Bk 6 Fasting (Kitab Al−Sawm)
INTRODUCTION
After prayer the second obligatory duty which every Muslim is
required toper− form is that of fasting during the month of
Ramadan. The word sawm which has been used in the Holy Qur'an
and the Hadith for fasting means" to abstain" ; thus a horse
that abstains from moving about or from eating the fodder is
said to be sa'im. In the technical language sawm signifies
fasting or abstaining from food and drink and sexual
intercourse from the dim beginning of dawn till sunset.
Fasting as an institution for the purification of the soul is
common to all Divine religions. The writer of the article on"
Fasting" in the Encyclopadia Britannica states that" it would
be difficult to name any religious system of any description
in which it is wholly unrecognized." This institution was well
established among the Jews and the Christians. The records of
the Hadith bear ample testimony to the fact that fasting was a
common religious practice among the pre−Islamic Arabs too, and
they used to observe fast on the tenth of Muharram because it
was on this very day that Allah saved Moses and his companions
from the clutches of the Pharaoh who was drowned in the sea
along with his army. The Arabs and other people too were
familiar with fasting as an act of penitence or of
propitiation or a preparatory rite before some act of
sacramental eating or an initiation or a mourning ceremony. In
Islam fasting is primarily an institution for a spiritual
discipline and selfcontrol. It is in fact an exercise in
religious devotion in the form of cheerful and willing
renunciation, for a definite period, of all the appetites of
flesh lawful in themselves (the unlawful ones being ruled out
of course). The Qur'an says: 0 ye who believe! prescribed unto
you is fasting even as it was prescribed unto those before
you. that haply you may become God−conscious (ii. 183). Of all
the creation of God only man deviates from His path. We will
find that two things are mainly responsible for this: the love
for material possessions and the tempta− tions of the flesh.
Islam has, through the institutions of Zakat and Sadaqat,
purged the hearts of its followers from the love of wealth,
and has inculcated in him the habit to part with it readily
for the sake of God. Fasting has been ordained as a religious
duty for the Muslims for subduing their lust and keeping their
appetites well within reasonable bounds so that man may not
become their slave and lose control over himself. The Qur'an
clearly states that a man cannot attain salvation unless he
learns to restrain his self from low desires." And as for him
who fears to stand before his Lord and restrains himself from
low desires, Paradise is surely the abode" (lxxix. 40−41). The
exercise of abstaining from things otherwise lawful in the
ordinary course of life, at the behest of Allah, strengthens
man's morality and self−control and deepens in him the
consciousness of the Lord. This is what distinguishes fasting
in Islam from fasting in other religions. It should also be
borne in mind that fasting does not aim at inflicting
punishment upon people or sadding upon them unbearable
burdens. The underlying idea behind it is to teach moderation
and spiritual discipline so that human temptations may not
become so wild and uncontrollable as to flout the commands of
the Great Master. To be a true servant of Allah, it is
essential that man should be able to conform his behaviour to
the moral and spiritual discipline embodied in the Shari'ah of
Islam. One cannot achieve this end if one finds oneself
helpless before untamed and turbulent desires. Fasting is
indispensable for this moral and spiritual training. Another
distinguishing feature of Islamic fasting is that it does not
train a person for complete renunication but for perfect and
cheerful obedience to the Lord All those things from which man
is commanded to abstain during fast, e. g. eating, drinking
and sexual intercourse, become permissible for him at the end
of the fast. This shows that Islam does not look down upon the
appetite of flesh as something ignoble and thus fit to be
exterminated root and branch from the human soul. According to
Islam, there is nothing profane or ignoble in human
personality: both soul and body are sacred and worthy of
respect. No aspect is to be ignored and no urge is to be
completely curbed. What is required is to keep all these urges
well within their proper limits so that none of them
transgresses natural bounds and becomes the source of trouble.
That fasting is an institution for moral elevation can be
judged from the fact that Allah does not impose check only
upon eating, drinking and sexual intercourse from dawn to
sunset, but also exhorts His servants to refrain from other
foul acts, for ex− ample, backbiting, indulging in foul
speech, telling lies, etc. Abu Huraira reported Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: If one does not
abandon falsehood and other actions like it, God has no need
that one should abandon one's food and drink (Sahih Bukhari).
The social aspect of fasting in Ramadan is that the whole
atmosphere is permeated with religious piety and devotion to
Allah. There is one extra congregational prayer, Tarawih,
during the night, in which the Qur'an is recited and the
Muslim is reminded of the fact that it was in the month of
Ramadan that the revelation of the Qur'an commenced. The
sadaqqt are also given with greater zeal and fervour in this
month. Thus the whole Muslim society is inspired by the love
of God. Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be
upon him) as saying: When Ramadan begins, the gates of Heaven
are opened, the gates of Hell are locked, and the devils are
chained (Bukhari and Muslim). Muhammad Asad, while elucidating
the spiritual and moral significance of fast says:" Twofold I
learned, is the purpose of this month of fasting. One has to
abstain from food and drink in order to feel in one's body
what the poor and hungry feel: thus social responsibility is
being hammered into human consciousness as a religious
postulate. The other purpose of fasting during Ramadan is
self−discipline, an aspect of individual morality strongly
accentuated in all Islamic teachings (as, for instance, in the
total prohibition of all intoxicants, which Islam regards as
too easy an avenue of escape from consciousness and
responsibility). In these two elements−brotherhood of man and
Individual self−discipline −I began to discern nhe outline of
Islam's ethical out look" (Road to Mecca, London, 1954, p.
188).
Chapter 1: EXCELLENCE OF THE MONTH OF RAMADAN
Bk 6, Number 2361:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him)
as saying: When there comes the month of Ramadan, the gates of
mercy are opened, and the gates of Hell are locked and the
devils are chained,
Bk 6, Number 2362:
This hadith is reported by Abu Huraira (with a slight
alteration of words) that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be
upon him) said:" When (the month of) Ramadan begins."
Chapter 2: FASTING IN RAMADAN SHOULD NECESSARILY BE COMMENCED
WITH THE SIGHT OF THE NEW MOON AND FINISHED WITH THE SIGHT OF
THE NEWMOON IF THE WEATHER IS CLOUDY AT THE BEGINNING OR AT
THE END, THEN COMPLETE THIRTY DAYS
Bk 6, Number 2363:
Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying in connection with
Ramadan: Do not fast till you see the new moon, and do not
break fast till you see it; but if the weather is cloudy
calculate about it.
Bk 6, Number 2364:
Ibn Umar reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon
him) made a mention of Ramadan and he with the gesture of his
hand said: The month is thus and thus. (He then withdrew his
thumb at the third time). He then said: Fast when you see it,
and break your fast when you see it, and if the weather is
cloudy calculate it (the months of Sha'ban and Shawwal) as
thirty days.
Bk 6, Number 2365:
This hadith is narrated on the authority of 'Ubaidullah with
the same chain of transmitters, and he said: If (the sky) is
cloudy for you, then calculate thirty days (for the month of
Ramadan).
Bk 6, Number 2366:
'Ubaidullah narrated on the authority of the same chain of
transmitters that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) made a mention of Ramadan and said: The month may consist
of twenty−nine days, and it may be thus, thus and thus, and
(he further) said: Calculate it, but he did not say thirty.
Bk 6, Number 2367:
Ibn'Umar (Allah be pleased with−both of them) reported Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The month of
Ramadan may consist of twenty−nine days. So do not fast till
you have sighted it (the new moon) and do not break fast, till
you have sighted it (the new moon of Shawwal), and if the sky
is cloudy for you, then calculate.
Bk 6, Number 2368:
'Abdullah b. 'Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them)
reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying:
The month (of Ramadan) may consist of twenty nine days; so
when you see the new moon observe fast and when you see (the
new moon again at the commencement of the month of Shawwal)
then break It, and if the sky is cloudy for you, then
calculate it (and complete thirty days).
