Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … The meaning of "fi sabilillah" (in the way of Allah) — does it refer to jihad or to obedience to Allah? Hafiz Ibn Hajar said: The first mentioned meaning is more correct, because I have seen in "Fawa’id Abi Tahir al-Dhuhli" a hadith narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu with these words: ((There is no one who stands guard (murabit) in the way of Allah and fasts a day in the way of Allah…)). "Whoever stays stationed at the borders in the way of Allah and fasts a day in the way of Allah, …" Ibn Daqiq al-‘Id said: In common usage, this word is used specifically for jihad. (Fath al-Bari: 6/59) It is a separate matter that in such a situation, the one who fasts should be concerned that he does not become so weak that it could be harmful during fighting. In any case, whoever Allah has endowed with determination and strength, he can combine both virtues: that his days and nights are spent in the path of jihad, and for the sake of Allah, he deliberately refrains from eating and drinking as well.