Food & Eating

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي الْمَسْحِ عَلَى الْخُفَّيْنِ تَقِيَّةٌ قَالَ لَا يُتَّقَى فِي ثَلَاثَةٍ قُلْتُ وَ مَا هُنَّ قَالَ شُرْبُ الْخَمْرِ أَوْ قَالَ شُرْبُ الْمُسْكِرِ وَ الْمَسْحُ عَلَى الْخُفَّيْنِ وَ مُتْعَةُ الْحَجِّ.

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about wiping on slippers because of Taqiyah (caution due to fear). He (the Imam) said, ‘There is no Taqiyah (caution because of fear) in three things.’ I then asked, ‘What are they?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is drinking wine,’ or he said, ‘Drinking intoxicating liquor, wiping on slippers

سَمِعْتُ رَجُلًا وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي النَّبِيذِ فَإِنَّ أَبَا مَرْيَمَ يَشْرَبُهُ وَ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّكَ أَمَرْتَهُ بِشُرْبِهِ فَقَالَ صَدَقَ أَبُو مَرْيَمَ سَأَلَنِي عَنِ النَّبِيذِ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ أَنَّهُ حَلَالٌ وَ لَمْ يَسْأَلْنِي عَنِ الْمُسْكِرِ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ ع إِنَّ الْمُسْكِرَ مَا اتَّقَيْتُ فِيهِ أَحَداً سُلْطَاناً وَ لَا غَيْرَهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص كُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ حَ

“I once heard a man who asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘What do you say about al-Nabidh? Abu Maryam drinks it and he thinks that you have commanded him to drink. ’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Abu Maryam has spoken the truth. He asked me about al-Nabidh but not about intoxicating liquor.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Intoxicating

فَقَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا يُفْسِدُ بُطُونَنَا قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَفْسَدُ لِبَطْنِكَ أَنْ تَشْرَبَ مَا لَا يَحِلُّ لَكَ.

“I once heard abu al-Balad ask abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about al-Nabidh and he (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’ He then said, ‘The residue is placed in it.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘It is the worst drink, however, you can soak it in water in the morning to drink in the evening.’ He then said, ‘I pray to A

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ النَّبِيذِ فَقَالَ حَلَالٌ قُلْتُ إِنَّا نَنْبِذُهُ فَنَطْرَحُ فِيهِ الْعَكَرَ وَ مَا سِوَى ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ ع شَهْ شَهْ‌[1] تِلْكَ الْخَمْرَةُ الْمُنْتِنَةُ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَأَيَّ نَبِيذٍ تَعْنِي فَقَالَ إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْمَدِينَةِ شَكَوْا إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص تَغَيُّرَ الْمَاءِ وَ فَسَادَ طَبَائِعِهِمْ فَأَمَرَهُمْ أَنْ يَنْبِذُوا فَكَانَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْهُمْ يَأْمُرُ خَا

‘It is lawful.’ I said, ‘We soak it, then place the residue in it and other things.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Shashsh! That is putrid wine.’ I then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what kind of al- Nabidh is what you mention?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘People of al-Madinah once complained befor

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقُلْتُ يَا جَارِيَةُ اسْقِينِي مَاءً فَقَالَ لَهَا اسْقِيهِ مِنْ نَبِيذِي فَجَاءَتْنِي بِنَبِيذٍ مِنْ بُسْرٍ فِي قَدَحٍ مِنْ صُفْرٍ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْكُوفَةِ لَا يَرْضَوْنَ بِهَذَا قَالَ فَمَا نَبِيذُهُمْ قُلْتُ لَهُ يَجْعَلُونَ فِيهِ الْقَعْوَةَ قَالَ وَ مَا الْقَعْوَةُ قُلْتُ الدَّاذِيُّ قَالَ وَ مَا الدَّاذِيُّ فَقُلْتُ ثُفْلُ التَّمْرِ قَالَ يَضْرَى بِهِ الْإِنَاءُ حَ

“I once was with abu Ja’far (a.s.), and I said, ‘O Jariyah (girl or slave-girl) give me some water.’ He (the Imam) said to her, ‘Give him from my al-Nabidh.’ She then brought al-Nabidh which was a dry date in a cup of brass.’ I then said, ‘People of al-Kufah do not agree with it.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What is their al

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرِ بْنِ الرِّضَا ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُلْصِقَ بَطْنِي بِبَطْنِكَ فَقَالَ هَاهُنَا يَا أَبَا إِسْمَاعِيلَ وَ كَشَفَ عَنْ بَطْنِهِ وَ حَسَرْتُ عَنْ بَطْنِي وَ أَلْزَقْتُ بَطْنِي بِبَطْنِهِ ثُمَّ أَجْلَسَنِي وَ دَعَا بِطَبَقٍ فِيهِ زَبِيبٌ فَأَكَلْتُ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ فِي الْحَدِيثِ فَشَكَا إِلَيَّ مَعِدَتَهُ وَ عَطِشْتُ‌ فَاسْتَقَيْتُ مَاءً فَقَالَ يَا جَارِيَةُ اسْقِيهِ مِنْ نَبِي

“I once visited abu Ja‘far, ibn al-Rida’ (a.s.), and said to him, ‘I want to touch your belly with my belly.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Here O abu Tsma‘il,’ He uncovered his belly and I uncovered my belly and touched his belly with my belly. He then made me sit and called for a plate of raisins. I ate and he began to speak

قَدِمَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مِنَ الْيَمَنِ قَوْمٌ‌[1] فَسَأَلُوهُ عَنْ مَعَالِمِ دِينِهِمْ فَأَجَابَهُمْ فَخَرَجَ الْقَوْمُ بِأَجْمَعِهِمْ فَلَمَّا سَارُوا مَرْحَلَةً قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ نَسِينَا أَنْ نَسْأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص عَمَّا هُوَ أَهَمُّ إِلَيْنَا ثُمَّ نَزَلَ الْقَوْمُ ثُمَّ بَعَثُوا وَفْداً لَهُمْ فَأَتَى الْوَفْدُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الْقَوْمَ بَعَثُوا بِنَا إِل

“Once a people from Yemen came to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, to ask him (the Messenger of Allah) for the guidance of their religion and he (the Messenger of Allah) answered them. All of the people then left. When they went a cer

لَا بَأْسَ بِشُرْبِ الْعَصِيرِ سِتَّةَ أَيَّامٍ قَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ مَعْنَاهُ مَا لَمْ يَغْلِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not unlawful to drink juice (grape juice) up to six days.’ Ibn abu ‘Umayr has said, ‘It means that it does not become intoxicating liquor and unlawful before it comes to a boil.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ شُرْبِ الْعَصِيرِ فَقَالَ اشْرَبْهُ مَا لَمْ يَغْلِ فَإِذَا غَلَى فَلَا تَشْرَبْهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ الْغَلَيَانُ قَالَ الْقَلْبُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about drinking juice (grape juice). He (the Imam) said, ‘You can drink it before it is boiled. Once it is boiled then do not drink.’ I then asked saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what is boiling?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is fluctuation (fermentatio

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا نَشَّ الْعَصِيرُ أَوْ غَلَى حَرُمَ‌[1].

When juice (grape juice) begins to simmer or boil it becomes unlawful to use it for drink.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يُهْدِي إِلَيَّ الْبُخْتُجَ‌[2] مِنْ غَيْرِ أَصْحَابِنَا فَقَالَ ع إِنْ كَانَ مِمَّنْ يَسْتَحِلُّ الْمُسْكِرَ فَلَا تَشْرَبْهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مِمَّنْ لَا يَسْتَحِلُّ شُرْبَهُ فَاقْبَلْهُ أَوْ قَالَ اشْرَبْهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who recommends the use of boiled juice (grape juice) and he is not one of our people. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he is one who considers intoxicating substances lawful, then do not use it but if he considers it unlawful then you can use it for drink,’ or that he

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا كَانَ يَخْضِبُ الْإِنَاءَ فَاشْرَبْهُ‌[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When two-thirds of juice (grape juice) is evaporated (because of boiling) then you can drink it.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْبُخْتُجِ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ حُلْواً يَخْضِبُ الْإِنَاءَ وَ قَالَ صَاحِبُهُ قَدْ ذَهَبَ ثُلُثَاهُ وَ بَقِيَ الثُّلُثُ فَاشْرَبْهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about al-Bakhtaj (boiled juice). He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is sweet with an indication of two-thirds being evaporated and the owner also says that two- thirds have been evaporated, only one-third has remained, then you can drink it.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْمَعْرِفَةِ بِالْحَقِّ يَأْتِينِي بِالْبُخْتُجِ وَ يَقُولُ قَدْ طُبِخَ عَلَى الثُّلُثِ وَ أَنَا أَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ يَشْرَبُهُ عَلَى النِّصْفِ أَ فَأَشْرَبُهُ بِقَوْلِهِ وَ هُوَ يَشْرَبُهُ عَلَى النِّصْفِ فَقَالَ لَا تَشْرَبْهُ فَقُلْتُ فَرَجُلٌ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَهْلِ الْمَعْرِفَةِ مِمَّنْ لَا نَعْرِفُهُ يَشْرَبُهُ عَلَى الثُّلُثِ وَ لَا يَسْتَحِلُّهُ عَلَى النِّص

