Illness & Healing

مَرِضَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي فَأَتَيْتُهُ عَائِداً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي إِنَّ لَكَ عِنْدِي نَصِيحَةً أَ تَقْبَلُهَا فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَقُلْتُ قُلْ- أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ فَشَهِدَ بِذَلِكَ فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ هَذَا لَا تَنْتَفِعُ بِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ مِنْكَ عَلَى يَقِينٍ فَذَكَرَ أَنَّهُ مِنْهُ عَلَى يَقِينٍ فَقُلْتُ قُلْ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُ

‘It is only Allah who must be worshipped and He has no partner.’ He then testified to this fact. I then said, ‘This will not be of any benefit unless you are certain about it.’ He said that he is certain about it. I then asked him to say, ‘I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.’ He then testified to this

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَداً مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ الْمَوْتُ قَالَ لَهُ قُلْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ رَبِّ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَ رَبِّ الْأَرَضِينَ السَّبْعِ وَ مَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ‌ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ* فَإِذَا قَالَهَا الْمَرِيضُ قَالَ اذْهَبْ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ بَأْسٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), would find any member of his family in dying condition, he would ask him to say, ‘It is Allah, the Most High, the Most Great, alone who must be worshipped. It is Allah, Lord of seven heavens and the Lord of seven earths, all that is between them and t

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

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع الْمَرْأَةُ تَقْعُدُ عِنْدَ رَأْسِ الْمَرِيضِ وَ هِيَ حَائِضٌ فِي حَدِّ الْمَوْتِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ أَنْ تُمَرِّضَهُ فَإِذَا خَافُوا عَلَيْهِ وَ قَرُبَ ذَلِكَ فَلْتَتَنَحَّ عَنْهُ وَ عَنْ قُرْبِهِ فَإِنَّ الْمَلَائِكَةَ تَتَأَذَّى بِذَلِكَ‌[4].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a woman who during her Hayd (menses) sits near the head of one who is about to die. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful if she is nursing. However, when death approaches, she must move away from places nearby; angels suffer thereby (Hayd (menses)).”

إِنَّ أَبِي قَالَ لِي ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ فِي مَرَضِهِ يَا بُنَيَّ أَدْخِلْ أُنَاساً مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ حَتَّى أُشْهِدَهُمْ قَالَ فَأَدْخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ أُنَاساً مِنْهُمْ فَقَالَ يَا جَعْفَرُ إِذَا أَنَا مِتُّ فَغَسِّلْنِي وَ كَفِّنِّي وَ ارْفَعْ قَبْرِي أَرْبَعَ أَصَابِعَ وَ رُشَّهُ بِالْمَاءِ فَلَمَّا خَرَجُوا قُلْتُ يَا أَبَتِ لَوْ أَمَرْتَنِي بِهَذَا لَصَنَعْتُهُ وَ لَمْ تُرِدْ أَنْ أُدْخِلَ عَلَيْكَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One day my father during his illness said to me, ‘Son, call certain people from Quraysh and people of al-Madinah, so I can appoint them as witness.’ I then called a number of people. He said, ‘O Ja‘far, when I die, give Ghusl (bath) to me, place me in the shroud, raise the surface of

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ خَمْسٌ يُنْتَظَرُ بِهِمْ‌[2] إِلَّا أَنْ يَتَغَيَّرُوا الْغَرِيقُ وَ الْمَصْعُوقُ وَ الْمَبْطُونُ وَ الْمَهْدُومُ وَ الْمُدَخَّنُ.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from ’Isma‘il ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Khaliq, brother of Shihab ibn ‘Abd Rabbihi who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Burial is delayed, unless there is a change, because of five kinds of reasons for death: Death because of

كَانَ قَوْمٌ أَتَوْا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فَوَافَقُوا صَبِيّاً لَهُ مَرِيضاً فَرَأَوْا مِنْهُ اهْتِمَاماً وَ غَمّاً وَ جَعَلَ لَا يَقِرُّ[1] قَالَ فَقَالُوا وَ اللَّهِ لَئِنْ أَصَابَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ إِنَّا لَنَتَخَوَّفُ أَنْ نَرَى مِنْهُ مَا نَكْرَهُ قَالَ فَمَا لَبِثُوا أَنْ سَمِعُوا الصِّيَاحَ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ قَدْ خَرَجَ عَلَيْهِمْ مُنْبَسِطَ الْوَجْهِ فِي غَيْرِ الْحَالِ الَّتِي كَانَ عَلَيْهَا فَقَالُوا لَهُ جَعَلَنَ

“Once a group of people came to visit abu Ja’far (a.s.), to find out how one of his children suffering from illness was doing. They found him deeply concerned, grieved and restless. The narrator has said that they said, ‘By Allah, if something happens to him (the child), we are afraid we will see something from him (th

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع اشْتَكَى عَيْنَهُ فَعَادَهُ النَّبِيُّ ص فَإِذَا هُوَ يَصِيحُ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص أَ جَزَعاً أَمْ وَجَعاً[4] فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا وَجِعْتُ وَجَعاً قَطُّ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُ فَقَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ إِنَّ مَلَكَ الْمَوْتِ إِذَا نَزَلَ لِقَبْضِ رُوحِ الْكَافِرِ نَزَلَ مَعَهُ سَفُّودٌ[5] مِنْ نَارٍ فَيَنْزِعُ رُوحَهُ بِهِ فَتَصِيحُ جَهَنَّمُ فَاسْتَوَى عَلِيٌّ ع جَالِساً فَقَالَ يَا رَسُ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), was suffering from a severe eye illness and the Holy Prophet visited him for this reason. He groaned loudly because of severe pain. The Holy Prophet said, ‘Is it impatience or severe pain?’ He replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I have never experienced such a severe pain.’ He said, ‘O Ali, when t

فَفَعَلْتُ فَأَذْهَبَ اللَّهُ عَنِّي سُقْمِي وَ كَثُرَ وُلْدِي قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَاشِدٍ وَ كُنْتُ دَائِمَ الْعِلَّةِ مَا أَنْفَكُّ مِنْهَا فِي نَفْسِي وَ جَمَاعَةِ خَدَمِي وَ عِيَالِي فَلَمَّا سَمِعْتُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ هِشَامٍ عَمِلْتُ بِهِ فَأَذْهَبَ اللَّهُ عَنِّي وَ عَنْ عِيَالِيَ الْعِلَلَ.

“I complained before abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), against an illness and that I do not have any child. He commanded me, ‘Recite Adhan in your home loudly.’ I followed his instruction. The illness was gone and my children became numerous.” Muhammad ibn Rashid has said, ‘I was always ill, myself, a group of my servants

يَجُوزُ لِلْمَرِيضِ أَنْ يَقْرَأَ فِي الْفَرِيضَةِ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ وَحْدَهَا وَ يَجُوزُ لِلصَّحِيحِ فِي قَضَاءِ صَلَاةِ التَّطَوُّعِ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ.

‘It is permissible for one suffering from illness to recite just al-Fatihah in an obligatory Salah (prayer) as well as for one in good health in Qada’ (compensatory prayer) of optional Salah (prayer) missed during the day or night.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا الَّذِي ظَهَرَ بِوَجْهِي يَزْعُمُ النَّاسُ أَنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ يَبْتَلِ بِهِ عَبْداً لَهُ فِيهِ حَاجَةٌ فَقَالَ لَا قَدْ كَانَ مُؤْمِنُ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ‌ مُكَتَّعَ الْأَصَابِعِ‌[1] فَكَانَ يَقُولُ هَكَذَا وَ يَمُدُّ يَدَهُ وَ يَقُولُ‌ يا قَوْمِ اتَّبِعُوا الْمُرْسَلِينَ‌ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي إِذَا كَانَ الثُّلُثُ الْأَخِيرُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فِي أَوَّلِهِ فَتَوَضَّأْ

