Hadith Text - Sunan Abi Dawud 2363

The Prophet (ﷺ) as saying: "Fast is a shield; when one of you is fasting, he should neither behave in an obscene manner nor foolishly. If a man fights or abuses him, he should say: I am fasting, I am fasting."

The Shield Metaphor

The comparison of fasting to a shield indicates its protective nature. Just as a shield protects a warrior in battle, fasting protects the believer from sins, evil inclinations, and the punishment of the Hereafter.

This shield operates on two levels: it guards against physical desires by restraining from food, drink, and intimacy, and it protects the soul from moral corruption by cultivating patience and self-restraint.

Prohibited Conduct During Fasting

The Prophet explicitly forbids two types of behavior: obscene speech or actions (rafath) and foolishness (jahil). Obscenity includes all forms of lewd speech and immoral conduct, while foolishness encompasses useless arguments, vain talk, and ignorant behavior.

This teaching emphasizes that fasting is not merely abstaining from physical nourishment but requires complete spiritual and moral discipline. The fast becomes invalid in its spiritual essence if accompanied by such prohibited conduct.

Response to Provocation

When faced with abuse or physical confrontation, the fasting person is instructed to respond by declaring "I am fasting" twice. This serves multiple purposes: it reminds oneself of the sacred state of fasting, informs the aggressor of one's spiritual condition, and prevents escalation of conflict.

Scholars explain that repeating the phrase reinforces the commitment to patience and prevents the fasting person from responding in kind, thus preserving the spiritual benefits of the fast.

Spiritual Dimensions

This hadith elevates fasting from a mere physical exercise to a comprehensive spiritual training. It teaches that the true fast involves controlling not only the stomach and private parts but also the tongue, temper, and entire conduct.

The ultimate goal is taqwa (God-consciousness), where the believer becomes so aware of Allah's presence that they abstain from all forms of wrongdoing, whether public or private.