Fear

قُلْتُ لَهُ الْمُؤْمِنُ يَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ يَزُورُ قَبْرَهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ لَا يَزَالُ مُسْتَأْنِساً بِهِ مَا دَامَ عِنْدَ قَبْرِهِ فَإِذَا قَامَ وَ انْصَرَفَ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ دَخَلَهُ مِنِ انْصِرَافِهِ عَنْ قَبْرِهِ وَحْشَةٌ.

“I asked the Imam (a.s.), ‘Does a believing deceased notice who has visited his grave?’ He replied, ‘Yes, and he continues to take comfort in his visitor as long as he is near his grave. When the visitor stands up and leaves the gravesite he (the deceased) becomes afraid and lonely.’”

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

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

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي سَمِعْتُكَ وَ أَنْتَ تَقُولُ كُلُّ شِيعَتِنَا فِي الْجَنَّةِ عَلَى مَا كَانَ فِيهِمْ قَالَ صَدَقْتُكَ كُلُّهُمْ وَ اللَّهِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ الذُّنُوبَ كَثِيرَةٌ كِبَارٌ فَقَالَ أَمَّا فِي الْقِيَامَةِ فَكُلُّكُمْ فِي الْجَنَّةِ بِشَفَاعَةِ النَّبِيِّ الْمُطَاعِ أَوْ وَصِيِّ النَّبِيِّ وَ لَكِنِّي وَ اللَّهِ أَتَخَوَّفُ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الْبَرْزَخِ

“I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I have heard you say, “All of our Shi‘ah will be in paradise just as they are.’” He said, ‘I have told you the truth. All of them, by Allah, will be in paradise.’ The narrator has said that I then said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in your service, the sins are many and the major ones.’ He

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ أَخِي بِبَغْدَادَ وَ أَخَافُ أَنْ يَمُوتَ بِهَا فَقَالَ مَا تُبَالِي حَيْثُمَا مَاتَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَا يَبْقَى مُؤْمِنٌ فِي شَرْقِ الْأَرْضِ وَ غَرْبِهَا إِلَّا حَشَرَ اللَّهُ رُوحَهُ إِلَى وَادِي السَّلَامِ قُلْتُ لَهُ وَ أَيْنَ وَادِي السَّلَامِ قَالَ ظَهْرُ الْكُوفَةِ أَمَا إِنِّي كَأَنِّي بِهِمْ حَلَقٌ حَلَقٌ قُعُودٌ يَتَحَدَّثُونَ.

“I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘My brother is in Baghdad and I am afraid that he may die there.’ He said, ‘Why should you worry about wherever he dies? Indeed, Allah sends to Wadi al- Salam the soul of every believing person who dies in the east or west of the earth.’ I then asked, ‘Where is Wadi al-Salam?’ ‘It is b

لَمَّا مَاتَ ذَرُّ بْنُ أَبِي ذَرٍّ مَسَحَ أَبُو ذَرٍّ الْقَبْرَ بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ يَا ذَرُّ وَ اللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتَ بِي بَارّاً وَ لَقَدْ قُبِضْتَ وَ إِنِّي عَنْكَ لَرَاضٍ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا بِي فَقْدُكَ وَ مَا عَلَيَّ مِنْ غَضَاضَةٍ[3] وَ مَا لِي إِلَى أَحَدٍ سِوَى اللَّهِ مِنْ حَاجَةٍ وَ لَوْ لَا هَوْلُ الْمُطَّلَعِ‌[4] لَسَرَّنِي أَنْ أَكُونَ مَكَانَكَ وَ لَقَدْ شَغَلَنِي الْحُزْنُ لَكَ عَنِ

“When Dharr, son of abu Dharr passed away, abu Dharr wiped his grave with his hand and said, ‘May Allah grant you mercy, O Dharr, by Allah, you were kind to me and I am satisfied with you. By Allah, I am not disappointed due to your death and I do not need anyone beside Allah. Had it not been for fear from the next lif

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا يَزَالُ الشَّيْطَانُ ذَعِراً[1] مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِ مَا حَافَظَ عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ الْخَمْسِ فَإِذَا ضَيَّعَهُنَّ تَجَرَّأَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَدْخَلَهُ فِي الْعَظَائِمِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Satan continues to be afraid of a believing person as long as he protects his five times daily Salah (prayers), but when he loses them, Satan becomes daring, then he takes him into great sins.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ الصَّلَاةَ وَ سَنَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَشَرَةَ أَوْجُهٍ صَلَاةَ الْحَضَرِ وَ السَّفَرِ وَ صَلَاةَ الْخَوْفِ عَلَى ثَلَاثَةِ أَوْجُهٍ وَ صَلَاةَ كُسُوفِ الشَّمْسِ وَ الْقَمَرِ وَ صَلَاةَ الْعِيدَيْنِ وَ صَلَاةَ الِاسْتِسْقَاءِ وَ الصَّلَاةَ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ.

3. Through the chain of his narrators Hammad has narrated from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “‘Abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Allah has made Salah (prayer) obligatory. The Messenger of Allah has established ten kinds of traditions in Salah (prayer): Salah (prayer) at home and during a journey

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَأْتِي الْمَسْجِدَ وَ قَدْ صَلَّى أَهْلُهُ أَ يَبْتَدِئُ بِالْمَكْتُوبَةِ أَوْ يَتَطَوَّعُ فَقَالَ إِنْ‌ كَانَ فِي وَقْتٍ حَسَنٍ‌[1] فَلَا بَأْسَ بِالتَّطَوُّعِ قَبْلَ الْفَرِيضَةِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ خَافَ الْفَوْتَ مِنْ أَجْلِ مَا مَضَى مِنَ الْوَقْتِ فَلْيَبْدَأْ بِالْفَرِيضَةِ وَ هُوَ حَقُّ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ثُمَّ لْيَتَطَوَّعْ بِمَا شَاءَ أَلَا هُوَ مُوَسَّعٌ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ الْإِنْسَانُ

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who comes to Masjid when people there have completed their Salah (prayer). Should he begin the obligatory or optional before the obligatory? He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is a good time it is not harmful to perform optional Salah (prayer) before obligatory. If he fears that

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

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

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[2] عَنِ الَّذِي لَا يَقْرَأُ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ فِي صَلَاتِهِ قَالَ لَا صَلَاةَ لَهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَبْدَأَ بِهَا فِي جَهْرٍ أَوْ إِخْفَاتٍ قُلْتُ أَيُّهُمَا أَحَبُّ إِلَيْكَ إِذَا كَانَ خَائِفاً أَوْ مُسْتَعْجِلًا يَقْرَأُ بِسُورَةٍ أَوْ فَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ قَالَ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ.[3]

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about one who does not read al-Fatihah in his Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘His Salah (prayer) is not valid. He must begin with it (al-Fatihah) that which is read aloud or quietly.’ I then asked, ‘Which one is more beloved to you: if one is afraid or in a hurry, is it reading

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي مَنْزِلِهِ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَقَالَ مُبْتَدِئاً مَنْ أَتَمَّ رُكُوعَهُ لَمْ تَدْخُلْهُ وَحْشَةٌ فِي الْقَبْرِ.

‘One who completes his Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) does not face any dread in the grave.’”

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عِنْدَ عَائِشَةَ ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ فَقَامَ يَتَنَفَّلُ فَاسْتَيْقَظَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَضَرَبَتْ بِيَدِهَا فَلَمْ تَجِدْهُ فَظَنَّتْ أَنَّهُ قَدْ قَامَ إِلَى جَارِيَتِهَا فَقَامَتْ تَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِ فَوَطِئَتْ عُنُقَهُ ص وَ هُوَ سَاجِدٌ بَاكٍ يَقُولُ سَجَدَ لَكَ سَوَادِي وَ خَيَالِي وَ آمَنَ بِكَ فُؤَادِي أَبُوءُ إِلَيْكَ بِالنِّعَمِ وَ أَعْتَرِفُ لَكَ بِالذَّنْبِ الْعَظِيمِ عَمِلْتُ سُوءاً وَ ظَلَمْتُ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Once, the Holy Prophet, when he was with ‘A’ishah, during the night decided to perform optional Salah (prayer). ‘A’ishah woke up and searched around for him with her hand but did not find him. She thought he might have gone to her slave girl. She got up searching around and stepped on his

كَانَ يَقُولُ فِي سُجُودِهِ- سَجَدَ وَجْهِيَ الْبَالِي لِوَجْهِكَ الْبَاقِي الدَّائِمِ الْعَظِيمِ سَجَدَ وَجْهِيَ الذَّلِيلُ لِوَجْهِكَ الْعَزِيزِ سَجَدَ وَجْهِيَ الْفَقِيرُ لِوَجْهِ رَبِّيَ الْغَنِيِّ الْكَرِيمِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ رَبِّ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ مِمَّا كَانَ وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ مِمَّا يَكُونُ رَبِّ لَا تُجْهِدْ بَلَائِي رَبِّ لَا تُشْمِتْ بِي أَعْدَائِي رَبِّ لَا تُسِئْ قَضَائِي رَبِّ إِنَّهُ لَا دَافِعَ وَ ل

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), in prostration would say the following: ‘(O Lord), my aging face has prostrated before Your ever remaining, eternal and great face. My submissive face has prostrated before Your majestic face. My poor face has prostrated before the self-sufficient, gracious, most High and great face of my Lord.

