Muhammad.com collection in 109 languages

were quite handsome, what has caused you to change so much?‟
He answered, „"Since I parted from you, I have not eaten except at
night.‟ The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, said,

„You have punished yourself needlessly. You should observe the
fast during the month of patience (Ramadan) and on one day in
every other month.‟ He requested, „Permit me to do more because I
am strong.‟ The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him,
said, „Then fast two days in every month.‟ Again he requested,

„Permit me to do more.‟ So the Messenger of Allah, praise and
peace be upon him, said, „Fast three days each month.‟ He pleaded
for more. The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him,
replied, „That is all, and during the sacred months fast and abstain
from fasting.‟ The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon
him, repeated this three times and demonstrated it by joining his
three fingers and then releasing them, thereby meaning that he
should fast for three days and then abstain from fasting for three
days.”