than that.’ The Prophet replied, ‘There is nothing better than that.’”

When ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr grew old, he used to say, “If only I had accepted the concession granted by the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace!” Sometimes he was unable to fast on alternate days, so he would refrain from fasting for several days, then fast for an equal number of consecutive days. This was to avoid changing the practice he had maintained when he parted from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

This was because his body could bear it. For some people, however, fasting on alternate days distracts them from something better, so fasting is not the best course for them. Such was the case with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, whose practice was better than David’s fast. Nevertheless, it is authentically reported that:

“He was asked about someone who fasts every day, and he said, ‘Whoever fasts every day has neither fasted nor refrained from fasting.’”

“He was asked about someone who fasts for two days and refrains from fasting for one, and he said, ‘Who can manage that?’”

“He was asked about someone who fasts for one day and refrains from fasting for two, and he said, ‘I wish I had been given the strength for that.’”

“He was asked about someone who fasts on alternate days, and he said, ‘That is the best way of fasting.’”

He thus stated that he wished he had the strength to fast one-third of the time. This was because he had duties that were more binding upon him and more beloved to Allah, alongside which he could not manage to fast one-third of the time. It is likewise authentically reported that:

“When he drew near the enemy during the campaign of the Conquest