Fasting (Kitab Al-Siyam)

Aishah said, in al-Nufailis version: The Prophet would pass by a sick person while observing retreat, but continue on without stopping to ask about him. Ibn Isa version says: The Prophet would visit a sick person while observing retreat.

Aishah said: The practice for someone observing retreat is not to visit the sick, attend a funeral, touch or embrace his wife, or leave except for an unavoidable need. There is no retreat without fasting, and no retreat except in a congregational mosque. Abu Dawud said: No narrator besides Abd al-Rahman ibn Ishaq says, "The practice is..." Abu Dawud said: He attributes this statement to Aishah.

Ibn Umar reported that Umar had vowed, in pre-Islamic times, to spend a night or a day in devotion at the Kaaba. He asked the Prophet about it, who said, "Observe retreat and fast."

Ibn Umar reported a similar account through another chain from Abdullah ibn Budayl. It adds: While Umar was observing retreat, the people called out, "Allah is greatest!" He asked, "What is this, Abdullah?" Abdullah said, "These are the captives of Hawazin whom the Prophet has freed." Umar asked, "And that young woman too?" He then sent her along with them.

Aishah reported: One of the Prophets wives observed retreat with him and experienced yellow and reddish discharge. At times we placed a basin beneath her while she prayed.