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 ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ شَاذَانَ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ وَصَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ إِذَا دَنَوْتَ مِنَ الْحَجَرِ الأَسْوَدِ فَارْفَعْ يَدَيْكَ وَاحْمَدِ الله وَأَثْنِ عَلَيْهِ وَصَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَاسْأَلِ الله أَنْ يَتَقَبَّلَ مِنْكَ ثُمَّ اسْتَلِمِ الْحَجَرَ وَقَبِّلْهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ تُقَبِّلَهُ فَاسْتَلِمْهُ بِيَدِكَ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ تَسْتَلِمَهُ بِيَدِكَ فَأَشِرْ إِلَيْهِ وَقُلِ اللهمَّ أَمَانَتِي أَدَّيْتُهَا وَمِيثَاقِي تَعَاهَدْتُهُ لِتَشْهَدَ لِي بِالْمُوَافَاةِ اللهمَّ تَصْدِيقاً بِكِتَابِكَ وَعَلَى سُنَّةِ نَبِيِّكَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ الله وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ آمَنْتُ بِالله وَكَفَرْتُ بِالْجِبْتِ وَالطَّاغُوتِ وَبِاللاَّتِ وَالْعُزَّى وَعِبَادَةِ الشَّيْطَانِ وَعِبَادَةِ كُلِّ نِدٍّ يُدْعَى مِنْ دُونِ الله فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ تَقُولَ هَذَا كُلَّهُ فَبَعْضَهُ وَقُلِ اللهمَّ إِلَيْكَ بَسَطْتُ يَدِي وَفِيمَا عِنْدَكَ عَظُمَتْ رَغْبَتِي فَاقْبَلْ سَيْحَتِي وَاغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي اللهمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْكُفْرِ وَالْفَقْرِ وَمَوَاقِفِ الْخِزْيِ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr and Muhammad ibn Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr and Safwan ibn Yahya has narrated from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you go close to the Black Stone, raise your hands, thank Allah and praise Him and say, ‘O Allah, grant salawat (favors and compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause).’ Appeal before Allah to accept (your good deeds). Then touch the Black Stone and kiss it, but if you cannot kiss, touch it with your hand. If you cannot touch it also, then point to it with your hand and say, ‘O Allah, I have returned my trust and (I reaffirm) my covenant that I had undertaken, so bear witness for me to my standing up by my commitment and covenant. O Allah, as verification of Your book and the noble tradition of Your Holy Prophet, I testify that no one other than Allah, who is One and has no partners, deserves worship. I also testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. I have believed in the existence of Allah and I have rejected al-Jibt and al-Taghut, al-Lat, al-‘Uzza’, (names of idols) worshipping Satan and worshipping anything considered as similar to Allah.’ If you cannot say all of this, say a part of it. Then say, ‘O Allah, before You I have extended my hands and I have a great interest in what is with You. Accept my journey, forgive me and grant me mercy. O Allah, I seek refuge with You against disbelief, poverty, losing and failure in this life as well as in the next life.’” 

2ـ وَفِي رِوَايَةِ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ إِذَا دَخَلْتَ الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ فَامْشِ حَتَّى تَدْنُوَ مِنَ الْحَجَرِ الأَسْوَدِ فَتَسْتَقْبِلَهُ وَتَقُولُ الْحَمْدُ لله الَّذِي هَدَانَا لِهَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِيَ لَوْ لا أَنْ هَدَانَا الله سُبْحَانَ الله وَالْحَمْدُ لله وَلا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ الله وَالله أَكْبَرُ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ وَأَكْبَرُ مِمَّنْ أَخْشَى وَأَحْذَرُ وَلا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ الله وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَيُمِيتُ وَيُحْيِي بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ قَدِيرٌ وَتُصَلِّي عَلَى النَّبِيِّ وَآلِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَيْهِمْ وَتُسَلِّمُ عَلَى الْمُرْسَلِينَ كَمَا فَعَلْتَ حِينَ دَخَلْتَ الْمَسْجِدَ ثُمَّ تَقُولُ اللهمَّ إِنِّي أُومِنُ بِوَعْدِكَ وَأُوفِي بِعَهْدِكَ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ كَمَا ذَكَرَ مُعَاوِيَةُ.

2. According to the narration of abu Basir, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you enter Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Masjid), continue walking until you are near the Black Stone, then turn your face to it and say, ‘All praise belongs to Allah who granted us guidance to this (religion). We could not find guidance if Allah did not grant us guidance. Allah is free of all defects. All praise belongs to Allah; no one deserves worship except Allah and Allah is great beyond description. He is greater than His creatures and greater than the things which I fear and avoid. No one deserves worship except Allah, who is One and has no partners. The kingdom and all praise belong to Him. He gives life and causes things to die. He causes things to die and gives life. In His hand is all-good and He has power over all things.’ Then say, ‘O Allah, grant salawat (favors and compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause).’ Then offer greetings of peace to the messengers as had been done when entering Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Masjid). Then say, ‘O Allah, I believe in Your promise and I stand up by Your covenant.’ Then he (abu Basir) has mentioned what Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar has mentioned in h 1 above.” 

3ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ حَرِيزٍ عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ إِذَا دَخَلْتَ الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ وَحَاذَيْتَ الْحَجَرَ الأَسْوَدَ فَقُلْ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ الله وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ آمَنْتُ بِالله وَكَفَرْتُ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَبِاللاَّتِ وَالْعُزَّى وَبِعِبَادَةِ الشَّيْطَانِ وَبِعِبَادَةِ كُلِّ نِدٍّ يُدْعَى مِنْ دُونِ الله ثُمَّ ادْنُ مِنَ الْحَجَرِ وَاسْتَلِمْهُ بِيَمِينِكَ ثُمَّ تَقُولُ بِسْمِ الله وَالله أَكْبَرُ اللهمَّ أَمَانَتِي أَدَّيْتُهَا وَمِيثَاقِي تَعَاهَدْتُهُ لِتَشْهَدَ عِنْدَكَ لِي بِالْمُوَافَاةِ. 

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from those whom he has mentioned who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘When you enter Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Masjid) and are parallel with the Black Stone, say, “I testify that no one deserves worship except Allah, who is One and has no partners and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger. I have believed in the existence of Allah, and have rejected al-Taghut, al-Lat, al-‘Uzza’, worshipping Satan and worshipping anything that is considered similar to Allah.’ Then go near the Black Stone, touch it with your right hand and say, ‘In the name of Allah and Allah is great beyond description. O Allah, I have returned my trust and (I reaffirm) my covenant that I had undertaken, so bear witness for me before You to my standing up by my commitment and covenant.’” 

Al-Kāfi - Volume 4

Book 3, Chapter 120