Children & Parenting

أَكْلُ الرُّمَّانِ الْحُلْوِ يَزِيدُ فِي مَاءِ الرَّجُلِ وَ يُحَسِّنُ الْوَلَدَ.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘Eating sweet pomegranate increases one’s seed and forms the child well?”

كَانَ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ ص فَأُهْدِيَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص سَفَرْجَلٌ فَقَطَعَ مِنْهُ النَّبِيُّ ص قِطْعَةً وَ نَاوَلَهَا جَعْفَراً فَأَبَى أَنْ يَأْكُلَهَا فَقَالَ خُذْهَا وَ كُلْهَا فَإِنَّهَا تُذَكِّي الْقَلْبَ وَ تُشَجِّعُ الْجَبَانَ وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى كُلْ فَإِنَّهُ يُصَفِّي اللَّوْنَ وَ يُحَسِّنُ الْوَلَدَ[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Ja‘far ibn abu Talib was with the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and he presented quince to the Holy Prophet. The Holy Prophet cut one piece from it and gave it to Ja‘far but he declined to eat it. The Ho

مَنْ أَكَلَ سَفَرْجَلَةً عَلَى الرِّيقِ طَابَ مَاؤُهُ وَ حَسُنَ وَلَدُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one eats quince before breakfast his seed becomes fine and his child well-formed.’”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع وَ هُوَ بِمَكَّةَ وَ هُوَ يُقَشِّرُ مَوْزاً وَ يُطْعِمُهُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا الْمَوْلُودُ الْمُبَارَكُ قَالَ نَعَمْ يَا يَحْيَى هَذَا الْمَوْلُودُ الَّذِي لَمْ يُولَدْ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ مِثْلُهُ مَوْلُودٌ أَعْظَمُ بَرَكَةً عَلَى شِيعَتِنَا مِنْهُ.

3. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad Ali ibn Asbat from Yahya al-San’aniy who has said the following: “I once visited abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, in Makkah. He (the Imam) peeled banana and fed it to abu Ja‘far, al-Thaniy, ‘Alayhi al-Salam. I then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my s

مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَكْثُرَ مَاؤُهُ وَ وُلْدُهُ فَلْيُدْمِنْ أَكْلَ الْهِنْدَبَاءِ[1].

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’If one likes to increase his seed and children he should eat endives very often.’”

مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَكْثُرَ مَاؤُهُ وَ وُلْدُهُ فَلْيُكْثِرْ أَكْلَ الْهِنْدَبَاءِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’If one likes to increase his seed and children he should eat endives very often.’”

عَلَيْكَ بِالْهِنْدَبَاءِ فَإِنَّهُ يَزِيدُ فِي الْمَاءِ وَ يُحَسِّنُ الْوَلَدَ وَ هُوَ حَارٌّ لَيِّنٌ يَزِيدُ فِي الْوَلَدِ الذُّكُورَةَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said, ‘You must eat endives because it increases one’s seed and forms children well. It is hot, soft and increases male children.’”

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ الْهِنْدَبَاءُ شِفَاءٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ دَاءٍ مَا مِنْ دَاءٍ فِي جَوْفِ ابْنِ آدَمَ إِلَّا قَمَعَهُ الْهِنْدَبَاءُ قَالَ وَ دَعَا بِهِ يَوْماً لِبَعْضِ الْحَشَمِ وَ كَانَ تَأْخُذُهُ الْحُمَّى وَ الصُّدَاعُ فَأَمَرَ أَنْ يُدَقَّ وَ صَيَّرَهُ عَلَى قِرْطَاسٍ وَ صَبَّ عَلَيْهِ دُهْنَ الْبَنَفْسَجِ وَ وَضَعَهُ عَلَى جَبِينِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ يَذْهَبُ بِالْحُمَّى وَ يَنْفَعُ مِنَ الصُّدَا

9. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il who has said the following: “I once heard al-Rida’ (a.s.), saying, ‘The endive is cure for a thousand illnesses. There is no illness in the belly of the sons of Adam that endives cannot dispel.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘One day h

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ تَخَلَّلُوا فَإِنَّهُ مَصْلَحَةٌ لِلِّثَةِ وَ النَّوَاجِدِ[1]. - عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْأَشْعَرِيِّ عَنِ ابْنِ الْقَدَّاحِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ تَخَلَّلُوا فَإِنَّهُ يُنَقِّي الْفَمَ وَ مَصْلَحَةٌ لِلِّثَةِ.

‘You must use a toothpick it is beneficial for the gums and the molars.’”

لَهُ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ جَدَّكَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص صَنَعَ هَكَذَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin once drank water standing. He then drank the water left from his wudu standing; then he turned to Al-Husayn (a.s.), and said, ‘Son, I saw your grandfather, the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Y

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ يَشْرَبُ الشَّرْبَةَ مِنَ الْمَاءِ فَيُدْخِلُهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهَا الْجَنَّةَ قُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ ذَاكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ قَالَ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ يَشْرَبُ الْمَاءَ فَيَقْطَعُهُ ثُمَّ يُنَحِّي الْإِنَاءَ وَ هُوَ يَشْتَهِيهِ فَيَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ثُمَّ يَعُودُ فِيهِ وَ يَشْرَبُ ثُمَّ يُنَحِّيهِ وَ هُوَ يَشْتَهِيهِ فَيَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘A man only drinks water but Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, for that reason admits him in paradise.’ I then asked, ‘How can that happen, O child of the Messenger of Allah?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘The man drinks water, stops drinking, moves the bowl away when he still has

الْخَمْرُ مِنْ خَمْسَةِ أَشْيَاءَ مِنَ التَّمْرِ وَ الزَّبِيبِ وَ الْحِنْطَةِ وَ الشَّعِيرِ وَ الْعَسَلِ. - مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَحْمَدَ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي نَجْرَانَ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ الْجَمَّالِ عَنْ عَامِرِ بْنِ السِّمْطِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

‘Wine is made of five substances: it is made from grape juice, extracts of raisins, al-Bit ’ (mead) from honey, al-Mizru (beer) from barley and wine from dates.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمَّا أَهْبَطَ آدَمَ ع أَمَرَهُ بِالْحَرْثِ وَ الزَّرْعِ وَ طَرَحَ إِلَيْهِ غَرْساً مِنْ غُرُوسِ الْجَنَّةِ فَأَعْطَاهُ النَّخْلَ وَ الْعِنَبَ وَ الزَّيْتُونَ وَ الرُّمَّانَ فَغَرَسَهَا لِيَكُونَ لِعَقِبِهِ وَ ذُرِّيَّتِهِ فَأَكَلَ هُوَ مِنْ ثِمَارِهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ إِبْلِيسُ لَعَنَهُ اللَّهُ يَا آدَمُ مَا هَذَا الْغَرْسُ الَّذِي لَمْ أَكُنْ أَعْرِفُهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ قَدْ كُنْتُ فِيهَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, made Adam (a.s.) to descend, He commanded him to farm and plant and threw to him a plant from the plant of the garden (paradises). He gave him palm trees, grape vines, olives and pomegranates. He planted them for his offspring and descendents.

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْخَمْرِ فَقَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَعَثَنِي‌ رَحْمَةً لِلْعالَمِينَ‌ وَ لِأَمْحَقَ الْمَعَازِفَ وَ الْمَزَامِيرَ وَ أُمُورَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ وَ الْأَوْثَانَ وَ قَالَ أَقْسَمَ رَبِّي أَنْ لَا يَشْرَبَ عَبْدٌ لِي فِي الدُّنْيَا خَمْراً إِلَّا سَقَيْتُهُ مِثْلَ مَا شَرِبَ مِنْهَا مِنَ الْحَمِيمِ- يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مُعَذَّباً أَوْ مَغْفُوراً لَهُ وَ

“Once abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about wine. Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, sent me as mercy for the worlds. (Allah sent me) to eradicate playi

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْمَوْلُودُ يُولَدُ فَنَسْقِيهِ مِنَ الْخَمْرِ فَقَالَ مَنْ سَقَى مَوْلُوداً خَمْراً أَوْ قَالَ مُسْكِراً سَقَاهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنَ الْحَمِيمِ وَ إِنْ غَفَرَ لَهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), if we can make a new born drink wine. He (the Imam) said, ‘If one makes a child drink wine’ or he said, ‘intoxicating liquor, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, will make him drink al-Hamim (boiling water that roasts the face when drinking) of hell even if He forgives him.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَنْ شَرِبَ مُسْكِراً أَوْ سَقَاهُ صَبِيّاً لَا يَعْقِلُ سَقَيْتُهُ مِنْ مَاءِ الْحَمِيمِ مُعَذَّباً أَوْ مَغْفُوراً لَهُ وَ مَنْ تَرَكَ الْمُسْكِرَ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِي أَدْخَلْتُهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَ سَقَيْتُهُ مِنَ الرَّحِيقِ الْمَخْتُومِ وَ فَعَلْتُ بِهِ مِنَ الْكَرَامَةِ مَا أَفْعَلُ بِأَوْلِيَائِي.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “If one drinks an intoxicating liquor or makes a child, who does not understand, to drink it, I will make him to drink al-Hamim, regardless of whether he will suffer punishment or will be forgiven. One who quits intoxicating substa

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ شَرِبَ الْخَمْرَ بَعْدَ أَنْ حَرَّمَهَا اللَّهُ تَعَالَى عَلَى لِسَانِي فَلَيْسَ بِأَهْلٍ أَنْ يُزَوَّجَ إِذَا خَطَبَ وَ لَا يُصَدَّقَ إِذَا حَدَّثَ وَ لَا يُشَفَّعَ إِذَا شَفَعَ وَ لَا يُؤْتَمَنَ عَلَى أَمَانَةٍ فَمَنِ ائْتَمَنَهُ عَلَى أَمَانَةٍ فَأَكَلَهَا أَوْ ضَيَّعَهَا فَلَيْسَ لِلَّذِي ائْتَمَنَهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يَأْجُرَهُ وَ لَا يُخْلِفَ عَلَيْهِ- وَ قَالَ أَبُ

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘If one drinks wine after Allah, most High, has made it unlawful through my tongue, he then does not deserve to be married if he proposes marriage. He is not considered truthful if he speaks

إِنَّهُ لَمَّا احْتُضِرَ أَبِي ع قَالَ لِي يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّهُ لَا يَنَالُ شَفَاعَتَنَا مَنِ اسْتَخَفَّ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَ لَا يَرِدُ عَلَيْنَا الْحَوْضَ مَنْ أَدْمَنَ هَذِهِ الْأَشْرِبَةَ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَهْ وَ أَيَّ الْأَشْرِبَةِ فَقَالَ كُلَّ مُسْكِرٍ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘When my father was about to pass away he said to me, ‘My son, our intercession will not apply to those who take their Salat (prayer) lightly and the addicts of these drinks will not be able to come to us at the pond. I then asked, ‘What are these drinks, O father?’ He (the Imam) said,

مَا عُصِيَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ أَشَدَّ مِنْ شُرْبِ الْخَمْرِ إِنَّ أَحَدَهُمْ لَيَدَعُ الصَّلَاةَ الْفَرِيضَةَ وَ يَثِبُ عَلَى أُمِّهِ وَ أُخْتِهِ وَ ابْنَتِهِ وَ هُوَ لَا يَعْقِلُ.

“One of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ‘Allah is not disobeyed by anything more severely than by drinking wine. One of them may neglect obligatory Salat (prayer), fall on his mother, sister or daughter when drunk and be devoid of reason.’”

سَأَلَ الْمَهْدِيُّ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الْخَمْرِ هَلْ هِيَ مُحَرَّمَةٌ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَإِنَّ النَّاسَ إِنَّمَا يَعْرِفُونَ النَّهْيَ عَنْهَا وَ لَا يَعْرِفُونَ التَّحْرِيمَ لَهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع بَلْ هِيَ مُحَرَّمَةٌ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَقَالَ لَهُ فِي أَيِّ مَوْضِعٍ هِيَ مُحَرَّمَةٌ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ جَلَّ اسْمُهُ يَا أَبَا الْحَسَن

“Al-Mahdiy once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about wine; if it is made unlawful in the book of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, because people know it is prohibited and they do not know if it is unlawful. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), said to him, ‘Yes, it is unlawful in the book of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, O ’A

لَا بَأْسَ بِشُرْبِ الْعَصِيرِ سِتَّةَ أَيَّامٍ قَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ مَعْنَاهُ مَا لَمْ يَغْلِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not unlawful to drink juice (grape juice) up to six days.’ Ibn abu ‘Umayr has said, ‘It means that it does not become intoxicating liquor and unlawful before it comes to a boil.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ شُرْبِ الْفُقَّاعِ فَكَرِهَهُ كَرَاهَةً شَدِيدَةً. - أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ‌ مِثْلَهُ.

11. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il who has said the following: “I once asked abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about drinking al-Fuqa ’ and he (the Imam) disliked it very intensely.” Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from ibn Faddal from Muhammad

أَقْبَلَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ قَوْمٌ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فَقَالُوا مَنْ هَذَا فَقِيلَ لَهُمْ إِمَامُ أَهْلِ الْعِرَاقِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَوْ بَعَثْتُمْ إِلَيْهِ بِبَعْضِكُمْ يَسْأَلُهُ فَأَتَاهُ شَابٌّ مِنْهُمْ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ عَمِّ مَا أَكْبَرُ الْكَبَائِرِ قَالَ شُرْبُ الْخَمْرِ فَأَتَاهُمْ فَأَخْبَرَهُمْ فَقَالُوا لَهُ عُدْ إِلَيْهِ فَعَادَ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ لَمْ

“Once abu Ja‘far (a.s.), went to Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred area). A group of Quraysh saw him. They asked, ‘Who is he?’ It was said to them, ‘He is the Imam of the people of Iraq.’ Certain ones among them said, ‘You may send someone to ask him questions.’ One young man from among them went and asked, ‘Son of my uncle,

بَعَثَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ الْعَبَّاسِ إِلَى ابْنِ الْكَوَّاءِ وَ أَصْحَابِهِ وَ عَلَيْهِ قَمِيصٌ رَقِيقٌ وَ حُلَّةٌ فَلَمَّا نَظَرُوا إِلَيْهِ قَالُوا يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ أَنْتَ خَيْرُنَا فِي أَنْفُسِنَا وَ أَنْتَ تَلْبَسُ هَذَا اللِّبَاسَ فَقَالَ وَ هَذَا أَوَّلُ مَا أُخَاصِمُكُمْ فِيهِ- قُلْ‌ مَنْ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي أَخْرَجَ لِعِبادِهِ وَ الطَّيِّباتِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ‌[1] وَ قَال

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin sent ‘Abd Allah ibn al-‘Abbas to ibn al-Kawwa’ and his people. He was wearing a shirt of fine fabric and a gown. They looked at him and said, ‘O ibn al- ‘Abbas, you are the better among us in our belief and you wear this kind of clothes.’ He replied, ‘This is the

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عَلَيَّ جُبَّةُ خَزٍّ وَ طَيْلَسَانُ خَزٍّ فَنَظَرَ إِلَيَّ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ عَلَيَّ جُبَّةُ خَزٍّ وَ طَيْلَسَانُ خَزٍّ فَمَا تَقُولُ فِيهِ فَقَالَ وَ مَا بَأْسٌ بِالْخَزِّ قُلْتُ وَ سَدَاهُ إِبْرِيسَمٌ قَالَ وَ مَا بَأْسٌ بِإِبْرِيسَمٍ فَقَدْ أُصِيبَ الْحُسَيْنُ ع وَ عَلَيْهِ جُبَّةُ خَزٍّ ثُمَّ قَالَ‌إِنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَبَّاسٍ لَمَّا بَعَثَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْ

“I once visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and I was wearing a Jubbah of silk and al-Taylisan (pallium) of silk. He (the Imam) looked at me and I asked saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I am wearing a Taylisan of silk and a Jubbah of silk, what do you say about them?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘

مَرَّ سُفْيَانُ الثَّوْرِيُّ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ فَرَأَى أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عَلَيْهِ ثِيَابٌ كَثِيرَةُ الْقِيمَةِ حِسَانٌ فَقَالَ وَ اللَّهِ لآَتِيَنَّهُ وَ لَأُوَبِّخَنَّهُ فَدَنَا مِنْهُ فَقَالَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ مَا لَبِسَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مِثْلَ هَذَا اللِّبَاسِ وَ لَا عَلِيٌّ ع وَ لَا أَحَدٌ مِنْ آبَائِكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي زَمَانِ قَتْرٍ مُقْتِ

“Once, Sufyan al-Thawriy passed by Masjid al-Haram (the sacred area) and he saw abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), dressed in fine expensive clothes. He decided to meet him (the Imam) and scold him. He went close and said, ‘O son of the Messenger of Allah, the Messenger of Allah did not dress up with this kind of dress, Ali did no

حَمَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْحَمْلَةَ الثَّانِيَةَ إِلَى الْكُوفَةِ وَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ الْمَنْصُورُ بِهَا فَلَمَّا أَشْرَفَ عَلَى الْهَاشِمِيَّةِ[2] مَدِينَةِ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ أَخْرَجَ رِجْلَهُ مِنْ غَرْزِ الرِّجْلِ‌[3] ثُمَّ نَزَلَ وَ دَعَا بِبَغْلَةٍ شَهْبَاءَ وَ لَبِسَ ثِيَابَ بِيضٍ وَ كُمَّةً[4] بَيْضَاءَ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ لَقَدْ تَشَبَّهْتَ بِالْأَنْبِيَاءِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْد

“I provided abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), transportation to al-Kufah for the second time and abu Ja‘far al-Mansur was in it. When he (the Imam) arrived in al-Hashimiyah, the city of abu Ja‘far, al- Mansur, he (the Imam) pulled out his feet from the saddle’s stirrups and dismounted. He asked for al- Shahba ’ mule and dressed i

خَرَجَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يُصَلِّي عَلَى بَعْضِ أَطْفَالِهِمْ وَ عَلَيْهِ جُبَّةُ خَزٍّ صَفْرَاءُ وَ مِطْرَفُ خَزٍّ أَصْفَرُ[2].

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), came out for Salat (prayer) and certain ones of his children had a gown of yellow al-Khazz (skin or fur of an animal that lives in water) with ribbon work of yellow al- Khazz.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا أَعْجَبَ إِلَى النَّاسِ مَنْ يَأْكُلُ الْجَشِبَ وَ يَلْبَسُ‌ الْخَشِنَ وَ يَتَخَشَّعُ فَقَالَ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ يُوسُفَ ع نَبِيٌّ ابْنُ نَبِيٍّ كَانَ يَلْبَسُ أَقْبِيَةَ الدِّيبَاجِ مَزْرُورَةً بِالذَّهَبِ وَ يَجْلِسُ فِي مَجَالِسِ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ‌[1] يَحْكُمُ فَلَمْ يَحْتَجِ النَّاسُ إِلَى لِبَاسِهِ وَ إِنَّمَا احْتَاجُوا إِلَى قِسْطِهِ وَ إِنَّمَا يُحْتَاجُ مِنَ الْإِمَامِ فِي أَ

He (the Imam) said, ‘Has it not come to your notice that Yusuf was a prophet and the son of a prophet who wore gowns decorated with brocades and buttons of gold. He would sit in the gathering of the pharaohs and issue judgments. People did not need his dress. They however needed his justice. What is needed of an Imam i

أَمَرَنِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنْ أَشْتَرِيَ لَهُ إِزَاراً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنِّي لَسْتُ أُصِيبُ إِلَّا وَاسِعاً قَالَ اقْطَعْ مِنْهُ وَ كُفَّهُ‌[3] قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ أَبِي قَالَ وَ مَا جَاوَزَ الْكَعْبَيْنِ فَفِي النَّارِ. - مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ‌ مِثْلَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once commanded me to buy a loincloth for him. I said that I could only find wide ones. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must cut it and stitch its borders.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘My father has said, “Whatever of loincloth passes down the ankles is in the fire.’” Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from

نَظَرَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِلَى فَتًى مُرْخٍ إِزَارَهُ فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ ارْفَعْ إِزَارَكَ فَإِنَّهُ أَبْقَى لِثَوْبِكَ وَ أَنْقَى لِقَلْبِكَ.

“’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), once saw a young man with his loincloths hanging low, and said to him, ‘Son, you must raise your loincloth; it will last longer and help clean your heart (from arrogance).”’

