Fasting

أَ مَا أَصُومُهُ الْيَوْمَ‌[3] وَ هُوَ يَوْمُ دُعَاءٍ وَ مَسْأَلَةٍ.

“I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja’far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about fasting on the ninth of Dhul Hajjah (day of ‘Arafah). He (the Imam) said, ‘I do not fast that day. It is the day of imploring and pleading before Allah.”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص لَمْ يَصُمْ يَوْمَ عَرَفَةَ مُنْذُ نَزَلَ صِيَامُ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ.

“I once heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘The Messenger of Allah did not fast on the day of ‘Arafah from the time fasting of the month of Ramadan came down.’”

قَالا لَا تَصُمْ فِي يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ[1] وَ لَا عَرَفَةَ بِمَكَّةَ وَ لَا فِي الْمَدِينَةِ وَ لَا فِي وَطَنِكَ وَ لَا فِي مِصْرٍ مِنَ الْأَمْصَارِ

“Abu Ja‘far, and abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), have said, ‘You must not fast on the day of ‘Ashura’ (tenth of Muharram) and on the day of ‘Arafah in Makkah, in al-Madinah, in your homeland or in any other city.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ فَقَالَ صَوْمٌ مَتْرُوكٌ بِنُزُولِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ الْمَتْرُوكُ بِدْعَةٌ قَالَ نَجَبَةُ فَسَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مِنْ بَعْدِ أَبِيهِ ع عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَأَجَابَنِي بِمِثْلِ جَوَابِ أَبِيهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ صَوْمُ يَوْمٍ مَا نَزَلَ بِهِ كِتَابٌ وَ لَا جَرَتْ بِهِ سُنَّةٌ إِلَّا سُنَّةُ آلِ زِيَادٍ بِقَتْلِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ صَلَوَاتُ ال

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about fasting on the day of ‘Ashura’ (tenth of Muharram). He (the Imam) said, ‘It is a discarded fast after the coming of the month of Ramadan, and what is discarded and abandoned is heresy.’ Najabah has said that I then asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), after his father about it and he answ

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ صَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ وَ مَا يَقُولُ النَّاسُ فِيهِ فَقَالَ عَنْ صَوْمِ ابْنِ مَرْجَانَةَ[5] تَسْأَلُنِي ذَلِكَ يَوْمٌ صَامَهُ الْأَدْعِيَاءُ مِنْ آلِ زِيَادٍ لِقَتْلِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع وَ هُوَ يَوْمٌ يَتَشَأَّمُ بِهِ آلُ مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَ يَتَشَأَّمُ بِهِ أَهْلُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي يَتَشَأَّمُ بِهِ أَهْلُ الْإِسْلَامِ لَا يُصَامُ وَ لَا يُتَبَرَّكُ بِهِ وَ يَوْمُ الْإِثْنَيْنِ يَوْمُ نَح

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about fasting on ‘Ashura’ and what people say about it. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is the fast of ibn Marjanah. You are asking me about the day in which the adopted ones of the family of Ziyad for their murdering al-Husayn (a.s.), were fasting. It is an ominous day for the family of Muhammad

قُلْتُ وَ مَا كَانَ حَظُّهُمْ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ قَالَ النَّارُ أَعَاذَنَا اللَّهُ مِنَ النَّارِ وَ مِنْ عَمَلٍ يُقَرِّبُ مِنَ النَّارِ.

“I heard Zurarah asking abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the fast on the day of ‘Ashura’. He (the Imam) said, ‘Whoever fasts that day, his share for such fast is like the share of ibn Marjanah and the family of Ziyad.’ I then asked, ‘What was their share of that day? He (the Imam) said, ‘It is the fire, I seek protection w

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ صَوْمِ تَاسُوعَاءَ وَ عَاشُورَاءَ مِنْ شَهْرِ الْمُحَرَّمِ فَقَالَ تَاسُوعَاءُ يَوْمٌ حُوصِرَ فِيهِ الْحُسَيْنُ ع وَ أَصْحَابُهُ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ بِكَرْبَلَاءَ وَ اجْتَمَعَ عَلَيْهِ خَيْلُ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ وَ أَنَاخُوا عَلَيْهِ‌[1] وَ فَرِحَ ابْنُ مَرْجَانَةَ وَ عُمَرُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ بِتَوَافُرِ الْخَيْلِ وَ كَثْرَتِهَا وَ اسْتَضْعَفُوا فِيهِ الْحُسَيْنَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَي

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the fast on the day of ‘Ashura’ of the month of Muharram. He (the Imam) said, ‘Tasu‘a’ (ninth of Muharram) was the day when they had surrounded al-Husayn (a.s.), and his friends, may Allah be pleased with them, in Karbala’. The horsemen of al-Sham had come together against him

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ صِيَامِ يَوْمِ الْفِطْرِ فَقَالَ لَا يَنْبَغِي صِيَامُهُ وَ لَا صِيَامُ أَيَّامِ التَّشْرِيقِ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about fasting on the day of al-Fitr (first day of the month of Shawwal). He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not proper to fast as well as on the days of al- Tashriq.’”

قَالَ لَنَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا صِيَامَ بَعْدَ الْأَضْحَى ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَ لَا بَعْدَ الْفِطْرِ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ إِنَّهَا أَيَّامُ أَكْلٍ وَ شُرْبٍ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to us, ‘Fasting is not proper during three days after al- Adha’ (10th of Duh al-Hajjah) as well as after al-Fitr (the first day of the month of Shawwal); they are the days for eating and drinking.”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الْيَوْمَيْنِ اللَّذَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْفِطْرِ أَ يُصَامَانِ أَمْ لَا فَقَالَ أَكْرَهُ لَكَ أَنْ تَصُومَهُمَا[3].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of the two days after al-Fitr; if fasting is permissible therein. He (the Imam) said, ‘I do not like for you to fast on those days.’”

قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ عِيدٌ غَيْرَ الْعِيدَيْنِ قَالَ نَعَمْ يَا حَسَنُ أَعْظَمُهُمَا وَ أَشْرَفُهُمَا قُلْتُ وَ أَيُّ يَوْمٍ هُوَ قَالَ هُوَ يَوْمٌ نُصِبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ وَ سَلَامُهُ عَلَيْهِ فِيهِ عَلَماً لِلنَّاسِ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا يَنْبَغِي لَنَا أَنْ نَصْنَعَ‌ فِيهِ قَالَ تَصُومُهُ يَا حَسَنُ وَ تُكْثِرُ الصَّلَاةَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ تَبَرَّأُ إِل

I said to him: ’May I be sacrificed for you, is there another ‘Id for the Muslims, besides the two ‘Ids?‘ He replied, ‘Yes, O Hassan, there is a greater and more important ‘Id than these.’ I then asked, ‘And what day is that?’ He replied, ‘It is the day when ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) was appointed as the banner and ligh

بَعَثَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مُحَمَّداً ص‌ رَحْمَةً لِلْعالَمِينَ‌ فِي سَبْعٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ مِنْ رَجَبٍ فَمَنْ صَامَ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ صِيَامَ سِتِّينَ شَهْراً وَ فِي خَمْسَةٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ مِنْ ذِي الْقَعْدَةِ وُضِعَ الْبَيْتُ وَ هُوَ أَوَّلُ رَحْمَةٍ وُضِعَتْ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْأَرْضِ فَجَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ مَثابَةً لِلنَّاسِ‌[1] وَ أَمْناً فَمَنْ صَامَ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ

“Abu al-Hassan, the 1st (a.s.), has said ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, sent Muhammad (SAW), as a mercy for the worlds on the twenty-seventh of the month of Rajab. Allah counts one’s fasting during this day as fasting for sixty months. On the twenty- fifth of Dhul al-Qa’dah, the House was established, an

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَلْ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ عِيدٌ غَيْرَ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ وَ الْأَضْحَى وَ الْفِطْرِ قَالَ نَعَمْ أَعْظَمُهَا حُرْمَةً قُلْتُ وَ أَيُّ عِيدٍ هُوَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي نَصَبَ فِيهِ- رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ قَالَ مَنْ كُنْتُ مَوْلَاهُ فَعَلِيٌّ مَوْلَاهُ قُلْتُ وَ أَيُّ يَوْمٍ هُوَ قَالَ وَ مَا تَصْنَعُ بِالْيَوْمِ إِنَّ السَّنَةَ تَدُورُ وَ لَكِنَّهُ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Are there for Muslims other ‘Id besides, Friday, the tenth of the month of Dhul Hajjah and the first day of the month of Shawwal?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Yes, there is such a day, in fact, it is of greater importance.’ I then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for

خَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا أَبُو الْحَسَنِ يَعْنِي الرِّضَا ع فِي يَوْمِ خَمْسَةٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ مِنْ ذِي الْقَعْدَةِ فَقَالَ صُومُوا فَإِنِّي أَصْبَحْتُ صَائِماً قُلْنَا جُعِلْنَا فِدَاكَ أَيُّ يَوْمٍ هُوَ فَقَالَ يَوْمٌ نُشِرَتْ فِيهِ الرَّحْمَةُ وَ دُحِيَتْ فِيهِ الْأَرْضُ وَ نُصِبَتْ فِيهِ الْكَعْبَةُ وَ هَبَطَ فِيهِ آدَمُ ع.

“Abu al-Hassan, meaning al-Rida (a.s.), once came out to us on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Dhul Qa’dah and said, ‘Fast, for today I have awoken while fasting.’ We then said, ‘May we be sacrificed for you, which day is it?’ He replied, ‘It is the day during which the mercy (of Allah) was spread, the earth was e

إِفْطَارُكَ لِأَخِيكَ الْمُؤْمِنِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صِيَامِكَ تَطَوُّعاً[1].

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that your serving breakfasts to your brother (in belief) after sunset is more excellent than your fasting an optional fasting.”

مَنْ نَوَى الصَّوْمَ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ عَلَى أَخِيهِ فَسَأَلَهُ أَنْ يُفْطِرَ عِنْدَهُ فَلْيُفْطِرْ وَ لْيُدْخِلْ عَلَيْهِ السُّرُورَ فَإِنَّهُ يُحْتَسَبُ لَهُ بِذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ عَشَرَةُ أَيَّامٍ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- مَنْ جاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثالِها[2].

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Barqiy from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from al-‘Is from Najm ibn Hutaym who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘If one decides to fast, and then goes to visit his brother (in belief) who offers to serve him food, he should break his fast f

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ دَخَلَ عَلَى أَخِيهِ وَ هُوَ صَائِمٌ فَأَفْطَرَ عِنْدَهُ وَ لَمْ يُعْلِمْهُ بِصَوْمِهِ فَيَمُنَّ عَلَيْهِ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ صَوْمَ سَنَةٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a fasting person visits his brother (in belief) who offers him food, and he accepts the offer without telling him about his fast, in order not to show that he is doing him a favor, Allah counts his fast as one year’s fasting.’”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى جَمِيلِ بْنِ دَرَّاجٍ وَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ خِوَانٌ عَلَيْهِ غَسَّانِيَّةٌ[3] يَأْكُلُ مِنْهَا فَقَالَ ادْنُ فَكُلْ فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي صَائِمٌ فَتَرَكَنِي حَتَّى إِذَا أَكَلَهَا فَلَمْ يَبْقَ مِنْهَا إِلَّا الْيَسِيرُ عَزَمَ عَلَيَّ أَلَّا أَفْطَرْتَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَلَّا كَانَ هَذَا قَبْلَ السَّاعَةِ[4] فَقَالَ أَرَدْتُ بِذَلِكَ أَدَبَكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ أَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ مُؤ

“If a fasting person visits his brother (in belief), who offers him food, and he accepts the offer without telling him about his fast, in order not to show that he is doing him a favor by accepting his offering food, Allah, majestic is whose mention, counts his fast as one year’s fasting.’””

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْمَاضِي ع أَدْخُلُ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ وَ هُمْ يَأْكُلُونَ وَ قَدْ صَلَّيْتُ الْعَصْرَ وَ أَنَا صَائِمٌ فَيَقُولُونَ أَفْطِرْ فَقَالَ أَفْطِرْ فَإِنَّهُ أَفْضَلُ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘I may visit a people after late afternoon prayer while I am fasting and they offer me food, saying, “discontinue your fast.’” He (the Imam) said, ‘Accept the offer; it is better.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَإِفْطَارُكَ فِي مَنْزِلِ أَخِيكَ الْمُسْلِمِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صِيَامِكَ سَبْعِينَ ضِعْفاً أَوْ تِسْعِينَ ضِعْفاً.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Your discontinuing your fast in the house of your brother in Islam is better than your fasting seventy or ninety times over.’”