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who knows the truth and brings boiled juice (grape juice). He says that it is cooked until two-thirds are evaporated but I know that he drinks even when only half is evaporated; if I can drink it while he drinks only when one-half is evaporated. He (the Imam)

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الزَّبِيبِ هَلْ يَصْلُحُ أَنْ يُطْبَخَ حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ طَعْمُهُ ثُمَّ يُؤْخَذَ ذَلِكَ الْمَاءُ فَيُطْبَخَ حَتَّى يَذْهَبَ ثُلُثَاهُ وَ يَبْقَى الثُّلُثُ ثُمَّ يُرْفَعَ وَ يُشْرَبَ مِنْهُ السَّنَةَ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ‌[2].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about raisins; if it can be boiled to extract its sweetness, then that water is boiled until its two-thirds are evaporated and only one-third is left; then it is taken away to use for drink during the year. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’”

فِي رَجُلٍ أَخَذَ عَشَرَةَ أَرْطَالٍ مِنْ عَصِيرِ الْعِنَبِ فَصَبَّ عَلَيْهِ عِشْرِينَ رِطْلًا مَاءً وَ طَبَخَهَا حَتَّى ذَهَبَ مِنْهُ عِشْرُونَ رِطْلًا وَ بَقِيَ عَشَرَةُ أَرْطَالٍ أَ يَصْلُحُ شُرْبُ ذَلِكَ أَمْ لَا فَقَالَ مَا طُبِخَ عَلَى ثُلُثِهِ فَهُوَ حَلَالٌ.

“About the case of a man who takes ten ritl of grape juice, then pours in it twenty ritl of water, then boils it until twenty ritl of it is evaporated and only ten ritl is left; if it can be used for drink or not. He (the Imam) said, ‘What is cooked until only one-third remains it is lawful.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ قَطْرَةِ خَمْرٍ أَوْ نَبِيذٍ مُسْكِرٍ قَطَرَتْ فِي قِدْرٍ فِيهَا لَحْمٌ كَثِيرٌ وَ مَرَقٌ كَثِيرٌ فَقَالَ ع يُهَرَاقُ الْمَرَقُ أَوْ يُطْعِمُهُ لِأَهْلِ الذِّمَّةِ أَوِ الْكِلَابِ وَ اللَّحْمَ فَاغْسِلْهُ وَ كُلْهُ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ قَطَرَ فِيهَا الدَّمُ فَقَالَ الدَّمُ تَأْكُلُهُ النَّارُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ قُلْتُ فَخَمْرٌ أَوْ نَبِيذٌ قَطَرَ فِي عَجِينٍ أَوْ دَمٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ فَسَدَ قُل

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a large cooking pot with a large amount of meat and broth in it and a drop of wine or al-Nabidh is dropped therein. He (the Imam) said, ’It must be thrown away or fed to the taxpayers or dogs. You can wash the meat and eat it.’ I then asked about what happens if one drop of bl

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الْفُقَّاعِ فَقَالَ هُوَ خَمْرٌ مَجْهُولٌ فَلَا تَشْرَبْهُ يَا سُلَيْمَانُ لَوْ كَانَ الدَّارُ لِي أَوِ الْحُكْمُ لَقَتَلْتُ بَائِعَهُ وَ لَجَلَدْتُ شَارِبَهُ‌[2].

‘It is unknown wine. Do not drink it, O Sulayman. If the house and command were in my hand I would execute its seller and whip its drinker.’”