كُنَّا نَمْشِي مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ هُوَ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يُعَزِّيَ ذَا قَرَابَةٍ لَهُ بِمَوْلُودٍ لَهُ فَانْقَطَعَ شِسْعُ نَعْلِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَتَنَاوَلَ نَعْلَهُ مِنْ رِجْلِهِ ثُمَّ مَشَى حَافِياً فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ ابْنُ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ فَخَلَعَ نَعْلَ نَفْسِهِ مِنْ رِجْلِهِ وَ خَلَعَ الشِّسْعَ مِنْهَا وَ نَاوَلَهُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ كَهَيْئَةِ الْمُغْضَبِ ثُمَّ أَبَى أَنْ يَقْ

“Once we were walking with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), to (the house of) one of his relatives for offering condolences because of the death of their child. The strap and thong of the shoe of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), broke, so he took his shoes in his hand and began to walk barefoot. Ibn abu Ya‘fur looked at him and took his s

رَآنِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عَلَيَّ نَعْلٌ سَوْدَاءُ فَقَالَ يَا عُبَيْدُ مَا لَكَ وَ لِلنَّعْلِ السَّوْدَاءِ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ فِيهَا ثَلَاثَ خِصَالٍ تُرْخِي الذَّكَرَ وَ تُضْعِفُ الْبَصَرَ وَ هِيَ أَغْلَى ثَمَناً مِنْ غَيْرِهَا وَ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَلْبَسُهَا وَ مَا يَمْلِكُ إِلَّا أَهْلَهُ وَ وَلَدَهُ فَيَبْعَثُهُ اللَّهُ جَبَّاراً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saw me with a black shoe and said, ‘O ‘Ubayd, what have you to do with a black shoe? Did you not know that it has three negative qualities? It slackens the penis, weakens the eyesight and it is more expensive than other shoes. If a man, who does not have anything except his wife and children, we

مَنْ أَرَادَ لُبْسَ النَّعْلِ فَوَقَعَتْ لَهُ صَفْرَاءُ إِلَى الْبَيَاضِ لَمْ يَعْدَمْ مَالًا وَ وَلَداً وَ مَنْ وَقَعَتْ لَهُ سَوْدَاءُ لَمْ يَعْدَمْ غَمّاً وَ هَمّاً.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘If one wants to wear shoes and he finds yellow toward whiteness shoes, he will not live without property or children; but if one finds black shoes he will not live without sadness and anxieties.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الذَّهَبِ يُحَلَّى بِهِ الصِّبْيَانُ فَقَالَ كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يُحَلِّي وُلْدَهُ وَ نِسَاءَهُ بِالذَّهَبِ وَ الْفِضَّةِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of children; if they can use gold as ornaments. He (the Imam) said that Ali ibn al-Husayn, (a.s.) allowed his children and women to use gold and silver as ornaments.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الذَّهَبِ يُحَلَّى بِهِ الصِّبْيَانُ فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ أَبِي ع لَيُحَلِّي وُلْدَهُ وَ نِسَاءَهُ بِالذَّهَبِ وَ الْفِضَّةِ فَلَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of children; if they can use gold as ornaments. He (the Imam) said, ‘My father (a.s.), allowed his children and women to use gold and silver as ornaments, so it is not unlawful.’”

دَخَلَ قَوْمٌ عَلَى الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ ع فَقَالُوا يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ نَرَى فِي مَنْزِلِكَ أَشْيَاءَ نَكْرَهُهَا وَ إِذَا فِي مَنْزِلِهِ بُسُطٌ وَ نَمَارِقُ فَقَالَ ع إِنَّا نَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ فَنُعْطِيهِنَّ مُهُورَهُنَّ فَيَشْتَرِينَ مَا شِئْنَ لَيْسَ لَنَا مِنْهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

In his home there were pleasing spreading and cushions. He (the Imam) (a.s.), said, ‘We marry women and give them their mahr (dower). They buy whatever they want and we do not have anything to say about it.’”

الْحِنَّاءُ يَذْهَبُ بِالسَّهَكِ‌[1] وَ يَزِيدُ فِي مَاءِ الْوَجْهِ وَ يُطَيِّبُ النَّكْهَةَ وَ يُحَسِّنُ الْوَلَدَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Applying henna dispels bad odor, increases beauty of the face, sweetens the fragrance and beautifies the child.’”

إِنَّ أَسْتَرَ وَ أَخْفَى مَا يُسَلِّطُ الشَّيْطَانَ مِنِ ابْنِ آدَمَ أَنْ صَارَ أَنْ يَسْكُنَ تَحْتَ الْأَظَافِيرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ’The strongest cover and most secret place for Satan by which he dominates children of Adam, Alayhi al-Salam is his hiding under the fingernails.’”

دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَ أَبِي وَ جَدِّي وَ عَمِّي حَمَّاماً بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ فِي بَيْتِ الْمَسْلَخِ فَقَالَ لَنَا مِمَّنِ الْقَوْمُ فَقُلْنَا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْعِرَاقِ فَقَالَ‌ وَ أَيُّ الْعِرَاقِ قُلْنَا كُوفِيُّونَ فَقَالَ مَرْحَباً بِكُمْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكُوفَةِ أَنْتُمُ الشِّعَارُ[1] دُونَ الدِّثَارِ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا يَمْنَعُكُمْ مِنَ الْأُزُرِ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ عَوْرَةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِ

8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il ibn Bazi‘ all from Hanan ibn Sadir from his father who has said the following: “My father, grandfather, uncle and I once entered a bathhouse in al-Madinah and t

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى جَمَاعَةٍ مِنْ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِمْ فِي بَيْتٍ مُظْلِمٍ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ سَلِّمْ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع فَإِنَّهُ فِي الصَّدْرِ قَالَ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَ جَلَسْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ قَدْ أَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ أَلْقَاكَ مُنْذُ حِينٍ لِأَسْأَلَكَ عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ فَقَالَ سَلْ مَا بَدَا لَكَ قُلْتُ مَا تَقُولُ فِي الْحَمَّامِ قَالَ لَا تَدْخُلِ الْحَمَّامَ إِلَّا بِمِئْزَرٍ وَ غُ

10. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Hakam from a man of banu Hashim who has said the following: “I once entered in dark house where a group of banu Hashim were and I offered them greeting of peace with the phrase of offering greeting. A certain one among them said, ‘Offer greeting of peace to abu al-Has

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا يَدْخُلِ الرَّجُلُ مَعَ ابْنِهِ الْحَمَّامَ فَيَنْظُرَ إِلَى عَوْرَتِهِ وَ قَالَ لَيْسَ لِلْوَالِدَيْنِ أَنْ يَنْظُرَا إِلَى عَوْرَةِ الْوَلَدِ وَ لَيْسَ لِلْوَلَدِ أَنْ يَنْظُرَ إِلَى عَوْرَةِ الْوَالِدِ وَ قَالَ لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص النَّاظِرَ وَ الْمَنْظُورَ إِلَيْهِ فِي الْحَمَّامِ بِلَا مِئْزَرٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘A man must not enter a bathhouse with his son where he can look at his private parts.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Parents cannot look at the private parts of

بَعَثَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ابْنَ أَخِيهِ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَجَاءَ وَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَدِ اطَّلَى بِالنُّورَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع اطَّلِ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا عَهْدِي بِالنُّورَةِ مُنْذُ ثَلَاثٍ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ النُّورَةَ طَهُورٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once sent the son of his brother for something he needed. He returned when abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), had applied lime paste. He (the Imam) said, ‘Apply lime paste.’ He said, ‘Only three days ago I had applied it.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘Applying lime is purifying.’”

شَكَا رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع شُقَاقاً فِي يَدَيْهِ وَ رِجْلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ خُذْ قُطْنَةً فَاجْعَلْ فِيهَا بَاناً وَ ضَعْهَا فِي سُرَّتِكَ فَقَالَ إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ عَمَّارٍ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ يَجْعَلُ الْبَانَ فِي قُطْنَةٍ وَ يَجْعَلُهَا فِي سُرَّتِهِ فَقَالَ أَمَّا أَنْتَ يَا إِسْحَاقُ فَصُبَّ الْبَانَ فِي سُرَّتِكَ فَإِنَّهَا كَبِيرَةٌ قَالَ ابْنُ أُذَيْنَةَ لَقِيتُ الرَّجُلَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأَخْبَرَنِي

“Once, a man complained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about cracks in his hands and feet. He (the Imam) said, ‘Take a piece of cotton, place frankincense oil in it and apply it in your belly button.’ Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar has said that I said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, frankincense oil in c

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ صَاحِبِ الْعَسْكَرِ ع فَجَاءَ صَبِيٌّ مِنْ صِبْيَانِهِ فَنَاوَلَهُ وَرْدَةً فَقَبَّلَهَا وَ وَضَعَهَا عَلَى عَيْنَيْهِ ثُمَّ نَاوَلَنِيهَا وَ قَالَ يَا أَبَا هَاشِمٍ مَنْ تَنَاوَلَ وَرْدَةً أَوْ رَيْحَانَةً فَقَبَّلَهَا وَ وَضَعَهَا عَلَى عَيْنَيْهِ ثُمَّ صَلَّى عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْأَئِمَّةِ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ الْحَسَنَاتِ مِثْلَ رَمْلِ عَالِجٍ وَ مَحَا عَنْهُ مِنَ السّ

