Faith & Belief

إِذَا أَدْرَكْتَ الرَّجُلَ عِنْدَ النَّزْعِ فَلَقِّنْهُ كَلِمَاتِ الْفَرَجِ- لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْحَلِيمُ الْكَرِيمُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رَبِّ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَ رَبِّ الْأَرَضِينَ السَّبْعِ وَ مَا فِيهِنَّ وَ مَا بَيْنَهُنَّ وَ مَا تَحْتَهُنَّ وَ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ‌ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ* قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع لَوْ أَدْر

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘If you find a man in dying condition, dictate to him the relieving words: ‘Allah, the Most Forbearing, the Most Honorable, is the only Lord who must be worshipped. Allah, the Most High, the Most Great, is the only Lord who must be worshipped. It is Allah, Lord of seven heavens and seven e

مَرِضَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي فَأَتَيْتُهُ عَائِداً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي إِنَّ لَكَ عِنْدِي نَصِيحَةً أَ تَقْبَلُهَا فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَقُلْتُ قُلْ- أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ فَشَهِدَ بِذَلِكَ فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ هَذَا لَا تَنْتَفِعُ بِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ مِنْكَ عَلَى يَقِينٍ فَذَكَرَ أَنَّهُ مِنْهُ عَلَى يَقِينٍ فَقُلْتُ قُلْ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُ

‘It is only Allah who must be worshipped and He has no partner.’ He then testified to this fact. I then said, ‘This will not be of any benefit unless you are certain about it.’ He said that he is certain about it. I then asked him to say, ‘I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.’ He then testified to this

كُنَّا عِنْدَهُ وَ عِنْدَهُ حُمْرَانُ إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ مَوْلًى لَهُ فَقَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا عِكْرِمَةُ فِي الْمَوْتِ وَ كَانَ يَرَى رَأْيَ الْخَوَارِجِ وَ كَانَ مُنْقَطِعاً[3] إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لَنَا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع أَنْظِرُونِي‌[4] حَتَّى أَرْجِعَ إِلَيْكُمْ فَقُلْنَا نَعَمْ فَمَا لَبِثَ أَنْ رَجَعَ فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنِّي لَوْ أَدْرَكْتُ عِكْرِمَةَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَقَعَ النَّفْسُ مَوْقِعَهَا لَعَ

“Humran and we were present before abu Ja’far (a.s.), when a servant came in. He said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, ‘Ikrimah is in dying condition and he believes in the point of view of the al-Khawarij. However, he is (also) inclined to abu Ja‘far (a.s.) .’ The Imam then said to us, ’Wai

مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَحْضُرُهُ الْمَوْتُ إِلَّا وَكَّلَ بِهِ إِبْلِيسُ مِنْ شَيْطَانِهِ أَنْ يَأْمُرَهُ بِالْكُفْرِ وَ يُشَكِّكَهُ فِي دِينِهِ حَتَّى تَخْرُجَ نَفْسُهُ فَمَنْ كَانَ مُؤْمِناً لَمْ يَقْدِرْ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا حَضَرْتُمْ مَوْتَاكُمْ فَلَقِّنُوهُمْ شَهَادَةَ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُهُ ص حَتَّى يَمُوتَ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى قَالَ: فَلَقِّنْهُ كَلِمَاتِ الْفَرَجِ وَ الشَّه

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that at the time of everyone’s death, Satan assigns one of his devils to urge the dying person to disbelief and tries to make him doubt his religion until the time his soul departs. The devil is not able to control a believing person. When you find one of you in dying condition you shou

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ هَلْ يُكْرَهُ الْمُؤْمِنُ عَلَى قَبْضِ رُوحِهِ قَالَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ إِذَا أَتَاهُ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ لِقَبْضِ رُوحِهِ جَزِعَ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ يَا وَلِيَّ اللَّهِ لَا تَجْزَعْ فَوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً ص لَأَنَا أَبَرُّ بِكَ وَ أَشْفَقُ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ وَالِدٍ رَحِيمٍ لَوْ حَضَرَكَ افْتَحْ عَيْنَكَ فَانْظُر

2. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn Sulayman from his father from Sadir al-Sayrafiy who has said the following: “Once I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘May Allah keep my soul in the service of your cause, O child of the Messenger of Allah, is a believing person forced to die?’

