سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ الْوُضُوءُ قَبْلَ الطَّعَامِ وَ بَعْدَهُ يَزِيدَانِ فِي الرِّزْقِ. - وَ رُوِيَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ: أَوَّلُهُ يَنْفِي الْفَقْرَ وَ آخِرُهُ يَنْفِي الْهَمَّ.
“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Wudu before and after eating food increases one’s sustenance.’ It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Wudu before eating food removes poverty and that which is after food removes depression.’”
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا وُضِعَتِ الْمَائِدَةُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ قَالَ- سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ مَا أَحْسَنَ مَا تَبْتَلِينَا سُبْحَانَكَ مَا أَكْثَرَ مَا تُعْطِينَا سُبْحَانَكَ مَا أَكْثَرَ مَا تُعَافِينَا اللَّهُمَّ أَوْسِعْ عَلَيْنَا وَ عَلَى فُقَرَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ الْمُسْلِمَاتِ.
“The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, when food was made available for him said, ‘O Lord, You are free of all defects, how good is Your trial for us. O Lord, You are free of all defects, and how great is what You have granted us, O Lord,
أَكَلَ الْغِلْمَانُ يَوْماً فَاكِهَةً وَ لَمْ يَسْتَقْصُوا أَكْلَهَا وَ رَمَوْا بِهَا فَقَالَ لَهُمْ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمُ اسْتَغْنَيْتُمْ فَإِنَّ أُنَاساً لَمْ يَسْتَغْنُوا أَطْعِمُوهُ مَنْ يَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ.
“One day boys ate fruit but they did not eat them all and threw them away. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), said to them, ’Allah is free of all defects, if you did not need them, there are people who need them. You must feed those who are needy.’”
أَوْلَمَ إِسْمَاعِيلُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَلَيْكَ بِالْمَسَاكِينِ فَأَشْبِعْهُمْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- وَ ما يُبْدِئُ الْباطِلُ وَ ما يُعِيدُ.
“’Isma’il prepared food for a ceremony and abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), said to him, ’You must pay attention to the destitute to satisfy their hunger. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “Falsehood is not served first or revisited for service.” (34:49)”’
قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص مَنْ بَنَى مَسْكَناً فَلْيَذْبَحْ كَبْشاً سَمِيناً وَ لْيُطْعِمْ لَحْمَهُ الْمَسَاكِينَ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ ادْحَرْ عَنِّي مَرَدَةَ الْجِنِّ وَ الْإِنْسِ وَ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي بُيُوتِنَا إِلَّا أُعْطِيَ مَا سَأَلَ.
“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, has said, ‘Whoever builds a house should slaughter a healthy ram and feed its meat to the destitute. He then should say, ‘O Lord, drive away from me defiant ones o
أَكَلْنَا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَلَمَّا رُفِعَ الْخِوَانُ لَقَطَ مَا وَقَعَ مِنْهُ فَأَكَلَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَنَا إِنَّهُ يَنْفِي الْفَقْرَ وَ يُكْثِرُ الْوَلَدَ.
“Once we ate food with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). When the table-spread was collected, he (the Imam) picked up the pieces that had fallen on it and ate them then said to us, ‘This removes poverty and increases the number of children.’”
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ إِنِّي لَأَلْحَسُ أَصَابِعِي مِنَ الْأُدْمِ حَتَّى أَخَافَ أَنْ يَرَانِي خَادِمِي فَيَرَى أَنَّ ذَلِكَ مِنَ التَّجَشُّعِ[2] وَ لَيْسَ ذَلِكَ كَذَلِكَ إِنَّ قَوْماً أُفْرِغَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ النِّعْمَةُ وَ هُمْ أَهْلُ الثَّرْثَارِ[3] فَعَمَدُوا إِلَى مُخِّ الْحِنْطَةِ فَجَعَلُوهَا خُبْزاً هَجَاءً وَ جَعَلُوا يُنَجُّونَ[4] بِهِ صِبْيَانَهُمْ حَتَّى اجْتَمَعَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ جَبَلٌ عَظ
“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘I lick food from my fingers but I fear my servants’ seeing me and their thinking that I am greedy. That is not true. A people upon whom bounties were poured owned a very large canal. They bleached the wheat for bread for food and used it to wipe their children with it until
قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع مَا افْتَقَرَ أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ يَأْتَدِمُونَ بِالْخَلِّ وَ الزَّيْتِ وَ ذَلِكَ أُدْمُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ ع.
