22/73. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 2382 — Fasting Without Balance
Mentioning the different reports from Ghaylan bin Jarir about it
Continuous Fasting in Islam and the Prophetic Warning
Sunan an-Nasai : 2382
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 2382
أَخْبَرَنِي هَارُونُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ مُوسَى، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا أَبُو هِلاَلٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا غَيْلاَنُ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ جَرِيرٍ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ مَعْبَدٍ الزِّمَّانِيُّ - عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ عُمَرَ، قَالَ كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَمَرَرْنَا بِرَجُلٍ فَقَالُوا يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ هَذَا لاَ يُفْطِرُ مُنْذُ كَذَا وَكَذَا . فَقَالَ " لاَ صَامَ وَلاَ أَفْطَرَ " .
'Umar Narrated from:
We were with the Messenger of Allah and we passed by a man. They said: 'O Prophet of Allah, this man has not broken his fast for such and such a time.' He said: 'He has neither fasted nor broken 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 2382In-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 293English translation : Vol. 3, Book 22, Hadith 2384
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 2382
This narration speaks about a man who had not broken his fast for a long time. When this was mentioned to the Messenger of Allah, he said that the man had neither fasted nor broken his fast. The hadith about continuous fasting in Islam teaches that outward effort alone is not enough if it moves away from the Prophet’s balanced way. The words are short but strong. They correct the idea that nonstop fasting is automatically better. The report also carries the same meaning found in the statement that whoever fasts every day of his life has not fasted. This helps Muslims understand that voluntary fasting should be practiced with care, rest, and obedience to prophetic instruction.
What we learn from this hadith
- Long periods of fasting without breaking can be blameworthy when done as a constant practice.
- The Prophet corrected worship that went beyond proper balance.
- More effort is not always better if it conflicts with guidance.
- Voluntary fasting should remain connected to the Sunnah.
