Chapter 20: ON WHICH DAY THE FAST IS TO BE OBSERVED IN
MUHARRAM
Bk 6, Number 2526:
Hakam b. al−'Araj reported: I went to Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be
Pleased with both of them) and he was reclining using his
mantle as a pillow near the fountain of Zamzam. I said to him:
Tell me about fasting on Ashura. He said: When you see the new
moon of Muharram then count the (days) and observe fast on the
9th. I said to him: Is it how the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) observed the fast? He said: Yes.
Bk 6, Number 2527:
Hakam b. 'Araj reported: I asked Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased
with them) as he was reclining using his cloak as a pillow
near Zamzam about fasting on 'Ashura. The rest of the hadith
is the same.
Bk 6, Number 2528:
Ibn 'Abbas reported that when the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) fasted on the day of 'Ashura and commanded
that it should he observed as a fast, they (his Companions)
said to him: Messenger of Allah, it is a day which the Jews
and Christians hold in high esteem. Thereupon the Messenger of
Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When the next year comes,
God willing, we would observe fast on the 9th But the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) died before the
advent of the next year.
Bk 6, Number 2529:
Abdullah b 'Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) had said: If I live till the next (year), I
would definitely observe fast on the 9th, and the narration
transmitted by Abu Bakr is:" He meant the day of Ashura."
Chapter 21: HE WHO ATE ON THE DAY OF ASHVRA SHOULD ABSTAIN
(FROM EATING) FOR THE REST OF THE DAY (AS A MARK OF RESPECT)
Bk 6, Number 2530:
Salama b. al−Akwa' (Allah be pleased with him) reported that
the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sent a person
of the tribe of Aslam on the day of 'Ashura and commanded him
to declare to the people to observe fast in case they had not
observed it, and to complete fast till evening if they had
taken food
Bk 6, Number 2531:
Rubayyi' daughter of Mu'awwidh b. 'Afra' said that the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sent (a person) on
the morning of Ashura to the villages of Ansar around Medina
(with this message): He who got up in the morning fasting
(without eating anything) he should complete his fast, and he
who had had his breakfast in the morning, he should complete
the rest of the day (without food). The Companions said; We
henceforth observed fast on it (on the day of 'Ashura) and,
God willing, made our children observe that. We went to the
mosque and made toys out of wool for them and when anyone felt
hungry and wept for food we gave them these toys till it was
the time to break the fast.
Bk 6, Number 2532:
Khalid b. Dhakwan reported: I asked Rubayyi' daugther of
Mu'awwidh about fasting on the day of 'Ashura. Thereupon she
said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) sent his
messenger to the villages of the Ansar, and the rest of the
hadith is the same (but with this variation that one of the
Companions) said:" We used to make toys out of wool and took
(them to the mosque) along with us. When they (the children)
asked us for food, we gave them these toys to play with, and
these made them forgetful till they completed their fast."
Chapter 22: FORBIDDANCE TO OBSERVE FAST ON 'ID−UL−FITR AND
'ID−UL−ADHA
Bk 6, Number 2533:
Abu Ubaid, the freed slave of Ibn Azhar, reported: I observed
Id along with Umar b. al−Khattab (Allah be pleased with him).
He came (out in an open space) and prayed and (after)
completing it addressed the people and said: The Messenger of
Allah (may peace be upon him) has forbidden the observing of
fast on these two days. One is the day of Fitr (at the end of
your fasts), and the second one, the day when you eat (the
meat) of your sacrifices.
Bk 6, Number 2534:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) forbade to observe
fast on these two days. 'Id−ul−Adha bi and 'Id−ul−Fitr.
Bk 6, Number 2535:
Qaza'a related from Abu Sa'id. He said: I heard from him (Abu
Sa'id) a hadith which impressed me, and I said to him: Did you
hear it from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)?
Thereupon he said: (Is it possible) that (I should) say about
the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) that which I
have not heard? I heard him saying: It is not proper to fast
on two days, Adha and Fitr (at the end) of Ramadan.
Bk 6, Number 2536:
Abu Sa'id al−Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported that
the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) forbade to
observe fast on two days the day of Fitr and the day of
Sacrifice ('Id−ul−Adha).
Bk 6, Number 2537:
Ziyad b. Jubair reported that a person came to Ibn 'Umar
(Allah be pleased with them) and said: I had taken a vow that
I would fast on the day (but it accidentally) synchronises
with the day of Adha or the day of Fitr. Thereupon Ibn 'Umar
(Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah, the Exalted, has
commanded fulfilling of the vow, but the Messenger of Allah
(may peace be upon him) has forbidden the observance of fast
on this day.
Bk 6, Number 2538:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) said that the Prophet (may
peace be upon him) forbade to observe fast on two days−the day
of Fitr and the day of Adha.
Bk 6, Number 2539:
Nubaisha al−Hudhali reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be
upon him) as saying: The days of Tashriq are the days of
eating and drinking.
Bk 6, Number 2540:
Nabaisha reported that Khalid said: I met Abu Malih and asked
him and he narrated it to me from the Apostle of Allah (may
peace be upon him). a hadith like one (narrated above) with
this addition:" And remembrance of Allah"
Bk 6, Number 2541:
Ibn Ka'b b. Malik reported on the authority of his father that
the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sent him and
Aus b. Hadathan during the days of Tashriq to make this
announcement: None but the believer would be admitted into
Paradise, and the days of Mina' are the days meant for eating
and drinking.
Bk 6, Number 2542:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Ibrahim b.
Tahman with the same chain of transmitters but with this
variation that he said: Both of them made the announcement."
Chapter 23: DISAPPROVAL OF FASTING ON FRIDAY ALONE
Bk 6, Number 2543:
Muhammad b. 'Abbas b. Ja'far reported: I asked Jabir b.
'Abdullah (Allah be pleased with both of them) as he was
circumambulating the House (Ka'ba) whether the Messenger of
Allah (may peace be upon him) had forbidden the fasting on
Friday, whereupon he said: Yes, by the Lord of this House.
Bk 6, Number 2544:
Muhammad b. 'Abbas b. Ja'far reported that he asked Jabir b.
Abdullah (Allah be pleased with them), whether he had heard
like this from the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him).
Bk 6, Number 2545:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported the Apostle
of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying: None among you
should observe fast on Friday, but only that he observes fast
before it and after it.
