Al-Kāfi 2, narration 55

Translation

15. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Ni’man from ibn Maskan from Sulayman ibn Khalid from abu Ja’far recipient of divine supreme covenant, who has said the following: “Do you want me to teach you the root of Islam, its branch and its peak? I said, ‘Yes, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause.’ The Imam said, ‘Its root is prayer, its branch is al-Zakat (charity) and its peak is Jihad (the hard work in defense and preaching of the belief).’ The Imam then said, ‘If you want 1 can teach you about the gates to all good.’ I said, ‘Yes, please, May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, do so.’ “The Imam said, ‘Fasting is a shield against fire, charity removes sins and of the gates to good is to stand up (for worship) during the night to speak of Allah.’ He then read (the words of Allah) ‘They do not allow their sides to rest in bed (but they stand up at night to pray to Allah).”’ (32:16)

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.