Death & Bereavement

الصَّلَاةُ عَلَى الْمُسْتَضْعَفِ وَ الَّذِي لَا يَعْرِفُ الصَّلَاةُ عَلَى‌ النَّبِيِّ ص وَ الدُّعَاءُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ تَقُولُ رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تابُوا وَ اتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَ قِهِمْ عَذابَ الْجَحِيمِ‌[1] إِلَى آخِرِ الْآيَتَيْنِ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “One of the two Imam, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has stated this Hadith: ‘There are people of weak understanding who do not understand prayer for the Holy prophet, and for the believing people -

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

لَمَّا مَاتَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أُبَيِّ بْنِ سَلُولٍ‌[1] حَضَرَ النَّبِيُّ ص جَنَازَتَهُ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَ لَمْ يَنْهَكَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تَقُومَ عَلَى قَبْرِهِ‌[2] فَسَكَتَ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَ لَمْ يَنْهَكَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تَقُومَ عَلَى قَبْرِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ وَيْلَكَ وَ مَا يُدْرِيكَ مَا قُلْتُ إِنِّي قُلْتُ- اللَّهُمَّ احْشُ جَوْفَهُ نَاراً وَ امْلَأْ قَبْرَهُ نَاراً وَ

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Ubay ibn Salul died, the Holy prophet attended his funeral. ‘Umar said to the Messenger of Allah, “O Messenger of Allah, has Allah not forbidden you from standing on his grave?” He (the Messenger of Allah) remained silent. He (‘Umar) said, “O Messenger of Allah, h

لَهُ الْحُسَيْنُ ع أَيْنَ تَذْهَبُ يَا فُلَانُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَوْلَاهُ أَفِرُّ مِنْ جِنَازَةِ هَذَا الْمُنَافِقِ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحُسَيْنُ ع انْظُرْ أَنْ تَقُومَ‌[1] عَلَى يَمِينِي فَمَا تَسْمَعُنِي أَقُولُ فَقُلْ مِثْلَهُ فَلَمَّا أَنْ كَبَّرَ عَلَيْهِ وَلِيُّهُ قَالَ الْحُسَيْنُ ع- اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُمَّ الْعَنْ فُلَاناً عَبْدَكَ أَلْفَ لَعْنَةٍ مُؤْتَلِفَةٍ غَيْرِ مُخْتَلِفَةٍ الل

2. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father all from ibn Mahbub from Ziyad ibn ‘Isa from ‘Amir ibn al-Simt who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a man of the hypocrites died. Al-Husayn ibn Ali (a.s.), attended his funeral; at t

مَاتَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فَخَرَجَ الْحُسَيْنُ ع يَمْشِي فَلَقِيَ مَوْلًى لَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ إِلَى أَيْنَ تَذْهَبُ فَقَالَ أَفِرُّ مِنْ جِنَازَةِ هَذَا الْمُنَافِقِ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحُسَيْنُ ع قُمْ إِلَى جَنْبِي فَمَا سَمِعْتَنِي أَقُولُ فَقُلْ مِثْلَهُ قَالَ فَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ فَقَالَ- اللَّهُمَّ أَخْزِ عَبْدَكَ فِي عِبَادِكَ وَ بِلَادِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِهِ حَرَّ نَارِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَذِ

a man of the hypocrites died and al-Husayn (a.s.), came out walking. One of his followers came and he (the Imam) asked, ‘Where are you going?’ He replied, ‘I am running away from the dead body of this hypocrite to avoid performing Salah (prayer) for him.’ Al-Husayn (a.s.), said, ‘Stand next to me and say what you will

إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى عَدُوِّ اللَّهِ فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ فُلَاناً لَا نَعْلَمُ مِنْهُ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ عَدُوٌّ لَكَ وَ لِرَسُولِكَ اللَّهُمَّ فَاحْشُ قَبْرَهُ نَاراً وَ احْشُ جَوْفَهُ نَاراً وَ عَجِّلْ بِهِ إِلَى النَّارِ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ يَتَوَلَّى أَعْدَاءَكَ وَ يُعَادِي أَوْلِيَاءَكَ وَ يُبْغِضُ أَهْلَ بَيْتِ نَبِيِّكَ اللَّهُمَّ ضَيِّقْ عَلَيْهِ قَبْرَهُ فَإِذَا رُفِعَ فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ لَا تَرْفَعْهُ وَ لَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When you pray against the enemy of Allah say, “O Lord, we do not know of so and so except that he is Your enemy and the enemy of Your messenger. O Lord, fill up his grave with fire as well as his belly and hasten him to the fire, because he loved Your enemies, he was an enemy of Your

إِنْ كَانَ جَاحِداً لِلْحَقِّ فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ امْلَأْ جَوْفَهُ نَاراً وَ قَبْرَهُ‌ نَاراً وَ سَلِّطْ عَلَيْهِ الْحَيَّاتِ وَ الْعَقَارِبَ وَ ذَلِكَ قَالَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع لِامْرَأَةِ سَوْءٍ مِنْ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ صَلَّى عَلَيْهَا أَبِي وَ قَالَ هَذِهِ الْمَقَالَةَ- وَ اجْعَلِ الشَّيْطَانَ لَهَا قَرِيناً قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ لِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يَجْعَلُ الْحَيَّاتِ وَ الْعَقَارِبَ فِي قَبْرِهَا ف

“One of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ’Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ’If the dead person is one who refuses the truth say, ‘O Lord, fill up his belly with fire as well as his grave. Make snakes and scorpions dominate him.’ This is what abu Ja’far (a.s.), said about an evil woman of banu ‘Umayyah against w

تَقُولُ‌[2] اللَّهُمَّ أَخْزِ عَبْدَكَ فِي عِبَادِكَ وَ بِلَادِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِهِ نَارَكَ وَ أَذِقْهُ أَشَدَّ عَذَابِكَ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ يُعَادِي أَوْلِيَاءَكَ وَ يُوَالِي أَعْدَاءَكَ وَ يُبْغِضُ أَهْلَ بَيْتِ نَبِيِّكَ ص.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, say, ‘O Lord, humiliate a servant who is one of Your servants in Your land. O Lord, make him feel the heat of Your fire. O Lord, make him suffer the most severe of suffering from Your creation because, he was an enemy of Your friends, he loved Your enemies and hated the family of Your H

مَاتَتِ امْرَأَةٌ[3] مِنْ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ فَحَضَرْتُهَا فَلَمَّا صَلَّوْا عَلَيْهَا وَ رَفَعُوهَا وَ صَارَتْ عَلَى أَيْدِي الرِّجَالِ قَالَ‌[4] اللَّهُمَّ ضَعْهَا وَ لَا تَرْفَعْهَا وَ لَا تُزَكِّهَا قَالَ وَ كَانَتْ عَدُوَّةً لِلَّهِ قَالَ وَ لَا أَعْلَمُهُ إِلَّا قَالَ وَ لَنَا[5].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Once a woman of banu ‘Umayyah died and I was present in her funeral. When they performed Salah (prayer) and picked her body when on the hands of men he (the Imam) said, ‘O Lord, put her down and do not raise her and do not cleanse her.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘She was an enemy of Allah -

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْمٍ كَبَّرُوا عَلَى جِنَازَةٍ تَكْبِيرَةً أَوْ ثِنْتَيْنِ وَ وُضِعَتْ مَعَهَا أُخْرَى كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُونَ بِهَا قَالَ إِنْ شَاءُوا تَرَكُوا الْأُولَى حَتَّى يَفْرُغُوا مِنَ التَّكْبِيرِ عَلَى الْأَخِيرَةِ وَ إِنْ شَاءُوا رَفَعُوا الْأُولَى وَ أَتَمُّوا مَا بَقِيَ عَلَى الْأَخِيرَةِ كُلُّ ذَلِكَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of a people who just have said Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) for Salah (prayer) of a deceased that another dead body is placed on the ground. What are they to do? He (the Imam) said, ’They can leave the first one until they complete all Takbir for the sec

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا تَفْدَحْ مَيِّتَكَ بِالْقَبْرِ وَ لَكِنْ ضَعْهُ أَسْفَلَ مِنْهُ بِذِرَاعَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلَاثَةٍ وَ دَعْهُ يَأْخُذُ أُهْبَتَهُ‌[1].

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘You must not make it heavy for your deceased by placing him in the grave. Place him two or three yards away from the grave on the ground so that he can get ready.”’

حَدِيثٌ سَمِعْتُهُ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع‌ مَا ذَكَرْتُهُ وَ أَنَا فِي بَيْتٍ إِلَّا ضَاقَ عَلَيَ‌[2] يَقُولُ إِذَا أَتَيْتَ بِالْمَيِّتِ شَفِيرَ قَبْرِهِ فَأَمْهِلْهُ سَاعَةً[3] فَإِنَّهُ يَأْخُذُ أُهْبَتَهُ لِلسُّؤَالِ.

‘When a deceased is placed in front of his grave, give him a chance for a while; he readies himself for interrogation.’”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ عِنْدَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَمَرَّتْ بِهِ جَنَازَةٌ فَقَامَ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ وَ لَمْ يَقُمْ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَعَدْتُ مَعَهُ وَ لَمْ يَزَلِ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ قَائِماً حَتَّى مَضَوْا بِهَا ثُمَّ جَلَسَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع مَا أَقَامَكَ قَالَ رَأَيْتُ الْحُسَيْنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ اللَّهِ مَا فَعَلَهُ الْحُسَيْنُ ع وَ لَا قَامَ ل

“Once I was with of abu Ja‘far (a.s.), when a man from Ansar was also there. A funeral procession passed by and the Ansariy man stood up; but abu Ja’far (a.s.), did not do so, and I remained sitting with him. The Ansariy remained standing until the procession passed by and then he sat down. The Imam asked, ’What made y

كَانَ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع جَالِساً فَمَرَّتْ عَلَيْهِ جَنَازَةٌ فَقَامَ النَّاسُ‌[1] حِينَ طَلَعَتِ الْجَنَازَةُ فَقَالَ الْحُسَيْنُ ع مَرَّتْ جَنَازَةُ يَهُودِيٍّ وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَلَى طَرِيقِهَا جَالِساً فَكَرِهَ أَنْ تَعْلُوَ رَأْسَهُ جَنَازَةُ يَهُودِيٍّ فَقَامَ لِذَلِكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), was sitting when (people with) the dead body passed by. People stood up when the dead body appeared. Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), said, ‘Once, (people with) the dead body of a Jewish person passed by; the Messenger of Allah was sitting on (the side of) way. H

لَا يَنْبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ الْقَبْرَ فِي نَعْلَيْنِ وَ لَا خُفَّيْنِ وَ لَا عِمَامَةٍ وَ لَا رِدَاءٍ وَ لَا قَلَنْسُوَةٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that no one should enter a grave with shoes, slippers, turbans, gowns or hats.”

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

لَا تَنْزِلِ الْقَبْرَ وَ عَلَيْكَ الْعِمَامَةُ وَ لَا الْقَلَنْسُوَةُ وَ لَا رِدَاءٌ وَ لَا حِذَاءٌ وَ حُلَّ أَزْرَارَكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ الْخُفَّ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِالْخُفِّ فِي وَقْتِ الضَّرُورَةِ وَ التَّقِيَّةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that you must not enter a grave wearing a turban, a shawl, a gown, or shoes. You should open your buttons.’ I then asked, ‘Can one wear al-Khuff (slippers or socks)?’ He replied, ‘There is no offense in wearing al-Khuff if needed or because of fear.’”

مَنْ دَخَلَ الْقَبْرَ فَلَا يَخْرُجْ إِلَّا مِنْ قِبَلِ الرِّجْلَيْنِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that whoever enters a grave should come out only from the side where the feet are placed.”

قَالَ: يَدْخُلُ الرَّجُلُ الْقَبْرَ مِنْ حَيْثُ شَاءَ وَ لَا يَخْرُجْ إِلَّا مِنْ قِبَلِ رِجْلَيْهِ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ لِكُلِّ بَيْتٍ بَاباً وَ إِنَّ بَابَ الْقَبْرِ مِنْ قِبَلِ الرِّجْلَيْنِ.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘One may enter a grave from whatever direction he likes, but should come out from the side where the feet are placed.’”

الرَّجُلُ يَنْزِلُ فِي قَبْرِ وَالِدِهِ وَ لَا يَنْزِلُ الْوَالِدُ فِي قَبْرِ وَلَدِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a man may enter the grave of his father, but a father should not enter the grave of his sons.”

يُكْرَهُ لِلرَّجُلِ أَنْ يَنْزِلَ فِي قَبْرِ وَلَدِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that it is undesirable for a man to enter the grave of his sons.”

لَمَّا مَاتَ إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَتَى أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْقَبْرَ فَأَرْخَى نَفْسَهُ‌[2] فَقَعَدَ ثُمَّ قَالَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ وَ صَلَّى عَلَيْكَ وَ لَمْ يَنْزِلْ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَ قَالَ هَكَذَا فَعَلَ النَّبِيُّ ص بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ ع.

“When Isma’il, son of abu ‘Abd Allah, passed away, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), went to the grave site, allowed his body to reach the ground, and said, ‘I pray to Allah to grant you mercy and favors.’ He did not enter the grave; and he said, ‘This is how the Holy Prophet did when Ibrahim died.’”

ذَاكَ إِلَى الْوَلِيِّ إِنْ شَاءَ أَدْخَلَ وَتْراً وَ إِنْ شَاءَ شَفْعاً.

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘How many should enter a grave?’ He replied, ‘It is up to the guardian of the deceased. He may ask an odd or even number of people.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ مَضَتِ السُّنَّةُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ لَا يَدْخُلُ قَبْرَهَا إِلَّا مَنْ كَانَ يَرَاهَا فِي حَيَاتِهَا.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘It is of the Sunnah (tradition) of the Messenger of Allah that no one should enter the grave of a woman except those who could see her in her lifetime.’”

الزَّوْجُ أَحَقُّ بِامْرَأَتِهِ حَتَّى يَضَعَهَا فِي قَبْرِهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a husband is more rightful to place his wife in the grave.”

كُنْتُ مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع حِينَ مَاتَ إِسْمَاعِيلُ ابْنُهُ ع فَأُنْزِلَ فِي قَبْرِهِ ثُمَّ رَمَى بِنَفْسِهِ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ مِمَّا يَلِي الْقِبْلَةَ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَكَذَا صَنَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ يَنْزِلُ فِي قَبْرِ وَالِدِهِ وَ لَا يَنْزِلُ فِي قَبْرِ وَلَدِهِ.

“I was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when Isma’il, his son passed away. The dead body was brought down in the grave. Thereafter he (the Imam) allowed his body to reach the ground on the side of the grave facing the direction of Qiblah. Then he said, ‘This is how the Messenger of Allah did on the death of Ibrahim.’ He the

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَدْفِنُ ابْنَهُ قَالَ لَا يَدْفِنُهُ فِي التُّرَابِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَالابْنُ يَدْفِنُ أَبَاهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ لَا بَأْسَ‌[1].

“Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Can a man bury his son?’ He replied, ‘He does not bury him in the soil.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘Can a son bury his father?’ He replied, ‘Yes, there is no offense in it.’”

إِذَا أَتَيْتَ بِالْمَيِّتِ الْقَبْرَ فَسُلَّهُ مِنْ قِبَلِ رِجْلَيْهِ فَإِذَا وَضَعْتَهُ فِي الْقَبْرِ فَاقْرَأْ آيَةَ الْكُرْسِيِّ وَ قُلْ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص اللَّهُمَّ افْسَحْ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَ أَلْحِقْهُ بِنَبِيِّهِ ص وَ قُلْ كَمَا قُلْتَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ عَلَيْهِ مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً مِنْ عِنْدِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ مُحْسِناً فَزِدْ فِي إِحْسَانِهِ وَ إِنْ كَ

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that you should place a deceased, after his arrival near the grave, in it from the side where you intend to place his feet. When the deceased is placed in the grave, read Ayatu al-Kursiy and say, ’(I begin) in the name of Allah, in the way of Allah and on the path of the Messenger of Al

إِذَا سَلَلْتَ الْمَيِّتَ فَقُلْ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ عَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص اللَّهُمَّ إِلَى رَحْمَتِكَ لَا إِلَى عَذَابِكَ فَإِذَا وَضَعْتَهُ فِي اللَّحْدِ فَضَعْ يَدَكَ عَلَى أُذُنِهِ‌[1] فَقُلِ اللَّهُ رَبُّكَ وَ الْإِسْلَامُ دِينُكَ وَ مُحَمَّدٌ نَبِيُّكَ وَ الْقُرْآنُ كِتَابُكَ وَ عَلِيٌّ إِمَامُكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said to say this, when you place a deceased in the grave, ‘(I begin) in the name of Allah, with Allah and on the path of the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, take him to Your mercy and not to Your punishment.’ Say, when the deceased is placed in the grave, with your hand on his ear, ‘A

سَأَلْتُ أَحَدَهُمَا ع عَنِ الْمَيِّتِ فَقَالَ تَسُلُّهُ مِنْ قِبَلِ الرِّجْلَيْنِ وَ تُلْزِقُ الْقَبْرَ بِالْأَرْضِ إِلَى قَدْرِ أَرْبَعِ أَصَابِعَ مُفَرَّجَاتٍ وَ تُرَبِّعُ قَبْرَهُ.

“I asked one of the two Imam, Alayhim al-Salam, about a deceased. He said, ‘Place him in the grave from the side of the feet. Keep the grave above the ground by four open fingers and make it four cornered.’”

سُلَّهُ سَلًّا رَفِيقاً فَإِذَا وَضَعْتَهُ فِي لَحْدِهِ فَلْيَكُنْ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ مِمَّا يَلِي رَأْسَهُ لِيَذْكُرَ اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص وَ يَتَعَوَّذَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ وَ لْيَقْرَأْ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ وَ الْمُعَوِّذَتَيْنِ وَ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ وَ آيَةَ الْكُرْسِيِّ وَ إِنْ قَدَرَ أَنْ يَحْسِرَ عَنْ خَدِّهِ‌[4] وَ يُلْزِقَهُ بِالْأَرْضِ فَعَلَ وَ يَشْهَدُ وَ يَذْكُرُ مَا ي

4. Sahl ibn Ziyad has narrated from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Muhammad ibn ‘Ajlan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said to place a deceased gently in the grave. The person from the side of his head, when he is placed in the grave, should speak of the names of Allah. He should also say ‘Al

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَدْفِنَ الْمَيِّتَ فَلْيَكُنْ أَعْقَلُ مَنْ يَنْزِلُ فِي قَبْرِهِ‌[5] عِنْدَ رَأْسِهِ وَ لْيَكْشِفْ خَدَّهُ الْأَيْمَنَ حَتَّى يُفْضِيَ بِهِ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ وَ يُدْنِي فَمَهُ إِلَى سَمْعِهِ وَ يَقُولُ اسْمَعْ افْهَمْ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ اللَّهُ رَبُّكَ وَ مُحَمَّدٌ نَبِيُّكَ وَ الْإِسْلَامُ دِينُكَ وَ فُلَانٌ إِمَامُكَ اسْمَعْ وَ افْهَمْ وَ أَعِدْهَا عَلَيْهِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ هَذَا التَّلْقِينَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the person nearest in kinship to the deceased should enter the grave for burial near his head, remove the shroud from the right side of his face, place it on earth, with his mouth near the ear of the deceased, say three times, ‘Listen and understand.’ Allah is your Lord,

إِذَا وُضِعَ الْمَيِّتُ فِي لَحْدِهِ فَقُلْ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص عَبْدُكَ ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ نَزَلَ بِكَ وَ أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْزُولٍ بِهِ اللَّهُمَّ افْسَحْ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَ أَلْحِقْهُ بِنَبِيِّهِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا لَا نَعْلَمُ مِنْهُ إِلَّا خَيْراً وَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ فَإِذَا وَضَعْتَ عَلَيْهِ اللَّبِنَ فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ صِلْ وَحْدَتَهُ وَ آنِسْ وَحْشَتَهُ وَ أ

“The Imam (a.s.), said, ‘When a deceased is placed in the grave you should say, “(I begin) in the name of Allah, in the way of Allah and according to the traditions of the Messenger of Allah. (O Allah), this, Your servant, son of Your servant has become Your guest and You are the best host. O Allah, make his grave spac

إِذَا وَضَعْتَ الْمَيِّتَ فِي لَحْدِهِ قَرَأْتَ آيَةَ الْكُرْسِيِّ وَ اضْرِبْ يَدَكَ عَلَى مَنْكِبِهِ الْأَيْمَنِ ثُمَّ قُلْ يَا فُلَانُ قُلْ‌[4] رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبّاً وَ بِالْإِسْلَامِ دِيناً وَ بِمُحَمَّدٍ ص نَبِيّاً وَ بِعَلِيٍّ ع إِمَاماً وَ سَمِّ إِمَامَ زَمَانِهِ.

7. It is a narration from him (narrator of previous Hadith) by his father from Hammad from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “He (the Imam), ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, that when you place a deceased in his grave, read Ayatu al-Kursiy and hold his right shoulder with your hand, then say, ‘O so and so say,

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا أَقُولُ إِذَا أَدْخَلْتُ الْمَيِّتَ مِنَّا قَبْرَهُ قَالَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا عَبْدُكَ فُلَانٌ وَ ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ قَدْ نَزَلَ بِكَ وَ أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْزُولٍ بِهِ وَ قَدِ احْتَاجَ إِلَى رَحْمَتِكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَ لَا نَعْلَمُ مِنْهُ إِلَّا خَيْراً وَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِسَرِيرَتِهِ وَ نَحْنُ الشُّهَدَاءُ بِعَلَانِيَتِهِ اللَّهُمَّ فَجَافِ الْأَرْضَ عَنْ جَنْبَيْهِ وَ لَقِّنْهُ حُجَّتَ

8. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad all from ibn Mahbub from abu Ayyub from Sanaa ‘ah who has said the following: “I asked abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘What should we say when placing a deceased from us in the grave?’ He said to say, ‘O Allah,

يُشَقُّ الْكَفَنُ مِنْ عِنْدِ رَأْسِ الْمَيِّتِ إِذَا أُدْخِلَ قَبْرَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a shroud should be cut open from where the head of the deceased is when he is placed in the grave.”

سُلَّ الْمَيِّتَ سَلًّا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘You should place the deceased in the grave gently.’”

إِذَا وَضَعْتَ الْمَيِّتَ فِي الْقَبْرِ قُلْتَ- اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا عَبْدُكَ وَ ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ وَ ابْنُ أَمَتِكَ نَزَلَ بِكَ وَ أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْزُولٍ بِهِ فَإِذَا سَلَلْتَهُ مِنْ قِبَلِ الرِّجْلَيْنِ وَ دَلَّيْتَهُ‌[1] قُلْتَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ عَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص اللَّهُمَّ إِلَى رَحْمَتِكَ لَا إِلَى عَذَابِكَ اللَّهُمَّ افْسَحْ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَ لَقِّنْهُ حُجَّتَهُ وَ ثَبِّتْهُ بِالْقَوْلِ

11. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘ah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that when you place a deceased in the grave say, ‘O Allah [this is] Your servant son of a male servant and a female servant who has become Your gues

كَتَبَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ بِلَالٍ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع‌ أَنَّهُ رُبَّمَا مَاتَ الْمَيِّتُ عِنْدَنَا وَ تَكُونُ الْأَرْضُ نَدِيَّةً فَنَفْرُشُ الْقَبْرَ بِالسَّاجِ‌[2] أَوْ نُطْبِقُ عَلَيْهِ فَهَلْ يَجُوزُ ذَلِكَ فَكَتَبَ ذَلِكَ جَائِزٌ.

“Once Ali ibn Bilal wrote to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the condition of a grave asking, ‘Someone may die in our area but the ground of the grave is wet.’ We pave it (the floor) with teak (wooden board) or cover it in this way, is this permissible? He (the Imam) wrote the answer, ‘It is permissible.’” H 4536, Ch. 64,

أَلْقَى شُقْرَانُ‌[3] مَوْلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فِي قَبْرِهِ الْقَطِيفَةَ.

‘Ali (a.s.), placed bricks on the grave of the Holy prophet.’ I then asked, ‘If one places tiles on the grave is it harmful to the deceased?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not harmful.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ جَعَلَ عَلِيٌّ ع‌ عَلَى قَبْرِ النَّبِيِّ ص لَبِناً فَقُلْتُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ جَعَلَ الرَّجُلُ عَلَيْهِ آجُرّاً هَلْ يَضُرُّ الْمَيِّتَ قَالَ لَا.

Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, from Ali Bin Al Hakam, from Husayn Bin Usman, from Ibn Muskan, from Aban Bin Taghlib who said, ‘I heard Abu Abdullah asws saying: ‘Ali asws made a slab to be upon the grave of the Prophet saww ’. So I said, ‘What is your asws view if the man were to make a brick to be upon h

رَأَيْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَا مَا شَاءَ النَّاسُ فَلَمَّا انْتَهَى إِلَى الْقَبْرِ تَنَحَّى فَجَلَسَ فَلَمَّا أُدْخِلَ الْمَيِّتُ لَحْدَهُ قَامَ فَحَثَا عَلَيْهِ التُّرَابَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ بِيَدِهِ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.), say, ‘It is what Allah wills, not what people will.’ When he approached the grave, he kept to a side and sat down. When the deceased was placed in the grave, he stood up and filled three handfuls of soil in the grave, one at a time.”

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

كُنْتُ مَعَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي جِنَازَةِ رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا فَلَمَّا أَنْ دَفَنُوهُ قَامَ ع إِلَى قَبْرِهِ فَحَثَا عَلَيْهِ مِمَّا يَلِي رَأْسَهُ ثَلَاثاً بِكَفِّهِ ثُمَّ بَسَطَ كَفَّهُ عَلَى الْقَبْرِ ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ جَافِ الْأَرْضَ عَنْ جَنْبَيْهِ وَ أَصْعِدْ إِلَيْكَ رُوحَهُ وَ لَقِّهِ مِنْكَ رِضْوَاناً وَ أَسْكِنْ قَبْرَهُ مِنْ رَحْمَتِكَ مَا تُغْنِيهِ بِهِ عَنْ رَحْمَةِ مَنْ سِوَاكَ ثُمَّ مَضَى.

“I was with abu Ja‘far (a.s.), in a funeral procession for one of our companions. When they buried him, he (the Imam) stood up next to his grave, then filled soil toward his head, three handfuls. He then extended his palm over the grave, and then said, ‘O Allah make earth spacious on his both sides, raise his spirit to

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

مَاتَ لِبَعْضِ أَصْحَابِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَلَدٌ فَحَضَرَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَلَمَّا أُلْحِدَ تَقَدَّمَ أَبُوهُ فَطَرَحَ عَلَيْهِ التُّرَابَ فَأَخَذَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِكَفَّيْهِ وَ قَالَ لَا تَطْرَحْ عَلَيْهِ التُّرَابَ وَ مَنْ كَانَ مِنْهُ ذَا رَحِمٍ فَلَا يَطْرَحْ عَلَيْهِ التُّرَابَ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص نَهَى أَنْ يَطْرَحَ الْوَالِدُ أَوْ ذُو رَحِمٍ عَلَى مَيِّتِهِ التُّرَابَ فَقُلْنَا يَا ا

“A son of one of the companions of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), died. Abu ‘Abd Allah attended the funeral. When the deceased was placed in the grave, his father went forward to toss soil into his grave. Abu ‘Abd Allah held his hand and said, ‘You must not toss soil on him. No one of his relatives should do so. The Messenger