"The Messenger of Allah said: '(Allah says) Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting; it is for me and I shall reward for it. Fasting is a shield. If any one of you is fasting, let him no utter obscene talk or raise his voice in anger, and if anyone insults him or wants to fight, let him say: I am fasting. By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better before Allah than the fragrance of musk. The fasting person has two moments of joy: When he breaks his fast he rejoices at breaking his fast and when he meets his Lord, the Mighty and Sublime, he will rejoice at having fasted." '
The Book of Fasting - Sunan an-Nasa'i 2216
This sacred hadith qudsi, narrated in Sunan an-Nasa'i, contains profound wisdom regarding the spiritual station of fasting in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) conveys the direct words of Allah, elevating fasting above all other acts of worship.
Divine Ownership of Fasting
"Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting; it is for Me and I shall reward for it." This establishes fasting's unique status - while other deeds benefit the servant, fasting is exclusively for Allah's pleasure. The reward is immense and known only to Allah, as He reserves the right to recompense it without measure.
Fasting as Spiritual Protection
"Fasting is a shield" - it protects from sins in this world and from the Fire in the Hereafter. The physical abstinence becomes spiritual armor when accompanied by proper conduct. The prohibition against obscene speech and anger demonstrates that true fasting involves controlling all faculties, not merely abstaining from food and drink.
The Declaration "I am Fasting"
When confronted with provocation, the fasting person should declare their state. This serves as reminder to oneself and others of one's spiritual condition, preventing escalation and maintaining the fast's sanctity. It transforms potential conflict into spiritual opportunity.
The Fragrance of the Fasting Mouth
"The smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better before Allah than the fragrance of musk." This emphasizes how Allah transforms what is physically unpleasant into something spiritually precious. The hardship of fasting becomes a source of divine pleasure.
Dual Joy of the Fasting Person
The first joy at iftar is immediate relief and gratitude. The second, greater joy comes in the Hereafter when meeting Allah and receiving the eternal reward for fasting. This dual reward encompasses both worldly contentment and eternal bliss.