Merits of the Month of Ramaḍān

ʿAlī b. Aḥmad b. ʿAbd Allāh b. Abī ʿAbd Allāh al-Barqī narrated to us, saying that his father narrated to him among others, from his grandfather, Aḥmad b. Abī ʿAbd Allāh, who said that Abū’l-Ḥasan ʿAlī b. al-Ḥusayn al-Barqī narrated to him among others, saying that his father narrated to him among others, from ʿAbd Allāh b. Jabila, from Muʿāwiya b. ʿAmmār, from al-Ḥasan b. ʿAbd Allāh, from his forefathers, from his grandfather, al-Ḥasan b. ʿAlī b. Abī Ṭālib عليه السلام, who said: “A group of Jews came to the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وعلى آله, so the most knowledgeable among them asked him about certain matters. Among the things that this Jew asked him was: “For which reason did Allāh عز وجل mandate fasting upon your community, during the daylight hours, for thirty days, even though Allāh has mandated upon other communities more than that?” In response, the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله said: “Indeed, that which Ādam ate from the (Forbidden) Tree remained in his stomach for thirty days, so Allāh عز وجل mandated upon his offspring thirty days of hunger and thirst. Meanwhile, to eat during the night is a favour from Allāh عز وجل upon them. So, that which was mandated upon Ādam by Allāh has similarly been mandated upon my community.” Then, the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم recited the following verse: ﴾O’ you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous, for a limited number of days.﴿ [2:183-184]. The Jew said: “You have spoken truly, o’ Muḥammad! So, what is the recompense for he who fasts accordingly?” The Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله replied: “There is not a believing person who fasts in the month of Ramaḍān, having accounted for its reward, except that Allāh عز وجل mandates upon him seven characteristics. Firstly, that which is prohibited (ḥarām) is flushed from his body. Secondly, he draws near to the mercy of Allāh عز وجل. Thirdly, he is made to compensate for the misdemeanour of his forefather, Ādam. Fourthly, the throes of death are made easy for him. Fifthly, he is given security from hunger and thirst on the Day of Reckoning. Sixthly, Allāh grants him absolution from Perdition. Seventhly, Allāh عز وجل shall feed him from the good, natural things of Paradise.” The Jew spoke: “You have spoken truly, o’ Muḥammad!”