"The Messenger of Allah did not fast any month more than Shaban; he used to fast (all of) it, or most of it." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2354)  

«لَمْ يَكُنْ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ لِشَهْرٍ أَكْثَرَ صِيَامًا مِنْهُ لِشَعْبَانَ كَانَ يَصُومُهُ أَوْ عَامَّتَهُ»  

"The Messenger of Allah used to fast (all of) Shaban except a little." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2355)  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «يَصُومُ شَعْبَانَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا»  

"The Messenger of Allah used to fast all of Shaban." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2356)  

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ «كَانَ يَصُومُ شَعْبَانَ كُلَّهُ»  

"I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting any month as much as Shaban.' He said: 'That is a month to which people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are taken up to the Lord of the worlds, and I like that my deeds be taken up when I am fasting."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2357)  

قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ لَمْ أَرَكَ تَصُومُ مِنَ شَهْرٍ مِنَ الشُّهُورِ مَا تَصُومُ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ قَالَ «ذَلِكَ شَهْرٌ يَغْفُلُ النَّاسُ عَنْهُ بَيْنَ رَجَبَ وَرَمَضَانَ وَهُوَ شَهْرٌ تُرْفَعُ فِيهِ الْأَعْمَالُ إِلَى رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ فَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يُرْفَعَ عَمَلِي وَأَنَا صَائِمٌ»  

"I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, sometimes you fast, and you hardly ever break your hardly ever fast, except two days which, if you are fasting, you include them in your fast, and if you are not fasting, then you fast them on your own.' He said: 'Which two days?' I said: 'Monday and Thursday.' He said: 'Those are two days in which deeds are shown to the Lord of the worlds, and I like my deeds to be shown (to Him) when I am fasting."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2358)  

قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّكَ تَصُومُ حَتَّى لَا تَكَادَ تُفْطِرُ وَتُفْطِرُ حَتَّى لَا تَكَادَ أَنْ تَصُومَ إِلَّا يَوْمَيْنِ إِذَا دَخَلَا فِي صِيَامِكَ وَإِلَّا صُمْتَهُمَا قَالَ «أَيُّ يَوْمَيْنِ؟» قُلْتُ يَوْمَ الِاثْنَيْنِ وَيَوْمَ الْخَمِيسِ قَالَ «ذَانِكَ يَوْمَانِ تُعْرَضُ فِيهِمَا الْأَعْمَالُ عَلَى رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ وَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يُعْرَضَ عَمَلِي وَأَنَا صَائِمٌ»  

That the Messenger of Allah used to fast continually and it ws said that he would not break his fast, and he used not to fast and it was said that he would not fast. (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2359)  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ «كَانَ يَسْرُدُ الصَّوْمَ» فَيُقَالُ لَا يُفْطِرُ وَيُفْطِرُ فَيُقَالُ لَا يَصُومُ  

"The Messenger of Allah used to be keen to fast on Mondays and Thursday." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2360)  

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ «كَانَ يَتَحَرَّىَ صِيَامَ الِاثْنَيْنِ وَالْخَمِيسِ»  

"The Messenger of Allah used to be keen to fast on Mondays and Thursday." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2361)  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «يَتَحَرَّى يَوْمَ الِاثْنَيْنِ وَالْخَمِيسِ»  

"The Messenger of Allah used to be keen to fast on Mondays and Thursday." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2362)  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «يَتَحَرَّى الِاثْنَيْنِ وَالْخَمِيسَ»  

[Machine] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to "observe fast on Mondays and Thursdays." Abu Abdur Rahman said, "This is a rejected hadith, as it resembles a hadith from Mansoor, which resembles coming from Abu Dawood."  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «يَتَحَرَّى الِاثْنَيْنِ وَالْخَمِيسَ» قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ هَذَا حَدِيثٌ مُنْكَرٌ مَا يُشْبِهُ حَدِيثَ مَنْصُورٍ يُشْبِهُ أَنْ يَكُونَ أَتَى مِنْ أَبِي دَاوُدَ  

"The Messenger of Allah used to be keen to fast on Mondays and Thursday." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2364)  

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ «يَصُومُ الِاثْنَيْنِ وَالْخَمِيسَ»  

"The Messenger of Allah used to fast three days of every month: the Monday and Thursday of the first week and the Monday of the following week." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2365)  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَصُومُ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ الِاثْنَيْنِ وَالْخَمِيسَ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْجُمُعَةِ وَالِاثْنَيْنِ مِنَ الْمُقْبِلَةِ  

"The Messenger of Allah used to fast Thursday and Monday of each month, and Monday of the following week." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2366)  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَصُومُ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ يَوْمَ الْخَمِيسِ وَيَوْمَ الِاثْنَيْنِ وَمِنَ الْجُمُعَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ يَوْمَ الِاثْنَيْنِ  

