Food & Eating

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع حَالِي وَ انْتِشَارَ أَمْرِي عَلَيَّ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي إِذَا قَدِمْتَ الْكُوفَةَ فَبِعْ وِسَادَةً مِنْ بَيْتِكَ بِعَشَرَةِ دَرَاهِمَ وَ ادْعُ إِخْوَانَكَ وَ أَعِدَّ لَهُمْ طَعَاماً وَ سَلْهُمْ يَدْعُونَ اللَّهَ لَكَ قَالَ فَفَعَلْتُ وَ مَا أَمْكَنَنِي ذَلِكَ حَتَّى بِعْتُ وِسَادَةً وَ اتَّخَذْتُ طَعَاماً كَمَا أَمَرَنِي وَ سَأَلْتُهُمْ أَنْ يَدْعُوا اللَّهَ لِي قَالَ فَوَ اللَّهِ

‘When you arrive in al-Kufah, sell a piece of pillow from your home for ten dirham, invite your brothers, prepare food for them and ask them to pray for you to Allah.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘I followed the instruction but it was not possible without selling the piece of pillow to prepare food as he (the Imam) had

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَيْسَ بِوَلِيٍّ لِي مَنْ أَكَلَ مَالَ مُؤْمِنٍ حَرَاماً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who consumes the assets of a believing person in unlawful ways is not of my follower and friends.’”

يَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ أَمَّا قَوْلُكَ فِي النِّسَاءِ فَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا كَانَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مِنَ النِّسَاءِ وَ أَمَّا قَوْلُكَ فِي الطَّعَامِ فَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَأْكُلُ اللَّحْمَ وَ الْعَسَلَ.

“Sukayn al-Nakha‘iy worshipped and had given up women, perfume and food. He wrote to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and asked him (the Imam) about it. He (the Imam) wrote to him in answer, ‘About your words concerning women, take notice about the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا تَلَذَّذَ النَّاسُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ بِلَذَّةٍ أَكْثَرَ لَهُمْ مِنْ لَذَّةِ النِّسَاءِ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَواتِ مِنَ النِّساءِ وَ الْبَنِينَ‌ إِلَى آخِرِ الْآيَةِ[5] ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ مَا يَتَلَذَّذُونَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ أَشْهَى عِنْدَهُمْ مِنَ النِّكَاحِ لَا طَعَامٍ وَ لَا شَرَابٍ.

‘The most enjoyable thing people experience in this world and in the hereafter is enjoyment with women and it is in the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘The love and enjoyment for women and children is made attractive for people.’ (3:13) He (the Imam) then said, ‘People of paradise will not enjoy from any

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ خَيْرُ نِسَائِكُمُ الطَّيِّبَةُ الطَّعَامِ الطَّيِّبَةُ الرِّيحِ الَّتِي إِنْ أَنْفَقَتْ أَنْفَقَتْ بِمَعْرُوفٍ وَ إِنْ أَمْسَكَتْ أَمْسَكَتْ بِمَعْرُوفٍ فَتِلْكَ عَامِلٌ مِنْ عُمَّالِ اللَّهِ وَ عَامِلُ اللَّهِ لَا يَخِيبُ.

‘The best of your women are those who cook nice, smell nice, when spending she spends what is proper and withholds what is proper. That is a worker from Allah and a worker from Allah does not fail.’”

إِذَا أَصَابَ الْمُسْلِمَةَ فَمَا يَصْنَعُ بِالْيَهُودِيَّةِ وَ النَّصْرَانِيَّةِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَكُونُ لَهُ فِيهَا الْهَوَى فَقَالَ إِنْ فَعَلَ فَلْيَمْنَعْهَا مِنْ شُرْبِ الْخَمْرِ وَ أَكْلِ لَحْمِ الْخِنْزِيرِ وَ اعْلَمْ أَنَّ عَلَيْهِ فِي دِينِهِ غَضَاضَةً[2].

“About the case of a man who marries a Jewish or a Christian woman, abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘What has he to do with a Jewish or Christian woman if he can find a Muslim woman?’ I (the narrator) asked, ‘What happens if he loves her?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If he marries, he must stop her from drinking wine and ea

زُفُّوا عَرَائِسَكُمْ لَيْلًا وَ أَطْعِمُوا ضُحًى.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Conduct your marriages during the night and serve food during the day.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ النَّجَاشِيَّ لَمَّا خَطَبَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص- آمِنَةَ بِنْتَ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ فَزَوَّجَهُ دَعَا بِطَعَامٍ وَ قَالَ إِنَّ مِنْ سُنَنِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ الْإِطْعَامَ عِنْدَ التَّزْوِيجِ.

