than ours between
its (Medina's) mountains." The Prophet said, "Then feed
your family with it."
We were in the company of God's Apostle on a journey. He
said to a man, "Get down and mix Sawiq (powdered barley)
with water for me." The man said, "The sun (has not set
yet), O God's Apostle." The Prophet again said to him,
"Get down and mix Sawiq with water for me." The man again
said, "O God's Apostle! The sun!" The Prophet said to him
(for the third time) "Get down and mix Sawiq with water
for me." The man dismounted and mixed Sawiq with water for
him. The Prophet drank it and then beckoned with his hand
(towards the East) and said, "When you see the night
falling from this side, then a fasting person should break
his fast."
(the wife of the Prophet) Hamza bin 'Amr Al-Aslami asked
the Prophet, "Should I fast while traveling?" The Prophet
replied, "You may fast if you wish, and you may not fast
if you wish."
God's Apostle set out for Mecca in Ramadan and he fasted,
and when he reached Al-Kadid, he broke his fast and the
people (with him) broke their fast too. (Abu 'Abdullah
said, "Al-Kadid is a land covered with water between Usfan
and Qudaid.")
We set out with God's Apostle on one of his journeys on a
very hot day, and it was so hot that one had to put his
hand over his head because of the severity of heat. None
of us was fasting except the Prophet and Ibn Rawaha.
God's Apostle was on a journey and saw a crowd of people,
and a man was being shaded (by them). He asked, "What is
the matter?" They said, "He (the man) is fasting." The
Prophet said, "It is not righteousness that you fast on a
journey."
We used to travel with the Prophet and neither did the
fasting persons criticize those who were not fasting, nor
did those who were not fasting criticize the fasting
ones.
Ibn 'Abbas said, "God's Apostle set out from Medina to
Mecca and he fasted till he reached 'Usfan, where he asked
for water and raised his hand to let the people see him,
and then broke the fast, and did not fast after that till
he reached Mecca, and that happened in Ramadan." Ibn 'Abbas
used to say, "God's Apostle (sometimes) fasted and
(sometimes) did not fast during the journeys so whoever
wished to fast could fast, and whoever wished not to fast,
could do so."
Ibn 'Umar recited the verse: "They had a choice either to
fast or to feed a poor person for every day, and said that
the order of this Verse was cancelled.
Sometimes I missed some days of Ramadan, but could not
fast in lieu of them except in the month of Sha'ban." Said
Yahya, a sub-narrator, "She used to be busy serving the
Prophet ."
A man came to the Prophet and said, "O God's Apostle! My
mother died and she ought to have fasted one month (for
her missed Ramadan). Shall I fast on her behalf?" The
Prophet replied in the affirmative and said, "God's debts
have more right to be paid." In another narration a woman
is reported to have said, "My sister died..."
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: A woman said to the Prophet "My
mother died and she had vowed to fast but she didn't
fast." In another narration Ibn 'Abbas is reported to have
said, "A woman said to the Prophet, "My mother died while
she ought to have fasted for fifteen days."
God's Apostle said, "When night falls from this side and
the day vanishes from this side and the sun sets, then the
fasting person should break his fast."
We were in the company of the Prophet on a journey and he
was fasting, and when the sun set, he addressed somebody,
"O so-and-so, get up and mix Sawiq with water for us." He
replied, "O God's Apostle! (Will you wait) till it is
evening?" The Prophet said, "Get down and mix Sawiq with
water for us." He replied, "O God's Apostle! (If you wait)
till it is evening." The Prophet said again, "Get down and
mix Sawiq with water for us." He replied, "It is still
daytime."(1) The Prophet said again, "Get down and mix
Sawiq with water for us." He got down and mixed Sawiq for
them. The Prophet drank it and then said, "When you see
night falling from this side, the fasting person should
break his fast."
We were traveling with God's Apostle and he was fasting,
and when the sun set, he said to (someone), "Get down and
mix Sawiq with water for us." He replied, "O God's
Apostle! (Will you wait) till it is evening?" The Prophet
again said, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us." He
replied, "O God's Apostle! It is still daytime." The
Prophet said again, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for
us." So, he got down and carried out that order. The
Prophet then said, "When you see night falling from this
side, the fasting person should break his fast," and he
beckoned with his finger towards the east.
I was with the Prophet on a journey, and he observed the
fast till evening. The Prophet said to a man, "Get down
and mix Sawiq with water for me." He replied, "Will you
wait till it is evening?" The Prophet said, "Get down and
mix Sawiq with water for me; when you see night falling
from this side, the fasting person should break his
fast."
Narrated Abu Usama from Hisham bin 'Ursa
from Fatima:
Asma bint Abi Bakr said, "We broke our fast during the
lifetime of the Prophet on a cloudy day and then the sun
appeared." Hisham was asked, "Were they ordered to fast in
lieu of that day?" He replied, "It had to be made up for."
Ma'mar said, "I heard Hisham saying, "I don't know whether
they fasted in lieu of that day or not."
"The Prophet sent a messenger to the village of the Ansar
in the morning of the day of 'Ashura' (10th of Muharram)
to announce: 'Whoever has eaten something should not eat
but complete the fast, and whoever is observing the fast
should complete it.' "She further said, "Since then we
used to fast on that day regularly and also make our boys
fast. We used to make toys of wool for the boys and if
anyone of them cried for, he was given those toys till it
was the time of the breaking of the fast."
The Prophet said, "Do not practice Al-Wisal (fasting
continuously without breaking one's fast in the evening or
eating before the following dawn)." The people said to the
Prophet, "But you practice Al-Wisal?" The Prophet replied,
"I am not like any of you, for I am given food and drink
(by God) during the night."
That he had heard the Prophet saying, "Do not fast
continuously (practise Al-Wisal), and if you intend to
lengthen your fast, then carry it on only till the Suhur
(before the following dawn)." The people said to him, "But
you practice (Al-Wisal), O God's Apostle!" He replied, "I
am not similar to you, for during my sleep I have One Who
makes me eat and drink."
God's Apostle forbade Al-Wisal out of mercy to them. They
said to him, "But you practice Al-Wisal?" He said, "I am
not similar to you, for my Lord gives me food and drink.
"
God's Apostle forbade Al-Wisal in fasting. So, one of the
Muslims said to him, "But you practice Al-Wisal. O God's
Apostle!" The Prophet replied, "Who amongst you is similar
to me? I am given food and drink during my sleep by my
Lord." So, when the people refused to stop Al-Wisal
(fasting continuously), the Prophet fasted day and night
continuously along with them for a day and then another
day and then they saw the crescent moon (of the month of
Shawwal). The Prophet said to them (angrily), "If It (the
crescent) had not appeared, I would have made you fast for
a longer period." That was as a punishment for them when
they refused to stop (practising Al-Wisal).
The Prophet said twice, "(O you people) Be cautious! Do
not practice Al-Wisal." The people said to him, "But you
practice Al-Wisal?" The Prophet replied, "My Lord gives me
food and drink during my sleep. Do that much of deeds
which is within your ability."
God's Apostle said, "Do not fast continuously day and
night (practise Al-Wisal) and if anyone of you intends to
fast continuously day and night, he should continue till
the Suhur time." They said, "But you practise Al-Wisal, O
God's Apostle!" The Prophet said, "I am not similar to
you;. during my sleep I have One Who makes me eat and
drink."
The Prophet made a bond of brotherhood between Salman and
Abu Ad-Darda.' Salman paid a visit to Abu Ad-Darda' and
found Um Ad-Darda' dressed in shabby clothes and asked her
why she was in that state. She replied, "Your brother Abu
Ad-Darda' is not interested in (the luxuries of) this
world." In the meantime Abu Ad-Darda' came and prepared a
meal for Salman. Salman requested Abu Ad-Darda' to eat
(with him), but Abu Ad-Darda' said, "I am fasting." Salman
said, "I am not going to eat unless you eat." So, Abu Ad-Darda'
ate(with Salman). When it was night and (a part of the
night passed), Abu Ad-Darda' got up (to offer the night
prayer), but Salman told him to sleep and Abu Ad-Darda'
slept. After sometime Abu Ad-Darda' again got up but
Salman told him to sleep. When it was the last hours of
the night, Salman told him to get up then, and both of
them offered the prayer. Salman told Abu Ad-Darda', "Your
Lord has a right on you, your soul has a right on you, and
your family has a right on you; so you should give the
rights of all those who has a right on you." Abu Ad-Darda'
came to the Prophet and narrated the whole story. The
Prophet said, "Salman has spoken the truth."
