Chapter on the Virtue of the Month of Ramadan and the Prayers Within It in Addition to the Recommended Prayers Mentioned in the Other Months

From him, from al-Hasan, from Zurah, from Sama’ah, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said to me (Sama’ah): “Pray on the night of the twenty-first and the night of the twenty-third of the Month of Ramadan; in each of these nights, if you have the strength; one hundred rak’ahs, aside from the thirteen (regular) rak’ahs (meaning salat al layl). And stay awake during them until morning, for it is recommended that you remain in prayer, supplication, and humble entreaty, for it is hoped that one of them will be the Night of Qadr. And ‘The Night of Qadr is better than a thousand months.’” (Surah Al-Qadr 97:3). So I said to Imam عليه السلام: “How is it better than a thousand months?” Imam عليه السلام said: “The deeds performed during it are better than deeds performed over a thousand months, and in those (other) months there is no ‘Night of Qadr’. It occurs only in the Month of Ramadan. And (as Allah سبحانه وتعالى says): ‘In it every wise matter is decreed.’” (Surah Al-Qadr 97:4) I asked: “And how is that?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Whatever will occur in the year is decreed during it and in it is written those who will go as pilgrims to Mecca.”

From him, from Ibn Abi Umayr from Ibn Bukayr from Zurarah from Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: I asked Imam al-Baqir عليه السلام about the ‘Night of Qadr’. Imam عليه السلام said: “It is the night of the twenty-first or the twenty-third (of the Month of Ramadan).” I asked: “Is it not just one night?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Yes, indeed.” I asked: “Then inform me which one it is.” Imam عليه السلام said: “What harm is there upon you in doing good on both nights?”

From him, from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Ali, who said: I was with Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, and Abu Basir said to Imam عليه السلام: “The night in which that which is hoped for is to be hoped which night is it?” Imam عليه السلام said: “The twenty-first or the twenty-third (of the Month of Ramadan).” He (Abu Basir) asked: “And if I do not have the strength for both of them?” Imam عليه السلام said: “How easy are two nights for what you seek!” I asked: “Sometimes we see the new moon in our region, then someone comes to us from another land informing us of something different.” Imam عليه السلام said: “How easy it is to seek it over four nights!” I asked: “May I be your ransom, is the twenty-third night, ‘the night of al-Juhaniyy’?” Imam عليه السلام said: “That is indeed said.” I asked: “Sulayman ibn Khalid narrated that on the nineteenth [of Month of Ramadan], the names of the pilgrims are written.” Imam عليه السلام said: “O Aba Muhammad, the names of the pilgrims are written on the ‘Night of Qadr’, along with (the decrees of) death, trials, provisions, and all that will occur until the same time the following year. So seek it on the twenty-first and the twenty-third (of the Month of Ramadan). Pray one hundred rak’ahs on each of them, and keep them alive (with worship) if you are able.” I asked: “And if I am not able?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Then there is no harm in applying a little sleep to your eyes at the start of the night. Indeed, the gates of the heavens are opened in (month of) Ramadan, the devils are chained, and the deeds of the believers are accepted. What a blessed month Ramadan is! It used to be called, in the time of the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, ‘al-Marzuq’ (the blessed and provisioned one).”

Muhammad ibn Yaqub from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hasan from Muhammad ibn al-Walid from Muhassin ibn Ahmad from Yunus ibn Yaqub from Ali ibn Isa al-Qammat from his uncle: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, was shown in his dream Banu Umayyah, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى curse them, ascending His صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم pulpit after him and leading the people astray, turning them backwards and away from the Straight Path (al-sirat al-qahqara). So Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم awoke, filled with sorrow and grief.” Then, Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “Then Jibra’il عليه السلام descended to Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, why do I see you sorrowful and grieved?’ Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: “O Jibra’il, I saw Banu Umayyah in my dream tonight ascending my pulpit after me and leading the people astray, turning them backwards from the Straight Path.” Jibra’il عليه السلام said: “By the One عز وجل who sent you with the truth, this is something I had no knowledge of.” Then Jibra’il عليه السلام ascended to the heavens, and it was not long before he descended upon the Prophet عليه السلام with verses from the Qur’an to comfort Him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم with them. Jibra’il عليه السلام relayed: ‘So have you seen if We give them enjoyment for years, then comes to them what they were promised nothing of what they used to enjoy will avail them.’ (Surah Ash Shu'ara 26:205-207) And Allah سبحانه وتعالى revealed to Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم: ‘Indeed, We sent it down on the Night of Qadr. And what can make you know what the Night of Qadr is? The Night of Qadr is better than a thousand months.’ (Surah Al-Qadr 97:1-3)” (Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام continued) “Thus, Allah سبحانه وتعالى made for His Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, a single night better than a thousand months the duration of the rule of Banu Umayyah, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى curse them.”

