حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ ، وَمُسْلِمٌ نَحْوَهُ ، قَالا : حَدَّثَنَا الأَسْوَدُ بْنُ شَيْبَانَ ، عَنْ أَبِي نَوْفَلِ بْنِ أَبِي عَقْرَبَ ، أَنَّ أَبَاهُ سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، عَنِ الصَّوْمِ ، فَقَالَ : ”صُمْ يَوْمًا مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ“، قُلْتُ : بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَأُمِّي ، زِدْنِي ، قَالَ : ”زِدْنِي ، زِدْنِي ، صُمْ يَوْمَيْنِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ“، قُلْتُ : بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَأُمِّي ، زِدْنِي ، فَإِنِّي أَجِدُنِي قَوِيًّا ، فَقَالَ : ”إِنِّي أَجِدُنِي قَوِيًّا ، إِنِّي أَجِدُنِي قَوِيًّا“، فَأَفْحَمَ ، حَتَّى ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ لَنْ يَزِيدَنِي ، ثُمَّ قَالَ : ”صُمْ ثَلاثًا مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ .“
It is narrated from Abu Nofal (may Allah have mercy on him) that his father, Sayyiduna Abu Aqrab (may Allah be pleased with him), asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about fasting. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Fast one day in every month." I said: May my parents be sacrificed for you, please allow me to do more. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "More, more, fast two days in every month." I submitted: May my parents be sacrificed for you, please allow me to do more, I have the strength for more than this. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I have the strength for more, I have the strength for more." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) kept me quiet until I thought that he would never allow more than this. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Fast three days in every month."