📖Sahih al-Bukhari 1894
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, ‘I am fasting.” The Prophet (ﷺ) added, “By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), ‘He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times.”
- This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari, specifically Hadith number 1894. It is narrated by Abu Huraira and conveys a message about the virtues and guidelines of fasting in Islam. Here is the meaning of the hadith: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that fasting serves as a shield, protecting the person observing it from various sins and temptations. Therefore, while fasting, a person should abstain from sexual relations with their spouse and avoid engaging in foolish or impudent behavior. If someone tries to provoke or fight with a fasting person, they should calmly respond by saying, “I am fasting,” to remind the aggressor of their spiritual state. The Prophet further emphasized the spiritual significance of fasting by stating that the breath of a fasting person is more pleasing to Allah than the fragrance of musk. This comparison symbolizes the high regard in which Allah holds those who willingly give up their food, drink, and physical desires for the sake of Allah during the fast. Allah recognizes and rewards the fasting person for their sacrifice, multiplying the reward for their good deeds tenfold.
Overall, this hadith highlights the physical, behavioral, and spiritual aspects of fasting in Islam, encouraging Muslims to observe fasting sincerely and to uphold proper conduct while fasting.
