Friendship & Companionship

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا عُقْبَةُ لَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْعِبَادِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِلَّا هَذَا الْأَمْرَ الَّذِي أَنْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَ مَا بَيْنَ أَحَدِكُمْ وَ بَيْنَ أَنْ يَرَى مَا تَقَرُّ بِهِ عَيْنُهُ‌[3] إِلَّا أَنْ تَبْلُغَ نَفْسُهُ إِلَى هَذِهِ ثُمَّ أَهْوَى بِيَدِهِ إِلَى الْوَرِيدِ ثُمَّ اتَّكَأَ وَ كَانَ مَعِيَ الْمُعَلَّى فَغَمَزَنِي أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ فَقُلْتُ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ فَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said, ‘O ‘Uqbah, Allah, on the Day of Judgment, will not accept anything other than what you believe in (following Ahl al-Bayt). No other thing stands between anyone of you, and the delight of the hearts, other than the time when one’s soul reaches this’ ( He (the Imam) pointed his hand tow

كَانَ خَطَّابٌ الْجُهَنِيُّ خَلِيطاً لَنَا وَ كَانَ شَدِيدَ النَّصْبِ لآِلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ع وَ كَانَ يَصْحَبُ نَجْدَةَ الْحَرُورِيَّةَ[4] قَالَ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ أَعُودُهُ لِلْخُلْطَةِ وَ التَّقِيَّةِ فَإِذَا هُوَ مُغْمًى عَلَيْهِ فِي حَدِّ الْمَوْتِ فَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ مَا لِي وَ لَكَ يَا عَلِيُّ فَأَخْبَرْتُ بِذَلِكَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَآهُ وَ رَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ رَآهُ وَ رَبِّ الْك

“Khattab al-Juhniy was one of our associates and he was a hardheaded adversary of the family of Muhammad, ‘Alayhim al-Salam. He was a companion of Najdah al-Harawriyyah. I once went to visit him to maintain social relations and due to fear. I found him fainted in dying condition and heard him say, ‘What did I have to d

دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ع عَلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ وَ هُوَ يَجُودُ بِنَفْسِهِ فَقَالَ يَا مَلَكَ الْمَوْتِ ارْفُقْ بِصَاحِبِي فَإِنَّهُ مُؤْمِنٌ فَقَالَ أَبْشِرْ يَا مُحَمَّدُ فَإِنِّي بِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ رَفِيقٌ وَ اعْلَمْ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَنِّي أَقْبِضُ رُوحَ ابْنِ آدَمَ فَيَجْزَعُ أَهْلُهُ فَأَقُومُ فِي نَاحِيَةٍ مِنْ دَارِهِمْ فَأَقُولُ مَا هَذَا الْجَزَعُ فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا تَعَجَّلْنَاهُ قَبْلَ أَجَلِهِ وَ مَا كَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah once visited a man of his companions in dying condition. He then said, ‘O angel of death, make it easy for my companion; he is a believing person.’ He then said, ‘O Muhammad, I am a friend of every believing person. O Muhammad, please note that when I take aw

حَضَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص رَجُلًا مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ وَ كَانَتْ‌ لَهُ حَالَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَحَضَرَهُ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ فَنَظَرَ إِلَى مَلَكِ الْمَوْتِ عِنْدَ رَأْسِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص ارْفُقْ بِصَاحِبِي فَإِنَّهُ مُؤْمِنٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ طِبْ نَفْساً وَ قَرَّ عَيْناً فَإِنِّي بِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ رَفِيقٌ شَفِيقٌ وَ اعْلَمْ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنِّي لَأَحْضُرُ ابْنَ آ

‘The Messenger of Allah once visited a man from Ansar (people of Madinah) and he was of a good status before the Messenger of Allah. He visited him in his dying condition and looked at the angel of death near his head. The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Be kind to my companion; he is a believing person.’ The angel of death

سَمِعْتُ صَاحِباً لَنَا يَسْأَلُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَمُوتُ مَعَ رِجَالٍ لَيْسَ فِيهِمْ ذُو مَحْرَمٍ- هَلْ يُغَسِّلُونَهَا وَ عَلَيْهَا ثِيَابُهَا قَالَ إِذاً يُدْخَلَ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ‌[1] وَ لَكِنْ يَغْسِلُونَ كَفَّيْهَا.

“I once heard a friend of ours ask abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a woman who dies among men and none of them is of her relatives in that case can they give her Ghusl (bath) with her clothes on her. He (the Imam) said, ‘Thereby that feeling is apt to get in them, instead they must only wash her both palms (hands).”’

سَمِعْتُ صَاحِباً لَنَا يَسْأَلُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَمُوتُ مَعَ رِجَالٍ لَيْسَ مَعَهُمْ ذُو مَحْرَمٍ هَلْ يُغَسِّلُونَهَا وَ عَلَيْهَا ثِيَابُهَا فَقَالَ إِذاً يُدْخَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ‌[4] وَ لَكِنْ يَغْسِلُونَ كَفَّيْهَا.

