Hadith Commentary: The Excellence of Fasting

This sacred tradition from Sunan an-Nasa'i 2214 contains profound wisdom regarding the spiritual status of fasting in Islam. The Book of Fasting by Sunan an-Nasa'i preserves this divine communication (Hadith Qudsi) where Allah speaks in the first person, elevating fasting above all other acts of worship.

Divine Ownership of Fasting

"Fasting is for Me" indicates that unlike other acts of worship which may be tainted by ostentation, fasting is purely between the servant and Allah. Since fasting involves abstaining from lawful desires rather than performing visible actions, it remains protected from showing off (riya').

"I shall reward for it" signifies that Allah Himself, without intermediary, will recompense the fasting person. The reward is immense and beyond measure, as indicated by the divine promise.

The Two Joys of the Fasting Person

The first joy occurs at iftar (breaking fast) - a legitimate pleasure after fulfilling Allah's command and experiencing hunger and thirst for His sake.

The second, greater joy comes on the Day of Judgment when the believer meets his Lord and receives the full reward for his fasting. This eternal joy surpasses all worldly pleasures.

The Spiritual Fragrance

"The smell that comes from the mouth of the fasting person" refers to the natural breath odor resulting from emptiness of the stomach. While physically unpleasant in this world, Allah transforms this hardship into something beloved in the spiritual realm.

This odor becomes "better than the fragrance of musk" before Allah, demonstrating how physical hardships endured for Allah's pleasure are transformed into spiritual honors. The contrast between worldly perception and divine valuation teaches us to prioritize Allah's pleasure over human opinions.