And from him, from Ibn Abi Umayr from Muhammad ibn al-Hakam, the brother of Hisham, from Umar ibn Yazid from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, has on every day of the Month of Ramadan, those whom He عز وجل frees from the Fire, except one who breaks his fast with intoxicants, or one who harbors enmity (a quarrelsome person), or one who plays with two pieces.” I asked: “What is meant by the one who plays with two pieces?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Chess (al-shitranj).”

Ali ibn Hatim from Humayd ibn Ziyad, who said: Abdullah ibn Ahmad al-Nahiki narrated to us from Ali ibn al-Hasan from Muhammad ibn Ziyad from Abu Khadijah from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “When the Month of Ramadan would arrive, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, would increase in prayer, and I too increase (in prayer), so you should also increase (in prayer).”

Ali ibn al-Hasan ibn Faddal from Ismail ibn Mihran from al-Hasan ibn al-Hasan al-Marwazi from Yunus ibn Abd al-Rahman from Muhammad ibn Yahya, who said: I was with Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, when Imam عليه السلام was asked: “Is it permissible to increase in supererogatory prayers (nawafil) during the Month of Ramadan?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Yes. The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, used to pray after the Atamah (Isha prayer) in his prayer place, and He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would lengthen the prayer. The people would gather behind him to pray along with him. But when they increased (in praying) behind Him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would leave them and enter his house. When the people dispersed, Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would return to his prayer place and resume praying as he had been doing. But when the people gathered behind him again in large numbers, He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would leave them and enter his house. And Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم used to do this repeatedly.”

From him, from Muhammad ibn Khalid, from Sayf ibn Umayrah, from Ishaq ibn Ammar, from Jabir ibn Abdillah who said: (Jabir said) “Verily, Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: ‘Indeed, our companions here refuse to add anything to their prayers during the Month of Ramadan, while the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, did increase in his prayer during the Month of Ramadan.’”

From him, from Muhammad ibn Ali, from Ali ibn al-Numan, from Mansur ibn Hazim, from Abu Basir: Abu Basir asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “Should a man increase in prayer during (month of) Ramadan?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Yes, indeed the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, did increase in prayer during (month of) Ramadan.”

Muhammad ibn Yaqub, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from Muhammad ibn Isa ibn Ubayd, from Yunus, from Abu al-Abbas al-Baqbaq and Ubayd ibn Zurarah, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, used to increase in his prayer during the Month of Ramadan. When Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم prayed the Atamah (night prayer), He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would then pray afterward; the people would stand behind Him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, so Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would enter (his home) and leave them (meaning so they do not follow him in those prayers). Then Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would come out again, and they would come and stand behind him, so He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would enter and leave them repeatedly.” Zurarah said, that Imam عليه السلام (also) said: “Do not pray after the Atamah in any month other than (month of) Ramadan.”

Ali ibn Hatim, from Muhammad ibn Ja’far al-Muaddib, who said: Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Saffar narrated to us, from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn, from al-Nadr ibn Shuayb, from Jamil ibn Salih, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “If you are able to pray during the Month of Ramadan and outside of it one thousand rak’ahs in a day and night, then do so. For indeed, Imam Ali عليه السلام, peace be upon him, used to pray one thousand rak’ahs in a day and night.”

Ali ibn al-Hasan, from Ismail ibn Mihran, from al-Hasan ibn al-Hasan al-Marwazi, from Yunus ibn Abd al-Rahman, from al-Ja’fari, that he heard the Abd al Saleh عليه السلام (Righteous Servant of Allah سبحانه وتعالى), peace be upon him, say: Imam al-Kadhim عليه السلام said: “On the night of the twenty-first and the twenty-third (of Month of Ramadan), there are one hundred rak’ahs. In each rak’ah ‘Qul huwa Allahu Ahad’ (Surah Ikhlas) is to be recited ten times.”

Ali ibn Hatim, from Muhammad ibn al-Qasim, who said: Abbad ibn Yaqub narrated to us, who said: Amr ibn Thabit informed us, from Muhammad ibn Marwan, who said: Abu Yahya narrated to me, from a group among those who are trusted, who said: It was said: “Whoever prays one hundred rak’ahs on the night of the middle of the Month of Ramadan, reciting in every rak’ah ‘Qul huwa Allahu Ahad’ (Surah Ikhlas) ten times, that amounts to one thousand recitations in one hundred rak’ahs, He will not die until he sees in his dream one hundred angels; thirty giving him glad tidings of Paradise, thirty securing him from the Fire, thirty protecting him from making mistakes, and ten plotting against those who plot against him.”

From him, from Ahmad ibn Idris, from Muhammad ibn Bundar, who said: Muhammad ibn Ali narrated to us, from Ali ibn al-Hakam, from Sayf ibn Umayrah, from Sulayman ibn Amr, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: The Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: “Whoever prays one hundred rak’ahs on the night of the middle of the Month of Ramadan, reciting in every rak’ah ‘Qul huwa Allahu Ahad’ (Surah Ikhlas) ten times, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Mighty and Majestic, will send down to him ten angels who will ward off his enemies from among the jinn and humankind, And Allah سبحانه وتعالى will send down to him at the time of his death thirty angels who will secure him from the Fire.”

Ali ibn al-Hasan ibn Faddal, from Harun ibn Muslim, from Masadah ibn Sadaqah, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “Among the things that the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, used to do in the Month of Ramadan was that He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would perform supererogatory prayers every night and would add to his regular prayers, that He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم used to pray before that from the first night until the completion of twenty nights. In every night, twenty rak’ahs; eight of them after Maghrib and twelve after the final Isha prayer. And Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would pray during the last ten nights every night thirty rak’ahs; twelve of them after Maghrib and eighteen after the final Isha prayer. He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would supplicate and exert himself with great effort. And Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم used to pray one hundred rak’ahs on the night of the twenty-first, and He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would pray one hundred rak’ahs on the night of the twenty-third, and He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would exert himself in both of them.”

Al-Husayn ibn Said, from al-Hasan, from Zurah, from Sama’ah ibn Mihran, who said: I asked Imam عليه السلام about the Month of Ramadan how much is to be prayed within it? Imam عليه السلام said: “As is prayed in other months, except that (month of) Ramadan has over the rest of the months, a virtue which makes it befitting for the servant to increase in his supererogatory prayers. So if he wishes and is able to do so, let him increase during the first twenty nights of the month, each night twenty rak’ahs in addition to what he would normally pray before that. From these twenty, twelve rak’ahs are between Maghrib and Atamah (Isha), and eight rak’ahs after Atamah (Isha). Then he should pray the Night Prayer (salat al-layl), which he would pray before that eight rak’ahs, and the Witr, which is three rak’ahs; two rak’ahs in which he gives salam after them, then he stands and prays one rak’ah in which he recites qunut, this is Witr. Then he prays the two rak’ahs of Fajr when the dawn breaks these are thirteen rak’ahs. Then when there remains from the Month of Ramadan ten nights, then let him pray thirty rak’ahs each night, in addition to these thirteen rak’ahs. He should pray twenty-two rak’ahs between Maghrib and Isha, and eight rak’ahs after Atamah (Isha). Then after the Night Prayer (salat al-layl), let him pray thirteen rak’ahs as I have described to you. And on the night of the twenty-first and the twenty-third, let him pray on each of them, if he is able to do so, one hundred rak’ahs, in addition to these thirteen rak’ahs. And let him remain awake through both nights until morning, for it is recommended that they be spent in prayer, supplication, and humble entreaty. For it is hoped that Laylat al-Qadr is in one of them (the night of twenty-first or twenty-third).”

