KITAB AL-SAWM

Chapter 17 : CHOICE FOR OBSERVING FAST AND BREAKING IT ON A JOURNEY

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Book 6, Number 2487:

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Hamza b. 'Amr al-Aslami asked the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) about fasting on a journey, and he (the Holy Prophet) said: Fast if you like and break it if you like.

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Book 35, Number 2488:

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Hamza b. Amr al-Aslami asked the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) thus: Messenger of Allah, I am a person devoted much to fasting. Should I fast during the journey? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Fast if you like and break it if you like.

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Book 35, Number 2489:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hisham with the same chain of transmitters.

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Book 35, Number 2490:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hisham with the same chain of transmitters that Hamza said: I am a person much used to fasting. Should I fast during the journey? (The rest of the hadith is the same.)

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Book 35, Number 2491:

Hamza b. 'Amr al-Aslami (Allah be pleased with him) said: Messenger of Allah, I find strength in me for fasting on a journey; is there any sin upon me (in doing it) ? Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: It is a concession from Allah.He who took advantage of it, it is good for him, and he who preferred to observe fast, there is no sin upon him. Harun (one of the narrators) in his narration said:'lt is a concession, and he made no mention of "from Allah".

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Book 35, Number 2492:

Abu Darda' (Allah be pleased with him) reported: We set out during the month of Ramadan with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) in such an intense heat that one of us would place his hand over his head (in order to protect himself) against the excessive heat, and none among us was observing the fast, except the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and 'Abdullah b. Rawaha.

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Book 35, Number 2493:

Abu Darda' reported: We were with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) on some of his journeys on an intensely hot day so much so that a person would place his hand on his head (in order to protect himself) against excessive heat, and none amongst us was fasting but the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and Abdullah b. Rawaha

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Chapter 18 : IT IS PREFERABLE FOR THE PILGRIM NOT TO OBSERVE FAST IN 'ARAFAT ON THE DAY OF 'ARAFA

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Book 6, Number 2494:

Umm al-Fadl bint- al-Harith reported that some people argued about the fasting of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) on the day of 'Arafa. Some of them said that he had been fasting, whereas the others said that he had not been fasting.I sent a cup of milk to him while he was riding his camel at 'Arafa, and he drank it.

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Book 35, Number 2495:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Abu Nadr with the same chain of transmitters, but he did not mention that he was mounting (riding on) his camel.

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Book 35, Number 2496:

This hadith has been narrated by Abu Nadr on the authority of Umair, the freed slave of Umm al-Fadl, through the same chain of transmitters.

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Book 35, Number 2497:

Umm al-Fadl (Allah be pleased with her) is reported to have said that some people among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) were in doubt about fasting on the day of 'Arafa and we were with him on that day. I (Umm al-Fadl) sent him a cup of milk and he was halting at 'Arafa, and he drank that.

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Book 35, Number 2498:

Kuraib, the freed slave of Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with him), reported from Maimuna, the wife of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him), that people had doubt about the fasting of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) on the day of 'Arafa. Maimuna sent him a cup of milk and he was halting at a place and he drank it and the people were seeing him.

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Chapter 19 : FASTING ON THE DAY OF 'ASHURA (1OTH OF MUHARRAM)

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Book 6, Number 2499:

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her)reported that the Quraish used to fast on the day of 'Ashura in the pre-Islamic days and the Messenger ot Allah (may peace be upon him) also observed it. When he migrated to Medina, he himself observed this fast and commanded (others) to observe it. But when fasting during the month of Ramadan was made obligatory he said: He who wishes to observe this fast may do so, and he who wishes to abandon it may do so.

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Book 35, Number 2500:

This hadith is narrated on the authority of Hisham with the same chain of transmitters, but he made no mention in the first part of the hadith that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to observe fast, and said about the second part that he abandoned the (fast) of Ashura, and he who wished observed the fast and who wished otherwise abandoned it,and he did not hold it as the words of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) as mentioned in the narration transmitted by Jarir.

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Book 35, Number 2501:

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported. In the pre-Islamic days fast was observed on the day of Ashura, but with the advent of Islam (its position was ascertained as that of a voluntary fast). Then he who wished to fast fasted, and he who liked to abandon it abandoned it.

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Book 35, Number 2502:

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) had ordered to observe fast (on 'Ashura) before the fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory. But when it became obligatory, then he who wished fasted on the day of Ashura, and he who wished did not observe it (on that day).

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Book 35, Number 2503:

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Quraish used to observe fast on the day of Ashura during the pre-Islamic days. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upog him) then commanded to fast on that day till (fasting) in Ramadan became obligatory. Then the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: He who wished to fast should do so. and he who wished to break it may do so.

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Book 35, Number 2504:

Abdullah b. 'Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported that (the Arabs of) pre-Islamic days used to observe fast on the day of Ashura and the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed it and the Muslims too (observed it) before fasting in Ramadan became obligatory. But when it became obligatory, the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: 'Ashura is one of the days of Allah, so he who wished should observe fast and he who wished otherwise should abandon it.

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Book 35, Number 2505:

A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of Abdullah through the same chain of transmitters.

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Book 35, Number 2506:

Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with them) said that the day of 'Ashura was mentioned before the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him). Thereupon the Messenger of Allah,(may peace be upon him) said: That was a day on which the people of pre-Islamic days used to observe fast. So he who amongst you likes to observe fast should do so, and he who does not like it should abandon it.

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Book 35, Number 2507:

Abdullah b. 'Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) say about the day of Ashura: It is a day on which the people of pre-Islamic days observed fast. So he who liked to fast on this day should do so, and he who liked to abandon it should abandon it. 'Abdullah (Allah be pleased with him) did not observe fast except when it coincided (with the days when he was in the habit of observing voluntary fasts during every month).

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Book 35, Number 2508:

Abdullah b. Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported that the day of 'Ashura was mentioned before the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) and he narrated a hadith like one (narrated above).

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Book 35, Number 2509:

'Abdullah b. Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported that the day of 'Ashura was mentioned before the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and he said: It is a day when the people in the pre-Islamic days need to observe fast, so he who wishes to observe fast should do so, and he who wishes to abandon it should do so.

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Book 35, Number 2510:

Abd al-Rahman b. Yazid said: When al-Ash'ath b. Qais entered the house of 'Abdullah he was having his breakfast. He ('Abdullah b. Umar) said: Abd Muhammad (al-Asha'th), come near to the breakfast. Thereupon he said: Is not today the day of 'Ashura? He ('Abd al-Rahman) said: Do you know what the day of 'Ashura is? He said: What is it? He said: It is a day on which the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to observe fast before the (fasting) in the month of Ramadan (became) obligatory. But when it became obligatory the (fasting of 'Ashura) was abandoned (as compulsory). Abu Kuraib said: He (the Holy Prophet) abandoned it.

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Book 35, Number 2511:

This hadith has been narrated from Jarir on the authority of A'mash with the same chain of transmitters and he said (these words with a little bit of variation from the previous hadith) : When (fasting) in Ramadan was (made) obligatory, he aban- doned it (the practice of observing fast on Ashura).

