Fasting

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ السِّوَاكِ لِلصَّائِمِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ يَسْتَاكُ أَيَّ النَّهَارِ شَاءَ.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who brushes his teeth when fasting. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can brush his teeth any time during the day.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الصَّائِمِ يَسْتَاكُ بِالْمَاءِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ وَ قَالَ لَا يَسْتَاكُ بِسِوَاكٍ رَطْبٍ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about a fasting man who brushes his teeth with water. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.‘ He added: ‘One must not brush with a wet twig.’”

لَا يَضُرُّ أَنْ يَبُلَّ سِوَاكَهُ بِالْمَاءِ ثُمَّ يَنْفُضَهُ حَتَّى لَا يَبْقَى فِيهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is undesirable for a fasting person to use a fresh twig as tooth brush; however, it is not harmful to make one’s brush wet with water, then discharge out of one’s mouth so that nothing is left.’”

لَا وَ لَا يُدْمِي فَاهُ‌[3] وَ لَا يَسْتَاكُ بِعُودٍ رَطْبٍ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who extracts his tooth when fasting. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, and one must not make his teeth bleed or brush with a fresh twig.’”

‌ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ كَرِهَ الْمِسْكَ أَنْ يَتَطَيَّبَ بِهِ الصَّائِمُ

“’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), disliked the use of musk by a fasting person.”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَنْهَى عَنِ النَّرْجِسِ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لِمَ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لِأَنَّهُ رَيْحَانُ الْأَعَاجِمِ‌[4]. وَ أَخْبَرَنِي بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا أَنَّ الْأَعَاجِمَ كَانَتْ تَشَمُّهُ إِذَا صَامُوا وَ قَالُوا إِنَّهُ يُمْسِكُ الْجُوعَ.[1]

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), prohibiting the use of Narcissus. I then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, why is that? He (the Imam) said, ’Because it is the perfume of non- Arabs.’ Certain persons of our people have narrated that non- Arabs wear this perfume when fasting and say t

كَانَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذَا صَامَ تَطَيَّبَ بِالطِّيبِ وَ يَقُولُ الطِّيبُ تُحْفَةُ الصَّائِمِ‌[2].

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), when fasting would use perfumes and say that perfume is the gift of fasting person.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الصَّائِمُ يَشَمُّ الرَّيْحَانَ وَ الطِّيبَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ. - وَ رُوِيَ‌ أَنَّهُ لَا يَشَمُّ الرَّيْحَانَ لِأَنَّهُ يُكْرَهُ لَهُ أَنْ يَتَلَذَّذَ بِهِ‌[3].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ’Can a fasting person smell sweet basil and perfumes?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’” It is narrated that he (the Imam) would not smell sweet basil because of his dislike to enjoy such pleasure.

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْحَائِضُ تَقْضِي الصَّلَاةَ قَالَ لَا قُلْتُ تَقْضِي الصَّوْمَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ مِنْ أَيْنَ جَاءَ ذَا قَالَ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَنْ قَاسَ إِبْلِيسُ قُلْتُ وَ الصَّائِمُ يَسْتَنْقِعُ فِي الْمَاءِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَيَبُلُّ ثَوْباً عَلَى جَسَدِهِ قَالَ لَا قُلْتُ مِنْ أَيْنَ جَاءَ ذَا قَالَ مِنْ ذَاكَ‌[4] قُلْتُ الصَّائِمُ يَشَمُّ الرَّيْحَانَ قَالَ لَا لِأَنَّهُ لَذَّةٌ وَ يُكْرَهُ ل

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if a woman because of Hayd (menses) is required to make Qada’ (compensatory) Salat (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ’No, she is not required.’ I then asked about fasting. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, she must make Qada’ (compensatory fast for) fasting missed during experiencing Hayd (mens

قُلْتُ الصَّائِمُ يَمْضَغُ الْعِلْكَ قَالَ لَا[1].

