Sleep & Dreams

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

أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ يُسْأَلُ الرَّجُلُ فِي قَبْرِهِ فَإِذَا أَثْبَتَ فُسِحَ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ سَبْعَةَ أَذْرُعٍ وَ فُتِحَ لَهُ بَابٌ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَ قِيلَ لَهُ نَمْ نَوْمَةَ الْعَرُوسِ قَرِيرَ الْعَيْنِ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say that a man is interrogated in his grave. If he remains steadfast (in his belief), his grave is then made spacious by nine yards, a door to paradise is then opened for him and it is said to him, ‘Rest to sleep like a newly wedded person with delightful heart.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا وُضِعَ الرَّجُلُ فِي قَبْرِهِ أَتَاهُ مَلَكَانِ مَلَكٌ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ مَلَكٌ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ وَ أُقِيمَ الشَّيْطَانُ بَيْنَ عَيْنَيْهِ عَيْنَاهُ مِنْ نُحَاسٍ‌[1] فَيُقَالُ لَهُ كَيْفَ تَقُولُ فِي الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي كَانَ بَيْنَ ظَهْرَانَيْكُمْ قَالَ فَيَفْزَعُ لَهُ فَزْعَةً فَيَقُولُ إِذَا كَانَ مُؤْمِناً أَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص تَسْأَلَانِي فَيَقُولَانِ لَه

”1 heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘When a person is placed in his grave, two angels come to him, one from the right, the other from the left, and Satan whose eyes are made of brass stands before his eyes. The two angels will ask, “What do you say about the man who lived among you?’” The Imam then said, ‘This causes

يُقَالُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ فِي قَبْرِهِ مَنْ رَبُّكَ قَالَ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ مَا دِينُكَ فَيَقُولُ الْإِسْلَامُ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ مَنْ نَبِيُّكَ فَيَقُولُ مُحَمَّدٌ فَيُقَالُ مَنْ إِمَامُكَ فَيَقُولُ فُلَانٌ فَيُقَالُ كَيْفَ عَلِمْتَ بِذَلِكَ فَيَقُولُ أَمْرٌ هَدَانِي اللَّهُ لَهُ وَ ثَبَّتَنِي عَلَيْهِ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ نَمْ نَوْمَةً لَا حُلُمَ فِيهَا نَوْمَةَ الْعَرُوسِ ثُمَّ يُفْتَحُ لَهُ بَابٌ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ

“Abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.), has said, that a believing person in his grave will be asked, ‘Who is your Lord?’ He will reply, ‘Allah is my Lord.’ He is then asked, ‘What is your religion?’ He will reply, ‘Islam is my religion.’ He is then asked, ‘Who is your prophet?’ He will reply, ‘Muhammad is my prophet.’ He is then

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ إِذَا أُخْرِجَ مِنْ بَيْتِهِ شَيَّعَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ إِلَى قَبْرِهِ يَزْدَحِمُونَ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى إِذَا انْتَهَى بِهِ إِلَى قَبْرِهِ قَالَتْ لَهُ الْأَرْضُ مَرْحَباً بِكَ وَ أَهْلًا أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ كُنْتُ أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَمْشِيَ عَلَيَّ مِثْلُكَ لَتَرَيَنَّ مَا أَصْنَعُ بِكَ فَتَوَسَّعُ لَهُ مَدَّ بَصَرِهِ وَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَيْهِ فِي قَبْرِهِ مَلَكَا الْقَبْرِ وَ هُمَا قَعِيدَا الْقَبْرِ مُنْك

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when a believing person is taken out of his home, the angels escort him to his grave in a crowded manner until they arrive on his grave. The earth then says to him, ‘You are most welcome. By Allah, I loved that people like you walk on me. You will see what I will do for you.’ His g

وَقْتُ الْفَجْرِ حِينَ يَنْشَقُّ الْفَجْرُ إِلَى أَنْ يَتَجَلَّلَ الصُّبْحُ السَّمَاءَ[3] وَ لَا يَنْبَغِي تَأْخِيرُ ذَلِكَ عَمْداً لَكِنَّهُ وَقْتٌ لِمَنْ شُغِلَ أَوْ نَسِيَ أَوْ نَامَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The time for morning Salah (prayer) begins when dawn opens, until morning (with rays) brightens the sky. It is not proper to delay purposely; however, there is time for those who are preoccupied, forget or are sleeping.”

