Fasting

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُدْرِكُهُ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ فِي السَّفَرِ فَيُقِيمُ الْأَيَّامَ فِي الْمَكَانِ عَلَيْهِ صَوْمٌ قَالَ لَا حَتَّى يُجْمِعَ عَلَى مُقَامِ عَشَرَةِ أَيَّامٍ‌[1] وَ إِذَا أَجْمَعَ عَلَى مُقَامِ عَشَرَةِ أَيَّامٍ صَامَ وَ أَتَمَّ الصَّلَاةَ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ أَيَّامٌ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ هُوَ مُسَافِرٌ يَقْضِي إِذَا أَقَامَ فِي الْمَكَانِ قَالَ لَا حَتَّى يُجْ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who finds himself in the month of Ramadan during a journey and stays at a place for few days, if he is required to fast. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he is not obligated to fast until he decides to stay for ten days. Once he makes such a decision, he is then required to fast

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُسَافِرُ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ أَ لَهُ أَنْ يُصِيبَ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‌[2].

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who travels in the month of Ramadan: if he can have sexual relation with women. He (the Imam) said, ’Yes, he can do so.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَتَى أَهْلَهُ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ هُوَ مُسَافِرٌ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who experiences sexual relation with his wife in the month of Ramadan during a journey. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ يَعْنِي مُوسَى ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُجَامِعُ أَهْلَهُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَ هُوَ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

‘It is not harmful.’”

فِي الرَّجُلِ يُسَافِرُ وَ مَعَهُ جَارِيَةٌ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ هَلْ يَقَعُ عَلَيْهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“This is about a man who experiences sexual relation with a slave-girl while on a journey in the month of Ramadan. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not harmful.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُسَافِرُ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ مَعَهُ جَارِيَةٌ لَهُ فَلَهُ أَنْ يُصِيبَ مِنْهَا بِالنَّهَارِ فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ أَ مَا تَعْرِفُ حُرْمَةَ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ إِنَّ لَهُ فِي اللَّيْلِ سَبْحاً[1] طَوِيلًا قُلْتُ أَ لَيْسَ لَهُ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ وَ يَشْرَبَ وَ يُقَصِّرَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى قَدْ رَخَّصَ لِلْمُسَافِرِ فِي الْإِفْطَارِ وَ التَّقْصِير

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ibn Sinan who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who travels in the month of Ramadan and with him there is his slave-girl: if he can experience sexual relation with her during the d

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَأْتِي جَارِيَتَهُ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ بِالنَّهَارِ فِي السَّفَرِ فَقَالَ مَا عَرَفَ هَذَا حَقَّ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ إِنَّ لَهُ فِي اللَّيْلِ سَبْحاً طَوِيلًا. قَالَ الْكُلَيْنِيُّ الْفَضْلُ عِنْدِي أَنْ يُوَقِّرَ الرَّجُلُ شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ وَ يُمْسِكَ عَنِ النِّسَاءِ فِي السَّفَرِ بِالنَّهَارِ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ تَغْلِبُهُ الشَّهْوَةُ وَ يَخَافُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ فَقَدْ رُخِّصَ لَهُ أَنْ يَأْت

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who experiences sexual relation with his slave-girl on a journey in the month of Ramadan during the day. He (the Imam) said, ‘He has not recognized any respect for the month of Ramadan even though there is a long time during the night.’” NOTE: Al-Kulayniy has said that i

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْحَائِضُ تَقْضِي الصَّوْمَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ تَقْضِي الصَّلَاةَ قَالَ لَا قُلْتُ مِنْ أَيْنَ جَاءَ هَذَا قَالَ أَوَّلُ مَنْ قَاسَ إِبْلِيسُ.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), if a woman experiencing Hayd (menses) is required to complete Qada’ (compensatory fast) of the fast. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, she is required to complete its Qada’ (compensatory fast).’ I then asked if she is required to perform Qada’ (compensatory salat) of Salat (prayer)?’ He (t

