Chapter on the Virtue of Month of Ramadan and the Reward of Fasting in it
Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh|Volume 2|Book 2|Chapter 8
Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh
Volume 2, Book 2, Chapter 8
Chapter on the Virtue of Month of Ramadan and the Reward of Fasting in it
14 hadiths · 2 commentaries
رَوَى اَلْحَسَنُ بْنُ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ عَنْ أَبِي اَلْوَرْدِ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ: «خَطَبَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ اَلنَّاسَ فِي آخِرِ جُمُعَةٍ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَحَمِدَ اَللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَيُّهَا اَلنَّاسُ إِنَّهُ قَدْ أَظَلَّكُمْ شَهْرٌ فِيهِ لَيْلَةٌ «خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ» وَ هُوَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ فَرَضَ اَللَّهُ صِيَامَهُ وَ جَعَلَ قِيَامَ لَيْلَةٍ فِيهِ كَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ بِصَلاَةٍ سَبْعِينَ لَيْلَةً فِيمَا سِوَاهُ مِنَ اَلشُّهُورِ وَ جَعَلَ لِمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ فِيهِ بِخَصْلَةٍ مِنْ خِصَالِ اَلْخَيْرِ وَ اَلْبِرِّ كَأَجْرِ مَنْ أَدَّى فَرِيضَةً مِنْ فَرَائِضِ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ مَنْ أَدَّى فَرِيضَةً مِنْ فَرَائِضِ اَللَّهِ كَانَ كَمَنْ أَدَّى سَبْعِينَ فَرِيضَةً فِيمَا سِوَاهُ مِنَ اَلشُّهُورِ وَ هُوَ شَهْرُ اَلصَّبْرِ وَ إِنَّ اَلصَّبْرَ ثَوَابُهُ اَلْجَنَّةُ وَ هُوَ شَهْرُ اَلْمُوَاسَاةِ وَ هُوَ شَهْرٌ يَزِيدُ اَللَّهُ فِيهِ رِزْقَ اَلْمُؤْمِنِ وَ مَنْ فَطَّرَ فِيهِ مُؤْمِناً صَائِماً كَانَ لَهُ بِذَلِكَ عِنْدَ اَللَّهِ عِتْقُ رَقَبَةٍ وَ مَغْفِرَةٌ لِذُنُوبِهِ فِيمَا مَضَى » فَقِيلَ لَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ لَيْسَ كُلُّنَا نَقْدِرُ عَلَى أَنْ نُفَطِّرَ صَائِماً فَقَالَ «إِنَّ اَللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى كَرِيمٌ يُعْطِي هَذَا اَلثَّوَابَ مِنْكُمْ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ إِلاَّ عَلَى مَذْقَةٍ مِنْ لَبَنٍ يُفَطِّرُ بِهَا صَائِماً أَوْ شَرْبَةٍ مِنْ مَاءِ عَذْبٍ أَوْ تُمَيْرَاتٍ لاَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ مَنْ خَفَّفَ فِيهِ عَنْ مَمْلُوكِهِ خَفَّفَ اَللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْهِ حِسَابَهُ وَ هُوَ شَهْرٌ أَوَّلُهُ رَحْمَةٌ وَ وَسَطُهُ مَغْفِرَةٌ وَ آخِرُهُ إِجَابَةٌ وَ اَلْعِتْقُ مِنَ اَلنَّارِ وَ لاَ غِنَى بِكُمْ فِيهِ عَنْ أَرْبَعِ خِصَالٍ خَصْلَتَيْنِ تُرْضُونَ اَللَّهَ بِهِمَا وَ خَصْلَتَيْنِ لاَ غِنَى بِكُمْ عَنْهُمَا فَأَمَّا اَللَّتَانِ تُرْضُونَ اَللَّهَ بِهِمَا فَشَهَادَةُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اَللَّهُ وَ أَنِّي رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ وَ أَمَّا اَللَّتَانِ لاَ غِنَى بِكُمْ عَنْهُمَا فَتَسْأَلُونَ اَللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِيهِ حَوَائِجَكُمْ وَ اَلْجَنَّةَ وَ تَسْأَلُونَ اَللَّهَ فِيهِ اَلْعَافِيَةَ وَ تَتَعَوَّذُونَ بِهِ مِنَ اَلنَّارِ ».
