Al-Kāfi - The Sufficient

Al-Kāfi(Vol. 1)
The Sufficient
Volume 1 of 8
al-Kāfī, compiled by Shaykh al-Kulaynī, is a monumental work belonging to a number of books belonging to the Shīʿī Ḥadīth literature. It comprises of eight volumes and took twenty years to compile, making it an extensive collection of wisdom and guidance for adherents of the faith. The eight volumes are divided into three main parts: al-Uṣūl (Roots), al-Furūʿ (Branches), and al-Rawḍa (the Garden).
Part 1 (Volumes 1 & 2): al-Uṣūl (Roots)
This portion delves into the principles of beliefs, containing eight books that discuss topics such as the intellect and ignorance, the virtues of knowledge, Divine Unity, Divine Authority, Belief and Disbelief, Suppications, the Virtues of the Holy Qurʾān, in addition to Ethics and Morals.
Part 2 (Volumes 3 to 7): al-Furūʿ (Branches)
This portion comprises of Ḥadīths related to Islamic jurisprudence, including acts of worship, business transactions, and judicial laws. It covers a vast array of topics in 26 books, ranging from the laws of cleanliness and menstruation to those of wills, inheritance, and legal penalties.
Part 3 (Volume 8): al-Rawḍa (the Garden)
al-Rawḍa encompasses a collection of miscellaneous Ḥadīths, which cover topics that had already been glazed over in prior two portions of the book. Many a time, long Ḥadīths will be included from written letters, wills of the Imams and historical narrations that didn’t necessarily fit in chapter headings that were made in the first seven volumes. The Ḥadīths are not organised in a specific way, but its diversity adds depth to the understanding of the faith.
al-Kāfī, compiled by Shaykh al-Kulaynī, is a monumental work belonging to a number of books belonging to the Shīʿī Ḥadīth literature. It comprises of eight volumes and took twenty years to compile, making it an extensive collection of wisdom and guidance for adherents of the faith. The eight volumes are divided into three main parts: al-Uṣūl (Roots), al-Furūʿ (Branches), and al-Rawḍa (the Garden).
Part 1 (Volumes 1 & 2): al-Uṣūl (Roots)
This portion delves into the principles of beliefs, containing eight books that discuss topics such as the intellect and ignorance, the virtues of knowledge, Divine Unity, Divine Authority, Belief and Disbelief, Suppications, the Virtues of the Holy Qurʾān, in addition to Ethics and Morals.
Part 2 (Volumes 3 to 7): al-Furūʿ (Branches)
This portion comprises of Ḥadīths related to Islamic jurisprudence, including acts of worship, business transactions, and judicial laws. It covers a vast array of topics in 26 books, ranging from the laws of cleanliness and menstruation to those of wills, inheritance, and legal penalties.
Part 3 (Volume 8): al-Rawḍa (the Garden)
al-Rawḍa encompasses a collection of miscellaneous Ḥadīths, which cover topics that had already been glazed over in prior two portions of the book. Many a time, long Ḥadīths will be included from written letters, wills of the Imams and historical narrations that didn’t necessarily fit in chapter headings that were made in the first seven volumes. The Ḥadīths are not organised in a specific way, but its diversity adds depth to the understanding of the faith.
Chapter 1
9 hadithsChapter on the necessity to seek knowledge and the recommendations to learn
Chapter 2
9 hadithsChapter on the quality of knowledge its virtue and the virtue of the scholars
Chapter 3
4 hadithsChapter on Kinds of People
Chapter 4
6 hadithsChapter on the reward for the scholars and those who seek knowledge
Chapter 5
7 hadithsChapter on the Qualities of the Scholars
Chapter 6
1 hadithChapter on the Rights of the scholars
Chapter 7
6 hadithsChapter on the Loss of a Scholar
Chapter 8
5 hadithsChapter on Meeting the Scholars and Associating with Them
Chapter 9
9 hadithsChapter on Asking the Scholar and Discussing with him
Chapter 10
4 hadithsChapter on Giving Knowledge as Charity
Chapter 11
9 hadithsProhibition on Speaking without Knowledge.