God's Apostle used to fast till one would say that he
would never stop fasting, and he would abandon fasting
till one would say that he would never fast. I never saw
God's Apostle fasting for a whole month except the month
of Ramadan, and did not see him fasting in any month more
than in the month of Sha'ban.
The Prophet never fasted in any month more than in the
month of Sha'ban. He used to say, "Do those deeds which
you can do easily, as God will not get tired (of giving
rewards) till you get bored and tired (of performing
religious deeds)." The most beloved prayer to the Prophet
was the one that was done regularly (throughout the life)
even if it were little. And whenever the Prophet offered a
prayer he used to offer it regularly .
The Prophet never fasted a full month except the month of
Ramadan, and he used to fast till one could say, "By God,
he will never stop fasting," and he would abandon fasting
till one would say, "By God, he will never fast."
God's Apostle used to leave fasting in a certain month
till we thought that he would not fast in that month, and
he used to fast in another month till we thought he would
not stop fasting at all in that month. And if one wanted
to see him praying at night, one could see him (in that
condition), and if one wanted to see him sleeping at
night, one could see him (in that condition) too.
I asked Anas about the fasting of the Prophet. He said
"Whenever I liked to see the Prophet fasting in any month,
I could see that, and whenever I liked to see him not
fasting, I could see that too, and if I liked to see him
praying in any night, I could see that, and if I liked to
see him sleeping, I could see that, too." Anas further
said, "I never touched silk or velvet softer than the hand
of God's Apostle and never smelled musk or perfumed smoke
more pleasant than the smell of God's Apostle."
"Once God's Apostle came to me," and then he narrated the
whole narration, i.e. your guest has a right on you, and
your wife has a right on you. I then asked about the
fasting of David. The Prophet replied, "Half of the year,"
(i.e. he used to fast on every alternate day).
God's Apostle said to me, "O 'Abdullah! Have I not been
informed that you fast during the day and offer prayers
all the night." 'Abdullah replied, "Yes, O God's Apostle!"
The Prophet said, "Don't do that; fast for few days and
then give it up for few days, offer prayers and also sleep
at night, as your body has a right on you, and your wife
has a right on you, and your guest has a right on you. And
it is sufficient for you to fast three days in a month, as
the reward of a good deed is multiplied ten times, so it
will be like fasting throughout the year." I insisted (on
fasting) and so I was given a hard instruction. I said, "O
God's Apostle! I have power." The Prophet said, "Fast like
the fasting of the Prophet David and do not fast more than
that." I said, "How was the fasting of the Prophet of God,
David?" He said, "Half of the year," (i.e. he used to fast
on every alternate day).
Afterwards when 'Abdullah became old, he used to say, "It
would have been better for me if I had accepted the
permission of the Prophet (which he gave me i.e. to fast
only three days a month)."
God's Apostle was informed that I had taken an oath to
fast daily and to pray (every night) all the night
throughout my life (so God's Apostle came to me and asked
whether it was correct): I replied, "Let my parents be
sacrificed for you! I said so." The Prophet said, "You can
not do that. So, fast for few days and give it up for few
days, r ray and sleep. Fast three days a month as the
reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times and that will
be equal to one year of fasting." I replied, "I can do
better than that." The Prophet said to me, "Fast one day
and give up fasting for a day and that is the fasting of
Prophet David and that is the best fasting." I said, "I
have the power to fast better (more) than that." The
Prophet said, "There is no better fasting than that."
The news of my daily fasting and praying every night
throughout the night reached the Prophet. So he sent for
me or I met him, and he said, "I have been informed that
you fast everyday and pray every night (all the night).
Fast (for some days) and give up fasting (for some days);
pray and sleep, for your eyes have a right on you, and
your body and your family (i.e. wife) have a right on
you." I replied, "I have more power than that (fasting)."
