Explanation of the Hadith: “Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting…”
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Question:
In the Qudsi Hadith: “Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting, for that is for Me and I shall reward it.” I would like an explanation of this hadith. Why is fasting singled out for this specific distinction?
Answer:
Praise be to Allah. This is a great and authentic hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), in which he reports from his Lord (Mighty and Majestic) that He said: “Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting, for that is for Me and I shall reward it” [Narrated by Imam al-Bukhari in his Sahih, vol. 2, p. 226, from the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), in similar wording]. This hadith contains the virtue and excellence of fasting among all other deeds, and that Allah has singled it out for Himself among the deeds of the servant. The scholars have answered the statement: “Fasting is for Me and I shall reward it” [Narrated by Imam al-Bukhari in his Sahih, vol. 2, p. 226, from the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), in similar wording] with several answers. Some said that the meaning of the statement: “Fasting is for Me and I shall reward it” [Narrated by Imam al-Bukhari in his Sahih, vol. 2, p. 226, from the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), in similar wording] is that the deeds of the son of Adam may be subject to retribution between him and those he has wronged. Thus, the wronged parties will take retribution from him on the Day of Resurrection by taking some of his deeds and good deeds, as in the hadith where a man comes on the Day of Resurrection with righteous deeds like mountains, and he has insulted this one, beaten that one, or eaten the wealth of another. So, some of his good deeds are taken for this one and some for that one, until his good deeds are exhausted and nothing remains. Then, the sins of the wronged parties are taken and placed upon him, and he is thrown into the Fire [See Sahih al-Imam Muslim, vol. 4, p. 1997, from the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)]. Except for fasting, for it is not taken for the creditors on the Day of Resurrection; rather, Allah (Mighty and Majestic) reserves it for the doer, rewarding him with it. This is indicated by the statement: “Every deed of the son of Adam has an expiation except fasting, for that is for Me and I shall reward it.” That is, the deeds of the sons of Adam are subject to retribution, and the creditors take them on the Day of Resurrection if they have been wronged, except for fasting. For Allah preserves it, and the creditors do not have power over it; it remains for its owner with Allah (Mighty and Majestic). It was also said that the meaning of the statement: “Fasting is for Me and I shall reward it” is that fasting is an internal deed that no one knows except Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). It is a heartfelt intention, unlike other deeds which are apparent and seen by people. As for fasting, it is a secret deed between the servant and his Lord (Mighty and Majestic). For this reason, He says: “Fasting is for Me and I shall reward it, for he has left his desire, food, and drink for My sake.” The fact that he left his desire and food for the sake of Allah is an internal deed and a hidden intention that no one knows except Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). This is unlike charity, for example, or prayer, Hajj, and other apparent deeds, which people see. As for fasting, no one sees it; because the meaning of fasting is not merely leaving food and drink or leaving things that break the fast, but along with that, it must be pure for Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and this is known only to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). And the statement: “He has left…” and so on, is an explanation of the statement: “Fasting is for Me and I shall reward it.” Some scholars say that the meaning of the statement: “Fasting is for Me and I shall reward it” is that no shirk (associating partners with Allah) enters into fasting, unlike other deeds, for the polytheists offer them to their deities, such as slaughtering, vows, and other types of worship. Likewise, supplication, fear, and hope, for many polytheists draw near to their idols and deities with these things. Unlike fasting, it is not mentioned that the polytheists used to fast for their idols and deities. Thus, fasting is specific to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). On this view, the meaning of the statement: “Fasting is for Me and I shall reward it” is that no shirk enters into it, because the polytheists did not draw near to their idols with it; rather, they only drew near to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) through fasting.
In the Qudsi Hadith: “Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting, for that is for Me and I shall reward it.” I would like an explanation of this hadith. Why is fasting singled out for this specific distinction?
Answer:
Praise be to Allah. This is a great and authentic hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), in which he reports from his Lord (Mighty and Majestic) that He said: “Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting, for that is for Me and I shall reward it” [Narrated by Imam al-Bukhari in his Sahih, vol. 2, p. 226, from the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), in similar wording]. This hadith contains the virtue and excellence of fasting among all other deeds, and that Allah has singled it out for Himself among the deeds of the servant. The scholars have answered the statement: “Fasting is for Me and I shall reward it” [Narrated by Imam al-Bukhari in his Sahih, vol. 2, p. 226, from the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), in similar wording] with several answers. Some said that the meaning of the statement: “Fasting is for Me and I shall reward it” [Narrated by Imam al-Bukhari in his Sahih, vol. 2, p. 226, from the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), in similar wording] is that the deeds of the son of Adam may be subject to retribution between him and those he has wronged. Thus, the wronged parties will take retribution from him on the Day of Resurrection by taking some of his deeds and good deeds, as in the hadith where a man comes on the Day of Resurrection with righteous deeds like mountains, and he has insulted this one, beaten that one, or eaten the wealth of another. So, some of his good deeds are taken for this one and some for that one, until his good deeds are exhausted and nothing remains. Then, the sins of the wronged parties are taken and placed upon him, and he is thrown into the Fire [See Sahih al-Imam Muslim, vol. 4, p. 1997, from the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)]. Except for fasting, for it is not taken for the creditors on the Day of Resurrection; rather, Allah (Mighty and Majestic) reserves it for the doer, rewarding him with it. This is indicated by the statement: “Every deed of the son of Adam has an expiation except fasting, for that is for Me and I shall reward it.” That is, the deeds of the sons of Adam are subject to retribution, and the creditors take them on the Day of Resurrection if they have been wronged, except for fasting. For Allah preserves it, and the creditors do not have power over it; it remains for its owner with Allah (Mighty and Majestic). It was also said that the meaning of the statement: “Fasting is for Me and I shall reward it” is that fasting is an internal deed that no one knows except Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). It is a heartfelt intention, unlike other deeds which are apparent and seen by people. As for fasting, it is a secret deed between the servant and his Lord (Mighty and Majestic). For this reason, He says: “Fasting is for Me and I shall reward it, for he has left his desire, food, and drink for My sake.” The fact that he left his desire and food for the sake of Allah is an internal deed and a hidden intention that no one knows except Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). This is unlike charity, for example, or prayer, Hajj, and other apparent deeds, which people see. As for fasting, no one sees it; because the meaning of fasting is not merely leaving food and drink or leaving things that break the fast, but along with that, it must be pure for Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and this is known only to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). And the statement: “He has left…” and so on, is an explanation of the statement: “Fasting is for Me and I shall reward it.” Some scholars say that the meaning of the statement: “Fasting is for Me and I shall reward it” is that no shirk (associating partners with Allah) enters into fasting, unlike other deeds, for the polytheists offer them to their deities, such as slaughtering, vows, and other types of worship. Likewise, supplication, fear, and hope, for many polytheists draw near to their idols and deities with these things. Unlike fasting, it is not mentioned that the polytheists used to fast for their idols and deities. Thus, fasting is specific to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). On this view, the meaning of the statement: “Fasting is for Me and I shall reward it” is that no shirk enters into it, because the polytheists did not draw near to their idols with it; rather, they only drew near to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) through fasting.
Source
www.alfawzan.af.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.