Leadership & Responsibility

كُنْتُ أَنَا وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ وَ أَبُو الْخَطَّابِ مُجْتَمِعِينَ فَقَالَ لَنَا أَبُو الْخَطَّابِ مَا تَقُولُونَ فِيمَنْ لَمْ يَعْرِفْ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ فَقُلْتُ مَنْ لَمْ يَعْرِفْ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ فَهُوَ كَافِرٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْخَطَّابِ لَيْسَ بِكَافِرٍ حَتَّى تَقُومَ عَلَيْهِ الْحُجَّةُ فَإِذَا قَامَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْحُجَّةُ فَلَمْ يَعْرِفْ فَهُوَ كَافِرٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ م

“Once Muhammad ibn Muslim, abu al-Khattab and I were together and abu Khattab asked, ‘What do you say about a person who does not believe in this cause (Divine Authority of AM al-Bayt)?’ I then said, ‘Anyone who does not believe in this cause is an unbeliever.’ Abu al-Khattab said, ‘He is not an unbeliever until all ev

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ‌[1] فَقَالَ لِي شَبِيهاً بِالْفَزِعِ فَتَرَكْتُمْ أَحَداً يَكُونُ مُسْتَضْعَفاً وَ أَيْنَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفُونَ- فَوَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ مَشَى بِأَمْرِكُمْ هَذَا الْعَوَاتِقُ إِلَى الْعَوَاتِقِ فِي خُدُورِهِنَّ وَ تُحَدِّثُ بِهِ السَّقَّايَاتُ فِي طَرِيقِ الْمَدِينَةِ.

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘What do you say about the feeble-minded people?’ The Imam asked me in a manner similar to one frightened, ‘Have you left anyone to be considered feeble? By Allah, girls behind the curtains have heard about your cause (Divine Authority of Ahl al-Bayt ) and water carriers in the stre

سَمِعْتُ عَلِيّاً ص يَقُولُ‌ وَ أَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَا أَدْنَى مَا يَكُونُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ مُؤْمِناً وَ أَدْنَى مَا يَكُونُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ كَافِراً وَ أَدْنَى مَا يَكُونُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ ضَالًّا فَقَالَ لَهُ قَدْ سَأَلْتَ فَافْهَمِ الْجَوَابَ أَمَّا أَدْنَى مَا يَكُونُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ مُؤْمِناً أَنْ يُعَرِّفَهُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى نَفْسَهُ- فَيُقِرَّ لَهُ بِالطَّاعَةِ وَ يُعَرِّفَهُ نَبِيَّهُ ص فَيُقِ

“Once a man came to Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) and asked him, ‘What is the least of that with which a servant (of Allah) becomes a believer, or an unbeliever or a straying person?’ I heard the Imam say, ‘You asked the question, now try to understand the answer. The least of that with which one may be co

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

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ رُفِعَ عَنْ أُمَّتِي أَرْبَعُ‌ خِصَالٍ خَطَأُهَا وَ نِسْيَانُهَا وَ مَا أُكْرِهُوا عَلَيْهِ وَ مَا لَمْ يُطِيقُوا وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- رَبَّنا لا تُؤاخِذْنا إِنْ نَسِينا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنا رَبَّنا وَ لا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنا إِصْراً كَما حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِنا رَبَّنا وَ لا تُحَمِّلْنا ما لا طاقَةَ لَنا بِهِ‌[1] وَ قَوْلُهُ‌ إِلَّا مَنْ أُكْرِهَ وَ قَلْبُهُ مُطْ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “My followers are exempt from responsibility for four things: Acting mistakenly, forgetting, being coerced and compelled, and for failing to act. This has been mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Lord, do not hold us

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا طَلَبَ أَحَدُكُمُ الْحَاجَةَ فَلْيُثْنِ عَلَى رَبِّهِ وَ لْيَمْدَحْهُ فَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا طَلَبَ الْحَاجَةَ مِنَ السُّلْطَانِ هَيَّأَ لَهُ مِنَ الْكَلَامِ أَحْسَنَ مَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا طَلَبْتُمُ الْحَاجَةَ فَمَجِّدُوا اللَّهَ الْعَزِيزَ الْجَبَّارَ وَ امْدَحُوهُ وَ أَثْنُوا عَلَيْهِ تَقُولُ- يَا أَجْوَدَ مَنْ أَعْطَى وَ يَا خَيْرَ مَنْ سُئِلَ يَا أَرْحَمَ مَنِ اسْتُرْ

6. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from ‘Iys ibn al-Qasim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever anyone of you wishes to ask for help he should praise his Lord and thank Him. When a man wants to ask a king for something, he prepares to say the

لَمَّا قَتَلَ دَاوُدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْمُعَلَّى بْنَ خُنَيْسٍ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَأَدْعُوَنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى مَنْ قَتَلَ مَوْلَايَ وَ أَخَذَ مَالِي فَقَالَ لَهُ دَاوُدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ إِنَّكَ لَتُهَدِّدُنِي بِدُعَائِكَ قَالَ حَمَّادٌ قَالَ الْمِسْمَعِيُّ فَحَدَّثَنِي مُعَتِّبٌ أَنَّ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَمْ يَزَلْ لَيْلَتَهُ رَاكِعاً وَ سَاجِداً فَلَمَّا كَانَ فِي السَّحَرِ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ وَ هُوَ سَاجِد

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said, ‘I will pray to Allah against whoever has murdered my Mawla (servant) and has seized my property.’ Dawud ibn Ali then said, ‘You threaten me with your prayer! (But I am not afraid).’ Hammad has said that al-Misma’i said that Mu’attib said to me, ‘Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) that night continued h

قُلْتُ إِنَّا نُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فَنَحْتَجُّ عَلَيْهِمْ بِقَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ‌ فَيَقُولُونَ نَزَلَتْ فِي أُمَرَاءِ السَّرَايَا فَنَحْتَجُّ عَلَيْهِمْ بِقَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ‌ إِلَى آخِرِ الْآيَةِ[4] فَيَقُولُونَ نَزَلَتْ فِي الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ نَحْتَجُّ عَلَيْهِمْ بِقَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلّ

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘We speak to people and in support of our (Shi’a Muslim) belief refer them to the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘O believers, obey Allah, His Messenger, and your leaders (who possess Divine Authority)...’ (4:59) They say, ‘It applies to the commanders of the miss

مَنْ قَالَ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ إِلَهاً وَاحِداً أَحَداً صَمَداً لَمْ يَتَّخِذْ صاحِبَةً وَ لا وَلَداً كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ خَمْسَةً وَ أَرْبَعِينَ أَلْفَ حَسَنَةٍ وَ مَحَا عَنْهُ خَمْسَةً وَ أَرْبَعِينَ أَلْفَ سَيِّئَةٍ وَ رَفَعَ لَهُ خَمْسَةً وَ أَرْبَعِينَ أَلْفَ دَرَجَةٍ[1] وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى وَ كُنَّ لَهُ حِرْزاً فِي يَوْمِهِ مِنَ

“Whoever says ten times everyday, ‘I testify that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah alone, Who has no partner. One Lord, the only Self-sufficient, Who has not taken any companion nor any children,’ Allah will write down for him forty-five thousand good deeds, will cancel forty-five thousand of his evil deed

مَهْمَا تَرَكْتَ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ فَلَا تَتْرُكْ أَنْ تَقُولَ فِي كُلِّ صَبَاحٍ وَ مَسَاءٍ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَصْبَحْتُ- أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ فِي هَذَا الصَّبَاحِ وَ فِي هَذَا الْيَوْمِ لِأَهْلِ رَحْمَتِكَ وَ أَبْرَأُ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ أَهْلِ لَعْنَتِكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَصْبَحْتُ أَبْرَأُ إِلَيْكَ فِي هَذَا الْيَوْمِ وَ فِي هَذَا الصَّبَاحِ مِمَّنْ نَحْنُ بَيْنَ ظَهْرَانَيْهِمْ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ وَ مِمَّا كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ‌

“You may give up whatever you give up but do not give up to say every morning and in the evening the following: “O Lord, this morning I seek forgiveness from You on this day for the people of kindness and disavow the people subject to Your condemnation. “O Lord, this morning and on this day I disavow the pagans around

يَقُولُهَا ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ حِينَ يُصْبِحُ وَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ حِينَ يُمْسِي لَمْ يَخَفْ شَيْطَاناً وَ لَا سُلْطَاناً وَ لَا بَرَصاً وَ لَا جُذَاماً وَ لَمْ يَقُلْ سَبْعَ مَرَّاتٍ قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع وَ أَنَا أَقُولُهَا مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘One should say them (expressions in Hadith 25) three times in the morning and three times in the evening and should not then fear any Satan, ruler, leprosy,’ he did not say seven times. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) has said, ‘I, however, say them one hundred times.’”

