"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Allah, the Mighty and sublime, said: 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 observing a fast, let him not utte obscene a fast, let him not utter obscene talk or raise his voice in anger, and if anyone insults him or wants to fight, let him say: I am a person who is 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." ' (Sahih) This Hadith was narrated from Abu Hurairah by Saeed bin Al-Musayyab.
The Book of Fasting - Sunan an-Nasa'i
Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 2217 | Narrated by Abu Hurairah through Saeed bin Al-Musayyab
Divine Proclamation Regarding Fasting
Allah Almighty declares fasting as uniquely His among all human deeds. While other acts of worship may involve ostentation, fasting's essence is hidden between the servant and his Lord, making it immune to hypocrisy. This exclusive attribution signifies fasting's special status and the unparalleled reward reserved for it.
Fasting as Spiritual Armor
The Prophet ﷺ describes fasting as a "shield" (junnah) - protecting the believer from sins, evil desires, and ultimately from the Hellfire. Just as a physical shield protects from arrows, fasting safeguards the soul from spiritual harm and worldly temptations.
Essential Etiquettes of Fasting
The hadith outlines three critical prohibitions: abstaining from obscene speech, avoiding loud arguments, and restraining anger. True fasting transcends mere hunger and thirst - it requires complete control over one's tongue and temper. When provoked, the fasting person should declare their state of fasting, transforming potential conflict into spiritual opportunity.
The Fragrance of Fasting
The Prophet's solemn oath emphasizes Allah's immense pleasure with the fasting believer. The unpleasant breath resulting from fasting - ordinarily disliked - becomes more beloved to Allah than the finest musk. This illustrates how worldly discomforts are transformed into divine pleasure when endured for Allah's sake.
Scholarly Insights
Imam An-Nawawi explains that fasting is singled out because it contains no element of showing off, unlike prayer, charity, or pilgrimage. Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali notes that declaring "I am fasting" serves as a reminder to oneself and others, preventing escalation while maintaining spiritual focus. This hadith establishes that complete fasting requires both physical abstinence and moral refinement.