We have published a number of posts on fasting which can be accessed from our reference page: Ramadan: The Month of Fasting and Blessings. Therefore we will not explain what is fasting, its dynamic, which month it is observed for almost 30 days. Today, we share a Hadith Qudsi attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in which the revered prophets explains the immense reward Allah promises for the believers who fast for the love of Him and abstain from acts that are otherwise permissible for them other than the month of Ramadan.
This Hadith has been narrated by Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) who quotes Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as saying:
Every (good) deed of the son of Adam would be multiplied, a good deed receiving a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward. Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, has said: With the exception of fasting, for it is done for Me and I will give a reward for it, for one abandons his passion and food for My sake. There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts, joy when he breaks it, and joy when he meets his Lord, and the breath (of an observer of fast) is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk.
In the Hadith above, three important things are mentioned: The reward of ordinary good deeds and actions, the immense reward promised by Allah for the believers who fast for the love of Allah and the joy of the fasting believers. Let us unpack this Hadith with emphasis on these three aspects.
Detailed Explanation
- “Every good deed is multiplied…” Normally the reward mentioned for good deeds ranges from 10 times to even 700 times depending on the sincerity of the believer. This is based on Qur’ān 6:160: “Whoever brings a good deed will have ten like it…” But when it comes to fasting, the amount of the rewards gets an unimaginable boost.
- “Except fasting — it is for Me”
- This is a Hadith Qudsi (Allah speaking through the Prophet ﷺ). Therefore the promise for reward of the fasting believers comes directly from Allah.
- Scholars explain why fasting is singled out:
- It is Purely for Allah: All forms of worship like prayer, charity and Hajj are visible. But fasting? Only Allah truly knows if you are fasting. A person can secretly eat — but he does not. Why? Because of pure sincerity (Ikhlāṣ) - in fact fasting establishes a one to one connection between Allah and the believer.
- It Involves Abandoning Desires Allah says: “He abandons his passion and food for My sake.” This is not a small sacrifice for the love of Allah. In act fasting is not just hunger — it is control of desires, anger, ego, and speech. In fact fasting shapes the complete complexion of the character of the believers and trains soul (nafs).
- “I will reward it”
- This is a tall divine promise and whenever Allah makes a decision, it is always upheld.
- Scholars are of the opinion that this promised Divine reward will be limitless and beyond normal multiplication and that it will be uniquely honored by Allah.
- Some scholars said: Other deeds are measured — fasting’s reward is immeasurable.
- The Two Joys: These are the two hallmark of fasting for a believer.
- Joy at Iftar: Those who have been hungry and thirsty for a lone period of time can rightly feel the joy when they are fed and given water to drink. Same is the joyous feeling of a fasting believer at the time of Iftar, the time of breaking the fast soon after the adhan of Maghrib, the evening prayer. One really feels a Physical relief, Sense of accomplishment and Spiritual satisfaction. One feels immense Gratitude for passing the day's test Allah had put him through. The joy is not just eating — it is fulfillment of obedience.
- Joy When Meeting Allah
- This is the most happy thing that can happen to a fasting believer, who passed the test of fasting during the entire month of Ramadan by ensuring adhering to all norms of fasting.
- On the Day of Judgment: When fasting appears in a believer's book of deeds, and when he sees an massive reward, a reflective of the promised fulfilled by Allah, that joy will be greater than any worldly happiness.
- And then he will be afforded an exclusive audience with Allah - a rewards that is unparalleled to any amount of worldly joy one may have ever experienced.
- This links beautifully to one's previous reflections about the Hereafter — fasting is an investment for that meeting.
- “The smell of the fasting person…”
- When a person hasn't eaten or drank for a long time, a type of foul smell emits from his mouth - likewise fasting believers also feel this smell. But for Allah, this smell is far sweeter than the smell of the musk for it comes from an act exclusively undertaken for Allah.
- Although, hunger changes breath, but when viewed spiritually, the smell represents sacrifice. What people may dislike, Allah honors - for Allah values effort over appearance.
- This teaches a deep principle: Allah looks at sincerity, not outward perfection.
Core Spiritual Lessons from the Hadith
- Fasting builds sincerity.
- It disciplines desire.
- It prepares you for meeting Allah.
- It shows that hidden deeds may be the most beloved.
- Reward with Allah is beyond imagination.
Connection to Qur’ān
This hadith reflects Qur’an 2:183: “Fasting has been prescribed upon you so that you may attain taqwa.”
This means that Fasting is not starvation — it is spiritual transformation. Those who sincerely fast, feel a strange spiritual transformation and a sense of elation for they have carried out a an eact of worship so exclusive and lovable by Allah Himself. So let us fast as best as we should, sacrificing our needs and relations not as a show off, but to sincerely reflect on its essence and immense rewards it carry for our salvation.
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.
| Photo | 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. one may also consult local Muslim Imaan of the masjid for more clarification.
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