Death & Bereavement

فِيمَا نَاجَى بِهِ مُوسَى ع رَبَّهُ قَالَ يَا رَبِّ مَا لِمَنْ شَيَّعَ جَنَازَةً قَالَ أُوَكِّلُ بِهِ مَلَائِكَةً مِنْ مَلَائِكَتِي مَعَهُمْ رَايَاتٌ يُشَيِّعُونَهُمْ مِنْ قُبُورِهِمْ إِلَى مَحْشَرِهِمْ.

‘One of the private conversations that Moses had with his Lord was this: “O Lord, what is the reward for one who escorts a deceased person?” The Lord said, “I assign angels of My angels who carry banners when escorting them from their graves to the station for Judgment.’”

مَنْ حَمَلَ جَنَازَةً مِنْ أَرْبَعِ جَوَانِبِهَا غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ أَرْبَعِينَ كَبِيرَةً.

‘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.”

مَنْ أَخَذَ بِقَائِمَةِ السَّرِيرِ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ خَمْساً وَ عِشْرِينَ كَبِيرَةً وَ إِذَا رَبَّعَ خَرَجَ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ.

“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.”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ أَخَذَ بِجَوَانِبِ السَّرِيرِ الْأَرْبَعَةِ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ أَرْبَعِينَ كَبِيرَةً.

“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.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ كَيْفَ يُصَلَّى عَلَى الرِّجَالِ وَ النِّسَاءِ قَالَ يُوضَعُ الرَّجُلُ مِمَّا يَلِي الرِّجَالَ وَ النِّسَاءُ خَلْفَ الرِّجَالِ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about performing Salah (prayer) for the dead bodies of men and women. He (the Imam) said, ’The dead bodies of men are placed near men and those of women behind the (dead) men.”’

إِنْ كَانَ ثَلَاثَةً أَوِ اثْنَيْنِ أَوْ عَشَرَةً أَوْ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَلْيُصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَاةً وَاحِدَةً يُكَبِّرُ عَلَيْهِمْ خَمْسَ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ كَمَا يُصَلِّي عَلَى مَيِّتٍ وَاحِدٍ وَ قَدْ صَلَّى عَلَيْهِمْ جَمِيعاً يَضَعُ مَيِّتاً وَاحِداً ثُمَّ يَجْعَلُ الْآخَرَ إِلَى أَلْيَةِ الْأَوَّلِ ثُمَّ يَجْعَلُ رَأْسَ الثَّالِثِ إِلَى أَلْيَةِ الثَّانِي شِبْهَ الْمَدْرَجِ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ مِنْهُمْ كُلِّهِمْ مَا

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of one who performs Salah (prayer) for one or two or three dead bodies, how is he to perform them. He (the Imam) said, ‘If there are three or two or ten or less or more, he performs one Salah (prayer) with five Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) just as it is

كَانَ إِذَا صَلَّى‌[1] عَلَى الْمَرْأَةِ وَ الرَّجُلِ قَدَّمَ الْمَرْأَةَ وَ أَخَّرَ الرَّجُلَ وَ إِذَا صَلَّى عَلَى الْعَبْدِ وَ الْحُرِّ قَدَّمَ الْعَبْدَ وَ أَخَّرَ الْحُرَّ وَ إِذَا صَلَّى عَلَى الْكَبِيرِ وَ الصَّغِيرِ قَدَّمَ الصَّغِيرَ وَ أَخَّرَ الْكَبِيرَ.

“When abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), performed Salah (prayer) for a deceased man and a deceased woman, he (the Imam) would set forward woman, then the man. In the case of a slave and a free person, he (the Imam) would set forward the slave, then the free: and in the case of grown up and a minor, he set forward the minor then t

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرِّجَالِ وَ النِّسَاءِ كَيْفَ يُصَلَّى عَلَيْهِمْ قَالَ الرِّجَالُ أَمَامَ النِّسَاءِ مِمَّا يَلِي الْإِمَامَ يُصَفُّ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى أَثَرِ بَعْضٍ.

“I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about the case of deceased men and women as to how Salah (prayer) is performed for them. He (the Imam) said, ‘Men are placed before women from the side of the Imam in a queue one after the other.’”

يَضَعُ النِّسَاءَ مِمَّا يَلِي الْقِبْلَةَ وَ الصِّبْيَانَ دُونَهُمْ وَ الرِّجَالَ دُونَ ذَلِكَ وَ يَقُومُ الْإِمَامُ مِمَّا يَلِي الرِّجَالَ.

“About the case of the dead bodies of men, children and women, abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Women are placed first from the direction of al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah). Then the children, and then men are placed, and the Imam stands next to the dead bodied of men.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ جَنَائِزِ الرِّجَالِ وَ النِّسَاءِ إِذَا اجْتَمَعَتْ فَقَالَ يُقَدَّمُ الرِّجَالُ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of the dead bodies of men and women collected together. He (the Imam) said, ‘The dead bodied of men are placed first, according to the book of Ali (a.s.).’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ يُصَلِّي عَلَى جِنَازَةٍ وَحْدَهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَاثْنَانِ يُصَلِّيَانِ عَلَيْهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ لَكِنْ يَقُومُ الْآخَرُ خَلْفَ الْآخَرِ وَ لَا يَقُومُ بِجَنْبِهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who performs Salah (prayer) for a dead body alone. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can do so.’ I then asked, ‘Can two people perform Salah (prayer) for a dead body? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, but one of them stands behind the other and not on his side.’”

لَا يُصَلَّى عَلَى الْجِنَازَةِ بِحِذَاءٍ وَ لَا بَأْسَ بِالْخُفِّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Salah (prayer) for dead bodies are not performed wearing shoes, but it is not harmful to wear al-Khuff (slippers, socks).”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ خَيْرُ الصُّفُوفِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ الْمُقَدَّمُ وَ خَيْرُ الصُّفُوفِ فِي الْجَنَائِزِ الْمُؤَخَّرُ قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ لِمَ قَالَ صَارَ سُتْرَةً لِلنِّسَاءِ.

‘The best row in Salah (prayer) is the first row but the best row in Salah (prayer) for dead bodies is the last one.’ It was asked, ‘Why is it so, O Messenger of Allah?’ He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘It is a curtain for women.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَى امْرَأَةٍ فَلَا يَقُومُ فِي وَسَطِهَا وَ يَكُونُ مِمَّا يَلِي صَدْرَهَا وَ إِذَا صَلَّى عَلَى الرَّجُلِ فَلْيَقُمْ فِي وَسَطِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin) ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘When performing Salah (prayer) for a deceased woman one does not stand next to her midsection. Instead; one stands next to her chest, but when performing Salah (prayer) for a deceased man, one stands next to his midsection.”’

إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى الْمَرْأَةِ فَقُمْ عِنْدَ رَأْسِهَا وَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ فَقُمْ عِنْدَ صَدْرِهِ‌[3].

“Abu al-Hassan ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘When performing Salah (prayer) for a deceased woman you must stand up next to her head and for a man stand up next to his midsection.’”

يُصَلِّي عَلَى الْجِنَازَةِ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِهَا أَوْ يَأْمُرُ مَنْ يُحِبُّ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The nearest relative performs Salah (prayer) for a deceased or one whom such relative likes to perform Salah (prayer).”’

قُلْتُ لَهُ الْمَرْأَةُ تَمُوتُ مَنْ أَحَقُّ بِالصَّلَاةِ عَلَيْهَا قَالَ زَوْجُهَا قُلْتُ الزَّوْجُ أَحَقُّ مِنَ الْأَبِ وَ الْوَلَدِ وَ الْأَخِ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ يُغَسِّلُهَا.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), who is the most deserving to perform Salah (prayer) for a deceased woman? He (the Imam) said, ‘It is her husband.’ I then asked, ‘Is her husband more deserving or her father, son or brother? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, her husband is more deserving.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَمُوتُ مَنْ أَحَقُّ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهَا قَالَ الزَّوْجُ قُلْتُ الزَّوْجُ أَحَقُّ مِنَ الْأَبِ وَ الْأَخِ وَ الْوَلَدِ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a deceased woman as to who is most deserving to perform Salah (prayer) for her. He (the Imam) said, ‘Her husband deserves the most to perform Salah (prayer) for her.’ I then asked, ‘Is he more deserving than her father, brother or son? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he is more dese

إِذَا حَضَرَ الْإِمَامُ الْجِنَازَةَ فَهُوَ أَحَقُّ النَّاسِ بِالصَّلَاةِ عَلَيْهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If the Imam is present, he is the most deserving of all people to perform Salah (prayer) for a deceased person.’”

