The Book of Fasting

أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو حَصِينٍ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يُونُسَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْثَرٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حُصَيْنٌ، عَنْ مُجَاهِدٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ زَوَّجَنِي أَبِي امْرَأَةً فَجَاءَ يَزُورُهَا فَقَالَ كَيْفَ تَرَيْنَ بَعْلَكِ فَقَالَتْ نِعْمَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ رَجُلٍ لاَ يَنَامُ اللَّيْلَ وَلاَ يُفْطِرُ النَّهَارَ ‏.‏ فَوَقَعَ بِي وَقَالَ زَوَّجْتُكَ امْرَأَةً مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَعَضَلْتَهَا ‏.‏ قَالَ فَجَعَلْتُ لاَ أَلْتَفِتُ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ مِمَّا أَرَى عِنْدِي مِنَ الْقُوَّةِ وَالاِجْتِهَادِ فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ ‏"‏ لَكِنِّي أَنَا أَقُومُ وَأَنَامُ وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ فَقُمْ وَنَمْ وَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ أَنَا أَقْوَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ صَوْمَ دَاوُدَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ صُمْ يَوْمًا وَأَفْطِرْ يَوْمًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ أَنَا أَقْوَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ اقْرَإِ الْقُرْآنَ فِي كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ انْتَهَى إِلَى خَمْسَ عَشْرَةَ وَأَنَا أَقُولُ أَنَا أَقْوَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏

It was narrated that 'Abdullah bin 'Amr said: "My father got me married to a woman and he came to visit her and said: 'What do you think of your husband?' She said: 'What a wonderful man he is. He does not sleep at night and he does not break his fast during the day.' He got upset with me and said: 'I got you married to a woman from among the Muslims and you have neglected her.' I did not pay attention to what he said because of my energy and love of worship. News of that reached the Prophet and he said: 'But I stand (in prayer) and I sleep, I fast and I break my fast. So stand (in prayer) and sleep, fast and break your fast.' He said: 'Fast three days of every month.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'O bserve the fast of Dawud, peace be upon him: fast one day and break your fast one day.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'Read the Quran (once) every month.' Then it ended up being every fifteen days, and I still said: 'I am able to do more than that."' 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted."

أَخْبَرَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ دُرُسْتَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو إِسْمَاعِيلَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ، أَنَّ أَبَا سَلَمَةَ، حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ قَالَ دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حُجْرَتِي فَقَالَ ‏"‏ أَلَمْ أُخْبَرْ أَنَّكَ تَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ وَتَصُومُ النَّهَارَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ بَلَى ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَلاَ تَفْعَلَنَّ نَمْ وَقُمْ وَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ فَإِنَّ لِعَيْنِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَإِنَّ لِجَسَدِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَإِنَّ لِزَوْجَتِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَإِنَّ لِضَيْفِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَإِنَّ لِصَدِيقِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَإِنَّهُ عَسَى أَنْ يَطُولَ بِكَ عُمُرٌ وَإِنَّهُ حَسْبُكَ أَنْ تَصُومَ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ثَلاَثًا فَذَلِكَ صِيَامُ الدَّهْرِ كُلِّهِ وَالْحَسَنَةُ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أَجِدُ قُوَّةً فَشَدَّدْتُ فَشُدِّدَ عَلَىَّ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَشَدَّدْتُ فَشُدِّدَ عَلَىَّ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ صَوْمَ نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ دَاوُدَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ وَمَا كَانَ صَوْمُ دَاوُدَ قَالَ ‏"‏ نِصْفُ الدَّهْرِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated that 'Abdullah said: "The Messenger of Allah entered my apartment and said: "I have been told that you stand all night (in prayer) and fast all day.' I said: 'Yes (I do).' He said: 'Do not do that. Sleep and stand (in prayer); fast and break your fast. For your eyes have a right over you, your body has a right over you, your body has a right over you, your wife has a right over you, your guest has a right over you, and your friend has a right over you. I hope that you will have a long life and that it will be sufficient for you to fast three days of each month. That is fasting for a lifetime, because a good deed is equal to ten like it.' I said : 'I feel able to do more.' I was strict, so I was dealt with strictly. He said: 'Fast three days each week.' I said: 'I am ableto do more thtn that; I was strict, so I was dealt with strictly. He said: 'Observe the fast of the Prophet of Allah, Dawud, peace be upon him. I said: 'What was the fast of Dawud?' he said: 'Half of a lifetime."' 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted."