“I once heard al-Rida’ (a.s.), saying, ‘When al-Najashiy proposed marriage on behalf of the Messenger of Allah to Aminah daughter of abu Sufyan and pronounced them wife and husband, he called for food and said, ‘It is of the Sunnah of the prophets to serve food at the time of getting married.’”

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص حِينَ تَزَوَّجَ- مَيْمُونَةَ بِنْتَ الْحَارِثِ أَوْلَمَ عَلَيْهَا وَ أَطْعَمَ النَّاسَ الْحَيْسَ‌[1].

when the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, married Maymunah, daughter of al-Harith, he served food to people and it was mashed dates with the stones removed, with ghee.’”

الْوَلِيمَةُ يَوْمٌ وَ يَوْمَانِ مَكْرُمَةٌ وَ ثَلَاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ رِيَاءٌ وَ سُمْعَةٌ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Serving food in a wedding ceremony for one or two days is an honor ; but for three days (it) is a show-off and for the sake of publicity.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْوَلِيمَةُ أَوَّلَ يَوْمٍ حَقٌّ وَ الثَّانِيَ مَعْرُوفٌ وَ مَا زَادَ رِيَاءٌ وَ سُمْعَةٌ.

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy 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, ‘Serving food in a wedding ceremo

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ التَّزْوِيجِ بِغَيْرِ خُطْبَةٍ فَقَالَ أَ وَ لَيْسَ عَامَّةُ مَا يَتَزَوَّجُ فِتْيَانُنَا وَ نَحْنُ نَتَعَرَّقُ الطَّعَامَ عَلَى الْخِوَانِ نَقُولُ يَا فُلَانُ زَوِّجْ فُلَاناً فُلَانَةَ فَيَقُولُ نَعَمْ قَدْ فَعَلْتُ‌[3].

He (the Imam) said, ‘Is it not the case in general that when our young people marry, we prepare food and at the table we say, “O so and so, do you give so and so in marriage to so and so” and he says, “Yes, I have done so”?”’

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ قَدْ زَوَّجْنَاكَ عَلَى شَرْطِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع إِذَا حَمِدَ اللَّهَ فَقَدْ خَطَبَ.

2. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ja’far ibn Muhammad al-Ash’ariy from ‘Abd Allah ibn Maymun al- Qaddah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, when solemnizing a marriage at the table of food would say no more than

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ حَلَبَتْ مِنْ لَبَنِهَا فَأَسْقَتْ زَوْجَهَا لِتَحْرُمَ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ أَمْسَكَهَا وَ أَوْجَعَ ظَهْرَهَا[2].

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of a woman who drained her milk and made her husband to drink it so that she could become unlawful to him. He (the Imam) said, ‘He keeps her and makes her feel a backache.’” (Such expression is used for a flogging implemented by a judicial body.)

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنَّ امْرَأَتِي حَلَبَتْ مِنْ لَبَنِهَا فِي مَكُّوكٍ‌[1] فَأَسْقَتْهُ جَارِيَتِي فَقَالَ أَوْجِعِ امْرَأَتَكَ وَ عَلَيْكَ بِجَارِيَتِكَ وَ هُوَ هَكَذَا فِي قَضَاءِ عَلِيٍّ ع.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man came to ’Amir al-Mu’minin, and said, ‘O ’Amir al-Mu’minin, my wife drained her milk in a bowl and made my slave-girl to drink it.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Make your woman suffer (judicially applicable punishment) and keep your slave- girl’. This is how it is in the judgment

سُئِلَ وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ- عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ أَرْضَعَتْ غُلَاماً مَمْلُوكاً لَهَا مِنْ لَبَنِهَا حَتَّى فَطَمَتْهُ هَلْ لَهَا أَنْ تَبِيعَهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا هُوَ ابْنُهَا مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ حَرُمَ عَلَيْهَا بَيْعُهُ وَ أَكْلُ ثَمَنِهِ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ لَيْسَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ يَحْرُمُ مِنَ الرَّضَاعِ مَا يَحْرُمُ مِنَ النَّسَبِ.