It is narrated by al-Hasan ibn Mahbub from Abu Ayyub, from Abu al-Ward, from Abu Ja‘far (Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام), who said: "The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) addressed the people on the last Friday of Sha‘ban. He praised Allah سبحانه وتعالى and glorified Him, then said: 'O people, indeed, a month is approaching you in which there is a night "better than a thousand months." It is the Month of Ramadan. Allah سبحانه وتعالى has made its fasting obligatory and standing in prayer on its nights equivalent to performing seventy voluntary prayers in other months. Whoever performs one act of goodness and charity in it will receive the reward of performing an obligatory act, and whoever performs an obligatory act will be rewarded as if he performed seventy obligatory acts in other months. It is the month of patience, and the reward for patience is Paradise. It is the month of solidarity and a month in which Allah سبحانه وتعالى increases the provision of the believer. Whoever provides food for a fasting believer to break their fast will have, with Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the reward of freeing a slave and forgiveness for their past sins.' Someone asked: 'O Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, not all of us can afford to provide food for a fasting person.' He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: 'Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Blessed and Exalted, is generous and will grant this reward to one who provides even a sip of milk, a drink of fresh water, or a few dates to a fasting person. Whoever lightens the burden of their servant during this month, Allah سبحانه وتعالى will ease their reckoning. This is a month whose beginning is mercy, its middle is forgiveness, and its end is deliverance and freedom from the Fire. You are in need of four qualities during this month: two by which you please Allah سبحانه وتعالى and two without which you cannot do without. As for the two that please Him, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, they are the testimony that there is no god but Allah سبحانه وتعالى and that I am the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. As for the two you cannot do without, they are asking Allah سبحانه وتعالى for your needs and for Paradise, and seeking Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى protection from the Fire.'"
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ: لَمَّا حَضَرَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ وَ ذَلِكَ فِي ثَلاَثٍ بَقِينَ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ لِبِلاَلٍ «نَادِ فِي اَلنَّاسِ» فَجَمَعَ اَلنَّاسَ ثُمَّ صَعِدَ اَلْمِنْبَرَ فَحَمِدَ اَللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَيُّهَا اَلنَّاسُ إِنَّ هَذَا اَلشَّهْرَ قَدْ حَضَرَكُمْ وَ هُوَ سَيِّدُ اَلشُّهُورِ فِيهِ لَيْلَةٌ هِيَ «خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ» تُغْلَقُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ اَلنَّارِ وَ تُفَتَّحُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ اَلْجِنَانِ فَمَنْ أَدْرَكَهُ فَلَمْ يُغْفَرْ لَهُ فَأَبْعَدَهُ اَللَّهُ وَ مَنْ أَدْرَكَ وَالِدَيْهِ فَلَمْ يُغْفَرْ لَهُ فَأَبْعَدَهُ اَللَّهُ وَ مَنْ ذُكِرْتُ عِنْدَهُ فَلَمْ يُصَلِّ عَلَيَّ فَلَمْ يُغْفَرْ لَهُ فَأَبْعَدَهُ اَللَّهُ.
The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said: "When the Month of Ramadan approached, three days before the end of Sha‘ban, He said to Bilal: 'Call the people.' He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم gathered the people, then ascended the pulpit, praised Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and glorified Him, and then said: 'O people, the month has come to you. It is the master of the months. In it is a night that is "better than a thousand months." During this month, the gates of the Fire are closed, and the gates of Paradise are opened. Whoever attains this month and is not forgiven, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى distance him. Whoever attains his parents and is not forgiven, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى distance him. And whoever hears my name mentioned and does not send blessings upon me, and is not forgiven, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى distance him.'"
