Family & Kinship

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا وُضِعَتِ الْمَائِدَةُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ قَالَ- سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ مَا أَحْسَنَ مَا تَبْتَلِينَا سُبْحَانَكَ مَا أَكْثَرَ مَا تُعْطِينَا سُبْحَانَكَ مَا أَكْثَرَ مَا تُعَافِينَا اللَّهُمَّ أَوْسِعْ عَلَيْنَا وَ عَلَى فُقَرَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ الْمُسْلِمَاتِ.

“The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, when food was made available for him said, ‘O Lord, You are free of all defects, how good is Your trial for us. O Lord, You are free of all defects, and how great is what You have granted us, O Lord,

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا طَعِمَ عِنْدَ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ قَالَ لَهُمْ طَعِمَ عِنْدَكُمُ الصَّائِمُونَ وَ أَكَلَ عِنْدَكُمُ الْأَبْرَارُ وَ صَلَّتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ الْأَخْيَارُ.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, when eating food with a family would say to them, “Fasting people have received food with you, virtuous people have eaten food with you and chosen angels have prayed for you.’””

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا رُفِعَتِ الْمَائِدَةُ قَالَ- اللَّهُمَّ أَكْثَرْتَ وَ أَطَبْتَ وَ بَارَكْتَ فَأَشْبَعْتَ وَ أَرْوَيْتَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي‌ يُطْعِمُ وَ لا يُطْعَمُ‌.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, when the table was moved would say, “O Lord, you have granted a great deal, have made it very good, blessed it, made us satisfied and quenched. All praise belongs to Allah who feeds and is not fed.’””

كُنَّا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَطْعَمَنَا ثُمَّ رَفَعْنَا أَيْدِيَنَا فَقُلْنَا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا مِنْكَ وَ مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ.

“Once we were with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and he (the Imam) fed us food then we stopped eating and said, ‘All praise belongs to Allah.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘O Lord, this is from You and from Muhammad, Your messenger, O Lord, all praise belongs to you, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ يَجْمَعُ عِيَالَهُ وَ يَضَعُ مَائِدَةً بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَ يُسَمِّي وَ يُسَمُّونَ فِي أَوَّلِ الطَّعَامِ وَ يَحْمَدُونَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي آخِرِهِ فَتَرْتَفِعُ الْمَائِدَةُ حَتَّى يُغْفَرَ لَهُمْ.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “Allah forgives a family who come together, prepare the table of food, they all mention the name of Allah at the beginning of food and praise Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, at the end

أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَجْلِسُ جِلْسَةَ الْعَبْدِ وَ يَضَعُ يَدَهُ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ وَ يَأْكُلُ بِثَلَاثِ أَصَابِعَ وَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ يَأْكُلُ هَكَذَا لَيْسَ كَمَا يَفْعَلُ الْجَبَّارُونَ أَحَدُهُمْ يَأْكُلُ بِإِصْبَعَيْهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), would sit like slaves, place his hand on the ground and eat with his three fingers. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, would also eat in the same way and not the way a tyrant one eats with his two fingers.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَطْرِفُوا[2] أَهَالِيَكُمْ فِي كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْفَاكِهَةِ أَوِ اللَّحْمِ حَتَّى يَفْرَحُوا بِالْجُمُعَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Every Friday present fruits to your family or meat, so that they become happy because of Friday.’”

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ مَنْ بَنَى مَسْكَناً فَلْيَذْبَحْ كَبْشاً سَمِيناً وَ لْيُطْعِمْ لَحْمَهُ الْمَسَاكِينَ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ ادْحَرْ عَنِّي مَرَدَةَ الْجِنِّ وَ الْإِنْسِ وَ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي بُيُوتِنَا إِلَّا أُعْطِيَ مَا سَأَلَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Whoever builds a house should slaughter a healthy ram and feed its meat to the destitute. He then should say, ‘O Lord, drive away from me defiant ones o

دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَلَى عَائِشَةَ فَرَأَى كِسْرَةً كَادَ أَنْ يَطَأَهَا فَأَخَذَهَا فَأَكَلَهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا حُمَيْرَاءُ أَكْرِمِي جِوَارَ نِعَمِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْكِ فَإِنَّهَا لَمْ تَنْفِرْ مِنْ قَوْمٍ فَكَادَتْ تَعُودُ إِلَيْهِمْ.

from ‘Amr ibn Jami’ who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, once entered ‘A’ishah’s home and saw pieces of food on which he was about to step. He (the Messenger of Allah) pick

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ أَكْرِمُوا الْخُبْزَ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ عَمِلَ فِيهِ مَا بَيْنَ الْعَرْشِ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ وَ مَا فِيهَا مِنْ كَثِيرٍ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِمَنْ حَوْلَهُ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ قَالُوا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فِدَاكَ الْآبَاءُ وَ الْأُمَّهَاتُ فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ نَبِيٌّ فِيمَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ يُقَالُ لَهُ دَانِيَالُ وَ إِنَّهُ أَعْطَى صَاحِبَ مِعْبَرٍ رَغِيفاً لِكَيْ يَعْبُرَ بِهِ فَرَمَى صَا

“It is a narration of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), from the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. He (the Messenger of Allah) once said, ‘You must treat bread with reverence because from the throne to earth and what is in it, a large number of His c

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِيَّاكُمْ أَنْ تَشَمُّوا الْخُبْزَ[3] كَمَا تَشَمُّهُ السِّبَاعُ فَإِنَّ الْخُبْزَ مُبَارَكٌ أَرْسَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ السَّمَاءَ مِدْرَاراً وَ لَهُ أَنْبَتَ اللَّهُ الْمَرْعَى وَ بِهِ صَلَّيْتُمْ وَ بِهِ صُمْتُمْ وَ بِهِ حَجَجْتُمْ بَيْتَ رَبِّكُمْ.

Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘You must never smell bread like the beasts do. Bread is blessed and Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has sent the sky with rain and because of it He

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ اللَّحْمُ سَيِّدُ الطَّعَامِ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ.

2. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Bandar has narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from Muhammad ibn Ali from ‘Isa ibn ‘Abd Allah al-‘Alawiy from his father from his grandfather who has said the following: “Ali (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their s

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ سَيِّدُ آدَامِ الْجَنَّةِ اللَّحْمُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘The master food in paradise is meat.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّا نُرْوَى عِنْدَنَا عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَنَّهُ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يُبْغِضُ الْبَيْتَ اللَّحِمَ فَقَالَ ع كَذَبُوا إِنَّمَا قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْبَيْتَ الَّذِي يَغْتَابُونَ فِيهِ النَّاسَ وَ يَأْكُلُونَ لُحُومَهُمْ وَ قَدْ كَانَ أَبِي ع لَحِماً[3] وَ لَقَدْ مَاتَ يَوْمَ مَاتَ وَ فِي كُمِّ أُمِّ وَلَدِهِ ثَلَاثُونَ دِرْهَماً لِلَّحْمِ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘We narrate among us that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Allah, most Blessed, most High, disliked the house of meat.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘They have lied. The Messenger of Allah spok

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّا مَعَاشِرَ قُرَيْشٍ قَوْمٌ لَحِمُونَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘We members of Quraysh people like meat a great deal.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَتَى عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعُونَ يَوْماً وَ لَمْ يَأْكُلِ اللَّحْمَ فَلْيَسْتَقْرِضْ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ لْيَأْكُلْهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘One with whom forty days pass and has not eaten meat should borrow, on the credit of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, to buy meat to eat.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ أَهْلَ بَيْتِي لَا يَأْكُلُونَ لَحْمَ الضَّأْنِ قَالَ فَقَالَ وَ لِمَ قَالَ قُلْتُ إِنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُ يُهَيِّجُ بِهِمُ الْمِرَّةَ السَّوْدَاءَ وَ الصُّدَاعَ وَ الْأَوْجَاعَ فَقَالَ لِي يَا سَعْدُ فَقُلْتُ لَبَّيْكَ قَالَ لَوْ عَلِمَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ شَيْئاً أَكْرَمَ مِنَ الضَّأْنِ لَفَدَى بِهِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ ع.

“I once said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘My family does not like the meat of sheep.’ He (the Imam) then asked, ‘Why do they not like it?’ I replied, ‘They say that it accelerates bitterness, headache and pains.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘O Sa‘d.’ I replied, ‘Yes, my Imam.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Had Allah, most Majestic, most G

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع إِنَّ أَهْلَ بَيْتِي يَأْكُلُونَ لَحْمَ الْمَاعِزِ وَ لَا يَأْكُلُونَ لَحْمَ الضَّأْنِ قَالَ وَ لِمَ قُلْتُ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُ لَحْمٌ يُهَيِّجُ الْمِرَارَ فَقَالَ ع لَوْ عَلِمَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَيْراً مِنَ الضَّأْنِ لَفَدَى بِهِ يَعْنِي إِسْحَاقَ. هَكَذَا جَاءَ فِي الْحَدِيثِ.

‘My family eats the meat of goats but not that of sheep.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Why they do so?’ I replied, ‘They say that it excites bitterness (stomach acid).’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Had Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, known anything better than sheep He would have presented it as ransom for Ishaq.’” This is how i

إِنَّمَا تَأْكُلُهُ السِّبَاعُ- وَ لَكِنْ حَتَّى تُغَيِّرَهُ الشَّمْسُ أَوِ النَّارُ[1].

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, prohibited eating fresh (raw) meat and said that beasts eat fresh meat, thus it must be used for food only after it is changed by sun or fire.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِمَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يُحِبُّ الذِّرَاعَ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ حُبِّهِ لِسَائِرِ أَعْضَاءِ الشَّاةِ فَقَالَ ع لِأَنَّ آدَمَ ع قَرَّبَ قُرْبَاناً عَنِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِهِ فَسَمَّى لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِهِ عُضْواً عُضْواً وَ سَمَّى لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص الذِّرَاعَ فَمِنْ ثَمَّ كَانَ ص يُحِبُّهَا وَ يَشْتَهِيهَا وَ يُفَضِّلُهَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ’Why did the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, like shoulder meat more than meat from other parts of a sheep? He (the Imam) said, ‘It is because Adam offered a sacrifice for Prophets of his offspring an

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يُعْجِبُهُ الذِّرَاعُ.

Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, liked shoulder meat greatly.’”

إِنَّ أَحَبَّ الطَّعَامِ كَانَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص النَّارْبَاجَةُ[4].

‘The most desirable food to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, was al-Nar Bajah (broth made of pomegranate).”’

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لِأُمَّتِي فِي الثَّرْدِ وَ الثَّرِيدِ قَالَ جَعْفَرٌ الثَّرْدُ مَا صَغُرَ وَ الثَّرِيدُ مَا كَبُرَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘O Lord, bless for my followers al-Thard and al-Tharid.’ Ja‘far has said, that al-Thard is whatever is small and al-Tharid is whatever is large.”

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ الثَّرِيدُ بَرَكَةٌ.

“He (the Imam) said that the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Tharid is a blessing.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْهَرِيسَةِ فَإِنَّهَا تُنَشِّطُ لِلْعِبَادَةِ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً وَ هِيَ مِنَ الْمَائِدَةِ الَّتِي أُنْزِلَتْ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘You must eat al- Harisah (mashed grains and meat) because it energizes you for worshipping for forty days. It was of the items in the table-spread with food that was revealed to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his fam

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَهْدَى إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص هَرِيسَةً مِنْ هَرَائِسِ الْجَنَّةِ غُرِسَتْ فِي رِيَاضِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ فَرَكَهَا الْحُورُ الْعِينُ‌[1] فَأَكَلَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَزَادَ فِي قُوَّتِهِ بُضْعَ أَرْبَعِينَ رَجُلًا وَ ذَلِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَرَادَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يَسُرَّ بِهِ نَبِيَّهُ مُحَمَّداً ص.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said that Allah, most Blessed, most High, sent to His Messenger, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, al-Harisah. It was of the kind planted in gardens of paradise, which is stirred by al-Hur al- ‘iyn as a gift and the Messe

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ تُطْعِمُ عِيَالَكَ فِي الشِّتَاءِ قُلْتُ اللَّحْمَ فَإِذَا لَمْ يَكُنِ اللَّحْمُ فَالزَّيْتَ وَ السَّمْنَ قَالَ فَمَا يَمْنَعُكَ عَنْ هَذَا الْكَرْكُورِ فَإِنَّهُ أَمْرَأُ شَيْ‌ءٍ فِي الْجَسَدِ[3] يَعْنِي الْمُثَلَّثَةَ قَالَ وَ أَخْبَرَنِي بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا أَنَّ الْمُثَلَّثَةَ يُؤْخَذُ قَفِيزُ أَرُزٍّ وَ قَفِيزُ حِمَّصٍ وَ قَفِيزُ بَاقِلَّى أَوْ غَيْرِهِ مِنَ الْحُبُوبِ

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), once asked, ‘What do you feed your family in winter?’ I replied, ‘I feed them meat, if there is no meat then it is oil and ghee.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘What prevents you from using for food this al-Kar kur which is the most palatable for the body, that is, the tri-mixture.’ Certain persons of ou

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ أَقِرُّوا الْحَارَّ حَتَّى يَبْرُدَ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قُرِّبَ إِلَيْهِ طَعَامٌ حَارٌّ فَقَالَ أَقِرُّوهُ حَتَّى يَبْرُدَ- مَا كَانَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِيُطْعِمَنَا النَّارَ وَ الْبَرَكَةُ فِي الْبَارِدِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ’Leave the hot (food) until it becomes cold. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, once was given hot food and he (the Messenger of Allah) said, “Leave it until it becomes c

إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص أُتِيَ بِطَعَامٍ حَارٍّ جِدّاً فَقَالَ مَا كَانَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِيُطْعِمَنَا النَّارَ أَقِرُّوهُ حَتَّى يَبْرُدَ وَ يُمْكِنَ فَإِنَّهُ طَعَامٌ مَمْحُوقُ الْبَرَكَةِ وَ لِلشَّيْطَانِ فِيهِ نَصِيبٌ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once very hot food was brought to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, who said, ‘Allah, mo

أُتِيَ النَّبِيُّ ص بِطَعَامٍ حَارٍّ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يُطْعِمْنَا النَّارَ نَحُّوهُ حَتَّى يَبْرُدَ فَتُرِكَ حَتَّى بَرَدَ.

‘Once, hot food was brought to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, is not the one to feed us what is similar to fire. Wait, until it becomes cold’, thus, it was left

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا أَكَلَ السَّمَكَ قَالَ- اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهِ وَ أَبْدِلْنَا بِهِ خَيْراً مِنْهُ.

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from Nuh ibn Shu’ayb from certain persons of our people who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, when eati

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص لِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَا عَلِيُّ افْتَتِحْ بِالْمِلْحِ فِي طَعَامِكَ وَ اخْتِمْ بِالْمِلْحِ فَإِنَّهُ مَنِ افْتَتَحَ طَعَامَهُ بِالْمِلْحِ وَ خَتَمَهُ بِالْمِلْحِ دَفَعَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ سَبْعِينَ نَوْعاً مِنْ أَنْوَاعِ الْبَلَاءِ أَيْسَرُهَا الْجُذَامُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, said to ’Amir al- Mu’minin, ‘O Ali, begin taking food with salt and end it with salt. It dispels seventy kinds of troubles of which the least serious is leprosy.”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِعَلِيٍّ ع يَا عَلِيُّ افْتَتِحْ طَعَامَكَ بِالْمِلْحِ وَ اخْتِمْ بِالْمِلْحِ فَإِنَّ مَنِ افْتَتَحَ طَعَامَهُ بِالْمِلْحِ وَ خَتَمَ بِالْمِلْحِ عُوفِيَ مِنِ اثْنَيْنِ وَ سَبْعِينَ نَوْعاً مِنْ أَنْوَاعِ الْبَلَاءِ مِنْهُ الْجُذَامُ وَ الْجُنُونُ وَ الْبَرَصُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, said to ’Amir al- Mu’minin, ‘O Ali, begin taking your food with salt and end it with salt. One who begins taking his food with salt and ends it with salt remains s

إِنَّ الْعَقْرَبَ لَسَعَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ لَعَنَكِ اللَّهُ فَمَا تُبَالِينَ مُؤْمِناً آذَيْتِ أَمْ كَافِراً ثُمَّ دَعَا بِالْمِلْحِ فَدَلَكَهُ فَهَدَتْ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع لَوْ يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مَا فِي الْمِلْحِ مَا بَغَوْا مَعَهُ دِرْيَاقاً[2].

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said that once scorpion bit the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and he (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘May Allah condemn you. You do not distinguish between a believer and unbeliever and do not know whom you ca

لَدَغَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص عَقْرَبٌ فَنَفَضَهَا وَ قَالَ لَعَنَكِ اللَّهُ فَمَا يَسْلَمُ مِنْكِ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا كَافِرٌ ثُمَّ دَعَا بِالْمِلْحِ فَوَضَعَهُ عَلَى مَوْضِعِ اللَّدْغَةِ ثُمَّ عَصَرَهُ بِإِبْهَامِهِ حَتَّى ذَابَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَوْ يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مَا فِي الْمِلْحِ مَا احْتَاجُوا مَعَهُ إِلَى دِرْيَاقٍ.

“Once, scorpion bit the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. He (the Messenger of Allah) then threw it away, saying, ‘May Allah condemn you, both believers and unbelievers are not safe from you.’ He (the Messenger of Allah) then asked for sal

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ مَا افْتَقَرَ أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ يَأْتَدِمُونَ بِالْخَلِّ وَ الزَّيْتِ وَ ذَلِكَ أُدْمُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ ع.

“’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘A family that uses vinegar and oil as their sauce, never becomes needy; it is the sauce of the Prophets, ‘Alayhim al-Salam.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَا أَقْفَرَ بَيْتٌ فِيهِ خَلٌّ وَ قَدْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص ذَلِكَ.

‘A house in which there is vinegar does not become needy, and the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has already said it.’”

كَانَ أَحَبَّ الْأَصْبَاغِ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص الْخَلُ‌[2].

the best sauce to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, was vinegar.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ كُلُوا الزَّيْتَ وَ ادَّهِنُوا بِالزَّيْتِ فَإِنَّهُ‌ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبارَكَةٍ. - مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنِ ابْنِ الْقَدَّاحِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ariy from ibn al-Qaddah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يُعْجِبُهُ الْعَسَلُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, liked honey a great deal.’”

حُمَّ بَعْضُ أَهْلِنَا فَوَصَفَ لَهُ الْمُتَطَبِّبُونَ الْغَافِثَ‌[1] فَسَقَيْنَاهُ فَلَمْ يَنْتَفِعْ بِهِ فَشَكَوْتُ ذَلِكَ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ مَا جَعَلَ اللَّهُ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْمُرِّ شِفَاءً خُذْ سُكَّرَةً[2] وَ نِصْفاً فَصَيِّرْهَا فِي إِنَاءٍ وَ صُبَّ عَلَيْهَا الْمَاءَ حَتَّى يَغْمُرَهَا وَ ضَعْ عَلَيْهَا حَدِيدَةً وَ نَجِّمْهَا مِنْ أَوَّلِ اللَّيْلِ فَإِذَا أَصْبَحْتَ فَأَمْرِسْهَا بِيَدِ

“Someone in our family had a fever and physicians had prescribed al-ghafith (a certain herb) and we made the patient to drink it, but it did not benefit him I then complained against it before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and he (the Imam) said, ‘Allah has not placed cure in anything which is bitter (only). Take one or one a

لَمْ يَكُنْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَأْكُلُ طَعَاماً وَ لَا يَشْرَبُ شَرَاباً إِلَّا قَالَ- اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهِ وَ أَبْدِلْنَا بِهِ خَيْراً مِنْهُ إِلَّا اللَّبَنَ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهِ وَ زِدْنَا مِنْهُ.

‘Whenever the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, ate food or drank a drink, he said, “O Lord, grant us blessing in it and better to replace it.” However when drinking milk he (the Messenger of Allah) would say, ‘O Lord, grant us blessing in

كُنَّا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَجَاءَنَا بِمَضِيرَةٍ[3] وَ طَعَامٍ بَعْدَهَا ثُمَّ أَتَى بِقِنَاعٍ مِنْ رُطَبٍ عَلَيْهِ أَلْوَانٌ فَجَعَلَ ع يَأْخُذُ بِيَدِهِ الْوَاحِدَةَ بَعْدَ الْوَاحِدَةِ فَيَقُولُ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ تُسَمُّونَ هَذَا فَنَقُولُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا حَتَّى أَخَذَ وَاحِدَةً فَقَالَ مَا تُسَمُّونَ هَذِهِ فَقُلْنَا الْمُشَانَ فَقَالَ نَحْنُ نُسَمِّيهَا أُمَّ جِرْذَانَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أُتِيَ بِشَيْ

“Once we were with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and Mudayrah (a certain sauce) was brought then food, then a basket of dates of several colors was brought. He (the Imam) then picked up one by one and asked, ‘What do you call it?’ and we said that we call it so and so, until he (the Imam) picked up one more and asked, ‘What d

بَعَثَنِي الْمُفَضَّلُ بْنُ عُمَرَ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِلَطَفٍ‌[5]- فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ فِي يَوْمٍ صَائِفٍ وَ قُدَّامَهُ طَبَقٌ فِيهِ تُفَّاحٌ أَخْضَرُ فَوَ اللَّهِ إِنْ صَبَرْتُ أَنْ‌[1] قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَ تَأْكُلُ مِنْ هَذَا وَ النَّاسُ يَكْرَهُونَهُ فَقَالَ لِي كَأَنَّهُ لَمْ يَزَلْ يَعْرِفُنِي وُعِكْتُ‌[2] فِي لَيْلَتِي هَذِهِ فَبَعَثْتُ فَأُتِيتُ بِهِ فَأَكَلْتُهُ وَ هُوَ يَقْلَعُ الْحُمَّ

“Al-Mufaddal ibn ’Umar once sent me to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), for a favor (from the Imam). I went to him (the Imam) on a summer day and before him there was a tray with green apples in it and I by Allah could hardly wait until I asked saying, ’I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, do you eat this w

دَخَلْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ وَ مَعِي أَخِي سَيْفٌ فَأَصَابَ النَّاسُ بِرُعَافٍ فَكَانَ الرَّجُلُ إِذَا رَعَفَ يَوْمَيْنِ مَاتَ فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَى الْمَنْزِلِ فَإِذَا سَيْفٌ يَرْعُفُ رُعَافاً شَدِيداً فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ يَا زِيَادُ أَطْعِمْ سَيْفاً التُّفَّاحَ فَأَطْعَمْتُهُ إِيَّاهُ فَبَرَأَ.

“I once entered al-Madinah with my brother Sayf. People suffered from nasal hemorrhage because of which a man after two days died. I returned to my lodging and found Sayf with nasal hemorrhage severely. I went to abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He (the Imam) said, ‘O Ziyad feed Sayf apples.’ I fed him apples and he got well.’”

كَانَ إِذَا لَسَعَ إِنْسَاناً مِنْ أَهْلِ الدَّارِ حَيَّةٌ أَوْ عَقْرَبٌ قَالَ اسْقُوهُ سَوِيقَ التُّفَّاحِ.

“Whenever a poisonous thing like snake or scorpion would bite anyone in the family he (the Imam) would say, ‘Make him drink sawiq of apples.’”

ذُكِرَ لَهُ الْحُمَّى فَقَالَ ع إِنَّا أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ لَا نَتَدَاوَى إِلَّا بِإِفَاضَةِ الْمَاءِ الْبَارِدِ يُصَبُّ عَلَيْنَا وَ أَكْلِ التُّفَّاحِ.

“Once, fever was mentioned before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). He (the Imam) said, ‘We are the people of the family who do not use any medicine for it except pouring cold water on us and eating apples.’”

كَانَ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ ص فَأُهْدِيَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص سَفَرْجَلٌ فَقَطَعَ مِنْهُ النَّبِيُّ ص قِطْعَةً وَ نَاوَلَهَا جَعْفَراً فَأَبَى أَنْ يَأْكُلَهَا فَقَالَ خُذْهَا وَ كُلْهَا فَإِنَّهَا تُذَكِّي الْقَلْبَ وَ تُشَجِّعُ الْجَبَانَ وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى كُلْ فَإِنَّهُ يُصَفِّي اللَّوْنَ وَ يُحَسِّنُ الْوَلَدَ[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Ja‘far ibn abu Talib was with the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and he presented quince to the Holy Prophet. The Holy Prophet cut one piece from it and gave it to Ja‘far but he declined to eat it. The Ho

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِجَعْفَرٍ يَا جَعْفَرُ كُلِ السَّفَرْجَلَ فَإِنَّهُ يُقَوِّي الْقَلْبَ وَ يُشَجِّعُ الْجَبَانَ.

“Abu Ibrahim (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, said to Ja‘far, ‘O Ja‘far, eat quince; it strengthens the heart and emboldens the coward heart.’”

كُلُوا الْأُتْرُجَّ بَعْدَ الطَّعَامِ فَإِنَّ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ ع يَفْعَلُونَ ذَلِكَ.

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid, from al-Qasim ibn Yahya, from his grandfather, al- Hassan ibn Rashid, from abu Basir who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Eat citron after food; because Ale Muhammad, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad