Al-Kāfi
The Sufficient
By: Shaykh Muḥammad b. Yaʿqūb al-Kulaynī
Translator: Shaykh Muhammad Sarwar
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.
1 | The Book of Intelligence and Ignorance
2 | The Book on Virtue of Knowledge
Chapter 1
Chapter on the necessity to seek knowledge and the recommendations to learn
Chapter 2
Chapter on the quality of knowledge its virtue and the virtue of the scholars
Chapter 3
Chapter on Kinds of People
Chapter 4
Chapter on the reward for the scholars and those who seek knowledge
Chapter 5
Chapter on the Qualities of the Scholars
Chapter 6
Chapter on the Rights of the scholars
Chapter 7
Chapter on the Loss of a Scholar
Chapter 8
Chapter on Meeting the Scholars and Associating with Them
Chapter 9
Chapter on Asking the Scholar and Discussing with him
Chapter 10
Chapter on Giving Knowledge as Charity
Chapter 11
Prohibition on Speaking without Knowledge.
Chapter 12
Chapter on Those who Act without Knowledge
Chapter 13
Chapter on Utilization of Knowledge
Chapter 14
Chapter on Those who use their Knowledge to Fill their Stomach and are Boastful for it
Chapter 15
Chapter on the Need for the Existence of a Divine Authority in the World and the Seriousness of this Matter
Chapter 16
Chapter on Miscellaneous Issues
Chapter 17
Chapter on narrating books and Hadith (The virtue of writing and its preservation)
Chapter 18
Chapter on Taqlid, following the opinions of someone
Chapter 19
Chapter on Innovations, Personal Opinions and Analogies
Chapter 20
Chapter on the need to refer to the book and Sunnah
Chapter 21
Chapter on the Differences in al-Hadith
Chapter 22
Chapter on Following the Sunnah and Evidence of the Book
3 | The Book on Oneness of Allah (God)
Chapter 1
Chapter on Contingency of the Universe and Proof of the Existence of its Creator
Chapter 2
Chapter on Can Allah (God) be Considered a Thing?
Chapter 3
Chapter on (the Issue) that only He is proof of His Own Existence
Chapter 4
Chapter on the minimum degree of knowledge of the existence of Allah
Chapter 5
Chapter on Who is Worshipped
Chapter 6
Chapter On Being and Space (al-Kawn WA al-Makan)
Chapter 7
Chapter On The relationships (Nisbah) Of Allah
Chapter 8
Chapter On Prohibition on Saying How is Allah (al-Kayfiyyah)
Chapter 9
Chapter On The Invalidity of the Belief to see God (Ru’yah of Allah)
Chapter 10
Chapter On Prohibition on Attributing to Allah What He Himself has not Done so
Chapter 11
Chapter On Prohibition on Considering Allah as having Body (JISM) and Form (SURAH)
Chapter 12
Chapter On Attribute Of Essence (Sifat al-DhDhat) Of Allah
Chapter 13
Another Chapter of The Previous Chapter
Chapter 14
Chapter 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
Chapter On the Coming into the Existence of the Names of Allah
Chapter 16
Chapter On The Meanings of the Names of Allah and their Derivatives
Chapter 17
Chapter on Another Chapter (Related) to the Previous Chapter
Chapter 18
Chapter on the Interpretation of al-Samad, Self-sufficient
Chapter 19
Chapter on Motion and Change
Chapter 20
Chapter about al-‘Arsh and al-Kursi
Chapter 21
Chapter on al-Ruh, the Spirit
Chapter 22
Chapter on Comprehensive (Ahadith) about the Oneness of Allah
Chapter 23
Chapter on Miscellaneous Ahadith
Chapter 24
Chapter on al-Bida’
Chapter 25
Chapter on the issue that there is nothing in heavens and earth but that they are in seven
Chapter 26
Chapter on Wish and Will
Chapter 27
Chapter on Test and Choice
Chapter 28
Chapter on Fortunateness and Un-fortunateness
Chapter 29
Good and Evil
Chapter 30
Predestination, Fate and the Middle Road in Between
Chapter 31
The Capabilities
Chapter 32
Declaration, Definition and the Need for Solid Proof
Chapter 33
Differences in the Justification of Divine Authority among People
Chapter 34
Allah’s Authorities and Means of Justification of Accountability in People
Chapter 35
Guidance Is From Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High
4 | The Book about people with Divine Authority
Chapter 1
The necessity of the presence of Divine Authority among the people
Chapter 2
The Categories of the Prophets, the Messengers and the Imams 
Chapter 3
The Difference among he Messengers, the Prophets and the al-Muhaddath
Chapter 4
The issue that Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam
Chapter 5
The Issue that the Earth at no time is without a Person with Divine Authority
Chapter 6
The 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
Knowing the Imam and Belief in His Divine Authority
and Belief in His Divine AuthorityChapter 8
The obligation to obey the Imams
Chapter 9
The Imams are witness for Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, over His creature
are witness for Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, over His creatureChapter 10
The Imams are the only true guides
are the only true guidesChapter 11
The Imam Possess Divine Authority and the Treasure of Divine Knowledge
Possess Divine Authority and the Treasure of Divine KnowledgeChapter 12
The Imams are the Deputies of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, on earth and the Gates through which people go nearer to Allah
