13/35. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1159m — No Fast Above Dawud
Prohibition of Fasting for a lifetime for the one who will be harmed by that or who will neglect other duties, or does not break his fast on the two 'Ids or during the days of At-Tashriq; It is better to fast alternate days
No Fasting Better Than the Fast of Dawud
Sahih Muslim : 1159m
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1159m
وَحَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ خَالِدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو الْمَلِيحِ، قَالَ دَخَلْتُ مَعَ أَبِيكَ عَلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو فَحَدَّثَنَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ذُكِرَ لَهُ صَوْمِي فَدَخَلَ عَلَىَّ فَأَلْقَيْتُ لَهُ وِسَادَةً مِنْ أَدَمٍ حَشْوُهَا لِيفٌ فَجَلَسَ عَلَى الأَرْضِ وَصَارَتِ الْوِسَادَةُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُ فَقَالَ لِي " أَمَا يَكْفِيكَ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ثَلاَثَةُ أَيَّامٍ " . قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ " خَمْسًا " . قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ " سَبْعًا " . قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ " تِسْعًا " . قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ " أَحَدَ عَشَرَ " . قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ صَوْمَ فَوْقَ صَوْمِ دَاوُدَ شَطْرُ الدَّهْرِ صِيَامُ يَوْمٍ وَإِفْطَارُ يَوْمٍ " .
Abu al-Malih Narrated from:
I went along with your father to 'Abdullah b. Amr, and he narrated to us that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was informed about my fasting and he came to me, and I placed a leather cushion filled with fibre of date-palms for him.He sat down upon the ground and there was that cushion between me and him, and he said to me: Does three days' fasting in a month not suffice you? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am capable of observing more fasts). He said: (Would) five (not suffice for you)? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am capable of observing more fasts) He said: (Would) seven (fasts) not suffice you? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am capable of observing more fasts).He (the Holy Prophet) then said: (Would) nine (fasts not suffice you)? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am capable of observing more fasts). He said: (Would) eleven (fasts not suffice you)? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am capable of observing more fasts than these). Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: There is no fasting (better than) the fasting of David which comprises half of the age, fasting a day and not fasting a day.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1159mIn-book reference : Book 13, Hadith 247USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 6, Hadith 2597
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1159m
This Hadith shows the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم guiding Abdullah b. Amr step by step in voluntary fasting. He first asked if three days each month would suffice. When Abdullah wanted more, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم mentioned five, then seven, then nine, then eleven. After Abdullah still wanted more, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said there is no fasting better than the fasting of Dawud: half of the age, fasting one day and not fasting the next. The report is simple and practical. It does not push a person to the hardest possible routine. It shows gradual guidance and sets a clear upper pattern for one who is able to do more.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم first suggested a lighter monthly fasting routine.
- Extra fasting was discussed step by step, not all at once.
- The fasting of Dawud is described as the highest pattern in this report.
- Half of the age means fasting one day and not fasting the next.