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Book 35, Number 2512:

Qais b Sakan reported that al-Ash'ath b. Qais went to 'Abdullah on the day of 'Ashura while he was eating. He said: Abu Muhammad, come near and dine. Upon this he said: I am fasting. Thereupon he said: We used to observe fast and then (this practice) was abandoned.

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Book 35, Number 2513:

'Alqama reported that Ash'ath b. Qais went to Ibn Mas'udd while he was eating on the day of Ashura. Thereupon he said: Abu Abd al-Rahman, it is the day of 'Ashura (and you are eating). Upon this he said: Fast was observed on (this day) before the (fasting) in Ramadan was made obligatory, but when it was made obligatory, (fasting on the day of 'Ashura) was abandoned. So if you are not fasting, then take food.

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Book 35, Number 2514:

Jabir b Samura reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) commanded us to observe fast on the day of Ashura and exhorted us to do it and was particular about it But when (fasting) in Ramadan was made obligatory, he hence. forth neither commanded us nor forbade us, nor was he so particular about it.

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Book 35, Number 2515:

Abd al-Rahman reported that he heard Mu'awiya b. Abu Sufyan delivering a sermon in Medina. i.e. when he came there (for Hajj). He delivered a sermon on the day of 'Ashura and said: People of Medina, where are your scholars? I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) say on this very day: It is the day of 'Ashura. Allah has not made fasting on This day obligatory for you but I am fasting. He who likes to observe fast among you should do so, and he who likes not to observe it may not observe it.

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Book 35, Number 2516:

A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Shihab through the same chain of transmitters.

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Book 35, Number 2517:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri with the same chain of transmitters that be heard Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying on a similar day: I am fasting today, so he who wishes to observe fast should do so; but he did not make mention of the rest of the hadith.

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Book 35, Number 2518:

Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported that when Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) came to Medina, he found the Jews observing the fast on the day of Ashura. They (the Jews) were asked about it and they said: It is the day on which Allah granted victory to Moses and (his people) Bani Isra'il over the Pharaoh and we observe fast out of gratitude to Him. Upon this the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: We have a closer connection with Moses than you have, and he commanded to observe fast on this day.

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Book 35, Number 2519:

This hadith has been narrated by Ibn Bishr with the same chain of trans- mitters (but with a slight variation) that he (the Holy Prophet) inquired of them (Jews) about it (fasting on the day of 'Ashura).

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Book 35, Number 2520:

Ibn'Abbas (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) arrived in Medina and found the Jews observing fast on the day of 'Ashura. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to them: What is the (significance) of this day that you observe fast on it? They said: It is the day of great (significance) when Allah delivered Moses and his people, and drowned the Pharaoh and his people, and Moses observed fast out of gratitude and we also observe it. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: We have more right, and we have a closer connection with Moses than you have; so Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) observed fast (on the day of 'Ashura), and gave orders that it should be observed.

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Book 35, Number 2521:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Ayyub with the same chain of transmitters.

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Book 35, Number 2522:

Abu Musa (Allah be pleased with him) reported: The day of 'Ashura was one which the Jews respected and they treated it as Id. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: You also observe fast on this day.

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Book 35, Number 2523:

Abu Musa reported that the people of Khaibar (most of them were Jews) observed fast on tht day of 'Ashura and they treated it as 'Id and gave their women ornaments and beautiful dresstowear. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: You (only) observe fast on this day.

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Book 35, Number 2524:

Ibn Abbas was asked about observing of fast on the day of Ashura, whereupon he said: I do not know Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) singling out any day's fast and considering it more excellent than another, except this day (the day of Ashura) and this month, meaning the month of Ramadan.

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Book 35, Number 2525:

A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of 'Ubaidullah b. Abi Yazid.

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Chapter 20 : ON WHICH DAY THE FAST IS TO BE OBSERVED IN MUHARRAM

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Book 6, Number 2526:

Hakam b. al-'Araj reported: I went to Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be Pleased with both of them) and he was reclining using his mantle as a pillow near the fountain of Zamzam. I said to him: Tell me about fasting on Ashura. He said: When you see the new moon of Muharram then count the (days) and observe fast on the 9th. I said to him: Is it how the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed the fast? He said: Yes.

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Book 35, Number 2527:

Hakam b. 'Araj reported: I asked Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) as he was reclining using his cloak as a pillow near Zamzam about fasting on 'Ashura. The rest of the hadith is the same.

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Book 35, Number 2528:

Ibn 'Abbas reported that when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) fasted on the day of 'Ashura and commanded that it should he observed as a fast, they (his Companions) said to him : Messenger of Allah, it is a day which the Jews and Christians hold in high esteem. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When the next year comes, God willing, we would observe fast on the 9th But the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) died before the advent of the next year.

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Book 35, Number 2529:

Abdullah b 'Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) had said: If I live till the next (year), I would definitely observe fast on the 9th, and the narration transmitted by Abu Bakr is: "He meant the day of Ashura."

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Chapter 21 : HE WHO ATE ON THE DAY OF ASHVRA SHOULD ABSTAIN (FROM EATING) FOR THE REST OF THE DAY (AS A MARK OF RESPECT)

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Book 6, Number 2530:

Salama b. al-Akwa' (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sent a person of the tribe of Aslam on the day of 'Ashura and commanded him to declare to the people to observe fast in case they had not observed it, and to complete fast till evening if they had taken food

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Book 35, Number 2531:

Rubayyi' daughter of Mu'awwidh b. 'Afra' said that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sent (a person) on the morning of Ashura to the villages of Ansar around Medina (with this message): He who got up in the morning fasting (without eating anything) he should complete his fast, and he who had had his breakfast in the morning, he should complete the rest of the day (without food). The Companions said; We henceforth observed fast on it (on the day of 'Ashura) and, God willing, made our children observe that. We went to the mosque and made toys out of wool for them and when anyone felt hungry and wept for food we gave them these toys till it was the time to break the fast.

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Book 35, Number 2532:

Khalid b. Dhakwan reported: I asked Rubayyi' daugther of Mu'awwidh about fasting on the day of 'Ashura. Thereupon she said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) sent his messenger to the villages of the Ansar, and the rest of the hadith is the same (but with this variation that one of the Companions) said: "We used to make toys out of wool and took (them to the mosque) along with us. When they (the children)asked us for food, we gave them these toys to play with, and these made them forgetful till they completed their fast."

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Chapter 22 : FORBIDDANCE TO OBSERVE FAST ON 'ID-UL-FITR AND 'ID-UL-ADHA

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Book 6, Number 2533:

Abu Ubaid, the freed slave of Ibn Azhar, reported: I observed Id along with Umar b. al-Khattab (Allah be pleased with him). He came (out in an open space) and prayed and (after) completing it addressed the people and said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) has forbidden the observing of fast on these two days. One is the day of Fitr (at the end of your fasts), and the second one, the day when you eat (the meat) of your sacrifices.

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Book 35, Number 2534:

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) forbade to observe fast on these two days. 'Id-ul-Adha bi and 'Id-ul-Fitr.

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Book 35, Number 2535:

Qaza'a related from Abu Sa'id. He said: I heard from him (Abu Sa'id) a hadith which impressed me, and I said to him: Did you hear it from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)? Thereupon he said: (Is it possible) that (I should) say about the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) that which I have not heard? I heard him saying: It is not proper to fast on two days, Adha and Fitr (at the end) of Ramadan.

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Book 35, Number 2536:

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) forbade to observe fast on two days the day of Fitr and the day of Sacrifice ('Id-ul-Adha).

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Book 35, Number 2537:

Ziyad b. Jubair reported that a person came to Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with them) and said: I had taken a vow that I would fast on the day (but it accidentally) synchronises with the day of Adha or the day of Fitr. Thereupon Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah, the Exalted, has commanded fulfilling of the vow, but the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) has forbidden the observance of fast on this day.

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Book 35, Number 2538:

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) said that the Prophet (may peace be upon him) forbade to observe fast on two days-the day of Fitr and the day of Adha.

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Book 35, Number 2539:

Nubaisha al-Hudhali reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The days of Tashriq are the days of eating and drinking.

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Book 35, Number 2540:

Nabaisha reported that Khalid said: I met Abu Malih and asked him and he narrated it to me from the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him). a hadith like one (narrated above) with this addition: "And remembrance of Allah"

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Book 35, Number 2541:

Ibn Ka'b b. Malik reported on the authority of his father that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sent him and Aus b. Hadathan during the days of Tashriq to make this announcement: None but the believer would be admitted into Paradise, and the days of Mina' are the days meant for eating and drinking.

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Book 35, Number 2542:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Ibrahim b. Tahman with the same chain of transmitters but with this variation that he said: Both of them made the announcement."

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Chapter 23 : DISAPPROVAL OF FASTING ON FRIDAY ALONE

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Book 6, Number 2543:

Muhammad b. 'Abbas b. Ja'far reported: I asked Jabir b. 'Abdullah (Allah be pleased with both of them) as he was circumambulating the House (Ka'ba) whether the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) had forbidden the fasting on Friday, whereupon he said: Yes, by the Lord of this House.

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Book 35, Number 2544:

Muhammad b. 'Abbas b. Ja'far reported that he asked Jabir b. Abdullah (Allah be pleased with them), whether he had heard like this from the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him).

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Book 35, Number 2545:

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying: None among you should observe fast on Friday, but only that he observes fast before it and after it.

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Book 35, Number 2546:

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: Do not single out the night (preceding) Friday among the nights for prayer and do not single out Friday among days for fasting but only when anyone among you is accustomed to fast (on dates) which coincide with this day (Friday).

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Chapter 24 : ABROGATION OF THE WORDS OF ALLAH: "AND AS FOR THOSE WHO CAN FAST (BUT DO NOT) THE EXPIATION IS" BY THE WORDS: "WHOSOEVER WITNESSES IT HE SHALL HAVE TO FAST THE WHOLE MONTH" (ii. 184)

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Book 6, Number 2547:

Salama b. Akwa' (Allah be pleased with him) reported that when this verse was revealed: "And as for those who can fast (but do not) expiation is the feeding of a needy person" (ii. 183), (he who liked to observe fast did observe it) and he who felt reluctant to observe it ate and expiated till the verse was revealed which abro- gated it.

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Book 35, Number 2548:

Salama b. Akwa' reported: We, during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), in one month of Ramadan (observed fast according to our liking). He who wished to fast lasted and he who wished to break broke it and fed a needy person as an expiation 1544 till this verse was revealed: "He who witnesses among you the month (of Ramadan) he should observe fast during it" (ii. 184).

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Chapter 25 : PERMISSIBILIY OF COMPLETING THE (MISSED) FASTS OF RAMADAN BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE COMING RAMADAN

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Book 6, Number 2549:

Abu Salama reported: I heard 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) as saying: I had to complete some of the fasts of Ramadan, but I could not do it but during the month of Sha'ban due to my duties to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) or with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him).

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Book 35, Number 2550:

This hadith is narrated on the authority of Yahya b. Sa'id with the same chain of transmitters but with this variation that he said that ('A'isha did not observe fast but in Sha'ban) out of regard for the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). (In another version, the words are): "Yahya said: I think it was due to the regard for the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him)."

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Book 35, Number 2551:

This hadith is reported on the authority of Yahya with the same chain of transmitters but no mention is made of the duty to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him).

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Book 35, Number 2552:

'A'isha reported: If one amongst us had to break fasts (of Ramadan due to natural reasons, i.e. menses) during the life of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) she could not find it possible to complete them so long she had been in the presence of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) till Sha'ban commenced.

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Chapter 26 : COMPLETING OF THE FAST ON BEHALF OF THE DEAD

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Book 6, Number 2553:

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: If anyone dies in a state (that he had to complete) some fasts, his heir must fast on his behalf.

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Book 35, Number 2554:

Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported: A woman came to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and said: My mother has died, and fasts of a month are due from her. Thereupon he said: Don't you see that if debt was due from her, would you not pay it? She said: Yes (I would pay on her behalf). Thereupon he said: The debt of Allah deserves its payment more than (the payment of anyone else).

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Book 35, Number 2555:

Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man came to the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) and said: Messenger of Allah, my mother has died (in a state) that she had to observe fasts of a month (of Ramadan). Should I complete (them) on her behalf? thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Would you not pay the debt if your mother had died (without paying it)? He said: Yes. He (the Holy Prophet) said: The debt of Allah deserves more that it should he paid.

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Book 35, Number 2556:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) from the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him).

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Book 35, Number 2557:

Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) reported:A woman came to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and said: Messenger of Allah, my mother has died and there is due from her a fast of vow; should I fast on her behalf? Thereupon he said: You see that if your mother had died in debt, would it not have been paid on her behalf? She said: Yes. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Then observe fast on behalf of your mother.

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Book 35, Number 2558:

Abdullah b. Buraida (Allah be pleased with him) reported on the authority of his father: When we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), a woman came to him and said: I had gifted to my mother a maid-servant, and now she (the mother) has died. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: There is a definite reward for you and she (the maid-servant) has been returned to you as an inheritance. She (that woman) again said: Fasts of a month (of Ramadan) are due upon her; should I observe them on her behalf ? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Observe fasts on her behalf. She (again) said: She did not perform Hajj , should I perform it on her behalf? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Perform Hajj on her behalf.

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Book 35, Number 2559:

'Abdullah b. Buraida (Allah be pleased with him) reported on the authority of his father: I was sitting with the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him); the rest of the hadith is the same but with this variation that the (the narrator) said: "Fasts of two months."

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Book 35, Number 2560:

Ibn Buraida (Allah be pleased with him) reported on the authority of his father: A woman came to the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him), and the rest of the hadith is the same, but he said: "Fasting of one month." This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Sufyan with the same chain of transmitters in which it is said: "Fasting of two months."

