Children & Parenting

قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْحَدِيثُ الَّذِي رُوِيَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَنَّ الشَّمْسَ تَطْلُعُ بَيْنَ قَرْنَيِ الشَّيْطَانِ‌[3] قَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّ إِبْلِيسَ اتَّخَذَ عَرْشاً بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَ الْأَرْضِ فَإِذَا طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَ سَجَدَ فِي ذَلِكَ الْوَقْتِ النَّاسُ قَالَ إِبْلِيسُ لِشَيَاطِينِهِ إِنَّ بَنِي آدَمَ يُصَلُّونَ لِي.

“Once a man mentioned before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), the Hadith which is narrated from abu Ja‘far (a.s.), that says, ‘The sun emerges from between the two horns of Satan.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, Iblis has found a throne between the sky and earth. When the sun rises and people prostrate at that time, Iblis then says t

يَعْنِي مَفْرُوضاً وَ لَيْسَ يَعْنِي وَقْتَ فَوْتِهَا إِذَا جَازَ ذَلِكَ الْوَقْتُ ثُمَّ صَلَّاهَا لَمْ تَكُنْ صَلَاتُهُ هَذِهِ مُؤَدَّاةً وَ لَوْ كَانَ ذَلِكَ لَهَلَكَ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ دَاوُدَ ع حِينَ صَلَّاهَا لِغَيْرِ وَقْتِهَا وَ لَكِنَّهُ مَتَى مَا ذَكَرَهَا صَلَّاهَا قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ مَتَى اسْتَيْقَنْتَ أَوْ شَكَكْتَ فِي وَقْتِهَا أَنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّهَا أَوْ فِي وَقْتِ فَوْتِهَا أَنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّهَا صَل

“This is about the words of Allah, most Blessed is whose name, ‘Salah (prayer) was written as obligatory upon people.’ (4:103) Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘It means that it was obligatory, not that it is obligatory for a limited time so that if it is performed after the limited time, it does not fulfill the obligation

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ هَلْ يَقْطَعُ صَلَاتَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِمَّا يَمُرُّ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَا يَقْطَعُ صَلَاةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَكِنِ ادْرَءُوا مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ‌[2]. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةِ ابْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ: لَا يَقْطَعُ الصَّلَاةَ شَيْ‌ءٌ لَا كَلْبٌ وَ لَا حِمَارٌ وَ لَا امْرَأَةٌ وَ لَكِنِ اسْتَتِرُوا بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فَإِنْ كَانَ بَيْنَ يَ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man whose Salah (prayer) is discontinued because of something moving in front of him. He (the Imam) said, ‘Things do not discontinue Salah (prayer) of the believer, but guard it as much as you can.’” “In the narration of ibn Muskan from abu Basir from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.),

دَخَلَ أَبُو حَنِيفَةَ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ رَأَيْتُ ابْنَكَ مُوسَى ع يُصَلِّي وَ النَّاسُ يَمُرُّونَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَلَا يَنْهَاهُمْ وَ فِيهِ مَا فِيهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ادْعُوا لِي مُوسَى فَدُعِيَ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ أَبَا حَنِيفَةَ يَذْكُرُ أَنَّكَ كُنْتَ تُصَلِّي وَ النَّاسُ يَمُرُّونَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ فَلَمْ تَنْهَهُمْ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ يَا أَبَةِ إِنَّ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أ

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father in a marfu’ manner from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Once, abu Hanifah went to see abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). On his arrival he said, ‘I saw your son Musa perform Salah (prayer) while people passed by in front of him; but he did not stop them and it is que

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُصَلِّي فِي زَاوِيَةِ الْحُجْرَةِ وَ امْرَأَتُهُ أَوِ ابْنَتُهُ تُصَلِّي بِحِذَاهُ فِي الزَّاوِيَةِ الْأُخْرَى فَقَالَ لَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُ ذَلِكَ فَإِنْ كَانَ بَيْنَهُمَا شِبْرٌ أَجْزَأَهُ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ وَ الْمَرْأَةِ يَتَزَامَلَانِ فِي الْمَحْمِلِ يُصَلِّيَانِ جَمِيعاً فَقَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ يُصَلِّي الرَّجُلُ فَإِذَا صَلَّى صَلَّتِ الْمَرْأَةُ.

“I once asked one of the two Imam, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about a man who performs Salah (prayer) in one corner of the room and his wife or daughter parallel with him in another corner of the room. He (the Imam) said, ‘He should not do so. If there is a distance of one shibr between them it is enough for him.’ I asked him

فَفَعَلْتُ فَأَذْهَبَ اللَّهُ عَنِّي سُقْمِي وَ كَثُرَ وُلْدِي قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَاشِدٍ وَ كُنْتُ دَائِمَ الْعِلَّةِ مَا أَنْفَكُّ مِنْهَا فِي نَفْسِي وَ جَمَاعَةِ خَدَمِي وَ عِيَالِي فَلَمَّا سَمِعْتُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ هِشَامٍ عَمِلْتُ بِهِ فَأَذْهَبَ اللَّهُ عَنِّي وَ عَنْ عِيَالِيَ الْعِلَلَ.

“I complained before abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), against an illness and that I do not have any child. He commanded me, ‘Recite Adhan in your home loudly.’ I followed his instruction. The illness was gone and my children became numerous.” Muhammad ibn Rashid has said, ‘I was always ill, myself, a group of my servants

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ أَذِّنْ فِي بَيْتِكَ فَإِنَّهُ يَطْرُدُ الشَّيْطَانَ وَ يُسْتَحَبُّ مِنْ أَجْلِ الصِّبْيَانِ‌[3].

’Recite the Adhan in your house, for it repels Satan and it is a beloved thing to do for the sake of children.’”

شَكَوْتُ إِلَيْهِ عِلَّةَ أُمِّ وَلَدٍ لِي أَخَذْتُهَا فَقَالَ قُلْ لَهَا تَقُولُ فِي السُّجُودِ فِي دُبُرِ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ مَكْتُوبَةٍ يَا رَبِّي يَا سَيِّدِي صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَافِنِي مِنْ كَذَا وَ كَذَا فَبِهَا نَجَا جَعْفَرُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ‌[1] مِنَ النَّارِ قَالَ فَعَرَضْتُ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ عَلَى بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا فَقَالَ أَعْرِفُ فِيهِ يَا رَءُوفُ يَا رَحِيمُ يَا رَبِّي يَا سَيِّ

“I complained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about an illness in a mother of my child. He told me to tell her to say the following in prostration after completing an obligatory Salah (prayer), ‘O my Lord, O my master, O Allah, grant Muhammad and his family a compensation worthy of their serving Your cause, grant me a cu

يَا أَبَا هَارُونَ إِنَّا نَأْمُرُ صِبْيَانَنَا بِتَسْبِيحِ فَاطِمَةَ ع كَمَا نَأْمُرُهُمْ بِالصَّلَاةِ فَالْزَمْهُ فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يَلْزَمْهُ عَبْدٌ فَشَقِيَ.

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘O abu Harun, we command our children to read Tasbih of Fatimah al-Zahra’, ‘Alayha al-Salam, just as we command them to say Salah (prayer). You must hold to it; whoever holds to it does not become unfortunate.”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا تَدَعْ فِي دُبُرِ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ- أُعِيذُ نَفْسِي وَ مَا رَزَقَنِي رَبِّي بِاللَّهِ الْوَاحِدِ الصَّمَدِ حَتَّى تَخْتِمَهَا وَ أُعِيذُ نَفْسِي وَ مَا رَزَقَنِي رَبِّي‌ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ‌ حَتَّى تَخْتِمَهَا وَ أُعِيذُ نَفْسِي وَ مَا رَزَقَنِي رَبِّي‌ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ‌ حَتَّى تَخْتِمَهَا.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Do not go away before saying the following after every Salah (prayer): “I seek protection, for myself and whatever my Lord has given me, with Allah, the only One self-sufficient, who does not have any children. He Himself is not anyone’s child. There is no one like Him (Chapter 112

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا تَدَعْ فِي دُبُرِ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ- أُعِيذُ نَفْسِي وَ مَا رَزَقَنِي رَبِّي بِاللَّهِ الْوَاحِدِ الصَّمَدِ حَتَّى تَخْتِمَهَا وَ أُعِيذُ نَفْسِي وَ مَا رَزَقَنِي رَبِّي‌ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ‌ حَتَّى تَخْتِمَهَا- وَ أُعِيذُ نَفْسِي وَ مَا رَزَقَنِي رَبِّي‌ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ‌ حَتَّى تَخْتِمَهَا.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Do not go away before saying the following after every Salah (prayer). “I seek protection for myself and whatever my Lord has given me from Allah, the only One self-sufficient, who does not have any children, nor Himself is anyone’s child and there is no one like Him.” (Chapter

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْجُهَنِيَّ أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أَكُونُ فِي الْبَادِيَةِ وَ مَعِي أَهْلِي وَ وُلْدِي وَ غِلْمَتِي‌[2] فَأُؤَذِّنُ وَ أُقِيمُ وَ أُصَلِّي بِهِمْ أَ فَجَمَاعَةٌ نَحْنُ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الْغِلْمَةَ يَتْبَعُونَ قَطْرَ السَّحَابِ وَ أَبْقَى أَنَا وَ أَهْلِي وَ وُلْدِي فَأُؤَذِّنُ وَ أُقِيمُ وَ أُصَلِّي بِهِمْ فَجَمَ

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘Al-Juhaniy came to the Holy Prophet and asked, “O Messenger of Allah, I live in open land (unpopulated) with my family, children, and slaves. I say Adhan and ‘Iqamah and lead them in Salah (prayer). Are we considered a congregation?” The Messenger of Allah replied, “Yes, you are a cong

خَمْسَةٌ لَا يَؤُمُّونَ النَّاسَ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ الْمَجْذُومُ وَ الْأَبْرَصُ وَ الْمَجْنُونُ وَ وَلَدُ الزِّنَا وَ الْأَعْرَابِيُ‌[1].