are the Deputies of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, on earth and the Gates through which people go nearer to AllahChapter 13
The Imams are the light of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High
are the light of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most HighChapter 14
The Imams are the corner stone on earth
Chapter 15
The Unique Ahadith that sums up the Virtue and Qualifications of the Imam
Chapter 16
The Imams possess Divine authority, they are Envied and Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has spoken of them
possess Divine authority, they are Envied and Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has spoken of themChapter 17
The Imams are the Sings of whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has spoken in the Holy Quran
are the Sings of whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has spoken in the Holy QuranChapter 18
The Signs of which Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has spoken in the Holy Quran are The Imams
Chapter 19
The matters that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, and His Messenger (s.a.) have sanctioned as obligatory of the beings with the Imams
Chapter 20
The people of Dhikr (memory and knowledge) that Allah has commanded the creatures to ask for their questions are the Imams
Chapter 21
Those whom Allah has called people of knowledge they are the Imams
Chapter 22
The People Well-grounded in Knowledge are the Imams alone
aloneChapter 23
The Imams are those who have received Knowledge and it is firmly Established in their Hearts
Chapter 24
The people whom Allah has Chosen and has Made the Heirs of His Book are the Imams
Chapter 25
Two Kinds of Imam are mentioned in the Holy Quran: the Imams who call to Allah and the Imams who call to Fire
who call to Allah and the Imams who call to FireChapter 26
The Holy Quran guides people to the Imam
Chapter 27
The Bounty and Blessings that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has mentioned in His book, the Holy Quran are the Imams
Chapter 28
The People whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has called Mutawassimin (distinguished) in His book are the Imams who are also the straight path
who are also the straight pathChapter 29
The deeds of the people are presented before the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and the Imams
Chapter 30
The Path, Urged to be Maintained Steadfastly is Acknowledgement of the Divine Authority of Imam Ali
Chapter 31
The Imams are the Mines of Knowledge, the Tree of Prophet-hood and the Centers wherein angels Interchange
are the Mines of Knowledge, the Tree of Prophet-hood and the Centers wherein angels InterchangeChapter 32
The Imams are the Heirs of Knowledge to Inherit it one from the other
are the Heirs of Knowledge to Inherit it one from the otherChapter 33
The Imams inherited the knowledge of the Holy prophet (s.a.) and all the prophets and their successors before them
inherited the knowledge of the Holy prophet (s.a.) and all the prophets and their successors before themChapter 34
The Imams 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
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 differentChapter 35
No one collect all of the Holy Quran except the Imams and that they have the knowledge of all of the Holy Quran
and that they have the knowledge of all of the Holy QuranChapter 36
The degree of the Great Names of Allah that are given to the Imams
Chapter 37
Sacred objects of the Prophets transferred to the Imams
Chapter 38
The Armaments and Sacred Items belonging to the Holy Prophet (s.a.) that transferred to the Imam
Chapter 39
The case of the Arms of the Messenger of Allah is like the Ark among the Israelites
Chapter 40
Statements about al-Jafr al-Jami‘ and the Book of Fatima
Chapter 41
Chapter Ninety Seven of the Holy Quran and its interpretation
Chapter 42
The Imams Receive additional (knowledge) every Friday night
Receive additional (knowledge) every Friday nightChapter 43
Would the Imams not receive new knowledge their previous know would be Exhausted
not receive new knowledge their previous know would be ExhaustedChapter 44
The Imams know all the knowledge that has come to the angels, the prophets and the Messenger
Chapter 45
The Unique Ahadith about the hidden facts
Chapter 46
Would the Imams like to know they would know
like to know they would knowChapter 47
The Imams know when they will die and they die voluntarily
know when they will die and they die voluntarilyChapter 48
The Imams do have the knowledge of what was and will be, and that nothing is unknown to them
do have the knowledge of what was and will be, and that nothing is unknown to them Chapter 49
Allah, 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 and he was his partner in Knowledge
and he was his partner in KnowledgeChapter 50
Aspects of the Knowledge of the Imams
Chapter 51
If Secrets would be kept the Imams can tell everyone what is for and against them
can tell everyone what is for and against themChapter 52
Giving Charge of the Religious matters to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.) and to the Imams
