Fasting

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع إِذَا كَانَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ لَمْ‌ يَتَكَلَّمْ إِلَّا بِالدُّعَاءِ وَ التَّسْبِيحِ وَ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ وَ التَّكْبِيرِ فَإِذَا أَفْطَرَ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ شِئْتَ أَنْ تَفْعَلَ فَعَلْتَ.

8. It is narrated from him (narrator of previous Hadith) who has said the following: “Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, in the month of Ramadan would not speak anything other than prayer, Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects), ’Istighfar, (O Allah, I appeal before You for forgiveness) and Takhir (Allah is great beyo

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الصِّيَامَ لَيْسَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَ الشَّرَابِ وَحْدَهُ إِنَّ مَرْيَمَ ع قَالَتْ- إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لِلرَّحْمنِ صَوْماً أَيْ صَمْتاً فَاحْفَظُوا أَلْسِنَتَكُمْ وَ غُضُّوا أَبْصَارَكُمْ وَ لَا تَحَاسَدُوا وَ لَا تَنَازَعُوا فَإِنَّ الْحَسَدَ يَأْكُلُ الْإِيمَانَ كَمَا تَأْكُلُ النَّارُ الْحَطَبَ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Fasting is not abstaining from food and drink only. Mary had said, “I have made a vow before the Beneficent to fast,” meaning thereby to remain silent. You must control your tongues and cast down your eyes. You must not be jealous and you must not quarrel. Jealousy consumes belief

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْكَذِبَةُ تَنْقُضُ الْوُضُوءَ وَ تُفَطِّرُ الصَّائِمَ قَالَ قُلْتُ هَلَكْنَا قَالَ لَيْسَ حَيْثُ تَذْهَبُ إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ الْكَذِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ وَ عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ ع.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Speaking lies invalidates Wudu’ and fasting.’ I (the narrator) then said, ‘We are destroyed.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not the way you think it is. It means speaking lies against Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, His Messenger and ’A’immah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَرِهَ لِي سِتَّ خِصَالٍ ثُمَّ كَرِهْتُهُنَّ لِلْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ وُلْدِي وَ أَتْبَاعِهِمْ مِنْ بَعْدِي الرَّفَثَ فِي الصَّوْمِ‌[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, has said, ‘Allah dislikes the existence of six things with me. I dislike such things to exist in the executors of the will in my descendants and their followers af

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ صَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص حَتَّى قِيلَ مَا يُفْطِرُ ثُمَّ أَفْطَرَ حَتَّى قِيلَ مَا يَصُومُ ثُمَّ صَامَ صَوْمَ دَاوُدَ ع يَوْماً وَ يَوْماً لَا ثُمَّ قُبِضَ عَلَى صِيَامِ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ فِي الشَّهْرِ قَالَ إِنَّهُنَّ يَعْدِلْنَ صَوْمَ الشَّهْرِ[2] وَ يَذْهَبْنَ بِوَحَرِ الصَّدْرِ وَ الْوَحَرُ الْوَسْوَسَةُ قَالَ حَمَّادٌ فَقُلْتُ وَ أَيُّ الْأَيَّامِ هِيَ قَالَ أَوَّلُ خَمِيسٍ فِي الشَّهْرِ وَ أ

“I heard abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘The Messenger of Allah continued fasting for such a long time that people thought he would not discontinue it. He then discontinued fasting for such a long time that people thought he would not fast. Then he began fasting as Dawud (a.s.), did. One day he would fast and not fast th

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَوَّلَ مَا بُعِثَ يَصُومُ حَتَّى يُقَالَ مَا يُفْطِرُ وَ يُفْطِرُ حَتَّى يُقَالَ مَا يَصُومُ ثُمَّ تَرَكَ ذَلِكَ وَ صَامَ يَوْماً وَ أَفْطَرَ يَوْماً وَ هُوَ صَوْمُ دَاوُدَ ع ثُمَّ تَرَكَ ذَلِكَ وَ صَامَ الثَّلَاثَةَ الْأَيَّامِ الْغُرِّ[1] ثُمَّ تَرَكَ ذَلِكَ وَ فَرَّقَهَا فِي كُلِّ عَشَرَةِ أَيَّامٍ يَوْمَا خَمِيسَيْنِ بَيْنَهُمَا أَرْبِعَاءُ فَقُبِضَ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ السَّلَامُ وَ هُوَ يَ