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’Five kinds of people are not to lead other people in Salah (prayer) in all circumstances: People suffering from leprosy, insanity, one born out of wedlock and al-A‘ra’biy Arab of the desert.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ الصَّلَاةُ خَلْفَ الْعَبْدِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ إِذَا كَانَ فَقِيهاً وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ هُنَاكَ أَفْقَهُ مِنْهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ أُصَلِّي خَلْفَ الْأَعْمَى قَالَ نَعَمْ إِذَا كَانَ لَهُ مَنْ يُسَدِّدُهُ وَ كَانَ‌ أَفْضَلَهُمْ قَالَ وَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع لَا يُصَلِّيَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ خَلْفَ الْمَجْذُومِ وَ الْأَبْرَصِ وَ الْمَجْنُونِ وَ الْمَحْدُودِ وَ وَلَدِ الزِّنَا وَ الْأَعْرَابِيُّ لَا يَؤُمُّ ا

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about performing Salah (prayer) behind a slave. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not an offense if he has good understanding of fiqh (Islamic laws) and there is no one ex

نَعَمْ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مَعَهُ صَبِيٌّ فَلْيَقُمْ إِلَى جَانِبِهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who leads women in obligatory Salah (prayer) where there are no other men. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can do so and if there is a child he stands up on his side.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الْمَيْتَةُ يُنْتَفَعُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهَا قَالَ لَا قُلْتُ بَلَغَنَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص مَرَّ بِشَاةٍ مَيْتَةٍ فَقَالَ مَا كَانَ عَلَى أَهْلِ هَذِهِ الشَّاةِ إِذْ لَمْ يَنْتَفِعُوا بِلَحْمِهَا أَنْ يَنْتَفِعُوا بِإِهَابِهَا[3] قَالَ تِلْكَ شَاةٌ لِسَوْدَةَ بِنْتِ زَمْعَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ ص وَ كَانَتْ شَاةً مَهْزُولَةً لَا يُنْتَفَعُ بِلَحْمِهَا فَتَرَكُوهَا حَتَّ

If they could not benefit from its flesh they could benefit from its skin.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘That goat belonged to Sawdah, daughter of Zam‘ah, wife of the Holy prophet. It was an emaciated ewe and its flesh was not useable, so they left until it died. Thus, the Holy prophet, said, ‘If the owners could not benefit f

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ صَلَّى وَ فِي كُمِّهِ طَيْرٌ قَالَ إِنْ خَافَ الذَّهَابَ عَلَيْهِ فَلَا بَأْسَ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْخَلَاخِلِ هَلْ يَصْلُحُ لِلنِّسَاءِ وَ الصِّبْيَانِ لُبْسُهَا فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَتْ صَمَّاءَ فَلَا بَأْسَ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ لَهَا صَوْتٌ فَلَا.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who performed Salah (prayer) with a bird in his sleeve. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he is afraid about it then it is not harmful.’ He (the narrator) has said that he then asked him (the Imam) about anklets if women and children could use them during Salah (prayer). He (the Im

إِنَّا نَأْمُرُ صِبْيَانَنَا بِالصَّلَاةِ إِذَا كَانُوا بَنِي خَمْسِ سِنِينَ فَمُرُوا صِبْيَانَكُمْ بِالصَّلَاةِ إِذَا كَانُوا بَنِي سَبْعِ سِنِينَ وَ نَحْنُ نَأْمُرُ صِبْيَانَنَا بِالصَّوْمِ إِذَا كَانُوا بَنِي سَبْعِ سِنِينَ بِمَا أَطَاقُوا مِنْ صِيَامِ الْيَوْمِ إِنْ كَانَ إِلَى نِصْفِ النَّهَارِ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَوْ أَقَلَّ فَإِذَا غَلَبَهُمُ الْعَطَشُ وَ الْغَرَثُ‌[3] أَفْطَرُوا حَتَّى يَتَعَوَّدُوا ال

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘We instruct our children to perform Salah (prayer) when they are five years old. Instruct your children to perform Salah (prayer) when they are seven years old. We instruct our children to fast when they are seven years old if they can endure fasting even up to midday, or more than th

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ص يَأْمُرُ الصِّبْيَانَ يَجْمَعُونَ بَيْنَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَ الْعِشَاءِ وَ يَقُولُ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَنْ يَنَامُوا عَنْهَا.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), would instruct children to perform Salah (prayer) of al-Maghrib and al-‘Isha’ soon, one after the other, saying that it is better for them than falling asleep.”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الصِّبْيَانِ إِذَا صَفُّوا فِي الصَّلَاةِ الْمَكْتُوبَةِ قَالَ لَا تُؤَخِّرُوهُمْ‌[4] عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ الْمَكْتُوبَةِ وَ فَرِّقُوا بَيْنَهُمْ.

‘Do not push them back from obligatory but separate them from each other (boys from girls).’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ فِي كُلِّ سَبْعَةِ أَيَّامٍ خَمْساً وَ ثَلَاثِينَ صَلَاةً مِنْهَا صَلَاةٌ وَاجِبَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ أَنْ يَشْهَدَهَا إِلَّا خَمْسَةً الْمَرِيضَ وَ الْمَمْلُوكَ وَ الْمُسَافِرَ وَ الْمَرْأَةَ وَ الصَّبِيَّ.

‘In every seven days Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has made thirty-five Salah (prayer) obligatory upon every Muslim to attend except five kinds of people: Those suffering from illness, slaves, travelers, women and children.’”

فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَى النَّاسِ مِنَ الْجُمُعَةِ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ خَمْساً وَ ثَلَاثِينَ صَلَاةً مِنْهَا صَلَاةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ فَرَضَهَا اللَّهُ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ وَ هِيَ الْجُمُعَةُ وَ وَضَعَهَا عَنْ تِسْعَةٍ عَنِ الصَّغِيرِ وَ الْكَبِيرِ[1] وَ الْمَجْنُونِ وَ الْمُسَافِرِ وَ الْعَبْدِ وَ الْمَرْأَةِ وَ الْمَرِيضِ وَ الْأَعْمَى وَ مَنْ كَانَ عَلَى رَأْسِ فَرْسَخَيْنِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘From one Friday to the next Friday Allah has made thirty- five Salah (prayer) obligatory. Of these one is made obligatory to be performed in congregation and that is Friday Salah (prayer). He has exempted nine kinds of people: Of such people are children, the elderly, the insane, the trav

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فَقَالَ نَزَلَ بِهَا جَبْرَئِيلُ ع مُضَيَّقَةً إِذَا زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَصَلِّهَا قَالَ قُلْتُ إِذَا زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ صَلَّيْتُ رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ صَلَّيْتُهَا فَقَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَمَّا أَنَا إِذَا زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ لَمْ أَبْدَأْ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ قَبْلَ الْمَكْتُوبَةِ قَالَ الْقَاسِمُ وَ كَانَ ابْنُ بُكَيْرٍ يُصَلِّي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ وَ هُو

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about Salah (prayer) of Friday. He (the Imam) said, ‘ Jibril brought it with a short period of time. When it is Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime) then perform it.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘When it is Zawal, must I perform two Rak‘at, then Friday Salah (pr

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّهُ لَمَّا قُبِضَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص جَرَتْ فِيهِ ثَلَاثُ سُنَنٍ أَمَّا وَاحِدَةٌ فَإِنَّهُ لَمَّا مَاتَ انْكَسَفَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَقَالَ النَّاسُ انْكَسَفَتِ الشَّمْسُ لِفَقْدِ ابْنِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَصَعِدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمِنْبَرَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ الشَّمْسَ وَ الْقَمَرَ آيَتَانِ مِنْ آيَا

‘When Ibrahim son of the Messenger of Allah passed away three traditions were established. One tradition is that on that day a sun eclipse took place and people said that it is because of the death of the son of the Messenger of Allah. The Messenger of Allah went on the pulpit, praised Allah and glorified Him, then sai

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَمْراً فَخُذْ سِتَّ رِقَاعٍ فَاكْتُبْ فِي ثَلَاثٍ مِنْهَا بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* خِيَرَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَكِيمِ* لِفُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانَةَ افْعَلْهُ وَ فِي ثَلَاثٍ مِنْهَا بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* خِيَرَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَكِيمِ* لِفُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانَةَ لَا تَفْعَلْ ثُمَّ ضَعْهَا تَحْتَ مُصَلَّاكَ ثُمَّ صَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَاسْجُدْ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you think of doing something, take six pieces of paper and write on three of them, ‘In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. It is to ask from Allah, the Majestic, the Wise, what is good for so and so son of so and so, “do it.’” On the other, three write, ‘In the na

سَأَلَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الْجَهْمِ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع لِابْنِ أَسْبَاطٍ فَقَالَ مَا تَرَى لَهُ وَ ابْنُ أَسْبَاطٍ حَاضِرٌ وَ نَحْنُ جَمِيعاً يَرْكَبُ الْبَرَّ أَوِ الْبَحْرَ إِلَى مِصْرَ فَأَخْبَرَهُ بِخَيْرِ طَرِيقِ الْبَرِّ فَقَالَ الْبَرُّ[1] وَ ائْتِ الْمَسْجِدَ فِي غَيْرِ وَقْتِ صَلَاةِ الْفَرِيضَةِ فَصَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ اسْتَخِرِ اللَّهَ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ ثُمَّ انْظُرْ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يَقَعُ فِي قَلْبِكَ فَاعْمَلْ بِ

“Al-Hassan ibn Jahm asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), for ibn Asbat; ibn Asbat and we all were present. ‘Should he travel by land or by sea to Egypt? Please tell him about the best road by land.’ The Imam said, ‘By land, but go to the Masjid in a time other than that for obligatory Salah (prayer). Perform two Rak‘at Salah (p

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا تَرَى آخُذُ بَرّاً أَوْ بَحْراً فَإِنَّ طَرِيقَنَا مَخُوفٌ شَدِيدُ الْخَطَرِ فَقَالَ اخْرُجْ بَرّاً وَ لَا عَلَيْكَ‌[3] أَنْ تَأْتِيَ مَسْجِدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ تُصَلِّيَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فِي غَيْرِ وَقْتِ فَرِيضَةٍ ثُمَّ لَتَسْتَخِيرُ اللَّهَ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ وَ مَرَّةً ثُمَّ تَنْظُرُ فَإِنْ عَزَمَ اللَّهُ لَكَ عَلَى الْبَحْرِ فَقُلِ الَّذِي قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ

“I said to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. Do you advise if I travel by land or by sea? Our road is very dangerous and frightening.’ The Imam said, ‘Travel by land but there is no offense, if you go to the Masjid of the Messenger of Allah; perform two Rak‘at Sal

