Chapter on the reward for the scholars and those who seek knowledge

1. Muhammad ibn al-Hassan and Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, all from Ja’far ibn Muhammad al-Ash’ari from ’Abdullah ibn Maymun al-Qaddah and Ali ibn Ibrahim from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Qaddah from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “The holy Prophet has said, ‘If one sets out on a journey to seek knowledge Allah will lead him to the way that would take him to paradise. The angels will stretch their wings for the pleasure of the seeker of knowledge and all that is in the heavens and earth even the whales in the oceans will ask forgiveness for him (from Allah). The excellence of the scholar over other people is like that of the moon over other stars during a full-moon night. The scholars are the heirs of the prophets. The prophets did not leave any Dirham or Dinar (wealth) as their legacy but they did leave knowledge as their legacy. Whoever acquires a share from such legacy has gained a very large share.’”

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

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Asbat ibn Slim from al-‘Ala’ ibn Kamil who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said to me, ‘You must pray and plead before Allah for help; it is the cure to all diseases.’”

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

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il from af-Fadf ibn Shadhan from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who finds a discharge of yellow color during the time of her normal period of Hayd (menses). He (the Imam) said, ‘She must not perform Salah (prayer) during the time of her normal blood discharge due to Hayd (menses). If she experiences blood discharge of yellow color in a time, which is other than the time for her normal period of blood discharge due to Hayd (menses), she must take Wudu’ and perform Salah (prayer).’”

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

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn Yahya al- Khath’amiy form Ghiyath ibn Ibrahim who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, has narrated from his father (a.s.), who has said that ’Amir al- Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘Do not say, “Ramadan.” Say the month of Ramadan; you do not know what Ramadan is.’”

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

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and Muhammad ibn ‘Isma’il from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan all from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘ Abd al- Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir has said, ‘I did not think Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), might leave behind a successor better than his own-self. Time passed and I one day saw his son, Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.). I decided to give him certain words of good advice but I, instead, learned a lesson from him.’ His people then asked him, ‘How did he make you learn a lesson?’ He replied, ‘One day I went outside the city of al-Madinah when it was very hot and I met Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.), who was a person of a large body frame and heavy. Two of his black slaves or friends were supporting him. I thought, Allah is free of all defects, here is this old man from Quraysh in this hot time of the day in this condition in search of the worldly gains, thus I must give him certain words of good advice. I went nearer to him and offered him greeting of peace. He responded with somewhat frowning face, and his perspiration drops were falling a great deal. I then said, ‘May Allah keep you well. You are a Shaykh of the Shaykhs of Quraysh. Why should you in such a hot hour of the day in such condition strive for the worldly gains? Suppose if death approached you in this condition what would you do?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘If death approaches me in this condition it finds me obeying the commandment of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious. It finds me safeguarding my dignity, and my family from people like you and others. I should be afraid if death approaches me when I am in a condition of disobeying Allah.’ I then said, ‘You have spoken the truth. I pray to Allah to keep you well. I wanted to give you good advice; instead I learned a lesson from you.’”

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 Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from all from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Nasr from Aban from abu Basir from “Amr ibn Riyah who has said the following: “I once said to abu Ja’far (a.s.), ‘Have you said that one who does not divorce according to the book and al -Sunnah his divorce is not valid?’ Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), replied, ‘I have not said so, in fact, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has said it. By Allah, were we to give you fatwas with injustice we would become worse than you; Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, ‘Would that their Rabbis and Ahbar prohibit them from their sinful words and consuming what is filthy. . . .’ ( 5 : 63 )”

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

1. Abu Ali al-Ash ‘ariy and al-Husayn from Muhammad have narrated from Ahmad ibn Ishaq from Sa‘d an ibn Muslim from more than one person of our people who has narrated the following: “A man in Basrah brought a Sahifah (a booklet) and said, ‘O ’Amir al-Mu’minin, look at this booklet; there is advice in it.’ He (the Imam) looked at it, then he looked at the face of the man and said, ’If you are truthful we compensate you; if you are not truthful we will penalize you, if you want us to release you we will release you.’ He said, ’Release me O ’Amir al-Mu’minin. ’ When the man left ’Amir al-Mu’minin said, ‘You are the confused nation after your Prophet. Had you given priority to what Allah has given priority, kept back what Allah has kept back, placed people who possess divine authority and who inherit divine authority as Allah has placed, people who possess divine authority would not become needy. Obligations ordained by Allah would not remain neglected, two people would not quarrel [about a command of Allah and a nation would not fight over a command of Allah] but that the knowledge thereof is with us in the book of Allah. So taste the evil consequences of what your hands have sent ahead of you. Allah is not unjust to the servants. Very soon the unjust will find to what kind of returning place they have returned.”’