The Prophet said, "Then fast like the fasts of (the
Prophet) David". I said, "How?" He replied, "He used to
fast on alternate days, and he used not to flee on meeting
the enemy." I said, "From where can I get that chance?"
('Ata' said, "I do not know how the expression of fasting
daily throughout the life occurred.") So, the Prophet
said, twice, "Whoever fasts daily throughout his life is
just as the one who does not fast at all."
The Prophet said (to 'Abdullah), "Fast three days a
month." 'Abdullah said, (to the Prophet) "I am able to
fast more than that." They kept on arguing on this matter
till the Prophet said, "Fast on alternate days, and recite
the whole Qur'an once a month." 'Abdullah said, "I can
recite more (in a month)," and the argument went on till
the Prophet said, "Recite the Qur'an once each three
days." (i.e. you must not recite the whole Qur'an in less
than three days).
The Prophet said to me, "You fast daily all the year and
pray every night all the night?" I replied in the
affirmative. The Prophet said, "If you keep on doing this,
your eyes will become weak and your body will get tired.
He who fasts all the year is as he who did not fast at
all. The fasting of three days (a month) will be equal to
the tasting of the whole year." I replied, "I have the
power for more than this." The Prophet said, "Then fast
like the fasting of David who used to fast on alternate
days and would never flee from the battle field, on
meeting the enemy.
God's Apostle was informed about my fasts, and he came to
me and I spread for him a leather cushion stuffed with
palm fires, but he sat on the ground and the cushion
remained between me and him, and then he said, "Isn't it
sufficient for you to fast three days a month?" I replied,
"O God's Apostle! (I can fast more)." He said, "Five?" I
replied, "O God's Apostle! (I can fast more)." He said,
"Seven?" I replied, "O God's Apostle! (I can fast more)."
He said, "Nine (days per month)?" I replied, "O God's
Apostle! (I can fast more)" He said, "Eleven (days per
month)?" And then the Prophet said, "There is no fast
superior to that of the Prophet David it was for half of
the year. So, fast on alternate days."
My friend (the Prophet ) advised me to observe three
things:
(1) to fast three days a month;
(2) to pray two Rakat of Duha prayer (fore-noon prayer);
and
(3) to pray Witr before sleeping.
The Prophet paid a visit to Um-Sulaim and she placed
before him dates and ghee. The Prophet said, "Replace the
ghee and dates in their respective containers for I am
fasting." Then he stood somewhere in her house and offered
an optional prayer and then he invoked good on Um-Sulaim
and her family. Then Um-Sulaim said, "O God's Apostle! I
have a special request (today)." He said, "What is it?"
She replied, "(Please invoke for) your servant Anas." So
God's Apostle did not leave anything good in the world or
the Hereafter which he did not invoke (God to bestow) on
me and said, "O God! Give him (i.e. Anas) property and
children and bless him." Thus I am one of the richest
among the Ansar and my daughter Umaina told me that when
A-Hajjaj came to Basra, more than 120 of my offspring had
been buried.
That the Prophet asked him (Imran) or asked a man and
Imran was listening, "O Abu so-and-so! Have you fasted the
last days of this month?" (The narrator thought that he
said, "the month of Ramadan"). The man replied, "No, O
God's Apostle!" The Prophet said to him, "When you finish
your fasting (of Ramadan) fast two days (in Shawwal)."
Through another series of narrators 'Imran said, "The
Prophet said, '(Have you fasted) the last days of
Sha'ban?"
The Prophet visited her (Juwairiya) on a Friday and she
was fasting. He asked her, "Did you fast yesterday?" She
said, "No." He said, "Do you intend to fast tomorrow?" She
said, "No." He said, "Then break your fast." Through
another series of narrators, Abu Aiyub is reported to have
said, "He ordered her and she broke her fast."
I asked 'Aisha "Did God s Apostle, use to choose some
special days (for fasting)?" She replied, "No, but he used
to be regular (constant) (in his service of worshipping).
Who amongst you can endure what God's Apostle used to
endure?"
"While the people were with me on the day of 'Arafat they
differed as to whether the Prophet was fasting or not;
some said that he was fasting while others said that he
was not fasting. So, I sent to him a bowl full of milk
while he was riding over his camel and he drank it."