Al-Husayn ibn Said, from al-Qasim, from Ali ibn Abi Hamzah, who said: We entered upon Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, and Abu Basir said to Imam عليه السلام: “What do you say about prayer in (month of) Ramadan?” Imam عليه السلام said to Abu Basir: “Indeed, (month of) Ramadan has a sanctity and a right that no other month resembles. Pray as much as you are able in (month of) Ramadan, the supererogatory prayers by night and day. And if you are able to pray one thousand rak’ahs in every day and night, then pray. Indeed, Imam Ali عليه السلام, peace be upon him, in the last part of his life, used to pray one thousand rak’ahs in every day and night. So pray, O’ Aba Muhammad, with increased devotion in (month of) Ramadan.” Abu Basir said: “May I be ransomed for you, how many (rak’ahs)?” Imam عليه السلام said: “For twenty nights that pass, (pray) twenty rak’ahs each night eight rak’ahs before the Atamah (Isha) prayer and twelve after it in addition to what you used to pray before that. Then when the last ten (nights) enter, pray thirty rak’ahs each night eight before the Atamah (Isha) and twenty-two after the Atamah (Isha) in addition to what you used to do before that.”

Ali ibn Hatim, from Ali ibn Sulayman al-Zurari, who said: Ahmad ibn Ishaq narrated to us, from Sadan ibn Muslim, from Abu Basir, who said: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: “Pray during the twenty nights of the Month of Ramadan, eight (rak’ahs) after Maghrib and twelve rak’ahs after Atamah (Isha). Then when the night arrives, in which is hoped what is hoped (Laylat al-Qadr), pray one hundred rak’ahs, reciting in every rak’ah ‘Qul huwa Allahu Ahad’ (Surah Ikhlas) ten times.” He (Abu Basir) said: “I asked, ‘May I be your ransom and if I am not able to stand?’” Imam عليه السلام said: “Then (pray) sitting.” I asked: “And if I am not able to sit?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Then pray while lying on your bed.”

Ali ibn Hatim, from Ahmad ibn Ali, who said: Muhammad ibn Abi al-Suhban narrated to me, from Muhammad ibn Sulayman, who said: (Muhammad ibn Sulayman said) “Indeed, a group from among our companions gathered upon this hadith. Among them were Yunus ibn Abd al-Rahman from Abdillah ibn Sinan from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, And Sabbah al-Hadhdha from Ishaq ibn Ammar from Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام, And Sama’ah ibn Mihran from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him. He (Muhammad ibn Sulayman) said: “And I asked Imam al-Ridha عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about this hadith, so Imam عليه السلام informed me of it and said: ‘All of these (individuals) asked us about the prayer in the Month of Ramadan how it is and how the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, performed it. And they all said together: ‘When the first night of the Month of Ramadan entered, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, prayed Maghrib, then He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم prayed four rak’ahs, those which He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would normally pray after Maghrib, every night then He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم prayed eight rak’ahs. When Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم prayed the final Isha and prayed the two rak’ahs, which He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم used to pray after the final Isha, while sitting every night. Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم then stood and prayed twelve rak’ahs, and then entered his house. When the people saw that, and observed that the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, had increased in prayer upon the arrival of the Month of Ramadan, they asked Him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم about that. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم informed them: ‘This prayer I have prayed is due to the virtue of the Month of Ramadan over other months.’ Then, when the night came again, Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم stood to pray, and the people lined up behind Him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. So Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم turned back to them and said: “O people, this prayer is a supererogatory (nafilah) prayer, and there is to be no congregation for the nafilah. Let each one of you pray alone, and let him recite what Allah سبحانه وتعالى has taught him from His عز وجل Book. And know that there is no congregation in supererogatory prayer.” So the people dispersed, and each of them prayed individually by himself. Then, when it was the night of the nineteenth of the Month of Ramadan, Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم performed ghusl (ritual bathing) when the sun set, and He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم prayed Maghrib with that ghusl. After praying Maghrib, and the four rak’ahs which He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم used to regularly pray every night after Maghrib, He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم entered his house. Then when Bilal gave the call to establish the final Isha prayer, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, led the people in prayer. When He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم finished and turned away (from the congregational prayer), he prayed the two rak’ahs while sitting, just as he used to pray every night. Then Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم stood and prayed one hundred rak’ahs, reciting in each rak’ah the ‘Fatihat al-Kitab’ (Surah al-Fatihah) and ‘Qul huwa Allahu Ahad’ (Surah Ikhlas) ten times. When Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم completed that, he prayed his usual night prayer, which he used to perform at the end of the night, and he performed Witr. Then when the twentieth night of the Month of Ramadan came, Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم did as he had done on the previous nights of the Month of Ramadan, eight rak’ahs after Maghrib and twelve rak’ahs after the final Isha. When the night of the twenty-first came, Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم performed ghusl when the sun had set and prayed that night, as he had done on the night of the nineteenth. When the night of the twenty-second came, Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم increased in his prayer, so he prayed eight rak’ahs after Maghrib, and twenty-two rak’ahs after the final Isha. When the night of the twenty-third came, Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم also performed ghusl just as he had done on the night of the nineteenth and as he had done on the night of the twenty-first, and then he did the same (prayers and actions) as that.” They (companions) said that they then asked Imam عليه السلام about the fifty prayers, what is their status in the Month of Ramadan?” Imam عليه السلام said: “The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, used to pray this prayer and also the fifty prayers, just as He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would pray in the other than the Month of Ramadan, and He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would not reduce anything from them.”

