Rewards of a Single Day’s Fasting

📖Sahih al-Bukhari 2840
Narrated Abu Said: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “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.”

Explanation of the Hadith

🔹 This hadith emphasizes the immense reward and spiritual benefit of fasting when done sincerely for the sake of Allah. However, fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drink—it is a comprehensive act of worship that requires adherence to moral and ethical principles.

The Hadith Does Not Apply to Mere Abstinence from Food & Drink

🔹 A person does not gain the reward mentioned in this hadith just by staying hungry and thirsty. Instead, fasting must be done in accordance with Islamic teachings, which means:

✅ Avoiding what is forbidden during fasting:

• Lying, gossip, and backbiting

• Engaging in disputes or fights

• Looking at haram (forbidden) things

• Indulging in any sinful or immoral actions

✅ Following what is commanded during fasting:

• Observing prayers regularly

• Reading and reflecting on the Qur’an

• Engaging in (remembrance of Allah)

• Showing patience and good character

• Giving charity and helping those in need

📖Sahih al-Bukhari 1903
“Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink.”

🔹 This means that fasting is not just a physical exercise—it is a spiritual discipline. If someone continues to engage in sinful behavior, their fast loses its true value in the sight of Allah.

Qur’anic Context: Fasting and Righteousness

📖Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183
“O you who have believed, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain Taqwa (God-consciousness).”

🔹 The true purpose of fasting is not hunger—it is Taqwa, or increased awareness of Allah, leading to righteous actions.

📖Surah Al-Baqarah 2:197
“And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa.”

🔹 The best preparation for the Hereafter is righteousness, not just ritual acts of worship.

Acts That Strengthen the Reward of Fasting

✅ Guarding the tongue – Avoiding falsehood, insults, and gossip.
✅ Controlling anger – Responding with patience and wisdom.
✅ Performing extra prayers – Using Ramadan nights for Tahajjud.
✅ Helping the poor – Giving zakah and charity.
✅ Seeking forgiveness – Using fasting as an opportunity for purification.

🔹 Fasting alone is not enough to guarantee the reward mentioned in the hadith. The hadith applies only when a person follows the full discipline of fasting—avoiding sins and engaging in righteous deeds.

🔹 Islam teaches a holistic approach to salvation, where fasting is one means of gaining Allah’s mercy, but it must be combined with good character, worship, and moral conduct to be truly effective.

Major Prohibitions in Islam

📖Prohibition of murder:
“Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.” (Qur’an 5:32)

📖Prohibition of adultery:
“And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.” (Qur’an 17:32)

📖Prohibition of associating partners with Allah:
“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.” (Qur’an 4:48)