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ أَصْبَحَتْ صَائِمَةً فَلَمَّا ارْتَفَعَ النَّهَارُ أَوْ كَانَ الْعَشِيُ‌[2] حَاضَتْ أَ تُفْطِرُ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ إِنْ كَانَ وَقْتُ الْمَغْرِبِ فَلْتُفْطِرْ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ رَأَتِ الطُّهْرَ فِي أَوَّلِ النَّهَارِ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَتَغْتَسِلُ وَ لَمْ تَطْعَمْ فَمَا تَصْنَعُ فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ قَالَ تُفْطِرُ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ فَإِنَّمَا فِطْرُهَا مِنَ الدَّمِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who gets up in the morning fasting but when the day rises or in the evening experiences Hayd (menses), if she can stop fasting. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, even if it is al-Maghrib (sunset), she can stop fasting.’ I then asked him (the Imam) about the case of

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ تَطْمَثُ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَغِيبَ الشَّمْسُ قَالَ تُفْطِرُ حِينَ تَطْمَثُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who experiences Hayd (menses) in the month of Ramadan before sunset. He (the Imam) said, ‘She must stop fasting at the time she finds Hayd (menses).”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَلِدُ بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ أَ تُتِمُّ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ أَمْ تُفْطِرُ قَالَ تُفْطِرُ وَ تَقْضِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ.

‘She must stop fasting, and complete Qada’ (compensatory fast) of that day.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمُسْتَحَاضَةِ قَالَ فَقَالَ تَصُومُ‌ شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ إِلَّا الْأَيَّامَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تَحِيضُ فِيهِنَّ ثُمَّ تَقْضِيهَا بَعْدَهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who experiences Istihadah. He (the Imam) said, ‘She is required to fast in the month of Ramadan except for the days during which she used to experience Hayd (menses) and thereafter complete its Qada’ (compensatory fast).”’

كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ ع امْرَأَةٌ طَهُرَتْ مِنْ حَيْضِهَا أَوْ مِنْ دَمِ نِفَاسِهَا فِي أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَّ اسْتَحَاضَتْ فَصَلَّتْ وَ صَامَتْ شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ كُلَّهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ تَعْمَلَ مَا تَعْمَلُ الْمُسْتَحَاضَةُ مِنَ الْغُسْلِ لِكُلِّ صَلَاتَيْنِ فَهَلْ يَجُوزُ صَوْمُهَا وَ صَلَاتُهَا أَمْ لَا فَكَتَبَ ع تَقْضِي صَوْمَهَا وَ لَا تَقْضِي صَلَاتَهَا إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ يَأْمُرُ ف

“I once wrote to him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of a woman who becomes clean of Hayd (menses) or childbirth bleeding on the first day of the month of Ramadan. She then experiences istihadah, she performs Salat (prayer) and fasts in all of the month of Ramadan without doing what a woman experiencing istihadah is

نَعَمْ وَ إِنْ كَانَ قَبْلَ الْمَغْرِبِ فَلْتُفْطِرْ وَ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ تَرَى الطُّهْرَ مِنْ أَوَّلِ النَّهَارِ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ لَمْ تَغْتَسِلْ وَ لَمْ تَطْعَمْ كَيْفَ تَصْنَعُ بِذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ قَالَ إِنَّمَا فِطْرُهَا مِنَ الدَّمِ.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who gets up fasting but when the day rises or it becomes evening, she experiences Hayd (menses), if she stops fasting. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, she is required to stop fasting even if it is before al-Maghrib.’ I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ مَرِضَتْ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ مَاتَتْ فِي شَوَّالٍ فَأَوْصَتْنِي أَنْ أَقْضِيَ عَنْهَا قَالَ هَلْ بَرَأَتْ مِنْ مَرَضِهَا قُلْتُ لَا مَاتَتْ فِيهِ فَقَالَ لَا تَقْضِ عَنْهَا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يَجْعَلْهُ عَلَيْهَا قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أَشْتَهِي أَنْ أَقْضِيَ عَنْهَا وَ قَدْ أَوْصَتْنِي بِذَلِكَ قَالَ كَيْفَ تَقْضِي عَنْهَا شَيْئاً لَمْ يَجْعَلْهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا فَإِنِ اشْتَ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who became ill in the month of Ramadan and dies in the month of Shawwal. She asked me, in her will, to complete Qada’ (compensatory fast), on her behalf. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Did she get well from her illness?’ I replied, ‘No, she did not get well, but she