قَالَ: لَا يَصْلُحُ لِلْمَرْأَةِ أَنْ تَصُومَ تَطَوُّعاً إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ زَوْجِهَا[1].

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a woman should not fast an optional fast without permission from her husband.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مِنْ فِقْهِ الضَّيْفِ أَنْ لَا يَصُومَ تَطَوُّعاً إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ صَاحِبِهِ وَ مِنْ طَاعَةِ الْمَرْأَةِ لِزَوْجِهَا أَنْ لَا تَصُومَ تَطَوُّعاً إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ وَ أَمْرِهِ وَ مِنْ صَلَاحِ الْعَبْدِ وَ طَاعَتِهِ وَ نُصْحِهِ لِمَوْلَاهُ أَنْ لَا يَصُومَ تَطَوُّعاً إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ مَوْلَاهُ وَ أَمْرِهِ وَ مِنْ بِرِّ الْوَلَدِ أَنْ لَا يَصُومَ تَطَوُّعاً إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ أَبَوَيْهِ وَ أَمْرِهِمَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘A guest of good understanding does not fast an optional fast without permission from his host. An obedient wife does not fast an optional fast without p

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ بَلْدَةً فَهُوَ ضَيْفٌ عَلَى مَنْ بِهَا مِنْ أَهْلِ دِينِهِ حَتَّى يَرْحَلَ عَنْهُمْ وَ لَا يَنْبَغِي لِلضَّيْفِ أَنْ يَصُومَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِمْ لِئَلَّا يَعْمَلُوا الشَّيْ‌ءَ فَيَفْسُدَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ لَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُمْ أَنْ يَصُومُوا إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ الضَّيْفِ لِئَلَّا يَحْتَشِمَهُمْ‌[1] فَيَشْتَهِيَ الطَّعَامَ فَيَتْرُكَهُ لَهُمْ.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “When a man enters a town (residence), he is a guest of the inhabitants of that town who are followers of the religion he follows until he leaves that town (residence). It is not proper for

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ لَيْسَ لِلْمَرْأَةِ أَنْ تَصُومَ تَطَوُّعاً إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ زَوْجِهَا.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that a woman must not optionally fast without permission from her husband.”

جَاءَتِ امْرَأَةٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا حَقُّ الزَّوْجِ عَلَى الْمَرْأَةِ فَقَالَ هُوَ أَكْثَرُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَتْ أَخْبِرْنِي بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ لَهَا أَنْ تَصُومَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a woman came to the Holy prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is the right of a husband on the wife?’ He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘It is more than that.’ She then sa

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا صَامَ فَلَمْ يَجِدِ الْحَلْوَاءَ أَفْطَرَ عَلَى الْمَاءِ.

“If the Messenger of Allah (sw) was fasting and he did not find Halwa (a special type of sweet), he would break his fast with water.”

إِذَا أَفْطَرَ الرَّجُلُ عَلَى الْمَاءِ الْفَاتِرِ نَقَّى كَبِدَهُ‌[2] وَ غَسَلَ الذُّنُوبَ مِنَ الْقَلْبِ وَ قَوَّى الْبَصَرَ وَ الْحَدَقَ.

”If one breaks his fast with water, it cleanses his liver, washes off sins from the heart, and strengthens the eyesight and the pupil of the eyes.”

الْإِفْطَارُ عَلَى الْمَاءِ يَغْسِلُ الذُّنُوبَ مِنَ الْقَلْبِ.

”Breaking the fast with water washes off sins from the heart.”

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا أَفْطَرَ بَدَأَ بِحَلْوَاءَ يُفْطِرُ عَلَيْهَا فَإِنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَسُكَّرَةٍ أَوْ تَمَرَاتٍ فَإِذَا أَعْوَزَ ذَلِكَ كُلُّهُ‌[1] فَمَاءٍ فَاتِرٍ وَ كَانَ يَقُولُ يُنَقِّي الْمَعِدَةَ وَ الْكَبِدَ وَ يُطَيِّبُ النَّكْهَةَ[2] وَ الْفَمَ وَ يُقَوِّي الْأَضْرَاسَ وَ يُقَوِّي الْحَدَقَ وَ يَجْلُو النَّاظِرَ وَ يَغْسِلُ الذُّنُوبَ غَسْلًا وَ يُسَكِّنُ الْعُرُوقَ الْهَائِجَةَ وَ الْمِرَّةَ الْغ

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from those whom he has mentioned (in his book) from Mansur ibn al-‘ Abbas from Safwan ibn Yahya from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muskan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhamm

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يُفْطِرُ عَلَى التَّمْرِ فِي زَمَنِ التَّمْرِ وَ عَلَى الرُّطَبِ فِي زَمَنِ الرُّطَبِ.

