Food & Eating

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ دُعِيَ النَّبِيُّ ص إِلَى طَعَامٍ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ مَنْزِلَ الرَّجُلِ نَظَرَ إِلَى دَجَاجَةٍ فَوْقَ حَائِطٍ قَدْ بَاضَتْ فَتَقَعُ الْبَيْضَةُ عَلَى وَتِدٍ فِي حَائِطٍ فَثَبَتَتْ عَلَيْهِ وَ لَمْ تَسْقُطْ وَ لَمْ تَنْكَسِرْ فَتَعَجَّبَ النَّبِيُّ ص مِنْهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ أَ عَجِبْتَ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْبَيْضَةِ فَوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا رُزِئْتُ‌[1] شَيْئاً قَطُّ قَالَ فَنَهَ

“Once, the Holy Prophet was invited for food. When he entered the house he saw a hen that had laid an egg on a wall and it fell on the top of a stake. It stayed there and did not fall off or break. The Holy Prophet expressed astonishment and the man said, ‘Were you astonished because of this egg? I swear by the One who

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَكْرُمُ عَلَى اللَّهِ حَتَّى لَوْ سَأَلَهُ الْجَنَّةَ بِمَا فِيهَا- أَعْطَاهُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَنْتَقِصَ مِنْ مُلْكِهِ شَيْئاً وَ إِنَّ الْكَافِرَ لَيَهُونُ عَلَى اللَّهِ حَتَّى لَوْ سَأَلَهُ الدُّنْيَا بِمَا فِيهَا أَعْطَاهُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَنْتَقِصَ مِنْ مُلْكِهِ شَيْئاً وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيَتَعَاهَدُ عَبْدَهُ الْمُؤْمِنَ بِالْبَلَاءِ كَمَا يَتَعَاهَدُ الْغَائِبُ أَهْلَهُ بِالط

“A believer is so important to Allah that if he asks Him paradise and all that is therein. He will give it to him without any shortages caused to His kingdom. The unbeliever is so insignificant before Allah that if he asks the whole world and all that is therein. He will give it to him without any shortages caused in H

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَلْتَفِتُ- يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِلَى فُقَرَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ شَبِيهاً بِالْمُعْتَذِرِ إِلَيْهِمْ فَيَقُولُ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي مَا أَفْقَرْتُكُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا مِنْ هَوَانٍ بِكُمْ عَلَيَّ وَ لَتَرَوُنَّ مَا أَصْنَعُ بِكُمُ الْيَوْمَ فَمَنْ زَوَّدَ أَحَداً مِنْكُمْ فِي دَارِ الدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفاً فَخُذُوا بِيَدِهِ فَأَدْخِلُوهُ الْجَنَّةَ قَالَ فَيَقُول

9. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ahmad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Sa’dan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘On the Day of Judgment Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, will turn to the poor believing people, similar to an apologetic one, and will say, “I swear by M

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَقالُوا رَبَّنا باعِدْ بَيْنَ أَسْفارِنا وَ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ‌ الْآيَةَ فَقَالَ هَؤُلَاءِ قَوْمٌ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ قُرًى مُتَّصِلَةٌ يَنْظُرُ بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَى بَعْضٍ وَ أَنْهَارٌ جَارِيَةٌ وَ أَمْوَالٌ ظَاهِرَةٌ فَكَفَرُوا نِعَمَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ غَيَّرُوا مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ مِنْ عَافِيَةِ اللَّهِ فَغَيَّرَ اللَّهُ مَا بِهِمْ مِنْ نِع

23. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Salih from Sadir who has said the following: “Once a man asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘ . They said, “Lord, make the distances of our journeys longer.” They did injustice to themsel

كَتَبَ مَعِي بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع يَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الْكَبَائِرِ كَمْ هِيَ وَ مَا هِيَ فَكَتَبَ الْكَبَائِرُ مَنِ اجْتَنَبَ مَا وَعَدَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ النَّارَ كَفَّرَ عَنْهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِ إِذَا كَانَ مُؤْمِناً وَ السَّبْعُ الْمُوجِبَاتُ‌[3] قَتْلُ النَّفْسِ الْحَرَامِ وَ عُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ- وَ أَكْلُ الرِّبَا- وَ التَّعَرُّبُ بَعْدَ الْهِجْرَةِ[1] وَ قَذْفُ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ وَ أَكْلُ مَالِ الْ

2. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ibn Mahbub who has said the following: “Once certain individuals of our people and I wrote to abu al- Hassan (a.s.) asking what and how many were the major sins. He wrote back to us about major sins, ‘Whoever avoids the act for which Allah has decided to se

