fasting, let him neither speak obscenely nor behave ignorantly. If someone insults him or tries to fight him, let him say, ‘I am fasting.’”

There are three views on this matter in Ahmad’s school and elsewhere. One view is that he says (1) it inwardly and does not respond to the other person. Another is that he says (2) it aloud. A third distinguishes between obligatory and voluntary fasting: when observing an obligatory fast, he says (3) it aloud, whereas during a voluntary fast he says it inwardly, for obligatory fasting is a common observance, while a voluntary fast may be vulnerable to ostentation.

The correct view is that he should say (4) it aloud, as indicated by the hadith. For “saying,” when used without qualification, can only refer to speech made with the tongue. What (5) occurs within oneself, by contrast, is expressly qualified as such—as in the Prophet’s words, “what they whisper within themselves.” He then said, “so long as they do not speak of it or act upon it.” Thus, “speech,” when used without qualification, means audible speech.

When he says aloud, “I am (6) fasting,” he makes clear his reason for refraining from responding, and this is more effective in deterring the person who initiated the aggression.

It is reported from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—in the two Sahih collections that he said:

“Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need for him to give up his food and drink.” (7)

He explained (8)