Chapter on Those who Act without Knowledge

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Talha ibn Zayd who has said the following. “(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Working without understanding and insight is like travelling in the wrong direction that only takes one farther away from the destination.’”

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

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from abu Hammam Isma’Il ibn Hammam from abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) who has said the following: “A servant’s praying and pleading before Allah for help, privately once, is equal to seventy such prayers in public.’ In another Hadith it is said: ‘A prayer that you (hide from people) is better before Allah than seventy prayers made in public.’”

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

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from al-Husayn ibn Nu’aym al-Sahhaf who has said the following: “I once said to abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), that the mother of my child finds bleeding and she is pregnant. What must she do for her Salah (prayer)? He (the narrator) has said that he (the Imam) said to me, ‘If a pregnant woman finds bleeding after twenty days from the date in which her Hayd (menses) would begin in the month when she experienced Hayd (menses), then it is not from the womb and but because of Hayd (menses). She must take Wudu’, fill herself with cotton and perform Salah (prayer). If a pregnant woman finds bleeding during a short time before the date during which she would experience Hayd (menses) or during the date of her Hayd (menses) in that month, it then is because of Hayd (menses). She must stop Salah (prayer) during a time, which is equal to the duration of her Hayd (menses). If bleeding stops before the (duration of her Hayd (menses)), she must take Ghusl (bath), and perform Salah (prayer). If bleeding did not stop before one or two days after the end of such duration in which she used to experience Hayd (menses) she then must take Ghusl (bath) then fill with cotton and tie down herself by passing her clothes between her legs to the other side, perform al-Dhuhr and al-‘Asr Salah (prayer). She then must wait and examine if no bleeding from behind the cotton is found after al-Dhuhr and al-‘Asr Salah (prayers) until al-Maghrib, she must take Wudu’ and perform Salah (prayer) in each time of Salah (prayer) as long as the piece of cotton is not disposed. If cotton is disposed and bleeding is found, she must take Ghusl (bath), but if cotton is disposed and no bleeding is found, she must take Wudu’ and perform Salah (prayer). She is not required to take Ghusl (bath).’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If bleeding emerges outside of the cotton placed inside, like perspiration and does not cease, she must take Ghusl (bath) every day and night three times and fill with cotton, then perform Salah (prayer). She must take Ghusl (bath) for the morning Salah (prayer), then take Ghusl (bath) for al-Dhuhr and al-‘Asr, and then take Ghusl (bath) for al-Maghrib and al-‘Isha’ Salah (prayers).’ He (the Imam) said, ‘A woman experiencing Istihadah (irregular menses) must also follow this procedure. If she did so Allah removes bleeding from her.’”

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

1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla’ ibn Muhammad from af-Washsha’ from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘The Messenger of Allah continued fasting for such a long time that people thought he would not discontinue it. He then discontinued fasting for such a long time that people thought he would not fast. Then he began fasting as Dawud (a.s.), did. One day he would fast and not fast the next day. He left this world with a practice of fasting three days every month. The Imam said, ‘Fasting three days every month is like fasting a whole month. This removes wahr from one’s chest. Wahr means temptation.’ Hammad has said, ‘I then asked, which days are they?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Every first Thursday, every first Wednesday after the tenth of the month and the last Thursday therein.’ I then asked, ‘How did these days become as such?’ He replied, ‘The days when torment descended on the people of the past were one of these days. Because of fear, the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, would fast during these days.’”

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

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Muhammad ibn Sanaa ‘ah from Muhammad ibn Marwan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is in the wisdom of Ale (family) Dawud that a reasonable Muslim should not travel unless it is for three kinds of tasks: amending one’s means of living, supplies for the hereafter or enjoyment with lawful matters. A reasonable Muslim should assign certain hours of his time to work on the matters between him and Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, certain hours to meet his brothers (in belief) with whom he speaks and they speak with him about the issues of the hereafter, and certain hours for himself and matters of enjoyment with lawful matters which are helpful during these two hours.”

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

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Bukayr from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of a man who arranges for the presence of two just witnesses. He then brings two of his wives who both are clean of Hayd (menses) and has not gone to bed with them; then says, ’Bear witness that these two my wives are ‘Taliq’ (let go, divorced) and they are clean of Hayd (menses): if divorce takes place or not. He (the Imam) said, ’Yes, it is a valid divorce.’”

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

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim narrated from his father from Ibn Abu 'Umayr from Jamil Ibn Darraj from Zurarah that Abu Ja’far (as) said: "Ali (as) inherited the knowledge of Rasulullah (sw) and Fatima (as) inherited his belongings (what he left behind)."

