The Reward for Lifting up the Coffin of a Dead Body

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Sayf ibn ‘ Amirah, from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘If one lifts up (the coffin of) a deceased person from all of its four corners (at different times), Allah forgives his forty major sins.”

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

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Ali ibn abu Hamzah who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman whose husband refuses to permit her to perform al-Hajj and she has not performed Hajjahta al-Islam. The husband who had prohibited her to perform Hajjahta al-Islam disappeared. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not obligatory for her to obey him in his prohibiting from Hajjahta al-Islam. She can perform al-Hajj whenever she likes.’”

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

2. AI-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ishaq from Sa‘dan ibn Muslim from Sulayman ibn Khafid from a man who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if one holds the corner of the coffin, Allah forgives his twenty- five major sins; and if he lifts up all four corners (at different times) he comes out of all sins.”

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

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Umayr from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who goes out with people other than her guardian. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful. If she has her husband or a son or brother who can go with her; but if she cannot provide their expenses, then it is not proper for her to sit without al-Hajj, and it is not proper for them to stop her from performing al-Hajj.’”

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

2. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from ‘Isma’il ibn Mehran from ’Ayman ibn Muhriz from ‘Amr ibn Shamir from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin once gave a woman from banu ‘ Abd al-Muttalib in marriage, solemnized her marriage and said, ‘All praise belongs to Allah, most Majestic, most Powerful, the Forbearing, the Forgiving, the one Dominant, the most Great, most High - no matter whatever anyone of you says of words in secrecy or in public, when hidden in the night or conspicuous in the day - 1 praise Him, ask assistance from Him, believe in Him, and place my trust with Him; Allah is sufficient legal representative. Whomever Allah guides no one is able to mislead him and whomever Allah causes to go astray, no one is able to guide him and you can never find anyone other than Him as true guide. I testify that no one deserves worship except Allah alone who has no partners, the kingdom belongs to Him and all praise and He has power over all things. I testify that Muhammad (SAW), is His servant and His Messenger whom He sent with His book and Authority over His servants. Whoever obeys him has obeyed Allah and one has disobeyed Allah if he has disobeyed him, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and peace a great deal. He is the Imam of guidance and the chosen prophet. I thereafter advise you to become pious before Allah; it is the advice from Allah in the past and bygone.’ Then he (the Imam) pronounced them wife and husband.”

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

3. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from al-Hajjal from Ali ibn Shajarah from ‘Isa ibn Rashid from a man of his people who has said the following: “I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘If one lifts up all four corners of the coffin Allah forgives his forty major sins.’”

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 Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a woman who has a husband and it is her first al-Hajj but he does not give her permission to go for al-Hajj. He (the Imam) said, ‘She can perform al-Hajj even though he does not give permission.”

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 al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Hisham ibn Salim from Sulayman ibn Khalid who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman if she can go for al-Hajj without permission from her husband and there is no one with her of her guardians. He (the Imam) said, ‘She can do so, if she is safe.’”

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

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Mu‘awiyah who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who is free if she can perform al-Hajj in Makkah. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful if she goes with trustworthy people.’”

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

8. Muhammad ibn Ahmad, from some of our companions, said: 'Al-Ridha (as) would address the marriage with the following: 'All praise is due to Allah, in reverence of His power; there is no deity but Allah, in submission to His might; and may Allah send blessings upon Muhammad and his family when His name is mentioned. Indeed, Allah created mankind from water and made them kin and by marriage, up to the end of the verse.'"

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

3. Ahmad ibn ‘Isma’il ibn Mehran has said that narrated to us ‘Abd al-Malik ibn abu al-Harith from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once addressed with the following speech: ‘All praise belongs to Allah, I praise Him, beg assistance from Him, ask forgiveness from Him, seek His guidance, believe in Him and place my trust with Him and I testify that no one deserves worship except Allah alone who has no partners and I testify that Muhammad, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, is His servant and His Messenger. He sent him with guidance and true religion to make it dominant over all other religions, as a guide to Him and calling to Him. So he destroyed the pillars of disbelief and lit up the beacon of belief. Whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger of Allah, the right guidance becomes his path and the light of piety becomes his guide. Whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger misses the straight path altogether and harms no one except himself. I recommend you, O servants of Allah, to become pious before Allah with an advice from an adviser and a preaching of one who delivers and strives. Thereafter, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has made Islam the bright landmarks with shining light houses. In it hearts come together and on its basis are brotherhood and what is between us and you, of such facts are to love Him and old memories among us and everyone knowing everyone else of that on which we are based. May Allah forgive us and you and peace be with you and the blessing of Allah and His kindness.’”

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

4. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from ibn al-‘Arzamiy from his father who has said the following: “When ’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, wanted to solemnize a marriage he would say, ‘All praise belongs to Allah, I praise Him, beg assistance from Him, believe in Him and place my trust with Him and I testify that no one deserves worship except Allah alone who has no partners and I testify that Muhammad, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, is His servant and His Messenger. He sent him with guidance and true religion to make it dominant over all other religions, even though the pagans dislike it. O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, may peace and blessings of Allah be with you. I recommend you, O servants of Allah, to become pious before Allah, who is the Owner of bounties and mercy, the Creator of the people and the Planner of all issues in it with power over it and firmness, to Allah, belongs all praise for the matters of the past and the bygone. All praise belongs to Allah alone and glorification is purely for Him for His favor that He has done to us as a beautiful bounty on us with grace and has beautified it to us. He is the Creator that never runs out of resources, humbles down all difficult issues, softens what is hard and achieves with ease. He is the Inventor of the creation which He began first on the day He created the sky when it was smoke and said to it and the earth, “Come voluntarily or by force.” They responded, “We come voluntarily.” Then He made them seven heavens in two days. He never runs out of resources and no runaway can go faster than Him and no perishing thing is lost for Him. There will be the day when every soul will receive what it has earned without any injustice being done to it. Thereafter so and so . . .’”

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

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa who has said that narrated to me al-‘Abbas ibn Musa al- Baghdadiy in a marfu’ manner has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), as response in Khutbah for marriage has said, ‘All praise belongs to Allah who chooses praise especially for Himself, glorified is thereby His mention and facilitated thereby is His command. We praise Him without any doubt in it; we see what we prepare in the hope for success and as key to its benefit. We receive what we need from Him and we seek guidance from Allah, a safe guidance and strong means of safety and the determination for piety. We seek protection with Allah against blindness after guidance and against working in misleading desires. I testify that no one other than Allah alone, who has no partners, deserves worship and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger, a servant who never worshipped anyone other than Him. He chose him by His knowledge and entrusted him with His revelation, as a messenger to His creatures, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. Thereafter, we have heard your words and you are the nearest generation with whom we like to have marital relationship and assist you in your needs. We are greedy for your brotherhood. We have accepted the mediation of your mediator and given in marriage to the one from you who have proposed for marriage for the designated mahr (dower) and we ask Allah who decides all issues with His power to make the consequences of our meeting towards His love; He is the guardian thereof and has power thereat.’”

