Death & Bereavement

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ أَخِي بِبَغْدَادَ وَ أَخَافُ أَنْ يَمُوتَ بِهَا فَقَالَ مَا تُبَالِي حَيْثُمَا مَاتَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَا يَبْقَى مُؤْمِنٌ فِي شَرْقِ الْأَرْضِ وَ غَرْبِهَا إِلَّا حَشَرَ اللَّهُ رُوحَهُ إِلَى وَادِي السَّلَامِ قُلْتُ لَهُ وَ أَيْنَ وَادِي السَّلَامِ قَالَ ظَهْرُ الْكُوفَةِ أَمَا إِنِّي كَأَنِّي بِهِمْ حَلَقٌ حَلَقٌ قُعُودٌ يَتَحَدَّثُونَ.

“I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘My brother is in Baghdad and I am afraid that he may die there.’ He said, ‘Why should you worry about wherever he dies? Indeed, Allah sends to Wadi al- Salam the soul of every believing person who dies in the east or west of the earth.’ I then asked, ‘Where is Wadi al-Salam?’ ‘It is b

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ يَرْوُونَ أَنَّ أَرْوَاحَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي حَوَاصِلِ طُيُورٍ خُضْرٍ حَوْلَ الْعَرْشِ‌[1] فَقَالَ لَا الْمُؤْمِنُ أَكْرَمُ عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ رُوحَهُ فِي حَوْصَلَةِ طَيْرٍ وَ لَكِنْ فِي أَبْدَانٍ كَأَبْدَانِهِمْ.

“I asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ’May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, they narrate that the souls of the believing people are kept in the craw of green birds that live around the Throne.’ The Imam replied, ‘Believing people are very much respectable before Allah. He does not keep them in the craw of birds.

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ أَرْوَاحَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَفِي شَجَرَةٍ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ يَأْكُلُونَ مِنْ طَعَامِهَا وَ يَشْرَبُونَ مِنْ شَرَابِهَا وَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا أَقِمِ السَّاعَةَ لَنَا وَ أَنْجِزْ لَنَا مَا وَعَدْتَنَا وَ أَلْحِقْ آخِرَنَا بِأَوَّلِنَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The souls of the believing people are in a tree of paradise. They eat and drink of fruits and water thereof, and say, “O Lord, make the Day of Judgment to come for us, make what You had promised to come true and allow the last of us to join our first.’””

إِنَّ الْأَرْوَاحَ فِي صِفَةِ الْأَجْسَادِ فِي شَجَرَةٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ تَعَارَفُ وَ تَسَاءَلُ فَإِذَا قَدِمَتِ الرُّوحُ عَلَى الْأَرْوَاحِ يَقُولُ دَعُوهَا فَإِنَّهَا قَدْ أَفْلَتَتْ مِنْ هَوْلٍ عَظِيمٍ ثُمَّ يَسْأَلُونَهَا مَا فَعَلَ فُلَانٌ وَ مَا فَعَلَ فُلَانٌ فَإِنْ قَالَتْ لَهُمْ تَرَكْتُهُ حَيّاً ارْتَجَوْهُ وَ إِنْ قَالَتْ لَهُمْ قَدْ هَلَكَ قَالُوا قَدْ هَوَى هَوَى‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the souls (spirits) with the quality of body are in a tree in paradise where they get to know each other and ask questions. Whenever a new coming soul (spirit) joins them, they say, ‘Leave him alone. He has just experienced a huge terrifying experience.’ Then they ask him, ‘What is

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ أَرْوَاحِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَقَالَ فِي حُجُرَاتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ يَأْكُلُونَ مِنْ طَعَامِهَا وَ يَشْرَبُونَ مِنْ شَرَابِهَا وَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا أَقِمِ السَّاعَةَ لَنَا وَ أَنْجِزْ لَنَا مَا وَعَدْتَنَا وَ أَلْحِقْ آخِرَنَا بِأَوَّلِنَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the souls (spirits) of believing people. He said, ‘They are in chambers in paradise, they eat and drink thereof and say, “O Lord, make it the Day of Judgment, allow what You had promised us to come true and join the last of us with those who were first.’””

إِذَا مَاتَ الْمَيِّتُ اجْتَمَعُوا عِنْدَهُ يَسْأَلُونَهُ عَمَّنْ مَضَى‌ وَ عَمَّنْ بَقِيَ فَإِنْ كَانَ مَاتَ وَ لَمْ يَرِدْ عَلَيْهِمْ قَالُوا قَدْ هَوَى هَوَى وَ يَقُولُ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ دَعُوهُ حَتَّى يَسْكُنَ مِمَّا مَرَّ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when a dying person dies, other spirits gather around him and ask, ‘Who is still alive and who is dead?’ If someone is dead and has not joined them they say, ‘He then has fallen into the deep.’ Others among them say, ‘Leave him alone so he can gain comfort from what he has experien

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ مَا يَقُولُ النَّاسُ فِي أَرْوَاحِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَقُلْتُ يَقُولُونَ تَكُونُ فِي حَوَاصِلِ طُيُورٍ خُضْرٍ فِي قَنَادِيلَ تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْمُؤْمِنُ أَكْرَمُ عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ رُوحَهُ فِي حَوْصَلَةِ طَيْرٍ يَا يُونُسُ إِذَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ أَتَاهُ مُحَمَّدٌ ص وَ عَلِيٌّ وَ فَاطِمَةُ وَ الْحَسَنُ وَ الْحُسَيْنُ

’Once I was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and he asked, ‘What do people say about the spirits of the believers?’ I then replied, ‘They say that they live in the craws of green birds in chandlers in paradise under the Throne.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘Allah is free of all defects. A believer is highly respected

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّا نَتَحَدَّثُ عَنْ أَرْوَاحِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنَّهَا فِي حَوَاصِلِ طُيُورٍ خُضْرٍ تَرْعَى فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَ تَأْوِي إِلَى قَنَادِيلَ تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ فَقَالَ لَا إِذاً مَا هِيَ فِي حَوَاصِلِ طَيْرٍ قُلْتُ فَأَيْنَ هِيَ قَالَ فِي رَوْضَةٍ كَهَيْئَةِ الْأَجْسَادِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ.

“Once, I said to abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘We speak about the spirits of the believing people that they live in the craws of green birds that graze in paradise and seek shelter in chandlers under the Throne.’ He said, ‘No, they certainly are not in the craws of birds.’ I then asked, ‘Where are they then?’ He replied, ‘Th

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ أَرْوَاحِ الْمُشْرِكِينَ فَقَالَ فِي النَّارِ يُعَذَّبُونَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا لَا تُقِمْ لَنَا السَّاعَةَ وَ لَا تُنْجِزْ لَنَا مَا وَعَدْتَنَا وَ لَا تُلْحِقْ آخِرَنَا بِأَوَّلِنَا.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about the souls (spirits) of the pagans. He replied, ‘They are in the fire where they are punished. They say, “O Lord, do not make it the Day of Judgment for us. Do not allow what You have promised us to come true and do not join the last of us with our first.””’

إِنَّ أَرْوَاحَ الْكُفَّارِ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا لَا تُقِمْ لَنَا السَّاعَةَ وَ لَا تُنْجِزْ لَنَا مَا وَعَدْتَنَا وَ لَا تُلْحِقْ آخِرَنَا بِأَوَّلِنَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the souls (spirits) of the unbelievers are exposed to hellfire. They say, ‘O Lord, do not make any Day of Judgment for us. Do not allow what You have promised us to come true and do not join the last of us with our first ones.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ شَرُّ بِئْرٍ فِي النَّارِ بَرَهُوتُ‌[1] الَّذِي فِيهِ أَرْوَاحُ الْكُفَّارِ.

‘The worst well in the fire is the well of Barahut in which the souls (spirits) of unbelievers live.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ شَرُّ مَاءٍ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْأَرْضِ مَاءُ بَرَهُوتَ وَ هُوَ الَّذِي بِحَضْرَمَوْتَ تَرِدُهُ هَامُ الْكُفَّارِ[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah from his ancestors (a.s.), has narrated that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘The worst water on earth is the water of Barahut which is in Hadramawt where the souls (spirits) of unbelievers camp.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ شَرُّ الْيَهُودِ يَهُودُ بَيْسَانَ‌[3] وَ شَرُّ النَّصَارَى نَصَارَى نَجْرَانَ وَ خَيْرُ مَاءٍ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْأَرْضِ مَاءُ زَمْزَمَ وَ شَرُّ مَاءٍ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْأَرْضِ مَاءُ بَرَهُوتَ وَ هُوَ وَادٍ بِحَضْرَمَوْتَ يَرِدُ عَلَيْهِ هَامُ الْكُفَّارِ وَ صَدَاهُمْ.

‘The worst ones among Jews are the Jews of Baysan, the worst ones among Christians are the Christians of Najran. The best water on earth is the water of Zamzam and the worst water on earth is the water of Barahut and it is in the valley of Hadramawt where the souls and spirits of unbelievers camp.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع أَنَّ النَّاسَ يَذْكُرُونَ أَنَّ فُرَاتَنَا يَخْرُجُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ فَكَيْفَ هُوَ وَ هُوَ يُقْبِلُ مِنَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَ تُصَبُّ فِيهِ الْعُيُونُ وَ الْأَوْدِيَةُ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ- إِنَّ لِلَّهِ جَنَّةً خَلَقَهَا اللَّهُ فِي الْمَغْرِبِ وَ مَاءَ فُرَاتِكُمْ يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَ إِلَيْهَا تَخْرُجُ أَرْوَاحُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ حُفَرِهِمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسَاءٍ فَتَ

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad as well as Sahl ibn Ziyad and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father, all from ibn Mahbub from Ali ibn Ri’ab from Durays al-Kunasiy who has said the following: “I said to abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘People say that our Euphrates gushes forth from

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ جَنَّةِ آدَمَ ع فَقَالَ جَنَّةٌ مِنْ جِنَانِ الدُّنْيَا تَطْلُعُ فِيهَا الشَّمْسُ وَ الْقَمَرُ وَ لَوْ كَانَتْ مِنْ جِنَانِ الْآخِرَةِ مَا خَرَجَ مِنْهَا أَبَداً.

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the garden of Adam (a.s.). He said, ‘It was a garden of the gardens of the world on which the sun and moon rise. Had it been of the gardens of the hereafter, he would have never been expelled there from.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ هَلْ سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنِ الْأَطْفَالِ فَقَالَ قَدْ سُئِلَ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا كَانُوا عَامِلِينَ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا زُرَارَةُ هَلْ تَدْرِي قَوْلَهُ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا كَانُوا عَامِلِينَ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ لِلَّهِ فِيهِمُ الْمَشِيئَةُ إِنَّهُ إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ جَمَعَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْأَطْفَالَ وَ الَّذِي مَاتَ مِنَ النَّاسِ فِي الْفَتْرَةِ[1] وَ الشَّيْخَ الْكَبِير

“I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), ’Had the Messenger of Allah been asked about children?’ He said, ‘Indeed he was asked and he said, “Allah knows better about their deeds.’” The Imam then said, ‘O Zurarah, do you know His words, “Allah knows better of what they had been doing?”’ I replied, ‘I do not know.’ The Imam said, ‘Al

إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ جَمَعَهُمُ اللَّهُ وَ أَجَّجَ لَهُمْ نَاراً وَ أَمَرَهُمْ أَنْ يَطْرَحُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ فِيهَا فَمَنْ كَانَ فِي عِلْمِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنَّهُ سَعِيدٌ رَمَى بِنَفْسِهِ فِيهَا وَ كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ بَرْداً وَ سَلَاماً وَ مَنْ كَانَ فِي عِلْمِهِ أَنَّهُ شَقِيٌّ امْتَنَعَ فَيَأْمُرُ اللَّهُ بِهِمْ إِلَى النَّارِ فَيَقُولُونَ يَا رَبَّنَا تَأْمُرُ بِنَا إِلَى النَّارِ وَ لَمْ تُجْرِ عَ

“He (the Holy Prophet) was asked about the children and he replied, ‘On the Day of Judgment Allah will bring all of them together, light up for them a fire and command them to throw themselves in it. Those of them who are fortunate in the knowledge of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, throw themselves in the

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الْوِلْدَانِ فَقَالَ سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنِ الْوِلْدَانِ وَ الْأَطْفَالِ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا كَانُوا عَامِلِينَ.

‘The Messenger of Allah was asked about the children and infants, and he replied, “Allah knows best about what they had been doing.’””

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي الْأَطْفَالِ الَّذِينَ مَاتُوا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَبْلُغُوا فَقَالَ سُئِلَ عَنْهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا كَانُوا عَامِلِينَ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ يَا زُرَارَةُ هَلْ تَدْرِي مَا عَنَى بِذَلِكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا عَنَى كُفُّوا عَنْهُمْ وَ لَا تَقُولُوا فِيهِمْ شَيْئاً وَ رُدُّوا عِلْمَهُمْ إِلَى اللَّهِ.

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about children who die before maturity and he replied, ‘The Messenger of Allah was asked about them and he said, “Allah knows best about what they may do.’” Then he turned to me and said, ‘O Zurarah, do you know what the Messenger of Allah meant thereby?’ I said, ‘No, I do not know.’ He

فَقَالَ قَصَرَتِ الْأَبْنَاءُ عَنْ عَمَلِ الْآبَاءِ فَأَلْحَقُوا الْأَبْنَاءَ بِالْآبَاءِ لِتَقَرَّ بِذَلِكَ أَعْيُنُهُمْ.

‘The children even though may have had shortcomings in their deeds, they will be joined with their parents to grant delightfulness to the eyes of the parents.’”

يَحْتَجُّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ يَرْفَعُ لَهُمْ نَاراً فَيَقُولُ لَهُمْ ادْخُلُوهَا فَمَنْ دَخَلَهَا كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ بَرْداً وَ سَلَاماً وَ مَنْ أَبَى قَالَ هَا أَنْتُمْ قَدْ أَمَرْتُكُمْ فَعَصَيْتُمُونِي.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah was asked about those who die in the interval (between the passing away of one prophet and coming of the other), those who have not committed sins, and people with severe mental conditions. He replied, ‘Allah argues against them by lighting up a fire and tell

ثَلَاثَةٌ يُحْتَجُّ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَبْكَمُ وَ الطِّفْلُ وَ مَنْ مَاتَ فِي الْفَتْرَةِ فَتُرْفَعُ لَهُمْ نَارٌ فَيُقَالُ لَهُمْ ادْخُلُوهَا فَمَنْ دَخَلَهَا كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ بَرْداً وَ سَلَاماً وَ مَنْ أَبَى قَالَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى هَذَا قَدْ أَمَرْتُكُمْ فَعَصَيْتُمُونِي.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘An argument will be made against three kinds of people: dumb people, children, and those who have died in the interval between the passing away and coming of a prophet. A fire will be brought before them and they will be commanded to go in it. Those who go in the fire, it will turn co

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْجُنُبِ يُغَسِّلُ الْمَيِّتَ أَوْ مَنْ غَسَّلَ مَيِّتاً لَهُ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ أَهْلَهُ ثُمَّ يَغْتَسِلَ فَقَالَ سَوَاءٌ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ إِذَا كَانَ جُنُباً غَسَلَ يَدَهُ وَ تَوَضَّأَ وَ غَسَّلَ الْمَيِّتَ فَإِنْ غَسَّلَ مَيِّتاً ثُمَّ تَوَضَّأَ ثُمَّ أَتَى أَهْلَهُ يُجْزِئُهُ غُسْلٌ وَاحِدٌ لَهُمَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who is involved in sexual relations and he gives Ghusl (bath) to a dead person or one who has given Ghusl (bath) to a dead person, then performs sexual relation with his wife. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is the same and it is not harmful. If he is involved in sex

إِنَّ الْمَيِّتَ إِذَا حَضَرَهُ الْمَوْتُ أَوْثَقَهُ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ مَا اسْتَقَرَّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when a person is about to die, the angel of death ties him down; otherwise, he will not calm down.”

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَجْداً وَجَدْتُهُ‌[1] عَلَى ابْنٍ لِي هَلَكَ حَتَّى خِفْتُ عَلَى عَقْلِي فَقَالَ إِذَا أَصَابَكَ مِنْ هَذَا شَيْ‌ءٌ فَأَفِضْ مِنْ دُمُوعِكَ فَإِنَّهُ يَسْكُنُ عَنْكَ.

“I complained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about feeling extremely sad for the death of my son and I feared for my sanity. He said, ‘When something like this happens, allow your tears to flow; it gives you relief.’”

لَمَّا مَاتَ ذَرُّ بْنُ أَبِي ذَرٍّ مَسَحَ أَبُو ذَرٍّ الْقَبْرَ بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ يَا ذَرُّ وَ اللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتَ بِي بَارّاً وَ لَقَدْ قُبِضْتَ وَ إِنِّي عَنْكَ لَرَاضٍ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا بِي فَقْدُكَ وَ مَا عَلَيَّ مِنْ غَضَاضَةٍ[3] وَ مَا لِي إِلَى أَحَدٍ سِوَى اللَّهِ مِنْ حَاجَةٍ وَ لَوْ لَا هَوْلُ الْمُطَّلَعِ‌[4] لَسَرَّنِي أَنْ أَكُونَ مَكَانَكَ وَ لَقَدْ شَغَلَنِي الْحُزْنُ لَكَ عَنِ

“When Dharr, son of abu Dharr passed away, abu Dharr wiped his grave with his hand and said, ‘May Allah grant you mercy, O Dharr, by Allah, you were kind to me and I am satisfied with you. By Allah, I am not disappointed due to your death and I do not need anyone beside Allah. Had it not been for fear from the next lif

لَمَّا قُبِضَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع أَمَرَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِالسِّرَاجِ فِي الْبَيْتِ الَّذِي كَانَ يَسْكُنُهُ حَتَّى قُبِضَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ثُمَّ أَمَرَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع بِمِثْلِ ذَلِكَ فِي بَيْتِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع حَتَّى خَرَجَ بِهِ إِلَى الْعِرَاقِ ثُمَّ لَا أَدْرِي مَا كَانَ.

“When abu Ja‘far passed away abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), commanded (his people) to light a lamp in the house where he lived until abu ‘Abd Allah passed away. Thereafter abu al-Hassan did a similar thing in the house where abu ‘Abd Allah lived until he was taken to Iraq and thereafter I do not know what happened.”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ أَوَّلِ مَنْ جُعِلَ لَهُ النَّعْشُ فَقَالَ فَاطِمَةُ ع.

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Who was the initiator of coffins for deceased people?’ He replied, ‘Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, was the one.’”

سُئِلَ عَنِ الْمَيِّتِ يَبْلَى جَسَدُهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ حَتَّى لَا يَبْقَى لَهُ لَحْمٌ وَ لَا عَظْمٌ إِلَّا طِينَتُهُ الَّتِي خُلِقَ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّهَا لَا تَبْلَى تَبْقَى فِي الْقَبْرِ مُسْتَدِيرَةً حَتَّى يُخْلَقَ مِنْهَا كَمَا خُلِقَ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked, ’Does the body of a dead person decay?’ He replied, ‘Yes, nothing of the flesh and bones will be left except the clay from which he is created. This does not decay and it remains in the grave with a round shape until he is created from it just as before.’”

سَأَلَ عِيسَى بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ فَقَالَ تَخْرُجُ النِّسَاءُ إِلَى الْجَنَازَةِ وَ كَانَ ع مُتَّكِئاً فَاسْتَوَى جَالِساً ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ الْفَاسِقَ عَلَيْهِ لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ آوَى عَمَّهُ الْمُغِيرَةَ بْنَ أَبِي الْعَاصِ وَ كَانَ مِمَّنْ هَدَرَ[1] رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص دَمَهُ فَقَالَ لِابْنَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لَا تُخْبِرِي أَبَاكِ بِمَكَانِهِ كَأَنَّهُ لَا يُوقِنُ أَنَّ الْوَح

إِذَا أَعَدَّ الرَّجُلُ كَفَنَهُ فَهُوَ مَأْجُورٌ كُلَّمَا نَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if a man keeps his shroud ready, because of looking at it, he is entitled to a reward each time he looks at it.”

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع اشْتَكَى عَيْنَهُ فَعَادَهُ النَّبِيُّ ص فَإِذَا هُوَ يَصِيحُ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص أَ جَزَعاً أَمْ وَجَعاً[4] فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا وَجِعْتُ وَجَعاً قَطُّ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُ فَقَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ إِنَّ مَلَكَ الْمَوْتِ إِذَا نَزَلَ لِقَبْضِ رُوحِ الْكَافِرِ نَزَلَ مَعَهُ سَفُّودٌ[5] مِنْ نَارٍ فَيَنْزِعُ رُوحَهُ بِهِ فَتَصِيحُ جَهَنَّمُ فَاسْتَوَى عَلِيٌّ ع جَالِساً فَقَالَ يَا رَسُ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), was suffering from a severe eye illness and the Holy Prophet visited him for this reason. He groaned loudly because of severe pain. The Holy Prophet said, ‘Is it impatience or severe pain?’ He replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I have never experienced such a severe pain.’ He said, ‘O Ali, when t

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ مُسْتَرِيحٌ وَ مُسْتَرَاحٌ مِنْهُ أَمَّا الْمُسْتَرِيحُ فَالْعَبْدُ الصَّالِحُ اسْتَرَاحَ مِنْ غَمِّ الدُّنْيَا وَ مَا كَانَ فِيهِ مِنَ الْعِبَادَةِ إِلَى الرَّاحَةِ وَ نَعِيمِ الْآخِرَةِ وَ أَمَّا الْمُسْتَرَاحُ مِنْهُ فَالْفَاجِرُ يَسْتَرِيحُ مِنْهُ الْمَلَكَانِ اللَّذَانِ يَحْفَظَانِ عَلَيْهِ وَ خَادِمُهُ وَ أَهْلُهُ وَ الْأَرْضُ الَّتِي كَانَ يَمْشِي عَلَيْهَا.

11. Through the same chain of narrators, as the above Hadith, it is narrated who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Holy Prophet has said, ‘There is relieved and relieving. The relieved is the believing person who because of death is freed. He is relieved from worldly suffering

إِذَا أَعَدَّ الرَّجُلُ كَفَنَهُ فَهُوَ مَأْجُورٌ كُلَّمَا نَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if a person keeps his shroud ready, for each time he looks on it he is entitled to one reward.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلَ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا مَاتَ الْمُؤْمِنُ بَكَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَ بِقَاعُ الْأَرْضِ الَّتِي كَانَ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلَيْهَا وَ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ الَّتِي كَانَ يُصْعَدُ أَعْمَالُهُ فِيهَا وَ ثُلِمَ ثُلْمَةٌ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ‌[2] لَا يَسُدُّهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ لِأَنَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ حُصُونُ الْإِسْلَامِ كَحُصُونِ سُورِ الْمَدِينَةِ لَهَا.

“I heard abu al-Hassan, the first, saying, ‘When a believing person dies, angels, the pieces of land on which he had performed his worship, and the doors of the heavens through which his deeds were raised all weep for him. Because of his death, an irreparable crack appears in Islam; the believing people serve as a fort

إِذَا حَضَرَ الْمَيِّتَ أَرْبَعُونَ رَجُلًا فَقَالُوا اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا لَا نَعْلَمُ مِنْهُ إِلَّا خَيْراً قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَدْ قَبِلْتُ شَهَادَتَكُمْ وَ غَفَرْتُ لَهُ مَا عَلِمْتُ مِمَّا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if forty people take part in the funeral of a person and say the following: ‘O Allah, we do not know anything about him. All we know is good deeds,’ Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, will say, ‘I accept your testimony and forgive him for things that he did but you had no

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ عَلَى قَبْرِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ابْنِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص عَذْقٌ يُظِلُّهُ مِنَ الشَّمْسِ‌[3] يَدُورُ حَيْثُ دَارَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَلَمَّا يَبِسَ الْعَذْقُ دَرَسَ الْقَبْرُ فَلَمْ يُعْلَمْ مَكَانُهُ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘On the gravesite of Ibrahim, son of the Messenger of Allah, there was a palm tree that provided shadow and it would turn as the sun moved to provide shadow for the site but when it dried up, the gravesite became old and indistinguishable.’”

كَانَ الْبَرَاءُ بْنُ مَعْرُورٍ التَّمِيمِيُّ الْأَنْصَارِيُ‌[4]- بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِمَكَّةَ وَ إِنَّهُ حَضَرَهُ الْمَوْتُ وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ‌ ص وَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ يُصَلُّونَ إِلَى بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِسِ فَأَوْصَى الْبَرَاءُ إِذَا دُفِنَ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ وَجْهَهُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ[1] فَجَرَتْ بِهِ السُّنَّةُ وَ أَنَّهُ أَوْصَى بِثُلُثِ مَالِهِ فَنَزَلَ بِهِ الْكِتَابُ وَ

“Al-Bara’ ibn Ma‘rur al-Tamimiy al-Ansariy was in al-Madinah and the Messenger of Allah was in Makkah. He died when the Messenger of Allah and Muslims would face Jerusalem during prayer. He said in his will that when he died, the Messenger of Allah should place him facing Qiblah in the grave. This became a Sunnah (trad

جَاءَ جَبْرَئِيلُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ عِشْ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَ أَحْبِبْ مَنْ شِئْتَ فَإِنَّكَ مُفَارِقُهُ وَ اعْمَلْ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنَّكَ لَاقِيهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Jibril (Gabriel) came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘O Muhammad, live as you wish, but you will certainly die; love whoever you wish, but you will certainly depart him, and act as you wish but one day you will face your deeds.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع حَدِّثْنِي مَا أَنْتَفِعُ بِهِ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ أَكْثِرْ ذِكْرَ الْمَوْتِ فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يُكْثِرْ ذِكْرَهُ إِنْسَانٌ إِلَّا زَهِدَ فِي الدُّنْيَا.

“Once I said to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘Please speak to me about things whereby I can benefit.’ He said, ‘O abu ‘Ubaydah, speak of death very often. Whoever speaks of death very often restrains from the worldly matters (sins).”’

مُنَادٍ يُنَادِي فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ ابْنَ آدَمَ لِدْ لِلْمَوْتِ وَ اجْمَعْ لِلْفَنَاءِ وَ ابْنِ لِلْخَرَابِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘A caller announces the following every day: ‘Children of Adam, give birth for death, accumulate wealth for annihilation and build for destruction.’”

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْوَسْوَاسَ‌[2] فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ اذْكُرْ تَقَطُّعَ أَوْصَالِكَ فِي قَبْرِكَ وَ رُجُوعَ أَحْبَابِكَ عَنْكَ إِذَا دَفَنُوكَ فِي حُفْرَتِكَ وَ خُرُوجَ بَنَاتِ الْمَاءِ[3] مِنْ مَنْخِرَيْكَ وَ أَكْلَ الدُّودِ لَحْمَكَ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ يُسَلِّي عَنْكَ مَا أَنْتَ فِيهِ قَالَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا ذَكَرْتُهُ إِلَّا سَلَّى عَنِّي مَا أَنَا فِيهِ مِنْ هَمِّ الدُّنْيَا.

“Once I complained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the disturbance of temptation in my mind. He (the Imam) said, ‘O abu Muhammad, speak (think) of your joints coming apart in your grave, and of your relatives abandoning you after your burial, worms coming out from your nose and other worms consuming your flesh; thi

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ يَعْلَمُ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ بِقَبْضِ مَنْ يَقْبِضُ قَالَ لَا إِنَّمَا هِيَ صِكَاكٌ‌[4] تَنْزِلُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ اقْبِضْ نَفْسَ فُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانٍ.

“I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, does the angel of death know whose soul he has to remove from his body?’ He said, ‘No, he does not know. It is the ascribes who come down from the heavens and say, “Remove the soul of so and so, son of so and so.’””

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِ شَعْرٍ وَ لَا وَبَرٍ إِلَّا وَ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ يَتَصَفَّحُهُمْ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ خَمْسَ مَرَّاتٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the angel of death examines five times every day the faces of every member of all families regardless of their living in homes built of hairs or fur.”

مَنْ كَانَ مَعَهُ كَفَنُهُ فِي بَيْتِهِ لَمْ يُكْتَبْ مِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ وَ كَانَ مَأْجُوراً كُلَّمَا نَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that whoever keeps his shroud ready at his home is not considered a neglectful person. He is rewarded whenever he looks at it.”

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ مَلَكِ الْمَوْتِ يُقَالُ الْأَرْضُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ كَالْقَصْعَةِ يَمُدُّ يَدَهُ مِنْهَا حَيْثُ يَشَاءُ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the angel of death saying, ‘Is it true, as it is said that he observes the whole earth like a bowl on his palm and stretches his hand to it as he likes?’ He replied, ‘Yes, that is true.’”

دَخَلْنَا عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع نُعَزِّيهِ بِإِسْمَاعِيلَ فَتَرَحَّمَ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ نَعَى إِلَى نَبِيِّهِ ص نَفْسَهُ فَقَالَ‌ إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَ إِنَّهُمْ مَيِّتُونَ‌[1] وَ قَالَ‌ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ‌[2] ثُمَّ أَنْشَأَ يُحَدِّثُ فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ يَمُوتُ أَهْلُ الْأَرْضِ حَتَّى لَا يَبْقَى أَحَدٌ ثُمَّ يَمُوتُ أَهْلُ السَّمَاءِ حَتَّى لَا يَبْقَى أَحَدٌ إِلَّا مَلَ

“Once we visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), to offer condolences because of the death of Isma‘il. He expressed sympathy toward him and said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, offered condolences to the Holy Prophet for his own death saying, “You die and they all die (39:32),” and “Every soul tests the agony of

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَخْبَرَنِي جَبْرَئِيلُ ع أَنَّ مَلَكاً مِنْ مَلَائِكَةِ اللَّهِ كَانَتْ لَهُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَنْزِلَةٌ عَظِيمَةٌ فَتُعُتِّبَ عَلَيْهِ‌[2] فَأُهْبِطَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ فَأَتَى إِدْرِيسَ ع فَقَالَ إِنَّ لَكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَنْزِلَةً فَاشْفَعْ لِي عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ فَصَلَّى ثَلَاثَ لَيَالٍ لَا يَفْتُرُ وَ صَامَ أَيَّامَهَا لَا يُفْطِرُ ثُمَّ طَلَبَ إِلَى اللَّهِ تَعَالَ

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Jibril (Gabriel) has informed me that an angel of the angels of Allah had a great position before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, but then this angel was to be disciplined. He was made to descend down to earth. He went to prophet Idris and requested him saying, “You have

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْمَوْتَ الْمَوْتَ أَلَا وَ لَا بُدَّ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ جَاءَ الْمَوْتُ بِمَا فِيهِ جَاءَ بِالرَّوْحِ وَ الرَّاحَةِ وَ الْكَرَّةِ الْمُبَارَكَةِ إِلَى جَنَّةٍ عَالِيَةٍ لِأَهْلِ دَارِ الْخُلُودِ الَّذِينَ كَانَ لَهَا سَعْيُهُمْ وَ فِيهَا رَغْبَتُهُمْ وَ جَاءَ الْمَوْتُ بِمَا فِيهِ بِالشِّقْوَةِ وَ النَّدَامَةِ وَ بِالْكَرَّةِ الْخَاسِرَةِ إِلَى نَارٍ حَامِيَةٍ لِأَهْلِ دَارِ الْغُرُورِ[1] الَّذ

27. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Nu‘man from ibn Muskan from Dawud ibn Farqad (abu Yazid) from ibn abu Shaybah al-Dhuhriy who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “(I remind you about) death, (I remind you about) de

سَمِعْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ عَجَبٌ كُلُّ الْعَجَبِ لِمَنْ أَنْكَرَ الْمَوْتَ‌[4] وَ هُوَ يَرَى مَنْ يَمُوتُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ وَ لَيْلَةٍ وَ الْعَجَبُ كُلُّ الْعَجَبِ لِمَنْ أَنْكَرَ النَّشْأَةَ الْأُخْرَى وَ هُوَ يَرَى النَّشْأَةَ الْأُولَى.

‘The case of one who denies death is very odd indeed, while he sees people die every day and night. So also is the case of one who denies the next life while he observers the present life.’”