Sahih al-Bukhari

Narrated `Abdullah bin Abi `Aufa:

حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ الْوَاسِطِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، عَنِ الشَّيْبَانِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي أَوْفَى ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي سَفَرٍ، وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ، فَلَمَّا غَرَبَتِ الشَّمْسُ قَالَ لِبَعْضِ الْقَوْمِ ‏"‏ يَا فُلاَنُ قُمْ، فَاجْدَحْ لَنَا ‏"‏‏.‏ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، لَوْ أَمْسَيْتَ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ انْزِلْ، فَاجْدَحْ لَنَا ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَلَوْ أَمْسَيْتَ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ انْزِلْ، فَاجْدَحْ لَنَا ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ إِنَّ عَلَيْكَ نَهَارًا‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ انْزِلْ، فَاجْدَحْ لَنَا ‏"‏‏.‏ فَنَزَلَ فَجَدَحَ لَهُمْ، فَشَرِبَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ اللَّيْلَ قَدْ أَقْبَلَ مِنْ هَا هُنَا، فَقَدْ أَفْطَرَ الصَّائِمُ ‏"‏‏.‏

We were in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) 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 Allah's Apostle! (Will you wait) till it is evening?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us." He replied, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! (If you wait) till it is evening." The Prophet (ﷺ) said again, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us." He replied, "It is still daytime."(1) The Prophet (ﷺ) said again, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us." He got down and mixed Sawiq for them. The Prophet (ﷺ) drank it and then said, "When you see night falling from this side, the fasting person should break his fast."

Narrated `Abdullah bin Abi `Aufa:

حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَاحِدِ، حَدَّثَنَا الشَّيْبَانِيُّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ أَبِي أَوْفَى ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ سِرْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهْوَ صَائِمٌ، فَلَمَّا غَرَبَتِ الشَّمْسُ قَالَ ‏"‏ انْزِلْ، فَاجْدَحْ لَنَا ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، لَوْ أَمْسَيْتَ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ انْزِلْ، فَاجْدَحْ لَنَا ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِنَّ عَلَيْكَ نَهَارًا‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ انْزِلْ، فَاجْدَحْ لَنَا ‏"‏‏.‏ فَنَزَلَ، فَجَدَحَ، ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ اللَّيْلَ أَقْبَلَ مِنْ هَا هُنَا فَقَدْ أَفْطَرَ الصَّائِمُ ‏"‏‏.‏ وَأَشَارَ بِإِصْبَعِهِ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ‏.‏

We were traveling with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! (Will you wait) till it is evening?" The Prophet (ﷺ) again said, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us." He replied, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! It is still daytime." The Prophet (ﷺ) said again, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us." So, he got down and carried out that order. The Prophet (ﷺ) 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.

Narrated Sahl bin Sa`d:

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ لاَ يَزَالُ النَّاسُ بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الْفِطْرَ ‏"‏‏.‏

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast."

Narrated Ibn Abi `Aufa:

حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي أَوْفَى ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ كُنْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي سَفَرٍ، فَصَامَ حَتَّى أَمْسَى، قَالَ لِرَجُلٍ ‏"‏ انْزِلْ، فَاجْدَحْ لِي ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ لَوِ انْتَظَرْتَ حَتَّى تُمْسِيَ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ انْزِلْ، فَاجْدَحْ لِي، إِذَا رَأَيْتَ اللَّيْلَ قَدْ أَقْبَلَ مِنْ هَا هُنَا فَقَدْ أَفْطَرَ الصَّائِمُ ‏"‏‏.‏

I was with the Prophet (ﷺ) on a journey, and he observed the fast till evening. The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 'Urwa from Fatima:

حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ فَاطِمَةَ، عَنْ أَسْمَاءَ بِنْتِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَتْ أَفْطَرْنَا عَلَى عَهْدِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَوْمَ غَيْمٍ، ثُمَّ طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ‏.‏ قِيلَ لِهِشَامٍ فَأُمِرُوا بِالْقَضَاءِ قَالَ بُدٌّ مِنْ قَضَاءٍ‏.‏ وَقَالَ مَعْمَرٌ سَمِعْتُ هِشَامًا لاَ أَدْرِي أَقْضَوْا أَمْ لاَ‏.‏

Asma bint Abi Bakr said, "We broke our fast during the lifetime of the Prophet (ﷺ) 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."

