إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ صَوْمِ أَحَدِكُمْ فَلَا يَرْفُثْ وَلَا يَصْخَبْ فَإِنْ سَابَّهُ أَحَدٌ أَوْ قَاتَلَهُ فَلْيَقُلْ إِنِّي امْرُؤٌ صَائِمٌ
When it is the day of fasting for any of you, he should not indulge in sexual misconduct nor raise his voice in arguments. If anyone reviles him or fights with him, let him say, 'I am fasting.'
Idha kana yawmu sawmi ahadikum fala yarfuth wala yaskhab, fa-in sabbahu ahadun aw qatalahu, falyqul: 'Inni imru'un sa'im'
When to Read
This is a response recommended by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ when someone tries to provoke you while you are fasting. Instead of engaging, you state your fasting status to de-escalate the situation and remind yourself of your spiritual state.
How to Read
This is not a formal dua to be recited before starting an action, but rather a verbal response to be uttered calmly and clearly when faced with provocation while fasting. The intention is to disengage from conflict and maintain the sanctity of your fast.
Virtues & Benefits
By responding with 'I am fasting,' you are reminded of the spiritual discipline and higher purpose of your fast. It helps you to control anger, avoid sin, and preserve the reward of your worship. The Prophet's ﷺ guidance here is a practical application of patience and self-restraint, essential virtues for a successful fast.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Allah said, 'Fasting is for Me and I will reward it accordingly. For one of you, on the day of the fast, should not behave in a vulgar manner or raise his voice in anger, or be involved in trivial talk, or exchange blows. If anybody insults him or attacks him, he should not respond, but he should say, 'I am fasting.' (The narrator said, 'I think the Prophet (ﷺ) added: 'If somebody threatens him or abuses him, he should say, 'I am fasting.') By Him, in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, the smell coming from the mouth of a fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk. (He said:) The one who fasts experiences two joys: one joy at the time of breaking his fast and the other joy at the time of meeting his Lord, and the bad smell coming from his mouth will be more fragrant than musk.