1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali from ibn Bukayr from Qudamah ibn Za’idah that Abu Jaf'ar (al-Baqir) (as) said: Rasulullah (sw) placed his son Ibrahim in a basket-shaped place in the grave and made the surface into a square shape.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘ah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is preferable to place two fresh twigs of palm tree with the deceased in the grave, raise the surface of the grave above ground by four inches, sprinkle water on it and then leave it alone.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

3. Humayd ibn Ziyad has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Muhammad ibn Sama‘ah from more than one person from Aban from ‘Abd al- Rahman ibn abu ‘Abd Allah who has said the following: “I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about one’s placing his hand over the grave, its significance and why it is done. He (the Imam) said, ‘The Messenger of Allah had done so over the grave of his son after sprinkling water.’ He (the narrator) has said that I then asked, ‘How should I place my hand over the graves of the Muslims?’ He (the Imam) pointed with his hand, placed it on the ground, then raised it while he was facing al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah).’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ibn ’Udhaynah from Zurarah from who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah would do something over the grave of the people from the tribe of banu Hashim and he would not do on other Muslims’ graves. After performing Salah (prayer) for a deceased from banu Hashim, sprinkling water over his grave, he would place his hand over the grave while his fingers pressed in the clay. Strangers or travelers who came in the town and saw a new grave with marks of the fingers of the Messenger of Allah on it could tell that someone from banu Hashim has died. They would ask, ‘Who from the family of Muhammad, O Allah grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has died?”’

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hammad ibn ‘Isa who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One day my father during his illness said to me, ‘Son, call certain people from Quraysh and people of al-Madinah, so I can appoint them as witness.’ I then called a number of people. He said, ‘O Ja‘far, when I die, give Ghusl (bath) to me, place me in the shroud, raise the surface of my grave by four fingers above the ground and sprinkle water on it.’ When they left I asked, ‘Father, had you commanded me, I would have done all these things. Why did you decide to call these people to be witnesses?’ He said, ‘My son I did it so no one will raise any disputes against you.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from certain persons of his people who has said the following: “About spraying water on the grave abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Suffering is withdrawn from it as long as the moisture exists.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

7. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Talhah ibn Zayd who has said the following: “Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that sprinkling water over a new grave was during the time of the Messenger of Allah.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Zurarah from who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When you complete the grave sprinkle water on it, then place your hand near the head of the deceased and depress your hand on it after sprinkling water.”’

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

9. Humayd ibn Ziyad has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Muhammad from more than one person from Aban from ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Ajalan who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), stood on the grave of one of his followers and said, ‘O Lord, grant company in his loneliness, comfort his fear and settle down with him of your mercy that much which will make him free from want from others except yourself.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

10. Aban has narrated from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Prayers are said when a deceased is placed in his grave and the surface of the grave is raised above the ground by four fingers.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

11. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from certain persons of our people from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from ’Isma‘il who has that narrated to me abu al-Hassan al-Dallal from Yahya ibn ‘Abd Allah who has said the following: “I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘It does not harm the family of a deceased among you to prevent his fear of meeting al-Munkar and al-Nakir (interrogating angels).’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘How can they do so?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘When the deceased is left alone, the nearest relative is left behind near the deceased who places his mouth near the head of the deceased and calls loudly, ‘O so and so, son of so and so, or daughter of so and so, are you still true to the covenant (belief) with which you departed us. The testimony that states, ‘I testify that only Allah deserves worship, He is one and has no partners and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, master of the prophets. I testify that Ali is ’Amir al-Mu’minin (master of the believers) and master of the executors (of the wills of the prophets). I testify that whatever Muhammad (a.s.), has brought from Allah is all true, that death is a truth, resurrection is a truth and that Allah will raise everyone from the grave.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Al-Munkar then says to Nakir, ‘Allow us to turn away from him; his argument (authoritative statements of his belief) are dictated to him.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.