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

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Salih from Muhammad ibn Muslim from Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Those of you who teach will have the same reward as those who learn in addition to his higher position over the student. Learn knowledge from those possess knowledge and teach it to your brethren just as the scholars have taught you.”

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

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar from abu Basir who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a woman who experiences a blood discharge of yellow color two days before her normal time for her Hayd (menses), has said that she must not perform Salah (prayer). It is Hayd (menses). If such discharge is two days after the time of her Hayd (menses) free period, she must perform Salah (prayer). It is not Hayd (menses).”

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

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Hisham ibn Salim from Sa‘d who has said the following: “Once, we eight people were in the presence of abu Ja’far (a.s.). We spoke of Ramadan. The Imam said, ‘You must not say, “This is Ramadan or Ramadan is gone or Ramadan has come.” Ramadan is one of the names of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, which does not come or go. What comes or goes is what is not durable. You instead should say, “The month of Ramadan.” The word “month” in this case is used in a possessive case in relation to the noun, the “name,” the name that is the name of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious. This month is the one when the Holy Quran was revealed, and He has made it a festival and an example.’”

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

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from Sharif Sabiq formal-Fadl ibn abu Qurrah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), would work with a shovel and dig the soil. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, placed date stones in his mouth and then planted it and it would sprout in the same hour. Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), had set free one thousand slaves for which he paid from his own properties and his own labor.”

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 Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Nasr from ‘Abd al-Karim from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sulayman al-Sayrafiy who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Whatever is not according to the book of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, is returned to the book of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, and al -Sunnah.’”

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

2. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Husayn al-Taymiy from Muhammad ibn al-Walid from Yunus ibn Ya’qub who has narrated the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘All praise belongs to Allah. What Allah places last no one is able to place it first, and no one is able to place last what He has placed first.’ He (the Imam) then tapped his one hand with the other hand. He said, ‘O confused nation after her Prophet, had you placed first what Allah had done so and had you placed last what Allah had placed last, had you placed people who possess divine authority and who inherit divine authority as Allah had done, people who possess divine authority would not become needy. Deficiency did not occur in the ordained obligations toward Allah. No two people ever disagree on an issue of the laws of Allah or a nation fight over a thing of the commandments of Allah. However, the answer to it and knowledge thereof is with us in the book of Allah. Thus, taste the evil consequences of your affairs and the excess that you committed by your hand’s sending ahead of you. Allah is not unjust to the servants and very soon the unjust will find to what terrible returning place they have returned.’”

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

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Barqi from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Ali ibn abu Hamza from abu Basir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Whoever teaches something good he will receive a reward for each time his student would practice such knowledge.” Abu Basir has said, “I asked the Imam, ‘Would this apply to the student if he would teach other people?’ The Imam (a.s.) replied, “Yes, it will apply to him even if all people would teach it.” I then asked, ‘Would it apply to him if he would already be dead?’ The Imam (a.s.) responded, “Yes, even if he would be dead.”’

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

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla’ ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Aban from ’Isma‘il al-Ju‘fiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a woman experiences a discharge of yellowish color within the (normal) time period of her Hayd (menses), she must not perform Salah (prayer); but if it is after the period of Hayd-free time she must 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 ‘Abd Allah al-Dihqan from Durust from ‘Abd al-A’la’, Mawla’ Ale Sam who has said the following: “I once came face to face with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), in one of the streets of al-Madinah on a very hot summer day. I said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, you have a prominent position before Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, and you are of very close relatives of the Messenger of Allah and you are (not to be) striving in a day like this.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘O ‘Abd al-‘A‘la’, I came out in search for my sustenance so that I would not need to spread my hands before you (your fellow) humankind for help.’”

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

3. Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Safwan ibn Yahya from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muskan from Muhammad al-Halabiy who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who divorces his wife when she experiences Hayd (menses). He (the Imam) said, ‘A divorce which is not according to Sunnah is invalid.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if a man divorces his wife three times in one place and time?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It must be returned to Sunnah.’”

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

4. Through the same chain of narrator it is narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Hamid from al-‘Ala’ ibn Razin from abu ‘Ubayda al-Hadhdha’ from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Whoever teaches a subject of guidance he will receive a reward equal to the rewards of those who would practice such guidance without any reduction in the rewards of the later ones. Whoever would introduce a subject of misguidance he will suffer equal to the suffering due for each time it is practiced without any reduction in the suffering of whoever would practice such misguidance.”

