Imam Ali

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِذَا كَسَا اللَّهُ تَعَالَى الْمُؤْمِنَ ثَوْباً جَدِيداً فَلْيَتَوَضَّأْ وَ لْيُصَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ يَقْرَأُ فِيهِمَا أُمَّ الْكِتَابِ وَ آيَةَ الْكُرْسِيِّ وَ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ وَ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ ثُمَّ لْيَحْمَدِ اللَّهَ الَّذِي سَتَرَ عَوْرَتَهُ وَ زَيَّنَهُ فِي النَّاسِ وَ لْيُكْثِرْ مِنْ قَوْلِ- لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَعْصِي اللَّهَ فِ

"’Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said, ‘When Allah, the most High, dresses a believing man with a new clothe, he must perform wudu and perform a two rak’at prayer in which he should recite Umm al-Kitab (Surah 1), Ayat al-Kursi (Quran 2:255), and "Qul huwa Allahu ahad" (Surah 112), and "Inna anzalnahu" (Surah 97). Then, let him

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ اسْتِجَادَةُ الْحِذَاءِ وِقَايَةٌ لِلْبَدَنِ وَ عَوْنٌ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ وَ الطَّهُورِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘Good shoes (footgear) are protection for the body and helps for Salat (prayer) and al-Tahur (cleansing).”’

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا تَحْتَذُوا الْمَلْسَ فَإِنَّهَا حِذَاءُ فِرْعَوْنَ وَ هُوَ أَوَّلُ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ الْمَلْسَ.

‘Do not use an al-Mals footgear (one without heels and strip between the toes); it is the kind of the footgear of the pharaoh who was the first to use such footgear.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا تَخَتَّمُوا بِغَيْرِ الْفِضَّةِ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ مَا طَهُرَتْ كَفٌّ فِيهَا خَاتَمُ حَدِيدٍ.

‘Do not use any ring other than what is made of silver, because the Messenger of Allah has said, “A hand which has a ring of iron does not become clean.’””

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَتَخَتَّمُ فِي يَمِينِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin would wear the ring on his right hand.’”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع وَ فِي إِصْبَعِهِ خَاتَمٌ فَصُّهُ فَيْرُوزَجٌ نَقْشُهُ اللَّهُ الْمَلِكُ‌[1] فَأَدَمْتُ النَّظَرَ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ مَا لَكَ تُدِيمُ النَّظَرَ إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّهُ كَانَ لِعَلِيٍّ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع خَاتَمٌ فَصُّهُ فَيْرُوزَجٌ نَقْشُهُ اللَّهُ الْمَلِكُ فَقَالَ أَ تَعْرِفُهُ قُلْتُ لَا فَقَالَ هَذَا هُوَ تَدْرِي مَا سَبَبُهُ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ هَذَا حَجَرٌ أَه

“I once visited abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), and on his finger was a ring with a stone which was turquoise with an engraving that said, ’Allah is the owner’. I continued looking on it and he (the Imam) asked, ’Why do you continue looking at it?’ I replied, ‘I have received information that Ali, ’Amir al-Mu’minin had a r

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ تَخَتَّمُوا بِالْجَزْعِ الْيَمَانِيِّ فَإِنَّهُ يَرُدُّ كَيْدَ مَرَدَةِ الشَّيَاطِينِ.

“’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘Use Yemenite carnelian as the ring; it dispels plots, the evil plans of defiant Satans.’”

كَانَ نَقْشُ خَاتَمِ النَّبِيِّ ص مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَ كَانَ نَقْشُ خَاتَمِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع اللَّهُ الْمَلِكُ وَ كَانَ نَقْشُ خَاتَمِ أَبِي ع الْعِزَّةُ لِلَّهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the engraving on the ring of the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, said, ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’. The engraving on the ring of ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), said, ‘Allah is the owner’ and the engrav

قُلْنَا جُعِلْنَا فِدَاكَ أَ يُكْرَهُ أَنْ يَكْتُبَ الرَّجُلُ فِي خَاتَمِهِ غَيْرَ اسْمِهِ وَ اسْمِ أَبِيهِ فَقَالَ فِي خَاتَمِي مَكْتُوبٌ- اللَّهُ خالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ فِي خَاتَمِ أَبِي مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ ع وَ كَانَ خَيْرَ مُحَمَّدِيٍّ رَأَيْتُهُ بِعَيْنِي الْعِزَّةُ لِلَّهِ وَ فِي خَاتَمِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ وَ فِي خَاتَمِ الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ حَسْبِيَ ا