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ مَرِضَتْ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ أَوْ طَمِثَتْ أَوْ سَافَرَتْ فَمَاتَتْ قَبْلَ خُرُوجِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ هَلْ يُقْضَى عَنْهَا قَالَ أَمَّا الطَّمْثُ وَ الْمَرَضُ فَلَا وَ أَمَّا السَّفَرُ فَنَعَمْ‌[2].

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a woman who becomes ill in the month of Ramadan, or experiences Hayd (menses) or travels and then dies before the month of Ramadan ends: if she owes to carry out Qada’ (compensatory fast). He (the Imam) said, ‘Because of Hayd (menses) and illness there is no Qada’ (com

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَنْذِرُ عَلَيْهَا صَوْمَ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ قَالَ تَصُومُ وَ تَسْتَأْنِفُ أَيَّامَهَا الَّتِي قَعَدَتْ حَتَّى تُتِمَّ شَهْرَيْنِ قُلْتُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ هِيَ يَئِسَتْ مِنَ الْمَحِيضِ أَ تَقْضِيهِ قَالَ لَا تَقْضِي يُجْزِئُهَا الْأَوَّلُ.

"I asked Abu Abdullah (a.s.) about a woman who vows to fast for two consecutive months. He (a.s.) said: 'She should fast, and if she stops due to menstruation, she should resume her fasting days until she completes the two months.' I asked, 'What if she has reached menopause and no longer menstruates? Should she make u

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ امْرَأَتِي جَعَلَتْ عَلَى نَفْسِهَا صَوْمَ شَهْرَيْنِ فَوَضَعَتْ وَلَدَهَا وَ أَدْرَكَهَا الْحَبَلُ فَلَمْ تَقْوَ عَلَى الصَّوْمِ قَالَ فَلْتَتَصَدَّقْ مَكَانَ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ بِمُدٍّ عَلَى مِسْكِينٍ.[4]

“I once said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), that my woman had placed upon herself fasting for two months. She gave birth; then became pregnant. She is not able to fast. He (the Imam) said, ‘She is required to pay charity of one mud (certain measurement) for everyday to a destitute person.’”

يَسْتَقْبِلُ وَ إِنْ زَادَ عَلَى الشَّهْرِ الْآخَرِ يَوْماً أَوْ يَوْمَيْنِ بَنَى عَلَى مَا بَقِيَ.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who is free and owes two consecutive months of fasting because of Zihar (calling on oath the back of one’s wife as that of one’s mother). He fasts for one month, then becomes ill. He (the Imam) said, ‘One is required to start all over again; however, if one fasts one mo

صِيَامُ كَفَّارَةِ الْيَمِينِ فِي الظِّهَارِ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ وَ التَّتَابُعُ أَنْ يَصُومَ شَهْراً وَ يَصُومَ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ الْآخَرِ أَيَّاماً أَوْ شَيْئاً مِنْهُ فَإِنْ عَرَضَ لَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ يُفْطَرُ فِيهِ‌[2] أَفْطَرَ ثُمَّ قَضَى مَا بَقِيَ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِنْ صَامَ شَهْراً ثُمَّ عَرَضَ لَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَأَفْطَرَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَصُومَ مِنَ الْآخَرِ شَيْئاً فَلَمْ يُتَابِعْ أَعَادَ الصِّيَامَ كُلَّهُ.

