Ash-Shama'il Al-Muhammadiyah: The Fasting Of Sayyidina Rasoolullah

"I asked 'A'isha (may Allah the Exalted be well pleased with her) about the fasting of Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace). She said: “He used to fast until we would say: ‘He has fasted,’ and he used to break fast until we would say: ‘He has broken fast.’” She also said: “Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) did not fast for a whole month after arriving in Medina, with the exception of Ramadan.’

"He used to fast during the month until we would assume that he did not intend to break fast during it, and he used to break fast until we would assume that he did not intend to fast during any of it. You would not wish to assume that he was performing the ritual prayer during the night, unless you saw him performing the ritual prayer, nor that he was sleeping, unless you saw him sleeping.”

"The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to fast until we would say: “He does not intend to break fast [during the month],” and he used to break fast until we would say: “He does not intend to fast during it.” He did not fast for a whole month after arriving in Medina, with the exception of Ramadan.”

"I did not see the Prophet fast (Allah bless him and give him peace) for two consecutive months, other than Sha'ban and Ramadan.”

"I did not see Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) fast in any month more than his fasting for Allah’s sake in Sha'ban. He used to keep fast through all but a little of Sha'ban; no indeed, he used to keep fast through all of it!”

"Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to fast three days at the beginning of every month, and he would seldom break fast on Friday, the Day of the Congregation [jumuah].”

"The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was devoutly committed to fasting every Monday and Thursday.”

"The Prophet said (Allah bless him and give him peace): “Works are reviewed on Monday and Thursday, so I would like my work to be reviewed while I am fasting!”

'A’isha said; “The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to fast on the Saturday of one month, and on the Sunday and the Monday, as well as on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of another month.”

“Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) would not fast in any month more than he did in Sha'ban.”

"I said to 'A'sha: “Was Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to fasting three days out of every month?” She said; “Yes!” I said: “Which days did he fast?” She said: “He was not concerned about which days he fasted.”

"‘Ashura' was a day on which Quraish used to fast in the pagan era [al-jahiliyya], and Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to keep it as well. Hence, when he arrived in Medina, he kept its fast and commanded its observance. Then, when Ramadan was decreed, [the fast of] Ramadan became the obligatory religious duty, and 'Ashura' was omitted, so one is free to fast this day or not to fast it.”

“I asked 'A'isha (may Allah be well pleased with her): ‘Was Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to singling out any of the days?’ She said: ‘His work was perpetual. Who of you would be capable of doing what Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to be do?”

"Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) entered my presence, and there was a woman with me, so he said: “Who is this?” I said: “So-and-so, who does not sleep at night.” Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) then said: 'Incumbent upon you are the works of which you are capable, for, by Allah, Allah will not become weary until you become weary!” The work dearest to Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) was that in which his Companion would persevere.'"

"I asked 'A'isha and Umm Salama: “Which work was dearest to Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace)?” They said: “That which a person perseveres in, even if the amount of work done is small.”

"When I was together with Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) one night, he cleaned his teeth, then performed the minor ablution, then performed the ritual prayer. I stood up with him, whereupon he began with the Sura of the Cow [al-Baqara], and whenever he came to a verse referring to a mercy, he would pause and ask [for that mercy], and whenever he came to a verse referring to a torment, he would pause and seek refuge [from that torment]. Then he bowed down and remained bowing for as long as he had remained standing upright, saying: “Glory be to the Lord of power [jabarut], sovereignty [malakut], magnificence [kibriya'] and sublimity ['azama]!” Then he prostrated for as long as he had bowed, saying: ““Glory be to the Lord of power, sovereignty, magnificence and sublimity!” Then he recited the Sura of the Family of 'Imran [Al 'Imran] followed by another Sura, and he did this in every cycle of the ritual prayer.”