SECTION ON FASTING · 74 – A WOMAN FASTING WITHOUT HER HUSBAND’S PERMISSION
2458 – It is narrated from Abū Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “A woman should not fast (voluntary fasts) when her husband is present except with his permission, other than in Ramadan. And she should not admit anyone into his house except with his permission.” [338]
2459 – It is narrated from Abū Saʿīd (may Allah be pleased with him): He said: A woman came to the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) while we were sitting with him. She said: “O Messenger of Allah, when I perform prayer, my husband Saffan ibn Muʿaṭṭal beats me; when I fast (supererogatory fasts), he makes me break it; and he does not perform the morning prayer until after sunrise.” Abū Saʿīd said: Saffan was also present, and the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) asked him about what his wife had said. Saffan replied: “O Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him)! As for her saying that I beat her when she prays, it is because she recites two long surahs in the prayer, and I forbade her from reciting two surahs.” Abū Saʿīd said: The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Reciting one surah is sufficient for the people.” Saffan continued: “As for her saying that I make her break her fast, she fasts and I am a young man and cannot restrain myself.” The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) then said, “A woman may only fast (supererogatory fasts) with her husband’s permission.” Saffan added: “As for her saying that I do not perform the morning prayer until after sunrise, we are craftsmen, and it is our custom to work at night. We cannot wake up until after sunrise.” The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “When you wake up, perform the prayer immediately.”
EXPLANATION
The last sentence of this hadith appears to be a dispensation (rukhṣa) specific to Saffan. It is not applicable to everyone. To be cautious is a requirement of iman (faith).