22/72. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 2381 — Avoiding Endless Fasting
The Prohibition of fasting for a lifetime, and mentioning the differences reported from Mutarrif Bin 'Abdullah In The Narrations About It
Hadith About Fasting Every Day and Balanced Worship
Sunan an-Nasai : 2381
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 2381
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو دَاوُدَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ مُطَرِّفَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الشِّخِّيرِ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ فِي صَوْمِ الدَّهْرِ " لاَ صَامَ وَلاَ أَفْطَرَ " .
Mutarrif bin 'Abdullah bin Ash-Shikh-khir Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said, concerning one who fasted for the rest of his life: "He neither fasted nor broke his fast." 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2381In-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 292English translation : Vol. 3, Book 22, Hadith 2383
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 2381
This hadith about fasting every day gives a clear warning about صوم الدهر, meaning fasting for the rest of one’s life without regular breaks. The Messenger of Allah said about such a person that he neither fasted nor broke his fast. The wording shows that worship is not only about doing more outwardly. It also needs balance, wisdom, and following prophetic guidance. The report also includes the meaning that whoever fasts every day of his life has not truly fasted. The main lesson is simple: Islamic fasting is not meant to become a form of constant strain. A person may have strong love for worship, but that love should stay within the way taught by the Prophet.
What we learn from this hadith
- Fasting every day without regular breaks is not praised in this text.
- True worship follows prophetic guidance, not personal excess.
- A person should avoid turning voluntary fasting into hardship.
- Balance is part of the Sunnah in acts of worship.