قُلْتُ لَهُ رُبَّمَا أَرَدْتُ الْأَمْرَ يَفْرُقُ مِنِّي فَرِيقَانِ‌[4] أَحَدُهُمَا يَأْمُرُنِي وَ الْآخَرُ يَنْهَانِي قَالَ فَقَالَ إِذَا كُنْتَ كَذَلِكَ فَصَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ اسْتَخِرِ اللَّهَ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ وَ مَرَّةً ثُمَّ انْظُرْ أَحْزَمَ الْأَمْرَيْنِ لَكَ فَافْعَلْهُ فَإِنَّ الْخِيَرَةَ فِيهِ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ وَ لْتَكُنِ اسْتِخَارَتُكَ فِي عَافِيَةٍ فَإِنَّهُ رُبَّمَا خِيرَ لِلرَّجُلِ فِي قَطْعِ يَدِهِ وَ

“I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Sometimes I may get two different opinions: one for and the other against what I think to do, what then I should do?’ The Imam said, ‘If such is the case, then perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) and ask Allah, one hundred and one times, to choose for you what is best. Thereafter choose

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَدَخَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ امْرَأَةٌ وَ ذَكَرَتْ أَنَّهَا تَرَكَتِ ابْنَهَا وَ قَدْ قَالَتْ بِالْمِلْحَفَةِ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ مَيِّتاً[1] فَقَالَ لَهَا لَعَلَّهُ لَمْ يَمُتْ فَقُومِي فَاذْهَبِي إِلَى بَيْتِكِ فَاغْتَسِلِي وَ صَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ ادْعِي وَ قُولِي يَا مَنْ وَهَبَهُ لِي‌ وَ لَمْ يَكُ شَيْئاً جَدِّدْ هِبَتَهُ لِي ثُمَّ حَرِّكِيهِ وَ لَا تُخْبِرِي بِذَلِكِ أَحَداً قَالَتْ فَفَ

“I was in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when a woman came to him saying, ‘I left my son dead; I had thrown a comforter on his face.’ The Imam said to her, ‘Perhaps he is not dead. Go back to your home, take a shower, perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer), pray and say, “O the One who gave him to me as a gift when

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا تَزَوَّجَ أَحَدُكُمْ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ قُلْتُ لَا أَدْرِي قَالَ إِذَا هَمَّ بِذَلِكَ فَلْيُصَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ يَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَتَزَوَّجَ فَقَدِّرْ لِي مِنَ النِّسَاءِ أَعَفَّهُنَّ فَرْجاً وَ أَحْفَظَهُنَّ لِي فِي نَفْسِهَا[1] وَ فِي مَالِي وَ أَوْسَعَهُنَّ رِزْقاً وَ أَعْظَمَهُنَّ بَرَكَةً وَ قَدِّرْ لِي وَلَداً طَيِّباً تَجْعَلُه

‘When anyone of you likes to get married, what does he need to do?’ I replied, ‘I do not know.’ The Imam then said, ‘When one of you has such intention, he should first perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) and praise Allah. Thereafter, say, “O Allah, I like to become married. Determine for me of women the most protective

مَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يُحْبَلَ لَهُ فَلْيُصَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْجُمُعَةِ يُطِيلُ فِيهِمَا الرُّكُوعَ وَ السُّجُودَ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِمَا سَأَلَكَ بِهِ زَكَرِيَّا إِذْ قَالَ‌ رَبِّ لا تَذَرْنِي فَرْداً وَ أَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْوارِثِينَ‌ اللَّهُمَّ هَبْ لِي‌ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعاءِ اللَّهُمَّ بِاسْمِكَ اسْتَحْلَلْتُهَا وَ فِي أَمَانَتِكَ أَخَذْتُهَا[2] فَإِنْ قَضَيْتَ فِ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘If one wants that his wife become pregnant, he should perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) after Friday Salah (prayer). In this Salah (prayer) he should prolong his Ruku‘ and sajdah and then say, “O Allah, I ask You just what Zachariah asked You for, O my Lord, (rabbi) do not leave me lonely

لَمَّا عُرِجَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص نَزَلَ بِالصَّلَاةِ عَشْرَ رَكَعَاتٍ رَكْعَتَيْنِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَلَمَّا وُلِدَ الْحَسَنُ وَ الْحُسَيْنُ زَادَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص سَبْعَ رَكَعَاتٍ شُكْراً لِلَّهِ‌[1] فَأَجَازَ اللَّهُ لَهُ ذَلِكَ وَ تَرَكَ الْفَجْرَ لَمْ يَزِدْ فِيهَا لِضِيقِ وَقْتِهَا لِأَنَّهُ تَحْضُرُهَا مَلَائِكَةُ اللَّيْلِ وَ مَلَائِكَةُ النَّهَارِ فَلَمَّا أَمَرَهُ اللَّهُ بِالتَّقْصِيرِ فِي السَّفَرِ وَضَعَ عَ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘When the Messenger of Allah was taken up (to heavens) he was commanded to perform Salah (prayer) and he returned with ten Rak‘at Salah (prayer) for every day. Each Salah (prayer) consisted of two Rak‘at. When al-Hassan and al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, were born, the Messenger of Allah in

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ عَنْ صَلَاةِ اللَّيْلِ فَقُلْتُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ وَ عَلَيْكَ السَّلَامُ إِي وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا لَوُلْدُهُ وَ مَا نَحْنُ بِذَوِي قَرَابَتِهِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ قَالَهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ إِذَا لَقِيتَ اللَّهَ بِالصَّلَوَاتِ الْخَمْسِ الْمَفْرُوضَاتِ لَمْ يَسْأَلْكَ عَمَّا سِوَى ذَلِكَ.

