❀ Backbiting Does Not Break the Fast but Destroys Its Reward ❀
Written by: Qārī Usāmah bin ʿAbd al-Salām ḥafiẓahullāh
Some narrations mention that “the fast tears apart or is broken by backbiting.” According to ḥadīth scholars (muḥaddithīn), this specific narration is weak, but its meaning is supported by authentic narrations that affirm: backbiting destroys the spiritual essence and reward of fasting.
Imām al-Ṭabarānī رحمه الله reported the following in al-Muʿjam al-Kabīr:
al-Muʿjam al-Kabīr, ḥadīth: 10752
"الصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ مَا لَمْ يَخْرِقْهَا، قِيلَ: بِمَ يَخْرِقُهَا؟ قَالَ: بِالْكَذِبِ وَالْغِيبَةِ"
Translation:
“Fasting is a shield, as long as it is not torn apart.”
It was asked: “What tears it apart?”
He ﷺ replied: “Lying and backbiting.”
This narration is classified as weak (ḍaʿīf) due to certain weak narrators in its chain. However, its meaning is validated through multiple authentic narrations which prove that lying and backbiting diminish the spiritual reward and blessings of fasting.
The term “tearing the fast” does not imply that the fast becomes invalid in a legal (sharʿī) sense, but rather that its reward and spiritual effect is severely diminished.
Authentic narrations clearly emphasize that a person who lies, backbites, or engages in obscene talk while fasting, gains no value in Allah's sight merely by abstaining from food and drink.
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, ḥadīth: 1903
"مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ، فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ"
Translation:
“Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, then Allah has no need for him to give up his food and drink.”
◈ Backbiting does not nullify the fast in a legal sense, but it destroys its reward and blessings.
◈ To gain the full benefits of fasting, one must guard the tongue, otherwise the fast becomes nothing more than mere hunger.
◈ If a person engages in backbiting, he should repent immediately and seek forgiveness, so that Allah may accept his fast.
May Allah grant us true understanding of the essence of fasting and the ability to fulfill its demands, Āmīn!
Written by: Qārī Usāmah bin ʿAbd al-Salām ḥafiẓahullāh
❖ Backbiting and Its Impact on Fasting
Some narrations mention that “the fast tears apart or is broken by backbiting.” According to ḥadīth scholars (muḥaddithīn), this specific narration is weak, but its meaning is supported by authentic narrations that affirm: backbiting destroys the spiritual essence and reward of fasting.
❖ The Narration Reported by al-Ṭabarānī:
Imām al-Ṭabarānī رحمه الله reported the following in al-Muʿjam al-Kabīr:
al-Muʿjam al-Kabīr, ḥadīth: 10752"الصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ مَا لَمْ يَخْرِقْهَا، قِيلَ: بِمَ يَخْرِقُهَا؟ قَالَ: بِالْكَذِبِ وَالْغِيبَةِ"
Translation:
“Fasting is a shield, as long as it is not torn apart.”
It was asked: “What tears it apart?”
He ﷺ replied: “Lying and backbiting.”
❖ Analysis and Meaning of the Ḥadīth:
1. Authenticity of the Narration:
This narration is classified as weak (ḍaʿīf) due to certain weak narrators in its chain. However, its meaning is validated through multiple authentic narrations which prove that lying and backbiting diminish the spiritual reward and blessings of fasting.
2. Meaning of “Tearing the Fast”:
The term “tearing the fast” does not imply that the fast becomes invalid in a legal (sharʿī) sense, but rather that its reward and spiritual effect is severely diminished.
3. Support from Authentic Ḥadīths:
Authentic narrations clearly emphasize that a person who lies, backbites, or engages in obscene talk while fasting, gains no value in Allah's sight merely by abstaining from food and drink.
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, ḥadīth: 1903"مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ، فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ"
Translation:
“Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, then Allah has no need for him to give up his food and drink.”
✿ Conclusion: How Does Backbiting Affect the Fast?
◈ Backbiting does not nullify the fast in a legal sense, but it destroys its reward and blessings.
◈ To gain the full benefits of fasting, one must guard the tongue, otherwise the fast becomes nothing more than mere hunger.
◈ If a person engages in backbiting, he should repent immediately and seek forgiveness, so that Allah may accept his fast.
❀ Supplication:
May Allah grant us true understanding of the essence of fasting and the ability to fulfill its demands, Āmīn!