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Book 35, Number 2561:

Buraida (Allah be pleased with him) reported a similar hadith on the authority of his father that a woman came to the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) and he said: "Fasting for one month."

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Chapter 27 : WHEN AN OBSERVER OF FAST IS INVITED TO A FEAST, OR SOMEONE FIGHTS WITH HIM, HE SHOULD SAY:"I AM FASTING"

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Book 6, Number 2562:

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: If any one of you is invited to a meal when he is fasting, he should say: "I am fasting."

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Book 35, Number 2563:

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported: When any one of you gets up in the morning in the state of fasting, he should neither use obscene language nor do any act of ignorance. And if anyone slanders him or quarrels with him, he should say: "I am fasting, I am fasting."

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Chapter 28 : EXCELLENCE OF FASTING

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Book 6, Number 2564:

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Allah, the Majestic and the Exalted, said: Every act of the son of Adam is for him except fasting. It is done for My sake, and I will give a reward for it. By Allah in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk.

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Book 35, Number 2565:

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Fasting is a shield.

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Book 35, Number 2566:

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Allah the Exalted and Majestic said: Every act of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting. It is (exclusively) meant for Me and I (alone) will reward it. Fasting is a shield. When any one of you is fasting on a day, he should neither indulge in obscene language, nor raise the voice; or if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him he should say: I am a person fasting. By Him, in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah on the Day of judgment than the fragrance of musk. The one who fasts has two (occasions) of joy, one when he breaks the fast he is glad with the breaking of (the fast) and one when he meets his Lord he is glad with his fast.

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Book 35, Number 2567:

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Every (good) deed of the son of Adam would be multiplied, a good deed receiving a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward. Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, has said: With the exception of fasting, for it is done for Me and I will give a reward for it, for one abandons his passion and food for My sake. There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts, joy when he breaks it, and joy when he meets his Lord, and the breath (of an observer of fast) is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk.

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Book 35, Number 2568:

Abu Huraira and Abu Sa'id (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) (as saying): Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, said: Fast (is exclusively) meant for Me and I would give its reward. There are two (occasions) of joy for the observer of fast. He feels joy when he breaks the fast and he is happy when he meets Allah. By Allah in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk. A hadith like this is narrated on the authority of Abu Sinan with the same chain of transmitters (and the words are): "As he meets Allah, He rewards him, and he is happy."

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Book 35, Number 2569:

Sahl b. Sa'd (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: In Paradise there is a gate which is called Rayyan through which only the observers of fast would enter on the Day on Resurrection. None else would enter along with them. It would be proclaimed: Where are the observers of fast that they should be admitted into it?-and when the last of them would enter, it would be closed and no one would enter it.

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Book 35, Number 2570:

Abu Sa'id al Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Every servant of Allah who observes fast for a day in the way of Allah, Allah would remove, because of this day, his face farther from the Fire (of Hell) to the extent of seventy years' distance.

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Book 35, Number 2571:

This hadith has been narrated by Suhail with the ,arne chainof trausmitters.

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Book 35, Number 2572:

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who observes fast for a day in the way of Allah He would remove his face from the Hell to the extent of seventy years' distance.

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Chapter 29 : PERMISSIBILITY OF MAKING AN INTENTION FOR VOLUNTARY FASTING BEFORE NOON AND PERMISSIBILITY OF BREAKING VOLUNIARY FAST WITHOUT REASON

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Book 6, Number 2573:

'A'isha, the Mother of the Believers (Allah be pleased with her), reported that one day the Messenger of Allah tpay peace be upon him) said to me: 'A'isha, have you anything (to eat)? I said:'Messenger of Allah, there is nothing with us. Thereupon he said: I am observing fast. She said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) went out, and there was a present, for us and (at the same time) some visitors dropped in. When the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) came back, I said to him: Messenger of Allah, a present was given to us, (and in the meanwhile) there came to us visitors (a major Portion of it has been spent on them), but I have saved something for you. He said: What is it? I said: It is hais (a compound of dates and clarified butter). He said: Bring that. So I brought it to him and he ate it and then said: I woke up in the morning observing fast. Talha said: I narrated this hadith to Mujahid and he said: This (observing of voluntary fast) is like a person who sets apart Sadaqa out of his wealth. He may spend it if he likes, or he may retain it if he so likes.

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Book 6, Number 2574:

'A'isha, the Mother of the Believers (Allah be pleased with her), reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) came to me one day and said: Is there anything with you (to eat) ? I said: No. Thereupon he said: I shall then be fasting. Then he came to us another day and we said: Messenger of Allah, hais has been offered to us as a gift. Thereupon he said: Show that to me; I had been fasting since morning. He then ate it.

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Chapter 30 : EATING AND DRINKING (AND SEXUAL INIERCOURSE) IN FORGETFULNESS DOES NOT BREAK THE FAST

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Book 6, Number 2575:

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: If anyone forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks he should complete his fast, for it is only Allah Who has fed him and given him drink.

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Chapter 31 : THE FAST OBSERVED BY THE APOSTLE OF ALLAH (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) BESIDES RAMADAN

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Book 6, Number 2576:

Abdullah b. Shaqiq reported: I said to'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her): Did the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) observe fast for full one month besides Ramadan? She said: I do not know of any month in which he fasted through- out, but that of the month of Ramadan and (the month) in which he did not fast at all, till he ran the course of his life.

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Book 6, Number 2577:

'Abdullah b. Shaqiq reported: I said to 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her): Did the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observe fast during a month? She said, I do not know of any month in which he fasted throughout except Ramedan and (the month) in which he did not fast at all till he ran the course of his life. May peace be upon him.

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Book 6, Number 2578:

Abdullah b. Shaqiq reported. I asked 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) about fasting of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). She said: He used to observe fast (at times) so continuously that we said: He has fasted, he has fasted. And (at times) he did not observe fast (for days) and we began to say: He has abandoned fasting, he has abandoned fasting. She said: I did not see him observing fast throughout the whole of the month since he arrived in Medina, but that of Ramadan.

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Book 6, Number 2579:

A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of Abdullah b. Shaqiq but in the chain of transmitters no mention is made of Hisham and Muhammad.

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Book 6, Number 2580:

'A'isha, the Mother of the Believers (Allah be pleased with her), reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to observe fasts (so conti- nuously) that we said that he would not break, and did not observe (them) till we said that he would not fast: and I did not see the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) completing the fast of a month, but that of Ramadan, and I did not see him fasting more in any other month than that of Sha'ban.

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Book 6, Number 2581:

Abu Salama reported: I asked 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) about the fasting of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). She said: He used to observe fast (at times so continuously) that we said: He has fasted (never to break), and he did not observe fast till we said: He has given up perhaps never to fast, and I never saw him observing (voluntary fasts) more in any other month than that of Sha'ban.(lt appeared as if) he observed fast throughout the whole of Sha'ban except a few (days).