لَهُ يَا أَبَهْ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَنَامَ فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ قُلْ- أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً ص عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ أَعُوذُ بِعَظَمَةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِعِزَّةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِقُدْرَةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِجَلَالِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِسُلْطَانِ اللَّهِ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلى‌ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ قَدِيرٌ* وَ أَعُوذُ بِعَفْوِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِغُفْرَانِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِرَحْمَةِ ال

“One night the son of Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) came to him and said, ‘Father I want to go to sleep.’ He said son, say, ‘1 testify that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah, that Muhammad (a.s.) is the servant and messenger of Allah. I seek protection with the greatness of Allah. I seek protection with majesty of

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ لَا تَبِيتَ لَيْلَةً حَتَّى تَعَوَّذَ بِأَحَدَ عَشَرَ حَرْفاً قُلْتُ أَخْبِرْنِي بِهَا قَالَ قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِعِزَّةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِقُدْرَةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِجَلَالِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِسُلْطَانِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِجَمَالِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِدَفْعِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِمَنْعِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِجَمْعِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِمُلْكِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said to me, ‘If you can, do not go to sleep without seeking protection with eleven letters.’ I then asked, ‘What are they?’ The Imam told me to say, ‘I seek protection with the majesty of Allah, I seek protection with the power of Allah, I seek protection with the glory of Allah, I seek protectio

أَنَّ الَّذِي دَعَا بِهِ- أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَلَى دَاوُدَ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ حِينَ قَتَلَ الْمُعَلَّى بْنَ خُنَيْسٍ وَ أَخَذَ مَالَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِنُورِكَ الَّذِي لَا يُطْفَى وَ بِعَزَائِمِكَ الَّتِي لَا تُخْفَى وَ بِعِزِّكَ الَّذِي لَا يَنْقَضِي وَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ الَّتِي لَا تُحْصَى وَ بِسُلْطَانِكَ الَّذِي كَفَفْتَ بِهِ- فِرْعَوْنَ عَنْ مُوسَى ع.

“The supplication of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) against Dawud ibn Ali when he murdered Mu’alla ibn Khunays and seized the property of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) was this supplication: ‘O Lord, I plead before You through Your light that does not extinguish, through Your determination that is not hidden, through Your majesty that ne

إِذَا خِفْتَ أَمْراً فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ لَا يَكْفِي مِنْكَ أَحَدٌ وَ أَنْتَ تَكْفِي مِنْ كُلِّ أَحَدٍ مِنْ خَلْقِكَ فَاكْفِنِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ فِي حَدِيثٍ آخَرَ قَالَ تَقُولُ يَا كَافِياً مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ لَا يَكْفِي مِنْكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ اكْفِنِي مَا أَهَمَّنِي مِنْ أَمْرِ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ وَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ- وَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَنْ

“When you are afraid of something say, ‘O Lord, no one is an alternative for You and You are the alternative for everyone of Your creatures, suffice me in such and such matters.’” “In another Hadith the Imam (a.s.) has instructed to say this, ‘O the One who suffices in everything and nothing is sufficient for Him in th

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ قَالَ لِي رَجُلٌ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ قُلْتَ حِينَ دَخَلْتَ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ بِالرَّبَذَةِ[3] قَالَ قُلْتُ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ تَكْفِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ لَا يَكْفِي مِنْكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَاكْفِنِي بِمَا شِئْتَ وَ كَيْفَ شِئْتَ وَ مِنْ حَيْثُ شِئْتَ وَ أَنَّى شِئْتَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘A man once asked me, “What did you say when you met abu Ja’far (Mansur al-‘Abbasi, ruler) at Rabadha?” The Imam said that I told him what I said was this: ‘O Lord, You are sufficient for everything and there is no alternative for You, suffice me with whatever You will, as You will, whe

قَالَ لِي‌ أَ لَا أُعَلِّمُكَ دُعَاءً تَدْعُو بِهِ إِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ إِذَا كَرَبَنَا أَمْرٌ وَ تَخَوَّفْنَا مِنَ السُّلْطَانِ أَمْراً لَا قِبَلَ لَنَا بِهِ نَدْعُو بِهِ قُلْتُ بَلَى بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ قَالَ قُلْ- يَا كَائِناً قَبْلَ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ يَا مُكَوِّنَ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ يَا بَاقِي بَعْدَ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ افْعَلْ بِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا.

