22/58. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 2306 — Frequent Fasting
Mentioning the Differences in the Report from Hisham 'Urwah about it
Frequent Fasting and the Choice During Travel
Sunan an-Nasai : 2306
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 2306
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا ابْنُ الْقَاسِمِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكٌ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ إِنَّ حَمْزَةَ قَالَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَصُومُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَكَانَ كَثِيرَ الصِّيَامِ . فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنْ شِئْتَ فَصُمْ وَإِنْ شِئْتَ فَأَفْطِرْ " .
A'isha Narrated from:
Hamzah said to the Messenger of Allah: 'O Messenger of Allah, should I fast while traveling?' He used to fast a great deal. The Messenger of Allah said to him: "If you wish then fast and if you wish then do not fast."'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2306In-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 217English translation : Vol. 3, Book 22, Hadith 2308
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 2306
This Hadith adds that Hamzah used to fast a great deal. That detail matters because the question came from someone already used to fasting, not someone trying to avoid worship. Even then, the Prophet gave him a choice during travel: fast if you wish, and do not fast if you wish. The narration helps people searching frequent fasting while traveling or can I fast when traveling. It shows that personal habit does not remove the permission mentioned in the text. A traveler may be strong and used to fasting, yet the permission not to fast remains in the Prophet's answer.
What we learn from this hadith
- A strong habit of fasting does not remove the travel option.
- The Prophet gave permission to fast in travel.
- The Prophet also gave permission not to fast in travel.