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Book 6, Number 2582:

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) did not observe fast in any month of the year more than in the month of Sha'ban, and used to say: Do as many deeds as you are capable of doing, for Allah will not become weary (of giving you reward), but you would be tired (of doing good deeds); and he also said: The deed liked most by Allah is one to which the doer adheres constantly even if it is small.

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Book 6, Number 2583:

Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported: The Messenger of Allah(may peace be upon him) did not fast throughout any month except during ramadan. And when he observed fast (he fasted so continuously) that one would say that he would not break (them) and when he Abandoned, he abandoned (so continuously) that one would say: By Allah, perhaps he would never fast.

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Book 6, Number 2584:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Abu Bishr with the same chain of transmitters (with a slight variation of words and these are), that he (the narrator) said: "During any month continuously since he came to Medina."

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Book 6, Number 2585:

'Uthman b. Hakim al-Ansari said: I asked Sa'id b. Jubair about fasting In Rajab, and we were then passing through the month of Rajab, whereupon he said: I heard Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with both of them) as saying: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to observe fast (so continuously) that we (were inclined) to say that he would not break (them) and did not observe them so conti- nuously) that we (were inclined to say) that he would not observe fast.

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Book 6, Number 2586:

Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to observe fast till it was said that he had observed fast, he had observed fast (perhaps never to break it), and he did not fast till it was said that he had given up fast, he had given up fast (perhaps never to observe it).

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Chapter 32 : FORBIDDANCE TO OBSERVE PERPETUAL FAST AND EXCELLENCE OF OBSERVING FAST ON ALTERNATE DAYS

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Book 6, Number 2587:

'Abdullah b. 'Amr b. al-'As reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was informed that he could stand up for (prayer) throughout the night and observe fast every day so long as he lived. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Is it you who said this? I said to him: Messenger of Allah. it is I who said that. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah may peace be upon him) said: You are not capable enough to do so. Observe fast and break it; sleep and stand for prayer, and observe fast for three days during the month; for every good is multiplied ten times and this is like fasting for ever. I said: Messenger of Allah. I am capable of doing more than this. Thereupon he said: Fast one day and do not fast for the next two days. I said: Messenger of Allah, I have the strength to do more than that. The Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him), said: Fast one day and break on the other day. That is known as the fasting of David (peace be upon him) and that is the best fasting. I said: I am capable of doing more than this. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: There is nothing better than this. 'Abdullah b. 'Amr (Allah be pleased with them) said: Had I accepted the three days (fasting during every month) as the Messeinger of Allah (may peace be upon him) had said, it would have been more dear to me than my family and my property.

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Book 6, Number 2588:

Yahya reported: I and 'Abdullah b. Yazid set out till we came to Abu Salama. We sent a messenger to him (in his house in order to inform him about our arrival) and he came to us. There was a mosque near the door of his house, and we were in that mosque, till he came out to us. He said: If you like you may enter (the house) and, if you like, you may sit here (in the mosque). We said: We would rather sit here and (you) relate to us. He (Yahya) then narrated that 'Abdullah b Amr b. al-'As (Allah be pleased with them) told him: I used to observe fast uninterruptedly and recited the (whole of the) Qur'an every night. It (the uninterrupted fasting and recital of the Qur'in every night) was mentioned to the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) or he sent for me, and I went to him and he said to me: I have been informed that you fast continuously and recite (the whole of the Qur'An) every night. I said: Apostle of Allah, it is right, but I covet thereby nothing but good, whereupon he said: It suffices for you that you should observe fast for three days during every mouth. I said: Apostle of Allah, I am capable of doing more than this. He said: Your wife has a right upon you, your visitor has a right upon you, your body has a right upon you; so observe the fast of David, the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him), for he was the best worshipper of Allah. I said: Apostle of Allah, what is the fast of David? He said: He used to fast one day and did not fast the other day. He (also) said: Recite the Qur'an during every month. I said: Apostle of Allah, I am capable of doing more than this, whereupon he said : Recite it in twenty days; recite it in ten days. I said: I am capable of doing more than this, whereupon he said: Recite it every week, and do not exceed beyond this, for your wife has a right upon you, your visitor has a right upon you, your body has a right upon you. He ('Amr b. 'As) said: I was hard to myself and thus I was put to hardship. The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) had told me: 'You do not know you may live long (thus and bear the hardships for a long time), and I accepted that which the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) had told me. When I grew old I wished I had availed myself of the conces- sion (granted by) the Apostle of Allah (may-peace be upon him). This hadith has been narrated by Yahya b. Abu Kathir with the same chain of transmitters and he made this addition after these words: During every month, (fasting) for three days, there is for you ten times for every good and that is perpetual fasting (for three days would bring a reward for full thirty days). I said: What is the fast of the Apostle of Allah, David? He said: Half of the age (observing fast on alternate days for the whole life). And in the hadith no mention has been made of the recital of the Qur'an, and he did not say: Your visitor has a right upon you, but (instead) he said: Your son has a right upon you.

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Book 6, Number 2589:

'Abdullah b. 'Amr (Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to me: Recite the whole of the Qur'An during every nonth. I said : I find power (to recite it) in a shorter period. He said: Then recite it in twenty nights. I said: I find power (to recite it in a shorter period even than this), whereupon he said: Then recite it in seven (nights) and do not exceed beyond it.

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Book 6, Number 2590:

'Abdullah b. 'Amr b. al-'As (Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: 'Abdullah, don't be like so and so who observed prayer during the whole night and then abandoned it (altogether).

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Book 6, Number 2591:

Abdu'llah b. 'Amr b. 'As (Allah be pleased with them) reported: It was conveyed to the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) that I observe fast succes- sively and pray during the whole night. He sent for me or I met him and he (the Holy Prophet) said: It has been conveyed to me that you observe fast continuously and do not break it and pray during the whole night. Don't do that. for there is share for your eyes, share for your own self, share for your family; so observe fast and break it, pray and sleep and observe fast for one day during the ten days, and there is a reward for you (for other) nine (days besides the tenth day of the fast). I said: Apostle of Allah, I find myself more powerful than this. He said: Then observe the fast of David (peace be upon him). He ('Amr) said: Apostle of Allah, how did David observe fast? He (the Holy Prophet) said: He used to fast one day and break it on the other day, and he did not run (from the battlefield) as he encountered (the enemy). He said: Apostle of Allah, who can guarantee this for me (will I also encounter the enemy dauntlessly)? 'Ata', the narrator of the hadith, said: I do not know how there (crept in) the matter of perpetual fast. The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him), however, said: He who observed perpetual fast did not fast at all; he who observed perpetual fast did not fast at all, he who observed perpetual fast did not fast at all. This hadith has been narrated by Ibn Juraij with the same chain of transmitters. Imam Muslim has narrated this hadith on the authority of Abu 'Abbas al-Sa'ib b. Farrukh and he was a trustworthy and reliable (narrator) among the people of Mecca.

