Praying for Brothers (in Belief) in Their Absence

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from abu al- Mighra’ from al-Fudayl ibn Yasar from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The prayer closest to acceptance and the fastest to be heard is a man’s prayer for a brother (in belief) in his absence.”

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 Sulayman al-Farra’ from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “About a fasting person’s use of kohl (special powder for eye treatment) abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that it is not harmful, because it is not a drink or food.’” Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Sulayman al-Farra’ from more than one person who have narrated a similar Hadith from abu Ja’far (a.s.).

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

1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Asbat from Muhammad ibn ‘Adha’fir from his father who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, ‘O ‘Adha’fir, you cooperate with abu Ayyub and al-Rabi‘, how will your condition be when you will be called along with the helpers of unjust ones? He (the narrator) has said that my father became extremely depressed and abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), upon seeing the condition of my father said, ‘O ‘Adha’fir, I alarmed you the way Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has alarmed me.’ Muhammad has said, ‘My father came home and continued to remain depressed until he died.’”

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

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from certain persons of his people who has said the following: “About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, "... you must not send them out of their homes and they must not go out except if they commit an open indecent act’, abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), has said, ’It is a reference to her troubling the family of the man and her bad moral behavior.’”

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

1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father all al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Ali ibn Ri’ab from abu ‘ Ubaydah who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of a boy and a girl who are not mature and whose guardians arrange their marriage. He (the Imam) said, ‘Their marriage is permissible and whoever of the two becomes mature has the right to choose the marriage or not. If they die before maturity there is no inheritance between them and no mahr (dower) unless they become mature and approve the marriage.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if one of them becomes mature before the other?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is permissible for him if he approves.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if the man becomes mature before the girl and approves the marriage, then dies before she becomes mature; if she inherits. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, her share must be kept aside until she becomes mature and swears by Allah that the reason for her claiming inheritance is because of her approving the marriage, then it is given to her with one-half of mahr (dower).’ I then asked, ‘What happens if the girl dies before her maturity; if she inherits the husband who is mature.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, because she has the choice upon her maturity.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if her father is the reason for her marriage before her maturity?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Such a marriage is permissible for her and for the boy but mahr (dower) is due on the father for the girl.’”

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

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “A man’s prayer for his brother (in belief) in his absence increases his sustenance and repulses misfortune.”

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

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Khalid from Sa‘d ibn Sa‘d al-Ash’ariy who has said the following: “I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about a man who suffers from an eye-ache in the month of Ramadan; if he can sprinkle his eyes during the day in the month of Ramadan when he is fasting. He (the Imam) said, ’He can do so when he is not fasting but he cannot do so when he is fasting.’”

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 Hisham ibn Salim and Muhammad ibn Humran from al-Walid ibn Sabih who has said the following: “I once went to visit abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and I met Zurarah who received me when he was coming out of the presence of the Imam. He (the Imam) said to me, ‘O Walid, is it not strange to you that Zurarah asks me about working for these people? What does he want me to say? Does he want me to say no, so that he can narrate it from me?’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘O Walid, when did the Shi ’ah ask about working for them? The Shi ’ah would only say, ‘You can eat their food, use their drink and live under their protection.’ When did the Shi‘ah ask about it (working for them)?”’

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

2. Certain persons of our people have narrated from Ali ibn al-Hassan al-Taymuliy from Ali ibn Asbat from Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Ja‘far who has said the following: “Once al-Ma’mun asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . you must not send them out of their homes and they must not go out except if they commit an open indecent act’ He (the Imam) said, . . ‘open indecent act’, is a reference to her troubling the family of the man. If she did he can send her out, if he wants, before the end of her waiting period.’”

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

2. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn Mahbub and Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Mahbub from Nu’aym ibn Ibrahim from ‘Abbad ibn Kathir who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who arranges marriage for his mature son with an orphan girl in his custody. He (the Imam) said, ‘She will inherit him if he dies because she has the choice to approve or disapprove the marriage after she becomes mature and there is no choice against her.’”

