Tirmidhi

Commentary:
Note:
(The Nafi‘ ibn Abi Nafi‘ present in the chain is actually Nafi‘ Abu Dawud al-A‘ma, who is abandoned (matruk). In fact, Ibn Ma‘in declared him a liar. See Tahdhib al-Tahdhib.)

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
(1)
As-siyam junnah:
Fasting is a shield,
which protects the fasting person from the attacks of Satan and the self (nafs).
It protects him from indecent and obscene speech,
from commotion and uproar,
from cursing and quarrelling.
For this reason, in Sahih al-Bukhari, there is a narration from Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
Whoever does not give up false and vain speech and false actions while fasting, then Allah has no need for him to abstain from food and drink.
In this way, fasting becomes a shield for a person against sin and disobedience and the violation of the limits of the Shariah, and it becomes a shield from Allah’s wrath and displeasure, and due to protection from the attacks of Satan and the self, it will also become a shield from the place of Allah’s displeasure and wrath, the fire of Hell.

(2)
Lissaimi farhatan:
When a believing servant is relieved from fulfilling Allah’s obligation, he is happy at the success granted by Allah for performing the deed, that He gave him the ability to fulfill the obligation and the right.
The second happiness will be when, on the Day of Resurrection, he will receive the reward and recompense for fasting without limit or measure.

(3)
Khalufu fam as-sa’im:
As a result of hunger and thirst, the odor that emanates from the mouth of the fasting person—just as the fragrance of musk is pleasant, beloved, and desirable to people—undoubtedly, with Allah, the odor from the mouth of the fasting person is even more beloved and preferred than the fragrance of musk.
However, this odor of the mouth
is not removed by the use of the tooth-stick (miswak) and the like,
therefore, the fasting person does not need to deprive himself of the reward of using the tooth-stick (miswak) with ablution (wudu).

In summary, the special virtues and blessings of fasting mentioned in the hadith of Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu
are for those fasting people
whose fast becomes a shield not only from carnal desires and eating and drinking, but also from sins and evil and undesirable words and actions.
Whoever fasts but does not refrain from evil deeds and wrong words, for him there is no virtue or blessing except hunger and thirst.

(4)
Rafath:
Indecent and lustful,
filthy words and actions.

(5)
Al-jahl:
The opposite of forbearance (hilm) and wisdom (hikmah),
provocative and emotional speech and action,
unwise and incorrect speech and action.

(6)
Khalafah:
Khaluf,
the odor of the mouth that arises as a result of an empty stomach.

(7)
Sakhab, sakhb:
Shouting and yelling,
uproar and commotion.

Benefits and Issues:
With Allah, fasting has such virtue and status that, regarding the good deeds of the blessed Ummah, the general divine law is that the reward for one good deed is at least tenfold.
However, sometimes, due to special circumstances, the appropriateness of the time and place, and the sincerity and quality of the doer, the reward for good deeds reaches up to seven hundred times.
But fasting is exempted and elevated above this general law of mercy,
because fasting is observed solely and only for the sake of Allah’s pleasure and approval,
in which ostentation (riya) cannot occur. Whoever wishes to show off can participate in an iftar gathering by eating and drinking without fasting.
Therefore, it is said:
He leaves his desires and his food and drink for My sake alone,
so I Myself will grant him the reward and recompense for his sacrifice and self-restraint as I wish. And it can also mean that in fasting, a person temporarily, for a certain period, becomes a manifestation of Allah’s attribute of self-sufficiency and independence, and abstains and refrains from his natural and innate needs for the sake of attaining Allah’s pleasure and approval.

Benefits and Issues:

➊ By "the words of Allah" is meant His speech, His decrees, and His power.

➋ This is an excellent supplication for seeking protection from the evil of humans, jinn, animals, and insects.

➌ This supplication should be recited in the morning and evening.