Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith 198 – Volume 3, Book 31

English

Volume 3, Book 31, Number 198:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr:
The news of my daily fasting and praying every night throughout the night reached the Prophet.
So he sent for me or I met him, and he said, "I have been informed that you fast everyday and pray
every night (all the night). Fast (for some days) and give up fasting (for some days); pray and sleep,
for your eyes have a right on you, and your body and your family (i.e. wife) have a right on you." I
replied, "I have more power than that (fasting)." The Prophet said, "Then fast like the fasts of (the
Prophet) David". I said, "How?" He replied, "He used to fast on alternate days, and he used not to flee
on meeting the enemy." I said, "From where can I get that chance?" ('Ata' said, "I do not know how the
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SAHIH BUKHARI VOLUME 3 > BOOK 31: FASTING
expression of fasting daily throughout the life occurred.") So, the Prophet said, twice, "Whoever fasts
daily throughout his life is just as the one who does not fast at all."