These reports, and whatever runs in their course, have come in the context of dislike, not prohibition. Therefore, it is more appropriate for the fasting person to leave taking pleasure in all other types of pleasures, even though, whenever he does it, it does not invalidate his fast. Imam عليه السلام clarified that by his statement in the last report: “because it is a pleasure, and it is disliked for him to take pleasure.” It is also possible that what is meant by mentioning aromatic herbs (rayhan) in these reports is narcissus (narjis), and not anything else. Do you not see the report that we presented earlier concerning the dislike of narcissus (narjis), which Muhammad ibn al-Fayd narrated from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, that Imam عليه السلام mentioned the dislike of that, then said: “because it is the aromatic herb (rayhan) of the non-Arabs (al-aajam).” Thus, Imam عليه السلام applied the name aromatic herb (Rayhan) to it. It is not impossible that what is meant by these reports is also that very thing, and not anything else.
Commentary #12