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 بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ قَالَ قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) إِنَّ سَفِينَةَ نُوحٍ كَانَتْ مَأْمُورَةً طَافَتْ بِالْبَيْتِ حَيْثُ غَرِقَتِ الأَرْضُ ثُمَّ أَتَتْ مِنًى فِي أَيَّامِهَا ثُمَّ رَجَعَتِ السَّفِينَةُ وَكَانَتْ مَأْمُورَةً وَطَافَتْ بِالْبَيْتِ طَوَافَ النِّسَاءِ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from certain individuals of his people from al-Washsha’ from Ali ibn abu Hamzah who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), once said to me, ‘Noah’s Ark was commanded to perform Tawaf around the House as the land was submerged in water; then it went to Mina during its days, then it returned back and it was commanded to perform Tawaf around the House in the form of Tawaf of women.’” 

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ صَالِحٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) يُحَدِّثُ عَطَاءً قَالَ كَانَ طُولُ سَفِينَةِ نُوحٍ أَلْفَ ذِرَاعٍ وَمِائَتَيْ ذِرَاعٍ وَعَرْضُهَا ثَمَانَمِائَةِ ذِرَاعٍ وَطُولُهَا فِي السَّمَاءِ مِائَتَيْنِ ذِرَاعاً وَطَافَتْ بِالْبَيْتِ وَسَعَتْ بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ سَبْعَةَ أَشْوَاطٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَتْ عَلَى الْجُودِيِّ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub, from al-Hassan ibn Salih who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), when speaking to ‘Ata’ say, “The length of the Ark of Noah was one thousand two hundred yards, its width was eight hundred and its height was two hundred yards. The Ark performed Tawaf around the House and Sa‘iy between al-Safa’ and al-Marwah seven times, then it took a stationary position on al-Judiy.’” 

3ـ عَلِيٌّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ الْمُخْتَارِ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) يَقُولُ مَرَّ مُوسَى بْنُ عِمْرَانَ فِي سَبْعِينَ نَبِيّاً عَلَى فِجَاجِ الرَّوْحَاءِ عَلَيْهِمُ الْعَبَاءُ الْقَطَوَانِيَّةُ يَقُولُ لَبَّيْكَ عَبْدُكَ ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ.

3. Ali has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Husayn ibn al-Mukhtar from abu Basir who has said the following: “I once heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘Moses, son of ‘Imran, passed by the wide road in al- Rawha’ (a place between al-Madinah and Makkah), along with seventy prophets dressed with gowns made in al-Qatwan, near al-Kufa, Iraq, saying, “Here I am to obey Your command O Lord, Your servant, son of Your servant.’”” 

4ـ عَلِيٌّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ مَرَّ مُوسَى النَّبِيُّ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) بِصِفَاحِ الرَّوْحَاءِ عَلَى جَمَلٍ أَحْمَرَ خِطَامُهُ مِنْ لِيفٍ عَلَيْهِ عَبَاءَتَانِ قَطَوَانِيَّتَانِ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ لَبَّيْكَ يَا كَرِيمُ لَبَّيْكَ قَالَ وَمَرَّ يُونُسُ بْنُ مَتَّى بِصِفَاحِ الرَّوْحَاءِ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ لَبَّيْكَ كَشَّافَ الْكُرَبِ الْعِظَامِ لَبَّيْكَ قَالَ وَمَرَّ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ بِصِفَاحِ الرَّوْحَاءِ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ لَبَّيْكَ عَبْدُكَ ابْنُ أَمَتِكَ لَبَّيْكَ وَمَرَّ مُحَمَّدٌ (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) بِصِفَاحِ الرَّوْحَاءِ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ لَبَّيْكَ ذَا الْمَعَارِجِ لَبَّيْكَ.

