The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)"
Hadith Text
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)"
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 1903
Commentary on the Essence of Fasting
This profound hadith establishes that the physical abstention from food and drink during Ramadan is merely the external form of fasting. The true essence lies in the spiritual transformation and moral discipline that must accompany it.
Allah, in His infinite wisdom, makes clear that He has no need for our mere hunger and thirst. What He desires is the taqwa (God-consciousness) that develops when we restrain not only our stomachs but also our tongues and limbs from disobedience.
Explanation of "Forged Speech and Evil Actions"
Forged Speech (al-bāṭil): This encompasses all falsehood including lying, backbiting, slander, obscene language, and vain talk. The fasting person must guard their tongue as diligently as they abstain from food.
Evil Actions (al-'amal): This refers to all prohibited deeds performed by the limbs - looking at unlawful things, listening to forbidden speech, using the hands to harm others or take what is not rightfully theirs, and walking toward sin.
Scholarly Interpretation
Imam al-Nawawi explains that this hadith indicates the fast of one who engages in these prohibited matters is deficient and rejected, though not necessarily invalidated entirely. It serves as a severe warning against treating fasting as mere ritual without spiritual substance.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali notes that just as food and drink break the fast physically, evil speech and actions break it spiritually. The complete fast requires abstention from both physical and spiritual violations.
Practical Application
The believer should use the month of fasting to train themselves in comprehensive self-restraint. This includes lowering the gaze, guarding the tongue, avoiding arguments, and performing additional acts of worship.
The true success in fasting is measured by the lasting moral improvement that continues after Ramadan ends, transforming the believer into someone who is constantly aware of Allah's presence in all their affairs.