Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.' Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting.' By Him in Whose Hands my soul is' The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting."
The Excellence of Fasting in Islam
This sacred hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari 1904 reveals the unique status of fasting among all acts of worship. Allah specifically claims fasting for Himself, distinguishing it from other deeds whose rewards are for the servants. This divine appropriation signifies the intimate nature of this worship, which unlike prayer or charity, remains hidden from human observation.
The Dual Protection of Fasting
Fasting serves as a shield against Hellfire in the hereafter and against sins in this worldly life. The physical abstinence from food and drink cultivates spiritual restraint, enabling the believer to control their desires and avoid transgressions.
The Prophet specifically instructs fasting individuals to abstain from marital relations during fasting hours and to avoid quarrels. When confronted, the declaration "I am fasting" serves as both a reminder to oneself and a deterrent to potential conflict.
The Spiritual Fragrance and Divine Pleasure
The hadith beautifully transforms what might be considered unpleasant - the breath of a fasting person - into something beloved to Allah, even more than the fragrance of musk. This illustrates how physical hardships in worship become spiritual beauties in divine estimation.
The fasting person experiences two distinct joys: the immediate pleasure of breaking the fast after a day of restraint, and the ultimate pleasure of meeting their Lord and receiving the eternal reward for their fasting. This dual satisfaction encompasses both temporal and eternal happiness.