Bk 6, Number 2546:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's
Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: Do not single out
the night (preceding) Friday among the nights for prayer and
do not single out Friday among days for fasting but only when
anyone among you is accustomed to fast (on dates) which
coincide with this day (Friday).
Chapter 24: ABROGATION OF THE WORDS OF ALLAH:" AND AS FOR
THOSE WHO CAN FAST (BUT DO NOT) THE EXPIATION IS" BY THE
WORDS:" WHOSOEVER WITNESSES IT HE SHALL HAVE TO FAST THE WHOLE
MONTH" (ii. 184)
Bk 6, Number 2547:
Salama b. Akwa' (Allah be pleased with him) reported that when
this verse was revealed:" And as for those who can fast (but
do not) expiation is the feeding of a needy person" (ii. 183),
(he who liked to observe fast did observe it) and he who felt
reluctant to observe it ate and expiated till the verse was
revealed which abro− gated it.
Bk 6, Number 2548:
Salama b. Akwa' reported: We, during the lifetime of the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), in one month of
Ramadan (observed fast according to our liking). He who wished
to fast lasted and he who wished to break broke it and fed a
needy person as an expiation 1544 till this verse was
revealed:" He who witnesses among you the month (of Ramadan)
he should observe fast during it" (ii. 184).
Chapter 25: PERMISSIBILIY OF COMPLETING THE (MISSED) FASTS OF
RAMADAN BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE COMING RAMADAN
Bk 6, Number 2549:
Abu Salama reported: I heard 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with
her) as saying: I had to complete some of the fasts of
Ramadan, but I could not do it but during the month of Sha'ban
due to my duties to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) or with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him).
Bk 6, Number 2550:
This hadith is narrated on the authority of Yahya b. Sa'id
with the same chain of transmitters but with this variation
that he said that ('A'isha did not observe fast but in
Sha'ban) out of regard for the Messenger of Allah (may peace
be upon him). (In another version, the words are):" Yahya
said: I think it was due to the regard for the Apostle of
Allah (may peace be upon him)."
Bk 6, Number 2551:
This hadith is reported on the authority of Yahya with the
same chain of transmitters but no mention is made of the duty
to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him).
Bk 6, Number 2552:
'A'isha reported: If one amongst us had to break fasts (of
Ramadan due to natural reasons, i. e. menses) during the life
of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) she could
not find it possible to complete them so long she had been in
the presence of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) till
Sha'ban commenced.
Chapter 26: COMPLETING OF THE FAST ON BEHALF OF THE DEAD
Bk 6, Number 2553:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported Allah's Messenger
(may peace be upon him) as saying: If anyone dies in a state
(that he had to complete) some fasts, his heir must fast on
his behalf.
Bk 6, Number 2554:
Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported: A
woman came to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)
and said: My mother has died, and fasts of a month are due
from her. Thereupon he said: Don't you see that if debt was
due from her, would you not pay it? She said: Yes (I would pay
on her behalf). Thereupon he said: The debt of Allah deserves
its payment more than (the payment of anyone else).
Bk 6, Number 2555:
Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man came
to the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) and said:
Messenger of Allah, my mother has died (in a state) that she
had to observe fasts of a month (of Ramadan). Should I
complete (them) on her behalf? thereupon he (the Holy Prophet)
said: Would you not pay the debt if your mother had died
(without paying it)? He said: Yes. He (the Holy Prophet) said:
The debt of Allah deserves more that it should he paid.
Bk 6, Number 2556:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas
(Allah be pleased with them) from the Apostle of Allah (may
peace be upon him).
Bk 6, Number 2557:
Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) reported: A woman came
to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and said:
Messenger of Allah, my mother has died and there is due from
her a fast of vow; should I fast on her behalf? Thereupon he
said: You see that if your mother had died in debt, would it
not have been paid on her behalf? She said: Yes. He (the Holy
Prophet) said: Then observe fast on behalf of your mother.
Bk 6, Number 2558:
Abdullah b. Buraida (Allah be pleased with him) reported on
the authority of his father: When we were sitting with the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), a woman came to
him and said: I had gifted to my mother a maid−servant, and
now she (the mother) has died. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet)
said: There is a definite reward for you and she (the
maid−servant) has been returned to you as an inheritance. She
(that woman) again said: Fasts of a month (of Ramadan) are due
upon her; should I observe them on her behalf? He (the Holy
Prophet) said: Observe fasts on her behalf. She (again) said:
She did not perform Hajj, should I perform it on her behalf?
He (the Holy Prophet) said: Perform Hajj on her behalf.
Bk 6, Number 2559:
'Abdullah b. Buraida (Allah be pleased with him) reported on
the authority of his father: I was sitting with the Apostle of
Allah (may peace be upon him) ; the rest of the hadith is the
same but with this variation that the (the narrator) said:"
Fasts of two months."
Bk 6, Number 2560:
Ibn Buraida (Allah be pleased with him) reported on the
authority of his father: A woman came to the Apostle of Allah
(may peace be upon him), and the rest of the hadith is the
same, but he said:" Fasting of one month." This hadith has
been narrated on the authority of Sufyan with the same chain
of transmitters in which it is said:" Fasting of two months."
Bk 6, Number 2561:
Buraida (Allah be pleased with him) reported a similar hadith
on the authority of his father that a woman came to the
Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) and he said:" Fasting
for one month."
Chapter 27: WHEN AN OBSERVER OF FAST IS INVITED TO A FEAST, OR
SOMEONE FIGHTS WITH HIM, HE SHOULD SAY:" I AM FASTING"
Bk 6, Number 2562:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's
Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: If any one of you
is invited to a meal when he is fasting, he should say:" I am
fasting."
Bk 6, Number 2563:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported: When any one
of you gets up in the morning in the state of fasting, he
should neither use obscene language nor do any act of
ignorance. And if anyone slanders him or quarrels with him, he
should say:" I am fasting, I am fasting."
Chapter 28: EXCELLENCE OF FASTING
Bk 6, Number 2564:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him)
as saying: Allah, the Majestic and the Exalted, said: Every
act of the son of Adam is for him except fasting. It is done
for My sake, and I will give a reward for it. By Allah in
Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the breath of the observer
of fast is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk.