“This is concerning a question before abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, when I was present, about the case of a woman who has breastfed her own slave boy from her milk until weaning; if she can sell him. He (the narrator) has said, that he (the Imam) said, ‘No, because he is her son of breastfeeding. Selling him and con

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ أَدْنَى مَهْرِ الْمُتْعَةِ مَا هُوَ قَالَ كَفٌّ مِنْ طَعَامٍ دَقِيقٍ أَوْ سَوِيقٍ أَوْ تَمْرٍ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about mahr (dower) in al- Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) and that what it is? He (the Imam) said, ‘It can be a handful of food items, wheat flour, or fine flour or dates.’”

أَدْنَى مَا تَحِلُّ بِهِ الْمُتْعَةُ كَفٌّ مِنْ طَعَامٍ وَ رَوَى بَعْضُهُمْ مِسْوَاكٌ.

‘The minimum amount of mahr (dower) in al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) can be even a handful of food.’ Certain ones of them have narrated that even a Miswak (toothbrush) is acceptable.”

فِي رَجُلٍ كَاتَبَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ وَ مَالِهِ وَ لَهُ أَمَةٌ وَ قَدْ شُرِطَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لَا يَتَزَوَّجَ فَأَعْتَقَ الْأَمَةَ وَ تَزَوَّجَهَا فَقَالَ لَا يَصْلُحُ لَهُ أَنْ يُحْدِثَ فِي مَالِهِ إِلَّا الْأَكْلَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ‌[1] وَ نِكَاحُهُ فَاسِدٌ مَرْدُودٌ قِيلَ فَإِنَّ سَيِّدَهُ عَلِمَ بِنِكَاحِهِ وَ لَمْ يَقُلْ شَيْئاً قَالَ إِذَا صَمَتَ حِينَ يَعْلَمُ بِذَلِكَ فَقَدْ أَقَرَّ قِيلَ فَإِنَّ الْمُكَاتَبَ عَتَق

Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, from Ali Bin Al Hakam, from Muawiya Bin Wahab, (It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah asws having said regarding a man who contracted upon himself and upon his wealth, and for him was a slave girl, and there had been stipulated upon him that he would not get married. So he

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ كَيْفَ يُنْكِحُ عَبْدَهُ أَمَتَهُ قَالَ يَقُولُ قَدْ أَنْكَحْتُكَ فُلَانَةَ وَ يُعْطِيهَا مَا شَاءَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِ أَوْ مِنْ قِبَلِ مَوْلَاهُ وَ لَوْ مُدّاً مِنْ طَعَامٍ أَوْ دِرْهَماً أَوْ نَحْوَ ذَلِكَ.

Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abu Umeyr, from Hammad, from Al Halby who said, ‘I said to Abu Abdullah asws , ‘How can the man marry his slave to his slave girl?’ He asws said: ‘He should be saying, ‘I hereby marry you, so and so slave girl’, and give some whatever he so desires to from himself, or on behal

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ أَمَةٍ كَانَتْ تَحْتَ عَبْدٍ فَأُعْتِقَتِ الْأَمَةُ قَالَ أَمْرُهَا بِيَدِهَا إِنْ شَاءَتْ تَرَكَتْ نَفْسَهَا مَعَ زَوْجِهَا وَ إِنْ شَاءَتْ نَزَعَتْ نَفْسَهَا مِنْهُ‌ وَ ذَكَرَ أَنَّ بَرِيرَةَ كَانَتْ عِنْدَ زَوْجٍ لَهَا وَ هِيَ مَمْلُوكَةٌ فَاشْتَرَتْهَا عَائِشَةُ فَأَعْتَقَتْهَا فَخَيَّرَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ قَالَ إِنْ شَاءَتْ أَنْ تَقِرَّ عِنْدَ زَوْجِهَا وَ إِنْ شَاءَتْ

Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abu Umeyr, from Hammad, from Al Halby who said, ‘I asked Abu Abdullah asws about a slave girl who was under a slave, so the slave girl was emancipated. He asws said: ‘Her command is in her hands. If she so desires to she leaves herself with her husband, and if she so desires t

إِنَّ ثَلَاثَ نِسْوَةٍ أَتَيْنَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَتْ إِحْدَاهُنَّ إِنَّ زَوْجِي لَا يَأْكُلُ اللَّحْمَ وَ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى إِنَّ زَوْجِي لَا يَشَمُّ الطِّيبَ وَ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى إِنَّ زَوْجِي لَا يَقْرَبُ النِّسَاءَ فَخَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَجُرُّ رِدَاءَهُ حَتَّى صَعِدَ الْمِنْبَرَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا بَالُ أَقْوَامٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِي لَا يَأْكُلُونَ اللَّحْمَ وَ لَا يَشَ

