Sahih al-Bukhari 1970

Chapter: Saum (fasting) in the month of Sha'ban.

Authentic hadith of Sahih al-Bukhari Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 1970

حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذُ بْنُ فَضَالَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، عَنْ يَحْيَى، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ حَدَّثَتْهُ قَالَتْ، لَمْ يَكُنِ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَصُومُ شَهْرًا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ، فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ

يَصُومُ شَعْبَانَ كُلَّهُ، وَكَانَ يَقُولُ ‏"‏ خُذُوا مِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَمَلُّ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا، وَأَحَبُّ الصَّلاَةِ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَا دُووِمَ عَلَيْهِ، وَإِنْ قَلَّتْ ‏"‏ وَكَانَ إِذَا صَلَّى صَلاَةً دَاوَمَ عَلَيْهَا

Narrated `Aisha:

The Prophet (ﷺ) never fasted in any month more than in the month of Sha'ban. He used to say, "Do those deeds which you can do easily, as Allah will not get tired (of giving rewards) till you get bored and tired (of performing religious deeds)." The most beloved prayer to the Prophet (ﷺ) was the one that was done regularly (throughout the life) even if it were little. And whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) offered a prayer he used to offer it regularly .

Reported by Al-Bukhari (No. 1970, 43, 1151, 5861, 6465), Muslim (No. 782a, 785b, 782c), Abu Dawud (No. 1368, 1374), An-Nasa’i (No. 762, 1642, 5035), Ibn Majah (No. 4238) and Ahmad (No. 22994, 23111, 23186, 23399, 23765, 24153, 24260, 24299).

An explanation exists for another version of this hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 43

Explanation in Arabic

جعَلَ اللهُ تعالَى الأعمالَ الصَّالحةَ مُتفاضِلةً، وأفضَلُها هي التي يَستمِرُّ عليها صاحِبُها ويُداوِمُ عليها.

وفي هذا الحَديثِ تُخبِرُ أُمُّ المؤمنينَ عائِشةُ رضِيَ اللهُ عنها أنَّ النَّبيَّ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم كان يَحتَجِرُ حَصِيرًا، أي: يَتَّخِذُه كالحُجْرَةِ ويَجعَلُه حاجزًا بيْنه وبيْن غيرِه باللَّيلِ، وكان ذلك في ساحةِ مَسجِدِ النبيِّ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم، فيُصلِّي خلْفَه، ويَبسُطُه بالنَّهارِ فيَجلِسُ عليه، فلمَّا رآه النَّاسُ جَعَلوا يَثُوبُونَ -أي يَرجِعون- إلى النَّبيِّ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم فيُصَلُّونَ بِصَلاتِه حتَّى كَثُروا، فأَقْبَل صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم على النَّاسِ، فقال: «يا أيُّها الناسُ، خُذُوا مِن الأعمالِ ما تُطِيقون»، أي: أدُّوا منها ما في استطاعتِكم؛ وهذا أمرٌ عامٌّ لا يختَصُّ بالصَّلاةِ، بل في جميعِ أعمالِ البِرِّ، وعليه يكونُ المعنى: فاشتَغِلوا مِن الأعمالِ بما تَستطيعون المُداوَمةَ عليه، وافعَلوا ما تَقدِرون عليه مِن الصِّيامِ والقيامِ، ولا تَشُقُّوا على أنفُسِكم؛ «فإنَّ اللهَ لا يَمَلُّ حتَّى تَمَلُّوا»، أي: فإنَّ اللهَ لا يَمَلُّ مِن ثَوابِك حتَّى تَمَلَّ مِن العَمَلِ، «وإنَّ أَحَبَّ الأعمالِ إلى اللهِ»، أي: التي تُقرِّبُ مِنَ اللهِ عزَّ وجلَّ، وتكونُ سَببًا في نَيلِ فَضلِهِ وثَوابِهِ «ما دام» واستَمرَّ في حَياةِ العامِلِ، «وإنْ قَلَّ»؛ لأنَّه يَستمِرُّ، بخلافِ الكثيرِ الشَّاقِّ، فالمواظَبةُ على العملِ القليلِ أمْرٌ حسَنٌ؛ لأنَّها تُكَثِّرُها، وتَجعَلُ صاحِبَها دائمَ الصِّلةِ بالعمَلِ الصَّالحِ.