فِي رَجُلٍ صَلَّى الْغَدَاةَ بِلَيْلٍ غَرَّهُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الْقَمَرُ وَ نَامَ حَتَّى طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَأُخْبِرَ أَنَّهُ صَلَّى بِلَيْلٍ قَالَ يُعِيدُ صَلَاتَهُ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about a man who performs the morning Salah (prayer) during the night mistakenly because of moon light and then goes to sleep until sunrise and he then is informed of having performed his morning Salah (prayer) during the night, has said, ‘He must perform it again.’”

إِذَا نَسِيتَ صَلَاةً أَوْ صَلَّيْتَهَا بِغَيْرِ وُضُوءٍ وَ كَانَ عَلَيْكَ قَضَاءُ صَلَوَاتٍ فَابْدَأْ بِأَوَّلِهِنَّ فَأَذِّنْ لَهَا وَ أَقِمْ ثُمَّ صَلِّهَا ثُمَّ صَلِّ مَا بَعْدَهَا بِإِقَامَةٍ إِقَامَةٍ لِكُلِّ صَلَاةٍ[1] وَ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ قَدْ صَلَّيْتَ الظُّهْرَ وَ قَدْ فَاتَتْكَ الْغَدَاةُ فَذَكَرْتَهَا فَصَلِّ الْغَدَاةَ أَيَّ سَاعَةٍ ذَكَرْتَهَا وَ لَوْ بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ وَ مَتَى

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘If you forget to perform Salah (prayer) or perform it without Wudu’ and miss Salah (prayers) which you must perform, begin with what is first. Say Adhan and ’Iqamah, then perform it, thereafter perform what is after this with just ‘Iqamah for every Salah (prayer).’ Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] عَنْ رَجُلٍ نَسِيَ الظُّهْرَ حَتَّى دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الْعَصْرِ قَالَ يَبْدَأُ بِالظُّهْرِ وَ كَذَلِكَ الصَّلَوَاتُ تَبْدَأُ بِالَّتِي نَسِيتَ إِلَّا أَنْ تَخَافَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ وَقْتُ الصَّلَاةِ فَتَبْدَأُ بِالَّتِي أَنْتَ فِي وَقْتِهَا ثُمَّ تُصَلِّي‌[2] الَّتِي نَسِيتَ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who forgets al-Dhuhr until it is time of al-‘Asr. He (the Imam) said, ‘He begins with al-Dhuhr and so also one begins with Salah (prayer) which is forgotten, unless one is afraid of the running short of the time of Salah (prayer), in which case one begins with that for w

يَقْضِيهَا إِذَا ذَكَرَهَا فِي أَيِّ سَاعَةٍ ذَكَرَهَا مِنْ لَيْلٍ أَوْ نَهَارٍ فَإِذَا دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الصَّلَاةِ وَ لَمْ يُتِمَّ مَا قَدْ فَاتَهُ فَلْيَقْضِ مَا لَمْ يَتَخَوَّفْ أَنْ يَذْهَبَ وَقْتُ هَذِهِ الصَّلَاةِ الَّتِي قَدْ حَضَرَتْ وَ هَذِهِ أَحَقُّ بِوَقْتِهَا فَلْيُصَلِّهَا فَإِذَا قَضَاهَا فَلْيُصَلِّ مَا فَاتَهُ مِمَّا قَدْ مَضَى وَ لَا يَتَطَوَّعْ بِرَكْعَةٍ حَتَّى يَقْضِيَ الْفَرِيضَةَ كُلَّهَا[1].

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), was once asked about a man who performs Salah (prayer) without Tahur (cleansing) or forgets it (Salah (prayer)) or goes to sleep. He (the Imam) said, ’He performs its Qada’ (compensatory prayer) in whatever hour he remembers during the night or day. If the time for a Salah (prayer) comes and he has

إِذَا فَاتَتْكَ صَلَاةٌ فَذَكَرْتَهَا فِي وَقْتِ أُخْرَى فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ الَّتِي فَاتَتْكَ كُنْتَ مِنَ الْأُخْرَى فِي وَقْتٍ فَابْدَأْ بِالَّتِي فَاتَتْكَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ‌ أَقِمِ الصَّلاةَ لِذِكْرِي‌[2] وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ الَّتِي فَاتَتْكَ فَاتَتْكَ الَّتِي بَعْدَهَا فَابْدَأْ بِالَّتِي أَنْتَ فِي وَقْتِهَا فَصَلِّهَا ثُمَّ أَقِمِ الْأ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has sad, ’You may miss a Salah (prayer) and remember it in another time. If you think you can perform Qada’ (compensatory prayer) for the one missed when there is still enough time left to perform the present Salah (prayer), begin to do so. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “Perform Salah (

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ نَسِيَ صَلَاةً حَتَّى دَخَلَ وَقْتُ صَلَاةٍ أُخْرَى فَقَالَ إِذَا نَسِيَ الصَّلَاةَ أَوْ نَامَ عَنْهَا صَلَّى حِينَ يَذْكُرُهَا فَإِذَا ذَكَرَهَا وَ هُوَ فِي صَلَاةٍ بَدَأَ بِالَّتِي نَسِيَ وَ إِنْ ذَكَرَهَا مَعَ إِمَامٍ فِي صَلَاةِ الْمَغْرِبِ أَتَمَّهَا بِرَكْعَةٍ ثُمَّ صَلَّى الْمَغْرِبَ ثُمَّ صَلَّى الْعَتَمَةَ بَعْدَهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَ صَلَّى الْعَتَمَةَ وَحْدَهُ فَصَلَّ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who has forgotten a Salah (prayer) until the time for next Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘If one misses a Salah (prayer) because of forgetting or sleep, he must perform it as soon as he remembers. If he remembers it during performing another Salah (prayer), he begi

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ نَسِيَ الظُّهْرَ حَتَّى غَرَبَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَ قَدْ كَانَ صَلَّى الْعَصْرَ فَقَالَ كَانَ‌ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع أَوْ كَانَ أَبِي ع يَقُولُ إِنْ أَمْكَنَهُ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَفُوتَهُ الْمَغْرِبُ بَدَأَ بِهَا وَ إِلَّا صَلَّى الْمَغْرِبَ ثُمَّ صَلَّاهَا.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who forgets al-Dhuhr until it is sunset and has performed al-‘Asr. He (the Imam) said, ‘Abu Ja’far (a.s.), or my father would say, “If he can perform Qada’ (compensatory prayer) for it before the time for al-Maghrib ends, he must do so, otherwise, he performs al-Maghrib t

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَمَّ قَوْماً فِي الْعَصْرِ فَذَكَرَ وَ هُوَ يُصَلِّي أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ صَلَّى الْأُولَى قَالَ فَلْيَجْعَلْهَا الْأُولَى الَّتِي فَاتَتْهُ وَ لْيَسْتَأْنِفْ بَعْدُ صَلَاةَ الْعَصْرِ وَ قَدْ مَضَى الْقَوْمُ بِصَلَاتِهِمْ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who leads people for al-‘Asr, then he remembers during Salah (prayer) that he has not performed the one before. He (the Imam) said, ‘He considers it (Salah (prayer) he is performing) as the one before which is missed and thereafter perform al-‘Asr again and the people pr

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] عَنْ رَجُلٍ نَسِيَ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ الصُّبْحَ حَتَّى طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ قَالَ يُصَلِّيهَا حِينَ يَذْكُرُهَا فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص رَقَدَ عَنْ صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ حَتَّى طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ ثُمَّ صَلَّاهَا حِينَ اسْتَيْقَظَ وَ لَكِنَّهُ تَنَحَّى عَنْ مَكَانِهِ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ صَلَّى.

’He performs it whenever he remembers. The Messenger of Allah remained sleeping during the time for the morning Salah (prayer) until sunrise, then he performed it Qada’ (compensatory prayer) when he woke up but moved away from his place, then performed Salah (prayer).’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ نَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنِ الصُّبْحِ وَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنَامَهُ حَتَّى طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ عَلَيْهِ وَ كَانَ ذَلِكَ رَحْمَةً مِنْ رَبِّكَ لِلنَّاسِ أَ لَا تَرَى لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا نَامَ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ لَعَيَّرَهُ النَّاسُ وَ قَالُوا لَا تَتَوَرَّعُ لِصَلَوَاتِكَ فَصَارَتْ أُسْوَةً وَ سُنَّةً فَإِنْ قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِرَجُلٍ نِمْتَ عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ قَالَ قَدْ نَ

“I once heard abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘The Messenger of Allah remained sleeping during the time of the morning Salah (prayer) and Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, made him to remain sleeping until sunrise and this was a blessing from Him for the people. Consider, when one remains sleeping until sunrise, people