“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, continued fasting for such a long time that people thought he would not discontinue it. He then discontinued fasting for such a long time that people thought he wo

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَصُومُ حَتَّى يُقَالَ لَا يُفْطِرُ ثُمَّ صَامَ يَوْماً وَ أَفْطَرَ يَوْماً ثُمَّ صَامَ الْإِثْنَيْنِ وَ الْخَمِيسَ ثُمَّ آلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ إِلَى صِيَامِ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ فِي الشَّهْرِ- الْخَمِيسِ فِي أَوَّلِ الشَّهْرِ وَ أَرْبِعَاءَ فِي وَسَطِ الشَّهْرِ وَ خَمِيسٍ فِي آخِرِ الشَّهْرِ وَ كَانَ يَقُولُ ذَلِكَ صَوْمُ الدَّهْرِ وَ قَدْ كَانَ أَبِي ع يَقُول

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, continued fasting for such a long time that people thought he was not to discontinue his fasting. He then discontinued fasting for such a long time that people tho

كُنَّ نِسَاءُ النَّبِيِّ ص إِذَا كَانَ عَلَيْهِنَّ صِيَامٌ أَخَّرْنَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى شَعْبَانَ كَرَاهَةَ أَنْ يَمْنَعْنَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَإِذَا كَانَ شَعْبَانُ صُمْنَ وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ- شَعْبَانُ شَهْرِي.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that wives of the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, when required to fast, would wait up to the month of Sha‘ban, due to anticipation that he may forbid them. In the month of Sha‘ban they would fast and the Mess

قُلْتُ‌ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَلْ صَامَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ آبَائِكَ شَعْبَانَ قَالَ خَيْرُ آبَائِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص صَامَهُ.

‘The best of my ancestors was the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, who fasted in it.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَلْ صَامَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ آبَائِكَ شَعْبَانَ قَطُّ قَالَ صَامَهُ خَيْرُ آبَائِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص. - عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ عَنْ يُونُسَ عَنِ ابْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنِ الْحَلَبِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ فَأَمَّا الَّذِي‌[1] جَاءَ فِي صَوْمِ شَعْبَانَ أَنَّهُ سُئِلَ ع عَنْهُ فَقَالَ مَا صَامَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ لَا أَحَدٌ مِنْ آبَا

6. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar and Muhammad ibn Isma‘il from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan all from Safwan from ibn Muskan from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Once, I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Had any of your ancestors ever fasted during the month of Sha‘ban?’ He (the Imam) repl

قُبِضَ النَّبِيُّ ص عَلَى صَوْمِ شَعْبَانَ وَ رَمَضَانَ وَ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ فِي كُلِّ شَهْرٍ أَوَّلِ خَمِيسٍ وَ أَوْسَطِ أَرْبِعَاءَ وَ آخِرِ خَمِيسٍ وَ كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ وَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَصُومَانِ ذَلِكَ.

7. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Hassan from Ahmad ibn Sabih from ‘Anbasah al-‘Abid in a Mawquf manner who has said the following: “He (the Imam) ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah left this world practicing the fast of month of al-Sha‘ban and three days of every month, the first Thur

سَمِعْتُ‌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ صَوْمُ شَعْبَانَ وَ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ تَوْبَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ اللَّهِ.

"Fasting during the month of Sha‘ban and the month of Ramadan in a continuous manner is returning to Allah. It, by Allah, is repenting.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ صَوْمُ شَعْبَانَ وَ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ تَوْبَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Fasting during the month of Sha‘ban and the month of Ramadan in a continuous manner is returning to Allah.’”