Bk 6, Number 2369:
'Abdullah b. Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them)
reported Allah's Measenger (may peace be upon him) as saying:
When you see the new moon, observe fast, and when you see it
(again) then break it, and if the sky is cloudy for you, then
calculate it.
Bk 6, Number 2370:
Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported
Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The month
may consist of twenty−nine nights. So do not fast till you
have sighted it (the new moon) and do not break it till you
have sighted it, except when the sky is cloudy for you, and if
it is so, then calculate it.
Bk 6, Number 2371:
Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The month is thus
and thus and thus (i. e. pointing with his fingers thrice),
and he held back his thumb at the third time (in order to show
that it can also consist of twenty−nine days).
Bk 6, Number 2372:
Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The month may
consist of twenty−nine days.
Bk 6, Number 2373:
Abdullah b. 'Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them)
reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying:
The mouth (of Ramadan) is thus and thus, and thus. i. e. ten,
ten and−nine.
Bk 6, Number 2374:
Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The month is
thus, and thus, and thus, and he flapped his hands with all
their fingers twice. but at the third turn, folded his right
thumb or left thumb (in order to give an idea of twenty−nine).
Bk 6, Number 2375:
Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported
Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The month
(of Ramadan) may consist of twenty. nine days, and Shu'ba (one
of the narrators) (gave a practical demonstration how the Holy
prophet (may peace be upon him) explained to them) by
unfolding his hands thrice and folding his thumb at the third
turn. 'Uqba (one of the narrators in this chain of trans−
mitters) said: I think that he said that the month consists of
thirty days and unfolded his palm three times.
Bk 6, Number 2376:
Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reported
Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: We are an
unlettered people who can neither write nor count. The month
is thus, and thus. folding his thumb when he said it the third
time. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Aswad
b. Qais with the same chain of transmitters, but herein no
mention has been made of the other month (consisting of)
thirty days.
Bk 6, Number 2377:
Sa'd b. 'Ubaida reported that Ibn'Umar (Allah be pleased with
both of them) heard a person saying: This night is the
midnight (of the month). Upon this he said to him: How do you
know that it is the midnight (of the month), for I heard the
Mes− senger of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying: The
month is thus and thus (and he pointed with his ten fingers
twice) and thus (i. e. at the third time he pointed with all
his fingers but withdrew or folded his thumb)?
Bk 6, Number 2378:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him)
as saying: Whenever you sight the new moon (of the month of
Ramadan) observe fast. and when you sight it (the new moon of
Shawwal) break it, and if the sky is cloudy for you, then
observe fast for thirty days.
Bk 6, Number 2379:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him)
as saying: Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and
break (fast) on sighting it (the new moon), but if the sky is
cloudy for you, then complete the number (of thirty).
Bk 6, Number 2380:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him)
as saying: Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and
break it on sighting it. But if (due to clouds) the actual
position of the month is concealed from you, you should then
count thirty (days).
Bk 6, Number 2381:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the
Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) made a mention of
the new moon and (in this connection) said: Observe fast when
you see it (the new moon) and break fast when you see it (the
new moon of Shawwal), but when (the actual position of the
month is) concealed from you (on account of cloudy sky), then
count thirty days.
Chapter 3: DO NOT FAST FOR A DAY OR TWO DAYS AHEAD OF RAMADAN
Bk 6, Number 2382:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Do not observe
fast for a day, or two days ahead of Ramadan except a person
who is in the habit of observing a particular fast; he may
fast on that day.
Bk 6, Number 2383:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Yahya b. Abi
Kathir with the same chain of transmitters.
Chapter 4: THE MONTH MAY CONSIST OF TWENTY−NINE DAYS
Bk 6, Number 2384:
Zuhri reported that (once) the Apostle of Allah (may peace be
upon him) took an oath that he would not go to his wives for
one Month. Zuhri said that 'Urwa narrated to him from 'A'isha
(Allah be pleased with her) that she said: When twenty−nine
nights were over, which I had counted, the Messenger of Allah
(may peace be upon him) came to me (he came to me first of
all). I said: Messenger of Allah, you had taken an oath that
you would not come to us for a month, whereas you have come
after twenty nine days which I have counted. Whereupon he
said: The month may also consist of twenty−nine days.
Bk 6, Number 2385:
Jabir (Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Holy
Prophet (may peace be upon him) separated himself from his
wives for a month. (His wives said: ) He came to us on the
twenty−ninth day, whereupon we said: It is the twenty−ninth
(day) today. Thereupon he said: So far as the month is
concerned, (and he, with a view to explaining it) flapped his
hands thrice, but held back one finger at the last turn.
Bk 6, Number 2386:
Abu Zubair is reported to have heard Jabir b. 'Abdullah (Allah
be pleased with both of them) as saying: The Apostle of Allah
(may peace be upon him) separated himself from his wives for a
month. (His wives said: ) He came to us on the morning of the
twenty−ninth. Upon this some, of the people said: It is the
morning of twenty− ninth (according to our calculation). Upon
this the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: The
month. may also consist of twenty−nine days. The Apostle of
Allah (may peace be upon him) then flapped his bands thrice,
twice with all the fingers of both his hand (to indicate
twenty−nine) and by the third time with nine (fingers).
Bk 6, Number 2387:
Umm Salama (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the
Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) took an oath that he
would not go to some of his wives for the whole of the month.
When twenty−nine days bad passed he (the Holy Prophet) went to
them in the morning or in the evening. Upon this it was said
to him: Apostle of Allah, you took an oath that you would not
come to us for a month, whereupon he said: The month may also
consist of twenty−nine days.
Bk 6, Number 2388:
A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of Ibn
Juraij with the same chain of transmitters.
Bk 6, Number 2389:
Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas (Allah be pleased with him) said that the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) struck his hand
against the other and (then with the gesture of his two hands)
said: The month is thus, thus (two times). He then withdrew
(one of) his fingers at the third turn.
Bk 6, Number 2390:
Muhammad b. Sa'd reported on the authority of his father (Sa'd
b. Abi Waqqas (Allah be pleased with him) that the Apostle of
Allah (may peace be upon him) had said: Tho month is thus and
thus, and thus, i. e. ten, ten and nine. This hadith has been
narrated by Abu Khalid with the same chain of transmitters.
Chapter 5: THERE IS A SIGHTING OF THE MOON FOR EVERY TOWN; THE
SIGHTING AT ONE TOWN CANNOT BE HELD VALID FOR THE OTHER TOWN
SITUATED AT A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE FROM IT
Bk 6, Number 2391:
Kuraib reported that Umm Fadl, daughter of Harith, sent him
(Fadl, i. e. her son) to Mu'awiya in Syria. I (Fadl) arrived
in Syria, and did the needful for her. It was there in Syria
that the month of Ramadan commenced. I saw the new moon (of
Ramadan) on Friday. I then came back to Medina at the end of
the month. Abdullah b. 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with him)
asked me (about the new moon of Ramadan) and said: When did
you see it? I said.: We saw it on the night of Friday. He
said: (Did) you see it yourself? −I said: Yes, and the people
also saw it and they observed fast and Mu'awiya also observed
fast, whereupon he said: But we saw it on Saturday night. So
we would continue to observe fast till we complete thirty
(lasts) or we see it (the new moon of Shawwal). I said: Is the
sightidg of the moon by Mu'awiya not valid for you? He said:
No; this is how the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)
has commanded us. Yahya b. Yahya was in doubt (whether the
word used in the narration by Kuraib) was Naktafi or Taktafi.