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Book 6, Number 2592:

Abdullah b. Amr (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to me: 'Abdullah b. Amr, you fast continuously and stand in prayer for the whole of night. If you do like that, your eyes would be highly strained and would sink and lose sight. There is no (reward for) fasting (for him) who fasts perpetually. Fasting for three days during the month is like fasting, the whole of the month. I said: I am capable of doing more than this, whereupon he said: Observe the fast of David. He used to fast one day and break (the other) day. And he did not turn back in the encounter.

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Book 6, Number 2593:

This hadith is narrated on the authority of Habib b. Abu Thabit with the same chain of transmitters and he said: "And you would become exhausted."

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Book 6, Number 2594:

'Abdullah b. 'Amr (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to me: I have been informed that you stand for prayer the whole of night and fast during the day. I said: I do that, whereupon he said: If you did that you in fact strained heavily your eyes and made yourself weak. There is a right of your eyes (upon you) and a right of your self (upon you) and a right of your family (upon you). Stand for prayer and sleep. observe fasts and break (them).

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Book 6, Number 2595:

'Abdullah b. 'Amr (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: With Allah the best fasting is that of David and the best prayer is that of David (peace be upon him) for he slept half of the night and stood for prayer for the third of it and (then) slept the sixth part of it and he observed fast one day and broke on the other.

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Book 6, Number 2596:

'Abdullah b. 'Amr b. al-'As reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The best fasting in the eye of Allah is that of David, for he fasted for half of the age (he fasted on alternate days), and the best prayer in the eye of Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, is that of David (peace be upon him), for he slept for half of the night and then stood for prayer and then again slept. He prayed for one-third of the night after midnight. He (the narrator) said: I asked 'Amr b. Dinar whether 'Amr b. Aus said that he stood for prayer one-third of the night after midnight. He said: Yes.

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Book 6, Number 2597:

Abu Qatada reported that Abu al Malih informed me: I went along with your father to 'Abdullah b. Amr, and he narrated to us that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was informed about my fasting and he came to me, and I placed a leather cushion filled with fibre of date-palms for him. He sat down upon the ground and there was that cushion between me and him, and he said to me: Does three days' fasting in a month not suffice you? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am capable of observing more fasts). He said: (Would) five (not suffice for you) ? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am capable of observing more fasts) He said: (Would) seven (fasts) not suffice you? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am capable of observing more fasts). He (the Holy Prophet) then said: (Would) nine (fasts not suffice you)? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am capable of observing more fasts). He said: (Would) eleven (fasts not suffice you)? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am capable of observing more fasts than these). Thereupon the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: There is no fasting (better than) the fasting of David which comprises half of the age, fasting a day and not fasting a day.

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Book 6, Number 2598:

'Abdullah b. Amr (Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) had said to him: Observe fast for a day and there would be reward for you for the rest (of the days). He said: I am capable of doing more than this. He then said: Observe fast for two days, and there would be reward for you for the rest (of the days). He said: I am capable of doing more than this. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Observe fast for three days and there would be reward for you for the rest of the days. He said: I am capable of doing more than this, whereupon he said: Observe fast for four days and there would be reward for you for the rest of the days. He said: I am capable of doing more than this. Thereupon he said: Then observe fast (which is the) best in the eye of Allah, the fast of David (peace be upon him); he used to observe fast one day and break on the other day.

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Book 6, Number 2599:

'Abdullah b. 'Amr (Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to me ! 'Abdullah b. 'Amr, it has been conveyed to me that you observe fast during the day and stand in prayer during the whole night. Don't do that, for your body has a share of its own in you, your eye has a share of its own in you, your wife has a share of her own in you. Observe fast and break it too. Fast for three days in every month and that is a prepetual fasting. I said! Messenger of Allah, I have got strength enough (to do more than this), whereupon he said: Then observe the fast of David (peace be upon him). Observe fast one day and break it (on the other) day. And he ('Abdullah b. 'Amr) used to say: Would that I had availed myself of this concession.

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Chapter 33 : EXCELLENCE OF OBSERVING FAST FOR THREE DAYS DURING EVERY MONTH. AND FASTING ON THE DAY OF 'ARAFA AND 'ASHURA AND MONDAY AND THURSDAY

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Book 6, Number 2600:

Mu'adha al-'Adawiyya reported that she asked 'A'isha, the wife of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him), whether the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed fasts for three days during every month. She said: Yes I said to her: Which were (the particular) days of the month on which he observed fast? She said: He was not particular about the days of the month on which to observe fast.

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Book 6, Number 2601:

'Imran b. Husain (Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to him (or he said to another person and he was listening to it): O, so and so, did you observe fast in the middle of the month? He said: No. Thereupon he (the Messenger of Allah) said: When you break it, then observe fast for two days.

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Book 6, Number 2602:

Abu Qatada reported that a person came to the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) and said: How do you observe fast? The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) felt annoyed.1560 When 'Umar (Allah be pleased with him) noticed his annoyance, he said: We are well pleased with Allah as our Lord, with Islam as our Code of Life, and with Muhammad as our Prophet. We seek refuge with Allah from the anger of Allah and that of His Messenger. 'Umar kept on repeating these words till his (the Prophet's) anger calmed down. Then Umar said: Messenger of Allah. what is the position of one who perpetually observes fasts? Thereupon he said: He neither fasted nor broke it, or he said: He did not fast and he did not break it. He said: What about him who observes fast for two days and breaks one day. There- upon he said: Is anyone capable of doing it? He ('Umar) said: What is the position of him who observes fast for a day and breaks on the other day? Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: That is the fast of David (peace be upon him). He ('Umar) said: What about him who observes fast one day and breaks it for two days. Thereupon he (the Messenger of Allah) said: I wish,I were given strength to observe that. Thereafter he said: The observance of three days' fast every Month and that of Ramadan every year is a perpetual fasting. I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of 'Arafa may atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming years. and I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of Ashura may atone for the sins of the preceding year.

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Book 6, Number 2603:

Abu Qatada al-Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was asked about his fasting. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) felt annoyed. Thereupon 'Umar (Allah be pleased with him) said: We are pleased with Allah as the Lord, with Islam as our Code of Life, with Muhammad as the Messenger and with our pledge (to you for willing and cheerful submission) as a (sacred) commitment. He was then asked about perpetual fasting, whereupon he said: He neither fasted nor did he break it,or he did not fast and he did not break it. He was then asked about fasting for two days and breaking one day. He (the Holy Prophet) said: And who has strength enough to do it? He was asked about fasting for a day and breaking for two days, whereupon he said: May Allah bestow upon us strength to do it. He was then asked about fasting for a day and breaking on the other, whereupon he said: That is the fasting of my brother David (peace be upon him). He was then asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: It was the day on which I was born. on which I was commissioned with prophethood or revelation was sent to me, (and he further) said: Three days' fasting every month and of the whole of Ramadan every year is a perpetual fast. He was asked about fasting on the day of 'Arafa (9th of Dhu'I-Hijja), whereupon he said: It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year. He was asked about fasting on the day of 'Ashura (10th of Muharram), whereupon be said: It expiates the sins of the preceding year. (Imam Muslim said that in this hadith there is a) narration of Imam Shu'ba that he was asked about fasting on Monday and Thursday, but we (Imam Muslim) did not mention Thursday for we found it as an error (in reporting).

