Family & Kinship

أَوْصَتْ مَارِدَةُ لِقَوْمٍ نَصَارَى فَرَّاشِينَ بِوَصِيَّةٍ فَقَالَ أَصْحَابُنَا اقْسِمْ هَذَا فِي فُقَرَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ‌[2] مِنْ أَصْحَابِكَ فَسَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ أُخْتِي أَوْصَتْ بِوَصِيَّةٍ لِقَوْمٍ نَصَارَى وَ أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَصْرِفَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى قَوْمٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا مُسْلِمِينَ فَقَالَ أَمْضِ الْوَصِيَّةَ عَلَى مَا أَوْصَتْ بِهِ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى‌ فَإِنَّما إِثْمُهُ عَلَى

“Maridah made a will for the Christians who worked as maintenance people. Our people said to spend it on the poor believers of your people. I then asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), that my sister has made a will for Christian persons and I wanted to spend it for our Muslim people. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must execute the will as

فِي رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ بِمَالٍ لِذَوِي قَرَابَتِهِ وَ أَعْتَقَ مَمْلُوكاً لَهُ وَ كَانَ جَمِيعُ مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ يَزِيدُ عَلَى الثُّلُثِ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ فِي وَصِيَّتِهِ فَقَالَ يَبْدَأُ بِالْعِتْقِ فَيُنَفِّذُهُ.

“This about the case of a man who makes a will when about to die, for relatives and setting free of a slave but the total exceeds one-third of the legacy and about how to deal with it. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘First it is executed about setting free of the slave then about the rest.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ مُحَرَّرَةٍ أَعْتَقَهَا أَخِي وَ قَدْ كَانَتْ تَخْدُمُ مَعَ الْجَوَارِي وَ كَانَتْ فِي عِيَالِهِ فَأَوْصَانِي أَنْ أُنْفِقَ عَلَيْهَا مِنَ الْوَسَطِ فَقَالَ‌ إِنْ كَانَتْ مَعَ الْجَوَارِي وَ أَقَامَتْ عَلَيْهِنَّ فَأَنْفِقْ عَلَيْهَا وَ اتَّبِعْ وَصِيَّتَهُ‌[1].

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about a slave-girl who was set free by my brother who served with slave-girls and was in his dependents. He made a will to spend for her from the center of the legacy. He (the Imam) said, ‘If she was with the slave-girls and managed them, then you must spend for her and execute the will

أَوْصَتْ إِلَيَّ امْرَأَةٌ مِنْ أَهْلِي بِثُلُثِ مَالِهَا وَ أَمَرَتْ أَنْ يُعْتَقَ وَ يُحَجَّ وَ يُتَصَدَّقَ فَلَمْ يَبْلُغْ ذَلِكَ فَسَأَلْتُ أَبَا حَنِيفَةَ عَنْهَا فَقَالَ تَجْعَلُ أَثْلَاثاً ثُلُثاً فِي الْعِتْقِ وَ ثُلُثاً فِي الْحَجِّ وَ ثُلُثاً فِي الصَّدَقَةِ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ امْرَأَةً مِنْ أَهْلِي مَاتَتْ وَ أَوْصَتْ إِلَيَّ بِثُلُثِ مَالِهَا وَ أَمَرَتْ أَنْ يُعْتَقَ ع

“A woman of our family made a will about one-third of her legacy and asked to set free a slave, perform al-Hajj and give charity; but the one-third was not sufficient. I asked abu Hanifah about it and he said, ’Make it in three equal parts and spend one part for each cause/ I then visited abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), and sa

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ مَاتَ وَ لَهُ عَلَيَّ دَيْنٌ وَ خَلَّفَ وُلْداً رِجَالًا وَ نِسَاءً وَ صِبْيَاناً فَجَاءَ رَجُلٌ مِنْهُمْ فَقَالَ أَنْتَ فِي حِلٍّ مِمَّا لِأَبِي عَلَيْكَ مِنْ حِصَّتِي وَ أَنْتَ فِي حِلٍّ مِمَّا لِإِخْوَتِي وَ أَخَوَاتِي وَ أَنَا ضَامِنٌ لِرِضَاهُمْ عَنْكَ قَالَ تَكُونُ فِي سَعَةٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ حِلٍّ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يُعْطِهِمْ قَالَ كَانَ ذَلِكَ فِي عُنُقِهِ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ ر

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who dies and I owe him a certain amount of money. He has left behind children, male, female, and smaller children. One of them once came to me and said, ‘You are free of the responsibility of what you owed to my father as much as my share is concerned and you

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْغُلَامَ إِذَا حَضَرَهُ الْمَوْتُ فَأَوْصَى وَ لَمْ يُدْرِكْ جَازَتْ وَصِيَّتُهُ لِذَوِي الْأَرْحَامِ وَ لَمْ تَجُزْ لِلْغُرَبَاءِ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘When a boy is about to die his will is permissible in favor of the relatives but not in favor of the strangers.’”

نَسَخْتُ مِنْ كِتَابٍ بِخَطِّ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع فُلَانٌ مَوْلَاكَ تُوُفِّيَ ابْنُ أَخٍ لَهُ وَ تَرَكَ أُمَّ وَلَدٍ لَهُ لَيْسَ لَهَا وَلَدٌ فَأَوْصَى لَهَا بِأَلْفٍ هَلْ تَجُوزُ الْوَصِيَّةُ وَ هَلْ يَقَعُ عَلَيْهَا عِتْقٌ وَ مَا حَالُهَا رَأْيُكَ فَدَتْكَ نَفْسِي فَكَتَبَ ع تُعْتَقُ فِي الثُّلُثِ وَ لَهَا الْوَصِيَّةُ.

“I once copied the following from a book with the handwriting of abu al-Hassan (a.s.). It said, ’So and so, your Maxvla’ (friend), has died leaving behind a son of his brother, a mother of his child who does not have a child but he has assigned in his will one thousand for her; if such will is lawful and if freedom app

إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَةُ مُحْدَثَةٌ إِنَّمَا كَانَ النَّاسُ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص يَنْحَلُونَ وَ يَهَبُونَ وَ لَا يَنْبَغِي لِمَنْ أَعْطَى لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ شَيْئاً أَنْ يَرْجِعَ فِيهِ قَالَ وَ مَا لَمْ يُعْطِ لِلَّهِ وَ فِي اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهُ يَرْجِعُ فِيهِ نِحْلَةً كَانَتْ أَوْ هِبَةً حِيزَتْ أَوْ لَمْ تُحَزْ[2] وَ لَا يَرْجِعُ الرَّجُلُ فِيمَا يَهَبُ لِامْرَأَتِهِ وَ لَا الْمَرْأَةُ فِيمَا تَهَبُ لِزَوْجِ

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Charity has emerged newly. In the time of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, people would give gifts and presents. It is not proper for one who has given something to Allah, most Majestic, most Gloriou

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَتَصَدَّقُ عَلَى وُلْدٍ قَدْ أَدْرَكُوا إِذَا لَمْ يَقْبِضُوا حَتَّى يَمُوتَ فَهُوَ مِيرَاثٌ فَإِنْ تَصَدَّقَ عَلَى مَنْ لَمْ يُدْرِكْ مِنْ وُلْدِهِ فَهُوَ جَائِزٌ لِأَنَّ وَالِدَهُ هُوَ الَّذِي يَلِي أَمْرَهُ وَ قَالَ لَا يَرْجِعُ فِي الصَّدَقَةِ إِذَا ابْتَغَى بِهَا وَجْهَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ قَالَ الْهِبَةُ وَ النِّحْلَةُ يَرْجِعُ فِيهَا إِنْ شَاءَ حِيزَتْ أَوْ لَمْ تُحَزْ إِلَّا لِذِي رَحِمٍ

“This is about the case of a man who gives charity to his grown up (mature) children. They do not take possession until he dies. Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘It remains as part of the legacy; but if he gives it as charity to his small children, then it (giving such charity) is permissible; their father is the one who

كُنْتُ شَاهِدَ ابْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى فَقَضَى فِي رَجُلٍ جَعَلَ لِبَعْضِ قَرَابَتِهِ غَلَّةَ دَارِهِ وَ لَمْ يُوَقِّتْ وَقْتاً فَمَاتَ الرَّجُلُ فَحَضَرَ وَرَثَتُهُ ابْنَ أَبِي لَيْلَى وَ حَضَرَ قَرَابَتُهُ الَّذِي جُعِلَ لَهُ الدَّارُ فَقَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي لَيْلَى أَرَى أَنْ أَدَعَهَا عَلَى مَا تَرَكَهَا صَاحِبُهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ الثَّقَفِيُّ أَمَا إِنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع- قَدْ قَضَى فِي

“I was witness that ibn abu Layla’ judged in the case of a man who had designated the income of a house for his relative without the mention of time limit. The man died and his heirs came to ibn abu Layla’ and his relative for whom the house was designated. Ibn abu Layla’ said, ‘I see that it must be left as its owner

كُنْتُ أَخْتَلِفُ إِلَى ابْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى فِي مَوَارِيثَ لَنَا لِيَقْسِمَهَا وَ كَانَ فِيهَا حَبِيسٌ وَ كَانَ يُدَافِعُنِي فَلَمَّا طَالَ شَكَوْتُهُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ أَ وَ مَا عَلِمَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أَمَرَ بِرَدِّ الْحَبِيسِ وَ إِنْفَاذِ الْمَوَارِيثِ قَالَ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَفَعَلَ كَمَا كَانَ يَفْعَلُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنِّي شَكَوْتُكَ إِلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَقَالَ لِي كَيْتَ وَ كَي