Bk 6, Number 2565:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him)
as saying: Fasting is a shield.
Bk 6, Number 2566:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him)
as saying: Allah the Exalted and Majestic said: Every act of
the son of Adam is for him, except fasting. It is
(exclusively) meant for Me and I (alone) will reward it.
Fasting is a shield. When any one of you is fasting on a day,
he should neither indulge in obscene language, nor raise the
voice; or if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him
he should say: I am a person fasting. By Him, in Whose Hand is
the life of Muhammad, the breath of the observer of fast is
sweeter to Allah on the Day of judgment than the fragrance of
musk. The one who fasts has two (occasions) of joy, one when
he breaks the fast he is glad with the breaking of (the fast)
and one when he meets his Lord he is glad with his fast.
Bk 6, Number 2567:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Every (good) deed
of the son of Adam would be multiplied, a good deed receiving
a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward. Allah, the Exalted and
Majestic, has said: With the exception of fasting, for it is
done for Me and I will give a reward for it, for one abandons
his passion and food for My sake. There are two occasions of
joy for one who fasts, joy when he breaks it, and joy when he
meets his Lord, and the breath (of an observer of fast) is
sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk.
Bk 6, Number 2568:
Abu Huraira and Abu Sa'id (Allah be pleased with both of them)
reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) (as
saying): Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, said: Fast (is
exclusively) meant for Me and I would give its reward. There
are two (occasions) of joy for the observer of fast. He feels
joy when he breaks the fast and he is happy when he meets
Allah. By Allah in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the
breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah than the
fragrance of musk. A hadith like this is narrated on the
authority of Abu Sinan with the same chain of transmitters
(and the words are):" As he meets Allah, He rewards him, and
he is happy."
Bk 6, Number 2569:
Sahl b. Sa'd (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: In Paradise there
is a gate which is called Rayyan through which only the
observers of fast would enter on the Day on Resurrection. None
else would enter along with them. It would be proclaimed:
Where are the observers of fast that they should be admitted
into it? −and when the last of them would enter, it would be
closed and no one would enter it.
Bk 6, Number 2570:
Abu Sa'id al Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported
Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Every
servant of Allah who observes fast for a day in the way of
Allah, Allah would remove, because of this day, his face
farther from the Fire (of Hell) to the extent of seventy
years' distance.
Bk 6, Number 2571:
This hadith has been narrated by Suhail with the, arne chainof
trausmitters.
Bk 6, Number 2572:
Abu Sa'id al−Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported
Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who
observes fast for a day in the way of Allah He would remove
his face from the Hell to the extent of seventy years'
distance.
Chapter 29: PERMISSIBILITY OF MAKING AN INTENTION FOR
VOLUNTARY FASTING BEFORE NOON AND PERMISSIBILITY OF BREAKING
VOLUNIARY FAST WITHOUT REASON
Bk 6, Number 2573:
'A'isha, the Mother of the Believers (Allah be pleased with
her), reported that one day the Messenger of Allah tpay peace
be upon him) said to me: 'A'isha, have you anything (to eat)?
I said: 'Messenger of Allah, there is nothing with us.
Thereupon he said: I am observing fast. She said: The
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) went out, and there
was a present, for us and (at the same time) some visitors
dropped in. When the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) came back, I said to him: Messenger of Allah, a present
was given to us, (and in the meanwhile) there came to us
visitors (a major Portion of it has been spent on them), but I
have saved something for you. He said: What is it? I said: It
is hais (a compound of dates and clarified butter). He said:
Bring that. So I brought it to him and he ate it and then
said: I woke up in the morning observing fast. Talha said: I
narrated this hadith to Mujahid and he said: This (observing
of voluntary fast) is like a person who sets apart Sadaqa out
of his wealth. He may spend it if he likes, or he may retain
it if he so likes.
Bk 6, Number 2574:
'A'isha, the Mother of the Believers (Allah be pleased with
her), reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him)
came to me one day and said: Is there anything with you (to
eat)? I said: No. Thereupon he said: I shall then be fasting.
Then he came to us another day and we said: Messenger of
Allah, hais has been offered to us as a gift. Thereupon he
said: Show that to me; I had been fasting since morning. He
then ate it.
Chapter 30: EATING AND DRINKING (AND SEXUAL INIERCOURSE) IN
FORGETFULNESS DOES NOT BREAK THE FAST
Bk 6, Number 2575:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him)
as saying: If anyone forgets that he is fasting and eats or
drinks he should complete his fast, for it is only Allah Who
has fed him and given him drink.
Chapter 31: THE FAST OBSERVED BY THE APOSTLE OF ALLAH (MAY
PEACE BE UPON HIM) BESIDES RAMADAN
Bk 6, Number 2576:
Abdullah b. Shaqiq reported: I said to'A'isha (Allah be
pleased with her): Did the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon
him) observe fast for full one month besides Ramadan? She
said: I do not know of any month in which he fasted through−
out, but that of the month of Ramadan and (the month) in which
he did not fast at all, till he ran the course of his life.
Bk 6, Number 2577:
'Abdullah b. Shaqiq reported: I said to 'A'isha (Allah be
pleased with her): Did the Messenger of Allah (may peace be
upon him) observe fast during a month? She said, I do not know
of any month in which he fasted throughout except Ramedan and
(the month) in which he did not fast at all till he ran the
course of his life. May peace be upon him.
Bk 6, Number 2578:
Abdullah b. Shaqiq reported. I asked 'A'isha (Allah be pleased
with her) about fasting of the Messenger of Allah (may peace
be upon him). She said: He used to observe fast (at times) so
continuously that we said: He has fasted, he has fasted. And
(at times) he did not observe fast (for days) and we began to
say: He has abandoned fasting, he has abandoned fasting. She
said: I did not see him observing fast throughout the whole of
the month since he arrived in Medina, but that of Ramadan.
Bk 6, Number 2579:
A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of
Abdullah b. Shaqiq but in the chain of transmitters no mention
is made of Hisham and Muhammad.
Bk 6, Number 2580:
'A'isha, the Mother of the Believers (Allah be pleased with
her), reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) used to observe fasts (so conti− nuously) that we said
that he would not break, and did not observe (them) till we
said that he would not fast: and I did not see the Messenger
of Allah (may peace be upon him) completing the fast of a
month, but that of Ramadan, and I did not see him fasting more
in any other month than that of Sha'ban.