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

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘ah ibn Mehran who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who applies kohl when he is fasting. He (the Imam) said, ’If it is a kind of kohl in which there is no musk and has no taste in the throat, then it is not harmful.’”

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

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Urwah from ibn Bukayr from ‘Ubayd ibn Zurarah who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a child who marries a female child; if they inherit each other. He (the Imam) said, ‘If their fathers are the ones who have arranged their marriage then they inherit.’ I then asked, ‘Is their divorce by father permissible?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not permissible.’”

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

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ali ibn Ma’Bad from ‘Ubayd Allah ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Wasity from Durst ibn abu Mansur from abu Khalid al- Qammat who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘The prayer quickest to success and acceptance is one’s prayer for his brother (in belief) in his absence where one starts praying for him and the angels guarding say, ‘Amin’ You will have twice as much you asked for him.’”

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

4. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Bandar has narrated from Ibrahim ibn Ishaq from ‘Abd Allah ibn Hammad from Ali ibn abu Hamzah who has said the following: “I had a young friend who worked as clerk for Amawide rulers. He asked me to ask permission for a meeting with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), I asked for permission and it was granted. He came for the meeting, offered greeting of peace and sat down. He then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I worked in the offices of these people (Amawide rules) and I received from their world a large amount of wealth. I did not object to what he demanded.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘If the Amawides did not find people who would work for them as clerks, collect taxes for them, fight for them and join their community, our rights would not have been taken away from us. Had people left them alone with what they have in their hands, they would not find more than what they had.’” He (the narrator) has said, “The young man then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, is there a way for me to safety?’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘If I said, “Yes, there is a way” will you then follow?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I will follow.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Come out of all that you have gained from their offices. Return all the properties of those people whom you can find and give in charity on behalf of those whom you cannot find. I guarantee for you paradise from Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’” He (the narrator) has said, “The young man bent down his head for a long time and then said, T have done it, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause.’” Ibn abu Hamzah has said, “The young man returned with us to al-kufah. He did not leave anything on earth without moving himself away therefrom even clothes that he wore.” He (the narrator) has said “I then assigned a share for him. We bought clothes for him and provided him provisions. After a few months he became ill and we would visit him during his illness. After one day when he was about to die, he opened his eyes and then said to me, ‘O Ali, by Allah, your friend has kept his promise to me.’” He (the narrator) has said, “He died and we took care of his funeral. I then left to visit abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). He (the Imam) looked at me and said, ‘O Ali, we by Allah fulfilled our commitment to your friend.’ He (the narrator) has said, T then said, “You have spoken the truth, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. This is what exactly he said at the time of his death.’”

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

5. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn Sulayman from Isma’Il ibn Ibrahim from Ja’far ibn Muhammad al-Tamimi from Husayn ibn ‘Ulwan from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Any believing person who prays for the believing people male and female, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, returns to such person a reward equal to the reward for a likewise prayer with which all believing people, male and female have been praying from the beginning of time and all who will do so in future up to the Day of Judgment. A servant will be ordered and dragged to the fire and the believing people male and female will say, ‘O Lord, this is the one who prayed for us, accept our intercession for him and Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will accept their intercession about him and he will be saved.’”

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

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim from abu Basir who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about working for them (sultans). He (the Imam) said, ‘O abu Muhammad, no, not even for moving a pen. For whatever one finds from them of the worldly things, one’s religion is harmed proportionately or that he (the Imam) said that until his religion is harmed; - uncertainty is from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr.’”

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

6. Ali has narrated from his father who has said the following: “Once I saw ‘Abd Allah ibn Jundab in ‘Arafat but I had not seen any stay (spending the ninth day of Dulhajj) in ‘Arafat better than that. He continued stretching his hands to the sky and his tears flow on his both cheeks all the way to the ground. When people left I said to him, ‘O abu Muhammad, I have never seen a wonderful performance in ‘Arafat such as yours.’ He said, ‘By Allah I did not pray for anything but for my brothers (in belief) and that is because of abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) who told me that whoever prays for his brothers (in belief) in his absence is called from the Throne, ‘(O servant of Allah) you will have one hundred thousand times as much reward as one may for his prayer receive,’ thus, I did not like to leave one hundred thousand guaranteed for only one of mine, of which I am uncertain whether it is accepted or not.’”