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَصِلُ مَا بَيْنَ شَعْبَانَ وَ رَمَضَانَ وَ يَقُولُ صَوْمُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ تَوْبَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), would fast during the month of Sha‘ban and the month of Ramadan in a continuous manner and would say, ‘Fasting during two months in a continuous manner is returning to Allah.’”

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَصُومُ شَعْبَانَ وَ رَمَضَانَ يَصِلُهُمَا وَ يَنْهَى النَّاسَ أَنْ يَصِلُوهُمَا[2] وَ كَانَ يَقُولُ هُمَا شَهْرَا اللَّهِ وَ هُمَا كَفَّارَةٌ لِمَا قَبْلَهُمَا وَ لِمَا بَعْدَهُمَا مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, would fast during the month of Sha‘ban and the month of Ramadan and continue fasting. He (the Messenger of Allah) prohibited people to continue fasting without a break (a

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي الرَّجُلِ يَصُومُ شَعْبَانَ وَ شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ هُمَا الشَّهْرَانِ اللَّذَانِ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتابِعَيْنِ تَوْبَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ‌ قُلْتُ فَلَا يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمَا قَالَ إِذَا أَفْطَرَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَهُوَ فَصْلٌ وَ إِنَّمَا قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لَا وِصَالَ فِي صِيَامٍ يَعْنِي لَا يَصُومُ الرَّجُلُ يَوْمَيْنِ مُتَوَالِيَيْنِ

“Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘What do you say about a man who fasts during the month of Sha‘ban and the month of Ramadan?’ He replied, ‘They are the months about which Allah, the most Blessed, the most High, has said, “Two months one after the other in which (certain) people return to Allah.’” I then asked, ‘Is

ثَلَاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ فِي كُلِّ شَهْرٍ- الْخَمِيسُ مِنْ جُمْعَةٍ وَ الْأَرْبِعَاءُ مِنْ جُمْعَةٍ وَ الْخَمِيسُ مِنْ جُمْعَةٍ أُخْرَى وَ قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع صِيَامُ شَهْرِ الصَّبْرِ وَ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ يَذْهَبْنَ بِبَلَابِلِ الصُّدُورِ[3] وَ صِيَامُ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ- مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ صِيَامُ الدَّهْرِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- مَنْ جاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْث

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) was asked about fasting while one is at home. He answered, ‘It is three days every month. They are a Thursday of one week, Wednesday of one week and Thursday of another week.’ And he said: Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) has said, “Fasting for a month is patience. Three days of fasting of every month rem

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الصِّيَامِ فِي الشَّهْرِ كَيْفَ هُوَ قَالَ ثَلَاثٌ فِي الشَّهْرِ فِي كُلِّ عَشْرٍ يَوْمٌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ- مَنْ جاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثالِها ثَلَاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ فِي الشَّهْرِ صَوْمُ الدَّهْرِ.

“I asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about fasting during a month. He replied, ’It is three days every month, one day in every ten days. Allah, the most Blessed, the most High, says, “One who does a good deed receives tenfold reward.” (6:151) Three days of fasting every month is like fasting all the time.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ صَامَ شَعْبَانَ كَانَ لَهُ طُهْراً مِنْ كُلِّ زَلَّةٍ وَ وَصْمَةٍ وَ بَادِرَةٍ[2] قَالَ أَبُو حَمْزَةَ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع مَا الْوَصْمَةُ قَالَ الْيَمِينُ فِي الْمَعْصِيَةِ وَ النَّذْرُ فِي الْمَعْصِيَةِ قُلْتُ فَمَا الْبَادِرَةُ قَالَ الْيَمِينُ عِنْدَ الْغَضَبِ وَ التَّوْبَةُ مِنْهَا النَّدَمُ.

’The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “If one fasts during the month of Sha’ban, it will be a cleansing for him, from all zallah (a slip), wasmah and badirah.’” I (abu Hamzah) then asked, ‘What is wasmah?’ He replied, ‘It is swe

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ أَفْضَلِ مَا جَرَتْ بِهِ السُّنَّةُ فِي التَّطَوُّعِ مِنَ الصَّوْمِ فَقَالَ ثَلَاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ فِي كُلِّ شَهْرٍ- الْخَمِيسُ فِي أَوَّلِ الشَّهْرِ وَ الْأَرْبِعَاءُ فِي وَسَطِ الشَّهْرِ وَ الْخَمِيسُ فِي آخِرِ الشَّهْرِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ هَذَا جَمِيعُ مَا جَرَتْ بِهِ السُّنَّةُ فِي الصَّوْمِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ.

’Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the best tradition in optional fasting. The Imam replied, ‘It is three days of fasting every month. It is the first Thursday, the Wednesday after the tenth day and the last Thursday of a month.’ I then asked, ‘Is that all of the tradition about fasting?’ He replied, ‘Yes, this

قِيلَ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا جَاءَ فِي الصَّوْمِ فِي يَوْمِ الْأَرْبِعَاءِ فَقَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ النَّارَ يَوْمَ الْأَرْبِعَاءِ فَأَوْجَبَ صَوْمَهُ لِيُتَعَوَّذَ بِهِ مِنَ النَّارِ.

“Someone asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about fasting on Wednesday. The Imam said, ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, created hellfire on Wednesday; for this reason there is fasting to seek refuge thereby from the fire.’””

أَمَّا الْخَمِيسُ فَيَوْمٌ تُعْرَضُ فِيهِ الْأَعْمَالُ وَ أَمَّا الْأَرْبِعَاءُ فَيَوْمٌ خُلِقَتْ فِيهِ النَّارُ وَ أَمَّا الصَّوْمُ فَجُنَّةٌ مِنَ النَّارِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that someone asked the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, about fasting on two Thursdays between which there is a Wednesday. He answered, ‘The two Thursdays are those during which deeds are presented for acc

قَالَ: إِنَّمَا يُصَامُ يَوْمُ الْأَرْبِعَاءِ لِأَنَّهُ لَمْ تُعَذَّبْ أُمَّةٌ فِيمَا مَضَى إِلَّا فِي يَوْمِ الْأَرْبِعَاءِ وَسَطِ الشَّهْرِ فَيُسْتَحَبُّ أَنْ يُصَامَ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that there is fasting on Wednesday because for all nations upon which torment descended, it occurred on a Wednesday in the middle of the month. It is desirable to fast on that day.”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا كَانَ فِي أَوَّلِ الشَّهْرِ خَمِيسَانِ فَصُمْ أَوَّلَهُمَا فَإِنَّهُ أَفْضَلُ وَ إِذَا كَانَ فِي آخِرِ الشَّهْرِ خَمِيسَانِ فَصُمْ آخِرَهُمَا فَإِنَّهُ أَفْضَلُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, ‘If there are two Thursdays in the beginning of a month, it is better to fast the first one. If two Thursdays come at the end of a month, it is better to fast the last Thursday.”’

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ السَّحُورِ لِمَنْ أَرَادَ الصَّوْمَ أَ وَاجِبٌ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ لَا يَتَسَحَّرَ إِنْ شَاءَ وَ أَمَّا فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَإِنَّهُ أَفْضَلُ أَنْ يَتَسَحَّرَ نُحِبُّ أَنْ لَا يُتْرَكَ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ.

“I asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about breakfast before dawn, in the case of one who likes to fast whether it is obligatory or not. The Imam replied, ‘It is fine if one likes not to have breakfast before dawn. However, in the month of Ramadan, it is better. We love not to ignore it in the month of Ramadan.”’

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] عَنِ السَّحُورِ لِمَنْ أَرَادَ الصَّوْمَ فَقَالَ أَمَّا فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَإِنَّ الْفَضْلَ فِي السَّحُورِ وَ لَوْ بِشَرْبَةٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ وَ أَمَّا فِي التَّطَوُّعِ فَمَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَتَسَحَّرَ فَلْيَفْعَلْ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

In the month of Ramadan, it is better even with one sip of water. In an optional fast, one may or may not take breakfast before dawn as he likes.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ السَّحُورُ بَرَكَةٌ قَالَ وَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لَا تَدَعْ أُمَّتِيَ السَّحُورَ وَ لَوْ عَلَى حَشَفَةٍ[1].

