Death & Bereavement

كُنْتُ جَالِساً عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَصَرَخَتْ صَارِخَةٌ مِنَ الدَّارِ فَقَامَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ثُمَّ جَلَسَ فَاسْتَرْجَعَ وَ عَادَ فِي حَدِيثِهِ حَتَّى فَرَغَ مِنْهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّا لَنُحِبُّ أَنْ نُعَافَى فِي أَنْفُسِنَا وَ أَوْلَادِنَا وَ أَمْوَالِنَا فَإِذَا وَقَعَ الْقَضَاءُ فَلَيْسَ لَنَا أَنْ نُحِبَّ مَا لَمْ يُحِبَّ اللَّهُ لَنَا.

13. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Al-Husayn ibn al-Mukhtar from ‘Ala’ ibn Kamil who has said the following: “Once, I was sitting with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when someone inside the house began to cry loudly. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), stood up and then sat down saying, ‘To Allah we

كَانَ قَوْمٌ أَتَوْا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فَوَافَقُوا صَبِيّاً لَهُ مَرِيضاً فَرَأَوْا مِنْهُ اهْتِمَاماً وَ غَمّاً وَ جَعَلَ لَا يَقِرُّ[1] قَالَ فَقَالُوا وَ اللَّهِ لَئِنْ أَصَابَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ إِنَّا لَنَتَخَوَّفُ أَنْ نَرَى مِنْهُ مَا نَكْرَهُ قَالَ فَمَا لَبِثُوا أَنْ سَمِعُوا الصِّيَاحَ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ قَدْ خَرَجَ عَلَيْهِمْ مُنْبَسِطَ الْوَجْهِ فِي غَيْرِ الْحَالِ الَّتِي كَانَ عَلَيْهَا فَقَالُوا لَهُ جَعَلَنَ

“Once a group of people came to visit abu Ja’far (a.s.), to find out how one of his children suffering from illness was doing. They found him deeply concerned, grieved and restless. The narrator has said that they said, ‘By Allah, if something happens to him (the child), we are afraid we will see something from him (th

كَانَ فِيمَا نَاجَى بِهِ مُوسَى ع رَبَّهُ قَالَ يَا رَبِّ مَا لِمَنْ عَزَّى الثَّكْلَى قَالَ أُظِلُّهُ فِي ظِلِّي يَوْمَ لَا ظِلَّ إِلَّا ظِلِّي‌[2].

‘One of the matters that Moses privately said to his Lord was this, “O Lord, what is the reward for one who offers condolences to one who has suffered from the death of one’s son?” The Lord replied, “I will extend My shadow (protection) on him on the (extremely hot) day when there will be no shadows except My shadow.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ عَزَّى حَزِيناً كُسِيَ فِي الْمَوْقِفِ حُلَّةً يُحْبَى بِهَا[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever offers condolences to a sorrowful person will, on the Station for clearance of accounts, receive a dress that will be presented to him.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ مَنْ عَزَّى الثَّكْلَى أَظَلَّهُ اللَّهُ فِي ظِلِّ عَرْشِهِ يَوْمَ لَا ظِلَّ إِلَّا ظِلُّهُ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘Whoever offers condolences to a sorrowful person due to the death of his son, Allah will provide him shadow (protection) from His throne on the Day when there will be no shadow except His shadow.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ عَزَّى مُصَاباً كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَنْتَقِصَ مِنْ أَجْرِ الْمُصَابِ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever offers condolences to a person who is suffering sorrow and grief due to the death of his son, will receive a reward equal to that for the affected party without any reduction in the reward for the later mentioned.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْمَيِّتَ إِذَا مَاتَ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ مَلَكاً إِلَى أَوْجَعِ أَهْلِهِ فَمَسَحَ عَلَى قَلْبِهِ فَأَنْسَاهُ لَوْعَةَ الْحُزْنِ‌[4] وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ لَمْ تُعْمَرِ الدُّنْيَا.

