22/51. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 2281 — Travel Fasting Concession
Mentioning the Diffferences in the reports from Mu'awiyah bin Salam and Ali bin Al-Mubarak in this Narration
Fasting While Traveling: Allah’s Ease for the Traveler
Sunan an-Nasai : 2281
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 2281
أَخْبَرَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْكَرِيمِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سَهْلُ بْنُ بَكَّارٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي بِشْرٍ، عَنْ هَانِئِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الشِّخِّيرِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ كُنْتُ مُسَافِرًا فَأَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ يَأْكُلُ وَأَنَا صَائِمٌ فَقَالَ " هَلُمَّ " . قُلْتُ إِنِّي صَائِمٌ . قَالَ " أَتَدْرِي مَا وَضَعَ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْمُسَافِرِ " . قُلْتُ وَمَا وَضَعَ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْمُسَافِرِ قَالَ " الصَّوْمَ وَشَطْرَ الصَّلاَةِ " .
Hani bin 'Abdullah bin Shikhkhir Narrated from:
It was narrated from Hani bin 'Abdullah bin Shikhkhir that his father said: "I was traveling and I came to the Prophet when he was eating and I was fasting. He said: 'Come and eat.' I said: 'I am fasting.' He said: 'Do you know what Allah has waived for the traveler?' he said: 'Do you know what Allah has waived for the traveler?' I said: 'What has Allah waived for the traveler?' He said: 'Fasting and half of the prayer."'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2281In-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 192English translation : Vol. 3, Book 22, Hadith 2283
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 2281
This Hadith focuses on fasting while traveling and the ease Allah gave to the traveler. A man came to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم while he was eating, even though the man himself was fasting. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم invited him to eat, then asked if he knew what Allah had waived for the traveler. The answer given in the Hadith is clear: fasting and half of the prayer. The main message is not to treat hardship in travel as if there is no allowance. The Hadith teaches that travel fasting has a concession connected to mercy and practical ease. It also joins the topic of fasting with shortening prayer, showing that both are part of the traveler’s relief mentioned in the text.
What we learn from this hadith
- Allah has given travelers an allowance regarding fasting.
- The traveler is also given ease through half of the prayer.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم taught the ruling through a direct and simple question.
- Accepting ease in worship can be part of following the prophetic guidance.
