Abu Hurairah (radialláhu ‘anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu’ alayhi wa sallam) said: “Many of those who fast do not get this fast nothing but hunger, and many who pray at night so not getting more than annoying of waking up. “
Commentary
Concerning this hadith, the scholars have identified three different interpretations. First, this hadith can refer to those who fast all day and break their fast with food that is haram. All the rewards for fasting are destroyed because of this sin to eat haram and therefore the only thing gained is feeling hungry. Second, our Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), may have alluded to those who fast properly, but spend the day talking behind people and telling lies of others, on this point we will speak with more details later. Third, the persons mentioned in this hadith may have been those who while fasting does not depart from evil and sin. As the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) are concise, all forms of sin are included here. Similarly, the prayers offered at night lose their reward because of the realization of sinful acts as leaving fajr prayer, devoted to gossip about people missing or get up and just pretend, making these works are in vain.