Chapter 12
3 hadithsChapter on Those who Act without Knowledge
Chapter 13
7 hadithsChapter on Utilization of Knowledge
Chapter 14
6 hadithsChapter on Those who use their Knowledge to Fill their Stomach and are Boastful for it
Chapter 15
4 hadithsChapter on the Need for the Existence of a Divine Authority in the World and the Seriousness of this Matter
Chapter 16
15 hadithsChapter on Miscellaneous Issues
Chapter 17
15 hadithsChapter on narrating books and Hadith (The virtue of writing and its preservation)
Chapter 18
3 hadithsChapter on Taqlid, following the opinions of someone
Chapter 19
22 hadithsChapter on Innovations, Personal Opinions and Analogies
Chapter 20
10 hadithsChapter on the need to refer to the book and Sunnah
Chapter 21
10 hadithsChapter on the Differences in al-Hadith
Chapter 22
12 hadithsChapter on Following the Sunnah and Evidence of the Book
Chapter 1
6 hadithsChapter on Contingency of the Universe and Proof of the Existence of its Creator
Chapter 2
7 hadithsChapter on Can Allah (God) be Considered a Thing?
Chapter 3
3 hadithsChapter on (the Issue) that only He is proof of His Own Existence
Chapter 4
3 hadithsChapter on the minimum degree of knowledge of the existence of Allah
Chapter 5
3 hadithsChapter on Who is Worshipped
Chapter 6
8 hadithsChapter On Being and Space (al-Kawn WA al-Makan)
Chapter 7
4 hadithsChapter On The relationships (Nisbah) Of Allah
Chapter 8
10 hadithsChapter On Prohibition on Saying How is Allah (al-Kayfiyyah)
Chapter 9
12 hadithsChapter On The Invalidity of the Belief to see God (Ru’yah of Allah)
Chapter 10
12 hadithsChapter On Prohibition on Attributing to Allah What He Himself has not Done so
Chapter 11
8 hadithsChapter On Prohibition on Considering Allah as having Body (JISM) and Form (SURAH)
Chapter 12
6 hadithsChapter On Attribute Of Essence (Sifat al-DhDhat) Of Allah
Chapter 13
2 hadithsAnother Chapter of The Previous Chapter
Chapter 14
7 hadithsChapter On Will Power (IRADAH) it is of the Attributes of Action (SIFAT al-FI‘L) and the Rest of the Attributes of Action
Chapter 15
4 hadithsChapter On the Coming into the Existence of the Names of Allah
Chapter 16
12 hadithsChapter On The Meanings of the Names of Allah and their Derivatives
Chapter 17
2 hadithsChapter on Another Chapter (Related) to the Previous Chapter
Chapter 18
2 hadithsChapter on the Interpretation of al-Samad, Self-sufficient
Chapter 19
10 hadithsChapter on Motion and Change
Chapter 20
7 hadithsChapter about al-‘Arsh and al-Kursi
Chapter 21
4 hadithsChapter on al-Ruh, the Spirit
Chapter 22
7 hadithsChapter on Comprehensive (Ahadith) about the Oneness of Allah
Chapter 23
11 hadithsChapter on Miscellaneous Ahadith
Chapter 24
15 hadithsChapter on al-Bida’
Chapter 25
2 hadithsChapter on the issue that there is nothing in heavens and earth but that they are in seven
Chapter 26
6 hadithsChapter on Wish and Will
Chapter 27
2 hadithsChapter on Test and Choice
Chapter 28
3 hadithsChapter on Fortunateness and Un-fortunateness
Chapter 29
3 hadithsGood and Evil
Chapter 30
14 hadithsPredestination, Fate and the Middle Road in Between
Chapter 31
4 hadithsThe Capabilities
Chapter 32
6 hadithsDeclaration, Definition and the Need for Solid Proof
Chapter 33
1 hadithDifferences in the Justification of Divine Authority among People
Chapter 34
4 hadithsAllah’s Authorities and Means of Justification of Accountability in People
Chapter 35
4 hadithsGuidance Is From Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High
Chapter 1
5 hadithsThe necessity of the presence of Divine Authority among the people
Chapter 2
4 hadithsThe Categories of the Prophets, the Messengers and the Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 3
4 hadithsThe Difference among he Messengers, the Prophets and the al-Muhaddath
Chapter 4
4 hadithsThe issue that Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam
Chapter 5
13 hadithsThe Issue that the Earth at no time is without a Person with Divine Authority
Chapter 6
5 hadithsThe Issue that even if only two people would remain on earth one of them would certainly be the Imam, the person with divine authority
Chapter 7
14 hadithsKnowing the Imam عليه السلام and Belief in His Divine Authority
Chapter 8
17 hadithsThe obligation to obey the Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 9
5 hadithsThe Imams عليه السلام are witness for Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, over His creature
Chapter 10
4 hadithsThe Imams عليه السلام are the only true guides
Chapter 11
6 hadithsThe Imam عليه السلام Possess Divine Authority and the Treasure of Divine Knowledge
Chapter 12
3 hadithsThe Imams عليه السلام are the Deputies of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, on earth and the Gates through which people go nearer to Allah
Chapter 13
6 hadithsThe Imams عليه السلام are the light of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High
Chapter 14
3 hadithsThe Imams are the corner stone on earth
Chapter 15
2 hadithsThe Unique Ahadith that sums up the Virtue and Qualifications of the Imam عليه السلام