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

6. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Khalid from ‘Abd al-‘Azim ibn ‘Abd Allah who has said the following: “I heard abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, give the following as Khutbah (sermon) when solemnizing a marriage: ‘All praise belongs to Allah who knows what is to come into being before anyone of His creatures with the ability to recognize (and know) can recognize it (the being that is to come into being). He is the Inventor of the skies and earth, harmonizer of the means about which the Pen has moved and the determination has been made in His knowledge of the past and measures of His wisdom. I praise Him for His bounties, and seek protection with Him against His dislikes, appeal before Allah for guidance, seek His protection against straying and destruction. Whomever Allah guides has found guidance, has walked on the right path and has earned the great benefit. Whomever Allah causes to go astray, misses guidance and is headed to destruction. I testify that no one other than Allah alone, who has no partners, deserves worship and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and His chosen messenger and His friend with whom He is pleased, His Messenger with guidance whom He sent at a time of lapse of the existence of His Messengers, when differences among nations were a great deal, cutting off of the roads, decadence of wisdom, wiped out landmarks of guidance and clear signs, were all everywhere. He preached and delivered the message of his Lord, executed His commands, fulfilled the right he owed and left this world and he is very much missed. O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. ‘All issues are in the hands of Allah. He allows them to run by their means and measures. The command of Allah applies to His measures and His measures work to the appointed time and His appointed time works to His record; for every appointed time there is a record. Allah deletes whatever He wants and establishes whatever He wants; He has the original record and ‘Umm al-Kitab (mother book). Thereafter, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has made marriage to bring the hearts close together and a relation for the relationship, to interlace a relationship among relatives. He has made it for compassion and kindness and in this there are signs (of existence of Allah) for the worlds. He in His firmly established book has said, “It is He who has created man from water and has designed them for marriage and offspring.” [25:56] He has also said, “Arrange marriage for your unmarried ones and the virtuous ones of your servants and slave-girls.” [24:32] So and so is of those whom you know for his status, position, religion and discipline and he is interested in your participation and likes to establish marital relationship with you and has come with marriage proposal to the young lady from you so and so daughter of so and so and has offered a mahr (dower) of such and such amount for immediate payment and such and such amount payable on credit. Accept our mediation and give in marriage to our proposing gentleman who has arrived at a beautiful arriving place, and say to him good words and I ask Allah to grant forgiveness to me and you and all Muslims.’”

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

7. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘awiyah ibn Hakim who has said the following: “Al-Rida’, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once read the following as Khutbah (sermon) when solemnizing a marriage: ‘All praise belongs to Allah who has praised Himself in the book and has opened His book with it, has made it the first reward of the recipient of His bounties and the last words of the dwellers of His paradise. I testify that no one other than Allah alone, who has no partners, deserves worship, a testimony that I present purely for Him and save in reserve with Him. O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. He is the last in the line of prophets and the best of the people, and his family is the family of mercy and kindness, the tree of bounties, the source of Divine message, the junction of coming and going of the angels. All praise belongs to Allah who had it in His eternal knowledge and in His speaking book and true statements that the most deserving means, for compensation and preference and the foremost issue to be interested in is the means that involves a means and issue that is followed by freedom from want. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has said, “It is He who has created the human being from water to have relationships of both lineage and wedlock. Your Lord has all power.” [25:54] “Marry the single people among you and the righteous slaves and slave-girls. If you are poor, Allah will make you rich through His favor; He is Bountiful and All-knowing.” [24:32] Had there been no clear verse of the Quran about marriage or texts of Sunnah which are followed or any other source of law unanimously accepted, it (marriage) would have been of what Allah has made of the very close and nearby good deeds and of the facts that bring far away things close and bring the hearts near together, to intermingle rights and to multiply numbers of children to help in difficult conditions of time and happenings of issues. It is of the facts in which people of reason are interested, fortunate people strive to achieve and skillful people of the field of discipline feel greedy about. People close to Allah are those who obey His command, execute His orders, approve His decision and hope for His reward. So and so son of so and so is one whose condition and excellence are well known to you. His soul has agreed to give preference to you over the others and to choose proposing marriage to so and so daughter of so and so, your graceful daughter and has decided to pay such and such amount as mahr (dower), so please welcome him with acceptance, respond to him with interest and ask Allah to show what is in your interest and well-being in your affairs. He will decide for you what is reasonable, if Allah so wills and we ask Allah to bring harmony among you by means of piety and virtuous manners, bring him close with affection and love and complete for him with agreement and pleasure; He listens to the prayers and is subtle in what He wishes.”’ Certain persons of our people have narrated from Ali ibn al-Hassan ibn Faddal from ‘Isma’il ibn Mehran from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Nasr who has narrated the following: “I heard abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, saying, . . he then has mentioned this sermon just as Mu‘awiyah ibn Hakam has narrated, which is a similar sermon.’”

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