by starting it, like Hajj and Umrah. Our evidence is what Muslim, Abu Dawud, and al-Nasa'i (6) reported from Aisha, who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) entered upon me one day and said: "Do you have anything?" I said: "No." He said: "Then I am fasting." Then he passed by me (7) after that day, and hayys had been gifted to me, so I had hidden some for him, for he loved hayys. I said: "O Messenger of Allah, hayys has been gifted to us, and I have hidden some for you." He said: "Bring it near; indeed, I woke up fasting." He ate from it, then said to us: "The example of a voluntary fast is like the man who takes out charity from his wealth; if he wishes, he fulfills it, and if he wishes, he withholds it." This is the wording of al-Nasa'i's narration, and it is more complete than others. Umm Hani also narrated, saying: I entered (8) upon the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and a drink was brought, and he handed it to me; I drank from it, then I said: "O Messenger of Allah, I have broken my fast, and I was fasting." He said to her: "Were you making up anything?" She said: "No." He said: "Then it does not harm you if it was a voluntary fast." Reported by Sa'id, Abu Dawud (9), and al-Athram. In another wording, she said: I said: "I am fasting." The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The one who is fasting voluntarily is the master of himself; if you wish, fast, and if you wish, break your fast" (10). And because every fast, if he were to complete it, would be voluntary, so if he exits it, he is not obligated to make it up.