Ali ibn Hatim, from Muhammad ibn Ja’far ibn Ahmad ibn Buttah al-Qummi, from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn ibn Abi al-Khattab, from Muhammad ibn Sinan. And Abu Muhammad Harun ibn Musa said: Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Mamar narrated to us, from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn ibn Abi al-Khattab, from Muhammad ibn Sinan, from al-Mufaddal ibn Umar, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, that he said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “In the Month of Ramadan, there is an additional (supererogatory) one thousand rak’ahs prayed.” He (Mufaddal) said: “I asked, ‘And who is able to do that?’” Imam عليه السلام said: “It is not as you think. Do you not pray in the Month of Ramadan an additional one thousand rak’ahs (within the) nineteen nights of it? (Do you not read) twenty rak’ahs each night; and on the night of the nineteenth, one hundred rak’ahs; and on the night of the twenty-first, one hundred rak’ahs; and on the night of the twenty-third, one hundred rak’ahs; and you pray on eight nights of the last ten nights thirty rak’ahs each night? That is nine hundred and twenty rak’ahs.” He (Mufaddal) said: “I asked, ‘May Allah سبحانه وتعالى make me your ransom! You have relieved me the matter had weighed heavily upon me, but when you brought me the explanation, you relieved me. So how is the one thousand rak’ahs completed?’” Imam عليه السلام said: “You pray on every Friday of the Month of Ramadan four rak’ahs for the Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام, peace be upon him, and you pray two rak’ahs for the daughter of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, and after the two rak’ahs you pray four rak’ahs for Ja’far al-Tayyar عليه السلام. And you pray on the eve of Friday during the last ten nights twenty rak’ahs for the Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام, peace be upon him, and you pray on the evening of Friday, which is the night of Saturday, twenty rak’ahs for the daughter of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family.” Then Imam عليه السلام said: “Listen, retain, and teach your trustworthy brothers these four rak’ahs and the two rak’ahs, for they are the best of prayers after the obligatory ones. Whoever prays them during the Month of Ramadan or outside of it, departs (from prayer) while there remains no sin between him and Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Majestic.” Then Imam عليه السلام said: “O Mufaddal ibn Umar, in all of these prayers I mean the supererogatory prayers of the Month of Ramadan, you recite ‘al-Hamd’ (Surah al-Fatihah) and ‘Qul huwa Allahu Ahad’ (Surah Ikhlas) in them all. If you wish, recite Surah Ikhlas once, or if you wish, three times, or five, or seven, or even ten times. As for the prayer of the Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام, in each rak’ah, you recite ‘al-Hamd’ (Surah al-Fatihah) and fifty times ‘Qul huwa Allahu Ahad’ (Surah Ikhlas). And in the prayer of the daughter of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, peace be upon her, in the first rak’ah you recite ‘al-Hamd’ (Surah al-Fatihah) and ‘Inna anzalnahu fi laylati al-qadr’ one hundred times; and in the second rak’ah, you recite ‘al-Hamd’ (Surah al-Fatihah) and ‘Qul huwa Allahu Ahad’ (Surah Ikhlas) one hundred times. Then, when you finish with the salam after the two rak’ahs, recite the Tasbih of (Sayyida) Fatimah al-Zahra صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, peace be upon her, which is: ‘Allahu Akbar’ thirty-four times, ‘al-Hamdu lillah’ thirty-three times, and ‘SubhanAllah’ thirty-three times. By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, if there were anything better than it, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, would have taught it to her.” And Imam عليه السلام said to me: “In the prayer of Ja’far (al-Tayyar عليه السلام) , you recite in the first rak’ah ‘al-Hamd’ (Surah al-Fatihah) and ‘Idha zulzilati’ (Surah Az-Zalzalah); and in the second, ‘al-Hamd’ (Surah al-Fatihah) and ‘al-Adiyat’; and in the third, ‘al-Hamd’ (Surah al-Fatihah) and ‘Idha jaa’nasrullah’ (Surah An-Nasr); and in the fourth, ‘al-Hamd’ (Surah al-Fatihah) and ‘Qul huwa Allahu Ahad’ (Surah Ikhlas).” Then Imam عليه السلام said to me: “O Mufaddal, (Allah سبحانه وتعالى says) ‘That is the bounty of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, He عز وجل gives it to whom He عز وجل wills, and Allah سبحانه وتعالى is the Possessor of great bounty.’ (Surah Al-Jumuʿah 62:4)”

