Prayer

صَلَّى بِنَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْمَغْرِبَ فَقَرَأَ بِالْمُعَوِّذَتَيْنِ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), once led us in al-Maghrib Salah (prayer) and recited al- Ma’udhatayn in two Rak’at.”

يَجُوزُ لِلْمَرِيضِ أَنْ يَقْرَأَ فِي الْفَرِيضَةِ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ وَحْدَهَا وَ يَجُوزُ لِلصَّحِيحِ فِي قَضَاءِ صَلَاةِ التَّطَوُّعِ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ.

‘It is permissible for one suffering from illness to recite just al-Fatihah in an obligatory Salah (prayer) as well as for one in good health in Qada’ (compensatory prayer) of optional Salah (prayer) missed during the day or night.’”

إِنَّمَا يُكْرَهُ أَنْ يُجْمَعَ بَيْنَ السُّورَتَيْنِ فِي الْفَرِيضَةِ فَأَمَّا النَّافِلَةُ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘It is undesirable to recite two Surah (chapters) together in an obligatory Salah (prayer) but in an optional one it is not harmful.’” (Ahadith 7-11 are best explained in the form of fatwa.)

يُكْرَهُ أَنْ يُقْرَأَ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ فِي نَفَسٍ وَاحِدٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that it is not desirable to recite all of Chapter 112 in one breath.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا تَقْرَأْ فِي الْمَكْتُوبَةِ بِأَقَلَّ مِنْ سُورَةٍ وَ لَا بِأَكْثَرَ.

‘You must not read less than a Surah (Chapter) in an obligatory Salah (prayer) or more.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ صَلَاةُ الْأَوَّابِينَ الْخَمْسُونَ كُلُّهَا بِ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Salah (prayer) of repenting people with all fifty of them there is Chapter 112.’”

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ كَمْ يُقْرَأُ فِي الزَّوَالِ فَقَالَ ثَمَانِينَ آيَةً فَخَرَجَ الرَّجُلُ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا هَارُونَ هَلْ رَأَيْتَ شَيْخاً أَعْجَبَ مِنْ هَذَا الَّذِي سَأَلَنِي عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ وَ لَمْ يَسْأَلْنِي عَنْ تَفْسِيرِهِ هَذَا الَّذِي يَزْعُمُ أَهْلُ الْعِرَاقِ أَنَّهُ عَاقِلُهُمْ يَا أَبَا هَارُونَ إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ سَبْعُ آيَاتٍ وَ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ثَل

“A man once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when I was present, ‘How much one recites when it is Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime)?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘One recites eighty verses.’ The man then left. He (the Imam) said, ‘O abu Harun, have you ever seen an old man more strange than this man who aske

سَأَلْتُهُ هَلْ يَقْرَأُ الرَّجُلُ فِي صَلَاتِهِ وَ ثَوْبُهُ عَلَى فِيهِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ إِذَا أَسْمَعَ أُذُنَيْهِ الْهَمْهَمَةَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ’Can one recite in Salah (prayer) with his clothes on his mouth? He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful if his ears can hear his humming.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يُجْزِئُكَ مِنَ الْقِرَاءَةِ مَعَهُمْ مِثْلُ حَدِيثِ النَّفْسِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When performing Salah (prayer) with them (other people) it is sufficient to recite like speaking to one’s soul.’”

تَلْبِيَةُ الْأَخْرَسِ وَ تَشَهُّدُهُ وَ قِرَاءَتُهُ لِلْقُرْآنِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ تَحْرِيكُ لِسَانِهِ وَ إِشَارَتُهُ بِإِصْبَعِهِ.

‘The recitation of a speechless person in Talbiyah, Tashahhud and readings from al-Quran in Salah (prayer) is by moving his tongue and pointing with his finger.’”

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَنْسَى حَرْفاً مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ فَيَذْكُرُ وَ هُوَ رَاكِعٌ هَلْ يَجُوزُ لَهُ أَنْ يَقْرَأَ فِي الرُّكُوعِ قَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ إِذَا سَجَدَ فَلْيَقْرَأْ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who forgets a letter of the recitation and remembers it in Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees); is it permissible for him to recite in Ruku‘? He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not permissible but he recites in Sujud (prostration).”’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّكَ كَتَبْتَ إِلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفَرَجِ تُعَلِّمُهُ أَنَّ أَفْضَلَ مَا تَقْرَأُ فِي الْفَرَائِضِ بِ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْناهُ‌ وَ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ وَ إِنَّ صَدْرِي لَيَضِيقُ بِقِرَاءَتِهِمَا فِي الْفَجْرِ فَقَالَ ع لَا يَضِيقَنَّ صَدْرُكَ بِهِمَا فَإِنَّ الْفَضْلَ وَ اللَّهِ فِيهِمَا.

“I said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, you have written to Muhammad ibn al-Faraj telling him that the most excellent recitation in obligatory Salah (prayer) are chapters 97 and 112 of the Holy Quran. I feel uneasy reciting them in morning Salah (prayer).’ The Imam said, ‘You

صَلَّيْتُ خَلْفَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَيَّاماً فَكَانَ إِذَا كَانَتْ صَلَاةٌ لَا يُجْهَرُ فِيهَا جَهَرَ بِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ‌ وَ كَانَ يَجْهَرُ فِي السُّورَتَيْنِ جَمِيعاً.

“I performed Salah (prayer) for many days in congregation led by abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and in Salah (prayer) which is not recited loudly, he would read Bismillah, (in the name of Allah, most Beneficent, most Merciful) aloud in both Surah (chapters).”

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[3] عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ لا تَجْهَرْ بِصَلاتِكَ وَ لا تُخافِتْ بِها[1] قَالَ الْمُخَافَتَةُ مَا دُونَ سَمْعِكَ وَ الْجَهْرُ أَنْ تَرْفَعَ صَوْتَكَ شَدِيداً.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘Do not be loud in your Salah (prayer) nor very quiet.’ (17:110) He (the Imam) said, ‘Quiet is when you do not hear it, and loud is when you raise your voice very loud.’”

لَا تَدَعْ أَنْ تَقْرَأَ بِ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ وَ قُلْ يا أَيُّهَا الْكافِرُونَ‌ فِي سَبْعِ مَوَاطِنَ‌[2] فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الْفَجْرِ وَ رَكْعَتَيِ الزَّوَالِ وَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ أَوَّلِ صَلَاةِ اللَّيْلِ وَ رَكْعَتَيِ الْإِحْرَامِ وَ الْفَجْرِ إِذَا أَصْبَحْتَ بِهَا وَ رَكْعَتَيِ الطَّوَافِ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى‌ أَنَّهُ يُبْدَأُ فِي هَذَا كُلِّهِ بِ قُلْ هُوَ

‘You must not miss reading Surah (chapter) 112 and 109 in seven instances. Read them in the two Rak‘at before dawn, in the two Rak‘at at noontime, in the two Rak‘at after al-Maghrib, in the first two Rak‘at of the night Salah (prayer), the two Rak‘at for Ihram. Read them in the two Rak‘at of the morning if you begin th

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَؤُمُّ الْقَوْمَ فَيَغْلَطُ قَالَ يَفْتَحُ عَلَيْهِ مَنْ خَلْفَهُ‌[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about a man who leads people in Salah (prayer) and makes a mistake. He (the Imam) said, ‘Those behind him open it up for him (help to correct him).”’

فِي الرَّجُلِ يُصَلِّي فِي مَوْضِعٍ ثُمَّ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَتَقَدَّمَ قَالَ يَكُفُّ عَنِ الْقِرَاءَةِ فِي مَشْيِهِ حَتَّى يَتَقَدَّمَ إِلَى الْمَوْضِعِ الَّذِي يُرِيدُ ثُمَّ يَقْرَأُ.[4]

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a man may stand up in a certain place to perform Salah (prayer). He then wants to move forward. He in such case stops reading when he is walking forward, until he reaches the place that he wants, then reads.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَقُومُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَيُرِيدُ أَنْ يَقْرَأَ سُورَةً فَيَقْرَأُ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ وَ قُلْ يا أَيُّهَا الْكافِرُونَ‌ فَقَالَ يَرْجِعُ مِنْ كُلِّ سُورَةٍ إِلَّا مِنْ‌ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ وَ مِنْ‌ قُلْ يا أَيُّهَا الْكافِرُونَ‌.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that a man stands up for Salah (prayer), wants to read a Surah (chapter) and he reads Surah (chapter) 112 and Surah (chapter) 109. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can discontinue reading any Surah (chapter) except Surah (chapter) 112 and Surah (chapter) 109.’”

أَمَّنَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ الْمَغْرِبِ فَقَرَأَ الْمُعَوِّذَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ قَالَ هُمَا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ‌[1].

26. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Sayf ibn ‘Amirah from Dawud ibn Farqad from Sabir Mawla’ Bassam who has said the following: “Once, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), led us in al-Maghrib Salah (prayer). He read al-M‘udhatayn (chapters 113, 114) and said that they are of al-Qur

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَلَى الْإِمَامِ أَنْ يُسْمِعَ مَنْ خَلْفَهُ وَ إِنْ كَثُرُوا فَقَالَ لِيَقْرَأْ قِرَاءَةً وَسَطاً يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى‌ وَ لا تَجْهَرْ بِصَلاتِكَ وَ لا تُخافِتْ بِها.

‘He reads moderately; Allah, most Blessed, most High, has said, “Do not be very loud in your Salah (prayer) nor very quiet.’”” (17:110)

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[2] عَنِ الَّذِي لَا يَقْرَأُ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ فِي صَلَاتِهِ قَالَ لَا صَلَاةَ لَهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَبْدَأَ بِهَا فِي جَهْرٍ أَوْ إِخْفَاتٍ قُلْتُ أَيُّهُمَا أَحَبُّ إِلَيْكَ إِذَا كَانَ خَائِفاً أَوْ مُسْتَعْجِلًا يَقْرَأُ بِسُورَةٍ أَوْ فَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ قَالَ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ.[3]

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about one who does not read al-Fatihah in his Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘His Salah (prayer) is not valid. He must begin with it (al-Fatihah) that which is read aloud or quietly.’ I then asked, ‘Which one is more beloved to you: if one is afraid or in a hurry, is it reading

إِذَا قَرَأْتَ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْعَزَائِمِ الَّتِي يُسْجَدُ فِيهَا فَلَا تُكَبِّرْ قَبْلَ سُجُودِكَ وَ لَكِنْ تُكَبِّرُ حِينَ تَرْفَعُ رَأْسَكَ وَ الْعَزَائِمُ أَرْبَعٌ حم السَّجْدَةُ وَ تَنْزِيلٌ وَ النَّجْمُ وَ اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If you read of al-‘Aza’’im something for which there is Sajdah (prostration), do not say Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) before Sajdah (prostration) but say it when raising your head from Sajdah (prostration). Al-‘Aza’’im are four: Ha mim al-Sajdah, Tanzil, al-Najm and ’Iqr

قَالَ: إِذَا قُرِئَ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنَ الْعَزَائِمِ الْأَرْبَعِ فَسَمِعْتَهَا فَاسْجُدْ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ عَلَى غَيْرِ وُضُوءٍ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ جُنُباً وَ إِنْ كَانَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ لَا تُصَلِّي‌[1] وَ سَائِرُ الْقُرْآنِ أَنْتَ فِيهِ بِالْخِيَارِ إِنْ شِئْتَ سَجَدْتَ وَ إِنْ شِئْتَ لَمْ تَسْجُدْ.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘If anything of the four al-‘Aza’’im is read and you hear them, perform Sajdah (prostration), even if you are not with a valid Wudu’, or have experienced sexual relation, even if a woman does not perform Salah (prayer) (due to Hayd (menses)). In the case of the rest of al-Quran, you can

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ سَمِعَ السَّجْدَةَ تُقْرَأُ قَالَ لَا يَسْجُدُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ مُنْصِتاً لِقِرَاءَتِهِ مُسْتَمِعاً لَهَا أَوْ يُصَلِّيَ بِصَلَاتِهِ فَأَمَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ يُصَلِّي فِي نَاحِيَةٍ وَ أَنْتَ تُصَلِّي فِي نَاحِيَةٍ أُخْرَى فَلَا تَسْجُدْ لِمَا سَمِعْتَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who has heard Sajdah (prostration) is read. He (the Imam) said, ‘He is not required to perform Sajdah (prostration) unless he is quiet and listening to the reading or performs Salah (prayer) with his Salah (prayer) (he reader of the Chapter with Sajdah (prostration) bein

إِنْ صَلَّيْتَ مَعَ قَوْمٍ فَقَرَأَ الْإِمَامُ- اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ‌ أَوْ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْعَزَائِمِ وَ فَرَغَ مِنْ قِرَاءَتِهِ وَ لَمْ يَسْجُدْ فَأَوْمِ إِيمَاءً وَ الْحَائِضُ تَسْجُدُ إِذَا سَمِعَتِ السَّجْدَةَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if you perform Salah (prayer) with a people and the Imam reads bisme rabbik (Chapter 96) or something of al-‘Aza’im, completes his reading and does not do Sajdah (prostration), you just make a gesture for it. A woman experiencing Hayd (menses) must perform Sajdah (prostration) when

يَسْجُدُ ثُمَّ يَقُومُ فَيَقْرَأُ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ ثُمَّ يَرْكَعُ وَ يَسْجُدُ.

‘He must perform Sajdah (prostration), then stand up, read al-Fatihah al-Kitab, then perform Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) and Sajdah (prostration).”’

لَا تَقْرَأْ فِي الْمَكْتُوبَةِ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْعَزَائِمِ فَإِنَّ السُّجُودَ زِيَادَةٌ فِي الْمَكْتُوبَةِ[4].

“One of the two Imam, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ‘You must not read anything of al-‘Aza”im in any of obligatory Salah (prayer); Sajdah (prostration) becomes an addition in an obligatory Salah (prayer).’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْقِرَاءَةِ خَلْفَ الْإِمَامِ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ الْإِمَامُ يَقْرَأُ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ وَ مَنْ خَلْفَهُ يُسَبِّحُ فَإِذَا كُنْتَ وَحْدَكَ فَاقْرَأْ فِيهِمَا وَ إِنْ شِئْتَ فَسَبِّحْ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about reading in the case of one who performs behind an Imam in last two Rak‘at. He (the Imam) said, ‘He reads al-Fatihah al-Kitab and everyone behind him reads Tasbih. When performing Salah (prayer) alone, read (al-Fatihah) in the two last Rak‘at or say Tasbih if you like.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع مَا يُجْزِئُ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ قَالَ أَنْ تَقُولَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَ تُكَبِّرُ وَ تَرْكَعُ.

2. Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about what is a sufficient reading in the last two Rak‘at.

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَرْكَعَ فَقُلْ وَ أَنْتَ مُنْتَصِبٌ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ وَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ رَكَعْتُ وَ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ وَ بِكَ آمَنْتُ وَ عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَ أَنْتَ رَبِّي خَشَعَ لَكَ قَلْبِي وَ سَمْعِي وَ بَصَرِي وَ شَعْرِي وَ بَشَرِي وَ لَحْمِي وَ دَمِي وَ مُخِّي وَ عِظَامِي وَ عَصَبِي وَ مَا أَقَلَّتْهُ قَدَمَايَ غَيْرَ مُسْتَنْكِفٍ وَ لَا مُسْتَكْبِرٍ وَ لَا مُسْتَحْسِرٍ[1] سُبْحَانَ رَبّ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘When you want to kneel for Ruku‘ say, ‘Allah is great’ before it, then assume Ruku‘ position and say, ‘O Lord, I have knelt down for You, I am submitted to You, I believe in You, and I plead before You to be my attorney. You are my Lord. My heart, my ears, my eyes, my hairs, my skin, my f

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ مَا يَقُولُ الرَّجُلُ خَلْفَ الْإِمَامِ إِذَا قَالَ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ قَالَ يَقُولُ‌ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ‌* وَ يَخْفِضُ مِنْ صَوْتِهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about what one says when performing behind an Imam when he says, ‘Allah hears all those who praise him.’ He (the Imam) said that he must say, ‘All praise belong to Allah, Cherisher of the worlds’ and lowers his voice.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَرْكَعَ وَ تَسْجُدَ فَارْفَعْ يَدَيْكَ وَ كَبِّرْ ثُمَّ ارْكَعْ وَ اسْجُدْ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘When you decide to assume Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) and Sajdah (prostration) position, raise your hands, say Takbir (Allah is great beyond descripti

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ مَنْ لَمْ يُقِمْ صُلْبَهُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَلَا صَلَاةَ لَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘One who does not straighten his back during Salah (prayer), his Salah (prayer) is not valid.’”

رَأَيْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَرْكَعُ رُكُوعاً أَخْفَضَ مِنْ رُكُوعِ كُلِّ مَنْ رَأَيْتُهُ يَرْكَعُ وَ كَانَ إِذَا رَكَعَ جَنَّحَ بِيَدَيْهِ.

“I saw abu al-Hassan (a.s.), perform Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) and make it lower than all of those whom I have seen performing Ruku‘. He spread, in the position of Ruku‘ his arms like wings.’”

إِذَا رَفَعْتَ رَأْسَكَ مِنَ الرُّكُوعِ فَأَقِمْ صُلْبَكَ فَإِنَّهُ لَا صَلَاةَ لِمَنْ لَا يُقِيمُ صُلْبَهُ.

‘When you stand up straight after Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees), make your back (bones) stand straight (vertically), otherwise, one’s Salah (prayer) is not considered Salah (prayer).”’

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي مَنْزِلِهِ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَقَالَ مُبْتَدِئاً مَنْ أَتَمَّ رُكُوعَهُ لَمْ تَدْخُلْهُ وَحْشَةٌ فِي الْقَبْرِ.

‘One who completes his Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) does not face any dread in the grave.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يُجْزِئُ عَنِّي أَنْ أَقُولَ مَكَانَ التَّسْبِيحِ فِي الرُّكُوعِ وَ السُّجُودِ- لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Is it sufficient for me to say Tahlil, (no one deserves worship except Allah) and Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) in Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) instead of Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects). He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is sufficient.’”

رَآنِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَ أَنَا أُصَلِّي وَ أَنْكُسُ بِرَأْسِي وَ أَتَمَدَّدُ فِي رُكُوعِي فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيَّ لَا تَفْعَلْ.

“Once abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saw me, in al-Madinah when I performed Salah (prayer). I bent down my head and stretched in my Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees). He (the Imam) sent me a message that said, ‘You must not do so (when you are in Ruku‘).’” (Ahadith 2-9 are best explained in the form of fatwa.)

إِذَا سَجَدْتَ فَكَبِّرْ وَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ سَجَدْتُ وَ بِكَ آمَنْتُ وَ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ وَ عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَ أَنْتَ رَبِّي سَجَدَ وَجْهِي لِلَّذِي خَلَقَهُ وَ شَقَّ سَمْعَهُ وَ بَصَرَهُ‌ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ* تَبَارَكَ‌ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخالِقِينَ‌ ثُمَّ قُلْ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى وَ بِحَمْدِهِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ فَإِذَا رَفَعْتَ رَأْسَكَ فَقُلْ بَيْنَ السَّجْدَتَيْنِ- اللَّهُمَّ اغْ

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you bow down for sajdah say, ‘Allah is great. then say, ‘ 0 Lord, I have bowed down to prostrate before You, I believe in You, submitted myself to You, have appealed to You to be my attorney and You are my Lord. My face has prostrated before the One who has created it, who has

كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ص- إِذَا سَجَدَ يَتَخَوَّى كَمَا يَتَخَوَّى الْبَعِيرُ الضَّامِرُ يَعْنِي بُرُوكَهُ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Imam Ali (a.s.), when prostrating would place his chest also on the ground like a skinny being.”

رَأَيْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع إِذَا سَجَدَ يُحَرِّكُ ثَلَاثَ أَصَابِعَ مِنْ أَصَابِعِهِ وَاحِدَةً بَعْدَ وَاحِدَةٍ تَحْرِيكاً خَفِيفاً كَأَنَّهُ يَعُدُّ التَّسْبِيحَ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ.

“I saw abu al-Hassan (a.s.), when prostrating, move three of his fingers one after the other slightly as if counting rosary and then raise his head from prostration.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ وَ هُوَ سَاجِدٌ- أَسْأَلُكَ بِحَقِّ حَبِيبِكَ مُحَمَّدٍ إِلَّا بَدَّلْتَ سَيِّئَاتِي حَسَنَاتٍ وَ حَاسَبْتَنِي حِسَاباً يَسِيراً ثُمَّ قَالَ فِي الثَّانِيَةِ- أَسْأَلُكَ بِحَقِّ حَبِيبِكَ مُحَمَّدٍ إِلَّا كَفَيْتَنِي مَئُونَةَ الدُّنْيَا وَ كُلَّ هَوْلٍ دُونَ الْجَنَّةِ وَ قَالَ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ- أَسْأَلُكَ بِحَقِّ حَبِيبِكَ مُحَمَّدٍ لَمَّا غَفَرْتَ لِيَ الْكَثِيرَ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ و

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from, abu Ja‘far al-Ahwal from abu ‘Ubaydah al-Hadhdha’ who has said the following: “I heard abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say when prostrating, ‘(O Lord,) I plead before You through the right of Muhammad, Yo

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَذْكُرُ النَّبِيَّ ص وَ هُوَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ الْمَكْتُوبَةِ إِمَّا رَاكِعاً وَ إِمَّا سَاجِداً فَيُصَلِّي عَلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ عَلَى نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ ص كَهَيْئَةِ التَّكْبِيرِ وَ التَّسْبِيحِ وَ هِيَ عَشْرُ حَسَنَاتٍ يَبْتَدِرُهَا ثَمَانِيَةَ عَشَرَ مَلَكاً أَيُّهُمْ يُبَلِّغُهَا إِيَّاهُ‌[3].

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who whenever mentioning the Holy Prophet during his Ruku‘ or sajdah in obligatory Salah (prayer), would say, ‘O Allah grant Muhammad and his family a compensation worthy of their serving Your cause. The Imam said, ‘Yes, saying such words, after the mention the name of the Hol

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَدْعُو وَ أَنَا سَاجِدٌ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَادْعُ لِلدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ فَإِنَّهُ رَبُّ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Can I plead (before Allah) in Sajdah (prostration)?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, you can do so. Plead for the worldly and the hereafter; He is the Lord of the world and the Lord of the life to come.’” (Hadith 6 is best explained by fatwa.)

أَقْرَبُ مَا يَكُونُ الْعَبْدُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ إِذَا دَعَا رَبَّهُ وَ هُوَ سَاجِدٌ فَأَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ تَقُولُ إِذَا سَجَدْتَ قُلْتُ عَلِّمْنِي جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا أَقُولُ قَالَ قُلْ يَا رَبَّ الْأَرْبَابِ وَ يَا مَلِكَ الْمُلُوكِ وَ يَا سَيِّدَ السَّادَاتِ وَ يَا جَبَّارَ الْجَبَابِرَةِ وَ يَا إِلَهَ الْآلِهَةِ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ افْعَلْ بِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا ثُمَّ قُلْ فَإِنِّي عَبْدُكَ نَاصِيَتِي فِي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said that a position nearest to Allah during one’s prayer is the position of prostration. ‘What do you say during your prostration?’ I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause; teach me what I should say.’ The Imam told me to say, ‘O Lord of lords, O King of kings, O Master o

صَلَّى بِنَا أَبُو بَصِيرٍ فِي طَرِيقِ مَكَّةَ فَقَالَ وَ هُوَ سَاجِدٌ وَ قَدْ كَانَتْ ضَلَّتْ نَاقَةٌ لِجَمَّالِهِمْ اللَّهُمَّ رُدَّ عَلَى فُلَانٍ نَاقَتَهُ قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ قَالَ وَ فَعَلَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ وَ فَعَلَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَسَكَتَ قُلْتُ فَأُعِيدُ الصَّلَاةَ قَالَ لَا.

“Abu Basir once on the way to Makkah performed Salah (prayer) with us as the leader and while in Sajdah (prostration) said, ‘O Lord, - a camel of their camel man was lost-, return to so and so his camel.’ Muhammad has said that I then went to visit abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and informed him (about what abu Basir had said

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنِّي كُنْتُ أَمْهَدُ لِأَبِي فِرَاشَهُ فَأَنْتَظِرُهُ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ فَإِذَا أَوَى إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ وَ نَامَ قُمْتُ إِلَى فِرَاشِي وَ إِنَّهُ أَبْطَأَ عَلَيَّ ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ فَأَتَيْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ فِي طَلَبِهِ وَ ذَلِكَ بَعْدَ مَا هَدَأَ النَّاسُ‌[2] فَإِذَا هُوَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ سَاجِدٌ وَ لَيْسَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ غَيْرُهُ فَسَمِعْتُ حَنِينَهُ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ- سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ

‘I would prepare the bed for my father and wait for his coming until he would go to sleep; then I would leave to go to bed. One night he delayed and I went to the Masjid to search him. This was the time when people had already left and it was quite calm out there. I found him in the Masjid prostrating and there was no

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الرَّاحَةَ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ وَ الْعَفْوَ عِنْدَ الْحِسَابِ يُرَدِّدُهَا.

“I heard abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.), say, ‘O Lord, I pray to You to grant me comfort at the time of death and forgiveness at the time of issuing judgments repeatedly.”

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع تَفَرُّقَ أَمْوَالِنَا وَ مَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْنَا فَقَالَ عَلَيْكَ بِالدُّعَاءِ وَ أَنْتَ سَاجِدٌ فَإِنَّ أَقْرَبَ مَا يَكُونُ الْعَبْدُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ هُوَ[1] سَاجِدٌ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَأَدْعُو فِي الْفَرِيضَةِ وَ أُسَمِّي حَاجَتِي فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قَدْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَدَعَا عَلَى قَوْمٍ بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ وَ أَسْمَاءِ آبَائِهِمْ وَ فَعَلَهُ عَلِيٌّ ع بَعْدَهُ.

“I once complained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the difficulties we faced and deprivation from our belongings. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must plead (before Allah) when you are in Sajdah (prostration) position; the nearest position to Allah for a servant of Allah is one’s position in Sajdah (prostration).’ I then

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عِنْدَ عَائِشَةَ ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ فَقَامَ يَتَنَفَّلُ فَاسْتَيْقَظَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَضَرَبَتْ بِيَدِهَا فَلَمْ تَجِدْهُ فَظَنَّتْ أَنَّهُ قَدْ قَامَ إِلَى جَارِيَتِهَا فَقَامَتْ تَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِ فَوَطِئَتْ عُنُقَهُ ص وَ هُوَ سَاجِدٌ بَاكٍ يَقُولُ سَجَدَ لَكَ سَوَادِي وَ خَيَالِي وَ آمَنَ بِكَ فُؤَادِي أَبُوءُ إِلَيْكَ بِالنِّعَمِ وَ أَعْتَرِفُ لَكَ بِالذَّنْبِ الْعَظِيمِ عَمِلْتُ سُوءاً وَ ظَلَمْتُ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Once, the Holy Prophet, when he was with ‘A’ishah, during the night decided to perform optional Salah (prayer). ‘A’ishah woke up and searched around for him with her hand but did not find him. She thought he might have gone to her slave girl. She got up searching around and stepped on his