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا عُقْبَةُ لَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْعِبَادِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِلَّا هَذَا الْأَمْرَ الَّذِي أَنْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَ مَا بَيْنَ أَحَدِكُمْ وَ بَيْنَ أَنْ يَرَى مَا تَقَرُّ بِهِ عَيْنُهُ‌[3] إِلَّا أَنْ تَبْلُغَ نَفْسُهُ إِلَى هَذِهِ ثُمَّ أَهْوَى بِيَدِهِ إِلَى الْوَرِيدِ ثُمَّ اتَّكَأَ وَ كَانَ مَعِيَ الْمُعَلَّى فَغَمَزَنِي أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ فَقُلْتُ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ فَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said, ‘O ‘Uqbah, Allah, on the Day of Judgment, will not accept anything other than what you believe in (following Ahl al-Bayt). No other thing stands between anyone of you, and the delight of the hearts, other than the time when one’s soul reaches this’ ( He (the Imam) pointed his hand tow

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا حِيلَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ الْكَلَامِ‌[5] أَتَاهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ مَنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ‌[6] فَجَلَسَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ الْآخَرُ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَمَّا مَا كُنْتَ تَرْجُو فَهُوَ ذَا أَمَامَكَ وَ أَمَّا مَا كُنْتَ تَخَافُ مِنْهُ فَقَدْ أَمِنْتَ مِنْهُ ثُمَّ يُفْتَحُ لَهُ بَابٌ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ فَيَقُولُ هَذَا مَنْزِلُكَ مِنَ الْجَنَّة

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when a dying person loses the ability to speak, the Messenger of Allah comes to him along with whomever Allah wants. The Messenger of Allah sits near his right side and the other on his left side. The Messenger of Allah then says, ‘What you hoped for is in front of you, you are saf

فَحَضَرْتُهُ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ فَبَسَطَ يَدَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ ابْيَضَّتْ يَدِي يَا عَلِيُ‌[5] قَالَ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عِنْدَهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ قَالَ فَلَمَّا قُمْتُ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً يُخْبِرُهُ‌[6] بِخَبَرِ الرَّجُلِ فَأَتْبَعَنِي بِرَسُولٍ فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي حَضَرْتَهُ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ أَيَ‌ شَيْ‌ءٍ سَمِعْتَهُ يَقُولُ

“I was present at the time of the death of one of the sons of Sabur - both being people of merits, piety and great sincerity in their belief. One of them became ill and I think he was Zachariah ibn Sabur. I visited him in his dying condition. He stretched his hand and then said, ‘O Ali, my hands have become white.’ I t

جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا يَرَى قَالَ يَرَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَيَقُولُ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ أَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ أَبْشِرْ ثُمَّ يَرَى عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع فَيَقُولُ أَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ الَّذِي كُنْتَ تُحِبُّهُ تُحِبُّ أَنْ أَنْفَعَكَ الْيَوْمَ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ يَكُونُ أَحَدٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ يَرَى هَذَا ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ إِلَى الدُّنْيَا قَالَ قَالَ لَا إِذَا رَأَى هَذَا أَبَداً مَاتَ وَ أَعْظَمَ ذ

‘When a man’s soul reaches his chest he then sees.’ I then asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in the service of your cause, what does he see?’ The Imam said, ‘He sees the Messenger of Allah and he says, “I am the Messenger of Allah. I have good news for you.” He then sees Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.), who says, “I am Ali ibn a

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ آيَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِذَا حَضَرَهُ الْمَوْتُ يَبْيَاضُّ وَجْهُهُ أَشَدَّ مِنْ بَيَاضِ لَوْنِهِ وَ يَرْشَحُ جَبِينُهُ وَ يَسِيلُ مِنْ عَيْنَيْهِ كَهَيْئَةِ الدُّمُوعِ فَيَكُونُ ذَلِكَ خُرُوجَ نَفْسِهِ وَ إِنَّ الْكَافِرَ تَخْرُجُ نَفْسُهُ سَلًّا مِنْ شِدْقِهِ كَزَبَدِ الْبَعِيرِ أَوْ كَمَا تَخْرُجُ نَفْسُ الْبَعِيرِ[2].

