Virtue of Charity

Giving Charity Repels Misfortune

The Virtue of Giving Charity Out of Public Sight

Giving Charity During the Night

Giving Charity Increases One’s Wealth

Giving Charity to Relatives

Providing for the Family to Improve the Quality of Their Lives

One’s Dependents

Giving Charity to Those Whom One Does Not Know

Giving Charity to Bedouins and People Who Live in Desolate Areas

Undesirability of Turning Away One Asking for Help

The Amount of Charity for One Asking for Help

The Prayer of the Recipient of Charity

One Who Distributes Charity Has a Share in Rewards with the Donor of Charity

Self-Abnegation (Giving Preference to Others Over One’s Self)

One Who Asks for Help Without Actually Needing Help

Unpleasantness of Begging

Embarrassing the Recipient of a Favor

Giving Charity After an Appeal From a Recipient

Benevolent Assistance (Optional Charity as Opposed to Compulsory Ones)

The Virtue of Benevolent Assistance

Another Chapter about the Subject of the Previous Chapter

Providing Benevolent Assistance Repels Wicked Encounters

Providers of Benevolent Assistance Will be Identified as Such on the Day of Judgment

Completion of Benevolent Assistance

Finding a Proper Recipient of Benevolent Assistance

Disciplines for Providing Benevolent Assistance

Refusing to Appreciate a Benevolent Assistance

Providing a Loan

Extending Due Date of Payment in Favor of the Borrower

Waiving a Loan in Favor of a Dead Person

The Cost of Maintenance of Wealth

Appreciation of Bounties

Understanding Generosity and Munificence

Spending on Deserving Causes

Stinginess and Greed

Rare Ahadith about Charity

Virtue of Serving Food

The Excellence of Moderation

Detestability of Over-Spending and Living in Austerity

Providing Water for Drinking

Charity for Descendents of al-Hashim and the People of Their Household (Servants) and Compensation to Them

The Rare Ahadith

The Excellence of Fast and Fasting

The Excellence of the Month of Ramadan

About the One Who Serves Food to a Fasting Person

Prohibition of Saying ‘Ramadan’ Instead of the ‘Month of Ramadan’

The Words to Say When the Month of Ramadan is About to Begin

Verifying the Rise of the New Moon and Finding Witnesses for It

Another Chapter about the Previous Subject

The Day That Is Doubtful About Its Being of the Month of Sha‘ban or the Month of Ramadan

Kinds of Fasts

Disciplines During Fasting

The Fasting of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause

Excellence of Fasting in the Month of Shaman, Continuing Such Fast to Connect it with the Month of Ramadan, and Three Days of Fasting Every Month

Breakfast before Dawn

The Prayer to Say During Breakfast after Sunset

Fasting Continuously and All the Time

The Case of One Who Eats or Drinks but Has Doubts About Its Taking Place before or after Dawn

What Is Dawn, When Does It Come and When Is It Unlawful to Eat?

The Case of One Who Eats, Thinking it to Be after Sunset, when It Is Not yet Sunset

The Time of Breaking Fast after Sunset

The Case of One who Eats or Drinks out of Forgetfulness During the Month of Ramadan

The Case of One Who Knowingly Eats or Is Involved in Carnal Relation During the Month of Ramadan

The Case of a Person Involved in Carnal Relations in the Form of Kissing or Foreplay

The Case of One Who Experiences a Wet-Dream During the Night in the Month of Ramadan or at Other Times and Does Not Shower before Dawn or It Occurs During the Night or Day

The Undesirability of Immersing One’s Head in Water while Fasting

Rinsing One’s Mouth and Nostrils while Fasting

The Case of a Fasting Person’s Vomiting, Nauseating or Burping

The Case of a Fasting Person’s Use of Bath Room and Apply Cupping

The Case of a Fasting Person’s Sniffling or Use of Eardrops or Enema

The Case of a Fasting Person’s Use of Kohl (Eye Drops or powder)

A Fasting Person’s Use of Tooth Brush

A Fasting Person’s Use of Perfumes

A Fasting Person’s Use of Chewing Gum

The Case of a Fasting Person Tasting the Salt in Cooking Pot and Chews for the Fledgling

The Case of a Fly or Mucus Entering the Throat of a Fasting Person

The Case of a Fasting Person’s Keeping a Ring, a Pebble or a Date Stone in His Mouth while Fasting

The Case of Seniors Who Feel Weak when Fasting

The Case of a Pregnant or Breastfeeding Woman Who Feels Weak when Fasting

The Limit of Illness That Exempts One from Fasting

The Case of One Who Remains Ill for Two Consecutive Months of Ramadan

Remedy and Compensatory Fast for the Missed Fasting During the Month of Ramadan

The Case of One Who Wakes up in the Morning with an Intention to Fast, but Who Does Not Do So or Vice Versa when Fasting Is a Compensatory Fast for the Missed Fast in the Month of Ramadan or Other Days

The Case of One Who Fasts Optionally while He Is Obligated to Make Up for Fasting of the Month of Ramadan He Has Missed

The Case of a Person Who Passes Away Owing Fasting of the Month of Ramadan or Other Times

Children’s Fasting and When They Owe Fasting

The Case of One Who Becomes a Muslim during the Month of Ramadan

Undesirability of Traveling in the Month of Ramadan

Undesirability (unlawfulness) of Fast on a Journey

The Case of One Who Fasts on a Journey out of Ignorance

Those Who Do or Do Not Have to Break Their Fast on a Journey 

Optional Fasting on a Journey and Qada’ (compensatory fast) of Fasting Missed on a Journey

The Case of One Who Begins a Journey or Returns from a Journey in the Month of Ramadan

The Case of a Traveler Who Enters His Town or a Place where He Wants to Stay for Ten Days

The Case of One Who Involves Himself in Carnal Relations with His Wife on a Journey or Returns from a Journey in the Month of Ramadan

The Case of Fasting during Menses: Major or Minor One

The Case of One Who Owes Fasting of Two Consecutive Months but an Obstacle Prevents Him 

Fasting As Expiation for Swearing

1ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَبْدِيِّ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ زُرَارَةَ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَوْلُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ قَالَ مَا أَبْيَنَهَا مَنْ شَهِدَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَنْ سَافَرَ فَلا يَصُمْهُ.

1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ‘Abd al-’Aziz al-‘Abdiy from ‘Ubayd ibn Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘Whoever among you is present (at home) in the month of Ramadan must fast.’ (2:185) He (the Imam) said, ‘It cannot be more vivid than this, those present must fast and those on a journey must not fast.’” 

2ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) إِنَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ تَصَدَّقَ عَلَى مَرْضَى أُمَّتِي وَمُسَافِرِيهَا بِالتَّقْصِيرِ وَالإِفْطَارِ أَ يَسُرُّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا تَصَدَّقَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَنْ تُرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ.

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from certain persons of his people who has said the following: “I once, heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), state this Hadith: ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has granted a charity to those of my followers who are not in good health and those on a journey to reduce their Salat (prayer) and stop fasting. Does it make any of you happy to reject a charity given to you?”’ 

3ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ أَبِي الْعَلاءِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ الصَّائِمُ فِي السَّفَرِ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ كَالْمُفْطِرِ فِيهِ فِي الْحَضَرِ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ رَجُلاً أَتَى النَّبِيَّ (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ الله أَصُومُ شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ فِي السَّفَرِ فَقَالَ لا فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ الله إِنَّهُ عَلَيَّ يَسِيرٌ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) إِنَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ تَصَدَّقَ عَلَى مَرْضَى أُمَّتِي وَمُسَافِرِيهَا بِالإِفْطَارِ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ أَ يُعْجِبُ أَحَدَكُمْ لَوْ تَصَدَّقَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَنْ تُرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ.

3. Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from ‘Abd al-Malik ibn ‘Utbah from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar from Yahya ibn abu al-‘Ala’ who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who fasts on a journey in the month of Ramadan is like one who invalidates his fast while at home.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Once a man came to the Holy prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and asked, “O Messenger of Allah, can I fast in the month of Ramadan on a journey?” He (the Messenger of Allah) replied, “No, you cannot fast on a journey.” He said, “O Messenger of Allah, it is very easy for me.” The Messenger of Allah said, “Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has given charity to those of my followers who are on a journey and those who are not in a good health to stop fasting in the month of Ramadan. Does it make any of you feel happy to reject a charity granted to you?””’ 

4ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ صَالِحِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ أَبَانِ بْنِ تَغْلِبَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) خِيَارُ أُمَّتِي الَّذِينَ إِذَا سَافَرُوا أَفْطَرُوا وَقَصَّرُوا وَإِذَا أَحْسَنُوا اسْتَبْشَرُوا وَإِذَا أَسَاءُوا اسْتَغْفَرُوا وَشِرَارُ أُمَّتِي الَّذِينَ وُلِدُوا فِي النِّعَمِ وَغُذُّوا بِهِ يَأْكُلُونَ طَيِّبَ الطَّعَامِ وَيَلْبَسُونَ لَيِّنَ الثِّيَابِ وَإِذَا تَكَلَّمُوا لَمْ يَصْدُقُوا.

4. Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Salih ibn Sa‘id from Aban ibn Taghlib who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has stated this Hadith: ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “The virtuous among my followers are those who, when on a journey, stop fasting and reduce their Salat (prayer), when receiving a favor they take it as good news and when doing a sin ask for forgiveness. The evildoers among my followers are those who are born in bounties and feed on it, who eat fine food, wear soft clothes and when speaking do not tell the truth.’”” 

5ـ أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الأَشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ عِيصِ بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ إِذَا خَرَجَ الرَّجُلُ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ مُسَافِراً أَفْطَرَ وَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) خَرَجَ مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ إِلَى مَكَّةَ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَمَعَهُ النَّاسُ وَفِيهِمُ الْمُشَاةُ فَلَمَّا انْتَهَى إِلَى كُرَاعِ الْغَمِيمِ دَعَا بِقَدَحٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ فِيمَا بَيْنَ الظُّهْرِ وَالْعَصْرِ فَشَرِبَ وَأَفْطَرَ ثُمَّ أَفْطَرَ النَّاسُ مَعَهُ وَثَمَّ أُنَاسٌ عَلَى صَوْمِهِمْ فَسَمَّاهُمُ الْعُصَاةَ وَإِنَّمَا يُؤْخَذُ بِآخِرِ أَمْرِ رَسُولِ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه).

5. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya ‘Is ibn al-Qasim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When a man goes out on a journey in the month of Ramadan he stops fasting.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, once in the month of Ramadan left al-Madinah for Makkah along with people, among them were those who walked on foot. When they arrived at Kura‘ al-Ghaym (name of a place) He (the Messenger of Allah) asked for a bowl of water between al-Zuhr and al-‘ Asr time, he drank and stopped fasting, then people stopped fasting along with him. Certain people continued fasting. He (the Messenger of Allah) called them disobedient ones. It is the last commandment of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, which is effective.’” 

6ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ حَمَّادٍ عَنْ حَرِيزٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ سَمَّى رَسُولُ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) قَوْماً صَامُوا حِينَ أَفْطَرَ وَقَصَّرَ عُصَاةً وَقَالَ هُمُ الْعُصَاةُ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ وَإِنَّا لَنَعْرِفُ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ وَأَبْنَاءَ أَبْنَائِهِمْ إِلَى يَوْمِنَا هَذَا.

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, named a people ‘disobedient’ when they fasted when he stopped fasting and reduced his Salat (prayer).’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘They are disobedient till this day and will remain so till the Day of Judgment. I know their children and the children of their children up to this, our day.’” 

7ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ سَمَاعَةَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ حَكِيمٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) يَقُولُ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلاً مَاتَ صَائِماً فِي السَّفَرِ مَا صَلَّيْتُ عَلَيْهِ. 

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Salmah ibn al-Khattab from Sulayman ibn Sama‘ah, from Ali ibn ‘Isma‘il from Muhammad ibn Hakim who has said the following: “I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘If a man while on a journey and fasting dies, I will not perform Salat (prayer) (of dead people) for him.’” 

Al-Kāfi - Volume 4

Book 2, Chapter 48