Sahih Muslim , Book 13, Hadith 27 (In-Book) ⓘ
Jabir (Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet separated himself from his wives for a month. (His wives said: ) He came to us on the twenty-ninth day, whereupon we said: It is the twenty-ninth (day) today. Thereupon he said: So far as the month is concerned, (and he, with a view to explaining it) flapped his hands thrice, but held back one finger at the last turn.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رُمْحٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا اللَّيْثُ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لَهُ - حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثٌ، عَنْ أَبِي الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، - رضى الله عنه - أَنَّهُ قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم اعْتَزَلَ نِسَاءَهُ شَهْرًا فَخَرَجَ إِلَيْنَا فِي تِسْعٍ وَعِشْرِينَ فَقُلْنَا إِنَّمَا الْيَوْمُ تِسْعٌ وَعِشْرُونَ . فَقَالَ " إِنَّمَا الشَّهْرُ " . وَصَفَّقَ بِيَدَيْهِ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ وَحَبَسَ إِصْبَعًا وَاحِدَةً فِي الآخِرَةِ .
also referenced under: Hadith 1084 (Reference) & Book 6, Hadith 2385 (USC-MSA)