“Once I said to abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), may Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, about this thing that has appeared on my face, people say that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, does not allow it to cause suffering to one who means anything to Him.’ The Imam said, ‘No, that is not so. The fingers of the

شَكَوْتُ إِلَيْهِ عِلَّةَ أُمِّ وَلَدٍ لِي أَخَذْتُهَا فَقَالَ قُلْ لَهَا تَقُولُ فِي السُّجُودِ فِي دُبُرِ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ مَكْتُوبَةٍ يَا رَبِّي يَا سَيِّدِي صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَافِنِي مِنْ كَذَا وَ كَذَا فَبِهَا نَجَا جَعْفَرُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ‌[1] مِنَ النَّارِ قَالَ فَعَرَضْتُ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ عَلَى بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا فَقَالَ أَعْرِفُ فِيهِ يَا رَءُوفُ يَا رَحِيمُ يَا رَبِّي يَا سَيِّ

“I complained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about an illness in a mother of my child. He told me to tell her to say the following in prostration after completing an obligatory Salah (prayer), ‘O my Lord, O my master, O Allah, grant Muhammad and his family a compensation worthy of their serving Your cause, grant me a cu

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَدْنَى مَا يُجْزِئُ الْمَرِيضَ مِنَ التَّسْبِيحِ فِي الرُّكُوعِ وَ السُّجُودِ قَالَ تَسْبِيحَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ’How many Tasbih is sufficient in Ruku’ (bowing down on one’s knees) and in Sujud (prostration) in the case of one suffering from illness?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘One Tasbih is sufficient.’”

تَمْسَحُ بِيَدِكَ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى جَبْهَتِكَ وَ وَجْهِكَ فِي دُبُرِ الْمَغْرِبِ وَ الصَّلَوَاتِ وَ تَقُولُ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ وَ الشَّهَادَةِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَ الْحَزَنِ وَ السُّقْمِ وَ الْعُدْمِ‌[2] وَ الصَّغَارِ وَ الذُّلِّ وَ الْفَوَاحِشِ‌ ما ظَهَرَ مِنْها وَ ما بَطَنَ*.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Wipe with your right hand your forehead after Maghrib Salah (prayer) after sunset and other Salawat (prayers) and say, “In the name of Allah besides whom no one deserves to be worshipped. He has the knowledge of the unseen and seen, the Beneficent, the Merciful. O Lord, I seek refuge

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُصِيبُهُ الْغَمْزُ فِي بَطْنِهِ وَ هُوَ يَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ يَصْبِرَ عَلَيْهِ أَ يُصَلِّي عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ أَوْ لَا يُصَلِّي قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنِ احْتَمَلَ الصَّبْرَ وَ لَمْ يَخَفْ إِعْجَالًا عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فَلْيُصَلِّ وَ لْيَصْبِرْ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who feels something in his abdomen and he is able to bear it. Can he perform Salah (prayer) in that condition or not? He (the Imam) said, ‘If he can remain patient without fear of hastening his Salah (prayer), he completes his Salah (prayer) and exercise patience.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَ تُصَلِّي النَّوَافِلَ وَ أَنْتَ قَاعِدٌ فَقَالَ مَا أُصَلِّيهَا إِلَّا وَ أَنَا قَاعِدٌ مُنْذُ حَمَلْتُ هَذَا اللَّحْمَ وَ بَلَغْتُ هَذَا السِّنَّ.

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), ’Do you perform optional Salah (prayer) in a sitting position? He (the Imam) replied, ‘I perform them in a sitting position only from the time I have gained this much weight and reached this age.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّا نَتَحَدَّثُ نَقُولُ مَنْ صَلَّى وَ هُوَ جَالِسٌ مِنْ غَيْرِ عِلَّةٍ كَانَتْ صَلَاتُهُ رَكْعَتَيْنِ بِرَكْعَةٍ وَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ بِسَجْدَةٍ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ هُوَ هَكَذَا هِيَ تَامَّةٌ لَكُمْ.