‘When a person dies, Allah sends an angel to the most distressed person of his family. The angel wipes the heart of that person to forget the pain of his sorrow and grief. Were this not to happen, the world would cease to develop or gain anything.”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى تَطَوَّلَ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ بِثَلَاثٍ أَلْقَى عَلَيْهِمُ الرِّيحَ‌[5] بَعْدَ الرُّوحِ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ مَا دَفَنَ حَمِيمٌ حَمِيماً وَ أَلْقَى عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلْوَةَ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ لَانْقَطَعَ النَّسْلُ وَ أَلْقَى عَلَى هَذِهِ الْحَبَّةِ الدَّابَّةَ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ لَكَنَزَهَا مُلُوكُهُمْ كَمَا يَكْنِزُونَ الذَّهَبَ وَ الْفِضَّةَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, has granted people three favors: He has made dead bodies to give out foul smell; otherwise, no friend would ever bury a friend. He has made solace to take effect; otherwise, reproduction would halt. He has assigned a creature over this grain

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا مَاتَ الْمَيِّتُ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ مَلَكاً إِلَى أَوْجَعِ أَهْلِهِ فَمَسَحَ عَلَى قَلْبِهِ فَأَنْسَاهُ لَوْعَةَ الْحُزْنِ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ لَمْ تُعْمَرِ الدُّنْيَا.

‘When a person dies, Allah sends an angel to the most distressed person of his family. The angel wipes the heart of that person to forget the pain of his sorrow and grief. Were this not to happen, the world would cease to develop or gain anything.”

إِنَّهُمْ يَأْنَسُونَ بِكُمْ فَإِذَا غِبْتُمْ عَنْهُمُ اسْتَوْحَشُوا.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that they (people of the cemetery) take comfort in you. When you disappear from them they become afraid.”

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] عَنْ زِيَارَةِ الْقُبُورِ وَ بِنَاءِ الْمَسَاجِدِ فِيهَا فَقَالَ أَمَّا زِيَارَةُ الْقُبُورِ فَلَا بَأْسَ بِهَا وَ لَا تُبْنَى عِنْدَهَا الْمَسَاجِدُ.

"I asked him (Imam al-Sadiq) about visiting graves and building Masjids therein. He said, 'As for the visitation of graves, there is no issue with it, but a masjid should not be built there.'"

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ عَاشَتْ فَاطِمَةُ ع بَعْدَ أَبِيهَا خَمْسَةً وَ سَبْعِينَ يَوْماً لَمْ تُرَ كَاشِرَةً[2] وَ لَا ضَاحِكَةً تَأْتِي قُبُورَ الشُّهَدَاءِ فِي كُلِّ جُمْعَةٍ مَرَّتَيْنِ- الْإِثْنَيْنَ وَ الْخَمِيسَ فَتَقُولُ هَاهُنَا كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص هَاهُنَا كَانَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ.

'Fatima (a.s) lived for seventy-five days after her father but she was never seen smiling or laughing. Every Friday she would visit the graves of the martyrs twice, (and once) on Mondays and Thursdays and (she) would say, 'There was the Messenger of Allah (s.w.) and there were the pagans.'"

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

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

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَيْفَ التَّسْلِيمُ عَلَى أَهْلِ الْقُبُورِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ تَقُولُ- السَّلَامُ عَلَى أَهْلِ الدِّيَارِ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنْتُمْ لَنَا فَرَطٌ وَ نَحْنُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ بِكُمْ لَاحِقُونَ.

You have departed us and we, by the will of Allah, will join you.’””

مَرَرْتُ مَعَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع بِالْبَقِيعِ فَمَرَرْنَا بِقَبْرِ رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ مِنَ الشِّيعَةِ قَالَ فَوَقَفَ عَلَيْهِ ع فَقَالَ- اللَّهُمَّ ارْحَمْ غُرْبَتَهُ وَ صِلْ وَحْدَتَهُ وَ آنِسْ وَحْشَتَهُ وَ أَسْكِنْ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ رَحْمَتِكَ مَا يَسْتَغْنِي بِهَا عَنْ رَحْمَةِ مَنْ سِوَاكَ وَ أَلْحِقْهُ بِمَنْ كَانَ يَتَوَلَّاهُ.

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.), and I passed by al-Baqi’ cemetery. We then passed by the grave of a person from al-Kufah who was a Shi ‘ah Muslim. The narrator has said that the Imam stood on his grave and said, ‘O Lord, grant him mercy and kindness in his loneliness, provide him company in his solitude, comfort him in his di

تَقُولُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ دِيَارِ قَوْمٍ مُؤْمِنِينَ‌[2] وَ إِنَّا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ بِكُمْ لَاحِقُونَ.

“He (the Imam) has said, ‘As a greeting of peace to the people of the graves say, “May Allah grant you peace which was wished for you by the town of a believing people, and we by the will of Allah are about to join you.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَيْفَ التَّسْلِيمُ عَلَى أَهْلِ الْقُبُورِ قَالَ تَقُولُ السَّلَامُ عَلَى أَهْلِ الدِّيَارِ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ الْمُسْتَقْدِمِينَ مِنَّا وَ الْمُسْتَأْخِرِينَ وَ إِنَّا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ بِكُمْ لَاحِقُونَ.

‘May Allah grant peace to the Muslims and believing ones of this dwelling place. May Allah grant mercy upon those of us who have preceded us (to the next life) and those who will follow and we, by the will of Allah, are about to join you.’”

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

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

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ زُورُوا مَوْتَاكُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ يَفْرَحُونَ بِزِيَارَتِكُمْ وَ لْيَطْلُبْ أَحَدُكُمْ حَاجَتَهُ عِنْدَ قَبْرِ أَبِيهِ وَ عِنْدَ قَبْرِ أُمِّهِ بِمَا يَدْعُو لَهُمَا

"Visit your dead people for they become happy due to your visit. One of you should ask for his wishes near the grave of his father and near the grave of his mother, with supplications for them [that they'll be pleased with]."

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

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

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

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

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَيِّتِ يَزُورُ أَهْلَهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَقُلْتُ فِي كَمْ يَزُورُ قَالَ فِي الْجُمْعَةِ وَ فِي الشَّهْرِ وَ فِي السَّنَةِ عَلَى قَدْرِ مَنْزِلَتِهِ فَقُلْتُ فِي أَيِّ صُورَةٍ يَأْتِيهِمْ قَالَ فِي صُورَةِ طَائِرٍ لَطِيفٍ يَسْقُطُ عَلَى جُدُرِهِمْ وَ يُشْرِفُ عَلَيْهِمْ فَإِنْ رَآهُمْ بِخَيْرٍ فَرِحَ وَ إِنْ رَآهُمْ بِشَرٍّ وَ حَاجَةٍ حَزِنَ وَ اغْتَمَ‌[2].

“I (the narrator) asked abu al-Hassan al-Awwal (a.s.), about a deceased person’s visiting his family. He replied, ‘Yes, (this is a fact).’ I then asked, ‘How often do such visits take place?’ He replied, ‘In a Friday (week), in a month and in a year, depending upon his status.’ I then asked, ‘In what form does he visit

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

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

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

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

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ إِنَّ ابْنَ آدَمَ إِذَا كَانَ فِي آخِرِ يَوْمٍ مِنْ أَيَّامِ الدُّنْيَا وَ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ مِنْ أَيَّامِ الْآخِرَةِ مُثِّلَ لَهُ مَالُهُ وَ وَلَدُهُ وَ عَمَلُهُ فَيَلْتَفِتُ إِلَى مَالِهِ فَيَقُولُ وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي كُنْتُ عَلَيْكَ حَرِيصاً شَحِيحاً[1] فَمَا لِي عِنْدَكَ فَيَقُولُ خُذْ مِنِّي كَفَنَكَ قَالَ فَيَلْتَفِتُ إِلَى وَلَدِهِ فَيَقُولُ وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي كُنْتُ لَكُمْ مُحِبّاً و

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘When a child of Adam finds himself in the first day of his next life and the last day of his worldly life, his property, children and deeds are pictured before him. He then turns to his property and says, “By Allah, I was very greedy and stingy about you. In what ways can you help m

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا حُمِلَ عَدُوُّ اللَّهِ إِلَى قَبْرِهِ نَادَى حَمَلَتَهُ أَ لَا تَسْمَعُونَ يَا إِخْوَتَاهْ أَنِّي أَشْكُو إِلَيْكُمْ مَا وَقَعَ فِيهِ أَخُوكُمُ الشَّقِيُّ أَنَّ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ خَدَعَنِي‌[2] فَأَوْرَدَنِي ثُمَّ لَمْ يُصْدِرْنِي وَ أَقْسَمَ لِي أَنَّهُ نَاصِحٌ لِي فَغَشَّنِي وَ أَشْكُو إِلَيْكُمْ دُنْيَا غَرَّتْنِي حَتَّى إِذَا اطْمَأْنَنْتُ إِلَيْهَا صَرَعَتْنِي وَ أَشْكُو إِلَيْكُمْ أَ

“The Messenger of Allah has said that when an enemy of Allah is taken to his grave, he keeps saying to those who carry his coffin, ‘Why do you not listen to me, O my brethren, I complain before you about what has happened to me, one of your wicked brethren. The enemy of Allah (Satan) deceived me. He placed me in troubl

وَ كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَبْكِي إِذَا ذَكَرَ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ.

“He continues pleading (and crying) until he is placed in his grave. When he is placed in his grave, his spirit is then returned to his body and the two angels come to his grave and examine him.” “The narrator has that abu Ja‘far (a.s.), would weep whenever this Hadith was mentioned.”

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ مَا نَدْرِي كَيْفَ نَصْنَعُ بِالنَّاسِ إِنْ حَدَّثْنَاهُمْ بِمَا سَمِعْنَا مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص ضَحِكُوا وَ إِنْ سَكَتْنَا لَمْ يَسَعْنَا قَالَ فَقَالَ ضَمْرَةُ بْنُ مَعْبَدٍ[3] حَدِّثْنَا فَقَالَ هَلْ تَدْرُونَ مَا يَقُولُ عَدُوُّ اللَّهِ إِذَا حُمِلَ عَلَى سَرِيرِهِ قَالَ فَقُلْنَا لَا قَالَ فَإِنَّهُ يَقُولُ لِحَمَلَتِهِ أَ لَا تَسْمَعُونَ أَنِّي أَشْكُو إِلَيْكُمْ عَدُوَّ اللَّ

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), has said, ‘We do not know how to deal with people. If we tell them that we have heard (such and such Hadith) from the Messenger of Allah, they laugh, and to remain silent (to neglect our mission) is not possible for us.’ The narrator has said that Damrah ibn Ma‘bad then said, ‘You then should

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

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

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

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

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

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

أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا يُسْأَلُ فِي الْقَبْرِ إِلَّا مَنْ مَحَضَ الْإِيمَانَ مَحْضاً أَوْ مَحَضَ الْكُفْرَ مَحْضاً.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The only ones interrogated in the grave are those whose belief or disbelief is absolute and total.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يُسْأَلُ وَ هُوَ مَضْغُوطٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a person is interrogated in the grave while he is pressed hard from all sides.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ يُفْلِتُ‌[1] مِنْ ضَغْطَةِ الْقَبْرِ أَحَدٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ نَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْهَا مَا أَقَلَّ مَنْ يُفْلِتُ مِنْ ضَغْطَةِ الْقَبْرِ إِنَّ رُقَيَّةَ لَمَّا قَتَلَهَا عُثْمَانُ وَقَفَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَلَى قَبْرِهَا فَرَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَدَمَعَتْ عَيْنَاهُ وَ قَالَ لِلنَّاسِ إِنِّي ذَكَرْتُ هَذِهِ وَ مَا لَقِيَتْ فَرَقَقْتُ لَهَا وَ اسْتَوْهَبْتُهَا مِنْ ضَمَّةِ الْ

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Can anyone remain safe from the pressure of the grave?’ The Imam said, ‘I seek protection against it from Allah. How few are those who remain safe from the pressure in the grave! When Ruqiyyah was murdered by Uthman. The Messenger of Allah stood on her grave and raised his head toward t

يَجِي‌ءُ الْمَلَكَانِ- مُنْكَرٌ وَ نَكِيرٌ إِلَى الْمَيِّتِ حِينَ يُدْفَنُ أَصْوَاتُهُمَا كَالرَّعْدِ الْقَاصِفِ وَ أَبْصَارُهُمَا كَالْبَرْقِ الْخَاطِفِ يَخُطَّانِ الْأَرْضَ‌[4] بِأَنْيَابِهِمَا وَ يَطَئَانِ‌[5] فِي شُعُورِهِمَا فَيَسْأَلَانِ الْمَيِّتَ مَنْ رَبُّكَ- وَ مَا دِينُكَ قَالَ فَإِذَا كَانَ مُؤْمِناً قَالَ اللَّهُ رَبِّي وَ دِينِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ فَيَقُولَانِ لَهُ مَا تَقُولُ فِي هَذَا الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي خَر

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the two interrogating angels (Munkar and Nakir) will come to the person who is just buried. Their voice sounds like thunder, their eyes like swift lightening, tearing the earth with their incisors, they strike the earth with their hairs and ask the deceased, ’Who is your Lord and w

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ مَنِ الْمَسْئُولُونَ فِي قُبُورِهِمْ قَالَ مَنْ مَحَضَ الْإِيمَانَ وَ مَنْ مَحَضَ الْكُفْرَ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَبَقِيَّةُ هَذَا الْخَلْقِ قَالَ يُلْهَى وَ اللَّهِ عَنْهُمْ مَا يُعْبَأُ بِهِمْ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ عَمَّ يُسْأَلُونَ قَالَ عَنِ الْحُجَّةِ الْقَائِمَةِ بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِكُمْ فَيُقَالُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ مَا تَقُولُ فِي فُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانٍ فَيَقُولُ ذَاكَ إِمَامِي فَيُقَالُ نَمْ

“I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), ’May Allah grant you well being, who are interrogated in the grave?’ The Imam replied, ‘The only ones interrogated in the grave are those whose belief or disbelief is absolute and total.’ The narrator has said that I then asked, ‘What about the rest of these creatures?’ The Imam replied, ‘Th

أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ يُسْأَلُ الرَّجُلُ فِي قَبْرِهِ فَإِذَا أَثْبَتَ فُسِحَ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ سَبْعَةَ أَذْرُعٍ وَ فُتِحَ لَهُ بَابٌ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَ قِيلَ لَهُ نَمْ نَوْمَةَ الْعَرُوسِ قَرِيرَ الْعَيْنِ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say that a man is interrogated in his grave. If he remains steadfast (in his belief), his grave is then made spacious by nine yards, a door to paradise is then opened for him and it is said to him, ‘Rest to sleep like a newly wedded person with delightful heart.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا وُضِعَ الرَّجُلُ فِي قَبْرِهِ أَتَاهُ مَلَكَانِ مَلَكٌ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ مَلَكٌ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ وَ أُقِيمَ الشَّيْطَانُ بَيْنَ عَيْنَيْهِ عَيْنَاهُ مِنْ نُحَاسٍ‌[1] فَيُقَالُ لَهُ كَيْفَ تَقُولُ فِي الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي كَانَ بَيْنَ ظَهْرَانَيْكُمْ قَالَ فَيَفْزَعُ لَهُ فَزْعَةً فَيَقُولُ إِذَا كَانَ مُؤْمِناً أَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص تَسْأَلَانِي فَيَقُولَانِ لَه

”1 heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘When a person is placed in his grave, two angels come to him, one from the right, the other from the left, and Satan whose eyes are made of brass stands before his eyes. The two angels will ask, “What do you say about the man who lived among you?’” The Imam then said, ‘This causes

يُقَالُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ فِي قَبْرِهِ مَنْ رَبُّكَ قَالَ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ مَا دِينُكَ فَيَقُولُ الْإِسْلَامُ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ مَنْ نَبِيُّكَ فَيَقُولُ مُحَمَّدٌ فَيُقَالُ مَنْ إِمَامُكَ فَيَقُولُ فُلَانٌ فَيُقَالُ كَيْفَ عَلِمْتَ بِذَلِكَ فَيَقُولُ أَمْرٌ هَدَانِي اللَّهُ لَهُ وَ ثَبَّتَنِي عَلَيْهِ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ نَمْ نَوْمَةً لَا حُلُمَ فِيهَا نَوْمَةَ الْعَرُوسِ ثُمَّ يُفْتَحُ لَهُ بَابٌ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ

“Abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.), has said, that a believing person in his grave will be asked, ‘Who is your Lord?’ He will reply, ‘Allah is my Lord.’ He is then asked, ‘What is your religion?’ He will reply, ‘Islam is my religion.’ He is then asked, ‘Who is your prophet?’ He will reply, ‘Muhammad is my prophet.’ He is then

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ إِذَا أُخْرِجَ مِنْ بَيْتِهِ شَيَّعَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ إِلَى قَبْرِهِ يَزْدَحِمُونَ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى إِذَا انْتَهَى بِهِ إِلَى قَبْرِهِ قَالَتْ لَهُ الْأَرْضُ مَرْحَباً بِكَ وَ أَهْلًا أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ كُنْتُ أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَمْشِيَ عَلَيَّ مِثْلُكَ لَتَرَيَنَّ مَا أَصْنَعُ بِكَ فَتَوَسَّعُ لَهُ مَدَّ بَصَرِهِ وَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَيْهِ فِي قَبْرِهِ مَلَكَا الْقَبْرِ وَ هُمَا قَعِيدَا الْقَبْرِ مُنْك

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when a believing person is taken out of his home, the angels escort him to his grave in a crowded manner until they arrive on his grave. The earth then says to him, ‘You are most welcome. By Allah, I loved that people like you walk on me. You will see what I will do for you.’ His g

إِذَا دَخَلَ الْمُؤْمِنُ قَبْرَهُ كَانَتِ الصَّلَاةُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ الزَّكَاةُ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ وَ الْبِرُّ يُطِلُّ عَلَيْهِ‌[6] وَ يَتَنَحَّى الصَّبْرُ نَاحِيَةً وَ إِذَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْمَلَكَانِ اللَّذَانِ يَلِيَانِ مُسَاءَلَتَهُ قَالَ الصَّبْرُ لِلصَّلَاةِ وَ الزَّكَاةِ دُونَكُمَا صَاحِبَكُمْ فَإِنْ عَجَزْتُمْ عَنْهُ فَأَنَا دُونَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when a believing person is placed in his grave, his prayer appears on his right side, Zakat (his paying charity) on his left side, his good manners above him and his patience stands on one side. When the angels, who interrogate him, enter his grave, his patience will say to his pra

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا وُضِعَ الْمَيِّتُ فِي قَبْرِهِ مُثِّلَ لَهُ شَخْصٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا هَذَا كُنَّا ثَلَاثَةً كَانَ رِزْقَكَ فَانْقَطَعَ بِانْقِطَاعِ أَجَلِكَ وَ كَانَ أَهْلَكَ فَخَلَّفُوكَ وَ انْصَرَفُوا عَنْكَ وَ كُنْتُ عَمَلَكَ فَبَقِيتُ مَعَكَ أَمَا إِنِّي كُنْتُ أَهْوَنَ الثَّلَاثَةِ عَلَيْكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When a deceased person is placed in his grave, someone appears before him and says, “O so and so, there were three of us. One was your means of sustenance that is no more because of the coming of the time of your death. The other one was your family who left you and has returned home.

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يُسْأَلُ الْمَيِّتُ فِي قَبْرِهِ عَنْ خَمْسٍ عَنْ صَلَاتِهِ وَ زَكَاتِهِ وَ حَجِّهِ وَ صِيَامِهِ وَ وَلَايَتِهِ إِيَّانَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فَتَقُولُ الْوَلَايَةُ مِنْ جَانِبِ الْقَبْرِ لِلْأَرْبَعِ مَا دَخَلَ فِيكُنَّ مِنْ نَقْصٍ فَعَلَيَّ تَمَامُهُ.

15. It is narrated from him (narrator of the above Hadith) from his father in a marfu‘ manner who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that a deceased is asked in his grave about five issues. He is asked about his prayer, Zakat (paying charity), his Hajj, his fasting and about our, Ahl al

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] عَنِ الْمَصْلُوبِ يُعَذَّبُ عَذَابَ الْقَبْرِ قَالَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَأْمُرُ الْهَوَاءَ أَنْ يَضْغَطَهُ.

“I asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about one who dies because of being hanged, ’Is such a person punished in the form of the pressure of the grave?’ He replied, ’Yes, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, sends the air to place huge pressures on him.’”

إِنَّ رَبَّ الْأَرْضِ هُوَ رَبُّ الْهَوَاءِ فَيُوحِي اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى الْهَوَاءِ فَيَضْغَطُهُ ضَغْطَةً أَشَدَّ مِنْ ضَغْطَةِ الْقَبْرِ.

The Imam said, ‘The Lord of the earth is also the Lord of the air. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, inspires the air and it applies a pressure on the deceased which is greater than the pressure in the grave.’”

لَمَّا مَاتَتْ رُقَيَّةُ ابْنَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْحَقِي بِسَلَفِنَا الصَّالِحِ- عُثْمَانَ بْنِ مَظْعُونٍ وَ أَصْحَابِهِ قَالَ وَ فَاطِمَةُ ع عَلَى شَفِيرِ الْقَبْرِ تَنْحَدِرُ دُمُوعُهَا فِي الْقَبْرِ وَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَتَلَقَّاهُ بِثَوْبِهِ‌[2] قَائِماً يَدْعُو قَالَ إِنِّي لَأَعْرِفُ ضَعْفَهَا وَ سَأَلْتُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يُجِيرَهَا مِنْ ضَمَّةِ الْقَبْرِ.

“When Ruqayyah, daughter of the Messenger of Allah passed away, the Messenger of Allah said, ’You now join the people of good deeds of our predecessors like ’Uthman ibn Madh'un and his friends.’ The Imam said, "Fatimah (AS) stood on the edge of the grave with her tears falling into the grave, and the Messenger of Allah

مَا مِنْ مَوْضِعِ قَبْرٍ إِلَّا وَ هُوَ يَنْطِقُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ أَنَا بَيْتُ التُّرَابِ أَنَا بَيْتُ الْبَلَاءِ أَنَا بَيْتُ الدُّودِ قَالَ فَإِذَا دَخَلَهُ عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ قَالَ مَرْحَباً وَ أَهْلًا أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ كُنْتُ أُحِبُّكَ وَ أَنْتَ تَمْشِي عَلَى ظَهْرِي فَكَيْفَ إِذَا دَخَلْتَ بَطْنِي فَسَتَرَى ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَيُفْسَحُ لَهُ مَدَّ الْبَصَرِ وَ يُفْتَحُ لَهُ بَابٌ يَرَى مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that every gravesite speaks three times every day, ‘I am the house of soil, I am the house of misfortune and I am the house of worms.’ The Imam then said, ‘When a believing person enters the grave it says, “You are most welcome. By Allah I loved you when you walked on me. Why then shoul

إِنَّ لِلْقَبْرِ كَلَاماً فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ يَقُولُ أَنَا بَيْتُ الْغُرْبَةِ أَنَا بَيْتُ الْوَحْشَةِ أَنَا بَيْتُ الدُّودِ أَنَا الْقَبْرُ أَنَا رَوْضَةٌ مِنْ رِيَاضِ الْجَنَّةِ أَوْ حُفْرَةٌ مِنْ حُفَرِ النَّارِ.

‘I am the house of loneliness. I am the terrifying house and I am the house of worms. I am the grave. I can be a garden of the gardens of paradise or a pit of the pits of hell.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي سَمِعْتُكَ وَ أَنْتَ تَقُولُ كُلُّ شِيعَتِنَا فِي الْجَنَّةِ عَلَى مَا كَانَ فِيهِمْ قَالَ صَدَقْتُكَ كُلُّهُمْ وَ اللَّهِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ الذُّنُوبَ كَثِيرَةٌ كِبَارٌ فَقَالَ أَمَّا فِي الْقِيَامَةِ فَكُلُّكُمْ فِي الْجَنَّةِ بِشَفَاعَةِ النَّبِيِّ الْمُطَاعِ أَوْ وَصِيِّ النَّبِيِّ وَ لَكِنِّي وَ اللَّهِ أَتَخَوَّفُ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الْبَرْزَخِ

“I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I have heard you say, “All of our Shi‘ah will be in paradise just as they are.’” He said, ‘I have told you the truth. All of them, by Allah, will be in paradise.’ The narrator has said that I then said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in your service, the sins are many and the major ones.’ He

خَرَجْتُ مَعَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِلَى الظَّهْرِ[2] فَوَقَفَ بِوَادِي السَّلَامِ كَأَنَّهُ مُخَاطِبٌ لِأَقْوَامٍ فَقُمْتُ بِقِيَامِهِ حَتَّى أَعْيَيْتُ ثُمَّ جَلَسْتُ حَتَّى مَلِلْتُ ثُمَّ قُمْتُ حَتَّى نَالَنِي مِثْلُ مَا نَالَنِي أَوَّلًا ثُمَّ جَلَسْتُ حَتَّى مَلِلْتُ ثُمَّ قُمْتُ وَ جَمَعْتُ رِدَائِي فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنِّي قَدْ أَشْفَقْتُ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ طُولِ الْقِيَامِ فَرَاحَةَ سَاعَةٍ[

“Once I went out along with ’Amir al-Mu’minin toward the backside of the city of Kufah. He stood on Wadiy al-Salam (valley of peace). He seemed like speaking to certain people. I stood as he was until I became tired. I then sat down until I became bored. I then stood up until I began to feel as it happened before. I th