"The Prophet said: 'Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, says: Fasting is for me I shall reward for it. The fasting person has two moments of joy: When he breaks his fast and when he meets his Lord. By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the smell that comes from the mouth of the fasting person is better before Allah than the fragrance of musk." '
The Book of Fasting - Sunan an-Nasa'i 2213
"The Prophet said: 'Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, says: Fasting is for me I shall reward for it. The fasting person has two moments of joy: When he breaks his fast and when he meets his Lord. By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the smell that comes from the mouth of the fasting person is better before Allah than the fragrance of musk."'
Commentary on the Divine Claim
Allah's declaration "Fasting is for Me" signifies its exclusive divine ownership. Unlike other acts of worship, fasting involves abstaining from natural desires, making its sincerity known only to Allah. This special attribution indicates the immense, unparalleled reward reserved for fasting.
The Two Joys Explained
The first joy at iftar represents immediate relief and gratitude for divine permission to resume lawful pleasures. The second, greater joy occurs in the Hereafter when the fasting person receives their full reward directly from Allah, witnessing the acceptance of their devotion.
The Fragrance of Fasting
The Prophet's oath emphasizes the hadith's supreme authenticity. The fasting person's mouth odor, though unpleasant in this world, transforms into a spiritual fragrance more pleasing to Allah than musk, symbolizing how worldly hardships become celestial honors through sincere worship.