“’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘A family that uses vinegar and oil as their sauce, never becomes needy; it is the sauce of the Prophets, ‘Alayhim al-Salam.’”
دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِلَى أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا فَقَرَّبَتْ إِلَيْهِ كِسَراً فَقَالَ هَلْ عِنْدَكِ إِدَامٌ فَقَالَتْ لَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا عِنْدِي إِلَّا خَلٌّ فَقَالَ ص نِعْمَ الْإِدَامُ الْخَلُّ مَا أَقْفَرَ بَيْتٌ فِيهِ الْخَلُ[1].
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once the Messenger of Allah went to the house of ‘Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, and she brought pieces of bread. He (the Messenger of Allah) asked, ‘Do you have any sauce?’ She replied, ‘No, O Messenger of Allah except vinegar.’ He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘Yes,
سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ مَا أَقْفَرَ بَيْتٌ فِيهِ خَلٌّ وَ قَدْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص ذَلِكَ.
‘A house in which there is vinegar does not become needy, and the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has already said it.’”
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ النَّاسَ يَرْوُونَ أَنَّ لَكَ مَالًا كَثِيراً فَقَالَ مَا يَسُوؤُنِي ذَاكَ إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع مَرَّ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ عَلَى نَاسٍ شَتَّى مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ وَ عَلَيْهِ قَمِيصٌ مُخَرَّقٌ فَقَالُوا أَصْبَحَ عَلِيٌّ لَا مَالَ لَهُ فَسَمِعَهَا أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَأَمَرَ الَّذِي يَلِي صَدَقَتَهُ أَنْ يَجْمَعَ تَمْرَهُ وَ لَا يَبْعَثَ إِلَى إِنْسَانٍ شَيْئاً وَ أَنْ يُوَفِّرَه
“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘People say you have a great wealth . 5 He (the Imam) said, ‘It does not affect me badly because ’Amir al-Mu’minin one day passed by different groups of Quraysh with a very old shirt on him and they said, ‘Ali has become very poor and has no assets . 5 ’Amir al-Mu 5 minin heard it
الْعَقِيقُ يَنْفِي الْفَقْرَ وَ لُبْسُ الْعَقِيقِ يَنْفِي النِّفَاقَ.
“Al-Rida’ (a.s.), has said, ‘Carnelian disallows poverty and wearing carnelian dispels hypocrisy.’”
كَانَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ خَاتَماً فَصُّهُ عَقِيقٌ لَمْ يَفْتَقِرْ وَ لَمْ يُقْضَ لَهُ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ.
“Al-Rida’ (a.s.), has said that abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), would say, ‘One who uses ‘Aqiq (carnelian) as the stone of his ring does not become poor and he ends up only in goodness.’”
كَانَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ تَخَتَّمُوا بِالْيَوَاقِيتِ فَإِنَّهَا تَنْفِي الْفَقْرَ.
“Al-Rida’ (a.s.), has said that abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), would say, ‘You must use ruby as a ring, it disallows poverty.’”
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص تَخَتَّمُوا بِالْيَوَاقِيتِ فَإِنَّهَا تَنْفِي الْفَقْرَ.
“The Messenger of Allah (saww) has said, ‘You must use rubies as rings; they disallow poverty.’”
سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ تَخَتَّمُوا بِالْيَوَاقِيتِ فَإِنَّهَا تَنْفِي الْفَقْرَ.
‘You must use ruby in the ring; it disallows poverty.’”
مَنْ تَخَتَّمَ بِالْفَيْرُوزَجِ لَمْ يَفْتَقِرْ كَفُّهُ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’If one uses a ring of turquoise his palm does not become poor.’”
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع تَقْلِيمُ الْأَظْفَارِ وَ قَصُّ الشَّارِبِ وَ غَسْلُ الرَّأْسِ بِالْخِطْمِيِّ كُلَّ جُمُعَةٍ يَنْفِي الْفَقْرَ وَ يَزِيدُ فِي الرِّزْقِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Clipping fingernails, mustache and washing one’s head with hollyhock (marshmallow plant) every Friday banishes poverty and increases one’s sustenance.’”
