“Fasting is a shield by which the servant seeks protection from the Fire.”
Narrated by al-Ṭabarānī in al-Kabīr (no. 8386, with his wording), Ibn Mājah (no. 1639), and al-Nasā’ī (no. 2230), from the ḥadīth of ʿUthmān ibn Abī al-ʿĀṣ (may Allah be pleased with him).
Also narrated by Aḥmad (no. 14669) and al-Bayhaqī in Shuʿab al-Īmān (no. 3292), from the ḥadīth of Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him).
Authenticated in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ (no. 3867) and Ṣaḥīḥ al-Targhīb wa-l-Tarhīb (no. 981).
Brief Explanation of the Hadith
Fasting is a great act of worship, one of the most elevated means of drawing near to Allah. Allah has singled it out for immense virtue and made it a protection for His servant in this world and the Hereafter. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) indicated its high status by saying: “Fasting is a shield by which the servant seeks protection from the Fire.”
That is, a protection and strong fortress that shields the fasting person from causes of ruin. It restrains him from desires and prevents him from prohibited acts, for it weakens the power of passion, thereby serving as a means of safety from sins in this world and from the punishment of the Fire in the Hereafter.
This is further affirmed by the Prophet’s (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) statement: “…and whoever is unable to marry, let him fast, for it will be a shield for him,” because fasting restrains desire, which is among the greatest avenues through which Satan approaches the servant. Thus, if a Muslim disciplines himself through fasting and guards against that which diminishes its reward, his fast becomes a protection for him from the Fire. For this reason, the reward of fasting was greatly emphasized, as the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said to Abū Umāmah al-Bāhilī (may Allah be pleased with him): “Observe fasting, for there is nothing like it.”
The ḥadīth indicates the immense virtue of fasting, that it is an act of worship whose effect is evident in a servant’s conduct, serving as protection from sins in this world and from the Fire on the Day of Judgment.