كُنْتُ مَعَ يُونُسَ بِبَغْدَادَ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا أَمْشِي مَعَهُ فِي السُّوقِ إِذْ فَتَحَ صَاحِبُ الْفُقَّاعِ فُقَّاعَهُ فَأَصَابَ ثَوْبَ يُونُسَ فَرَأَيْتُهُ قَدِ اغْتَمَّ لِذَلِكَ حَتَّى زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَ لَا تُصَلِّي يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ حَتَّى أَرْجِعَ إِلَى الْبَيْتِ فَأَغْسِلَ هَذَا الْخَمْرَ مِنْ ثَوْبِي قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ هَذَا رَأْيُكَ أَوْ شَيْ‌ءٌ تَرْوِي

“Once Yunus and I were in Baghdad, as we were walking, an al-Fuqa’ seller opened his shop and the cloth of Yunus came in contact with al-Fuqa’. I saw him depressed until the sun declined to the west and I asked, ‘Do you not want to perform Salat (prayer), O abu Muhammad?’ He replied, ‘I do not want to perform Salat (pr

كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ يَعْنِي الرِّضَا ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الْفُقَّاعِ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ حَرَامٌ وَ هُوَ خَمْرٌ وَ مَنْ شَرِبَهُ كَانَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ شَارِبِ الْخَمْرِ قَالَ وَ قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الْأَخِيرُ ع لَوْ أَنَّ الدَّارَ دَارِي لَقَتَلْتُ بَائِعَهُ وَ لَجَلَدْتُ شَارِبَهُ وَ قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الْأَخِيرُ ع حَدُّهُ حَدُّ شَارِبِ الْخَمْرِ وَ قَالَ ع هِيَ خُمَيْرَةٌ اسْتَصْغَرَهَا النَّاسُ.

‘It is unlawful and it is wine. If one drinks it he is like a wine drinker.’ He (the narrator) has said that abu al-Hassan, al-Akhir (a.s.), has said, ‘Had the house been my house I would execute its seller and whip its drinker.’ He (the Imam) has also said, ‘The penalty for drinking al-Fuqa ’ is the same as for drinki

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي شُرْبِ الْفُقَّاعِ فَقَالَ خَمْرٌ مَجْهُولٌ يَا سُلَيْمَانُ فَلَا تَشْرَبْهُ أَمَا إِنَّهُ يَا سُلَيْمَانُ لَوْ كَانَ الْحُكْمُ لِي وَ الدَّارُ لِي لَجَلَدْتُ شَارِبَهُ وَ لَقَتَلْتُ بَائِعَهُ.

‘It is an unknown wine, O Sulayman and do not drink it. Had the command been in my hand and the house was my house, I would whip its drinker and execute its seller.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ شُرْبِ الْفُقَّاعِ فَكَرِهَهُ كَرَاهَةً شَدِيدَةً. - أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ‌ مِثْلَهُ.

11. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il who has said the following: “I once asked abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about drinking al-Fuqa ’ and he (the Imam) disliked it very intensely.” Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from ibn Faddal from Muhammad

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الْفُقَّاعِ وَ أَصِفُهُ لَهُ فَقَالَ لَا تَشْرَبْهُ فَأَعَدْتُ عَلَيْهِ كُلَّ ذَلِكَ أَصِفُهُ لَهُ كَيْفَ يُعْمَلُ فَقَالَ لَا تَشْرَبْهُ وَ لَا تُرَاجِعْنِي فِيهِ.

‘Do not drink it and do not come back to me about it again.’”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الْفُقَّاعِ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ يَقُولُ هُوَ الْخَمْرُ وَ فِيهِ حَدُّ شَارِبِ الْخَمْرِ.

‘It is wine and the penalty for drinking it is like that for drinking wine.’”

وَصَفَ لِي‌ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْمَطْبُوخَ كَيْفَ يُطْبَخُ حَتَّى يَصِيرَ حَلَالًا فَقَالَ لِي ع خُذْ رُبُعاً مِنْ زَبِيبٍ وَ تُنَقِّيهِ وَ صُبَّ عَلَيْهِ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ رِطْلًا مِنْ مَاءٍ ثُمَّ أَنْقِعْهُ لَيْلَةً فَإِذَا كَانَ أَيَّامُ الصَّيْفِ وَ خَشِيتَ أَنْ يَنِشَّ جَعَلْتَهُ فِي تَنُّورٍ مَسْجُورٍ قَلِيلًا حَتَّى لَا يَنِشَّ ثُمَّ تَنْزِعُ الْمَاءَ مِنْهُ كُلَّهُ حَتَّى إِذَا أَصْبَحْتَ صَبَبْتَ عَلَيْهِ

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), once explained for me how to cook raisins until the brew becomes lawful. He (the Imam) said, ‘Take one quarter of raisins and clean them. Pour twelve ritl of water on them, then soak for one night. If it is summer and you are afraid of its simmering, keep it in an oven, which is full a little s