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

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Khalid from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn abu Hamzah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked, when I was in his presence, about the case of a woman who experiences a discharge of yellowish color. He (the Imam) said, ‘What is before Hayd (menses) is of Hayd (menses) and what is after Hayd (menses) is not Hayd (menses).”’

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 Sayf ibn ‘Amirah and Salmah Sahib al-Sabiriy from abu ‘Usamah Zayd al-Shahham who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), had set free one thousand slaves by means of what he had earned with his own hands.”

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

4. Humayd ibn Ziyad has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Muhammad from ‘Abd Allah ibn Jabalah from abu al=Mighra’ from Sama‘ah from abu Basir who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘One who does not divorce according to Sunnah must be returned to the book of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, even though he may refuse.’”

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

5. Al-Husayn b. Muhammad narrated from ‘Ali b. Muhammad b. Sa‘d, who raised it to Abu Hamza, from ‘Ali b. al-Husayn (a.s), who said: "If people knew the value of seeking knowledge, they would pursue it even at the cost of shedding their own blood and crossing deep waters. Indeed, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, revealed to Daniel: 'The most despised of My servants to Me is the ignorant one who belittles the rights of the scholars and neglects following them. And the most beloved of My servants to Me is the God-conscious seeker of great reward, who adheres to the scholars, follows the forbearing, and accepts wisdom from the wise.'"

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

5. Muhammad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah, has narrated from Mu‘awiyah ibn Hukaym who has said the following: “He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘A discharge of yellowish color for two days before Hayd (menses) is of Hayd (menses) and after the days of Hayd (menses) is not of Hayd (menses); however such (discharge) during the days of Hayd (menses) is Hayd (menses).”’

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

5. Ahmad ibn abu ‘ Abd Allah has narrated from Sharif ibn Sabiq from al-Fadl ibn abu Qurrah who has narrated the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, has said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, sent revelations to Dawud (a.s.) that said, ‘You are a very good servant had you not been spending on yourself from the public treasury while doing no work with your own hands.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Dawud ‘Alayhi al-Salam wept for forty mornings. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, then inspired Iron, “You must become soft for My servant, Dawud.” Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, softened Iron for him. Everyday he would make one coat of arms and sell it for one thousand dirham. He made three hundred sixty coats of arm and sold them for three hundred sixty thousand dirham. Thereafter he did not need anything from the public treasury.’”

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

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from certain persons of his people from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a divorce which is not with waiting period. He (the Imam) said, ‘It must be returned to the book of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’”

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

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Sulayman ibn Dawud al-Minqari from Hafs ibn Ghiyath who has said that abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said the following. “Whoever acquires knowledge and practice what he has learned and teach it to others for the sake of Allah, among the angels of heavens he will be called a great personality. It will be said there: ‘He learned for the sake of Allah, practiced for the sake of Allah and taught it for the sake of Allah.”

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

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr from Zurarah who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that a man once visited Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), and found him sitting on a camel-load of date stones. He asked, ‘What is it on which you are sitting, O abu al-Hassan?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is a hundred thousand palm trees, by the will of Allah.’ He planted them and not one date stone failed sprouting.’”

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

6. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Nasr from ‘Abd al-Karim from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who divorces his wife during her experiencing Hayd (menses). He (the Imam) said, ‘It is a divorce which is not according to Sunnah.”’

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

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Umayr from Abu al-Maghra’ from ‘Am mar al-Sajistaniy from abu ‘Abd Allah, from his father (a.s.), 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, once placed a piece of stone on the waterway to prevent it from flowing into his land. By Allah, until this day no human being or camel has moved it away.”

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

7. 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 Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘If one divorces his wife in one place and time three times when she is experiencing Hayd (menses) such divorce does not have any valid effect. A valid divorce is that which Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has commanded. Whoever does otherwise it is not a divorce. Ibn ’Umar divorced his wife three times in one place and time when she experienced Hayd (menses). The Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, commanded him to go to bed with her and ignore that kind of divorce.’ He (the Imam) said, ’A man once came to ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), and said, ‘O ’Amir al-Mu’minin, I have divorced my wife.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Do you have witnesses?’ he replied, ‘No, I do not have any witnesses.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must disregard it.’”

