(223) Chapter: Safeguarding As-Saum (The Fast)

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When any one of you is observing Saum (fasting) on a day, he should neither indulge in obscene language nor should he raise the voice; and if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him he should say: 'I am observing fast."' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: This Hadith has already been mentioned and is repeated here for its being relevant to this chapter. We learn from it that during Saum not only food, drink and sex are prohibited but the improper use of the tongue and the other organs of the body as well. When one is observing Saum, he should neither use abusive language nor talk foolishly nor tell lies nor make obscene conversation nor indulge in backbiting nor quarrel with anyone. If someone provokes him, he should keep himself quiet and remember that he is observing Saum and he has to abstain from such things. As far as possible, he should keep his tongue engaged in the remembrance of Allah and recitation of the Qur'an.