offer them to their objects of worship—such as ritual slaughter, dedicatory vows and other forms of devotion. They would likewise direct supplication, fear and hope to them; indeed, many idolaters seek nearness to their idols through such acts. Fasting, however, is different: nowhere is it reported that the polytheists fasted for their idols and deities. Fasting is an act that is exclusive to Allah alone. This, then, is the meaning of His words, “Fasting is Mine and I alone shall reward for it,” that is, no associationism can enter into it, for the polytheists never sought closeness to their idols by means of fasting; fasting is offered only to Allah.

Meaning of the ḥadīth: “O young men”

Question: In the ḥadīth in which the Messenger ﷺ encourages young men to marry, he says, “Whoever is unable, let him fast, for that will be a wijāʾ (a protection) for him.” What does this mean, and what is the wisdom behind it?

Answer: The Prophet ﷺ said, “O young men! Whoever among you possesses the ability (al-bāʾah), let him marry, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding the private parts. Whoever is unable, then let him fast, for that will be a wijāʾ (a restraint) for him.” The meaning of the ḥadīth is clear: when a young man’s sexual desire becomes strong and the impulse toward intercourse presses upon him, he should hasten to marry so that he may channel that desire through the lawful, prescribed avenue and thereby remain safe and distant from what Allah has forbidden. Allah has enriched the Muslim with what is lawful in place of what is unlawful, so he ought to marry in order to protect himself and to lower his gaze from the forbidden.

Marriage thus provides the Muslim with protection. If, however, he is unable to marry for financial reasons—because he is poor and cannot bear the expenses of marriage—then he should turn to fasting, for fasting—