Narrated Ar-Rubi' bint Mu'awadh:

حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا بِشْرُ بْنُ الْمُفَضَّلِ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ ذَكْوَانَ، عَنِ الرُّبَيِّعِ بِنْتِ مُعَوِّذٍ، قَالَتْ أَرْسَلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم غَدَاةَ عَاشُورَاءَ إِلَى قُرَى الأَنْصَارِ ‏ "‏ مَنْ أَصْبَحَ مُفْطِرًا فَلْيُتِمَّ بَقِيَّةَ يَوْمِهِ، وَمَنْ أَصْبَحَ صَائِمًا فَلْيَصُمْ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَتْ فَكُنَّا نَصُومُهُ بَعْدُ، وَنُصَوِّمُ صِبْيَانَنَا، وَنَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ اللُّعْبَةَ مِنَ الْعِهْنِ، فَإِذَا بَكَى أَحَدُهُمْ عَلَى الطَّعَامِ أَعْطَيْنَاهُ ذَاكَ، حَتَّى يَكُونَ عِنْدَ الإِفْطَارِ‏.‏

"The Prophet (ﷺ) 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."

Narrated Anas:

حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي قَتَادَةُ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ تُوَاصِلُوا ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالُوا إِنَّكَ تُوَاصِلُ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ لَسْتُ كَأَحَدٍ مِنْكُمْ، إِنِّي أُطْعَمُ وَأُسْقَى، أَوْ إِنِّي أَبِيتُ أُطْعَمُ وَأُسْقَى ‏"‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) replied, "I am not like any of you, for I am given food and drink (by Allah) during the night."

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ الْوِصَالِ‏.‏ قَالُوا إِنَّكَ تُوَاصِلُ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنِّي لَسْتُ مِثْلَكُمْ، إِنِّي أُطْعَمُ وَأُسْقَى ‏"‏‏.‏

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) forbade Al-Wisal. The people said (to him), "But you practice it?" He said, "I am not like you, for I am given food and drink by Allah."

'Narrated Abu Sa`id:

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ الْهَادِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ خَبَّابٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏"‏ لاَ تُوَاصِلُوا، فَأَيُّكُمْ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يُوَاصِلَ فَلْيُوَاصِلْ حَتَّى السَّحَرِ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالُوا فَإِنَّكَ تُوَاصِلُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنِّي لَسْتُ كَهَيْئَتِكُمْ، إِنِّي أَبِيتُ لِي مُطْعِمٌ يُطْعِمُنِي وَسَاقٍ يَسْقِينِ ‏"‏‏.‏

That he had heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, "Do not fast continuously (practice 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 Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)!" He replied, "I am not similar to you, for during my sleep I have One Who makes me eat and drink."

Narrated Aisha:

حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَمُحَمَّدٌ، قَالاَ أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدَةُ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ الْوِصَالِ، رَحْمَةً لَهُمْ فَقَالُوا إِنَّكَ تُوَاصِلُ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنِّي لَسْتُ كَهَيْئَتِكُمْ، إِنِّي يُطْعِمُنِي رَبِّي وَيَسْقِينِ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ لَمْ يَذْكُرْ عُثْمَانُ رَحْمَةً لَهُمْ‏.‏

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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. "

Narrated Abu Huraira:

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ الْوِصَالِ فِي الصَّوْمِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ إِنَّكَ تُوَاصِلُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏"‏ وَأَيُّكُمْ مِثْلِي إِنِّي أَبِيتُ يُطْعِمُنِي رَبِّي وَيَسْقِينِ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَلَمَّا أَبَوْا أَنْ يَنْتَهُوا عَنِ الْوِصَالِ وَاصَلَ بِهِمْ يَوْمًا ثُمَّ يَوْمًا، ثُمَّ رَأَوُا الْهِلاَلَ، فَقَالَ ‏"‏ لَوْ تَأَخَّرَ لَزِدْتُكُمْ ‏"‏‏.‏ كَالتَّنْكِيلِ لَهُمْ، حِينَ أَبَوْا أَنْ يَنْتَهُوا‏.‏

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) forbade Al-Wisal in fasting. So, one of the Muslims said to him, "But you practice Al- Wisal. O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)!" The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) 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 (practicing Al-Wisal).

Narrated Abu Huraira:

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، عَنْ مَعْمَرٍ، عَنْ هَمَّامٍ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ إِيَّاكُمْ وَالْوِصَالَ ‏"‏‏.‏ مَرَّتَيْنِ قِيلَ إِنَّكَ تُوَاصِلُ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنِّي أَبِيتُ يُطْعِمُنِي رَبِّي وَيَسْقِينِ، فَاكْلَفُوا مِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ ‏"‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said twice, "(O you people) Be cautious! Do not practice Al-Wisal." The people said to him, "But you practice Al-Wisal?" The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "My Lord gives me food and drink during my sleep. Do that much of deeds which is within your ability."

