The Book of Oaths, Vows and Expiations

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَقُولُ عَلَيَّ نَذْرٌ قَالَ لَيْسَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ حَتَّى يُسَمِّيَ النَّذْرَ وَ يَقُولَ عَلَيَّ صَوْمٌ لِلَّهِ أَوْ يَتَصَدَّقَ أَوْ يُعْتِقَ أَوْ يُهْدِيَ هَدْياً وَ إِنْ قَالَ الرَّجُلُ أَنَا أُهْدِي هَذَا الطَّعَامَ فَلَيْسَ هَذَا بِشَيْ‌ءٍ إِنَّمَا تُهْدَى الْبُدْنُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who says that there is a vow, a commitment on him. He (the Imam) said, ‘It does not have any valid effect until he says, “There is fasting, or paying charity, or freeing a slave, or offering an animal offering.” If a man says, “I give this food as an offering

كَانَتْ عِنْدِي جَارِيَةٌ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَارْتَفَعَ طَمْثُهَا فَجَعَلْتُ لِلَّهِ عَلَيَّ نَذْراً إِنْ هِيَ حَاضَتْ فَعَلِمْتُ بَعْدُ أَنَّهَا حَاضَتْ قَبْلَ أَنْ أَجْعَلَ النَّذْرَ فَكَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَأَجَابَنِي إِنْ كَانَتْ حَاضَتْ قَبْلَ النَّذْرِ فَلَا عَلَيْكَ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ حَاضَتْ بَعْدَ النَّذْرِ فَعَلَيْكَ.

“I had a girl in al-Madinah whose Hayd (menses) stopped. I then made a vow, a commitment before Allah for His sake if her Hayd (menses) becomes normal, I then fulfill the vow and commitment. I then learned that she experiences Hayd (menses) before my fulfilling the vow and commitment. I wrote to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.),

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي جَعَلْتُ عَلَى نَفْسِي شُكْراً لِلَّهِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ أُصَلِّيهِمَا فِي الْحَضَرِ وَ السَّفَرِ أَ فَأُصَلِّيهِمَا فِي السَّفَرِ بِالنَّهَارِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنِّي أَكْرَهُ الْإِيجَابَ أَنْ يُوجِبَ الرَّجُلُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ قُلْتُ إِنِّي لَمْ أَجْعَلْهُمَا لِلَّهِ عَلَيَّ إِنَّمَا جَعَلْتُ ذَلِكَ عَلَى نَفْسِي أُصَلِّيهِمَا شُكْراً لِلَّهِ وَ لَمْ أُوجِبْهُمَا عَلَى نَفْ

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I have made it upon myself to perform two Rak‘at Salat (prayer) as thanksgiving to Allah at home or on a journey’ if on a journey I can perform them during the day. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, you can do so.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘I dislike a man’s making it obligatory upon him

فَلْيَقُمْ فِي الْمِعْبَرِ قَائِماً حَتَّى يَجُوزَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’ Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali, Alayhi al-Salam, was asked about a man who made a vow and commitment to walk to the house and he arrived on a crossing. He (the Imam) said, ’He must remain standing until there is room to cross the crossing.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ حَجَّةُ الْإِسْلَامِ فَأَرَادَ أَنْ يَحُجَّ فَقِيلَ لَهُ تَزَوَّجْ ثُمَّ حُجَّ فَقَالَ إِنْ تَزَوَّجْتُ قَبْلَ أَنْ أَحُجَّ فَغُلَامِي حُرٌّ فَتَزَوَّجَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَحُجَّ فَقَالَ أُعْتِقَ غُلَامُهُ فَقُلْتُ لَمْ يُرِدْ بِعِتْقِهِ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ نَذْرٌ فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ وَ الْحَجُّ أَحَقُّ مِنَ‌ التَّزْوِيجِ وَ أَوْجَبُ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ التَّزْوِيجِ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّ ا

“I once asked abu Ibrahim, Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who owed al-Hajjah al-Islam and wanted to perform al-Hajj. He was told to become married first, then perform al-Hajj. He said, ‘If I become married before al-Hajj my slave is free.’ He married before performing al-Hajj. He (the Imam) said, ‘He must fre

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَقُولُ لِلشَّيْ‌ءِ يَبِيعُهُ أَنَا أُهْدِيهِ إِلَى بَيْتِ اللَّهِ الْحَرَامِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ كَذِبَةٌ كَذَبَهَا[1].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who buys something and says, ‘I gift it to the Sacred House of Allah.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It does not have any valid effect. It is a lie that he has spoken.’”

إِنْ قُلْتَ لِلَّهِ عَلَيَّ فَكَفَّارَةُ يَمِينٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If you say, ‘It is from Allah upon me’ then its expiation is like that for an oath.’”

كَتَبَ بُنْدَارُ مَوْلَى إِدْرِيسَ‌ يَا سَيِّدِي نَذَرْتُ أَنْ أَصُومَ كُلَّ يَوْمِ سَبْتٍ فَإِنْ أَنَا لَمْ أَصُمْهُ مَا يَلْزَمُنِي مِنَ الْكَفَّارَةِ فَكَتَبَ وَ قَرَأْتُهُ لَا تَتْرُكْهُ إِلَّا مِنْ عِلَّةٍ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ صَوْمُهُ فِي سَفَرٍ وَ لَا مَرَضٍ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ نَوَيْتَ ذَلِكَ‌[2] وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ أَفْطَرْتَ مِنْهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ عِلَّةٍ فَتَصَدَّقْ بِعَدَدِ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ لِسَبْعَةِ مَسَاكِينَ‌[3] نَس

“Bundar, maxvla of Idris, once wrote, ‘My master, I made a vow and commitment to fast every Saturday; and if I did not fast what is the expiation?’ He (the Imam) wrote and I read it, ‘Do not stop fasting except because of illness, and you do not have to fast when on a journey or during your illness unless you had the i

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع رَجُلٌ جَعَلَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ نَذْراً إِنْ قَضَى اللَّهُ حَاجَتَهُ أَنْ يَتَصَدَّقَ بِدَرَاهِمَ‌[4] فَقَضَى اللَّهُ حَاجَتَهُ فَصَيَّرَ الدَّرَاهِمَ ذَهَباً وَ وَجَّهَهَا إِلَيْكَ أَ يَجُوزُ ذَلِكَ أَوْ يُعِيدُ فَقَالَ يُعِيدُ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who has made a vow and commitment that if Allah makes his wish to come true, he will pay a certain amount of dirham as charity. Allah then made his wish come true. He then made the dirham into gold and has sent to you; if that is sufficient or he has

أَنْ يَصُومَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ دَائِماً مَا بَقِيَ فَوَافَقَ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمُ يَوْمَ عِيدِ فِطْرٍ أَوْ أَضْحًى أَوْ أَيَّامَ التَّشْرِيقِ أَوِ السَّفَرَ أَوْ مَرِضَ هَلْ عَلَيْهِ صَوْمُ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ أَوْ قَضَاؤُهُ أَوْ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ يَا سَيِّدِي فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ قَدْ وَضَعَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ الصِّيَامَ فِي هَذِهِ الْأَيَّامِ كُلِّهَا وَ يَصُومُ يَوْماً بَدَلَ يَوْمٍ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ وَ كَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ يَسْأَلُ

“My master, a man has made a vow and commitment to fast on Fridays all the time. What happens if such days coincide with the day of ‘Id of Fitr, or Adha’, or days of al-Tashriq or a journey or illness; if he owes to fast on such days or its Qada’ (compensatory fasting) and what must he do, O my master?’ He (the Imam) w

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ كَفَّارَةِ النَّذْرِ فَقَالَ كَفَّارَةُ النَّذْرِ كَفَّارَةُ الْيَمِينِ وَ مَنْ نَذَرَ هَدْياً فَعَلَيْهِ نَاقَةٌ يُقَلِّدُهَا وَ يُشْعِرُهَا وَ يَقِفُ بِهَا بِعَرَفَةَ وَ مَنْ نَذَرَ جَزُوراً فَحَيْثُ شَاءَ نَحَرَهُ‌[1].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the expiation because of a vow and commitment. He (the Imam) said, ‘Kaffarah (expiation) for a vow and commitment is like the expiation because of an oath. If one makes a vow and commitment to offer an animal for sacrifice he must find a camel, he must mark and collar it and s

قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ يَقُولُ عَلَيَّ نَذْرٌ وَ لَا يُسَمِّي شَيْئاً[2] قَالَ كَفٌّ مِنْ بُرٍّ غُلِّظَ عَلَيْهِ أَوْ شُدِّدَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who says, ‘There is a vow and commitment on me’, but does not specify. He (the Imam) said, ‘He owes one handful of wheat, regardless, he has taken it seriously or with great emphasis.’”