يَعْنِي مَفْرُوضاً وَ لَيْسَ يَعْنِي وَقْتَ فَوْتِهَا إِذَا جَازَ ذَلِكَ الْوَقْتُ ثُمَّ صَلَّاهَا لَمْ تَكُنْ صَلَاتُهُ هَذِهِ مُؤَدَّاةً وَ لَوْ كَانَ ذَلِكَ لَهَلَكَ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ دَاوُدَ ع حِينَ صَلَّاهَا لِغَيْرِ وَقْتِهَا وَ لَكِنَّهُ مَتَى مَا ذَكَرَهَا صَلَّاهَا قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ مَتَى اسْتَيْقَنْتَ أَوْ شَكَكْتَ فِي وَقْتِهَا أَنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّهَا أَوْ فِي وَقْتِ فَوْتِهَا أَنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّهَا صَل

“This is about the words of Allah, most Blessed is whose name, ‘Salah (prayer) was written as obligatory upon people.’ (4:103) Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘It means that it was obligatory, not that it is obligatory for a limited time so that if it is performed after the limited time, it does not fulfill the obligation

يُصَلِّيهَا وَ يُصْبِحُ صَائِماً[1].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who remains sleeping during the time of al-‘Atmah and does not wake up until after midnight. He (the Imam) said, ‘He performs that Salah (prayer) and remains fasting until the morning.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِذَا قُمْتَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَعَلَيْكَ بِالْإِقْبَالِ عَلَى صَلَاتِكَ فَإِنَّمَا يُحْسَبُ لَكَ مِنْهَا مَا أَقْبَلْتَ عَلَيْهِ وَ لَا تَعْبَثْ فِيهَا بِيَدِكَ وَ لَا بِرَأْسِكَ وَ لَا بِلِحْيَتِكَ وَ لَا تُحَدِّثْ نَفْسَكَ وَ لَا تَتَثَاءَبْ وَ لَا تَتَمَطَّ وَ لَا تُكَفِّرْ[3] فَإِنَّمَا يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ الْمَجُوسُ وَ لَا تَلَثَّمْ وَ لَا تَحْتَفِزْ وَ لَا تَفَرَّجْ كَمَا يَتَفَرَّجُ الْبَعِير

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘When you stand up for Salah (prayer) you should be prepared (attentive) for prayer; what will be counted in your favor of prayer will be only that in which you were attentive. You should not play during Salah (prayer) with your hands, head and beard, and do not speak in your soul. You sho

كُنْتُ جَالِساً عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَأَلَهُ نَاجِيَةُ أَبُو حَبِيبٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ جَعَلَنِي اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ لِي رَحًى أَطْحَنُ فِيهَا فَرُبَّمَا قُمْتُ فِي سَاعَةٍ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَأَعْرِفُ مِنَ الرَّحَى أَنَّ الْغُلَامَ قَدْ نَامَ فَأَضْرِبُ الْحَائِطَ لِأُوقِظَهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ أَنْتَ فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ تَطْلُبُ رِزْقَهُ.

“I was sitting in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when Najiyyah abu Habib asked the Imam saying, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I have a flour-mill. During the night I wake up (for Salah (prayer)) and notice from the mill that the servant is gone to sleep. (Can) I then knock at the wall to wa

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنِّي كُنْتُ أَمْهَدُ لِأَبِي فِرَاشَهُ فَأَنْتَظِرُهُ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ فَإِذَا أَوَى إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ وَ نَامَ قُمْتُ إِلَى فِرَاشِي وَ إِنَّهُ أَبْطَأَ عَلَيَّ ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ فَأَتَيْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ فِي طَلَبِهِ وَ ذَلِكَ بَعْدَ مَا هَدَأَ النَّاسُ‌[2] فَإِذَا هُوَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ سَاجِدٌ وَ لَيْسَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ غَيْرُهُ فَسَمِعْتُ حَنِينَهُ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ- سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ

‘I would prepare the bed for my father and wait for his coming until he would go to sleep; then I would leave to go to bed. One night he delayed and I went to the Masjid to search him. This was the time when people had already left and it was quite calm out there. I found him in the Masjid prostrating and there was no

كَانَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلُ ع إِذَا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنْ آخِرِ رَكْعَةِ الْوَتْرِ قَالَ هَذَا مَقَامُ مَنْ حَسَنَاتُهُ نِعْمَةٌ مِنْكَ وَ شُكْرُهُ ضَعِيفٌ وَ ذَنْبُهُ عَظِيمٌ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ إِلَّا دَفْعُكَ وَ رَحْمَتُكَ فَإِنَّكَ قُلْتَ فِي كِتَابِكَ الْمُنْزَلِ عَلَى نَبِيِّكَ الْمُرْسَلِ ص‌ كانُوا قَلِيلًا مِنَ اللَّيْلِ ما يَهْجَعُونَ. وَ بِالْأَسْحارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ‌[1] طَالَ هُجُوعِي وَ قَلَّ قِيَامِي

16. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl from Ahmad ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz who has said that narrated to him certain persons of our people saying: “When abu al-Hassan the first (a.s.), raised his head from last sajdah of witr prayer he said, ‘This is a position of one whose good deeds are due to Your bounties and whose t

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ بَنَى مَسْجِداً بَنَى اللَّهُ لَهُ بَيْتاً فِي الْجَنَّةِ قَالَ أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ فَمَرَّ بِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي طَرِيقِ مَكَّةَ وَ قَدْ سَوَّيْتُ بِأَحْجَارٍ مَسْجِداً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ نَرْجُو أَنْ يَكُونَ هَذَا مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I heard abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘If one builds a Masjid, Allah builds for him a house in paradise.’ Abu ‘Ubaydah has said, ‘Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once passed by on the way to Makkah and I had built a Masjid with stones and asked him, “I pray to Allah to keep my souls in the service of your cause , I hope this wil

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ يَكُونُ فِي الْبَيْتِ فَيُرِيدُ أَهْلُ الْبَيْتِ أَنْ يَتَوَسَّعُوا بِطَائِفَةٍ مِنْهُ أَوْ يُحَوِّلُوهُ إِلَى غَيْرِ مَكَانِهِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَكَانِ يَكُونُ خَبِيثاً ثُمَّ يُنَظَّفُ وَ يُجْعَلُ مَسْجِداً قَالَ يُطْرَحُ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ التُّرَابِ حَتَّى يُوَارِيَهُ فَهُوَ أَطْهَرُ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a Masjid which is in a house and the people of the house want to expand it to a certain extent or relocate it in another place. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’ He (the narrator) has said that he then asked him (the Imam) about a place which is filthy, then it

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْبِيَعِ وَ الْكَنَائِسِ هَلْ يَصْلُحُ نَقْضُهُمَا لِبِنَاءِ الْمَسَاجِدِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about al-Biya‘ and churches if they can be changed into Masjid. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is possible.’”

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمَسَاجِدِ الْمُظَلَّلَةِ أَ يُكْرَهُ الصَّلَاةُ فِيهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ لَكِنْ لَا يَضُرُّكُمُ الْيَوْمَ وَ لَوْ قَدْ كَانَ الْعَدْلُ لَرَأَيْتُمْ كَيْفَ يُصْنَعُ فِي ذَلِكَ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ أَ يُعَلِّقُ الرَّجُلُ السِّلَاحَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ أَمَّا فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَكْبَرِ فَلَا فَإِنَّ جَدِّي‌ نَهَى رَجُلًا يَبْرِي مِشْقَصاً فِي الْمَسْجِدِ[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once was asked about Masjid, which is made to also provide shadow, if performing Salah (prayer) therein is undesirable. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is as such but today it is not harmful for you. Had there been justice you would see how it is dealt with.’ He (the narrator) has said that he then

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَمِعْتُمُوهُ يُنْشِدُ الشِّعْرَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ فَقُولُوا فَضَّ اللَّهُ‌[2] فَاكَ إِنَّمَا نُصِبَتِ الْمَسَاجِدُ لِلْقُرْآنِ.

‘If you hear someone reciting poems in Masjid say to him, “May Allah tear your mouth, Masjid is built only for al-Quran (to read).””’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ الْمُصَوَّرَةِ فَقَالَ أَكْرَهُ ذَلِكَ وَ لَكِنْ لَا يَضُرُّكُمْ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ وَ لَوْ قَدْ قَامَ الْعَدْلُ رَأَيْتُمْ كَيْفَ يُصْنَعُ فِي ذَلِكَ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), if it is permissible to perform Salah (prayer) in a Masjid with pictures. He (the Imam) said, ‘I dislike it, however, today it is not harmful to you. Had justice been established you would see how it is dealt with.’”

نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنْ رَطَانَةِ الْأَعَاجِمِ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, “The Messenger of Allah has prohibited speaking jargon language in Masjid (expressions understood by two people or a group only).’”

نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنْ سَلِّ السَّيْفِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ وَ عَنْ بَرْيِ النَّبْلِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ قَالَ إِنَّمَا بُنِيَ لِغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ.

‘The Messenger of Allah prohibited unsheathing of swords and trimming arrows in the Masjid saying, “Masjid is built for something other than such things.’””

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْوُضُوءِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَكَرِهَهُ مِنَ الْغَائِطِ وَ الْبَوْلِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about taking Wudu’ in Masjid and he disliked it because of defecation and urination.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ النَّوْمِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَ مَسْجِدِ النَّبِيِّ ص قَالَ نَعَمْ فَأَيْنَ يَنَامُ النَّاسُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about sleeping in Masjid al-Haram and Masjid of the Holy prophet. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, they can do so, where else can people sleep?”’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي النَّوْمِ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ إِلَّا فِي الْمَسْجِدَيْنِ- مَسْجِدِ النَّبِيِّ ص وَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ قَالَ وَ كَانَ يَأْخُذُ بِيَدِي فِي بَعْضِ اللَّيْلِ فَيَنْتَحِي نَاحِيَةً ثُمَّ يَجْلِسُ فَيَتَحَدَّثُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ فَرُبَّمَا نَامَ وَ نِمْتُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا يُكْرَهُ أَنْ يَنَامَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ ال

“I once asked abu Ja‘far, Alayhi al-Salam, about sleeping in Masjid. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not an offense, except two Masjids: Masjid of the Holy prophet and Masjid al-Haram.’ He (the narrator) has said that he (the Imam) would in certain parts of the night hold my hand and move to one side where he would sit and

قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَيُرِيدُ أَنْ يَبْزُقَ فَقَالَ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فِي غَيْرِ صَلَاةٍ فَلَا يَبْزُقُ حِذَاءَ الْقِبْلَةِ وَ يَبْزُقُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ يَسَارِهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who is in Masjid in Salah (prayer) and wants to spit away. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can do it toward his left and if he is not in Salah (prayer); he must not do so in front of al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) but do so toward his left or right sides.’”

رَأَيْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِيَ ع يَتْفُلُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ فِيمَا بَيْنَ الرُّكْنِ الْيَمَانِيِّ وَ الْحَجَرِ الْأَسْوَدِ وَ لَمْ يَدْفِنْهُ.

“I once saw abu Ja‘far, al-Thaniy, Alayhi al-Salam, emit saliva in Masjid al-Haram between al- Yemaniy corner and the Blackstone and did not bury it.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي لَأَكْرَهُ الصَّلَاةَ فِي مَسَاجِدِهِمْ فَقَالَ لَا تَكْرَهْ فَمَا مِنْ مَسْجِدٍ بُنِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى قَبْرِ نَبِيٍّ أَوْ وَصِيِّ نَبِيٍّ قُتِلَ فَأَصَابَ تِلْكَ الْبُقْعَةَ رَشَّةٌ مِنْ دَمِهِ فَأَحَبَّ اللَّهُ أَنْ يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا فَأَدِّ فِيهَا الْفَرِيضَةَ وَ النَّوَافِلَ وَ اقْضِ فِيهَا مَا فَاتَكَ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I dislike performing Salah (prayer) in their Masjid.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must not dislike it; every Masjid is built on the grave of a prophet or the executor of the will of a prophet who was murdered and that site received a sprinkle of his blood and Allah loved t

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ لا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلاةَ وَ أَنْتُمْ سُكارى‌[1] فَقَالَ سُكْرُ النَّوْمِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘You must not go near Salah (prayer) while you are drunk.’ (4:46) He (the Imam) said, ‘It is a reference to sleep.’”

لَيْسَ يُرَخَّصُ فِي النَّوْمِ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Nothing of sleep is permissible in Salah (prayer).”’ (Ahadith 2-16 are best explained in the form of fatwa.)

إِذَا قُمْتَ بِاللَّيْلِ مِنْ مَنَامِكَ فَقُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي رَدَّ عَلَيَّ رُوحِي لِأَحْمَدَهُ وَ أَعْبُدَهُ فَإِذَا سَمِعْتَ صَوْتَ الدُّيُوكِ فَقُلْ سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ الرُّوحِ سَبَقَتْ رَحْمَتُكَ غَضَبَكَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ وَحْدَكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ عَمِلْتُ سُوءاً وَ ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي‌ وَ ارْحَمْنِي إِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ فَإِذَا قُمْتَ

“Abu la’ far (a.s.), has said, ‘At the time you wake up, at night for prayer (Tahajjud) then say, “All praise belongs to Allah who has returned my spirit so I can praise and worship Him.” When you hear the rooster crow say, “He is free of all defects. He is most holy. He is the Lord of angels and the spirit. His mercy

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ إِذَا صَلَّى الْعِشَاءَ الْآخِرَةَ أَمَرَ بِوَضُوئِهِ وَ سِوَاكِهِ يُوضَعُ عِنْدَ رَأْسِهِ مُخَمَّراً فَيَرْقُدُ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ يَقُومُ فَيَسْتَاكُ وَ يَتَوَضَّأُ وَ يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ ثُمَّ يَرْقُدُ ثُمَّ يَقُومُ فَيَسْتَاكُ وَ يَتَوَضَّأُ وَ يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ ثُمَّ يَرْقُدُ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ فِي وَجْهِ الصُّبْحِ قَامَ فَأَوْتَرَ ثُمَّ صَلَّى الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, after performing ‘Isha’ al- Akhirah (the late evening Salah (prayer)) would ask that water for his Wudu’ and toothbrush be placed near his pillow under a cover. He then would sleep as long as Allah willed then he would wake up, brush, make Wudu’ and perform fou

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ يُوقَظُ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقُمْ أَتَاهُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَبَالَ فِي أُذُنِهِ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- كانُوا قَلِيلًا مِنَ اللَّيْلِ ما يَهْجَعُونَ‌[2] قَالَ كَانُوا أَقَلَّ اللَّيَالِي تَفُوتُهُمْ لَا يَقُومُونَ فِيهَا.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘A servant (of Allah) wakes up three times at night and if he still is not up (for Salah (prayer)) Satan comes and urinates in his ears.’ I then asked about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘They would sleep very little at night’. (51:18) The Imam replied

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ رَجُلًا مِنْ مَوَالِيكَ مِنْ صُلَحَائِهِمْ شَكَا إِلَيَّ مَا يَلْقَى مِنَ النَّوْمِ وَ قَالَ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْقِيَامَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ بِاللَّيْلِ فَيَغْلِبُنِي النَّوْمُ حَتَّى أُصْبِحَ وَ رُبَّمَا قَضَيْتُ صَلَاتِيَ الشَّهْرَ مُتَتَابِعاً وَ الشَّهْرَيْنِ أَصْبِرُ عَلَى ثِقَلِهِ فَقَالَ قُرَّةُ عَيْنٍ لَهُ وَ اللَّهِ قَالَ وَ لَمْ يُرَخِّصْ لَهُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فِي أَوَّلِ اللَّيْلِ وَ قَالَ الْقَ

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘A man of your followers, of their virtuous ones complained before me against sleep. He said that he wants to get up for the nightly optional Salah (prayer) but sleep overcomes him until it is morning. Sometimes he performs the compensatory prayer for a whole month of missed Salah

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا كَانَ يُحْمَدُ الرَّجُلُ أَنْ يَقُومَ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ فَيُصَلِّيَ صَلَاتَهُ ضَرْبَةً وَاحِدَةً ثُمَّ يَنَامَ وَ يَذْهَبَ.[2]

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A man who gets up in the end of the night to perform his nightly optional Salah (prayer), all of them at one time and goes away to sleep, is not very praiseworthy.”

صَلَّيْتُ خَلْفَ الرِّضَا ع فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ صَلَاةَ اللَّيْلِ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ جَعَلَ مَكَانَ‌ الضَّجْعَةِ سَجْدَةً[1].

“I performed my Salah (prayer), in Masjid al-Haram. Al-Rida’ ‘Alayhi al-Salam, led the Salah (prayer). It was Salah (prayer) of night. When he (the Imam) completed, he (the Imam) made his sleep (instead of sleeping after Salah (prayer)) into a Sajdah (prostration).”

قَالَ: مَا تَرْوِي هَذِهِ النَّاصِبَةُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فِيمَا ذَا فَقَالَ فِي أَذَانِهِمْ وَ رُكُوعِهِمْ وَ سُجُودِهِمْ فَقُلْتُ إِنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ أُبَيَّ بْنَ كَعْبٍ رَآهُ فِي النَّوْمِ فَقَالَ كَذَبُوا فَإِنَّ دِينَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَعَزُّ مِنْ أَنْ يُرَى فِي النَّوْمِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ سَدِيرٌ الصَّيْرَفِيُ‌ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَأَحْدِثْ لَنَا مِنْ ذَلِكَ ذِكْراً فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّ

قَالَ لِي شِهَابُ بْنُ عَبْدِ رَبِّهِ أَقْرِئْ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِّي السَّلَامَ وَ أَعْلِمْهُ أَنَّهُ يُصِيبُنِي فَزَعٌ فِي مَنَامِي قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ شِهَاباً يُقْرِئُكَ السَّلَامَ وَ يَقُولُ لَكَ إِنَّهُ يُصِيبُنِي فَزَعٌ فِي مَنَامِي قَالَ قُلْ لَهُ فَلْيُزَكِّ مَالَهُ قَالَ فَأَبْلَغْتُ شِهَاباً ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لِي فَتُبْلِغُهُ عَنِّي فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ قُلْ لَهُ إِنَّ الصِّبْيَانَ فَضْلًا عَن

“Shihab ibn “Abd Rabbihi once asked me to convey his Salam (greeting of peace) to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and that he becomes terrified in his sleep. I then said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that Shihab has offered Salam (greeting of peace) and has said that he becomes terrified in his sleep. He (the Imam) said, ‘Tell him

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع لِإِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ ذَكَرَ لَهُ أَنَّ ابْنَهُ صَدَّقَ عَنْهُ قَالَ إِنَّهُ رَجُلٌ‌[1] قَالَ فَمُرْهُ أَنْ يَتَصَدَّقَ وَ لَوْ بِالْكِسْرَةِ مِنَ الْخُبْزِ ثُمَّ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ رَجُلًا مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ كَانَ لَهُ ابْنٌ وَ كَانَ لَهُ مُحِبّاً فَأُتِيَ فِي مَنَامِهِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّ ابْنَكَ لَيْلَةَ يَدْخُلُ بِأَهْلِهِ يَمُوتُ قَالَ فَلَمَّا كَانَ تِلْكَ

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), once in response to the words of Isma‘il ibn Muhammad that his son had given charity on his behalf and that he is a man, said this. ‘Ask him to give charity, even if it is only a small piece of bread.’ The Imam then said that abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘A man in banu Israel had a son whom he lo

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ وَلَدٌ فَوُلِدَ لَهُ غُلَامٌ وَ قِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّهُ يَمُوتُ لَيْلَةَ عُرْسِهِ فَمَكَثَ الْغُلَامُ فَلَمَّا كَانَ لَيْلَةُ عُرْسِهِ نَظَرَ إِلَى شَيْخٍ كَبِيرٍ ضَعِيفٍ فَرَحِمَهُ الْغُلَامُ فَدَعَاهُ فَأَطْعَمَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ السَّائِلُ أَحْيَيْتَنِي أَحْيَاكَ اللَّهُ قَالَ فَأَتَاهُ آتٍ فِي النَّوْمِ فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلِ ابْنَكَ مَا صَنَعَ فَسَأ

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.), say, ‘Among banu Israel there was a man who did not have a son. When he became the father of a son, he was told that his son would die on the night of his marriage. The boy waited until the night of his marriage, when he saw a frail, old man. He felt sympathy for him and invited him for f

خَرَجَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي لَيْلَةٍ قَدْ رُشَّتْ‌[2] وَ هُوَ يُرِيدُ ظُلَّةَ بَنِي سَاعِدَةَ فَاتَّبَعْتُهُ فَإِذَا هُوَ قَدْ سَقَطَ مِنْهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ اللَّهُمَّ رُدَّ عَلَيْنَا قَالَ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ مُعَلًّى قُلْتُ نَعَمْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ لِي الْتَمِسْ بِيَدِكَ فَمَا وَجَدْتَ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ فَادْفَعْهُ إِلَيَّ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِخُبْزٍ مُنْتَشِرٍ كَثِيرٍ

“One rainy night, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), went out to Zullah of banu Sa‘idah. I followed him and saw that some of his things fell down. He said, ‘Bismillah (by the name of Allah). O Lord, please return it back to us.’ I went to him and greeted him with the greetings of peace. He said, ‘Is it you, Mu‘alla’?’ I replied, ‘

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ أَطْعَمَ الطَّعَامَ وَ أَفْشَى السَّلَامَ وَ صَلَّى وَ النَّاسُ نِيَامٌ.

“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, ‘The best among you are those who serve food, offer greetings of peace aloud and perform Salat (prayer) when people are sleeping.’”