As for the two forms of dress, the first is wrapping oneself in a seamless cloak that has no openings. Wearing such a garment harms one’s health because no air can circulate, and it betrays laziness and idleness; once put on, it restricts the movement and activity that the believer is meant to pursue.

The second is sitting in the iḥtibāʾ posture while covered with a single cloth, for this carries the risk that the private parts may become exposed.

As for the two prayers, they are the voluntary prayers offered after the dawn prayer and after the afternoon prayer, for the intervals that follow these two obligatory prayers were the very times at which the idolaters used to worship. This point has already been discussed.

Points derived from the ḥadith
1- The prohibition of all the matters enumerated in the report.
2- Fasting on the two Festivals and praying after the dawn and afternoon prayers are forbidden, whereas the two styles of dress are merely disliked unless there is a strong likelihood that the ʿawrah will be uncovered, in which case they too become forbidden.
3- The sacred law consistently safeguards the welfare of people in every matter.

Hadith Nine
Abu Saʿīd al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever fasts one day in the path of Allah, Allah will distance his face from the Fire by seventy years.”

Overall meaning
Fasting is a taxing act of bodily worship, and fighting in Allah’s cause demands both wealth and physical effort. Whoever is able to combine the two—fasting while engaged in battle—has turned away from worldly comfort and fleeting pleasures in pursuit of the bliss that lies with Allah and in fear of His painful punishment. In return, Allah removes him, for that one day of fasting in His path, a distance of seventy years from the Fire. To be kept far from Hell necessarily means being brought near to Paradise, for in the hereafter there are only two roads: one leading to the Garden and the other to the Blaze.

Points derived from the ḥadith
1- The virtue of fasting while striving in Allah’s cause and the tremendous reward it brings.
2- The recommendation to fast under such circumstances is limited by the condition that it not weaken a person for battle. If fasting would impair his strength, it is preferable for him not to fast, because jihad serves a public interest whereas fasting benefits only the individual. The broader the benefit of an act of worship, the more deserving it is of priority.