“The Book of Fasting” is book 15 of Al-Kafi, the collection of ash-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni. It holds 454 hadiths — Hadith 6,218–6,267 in the standard numbering. Each is shown below in the original Arabic with an English translation, its full reference, and the grading the hadith scholars gave it where one was recorded. It is long enough that it is split across 10 pages so each one stays quick to load; the parts run in order and are linked at the foot of the page.
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Islam is founded on five isssues. It is founded on Salat (prayer), zakat, al-Hajj, Fasting and al-Wilayat (belief in Divine Authority of ’A’immah). The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Fasting is a shield against the fire of hell.”
2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father, from ‘ Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from Isma‘il ibn abu Ziyad who have said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, has narrated from his ancestors, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, who have stated this Hadith. ‘Once, the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, asked his companions, ‘Should I tell you something which, if you do it, will keep Satan away from you as far as east and west?’ They replied, ‘Please do so.’ The Holy Prophet said, ‘Fasting turns Satan’s face black, charity breaks his back, love for the sake of Allah and supporting good deeds cuts off his tail (followers), and asking forgiveness cuts off his artery. Everything has a zakat (cleanser). Zakat of the bodies is fasting.’”
3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Faddal from Tha’labah from Ali ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once asked me, ‘Should I tell you what the root, the branch, the peak and the highest point of Islam is?’ I replied, ‘Please, do so.’ He said, ‘The root of Islam is salat (prayer), its branch is zakat, and its peak and highest point is al-Jihad in the way of Allah. Should I tell you about the doors to goodness? Fasting certainly is a shield.’”
4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Musa ibn Bakr who has said the following: “He (the Imam), ‘Alayhi al-Salam, said, ‘Everything has a cleanser; the cleanser for bodies is fasting.”
5. Muhammad ibn Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Uthman from Isma‘il ibn Yasar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘My father has said, “When a person completes a day of optional fasting for the sake of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, Allah admits him in Paradise.’””
6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Salamah, Sahib al-Sabiriy from abu al-Sabbah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that Allah, the most Blessed, the most High, has said, ‘Fasting is for Me, and I reward for it.’”
7. Ali has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Sulayman from those whom he has mentioned who has said the following: “This is about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘Seek support through patience.’ (2:45) Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘“Patience” is a reference to fasting.’ He further said, ‘If a man faces severe difficulties, he should fast. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has said, “Seek support through patience,” that is, “fasting.””’
8. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad, from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Mundhir ibn Yazid from Yunus ibn Zabayan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If one, for the sake of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, fasts on a very hot day, causing him to experience a great deal of thirst, Allah assigns a thousand angels for his safety who wipe his face until he discontinues his fast.’ Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, then says, ‘How fine is your fragrance and spirit! O My angels, bear witness that I have granted him forgiveness.’”
9. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from Muhammad ibn Hassan from Muhammad ibn Ali from Ali ibn al-Nu’man from ‘Abd Allah ibn Talhah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, 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 fasting person, even when resting in bed, is in the state of worshipping as long as he does not backbite a Muslim.’”
10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father, from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that if a person fasts secretly, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, says to His angels, ‘My servant has sought protection against my punishment, you must give him protection.’ Allah, the most Blessed, the most High, then assigns His angels to pray for the fasting people and in whoever’ s favor He commands them to pray, He hears and accepts their prayers.’”
11. Ali has narrated from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas’adah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah has narrated from his ancestors, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, that the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has assigned His angels to pray in favor of the fasting people. He (the Holy Prophet) has said, ‘ Jibril has informed me from his Lord who has said, “When I command My angels to pray in favor of someone, I do not leave their prayers without acceptance.’””
12. It is narrated, through the same chain (narrators of previous Hadith), who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that a fasting person’s sleeping is also counted as worshipping and his breathing as speaking of the glory of Allah.”
13. Ali has narrated from his father and Muhammad ibn Isma‘il from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan all from ibn abu ‘Umayr from certain individuals of our people who have said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, sent revelation to Moses, thereby asking him, ‘What keeps you from speaking to Me?’ Moses replied, ‘It is to keep away the bad breath of fasting in order to respect your glory.’ Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, then sent him revelation that said, ‘O Moses, bad breath of a fasting person is more beloved to Me than musk.’”
14. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Mansur ibn al-‘Abbas from ‘Amr ibn Sa‘id from al-Hassan ibn Sadaqah who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Rest in the form of a short nap between sunrise and noontime; Allah gives food and water to a fasting person during his sleep.”’
15. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Umayr from Salmah Sahib al-Sabiriy from ibn abu al-Sabbah al-Kinaniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that a fasting person enjoys two occasions of happiness: one is at the time of ending his fast, and the other is when he meets his Lord.”
16. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Samman al-Armaniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that when a fasting person observes people or a person eating food, every piece of his hair feels a kind of covering (tranquility).”
17. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad, from Bakr ibn Salih from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Mundhir ibn Yazid from Yunus ibn Zabayan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If one, for the sake of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, fasts on a very hot day, causing him to experience a great deal of thirst, Allah assigns a thousand angels for his safety who wipe his face until the time he discontinues his fast. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, then says, “How fine is your fragrance and spirit! O My angels, bear witness that I have granted him forgiveness.””’
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘ Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from ‘Amr al-Shamiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the number of months before Allah is twelve in Allah’s Book, from the day He created the heavens and earth. In front of the months is the month of Allah, whose mention is most majestic, and that is the month of Ramadan. The heart of the month of Ramadan is the night of al-Qadr (destiny). The Holy Quran came during the first night of the month of Ramadan; thus, the month is welcomed with the Holy Quran.”
2. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar from al-Misma‘iy who has heard the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, giving advice to his children in the beginning of the month of Ramadan. The Imam said, ‘Make yourselves to work hard; in it (month of Ramadan), sustenance is distributed and the duration of lives is written down. During this month, it is decided who should join the delegation before Allah. In it, there is a night when one good deed is better than a good deed for one thousand months.’”
3. Muhammad ibn Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn al-Hakam who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that if one is not forgiven in the month of Ramadan, one will not be forgiven until the coming month of Ramadan unless he attends ‘Arafah (the ninth of the month of Dhul Hajjah).”
4. Muhammad ibn Yahya and people other than him have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub, from abu Ayyub from abu al-Ward, who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Once, the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, delivered a speech on the last Friday of the month of Sha‘ban. He thanked Allah, praised Him, and then said, “O people, a month is upon you when there is a night that is better than one thousand months. That month is the month of Ramadan. Allah has made fasting obligatory in the month of Ramadan. He has made one night in it wherein performing optional salat (prayer) is equal in reward to seventy nights of performing salat (prayer) in other months. For performing one good and virtuous deed voluntarily in it, He has assigned a reward equal to that for fulfilling an obligation toward Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious. For fulfilling an obligation toward Allah in this month, He has assigned a reward equal to that for fulfilling seventy obligations toward Allah in other months. It is the month of patience, and the reward for patience is Paradise. It is the month of cooperation. In this month, Allah increases the sustenance of the believing people. If one serves food for a fasting person at the end of a fasting day, Allah counts it equal in reward to setting free a slave and forgiveness of his sins of the past.” It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, not every one of us is able to serve food to a fasting person at the end of a fasting day.” The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, said, “Allah is gracious, He grants such reward even for serving some milk mixed with water or some sweet water or a few pieces of dates, if he is unable to do more than this. For one’s easing off the tasks for His servants to perform, Allah eases off his accountabilities. The beginning of this month is mercy and kindness, its middle is forgiveness, and its end is acceptance and freedom from the fire. You must have four characteristics during this month. With two of these characteristics, you will please Allah, but without the other two, you cannot have anything. The two with which you will please Allah is your testimony. ‘No one deserves worship besides Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.’ The other two are asking Him to meet your needs and for Paradise, and asking Him to grant you good health and protection against hell fire.’””
5. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from, Fadalah ibn Ayyub from Sayf ibn ‘Ami rah from ‘ Abd Allah ibn ‘ Abd Allah from a man who has said the following: ”Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, once, just three days before the month of Ramadan, said to Bilal, ‘Call people (to come to the Masjid).’ People then gathered, and he climbed on the pulpit, thanked Allah, praised Him, and then said, “O people, Allah has granted you a privilege with this month. He has made it especially for you, and it is about to be upon you. There is one night in it that is better than one thousand months. The doors of hell fire remain closed in this month, and the doors of Paradise are open. If one’s sins remain without being forgiven in this month, Allah keeps him away. One who lives with his parents, but is not forgiven, Allah keeps him away; and one before whom I am mentioned but who does not say salawat (O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to your cause) and is not forgiven, Allah keeps him away.’”
6. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from ai-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from af-Husayn ibn ‘Uiwan from ‘Amr ibn Shamir from Jabir who has said the folio wing: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, would turn his face to people and say, “O people, when the crescent for the month of Ramadan appears, the devils of Satan are put in chains. The doors to the heavens, Paradise and mercy are opened. The doors to hellfire are closed and prayers are accepted. Allah on every first day after the month of Ramadan sets many people free from hellfire. Every night someone calls, ‘Is there anyone who asks for help or forgiveness? O Allah, grant good rewards to those, who give charity. Make those who do not give any charity to lose.’ It continues until the month of Shawwal begins, then the believers are called, ‘Come for your presents; it is the day of receiving rewards.’” Abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, then said, ‘I swear by the One in whose hands is my life, such presents are not dirhams and dinars.’”
7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Jamil ibn Salih from Muhammad ibn Marwan who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say, ‘Every night in the month of Ramadan, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, liberates many people and releases them from hellfire, except those who drink intoxicating liquor. During the last night of this month, Allah frees and releases a number of people equal to all that He had freed during the whole month.’”
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Safmah, Sahib af-Sabiriy from abu af-Sabbah af-Kinaniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the reward for one who serves food to a fasting person is equal to the reward for the fasting person for his fasting.”
2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from his father from Sa‘dan ibn Muslim from Musa ibn Bakr who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Your serving food to your fasting brother (in belief) is better than your fasting.’”
3. Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ali has narrated from Ali ibn Asbat, from Sayabah from Durays from Hamzah ibn Humran who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that on the first day of his fasting, Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, would ask his people to prepare a sheep for food. In the evening, the cooking pots gave out a fine fragrance while he was fasting, and he would then say, ‘Fill up this pot for the family of so and so and fill up this one for the family of so and so.’ He would then ask for bread and dates for his own dinner. May Allah grant him and his ancestors the compensation worthy of their service to His cause.”
4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas’adah from abu ‘Abd Allah, from his father, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, who has said the following: “Once, during the month of Ramadan, Sadir went to visit abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam. The Imam asked, ‘O Sadir, do you know which nights are these days?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I pray to Allah to keep my soul and the soul of my father in service for your cause, these are the nights of the month of Ramadan, but what do they signify?’ The Imam then said, ‘Can you set free ten slaves from the descendants of Isma‘il in every one of these nights?’ Sadir replied, ‘I pray to Allah to keep the souls of my parents in service for your cause, my belongings are not that much.’ The Imam then reduced the number of slaves until it was only one slave, but he kept saying, ‘My belongings are not enough.’ The Imam then asked, ‘Can you serve food to a Muslim every night.’ He replied, ‘Yes, I can do so. I can even serve food to ten people every night.’ The Imam then said, ‘That is what I meant, O Sadir. Your serving food to your Muslim brother is equal in reward to setting free of ten slaves from the descendants of Isma‘il.’”
1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn Yahya al- Khath’amiy form Ghiyath ibn Ibrahim who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, has narrated from his father, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, who has said that ’Amir al- Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Do not say, “Ramadan.” Say the month of Ramadan; you do not know what Ramadan is.’”
2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Hisham ibn Salim from Sa‘d who has said the following: “Once, we eight people were in the presence of abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam. We spoke of Ramadan. The Imam said, ‘You must not say, “This is Ramadan or Ramadan is gone or Ramadan has come.” Ramadan is one of the names of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, which does not come or go. What comes or goes is what is not durable. You instead should say, “The month of Ramadan.” The word “month” in this case is used in a possessive case in relation to the noun, the “name,” the name that is the name of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious. This month is the one when the Holy Quran was revealed, and He has made it a festival and an example.’”
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibrahim ibn ‘Umar al-Yamaniy from ‘Amr ibn Shamir from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, upon seeing the crescent of the month of Ramadan, would turn toward the Ka‘bah, raise his hands and say, “O Lord, make it (new moon) a month of peace, belief, safety, submission to the will of Allah, good health with rain, abundant sustenance and without illnesses. O Lord, grant us the opportunity to fast during this month, perform salat (prayer) and recite the Holy Quran. O Lord, give it to us with safety, take it back from us with safety, and grant us protection therein.’””