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ رَوَى جَابِرٌ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ: «كَانَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ إِذَا نَظَرَ إِلَى هِلاَلِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ اِسْتَقْبَلَ اَلْقِبْلَةَ بِوَجْهِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ « اَللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْأَمْنِ وَ اَلْإِيمَانِ وَ اَلسَّلاَمَةِ وَ اَلْإِسْلاَمِ وَ اَلْعَافِيَةِ اَلْمُجَلِّلَةِ وَ اَلرِّزْقِ اَلْوَاسِعِ وَ دَفْعِ اَلْأَسْقَامِ وَ تِلاَوَةِ اَلْقُرْآنِ وَ اَلْعَوْنِ عَلَى اَلصَّلاَةِ وَ اَلصِّيَامِ اَللَّهُمَّ سَلِّمْنَا لِشَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ سَلِّمْهُ لَنَا وَ تَسَلَّمْهُ مِنَّا حَتَّى يَنْقَضِيَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ وَ قَدْ غَفَرْتَ لَنَا » ثُمَّ يُقْبِلُ بِوَجْهِهِ عَلَى اَلنَّاسِ فَيَقُولُ «يَا مَعْشَرَ اَلنَّاسِ إِذَا طَلَعَ هِلاَلُ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ غُلَّتْ مَرَدَةُ اَلشَّيَاطِينِ وَ فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُ اَلسَّمَاءِ وَ أَبْوَابُ اَلْجِنَانِ وَ أَبْوَابُ اَلرَّحْمَةِ وَ غُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ اَلنَّارِ وَ اُسْتُجِيبَ اَلدُّعَاءُ وَ كَانَ لِلَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عِنْدَ كُلِّ فِطْرٍ عُتَقَاءُ يُعْتِقُهُمْ مِنَ اَلنَّارِ وَ يُنَادِي مُنَادٍ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ هَلْ مِنْ تَائِبٍ هَلْ مِنْ سَائِلٍ هَلْ مِنْ مُسْتَغْفِرٍ: اَللَّهُمَّ أَعْطِ كُلَّ مُنْفِقٍ خَلَفاً وَ أَعْطِ كُلَّ مُمْسِكٍ تَلَفاً - حَتَّى إِذَا طَلَعَ هِلاَلُ شَوَّالٍ نُودِيَ اَلْمُؤْمِنُونَ أَنِ اُغْدُوا إِلَى جَوَائِزِكُمْ فَهُوَ يَوْمُ اَلْجَائِزَةِ» ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ «أَمَا وَ اَلَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ مَا هِيَ بِجَائِزَةِ اَلدَّنَانِيرِ وَ اَلدَّرَاهِمِ.
It is narrated by Jabir from Abu Ja‘far (Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام), who said: "Whenever the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) saw the crescent of the Month of Ramadan, he would face the Qiblah and say: 'O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, let this crescent appear over us with security, faith, peace, and submission, along with encompassing wellness, ample sustenance, protection from ailments, recitation of the Qur’an, and assistance in prayer and fasting. O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, safeguard us for the Month of Ramadan, safeguard it for us, and accept it from us until the Month of Ramadan concludes, and You have forgiven us.' Then he would turn to the people and say: 'O people, when the crescent of Month of Ramadan rises, the rebellious devils are chained, the gates of the heavens, Paradise, and mercy are opened, and the gates of Hell are closed. Supplications are answered, and Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Blessed and Exalted, frees people from the Fire every night at the time of breaking the fast. A caller announces every night: "Is there anyone who seeks repentance? Is there anyone who asks for something? Is there anyone seeking forgiveness?" O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, grant every giver compensation, and bring destruction upon every miser.' When the crescent of Shawwal appears, it is announced to the believers: "Go forth to your rewards, for this is the Day of Reward."' Then Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام said: 'By the One in whose hand is my soul, the rewards are not in dinars or dirhams.'"
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ رَوَى زُرَارَةُ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «أَنَّ اَلنَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ لَمَّا اِنْصَرَفَ مِنْ عَرَفَاتٍ وَ سَارَ إِلَى مِنًى دَخَلَ اَلْمَسْجِدَ فَاجْتَمَعَ إِلَيْهِ اَلنَّاسُ يَسْأَلُونَهُ عَنْ لَيْلَةِ اَلْقَدْرِ فَقَامَ خَطِيباً فَقَالَ بَعْدَ اَلثَّنَاءِ عَلَى اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّكُمْ سَأَلْتُمُونِي عَنْ لَيْلَةِ اَلْقَدْرِ وَ لَمْ أَطْوِهَا عَنْكُمْ لِأَنِّي لَمْ أَكُنْ بِهَا عَالِماً اِعْلَمُوا أَيُّهَا اَلنَّاسُ أَنَّهُ مَنْ وَرَدَ عَلَيْهِ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ وَ هُوَ صَحِيحٌ سَوِيٌّ فَصَامَ نَهَارَهُ وَ قَامَ وِرْداً مِنْ لَيْلِهِ وَ وَاظَبَ عَلَى صَلاَتِهِ، وَ هَجَرَ إِلَى جُمُعَتِهِ وَ غَدَا إِلَى عِيدِهِ فَقَدْ أَدْرَكَ لَيْلَةَ اَلْقَدْرِ وَ فَازَ بِجَائِزَةِ اَلرَّبِّ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ».
It is narrated by Zurara from Abu Ja‘far (Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام): "When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) returned from Arafat and proceeded to Mina, he entered the mosque. People gathered around him, asking him about the Night of Qadr (Laylat al-Qadr). He stood to deliver a sermon and, after praising Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty, He said: 'As for what follows, you have asked me about the Night of Qadr. I did not withhold it from you because I knew it and kept it secret, but rather because I was not informed about it. Know, O people, that whoever reaches the Month of Ramadan in good health and observes its fast during the day, stands in worship a portion of its nights, is consistent in their prayers, attends Friday congregational prayers, and sets out for the Eid prayer, then they have attained the Night of Qadr and succeeded in receiving the reward from their Lord عز وجل, the Almighty.'"