’Breakfast before dawn is a blessing.’ The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘My followers should not ignore breakfast before dawn, even if it is a piece of date.’”

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ إِذَا أَفْطَرَ قَالَ- اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْنَا وَ عَلَى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْنَا فَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنَّا ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَ ابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَ بَقِيَ الْأَجْرُ

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, would say this prayer during breakfast after sunset. ‘O Allah, we fasted for your sake, with your sustenance we break our fast. Please accept it from us. Thirst is gone, veins are quenched and the rew

تَقُولُ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ عِنْدَ الْإِفْطَارِ إِلَى آخِرِهِ- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَعَانَنَا فَصُمْنَا وَ رَزَقَنَا فَأَفْطَرْنَا اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا وَ أَعِنَّا عَلَيْهِ وَ سَلِّمْنَا فِيهِ وَ تَسَلَّمْهُ مِنَّا فِي يُسْرٍ مِنْكَ وَ عَافِيَةٍ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي قَضَى عَنَّا[2] يَوْماً مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that every night in the month of Ramadan during breakfast after sunset, say this prayer, ‘All praise belongs to Allah who has helped us to fast and has granted us sustenance to break our fast. O Allah, accept it from us and help us to do it, keep us safe in this month, receive it from u

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا الْوِصَالُ فِي الصِّيَامِ‌[3] قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ لَا وِصَالَ فِي صِيَامٍ وَ لَا صَمْتَ يَوْمٍ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ وَ لَا عِتْقَ قَبْلَ مِلْكٍ.

“There must be no continuous fasting, no fasting in the form of remaining silent the whole day, and setting free of a slave before owning is invalid.’””

الْوِصَالُ فِي الصِّيَامِ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ عَشَاءَهُ سَحُورَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Connected fasting is when one takes his dinner during Suhur (breakfast in the morning before dawn) instead.’”

الْمُوَاصِلُ فِي الصِّيَامِ يَصُومُ يَوْماً وَ لَيْلَةً وَ يُفْطِرُ فِي السَّحَرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One’s fasting in a connected manner takes place when one fasts one day and night and takes breakfast in Sahar (in the morning before dawn) instead.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ صَوْمِ الدَّهْرِ فَقَالَ لَمْ نَزَلْ نَكْرَهُهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about fasting in a connected manner. He (the Imam) said, ‘We still dislike it.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[2] عَنْ صَوْمِ الدَّهْرِ فَكَرِهَهُ وَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ أَنْ يَصُومَ يَوْماً وَ يُفْطِرَ يَوْماً.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about fasting forever. He (the Imam) disliked it and said, ‘It is not harmful to fast one day and not to fast the next day.’”

يُتِمُّ صَوْمَهُ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ لْيَقْضِهِ فَإِنْ تَسَحَّرَ فِي غَيْرِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ بَعْدَ الْفَجْرِ أَفْطَرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ أَبِي كَانَ لَيْلَةً يُصَلِّي وَ أَنَا آكُلُ فَانْصَرَفَ فَقَالَ أَمَّا جَعْفَرٌ فَقَدْ أَكَلَ وَ شَرِبَ بَعْدَ الْفَجْرِ فَأَمَرَنِي فَأَفْطَرْتُ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ فِي غَيْرِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who eats Suhur (breakfast in the morning before dawn), then comes out of his house to find out when it has already become dawn. He (the Imam) said, ‘He is required to complete that fast then make Qada’ (compensatory fast) for it; however if such breakfast is in a time o

