Fasting
107 hadiths
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Islam is built on five
Abu ‘Abdur-Rahmān ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: "Islam is built on five: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, establishing prayer, giving Zakah, performing Hajj to the (Sacred) House, and fasting Ramadān."
If I were to pray the obligatory prayers, fast Ramadan, adopt the lawful, as lawful and adopt the unlawful as unlawful
Abu ‘Abdullah Jābir ibn ‘Abdullah al-Ansāri (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: A man asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: If I were to pray the obligatory prayers, fast Ramadan, adopt the lawful, as lawful and adopt the unlawful as unlawful, and do not do anything else beyond that, will I enter Paradise? He said: "Yes."
Whoever fasts Ramadan, out of faith and in pursuit of reward, his past sins will be forgiven
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan, out of faith and in pursuit of reward, his past sins will be forgiven."
Whoever performs Qiyām (night prayer) in the Night of Decree, out of faith and in pursuit of reward, his past sins will be forgiven
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever performs Qiyām (night prayer) in the Night of Decree, out of faith and in pursuit of reward, his past sins will be forgiven."
Islam is built on five
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Islam is built on five: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, establishing prayer, giving Zakah, performing Hajj to the (Sacred) House, and fasting Ramadān."
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to observe I‘tikāf [spiritual retirement in the mosque] during each Ramadan for ten days. The year in which he died, he observed I‘tikāf for twenty days.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to observe I‘tikāf during each Ramadan for ten days. The year in which he died, he observed I‘tikāf for twenty days.
Allah said: All the deeds of the son of Adam are for himself except for fasting, as it is, indeed, for Me, and I give reward for it
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah said: All the deeds of the son of Adam are for himself except for fasting, as it is, indeed, for Me, and I give reward for it. Fasting is a shield. When it is the day when any of you is fasting, let him not engage in obscenity, and let him not speak in a loud voice. If anyone insults him or fights with him, let him say: Verily, I am a fasting person. By the One in Whose Hand the soul of Muhammad is, the smell of the mouth of the fasting person is more pleasant in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. The fasting person will rejoice twice: when he breaks his fast, he rejoices, and when he meets his Lord, he rejoices at his fast."
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to strive during the last ten more than he would strive at any other time
‘Ā’ishah, Mother of the Believers, (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to strive during the last ten more than he would strive at any other time.
None of you should fast on Friday, unless he fasts a day before it or a day after it
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "None of you should fast on Friday, unless he fasts a day before it or a day after it."
A man asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about fasting while traveling. He answered: If you wish then fast, and if you wish then do not fast
‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: Hamzah ibn ‘Amr al-Aslami asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "Should I fast while traveling?" - and he used to fast often - He answered: "If you wish then fast, and if you wish then do not fast."
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would sometimes get up at the time of Fajr while in a state of Janābah after having sexual intercourse with his wives, then he would take a ritual bath and fast
‘Ā'ishah and Umm Salāmah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would sometimes get up at the time of Fajr while in a state of Janābah after having sexual intercourse with his wives, then he would take a ritual bath and fast.
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade fasting the two days: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Ad'ha; wearing a garment that is void of openings for hands; sitting on one’s buttocks while holding his both legs pulled back with his arms in case he wore only one garment; and praying after the Fajr and ‘Asr prayers
Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade fasting the two days: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Ad'ha; wearing a garment that is void of openings for hands; sitting on one’s buttocks while holding his both legs pulled back with his arms in case he wore only one garment; and praying after the Fajr and ‘Asr prayers.
My close friend (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) advised me with three: fasting three days of every month, the two Rak‘ahs of Duha, and performing Witr before I sleep
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: My close friend (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) advised me with three: fasting three days of every month, the two Rak‘ahs of Duha, and performing Witr before I sleep."
When the night approaches from this side, and the day retreats from that side, then it is time for the fasting person to break his fast
‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When the night approaches from this side, and the day retreats from that side, then it is time for the fasting person to break his fast."
O Messenger of Allah, I had vowed, before embracing Islam, to make I‘tikāf for one night – another narration reads: for one day – the Sacred Mosque. He said: Then fulfill your vow.
‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: "I said: "O Messenger of Allah, I had vowed, before embracing Islam, to make I‘tikāf for one night – another narration reads: for one day – the Sacred Mosque." He said: "Then fulfill your vow."
Fast when you see it, and break the fast when you see it, but if the sky is overcast and you cannot see it, then act on estimation
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Fast when you see it, and break the fast when you see it, but if the sky is overcast and you cannot see it, then act on estimation."
Those who can afford marriage should marry, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding chastity. He who cannot afford it should fast, for indeed it serves as a restraint for him
‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were in the company of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and he said: "Those who can afford marriage should marry, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding chastity. He who cannot afford it should fast, for indeed it serves as a restraint for him."
The difference between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is the Suhūr meal
‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The difference between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is the Suhūr meal."
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was the most generous of people, and he used to be more generous than ever in Ramadan when Gabriel (Jibrīl) would meet him
Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was the most generous of people, and he used to be more generous than ever in Ramadan when Gabriel (Jibrīl) would meet him. He used to meet him every night during Ramadan to revise the Qur'an with him. Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was more generous than the fast wind.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would not fast in any month more than he did in Sha‘bān
‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would not fast in any month more than he did in Sha‘bān. He used to fast the whole of Sha‘bān. In another narration: “He used to fast the whole of Sha‘bān except for a few days.”
If I were to live till the next year, I would definitely fast the ninth day
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If I were to live till next year, I would definitely fast the ninth day."
He who feeds a fasting person will earn the same reward as him
Zayd ibn Khālid al-Juhani (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "He who feeds a fasting person will earn the same reward as him (the fasting person), without diminishing anything from the reward of the fasting person.”
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) fasted on the Day of ‘Āshūrā'
Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) fasted on the Day of ‘Āshūrā', and ordered Muslims to fast on it.
I am Dimām ibn Tha‘labah, from the brothers of Banu Sa‘d ibn Bakr
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: While we were sitting with the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) in the mosque, a man came riding on a camel. He made his camel kneel in the mosque, tied its foreleg, and said: "Who amongst you is Muhammad?" At that time, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was sitting amongst us, leaning on his arm. We replied: "This white man reclining on his arm." The man then addressed him: "O son of ‘Abdul-Muttalib!" The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I am here to answer you." The man said to the Prophet: "I want to ask you something and will be hard in questioning. So do not get angry." The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Ask whatever you want." The man said: "I ask you by your Lord, and the Lord of those who came before you. Has Allah sent you as a messenger to all mankind?" The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) replied: "By Allah, yes." The man further said: "I ask you by Allah. Has Allah ordered you to offer five prayers in a day and night?" He replied: "By Allah, yes." The man further said: "I ask you by Allah. Has Allah ordered you to observe fasts during this month of the year?" He replied: "By Allah, yes." The man said: "I ask you by Allah. Has Allah ordered you to take this charity from our rich people and distribute it amongst our poor people?" The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) replied: "By Allah, yes." Thereupon, that man said: "I have believed in all that you have been sent with, and I have been sent by my people as a messenger. I am Dimām ibn Tha‘labah, from the brothers of Banu Sa‘d ibn Bakr."
كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يعتكف في العشر الأواخر من رمضان، فلم يعتكف عامًا، فلما كان في العام المقبل اعتكف عشرين
عن أنس بن مالك قال: كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يعتكف في العشر الأواخر من رمضان، فلم يعتكف عامًا، فلما كان في العام المقبل اعتكف عشرين.
من صام رمضان ثم أتبعه ستًّا من شوال كان كصيام الدهر
عن أبي أيوب الأنصاري رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «من صام رمضان ثم أتبعه ستًّا من شوال كان كصيام الدهر».
أنا أولى بموسى منهم
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَمَّا قَدِمَ الْمَدِينَةَ وَجَدَهُمْ يَصُومُونَ يَوْمًا، يَعْنِي عَاشُورَاءَ، فَقَالُوا: هَذَا يَوْمٌ عَظِيمٌ، وَهُوَ يَوْمٌ نَجَّى اللهُ فِيهِ مُوسَى، وَأَغْرَقَ آلَ فِرْعَوْنَ، فَصَامَ مُوسَى شُكْرًا لِلهِ، فَقَالَ: «أَنَا أَوْلَى بِمُوسَى مِنْهُمْ»، فَصَامَهُ وَأَمَرَ بِصِيَامِهِ.
Bilāl calls the Adhān at night; so, eat and drink until you hear the Adhān called by Ibn Umm Maktūm
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Bilāl calls the Adhān at night; so, eat and drink until you hear the Adhān called by Ibn Umm Maktūm."
I asked ‘Ā’ishah: Why does the menstruating woman make up for her missed fasts but does not make up for the missed prayers?
Mu‘ādhah reported: I asked ‘Ā’ishah: Why does the menstruating woman make up for her missed fasts but does not make up for the missed prayers? She said: Are you a Harūriyyah woman? I said: I am not a Harūriyyah woman, but I am just asking. She said: That would happen to us, so we were ordered to make up for the fasts, but were not ordered to make up for the prayers.
There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayyān through which those who fast will enter on the Day of Judgment. No one else will enter through it
Sahl (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayyān through which those who fast will enter on the Day of Judgment. No one else will enter through it. It will be called out: Where are those who fast? They will stand up. No one else will enter through it. Once they have entered, it will be closed, and no one will enter through it."
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to leave fasting in a certain month until we would think that he has not fasted at all that month; and he used to fast in another month so much that we would think he has not stopped fasting at all in that month. If one wished to see him praying at night, one could see him (in that state), and if one wished to see him sleeping at night, one could see him (in that state) too
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to leave fasting in a certain month until we would think that he has not fasted at all that month; and he used to fast in another month so much that we would think he has not stopped fasting at all in that month. If one wished to see him praying at night, one could see him (in that state), and if one wished to see him sleeping at night, one could see him (in that state) too.
Those who were not fasting today have taken all the reward
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) on a journey, and some of us were fasting and others were not. We stopped to rest in some place on a hot day. The one who had the largest share of shade among us was the one who had a garment. Some of us would shade themselves against the sun using their own hands. Those who were fasting fell to the ground, but those who were not fasting got up to pitch the tents and water the animals. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Those who were not fasting today have taken all the reward."
Whoever was in I‘tikāf with me should stay in I‘tikāf the last ten; for I was informed of that night, but I was then made to forget it. I saw myself prostrating in water and mud in its morning. So, seek it in the last ten
Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to observe I‘tikāf during the ten middle days of Ramadan. One year, while he was in I‘tikāf on the night of the twenty-first on the morning of which he would come out of I‘tikāf, he said: "Whoever was in I‘tikāf with me should stay in I‘tikāf the last ten; for I was informed of that night, but I was then made to forget it. I saw myself prostrating in water and mud in its morning. So, seek it in the last ten, and seek it in each of the odd [nights]." That night, it rained, and [the roof of] the mosque dribbled as it was made of leaf stalks of date-palms. I saw with my own eyes the signs of water and mud on the forehead of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in the morning of the twenty-first (night).
It is not from righteousness to fast while traveling
Jābir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was on a journey and saw a crowd of people, and a man was being shaded (by them). He asked: "What is the matter with that (man)?" They said: He is fasting. Thereupon, he said: "It is not from righteousness to fast while traveling." In another version by Muslim, he said: "Take advantage of the concession that Allah has granted you."
We set out during the month of Ramadan with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in such intense heat that one of us would place his hand over his head (to protect himself) against the excessive heat, and none of us was fasting except the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and ‘Abdullāh ibn Rawahah
Abu Ad-Dardā' (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We set out during the month of Ramadan with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in such intense heat that one of us would place his hand over his head (to protect himself) against the excessive heat, and none of us was fasting except the Messenger of Allah and ‘Abdullāh ibn Rawahah."
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited Wisāl (continuous fasting for two days). So they said to him: But you practice Wisāl! He said: I am not like you. I am provided with food and drink (by my Lord)
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited Wisāl (continuous fasting for two days). So they said to him: "But you practice Wisāl!" He said: "I am not like you. I am provided with food and drink (by my Lord)." The narration reported by Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reads: "... so whoever of you wishes to practice Wisāl, let him do so until the pre-dawn time.”
Did the Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prohibit the fasting of Friday? He said: Yes
Muhammad ibn ‘Abbād ibn Ja‘far reported: I asked Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh: "Did the Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prohibit the fasting of Friday?" He said: 'Yes.' In another version: "By the Lord of the Ka‘bah!"
Whoever dies while still having some fasts to make up for, his heir should fast on his behalf
‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever dies while still having some fasts to make up for, his heir should fast on his behalf."
O Messenger of Allah, my mother has died in a state that she had to observe the fast of a month. Should I complete it on her behalf? Thereupon he said: Would you not pay the debt if your mother had died without paying it? He said: Yes. He said: The debt of Allah is more worthy of being repaid
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a man came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, my mother has died in a state that she had to observe the fast of a month. Should I complete it on her behalf?" Thereupon he said: "Would you not pay the debt if your mother had died without paying it?" He said: 'Yes.' He said: "The debt of Allah is more worthy of being repaid." Another narration states that a woman came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, my mother passed away and she took an oath to fast, should I fast on her behalf?" He said: "Tell me, if there was a debt due on your mother and you settled it, would it be enough?" She replied: 'Yes.' He said: "So, fast on behalf of your mother."
The best (voluntary) fast in the sight of Allah is the fast of Dawūd, and the best (voluntary) prayer in the sight of Allah is the prayer of Dawūd. He used to sleep half of the night, stand to pray one third of it, and then sleep one sixth of it, and he used to fast every other day
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best (voluntary) fast in the sight of Allah is the fast of Dawūd, and the best (voluntary) prayer in the sight of Allah is the prayer of Dawūd. He used to sleep half of the night, stand to pray one third of it, and then sleep one sixth of it, and he used to fast every other day."
There is no fasting superior to the fast of my brother Dawūd; fasting half of one's life by fasting one day and eating one day
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was told that I had said: "By Allah, I will fast every day and pray every night for as long as I live." The Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked me: "Are you the one who said that?" I said: "Yes, I said it; by my father, you and my mother." He said: "You would not be able to do that. So fast and break your fast, pray and sleep. Fast for three days a month. The reward of a good deed is multiplied by ten, so the fasting of three days a month equals the fasting of a year." I said: "I can do (fast) more than this." He said: "Fast one day every three days." I said: "I can do more than that." He said: "Fast every other day; this was the fasting of Dawūd and the best form of fasting." I said: "I can do better than that." He said: "There is nothing better than that." In another narration, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There is no fasting superior to the fast of my brother Dawūd; fasting half of one's life by fasting one day and eating one day."
Two of the Companions of Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) who never stop to pursue the good
Abu ‘Atiyyah reported: I and Masrūq went to ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) and Masrūq said to her: "There are two of the Companions of Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) who never stop to pursue the good; but one of them hastens to perform the Maghrib prayer and break the fast, while the other delays the Maghrib prayer and breaking the fast." She said: "Who hastens to perform the Maghrib prayer and break the fast?" He said: '‘Abdullāh', meaning: Ibn Mas‘ūd. She said: "This is what the Messenger of Allah used to do."
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to strive to fast on Mondays and Thursdays
‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to strive to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to break his fast before praying by having three fresh dates
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to break his fast before praying by having three fresh dates. If there were no fresh dates, he would have dried dates; and if there were no dried dates, he would drink a few sips of water.
Whoever fasts one day in the cause of Allah, Allah shall put between him and Hellfire a trench as wide as the distance between the heavens and the earth
Abu Umāmah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever fasts one day in the cause of Allah, Allah shall put between him and Hellfire a trench as wide as the distance between the heavens and the earth."
If you fast three days of the month, then fast the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth
Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If you fast three days of the month, then fast the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth." Qatādah ibn Milhān (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to order us to fast the White Days: the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth (of every lunar month)." Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) never broke his fast on the White Days, whether he was a resident or a traveler.”
Did the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) fast three days of each month?
Mu‘ādhah al-‘Adawiyah reported that she asked ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her): “Did the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) fast three days of each month?” ‘Ā’ishah replied: 'Yes.' Mu‘ādhah asked: “In which part of the month did he fast?” ‘Ā’ishah replied: “It did not matter to him in which part of the month he fasted.”
كان يعرض على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم القرآن كل عام مرة
عن أبي هريرة، قال: كان يعرض على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم القرآن كل عام مرة، فعرض عليه مرتين في العام الذي قبض فيه، وكان يعتكف كل عام عشرا، فاعتكف عشرين في العام الذي قبض فيه.
من مراحل فرضية الصيام
عن البراء رضي الله عنه قال: "كان أصحاب محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا كان الرجل صائمًا فحضر الإفطار فنام قبل أن يفطر لم يأكل ليلته ولا يومه حتى يمسي، وإن قيس بن صِرْمة الأنصاري كان صائمًا، فلما حضر الإفطار أتى امرأته، فقال لها: أعندك طعام؟ قالت: لا، ولكن أنطلق فأطلب لك. وكان يومه يعمل، فغلبته عيناه، فجاءته امرأته، فلما رأته قالت: خيبة لك. فلما انتصف النهار غشي عليه، فذُكر ذلك للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فنزلت هذه الآية: {أحل لكم ليلة الصيام الرفث إلى نسائكم} [البقرة: 187] ففرحوا بها فرحًا شديدًا، ونزلت: {وكلوا واشربوا حتى يتبين لكم الخيط الأبيض من الخيط الأسود} [البقرة: 187]".
كان الناس إذا صلوا العتمة حرم عليهم الطعام والشراب والنساء وصاموا إلى القابلة
عن ابن عباس {يا أيها الذين آمنوا كتب عليكم الصيام كما كتب على الذين من قبلكم} [البقرة: 183] فكان الناس على عهد النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا صلوا العتمة حرم عليهم الطعام والشراب والنساء، وصاموا إلى القابلة، فاختان رجل نفسه، فجامع امرأته وقد صلى العشاء ولم يفطر، فأراد الله عز وجل أن يجعل ذلك يسرًا لمن بقي ورخصة ومنفعة، فقال سبحانه: {علم الله أنكم كنتم تختانون أنفسكم} الآيه [البقرة: 187]. وكان هذا مما نفع الله به الناس، ورخص لهم ويسر.