Chapter 6: IT IS IMMATERIAL WHETHER THE NEW MOON IS LARGE (ON
ACCOUNT OF APPEARING AFTER THIRTY NIGHTS) OR SMALL (ON ACCOUNT
OF APPEARING ON THE THIRTIETH NIGHT) ; AND ALLAH DEFERS IT TO
MAKE IT SUITABLE FOR SIGHTING AND IF THE SKY IS CLOUDY, THEN
THIRTY (FASTS) ARE TO BE COMPLETED
Bk 6, Number 2392:
Abu'l−Bakhtari reported: We went out to perform Umra and when
we encamped in the valley of Nakhla, we tried to see the new
moon. Some of the people said: It was three nights old, and
others (said) that it was two nights old. We then met Ibn
'Abbas and told him we had seen the new moon, but that some of
the people said it was three nights old and others that it was
two nights old. He asked on which night we had seen it; and
when we told him we had seen it on such and such night, he
said the Prophet of Allah (may peace be upon him) had said:
Verily Allah deferred it till the time it is seen, so it is to
be reckoned from the night you saw it.
Bk 6, Number 2393:
Abu'l−Bakhtari reported: We saw the new moon of Ramadan as we
were at Dhit−i−'Irq. We sent a man to Ibn Abbas (Allah be
pleased with both of them) to ask him (whether the sighting of
a small moon had something of the nature of defect in it).
Upon this Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with both of them) said
that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) had said:
Verily Allah deferred its sight, but if (the new moon) is
hidden from you, then, complete its number (thirty).
Chapter 7: THE MONTHS OF 'ID ARE NOT INCOMPLETE
Bk 6, Number 2394:
The son of Abu Bakra reported it on the authority of his
father that the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) had
said: The two months of 'Id, Ramadan and Dhu'l−Hijja (are not
incomplete).
Bk 6, Number 2395:
'Abd ar−Rahman b. Abu Bakra reported on the authority of Abu
Bakra that the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) had
said: The months of 'Id are not incomplete. And in the hadith
narrated by Khalid (the words are):" The months, of 'Id are
Ramadan and Dhu'l−Hijja."
Chapter 8: THE TIMING OF FAST BEGINS WITH DAWN
Bk 6, Number 2396:
'Adi b. Hatim (Allah be pleased with him) reported that when
(this verse) was revealed:" Until the white streak of the dawn
becomes distinct from the dark streak" (ii. 187) Adi b. Hatim
said: Messenger of Allah, verily I keep underneath my pillow
two strings, one white and the other black, by which I
distinguish night from dawn. Upon this the Messenger of Allah
(may peace be upon him) said: Your pillow seems to be very
large. For the word khait implies the blackness of the night
and the whiteness of the dawn.
Bk 6, Number 2397:
Sahl b. Sa'd said that when this verse was revealed:" Eat and
drink till the white streak is distinct from the dark streak,"
a person would take hold of a white thread and a black thread
and keep on eating till he could find them distinct (in the
light of the dawn). It was then that Allah, the Majestic and
Great, reveiled (the words) min al−fajr (from the dawn), and
then it became clear (that the word khait refers to the streak
of light in the dawn).
Bk 6, Number 2398:
Sahl b. Sa'd (Allah be pleased with him) said: When this verse
was reveal− ed." Eat and drink till the white streak becomes
distinct from the dark streak for you," the person who decided
to observe fast tied on one of his feet a black thread and on
the other a white thread. And he went on eating and drinking
till he could distinguish (between their colour) on seeing
them. It was after this that Allah reveal− ed (the words): min
al−fajr. And they (the Muslims) came to know that (the word
khait) refers to the night and day.
Bk 6, Number 2399:
'Abdullah b. Mas'ud (Allah be pleased with him) reported that
the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) had said: Bilal
would pronounce Adhan (at the fag end of the night in order to
inform the people about the time of the Sahri). So you eat and
drink till you hear the Adhan of Ibn Umm Maktum (which was
pro− nounced at the conclusion of the Sahri and the
commencement of the fast).
Bk 6, Number 2400:
Abdullah b. 'Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them)
reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) as saying: Bilal announces Adhan during the night, so you
eat and drink, till you hear the Adhan of Ibn Umm Maktum.
Bk 6, Number 2401:
Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported that
the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) had two
Mu'adhdhins, Bilal and son of Umm Maktum, the blind. The
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Bilal
announces Adhan at (the fag end of the) night (i. e. Sahri),
so eat and drink till the son of Umm Maktum announces Adhan.
And he (the narrator) said: And the (difference of time)
between their (Adhans) was not more than this that one climbed
down (from the minaret) and the other climbed up (to announce
Adhan).
Bk 6, Number 2402:
A hadith like this has been transmitted on the authority of
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her).
Bk 6, Number 2403:
A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of
'Ubaidullah on the two chains of transmitters.
Bk 6, Number 2404:
Ibn Mas'ud (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying The Adhan of Bilal
should not restrain anyone among you from eating Sahur (last
meal before daybreak during the month of Ramadan) for he
announces Adhan (or he calls) at (the fag end of) the night to
make him turn who stands for prayer among you, and to awaken
those who are sleeping among you. And he said: The dawn is not
like it, as one says (and he lifted his hand) till he
(dispersed his fingers) and said: It is like this.
Bk 6, Number 2405:
This hadith has been narrated by Sulaiman al−Taimi with the
same chain of transmitters (but with a slight variation of
words) that he (the Holy Prophet) said: The dawn is not like
it as it is said; he then gathered his fingers and lowered
them. But he said, it is like this (and he placed the index
finger upon the other one and spread his hand).
Bk 6, Number 2406:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Sulaiman
Taimi with the same chain of transmitters and, at the end, it
was said that the first Adhan was meant to awaken those who
were in slumber amongst them and in order to make them turn
who stand in (prayer) among them (towards food at the
commencement of the fast). Jarir (one of the narrators) said
that the Messenger (may peace be upon him) did not say like
this but he said like it (true dawn) that the streaks of (true
dawn ) are horizontal and not vertical.
Bk 6, Number 2407:
Samura b. Jandub reported Muhammad (may peace be upon him) as
saying. The call of Bilal may not mislead any one of you (and
he may, under the wrong impression gathered from it, refrain)
from taking meal before the commencement of the fast (for the
streaks) of this whiteness (which are vertical indicate the
false dawn and the true dawn with which the fast commences is
that when the streaks of light are) spread.
Bk 6, Number 2408:
Samura b. Jundub reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon
him) as saying: The Adhan of Bilal should not mislead you nor
the whiteness (of the pillar) of dawn, for it is not the
whiteness of the true dawn, but that of the false dawn which
is vertical like a pillar and you can eat food till the
streaks of whiteness spread like it.
Bk 6, Number 2409:
Samura b. Jundub (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The Adhan of
Bilal may not mislead you with regard to your food at the
commencement of the fast, nor the vertical (streaks) of
whiteness in the horizon (for it is an indication of false
dawn). You should stop eating (food) till (the whiteness)
spreads like it. Hammad narrated it and with the gesture of
his band he explained, the horizontal position (of the streaks
of light).
Bk 6, Number 2410:
Samura b. Jundub addressed and narrated from the Apostle of
Allah (may peace be upon him) having said (these words):
Neither the call of Bilal should mislead you nor this
whiteness (of false dawn) till (the true) dawn appears (or he
said) till the dawn breaks.
Bk 6, Number 2411:
A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of
Samura b. Jundub.
Chapter 9: EXCELLENCE OF TAKING MEAL BEFORE DAWN, STRESS ON
GIVING IT PREFERENCE AND PREFERENCE FOR DEFERRING IT (AT THE
FAG END OF THE NIGHT) AND HASTENING IN BREAKING IT
Bk 6, Number 2412:
Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger
(may peace be upon him) as saying: Take meal a little before
dawn, for there is a blessing in taking meal at that time.