Ibrahim ibn Ishaq al-Ahmari, from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn, Amru ibn Uthman, Muhammad ibn Khalid, Abdillah ibn al-Salt, Muhammad ibn Isa, and also a group from Muhammad ibn Sinan, who said: Imam al-Ridha عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: “My father (Imam al-Kadhim عليه السلام) used to increase (his prayers) in the last ten nights of the Month of Ramadan twenty rak’ahs every night.”

Ali ibn Hatim, from al-Hasan ibn Ali, from his father, who said: A man wrote to Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, asking him about the supererogatory prayers of the Month of Ramadan and about increasing in them. So Imam عليه السلام, peace be upon him, wrote to him a letter, which I read in his own handwriting: “Pray at the beginning of the Month of Ramadan, for twenty nights, (within them) twenty rak’ahs. Pray from them eight rak’ahs between Maghrib and Atamah (Isha), and twelve rak’ahs after Isha. And in the last ten nights, pray eight rak’ahs between Maghrib and Atamah (Isha), and twenty-two rak’ahs after Atamah (Isha) except on the night of the twenty-first, for one hundred rak’ahs will suffice you, Allah سبحانه وتعالى willing. And that is besides the fifty (daily obligatory prayers). And increase in the recitation of ‘Inna anzalnahu fi laylati al-qadr’ (Surah Al Qadr).”

From him, from Ali ibn Sulayman, who said: Ali ibn Abi Khulays narrated to us, who said: Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Mutahhar narrated to me: I wrote to Abu Muhammad (Imam al-Askari عليه السلام), peace be upon him: “A man has narrated from your forefathers, peace be upon them, that the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, did not increase in prayer during the Month of Ramadan beyond what He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم used to pray on other days.” Imam عليه السلام, peace be upon him, responded in his own handwriting: “He has lied, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى tear his mouth! Pray every night in the Month of Ramadan twenty rak’ahs until the twentieth of the month. And pray on the night of the twenty-first; one hundred rak’ahs, and pray on the night of the twenty-third; one hundred rak’ahs, and pray every night of the last ten nights; thirty rak’ahs.”

Muhammad ibn Yaqub, from Ali ibn Muhammad, from Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Mutahhar: (Ibn Mutahhar) wrote to Abu Muhammad (Imam al-Askari عليه السلام), peace be upon him, informing Imam عليه السلام of what a narration had conveyed that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, did not used to pray during the nights of the Month of Ramadan or otherwise except thirteen rak’ahs, including the Witr and the two rak’ahs of Fajr. So Imam عليه السلام, peace be upon him, wrote in response: “May Allah سبحانه وتعالى tear his mouth! Pray in the Month of Ramadan for twenty nights; each night twenty rak’ahs, with eight after Maghrib and twelve after the final Isha. And perform ghusl on the night of the nineteenth, the night of the twenty-first, and the night of the twenty-third. And on those nights, pray thirty rak’ahs; twelve rak’ahs after Maghrib and eighteen rak’ahs after the final Isha. And on those nights, pray one hundred rak’ahs, reciting in every rak’ah the ‘Fatihat al-Kitab’ (Surah al-Fatihah) and ‘Qul huwa Allahu Ahad’ (Surah Ikhlas) ten times. And continue until the end of the month, praying every night; thirty rak’ahs, in the manner I have explained.”