“The Imam said to me, ‘Should I instinct you with a supplication so you can pray? We are a family that whenever something causes us pain or fear a ruler for something we cannot cope with, we pray to Allah with this supplication.’ I said, ‘Yes, may Allah keep my soul and the souls of my parents in service for your cause

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِعِزَّةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِقُدْرَةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِجَلَالِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِعَظَمَةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِعَفْوِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِمَغْفِرَةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِرَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِسُلْطَانِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي‌ هُوَ عَلى‌ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ قَدِيرٌ* وَ أَعُوذُ بِكَرَمِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِجَمْعِ اللَّهِ مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيدٍ وَ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ مَرِيدٍ- وَ شَرِّ كُلِّ قَر

“For protection say, ‘I seek protection with the majesty of Allah, I seek protection with the power of Allah, I seek protection with glory of Allah, I seek protection with the greatness of Allah, I seek protection with the pardoning of Allah, I seek protection with the forgiveness of Allah, I seek protection with the m

كَانَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَدْعُو عِنْدَ قِرَاءَةِ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْمُتَوَحِّدُ بِالْقُدْرَةِ وَ السُّلْطَانِ الْمَتِينِ وَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْمُتَعَالِي بِالْعِزِّ وَ الْكِبْرِيَاءِ وَ فَوْقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ‌[6] رَبَّنَا وَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ الْمُكْتَفِي بِعِلْمِكَ- وَ الْمُحْتَاجُ إِلَيْكَ كُلُّ ذِي عِلْمٍ رَبَّنَا وَ لَك

1. He [mursal = trasmitter] said: “Abū ‘Abdillāh (‘a.s.) used to supplicate thus when reading the Book of Allāh, to Whom belong Might and Majesty: ‘O Allāh! Our Lord! All praise is due to You – You are the Only One with power and firm authority. And all praise is due to You – You are the Exalted with might and grandeur

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ابْتِدَاءً مِنْهُ‌ يَا مُعَاوِيَةُ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص فَشَكَا الْإِبْطَاءَ عَلَيْهِ فِي الْجَوَابِ فِي دُعَائِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَيْنَ أَنْتَ عَنِ الدُّعَاءِ السَّرِيعِ الْإِجَابَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ مَا هُوَ قَالَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الْعَظِيمِ الْأَعْظَمِ الْأَجَلِّ الْأَكْرَمِ الْمَخْزُونِ الْمَكْنُونِ النُّورِ ال

17. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Mu’awiyah ibn ‘ Ammar who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) on his own initiation said to me, ‘O Mu’awiyah, bear in mind that a man once came to Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) complaining of the delay for the answer

أَخَذْتُ هَذَا الدُّعَاءَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ ع قَالَ وَ كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ يُسَمِّيهِ‌ الْجَامِعَ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ آمَنْتُ بِاللَّهِ وَ بِجَمِيعِ رُسُلِهِ وَ بِجَمِيعِ مَا أَنْزَلَ بِهِ‌[1] عَلَى جَمِيعِ الرُّسُلِ وَ أَنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَ لِقَاءَه

26. Ali has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Salim from abu Hamza who has said the following: “I acquired this supplication from abu Ja’far, Muhammad ibn Ali, recipient of divine supreme covenant. Abu Ja’far (a.s.) would call it al-Jami’ (comprehensive supplication): “In the name of Allah, the B

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا يَرْجِعُ الْأَمْرُ وَ الْخِلَافَةُ إِلَى آلِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَ عُمَرَ أَبَداً وَ لَا إِلَى بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ أَبَداً وَ لَا فِي وُلْدِ طَلْحَةَ وَ الزُّبَيْرِ أَبَداً وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّهُمْ نَبَذُوا الْقُرْآنَ وَ أَبْطَلُوا السُّنَنَ وَ عَطَّلُوا الْأَحْكَامَ وَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص- الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى مِنَ الضَّلَالِ وَ تِبْيَانٌ مِنَ الْعَمَى وَ اسْتِقَالَةٌ مِنَ الْعَثْرَ

8. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from certain individuals of his people from al- Khashshab in a marfu’ manner from the Imam (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘I swear by Allah, Khilafat (leadership after the Holy Prophet) will never return to the family of abu Bakr and ‘Umar. It will

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ يَا مَعَاشِرَ قُرَّاءِ الْقُرْآنِ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِيمَا حَمَّلَكُمْ مِنْ كِتَابِهِ فَإِنِّي مَسْئُولٌ وَ إِنَّكُمْ مَسْئُولُونَ إِنِّي مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ تَبْلِيغِ الرِّسَالَةِ وَ أَمَّا أَنْتُمْ فَتُسْأَلُونَ عَمَّا حُمِّلْتُمْ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَ سُنَّتِي.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘O community of the readers of the Holy Quran be pious before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, in the matters of the responsibility that He has placed upon you toward His book. I will be questioned and you will be questioned. I will be questioned about the preaching of the mess

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا مُفَضَّلُ احْتَجِزْ مِنَ النَّاسِ كُلِّهِمْ بِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ- وَ بِ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ اقْرَأْهَا عَنْ يَمِينِكَ وَ عَنْ شِمَالِكَ وَ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْكَ وَ مِنْ خَلْفِكَ وَ مِنْ فَوْقِكَ وَ مِنْ تَحْتِكَ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتَ عَلَى سُلْطَانٍ جَائِرٍ فَاقْرَأْهَا حِينَ تَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ وَ اعْقِدْ بِيَدِكَ الْيُسْرَى ثُمَّ لَا تُفَارِقْهَا حَ

‘(I begin) in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful’, and with Chapter 112 by reading toward each directions: right, left, front, back, above and below. When you enter in the presence of a tyranical ruler read it three times when looking at him, count it with your left hand and continue reading until you leav

قَرَأَ رَجُلٌ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا أَسْتَمِعُ حُرُوفاً مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ لَيْسَ عَلَى مَا يَقْرَأُهَا النَّاسُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كُفَّ عَنْ هَذِهِ الْقِرَاءَةِ اقْرَأْ كَمَا يَقْرَأُ النَّاسُ حَتَّى يَقُومَ الْقَائِمُ ع فَإِذَا قَامَ الْقَائِمُ ع قَرَأَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى حَدِّهِ وَ أَخْرَجَ الْمُصْحَفَ الَّذِي كَتَبَهُ عَلِيٌّ ع وَ قَالَ أَخْرَجَهُ عَلِيٌّ ع إِلَى النَّا

23. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn abu Hashim from Salim ibn Salamah who has said the following: “Once, a man read before Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) certain letters from the Holy Quran, while I was present, which were not like those that people read. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.)

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ عَلَيْكَ بِالتِّلَادِ[1] وَ إِيَّاكَ وَ كُلَّ مُحْدَثٍ لَا عَهْدَ لَهُ وَ لَا أَمَانَ وَ لَا ذِمَّةَ وَ لَا مِيثَاقَ وَ كُنْ عَلَى حَذَرٍ مِنْ أَوْثَقِ النَّاسِ عِنْدَكَ.

“You should maintain good relations with your old associates and friends, be cautious about a new one who does not have any protection, responsibility, or commitment and always avoid (caution) the one whom you trust the most.”

كُنَّا عِنْدَهُ وَ عِنْدَهُ حُمْرَانُ إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ مَوْلًى لَهُ فَقَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا عِكْرِمَةُ فِي الْمَوْتِ وَ كَانَ يَرَى رَأْيَ الْخَوَارِجِ وَ كَانَ مُنْقَطِعاً[3] إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لَنَا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع أَنْظِرُونِي‌[4] حَتَّى أَرْجِعَ إِلَيْكُمْ فَقُلْنَا نَعَمْ فَمَا لَبِثَ أَنْ رَجَعَ فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنِّي لَوْ أَدْرَكْتُ عِكْرِمَةَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَقَعَ النَّفْسُ مَوْقِعَهَا لَعَ

“Humran and we were present before abu Ja’far (a.s.), when a servant came in. He said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, ‘Ikrimah is in dying condition and he believes in the point of view of the al-Khawarij. However, he is (also) inclined to abu Ja‘far (a.s.) .’ The Imam then said to us, ’Wai

مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَحْضُرُهُ الْمَوْتُ إِلَّا وَكَّلَ بِهِ إِبْلِيسُ مِنْ شَيْطَانِهِ أَنْ يَأْمُرَهُ بِالْكُفْرِ وَ يُشَكِّكَهُ فِي دِينِهِ حَتَّى تَخْرُجَ نَفْسُهُ فَمَنْ كَانَ مُؤْمِناً لَمْ يَقْدِرْ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا حَضَرْتُمْ مَوْتَاكُمْ فَلَقِّنُوهُمْ شَهَادَةَ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُهُ ص حَتَّى يَمُوتَ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى قَالَ: فَلَقِّنْهُ كَلِمَاتِ الْفَرَجِ وَ الشَّه

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that at the time of everyone’s death, Satan assigns one of his devils to urge the dying person to disbelief and tries to make him doubt his religion until the time his soul departs. The devil is not able to control a believing person. When you find one of you in dying condition you shou

إِنْ كَانَ مُسْتَضْعَفاً فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تابُوا وَ اتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَ قِهِمْ عَذابَ الْجَحِيمِ‌ وَ إِذَا كُنْتَ لَا تَدْرِي مَا حَالُهُ فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ يُحِبُّ الْخَيْرَ وَ أَهْلَهُ فَاغْفِرْ لَهُ وَ ارْحَمْهُ وَ تَجَاوَزْ عَنْهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفُ مِنْكَ بِسَبِيلٍ‌[2] فَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُ عَلَى وَجْهِ الشَّفَاعَةِ لَا عَلَى وَجْهِ الْوَلَايَةِ[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If the deceased is a person of weak understanding, say, “O Lord, forgive those who have repented and followed Your path and protect them against suffering of the hell fire.” If you do not know the condition of the deceased, then say, “O Lord, if this deceased is of those who

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا أَقُولُ إِذَا أَدْخَلْتُ الْمَيِّتَ مِنَّا قَبْرَهُ قَالَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا عَبْدُكَ فُلَانٌ وَ ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ قَدْ نَزَلَ بِكَ وَ أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْزُولٍ بِهِ وَ قَدِ احْتَاجَ إِلَى رَحْمَتِكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَ لَا نَعْلَمُ مِنْهُ إِلَّا خَيْراً وَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِسَرِيرَتِهِ وَ نَحْنُ الشُّهَدَاءُ بِعَلَانِيَتِهِ اللَّهُمَّ فَجَافِ الْأَرْضَ عَنْ جَنْبَيْهِ وَ لَقِّنْهُ حُجَّتَ

8. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad all from ibn Mahbub from abu Ayyub from Sanaa ‘ah who has said the following: “I asked abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘What should we say when placing a deceased from us in the grave?’ He said to say, ‘O Allah,

إِذَا وَضَعْتَ الْمَيِّتَ فِي الْقَبْرِ قُلْتَ- اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا عَبْدُكَ وَ ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ وَ ابْنُ أَمَتِكَ نَزَلَ بِكَ وَ أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْزُولٍ بِهِ فَإِذَا سَلَلْتَهُ مِنْ قِبَلِ الرِّجْلَيْنِ وَ دَلَّيْتَهُ‌[1] قُلْتَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ عَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص اللَّهُمَّ إِلَى رَحْمَتِكَ لَا إِلَى عَذَابِكَ اللَّهُمَّ افْسَحْ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَ لَقِّنْهُ حُجَّتَهُ وَ ثَبِّتْهُ بِالْقَوْلِ

11. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘ah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that when you place a deceased in the grave say, ‘O Allah [this is] Your servant son of a male servant and a female servant who has become Your gues

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

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ مَنِ الْمَسْئُولُونَ فِي قُبُورِهِمْ قَالَ مَنْ مَحَضَ الْإِيمَانَ وَ مَنْ مَحَضَ الْكُفْرَ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَبَقِيَّةُ هَذَا الْخَلْقِ قَالَ يُلْهَى وَ اللَّهِ عَنْهُمْ مَا يُعْبَأُ بِهِمْ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ عَمَّ يُسْأَلُونَ قَالَ عَنِ الْحُجَّةِ الْقَائِمَةِ بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِكُمْ فَيُقَالُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ مَا تَقُولُ فِي فُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانٍ فَيَقُولُ ذَاكَ إِمَامِي فَيُقَالُ نَمْ