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

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ibn Muskan from Hassan al-Sayqal who has said the following. “(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said, “Allah does not accept a deed without good understanding and proper understanding does not come into being without work. One who achieves proper understanding it will guide him to good deeds and one who does not work will not have any understanding. Is it not a fact that parts of faith comes from other parts?”

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

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from certain persons of his narrators from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “I once asked one of the Imam, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about the case of the pregnant woman whose pregnancy has become apparent, but finds what a woman experiences because of Hayd (menses) of blood discharge. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is a spilling of blood; if the discharge is a great deal and of red color, she must not perform Salah (prayer). She then needs to take Wudu’ only if it is of a small amount and of yellow color.’”

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

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from abu Ayyub from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, continued fasting for such a long time that people thought he would not discontinue it. He then discontinued fasting for such a long time that people thought he would not fast. Then he began fasting as Dawud (a.s.), did. One day he would fast and then not fast the next day. He left this practice and would fast three bright days (13, 14 and 15) of every month. He then left this practice and divided them by one day in each ten days of the month, of which two were Thursdays with a Wednesday between the two Thursdays. He passed away with this practice.”

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

2. Muhammad ibn ‘Isma’il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Rib’iy from a man who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘All of perfection is in three things.’ He mentioned in the third of the three things to be planning for one’s living.”

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

2. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Hassan from Ali ibn Asbat from al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn ‘Abd al-Malik, Hayde r from Hamzah ibn Humran who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), ’Who inherited the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause?’ He (the Imam) said, ’Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, inherited his household assets and all that belonged to him (the Messenger of Allah).”’

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

3. It is narrated from him from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from the one he narrated from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said that the Holy Prophet said, ‘Those who work without knowledge they destroy more than what they gain.’”

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

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from al-‘Ala’ from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about the case of a pregnant woman who experiences blood discharge like the days of her Hayd (menses) every month as a straight habit. He (the Imam) said, ‘She must hold herself back from Salah (prayer) like in days of her Hayd (menses), and when she is clean then perform Salah (prayer).”’

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

3. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Salih from Muhammad ibn Marwan who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, continued fasting for such a long time that people thought he was not to discontinue his fasting. He then discontinued fasting for such a long time that people thought he did not intend to fast anymore. He then would fast one day and eat the next day. He then fasted every Monday and Thursday. Then he would fast three days every month, Thursday of the beginning of the month, Wednesday of the middle of the month and the last Thursday of the month. He would say, “It is like fasting forever.’” My father would say, ‘There is no other thing more hateful to me than one to whom it is said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, did this, but he says, “Allah will not punish me if I tried to perform Salat (prayer)” as if he thinks the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, neglected some of the virtuous acts because of his failure.’”

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

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from Tha’labah and others from a man who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Keeping one’s wealth in a proper shape is part of belief.’”

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

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Jamil ibn Darraj from Salmah ibn Muhriz who has narrated the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that an Armani man has died and has made a will to me. He (the Imam) asked, ‘What is Armaniy?’ I replied, ‘He is a Nabatiy from Nabatiy people of mountains who has died. He has made a will to me about his legacy and has left behind his daughter.’ He (the Imam) said to me, ‘Give her one-half.’ I then informed Zurarah about it and he said, ‘He (the Imam) has been protective ( taqiyah ) of you, otherwise, all the legacy belongs to the daughter.’ He (the narrator) has said that I then visited him (the Imam) afterwards and said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, our people think that you have been protective with me.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, by Allah I have not been protective of you, but I have been protective against you to be held responsible; has anyone had any knowledge of it?’ I replied, ‘No, no one knows.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Give her the rest of her legacy.’”

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

4. Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn all from Safwan ibn Yahya from ’Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj who has said the following: “I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a pregnant woman who experiences blood discharge even when she is pregnant, like before every month, should she stop performing Salah (prayer)? He (the Imam) said, ’She must stop Salah if it continues.”’

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 Hafs ibn al-Bakhtariy who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that wives of the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, when required to fast, would wait up to the month of Sha‘ban, due to anticipation that he may forbid them. In the month of Sha‘ban they would fast and the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Sha‘ban is my month.’”

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

4. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from ibn Faddal from Dawud ibn Sarhan who has said the following: “I saw abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), measure dates with his own hands; and I said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I wish you would have ordered certain persons of your servants or sons to help you.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘O Dawud, a Muslim cannot achieve a proper condition without three things: proper understanding of religion, exercising patience in hardships, and proper planning for his living and sustenance.’”

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

4. Abu Ali al-Ash‘ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from ‘Abd Allah ibn Khidash al-Minqariy who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who dies and leaves behind his daughter and his brother. He (the Imam) said, ‘The legacy belongs to his daughter.’”

