22/52. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 2283 — Service in Travel
The superiority of not fasting while traveling, over Fasting
Fasting While Traveling and Serving Others
Sunan an-Nasai : 2283
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 2283
أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَاصِمٌ الأَحْوَلُ، عَنْ مُوَرِّقٍ الْعِجْلِيِّ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي السَّفَرِ فَمِنَّا الصَّائِمُ وَمِنَّا الْمُفْطِرُ فَنَزَلْنَا فِي يَوْمٍ حَارٍّ وَاتَّخَذْنَا ظِلاَلاً فَسَقَطَ الصُّوَّامُ وَقَامَ الْمُفْطِرُونَ فَسَقَوُا الرِّكَابَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " ذَهَبَ الْمُفْطِرُونَ الْيَوْمَ بِالأَجْرِ " .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
We were with the Messenger of Allah on a journey, and some of us were fasting and some of us were not. We made a stop on a hot day and looked for shade. Those who were fasting fell to the ground, but those who were not fasting got up and watered the animals. The Messenger of Allah said: 'Those who were not fasting today have taken the reward.""
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2283In-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 194English translation : Vol. 3, Book 22, Hadith 2285
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 2283
This Hadith presents a real travel scene with the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم. Some companions were fasting while traveling and some were not. The group stopped on a hot day and searched for shade. The fasting people became too weak and fell down, while those who were not fasting stood up and watered the riding animals. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم then said that those who were not fasting had taken the reward that day. The core message is about fasting while traveling when service and strength are needed. The Hadith does not belittle fasting. It shows that, in that situation, those who used the travel concession were able to help others and were praised for that useful work.
What we learn from this hadith
- Some companions fasted while traveling, and some did not.
- Heat and travel hardship can affect a person’s strength.
- Serving others during travel is praised in this Hadith.
- Using the travel allowance may help a person do needed work.
