Grief & Sadness

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ص يَقُولُ‌ مَا أُبَالِي إِذَا قُلْتُ هَذِهِ الْكَلِمَاتِ لَوِ اجْتَمَعَ عَلَيَّ الْجِنُّ وَ الْإِنْسُ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ اللَّهُمَّ إِلَيْكَ أَسْلَمْتُ نَفْسِي وَ إِلَيْكَ وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِي وَ إِلَيْكَ أَلْجَأْتُ ظَهْرِي وَ إِلَيْكَ فَوَّضْتُ أَمْرِي اللَّه

“Ali ibn al-Husayn would say, ‘After saying these words, I will not be concerned at all even if all men and Jinn gather together against me: “In the name of Allah, with (assistance of) Allah, to Allah, in the way of Allah, and upon the religion of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant al-Salat (favors) upon Muhammad a

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا الَّذِي قَدْ ظَهَرَ بِوَجْهِي يَزْعُمُ النَّاسُ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يَبْتَلِ بِهِ عَبْداً لَهُ فِيهِ حَاجَةٌ فَقَالَ لِي لَا لَقَدْ كَانَ مُؤْمِنُ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ مُكَنَّعَ الْأَصَابِعِ فَكَانَ يَقُولُ هَكَذَا وَ يَمُدُّ يَدَهُ وَ يَقُولُ- يا قَوْمِ اتَّبِعُوا الْمُرْسَلِينَ‌ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِذَا كَانَ الثُّلُثُ الْأَخِيرُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فِي أَوَّ

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) may Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, about this thing that has appeared on my face, people say that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, does not allow it to cause suffering to one about whom He cares.’ The Imam said, ‘No, that is not so. The fingers of the believin

لِلْأَوْجَاعِ‌ تَقُولُ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ كَمْ مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ لِلَّهِ فِي عِرْقٍ سَاكِنٍ وَ غَيْرِ سَاكِنٍ عَلَى عَبْدٍ شَاكِرٍ وَ غَيْرِ شَاكِرٍ وَ تَأْخُذْ لِحْيَتَكَ بِيَدِكَ الْيُمْنَى بَعْدَ صَلَاةٍ مَفْرُوضَةٍ وَ تَقُولُ- اللَّهُمَّ فَرِّجْ عَنِّي كُرْبَتِي وَ عَجِّلْ عَافِيَتِي وَ اكْشِفْ ضُرِّي ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ وَ احْرِصْ أَنْ يَكُونَ ذَلِكَ مَعَ دُمُوعٍ وَ بُكَاءٍ.

“For pains say, ‘In the name of Allah, and with (the help of) Allah, how much is of the bounties of Allah in a painful or painless vein of a thankful or unthankful servant (of Allah).’ After an obligatory prayer hold your beard in your hand and say, ‘O Lord, relieve me from my pain with an immediate good health and rem

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ وَ هُوَ رَافِعٌ يَدَهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ- رَبِّ لَا تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ أَبَداً لَا أَقَلَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ لَا أَكْثَرَ قَالَ فَمَا كَانَ بِأَسْرَعَ مِنْ أَنْ تَحَدَّرَ الدُّمُوعُ مِنْ جَوَانِبِ لِحْيَتِهِ‌[1] ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ يَا ابْنَ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ إِنَّ يُونُسَ بْنَ مَتَّى وَكَلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ أَقَلَّ مِنْ طَرْفَة

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, his hands raised to the sky, ‘O Lord, do not ever leave me to myself, not even for a blinking of an eye, no less or more than that,’ and immediately with this tears flowed down on both sides of his beard. He then turned to me and said, ‘O ibn Ya’fur, Allah, the Most Majestic, the M

أَمْلَى عَلَيَّ هَذَا الدُّعَاءَ- أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ هُوَ جَامِعٌ لِلدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ تَقُولُ بَعْدَ حَمْدِ اللَّهِ وَ الثَّنَاءِ عَلَيْهِ- اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ اللَّهُ‌ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ‌ الْحَلِيمُ الْكَرِيمُ وَ أَنْتَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ* وَ أَنْتَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ‌ الْواحِدُ الْقَهَّارُ* وَ أَنْتَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ الْمَلِكُ الْجَبَّ

18. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from Khalaf ibn Hammad from ‘Amr ibn abu al-Miqdam who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) dictated this supplication to me and it is of universal benefit for this and the hereafter. Say after thanking and praising Al

أَعْطَانِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَذَا الدُّعَاءَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلِيِّ الْحَمْدِ وَ أَهْلِهِ وَ مُنْتَهَاهُ وَ مَحَلِّهِ أَخْلَصَ مَنْ وَحَّدَهُ وَ اهْتَدَى مَنْ عَبَدَهُ وَ فَازَ مَنْ أَطَاعَهُ وَ أَمِنَ الْمُعْتَصِمُ بِهِ اللَّهُمَّ يَا ذَا الْجُودِ وَ الْمَجْدِ وَ الثَّنَاءِ الْجَمِيلِ وَ الْحَمْدِ أَسْأَلُكَ مَسْأَلَةَ مَنْ خَضَعَ لَكَ بِرَقَبَتِهِ وَ رَغِمَ لَكَ أَنْفُهُ وَ عَفَّرَ لَكَ وَجْهَهُ وَ ذَلَّلَ

31. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from al-‘Ala’ ibn Razin from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Sayabah who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) gave me this supplication: ‘All praise belongs to Allah, the Owner, and worthy of praise, the end and the location of all praise. Those who bel

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ الدَّوَاوِينَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ثَلَاثَةٌ دِيوَانٌ فِيهِ النِّعَمُ وَ دِيوَانٌ فِيهِ الْحَسَنَاتُ وَ دِيوَانٌ فِيهِ السَّيِّئَاتُ فَيُقَابَلُ بَيْنَ دِيوَانِ النِّعَمِ وَ دِيوَانِ الْحَسَنَاتِ فَتَسْتَغْرِقُ النِّعَمُ عَامَّةَ الْحَسَنَاتِ وَ يَبْقَى دِيوَانُ السَّيِّئَاتِ فَيُدْعَى بِابْنِ آدَمَ الْمُؤْمِنِ لِلْحِسَابِ فَيَتَقَدَّمُ الْقُرْآنُ أَمَامَهُ فِي أَحْسَنِ صُورَةٍ فَيَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘On the Day of Judgment there will be three books of records: the book of the record of the good deeds, the book of the record of the bounties and the book of the record of the evil deeds. The records of the good deeds and the bounties will be compared and (in a particular case) the rec

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ تَعَلَّمُوا الْقُرْآنَ فَإِنَّهُ يَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ صَاحِبَهُ فِي صُورَةِ شَابٍّ جَمِيلٍ شَاحِبِ اللَّوْنِ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ الْقُرْآنُ‌[1] أَنَا الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَسْهَرْتُ لَيْلَكَ وَ أَظْمَأْتُ هَوَاجِرَكَ وَ أَجْفَفْتُ رِيقَكَ وَ أَسَلْتُ دَمْعَتَكَ أَئُولُ مَعَكَ حَيْثُمَا أُلْتَ وَ كُلُّ تَاجِرٍ مِنْ وَرَاءِ تِجَارَتِهِ وَ أَنَا الْيَوْمَ لَكَ مِنْ وَرَاءِ تِجَارَةِ كُلِّ تَاجِرٍ وَ

3. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: ‘‘The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Learn the Holy Quran; on the Day of Judgment it will come to his friends in the form of a most beautiful young person of pale complexion and will speak to his friend saying, “

سَمِعْتُ مُوسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ لِرَجُلٍ أَ تُحِبُّ الْبَقَاءَ فِي الدُّنْيَا فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ وَ لِمَ قَالَ لِقِرَاءَةِ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ فَسَكَتَ عَنْهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَعْدَ سَاعَةٍ يَا حَفْصُ مَنْ مَاتَ مِنْ أَوْلِيَائِنَا وَ شِيعَتِنَا وَ لَمْ يُحْسِنِ الْقُرْآنَ عُلِّمَ فِي قَبْرِهِ لِيَرْفَعَ اللَّهُ بِهِ مِنْ دَرَجَتِهِ فَإِنَّ دَرَجَاتِ الْجَنَّةِ عَلَى قَدْرِ آيَاتِ الْقُرْآنِ يُقَالُ لَه

“I heard Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) asking a man, ‘Do you like to live forever in this world’? The man said, ‘Yes, I do so.’ The Imam asked, ‘Why would you do so?’ The man said, ‘So that I can read {Say, "He is God, the One"}’ The Imam (a.s.) remained calm for a while and after an hour said, ‘O Hafs, if any of our lovers a

إِنَّ الْقُرْآنَ نَزَلَ بِالْحُزْنِ فَاقْرَءُوهُ بِالْحُزْنِ.

“The Holy Quran has come down with sadness, thus, you should read it with sadness.”

قُلْتُ إِنَّ قَوْماً إِذَا ذَكَرُوا شَيْئاً مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ أَوْ حُدِّثُوا بِهِ صَعِقَ أَحَدُهُمْ حَتَّى‌ يُرَى أَنَّ أَحَدَهُمْ لَوْ قُطِعَتْ يَدَاهُ أَوْ رِجْلَاهُ لَمْ يَشْعُرْ بِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ ذَاكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ مَا بِهَذَا نُعِتُوا[1] إِنَّمَا هُوَ اللِّينُ وَ الرِّقَّةُ وَ الدَّمْعَةُ وَ الْوَجَلُ. - أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الْأَشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ حَسَّانَ عَنْ أَبِي عِمْرَانَ الْأَرْمَن

“Once I said to abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘There are people when remembering something from the Holy Quran or is mentioned before them they suffer a shock to the extent that even if their hands or legs are cut they do not realize.’ The Imam said, ‘Glory belongs to Allah. That is from Satan. That is not how believing people are

كَانَ يَحْيَى بْنُ زَكَرِيَّا ع يَبْكِي وَ لَا يَضْحَكُ وَ كَانَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ع يَضْحَكُ وَ يَبْكِي وَ كَانَ الَّذِي يَصْنَعُ عِيسَى ع أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الَّذِي كَانَ يَصْنَعُ يَحْيَى ع.

“Yahya (John) ibn Zakariya would weep and would not laugh. Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam would laugh and weep. What Isa (Jesus) did was better than what Yahya would do.”

تَزَوَّجَ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا جَارِيَةً مُعْصِراً[1] لَمْ تَطْمَثْ فَلَمَّا اقْتَضَّهَا سَالَ الدَّمُ‌[2] فَمَكَثَ سَائِلًا لَا يَنْقَطِعُ نَحْواً مِنْ عَشَرَةِ أَيَّامٍ قَالَ فَأَرَوْهَا الْقَوَابِلَ وَ مَنْ ظَنُّوا أَنَّهُ يُبْصِرُ ذَلِكَ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ فَاخْتَلَفْنَ فَقَالَ بَعْضٌ هَذَا مِنْ دَمِ الْحَيْضِ وَ قَالَ بَعْضٌ هُوَ مِنْ دَمِ الْعُذْرَةِ[3] فَسَأَلُوا عَنْ ذَلِكَ فُقَهَاءَهُمْ- كَأَبِي حَنِيفَةَ وَ غَي

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and a number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid all from Muhammad ibn Khalid from Khalaf ibn Hammad and Ahmad has also narrated from Muhammad ibn Aslam from Khalaf ibn Hammad al-Kufiy who has said the following: “A certain person of our people

مَرِضَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي فَأَتَيْتُهُ عَائِداً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي إِنَّ لَكَ عِنْدِي نَصِيحَةً أَ تَقْبَلُهَا فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَقُلْتُ قُلْ- أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ فَشَهِدَ بِذَلِكَ فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ هَذَا لَا تَنْتَفِعُ بِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ مِنْكَ عَلَى يَقِينٍ فَذَكَرَ أَنَّهُ مِنْهُ عَلَى يَقِينٍ فَقُلْتُ قُلْ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُ

‘It is only Allah who must be worshipped and He has no partner.’ He then testified to this fact. I then said, ‘This will not be of any benefit unless you are certain about it.’ He said that he is certain about it. I then asked him to say, ‘I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.’ He then testified to this

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا عُقْبَةُ لَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْعِبَادِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِلَّا هَذَا الْأَمْرَ الَّذِي أَنْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَ مَا بَيْنَ أَحَدِكُمْ وَ بَيْنَ أَنْ يَرَى مَا تَقَرُّ بِهِ عَيْنُهُ‌[3] إِلَّا أَنْ تَبْلُغَ نَفْسُهُ إِلَى هَذِهِ ثُمَّ أَهْوَى بِيَدِهِ إِلَى الْوَرِيدِ ثُمَّ اتَّكَأَ وَ كَانَ مَعِيَ الْمُعَلَّى فَغَمَزَنِي أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ فَقُلْتُ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ فَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said, ‘O ‘Uqbah, Allah, on the Day of Judgment, will not accept anything other than what you believe in (following Ahl al-Bayt). No other thing stands between anyone of you, and the delight of the hearts, other than the time when one’s soul reaches this’ ( He (the Imam) pointed his hand tow

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا حِيلَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ الْكَلَامِ‌[5] أَتَاهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ مَنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ‌[6] فَجَلَسَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ الْآخَرُ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَمَّا مَا كُنْتَ تَرْجُو فَهُوَ ذَا أَمَامَكَ وَ أَمَّا مَا كُنْتَ تَخَافُ مِنْهُ فَقَدْ أَمِنْتَ مِنْهُ ثُمَّ يُفْتَحُ لَهُ بَابٌ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ فَيَقُولُ هَذَا مَنْزِلُكَ مِنَ الْجَنَّة

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when a dying person loses the ability to speak, the Messenger of Allah comes to him along with whomever Allah wants. The Messenger of Allah sits near his right side and the other on his left side. The Messenger of Allah then says, ‘What you hoped for is in front of you, you are saf

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ فِي الْمَيِّتِ تَدْمَعُ عَيْنُهُ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ فَقَالَ ذَلِكَ عِنْدَ مُعَايَنَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَيَرَى مَا يَسُرُّهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ مَا تَرَى الرَّجُلَ يَرَى مَا يَسُرُّهُ وَ مَا يُحِبُّ فَتَدْمَعُ عَيْنُهُ لِذَلِكَ وَ يَضْحَكُ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say about a dying person, ‘His eye tears up (moistens with tears) at the time of his death.’ He then said, ‘This happens upon seeing the Messenger of Allah. He sees what makes him happy.’ He then said, ‘Is it not a fact that when a person sees someone whom he loves his eye tears up (mois

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا بَلَغَتْ نَفْسُ أَحَدِكُمْ هَذِهِ قِيلَ لَهُ أَمَّا مَا كُنْتَ تَحْذَرُ مِنْ هَمِّ الدُّنْيَا وَ حُزْنِهَا فَقَدْ أَمِنْتَ مِنْهُ وَ يُقَالُ لَهُ- رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ عَلِيٌّ ع وَ فَاطِمَةُ ع أَمَامَكَ‌[1].

‘When the soul of any one of you reaches this point, he is told, “You are now safe from the anxiety and sadness of the worldly matters.’” It is also said to him, ‘The Messenger of Allah, Ali and Fatimah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, are in front of you.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ آيَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِذَا حَضَرَهُ الْمَوْتُ يَبْيَاضُّ وَجْهُهُ أَشَدَّ مِنْ بَيَاضِ لَوْنِهِ وَ يَرْشَحُ جَبِينُهُ وَ يَسِيلُ مِنْ عَيْنَيْهِ كَهَيْئَةِ الدُّمُوعِ فَيَكُونُ ذَلِكَ خُرُوجَ نَفْسِهِ وَ إِنَّ الْكَافِرَ تَخْرُجُ نَفْسُهُ سَلًّا مِنْ شِدْقِهِ كَزَبَدِ الْبَعِيرِ أَوْ كَمَا تَخْرُجُ نَفْسُ الْبَعِيرِ[2].

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘One of the signs of belief in a person is that at the time of his death his face turns more white than normal, his forehead sweats, something like tears flow from his eyes and that is the time for coming out of his soul from his body. The soul of an unbeliever comes out of his body as

قَالَ: إِذَا رَأَيْتَ الْمَيِّتَ قَدْ شَخَصَ بِبَصَرِهِ وَ سَالَتْ عَيْنُهُ الْيُسْرَى وَ رَشَحَ جَبِينُهُ وَ تَقَلَّصَتْ شَفَتَاهُ وَ انْتَشَرَتْ مَنْخِرَاهُ فَأَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ رَأَيْتَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَحَسْبُكَ بِهَا[2]. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى‌ وَ إِذَا ضَحِكَ أَيْضاً فَهُوَ مِنَ الدَّلَالَةِ قَالَ وَ إِذَا رَأَيْتَهُ قَدْ خَمَصَ وَجْهُهُ وَ سَالَتْ عَيْنُهُ الْيُمْنَى فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ‌[3].

“He (the Imam) has said, ‘If you see a dying person’s eyes fixed upon something and tears come out of the left eye, his forehead sweats, his lips shrink and his nostrils expand, then whatever of such things you find with him is sufficient (proof of his salvation).’ In another Hadith it says, ‘And if he laughs also it t

دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ع عَلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ وَ هُوَ يَجُودُ بِنَفْسِهِ فَقَالَ يَا مَلَكَ الْمَوْتِ ارْفُقْ بِصَاحِبِي فَإِنَّهُ مُؤْمِنٌ فَقَالَ أَبْشِرْ يَا مُحَمَّدُ فَإِنِّي بِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ رَفِيقٌ وَ اعْلَمْ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَنِّي أَقْبِضُ رُوحَ ابْنِ آدَمَ فَيَجْزَعُ أَهْلُهُ فَأَقُومُ فِي نَاحِيَةٍ مِنْ دَارِهِمْ فَأَقُولُ مَا هَذَا الْجَزَعُ فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا تَعَجَّلْنَاهُ قَبْلَ أَجَلِهِ وَ مَا كَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah once visited a man of his companions in dying condition. He then said, ‘O angel of death, make it easy for my companion; he is a believing person.’ He then said, ‘O Muhammad, I am a friend of every believing person. O Muhammad, please note that when I take aw

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنِ اسْتَقْبَلَ جَنَازَةً أَوْ رَآهَا فَقَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ هذا ما وَعَدَنَا اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ صَدَقَ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ‌ اللَّهُمَّ زِدْنَا إِيماناً وَ تَسْلِيماً الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي تَعَزَّزَ بِالْقُدْرَةِ وَ قَهَرَ الْعِبَادَ بِالْمَوْتِ لَمْ يَبْقَ فِي السَّمَاءِ مَلَكٌ إِلَّا بَكَى رَحْمَةً لِصَوْتِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If one finds a dead body brought from the opposite direction or just sees one and says, “Allah is great. This is what Allah and His Messenger have told us will happen to us and Allah and His Messenger have indeed spoken the truth. O Lord, increase

إِذَا وُضِعَ الْمَيِّتُ فِي لَحْدِهِ فَقُلْ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص عَبْدُكَ ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ نَزَلَ بِكَ وَ أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْزُولٍ بِهِ اللَّهُمَّ افْسَحْ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَ أَلْحِقْهُ بِنَبِيِّهِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا لَا نَعْلَمُ مِنْهُ إِلَّا خَيْراً وَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ فَإِذَا وَضَعْتَ عَلَيْهِ اللَّبِنَ فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ صِلْ وَحْدَتَهُ وَ آنِسْ وَحْشَتَهُ وَ أ

“The Imam (a.s.), said, ‘When a deceased is placed in the grave you should say, “(I begin) in the name of Allah, in the way of Allah and according to the traditions of the Messenger of Allah. (O Allah), this, Your servant, son of Your servant has become Your guest and You are the best host. O Allah, make his grave spac

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ عَزَّى حَزِيناً كُسِيَ فِي الْمَوْقِفِ حُلَّةً يُحَبَّرُ بِهَا[2].

‘If one offers condolences to a saddened person, he will be given a well beautified dress on the station for Judgment

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّهُ لَمَّا قُبِضَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص جَرَتْ فِيهِ ثَلَاثُ سُنَنٍ أَمَّا وَاحِدَةٌ فَإِنَّهُ لَمَّا مَاتَ انْكَسَفَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَقَالَ النَّاسُ انْكَسَفَتِ الشَّمْسُ لِفَقْدِ ابْنِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ فَصَعِدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمِنْبَرَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ الشَّمْسَ وَ الْقَمَرَ آيَتَانِ مِنْ آيَاتِ

"When Ibrāhīm, the son of the Messenger of Allah (sw), passed away, three traditions were enacted concerning him. One of them was that when he died, the sun was eclipsed, and the people said, 'The sun is eclipsed due to the loss of the son of the Messenger of Allah.' So, the Messenger of Allah (sw) ascended the pulpit,

لَمَّا قُتِلَ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَاطِمَةَ ع أَنْ تَتَّخِذَ طَعَاماً- لِأَسْمَاءَ بِنْتِ عُمَيْسٍ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَ تَأْتِيَهَا وَ نِسَاءَهَا فَتُقِيمَ عِنْدَهَا ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ فَجَرَتْ بِذَلِكَ السُّنَّةُ أَنْ يُصْنَعَ لِأَهْلِ الْمُصِيبَةِ طَعَامٌ ثَلَاثاً.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when Ja‘far ibn abu Talib was martyred, the Messenger of Allah instructed Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, to prepare food for Asma’ bint ‘Umays for three days and visit her with a group of her women everyday for three days. This formed the tradition to prepare food for the people of the

يُصْنَعُ لِأَهْلِ الْمَيِّتِ مَأْتَمٌ‌[1] ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ يَوْمَ مَاتَ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Mourning ceremony is organized for a deceased for three days, beginning from the day of his death.’”

يَنْبَغِي لِجِيرَانِ صَاحِبِ الْمُصِيبَةِ أَنْ يُطْعِمُوا الطَّعَامَ عَنْهُ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that neighbors of the people of a deceased should prepare food for them (people of the deceased) for three days.”

أَوْصَى أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع بِثَمَانِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ لِمَأْتَمِهِ وَ كَانَ يَرَى ذَلِكَ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ لِأَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ اتَّخِذُوا لآِلِ جَعْفَرٍ طَعَاماً فَقَدْ شُغِلُوا.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), said in his will that eight hundred dirhams should be spent to organize a memorial service for his death. He considered it as part of the tradition; the Messenger of Allah had said, ‘Prepare food for the family of Ja‘far; they are preoccupied (with the death of Ja‘far).’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ امْرَأَتِي وَ امْرَأَةَ ابْنِ مَارِدٍ تَخْرُجَانِ فِي الْمَأْتَمِ فَأَنْهَاهُمَا فَتَقُولُ لِيَ امْرَأَتِي إِنْ كَانَ حَرَاماً فَانْهَنَا عَنْهُ حَتَّى نَتْرُكَهُ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ حَرَاماً فَلِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ تَمْنَعُنَاهُ فَإِذَا مَاتَ لَنَا مَيِّتٌ لَمْ يَجِئْنَا أَحَدٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الْحُقُوقِ تَسْأَلُنِي كَانَ أَبِي ع يَبْعَثُ أُمِّي وَ أُمَّ فَرْوَةَ تَقْض

“Once I said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘My wife and the wife of ibn Marid went to join a memorial service, and I tried to stop them but my wife said, “If it is unlawful then stop us so we desist, but if it is not unlawful then why should you stop us? If one of us will die no one will come to us.”’ Abu al-Hassan (a.s.),

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ مُرُوا أَهَالِيَكُمْ بِالْقَوْلِ‌ الْحَسَنِ عِنْدَ مَوْتَاكُمْ فَإِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ س لَمَّا قُبِضَ أَبُوهَا ص أَسْعَدَتْهَا بَنَاتُ هَاشِمٍ فَقَالَتِ اتْرُكْنَ التَّعْدَادَ وَ عَلَيْكُنَّ بِالدُّعَاءِ[1].

6. Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Kufiy has narrated from ibn Jumhur from his father from Muhammad ibn Sinan from al-Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar who has said the following: “He has also said that al-Asamm has narrated to us from Hariz from Muhammad ibn Muslim from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), who has said the following: ‘’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.

دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَلَى خَدِيجَةَ حِينَ مَاتَ الْقَاسِمُ ابْنُهَا وَ هِيَ تَبْكِي فَقَالَ لَهَا مَا يُبْكِيكِ فَقَالَتْ دَرَّتْ دُرَيْرَةٌ فَبَكَيْتُ‌[2] فَقَالَ يَا خَدِيجَةُ أَ مَا تَرْضَيْنَ إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ أَنْ تَجِي‌ءَ إِلَى بَابِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ فَيَأْخُذَ بِيَدِكِ فَيُدْخِلَكِ الْجَنَّةَ وَ يُنْزِلَكِ أَفْضَلَهَا وَ ذَلِكِ لِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَحْكَمُ

"The Messenger of Allah (sw) entered upon Khadījah when her son Qāsim had died, and she was weeping. He asked her, 'What makes you weep?' She replied, 'My milk flowed, and so I wept.' He said, 'O Khadījah, would you not be pleased if on the Day of Resurrection, you come to the gate of Paradise and Qāsim is standing the

كَتَبَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي ع يَشْكُو إِلَيْهِ مُصَابَهُ بِوَلَدِهِ وَ شِدَّةَ مَا دَخَلَهُ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَخْتَارُ مِنْ مَالِ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَ مِنْ وُلْدِهِ أَنْفَسَهُ لِيَأْجُرَهُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ.

“A man once wrote to abu Ja‘far, the second (a.s.), complaining due to his suffering from the death of his sons and the intensity of his grief. The Imam wrote to him, ‘Do you know that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, chooses from the property and sons of the believing people the most valuable items so He w

لَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ طَاهِرُ ابْنُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ خَدِيجَةَ عَنِ الْبُكَاءِ فَقَالَتْ بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ لَكِنْ دَرَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الدُّرَيْرَةُ فَبَكَيْتُ فَقَالَ أَ مَا تَرْضَيْنَ أَنْ تَجِدِيهِ قَائِماً عَلَى بَابِ الْجَنَّةِ فَإِذَا رَآكِ أَخَذَ بِيَدِكِ فَأَدْخَلَكِ الْجَنَّةَ أَطْهَرَهَا مَكَاناً وَ أَطْيَبَهَا قَالَتْ وَ إِنَّ ذَلِكَ كَذَلِكَ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَعَزُّ وَ أَكْرَمُ مِنْ

‘When Tahir son of the Messenger of Allah passed away, the Messenger of Allah forbade Khadijah from weeping. She said, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah, I agree, but I noticed that my milk flowed out; thus I wept.’ He then said, ‘Would you not agree if you find him standing near the door of paradise and on seeing you, hold y

مَنْ أُصِيبَ بِمُصِيبَةٍ فَلْيَذْكُرْ مُصَابَهُ بِالنَّبِيِّ ص فَإِنَّهُ مِنْ أَعْظَمِ الْمَصَائِبِ.

"If one experiences sorrow due to [the death of] someone, he should remember his sorrow of [losing] the Prophet (sw) for [his death] is the greatest of all sorrows."

قَالَ: إِنْ أُصِبْتَ بِمُصِيبَةٍ فِي نَفْسِكَ أَوْ فِي مَالِكَ أَوْ فِي وُلْدِكَ فَاذْكُرْ مُصَابَكَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَإِنَّ الْخَلَائِقَ لَمْ يُصَابُوا بِمِثْلِهِ قَطُّ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘If you suffer sorrow and grief about yourself, your property or children, then remind yourself of the sorrow and grief you have suffered due to the death of the Messenger of Allah; creatures have never suffered any grief as this (death of the Messenger of Allah).”’

لَمَّا أُصِيبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع نَعَى الْحَسَنُ إِلَى الْحُسَيْنِ ع وَ هُوَ بِالْمَدَائِنِ‌[3] فَلَمَّا قَرَأَ الْكِتَابَ قَالَ يَا لَهَا مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ مَا أَعْظَمَهَا مَعَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‌ ص قَالَ مَنْ أُصِيبَ مِنْكُمْ بِمُصِيبَةٍ فَلْيَذْكُرْ مُصَابَهُ بِي فَإِنَّهُ لَنْ يُصَابَ بِمُصِيبَةٍ أَعْظَمَ مِنْهَا وَ صَدَقَ ص.

“When Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) was struck, al-Hasan informed Al-Husayn, (a.s.) about it. He was in al-Mada’in (Ctesiphon) at that time. When he read the letter, he said, ‘How intense and great is this sorrow! Even though the Messenger of Allah has said that if you experience grief and sorrow, remind yourself of your sor

لَمَّا مَاتَ النَّبِيُّ ص سَمِعُوا صَوْتاً وَ لَمْ يَرَوْا شَخْصاً يَقُولُ‌ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ‌ ذائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَ إِنَّما تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَ أُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فازَ وَ قَالَ إِنَّ فِي اللَّهِ خَلَفاً مِنْ كُلِّ هَالِكٍ وَ عَزَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ مُصِيبَةٍ وَ دَرَكاً مِمَّا فَاتَ فَبِاللَّهِ فَثِقُوا وَ إِيَّاهُ فَارْجُوا وَ إِنَّمَا الْمَحْرُومُ مَنْ حُرِمَ ال

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when the Messenger of Allah passed away they (people) heard a voice, but did not see anyone in person, saying, ‘Every soul is to experience the taste of death. You

لَمَّا قُبِضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص جَاءَهُمْ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع وَ النَّبِيُّ مُسَجًّى وَ فِي الْبَيْتِ عَلِيٌّ وَ فَاطِمَةُ وَ الْحَسَنُ وَ الْحُسَيْنُ ع فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَا أَهْلَ بَيْتِ الرَّحْمَةِ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَ إِنَّما تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَ أُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فازَ وَ مَا الْحَياةُ الدُّنْيا إِلَّا مَتاعُ الْغُرُورِ إِنَّ فِي

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Salmah ibn al-Khattab from Sulayman ibn Sama‘ah from Al-Husayn ibn al-Mukhtar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that when the Messenger of Allah passed away, Jibril (the archangel) came to them when the Holy Prophet was covered with a sheet o

لَمَّا قُبِضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص جَاءَتِ التَّعْزِيَةُ أَتَاهُمْ آتٍ يَسْمَعُونَ حِسَّهُ‌[3] وَ لَا يَرَوْنَ شَخْصَهُ فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ‌ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَ إِنَّما تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ‌[4] عَنِ النَّارِ وَ أُدْخِلَ‌ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فازَ وَ مَا الْحَياةُ الدُّنْيا إِلَّا مَتاعُ الْغُرُورِ فِي اللَّهِ

6. It is narrated from him (narrator of above Hadith) from Salmah from Ali ibn Sayf from his father from abu ‘Usamah Zayd al-Shahham who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that when the Messenger of Allah passed away condolences were offered. Someone came to them and they felt his prese

لَمَّا قُبِضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَتَاهُمْ آتٍ فَوَقَفَ بِبَابِ الْبَيْتِ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَا آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَ إِنَّما تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَ أُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فازَ وَ مَا الْحَياةُ الدُّنْيا إِلَّا مَتاعُ الْغُرُورِ فِي اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَفٌ مِنْ كُلِّ هَالِكٍ وَ عَزَاءٌ مِنْ كُ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, when the Holy Prophet passed away, someone came to them and stood at door of the house. He offered them greeting of peace and then said, ‘O family of Muhammad, every soul must experience the taste of death. You will receive your reward (from Allah) on the Day of Judgment only. Those who ar

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ضَرْبُ الْمُسْلِمِ يَدَهُ عَلَى فَخِذِهِ عِنْدَ الْمُصِيبَةِ إِحْبَاطٌ لِأَجْرِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If a Muslim strikes his hand against his thigh due to suffering and sorrow, it causes his deeds to become void and fruitless.’”

مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يُصَابُ بِمُصِيبَةٍ فَيَسْتَرْجِعُ عِنْدَ ذِكْرِهِ الْمُصِيبَةَ وَ يَصْبِرُ حِينَ تَفْجَأُهُ إِلَّا غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَ كُلَّمَا ذَكَرَ مُصِيبَتَهُ فَاسْتَرْجَعَ عِنْدَ ذِكْرِ الْمُصِيبَةِ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ كُلَّ ذَنْبٍ اكْتَسَبَ فِيمَا بَيْنَهُمَا[3].

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan from Ma’ruf ibn Kharrabuz who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Whoever of the servants (of Allah) after suffering a misfortune, upon recalling any of his suffering and sorrow, acknowledges it and exercise

أَتَيْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَعُودُ ابْناً لَهُ فَوَجَدْتُهُ عَلَى الْبَابِ فَإِذَا هُوَ مُهْتَمٌّ حَزِينٌ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَيْفَ الصَّبِيُّ فَقَالَ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ لِمَا بِهِ‌[3] ثُمَّ دَخَلَ فَمَكَثَ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَيْنَا وَ قَدْ أَسْفَرَ وَجْهُهُ‌[4] وَ ذَهَبَ التَّغَيُّرُ وَ الْحُزْنُ قَالَ فَطَمِعْتُ أَنْ يَكُونَ قَدْ صَلَحَ الصَّبِيُّ فَقُلْتُ كَيْفَ الصَّبِيُّ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ

“Once I visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), to also visit his son who was ill. I met him at the door and he was sorrowful and depressed. I asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service of your cause, how is your child?’ He replied, ‘By Allah, he is about to die.’ He then went inside the house and after a while came back to us,

كَانَ قَوْمٌ أَتَوْا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فَوَافَقُوا صَبِيّاً لَهُ مَرِيضاً فَرَأَوْا مِنْهُ اهْتِمَاماً وَ غَمّاً وَ جَعَلَ لَا يَقِرُّ[1] قَالَ فَقَالُوا وَ اللَّهِ لَئِنْ أَصَابَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ إِنَّا لَنَتَخَوَّفُ أَنْ نَرَى مِنْهُ مَا نَكْرَهُ قَالَ فَمَا لَبِثُوا أَنْ سَمِعُوا الصِّيَاحَ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ قَدْ خَرَجَ عَلَيْهِمْ مُنْبَسِطَ الْوَجْهِ فِي غَيْرِ الْحَالِ الَّتِي كَانَ عَلَيْهَا فَقَالُوا لَهُ جَعَلَنَ

“Once a group of people came to visit abu Ja’far (a.s.), to find out how one of his children suffering from illness was doing. They found him deeply concerned, grieved and restless. The narrator has said that they said, ‘By Allah, if something happens to him (the child), we are afraid we will see something from him (th

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ عَزَّى حَزِيناً كُسِيَ فِي الْمَوْقِفِ حُلَّةً يُحْبَى بِهَا[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever offers condolences to a sorrowful person will, on the Station for clearance of accounts, receive a dress that will be presented to him.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ عَزَّى مُصَاباً كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَنْتَقِصَ مِنْ أَجْرِ الْمُصَابِ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever offers condolences to a person who is suffering sorrow and grief due to the death of his son, will receive a reward equal to that for the affected party without any reduction in the reward for the later mentioned.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْمَيِّتَ إِذَا مَاتَ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ مَلَكاً إِلَى أَوْجَعِ أَهْلِهِ فَمَسَحَ عَلَى قَلْبِهِ فَأَنْسَاهُ لَوْعَةَ الْحُزْنِ‌[4] وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ لَمْ تُعْمَرِ الدُّنْيَا.

‘When a person dies, Allah sends an angel to the most distressed person of his family. The angel wipes the heart of that person to forget the pain of his sorrow and grief. Were this not to happen, the world would cease to develop or gain anything.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا مَاتَ الْمَيِّتُ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ مَلَكاً إِلَى أَوْجَعِ أَهْلِهِ فَمَسَحَ عَلَى قَلْبِهِ فَأَنْسَاهُ لَوْعَةَ الْحُزْنِ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ لَمْ تُعْمَرِ الدُّنْيَا.

‘When a person dies, Allah sends an angel to the most distressed person of his family. The angel wipes the heart of that person to forget the pain of his sorrow and grief. Were this not to happen, the world would cease to develop or gain anything.”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَيِّتِ يَزُورُ أَهْلَهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَقُلْتُ فِي كَمْ يَزُورُ قَالَ فِي الْجُمْعَةِ وَ فِي الشَّهْرِ وَ فِي السَّنَةِ عَلَى قَدْرِ مَنْزِلَتِهِ فَقُلْتُ فِي أَيِّ صُورَةٍ يَأْتِيهِمْ قَالَ فِي صُورَةِ طَائِرٍ لَطِيفٍ يَسْقُطُ عَلَى جُدُرِهِمْ وَ يُشْرِفُ عَلَيْهِمْ فَإِنْ رَآهُمْ بِخَيْرٍ فَرِحَ وَ إِنْ رَآهُمْ بِشَرٍّ وَ حَاجَةٍ حَزِنَ وَ اغْتَمَ‌[2].

“I (the narrator) asked abu al-Hassan al-Awwal (a.s.), about a deceased person’s visiting his family. He replied, ‘Yes, (this is a fact).’ I then asked, ‘How often do such visits take place?’ He replied, ‘In a Friday (week), in a month and in a year, depending upon his status.’ I then asked, ‘In what form does he visit