وقولُه: «فَوَاللهِ لا يَمَلُّ اللهُ حتَّى تَمَلُّوا». في هذا دَليلٌ على إثباتِ صِفةِ المَلَلِ للهِ تعالَى، لكنَّ ملَلَ اللهِ ليس كمَلَلِ المخْلوقِ؛ فمَلَلُ المَخلوقِ نقْصٌ؛ لأنَّه يدُلُّ على سَأَمِه وضَجَرِه مِن هذا الشَّيءِ، أمَّا مَلَلُ اللهِ فهو كَمالٌ وليس فيه نقْصٌ، وهو كسائرِ الصِّفاتِ التي نُثبِتُها للهِ على وَجْهِ الكمالِ، وإنْ كانت في حقِّ المَخلوقِ ليست كَمالًا.

ومِن العُلماءِ مَن قال أنه يُرادُ به بَيانُ أنَّه مهْما عَمِلْتَ مِن عمَلٍ فإنَّ اللهَ يُجازِيك عليه، فاعمَلْ ما بَدَا لك؛ فإنَّ اللهَ لا يَمَلُّ مِن ثَوابِك حتَّى تَمَلَّ مِن العمَلِ.

ومنهم من قال أن هذا لا يَستلزِمُ ثُبوتَ المَلَلِ للهِ عزَّ وجلَّ.

وفي الحَديثِ: بَيانُ شَفقتِه ورَأفتِه بأُمَّتِه صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم.

وفيه: أنَّ العَملَ القليلَ الدَّائمَ خَيرٌ مِن الكثيرِ المُنقطِعِ.

وفيه: الحثُّ على الاقتصادِ في العبادةِ واجتنابِ التعَمُّقِ.

Scholars’ grades

Scholar	Grade	Applies to	Work
Al-Bukharid. 256 AH	Authenticصحيح	The hadith	صحيح البخاري No. 1970

Grades of other versions (2)

Authentic chainShu'ayb al-Arna'ut إسناده صحيح على شرط الشيخين — تخريج المسند لشعيب (25558)
Authentic chainShu'ayb al-Arna'ut إسناده صحيح على شرط الشيخين — تخريج المسند لشعيب (26123)

Other versions

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 43

Do (good) deeds according to your capacity, for by Allah, Allah never grows weary (of giving rewards) unless you grow weary (of doing good deeds), and the best deed in His sight is that which is done regularly

‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came in while a woman was sitting with her. He said: "Who is she?" ‘Ā'ishah replied: "She is so-and-so," and told him about her (excessive) praying. He said disapprovingly: "Do (good)…

مَهْ، عَلَيْكُمْ بِمَا تُطِيقُونَ، فَوَاللَّهِ لاَ يَمَلُّ اللَّهُ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا ‏"‏‏.‏ وَكَانَ أَحَبَّ الدِّينِ إِلَيْهِ مَا دَامَ عَلَيْهِ صَاحِبُهُ‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah Explained

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 1151

A woman from the tribe of Bani Asad was sitting with me and Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) came to my house and said, "Who is this?" I said, "(She is) So and so. She does not sleep at night because she is engaged in prayer." The Prophet (ﷺ) said disapprovingly: Do (good) deeds which is within your…

مَهْ عَلَيْكُمْ مَا تُطِيقُونَ مِنَ الأَعْمَالِ، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَمَلُّ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا ‏"

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 5861

The Prophet (ﷺ) used to construct a loom with a Hasir at night m order to pray therein, and during the day he used to spread it out and sit on it. The people started coming to the Prophet (ﷺ) at night to offer the prayer behind him When their number increased, the Prophet (ﷺ) faced them and said. O…

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ خُذُوا مِنَ الأَعْمَالِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَمَلُّ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا، وَإِنَّ أَحَبَّ الأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَا دَامَ وَإِنْ قَلَّ ‏"

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 6465

The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked, "What deeds are loved most by Allah?" He said, "The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few." He added, 'Don't take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability."

أَدْوَمُهَا وَإِنْ قَلَّ ‏"‏‏.‏ وَقَالَ ‏"‏ اكْلَفُوا مِنَ الأَعْمَالِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ ‏"

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih Muslim 782a

O people, perform such acts as you are capable of doing, for Allah does not grow weary but you will get tired. The acts most pleasing to Allah are those which are done continuously, even if they are small. And it was the habit of the members of Muhammad's (ﷺ) household that whenever they did an act…

عَلَيْكُمْ مِنَ الأَعْمَالِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَمَلُّ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا وَإِنَّ أَحَبَّ الأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَا دُووِمَ عَلَيْهِ وَإِنْ قَلَّ ‏"