أَخْبَرَنَا الرَّبِيعُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي سَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ، وَأَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ، قَالَ ذُكِرَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ يَقُولُ لأَقُومَنَّ اللَّيْلَ وَلأَصُومَنَّ النَّهَارَ مَا عِشْتُ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ أَنْتَ الَّذِي تَقُولُ ذَلِكَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ قَدْ قُلْتُهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ فَإِنَّكَ لاَ تَسْتَطِيعُ ذَلِكَ فَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ وَنَمْ وَقُمْ وَصُمْ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ فَإِنَّ الْحَسَنَةَ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا وَذَلِكَ مِثْلُ صِيَامِ الدَّهْرِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ يَوْمًا وَأَفْطِرْ يَوْمَيْنِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَصُمْ يَوْمًا وَأَفْطِرْ يَوْمًا وَذَلِكَ صِيَامُ دَاوُدَ وَهُوَ أَعْدَلُ الصِّيَامِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ لاَ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَمْرٍو لأَنْ أَكُونَ قَبِلْتُ الثَّلاَثَةَ الأَيَّامَ الَّتِي قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَحَبُّ إِلَىَّ مِنْ أَهْلِي وَمَالِي ‏.‏

It was narrated from 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-As that it was mentioned to the Messenger of Allah that he had said: "I will certainly stand all night (in prayer) and fast every day for as long as I live." The Messenger of Allah said: "Are you the one who said that?" I said: 'I said it, O Messenger of Allah.' The Messenger of Allah said: 'You cannot do that. Fast and break your fast, sleep and stand (in prayer), and fast three days of each month. For a good deed is equal to ten like it, and that is like fasting for a lifetime.' I said: 'But I am able to do bette than that.' He said: 'Fast for one day and break your fast for two days.' I said: 'I am able to do better than that, O Messenger of Allah.' He said: 'Then fast for one day and break your fast for two days.' I said: 'I am able to do better than that, O Messenger of Allah said : 'There is noting better than that."' 'Abdullah said: "If I had accepted the three days that the Messenger of Allah said, that would be dearer to me than my family and my wealth." 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted."

أَخْبَرَنِي أَحْمَدُ بْنُ بَكَّارٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ سَلَمَةَ - عَنِ ابْنِ إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، قَالَ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو قُلْتُ أَىْ عَمِّ حَدِّثْنِي عَمَّا قَالَ لَكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي إِنِّي كُنْتُ أَجْمَعْتُ عَلَى أَنْ أَجْتَهِدَ اجْتِهَادًا شَدِيدًا حَتَّى قُلْتُ لأَصُومَنَّ الدَّهْرَ وَلأَقْرَأَنَّ الْقُرْآنَ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ فَسَمِعَ بِذَلِكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَتَانِي حَتَّى دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ فِي دَارِي فَقَالَ ‏"‏ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّكَ قُلْتَ لأَصُومَنَّ الدَّهْرَ وَلأَقْرَأَنَّ الْقُرْآنَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ قَدْ قُلْتُ ذَلِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَلاَ تَفْعَلْ صُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أَقْوَى عَلَى أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَصُمْ مِنَ الْجُمُعَةِ يَوْمَيْنِ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَالْخَمِيسَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أَقْوَى عَلَى أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَصُمْ صِيَامَ دَاوُدَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ فَإِنَّهُ أَعْدَلُ الصِّيَامِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ يَوْمًا صَائِمًا وَيَوْمًا مُفْطِرًا وَإِنَّهُ كَانَ إِذَا وَعَدَ لَمْ يُخْلِفْ وَإِذَا لاَقَى لَمْ يَفِرَّ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated that Abu Salamah bin 'Abdur-Rahman said: "I entered upon 'Abdullah bin 'Amr and said: O uncle, tell me what the Messenger of Allah said to you. He said: O son of my brother, I had resolved to strive very hard until I said: I will fast for the rest of my life and I will read the whole Quran every day and night. The Messenger of Allah heard about that, and came in to me in my house, and said: I have heard that you said, I will fast for a lifetime and will read the Quran. I said: I did say that, O Messenger of Allah. He said; Do not do that. Fast three days of each month. I said: I am able to do more than that. He said: fast two days of each week, Monday and Thursday. I said: I am able to do more than that. He said; Observe the fast of Dawud, peace be upon him, for it is the best kind of fasting before Allah; one day fasting, and one day not fasting. And when he made a promise he did not break it, and when he met (the enemy in battle) he did not flee." 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted."

أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ زِيَادِ بْنِ فَيَّاضٍ، سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عِيَاضٍ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ لَهُ ‏"‏ صُمْ يَوْمًا وَلَكَ أَجْرُ مَا بَقِيَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنَ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ يَوْمَيْنِ وَلَكَ أَجْرُ مَا بَقِيَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَلَكَ أَجْرُ مَا بَقِيَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ أَرْبَعَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَلَكَ أَجْرُ مَا بَقِيَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ أَفْضَلَ الصِّيَامِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ صَوْمَ دَاوُدَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated from 'Abdullah bin 'Amr that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him: "Fast one day, and you will have the reward of what is left." He said: "I am able to do more than that." He (ﷺ) said: "Fast two days, and you will have the reward of what is left." He said: "I am able to do more than that." He (ﷺ) said: "Fast three days and you will have the reward of what is left." He said: "I am able to do more than that." He (ﷺ) said: "Fast four days and you will have the reward of what is left." He said: "I am able to do more than that." He (ﷺ) said: "Observe the best kind of fasting before Allah, the fast of Dawud, peace be upon him; he used to fast one day and break his fast for one day." 'Ata said: "Someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted.'"

أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الْمُعْتَمِرُ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْعَلاَءِ، عَنْ مُطَرِّفٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي رَبِيعَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ ذَكَرْتُ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم الصَّوْمَ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ عَشْرَةِ أَيَّامٍ يَوْمًا وَلَكَ أَجْرُ تِلْكَ التِّسْعَةِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي أَقْوَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ تِسْعَةِ أَيَّامٍ يَوْمًا وَلَكَ أَجْرُ تِلْكَ الثَّمَانِيَةِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أَقْوَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَصُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ ثَمَانِيَةِ أَيَّامٍ يَوْمًا وَلَكَ أَجْرُ تِلْكَ السَّبْعَةِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أَقْوَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ حَتَّى قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ يَوْمًا وَأَفْطِرْ يَوْمًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated that 'Abdullah bin 'Amr said: 'Amr said: "I spoke to the Prophet and he said: 'Fast one day out of ten and you will have the reward of the other nine.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'Fast one day out of eight and you will have the reward of the other eight.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'Fast one day out of eight and you will have the reward of the other seven.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' 'Fast one day and not the next."'

أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، ح وَأَخْبَرَنِي زَكَرِيَّا بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الأَعْلَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، عَنْ ثَابِتٍ، عَنْ شُعَيْبِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ صُمْ يَوْمًا وَلَكَ أَجْرُ عَشْرَةٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ زِدْنِي ‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ يَوْمَيْنِ وَلَكَ أَجْرُ تِسْعَةٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ زِدْنِي ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَلَكَ أَجْرُ ثَمَانِيَةٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ ثَابِتٌ فَذَكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ لِمُطَرِّفٍ فَقَالَ مَا أُرَاهُ إِلاَّ يَزْدَادُ فِي الْعَمَلِ وَيَنْقُصُ مِنَ الأَجْرِ وَاللَّفْظُ لِمُحَمَّدٍ ‏.‏

It was narrated from Shuaib bin 'Abdullah bin 'Amr that his father said: "The Messenger of Allah said to me: 'Fast one day and you will have the reward of ten.' I said: 'Let me fast more.' He said: 'Fast two days and you will have the reward of nine.' I said: 'Let me fast more than that.' He said: 'Fast three days and you will have the reward of eight." (One of the narrators) Thabit said: "I mentioned that to Mutarrif and he said: 'I only see that he is making more effort for less reward.'"

أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَسْبَاطٍ، عَنْ مُطَرِّفٍ، عَنْ حَبِيبِ بْنِ أَبِي ثَابِتٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الْعَبَّاسِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ إِنَّهُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّكَ تَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ وَتَصُومُ النَّهَارَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا أَرَدْتُ بِذَلِكَ إِلاَّ الْخَيْرَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ صَامَ مَنْ صَامَ الأَبَدَ وَلَكِنْ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى صَوْمِ الدَّهْرِ ثَلاَثَةُ أَيَّامٍ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ خَمْسَةَ أَيَّامٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَصُمْ عَشْرًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ صَوْمَ دَاوُدَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated that 'Abdullah bin 'Amr said: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'I have heard that you stand (in prayer) all night and fast all day.' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I only meant good by that.' He said: 'One who fasts every day of his life has not truly fasted. But I will tell you what fasting for a lifetime means: Three days of every month.' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said 'Observe the fast of Dawud, peace be upon him; he used to fast one day and not the next."' 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted."

أَخْبَرَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أُمَيَّةُ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ حَبِيبٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو الْعَبَّاسِ، - وَكَانَ رَجُلاً مِنْ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ وَكَانَ شَاعِرًا وَكَانَ صَدُوقًا - عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو قَالَ قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَسَاقَ الْحَدِيثَ ‏.‏

It was narrated that 'Abdullah bin 'Amr said: "The Messenger of Allah said to me" and he quoted the same Hadith. 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted."

أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي حَبِيبُ بْنُ أَبِي ثَابِتٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْعَبَّاسِ، - هُوَ الشَّاعِرُ - يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرٍو إِنَّكَ تَصُومُ الدَّهْرَ وَتَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ وَإِنَّكَ إِذَا فَعَلْتَ ذَلِكَ هَجَمَتِ الْعَيْنُ وَنَفِهَتْ لَهُ النَّفْسُ لاَ صَامَ مَنْ صَامَ الأَبَدَ صَوْمُ الدَّهْرِ ثَلاَثَةُ أَيَّامٍ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ صَوْمُ الدَّهْرِ كُلِّهِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ صَوْمَ دَاوُدَ كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا وَلاَ يَفِرُّ إِذَا لاَقَى ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated that 'Abdullah bin 'Amr said: "The Messenger of Allah said to me: 'O 'Abdullah bin 'Amr, you fast all the time and you do stand (in prayer) at night, but if you do that your eyes will become sunken and you will become exhausted. There is no fast for one who fasts every day of his life. Fasting a lifetime means fasting three days each month,

أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الْعَبَّاسِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ اقْرَإِ الْقُرْآنَ فِي شَهْرٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ فَلَمْ أَزَلْ أَطْلُبُ إِلَيْهِ حَتَّى قَالَ ‏"‏ فِي خَمْسَةِ أَيَّامٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَقَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ فَلَمْ أَزَلْ أَطْلُبُ إِلَيْهِ حَتَّى قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ أَحَبَّ الصِّيَامِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ صَوْمَ دَاوُدَ كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated that 'Abdullah bin 'Amr said: "The Messenger of Allah said to me: 'Read the Qur'an in a month.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that. ' And I kept asking him until he said: 'In five days.' And he said: 'Fast three days a month.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' And 'Observe thhe most beloved of fasting to Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, the fast one day and not the next." (Suahih).

أَخْبَرَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَجَّاجٌ، قَالَ قَالَ ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ سَمِعْتُ عَطَاءً، يَقُولُ إِنَّ أَبَا الْعَبَّاسِ الشَّاعِرَ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، سَمِعَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ، قَالَ بَلَغَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنِّي أَصُومُ أَسْرُدُ الصَّوْمَ وَأُصَلِّي اللَّيْلَ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِ وَلَمَّا لَقِيَهُ قَالَ ‏"‏ أَلَمْ أُخْبَرْ أَنَّكَ تَصُومُ وَلاَ تُفْطِرُ وَتُصَلِّي اللَّيْلَ فَلاَ تَفْعَلْ فَإِنَّ لِعَيْنِكَ حَظًّا وَلِنَفْسِكَ حَظًّا وَلأَهْلِكَ حَظًّا وَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ وَصَلِّ وَنَمْ وَصُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ عَشْرَةِ أَيَّامٍ يَوْمًا وَلَكَ أَجْرُ تِسْعَةٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ إِنِّي أَقْوَى لِذَلِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ صِيَامَ دَاوُدَ إِذًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ وَكَيْفَ كَانَ صِيَامُ دَاوُدَ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏"‏ كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا وَلاَ يَفِرُّ إِذَا لاَقَى ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ وَمَنْ لِي بِهَذَا يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ ‏.‏

'Abduallah bin amr bin Al-'As said: "The Messenger of Allah heard that I was fasting continually and praying all night." Either he sent for him, or he happened to meet him and he said: "Have I not been told that you fast and never break your fast, and you pray all night? Do not do that, for do that, for your eyes should have a share, your self should have a share, and your family should have a share. Fast and break your fast; pray and sleep. Fast one day out of every ten, and your will have the reward of the other nine." He said: " I am able to do more than that, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "Observe the fast of Dawud then." " I said: 'How did Dawud fast, O Prophet of Allah? He said: 'He used to fast one day, and not the next, and he never fled if he met(the enemy in battle)."' He said: "How can I compare to him, O Prophet of Allah?"

أَخْبَرَنَا زَكَرِيَّاءُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا وَهْبُ بْنُ بَقِيَّةَ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا خَالِدٌ، عَنْ خَالِدٍ، - وَهُوَ الْحَذَّاءُ - عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي الْمَلِيحِ، قَالَ دَخَلْتُ مَعَ أَبِيكَ زَيْدٍ عَلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو فَحَدَّثَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ذُكِرَ لَهُ صَوْمِي فَدَخَلَ عَلَىَّ فَأَلْقَيْتُ لَهُ وِسَادَةَ أَدَمٍ رَبْعَةً حَشْوُهَا لِيفٌ فَجَلَسَ عَلَى الأَرْضِ وَصَارَتِ الْوِسَادَةُ فِيمَا بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُ قَالَ ‏"‏ أَمَا يَكْفِيكَ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ثَلاَثَةُ أَيَّامٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ خَمْسًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ سَبْعًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ تِسْعًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ لاَ صَوْمَ فَوْقَ صَوْمِ دَاوُدَ شَطْرَ الدَّهْرِ صِيَامُ يَوْمٍ وَفِطْرُ يَوْمٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated that Ibn Al-Malih said: "I entered with Zaid upon 'Abdullah bin Amr and he narrated: 'The Messenger of Allah was told about my fasting, so the entered upon me and I gave him an average-sized leather pillow that was stuffed with palm fibvers. He sat in the ground with the pillow between myself and him, and said: "Whill it not be sufficient for you to fast three days each months?" I said: O Messenger of Allah! He said: "O Messenger of Allah!" He said: "Eleven." I said: "O Messenger of Allah!" Then the Prophet said: "There is not fast better than the fast of Dawud, half of a lifetime, fasting one day and not next."

أَخْبَرَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَجَّاجُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ زِيَادِ بْنِ فَيَّاضٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عِيَاضٍ، قَالَ قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَمْرٍو قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ صُمْ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ يَوْمًا وَلَكَ أَجْرُ مَا بَقِيَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَصُمْ يَوْمَيْنِ وَلَكَ أَجْرُ مَا بَقِيَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَصُمْ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَلَكَ أَجْرُ مَا بَقِيَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ صُمْ أَرْبَعَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَلَكَ أَجْرُ مَا بَقِيَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ أَفْضَلُ الصَّوْمِ صَوْمُ دَاوُدَ كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏

'Abdullah bin Amr said: "The Messenger of Allah said to me: 'Fast one day of the month and you will have the reward of what is left.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'Fast two days and you will have the reward of what is left.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'Fast three days and you will have the reward of what is left.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'Fast four days and you will have the reward of what is left.' I said: ' I am able to do more than that.' The messenger of Allah said: 'The best fasting is the fast of Dawud; he used to fast one day and not the next."' 2406. It was narrated that Abu Dharr said: "My beloved Prophet advised me to do three things which I will never give up, if Allah wills. He advised me to pray Duha to pray Witr before sleeping, and to fast three days of each month."

أَخْبَرَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ حُجْرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَبِي حَرْمَلَةَ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ، قَالَ أَوْصَانِي حَبِيبِي صلى الله عليه وسلم بِثَلاَثَةٍ لاَ أَدَعُهُنَّ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى أَبَدًا أَوْصَانِي بِصَلاَةِ الضُّحَى وَبِالْوِتْرِ قَبْلَ النَّوْمِ وَبِصِيَامِ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ‏.‏

It was narrated that Abu Dharr said: "My beloved Prophet advised me to do three things which I will never give up, if Allah wills. He advised me to pray Duha, to pray Witr before sleeping, and to fast three days of each month."

أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبِي قَالَ، أَنْبَأَنَا أَبُو حَمْزَةَ، عَنْ عَاصِمٍ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ بْنِ هِلاَلٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ أَمَرَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِثَلاَثٍ بِنَوْمٍ عَلَى وِتْرٍ وَالْغُسْلِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَصَوْمِ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ‏.‏

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: "The Messenger of Allah enjoyed three things upon me: To sleep after praying Witr, to perform Ghusal on Friday, and to fast three days of each month." (Sahih).

أَخْبَرَنَا زَكَرِيَّا بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كَامِلٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ بَهْدَلَةَ، عَنْ رَجُلٍ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ بْنِ هِلاَلٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ أَمَرَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِرَكْعَتَىِ الضُّحَى وَأَنْ لاَ أَنَامَ إِلاَّ عَلَى وِتْرٍ وَصِيَامِ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ‏.‏

Abu Hurairah said: "The Messenger of Allah commanded me to pray two Rakahs of Duah,nt to sleep until after praying Witr and to fast three days of each month. (Sahih).

أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو النَّضْرِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنْ عَاصِمٍ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ بْنِ هِلاَلٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، رضى الله عنه قَالَ أَمَرَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِنَوْمٍ عَلَى وِتْرٍ وَالْغُسْلِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَصِيَامِ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ‏.‏

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: "The Messenger of Allah commanded me to sleep after praying Witr, to perform Ghusl on Friday and to fast three days of each month." (Sahih).

أَخْبَرَنَا زَكَرِيَّا بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الأَعْلَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ ثَابِتٍ، عَنْ أَبِي عُثْمَانَ، أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ شَهْرُ الصَّبْرِ وَثَلاَثَةُ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ صَوْمُ الدَّهْرِ ‏" ‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: " I heard the Messenger of Allah say: 'The month of patience ( Ramadan) and three days of each month is fasting for a lifetime."' (Sahih).

أَخْبَرَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ اللاَّنِيُّ، بِالْكُوفَةِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحِيمِ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ - عَنْ عَاصِمٍ الأَحْوَلِ، عَنْ أَبِي عُثْمَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ مَنْ صَامَ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ فَقَدْ صَامَ الدَّهْرَ كُلَّهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ صَدَقَ اللَّهُ فِي كِتَابِهِ ‏ {‏ مَنْ جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا ‏} ‏ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated that Abu Dharr said: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'Whoever fasts for three days of each month, he has fasted for a whole lifetime.' Then he said: Allah has spoken the truth in His book: Whoever brings a good deed shall have ten times the like thereof to his credit.