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:

حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ حَمْزَةَ، حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ خَبَّابٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏"‏ لاَ تُوَاصِلُوا، فَأَيُّكُمْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يُوَاصِلَ فَلْيُوَاصِلْ حَتَّى السَّحَرِ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالُوا فَإِنَّكَ تُوَاصِلُ، يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ لَسْتُ كَهَيْئَتِكُمْ، إِنِّي أَبِيتُ لِي مُطْعِمٌ يُطْعِمُنِي وَسَاقٍ يَسْقِينِ ‏"‏‏.‏

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Do not fast continuously day and night (practice 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 practice Al-Wisal, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)!" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I am not similar to you;. during my sleep I have One Who makes me eat and drink."

Narrated Abu Juhaifa:

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا جَعْفَرُ بْنُ عَوْنٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْعُمَيْسِ، عَنْ عَوْنِ بْنِ أَبِي جُحَيْفَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ آخَى النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَيْنَ سَلْمَانَ، وَأَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ، فَزَارَ سَلْمَانُ أَبَا الدَّرْدَاءِ، فَرَأَى أُمَّ الدَّرْدَاءِ مُتَبَذِّلَةً‏.‏ فَقَالَ لَهَا مَا شَأْنُكِ قَالَتْ أَخُوكَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ لَيْسَ لَهُ حَاجَةٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا‏.‏ فَجَاءَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ، فَصَنَعَ لَهُ طَعَامًا‏.‏ فَقَالَ كُلْ‏.‏ قَالَ فَإِنِّي صَائِمٌ‏.‏ قَالَ مَا أَنَا بِآكِلٍ حَتَّى تَأْكُلَ‏.‏ قَالَ فَأَكَلَ‏.‏ فَلَمَّا كَانَ اللَّيْلُ ذَهَبَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ يَقُومُ‏.‏ قَالَ نَمْ‏.‏ فَنَامَ، ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ يَقُومُ‏.‏ فَقَالَ نَمْ‏.‏ فَلَمَّا كَانَ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ قَالَ سَلْمَانُ قُمِ الآنَ‏.‏ فَصَلَّيَا، فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلْمَانُ إِنَّ لِرَبِّكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَلِنَفْسِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَلأَهْلِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، فَأَعْطِ كُلَّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقَّهُ‏.‏ فَأَتَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ صَدَقَ سَلْمَانُ ‏"‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) and narrated the whole story. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Salman has spoken the truth."

Narrated `Aisha:

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ أَبِي النَّضْرِ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَصُومُ حَتَّى نَقُولَ لاَ يُفْطِرُ، وَيُفْطِرُ حَتَّى نَقُولَ لاَ يَصُومُ‏.‏ فَمَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم اسْتَكْمَلَ صِيَامَ شَهْرٍ إِلاَّ رَمَضَانَ، وَمَا رَأَيْتُهُ أَكْثَرَ صِيَامًا مِنْهُ فِي شَعْبَانَ‏.‏

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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.

Narrated `Aisha:

حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذُ بْنُ فَضَالَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، عَنْ يَحْيَى، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ حَدَّثَتْهُ قَالَتْ، لَمْ يَكُنِ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَصُومُ شَهْرًا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ، فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ يَصُومُ شَعْبَانَ كُلَّهُ، وَكَانَ يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ خُذُوا مِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَمَلُّ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا، وَأَحَبُّ الصَّلاَةِ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَا دُووِمَ عَلَيْهِ، وَإِنْ قَلَّتْ ‏"‏ وَكَانَ إِذَا صَلَّى صَلاَةً دَاوَمَ عَلَيْهَا‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 Allah will not get tired (of giving rewards) till you get bored and tired (of performing religious deeds)." The most beloved prayer to the Prophet (ﷺ) was the one that was done regularly (throughout the life) even if it were little. And whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) offered a prayer he used to offer it regularly .

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي بِشْرٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ مَا صَامَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم شَهْرًا كَامِلاً قَطُّ غَيْرَ رَمَضَانَ، وَيَصُومُ حَتَّى يَقُولَ الْقَائِلُ لاَ وَاللَّهِ لاَ يُفْطِرُ، وَيُفْطِرُ حَتَّى يَقُولَ الْقَائِلُ لاَ وَاللَّهِ لاَ يَصُومُ‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) never fasted a full month except the month of Ramadan, and he used to fast till one could say, "By Allah, he will never stop fasting," and he would abandon fasting till one would say, "By Allah, he will never fast."

