Volume 3, Book 31, Number 205:
Narrated Muhammad bin ‘Abbas:
I asked Jabir “Did the Prophet forbid fasting on Fridays?” He replied, “Yes.” (Other narrators added,
“If he intends to fast only that day.”)
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 199:
Narrated Mujahid from ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr:
The Prophet said (to ‘Abdullah), “Fast three days a month.” ‘Abdullah said, (to the Prophet) “I am
able to fast more than that.” They kept on arguing on this matter till the Prophet said, “Fast on altern –
ate days, and recite the whole Qur’an once a month.” ‘Abdullah said, “I can recite more (in a month),”
and the argument went on till the Prophet said, “Recite the Qur’an once each three days.” (i.e. you
must not recite the whole Qur’an in less than three days).
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 200:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘As:
The Prophet said to me, “You fast daily all the year and pray every night all the night?” I replied in
the affirmative. The Prophet said, “If you keep on doing this, your eyes will become weak and your
body will get tired. He who fasts all the year is as he who did not fast at all. The fasting of three days
(a month) will be equal to the tasting of the whole year.” I replied, “I have the power for more than
this.” The Prophet said, “Then fast like the fasting of David who used to fast on alternate days and
would never flee from the battle field, on meeting the enemy.
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 196:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘As:
Allah’s Apostle said to me, “O ‘Abdullah! Have I not been informed that you fast during the day and
offer prayers all the night.” ‘Abdullah replied, “Yes, O Allah’s Apostle!” The Prophet said, “Don’t do
that; fast for few days and then give it up for few days, offer prayers and also sleep at night, as your
body has a right on you, and your wife has a right on you, and your guest has a right on you. And it
is sufficient for you to fast three days in a month, as the reward of a good deed is multiplied ten
times, so it will be like fasting throughout the year.” I insisted (on fasting) and so I was given a hard
instruction. I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! I have power.” The Prophet said, “Fast like the fasting of the
Prophet David and do not fast more than that.” I said, “How was the fasting of the Prophet of Allah,
David?” He said, “Half of the year,” (i.e. he used to fast on every alternate day).
Afterwards when ‘Abdullah became old, he used to say, “It would have been better for me if I had
accepted the permission of the Prophet (which he gave me i.e. to fast only three days a month).”
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 197:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr:
Allah’s Apostle was informed that I had taken an oath to fast daily and to pray (every night) all the
night throughout my life (so Allah’s Apostle came to me and asked whether it was correct): I replied,
“Let my parents be sacrificed for you! I said so.” The Prophet said, “You can not do that. So, fast for
few days and give it up for few days, r ray and sleep. Fast three days a month as the reward of good
deeds is multiplied ten times and that will be equal to one year of fasting.” I replied, “I can do better
than that.” The Prophet said to me, “Fast one day and give up fasting for a day and that is the fasting
of Prophet David and that is the best fasting.” I said, “I have the power to fast better (more) than that.”
The Prophet said, “There is no better fasting than that.”
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.”
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 191:
Narrated ‘Aisha:
The Prophet never fasted in any month more than in the month of Sha’ban. He used to say, “Do
those deeds which you can do easily, as Allah will not get tired (of giving rewards) till you get bored
and tired (of performing religious deeds).” The most beloved prayer to the Prophet was the one that
was done regularly (throughout the life) even if it were little. And whenever the Prophet offered a
prayer he used to offer it regularly .
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 192:
Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:
The Prophet never fasted a full month except the month of Ramadan, and he used to fast till one
could say, “By Allah, he will never stop fasting,” and he would abandon fasting till one would say, “By
Allah, he will never fast.”