يُعْطِي مَنْ يَصُومُ عَنْهُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مُدَّيْنِ.

“About the case of a man who makes a vow and commitment to fast and is not able to do so, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He must pay someone to fast for him and for every day it is two mud (a certain measurement) of food.’”

سَأَلَ عَبَّادُ بْنُ مَيْمُونٍ‌[3] وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ عَنْ رَجُلٍ جَعَلَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ نَذْراً صَوْماً وَ أَرَادَ الْخُرُوجَ إِلَى مَكَّةَ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ جُنْدَبٍ سَمِعْتُ مَنْ رَوَاهُ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّهُ سُئِلَ عَنْ رَجُلٍ جَعَلَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ نَذْراً صَوْماً فَحَضَرَتْهُ نِيَّتُهُ فِي زِيَارَةِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ يَخْرُجُ وَ لَا يَصُومُ فِي الطَّرِيقِ فَإِذَا رَجَعَ قَضَى ذَلِ

“’Abbad ibn Maymun asked (abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.)) when I was present, about the case of a man who made a vow and commitment to fast and wanted to leave for Makkah. ‘Abd Allah ibn Jundab said, ‘I heard the one who narrated from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), who was asked about a man who made a vow and commitment to fast. He bec

كُلُّ مَنْ عَجَزَ عَنْ نَذْرٍ نَذَرَهُ فَكَفَّارَتُهُ كَفَّارَةُ يَمِينٍ‌[4].

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘Whoever makes a vow and commitment to fast and then fails to do so, the expiation on him is like the Kaffarah (expiation) for an oath.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي إِنِّي جَعَلْتُ عَلَى نَفْسِي مَشْياً إِلَى بَيْتِ اللَّهِ قَالَ كَفِّرْ يَمِينَكَ‌[1] فَإِنَّمَا جَعَلْتَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ يَمِيناً وَ مَا جَعَلْتَهُ لِلَّهِ فَفِ بِهِ‌[2].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I have made a vow and commitment to walk to the House of Allah. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must pay expiation for your oath, because you have made it on yourself and you have not made for Allah; you must then fulfill.

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ نَذَرَ أَنْ يَمْشِيَ إِلَى بَيْتِ اللَّهِ حَافِياً قَالَ فَلْيَمْشِ فَإِذَا تَعِبَ فَلْيَرْكَبْ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who makes a vow and commitment to walk to the House of Allah barefoot. He (the Imam) said, ‘He must walk and if he becomes tired, he can ride.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ جَعَلَ عَلَيْهِ مَشْياً إِلَى بَيْتِ اللَّهِ وَ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ قَالَ يَحُجُّ رَاكِباً.

“I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about the case of a man who has made a vow and commitment to walk to the House of Allah but cannot do so. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can perform al-Hajj and ride.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ جَعَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْمَشْيَ إِلَى بَيْتِ اللَّهِ فَلَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ قَالَ فَلْيَحُجَّ رَاكِباً.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a man who makes a vow and commitment to walk to the House of Allah but cannot do so. He (the Imam) said, ‘He must perform al-Hajj riding.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ سُئِلَ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَحْلِفُ بِالنَّذْرِ وَ نِيَّتُهُ فِي يَمِينِهِ الَّتِي حَلَفَ عَلَيْهَا دِرْهَمٌ أَوْ أَقَلُّ قَالَ إِذَا لَمْ يَجْعَلْ لِلَّهِ فَلَيْسَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, when he (the Imam) was asked about the case of a man who took an oath to make a vow and commitment and his intention in his oath is about one dirham or less. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he has not made it for Allah, then it does not have any valid effect.’”

