22/67. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 2324 — Starting the Day Wanting to Fast
The intention to fast, and the differences reported from Talhah bin Yahya in the narration of 'Aishah about it
Voluntary Fast Hadith: When Food Was Not Available
Sunan an-Nasai : 2324
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 2324
أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْهَيْثَمِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ الْحَنَفِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ يَحْيَى، عَنْ مُجَاهِدٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَجِيءُ وَيَقُولُ " هَلْ عِنْدَكُمْ غَدَاءٌ " . فَنَقُولُ لاَ . فَيَقُولُ " إِنِّي صَائِمٌ " . فَأَتَانَا يَوْمًا وَقَدْ أُهْدِيَ لَنَا حَيْسٌ فَقَالَ " هَلْ عِنْدَكُمْ شَىْءٌ " . قُلْنَا نَعَمْ أُهْدِيَ لَنَا حَيْسٌ . قَالَ " أَمَا إِنِّي قَدْ أَصْبَحْتُ أُرِيدُ الصَّوْمَ " . فَأَكَلَ خَالَفَهُ قَاسِمُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ .
A'isha Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah would come and say: "Do you have any food for breakfast?" and we would say no, so he would say: "I am fasting." One day he came to us and we had been given some Hais. He said: "Do you have anything (to eat)?" and we said: "Yes, we have been given some Hais." He said: "I started the day wanting to fast," but then he ate.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2324In-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 235English translation : Vol. 3, Book 22, Hadith 2326
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 2324
This Hadith about voluntary fast practice shows a repeated pattern in the home of Aishah. The Messenger of Allah would ask if there was food for breakfast. When the answer was no, he would say that he was fasting. On another day, Hais had been gifted to them. When he asked if they had anything, they said yes and mentioned the Hais. He said he had started the day wanting to fast, but then he ate. The main idea is simple: the report describes an optional fast connected to whether food was available. It does not mention Ramadan, reward, or any added reason beyond the event itself.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet asked about available food before saying he was fasting.
- When no breakfast was present, he said he was fasting.
- When Hais was present, he ate after saying he had wanted to fast.
- The report presents a practical example of voluntary fasting.