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who chews chewing gum when fasting. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he cannot do so.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِيَّاكَ أَنْ تَمْضَغَ عِلْكاً فَإِنِّي مَضَغْتُ الْيَوْمَ عِلْكاً وَ أَنَا صَائِمٌ فَوَجَدْتُ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْهُ شَيْئاً[2].

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), once said to me, ‘O Muhammad, never chew chewing gum because I today did so when I was fasting and I found something from it in my soul.’”

لَا بَأْسَ قَالَ وَ سُئِلَ عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ يَكُونُ لَهَا الصَّبِيُّ وَ هِيَ صَائِمَةٌ فَتَمْضَغُ الْخُبْزَ وَ تُطْعِمُهُ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ وَ الطَّيْرَ إِنْ كَانَ لَهَا.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a fasting woman who tastes to examine the salt of a cooking pot. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’” He (the narrator) has said that he asked him (the Imam) about a fasting woman who has a child and she chews the bread to feed him. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is

لَا بَأْسَ لِلطَّبَّاخِ وَ الطَّبَّاخَةِ أَنْ يَذُوقَ الْمَرَقَ وَ هُوَ صَائِمٌ.

“It is not harmful for a male or female cook to taste the broth while they are fasting.”

إِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا كَانَتْ تَمْضَغُ لِلْحَسَنِ ثُمَّ لِلْحُسَيْنِ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمَا وَ هِيَ صَائِمَةٌ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ.

‘Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, would chew food for al- Hassan and al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, when she was fasting in the month of Ramadan.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الصَّائِمِ يَذُوقُ الشَّيْ‌ءَ وَ لَا يَبْلَعُهُ قَالَ لَا[1].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of one who while fasting, tastes something but does not swallow. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it not permissible.’”

لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ يَزْدَرِدَ الصَّائِمُ نُخَامَتَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not harmful if a fasting person swallows his mucus.”’

لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ قَضَاءٌ لِأَنَّهُ لَيْسَ بِطَعَامٍ‌[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has narrated from his ancestors who have said that Ali (a.s.), upon being asked about a fly entering the throat of a fasting person, said, ‘There is no Qada’ (compensatory fast) on him because it is not food.’”

لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ يَمَصَّ الْخَاتَمَ.

‘It is not harmful if he sucks his signet.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْخَاتَمُ فِي فَمِ الصَّائِمِ لَيْسَ بِهِ بَأْسٌ فَأَمَّا النَّوَاةُ فَلَا.

‘The presence of a signet in the mouth of a fasting person is not harmful, but a date-stone is.’”

الشَّيْخُ الْكَبِيرُ وَ الَّذِي يَأْخُذُهُ الْعُطَاشُ وَ عَنْ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَمَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَإِطْعامُ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِيناً[2] قَالَ مِنْ مَرَضٍ أَوْ عُطَاشٍ.

“This is about the words of Allah, the most Majestic and Glorious, ‘Those who can afford pay ransom by feeding a destitute.’ (2:184) Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘It is a reference to the old man who becomes thirsty. The words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, “So those who cannot afford to feed sixty destitute p

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الشَّيْخِ الْكَبِيرِ وَ الْعَجُوزِ الْكَبِيرَةِ الَّتِي تَضْعُفُ عَنِ الصَّوْمِ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ قَالَ تَصَدَّقُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ بِمُدِّ حِنْطَةٍ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of an old man and an old woman who are very weak for fasting in the month of Ramadan. He (the Imam) said, ‘They pay a ransom of one mud (a certain measurement) of wheat for every day.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ كَبِيرٍ ضَعُفَ عَنْ صَوْمِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ قَالَ يَتَصَدَّقُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ بِمَا يُجْزِئُ مِنْ طَعَامِ مِسْكِينٍ.

‘He pays a ransom of one meal to a destitute person for every day.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ الشَّيْخُ الْكَبِيرُ وَ الَّذِي بِهِ الْعُطَاشُ لَا حَرَجَ عَلَيْهِمَا أَنْ يُفْطِرَا فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ يَتَصَدَّقُ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ بِمُدٍّ مِنْ طَعَامٍ وَ لَا قَضَاءَ عَلَيْهِمَا فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرَا فَلَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَيْهِمَا.