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْكَبَائِرُ سَبْعٌ قَتْلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ مُتَعَمِّداً[3] وَ قَذْفُ الْمُحْصَنَةِ وَ الْفِرَارُ مِنَ الزَّحْفِ وَ التَّعَرُّبُ بَعْدَ الْهِجْرَةِ وَ أَكْلُ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ ظُلْماً وَ أَكْلُ الرِّبَا بَعْدَ الْبَيِّنَةِ[4] وَ كُلُّ مَا أَوْجَبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ النَّارَ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘The major sins are seven in number: Murdering a believer intentionally, Accusing a married women of committing indecent act, Running away from the enemy in the battle field during an offensive. Alienating one’s self from religion after accepting it. Consuming the properties of the

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْكَبَائِرِ فَقَالَ هُنَّ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع سَبْعٌ الْكُفْرُ بِاللَّهِ وَ قَتْلُ النَّفْسِ وَ عُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَ أَكْلُ الرِّبَا بَعْدَ الْبَيِّنَةِ وَ أَكْلُ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ ظُلْماً وَ الْفِرَارُ مِنَ الزَّحْفِ وَ التَّعَرُّبُ بَعْدَ الْهِجْرَةِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ فَهَذَا أَكْبَرُ الْمَعَاصِي قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَأَكْلُ دِرْهَمٍ مِنْ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ ظُلْماً أَكْبَرُ أَ

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the major sins. The Imam said, ‘They according to the book of Ali (a.s.) are seven: Disbelief in Allah, Murdering a soul, Disregard of good relations with parents, Consuming unlawful interest from trade with evidence, Consuming the properties of orphans unjustly, Running away fr

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْكَبَائِرُ الْقُنُوطُ مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ وَ الْيَأْسُ‌[2] مِنْ رَوْحِ اللَّهِ وَ الْأَمْنُ مِنْ مَكْرِ اللَّهِ وَ قَتْلُ النَّفْسِ‌ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ‌ وَ عُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَ أَكْلُ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ ظُلْماً وَ أَكْلُ الرِّبَا بَعْدَ الْبَيِّنَةِ وَ التَّعَرُّبُ بَعْدَ الْهِجْرَةِ وَ قَذْفُ الْمُحْصَنَةِ وَ الْفِرَارُ مِنَ الزَّحْفِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ أَ رَأَيْتَ الْم

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas’adah ibn Sadaqa who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘Of the major sins is to Despair from the mercy of Allah and Losing hope of receiving happiness from Allah, to feel secure of the punishment of Allah, murdering a soul that

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْكَبَائِرُ سَبْعَةٌ[2] مِنْهَا قَتْلُ النَّفْسِ مُتَعَمِّداً وَ الشِّرْكُ بِاللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَ قَذْفُ الْمُحْصَنَةِ وَ أَكْلُ الرِّبَا بَعْدَ الْبَيِّنَةِ وَ الْفِرَارُ مِنَ الزَّحْفِ وَ التَّعَرُّبُ بَعْدَ الْهِجْرَةِ وَ عُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَ أَكْلُ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ ظُلْماً قَالَ وَ التَّعَرُّبُ وَ الشِّرْكُ وَاحِدٌ[3].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘The major sins are seven: One of them is murdering a soul intentionally, considering things as a partner of Allah the Most Great, accusing a married women of committing an indecent act, consuming unlawful interest in trade with evidence, mnning away from the battlefield during an

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص فَقَالَ‌ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنَّ نَاساً زَعَمُوا أَنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَا يَزْنِي وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَسْرِقُ وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَشْرَبُ الْخَمْرَ وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَأْكُلُ الرِّبَا وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَسْفِكُ الدَّمَ الْحَرَامَ وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَقَدْ ثَقُلَ عَلَيَّ هَذَا وَ حَرِجَ مِنْهُ صَدْرِي حِينَ أَزْعُمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْعَبْدَ يُصَلِّي صَلَ

16. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father in a marfu’ manner from Muhammad ibn Dawud al-Ghanawi from Asbagh ibn Nubatah who has said the following: “Once a man came to Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) and said, ‘O Amir al- Mu’minin, certain people think a serv

دَخَلَ عَمْرُو بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ[1] عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَلَمَّا سَلَّمَ وَ جَلَسَ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَ الْفَواحِشَ‌[2] ثُمَّ أَمْسَكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا أَسْكَتَكَ قَالَ أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَعْرِفَ الْكَبَائِرَ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ يَا عَمْرُو أَكْبَرُ الْكَبَائِرِ الْإِشْرَاكُ بِاللَّهِ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ وَ مَنْ يُشْرِكْ

24. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Abd al-‘Azim ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Hassani who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) narrated to me saying, ‘I heard my father saying, “I heard my father, Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Once ‘Amr ibn ‘Ubayd came to see abu ‘Abd Allah (a

