The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ، - يَعْنِي الْقَعْنَبِيَّ - عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ مَعْمَرٍ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي يُونُسَ، مَوْلَى عَائِشَةَ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّ رَجُلاً قَالَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ وَاقِفٌ عَلَى الْبَابِ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أُصْبِحُ جُنُبًا وَأَنَا أُرِيدُ الصِّيَامَ . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " وَأَنَا أُصْبِحُ جُنُبًا وَأَنَا أُرِيدُ الصِّيَامَ فَأَغْتَسِلُ وَأَصُومُ " . فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّكَ لَسْتَ مِثْلَنَا قَدْ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَكَ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِكَ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ فَغَضِبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَقَالَ " وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لأَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ أَخْشَاكُمْ لِلَّهِ وَأَعْلَمَكُمْ بِمَا أَتَّبِعُ " .
A man said to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): Messenger of Allah, I was overtaken by dawn while I was sexually defiled, and I want to keep fast. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: I am also overtaken by dawn while I am in the state of sexual defilement ; I also want to keep fast. I take a bath and I keep fast. The man said: Messenger of Allah, you are not like us ; Allah has forgiven you your past and future sins. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) became angry and said: I swear by Allah, I hope I shall be the most fearful of you of Allah, and most familiar of you with what I follow.
Narrated by Narrated 'Aishah, wife of Prophet (ﷺ):
Context
In this narration, Aisha describes a situation where a man expressed concern about being in a state of sexual defilement while wanting to fast. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reassured him that he too faced similar situations but continued to fast, emphasizing the importance of intention over circumstances.
Modern Application
This principle can be applied today by encouraging individuals to focus on their intentions and commitment to their spiritual practices, regardless of personal challenges. It promotes resilience and dedication in one's faith.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Fasting and Prophetic Conduct because it illustrates the Prophet's approach to maintaining faith and practice despite personal challenges.
It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset. And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques. These are the limits [set by] Allah, so do not approach them. Thus does Allah make clear His ordinances to the people that they may become righteous.
O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janabah, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.
Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muhammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur'an. He has known that there will be among you those who are ill and others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah and others fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
So be patient, [O Muhammad]. Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth. And ask forgiveness for your sin and exalt [Allah] with praise of your Lord in the evening and the morning.
May Allah pardon you, [O Muhammad]; why did you give them permission [to remain behind]? [You should not have] until it was evident to you who were truthful and you knew [who were] the liars.
This hadith is #2390 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Fasting (Kitab Al-Siyam). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated 'Aishah, wife of Prophet (ﷺ):.