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «فَازُوا وَ اَللَّهِ بِجَوَائِزَ لَيْسَتْ كَجَوَائِزِ اَلْعِبَادِ.
Abu Abdullah (Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام) said: "By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, they have succeeded with rewards that are unlike the rewards given by the servants."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ لِجَابِرٍ: «يَا جَابِرُ مَنْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ فَصَامَ نَهَارَهُ وَ قَامَ وِرْداً مِنْ لَيْلِهِ وَ حَفِظَ فَرْجَهُ وَ لِسَانَهُ وَ غَضَّ بَصَرَهُ وَ كَفَّ أَذَاهُ خَرَجَ مِنَ اَلذُّنُوبِ كَيَوْمَ وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ» قَالَ جَابِرٌ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا أَحْسَنَ هَذَا مِنْ حَدِيثٍ قَالَ «مَا أَشَدَّ هَذَا مِنْ شَرْطٍ.
Abu Ja‘far (Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام) said to Jabir: "O Jabir, whoever reaches the Month of Ramadan, fasts its days, stands in worship for part of its nights, guards their chastity and tongue, lowers their gaze, and refrains from harming others will emerge from their sins as on the day their mother gave birth to them." Jabir said: "I replied, 'May I be your ransom, how beautiful this narration is!' Imam عليه السلام said: 'How stringent its conditions are!'"
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ قَالَ عَلِيٌّ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «لَمَّا حَضَرَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ قَامَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ فَحَمِدَ اَللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ» «أَيُّهَا اَلنَّاسُ كَفَاكُمُ اَللَّهُ عَدُوَّكُمْ مِنَ اَلْجِنِّ وَ اَلْإِنْسِ وَ قَالَ «اُدْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ» وَ وَعَدَكُمُ اَلْإِجَابَةَ أَلاَ وَ قَدْ وَكَّلَ اَللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِكُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ مَرِيدٍ سَبْعِينَ مِنْ مَلاَئِكَتِهِ فَلَيْسَ بِمَحْلُولٍ حَتَّى يَنْقَضِيَ شَهْرُكُمْ هَذَا أَلاَ وَ أَبْوَابُ اَلسَّمَاءِ مُفَتَّحَةٌ مِنْ أَوَّلِ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْهُ أَلاَ وَ اَلدُّعَاءُ فِيهِ مَقْبُولٌ.
Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "When the Month of Ramadan arrived, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) stood, praised Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and glorified Him. Then He said: 'O people, Allah سبحانه وتعالى has sufficed you against your enemies from among the jinn and humans. He said, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you," and He has promised you that He will answer. Know that Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty, has assigned seventy of His angels to every rebellious devil, preventing them from being released until your month concludes. Be aware that the gates of the heavens are opened from the first night of this month. Know that supplications made in it are accepted.'"
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ رَوَى مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَرْوَانَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «إِنَّ لِلَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ عُتَقَاءَ وَ طُلَقَاءَ مِنَ اَلنَّارِ إِلاَّ مَنْ أَفْطَرَ عَلَى مُسْكِرٍ فَإِذَا كَانَ آخِرُ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْهُ أَعْتَقَ فِيهَا مِثْلَ مَا أَعْتَقَ فِي جَمِيعِهِ ».
It is narrated by Muhammad ibn Marwan from Abu Abdullah (Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام), who said: "Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Blessed and Exalted, has freed individuals from the Fire every night of the Month of Ramadan, except for those who break their fast with an intoxicant. On the last night of the month, He frees as many as He freed throughout the entire month."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh, p. 91
وَ فِي رِوَايَةِ عُمَرَ بْنِ يَزِيدَ: «إِلاَّ مَنْ أَفْطَرَ عَلَى مُسْكِرٍ أَوْ مشاحن [مُشَاحِناً] أَوْ صَاحِبَ شَاهَيْنِ وَ هُوَ اَلشِّطْرَنْجُ ».
In the narration of Umar ibn Yazid: "Except for those who break their fast with an intoxicant, harbor enmity [Mushahinan], or are engaged with shahīn (which refers to chess)."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh, p. 91
وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ إِذَا دَخَلَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ أَطْلَقَ كُلَّ أَسِيرٍ وَ أَعْطَى كُلَّ سَائِلٍ.