‘Three women came to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and one of them said, “My husband does not eat meat.” The other one said, “My husband does not smell perfume.” The other one said, “My husband does not go near the woman.” The Mess

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا حَقُّ الْمَرْأَةِ عَلَى زَوْجِهَا الَّذِي إِذَا فَعَلَهُ كَانَ مُحْسِناً قَالَ يُشْبِعُهَا وَ يَكْسُوهَا وَ إِنْ جَهِلَتْ غَفَرَ لَهَا وَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ عِنْدَ أَبِي ع تُؤْذِيهِ فَيَغْفِرُ لَهَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the right of woman on her husband for which when he yields is a man of good deeds. He (the Imam) said, ‘He must provide her sufficient food, clothes and forgive her if she acted ignorantly.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘My father had a woman who would disappoint him (the

جَاءَتِ امْرَأَةٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَسَأَلَتْهُ عَنْ حَقِّ الزَّوْجِ عَلَى الْمَرْأَةِ فَخَبَّرَهَا ثُمَّ قَالَتْ فَمَا حَقُّهَا عَلَيْهِ قَالَ يَكْسُوهَا مِنَ الْعُرْيِ وَ يُطْعِمُهَا مِنَ الْجُوعِ وَ إِنْ أَذْنَبَتْ غَفَرَ لَهَا فَقَالَتْ فَلَيْسَ لَهَا عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ غَيْرُ هَذَا قَالَ لَا قَالَتْ لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا تَزَوَّجْتُ أَبَداً ثُمَّ وَلَّتْ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص ارْجِعِي فَرَجَعَتْ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّه

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a woman came to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and asked about the rights of a husband on a woman. He (the Messenger of Allah) informed her and then she asked about her right on him and he (the M

زَوَّجَنِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جَارِيَةً كَانَتْ لِإِسْمَاعِيلَ ابْنِهِ فَقَالَ أَحْسِنْ إِلَيْهَا فَقُلْتُ وَ مَا الْإِحْسَانُ إِلَيْهَا فَقَالَ أَشْبِعْ بَطْنَهَا وَ اكْسُ جُثَّتَهَا وَ اغْفِرْ ذَنْبَهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ اذْهَبِي وَسَّطَكِ اللَّهُ مَا لَهُ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), gave in marriage to me a slave-girl who belonged to ‘Isma’il, his son and said, ‘Be good to her.’ I then asked, ‘What is the meaning of ‘be good to her’?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Provide her with sufficient food, clothes and forgive her sins against you.’ He (the Imam) then said to her, ‘You must g

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا حَقُّ الْمَرْأَةِ عَلَى زَوْجِهَا قَالَ يَسُدُّ جَوْعَتَهَا وَ يَسْتُرُ عَوْرَتَهَا وَ لَا يُقَبِّحُ لَهَا وَجْهاً- فَإِذَا فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ وَ اللَّهِ أَدَّى حَقَّهَا قُلْتُ فَالدُّهْنُ قَالَ غِبّاً يَوْمٌ وَ يَوْمٌ لَا قُلْتُ فَاللَّحْمُ‌ قَالَ فِي كُلِّ ثَلَاثَةٍ فَيَكُونُ فِي الشَّهْرِ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ لَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ فَالصِّبْغُ قَالَ وَ الصِّبْغُ فِي كُلِّ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the rights of women on their husbands. He (the Imam) said, ‘He must provide for her sufficient food, sufficient clothes to maintain her dignity and must not make a repugnant face on her; and when he has followed these instructions he then by Allah has fulfilled her rights.’ I

ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ قُلْتُ لِجَمِيلٍ وَ الْمَرْأَةُ قَالَ قَدْ رُوِيَ عَنْ عَنْبَسَةَ- عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ إِذَا كَسَاهَا مَا يُوَارِي عَوْرَتَهَا وَ يُطْعِمُهَا مَا يُقِيمُ صُلْبَهَا أَقَامَتْ مَعَهُ وَ إِلَّا طَلَّقَهَا.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘A man is not compelled, but for providing the expenses of his parents and children.’ He (the narrator) has said that Ibn Abi ‘Umayr has said, ‘I asked Jamil about the woman and he said that ‘Anbasah has narrated from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), who has said that if one provides clothes for

- خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يُرِيدُ فَاطِمَةَ ع وَ أَنَا مَعَهُ فَلَمَّا انْتَهَيْتُ إِلَى الْبَابِ وَضَعَ يَدَهُ عَلَيْهِ فَدَفَعَهُ‌[2] ثُمَّ قَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَقَالَتْ فَاطِمَةُ عَلَيْكَ السَّلَامُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ أَدْخُلُ قَالَتْ ادْخُلْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ أَدْخُلُ أَنَا وَ مَنْ مَعِي فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَيْسَ عَلَيَّ قِنَاعٌ فَقَالَ يَا فَاطِمَةُ خُذِي فَضْلَ مِلْحَفَتِكِ فَ

A number of our companions, from Ahmad Bin Abu Abdullah, from Ismail Bin Mihran, from Ubeyd Bin Muawiya Bin Shurayh, from Sayf Bin Amerya, from Amro Bin Shimr, from Jabir, (It has been narrated) from Abu Ja’far asws , from Jabir Bin Abdullah Al-Ansary who said, ‘Rasool-Allah saww went out to visit Fatima asws and I was

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا تَبْدَءُوا النِّسَاءَ بِالسَّلَامِ وَ لَا تَدْعُوهُنَّ إِلَى الطَّعَامِ فَإِنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص قَالَ النِّسَاءُ عَيٌّ وَ عَوْرَةٌ فَاسْتُرُوا عِيَّهُنَّ بِالسُّكُوتِ وَ اسْتُرُوا عَوْرَاتِهِنَّ بِالْبُيُوتِ‌[1].

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ’You must not initiate Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) to women and you must not invite them for food; the Holy Prophet (saww) has said, “Women are tiredness (weakness in communication) and a matter of private nature thus, you must cove

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَعَثَ أَرْبَعَةَ أَمْلَاكٍ فِي إِهْلَاكِ قَوْمِ لُوطٍ- جَبْرَئِيلَ وَ مِيكَائِيلَ وَ إِسْرَافِيلَ وَ كَرُوبِيلَ فَمَرُّوا بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ هُمْ مُعْتَمُّونَ فَسَلَّمُوا عَلَيْهِ فَلَمْ يَعْرِفْهُمْ وَ رَأَى هَيْئَةً حَسَنَةً فَقَالَ لَا يَخْدُمُ هَؤُلَاءِ إِلَّا أَنَا بِنَفْسِي وَ كَانَ صَاحِبَ ضِيَافَةٍ فَشَوَى لَهُمْ عِجْلًا سَمِيناً حَتَّى أَنْضَجَهُ ثُمَّ قَرَّبَهُ إِلَيْهِمْ فَلَ

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ibn Faddal from Dawud ibn Farqad from Abu Yazid al- Hammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, sent four angels for the destruction of the people of Lot: Jibril, Michael, I

كَانَ مَلِكٌ فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَ كَانَ لَهُ قَاضٍ وَ لِلْقَاضِي أَخٌ وَ كَانَ رَجُلَ صِدْقٍ وَ لَهُ امْرَأَةٌ قَدْ وَلَدَتْهَا الْأَنْبِيَاءُ فَأَرَادَ الْمَلِكُ أَنْ يَبْعَثَ رَجُلًا فِي حَاجَةٍ فَقَالَ لِلْقَاضِي ابْغِنِي رَجُلًا ثِقَةً فَقَالَ مَا أَعْلَمُ أَحَداً أَوْثَقَ مِنْ أَخِي فَدَعَاهُ لِيَبْعَثَهُ فَكَرِهَ ذَلِكَ الرَّجُلُ وَ قَالَ لِأَخِيهِ إِنِّي أَكْرَهُ أَنْ أُضَيِّعَ امْرَأَتِي فَعَزَمَ عَلَيْه

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘In banu Israel there was a king who had a judge who had a brother who was truthful and had a wife who had given birth to prophets. The king decided to send a person for a certain task so he asked his judge to find for him a reliable person. The judge said, ‘I do not know anyone more t

إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ وَ عُمَرَ أَتَيَا أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ فَقَالا لَهَا يَا أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ إِنَّكِ قَدْ كُنْتِ عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ قَبْلَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَكَيْفَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ مِنْ ذَاكِ فِي الْخَلْوَةِ فَقَالَتْ مَا هُوَ إِلَّا كَسَائِرِ الرِّجَالِ ثُمَّ خَرَجَا عَنْهَا وَ أَقْبَلَ النَّبِيُّ ص فَقَامَتْ إِلَيْهِ مُبَادِرَةً فَرَقاً[2] أَنْ يَنْزِلَ أَمْرٌ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَأَخْبَرَتْهُ الْخَبَرَ فَغَضِبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once abu Bakr and ‘Umar went to ‘Umm Salamah and asked her, ‘O ‘Umm Salamah, you lived with another man before the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. How is the Messenger of Allah compared to that man i