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘One of the signs of belief in a person is that at the time of his death his face turns more white than normal, his forehead sweats, something like tears flow from his eyes and that is the time for coming out of his soul from his body. The soul of an unbeliever comes out of his body as

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَأْمُرُ مَلَكَ الْمَوْتِ فَيَرُدُّ نَفْسَ‌ الْمُؤْمِنِ لِيُهَوِّنَ عَلَيْهِ وَ يُخْرِجَهَا[1] مِنْ أَحْسَنِ وَجْهِهَا فَيَقُولُ النَّاسُ لَقَدْ شُدِّدَ عَلَى فُلَانٍ الْمَوْتُ وَ ذَلِكَ تَهْوِينٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْهِ وَ قَالَ يُصْرَفُ عَنْهُ‌[2] إِذَا كَانَ مِمَّنْ سَخِطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ أَوْ مِمَّنْ أَبْغَضَ اللَّهُ أَمْرَهُ أَنْ

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, commands the angel of death to return the soul of a believing person, make it easy for him, and then take it out in the most comfortable way. People then say, “It (dying) was very difficult for so and so.” In fact it is the way Allah, the Majestic

دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ع عَلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ وَ هُوَ يَجُودُ بِنَفْسِهِ فَقَالَ يَا مَلَكَ الْمَوْتِ ارْفُقْ بِصَاحِبِي فَإِنَّهُ مُؤْمِنٌ فَقَالَ أَبْشِرْ يَا مُحَمَّدُ فَإِنِّي بِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ رَفِيقٌ وَ اعْلَمْ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَنِّي أَقْبِضُ رُوحَ ابْنِ آدَمَ فَيَجْزَعُ أَهْلُهُ فَأَقُومُ فِي نَاحِيَةٍ مِنْ دَارِهِمْ فَأَقُولُ مَا هَذَا الْجَزَعُ فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا تَعَجَّلْنَاهُ قَبْلَ أَجَلِهِ وَ مَا كَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah once visited a man of his companions in dying condition. He then said, ‘O angel of death, make it easy for my companion; he is a believing person.’ He then said, ‘O Muhammad, I am a friend of every believing person. O Muhammad, please note that when I take aw

حَضَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص رَجُلًا مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ وَ كَانَتْ‌ لَهُ حَالَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَحَضَرَهُ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ فَنَظَرَ إِلَى مَلَكِ الْمَوْتِ عِنْدَ رَأْسِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص ارْفُقْ بِصَاحِبِي فَإِنَّهُ مُؤْمِنٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ طِبْ نَفْساً وَ قَرَّ عَيْناً فَإِنِّي بِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ رَفِيقٌ شَفِيقٌ وَ اعْلَمْ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنِّي لَأَحْضُرُ ابْنَ آ

‘The Messenger of Allah once visited a man from Ansar (people of Madinah) and he was of a good status before the Messenger of Allah. He visited him in his dying condition and looked at the angel of death near his head. The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Be kind to my companion; he is a believing person.’ The angel of death

يُوضَعُ لِلْمَيِّتِ جَرِيدَتَانِ وَاحِدَةٌ فِي الْيَمِينِ وَ الْأُخْرَى فِي الْأَيْسَرِ قَالَ قَالَ الْجَرِيدَةُ تَنْفَعُ الْمُؤْمِنَ وَ الْكَافِرَ[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Two pieces of twig are placed with a deceased, one on the right and the other on the left.’ He (the narrator) has said, that he (the Imam) said, ‘Al-Jaridah (twig of palm tree) benefits both, believers and non-believers.’”

دَخَلَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ قَيْسٍ الْمَاصِرُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ- أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الْمَيِّتِ لِمَ يُغَسَّلُ غُسْلَ الْجَنَابَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع لَا أُخْبِرُكَ فَخَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ فَلَقِيَ بَعْضَ الشِّيعَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْعَجَبُ لَكُمْ يَا مَعْشَرَ الشِّيعَةِ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ وَ أَطَعْتُمُوهُ وَ لَوْ دَعَاكُمْ إِلَى عِبَادَتِهِ لَأَجَبْتُمُوهُ وَ قَدْ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ مَسْأَلَ

1. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah has narrated from Ibrahim ibn ‘Ishaq from Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Daylamiy from his father who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once ‘Abd Allah ibn Qays al-Masir visited abu Ja’far (a.s.), and said, ‘Tell me why a dead body is given Ghusl (bath) because o

أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ غَسَّلَ مُؤْمِناً فَقَالَ إِذَا قَلَّبَهُ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ هَذَا بَدَنُ عَبْدِكَ الْمُؤْمِنِ قَدْ أَخْرَجْتَ رُوحَهُ مِنْهُ وَ فَرَّقْتَ بَيْنَهُمَا فَعَفْوَكَ عَفْوَكَ‌[1] غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ ذُنُوبَ سَنَةٍ إِلَّا الْكَبَائِرَ.

Tf any believer, when washing the dead body of a believer says, “O Allah, this is the body of Your believing servant from which its spirit has come out and is just separated, please grant him forgiveness, and please grant him forgiveness.’” Allah then forgives his one year’s sins except the major ones.”