كُنَّا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جَمَاعَةً إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ مَوَالِي أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ وَ بَكَى ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ أَعْطَيْتُ اللَّهَ عَهْداً إِنْ عَافَانِيَ اللَّهُ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ كُنْتُ أَخَافُهُ عَلَى نَفْسِي أَنْ أَتَصَدَّقَ بِجَمِيعِ مَا أَمْلِكُ وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَافَانِي مِنْهُ وَ قَدْ حَوَّلْتُ عِيَالِي مِنْ مَنْزِلِي

“Once we were with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), in a group when a man came who was of the Mawali of abu Ja‘far (a.s.). He offered Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace), sat down, wept and said, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. I made a covenant with Allah that if He gives me recovery from

إِنَّ أُمِّي كَانَتْ جَعَلَتْ عَلَيْهَا نَذْراً نَذَرَتْ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي بَعْضِ وُلْدِهَا فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ كَانَتْ تَخَافُهُ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ تَصُومَ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ الَّذِي تَقَدَّمَ فِيهِ عَلَيْهَا مَا بَقِيَتْ فَخَرَجَتْ مَعَنَا إِلَى مَكَّةَ فَأَشْكَلَ عَلَيْنَا صِيَامُهَا فِي السَّفَرِ فَلَمْ تَدْرِ تَصُومُ أَوْ تُفْطِرُ فَسَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لَا تَصُومُ فِي السَّفَرِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ

“My mother had made a vow and commitment. She had made a commitment for Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, about one of her children because of fear of something for him. She said that from that day on, she will fast all the time as long as she lives. She came out with us to Makkah, her fasting on the journey made us

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَانَتْ لِي جَارِيَةٌ حُبْلَى فَنَذَرْتُ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنْ وَلَدَتْ غُلَاماً أَنْ أُحِجَّهُ أَوْ أَحُجَّ عَنْهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَجُلًا نَذَرَ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي ابْنٍ لَهُ إِنْ هُوَ أَدْرَكَ أَنْ يَحُجَّ عَنْهُ أَوْ يُحِجَّهُ فَمَاتَ الْأَبُ وَ أَدْرَكَ الْغُلَامُ بَعْدُ فَأَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص الْغُلَامُ فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَأَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَنْ يُحَجَّ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of my girl who was pregnant and I made a vow and commitment for Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, that if she gives birth to a boy, I will help him to perform al-Hajj or I will perform al-Hajj on his behalf. He (the Imam) said, ‘A man made a vow and commitment for

فِي يَوْمَ الْتَقَى هُوَ وَ مُعَاوِيَةُ بِصِفِّينَ وَ رَفَعَ بِهَا صَوْتَهُ لِيُسْمِعَ أَصْحَابَهُ وَ اللَّهِ لَأَقْتُلَنَّ مُعَاوِيَةَ وَ أَصْحَابَهُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ فِي آخِرِ قَوْلِهِ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ يَخْفِضُ بِهَا صَوْتَهُ وَ كُنْتُ قَرِيباً مِنْهُ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنَّكَ حَلَفْتَ عَلَى مَا فَعَلْتَ ثُمَّ اسْتَثْنَيْتَ فَمَا أَرَدْتَ بِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لِي إِنَّ الْحَرْبَ خُدْعَةٌ وَ أَنَا عِنْد

“A Shaykh of the children of ’Adi ibn Hatim narrated from his father from his grandfather who was with ’ Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali (a.s.), in his campaign against his adversaries. He has said that on the day ’Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali (a.s.), met Mu‘awiyah in Siffin, raised his voice to reach his companions and said, ’By Allah

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنِّي آلَيْتُ أَنْ لَا أَشْرَبَ مِنْ لَبَنِ عَنْزِي وَ لَا آكُلَ مِنْ لَحْمِهَا فَبِعْتُهَا وَ عِنْدِي مِنْ أَوْلَادِهَا فَقَالَ لَا تَشْرَبْ مِنْ لَبَنِهَا وَ لَا تَأْكُلْ مِنْ لَحْمِهَا فَإِنَّهَا مِنْهَا.

“I once said to abu Ja’far (a.s.), that I had taken an oath not to drink from the milk of my goat and not to eat its flesh; so I sold it but its offspring has remained with me. He (the Imam) said, ‘Do not drink from its milk and do not eat from its flesh; it is from that.’”