"When the Messenger of Allah would lie down, he would place his right hand under his right cheek, and he used to fast on Mondays and Thursday." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2367)  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «إِذَا أَخَذَ مَضْجَعَهُ جَعَلَ كَفَّهُ الْيُمْنَى تَحْتَ خَدِّهِ الْأَيْمَنِ وَكَانَ يَصُومُ الِاثْنَيْنِ وَالْخَمِيسَ»  

[Machine] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to fast three days of every month and was lenient in breaking the fast on Fridays." Abu Abdur Rahman, Abu Hamza, who is called Muhammad bin Maymun Marwazi, commented, "There is no harm in his narrations except that his sight weakened in his old age. So whoever wrote from him before that, his narration is good." Abu Hamza was the companion of Ibrahim al-Nakha'i, whose name was Maymun al-A'war, and he is not reliable. Abu Hamza Thabit bin Abi Safiyyah is from Kufa and is not reliable. Abu Hamza Imran bin Abi Ata narrates from Ibn Abbas, and Shu'bah, Sufyan, and Abu Awana narrate from him, but he is not strong. Abu Hamza Talhah bin Yazid is a reliable narrator from Kufa. Abu Hamza Muhammad bin Ka'b al-Quradhi is a trustworthy Medina narrator. Abu Hamza Saad narrates from Ubaid, and he is a reliable Kufa narrator. Abu Hamza Anas bin Sireen is a trustworthy narrator. They are four brothers: Muhammad bin Sireen, Yahya bin Sireen, Ma'bad bin Sireen, and Anas bin Sireen, as well as Hafsah bint Sireen and Karimah bint Sireen, and they are the followers of Anas bin Malik al-Ansari.  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «يَصُومُ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ غُرَّةِ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ وَقَلَّ مَا يُفْطِرُ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ» قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ أَبُو حَمْزَةَ هَذَا اسْمُهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَيْمُونٍ مَرْوَزِيٌّ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ كَانَ ذَهَبَ بَصَرُهُ فِي آخِرِ عُمْرِهِ فَمَنْ كَتَبَ عَنْهُ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ فَحَدِيثُهُ جَيِّدٌ وَأَبُو حَمْزَةَ صَاحِبُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ النَّخَعِيَّ اسْمُهُ مَيْمُونٌ الْأَعْوَرُ وَلَيْسَ بِثِقَةٍ وَأَبُو حَمْزَةَ ثَابِتُ بْنُ أَبِي صَفِيَّةَ كُوفِيٌّ وَلَيْسَ بِثِقَةٍ وَأَبُو حَمْزَةَ عِمْرَانُ بْنُ أَبِي عَطَاءٍ يَرْوِي عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَوَى عَنْهُ شُعْبَةُ وَسُفْيَانُ وَأَبُو عَوَانَةَ وَلَيْسَ بِالْقَوِيِّ وَأَبُو حَمْزَةَ طَلْحَةُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ كُوفِيٌّ ثِقَةٌ وَأَبُو حَمْزَةَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ كَعْبٍ الْقُرَظِيُّ مَدَنِيٌّ ثِقَةٌ وَأَبُو حَمْزَةَ سَعْدٌ عَنْ عُبَيْدٍ كُوفِيٌّ ثِقَةٌ وَأَبُو حَمْزَةَ أَنَسُ بْنُ سِيرِينَ ثِقَةٌ وَهُمْ أَرْبَعَةٌ إِخْوَةٌ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سِيرِينَ وَيَحْيَى بْنُ سِيرِينَ وَمَعْبَدُ بْنُ سِيرِينَ وَأَنَسُ بْنُ سِيرِينَ وَحَفْصَةُ بِنْتُ سِيرِينَ وَكَرِيمَةُ بِنْتُ سِيرِينَ وَهُمْ مَوَالِي أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ  

"The Messenger of Allah commanded me to pray two Rakahs of Duha, and not to sleep until I had prayed witr, and to fast three days each month." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2369)  

أَمَرَنِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «بِرَكْعَتَيِ الضُّحَى وَأَنْ لَا أَنَامَ إِلَّا عَلَى وِتْرٍ وَصِيَامِ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ»  

he heard Ibn 'Abbas, when he was asked about the fast of 'Ashura' say: "I do not know that the Prophet fasted any day because of its virtue, except this day" meaning the month of Ramadan and the day of Ashura.' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2370)  

«مَا عَلِمْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ صَامَ يَوْمًا يَتَحَرَّى فَضْلَهُ عَلَى الْأَيَّامِ إِلَّا هَذَا الْيَوْمَ يَعْنِي شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ وَيَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ»  

"I heard Mu'awiyah say on the day of 'Ashura when he was on the Mindar: O people of Al-Madinah, where are your scholars? I heard the Messenger of Allah say on this day: "I am fasting, so whoever wants to fast let him do so." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2371)  