4. Ali has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn al-Hakam who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Moses, the prophet, passed on his way to Makkah over the hillsides of al-Rawha’ on a red camel harnessed with fibers. He had two gowns, made in al- Qatwan and said, ‘Here I am, O Gracious Lord, to obey Your command; here I am.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yunus ibn Mathew passed over the hillsides of al-Rawha’ on his way to Makkah, saying, ‘Here I am, O remover of greatly intense suffering; here I am to obey Your command.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Jesus son of Mary passed over the hillsides of al-Rawha’ on his way to Makkah saying, ‘Here I am, Your servant, the son of Your female servant; here I am, to obey Your command, O Lord.’ Muhammad (SAW), passed over the hillsides of al-Rawha’ on his way to Makkah, saying, ‘Here I am to obey your command, O Most Exalted Lord; here I am to obey Your command.’” 

5ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنِ الْمُفَضَّلِ بْنِ صَالِحٍ عَنْ جَابِرٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ أَحْرَمَ مُوسَى (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) مِنْ رَمْلَةِ مِصْرَ قَالَ وَمَرَّ بِصِفَاحِ الرَّوْحَاءِ مُحْرِماً يَقُودُ نَاقَتَهُ بِخِطَامٍ مِنْ لِيفٍ عَلَيْهِ عَبَاءَتَانِ قَطَوَانِيَّتَانِ يُلَبِّي وَتُجِيبُهُ الْجِبَالُ.

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ali ibn Isma‘il, from Ali ibn al-Hakam from al-Mufaddal ibn Salih from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Moses (a.s.), dressed himself up for Ihram (one of the acts for Hajj) at Ramlah of Misr, (name of a city).’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘He passed over the hillsides of al-Rawha’ on his way to Makkah, in the state of Ihram, driving his camel with a harness made of fiber and having two gowns made in Qatwan, saying, “Here I am O Lord, to obey Your command,” and the hills joined him to say what he said.’” 

6ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ عُقْبَةَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) أَنَّ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنَ دَاوُدَ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ فِي الْجِنِّ وَالإِنْسِ وَالطَّيْرِ وَالرِّيَاحِ وَكَسَا الْبَيْتَ الْقَبَاطِيَّ.

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Faddal from Ali ibn ‘Uqbah, from his father from Zurarah who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Sulayman son of Dawud (Solomon son of David) performed Hajj along with Jinn, man, bird and wind, wearing a Coptic gown.’” 

7ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي نَجْرَانَ عَنِ الْمُفَضَّلِ عَنْ جَابِرٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ صَلَّى فِي مَسْجِدِ الْخَيْفِ سَبْعُمِائَةِ نَبِيٍّ وَإِنَّ مَا بَيْنَ الرُّكْنِ وَالْمَقَامِ لَمَشْحُونٌ مِنْ قُبُورِ الأَنْبِيَاءِ وَإِنَّ آدَمَ لَفِي حَرَمِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ.

7. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Najran from al-Mufaddal from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Seven hundred prophets said salat (prayer) in the Masjid of al-Khif, in Mina. The area between the corner and al-Maqam (the station of Ibrahim) is full of the graves of prophets; and Adam is in the Sacred place of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious.” 

8ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ عَنْ أَبَانِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنْ زَيْدٍ الشَّحَّامِ عَمَّنْ رَوَاهُ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ حَجَّ مُوسَى بْنُ عِمْرَانَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) وَمَعَهُ سَبْعُونَ نَبِيّاً مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ خُطُمُ إِبِلِهِمْ مِنْ لِيفٍ يُلَبُّونَ وَتُجِيبُهُمُ الْجِبَالُ وَعَلَى مُوسَى عَبَاءَتَانِ قَطَوَانِيَّتَانِ يَقُولُ لَبَّيْكَ عَبْدُكَ ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ.

8. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from Zayd al-Shahham from those whom he has mentioned who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Moses along with seventy Israelite prophets performed Hajj. They harnessed their camels with fiber. (Everyone) said, “Here I am, O Lord, to obey Your command,” and the hills responded along with them. Moses had two gowns which were made in Qatwan and he said, “Here I am, O Lord, to obey Your command; here is Your servant, son of Your servant, to obey Your command.’”” 

9ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ أَبِي الْبِلادِ عَنْ أَبِي بِلالٍ الْمَكِّيِّ قَالَ رَأَيْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) دَخَلَ الْحِجْرَ مِنْ نَاحِيَةِ الْبَابِ فَقَامَ يُصَلِّي عَلَى قَدْرِ ذِرَاعَيْنِ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ مَا رَأَيْتُ أَحَداً مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ يُصَلِّي بِحِيَالِ الْمِيزَابِ فَقَالَ هَذَا مُصَلَّى شَبَّرَ وَشَبِيرٍ ابْنَيْ هَارُونَ.

9. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Ibrahim ibn abu al-Balad from abu Bilal al-Makkiy who has said the following: “I saw abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), enter al-Hijr from the side of the door. He stood up to say salat (prayer) at a distance of two yards from the House and I said to him, ‘I have not seen anyone from your family pray under al-Mizab.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘This is the place where Shabbar and Shabir, sons of Harun said their salat (prayer).”’ 

10ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْوَلِيدِ شَبَابٍ الصَّيْرَفِيِّ عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ الدُّهْنِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ دُفِنَ مَا بَيْنَ الرُّكْنِ الْيَمَانِيِّ وَالْحَجَرِ الأَسْوَدِ سَبْعُونَ نَبِيّاً أَمَاتَهُمُ الله جُوعاً وَضُرّاً.

10. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Walid, Shabab al-Sayrafiy from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar al-Duhniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that between al-Yamaniy corner and Black Stone seventy prophets are buried; Allah caused them to die because of hunger and hardships.” 

11ـ أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الأَشْعَرِيُّ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الْكُوفِيِّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَهْزِيَارَ عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ ابْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَمَّنْ رَوَاهُ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ إِنَّ دَاوُدَ لَمَّا وَقَفَ الْمَوْقِفَ بِعَرَفَةَ نَظَرَ إِلَى النَّاسِ وَكَثْرَتِهِمْ فَصَعِدَ الْجَبَلَ فَأَقْبَلَ يَدْعُو فَلَمَّا قَضَى نُسُكَهُ أَتَاهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا دَاوُدُ يَقُولُ لَكَ رَبُّكَ لِمَ صَعِدْتَ الْجَبَلَ ظَنَنْتَ أَنَّهُ يَخْفَى عَلَيَّ صَوْتُ مَنْ صَوَّتَ ثُمَّ مَضَى بِهِ إِلَى الْبَحْرِ إِلَى جُدَّةَ فَرَسَبَ بِهِ فِي الْمَاءِ مَسِيرَةَ أَرْبَعِينَ صَبَاحاً فِي الْبَرِّ فَإِذَا صَخْرَةٌ فَفَلَقَهَا فَإِذَا فِيهَا دُودَةٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا دَاوُدُ يَقُولُ لَكَ رَبُّكَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ صَوْتَ هَذِهِ فِي بَطْنِ هَذِهِ الصَّخْرَةِ فِي قَعْرِ هَذَا الْبَحْرِ فَظَنَنْتَ أَنَّهُ يَخْفَى عَلَيَّ صَوْتُ مَنْ صَوَّتَ. 

11. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Kufiy from Ali ibn Mahziyar from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from ibn Muskan from those whom he has mentioned who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Dawud (David) stayed at the station in ‘Arafat and looked at the people who seemed of great number to him. He then climbed the hill and began to pray. When he completed that act of Hajj, Jibril came to him and said, ‘O Dawud, your Lord asks, “Why did you climb the hill? Did you think that the voice of one who calls Me (prays to Me) may remain hidden from Me?”’ He (Jibril) then took him to the sea near Jaddah. He (Jibril) made him swim underwater for a distance equal to forty mornings on land. At that point there was a rock, which he (Jibril) cut open and inside there was a little worm. He (Jibril) said, ‘O Dawud, your Lord says, “I hear the voice of this worm inside this rock in the depth of this sea, but you thought that the voice of a caller (one who prays to Me) may remain hidden and obscure before Me.’”” 

Al-Kāfi - Volume 4

Book 3, Chapter 8