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أُصُولُ الْكُفْرِ ثَلَاثَةٌ الْحِرْصُ وَ الِاسْتِكْبَارُ وَ الْحَسَدُ فَأَمَّا الْحِرْصُ فَإِنَّ آدَمَ ع حِينَ نُهِيَ عَنِ الشَّجَرَةِ حَمَلَهُ الْحِرْصُ عَلَى أَنْ أَكَلَ مِنْهَا وَ أَمَّا الِاسْتِكْبَارُ فَإِبْلِيسُ حَيْثُ أُمِرَ بِالسُّجُودِ لآِدَمَ فَأَبَى وَ أَمَّا الْحَسَدُ فَابْنَا آدَمَ حَيْثُ قَتَلَ أَحَدُهُمَا صَاحِبَهُ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘The roots of disbelief are three: Greed, Self- aggrandizement and Envy. It was greed that led Adam to eat from the prohibited tree. It was Self-aggrandizement that led Satan to refuse prostration before Adam. Envy led one of the sons of Adam to murder his own brother.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا عُصِيَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ سِتٌّ حُبُّ الدُّنْيَا وَ حُبُّ الرِّئَاسَةِ وَ حُبُّ الطَّعَامِ وَ حُبُّ النَّوْمِ وَ حُبُّ الرَّاحَةِ وَ حُبُّ النِّسَاءِ[3].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The things with which Allah was disobeyed first were six: Love of the worldly things, Love to be the leader, Love for food, Love to sleep, Love for comfort and Love of women (to such extremes that may lead one to sins).”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِشِرَارِ رِجَالِكُمْ قُلْنَا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ مِنْ شِرَارِ رِجَالِكُمُ الْبَهَّاتَ‌[2] الْجَرِي‌ءَ الْفَحَّاشَ الْآكِلَ وَحْدَهُ وَ الْمَانِعَ رِفْدَهُ- وَ الضَّارِبَ عَبْدَهُ وَ الْمُلْجِئَ عِيَالَهُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah (a.s.) once asked, ‘Should I tell you who is the most wicked among your men?’ They said, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah.’ He said, ‘Of the wicked ones among you is a man, accusing, boldly foulmouthed, eating all alone, refusing to give any gifts, beats up his slave and causes his family to seek refu

قَالَ لِي‌ وَيْحَكَ يَا أَبَا الرَّبِيعِ لَا تَطْلُبَنَّ الرِّئَاسَةَ وَ لَا تَكُنْ ذِئْباً[3]- وَ لَا تَأْكُلْ بِنَا النَّاسَ فَيُفْقِرَكَ اللَّهُ وَ لَا تَقُلْ فِينَا مَا لَا نَقُولُ فِي أَنْفُسِنَا فَإِنَّكَ مَوْقُوفٌ وَ مَسْئُولٌ لَا مَحَالَةَ[4] فَإِنْ كُنْتَ صَادِقاً صَدَّقْنَاكَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ كَاذِباً كَذَّبْنَاكَ.

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) said to me, ‘Woe upon you, O abu al-Rabi’, do not seek leadership and do not be a wolf, do not eat people (consume their properties) through us so Allah makes you poor, do not say about us what we do not say about ourselves. One day you will be made to stand up (before the Judge) and will inevit

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّنِي آكُلُ الطَّعَامَ الطَّيِّبَ وَ أَشَمُّ الرِّيحَ الطَّيِّبَةَ وَ أَرْكَبُ الدَّابَّةَ الْفَارِهَةَ[1] وَ يَتْبَعُنِي الْغُلَامُ فَتَرَى فِي هَذَا شَيْئاً مِنَ التَّجَبُّرِ فَلَا أَفْعَلَهُ فَأَطْرَقَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌[2] ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّمَا الْجَبَّارُ الْمَلْعُونُ مَنْ غَمَصَ النَّاسَ وَ جَهِلَ الْحَقَّ قَالَ عُمَرُ فَقُلْتُ أَمَّا الْحَقُّ فَلَا أَجْهَلُهُ وَ الْغَمْصُ

“Once, I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘I eat good food, use good perfumes, and ride good energetic animals and a young man escorts me. Do you see anything tyrannical in it so I should avoid it? Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) remained quiet for a while. He then said, ‘A condemned tyrant is one who ignores people and disregards t

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ لَمْ يَتَعَزَّ بِعَزَاءِ اللَّهِ تَقَطَّعَتْ نَفْسُهُ حَسَرَاتٍ عَلَى الدُّنْيَا وَ مَنْ أَتْبَعَ بَصَرَهُ مَا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ كَثُرَ هَمُّهُ وَ لَمْ يُشْفَ‌ غَيْظُهُ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَرَ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْهِ نِعْمَةً إِلَّا فِي مَطْعَمٍ أَوْ مَشْرَبٍ أَوْ مَلْبَسٍ فَقَدْ قَصُرَ عَمَلُهُ وَ دَنَا عَذَابُهُ‌[1].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘One who is not comforted and satisfied with relief from Allah, his soul will be torn in pieces due to his sorrow for the world. One who follows his eyes to what is in the hands of the people, his depressed condition will increase and his anguish will not cease. One who does not apprec