إِذَا قَرَأَ أَحَدُكُمُ السَّجْدَةَ مِنَ الْعَزَائِمِ فَلْيَقُلْ فِي سُجُودِهِ- سَجَدْتُ لَكَ تَعَبُّداً وَ رِقّاً لَا مُسْتَكْبِراً عَنْ عِبَادَتِكَ وَ لَا مُسْتَنْكِفاً وَ لَا مُتَعَظِّماً بَلْ أَنَا عَبْدٌ ذَلِيلٌ خَائِفٌ مُسْتَجِيرٌ.

‘When anyone of you may recite the chapters of the Holy Quran wherein is the verse calling for prostration, in the prostration for such recitation you should say, “O Lord, I have prostrated before You as a servant and in submission before You. I do not assume arrogance in worshipping You, refrain or consider myself by

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.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ قَائِماً فِي الصَّلَاةِ الْفَرِيضَةِ فَيَنْسَى كِيسَهُ أَوْ مَتَاعاً يَتَخَوَّفُ ضَيْعَتَهُ أَوْ هَلَاكَهُ قَالَ يَقْطَعُ صَلَاتَهُ وَ يُحْرِزُ مَتَاعَهُ ثُمَّ يَسْتَقْبِلُ الصَّلَاةَ قُلْتُ فَيَكُونُ فِي الْفَرِيضَةِ فَتَفَلَّتُ عَلَيْهِ دَابَّةٌ أَوْ تَفَلَّتُ دَابَّتُهُ‌[2] فَيَخَافُ أَنْ تَذْهَبَ أَوْ يُصِيبَ مِنْهَا عَنَتاً[3] فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ يَقْطَعَ صَلَاتَهُ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who is standing in obligatory Salah (prayer) when he remembers his bag or property and he is afraid of loss or destruction of such items. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can discontinue his Salah (prayer) to secure such items then perform his Salah (prayer) again.’ I then asked

إِذَا كُنْتَ فِي صَلَاةِ الْفَرِيضَةِ فَرَأَيْتَ غُلَاماً لَكَ- قَدْ أَبَقَ أَوْ غَرِيماً لَكَ عَلَيْهِ مَالٌ أَوْ حَيَّةً تَخَافُهَا عَلَى نَفْسِكَ فَاقْطَعِ الصَّلَاةَ وَ اتْبَعِ الْغُلَامَ أَوْ غَرِيماً لَكَ وَ اقْتُلِ الْحَيَّةَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When you are in obligatory Salah (prayer) and see your slave escaping or your debtor who owes you a certain amount of property, or a snake because of which you are afraid for your life, you can discontinue your Salah (prayer) follow the slave or debtor or kill the snake.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[3] عَنْ رَجُلٍ كَانَ يُصَلِّي فَخَرَجَ الْإِمَامُ وَ قَدْ صَلَّى الرَّجُلُ رَكْعَةً مِنْ صَلَاةٍ فَرِيضَةٍ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ إِمَاماً عَدْلًا فَلْيُصَلِّ أُخْرَى وَ يَنْصَرِفُ وَ يَجْعَلُهُمَا تَطَوُّعاً وَ لْيَدْخُلْ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ فِي صَلَاتِهِ كَمَا هُوَ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ إِمَامٌ عَدْلٌ فَلْيَبْنِ عَلَى صَلَاتِهِ كَمَا هُوَ وَ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَةً أُخْرَى مَعَهُ يَجْلِسُ قَدْرَ مَا يَقُولُ- أَشْهَدُ أ

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who performs Salah (prayer) and has completed only one Rak‘at of an obligatory Salah (prayer) that the Imam arrives. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he is an Imam who possesses the quality of justice, he performs one more Rak‘at, completes and makes it an optional Salah (prayer)

