Since a servant of Allah willingly opt to abstain for everything which are otherwise Halal (permissible) from dawn to dusk solely for the pleasure of Allah, an immense reward has been promised both in this world and the hereafter.
* Also read our exclusive post: What you really need to know to better benefit from fasting in the month of Ramadan
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in one of his hadiths has mentioned the Divine reward which elevates the spirits of the believers and act as an incentive to fast, not only restricted to compulsory fasting for the entire month in the month f Ramadan, but also otherwise as well.
This Hadith is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī (Book 56: Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad) / كتاب الجهاد والسير / Chapter 36: The superiority of observing Saum in Allah's Cause / باب فَضْلِ الصَّوْمِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ / as Hadith 2840, given herein under:
Narrated by Abu Sa`id:
I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) 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."
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ نَصْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَسُهَيْلُ بْنُ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، أَنَّهُمَا سَمِعَا النُّعْمَانَ بْنَ أَبِي عَيَّاشٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " مَنْ صَامَ يَوْمًا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بَعَّدَ اللَّهُ وَجْهَهُ عَنِ النَّارِ سَبْعِينَ خَرِيفًا ".
This hadith, narrated by Abu Sa`id, is found in Sahih Muslim and it highlights the immense reward that Allah promises for those who fast for His pleasure. Before we expand the meaning of this hadith, let us see Why is fasting so significant?
Fasting holds a special status in Islam. As mentioned in other hadiths, fasting is an act that is done purely for Allah, and it is directly associated with Allah’s reward. Unlike other acts of worship, where people may engage in them for various reasons (e.g., public recognition, social approval), fasting is an act that is mostly hidden from others, making it purely for Allah's sight.
The hadith reassures Muslims that even a small sacrifice made for the sake of Allah—such as fasting for a single day—has immense benefits, including protection from Hellfire and an increased likelihood of entering Paradise.
The reward for fasting is beyond measure, and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ spoke extensively about it in various sayings (hadith). Some of the most famous hadiths regarding the reward for fasting include:
- Hadith from Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim: “Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward will have his past sins forgiven.” This hadith shows that fasting during Ramadan with sincerity can lead to the forgiveness of sins, provided it is done with a true desire for Allah's reward and not for mere ritual.
- Hadith from Sahih Muslim: “Every action of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting; it is for Me, and I will reward it. He gives up his food, drink, and desires for My sake. Fasting is a shield. When it is the day of fasting, he should not act in an obscene or ignorant manner. If someone fights or insults him, let him say: ‘I am fasting.’” This hadith emphasizes that fasting is particularly beloved to Allah, as it is done purely for His sake and is not for show. The reward for fasting is promised directly by Allah, and He will reward it in ways beyond human comprehension.
- Hadith from Sahih Bukhari: “In Paradise, there is a gate called Ar-Rayyan. On the Day of Judgment, those who used to fast will enter through it, and no one else will enter through it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to fast?’ They will stand up, and none will enter except them.” This hadith describes the exclusive reward for those who fast, with a special gate in Paradise reserved just for them. It emphasizes that fasting has a distinct and honorable reward in the Hereafter.
- Hadith from Sahih Muslim: “There is nothing equal to fasting, for it is the shield of a believer. If you fast, you can be saved from the fire and granted entry into Paradise.” Fasting serves as a protective shield for a believer, keeping them away from harmful actions and sin. The reward is also tied to the eternal reward of Paradise.
Fasting for Allah is an act of worship that helps purify the soul and develop a deeper sense of devotion. In the Qur'an, fasting is prescribed to attain righteousness (taqwa) and is an opportunity to gain Allah's mercy. The reward for fasting, as indicated in the hadiths, is immense. It includes the forgiveness of past sins, protection from the Hellfire, and a special place in Paradise reserved for the fasts. Ultimately, fasting is an act that is deeply valued by Allah and is rewarded in ways that transcend human understanding.
Let us now expand the meaning of this Hadith and the immense pleasure hidden in as a reward for the fasting believers.
Explanation:
"Anyone who fasts for one day for Allah's pleasure": This part of the hadith refers to a person who observes fasting with a sincere intention, purely for the sake of Allah. The key point here is that the fast must be for Allah’s pleasure—a person should not fast for show or for any worldly gain but solely to fulfill their religious duty and seek Allah’s reward.
"Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire": The face is often mentioned as a symbol of the whole person in Islamic tradition. In this context, the hadith implies that the person will be protected from the torment of Hell in its entirety. The phrase emphasizes that fasting for Allah’s sake serves as a shield from the severe consequences of Hellfire.
"For (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years": The reward is described in terms of distance, which is a metaphorical way of indicating the vastness of Allah's protection. Seventy years of travel is an immense distance, and this is to emphasize just how significant the reward is. It shows that fasting for one day brings about a protection from Hellfire so vast that it is as though a person’s distance from it is 70 years of journey. In other words, fasting not only protects a person from Hellfire but does so in a way that far exceeds the normal human sense of safety and protection.
The deeper meaning of this hadith:
- The importance of intention: The key to this reward lies in fasting for Allah's pleasure. If someone fasts with the intention of earning Allah’s favor and reward, it has a significant spiritual benefit. The hadith emphasizes that even one day of fasting, if done sincerely for Allah, can have such a powerful protective effect.
- The power of a single day of fasting: This hadith magnifies the impact of a single day of fasting. It suggests that fasting is so valuable in the sight of Allah that even if a person fasts for just one day, the protection from Hellfire is incredibly vast and significant. It is a reminder that even small acts of devotion, when done sincerely for Allah, carry great rewards.
- The reward is greater than the act itself: The reward of being kept away from the Hellfire for a distance of seventy years reflects the immense mercy and generosity of Allah. This hadith serves to encourage believers to engage in fasting, knowing that the act, though seemingly simple, brings about an unparalleled reward in the Hereafter.
The hadith thus, is a powerful reminder of the significance of fasting in Islam. Even fasting for one day with sincerity can have far-reaching rewards, such as protection from the torment of Hell. It illustrates Allah's mercy and the great spiritual benefits that come from sincere worship. Through fasting, Muslims not only seek Allah’s pleasure but also earn His protection and mercy, leading to salvation in the Hereafter.
Let us fast as much we can, not to tell others how pious and fearful of Allah we are, but to silently please Allah and expect the reward promised for us.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Saum - Fasting in Ramadan for more Hadiths on the subject
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Source of Hadith | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the Hadith
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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