13/11. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1104b — Forced Hardness in Fasting
The prohibition of Al-Wisal
Forced Hardness in Fasting: Saum Wisal Hadith
Sahih Muslim : 1104b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1104b
حَدَّثَنَا عَاصِمُ بْنُ النَّضْرِ التَّيْمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ الْحَارِثِ - حَدَّثَنَا حُمَيْدٌ، عَنْ ثَابِتٍ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، - رضى الله عنه - قَالَ وَاصَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي أَوَّلِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَوَاصَلَ نَاسٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَبَلَغَهُ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ " لَوْ مُدَّ لَنَا الشَّهْرُ لَوَاصَلْنَا وِصَالاً يَدَعُ الْمُتَعَمِّقُونَ تَعَمُّقَهُمْ إِنَّكُمْ لَسْتُمْ مِثْلِي - أَوْ قَالَ - إِنِّي لَسْتُ مِثْلَكُمْ إِنِّي أَظَلُّ يُطْعِمُنِي رَبِّي وَيَسْقِينِي " .
Anas Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) observed Saum Wisal during the early part of the month of Ramadan. The people among Muslims also observed uninterrupted fast. This (news) reached him (the Holy Prophet) and he said: Had the month been lengthened for me I would have continued observing Saum Wisal, so that those who act with forced hardness would (have been obliged) to abandon it. You are not like me (or he said): I am not like you. I continue to do so (in a state) that my Lord feeds me and provides me drink.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1104bIn-book reference : Book 13, Hadith 77USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 6, Hadith 2434
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1104b
This Hadith reports that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) observed Saum Wisal in the early part of Ramadan, and some Muslims began doing the same. When this reached him, he spoke firmly. He said that if the month were lengthened, he would continue Saum Wisal in a way that would make those who acted with forced hardness leave their exaggeration. He then explained that they were not like him, or that he was not like them, because his Lord fed him and gave him drink. The main lesson is about not copying a special Prophetic practice in a way that becomes harmful or extreme for ordinary people.
What we learn from this hadith
- Some Muslims copied Saum Wisal, but the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) corrected them.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) described forced hardness as something to leave.
- His ability in Saum Wisal was not the same as others’ ability.
- Fasting should not become an act of exaggeration.