Chapter 16
5 hadithsThe Imams عليه السلام possess Divine authority, they are Envied and Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has spoken of them
Chapter 17
3 hadithsThe Imams عليه السلام are the Sings of whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has spoken in the Holy Quran
Chapter 18
3 hadithsThe Signs of which Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has spoken in the Holy Quran are The Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 19
7 hadithsThe matters that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم have sanctioned as obligatory of the beings with the Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 20
9 hadithsThe people of Dhikr (memory and knowledge) that Allah has commanded the creatures to ask for their questions are the Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 21
2 hadithsThose whom Allah has called people of knowledge they are the Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 22
3 hadithsThe People Well-grounded in Knowledge are the Imams عليه السلام alone
Chapter 23
5 hadithsThe Imams are those who have received Knowledge and it is firmly Established in their Hearts
Chapter 24
4 hadithsThe people whom Allah has Chosen and has Made the Heirs of His Book are the Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 25
2 hadithsTwo Kinds of Imam are mentioned in the Holy Quran: the Imams عليه السلام who call to Allah and the Imams who call to Fire
Chapter 26
2 hadithsThe Holy Quran guides people to the Imam عليه السلام
Chapter 27
4 hadithsThe Bounty and Blessings that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has mentioned in His book, the Holy Quran are the Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 28
5 hadithsThe People whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has called Mutawassimin (distinguished) in His book are the Imams عليه السلام who are also the straight path
Chapter 29
6 hadithsThe deeds of the people are presented before the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and the Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 30
2 hadithsThe Path, Urged to be Maintained Steadfastly is Acknowledgement of the Divine Authority of Imam Ali عليه السلام
Chapter 31
3 hadithsThe Imams عليه السلام are the Mines of Knowledge, the Tree of Prophet-hood and the Centers wherein angels Interchange
Chapter 32
8 hadithsThe Imams عليه السلام are the Heirs of Knowledge to Inherit it one from the other
Chapter 33
7 hadithsThe Imams عليه السلام inherited the knowledge of the Holy prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and all the prophets and their successors before them
Chapter 34
2 hadithsThe Imams عليه السلام have with all the books that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has revealed and that they know them even the language in them are different
Chapter 35
6 hadithsNo one collect all of the Holy Quran except the Imams عليه السلام and that they have the knowledge of all of the Holy Quran
Chapter 36
3 hadithsThe degree of the Great Names of Allah that are given to the Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 37
5 hadithsSacred objects of the Prophets transferred to the Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 38
9 hadithsThe Armaments and Sacred Items belonging to the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that transferred to the Imam عليه السلام
Chapter 39
4 hadithsThe case of the Arms of the Messenger of Allah is like the Ark among the Israelites
Chapter 40
8 hadithsStatements about al-Jafr al-Jami‘ and the Book of Fatima عليه السلام
Chapter 41
9 hadithsChapter Ninety Seven of the Holy Quran and its interpretation
Chapter 42
3 hadithsThe Imams عليه السلام Receive additional (knowledge) every Friday night
Chapter 43
4 hadithsWould the Imams عليه السلام not receive new knowledge their previous know would be Exhausted
Chapter 44
4 hadithsThe Imams know all the knowledge that has come to the angels, the prophets and the Messenger
Chapter 45
4 hadithsThe Unique Ahadith about the hidden facts
Chapter 46
3 hadithsWould the Imams عليه السلام like to know they would know
Chapter 47
8 hadithsThe Imams عليه السلام know when they will die and they die voluntarily
Chapter 48
6 hadithsThe Imams عليه السلام do have the knowledge of what was and will be, and that nothing is unknown to them عليه السلام
Chapter 49
3 hadithsAllah, the Most Holy, the Most High, did not teach anything to His Messenger but that He commanded him to teach such knowledge to Amir al-Mu’minin عليه السلام and he was his partner in Knowledge
Chapter 50
3 hadithsAspects of the Knowledge of the Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 51
2 hadithsIf Secrets would be kept the Imams عليه السلام can tell everyone what is for and against them
Chapter 52
10 hadithsGiving Charge of the Religious matters to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and to the Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 53
7 hadithsThe Imams are Similar to those before them and the Dislikeability of Calling them Prophets
