What is the ruling on the report (athar) narrated from one of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that she was asked about the fasting of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and she said, "His most frequent fasting was on Saturdays and Sundays"?

The questioner : Is the report (athar) that was mentioned, the report (athar) that the Companions Is this report (athar) authentic?

The Shaykh : Yes, it is possible; it is good, not authentic, but in any case, it is established. Yes.

The questioner : The saying takes precedence over the action. What is the criterion for this matter, especially in such a context or this issue?

The Shaykh : The saying takes precedence over the action without a doubt, but there is another rule: "If there are two contradictory statements, one permitting and the other prohibiting, the prohibiting text takes precedence over the permitting one." With this rule, contradictory statements are reconciled. And perhaps you naturally mean that this hadith you asked about, on its surface, contradicts his saying (peace be upon him): If you mean that, then you have taken the answer from the usul al-fiqh (principles of jurisprudence) rule that the prohibiting factor takes precedence over the permitting one. So, the hadith of his fasting (peace be upon him) on Saturday and Sunday, and his saying that he does this to differ from the People of the Book, this does not obligate the Muslim to fast on Saturday and Sunday; rather, it permits them to do so with this cause. As for the hadith you mentioned earlier, it is a prohibiting and preventing factor. So, the preventing factor takes precedence over the permitting one.

The questioner: ... Question.

The Shaykh: Go ahead.