“About an issue of a legacy for distribution I once faced differences with ibn abu Layla’. In that legacy, there was an item on hold and he opposed me. When it prolonged I complained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and he said, ‘Did he not know that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ وَقَفَ غَلَّةً لَهُ عَلَى قَرَابَةٍ مِنْ أَبِيهِ وَ قَرَابَةٍ مِنْ أُمِّهِ وَ أَوْصَى لِرَجُلٍ وَ لِعَقِبِهِ مِنْ تِلْكَ الْغَلَّةِ لَيْسَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَهُ قَرَابَةٌ بِثَلَاثِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ وَ يُقْسَمُ الْبَاقِي عَلَى قَرَابَتِهِ مِنْ أَبِيهِ وَ قَرَابَتِهِ مِنْ أُمِّهِ قَالَ جَائِزٌ لِلَّذِي أُوصِيَ لَهُ بِذَلِكَ قُلْتُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ لَمْ يَخْرُجْ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who endowed an asset that belonged to him for his relatives from his father’s side as well as for those from his mother’s side. He assigned from the same asset three hundred dirham every year in his will for a man and his heirs with whom he had no relationshi

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ لَا يَشْتَرِي الرَّجُلُ مَا تَصَدَّقَ بِهِ وَ إِنْ تَصَدَّقَ بِمَسْكَنٍ عَلَى ذِي قَرَابَتِهِ فَإِنْ شَاءَ سَكَنَ مَعَهُمْ وَ إِنْ تَصَدَّقَ بِخَادِمٍ عَلَى ذِي قَرَابَتِهِ خَدَمَتْهُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ‌[2].

41. Aban has narrated from abu al-Jarud who has narrated the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘A man cannot buy what he has given as charity. If he gives as charity a house to a relative then if he likes he can live with them. If he gives in charity a servant to a relative he can serve him by the will of Allah.

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ وَ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ قَالا سَأَلْنَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى بِسَهْمٍ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ لَا يُدْرَى السَّهْمُ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ هُوَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عِنْدَكُمْ فِيمَا بَلَغَكُمْ عَنْ جَعْفَرٍ وَ لَا عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِيهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ قُلْنَا لَهُ جُعِلْنَا فِدَاكَ مَا سَمِعْنَا أَصْحَابَ

“We once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the case of a man who has made a will about a share of his legacy and it is not known how much a share is. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Have you not received anything about it from Ja‘far, or abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhim al-Salam?’ We replied, ‘We pray to Allah to keep our souls in

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع رَجُلٌ كَانَ لَهُ ابْنَانِ فَمَاتَ أَحَدُهُمَا وَ لَهُ وُلْدٌ ذُكُورٌ وَ إِنَاثٌ فَأَوْصَى لَهُمْ جَدُّهُمْ بِسَهْمِ أَبِيهِمْ فَهَذَا السَّهْمُ الذَّكَرُ وَ الْأُنْثَى فِيهِ سَوَاءٌ أَمْ‌ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْأُنْثَيَيْنِ‌ فَوَقَّعَ ع يُنْفِذُونَ وَصِيَّةَ جَدِّهِمْ كَمَا أَمَرَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ قَالَ وَ كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ لَهُ وُلْدٌ ذُكُورٌ وَ إِنَاثٌ فَأَقَرَّ لَهُمْ

“I once wrote to abu Muhammad (a.s.), and asked about the case of a man who has two sons. One of them dies, leaving behind male and female children, and the grandfather bequests for them the share of their father, if male and female in this share are equal or if the male has twice the share of the female. He (the Imam)

كَتَبَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع‌ رَجُلٌ أَوْصَى بِثُلُثِ مَالِهِ لِمَوَالِيهِ وَ لِمَوْلَيَاتِهِ الذَّكَرُ وَ الْأُنْثَى فِيهِ سَوَاءٌ أَوْ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْأُنْثَيَيْنِ‌ مِنَ الْوَصِيَّةِ فَوَقَّعَ ع جَائِزٌ لِلْمَيِّتِ مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ عَلَى مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ.

“Once Muhammad ibn al-Hassan wrote to abu Muhammad (a.s.), about the case of a man who has bequeathed one-third of his legacy to his male and female slaves; if they share it equally or the share of the male is twice the share of female. He (the Imam) signed the answer that said, ‘It is binding and permissible for the d

لِأَعْمَامِهِ الثُّلُثَانِ وَ لِأَخْوَالِهِ الثُّلُثُ.

“This is about the case of a man who bequests one-third of his legacy to his paternal and maternal uncles. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘The paternal uncle receive two-thirds and the maternal uncle receives one-third.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْحِيطَانِ السَّبْعَةِ الَّتِي كَانَتْ مِيرَاثَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لِفَاطِمَةَ ع فَقَالَ لَا إِنَّمَا كَانَتْ وَقْفاً وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَأْخُذُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْهَا مَا يُنْفِقُ عَلَى أَضْيَافِهِ وَ التَّابِعَةُ[2] يَلْزَمُهُ فِيهَا فَلَمَّا قُبِضَ جَاءَ الْعَبَّاسُ يُخَاصِمُ فَاطِمَةَ ع فِيهَا فَشَهِدَ عَلِيٌّ ع وَ غَيْرُهُ أَنَّهَا وَقْفٌ عَلَى فَاطِمَةَ ع وَ هِيَ الدَّلَالُ وَ الْعَوَافُ وَ ا

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Thani, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the seven walls (gardens) which were of the legacy of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your

سَأَلْنَاهُ عَنْ صَدَقَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ صَدَقَةِ فَاطِمَةَ ع قَالَ صَدَقَتُهُمَا لِبَنِي هَاشِمٍ وَ بَنِي الْمُطَّلِبِ.

“We once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the charities of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and the charities of Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam. He (the Imam) said, ‘Their charities are for banu Hashim and banu al-Muttalib.’”

الْمِيثَبُ هُوَ الَّذِي كَاتَبَ عَلَيْهِ سَلْمَانُ فَأَفَاءَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَهُوَ فِي صَدَقَتِهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has propounded the following. ‘Al-Maythab is that garden upon which Salman contracted for his freedom; then Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, granted it to His messenger, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, as properties captured from

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ صَدَقَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ صَدَقَةِ عَلِيٍّ ع فَقَالَ هِيَ لَنَا حَلَالٌ وَ قَالَ إِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ ع جَعَلَتْ صَدَقَتَهَا لِبَنِي هَاشِمٍ وَ بَنِي الْمُطَّلِبِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the charities of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and the charities of Ali (a.s.). He (the Imam) said, ‘It is lawful for us.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, left her charitie

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ أَ لَا أُقْرِئُكَ وَصِيَّةَ فَاطِمَةَ ع قَالَ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ فَأَخْرَجَ حُقّاً أَوْ سَفَطاً فَأَخْرَجَ مِنْهُ كِتَاباً فَقَرَأَهُ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* هَذَا مَا أَوْصَتْ بِهِ فَاطِمَةُ بِنْتُ مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَوْصَتْ بِحَوَائِطِهَا السَّبْعَةِ الْعَوَافِ وَ الدَّلَالِ وَ الْبُرْقَةِ وَ الْمِيثَبِ وَ الْحَسْنَى وَ الصَّافِيَةِ وَ مَا لِأُمِّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِلَى

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu Najran from ‘Asem ibn Humayd from abu Basir who has narrated the following: “Once abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, decided to inform us about an important fact. He (the Imam) said, ‘Do you like if I read the will of Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, for you?’ I replied

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ لَا أُقْرِئُكَ وَصِيَّةَ فَاطِمَةَ ع قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ فَأَخْرَجَ إِلَيَّ صَحِيفَةً هَذَا مَا عَهِدَتْ فَاطِمَةُ بِنْتُ مُحَمَّدٍ ص فِي مَالِهَا إِلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع وَ إِنْ مَاتَ فَإِلَى الْحَسَنِ وَ إِنْ مَاتَ فَإِلَى الْحُسَيْنِ فَإِنْ مَاتَ الْحُسَيْنُ فَإِلَى الْأَكْبَرِ مِنْ وُلْدِي دُونَ وُلْدِكَ- الدَّلَالُ وَ الْعَوَافُ وَ الْمِيثَبُ وَ بُرْقَةُ وَ الْحَسْنَى وَ

6. It is narrated from the narrator of the previous Hadith from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthaman from abu Basir who has narrated the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once said, ‘Do you like if I read the will of Fatimah, ‘Alayha al- Salam ?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I like it.’ He (the Imam

بَعَثَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع بِوَصِيَّةِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ هِيَ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* هَذَا مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ وَ قَضَى بِهِ فِي مَالِهِ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ عَلِيٌّ ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ لِيُولِجَنِي بِهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَ يَصْرِفَنِي بِهِ عَنِ النَّارِ وَ يَصْرِفَ النَّارَ عَنِّي‌ يَوْمَ تَبْيَضُّ وُجُوهٌ وَ تَسْوَدُّ وُجُوهٌ‌ أَنَّ مَا كَانَ لِي مِنْ مَالٍ بِيَنْبُعَ يُعْرَفُ لِي فِيه

7. Abu Ali al-Ash ‘ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar and Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Safwan ibn Yahya from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj who has narrated the following: “Abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, sent to me the will of ’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, whic

أَنَّ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ بِوَصِيَّةِ أَبِيهِ وَ بِصَدَقَتِهِ مَعَ أَبِي إِسْمَاعِيلَ مُصَادِفٍ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* هَذَا مَا عَهِدَ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ هُوَ يَشْهَدُ أَنْ‌ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ‌ وَحْدَهُ‌ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ‌ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَ يُمِيتُ‌ بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ وَ هُوَ عَلى‌ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ قَدِيرٌ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُه

“Abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), sent to him the will of his father with his charity through abu Tsma‘il Musadif. “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful “This is the will of JaTar ibn Muhammad who testifies that no one deserves worship except Allah alone, who has no partners. To Him belongs the kingdom, to Him

