Hadith
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Fasting is a shield as long as you do not damage it.” It was said, “How does one damage it?” The Prophet said, “By dishonesty or backbiting.”
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ مَا لَمْ يَخْرِقْهُ قِيلَ وَبِمَ يَخْرِقُهُ قَالَ بِكَذِبٍ أَوْ غِيبَةٍ
Al-Mujam Al-Awsatt Lil-Tabarani 4536
Ponder This Hadith
If fasting were meant to be purely spiritual, as Ismailis claim, why would the Prophet ﷺ speak about what damages a fast – such as dishonesty and backbiting – while still clearly upholding its literal, physical observance?