22/75. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 2387 — Fast of Dawud Explained
Fasting for two thirds of one's lifetime
Fast of Dawud Hadith and Three Days Monthly Fasting
Sunan an-Nasai : 2387
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 2387
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، عَنْ غَيْلاَنَ بْنِ جَرِيرٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَعْبَدٍ الزِّمَّانِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ عُمَرُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ كَيْفَ بِمَنْ يَصُومُ الدَّهْرَ كُلَّهُ قَالَ " لاَ صَامَ وَلاَ أَفْطَرَ أَوْ لَمْ يَصُمْ وَلَمْ يُفْطِرْ " . قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ كَيْفَ بِمَنْ يَصُومُ يَوْمَيْنِ وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا قَالَ " أَوَيُطِيقُ ذَلِكَ أَحَدٌ " . قَالَ فَكَيْفَ بِمَنْ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا قَالَ " ذَلِكَ صَوْمُ دَاوُدَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ " . قَالَ فَكَيْفَ بِمَنْ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمَيْنِ قَالَ " وَدِدْتُ أَنِّي أُطِيقُ ذَلِكَ " . قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ " ثَلاَثٌ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ وَرَمَضَانُ إِلَى رَمَضَانَ هَذَا صِيَامُ الدَّهْرِ كُلِّهِ " .
Abu Qatadah Narrated from:
Umar said: 'O Messenger of Allah, what about a person who fasted for an entire lifetime?' He said: 'He neither fasted nor broke his fast for one day?' He said: 'Can anyone do that?' He said: 'What about a person who fasted for one day?' He said: 'That is the fast of Dawud, peace be upon him.' He said: 'What about a person who fasted for one day, and broke his fast for two days?' he said: 'I wish that I could do that.' Then he said: 'Three days of each month, and from Ramadan to Ramadan, this is fasting for an entire lifetime.' '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 2387In-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 298English translation : Vol. 3, Book 22, Hadith 2389
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 2387
This Fast of Dawud hadith gives several fasting patterns in one report. Umar asked about a person who fasts for an entire lifetime, and the Prophet replied that he neither fasted nor broke his fast. He was then asked about fasting two days and breaking one day, and he asked who could bear that. When asked about fasting one day and breaking one day, he said that was the fast of Dawud, peace be upon him. The narration also mentions fasting one day and breaking two days, and then says that three days of each month, along with Ramadan to Ramadan, is like fasting for an entire lifetime. The hadith teaches balance, ability, and guided worship.
What we learn from this hadith
- Fasting every day is not praised in this narration.
- Fasting one day and breaking one day is identified as the fast of Dawud.
- Three days each month with Ramadan to Ramadan is called fasting for a lifetime.
- A person should consider what can be carried with balance.