“Once we asked Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘We pray to Allah to keep our souls in service for your cause, is it undesirable to write on one’s ring something other than one’s name and the name of one’s father?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘The writing on my ring says, ‘Allah is the Creator of all things’. On the ring of my f

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّا رُوِّينَا فِي الْحَدِيثِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ يَسْتَنْجِي وَ خَاتَمُهُ فِي إِصْبَعِهِ وَ كَذَلِكَ كَانَ يَفْعَلُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ كَانَ نَقْشُ خَاتَمِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص- مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ قَالَ صَدَقُوا قُلْتُ فَيَنْبَغِي لَنَا أَنْ نَفْعَلَ قَالَ إِنَّ أُولَئِكَ كَانُوا يَتَخَتَّمُونَ فِي الْيَدِ الْيُمْنَى وَ إِنَّكُمْ أَنْتُمْ تَتَخَتَّمُونَ فِي الْيُسْرَى قَالَ فَسَك

“I once said to Abu al-Hasan, al-Thani (a.s.), ‘We narrate in Hadith that the Messenger of Allah (saww) after using the rest room performed cleansing while wearing his ring on his finger and so also did ’Amir al-Mu’minin. The engraving on the ring of the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’. He

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ مَنْ نَقَشَ عَلَى خَاتَمِهِ اسْمَ اللَّهِ فَلْيُحَوِّلْهُ عَنِ الْيَدِ الَّتِي يَسْتَنْجِي بِهَا فِي الْمُتَوَضَّإِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘If one engraves the name of Allah on his ring he must change it from the hand with which one performs cleansing (washing one’s bottom).”’

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ هُوَ جَالِسٌ عَلَى مَتَاعٍ فَجَعَلْتُ أَلْمِسُ الْمَتَاعَ بِيَدِي فَقَالَ هَذَا الَّذِي تَلْمِسُهُ بِيَدِكَ أَرْمَنِيٌّ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَ مَا أَنْتَ وَ الْأَرْمَنِيَّ فَقَالَ هَذَا مَتَاعٌ جَاءَتْ بِهِ- أُمُّ عَلِيٍّ امْرَأَةٌ لَهُ فَلَمَّا كَانَ مِنْ قَابِلٍ دَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَجَعَلْتُ أَلْمِسُ مَا تَحْتِي فَقَالَ كَأَنَّكَ تُرِيدُ أَنْ تَنْظُرَ مَا تَحْتَكَ فَقُلْتُ لَا وَ لَكِنَّ

“I once visited abu Ja‘far (a.s.). He was sitting on a certain furnishing. I kept touching it with my hand. He (the Imam) said, ‘What you are touching is from Armenia.’ I then asked, ‘What do you have to do with Armenia?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘This is what mother of Ali (wife of the Imam) has brought.’ I then visited hi

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ إِذَا ظَهَرَتِ الْقَلَانِسُ الْمُتَرِّكَةُ ظَهَرَ الزِّنَا[2].

When al-Matrakah (a certain kind of cape) becomes public, so also will become fornication.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ خِضَابِ اللِّحْيَةِ وَ الرَّأْسِ أَ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص لَمْ يَخْتَضِبْ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا مَنَعَهُ قَوْلُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِنَّ هَذِهِ سَتُخْضَبُ مِنْ هَذِهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of coloring the beard and head if it is of Sunnah. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is of the Sunnah .’ I then said, ‘’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), did not use dye.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is because of the words of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muha

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَانَ لَا يَرَى بِجَزِّ الشَّيْبِ بَأْساً وَ يَكْرَهُ نَتْفَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin did not consider it harmful to clip gray hairs but disliked pulling it out.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ مَنِ اكْتَحَلَ فَلْيُوتِرْ وَ مَنْ فَعَلَ فَقَدْ أَحْسَنَ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘If one applies eye powder, he must do it once because it is good; and if he did not do so it is not harmful.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ السِّوَاكُ مَطْهَرَةٌ لِلْفَمِ وَ مَرْضَاةٌ لِلرَّبِّ.