2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad, from Ahmad ibn al-Hassan ibn Ali from ‘Amr ibn Sa‘id, from Musaddiq ibn Sadaqah from ‘Ammar ibn Musa al-Sabatiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘In the first night of the month of Ramadan say the following: “O Lord of the month of Ramadan and the One who has revealed the Holy Quran! This is the month of Ramadan when You have revealed the Holy Quran. You have revealed in it clear signs for guidance and discernment. O Lord, grant us the opportunity to fast in this month and assist us to perform salat (prayer). O Lord, keep it safe for us, keep us safe therein, and take it back from us with ease and forgiveness. O Lord, in Your determination and measures of the inevitable matters and Your discernment of the matters of wisdom, during the night of al-Qadr (destiny), the determinations that will not be changed or altered, please write my name with those who perform Hajj around Your respected House. Please write my name with the names of those whose efforts are appreciated, whose sins are forgiven and bad deeds remedied. In Your measures and determination, please grant me long life and abundantly lawful sustenance.’””
3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from Ali ibn Ri’ab from ‘Abd al-Salih, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, who has said the following: “Say the following prayer in the month of Ramadan to welcome the year. Whoever says this prayer, expecting reward for it (from Allah), and with sincerity, no illness or crisis will affect his religion or his body and Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, will protect him against all evil that may come in that year. ‘O Lord, I plead before You for help through Your name to which all things are close. I plead before You for help through Your kindness, which encompasses all things, through Your majesty with which You have subdued all things, through Your greatness before which all things express humbleness. I plead before You for help through Your power, before which all things are submissive, through the compelling power with which You are dominant over all things, and I plead before You for help through Your knowledge, which encompasses all things. O Light, O Holy, O the First before all things, O Ever Living after all things, O Allah, O Beneficent, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause and forgive my sins that change bounties. Forgive my sins, which bring upon me misfortune. Forgive my sins, which cutoff hope. Forgive my sins, which help enemies to dominate me. Forgive my sins because of which my prayers are rejected. Forgive my sins because of which I deserve to suffer by (heavenly) descending afflictions. Forgive my sins, which stop the rain from coming down from the sky. Forgive my sins, which uncover my privacy. Forgive my sins, which hasten the coming of destruction upon me. Forgive my sins, which make me regret; forgive my sins, which destroy innocence; and dress me with Your invincible shield at which no one is able to aim. Grant me protection against things of which I am afraid in the nights and days of the coming year. “0 Allah, Lord of the seven skies and seven earths and all that are between them, and Lord of the great Throne, Lord of seven (verses) read twice, Lord of the great Quran, Lord of Israfil, Michael, Gabriel and Lord of Muhammad and his family, master of the messengers, the seal of the prophets. I plead before you through Yourself and through that which is Your name. O the Great One who grants great favors and repels all difficulties, gives all appreciable matters, increases the virtuous matters because of very little deeds and a great many things, You do whatever You like. O powerful One, O Allah, O Beneficent, O Merciful, I plead before You to grant salawat (favors and compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause). Dress me during the remaining days of this year with Your covering. Dress my face with Your light, make me loveable through Your love, make me reach a status that will please You and Your honor and grace, Your appreciable favors of the best things with You and of the best rewards You bestow upon anyone of Your creatures. Dress me with good health from You. O the One before whom complaints are presented, I plead before You; O the One who is present during all secret conversations, I plead before You; O the One who has knowledge of all secret matters. O the One, who (has the power which) repels everything of the misfortune that You want to repel. I plead before You, O the One who forgives with grace. I plead before You, O the One who ignores shortcomings with goodness. Make me die as followers of the religion of Ibrahim and his discipline and in the religion of Muhammad following his noble tradition. Make me die in the best form of death. Make me die loving Your friends and as an enemy of Your enemies. “0 Allah, make me to stay away, during this year, from every deed, word or action that takes me away from You. O Allah, attract me toward every deed, word or action that takes me closer to You during this year. O Merciful, the Beneficent, stop me from doing every deed, act or saying any word whereby I fear harmful consequences and Your disliking, thereby turning Your face from me, and thereby I suffer a decrease in favors I can receive from You, O compassionate and merciful. “0 Allah, make me in the remaining days of this year to live in Your protection, neighborhood and shelter. Dress me with good health from You. Make Your grace to encompass me. Your neighborhood is valuable. Praise of Your face is glorious and no one besides You deserves worship. “ 0 Allah, make me a follower of the righteous people who lived before, of Your friends, and join me with them. Make me submissive to those who spoke the truth about You. I seek refuge with You, O my Lord, against being encompassed by my sins, my injustice, my excessive behavior against my soul, my following my desires and my lustful behavior which become a barrier between me and Your kindness, Your pleasure and thus I become forgotten in Your sight, exposed to Your displeasure and being despised. “ 0 Allah, grant me the opportunity to do such virtuous deeds with which You will be pleased and lead me closer to You in salvation. “ 0 Allah, just as you protected Your prophet, Muhammad, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, against fear from Your enemy, provided him ease, relieved him of his sadness, made your promise to come true for him, and Your appointment to take place. O Allah, in the same way protect me against frightening matters in this year and the misfortunes, illnesses, crisis, evils, sadness and financial constraints therein. Make me reach and enjoy through Your kindness perfect health, complete and continuous good health and bounties before me up to the time of my death. I appeal before You as one who has done injustice to himself and confessed his sins, and I appeal before You to forgive my sins in the past that Your keepers have listed and Your honorable scribes have counted against me. O Allah, grant me safety against sins in the remaining time of my life up to the time of my death. O Allah, O Beneficent, grant salawat (favors and compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause), and grant me my appeals for which I have expressed great hope before You. You have commanded me to appeal before You and have promised to grant my wishes.”’
4. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Husayn from Ali ibn Asbat from al-Hakam ibn Miskin who has said that narrated to us ‘Amr ibn Shimr who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say the following. ‘’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, when seeing the crescent of the month of Ramadan facing the direction of Makkah, would say, “O Lord, make it (new moon) a month of peace, belief, safety, submission to the will of Allah, good health with rain, abundant sustenance and without illnesses. O Lord, grant us the opportunity to fast during this month, perform salat (prayer) and recite the Holy Quran. O Lord, give it to us with safety, take it back from us with safety and grant us protection therein.’””
5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Isma’il ibn Marrar from Yunus from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Am mar who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, when looking at the crescent of the month of Ramadan would say, “0 Allah, bring it (the month of Ramadan) upon us with peace and submission (to Your will), certainty, belief, virtue and good opportunity for whatever You love and consent with.’”
6. Yunus has narrated from Ali ibn abu Hamzah, from abu Basir who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that when the month of Ramadan begins, say this, ‘O Allah, the month of Ramadan has begun and You have made it obligatory upon us to fast during this month. You have revealed Your book in it as guidance for people, as the most clear guidance and means of discernment (between right and wrong). O Allah, help us to fast during this month. O Allah, accept it from us, grant us protection therein, receive it back from us with ease and good health. You have power over all things, O most Merciful, most Beneficent.’”
7. Ali has narrated from his father, from Isma‘il ibn Marrar from Yunus from Ibrahim from Muhammad ibn Muslim and al-Husayn ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Ishaq from Sa‘dan from abu Basir who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, would say this prayer during the month of Ramadan, ‘O Allah, I seek help from You and ask You for my needs. There are those who ask people for their needs, but I ask only You for my needs. You are (the only Lord). You have no partners. I ask You through Your generosity and Your pleasure to grant salawat (favors and compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause). Make it possible for me this year to visit Your respected House to perform a virtuous, accepted Hajj performed clean and purely for You. Make my eyes delighted and my position raised. Grant me the opportunity to control my eyes, my private parts from unlawful activities, and to stay away from unlawful matters, so that no other thing will be more preferable to me than obedience to You, humbleness before You, to act upon what You love, to stay away from what You dislike and whatever you have prohibited. Make this possible for me with ease and comfort and in good health. Grant me the ability to thank You for Your bounties You have given me. I appeal to You to make my death one of being murdered for Your cause, under the banner of Your prophet along with Your friends. I appeal before You to do away through me with Your enemies and the enemies of Your messenger. I appeal before You to grant me honor by humiliating whoever of Your creatures You like, but not through humiliating of any of Your friends. O Allah, make me to follow the path of Your messenger. Allah is sufficient for me in whatever Allah wants.”’
8. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Husayn from Ja’far ibn Muhammad from Afi ibn Asbat from ‘Abd af-Rahman ibn Bashir from certain individuais of his people who has said the following: “Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, would say this prayer every day during the month of Ramadan, ‘O Allah, this is the month of Ramadan and the month of fasting. It is the month of prayer and repentance. It is the month of forgiveness and mercy. It is the month of freedom from hellfire, and the month to gain Paradise. O Allah, give it to me and accept it from me, help me in it with the best of Your help. Grant me the opportunity during this month to obey You. Provide me with time to worship You, pray to You and recite Your book. Grant me in this month great blessings, good consequences, good health to my body and abundant sustenance. (O Allah,) suffice me in what is important to me, accept my prayers and make my wishes come true. O Allah, remove from me during this month slumbering, laziness, lack of interest, lack of energy, hard heartedness, negligence and being deceived. O Allah, keep me from illnesses, disease, anxiety, sadness, incidents, sicknesses, mistakes and sins. Keep away from me evil things, disgrace, strenuousness, misfortune, tiredness and exhaustion; You hear all prayers. O Allah, grant me protection against Satan, the condemned one by stoning, and against his temptations and whispers, evil words and expressions, seductions, evil plans, cunning and wicked devices, falsehopes, deceptions, misleading, chaotic deeds of his helpers on foot, his partners, helpers, followers, friends, his associates, friends, companions, and all of his evil plans. O Allah, grant me the opportunity to complete fasting therein, to achieve my wishes to worship during the nights therein, to complete what will please You. Grant me patience, belief, certainty and expectation of good rewards from You during this month. Accept this from us with many multiples and great reward. O Allah, grant me the ability to strive, to work hard with energy and vitality, to pray wholeheartedly, to repent with interest and fear, to express great concerns tenderheartedly with truthfulness and fear of You and having hope in You, to leave matters with You and trust You. (O Allah, help us to) refrain (stay away from sins) from prohibited matters with virtuous words, accepted efforts, high degree deeds, and accepted prayers; do not allow anything to come between us and any such matters in the form of incidents, illnesses, anxieties, and sadness through Your mercy, O most Merciful and most Beneficent.’”
9. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ya’qub ibn Yazid from Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Nawfaliy from al-Husayn ibn al-Mukhtar in a marfu‘ manner who has said the following: “’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘When you see the crescent of the month of Ramadan, say this without fail, “O Allah, I appeal before You for the best of this month, its relief, light, support, blessings, cleanliness and sustenance. I appeal before You for all the good in it and thereafter. I seek refuge with You against the evil therein and thereafter. O Allah, send it to us with peace, belief, protection, Islam, blessings and good opportunities to do what You love and approve.’”
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad all from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, was asked about the crescents (mentioned in the holy Quran). He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is a reference to the new moon of the months. When you see the new moon, begin fasting; when you see the new moon discontinue fasting.’”
2. Hammad has narrated from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, would say, ‘I do not accept a testimony about seeing the crescent if it is from less than two just witnesses.’”
3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad al-Husayn from Ali ibn al-Hakam from fro al-‘Ala’ from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “He (the Imam), ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Testimony by women is not admissible in the case of seeing the crescent.’”
4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthaman who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Testimony of women about the crescent is not admissible, only the testimony of two just witnesses is accepted.’”
5. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Sayf ibn ‘Amirah formal- Fadl ibn ‘Uthman who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘People of al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) must see the crescent. The Muslims must see the crescent.’”
6. Ahmad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Hakam from abu Ayyub al-Khazzaz from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘When you see the crescent, then fast and when you see the crescent (again), then discontinue fasting. It is not by opinions and conjectures. If out of ten people only one says that there is the crescent but the rest cannot see, it is not seeing. If one can see a thousand can also see.’”
7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Khalid from Sa‘d ibn Sa‘d from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Husayn from al-Salt al-Khazzaz who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If the crescent disappears before al-Shafaq (redness), then it is its first night but if it disappears after al-Shafaq (redness) then it is its second night.’”
8. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Hamzah ibn abu Ya‘liy from Muhammad ibn al- Hassan ibn abu Khalid in a marfu‘ manner who has said the following: “He (the Imam), ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If the crescent of the month of Rajab is established, then count fifty nine days and fast the sixtieth day.’”
9. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Bakr and Muhammad ibn abu Suhban from Hafs ibn al-Bakhtariy from ‘Umar (‘Amr) ibn Salim and Muhammad ibn Ziyad ibn ‘Isa from Harun ibn Kharijah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Count of the month of al-Sha‘ban twenty nine days; if it is cloudy then fast, but if it is clear and you looked but did not see anything, you can remain without fasting.’”
10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If they can see the crescent before Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime), then it is of the last night but if they see it after Zawal, then it is of the coming night.’”
11. Ahmad ibn Idris Muhammad ibn Ahmad from Ya’qub ibn Yazid from Muhammad ibn Murazim from his father who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that if the crescent forms a crown around it, then it is two nights old and if you can see the shadow of your head it is three nights old.’”
Sahih· al-Majlisi
Sunni collections: text from the open hadith-api dataset. Al-Kafi: Arabic text, Muhammad Sarwar's translation and gradings from Thaqalayn.net via the Thaqalayn API. Hadith numbering follows those editions and can differ from a printed copy — check the Arabic against a trusted edition before relying on a reference.
