Food & Eating

لَا يُؤْكَلُ مَا فِي بَطْنِهَا[2].

‘If a sheep drinks wine until it is drunk, then is slaughtered in that condition, the contents of its inside are not edible.’”

فَقَالَ يُغْسَلُ مَا فِي جَوْفِهَا ثُمَّ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ وَ كَذَلِكَ إِذَا اعْتَلَفَتِ‌ الْعَذِرَةَ وَ مَا لَمْ تَكُنْ جَلَّالَةً وَ الْجَلَّالَةُ الَّتِي يَكُونُ ذَلِكَ غِذَاءَهَا[1].

“About the case of a sheep that drinks urine, then is slaughtered, abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘The contents of its inside must be washed clean, then it is not unlawful, and also if it eats feces but is not a Jallal, which is an animal that has feces as its only feed.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ الْإِبِلُ الْجَلَّالَةُ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ نَحْرَهَا تَحْبِسُ الْبَعِيرَ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً وَ الْبَقَرَةَ ثَلَاثِينَ يَوْماً وَ الشَّاةَ عَشَرَةَ أَيَّامٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A camel that feeds on feces; if you want to Nahr (slaughter) it, then keep it in quarantine for forty days; such a cow for thirty days and keep such a sheep for ten days.’”

لَا بَأْسَ بِأَكْلِهِنَّ إِذَا كُنَّ يُخْلَطْنَ‌[2].

“About animals that feed on feces he (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘If the feed of an animal is mixed with other feed besides feces, then it is not unlawful to use it for food.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ أَكْلِ لُحُومِ الدَّجَاجِ فِي الدَّسَاكِرِ[3] وَ هُمْ لَا يَمْنَعُونَهَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ تَمُرُّ عَلَى الْعَذِرَةِ مُخَلًّى عَنْهَا وَ عَنْ أَكْلِ بَيْضِهِنَّ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the chickens in a village which move around unrestricted. They may pass by feces freely and eat thereof and about their eggs. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’”

يُنْتَظَرُ بِهِ يَوْماً وَ لَيْلَةً[4] وَ قَالَ السَّيَّارِيُّ إِنَّ هَذَا لَا يَكُونُ إِلَّا بِالْبَصْرَةِ[5] وَ قَالَ فِي الدَّجَاجِ يُحْبَسُ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَ الْبَطَّةِ سَبْعَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَ الشَّاةِ أَرْبَعَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْماً[6] وَ الْبَقَرَةِ ثَلَاثِينَ يَوْماً وَ الْإِبِلِ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً ثُمَّ تُذْبَحُ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the fish that feeds on feces. He (the Imam) said, ‘It must be kept in quarantine for a day and a night, such a chicken for three days, such a duck for seven days, a sheep for fourteen days, a cow thirty days and such a camel must be kept in quarantine for forty days before being sla

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ بَيْضِ الْغُرَابِ فَقَالَ لَا تَأْكُلْهُ‌[1].

about the eggs of crows. He (the Imam) said, ‘Do not eat them.’”

لَا يُؤْكَلُ لَحْمُهَا وَ لَا تُرْكَبُ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً.

“About the case of a camel that feeds on feces, abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘It cannot be used for food or riding for forty days.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ النَّاقَةُ الْجَلَّالَةُ لَا يُؤْكَلُ لَحْمُهَا وَ لَا يُشْرَبُ لَبَنُهَا حَتَّى تُغَذَّى أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً وَ الْبَقَرَةُ الْجَلَّالَةُ لَا يُؤْكَلُ لَحْمُهَا وَ لَا يُشْرَبُ لَبَنُهَا حَتَّى تُغَذَّى ثَلَاثِينَ يَوْماً وَ الشَّاةُ الْجَلَّالَةُ لَا يُؤْكَلُ لَحْمُهَا وَ لَا يُشْرَبُ لَبَنُهَا حَتَّى تُغَذَّى عَشَرَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَ الْبَطَّةُ الْجَلَّالَةُ لَا يُؤْكَلُ لَحْمُهَا حَتَّ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has stated this Hadith. ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘The milk and flesh of a camel that feeds on feces are not edible until it feeds on clean feed for forty days, such a cow for thirty days, such a sheep for ten days, such a duck for five days and such a chicken must be kept in quarantine for th

حُرِّمَ مِنَ الشَّاةِ سَبْعَةُ أَشْيَاءَ الدَّمُ وَ الْخُصْيَتَانِ وَ الْقَضِيبُ وَ الْمَثَانَةُ وَ الْغُدَدُ وَ الطِّحَالُ وَ الْمَرَارَةُ.

“Abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), has said, ‘Seven things in sheep are unlawful for food. Of such things is blood, testicles, penis, bladder, glands, spleen and gallbladder.”’

مَرَّ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِالْقَصَّابِينَ فَنَهَاهُمْ عَنْ بَيْعِ سَبْعَةِ أَشْيَاءَ مِنَ الشَّاةِ نَهَاهُمْ عَنْ بَيْعِ الدَّمِ وَ الْغُدَدِ وَ آذَانِ الْفُؤَادِ[3] وَ الطِّحَالِ وَ النُّخَاعِ وَ الْخُصَى وَ الْقَضِيبِ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَعْضُ الْقَصَّابِينَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَا الْكَبِدُ وَ الطِّحَالُ إِلَّا سَوَاءٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ كَذَبْتَ يَا لُكَعُ ائْتُونِي بِتَوْرَيْنِ مِنْ مَاءٍ[4]- أُنَبِّئْكَ بِخِلَ

“’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), once passed by the butchers’ market and prohibited the selling of seven items in a sheep. He (the Imam) prohibited the selling of blood, glands, ears of the heart, the spleen, spinal cord, testicles and penis. Certain one of the butchers said, ‘O ’Amir al-Mu’minin, liver and spleen’ are not d

لَا تُؤْكَلُ مِنَ الشَّاةِ عَشَرَةُ أَشْيَاءَ الْفَرْثُ وَ الدَّمُ وَ الطِّحَالُ وَ النُّخَاعُ وَ الْعِلْبَاءُ وَ الْغُدَدُ وَ الْقَضِيبُ وَ الْأُنْثَيَانِ وَ الْحَيَاءُ وَ الْمَرَارَةُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Ten items in a sheep are not edible. Of such items is dung, blood, spleen, spinal cord, al- ‘Ilba ’(thyroid glands), penis, testicles, al-Haya (female genitals) and gallbladder.’”

لَا يُؤْكَلُ مِمَّا يَكُونُ فِي الْإِبِلِ وَ الْبَقَرِ وَ الْغَنَمِ وَ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ مِمَّا لَحْمُهُ حَلَالٌ الْفَرْجُ بِمَا فِيهِ ظَاهِرُهُ وَ بَاطِنُهُ وَ الْقَضِيبُ وَ الْبَيْضَتَانِ وَ الْمَشِيمَةُ وَ هِيَ مَوْضِعُ الْوَلَدِ وَ الطِّحَالُ لِأَنَّهُ دَمٌ وَ الْغُدَدُ مَعَ الْعُرُوقِ وَ الْمُخُّ وَ الَّذِي يَكُونُ فِي الصُّلْبِ وَ الْمَرَارَةُ وَ الْحَدَقُ وَ الْخَرَزَةُ الَّتِي تَكُونُ فِي الدِّمَاغِ وَ الدَّمُ.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘In the edible animals like camels, cows, sheep and others certain items are not edible. Of such items are genitals, the apparent and unapparent parts, the penis and testicles, the womb which is the place of the development of the young, the spleen because it is blood, the glands with v

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِذَا اشْتَرَى أَحَدُكُمْ لَحْماً فَلْيُخْرِجْ مِنْهُ الْغُدَدَ فَإِنَّهُ يُحَرِّكُ عِرْقَ الْجُذَامِ.

‘If anyone of you buys meat, he must take out the glands because it accelerates the vein of leprosy.’”

إِنَّمَا هُمَا مَجْمَعُ الْبَوْلِ.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), disliked the kidneys and said that they are the collectors of urine.’”

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا عِنْدَهُ يَوْماً عَنْ قَطْعِ أَلَيَاتِ الْغَنَمِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِقَطْعِهَا إِذَا كُنْتَ تُصْلِحُ بِهَا مَالَكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ ع إِنَّ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع أَنَّ مَا قُطِعَ مِنْهَا مَيْتٌ لَا يُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ.

“Once a man asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), when I was with him (the Imam), about the tails of sheep being cut off. He (the Imam) said, ’It is not unlawful if it serves your interest. 5 He (the Imam) then said, ’It is in the book of Ali (a.s.), that whatever is cut off from sheep, is dead and must not be used to benefit

فِي أَلَيَاتِ الضَّأْنِ تُقْطَعُ وَ هِيَ أَحْيَاءٌ إِنَّهَا مَيْتَةٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’If the tails of sheep are cut off when the sheep is alive, the tail is dead like being slaughtered improperly.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْجَبَلِ تَثْقُلُ عِنْدَهُمْ أَلَيَاتُ الْغَنَمِ فَيَقْطَعُونَهَا فَقَالَ حَرَامٌ هِيَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَنَصْطَبِحُ بِهَا فَقَالَ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّهُ يُصِيبُ الْيَدَ وَ الثَّوْبَ وَ هُوَ حَرَامٌ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, people who live in the mountains cut off the tails of their sheep because they become very large.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not lawful (inedible).’ I then asked, saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service

نَعَمْ يَأْكُلُ مِمَّا يَلِي الرَّأْسَ ثُمَّ يَدَعُ الذَّنَبَ.

“About the case of a man who strikes a deer with his sword until it is cut into two: if he can use it for food. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can use it for food, only the piece with the head and leave the tail.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ رُبَّمَا رَمَيْتُ بِالْمِعْرَاضِ فَأَقْتُلُ فَقَالَ إِذَا قَطَعَهُ جَدْلَيْنِ‌[2] فَارْمِ بِأَصْغَرِهِمَا وَ كُلِ الْأَكْبَرَ وَ إِنِ اعْتَدَلَا فَكُلْهُمَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about my hunting with a flareless arrow and it kills. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is cut into two pieces then throw away the smaller piece and use the larger one for food. If both are equal then use both.’”

لَا بَأْسَ بِأَكْلِهِمَا[3] مَا لَمْ يَتَحَرَّكْ أَحَدُ النِّصْفَيْنِ فَإِنْ تَحَرَّكَ أَحَدُهُمَا لَمْ يُؤْكَلِ الْآخَرُ لِأَنَّهُ مَيْتَةٌ.

“About the case of a deer or wild donkey hunted with sword; if it is cut in pieces, he (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful to use both pieces for food if one of them is not still moving, but if one piece moves, the other piece then is not edible because it is dead.’”

يَأْكُلُهُمَا جَمِيعاً فَإِنْ ضَرَبَهُ وَ أَبَانَ مِنْهُ عُضْواً لَمْ يَأْكُلْ مِنْهُ مَا أَبَانَ [مِنْهُ‌] وَ أَكَلَ سَائِرَهُ.

“About the case of a man who hunts a prey and cuts it into two pieces, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He can use both of them for food but if he cuts a part only he then must not eat what is cut off but he can eat the rest.’”