“I once heard a friend of us ask abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a woman who dies among men and none of them is of her relatives if they can give her Ghusl (bath) with her clothes on her. He (the Imam) said, ‘Thereby that feeling is apt to get in them, instead they must only wash her both palms (hands).”’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَنْ غَسَّلَ فَاطِمَةَ ع قَالَ ذَاكَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَأَنَّكَ اسْتَفْظَعْتَ ذَلِكَ‌[2] مِنْ قَوْلِهِ فَقَالَ لِي كَأَنَّكَ ضِقْتَ مِمَّا أَخْبَرْتُكَ فَقُلْتُ قَدْ كَانَ ذَلِكَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ لِي لَا تَضِيقَنَّ فَإِنَّهَا صِدِّيقَةٌ لَمْ يَكُنْ يُغَسِّلُهَا إِلَّا صِدِّيقٌ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ مَرْيَمَ ع لَمْ يُغَسِّلْهَا إِلَّا عِيسَى ع قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَم

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Who gave Ghusl (bath) to Fatimah, ‘Alayha al- Salam ? He (the Imam) said, ‘That was ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.). It seems as if you find it astonishing to hear such words.’ He (the Imam) said to me, ‘It seems you are strained because of what I told you.’ I said, ‘I pray to Allah to ke

دَخَلَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ قَيْسٍ الْمَاصِرُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ- أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الْمَيِّتِ لِمَ يُغَسَّلُ غُسْلَ الْجَنَابَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع لَا أُخْبِرُكَ فَخَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ فَلَقِيَ بَعْضَ الشِّيعَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْعَجَبُ لَكُمْ يَا مَعْشَرَ الشِّيعَةِ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ وَ أَطَعْتُمُوهُ وَ لَوْ دَعَاكُمْ إِلَى عِبَادَتِهِ لَأَجَبْتُمُوهُ وَ قَدْ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ مَسْأَلَ

1. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah has narrated from Ibrahim ibn ‘Ishaq from Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Daylamiy from his father who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once ‘Abd Allah ibn Qays al-Masir visited abu Ja’far (a.s.), and said, ‘Tell me why a dead body is given Ghusl (bath) because o

رَأَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَوْماً خَلْفَ جَنَازَةٍ رُكْبَاناً فَقَالَ أَ مَا اسْتَحْيَا هَؤُلَاءِ أَنْ يَتْبَعُوا صَاحِبَهُمْ رُكْبَاناً وَ قَدْ أَسْلَمُوهُ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْحَالِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah once saw a group of people riding behind the coffin in a funeral procession. He said, ‘Why do these people not feel ashamed of following their companion while they have abandoned him in such condition?’”

تُكَبِّرُ ثُمَّ تُصَلِّي عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص ثُمَّ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ عَبْدُكَ ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ ابْنُ أَمَتِكَ لَا أَعْلَمُ مِنْهُ إِلَّا خَيْراً وَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ مُحْسِناً فَزِدْ فِي إِحْسَانِهِ وَ تَقَبَّلْ مِنْهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مُسِيئاً فَاغْفِرْ لَهُ ذَنْبَهُ وَ ارْحَمْهُ وَ افْسَحْ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَ اجْعَلْهُ مِنْ رُفَقَاءِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص ثُمَّ تُكَبِّرُ الثَّانِيَةَ وَ تَقُولُ- ا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘In Salah (prayer) for a deceased say Takbir (Allah is great beyond description), then say, “O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause,” then say, “O Lord, this is Your servant the son of Your male and a female servant. I do not know

لَهُ الْحُسَيْنُ ع أَيْنَ تَذْهَبُ يَا فُلَانُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَوْلَاهُ أَفِرُّ مِنْ جِنَازَةِ هَذَا الْمُنَافِقِ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحُسَيْنُ ع انْظُرْ أَنْ تَقُومَ‌[1] عَلَى يَمِينِي فَمَا تَسْمَعُنِي أَقُولُ فَقُلْ مِثْلَهُ فَلَمَّا أَنْ كَبَّرَ عَلَيْهِ وَلِيُّهُ قَالَ الْحُسَيْنُ ع- اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُمَّ الْعَنْ فُلَاناً عَبْدَكَ أَلْفَ لَعْنَةٍ مُؤْتَلِفَةٍ غَيْرِ مُخْتَلِفَةٍ الل

2. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father all from ibn Mahbub from Ziyad ibn ‘Isa from ‘Amir ibn al-Simt who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a man of the hypocrites died. Al-Husayn ibn Ali (a.s.), attended his funeral; at t

مَاتَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فَخَرَجَ الْحُسَيْنُ ع يَمْشِي فَلَقِيَ مَوْلًى لَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ إِلَى أَيْنَ تَذْهَبُ فَقَالَ أَفِرُّ مِنْ جِنَازَةِ هَذَا الْمُنَافِقِ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحُسَيْنُ ع قُمْ إِلَى جَنْبِي فَمَا سَمِعْتَنِي أَقُولُ فَقُلْ مِثْلَهُ قَالَ فَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ فَقَالَ- اللَّهُمَّ أَخْزِ عَبْدَكَ فِي عِبَادِكَ وَ بِلَادِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِهِ حَرَّ نَارِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَذِ

a man of the hypocrites died and al-Husayn (a.s.), came out walking. One of his followers came and he (the Imam) asked, ‘Where are you going?’ He replied, ‘I am running away from the dead body of this hypocrite to avoid performing Salah (prayer) for him.’ Al-Husayn (a.s.), said, ‘Stand next to me and say what you will

إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى عَدُوِّ اللَّهِ فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ فُلَاناً لَا نَعْلَمُ مِنْهُ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ عَدُوٌّ لَكَ وَ لِرَسُولِكَ اللَّهُمَّ فَاحْشُ قَبْرَهُ نَاراً وَ احْشُ جَوْفَهُ نَاراً وَ عَجِّلْ بِهِ إِلَى النَّارِ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ يَتَوَلَّى أَعْدَاءَكَ وَ يُعَادِي أَوْلِيَاءَكَ وَ يُبْغِضُ أَهْلَ بَيْتِ نَبِيِّكَ اللَّهُمَّ ضَيِّقْ عَلَيْهِ قَبْرَهُ فَإِذَا رُفِعَ فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ لَا تَرْفَعْهُ وَ لَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When you pray against the enemy of Allah say, “O Lord, we do not know of so and so except that he is Your enemy and the enemy of Your messenger. O Lord, fill up his grave with fire as well as his belly and hasten him to the fire, because he loved Your enemies, he was an enemy of Your

إِنْ كَانَ جَاحِداً لِلْحَقِّ فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ امْلَأْ جَوْفَهُ نَاراً وَ قَبْرَهُ‌ نَاراً وَ سَلِّطْ عَلَيْهِ الْحَيَّاتِ وَ الْعَقَارِبَ وَ ذَلِكَ قَالَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع لِامْرَأَةِ سَوْءٍ مِنْ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ صَلَّى عَلَيْهَا أَبِي وَ قَالَ هَذِهِ الْمَقَالَةَ- وَ اجْعَلِ الشَّيْطَانَ لَهَا قَرِيناً قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ لِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يَجْعَلُ الْحَيَّاتِ وَ الْعَقَارِبَ فِي قَبْرِهَا ف

“One of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ’Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ’If the dead person is one who refuses the truth say, ‘O Lord, fill up his belly with fire as well as his grave. Make snakes and scorpions dominate him.’ This is what abu Ja’far (a.s.), said about an evil woman of banu ‘Umayyah against w

تَقُولُ‌[2] اللَّهُمَّ أَخْزِ عَبْدَكَ فِي عِبَادِكَ وَ بِلَادِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِهِ نَارَكَ وَ أَذِقْهُ أَشَدَّ عَذَابِكَ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ يُعَادِي أَوْلِيَاءَكَ وَ يُوَالِي أَعْدَاءَكَ وَ يُبْغِضُ أَهْلَ بَيْتِ نَبِيِّكَ ص.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, say, ‘O Lord, humiliate a servant who is one of Your servants in Your land. O Lord, make him feel the heat of Your fire. O Lord, make him suffer the most severe of suffering from Your creation because, he was an enemy of Your friends, he loved Your enemies and hated the family of Your H

يَنْبَغِي لِصَاحِبِ الْمُصِيبَةِ أَنْ يَضَعَ رِدَاءَهُ حَتَّى يَعْلَمَ النَّاسُ أَنَّهُ صَاحِبُ الْمُصِيبَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that people of the deceased should remove their gowns. This can serve as a sign to show that they are of the people of the deceased.”

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[3] عَنِ الْغَرِيقِ أَ يُغَسَّلُ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ يُسْتَبْرَأُ قُلْتُ- وَ كَيْفَ يُسْتَبْرَأُ قَالَ يُتْرَكُ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُدْفَنَ وَ كَذَلِكَ أَيْضاً صَاحِبُ الصَّاعِقَةِ فَإِنَّهُ رُبَّمَا ظَنُّوا أَنَّهُ مَاتَ وَ لَمْ يَمُتْ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), if there is Ghusl (bath) for one who has died because of drowning. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, there is Ghusl (bath) and he is freed (of doubtful condition).’ I then asked, ‘How is he freed?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He is left for three days before burial and so also is the case of one f

يَنْبَغِي لِجِيرَانِ صَاحِبِ الْمُصِيبَةِ أَنْ يُطْعِمُوا الطَّعَامَ عَنْهُ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that neighbors of the people of a deceased should prepare food for them (people of the deceased) for three days.”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى تَطَوَّلَ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ بِثَلَاثٍ أَلْقَى عَلَيْهِمُ الرِّيحَ‌[5] بَعْدَ الرُّوحِ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ مَا دَفَنَ حَمِيمٌ حَمِيماً وَ أَلْقَى عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلْوَةَ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ لَانْقَطَعَ النَّسْلُ وَ أَلْقَى عَلَى هَذِهِ الْحَبَّةِ الدَّابَّةَ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ لَكَنَزَهَا مُلُوكُهُمْ كَمَا يَكْنِزُونَ الذَّهَبَ وَ الْفِضَّةَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, has granted people three favors: He has made dead bodies to give out foul smell; otherwise, no friend would ever bury a friend. He has made solace to take effect; otherwise, reproduction would halt. He has assigned a creature over this grain

كُنْتُ بِفَيْدَ[3] فَمَشَيْتَ مَعَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ بِلَالٍ إِلَى قَبْرِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ بَزِيعٍ فَقَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ بِلَالٍ قَالَ لِي صَاحِبُ هَذَا الْقَبْرِ عَنِ الرِّضَا ع قَالَ مَنْ أَتَى قَبْرَ أَخِيهِ ثُمَّ وَضَعَ يَدَهُ عَلَى الْقَبْرِ وَ قَرَأَ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْناهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ سَبْعَ مَرَّاتٍ أَمِنَ يَوْمَ الْفَزَعِ الْأَكْبَرِ أَوْ يَوْمَ الْفَزَعِ‌[4].