”The Messenger of Allah (sw) would use dates to break his fast during the season of dates, or fresh dates during the season of fresh dates.”

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَوَّلُ مَا يُفْطِرُ عَلَيْهِ فِي زَمَنِ الرُّطَبِ الرُّطَبُ وَ فِي زَمَنِ التَّمْرِ التَّمْرُ.

"The Messenger of Allah (sw) would first break his fast during the season of fresh dates with fresh dates, and during the season of dates, he would use dates.”

الْغُسْلُ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ عِنْدَ وُجُوبِ الشَّمْسِ قُبَيْلَهُ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي ثُمَّ يُفْطِرُ.

”Ghusl (bath) in the month of Ramadan is just before sunset, thereafter one performs salat (prayer) and then breaks his fast.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَمْ أَغْتَسِلُ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ لَيْلَةً قَالَ لَيْلَةَ تِسْعَ عَشْرَةَ وَ لَيْلَةَ إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ وَ ثَلَاثٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ شَقَّ عَلَيَّ قَالَ فِي إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ وَ ثَلَاثٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ شَقَّ عَلَيَّ قَالَ حَسْبُكَ الْآنَ.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), on how many nights should one take a shower in the month of Ramadan?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is on the nineteenth, twenty- first and twenty-third nights.’ I then said, ‘What if even this much becomes difficult for me?’ He then said, ‘Take a shower on the twenty- first and twent

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ اللَّيْلَةِ الَّتِي يُطْلَبُ فِيهَا مَا يُطْلَبُ مَتَى الْغُسْلُ فَقَالَ مِنْ أَوَّلِ اللَّيْلِ وَ إِنْ شِئْتَ حَيْثُ تَقُومُ مِنْ آخِرِهِ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْقِيَامِ فَقَالَ تَقُومُ فِي أَوَّلِهِ وَ آخِرِهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the night during which one can appeal before Allah for one’s needs when it is the time for a shower. He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is at the beginning of the night, or if you like, at the end of the night as you wake up.’ I then asked about al-Qiyam (rising up) (for salat [prayer

الْغُسْلُ فِي لَيَالٍ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فِي تِسْعَ عَشْرَةَ وَ إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ وَ ثَلَاثٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ وَ أُصِيبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ فِي لَيْلَةِ تِسْعَ عَشْرَةَ وَ قُبِضَ فِي لَيْلَةِ إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ وَ الْغُسْلُ فِي أَوَّلِ لَيْلَةٍ وَ هُوَ يُجْزِئُ إِلَى آخِرِهِ.

“One of the two Imam, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ‘One should take a shower in the nineteenth, twenty-first and twenty-third nights of the month of Ramadan. ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), sustained a mortal wound by an assassin in the nineteenth night. He (the Imam) passed away on the twenty-first night of the month of Ram

دَخَلْنَا عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ مَا تَقُولُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ لِشَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ حُرْمَةٌ وَ حَقٌّ لَا يَشْبَهُهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنَ الشُّهُورِ صَلِّ مَا اسْتَطَعْتَ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ تَطَوُّعاً بِاللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَ لَيْلَةٍ أَلْفَ رَكْعَةٍ فَافْعَلْ إِنَّ عَلِيّاً ع فِي آخِرِ عُمُرِهِ كَانَ يُصَلِّي فِ

“Once we visited abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), and abu Basir asked, ’What do you say about al- salat (prayer) during the month of Ramadan?’ He (the Imam) replied, ’The month of Ramadan has a special respect and right, unlike the other months. You should perform salat (prayer) as much as you can in optional forms during the n

