"Abu Umamah Al-Bahili narrated to me: 'I said: O Messenger of Allah, tell me of something by which Allah will benefic me. He said: Take to fasting, for there is nothing like it."'
Hadith Text & Reference
"Abu Umamah Al-Bahili narrated to me: 'I said: O Messenger of Allah, tell me of something by which Allah will benefit me. He said: Take to fasting, for there is nothing like it.'"
Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i 2221 | The Book of Fasting
Commentary on the Narration
This profound hadith demonstrates the Companion Abu Umamah's earnest quest for spiritual excellence, as he directly petitions the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for guidance toward ultimate benefit.
The Prophet's response, "Take to fasting, for there is nothing like it," constitutes a comprehensive spiritual prescription. The Arabic imperative "ʿalayka" carries the meaning of persistent adherence and making fasting an integral part of one's spiritual practice.
The Unparalleled Nature of Fasting
Scholars explain that fasting's uniqueness lies in its being a purely spiritual act hidden from creation, making it less susceptible to ostentation (riya'). Unlike prayer, charity, or pilgrimage, fasting involves abstaining rather than performing, making it a pure act of obedience.
Imam Al-Nawawi comments that fasting holds special status because it is an act of worship between the servant and Lord alone, with no intermediary. Allah declares in the sacred hadith: "Every deed of the son of Adam is for himself except fasting, for it is for Me and I shall reward it."
Comprehensive Benefits of Fasting
Spiritual Benefits: Fasting cultivates taqwa (God-consciousness), weakens carnal desires, and elevates the soul through self-restraint and devotion.
Physical Benefits: It purifies the body, provides digestive rest, and promotes health when practiced correctly according to prophetic guidance.
Social Benefits: Fasting fosters empathy for the less fortunate and strengthens communal bonds through shared spiritual experience.
Scholarly Conclusion
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali summarizes that this hadith establishes fasting as the supreme act of worship for attaining nearness to Allah. Its comprehensive benefits encompass this world and the hereafter, making it the most complete means of spiritual purification and divine proximity.