Al-Kafi – A Brief Outline
Al-Kafi is the first-ever complete English translation of the first and foremost comprehensive book of Hadith of the Holy Prophet, with his Ahl al-Bayt as narrators, compiled by Thiqatu al-Islam, Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ya’qub al-Kulayni.
It is the first and foremost comprehensive book of Hadith dealing with issues of theology and ethics, practical laws such as laws of Taharat (cleanliness), laws of worship (prayer, zakat, fasting, hajj and jihad), laws of business, laws of family and social relations, and judicial laws.
About Al-Kafi
Al-Kafi is divided into three major sections totaling 8 volumes: ‘Usul (2 volumes), Fru’ (5 volumes) and al-Rawdah (1 volume).
‘Usul al-Kafi (Volumes 1 & 2)
This part consists of Ahadith on the principles of beliefs and it is called ’Usul (principles) in al-Kafi.
Sections in Volume 1:
The Book of Intelligence and Ignorance (Kitab al‑’Aql wa al‑Jahl)
The Book of the Excellence of Knowledge (Kitabu Fadl al-‘Ilm)
The Book on Oneness of Allah (Kitab al‑Tawhid)
The Book about the People who Possess Divine Authority (Kitab al‑Hujja)
Sections in Volume 2:
The Book on Belief and Disbelief (Kitab al‑’Iman wa al‑Kufr)
The Book on Prayers (Kitab al‑Du‘a’)
The Book on the Excellence of the Holy Quran (Kitabu Fadl al‑Quran)
The Book of Social Discipline (Kitab al‑‘Ishra)
Al‑Furu’ (Branches) (Volumes 3 through 7)
This part consists of the rules of conduct, the practical laws of the Islamic system, consists of the following:
Sections in Volume 3:
The Book of Laws of Cleanliness (Kitab al‑Tahara)
The Book of Laws of Menstruation (Kitab al‑Hayd)
The Book of Laws about the dying people and their burials (Kitab al‑Jana’iz)
The Book of Laws of Prayer (Kitab al‑Salat)
The Book of Laws of Charities, Taxes (Kitab al‑Zakat)
Sections in Volume 4:
The Book of Laws of Charities, Taxes (continued) (Kitab al‑Zakat)
The Book of Laws of Fasting (Kitab al‑Siyam)
The Book of Laws of Pilgrimage (Kitab al‑ Hajj)
Sections in Volume 5:
The Book of Laws of Defense (Kitab al-Jihad)
The Book of Laws of Business (Kitab al‑Ma’ishah)
The Book of Laws of Marriage (Kitab al‑Nikah)
Sections in Volume 6:
The Book of Laws about the Newborn (Kitab al‑‘Aqiqa)
The Book of Laws of Divorce (Kitab al‑Talaq)
The Book of Laws of Emancipation of Slaves (Kitab al‑‘Itq wa al‑Tadbir wa al‑Mukataba)
The Book of Laws of Hunting (Kitab al‑Sayd)
The Book of Laws of Slaughtering Animals for food (Kitab al‑Dhaba’ih)
The Book of Laws of Foods (Kitab al‑At‘imah)
The Book of Laws of Drinks (Kitab al‑Ashriba)
The Book of Laws of Dresses, Beautifying and the Ideal of Manhood (Kitab al‑Zay wa al‑Tajammul)
The Book of Laws of Animal Farming and Poultry (Kitab al‑Dawajin)
Sections in Volume 7:
The Book of Laws of Wills (Kitab al‑Wasaya’)
The Book of Laws of Inheritances (Kitab al‑Mawarith)
The Book of Laws of Penalties (Kitab al‑Hudud)
The Book of Laws of Restitution for Bodily Injuries (Kitab al‑Diyat)
The Book of Laws of Testimony and Witnessing (Kitab al‑Shahadat)
The Book of Judicial Laws (Kitab al‑Qada’ wa al-Ahkam)
The Book of Laws of Oaths, Vows and Expiation (Kitab al‑’Ayman wa al‑Nudbur wa al‑Kaffarat)
Al‑Rawdah (Garden of Flowers (Hadith))
Volume 8
This part consists of miscellaneous Ahadith of both the ’Usul and Furu‘ of al-Kafi. The topics are not arranged and organized as in the other volumes. The chapters are not in alphabetical order of Ahadith or narrators.
This volume comprises about six hundred Hadith on various topics and is a treasure of knowledge of the matters of belief, spiritual discipline, interpretations of many verses of the Holy Quran, accounts of the noble manners of the Holy Prophet and infallible members of his family and information about the system of this and the next life.