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 مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) مَتَى الإِفَاضَةُ مِنْ عَرَفَاتٍ قَالَ إِذَا ذَهَبَ الْحُمْرَةُ يَعْنِي مِنَ الْجَانِبِ الشَّرْقِيِّ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from Yunus ibn Ya’qub who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the time of leaving ‘Arafat. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is when the redness goes away, that is, from the eastern side.”’ (Fatwa best explains Hadith 1 of this Chapter) 

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ شَاذَانَ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) إِنَّ الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَانُوا يُفِيضُونَ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تَغِيبَ الشَّمْسُ فَخَالَفَهُمْ رَسُولُ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فَأَفَاضَ بَعْدَ غُرُوبِ الشَّمْسِ قَالَ وَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) إِذَا غَرَبَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَأَفِضْ مَعَ النَّاسِ وَعَلَيْكَ السَّكِينَةَ وَالْوَقَارَ وَأَفِضْ بِالاسْتِغْفَارِ فَإِنَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَقُولُ ثُمَّ أَفِيضُوا مِنْ حَيْثُ أَفاضَ النَّاسُ وَاسْتَغْفِرُوا الله إِنَّ الله غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ فَإِذَا انْتَهَيْتَ إِلَى الْكَثِيبِ الأَحْمَرِ عَنْ يَمِينِ الطَّرِيقِ فَقُلِ اللهمَّ ارْحَمْ مَوْقِفِي وَزِدْ فِي عِلْمِي وَسَلِّمْ لِي دِينِي وَتَقَبَّلْ مَنَاسِكِي وَإِيَّاكَ وَالْوَجِيفَ الَّذِي يَصْنَعُهُ النَّاسُ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) قَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ الْحَجَّ لَيْسَ بِوَجِيفِ الْخَيْلِ وَلا إِيضَاعِ الإِبِلِ وَلَكِنِ اتَّقُوا الله وَسِيرُوا سَيْراً جَمِيلاً لا تُوَطِّئُوا ضَعِيفاً وَلا تُوَطِّئُوا مُسْلِماً وَتَوَأَّدُوا وَاقْتَصِدُوا فِي السَّيْرِ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) كَانَ يَكُفُّ نَاقَتَهُ حَتَّى يُصِيبَ رَأْسُهَا مُقَدَّمَ الرَّحْلِ وَيَقُولُ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالدَّعَةِ فَسُنَّةُ رَسُولِ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) تُتَّبَعُ قَالَ مُعَاوِيَةُ وَسَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) يَقُولُ اللهمَّ أَعْتِقْنِي مِنَ النَّارِ وَكَرَّرَهَا حَتَّى أَفَاضَ فَقُلْتُ أَ لا تُفِيضُ فَقَدْ أَفَاضَ النَّاسُ فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ الزِّحَامَ وَأَخَافُ أَنْ أَشْرَكَ فِي عَنَتِ إِنْسَانٍ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and Muhammad ibn Isma‘il from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Safwan ibn Yahya from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the pagans would depart ‘Arafat before sunset. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, opposed them. He departed after sunset. He (the narrator) has said that abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When it is sunset, then depart ‘Arafat along with the people in a calm and dignified manner. Ask forgiveness from Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, who has said, “Then depart ‘Arafat as people do and ask forgiveness from Allah; Allah is forgiving and merciful.” (2:198) When you reach al-Kathib al-Ahmar on the right side of the road say, “O Allah, grant me kindness for my staying in ‘Arafat, increase my knowledge, protect my religion and accept my acts of al-Hajj.” Beware of al-Wajif (moving in a rough and rushing manner) as people do. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, had said, “O people, al-Hajj is not horse or camel racing. Be God-fearing and walk in a beautiful manner. You must not overrun the weak ones or Muslims. Walk considerately and moderately.” The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, halted his camel until the camel’s head reached the front part of the leg and the Messenger of Allah said, “O people, you must remain calm.” The tradition of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, must be followed.’ Mu‘awiyah has said, ‘I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, “O Allah, set me free from hellfire.” He (the Imam) repeated it until he departed ‘Arafat. I asked, “Are you not leaving? People have left.” He (the Imam) replied, “I am afraid of congestion and I do not want to cause trouble to a human being.’”” 

3ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ هَارُونَ بْنِ خَارِجَةَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) يَقُولُ فِي آخِرِ كَلامِهِ حِينَ أَفَاضَ اللهمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَظْلِمَ أَوْ أُظْلَمَ أَوْ أَقْطَعَ رَحِماً أَوْ أُوذِيَ جَاراً.

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-FIusayn ibn Sa‘id from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Harun ibn Kharijah who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, when departing ‘Arafat at the end of his words, ‘O Allah, I seek protection with You against my disappointing, mistreating or doing injustice to or being treated unjustly by a relative or a neighbor.’” 

4ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ وَأَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ رِئَابٍ عَنْ ضُرَيْسٍ الْكُنَاسِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَفَاضَ مِنْ عَرَفَاتٍ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَغِيبَ الشَّمْسُ قَالَ عَلَيْهِ بَدَنَةٌ يَنْحَرُهَا يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ صَامَ ثَمَانِيَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْماً بِمَكَّةَ أَوْ فِي الطَّرِيقِ أَوْ فِي أَهْلِهِ.

4. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ibn Ri’ab from Durays al-Kunasiy who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about a man who leaves ‘Arafat before sunset. He (the Imam) said, ‘He owes one badanah to slaughter on the day of al-Nahr (slaughtering the offering), if unable to do this he must fast for eighteen days in Makkah or on the way or at home.’” (Fatwa best explains Hadith 4 of this Chapter) 

5ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنِ النَّضْرِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ يُوَكِّلُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مَلَكَيْنِ بِمَأْزِمَيْ عَرَفَةَ فَيَقُولانِ سَلِّمْ سَلِّمْ.

5. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn al-Suwayd from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, appoints two angels who in the narrow area between ‘Arafat and al-Muzdalifah say, ‘Keep safe, keep safe.”’ 

6ـ وَعَنْهُ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ النُّعْمَانِ عَنْ سَعِيدٍ الأَعْرَجِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ مَلَكَانِ يُفَرِّجَانِ لِلنَّاسِ لَيْلَةَ مُزْدَلِفَةَ عِنْدَ الْمَأْزِمَيْنِ الضَّيِّقَيْنِ. 

6. It is narrated from him (narrator of previous Hadith) from Ali ibn al-Nu’man from Sa‘id al-’A‘raj who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Two angels make room for people who become congested in al-Mazemin.’” 

Al-Kāfi - Volume 4

Book 3, Chapter 166