Joy & Happiness

لِيَكُنْ طَلَبُكَ لِلْمَعِيشَةِ فَوْقَ كَسْبِ الْمُضَيِّعِ وَ دُونَ طَلَبِ الْحَرِيصِ الرَّاضِي بِدُنْيَاهُ الْمُطْمَئِنِّ إِلَيْهَا وَ لَكِنْ أَنْزِلْ نَفْسَكَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْمُنْصِفِ الْمُتَعَفِّفِ تَرْفَعُ نَفْسَكَ‌[2] عَنْ مَنْزِلَةِ الْوَاهِنِ الضَّعِيفِ وَ تَكْتَسِبُ مَا لَا بُدَّ مِنْهُ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ أُعْطُوا الْمَالَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَشْكُرُوا لَا مَالَ لَهُمْ‌[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that your effort in work for living must be above the efforts of a losing person and below that of a greedy one who is happy with confidence in the worldly matters. You must keep your soul in the position of the fair and conservatives ones, and lift your soul above the position of negle

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَخَبَّرْتُهُ أَنَّهُ وُلِدَ لِي غُلَامٌ فَقَالَ أَ لَا سَمَّيْتَهُ مُحَمَّداً قَالَ قُلْتُ قَدْ فَعَلْتُ قَالَ فَلَا تَضْرِبْ مُحَمَّداً وَ لَا تَسُبَّهُ جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَكَ فِي حَيَاتِكَ وَ خَلَفَ صِدْقٍ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فِي أَيِّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَضَعُهُ قَالَ إِذَا عَدَلْتَهُ عَنْ خَمْسَةِ أَشْيَاءَ فَضَعْهُ حَيْثُ شِئْتَ لَا تُسْلِمْهُ صَ

“I once visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and informed him of the birth of my son. He asked, ‘Why do you not name him Muhammad?’ I replied, ‘I have already done so.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘You must not beat up a Muhammad and do not abuse him. Allah will make him the delight to your eyes during your life time as well as

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ النُّثَارِ مِنَ السُّكَّرِ وَ اللَّوْزِ وَ أَشْبَاهِهِ أَ يَحِلُّ أَكْلُهُ قَالَ يُكْرَهُ أَكْلُ مَا انْتُهِبَ‌[3].

about the case of what is spread of sugar, almond and so on, on happy occasions if is permissible. He (the Imam) said, ’It is detestable to consume what is plundered.’”

لَمَّا هَلَكَ أَبِي سَيَابَةُ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ إِخْوَانِهِ إِلَيَّ فَضَرَبَ الْبَابَ عَلَيَّ فَخَرَجْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَعَزَّانِي وَ قَالَ لِي هَلْ تَرَكَ أَبُوكَ شَيْئاً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ لَا فَدَفَعَ إِلَيَّ كِيساً فِيهِ أَلْفُ دِرْهَمٍ وَ قَالَ لِي أَحْسِنْ حِفْظَهَا وَ كُلْ فَضْلَهَا فَدَخَلْتُ إِلَى أُمِّي وَ أَنَا فَرِحٌ فَأَخْبَرْتُهَا فَلَمَّا كَانَ بِالْعَشِيِّ أَتَيْتُ صَدِيقاً كَانَ لِأَبِي فَاشْتَرَى لِي بَضَائِع

“When my father, Sayabah, passed away, one of his brothers came to me and knocked at the door. I went out to meet him. He offered me condolence and asked, ‘Has your father left anything?’ I replied, ‘No, he has not left anything.’ He then gave to me a bag with a thousand dirham in it and said, ‘Keep it (the capital) sa

أَتَى رَجُلٌ أَبِي فَقَالَ إِنِّي وَرِثْتُ مَالًا وَ قَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ صَاحِبَهُ الَّذِي وَرِثْتُهُ مِنْهُ قَدْ كَانَ يَرْبُو وَ قَدْ أَعْرِفُ أَنَّ فِيهِ رِبًا وَ أَسْتَيْقِنُ ذَلِكَ وَ لَيْسَ يَطِيبُ لِي حَلَالُهُ لِحَالِ عِلْمِي‌[5] فِيهِ وَ قَدْ سَأَلْتُ فُقَهَاءَ أَهْلِ الْعِرَاقِ وَ أَهْلِ الْحِجَازِ فَقَالُوا لَا يَحِلُّ أَكْلُهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ بِأَنَّ فِيهِ مَالًا مَعْرُوفاً ر