سَمِعْتُ مُعَاوِيَةَ يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ وَهُوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ يَقُولُ يَا أَهْلَ الْمَدِينَةِ أَيْنَ عُلَمَاؤُكُمْ يَا أَهْلَ الْمَدِينَةِ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ فِي هَذَا الْيَوْمِ «إِنِّي صَائِمٌ فَمَنْ شَاءَ أَنْ يَصُومَ فَلْيَصُمْ»  

"One of the wives of the Prophet said: "The Prophet used to fast on the day of 'Ashura, nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and three days each month: The first Monday of the month, and two Thursday." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2372)  

حَدَّثَتْنِي بَعْضُ نِسَاءِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ وَتِسْعًا مِنْ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ وَثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ أَوَّلَ اثْنَيْنِ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ وَخَمِيسَيْنِ  

"It was said: 'O Messenger of Allah, so and so never broke his fast, even for one day for the rest of his life.' He said: 'He has neither fasted nor broken his fast."" 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2379)  

قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّ فُلَانًا لَا يُفْطِرُ نَهَارًا الدَّهْرَ فَقَالَ «لَا صَامَ وَلَا أَفْطَرَ»  

"My father told me that he heard the Messenger of Allah say, when mention was made in his presence of a man who fasted for the rest of his life: 'He neither fasted nor broke his fast."' 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2380)  

أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ وَذُكِرَ عِنْدَهُ رَجُلٌ يَصُومُ الدَّهْرَ فَقَالَ «لَا صَامَ وَلَا أَفْطَرَ»  

the Messenger of Allah said, concerning one who fasted for the rest of his life: "He neither fasted nor broke his fast." 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2381)  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ فِي صَوْمِ الدَّهْرِ «لَا صَامَ وَلَا أَفْطَرَ»  

"We were with the Messenger of Allah and we passed by a man. They said: 'O Prophet of Allah, this man has not broken his fast for such and such a time.' He said: 'He has neither fasted nor broken his fast."' 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2382)   

كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَمَرَرْنَا بِرَجُلٍ فَقَالُوا يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ هَذَا لَا يُفْطِرُ مُذْ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَقَالَ «لَا صَامَ وَلَا أَفْطَرَ أَوْ مَا صَامَ وَمَا أَفْطَرَ»  

the Messenger of Allah was asked about his fasting and he got angry. 'Umr said: "We are content with Allah as our lord, Islam as our religion and Muhammad as or Prophet." And he was aksed about someone who fasted for the rest of his life and said: "He neither fasted nor broke his fast." 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2383)  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ سُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِهِ فَغَضِبَ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ رَضِينَا بِاللهِ رَبًّا وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولًا وَسُئِلَ عَمَّنْ صَامَ الدَّهْرَ قَالَ «لَا صَامَ وَلَا أَفْطَرَ أَوْ مَا صَامَ وَمَا أَفْطَرَ»  

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2373)  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «مَنْ صَامَ الْأَبَدَ فَلَا صَامَ»  

“The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Whoever fasts continually, he neither fasts nor breaks his fast.’” (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 1705)  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «مَنْ صَامَ الْأَبَدَ فَلَا صَامَ وَلَا أَفْطَرَ»  

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2373)  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «مَنْ صَامَ الْأَبَدَ فَلَا صَامَ»  

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2373)  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ «مَنْ صَامَ الْأَبَدَ فَلَا صَامَ»  

“The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Whoever fasts continually, he neither fasts nor breaks his fast.’” (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 1705)  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «مَنْ صَامَ الْأَبَدَ فَلَا صَامَ وَلَا أَفْطَرَ»  

[Machine] The Prophet ﷺ was informed that I fast continuously and recite Hadith. Ata' said, "I do not know how mentioning eternal fasting came about." He said, "The Prophet ﷺ said, 'No one fasts forever.'" Abu Abdur Rahman, Abu Al-Abbas As-Sha'ir, whose name is As-Sa'ib ibn Farrukh, is trustworthy, and his son Al-Ala ibn Abi Al-Abbas narrates Hadith from him.  

بَلَغَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ أَنِّي أَصُومُ أَسْرُدُ وَسَاقَ الْحَدِيثَ قَالَ قَالَ عَطَاءٌ وَلَا أَدْرِي كَيْفَ ذَكَرَ صِيَامَ الْأَبَدِ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ «لَا صَامَ مَنْ صَامَ الْأَبَدَ» قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ أَبُو الْعَبَّاسِ الشَّاعِرُ اسْمُهُ السَّائِبُ بْنُ فَرُّوخَ ثِقَةٌ وَابْنُهُ الْعَلَاءُ بْنُ أَبِي الْعَبَّاسِ يَرْوِي عَنْهُ الْحَدِيثَ  

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. (Using translation from Muslim 1121b)  

أَنَّ حَمْزَةَ بْنَ عَمْرٍو الْأَسْلَمِيَّ سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ أَسْرُدُ الصَّوْمَ أَفَأَصُومُ فِي السَّفَرِ قَالَ «صُمْ إِنْ شِئْتَ أَوْ أَفْطِرْ إِنْ شِئْتَ»  

'It was said to the Prophet that a man fasted for the rest of his life. He said: 'I wish that he had never eaten.' They said: 'Two-thirds (of a lifetime)?' He said: 'That is too much.' Then he said: 'Shall I not tell you of that which will take away impurity from the heart? Fasting three days each month." 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2385)  

عَنْ رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ قِيلَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ رَجُلٌ يَصُومُ الدَّهْرَ قَالَ «وَدِدْتُ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَطْعَمِ الدَّهْرَ» قَالُوا فَثُلُثَيْهِ؟ قَالَ «أَكْثَرَ» قَالُوا فَنِصْفُهُ؟ قَالَ «أَكْثَرَ» ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَلَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِمَا يُذْهِبُ وَحَرَ الصَّدْرِ؟ صَوْمُ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ»  

"A man came to the Messenger of Allah and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, what do you say about a man who fated for the rest of his life?' The Messenger of Allah said: 'I wish that he would never eat for the rest of his life.' He said: 'Two-thirds ( of a lifetime)?' he said: 'That is too much.' He said: 'Half?' He said: 'Shall I not tell you of that which will take away impurity from the heart?' He said: 'Yes.' He said: 'Fasting for three days each month."' 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2386)  

أَتَى رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ مَا تَقُولُ فِي رَجُلٍ صَامَ الدَّهْرَ؟ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «وَدِدْتُ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَطْعَمِ الدَّهْرَ شَيْئًا» قَالَ فَثُلُثَيْهِ؟ قَالَ «أَكْثَرَ» قَالَ فَنِصْفَهُ قَالَ «أَكْثَرَ أَلَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِمَا يُذْهِبُ وَحَرَ الصَّدْرِ؟» قَالُوا بَلَى قَالَ «صَوْمُ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ»  

"Umar said: 'O Messenger of Allah, what about a person who fasted for an entire lifetime?' He said: 'He neither fasted nor broke his fast for one day?' He said: 'Can anyone do that?' He said: 'What about a person who fasted for one day?' He said: 'That is the fast of Dawud, peace be upon him.' He said: 'What about a person who fasted for one day, and broke his fast for two days?' he said: 'I wish that I could do that.' Then he said: 'Three days of each month, and from Ramadan to Ramadan, this is fasting for an entire lifetime."' 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2387)  

قَالَ عُمَرُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ كَيْفَ بِمَنْ يَصُومُ الدَّهْرَ كُلَّهُ؟ قَالَ «لَا صَامَ وَلَا أَفْطَرَ أَوْ لَمْ يَصُمْ وَلَمْ يُفْطِرْ» قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ كَيْفَ بِمَنْ يَصُومُ يَوْمَيْنِ وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا؟ قَالَ «وَيُطِيقُ ذَلِكَ أَحَدٌ؟» قَالَ فَكَيْفَ بِمَنْ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا؟ قَالَ «ذَاكَ صَوْمُ دَاوُدَ» قَالَ فَكَيْفَ بِمَنْ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمَيْنِ؟ قَالَ «وَدِدْتُ أَنِّي أُطِيقُ ذَاكَ» قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ «ثَلَاثٌ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ وَرَمَضَانُ إِلَى رَمَضَانَ هَذَا صِيَامُ الدَّهْرِ كُلَّهُ»  

"The Messenger of Allah said: "The best of fasting is the fast of Dawud, peace be upon him. He used to fast for one day and break his fast for one day."' 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2388)   

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ صِيَامُ دَاوُدَ كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا»  

"Abdullah bin 'Amr said to me: My father got me married to a woman from a noble family, and he used to come to her and ask her about her husband. She said: What a wonderful man he is! He never comes to my bed. And he has never approached me since he married me. He mentioned that to the Prophet and he said: Bring him to me. So he brought him with him and (the Prophet) said: How do you fast? I said: "Every day." He said: "Fast three days of every month." I said: "I am able to do better than that." He said: "Fast for two days, and break your fast for one day." He said; "I am able to do better than that". He said: "Observe the best of fasts, the fast of Dawud, peace be upon him: Fasting for one day and breaking the fast for one day." 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2389)  

نِعْمَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ رَجُلٍ لَمْ يَطَأْ لَنَا فِرَاشًا وَلَمْ يُفَتِّشْ لَنَا كَنَفًا مُنْذُ أَتَيْنَاهُ فَذَكَرَ ذَلِكَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ «الْقَنِي بِهِ» فَأَتَيْتُهُ مَعَهُ فَقَالَ «كَيْفَ تَصُومُ؟» قُلْتُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ قَالَ «صُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ» قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «فَصُمْ يَوْمَيْنِ وَأَفْطِرْ يَوْمًا» قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «فَصُمْ أَفْضَلَ الصِّيَامِ صِيَامَ دَاوُدَ صَوْمُ يَوْمٍ وَفِطْرُ يَوْمٍ»  

"My father got me married to a woman and he came to visit her and said: 'What do you think of your husband?' She said: 'What a wonderful man he is. He does not sleep at night and he does not break his fast during the day.' He got upset with me and said: 'I got you married to a woman from among the Muslims and you have neglected her.' I did not pay attention to what he said because of my energy and love of worship. News of that reached the Prophet and he said: 'But I stand (in prayer) and I sleep, I fast and I break my fast. So stand (in prayer) and sleep, fast and break your fast.' He said: 'Fast three days of every month.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'O bserve the fast of Dawud, peace be upon him: fast one day and break your fast one day.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'Read the Quran (once) every month.' Then it ended up being every fifteen days, and I still said: 'I am able to do more than that."' 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2390)  

نِعْمَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ رَجُلٍ لَا يَنَامُ اللَّيْلَ وَلَا يُفْطِرُ النَّهَارَ فَوَقَعَ بِي وَقَالَ زَوَّجْتُكَ امْرَأَةً مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَعَضَلْتَهَا قَالَ فَجَعَلْتُ لَا أَلْتَفِتُ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ مِمَّا أَرَى عِنْدِي مِنَ الْقُوَّةِ وَالِاجْتِهَادِ فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَالَ «لَكِنِّي أَنَا أَقُومُ وَأَنَامُ وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ فَقُمْ وَنَمْ وَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ» قَالَ «صُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ» قُلْتُ أَنَا أَقْوَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «صُمْ صَوْمَ دَاوُدَ صُمْ يَوْمًا وَأَفْطِرْ يَوْمًا» قُلْتُ أَنَا أَقْوَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «اقْرَأْ الْقُرْآنَ فِي شَهْرٍ» ثُمَّ انْتَهَى إِلَى خَمْسَ عَشْرَةَ وَأَنَا أَقُولُ أَنَا أَقْوَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ  

"The Messenger of Allah entered my apartment and said: "I have been told that you stand all night (in prayer) and fast all day.' I said: 'Yes (I do).' He said: 'Do not do that. Sleep and stand (in prayer); fast and break your fast. For your eyes have a right over you, your body has a right over you, your body has a right over you, your wife has a right over you, your guest has a right over you, and your friend has a right over you. I hope that you will have a long life and that it will be sufficient for you to fast three days of each month. That is fasting for a lifetime, because a good deed is equal to ten like it.' I said : 'I feel able to do more.' I was strict, so I was dealt with strictly. He said: 'Fast three days each week.' I said: 'I am ableto do more thtn that; I was strict, so I was dealt with strictly. He said: 'Observe the fast of the Prophet of Allah, Dawud, peace be upon him. I said: 'What was the fast of Dawud?' he said: 'Half of a lifetime."' 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2391)  

دَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ حُجْرَتِي فَقَالَ «أَلَمْ أُخْبَرْ أَنَّكَ تَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ وَتَصُومُ النَّهَارَ؟» قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ «فَلَا تَفْعَلَنَّ نَمْ وَقُمْ وَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ فَإِنَّ لِعَيْنَيْكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَإِنَّ لِجَسَدِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَإِنَّ لِزَوْجَتِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَإِنَّ لِضَيْفِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَإِنَّهُ عَسَى أَنْ يَطُولَ بِكَ عُمُرٌ وَإِنَّهُ حَسْبُكَ أَنْ تَصُومَ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ثَلَاثًا فَذَلِكَ صِيَامُ الدَّهْرِ كُلِّهِ بِالْحَسَنَةِ عَشْرًا» قُلْتُ إِنِّي أَجِدُ قُوَّةً فَشَدَّدْتُ فَشُدِّدَ عَلَيَّ قَالَ «صُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ» قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَشَدَّدْتُ فَشُدِّدَ عَلَيَّ قَالَ «صُمْ صَوْمَ نَبِيِّ اللهِ ﷺ دَاوُدَ» قُلْتُ وَمَا كَانَ صِيَامُ دَاوُدَ؟ قَالَ «نِصْفُ الدَّهْرِ»  

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 Prophet ﷺ, 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 ﷺ 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 Messenger of Allah ﷺ had said, it would have been more dear to me than my family and my property. (Using translation from Muslim 1159a)  