Bk 6, Number 2581:
Abu Salama reported: I asked 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with
her) about the fasting of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be
upon him). She said: He used to observe fast (at times so
continuously) that we said: He has fasted (never to break),
and he did not observe fast till we said: He has given up
perhaps never to fast, and I never saw him observing
(voluntary fasts) more in any other month than that of
Sha'ban. (lt appeared as if) he observed fast throughout the
whole of Sha'ban except a few (days).
Bk 6, Number 2582:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of
Allah (may peace be upon him) did not observe fast in any
month of the year more than in the month of Sha'ban, and used
to say: Do as many deeds as you are capable of doing, for
Allah will not become weary (of giving you reward), but you
would be tired (of doing good deeds) ; and he also said: The
deed liked most by Allah is one to which the doer adheres
constantly even if it is small.
Bk 6, Number 2583:
Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported: The
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) did not fast
throughout any month except during ramadan. And when he
observed fast (he fasted so continuously) that one would say
that he would not break (them) and when he Abandoned, he
abandoned (so continuously) that one would say: By Allah,
perhaps he would never fast.
Bk 6, Number 2584:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Abu Bishr
with the same chain of transmitters (with a slight variation
of words and these are), that he (the narrator) said:" During
any month continuously since he came to Medina."
Bk 6, Number 2585:
'Uthman b. Hakim al−Ansari said: I asked Sa'id b. Jubair about
fasting In Rajab, and we were then passing through the month
of Rajab, whereupon he said: I heard Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be
pleased with both of them) as saying: The Messenger of Allah
(may peace be upon him) used to observe fast (so continuously)
that we (were inclined) to say that he would not break (them)
and did not observe them so conti− nuously) that we (were
inclined to say) that he would not observe fast.
Bk 6, Number 2586:
Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger
of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to observe fast till it
was said that he had observed fast, he had observed fast
(perhaps never to break it), and he did not fast till it was
said that he had given up fast, he had given up fast (perhaps
never to observe it).
Chapter 32: FORBIDDANCE TO OBSERVE PERPETUAL FAST AND
EXCELLENCE OF OBSERVING FAST ON ALTERNATE DAYS
Bk 6, Number 2587:
'Abdullah b. 'Amr b. al−'As reported that the Messenger of
Allah (may peace be upon him) was informed that he could stand
up for (prayer) throughout the night and observe fast every
day so long as he lived. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) said: Is it you who said this? I said to
him: Messenger of Allah. it is I who said that. Thereupon the
Messenger of Allah may peace be upon him) said: You are not
capable enough to do so. Observe fast and break it; sleep and
stand for prayer, and observe fast for three days during the
month; for every good is multiplied ten times and this is like
fasting for ever. I said: Messenger of Allah. I am capable of
doing more than this. Thereupon he said: Fast one day and do
not fast for the next two days. I said: Messenger of Allah, I
have the strength to do more than that. The Holy Prophet (may
peace be upon him), said: Fast one day and break on the other
day. That is known as the fasting of David (peace be upon him)
and that is the best fasting. I said: I am capable of doing
more than this. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (may peace be
upon him) said: There is nothing better than this. 'Abdullah
b. 'Amr (Allah be pleased with them) said: Had I accepted the
three days (fasting during every month) as the Messeinger of
Allah (may peace be upon him) had said, it would have been
more dear to me than my family and my property.
Bk 6, Number 2588:
Yahya reported: I and 'Abdullah b. Yazid set out till we came
to Abu Salama. We sent a messenger to him (in his house in
order to inform him about our arrival) and he came to us.
There was a mosque near the door of his house, and we were in
that mosque, till he came out to us. He said: If you like you
may enter (the house) and, if you like, you may sit here (in
the mosque). We said: We would rather sit here and (you)
relate to us. He (Yahya) then narrated that 'Abdullah b Amr b.
al−'As (Allah be pleased with them) told him: I used to
observe fast uninterruptedly and recited the (whole of the)
Qur'an every night. It (the uninterrupted fasting and recital
of the Qur'in every night) was mentioned to the Apostle of
Allah (may peace be upon him) or he sent for me, and I went to
him and he said to me: I have been informed that you fast
continuously and recite (the whole of the Qur'An) every night.
I said: Apostle of Allah, it is right, but I covet thereby
nothing but good, whereupon he said: It suffices for you that
you should observe fast for three days during every mouth. I
said: Apostle of Allah, I am capable of doing more than this.
He said: Your wife has a right upon you, your visitor has a
right upon you, your body has a right upon you; so observe the
fast of David, the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him), for
he was the best worshipper of Allah. I said: Apostle of Allah,
what is the fast of David? He said: He used to fast one day
and did not fast the other day. He (also) said: Recite the
Qur'an during every month. I said: Apostle of Allah, I am
capable of doing more than this, whereupon he said: Recite it
in twenty days; recite it in ten days. I said: I am capable of
doing more than this, whereupon he said: Recite it every week,
and do not exceed beyond this, for your wife has a right upon
you, your visitor has a right upon you, your body has a right
upon you. He ('Amr b. 'As) said: I was hard to myself and thus
I was put to hardship. The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon
him) had told me: 'You do not know you may live long (thus and
bear the hardships for a long time), and I accepted that which
the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) had told me. When
I grew old I wished I had availed myself of the conces− sion
(granted by) the Apostle of Allah (may−peace be upon him).
This hadith has been narrated by Yahya b. Abu Kathir with the
same chain of transmitters and he made this addition after
these words: During every month, (fasting) for three days,
there is for you ten times for every good and that is
perpetual fasting (for three days would bring a reward for
full thirty days). I said: What is the fast of the Apostle of
Allah, David? He said: Half of the age (observing fast on
alternate days for the whole life). And in the hadith no
mention has been made of the recital of the Qur'an, and he did
not say: Your visitor has a right upon you, but (instead) he
said: Your son has a right upon you.
Bk 6, Number 2589:
'Abdullah b. 'Amr (Allah be pleased with them) reported: The
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to me: Recite
the whole of the Qur'An during every nonth. I said: I find
power (to recite it) in a shorter period. He said: Then recite
it in twenty nights. I said: I find power (to recite it in a
shorter period even than this), whereupon he said: Then recite
it in seven (nights) and do not exceed beyond it.