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man came to my father and said, ‘I have inherited a certain amount of property and I knew the owner from whom I inherited received Raba’ and I know with certainty there is Riba’ in it and I do not feel happy to consume it because of my knowledge about it. I asked the scholar

قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا أَبَا الْفَضْلِ أَ مَا لَكَ مَكَانٌ تَقْعُدُ فِيهِ فَتُعَامِلَ النَّاسَ قَالَ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ مُؤْمِنٍ يَرُوحُ أَوْ يَغْدُو إِلَى مَجْلِسِهِ أَوْ سُوقِهِ فَيَقُولُ حِينَ يَضَعُ رِجْلَهُ فِي السُّوقِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِهَا وَ خَيْرِ أَهْلِهَا إِلَّا وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مَنْ يَحْفَظُهُ وَ يَحْفَظُ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ إِلَى م

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), once said to me, ‘O abu al-Fadl, do you have a place where you can sit and do business with people ? 5 I replied, ‘Yes, I have such a place . 5 He (the Imam) then said, ‘Whoever of believing people during the morning or evening goes to his market-place and says this when setting foot in the market-p

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ عَلَامَةُ رِضَا اللَّهِ تَعَالَى فِي خَلْقِهِ عَدْلُ سُلْطَانِهِمْ وَ رُخْصُ أَسْعَارِهِمْ وَ عَلَامَةُ غَضَبِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَلْقِهِ- جَوْرُ سُلْطَانِهِمْ وَ غَلَاءُ أَسْعَارِهِمْ.

“He (the Imam) (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, ‘Of the signs of happiness of Allah, most High, with His creatures is the existence of a just ruler and low prices. Of the signs of unhappiness of Allah,

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ السَّلَمِ فِي الْحَيَوَانِ قَالَ لَيْسَ بِهِ بَأْسٌ قُلْتُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ أَسْلَمَ فِي أَسْنَانٍ مَعْلُومَةٍ أَوْ شَيْ‌ءٍ مَعْلُومٍ مِنَ الرَّقِيقِ فَأَعْطَاهُ دُونَ شَرْطِهِ وَ فَوْقَهُ بِطِيبَةِ أَنْفُسٍ مِنْهُمْ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

‘It is not unlawful.’ I then asked him (the Imam) if I can make an advance payment for known years or something known like slaves and I pay more or less than his stipulation with consent and happiness. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’”

إِنَّا نَتَّجِرُ إِلَى هَذِهِ الْجِبَالِ فَنَأْتِي مِنْهَا عَلَى أَمْكِنَةٍ لَا نَقْدِرُ أَنْ نُصَلِّيَ إِلَّا عَلَى الثَّلْجِ فَقَالَ أَلَّا تَكُونُ مِثْلَ فُلَانٍ يَرْضَى بِالدُّونِ وَ لَا يَطْلُبُ تِجَارَةً لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ إِلَّا عَلَى الثَّلْجِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man came to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), and said, ‘We work for business in these mountains and come upon areas where we cannot perform Salat (prayer) except on snow. He (the Imam) said, ‘Why can you not be like so and so who is happy with less and does not demand such things because

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَتَوْا مُوسَى ع فَسَأَلُوهُ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يُمْطِرَ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْهِمْ إِذَا أَرَادُوا وَ يَحْبِسَهَا إِذَا أَرَادُوا فَسَأَلَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ذَلِكَ لَهُمْ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ذَلِكَ لَهُمْ يَا مُوسَى فَأَخْبَرَهُمْ مُوسَى فَحَرَثُوا وَ لَمْ يَتْرُكُوا شَيْئاً إِلَّا زَرَعُوهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَنْزَلُوا الْمَط

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ibn Muskan from Sadir who has said the following: “I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, saying, ‘The Israelites went to Moses and asked him to ask Allah to make the sky rain on them only when they wanted and stop it from r

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ جُعِلَ قُرَّةُ عَيْنِي فِي الصَّلَاةِ[3] وَ لَذَّتِي فِي النِّسَاءِ.

