Chapter on Asking the Scholar and Discussing with him

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from one of our people from Abu ‘Abdillah (al-Sadiq) (as): He was asked about a man who was in the state of ritual impurity (janaba), so they gave him the formal bath (ghusl) and he died. So he said, "They have killed him. So, ask, for indeed, the remedy for ignorance is asking."

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 Sayf ibn ‘ Amirah from Sulayman ibn ‘ Amr who has said the following: “I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, does not accept an inattentive prayer. Whenever you may pray and plead before Allah for help, do it with an attentive heart and with certainty in its acceptance.’”

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 Hamzah ibn Ya‘liy from Zakariya ibn Adam from al- Kahiliy who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of the day that is not known to be of the month of al-Sha’ban. He (the Imam) said, ’Fasting one day of the month of al-Sha’ban is more beloved to me than losing one day of the month of Ramadan.”’

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 ibn Mahbub from Yunus ibn Ya’qub from the one whom he has mentioned who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’Excessive sleeping causes one to lose his religion as well as the worldly matters.”’

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

1. Humayd ibn Ziyad has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Muhammad ibn Sama‘ah from ibn Ribat and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr all from ibn ‘Udhaynah from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of a man who says to his wife, ‘You are unlawful for me, you are stranger to me, you are cut off, you are free and your way is clear.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘All of such expressions do not have any valid effect in the form of divorce. Divorce is when one just before waiting period, after her becoming clean from Hayd (menses) without sexual intercourse says, ‘Anti Taliq (you are let go, divorced) or ’ 1‘tady (commence waiting period) intending thereby Talaq (divorce) which must be in the presence of two witnesses.’”

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 Hammed ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Zurra, Muhammad ibn Muslim and Burayd al-‘Ijli who has said the following. “(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said to Humran ibn A'yan regarding a matter he asked about, ‘People are destroyed only because they do not ask (what they do not know).’”

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 Ja’far ibn Muhammad al-Ash’ari from ibn al-Qaddah from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, does not accept the prayer from a thoughtless heart. Ali (a.s.) would say, ‘Whenever any of you may pray for a dead person, he must not do it frivolously but must strive to be serious in his prayer.’”

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

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Sama‘ah who has said the following: “I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of the day which is doubtful of being of the month of Ramadan and one does not know if it is of al-Sha’ban or of the month of Ramadan. He fasts that day and it was of the month of Ramadan. He (the Imam) said, ‘It was a day when he fortunately fasted and there is no Qada’ (compensatory fast) upon him.’”

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

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from the one whom he has mentioned (in his book) from Bashir al-Dahhan who has said the following: “I heard abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), saying, ’Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, dislikes an excessively sleeping servant who passes his time without work.’”

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 Hammad from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Divorce takes place when he says, “I‘tady (commence waiting period) or says, ‘Anti Taliq (you are let go, divorced).”’

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

3. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ja’far ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari from ’Abdallah ibn Maymun al-Qaddah from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “This knowledge (the knowledge of the holy Prophet and Ahlul Bayt(a.s.)) is under a lock and the key to it is asking” Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father from al-Nawfali, from al-Sakuni from Imam abu ‘Abdallah has narrated the same Hadith.

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

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from certain individuals of his people from Sayf ibn ‘Amirah from Sulaym al-Farra’ from those whom he has mentioned (in his book) from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever you pray and plead before Allah for help, do it whole-heartedly and consider that what you have asked for has arrived at the door.’”

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

3. Muhammad has narrated from al-Fadl from Safwan from Muhammad al-Halabiy who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who experiences Istihadah. He (the Imam) said that the Messenger of Allah was asked about a woman who experienced Istihadah. He (the Messenger of Allah) told her to wait for a number of days equal to the days of her Hayd (menses) in which she must not perform Salah (prayer). She then must take Ghusl (bath) and place cotton, then secure it in place with a piece of cloth; then perform Salah (prayer) until blood comes out from the other side of the cloth.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘A bleeding woman must take Ghusl (bath) between every two Salah (prayer) and replace cotton and cloth, use perfume and burn incense. The piece of cloth must be like a belt to harness animals.’”

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 Mu‘awiyah ibn Wahab who has said the following: “I once asked Abu `Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who fasts on a day which is doubtful of its being from al-Sha‘ban or of the month of Ramadan, and it happens to be of the month of Ramadan. He (the Imam) said, ‘It was something in which he was fortunate.’”

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

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from ibn Sinan from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muskan from Salih al-Niliy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, hates one’s excessive sleeping and passing time without work.’”

