It is narrated from Abu Uthman al-Nahdi that Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) was on a journey. He stopped at a place and sent a messenger to him while he was praying, so that he could come and eat. He said to the messenger: I am fasting. When the food was served and it was near that they would finish, he also started eating. Then he looked towards his messenger, so he said: He had told me that he was fasting. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: He spoke the truth. I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Fasting in the month of patience and fasting three days of every month is equivalent to fasting forever." I have already fasted three days of the month. I am one who leaves fasting in Allah’s concession and fasts in Allah’s strengthening.
Hadith Referenceمسند اسحاق بن راهويه / كتاب الصوم / 396
Hadith Takhrij«مسند احمد : 384/2 . 513 . صحيح ابن حبان ، رقم : 3659 . قال شعيب الارناوط : اسناده صحيح»
Explanation & Benefits
Hafiz Abdush Shakoor Tirmidhi
Benefits: From the mentioned hadith, it is understood that fasting during the blessed month of Ramadan and, in addition, fasting three days in every month is equivalent to always fasting. This is because when a person performs a good deed, he receives a reward ten times its like. As Allah the Exalted says: ﴿مَنْجَآءَبِالْحَسَنَةِفَلَهٗعَشْرُاَمْثَالِهَا﴾ ( al-An‘am: 160).... "Whoever brings a good deed shall have ten times its like." Furthermore, it is understood that during travel, it is permissible to break the fast.