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih Muslim 785b

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to me when a woman was sitting with me. He said: Who is she? I said: She is a woman who does not sleep but prays. He said: Do such acts which you are capable of doing. By Allah, Allah does not grow weary but you will grow weary. The religious act most pleasing to Him…

عَلَيْكُمْ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ فَوَاللَّهِ لاَ يَمَلُّ اللَّهُ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَكَانَ أَحَبَّ الدِّينِ إِلَيْهِ مَا دَاوَمَ عَلَيْهِ صَاحِبُهُ

Narrated by Ā’ishah

See all 33 versions

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih Muslim 782c

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not observe fast in any month of the year more than in the month of Sha'ban, and used to say: Do as many deeds as you are capable of doing, for Allah will not become weary (of giving you reward), but you would be tired (of doing good deeds) ; and he also said: The…

لَمْ يَكُنْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الشَّهْرِ مِنَ السَّنَةِ أَكْثَرَ صِيَامًا مِنْهُ فِي شَعْبَانَ وَكَانَ يَقُولُ ‏"‏ خُذُوا مِنَ الأَعْمَالِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَنْ يَمَلَّ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا…

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sunan Abu Dawud 1368

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: Choose such actions as you are capable of performing, for Allah does not grow weary till you do. The acts most pleasing to Allah are those which are done most continuously, even if they amount to little. Whenever he began an action, he would do it continuously.

‏ اكْلَفُوا مِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَمَلُّ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا، وَإِنَّ أَحَبَّ الْعَمَلِ إِلَى اللَّهِ أَدْوَمُهُ وَإِنْ قَلَّ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَكَانَ إِذَا عَمِلَ عَمَلاً أَثْبَتَهُ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Differing grades Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sunan Abu Dawud 1374

The people used to pray (tarawih prayer) in the mosque during Ramadan severally. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded me (to spread a mat). I spread a mat for him and he prayed upon it. The narrator then transmitted the same story. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: O People, praise be to Allah, I did not pass…

‏ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَمَا وَاللَّهِ مَا بِتُّ لَيْلَتِي هَذِهِ بِحَمْدِ اللَّهِ غَافِلاً وَلاَ خَفِيَ عَلَىَّ مَكَانُكُمْ ‏"

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sunan an-Nasa'i 762

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had a mat which he would spread in the day and make into a small booth at night to pray in it. The people found out about that and they prayed when he prayed, with the mat in between him and them. He said: 'Do as much of good deeds as you can, for Allah does not get…

"‏ اكْلَفُوا مِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لاَ يَمَلُّ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا وَإِنَّ أَحَبَّ الأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَدْوَمُهُ وَإِنْ قَلَّ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ تَرَكَ مُصَلاَّهُ…

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sunan an-Nasa'i 1642

The Prophet (ﷺ) came in to her and there was a woman with her. He said: "Who is this?" She said: "So-and-so, and she does not sleep." And she told him about how she prayed a great deal. He said: "Stop praising her. You should do what you can, for by Allah (SWT), Allah never gets tired (of giving…

"‏ مَهْ عَلَيْكُمْ بِمَا تُطِيقُونَ فَوَاللَّهِ لاَ يَمَلُّ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا وَلَكِنَّ أَحَبَّ الدِّينِ إِلَيْهِ مَا دَاوَمَ عَلَيْهِ صَاحِبُهُ ‏"

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Differing grades Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sunan an-Nasa'i 5035

The Prophet [SAW] entered upon her and there was a woman with her. He said: "Who is this?" She said: "So-and-so; she does not sleep"- she mentioned her excessive praying. The Prophet [SAW] said: "Keep quiet. You should do what you are able to, for by Allah, Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, does not…

عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ الْعَمَلِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ فَوَاللَّهِ لَا يَمَلُّ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا وَكَانَ أَحَبَّ الدِّينِ إِلَيْهِ مَا دَامَ عَلَيْهِ صَاحِبُهُ

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sunan Ibn Majah 4238

“There was a woman with me, and the Prophet (ﷺ) entered upon me and said: ‘Who is that?’ I said: ‘So-and-so; she does not sleep,’” – she mentioned her excessive praying. “The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘Keep quiet. You should do what you are able to, for by Allah, Allah does not get tired (of giving reward)…

‏ ‏"‏ مَهْ عَلَيْكُمْ بِمَا تُطِيقُونَ فَوَاللَّهِ لاَ يَمَلُّ اللَّهُ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَتْ ‏:‏ وَكَانَ أَحَبَّ الدِّينِ إِلَيْهِ الَّذِي يَدُومُ عَلَيْهِ صَاحِبُهُ

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Musnad Ahmad 22994