تَقْلِيمُ الْأَظْفَارِ وَ الْأَخْذُ مِنَ الشَّارِبِ وَ غَسْلُ الرَّأْسِ بِالْخِطْمِيِّ يَنْفِي الْفَقْرَ وَ يَزِيدُ فِي الرِّزْقِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Cutting fingernails, trimming the mustache and washing the head with marshmallow plant banish poverty and increases one’s sustenance.’”
مَنِ اطَّلَى فَتَدَلَّكَ بِالْحِنَّاءِ مِنْ قَرْنِهِ إِلَى قَدَمِهِ نُفِيَ عَنْهُ الْفَقْرُ.
“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘If one applies lime paste then rubs henna from his top to his toes, his poverty goes away.’”
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي أُعَامِلُ التُّجَّارَ فَأَتَهَيَّأُ لِلنَّاسِ كَرَاهَةَ أَنْ يَرَوْا بِي خَصَاصَةً فَأَتَّخِذُ الْغَالِيَةَ فَقَالَ يَا إِسْحَاقُ إِنَّ الْقَلِيلَ مِنَ الْغَالِيَةِ يُجْزِئُ وَ كَثِيرَهَا سَوَاءً مَنِ اتَّخَذَ مِنَ الْغَالِيَةِ قَلِيلًا دَائِماً أَجْزَأَهُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ إِسْحَاقُ وَ أَنَا أَشْتَرِي مِنْهَا فِي السَّنَةِ بِعَشَرَةِ دَرَاهِمَ فَأَكْتَفِي بِهَا وَ رِيحُهَا ثَابِتٌ ط
“I once said to abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), that I work with the merchants and prepare myself for people because of my dislike for their seeing me as a destitute person; if I can use al-Ghaliyah. He (the Imam) said, ‘O Ishaq, a small amount of it is enough just like a large amount. If one uses a small amount of al-Ghaliyah
كَنْسُ الْبَيْتِ يَنْفِي الْفَقْرَ.
“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Sweep the house, it removes poverty.’”
قَالَ الرِّضَا ع إِسْرَاجُ السِّرَاجِ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَغِيبَ الشَّمْسُ يَنْفِي الْفَقْرَ.
“Al-Rida’ (a.s.), has said, ‘Turning on the lamp before sunset banishes poverty.’”
إِذَا اتَّخَذَ أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ شَاةً أَتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ بِرِزْقِهَا وَ زَادَ فِي أَرْزَاقِهِمْ وَ ارْتَحَلَ الْفَقْرُ عَنْهُمْ مَرْحَلَةً فَإِنِ اتَّخَذَ شَاتَيْنِ أَتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ بِأَرْزَاقِهِمَا وَ زَادَ فِي أَرْزَاقِهِمْ وَ ارْتَحَلَ الْفَقْرُ عَنْهُمْ مَرْحَلَتَيْنِ فَإِنِ اتَّخَذُوا ثَلَاثَةً أَتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ بِأَرْزَاقِهِمْ وَ ارْتَحَلَ الْفَقْرُ عَنْهُمْ رَأْساً.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a family keeps one sheep, Allah provides her sustenance, increases their sustenance and dispels poverty from them by a distance (of one day’s journey). If a family keeps two sheep, Allah provides their sustenance and increases their sustenance and dispels poverty from them by two d
كَتَبَ الْخَلِيلُ بْنُ هَاشِمٍ إِلَى ذِي الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ وَ هُوَ وَالِي نَيْسَابُورَ أَنَّ رَجُلًا مِنَ الْمَجُوسِ مَاتَ وَ أَوْصَى لِلْفُقَرَاءِ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ مَالِهِ فَأَخَذَهُ قَاضِي نَيْسَابُورَ فَجَعَلَهُ فِي فُقَرَاءِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَكَتَبَ الْخَلِيلُ إِلَى ذِي الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ بِذَلِكَ فَسَأَلَ الْمَأْمُونَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عِنْدِي فِي ذَلِكَ شَيْءٌ فَسَأَلَ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَس
“Once, Khalil ibn Hashim wrote to Dhi al-Riyasatayn who was the governor of Nisabur and asked that a Zoroastrian man has died and has made a will about a certain amount from his assets for the poor. The judge of Nisabur took the amount and gave it to the poor Muslims. Dhu al-Riyasatayn asked Ma’mun about it. Ma’mun who