“I once heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘An old man and one who suffers from thirst have permission not to fast in the month of Ramadan, and instead each one pays a ransom of one mud of food for every day, and thereafter they are not obligated for any Qada’ (compensatory fast). If they cannot afford, they are not obligat

الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يُطِيقُونَ الصَّوْمَ فَأَصَابَهُمْ كِبَرٌ أَوْ عُطَاشٌ أَوْ شِبْهُ ذَلِكَ فَعَلَيْهِمْ لِكُلِّ يَوْمٍ مُدٌّ.

“This is about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘Those who cannot afford, feed sixty destitute persons.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Those who were able to fast but now because of old age or thirst and so on (cannot fast), must pay one mud of food for every day of fast.’”

يَشْرَبُ بِقَدْرِ مَا يُمْسِكُ بِهِ رَمَقَهُ وَ لَا يَشْرَبُ حَتَّى يَرْوَى‌[1].

“About a man who becomes thirsty and is afraid for his life, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He can drink to spare his life but not to fill himself up.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ لَنَا فَتَيَاتٍ وَ شُبَّاناً لَا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَى الصِّيَامِ مِنْ شِدَّةِ مَا يُصِيبُهُمْ مِنَ الْعَطَشِ قَالَ فَلْيَشْرَبُوا بِقَدْرِ مَا تَرْوَى بِهِ نُفُوسُهُمْ وَ مَا يَحْذَرُونَ‌[2].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of our young women and man who are not able to fast because of thirst. He (the Imam) said, ‘They can drink to quench their souls and to remove their fear.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْحَامِلُ الْمُقْرِبُ وَ الْمُرْضِعُ الْقَلِيلَةُ اللَّبَنِ لَا حَرَجَ عَلَيْهِمَا أَنْ يُفْطِرَا فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ لِأَنَّهُمَا لَا تُطِيقَانِ الصَّوْمَ وَ عَلَيْهِمَا أَنْ يَتَصَدَّقَ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ يُفْطِرُ فِيهِ بِمُدٍّ مِنْ طَعَامٍ وَ عَلَيْهِمَا قَضَاءُ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ أَفْطَرَتَا فِيهِ تَقْضِيَانِهِ بَعْدُ. - مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْ

“I once heard abu Ja’far ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say, ‘It is not harmful for a pregnant woman near her childbirth and a breastfeeding woman who has little milk not to fast in the month of Ramadan. They cannot fast, they must pay a ransom of one mud of food for every day and they are required to make Qada’ (compensatory fast)

حُمِمْتُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ يَوْماً فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَبَعَثَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِقَصْعَةٍ فِيهَا خَلٌّ وَ زَيْتٌ وَ قَالَ أَفْطِرْ وَ صَلِّ وَ أَنْتَ قَاعِدٌ.

“Once in al-Madinah, during the month of Ramadan, I had fever, and abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), sent a bowl with olive oil and vinegar in it and said, ’Eat and perform Salat (prayer) in a sitting position.”’

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَسْأَلُهُ مَا حَدُّ الْمَرَضِ الَّذِي يُفْطِرُ فِيهِ صَاحِبُهُ وَ الْمَرَضِ الَّذِي يَدَعُ صَاحِبُهُ الصَّلَاةَ قَائِماً قَالَ‌ بَلِ الْإِنْسانُ عَلى‌ نَفْسِهِ بَصِيرَةٌ وَ قَالَ ذَاكَ إِلَيْهِ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِنَفْسِهِ.