Bk 6, Number 2413:
'Amr b. al−'As reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon
him) as saying: The difference between our fasting and that of
the people of the Book is eating shortly before dawn.
Bk 6, Number 2414:
Musa b. 'Ali has narrated this hadith through the same chain
of transmitters.
Bk 6, Number 2415:
Zaid b. Thabit (Allah be pleased with him) said: We took meal
shortly before dawn along with the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him). We then stood up for prayer. I said: How
much span of time was there between the two (acts, i. e.
taking of Sahri and observing of prayer)? He said (a span of
reciting) fifty verses.
Bk 6, Number 2416:
This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Qatada
too.
Bk 6, Number 2417:
Sahl b. Sa'd (Allah be pleased with him) repotted Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The people will
continue to prosper as long as they hasten the breaking of the
fast.
Bk 6, Number 2418:
A hadith like this has been transmitted by Sahl b. Sa'd.
Bk 6, Number 2419:
Abu 'Atiyya reported: I and Masruq went to 'A'isha and said to
her: Mother of the Believers, there are two persons among the
Companions of Muhammad (may peace be upon him) one among whom
hastens in breaking the fast and in observing prayer, and the
other delays breaking the fast and delays observing prayer.
She said: Who among the two hastens in breaking fast and
observing prayers? We said, It is 'Abdullah. i. e. son of
Mas'ud. whereupon she said: This is how the Messenger of Allah
(may peace be upon him) did. Abu Kuraib added: The second one
was Abu Musa.
Bk 6, Number 2420:
Abu 'Atiyya reported: I and Misruq went to 'A'isha (Allah be
pleased with her) and Masruq said to her: There are two
persons among the Companions of Muhammad (may peace be upon
him) none of whom abandons the good, but one of them hastens
to observe sunset prayer and break the fast, and the other
delays in observing the sunset prayer and in breaking the
fast, whereupon she said: Who hastens to observe sunset prayer
and break the fast? He said: It is 'Abdullah. Upon this she
said: This is how the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) used to do.
Chapter 10: THE TIME FOR BREAKING THE FAST AND ENDING OF DAY
Bk 6, Number 2421:
'Umar (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger
(may peace be upon him) as saying: When the night approaches
and the day retreates and the sun sinks down, then the
observer of the fast should break it. Ibn Numair made no
mention of the word" then".
Bk 6, Number 2422:
'Abdullah b. Abi Aufa reported: We were with the Messenger of
Allah (may peace be upon him) on a journey during the month of
Ramadan. When the sun had sunk he said: So and so, get down
(from your ride) and prepare the meal of parched barley for
us. He said: Messenger of Allah, still (there is light of)
day. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Get down and prepare meal of
parched barley for us. So he got down and prepared the meal of
parched barley and offered him, and the apostle of Allah (may
peace be upon him) drank that (liquid meal). He then told with
the gesture of his hand that when the sun sank from that side
and the night appeared from that side, then the observer of
the fast should break it.
Bk 6, Number 2423:
Ibn Abi Aufa (Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were
with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) on a
journey. When the sun sank he said to a person: Get down and
prepare barley meal for us. Upon this he said: Messenger of
Allah, let there be dusk. (He the Holy Prophet) said: Get down
and prepare barley meal for us. He (the person) said: There is
still (the light of) day upon us. (But) he got down (in
obedience to the command of the Holy Prophet) and prepared a
barley meal for him and he (the Holy Prophet) drank that
(liquid meal) and then said: When you see the night
approaching from that side (west) (and he pointed towards the
east with his hand), then the observer of the fast should
break it.
Bk 6, Number 2424:
Abdullah b. Abi Aufa (Allah be pleased with him) reported: We
travelled with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)
as he had been observing fast. When the sun sank he said: So
and so, get down and prepare barley meal for us. The rest of
the hadith is the same.
Bk 6, Number 2425:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Abi Aufa
(Allah be pleased with him) through another chain of
transmitters (but with a sight alteration of words): In this
hadith transmitted by one of the narrators (neither these
words are found): During the month of Ramadan." nor his
statement:" And the night prevails from that side (the eastern
side)." (These words are found in the narration of) Hushaim
only.
Chapter 11: IT IS FORBIDDEN TO OBSERVE UNINTERRUPTED FASTING
Bk 6, Number 2426:
Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) said that the
Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) forbade uninterrupted
fasting. They (some of the Companions) said: You yourself fast
uninterruptedly, whereupon he said: I am not like you. I am
fed and supplied drink (by Allah).
Bk 6, Number 2427:
Ibn 'Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be
upon him) abserved fasts uninterruptedly in Ramadan and the
people (in his wake) did this. But he forbade them to do so.
It was said to him (to the Holy Prophet): You yourself observe
the fasts uninterruptedly (but you forbid us to do so) Upon
this he said: I am not like you; I am fed and supplied drink
(by Allah).
Bk 6, Number 2428:
A hadith like this has been transmitted by Ibn 'Umar (Allah be
pleased with both of them), but he did not make mention of
(the words):" During the month of Ramadan."
Bk 6, Number 2429:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported: The
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) forbade (his
Companions) from observing fast unintermptedly. One of the
Muslims said: Messenger of Allah, you yourself observe Saum
Wisal. whereupon the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) said: Who among you is like me? I spend night (in a
state) that my Allah feeds me and provides me drink. When they
(the Companions of the Holy Prophet) did not agree in
abandoning the uninterrupted fast, then the Holy Prophet (may
peace. be upon him) also observed this fast with them for a
day, and then for a day. They then saw the new moon and he
(the Holy Prophet) said: If the appearance of the new moon
were delayed. I would have observed more (fasts) with you (and
he did it) by way of warning to them as they had not agreed to
refrain (from observing Saum Wisal)
Bk 6, Number 2430:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Abstain from
Saum−Wisal. They (his Companions) said: Messenger of Allah,
but you observe Saum Wisal. Upon this he said: You are not
like me in this matter, for I spend my night (in a state) that
my Lord feeds me and provides me drink Devote yourselves to
the deeds (the burden of which) you can bear.
Bk 6, Number 2431:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's
Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying (the words as said
in the previous hadith) but with this alteration (of words):"
Take upon yourselves (the burden of the deeds) for which you
have the strength to bear."
Bk 6, Number 2432:
Abu Huraira reported that the Apostle of Allah (may peace be
upon him) forbade (his Companions) to observe Saum Wisal.
Bk 6, Number 2433:
Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reported The Messenger of
Allah (may peace be upon him) was observing prayer during
Ramedan. I came and stood by his side. Then another man came
and he stood likewise till we became a group. When the Apostle
of Allah (may peace be upon him) perceived that we were behind
him, he lightened the prayer. He then went to his abode and
observed such (a long) prayer (the like of which) he never
observed with us. When it was morning we said to him: Did you
perceive us during the night? Upon this he said: Yes, it was
this (realisation) that induced me to do that which I did. He
(the narrator) said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) began to observe Saum Wisal at the end of the month (of
Ramadan), and some persons among his Companions began to
observe this uninter− rupted fast, whereupon the Apostle of
Allah (may peace be upon him) said: What about such persons
who observe uninterrupted fasts? You are not like me. By
Allah. if the month were lengthened for me, I would have
observed Saum Wisal, so that those who act with an
exaggeration would (have been obliged) to abandon their
exaggeration. 1501
Bk 6, Number 2434:
Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger
of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed Saum Wisal during
the early part of the month of Ramadan. The people among
Muslims also observed uninterrupted fast. This (news) reached
him (the Holy Prophet) and he said: Had the month been
lengthened for me I would have continued observing Saum Wisal,
so that those who act with forced hardness would (have been
obliged) to abandon it. You are not like me (or he said): I am
not like you. I continue to do so (in a state) that my Lord
feeds me and provides me drink.