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَزِيدُ فِي صَلَاتِهِ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ إِذَا صَلَّى الْعَتَمَةَ صَلَّى بَعْدَهَا فَيَقُومُ النَّاسُ خَلْفَهُ فَيَدْخُلُ وَ يَدَعُهُمْ ثُمَّ يَخْرُجُ‌ أَيْضاً فَيَجِيئُونَ وَ يَقُومُونَ خَلْفَهُ فَيَدَعُهُمْ وَ يَدْخُلُ مِرَاراً قَالَ وَ قَالَ لَا تُصَلِّ بَعْدَ الْعَتَمَةِ فِي غَيْرِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, would increase his salat (prayer) during the month of Ramadan. After al-‘Atmah (late evening salat [prayer]), he would perform more prayers. People behind would st

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا دَخَلَ الْعَشْرُ الْأَوَاخِرُ شَدَّ الْمِئْزَرَ وَ اجْتَنَبَ النِّسَاءَ وَ أَحْيَا اللَّيْلَ وَ تَفَرَّغَ لِلْعِبَادَةِ[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, during the last ten days of the month of Ramadan would prepare himself well, stay away from women, stay awake the whole night, and free himself for worship.’”

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع‌ صَلِّ لَيْلَةَ إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ وَ لَيْلَةَ ثَلَاثٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ مِائَةَ رَكْعَةٍ تَقْرَأُ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَةٍ- قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘In the twenty- first and twenty-third nights, you should perform salat (prayer) of one hundred Rak’ats and in each Rak’at read Chapter 112 of the Holy Quran ten times.’”

كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِذَا كَانَتْ لَيْلَةُ إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ وَ لَيْلَةُ ثَلَاثٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ أَخَذَ فِي الدُّعَاءِ حَتَّى يَزُولَ اللَّيْلُ فَإِذَا زَالَ اللَّيْلُ صَلَّى.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), during the twenty-first and twenty-third nights, would pray until the end of the night, then perform (the obligatory) salat (prayer).”

أَنَّهُ كَتَبَ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع يُخْبِرُهُ بِمَا جَاءَتْ بِهِ الرِّوَايَةُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص كَانَ يُصَلِّي فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ غَيْرِهِ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ ثَلَاثَ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً مِنْهَا الْوَتْرُ وَ رَكْعَتَا الْفَجْرِ فَكَتَبَ ع فَضَّ اللَّهُ فَاهُ‌[3] صَلَّى مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فِي عِشْرِينَ لَيْلَةً كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ عِشْرِينَ رَكْعَةً ثَمَانِيَ بَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَ اثْنَتَيْ عَشْرَةَ بَعْدَ الْعِشَاءَ

It said that he (the Prophet) performed thirteen Rak‘at prayers including al-Witr and the two Rak‘at morning prayer during the nights in the month of Ramadan. He (the Imam) wrote, ‘May Allah break his (narrator’s) mouth. He (the Prophet), during the month of Ramadan in the first twenty nights, performed twenty Rak‘ats

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ فَقَالَ الْتَمِسْهَا فِي لَيْلَةِ إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ أَوْ لَيْلَةِ ثَلَاثٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the night of destiny. He replied, ‘You should try to find it in the twenty- first or twenty-third nights (of the month of Ramadan).”’

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ اللَّيْلَةُ الَّتِي يُرْجَى فِيهَا مَا يُرْجَى‌[1] فَقَالَ فِي إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ أَوْ ثَلَاثٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ قَالَ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَقْوَ عَلَى كِلْتَيْهِمَا فَقَالَ مَا أَيْسَرَ لَيْلَتَيْنِ فِيمَا تَطْلُبُ قُلْتُ فَرُبَّمَا رَأَيْنَا الْهِلَالَ عِنْدَنَا وَ جَاءَنَا مَنْ يُخْبِرُنَا بِخِلَافِ ذَلِكَ مِنْ أَرْضٍ أُخْرَى فَقَالَ مَا أَيْسَر

“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.), when abu Basir asked him, ‘May I be sacrificed for you, when is the night during which one may hope that his wishes will come true?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is in the twenty-first or twenty-third nights.’ He (abu Basir) then asked, ‘What happens if I cannot (stay

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ عَلَامَةِ لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ فَقَالَ عَلَامَتُهَا أَنْ تَطِيبَ رِيحُهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ فِي بَرْدٍ دَفِئَتْ‌[2] وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ فِي حَرٍّ بَرَدَتْ فَطَابَتْ قَالَ وَ سُئِلَ عَنْ لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ فَقَالَ تَنْزِلُ فِيهَا الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَ الْكَتَبَةُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا فَيَكْتُبُونَ مَا يَكُونُ فِي أَمْرِ السَّنَةِ وَ مَا يُصِيبُ الْعِبَادَ وَ أَمْرُهُ عِنْدَهُ مَوْقُوفٌ لَهُ وَ فِيهِ الْمَشِ