As for what was narrated by al-Husayn ibn Said from Safwan, from Ibn Muskan, from al-Halabi, who said: I asked Imam عليه السلام about the prayer in the Month of Ramadan. Imam عليه السلام said: “Thirteen rak’ahs among them, the Witr and the two rak’ahs of dawn after Fajr. That is how the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, used to pray, and I also pray in the same way. And if there had been any good in anything more than that, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, would not have left it.”

And from him, from Hammad, from Abdillah ibn al-Mughirah, from Ibn Sinan, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, said: I asked Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام about the prayer in the Month of Ramadan. Imam عليه السلام said: “Thirteen rak’ahs among them the Witr and two rak’ahs before the Fajr prayer. That is how the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, used to pray. And if there had been any virtue in more than that, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, would have practiced it and been more entitled to it.”

Ali ibn al-Hasan ibn Faddal, from Muhammad ibn Abdillah al-Halabi and al-Abbas ibn Amir al-Thaqafi, both from Abdillah ibn Bukayr, from Abd al-Hamid al-Tai, from Muhammad ibn Muslim, who said: I heard Abu Abdillah عليه السلام say: “When the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, had prayed the final Isha, He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would go to his bed and not pray anything until after midnight, neither in the Month of Ramadan nor in any other time.”

Al-Husayn ibn Said, from Hammad ibn Isa, from Hariz, from Zurarah, and Ibn Muslim, and al-Fudayl, said: We asked the two of them (Imam al-Baqir عليه السلام and Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام) about the supererogatory prayer (nafilah) at night during (month of) Ramadan in congregation. The Imams عليه السلام said: “Indeed, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, when He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم had prayed the final Isha; He would return to his home, then come out in the last part of the night to the mosque and stand and pray. So Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم came out on the first night of the Month of Ramadan, to pray as he used to pray, and the people lined up behind Him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, and he fled from them into his house and left them. They did this for three nights. Then on the fourth day, Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم ascended his pulpit, praised Allah سبحانه وتعالى and glorified Him عز وجل, and then said: ‘O people, the night prayer in the Month of Ramadan, the nafilah in congregation is an innovation (bidah), and the forenoon prayer (salat al-duha) is an innovation. Beware! Do not gather at night during the Month of Ramadan for the night prayer, and do not pray the forenoon prayer, for indeed that is disobedience. Beware! Every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance leads to the Fire.’ Then Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم descended while saying: ‘A little in accordance with the Sunnah is better than much in innovation.’”

Ali ibn al-Hasan ibn Faddal, from Ahmad ibn al-Hasan, from Amr ibn Said al-Mada'ini, from Musaddiq ibn Sadaqah, from Ammar, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: I asked Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام about prayer in the Month of Ramadan in the mosques. Imam عليه السلام said: “When the Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام, peace be upon him, arrived in Kufa, He عليه السلام ordered al-Hasan ibn Ali عليه السلام, peace be upon him, to announce to the people: ‘There is no congregational prayer in the Month of Ramadan in the mosques.’” So Imam al-Hasan ibn Ali عليه السلام, peace be upon him, announced to the people what the Commander of the Faithful had ordered him. So when the people heard the statement of Imam al-Hasan ibn Ali عليه السلام, they cried out: “O Umar! O’ Umar!” And when Imam al-Hasan عليه السلام returned to the Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام, peace be upon him, He عليه السلام asked Imam al-Hasan عليه السلام: “What are these cries (sounds)?” Imam al-Hasan عليه السلام replied: “O Commander of the Faithful, the people are crying out, ‘O Umar! O’ Umar!’” So the Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: “Say to them; ‘Pray.’”

Ali ibn Hatim, from Muhammad ibn Ja’far, who said: Muhammad ibn Ahmad narrated to us from Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Sayyari, who raised it (in isnad) to the Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam Ali عليه السلام said: “The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, blessings on him and his family, said: ‘Whoever performs two units of prayer on the night of Eid al-Fitr; reciting in the first unit ‘al-Hamd’ (Surah al-Fatihah) and ‘Qul huwa Allahu Ahad’ (Surah Ikhlas) one thousand times, And reciting in the second unit ‘al-Hamd’ (Surah al-Fatihah) and ‘Qul huwa Allahu Ahad’ (Surah Ikhlas) once, Then there is nothing he asks Allah سبحانه وتعالى the Exalted for, except that Allah سبحانه وتعالى grants it to him.”