Chapter 53
The Imams are Similar to those before them and the Dislikeability of Calling them Prophets
Chapter 54
The Imams hear from the angels as Muhaddathun and are of Perfect Understanding
hear from the angels as Muhaddathun and are of Perfect UnderstandingChapter 55
The Spirits that exist in the Imams
Chapter 56
The Spirit with which the Imams are Protected
are ProtectedChapter 57
The Time When the Imam Learns the Knowledge of the Imam before him
Chapter 58
The Imams are all Equal in Knowledge, Courage and Obedience
are all Equal in Knowledge, Courage and ObedienceChapter 59
Each Imam knows the succeeding Imam 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
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 Chapter 60
The 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 one after the other
one after the otherChapter 61
The Imams 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
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 limitsChapter 62
Evidence of Imam’s Possessing Divine Authority
Chapter 63
Proof 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
The Specific words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High and the Messenger of Allah that Grant Divine Authority to Everyone of the Imams
Chapter 65
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali’s Divine Authority over the people after the Messenger of Allah
Divine Authority over the people after the Messenger of AllahChapter 66
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of al-Hassan ibn Ali’s Divine Authority over the people after Amir al-Mu’minin Ali
Divine Authority over the people after Amir al-Mu’minin Ali Chapter 67
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of al-Husayn ibn Ali’s Divine Authority over the people after al-Hassan
Divine Authority over the people after al-Hassan Chapter 68
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of Ali ibn al-Husayn’s Divine Authority over the people after al-Husayn
Divine Authority over the people after al-Husayn Chapter 69
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu Ja‘far’s Divine Authority over the people after Ali ibn al-Husayn
Divine Authority over the people after Ali ibn al-Husayn Chapter 70
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu ‘Abdallah Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq’s Divine Authority over the people after Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn
Divine Authority over the people after Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn Chapter 71
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu al-Hassan Musa’s Divine Authority over the people after abu ‘Abdallah
Divine Authority over the people after abu ‘Abdallah Chapter 72
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu al-Hassan al-Rida’s Divine Authority over the people after abu al-Hassan Musa
Divine Authority over the people after abu al-Hassan Musa Chapter 73
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu Ja‘far al-Thani’s (the second) Divine Authority over the people after abu al-Hassan al-Rida
Divine Authority over the people after abu al-Hassan al-Rida Chapter 74
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu al-Hassan’s, al-Thalith (the third) Divine Authority over the people after Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida
Divine Authority over the people after Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida Chapter 75
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of abu Muhammad al-Hassan ‘s Divine Authority over the people after Ali ibn Muhammad
Divine Authority over the people after Ali ibn Muhammad Chapter 76
Tacit and Explicit Testimony as proof of the owner of the House’s Divine Authority over the people abu Muhammad al-Hassan
Divine Authority over the people abu Muhammad al-Hassan Chapter 77
The list of the Names of those who saw the Twelfth Imam
Chapter 78
The Prohibition on Mentioning his Name
Chapter 79
Precious Ahadith on Conditions of Disappearance from Public Sight of (the Twelfth Imam
Chapter 80
The Issue of Disappearance (of the twelfth Imam from Public Sight
from Public SightChapter 81
The Criterion to Discern the Truthful and False Claims of Entitlement to Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority)
Chapter 82
Setting-up a Time Limit for the Reappearance of the Twelfth Imam an Antipathetic Issue
an Antipathetic IssueChapter 83
Refinement and Trial
Chapter 84
The rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority earlier or later will not affect one who has learned who his Imam is
Chapter 85
The 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
The case of those who would accept the religion of Allah but without accepting the Imam, Leader with Divine Authority
Chapter 87
The Case of those who would Die without having an Imam from the Imams of Guidance
Chapter 88
The case of those who have recognized Ahl al-Bayt and those who have ignored them
Chapter 89
The Obligation and Duty of the People at the Time of the Passing away of the Imam
Chapter 90
When the Imam learns that Leadership with Divine Authority has come to him?
Chapter 91
The Conditions of the Imams in the Matters of Age
Chapter 92
Only an Imam has the Authority to Wash the Body of an Imam for Burial
Chapter 93
The Birth of the Imams
Chapter 94
The Creation of the bodies, spirits and the Hearts of the Imam
Chapter 95
Submission and the Virtue of the Muslims
Chapter 96
People’s obligation after Hajj to Meet the Imam, Ask them Religious Instructions, Declare and Pledge to them Allegiance and Express their Love
Chapter 97
The Angels come to the Houses of the Imams, Step on their Furnishings and Bring them News
Chapter 98
The Jinns Come to the Imam for Religious Instructions and for Dealing with their Affairs
Chapter 99
When 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
The fountain head of Knowledge is Ala Muhammad
Chapter 101
There is nothing True with People unless it has Come from the Imams and Whatever that has not Come from Them is False
is FalseChapter 102
The Hadith (statements) of Ahl al-Bayt (members of the family of Prophet Muhammad) is Difficult and becomes Difficult
Chapter 103
The 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
The Mutual Rights between the Imam and his Followers
Chapter 105
The Whole Earth belongs to the Imam
Chapter 106
Manners of the Imams in the Matters of Food and Clothes as Leaders with Divine Authority
Chapter 107
The Rare Ahadith in the context
Chapter 108
Enlightening Points Deduced from the Holy Quran about Leadership with Divine Authority)
Chapter 109
Notable Points and Comprehensive Ahadith about Wilaya (Leadership with Divine Authority)
Chapter 110
The Imams know their friends and that they are the in charge of their affairs
know their friends and that they are the in charge of their affairsChapter 111
The Birth of The Holy Prophet (s.a) and His Demise
Chapter 112
Climbing over the grave of the Holy Prophet (s.a) prohibited
Chapter 113
The birth of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali
Chapter 114
The birth of al-Zahra’, Fatima
Chapter 115
The Birth of al-Hassan ibn Ali
Chapter 116
The Birth of al-Husayn ibn Ali
Chapter 117
The Birth of Ali ibn al-Husayn
Chapter 118
The Birth of Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali
Chapter 119
The Birth of abu ‘Abdullah Ja‘far ibn Muhammad
Chapter 120
The Birth of abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja‘far
Chapter 121
The birth of abu al-Hassan al-Rida
Chapter 122
The Birth of Abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali, the Second
Chapter 123
The Birth of abu al-Hassan Ali ibn Muhammad
Chapter 124
The Birth of abu Muhammad al-Hassan ibn Ali
Chapter 125
The Birth of the Possessor (of Divine Authority)
Chapter 126
The Statements and the Explicit Texts on Leadership with Divine Authority) of the Twelve Imams
Chapter 127
Something 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
All the Imams rise for and with authority of Allah, the Most High and guide to Him Allah
rise for and with authority of Allah, the Most High and guide to Him AllahChapter 129
Compensation and Imam
Chapter 130
The Fay’, al-Anfal, al-Khums, its rules and the properties subject to al-Khums
0 | Introduction
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