سُئِلَ عَنِ الزَّبِيبِ كَيْفَ طَبْخُهُ حَتَّى يُشْرَبَ حَلَالًا فَقَالَ تَأْخُذُ رُبُعاً مِنْ زَبِيبٍ فَتُنَقِّيهِ ثُمَّ تَطْرَحُ عَلَيْهِ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ رِطْلًا مِنْ مَاءٍ ثُمَّ تُنْقِعُهُ لَيْلَةً فَإِذَا كَانَ مِنَ الْغَدِ نَزَعْتَ سُلَافَتَهُ‌[3] ثُمَّ تَصُبُّ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْمَاءِ قَدْرَ مَا يَغْمُرُهُ ثُمَّ تُغْلِيهِ بِالنَّارِ غَلْيَةً ثُمَّ تَنْزِعُ مَاءَهُ فَتَصُبُّهُ عَلَى الْمَاءِ الْأَوَّلِ ثُمَّ تَطْرَح

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about raisins and how to cook them to become clean for drinking. He (the Imam) said, ‘Take one quarter of raisins and clean it. Thereafter pour twelve ritl of water on it, then leave it for the night to soak. In the morning remove its suds, then pour on it enough water so it is co

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَرَاقِرَ تُصِيبُنِي فِي مَعِدَتِي وَ قِلَّةَ اسْتِمْرَائِي الطَّعَامَ فَقَالَ لِي لِمَ لَا تَتَّخِذُ نَبِيذاً نَشْرَبُهُ نَحْنُ وَ هُوَ يُمْرِئُ الطَّعَامَ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِالْقَرَاقِرِ وَ الرِّيَاحِ مِنَ الْبَطْنِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ صِفْهُ لِي جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ لِي تَأْخُذُ صَاعاً مِنْ زَبِيبٍ فَتُنَقِّي حَبَّهُ وَ مَا فِيهِ ثُمَّ تَغْسِلُ بِالْمَاءِ غَسْلًا جَيِّداً ثُمَّ

“I once complained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about growling in my stomach and my not being able to digest food. He (the Imam) said, ‘Why do you not drink al-Nabidh which we drink? It digests food and takes away abdominal growling and gases.’ I then asked, ‘Please describe it for me, I pray to Allah to keep my soul

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بَعْضَ الْوَجَعِ وَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ الطَّبِيبَ وَصَفَ لِي شَرَاباً آخُذُ الزَّبِيبَ وَ أَصُبُّ عَلَيْهِ الْمَاءَ لِلْوَاحِدِ اثْنَيْنِ ثُمَّ أَصُبُّ عَلَيْهِ الْعَسَلَ ثُمَّ أَطْبُخُهُ حَتَّى يَذْهَبَ ثُلُثَاهُ وَ يَبْقَى الثُّلُثُ فَقَالَ أَ لَيْسَ حُلْواً قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ اشْرَبْهُ وَ لَمْ أُخْبِرْهُ كَمِ الْعَسَلُ.

“I once complained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a certain pain and that a physician has prescribed for me a drink from raisins with water twice as much, and that honey must be poured on it and cooked until two-thirds are gone and only one-third is left.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Is it not sweet?’ I replied, ‘Yes, it

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ عِنْدَنَا شَرَابٌ يُسَمَّى الْمَيْبَةَ نَعْمِدُ إِلَى السَّفَرْجَلِ فَنَقْشِرُهُ وَ نُلْقِيهِ فِي الْمَاءِ ثُمَّ نَعْمِدُ إِلَى الْعَصِيرِ فَنَطْبُخُهُ عَلَى الثُّلُثِ ثُمَّ نَدُقُّ ذَلِكَ السَّفَرْجَلَ وَ نَأْخُذُ مَاءَهُ ثُمَّ نَعْمِدُ إِلَى مَاءِ هَذَا الْمُثَلَّثِ وَ هَذَا السَّفَرْجَلِ فَنُلْقِي فِيهِ الْمِسْكَ وَ الْأَفَاوِيَ‌[2] وَ الزَّعْفَرَانَ وَ الْعَسَلَ ف

“I once wrote to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, in our area there is a drink called al-Myabeh which is taken from quince which is peeled then is placed in water. Juice (grape juice) then is boiled until one-third (is left), then the quince is crushed. Its juice

