Deen Digest | What Prophet Muhammad Said About the Virtues of Fasting
‘I said: O Messenger of Allah, “Which deed is best?”. He (Peace Be Upon Him) said: “Take to fasting, for there is nothing equal to it.”‘- Abu Umamah said. (An-Nasai: 2224)
The above quote narrated by Abu Umama shows that fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam, has a lot of benefits, as Prophet Muhammad described it as incomparable ‘best’ deed.
First, it is essential to acknowledge here that fasting throughout the lunar month of Ramadan is obligatory to all Muslims, as it is prescribed by Allah in the Qur’an in surah Al-Baqarah 2:183 thus: “O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).” Hence, it is believed that every obligatory act of worship in Islam helps Muslims to raise their ranks with Allah and attain piety – “Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.” (Surah Al-Hujuraat 49:13). To buttress this, Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said:“The most beloved deeds with which my slave comes closer to Me are the obligatory deeds.” (Sahih Bukhari: 6502)
According to reports from his disciples, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) highlighted numerous virtues of fasting as a Muslim. Its reward is huge, as it also serves as a buffer against the Fire. More so, he said it is a means of cleansing one’s sins and the best way supplicate to Allah and get answered in no time. Also, the Prophet (PBUH) added that fasting serves as a shield against one’s base desires, as it opens doors of Paradise and closes doors of Hell. Lastly, he affirmed that the fasting person will end well as a true Muslim and martyr.
The question now is: how exactly did Prophet Muhammad explain the virtues of fasting?
This answer to this is briefly presented below.
The reward for fasting is unquantifiable:
As narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:‘Allah said, “All the deeds of Adam’s sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it…. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting.’ (Sahih Bukhari: 1904)
In other words, only Allah knows best what will be the reward given by Him on the day of resurrection to a fasting person. This is why numerous Islamic scholars interpreted the above latter hadith to mean Allah Himself will ask a fasting person what is his wish and whatever they will ask for, Allah will grant.
Fasting is a shield against the Fire:
” … Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire (Hell) and from committing sins … ” (Sahih Bukhari: 1904)
On the Day of Judgment, “Fasting will say: O My Lord I prevented him from food and desires, so accept my intercession for him.” (Imam Ahmad: 6589)
Also, Abu Huryirah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” (Sahih Bukhari: 1899)
Additionally, Abu Saeed Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), said: ‘I heard the Prophet (PBUH) saying, “Indeed, anyone who fasts for one day for Allah’s Pleasure, Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years.”’ (Sahih Bukhari: 2840)
Lastly, Muadh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: ‘I said: “O Messenger of Allah, tell me of an act which will take me into Paradise and keep me away from Hell-Fire.” He said: “You have asked me about a major matter, yet it is easy for him for whom Allah Almighty makes it easy. You should fast in Ramadan.” Then he (PBUH) said: “Shall I not show you the gates of goodness? Fasting is a shield.”’ (Tirmidhi: 2616)
This means that Allah will protect the fasting person from the fire of hell as Allah Has said in this Hadith Qudsi that Fasting is a shield from the fire and committing sins. And we all know that freedom from the fire of hell means Paradise (Jannah) which is ultimate goal of every Muslim.
Fasting is a means for one’s sins to be forgiven:
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.” (Sahih Bukhari: 38)
The supplication of the fasting person is answered:
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said: “There are three whose supplications are not turned back: … a fasting person until he breaks his fast. …” (Ibn Majah: 1752)
The fasting person will be among the true followers of the prophets and the martyrs:
Amr ibn Murrah Al-Juhani (may Allah be pleased with him) said: ‘A man from Qudah came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said, “O Messenger of Allah! What do you think if I testify that there is no god except Allah and that you, Mohammad, is His Messenger, and I pray the five daily prayers, and fast in the month (of Ramadan), and pray at night in Ramadan, and pay Zakat?” The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever dies on that will be among the ‘Siddiqeen’ (those who tell the truth) and the martyrs.” (Sahih Ibn Hibbaan)
Fasting is a shield against one’s base desires:
Abdullah Ibn Masud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that: ‘We went with Allah’s Messenger, while we were young men who had nothing. He (PBUH) said: “O young men! You should marry, for indeed it helps in lowering the gaze and protecting the private parts. Whoever among you is not able to marry, then let him fast, for indeed fasting will diminish his sexual desire.”’ (Tirmidhi: 1081)
Doors of Paradise Is Open, while Doors of Hell Is Closed:
Sahl Ibn Saad (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to observe fasts?’ They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it.” (Sahih Bukhari: 1896)
Arfajah, one of the disciples of the Prophet (PBUH) said: “We were with `Utbah Ibn Farqad while he was discussing Ramadan. A companion of the Prophet entered upon the scene. When `Utbah saw him, he became shy and stopped talking. The man (the companion) spoke about Ramadan, saying “I heard the Messenger of Allah say during Ramadan: ‘The gates of Hell are closed, the gates of Paradise are opened, and the devils are in chains. An angel calls out: ‘O you who intend to do good deeds, have glad tidings. O you who intend to do evil, refrain, until Ramadan is completed.” (Nasai: 2107)
To sum up, according to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the spiritual benefit of Fasting is immeasurable. He said that fasting serves is a shield against the Fire; it is a means for one’s sins to be forgiven; the supplication of the fasting person is answered; it is a shield against one’s base desires; doors of Paradise open, doors of Hell closed; and the fasting person will be among the true followers of the prophets and the martyrs.
Undoubtedly, fasting subdues the desires and reduces their severity, and that it is these desires and lusts that lead to Hell Fire, then you will see how fasting comes between a fasting person and Hell Fire and you will rush to fast in Ramadan and after Ramadan in the best possible way.
Once we realize the greatness of fasting and what achievement it leads to, we must put all our efforts in performing fasting in the best manner possible. And since fasting is worship, it must be done solely for Allah’s sake, and no intention is accepted, other than pleasing Allah and seeking His Face with all one’s sincerity. Without a correct intention, no deed is of any value in the Hereafter. We must constantly verify our intentions and consider why we perform fasting. Do we do so merely because it is the practice of our parents and friends, or do we do so because it is part of our tradition, or perhaps because we simply want to conform to our environment in order to avoid any problems? A Muslim who realizes that only that which is with Allah remains, and that He is the only One who grants and withholds, would not be of those to which the Prophet (PBUH) alluded in the Hadith: “On the Day of Judgment, a caller will cry out, ‘Whoever performed deed for someone other than Allah may seek his reward from that for which he performed the deed’ ” (Sahih Al-Jami)
