13/25. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1145b — Ramadan Fasting Made Clear
The Saying of Allah Most High: "... And as for those who can fast with difficulty, they have) a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskin (poor person) (for every day)" is Abrogated by His saying: "... So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month"...
Whoever Witnesses Ramadan Should Fast Hadith
Sahih Muslim : 1145b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1145b
حَدَّثَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ سَوَّادٍ الْعَامِرِيُّ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ، الْحَارِثِ عَنْ بُكَيْرِ بْنِ الأَشَجِّ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ، مَوْلَى سَلَمَةَ بْنِ الأَكْوَعِ عَنْ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ الأَكْوَعِ، - رضى الله عنه - أَنَّهُ قَالَ كُنَّا فِي رَمَضَانَ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَنْ شَاءَ صَامَ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَفْطَرَ فَافْتَدَى بِطَعَامِ مِسْكِينٍ حَتَّى أُنْزِلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ { فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ}
Salama bin Al-Akwa` Narrated from:
We, during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), in one month of Ramadan (observed fast according to our liking). He who wished to fast lasted and he who wished to break broke it and fed a needy person as an expiation till this verse was revealed:" He who witnesses among you the month (of Ramadan) he should observe fast during it" (ii. 184).
[2] Al-Baqarah 2:185.Reference : Sahih Muslim 1145bIn-book reference : Book 13, Hadith 192USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 6, Hadith 2548
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1145b
This Hadith gives another report from Salama ibn al-Akwa’ about fasting during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم. It says that during one Ramadan, whoever wished to fast did so, and whoever wished to break the fast did so and fed a needy person as expiation. This continued until the verse was revealed: “He who witnesses among you the month, he should observe fast during it.” The meaning stays close to the text: the practice changed when the later verse was revealed. For people searching for whoever witnesses Ramadan should fast hadith, this narration explains how the command became clear.
What we learn from this hadith
- At one stage, people could fast or break it and feed a needy person.
- The later verse commanded those who witness Ramadan to fast it.
- The Companions followed the ruling after revelation clarified it.
- The Hadith shows how Ramadan fasting was established through revealed guidance.
