Hadith #343

Arabic Text

English Translation

It was narrated from 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As (رضي الله عنهما) — via Muhammad ibn 'Ubayd, from Muhammad ibn Ishaq, from Muhammad ibn Ibrahim, from Abu Salama ibn 'Abd al-Rahman — who said: 'I entered upon 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As. He asked about my lineage, thinking I was the son of Umm Kulthum bint 'Uqba. I said: "I am [the son] of the Kalbiyya [a woman from the Kalb tribe]." 'Abdullah said: "the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered my house and said: 'Have I not been informed that you read the Quran every day and night? Read it once every month.' I said: 'I have the strength for more than that.' He said: 'Then read it in half a month.' I said: 'I have the strength for more than that.' He said: 'Then read it in every seven days — do not add more. And I have heard that you fast perpetually.' I said: 'Indeed I do, O Messenger of Allah.' He said: 'Then fast three days of every month.' I said: 'I have the strength for more than that.' He said: 'Then fast two days of every week.' I said: 'I have the strength for more than that.' He said: 'Then fast the fast of Dawud — fast one day and break fast one day — for it is the most balanced fast before Allah — and he never went back on his word and never fled when he faced [the enemy]. And read the Quran once per month.' I said: 'I have the strength for more than that, O Prophet of Allah.' He said: 'Then read it once every half month.' I said: 'I have the strength for more than that.' He said: 'Then read it in every seven days — do not add more than that.' Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ departed."'