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

8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Asbat ibn Salim who has said the following: “I once visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). He (the Imam) asked us about ‘Umar ibn Muslim and about what he has done. I replied, ‘He is a virtuous man but has given up doing business works.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said three times: It is the work of Satan. Did he not know that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, once bought a caravan that had come from al-Sham (Syria) in which he saved enough money to pay off his debts and distributed the extra among his relatives? Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “There are men who are not distracted by selling and buying from speaking of Allah. . . .” (24:36) Story tellers say, “These people (mentioned in this verse) did not involve themselves in trading and in business works.” These story tellers speak lies. The fact is that those people did not perform Salat (prayer) in (more virtuous) times and such people are more virtuous than those who attend Salat (prayer) and ignore trade and business work.’”

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

8. Muhammad ibn Ja‘far abu al-‘ Abbas has narrated from Ayyub ibn Nuh from Safwan from Ya’qub ibn Shu’ayb who has said that I heard abu Basir saying the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a woman who is not divorced according to Sunnah and said that they are a family and no one knows them. He (the Imam) said, ‘It does not have any valid effect.’”

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

9. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ibn Mahbub from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), would go to work with large quantities of date stones. He was asked, ‘What are these, O abu al-Hassan?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘They are palm trees, by the will of Allah.’ He then planted them and not a single piece failed sprouting.”

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

9. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id, from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Muhammad ibn abu Hamzah from Sa‘id al-A’raj who has said the following: “I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), state this Hadith. ‘Ibn ‘Umar divorced his wife three times at the same place and time when she experienced Hayd (menses). He asked the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and he commanded him to go back to his wife.’ I then said, ‘People say that he divorced only once when she experienced Hayd (menses).’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What for, then, did he ask the Messenger of Allah if he was able to go back to her? They speak a lie. He divorced three times at the same place and time, then the Messenger of Allah commanded him to go back to her and then divorce her if he wanted or keep her if he so willed.’”

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

10. Sahl ibn Ziyad has narrated from al-Jamuraniy from al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn abu Hamzah from his father who has said the following: “I once saw abu al-Hassan (a.s.), working in his land and his feet were drenched in perspiration. I asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, where are men (workers)?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘O Ali, people better than my father and I worked in their land.’ I then asked, ‘Who were they?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘They were the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and ’Amir al- Mu’minin, and my ancestors, Alayhim al-Salam, all of them worked with their hands and it is of the practice of the prophets, messengers, the executors of the wills and the virtuous people.’”

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

10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Musa ibn Bakr from Zurarah who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), was asked about the case of a woman who hears that the man has divorced her but he denies it: if she can stay with him. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, because divorce without witness is not a divorce, also divorce without waiting period is not a divorce. It is not lawful to divorce without witnesses and without waiting period that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has commanded to do.’”

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

11. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Sinan from ‘Isma’il ibn Jabir who has said the following: “I once visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and found him inside his walls with a shovel in his hand. He was opening the waterway. His shirt was of a fabric made of thick cotton threads (karabis) which was of very small size for him.”

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

11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn ‘Udhaynah from Zurarah and Muhammad ibn Muslim and Bukayr ibn ’A‘yan and Burayd and Fudayl and ’Isma’il al-Azraq and Mu’ammar ibn Yahya from abu Ja‘far and abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, who has said the following: “When a man during a woman’s experiencing blood discharge because of childbirth or after going to bed with her divorces, such divorce is not a valid divorce. A divorce at such time when commencing waiting period is possible and valid, that it is in a menses-free time but without the presence of two just witnesses, such divorce also is not a valid divorce.’”

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

12. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Asbat from Muhammad ibn ‘Adhafir from his father who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once gave my father one thousand seven hundred dinars and told him to use them in business. He (the Imam) then said, ‘I am not interested in its profits, even though profits are desirable. I love, however, that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, see me work to make profits.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘I then made one hundred dinar profit for him. I met him and informed him about the one hundred dinar profits.’ He (the narrator) has said that abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), became very happy about it and told me to keep it with his capital. He (the narrator) has said that my father passed away and goods were with him. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then wrote to me, ‘May Allah grant to us and to you good health. There is my one thousand eight hundred dinar with abu Muhammad which I had given him to use in business. You must give this amount to ‘Umar ibn Yazid.’ He (the narrator) has said, that I then checked the record of my father and found that one thousand seven hundred dinars were due in favor of abu Musa (a.s.), and I had earned one hundred dinars profit, ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan and ‘Umar ibn Yazid knew him.”

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

12. Abu Ali al-Ash‘ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “I once asked abu al-Hassan, (Musa) (a.s.), about the case of a man who divorces his wife in a menses-free period during which he has not gone to bed with her. He then goes back to her on the same day, then divorces her: if it becomes irrevocable with three divorces during one menses-free period. He (the Imam) said, ‘He has opposed the Sunnah.’ I then asked, ‘Is it necessary after going back to his wife to divorce her in another menses-free period of time?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Yes, it is necessary.’ I said, ‘So that he can go to bed with her?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Yes, he can do so.”’