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الدَّنِّ يَكُونُ فِيهِ الْخَمْرُ هَلْ يَصْلُحُ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِيهِ خَلٌّ أَوْ مَاءٌ أَوْ كَامَخٌ‌[3] أَوْ زَيْتُونٌ قَالَ إِذَا غُسِلَ فَلَا بَأْسَ وَ عَنِ الْإِبْرِيقِ وَ غَيْرِهِ يَكُونُ فِيهِ الْخَمْرُ أَ يَصْلُحُ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِيهِ مَاءٌ قَالَ إِذَا غُسِلَ فَلَا بَأْسَ وَ قَالَ فِي قَدَحٍ أَوْ إِنَاءٍ يُشْرَبُ فِيهِ الْخَمْرُ قَالَ تَغْسِلُهُ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ سُئِلَ أَ يُجْزِيهِ‌ أَنْ يُصَبَّ الْمَ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a large jug in which there is wine; if it is suitable for vinegar, or water, sauce or olives. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is washed then it is not unlawful.’ I asked about a pitcher in which there is wine; if it is suitable to use it for keeping water. He (the Imam) said, ‘If i

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الدَّنُّ تَكُونُ فِيهِ الْخَمْرُ ثُمَّ يُجَفَّفُ يُجْعَلُ فِيهِ الْخَلُّ قَالَ نَعَمْ‌[1].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a large jug in which there is wine, then it dries up if vinegar can be kept in it. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, one can do so.’”

سُئِلَ عَنِ الْمَائِدَةِ إِذَا شُرِبَ عَلَيْهَا الْخَمْرُ أَوْ مُسْكِرٌ فَقَالَ ع حُرِّمَتِ الْمَائِدَةُ وَ سُئِلَ ع فَإِنْ أَقَامَ رَجُلٌ عَلَى مَائِدَةٍ مَنْصُوبَةٍ يَأْكُلُ مِمَّا عَلَيْهَا وَ مَعَ الرَّجُلِ مُسْكِرٌ وَ لَمْ يَسْقِ أَحَداً مِمَّنْ عَلَيْهَا بَعْدُ فَقَالَ لَا تُحَرَّمُ حَتَّى يُشْرَبَ عَلَيْهَا وَ إِنْ وُضِعَ بَعْدَ مَا يُشْرَبُ فَالُوذَجٌ فَكُلْ فَإِنَّهَا مَائِدَةٌ أُخْرَى يَعْنِي كُلِ الْفَالُو

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the table on which wine or intoxicating substances is served. He (the Imam) said, ‘The table becomes unlawful.’ It then was asked, ‘If one is on a table from which he eats and there is a man who has wine with him and no one has drunk from it. He (the Imam) said, ‘It does not

أَقْبَلَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ قَوْمٌ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فَقَالُوا مَنْ هَذَا فَقِيلَ لَهُمْ إِمَامُ أَهْلِ الْعِرَاقِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَوْ بَعَثْتُمْ إِلَيْهِ بِبَعْضِكُمْ يَسْأَلُهُ فَأَتَاهُ شَابٌّ مِنْهُمْ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ عَمِّ مَا أَكْبَرُ الْكَبَائِرِ قَالَ شُرْبُ الْخَمْرِ فَأَتَاهُمْ فَأَخْبَرَهُمْ فَقَالُوا لَهُ عُدْ إِلَيْهِ فَعَادَ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ لَمْ

“Once abu Ja‘far (a.s.), went to Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred area). A group of Quraysh saw him. They asked, ‘Who is he?’ It was said to them, ‘He is the Imam of the people of Iraq.’ Certain ones among them said, ‘You may send someone to ask him questions.’ One young man from among them went and asked, ‘Son of my uncle,

لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي الْخَمْرِ عَشَرَةً غَارِسَهَا وَ حَارِسَهَا وَ بَائِعَهَا وَ مُشْتَرِيَهَا وَ شَارِبَهَا وَ الْآكِلَ ثَمَنَهَا وَ عَاصِرَهَا وَ حَامِلَهَا وَ الْمَحْمُولَةَ إِلَيْهِ وَ سَاقِيَهَا.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has condemned because of wine ten characters. Of such characters is the planter, the keeper, the seller, the buyer, the drinker, the payment receiver, the squeezer, th

إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَرِهَ أَنْ تُسْقَى الدَّوَابُّ الْخَمْرَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), disliked one’s making the animals drink wine.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ تَرَكَ الْخَمْرَ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ سَقَاهُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الرَّحِيقِ الْمَخْتُومِ‌[4] قَالَ قُلْتُ فَيَتْرُكُهُ لِغَيْرِ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ صِيَانَةً لِنَفْسِهِ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘If one refrains from drinking wine for the sake of something other than Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, Allah will provide him drink from the sealed wine of the garden (paradises). He (the narrator) then said, ‘He does not refrain from it for the sake of Allah.’ He (th

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ تَرَكَ الْخَمْرَ صِيَانَةً لِنَفْسِهِ سَقَاهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنَ الرَّحِيقِ الْمَخْتُومِ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘If one refrains from drinking wine for his own protection Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, will provide him drink from the sealed wine of the garden (paradises).”’

بَعَثَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ الْعَبَّاسِ إِلَى ابْنِ الْكَوَّاءِ وَ أَصْحَابِهِ وَ عَلَيْهِ قَمِيصٌ رَقِيقٌ وَ حُلَّةٌ فَلَمَّا نَظَرُوا إِلَيْهِ قَالُوا يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ أَنْتَ خَيْرُنَا فِي أَنْفُسِنَا وَ أَنْتَ تَلْبَسُ هَذَا اللِّبَاسَ فَقَالَ وَ هَذَا أَوَّلُ مَا أُخَاصِمُكُمْ فِيهِ- قُلْ‌ مَنْ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي أَخْرَجَ لِعِبادِهِ وَ الطَّيِّباتِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ‌[1] وَ قَال

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin sent ‘Abd Allah ibn al-‘Abbas to ibn al-Kawwa’ and his people. He was wearing a shirt of fine fabric and a gown. They looked at him and said, ‘O ibn al- ‘Abbas, you are the better among us in our belief and you wear this kind of clothes.’ He replied, ‘This is the

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي ع إِنَّ بِلَادَنَا بِلَادٌ بَارِدَةٌ فَمَا تَقُولُ فِي لُبْسِ هَذَا الْوَبَرِ قَالَ الْبَسْ مِنْهَا مَا أُكِلَ وَ ضُمِنَ‌[1].

“I once asked abu Ja‘far, al-Thaniy (a.s.), saying, ‘Our land is cold. What do you say about wearing fur?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Wear that which is from edible animals and verify (that it is from edible animals).”’

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا أَعْجَبَ إِلَى النَّاسِ مَنْ يَأْكُلُ الْجَشِبَ وَ يَلْبَسُ‌ الْخَشِنَ وَ يَتَخَشَّعُ فَقَالَ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ يُوسُفَ ع نَبِيٌّ ابْنُ نَبِيٍّ كَانَ يَلْبَسُ أَقْبِيَةَ الدِّيبَاجِ مَزْرُورَةً بِالذَّهَبِ وَ يَجْلِسُ فِي مَجَالِسِ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ‌[1] يَحْكُمُ فَلَمْ يَحْتَجِ النَّاسُ إِلَى لِبَاسِهِ وَ إِنَّمَا احْتَاجُوا إِلَى قِسْطِهِ وَ إِنَّمَا يُحْتَاجُ مِنَ الْإِمَامِ فِي أَ

He (the Imam) said, ‘Has it not come to your notice that Yusuf was a prophet and the son of a prophet who wore gowns decorated with brocades and buttons of gold. He would sit in the gathering of the pharaohs and issue judgments. People did not need his dress. They however needed his justice. What is needed of an Imam i

مَنْ قَرَأَ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ ثِنْتَيْنِ وَ ثَلَاثِينَ مَرَّةً فِي إِنَاءٍ جَدِيدٍ وَ رَشَّ بِهِ ثَوْبَهُ الْجَدِيدَ إِذَا لَبِسَهُ لَمْ يَزَلْ يَأْكُلُ فِي سَعَةٍ مَا بَقِيَ مِنْهُ سِلْكٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one reads Chapter 97 of the Quran thirty-two times on a bowl of water and sprinkles it on a new dress just before wearing it, he will continue to eat affluently as long as a fiber thereof is left with him.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا أَدْنَى مَا يَجِي‌ءُ مِنَ الْإِسْرَافِ قَالَ ابْتِذَالُكَ ثَوْبَ صَوْنِكَ وَ إِهْرَاقُكَ فَضْلَ إِنَائِكَ وَ أَكْلُكَ التَّمْرَ وَ رَمْيَكَ بِالنَّوَى هَاهُنَا وَ هَاهُنَا.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the least degree of squandering. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is misuse of protective clothes, throwing away the remaining water in your bowl and when eating dates throwing the date-stone here and there.’”

فِي السِّوَاكِ اثْنَتَا عَشْرَةَ خَصْلَةً هُوَ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ وَ مَطْهَرَةٌ لِلْفَمِ وَ مَجْلَاةٌ لِلْبَصَرِ وَ يُرْضِي الرَّبَّ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِالْبَلْغَمِ وَ يَزِيدُ فِي الْحِفْظِ وَ يُبَيِّضُ الْأَسْنَانَ وَ يُضَاعِفُ الْحَسَنَاتِ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِالْحَفْرِ وَ يَشُدُّ اللِّثَةَ وَ يُشَهِّي الطَّعَامَ وَ تَفْرَحُ بِهِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘In tooth brushing there are twelve qualities. It is an act of Sunnah, it cleanses the mouth, sharpens eyesight, earns Allah’s pleasure, dispels phlegm, improves memory, whitens the teeth, amplifies the list of good deeds, banishes cavities, strengthens gums, increases appetite for foo

لَا تَدْخُلِ الْحَمَّامَ إِلَّا وَ فِي جَوْفِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ يُطْفَأُ بِهِ عَنْكَ وَهَجُ الْمَعِدَةِ[2] وَ هُوَ أَقْوَى لِلْبَدَنِ وَ لَا تَدْخُلْهُ وَ أَنْتَ مُمْتَلِئٌ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ.

‘Do not enter a bathhouse until there is something in your belly to calm down the excitement of your stomach and it is more energizing for the body. Do not enter it with your stomach full of food.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ عِنْدَنَا يَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُ عَلَى الرِّيقِ أَجْوَدُ مَا يَكُونُ قَالَ لَا بَلْ يُؤْكَلُ شَيْ‌ءٌ قَبْلَهُ يُطْفِئُ الْمَرَارَةَ وَ يُسَكِّنُ حَرَارَةَ الْجَوْفِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when about to take a bath would eat something. I once asked, ‘People around us say that before eating anything is the best time for taking a bath.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, one must eat something before taking bath; it banished bitterness (acidity) and calms down the temperature in the belly.’”

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يُنْفِقُ فِي الطِّيبِ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا يُنْفِقُ فِي الطَّعَامِ.

“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, spent more on perfumes than his spending on food.”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمِسْكِ فِي الدُّهْنِ أَ يَصْلُحُ قَالَ إِنِّي لَأَصْنَعُهُ فِي الدُّهْنِ وَ لَا بَأْسَ. - وَ رُوِيَ‌ أَنَّهُ لَا بَأْسَ بِصُنْعِ الْمِسْكِ فِي الطَّعَامِ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) about musk and if it can be applied with oil. He (the Imam) said, ‘I apply it with oil and it is not harmful.’ It is narrated that it is not harmful to use musk with food.”’

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ اسْتَعِطُوا بِالْبَنَفْسَجِ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ لَوْ يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مَا فِي الْبَنَفْسَجِ لَحَسَوْهُ حَسْواً[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘You must try to sniff viola; the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “Had people known about what is in viola they would drink and slurp it.’””

مِنْ مُرِّ الْعَيْشِ النُّقْلَةُ مِنْ دَارٍ إِلَى دَارٍ وَ أَكْلُ خُبْزِ الشِّرَى‌[1].

“Of the bitterness in life is moving from one house to another house and eating bread made of colocynth.’”

لَا تَشْرَبْ وَ أَنْتَ قَائِمٌ وَ لَا تَبُلْ فِي مَاءٍ نَقِيعٍ وَ لَا تَطُفْ بِقَبْرٍ وَ لَا تَخْلُ فِي بَيْتٍ وَحْدَكَ وَ لَا تَمْشِ فِي نَعْلٍ وَاحِدٍ فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ أَسْرَعَ مَا يَكُونُ إِلَى الْعَبْدِ إِذَا كَانَ عَلَى بَعْضِ هَذِهِ الْأَحْوَالِ وَ قَالَ إِنَّهُ مَا أَصَابَ أَحَداً شَيْ‌ءٌ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْحَالِ فَكَادَ أَنْ يُفَارِقَهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“One of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has stated this Hadith. ‘You must not drink water when you are standing, must not urinate in stagnant water, must not spit on a grave, must not stay in a house alone, you must not walk in one shoe; Satan is the fastest against a servant when he is