The Herbs

1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Harun from Muwaffaq al-Madiniy from his father from his grandfather who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan, al-Madiy (a.s.), once sent for me and he made me to stay for lunch. When they brought the table-spread with food there were no herbs in it. He (the Imam) held his hand and said to the boy, ’Did you not know that I do not eat until there are green herbs on the table-spread, so bring for me fresh herbs. 5 The boy went, brought fresh herbs and placed it on the table-spread then he (the Imam) extended his hand and ate his lunch.’”

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

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hanan who has said the following: “Once I was with abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), on the table-spread of food and he (the Imam) ate fresh herbs but I abstained because of a certain illness. He (the Imam) turned to me and said, ‘O Hanan, did you not know that whenever a package of food was brought to ’Amir al-Mu’minin it neccessarily had herbs in it?’ I then asked, T pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, why did it have to be as such?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is because the hearts of the believers are fresh, green and they incline to what is similar to it.’”

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