Who is most superior from those who fast?

Sayyidunā Sahl bin Muʿādh رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ reports from his father:

A gathering overseen by the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم took place. The honourable Companions عَلَیْہِمُ الرِّضْوَان were also present. One of them asked, “O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! Who possesses most virtue from those who perform jihād?”

He answered, اَکْثَرُہُمْ لِلّٰہِ ذِکْراً - “Those of you who remember Allah in abundance.”

The Companion رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ asked another question, “O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! Who is most superior from those who fast?” [For example, if 100 people fasted, who holds most virtue from amongst them?]

 The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied, اَکْثَرُہُمْ لِلّٰہِ ذِکْراً - “Those of you who remember Allah in abundance.”

(اللہُ اَکْبَر! Everyone is fasting, whilst bearing hunger and thirst. Yet he who remembers Allah most is the greatest from amongst them.)

Sayyidunā Sahl bin Muʿādh رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ continues to explain:

The Companion رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ continued to ask similar questions. For example, “O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! Who is most virtuous of those who pray? Who is most virtuous from those who give zakat?” He asked about every form of worship and the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم gave the same answer every time, اَکْثَرُہُمْ لِلّٰہِ ذِکْراً - “Those of you who remember Allah in abundance.”

Sayyidunā Abū Bakr Ṣiddīq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ then turned to Sayyidunā ʿUmar Farūq al-Aʿzam رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ and declared: “O ʿUmar! It seems