13/11. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1103b — Avoiding Saum Wisal
The prohibition of Al-Wisal
Saum Wisal Hadith: Worship Within Your Strength
Sahih Muslim : 1103b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1103b
وَحَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَإِسْحَاقُ، قَالَ زُهَيْرٌ حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنْ عُمَارَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي، زُرْعَةَ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، - رضى الله عنه - قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِيَّاكُمْ وَالْوِصَالَ " . قَالُوا فَإِنَّكَ تُوَاصِلُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ " إِنَّكُمْ لَسْتُمْ فِي ذَلِكَ مِثْلِي إِنِّي أَبِيتُ يُطْعِمُنِي رَبِّي وَيَسْقِينِي فَاكْلَفُوا مِنَ الأَعْمَالِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Abstain from Saum-Wisal. They (his Companions) said: Messenger of Allah, but you observe Saum Wisal. Upon this he said: You are not like me in this matter, for I spend my night (in a state) that my Lord feeds me and provides me drink Devote yourselves to the deeds (the burden of which) you can bear.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1103bIn-book reference : Book 13, Hadith 73USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 6, Hadith 2430
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1103b
This Hadith teaches a clear lesson about Saum Wisal, which means uninterrupted fasting without breaking the fast in the usual way. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told the Companions to abstain from it. When they said that he himself observed Saum Wisal, he explained that they were not like him in this matter. He said that his Lord feeds him and gives him drink during the night. The main point is not to copy an act without having the same strength and special state. The Hadith about Saum Wisal also gives a broad rule: take on deeds that you can bear. Worship should be sincere, steady, and within one’s ability.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) warned his Companions against observing Saum Wisal.
- A person should not take on acts of worship beyond their strength.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) had a special state that others did not share.
- Steady worship within ability is better than forced hardship.