مَنْ غَسَّلَ مَيِّتاً فَأَدَّى فِيهِ الْأَمَانَةَ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ قُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ يُؤَدِّي فِيهِ الْأَمَانَةَ قَالَ لَا يُحَدِّثُ بِمَا يَرَى‌[2].

Tf one washes a dead body and keeps the trust, Allah grants him forgiveness.’ He was asked, ‘What is the trust?’ The Imam replied, ‘Does not make public whatever he sees.’”

مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ يُغَسِّلُ مُؤْمِناً وَ يَقُولُ وَ هُوَ يُغَسِّلُهُ رَبِّ عَفْوَكَ عَفْوَكَ إِلَّا عَفَا اللَّهُ عَنْهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Any believing person who when washing the dead body of a believing person says, “O Allah grant him forgiveness,” Allah then grants forgiveness to him also.’”

كَانَ فِيمَا نَاجَى اللَّهَ بِهِ مُوسَى قَالَ يَا رَبِّ مَا لِمَنْ غَسَّلَ الْمَوْتَى فَقَالَ أَغْسِلُهُ مِنْ ذُنُوبِهِ كَمَا وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ.

‘One of the matters that Moses spoke about before Allah was this, “O Allah, what is the reward for one who washes a dead body?” The answer was, “I wash his sins as if his mother has just given him birth.’””

يَنْبَغِي لِأَوْلِيَاءِ الْمَيِّتِ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يُؤْذِنُوا إِخْوَانَ الْمَيِّتِ بِمَوْتِهِ فَيَشْهَدُونَ جَنَازَتَهُ وَ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَيْهِ وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لَهُ فَيُكْتَبُ لَهُمُ الْأَجْرُ وَ يُكْتَبُ‌[3] لِلْمَيِّتِ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ وَ يَكْتَسِبُ هُوَ الْأَجْرَ فِيهِمْ وَ فِيمَا اكْتَسَبَ لِمَيِّتِهِمْ مِنَ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The guardians of a deceased should inform the brothers (in belief) of the deceased about his death so they may attend his funeral services, perform prayer and appeal on his behalf for forgiveness (from Allah). Thus, a reward for them is written down as well as forgiveness. Also the pe

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنِ اسْتَقْبَلَ جَنَازَةً أَوْ رَآهَا فَقَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ هذا ما وَعَدَنَا اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ صَدَقَ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ‌ اللَّهُمَّ زِدْنَا إِيماناً وَ تَسْلِيماً الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي تَعَزَّزَ بِالْقُدْرَةِ وَ قَهَرَ الْعِبَادَ بِالْمَوْتِ لَمْ يَبْقَ فِي السَّمَاءِ مَلَكٌ إِلَّا بَكَى رَحْمَةً لِصَوْتِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If one finds a dead body brought from the opposite direction or just sees one and says, “Allah is great. This is what Allah and His Messenger have told us will happen to us and Allah and His Messenger have indeed spoken the truth. O Lord, increase

امْشِ أَمَامَ جَنَازَةِ الْمُسْلِمِ الْعَارِفِ وَ لَا تَمْشِ أَمَامَ جَنَازَةِ الْجَاحِدِ فَإِنَّ أَمَامَ جَنَازَةِ الْمُسْلِمِ مَلَائِكَةً يُسْرِعُونَ بِهِ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَ إِنَّ أَمَامَ جَنَازَةِ الْكَافِرِ مَلَائِكَةً يُسْرِعُونَ بِهِ إِلَى النَّارِ[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Walk in front of the coffin of a knowledgeable Muslim but do not walk in front of the coffin of a rejecter (of belief). In front of the coffin of a Muslim, angels who hasten to paradise walk, but in front of the coffin of an unbeliever, angels walk who hasten with him (the unbeliever)

سُئِلَ كَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ إِذَا خَرَجْتُ مَعَ الْجَنَازَةِ أَمْشِي أَمَامَهَا أَوْ خَلْفَهَا أَوْ عَنْ يَمِينِهَا أَوْ عَنْ شِمَالِهَا فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ مُخَالِفاً فَلَا تَمْشِ أَمَامَهُ فَإِنَّ مَلَائِكَةَ الْعَذَابِ يَسْتَقْبِلُونَهُ بِأَلْوَانِ الْعَذَابِ.

“Someone asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘How should I walk in a funeral procession?’ The Imam replied, ‘Walk in front, or behind or on the right or left side of the coffin.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Do not walk in front if he is someone opposed to our belief; the angels of torment will come his way with all kinds of tor

إِذَا أُدْخِلَ الْمُؤْمِنُ قَبْرَهُ نُودِيَ أَلَا إِنَّ أَوَّلَ حِبَائِكَ الْجَنَّةُ وَ حِبَاءَ مَنْ تَبِعَكَ الْمَغْفِرَةُ.[2]

“Abu la’ far (a.s.), has said, ‘When a believing person is placed in the grave, it is announced then: “Paradise is the first gift for you and forgiveness for those who have escorted you.’””

مَنْ شَيَّعَ جَنَازَةَ مُؤْمِنٍ حَتَّى يُدْفَنَ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ سَبْعِينَ مَلَكاً مِنَ الْمُشَيِّعِينَ يُشَيِّعُونَهُ وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لَهُ إِذَا خَرَجَ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ إِلَى الْمَوْقِفِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has stated this Hadith. ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, for one’s escorting the dead body of a believing person until it (the dead body) is buried, assigns seventy thousand angels of the escorting ones to escort him (escorting person) and ask forgiveness for him from the time he is

أَوَّلُ مَا يُتْحَفُ بِهِ الْمُؤْمِنُ يُغْفَرُ لِمَنْ تَبِعَ جَنَازَتَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the first gift for a deceased believing person is forgiveness for those who escort him to his grave.”

لَيْسَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ قِرَاءَةٌ وَ لَا دُعَاءٌ مُوَقَّتٌ‌[3] تَدْعُو بِمَا بَدَا لَكَ وَ أَحَقُّ الْمَوْتَى أَنْ يُدْعَى لَهُ الْمُؤْمِنُ وَ أَنْ يَبْدَأَ بِالصَّلَاةِ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘There is no particularly prescribed prayer to say in Salah (prayer) for a deceased. You can pray whatever prayer you like; and the most deserving is the believing person who has just died and that such prayer begins with prayer for the Messenger of Allah by saying, ‘O Allah, grant compens

إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ فَادْعُ لَهُ وَ اجْتَهِدْ لَهُ فِي الدُّعَاءِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ وَاقِفاً مُسْتَضْعَفاً فَكَبِّرْ وَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تابُوا وَ اتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَ قِهِمْ عَذابَ الْجَحِيمِ‌.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘When you perform Salah (prayer) for a believing person, pray for him and strive in your appeal in favor of the deceased person. If he is of those who keep matters on hold (of waqifiy belief) or of weak understanding say, ‘Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) and, O Lord, forgive tho

إِنْ كَانَ مُسْتَضْعَفاً فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تابُوا وَ اتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَ قِهِمْ عَذابَ الْجَحِيمِ‌ وَ إِذَا كُنْتَ لَا تَدْرِي مَا حَالُهُ فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ يُحِبُّ الْخَيْرَ وَ أَهْلَهُ فَاغْفِرْ لَهُ وَ ارْحَمْهُ وَ تَجَاوَزْ عَنْهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفُ مِنْكَ بِسَبِيلٍ‌[2] فَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُ عَلَى وَجْهِ الشَّفَاعَةِ لَا عَلَى وَجْهِ الْوَلَايَةِ[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If the deceased is a person of weak understanding, say, “O Lord, forgive those who have repented and followed Your path and protect them against suffering of the hell fire.” If you do not know the condition of the deceased, then say, “O Lord, if this deceased is of those who

التَّرَحُّمُ عَلَى جِهَتَيْنِ جِهَةِ الْوَلَايَةِ وَ جِهَةِ الشَّفَاعَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Expressing kindness and compassion has two aspects: The aspect of al-Walayah (guardianship) and that of intercession.’”

تَقُولُ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ‌ اللَّهِ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَ رَسُولِكَ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ تَقَبَّلْ شَفَاعَتَهُ وَ بَيِّضْ وَجْهَهُ وَ أَكْثِرْ تَبَعَهُ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَ ارْحَمْنِي وَ تُبْ عَلَيَّ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تابُوا وَ اتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَ قِهِمْ عَذابَ الْجَحِيمِ‌ فَإِنْ كَانَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said to say this, ‘(I testify that only Allah deserves worship, He is one and has no partners and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger). O Allah, I pray to You to grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. O Lord, accept hi

كُنْتُ مَعَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَإِذَا بِجَنَازَةٍ لِقَوْمٍ مِنْ جِيرَتِهِ فَحَضَرَهَا وَ كُنْتُ قَرِيباً مِنْهُ فَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَ هَذِهِ النُّفُوسَ وَ أَنْتَ تُمِيتُهَا وَ أَنْتَ تُحْيِيهَا وَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِسَرَائِرِهَا وَ عَلَانِيَتِهَا مِنَّا وَ مُسْتَقَرِّهَا وَ مُسْتَوْدَعِهَا اللَّهُمَّ وَ هَذَا عَبْدُكَ وَ لَا أَعْلَمُ مِنْهُ شَرّاً وَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ وَ قَدْ جِئْن