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

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn abu Najran from ‘Asem ibn Hamid from Muhammad ibn Qays who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Divorce with waiting period is that by which a man divorces his wife whenever she is clean of Hayd (menses) and sends her a message to commence her waiting period because so and so has divorced her.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He has the authority to go back to her as long as waiting period is not complete.’”

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

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa ibn ‘Ubayd from Yunus ibn ’Abd al-Rahman from abu Ja’far al-Awwal that Abu ‘Abdillah (al-Sadiq) (as) said, “People can do nothing until they ask, acquire a proper understanding of religion, know their Imam and follow what he says, even if he said it under taqqiyah."

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

4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Isma’Il ibn Mehran from Sayf ibn ‘Amirah from those whom he has mentioned (in his book) from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, does not accept a prayer coming superficially from a hardhearted attitude.’”

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

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘ah who has said the following: “He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘In the case of Istihadah, if blood finds its way outthrough the cotton, she must take Ghusl (bath) for every two Salah (prayer) and one more Ghusl (bath) for the morning Salah (prayer). If blood does not come out through the cotton, then she must take one Ghusl (bath) every day and Wudu 5 for every Salah (prayer). If her husband wants to come to her, he must do so after her Ghusl (bath). This is when blood is of black color but if it is yellow, then she must take Wudu’”

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

4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn abu al-Suhban from Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ribat from Sa‘id al-’A‘raj who has said the following: “I once asked Abu `Abd Allah (a.s.), ’I have fasted on the day which is doubtful about its being of al-Sha £ ban or of the month of Ramadan, if there is Qada’ (compensatory fast) upon me.’ He (the Imam) said, £ No, Qada’ (compensatory fast) is not obligatory on you and it was a day in which you had a fortunate chance.’”

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

5. Ali has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from the person who he mentioned from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “The holy Prophet has said, ‘Woe is to a man who does not save a time every Friday for learning about his religion and make a habit to ask about his religion.” In another Hadith it says, “woe is to every such Muslim.”

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 Hisham ibn al-Hakam from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “When the Messenger of Allah prayed for rain, people were drenched so much that they thought they might be drowned and the Messenger of Allah made hand gestures to scatter the cloud, saying, ‘O Lord make it to rain around us, not on us.’ The Imam said, ‘The clouds scattered and people asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how is it that once you prayed for rain it did not rain, then you prayed for rain and it rained?” The Messenger of Allah said, ‘I prayed but 1 did not have much intention, then I prayed and I did.’”

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

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ’Abd Allah ibn af-Mughirah from ’Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A woman experiencing Istihadah must take Ghusl (bath) for Salah (prayer) of al-Dhuhr to perform Salah (prayer) of al-Dhuhr and al-‘Asr, then take Ghusl (bath) near al-Maghrib to perform Salah (prayer) of al-Maghrib and al-Tsha’, then take Ghusl (bath) near the morning for Salah (prayer) of the morning. It is not harmful if her husband comes to her if he likes. Only in the days when she experiences Hayd (menses) he must stay away from her.’ He (the Imam), said, ‘Any woman who follows this instruction for the sake of reward from Allah enjoys good health.”

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

5. Ahmad ibn Muhammad from has narrated from ibn abu al-Suhban from Muhammad ibn Bakr ibn Janah from Ali ibn Shajarah from Bashir al-Nabbal who has said the following: “I once asked Abu `Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a doubtful day. He (the Imam) said, ’Fast on such day, if it is of al-Sha £ ban, it is optional and if it is of the month of Ramadan then it is a day in which you have a fortunate chance.’”

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 ‘Abdallah ibn Sinan from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “The Holy Prophet said, ‘Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious says, ‘The discussions of the scholars among My servants are of the matters that bring the dead hearts to life if they come to and end up to My commandments.’”

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

6. Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Safwan ibn Yahya who has said the following: “I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, if a woman waits for ten days experiencing blood discharge, then she becomes clean; and after three discharge-free days experiences blood discharge again, is she required to stop performing Salah (prayer)? He (the Imam) said, ‘No, she is Mustahadah. She must place cotton one piece after the other piece, perform two Salah (prayer) together one after the other with one Ghusl (bath) and her husband can come to her if he wants.”

