Chapter on the Prohibition of Continuous Fasting (wisal): this is when a person fasts two or more consecutive days without eating or drinking in between.

1764 – Abu Hurayrah and ʿAishah (may Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Prophet ﷺ forbade continuous fasting. Agreed upon.

1765 – Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prohibited continuous fasting.” They said, “Yet you yourself practice continuous fasting.” He replied, “I am not like you; my Lord gives me food and drink.” Agreed upon, and this is al-Bukhari’s wording.

Explanation

The author—may Allah have mercy on him—states in his Riyad al-Salihin: “Chapter on the prohibition of continuous fasting.” Continuous fasting means linking two (or more) days of fasting together without breaking the fast between them. Allah the Exalted has precisely defined the limits of fasting in His words:

“Now you may lie with them and seek what Allah has decreed for you; and eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread; then complete the fast until nightfall.” (Al-Baqarah 2:187)

He says, “then complete the fast until nightfall,” thereby fixing both the beginning and the end of the fast. The Prophet ﷺ also said, “People will remain upon goodness so long as they hasten to break the fast.” This is the practice that is prescribed.