Shama'il Muhammadiyah: Chapter 43

"I inquired from 'Aayeshah Radhiyallahu 'Anha regarding the (nafil) saum of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam. She replied: 'At times Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam fasted continuously. We used to say, he will keep on fasting (this month). At times he did not fast, till we began thinking he will not fast (that month). Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam did not fast for a month after he came to Madinah, besides the fasts of Ramadhaan'".

"Someone was asked about the saum of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam? He replied: 'It was his noble habit to fast on different occasions. In some months he fasted for so many days, that it was thought he would continue fasting. In other months he did not fast, we thought he would not fast now. It was also from his noble habits that if one wanted to observe Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam performed salaah at night, it was possible, and if one wanted to observe Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam sleep at night, this too was possible'".

"Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam fasted the major portion of the month at times, till we thought that he did not intend ending the fasts. In some months he did not fast, we began to think he would not fast now. Besides Ramadaan he did not fast for a full month".

"I did not observe Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam fast for two consecutive months, besides the month of Sha'baan and Ramadhaan".

"I did not observe Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam fast for more days in any month (excluding Ramadaan) other than Sha'baan. He fasted for the major part of the month, and nearly fasted for the full month"

"Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam fasted for three days at the beginning of every month, and he very seldom did not fast on Friday".

"Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam (often) gave importance to the fasting on Mondays and Thursdays"

"Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: 'Deeds are presented (before Allah subhanahu wata'allah) on Mondays and Thursdays. I desire that my deeds be presented whilst I am fasting'".

"Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam fasted three days of every month. In some months he fasted on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, and in some months he fasted on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays".

"Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam did not fast in any month more than in the month of Sha'baan".

"Yes". I then asked: "On which days of the month did he fast". She replied. "He did not fast on specific days, but whenever suitable".

"The Quraysh observed the fast of 'Aa-shura in the days of jaahiliyyah (pre-Islaarnic period of ignorance). Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam also observed this fast (before the hijrah as a nafl). (After the hijrah) when he came to Madinah Munawwarah he observed these and commanded the ummah also to observe it. When the command to fast in Ramadaan was revealed, it was proclaimed fard, and the fast of 'Aa-shura became nafl. Those who wished, observed them ('Aa-shura) and those who did not, omitted them.

"I asked Aayeshah Radhiyallahu anha: 'Did Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam fix a day for 'Ibaadah? She replied: 'The practices of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam was of a continuous nature. Who among you have the strength, which Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam had?'"

"Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam once came home, a woman was present at that time. Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam inquired. 'Who is this woman?' I replied: 'This is a certain woman who does not sleep at night'. Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam said: 'One should observe only that amount of nawaafil which one can bear. I swear an oath that Allah Ta'aala does not fear the granting of rewards, till you begin to fear the observance of deeds'. 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu. 'Anha says: 'The most beloved deed of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam were those that were practised continuously.

Abu Salih R.A. reports "I enquired from Aayeshah and Ummi Salamah Radhiyallahu anhuma that which act was the most beloved by Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam?" Both gave the reply "That deed which was practised continuously, even if it was a little".

"I spent a night with Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam used the miswaak (cleaned the teeth), then performed the wudhu, then stood up in salaah. I stood with him (joined him). He began reciting the Surah Baqarah. Whenever he came across an aayah of mercy, he paused and beseeched Allah of His Mercy. In the same manner when he came across an aayah of adhaab (punishment), he paused and beseeched Allah for His forgiveness from adhaab. He then performed ruku', and remained in the ruku for as long as he had spent in the standing posture. He recited in the ruku':Subhaana dhil jabaruti wal-malakuti wal-kibri-yaa-i wal-'a-za-mati.Translation: Glory be to the Lord of the Might, the Dominion, the Majesty, and the Magnificence.Thereafter he performed the sajdah, which was as long as the ruku and recited the same du'aa in the sajdah. He then recited the Surah Aali Imraan (in the second rakah), thereafter one surah (in each rakah) and did the same"