The Book of Fasting

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

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