Bk 6, Number 2590:
'Abdullah b. 'Amr b. al−'As (Allah be pleased with them)
reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)
said: 'Abdullah, don't be like so and so who observed prayer
during the whole night and then abandoned it (altogether).
Bk 6, Number 2591:
Abdu'llah b. 'Amr b. 'As (Allah be pleased with them)
reported: It was conveyed to the Apostle of Allah (may peace
be upon him) that I observe fast succes− sively and pray
during the whole night. He sent for me or I met him and he
(the Holy Prophet) said: It has been conveyed to me that you
observe fast continuously and do not break it and pray during
the whole night. Don't do that. for there is share for your
eyes, share for your own self, share for your family; so
observe fast and break it, pray and sleep and observe fast for
one day during the ten days, and there is a reward for you
(for other) nine (days besides the tenth day of the fast). I
said: Apostle of Allah, I find myself more powerful than this.
He said: Then observe the fast of David (peace be upon him).
He ('Amr) said: Apostle of Allah, how did David observe fast?
He (the Holy Prophet) said: He used to fast one day and break
it on the other day, and he did not run (from the battlefield)
as he encountered (the enemy). He said: Apostle of Allah, who
can guarantee this for me (will I also encounter the enemy
dauntlessly)? 'Ata', the narrator of the hadith, said: I do
not know how there (crept in) the matter of perpetual fast.
The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him), however, said:
He who observed perpetual fast did not fast at all; he who
observed perpetual fast did not fast at all, he who observed
perpetual fast did not fast at all. This hadith has been
narrated by Ibn Juraij with the same chain of transmitters.
Imam Muslim has narrated this hadith on the authority of Abu
'Abbas al−Sa'ib b. Farrukh and he was a trustworthy and
reliable (narrator) among the people of Mecca.
Bk 6, Number 2592:
Abdullah b. Amr (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to me:
'Abdullah b. Amr, you fast continuously and stand in prayer
for the whole of night. If you do like that, your eyes would
be highly strained and would sink and lose sight. There is no
(reward for) fasting (for him) who fasts perpetually. Fasting
for three days during the month is like fasting, the whole of
the month. I said: I am capable of doing more than this,
whereupon he said: Observe the fast of David. He used to fast
one day and break (the other) day. And he did not turn back in
the encounter.
Bk 6, Number 2593:
This hadith is narrated on the authority of Habib b. Abu
Thabit with the same chain of transmitters and he said:" And
you would become exhausted."
Bk 6, Number 2594:
'Abdullah b. 'Amr (Allah be pleased with both of them)
reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said
to me: I have been informed that you stand for prayer the
whole of night and fast during the day. I said: I do that,
whereupon he said: If you did that you in fact strained
heavily your eyes and made yourself weak. There is a right of
your eyes (upon you) and a right of your self (upon you) and a
right of your family (upon you). Stand for prayer and sleep.
observe fasts and break (them).
Bk 6, Number 2595:
'Abdullah b. 'Amr (Allah be pleased with both of them)
reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying:
With Allah the best fasting is that of David and the best
prayer is that of David (peace be upon him) for he slept half
of the night and stood for prayer for the third of it and
(then) slept the sixth part of it and he observed fast one day
and broke on the other.
Bk 6, Number 2596:
'Abdullah b. 'Amr b. al−'As reported Allah's Messenger (may
peace be upon him) as saying: The best fasting in the eye of
Allah is that of David, for he fasted for half of the age (he
fasted on alternate days), and the best prayer in the eye of
Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, is that of David (peace be
upon him), for he slept for half of the night and then stood
for prayer and then again slept. He prayed for one−third of
the night after midnight. He (the narrator) said: I asked 'Amr
b. Dinar whether 'Amr b. Aus said that he stood for prayer
one−third of the night after midnight. He said: Yes.
Bk 6, Number 2597:
Abu Qatada reported that Abu al Malih informed me: I went
along with your father to 'Abdullah b. Amr, and he narrated to
us that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was
informed about my fasting and he came to me, and I placed a
leather cushion filled with fibre of date−palms for him. He
sat down upon the ground and there was that cushion between me
and him, and he said to me: Does three days' fasting in a
month not suffice you? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am
capable of observing more fasts). He said: (Would) five (not
suffice for you)? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am capable of
observing more fasts) He said: (Would) seven (fasts) not
suffice you? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am capable of
observing more fasts). He (the Holy Prophet) then said:
(Would) nine (fasts not suffice you)? I said: Messenger of
Allah, (I am capable of observing more fasts). He said:
(Would) eleven (fasts not suffice you)? I said: Messenger of
Allah, (I am capable of observing more fasts than these).
Thereupon the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said:
There is no fasting (better than) the fasting of David which
comprises half of the age, fasting a day and not fasting a
day.
Bk 6, Number 2598:
'Abdullah b. Amr (Allah be pleased with them) reported that
the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) had said to
him: Observe fast for a day and there would be reward for you
for the rest (of the days). He said: I am capable of doing
more than this. He then said: Observe fast for two days, and
there would be reward for you for the rest (of the days). He
said: I am capable of doing more than this. He (the Holy
Prophet) said: Observe fast for three days and there would be
reward for you for the rest of the days. He said: I am capable
of doing more than this, whereupon he said: Observe fast for
four days and there would be reward for you for the rest of
the days. He said: I am capable of doing more than this.
Thereupon he said: Then observe fast (which is the) best in
the eye of Allah, the fast of David (peace be upon him) ; he
used to observe fast one day and break on the other day.
Bk 6, Number 2599:
'Abdullah b. 'Amr (Allah be pleased with them) reported that
the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to me!
'Abdullah b. 'Amr, it has been conveyed to me that you observe
fast during the day and stand in prayer during the whole
night. Don't do that, for your body has a share of its own in
you, your eye has a share of its own in you, your wife has a
share of her own in you. Observe fast and break it too. Fast
for three days in every month and that is a prepetual fasting.
I said! Messenger of Allah, I have got strength enough (to do
more than this), whereupon he said: Then observe the fast of
David (peace be upon him). Observe fast one day and break it
(on the other) day. And he ('Abdullah b. 'Amr) used to say:
Would that I had availed myself of this concession.
