He reported God’s messenger as saying, "Every [good] deed a son of Adam does will be multiplied, a good deed receiving a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward. God has said, ‘With the exception of fasting, for it is done for my sake and I give a reward for it. One abandons his passion and his food for my sake.* The one who fasts has two occasions of joy, one when he breaks his fast and one when he meets his Lord. The bad breath of one who fasts is sweeter to God than the fragrance of musk. Fasting is a protection, [i.e. from acts of disobedience in this world and from hell in the next. Pt. vi.] and when the day of the fast of any of you comes he must not use vile language or raise his voice, and if anyone reviles him or tries to fight with him he should tell him he is fasting.” *This is not from the Qur’an, but is a hadith qudsi, a tradition which gives words spoken by God.(Bukhari and Muslim.)
The Superiority of Fasting in Mishkat al-Masabih
This sacred tradition (hadith qudsi) from Mishkat al-Masabih 1959 establishes the unique and exalted status of fasting (sawm) among all acts of worship. While other righteous deeds are multiplied between ten and seven hundred times, fasting stands apart, for its reward is beyond measure, being reserved by Allah Himself.
The Divine Proclamation
"Fasting is done for My sake, and I give a reward for it." This divine declaration signifies that fasting is an act of pure, unadulterated devotion. Unlike prayer, charity, or pilgrimage, it is an inward act of abstention hidden from the sight of creation, making it a singularly sincere form of worship directed solely to the Divine.
The phrase "One abandons his passion and his food for My sake" highlights the essence of fasting: the conscious renunciation of fundamental, permissible human desires—nourishment and physical intimacy—as a testament of love and obedience to the Creator.
The Two Joys & The Sweetness of Breath
The "two occasions of joy" are profound spiritual states. The first joy, at iftar (breaking the fast), is a relief mixed with gratitude for the strength to complete the act of worship. The second, greater joy is upon meeting the Lord, which is the ultimate reward for this patient devotion.
That the "bad breath of one who fasts is sweeter to God than the fragrance of musk" is a powerful metaphor. It transforms a physical sign of weakness and hardship into a symbol of divine pleasure, showing that what is despised in the worldly realm is beloved in the spiritual realm due to the intention behind it.
Fasting as a Protection
Fasting is described as a "protection" (junnah). It acts as a spiritual shield in two dimensions: in this world, it protects the believer from falling into acts of disobedience by fostering self-restraint (taqwa). In the Hereafter, it serves as a protection from the Fire of Hell, as it is a means of expiating sins.
The Etiquette of the Fasting Person
The Prophet's instruction to abstain from "vile language," shouting, and retaliation is crucial. It teaches that the fast is not merely abstention from food and drink, but a comprehensive discipline of the tongue, the senses, and the soul. The prescribed response, "I am fasting," is a reminder to oneself and a declaration of one's spiritual state, curbing anger and completing the fast's objective of attaining God-consciousness.