Source: Urdu Sharh ‘Umdah al-Aḥkām, translated by Ḥāfiẓ Fayzullah Nāṣir
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
"إنَّ أَحَبَّ الصِّيَامِ إلَى اللَّهِ صِيَامُ دَاوُد، وَأَحَبَّ الصَّلَاةِ إلَى اللَّهِ صَلَاةُ دَاوُد، كَانَ يَنَامُ نِصْفَ اللَّيْلِ، وَيَقُومُ ثُلُثَهُ، وَيَنَامُ سُدُسَهُ، وَكَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا"
ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ (may Allāh be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:
"The most beloved fast to Allāh is the fast of Dāwūd (David), and the most beloved prayer to Allāh is the prayer of Dāwūd. He would sleep for half the night, stand for a third of it in prayer, and then sleep for one-sixth of it. And he used to fast one day and break his fast the next."
References:
This ḥadīth highlights two deeply cherished acts of worship in the sight of Allāh:
❶ Fasting of Prophet Dāwūd (عليه السلام):
He would fast every alternate day. This balanced approach shows deep devotion without burdening the soul. Such a fast was not continuous but allowed the body to rest while maintaining a strong spiritual routine.
❷ Prayer of Prophet Dāwūd (عليه السلام):
His night was beautifully organized for worship and rest:
This method preserves both spiritual elevation and physical well-being.
Ḥadīth No. 2: Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ (رضي الله عنهما)
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:"إنَّ أَحَبَّ الصِّيَامِ إلَى اللَّهِ صِيَامُ دَاوُد، وَأَحَبَّ الصَّلَاةِ إلَى اللَّهِ صَلَاةُ دَاوُد، كَانَ يَنَامُ نِصْفَ اللَّيْلِ، وَيَقُومُ ثُلُثَهُ، وَيَنَامُ سُدُسَهُ، وَكَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا"
ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ (may Allāh be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:
"The most beloved fast to Allāh is the fast of Dāwūd (David), and the most beloved prayer to Allāh is the prayer of Dāwūd. He would sleep for half the night, stand for a third of it in prayer, and then sleep for one-sixth of it. And he used to fast one day and break his fast the next."
References:
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: Book of Night Prayer (Tahajjud), Chapter on Sleeping at Suḥūr – Ḥadīth 1131
- Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: Book of Fasting, Chapter on Prohibition of Continuous Fasting – Ḥadīth 1159
Explanation of Key Terms:
- Aḥabb (أحب):
Most beloved or most preferred. A superlative noun expressing supreme favor in the sight of Allāh.
Explanation of the Ḥadīth:
This ḥadīth highlights two deeply cherished acts of worship in the sight of Allāh:❶ Fasting of Prophet Dāwūd (عليه السلام):
He would fast every alternate day. This balanced approach shows deep devotion without burdening the soul. Such a fast was not continuous but allowed the body to rest while maintaining a strong spiritual routine.
❷ Prayer of Prophet Dāwūd (عليه السلام):
His night was beautifully organized for worship and rest:
- First half of the night: Sleep
- One-third of the night: Qiyām al-Layl (Night prayer)
- Final sixth: Rest before dawn
This method preserves both spiritual elevation and physical well-being.
Summary:
- The fasting of Dāwūd is the ideal model of devotion without excess.
- His nightly prayer is a reflection of balanced and consistent worship.
- The Prophet ﷺ encouraged his companions to emulate this form if they were capable.