Chapter 33: EXCELLENCE OF OBSERVING FAST FOR THREE DAYS DURING
EVERY MONTH. AND FASTING ON THE DAY OF 'ARAFA AND 'ASHURA AND
MONDAY AND THURSDAY
Bk 6, Number 2600:
Mu'adha al−'Adawiyya reported that she asked 'A'isha, the wife
of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him), whether the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed fasts for
three days during every month. She said: Yes I said to her:
Which were (the particular) days of the month on which he
observed fast? She said: He was not particular about the days
of the month on which to observe fast.
Bk 6, Number 2601:
'Imran b. Husain (Allah be pleased with them) reported that
the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to him (or
he said to another person and he was listening to it): O, so
and so, did you observe fast in the middle of the month? He
said: No. Thereupon he (the Messenger of Allah) said: When you
break it, then observe fast for two days.
Bk 6, Number 2602:
Abu Qatada reported that a person came to the Apostle of Allah
(may peace be upon him) and said: How do you observe fast? The
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) felt annoyed. 1560
When 'Umar (Allah be pleased with him) noticed his annoyance,
he said: We are well pleased with Allah as our Lord, with
Islam as our Code of Life, and with Muhammad as our Prophet.
We seek refuge with Allah from the anger of Allah and that of
His Messenger. 'Umar kept on repeating these words till his
(the Prophet's) anger calmed down. Then Umar said: Messenger
of Allah. what is the position of one who perpetually observes
fasts? Thereupon he said: He neither fasted nor broke it, or
he said: He did not fast and he did not break it. He said:
What about him who observes fast for two days and breaks one
day. There− upon he said: Is anyone capable of doing it? He
('Umar) said: What is the position of him who observes fast
for a day and breaks on the other day? Thereupon he (the Holy
Prophet) said: That is the fast of David (peace be upon him).
He ('Umar) said: What about him who observes fast one day and
breaks it for two days. Thereupon he (the Messenger of Allah)
said: I wish, I were given strength to observe that.
Thereafter he said: The observance of three days' fast every
Month and that of Ramadan every year is a perpetual fasting. I
seek from Allah that fasting on the day of 'Arafa may atone
for the sins of the preceding and the coming years. and I seek
from Allah that fasting on the day of Ashura may atone for the
sins of the preceding year.
Bk 6, Number 2603:
Abu Qatada al−Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported that
the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was asked about
his fasting. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)
felt annoyed. Thereupon 'Umar (Allah be pleased with him)
said: We are pleased with Allah as the Lord, with Islam as our
Code of Life, with Muhammad as the Messenger and with our
pledge (to you for willing and cheerful submission) as a
(sacred) commitment. He was then asked about perpetual
fasting, whereupon he said: He neither fasted nor did he break
it, or he did not fast and he did not break it. He was then
asked about fasting for two days and breaking one day. He (the
Holy Prophet) said: And who has strength enough to do it? He
was asked about fasting for a day and breaking for two days,
whereupon he said: May Allah bestow upon us strength to do it.
He was then asked about fasting for a day and breaking on the
other, whereupon he said: That is the fasting of my brother
David (peace be upon him). He was then asked about fasting on
Monday, whereupon he said: It was the day on which I was born.
on which I was commissioned with prophethood or revelation was
sent to me, (and he further) said: Three days' fasting every
month and of the whole of Ramadan every year is a perpetual
fast. He was asked about fasting on the day of 'Arafa (9th of
Dhu'I−Hijja), whereupon he said: It expiates the sins of the
preceding year and the coming year. He was asked about fasting
on the day of 'Ashura (10th of Muharram), whereupon be said:
It expiates the sins of the preceding year. (Imam Muslim said
that in this hadith there is a) narration of Imam Shu'ba that
he was asked about fasting on Monday and Thursday, but we
(Imam Muslim) did not mention Thursday for we found it as an
error (in reporting).
Bk 6, Number 2604:
This hadith has been narrated by Shu'ba with the same chain of
transmitters.
Bk 6, Number 2605:
This hadith has been narrated by Ghailan b. Jarir with the
same chain of transmitters, but with one variation, that there
has been made mention of Monday and not of Thursday.
Bk 6, Number 2606:
Abu Qatada Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported that
Allah's Massenger (may peace be upon him) was asked about
fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: It is (the day) when I
was born and revelation was sent down to me.
Chapter 34: FASTING IN THE MONTH OF SHA'BAN
Bk 6, Number 2607:
'Imran b. Husain (Allah be pleased with them) reported Allah's
Messenger (may peace he upon him) having said to him or to
someone else: Did you fast in the middle of Sha'ban? He said:
No. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: If you did not
observe fast, then you should observe fast for two days.
Bk 6, Number 2608:
Imran b. Husain (Allah be pleased with them) reported that
Allah's Apostle (way peace heupon him) said. to a person: Did
you observe any fast in the middle of this month (Sha'ban)? He
said: No. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) said: Fast for two days instead of (one fast) when you
have completed (fasts of) Ramadan.
Bk 6, Number 2609:
'Imran b. Husain (Allah be pleased with them) reported that
the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to a person:
Did you observe fast in the middle of this month. i. e.
Sha'ban? He said: No. Thereupon he said to him: When it is the
end of Ramadan, then observe fast for one day or two (Shu'ba
had some doubt about it) but he said: I think that he has
said: two days.
Bk 6, Number 2610:
This hadith is narrated by 'Abdullah b. Hani b. Akhi Mutarrif
with the same chain of transmitters.
Chapter 35: EXCELLENCE OF THE FAST OF MUHARRAM
Bk 6, Number 2611:
Abu Haraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The most
excellent fast after Ramadan is God's month. al−Muharram, and
the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer
during the night.
Bk 6, Number 2612:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported that he (the
Messenger of Allah) was asked as to which prayer was most
excellent after the prescribed prayer, and which fast was most
excellent after the month of Ramadan. He said: Prayer offered
in the middle of the night and the most excellent fast after
(fasting) in the month of Ramadan is the fast in God's month
al−Muharram.
Bk 6, Number 2613:
A hadith like this has been reported from the Apostle of Allah
(may peace be upon him) by 'Abd al−Malik with the same chain
of transmitters in connection with fast.