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Book 6, Number 2604:

This hadith has been narrated by Shu'ba with the same chain of transmitters.

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Book 6, Number 2605:

This hadith has been narrated by Ghailan b. Jarir with the same chain of transmitters, but with one variation, that there has been made mention of Monday and not of Thursday.

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Book 6, Number 2606:

Abu Qatada Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Massenger (may peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: It is (the day) when I was born and revelation was sent down to me.

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Chapter 34 : FASTING IN THE MONTH OF SHA'BAN

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Book 6, Number 2607:

'Imran b. Husain (Allah be pleased with them) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace he upon him) having said to him or to someone else: Did you fast in the middle of Sha'ban? He said: No. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: If you did not observe fast, then you should observe fast for two days.

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Book 6, Number 2608:

Imran b. Husain (Allah be pleased with them) reported that Allah's Apostle (way peace heupon him) said. to a person: Did you observe any fast in the middle of this month (Sha'ban)? He said: No. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Fast for two days instead of (one fast) when you have completed (fasts of) Ramadan.

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Book 6, Number 2609:

'Imran b. Husain (Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to a person: Did you observe fast in the middle of this month. i.e. Sha'ban? He said: No. Thereupon he said to him: When it is the end of Ramadan, then observe fast for one day or two (Shu'ba had some doubt about it) but he said: I think that he has said: two days.

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Book 6, Number 2610:

This hadith is narrated by 'Abdullah b. Hani b. Akhi Mutarrif with the same chain of transmitters.

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Chapter 35 : EXCELLENCE OF THE FAST OF MUHARRAM

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Book 6, Number 2611:

Abu Haraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The most excellent fast after Ramadan is God's month. al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night.

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Book 6, Number 2612:

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported that he (the Messenger of Allah) was asked as to which prayer was most excellent after the prescribed prayer, and which fast was most excellent after the month of Ramadan. He said: Prayer offered in the middle of the night and the most excellent fast after (fasting) in the month of Ramadan is the fast in God's month al-Muharram.

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Book 6, Number 2613:

A hadith like this has been reported from the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) by 'Abd al-Malik with the same chain of transmitters in connection with fast.

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Chapter 36 : EXCELLENCE OF OBSERVING FAST FOR SIX DAYS IN THE MONTH OF SHAWWAL AFTER RAMADAN

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Book 6, Number 2614:

Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of Shawwal. it would be as if he fasted perpetually.

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Book 6, Number 2615:

Abu Ayyub al-Ansari reported (through another chain of transmitters): I heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) saying like this.

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Book 6, Number 2616:

Abu Ayyub reported a hadith like this (through another chain of transmitters).

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Chapter 37 : EXCELLENCE OF LAILAT-UL-QADR AND EXHORTATION TO FIND IT

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Book 6, Number 2617:

Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported that some persons among the Companions of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) were shown Lailat- ul-Qadr while sleeping in the last week (of Ramadan). Thereupon Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: I see that your dreams agree regarding the last week; so he who wants to seek it should seek it in the last week (during the night).

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Book 6, Number 2618:

Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: Seek Lailat-ul-Qadr in the last week (of Ramadan).

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Book 6, Number 2619:

Salim reported on the authority of his father that a person saw Lailat-ul- Qadr on the 27th (of Ramadan).Thereupon Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: I see that your dreams agree regarding the last ten (nights of Ramadan). So seek it on an odd number (of these ten nights).

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Book 6, Number 2620:

Salim b. 'Abdullah b. 'Umar reported that his father said: I heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: So far as Lailat-ul-Qadr is concerned. some persons among you have seen it (in a dream) in the first week and some persons among you have been shown that it is in the last week; so seek it in the last ten (nights).

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Book 6, Number 2621:

Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Seek it (Lailat-ul-Qadr) in the last (ten nights).If one among you shows slackness and weakness (in the earlier part of Ramadan), it should not be allowed to prevail upon him in the last week.

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Book 6, Number 2622:

Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who is anxious to seek it (Lailat-ul-Qadr) should seek it in the last ten (nights of Ramadan).

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Book 6, Number 2623:

'Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Seek the time of Lailat-ul-Qadr in the last (ten nights), or he said: in the last nine (nights).

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Book 6, Number 2624:

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: I was shown Lailat-ul-Qadr; then some members of my family awoke me up, then I was caused to forget it. So seek it in the last week. Harmala said: (The Holy Prophet did not say: "I was made to forget," but he stated): "But I forgot it."

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Book 6, Number 2625:

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) spent in devotion (in i'tikaf) the middle ten nights of the month of Ramadan, and when twenty nights were over and it was the twenty-first night, he went back to his residence and those who were along with him also returned (to their respective residences).He spent one month in devotion.Then he addressed the people on the night he came back (to his residence) and commanded them as Allah desired (him to command) and then said: I used to devote myself (observe i'tikaf) during these ten (nights).Then I started devoting myself in the last ten (nights).And he who desires to observe i'tikaf along with me should spend the night) at his place of i'tikaf. And I saw this night (Lailat-ul-Qadr) but I forgot it (the exact night); so seek it ;In the last ten nights on odd numbers. I saw (the glimpses of that dream) that I was prostrating in water and mud.Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said: It rained on the twenty-first night and the water dripped (from the roof) of the mosque at the place where the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed prayer. I looked at him and as he completed the dawn prayer, (I found) his face was wet with mud and water.

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Book 6, Number 2626:

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) devoted (himself to prayer) in the middle (ten nights) of Ramadan. The rest of the hadith is the same except for these words: "That he adhered to his place of i'tikaf and his forehead was besmeared with mud and water."

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Book 6, Number 2627:

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed i'tikaf (confined himself for devotion and prayer) in the first ten (days) of Ramadan; he then observed i'tikaf in the middle ten (days) in a Turkish tent with a mat hanging at its door. He (the Holy Prophet) took hold of that mat and placed it in the nook of the tent. He then put his head out and talked with people and they came near him, and he (the Holy Prophet) said: I observed i'tikaf in the first ten (nights and days) in order to seek that night (Lailat-ul-Qadr). I then observed i'tikaf in the middle ten days. Then (an angel) was sent to me and I was told that this (night) is among the last ten (nights). He who among you likes to observe i'tikaf should do so; and the people observed it along with him, and he (the Holy Prophet) said: That (Lailat-ul-Qadr) was shown to me on an odd (night) and I (saw in the dream) that I was prostrating in the morning in clay and water. So in the morning of the twenty-first night when he (the Holy Prophet) got up for dawn (prayer). there was a rainfall and the mosque dripped, and I saw clay and water. When he came out after completing the morning prayer (I saw) that his forehead and the tip of his nose had (traces) of clay and water, and that was the twenty-first night among the last ten (nights).

