the day, neither for him nor for anyone else. Once this is established, it follows that continuous fasting (wisal) is not prohibited. The apparent position of al-Shafi'i is that it is prohibited, taking the literal command of the prohibition as meaning prohibition (tahrim). Our view is that it is merely leaving permissible food and drink, so it is not prohibited, just as if one were to leave it during the time of breaking the fast. If it is said: "But fasting on the day of 'Eid is prohibited, despite it being a abstention from permissible food and drink," we would respond: It is not the abstention from food and drink itself that is prohibited; rather, it is prohibited when done with the intention of fasting. This is why if one were to abstain from them without the intention of fasting, it would not be prohibited. As for the prohibition itself, it was issued out of mercy and kindness toward them due to the hardship it caused them, just as he forbade 'Abd Allah ibn 'Amr from fasting every day, staying up all night in prayer, and from reciting the entire Qur'an in less than three days. 'A'ishah said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade continuous fasting out of mercy to them (23)." This does not necessitate a prohibition (tahrim). This is why the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not understand it to be a prohibition, as evidenced by the fact that they continued to fast continuously after his instruction; had they understood it as a prohibition, they would not have deemed it permissible to perform. Abu Hurayrah said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade continuous fasting. When they refused to stop, he fasted continuously with them for one day and then another, until they saw the crescent moon. He then said: 'Had it stayed longer, I would have increased it for you,' as a way of reprimanding them when they refused to stop." Muttafaq 'alayh (24). If one fasts continuously from dawn (sahar) to dawn (sahar), it is permissible, based on what Abu Sa'id narrated, that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: "Do not fast continuously; whoever among you wishes to fast continuously, let him fast until the dawn (sahar)." Recorded by al-Bukhari (25). Hastening to break the fast is more virtuous, as we have previously mentioned.