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[3] عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَكَلَ وَ شَرِبَ بَعْدَ مَا طَلَعَ الْفَجْرُ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ قَامَ فَنَظَرَ فَلَمْ يَرَ الْفَجْرَ فَأَكَلَ ثُمَّ عَادَ فَرَأَى الْفَجْرَ فَلْيُتِمَّ صَوْمَهُ وَ لَا إِعَادَةَ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ قَامَ فَأَكَلَ وَ شَرِبَ ثُمَّ نَظَرَ إِلَى الْفَجْرِ فَرَأَى أَنَّهُ قَدْ طَلَعَ الْفَجْرُ فَلْيُتِمَّ صَوْمَهُ وَ يَقْضِي يَوْماً آخَرَ لِأَنَّهُ بَدَأَ بِالْأَكْلِ قَبْ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who eats and drinks after dawn in the month of Ramadan. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he got up and looked but did not see the dawn then ate then returned and saw that it was dawn, he is required to complete that fast and there is no Qada’ (compensatory fast) on him. If he get

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع آمُرُ الْجَارِيَةَ أَنْ تَنْظُرَ طَلَعَ الْفَجْرُ أَمْ لَا فَتَقُولُ لَمْ يَطْلُعْ فَآكُلُ ثُمَّ أَنْظُرُهُ فَأَجِدُهُ قَدْ طَلَعَ حِينَ نَظَرَتْ قَالَ تُتِمُّ يَوْمَكَ ثُمَّ تَقْضِيهِ أَمَا إِنَّكَ لَوْ كُنْتَ أَنْتَ الَّذِي نَظَرْتَ مَا كَانَ عَلَيْكَ قَضَاؤُهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of my fasting when I asked the girl to look if it was dawn yet and she said that it was not dawn, yet and I ate; then I looked and saw that it was dawn. He (the Imam) said, ‘You are required to complete that fast and make Qada’ (compensatory fast for it); however, if

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ خَرَجَ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ أَصْحَابُهُ يَتَسَحَّرُونَ فِي بَيْتٍ فَنَظَرَ إِلَى الْفَجْرِ وَ نَادَاهُمْ فَكَفَّ بَعْضُهُمْ وَ ظَنَّ بَعْضُهُمْ أَنَّهُ يَسْخَرُ فَأَكَلَ فَقَالَ يُتِمُّ صَوْمَهُ وَ يَقْضِي.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who along with his friends go for Suhur (breakfast in the morning before dawn) in a house. He looks toward dawn and asks them to stop eating. Certain ones among them stop and others think that he is joking and he eats. He (the Imam) said, ‘He completes that fast and make

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع يَكُونُ عَلَيَّ الْيَوْمُ وَ الْيَوْمَانِ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَأَتَسَحَّرُ مُصْبِحاً أُفْطِرُ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ وَ أَقْضِي مَكَانَ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ‌[1] يَوْماً آخَرَ أَوْ أُتِمُّ عَلَى صَوْمِ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ وَ أَقْضِي يَوْماً آخَرَ فَقَالَ لَا بَلْ تُفْطِرُ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ لِأَنَّكَ أَكَلْتَ مُصْبِحاً وَ تَقْضِي يَوْماً آخَرَ.

“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about the case of my fasting that I owe one or two days of the month of Ramadan. I eat Suhur (breakfast in the morning before dawn) but it is already dawn. Is it necessary for me to eat that day instead of fasting and make Qada’ (compensatory fast) of that day on another day or complet

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ شَرِبَ بَعْدَ مَا طَلَعَ الْفَجْرُ وَ هُوَ لَا يَعْلَمُ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ قَالَ يَصُومُ يَوْمَهُ ذَلِكَ وَ يَقْضِي يَوْماً آخَرَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ قَضَاءً لِرَمَضَانَ فِي شَوَّالٍ أَوْ فِي غَيْرِهِ فَشَرِبَ بَعْدَ الْفَجْرِ فَلْيُفْطِرْ يَوْمَهُ ذَلِكَ وَ يَقْضِي.

