Fasting is not just about holding back hunger and thirst it holds countless fasting benefits for our spiritual and physical well-being. However, some people fast, yet their reward is zero! How is that possible? The Prophet ﷺ has reminded us in the hadith:
رُبَّ صَائِمٍ لَيْسَ لَهُ مِنْ صِيَامِهِ إِلَّا الْجُوعُ وَرُبَّ قَائِمٍ لَيْسَ لَهُ مِنْ قِيَامِهِ إِلَّا السَّهَرُ
“Many people fast, but they don’t get anything from their fast except hunger. And many people pray at night, but do not get anything from their prayers except staying up late.” (Narrated by Ahmad, no. 8693)
This hadith teaches us that fasting is not only about abstaining from food and drink. To truly unlock the fasting benefits, we need to avoid actions that can render our fasting meaningless. What are those actions?
Five Things That Destroy Fasting Benefits
- Gossip and Dirty Talks The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ صَوْمِ أَحَدِكُمْ فَلاَ يَرْفُثْ وَلاَ يَصْخَبْ، فَإِنْ سَابَّهُ أَحَدٌ أَوْ قَاتَلَهُ فَلْيَقُلْ: إِنِّي صَائِمٌ، إِنِّي صَائِمٌ
“When one of you is fasting, do not say dirty words and do not quarrel. If someone insults him or invites him to fight, then let him say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.'” (HR. Bukhari, no. 1904; Muslim, no. 1151)
To truly unlock fasting benefits, it’s essential to control our tongues. Gossiping and speaking ill of others can strip away the rewards of our fasting, leaving us with nothing but hunger.
- Lies and Immoral Deeds The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالعَمَلَ بِهِ، فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ
“Whoever does not leave behind lies and sinful acts, then Allah does not need him to leave his food and drink.” (HR. Bukhari, no. 1903)
Fasting benefits include purifying our hearts and actions. However, if we continue to lie or engage in immorality, the spiritual benefits of fasting are lost.
Also read: Is Hidayah Awaited or Sought?
- Eating Sahur or Breaking the Fast with Haram Food Haram food removes the blessings of fasting. Allah ﷻ says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِلَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ
“O you who believe, eat from the good provisions We have given you and give thanks to Allah if you only worship Him.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 172)
One of the key fasting benefits is to cleanse our body and soul — but consuming unlawful food, like from corruption or usury, cancels this benefit.
- Not Guarding Your Eyes and Desires Fasting is not only about food and drink but also about controlling our eyes and desires. The Prophet ﷺ said:
النَّظْرَةُ سَهْمٌ مِنْ سِهَامِ إِبْلِيسَ
“A glance is a poisoned arrow from Satan’s arrows.” (HR. Al-Hakim, no. 7875)
Fasting benefits include strengthening our self-control. If we continue to watch inappropriate content or indulge in sinful desires, the reward of fasting fades away.
- Wasting Time on Useless Things Ramadan is a month filled with blessings. It’s unfortunate if we spend it idly. The Prophet ﷺ said:
نِعْمَتَانِ مَغْبُونٌ فِيهِمَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ: الصِّحَّةُ وَالْفَرَاغُ
“There are two blessings that many people waste: health and free time.” (HR. Bukhari, no. 6412)
Among the fasting benefits is the opportunity to maximize worship and good deeds. Let’s not waste precious time during this blessed month.
Also read: Tips for a Productive I’tikaf During the Last 10 Nights of Ramadan
The True Losers of Ramadan
One group truly loses in Ramadan: those who fast but still sin. The Prophet ﷺ said:
رَغِمَ أَنْفُ رَجُلٍ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَمَضَانُ، ثُمَّ انْسَلَخَ مِنْهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُغْفَرَ لَهُ
“Woe to the one who finds the month of Ramadan, then Ramadan passes without gaining forgiveness.” (HR. Tirmidhi, no. 3545)
Ramadan only comes once a year. One of the greatest fasting benefits is the chance for forgiveness don’t let it slip away.
Also read: Intention of Fasting in Ramadan: Obligatory or Sunnah? Here’s the Explanation!
Khatimah: Maximize Fasting Benefits, Don’t Let It Go to Waste!
Fasting is more than hunger and thirst. To truly unlock the fasting benefits, we must guard our speech, actions, and intentions. Don’t be among those who lose because their fasting leaves nothing but hunger.
Let’s renew our intentions and improve our deeds. May this Ramadan bring true blessings, purification, and forgiveness from Allah ﷻ. Aamiin.
Also read: Ramadhan Kareem: Time to Increase Faith and Piety!
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References
Al-Qur’an Al-Karim https://tafsirweb.com
Al-Bukhari, Muhammad bin Ismail. Sahih al-Bukhari. Accessed from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/bukhari
Muslim, Abu al-Husain. Sahih Muslim. Accessed from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/muslim.
Tirmidhi, Abu Isa Muhammad bin Isa. Sunan At-Tirmidhi. Accessed from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/
Ahmad bin Hanbal. (1415 AH). Musnad Ahmad. Beirut: Al-Resale Publishing.
Al-Hakim, Abu Abdullah. (1411 AH). Al-Mustadrak ‘ala al-Sahihain. Beirut: Dar Al-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah.