Prayer

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

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

قُلْتُ أُصَلِّي فِي وَقْتِ فَرِيضَةٍ نَافِلَةً قَالَ نَعَمْ فِي أَوَّلِ الْوَقْتِ إِذَا كُنْتَ مَعَ إِمَامٍ تَقْتَدِي بِهِ فَإِذَا كُنْتَ وَحْدَكَ فَابْدَأْ بِالْمَكْتُوبَةِ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), ‘Can I perform optional Salah (prayer) in the time for obligatory one?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Yes, you can do so in the beginning of time if you are with the Imam who leads you in Salah (prayer). If you are alone, then perform the obligatory first.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذَا دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الْفَرِيضَةِ أَتَنَفَّلُ أَوْ أَبْدَأُ بِالْفَرِيضَةِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْفَضْلَ أَنْ تَبْدَأَ بِالْفَرِيضَةِ وَ إِنَّمَا أُخِّرَتِ الظُّهْرُ ذِرَاعاً مِنْ عِنْدِ الزَّوَالِ مِنْ أَجْلِ صَلَاةِ الْأَوَّابِينَ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘When the time for obligatory Salah (prayer) comes, should I perform optional Salah (prayer) or begin the obligatory one?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is better to begin with obligatory. Al-Dhuhr is delayed to one yard from Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime) by o

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذَا دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الْفَرِيضَةِ أَتَنَفَّلُ أَوْ أَبْدَأُ بِالْفَرِيضَةِ قَالَ إِنَّ الْفَضْلَ أَنْ تَبْدَأَ بِالْفَرِيضَةِ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘When the time for obligatory Salah (prayer) comes, can I perform optional Salah (prayer) or begin with obligatory Salah (prayer)?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is better to begin with the obligatory Salah (prayer).”’

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص لَا يُصَلِّي‌ مِنَ النَّهَارِ حَتَّى تَزُولَ الشَّمْسُ وَ لَا مِنَ اللَّيْلِ بَعْدَ مَا يُصَلِّي الْعِشَاءَ الْآخِرَةَ حَتَّى يَنْتَصِفَ اللَّيْلُ.[1] مَعْنَى هَذَا أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ وَقْتَ صَلَاةِ فَرِيضَةٍ وَ لَا سُنَّةٍ لِأَنَّ الْأَوْقَاتَ كُلَّهَا قَدْ بَيَّنَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَأَمَّا الْقَضَاءُ قَضَاءُ الْفَرِيضَةِ وَ تَقْدِيمُ النَّوَافِلِ وَ تَأْخِيرُهَا فَلَا بَأْسَ‌[2].

“They had heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), would not perform Salah (prayer) during the day until Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime). During the night he would not perform any Salah (prayer) after al-‘Isha’ up until midnight. It means that it is not time for obligatory or op

قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْحَدِيثُ الَّذِي رُوِيَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَنَّ الشَّمْسَ تَطْلُعُ بَيْنَ قَرْنَيِ الشَّيْطَانِ‌[3] قَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّ إِبْلِيسَ اتَّخَذَ عَرْشاً بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَ الْأَرْضِ فَإِذَا طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَ سَجَدَ فِي ذَلِكَ الْوَقْتِ النَّاسُ قَالَ إِبْلِيسُ لِشَيَاطِينِهِ إِنَّ بَنِي آدَمَ يُصَلُّونَ لِي.

“Once a man mentioned before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), the Hadith which is narrated from abu Ja‘far (a.s.), that says, ‘The sun emerges from between the two horns of Satan.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, Iblis has found a throne between the sky and earth. When the sun rises and people prostrate at that time, Iblis then says t

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الثَّانِي ع أَكُونُ فِي السُّوقِ فَأَعْرِفُ الْوَقْتَ وَ يَضِيقُ عَلَيَّ أَنْ أَدْخُلَ فَأُصَلِّيَ قَالَ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يُقَارِنُ الشَّمْسَ فِي ثَلَاثَةِ أَحْوَالٍ إِذَا ذَرَّتْ وَ إِذَا كَبَّدَتْ وَ إِذَا غَرَبَتْ فَصَلِّ بَعْدَ الزَّوَالِ فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يُوقِعَكَ عَلَى حَدٍّ يُقْطَعُ بِكَ دُونَهُ‌[4].

“I once said to abu al-Hassan al-Thaniy (a.s.), ‘In the market place I come to know that it is time but it becomes difficult (to perform Salah (prayer)) after I enter the market place (for business).’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Satan nears the sun during three conditions, at sunrise, Zawal (declining of the sun toward the we

إِذَا نَسِيتَ صَلَاةً أَوْ صَلَّيْتَهَا بِغَيْرِ وُضُوءٍ وَ كَانَ عَلَيْكَ قَضَاءُ صَلَوَاتٍ فَابْدَأْ بِأَوَّلِهِنَّ فَأَذِّنْ لَهَا وَ أَقِمْ ثُمَّ صَلِّهَا ثُمَّ صَلِّ مَا بَعْدَهَا بِإِقَامَةٍ إِقَامَةٍ لِكُلِّ صَلَاةٍ[1] وَ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ قَدْ صَلَّيْتَ الظُّهْرَ وَ قَدْ فَاتَتْكَ الْغَدَاةُ فَذَكَرْتَهَا فَصَلِّ الْغَدَاةَ أَيَّ سَاعَةٍ ذَكَرْتَهَا وَ لَوْ بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ وَ مَتَى

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘If you forget to perform Salah (prayer) or perform it without Wudu’ and miss Salah (prayers) which you must perform, begin with what is first. Say Adhan and ’Iqamah, then perform it, thereafter perform what is after this with just ‘Iqamah for every Salah (prayer).’ Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] عَنْ رَجُلٍ نَسِيَ الظُّهْرَ حَتَّى دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الْعَصْرِ قَالَ يَبْدَأُ بِالظُّهْرِ وَ كَذَلِكَ الصَّلَوَاتُ تَبْدَأُ بِالَّتِي نَسِيتَ إِلَّا أَنْ تَخَافَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ وَقْتُ الصَّلَاةِ فَتَبْدَأُ بِالَّتِي أَنْتَ فِي وَقْتِهَا ثُمَّ تُصَلِّي‌[2] الَّتِي نَسِيتَ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who forgets al-Dhuhr until it is time of al-‘Asr. He (the Imam) said, ‘He begins with al-Dhuhr and so also one begins with Salah (prayer) which is forgotten, unless one is afraid of the running short of the time of Salah (prayer), in which case one begins with that for w

يَقْضِيهَا إِذَا ذَكَرَهَا فِي أَيِّ سَاعَةٍ ذَكَرَهَا مِنْ لَيْلٍ أَوْ نَهَارٍ فَإِذَا دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الصَّلَاةِ وَ لَمْ يُتِمَّ مَا قَدْ فَاتَهُ فَلْيَقْضِ مَا لَمْ يَتَخَوَّفْ أَنْ يَذْهَبَ وَقْتُ هَذِهِ الصَّلَاةِ الَّتِي قَدْ حَضَرَتْ وَ هَذِهِ أَحَقُّ بِوَقْتِهَا فَلْيُصَلِّهَا فَإِذَا قَضَاهَا فَلْيُصَلِّ مَا فَاتَهُ مِمَّا قَدْ مَضَى وَ لَا يَتَطَوَّعْ بِرَكْعَةٍ حَتَّى يَقْضِيَ الْفَرِيضَةَ كُلَّهَا[1].

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), was once asked about a man who performs Salah (prayer) without Tahur (cleansing) or forgets it (Salah (prayer)) or goes to sleep. He (the Imam) said, ’He performs its Qada’ (compensatory prayer) in whatever hour he remembers during the night or day. If the time for a Salah (prayer) comes and he has

إِذَا فَاتَتْكَ صَلَاةٌ فَذَكَرْتَهَا فِي وَقْتِ أُخْرَى فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ الَّتِي فَاتَتْكَ كُنْتَ مِنَ الْأُخْرَى فِي وَقْتٍ فَابْدَأْ بِالَّتِي فَاتَتْكَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ‌ أَقِمِ الصَّلاةَ لِذِكْرِي‌[2] وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ الَّتِي فَاتَتْكَ فَاتَتْكَ الَّتِي بَعْدَهَا فَابْدَأْ بِالَّتِي أَنْتَ فِي وَقْتِهَا فَصَلِّهَا ثُمَّ أَقِمِ الْأ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has sad, ’You may miss a Salah (prayer) and remember it in another time. If you think you can perform Qada’ (compensatory prayer) for the one missed when there is still enough time left to perform the present Salah (prayer), begin to do so. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “Perform Salah (

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ نَسِيَ صَلَاةً حَتَّى دَخَلَ وَقْتُ صَلَاةٍ أُخْرَى فَقَالَ إِذَا نَسِيَ الصَّلَاةَ أَوْ نَامَ عَنْهَا صَلَّى حِينَ يَذْكُرُهَا فَإِذَا ذَكَرَهَا وَ هُوَ فِي صَلَاةٍ بَدَأَ بِالَّتِي نَسِيَ وَ إِنْ ذَكَرَهَا مَعَ إِمَامٍ فِي صَلَاةِ الْمَغْرِبِ أَتَمَّهَا بِرَكْعَةٍ ثُمَّ صَلَّى الْمَغْرِبَ ثُمَّ صَلَّى الْعَتَمَةَ بَعْدَهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَ صَلَّى الْعَتَمَةَ وَحْدَهُ فَصَلَّ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who has forgotten a Salah (prayer) until the time for next Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘If one misses a Salah (prayer) because of forgetting or sleep, he must perform it as soon as he remembers. If he remembers it during performing another Salah (prayer), he begi

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ نَسِيَ الظُّهْرَ حَتَّى غَرَبَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَ قَدْ كَانَ صَلَّى الْعَصْرَ فَقَالَ كَانَ‌ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع أَوْ كَانَ أَبِي ع يَقُولُ إِنْ أَمْكَنَهُ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَفُوتَهُ الْمَغْرِبُ بَدَأَ بِهَا وَ إِلَّا صَلَّى الْمَغْرِبَ ثُمَّ صَلَّاهَا.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who forgets al-Dhuhr until it is sunset and has performed al-‘Asr. He (the Imam) said, ‘Abu Ja’far (a.s.), or my father would say, “If he can perform Qada’ (compensatory prayer) for it before the time for al-Maghrib ends, he must do so, otherwise, he performs al-Maghrib t

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَمَّ قَوْماً فِي الْعَصْرِ فَذَكَرَ وَ هُوَ يُصَلِّي أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ صَلَّى الْأُولَى قَالَ فَلْيَجْعَلْهَا الْأُولَى الَّتِي فَاتَتْهُ وَ لْيَسْتَأْنِفْ بَعْدُ صَلَاةَ الْعَصْرِ وَ قَدْ مَضَى الْقَوْمُ بِصَلَاتِهِمْ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who leads people for al-‘Asr, then he remembers during Salah (prayer) that he has not performed the one before. He (the Imam) said, ‘He considers it (Salah (prayer) he is performing) as the one before which is missed and thereafter perform al-‘Asr again and the people pr

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] عَنْ رَجُلٍ نَسِيَ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ الصُّبْحَ حَتَّى طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ قَالَ يُصَلِّيهَا حِينَ يَذْكُرُهَا فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص رَقَدَ عَنْ صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ حَتَّى طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ ثُمَّ صَلَّاهَا حِينَ اسْتَيْقَظَ وَ لَكِنَّهُ تَنَحَّى عَنْ مَكَانِهِ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ صَلَّى.

’He performs it whenever he remembers. The Messenger of Allah remained sleeping during the time for the morning Salah (prayer) until sunrise, then he performed it Qada’ (compensatory prayer) when he woke up but moved away from his place, then performed Salah (prayer).’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ نَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنِ الصُّبْحِ وَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنَامَهُ حَتَّى طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ عَلَيْهِ وَ كَانَ ذَلِكَ رَحْمَةً مِنْ رَبِّكَ لِلنَّاسِ أَ لَا تَرَى لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا نَامَ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ لَعَيَّرَهُ النَّاسُ وَ قَالُوا لَا تَتَوَرَّعُ لِصَلَوَاتِكَ فَصَارَتْ أُسْوَةً وَ سُنَّةً فَإِنْ قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِرَجُلٍ نِمْتَ عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ قَالَ قَدْ نَ

“I once heard abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘The Messenger of Allah remained sleeping during the time of the morning Salah (prayer) and Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, made him to remain sleeping until sunrise and this was a blessing from Him for the people. Consider, when one remains sleeping until sunrise, people

يَعْنِي مَفْرُوضاً وَ لَيْسَ يَعْنِي وَقْتَ فَوْتِهَا إِذَا جَازَ ذَلِكَ الْوَقْتُ ثُمَّ صَلَّاهَا لَمْ تَكُنْ صَلَاتُهُ هَذِهِ مُؤَدَّاةً وَ لَوْ كَانَ ذَلِكَ لَهَلَكَ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ دَاوُدَ ع حِينَ صَلَّاهَا لِغَيْرِ وَقْتِهَا وَ لَكِنَّهُ مَتَى مَا ذَكَرَهَا صَلَّاهَا قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ مَتَى اسْتَيْقَنْتَ أَوْ شَكَكْتَ فِي وَقْتِهَا أَنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّهَا أَوْ فِي وَقْتِ فَوْتِهَا أَنَّكَ لَمْ تُصَلِّهَا صَل

“This is about the words of Allah, most Blessed is whose name, ‘Salah (prayer) was written as obligatory upon people.’ (4:103) Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘It means that it was obligatory, not that it is obligatory for a limited time so that if it is performed after the limited time, it does not fulfill the obligation

يُصَلِّيهَا وَ يُصْبِحُ صَائِماً[1].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who remains sleeping during the time of al-‘Atmah and does not wake up until after midnight. He (the Imam) said, ‘He performs that Salah (prayer) and remains fasting until the morning.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص بَنَى مَسْجِدَهُ بِالسَّمِيطِ[2] ثُمَّ إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ كَثُرُوا فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوْ أَمَرْتَ بِالْمَسْجِدِ فَزِيدَ فِيهِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَأَمَرَ بِهِ فَزِيدَ فِيهِ وَ بَنَاهُ بِالسَّعِيدَةِ ثُمَّ إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ كَثُرُوا فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوْ أَمَرْتَ بِالْمَسْجِدِ فَزِيدَ فِيهِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَأَمَرَ بِهِ فَزِيدَ فِيهِ وَ بَنَى جِدَار

‘The Messenger of Allah built his Masjid with an arrangement of one brick. The number of Muslims increased and they asked, “O Messenger of Allah, issue a command to expand the Masjid.” He responded positively and commanded to expand it and it was expanded. It was built with an arrangement of one and a half bricks. Then

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الَّذِي‌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوى‌ قَالَ- مَسْجِدُ قُبَا.

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the Masjid which was built for a pious purpose. He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is Masjid al-Quba””

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَمْ كَانَ مَسْجِدُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ كَانَ ثَلَاثَةَ آلَافٍ وَ سِتَّمِائَةِ[2] ذِرَاعٍ تَكْسِيراً.

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘What was the size of Masjid of the Messenger of Allah?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It was three thousand and six hundred square yards.’”

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَجْعَلُ الْعَنَزَةَ[3] بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ إِذَا صَلَّى.

‘The Messenger of Allah would place his staff in front of the place where he performed Salah (prayer).’”

كَانَ طُولُ رَحْلِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص‌ ذِرَاعاً وَ كَانَ إِذَا صَلَّى وَضَعَهُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ يَسْتَتِرُ بِهِ مِمَّنْ يَمُرُّ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ‌[1].

‘The length of the staff of the Messenger of Allah was one yard and he would place it in his front for a barrier between himself and people passing by.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ هَلْ يَقْطَعُ صَلَاتَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِمَّا يَمُرُّ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَا يَقْطَعُ صَلَاةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَكِنِ ادْرَءُوا مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ‌[2]. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةِ ابْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ: لَا يَقْطَعُ الصَّلَاةَ شَيْ‌ءٌ لَا كَلْبٌ وَ لَا حِمَارٌ وَ لَا امْرَأَةٌ وَ لَكِنِ اسْتَتِرُوا بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فَإِنْ كَانَ بَيْنَ يَ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man whose Salah (prayer) is discontinued because of something moving in front of him. He (the Imam) said, ‘Things do not discontinue Salah (prayer) of the believer, but guard it as much as you can.’” “In the narration of ibn Muskan from abu Basir from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.),

دَخَلَ أَبُو حَنِيفَةَ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ رَأَيْتُ ابْنَكَ مُوسَى ع يُصَلِّي وَ النَّاسُ يَمُرُّونَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَلَا يَنْهَاهُمْ وَ فِيهِ مَا فِيهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ادْعُوا لِي مُوسَى فَدُعِيَ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ أَبَا حَنِيفَةَ يَذْكُرُ أَنَّكَ كُنْتَ تُصَلِّي وَ النَّاسُ يَمُرُّونَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ فَلَمْ تَنْهَهُمْ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ يَا أَبَةِ إِنَّ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أ

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father in a marfu’ manner from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Once, abu Hanifah went to see abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). On his arrival he said, ‘I saw your son Musa perform Salah (prayer) while people passed by in front of him; but he did not stop them and it is que

إِذَا كَانَ بَيْنَهُمَا مَوْضِعُ رَحْلٍ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who performs Salah (prayer) on the side of the man nearby. He (the Imam) said, ‘If there is a distance of one Rahl (yard), it is not harmful.

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُصَلِّي وَ الْمَرْأَةُ بِحِذَاهُ يَمْنَةً أَوْ يَسْرَةً قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ إِذَا كَانَتْ لَا تُصَلِّي.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who performs Salah (prayer) when a woman is parallel with him on the right or left. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful if she is not performing Salah (prayer)”’

لَا إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ بَيْنَهُمَا شِبْرٌ أَوْ ذِرَاعٌ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man and a woman performing Salah (prayer) at the same time and the woman is on his right parallel. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, unless there is a distance of one shibr or one yard between the two of them.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُصَلِّي فِي زَاوِيَةِ الْحُجْرَةِ وَ امْرَأَتُهُ أَوِ ابْنَتُهُ تُصَلِّي بِحِذَاهُ فِي الزَّاوِيَةِ الْأُخْرَى فَقَالَ لَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُ ذَلِكَ فَإِنْ كَانَ بَيْنَهُمَا شِبْرٌ أَجْزَأَهُ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ وَ الْمَرْأَةِ يَتَزَامَلَانِ فِي الْمَحْمِلِ يُصَلِّيَانِ جَمِيعاً فَقَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ يُصَلِّي الرَّجُلُ فَإِذَا صَلَّى صَلَّتِ الْمَرْأَةُ.

“I once asked one of the two Imam, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about a man who performs Salah (prayer) in one corner of the room and his wife or daughter parallel with him in another corner of the room. He (the Imam) said, ‘He should not do so. If there is a distance of one shibr between them it is enough for him.’ I asked him

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُصَلِّي وَ بِحِيَالِهِ امْرَأَةٌ قَائِمَةٌ[1] عَلَى فِرَاشِهَا جَنْبَتِهِ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَتْ قَاعِدَةً فَلَا يَضُرُّهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ تُصَلِّي فَلَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who performs Salah (prayer) and a woman is in his view, standing on furnishing on his side. He (the Imam) said, ‘If she is sitting, it is not harmful, but if she is performing Salah (prayer), then it is not acceptable.’”

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يُصَلِّي وَ عَائِشَةُ نَائِمَةٌ مُعْتَرِضَةٌ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَ هِيَ لَا تُصَلِّي.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah would perform Salah (prayer) while ‘A’ishah slept sideways in front of him, while she did not perform Salah (prayer).”’

إِذَا كَانَ سُجُودُهَا مَعَ رُكُوعِهِ فَلَا بَأْسَ‌[2].

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a woman who performs Salah (prayer) on the side or parallel with a man. He (the Imam) said, ‘If her Sujud (prostration) is with his Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees), it is not harmful.’” (Ahadith 1-7 of this [chapter=Chapter are best explained by fatwa.)

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِذَا قُمْتَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَعَلَيْكَ بِالْإِقْبَالِ عَلَى صَلَاتِكَ فَإِنَّمَا يُحْسَبُ لَكَ مِنْهَا مَا أَقْبَلْتَ عَلَيْهِ وَ لَا تَعْبَثْ فِيهَا بِيَدِكَ وَ لَا بِرَأْسِكَ وَ لَا بِلِحْيَتِكَ وَ لَا تُحَدِّثْ نَفْسَكَ وَ لَا تَتَثَاءَبْ وَ لَا تَتَمَطَّ وَ لَا تُكَفِّرْ[3] فَإِنَّمَا يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ الْمَجُوسُ وَ لَا تَلَثَّمْ وَ لَا تَحْتَفِزْ وَ لَا تَفَرَّجْ كَمَا يَتَفَرَّجُ الْبَعِير

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘When you stand up for Salah (prayer) you should be prepared (attentive) for prayer; what will be counted in your favor of prayer will be only that in which you were attentive. You should not play during Salah (prayer) with your hands, head and beard, and do not speak in your soul. You sho

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَرِهَ لَكُمْ أَيَّتُهَا الْأُمَّةُ أَرْبَعاً وَ عِشْرِينَ خَصْلَةً وَ نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهَا كَرِهَ لَكُمُ الْعَبَثَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah has made twenty-four things contemptible for you to do and has forbidden you to do them. Allah dislikes that you act as playful during Salah (prayer).’”

إِذَا كُنْتَ دَخَلْتَ فِي صَلَاتِكَ فَعَلَيْكَ بِالتَّخَشُّعِ وَ الْإِقْبَالِ عَلَى صَلَاتِكَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلاتِهِمْ خاشِعُونَ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you are in your Salah (prayer), you must be humble and attentive in it; Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has said, ‘Those who are humble during their Salah (prayer) (are of the true believers)’ (23:3).”

كَانَ أَبِي ع يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ص إِذَا قَامَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ كَأَنَّهُ سَاقُ شَجَرَةٍ لَا يَتَحَرَّكُ مِنْهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ إِلَّا مَا حَرَّكَهُ الرِّيحُ مِنْهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that his (Imam’s) father has said that when Ali ibn al- Husayn (a.s.), would stand up for Salah (prayer), he seemed like the trunk of a tree. Not anything of his body would move except what the wind would move.’”

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ص إِذَا قَامَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ تَغَيَّرَ لَوْنُهُ فَإِذَا سَجَدَ لَمْ يَرْفَعْ رَأْسَهُ حَتَّى يَرْفَضَّ عَرَقاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), would stand up for Salah (prayer), the color of his face change and in sajdah he remained so long until (his face) became drenched with perspiration (and tears).”

إِذَا اسْتَقْبَلْتَ الْقِبْلَةَ بِوَجْهِكَ فَلَا تُقَلِّبْ وَجْهَكَ عَنِ الْقِبْلَةِ فَتَفْسُدَ صَلَاتُكَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ لِنَبِيِّهِ ص فِي الْفَرِيضَةِ فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرامِ وَ حَيْثُ ما كُنْتُمْ فَوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُ‌[4] وَ اخْشَعْ بِبَصَرِكَ وَ لَا تَرْفَعْهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ[5] وَ لْيَكُنْ حِذَاءَ وَجْهِكَ‌[1] فِي مَوْضِعِ سُجُودِكَ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that when you face the direction of al-Qiblah (al-Ka’bah) you must not turn your face away from it; it destroys your Salah (prayer). Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has said to His Holy prophet, O Allah grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your caus

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَتَثَاءَبُ وَ يَتَمَطَّى فِي الصَّلَاةِ قَالَ هُوَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ وَ لَا يَمْلِكُهُ‌[2].

“About a man’s yawning and stretching during Salah (prayer) the Imam (a.s.), has said, ’It comes from Satan over which he has no control (but one should control things that cause it to happen).”’

كُنْتُ جَالِساً عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَأَلَهُ نَاجِيَةُ أَبُو حَبِيبٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ جَعَلَنِي اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ لِي رَحًى أَطْحَنُ فِيهَا فَرُبَّمَا قُمْتُ فِي سَاعَةٍ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَأَعْرِفُ مِنَ الرَّحَى أَنَّ الْغُلَامَ قَدْ نَامَ فَأَضْرِبُ الْحَائِطَ لِأُوقِظَهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ أَنْتَ فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ تَطْلُبُ رِزْقَهُ.

“I was sitting in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when Najiyyah abu Habib asked the Imam saying, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I have a flour-mill. During the night I wake up (for Salah (prayer)) and notice from the mill that the servant is gone to sleep. (Can) I then knock at the wall to wa

إِذَا قُمْتَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَلَا تَعْبَثْ بِلِحْيَتِكَ وَ لَا بِرَأْسِكَ وَ لَا تَعْبَثْ بِالْحَصَى وَ أَنْتَ تُصَلِّي إِلَّا أَنْ تُسَوِّيَ حَيْثُ تَسْجُدُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا بَأْسَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you stand up for Salah (prayer), you must not play with your beard, your head or with pebbles while you pray, except when you prepare (pebbles) as you are about to do sajdah in which case it is not an offense.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَنْبَغِي لِمَنْ يَقْرَأُ الْقُرْآنَ إِذَا مَرَّ بِآيَةٍ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ فِيهَا مَسْأَلَةٌ أَوْ تَخْوِيفٌ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ اللَّهَ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ خَيْرَ مَا يَرْجُو وَ يَسْأَلَهُ الْعَافِيَةَ مِنَ النَّارِ وَ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One, when reading from the Holy Quran, should, upon coming across a verse that speaks of prayer or warning, ask Allah for what is good that one hopes for and for safety from fire and torment.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ يَتَبَاكَى الرَّجُلُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَقَالَ بَخْ بَخْ وَ لَوْ مِثْلَ رَأْسِ الذُّبَابِ.

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Can a person weep during Salah (prayer)?’ The Imam replied, ‘It is a matter of great congratulations even if it (tears) is of the size of the head of a fly.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ فَيَمُرُّ بِالْمَسْأَلَةِ أَوْ بِآيَةٍ فِيهَا ذِكْرُ جَنَّةٍ أَوْ نَارٍ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ يَسْأَلَ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ وَ يَتَعَوَّذَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَ يَسْأَلَ اللَّهَ الْجَنَّةَ.

‘In such case (during prayer) he may ask Allah for protection against fire or for admission in paradise.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ ذِكْرِ السُّورَةِ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ يَدْعُو بِهَا فِي الصَّلَاةِ مِثْلَ‌ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ فَقَالَ إِذَا كُنْتَ تَدْعُو بِهَا فَلَا بَأْسَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about reading a chapter of the book in the form of an appeal for help in Salah (prayer) like Chapter 112. He (the Imam) said, ‘If you read it in the form of appeal for help it is not harmful.’”

كُلُّ مَا كَلَّمْتَ اللَّهَ بِهِ فِي صَلَاةِ الْفَرِيضَةِ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Whatever (words) with which you speak to Allah in Salah (prayer) is not harmful.’” (Ahadith 4-5 of this Chapter are best explained by fatwas.)

لَمَّا أُسْرِيَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَبَلَغَ الْبَيْتَ الْمَعْمُورَ وَ حَضَرَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَأَذَّنَ جَبْرَئِيلُ وَ أَقَامَ فَتَقَدَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ صَفَّ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَ النَّبِيُّونَ خَلْفَ مُحَمَّدٍ ص.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ’Udhaynah from Zurarah from and al-Fadl who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘When the Messenger of Allah was taken to the heaven upon his arrival in Bayt al-Ma‘mur at the time of Salah (prayer), Jibril (G

لَمَّا هَبَطَ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع بِالْأَذَانِ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ رَأْسُهُ فِي حَجْرِ عَلِيٍّ ع فَأَذَّنَ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع وَ أَقَامَ فَلَمَّا انْتَبَهَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ سَمِعْتَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ حَفِظْتَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ ادْعُ بِلَالًا فَعَلِّمْهُ فَدَعَا عَلِيٌّ ع بِلَالًا فَعَلَّمَهُ.

when Jibril (Gabriel) descended with Adhan to the Messenger of Allah, he was resting and his head was on Amir al-Mu’minin Ali’s lap. Jibril then read Adhan and Iqamah. When the Messenger of Allah woke up he asked, ‘O Ali, did you hear it?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I did.’ He (the Messenger of Allah) asked, ‘Do you remember it

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْأَذَانُ وَ الْإِقَامَةُ خَمْسَةٌ وَ ثَلَاثُونَ حَرْفاً فَعَدَّ ذَلِكَ بِيَدِهِ وَاحِداً وَاحِداً الْأَذَانَ ثَمَانِيَةَ عَشَرَ حَرْفاً وَ الْإِقَامَةَ سَبْعَةَ عَشَرَ حَرْفاً.

“I once heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘Adhan and ‘Iqamah consist of thirty-five letters.’ He (the Imam) counted them by his hand one by one; Adhan eighteen letters and ‘Iqamah seventeen letters.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْأَذَانُ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى وَ الْإِقَامَةُ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى.

‘Adhan is twice and twice and ‘Iqamah is twice and twice.’”