“I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), ’May Allah grant you well being, who are interrogated in the grave?’ The Imam replied, ‘The only ones interrogated in the grave are those whose belief or disbelief is absolute and total.’ The narrator has said that I then asked, ‘What about the rest of these creatures?’ The Imam replied, ‘Th

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع أَنَّ النَّاسَ يَذْكُرُونَ أَنَّ فُرَاتَنَا يَخْرُجُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ فَكَيْفَ هُوَ وَ هُوَ يُقْبِلُ مِنَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَ تُصَبُّ فِيهِ الْعُيُونُ وَ الْأَوْدِيَةُ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ- إِنَّ لِلَّهِ جَنَّةً خَلَقَهَا اللَّهُ فِي الْمَغْرِبِ وَ مَاءَ فُرَاتِكُمْ يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَ إِلَيْهَا تَخْرُجُ أَرْوَاحُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ حُفَرِهِمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسَاءٍ فَتَ

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad as well as Sahl ibn Ziyad and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father, all from ibn Mahbub from Ali ibn Ri’ab from Durays al-Kunasiy who has said the following: “I said to abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘People say that our Euphrates gushes forth from

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

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَمَّا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ فَقَالَ خَمْسُ صَلَوَاتٍ فِي اللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ فَقُلْتُ فَهَلْ سَمَّاهُنَّ وَ بَيَّنَهُنَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى لِنَبِيِّهِ ص- أَقِمِ الصَّلاةَ لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ‌ إِلى‌ غَسَقِ اللَّيْلِ‌[1] وَ دُلُوكُهَا زَوَالُهَا فَفِيمَا بَيْنَ دُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَى غَسَقِ اللَّيْلِ أَرْبَعُ صَلَوَاتٍ سَمَّاهُنَّ ا

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about how much of Salah (prayer) Allah, the most Majestic and Glorious, has made obligatory. He (the Imam) said, ‘During one day and night five prayers are made obligatory.’ I then asked, ‘Has He named and explained them in His book?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Allah, the most High, has said to

صَلَّى بِنَا أَبُو بَصِيرٍ فِي طَرِيقِ مَكَّةَ فَقَالَ وَ هُوَ سَاجِدٌ وَ قَدْ كَانَتْ ضَلَّتْ نَاقَةٌ لِجَمَّالِهِمْ اللَّهُمَّ رُدَّ عَلَى فُلَانٍ نَاقَتَهُ قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ قَالَ وَ فَعَلَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ وَ فَعَلَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَسَكَتَ قُلْتُ فَأُعِيدُ الصَّلَاةَ قَالَ لَا.

“Abu Basir once on the way to Makkah performed Salah (prayer) with us as the leader and while in Sajdah (prostration) said, ‘O Lord, - a camel of their camel man was lost-, return to so and so his camel.’ Muhammad has said that I then went to visit abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and informed him (about what abu Basir had said

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 لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا يَرْوِي النَّاسُ أَنَّ الصَّلَاةَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صَلَاةِ الرَّجُلِ وَحْدَهُ بِخَمْسٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ صَلَاةً فَقَالَ صَدَقُوا فَقُلْتُ الرَّجُلَانِ يَكُونَانِ جَمَاعَةً فَقَالَ نَعَمْ وَ يَقُومُ الرَّجُلُ عَنْ يَمِينِ الْإِمَامِ.

“I asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ’People say that performing Salah (prayer) in congregation is more virtuous than twenty-five Salah (prayer) performed alone. Is this true ? 5 The Imam replied, ‘What they say is right.’ I then asked, ‘Can two people be considered a congregation?’ He (a.s.), said, ‘Yes, but one should sta

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).’”

فِي رَجُلَيْنِ اخْتَلَفَا فَقَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا كُنْتُ إِمَامَكَ وَ قَالَ الْآخَرُ أَنَا كُنْتُ إِمَامَكَ فَقَالَ‌[2] صَلَاتُهُمَا تَامَّةٌ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ قَالَ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا كُنْتُ أَئْتَمُّ بِكَ قَالَ صَلَاتُهُمَا فَاسِدَةٌ وَ لْيَسْتَأْنِفَا.

