13/11. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1103a — Warning Against Wisal
The prohibition of Al-Wisal
Hadith on Wisal Fasting: A Warning Against Going Too Far
Sahih Muslim : 1103a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1103a
حَدَّثَنِي حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، - رضى الله عنه - قَالَ نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ الْوِصَالِ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَإِنَّكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ تُوَاصِلُ . قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " وَأَيُّكُمْ مِثْلِي إِنِّي أَبِيتُ يُطْعِمُنِي رَبِّي وَيَسْقِينِي " . فَلَمَّا أَبَوْا أَنْ يَنْتَهُوا عَنِ الْوِصَالِ وَاصَلَ بِهِمْ يَوْمًا ثُمَّ يَوْمًا ثُمَّ رَأَوُا الْهِلاَلَ فَقَالَ " لَوْ تَأَخَّرَ الْهِلاَلُ لَزِدْتُكُمْ " . كَالْمُنَكِّلِ لَهُمْ حِينَ أَبَوْا أَنْ يَنْتَهُوا .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade (his Companions) from observing fast uninterruptedly. One of the Muslims said: Messenger of Allah, you yourself observe Saum Wisal, whereupon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Who among you is like me? I spend night (in a state) that my Allah feeds me and provides me drink.When they (the Companions of the Holy Prophet) did not agree in abandoning the uninterrupted fast, then the Prophet (ﷺ) also observed this fast with them for a day, and then for a day. They then saw the new moon and he (the Holy Prophet) said: If the appearance of the new moon were delayed. I would have observed more (fasts) with you (and he did it) by way of warning to them as they had not agreed to refrain (from observing Saum Wisal)
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1103aIn-book reference : Book 13, Hadith 72USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 6, Hadith 2429
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1103a
This hadith about wisal fasting gives a fuller scene. Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم forbade uninterrupted fasting. A Muslim asked about the Prophet's own wisal, and he replied: who among you is like me? He explained that he spent the night while his Lord fed him and gave him drink. When the Companions did not stop, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم continued the fast with them for a day and then another day. When they saw the new moon, he said that if it had been delayed, he would have continued with them more, as a warning to them. The hadith teaches not to push worship beyond the Prophet's instruction.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم forbade uninterrupted fasting for his Companions.
- He explained that his own state was not like theirs.
- The extended fasting with them served as a warning when they did not stop.