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ قَسَمَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ص الْفَيْ‌ءَ فَأَصَابَ عَلِيّاً ع أَرْضاً فَاحْتَفَرَ فِيهَا عَيْناً فَخَرَجَ مَاءٌ يَنْبُعُ فِي السَّمَاءِ كَهَيْئَةِ عُنُقِ الْبَعِيرِ فَسَمَّاهَا يَنْبُعَ فَجَاءَ الْبَشِيرُ يُبَشِّرُ فَقَالَ ع بَشِّرِ الْوَارِثَ‌ هِيَ صَدَقَةٌ بَتَّةً بَتْلًا فِي حَجِيجِ بَيْتِ اللَّهِ وَ عَابِرِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَا تُبَاعُ وَ لَا تُوهَبُ وَ لَا تُورَثُ فَمَنْ بَاعَ

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, distributed the assets captured from the enemy among the Muslims. The share of Ali (a.s.), was a piece of land. He dug a well and water gushed toward the s

أَعْطُوا الْحَسَنَ بْنَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ وَ هُوَ الْأَفْطَسُ سَبْعِينَ دِينَاراً وَ أَعْطُوا فُلَاناً كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ فُلَاناً كَذَا وَ كَذَا فَقُلْتُ أَ تُعْطِي رَجُلًا حَمَلَ عَلَيْكَ بِالشَّفْرَةِ فَقَالَ وَيْحَكِ أَ مَا تَقْرَءِينَ الْقُرْآنَ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ أَ مَا سَمِعْتِ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ الَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ ما أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَنْ يُوصَلَ وَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ وَ يَخافُونَ سُوءَ

“I was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when he was about to leave this world. He fainted and then regained consciousness. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must give to al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn, who is al-Aftas, seventy dinar, give so and so such and such amount, and to so and so such and such amount.’ I then asked, ‘Do you

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَمَّا يَقُولُ النَّاسُ فِي الْوَصِيَّةِ بِالثُّلُثِ وَ الرُّبُعِ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ أَ شَيْ‌ءٌ صَحِيحٌ مَعْرُوفٌ أَمْ كَيْفَ صَنَعَ أَبُوكَ فَقَالَ الثُّلُثَ ذَلِكَ الْأَمْرُ الَّذِي صَنَعَ أَبِي رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about what people say concerning the will about one- third or one-fourth at the time of one’s death: if it is lawful and a good thing to do and how his father had done. He (the Imam) said, ‘The one-third is what my father, may Allah grant him kindness, had made the subject of his wil

قَالَ: إِنَّ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ سِتِّينَ غُلَاماً فَأَعْتَقَ ثُلُثَهُمْ فَأَقْرَعْتُ بَيْنَهُمْ فَأَخْرَجْتُ عِشْرِينَ فَأَعْتَقْتُهُمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), died and left sixty slaves, of whom he set free one-third. I drew lots among them and selected twenty, and I freed them.’”

أَعْتَقَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع مِنْ غِلْمَانِهِ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ شِرَارَهُمْ وَ أَمْسَكَ خِيَارَهُمْ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَتِ تُعْتِقُ هَؤُلَاءِ وَ تُمْسِكُ هَؤُلَاءِ فَقَالَ إِنَّهُمْ قَدْ أَصَابُوا مِنِّي ضُرّاً[1] فَيَكُونُ هَذَا بِهَذَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that abu Ja‘far, at the time of his passing away freed the mischievous ones among his slaves and kept the good ones. I asked, ‘Father, do you free these and keep these?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘These were subjected to my disciplining, thus, this is for that.’”

مَرِضَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع ثَلَاثَ مَرَضَاتٍ فِي كُلِّ مَرْضَةٍ يُوصِي بِوَصِيَّةٍ فَإِذَا أَفَاقَ أَمْضَى وَصِيَّتَهُ.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, became ill three times, each time he made a will and when he recovered from his illness he approved his will.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ رَجُلًا أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ فَسَأَلْتُهُ أَنْ يُشْرِكَ مَعِي ذَا قَرَابَةٍ لَهُ فَفَعَلَ وَ ذَكَرَ الَّذِي أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ أَنَّ لَهُ قِبَلَ الَّذِي أَشْرَكَهُ فِي الْوَصِيَّةِ خَمْسِينَ وَ مِائَةَ دِرْهَمٍ عِنْدَهُ رَهْناً بِهَا جَامٌ مِنْ فِضَّةٍ فَلَمَّا هَلَكَ الرَّجُلُ أَنْشَأَ الْوَصِيُّ يَدَّعِي أَنَّ لَهُ قِبَلَهُ أَكْرَارَ حِنْطَةٍ قَالَ إِنْ أَقَامَ الْبَيِّنَةَ وَ إِلَّا فَلَا شَيْ‌ءَ لَهُ قَ

“I once said to abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), that a man made a will in which he appointed me as executor of the will. I asked him to appoint one more person of his relatives with me and he did. The testator told me that with the other executor of the will he has a bowl of silver, which is worth one hundred fifty dirham as a