“He (the Imam) said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘Brushing one’s teeth cleanses the mouth and earns Allah’s pleasure.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ نِعْمَ الْبَيْتُ الْحَمَّامُ يُذَكِّرُ النَّارَ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِالدَّرَنِ وَ قَالَ عُمَرُ بِئْسَ الْبَيْتُ الْحَمَّامُ يُبْدِي الْعَوْرَةَ وَ يَهْتِكُ السِّتْرَ قَالَ وَ نَسَبَ النَّاسُ قَوْلَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِلَى عُمَرَ وَ قَوْلَ عُمَرَ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘The bathhouse is a very good house; it reminds of fire and banishes dirt.’ ‘Umar has said, ‘A bathhouse is the worst house; it exposes private parts and violates secrets.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘People have ascribed the words of ’Amir al-Mu’minin to ‘Umar

دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَ أَبِي وَ جَدِّي وَ عَمِّي حَمَّاماً بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ فِي بَيْتِ الْمَسْلَخِ فَقَالَ لَنَا مِمَّنِ الْقَوْمُ فَقُلْنَا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْعِرَاقِ فَقَالَ‌ وَ أَيُّ الْعِرَاقِ قُلْنَا كُوفِيُّونَ فَقَالَ مَرْحَباً بِكُمْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكُوفَةِ أَنْتُمُ الشِّعَارُ[1] دُونَ الدِّثَارِ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا يَمْنَعُكُمْ مِنَ الْأُزُرِ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ عَوْرَةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِ

8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il ibn Bazi‘ all from Hanan ibn Sadir from his father who has said the following: “My father, grandfather, uncle and I once entered a bathhouse in al-Madinah and t

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص يَقُولُ‌ أَلَا لَا يَسْتَلْقِيَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي الْحَمَّامِ فَإِنَّهُ يُذِيبُ شَحْمَ الْكُلْيَتَيْنِ وَ لَا يَدْلُكَنَّ رِجْلَيْهِ بِالْخَزَفِ فَإِنَّهُ يُورِثُ الْجُذَامَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘You must not lie down on your back in the bathhouse; it melts the fat of kidneys and must not rub your feet with pottery because it may cause leprosy.”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع أَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَنْهَى عَنْ قِرَاءَةِ الْقُرْآنِ فِي الْحَمَّامِ قَالَ لَا إِنَّمَا نَهَى أَنْ يَقْرَأَ الرَّجُلُ وَ هُوَ عُرْيَانٌ فَأَمَّا إِذَا كَانَ عَلَيْهِ إِزَارٌ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

32. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from ‘Rib‘iy ibn ‘ Abd Allah from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “I once asked Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), if ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) prohibited reading al-Quran in a bathhouse. He (the Imam) said, ’No, however, he prohibited reading while n

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ غَسْلُ الرَّأْسِ بِالْخِطْمِيِّ يَذْهَبُ بِالدَّرَنِ وَ يَنْفِي الْأَقْذَاءَ[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘Washing the head with marshmallow plant removes dirt and fine dust.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ النُّورَةُ طَهُورٌ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) said, 'Lime is a cleansing (agent).'”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ النُّورَةُ نُشْرَةٌ وَ طَهُورٌ لِلْجَسَدِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘Applying lime paste is a protective charm and purification (for the body).”’

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ أُحِبُّ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يَطَّلِيَ فِي كُلِّ خَمْسَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْماً.

Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘I like for the believers to apply (lime) paste after every fifteen days.”’

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ الطِّيبُ فِي الشَّارِبِ مِنْ أَخْلَاقِ النَّبِيِّينَ ع وَ كَرَامَةٌ لِلْكَاتِبَيْنِ.

‘Applying perfume to one’s mustache is of the discipline of the Prophets ‘Alayhim al-Salam, and honoring the scribes (the angels on one’s shoulders).”’

أُتِيَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِدُهْنٍ وَ قَدْ كَانَ ادَّهَنَ فَادَّهَنَ فَقَالَ إِنَّا لَا نَرُدُّ الطِّيبَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once oil was brought to ’Amir al-Mu’minin when he had already applied oil (perfume). He applied the oil offered to him saying, “We do not reject perfumes.’””