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فِي أَعْطَانِ الْإِبِلِ فَقَالَ إِنْ تَخَوَّفْتَ الضَّيْعَةَ عَلَى مَتَاعِكَ فَاكْنُسْهُ وَ انْضِحْهُ وَ لَا بَأْسَ بِالصَّلَاةِ فِي مَرَابِضِ الْغَنَمِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about performing Salah (prayer) in camel’s barn. He (the Imam) said, ‘If you are afraid for your effects, sweep it and wash it. It is not harmful to perform Salah (prayer) in sheep barns.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فِي مَرَابِضِ الْغَنَمِ فَقَالَ صَلِّ فِيهَا وَ لَا تُصَلِّ فِي أَعْطَانِ الْإِبِلِ إِلَّا أَنْ تَخَافَ عَلَى مَتَاعِكَ الضَّيْعَةَ فَاكْنُسْهُ وَ رُشَّهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَ صَلِّ فِيهِ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فِي ظَهْرِ الطَّرِيقِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ فِي الظَّوَاهِرِ الَّتِي بَيْنَ الْجَوَادِّ[3] فَأَمَّا عَلَى الْجَوَادِّ فَلَا تُصَلِّ فِيهَا قَالَ وَ كُرِهَ الصَّلَاةُ فِي

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the barn of sheep. He (the Imam) said, ‘You can perform Salah (prayer) there but do not perform Salah (prayer) in the place where camels are kept, unless you are afraid for loss of your property, in which case, you can sweep and sprinkle water on it, then perform Salah (prayer

كَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ‌[3] إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ عُقْبَةَ عِنْدَنَا جَوَارِبُ وَ تِكَكٌ تُعْمَلُ مِنْ وَبَرِ الْأَرَانِبِ فَهَلْ تَجُوزُ الصَّلَاةُ فِي وَبَرِ الْأَرَانِبِ مِنْ غَيْرِ ضَرُورَةٍ وَ لَا تَقِيَّةٍ فَكَتَبَ ع لَا تَجُوزُ الصَّلَاةُ فِيهَا.

“Ibrahim ibn ‘Uqbah once wrote to him (the Imam) (a.s.), asking, ‘People here make socks and waistbands from the fur of foxes. Is it permissible to perform Salah (prayer) with it without Taqiyah (fear) or necessity? He (the Imam) wrote with his hand writing, ‘It is not permissible to perform Salah (prayer) with it.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَ مَعَهُ السِّكِّينُ فِي خُفِّهِ لَا يَسْتَغْنِي عَنْهَا أَوْ فِي سَرَاوِيلِهِ مَشْدُوداً وَ الْمِفْتَاحُ يَخَافُ عَلَيْهِ الضَّيْعَةَ أَوْ فِي وَسَطِهِ الْمِنْطَقَةُ فِيهَا حَدِيدٌ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِالسِّكِّينِ وَ الْمِنْطَقَةِ لِلْمُسَافِرِ فِي وَقْتِ ضَرُورَةٍ وَ كَذَلِكَ الْمِفْتَاحُ يَخَافُ عَلَيْهِ أَوْ فِي النِّسْيَانِ وَ لَا بَأْسَ بِالسَّيْفِ وَ كَذَلِكَ آلَة

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who on a journey has a knife in his slipper without which he cannot do anything or it is in his pant, and a key which he is afraid of losing it, or that around his midsection is a belt in which there is iron. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not an offense to have a knife, or

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ صَلَّى وَ فِي كُمِّهِ طَيْرٌ قَالَ إِنْ خَافَ الذَّهَابَ عَلَيْهِ فَلَا بَأْسَ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْخَلَاخِلِ هَلْ يَصْلُحُ لِلنِّسَاءِ وَ الصِّبْيَانِ لُبْسُهَا فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَتْ صَمَّاءَ فَلَا بَأْسَ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ لَهَا صَوْتٌ فَلَا.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who performed Salah (prayer) with a bird in his sleeve. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he is afraid about it then it is not harmful.’ He (the narrator) has said that he then asked him (the Imam) about anklets if women and children could use them during Salah (prayer). He (the Im

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ عَبْدُ الْمَلِكِ الْقُمِّيُّ فَقَالَ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ أَسْجُدُ وَ يَدِي فِي ثَوْبِي فَقَالَ إِنْ شِئْتَ‌[2] قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنِّي وَ اللَّهِ مَا مِنْ هَذَا وَ شِبْهِهِ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ.

“I once was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when ‘Abd al-Malik al-Qummiy came and asked saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, I perform Sajdah (prostration) and my hands are inside my clothes. He (the Imam) said, ‘If you want, you can do so.’ He (the narrator) has said that he (the Imam) then said, ‘I, by Allah, am no

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي أَقُومُ آخِرَ اللَّيْلِ وَ أَخَافُ الصُّبْحَ قَالَ اقْرَأِ الْحَمْدَ وَ اعْجَلْ وَ اعْجَلْ‌[2].