Narrated Anas:

حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ حُمَيْدٍ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَنَسًا ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يَقُولُ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُفْطِرُ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ، حَتَّى نَظُنَّ أَنْ لاَ يَصُومَ مِنْهُ، وَيَصُومُ حَتَّى نَظُنَّ أَنْ لاَ يُفْطِرَ مِنْهُ شَيْئًا، وَكَانَ لاَ تَشَاءُ تَرَاهُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ مُصَلِّيًا إِلاَّ رَأَيْتَهُ، وَلاَ نَائِمًا إِلاَّ رَأَيْتَهُ‏.‏ وَقَالَ سُلَيْمَانُ عَنْ حُمَيْدٍ أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ أَنَسًا فِي الصَّوْمِ‏.‏

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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.

Narrated Humaid:

حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدٌ، أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو خَالِدٍ الأَحْمَرُ، أَخْبَرَنَا حُمَيْدٌ، قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَنَسًا رضى الله عنه عَنْ صِيَامِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ مَا كُنْتُ أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَرَاهُ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ صَائِمًا إِلاَّ رَأَيْتُهُ وَلاَ مُفْطِرًا إِلاَّ رَأَيْتُهُ، وَلاَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ قَائِمًا إِلاَّ رَأَيْتُهُ، وَلاَ نَائِمًا إِلاَّ رَأَيْتُهُ، وَلاَ مَسِسْتُ خَزَّةً وَلاَ حَرِيرَةً أَلْيَنَ مِنْ كَفِّ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم، وَلاَ شَمِمْتُ مِسْكَةً وَلاَ عَبِيرَةً أَطْيَبَ رَائِحَةً مِنْ رَائِحَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏

I asked Anas about the fasting of the Prophet. He said "Whenever I liked to see the Prophet (ﷺ) 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 Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and never smelled musk or perfumed smoke more pleasant than the smell of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)."

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As:

حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ، أَخْبَرَنَا هَارُونُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيٌّ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرَ الْحَدِيثَ يَعْنِي ‏"‏ إِنَّ لِزَوْرِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَإِنَّ لِزَوْجِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا ‏"‏‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ وَمَا صَوْمُ دَاوُدَ قَالَ ‏"‏ نِصْفُ الدَّهْرِ ‏"‏‏.‏

"Once Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) replied, "Half of the year," (i.e. he used to fast on every alternate day).

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As:

حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ مُقَاتِلٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، أَخْبَرَنَا الأَوْزَاعِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ أَلَمْ أُخْبَرْ أَنَّكَ تَصُومُ النَّهَارَ وَتَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَلاَ تَفْعَلْ، صُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ، وَقُمْ وَنَمْ، فَإِنَّ لِجَسَدِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَإِنَّ لِعَيْنِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَإِنَّ لِزَوْجِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَإِنَّ لِزَوْرِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَإِنَّ بِحَسْبِكَ أَنْ تَصُومَ كُلَّ شَهْرٍ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ، فَإِنَّ لَكَ بِكُلِّ حَسَنَةٍ عَشْرَ أَمْثَالِهَا، فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ صِيَامُ الدَّهْرِ كُلِّهِ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَشَدَّدْتُ، فَشُدِّدَ عَلَىَّ، قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِنِّي أَجِدُ قُوَّةً‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَصُمْ صِيَامَ نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ دَاوُدَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ وَلاَ تَزِدْ عَلَيْهِ ‏"‏‏.‏ قُلْتُ وَمَا كَانَ صِيَامُ نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ دَاوُدَ ـ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ ـ قَالَ ‏"‏ نِصْفَ الدَّهْرِ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَكَانَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ يَقُولُ بَعْدَ مَا كَبِرَ يَا لَيْتَنِي قَبِلْتُ رُخْصَةَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)!" The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! I have power." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Fast like the fasting of the Prophet (ﷺ) David and do not fast more than that." I said, "How was the fasting of the Prophet (ﷺ) of Allah, 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).