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

5. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from and Abu Dawud all from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd and Fadalah ibn Ayyub who has said the following: “Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about a pregnant woman who experiences blood discharge whether she must stop performing Salah (prayer)? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, she must stop performing Salah (prayer). Sometimes pregnant women also discharge blood.’”

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

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘ah, who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Had any of your ancestors fasted during the month of Sha‘ban?’ He replied, ‘The best of my ancestors was the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, who fasted in it.’”

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

5. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah has narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from Muhammad ibn Ali from ‘Abd Allah ibn Jabalah from Darih al-Muharibiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, wills good for a family He grants them ease in their living conditions.’”

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 Sulayman ibn Khalid who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a pregnant woman, saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, can such woman experience Hayd (menses)? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, because the child’s food in mother’s womb is blood. It (blood) may exceed the amount of food for the child. It (the excess) is then repelled. When this happens, Salah (prayer) becomes unlawful for her.’” In another Hadith it is said that it causes a birth delay.

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

6. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar and Muhammad ibn Isma‘il from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan all from Safwan from ibn Muskan from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Once, I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Had any of your ancestors ever fasted during the month of Sha‘ban?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘The best of my ancestors, the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, fasted in it.’” Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa ibn ‘Ubayd from Yunus from ibn Muskan from al-Halabiy from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), a similar Hadith. There are narrations about fasting in the month of al-Sha‘ban. He (the Imam) (a.s.), was asked about it and he (the Imam) said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, did not fast (during the month of Sha‘ban) neither did any of my ancestors.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is because certain people said that fasting in the month of al-Sha‘ban is obligatory like fasting in the month of Ramadan. If one destroys one day of fasting of month of al-Sha‘ban, the expiation for it is like the expiation for destroying one day of fasting of the month of Ramadan. The words of the scholar (a.s.), ‘The Messenger of Allah did not fast neither did any of my ancestors’ means they did not fast it as an obligatory fast. It was to refute what certain people thought it to be. Their fast was only as Sunnah in which there is virtue but it is not harmful to one who does not fast.

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

6. It is narrated from him (narrator of previous Fladith) from certain persons of our people from Salih ibn Hamzah from certain persons of our people Hamzah who have said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘You must manage your wealth properly; it increases respect for you and freedom of want from envious ones.’”

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

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Urwah from Burayd al- ‘ Ij liy who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of a man who dies and leaves behind his daughter and uncle. He (the Imam) said, ‘The legacy belongs to his daughter and there is nothing for the uncle, aunt’, or that he (the Imam) said, ‘There is nothing for the uncle with the existence of the daughter.’”

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

7. Humayd ibn Ziyad has narrated from al-Husayn ibn Muhammad ibn Sama‘ah from ‘Abd Allah ibn Jabalah from ‘Abd Allah ibn Bukayr from Hamzah ibn Humran from ‘Abd al-Hamid al-Ta'iyy from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhriz the cap seller, who has narrated the following: “A man made a will about five hundred dirhams or six hundred dirhams, leaving behind his daughter, and told me that his paternal relatives are in the Levant. I asked Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about it and he (the Imam) said, ‘Give one-half to his daughter and the other half to his paternal relatives.’ When I returned to al-Kufah, I told our people about it and they said that he (the Imam) has said so because of taqiyyah (fear). I then gave the other half to his daughter; then I went for al-Hajj and visited Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). I informed him (the Imam) about what our people had said and that I have given the other half also to his daughter. He (the Imam) said, ‘You have done good. I gave the fatwa that I did because of fear for you from the paternal relatives.’”

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

9. Humayd ibn Ziyad has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Muhammad al-Kindiy from Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Mithamiy from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhriz who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who made a will to me and died, leaving behind his daughter. He (the Imam) said, ‘Give one-half to his daughter and leave the other half for al-Mawali (friends, guardians or masters).’ I then returned to our people and they said, ‘No, by Allah, there is nothing for al-Mawali.’ I went back to him (the Imam) and informed him that our people say, ‘There is nothing for al-Mawali. He (the Imam) has said so because of fear (taqiyah).’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, by Allah, I did not do so because of fear ( taqiyah ) but I was afraid for you that you will be asked about one-half. If you are not afraid; give the other half also to his daughter and Allah will relieve you of the burden.’”

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

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad and a number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad all from ibn Mahbub from ibn Ri’ab from Zurarah who has narrated the following: “About the case of a man who dies and leaves behind his daughter and his sister from his father and mother, he (the Imam) said, ‘The legacy belongs to his daughter and there is nothing for the sister from his father and mother.’”

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

8. Afi ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ’Udhaynah from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhriz who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who dies and leaves behind his daughter and his sister from his mother and father. He (the Imam) said, ‘The legacy belongs to his daughter and there is nothing for his sister from his mother and father.’”

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