The Beginning Of The Ordainment Of Fasting Sunan Abi Dawud 2314
Arabic hadith text
حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ نَصْرٍ الْجَهْضَمِيُّ، أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو أَحْمَدَ، أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْرَائِيلُ، عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ، قَالَ كَانَ الرَّجُلُ إِذَا صَامَ فَنَامَ لَمْ يَأْكُلْ إِلَى مِثْلِهَا وَإِنَّ صِرْمَةَ بْنَ قَيْسٍ الأَنْصَارِيَّأَتَى امْرَأَتَهُ وَكَانَ صَائِمًا فَقَالَ عِنْدَكِ شَىْءٌ قَالَتْ لاَ لَعَلِّي أَذْهَبُ فَأَطْلُبُ لَكَ شَيْئًا . فَذَهَبَتْ وَغَلَبَتْهُ عَيْنُهُ فَجَاءَتْ فَقَالَتْ خَيْبَةً لَكَ . فَلَمْ يَنْتَصِفِ النَّهَارُ حَتَّى غُشِيَ عَلَيْهِ وَكَانَ يَعْمَلُ يَوْمَهُ فِي أَرْضِهِ فَذَكَرَ ذَلِكَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَنَزَلَتْ { أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ إِلَى نِسَائِكُمْ } قَرَأَ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ { مِنَ الْفَجْرِ } .
Translation
Al-Bara' said: When a man fasted and slept, he would not eat until the following night. Sarmah ibn Qais al-Ansari came to his wife while he was fasting and said, "Do you have anything?" She replied, "No, but let me go and seek something for you." She went, and sleep overcame him. She came back and said, "Woe to you!" Before the middle of the day had passed, he fainted, and he used to work during his day on his land. That was mentioned to the Prophet (ﷺ), and then the following was revealed:
"Permitted for you on the night of fasting is approach to your wives..."He recited up to His saying:
"...of dawn."
Historical Context of the Revelation
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 2314 in the Book of Fasting (Kitab Al-Siyam) recounts the circumstances preceding the revelation of Quran 2:187. The initial understanding among early Muslims was that once a fasting person slept at night, they could no longer eat or drink until the following night, creating hardship for those who worked long hours.
Scholarly Commentary on the Incident
Sarmah bin Qais's experience demonstrates the practical difficulties of the original ruling. His fainting from exhaustion while working his land illustrates why Allah in His mercy eased this restriction.
The verse's revelation shows Islam's principle of removing hardship while maintaining worship's essence. The permission to eat, drink, and have marital relations throughout the night until dawn's white thread appears represents divine compassion.
Legal Implications and Wisdom
This abrogation established the clear timeframe for fasting: from dawn (fajr) to sunset (maghrib). The "white thread of dawn" metaphor provides a visual criterion for determining when fasting begins.
Scholars note this incident exemplifies how Islamic law responds to human needs while preserving worship's spiritual objectives. The gradual legislation allowed the community to strengthen their faith before receiving concessions.
Spiritual Lessons
This revelation teaches that Allah knows the struggles of His servants and legislates accordingly. The initial strictness cultivated self-discipline, while the subsequent ease demonstrated divine mercy.
The incident reminds believers that Islamic rulings consider both spiritual development and physical capability, balancing worship with practical life necessities.