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 عَنْ مَنْصُورِ بْنِ الْعَبَّاسِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ وَاسِعٍ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ سَهْلٍ عَنْ رَجُلٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ خَرَجَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ فِي أَيَّامٍ بَقِينَ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَكَانَ يَصُومُ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ وَهُوَ فِي السَّفَرِ فَأَفْطَرَ فَقِيلَ لَهُ تَصُومُ شَعْبَانَ وَتُفْطِرُ شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ شَعْبَانُ إِلَيَّ إِنْ شِئْتُ صُمْتُ وَإِنْ شِئْتُ لا وَشَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ عَزْمٌ مِنَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَيَّ الإِفْطَارُ.

1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Mansur ibn al-‘Abbas from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah ibn Wash from ‘Isma‘il ibn Sahl from a man who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), commenced a journey just a few days before the end of the month of al-Sha‘ban and he (the Imam) was fasting. The month of Ramadan then started while he (the Imam) was still on his journey but he stopped fasting. He (the Imam) was asked, ‘How is it that you have been fasting in the month of al-Sha‘ban and stopped fasting in the month of Ramadan?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘In the case of the month of al-Sha‘ban it is up to me to fast or not to fast: however, in the case of the month of Ramadan it is the commandment of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, to stop fasting (on a journey).’” 

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَحْمَدَ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ هِلالٍ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنْ عُذَافِرٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) أَصُومُ هَذِهِ الثَّلاثَةَ الأَيَّامِ فِي الشَّهْرِ فَرُبَّمَا سَافَرْتُ وَرُبَّمَا أَصَابَتْنِي عِلَّةٌ فَيَجِبُ عَلَيَّ قَضَاؤُهَا قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي إِنَّمَا يَجِبُ الْفَرْضُ فَأَمَّا غَيْرُ الْفَرْضِ فَأَنْتَ فِيهِ بِالْخِيَارِ قُلْتُ بِالْخِيَارِ فِي السَّفَرِ وَالْمَرَضِ قَالَ فَقَالَ الْمَرَضُ قَدْ وَضَعَهُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَنْكَ وَالسَّفَرُ إِنْ شِئْتَ فَاقْضِهِ وَإِنْ لَمْ تَقْضِهِ فَلا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكَ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Hilal from ‘Amr ibn ‘Uthman from ‘Adhafir who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that I fast these three days of the month but perhaps I travel or become ill, am I required to complete its Qada’ (compensatory fast)? He (the Imam) said, ‘Qada’ (compensatory fast) is obligatory for obligatory fast which is missed. In the case of optional fast it is up to you.’ I then asked, ‘Is it up to one’s choice even when on a journey and in illness?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘In the case of illness Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has exempted you, but in the case of journey you can complete its Qada’ (compensatory fast) and if you did not do so it is not harmful.’” 

3ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ الأَشْعَرِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ صَوْمِ ثَلاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ فِي الشَّهْرِ هَلْ فِيهِ قَضَاءٌ عَلَى الْمُسَافِرِ قَالَ لا.

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Khalid from Sa‘d ibn Sa‘d al-Ash’ariy who has said the following: “I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the case of the three days’ fasting every month, if Qada’ (compensatory fast) is required from a traveler. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he is not required to fast.’” 

4ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْمَرْزُبَانِ بْنِ عِمْرَانَ قَالَ قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) أُرِيدُ السَّفَرَ فَأَصُومُ لِشَهْرِيَ الَّذِي أُسَافِرُ فِيهِ قَالَ لا قُلْتُ فَإِذَا قَدِمْتُ أَقْضِيهِ قَالَ لا كَمَا لا تَصُومُ كَذَلِكَ لا تَقْضِي.

4. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from al-Marzuban ibn ‘Imran who has said the following: “I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), that I like to travel; can I fast in the month in which I am on a journey? He (the Imam) said, ‘No, you cannot do so.’ ‘Can I complete its Qada’ (compensatory fast) when I come home?’ I asked. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, just as you cannot fast in the same way you cannot carry out its Qada’ (compensatory fast).”’ 

5ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ بِلالٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ بَسَّامٍ الْجَمَّالِ عَنْ رَجُلٍ قَالَ كُنْتُ مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) فِيمَا بَيْنَ مَكَّةَ وَالْمَدِينَةِ فِي شَعْبَانَ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ ثُمَّ رَأَيْنَا هِلالَ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَأَفْطَرَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَمْسِ كَانَ عَنْ شَعْبَانَ وَأَنْتَ صَائِمٌ وَالْيَوْمُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَأَنْتَ مُفْطِرٌ فَقَالَ إِنَّ ذَاكَ تَطَوُّعٌ وَلَنَا أَنْ نَفْعَلَ مَا شِئْنَا وَهَذَا فَرْضٌ فَلَيْسَ لَنَا أَنْ نَفْعَلَ إِلاَّ مَا أُمِرْنَا. 

5. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Bilal from al-Hassan ibn Bassam al-Jammal from a man who has said the following: “I once was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), between Makkah and al-Madinah in the month of al-Sha‘ban and he (the Imam) was fasting; then we saw the crescent of the month of Ramadan and he (the Imam) stopped fasting. I then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, yesterday was of the month of al-Sha‘ban and you were fasting, but today is of the month of Ramadan and you are not fasting. He (the Imam) said, ‘That was optional and it is up to us to do what we want, but this is obligatory and we have no choice but to do what we are commanded to do.’” 

Al-Kāfi - Volume 4

Book 2, Chapter 51