الْمَلْزُومُ كُلُّ حِلٍّ عَلَيْهِ حَرَامٌ إِنْ بَرِحَ حَتَّى يُرْضِيَكَ فَخَرَجَ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يُرْضِيَهُ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ وَ لَا يَدْرِي مَا يَبْلُغُ يَمِينُهُ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ فِيهَا نِيَّةٌ قَالَ لَيْسَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ.

“An indebted man who was held by his creditor said, ‘All lawful things will be unlawful for me if I leave you, unless you agree to allow me to go.’ However, he then leaves without his creditor agreeing, about this and what he might do because of not knowing the condition of his oath and swearing, when in reality he did

سَافَرْتُ مَعَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِلَى مَكَّةَ فَأَمَرَ غُلَامَهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فَخَالَفَهُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ اللَّهِ لَأَضْرِبَنَّكَ يَا غُلَامُ قَالَ فَلَمْ أَرَهُ ضَرَبَهُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّكَ حَلَفْتَ لَتَضْرِبَنَّ غُلَامَكَ فَلَمْ أَرَكَ ضَرَبْتَهُ فَقَالَ أَ لَيْسَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- وَ أَنْ تَعْفُوا أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوى‌[2].

“I once travelled with abu Ja‘far (a.s.), to Makkah and he (the Imam) commanded his slave to do something but he disobeyed and abu Ja’far (a.s.), said, ‘By Allah, I will beat you, O ghulam (servant).’ I however, did not see him beating the ghulam, thus, I asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your caus

مَنْ عَجَزَ عَنِ الْكَفَّارَةِ الَّتِي تَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ صَوْمٍ أَوْ عِتْقٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ فِي يَمِينٍ أَوْ نَذْرٍ أَوْ قَتْلٍ أَوْ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ مِمَّا يَجِبُ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ فِيهِ الْكَفَّارَةُ فَالاسْتِغْفَارُ لَهُ كَفَّارَةٌ مَا خَلَا يَمِينَ الظِّهَارِ فَإِنَّهُ إِذَا لَمْ يَجِدْ مَا يُكَفِّرُ حَرُمَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يُجَامِعَهَا وَ فُرِّقَ بَيْنَهُمَا إِلَّا أَنْ تَرْضَى الْمَرْأَةُ أَنْ تَكُونَ مَعَهُ وَ لَا يُجَامِ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has stated this Hadith. ‘If one fails to pay an expiation which is due on him or setting free of a slave or charity because of an oath or a vow and commitment or murder and so forth or causes for which expiation is obligatory on him, then asking forgiveness is his choice in place of paying expia

الظِّهَارُ إِذَا عَجَزَ صَاحِبُهُ عَنِ الْكَفَّارَةِ فَلْيَسْتَغْفِرْ رَبَّهُ وَ يَنْوِي أَنْ لَا يَعُودَ[3] قَبْلَ أَنْ يُوَاقِعَ ثُمَّ لْيُوَاقِعْ وَ قَدْ أَجْزَأَ ذَلِكَ عَنْهُ مِنَ الْكَفَّارَةِ فَإِذَا وَجَدَ السَّبِيلَ إِلَى مَا يُكَفِّرُ يَوْماً مِنَ الْأَيَّامِ فَلْيُكَفِّرْ وَ إِنْ تَصَدَّقَ وَ أَطْعَمَ نَفْسَهُ وَ عِيَالَهُ فَإِنَّهُ يُجْزِئُهُ إِذَا كَانَ مُحْتَاجاً وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ ذَلِكَ فَلْيَسْتَغْف

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that in the case of al-Zihar if the man fails to pay the expiation, he must then ask forgiveness from his Lord and keep his intention not to repeat it again before going to bed and then go to bed, it is sufficient for expiation. When he finds a way to pay the expiation in one of the da

كَتَبَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع‌ رَجُلٌ حَلَفَ بِالْبَرَاءَةِ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ مِنْ رَسُولِهِ ص فَحَنِثَ مَا تَوْبَتُهُ وَ كَفَّارَتُهُ فَوَقَّعَ ع يُطْعِمُ عَشَرَةَ مَسَاكِينَ لِكُلِّ مِسْكِينٍ مُدٌّ وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

‘He must feed ten destitute people with one mud (a certain measurement) to each one and ask forgiveness from Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ مَنْ حَلَفَ فَقَالَ لَا وَ رَبِّ الْمُصْحَفِ فَحَنِثَ فَعَلَيْهِ كَفَّارَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali (a.s.), has said, ‘If one swears saying, “No, by the Lord of the book”, then opposes it, he must pay one Kaffarah (expiation).”’

سُئِلَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع هَلْ يُطْعَمُ الْمَسَاكِينُ فِي كَفَّارَةِ الْيَمِينِ‌ لُحُومَ الْأَضَاحِيِّ فَقَالَ لَا لِأَنَّهُ قُرْبَانٌ لِلَّهِ‌[1].

“’Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali (a.s.), was asked, ‘Can the Kaffarah (expiation) because of an oath be fed to the destitute from the flesh of the offering animals for al-Hajj?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, because it is sacrifice for Allah.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ الْيَمِينُ فَيُحْلِفُهُ غَرِيمُهُ بِالْأَيْمَانِ الْمُغَلَّظَةِ أَنْ لَا يَخْرُجَ مِنَ الْبَلَدِ إِلَّا يُعْلِمُهُ فَقَالَ لَا يَخْرُجُ حَتَّى يُعْلِمَهُ قُلْتُ إِنْ أَعْلَمَهُ لَمْ يَدَعْهُ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ عِلْمُهُ ضَرَراً عَلَيْهِ وَ عَلَى عِيَالِهِ فَلْيَخْرُجْ وَ لَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَيْهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who is under oath and his creditor makes him to take an oath with all seriousness not to leave the town without his knowledge. He (the Imam) said, ‘He must not leave the town without his knowledge.’ I then said that if he informs, he would not allow him to go

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ اسْتَوْدَعَتْ رَجُلًا مَالًا فَلَمَّا حَضَرَهَا الْمَوْتُ قَالَتْ لَهُ إِنَّ الْمَالَ الَّذِي دَفَعْتُهُ إِلَيْكَ لِفُلَانَةَ فَمَاتَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ فَأَتَى أَوْلِيَاؤُهَا الرَّجُلَ فَقَالُوا لَهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ لِصَاحِبَتِنَا مَالٌ لَا نَرَاهُ إِلَّا عِنْدَكَ فَاحْلِفْ لَنَا مَا لَنَا قِبَلَكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَ يَحْلِفُ لَهُمْ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَتْ مَأْمُونَةً عِنْدَهُ فَلْيَحْلِفْ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who leaves in trust with a man a certain amount of assets; and when the time of her death comes, she tells him that the asset she has left with him belongs to so and so female person. The woman dies and her people come to him and ask him to take an oath tha

سُئِلَ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُقْسِمُ عَلَى أَخِيهِ قَالَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ إِنَّمَا أَرَادَ إِكْرَامَهُ.

“Once abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the case of a man who swears by his brother. He (the Imam) said, ‘It does not have any valid effect on him; he only wanted to honor and respect him.’”

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ وَاقَعَ امْرَأَتَهُ وَ هِيَ حَائِضٌ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ وَاقَعَهَا فِي اسْتِقْبَالِ الدَّمِ فَلْيَسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ وَ لْيَتَصَدَّقْ عَلَى سَبْعَةِ نَفَرٍ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِقَدْرِ قُوتِ كُلِّ رَجُلٍ مِنْهُمْ لِيَوْمِهِ وَ لَا يَعُدْ وَ إِنْ كَانَ وَاقَعَهَا فِي إِدْبَارِ الدَّمِ فِي آخِرِ أَيَّامِهَا قَبْلَ الْغُسْلِ فَلَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَيْهِ.