‘In fact, man is well aware of his soul,’ it is up to him to decide; he knows about his soul.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] مَا حَدُّ الْمَرَضِ الَّذِي يَجِبُ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ فِيهِ الْإِفْطَارُ كَمَا يَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ فِي السَّفَرِ مَنْ كَانَ مَرِيضاً أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ قَالَ هُوَ مُؤْتَمَنٌ عَلَيْهِ مُفَوَّضٌ إِلَيْهِ فَإِنْ وَجَدَ ضَعْفاً فَلْيُفْطِرْ وَ إِنْ وَجَدَ قُوَّةً فَلْيَصُمْهُ كَانَ الْمَرَضُ مَا كَانَ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the limits of illness because of which it is obligatory on the patient not to fast as is the case on a journey, ‘. . . one who is on a journey or suffers from an illness. . . .’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is up to him to decide. If he finds weakness, he eats and if he finds stren

الصَّائِمُ إِذَا خَافَ عَلَى عَيْنَيْهِ مِنَ الرَّمَدِ أَفْطَرَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a fasting person is afraid about the illness of his eyes, he is allowed to eat.’”

إِذَا صُدِّعَ صُدَاعاً شَدِيداً وَ إِذَا حُمَّ حُمَّى شَدِيدَةً وَ إِذَا رَمِدَتْ عَيْنَاهُ رَمَداً شَدِيداً فَقَدْ حَلَّ لَهُ الْإِفْطَارُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a fasting man who feels a severe headache if he can eat. He (the Imam) said, ‘If one feels severe headache, a severe fever and a severe eye illness, then it is lawful for him to discontinue his fasting.’”

سَأَلَهُ أَبِي يَعْنِي أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ مَا حَدُّ الْمَرَضِ الَّذِي يُتْرَكُ مِنْهُ الصَّوْمُ قَالَ إِذَا لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ يَتَسَحَّرَ.

“Once my father asked him (abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ) and I was listening, ‘What is the limit of an illness because of which it is permissible to stop fasting?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is when one is not able to take Suhur (breakfast in the morning before dawn).”’

اشْتَكَتْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا عَيْنَهَا فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَأَمَرَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَنْ تُفْطِرَ وَ قَالَ عَشَاءُ اللَّيْلِ لِعَيْنِكِ رَدِيٌّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Once in the month of Ramadan ‘Umm Salamah complained of illness of her eyes. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, commanded her to eat, saying, ‘Not to eat until supper can cause the demise of your eyes.

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا حَدُّ الْمَرِيضِ إِذَا نَقِهَ فِي الصِّيَامِ‌[2] قَالَ ذَلِكَ إِلَيْهِ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِنَفْسِهِ إِذَا قَوِيَ فَلْيَصُمْ.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the limit of the illness that weakens one when fasting. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is up to him to decide; he knows better about his soul and when he is strong he can then fast.’”

سَأَلْتُهُمَا عَنْ رَجُلٍ مَرِضَ فَلَمْ يَصُمْ حَتَّى أَدْرَكَهُ رَمَضَانٌ آخَرُ فَقَالا إِنْ كَانَ بَرَأَ ثُمَّ تَوَانَى قَبْلَ أَنْ يُدْرِكَهُ رَمَضَانُ الْآخَرِ صَامَ الَّذِي أَدْرَكَهُ وَ تَصَدَّقَ عَنْ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ بِمُدٍّ مِنْ طَعَامٍ عَلَى مِسْكِينٍ وَ عَلَيْهِ قَضَاؤُهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ لَمْ يَزَلْ مَرِيضاً حَتَّى أَدْرَكَهُ رَمَضَانٌ آخَرُ صَامَ الَّذِي أَدْرَكَهُ وَ تَصَدَّقَ عَنِ الْأَوَّلِ لِكُلِّ يَوْمٍ مُد

“I once asked one of the two Imam, abu Ja‘far, or abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about a patient who does not fast until the next month of Ramadan. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he became well but due to laziness did not fast before the next month of Ramadan, he must fast that (month of Ramadan) in which he is and pay a

يَتَصَدَّقُ عَنِ الْأَوَّلِ وَ يَصُومُ الثَّانِيَ فَإِنْ كَانَ صَحَّ فِيمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَ لَمْ يَصُمْ حَتَّى أَدْرَكَهُ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانٍ آخَرُ صَامَهُمَا جَمِيعاً وَ يَتَصَدَّقُ عَنِ الْأَوَّلِ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about a man who is ill. The month of Ramadan comes and he remains ill until the next month of Ramadan. He (the Imam) said, ‘He pays charity for the first month of Ramadan and fasts the second month of Ramadan. If in between he had become well but did not fast until the next month of Ram