Bk 6, Number 2435:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) said: The Apostle of Allah
(may peace be upon him) forbade them (his Companions) to
observe Saum Wisal out of mercy for them. They said: You (Holy
Prophet) yourself observe it. Upon this he said: I am not like
you. My Lord feeds me and provides me drink.
Chapter 12: KISSING IS NOT FORBIDDEN WHILE FASTING IF ONE IS
NOT URGED BY SEXUAL LUST
Bk 6, Number 2436:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) said that the Messenger of
Allah (may peace be upon him) kissed one of his wives while he
was fasting, and then she ('A'isha) smiled (as she narrated).
Bk 6, Number 2437:
Sufyan reported: I said to 'Abd al−Rahman b. Qasim: Have you
heard from your father narrating from 'A'isha (Allah be
pleased with her) that he kissed her while observing fast? He
('Abd al−Rahman b. Qasim) kept silence for a short while and
then said:" Yes."
Bk 6, Number 2438:
'A'isha reported: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him)
used to kiss me while observing fast; and who among you can
control his desire as the Messenger of Allah (may peace be
upon him) could control his desire.
Bk 6, Number 2439:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported: Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to kiss (his wives)
while fasting and embraced (them) while fasting; but he had
the greatest mastery over his desire among you.
Bk 6, Number 2440:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of
Allah (may peace be upon him) used to kiss (his wives) while
fasting; and he had the greatest control over his desire (as
compared with you).
Bk 6, Number 2441:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) said that the Messenger of
Allah (may peace be upon him) used to embrace (his wives)
while fasting.
Bk 6, Number 2442:
Aswad reported: I and Masruq went to 'A'isha (Allah be pleased
with her) and asked. her if the Messenger of Allah (may peace
be upon him) embraced (his wives) while fasting. She said:
Yes; but he had the greatest control over his desire among
you: or he was one of those who had control over his desire.
It is further narrated on the authority of Aswad and Masruq
that they went to the Mother of the Believers and they asked
her (and the rest of the hadith is the same)
Bk 6, Number 2443:
'Urwa b. Zubair narrated that 'A'isha the Mother of the
Believers (Allah be pleased with her) informed him that the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) kissed her while
fasting.
Bk 6, Number 2444:
A hadith like this has been narrated by Yahya b. Abu Kathir
with the same chain of transmitters.
Bk 6, Number 2445:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to kiss her
during the month of fasting.
Bk 6, Number 2446:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) kissed (his wives) during
Ramadan while observing fast.
Bk 6, Number 2447:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Allah's
Apostle (peace be upon him) kissed (his wives) while fasting.
Bk 6, Number 2448:
Hafsa (Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger
of Allah (may peace be upon him) kissed (his wives) while
fasting.
Bk 6, Number 2449:
A hadith like this has been narrated by Hafsa (Allah be
pleased with her) through another chain of transmitters.
Bk 6, Number 2450:
Umar b Abu Salama reported that he asked the Messenger of
Allah (may peace be upon him): Should one observing fast kiss
(his wife)? The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)
said to him: Ask her (Umm Salama). She informed him that the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) did that, where
upon he said: Messenger of Allah, Allah pardoned thee all thy
sins, the previous and the later ones. Upon this the Messenger
of Allah (may peace be upon him) ) said: By Allah, I am the
most God conscious among you and I fear Him most among you.
Chapter 13: THERE IS NO HARM IN OBSERVING FAST IF ONE IS JUNBI
EVEN AFTER DAWN
Bk 6, Number 2451:
Abu Bakr (he is Abu Bakr b. Abd al−Rahman b. Harith) reported:
I heard Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) narrating that
he who is overtaken by dawn in a state of seminal emission
should not observe fast. I made a mention of it to 'Abd
al−Rahman b. Harith (i. e. to his father) but he denied it.
'Abd al−Rahman went and I also went along with him till we
came to'A'isha and Umm Salama (Allah be pleased with both of
them) and Abd al−Rahman asked them about it. Both of them
said: (At times it so happened) that the Apostle of Allah (may
peace be upon him) woke up in the morning in a state of junub
(but without seminal emission in a dream) and observed fast He
(the narrator) said: We then proceeded till we went to Marwan
and Abd al−Rahman made a mention of it to him. Upon this
Marwan said: I stress upon you (with an oath) that you better
go to Abu Huraira and refer to him what is said about it. So
we came to Abu Huraira and Abu Bakr had been with us
throughout and 'Abd al−Rahman made a mention of it to him,
whereupon Abu Huraira said: Did they (the two wives of the
Holy Prophet) tell you this? He replied: Yes Upon this (Abu
Huraira) said: They have better knowledge. Abu Huraira then
attributed that what was said about it to Fadl b. 'Abbas and
said: I heard it from Fadl and not from the Apostle of Allah
(may peace be upon him). Abu Huraira then retracted from what
he used to say about it. Ibn Juraij (one of the narrators)
reported: I asked 'Abd al−Malik, if they (the two wives) said
(made the statement) in regard to Ramadan, whereupon he said:
It was so, and he (the Holy Prophet) (woke up in the) morning
in a state of junub which was not due to the wet dream and
then observed fast.
Bk 6, Number 2452:
'A'isha, the wife of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon
him), said: The dawn broke upon the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) during the Ramadan in a state of junub not
because of sexual dream (but on account of intercourse) and he
washed himself and observed fast.
Bk 6, Number 2453:
Abu Bakr reported that Marwan sent him to Umm Salama to ask
whether a person should observe fast who is in a state of
junub and the dawn breaks upon him, whereupon she said that
the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) (was at times)
junbi on account of intercourse and not due to sexual dream,
and the dawn broke upon him, but he neither broke the fast nor
recompensed.
Bk 6, Number 2454:
Abu Bakr b. 'Abd al−Rahman b. al−Harith b. Hisham reported on
the authority of 'A'isha and Umm Salama, the wives of the
Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him): The Messenger of
Allah (may peace be upon him) at times got up in the morning
in a state of junub on account of having a sexual intercourse
(with his wives during night) but not due to sexual dreams in
the month of Ramadan, and would observe fast.
Bk 6, Number 2455:
'A'isha reported that a person came to the Apottle of Allah
(may peace be upon him) asking for a fatwa (religious
verdict). She ('A'isha) had been overhearing it from behind
the curtain. 'A'isha added that he (the person) had said:
Messenger of Allah, (the time) of prayer overtakes me as I am
in a state of junub; should I observe fast (in this state)?
Upon this the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said:
(At times the time) of prayer overtakes me while I am in a
state of junub, and I observe fast (in that very state),
whereupon he said: Messenger of Allah, you are not like us
Allah has pardoned all your sins, the previous ones and the
later ones. Upon this he (the Holy Prophet) said: By Allah, I
hope I am the most God−fearirg of you, and possess the best
knowledge among you of those (things) against which I should
guard.
Bk 6, Number 2456:
Sulaiman b. Yasar reported that he asked Umm Salama whether a
person (who gets up) in the morning in a state of junub should
observe fast. She said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be
upon him) (at times) got up in the morning in a state of
junub, not because of sexual dreams (but on account of
intercourse at night), and then observed fast.
Chapter 14: SEXUAL INTERCOURSE IS COMPLETELY FORBIDDEN DURING
THE DAY IN THE MONTH OF RAMADAN
Bk 6, Number 2457:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported that a person
came to the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) and said:
Messenger of Allah, I am undone. He (the Holy Prophet) said:
What has brought about your ruin? He said: I have had
intercourse with my wife during the month of Ramadan. Upon
this he (the Holy prophet) said: Can you find a slave to set
him free? He said: NO He (the Holy Prophet again) said: Can
you observe fast for two consecutive months? He said: No. He
(the Holy Prophet) said: Can you provide food to sixty poor
people?, He said: No. He then sat down and (in the meanwhile)
there was brought to the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon
him) a basket which contained dates. He (the Holy Prophet)
said: Give these (dates) in charity. He (the man) said: Am I
to give to one who is poorer than I? There is no family poorer
than mine between the two lava plains of Medina. The Apostle
of Allah (may peace be upon him) laughed so that his molar
teeth became visible and said: Go and give it to your family
to eat.