When the Month of Ramadan began, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) would free every captive and give to every petitioner.
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ رَوَى هِشَامُ بْنُ اَلْحَكَمِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ: «مَنْ لَمْ يُغْفَرْ لَهُ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ لَمْ يُغْفَرْ لَهُ إِلَى قَابِلٍ إِلاَّ أَنْ يَشْهَدَ عَرَفَةَ ».
Hisham ibn al-Hakam narrated from Abu Abdullah (Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام), who said: "Whoever is not forgiven during the Month of Ramadan will not be forgiven until the following year, except if they witness the Day of Arafah."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh, p. 91
وَ كَانَ اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ يُوصِي وُلْدَهُ وَ يَقُولُ «إِذَا دَخَلَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ فَأَجْهِدُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ فَإِنَّ فِيهِ تُقَسَّمُ اَلْأَرْزَاقُ وَ تُكْتَبُ اَلْآجَالُ وَ فِيهِ يُكْتَبُ وَفْدُ اَللَّهِ اَلَّذِينَ يَفِدُونَ إِلَيْهِ وَ فِيهِ لَيْلَةٌ اَلْعَمَلُ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ اَلْعَمَلِ فِي أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ.
Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام used to advise his children, saying: "When the Month of Ramadan begins, strive with all your effort, for in it sustenance is distributed, lifespans are decreed, and the delegation to Allah سبحانه وتعالى - those who journey toward Him, is recorded. In it is a night wherein deeds performed are better than deeds done in a thousand months."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ قَالَ اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: « «إِنَّ عِدَّةَ اَلشُّهُورِ عِنْدَ اَللّٰهِ اِثْنٰا عَشَرَ شَهْراً فِي كِتٰابِ اَللّٰهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ اَلسَّمٰاوٰاتِ وَ اَلْأَرْضَ» فَغُرَّةُ اَلشُّهُورِ شَهْرُ اَللَّهِ وَ هُوَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ وَ قَلْبُ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ لَيْلَةُ اَلْقَدْرِ وَ نَزَلَ اَلْقُرْآنُ فِي أَوَّلِ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَاسْتَقْبِلِ اَلشَّهْرَ بِالْقُرْآنِ ». قال مصنف هذا الكتاب - رحمه الله -: تكامل نزول القرآن ليلة القدر.
Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Indeed, the number of months with Allah سبحانه وتعالى is twelve months in the Book of Allah سبحانه وتعالى from the day He created the heavens and the earth. The first and foremost of these months is the month of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, which is the Month of Ramadan, and the heart of the Month of Ramadan is the Night of Qadr. The Quran was revealed on the first night of the Month of Ramadan. Therefore, greet the month with the Quran."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ رَوَى سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ دَاوُدَ اَلْمِنْقَرِيُّ عَنْ حَفْصِ بْنِ غِيَاثٍ اَلنَّخَعِيِّ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ يَقُولُ: «إِنَّ شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ لَمْ يَفْرِضِ اَللَّهُ صِيَامَهُ عَلَى أَحَدٍ مِنَ اَلْأُمَمِ قَبْلَنَا» فَقُلْتُ لَهُ فَقَوْلُ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ «يٰا أَيُّهَا اَلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ اَلصِّيٰامُ كَمٰا كُتِبَ عَلَى اَلَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ» قَالَ «إِنَّمَا فَرَضَ اَللَّهُ صِيَامَ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ عَلَى اَلْأَنْبِيَاءِ دُونَ اَلْأُمَمِ فَفَضَّلَ بِهِ هَذِهِ اَلْأُمَّةَ وَ جَعَلَ صِيَامَهُ فَرْضاً عَلَى رَسُولِ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ عَلَى أُمَّتِهِ».
It is narrated by Sulayman ibn Dawood al-Minqari from Hafs ibn Ghayath al-Nakha‘i, who said: "I heard Abu Abdullah (Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام) say: 'Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى did not make the fasting of the Month of Ramadan obligatory upon any nation before us.' I said to him: 'Then what about the words of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty: "O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those before you"?' Imam عليه السلام said: 'Allah سبحانه وتعالى made the fasting of the Month of Ramadan obligatory only upon the Prophets, not their nations. He favored this nation and made its fasting obligatory upon the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) and upon his nation.'"
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وقد أخرجت هذه الأخبار [التي رويتها في هذا المعنى] في كتاب فضائل شهر رمضان.
The compiler of this book—may Allah سبحانه وتعالى have mercy on him—said: These narrations and others of similar meaning have been recorded in the book Fada’il Shahru Ramadan (The Virtues of the Month of Ramadan).
Commentary #1