أَوْصَى رَجُلٌ بِثَلَاثِينَ دِينَاراً لِوُلْدِ فَاطِمَةَ ع قَالَ فَأَتَى بِهَا الرَّجُلُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ادْفَعْهَا إِلَى فُلَانٍ شَيْخٍ مِنْ وُلْدِ فَاطِمَةَ ع وَ كَانَ مُعِيلًا مُقِلًّا فَقَالَ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ إِنَّمَا أَوْصَى بِهَا الرَّجُلُ لِوُلْدِ فَاطِمَةَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّهَا لَا تَقَعُ مِنْ وُلْدِ فَاطِمَةَ وَ هِيَ تَقَعُ مِنْ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ وَ ل

“A man made a will about thirty dinars for the children of Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam. Another man brought it to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), who told him to give it to so and so old man of the descendents of Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, who has a family to feed and is poor. The man said, ‘The man has a will for the children of

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ نُؤْتَى بِالشَّيْ‌ءِ فَيُقَالُ هَذَا مَا كَانَ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع عِنْدَنَا فَكَيْفَ نَصْنَعُ فَقَالَ مَا كَانَ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع بِسَبَبِ الْإِمَامَةِ فَهُوَ لِي وَ مَا كَانَ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ فَهُوَ مِيرَاثٌ عَلَى كِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَ سُنَّةِ نَبِيِّهِ ص.

“I once said to Sahib al- ‘Askar (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, something is brought to us and it is said “This is what was for abu Ja’far (a.s.).” How must we deal with it?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Whatever was for abu Ja‘far because of Imamat (leadership with divine authority), it be

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع اعْلَمْ يَا سَيِّدِي أَنَّ ابْنَ أَخٍ لِي تُوُفِّيَ فَأَوْصَى لِسَيِّدِي بِضَيْعَةٍ وَ أَوْصَى أَنْ يُدْفَعَ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ فِي دَارِهِ حَتَّى الْأَوْتَادُ تُبَاعُ وَ يُجْعَلُ الثَّمَنُ إِلَى سَيِّدِي وَ أَوْصَى بِحَجٍّ وَ أَوْصَى لِلْفُقَرَاءِ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ أَوْصَى لِعَمَّتِهِ وَ أُخْتِهِ بِمَالٍ فَنَظَرْتُ فَإِذَا مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ أَكْثَرُ مِنَ الثُّلُثِ وَ لَعَلَّهُ يُقَار

“I once wrote to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ’My master, I inform you that the son of my brother has died and has made a will about a certain piece of property for you. He in his will has said that everything in his house must be given, even the pegs must be sold and the price sent to my master. He has made a will fo

مَاتَتْ أُخْتُ مُفَضَّلِ بْنِ غِيَاثٍ فَأَوْصَتْ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ مَالِهَا الثُّلُثِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ الثُّلُثِ فِي الْمَسَاكِينِ وَ الثُّلُثِ فِي الْحَجِّ فَإِذَا هُوَ لَا يَبْلُغُ مَا قَالَتْ فَذَهَبْتُ أَنَا وَ هُوَ إِلَى ابْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى فَقَصَّ عَلَيْهِ الْقِصَّةَ فَقَالَ اجْعَلْ ثُلُثاً فِي ذَا وَ ثُلُثاً فِي ذَا وَ ثُلُثاً فِي ذَا فَأَتَيْنَا ابْنَ شُبْرُمَةَ فَقَالَ أَيْضاً كَمَا قَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي لَيْ

“Mufaddal ibn Ghiyath’s sister died and she had made a will that said, ‘One-third must be given in the way of Allah, one-third to the destitute and one-third for al-Hajj.’ It was not enough for what she had asked. He and I went to ibn abu Layla’ and told him the story. He said, ‘Give one-third to this, one- third to th

عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى إِلَى رَجُلٍ أَنْ يُعْطِيَ قَرَابَتَهُ مِنْ ضَيْعَتِهِ كَذَا وَ كَذَا جَرِيباً مِنْ طَعَامٍ فَمَرَّتْ عَلَيْهِ سِنُونَ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي ضَيْعَتِهِ فَضْلٌ بَلِ احْتَاجَ إِلَى السَّلَفِ وَ الْعِينَةِ عَلَى مَنْ أَوْصَى لَهُ مِنَ السَّلَفِ وَ الْعِينَةِ أَمْ لَا فَإِنْ أَصَابَهُمْ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ يُجْرِ عَلَيْهِمْ لِمَا فَاتَهُمْ مِنَ السِّنِينَ الْمَاضِيَةِ فَقَالَ كَأَنِّي لَا أُبَالِي إِنْ أَعْطَاهُم

“A man made a will to another man to give his relatives from his asset (land) such and such Jarib (a certain unit of measurement) of food. Many years passed but there was no extra in his asset; instead he needed to borrow and arrange for al-‘Aynah on the beneficiary of the will. Is it necessary to arrange a loan and al

لِلْوَصِيِّ أَنْ يَعْزِلَ أَرْضاً بِقَدْرِ مَا يُخْرِجُ مِنْهُ وَصَايَاهُ إِذَا قَسَمَ الْوَرَثَةُ وَ لَا يُدْخِلَ هَذِهِ الْأَرْضَ فِي قِسْمَتِهِمْ أَمْ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ كَذَا يَنْبَغِي.

“A man has made a will which requires giving a certain amount to his relative. The heir becomes mature and tells the executor of the will to separate from the land an area that can meet the required amount by the will and that portion must not be included in what the heirs distribute among themselves. How must the exec

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ كَانَتْ لَهُ عِنْدِي دَنَانِيرُ وَ كَانَ مَرِيضاً فَقَالَ لِي إِنْ حَدَثَ بِي حَدَثٌ فَأَعْطِ فُلَاناً عِشْرِينَ دِينَاراً وَ أَعْطِ أَخِي بَقِيَّةَ الدَّنَانِيرِ فَمَاتَ وَ لَمْ أَشْهَدْ مَوْتَهُ فَأَتَانِي رَجُلٌ مُسْلِمٌ صَادِقٌ فَقَالَ لِي إِنَّهُ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ أَقُولَ لَكَ انْظُرِ الدَّنَانِيرَ الَّتِي أَمَرْتُكَ أَنْ تَدْفَعَهَا إِلَى أَخِي فَتَصَدَّقْ مِنْهَا بِعَشَرَةِ دَنَانِيرَ اقْسِ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who has a certain amount of dinars with me and he is ill. He said to me that if something happens to him I must then give twenty dinar to so and so and the remaining to his brother. He died and I was not present at the time of his death. A truthful Muslim cam

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَهُ قَرَابَةٌ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ أَوْلَاداً صِغَاراً وَ تَرَكَ مَمَالِيكَ لَهُ غِلْمَانٌ وَ جَوَارِي وَ لَمْ يُوصِ فَمَا تَرَى فِيمَنْ يَشْتَرِي مِنْهُمُ الْجَارِيَةَ يَتَّخِذُهَا أُمَّ وَلَدٍ وَ مَا تَرَى فِي بَيْعِهِمْ قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ لَهُمْ وَلِيٌّ يَقُومُ بِأَمْرِهِمْ بَاعَ عَلَيْهِمْ‌[1] وَ نَظَرَ لَهُمْ كَانَ مَأْجُوراً فِيهِمْ قُلْتُ فَمَا تَرَى فِي

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man with whom I have a relation of kinship, he dies leaving behind small children, slaves and slave-girls but has not made any will. ‘What do you say about buying a slave-girl for a mother of one’s child and what do you say about selling them?’ He (the Imam) said,

أَمَرْتُ مَنْ يَسْأَلُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْمَالُ لِمَنْ هُوَ لِلْأَقْرَبِ أَوْ لِلْعَصَبَةِ فَقَالَ الْمَالُ لِلْأَقْرَبِ وَ الْعَصَبَةُ فِي فِيهِ التُّرَابُ.

“I instructed a person to ask abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if the legacy is for the nearest relative or for al-‘Asabah (the relatives from the father’s side only). He (the Imam) said, ‘The legacy is for the nearest relatives and for the mouth of relatives from the father’s side only is dirt (soil).”’

ابْنُكَ أَوْلَى بِكَ مِنِ ابْنِ ابْنِكَ وَ ابْنُ ابْنِكَ أَوْلَى بِكَ مِنْ أَخِيكَ قَالَ وَ أَخُوكَ لِأَبِيكَ وَ أُمِّكَ أَوْلَى بِكَ مِنْ أَخِيكَ لِأَبِيكَ قَالَ وَ أَخُوكَ لِأَبِيكَ أَوْلَى بِكَ مِنْ أَخِيكَ لِأُمِّكَ‌[2] قَالَ وَ ابْنُ أَخِيكَ لِأَبِيكَ وَ أُمِّكَ أَوْلَى بِكَ مِنِ ابْنِ أَخِيكَ لِأَبِيكَ قَالَ وَ ابْنُ أَخِيكَ مِنْ أَبِيكَ أَوْلَى بِكَ مِنْ عَمِّكَ قَالَ وَ عَمُّكَ أَخُو أَبِيكَ مِنْ أَبِيهِ وَ أ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Your son is more deserving of you than your grandson, and your grandson is more deserving of you than your brother.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Your brother from your both parents is more deserving of you than your brother from your father only. Your brother from your father is more deserving o

وَ لِكُلٍ‌ جَعَلْنا مَوالِيَ مِمَّا تَرَكَ الْوالِدانِ وَ الْأَقْرَبُونَ‌[3] قَالَ إِنَّمَا عَنَى بِذَلِكَ أُولِي الْأَرْحَامِ فِي الْمَوَارِيثِ وَ لَمْ يَعْنِ أَوْلِيَاءَ النِّعْمَةِ فَأَوْلَاهُمْ بِالْمَيِّتِ أَقْرَبُهُمْ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ الرَّحِمِ الَّتِي تَجُرُّهُ إِلَيْهَا.

what is meant thereby are relatives in inheritance, not the benefactors who provide benefits. Thus the more deserving of a deceased is one who is nearest to him as a relative and womb, and the relationship which brings him toward it.’”

إِنَّ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع‌ أَنَّ كُلَّ ذِي رَحِمٍ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الرَّحِمِ الَّذِي يَجُرُّ بِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ وَارِثٌ أَقْرَبَ إِلَى الْمَيِّتِ مِنْهُ فَيَحْجُبَهُ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that it is in the book of Ali (a.s.), that every relative is like the kinship and womb that has established such relation unless there is one who is closer to the deceased than him who then becomes a barrier.’”

قَالَ إِذَا الْتَفَّتِ الْقَرَابَاتُ فَالسَّابِقُ أَحَقُّ بِمِيرَاثِ قَرِيبِهِ فَإِنِ اسْتَوَتْ قَامَ كُلٌّ مِنْهُمْ مَقَامَ قَرِيبِهِ.

‘When relations overlay each other then the earliest is more deserving of legacy of his relative, and if they are equal then each one takes the place of one who is close to him.’”

الْعِلَّةُ فِي وَضْعِ السِّهَامِ عَلَى سِتَّةٍ لَا أَقَلَّ وَ لَا أَكْثَرَ لِعِلَّةِ وُجُوهِ أَهْلِ الْمِيرَاثِ لِأَنَّ الْوُجُوهَ الَّتِي مِنْهَا سِهَامُ الْمَوَارِيثِ سِتَّةُ جِهَاتٍ لِكُلِّ جِهَةٍ سَهْمٌ فَأَوَّلُ جِهَاتِهَا سَهْمُ الْوَلَدِ وَ الثَّانِي سَهْمُ الْأَبِ وَ الثَّالِثُ سَهْمُ الْأُمِّ وَ الرَّابِعُ سَهْمُ الْكَلَالَةِ كَلَالَةِ الْأَبِ وَ الْخَامِسُ سَهْمُ كَلَالَةِ الْأُمِّ وَ السَّادِسُ سَهْمُ الزّ

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَيْفَ صَارَ الرَّجُلُ إِذَا مَاتَ وَ وُلْدُهُ مِنَ الْقَرَابَةِ سَوَاءٌ تَرِثُ النِّسَاءُ نِصْفَ مِيرَاثِ الرِّجَالِ وَ هُنَّ أَضْعَفُ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَ أَقَلُّ حِيلَةً فَقَالَ لِأَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَضَّلَ الرِّجَالَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ بِدَرَجَةٍ وَ لِأَنَّ النِّسَاءَ يَرْجِعْنَ عِيَالًا عَلَى الرِّجَالِ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, why is it that when a man dies his sons’ shares of the legacy are twice as much as the share of his daughters even though females are less capable and weaker?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is because Allah, most Majestic, most Gloriou

سَأَلَ الْفَهْفَكِيُّ أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ ع‌ مَا بَالُ الْمَرْأَةِ الْمِسْكِينَةِ الضَّعِيفَةِ تَأْخُذُ سَهْماً وَاحِداً وَ يَأْخُذُ الرَّجُلُ سَهْمَيْنِ فَقَالَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع إِنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهَا جِهَادٌ وَ لَا نَفَقَةٌ وَ لَا عَلَيْهَا مَعْقُلَةٌ[1] إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ عَلَى الرِّجَالِ فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي قَدْ كَانَ قِيلَ لِي إِنَّ ابْنَ أَبِي الْعَوْجَاءِ سَأَلَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ هَذِهِ الْمَس

“Once, al-Fahfakiy asked abu Muhammad (a.s.), ‘Why is it that the destitute and weak woman’s share of the legacy is half as much as the share of man?’ Abu Muhammad (a.s.), said, ‘It is because there is no Jihad on women; maintenance expenses and wergild to be paid by the relatives of the murderer, it is on men.’ I then

قَالَ لِي ابْنُ أَبِي الْعَوْجَاءِ مَا بَالُ الْمَرْأَةِ الْمِسْكِينَةِ الضَّعِيفَةِ تَأْخُذُ سَهْماً وَاحِداً وَ يَأْخُذُ الرَّجُلُ سَهْمَيْنِ قَالَ فَذَكَرَ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهَا جِهَادٌ وَ لَا نَفَقَةٌ وَ لَا مَعْقُلَةٌ وَ إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ عَلَى الرِّجَالِ وَ لِذَلِكَ جَعَلَ لِلْمَرْأَةِ سَهْماً وَاحِداً وَ لِلرَّجُلِ سَهْمَيْنِ.

“Once ibn abu al-‘Awaja’ asked me, ‘Why is it that the destitute and weak woman’s share of the legacy is half as much as the share of man?’ He (the narrator) has said that certain persons of our people mentioned to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), who said, ‘It is because there is no Jihad on women and maintenance expenses and w

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَنْ وَرِثَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ فَاطِمَةُ ع وَ وَرِثَتْهُ مَتَاعَ الْبَيْتِ وَ الْخُرْثِيَ‌[2] وَ كُلَّ مَا كَانَ لَهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), ’Who inherited the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause?’ He (the Imam) said, ’Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, inherited his household assets and all that belonged to him (the Messenger of Allah).”’