Bk 6, Number 2458:
A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of
Mubammad b. Muslim al−Zuhri with the same chain of
transmitters, and he said: There was brought an 'araq
containing dates, an 'araq being a huge basket. But in this
hadith no men− tion has been made of (the fact) that the
Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) laughed till his
molar teeth became visible.
Bk 6, Number 2459:
Abu Huraira reported that a person had intercourse with his
wife during Ramadan (while fasting). He asked for the
religious verdict (about it) from the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him), whereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Can
you find a slave (to grant him freedom)? He said: No. He (the
Holy Prophet again) said: Can you afford to observe fasts for
two (consecutive) months? He said: No. He (the Holy Prophet)
said: Then feed sixty poor men.
Bk 6, Number 2460:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri with
the same chain of transmitters that a person broke fast in
Ramadan whereupon the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) commanded him to free a slave (as an atonement), and the
rest of the hadith is the same as narrated by Ibn Uyaina.
Bk 6, Number 2461:
Humaid b. 'Abd al−Rahman reported that Abu Huraira had
narrated to him that the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon
him) commanded the person (who) broke the fast in Ramadan to
free a slave or observe fasts for two (consecutive) months or
feed sixty poor persons.
Bk 6, Number 2462:
This hadith has been narrated with the same chain of
transmitters on the authority of Zuhri.
Bk 6, Number 2463:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that a person
came to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and
said: I am burnt, whereupon the Messenger of Allah (may peace
be upon him) said: How is it? He (the person) said: I had
intercourse with my wife during the day in Ramadan. Upon this
(the Holy Prophet) said: Give charity, give charity. He (the
person) said: There is nothing with me. He commanded him to
sit down, (In the meanwhile) there were brought to him (to the
Holy Prophet) two baskets containing eatables, whereupon the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) told him to give
them as sadaqa.
Bk 6, Number 2464:
'Abbad b. Abdullah b. Zubair narrated that he heard 'A'isha
(Allah be pleased with her) saying: A person came to the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), and he then
narrated the hadith. But (neither these words are found):"
Give charity, give charity" (nor) his words:" during the day
time".
Bk 6, Number 2465:
Abbad b. Abdullah b. Zubair reported that he had heard
'A'isha, the wife of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon
him), as saying: A person came to the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) in the mosque during (the month of) Ramadan
and said: Messenger of Allah, I am burnt I am burnt, whereupon
the Mes− senger of Allah (may peace be upon him) asked him as
to what the matter was. Upon this he said: I had intercourse
with my wife (in a state of fasting) Thereupon he (the Holy
Prophet) said: Give charity. Upon this he said: Apostle of
Allah, I swear by God, there is nothing with me (to give in
charity) as I do not possess anything. He (the Holy Prophet)
said: Sit down. So he sat down and he was in this very state
when there came a person urging a donkey with a load of
eatables upon it. The Mes− senger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) said: Where is that burnt one who was just here?
Thereupon the person stood up. The Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) said: Give this (eatables brought by the
man) in charity. Upon this the person said: Messenger of
Allah, can there be anyone else (more deserving than I)? By
Allah. we are hungry, we have nothing with us. Upon this he
(the Holy Prophet) said: Then eat (these eatables).
Chapter 15: PERMISSIBILITY OF OBSERVING THE FAST OR NOT
OBSERVING IT IN THE MONTH OF RAMADAN FOR A TRAVELLER
Bk 6, Number 2466:
Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) went out during the
month of Ramadan in the year of Victory (when Mecca was
conquered) and was fasting till he reached Kadid (a canal
situated at a distance of forty−two miles from Mecca) and he
then broke the fast. And it was the habit of the Companions of
the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) to follow him
in every new thing (or act). So they followed him also (in
this matter).
Bk 6, Number 2467:
This hadith is narrated on the authority of Zuhri with the
same chain of transmitters. Yahya (one of the narrators) said
that Sufyan (the narrator) had stated: I do not know whose
statement it is:" It is the last word of the Messenger of
Allah (may peace be upon him) which is accepted as (final as
it abrogates the previous ones)."
Bk 6, Number 2468:
It has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri with the same
chain of transmitters that breaking of fast (in a journey) is
the final of the two commands (whether one may fast or one may
break it), and it is the last command of the Messenger of
Allah (may peace be upon him) which is to be accepted as
final. Zuhri said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) marched on Mecca on the morning of 14th of Ramadan (lit.
when thirteen nights had passed).
Bk 6, Number 2469:
A hadlth like this has been transmitted on the authority of
Ibn Shibab who said that they (the Compnions of the Holy
Prophet) followed the latest of his commands and looked upon
it as one abrogating (the previous ones) and the most firm.
Bk 6, Number 2470:
Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) journeyed during
the month of Ramadan in a slate of fasting till he reached
'Usfan. He then ordered a cup containing drinking water and he
drank that openly so that the people might see it, and broke
the fast (and did not resume it) till he reached Mecca. Ibn
'Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah's Messenger
(may peace be upon him) fasted and broke the fast, so he who
wished fasted and he who wished to break it broke it.
Bk 6, Number 2471:
Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) reported: Do not condemn
one who observes fast, or one who does not observe (in a
journey). for the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)
observed fast in a journey or he did not observe it (too).
Bk 6, Number 2472:
Jabir b. 'Abdullah (Allah be pleased with both of them)
reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) went
out to Mecca in Ramadan in the year of Victory, and he and the
people fasted till he came to Kura' al−Ghamim and the people
also fasted. He then called for a cup of water which he raised
till the people saw it, and then he drank. He was told
afterwards that some people had continued to fast, and he
said: These people are the disobedient ones; these are the
disobedient ones.
Bk 6, Number 2473:
This hadith has been narrated by Ja'far with the some chain of
trans− mitters and he added: It was said to him (to the Holy
Prophet): There are people to whom fasting has become
unbearable and they are waiting how you do. He (the Holy
Prophet) then called for a cup of water when it was afternoon.
The rest of the hadith is the same.
Bk 6, Number 2474:
Jabir b. 'Abdullah (Allah be pleased with both of them)
reported that in the course of a journey Allah's Messenger
(may peace be upon him) saw a man, people crowding around him
and providing him a shade. Upon this he (the Holy Prophet)
said: What is the matter with him? They said: He is a person
observing fast. Whereupon the Messenger of Allah (may peace be
upon him) said: It is no righteousness that you fast on
journey.
Bk 6, Number 2475:
'Amr b. al−Hasan is reported to have said that he heard Jabir
b. 'Abdullah (Allah be pleased with both of them) as saying
that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) saw a man.
The rest of the hadith is the same as mentioned above.
Bk 6, Number 2476:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Shu'ba with
the same chain of transmitters but with this addition that he
(the Holy Prophet) said:" Take advantage of the concession of
Allah Who Wanted it to you." When he (one of the narrators)
asked him (the other one, Yabya b. Abi Kathar) he did not
retain it in his mind.
Bk 6, Number 2477:
Abu Sa'id al−Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported: We
went out on an expedition with Allah's Messenger (may peace be
upon him) on the 16th of Ramadan. Some of us fasted and some
of us broke the fast. But neither the observer of the fast
found fault with one who broke it, nor the breaker of the fast
found fault with one who observed it.
