1857 – ʿAishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Fever is from the blaze of Hell; therefore cool it with water.” Agreed upon.

1857 – She (may Allah be pleased with her) also narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever dies while still owing fasts, his guardian should fast on his behalf.” Agreed upon.

[Explanation]

The soundest view is that one may fast on behalf of a deceased person who had outstanding fasts, in accordance with this hadith. The term “guardian” refers to the deceased’s close relative, whether or not he is an heir.

These are among the hadiths that al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) cited at the end of his Riyad al-Salihin. Included is the report of Khalid ibn al-Walid (may Allah be pleased with him) stating that nine swords broke in his hand during the battle of Muʾtah and only a Yemeni blade remained with him. Khalid ibn al-Walid (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of the bravest of men, yet at the battle of Uhud he fought in the Quraysh pagan army. He was among those who charged the Companions from behind Mount Uhud, fighting the Companions and even the Prophet ﷺ alongside ʿIkrimah ibn Abi Jahl. Later Allah guided them both to Islam, and they became commanders of the Muslims.