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

6. 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.), about a man who fasts a day and does not know if it is of the month of Ramadan or if it is of other days. Then certain people come and testify that it is of the month of Ramadan. Certain people say that it is not reliable. He (the Imam) said, £ Yes, that is true.’ I then said that they say, ‘You fasted and did not know if it was of the month of Ramadan or of other days.’ He (the Imam) said, ’Yes, that is true. You can depend on it; it is something in which Allah granted you a fortunate chance. A doubtful day is fasted as that of al-Sha’ban and not as that of the month of Ramadan; he prohibited one’s fasting alone on a doubtful day. During the night one forms his intention to fast as a day of al-Sha’ban and if it happens to be of the month of Ramadan, it is sufficient for it by the favor from Allah, most High, because of the ease He has granted to His servants; otherwise, they would have been destroyed.’”

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

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from abu al-Jarud from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following. “May Allah grant forgiveness to a man who revives knowledge.” Abu al-Jarud has said, “I asked the Imam, ‘What is reviving knowledge?’” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “It is his discussing knowledge among the religious people and the people of piety.”

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

7. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Dawud Mawla’ abu al-Mighra’ al-‘Ijliy from those who narrated to him who have said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who experiences Hayd (menses), then the time for her al-Dhuhr Salah (prayer) comes when she finds bleeding. He (the Imam) said, ‘She must examine by means of the day to see if it stops before ten days. If it continued after ten days it, then is because of Istihadah (not Hayd (menses). If bleeding stops (before ten days) she must take Ghusl (bath) and perform Salah (prayer ). 5 I then asked, ‘If a woman whose Hayd (menses) is seven days or eight days all the time and straight then she experiences Hayd (menses) for three days, then bleeding stops, then she finds white discharge not yellow, nor blood . 5 He (the Imam) said, ‘She must take Ghusl (bath) and perform Salah (prayer ) 5 I then said that she performs Salah (prayer) and fasts but bleeding comes again. He (the Imam) said, ‘When she finds blood she must stop Salah (prayer) and fasting . 5 I then said that she finds blood one day and one day finds no blood. He (the Imam) said, ‘When she finds blood she must stop Salah (prayer) and fasting and when she does not find blood, she performs Salah (prayer) and when the number of the days of her Hayd (menses) are complete and bleeding stops, she must perform Salah (prayer). If she finds blood it is then because of Istihadah. I have organized all of her affairs for you.”

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

7. Sahl ibn Ziyad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Rifa’ah from a man who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Once I went to abu al- ‘Abbas in al-Hirah and he asked, “O abu ‘Abd Allah, what do you say about today’s fast?” I replied, “It is up to the Imam to decide; if you fast we also fast, if you do not fast, we also will not fast.” He then said, “O slave, prepare the table.” I ate with him and I knew, by Allah, that it was a day of the month of Ramadan. My not fasting and instead Qada’ (compensatory fast) was easier for me than my neck being cut off and Allah is not worshipped.’”

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

8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Abdallah ibn Muhammad al-Hajjal from certain persons of our people in a marfu’ manner from the Messenger of Allah who has said the following. He said addressing the people said, “Discuss facts, meet each other and speak to each other because speaking is brightness for the hearts. Hearts become stained just as the swords become stained and speaking cleanses it up.” In some scripts it is ‘Iron’ instead of ‘speaking’ at the end of the sentence.”

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

8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from ‘Ubays ibn Hisham from al-Hadramiy ibn ‘Abd al-Malik from Muhammad ibn Hakim who has said the following: “I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a day about which people have doubts. People think if one fasts on such a day, it is like destroying one day of fasting in the month of Ramadan. He (the Imam) said, ‘They have spoken a lie. If it is of the month of Ramadan, it is a fortunate chance for him; and if it is of other days then it is like any of the past days.’”

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

9. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from Faddala ibn Ayyub from ‘Umar ibn Aban from Mansur al-Sayqal who has said the following. “Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘Discussing knowledge is study and study is a good prayer.’”

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

9. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ayyub ibn Nuh from al-‘ Abbas ibn ‘Amir from Dawud ibn al-Husayn from a man of our people who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘I, in the time of abu al- ‘Abbas, once was in al-Hirah, when I went before him and people had doubts about the fast, and that day, by Allah, was of the month of Ramadan. I said Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) to him and he asked, “O abu ‘Abd Allah, have you fasted today?” I replied, “No, I have not fasted;” the table was before him. He said, “Come close and eat.” He (the Imam) said, ‘I went close and ate, and said, “I fast with you and eat with you.’” A man then said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Did you eat on the day of the month of Ramadan?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, by Allah, eating on one day of the month of Ramadan is more beloved to me than my neck being cut off.’”

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