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

6. Ibn abu ‘Umayr has narrated from Hisham ibn Salim who has said the following: “I once was sitting in the presence of abu Ja‘far (a.s.), near the door of his house and he (the Imam) looked at the people passing in throngs and mobs. He (the Imam) asked someone near him, ‘Has anything happened in al-Madinah?’ He replied, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, a new governor is assigned for al-Madinah and people are served lunch to welcome and congratulate him.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘The man serves people lunch to receive their congratulation and he is a door of the doors of the fire.’”

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

7. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father all from ibn Mahbub from ibn Ri’ab from abu ‘Ubaydah from Thuwayr who has said the following: “I heard Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) saying, ‘When the angels hear the believing person praying for his brother (in belief) in his absence or speak of him good, they say, “You are a good brother (in belief). You pray for him in his absence and speak good of him. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has granted you double of what you asked for him and He has praised you double of your praising him and you have excellence over him, but if they (angels) hear him speak evil of his brother (in belief), and pray against him, they will say, ‘You are a bad brother for him! Stop, O you whose sins and privacy are covered, reduce your burden. Praise and thank Allah, Who has covered you, and notice that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, knows more about His servant than you do.’”

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

7. Ibn abu ‘Umayr has narrated from Bashir from ibn abu Ya’fur who has said the following: “Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when a certain man of our people came and said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, one of us may face hardship and straitened conditions and is called to construct a building, work a canal or a dam. What is your decision in such case? He (the Imam) replied, ‘I do not like it. I have knotted for them a knot and tied down the opening end of the bag of ‘no’. It is no and not even the moving of a pen. The helpers of the unjust ones on the Day of Judgment will be kept in chambers of fire until Allah will judge all of His servants.’”

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

8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Yahya ibn Ibrahim ibn Muhajir who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘So and so has offered you Salam (greeting of peace) and so also is so and so.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Greeting of peace is upon them.’ I then said, ‘They request you to pray for them.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What is the matter with them?’ I said, ‘Abu Ja‘far, (Abbaside ruler) has imprisoned them.’ He (the Imam) then asked, ‘What they had to do with him and what had he to do with them?’ I replied, ‘He appointed them as his agents and then imprisoned them.’ ‘What is the matter with them and what is the matter with him? Had I not prohibited them, had I not prohibited, had I not prohibited them from the fire, from fire, from fire?’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘O Lord, plan for them against their ruler.’ I (the narrator) then left Makkah and asked about them and found out that they were released three days after (my) conversation (with him (the Imam)).”

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

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Umayr from Dawud ibn Zurbiy who has said the following: “A Mawla’ (freed slave or tribal client) of Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), told me, ‘I was in al-Kufah when Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), came to al-Hirah and I went to see him. I said to him (the Imam), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, can you speak to Dawud ibn Ali or others of these people to admit me in anyone of these states (government)?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘I will never do so.’ I then returned home and thought about it and said to myself that he (the Imam) did not refuse except for fear that I may do injustice and transgress. By Allah I will go to him and provide all kinds of guarantees and swear extremely seriously, like divorce, freeing slaves and so on, not to do injustice and transgression. I then went to him (the Imam) and said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I thought about your refusal to speak for me and I thought you have refused and disliked it just because of your fear of my doing injustice and transgression against someone instead of acting with justice.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Why did you say that?’ I then repeated my demand and swearing. He (the Imam) raised his head to the sky and said, ‘Your reaching the sky is easier than what you want me to do for you.’”

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

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim from Jahm ibn Humayd who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, ‘Do you use the power of these people for cover?’ I replied, ‘No, I do not do so.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Why do you not do so?’ I replied, ‘It is because of my running away with my religion.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Are you determined in this issue?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I am determined.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Now your religion is safe for you.’”