‘If you come in the presence of Allah with five daily obligatory Salah (prayer), He will not ask you about anything other than these.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ لَهُ الْوُلْدُ فَيَغِيبُ بَعْضُ وُلْدِهِ فَلَا يَدْرِي أَيْنَ هُوَ وَ مَاتَ الرَّجُلُ فَكَيْفَ يُصْنَعُ بِمِيرَاثِ الْغَائِبِ مِنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ يُعْزَلُ حَتَّى يَجِي‌ءَ قُلْتُ فَعَلَى مَالِهِ زَكَاةٌ فَقَالَ لَا حَتَّى يَجِي‌ءَ قُلْتُ فَإِذَا هُوَ جَاءَ أَ يُزَكِّيهِ- فَقَالَ لَا حَتَّى يَحُولَ عَلَيْهِ الْحَوْلُ فِي يَدِهِ.

“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about a man who has a certain number of children, a certain one of them disappears and he does not know where he is. The man dies. How his legacy is dealt with? He (the Imam) said, ‘His share is kept aside until he comes? I then asked, ‘Is there Zakat on his share?’ He (the Imam) said,

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع رَجُلٌ كَانَ عِنْدَهُ مِائَتَا دِرْهَمٍ غَيْرَ دِرْهَمٍ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ شَهْراً ثُمَّ أَصَابَ دِرْهَماً بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فِي الشَّهْرِ الثَّانِيَ عَشَرَ فَكَمَلَتْ عِنْدَهُ مِائَتَا دِرْهَمٍ أَ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاتُهَا قَالَ لَا حَتَّى يَحُولَ عَلَيْهِ الْحَوْلُ وَ هِيَ مِائَتَا دِرْهَمٍ فَإِنْ كَانَتْ مِائَةً وَ خَمْسِينَ دِرْهَماً فَأَصَابَ خَمْسِينَ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَمْضِيَ شَهْرٌ فَلَا زَكَاةَ عَلَيْه

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about a man who has two hundred dirham less one dirham for eleven months, then he gains one more dirham thereafter during the twelfth month to complete the two hundred. Is there Zakat on him? He (the Imam) said, ‘No, Zakat is not due on him until a year passes and it is two hundred dirh

فِي خَمْسِ قَلَائِصَ شَاةٌ[3] وَ لَيْسَ فِيمَا دُونَ الْخَمْسِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ فِي عَشْرٍ شَاتَانِ وَ فِي خَمْسَ عَشْرَةَ ثَلَاثُ شِيَاهٍ وَ فِي عِشْرِينَ أَرْبَعٌ وَ فِي خَمْسٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ خَمْسٌ وَ فِي سِتٍّ وَ عِشْرِينَ بِنْتُ مَخَاضٍ إِلَى خَمْسٍ وَ ثَلَاثِينَ. وَ قَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ هَذَا فَرْقٌ بَيْنَنَا وَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فَإِذَا زَادَتْ وَاحِدَةٌ فَفِيهَا بِنْتُ لَبُونٍ إِلَى خَمْسٍ وَ أَرْبَعِينَ فَإِذَا زَ

2. 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 af-Hajjaj who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘On five Qala’is (young she camel) Zakat is one sheep and Zakat is not due on less than five camels.

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص كَتَبَ لَهُ فِي كِتَابِهِ الَّذِي كَتَبَ لَهُ بِخَطِّهِ حِينَ بَعَثَهُ عَلَى الصَّدَقَاتِ مَنْ بَلَغَتْ عِنْدَهُ مِنَ الْإِبِلِ صَدَقَةُ الْجَذَعَةِ وَ لَيْسَتْ عِنْدَهُ جَذَعَةٌ وَ عِنْدَهُ حِقَّةٌ فَإِنَّهُ تُقْبَلُ مِنْهُ الْحِقَّةُ وَ يَجْعَلُ مَعَهَا شَاتَيْنِ أَوْ عِشْرِينَ دِرْهَماً وَ مَنْ بَلَغَتْ عِنْدَهُ صَدَقَةُ الْحِقَّةِ وَ لَيْسَتْ عِنْدَهُ حِقَّةٌ وَ عِنْدَهُ جَذَعَةٌ فَ

Those who owe Jadha’ah as Zakat for camels but do not have Jadha‘ah but have Hiqqah, it is accepted from them, but they must give two sheep along with it or twenty dirham. Those who owe one Hiqqah as Zakat but do not have it, but have Jadha’ah, it is accepted from them and Zakat collector gives them two sheep or twenty