Bk 6, Number 2478:
A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of
Qatada with the same chain of transmitters by different
narrators (except this difference) that in the hadith
transmitted by Taimi and Umar b. Amir and Hisham (the date of
setting out is) 18th, and in the hadith transmitted by Sa'id
it is the 12th, and in the one transmitted by Shu'ba it is the
17th or 19th.
Bk 6, Number 2479:
Abu Sa'id al−Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported: We
went out on an expedition with the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) during Ramadan and neither the observer of
the fast was found fault with for his fasting, nor the breaker
of the fast for breaking it.
Bk 6, Number 2480:
Abu Sa'id al−Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported: We
went out on an expedition with the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) during Ramadan. Some of us observed the
fast and some of us broke it. Neither the observer of the fast
had any grudge against one who broke it, nor the breaker of
the fast had any grudge against one who had fasted They knew
that he who had strength enough (to bear its rigour) fasted
and that was good, and they also found that he who felt
weakness (and could not bear the burden) broke it, and that
was also good.
Bk 6, Number 2481:
Abu Nadra reported Abu Sa'id al. Khudri and Jabir b. Abdullah
as saying: We travelled with the Messenger of Allah (may peace
be upon him). The observer of the fast observed it, and the
breaker of the fast broke it, but none of them found fault
with each other.
Bk 6, Number 2482:
Humaid reported that Anas (Allah be pleased with him) was
asked about fasting during Ramadan while travelling. He said:
We travelled with the MesseDger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) during the month of Ramadan, but neither the ob− server
of the fast found fault with the breaker of the fast, nor the
breaker of the fast found fault with the observer of the fast.
Bk 6, Number 2483:
Abu Khalid al−Ahmar narrated from Humaid who said: I went out
and was fasting; they said to me: Break (lit go back, repeat).
He said that Anas reported that the Companions of the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to set out on
a journey and neither the observer of the fast found fault
with the breaker of the fast, nor the breaker of the fast
found fault with the observer of the fast. (One of the
narrators Humaid said): I met Ibn Abi Mulaika who informed me
the same thing on the authority of 'A'isha.
Chapter 16: THE REWARD OF ONE WHO DOES NOT OBSERVE FAST
BECAUSE OF A RELIGIOUS DUTY
Bk 6, Number 2484:
Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were with the
Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) on a journey. Some of
us had been observing the fast and some of us had not been
fasting. We got down at a place on a hot day. Most of us had
the cloth for shelter. There were also those amongst us who
sheltered (themselves against the rays of the) sun with the
help of their hands. The observers of the fast fell down (on
account of weakness). Those who had not observed it got up and
pitched tents and watered the mounts. Thereupon the Messenger
of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: The breakers of the
fast have taken away the reward today.
Bk 6, Number 2485:
Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger
of Allah (may peace be upon him) was journeying (along with
his Companions). Some of them had observed the fast whereas
the others had broken it. Those who did not fast girded up
their loins and worked, but the observers of the fast were too
weak to work. Upon this he (the Apostle of Allah) said: Today
the breakers of the fast have gone with the reward.
Bk 6, Number 2486:
Qaza'a reported: I came to Abu Sa'id al−Khudri (Allah be
pleased with him) and he was surrounded (by people), and when
they dispersed I said to him: I am not going to ask you about
what these people were asking. I ask you about fasting on a
journey. Upon this he said: We travelled with the Messenger of
Allah (may peace be upon him) towards Mecca and we had been
observing fast. We halted at a place. There the Messenger of
Allah (may peace be upon him) said: You are nearing your enemy
and breaking of fast would give you greater strength, and that
was a concession (given to us). But some of us continued to
observe the fast and some of us broke it. We then got down at
another place and he (the Holy Prophet) said: You are going to
encounter the enemy in the morning and breaking of the fast
would give you strength, so break the fast. As it was a point
of stress, so we broke the fast. But subsequently we saw
ourselves observing the fast with the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) on a journey.
Chapter 17: CHOICE FOR OBSERVING FAST AND BREAKING IT ON A
JOURNEY
Bk 6, Number 2487:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Hamza b.
'Amr al−Aslami asked the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) about fasting on a journey, and he (the Holy Prophet)
said: Fast if you like and break it if you like.
Bk 6, Number 2488:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Hamza b. Amr
al−Aslami asked the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)
thus: Messenger of Allah, I am a person devoted much to
fasting. Should I fast during the journey? He (the Holy
Prophet) said: Fast if you like and break it if you like.
Bk 6, Number 2489:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hisham with
the same chain of transmitters.
Bk 6, Number 2490:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hisham with
the same chain of transmitters that Hamza said: I am a person
much used to fasting. Should I fast during the journey? (The
rest of the hadith is the same.)
Bk 6, Number 2491:
Hamza b. 'Amr al−Aslami (Allah be pleased with him) said:
Messenger of Allah, I find strength in me for fasting on a
journey; is there any sin upon me (in doing it)? Thereupon the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: It is a
concession from Allah. He who took advantage of it, it is good
for him, and he who preferred to observe fast, there is no sin
upon him. Harun (one of the narrators) in his narration said:
'lt is a concession, and he made no mention of" from Allah".
Bk 6, Number 2492:
Abu Darda' (Allah be pleased with him) reported: We set out
during the month of Ramadan with the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) in such an intense heat that one of us
would place his hand over his head (in order to protect
himself) against the excessive heat, and none among us was
observing the fast, except the Messenger of Allah (may peace
be upon him) and 'Abdullah b. Rawaha.
Bk 6, Number 2493:
Abu Darda' reported: We were with the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) on some of his journeys on an intensely hot
day so much so that a person would place his hand on his head
(in order to protect himself) against excessive heat, and none
amongst us was fasting but the Messenger of Allah (may peace
be upon him) and Abdullah b. Rawaha
Chapter 18: IT IS PREFERABLE FOR THE PILGRIM NOT TO OBSERVE
FAST IN 'ARAFAT ON THE DAY OF 'ARAFA
Bk 6, Number 2494:
Umm al−Fadl bint− al−Harith reported that some people argued
about the fasting of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) on the day of 'Arafa. Some of them said that he had been
fasting, whereas the others said that he had not been fasting.
I sent a cup of milk to him while he was riding his camel at
'Arafa, and he drank it.
Bk 6, Number 2495:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Abu Nadr
with the same chain of transmitters, but he did not mention
that he was mounting (riding on) his camel.
Bk 6, Number 2496:
This hadith has been narrated by Abu Nadr on the authority of
Umair, the freed slave of Umm al−Fadl, through the same chain
of transmitters.
Bk 6, Number 2497:
Umm al−Fadl (Allah be pleased with her) is reported to have
said that some people among the Companions of the Messenger of
Allah (may peace be upon him) were in doubt about fasting on
the day of 'Arafa and we were with him on that day. I (Umm
al−Fadl) sent him a cup of milk and he was halting at 'Arafa,
and he drank that.
Bk 6, Number 2498:
Kuraib, the freed slave of Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with
him), reported from Maimuna, the wife of the Apostle of Allah
(may peace be upon him), that people had doubt about the
fasting of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) on the
day of 'Arafa. Maimuna sent him a cup of milk and he was
halting at a place and he drank it and the people were seeing
him.
Chapter 19: FASTING ON THE DAY OF 'ASHURA (10TH OF MUHARRAM)
Bk 6, Number 2499:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Quraish
used to fast on the day of 'Ashura in the pre−Islamic days and
the Messenger ot Allah (may peace be upon him) also observed
it. When he migrated to Medina, he himself observed this fast
and commanded (others) to observe it. But when fasting during
the month of Ramadan was made obligatory he said: He who
wishes to observe this fast may do so, and he who wishes to
abandon it may do so.
