22/56. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 2296 — Travel Fasting Option
Mention of the different report from Sulaiman bin Yasar in the Narration of Hamzah bin 'Amr about that
Can You Fast While Traveling? The Prophetic Choice
Sunan an-Nasai : 2296
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 2296
أَخْبَرَنَا سُوَيْدُ بْنُ نَصْرٍ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْحَمِيدِ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ أَبِي أَنَسٍ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ حَمْزَةَ، قَالَ سَأَلْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ الصَّوْمِ فِي السَّفَرِ قَالَ " إِنْ شِئْتَ أَنْ تَصُومَ فَصُمْ وَإِنْ شِئْتَ أَنْ تُفْطِرَ فَأَفْطِرْ " .
Hamzah Narrated from:
I asked the Messenger of Allah about fasting while traveling. He said: 'If you wish to fast then fast, and if you wish not to fast then do not fast.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2296In-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 207English translation : Vol. 3, Book 22, Hadith 2298
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 2296
This Hadith gives a clear answer about fasting while traveling. Hamzah said that he asked the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم about fasting during travel. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم answered: if you wish to fast, then fast; and if you wish not to fast, then do not fast. The wording is simple and balanced. It shows that the question was not treated with a single rigid reply in this narration. The traveler is given an option in the text. This Hadith is strong for searches like “fasting while traveling hadith” and “if you wish to fast then fast.” It keeps the matter close to personal ability and the travel situation without adding details not stated in the report.
What we learn from this hadith
- Hamzah asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم about fasting while traveling.
- The answer gave an option to fast.
- The answer also gave an option not to fast.
- The Hadith presents the travel allowance in simple words.