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

11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from and Ali ibn Muhammad al-Qasaniy from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Sulayman al-Minqariy from Fudayl ibn ‘Iyad who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about several issues of earning. He (the Imam) prohibited and said, ‘O Fudayl, the losses these people cause to this nation are more severe than the losses that Turks and Daylam may cause.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘I then asked him (the Imam) about abstaining from people.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Restraining (to stay away from sin) are those who restrain from committing what Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has made unlawful and to stay away from these people. If one does not stay away from doubtful matters, he becomes involved in unlawful matters. These people know it. When one sees an unlawful matter and does not dislike when he is able to do so, he has loved to disobey Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, and one who loves to disobey Allah, has defied Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, with animosity, and one who loves to see the unjust survive has loved to disobey Allah. Allah, most Blessed, most High, has praised Himself because of His destroying the unjust, ‘He then cut down the end of the people who had committed injustice, all praise belongs to Allah, cherisher of the worlds.’” ( 6 : 45 )

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

12. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad in a marfu’ manner the following: “About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘You must not take sides with the unjust ones; consequently the fire will touch you,’ (11:13) he (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘This is a man who works with the sultan and loves his remaining in power so that he can have a hand in his achievements and receive grants from him.’”

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

13. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Muhammad ibn Hisham from those whom he has mentioned who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A people of those who believed in Musa (a.s.) decided to join the army of Pharaoh so that they can benefit from their worldly gains and if Musa ‘Alayhi al-Salam succeeded to join him. They did as they had decided to do. When Musa ‘Alayhi al-Salam and his followers went to the sea running away from Pharaoh, those people also rode their stumpers and rushed to join Musa ‘Alayhi al-Salam and his army to remain with them but Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, sent an angel who turned the faces of their stumpers toward the Pharaoh and his army, as a result, they drowned along with those who drowned.”’ Ibn Faddal has narrated from Ali ibn ‘Uqbah from certain persons of our people who has narrated the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is a right on Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, to make you with those whom you loved in the world.’”

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

14. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Barqiy from Ali ibn abu Rashid from Ibrahim ibn al-Sindiy from Yunus ibn Hammad who has said the following: “I once spoke to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about certain people who believe in Divine Authority of ‘A’immah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, but work for the Sultan. He (the Imam) said, ‘They have achieved authority, therefore, they benefit you and help you.’ I (the narrator) then said, ‘Certain ones among them do so and certain others do not do so. ‘He (the Imam) said, ‘You must denounce those of them who do not help and benefit you as Allah has denounced them.’”

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

15. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Hammad from Hamid who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about my becoming the in charge person of a certain work (for the sultan), if there is a way for me out of it. He (the Imam) said, ‘How many are those who want a way out but it becomes difficult for them.’ I then asked, ‘What is your decision? He (the Imam) said, ‘I say that you must remain pious before Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, and do not go back to such work.’”

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

3. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Sayf ibn ‘ Amirah from ‘Amr ibn Shimr from Jabir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “About the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, ‘He answers the prayers of the righteously striving believers and grants them increasing favors . . . ,’ (42:26) the Imam said, ‘This is a reference to a believing person who prays for his brother (in belief) in his absence and the angel says, “Amin.” Allah, the Majestic and the Most dominant says, ‘You will have twice as much you asked for you brother (in belief) and I have already granted him what you asked for due to your love for him.’”

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 ibn Mahbub from Hadid who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, saying, ‘You must maintain piety before Allah and protect your religion by means of restraint from sins and strengthen your religion by means of taqiyah (caution), and self-sufficiency with Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious. Whoever is submissive before al-Sultan and those who oppose one’s religion seeking thereby the worldly things in their hands, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, suppresses his mention and hates him and leaves him to his own self. If he finds something of the worldly things Allah will take away blessings thereof and will not reward him for anything that he may spend thereof for al-Hajj, setting free slaves or for any good cause.’”

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