Discussion of the hadith prohibiting fasting on Saturday and explaining its weakness.
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The Shaykh : On this occasion, I would like to clarify that a hadith was reported, which Abu Dawud narrated, in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sunan Abi Dawud 2421Sahih (Al-Albani) Regarding this hadith, Abu Dawud stated that Malik (may Allah have mercy on him)—who is Malik ibn Anas, the famous imam—said: This hadith is a lie, meaning it is fabricated against the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and is not authentic. In fact, anyone who examines this hadith will find that there is instability in its chain of narration and anomaly or denunciation in its text.
As for the instability in its chain of narration, the scholars have discussed it, and whoever wishes to review it may do so.
As for the anomaly and denunciation in its text, it is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), as narrated by al-Bukhari in his Sahih, It is known that the day after Friday is Saturday. This is the statement of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), as narrated by al-Bukhari, that he permitted fasting on Saturday. Similarly, what the people of the Sunan narrated from Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) when she was asked: Which days did the Messenger fast most? She said: Sunan Ibn Majah 3488Da’if (Darussalam).
Thus, it is established from the verbal and practical Sunnah of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) that fasting on Saturday is not forbidden. The scholars differ regarding this hadith and acting upon it. Some said that it is not acted upon at all, and that there is no harm in fasting on Saturday, whether it is isolated or not, because the hadith is not authentic, and a hadith that is not authentic cannot serve as a basis for any ruling.
Others authenticated the hadith or graded it as good, and said that reconciling it with the other hadiths indicates that what is prohibited is only isolating it, meaning fasting it alone without Friday or Sunday. This is the position of Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him), who said: If one fasts another day along with Saturday, there is no harm, such as fasting Friday with it or Sunday with it.
Likewise, we say: If Saturday coincides with a day whose fasting is prescribed, such as the Day of 'Arafah or the tenth of Muharram, then its fasting is not disliked, because the intent is to fast it because it is Saturday, meaning to fast it specifically, not because of the days it coincides with that have prescribed fasting. I pointed this out because I heard that some brothers heard that people fasted on Saturday to fast the ninth and tenth, so they ordered them to break their fast. This is, in fact, a person who exercised independent legal reasoning, but not every person who exercises independent legal reasoning is correct.
Do not fast on Saturday except what has been made obligatory on you; and if one of you can get nothing but a grape skin or a piece of wood from a tree, he should chew it.
لا تصوموا يوم السبت إلا فيما افترض عليكم وإن لم يجد أحدكم إلا لحاء شجرة أو عود عنب فليمضغهAs for the instability in its chain of narration, the scholars have discussed it, and whoever wishes to review it may do so.
As for the anomaly and denunciation in its text, it is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), as narrated by al-Bukhari in his Sahih,
That the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) entered upon Juwayriyah bint al-Harith, and she said: I am fasting. He said: Did you fast yesterday? She said: No. He said: Will you fast tomorrow? She said: No. He said: Then break your fast.
أن النبي صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم دخل على جويرية بنت الحارث فقالت: إنها صائمة، فقال: أصمت أمس؟ قالت: لا، قال: أتصومين غداً؟ قالت: لا، قال: فأفطريSaturdays and Sundays
يوم السبت ويوم الأحدThus, it is established from the verbal and practical Sunnah of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) that fasting on Saturday is not forbidden. The scholars differ regarding this hadith and acting upon it. Some said that it is not acted upon at all, and that there is no harm in fasting on Saturday, whether it is isolated or not, because the hadith is not authentic, and a hadith that is not authentic cannot serve as a basis for any ruling.
Others authenticated the hadith or graded it as good, and said that reconciling it with the other hadiths indicates that what is prohibited is only isolating it, meaning fasting it alone without Friday or Sunday. This is the position of Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him), who said: If one fasts another day along with Saturday, there is no harm, such as fasting Friday with it or Sunday with it.
Likewise, we say: If Saturday coincides with a day whose fasting is prescribed, such as the Day of 'Arafah or the tenth of Muharram, then its fasting is not disliked, because the intent is to fast it because it is Saturday, meaning to fast it specifically, not because of the days it coincides with that have prescribed fasting. I pointed this out because I heard that some brothers heard that people fasted on Saturday to fast the ninth and tenth, so they ordered them to break their fast. This is, in fact, a person who exercised independent legal reasoning, but not every person who exercises independent legal reasoning is correct.