كُلُّ زِنًى سِفَاحٌ وَ لَيْسَ كُلُّ سِفَاحٍ زِنًى لِأَنَّ مَعْنَى الزِّنَى فِعْلُ حَرَامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ جِهَةٍ لَيْسَ فِيهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنْ وُجُوهِ الْحَلَالِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ هَذَا الْفِعْلُ بِكُلِّيَّتِهِ حَرَاماً مِنْ كُلِّ وَجْهٍ كَانَتْ تِلْكَ الْعِلَّةُ رَأْسَ كُلِّ فَاحِشَةٍ وَ رَأْسَ كُلِّ حَرَامٍ حَرَّمَهُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْفُرُوجِ كُلِّهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَ قَدْ يَكُونُ فِعْلُ الزِّنَى عَنْ تَرَاضٍ مِنَ الْعِبَادِ وَ أَج

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الْخَلْقِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَمَّا خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ مِنْ طِينٍ أَفَاضَ بِهَا كَإِفَاضَةِ الْقِدَاحِ‌[2] فَأَخْرَجَ الْمُسْلِمَ فَجَعَلَهُ سَعِيداً وَ جَعَلَ الْكَافِرَ شَقِيّاً فَإِذَا وَقَعَتِ النُّطْفَةُ تَلَقَّتْهَا الْمَلَائِكَةُ فَصَوَّرُوهَا ثُمَّ قَالُوا يَا رَبِّ أَ ذَكَراً أَوْ أُنْثَى فَيَقُولُ الرَّبُّ جَلَّ جَلَالُهُ أَيَّ ذَلِكَ شَاءَ فَيَقُولَانِ تَ

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the creation. He (the Imam) said, ‘When Allah, most Blessed, most High, created the creation from clay He poured them as arrows are poured, took out the Muslim ones, made him fortunate and made the unbeliever wicked ones. When the seed falls angels receive it and give it its shape

فِي الْمَرْأَةِ الْحَامِلِ تَأْكُلُ السَّفَرْجَلَ فَإِنَّ الْوَلَدَ يَكُونُ أَطْيَبَ رِيحاً وَ أَصْفَى لَوْناً.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘A pregnant woman should eat quince because the child grows up of fine smell and clear color.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ نَظَرَ إِلَى غُلَامٍ جَمِيلٍ يَنْبَغِي أَنْ يَكُونَ أَبُو هَذَا الْغُلَامِ آكِلَ السَّفَرْجَلِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), while looking at a beautiful boy said, ‘It seems the father of this boy had been eating quince.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ خَيْرُ تُمُورِكُمُ الْبَرْنِيُّ فَأَطْعِمُوهُ نِسَاءَكُمْ فِي نِفَاسِهِنَّ تَخْرُجْ أَوْلَادُكُمْ زَكِيّاً حَلِيماً.

The best of your dates are al-Barniy, feed them to your women during their childbirth; your children will grow up intelligent and forbearing.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لِيَكُنْ أَوَّلُ مَا تَأْكُلُ النُّفَسَاءُ الرُّطَبَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى قَالَ لِمَرْيَمَ- وَ هُزِّي‌ إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ تُساقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَباً جَنِيًّا[1] قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ أَوَانُ‌[2] الرُّطَبِ قَالَ سَبْعَ تَمَرَاتٍ مِنْ تَمْرِ الْمَدِينَةِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فَسَبْعَ تَمَرَاتٍ مِنْ تَمْرِ أَمْصَارِكُمْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ وَ

“The Messenger of Allah (s.w) has said, ‘The first thing that women should eat is fresh dates; Allah, most High, said to Maryam, ‘...shake the twig of the palm tree; fresh dates will fall on you to be picked up.’ (Quran 19:24) It then was asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what happens if it is not the season of fresh dates

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أَطْعِمُوا الْبَرْنِيَّ نِسَاءَكُمْ فِي نِفَاسِهِنَّ تَحْلُمْ أَوْلَادُكُمْ.