مَرَّ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ع عَلَى قَرْيَةٍ قَدْ مَاتَ أَهْلُهَا وَ طَيْرُهَا وَ دَوَابُّهَا فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُمْ لَمْ يَمُوتُوا إِلَّا بِسَخْطَةٍ[2] وَ لَوْ مَاتُوا مُتَفَرِّقِينَ لَتَدَافَنُوا فَقَالَ الْحَوَارِيُّونَ يَا رُوحَ اللَّهِ وَ كَلِمَتَهُ ادْعُ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُحْيِيَهُمْ لَنَا فَيُخْبِرُونَا مَا كَانَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فَنَجْتَنِبَهَا فَدَعَا عِيسَى ع رَبَّهُ فَنُودِيَ مِنَ الْجَوِّ أَنْ نَادِهِمْ فَقَا

“Once Jesus, son of Mary, passed by a town, in which people, birds and animals had all died. Jesus said, ‘They all have died from violence. Had they died individually they would have buried each other.’ The disciples said, ‘O Spirit of Allah and His word, pray to Allah to bring them to life so we may ask about their de

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ أَكَلَ مَالَ أَخِيهِ ظُلْماً وَ لَمْ يَرُدَّهُ إِلَيْهِ أَكَلَ جَذْوَةً مِنَ النَّارِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ[2].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever consumes the property of his brother (in belief) unjustly and does not return it to him, he will have to eat a chunk of fire on the Day of Judgment.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَعَلَ لِلشَّرِّ أَقْفَالًا وَ جَعَلَ مَفَاتِيحَ تِلْكَ الْأَقْفَالِ الشَّرَابَ وَ الْكَذِبُ شَرٌّ مِنَ الشَّرَابِ‌[1].

3. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from ibn Muskan from Muhammad ibn Muslim from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has created certain locks for evil. He has made wine the key to those locks. Lying is more evil than wine.

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ سِبَابُ الْمُؤْمِنِ فُسُوقٌ‌[1] وَ قِتَالُهُ كُفْرٌ وَ أَكْلُ لَحْمِهِ مَعْصِيَةٌ وَ حُرْمَةُ مَالِهِ كَحُرْمَةِ دَمِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Reviling a believer is a gross sin, fighting him is disbelief, eating his flesh (backbiting) is disobedience and the illegality of consuming his property is like the illegality of spilling his blood (taking his life).”’

رَأَيْتُ يَحْيَى ابْنَ أُمِّ الطَّوِيلِ وَقَفَ‌ بِالْكُنَاسَةِ[1] ثُمَّ نَادَى بِأَعْلَى صَوْتِهِ مَعْشَرَ أَوْلِيَاءِ اللَّهِ إِنَّا بُرَآءُ مِمَّا تَسْمَعُونَ مَنْ سَبَّ عَلِيّاً ع فَعَلَيْهِ لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ بُرَآءُ مِنْ آلِ مَرْوَانَ وَ مَا يَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ يَخْفِضُ صَوْتَهُ فَيَقُولُ مَنْ سَبَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ فَلَا تُقَاعِدُوهُ وَ مَنْ شَكَّ فِيمَا نَحْنُ عَلَيْهِ فَلَا تُفَاتِ

“I saw Yahya ibn ‘Umm Tawil standing at al-Kunasa (an open area in Kufah) calling at the peak of his voice, ‘O group of friends of Allah, I disavow whatever you hear. Whoever abuses Ali (a.s.) allow the condemnation of Allah be upon him. We renounce the people of the family of Marwan and all that they worship besides A

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ وَ سُئِلَ مَا بَالُ الزَّانِي لَا تُسَمِّيهِ كَافِراً وَ تَارِكُ الصَّلَاةِ قَدْ سَمَّيْتَهُ كَافِراً وَ مَا الْحُجَّةُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لِأَنَّ الزَّانِيَ وَ مَا أَشْبَهَهُ إِنَّمَا يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ لِمَكَانِ الشَّهْوَةِ لِأَنَّهَا تَغْلِبُهُ وَ تَارِكُ الصَّلَاةِ لَا يَتْرُكُهَا إِلَّا اسْتِخْفَافاً بِهَا وَ ذَلِكَ لِأَنَّكَ لَا تَجِدُ الزَّانِيَ يَأْتِي الْمَرْأَةَ إِلَّا وَ هُوَ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) when he was asked, ‘Why is it that a fornicator is not considered an unbeliever as one ignoring the prayer is? What is the reason and evidence?’ The Imam said, ‘A fornicator and so forth commits such act due to lust that influences him, while one ignoring the prayer does so due to his cons

الذُّنُوبُ الَّتِي تُغَيِّرُ النِّعَمَ الْبَغْيُ‌[1]- وَ الذُّنُوبُ الَّتِي تُورِثُ النَّدَمَ الْقَتْلُ وَ الَّتِي تُنْزِلُ النِّقَمَ الظُّلْمُ وَ الَّتِي تَهْتِكُ السِّتْرَ شُرْبُ الْخَمْرِ وَ الَّتِي تَحْبِسُ الرِّزْقَ الزِّنَا وَ الَّتِي تُعَجِّلُ الْفَنَاءَ قَطِيعَةُ الرَّحِمِ وَ الَّتِي تَرُدُّ الدُّعَاءَ وَ تُظْلِمُ الْهَوَاءَ عُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ.

“The sins that change the bounties (of Allah) are transgressions, the sins that bring regret are murder, the one that brings hatred is injustice, that which brings disgrace is drinking wine, the sin which holds back the means of living is fornication, the one that hastens one’s perishing is failing to maintain good rel

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ يَقُولُ‌ إِنْ قَدَرْتَ أَنْ لَا تُعْرَفَ فَافْعَلْ وَ مَا عَلَيْكَ أَلَّا يُثْنِيَ عَلَيْكَ النَّاسُ وَ مَا عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مَذْمُوماً عِنْدَ النَّاسِ إِذَا كُنْتَ مَحْمُوداً عِنْدَ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ قَالَ أَبِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع لَا خَيْرَ فِي الْعَيْشِ إِلَّا لِرَجُلَيْنِ رَجُلٍ يَزْدَادُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ خَيْراً وَ رَجُلٍ يَتَدَارَكُ مَنِيَّتَهُ بِالتَّوْبَةِ وَ أَنَّى

“Once I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘If you can remain unknown, then do so. There will be nothing wrong if people will not praise you. There is nothing wrong for you if people censure you if you are praiseworthy before Allah.’ The Imam said, ‘My father Amir al- Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, “There

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع حَدِيثٌ رُوِيَ لَنَا أَنَّكَ قُلْتَ إِذَا عَرَفْتَ فَاعْمَلْ مَا شِئْتَ فَقَالَ قَدْ قُلْتُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ إِنْ زَنَوْا أَوْ سَرَقُوا أَوْ شَرِبُوا الْخَمْرَ فَقَالَ لِي‌ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ‌ وَ إِنَّا إِلَيْهِ راجِعُونَ‌ وَ اللَّهِ مَا أَنْصَفُونَا أَنْ نَكُونَ أُخِذْنَا بِالْعَمَلِ وَ وُضِعَ عَنْهُمْ إِنَّمَا قُلْتُ إِذَا عَرَفْتَ فَاعْمَلْ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ قَلِيلِ الْخَيْرِ وَ كَث

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘There is a Hadith narrated to us that you have told us: ‘When you recognize, do whatever you want.’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, I have said it.’ I then asked, ‘Can they even fornicate, steal and drink wine?’ The Imam then said to me, ‘To Allah we belong and to Him we return, by Allah they

مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ حَدٌّ يَنْتَهِي إِلَيْهِ إِلَّا الذِّكْرَ فَلَيْسَ لَهُ حَدٌّ يَنْتَهِي إِلَيْهِ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْفَرَائِضَ فَمَنْ أَدَّاهُنَّ فَهُوَ حَدُّهُنَّ وَ شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ فَمَنْ صَامَهُ فَهُوَ حَدُّهُ وَ الْحَجَّ فَمَنْ حَجَّ فَهُوَ حَدُّهُ إِلَّا الذِّكْرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يَرْضَ مِنْهُ بِالْقَلِيلِ وَ لَمْ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ حَدّاً يَنْتَهِي إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ تَل

“Everything has a limit where it ends except speaking of Allah which has no limit to end. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has sanctioned obligations. When one fulfills them, their limit is where they end. The limit for the month of Ramadan is that when one fasts that is its limit where it ends, and the limit o

تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ وَ لَمْ يَسْأَلِ الْعِبَادُ مِثْلَكَ أَسْأَلُكَ بِحَقِّ مُحَمَّدٍ نَبِيِّكَ وَ رَسُولِكَ وَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ خَلِيلِكَ وَ صَفِيِّكَ وَ مُوسَى كَلِيمِكَ وَ نَجِيِّكَ وَ عِيسَى كَلِمَتِكَ وَ رُوحِكَ وَ أَسْأَلُكَ بِصُحُفِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ تَوْرَاةِ مُوسَى وَ زَبُورِ دَاوُدَ وَ إِنْجِيلِ عِيسَى وَ قُرْآنِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَ بِكُلِّ وَحْيٍ أَوْحَيْتَهُ وَ قَضَاءٍ أَمْضَيْتَهُ وَ حَقٍّ قَضَيْتَ

