The Madinah and Bab al-Ilm Iran programme marked its 14th consecutive anniversary in the summer of 2016, with this being the first time that I decided to embark upon the course following my university education. This was also the first ever year in the programme that participants were bestowed the honour of being guests in the holy city of Qom for the birth anniversary of Sayeda Masouma (sa), as well as being in Mashhad for the corresponding celebrations for Imam Ridha (as).
Translate this page
21 February 2026 / 4. Ramadhan 1447
Islamic Laws Chapter 4 & 5: Rules regarding fasting
Since the publication of the first edition of Islamic Laws in 1994, his Eminence al-Sayyid Ali al-Husayni al-Sistani (may Allah protect him) has issued new rulings and made changes to some of his previous rulings. For example, his most recent manual of rulings includes two whole new chapters: ‘Spiritual Retreat (Iʿtikāf)’ and ‘Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil’. In light of these changes, The World Federation sought to publish an entirely new translation of the latest version of his Eminence’s manual of fatwas, but this time with some additional features to make the book more user-friendly. The result was the publication of the second edition of Islamic Laws in which the translator, Shaykh Mohammed Ali Ismail, added explanations, annotations, and a glossary of legal terms. This was a unique way of rendering a Tawḍīḥ al-Masāʾil into English and the work has been highly commended by both scholars and non-scholars.
With the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan, laws relating to fasting are once again brought to the forefront of our minds. Now, His Eminence’s latest rulings on fasting and spiritual retreat from this second edition can be quickly and easily accessed here.
The book is available in hard copy and electronic formats and can be purchased here.
Related News
A summary of Grand Ayatollah Sistani’s advice to the youth.