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ أَصْحَابَ أَبِي أَتَوْهُ فَسَأَلُوهُ عَمَّا يَأْخُذُ السُّلْطَانُ فَرَقَّ لَهُمْ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَعْلَمُ أَنَّ الزَّكَاةَ لَا تَحِلُّ إِلَّا لِأَهْلِهَا فَأَمَرَهُمْ أَنْ يَحْتَسِبُوا بِهِ فَجَالَ فِكْرِي‌[1] وَ اللَّهِ لَهُمْ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَبَةِ إِنَّهُمْ إِنْ سَمِعُوا إِذاً لَمْ يُزَكِّ أَحَدٌ فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ حَقٌّ أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ أَنْ يُظْهِرَهُ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Once companions of my father came to him and asked about the money that al-Sultan (the ruler) makes them to pay. My father sympathized with them, knowing that receiving Zakat is not lawful unless one is a proper beneficiary, he instructed them to count such payment as Zakat. I

قَالَ لِي شِهَابُ بْنُ عَبْدِ رَبِّهِ أَقْرِئْ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِّي السَّلَامَ وَ أَعْلِمْهُ أَنَّهُ يُصِيبُنِي فَزَعٌ فِي مَنَامِي قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ شِهَاباً يُقْرِئُكَ السَّلَامَ وَ يَقُولُ لَكَ إِنَّهُ يُصِيبُنِي فَزَعٌ فِي مَنَامِي قَالَ قُلْ لَهُ فَلْيُزَكِّ مَالَهُ قَالَ فَأَبْلَغْتُ شِهَاباً ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لِي فَتُبْلِغُهُ عَنِّي فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ قُلْ لَهُ إِنَّ الصِّبْيَانَ فَضْلًا عَن

“Shihab ibn “Abd Rabbihi once asked me to convey his Salam (greeting of peace) to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and that he becomes terrified in his sleep. I then said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that Shihab has offered Salam (greeting of peace) and has said that he becomes terrified in his sleep. He (the Imam) said, ‘Tell him

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ع رَجُلٌ مَاتَ وَ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاةٌ وَ أَوْصَى أَنْ تُقْضَى عَنْهُ الزَّكَاةُ وَ وُلْدُهُ‌ مَحَاوِيجُ إِنْ دَفَعُوهَا أَضَرَّ ذَلِكَ بِهِمْ ضَرَراً شَدِيداً فَقَالَ يُخْرِجُونَهَا فَيَعُودُونَ بِهَا عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ يُخْرِجُونَ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً فَيُدْفَعُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِمْ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Awwal (a.s.), about a man who has died and he owes Zakat. He has made a will about payment of Zakat and his children are needy. If such payment is made it will harm them a great deal. He (the Imam) said, ‘They take the amount of Zakat out of the legacy and pay it to themselves, except so

ذُرِّيَّةُ الرَّجُلِ الْمُسْلِمِ إِذَا مَاتَ يُعْطَوْنَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ الْفِطْرَةِ كَمَا كَانَ يُعْطَى أَبُوهُمْ حَتَّى يَبْلُغُوا فَإِذَا بَلَغُوا وَ عَرَفُوا مَا كَانَ أَبُوهُمْ يَعْرِفُ أُعْطُوا وَ إِنْ نَصَبُوا لَمْ يُعْطَوْا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Children of a Muslim man who dies can receive Zakat and al-Fitrah just as their father would receive, until they become adults and become knowledgeable of what their father was knowledgeable (believed in); they still can receive Zakat but if they become hostile, then Zakat is not give

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ صَدَقَةَ الْخُفِّ وَ الظِّلْفِ تُدْفَعُ إِلَى الْمُتَجَمِّلِينَ‌[1] مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَأَمَّا صَدَقَةُ الذَّهَبِ وَ الْفِضَّةِ وَ مَا كِيلَ بِالْقَفِيزِ مِمَّا أَخْرَجَتِ الْأَرْضُ فَلِلْفُقَرَاءِ الْمُدْقَعِينَ‌[2] قَالَ ابْنُ سِنَانٍ قُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ صَارَ هَذَا كَذَا فَقَالَ لِأَنَّ هَؤُلَاءِ مُتَجَمِّلُونَ يَسْتَحْيُونَ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَيُدْفَعُ إِلَيْهِمْ أَجْمَلُ الْأَمْرَي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said, ‘Zakat for animals with hooves and Zakat of the cloven-footed ones are given to Muslims who maintain good-looking style but Zakat of gold, silver, and whatever is measured by measuring devices of what the earth produces is given to those who sit on dirt.’ Ibn Sinan has said that he th

قُلْتُ لَهُ لِي قَرَابَةٌ أُنْفِقُ عَلَى بَعْضِهِمْ وَ أُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ فَيَأْتِينِي إِبَّانُ الزَّكَاةِ[1] أَ فَأُعْطِيهِمْ مِنْهَا قَالَ مُسْتَحِقُّونَ لَهَا قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ هُمْ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ غَيْرِهِمْ أَعْطِهِمْ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَلْزَمُنِي مِنْ ذَوِي قَرَابَتِي حَتَّى لَا أَحْسُبَ الزَّكَاةَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَقَالَ أَبُوكَ وَ أُمُّكَ قُلْتُ أَبِي وَ أُمِّي قَالَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَ ا

“I once said to abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), that I pay Zakat to my relatives and give preference to certain ones among them over the others when it is time to pay Zakat. He (the Imam) asked, ’Are they deserving beneficiaries?’ I replied, ‘Yes, they deserve.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘They are better than others, you should

خَمْسَةٌ لَا يُعْطَوْنَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ شَيْئاً الْأَبُ وَ الْأُمُّ وَ الْوَلَدُ وَ الْمَمْلُوكُ وَ الْمَرْأَةُ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّهُمْ عِيَالُهُ لَازِمُونَ لَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Zakat cannot be given to five kinds of people: father, mother, children, slaves, and one’s wife, because they are one’s dependents for whom one must provide sustenance.’”

