Ash-Shama’il al-Muhammadiyyah

Abdullah ibn Shaqiq said: "I asked 'A'isha (may Allah the Exalted be well pleased with her) about the fasting of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ). 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 (ﷺ) did not fast for a whole month after arriving in Medina, with the exception of Ramadan.’

Humaid ibn Anas ibn Malik reported that he was asked about the fasting of the Prophet (ﷺ), so he said: "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.”

Ibn Abbas said: "The Prophet (ﷺ) 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.”

Umm Salama said: "I did not see the Prophet (ﷺ) fast (ﷺ) for two consecutive months, other than Sha'ban and Ramadan.”

'A’isha said: "I did not see Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) 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!”

'Abdu’llah said: "Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) 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].”

'A’isha said: "The Prophet (ﷺ) was devoutly committed to fasting every Monday and Thursday.”

Abu Huraira said: "The Prophet (ﷺ) said (ﷺ): “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 (ﷺ) 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.”

'A’isha said: “Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) would not fast in any month more than he did in Sha'ban.”

Mu'adha said: "I said to 'A'sha: “Was Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) 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.”

A’isha said: "‘Ashura' was a day on which Quraish used to fast in the pagan era [al-jahiliyya], and Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) 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.”

'Alqama said: “I asked 'A'isha (may Allah be well pleased with her): ‘Was Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) used to be do?”

A’isha said: "Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) was that in which his Companion would persevere.'"

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

Awf bin Malik said: "When I was together with Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) 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.”