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from those whom he has mentioned (in his book) from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan from Aban ibn Taghlib from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has, when pleading for help to memorize the Holy Quran, said that one sh

يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كَانَ لِي مَالٌ وَرِثْتُهُ وَ لَمْ أُنْفِقْ مِنْهُ دِرْهَماً فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ثُمَّ اكْتَسَبْتُ مِنْهُ مَالًا فَلَمْ أُنْفِقْ مِنْهُ دِرْهَماً فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ فَعَلِّمْنِي دُعَاءً يُخْلِفُ عَلَيَّ مَا مَضَى وَ يَغْفِرُ لِي مَا عَمِلْتُ أَوْ عَمَلًا أَعْمَلُهُ قَالَ قُلْ قَالَ وَ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَقُولُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَالَ قُلْ كَمَا أَقُولُ- يَا نُورِي فِي ك

35. Ali ibn abu Hamza has narrated from certain individuals of his people from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Once a man came to Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) and said, ‘O Amir al- Mu’minin, I inherited a property but did not give even one dirham in obedience to Allah, the Most Majestic

تَأْخُذُ قُلَّةً جَدِيدَةً فَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَاءً ثُمَّ تَقْرَأُ عَلَيْهَا- إِنَّا أَنْزَلْناهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ ثَلَاثِينَ مَرَّةً ثُمَّ تُعَلِّقُ وَ تَشْرَبُ مِنْهَا وَ تَتَوَضَّأُ وَ يُزْدَادُ فِيهَا مَاءٌ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ.

“Find a new pot made of clay and fill it with water then read Chapter 97 of the Holy Quran on it thirty times, then hang it from something, use it for drink and wuzu and add water if so desired (if Allah wills).”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تَصْحَبَ ذَا الْعَقْلِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ تَحْمَدْ كَرَمَهُ‌[1] وَ لَكِنِ انْتَفِعْ بِعَقْلِهِ وَ احْتَرِسْ مِنْ سَيِّئِ أَخْلَاقِهِ وَ لَا تَدَعَنَّ صُحْبَةَ الْكَرِيمِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ تَنْتَفِعْ بِعَقْلِهِ- وَ لَكِنِ انْتَفِعْ بِكَرَمِهِ بِعَقْلِكَ وَ افْرِرْ كُلَّ الْفِرَارِ مِنَ اللَّئِيمِ الْأَحْمَقِ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘It is not against you to associate with a person of reason even though you may not appreciate his generosity but you can benefit from his reason. However, you must avoid his immoral manners. Do not ignore the association of a magnanimous person, even though you may

قَالَ لِي أَبِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمَا يَا بُنَيَّ انْظُرْ خَمْسَةً فَلَا تُصَاحِبْهُمْ وَ لَا تُحَادِثْهُمْ وَ لَا تُرَافِقْهُمْ فِي طَرِيقٍ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَتِ مَنْ هُمْ عَرِّفْنِيهِمْ قَالَ إِيَّاكَ وَ مُصَاحَبَةَ الْكَذَّابِ فَإِنَّهُ بِمَنْزِلَةِ السَّرَابِ يُقَرِّبُ لَكَ الْبَعِيدَ وَ يُبَعِّدُ لَكَ الْقَرِيبَ وَ إِيَّاكَ وَ مُصَاحَبَةَ الْفَاسِقِ فَإِنَّهُ بَائِعُكَ بِأُكْلَةٍ أ

“My father, Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) once said to me, ‘My son, look for five kinds of people. Do not befriend them, speak to or accompany them on a road.’ 1 then asked, ‘O father, who are they? Define them for me.’ He said, ‘Never befriend a liar; he is like a mirage. He shows what is far very near and what is near, in

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ يَعْقُوبَ ع لَمَّا ذَهَبَ مِنْهُ بِنْيَامِينُ نَادَى يَا رَبِّ أَ مَا تَرْحَمُنِي أَذْهَبْتَ عَيْنَيَّ وَ أَذْهَبْتَ ابْنَيَّ فَأَوْحَى اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَوْ أَمَتُّهُمَا لَأَحْيَيْتُهُمَا لَكَ حَتَّى أَجْمَعَ بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَهُمَا وَ لَكِنْ تَذْكُرُ الشَّاةَ الَّتِي ذَبَحْتَهَا وَ شَوَيْتَهَا وَ أَكَلْتَ وَ فُلَانٌ وَ فُلَانٌ إِلَى جَانِبِكَ صَائِمٌ لَمْ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘When Benjamin also was taken away from Jacob, he pleaded before Allah for help, saying, “Have mercy on me. You have taken away my eyesight and my son.” Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, sent him inspiration, “Even if I will cause them to die I will give them life again for y

فَكَانَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ يَعْقُوبُ ع يُنَادِي مُنَادِيهِ كُلَّ غَدَاةٍ مِنْ مَنْزِلِهِ عَلَى فَرْسَخٍ أَلَا مَنْ أَرَادَ الْغَدَاءَ فَلْيَأْتِ إِلَى يَعْقُوبَ وَ إِذَا أَمْسَى نَادَى أَلَا مَنْ أَرَادَ الْعَشَاءَ فَلْيَأْتِ إِلَى يَعْقُوبَ.

“Whoever needs food, come to the house of Jacob” and in the evening also would announce, ‘Whoever needs dinner come to the house of Jacob.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا آمَنَ بِي مَنْ بَاتَ شَبْعَانَ وَ جَارُهُ جَائِعٌ قَالَ وَ مَا مِنْ أَهْلِ قَرْيَةٍ يَبِيتُ وَ فِيهِمْ جَائِعٌ يَنْظُرُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘One who spends the night with his stomach full while his neighbor is hungry does not believe in me. Any (people of the town) who sleep at night with their stomachs full while among them are hungry people, to such people, on the Day of Judgment, Allah will not look with kindness.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَوْماً لِجُلَسَائِهِ‌ تَدْرُونَ مَا الْعَجْزُ قَالُوا اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ فَقَالَ الْعَجْزُ ثَلَاثَةٌ أَنْ يَبْدُرَ أَحَدُكُمْ بِطَعَامٍ يَصْنَعُهُ لِصَاحِبِهِ فَيُخْلِفَهُ وَ لَا يَأْتِيَهُ وَ الثَّانِيَةُ أَنْ يَصْحَبَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْكُمُ الرَّجُلَ أَوْ يُجَالِسَهُ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَعْلَمَ مَنْ هُوَ وَ مِنْ أَيْنَ هُوَ فَيُفَارِقَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَعْلَمَ ذَلِكَ وَ الثَّالِثَةُ أَمْرُ ا

“The Messenger of Allah one day said to the people in his meeting, ‘Do you know what is (of one’s) weakness?’ They said, ‘Allah and the Messenger of Allah know better.’ He then said, ‘There are three kinds of weaknesses: First, a friend prepares food for another friend but fails to keep his promise and does not come fo

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

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

إِنَّ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع أَنَّ الْهِرَّ سَبُعٌ‌[2] فَلَا بَأْسَ بِسُؤْرِهِ وَ إِنِّي لَأَسْتَحْيِي مِنَ اللَّهِ أَنْ أَدَعَ طَعَاماً لِأَنَّ هِرّاً أَكَلَ مِنْهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that it is in the book of Ali (a.s.), that cats are beasts but there is no offense in using the leftover of what they eat. I feel embarrassed before Allah to throw away a food from which a cat has eaten.’”

سُئِلَ عَمَّا تَشْرَبُ مِنْهُ الْحَمَامَةُ فَقَالَ كُلُّ مَا أُكِلَ لَحْمُهُ فَتَوَضَّأْ مِنْ سُؤْرِهِ وَ اشْرَبْ وَ عَمَّا شَرِبَ مِنْهُ بَازٌ أَوْ صَقْرٌ أَوْ عُقَابٌ‌[1] فَقَالَ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الطَّيْرِ تَوَضَّأْ مِمَّا يَشْرَبُ مِنْهُ إِلَّا أَنْ تَرَى فِي مِنْقَارِهِ دَماً فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ فِي مِنْقَارِهِ دَماً فَلَا تَوَضَّأْ مِنْهُ وَ لَا تَشْرَبْ.

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the leftover of the water from which pigeons have drunk. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is permissible for you to use the leftover from which edible animals have used. You can use it for Wudu’ or drink the leftover of the water from which they have drunk, like a falcon or a hawk or

اشْرَبْ مِنْ سُؤْرِ الْحَائِضِ وَ لَا تَوَضَّأْ مِنْهُ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that it is permissible for you to drink the leftover water from which a woman during her Hayd (menses) has drunk but do not take Wudu 5 with it.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْحَائِضِ يُشْرَبُ مِنْ سُؤْرِهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ لَا يُتَوَضَّأُ مِنْهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Can a woman during her Hayd (menses) drink water which is her own leftover? 5 He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is permissible for her to do so but she must not use it for Wudu 5 .

