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 أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ الْجَمَّالِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ كَانَ أَبِي يَقُولُ مَا يُعْبَأُ مَنْ يَؤُمُّ هَذَا الْبَيْتَ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهِ ثَلاثُ خِصَالٍ خُلُقٌ يُخَالِقُ بِهِ مَنْ صَحِبَهُ أَوْ حِلْمٌ يَمْلِكُ بِهِ مِنْ غَضَبِهِ أَوْ وَرَعٌ يَحْجُزُهُ عَنْ مَحَارِمِ الله.

1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Safwan al-Jammal who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘My father would say, “One who decides to visit this House is not properly prepared without three characteristics. They are moral discipline with which he behaves with his companion, forbearance with which he overcomes his anger, and abstaining (staying away from sins) which keeps him away from violating the laws of Allah.’”” 

2ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ الْخَزَّازِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ مَا يُعْبَأُ مَنْ يَسْلُكُ هَذَا الطَّرِيقَ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهِ ثَلاثُ خِصَالٍ وَرَعٌ يَحْجُزُهُ عَنْ مَعَاصِي الله وَحِلْمٌ يَمْلِكُ بِهِ غَضَبَهُ وَحُسْنُ الصُّحْبَةِ لِمَنْ صَحِبَهُ.

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from abu Ayyub al-Khazzaz from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘One who decides to visit this House is not properly prepared without three characteristics. One should be able to abstain (stay away from sins) which keeps him away from violating the laws of Allah, exercise forbearance to overcome his anger, and moral discipline with which he behaves (properly) with his companion.’” 

3ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) وَطِّنْ نَفْسَكَ عَلَى حُسْنِ الصِّحَابَةِ لِمَنْ صَحِبْتَ فِي حُسْنِ خُلُقِكَ وَكُفَّ لِسَانَكَ وَاكْظِمْ غَيْظَكَ وَأَقِلَّ لَغْوَكَ وَتَفْرُشُ عَفْوَكَ وَتَسْخُو نَفْسُكَ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Umayr from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Station your soul on the discipline for good companionship toward your companion, control your tongue and anger, reduce your useless activities, make your forgiveness readily available and act generously.’” 

4ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ حَفْصٍ عَنْ أَبِي الرَّبِيعِ الشَّامِيِّ قَالَ كُنَّا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) وَالْبَيْتُ غَاصٌّ بِأَهْلِهِ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ لَمْ يُحْسِنْ صُحْبَةَ مَنْ صَحِبَهُ وَمُرَافَقَةَ مَنْ رَافَقَهُ وَمُمَالَحَةَ مَنْ مَالَحَهُ وَمُخَالَقَةَ مَنْ خَالَقَهُ.

4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from Isma‘il ibn Mehran from Muhammad ibn Hafs from abu al-Rabi’ al-Shamiy who has said the following: “Once we were in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when the house was full of people. He (the Imam) said, ‘One whose behavior toward his companion, comrade, tablemate and associate is not proper, is not of our people.’” 

5ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ النَّوْفَلِيِّ عَنِ السَّكُونِيِّ عَنْ جَعْفَرٍ عَنْ آبَائِهِ (عَلَيْهِم السَّلاَم) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) الرَّفِيقَ ثُمَّ السَّفَرَ وَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) لا تَصْحَبَنَّ فِي سَفَرِكَ مَنْ لا يَرَى لَكَ مِنَ الْفَضْلِ عَلَيْهِ كَمَا تَرَى لَهُ عَلَيْكَ.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father, from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Ja’far (a.s.), has narrated from his ancestors, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, who have said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Companion first, then is journey.’ ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘You must not accompany during a journey one who does not consider your favor to him of the same value as his favors he does to you.’” 

6ـ عَلِيٌّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنْ حَرِيزٍ عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ إِذَا صَحِبْتَ فَاصْحَبْ نَحْوَكَ وَلا تَصْحَبَنَّ مَنْ يَكْفِيكَ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ مَذَلَّةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ.

6. Ali has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from Hariz from those who he has mentioned who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Accompany someone like yourself. Do not accompany one who suffices you; it is humiliation for a believing person.’” 

7ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ اللُّؤْلُؤِيِّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ بْنِ مَنْصُورٍ عَنْ شِهَابِ بْنِ عَبْدِ رَبِّهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَدْ عَرَفْتَ حَالِي وَسَعَةَ يَدِي وَتَوَسُّعِي عَلَى إِخْوَانِي فَأَصْحَبُ النَّفَرَ مِنْهُمْ فِي طَرِيقِ مَكَّةَ فَأَتَوَسَّعُ عَلَيْهِمْ قَالَ لا تَفْعَلْ يَا شِهَابُ إِنْ بَسَطْتَ وَبَسَطُوا أَجْحَفْتَ بِهِمْ وَإِنْ أَمْسَكُوا أَذْلَلْتَهُمْ فَاصْحَبْ نُظَرَاءَكَ.

7. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from al-Hassan ibn al-Husayn al-Lu’lu’iy from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Hudhayfah ibn Mansur from Shihab ibn ‘Abd Rabbihi who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘You are aware of my affluent condition and my extending helping hand toward my brothers (in belief). Should I accompany certain individuals from among them during my journey to Makkah and extend a helpful hand toward them?’ He (the Imam) replied, ’You must not do so, O Shihab. If you do so, they will also do it, you overburden them, and if they did not do so, you have humiliated them. Therefore, accompany people like yourself.”’ 

8ـ أَحْمَدُ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) يَخْرُجُ الرَّجُلُ مَعَ قَوْمٍ مَيَاسِيرَ وَهُوَ أَقَلُّهُمْ شَيْئاً فَيُخْرِجُ الْقَوْمُ النَّفَقَةَ وَلا يَقْدِرُ هُوَ أَنْ يُخْرِجَ مِثْلَ مَا أَخْرَجُوا فَقَالَ مَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ يُذِلَّ نَفْسَهُ لِيَخْرُجْ مَعَ مَنْ هُوَ مِثْلُهُ.

8. Ahmad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Afi ibn abu Hamzah from abu Basir who has said the foiiowing: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ’Can a less affluent person accompany affluent people during the journey to Makkah, when he cannot spend as much as they do?’ He (the Imam) replied, ’I do not like his humiliating himself. He should accompany people of his own status.’” 

Al-Kāfi - Volume 4

Book 3, Chapter 47