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the case of a man who falls on his wife during her experiencing Hayd (menses). He (the Imam) said, Tf he has done so in the beginning of her Hayd (menses) he must ask forgiveness from Allah and give charity, to seven people of the believing ones, of one day’s meals and must

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ لَا نَذْرَ فِي مَعْصِيَةٍ قَالَ فَقَالَ كُلُّ مَا كَانَ لَكَ فِيهِ مَنْفَعَةٌ فِي دِينٍ أَوْ دُنْيَا فَلَا حِنْثَ عَلَيْكَ فِيهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the meaning of: ‘there is no vow and commitment in sinful matters’. He (the Imam) said, ‘Whatever is beneficial to you in the worldly matters or the hereafter, there is no violation in it.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُظَاهِرُ مِنِ امْرَأَتِهِ يَجُوزُ عِتْقُ الْمَوْلُودِ فِي الْكَفَّارَةِ فَقَالَ كُلُّ الْعِتْقِ يَجُوزُ فِيهِ الْمَوْلُودُ إِلَّا فِي كَفَّارَةِ الْقَتْلِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ‌ فَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُؤْمِنَةٍ[1] يَعْنِي بِذَلِكَ مُقِرَّةً قَدْ بَلَغَتِ الْحِنْثَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who involves himself in al- Zihar against his wife; if it is permissible to free a newborn slave for Kaffarah (expiation). He (the Imam) said, ‘Every kind of Kaffarah (expiation) that requires freeing of a slave, freeing of a newborn slave is sufficient for i

إِذَا كَانَ مِمَّا يُبَاعُ أَجْزَأَ عَنْهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ سَمَّى فَعَلَيْهِ مَا اشْتَرَطَ وَ سَمَّى.

“About the case of a man who makes it upon himself to free a slave then sets free a paralyzed or lame one, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, Tf he is sellable, it is sufficient unless he has specified, in which case he must meet the condition.’”

إِنْ خِفْتَ عَلَى مَالِكَ وَ دَمِكَ فَاحْلِفْ تَرُدُّهُ بِيَمِينِكَ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ يَرُدُّ شَيْئاً فَلَا تَحْلِفْ لَهُمْ.

“About the case of a man who swears because of taqiyah (fear), one of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, Tf you fear for your belongings or life, you can swear if it can spare it; but if you see that it cannot avert anything, then do not swear.”’

إِنْ شَاءَ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ صَامَ يَوْماً وَ إِنْ شَاءَ تَصَدَّقَ بِرَغِيفٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali (a.s.), was asked about a man who makes a vow and commitment without specifying anything, has said, ‘If he wants he can perform two Rak‘at Salat (prayer) or fast for one day or give one loaf of bread for charity.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ فِي رَجُلٍ قِيلَ لَهُ فَعَلْتَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا قَالَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا فَعَلْتُهُ وَ قَدْ فَعَلَهُ فَقَالَ كَذِبَةٌ كَذَبَهَا يَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ مِنْهَا.

“This is about the case of a man who after being asked, ‘Did you do such and such work?’ says, ‘No, by Allah, I have not done it’ when in fact he has done it. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amz’r al-Mu’minin, Ali (a.s.), has said, ‘It is a lie that he has spoken and he must ask Allah for forgiveness.’”

كَانَتْ مِنْ أَيْمَانِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لَا وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ.

“Of the oath of the Messenger of Allah (sw) was his saying, ‘No, and I ask Allah for forgiveness.’”

لَمَّا سُمَّ الْمُتَوَكِّلُ نَذَرَ إِنْ عُوفِيَ أَنْ يَتَصَدَّقَ بِمَالٍ كَثِيرٍ فَلَمَّا عُوفِيَ سَأَلَ الْفُقَهَاءَ عَنْ حَدِّ الْمَالِ الْكَثِيرِ فَاخْتَلَفُوا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ مِائَةُ أَلْفٍ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَشَرَةُ آلَافٍ فَقَالُوا فِيهِ أَقَاوِيلَ مُخْتَلِفَةً فَاشْتَبَهَ عَلَيْهِ الْأَمْرُ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ نُدَمَائِهِ يُقَالُ لَهُ صَفْعَانُ أَ لَا تَبْعَثُ إِلَى هَذَا الْأَسْوَدِ فَتَسْأَلَ ع

21. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from certain persons of his people whom he has mentioned who has narrated the following: “Al-Mutawakkil specified a vow and commitment that if he recovers he will give in charity kathir (a great deal of) assets. When he recovered, he asked the scholars of law about the l