“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about a man who drinks after dawn and he does not know that it is the month of Ramadan. He (the Imam) said, ‘He is required to fast that day and make Qada’ (compensatory fast) on another day, and if it is a Qada’ of the month of Ramadan in (the month of) Shawwal or other times and he d

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[2] عَنْ رَجُلَيْنِ قَامَا فَنَظَرَا إِلَى الْفَجْرِ فَقَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا هُوَ ذَا وَ قَالَ الْآخَرُ مَا أَرَى شَيْئاً قَالَ فَلْيَأْكُلِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَسْتَبِنْ لَهُ الْفَجْرُ وَ قَدْ حَرُمَ عَلَى الَّذِي زَعَمَ أَنَّهُ رَأَى الْفَجْرَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- كُلُوا وَ اشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ[3].

The one who does not see any dawn, eats but eating is unlawful for one who thinks he has seen the dawn. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, ‘Eat and drink until the white thread appears from the dark thread of dawn/ (2:187)”

أَذَّنَ ابْنُ أُمِّ مَكْتُومٍ لِصَلَاةِ الْغَدَاةِ[1] وَ مَرَّ رَجُلٌ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ هُوَ يَتَسَحَّرُ فَدَعَاهُ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ مَعَهُ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَدْ أَذَّنَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ لِلْفَجْرِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ هَذَا ابْنُ أُمِّ مَكْتُومٍ وَ هُوَ يُؤَذِّنُ بِلَيْلٍ فَإِذَا أَذَّنَ بِلَالٌ فَعِنْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأَمْسِكْ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ibn ‘Umm Maktum once said Adhan for the morning Salat (prayer) and a man passed by the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, who was eating. He (the Messenger of Allah) invited the man to eat Suhur (break

الْفَجْرُ هُوَ الَّذِي إِذَا رَأَيْتَهُ مُعْتَرِضاً كَأَنَّهُ بَيَاضُ سُورَى‌[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Dawn is when you see it, widthwise, like the whiteness of the suray (canal) (Euphrates river).”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ‌ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ فَقَالَ بَيَاضُ النَّهَارِ مِنْ سَوَادِ اللَّيْلِ قَالَ وَ كَانَ بِلَالٌ يُؤَذِّنُ لِلنَّبِيِّ ص وَ ابْنُ أُمِّ مَكْتُومٍ وَ كَانَ أَعْمَى يُؤَذِّنُ بِلَيْلٍ وَ يُؤَذِّنُ بِلَالٌ حِينَ يَطْلُعُ الْفَجْرُ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص إِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ صَوْتَ بِلَالٍ فَدَعُوا الطَّعَامَ وَ الشَّرَابَ فَقَدْ أَصْبَحْتُمْ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of ‘The white twine from the black twine.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is the whiteness of the day out of the blackness of the night.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Bilal and ibn ‘Umm Maktum would say Adhan for the Holy prophet. Ibn ‘Umm Maktum was blind and would say Adhan in the

نَزَلَتْ‌ فِي خَوَّاتِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ الْأَنْصَارِيِ‌[1] وَ كَانَ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ص فِي الْخَنْدَقِ وَ هُوَ صَائِمٌ فَأَمْسَى وَ هُوَ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ وَ كَانُوا قَبْلَ أَنْ تَنْزِلَ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ إِذَا نَامَ أَحَدُهُمْ حُرِّمَ عَلَيْهِ الطَّعَامُ وَ الشَّرَابُ فَجَاءَ خَوَّاتٌ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ حِينَ أَمْسَى فَقَالَ هَلْ عِنْدَكُمْ طَعَامٌ فَقَالُوا لَا لَا تَنَمْ حَتَّى نُصْلِحَ لَكَ طَعَاماً فَاتَّكَأَ فَنَامَ

“This is about the words of Allah, most High, ‘It is lawful for you to have carnal relation with your wives during the night of the fast. . . .’ (2:187) One of the two Imam, (abu Ja’far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said that it was revealed about the case of Khawwat ibn Jubayr al-Ansariy. He was with the