Chapter 36: EXCELLENCE OF OBSERVING FAST FOR SIX DAYS IN THE
MONTH OF SHAWWAL AFTER RAMADAN
Bk 6, Number 2614:
Abu Ayyub al−Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported
Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who
observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six
(fasts) of Shawwal. it would be as if he fasted perpetually.
Bk 6, Number 2615:
Abu Ayyub al−Ansari reported (through another chain of
transmitters): I heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon
him) saying like this.
Bk 6, Number 2616:
Abu Ayyub reported a hadith like this (through another chain
of transmitters).
Chapter 37: EXCELLENCE OF LAILAT−UL−QADR AND EXHORTATION TO
FIND IT
Bk 6, Number 2617:
Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported that some
persons among the Companions of the Apostle of Allah (may
peace be upon him) were shown Lailat− ul−Qadr while sleeping
in the last week (of Ramadan). Thereupon Allah's Messenger
(may peace be upon him) said: I see that your dreams agree
regarding the last week; so he who wants to seek it should
seek it in the last week (during the night).
Bk 6, Number 2618:
Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported Allah's
Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: Seek Lailat−ul−Qadr
in the last week (of Ramadan).
Bk 6, Number 2619:
Salim reported on the authority of his father that a person
saw Lailat−ul− Qadr on the 27th (of Ramadan). Thereupon
Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: I see that your
dreams agree regarding the last ten (nights of Ramadan). So
seek it on an odd number (of these ten nights).
Bk 6, Number 2620:
Salim b. 'Abdullah b. 'Umar reported that his father said: I
heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: So
far as Lailat−ul−Qadr is concerned. some persons among you
have seen it (in a dream) in the first week and some persons
among you have been shown that it is in the last week; so seek
it in the last ten (nights).
Bk 6, Number 2621:
Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Seek it
(Lailat−ul−Qadr) in the last (ten nights). If one among you
shows slackness and weakness (in the earlier part of Ramadan),
it should not be allowed to prevail upon him in the last week.
Bk 6, Number 2622:
Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who is anxious
to seek it (Lailat−ul−Qadr) should seek it in the last ten
(nights of Ramadan).
Bk 6, Number 2623:
'Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported
Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Seek the
time of Lailat−ul−Qadr in the last (ten nights), or he said:
in the last nine (nights).
Bk 6, Number 2624:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: I was shown
Lailat−ul−Qadr; then some members of my family awoke me up,
then I was caused to forget it. So seek it in the last week.
Harmala said: (The Holy Prophet did not say:" I was made to
forget," but he stated):" But I forgot it."
Bk 6, Number 2625:
Abu Sa'id al−Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported that
Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) spent in devotion
(in i'tikaf) the middle ten nights of the month of Ramadan,
and when twenty nights were over and it was the twenty−first
night, he went back to his residence and those who were along
with him also returned (to their respective residences). He
spent one month in devotion. Then he addressed the people on
the night he came back (to his residence) and commanded them
as Allah desired (him to command) and then said: I used to
devote myself (observe i'tikaf) during these ten (nights).
Then I started devoting myself in the last ten (nights). And
he who desires to observe i'tikaf along with me should spend
the night) at his place of i'tikaf. And I saw this night
(Lailat−ul−Qadr) but I forgot it (the exact night) ; so seek
it;In the last ten nights on odd numbers. I saw (the glimpses
of that dream) that I was prostrating in water and mud. Abu
Sa'id al−Khudri said: It rained on the twenty−first night and
the water dripped (from the roof) of the mosque at the place
where the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed
prayer. I looked at him and as he completed the dawn prayer,
(I found) his face was wet with mud and water.
Bk 6, Number 2626:
Abu Sa'id al−Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported that
the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) devoted
(himself to prayer) in the middle (ten nights) of Ramadan. The
rest of the hadith is the same except for these words:" That
he adhered to his place of i'tikaf and his forehead was
besmeared with mud and water."
Bk 6, Number 2627:
Abu Sa'id al−Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported that
the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed
i'tikaf (confined himself for devotion and prayer) in the
first ten (days) of Ramadan; he then observed i'tikaf in the
middle ten (days) in a Turkish tent with a mat hanging at its
door. He (the Holy Prophet) took hold of that mat and placed
it in the nook of the tent. He then put his head out and
talked with people and they came near him, and he (the Holy
Prophet) said: I observed i'tikaf in the first ten (nights and
days) in order to seek that night (Lailat−ul−Qadr). I then
observed i'tikaf in the middle ten days. Then (an angel) was
sent to me and I was told that this (night) is among the last
ten (nights). He who among you likes to observe i'tikaf should
do so; and the people observed it along with him, and he (the
Holy Prophet) said: That (Lailat−ul−Qadr) was shown to me on
an odd (night) and I (saw in the dream) that I was prostrating
in the morning in clay and water. So in the morning of the
twenty−first night when he (the Holy Prophet) got up for dawn
(prayer). there was a rainfall and the mosque dripped, and I
saw clay and water. When he came out after completing the
morning prayer (I saw) that his forehead and the tip of his
nose had (traces) of clay and water, and that was the
twenty−first night among the last ten (nights).
Bk 6, Number 2628:
Abu Salama reported: 'We discussed amongst ourselves
Lailat−ul−Qadr. I came to Abu Sa'id al−Khudri (Allah be
pleased with him) who was a friend of mine and said to him:
Would you not go with us to the garden of date trees? He went
out with a cloak over him. I said to him: Did you hear the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) making mention of
Lailat−ul−Qadr? He said: Yes, (and added) we were observing
i'tikaf with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) in
the middle ten days of Ramadan, and came out on the morning of
the twentieth and the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) addressed us and said: I was shown Lailat−ul−Qadr, but I
forgot (the exact night) or I was caused to forget it, so seek
it in the last ten odd (nights), and I was shown that I was
prostrating in water and clay. So he who wanted to observe
i'tikaf with the Messenger of Allah (inay peace be upon him)
should return (to the place of i'tikaf). He (Abu Sa'id
al−Khudri) said: And we returned and did not find any patch of
cloud in the sky. Then the cloud gathered and there was (so
heavy) a downpour that the roof of the mosque which was made
of the branches of date−palms began to drip. Then there was
prayer and I saw the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) prostrating in water and clay till I saw the traces of
clay on his forehead.