“If one visits the grave of his brother (in belief), places his hand over the grave and reads Surah 97 of the Holy Quran seven times he, on the distressful Day (of Judgment) will be granted full protection and peace.’””

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ إِنَّ ابْنَ آدَمَ إِذَا كَانَ فِي آخِرِ يَوْمٍ مِنْ أَيَّامِ الدُّنْيَا وَ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ مِنْ أَيَّامِ الْآخِرَةِ مُثِّلَ لَهُ مَالُهُ وَ وَلَدُهُ وَ عَمَلُهُ فَيَلْتَفِتُ إِلَى مَالِهِ فَيَقُولُ وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي كُنْتُ عَلَيْكَ حَرِيصاً شَحِيحاً[1] فَمَا لِي عِنْدَكَ فَيَقُولُ خُذْ مِنِّي كَفَنَكَ قَالَ فَيَلْتَفِتُ إِلَى وَلَدِهِ فَيَقُولُ وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي كُنْتُ لَكُمْ مُحِبّاً و

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘When a child of Adam finds himself in the first day of his next life and the last day of his worldly life, his property, children and deeds are pictured before him. He then turns to his property and says, “By Allah, I was very greedy and stingy about you. In what ways can you help m

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا حُمِلَ عَدُوُّ اللَّهِ إِلَى قَبْرِهِ نَادَى حَمَلَتَهُ أَ لَا تَسْمَعُونَ يَا إِخْوَتَاهْ أَنِّي أَشْكُو إِلَيْكُمْ مَا وَقَعَ فِيهِ أَخُوكُمُ الشَّقِيُّ أَنَّ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ خَدَعَنِي‌[2] فَأَوْرَدَنِي ثُمَّ لَمْ يُصْدِرْنِي وَ أَقْسَمَ لِي أَنَّهُ نَاصِحٌ لِي فَغَشَّنِي وَ أَشْكُو إِلَيْكُمْ دُنْيَا غَرَّتْنِي حَتَّى إِذَا اطْمَأْنَنْتُ إِلَيْهَا صَرَعَتْنِي وَ أَشْكُو إِلَيْكُمْ أَ

“The Messenger of Allah has said that when an enemy of Allah is taken to his grave, he keeps saying to those who carry his coffin, ‘Why do you not listen to me, O my brethren, I complain before you about what has happened to me, one of your wicked brethren. The enemy of Allah (Satan) deceived me. He placed me in troubl

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ مَا نَدْرِي كَيْفَ نَصْنَعُ بِالنَّاسِ إِنْ حَدَّثْنَاهُمْ بِمَا سَمِعْنَا مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص ضَحِكُوا وَ إِنْ سَكَتْنَا لَمْ يَسَعْنَا قَالَ فَقَالَ ضَمْرَةُ بْنُ مَعْبَدٍ[3] حَدِّثْنَا فَقَالَ هَلْ تَدْرُونَ مَا يَقُولُ عَدُوُّ اللَّهِ إِذَا حُمِلَ عَلَى سَرِيرِهِ قَالَ فَقُلْنَا لَا قَالَ فَإِنَّهُ يَقُولُ لِحَمَلَتِهِ أَ لَا تَسْمَعُونَ أَنِّي أَشْكُو إِلَيْكُمْ عَدُوَّ اللَّ

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), has said, ‘We do not know how to deal with people. If we tell them that we have heard (such and such Hadith) from the Messenger of Allah, they laugh, and to remain silent (to neglect our mission) is not possible for us.’ The narrator has said that Damrah ibn Ma‘bad then said, ‘You then should

إِذَا دَخَلَ الْمُؤْمِنُ قَبْرَهُ كَانَتِ الصَّلَاةُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ الزَّكَاةُ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ وَ الْبِرُّ يُطِلُّ عَلَيْهِ‌[6] وَ يَتَنَحَّى الصَّبْرُ نَاحِيَةً وَ إِذَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْمَلَكَانِ اللَّذَانِ يَلِيَانِ مُسَاءَلَتَهُ قَالَ الصَّبْرُ لِلصَّلَاةِ وَ الزَّكَاةِ دُونَكُمَا صَاحِبَكُمْ فَإِنْ عَجَزْتُمْ عَنْهُ فَأَنَا دُونَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when a believing person is placed in his grave, his prayer appears on his right side, Zakat (his paying charity) on his left side, his good manners above him and his patience stands on one side. When the angels, who interrogate him, enter his grave, his patience will say to his pra

لَمَّا مَاتَتْ رُقَيَّةُ ابْنَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْحَقِي بِسَلَفِنَا الصَّالِحِ- عُثْمَانَ بْنِ مَظْعُونٍ وَ أَصْحَابِهِ قَالَ وَ فَاطِمَةُ ع عَلَى شَفِيرِ الْقَبْرِ تَنْحَدِرُ دُمُوعُهَا فِي الْقَبْرِ وَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَتَلَقَّاهُ بِثَوْبِهِ‌[2] قَائِماً يَدْعُو قَالَ إِنِّي لَأَعْرِفُ ضَعْفَهَا وَ سَأَلْتُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يُجِيرَهَا مِنْ ضَمَّةِ الْقَبْرِ.

“When Ruqayyah, daughter of the Messenger of Allah passed away, the Messenger of Allah said, ’You now join the people of good deeds of our predecessors like ’Uthman ibn Madh'un and his friends.’ The Imam said, "Fatimah (AS) stood on the edge of the grave with her tears falling into the grave, and the Messenger of Allah

إِنَّ فِتْيَةً مِنْ أَوْلَادِ مُلُوكِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ كَانُوا مُتَعَبِّدِينَ وَ كَانَتِ الْعِبَادَةُ فِي أَوْلَادِ مُلُوكِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَ إِنَّهُمْ خَرَجُوا يَسِيرُونَ فِي الْبِلَادِ لِيَعْتَبِرُوا فَمَرُّوا بِقَبْرٍ عَلَى ظَهْرِ الطَّرِيقِ قَدْ سَفَى عَلَيْهِ السَّافِي‌[1] لَيْسَ يُبَيَّنُ مِنْهُ إِلَّا رَسْمُهُ فَقَالُوا لَوْ دَعَوْنَا اللَّهَ السَّاعَةَ فَيَنْشُرَ لَنَا صَاحِبَ هَذَا الْقَبْرِ فَسَاءَلْن

‘Certain youth from the children of Israelite kings were devoted worshippers. Worshipping was a practice among the children of the Israelite kings. These youth decided to travel around in the land. They passed by a gravesite above the road. Winds had almost wiped out its marks. They said to each other, “We should pray

إِذَا دَخَلَ الرَّجُلُ الْمَسْجِدَ وَ هُوَ لَا يَأْتَمُّ بِصَاحِبِهِ وَ قَدْ بَقِيَ عَلَى الْإِمَامِ آيَةٌ أَوْ آيَتَانِ فَخَشِيَ إِنْ هُوَ أَذَّنَ وَ أَقَامَ أَنْ يَرْكَعَ فَلْيَقُلْ قَدْ قَامَتِ الصَّلَاةُ قَدْ قَامَتِ الصَّلَاةُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ لْيَدْخُلْ فِي الصَّلَاةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A man may enter a Masjid and is not following his companion in Salah (prayer). He finds the Imam has only one verse to recite or two verses. He is afraid of not being able to join the Imam in Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) if he says Adhan or ‘Iqamah. He can say, ‘Salah (prayer) h

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الْمَاضِيَ ع عَمَّا أَقُولُ فِي سَجْدَةِ الشُّكْرِ فَقَدِ اخْتَلَفَ أَصْحَابُنَا فِيهِ فَقَالَ قُلْ وَ أَنْتَ سَاجِدٌ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُشْهِدُكَ وَ أُشْهِدُ مَلَائِكَتَكَ وَ أَنْبِيَاءَكَ وَ رُسُلَكَ وَ جَمِيعَ خَلْقِكَ أَنَّكَ اللَّهُ رَبِّي وَ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينِي وَ مُحَمَّداً نَبِيِّي وَ عَلِيّاً وَ فُلَاناً وَ فُلَاناً إِلَى آخِرِهِمْ أَئِمَّتِي بِهِمْ أَتَوَلَّى وَ مِنْ عَدُوِّهِمْ أَ

“I asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about what to say in prostration for thanksgiving because our people are not of the same idea about it. He told me to say the following in a prostrating position: ‘O Lord, I beg You to bear witness, I beg Your angels, Your prophets, messengers and all of Your creatures to bear witness (to

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَسْمَعُ الْعَطْسَةَ وَ أَنَا فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَأَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ وَ أُصَلِّي عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ إِذَا عَطَسَ أَخُوكَ وَ أَنْتَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَقُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ صَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ وَ إِنْ كَانَ بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَ صَاحِبِكَ الْيَمُّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from Mu‘alla’ abu ‘Uthman from abu Basir who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘In Salah (prayer) I hear sneezing, can I then praise Allah and say, “O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family wor

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ مَوَالِيَكَ قَدِ اخْتَلَفُوا فَأُصَلِّي خَلْفَهُمْ جَمِيعاً فَقَالَ لَا تُصَلِّ إِلَّا خَلْفَ مَنْ تَثِقُ بِدِينِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ لِي مَوَالٍ فَقُلْتُ أَصْحَابٌ فَقَالَ مُبَادِراً قَبْلَ أَنْ أَسْتَتِمَّ ذِكْرَهُمْ لَا يَأْمُرُكَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ حَدِيدٍ بِهَذَا أَوْ هَذَا مِمَّا يَأْمُرُكَ بِهِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ حَدِيدٍ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ‌[1].

“I said to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘You have different friends, thus, I perform Salah (prayer) behind every one of them.’ The Imam said, ‘Do not perform Salah (prayer) behind anyone whom you cannot trust in matters of his religion.’ He then said, ‘I have many friends.’ I said, ‘You have many companions.’ He then immediately

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ لَا يَؤُمُّ الْمُقَيَّدُ الْمُطْلَقِينَ وَ لَا يَؤُمُّ صَاحِبُ الْفَالِجِ الْأَصِحَّاءَ وَ لَا صَاحِبُ التَّيَمُّمِ الْمُتَوَضِّينَ وَ لَا يَؤُمُّ الْأَعْمَى فِي الصَّحْرَاءِ إِلَّا أَنْ يُوَجَّهَ إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin said, ‘One bonded cannot lead in Salah (prayer) those who are free, one paralyzed cannot lead those in good health, one with Tayammum cannot lead those with Wudu’, a blind cannot lead others in the wilderness unless directed to al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah).’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْقَوْمِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا يَجْتَمِعُونَ فَتَحْضُرُ الصَّلَاةُ فَيَقُولُ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ تَقَدَّمْ يَا فُلَانُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ يَتَقَدَّمُ الْقَوْمَ أَقْرَؤُهُمْ لِلْقُرْآنِ فَإِنْ كَانُوا فِي الْقِرَاءَةِ سَوَاءً فَأَقْدَمُهُمْ هِجْرَةً فَإِنْ كَانُوا فِي الْهِجْرَةِ سَوَاءً فَأَكْبَرُهُمْ سِنّاً فَإِنْ كَانُوا فِي السِّنِّ سَوَاءً فَلْيَؤُمَّهُمْ أَعْل

‘The Messenger of Allah has said that the most learned in al-Quran is to lead. If all of them are equally learned in al-Quran, the first to migrate among them, if all are equal in migration, then the oldest among them, if all are equal in age, then the most learned among them in the Sunnah and most learned in religion

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ صَلَّى فِي ثَوْبِ رَجُلٍ أَيَّاماً ثُمَّ إِنَّ صَاحِبَ الثَّوْبِ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ لَا يُصَلَّى فِيهِ قَالَ لَا يُعِيدُ شَيْئاً مِنْ صَلَاتِهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who performs Salah (prayer) wearing another man’s clothes for many days, then the owner of clothes inform him that he does not wear them for Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘He does not need to perform any of his Salah (prayer) again.’”

كُنْتُ مَعَ يُونُسَ بِبَغْدَادَ وَ أَنَا أَمْشِي مَعَهُ فِي السُّوقِ فَفَتَحَ صَاحِبُ الْفُقَّاعِ فُقَّاعَهُ فَقَفَزَ[1] فَأَصَابَ ثَوْبَ يُونُسَ فَرَأَيْتُهُ قَدِ اغْتَمَّ بِذَلِكَ حَتَّى زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ أَ لَا تُصَلِّي قَالَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ حَتَّى أَرْجِعَ إِلَى الْبَيْتِ وَ أَغْسِلَ هَذَا الْخَمْرَ مِنْ ثَوْبِي فَقُلْتُ لَهُ هَذَا رَأْيٌ رَأَيْتَهُ أَوْ شَي

Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from certain persons of our people from abu Jamil al-Basriy who have said the following: “Yunus and I were in Baghdad. I walked with him in the market. An owner of beer opened the container of his beer and drops from it came in contact with clothes of Yunus and I saw him depressed until

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ وَ ذَكَرَ مَسْجِدَ السَّهْلَةِ فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ مَنْزِلُ صَاحِبِنَا إِذَا قَامَ بِأَهْلِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when al-Sahlah Masjid was mentioned, said, ‘It is the dwelling of our companion when he rises (with Divine Authority).”’

إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ يُعْطِي هَؤُلَاءِ جَمِيعاً لِأَنَّهُمْ يُقِرُّونَ لَهُ بِالطَّاعَةِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ كَانُوا لَا يَعْرِفُونَ فَقَالَ يَا زُرَارَةُ لَوْ كَانَ يُعْطِي مَنْ يَعْرِفُ دُونَ مَنْ لَا يَعْرِفُ لَمْ يُوجَدْ لَهَا مَوْضِعٌ وَ إِنَّمَا يُعْطِي مَنْ لَا يَعْرِفُ لِيَرْغَبَ فِي الدِّينِ فَيَثْبُتَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَمَّا الْيَوْمَ فَلَا تُعْطِهَا أَنْتَ وَ أَصْحَابُكَ إِلَّا مَنْ يَعْرِفُ فَمَنْ وَجَدْتَ مِنْ هَؤ

“Once we both asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, in the following verse of the Holy Quran. ‘Charity funds (zakat) are only for the poor, the destitute, and the tax collectors. (It is also for the) people whose hearts are inclined (toward Islam), the slaves, those who ca

ذَكَرْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع شَيْئاً فَقَالَ اصْبِرْ فَإِنِّي أَرْجُو أَنْ يَصْنَعَ اللَّهُ لَكَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا أَخَّرَ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِمَّا عَجَّلَ لَهُ فِيهَا ثُمَّ صَغَّرَ الدُّنْيَا وَ قَالَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ هِيَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ صَاحِبَ النِّعْمَةِ عَلَى خَطَرٍ إِنَّهُ يَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ حُقُوقُ اللَّهِ فِيهَا وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ لَتَكُونُ عَلَيَّ

“I mentioned something before al-Rida (a.s.), and he said, ’Exercise patience. I hope Allah will do something good for you if He so wills.’ He then said, ’By Allah, He does not delay anything from a believer of the worldly things unless it is better for him than to do it for him quickly.’ He then belittled worldly thin

سَأَلَنِي رَجُلٌ مِنَ الزَّنَادِقَةِ فَقَالَ كَيْفَ صَارَتِ الزَّكَاةُ مِنْ كُلِّ أَلْفٍ خَمْسَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ دِرْهَماً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ مِثْلُ الصَّلَاةِ ثَلَاثٌ وَ ثِنْتَانِ وَ أَرْبَعٌ قَالَ فَقَبِلَ مِنِّي ثُمَّ لَقِيتُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حَسَبَ الْأَمْوَالَ وَ الْمَسَاكِينَ فَوَجَدَ مَا يَكْفِيهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَلْفٍ خَم

“Once an atheist asked me, ‘Why is the amount of zakat twenty- five on every one thousand?’ I replied, ‘It is because Salah (prayer) is of two, three and four Rak‘at.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘He agreed with me. I then visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and asked him about it.’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Allah, the Most M

لَيْسَ فِي الدَّيْنِ زَكَاةٌ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ صَاحِبُ الدَّيْنِ هُوَ الَّذِي يُؤَخِّرُهُ فَإِذَا كَانَ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَى أَخْذِهِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاةٌ حَتَّى يَقْبِضَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Zakat is not due on loan unless the lender delays acceptance of payment. If he is not able to achieve payment, then Zakat is not due until payment is received.’”

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَنْسَى أَوْ يُعِينُ‌[2]- فَلَا يَزَالُ مَالُهُ دَيْناً كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ فِي زَكَاتِهِ قَالَ يُزَكِّيهِ وَ لَا يُزَكِّي مَا عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الدَّيْنِ إِنَّمَا الزَّكَاةُ عَلَى صَاحِبِ الْمَالِ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who does not collect what he has lent because of forgetfulness or the desire to help his borrowers so his assets continue to remain as loans.How must he deal with Zakat? He (the owner of the assets) not the borrower pays Zakat.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ بَعَثَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص مُصَدِّقاً مِنَ الْكُوفَةِ إِلَى بَادِيَتِهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ انْطَلِقْ وَ عَلَيْكَ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ لَا تُؤْثِرَنَّ دُنْيَاكَ عَلَى آخِرَتِكَ وَ كُنْ حَافِظاً لِمَا ائْتَمَنْتُكَ عَلَيْهِ رَاعِياً لِحَقِّ اللَّهِ فِيهِ حَتَّى تَأْتِيَ نَادِيَ بَنِي فُلَانٍ‌[2] فَإِذَا قَدِمْتَ فَانْزِلْ بِمَائِهِمْ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Burayd ibn Mu‘awiyah who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say, ‘’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, gave the following disciplinary instructions to a zakat collector. He (the Imam) then sent him to th

إِنَّ ذَلِكَ لَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْكَ فَقَالَ‌ إِنِّي أُحَمِّلُ ذَلِكَ فِي مَالِي فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مُرْ مُصَدِّقَكَ أَنْ لَا يَحْشُرَ مِنْ مَاءٍ إِلَى مَاءٍ[1] وَ لَا يَجْمَعَ بَيْنَ الْمُتَفَرِّقِ وَ لَا يُفَرِّقَ بَيْنَ الْمُجْتَمِعِ وَ إِذَا دَخَلَ الْمَالَ فَلْيَقْسِمِ الْغَنَمَ نِصْفَيْنِ ثُمَّ يُخَيِّرُ صَاحِبَهَا أَيَّ الْقِسْمَيْنِ شَاءَ فَإِذَا اخْتَارَ فَلْيَدْفَعْهُ إِلَيْهِ فَإِنْ تَتَبَّعَت

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about charity (Zakat). He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not accepted from you.’ He (the narrator) then said, ‘I take it from my own assets.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said to him, ‘Instruct your Zakat collector not to move from house to house, bring together what is apart and separate what i

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنِّي رُبَّمَا قَسَمْتُ الشَّيْ‌ءَ بَيْنَ أَصْحَابِي أَصِلُهُمْ بِهِ فَكَيْفَ أُعْطِيهِمْ فَقَالَ أَعْطِهِمْ عَلَى الْهِجْرَةِ فِي الدِّينِ وَ الْعَقْلِ وَ الْفِقْهِ.

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of my gifts, for keeping good relations, to my friends and how I should do it. He (the Imam) said, ‘Give it to them on the basis of their migration to religion, intelligence and fiqh (proper understanding of Shari ‘ah).’”

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ لَهُ قَرَابَةٌ وَ مَوَالِي وَ أَتْبَاعٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص وَ لَيْسَ يَعْرِفُونَ صَاحِبَ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ أَ يُعْطَوْنَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ قَالَ لَا.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about a man who has relatives, friends and followers who love ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), but they do not acknowledge the owner of this issue (one who possesses Divine Authority) if he can give Zakat to them. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he cannot give Zakat to them.’”

إِذَا أَخَذَ الرَّجُلُ الزَّكَاةَ فَهِيَ كَمَالِهِ يَصْنَعُ بِهَا مَا يَشَاءُ قَالَ وَ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ فِي أَمْوَالِ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ فَرِيضَةً لَا يُحْمَدُونَ إِلَّا بِأَدَائِهَا وَ هِيَ الزَّكَاةُ فَإِذَا هِيَ وَصَلَتْ إِلَى الْفَقِيرِ فَهِيَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ مَالِهِ يَصْنَعُ بِهَا مَا يَشَاءُ فَقُلْتُ يَتَزَوَّجُ بِهَا وَ يَحُجُّ مِنْهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ هِيَ مَالُهُ قُلْتُ فَهَلْ يُؤ

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When a person receives Zakat it is like his own property and one can use it as one likes.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has made a share in the wealth of the wealthy people obligatory for the needy. The affluent people are not appreciated until they p

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ يَأْخُذُ الزَّكَاةَ صَاحِبُ السَّبْعِمِائَةِ إِذَا لَمْ يَجِدْ غَيْرَهُ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّ صَاحِبَ السَّبْعِمِائَةِ تَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ الزَّكَاةُ قَالَ زَكَاتُهُ صَدَقَةٌ عَلَى عِيَالِهِ‌[1] وَ لَا يَأْخُذُهَا إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ إِذَا اعْتَمَدَ عَلَى السَّبْعِمِائَةِ أَنْفَدَهَا فِي أَقَلَّ مِنْ سَنَةٍ فَهَذَا يَأْخُذُهَا وَ لَا تَحِلُّ الزَّكَاةُ لِمَنْ كَانَ مُحْتَرِفاً وَ عِنْدَه

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘One who has seven hundred has permission to receive Zakat if no one other than him can be found.’ I then asked, ‘Does the one who owns seven hundred owe Zakat? He (the Imam) said, ‘His Zakat is charity for his dependents and he must not receive charity (Zakat) except if he dep

قَدْ تَحِلُّ الزَّكَاةُ لِصَاحِبِ السَّبْعِمِائَةِ وَ تَحْرُمُ عَلَى صَاحِبِ الْخَمْسِينَ دِرْهَماً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَ كَيْفَ يَكُونُ هَذَا فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَ صَاحِبُ السَّبْعِمِائَةِ لَهُ عِيَالٌ كَثِيرٌ فَلَوْ قَسَمَهَا بَيْنَهُمْ لَمْ تَكْفِهِ فَلْيُعِفَّ عَنْهَا نَفْسُهُ وَ لْيَأْخُذْهَا لِعِيَالِهِ وَ أَمَّا صَاحِبُ الْخَمْسِينَ فَإِنَّهُ يَحْرُمُ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا كَانَ وَحْدَهُ وَ هُوَ مُحْتَرِفٌ يَعْمَلُ بِهَا وَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Sometimes it is lawful for one who has seven hundred dirham to receive Zakat but it is unlawful for one who has fifty dirham.’ I then asked, ‘How can that happen?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Sometimes the owner of seven hundred may have a large family to feed and it is not enough for them,

دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ إِنَّ لَنَا صَدِيقاً وَ هُوَ رَجُلٌ صَدُوقٌ يَدِينُ اللَّهَ بِمَا نَدِينُ بِهِ فَقَالَ مَنْ هَذَا يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ الَّذِي تُزَكِّيهِ فَقَالَ الْعَبَّاسُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ بْنِ صَبِيحٍ فَقَالَ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ الْوَلِيدَ بْنَ صَبِيحٍ مَا لَهُ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَهُ دَارٌ تَسْوَى أَرْبَعَةَ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ و

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ’Isma‘il ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz from his father who has said the following: “Once, abu Basir and I visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and abu Basir said to him (the Imam), ‘We have a friend and he is a truthful person. He follows Allah’s religion as we do.’ He (the Imam) ask

كَانَ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ رَجُلٍ قِسْمَةُ أَرْضٍ وَ كَانَ الرَّجُلُ صَاحِبَ نُجُومٍ وَ كَانَ يَتَوَخَّى‌[2] سَاعَةَ السُّعُودِ فَيَخْرُجُ فِيهَا وَ أَخْرُجُ أَنَا فِي سَاعَةِ النُّحُوسِ فَاقْتَسَمْنَا فَخَرَجَ لِي خَيْرُ الْقِسْمَيْنِ فَضَرَبَ الرَّجُلُ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى الْيُسْرَى ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا رَأَيْتُ كَالْيَوْمِ قَطُّ قُلْتُ وَيْلَ الْآخَرِ وَ مَا ذَاكَ‌[1] قَالَ إِنِّي صَاحِبُ نُجُومٍ أَخْرَجْتُكَ فِي سَاع

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said a man and I shared a piece of land. The man was an astrologer. He would find the lucky hour for his coming out of his home and an unlucky hour for me to come out of my home. We divided it, and my share was the better one. The man struck his hand against the other and said, ‘I have never

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ وَصَلَ قَرِيباً بِحَجَّةٍ أَوْ عُمْرَةٍ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ حَجَّتَيْنِ وَ عُمْرَتَيْنِ وَ كَذَلِكَ مَنْ حَمَلَ عَنْ حَمِيمٍ‌[1] يُضَاعِفُ اللَّهُ لَهُ الْأَجْرَ ضِعْفَيْنِ.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “For one who helps a relative to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah, Allah writes it as though it was two Hajj and two ‘Umrah. Likewise is the case when a friend helps his friend, that is, Allah doubles