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ مَتَى يَحْرُمُ الطَّعَامُ وَ الشَّرَابُ عَلَى الصَّائِمِ وَ تَحِلُّ الصَّلَاةُ صَلَاةُ الْفَجْرِ فَقَالَ إِذَا اعْتَرَضَ الْفَجْرُ وَ كَانَ كَالْقُبْطِيَّةِ الْبَيْضَاءِ[3] فَثَمَّ يَحْرُمُ الطَّعَامُ وَ يَحِلُّ الصِّيَامُ وَ تَحِلُّ الصَّلَاةُ صَلَاةُ الْفَجْرِ قُلْتُ فَلَسْنَا فِي وَقْتٍ إِلَى أَنْ يَطْلُعَ شُعَاعُ الشَّمْسِ فَقَالَ هَيْهَاتَ أَيْنَ تَذْهَبُ تِلْكَ صَلَاةُ ا

‘When dawn appears which looks like white Coptic fabrics, then eating and drinking become unlawful for a fasting person and performing the morning Salat (prayer) becomes lawful.’ I then said, ‘So we do not have time until sunrise.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘That is not it at all. Where are you going? That is the time for Sa

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] عَنْ قَوْمٍ صَامُوا شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ فَغَشِيَهُمْ سَحَابٌ أَسْوَدُ عِنْدَ غُرُوبِ الشَّمْسِ فَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُ لَيْلٌ فَأَفْطَرُوا ثُمَّ إِنَّ السَّحَابَ انْجَلَى فَإِذَا الشَّمْسُ فَقَالَ عَلَى الَّذِي أَفْطَرَ صِيَامُ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- أَتِمُّوا الصِّيامَ‌ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ‌[2] فَمَنْ أَكَلَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ اللَّيْلُ فَعَلَيْهِ قَضَاؤُهُ لِأَنَّهُ أَكَلَ مُتَعَم

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of a people who fast in the month of Ramadan when they are covered by a black cloud at the time of sunset and they think it is night, and discontinue their fast, then the cloud clears and the sun is there. He (the Imam) said, ‘Those who discontinued their fast are req

فِي قَوْمٍ صَامُوا شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ فَغَشِيَهُمْ سَحَابٌ أَسْوَدُ عِنْدَ غُرُوبِ الشَّمْسِ فَرَأَوْا أَنَّهُ اللَّيْلُ فَأَفْطَرَ بَعْضُهُمْ ثُمَّ إِنَّ السَّحَابَ انْجَلَى فَإِذَا الشَّمْسُ قَالَ عَلَى الَّذِي أَفْطَرَ صِيَامُ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- أَتِمُّوا الصِّيامَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ‌ فَمَنْ أَكَلَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ اللَّيْلُ فَعَلَيْهِ قَضَاؤُهُ لِأَنَّهُ أَكَلَ مُتَعَمِّداً.

“This is about the case of a people who fast in the month of Ramadan when they are covered by a black cloud at the time of sunset and they think it is night and discontinue their fast; then the cloud clears and the sun is there. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Those who discontinued their fast are required to make Qa

وَقْتُ سُقُوطِ الْقُرْصِ وَ وُجُوبِ الْإِفْطَارِ مِنَ الصِّيَامِ أَنْ يَقُومَ بِحِذَاءِ الْقِبْلَةِ وَ يَتَفَقَّدَ الْحُمْرَةَ الَّتِي تَرْتَفِعُ مِنَ الْمَشْرِقِ فَإِذَا جَازَتْ قِمَّةَ الرَّأْسِ‌[3] إِلَى نَاحِيَةِ الْمَغْرِبِ فَقَدْ وَجَبَ الْإِفْطَارُ وَ سَقَطَ الْقُرْصُ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘At the time of the fall of the disc (sunset) and obligatory breakfast, one can stand in front of al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) and look for the redness that rises from the east. When it (redness) passes overhead toward the west, breaking fast becomes obligatory and the disk has fallen (it is

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا غَابَتِ الْحُمْرَةُ مِنْ هَذَا الْجَانِبِ يَعْنِي نَاحِيَةَ الْمَشْرِقِ فَقَدْ غَابَتِ الشَّمْسُ فِي شَرْقِ الْأَرْضِ وَ غَرْبِهَا.

When the redness disappears from this side (the east), it is sunset all over the east and west of the earth (land).”’