If you’re wondering what to do when insulted while fasting, here is a small sunnah to follow. This little but important piece of advice by Prophet Muhammad (п·є) has been reported in multiple authentic hadiths.
Various hadiths, including authenticated ones by Darussalam and Albani, have reported Prophet Muhammad (п·є) advising Muslims not to behave rudely or reply to rude behavior. It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (Ш±ЩЋШ¶ЩђЩЉЩЋ Щ±Щ„Щ„ЩЋЩ‘Щ°Щ‡ЩЏ Ш№ЩЋЩ†Щ’Щ‡ЩЏ) that the Messenger of Allah (п·є) said: “When anyone of you is fasting, let him not utter evil or ignorant speech. If anyone speaks to him in an ignorant manner, let him say: ‘I am fasting.’” (Sunan Ibn Majah 1691)
In another Sahih hadith, narrated by Abu Hurairah, the Prophet (п·є) said, “Fast is a shield; when one of you is fasting, he should neither behave in an obscene manner nor foolishly. If a man fights or abuses him, he should say: I am fasting, I am fasting.” (Sunan Abi Dawud 2363)
Similar variations of the same account by Abu Hurairah (Ш±ЩЋШ¶ЩђЩЉЩЋ Щ±Щ„Щ„ЩЋЩ‘Щ°Щ‡ЩЏ Ш№ЩЋЩ†Щ’Щ‡ЩЏ) have been shared again in Sahih Muslim 1151a, and Muwatta Malik Book 18, Hadith 57.
The best among Muslims is one with the best conduct. The right way of saying this dua is to be soft and in control of your manner. This sunnah is essentially a reminder for the one fasting as well as for the other person to not indulge in wrong behavior that may break one’s fast.
One major benefit of this act to follow when insulted while fasting, is regaining control over one’s self. Fasting is a way to learn how to control Nafs (self or ego) and one must not indulge in rude behavior or fights while fasting.