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 عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ رَاشِدٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) الْحَائِضُ تَقْضِي الصَّوْمَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ تَقْضِي الصَّلاةَ قَالَ لا قُلْتُ مِنْ أَيْنَ جَاءَ هَذَا قَالَ أَوَّلُ مَنْ قَاسَ إِبْلِيسُ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Hassan ibn Rashid who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), if a woman experiencing Hayd (menses) is required to complete Qada’ (compensatory fast) of the fast. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, she is required to complete its Qada’ (compensatory fast).’ I then asked if she is required to perform Qada’ (compensatory salat) of Salat (prayer)?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, she is not required to perform Qada’ (compensatory salat) for Salat (prayer).’ I then asked, ‘On what basis is it?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘The first one who analogized was Iblis (Satan).”’ 

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ حَمَّادٍ عَنِ الْحَلَبِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ أَصْبَحَتْ صَائِمَةً فَلَمَّا ارْتَفَعَ النَّهَارُ أَوْ كَانَ الْعَشِيُّ حَاضَتْ أَ تُفْطِرُ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَإِنْ كَانَ وَقْتُ الْمَغْرِبِ فَلْتُفْطِرْ قَالَ وَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ رَأَتِ الطُّهْرَ فِي أَوَّلِ النَّهَارِ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَتَغْتَسِلُ وَلَمْ تَطْعَمْ فَمَا تَصْنَعُ فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ قَالَ تُفْطِرُ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ فَإِنَّمَا فِطْرُهَا مِنَ الدَّمِ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hammad from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who gets up in the morning fasting but when the day rises or in the evening experiences Hayd (menses), if she can stop fasting. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, even if it is al-Maghrib (sunset), she can stop fasting.’ I then asked him (the Imam) about the case of a woman who becomes clean of Hayd (menses) in the morning of the month of Ramadan and she takes Ghusl (bath); but does not eat what should she do?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘She stops fasting that day; bleeding has invalidated her fast.’” 

3ـ أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الأَشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ عِيصِ بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ تَطْمَثُ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَغِيبَ الشَّمْسُ قَالَ تُفْطِرُ حِينَ تَطْمَثُ.

3. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from ‘Is ibn al-Qasim who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who experiences Hayd (menses) in the month of Ramadan before sunset. He (the Imam) said, ‘She must stop fasting at the time she finds Hayd (menses).”’ 

4ـ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ الْحَجَّاجِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَلِدُ بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ أَ تُتِمُّ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ أَمْ تُفْطِرُ قَالَ تُفْطِرُ وَتَقْضِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ.

4. From Safwan ibn Yahya has narrated from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj who has said the following: “I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a woman who gives birth after al-‘Asr if she completes or stops fasting on that day. He (the Imam) said, ‘She must stop fasting, and complete Qada’ (compensatory fast) of that day.’” 

5ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ رِئَابٍ عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) عَنِ الْمُسْتَحَاضَةِ قَالَ فَقَالَ تَصُومُ شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ إِلاَّ الأَيَّامَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تَحِيضُ فِيهِنَّ ثُمَّ تَقْضِيهَا بَعْدَهُ.

5. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Ali ibn Ri’ab from Sama‘ah ibn Mehran who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who experiences Istihadah. He (the Imam) said, ‘She is required to fast in the month of Ramadan except for the days during which she used to experience Hayd (menses) and thereafter complete its Qada’ (compensatory fast).”’ 

6ـ أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الأَشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَهْزِيَارَ قَالَ كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) امْرَأَةٌ طَهُرَتْ مِنْ حَيْضِهَا أَوْ مِنْ دَمِ نِفَاسِهَا فِي أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَّ اسْتَحَاضَتْ فَصَلَّتْ وَصَامَتْ شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ كُلَّهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ تَعْمَلَ مَا تَعْمَلُ الْمُسْتَحَاضَةُ مِنَ الْغُسْلِ لِكُلِّ صَلاتَيْنِ فَهَلْ يَجُوزُ صَوْمُهَا وَصَلاتُهَا أَمْ لا فَكَتَبَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) تَقْضِي صَوْمَهَا وَلا تَقْضِي صَلاتَهَا إِنَّ رَسُولَ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) كَانَ يَأْمُرُ فَاطِمَةَ صَلَوَاتُ الله عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ مِنْ نِسَائِهِ بِذَلِكَ.

6. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Ali ibn Mahziyar from who has said the following: “I once wrote to him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of a woman who becomes clean of Hayd (menses) or childbirth bleeding on the first day of the month of Ramadan. She then experiences istihadah, she performs Salat (prayer) and fasts in all of the month of Ramadan without doing what a woman experiencing istihadah is required to do such as Ghusl (bath) for every Salat (prayer): if her fast and Salat (prayer) are valid. He (the Imam) wrote, ‘She completes Qada’ (compensatory fast) of fast but not Qada’ (compensatory salat) for her Salat (prayer); the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, would instruct Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, and the believing women to do so.”’ 

7ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَبِي الصَّبَّاحِ الْكِنَانِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) فِي امْرَأَةٍ أَصْبَحَتْ صَائِمَةً فَلَمَّا ارْتَفَعَ النَّهَارُ أَوْ كَانَ الْعَشِيُّ حَاضَتْ أَ تُفْطِرُ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَإِنْ كَانَ قَبْلَ الْمَغْرِبِ فَلْتُفْطِرْ وَعَنِ امْرَأَةٍ تَرَى الطُّهْرَ مِنْ أَوَّلِ النَّهَارِ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ لَمْ تَغْتَسِلْ وَلَمْ تَطْعَمْ كَيْفَ تَصْنَعُ بِذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ قَالَ إِنَّمَا فِطْرُهَا مِنَ الدَّمِ.

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn ‘Isma’il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from abu al-Sabbah al-Kinaniy who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who gets up fasting but when the day rises or it becomes evening, she experiences Hayd (menses), if she stops fasting. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, she is required to stop fasting even if it is before al-Maghrib.’ I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who becomes clean of Hayd (menses) in the beginning of the day in the month of Ramadan, does not take Ghusl (bath) and does not eat; what should she do about that day. He (the Imam) said, ‘Blood discharge has invalidated her fast.’” 

8ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ مَرِضَتْ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَمَاتَتْ فِي شَوَّالٍ فَأَوْصَتْنِي أَنْ أَقْضِيَ عَنْهَا قَالَ هَلْ بَرَأَتْ مِنْ مَرَضِهَا قُلْتُ لا مَاتَتْ فِيهِ فَقَالَ لا تَقْضِ عَنْهَا فَإِنَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَمْ يَجْعَلْهُ عَلَيْهَا قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أَشْتَهِي أَنْ أَقْضِيَ عَنْهَا وَقَدْ أَوْصَتْنِي بِذَلِكَ قَالَ كَيْفَ تَقْضِي عَنْهَا شَيْئاً لَمْ يَجْعَلْهُ الله عَلَيْهَا فَإِنِ اشْتَهَيْتَ أَنْ تَصُومَ لِنَفْسِكَ فَصُمْ.

8. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Muhammad ibn Yahya from abu Basir who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who became ill in the month of Ramadan and dies in the month of Shawwal. She asked me, in her will, to complete Qada’ (compensatory fast), on her behalf. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Did she get well from her illness?’ I replied, ‘No, she did not get well, but she died from that illness.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Do not complete Qada’ (compensatory fast) on her behalf; Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has not made anything obligatory on her.’ I said, ‘I like to carry out on her behalf because she has asked in her will.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘How can you carry out on her behalf something that Allah has not placed on her? If you like to fast for yourself, you may do so.’” 

9ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ مَرِضَتْ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ أَوْ طَمِثَتْ أَوْ سَافَرَتْ فَمَاتَتْ قَبْلَ خُرُوجِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ هَلْ يُقْضَى عَنْهَا قَالَ أَمَّا الطَّمْثُ وَالْمَرَضُ فَلا وَأَمَّا السَّفَرُ فَنَعَمْ.

9. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Hakam from abu Hamzah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a woman who becomes ill in the month of Ramadan, or experiences Hayd (menses) or travels and then dies before the month of Ramadan ends: if she owes to carry out Qada’ (compensatory fast). He (the Imam) said, ‘Because of Hayd (menses) and illness there is no Qada’ (compensatory fast), however, because of traveling there is Qada’ (compensatory fast) on her.’” 

10ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ رِفَاعَةَ بْنِ مُوسَى قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَنْذِرُ عَلَيْهَا صَوْمَ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ قَالَ تَصُومُ وَتَسْتَأْنِفُ أَيَّامَهَا الَّتِي قَعَدَتْ حَتَّى تُتِمَّ شَهْرَيْنِ قُلْتُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ هِيَ يَئِسَتْ مِنَ الْمَحِيضِ أَ تَقْضِيهِ قَالَ لا تَقْضِي يُجْزِئُهَا الأَوَّلُ.

10. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali from Rifa’ah ibn Musa who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who vows to fast for two consecutive months. He (the Imam) said, ‘She is required to fast and fasts again for the days that were missed because of her Hayd (menses) until two months are complete.’ I then asked, ‘If she during her menopause fasts, does she still have to carry out Qada’ (compensatory fast)?’ "I asked Abu Abdullah (a.s.) about a woman who vows to fast for two consecutive months. He (a.s.) said: 'She should fast, and if she stops due to menstruation, she should resume her fasting days until she completes the two months.' I asked, 'What if she has reached menopause and no longer menstruates? Should she make up the missed days?' He (a.s.) said, 'No, she does not need to make them up; the initial fasting is sufficient for her.'"

11ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ فَضَالَةَ بْنِ أَيُّوبَ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنِ ابْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأَبِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) إِنَّ امْرَأَتِي جَعَلَتْ عَلَى نَفْسِهَا صَوْمَ شَهْرَيْنِ فَوَضَعَتْ وَلَدَهَا وَأَدْرَكَهَا الْحَبَلُ فَلَمْ تَقْوَ عَلَى الصَّوْمِ قَالَ فَلْتَتَصَدَّقْ مَكَانَ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ بِمُدٍّ عَلَى مِسْكِينٍ. 

11. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from al-Husayn ibn ‘Uthman from ibn Muskan from Muhammad ibn Ja’far who has said the following: “I once said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), that my woman had placed upon herself fasting for two months. She gave birth; then became pregnant. She is not able to fast. He (the Imam) said, ‘She is required to pay charity of one mud (certain measurement) for everyday to a destitute person.’” 

Al-Kāfi - Volume 4

Book 2, Chapter 55