Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, 'I am fasting." The Prophet (ﷺ) added, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times."
The Protective Nature of Fasting
The Prophet ﷺ described fasting as a "shield" (junnah), indicating its spiritual protection against sins and divine punishment. Just as a physical shield protects a warrior in battle, the fast protects the believer from disobedience and evil inclinations.
Essential Prohibitions During Fasting
The hadith specifies three primary prohibitions: sexual relations during fasting hours, foolish behavior (rafath), and impudent conduct (jahl). Rafath refers to lewd speech or actions, while jahl encompasses anger, quarreling, and vulgarity.
When confronted with provocation, the fasting person should respond with "I am fasting" - a reminder to oneself and others of one's spiritual state. This utterance reinforces patience and prevents escalation.
The Spiritual Merit of Fasting Breath
Allah's Messenger ﷺ swore by the Lord of his soul that the odor from a fasting person's mouth is more beloved to Allah than the fragrance of musk. This emphasizes that what humans might perceive as unpleasant, Allah regards as precious due to the sincerity behind it.
Divine Ownership of the Fast
Allah declares "The fast is for Me" indicating its special status among worships. While other acts may involve showing off, fasting's hidden nature makes it purely for Allah's pleasure. The abandonment of lawful desires (food, drink, marital relations) demonstrates complete submission.
Exclusive Divine Reward
Allah Himself promises to reward the fasting person, unlike other deeds where angels record rewards. The multiplication of reward "ten times" refers to the minimum multiplication, with potential for infinite increase from Allah's boundless grace.