Source: Urdu Sharh ‘Umdah al-Aḥkām, translated by Ḥāfiẓ Fayzullah Nāṣir
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
"أَوْصَانِي خَلِيلِي صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِثَلَاثٍ: صِيَامِ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ، وَرَكْعَتَيْ الضُّحَى، وَأَنْ أُوتِرَ قَبْلَ أَنْ أَنَامَ"
Abū Hurayrah (may Allāh be pleased with him) narrated:
"My beloved friend ﷺ advised me concerning three deeds:
① To fast three days every month,
② To perform two rakʿahs of Ḍuḥā prayer,
③ And to offer Witr prayer before going to sleep."
References:
❶ Fasting Three Days Monthly:
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized the reward of fasting three days each month.
In another narration, he ﷺ stated:
"Ṣiyām thalāthat ayyām min kull shahr ṣiyām al-dahr"
"Fasting three days each month is like fasting for a lifetime."
(Sunan al-Nasā’ī: 2420)
This is because each good deed is multiplied tenfold, so three days of fasting equal the reward of a full month’s fast.
❷ The Ḍuḥā Prayer:
This prayer is performed in the forenoon (after sunrise and before midday). Its minimum is two rakʿahs. The Prophet ﷺ recommended it as a consistent voluntary act of devotion.
❸ Witr Before Sleeping:
Witr is the closing prayer of the night. If someone fears they may not wake up for Tahajjud, they should pray Witr before sleeping to ensure they do not miss it.
These three recommended deeds enhance one’s spiritual consistency:
Ḥadīth No. 3: Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه)
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:"أَوْصَانِي خَلِيلِي صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِثَلَاثٍ: صِيَامِ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ، وَرَكْعَتَيْ الضُّحَى، وَأَنْ أُوتِرَ قَبْلَ أَنْ أَنَامَ"
Abū Hurayrah (may Allāh be pleased with him) narrated:
"My beloved friend ﷺ advised me concerning three deeds:
① To fast three days every month,
② To perform two rakʿahs of Ḍuḥā prayer,
③ And to offer Witr prayer before going to sleep."
References:
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: Book of Fasting, Chapter on Fasting the White Days – Ḥadīth 1981
- Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: Book of Fasting, Chapter on the Recommendation of Ḍuḥā Prayer – Ḥadīth 721
Explanation of Key Terms:
- Khalīl (خليل):
A deeply beloved and intimate friend. The Prophet ﷺ used this term for himself to express a special closeness to Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه).
Explanation of the Ḥadīth:
❶ Fasting Three Days Monthly:The Prophet ﷺ emphasized the reward of fasting three days each month.
In another narration, he ﷺ stated:
"Ṣiyām thalāthat ayyām min kull shahr ṣiyām al-dahr"
"Fasting three days each month is like fasting for a lifetime."
(Sunan al-Nasā’ī: 2420)
This is because each good deed is multiplied tenfold, so three days of fasting equal the reward of a full month’s fast.
❷ The Ḍuḥā Prayer:
This prayer is performed in the forenoon (after sunrise and before midday). Its minimum is two rakʿahs. The Prophet ﷺ recommended it as a consistent voluntary act of devotion.
❸ Witr Before Sleeping:
Witr is the closing prayer of the night. If someone fears they may not wake up for Tahajjud, they should pray Witr before sleeping to ensure they do not miss it.
Summary:
These three recommended deeds enhance one’s spiritual consistency:- Monthly fasting ensures regular spiritual purification.
- Ḍuḥā prayer adds morning devotion and gratitude.
- Witr prayer ends the day with remembrance and closeness to Allāh.
