22/78. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 2401 — Balanced Fasting and Rest
Fasting ten days of the month, and the Different Wording Reported by the Narrators in the Narration Of 'Abdullah Bin 'Amr About It
Balanced Fasting in Islam: Your Body and Family Have Rights
Sunan an-Nasai : 2401
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 2401
أَخْبَرَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَجَّاجٌ، قَالَ قَالَ ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ سَمِعْتُ عَطَاءً، يَقُولُ إِنَّ أَبَا الْعَبَّاسِ الشَّاعِرَ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، سَمِعَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ، قَالَ بَلَغَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنِّي أَصُومُ أَسْرُدُ الصَّوْمَ وَأُصَلِّي اللَّيْلَ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِ وَلَمَّا لَقِيَهُ قَالَ " أَلَمْ أُخْبَرْ أَنَّكَ تَصُومُ وَلاَ تُفْطِرُ وَتُصَلِّي اللَّيْلَ فَلاَ تَفْعَلْ فَإِنَّ لِعَيْنِكَ حَظًّا وَلِنَفْسِكَ حَظًّا وَلأَهْلِكَ حَظًّا وَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ وَصَلِّ وَنَمْ وَصُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ عَشْرَةِ أَيَّامٍ يَوْمًا وَلَكَ أَجْرُ تِسْعَةٍ " . قَالَ إِنِّي أَقْوَى لِذَلِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ " صُمْ صِيَامَ دَاوُدَ إِذًا " . قَالَ وَكَيْفَ كَانَ صِيَامُ دَاوُدَ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ قَالَ " كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا وَلاَ يَفِرُّ إِذَا لاَقَى " . قَالَ وَمَنْ لِي بِهَذَا يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ .
'Abduallah bin amr bin Al-'As Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah heard that I was fasting continually and praying all night. Either he sent for him, or he happened to meet him and he said: "Have I not been told that you fast and never break your fast, and you pray all night? Do not do that, for do that, for your eyes should have a share, your self should have a share, and your family should have a share. Fast and break your fast; pray and sleep. Fast one day out of every ten, and your will have the reward of the other nine."He said: " I am able to do more than that, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "Observe the fast of Dawud then." " I said: 'How did Dawud fast, O Prophet of Allah? He said: 'He used to fast one day, and not the next, and he never fled if he met(the enemy in battle)."' He said: "How can I compare to him, O Prophet of Allah?"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2401In-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 312English translation : Vol. 3, Book 22, Hadith 2403
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 2401
This hadith about balanced fasting shows that worship should not be done in a way that neglects other clear rights. Abdullah bin Amr was fasting continually and praying through the night. The Messenger of Allah told him not to do that, because his eyes, his self, and his family all had a share over him. The main message is moderation in worship. The Prophet guided him to fast and also break the fast, pray and also sleep. When Abdullah wanted more, he was guided to the fast of Dawud, which was fasting one day and not the next. The hadith teaches strong devotion, but with rest, family care, and steady worship.
What we learn from this hadith
- Voluntary fasting should not lead a person to ignore sleep, health, or family rights.
- The Prophet guided his companions toward worship that could be balanced with daily life.
- The fast of Dawud is described here as fasting one day and not the next.
- A person should avoid pushing himself beyond what keeps worship steady and sound.
