Musnad Ishaq

Benefits:
From the aforementioned hadith, it is understood that *wisal* is not permissible. *Wisal* refers to a person intentionally not breaking his fast for two or more days and continuously fasting, neither eating at night nor at the time of *suhoor* (pre-dawn meal). (See also: al-Nihayah fi Gharib al-Ahadith wal-Athar)

The majority of scholars have considered this to be a specific characteristic of the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Imam Shafi’i, Imam Abu Hanifah, and Imam Malik have declared it disliked (makruh). Imam Ahmad rahimahullah has said that it is permissible up to *suhoor*. Allamah Ibn Qayyim rahimahullah has regarded Imam Ahmad rahimahullah’s position as the most correct. (Tawdih al-Ahkam: 3/481)

And Imam Ahmad rahimahullah presents in support of his position the narration that is reported from Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id radi Allahu anhu, that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Do not observe *wisal*, and if any of you insists on observing *wisal*, then let him do so only until *suhoor*.” (Bukhari, no. 1967)

Maulana Dawood Raz rahimahullah says: In reality, this is not a fast of continuous abstention, such that one would neither eat nor drink for the entire night as well as the day. (Sharh Bukhari: 3/216, published by Maktabah Qudusiyyah)

In the aforementioned narration, it is stated: “My Lord feeds me and gives me drink.” There are several explanations for this statement of the Messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Of these, the most well-known and closest to the Sunnah are as follows:

➊ Allah, the Exalted, keeps the strength and power of His Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam flowing as if he were in a state of eating and drinking. Furthermore, these blessed words of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam clearly indicate that what is meant is the strength derived from food and drink. Ibn Hajar rahimahullah states that this is the opinion of the majority of scholars. (Fath al-Bari: 4/207)

➋ The intent of the statement of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is that Allah, the Exalted, so occupies me with His grandeur, reflection, and all forms of knowledge that I do not even think or imagine about eating or drinking. On this, Allamah Ibn Qayyim rahimahullah says: This is a nourishment that is far superior and better than all physical nourishment for the human body, and whoever has even the slightest taste or experience of this is not unaware that due to spiritual and heartfelt nourishment, the human body does not remain in need of physical nourishment. (See Umdat al-Qari: 4/207)

“You are not like me,” means that the relationship I have with Allah, the Possessor of Majesty, is not the same as yours. Due to this relationship, Allah, the Possessor of Majesty, creates strength within me without eating or drinking, which you cannot attain without eating.