Fear

سَأَلَ ابْنُ أَبِي الْعَوْجَاءِ هِشَامَ بْنَ الْحَكَمِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ لَيْسَ اللَّهُ حَكِيماً قَالَ بَلَى وَ هُوَ أَحْكَمُ الْحَاكِمِينَ قَالَ فَأَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَانْكِحُوا ما طابَ لَكُمْ مِنَ النِّساءِ مَثْنى‌ وَ ثُلاثَ وَ رُباعَ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا فَواحِدَةً[1] أَ لَيْسَ هَذَا فَرْضاً قَالَ بَلَى قَالَ فَأَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لَنْ تَسْتَطِيعُوا أَنْ ت

“Once, ibn abu al-‘Awja’ asked Hisham ibn al-Hakam, ’Is not Allah wise?’ Hisham ibn al-Hakam replied, ’Yes, He is. He is the most firm of the judges.’ He (ibn abu al-’Awja’) then asked, ’Tell me about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, “Marry whomever of women you like, two, three or four and if you fear

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى أَحَلَّ الْفَرْجَ لِعِلَلِ مَقْدُرَةِ الْعِبَادِ فِي الْقُوَّةِ عَلَى الْمَهْرِ وَ الْقُدْرَةِ عَلَى الْإِمْسَاكِ فَقَالَ‌ فَانْكِحُوا ما طابَ لَكُمْ مِنَ النِّساءِ مَثْنى‌ وَ ثُلاثَ وَ رُباعَ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا فَواحِدَةً أَوْ ما مَلَكَتْ أَيْمانُكُمْ‌[1] وَ قَالَ‌ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ مِنْكُمْ طَوْلًا أَنْ يَنْكِحَ الْمُحْصَناتِ الْمُؤْمِناتِ فَمِنْ ما مَلَكَتْ أَيْمانُكُمْ

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Hisham ibn al-Hakam who has said the following: “He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, most High has made marriage lawful on the basis of His servants’ ability to pay mahr (dower) and their ability to provide maintenance, so He has said, “Marry wh

سُئِلَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الْمَهَارِيَّةِ[1] يَشْتَرِطُ عَلَيْهَا عِنْدَ عُقْدَةِ النِّكَاحِ أَنْ يَأْتِيَهَا مَتَى شَاءَ كُلَّ شَهْرٍ وَ كُلَّ جُمْعَةٍ يَوْماً وَ مِنَ النَّفَقَةِ كَذَا وَ كَذَا قَالَ لَيْسَ ذَلِكَ الشَّرْطُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ وَ مَنْ تَزَوَّجَ امْرَأَةً فَلَهَا مَا لِلْمَرْأَةِ مِنَ النَّفَقَةِ وَ الْقِسْمَةِ وَ لَكِنَّهُ إِذَا تَزَوَّجَ امْرَأَةً فَخَافَتْ مِنْهُ نُشُوزاً أَوْ خَافَتْ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَ ع

“Abu Abu Ja’far (a.s.), was asked about the case of a man who married a woman who could only be visited during the day because of a condition at the time of forming marriage that he could visit her whenever he wants, like every month, every week one day with so and so amount for expenses. He (the Imam) said, ‘Such cond

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّا أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ كَبِيرٍ فَرُبَّمَا كَانَ الْفَرَحُ وَ الْحَزَنُ الَّذِي يَجْتَمِعُ فِيهِ الرِّجَالُ وَ النِّسَاءُ فَرُبَّمَا اسْتَحْيَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ أَنْ تَكْشِفَ رَأْسَهَا عِنْدَ الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي بَيْنَهَا وَ بَيْنَهُ الرَّضَاعُ وَ رُبَّمَا اسْتَخَفَّ الرَّجُلُ أَنْ يَنْظُرَ إِلَى ذَلِكَ فَمَا الَّذِي يُحَرِّمُ مِنَ الرَّضَاعِ فَقَالَ مَا أَنْبَتَ اللَّحْمَ وَ الدَّمَ فَقُلْتُ و

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I belong to a large family. On different occasions of happiness and sorrow during which men and women come together women feel shy removing their head scarf before men between whom there is breastfeeding relationship or men fear looking to that, so who becomes unlawful because of

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَتَزَوَّجُ الْمَرْأَةَ شَهْراً فَتُرِيدُ مِنِّي الْمَهْرَ كَمَلًا وَ أَتَخَوَّفُ أَنْ تُخْلِفَنِي فَقَالَ لَا يَجُوزُ أَنْ تَحْبِسَ مَا قَدَرْتَ عَلَيْهِ فَإِنْ هِيَ‌ أَخْلَفَتْكَ فَخُذْ مِنْهَا بِقَدْرِ مَا تُخْلِفُكَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about if I marry a woman for one month and she wants all of the mahr (dower) from me, but I am afraid of her acting against me. He (the Imam) said, ‘You cannot withhold the mahr (dower) that is set but when she acts against the terms of marriage then you ca

