Hadith #161

Arabic Text

English Translation

Abdullah bin `Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Messenger ﷺ entered upon me and said, "Have I not been informed that you offer prayer all the night and fast the whole day?" I said, "Yes." He said, "Do not do so; Offer prayer at night and also sleep; Fast for a few days and give up fasting for a few days because your body has a right on you, and your eye has a right on you, and your guest has a right on you, and your wife has a right on you. I hope that you will have a long life, and it is sufficient for you to fast for three days a month as the reward of a good deed, is multiplied ten times, that means, as if you fasted the whole year." I insisted (on fasting more) so I was given a hard instruction. I said, "I can do more than that (fasting)" the Prophet ﷺ said, "Fast three days every week." But as I insisted (on fasting more) so I was burdened. I said, "I can fast more than that." the Prophet ﷺ said, "Fast as Allah's prophet David used to fast." I said, "How was the fasting of the Prophet ﷺ David?" the Prophet ﷺ said, "One half of a year (i.e. he used to fast on alternate days)