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع فَأَخْرَجَ إِلَيَّ مَخْزَنَةً فِيهَا مِسْكٌ وَ قَالَ خُذْ مِنْ هَذَا فَأَخَذْتُ مِنْهُ شَيْئاً فَتَمَسَّحْتُ بِهِ فَقَالَ أَصْلِحْ وَ اجْعَلْ فِي لَبَّتِكَ مِنْهُ‌[1] قَالَ فَأَخَذْتُ مِنْهُ قَلِيلًا فَجَعَلْتُهُ‌ فِي لَبَّتِي فَقَالَ لِي أَصْلِحْ‌[1] فَأَخَذْتُ مِنْهُ أَيْضاً فَمَكَثَ فِي يَدِي مِنْهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ صَالِحٌ فَقَالَ لِي اجْعَلْ فِي لَبَّتِكَ فَفَعَلْتُ ثُمَّ قَالَ قَالَ أَمِ

“I once visited abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He took out a container with musk in it and said, ‘Apply it and place in your nostril.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘I took a little and applied to my nostrils.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Apply more.’ I then took more from it and something from it remained on my hand. He (the Imam) said

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ الدُّهْنُ يُلَيِّنُ الْبَشَرَةَ وَ يَزِيدُ فِي الدِّمَاغِ وَ يُسَهِّلُ مَجَارِيَ الْمَاءِ وَ يُذْهِبُ الْقَشَفَ وَ يُسْفِرُ اللَّوْنَ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘Applying oil softens the skin, increases the ability of brain, opens the channels of water, removes the scaling and makes color to glow.”’

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ الدُّهْنُ يُلَيِّنُ الْبَشَرَةَ وَ يَزِيدُ فِي الدِّمَاغِ الْقُوَّةَ وَ يُسَهِّلُ مَجَارِيَ الْمَاءِ وَ هُوَ يَذْهَبُ بِالْقَشَفِ وَ يُحَسِّنُ اللَّوْنَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘Applying oil softens the skin, increases the abilities of the brain, opens the channels of water, removes the scaling and improves color (of the skin).”’

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ اسْتَعِطُوا بِالْبَنَفْسَجِ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ لَوْ يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مَا فِي الْبَنَفْسَجِ لَحَسَوْهُ حَسْواً[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘You must try to sniff viola; the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “Had people known about what is in viola they would drink and slurp it.’””

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ اكْسِرُوا حَرَّ الْحُمَّى بِالْبَنَفْسَجِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘Curb the heat of fever with viola oil.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ بَعَثَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي هَدْمِ الْقُبُورِ وَ كَسْرِ الصُّوَرِ.

"Rasulullah (sw) sent on an expedition to demolish the graves and destroy pictures."

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ بَعَثَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ فَقَالَ لَا تَدَعْ صُورَةً إِلَّا مَحَوْتَهَا وَ لَا قَبْراً إِلَّا سَوَّيْتَهُ وَ لَا كَلْباً إِلَّا قَتَلْتَهُ.

"Once Rasulullah (sw) sent me to Medina saying, 'Do not leave any picture without effacing it, any grave without levelling it and any dog without killing it.'"

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا تُؤْوُوا التُّرَابَ خَلْفَ الْبَابِ فَإِنَّهُ مَأْوَى الشَّيَاطِينِ.

“’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘You must not allow the dust to accumulate behind the door; it becomes a resort for Satans.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ بَيْتُ الشَّيَاطِينِ مِنْ بُيُوتِكُمْ بَيْتُ الْعَنْكَبُوتِ‌[1].

‘The house of Satans in your houses are the spider webs.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ أَهْدَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَرْبَعَةَ أَفْرَاسٍ مِنَ الْيَمَنِ فَقَالَ سَمِّهَا لِي فَقَالَ هِيَ أَلْوَانٌ مُخْتَلِفَةٌ قَالَ فَفِيهَا وَضَحٌ‌[1] فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فِيهَا أَشْقَرُ[2] بِهِ وَضَحٌ قَالَ فَأَمْسِكْهُ عَلَيَّ قَالَ وَ فِيهَا كُمَيْتَانِ‌[3] أَوْضَحَانِ فَقَالَ أَعْطِهِمَا ابْنَيْكَ قَالَ وَ الرَّابِعُ أَدْهَمُ بَهِيمٌ‌[4] قَالَ بِعْهُ وَ اسْتَخْلِفْ بِهِ نَ

’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), sent as present to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. It comprised of four horses from Yemen. He (the Messenger of Allah) asked, ‘Describe them for me.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘They are of different colors.’ He (t

خَرَجَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ هُوَ رَاكِبٌ فَمَشَوْا مَعَهُ فَقَالَ أَ لَكُمْ حَاجَةٌ قَالُوا لَا وَ لَكِنَّا نُحِبُّ أَنْ نَمْشِيَ مَعَكَ فَقَالَ لَهُمُ انْصَرِفُوا فَإِنَّ مَشْيَ الْمَاشِي مَعَ الرَّاكِبِ مَفْسَدَةٌ لِلرَّاكِبِ وَ مَذَلَّةٌ لِلْمَاشِي‌[3].

“Once ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), came out riding and people walked with him. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Do you need me for something?’ They replied, ‘No, but we love to walk with you.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must go back; walking with a rider is harmful for the rider and humiliation for the walking people.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا يَرْتَدِفْ ثَلَاثَةٌ عَلَى دَابَّةٍ فَإِنَّ أَحَدَهُمْ مَلْعُونٌ.

Three people must not ride one stumper, one behind the other, because one of them is condemned.”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ احْتَفَرَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِئْراً فَرَمَوْا فِيهَا فَأُخْبِرَ بِذَلِكَ فَجَاءَ حَتَّى وَقَفَ عَلَيْهَا فَقَالَ لَتَكُفُّنَّ أَوْ لَأُسْكِنَنَّهَا الْحَمَامَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ حَفِيفَ أَجْنِحَتِهَا تَطْرُدُ الشَّيَاطِينَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin had dug a well, then they threw things in it and it was reported to him (the Imam). He went, stood on the well and said, ‘You must stop throwing things in it, otherwise, I will make the pigeons to use it as their living place.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘T

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ صِيَاحُ الدِّيكِ صَلَاتُهُ وَ ضَرْبُهُ بِجَنَاحِهِ رُكُوعُهُ وَ سُجُودُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘Crowing of the rooster is its Salat (prayer) and flipping of its wings is its Ruku’ (bowing down on one’s knees) and Sujud (prostrations).”’

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ لَا خَيْرَ فِي الْكِلَابِ إِلَّا كَلْبَ صَيْدٍ أَوْ كَلْبَ مَاشِيَةٍ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘There is nothing good in dogs except hunting dogs or that which guards cattle.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ لَمْ يُحْسِنْ وَصِيَّتَهُ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ كَانَ نَقْصاً فِي مُرُوءَتِهِ وَ عَقْلِهِ قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ كَيْفَ يُوصِي الْمَيِّتُ قَالَ إِذَا حَضَرَتْهُ وَفَاتُهُ وَ اجْتَمَعَ النَّاسُ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ‌ اللَّهُمَّ فاطِرَ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ عالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَ الشَّهادَةِ الرَّحْمَنَ الرَّحِيمَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعْهَدُ إِلَيْكَ فِي دَارِ الدُّنْيَا أَنِّي أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘A person who does not make a proper will at the time of his death suffers from lack of kindness and proper understanding.’ It was then asked, ‘O messenger of Allah, what kind of will should a dying person make?’ The Messenger of Allah replied, ‘Whe

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ يَقُولُ‌ لَأَنْ أُوصِيَ بِخُمُسِ مَالِي أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُوصِيَ بِالرُّبُعِ وَ لَأَنْ أُوصِيَ بِالرُّبُعِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُوصِيَ بِالثُّلُثِ وَ مَنْ أَوْصَى بِالثُّلُثِ فَلَمْ يَتَّرِكْ فَقَدْ بَالَغَ قَالَ وَ قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي رَجُلٍ تُوُفِّيَ وَ أَوْصَى بِمَالِهِ كُلِّهِ أَوْ أَكْثَرِهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْوَصِيَّةَ تُرَدُّ إ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), in this statement refers to the words of ’Amir al-Mu’minin. He (the Imam) said, ‘If I make a will about one-fifth of my legacy it is better than making a will about one- fourth of my legacy, and if I make a will about one-fourth of my legacy it is better than a will about one-third of my legacy. One

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ مَنْ أَوْصَى بِثُلُثِ مَالِهِ ثُمَّ قُتِلَ خَطَأً فَإِنَّ ثُلُثَ دِيَتِهِ دَاخِلٌ فِي وَصِيَّتِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘If one makes a will about one-third of his legacy, then is killed by mistake, one-third of the wergild for him becomes part of that which he has willed.’”

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَنَّ الْمُدَبَّرَ مِنَ الثُّلُثِ وَ أَنَّ لِلرَّجُلِ أَنْ يَنْقُضَ وَصِيَّتَهُ فَيَزِيدَ فِيهَا وَ يَنْقُصَ مِنْهَا مَا لَمْ يَمُتْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin issued a judgment about al- Mudabbar (slave to be set free with the death of the owner) as being part of one-third of the legacy and that a testator has the right to reduce or increase in his will as long as he is alive.’”

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى لآِخَرَ وَ الْمُوصَى لَهُ غَائِبٌ فَتُوُفِّيَ الَّذِي أُوصِيَ لَهُ قَبْلَ الْمُوصِي قَالَ الْوَصِيَّةُ لِوَارِثِ الَّذِي أُوْصِيَ لَهُ قَالَ وَ مَنْ أَوْصَى لِأَحَدٍ شَاهِداً كَانَ أَوْ غَائِباً فَتُوُفِّيَ الْمُوصَى لَهُ قَبْلَ الْمُوصِي فَالْوَصِيَّةُ لِوَارِثِ الَّذِي أُوصِيَ لَهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَرْجِعَ فِي وَصِيَّتِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ‌[1].

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin once issued a judgment, about the case of a man who made a will and the beneficiary who was absent, died before the testator, that the benefit belongs to the heir of the beneficiary.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If one makes a will, regardless of his absence or presence, if

قَالَ‌ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ إِنَّ الدَّيْنَ قَبْلَ الْوَصِيَّةِ ثُمَّ الْوَصِيَّةَ عَلَى أَثَرِ الدَّيْنِ ثُمَّ الْمِيرَاثَ بَعْدَ الْوَصِيَّةِ فَإِنَّ أَوَّلَ الْقَضَاءِ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that ’ Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘A debt must be paid before the will, then the will is paid for. Thereafter are the shares of the heirs after the will, because the first judge in the case is the book of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’”

كُنْتُ شَاهِدَ ابْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى فَقَضَى فِي رَجُلٍ جَعَلَ لِبَعْضِ قَرَابَتِهِ غَلَّةَ دَارِهِ وَ لَمْ يُوَقِّتْ وَقْتاً فَمَاتَ الرَّجُلُ فَحَضَرَ وَرَثَتُهُ ابْنَ أَبِي لَيْلَى وَ حَضَرَ قَرَابَتُهُ الَّذِي جُعِلَ لَهُ الدَّارُ فَقَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي لَيْلَى أَرَى أَنْ أَدَعَهَا عَلَى مَا تَرَكَهَا صَاحِبُهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ الثَّقَفِيُّ أَمَا إِنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع- قَدْ قَضَى فِي

“I was witness that ibn abu Layla’ judged in the case of a man who had designated the income of a house for his relative without the mention of time limit. The man died and his heirs came to ibn abu Layla’ and his relative for whom the house was designated. Ibn abu Layla’ said, ‘I see that it must be left as its owner

كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ يَعْنِي أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَيْسَ لِي وَلَدٌ وَ لِي ضِيَاعٌ وَرِثْتُهَا مِنْ أَبِي وَ بَعْضُهَا اسْتَفَدْتُهَا وَ لَا آمَنُ الْحَدَثَانَ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِي وَلَدٌ وَ حَدَثَ بِي حَدَثٌ فَمَا تَرَى جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لِي أَنْ أُوقِفَ بَعْضَهَا عَلَى فُقَرَاءِ إِخْوَانِي وَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ أَوْ أَبِيعَهَا وَ أَتَصَدَّقَ بِثَمَنِهَا فِي حَيَاتِي عَلَيْهِمْ فَإِنِّي أَتَخَوَّفُ أَنْ

“I once wrote to him (the Imam), abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I do not have any children and I have assets that I inherited from my father and myself earned a certain amount, but I do not feel safe from something happening. If something happens to me and I ha