‘The delight for my eyes is placed in Salat (prayer) and my pleasure in women.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ جُعِلَ قُرَّةُ عَيْنِي فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَ لَذَّتِي فِي الدُّنْيَا النِّسَاءُ وَ رَيْحَانَتَيَّ الْحَسَنُ وَ الْحُسَيْنُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘The delight of my eyes is placed in Salat (prayer), my enjoyment of the world in women and my comfort and relief with al-Hassan and al-Husayn (a.s.).”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ إِذَا أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَجْمَعَ لِلْمُسْلِمِ خَيْرَ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ جَعَلْتُ لَهُ قَلْباً خَاشِعاً وَ لِسَاناً ذَاكِراً وَ جَسَداً عَلَى الْبَلَاءِ صَابِراً وَ زَوْجَةً مُؤْمِنَةً تَسُرُّهُ إِذَا نَظَرَ إِلَيْهَا وَ تَحْفَظُهُ إِذَا غَابَ عَنْهَا فِي نَفْسِهَا وَ مَالِهِ.

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from Ali ibn ‘Uqbah from Burayd ibn Mu‘awiyah al-‘Ijliy who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far, Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your

أَتَى رَجُلٌ النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عِنْدِي مَهِيرَةُ الْعَرَبِ وَ أَنَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ تَقْبَلَهَا وَ هِيَ ابْنَتِي قَالَ فَقَالَ قَدْ قَبِلْتُهَا قَالَ فَأُخْرَى‌[2] يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ وَ مَا هِيَ قَالَ لَمْ يَضْرِبْ عَلَيْهَا صُدْغٌ قَطُّ[3] قَالَ لَا حَاجَةَ لِي فِيهَا وَ لَكِنْ زَوِّجْهَا مِنْ جِلْبِيبٍ‌[4] قَالَ فَسَقَطَ رِجْلَا الرَّجُلِ مِمَّا دَخَلَهُ‌[5] ثُمَّ أَتَى أُمَّهَا فَأَخْبَر

2. Certain persons of our people have narrated from Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Salih al-Taymuliy from Ayyub ibn Nuh from Muhammad ibn Sinan from a man who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man came to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ النِّكَاحِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ مَنْ خَطَبَ إِلَيْكُمْ فَرَضِيتُمْ دِينَهُ وَ أَمَانَتَهُ فَزَوِّجُوهُ- إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوهُ‌ تَكُنْ فِتْنَةٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ فَسادٌ كَبِيرٌ.

‘If one proposes marriage and if you are happy with that person’s religion and trust, then accept his proposal. If you do not do so there will be mischief in the land and a great destruction.’”

كَتَبَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَسْبَاطٍ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ فِي أَمْرِ بَنَاتِهِ وَ أَنَّهُ لَا يَجِدُ أَحَداً مِثْلَهُ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فَهِمْتُ مَا ذَكَرْتَ مِنْ أَمْرِ بَنَاتِكَ وَ أَنَّكَ لَا تَجِدُ أَحَداً مِثْلَكَ فَلَا تَنْظُرْ فِي ذَلِكَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ- إِذَا جَاءَكُمْ مَنْ تَرْضَوْنَ خُلُقَهُ وَ دِينَهُ فَزَوِّجُوهُ‌ إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوهُ تَكُنْ فِتْنَةٌ فِي الْأَرْ

“If one proposes marriage and you are happy with his character and religion, then accept his proposal. If you do not do so mischief and great destruction will take place in the land.’”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي التَّزْوِيجِ فَأَتَانِي كِتَابُهُ بِخَطِّهِ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص- إِذَا جَاءَكُمْ مَنْ تَرْضَوْنَ خُلُقَهُ وَ دِينَهُ فَزَوِّجُوهُ‌ إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوهُ‌ تَكُنْ فِتْنَةٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ فَسادٌ كَبِيرٌ.

'Rasulullah (saw) said: If one proposes to you and you are happy with his moral character and religion, then you should marry him. If you do not do so mischief and vast corruption will take place in the land.'"

لَمَّا أَرَادَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَ خَدِيجَةَ بِنْتَ خُوَيْلِدٍ أَقْبَلَ أَبُو طَالِبٍ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ مَعَهُ نَفَرٌ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ حَتَّى دَخَلَ عَلَى وَرَقَةَ بْنِ نَوْفَلٍ عَمِّ خَدِيجَةَ فَابْتَدَأَ أَبُو طَالِبٍ بِالْكَلَامِ فَقَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِرَبِّ هَذَا الْبَيْتِ الَّذِي جَعَلَنَا مِنْ زَرْعِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ ذُرِّيَّةِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ وَ أَنْزَلَنَا حَرَماً آمِناً وَ جَعَلَنَا الْحُكَّامَ عَل

9. Certain persons of our people have narrated from Ali ibn al-Husayn from Ali ibn Hassan from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Kathir who has said the following: “When the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, decided to marry Khadijah daughter of Khuwayli

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

جَاءَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَيْرٍ اللَّيْثِيُّ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ مَا تَقُولُ فِي مُتْعَةِ النِّسَاءِ فَقَالَ أَحَلَّهَا اللَّهُ فِي كِتَابِهِ وَ عَلَى لِسَانِ نَبِيِّهِ ص فَهِيَ حَلَالٌ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ مِثْلُكَ يَقُولُ هَذَا وَ قَدْ حَرَّمَهَا عُمَرُ وَ نَهَى عَنْهَا فَقَالَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فَعَلَ قَالَ إِنِّي أُعِيذُكَ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَنْ تُحِلَّ شَيْئاً ح

“Once ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Umayr al-Laythiy came to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), and asked, ‘What do you say about al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) of women?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Allah has made it lawful in His book by the tongue of His Holy prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع عَنِ الْمُتْعَةِ فَقَالَ وَ مَا أَنْتَ وَ ذَاكَ فَقَدْ أَغْنَاكَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قُلْتُ إِنَّمَا أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَعْلَمَهَا فَقَالَ هِيَ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع فَقُلْتُ نَزِيدُهَا وَ تَزْدَادُ فَقَالَ وَ هَلْ يَطِيبُهُ إِلَّا ذَاكَ‌[1].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), about al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage). He (the Imam) said, ‘What do you have to do with it when Allah has made you free of need for it?’ I then said, ‘I only wanted to know about it.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is in the book of Ali (a.s.) .’ I then asked, ‘Can we extend and the

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ يَسُرُّكَ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَكَ قَائِدٌ يَا أَبَا هَارُونَ قَالَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ فَأَعْطَانِي ثَلَاثِينَ دِينَاراً فَقَالَ اشْتَرِ خَادِماً كَسُومِيّاً فَاشْتَرَاهُ فَلَمَّا أَنْ حَجَّ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ كَيْفَ رَأَيْتَ قَائِدَكَ يَا أَبَا هَارُونَ فَقَالَ خَيْراً فَأَعْطَاهُ خَمْسَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ دِينَاراً فَقَالَ لَهُ اشْتَرِ جَارِيَةً شَبَانِيَّةً فَإِ

Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Abu Is’haq Al Khannaf, from Muhammad Bin Abu Zayd, from Abu Haroun Al Makfouf who said, ‘Abu Abdullah asws said to me: ‘Would it cheer you up if there happened to be a (travel) guide for you, O Abu Haroun! I said, ‘Yes, may I be sacrificed for you asws ! So he asws gave me thirty

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص دَخَلَ بَيْتَ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ فَشَمَّ رِيحاً طَيِّبَةً فَقَالَ أَتَتْكُمُ الْحَوْلَاءُ فَقَالَتْ هُوَ ذَا هِيَ تَشْكُو زَوْجَهَا فَخَرَجَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْحَوْلَاءُ فَقَالَتْ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي إِنَّ زَوْجِي عَنِّي مُعْرِضٌ فَقَالَ زِيدِيهِ يَا حَوْلَاءُ[2] قَالَتْ مَا أَتْرُكُ شَيْئاً طَيِّباً مِمَّا أَتَطَيَّبُ لَهُ بِهِ وَ هُوَ عَنِّي مُعْرِضٌ فَقَ

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, once went to the house of ‘Umm Salamah, smelled a fine fragrance and asked, ’Had al-Hawla’ come to you?’ She replied, ’She is here, complaining against

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ انْصَرَفَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مِنْ سَرِيَّةٍ قَدْ كَانَ أُصِيبَ فِيهَا نَاسٌ كَثِيرٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَاسْتَقْبَلَتْهُ النِّسَاءُ يَسْأَلْنَهُ عَنْ قَتْلَاهُنَّ فَدَنَتْ مِنْهُ امْرَأَةٌ فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا فَعَلَ فُلَانٌ قَالَ وَ مَا هُوَ مِنْكِ قَالَتْ أَبِي قَالَ احْمَدِي اللَّهَ وَ اسْتَرْجِعِي فَقَدِ اسْتُشْهِدَ فَفَعَلَتْ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ قَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, once returned from an armed expedition during which a large number of Muslims were killed. Women came to him (the Messenger of Allah) asking about their

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِابْنَةِ جَحْشٍ قُتِلَ خَالُكِ حَمْزَةُ قَالَ فَاسْتَرْجَعَتْ وَ قَالَتْ أَحْتَسِبُهُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهَا قُتِلَ أَخُوكِ فَاسْتَرْجَعَتْ وَ قَالَتْ أَحْتَسِبُهُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهَا قُتِلَ زَوْجُكِ فَوَضَعَتْ يَدَهَا عَلَى رَأْسِهَا وَ صَرَخَتْ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَا يَعْدِلُ الزَّوْجَ عِنْدَ الْمَرْأَةِ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

‘Your maternal uncle, Hamzah is killed.’ She asked for a happy return to Allah and said, ‘I expect good reward from Allah.’ He (the Messenger of Allah) then told her, ‘Your brother is also killed.’ She asked for a happy return to Allah and said, ‘I expect good reward from Allah.’ He (the Messenger of Allah) then said,

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَيُّمَا امْرَأَةٍ بَاتَتْ وَ زَوْجُهَا عَلَيْهَا سَاخِطٌ فِي حَقٍّ لَمْ تُقْبَلْ مِنْهَا صَلَاةٌ حَتَّى يَرْضَى عَنْهَا وَ أَيُّمَا امْرَأَةٍ تَطَيَّبَتْ لِغَيْرِ زَوْجِهَا لَمْ تُقْبَلْ مِنْهَا صَلَاةٌ حَتَّى تَغْتَسِلَ مِنْ طِيبِهَا كَغُسْلِهَا مِنْ جَنَابَتِهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a woman passes a night and her husband is angry with her because of a right to which she does not yield, her Salat (prayer) is not accepted until he becomes happy with her. If a woman wears perfume for other than her husband, her Salat (prayer) is not accepted until she washes them

ثَلَاثَةٌ لَا يُرْفَعُ لَهُمْ عَمَلٌ عَبْدٌ آبِقٌ وَ امْرَأَةٌ زَوْجُهَا عَلَيْهَا سَاخِطٌ وَ الْمُسْبِلُ إِزَارَهُ خُيَلَاءَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The good deeds of three kinds of people cannot rise up. One is a runaway slave, a woman whose husband is not happy with her and one who drags his gown on the ground out of pride.’”

رَأَيْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع اخْتَضَبَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ اخْتَضَبْتَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّ التَّهْيِئَةَ مِمَّا يَزِيدُ فِي عِفَّةِ النِّسَاءِ وَ لَقَدْ تَرَكَ النِّسَاءُ الْعِفَّةَ بِتَرْكِ أَزْوَاجِهِنَّ التَّهْيِئَةَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ يَسُرُّكَ أَنْ تَرَاهَا عَلَى مَا تَرَاكَ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا كُنْتَ عَلَى غَيْرِ تَهْيِئَةٍ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَهُوَ ذَاكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ مِنْ أَخْلَاقِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ التَّنَظُّفُ وَ التّ

“I once saw abu al-Hassan (a.s.), had used dye. I said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I can see you have used dyes.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, readiness is of the matters that increases chastity of women and women neglect chastity because of their husband’s neglect of readiness.’ He (the I

جَاءَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَدَخَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ فِي مَنْزِلِ حَفْصَةَ وَ الْمَرْأَةُ مُتَلَبِّسَةٌ مُتَمَشِّطَةٌ فَدَخَلَتْ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ لَا تَخْطُبُ الزَّوْجَ وَ أَنَا امْرَأَةٌ أَيِّمٌ لَا زَوْجَ لِي مُنْذُ دَهْرٍ وَ لَا وَلَدَ فَهَلْ لَكَ مِنْ حَاجَةٍ فَإِنْ تَكُ فَقَدْ وَهَبْتُ نَفْسِي لَكَ إِنْ قَبِلْتَنِي فَقَالَ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that once a woman of al-Ansar (people of al-Madinah) came to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. She came in the house of Hafsah and she was well dressed and groomed. She came to the Messenger of Allah and sa

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عَلَى الْإِنَاثِ أَرْأَفُ مِنْهُ عَلَى الذُّكُورِ وَ مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ يُدْخِلُ فَرْحَةً عَلَى امْرَأَةٍ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَهَا حُرْمَةٌ إِلَّا فَرَّحَهُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

"The Messenger of Allah (sw) said, 'Indeed, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, is more compassionate towards females than He is towards males. And no man brings joy to a woman with whom he has a relationship except that Allah will bring him joy on the Day of Resurrection.'"

قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ النُّطْفَةَ تَكُونُ فِي الرَّحِمِ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً ثُمَّ تَصِيرُ عَلَقَةً أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً ثُمَّ تَصِيرُ مُضْغَةً أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً فَإِذَا كَمَلَ أَرْبَعَةُ أَشْهُرٍ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ مَلَكَيْنِ خَلَّاقَيْنِ‌[1] فَيَقُولَانِ يَا رَبِّ مَا تَخْلُقُ ذَكَراً أَوْ أُنْثَى فَيُؤْمَرَانِ فَيَقُولَانِ يَا رَبِّ شَقِيّاً أَوْ سَعِيداً فَيُؤ

Abu Ja'far (al-Baqir) (as) said: "Sperm in the womb after forty days becomes a clot, and then after another forty days becomes a fetus. When four months pass by, Allah sends two creating angels and they ask, “Oh Lord, what do You want to create, male or female?". They are then commanded accordingly. Then they ask, "Oh

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ قَبَّلَ وَلَدَهُ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ حَسَنَةً وَ مَنْ فَرَّحَهُ فَرَّحَهُ اللَّهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ مَنْ عَلَّمَهُ الْقُرْآنَ دُعِيَ بِالْأَبَوَيْنِ فَيُكْسَيَانِ حُلَّتَيْنِ يُضِي‌ءُ مِنْ نُورِهِمَا وُجُوهُ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘One who kisses his son, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, writes down for him one good deed and one who makes him happy Allah will make him happy on the Day of Judgment. One who teach hi

أَكَلْنَا مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأُوتِينَا بِقَصْعَةٍ مِنْ أَرُزٍّ فَجَعَلْنَا نُعَذِّرُ[1] فَقَالَ ع مَا صَنَعْتُمْ شَيْئاً إِنَّ أَشَدَّكُمْ حُبّاً لَنَا أَحْسَنُكُمْ أَكْلًا عِنْدَنَا قَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ فَرَفَعْتُ كُسْحَةَ الْمَائِدَةِ[2] فَأَكَلْتُ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ الْآنَ وَ أَنْشَأَ يُحَدِّثُنَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أُهْدِيَ إِلَيْهِ قَصْعَةُ أَرُزٍّ مِنْ نَاحِيَةِ الْأَنْصَارِ فَدَعَا سَلْمَانَ وَ

“Once we were having food with abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), and a bowl of rice was brought but we just left it untouched. He (the Imam) (a.s.), said, ‘You did not eat anything thereof. You must take notice that the one among you with intense love for us is the one who eats our food well.’ ‘Abd al-Rahman said, ‘I then ate eve

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَطْرِفُوا[2] أَهَالِيَكُمْ فِي كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْفَاكِهَةِ أَوِ اللَّحْمِ حَتَّى يَفْرَحُوا بِالْجُمُعَةِ.

“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, ‘Every Friday present fruits to your family or meat, so that they become happy because of Friday.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَقِلَّ غَيْظُهُ فَلْيَأْكُلْ لَحْمَ الدُّرَّاجِ‌[2].

‘If reducing one’s anger makes him happy he should eat partridge meat.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَهْدَى إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص هَرِيسَةً مِنْ هَرَائِسِ الْجَنَّةِ غُرِسَتْ فِي رِيَاضِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ فَرَكَهَا الْحُورُ الْعِينُ‌[1] فَأَكَلَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَزَادَ فِي قُوَّتِهِ بُضْعَ أَرْبَعِينَ رَجُلًا وَ ذَلِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَرَادَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يَسُرَّ بِهِ نَبِيَّهُ مُحَمَّداً ص.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said that Allah, most Blessed, most High, sent to His Messenger, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, al-Harisah. It was of the kind planted in gardens of paradise, which is stirred by al-Hur al- ‘iyn as a gift and the Messe

خَيْرُ تُمُورِكُمُ الْبَرْنِيُّ يَذْهَبُ بِالدَّاءِ وَ لَا دَاءَ فِيهِ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِالْإِعْيَاءِ وَ لَا ضَرَرَ لَهُ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِالْبَلْغَمِ وَ مَعَ كُلِّ تَمْرَةٍ حَسَنَةٌ وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى يَهْنَأُ وَ يَمْرَأُ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِالْإِعْيَاءِ وَ يُشْبِعُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The best of your dates is al- Barniy (a certain kind of date) which removes illnesses and there is no illness in it. It takes away fatigue, there is no harm in it, and it dissolves phlegm. With every date there is one good deed.’ In another Hadith it is said that dates give one deligh

التَّمْرُ الْبَرْنِيُّ يُشْبِعُ وَ يَهْنَأُ وَ يَمْرَأُ وَ هُوَ الدَّوَاءُ وَ لَا دَاءَ لَهُ يَذْهَبُ بِالْعَيَاءِ وَ مَعَ كُلِّ تَمْرَةٍ حَسَنَةٌ.

Al-Barniy dates give one delight, and palatability. It is a medicine without illness. It takes away fatigue and with every date there is one good deed.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَمَّا مَاتَ آدَمُ ع وَ شَمِتَ بِهِ إِبْلِيسُ وَ قَابِيلُ فَاجْتَمَعَا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَجَعَلَ إِبْلِيسُ وَ قَابِيلُ الْمَعَازِفَ وَ الْمَلَاهِيَ شَمَاتَةً بِآدَمَ ع فَكُلُّ مَا كَانَ فِي الْأَرْضِ مِنْ هَذَا الضَّرْبِ الَّذِي يَتَلَذَّذُ بِهِ النَّاسُ فَإِنَّمَا هُوَ مِنْ ذَاكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when Adam (a.s.), died, Iblis and Qabil expressed joy and came together in the land. Thereafter Iblis and Qabil set up musical instruments and means of amusement to rejoice at the death of Adam (a.s.). Thus whatever is there on earth of this sort in which people take pleasure is be

مَنْ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ بِنِعْمَةٍ فَجَاءَ عِنْدَ تِلْكَ النِّعْمَةِ بِمِزْمَارٍ فَقَدْ كَفَرَهَا وَ مَنْ أُصِيبَ بِمُصِيبَةٍ فَجَاءَ عِنْدَ تِلْكَ الْمُصِيبَةِ بِنَائِحَةٍ فَقَدْ كَفَرَهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If Allah grants a bounty to a person and that person comes to that bounty with a flute, he has not appreciated it; and if one is affected by a misfortune and he comes in such condition with mourning (professional mourner) he has disregarded it also.’” (Expressing joy and grief through

حَمَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْحَمْلَةَ الثَّانِيَةَ إِلَى الْكُوفَةِ وَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ الْمَنْصُورُ بِهَا فَلَمَّا أَشْرَفَ عَلَى الْهَاشِمِيَّةِ[2] مَدِينَةِ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ أَخْرَجَ رِجْلَهُ مِنْ غَرْزِ الرِّجْلِ‌[3] ثُمَّ نَزَلَ وَ دَعَا بِبَغْلَةٍ شَهْبَاءَ وَ لَبِسَ ثِيَابَ بِيضٍ وَ كُمَّةً[4] بَيْضَاءَ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ لَقَدْ تَشَبَّهْتَ بِالْأَنْبِيَاءِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْد

“I provided abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), transportation to al-Kufah for the second time and abu Ja‘far al-Mansur was in it. When he (the Imam) arrived in al-Hashimiyah, the city of abu Ja‘far, al- Mansur, he (the Imam) pulled out his feet from the saddle’s stirrups and dismounted. He asked for al- Shahba ’ mule and dressed i

مَنْ لَبِسَ نَعْلًا صَفْرَاءَ كَانَ فِي سُرُورٍ حَتَّى يُبْلِيَهَا.

“If one wears yellow shoes he continues with happiness until that shoe becomes old.’”

مَنْ لَبِسَ نَعْلًا صَفْرَاءَ لَمْ يَزَلْ يَنْظُرُ فِي سُرُورٍ مَا دَامَتْ عَلَيْهِ لِأَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- صَفْراءُ فاقِعٌ لَوْنُها تَسُرُّ النَّاظِرِينَ‌[1].

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘If one wears yellow shoes he continues in happiness as long as he wears that shoes; Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “It is yellow which is delightful to the on-lookers.” (2:69)*’”

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ نَفَقَةُ دِرْهَمٍ فِي الْخِضَابِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ نَفَقَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ فِيهِ أَرْبَعَ عَشْرَةَ خَصْلَةً يَطْرُدُ الرِّيحَ مِنَ الْأُذُنَيْنِ وَ يَجْلُو الْغِشَاءَ عَنِ الْبَصَرِ وَ يُلَيِّنُ الْخَيَاشِيمَ وَ يُطَيِّبُ النَّكْهَةَ وَ يَشُدُّ اللِّثَةَ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِالْغَشَيَانِ وَ يُقِلُّ وَسْوَسَةَ الشَّيْطَانِ وَ تَفْرَحُ بِهِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَ يَسْتَبْشِرُ بِهِ الْمُؤْمِنُ وَ

“The Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Spending one dirham on hair dye is better than spending one dirham in the way of Allah. There are fourteen advantages in it. It dispels air from the ears, brightens gloominess from the eyes, soft

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ فِي السِّوَاكِ عَشَرَةُ خِصَالٍ مَطْهَرَةٌ لِلْفَمِ وَ مَرْضَاةٌ لِلرَّبِّ وَ مَفْرَحَةٌ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ هُوَ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ وَ يَشُدُّ اللِّثَةَ وَ يَجْلُو الْبَصَرَ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِالْبَلْغَمِ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِالْحَفْرِ[1].

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Tooth brushing has ten qualities. One is its cleansing the mouth, its earning the pleasure of Allah, happiness of angels, it is an act of Sunnah, it strengthens the gums, sharpens eyesight, dispels phlegm and cavities.’”

فِي السِّوَاكِ اثْنَتَا عَشْرَةَ خَصْلَةً هُوَ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ وَ مَطْهَرَةٌ لِلْفَمِ وَ مَجْلَاةٌ لِلْبَصَرِ وَ يُرْضِي الرَّبَّ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِالْبَلْغَمِ وَ يَزِيدُ فِي الْحِفْظِ وَ يُبَيِّضُ الْأَسْنَانَ وَ يُضَاعِفُ الْحَسَنَاتِ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِالْحَفْرِ وَ يَشُدُّ اللِّثَةَ وَ يُشَهِّي الطَّعَامَ وَ تَفْرَحُ بِهِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘In tooth brushing there are twelve qualities. It is an act of Sunnah, it cleanses the mouth, sharpens eyesight, earns Allah’s pleasure, dispels phlegm, improves memory, whitens the teeth, amplifies the list of good deeds, banishes cavities, strengthens gums, increases appetite for foo

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْعَيْشُ السَّعَةُ فِي الْمَنَازِلِ وَ الْفَضْلُ فِي الْخَدَمِ.

“I once heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ‘Spaciousness of the house and extra help from the servants are of the means of happy living.’”

اشْتَرَيْتُ إِبِلًا وَ أَنَا بِالْمَدِينَةِ مُقِيمٌ فَأَعْجَبَنِي إِعْجَاباً شَدِيداً فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ع فَذَكَرْتُهَا لَهُ فَقَالَ مَا لَكَ وَ لِلْإِبِلِ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّهَا كَثِيرَةُ الْمَصَائِبِ قَالَ فَمِنْ إِعْجَابِي بِهَا أَكْرَيْتُهَا وَ بَعَثْتُ بِهَا مَعَ غِلْمَانٍ لِي إِلَى الْكُوفَةِ قَالَ فَسَقَطَتْ كُلُّهَا فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ فَقَالَ‌ فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ

“I once bought a camel, when I was living in al-Madinah, and I liked it very intensely. I then visited Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, and mentioned it to him. He (the Imam) said, ‘What do you have to do with camels? Did you not know that camels have many troubles?’ Because of my happiness with it I gave it for h

كَتَبَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِلَى جَعْفَرٍ وَ مُوسَى وَ فِيمَا أَمَرْتُكُمَا مِنَ الْإِشْهَادِ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا نَجَاةٌ لَكُمَا فِي آخِرَتِكُمَا وَ إِنْفَاذٌ لِمَا أَوْصَى بِهِ أَبَوَاكُمَا وَ بِرٌّ مِنْكُمَا لَهُمَا وَ احْذَرَا أَنْ لَا تَكُونَا بَدَّلْتُمَا وَصِيَّتَهُمَا وَ لَا غَيَّرْتُمَاهَا عَنْ حَالِهَا لِأَنَّهُمَا قَدْ خَرَجَا مِنْ ذَلِكَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا وَ صَارَ ذَلِكَ فِي رِقَابِكُمَا وَ قَدْ قَالَ ال

3. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Mahziyar from who has narrated the following: “Abu Ja‘far, Alayhi al-Salam, wrote to Ja‘far and Musa, this instruction. ‘In the matter of my commanding you to appoint witnesses to so and so issues; it is because it is for your safety and protectio