“I once visited abu al-Hassan, Sahib al- ‘Askar (a.s.), when one of his children came and give him a flower. He (the Imam) kissed it and placed it on his eyes. He (the Imam) then gave it to me and said, ‘O abu Hashim, one on receiving a flower or a bunch of sweet basil should kiss and then place it on his eyes. Then he

ثَلَاثَةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ فِيهَا رَاحَةٌ دَارٌ وَاسِعَةٌ تُوَارِي عَوْرَتَهُ وَ سُوءَ حَالِهِ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَ امْرَأَةٌ صَالِحَةٌ تُعِينُهُ عَلَى أَمْرِ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ وَ ابْنَةٌ أَوْ أُخْتٌ يُخْرِجُهَا مِنْ مَنْزِلِهِ إِمَّا بِمَوْتٍ أَوْ بِتَزَوُّجٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Three things provide comfort for a believing person. Of such matters one is a spacious house which provides him privacy for his bad conditions among people, a virtuous wife who helps him in the matters of this and the next life and a daughter or sister whom he sends out of his house i

شَكَا إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ عَبَثَ أَهْلِ الْأَرْضِ بِأَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ بِعِيَالِهِ فَقَالَ كَمْ سَقْفُ بَيْتِكَ فَقَالَ عَشَرَةُ أَذْرُعٍ فَقَالَ اذْرَعْ ثَمَانِيَةَ أَذْرُعٍ ثُمَّ اكْتُبْ آيَةَ الْكُرْسِيِّ فِيمَا بَيْنَ الثَّمَانِيَةِ إِلَى الْعَشَرَةِ كَمَا تَدُورُ فَإِنَّ كُلَّ بَيْتٍ سَمْكُهُ أَكْثَرُ مِنْ ثَمَانِيَةِ أَذْرُعٍ فَهُوَ مُحْتَضَرٌ تَحْضُرُهُ الْجِنُّ يَكُونُ فِيهِ مَسْكَنُهُ.

“A man once complained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about people of the land mocking at his family and children. He (the Imam) asked, ‘How much is the height of your house?’ He replied, ‘It is ten yards.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Make it eight yards, then write verse 2:255 between the eigth and tenth yards as you go aroun

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ ابْنِ بَيْتَكَ سَبْعَةَ أَذْرُعٍ فَمَا كَانَ فَوْقَ ذَلِكَ سَكَنَهُ الشَّيَاطِينُ إِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ لَيْسَتْ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَ لَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ إِنَّمَا تَسْكُنُ الْهَوَاءَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Build your house seven yards high; anything higher than this becomes residence of Satans. Satans do not live in the sky or on earth. They live in the air.’”

مَرَرْتُ بِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ قَدْ نَزَلَ الْحِيرَةَ فَقَالَ لِي مَا عِلَاجُكَ قُلْتُ نَخَّاسٌ فَقَالَ أَصِبْ لِي بَغْلَةً فَضْحَاءَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا الْفَضْحَاءُ قَالَ دَهْمَاءُ بَيْضَاءُ الْبَطْنِ بَيْضَاءُ الْأَفْحَاجِ بَيْضَاءُ الْجَحْفَلَةِ[1] قَالَ فَقُلْتُ وَ اللَّهِ مَا رَأَيْتُ مِثْلَ هَذِهِ الصِّفَةِ فَرَجَعْتُ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ فَسَاعَةً دَخَلْتُ الْخَنْدَقَ إِذَا أَنَا غُلَامٌ قَدْ أَشْفَ

“I once visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when he had disembarked in al-Hirah and asked me, ‘What do you do for a living?’ I replied, ‘I trade in animals.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Find for me a mule which is Fadha ’.’ I then asked saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what is Fadha’?’ He (the Im

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا بُنَيَّ اتَّخِذِ الْغَنَمَ وَ لَا تَتَّخِذِ الْإِبِلَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, ‘Son, keep sheep but do not keep camels.’”