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ يَتَمَتَّعَ بِالْبِكْرِ مَا لَمْ يُفْضِ إِلَيْهَا مَخَافَةَ كَرَاهِيَةِ الْعَيْبِ عَلَى أَهْلِهَا.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Marriage with a virgin in the manner of al- Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) is permissible only if fear of disgrace to her family will not affect her.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع رَجُلٌ تَزَوَّجَ امْرَأَةً مُتْعَةً ثُمَّ وَثَبَ عَلَيْهَا أَهْلُهَا فَزَوَّجُوهَا بِغَيْرِ إِذْنِهَا عَلَانِيَةً وَ الْمَرْأَةُ امْرَأَةُ صِدْقٍ كَيْفَ الْحِيلَةُ قَالَ لَا تُمَكِّنْ زَوْجَهَا مِنْ نَفْسِهَا حَتَّى يَنْقَضِيَ شَرْطُهَا وَ عِدَّتُهَا قُلْتُ إِنَّ شَرْطَهَا سَنَةٌ وَ لَا يَصْبِرُ لَهَا زَوْجُهَا وَ لَا أَهْلُهَا سَنَةً قَالَ فَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ زَوْجُهَا الْأَوَّلُ وَ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), about the case of a man who marries a woman in the manner of al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage), then people of her family leap in her case and give her in marriage publicly without her permission. She is a truthful person; if there is a solution to her case. He (the Imam) said,

قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ جَاءَ إِلَى امْرَأَةٍ فَسَأَلَهَا أَنْ تُزَوِّجَهُ نَفْسَهَا فَقَالَتْ أُزَوِّجُكَ نَفْسِي عَلَى أَنْ تَلْتَمِسَ مِنِّي مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ نَظَرٍ أَوِ الْتِمَاسٍ وَ تَنَالَ مِنِّي مَا يَنَالُ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ إِلَّا أَنَّكَ لَا تُدْخِلُ فَرْجَكَ فِي فَرْجِي وَ تَتَلَذَّذَ بِمَا شِئْتَ فَإِنِّي أَخَافُ الْفَضِيحَةَ قَالَ لَيْسَ لَهُ إِلَّا مَا اشْتُرِطَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who comes to a woman and asks her to marry in the manner of al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) and she agrees with the condition that he can do whatever a wife and a husband do like looking, touching each other and so on, except insert

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِي وَ لِسُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ خَالِدٍ قَدْ حَرَّمْتُ عَلَيْكُمَا الْمُتْعَةَ مِنْ قِبَلِي مَا دُمْتُمَا بِالْمَدِينَةِ لِأَنَّكُمَا تُكْثِرَانِ الدُّخُولَ عَلَيَّ فَأَخَافُ أَنْ تُؤْخَذَا فَيُقَالَ هَؤُلَاءِ أَصْحَابُ جَعْفَرٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to Sulayman ibn Khalid and I, ‘I have made al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) unlawful for you from my side as long as you are in al-Madinah because you come very often to me and I am afraid you will be caught and it will be said, “These are companions of Ja’far.’””

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الْجَارِيَةِ الَّتِي لَمْ تَبْلُغِ الْمَحِيضَ وَ يُخَافُ عَلَيْهَا الْحَبَلُ فَقَالَ يَسْتَبْرِئُ رَحِمَهَا الَّذِي يَبِيعُهَا بِخَمْسٍ وَ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً وَ الَّذِي يَشْتَرِيهَا بِخَمْسٍ وَ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً.

Al Husayn Bin Muhammad, from Moalla Bin Muhammad, from one of his companions, form Aban Bin Uman, from Rabie Bin Al Qasim who said, ‘I asked Abu Abdullah asws about the slave girl who had not reached menstruation, and he feared of the pregnancy upon her. So he asws said: ‘He should clear her womb, the one who sold her,

فِي رَجُلٍ ابْتَاعَ جَارِيَةً وَ لَمْ تَطْمَثْ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَتْ صَغِيرَةً وَ لَا يُتَخَوَّفُ عَلَيْهَا الْحَبَلُ فَلَيْسَ بِهِ عَلَيْهَا عِدَّةٌ وَ لْيَطَأْهَا إِنْ شَاءَ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ قَدْ بَلَغَتْ وَ لَمْ تَطْمَثْ فَإِنَّ عَلَيْهَا الْعِدَّةَ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى جَارِيَةً وَ هِيَ حَائِضٌ قَالَ إِذَا طَهُرَتْ فَلْيَمَسَّهَا إِنْ شَاءَ.

Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abu Umeyr, from Hammad, from Al Halby, (It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah asws having said regarding a man was sold a slave girl and she did not menstruate. He asws said: ‘If she was young and he does not fear the pregnancy upon her, so there is no waiting period upon he

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى جَارِيَةً حَامِلًا وَ قَدِ اسْتَبَانَ حَمْلُهَا فَوَطِئَهَا قَالَ بِئْسَ مَا صَنَعَ قُلْتُ فَمَا تَقُولُ فِيهِ قَالَ أَ عَزَلَ عَنْهَا أَمْ لَا قُلْتُ أَجِبْنِي فِي الْوَجْهَيْنِ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ عَزَلَ عَنْهَا فَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ وَ لَا يَعُودُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ لَمْ يَعْزِلْ عَنْهَا فَلَا يَبِيعُ ذَلِكَ الْوَلَدَ وَ لَا يُورِثُهُ وَ لَكِنْ يُعْتِقُهُ وَ يَجْعَلُ لَهُ شَي

Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, from Ali Bin Al Hakam, from Say Bin Ameyra, from Is’haq Bin Ammar who said, ‘I asked Abu Al-Hassan asws about a man who bought a pregnant slave girl and her pregnancy had manifested, so he slept with her. He asws said: ‘Evil is what he has done’. I said, ‘So what are you asw

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا نَظَرَ أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرْأَةِ الْحَسْنَاءِ فَلْيَأْتِ أَهْلَهُ فَإِنَّ الَّذِي مَعَهَا مِثْلُ الَّذِي مَعَ تِلْكَ فَقَامَ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ أَهْلٌ فَمَا يَصْنَعُ قَالَ فَلْيَرْفَعْ نَظَرَهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَ لْيُرَاقِبْهُ وَ لْيَسْأَلْهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ.

“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, ‘If anyone of you looks to a beautiful woman he must go to his wife because what she has is just like what she has.’ A man then stood up and asked, ‘O Me

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ مَعَهُ أَهْلُهُ فِي السَّفَرِ لَا يَجِدُ الْمَاءَ أَ يَأْتِي أَهْلَهُ قَالَ مَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَفْعَلَ إِلَّا أَنْ يَخَافَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ‌[1] قَالَ قُلْتُ طَلَبَ بِذَلِكَ اللَّذَّةَ أَوْ يَكُونُ شَبِقاً إِلَى النِّسَاءِ[2] قَالَ إِنَّ الشَّبِقَ يَخَافُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ- قُلْتُ يَطْلُبُ بِذَلِكَ اللَّذَّةَ قَالَ هُوَ حَلَالٌ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّهُ يُرْوَى عَنِ النَّبِيِّ

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who is on a journey with his wife and they cannot find water; if he can go to bed with his wife. He (the Imam) said, ‘I do not like it unless he is afraid for himself.’ I then asked, ‘Is it about the case of seeking to satisfy one’s l

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 أَنَّهَا إِذَا دَخَلَتْ عَلَيَّ تَرَانِي أَنْ تَكْرَهَنِي لِخِضَابِي وَ كِبَرِي فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِذَا دَخَلَتْ فَمُرْهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ تَصِلَ إِلَيْكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مُتَوَضِّئَةً ثُمَّ أَنْتَ لَا تَصِلُ إِلَيْهَا حَتَّى تَوَضَّ

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa and A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘ Abd Allah 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 f

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جَالِساً فَذَكَرَ شِرْكَ الشَّيْطَانِ فَعَظَّمَهُ حَتَّى أَفْزَعَنِي قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَمَا الْمَخْرَجُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ الْجِمَاعَ فَقُلْ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ بَدِيعُ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ* اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ قَضَيْتَ مِنِّي فِي هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ خَلِيفَةً فَلَا تَجْعَلْ لِلشَّيْطَانِ فِيهِ شِرْكاً وَ لَا نَ

“I once was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). He (the Imam) mentioned Satan and called him greatly dangerous so much so that it frightened me and I said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what is the way out from it?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘When you decide to go to bed with your wife say, “In the name

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يُسَلِّمُ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ وَ يَرْدُدْنَ عَلَيْهِ وَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يُسَلِّمُ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ وَ كَانَ يَكْرَهُ أَنْ يُسَلِّمَ عَلَى الشَّابَّةِ مِنْهُنَّ وَ يَقُولُ أَتَخَوَّفُ أَنْ يُعْجِبَنِي صَوْتُهَا فَيَدْخُلَ عَلَيَّ أَكْثَرُ مِمَّا طَلَبْتُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah (saww) would offer Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) to women and they would respond in return and ’Amir al- Mu’minin would offer Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) to women but disliked to offer Salam (the phrase of offering gree

كَانَ قَوْمُ لُوطٍ مِنْ أَفْضَلِ قَوْمٍ خَلَقَهُمُ اللَّهُ فَطَلَبَهُمْ إِبْلِيسُ الطَّلَبَ الشَّدِيدَ وَ كَانَ مِنْ فَضْلِهِمْ وَ خِيَرَتِهِمْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذَا خَرَجُوا إِلَى الْعَمَلِ خَرَجُوا بِأَجْمَعِهِمْ وَ تَبْقَى النِّسَاءُ خَلْفَهُمْ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ إِبْلِيسُ يَعْتَادُهُمْ‌[2] فَكَانُوا إِذَا رَجَعُوا خَرَّبَ إِبْلِيسُ مَا يَعْمَلُونَ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ تَعَالَوْا نَرْصُدْ هَذَا الَّذِي يُخَرِّبُ مَتَا

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘People of Lot were of the excellent people Allah had created. Iblis persuaded them very intensely. Due to their excellent manners, they would go to work together in groups and leave women behind at home. Iblis (Satan) would come to them every day and in their absence Iblis (Satan) would d

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَعَثَ أَرْبَعَةَ أَمْلَاكٍ فِي إِهْلَاكِ قَوْمِ لُوطٍ- جَبْرَئِيلَ وَ مِيكَائِيلَ وَ إِسْرَافِيلَ وَ كَرُوبِيلَ فَمَرُّوا بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ هُمْ مُعْتَمُّونَ فَسَلَّمُوا عَلَيْهِ فَلَمْ يَعْرِفْهُمْ وَ رَأَى هَيْئَةً حَسَنَةً فَقَالَ لَا يَخْدُمُ هَؤُلَاءِ إِلَّا أَنَا بِنَفْسِي وَ كَانَ صَاحِبَ ضِيَافَةٍ فَشَوَى لَهُمْ عِجْلًا سَمِيناً حَتَّى أَنْضَجَهُ ثُمَّ قَرَّبَهُ إِلَيْهِمْ فَلَ

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ibn Faddal from Dawud ibn Farqad from Abu Yazid al- Hammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, sent four angels for the destruction of the people of Lot: Jibril, Michael, I

أَ مَا يَخْشَى الَّذِينَ يَنْظُرُونَ فِي أَدْبَارِ النِّسَاءِ أَنْ يُبْتَلَوْا بِذَلِكَ فِي نِسَائِهِمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Do you not fear, when looking at women’s behind, for your women being looked in the same way.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَمَّا يَرْوِي النَّاسُ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ ع فِي أَشْيَاءَ مِنَ الْفُرُوجِ لَمْ يَكُنْ يَأْمُرُ بِهَا وَ لَا يَنْهَى عَنْهَا إِلَّا أَنَّهُ يَنْهَى عَنْهَا نَفْسَهُ وَ وُلْدَهُ فَقُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ يَكُونُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ قَدْ أَحَلَّتْهَا آيَةٌ وَ حَرَّمَتْهَا آيَةٌ أُخْرَى قُلْتُ فَهَلْ يَصِيرُ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ إِحْدَاهُمَا قَدْ نَسَخَتِ الْأُخْرَى أَوْ هُمَا مُحْكَمَتَانِ جَمِيعاً أَوْ يَنْبَغِي

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the narration of people from Ali (a.s.), in the matters of reproductive issues of human beings about which he did not command or prohibit others except that he prohibited for himself and his children. I asked, ’How can this happen?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is because one verse has

إِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ وَ عُمَرَ أَتَيَا أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ فَقَالا لَهَا يَا أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ إِنَّكِ قَدْ كُنْتِ عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ قَبْلَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَكَيْفَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ مِنْ ذَاكِ فِي الْخَلْوَةِ فَقَالَتْ مَا هُوَ إِلَّا كَسَائِرِ الرِّجَالِ ثُمَّ خَرَجَا عَنْهَا وَ أَقْبَلَ النَّبِيُّ ص فَقَامَتْ إِلَيْهِ مُبَادِرَةً فَرَقاً[2] أَنْ يَنْزِلَ أَمْرٌ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَأَخْبَرَتْهُ الْخَبَرَ فَغَضِبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once abu Bakr and ‘Umar went to ‘Umm Salamah and asked her, ‘O ‘Umm Salamah, you lived with another man before the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. How is the Messenger of Allah compared to that man i

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَانَ يَقْرَأُ- وَ إِنِّي خِفْتُ الْمَوالِيَ‌ مِنْ وَرائِي‌[2] يَعْنِي أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ وَارِثٌ حَتَّى وَهَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بَعْدَ الْكِبَرِ.

I am afraid for my dependents after me,’ (19:6) meaning that he had no heirs until Allah granted him (an heir) after his becoming very old.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَبْطَأَ عَلَى أَحَدِكُمُ الْوَلَدُ فَلْيَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَ‌ لا تَذَرْنِي فَرْداً وَ أَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْوارِثِينَ‌ وَحِيداً وَحْشاً فَيَقْصُرَ شُكْرِي عَنْ تَفَكُّرِي‌[2] بَلْ هَبْ لِي عَاقِبَةَ صِدْقٍ ذُكُوراً وَ إِنَاثاً آنَسُ بِهِمْ مِنَ الْوَحْشَةِ وَ أَسْكُنُ إِلَيْهِمْ مِنَ الْوَحْدَةِ وَ أَشْكُرُكَ عِنْدَ تَمَامِ النِّعْمَةِ يَا وَهَّابُ يَا عَظِيمُ يَا مُعَظَّمُ‌[3] ثُمَّ أَعْط

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If the birth of a child for one of you is delayed, he should say this prayer, ‘O Lord, do not leave me all by myself- and You are the best heir- alone and frightened so that my thoughts about a child reduce my thanks (to You). Grant me truthful consequences (successors) of male (child

أَتَتْ عَلَيَّ سِتُّونَ سَنَةً لَا يُولَدُ لِي فَحَجَجْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَشَكَوْتُ إِلَيْهِ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لِي أَ وَ لَمْ يُولَدْ لَكَ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ إِذَا قَدِمْتَ الْعِرَاقَ فَتَزَوَّجِ امْرَأَةً وَ لَا عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ سَوْءَاءَ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ مَا السَّوْءَاءُ قَالَ امْرَأَةٌ فِيهَا قُبْحٌ فَإِنَّهُنَّ أَكْثَرُ أَوْلَاداً وَ ادْعُ بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ فَإِنِّي أَرْجُو- أَنْ يَرْزُقَ

“I was sixty years old and had no children. I went to perform al-Hajj then visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and complained about not having any child. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Has any child ever been born to you?’ I replied, ‘No, it has not happened.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘When you go to Iraq marry a woman and it does not ma

قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع مَا تُكَنَّى قَالَ قُلْتُ مَا اكْتَنَيْتُ بَعْدُ وَ مَا لِي مِنْ وَلَدٍ وَ لَا امْرَأَةٍ وَ لَا جَارِيَةٍ قَالَ فَمَا يَمْنَعُكَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ حَدِيثٌ‌ بَلَغَنَا عَنْ عَلِيٍّ ع قَالَ وَ مَا هُوَ قُلْتُ بَلَغَنَا عَنْ عَلِيٍّ ع أَنَّهُ قَالَ مَنِ اكْتَنَى وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ أَهْلٌ فَهُوَ أَبُو جَعْرٍ[1] فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع شَوْهٌ‌[2] لَيْسَ هَذَا مِنْ حَدِيثِ عَلِيٍّ ع إِنَّا لَن

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), once asked me, ‘What is your Kunyah (father of so and so or son of so and so)?’ I replied, ‘I have no Kunyah yet; I have no son or wife or daughter.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What keeps you from having one?’ I replied, ‘It is a Hadith which is narrated from Ali (a.s.). ’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What is i

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ مَنْ قِبَلَنَا يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع خَتَنَ نَفْسَهُ بِقَدُومٍ عَلَى دَنٍ‌[3] فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ لَيْسَ كَمَا يَقُولُونَ كَذَبُوا عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع قُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ ذَاكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ ع كَانَتْ تَسْقُطُ عَنْهُمْ غُلْفَتُهُمْ مَعَ سُرَرِهِمْ فِي الْيَوْمِ السَّابِعِ فَلَمَّا وُلِدَ لِإِبْرَاهِيمَ ع مِنْ هَاجَرَ[4] عَيَّرَتْ سَارَةُ هَاجَرَ بِمَا

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘We are told that Ibrahim ‘Alayhi al-Salam circumcised with an adze on a base. He (the Imam) said, ‘Allah is free of all defects, it is not the way they say it is. They have lied against Ibrahim.’ I then asked, ‘How did it happen?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘In the case of the prophets,

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- لا تُضَارَّ والِدَةٌ بِوَلَدِها وَ لا مَوْلُودٌ لَهُ بِوَلَدِهِ‌[1] فَقَالَ كَانَتِ الْمَرَاضِعُ مِمَّا يَدْفَعُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا أَرَادَ الْجِمَاعَ تَقُولُ لَا أَدَعُكَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ أَحْبَلَ فَأَقْتُلَ وَلَدِي هَذَا الَّذِي أُرْضِعُهُ وَ كَانَ الرَّجُلُ تَدْعُوهُ الْمَرْأَةُ فَيَقُولُ أَخَافُ أَنْ أُجَامِعَكِ فَأَقْتُلَ وَلَدِي فَيَدَعُهَا وَ لَا يُجَ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . a mother must not be harmed because of her child nor must a father be harmed because of his child.’ (2:232) He (the Imam) said, ‘This is a reference to the case of breastfeeding woman when man persued her for going to be

كُنْتُ عِنْدَهُ إِذْ مَرَّ بِهِ نَافِعٌ مَوْلَى ابْنِ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع أَنْتَ الَّذِي تَزْعُمُ أَنَّ ابْنَ عُمَرَ طَلَّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ وَاحِدَةً وَ هِيَ حَائِضٌ فَأَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عُمَرَ أَنْ يَأْمُرَهُ أَنْ يُرَاجِعَهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ لَهُ كَذَبْتَ وَ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَى ابْنِ عُمَرَ أَنَا سَمِعْتُ ابْنَ عُمَرَ يَقُولُ طَلَّقْتُهَا عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّه

18. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ‘Udhaynah from Zurarah who has said the following: “Once, I was with Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), when, Nafi’ Mawla’ Ibn ’Umar came to visit him (the Imam). Abu Ja’far (a.s.), asked him, ‘Are you the one who believes that ibn ‘Umar divorced his w

قَالَ لِي عُمَرُ بْنُ شِهَابٍ الْعَبْدِيُّ مِنْ أَيْنَ زَعَمَ أَصْحَابُكَ أَنَّ مَنْ طَلَّقَ ثَلَاثاً لَمْ يَقَعِ الطَّلَاقُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ زَعَمُوا أَنَّ الطَّلَاقَ لِلْكِتَابِ وَ السُّنَّةِ فَمَنْ خَالَفَهُمَا رُدَّ إِلَيْهِمَا قَالَ فَمَا تَقُولُ فِيمَنْ طَلَّقَ عَلَى الْكِتَابِ وَ السُّنَّةِ فَخَرَجَتِ امْرَأَتُهُ أَوْ أَخْرَجَهَا فَاعْتَدَّتْ فِي غَيْرِ بَيْتِهَا تَجُوزُ عَلَيْهَا الْعِدَّةُ أَوْ يَرُدُّهَا إِلَى

On what basis your people say that divorce pronounced three times does not make it three divorces?’ I said to him, ‘They believe that divorce is based on the book and al -Sunnah and whatever is against them is returned to them.’ He then asked, ‘What do you say about one who has divorced according to the book and Sunnah

الْحُبْلَى الْمُطَلَّقَةُ يُنْفَقُ عَلَيْهَا حَتَّى تَضَعَ حَمْلَهَا وَ هِيَ أَحَقُّ بِوَلَدِهَا إِنْ تُرْضِعْهُ بِمَا تَقْبَلُهُ امْرَأَةٌ أُخْرَى إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- لا تُضَارَّ والِدَةٌ بِوَلَدِها وَ لا مَوْلُودٌ لَهُ بِوَلَدِهِ وَ عَلَى الْوارِثِ مِثْلُ ذلِكَ‌[2] قَالَ كَانَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ مِنَّا تَرْفَعُ يَدَهَا إِلَى زَوْجِهَا إِذَا أَرَادَ مُجَامَعَتَهَا فَتَقُولُ لَا أَدَعُكَ لِأَنِّي أَخَافُ

“A pregnant divorcee must receive her maintenance until childbirth, and she has the priority to breastfeed the child for wages equal to what another woman asks. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has said, ‘A mother must not be harmed because of her child or the father because of the child and the heirs also bear suc

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِنِ امْرَأَةٌ خافَتْ مِنْ بَعْلِها نُشُوزاً أَوْ إِعْراضاً فَقَالَ هِيَ الْمَرْأَةُ تَكُونُ عِنْدَ الرَّجُلِ فَيَكْرَهُهَا فَيَقُولُ لَهَا إِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُطَلِّقَكِ فَتَقُولُ لَهُ لَا تَفْعَلْ إِنِّي أَكْرَهُ أَنْ تُشْمَتَ بِي وَ لَكِنِ انْظُرْ فِي لَيْلَتِي فَاصْنَعْ بِهَا مَا شِئْتَ وَ مَا كَانَ سِوَى ذَلِكَ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ فَهُوَ لَكَ وَ دَعْنِي عَلَى حَالَتِي

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious. ‘If a woman is afraid of disharmony from her husband or his disregarding her. . . .’ (4:128). He (the Imam) said, ‘She is a woman who is married and he dislikes her and tells her that he wants to divorce her. She then says, ‘Do

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِنِ امْرَأَةٌ خافَتْ مِنْ بَعْلِها نُشُوزاً أَوْ إِعْراضاً قَالَ هَذَا تَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ الْمَرْأَةُ لَا تُعْجِبُهُ فَيُرِيدُ طَلَاقَهَا فَتَقُولُ لَهُ أَمْسِكْنِي وَ لَا تُطَلِّقْنِي وَ أَدَعَ لَكَ مَا عَلَى ظَهْرِكَ وَ أُعْطِيَكَ مِنْ مَالِي وَ أُحَلِّلَكَ مِنْ يَوْمِي وَ لَيْلَتِي فَقَدْ طَابَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ كُلُّهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘If a woman is afraid of disharmony from her husband or his disregarding her. . . .’ (4:128) He (the Imam) said, ‘This is a man who has a wife whom he does not like. He wants to divorce her, thus, she says to him, “Keep me and

سَأَلْتُ الْعَبْدَ الصَّالِحَ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِنْ خِفْتُمْ‌ شِقاقَ بَيْنِهِما فَابْعَثُوا حَكَماً مِنْ أَهْلِهِ وَ حَكَماً مِنْ أَهْلِها[1] فَقَالَ يَشْتَرِطُ الْحَكَمَانِ إِنْ شَاءَا فَرَّقَا وَ إِنْ شَاءَا جَمَعَا فَفَرَّقَا أَوْ جَمَعَا جَازَ.

“I once asked the virtuous servant of Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘If you are afraid of discord between them then send one arbitrator from his people and another from her people.’ (4:35) He (the Imam) then said, ‘The two arbitrators stipulate upon them that their decision to se

الْحَكَمَانِ يَشْتَرِطَانِ إِنْ شَاءَا فَرَّقَا وَ إِنْ شَاءَا جَمَعَا فَإِنْ جَمَعَا فَجَائِزٌ وَ إِنْ فَرَّقَا فَجَائِزٌ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘If you are afraid of discord between them then send one arbitrators from his people and another from her people.’ (4:35) He (the Imam) said, ‘The two arbitrators stipulate upon them that their decision to separate or to bring

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَابْعَثُوا حَكَماً مِنْ أَهْلِهِ وَ حَكَماً مِنْ أَهْلِها قَالَ لَيْسَ لِلْحَكَمَيْنِ أَنْ يُفَرِّقَا حَتَّى يَسْتَأْمِرَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about, ‘If you are afraid of discord between them then send one arbitrator from his people and another from her people.’ (4:35) He (the Imam) said, ‘They cannot decide to separate them without previous authorization of their decision by the parties (the wife and husband).’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ ظَاهَرَ مِنِ امْرَأَتِهِ ثُمَّ طَلَّقَهَا تَطْلِيقَةً فَقَالَ إِذَا طَلَّقَهَا تَطْلِيقَةً فَقَدْ بَطَلَ الظِّهَارُ وَ هَدَمَ الطَّلَاقُ الظِّهَارَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ فَلَهُ أَنْ يُرَاجِعَهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ هِيَ امْرَأَتُهُ فَإِنْ رَاجَعَهَا وَجَبَ عَلَيْهِ مَا يَجِبُ عَلَى الْمُظَاهِرِ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَتَمَاسَّا قُلْتُ فَإِنْ تَرَكَهَا حَتَّى يَخْلُوَ أَجَلُهَا وَ تَمْلِكَ نَفْسَهَا

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of a man who expresses the statement of al- Zihar about his wife, then divorces her once. He (the Imam) said, ’If he has divorced her once al-Zihar becomes void and divorce abolishes al-Zihar.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if he goes back to her?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes,

إِنَّ عَبَّادَ الْبَصْرِيِّ سَأَلَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ كَيْفَ يُلَاعِنُ الرَّجُلُ الْمَرْأَةَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ رَجُلًا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَ رَأَيْتَ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا دَخَلَ مَنْزِلَهُ فَوَجَدَ مَعَ امْرَأَتِهِ رَجُلًا يُجَامِعُهَا مَا كَانَ يَصْنَعُ قَالَ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ انْصَرَفَ ذَلِكَ الرَّجُلُ وَ

“Once ‘Abbad al-Basriy asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when I was present, ‘How does a man go through the process of Mula ‘inah (condemnation) against the woman?’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), explained a judgment of the Messenger of Allah. He (the Imam) said, ‘Once a man of the Muslims came to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, g

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كَانَ أَبِي ع يُفْتِي وَ كَانَ يَتَّقِي وَ نَحْنُ نَخَافُ فِي صَيْدِ الْبُزَاةِ وَ الصُّقُورِ وَ أَمَّا الْآنَ فَإِنَّا لَا نَخَافُ وَ لَا نُحِلُّ صَيْدَهَا إِلَّا أَنْ تُدْرَكَ ذَكَاتُهُ فَإِنَّهُ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- وَ ما عَلَّمْتُمْ مِنَ الْجَوارِحِ مُكَلِّبِينَ‌ فِي الْكِلَابِ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘My father would give fatwa but he was afraid, so he was cautious. We were afraid about hunting by falcons and hawks but now we are not afraid, and we say that it is not lawful, unless one arrives in time to slaughter it properly. It is in the book of Ali (a.s.), that Allah, most Majes

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ أَبِي ع يُفْتِي فِي زَمَنِ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ أَنَّ مَا قَتَلَ الْبَازِي وَ الصَّقْرُ فَهُوَ حَلَالٌ وَ كَانَ يَتَّقِيهِمْ وَ أَنَا لَا أَتَّقِيهِمْ وَ هُوَ حَرَامٌ مَا قَتَلَ‌[1].

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘In the time of banu ‘Umayyah my father (a.s.), would give fatwa that what falcons and hawks kill is lawful for food. He (the Imam) was afraid but I am not afraid and I say that it (what is hunted by falcons and hawks) is not lawful to use for food.”’

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ الْقُنْزُعَةُ[2] الَّتِي عَلَى رَأْسِ الْقُنْبُرَةِ مِنْ مَسْحَةِ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ دَاوُدَ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ الذَّكَرَ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَسْفَدَ أُنْثَاهُ‌[3] فَامْتَنَعَتْ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهَا لَا تَمْتَنِعِي فَمَا أُرِيدُ إِلَّا أَنْ يُخْرِجَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنِّي نَسَمَةً تُذْكَرُ بِهِ فَأَجَابَتْهُ إِلَى مَا طَلَبَ فَلَمَّا أَرَادَتْ أَنْ تَبِيضَ قَالَ لَهَا أَيْنَ تُرِيدِينَ

4. Muhammad ibn al-Hassan and Ali ibn Ibrahim al-Hashimiy have narrated from certain persons of our people from Sulayman al- Ja‘fariy who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), has said that Ali ibn al-Husayn, has said, ‘The crest on the head of lark is because of wiping of Solomon ibn David (a.s.). I

سَمِعْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ لِغِلْمَانِهِ‌ لَا تَذْبَحُوا حَتَّى يَطْلُعَ الْفَجْرُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ‌ جَعَلَ اللَّيْلَ سَكَناً لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَإِنْ خِفْنَا فَقَالَ ع إِنْ خِفْتَ الْمَوْتَ فَاذْبَحْ.

‘Do not slaughter any animal before it is dawn because Allah has made the night for everything to rest.’ I then asked him (the Imam) saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what happens if we are afraid?’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘If you are afraid of death then you can slaughter.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ ذَبِيحَةِ الْغُلَامِ وَ الْمَرْأَةِ هَلْ تُؤْكَلُ فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ مُسْلِمَةً وَ ذَكَرَتِ اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى ذَبِيحَتِهَا حَلَّتْ ذَبِيحَتُهَا وَ كَذَلِكَ الْغُلَامُ إِذَا قَوِيَ عَلَى الذَّبِيحَةِ وَ ذَكَرَ اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْهَا وَ ذَلِكَ إِذَا خِيفَ فَوْتُ الذَّبِيحَةِ وَ لَمْ يُوجَدْ مَنْ يَذْبَحُ غَيْرُهُمَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the slaughtering by a boy and women if it can be used for food. He (the Imam) said, ‘If she is Muslimah and has mentioned the name of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, on the animal to be slaughtered, then what she has slaughtered is lawful and so also is the boy if he is s

أَبُو سَعِيدٍ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ- الْكُوفَةُ جُمْجُمَةُ الْعَرَبِ وَ رُمْحُ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى وَ كَنْزُ الْإِيمَانِ فَخُذْ عَنْهُمْ أُخْبِرُكَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص مَكَثَ بِمَكَّةَ يَوْماً وَ لَيْلَةً يَطْوِي‌[3] ثُمَّ خَرَجَ وَ خَرَجْتُ مَعَهُ فَمَرَرْنَا بِرِفْقَةٍ جُلُوسٍ يَتَغَدَّوْنَ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ الْغَدَاءَ فَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَعَمْ أَفْرِجُوا لِنَبِيِّكُمْ فَجَلَسَ بَ

1. Al-Husayn from Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla’ ibn Muhammad from Bistam ibn Murrah from Ishaq ibn Hassan from Haytham ibn Waqid from Ali ibn al-Hassan al-‘Abdiy from abu Harun from abu Sa‘id al-Khudriy who was asked about the following: “Abu Harun once asked abu Sa‘id al-Khudriy, ‘What do you say about this fish

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الطِّينِ فَقَالَ أَكْلُ الطِّينِ حَرَامٌ مِثْلُ الْمَيْتَةِ وَ الدَّمِ وَ لَحْمِ الْخِنْزِيرِ إِلَّا طِينَ قَبْرِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌[3] فَإِنَّ فِيهِ شِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ وَ أَمْناً مِنْ كُلِّ خَوْفٍ.

It is unlawful like dead animals, blood, flesh of pigs except the clay from the grave of al-Husayn (a.s.), in which there is cure for all kinds of illness and security from all kinds of fear.”’

كَانَ أَبِي ع يَقُولُ‌ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَشْبَعَنَا فِي جَائِعِينَ وَ أَرْوَانَا فِي ظَامِئِينَ وَ آوَانَا فِي ضَائِعِينَ‌[1] وَ حَمَلَنَا فِي رَاجِلِينَ وَ آمَنَنَا فِي خَائِفِينَ وَ أَخْدَمَنَا فِي عَانِينَ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has stated this Hadith. ‘My father would say, “All praise belongs to Allah who has made us satisfied with food among the hungry ones, quenched our thirst among the thirsty people. He has given us shelter among the homeless ones, given us means of transport among those who move without means of t

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ تَحْضُرُ وَ قَدْ وُضِعَ الطَّعَامُ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ فِي أَوَّلِ الْوَقْتِ يُبْدَأُ بِالطَّعَامِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ قَدْ مَضَى مِنَ الْوَقْتِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ تَخَافُ أَنْ تَفُوتَكَ فَتُعِيدَ الصَّلَاةَ فَابْدَأْ بِالصَّلَاةِ.

“I once asked Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about Salat (prayer) for which the time has begun and food is made available. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is the beginning of the time for Salat (prayer), then first begin with food; but if the time has passed and you are afraid of missing Salat (prayer) for which you then must do Qa

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

إِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَسْتَفْتِحَ بِهِ الطَّعَامَ فَإِنَّهُ يَفْتَحُ السُّدَدَ وَ يُشَهِّي الطَّعَامَ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِالسُّبُلِ وَ مَا أُبَالِي إِذَا أَنَا افْتَتَحْتُ بِهِ مَا أَكَلْتُ بَعْدَهُ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَإِنِّي لَا أَخَافُ دَاءً وَ لَا غَائِلَةً فَلَمَّا فَرَغْنَا مِنَ الْغَدَاءِ دَعَا بِهِ أَيْضاً وَ رَأَيْتُهُ يَتَتَبَّعُ وَرَقَهُ عَلَى الْمَائِدَةِ وَ يَأْكُلُهُ وَ يُنَاوِلُنِي مِنْهُ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ اخْتِمْ

“I once was with abu al-Hassan, al-Awwal on a table of food and he asked for sweet basil saying, ‘I like to begin my food with it because it opens up blockages, and strengthens one’s appetite for food and takes away al-Subul (the paths). If I begin my food with it I then do not mind what I eat thereafter of food; I wil

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّا نَأْكُلُ الْأُشْنَانَ فَقَالَ كَانَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع إِذَا تَوَضَّأَ ضَمَّ شَفَتَيْهِ‌[3] وَ فِيهِ خِصَالٌ تُكْرَهُ إِنَّهُ يُورِثُ السِّلَّ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِمَاءِ الظَّهْرِ وَ يُوهِي الرُّكْبَتَيْنِ‌[4] فَقُلْتُ فَالطِّينُ فَقَالَ كُلُّ طِينٍ حَرَامٌ مِثْلُ الْمَيْتَةِ وَ الدَّمِ وَ لَحْمِ الْخِنْزِيرِ إِلَّا طِينَ قَبْرِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَإِنَّ فِيهِ شِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ وَ لَكِنْ

“I once said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘I eat saltwort.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), when washing his hands and mouth (with saltwort) would keep his lips closed. There is a quality in it, which is disliked. It can cause tuberculoses, it takes away the water of the back and weakens the knees.’ I then asked