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr:

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي سَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ، وَأَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ أُخْبِرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنِّي أَقُولُ وَاللَّهِ لأَصُومَنَّ النَّهَارَ، وَلأَقُومَنَّ اللَّيْلَ، مَا عِشْتُ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ قَدْ قُلْتُهُ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَأُمِّي‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَإِنَّكَ لاَ تَسْتَطِيعُ ذَلِكَ، فَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ، وَقُمْ وَنَمْ، وَصُمْ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ، فَإِنَّ الْحَسَنَةَ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا، وَذَلِكَ مِثْلُ صِيَامِ الدَّهْرِ ‏"‏‏.‏ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَصُمْ يَوْمًا وَأَفْطِرْ يَوْمَيْنِ ‏"‏‏.‏ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَصُمْ يَوْمًا وَأَفْطِرْ يَوْمًا، فَذَلِكَ صِيَامُ دَاوُدَ ـ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ ـ وَهْوَ أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ‏.‏ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ لاَ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏"‏‏.‏

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was informed that I had taken an oath to fast daily and to pray (every night) all the night throughout my life (so Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) came to me and asked whether it was correct): I replied, "Let my parents be sacrificed for you! I said so." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "You can not do that. So, fast for few days and give it up for few days, offer Salat (prayer) 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." The Prophet (ﷺ) said to me, "Fast one day and give up fasting for two days." I replied, "I can do better than that." The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) said, "There is no better fasting than that."

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr:

حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو عَاصِمٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ، سَمِعْتُ عَطَاءً، أَنَّ أَبَا الْعَبَّاسِ الشَّاعِرَ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، سَمِعَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرٍو ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ بَلَغَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنِّي أَسْرُدُ الصَّوْمَ وَأُصَلِّي اللَّيْلَ، فَإِمَّا أَرْسَلَ إِلَىَّ، وَإِمَّا لَقِيتُهُ، فَقَالَ ‏"‏ أَلَمْ أُخْبَرْ أَنَّكَ تَصُومُ وَلاَ تُفْطِرُ، وَتُصَلِّي وَلاَ تَنَامُ، فَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ، وَقُمْ وَنَمْ، فَإِنَّ لِعَيْنِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَظًّا، وَإِنَّ لِنَفْسِكَ وَأَهْلِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَظًّا ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ إِنِّي لأَقْوَى لِذَلِكَ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَصُمْ صِيَامَ دَاوُدَ ـ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ ـ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ وَكَيْفَ قَالَ ‏"‏ كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا، وَلاَ يَفِرُّ إِذَا لاَقَى ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ مَنْ لِي بِهَذِهِ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ قَالَ عَطَاءٌ لاَ أَدْرِي كَيْفَ ذَكَرَ صِيَامَ الأَبَدِ، قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ لاَ صَامَ مَنْ صَامَ الأَبَدَ ‏"‏‏.‏ مَرَّتَيْنِ‏.‏

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 (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) said, twice, "Whoever fasts daily throughout his life is just as the one who does not fast at all."

Narrated Mujahid from `Abdullah bin `Amr:

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا غُنْدَرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ مُغِيرَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ مُجَاهِدًا، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ‏.‏ فَمَا زَالَ حَتَّى قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ يَوْمًا وَأَفْطِرْ يَوْمًا ‏"‏ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ اقْرَإِ الْقُرْآنَ فِي شَهْرٍ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ‏.‏ فَمَا زَالَ حَتَّى قَالَ فِي ثَلاَثٍ‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) said, "Recite the Qur'an once each three days." (i.e. you must not recite the whole Qur'an in less than three days).

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As:

حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا حَبِيبُ بْنُ أَبِي ثَابِتٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْعَبَّاسِ الْمَكِّيَّ ـ وَكَانَ شَاعِرًا وَكَانَ لاَ يُتَّهَمُ فِي حَدِيثِهِ ـ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ قَالَ لِي النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ إِنَّكَ لَتَصُومُ الدَّهْرَ، وَتَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّكَ إِذَا فَعَلْتَ ذَلِكَ هَجَمَتْ لَهُ الْعَيْنُ وَنَفِهَتْ لَهُ النَّفْسُ، لاَ صَامَ مَنْ صَامَ الدَّهْرَ، صَوْمُ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ صَوْمُ الدَّهْرِ كُلِّهِ ‏"‏‏.‏ قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَصُمْ صَوْمَ دَاوُدَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا، وَلاَ يَفِرُّ إِذَا لاَقَى ‏"‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said to me, "You fast daily all the year and pray every night all the night?" I replied in the affirmative. The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 fasting of the whole year." I replied, "I have the power for more than this." The Prophet (ﷺ) 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."