“I once said to abu Ja’far (a.s.), that we speak and say that whoever performs Salah (prayer) in a sitting position without good reason, his two Rak’at are counted as one Rak’at and his two Sajdah (prostration) are counted as one Sajdah (prostration). He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not that way. It is complete for you.’”

إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيُوعَكُ وَ يَحْرَجُ‌[1] وَ لَكِنَّهُ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِنَفْسِهِ وَ لَكِنْ إِذَا قَوِيَ فَلْيَقُمْ.

‘A man is unwell and experiences anguish; however, he knows better about himself. When he is able he must stand up.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ وَ الْمَرْأَةِ يَذْهَبُ بَصَرُهُ فَيَأْتِيهِ الْأَطِبَّاءُ فَيَقُولُونَ نُدَاوِيكَ شَهْراً أَوْ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً مُسْتَلْقِياً كَذَلِكَ يُصَلِّي فَرَخَّصَ فِي ذَلِكَ وَ قَالَ‌ فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ باغٍ وَ لا عادٍ فَلا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ‌[2].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man and a woman who lose their eyesight. Physicians say that they can treat them within a month or forty nights while they remain lying down on their back. Can they perform Salah (prayer) in this condition? He (the Imam) gave permission saying, ‘(Permission is granted to) th

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَرِيضِ إِذَا لَمْ يَسْتَطِعِ الْقِيَامَ وَ السُّجُودَ قَالَ يُومِئُ بِرَأْسِهِ إِيمَاءً وَ أَنْ يَضَعَ جَبْهَتَهُ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who suffers from an illness and is not able to stand up and perform Sujud (prostrations). He (the Imam) said, ‘He is required to perform his Salah (prayer) by making gestures with his head, and placing his forehead on the ground is lovelier to me.’”

الْمَرِيضُ يُومِئُ إِيمَاءً.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘People suffering from illness can make gestures in their Salah (prayer).”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الْمَبْطُونِ فَقَالَ يَبْنِي عَلَى صَلَاتِهِ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of one who suffers from an internal illness because of which is not able to control anal discharge. He (the Imam) said, ‘He continues his Salah (prayer) wherever in Salah (prayer) he is.’”

قُلْتُ الرَّجُلُ يُصَلِّي وَ هُوَ قَاعِدٌ فَيَقْرَأُ السُّورَةَ فَإِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْتِمَهَا قَامَ فَرَكَعَ بِآخِرِهَا قَالَ صَلَاتُهُ صَلَاةُ الْقَائِمِ.

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about a man who performs Salah (prayer) in a sitting position. He recites Surah (chapter). When he wants to complete it he stands up then performs Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees). He (the Imam) said, ‘His Salah (prayer) is like that of the one who performs it in a standing position.’

لَا بَأْسَ وَ لَا أَرَاهُ إِلَّا قَالَ فِي الْمُعْتَلِّ وَ الْمَرِيضِ. - وَ فِي حَدِيثٍ آخَرَ يُصَلِّي مُتَرَبِّعاً وَ مَادّاً رِجْلَيْهِ كُلُّ ذَلِكَ وَاسِعٌ.

“Sinan once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who during Salah (prayer) stretches one of his legs in his front while he is sitting. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’ I do not think except that he (the Imam) said it about one with health problems or illness. In another Hadith it is said that he can perform

سُئِلَ‌[1] عَنِ الْأَسِيرِ يَأْسِرُهُ الْمُشْرِكُونَ فَتَحْضُرُ الصَّلَاةُ وَ يَمْنَعُهُ الَّذِي أَسَرَهُ مِنْهَا قَالَ يُومِئُ إِيمَاءً.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), was asked about the captive of the pagans. It becomes time for Salah (prayer) and the captor does not allow him to perform Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘He performs Salah (prayer) by making gestures.’”

الصَّحِيحُ يُصَلِّي قَائِماً وَ قُعُوداً الْمَرِيضُ يُصَلِّي جَالِساً وَ عَلى‌ جُنُوبِهِمْ‌ الَّذِي يَكُونُ أَضْعَفَ مِنَ الْمَرِيضِ الَّذِي يُصَلِّي جَالِساً.