أَوْصَتْ مَارِدَةُ لِقَوْمٍ نَصَارَى فَرَّاشِينَ بِوَصِيَّةٍ فَقَالَ أَصْحَابُنَا اقْسِمْ هَذَا فِي فُقَرَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ[2] مِنْ أَصْحَابِكَ فَسَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ أُخْتِي أَوْصَتْ بِوَصِيَّةٍ لِقَوْمٍ نَصَارَى وَ أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَصْرِفَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى قَوْمٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا مُسْلِمِينَ فَقَالَ أَمْضِ الْوَصِيَّةَ عَلَى مَا أَوْصَتْ بِهِ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى فَإِنَّما إِثْمُهُ عَلَى
“Maridah made a will for the Christians who worked as maintenance people. Our people said to spend it on the poor believers of your people. I then asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), that my sister has made a will for Christian persons and I wanted to spend it for our Muslim people. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must execute the will as
سَأَلَنِي رَجُلٌ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ تُوُفِّيَتْ وَ لَمْ تَحُجَّ فَأَوْصَتْ أَنْ يُنْظَرَ قَدْرُ مَا يُحَجُّ بِهِ فَسُئِلَ عَنْهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ أَمْثَلَ أَنْ يُوضَعَ فِي فُقَرَاءِ وُلْدِ فَاطِمَةَ وُضِعَ فِيهِمْ وَ إِنْ كَانَ الْحَجُّ 5 أَمْثَلَ حُجَّ عَنْهَا فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنْ كَانَتْ عَلَيْهَا حَجَّةٌ مَفْرُوضَةٌ فَأَنْ يُنْفَقَ مَا أَوْصَتْ بِهِ فِي الْحَجِّ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ يُقْسَمَ فِي غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ[1].
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A man once asked me about a woman who died without performing al-Hajj but made a will about an amount which is sufficient for al-Hajj. He asked if it is better to spend it on the needy people from the descendents of Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, it will be done so; if performing al-Hajj
سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ مَاتَ وَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ بِقَدْرِ ثَمَنِ كَفَنِهِ فَقَالَ يُجْعَلُ مَا تَرَكَ فِي ثَمَنِ كَفَنِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ يَتَّجِرَ عَلَيْهِ[1] بَعْضُ النَّاسِ فَيُكَفِّنَهُ وَ يُقْضَى مَا عَلَيْهِ مِمَّا تَرَكَ.
“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of a man who dies owing a debt which is equal to the cost of his shroud. He (the Imam) said, ‘His legacy must be spent to pay for his shroud unless people may come forward to use his legacy in business and pay for his shroud and debts.’”
قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص إِنَّ الدَّيْنَ قَبْلَ الْوَصِيَّةِ ثُمَّ الْوَصِيَّةَ عَلَى أَثَرِ الدَّيْنِ ثُمَّ الْمِيرَاثَ بَعْدَ الْوَصِيَّةِ فَإِنَّ أَوَّلَ الْقَضَاءِ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.
“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that ’ Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘A debt must be paid before the will, then the will is paid for. Thereafter are the shares of the heirs after the will, because the first judge in the case is the book of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’”
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى إِلَى رَجُلٍ وَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ فَقَالَ يَقْضِي الرَّجُلُ مَا عَلَيْهِ مِنْ دَيْنِهِ وَ يَقْسِمُ مَا بَقِيَ بَيْنَ الْوَرَثَةِ قُلْتُ فَسُرِقَ مَا كَانَ أَوْصَى بِهِ مِنَ الدَّيْنِ مِمَّنْ يُؤْخَذُ الدَّيْنُ أَ مِنَ الْوَرَثَةِ قَالَ لَا يُؤْخَذُ مِنَ الْوَرَثَةِ وَ لَكِنَّ الْوَصِيَّ ضَامِنٌ لَهَا[1].
“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who makes a will and he is indebted. He (the Imam) said, ‘He (executor of the will) pays the debts first, then distributes the legacy among the heirs.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if what is assigned to pay debts is stolen and about who pays for the debt if
سَأَلَنِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَلْ يَخْتَلِفُ ابْنُ أَبِي لَيْلَى وَ ابْنُ شُبْرُمَةَ فَقُلْتُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّهُ مَاتَ مَوْلًى لِعِيسَى بْنِ مُوسَى وَ تَرَكَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْناً كَثِيراً وَ تَرَكَ مَمَالِيكَ يُحِيطُ دَيْنُهُ بِأَثْمَانِهِمْ فَأَعْتَقَهُمْ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ فَسَأَلَهُمَا عِيسَى بْنُ مُوسَى عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ ابْنُ شُبْرُمَةَ أَرَى أَنْ يَسْتَسْعِيَهُمْ فِي قِيمَتِهِمْ فَيَدْفَعَهَا إِلَى الْغُرَمَاءِ
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once asked me, ‘Is there a difference between ibn abu Layla’ and ibn Shubramah?’ I replied, ‘It has come to my knowledge that a Maxvla of ‘Isa ibn Musa died with a great deal of debts on him. He possessed a number of slaves whom he set free at the time of his death. Had the slaves been sold, suc
إِنْ كَانَ قِيمَتُهُ مِثْلَ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ وَ مِثْلَهُ جَازَ عِتْقُهُ وَ إِلَّا لَمْ يَجُزْ[3].
“About the case of a man who frees his slave at the time of his death with debt on him, one of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ‘If the value of the debt and slave are equal, freeing is permissible, otherwise, it is not permissible.”’
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ فِي رَجُلٍ أَعْتَقَ مَمْلُوكاً لَهُ وَ قَدْ حَضَرَهُ الْمَوْتُ وَ أَشْهَدَ لَهُ بِذَلِكَ وَ قِيمَتُهُ سِتُّمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ ثَلَاثُمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ لَمْ يَتْرُكْ شَيْئاً غَيْرَهُ قَالَ يُعْتَقُ مِنْهُ سُدُسُهُ لِأَنَّهُ إِنَّمَا لَهُ مِنْهُ ثَلَاثُمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ يُقْضَى مِنْهُ ثَلَاثُمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَلَهُ مِنَ الثَّلَاثِمِائَةٍ ثُلُثُهَا وَ هُوَ السُّدُ
3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Faddal from al-Husayn Aban al-Jahm who has narrated the following: “This is about the case of a man who frees his slave at the time of his death in front of witnesses. The price of the slave is six hundred dirham, his debt is three hundred dir
كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ يَعْنِي أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَيْسَ لِي وَلَدٌ وَ لِي ضِيَاعٌ وَرِثْتُهَا مِنْ أَبِي وَ بَعْضُهَا اسْتَفَدْتُهَا وَ لَا آمَنُ الْحَدَثَانَ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِي وَلَدٌ وَ حَدَثَ بِي حَدَثٌ فَمَا تَرَى جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لِي أَنْ أُوقِفَ بَعْضَهَا عَلَى فُقَرَاءِ إِخْوَانِي وَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ أَوْ أَبِيعَهَا وَ أَتَصَدَّقَ بِثَمَنِهَا فِي حَيَاتِي عَلَيْهِمْ فَإِنِّي أَتَخَوَّفُ أَنْ
“I once wrote to him (the Imam), abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I do not have any children and I have assets that I inherited from my father and myself earned a certain amount, but I do not feel safe from something happening. If something happens to me and I ha
كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي ع أَسْأَلُ عَنْ أَرْضٍ أَوْقَفَهَا جَدِّي عَلَى الْمُحْتَاجِينَ مِنْ وُلْدِ فُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانٍ وَ هُمْ كَثِيرٌ مُتَفَرِّقُونَ فِي الْبِلَادِ فَأَجَابَ ع ذَكَرْتَ الْأَرْضَ الَّتِي أَوْقَفَهَا جَدُّكَ عَلَى فُقَرَاءِ وُلْدِ فُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانٍ وَ هِيَ لِمَنْ حَضَرَ الْبَلَدَ الَّذِي فِيهِ الْوَقْفُ وَ لَيْسَ لَكَ أَنْ تُتْبِعَ مَنْ كَانَ غَائِباً.
“I once wrote to abu Ja‘far, al-Thaniy (a.s.), and asked about a land that my grandfather had made an endowment for the needy children of so and so who are of a large number in different places. He (the Imam) (a.s.), said, ‘You have mentioned the land that your grandfather had made an endowment for the needy children o
السَّهْمُ وَاحِدٌ مِنْ ثَمَانِيَةٍ لِقَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقاتُ لِلْفُقَراءِ وَ الْمَساكِينِ وَ الْعامِلِينَ عَلَيْها وَ الْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَ فِي الرِّقابِ وَ الْغارِمِينَ وَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ ابْنِ السَّبِيلِ[1].
“Once abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the case of a man who makes a will about a share of his legacy. He (the Imam) said, ‘A share is one-eighth because of the meaning of the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, “Charity is only for the poor, destitute, Zakat collectors, people inclined to the religion
سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ وَ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ قَالا سَأَلْنَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى بِسَهْمٍ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ لَا يُدْرَى السَّهْمُ أَيُّ شَيْءٍ هُوَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عِنْدَكُمْ فِيمَا بَلَغَكُمْ عَنْ جَعْفَرٍ وَ لَا عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِيهَا شَيْءٌ قُلْنَا لَهُ جُعِلْنَا فِدَاكَ مَا سَمِعْنَا أَصْحَابَ
“We once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the case of a man who has made a will about a share of his legacy and it is not known how much a share is. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Have you not received anything about it from Ja‘far, or abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhim al-Salam?’ We replied, ‘We pray to Allah to keep our souls in
قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ يُقِرُّ لِوَارِثٍ بِدَيْنٍ فَقَالَ يَجُوزُ إِذَا كَانَ مَلِيّاً.
“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who confirms his owing a certain amount of debt to one of his heirs. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is permissible if immediate payment is not required.’”
إِنِ اسْتَيْقَنَ أَنَّ الدَّيْنَ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ يُحِيطُ بِجَمِيعِ الْمَالِ فَلَا يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَيْقِنْ فَلْيُنْفِقْ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ وَسَطِ الْمَالِ[2].
“He once asked him (the Imam); ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who dies leaving behind dependents and debts; if anything can be spent from the legacy for the dependents. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is certain that his legacy covers the debt, then nothing can be spent for his dependents but if it is certain tha
إِنْ كَانَ يُسْتَيْقَنُ أَنَّ الَّذِي تَرَكَ يُحِيطُ بِجَمِيعِ دَيْنِهِ فَلَا يُنْفَقُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ يُسْتَيْقَنُ فَلْيُنْفَقْ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ وَسَطِ الْمَالِ.
‘If it is certain that his legacy covers all of his debts then it is not spent on them but if it is not certain then from the center of the legacy their expenses are paid..’”
قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ رَجُلًا مِنْ مَوَالِيكَ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ وُلْداً صِغَاراً وَ تَرَكَ شَيْئاً وَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ وَ لَيْسَ يَعْلَمُ بِهِ الْغُرَمَاءُ فَإِنْ قَضَاهُ لِغُرَمَائِهِ بَقِيَ وُلْدُهُ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ شَيْءٌ فَقَالَ أَنْفَقَهُ عَلَى وُلْدِهِ[3].
“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who has died and left behind small children and something but owes debts. The creditors do not know it (his leaving something). If debts are paid, nothing is left for his children who do not have anything. He (the Imam) said, ‘Spend it for his children.’”
بَعَثَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع بِوَصِيَّةِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ هِيَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* هَذَا مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ وَ قَضَى بِهِ فِي مَالِهِ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ عَلِيٌّ ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ لِيُولِجَنِي بِهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَ يَصْرِفَنِي بِهِ عَنِ النَّارِ وَ يَصْرِفَ النَّارَ عَنِّي يَوْمَ تَبْيَضُّ وُجُوهٌ وَ تَسْوَدُّ وُجُوهٌ أَنَّ مَا كَانَ لِي مِنْ مَالٍ بِيَنْبُعَ يُعْرَفُ لِي فِيه
7. Abu Ali al-Ash ‘ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar and Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Safwan ibn Yahya from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj who has narrated the following: “Abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, sent to me the will of ’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, whic
أَوْصَى رَجُلٌ بِثَلَاثِينَ دِينَاراً لِوُلْدِ فَاطِمَةَ ع قَالَ فَأَتَى بِهَا الرَّجُلُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ادْفَعْهَا إِلَى فُلَانٍ شَيْخٍ مِنْ وُلْدِ فَاطِمَةَ ع وَ كَانَ مُعِيلًا مُقِلًّا فَقَالَ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ إِنَّمَا أَوْصَى بِهَا الرَّجُلُ لِوُلْدِ فَاطِمَةَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّهَا لَا تَقَعُ مِنْ وُلْدِ فَاطِمَةَ وَ هِيَ تَقَعُ مِنْ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ وَ ل
“A man made a will about thirty dinars for the children of Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam. Another man brought it to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), who told him to give it to so and so old man of the descendents of Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, who has a family to feed and is poor. The man said, ‘The man has a will for the children of
كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع اعْلَمْ يَا سَيِّدِي أَنَّ ابْنَ أَخٍ لِي تُوُفِّيَ فَأَوْصَى لِسَيِّدِي بِضَيْعَةٍ وَ أَوْصَى أَنْ يُدْفَعَ كُلُّ شَيْءٍ فِي دَارِهِ حَتَّى الْأَوْتَادُ تُبَاعُ وَ يُجْعَلُ الثَّمَنُ إِلَى سَيِّدِي وَ أَوْصَى بِحَجٍّ وَ أَوْصَى لِلْفُقَرَاءِ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ أَوْصَى لِعَمَّتِهِ وَ أُخْتِهِ بِمَالٍ فَنَظَرْتُ فَإِذَا مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ أَكْثَرُ مِنَ الثُّلُثِ وَ لَعَلَّهُ يُقَار
“I once wrote to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ’My master, I inform you that the son of my brother has died and has made a will about a certain piece of property for you. He in his will has said that everything in his house must be given, even the pegs must be sold and the price sent to my master. He has made a will fo
مَاتَتْ أُخْتُ مُفَضَّلِ بْنِ غِيَاثٍ فَأَوْصَتْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ مَالِهَا الثُّلُثِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ الثُّلُثِ فِي الْمَسَاكِينِ وَ الثُّلُثِ فِي الْحَجِّ فَإِذَا هُوَ لَا يَبْلُغُ مَا قَالَتْ فَذَهَبْتُ أَنَا وَ هُوَ إِلَى ابْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى فَقَصَّ عَلَيْهِ الْقِصَّةَ فَقَالَ اجْعَلْ ثُلُثاً فِي ذَا وَ ثُلُثاً فِي ذَا وَ ثُلُثاً فِي ذَا فَأَتَيْنَا ابْنَ شُبْرُمَةَ فَقَالَ أَيْضاً كَمَا قَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي لَيْ
“Mufaddal ibn Ghiyath’s sister died and she had made a will that said, ‘One-third must be given in the way of Allah, one-third to the destitute and one-third for al-Hajj.’ It was not enough for what she had asked. He and I went to ibn abu Layla’ and told him the story. He said, ‘Give one-third to this, one- third to th
كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أُعْلِمُهُ أَنَّ إِسْحَاقَ بْنَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَقَفَ ضَيْعَةً عَلَى الْحَجِّ وَ أُمِّ وَلَدِهِ وَ مَا فَضَلَ عَنْهَا لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ أَشْهَدَنِي عَلَى نَفْسِهِ بِمَالٍ لِيُفَرَّقَ عَلَى إِخْوَانِنَا وَ أَنَّ فِي بَنِي هَاشِمٍ مَنْ يُعْرَفُ حَقُّهُ يَقُولُ بِقَوْلِنَا مِمَّنْ هُوَ مُحْتَاجٌ فَتَرَى أَنْ أَصْرِفَ ذَلِكَ إِلَيْهِمْ إِذَا كَانَ سَبِيلُهُ س
“I wrote to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), to inform him (the Imam) that Ishaq ibn Ibrahim has endowed his asset for al-Hajj, the mother of his children and the extra for the needy; that Muhammad ibn Ibrahim appointed me as a witness upon himself for a certain amount of funds to be distributed among our brothers (in belief) and in
أَتَى أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع رَجُلٌ بِالْبَصْرَةِ بِصَحِيفَةٍ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ انْظُرْ إِلَى هَذِهِ الصَّحِيفَةِ فَإِنَّ فِيهَا نَصِيحَةً فَنَظَرَ فِيهَا ثُمَّ نَظَرَ إِلَى وَجْهِ الرَّجُلِ فَقَالَ إِنْ كُنْتَ صَادِقاً كَافَيْنَاكَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ كَاذِباً عَاقَبْنَاكَ وَ إِنْ شِئْتَ أَنْ نُقِيلَكَ أَقَلْنَاكَ فَقَالَ بَلْ تُقِيلُنِي يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَلَمَّا أَدْبَرَ الرَّجُلُ قَالَ أَيّ
“A man in Basrah brought a Sahifah (a booklet) and said, ‘O ’Amir al-Mu’minin, look at this booklet; there is advice in it.’ He (the Imam) looked at it, then he looked at the face of the man and said, ’If you are truthful we compensate you; if you are not truthful we will penalize you, if you want us to release you we
قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لَا مُقَدِّمَ لِمَا أَخَّرَ وَ لَا مُؤَخِّرَ لِمَا قَدَّمَ ثُمَّ ضَرَبَ بِإِحْدَى يَدَيْهِ عَلَى الْأُخْرَى ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَيَّتُهَا الْأُمَّةُ الْمُتَحَيِّرَةُ بَعْدَ نَبِيِّهَا لَوْ كُنْتُمْ قَدَّمْتُمْ مَنْ قَدَّمَ اللَّهُ وَ أَخَّرْتُمْ مَنْ أَخَّرَ اللَّهُ وَ جَعَلْتُمُ الْوِلَايَةَ وَ الْوِرَاثَةَ حَيْثُ جَعَلَهَا اللَّهُ مَا ع
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘All praise belongs to Allah. What Allah places last no one is able to place it first, and no one is able to place last what He has placed first.’ He (the Imam) then tapped his one hand with the other hand. He said, ‘O confused nation after her Prophet,
سَأَلَ الْفَهْفَكِيُّ أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ ع مَا بَالُ الْمَرْأَةِ الْمِسْكِينَةِ الضَّعِيفَةِ تَأْخُذُ سَهْماً وَاحِداً وَ يَأْخُذُ الرَّجُلُ سَهْمَيْنِ فَقَالَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع إِنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهَا جِهَادٌ وَ لَا نَفَقَةٌ وَ لَا عَلَيْهَا مَعْقُلَةٌ[1] إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ عَلَى الرِّجَالِ فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي قَدْ كَانَ قِيلَ لِي إِنَّ ابْنَ أَبِي الْعَوْجَاءِ سَأَلَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ هَذِهِ الْمَس
“Once, al-Fahfakiy asked abu Muhammad (a.s.), ‘Why is it that the destitute and weak woman’s share of the legacy is half as much as the share of man?’ Abu Muhammad (a.s.), said, ‘It is because there is no Jihad on women; maintenance expenses and wergild to be paid by the relatives of the murderer, it is on men.’ I then
قَالَ لِي ابْنُ أَبِي الْعَوْجَاءِ مَا بَالُ الْمَرْأَةِ الْمِسْكِينَةِ الضَّعِيفَةِ تَأْخُذُ سَهْماً وَاحِداً وَ يَأْخُذُ الرَّجُلُ سَهْمَيْنِ قَالَ فَذَكَرَ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهَا جِهَادٌ وَ لَا نَفَقَةٌ وَ لَا مَعْقُلَةٌ وَ إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ عَلَى الرِّجَالِ وَ لِذَلِكَ جَعَلَ لِلْمَرْأَةِ سَهْماً وَاحِداً وَ لِلرَّجُلِ سَهْمَيْنِ.
“Once ibn abu al-‘Awaja’ asked me, ‘Why is it that the destitute and weak woman’s share of the legacy is half as much as the share of man?’ He (the narrator) has said that certain persons of our people mentioned to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), who said, ‘It is because there is no Jihad on women and maintenance expenses and w