Hadith 1246
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "أفضل الصيام بعد رمضان: شهر الله المحرم، وأفضل الصلاة بعد الفريضة: صلاة الليل" ((رواه مسلم)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The best month for observing Saum (fasting) next after Ramadan is the month of Allah, the Muharram; and the best Salat (prayer) next after the prescribed Salat is Salat at night (Tahajjud prayers)." [Muslim].
In plain words
After Ramadan, the best month for voluntary fasting is named here, and after the obligatory prayers, the best prayer is the one offered at night.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1246 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 256
Hadith 1247
'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت لم يكن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يصوم من شهر أكثر من شعبان فإنه كان يصوم شعبان كله وفي رواية: كان يصوم شعبان إلا قليلا. ((متفق عليه))
The Prophet (ﷺ) did not observe voluntary Saum (fasting) so frequently during any other month as he did during Sha'ban. He observed Saum throughout the month of Sha'ban. Another narration is: He (ﷺ) observed Saum during the whole month of Sha'ban except a few days. [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet fasted voluntarily in Sha'ban more than in any other month, fasting most of it. An example of devoting that month to extra fasting.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1247 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 257
Hadith 1248
Reported Mujibah Al-Bahiliyah on the authority of her father or uncle that he visited the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) once and then went to see him again after a year. His appearance had totally changed. He asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) if he had recognized him. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) asked, "Who are you?" He replied:
وعن مجيبة الباهلية عن أبيها أو عمها، أنه أتى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ثم انطلق فأتاه بعد سنة وقد تغيرت حاله وهيئته، فقال: يا رسول الله أما تعرفني؟ قال: "ومن أنت؟" قال: أنا الباهلي الذي جئتك عام الأول. قال: "فما غيرك، وقد كنت حسن الهيئة؟" قال: ما أكلت طعامًا منذ فارقتك إلا بليل. فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "عذبت نفسك!" ثم قال: "صم شهر الصبر، ويومًا من كل شهر" قال: زدني، فإن بي قوة، قال: " صم يومين" قال: زذني، قال: "صم ثلاثة أيام" قال: زدني. قال: "صم من الحرم واترك، صم من الحرم واترك، صم من الحرم واترك" وقال بأصابعه الثلاث فضمها، ثم أرسلها. ((رواه أبو داود. )).
"I am Al- Bahili who visited you last year." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "You were quite handsome, what has changed your appearance so much?" He replied, "Since my departure from here, I have not eaten anything except at night." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) remarked, "You have put yourself to torture. Observe Saum (fasting) during the Month of Patience (i.e., Ramadan) and fast one day from each month." He submitted, "Permit me to observe more voluntary fasts because I have capacity to do so." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Then observe fasts for two days in every month." He said, "Permit me to observe more." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Observe fasts on three days in every month." He requested that he should be allowed to observe more fasts. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Fast three days during the sacred months and omit fasting for three days alternately." He (ﷺ) joined his three fingers together and left them apart while repeating this sentence thrice. [Abu Dawud].
In plain words
When a man wore himself out by eating only at night, the Prophet steered him toward a balanced amount of fasting rather than extremes. Worship should not become self-punishment.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1248 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 258