“Once I was with abu Ja’far (a.s.), when a deceased from the people who believe in predestination was brought; and I was near him (the Imam) and heard him (the Imam) say, ‘O Lord, it is You who have created these souls and You cause them to die and give them life. You know their secrets and their public affairs better

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا تَنْزِلْ فِي الْقَبْرِ وَ عَلَيْكَ الْعِمَامَةُ وَ الْقَلَنْسُوَةُ وَ لَا الْحِذَاءُ وَ لَا الطَّيْلَسَانُ وَ حُلَّ أَزْرَارَكَ وَ بِذَلِكَ سُنَّةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص جَرَتْ وَ لْيَتَعَوَّذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ وَ لْيَقْرَأْ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ وَ الْمُعَوِّذَتَيْنِ وَ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ وَ آيَةَ الْكُرْسِيِّ وَ إِنْ قَدَرَ أَنْ يَحْسِرَ عَنْ خَدِّهِ وَ

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Um ay r from Ali ibn Yaqtin who has said the following: “I heard abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say, ‘You must not enter a grave wearing a turban, a hat, shoes, or a shawl. You should open up your buttons, thus is the tradition of the Messenger of Allah. Y

إِذَا حَثَوْتَ التُّرَابَ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ فَقُلْ إِيمَاناً بِكَ وَ تَصْدِيقاً بِبَعْثِكَ‌ هذا ما وَعَدَنَا اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ‌ قَالَ وَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ مَنْ حَثَا عَلَى مَيِّتٍ وَ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ بِكُلِّ ذَرَّةٍ حَسَنَةً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you fill soil in the grave of a deceased say, ‘(It is) out of faith in You (O Allah) and an acknowledgement of Your resurrection. This is what Allah and His Messenger have promised us.’ He (the Imam) said that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah

رَأَيْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَطْرَحُ التُّرَابَ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ فَيُمْسِكُهُ سَاعَةً فِي يَدِهِ ثُمَّ يَطْرَحُهُ وَ لَا يَزِيدُ عَلَى ثَلَاثَةِ أَكُفٍّ قَالَ فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ يَا عُمَرُ كُنْتُ أَقُولُ إِيمَاناً بِكَ وَ تَصْدِيقاً بِبَعْثِكَ هَذَا مَا وَعَدَ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ تَسْلِيماً[1] هَكَذَا كَانَ يَفْعَلُ- رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ بِهِ جَرَتِ السُّنَّةُ.

“I saw abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), fill soil in the grave of a deceased. He held it (soil) in his hand for a while then tossed it in the grave and did not do more than three handfuls. I asked him about it and he replied, ‘O ‘Umar I was saying, “It is out of faith in You (O Allah), and an acknowledgement of Your resurrecting

مَا عَلَى أَهْلِ الْمَيِّتِ مِنْكُمْ‌[1] أَنْ يَدْرَءُوا عَنْ مَيِّتِهِمْ لِقَاءَ مُنْكَرٍ وَ نَكِيرٍ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ قَالَ إِذَا أُفْرِدَ الْمَيِّتُ فَلْيَتَخَلَّفْ عِنْدَهُ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِهِ فَيَضَعُ فَمَهُ عِنْدَ رَأْسِهِ ثُمَّ يُنَادِي بِأَعْلَى صَوْتِهِ- يَا فُلَانَ بْنَ فُلَانٍ أَوْ يَا فُلَانَةَ بِنْتَ فُلَانٍ هَلْ أَنْتَ عَلَى الْعَهْدِ الَّذِي فَارَقْتَنَا عَلَيْهِ مِنْ شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إ

‘It does not harm the family of a deceased among you to prevent his fear of meeting al-Munkar and al-Nakir (interrogating angels).’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘How can they do so?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘When the deceased is left alone, the nearest relative is left behind near the deceased who places his mouth near the

دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَلَى خَدِيجَةَ حِينَ مَاتَ الْقَاسِمُ ابْنُهَا وَ هِيَ تَبْكِي فَقَالَ لَهَا مَا يُبْكِيكِ فَقَالَتْ دَرَّتْ دُرَيْرَةٌ فَبَكَيْتُ‌[2] فَقَالَ يَا خَدِيجَةُ أَ مَا تَرْضَيْنَ إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ أَنْ تَجِي‌ءَ إِلَى بَابِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ فَيَأْخُذَ بِيَدِكِ فَيُدْخِلَكِ الْجَنَّةَ وَ يُنْزِلَكِ أَفْضَلَهَا وَ ذَلِكِ لِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَحْكَمُ

"The Messenger of Allah (sw) entered upon Khadījah when her son Qāsim had died, and she was weeping. He asked her, 'What makes you weep?' She replied, 'My milk flowed, and so I wept.' He said, 'O Khadījah, would you not be pleased if on the Day of Resurrection, you come to the gate of Paradise and Qāsim is standing the

كَتَبَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي ع يَشْكُو إِلَيْهِ مُصَابَهُ بِوَلَدِهِ وَ شِدَّةَ مَا دَخَلَهُ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَخْتَارُ مِنْ مَالِ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَ مِنْ وُلْدِهِ أَنْفَسَهُ لِيَأْجُرَهُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ.

“A man once wrote to abu Ja‘far, the second (a.s.), complaining due to his suffering from the death of his sons and the intensity of his grief. The Imam wrote to him, ‘Do you know that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, chooses from the property and sons of the believing people the most valuable items so He w

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا قُبِضَ وَلَدُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ‌[3] بِمَا قَالَ الْعَبْدُ قَالَ‌ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لِمَلَائِكَتِهِ قَبَضْتُمْ وَلَدَ فُلَانٍ فَيَقُولُونَ نَعَمْ رَبَّنَا قَالَ فَيَقُولُ فَمَا قَالَ عَبْدِي قَالُوا حَمِدَكَ وَ اسْتَرْجَعَ‌[1] فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَخَذْتُمْ ثَمَرَةَ قَلْبِهِ وَ قُرَّةَ عَيْنِهِ فَحَمِدَنِي وَ اسْتَرْجَعَ ابْنُوا لَهُ بَيْتاً

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘When a son of a believing person dies - Allah knows what the servant (of Allah) may say - Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, says to His angels, “Have you taken the soul of the son of My servant out of his body?” They reply, “Yes, O Lord, we have

ثَوَابُ الْمُؤْمِنِ مِنْ وَلَدِهِ إِذَا مَاتَ‌ الْجَنَّةُ صَبَرَ أَوْ لَمْ يَصْبِرْ[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the reward for a believing person for the death of his sons is paradise, whether he exercise patience or not.”

إِنَّ الصَّبْرَ وَ الْبَلَاءَ يَسْتَبِقَانِ‌ إِلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ فَيَأْتِيهِ الْبَلَاءُ وَ هُوَ صَبُورٌ[1] وَ إِنَّ الْجَزَعَ وَ الْبَلَاءَ يَسْتَبِقَانِ إِلَى الْكَافِرِ فَيَأْتِيهِ الْبَلَاءُ وَ هُوَ جَزُوعٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that patience and misfortune race toward a believing person but misfortune finds him exercising patience. Outcry and impatience race toward an unbeliever person and misfortune finds him in outcry and impatience.”

قُلْتُ لَهُ الْمُؤْمِنُ يَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ يَزُورُ قَبْرَهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ لَا يَزَالُ مُسْتَأْنِساً بِهِ مَا دَامَ عِنْدَ قَبْرِهِ فَإِذَا قَامَ وَ انْصَرَفَ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ دَخَلَهُ مِنِ انْصِرَافِهِ عَنْ قَبْرِهِ وَحْشَةٌ.

“I asked the Imam (a.s.), ‘Does a believing deceased notice who has visited his grave?’ He replied, ‘Yes, and he continues to take comfort in his visitor as long as he is near his grave. When the visitor stands up and leaves the gravesite he (the deceased) becomes afraid and lonely.’”

كُنْتُ بِفَيْدَ[3] فَمَشَيْتَ مَعَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ بِلَالٍ إِلَى قَبْرِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ بَزِيعٍ فَقَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ بِلَالٍ قَالَ لِي صَاحِبُ هَذَا الْقَبْرِ عَنِ الرِّضَا ع قَالَ مَنْ أَتَى قَبْرَ أَخِيهِ ثُمَّ وَضَعَ يَدَهُ عَلَى الْقَبْرِ وَ قَرَأَ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْناهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ سَبْعَ مَرَّاتٍ أَمِنَ يَوْمَ الْفَزَعِ الْأَكْبَرِ أَوْ يَوْمَ الْفَزَعِ‌[4].

“If one visits the grave of his brother (in belief), places his hand over the grave and reads Surah 97 of the Holy Quran seven times he, on the distressful Day (of Judgment) will be granted full protection and peace.’””

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَزُورُ أَهْلَهُ فَيَرَى مَا يُحِبُّ وَ يُسْتَرُ عَنْهُ مَا يَكْرَهُ وَ إِنَّ الْكَافِرَ لَيَزُورُ أَهْلَهُ فَيَرَى مَا يَكْرَهُ وَ يُسْتَرُ عَنْهُ مَا يُحِبُّ قَالَ وَ مِنْهُمْ‌[1] مَنْ يَزُورُ كُلَّ جُمْعَةٍ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَزُورُ عَلَى قَدْرِ عَمَلِهِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a believing deceased person visits his family. He observes such matters that he loves and what he dislikes is kept hidden from him. A deceased unbeliever person also visits his family but observes what he dislikes and things that he loves are kept hidden from him. Certain ones of t

مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ وَ لَا كَافِرٍ إِلَّا وَ هُوَ يَأْتِي أَهْلَهُ عِنْدَ زَوَالِ الشَّمْسِ فَإِذَا رَأَى أَهْلَهُ يَعْمَلُونَ بِالصَّالِحَاتِ حَمِدَ اللَّهَ عَلَى ذَلِكَ وَ إِذَا رَأَى الْكَافِرُ أَهْلَهُ يَعْمَلُونَ بِالصَّالِحَاتِ كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ حَسْرَةً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that every believing and unbeliever person visits his family everyday just after midday. If he finds his family performing good deeds, he praises and thanks Allah for this. When an unbeliever finds his family in good deeds, he laments and regrets (for his lost opportunities).”

قُلْتُ لَهُ الْمُؤْمِنُ يَزُورُ أَهْلَهُ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ يَسْتَأْذِنُ رَبَّهُ‌ فَيَأْذَنُ لَهُ فَيَبْعَثُ مَعَهُ مَلَكَيْنِ فَيَأْتِيهِمْ فِي بَعْضِ صُوَرِ الطَّيْرِ يَقَعُ فِي دَارِهِ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِمْ وَ يَسْمَعُ كَلَامَهُمْ.

"Does a deceased believing person visit his family?’". He replied, "Yes, he asks his Lord for permission; then by His permission with two angels he comes to his family in the form of some kind of a bird. He turns around his house and observes his family and hears whatever they say.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ع يَزُورُ الْمُؤْمِنُ أَهْلَهُ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَقُلْتُ فِي كَمْ قَالَ عَلَى قَدْرِ فَضَائِلِهِمْ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَزُورُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَزُورُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمَيْنِ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَزُورُ فِي كُلِّ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ قَالَ ثُمَّ رَأَيْتُ فِي مَجْرَى كَلَامِهِ أَنَّهُ يَقُولُ أَدْنَاهُمْ مَنْزِلَةً يَزُورُ كُلَّ جُمْعَةٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ فِي أَيِّ سَاعَةٍ قَالَ عِنْدَ

“I asked abu al-Hassan al-Awwal (a.s.), ‘Does a believing deceased person visit his family?’ He replied, ‘Yes, he does.’ I then asked, ‘How often does he visit them?’ He replied, ‘It depends upon their merits. Certain ones among them visit every day, others visit every other day, and still others among them visit after

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا يُسْأَلُ فِي الْقَبْرِ إِلَّا مَنْ مَحَضَ الْإِيمَانَ مَحْضاً أَوْ مَحَضَ الْكُفْرَ مَحْضاً وَ الْآخَرُونَ يُلْهَوْنَ عَنْهُمْ‌[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘No one is interrogated in the grave except those whose faith and belief is pure or those whose disbelief is total, others, besides these, are left alone.”’

إِنَّمَا يُسْأَلُ فِي قَبْرِهِ مَنْ مَحَضَ الْإِيمَانَ مَحْضاً وَ الْكُفْرَ مَحْضاً وَ أَمَّا مَا سِوَى ذَلِكَ فَيُلْهَى عَنْهُمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the only people who are interrogated in the grave are those whose belief or disbelief is absolute and total, and people other than these are left alone.”

إِنَّمَا يُسْأَلُ فِي قَبْرِهِ مَنْ مَحَضَ الْإِيمَانَ مَحْضاً وَ الْكُفْرَ مَحْضاً وَ أَمَّا مَا سِوَى ذَلِكَ فَيُلْهَى عَنْهُ.[4]

the only ones interrogated in the grave are those whose belief or disbelief is absolute and total, and people other than such ones are left alone.”