كُنْتُ جَالِساً فِي مَسْجِدِ الرَّسُولِ ص إِذَا أَقْبَلَ رَجُلٌ فَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ مَنْ أَنْتَ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ قُلْتُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ[1] فَقُلْتُ مَا حَاجَتُكَ فَقَالَ لِي أَ تَعْرِفُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَمَا حَاجَتُكَ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ هَيَّأْتُ لَهُ أَرْبَعِينَ مَسْأَلَةً أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْهَا فَمَا كَانَ مِنْ حَقٍّ أَخَذْتُهُ وَ مَا كَانَ مِنْ بَاطِلٍ تَرَكْتُهُ قَالَ

“Once I was in the Masjid of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, when a man came and offered Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) and asked, ‘Who are you, O servant of Allah?’ I replied, ‘I am a man from al-Kufah.’ I then ask

خَمْسَةُ أَشْيَاءَ ذَكِيَّةٌ مِمَّا فِيهَا مَنَافِعُ الْخَلْقِ الْإِنْفَحَةُ وَ الْبَيْضَةُ وَ الصُّوفُ وَ الشَّعْرُ وَ الْوَبَرُ لَا بَأْسَ بِأَكْلِ الْجُبُنِّ كُلِّهِ مِمَّا عَمِلَهُ مُسْلِمٌ أَوْ غَيْرُهُ وَ إِنَّمَا يُكْرَهُ أَنْ يُؤْكَلَ سِوَى‌ الْإِنْفَحَةِ مِمَّا فِي آنِيَةِ الْمَجُوسِ وَ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لِأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَتَوَقَّوْنَ الْمَيْتَةَ وَ الْخَمْرَ[1].

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ’Isma‘il ibn Marrar from Yunus from ‘A’immah, ‘Alayhim af-Salam, who has said the following: “’A’immah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, have said, ‘Five advantageous things to people are clean. Of such things, one is rennet, eggs, wool, hairs, and fur and it is not unlawful to ea

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَبِي يَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ اللَّبَنِ مِنَ الْمَيْتَةِ وَ الْبَيْضَةِ مِنَ الْمَيْتَةِ وَ إِنْفَحَةِ الْمَيْتَةِ فَقَالَ كُلُّ هَذَا ذَكِيٌّ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ فَشَعْرُ الْخِنْزِيرِ يُعْمَلُ حَبْلًا وَ يُسْتَقَى بِهِ مِنَ الْبِئْرِ الَّتِي يُشْرَبُ مِنْهَا أَوْ يُتَوَضَّأُ مِنْهَا قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ‌[2]. - وَ زَادَ فِيهِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ عُقْبَةَ وَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ رِبَاط

“Once I was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and my father was asking him (the Imam) questions about milk from a dead animal, eggs from dead chickens and rennet from dead animals. He (the Imam) said, ‘All of these things are clean.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘I then asked him (the Imam) about the hairs of pigs from which

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِزُرَارَةَ وَ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ اللَّبَنُ وَ اللِّبَأُ[3] وَ الْبَيْضَةُ وَ الشَّعْرُ وَ الصُّوفُ وَ الْقَرْنُ وَ النَّابُ وَ الْحَافِرُ وَ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يُفْصَلُ مِنَ الشَّاةِ وَ الدَّابَّةِ فَهُوَ ذَكِيٌّ وَ إِنْ أَخَذْتَهُ مِنْهَا بَعْدَ أَنْ تَمُوتَ فَاغْسِلْهُ وَ صَلِّ فِيهِ.

‘The milk, that kind of milk which is drawn first, eggs, hairs, wool, horns, teeth, hooves and everything separated from sheep and the stumper is clean but if you take such things after the animal dies then wash it and perform Salat (prayer) with it.’”

إِنْ كَانَتِ الْبَيْضَةُ اكْتَسَتِ الْجِلْدَ الْغَلِيظَ فَلَا بَأْسَ بِهَا.

‘If the egg is covered with its thick crust , then it is not unlawful.’”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ جُلُودِ الْمَيْتَةِ الَّتِي يُؤْكَلُ لَحْمُهَا إِنْ ذُكِّيَ فَكَتَبَ لَا يُنْتَفَعُ مِنَ الْمَيْتَةِ بِإِهَابٍ وَ لَا عَصَبٍ وَ كُلُّ مَا كَانَ مِنَ السِّخَالِ مِنَ الصُّوفِ إِنْ جُزَّ وَ الشَّعْرِ وَ الْوَبَرِ وَ الْإِنْفَحَةِ وَ الْقَرْنِ وَ لَا يُتَعَدَّى إِلَى غَيْرِهَا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ‌[1].