“If two people disagree and one says, ‘I was your Imam’ and the other says, ‘I was your Imam’ he (the Imam) said, ‘Both persons’ Salah (prayer) is complete.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘What happens if each one says, ‘I followed you.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Both persons’ Salah (prayer) is invalid. They must perform it

قُلْتُ لَهُ الصَّلَاةُ خَلْفَ الْعَبْدِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ إِذَا كَانَ فَقِيهاً وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ هُنَاكَ أَفْقَهُ مِنْهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ أُصَلِّي خَلْفَ الْأَعْمَى قَالَ نَعَمْ إِذَا كَانَ لَهُ مَنْ يُسَدِّدُهُ وَ كَانَ‌ أَفْضَلَهُمْ قَالَ وَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع لَا يُصَلِّيَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ خَلْفَ الْمَجْذُومِ وَ الْأَبْرَصِ وَ الْمَجْنُونِ وَ الْمَحْدُودِ وَ وَلَدِ الزِّنَا وَ الْأَعْرَابِيُّ لَا يَؤُمُّ ا

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about performing Salah (prayer) behind a slave. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not an offense if he has good understanding of fiqh (Islamic laws) and there is no one ex

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

لَا بَأْسَ بِالْغُلَامِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَبْلُغِ الْحُلُمَ أَنْ يَؤُمَّ الْقَوْمَ وَ أَنْ يُؤَذِّنَ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not an offense if a young boy, who has not become an adult, leads a people and says Adhan.”’ (Ahadith 1-6 and the following chapters are best explained in the form of fatwa.)

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ أَمَّ قَوْماً وَ هُوَ عَلَى غَيْرِ طُهْرٍ فَأَعْلَمَهُمْ بَعْدَ مَا صَلَّوْا فَقَالَ يُعِيدُ هُوَ وَ لَا يُعِيدُونَ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who leads a people in Salah (prayer) but does not have a valid Wudu’ and informs them after Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘Only he, but not they, must perform again.”’

يُعِيدُ وَ لَا يُعِيدُونَ فَإِنَّهُمْ قَدْ تَحَرَّوْا[2].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a blind man who leads a people in Salah (prayer) and is not facing al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah). He (the Imam) said, ‘Only he, but not they, performs again; they had made the effort (about al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah)).’”

سَأَلْتُ أَحَدَهُمَا ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ صَلَّى بِقَوْمٍ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَأَخْبَرَهُمْ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلَى وُضُوءٍ قَالَ يُتِمُّ الْقَوْمُ صَلَاتَهُمْ فَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ عَلَى الْإِمَامِ ضَمَانٌ‌[3].

“I once asked one of the two Imam, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about a man who leads a people in Salah (prayer) of two Rak‘at and then informs them that he does not have a valid Wudu’. He (the Imam) said, ‘People must complete their Salah (prayer); there is no responsibility on Imam.’”

فِي قَوْمٍ خَرَجُوا مِنْ خُرَاسَانَ أَوْ بَعْضِ الْجِبَالِ وَ كَانَ يَؤُمُّهُمْ رَجُلٌ فَلَمَّا صَارُوا إِلَى الْكُوفَةِ عَلِمُوا أَنَّهُ يَهُودِيٌّ قَالَ لَا يُعِيدُونَ.

“About the case of a people who traveled from certain mountainous area of Khurasan and a man would lead them in Salah (prayer), when in al-Kufah they found out that he was a Jew, Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘They are not required to perform their Salah (prayer) again.’”

رَأَيْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ فِي صَلَاةِ الْعَصْرِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ دُونَ الصُّفُوفِ رَكَعُوا فَرَكَعَ وَحْدَهُ وَ سَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَمَضَى حَتَّى لَحِقَ الصُّفُوفَ.

“I once saw abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), entering Masjid al-Haram during al-‘Asr Salah (prayer), when he was near the rows, they performed Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees). He (the Imam) performed Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) alone and two Sajdah (prostration). He (the Imam) then stood up and walked until he joined t

قُلْتُ لَهُ‌[1] الرَّجُلُ يَتَأَخَّرُ وَ هُوَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ قَالَ لَا[2] قُلْتُ فَيَتَقَدَّمُ قَالَ نَعَمْ مَا شَاءَ إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), ‘Can a man move backward in Salah (prayer)?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he cannot do so.’ I then asked, ‘Can he move forward?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, as much as he wants to al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah).’”