Volume 8, Book 74, Number 294:
Narrated Abdullah bin ‘Amr:
The news of my fasting was mentioned to the Prophet . So he entered upon me and I put for him a
leather cushion stuffed with palm-fibres. The Prophet sat on the floor and the cushion was between
me and him. He said to me, “Isn’t it sufficient for you (that you fast) three days a month?” I said, “O
Allah’s Apostle! (I can fast more than this).” He said, “You may fast) five days a month.” I said, “O Al –
lah’s Apostle! (I can fast more than this).” He said, “(You may fast) seven days.” I said, “O Allah’s
Apostle!” He said, “Nine.” I said, “O Allah’s Apostle!” He said, “Eleven.” I said, “O Allah’s Apostle!” He
said, “No fasting is superior to the fasting of (the Prophet David) which was one half of a year, and he
used, to fast on alternate days. (See Hadith No. 300, Vol 3)