“I once wrote to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), asking about the skins of dead animals which are of the edible kind if slaughtered properly. He (the Imam) wrote in answer, ‘It is not permissible to benefit from the skins of dead animals or sinew (but you can benefit) from items from lambs, like wool even if they are pulled out,

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الْمَيْتَةُ يُنْتَفَعُ مِنْهَا بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فَقَالَ لَا قُلْتُ بَلَغَنَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص مَرَّ بِشَاةٍ مَيْتَةٍ فَقَالَ مَا كَانَ عَلَى أَهْلِ هَذِهِ الشَّاةِ إِذَا لَمْ يَنْتَفِعُوا بِلَحْمِهَا أَنْ يَنْتَفِعُوا بِإِهَابِهَا قَالَ تِلْكَ شَاةٌ كَانَتْ لِسَوْدَةَ بِنْتِ زَمْعَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ ص وَ كَانَتْ شَاةً مَهْزُولَةً لَا يُنْتَفَعُ بِلَحْمِهَا فَتَرَكُوه

“I once said to abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, is it permissible to benefit from dead animals?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not permissible.’ I then said, ‘It is narrated to us from the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family wor

حَرَامٌ لَحْمُهَا وَ كَذَلِكَ لَبَنُهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), was asked about an animal sexually molested. ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), said, ‘Its flesh is unlawful for food as well as its milk.’”

نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌[1] عَنْ أَكْلِ لَحْمِ الْفَحْلِ وَقْتَ اغْتِلَامِهِ‌[2].

“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, prohibited to use for food the flesh of a sexually active ram/”

يَبِيعُهُ مِمَّنْ يَسْتَحِلُّ الْمَيْتَةَ وَ يَأْكُلُ ثَمَنَهُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ‌[3].

“Once abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the case of a man who had sheep and cows and he separated the clean and the dead then they became mixed and about what he should do. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can sell it to one who considers dead animals lawful then use what he receives as payment; it is not unlawful.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا اخْتَلَطَ الذَّكِيُّ وَ الْمَيْتَةُ بَاعَهُ مِمَّنْ يَسْتَحِلُّ الْمَيْتَةَ وَ يَأْكُلُ ثَمَنَهُ.

‘If clean (properly slaughtered) become mixed with the dead ones, one can sell them to one who considers dead animals as lawful and use the payment that one receives.’”

يَطْرَحُهُ عَلَى النَّارِ فَكُلُّ مَا انْقَبَضَ فَهُوَ ذَكِيٌّ وَ كُلُّ مَا انْبَسَطَ فَهُوَ مَيِّتٌ.

“It is about the case of a man who enters a town where he finds a certain amount of meat, but does not know if it is clean (properly slaughtered) or from dead animals. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can throw it on fire. If it shrinks it is clean (properly slaughtered) but if expands it is from dead animals.”’

إِذَا وَقَعَتِ الْفَأْرَةُ فِي السَّمْنِ فَمَاتَتْ فِيهِ فَإِنْ كَانَ جَامِداً فَأَلْقِهَا وَ مَا يَلِيهَا وَ كُلْ مَا بَقِيَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ ذَائِباً فَلَا تَأْكُلْهُ وَ اسْتَصْبِحْ بِهِ وَ الزَّيْتُ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ.

‘If a rat falls in ghee and dies in it, if it is solid, it (the rat) then must be thrown away as well as whatever has come in contact with it. If it is fluid you must not use it for food but you can use it for lighting during the night and so also is the case about oil.”’

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُرَذٌ[1] مَاتَ فِي سَمْنٍ أَوْ زَيْتٍ أَوْ عَسَلٍ فَقَالَ ع أَمَّا السَّمْنُ وَ الْعَسَلُ فَيُؤْخَذُ الْجُرَذُ وَ مَا حَوْلَهُ وَ الزَّيْتُ يُسْتَصْبَحُ بِهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the mouse that dies in ghee or oil or honey. He (the Imam) said, ‘In the case of ghee and honey the mouse and whatever has come in contact with it can be taken out; but oil can be used only for lighting during the night.’”

إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع سُئِلَ عَنْ قِدْرٍ طُبِخَتْ فَإِذَا فِي الْقِدْرِ فَأْرَةٌ قَالَ يُهَرَاقُ مَرَقُهَا وَ يُغْسَلُ اللَّحْمُ وَ يُؤْكَلُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about rat or dog that falls in ghee and oil, then it is taken out alive. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful to use it for food.’” (In al-Tahdhib by Shaykh there is no mention of dog. It perhaps is a mistake by scribes).

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْفَأْرَةِ وَ الْكَلْبِ‌[2] يَقَعُ فِي السَّمْنِ وَ الزَّيْتِ ثُمَّ يَخْرُجُ مِنْهُ حَيّاً فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِأَكْلِهِ.

Abu Ali Al Ashary, from Muhammad Bin Abdul Jabbar, from Muhammad Bin Ismail, from Ali Bin Al Noman, from Saeed Al A’araj who said, ‘I asked Abu Abdullah asws about the mouse and the dog which fall into the butter and the oil, then come out alive from it’. So he asws said: ‘There is no problem with eating it’.

سُئِلَ عَنِ الْجِرِّيِّ يَكُونُ فِي السَّفُّودِ مَعَ السَّمَكِ فَقَالَ يُؤْكَلُ مَا كَانَ فَوْقَ الْجِرِّيِّ وَ يُرْمَى مَا سَالَ عَلَيْهِ الْجِرِّيُّ قَالَ وَ سُئِلَ ع عَنِ الطِّحَالِ فِي سَفُّودٍ[1] مَعَ اللَّحْمِ وَ تَحْتَهُ خُبْزٌ وَ هُوَ الْجُوذَابُ أَ يُؤْكَلُ مَا تَحْتَهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ يُؤْكَلُ اللَّحْمُ وَ الْجُوذَابُ‌[2] وَ يُرْمَى بِالطِّحَالِ لِأَنَّ الطِّحَالَ فِي حِجَابٍ لَا يَسِيلُ مِنْهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ ال

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that he was asked about eel and fish on roasting bars on fire. He (the Imam) said, ‘Whatever is above the eel can be used for food but not what is below; and if anything has dropped from eel, it must be thrown away.’ He (the Imam) said that he was asked about a spleen on roasting bars

سُئِلَ عَنْ حِنْطَةٍ مَجْمُوعَةٍ ذَابَ عَلَيْهَا شَحْمُ الْخِنْزِيرِ قَالَ إِنْ قَدَرُوا عَلَى غَسْلِهَا أُكِلَتْ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرُوا عَلَى غَسْلِهَا لَمْ تُؤْكَلْ وَ قِيلَ تُبْذَرُ حَتَّى تَنْبُتَ‌[4].

A’immah , ‘Alayhim al-Salam, were asked about a certain amount of wheat on which the fat of pigs has melted. He (the Imam) said, ‘If they can wash it they must do so and use it for food;but if they cannot wash it then they can use it as seed to grow a plantation. 5 ”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ طَعَامِ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ وَ مَا يَحِلُّ مِنْهُ قَالَ الْحُبُوبُ.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the food of the people of the book and what is lawful for food thereof. He (the Imam) said, ’It is grains.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ طَعَامِ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ وَ مَا يَحِلُّ مِنْهُ قَالَ الْحُبُوبُ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Ammar ibn Marwan from Sanaa ‘ah who has said the following: “I once asked abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the food of the people of the book and what is lawful for food thereof. He (the Imam) said, ’It is grains.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ مُؤَاكَلَةِ الْيَهُودِيِّ وَ النَّصْرَانِيِّ وَ الْمَجُوسِيِّ قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ مِنْ طَعَامِكَ فَتَوَضَّأَ فَلَا بَأْسَ بِهِ‌[1].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about eating with the Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians. He (the Imam) said, ’If the food belongs to you then make wudu (wash) and eat with them; it is not unlawful.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْمٍ مُسْلِمِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ وَ حَضَرَهُمْ رَجُلٌ مَجُوسِيٌّ أَ يَدْعُونَهُ إِلَى طَعَامِهِمْ فَقَالَ أَمَّا أَنَا فَلَا أُؤَاكِلُ الْمَجُوسِيَّ وَ أَكْرَهُ أَنْ أُحَرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ شَيْئاً تَصْنَعُونَهُ فِي بِلَادِكُمْ‌[2].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a Muslim people who take food and a Zoroastrian man comes to them; if they can invite him for food. He (the Imam) said, ‘I do not eat food with Zoroastrians and I dislike making unlawful for you what you do in your lands.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ آنِيَةِ أَهْلِ الذِّمَّةِ وَ الْمَجُوسِ فَقَالَ لَا تَأْكُلُوا فِي آنِيَتِهِمْ وَ لَا مِنْ طَعَامِهِمُ الَّذِي يَطْبُخُونَ وَ لَا فِي آنِيَتِهِمُ الَّتِي يَشْرَبُونَ فِيهَا الْخَمْرَ.

“I once asked abu Ja’far, Alayhi al-Salam, about the utensils of the non-Muslim taxpayer and Zoroastrians. He (the Imam) said, ’Do not eat in their utensils or from their food which they cook or in the utensils that they use for drinking wine.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ طَعامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتابَ حِلٌّ لَكُمْ وَ طَعامُكُمْ حِلٌّ لَهُمْ‌[1] فَقَالَ ع الْحُبُوبُ وَ الْبُقُولُ.

‘It is grains and vegetables.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ مُؤَاكَلَةِ الْمَجُوسِيِّ فِي قَصْعَةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَ أَرْقُدَ مَعَهُ عَلَى فِرَاشٍ وَاحِدٍ وَ أُصَافِحَهُ قَالَ لَا[2].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, Alayhi al-Salam, about eating with a Zoroastrian in a bowl and sleeping with him on one furnishing and shaking hands with him. He (the Imam) said, ‘No.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي أُخَالِطُ الْمَجُوسِيَّ فَآكُلُ مِنْ طَعَامِهِمْ فَقَالَ لَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, if I can associate with Zoroastrians and eat from their food. He (the Imam) said, ‘No.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي طَعَامِ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ فَقَالَ لَا تَأْكُلْهُ ثُمَّ سَكَتَ هُنَيْئَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ لَا تَأْكُلْهُ ثُمَّ سَكَتَ هُنَيْئَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ لَا تَأْكُلْهُ وَ لَا تَتْرُكْهُ تَقُولُ إِنَّهُ حَرَامٌ وَ لَكِنْ تَتْرُكُهُ تَنَزُّهاً عَنْهُ إِنَّ فِي آنِيَتِهِمُ الْخَمْرَ وَ لَحْمَ الْخِنْزِيرِ[3].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the people of the book and what he (the Imam) says about their food. He (the Imam) said, ‘Do not eat it.’ He (the Imam) then remained quiet then said, ‘Do not eat it’ He (the Imam) then remained quiet then said, ‘Do not eat it and do not leave it. Say that it is unlawful, howe

كُنْتُ نَصْرَانِيّاً فَأَسْلَمْتُ فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ أَهْلَ بَيْتِي عَلَى دِينِ النَّصْرَانِيَّةِ فَأَكُونُ مَعَهُمْ فِي بَيْتٍ وَاحِدٍ وَ آكُلُ مِنْ آنِيَتِهِمْ فَقَالَ لِي ع أَ يَأْكُلُونَ لَحْمَ الْخِنْزِيرِ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Mu‘awiyah ibn Wahab from Zakariya ibn Ibrahim who has said the following: “I was a Christian, then became a Muslim and said to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘People of my family are Christians. I live with them in one house and e