‘Feed your women with al-Barniy (dates) during their childbirth; your children will grow up forbearing.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَطْعِمُوا حَبَالاكُمُ اللُّبَانَ فَإِنَّ الصَّبِيَّ إِذَا غُذِّيَ فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ بِاللُّبَانِ اشْتَدَّ قَلْبُهُ وَ زِيدَ فِي عَقْلِهِ فَإِنْ يَكُ ذَكَراً كَانَ شُجَاعاً وَ إِنْ وُلِدَتْ أُنْثَى عَظُمَتْ عَجِيزَتُهَا فَتَحْظَى بِذَلِكَ عِنْدَ زَوْجِهَا[1].

“The Messenger of Allah (s.w) has said, ‘Feed your women, during their pregnancy, frankincense; if a child receives frankincense for nourishment in the mother’s womb it strengthens the heart of the child and increases the reasoning power of the child. If the child is a male he grows up brave and if the child is female

أَطْعِمُوا حَبَالاكُمْ ذَكَرَ اللُّبَانِ فَإِنْ يَكُ فِي بَطْنِهَا غُلَامٌ خَرَجَ ذَكِيَّ الْقَلْبِ عَالِماً شُجَاعاً وَ إِنْ تَكُ جَارِيَةٌ حَسُنَ خَلْقُهَا وَ خُلُقُهَا وَ عَظُمَتْ عَجِيزَتُهَا وَ حَظِيَتْ عِنْدَ زَوْجِهَا.

“Al-Rida’ (a.s.), has stated this Hadith. ‘You should feed male frankincense to your pregnant women; if the child in her womb is a male he will grow up of intelligent heart, learned and brave; and if the child is female she will grow up of good moral behavior (beautiful) and of large posterior which will be favorable t

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَجَاءَهُ رَسُولُ عَمِّهِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَقُولُ لَكَ عَمُّكَ إِنَّا طَلَبْنَا الْعَقِيقَةَ فَلَمْ نَجِدْهَا فَمَا تَرَى نَتَصَدَّقُ بِثَمَنِهَا فَقَالَ لَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ إِطْعَامَ الطَّعَامِ وَ إِرَاقَةَ الدِّمَاءِ.

“Once I was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when a messenger from his uncle came and said, ‘Your uncle says, “We tried to find ‘Aqiqah but could not find one. Do you think our giving its price in charity is sufficient?”’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, Allah loves feeding of food and slaughtering animals (to feeding the needy).”’

وُلِدَ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع غُلَامَانِ جَمِيعاً فَأَمَرَ زَيْدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ أَنْ يَشْتَرِيَ لَهُ جَزُورَيْنِ لِلْعَقِيقَةِ[2] وَ كَانَ زَمَنُ غَلَاءٍ فَاشْتَرَى لَهُ وَاحِدَةً وَ عَسُرَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْأُخْرَى فَقَالَ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع قَدْ عَسُرَتْ عَلَيَّ الْأُخْرَى فَتَصَدَّقْ بِثَمَنِهَا فَقَالَ لَا اطْلُبْهَا حَتَّى تَقْدِرَ عَلَيْهَا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُحِبُّ إِهْرَاقَ الدِّمَاءِ وَ إِطْعَامَ الطَّعَ

"Two boys were born to Abu Ja'far (a.s.). So, he ordered Zaid ibn Ali to buy for him two sheep for the 'Aqiqah (the sacrifice for a newborn). It was a time when prices were high, so he bought one, and the other was difficult for him (to buy). He said to Abu Ja'far (a.s.): "The other one was difficult for me, so give ch

إِذَا وُلِدَ لَكَ غُلَامٌ أَوْ جَارِيَةٌ فَعُقَّ عَنْهُ يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ شَاةً أَوْ جَزُوراً وَ كُلْ مِنْهَا وَ أَطْعِمْ وَ سَمِّ وَ احْلِقْ رَأْسَهُ يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ وَ تَصَدَّقْ بِوَزْنِ شَعْرِهِ ذَهَباً أَوْ فِضَّةً وَ أَعْطِ الْقَابِلَةَ طَائِفَةً مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَأَيَّ ذَلِكَ فَعَلْتَ فَقَدْ أَجْزَأَكَ‌[2].