يُصَلِّي عَلَى الْجِنَازَةِ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِهَا أَوْ يَأْمُرُ مَنْ يُحِبُّ.

5. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Nasr from certain persons of our people who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The nearest relative performs Salah (prayer) for a deceased or one whom such relative likes to perform Salah (prayer).”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْجِنَازَةِ أَ يُصَلَّى عَلَيْهَا عَلَى غَيْرِ وُضُوءٍ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّمَا هُوَ[1] تَكْبِيرٌ وَ تَحْمِيدٌ وَ تَسْبِيحٌ وَ تَهْلِيلٌ كَمَا تُكَبِّرُ وَ تُسَبِّحُ فِي بَيْتِكَ عَلَى غَيْرِ وُضُوءٍ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about performing Salah (prayer) for a deceased without Wudu’. He (the Imam) said, ’It is permissible; it is only Takbir (Allah is great beyond description), Tahlil (no one deserves worship except Allah), Tahmid (it is Allah only who deserves all praise), Tasbih (Allah is free of all

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ تُدْرِكُهُ الْجِنَازَةُ وَ هُوَ عَلَى غَيْرِ وُضُوءٍ فَإِنْ ذَهَبَ يَتَوَضَّأُ فَاتَتْهُ الصَّلَاةُ عَلَيْهَا قَالَ يَتَيَمَّمُ وَ يُصَلِّي.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about a man who attends Salah (prayer) for a deceased without Wudu’ and if he goes for Wudu’ he misses Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘He can take Tayammum, then perform Salah (prayer).”’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع الْجِنَازَةُ يُخْرَجُ بِهَا وَ لَسْتُ عَلَى وُضُوءٍ فَإِنْ ذَهَبْتُ أَتَوَضَّأُ فَاتَتْنِي الصَّلَاةُ أَ لِيَ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهَا وَ أَنَا عَلَى غَيْرِ وُضُوءٍ قَالَ تَكُونُ عَلَى طُهْرٍ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about Salah (prayer) for a deceased when I do not have Wudu’, and because of going for Wudu’ I miss Salah (prayer) if I can perform it without Wudu’. He (the Imam) your being with Wudu’ is more beloved to me.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ تَفْجَأُهُ الْجِنَازَةُ وَ هُوَ عَلَى غَيْرِ طُهْرٍ قَالَ فَلْيُكَبِّرْ مَعَهُمْ‌[5].

“I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja’far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about a man who suddenly comes across Salah (prayer) for a deceased without Wudu’. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can say Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) along with them.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] عَنْ رَجُلٍ مَرَّتْ بِهِ جَنَازَةٌ وَ هُوَ عَلَى غَيْرِ وُضُوءٍ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ قَالَ يَضْرِبُ بِيَدَيْهِ عَلَى حَائِطِ اللَّبِنِ فَيَتَيَمَّمُ بِهِ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who comes across a deceased without Wudu’ and about what he should do. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can thump his palms against the wall of bricks to have Tayammum.’”

سُئِلَ كَيْفَ تُصَلِّي النِّسَاءُ عَلَى الْجِنَازَةِ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ مَعَهُنَّ رَجُلٌ قَالَ يَصْفُفْنَ جَمِيعاً وَ لَا تَتَقَدَّمُهُنَّ امْرَأَةٌ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about women’s performing Salah (prayer) for deceased people if there is no man present among them. He (the Imam) said, ‘They all line up and no one of them stands up in front of others.’”

إِذَا لَمْ يَحْضُرِ الرَّجُلُ تَقَدَّمَتِ امْرَأَةٌ وَسَطَهُنَّ وَ قَامَ النِّسَاءُ عَنْ يَمِينِهَا وَ شِمَالِهَا وَ هِيَ وَسَطَهُنَّ تُكَبِّرُ حَتَّى تَفْرُغَ مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘If no man is present, a woman leads (standing) in the middle with other women on her right and left, she in the middle says Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) until Salah (prayer) is complete.’”

قُلْتُ تُصَلِّي الْحَائِضُ عَلَى الْجِنَازَةِ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ لَا تَصُفُّ مَعَهُمْ تَقُومُ مُفْرَدَةً[2].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman experiencing Hayd (menses), if she can perform Salah (prayer) for a deceased. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, but she must not stand in the line; instead stand alone.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْحَائِضِ تُصَلِّي عَلَى الْجِنَازَةِ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ لَا تَصُفُّ مَعَهُمْ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who experiences Hayd (menses) if she can perform Salah (prayer) for a deceased. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, but she must not stand in the line of the others.’”

الطَّامِثُ تُصَلِّي عَلَى الْجِنَازَةِ لِأَنَّهُ لَيْسَ فِيهَا رُكُوعٌ وَ لَا سُجُودٌ وَ الْجُنُبُ تَتَيَمَّمُ وَ تُصَلِّي عَلَى الْجِنَازَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Woman experiencing Hayd (menses) can also perform Salah (prayer) for a deceased; there is no Ruku‘, and Sajdah. One experiencing sexual relation can take Tayammum and performs Salah (prayer) for a deceased.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَلْ يَمْنَعُكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنْ هَذِهِ السَّاعَاتِ عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ عَلَى الْجَنَائِزِ فَقَالَ لَا.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ’Is there any hour during which performing Salah (prayer) for a deceased is prohibited? He (the Imam) said, ‘No, there is no such time.’”

تُصَلَّى عَلَى الْجِنَازَةِ فِي كُلِّ سَاعَةٍ إِنَّهَا لَيْسَتْ بِصَلَاةِ رُكُوعٍ وَ لَا سُجُودٍ وَ إِنَّمَا تُكْرَهُ الصَّلَاةُ عِنْدَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَ عِنْدَ غُرُوبِهَا الَّتِي فِيهَا الْخُشُوعُ وَ الرُّكُوعُ وَ السُّجُودُ لِأَنَّهَا تَغْرُبُ بَيْنَ قَرْنَيْ شَيْطَانٍ وَ تَطْلُعُ بَيْنَ قَرْنَيْ شَيْطَانٍ‌[1].

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘You can perform Salah (prayer) for a deceased anytime; it is not a Salah (prayer) with Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) and Sujud (prostrations). Only at sunset and sunrise performing Salah (prayer) in which there is humbleness, Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees), and Sujud (prostration

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِمَ جُعِلَ التَّكْبِيرُ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ خَمْساً فَقَالَ وَرَدَ مِنْ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ تَكْبِيرَةٌ[2].

“I asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ’Why are there five Takbir in Salah (prayer) for a dead person?’ He (the Imam) replied, ’From every Salah (prayer) of a day’s Salah (prayer), one Takbir has come.’”

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يُكَبِّرُ عَلَى قَوْمٍ خَمْساً وَ عَلَى قَوْمٍ آخَرِينَ أَرْبَعاً فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ عَلَى رَجُلٍ أَرْبَعاً اتُّهِمَ يَعْنِي بِالنِّفَاقِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah would say five Takbir for certain people, and four Takbir for other groups of people. When he (the Messenger of Allah) would say four Takbir in the Salah (prayer) for a dead man, he (the deceased) was suspected of hypocrisy.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا صَلَّى عَلَى مَيِّتٍ كَبَّرَ وَ تَشَهَّدَ ثُمَّ كَبَّرَ ثُمَّ صَلَّى عَلَى الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ دَعَا ثُمَّ كَبَّرَ وَ دَعَا لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ثُمَّ كَبَّرَ الرَّابِعَةَ وَ دَعَا لِلْمَيِّتِ ثُمَّ كَبَّرَ وَ انْصَرَفَ فَلَمَّا نَهَاهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ عَلَى الْمُنَافِقِينَ كَبَّرَ وَ تَشَهَّدَ ثُمَّ كَبَّرَ وَ صَلَّى عَلَى النَّبِ

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘When performing Salah (prayer) for a deceased, the Messenger of Allah would say Takbir (Allah is great beyond description), then say the two testimonies (I testify that only Allah deserves worship, He is one and has no partners and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Me

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى فَرَضَ الصَّلَاةَ خَمْساً وَ جَعَلَ لِلْمَيِّتِ مِنْ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ تَكْبِيرَةً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, most Blessed, most High, made five Salah (prayer) obligatory, and from every Salah (prayer) there is one Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) in Salah (prayer) for a deceased.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ تَدْرِي كَمِ الصَّلَاةُ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ خَمْسُ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ فَتَدْرِي مِنْ أَيْنَ أُخِذَتِ الْخَمْسُ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ أُخِذَتِ الْخَمْسُ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ مِنَ الْخَمْسِ صَلَوَاتٍ مِنْ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ تَكْبِيرَةٌ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), once asked, ‘O abu Bakr, do you know how much is Salah (prayer) for a deceased?’ I replied, ‘No, I do not know.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is five Takbir (Allah is great beyond description). Do you know from where are they taken?’ I replied, ‘No, I do not know.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Five Takbir (Allah

كُنْتُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ وَ قَدْ جِي‌ءَ بِجَنَازَةٍ فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهَا فَجَاءَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلُ ع فَوَضَعَ مِرْفَقَهُ فِي صَدْرِي فَجَعَلَ يَدْفَعُنِي حَتَّى خَرَجَ‌[1] مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ إِنَّ الْجَنَائِزَ لَا يُصَلَّى عَلَيْهَا فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ[2].

“Once I was in the Masjid when a dead body was brought in and I wanted to perform Salah (prayer) for the deceased. Abu al-Hassan, al-Awwal (a.s.), came to me, placed his elbow against my chest and pushed me back all the way out of the Masjid and then said, ‘O abu Bakr, Salah (prayer) for deceased people is not performe

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[3] عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ فَقَالَ تُكَبِّرُ خَمْسَ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ تَقُولُ أَوَّلَ مَا تُكَبِّرُ- أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ الْهُدَاةِ وَ اغْفِرْ لَنا وَ لِإِخْوانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونا بِالْإِيمانِ وَ لا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنا غِلًّا ل

1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn ’Uramah from Zur‘ah, from Muhammad ibn Sanaa ‘ah in a Muzmar manner has said the following: “I once asked him (the Imam), ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about Salah (prayer) for a deceased. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must say five Takbir (Allah is great bey

تُكَبِّرُ ثُمَّ تُصَلِّي عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص ثُمَّ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ عَبْدُكَ ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ ابْنُ أَمَتِكَ لَا أَعْلَمُ مِنْهُ إِلَّا خَيْراً وَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ مُحْسِناً فَزِدْ فِي إِحْسَانِهِ وَ تَقَبَّلْ مِنْهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مُسِيئاً فَاغْفِرْ لَهُ ذَنْبَهُ وَ ارْحَمْهُ وَ افْسَحْ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَ اجْعَلْهُ مِنْ رُفَقَاءِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص ثُمَّ تُكَبِّرُ الثَّانِيَةَ وَ تَقُولُ- ا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘In Salah (prayer) for a deceased say Takbir (Allah is great beyond description), then say, “O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause,” then say, “O Lord, this is Your servant the son of Your male and a female servant. I do not know

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ التَّكْبِيرِ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ فَقَالَ خَمْسٌ تَقُولُ فِي أُولَيهُنَّ- أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ثُمَّ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ هَذَا الْمُسَجَّى قُدَّامَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَ ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ وَ قَدْ قَبَضْتَ رُوحَهُ إِلَيْكَ وَ قَدِ احْتَاجَ إِلَى رَحْمَتِكَ وَ أَنْتَ غَنِيٌّ عَنْ عَذَابِهِ اللَّهُم

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about Takbir over a deceased person. He (the Imam) said, ‘There are five Takbir. In the first one say, “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

تُكَبِّرُ ثُمَّ تَشَهَّدُ ثُمَّ تَقُولُ‌ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَ إِنَّا إِلَيْهِ راجِعُونَ‌- ... الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ* رَبِّ الْمَوْتِ وَ الْحَيَاةِ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ جَزَى اللَّهُ عَنَّا- مُحَمَّداً خَيْرَ الْجَزَاءِ بِمَا صَنَعَ بِأُمَّتِهِ وَ بِمَا بَلَّغَ مِنْ رِسَالاتِ رَبِّهِ ثُمَّ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ عَبْدُكَ ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ ابْنُ أَمَتِكَ نَاصِيَتُهُ بِيَدِكَ خَلَا مِنَ الدُّنْي

Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘In Salah (prayer) for a deceased say Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) and the testimony and say, “We are from Allah and to Allah we return. All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds, Lord of death and life. O Allah, I pray to You to grant compensation to Muhammad and hi

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ النَّاسَ يَرْفَعُونَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ فِي التَّكْبِيرِ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ فِي التَّكْبِيرَةِ الْأُولَى وَ لَا يَرْفَعُونَ فِيمَا بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأَقْتَصِرُ عَلَى التَّكْبِيرَةِ الْأُولَى كَمَا يَفْعَلُونَ أَوْ أَرْفَعُ يَدَيَّ فِي كُلِّ تَكْبِيرَةٍ فَقَالَ ارْفَعْ يَدَكَ فِي كُلِّ تَكْبِيرَةٍ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. People raise their hands during the first Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) in Salah (prayer) for a deceased but not in the rest of Takbir and if should I raise my hand in the first Takbir only or in all Takbir.

فِي الصَّلَاةِ عَلَى الْجَنَائِزِ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَ هَذِهِ النَّفْسَ وَ أَنْتَ أَمَتَّهَا تَعْلَمُ سِرَّهَا وَ عَلَانِيَتَهَا أَتَيْنَاكَ شَافِعِينَ فِيهَا فَشَفِّعْنَا[2] اللَّهُمَّ وَلِّهَا مَنْ تَوَلَّتْ وَ احْشُرْهَا مَعَ مَنْ أَحَبَّتْ.

‘In Salah (prayer) for a deceased say, ‘O Lord, You have created this soul and You have caused it to die. You know all of its secret and public matters. We have come to You to mediate before You in his favor, so accept our intercession. O Lord, entrust it with those whom it took as supreme power and raise it with those

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

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَيْسَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ تَسْلِيمٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘There is no Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) to end Salah (prayer) for a deceased.’”

قَالا لَيْسَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ تَسْلِيمٌ

“Abu Ja‘far, and abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), have said, ‘There is no Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) to end Salah (prayer) for a deceased.’”

صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَلَى حَمْزَةَ سَبْعِينَ صَلَاةً[1].

‘The Messenger of Allah said seventy Salah (prayers) for Hamzah.’”

كَبَّرَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص عَلَى سَهْلِ بْنِ حُنَيْفٍ وَ كَانَ بَدْرِيّاً خَمْسَ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ ثُمَّ مَشَى سَاعَةً ثُمَّ وَضَعَهُ وَ كَبَّرَ عَلَيْهِ خَمْسَةً أُخْرَى فَصَنَعَ ذَلِكَ حَتَّى كَبَّرَ عَلَيْهِ خَمْساً وَ عِشْرِينَ تَكْبِيرَةً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) said five takbirs over Sahl ibn Hunayf who was a Badri, (participant in the battle of Badr). He (Imam 'Ali) then walked for a while, then placed him on the ground and said another five Takbir and so on until he had said twenty five Takbir.’”

كَبَّرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَلَى حَمْزَةَ سَبْعِينَ تَكْبِيرَةً وَ كَبَّرَ عَلِيٌّ ع عِنْدَكُمْ عَلَى سَهْلِ بْنِ حُنَيْفٍ خَمْساً وَ عِشْرِينَ تَكْبِيرَةً قَالَ كَبَّرَ خَمْساً خَمْساً كُلَّمَا أَدْرَكَهُ النَّاسُ قَالُوا يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَمْ نُدْرِكِ الصَّلَاةَ عَلَى سَهْلٍ فَيَضَعُهُ فَيُكَبِّرُ عَلَيْهِ خَمْساً حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى قَبْرِهِ خَمْسَ مَرَّاتٍ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah in Salah (prayer) for Hamzah said seventy Takbir and ’Amir al-Mu’minin) Ali said twenty five Takbir in Salah (prayer) for Sahl ibn Hunayf. He (the Imam) said, ‘Each time ’Amir al-Mu’minin said five Takbir as new people arrived saying that we did not have a chance to