‘In fasting, as expiation for an oath in the case of Dhihar which is two consecutive months of fasting, consecutive order is established by fasting one whole month and certain days of the next month or something thereof. Thereafter if something occurs to him he may eat and then carry out Qada’ (compensatory fast) of wh

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[3] عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ صَوْمُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ أَ يُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ الْأَيَّامِ فَقَالَ إِذَا صَامَ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ شَهْرٍ فَوَصَلَهُ ثُمَّ عَرَضَ لَهُ أَمْرٌ فَأَفْطَرَ فَلَا بَأْسَ فَإِنْ كَانَ أَقَلَّ مِنْ شَهْرٍ أَوْ شَهْراً فَعَلَيْهِ أَنْ يُعِيدَ الصِّيَامَ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who owes two consecutive months of fasting if he can separate the days. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he fasts for more than one month consecutively, then something happens because of which he stops fasting, it is not harmful; but if it is one month or less than one month, the

يَصُومُ ذَا الْحِجَّةِ كُلَّهُ إِلَّا أَيَّامَ التَّشْرِيقِ يَقْضِيهَا فِي أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ مِنَ الْمُحَرَّمِ حَتَّى يُتِمَّ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ فَيَكُونُ قَدْ صَامَ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ قَالَ وَ لَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ‌ يَقْرَبَ أَهْلَهُ حَتَّى يَقْضِيَ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامِ التَّشْرِيقِ الَّتِي لَمْ يَصُمْهَا وَ لَا بَأْسَ إِنْ صَامَ شَهْراً ثُمَّ صَامَ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ الْآخَرِ الَّذِي يَلِيهِ أَيَّاماً ثُمَّ عَرَضَ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who owes two consecutive months of fasting because of Zihar and fasts the month of Dhu al-Qa’dah, then the month of Dhu al-Hajjah comes. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can fast the whole month of Dhu al-Hajjah except the days of tashriq (11, 12, 13) which he can make its Qada’

فِي رَجُلٍ صَامَ فِي ظِهَارٍ شَعْبَانَ ثُمَّ أَدْرَكَهُ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ قَالَ يَصُومُ رَمَضَانَ وَ يَسْتَأْنِفُ الصَّوْمَ فَإِنْ هُوَ صَامَ فِي الظِّهَارِ فَزَادَ فِي النِّصْفِ يَوْماً قَضَى بَقِيَّتَهُ.

“About a man who fasts because of Zihar in the month of al-Sha‘ban, then the month of Ramadan comes; abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He is required to fast the month of Ramadan, then resume the fast. If because of Zihar he fasted for more than half by one day he completes only Qada’ (compensatory fast) of the rest.’”

فِي رَجُلٍ جَعَلَ عَلَيْهِ صَوْمَ شَهْرٍ فَصَامَ مِنْهُ خَمْسَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْماً ثُمَّ عَرَضَ لَهُ أَمْرٌ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ صَامَ خَمْسَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْماً فَلَهُ أَنْ يَقْضِيَ مَا بَقِيَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ أَقَلَّ مِنْ خَمْسَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْماً لَمْ يُجْزِئْهُ حَتَّى يَصُومَ شَهْراً تَامّاً[2].

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who makes it obligatory upon himself to fast one month. He fasts fifteen days then something happens. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he has fasted fifteen days he completes (compensatory fast) of the rest but if it is less than fifteen days, it is not sufficient until he fasts