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I get up in the end of the night and I fear (of the coming of dawn before completing).’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Recite just al-Fatihah, and make it faster and faster.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَقُومُ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ وَ هُوَ يَخْشَى أَنْ يَفْجَأَهُ الصُّبْحُ أَ يَبْدَأُ بِالْوَتْرِ أَوْ يُصَلِّي الصَّلَاةَ عَلَى وَجْهِهَا حَتَّى يَكُونَ الْوَتْرُ آخِرَ ذَلِكَ قَالَ بَلْ يَبْدَأُ بِالْوَتْرِ وَ قَالَ أَنَا كُنْتُ فَاعِلًا ذَلِكَ.

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about a man who gets up in the end of the night and he is afraid of coming of dawn (before completing). Should he begin with al-Witr or perform Salah (prayer) as normal so that al-Witr becomes the last item?’ He (the Imam) said, ’He begins with al-Witr.’ He (the Imam) said, ’I have done

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ صَلَاةِ الْخَوْفِ قَالَ يَقُومُ الْإِمَامُ وَ تَجِي‌ءُ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ فَيَقُومُونَ خَلْفَهُ وَ طَائِفَةٌ بِإِزَاءِ الْعَدُوِّ فَيُصَلِّي بِهِمُ الْإِمَامُ رَكْعَةً ثُمَّ يَقُومُ وَ يَقُومُونَ مَعَهُ‌ فَيَمْثُلُ قَائِماً[1] وَ يُصَلُّونَ هُمُ الرَّكْعَةَ الثَّانِيَةَ ثُمَّ يُسَلِّمُ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُونَ فَيَقُومُونَ فِي مَقَامِ أَصْحَابِهِمْ وَ يَ

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about performing Salah (prayer) in fearful conditions. He (the Imam) said, ‘The Imam stands up and one group of his people comes and stands up behind him. The other group faces the enemy. The Imam performs one Rak‘at, then stands up and they also stand up. He remains standing but th

صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِأَصْحَابِهِ فِي غَزْوَةِ ذَاتِ الرِّقَاعِ‌[2] صَلَاةَ الْخَوْفِ فَفَرَّقَ أَصْحَابَهُ فِرْقَتَيْنِ أَقَامَ فِرْقَةً بِإِزَاءِ الْعَدُوِّ وَ فِرْقَةً خَلْفَهُ فَكَبَّرَ وَ كَبَّرُوا فَقَرَأَ وَ أَنْصَتُوا وَ رَكَعَ فَرَكَعُوا وَ سَجَدَ فَسَجَدُوا ثُمَّ اسْتَتَمَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَائِماً[3] وَ صَلَّوْا لِأَنْفُسِهِمْ رَكْعَةً ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ ثُمَّ خَرَجُوا إِلَى أَصْح

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah performed Salah (prayer) with his followers during the armed expedition at Dhat al-Riqa‘ in a fearful condition. The Messenger of Allah divided his companions in two groups. One group was made to stand up facing the enemy and the other group behind him for Sa

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنْ كُنْتَ فِي أَرْضِ مَخَافَةٍ فَخَشِيتَ لِصّاً أَوْ سَبُعاً فَصَلِّ عَلَى دَابَّتِكَ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘If you are in a land where you are afraid of thieves or beasts, perform Salah (prayer) on your stumper.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[2] قُلْتُ أَكُونُ فِي طَرِيقِ مَكَّةَ فَنَنْزِلُ لِلصَّلَاةِ فِي مَوَاضِعَ فِيهَا الْأَعْرَابُ أَ نُصَلِّي الْمَكْتُوبَةَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ فَنَقْرَأُ أُمَّ الْكِتَابِ وَحْدَهَا أَمْ نُصَلِّي عَلَى الرَّاحِلَةِ فَنَقْرَأُ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ وَ السُّورَةَ فَقَالَ إِذَا خِفْتَ فَصَلِّ عَلَى الرَّاحِلَةِ الْمَكْتُوبَةَ وَ غَيْرَهَا وَ إِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْحَمْدَ وَ سُورَةً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ وَ لَا أَرَى بِالَّذِي

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about my traveling between Makkah and al-Madinah and in the time of Salah (prayer), we disembark where Arabs are found. Can we perform the obligatory Salah (prayer) on the ground and recite just al-Fatihah, or perform it when riding and recite al-Fatihah al-Kitab and Surah (chapter)

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ فَرِجالًا أَوْ رُكْباناً[3] كَيْفَ يُصَلِّي وَ مَا يَقُولُ إِذَا خَافَ مِنْ سَبُعٍ أَوْ لِصٍّ كَيْفَ يُصَلِّي قَالَ يُكَبِّرُ وَ يُومِئُ إِيمَاءً بِرَأْسِهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . if you are afraid then it is on foot or riding. . . .’(2:240), ‘How is this Salah (prayer) performed and what do you say if one is afraid of beasts or thieves?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He says Takbir (Allah is great beyond

فِي صَلَاةِ الْخَوْفِ عِنْدَ الْمُطَارَدَةِ وَ الْمُنَاوَشَةِ[6] يُصَلِّي كُلُّ إِنْسَانٍ مِنْهُمْ بِالْإِيمَاءِ حَيْثُ كَانَ وَجْهُهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَتِ الْمُسَايَفَةُ وَ الْمُعَانَقَةُ وَ تَلَاحُمُ الْقِتَالِ فَإِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص صَلَّى لَيْلَةَ صِفِّينَ وَ هِيَ لَيْلَةُ الْهَرِيرِ[1] لَمْ تَكُنْ صَلَاتُهُمُ الظُّهْرُ وَ الْعَصْرُ وَ الْمَغْرِبُ وَ الْعِشَاءُ عِنْدَ وَقْتِ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ إِلَّا التَّكْبِيرَ

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ibn ’Udhaynah from Zurarah and Fudayl and Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about performing Salah (prayer) in frightening conditions during pursuits and the skirmishes, has said, ‘Every one of them per

فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ تُنْقَصُ مِنْهُمَا وَاحِدَةٌ.

“About the word of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘It is permissible for you to reduce of Salah (prayer) if you fear that the unbelievers may create mischief for you,’ (4:101), abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Two Rak‘at becomes one Rak‘at.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَلْقَى السَّبُعَ وَ قَدْ حَضَرَتِ الصَّلَاةُ وَ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ الْمَشْيَ مَخَافَةَ السَّبُعِ فَإِنْ قَامَ يُصَلِّي خَافَ فِي رُكُوعِهِ وَ سُجُودِهِ السَّبُعَ وَ السَّبُعُ أَمَامَهُ عَلَى غَيْرِ الْقِبْلَةِ فَإِنْ تَوَجَّهَ إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ خَافَ أَنْ يَثِبَ عَلَيْهِ الْأَسَدُ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ قَالَ فَقَالَ يَسْتَقْبِلُ الْأَسَدَ وَ يُصَلِّي وَ يُومِئُ بِرَأْسِهِ إِيمَاءً وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ وَ

“I once asked my brother, abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about one who faces a beast and it is time for Salah (prayer). He is not able to walk, because of fear from the beast. If he stands up he fears to perform Ruku’ (bowing down on one’s knees) or Sujud (prostrations) with the beast in front of him in a direction other than t

عَشْرُ رَكَعَاتٍ وَ أَرْبَعُ سَجَدَاتٍ تَفْتَتِحُ الصَّلَاةَ بِتَكْبِيرَةٍ وَ تَرْكَعُ بِتَكْبِيرَةٍ وَ تَرْفَعُ رَأْسَكَ بِتَكْبِيرَةٍ إِلَّا فِي الْخَامِسَةِ الَّتِي تَسْجُدُ فِيهَا وَ تَقُولُ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ وَ تَقْنُتُ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الرُّكُوعِ وَ تُطِيلُ الْقُنُوتَ وَ الرُّكُوعَ عَلَى قَدْرِ الْقِرَاءَةِ وَ الرُّكُوعِ وَ السُّجُودِ[1] فَإِنْ فَرَغْتَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَنْجَلِيَ فَاقْعُدْ

“We once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about Salah (prayer) because of eclipse. How many Rak‘at has it and how we perform it? He (the Imam) said, ‘It has ten Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) and four Sajadat (prostrations). Salah (prayer) commences with Takbir (Allah is great beyond description), Ruku‘ is performed with T

إِذَا كَانَ النِّصْفُ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَصَلِّ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ تَقْرَأُ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَةٍ الْحَمْدَ وَ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي إِلَيْكَ فَقِيرٌ وَ إِنِّي عَائِذٌ بِكَ وَ مِنْكَ خَائِفٌ وَ بِكَ مُسْتَجِيرٌ رَبِّ لَا تُبَدِّلِ اسْمِي رَبِّ لَا تُغَيِّرْ جِسْمِي رَبِّ لَا تُجْهِدْ بَلَائِي أَعُوذُ بِعَفْوِكَ مِنْ عِقَابِكَ وَ أَعُوذُ بِرِضَاكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ وَ

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that on the night of the middle of the month of Sha’ban perform four Rak‘at Salah (prayer). In every Rak‘at read al-Fatihah and Chapter 112 one hundred times. After completing say, ‘O Lord, I am needy to You. I seek protection with You and I am afraid of Your (anger). I plead before You

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّهُ كَانَ فِي يَدِي شَيْ‌ءٌ تَفَرَّقَ وَ ضِقْتُ ضَيْقاً شَدِيداً فَقَالَ لِي أَ لَكَ حَانُوتٌ فِي السُّوقِ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ وَ قَدْ تَرَكْتُهُ فَقَالَ إِذَا رَجَعْتَ إِلَى الْكُوفَةِ فَاقْعُدْ فِي حَانُوتِكَ وَ اكْنُسْهُ‌[3] فَإِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَخْرُجَ إِلَى سُوقِكَ فَصَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ أَوْ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ ثُمَّ قُلْ فِي دُبُرِ صَلَاتِكَ- تَوَجَّهْتُ بِلَا حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَ لَا

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Najran from Sabah al-Hadhdha’ from ibn al- Tayyar who has said the following: “I said to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘I had some property which now has scattered away and I am under severe constraint.’ The Imam asked, ‘Do you have a shop in the market pla

كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع إِذَا هَالَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَزِعَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- وَ اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَ الصَّلاةِ[1].

“If something dismayed Imam Ali (a.s.), he would feel restless for Salah (prayer). The Imam then read this, ’Seek help from exercising patience and performing Salah (prayer).’”

اتَّخِذْ مَسْجِداً فِي بَيْتِكَ فَإِذَا خِفْتَ شَيْئاً فَالْبَسْ ثَوْبَيْنِ غَلِيظَيْنِ مِنْ أَغْلَظِ ثِيَابِكَ وَ صَلِّ فِيهِمَا ثُمَّ اجْثُ عَلَى رُكْبَتَيْكَ‌[2] فَاصْرُخْ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ سَلْهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَ تَعَوَّذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شَرِّ الَّذِي تَخَافُهُ وَ إِيَّاكَ أَنْ يَسْمَعَ اللَّهُ مِنْكَ كَلِمَةَ بَغْيٍ وَ إِنْ أَعْجَبَتْكَ نَفْسَكَ وَ عَشِيرَتَكَ.[3]

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said to assign a place in your home as Masjid. If something frightens you, dress in two pieces of your roughest clothes and perform Salah (prayer) with them. Thereafter rise on your knees and call for help, scream before Allah, ask Him for paradise, beg Him for protection against whatever ha

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا اسْتَخْلَفَ عَبْدٌ عَلَى أَهْلِهِ بِخِلَافَةٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ يَرْكَعُهُمَا إِذَا أَرَادَ سَفَراً يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَوْدِعُكَ نَفْسِي وَ أَهْلِي وَ مَالِي وَ دِينِي وَ دُنْيَايَ وَ آخِرَتِي وَ أَمَانَتِي وَ خَوَاتِيمَ عَمَلِي إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ مَا سَأَلَ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from af-Nawfafiy, from af-Sakuniy who has said the following: ”Abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘A servant (of Allah) is not able to leave a successor among his people in his absence better than two Rak‘at Salah (prayer). It

سَمِعْتُ رَجُلًا وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ قَدْ أَسْنَنْتُ وَ قَدْ تَزَوَّجْتُ امْرَأَةً بِكْراً صَغِيرَةً وَ لَمْ أَدْخُلْ بِهَا وَ أَنَا أَخَافُ إِذَا أَدْخُلُ بِهَا عَلَى فِرَاشِي أَنْ تَكْرَهَنِي لِخِضَابِي وَ كِبَرِي فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِذَا دَخَلْتَ فَمُرْهُمْ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَصِلَ إِلَيْكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مُتَوَضِّئَةً ثُمَّ أَنْتَ لَا تَصِلُ إِلَيْهَا حَتَّى تَتَوَضَّأَ

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Salih from abu Basir who has said the following: “I heard a man saying to abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I am an aged man. I have married a virgin young woman. I have

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ فِي أَمْوَالِ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ فَرِيضَةً لَا يُحْمَدُونَ إِلَّا بِأَدَائِهَا وَ هِيَ الزَّكَاةُ بِهَا حَقَنُوا دِمَاءَهُمْ وَ بِهَا سُمُّوا مُسْلِمِينَ وَ لَكِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ فِي أَمْوَالِ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ حُقُوقاً غَيْرَ الزَّكَاةِ فَقَالَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ فِي أَمْوالِهِمْ حَقٌّ مَعْلُومٌ‌[2] فَالْحَقُّ الْمَعْلُومُ مِنْ غَيْرِ الزَّكَاةِ وَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has made it compulsory on affluent people to pay the share of the needy people from their properties and the affluent people will not be praised unless they pay the share of needy people. This share is zakat. Paying zakat protects their

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

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

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ أَخِي يُوسُفَ وُلِّيَ لِهَؤُلَاءِ الْقَوْمِ أَعْمَالًا أَصَابَ فِيهَا أَمْوَالًا كَثِيرَةً وَ إِنَّهُ جَعَلَ تِلْكَ الْأَمْوَالَ حُلِيّاً أَرَادَ أَنْ يَفِرَّ بِهَا مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ أَ عَلَيْهِ الزَّكَاةُ قَالَ لَيْسَ عَلَى الْحُلِيِّ زَكَاةٌ وَ مَا أَدْخَلَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ مِنَ النُّقْصَانِ فِي وَضْعِهِ وَ مَنْعِهِ نَفْسَهُ فَضْلَهُ أَكْثَرُ مِمَّا يَخَافُ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that my brother, Yusuf accepts employment from these people from which he has earned great amounts of wealth and has turned them into jewelries to avoid Zakat. Is there Zakat on it? He (the Imam) said, ‘Zakat is not due on jewelries; however, the loss that he has caused to himself

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ أُتِيَ النَّبِيُّ ص بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فَقَسَمَهُ فَلَمْ يَسَعْ أَهْلَ الصُّفَّةِ جَمِيعاً فَخَصَّ بِهِ أُنَاساً مِنْهُمْ فَخَافَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَنْ يَكُونَ قَدْ دَخَلَ قُلُوبَ الْآخَرِينَ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَخَرَجَ إِلَيْهِمْ فَقَالَ مَعْذِرَةً إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ إِلَيْكُمْ يَا أَهْلَ الصُّفَّةِ إِنَّا أُوتِينَا بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فَأَرَدْنَا أَنْ نَقْسِمَهُ بَيْنَكُمْ فَلَمْ يَسَعْكُمْ فَخَصَصْتُ بِهِ أُنَ

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Once something was brought to the Holy prophet and he distributed it among the people of al-Suffah (the platform); but it was not enough and he gave it to special ones among them. The Holy prophet, was afraid of what might the others think. The Holy prophet came to them and sa

سَأَلَهُ‌[2] رَجُلٌ وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ قَالَ أُعْطِي قَرَابَتِي زَكَاةَ مَالِي وَ هُمْ لَا يَعْرِفُونَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا تُعْطِ الزَّكَاةَ إِلَّا مُسْلِماً وَ أَعْطِهِمْ مِنْ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ تَرَوْنَ أَنَّمَا فِي الْمَالِ الزَّكَاةُ وَحْدَهَا مَا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ فِي الْمَالِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الزَّكَاةِ أَكْثَرُ تُعْطِي‌[3] مِنْهُ الْقَرَابَةَ وَ الْمُعْتَرِضَ لَكَ مِمَّنْ يَسْأَلُكَ فَتُع

“Once someone asked him (the Imam) ‘Alayhi al-Salam, when I was hearing, saying, ‘Can I pay Zakat to my relatives and they do not know (this belief)? He (the Imam) said, ‘Do not pay Zakat to anyone who is not a Muslim, but give them from other things.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘Do you think that Allah has made

كُنْتُ فِي مَجْلِسِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع أُحَدِّثُهُ وَ قَدِ اجْتَمَعَ إِلَيْهِ خَلْقٌ كَثِيرٌ يَسْأَلُونَهُ عَنِ الْحَلَالِ وَ الْحَرَامِ إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ طُوَالٌ آدَمُ‌[4] فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ- رَجُلٌ مِنْ مُحِبِّيكَ وَ مُحِبِّي آبَائِكَ وَ أَجْدَادِكَ ع مَصْدَرِي مِنَ الْحَجِّ وَ قَدِ افْتَقَدْتُ نَفَقَتِي وَ مَا مَعِي مَا أَبْلُغُ مَرْحَلَةً فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ أَنْ ت

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn Sandal from Yasir from al-Yasa’ ibn Hamzah who has said the following: “Once I was in the presence of abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), and I was speaking to him before a large gathering that wanted to ask him about lawful and unlawful matters. At such time, a tall man o