The best of fasts

Reference: al-Ajwibah wal-Buhooth wal-Mudaarasaat – p446, no.535
Sharh Masaa.il al-Jaahiliyyah

Question: How are we to understand the Prophet ﷺ encouraging ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr al-’Aas رضي الله عنه with the fast of [Prophet] Daawood (‘alayhis-salaam), whilst he himself did not fast it despite it being the best of fasts?

Response: This [advice] was because of the strength of ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr al-’Aas رضي الله عنه; he was a strong young man, and liked to fast a lot. So the Prophet ﷺ advised him with the best of fasts – and that is the fast of Daawood (‘alayhis-salaam) – that he fasts every other day.


Translation originally published on 3 January, 2019.

Graduate of the Islaamic University of Madeenah, having completed the Arabic Language programme at the Institute of Arabic Language before progressing to the Faculty of Sharee'ah, from which he graduated in 2004. He currently resides in Birmingham, UK.

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