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

13. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn ‘Abd Allah from his father from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad ibn Sulayman who has said that narrated to him Jamil ibn Salih from abu ‘Amr al-Shaybaniy who has said the following: “I once saw abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), with a shovel in his hand wearing a very thick dress working inside his walls and his back drenched in perspiration. I then asked, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, allow me to help you.’ He said to me, ‘I Love that man endures hardships in the hot sun to make a living.”

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

13. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il ibn Bazi‘ from Muhammad ibn al- Fudayl from abu al-Sabbah al-Kinaniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one divorces his wife without witnesses it does not become of any valid effect.’”

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

14. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ‘Udhaynah from Zurarah who has said the following: “Once a man came to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and said, ‘I am not good in working with my hands and I am not good in doing business, thus I am deprived and needy.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must work and carry it on your head and set yourself free from asking people for help. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, carried a stone on his shoulder to place it in a certain place of his walls. The stone is still in its place, and it is not known how large it is, but it is there [by his miracle]”’

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

14. Sahl has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sama‘ah from ‘Umar ibn Yazid from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Once, a man in al-Kufah came to ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), and said, ‘I have divorced my wife after she became clean from her Hayd (menses) and before I went to bed with her.’ ’Amir al- Mu’minin asked, ‘Did you ask two just men to witness as Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has commanded to do?’ He replied, ‘No, I did not do so.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Your divorce in not valid.’”

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

15. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn abu Hamzah from abu Basir from who has said the following: “I once heard abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, T work in a certain site of my work to perspire, even though there are people who can do all the work instead of me but I work so Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, finds me striving to find lawful sustenance.’”

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

15. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hammad from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one divorces his wife three times at the same place and time it does not become of any valid effect. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, rejected the divorce of ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Umar when he divorced his wife with three divorces when she experienced Hayd (menses). The Messenger of Allah called it an invalid divorce saying, ‘Whatever is against the book of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, must return to the book of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’ He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘Divorce without waiting period is not valid.’”

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

16. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from Muhammad ibn ‘Isma’il from Muhammad ibn ‘Adha’fir from his father who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), gave me seven hundred dinars and said, ‘O ‘Adha’fir you can spend it; I do not have any desire for it but I loved that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, finds me working for its profits.’ ‘Adha’fir has said, ‘I made one hundred dinar profit with it. During al- Tawaf I said to him, “I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has granted one hundred dinar profit.’” He (the Imam) said, ‘Add it to my capital money.’”

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

16. Abu Ali al-Ash‘ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il ibn Bazi‘ from Ali ibn al- Nu’man from Sa‘id al-A’raj who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I asked ‘Amr ibn ‘Ubayd about the divorce of ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Umar and he said, “He divorced her once when she experienced Hayd (menses).”’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘Why did you not say to him, “If he divorced her once during her experiencing Hayd (menses) or when she did not experience Hayd (menses), he had more authority to go back to his wife.’ I said, ‘I did say so.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘He has not spoken the truth, may Allah condemn him. He divorced three times but the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, rejected it and said, “You can keep your wife or divorce her according to Sunnah if you wanted.’””

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

17. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ‘Udhaynah from Bukayr and others who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Every divorce without waiting period is not a valid divorce, or divorce during her experiencing Hayd (menses), Nifas (childbirth), after going to bed with her before her Hayd (menses), such divorces are not valid. If one divorces with waiting period more than once the extra one does not have any valid effect. If one divorces with waiting period without just witnesses, it also is not a divorce and women’s witnessing is not sufficient.’”

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

18. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ‘Udhaynah from Zurarah who has said the following: “Once, I was with Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), when, Nafi’ Mawla’ Ibn ’Umar came to visit him (the Imam). Abu Ja’far (a.s.), asked him, ‘Are you the one who believes that ibn ‘Umar divorced his wife once during her experiencing Hayd (menses) and the Messenger of Allah (saww) commanded ‘Umar to ask him to go back to his wife?’ He replied, ‘Yes, that is correct.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You have spoken a lie against ibn ‘Umar, by Allah, besides whom no one deserves worship. I heard ibn ‘Umar saying, “I divorced her during the time of the Messenger of Allah, three divorces but the Messenger of Allah reversed it on me and I kept her after divorce.” O Nafi‘ you must have fear of Allah and do not narrate falsehood against ibn ‘Umar.’”

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