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ قَطْعِ صَوْمِ كَفَّارَةِ الْيَمِينِ وَ كَفَّارَةِ الظِّهَارِ وَ كَفَّارَةِ الْقَتْلِ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ عَلَى رَجُلٍ صِيَامُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ فَأَفْطَرَ أَوْ مَرِضَ فِي الشَّهْرِ الْأَوَّلِ فَإِنَّ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يُعِيدَ الصِّيَامَ وَ إِنْ صَامَ الشَّهْرَ الْأَوَّلَ وَ صَامَ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ الثَّانِي شَيْئاً ثُمَّ عَرَضَ لَهُ مَا لَهُ فِيهِ عُذْرٌ فَإِنَّ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about one’s discontinuing the fast which is for expiation due to an oath, Zihar or murder. He (the Imam) said, ‘If one owes fasting for two consecutive months, then stops fasting because of illness in the first month, he is required to resume the fast all over again. If one fasts th

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ قَتَلَ رَجُلًا خَطَأً فِي الشَّهْرِ الْحَرَامِ قَالَ تُغَلَّظُ عَلَيْهِ الدِّيَةُ وَ عَلَيْهِ عِتْقُ رَقَبَةٍ أَوْ صِيَامُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ مِنْ أَشْهُرِ الْحُرُمِ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّهُ يَدْخُلُ فِي هَذَا شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ مَا هُوَ قُلْتُ يَوْمُ الْعِيدِ وَ أَيَّامُ التَّشْرِيقِ قَالَ- يَصُومُهُ فَإِنَّهُ حَقٌّ يَلْزَمُهُ‌[1].

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about a man who kills a person by mistake in a sacred month. He (the Imam) said, ‘Blood money has become substantial on him. He is required to set a slave free or fast for two consecutive months of the sacred ones.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if something takes place in between?’ He (t

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع رَجُلٌ قَتَلَ رَجُلًا فِي الْحَرَمِ قَالَ عَلَيْهِ دِيَةٌ وَ ثُلُثٌ وَ يَصُومُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ مِنْ أَشْهُرِ الْحُرُمِ وَ يُعْتِقُ رَقَبَةً وَ يُطْعِمُ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِيناً قَالَ قُلْتُ يَدْخُلُ فِي هَذَا شَيْ‌ءٌ قَالَ وَ مَا يَدْخُلُ قُلْتُ الْعِيدَانِ وَ أَيَّامُ التَّشْرِيقِ قَالَ يَصُومُهُ فَإِنَّهُ حَقٌّ لَزِمَهُ.[2]

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Aban ibn Taghlib from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who kills a man in the sacred area. He (the Imam) said, ‘He owes one full and a half blood money, wergild. He fasts for two consecuti

كُلُّ صَوْمٍ‌[3] يُفَرَّقُ إِلَّا ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ فِي كَفَّارَةِ الْيَمِينِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘All fasts can lawfully be completed in different times except the fast which is as expiation for an oath.”’

صِيَامُ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ فِي كَفَّارَةِ الْيَمِينِ مُتَتَابِعَاتٍ لَا يُفْصَلُ بَيْنَهُنَّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The fast which is as expiation for an oath must be completed without any interval in between.’”

السَّبْعَةُ الْأَيَّامِ وَ الثَّلَاثَةُ الْأَيَّامِ فِي الْحَجِّ لَا يُفَرَّقُ إِنَّمَا هِيَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الثَّلَاثَةِ الْأَيَّامِ فِي الْيَمِينِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The seven days and the three days during Hajj are without any interval in between. They are just like three days because of an oath.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي جَعَلْتُ عَلَى نَفْسِي أَنْ أَصُومَ حَتَّى يَقُومَ الْقَائِمُ ع فَقَالَ صُمْ وَ لَا تَصُمْ فِي السَّفَرِ وَ لَا الْعِيدَيْنِ وَ لَا أَيَّامَ التَّشْرِيقِ وَ لَا الْيَوْمَ الَّذِي يُشَكُّ فِيهِ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ‌[2].

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Karram who has said the following: “Once, I said to abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), that I have placed upon myself to fast until the rise of al-Qa”im, (the one who rises with Divine Authority). He (the Imam) said, ’Fast but do not fast on a journey, or th

كَتَبَ الْحُسَيْنُ‌[3] إِلَى الرِّضَا ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ رَجُلٌ نَذَرَ أَنْ يَصُومَ أَيَّاماً مَعْلُومَةً فَصَامَ بَعْضَهَا ثُمَّ اعْتَلَّ فَأَفْطَرَ أَ يَبْتَدِئُ فِي صَوْمِهِ أَمْ يَحْتَسِبُ بِمَا مَضَى فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ يَحْتَسِبُ مَا مَضَى.

‘The days that he had fasted are also counted.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ عَلَيَّ صِيَامُ شَهْرٍ إِنْ خَرَجَ عَمِّي مِنَ الْحَبْسِ فَخَرَجَ فَأُصْبِحُ وَ أَنَا أُرِيدُ الصِّيَامَ فَيَجِيئُنِي بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا فَأَدْعُو بِالْغَدَاءِ وَ أَتَغَدَّى مَعَهُ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ‌[4].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, 'May I be sacrificed for you, it is upon me to fast for one month if my uncle is released from jail. He came out from jail and I decided to start the fast, but then someone from our companions came and I invited him for lunch, and I had lunch with him.' He (the Imam) said, ‘I

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ جَعَلَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ صَوْمَ شَهْرٍ بِالْكُوفَةِ وَ شَهْرٍ بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَ شَهْرٍ بِمَكَّةَ مِنْ بَلَاءٍ ابْتُلِيَ بِهِ فَقُضِيَ أَنَّهُ صَامَ بِالْكُوفَةِ شَهْراً وَ دَخَلَ الْمَدِينَةَ فَصَامَ بِهَا ثَمَانِيَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْماً وَ لَمْ يُقِمْ عَلَيْهِ الْجَمَّالُ قَالَ يَصُومُ مَا بَقِيَ‌ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا انْتَهَى إِلَى بَلَدِهِ.[1]

“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about a man who has made obligatory upon himself to fast one month in al-Kufah, one month in al-Madinah and one month in Makkah because of an affliction whereby he suffered. He fasted one month in al-Kufah, then he entered al-Madinah and fasted for eighteen days, but then the camel man

فِي رَجُلٍ نَذَرَ أَنْ يَصُومَ زَمَاناً قَالَ الزَّمَانُ خَمْسَةُ أَشْهُرٍ وَ الْحِينُ سِتَّةُ أَشْهُرٍ لِأَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- تُؤْتِي أُكُلَها كُلَّ حِينٍ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّها[2].

‘Ali (a.s.), has said about a man, who had vowed to fast for a Zamanan (a certain amount of time), that Zaman is five months, al-Hin is six months; Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has said, ‘It gives its fruits kulla Hin (every time) by the permission of its Lord.’”

لِلَّهِ عَلَيَّ أَنْ أَصُومَ حِيناً وَ ذَلِكَ فِي شُكْرٍ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَدْ أُتِيَ عَلِيٌّ ع فِي مِثْلِ هَذَا فَقَالَ صُمْ سِتَّةَ أَشْهُرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- تُؤْتِي أُكُلَها كُلَّ حِينٍ‌ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّها يَعْنِي سِتَّةَ أَشْهُرٍ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who has said, ‘It is from Allah upon me to fast a Hin (a certain amount of time) for thanksgiving.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘A similar case came to Ali (a.s.), and he said, ‘Fast for six months; Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has said, ‘It gives its fruits kul

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَجْعَلُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ أَيَّاماً مَعْدُودَةً مُسَمَّاةً فِي كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ثُمَّ يُسَافِرُ فَتَمُرُّ بِهِ الشُّهُورُ أَنَّهُ لَا يَصُومُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَ لَا يَقْضِيهَا إِذَا شَهِدَ.

’If a man places upon himself fasting of certain known days of every month, then he goes on a journey and many months pass, such person is not required to fast on a journey as well as at home when he comes back.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَصُومُ صَوْماً قَدْ وَقَّتَهُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ أَوْ يَصُومُ‌[4] مِنْ أَشْهُرِ الْحُرُمِ فَيَمُرُّ بِهِ الشَّهْرُ وَ الشَّهْرَانِ لَا يَقْضِيهِ فَقَالَ لَا يَصُومُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَ لَا يَقْضِي شَيْئاً مِنْ صَوْمِ التَّطَوُّعِ إِلَّا الثَّلَاثَةَ الْأَيَّامِ الَّتِي كَانَ يَصُومُهَا مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ وَ لَا يَجْعَلُهَا بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْوَاجِبِ إِلَّا أَنِّي أُحِبُّ لَكَ أَنْ

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who fasts because of what he has timed upon himself or to fast of the sacred months and then one or two months pass during which he does not fast at all. He (the Imam) said, ‘He is not required to fast on a journey and there is not anything of Qada’ (compensatory fast) f

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَجْعَلُ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْهِ صَوْمَ يَوْمٍ مُسَمًّى قَالَ يَصُومُهُ أَبَداً فِي السَّفَرِ وَ الْحَضَرِ.

‘He is required to fast definitely, regardless of being on a journey or at home.’”

إِنَّ أُمِّي كَانَتْ جَعَلَتْ عَلَى نَفْسِهَا لِلَّهِ عَلَيْهَا نَذْراً إِنْ كَانَ اللَّهُ رَدَّ عَلَيْهَا بَعْضَ وُلْدِهَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ كَانَتْ تَخَافُ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ تَصُومَ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ الَّذِي يَقْدَمُ فِيهِ مَا بَقِيَتْ فَخَرَجَتْ مَعَنَا مُسَافِرَةً إِلَى مَكَّةَ فَأَشْكَلَ عَلَيْنَا لَمْ نَدْرِ أَ تَصُومُ أَمْ تُفْطِرُ فَسَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ ذَلِكَ وَ أَخْبَرْتُهُ بِمَا جَعَلَتْ عَلَى نَفْسِ

“My mother had placed upon herself from Allah to fast a certain day if Allah returned one of her children safely from the danger of which she was afraid, and she would then fast the day her child came back. She did not stay; instead came out with us for Makkah and it became difficult for us because we did not know whet

يُكَفِّرُ عَنْ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ بِمُدِّ حِنْطَةٍ أَوْ شَعِيرٍ.

“Once we asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about a man who makes a vow that if he is released from jail, he will fast the same day but he is unable to do so because of illness or other reasons, and during his life time he becomes indebted to carry out many days of fasting. What is the expiation for such fast? He (the Imam) said,

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ نَذَرَ نَذْراً فِي صِيَامٍ فَعَجَزَ فَقَالَ كَانَ أَبِي يَقُولُ عَلَيْهِ مَكَانَ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مُدٌّ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about a man who makes a vow and then fails to fast. He (the Imam) said, ‘My father (a.s.), would say that he is required to pay one mud (a certain measurement) for every day.’”

فِي رَجُلٍ نَذَرَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ إِنْ هُوَ سَلِمَ مِنْ مَرَضٍ أَوْ تَخَلَّصَ مِنْ حَبْسٍ أَنْ يَصُومَ كُلَّ يَوْمِ أَرْبِعَاءَ وَ هُوَ الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي تَخَلَّصَ فِيهِ فَعَجَزَ عَنِ الصَّوْمِ لِعِلَّةٍ أَصَابَتْهُ أَوْ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ فَمُدَّ لِلرَّجُلِ فِي عُمُرِهِ وَ اجْتَمَعَ عَلَيْهِ صَوْمٌ كَثِيرٌ مَا كَفَّارَةُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ تَصَدَّقَ لِكُلِّ يَوْمٍ بِمُدٍّ مِنْ حِنْطَةٍ أَوْ ثَمَنِ مُدٍّ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), about a man who vows to fast, if he is released from jail, every Wednesday. It is the day when he was released but he fails to do so due to illness or other reasons; and during his lifetime a large number of days of such fast become due upon him. What is the expiation for s

سَأَلْتُهُ عَمَّنْ لَمْ يَصُمِ الثَّلَاثَةَ الْأَيَّامِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ وَ هُوَ يَشُدُّ عَلَيْهِ الصِّيَامُ هَلْ فِيهِ فِدَاءٌ قَالَ مُدٌّ مِنْ طَعَامٍ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who does not fast three days every month because fasting is difficult for him: if there is a ransom for it. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is one mud (a certain measurement) of food for everyday.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ الصَّوْمَ يَشُدُّ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ لِي لَدِرْهَمٌ تَصَدَّقُ بِهِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صِيَامِ يَوْمٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ مَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ تَدَعَهُ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), fasting is difficult for me. He (the Imam) said, ‘One dirham given as charity is better than fasting for one day. He (the Imam) then said, ‘I do not like if you neglect it.’”

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي أُصَدَّعُ‌[1] إِذَا صُمْتُ هَذِهِ الثَّلَاثَةَ الْأَيَّامِ وَ يَشُقُّ عَلَيَّ قَالَ فَاصْنَعْ كَمَا أَصْنَعُ إِذَا سَافَرْتُ فَإِنِّي إِذَا سَافَرْتُ تَصَدَّقْتُ عَنْ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ بِمُدٍّ مِنْ قُوتِ أَهْلِي الَّذِي أَقُوتُهُمْ بِهِ.

“I once complained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘I get a headache if I fast the three days (recommended for every month) and it is difficult for me. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must do as I do when I travel. When traveling I pay charity for every day of one mud (a certain measurement) of the kind of food which is

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي قَدْ كَبِرْتُ- وَ ضَعُفْتُ عَنِ الصِّيَامِ فَكَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ بِهَذِهِ الثَّلَاثَةِ الْأَيَّامِ فِي كُلِّ شَهْرٍ فَقَالَ يَا عُقْبَةُ تَصَدَّقْ بِدِرْهَمٍ عَنْ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ دِرْهَمٌ وَاحِدٌ قَالَ لَعَلَّهَا كَبُرَتْ عِنْدَكَ‌[2] وَ أَنْتَ تَسْتَقِلُّ الدِّرْهَمَ قَالَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ نِعَمَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيَّ لَسَابِغَةٌ فَقَالَ يَا عُقْبَةُ

“I once said to abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), that I have become old and weak to fast the three days every month. He (the Imam) said, ‘O ‘Uqbah, give one dirham as charity for every day.’ I then said, ‘Just one dirham!’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Perhaps it seems greatly strange to you and you think one dirham is small.’ I said, ‘

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَوْ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَتَعَمَّدُ الشَّهْرَ فِي الْأَيَّامِ الْقِصَارِ يَصُومُهُ لِسَنَةٍ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ‌[1].

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who purposely postpones fasting for the times when days of the year are shorter. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع صَوْمُ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ أُؤَخِّرُهُ إِلَى الشِّتَاءِ ثُمَّ أَصُومُهَا قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ.

‘It is not harmful.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الثَّلَاثَةِ أَيَّامِ الشَّهْرِ هَلْ يَصْلُحُ لَهُ أَنْ يُؤَخِّرَهَا أَوْ يَصُومُهَا فِي آخِرِ الشَّهْرِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ قُلْتُ يَصُومُهَا مُتَوَالِيَةً أَوْ يُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَهَا قَالَ مَا أَحَبَّ إِنْ شَاءَ مُتَوَالِيَةً وَ إِنْ شَاءَ فَرَّقَ بَيْنَهُمَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who owes three days of fasting of every month if it is proper for him to delay and fast in the end of the month. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’ I then asked, ‘Should he fast with intervals in between or without it? He (the Imam) said, ‘Whichever way he likes, w