“Once I asked one of the two Imam, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about signs of the night of destiny. He replied, ‘One of the signs of this night is sweet fragrance; during the cold season it is warm, and during the hot season it is cool and pleasant.’ Someone asked him about the night of destiny. He (the Imam) replied, ‘The ange

لَهُ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا قَالَ وَ لَا أَعْلَمُهُ إِلَّا سَعِيداً السَّمَّانَ كَيْفَ يَكُونُ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْراً مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ قَالَ الْعَمَلُ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ فِي أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ لَيْسَ فِيهَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ.

“Certain individuals of our people - the only one of these people I know is Sa‘id al-Samman- asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Why is it that the night of destiny is better than one thousand months?‘ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is because doing good deeds during this night is better than doing good deeds in one thousand mo

نَزَلَتِ التَّوْرَاةُ فِي سِتٍّ مَضَتْ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ نَزَلَ الْإِنْجِيلُ فِي اثْنَتَيْ عَشْرَةَ لَيْلَةً مَضَتْ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ نَزَلَ الزَّبُورُ فِي لَيْلَةِ ثَمَانِيَ عَشَرَةَ مَضَتْ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ نَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ‌ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Torah was revealed during the sixth night of the month of Ramadan. Injil (New Testament) was revealed during the twelfth night of the month of Ramadan. Al-Zabbur, (Psalms) was revealed during the eighteenth night of the month of Ramadan; and the Holy Quran was revealed during the n

نَعَمْ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ وَ هِيَ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فِي الْعَشْرِ الْأَوَاخِرِ فَلَمْ يُنْزَلِ الْقُرْآنُ إِلَّا فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فِيها يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ‌[4] قَالَ يُقَدَّرُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يَكُونُ فِي تِلْكَ السَّنَةِ إِلَى مِثْلِهَا مِنْ قَابِلٍ خَيْرٍ وَ شَرٍّ- وَ طَاعَةٍ وَ مَعْصِيَةٍ وَ مَوْلُودٍ وَ أَجَلٍ أَوْ رِزْقٍ فَمَا

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the following words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious: ‘We have revealed it during the blessed night.’ (44:3) He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is the night of destiny. Every year this night is during the last ten days in the month of Ramadan. It was the night of destiny a

سَمِعْتُ رَجُلًا يَسْأَلُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ كَانَتْ أَوْ تَكُونُ فِي كُلِّ عَامٍ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَوْ رُفِعَتْ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ لَرُفِعَ الْقُرْآنُ‌[3]

“I once heard a man asking abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the night of destiny, saying, ‘Please tell me about the night of destiny. Was it only just for one night, or it comes every year?’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), replied, ‘Had the night of destiny been removed, most certainly, the Holy Quran would also had been removed.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ وَ نَاسٌ يَسْأَلُونَهُ يَقُولُونَ الْأَرْزَاقُ تُقَسَّمُ لَيْلَةَ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا ذَاكَ إِلَّا فِي لَيْلَةِ تِسْعَ عَشْرَةَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ وَ ثَلَاثٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ فَإِنَّ فِي لَيْلَةِ تِسْعَ عَشْرَةَ يَلْتَقِي الْجَمْعَانِ وَ فِي لَيْلَةِ إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ وَ فِي لَيْلَةِ ثَلَاثٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ ي

“I heard him (the Imam) say- when people said, “Sustenance is divided during the night in the middle of the month of Sha‘ban”-, ‘No, by Allah, that is in no other time besides the nineteenth night of the month of Ramadan, or the twenty-first or twenty-third night of this month. During the nineteenth night of this month

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ التَّقْدِيرُ فِي لَيْلَةِ تِسْعَ عَشْرَةَ وَ الْإِبْرَامُ فِي لَيْلَةِ إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ وَ الْإِمْضَاءُ فِي لَيْلَةِ ثَلَاثٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Measurement and determination is on the night of the nineteenth, verification is on the twenty- first night and final approval is on the twenty-third night.’”