ذُكِرَ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ أَنَّهُ يَقُولُ لَأَقُومَنَّ اللَّيْلَ وَلَأَصُومَنَّ النَّهَارَ مَا عِشْتُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «أَنْتَ الَّذِي تَقُولُ ذَلِكَ؟» فَقُلْتُ لَهُ قَدْ قُلْتُهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «فَإِنَّكَ لَا تَسْتَطِيعُ ذَلِكَ فَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ وَنَمْ وَقُمْ وَصُمْ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ فَإِنَّ الْحَسَنَةَ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا وَذَلِكَ مِثْلُ صِيَامِ الدَّهْرِ» قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «صُمْ يَوْمًا وَأَفْطِرْ يَوْمَيْنِ» قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَ «فَصُمْ يَوْمًا وَأَفْطِرْ يَوْمًا وَذَلِكَ صِيَامُ دَاوُدَ وَهُوَ أَعْدَلُ الصِّيَامِ» قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «لَا أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ» قَالَ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ عَمْرٍو لَأَنْ أَكُونَ قَبِلْتُ الثَّلَاثَةَ الْأَيَّامَ الَّتِي قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَهْلِي وَمَالِي  

"I entered upon 'Abdullah bin 'Amr and said: O uncle, tell me what the Messenger of Allah said to you. He said: O son of my brother, I had resolved to strive very hard until I said: I will fast for the rest of my life and I will read the whole Quran every day and night. The Messenger of Allah heard about that, and came in to me in my house, and said: I have heard that you said, I will fast for a lifetime and will read the Quran. I said: I did say that, O Messenger of Allah. He said; Do not do that. Fast three days of each month. I said: I am able to do more than that. He said: fast two days of each week, Monday and Thursday. I said: I am able to do more than that. He said; Observe the fast of Dawud, peace be upon him, for it is the best kind of fasting before Allah; one day fasting, and one day not fasting. And when he made a promise he did not break it, and when he met (the enemy in battle) he did not flee." 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2393)  

لَكَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي إِنِّي قَدْ كُنْتُ أَجْمَعْتُ عَلَى أَنْ أَجْتَهِدَ اجْتِهَادًا شَدِيدًا حَتَّى قُلْتُ لَأَصُومَنَّ الدَّهْرَ وَلَأَقْرَأَنَّ الْقُرْآنَ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ فَسَمِعَ بِذَلِكَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَأَتَانِي حَتَّى دَخَلَ عَلَيَّ فِي دَارِي فَقَالَ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّكَ قُلْتَ لَأَصُومَنَّ الدَّهْرَ فَقُلْتُ قَدْ قُلْتُ ذَلِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَ «فَلَا تَفْعَلْ صُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ» قُلْتُ إِنِّي أَقْوَى عَلَى أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «فَصُمْ مِنَ الْجُمُعَةِ يَوْمَيْنِ الِاثْنَيْنِ وَالْخَمِيسَ» قُلْتُ إِنِّي أَقْوَى عَلَى أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكِ قَالَ «فَصُمْ صِيَامَ دَاوُدَ فَإِنَّهُ أَعْدَلُ الصِّيَامِ عِنْدَ اللهِ يَوْمًا صَائِمًا وَيَوْمًا مُفْطِرًا وَإِنَّهُ كَانَ إِذَا وَعَدَ لَمْ يُخْلِفْ وَإِذَا لَاقَى لَمْ يَفِرَّ»  

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. (Using translation from Muslim 1159n)  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ لَهُ «صُمْ يَوْمًا وَلَكَ أَجْرُ مَا بَقِيَ» قَالَ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «صُمْ يَوْمَيْنِ وَلَكَ أَجْرُ مَا بَقِيَ» قَالَ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «صُمْ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَلَكَ أَجْرُ مَا بَقِيَ» قَالَ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «صُمْ أَرْبَعَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَلَكَ أَجْرُ مَا بَقِيَ» قَالَ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «صُمْ أَفْضَلَ الصِّيَامِ عِنْدَ اللهِ صَوْمَ دَاوُدَ كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا»  

'Amr said: "I spoke to the Prophet and he said: 'Fast one day out of ten and you will have the reward of the other nine.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'Fast one day out of eight and you will have the reward of the other eight.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'Fast one day out of eight and you will have the reward of the other seven.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' 'Fast one day and not the next."' (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2395)  

«صُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ عَشَرَةِ أَيَّامٍ يَوْمًا وَلَكَ أَجْرُ تِلْكَ التِّسْعَةِ» فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي أَقْوَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «فَصُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ تِسْعَةِ أَيَّامٍ يَوْمًا وَلَكَ أَجْرُ تِلْكَ الثَّمَانِيَةِ» فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي أَقْوَى مَنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «فَصُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ ثَمَانِيَةِ أَيَّامٍ يَوْمًا وَلَكَ أَجْرُ تِلْكَ السَّبْعَةِ» قُلْتُ إِنِّي أَقْوَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ حَتَّى قَالَ «صُمْ يَوْمًا وَأَفْطِرْ يَوْمًا»  

[Machine] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him, "Fast for one day and you will have the reward of ten days." He said, "Increase me, O Messenger of Allah." He said, "Fast for two days and you will have the reward of nine days." He said, "Increase me." He said, "Fast for three days and you will have the reward of eight days." Thabit said, "So I informed Muattib ibn Abdullah about that, and he said, 'I do not see anything except that it increases in action and decreases in reward.'" Abu Abdullah added, "Some of them increased upon others."  