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a boy or a girl is born to you, on the seventh day offer an ‘Aqiqah, a sheep or a camel and eat of its meat, feed others and give him a name. Shave his head on the seventh day and equal to the weight of his hairs give silver or gold in charity. You should give to the doctor someth

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْعَقِيقَةِ عَنِ الْمَوْلُودِ كَيْفَ هِيَ قَالَ إِذَا أَتَى لِلْمَوْلُودِ سَبْعَةُ أَيَّامٍ يُسَمَّى بِالاسْمِ الَّذِي سَمَّاهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌[3] بِهِ ثُمَّ يُحْلَقُ رَأْسُهُ وَ يُتَصَدَّقُ بِوَزْنِ شَعْرِهِ ذَهَباً أَوْ فِضَّةً وَ يُذْبَحُ عَنْهُ كَبْشٌ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يُوجَدْ كَبْشٌ‌ أَجْزَأَهُ مَا يُجْزِئُ فِي الْأُضْحِيَّةِ وَ إِلَّا فَحَمَلٌ أَعْظَمُ مَا يَكُونُ مِنْ حُمْلَانِ السَّنَةِ وَ

‘When a child is seven days old a name with which Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has named him must be given to him, then his head must be shaved and equal to the weight of his hairs gold or silver should be given in charity. A ram should be slaughtered, and if a ram is not available then whatever is sufficient f

يُسَمَّى فِي الْيَوْمِ السَّابِعِ وَ يُعَقُّ عَنْهُ وَ يُحْلَقُ رَأْسُهُ وَ يُتَصَدَّقُ بِوَزْنِ شَعْرِهِ فِضَّةً وَ يُبْعَثُ إِلَى الْقَابِلَةِ بِالرِّجْلِ مَعَ الْوَرِكِ وَ يُطْعَمُ مِنْهُ وَ يُتَصَدَّقُ.

‘The child must be given a name on the seventh day, ‘Aqiqah must be offered, his head shaved, silver equal to the weight of his hairs should be given in charity, one leg and hip should be sent to al-Qabilah (the special nurse, doctor), and the rest of the meat should be used for food and as charity.’”

لَا تَأْكُلُ الْمَرْأَةُ مِنْ عَقِيقَةِ وَلَدِهَا وَ لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ تُعْطِيَهَا الْجَارَ الْمُحْتَاجَ مِنَ اللَّحْمِ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The mother of the newborn should not eat from the meat of ‘Aqiqah but it is not harmful if she gives to the needy neighbor.’”

لَا يَأْكُلُ هُوَ وَ لَا أَحَدٌ مِنْ عِيَالِهِ مِنَ الْعَقِيقَةِ قَالَ وَ لِلْقَابِلَةِ الثُّلُثُ مِنَ الْعَقِيقَةِ فَإِنْ كَانَتِ الْقَابِلَةُ أُمَّ الرَّجُلِ أَوْ فِي عِيَالِهِ فَلَيْسَ لَهَا مِنْهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ تُجْعَلُ أَعْضَاءً ثُمَّ يَطْبُخُهَا وَ يَقْسِمُهَا وَ لَا يُعْطِيهَا إِلَّا لِأَهْلِ الْوَلَايَةِ وَ قَالَ يَأْكُلُ مِنَ الْعَقِيقَةِ كُلُّ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا الْأُمَ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He or any of his dependents should not eat from the meat of ‘Aqiqah. One-third of the meat is for al-Qabilah (the special nurse). If the special nurse is the mother of the father of the newborn or a family member, then there is nothing for such nurse. It should be made in parts, cooke

لَا تَطْعَمُ الْأُمُّ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Mother of the newborn must not be fed anything from the meat of ‘Aqiqah.’”

كُنْتُ جَلِيساً لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَفَقَدَنِي أَيَّاماً ثُمَّ إِنِّي جِئْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لِي لَمْ أَرَكَ مُنْذُ أَيَّامٍ يَا أَبَا هَارُونَ فَقُلْتُ وُلِدَ لِي غُلَامٌ فَقَالَ بَارَكَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ فَمَا سَمَّيْتَهُ قُلْتُ سَمَّيْتُهُ مُحَمَّداً قَالَ فَأَقْبَلَ بِخَدِّهِ نَحْوَ الْأَرْضِ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ مُحَمَّدٌ مُحَمَّدٌ مُحَمَّدٌ حَتَّى كَادَ يَلْصَقُ خَدُّهُ بِالْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ قَالَ بِنَ

“I would often sit with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), in al-Madinah and he (the Imam) found me absent for a few days. When I went to visit him (the Imam) he (the Imam) asked, ‘I have not seen you for many days, O abu Harun.’ I said that a boy is born to me. He (the Imam) said, ‘May Allah make him a blessing for you! What have