"It was said: 'O Messenger of Allah, so and so never broke his fast, even for one day for the rest of his life.' He said: 'He has neither fasted nor broken his fast."" 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, then he has not fasted."
The Book of Fasting - Sunan an-Nasa'i 2379
This narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i contains profound wisdom regarding the Islamic approach to fasting. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) responded to someone who praised a companion for continuous fasting by stating: "He has neither fasted nor broken his fast." This indicates that perpetual fasting without observing the prescribed breaks is not considered proper fasting in Islam.
Scholarly Commentary
The scholars explain that Islam promotes moderation in worship. Continuous fasting without observing the days when fasting is prohibited (Eid days, days of Tashreeq) contradicts the Sunnah. The Prophet's statement emphasizes that proper worship follows divine legislation, not personal extremes.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes that this hadith demonstrates how exceeding religious boundaries can nullify the intended reward. The companion's continuous fasting, while seemingly pious, actually violated the balanced approach Islam teaches.
Imam Nawawi explains that the Prophet's words "he has not fasted" mean his fasting lacks proper Islamic validity since it disregards the divinely prescribed times for breaking fast and the communal aspects of Islamic worship.
Legal Rulings
The consensus of scholars holds that fasting every day without break is prohibited (haram) as it weakens the body, neglects family rights, and contradicts the Sunnah which encourages fasting on specific days and breaking fast on others.
Permissible continuous fasting is limited to the practice of Dawud (David) - fasting every other day - which the Prophet permitted as the best voluntary fast while maintaining balance.