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ طَائِفَةٌ ثُمَّ أَدْرَكَهُ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانٍ قَابِلٌ قَالَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَصُومَ وَ أَنْ يُطْعِمَ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ مِسْكِيناً فَإِنْ كَانَ مَرِيضاً فِيمَا بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ حَتَّى أَدْرَكَهُ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانٍ قَابِلٌ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا الصِّيَامُ إِنْ صَحَّ وَ إِنْ تَتَابَعَ الْمَرَضُ عَلَيْهِ فَلَمْ يَصِحَّ فَعَلَيْهِ أَنْ يُطْعِمَ لِكُلِّ يَوْمٍ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who owes several days of fasting of the month of Ramadan and the next month of Ramadan comes. He (the Imam) said, ‘He is required to fast and feed one destitute for every day. If he had remained ill in between until the next month of Ramadan, he only owes fasting if he b

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ أَيَّامٌ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ أَ يَقْضِيهَا مُتَفَرِّقَةً قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِتَفْرِيقِ قَضَاءِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ إِنَّمَا الصِّيَامُ الَّذِي لَا يُفَرَّقُ كَفَّارَةُ الظِّهَارِ وَ كَفَّارَةُ الدَّمِ وَ كَفَّارَةُ الْيَمِينِ.

“I asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.) about a man who owes several days of fast of the month of Ramadan. Can he make Qada’ (compensatory fast) in different times?“ He (the Imam) replied, “It is not harmful to fast Qada’ (compensatory fast) for the fast of the month of Ramadan in different times. The fast that cannot be kept in

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] عَمَّنْ يَقْضِي شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ مُنْقَطِعاً قَالَ إِذَا حَفِظَ أَيَّامَهُ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

It is not harmful if he keeps the number of days without missing.’”

مَنْ أَفْطَرَ شَيْئاً مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فِي عُذْرٍ فَإِنْ قَضَاهُ مُتَتَابِعاً أَفْضَلُ وَ إِنْ قَضَاهُ مُتَفَرِّقاً فَحَسَنٌ لَا بَأْسَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one has missed fasting of the month of Ramadan, for good reasons, it is better to make its Qada’ (compensatory fast) in continued order; but in different times is also valid and it is not harmful.’”

إِذَا كَانَ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنْ صَوْمِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَلْيَقْضِهِ فِي أَيِ‌ شَهْرٍ شَاءَ أَيَّاماً مُتَتَابِعَةً فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَلْيَقْضِهِ كَيْفَ شَاءَ وَ لْيُمَحِّصِ الْأَيَّامَ فَإِنْ فَرَّقَ فَحَسَنٌ‌[1] وَ إِنْ تَابَعَ فَحَسَنٌ.

‘If one owes fasting of the month of Ramadan, he can make its Qada’ (compensatory fast) in any month that he likes but in a continued order. If he is not able to do so, he then is required to complete its Qada’ (compensatory fast) in a way he can complete. He must keep the number of days clear and without confusion. Fa

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَضَاءِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فِي ذِي الْحِجَّةِ أَ وَ أَقْطَعُهُ قَالَ اقْضِهِ فِي ذِي الْحِجَّةِ وَ اقْطَعْهُ إِنْ شِئْتَ‌[2].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about making Qada’ (compensatory fast) of fast of the month of Ramadan in the month of Dhul al-Hajjah and to discontinue it. He (the Imam) said, ‘You can make its Qada’ (compensatory fast) in Dhul al-Hajjah and discontinue if you like.’”

فِي رَجُلٍ مَرِضَ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَلَمَّا بَرَأَ أَرَادَ الْحَجَّ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ بِقَضَاءِ الصَّوْمِ قَالَ إِذَا رَجَعَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ‌[3].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who becomes ill in the month of Ramadan. When he becomes well he decides to perform Hajj. What is he required to do about Qada’ (compensatory fast) of the fast? He (the Imam) said, ‘When he comes back he must do its Qada’ (compensatory fast).’