Chapter 54
5 hadithsThe Imams عليه السلام hear from the angels as Muhaddathun and are of Perfect Understanding
Chapter 55
3 hadithsThe Spirits that exist in the Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 56
6 hadithsThe Spirit with which the Imams عليه السلام are Protected
Chapter 57
3 hadithsThe Time When the Imam Learns the Knowledge of the Imam before him عليه السلام
Chapter 58
3 hadithsThe Imams عليه السلام are all Equal in Knowledge, Courage and Obedience
Chapter 59
7 hadithsEach Imam knows the succeeding Imam عليه السلام The words of Allah, the Most High, “Allah commands you to deliver the trust to its people,”(4:58) is a reference to the Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 60
4 hadithsThe Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority) is a Covenant from Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, Delivered as such by the preceding Imam to the succeeding Imam عليه السلام one after the other
Chapter 61
5 hadithsThe Imams عليه السلام never did and would not do anything except because of the covenant of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, and a command from Him and they did not go beyond such limits
Chapter 62
7 hadithsEvidence of Imam’s Possessing Divine Authority
Chapter 63
5 hadithsProof that Imamat (leadership with Divine Authority) Continues in the Descendents of the Preceding Imam but not through his Brother or Paternal Uncle or other such Relatives
Chapter 64
7 hadithsThe Specific words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High and the Messenger of Allah that Grant Divine Authority to Everyone of the Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 65
9 hadithsTacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali’s عليه السلام Divine Authority over the people after the Messenger of Allah
Chapter 66
7 hadithsTacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of al-Hassan ibn Ali’s عليه السلام Divine Authority over the people after Amir al-Mu’minin Ali عليه السلام
Chapter 67
3 hadithsTacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of al-Husayn ibn Ali’s عليه السلام عليه السلام Divine Authority over the people after al-Hassan عليه السلام
Chapter 68
4 hadithsTacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of Ali ibn al-Husayn’s عليه السلام Divine Authority over the people after al-Husayn عليه السلام
Chapter 69
5 hadithsTacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu Ja‘far’s عليه السلام Divine Authority over the people after Ali ibn al-Husayn عليه السلام
Chapter 70
8 hadithsTacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu ‘Abdallah Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq’s عليه السلام Divine Authority over the people after Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn عليه السلام
Chapter 71
16 hadithsTacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu al-Hassan Musa’s عليه السلام Divine Authority over the people after abu ‘Abdallah عليه السلام
Chapter 72
16 hadithsTacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu al-Hassan al-Rida’s عليه السلام Divine Authority over the people after abu al-Hassan Musa عليه السلام
Chapter 73
14 hadithsTacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu Ja‘far al-Thani’s (the second) عليه السلام Divine Authority over the people after abu al-Hassan al-Rida عليه السلام
Chapter 74
3 hadithsTacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu al-Hassan’s, al-Thalith (the third) عليه السلام Divine Authority over the people after Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida عليه السلام
Chapter 75
13 hadithsTacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu Muhammad al-Hassan ‘s عليه السلام Divine Authority over the people after Ali ibn Muhammad عليه السلام
Chapter 76
6 hadithsTacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of the owner of the House’s عليه السلام Divine Authority over the people abu Muhammad al-Hassan عليه السلام
Chapter 77
15 hadithsThe list of the Names of those who saw the Twelfth Imam عليه السلام
Chapter 78
4 hadithsThe Prohibition on Mentioning his Name
Chapter 79
3 hadithsPrecious Ahadith on Conditions of Disappearance from Public Sight of (the Twelfth Imam عليه السلام
Chapter 80
31 hadithsThe Issue of Disappearance (of the twelfth Imam عليه السلام from Public Sight
Chapter 81
19 hadithsThe Criterion to Discern the Truthful and False Claims of Entitlement to Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority)
Chapter 82
7 hadithsSetting-up a Time Limit for the Reappearance of the Twelfth Imam عليه السلام an Antipathetic Issue
Chapter 83
6 hadithsRefinement and Trial
Chapter 84
7 hadithsThe rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority earlier or later will not affect one who has learned who his Imam is
Chapter 85
12 hadithsThe case of those who would claim to be the Imam but is not qualified, the case of those who would reject all or some of the Imams and the case of those who argue in support of one who is not a qualified Imam.
