Death & Bereavement

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ بَعَثَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص مُصَدِّقاً مِنَ الْكُوفَةِ إِلَى بَادِيَتِهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ انْطَلِقْ وَ عَلَيْكَ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ لَا تُؤْثِرَنَّ دُنْيَاكَ عَلَى آخِرَتِكَ وَ كُنْ حَافِظاً لِمَا ائْتَمَنْتُكَ عَلَيْهِ رَاعِياً لِحَقِّ اللَّهِ فِيهِ حَتَّى تَأْتِيَ نَادِيَ بَنِي فُلَانٍ‌[2] فَإِذَا قَدِمْتَ فَانْزِلْ بِمَائِهِمْ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Burayd ibn Mu‘awiyah who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say, ‘’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, gave the following disciplinary instructions to a zakat collector. He (the Imam) then sent him to th

فِي رَجُلٍ فَرَّطَ فِي إِخْرَاجِ زَكَاتِهِ فِي حَيَاتِهِ فَلَمَّا حَضَرَتْهُ الْوَفَاةُ حَسَبَ جَمِيعَ مَا كَانَ فَرَّطَ فِيهِ مِمَّا لَزِمَهُ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ ثُمَّ أَوْصَى بِهِ أَنْ يُخْرَجَ ذَلِكَ فَيُدْفَعَ إِلَى مَنْ يَجِبُ لَهُ قَالَ جَائِزٌ يُخْرَجُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الْمَالِ إِنَّمَا هُوَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ دَيْنٍ لَوْ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ لَيْسَ لِلْوَرَثَةِ شَيْ‌ءٌ حَتَّى يُؤَدُّوا مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who misses paying Zakat of his assets during his life time. When he is about to die, he calculates all that he owes as Zakat and then in his will states that such and such amount must be paid as Zakat. Can such Zakat be paid to proper beneficiaries? He (the Imam) said, ‘

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع رَجُلٌ لَمْ يُزَكِّ مَالَهُ فَأَخْرَجَ زَكَاتَهُ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ فَأَدَّاهَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ يُجْزِئُ عَنْهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ أَوْصَى بِوَصِيَّةٍ مِنْ ثُلُثِهِ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ زَكَّى أَ يُجْزِئُ عَنْهُ مِنْ زَكَاتِهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ يُحْسَبُ لَهُ زَكَاةٌ وَ لَا تَكُونُ لَهُ نَافِلَةٌ وَ عَلَيْهِ فَرِيضَةٌ.

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about a man who does not pay Zakat until he is about to die. At such time if he pays Zakat in full is that acceptable? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is acceptable? I then asked, ‘If he makes a will that from one-third of his legacy, Zakat which due on him must be paid, will that kind of

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ عَلَى أَخِي زَكَاةً كَثِيرَةً فَأَقْضِيهَا أَوْ أُؤَدِّيهَا عَنْهُ فَقَالَ لِي وَ كَيْفَ لَكَ بِذَلِكَ قُلْتُ أَحْتَاطُ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِذاً تُفَرِّجَ عَنْهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of my brother who owes a large amount of Zakat, can I pay for him? He (the Imam) asked, ‘Why do you pay it?’ I replied, ‘I do so out of precaution.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Obviously, you provide him great relief.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ يَمُوتُ وَ عَلَيْهِ خَمْسُ مِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ عَلَيْهِ حَجَّةُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ تَرَكَ ثَلَاثَمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَأَوْصَى بِحَجَّةِ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ أَنْ يُقْضَى عَنْهُ دَيْنُ الزَّكَاةِ قَالَ يُحَجُّ عَنْهُ مِنْ أَقْرَبِ مَا يَكُونُ وَ يُخْرَجُ الْبَقِيَّةُ فِي الزَّكَاةِ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who at death owed five hundred dirham of Zakat and one Hajjatu al-Islam. His legacy is three hundred dirham. He has made a will about performing Hajjatu al-Islam for him as well as to pay his debt of Zakat. He (the Imam) said, ‘Hajj must be performed for him from the clo

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ع رَجُلٌ مَاتَ وَ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاةٌ وَ أَوْصَى أَنْ تُقْضَى عَنْهُ الزَّكَاةُ وَ وُلْدُهُ‌ مَحَاوِيجُ إِنْ دَفَعُوهَا أَضَرَّ ذَلِكَ بِهِمْ ضَرَراً شَدِيداً فَقَالَ يُخْرِجُونَهَا فَيَعُودُونَ بِهَا عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ يُخْرِجُونَ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً فَيُدْفَعُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِمْ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Awwal (a.s.), about a man who has died and he owes Zakat. He has made a will about payment of Zakat and his children are needy. If such payment is made it will harm them a great deal. He (the Imam) said, ‘They take the amount of Zakat out of the legacy and pay it to themselves, except so

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَمُوتُ وَ يَتْرُكُ الْعِيَالَ أَ يُعْطَوْنَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ قَالَ‌ نَعَمْ حَتَّى يَنْشَوْا وَ يَبْلُغُوا وَ يَسْأَلُوا مِنْ أَيْنَ كَانُوا يَعِيشُونَ إِذَا قُطِعَ ذَلِكَ عَنْهُمْ‌[1] فَقُلْتُ إِنَّهُمْ لَا يَعْرِفُونَ قَالَ يُحْفَظُ فِيهِمْ مَيِّتُهُمْ وَ يُحَبَّبُ إِلَيْهِمْ دِينُ أَبِيهِمْ‌[2] فَلَا يَلْبَثُوا أَنْ يَهْتَمُّوا بِدِينِ أَبِيهِمْ فَإِذَا بَلَغُوا وَ عَدَلُوا

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who dies and leaves behind dependents. Can Zakat be given to them? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, until they grow up, become adults and ask (themselves) by what means could they live and survive if that Zakat was cut off from them. I then said, ‘They do not know. He (the Imam

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ حَلَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الزَّكَاةُ وَ مَاتَ أَبُوهُ وَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ أَ يُؤَدِّي زَكَاتَهُ فِي دَيْنِ أَبِيهِ وَ لِلِابْنِ مَالٌ كَثِيرٌ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ أَبُوهُ أَوْرَثَهُ مَالًا ثُمَّ ظَهَرَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ لَمْ يَعْلَمْ بِهِ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَيَقْضِيَهُ عَنْهُ قَضَاهُ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الْمِيرَاثِ وَ لَمْ يَقْضِهِ مِنْ زَكَاتِهِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ أَوْرَثَهُ مَالًا لَمْ يَكُنْ أَحَدٌ أَح

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that there is a man whose father has died and he is indebted. Can he pay the debts on his father from Zakat he owes when the son has a great wealth? He (the Imam) said, ‘If his father has left a legacy for him and then it is found out that there are debts on his father that he did

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ صَدَقَاتِ أَهْلِ الْجِزْيَةِ وَ مَا يُؤْخَذُ مِنْهُمْ مِنْ ثَمَنِ خُمُورِهِمْ وَ لَحْمِ خَنَازِيرِهِمْ وَ مَيِّتِهِمْ قَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْجِزْيَةُ فِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ يُؤْخَذُ مِنْهُمْ مِنْ ثَمَنِ لَحْمِ الْخِنْزِيرِ أَوْ خَمْرٍ وَ كُلُّ مَا أُخِذُوا مِنْهُمْ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَوِزْرُ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ ثَمَنُهُ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ حَلَالٌ يَأْخُذُونَهُ فِي جِزْيَتِهِمْ‌[2].

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of al-Jizyah of taxpayers and what is received from them from their wine or flesh of pigs and dead animals. He (the Imam) said, ‘They must pay al-Jizyah which is due on their assets from the flesh of pigs and the value of their wine. Whatever is received from them, it

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الصَّدَقَةُ تَدْفَعُ مِيتَةَ السَّوْءِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.), has said, ’Charity dispels wicked forms of death.’”

الْبِرُّ وَ الصَّدَقَةُ يَنْفِيَانِ الْفَقْرَ وَ يَزِيدَانِ فِي الْعُمُرِ وَ يَدْفَعَانِ تِسْعِينَ‌[1] مِيتَةَ السَّوْءِ. - وَ فِي خَبَرٍ آخَرَ وَ يَدْفَعَانِ عَنْ شِيعَتِي مِيتَةَ السَّوْءِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Benevolence and charity remove poverty, increase longevity of life and dispel seventy kinds of wicked forms of death.” Another Hadith has said that it ‘dispels wicked forms of death from our Shi`a.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ لَيَدْفَعُ بِالصَّدَقَةِ الدَّاءَ وَ الدُّبَيْلَةَ[1] وَ الْحَرَقَ وَ الْغَرَقَ وَ الْهَدْمَ وَ الْجُنُونَ وَ عَدَّ ص سَبْعِينَ بَاباً مِنَ السُّوءِ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “This is a narration of abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, from his ancestors. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Allah,

مَرَّ يَهُودِيٌّ بِالنَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ السَّامُ عَلَيْكَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَلَيْكَ فَقَالَ أَصْحَابُهُ إِنَّمَا سَلَّمَ عَلَيْكَ بِالْمَوْتِ قَالَ الْمَوْتُ عَلَيْكَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص وَ كَذَلِكَ رَدَدْتُ ثُمَّ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص إِنَّ هَذَا الْيَهُودِيَّ يَعَضُّهُ أَسْوَدُ فِي قَفَاهُ فَيَقْتُلُهُ قَالَ فَذَهَبَ الْيَهُودِيُّ فَاحْتَطَبَ حَطَباً كَثِيراً فَاحْتَمَلَهُ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَلْبَثْ أَنِ انْصَرَفَ فَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One day a Jewish man passed by the Holy Prophet, who said, “Assam Alaykum,” and the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, said, “Wa ‘Alayka” (the same to you). His companions said, ‘What the Jewish person sai

إِنَّ الصَّدَقَةَ لَتَدْفَعُ سَبْعِينَ بَلِيَّةً مِنْ بَلَايَا الدُّنْيَا مَعَ مِيتَةِ السَّوْءِ إِنَّ صَاحِبَهَا لَا يَمُوتُ مِيتَةَ السَّوْءِ أَبَداً مَعَ مَا يُدَّخَرُ لِصَاحِبِهَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Giving charity repels seventy kinds of worldly misfortunes as well as disgraceful death. One who gives charity never dies a disgraceful death and will have his reward on the Day of Judgment.”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ وَلَدٌ فَوُلِدَ لَهُ غُلَامٌ وَ قِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّهُ يَمُوتُ لَيْلَةَ عُرْسِهِ فَمَكَثَ الْغُلَامُ فَلَمَّا كَانَ لَيْلَةُ عُرْسِهِ نَظَرَ إِلَى شَيْخٍ كَبِيرٍ ضَعِيفٍ فَرَحِمَهُ الْغُلَامُ فَدَعَاهُ فَأَطْعَمَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ السَّائِلُ أَحْيَيْتَنِي أَحْيَاكَ اللَّهُ قَالَ فَأَتَاهُ آتٍ فِي النَّوْمِ فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلِ ابْنَكَ مَا صَنَعَ فَسَأ

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.), say, ‘Among banu Israel there was a man who did not have a son. When he became the father of a son, he was told that his son would die on the night of his marriage. The boy waited until the night of his marriage, when he saw a frail, old man. He felt sympathy for him and invited him for f

يَنْبَغِي لِلرَّجُلِ أَنْ يُوَسِّعَ عَلَى عِيَالِهِ كَيْلَا يَتَمَنَّوْا مَوْتَهُ وَ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- وَ يُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعامَ عَلى‌ حُبِّهِ مِسْكِيناً وَ يَتِيماً وَ أَسِيراً[2] قَالَ الْأَسِيرُ عِيَالُ الرَّجُلِ يَنْبَغِي لِلرَّجُلِ إِذَا زِيدَ فِي النِّعْمَةِ أَنْ يَزِيدَ أُسَرَاءَهُ فِي السَّعَةِ عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ فُلَاناً أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ بِنِعْمَةٍ فَمَنَعَهَا أُسَرَاءَهُ وَ جَعَلَهَا

‘A man should better the quality of life of his family so that they may not wish for his death.’ He then recited this from the Holy Quran, “They give food, because of their love for Him, to a destitute, orphan and captive.” (76:8) Captive (in this verse) is a reference to one’s family; thus, he should improve the quali

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يَسْأَلُ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَاجَةٍ فَيَمُوتُ حَتَّى يُحْوِجَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهَا وَ يُثَبِّتَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِهَا النَّارَ[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a servant asks for help without actually needing help, after his death Allah makes him need that same thing and the only reward he then receives from Allah is fire.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ لِعَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ سَيَابَةَ دَيْناً عَلَى رَجُلٍ قَدْ مَاتَ وَ قَدْ كَلَّمْنَاهُ أَنْ يُحَلِّلَهُ فَأَبَى فَقَالَ وَيْحَهُ أَ مَا يَعْلَمُ أَنَّ لَهُ بِكُلِّ دِرْهَمٍ عَشَرَةً إِذَا حَلَّلَهُ فَإِذَا لَمْ يُحَلِّلْهُ فَإِنَّمَا لَهُ دِرْهَمٌ بَدَلَ دِرْهَمٍ.

“Once I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘A man who died had borrowed (money) from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Sayabah, whom we asked to waive the loan in favor of the dead person, but he refused. He (the Imam) said, “Woe is upon him! Why does he not realize that for every dirham, he can receive the reward for ten dirhams, were h

دَخَلَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بِشْرٍ الْوَشَّاءُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَسْأَلُهُ أَنْ يُكَلِّمَ شِهَاباً أَنْ يُخَفِّفَ عَنْهُ حَتَّى يَنْقَضِيَ الْمَوْسِمُ وَ كَانَ لَهُ عَلَيْهِ أَلْفُ دِينَارٍ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِ فَأَتَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ قَدْ عَرَفْتَ حَالَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ انْقِطَاعَهُ إِلَيْنَا[1] وَ قَدْ ذَكَرَ أَنَّ لَكَ عَلَيْهِ أَلْفَ دِينَارٍ لَمْ تَذْهَبْ فِي بَطْنٍ وَ لَا فَرْجٍ وَ إِنَّمَا ذَهَبَتْ دَيْناً عَل

“Once Muhammad ibn Bishr al-Washsha’ came to visit abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asking the Imam to speak to Shihab to relieve him of repayment of a loan until the end of the time for Hajj. He owed him one thousand dinars. The Imam sent someone to call him. He (Shihab) came and the Imam said to him, ‘As you know Muhammad’s co

إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع كَانَ أَبَا أَضْيَافٍ فَكَانَ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُونُوا عِنْدَهُ خَرَجَ يَطْلُبُهُمْ وَ أَغْلَقَ بَابَهُ وَ أَخَذَ الْمَفَاتِيحَ يَطْلُبُ الْأَضْيَافَ وَ إِنَّهُ رَجَعَ إِلَى دَارِهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِرَجُلٍ أَوْ شِبْهِ رَجُلٍ فِي الدَّارِ فَقَالَ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بِإِذْنِ مَنْ دَخَلْتَ هَذِهِ الدَّارَ قَالَ دَخَلْتُهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهَا يُرَدِّدُ ذَلِكَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ فَعَرَفَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع أَنَّهُ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Ibrahim (a.s.), was the father of guest- entertaining people. Whenever he did not have a guest, he would go out to search for a guest. He would close his door and take the keys with him when looking for guests. Once he returned home and found a person, or someone similar to a perso

كَانَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَدْعُو بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي بِكَ أَتَوَسَّلُ وَ مِنْكَ أَطْلُبُ حَاجَتِي مَنْ طَلَبَ حَاجَةً إِلَى النَّاسِ فَإِنِّي لَا أَطْلُبُ حَاجَتِي إِلَّا مِنْكَ وَحْدَكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ وَ أَسْأَلُكَ بِفَضْلِكَ وَ رِضْوَانِكَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ لِي فِي عَامِي هَذَا إِلَى بَيْتِكَ الْحَرَامِ سَبِيلًا حَجّ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), would say this prayer during the month of Ramadan, ‘O Allah, I seek help from You and ask You for my needs. There are those who ask people for their needs, but I ask only You for my needs. You are (the only Lord). You have no partners. I ask You through Your generosity and Your pleasure to grant

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا مَاتَ صَائِماً فِي السَّفَرِ مَا صَلَّيْتُ عَلَيْهِ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘If a man while on a journey and fasting dies, I will not perform Salat (prayer) (of dead people) for him.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ مَرِضَتْ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ مَاتَتْ فِي شَوَّالٍ فَأَوْصَتْنِي أَنْ أَقْضِيَ عَنْهَا قَالَ هَلْ بَرَأَتْ مِنْ مَرَضِهَا قُلْتُ لَا مَاتَتْ فِيهِ فَقَالَ لَا تَقْضِ عَنْهَا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يَجْعَلْهُ عَلَيْهَا قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أَشْتَهِي أَنْ أَقْضِيَ عَنْهَا وَ قَدْ أَوْصَتْنِي بِذَلِكَ قَالَ كَيْفَ تَقْضِي عَنْهَا شَيْئاً لَمْ يَجْعَلْهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا فَإِنِ اشْتَ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who became ill in the month of Ramadan and dies in the month of Shawwal. She asked me, in her will, to complete Qada’ (compensatory fast), on her behalf. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Did she get well from her illness?’ I replied, ‘No, she did not get well, but she

نَعَمْ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ وَ هِيَ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فِي الْعَشْرِ الْأَوَاخِرِ فَلَمْ يُنْزَلِ الْقُرْآنُ إِلَّا فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فِيها يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ‌[4] قَالَ يُقَدَّرُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يَكُونُ فِي تِلْكَ السَّنَةِ إِلَى مِثْلِهَا مِنْ قَابِلٍ خَيْرٍ وَ شَرٍّ- وَ طَاعَةٍ وَ مَعْصِيَةٍ وَ مَوْلُودٍ وَ أَجَلٍ أَوْ رِزْقٍ فَمَا

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the following words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious: ‘We have revealed it during the blessed night.’ (44:3) He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is the night of destiny. Every year this night is during the last ten days in the month of Ramadan. It was the night of destiny a

أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ اسْمِي فِي هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ فِي السُّعَدَاءِ- وَ رُوحِي مَعَ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَ إِحْسَانِي فِي عِلِّيِّينَ وَ إِسَاءَتِي مَغْفُورَةً وَ أَنْ تَهَبَ لِي يَقِيناً تُبَاشِرُ بِهِ قَلْبِي وَ إِيمَاناً يَذْهَبُ بِالشَّكِّ عَنِّي وَ تُرْضِيَنِي بِمَا قَسَمْتَ لِي وَ آتِنا فِي الدُّنْيا حَسَنَةً وَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَ قِنَا عَذَابَ الْحَرِيقِ وَ

2. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ayyub ibn Yaqtin or others from ’A’immah, recipients of divine supreme covenant, who have said the following: “During the first night of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan, recite this prayer. ‘O the One, (You have the power)

قَالَ: اذْهَبْ فَأَعْطِ عَنْ عِيَالِنَا[1] الْفِطْرَةَ وَ أَعْطِ عَنِ الرَّقِيقِ وَ اجْمَعْهُمْ وَ لَا تَدَعْ مِنْهُمْ أَحَداً فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ تَرَكْتَ مِنْهُمْ إِنْسَاناً تَخَوَّفْتُ عَلَيْهِ الْفَوْتَ قُلْتُ وَ مَا الْفَوْتُ قَالَ الْمَوْتُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said to me, ‘Go and pay al-Fitrah for our dependents and pay for the slaves for all of them and do not leave anyone. If you left out a soul from them I will be afraid for the loss.’ I asked, ‘What kind of loss is it?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is death.’”

لَيْسَ عَلَى الْمُعْتَكِفِ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ إِلَّا إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ أَوْ جَنَازَةٍ أَوْ غَائِطٍ[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one in the state of Ttikaf must not go out of the Masjid unless it is for Friday Salat (prayer) or a funeral or defecation.”

لَا يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُعْتَكِفِ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ إِلَّا لِحَاجَةٍ لَا بُدَّ مِنْهَا- ثُمَّ لَا يَجْلِسُ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ وَ لَا يَخْرُجُ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا لِجَنَازَةٍ أَوْ يَعُودُ مَرِيضاً وَ لَا يَجْلِسُ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ وَ اعْتِكَافُ الْمَرْأَةِ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not proper for one who is in ’Ttikaf to leave the Masjid, unless it is for such a need without which he cannot do. He then must not sit in the shadow until he returns to his place, and must not go out for anything except a funeral or to visit a patient and must not sit until he

أُتِيَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ جَالِسٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ بِالْكُوفَةِ بِقَوْمٍ وَجَدُوهُمْ يَأْكُلُونَ بِالنَّهَارِ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ لَهُمْ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَكَلْتُمْ وَ أَنْتُمْ مُفْطِرُونَ قَالُوا نَعَمْ قَالَ يَهُودُ أَنْتُمْ قَالُوا لَا قَالَ فَنَصَارَى قَالُوا لَا قَالَ فَعَلَى أَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأَدْيَانِ مُخَالِفِينَ لِلْإِسْلَامِ قَالُوا بَلْ مُسْ

7. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from ‘Abd Allah ibn Ishaq from al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Sulayman from Muhammad ibn ‘Imran who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once when ’Amir al-Mu’minin was in the Masjid of al-Kufa, a certain people, who were found eating during the day in the month of Ramad

أَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع أَنْ يَحُجَّ وَ يُحِجَّ إِسْمَاعِيلَ مَعَهُ وَ يُسْكِنَهُ الْحَرَمَ فَحَجَّا عَلَى جَمَلٍ أَحْمَرَ وَ مَا مَعَهُمَا إِلَّا جَبْرَئِيلُ ع فَلَمَّا بَلَغَا الْحَرَمَ قَالَ لَهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ انْزِلَا فَاغْتَسِلَا قَبْلَ أَنْ تَدْخُلَا الْحَرَمَ فَنَزَلَا فَاغْتَسَلَا وَ أَرَاهُمَا كَيْفَ يَتَهَيَّئَانِ لِلْإِحْرَامِ فَفَعَلَا ثُمَّ أَمَرَهُمَا فَأَهَلَّا بِالْ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, commanded Ibrahim (a.s.), to perform Hajj and that Isma‘il also perform Hajj along with him, and then settle him in the Sacred area. They went for Hajj on a red camel and there was no one with them except Jibril. When they arrived in the

جَبْرَئِيلُ لِإِبْرَاهِيمَ ع تَرَوَّهْ‌[1] مِنَ الْمَاءِ فَسُمِّيَتِ التَّرْوِيَةَ ثُمَّ أَتَى مِنًى فَأَبَاتَهُ بِهَا ثُمَّ غَدَا بِهِ إِلَى عَرَفَاتٍ فَضَرَبَ خِبَاهُ بِنَمِرَةَ دُونَ عَرَفَةَ[2] فَبَنَى مَسْجِداً بِأَحْجَارٍ بِيضٍ وَ كَانَ يُعْرَفُ أَثَرُ مَسْجِدِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَتَّى أُدْخِلَ فِي هَذَا الْمَسْجِدِ الَّذِي بِنَمِرَةَ حَيْثُ يُصَلِّي الْإِمَامُ يَوْمَ عَرَفَةَ فَصَلَّى بِهَا الظُّهْرَ وَ الْعَصْرَ ث

“Abu Basir had heard abu Ja’far and abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, who have said the following: “When it was the day of al-Tarwiyyah (eighth of Dhul Hajjah, meaning carry sufficient water) Jibril said to Ibrahim, ‘Carry a good supply of water, for which reason it is called the day of al-Tarwiyyah. He then went to M

إِنَّ إِسْمَاعِيلَ دَفَنَ أُمَّهُ فِي الْحِجْرِ وَ حَجَّرَ عَلَيْهَا لِئَلَّا يُوطَأَ قَبْرُ أُمِّ إِسْمَاعِيلَ فِي الْحِجْرِ.

"Indeed, Isma'il buried his mother in the Hijr and built a chamber on it so that the grave of Isma'il's mother would not be walked upon in the Hijr."

الْحِجْرُ بَيْتُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ وَ فِيهِ قَبْرُ هَاجَرَ وَ قَبْرُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Isma‘il buried his mother in al-Hijr and built a wall of stones around it so that people may not walk on her grave.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ دُفِنَ فِي الْحِجْرِ مِمَّا يَلِي الرُّكْنَ الثَّالِثَ عَذَارَى بَنَاتِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about al-Hijr and the House, whether it is the House or there are some parts of the House in it?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, not even of the size of a fingernail of the House is in it (al-Hijr). However, Isma’il buried his mother in it and he did not like people’s walking on her grav

لَمَّا أَقْبَلَ صَاحِبُ الْحَبَشَةِ بِالْفِيلِ يُرِيدُ هَدْمَ الْكَعْبَةِ مَرُّوا بِإِبِلٍ لِعَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَاسْتَاقُوهَا فَتَوَجَّهَ عَبْدُ الْمُطَّلِبِ إِلَى صَاحِبِهِمْ يَسْأَلُهُ رَدَّ إِبِلِهِ عَلَيْهِ فَاسْتَأْذَنَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَذِنَ لَهُ وَ قِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّ هَذَا شَرِيفُ قُرَيْشٍ أَوْ عَظِيمُ قُرَيْشٍ وَ هُوَ رَجُلٌ لَهُ عَقْلٌ وَ مُرُوَّةٌ فَأَكْرَمَهُ وَ أَدْنَاهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِتَرْجُمَانِهِ سَلْهُ مَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when the Ethiopian king came with elephants to destroy the Ka‘bah, they passed by the camels of ‘Abd al-Muttalib and took them for themselves. ‘Abd al-Muttalib went to the king, asking him to release his camels. He asked permission for a meeting, which was granted. He (the king) wa

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا احْتَفَرَ عَبْدُ الْمُطَّلِبِ زَمْزَمَ وَ انْتَهَى إِلَى قَعْرِهَا خَرَجَتْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ إِحْدَى جَوَانِبِ الْبِئْرِ رَائِحَةٌ مُنْتِنَةٌ أَفْظَعَتْهُ فَأَبَى أَنْ يَنْثَنِيَ‌[1] وَ خَرَجَ ابْنُهُ الْحَارِثُ عَنْهُ ثُمَّ حَفَرَ حَتَّى أَمْعَنَ فَوَجَدَ فِي قَعْرِهَا عَيْناً تَخْرُجُ عَلَيْهِ بِرَائِحَةِ الْمِسْكِ ثُمَّ احْتَفَرَ فَلَمْ يَحْفِرْ إِلَّا ذِرَاعاً حَتَّى تَج

‘When ‘Abd al-Muttalib dug the well of Zamzam and reached its bottom, a foul odor emerged from one side of the well that frightened him severely. He could not bend himself down and his son, al-Harith, moved out of the well. He then dug until he found in the bottom of the well a fountain with the fragrance of musk. He t

لَمَّا قَدِمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَكَّةَ يَوْمَ افْتَتَحَهَا فَتَحَ بَابَ الْكَعْبَةِ فَأَمَرَ بِصُوَرٍ فِي الْكَعْبَةِ فَطُمِسَتْ فَأَخَذَ بِعِضَادَتَيِ الْبَابِ‌[3] فَقَالَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ صَدَقَ وَعْدَهُ وَ نَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَ هَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ مَا ذَا تَقُولُونَ وَ مَا ذَا تَظُنُّونَ قَالُوا نَظُنُّ خَيْراً وَ نَقُولُ خَيْراً أَخٌ كَرِيمٌ وَ ابْنُ أَخٍ كَرِيمٍ وَ قَدْ

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, arrived in Makkah on the day of its liberation, he

سَأَلْتُ أَحَدَهُمَا ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَصَابَ طَيْراً فِي الْحِلِّ فَاشْتَرَاهُ فَأَدْخَلَهُ الْحَرَمَ فَمَاتَ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ حِينَ أَدْخَلَهُ الْحَرَمَ خَلَّى سَبِيلَهُ فَمَاتَ فَلَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ أَمْسَكَهُ حَتَّى مَاتَ عِنْدَهُ فِي الْحَرَمِ فَعَلَيْهِ الْفِدَاءُ.

“I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja’far or abu ‘Abd Allah) (a.s.), about a man who finds a bird in non-al-Haram (the sacred area) and buys it, then enters al-Haram (the sacred area), with it and it dies. He (the Imam) said, ‘Were he to release it in al-Haram (the sacred area), then it died he did not owe anythin

عَلَيْهِ الْجَزَاءُ لِأَنَّ الْآفَةَ جَاءَتْهُ مِنْ قِبَلِ الْحَرَمِ- قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ رَمَى صَيْداً خَارِجاً مِنَ الْحَرَمِ فِي الْحِلِّ فَتَحَامَلَ الصَّيْدُ حَتَّى دَخَلَ الْحَرَمَ فَقَالَ لَحْمُهُ حَرَامٌ مِثْلُ الْمَيْتَةِ.

“About a man who, is not in the state of Ihram, shoots from inside of al-Haram (the sacred area) a prey outside of al-Haram (the sacred area) and kills it, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘There is ransom on him because calamity came upon the bird from al-Haram (the sacred area). I asked him (the Imam), about a man wh

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَصَابَ صَيْداً فِي الْحِلِّ فَرَبَطَهُ إِلَى جَانِبِ الْحَرَمِ فَمَشَى الصَّيْدُ بِرِبَاطِهِ حَتَّى دَخَلَ الْحَرَمَ وَ الرِّبَاطُ فِي عُنُقِهِ فَأَجَرَّهُ الرَّجُلُ بِحَبْلِهِ حَتَّى أَخْرَجَهُ مِنَ الْحَرَمِ وَ الرَّجُلُ فِي الْحِلِّ فَقَالَ ثَمَنُهُ وَ لَحْمُهُ حَرَامٌ مِثْلُ الْمَيْتَةِ[3].

I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who finds a prey in non-al-Haram (the sacred area) and ties it down next to al-Haram (the sacred area); but it walks and enters al-Haram (the sacred area) with the rope around its neck. The man pulls the rope and takes it out of al-Haram (the sacred area) and he is in non

إِنَّ قَوْماً أَقْبَلُوا مِنْ مِصْرٍ فَمَاتَ مِنْهُمْ رَجُلٌ فَأَوْصَى بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ لِلْكَعْبَةِ فَلَمَّا قَدِمَ الْوَصِيُّ مَكَّةَ سَأَلَ فَدَلُّوهُ عَلَى بَنِي شَيْبَةَ فَأَتَاهُمْ فَأَخْبَرَهُمُ الْخَبَرَ فَقَالُوا قَدْ بَرِئَتْ ذِمَّتُكَ ادْفَعْهَا إِلَيْنَا فَقَامَ الرَّجُلُ فَسَأَلَ النَّاسَ فَدَلُّوهُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ ع قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فَأَتَانِي فَسَأَلَنِي فَقُلْتُ لَهُ

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.), say, ‘A people were coming from Egypt, and on the way one of them died, who had said in his will to donate one thousand dirham to al-Ka‘bah. The executor of the will, on his arrival in Makkah, asked and he was directed to banu Shaybah. He went and informed them about the donation. They said,

دَفَعَتْ إِلَيَّ امْرَأَةٌ غَزْلًا فَقَالَتِ ادْفَعْهُ بِمَكَّةَ لِيُخَاطَ بِهِ كِسْوَةُ الْكَعْبَةِ فَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أَدْفَعَهُ إِلَى الْحَجَبَةِ وَ أَنَا أَعْرِفُهُمْ فَلَمَّا صِرْتُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ امْرَأَةً أَعْطَتْنِي غَزْلًا وَ أَمَرَتْنِي أَنْ أَدْفَعَهُ بِمَكَّةَ لِيُخَاطَ بِهِ كِسْوَةُ الْكَعْبَةِ فَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أَدْفَعَهُ إِلَى الْحَجَبَةِ

5. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from abu ‘Abd Allah al-Barqiy from certain persons of our people who has said the following: “Once, a woman gave to me a certain amount of yarn as gift to al-Ka‘bah to be used in stitching its covering. I disliked giving it to the caretakers because I knew

الْحَجُّ وَ الْعُمْرَةُ سُوقَانِ مِنْ أَسْوَاقِ الْآخِرَةِ وَ الْعَامِلُ بِهِمَا فِي‌ جِوَارِ اللَّهِ إِنْ أَدْرَكَ مَا يَأْمُلُ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ وَ إِنْ قَصُرَ بِهِ أَجَلُهُ‌ وَقَعَ أَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ‌.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah are market places for the next life in which the workers are neighbors of Allah. If they find what they hope, Allah grants them forgiveness, but if the appointed time for his death did not give him a chance, the reward for him remains with Allah.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ حِجَجٌ تَتْرَى وَ عُمَرٌ تُسْعَى يَدْفَعْنَ عَيْلَةَ الْفَقْرِ وَ مِيتَةَ السَّوْءِ[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Perform al-Hajj repeatedly and al-‘Umrah assiduously (or after every nine days). This expels the burden of poverty and death in wickedness.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْحَاجُّ ثَلَاثَةٌ فَأَفْضَلُهُمْ نَصِيباً رَجُلٌ غُفِرَ لَهُ ذَنْبُهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْهُ وَ مَا تَأَخَّرَ وَ وَقَاهُ اللَّهُ عَذَابَ الْقَبْرِ وَ أَمَّا الَّذِي يَلِيهِ فَرَجُلٌ غُفِرَ لَهُ ذَنْبُهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْهُ وَ يَسْتَأْنِفُ الْعَمَلَ فِيمَا بَقِيَ مِنْ عُمُرِهِ وَ أَمَّا الَّذِي يَلِيهِ فَرَجُلٌ حُفِظَ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَ مَالِهِ.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Al-H’ajj (people who perform al-Hajj) are of three kinds. The one with the best share is one all of whose sins, those of the past and those to come are forgiven, and Allah protects him agai

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ مَنْ كانَ فِي هذِهِ أَعْمى‌ فَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ أَعْمى‌ وَ أَضَلُّ سَبِيلًا[1] فَقَالَ ذَلِكَ الَّذِي يُسَوِّفُ نَفْسَهُ الْحَجَ‌[2] يَعْنِي حَجَّةَ الْإِسْلَامِ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُ الْمَوْتُ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘One who is blind in this life in the next life will also be blind and in much more straying.’ (17:72) He (the Imam) replied, ‘He is one who procrastinates in performing al-Hajj, which is Hajjahta al-Islam, until death

مَنْ خَرَجَ مِنْ مَكَّةَ وَ هُوَ لَا يُرِيدُ الْعَوْدَ إِلَيْهَا فَقَدِ اقْتَرَبَ أَجَلُهُ وَ دَنَا عَذَابُهُ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one who leaves Makkah with an intention not to return to Makkah again, (must take notice that) his death has come very near, as well as torment for him.”

مَنْ خَرَجَ مِنْ مَكَّةَ وَ هُوَ لَا يُرِيدُ الْعَوْدَ إِلَيْهَا فَقَدِ اقْتَرَبَ أَجَلُهُ وَ دَنَا عَذَابُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one who leaves Makkah with an intention not to return to Makkah again, (must take notice that) his death has come very near as well as torment for him/”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ خَرَجَ حَاجّاً وَ مَعَهُ جَمَلٌ لَهُ وَ نَفَقَةٌ وَ زَادٌ فَمَاتَ فِي الطَّرِيقِ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ صَرُورَةً ثُمَّ مَاتَ فِي الْحَرَمِ فَقَدْ أَجْزَأَ عَنْهُ حَجَّةُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مَاتَ وَ هُوَ صَرُورَةٌ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُحْرِمَ جُعِلَ جَمَلُهُ وَ زَادُهُ وَ نَفَقَتُهُ وَ مَا مَعَهُ فِي حَجَّةِ الْإِسْلَامِ فَإِنْ‌ فَضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَهُوَ لِلْوَرَثَةِ إِنْ لَمْ

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about a man who travels for al-Hajj. He has a camel with him and his supplies, but he dies on the way. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it was his first al-Hajj and has died in al-Haram (the sacred area), it is sufficient for Hajjahta al-Islam. If he dies, being his first al- Hajj, before assumi

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بَلَغَنِي عَنْكَ أَنَّكَ قُلْتَ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا مَاتَ وَ لَمْ يَحُجَّ حَجَّةَ الْإِسْلَامِ فَحَجَّ عَنْهُ بَعْضُ أَهْلِهِ أَجْزَأَ ذَلِكَ عَنْهُ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ أَشْهَدُ بِهَا عَنْ أَبِي أَنَّهُ حَدَّثَنِي أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَبِي مَاتَ وَ لَمْ يَحُجَّ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص حُجَّ عَنْهُ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ يُجْزِئُ عَنْهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of the issue that I had heard from him (the Imam) and he (the Imam) had said, ‘If a man dies owing Hajjahta al-Islam and a certain relative performs al-Hajj on his behalf it is sufficient.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, I can testify that my father (a.s.), narrated to me