Bk 6, Number 2500:
This hadith is narrated on the authority of Hisham with the
same chain of transmitters, but he made no mention in the
first part of the hadith that the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) used to observe fast, and said about the
second part that he abandoned the (fast) of Ashura, and he who
wished observed the fast and who wished otherwise abandoned
it, and he did not hold it as the words of the Apostle of
Allah (may peace be upon him) as mentioned in the narration
transmitted by Jarir.
Bk 6, Number 2501:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported. In the
pre−Islamic days fast was observed on the day of Ashura, but
with the advent of Islam (its position was ascertained as that
of a voluntary fast). Then he who wished to fast fasted, and
he who liked to abandon it abandoned it.
Bk 6, Number 2502:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) had ordered to
observe fast (on 'Ashura) before the fasting in Ramadan was
made obligatory. But when it became obligatory, then he who
wished fasted on the day of Ashura, and he who wished did not
observe it (on that day).
Bk 6, Number 2503:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Quraish
used to observe fast on the day of Ashura during the
pre−Islamic days. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upog
him) then commanded to fast on that day till (fasting) in
Ramadan became obligatory. Then the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) said: He who wished to fast should do so.
and he who wished to break it may do so.
Bk 6, Number 2504:
Abdullah b. 'Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported that
(the Arabs of) pre−Islamic days used to observe fast on the
day of Ashura and the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) observed it and the Muslims too (observed it) before
fasting in Ramadan became obligatory. But when it became
obligatory, the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)
said: 'Ashura is one of the days of Allah, so he who wished
should observe fast and he who wished otherwise should abandon
it.
Bk 6, Number 2505:
A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of
Abdullah through the same chain of transmitters.
Bk 6, Number 2506:
Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with them) said that the day of
'Ashura was mentioned before the Messenger of Allah (may peace
he upon him). Thereupon the Messenger of Allah, (may peace be
upon him) said: That was a day on which the people of
pre−Islamic days used to observe fast. So he who amongst you
likes to observe fast should do so, and he who does not like
it should abandon it.
Bk 6, Number 2507:
Abdullah b. 'Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them)
reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be
upon him) say about the day of Ashura: It is a day on which
the people of pre−Islamic days observed fast. So he who liked
to fast on this day should do so, and he who liked to abandon
it should abandon it. 'Abdullah (Allah be pleased with him)
did not observe fast except when it coincided (with the days
when he was in the habit of observing voluntary fasts during
every month).
Bk 6, Number 2508:
Abdullah b. Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported that
the day of 'Ashura was mentioned before the Apostle of Allah
(may peace be upon him) and he narrated a hadith like one
(narrated above).
Bk 6, Number 2509:
'Abdullah b. Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported that
the day of 'Ashura was mentioned before the Messenger of Allah
(may peace be upon him) and he said: It is a day when the
people in the pre−Islamic days need to observe fast, so he who
wishes to observe fast should do so, and he who wishes to
abandon it should do so.
Bk 6, Number 2510:
Abd al−Rahman b. Yazid said: When al−Ash'ath b. Qais entered
the house of 'Abdullah he was having his breakfast. He
('Abdullah b. Umar) said: Abd Muhammad (al−Asha'th), come near
to the breakfast. Thereupon he said: Is not today the day of
'Ashura? He ('Abd al−Rahman) said: Do you know what the day of
'Ashura is? He said: What is it? He said: It is a day on which
the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to observe
fast before the (fasting) in the month of Ramadan (became)
obligatory. But when it became obligatory the (fasting of
'Ashura) was abandoned (as compulsory). Abu Kuraib said: He
(the Holy Prophet) abandoned it.
Bk 6, Number 2511:
This hadith has been narrated from Jarir on the authority of
A'mash with the same chain of transmitters and he said (these
words with a little bit of variation from the previous
hadith): When (fasting) in Ramadan was (made) obligatory, he
aban− doned it (the practice of observing fast on Ashura).
Bk 6, Number 2512:
Qais b Sakan reported that al−Ash'ath b. Qais went to
'Abdullah on the day of 'Ashura while he was eating. He said:
Abu Muhammad, come near and dine. Upon this he said: I am
fasting. Thereupon he said: We used to observe fast and then
(this practice) was abandoned.
Bk 6, Number 2513:
'Alqama reported that Ash'ath b. Qais went to Ibn Mas'udd
while he was eating on the day of Ashura. Thereupon he said:
Abu Abd al−Rahman, it is the day of 'Ashura (and you are
eating). Upon this he said: Fast was observed on (this day)
before the (fasting) in Ramadan was made obligatory, but when
it was made obligatory, (fasting on the day of 'Ashura) was
abandoned. So if you are not fasting, then take food.
Bk 6, Number 2514:
Jabir b Samura reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace
be upon him) commanded us to observe fast on the day of Ashura
and exhorted us to do it and was particular about it But when
(fasting) in Ramadan was made obligatory, he hence. forth
neither commanded us nor forbade us, nor was he so particular
about it.
Bk 6, Number 2515:
Abd al−Rahman reported that he heard Mu'awiya b. Abu Sufyan
delivering a sermon in Medina. i. e. when he came there (for
Hajj). He delivered a sermon on the day of 'Ashura and said:
People of Medina, where are your scholars? I heard the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) say on this very
day: It is the day of 'Ashura. Allah has not made fasting on
This day obligatory for you but I am fasting. He who likes to
observe fast among you should do so, and he who likes not to
observe it may not observe it.
Bk 6, Number 2516:
A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of Ibn
Shihab through the same chain of transmitters.
Bk 6, Number 2517:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri with
the same chain of transmitters that be heard Allah's Apostle
(may peace be upon him) as saying on a similar day: I am
fasting today, so he who wishes to observe fast should do so;
but he did not make mention of the rest of the hadith.
Bk 6, Number 2518:
Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported that
when Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) came to Medina,
he found the Jews observing the fast on the day of Ashura.
They (the Jews) were asked about it and they said: It is the
day on which Allah granted victory to Moses and (his people)
Bani Isra'il over the Pharaoh and we observe fast out of
gratitude to Him. Upon this the Apostle of Allah (may peace be
upon him) said: We have a closer connection with Moses than
you have, and he commanded to observe fast on this day.
Bk 6, Number 2519:
This hadith has been narrated by Ibn Bishr with the same chain
of trans− mitters (but with a slight variation) that he (the
Holy Prophet) inquired of them (Jews) about it (fasting on the
day of 'Ashura).
Bk 6, Number 2520:
Ibn'Abbas (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported that
the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) arrived in
Medina and found the Jews observing fast on the day of
'Ashura. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said
to them: What is the (significance) of this day that you
observe fast on it? They said: It is the day of great
(significance) when Allah delivered Moses and his people, and
drowned the Pharaoh and his people, and Moses observed fast
out of gratitude and we also observe it. Upon this the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: We have more
right, and we have a closer connection with Moses than you
have; so Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) observed
fast (on the day of 'Ashura), and gave orders that it should
be observed.
Bk 6, Number 2521:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Ayyub with
the same chain of transmitters.
Bk 6, Number 2522:
Abu Musa (Allah be pleased with him) reported: The day of
'Ashura was one which the Jews respected and they treated it
as Id. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said:
You also observe fast on this day.
Bk 6, Number 2523:
Abu Musa reported that the people of Khaibar (most of them
were Jews) observed fast on tht day of 'Ashura and they
treated it as 'Id and gave their women ornaments and beautiful
dresstowear. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)
said: You (only) observe fast on this day.
Bk 6, Number 2524:
Ibn Abbas was asked about observing of fast on the day of
Ashura, whereupon he said: I do not know Allah's Messenger
(may peace be upon him) singling out any day's fast and
considering it more excellent than another, except this day
(the day of Ashura) and this month, meaning the month of
Ramadan.
Bk 6, Number 2525:
A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of
'Ubaidullah b. Abi Yazid.
