22/55. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 2290 — Choice in Travel
Mentioning the Differences reported from Mansur
Fasting While Traveling: Whoever Wishes May Fast
Sunan an-Nasai : 2290
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 2290
أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ مُجَاهِدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى مَكَّةَ فَصَامَ حَتَّى أَتَى عُسْفَانَ فَدَعَا بِقَدَحٍ فَشَرِبَ - قَالَ شُعْبَةُ - فِي رَمَضَانَ فَكَانَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ يَقُولُ مَنْ شَاءَ صَامَ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَفْطَرَ .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah went out to Makkah, and he fasted until he came to 'Usfan. Then he called for a cup and drank. (One of the narrators) Shubah said: "(That was) in Ramadan. Ibn 'Abbas used to say: 'Whoever wants to fast, may fast, and whoever wants to break may break his fast."'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2290In-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 201English translation : Vol. 3, Book 22, Hadith 2292
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 2290
This Hadith gives a direct answer to a common question about fasting while traveling. Ibn 'Abbas said that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم went out to Makkah and fasted until he reached 'Usfan. Then he called for a cup and drank. One narrator said that this was in Ramadan. Ibn 'Abbas then used to say: whoever wants to fast may fast, and whoever wants to break the fast may break it. The Hadith is useful because it includes both prophetic action and Ibn 'Abbas’s clear wording about choice. It does not present the travel allowance as neglect. It presents fasting and not fasting during travel as options in the wording of this report.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم fasted during part of the journey to Makkah.
- He drank after reaching 'Usfan.
- Ibn 'Abbas described a choice for the traveler.
- The Hadith supports ease without denying the act of fasting.
