The Book of Fasting - Sunan an-Nasa'i 2421

A Bedouin came to the Prophet with a rabbit that he had grilled it and placed it in front of him. The Messenger of Allah refrained from eating, but he told the people to eat. The Bedouin also refrained, and the Prophet said to him: 'What is keeping you from eating?' He said: 'I fast three days of the month.' He said: 'If you was to fast, fast the shining days."

Scholarly Commentary

This noble hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i contains profound wisdom regarding voluntary fasting. The Prophet's abstention from eating the rabbit indicates it was either unlawful game or he had some other divine wisdom known only to him, while permitting others shows consideration of their circumstances.

The Bedouin's practice of fasting three days monthly reflects a common pre-Islamic custom of pious devotion. The Prophet's guidance to fast "the shining days" (ayyam al-beed) refers to the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month when the moon is full and bright.

Scholars explain these days are recommended because they coincide with the days Prophet Adam descended to earth, and fasting them equals fasting the entire month in reward. This hadith demonstrates the Prophet's role in refining and redirecting existing pious practices toward divinely preferred forms.

The exchange also shows the Prophet's gentle teaching method - he didn't condemn the Bedouin's existing practice but offered superior guidance, illustrating the principle of gradually directing people toward optimal worship.