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُصْبِحُ وَ هُوَ يُرِيدُ الصِّيَامَ ثُمَّ يَبْدُو لَهُ فَيُفْطِرُ قَالَ هُوَ بِالْخِيَارِ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ نِصْفِ النَّهَارِ قُلْتُ هَلْ يَقْضِيهِ إِذَا أَفْطَرَ قَالَ نَعَمْ لِأَنَّهَا حَسَنَةٌ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَعْمَلَهَا فَلْيُتِمَّهَا قُلْتُ فَإِنَّ رَجُلًا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَصُومَ ارْتِفَاعَ النَّهَارِ أَ يَصُومُ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who with the intention to fast wakes up in the morning, then for a certain reason decides not to fast. He (the Imam) said, ‘Until midday it is his choice to fast or not to fast.’ I then asked, ‘Is he required to make Qada’ (compensatory fast) fo

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الصَّائِمِ الْمُتَطَوِّعِ تَعْرِضُ لَهُ الْحَاجَةُ قَالَ هُوَ بِالْخِيَارِ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ الْعَصْرِ وَ إِنْ مَكَثَ حَتَّى الْعَصْرِ ثُمَّ بَدَا لَهُ أَنْ يَصُومَ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ نَوَى ذَلِكَ فَلَهُ أَنْ يَصُومَ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ إِنْ شَاءَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about a man who fasts an optional fast but he faces a certain issue of his needs.“ He (the Imam) replied, ‘He has the choice until al-‘Asr (later afternoon). If he waits until al-‘Asr and then it occurs to him to fast, if he did not have the intention for fasting, he can fast that day

ذَلِكَ فِي الْفَرِيضَةِ فَأَمَّا النَّافِلَةُ فَلَهُ أَنْ يُفْطِرَ أَيَّ سَاعَةٍ شَاءَ إِلَى غُرُوبِ الشَّمْسِ.

regarding his saying, ‘A fasting person has the choice until Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime)’. He said: ‘It is about the obligatory (fast). In the case of the optional (fast), one has the choice to stop fasting any time up to sunset.’”

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَبْدُو لَهُ بَعْدَ مَا يُصْبِحُ وَ يَرْتَفِعُ النَّهَارُ فِي صَوْمِ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ لِيَقْضِيَهُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ نَوَى ذَلِكَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ قَالَ نَعَمْ لِيَصُمْهُ وَ لْيَعْتَدَّ بِهِ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ أَحْدَثَ شَيْئاً.

“This is about the case of one who only after it is day light, decides to fast that day as Qada’ (compensatory fast) for the fast of the month of Ramadan. He did not have such intention in the night. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said that he can fast that day and count it, if nothing invalidating has taken place before.”

إِنْ كَانَ أَتَى أَهْلَهُ قَبْلَ زَوَالِ الشَّمْسِ فَلَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا يَوْمٌ مَكَانَ يَوْمٍ وَ إِنْ كَانَ أَتَى أَهْلَهُ بَعْدَ زَوَالِ الشَّمْسِ فَإِنَّ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَتَصَدَّقَ عَلَى عَشَرَةِ مَسَاكِينَ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ صَامَ يَوْماً مَكَانَ يَوْمٍ وَ صَامَ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ كَفَّارَةً لِمَا صَنَعَ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about a man who when fasting as Qada’ (compensatory fast) for the fast of the month of Ramadan goes to his wife for sexual relation. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it takes place before Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime), he is not obligated for anything. It is only one d

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَقْضِي شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ فَيُكْرِهُهَا زَوْجُهَا عَلَى الْإِفْطَارِ فَقَالَ لَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يُكْرِهَهَا بَعْدَ الزَّوَالِ‌[1].

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who fasts as Qada’ (compensatory fast) for the fast of the month of Ramadan and her husband forces her to invalidate her fast. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not proper for him to do so after Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime)/”