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Book 6, Number 2628:

Abu Salama reported:'We discussed amongst ourselves Lailat-ul-Qadr. I came to Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) who was a friend of mine and said to him: Would you not go with us to the garden of date trees? He went out with a cloak over him. I said to him: Did you hear the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) making mention of Lailat-ul-Qadr? He said: Yes, (and added) we were observing i'tikaf with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) in the middle ten days of Ramadan, and came out on the morning of the twentieth and the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) addressed us and said: I was shown Lailat-ul-Qadr, but I forgot (the exact night) or I was caused to forget it, so seek it in the last ten odd (nights), and I was shown that I was prostrating in water and clay. So he who wanted to observe i'tikaf with the Messenger of Allah (inay peace be upon him) should return (to the place of i'tikaf). He (Abu Sa'id al-Khudri) said: And we returned and did not find any patch of cloud in the sky. Then the cloud gathered and there was (so heavy) a downpour that the roof of the mosque which was made of the branches of date-palms began to drip. Then there was prayer and I saw the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) prostrating in water and clay till I saw the traces of clay on his forehead.

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Book 6, Number 2629:

This badith has been reported on the authority of Yahya b. Abu Kathir with the same chain of transmitters (with a slight variation of these words): I saw the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) after he had completed (the prayer) and there was a trace of clay on his forehead and tip (of the nose).

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Book 6, Number 2630:

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed i'tikaf in the middle ten days of Ramadan to seek Lailat-ul-Qadr before it was made manifest to him. When (these nights) were over, he commanded to strike the tent. Then it was made manifest to him that (Lailat-ul-Qadr) was in the last ten nights (of Ramadan), and commanded to pitch the tent (again). He then came to the people and said: O people, Lailat-ul-Qadr was made manifest to me and I came out to inform you about it that two persons came contend- ing with each other and there was a devil along with them and I forgot it. So seek it in the last ten nights of Ramadan. Seek it on the ninth, on the seventh and on the fifth. I (one of the narrators) said: Abu Sa'id, you know more than us about numbers. He said: Yes, indeed we have better right than you. I said: What is this ninth, seventh, and fifth? He said: When twenty-one (nights are over) and the twenty-second begins, it is the ninth, and when twenty-three (nights) are over, that which follows (the last night) is the seventh, and when twenty-five nights are over, what follows it is fifth. Ibn Khallad said: Instead of the word Yahliqan (contending), he said Yakhtasiman, (they are disputing).

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Book 6, Number 2631:

'Abdullah b. Unais reported Allah's Messenger (may peace beupon him) as saying: I was shown Lailat-ul-Qadr; then I was made to forget it, and saw that I was prostrating in water and clay in the morning of that (night). He (the narrator) said: There was a downpour on the twenty-third night and the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) led us in prayer, and as he went back, there was a trace of water and clay on his forehead and on his nose. He (the narrator) said: 'Abdullah b. Unais used to say that it was the twenty-third (night).

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Book 6, Number 2632:

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) and Ibn Numair reported Allah's Mes- senger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Look for (and in the words of Waki, seek) Lailat-ul-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan.

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Book 6, Number 2633:

Zirr b. Habaish reported: I thu asked Ubayy b. Ka'b (Allah be pleased with him): Your brother (in faith) Ibn Mas'ud says: He who stands (for the night prayer) throughout the year would find Lailat-ul-Qadr, whereupon he said: May Allah have mercy upon him; (he said these words) with the intention that people might not rely only (on one night), whereas he knew that it (Lailat-ul-Qadr) is in the month of Ramadan and it is the twenty-seventh night. He then took oath (without making any exception, i.e. without saying Innsha Allah) that it was the twenty-seventh night. I said to him: Abu Mundhir, on what ground do you say that? Thereupon he said: By the indication or by the sign which the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) gave us, and that is that on that day (the sun) would rise without having any ray in it.

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Book 6, Number 2634:

Zirr b. Hubaish reported that Ubayy b. Ka'b (Allah be pleased with him) said about Lailat-ul-Qadr: By Allah, I know well about it. Shu'ba said: To the best of my knowledge it was the twenty-seventh night for which the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) commanded us to stand for prayer. Shu'ba doubted these words: That it was the night for which the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) commanded us to stand for prayer. And (he further) said: This was narrated to me by a friend of mine from him (the Holy Prophet).

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Book 6, Number 2635:

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were talking about Lailat-ul-Qadr in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and he said: He who amongst you remembers (the night) when the moon arose and it was like a piece of plate (at the fag end of the month in a state of waning).

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Chapter 38 : OBSERVING OF I'TIKAF IN THE LAST TEN DAYS OF RAMADAN

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Book 6, Number 2636:

Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported that the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to observe i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan.

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Book 6, Number 2637:

Abdullah b. Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to observe i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. Nafi' said: Abdullah (Allah be pleased with him) showed me the place in the mosque where the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to observe i'tikaf.

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Book 6, Number 2638:

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to observe i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan.

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Book 6, Number 2639:

This hadith has been narrated by 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) through another chain of transmitters.

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Book 6, Number 2640:

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) used to observe i'tikif in the last ten days of Ramadan till Allah called him back (to his heavenly home). Then his wives observed i'tikaf after him.

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Chapter 39 : WHEN SHOULD A PERSON ENTER THE PLACE OF I'TIKAF AS HE INTENDS TO OBSERVE IT

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Book 6, Number 2641:

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) decided to observe i'tikaf, he prayed in the morning and then went to the place of his i'tikaf, and he commanded that a tent should be pitched for him, and it was pitched. He (once) decided to observe i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. Zainab (the wife of the Holy Prophet) commanded that a tent should be pitched for her. It was pitched accordingly. And some other wives of Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) commanded that tents should be pitched for them too. And they were pitched. When the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) offered the morning prayer, he looked and found (so many) tents. Thereupon he said: What is this virtue that these (ladies) have decided to acquire? He commanded his tent to be struck and abandoned i'tikaf in the month of Ramadan and postponed it to the first ten days of Shawwal.

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Book 6, Number 2642:

This hadith has been reported through another chain of transmitters, and there it is mentioned that. 'A'isha, Hafsa and Zainab (Allah be pleased with them) pitched the tents for i'tikaf.

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Chapter 40 : ONE SHOULD EXERT MORE (IN DEVOTION AND PRAYER) IN THE LAST TEN DAYS OF RAMADAN

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Book 6, Number 2643:

'A'Isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that when the last ten nights began Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) kept awake at night (for prayer and devotion), wakened his family, and prepared himself to observe prayer (with more vigour).

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Book 6, Number 2644:

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time.

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Chapter 41 : FASTING ON THE 10TH OF DHU'L-HIJJA

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Book 6, Number 2645:

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported: I never saw the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) fasting in the ten days of Dhu'I-Hijja.

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Book 6, Number 2646:

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) did not observe fast in the ten days of Dhul-Hijja.

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