“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . those who speak of Allah, standing, sitting and while lying on their sides. . .’ (32:15) abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘A healthy person performs Salah (prayer) standing. One suffering from an illness performs Salah (prayer) sitting, and ‘on their sides’ is

يُصَلِّي الْمَرِيضُ قَائماً فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ على ذلك صلى قاعدا فان لم يقدر صَلَّى مُسْتَلْقِياً يُكَبِّرُ ثُمَّ يَقْرَأُ فَإِذَا أَرَادَ الرُّكُوعَ غَمَّضَ عَيْنَيْهِ ثُمَّ سَبَّحَ ثُمَّ يَفْتَحُ عَيْنَيْهِ فَيَكُونُ فَتْحُ عَيْنَيْهِ رَفْعَ رَأْسِهِ مِنَ الرُّكُوعِ فَإِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَسْجُدَ غَمَّضَ عَيْنَيْهِ ثُمَّ سَبَّحَ فَإِذَا سَبَّحَ فَتَحَ عَيْنَيْهِ فَيَكُونُ فَتْحُ عَيْنَيْهِ رَفْعَ رَأْسِهِ مِنَ الس

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One suffering from an illness performs Salah (prayer) in a sitting position; if one cannot do this also, one does so while lying on one’s back, says Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) then recites. For Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) closes his eyes, then says Tasbih (Allah

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَرِيضِ أَ يَحِلُّ لَهُ أَنْ يَقُومَ عَلَى فِرَاشِهِ وَ يَسْجُدَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ قَالَ فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَ الْفِرَاشُ غَلِيظاً قَدْرَ آجُرَّةٍ أَوْ أَقَلَّ اسْتَقَامَ لَهُ أَنْ يَقُومَ عَلَيْهِ وَ يَسْجُدَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَلَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who suffers from an illness: if it is permissible to stand up on his floor furnishing and perform Sajdah (prostration) on earth. He (the Imam) said, ‘If the furnishing is thick of the size of a brick or less, he can stand up on it and perform Sajdah (prostration) on eart

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمَرِيضِ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ قَالَ فَقَالَ كُلُّ مَا غَلَبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ فَاللَّهُ أَوْلَى بِالْعُذْرِ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of one who is ill and is not able to perform Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘One whom Allah has over powered, then Allah is the first to pardon.”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الْمَرِيضِ يَقْضِي الصَّلَاةَ إِذَا أُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَا.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about one suffering from illness if one is required to perform one’s Salah (prayer) again which is missed during the time of fainting condition. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, one is not required to perform such Salah (prayer) again.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَرِيضِ يُغْمَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ يُفِيقُ كَيْفَ يَقْضِي صَلَاتَهُ قَالَ يَقْضِي الصَّلَاةَ الَّتِي أَدْرَكَ وَقْتَهَا.

“I once asked one of the two Imam, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about a patient who faints and then gains consciousness, if he is required to perform his Salah (prayer) again. He (the Imam) said, ‘He is required to perform only those Salah (prayer) again for which there was still time after his gaining consciousness.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ مَرِضَ فَتَرَكَ النَّافِلَةَ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ لَيْسَتْ بِفَرِيضَةٍ إِنْ قَضَاهَا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ يَفْعَلُهُ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ فَلَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَيْهِ.

“I once said to him (the Imam) (a.s.), ‘There is a man who has become ill and has omitted optional Salah (prayer).’ He (the Imam) said, ‘O Muhammad, it is not obligatory Salah (prayer). If he performs, it is a good deed that he does. If he did not do, he is not required to perform it.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ اجْتَمَعَ عَلَيْهِ صَلَاةُ السَّنَةِ مِنْ مَرَضٍ قَالَ لَا يَقْضِي‌[1].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man upon whom Salah (prayer) for one year has accumulated because of illness. He (the Imam) said, ‘He is not required to perform such Salah (prayer).”’

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ أَخَذَ مِنْ شَارِبِهِ وَ قَلَّمَ مِنْ أَظْفَارِهِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ ثُمَّ قَالَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ عَلَى سُنَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِكُلِّ شَعْرَةٍ وَ كُلِّ قُلَامَةٍ[1] عِتْقَ رَقَبَةٍ وَ لَمْ يَمْرَضْ مَرَضاً يُصِيبُهُ إِلَّا مَرَضَ الْمَوْتِ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘One may, on Friday trim his mustache and fingernails. In so doing if one says, “(I do this) in the name of Allah and because of the Sunnah (traditions) of the Holy Prophet, Muhammad, and his family,” Allah writes for him for every hair and piece of fingernail a reward equal to free

لَا بُدَّ مِنْ غُسْلِ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فِي الْحَضَرِ وَ السَّفَرِ فَمَنْ نَسِيَ فَلْيُعِدْ مِنَ الْغَدِ. - وَ رُوِيَ‌ فِيهِ رُخْصَةٌ لِلْعَلِيلِ.

9. Flammad has narrated from Flariz from certain persons of our people who has narrated the following: Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Taking Ghusl (bath) on Friday is necessary, regardless of whether one is at home or on a journey. If one forgets, one must take Ghusl (bath) the next day. In the case of a person sufferin

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ فِي كُلِّ سَبْعَةِ أَيَّامٍ خَمْساً وَ ثَلَاثِينَ صَلَاةً مِنْهَا صَلَاةٌ وَاجِبَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ أَنْ يَشْهَدَهَا إِلَّا خَمْسَةً الْمَرِيضَ وَ الْمَمْلُوكَ وَ الْمُسَافِرَ وَ الْمَرْأَةَ وَ الصَّبِيَّ.

‘In every seven days Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has made thirty-five Salah (prayer) obligatory upon every Muslim to attend except five kinds of people: Those suffering from illness, slaves, travelers, women and children.’”

فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَى النَّاسِ مِنَ الْجُمُعَةِ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ خَمْساً وَ ثَلَاثِينَ صَلَاةً مِنْهَا صَلَاةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ فَرَضَهَا اللَّهُ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ وَ هِيَ الْجُمُعَةُ وَ وَضَعَهَا عَنْ تِسْعَةٍ عَنِ الصَّغِيرِ وَ الْكَبِيرِ[1] وَ الْمَجْنُونِ وَ الْمُسَافِرِ وَ الْعَبْدِ وَ الْمَرْأَةِ وَ الْمَرِيضِ وَ الْأَعْمَى وَ مَنْ كَانَ عَلَى رَأْسِ فَرْسَخَيْنِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘From one Friday to the next Friday Allah has made thirty- five Salah (prayer) obligatory. Of these one is made obligatory to be performed in congregation and that is Friday Salah (prayer). He has exempted nine kinds of people: Of such people are children, the elderly, the insane, the trav

سَأَلَ إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ جَابِرٍ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ إِنَّ عَلَيَّ نَوَافِلَ كَثِيرَةً فَكَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ‌ فَقَالَ اقْضِهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ إِنَّهَا أَكْثَرُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ اقْضِهَا قُلْتُ لَا أُحْصِيهَا قَالَ تَوَخَ‌[1] قَالَ مُرَازِمٌ وَ كُنْتُ مَرِضْتُ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ لَمْ أَتَنَفَّلْ فِيهَا قُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ وَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَرِضْتُ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ لَمْ أُصَلِّ نَا

“’Isma’il ibn Jabir once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, there is a great deal of optional Salah (prayer) upon me. What should I do?’ He (the Imam) said, ’Perform the compensatory prayer for them.’ He said, ‘They are of a great number.’ He (the Imam) said, ’Perform the compensato

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع رَجُلٌ كَانَ عِنْدَهُ مِائَتَا دِرْهَمٍ غَيْرَ دِرْهَمٍ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ شَهْراً ثُمَّ أَصَابَ دِرْهَماً بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فِي الشَّهْرِ الثَّانِيَ عَشَرَ فَكَمَلَتْ عِنْدَهُ مِائَتَا دِرْهَمٍ أَ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاتُهَا قَالَ لَا حَتَّى يَحُولَ عَلَيْهِ الْحَوْلُ وَ هِيَ مِائَتَا دِرْهَمٍ فَإِنْ كَانَتْ مِائَةً وَ خَمْسِينَ دِرْهَماً فَأَصَابَ خَمْسِينَ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَمْضِيَ شَهْرٌ فَلَا زَكَاةَ عَلَيْه

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about a man who has two hundred dirham less one dirham for eleven months, then he gains one more dirham thereafter during the twelfth month to complete the two hundred. Is there Zakat on him? He (the Imam) said, ‘No, Zakat is not due on him until a year passes and it is two hundred dirh

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّكَ كُنْتَ تَفْعَلُ فِي غَلَّةِ عَيْنِ زِيَادٍ[1] شَيْئاً وَ أَنَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَسْمَعَهُ مِنْكَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي نَعَمْ كُنْتُ آمُرُ إِذَا أَدْرَكَتِ الثَّمَرَةُ أَنْ يُثْلَمَ فِي حِيطَانِهَا الثُّلَمُ لِيَدْخُلَ النَّاسُ وَ يَأْكُلُوا وَ كُنْتُ آمُرُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ أَنْ يُوضَعَ عَشْرُ بُنَيَّاتٍ يَقْعُدُ عَلَى كُلِّ بُنَيَّةٍ[2] عَشَرَةٌ كُلَّمَا أَكَلَ عَشَرَةٌ جَاءَ

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I have heard that you had done certain things about the produce of the farm in ‘Ayn Ziyad (name of a certain oasis) and I like to hear it from you.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, I would command at the time fruits ripened to

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ دَاوُوا مَرْضَاكُمْ بِالصَّدَقَةِ وَ ادْفَعُوا الْبَلَاءَ بِالدُّعَاءِ[1] وَ اسْتَنْزِلُوا الرِّزْقَ بِالصَّدَقَةِ فَإِنَّهَا تُفَكُ‌[2] مِنْ بَيْنِ لُحِيِّ سَبْعِمِائَةِ شَيْطَانٍ وَ لَيْسَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَثْقَلَ عَلَى الشَّيْطَانِ مِنَ الصَّدَقَةِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ وَ هِيَ تَقَعُ فِي يَدِ الرَّبِّ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى قَبْلَ أَنْ تَقَعَ فِي يَدِ الْعَبْدِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Cure your illnesses by giving charity, repel misfortunes with prayer, and allow means of sustenance to descend upon you by giving charity. Charity finds its way through the beards of seven hundred Satans. No other thing is heavier upon Satan than when you give charity to a believing p

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ يُسْتَحَبُّ لِلْمَرِيضِ أَنْ يُعْطِيَ السَّائِلَ بِيَدِهِ وَ يَأْمُرَ السَّائِلَ أَنْ يَدْعُوَ لَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that it is preferable for a person suffering from illness to give charity with his own hand to one who asks for charity, then ask him to pray for him.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الصَّدَقَةِ عَلَى أَهْلِ الْبَوَادِي وَ السَّوَادِ فَقَالَ تَصَدَّقْ عَلَى الصِّبْيَانِ وَ النِّسَاءِ وَ الزَّمْنَى‌[1] وَ الضُّعَفَاءِ وَ الشُّيُوخِ وَ كَانَ يَنْهَى عَنْ أُولَئِكَ الْجُمَّانِينَ‌[2] يَعْنِي أَصْحَابَ الشُّعُورِ.

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Isma‘il ibn Bazi’ or someone other than him from Muhammad ibn ‘Adhafir from ‘Umar ibn Yazid who has said the following: “I asked abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about giving charity to the Bedouins and people who live in remote areas.

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِحُسَيْنٍ الصَّحَّافِ‌ يَا حُسَيْنُ مَا ظَاهَرَ اللَّهُ عَلَى عَبْدٍ النِّعَمَ حَتَّى ظَاهَرَ عَلَيْهِ مَئُونَةَ النَّاسِ فَمَنْ صَبَرَ لَهُمْ وَ قَامَ بِشَأْنِهِمْ زَادَهُ اللَّهُ‌ فِي نِعَمِهِ عَلَيْهِ عِنْدَهُمْ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَصْبِرْ لَهُمْ وَ لَمْ يَقُمْ بِشَأْنِهِمْ أَزَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَنْهُ تِلْكَ النِّعْمَةَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to Husayn al-Sahhaf, ‘O Husayn, whenever Allah grants abundant bounties to a person, his spending for people also increases. If one remains patient for spending on people, Allah increases the bounties for him before people. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, removes the bount

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِبَنِي سَلِمَةَ يَا بَنِي سَلِمَةَ مَنْ سَيِّدُكُمْ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ سَيِّدُنَا رَجُلٌ فِيهِ بُخْلٌ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ أَيُّ دَاءٍ أَدْوَى مِنَ الْبُخْلِ ثُمَ‌ قَالَ بَلْ سَيِّدُكُمْ الْأَبْيَضُ الْجَسَدِ- الْبَرَاءُ بْنُ مَعْرُورٍ.

“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, once asked banu Salmah, ‘O banu Salmah, who is your master and leader?’ They replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah, our chief is a stingy man.’ The Messenger of Allah the

هُوَ الزَّمِنُ الَّذِي لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ لِزَمَانَتِهِ‌[4].

“This is about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘feed the despondent poor one . . .’ (22:29) Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Such a time is when he is unable to go out for help due to his illness.’”

أَنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع كَانَ يَدْعُو بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ هَذَا شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ وَ هَذَا شَهْرُ الصِّيَامِ وَ هَذَا شَهْرُ الْإِنَابَةِ وَ هَذَا شَهْرُ التَّوْبَةِ وَ هَذَا شَهْرُ الْمَغْفِرَةِ وَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ هَذَا شَهْرُ الْعِتْقِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَ الْفَوْزِ بِالْجَنَّةِ اللَّهُمَّ فَسَلِّمْهُ لِي وَ تَسَلَّمْهُ مِنِّي وَ أَعِنِّي عَلَيْهِ بِأَفْضَل

8. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Husayn from Ja’far ibn Muhammad from Afi ibn Asbat from ‘Abd af-Rahman ibn Bashir from certain individuais of his people who has said the following: “Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, would say this prayer every day during the month of Ramadan, ‘O Allah, this is the

قَالَ لِي‌ يَوْماً يَا زُهْرِيُّ مِنْ أَيْنَ جِئْتَ فَقُلْتُ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ قَالَ فِيمَ كُنْتُمْ قُلْتُ تَذَاكَرْنَا أَمْرَ الصَّوْمِ فَاجْتَمَعَ رَأْيِي وَ رَأْيُ أَصْحَابِي عَلَى أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنَ الصَّوْمِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَاجِبٌ إِلَّا صَوْمُ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ يَا زُهْرِيُّ لَيْسَ كَمَا قُلْتُمْ الصَّوْمُ عَلَى أَرْبَعِينَ وَجْهاً فَعَشَرَةُ أَوْجُهٍ مِنْهَا وَاجِبَةٌ كَوُجُوبِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ عَشَرَةُ أَو

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from af-Qasim ibn Muhammad af-Jawhariy from Sulayman ibn Dawud from Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah from af-Zuhriy who has said the following: “Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, one day asked me, ‘O Zuhriy, where from are you coming?’ I replied, ’I am coming from the Masjid.’ He t

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الصَّائِمِ يَشْتَكِي أُذُنَهُ يَصُبُّ فِيهَا الدَّوَاءَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ‌[1].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Can a man who complains of an ear-ache apply medicine to it?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’”

الصَّائِمُ لَا يَجُوزُ لَهُ أَنْ يَحْتَقِنَ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who performs an enema because of an illness in the month of Ramadan. He (the Imam) said, ‘Performing an enema is not permissible when fasting.’”