1255 – ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: “The Prophet ﷺ never fasted in any month more than he fasted in Shaʿbān; indeed, he used to fast the whole of Shaʿbān.” In another wording: “He would fast in Shaʿbān all but a few days.” Agreed upon.

1256 – Mujībah al-Bāhiliyyah related from her father—or her uncle—that he came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and then left. A year later he returned, and his condition and appearance had markedly changed. He said, “O Messenger of Allah, do you not recognise me?” He ﷺ asked, “And who are you?” He replied, “I am the Bāhili who visited you last year.” The Prophet ﷺ said, “What has changed you? You used to look well!” He answered, “Since I parted from you I have eaten no food except at night.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “You have exhausted yourself!” He then advised: “Fast the month of patience and one day of every month.” The man said, “Give me more, for I have the strength.” He replied, “Fast two days.” The man said, “Give me more.” He said, “Fast three days.” The man again said, “Give me more.” He said, “Then fast during the sacred months and leave off, fast during the sacred months and leave off, fast during the sacred months and leave off,” and he joined his three fingers together and then separated them. Narrated by Abū Dāwūd(1).

(The “month of patience” is Ramaḍān.)

226 – Chapter: The virtue of fasting and other acts of devotion during the first ten days of Dhū al-Ḥijjah

1257 – Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days,” meaning the ten days (of Dhū al-Ḥijjah). They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, not even striving in Allah’s cause?” He replied, “Not even striving in Allah’s cause, except for a man who goes out with his life and his wealth and returns with neither.” Narrated by al-Bukhārī.