قُلْتُ لَهُ فِي مَسْحِ الْخُفَّيْنِ تَقِيَّةٌ فَقَالَ‌[1] ثَلَاثَةٌ لَا أَتَّقِي فِيهِنَّ أَحَداً شُرْبُ الْمُسْكِرِ وَ مَسْحُ الْخُفَّيْنِ وَ مُتْعَةُ الْحَجِّ قَالَ زُرَارَةُ وَ لَمْ يَقُلْ الْوَاجِبُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَلَّا تَتَّقُوا فِيهِنَّ أَحَداً.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about wiping for Wudu’ over one’s shoes because of Taqiyyah (fear). He (the Imam) said, ‘I do not practice Taqiyyah before anyone in three things: Drinking intoxicating liquor, wiping for Wudu’ over the shoes and in Mut’ah during Hajj.’ Zurarah has said that he (the Imam) did not sa

الْجُنُبُ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ وَ يَشْرَبَ غَسَلَ يَدَهُ وَ تَمَضْمَضَ وَ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ وَ أَكَلَ وَ شَرِبَ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘If one after experiencing sexual relation likes to eat or drink, one must wash one’s hand, rinse one’s mouth, wash one’s face, then eat and drink.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْجُنُبِ يَأْكُلُ وَ يَشْرَبُ وَ يَقْرَأُ قَالَ نَعَمْ يَأْكُلُ وَ يَشْرَبُ وَ يَقْرَأُ وَ يَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا شَاءَ.

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of one who after sexual relation eats, drinks or reads. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, one can eat, drink, read and speak of Allah, most M

لَا بَأْسَ أَنْ يَخْتَضِبَ الرَّجُلُ وَ يُجْنِبَ وَ هُوَ مُخْتَضِبٌ وَ لَا بَأْسَ أَنْ يَتَنَوَّرَ الْجُنُبُ وَ يَحْتَجِمَ وَ يَذْبَحَ‌[4] وَ لَا يَذُوقُ شَيْئاً حَتَّى يَغْسِلَ يَدَيْهِ وَ يَتَمَضْمَضَ فَإِنَّهُ يُخَافُ مِنْهُ الْوَضَحُ‌[5].

‘It is permissible for a man to apply dye to his hairs and experience sexual relation with dye applied. It is permissible for a man to apply lime to his hairs and experience sexual relation or draw blood from his body by means of cupping or slaughter (an animal for food). He should not taste anything before washing his

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ بَوْلِ الصَّبِيِّ قَالَ تَصُبُّ عَلَيْهِ الْمَاءَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ قَدْ أَكَلَ فَاغْسِلْهُ غَسْلًا وَ الْغُلَامُ وَ الْجَارِيَةُ فِي ذَلِكَ شَرَعٌ سَوَاءٌ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the urine of a child. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must just pour water on it but if the child eats food, wash it clean, and a baby boy or baby girl are the same.’”

لَهُ أَ لَيْسَ لُحُومُهَا حَلَالًا قَالَ بَلَى وَ لَكِنْ لَيْسَ مِمَّا جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ لِلْأَكْلِ.

‘It is true but Allah has not made it for eating.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُجْنِبُ وَ مَعَهُ مِنَ الْمَاءِ قَدْرُ مَا يَكْفِيهِ لِشُرْبِهِ أَ يَتَيَمَّمُ أَوْ يَتَوَضَّأُ قَالَ التَّيَمُّمُ أَفْضَلُ أَ لَا تَرَى أَنَّهُ إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ عَلَيْهِ نِصْفُ الطَّهُورِ[3].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who experiences sexual relation and has enough water only for his drinking needs; must he take Tayammum or Wudu’? He (the Imam) said, ‘Tayammum is better. You should understand the fact that the task of cleansing is made only half as much in his favor.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الْحُبْلَى رُبَّمَا طَمِثَتْ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ الْوَلَدَ فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ غِذَاؤُهُ الدَّمُ فَرُبَّمَا كَثُرَ فَفَضَلَ عَنْهُ فَإِذَا فَضَلَ دَفَعَتْهُ فَإِذَا دَفَعَتْهُ حَرُمَتْ عَلَيْهَا الصَّلَاةُ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى‌ إِذَا كَانَ كَذَلِكَ تَأَخَّرَ الْوِلَادَةُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a pregnant woman, saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, can such woman experience Hayd (menses)? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, because the child’s food in mother’s womb is blood. It (blood) may exceed the amount of food for the child. It (

تَتَوَضَّأُ الْمَرْأَةُ الْحَائِضُ إِذَا أَرَادَتْ أَنْ تَأْكُلَ وَ إِذَا كَانَ وَقْتُ الصَّلَاةِ تَوَضَّأَتْ وَ اسْتَقْبَلَتِ الْقِبْلَةَ وَ هَلَّلَتْ وَ كَبَّرَتْ وَ تَلَتِ الْقُرْآنَ وَ ذَكَرَتِ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A woman experiencing Hayd (menses) can take Wudu’ when she wants to eat, and when it is time for Salah (prayer) take Wudu’, face the direction of Ka’bah say Tahlil, (no one deserves worship except Allah). Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) and recite from al-Quran and speak of