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ لَهُ «صُمْ يَوْمًا وَلَكَ أَجْرُ عَشَرَةِ أَيَّامٍ» قَالَ قُلْتُ زِدْنِي يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَ «صُمْ يَوْمَيْنِ وَلَكَ تِسْعَةٌ» قَالَ قُلْتُ زِدْنِي قَالَ «صُمْ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَلَكَ أَجْرُ ثَمَانِيَةِ أَيَّامٍ» قَالَ ثَابِتٌ فَأَخْبَرْتُ بِذَلِكَ مُطَرِّفَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللهِ فَقَالَ مَا أُرَاهُ إِلَّا يَزْدَادُ فِي الْعَمَلِ وَيَنْقُصُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ زَادَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ  

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'I have heard that you stand (in prayer) all night and fast all day.' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I only meant good by that.' He said: 'One who fasts every day of his life has not truly fasted. But I will tell you what fasting for a lifetime means: Three days of every month.' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said 'Observe the fast of Dawud, peace be upon him; he used to fast one day and not the next."' 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2397)   

قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «إِنَّهُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّكَ تَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ وَتَصُومُ النَّهَارَ؟» قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ مَا أَرَدْتُ بِذَلِكَ إِلَّا الْخَيْرَ قَالَ «لَا صَامَ مَنْ صَامَ الْأَبَدَ وَلَكِنْ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى صَوْمِ الدَّهْرِ ثَلَاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ مِنَ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ» قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «فَصُمْ خَمْسَةَ أَيَّامٍ» قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «فَصُمْ عَشْرًا» قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «فَصُمْ صَوْمَ دَاوُدَ وَكَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا»  

[Machine] Abu al-Abbas, a man from Sham who was a poet and known for his honesty, narrated to me that Abdullah ibn Amr said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me, "Indeed, you pray at night and fast during the day. No one can fast forever, but fast for three days each month." I asked, "Increase me." He said, "Fast for five days each month." I asked, "Increase me." He said, "The best fasting is the fasting of Dawood (David) who used to fast one day and break his fast on the next, and he never missed it when he met with others."  

حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو الْعَبَّاسِ وَكَانَ رَجُلًا مِنْ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ وَكَانَ شَاعِرًا وَكَانَ صَدُوقًا عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو قَالَ قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إنَّكَ تَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ وَتَصُومُ النَّهَارَ لَا صَامَ مَنْ صَامَ الْأَبَدَ صُمْ مَنْ كل شَّهْرِ ثَلَاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ قُلْتُ زِدني قال «صُمْ مَنْ كل شهر خَمْسَةَ أَيَّامٍ» قُلْتُ زِدني قَالَ «أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ صَوْمَ دَاوُدَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا وَلَا يَفِرَّ إِذَا لَاقَى»  

"The Messenger of Allah said to me: 'O 'Abdullah bin 'Amr, you fast all the time and you do stand (in prayer) at night, but if you do that your eyes will become sunken and you will become exhausted. There is no fast for one who fasts every day of his life. Fasting a lifetime means fasting three days each month, (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2399)  

قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «يَا عَبْدَ اللهِ بْنَ عَمْرٍو إِنَّكَ تَصُومُ الدَّهْرَ وَتَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ وَإِنَّكَ إِذَا فَعَلْتَ ذَلِكَ هَجَمَتِ الْعَيْنُ وَنفهت لَهُ النَّفْسُ لَا صَامَ مَنْ صَامَ الْأَبَدَ صَوْمُ الدَّهْرِ ثَلَاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ صَوْمُ الدَّهْرِ كُلِّهِ» قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «صَوْمُ دَاوُدَ كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا وَلَا يَفِرُّ إِذَا لَاقَى»  

"The Messenger of Allah said to me: 'Read the Qur'an in a month.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that. ' And I kept asking him until he said: 'In five days.' And he said: 'Fast three days a month.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' And 'Observe thhe most beloved of fasting to Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, the fast one day and not the next." (Suahih). (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2400)  

قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «اقْرَأِ الْقُرْآنَ فِي شَهْرٍ» قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَلَمْ أَزَلْ أَطْلُبُ إِلَيْهِ حَتَّى قَالَ «فِي خَمْسَةِ أَيَّامٍ» وَقَالَ «صُمْ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ» قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَلَمْ أَزَلْ أَطْلُبُ إِلَيْهِ حَتَّى قَالَ لِي «صُمْ أَحَبَّ الصِّيَامِ إِلَى اللهِ صَوْمَ دَاوُدَ كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا»  

"The Messenger of Allah heard that I was fasting continually and praying all night." Either he sent for him, or he happened to meet him and he said: "Have I not been told that you fast and never break your fast, and you pray all night? Do not do that, for do that, for your eyes should have a share, your self should have a share, and your family should have a share. Fast and break your fast; pray and sleep. Fast one day out of every ten, and your will have the reward of the other nine." He said: " I am able to do more than that, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "Observe the fast of Dawud then." " I said: 'How did Dawud fast, O Prophet of Allah? He said: 'He used to fast one day, and not the next, and he never fled if he met(the enemy in battle)."' He said: "How can I compare to him, O Prophet of Allah?" (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2401)   

بَلَغَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ أَنِّي أَصُومُ أَسْرُدُ وَأُصَلِّي اللَّيْلَ قَالَ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِ وَإِمَّا لَقِيَهُ قَالَ «أَلَمْ أُخْبَرْ أَنَّكَ تَصُومُ لَا تُفْطِرُ وَتُصَلِّي اللَّيْلَ؟ فَلَا تَفْعَلْ فَإِنَّ لِعَيْنَيْكَ حَظًّا وَلِنَفْسِكَ حَظًّا وَلِأَهْلِكَ حَقًّا صُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ وَصَلِّ وَنَمْ صُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ عَشَرَةِ أَيَّامٍ يَوْمًا وَلَكَ أَجْرُ تِسْعَةٍ» قَالَ إِنِّي أَقْوَى لِذَلِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَ «صُمْ صِيَامَ دَاوُدَ إِذًا» قَالَ وَكَيْفَ صِيَامُ دَاوُدَ يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ؟ قَالَ «كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا وَلَا يَفِرُّ إِذَا لَاقَى» قَالَ وَمَنْ لِي بِهَذَا يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ؟  

"I entered with Zaid upon 'Abdullah bin Amr and he narrated: 'The Messenger of Allah was told about my fasting, so the entered upon me and I gave him an average-sized leather pillow that was stuffed with palm fibvers. He sat in the ground with the pillow between myself and him, and said: "Whill it not be sufficient for you to fast three days each months?" I said: O Messenger of Allah! He said: "O Messenger of Allah!" He said: "Eleven." I said: "O Messenger of Allah!" Then the Prophet said: "There is not fast better than the fast of Dawud, half of a lifetime, fasting one day and not next." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2402)  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ ذُكِرَ لَهُ صَوْمِي فَدَخَلَ عَلَيَّ قَالَ فَأَلْقَيْتُ لَهُ وِسَادَةً حَشْوُهَا لِيفٌ فَجَلَسَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ فَصَارَتِ الْوِسَادَةُ فِيمَا بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُ فَقَالَ «أَمَا يَكْفِيكَ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ؟» قُلْتُ زِدْنِي يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَ «خَمْسًا» قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَ «سَبْعًا» قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَ «تِسْعًا» قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَ «أحْدَ عَشَرَ»؟ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ «لَا صَوْمَ فَوْقَ صَوْمِ دَاوُدَ شَطْرَ الدَّهْرِ صِيَامُ يَوْمٍ وَفِطْرُ يَوْمٍ»  

"The Messenger of Allah said to me: 'Fast one day of the month and you will have the reward of what is left.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'Fast two days and you will have the reward of what is left.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'Fast three days and you will have the reward of what is left.' I said: 'I am able to do more than that.' He said: 'Fast four days and you will have the reward of what is left.' I said: ' I am able to do more than that.' The messenger of Allah said: 'The best fasting is the fast of Dawud; he used to fast one day and not the next."' 2406. It was narrated that Abu Dharr said: "My beloved Prophet advised me to do three things which I will never give up, if Allah wills. He advised me to pray Duha to pray Witr before sleeping, and to fast three days of each month." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 2403)  

لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «صُمْ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ يَوْمًا وَلَكَ أَجْرُ مَا بَقِيَ» فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «فَصُمْ يَوْمَيْنِ وَلَكَ أَجْرُ مَا بَقِيَ» فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «صُمْ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَلَكَ أَجْرُ مَا بَقِيَ» فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «صُمْ أَرْبَعَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَلَكَ أَجْرُ مَا بَقِيَ» قُلْتُ إِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بَعْدَمَا قَالَ «أَرْبَعَةَ أَيَّامٍ» «أَفْضَلُ الصَّوْمِ صَوْمُ دَاوُدَ كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا»