Death & Bereavement

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَحْبَبْتَ أَحَداً مِنْ إِخْوَانِكَ فَأَعْلِمْهُ ذَلِكَ فَإِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع قَالَ‌ رَبِّ أَرِنِي كَيْفَ تُحْيِ الْمَوْتى‌ قالَ أَ وَ لَمْ تُؤْمِنْ قالَ بَلى‌ وَ لكِنْ لِيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِي‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said to me, ‘If you love one of your brothers (in belief), tell him about it; Ibrahim said, “O Lord, show me how do You bring the dead back to life?” The Lord asked, “Do you not believe it?” He said, “Yes, I firmly believe, but it is to comfort my heart . . (2:260)

كَانَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ ثَلَاثَةٌ لَا يُسَلَّمُونَ الْمَاشِي مَعَ الْجَنَازَةِ وَ الْمَاشِي إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ وَ فِي بَيْتِ الْحَمَّامِ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) would say, ‘Three kinds of people do not offer greetings: one walking in funeral procession, one walking to attend Friday prayer and in the bathing places.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لِلْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ أَنْ يُسَلِّمَ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا لَقِيَهُ وَ يَعُودَهُ إِذَا مَرِضَ وَ يَنْصَحَ لَهُ إِذَا غَابَ وَ يُسَمِّتَهُ‌[1] إِذَا عَطَسَ يَقُولَ‌ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ* لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ يَقُولَ لَهُ يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُ فَيُجِيبَهُ فَيَقُولَ لَهُ يَهْدِيكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ يُصْلِحُ بَالَكُمْ وَ يُجِيبَهُ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَ يَتْبَعَهُ إِذَا مَاتَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘One of the rights of a Muslim on his brother (in belief) is that on meeting him he should offer him the greeting of peace, visit him when he is ill, look after his interests in his absence and when sneezing one should say: “All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds, who has no pa

كُنَّا جُلُوساً عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ عَطَسَ رَجُلٌ فَمَا رَدَّ عَلَيْهِ أَحَدٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ شَيْئاً حَتَّى ابْتَدَأَ هُوَ فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ أَلَّا سَمَّتُّمْ إِنَّ مِنْ حَقِّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ يَعُودَهُ إِذَا اشْتَكَى وَ أَنْ يُجِيبَهُ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَ أَنْ يَشْهَدَهُ إِذَا مَاتَ وَ أَنْ يُسَمِّتَهُ إِذَا عَطَسَ.

“Once we were in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) when a man sneezed and no one from the group responded until he (the Imam) initiated saying: ‘Glory belongs to Allah, why did no one respond? It is of the rights of a Muslim upon the Muslim to visit him when he is ill, accept his invitation, attend his funeral and r

كُنَّا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَحْصَيْتُ فِي الْبَيْتِ أَرْبَعَةَ عَشَرَ رَجُلًا فَعَطَسَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَمَا تَكَلَّمَ أَحَدٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَلَّا تُسَمِّتُونَ أَلَّا تُسَمِّتُونَ مِنْ حَقِ‌[4] الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ إِذَا مَرِضَ أَنْ يَعُودَهُ وَ إِذَا مَاتَ أَنْ يَشْهَدَ جَنَازَتَهُ وَ إِذَا عَطَسَ أَنْ يُسَمِّتَهُ أَوْ قَالَ يُشَمِّتَهُ وَ إِذَا دَعَاهُ أَن

“Once we were in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). I counted that the people present were fourteen. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) sneezed and no one from the people said anything. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) then asked, ‘You did not respond. Why did you not respond? It is of the rights of a believing person on the other believi

كُنْتُ أُجَالِسُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَلَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا رَأَيْتُ مَجْلِساً أَنْبَلَ مِنْ مَجَالِسِهِ‌[1] قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ مِنْ أَيْنَ تَخْرُجُ الْعَطْسَةُ فَقُلْتُ مِنَ الْأَنْفِ فَقَالَ لِي أَصَبْتَ الْخَطَأَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مِنْ أَيْنَ تَخْرُجُ فَقَالَ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الْبَدَنِ كَمَا أَنَّ النُّطْفَةَ تَخْرُجُ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الْبَدَنِ وَ مَخْرَجُهَا مِنَ الْإِحْلِيلِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ مَا رَأَي

“I would sit in the meeting place of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) I swear by Allah that I had not seen any meeting place nobler than his meeting place. One day he asked me, ‘Where from does sneeze come?’ I said, ‘It comes out of the nose.’ He said, ‘You have got it wrong.’ I then said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for yo

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِنْ إِجْلَالِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِجْلَالُ الْمُؤْمِنِ ذِي الشَّيْبَةِ وَ مَنْ أَكْرَمَ مُؤْمِناً فَبِكَرَامَةِ اللَّهِ بَدَأَ[1] وَ مَنِ اسْتَخَفَّ بِمُؤْمِنٍ ذِي شَيْبَةٍ أَرْسَلَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ مَنْ يَسْتَخِفُّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ.

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘It is respecting Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, to respect an old believing person. Whoever honors an old believing person has begun (with) honoring Allah. Whoever disrespects an old believing person, Allah will send to him someone who will disrespect him before his dea

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا أَتَيْتَ مَاءً وَ فِيهِ قِلَّةٌ فَانْضِحْ عَنْ يَمِينِكَ وَ عَنْ يَسَارِكَ وَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ وَ تَوَضَّأْ.

‘If you find a small quantity of water, then take away some water from the right, left and in front of you, then take a Wudu’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ الْجُنُبِ يَنْتَهِي إِلَى الْمَاءِ الْقَلِيلِ فِي الطَّرِيقِ وَ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَغْتَسِلَ مِنْهُ وَ لَيْسَ مَعَهُ إِنَاءٌ يَغْرِفُ بِهِ وَ يَدَاهُ قَذِرَتَانِ قَالَ يَضَعُ يَدَهُ وَ يَتَوَضَّأُ ثُمَّ يَغْتَسِلُ هَذَا مِمَّا قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- ما جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ‌[1].

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘A man, after a sexual activity finds water on the way which is less than a Kur in quantity. He wants to take a bath but he does not have a bowl to pick up water with. His hands are dirty (but they are clean). What should he do?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He may place his hand in it to take W

كُلَّمَا غَلَبَ الْمَاءُ رِيحَ الْجِيفَةِ فَتَوَضَّأْ مِنَ الْمَاءِ وَ اشْرَبْ وَ إِذَا تَغَيَّرَ الْمَاءُ وَ تَغَيَّرَ الطَّعْمُ‌[3] فَلَا تَتَوَضَّأْ وَ لَا تَشْرَبْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that as long as water overwhelms the smell of a dead animal you can take Wudu’ with it and drink it, but when the smell changes as well as its taste, then do not take Wudu’ with it and do not drink it.”

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا جَالِسٌ عَنْ غَدِيرٍ أَتَوْهُ وَ فِيهِ جِيفَةٌ فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَ الْمَاءُ قَاهِراً وَ لَا يُوجَدُ فِيهِ الرِّيحُ فَتَوَضَّأْ.

“A man asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when I was present, about a pond of water where a dead animal was found. He (the Imam) said, ‘If water is overwhelming and there is no smell in it, then you can take Wudu’ with it.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمَاءِ السَّاكِنِ وَ الِاسْتِنْجَاءِ مِنْهُ وَ الْجِيفَةُ فِيهِ فَقَالَ تَوَضَّأْ مِنَ الْجَانِبِ الْآخَرِ وَ لَا تَوَضَّأْ مِنْ جَانِبِ الْجِيفَةِ[4].

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a (pond of) water which is not running and has a dead animal in it. ‘How can one cleanse oneself with such water?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You can take Wudu’ from the other side and not from the side of the dead animal.’”

فِي الْمَاءِ الْآجِنِ‌[5] تَتَوَضَّأُ مِنْهُ إِلَّا أَنْ تَجِدَ مَاءً غَيْرَهُ فَتَنَزَّهْ مِنْهُ.

‘You can do so but if you find other water cleanse yourself with it.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْحِيَاضِ الَّتِي بَيْنَ مَكَّةَ وَ الْمَدِينَةِ تَرِدُهَا السِّبَاعُ وَ تَلَغُ فِيهَا الْكِلَابُ وَ يَغْتَسِلُ فِيهَا الْجُنُبُ أَ يُتَوَضَّأُ مِنْهَا قَالَ وَ كَمْ قَدْرُ الْمَاءِ قُلْتُ إِلَى نِصْفِ السَّاقِ وَ إِلَى الرُّكْبَةِ وَ أَقَلَّ قَالَ تَوَضَّأْ.

7. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Safwan al-Jammal who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘There are ponds between al-Madinah and Makkah where beasts come and dogs lick, people take baths because of sexual activities or take Wudu’ w

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِئْرٌ يُسْتَقَى مِنْهَا وَ يُتَوَضَّأُ بِهِ وَ يُغْسَلُ مِنْهُ الثِّيَابُ وَ يُعْجَنُ بِهِ ثُمَّ يُعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ كَانَ فِيهَا مَيِّتٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ وَ لَا يُغْسَلُ مِنْهُ الثَّوْبُ وَ لَا تُعَادُ مِنْهُ الصَّلَاةُ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, that there was a well from which people drank, took Wudu’, washed their clothes and flour was made into dough with its water, and then a dead body was found in it. He (the Imam) said, ‘It does not matter, there is no need to wash clothes or perform Salah (prayer) again.’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ جَرَّةٍ وُجِدَ فِيهَا خُنْفَسَاءُ قَدْ مَاتَتْ قَالَ أَلْقِهَا وَ تَوَضَّأْ مِنْهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ عَقْرَباً فَأَرِقِ الْمَاءَ وَ تَوَضَّأْ مِنْ مَاءٍ غَيْرِهِ وَ عَنْ رَجُلٍ مَعَهُ إِنَاءَانِ فِيهِمَا مَاءٌ وَقَعَ فِي أَحَدِهِمَا قَذَرٌ وَ لَا يَدْرِي أَيُّهُمَا هُوَ لَيْسَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى مَاءٍ غَيْرِهِ قَالَ يُهَرِيقُهُمَا جَمِيعاً وَ يَتَيَمَّمُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a jar in which a beetle is found dead. He (the Imam) said, ‘Throw it away then use the water for Wudu’; but if it is a scorpion, then throw the water away and use some other water for Wudu’.’ I then asked him (the Imam) about a man who has two water containers of which he know

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْغُسْلُ مِنَ الْجَنَابَةِ وَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَ الْعِيدَيْنِ وَ حِينَ تُحْرِمُ وَ حِينَ تَدْخُلُ مَكَّةَ وَ الْمَدِينَةَ وَ يَوْمَ عَرَفَةَ وَ يَوْمَ تَزُورُ الْبَيْتَ وَ حِينَ تَدْخُلُ الْكَعْبَةَ وَ فِي لَيْلَةِ تِسْعَ عَشْرَةَ وَ إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ وَ ثَلَاثٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ مَنْ غَسَّلَ مَيِّتاً.

‘There is Ghusl (bath) because of sexual relations, there is Ghusl (bath) on Friday, on the two ‘Ids, at the time of assuming the state of ‘Ihram, there is Ghusl (bath) when entering Makkah and al-Madinah. There is Ghusl (bath) on the day of ‘Arafah, (9th of the month of Dhul-Hajjah) on the day of one’s visiting the Ho

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ غُسْلِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَقَالَ وَاجِبٌ فِي السَّفَرِ وَ الْحَضَرِ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ رُخِّصَ لِلنِّسَاءِ فِي السَّفَرِ لِقِلَّةِ الْمَاءِ[1] وَ قَالَ غُسْلُ الْجَنَابَةِ وَاجِبٌ وَ غُسْلُ الْحَائِضِ إِذَا طَهُرَتْ وَاجِبٌ وَ غُسْلُ الْمُسْتَحَاضَةِ وَاجِبٌ إِذَا احْتَشَتْ بِالْكُرْسُفِ فَجَازَ الدَّمُ الْكُرْسُفَ فَعَلَيْهَا الْغُسْلُ لِكُلِّ صَلَاتَيْنِ وَ لِلْفَجْرِ غُسْلٌ وَ إِنْ لَمْ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about Ghusl (bath) on Friday. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is obligatory, regardless, if one is on a journey or at home except that women are exempt on a journey due to scarcity of water.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Ghusl (bath) because of sexual relation is obligatory as well as because of Ha

سَأَلْتُهُ هَلْ يَحِلُّ أَنْ يَمَسَ‌[1] الثَّعْلَبَ وَ الْأَرْنَبَ أَوْ شَيْئاً مِنَ السِّبَاعِ حَيّاً أَوْ مَيِّتاً قَالَ لَا يَضُرُّهُ وَ لَكِنْ يَغْسِلُ يَدَهُ‌[2].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if it is permissible to touch a fox, jackal or such other beasts dead or alive. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful but he must wash his hand.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ يَقَعُ ثَوْبُهُ عَلَى جَسَدِ الْمَيِّتِ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ غُسِّلَ فَلَا تَغْسِلْ مَا أَصَابَ ثَوْبَكَ مِنْهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ لَمْ يُغَسَّلْ فَاغْسِلْ مَا أَصَابَ ثَوْبَكَ مِنْهُ يَعْنِي إِذَا بَرَدَ الْمَيِّتُ‌[3].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man whose clothes fall on a dead body. He (the Imam) said, ‘If the dead body is given Ghusl (bath), then it is not necessary to wash such clothes, but if it is not given Ghusl (bath) yet, one must wash such clothes - and that is, when the dead body has become cold.’”

إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص ذُكِرَ لَهُ أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَصَابَتْهُ جَنَابَةٌ عَلَى جُرْحٍ كَانَ بِهِ فَأُمِرَ بِالْغُسْلِ فَاغْتَسَلَ فَكُزَّ فَمَاتَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَتَلُوهُ قَتَلَهُمُ اللَّهُ إِنَّمَا كَانَ دَوَاءُ الْعِيِّ السُّؤَالَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once the case of a man on whose body there was a wound and had experienced sexual relation was mentioned before the Holy prophet and that they compelled him to take Ghusl (bath). It shriveled him with complications, which caused his death. The Messenger of Allah said, ‘They killed

سَأَلْتُهُ عَمَّنْ مَسَّ عَظْمَ الْمَيِّتِ قَالَ إِذَا كَانَ سَنَةٌ فَلَيْسَ بِهِ بَأْسٌ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about touching the bones of a dead person. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is after one year, it is not harmful.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الْأَخِيرَ ع وَ قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ ابْنَةَ شِهَابٍ تَقْعُدُ أَيَّامَ أَقْرَائِهَا فَإِذَا هِيَ اغْتَسَلَتْ رَأَتِ الْقَطْرَةَ بَعْدَ الْقَطْرَةِ قَالَ فَقَالَ مُرْهَا فَلْتَقُمْ بِأَصْلِ الْحَائِطِ كَمَا يَقُومُ الْكَلْبُ ثُمَّ تَأْمُرُ امْرَأَةً فَلْتَغْمِزْ بَيْنَ وَرِكَيْهَا غَمْزاً شَدِيداً فَإِنَّهُ إِنَّمَا هُوَ شَيْ‌ءٌ يَبْقَى فِي الرَّحِمِ يُقَالُ لَهُ الْإِرَاقَةُ وَ إِنَّهُ سَيَخْرُج

"I once said to abu al-Hassan al-Akheer (a.s.) that the daughter of Shihaab menstruates for many days, and when she performs ghusl, she sees drops (of blood) after drops." He said, "Order her to stand against the base of the wall as a dog stands, then command a woman to make a strong gesture with her legs spread apart,

كَانَ النَّاسُ يَعْتَبِطُونَ اعْتِبَاطاً[1] فَلَمَّا كَانَ زَمَانُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع قَالَ يَا رَبِّ اجْعَلْ لِلْمَوْتِ عِلَّةً يُؤْجَرُ بِهَا الْمَيِّتُ وَ يُسَلَّى بِهَا عَنِ الْمُصَابِ قَالَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْمُومَ وَ هُوَ الْبِرْسَامُ‌[2] ثُمَّ أَنْزَلَ بَعْدَهُ الدَّاءَ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘People would just drop dead. Ibrahim (Abraham), ‘Alayhi al Salam, in his time pleaded before Allah to create a cause for death so the dying person receives rewards and the grieving people find solace. Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, then sent al-Mum, which is a kind of fever causing ha

كَانَ النَّاسُ يَعْتَبِطُونَ اعْتِبَاطاً فَقَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع يَا رَبِّ لَوْ جَعَلْتَ لِلْمَوْتِ عِلَّةً يُعْرَفُ بِهَا وَ يُسَلَّى عَنِ الْمُصَابِ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْمُومَ وَ هُوَ الْبِرْسَامُ ثُمَّ أَنْزَلَ الدَّاءَ بَعْدَهُ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Faddal from ‘Asim ibn Humayd from Sa‘d ibn Tarif who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘People would just drop dead. Ibrahim (Abraham), ‘Alayhi al Salam, pleaded before Allah, ‘Would that You had created a cause for death t

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْحُمَّى رَائِدُ الْمَوْتِ‌[3] وَ هُوَ سِجْنُ اللَّهِ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ هُوَ حَظُّ الْمُؤْمِنِ مِنَ النَّارِ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say that fever is the harbinger of death; it is the prison of Allah on earth and the share of a believing person from the fire.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَاتَ‌ دَاوُدُ النَّبِيُّ ع يَوْمَ السَّبْتِ مَفْجُوءاً فَأَظَلَّتْهُ الطَّيْرُ بِأَجْنِحَتِهَا وَ مَاتَ مُوسَى كَلِيمُ اللَّهِ ع فِي التِّيهِ فَصَاحَ صَائِحٌ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاتَ مُوسَى ع وَ أَيُّ نَفْسٍ لَا تَمُوتُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Prophet David died suddenly on a Saturday and birds provided shadow over his body. Moses died in the wilderness where he had lost his way. A voice cried from the sky, “Moses has died! Who is he that does not die?””’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ مَوْتَ الْفَجْأَةِ تَخْفِيفٌ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَ أَخْذَةُ أَسَفٍ عَنِ الْكَافِرِ[1].

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘A sudden death compensates (for the short comings) of a believing person but it is a regrettable grip for an unbeliever.’”

أَكْثَرُ مَنْ يَمُوتُ مِنْ مَوَالِينَا بِالْبَطَنِ الذَّرِيعِ.

“Al-Rida (a.s.), has said that most of our followers die from widespread stomach (internal) illness.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْحُمَّى رَائِدُ الْمَوْتِ وَ سِجْنُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى فِي أَرْضِهِ وَ فَوْرُهَا مِنْ جَهَنَّمَ وَ هِيَ حَظُّ كُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ مِنَ النَّارِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Fever is a harbinger of death and a prison of Allah on earth. Its heat is from hell and that is the share of a believing person (instead) of hellfire.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ يُبْتَلَى بِكُلِّ بَلِيَّةٍ وَ يَمُوتُ بِكُلِّ مِيتَةٍ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ لَا يَقْتُلُ نَفْسَهُ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ’A believing person may die by any form of death and suffer from any form of suffering; however, he does not kill himself.”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ مِيتَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَقَالَ يَمُوتُ الْمُؤْمِنُ بِكُلِّ مِيتَةٍ يَمُوتُ غَرَقاً وَ يَمُوتُ بِالْهَدْمِ وَ يُبْتَلَى بِالسَّبُعِ وَ يَمُوتُ بِالصَّاعِقَةِ وَ لَا تُصِيبُ ذَاكِرَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى.

The Imam said, ‘A believing person may die by any form of death, such as by drowning, or collapse of a house, by beasts or thunderous lightening but not when speaking of Allah.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَبْتَلِي الْمُؤْمِنَ بِكُلِّ بَلِيَّةٍ وَ يُمِيتُهُ بِكُلِّ مِيتَةٍ وَ لَا يَبْتَلِيهِ بِذَهَابِ عَقْلِهِ أَ مَا تَرَى أَيُّوبَ ع كَيْفَ سَلَّطَ إِبْلِيسَ عَلَى مَالِهِ وَ وُلْدِهِ وَ عَلَى أَهْلِهِ وَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهُ وَ لَمْ يُسَلِّطْهُ عَلَى عَقْلِهِ تَرَكَ لَهُ مَا يُوَحِّدُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, places a believing person under any kind of test and trial and causes him or her to die by any form of death but He does not cause him or her to suffer the loss of reason. Consider the case of prophet Ayyub, how Satan controlled his property, chil

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَتَبَسَّمَ فَقِيلَ لَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ رَأَيْنَاكَ رَفَعْتَ رَأْسَكَ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَتَبَسَّمْتَ قَالَ نَعَمْ عَجِبْتُ لِمَلَكَيْنِ هَبَطَا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ يَلْتَمِسَانِ عَبْداً مُؤْمِناً صَالِحاً فِي مُصَلًّى كَانَ يُصَلِّي فِيهِ لِيَكْتُبَا لَهُ عَمَلَهُ فِي يَوْمِهِ وَ لَيْلَتِهِ فَلَمْ يَجِدَاهُ فِي مُصَلَّاهُ فَعَرَجَا إِلَى السَّم

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once the Messenger of Allah raised his head to the heaven and smiled. He was asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, we saw you. Why did you raise your head t

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمَ إِذَا غَلَبَهُ ضَعْفُ الْكِبَرِ أَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْمَلَكَ أَنْ يَكْتُبَ لَهُ فِي حَالِهِ تِلْكَ مِثْلَ مَا كَانَ يَعْمَلُ وَ هُوَ شَابٌّ نَشِيطٌ[2] صَحِيحٌ وَ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ إِذَا مَرِضَ وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ بِهِ مَلَكاً يَكْتُبُ لَهُ فِي سُقْمِهِ مَا كَانَ يَعْمَلُ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ فِي صِحَّتِهِ حَتَّى يَرْفَعَهُ اللَّهُ وَ يَقْبِضَهُ وَ كَذَلِكَ الْكَافِرُ إِذَا اشْتَغَلَ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that the Holy Prophet has said, ‘When a Muslim is weakened due to old age, Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, commands an angel to write down for him of good deeds equal to what he did when young, vigorous and in good health. Similarly, when he becomes ill, Allah commands an angel to write

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِلْمَلَكِ الْمُوَكَّلِ بِالْمُؤْمِنِ إِذَا مَرِضَ اكْتُبْ لَهُ مَا كُنْتَ تَكْتُبُ لَهُ فِي صِحَّتِهِ فَإِنِّي أَنَا الَّذِي صَيَّرْتُهُ فِي حِبَالِي.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “This is a narration of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), from the Messenger of Allah. He (the Messenger of Allah) has said, ‘Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, says to the angel guarding a believi

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ سَهَرُ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ مَرَضٍ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ عِبَادَةِ سَنَةٍ.

"Passing a sleepless night due to an illness is more rewarding than a whole year worshipping."

إِذَا صَعِدَ مَلَكَا الْعَبْدِ الْمَرِيضِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسَاءٍ يَقُولُ الرَّبُّ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى مَا ذَا كَتَبْتُمَا لِعَبْدِي فِي مَرَضِهِ فَيَقُولَانِ الشِّكَايَةَ فَيَقُولُ مَا أَنْصَفْتُ عَبْدِي إِنْ حَبَسْتُهُ فِي حَبْسٍ مِنْ حَبْسِي‌[1] ثُمَّ أَمْنَعُهُ الشِّكَايَةَ فَيَقُولُ اكْتُبَا لِعَبْدِي مِثْلَ مَا كُنْتُمَا تَكْتُبَانِ لَهُ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ فِي صِحَّتِهِ وَ لَا تَكْتُبَا عَلَيْهِ سَي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when the two guard angels of a person suffering from illness ascend to heavens every evening, the Lord, Most Holy, Most Blessed, asks them, ‘What did you write down for My servant in his illness?’ They will say, ‘We wrote down his complaints.’

سَهَرُ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ مَرَضٍ أَوْ وَجَعٍ أَفْضَلُ وَ أَعْظَمُ أَجْراً مِنْ عِبَادَةِ سَنَةٍ.

“One of the two Imam, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said that passing a sleepless night due to an illness or pain is more excellent and of greater reward than worshipping for a whole year.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا مَرِضَ الْمُؤْمِنُ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى صَاحِبِ الشِّمَالِ لَا تَكْتُبْ عَلَى عَبْدِي مَا دَامَ فِي حَبْسِي وَ وَثَاقِي ذَنْباً وَ يُوحِي إِلَى صَاحِبِ الْيَمِينِ أَنِ اكْتُبْ لِعَبْدِي مَا كُنْتَ تَكْتُبُهُ فِي صِحَّتِهِ مِنَ الْحَسَنَاتِ.

’When a believing person becomes ill, Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, sends revelation to the guard angel on his left side that says, “Do not write any evil thing against My servant until he is in My prison and is tied down in My heavy impediment.” He then sends revelation to the guard angel on his right side that s

الْجَسَدُ إِذَا لَمْ يَمْرَضْ أَشِرَ وَ لَا خَيْرَ فِي جَسَدٍ لَا يَمْرَضُ بِأَشَرٍ[2].

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘If one’s body does not become ill, he is vigorously happy. There is nothing good in a body that never becomes ill even by a strong (reason for) illness.’”

حُمَّى لَيْلَةٍ تَعْدِلُ عِبَادَةَ سَنَةٍ وَ حُمَّى لَيْلَتَيْنِ‌ تَعْدِلُ عِبَادَةَ سَنَتَيْنِ وَ حُمَّى ثَلَاثٍ تَعْدِلُ عِبَادَةَ سَبْعِينَ سَنَةً قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَبْلُغْ سَبْعِينَ سَنَةً قَالَ فَلِأُمِّهِ وَ أَبِيهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَبْلُغَا قَالَ فَلِقَرَابَتِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَبْلُغْ قَرَابَتُهُ قَالَ فَلِجِيرَانِهِ.

‘One night’s suffering from fever is equal in reward to worshipping for a whole year, suffering from a fever for two nights is more rewarding than worshipping for two years, and the reward for suffering from fever for three nights is greater than the reward for worshipping up to seventy years. I then asked, ‘What happe

حُمَّى لَيْلَةٍ كَفَّارَةٌ لِمَا قَبْلَهَا وَ لِمَا بَعْدَهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that suffering from fever for one night is expiation (for the sins) before and thereafter.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَنْ مَرِضَ ثَلَاثاً فَلَمْ يَشْكُ إِلَى أَحَدٍ مِنْ عُوَّادِهِ أَبْدَلْتُهُ لَحْماً خَيْراً مِنْ لَحْمِهِ وَ دَماً خَيْراً مِنْ دَمِهِ فَإِنْ عَافَيْتُهُ عَافَيْتُهُ وَ لَا ذَنْبَ لَهُ وَ إِنْ قَبَضْتُهُ قَبَضْتُهُ إِلَى رَحْمَتِي.

The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, says, “If one remains ill for three days and does not complain about it to anyone of his visitors, I change his flesh into a better flesh and his blood into a better blood. If I give him good health, I give him a good health free from sin. If I take h

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ ابْتَلَيْتُهُ بِبَلَاءٍ فَلَمْ يَشْكُ إِلَى عُوَّادِهِ إِلَّا أَبْدَلْتُهُ لَحْماً خَيْراً مِنْ لَحْمِهِ وَ دَماً خَيْراً مِنْ دَمِهِ فَإِنْ قَبَضْتُهُ قَبَضْتُهُ إِلَى رَحْمَتِي وَ إِنْ عَاشَ عَاشَ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ ذَنْبٌ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from certain persons of his people from abu Hamzah who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, Most Holy, Most blessed, says, “Any servant whom I test by an affliction and who does not complain about it before any of his visitors, I most certainly ch

قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَيُّمَا عَبْدٍ ابْتَلَيْتُهُ بِبَلِيَّةٍ فَكَتَمَ ذَلِكَ مِنْ عُوَّادِهِ ثَلَاثاً أَبْدَلْتُهُ لَحْماً خَيْراً مِنْ لَحْمِهِ وَ دَماً خَيْراً مِنْ دَمِهِ وَ بَشَراً خَيْراً مِنْ بَشَرِهِ فَإِنْ أَبْقَيْتُهُ أَبْقَيْتُهُ وَ لَا ذَنْبَ لَهُ وَ إِنْ مَاتَ مَاتَ إِلَى رَحْمَتِي.

“This a narration of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). He (the Imam) has said that Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, says, ‘Any one of my servants whom I put to test with an affliction and who does not complain about it before any of his visitors for three days, I change his flesh into a better flesh. I change his blood into a b

مَنْ مَرِضَ لَيْلَةً فَقَبِلَهَا بِقَبُولِهَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ لَهُ عِبَادَةَ سِتِّينَ سَنَةً قُلْتُ مَا مَعْنَى قَبُولِهَا قَالَ لَا يَشْكُو مَا أَصَابَهُ فِيهَا إِلَى أَحَدٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if one becomes ill in a night and accepts it in the way it has come, Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, on the other hand, writes down for him the reward for sixty years of worship. I (the narrator) then asked, ‘What is the meaning of “accepts it?”’ The Imam said, ‘He does not comp

مَنِ اشْتَكَى لَيْلَةً فَقَبِلَهَا بِقَبُولِهَا وَ أَدَّى إِلَى اللَّهِ شُكْرَهَا كَانَتْ كَعِبَادَةِ سِتِّينَ سَنَةً قَالَ أَبِي فَقُلْتُ لَهُ مَا قَبُولُهَا قَالَ يَصْبِرُ عَلَيْهَا وَ لَا يُخْبِرُ بِمَا كَانَ فِيهَا فَإِذَا أَصْبَحَ حَمِدَ اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا كَانَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if a person becomes ill in a night, welcomes the night with whatever it has brought and gives thanks to Allah for that, it will be equal in reward to sixty years of worshipping.’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ مَرِضَ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ فَكَتَمَهُ وَ لَمْ يُخْبِرْ بِهِ أَحَداً أَبْدَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ لَحْماً خَيْراً مِنْ لَحْمِهِ وَ دَماً خَيْراً مِنْ دَمِهِ وَ بَشَرَةً خَيْراً مِنْ بَشَرَتِهِ‌[1] وَ شَعْراً خَيْراً مِنْ شَعْرِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ كَيْفَ يُبْدِلُهُ قَالَ يُبْدِلُهُ لَحْماً وَ دَماً وَ شَعْراً وَ بَشَرَةً لَمْ يُذْنِبْ فِيهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one becomes ill for three days and does not inform anyone about it, Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, changes his flesh into a better flesh, his blood into a better blood, his skin into a better skin and his hair into better hair.’ I then asked, ’May Allah keep my soul in the serv

سُئِلَ عَنْ حَدِّ الشِّكَايَةِ لِلْمَرِيضِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ يَقُولُ حُمِمْتُ الْيَوْمَ وَ سَهِرْتُ الْبَارِحَةَ وَ قَدْ صَدَقَ وَ لَيْسَ هَذَا شِكَايَةً وَ إِنَّمَا الشَّكْوَى أَنْ يَقُولَ قَدِ ابْتُلِيتُ بِمَا لَمْ يُبْتَلَ بِهِ أَحَدٌ وَ يَقُولَ لَقَدْ أَصَابَنِي مَا لَمْ يُصِبْ أَحَداً وَ لَيْسَ الشَّكْوَى أَنْ يَقُولَ سَهِرْتُ الْبَارِحَةَ وَ حُمِمْتُ الْيَوْمَ وَ نَحْوَ هَذَا[2].

‘I have fever today and last night I did not sleep restfully’ and what he says is true, it is not a complaint. A (negative) complaint is if one says, ’I have suffered like no other person has suffered and I am placed in trial as no other person is.’ Just saying that one could not sleep restfully last night and that he