Chapter 86
5 hadithsThe case of those who would accept the religion of Allah but without accepting the Imam, Leader with Divine Authority
Chapter 87
5 hadithsThe Case of those who would Die without having an Imam from the Imams of Guidance
Chapter 88
4 hadithsThe case of those who have recognized Ahl al-Bayt and those who have ignored them
Chapter 89
3 hadithsThe Obligation and Duty of the People at the Time of the Passing away of the Imam عليه السلام
Chapter 90
6 hadithsWhen the Imam learns that Leadership with Divine Authority has come to him?
Chapter 91
8 hadithsThe Conditions of the Imams in the Matters of Age
Chapter 92
2 hadithsOnly an Imam has the Authority to Wash the Body of an Imam for Burial
Chapter 93
8 hadithsThe Birth of the Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 94
4 hadithsThe Creation of the bodies, spirits and the Hearts of the Imam عليه السلام
Chapter 95
8 hadithsSubmission and the Virtue of the Muslims
Chapter 96
3 hadithsPeople’s obligation after Hajj to Meet the Imam, Ask them Religious Instructions, Declare and Pledge to them Allegiance and Express their Love
Chapter 97
4 hadithsThe Angels come to the Houses of the Imams, Step on their Furnishings and Bring them News
Chapter 98
7 hadithsThe Jinns Come to the Imam for Religious Instructions and for Dealing with their Affairs
Chapter 99
5 hadithsWhen the Imams will Rise with Divine Authority They will Judge Among People as David and his People had Done that They will not Ask any Witness to Testify (May the peace and blessings of Allah be up on them)
Chapter 100
2 hadithsThe fountain head of Knowledge is Ala Muhammad عليه السلام
Chapter 101
6 hadithsThere is nothing True with People unless it has Come from the Imams and Whatever that has not Come from Them عليه السلام is False
Chapter 102
5 hadithsThe Hadith (statements) of Ahl al-Bayt (members of the family of Prophet Muhammad) is Difficult and becomes Difficult
Chapter 103
5 hadithsThe Commands of the Holy Prophet to Wish Well for the Imams of Muslims, Remain Close with their Group and as to Who They are.
Chapter 104
8 hadithsThe Mutual Rights between the Imam and his Followers
Chapter 105
8 hadithsThe Whole Earth belongs to the Imam عليه السلام
Chapter 106
4 hadithsManners of the Imams in the Matters of Food and Clothes as Leaders with Divine Authority
Chapter 107
4 hadithsThe Rare Ahadith in the context
Chapter 108
89 hadithsEnlightening Points Deduced from the Holy Quran about Leadership with Divine Authority)
Chapter 109
7 hadithsNotable Points and Comprehensive Ahadith about Wilaya (Leadership with Divine Authority)
Chapter 110
3 hadithsThe Imams عليه السلام know their friends and that they are the in charge of their affairs
Chapter 111
41 hadithsThe Birth of The Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and His Demise
Chapter 112
1 hadithClimbing over the grave of the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم prohibited
Chapter 113
12 hadithsThe birth of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali عليه السلام
Chapter 114
11 hadithsThe birth of al-Zahra’, Fatima عليه السلام
Chapter 115
7 hadithsThe Birth of al-Hassan ibn Ali عليه السلام
Chapter 116
9 hadithsThe Birth of al-Husayn ibn Ali عليه السلام
Chapter 117
7 hadithsThe Birth of Ali ibn al-Husayn عليه السلام
Chapter 118
7 hadithsThe Birth of Abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali عليه السلام
Chapter 119
9 hadithsThe Birth of abu ‘Abdullah Ja‘far ibn Muhammad عليه السلام
Chapter 120
10 hadithsThe Birth of abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja‘far عليه السلام
Chapter 121
12 hadithsThe birth of abu al-Hassan al-Rida عليه السلام
Chapter 122
13 hadithsThe Birth of Abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali, the Second عليه السلام
Chapter 123
10 hadithsThe Birth of abu al-Hassan Ali ibn Muhammad عليه السلام
Chapter 124
28 hadithsThe Birth of abu Muhammad al-Hassan ibn Ali عليه السلام
Chapter 125
32 hadithsThe Birth of the Possessor (of Divine Authority) عليه السلام
Chapter 126
20 hadithsThe Statements and the Explicit Texts on Leadership with Divine Authority) of the Twelve Imams عليه السلام
Chapter 127
3 hadithsSomething said about a man and it is not in him but is found in his sons or grand sons than it is as if it is in him
Chapter 128
3 hadithsAll the Imams عليه السلام rise for and with authority of Allah, the Most High and guide to Him Allah
Chapter 129
7 hadithsCompensation and Imam عليه السلام
Chapter 130
29 hadithsThe Fay’, al-Anfal, al-Khums, its rules and the properties subject to al-Khums