Bk 6, Number 2629:
This badith has been reported on the authority of Yahya b. Abu
Kathir with the same chain of transmitters (with a slight
variation of these words): I saw the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) after he had completed (the prayer) and
there was a trace of clay on his forehead and tip (of the
nose).
Bk 6, Number 2630:
Abu Sa'id al−Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported: The
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed i'tikaf in
the middle ten days of Ramadan to seek Lailat−ul−Qadr before
it was made manifest to him. When (these nights) were over, he
commanded to strike the tent. Then it was made manifest to him
that (Lailat−ul−Qadr) was in the last ten nights (of Ramadan),
and commanded to pitch the tent (again). He then came to the
people and said: O people, Lailat−ul−Qadr was made manifest to
me and I came out to inform you about it that two persons came
contend− ing with each other and there was a devil along with
them and I forgot it. So seek it in the last ten nights of
Ramadan. Seek it on the ninth, on the seventh and on the
fifth. I (one of the narrators) said: Abu Sa'id, you know more
than us about numbers. He said: Yes, indeed we have better
right than you. I said: What is this ninth, seventh, and
fifth? He said: When twenty−one (nights are over) and the
twenty−second begins, it is the ninth, and when twenty−three
(nights) are over, that which follows (the last night) is the
seventh, and when twenty−five nights are over, what follows it
is fifth. Ibn Khallad said: Instead of the word Yahliqan
(contending), he said Yakhtasiman, (they are disputing).
Bk 6, Number 2631:
'Abdullah b. Unais reported Allah's Messenger (may peace
beupon him) as saying: I was shown Lailat−ul−Qadr; then I was
made to forget it, and saw that I was prostrating in water and
clay in the morning of that (night). He (the narrator) said:
There was a downpour on the twenty−third night and the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) led us in prayer,
and as he went back, there was a trace of water and clay on
his forehead and on his nose. He (the narrator) said:
'Abdullah b. Unais used to say that it was the twenty−third
(night).
Bk 6, Number 2632:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) and Ibn Numair reported
Allah's Mes− senger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Look
for (and in the words of Waki, seek) Lailat−ul−Qadr in the
last ten nights of Ramadan.
Bk 6, Number 2633:
Zirr b. Habaish reported: I thu asked Ubayy b. Ka'b (Allah be
pleased with him): Your brother (in faith) Ibn Mas'ud says: He
who stands (for the night prayer) throughout the year would
find Lailat−ul−Qadr, whereupon he said: May Allah have mercy
upon him; (he said these words) with the intention that people
might not rely only (on one night), whereas he knew that it
(Lailat−ul−Qadr) is in the month of Ramadan and it is the
twenty−seventh night. He then took oath (without making any
exception, i. e. without saying Innsha Allah) that it was the
twenty−seventh night. I said to him: Abu Mundhir, on what
ground do you say that? Thereupon he said: By the indication
or by the sign which the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) gave us, and that is that on that day (the sun) would
rise without having any ray in it.
Bk 6, Number 2634:
Zirr b. Hubaish reported that Ubayy b. Ka'b (Allah be pleased
with him) said about Lailat−ul−Qadr: By Allah, I know well
about it. Shu'ba said: To the best of my knowledge it was the
twenty−seventh night for which the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) commanded us to stand for prayer. Shu'ba
doubted these words: That it was the night for which the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) commanded us to
stand for prayer. And (he further) said: This was narrated to
me by a friend of mine from him (the Holy Prophet).
Bk 6, Number 2635:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were
talking about Lailat−ul−Qadr in the presence of the Messenger
of Allah (may peace be upon him) and he said: He who amongst
you remembers (the night) when the moon arose and it was like
a piece of plate (at the fag end of the month in a state of
waning).
Chapter 38: OBSERVING OF I'TIKAF IN THE LAST TEN DAYS OF
RAMADAN
Bk 6, Number 2636:
Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported that
the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to observe
i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan.
Bk 6, Number 2637:
Abdullah b. Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported
that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to
observe i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. Nafi' said:
Abdullah (Allah be pleased with him) showed me the place in
the mosque where the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon
him) used to observe i'tikaf.
Bk 6, Number 2638:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to observe
i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan.
Bk 6, Number 2639:
This hadith has been narrated by 'A'isha (Allah be pleased
with her) through another chain of transmitters.
Bk 6, Number 2640:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that the
Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) used to observe
i'tikif in the last ten days of Ramadan till Allah called him
back (to his heavenly home). Then his wives observed i'tikaf
after him.
Chapter 39: WHEN SHOULD A PERSON ENTER THE PLACE OF I'TIKAF AS
HE INTENDS TO OBSERVE IT
Bk 6, Number 2641:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that when the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) decided to observe
i'tikaf, he prayed in the morning and then went to the place
of his i'tikaf, and he commanded that a tent should be pitched
for him, and it was pitched. He (once) decided to observe
i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. Zainab (the wife of
the Holy Prophet) commanded that a tent should be pitched for
her. It was pitched accordingly. And some other wives of
Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) commanded that tents
should be pitched for them too. And they were pitched. When
the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) offered the
morning prayer, he looked and found (so many) tents. Thereupon
he said: What is this virtue that these (ladies) have decided
to acquire? He commanded his tent to be struck and abandoned
i'tikaf in the month of Ramadan and postponed it to the first
ten days of Shawwal.
Bk 6, Number 2642:
This hadith has been reported through another chain of
transmitters, and there it is mentioned that. 'A'isha, Hafsa
and Zainab (Allah be pleased with them) pitched the tents for
i'tikaf.
Chapter 40: ONE SHOULD EXERT MORE (IN DEVOTION AND PRAYER) IN
THE LAST TEN DAYS OF RAMADAN
Bk 6, Number 2643:
'A'Isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that when the
last ten nights began Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon
him) kept awake at night (for prayer and devotion), wakened
his family, and prepared himself to observe prayer (with more
vigour).
Bk 6, Number 2644:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to exert himself in
devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than
at any other time.
Chapter 41: FASTING ON THE 10TH OF DHU'L−HIJJA
Bk 6, Number 2645:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported: I never saw the
Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) fasting in the ten
days of Dhu'I−Hijja.
Bk 6, Number 2646:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Apostle of
Allah (may peace be upon him) did not observe fast in the ten
days of Dhul−Hijja.