سَأَلْتُ الصَّادِقَ ع أَدْفَعُ عُشْرَ مَالِي إِلَى وُلْدِ ابْنَتِي قَالَ نَعَمْ لَا بَأْسَ.

“I once asked al-Sadiq, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Can I give one out of ten of my asset to the children of my daughter? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is not harmful.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ حَلَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الزَّكَاةُ وَ مَاتَ أَبُوهُ وَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ أَ يُؤَدِّي زَكَاتَهُ فِي دَيْنِ أَبِيهِ وَ لِلِابْنِ مَالٌ كَثِيرٌ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ أَبُوهُ أَوْرَثَهُ مَالًا ثُمَّ ظَهَرَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ لَمْ يَعْلَمْ بِهِ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَيَقْضِيَهُ عَنْهُ قَضَاهُ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الْمِيرَاثِ وَ لَمْ يَقْضِهِ مِنْ زَكَاتِهِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ أَوْرَثَهُ مَالًا لَمْ يَكُنْ أَحَدٌ أَح

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that there is a man whose father has died and he is indebted. Can he pay the debts on his father from Zakat he owes when the son has a great wealth? He (the Imam) said, ‘If his father has left a legacy for him and then it is found out that there are debts on his father that he did

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ لَهُ ثَمَانُمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ لِابْنٍ لَهُ مِائَتَا دِرْهَمٍ وَ لَهُ عَشْرٌ مِنَ الْعِيَالِ وَ هُوَ يَقُوتُهُمْ فِيهَا قُوتاً شَدِيداً وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ حِرْفَةٌ بِيَدِهِ وَ إِنَّمَا يَسْتَبْضِعُهَا[1] فَتَغِيبُ عَنْهُ الْأَشْهُرَ ثُمَّ يَأْكُلُ مِنْ فَضْلِهَا أَ تَرَى لَهُ إِذَا حَضَرَتِ الزَّكَاةُ أَنْ يُخْرِجَهَا مِنْ مَالِهِ فَيَعُودَ بِهَا عَلَى عِيَالِهِ‌[2] يُسْبِغُ عَلَيْ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who has eight hundred dirham, his son has two hundred dirham. He has ten dependents to feed. He lives with difficulty and does not have any profession. He only uses his dirham as capital to earn his living. It remains idle for months. He uses his savings for his expenses

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع رَجُلٌ مُسْلِمٌ مَمْلُوكٌ وَ مَوْلَاهُ رَجُلٌ مُسْلِمٌ وَ لَهُ مَالٌ يُزَكِّيهِ وَ لِلْمَمْلُوكِ وَلَدٌ صَغِيرٌ حُرٌّ أَ يُجْزِئُ مَوْلَاهُ أَنْ يُعْطِيَ ابْنَ عَبْدِهِ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

The slave has a small child who is free. Can the master pay Zakat to the child of his slave? He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا حَدُّ الْجِزْيَةِ عَلَى أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ وَ هَلْ عَلَيْهِمْ فِي ذَلِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ مُوَظَّفٌ لَا يَنْبَغِي أَنْ يَجُوزُوا إِلَى غَيْرِهِ فَقَالَ ذَاكَ إِلَى الْإِمَامِ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ مِنْ كُلِّ إِنْسَانٍ مِنْهُمْ مَا شَاءَ عَلَى قَدْرِ مَالِهِ بِمَا يُطِيقُ إِنَّمَا هُمْ قَوْمٌ فَدَوْا أَنْفُسَهُمْ مِنْ أَنْ يُسْتَعْبَدُوا[1] أَوْ يُقْتَلُوا فَالْجِزْيَةُ تُؤْخَذُ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى قَدْرِ

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about al-Jizyah (taxes paid by a non-Muslim taxpayer) of the people of the book. Is there anything definite, which does not change? He (the Imam) said, ‘It is up to the Imam. He may receive from every one of them what he decides which they can afford in proportion to their assets. T

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّكَ كُنْتَ تَفْعَلُ فِي غَلَّةِ عَيْنِ زِيَادٍ[1] شَيْئاً وَ أَنَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَسْمَعَهُ مِنْكَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي نَعَمْ كُنْتُ آمُرُ إِذَا أَدْرَكَتِ الثَّمَرَةُ أَنْ يُثْلَمَ فِي حِيطَانِهَا الثُّلَمُ لِيَدْخُلَ النَّاسُ وَ يَأْكُلُوا وَ كُنْتُ آمُرُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ أَنْ يُوضَعَ عَشْرُ بُنَيَّاتٍ يَقْعُدُ عَلَى كُلِّ بُنَيَّةٍ[2] عَشَرَةٌ كُلَّمَا أَكَلَ عَشَرَةٌ جَاءَ

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I have heard that you had done certain things about the produce of the farm in ‘Ayn Ziyad (name of a certain oasis) and I like to hear it from you.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, I would command at the time fruits ripened to