The people doubted whether the Prophet was fasting on the
day of 'Arafat or not, so I sent milk while he was
standing at 'Arafat, he drank it and the people were
looking at him.
(the slave of Ibn Azhar) I witnessed the 'Id with 'Umar
bin Al-Kattab who said, God's Apostle has forbidden people
to fast on the day on which you break fasting (the fasts
of Ramadan) and the day on which you eat the meat of your
sacrifices (the first day of 'Id ul Fitr and 'Id ul-Adha).
The Prophet forbade the fasting of 'Id-ul-Fitr and 'Id-ul-Adha
(two feast days) and also the wearing of As-Samma' (a
single garment covering the whole body), and sitting with
one's leg drawn up while being wrapped in one garment. He
also forbade the prayers after the Fajr (morning) and the
'Asr (afternoon) prayers.
Two fasts and two kinds of sale are forbidden: fasting on
the day of 'Id ul Fitr and 'Id-ul-Adha and the kinds of
sale called Mulamasa and Munabadha. (These two kinds of
sale used to be practiced in the days of Pre-lslamic
period of ignorance; Mulamasa means when you touch
something displayed for sale you have to buy it; Munabadha
means when the seller throws something to you, you have to
buy it.)
A man went to Ibn 'Umar I. and said, "A man vowed to fast
one day (the sub-narrator thinks that he said that the day
was Monday), and that day happened to be 'Id day." Ibn 'Umar
said, "God orders vows to be fulfilled and the Prophet
forbade the fasting on this day (i.e. Id)."
(who fought in twelve Ghazawat in the company of the
Prophet). I heard four things from the Prophet and they
won my admiration. He said;
1. "No lady should travel on a journey of two days except
with her husband or a Dhi-Mahram;
2. "No fasting is permissible on the two days of Id-ul-Fitr
and 'Id-ul-Adha;
3. "No prayer (may be offered) after the morning
compulsory prayer until the sun rises; and no prayer after
the 'Asr prayer till the sun sets;
4. "One should travel only for visiting three Masajid
(Mosques): Masjid-ul-Haram (Mecca), Masjid-ul-Aqsa
(Jerusalem), and this (my) Mosque (at Medina)."
Fasting for those who perform ,Hajj-at-Tamattu' (in lieu
of the Hadi which they cannot afford) may be performed up
to the day of 'Arafat. And if one does not get a Hadi and
has not fasted (before the 'Id) then one should fast of
the days of Mina. (11, 12 and 13th of Dhul Hajja).
God's Apostle ordered (the Muslims) to fast on the day of
'Ashura', and when fasting in the month of Ramadan was
prescribed, it became optional for one to fast on that day
('Ashura') or not.
Quraish used to fast on the day of 'Ashura' in the Pre-lslamic
period, and God's Apostle too, used to fast on that day.
When he came to Medina, he fasted on that day and ordered
others to fast, too. Later when the fasting of the month
of Ramadan was prescribed, he gave up fasting on the day
of 'Ashura' and it became optional for one to fast on it
or not.
That he heard Muawiya bin Abi Sufyan on the day of 'Ashura'
during the year he performed the Hajj, saying on the
pulpit, "O the people of Medina! Where are your Religious
Scholars? I heard God's Apostle saying, 'This is the day
of 'Ashura'. God has not enjoined its fasting on you but I
am fasting it. You have the choice either to fast or not
to fast (on this day).' "
The Prophet came to Medina and saw the Jews fasting on the
day of Ashura. He asked them about that. They replied,
"This is a good day, the day on which God rescued Bani
Israel from their enemy. So, Moses fasted this day." The
Prophet said, "We have more claim over Moses than you."
So, the Prophet fasted on that day and ordered (the
Muslims) to fast (on that day).
I never saw the Prophet seeking to fast on a day more
(preferable to him) than this day, the day of 'Ashura', or
this month, i.e. the month of Ramadan.
The Prophet ordered a man from the tribe of Bani Aslam to
announce amongst the people that whoever had eaten should
fast the rest of the day, and whoever had not eaten should
continue his fast, as that day was the day of 'Ashura'