Prayer

قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَا يُولَدُ لِي فَقَالَ اسْتَغْفِرْ رَبَّكَ فِي السَّحَرِ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ فَإِنْ نَسِيتَهُ فَاقْضِهِ.

‘I ask forgiveness from Allah, my Lord and return to Him in repentance’ one hundred times just before it is dawn. If you forget; do its Qada’ (compensatory prayer for it ).’”

لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذَا جَامَعْتَ فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ إِنْ رَزَقْتَنِي ذَكَراً سَمَّيْتُهُ مُحَمَّداً قَالَ فَفَعَلَ ذَلِكَ فَرُزِقَ.

‘When going to bed with your wife say, ‘O Lord, if You grant me a son I will name him Muhammad.’ He (the narrator) has said that he followed the instruction, then a son was born to him.’”

أَتَتْ عَلَيَّ سِتُّونَ سَنَةً لَا يُولَدُ لِي فَحَجَجْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَشَكَوْتُ إِلَيْهِ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لِي أَ وَ لَمْ يُولَدْ لَكَ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ إِذَا قَدِمْتَ الْعِرَاقَ فَتَزَوَّجِ امْرَأَةً وَ لَا عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ سَوْءَاءَ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ مَا السَّوْءَاءُ قَالَ امْرَأَةٌ فِيهَا قُبْحٌ فَإِنَّهُنَّ أَكْثَرُ أَوْلَاداً وَ ادْعُ بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ فَإِنِّي أَرْجُو- أَنْ يَرْزُقَ

“I was sixty years old and had no children. I went to perform al-Hajj then visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and complained about not having any child. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Has any child ever been born to you?’ I replied, ‘No, it has not happened.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘When you go to Iraq marry a woman and it does not ma

فَفَعَلْتُ فَأَذْهَبَ اللَّهُ عَنِّي سُقْمِي وَ كَثُرَ وُلْدِي قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَاشِدٍ وَ كُنْتُ دَائِمَ الْعِلَّةِ مَا أَنْفَكُّ مِنْهَا فِي نَفْسِي وَ جَمَاعَةِ خَدَمِي وَ عِيَالِي حَتَّى إِنِّي كُنْتُ أَبْقَى وَحْدِي وَ مَا لِي أَحَدٌ يَخْدُمُنِي فَلَمَّا سَمِعْتُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ هِشَامٍ عَمِلْتُ بِهِ فَأَذْهَبَ اللَّهُ عَنِّي وَ عَنْ عِيَالِيَ الْعِلَلَ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ.

“Hisham ibn Ibrahim narrated to me that he complained before abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about not having a child. He (the Imam) commanded him to raise his voice with Adhan in his house. He has said, ‘I followed the instruction: then Allah removed my shortcoming and my children became many.’ Muhammad ibn Rashid has said, ’I

قَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ خُرَاسَانَ بِالرَّبَذَةِ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَمْ أُرْزَقْ وَلَداً فَقَالَ لَهُ إِذَا رَجَعْتَ إِلَى بِلَادِكَ وَ أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَأْتِيَ أَهْلَكَ فَاقْرَأْ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ ذَلِكَ- وَ ذَا النُّونِ إِذْ ذَهَبَ مُغاضِباً فَظَنَّ أَنْ لَنْ نَقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنادى‌ فِي الظُّلُماتِ أَنْ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ‌[1] إِلَى ثَلَاثِ آيَاتٍ فَإِنَّكَ سَتُرْزَق

I have not been granted any children.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘When you return to your country and then decide to go to bed with your wife then read, ‘When the companion of fish went away in anger he thought that We will not apply any measures against him. He then in the dark called, “I testify that no one other than You

لَمْ يُولَدْ لِي شَيْ‌ءٌ قَطُّ وَ خَرَجْتُ إِلَى مَكَّةَ وَ مَا لِي وَلَدٌ فَلَقِيَنِي إِنْسَانٌ فَبَشَّرَنِي بِغُلَامٍ فَمَضَيْتُ وَ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَلَمَّا صِرْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ قَالَ لِي كَيْفَ أَنْتَ وَ كَيْفَ وَلَدُكَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ خَرَجْتُ وَ مَا لِي وَلَدٌ فَلَقِيَنِي جَارٌ لِي فَقَالَ لِي قَدْ وُلِدَ لَكَ غُلَامٌ فَتَبَسَّمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ سَمَّيْتَهُ قُلْتُ لَا قَال

“I never had a child . I went to Makkah and did not have any children. A man met me and gave good news of the birth of a boy to me. I then went on and visited Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.). When I went before him (the Imam), he (the Imam) asked, ‘How are you and how is your son?’ I said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ الْوَلَدَ فَقُلْ عِنْدَ الْجِمَاعِ- اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي وَلَداً وَ اجْعَلْهُ تَقِيّاً لَيْسَ فِي خَلْقِهِ زِيَادَةٌ وَ لَا نُقْصَانٌ وَ اجْعَلْ عَاقِبَتَهُ إِلَى خَيْرٍ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘When you want to have a son then at the time of your going to bed with your wife say, “O Lord, grant me a son, make him pious, without any deficiency or extra in his physical condition and make his consequences in goodness.’”

إِذَا كَانَ بِامْرَأَةِ أَحَدِكُمْ حَبَلٌ فَأَتَى عَلَيْهَا أَرْبَعَةُ أَشْهُرٍ[1] فَلْيَسْتَقْبِلْ بِهَا الْقِبْلَةَ وَ لْيَقْرَأْ آيَةَ الْكُرْسِيِّ وَ لْيَضْرِبْ عَلَى جَنْبِهَا وَ لْيَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي قَدْ سَمَّيْتُهُ مُحَمَّداً فَإِنَّهُ يَجْعَلُهُ غُلَاماً فَإِنْ وَفَى بِالاسْمِ بَارَكَ اللَّهُ لَهُ فِيهِ وَ إِنْ رَجَعَ عَنِ الِاسْمِ كَانَ لِلَّهِ فِيهِ الْخِيَارُ إِنْ شَاءَ أَخَذَهُ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ تَرَكَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If the wife of one you is pregnant, during the fourth month ask her to face al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) and read verse 255 of Chapter two, then tap on her side and say, ‘O Lord, I have named him Muhammad.’ Allah will make him a boy. If he keeps the name as he had promised Allah grants him b

كُنْتُ أَنَا وَ ابْنُ غَيْلَانَ الْمَدَائِنِيُّ دَخَلْنَا عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَقَالَ لَهُ ابْنُ غَيْلَانَ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّهُ مَنْ كَانَ لَهُ حَمْلٌ فَنَوَى أَنْ يُسَمِّيَهُ مُحَمَّداً وُلِدَ لَهُ غُلَامٌ فَقَالَ مَنْ كَانَ لَهُ حَمْلٌ فَنَوَى أَنْ يُسَمِّيَهُ عَلِيّاً وُلِدَ لَهُ غُلَامٌ ثُمَّ قَالَ عَلِيٌّ مُحَمَّدٌ وَ مُحَمَّدٌ عَلِيٌّ شَيْئاً وَاحِداً[3] قَالَ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ إِن

“Once ibn Ghaylan al-Mada’iniy and I visited abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), and ibn Ghaylan said to him (the Imam), ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, I have been informed that if one’s wife is pregnant and he keeps his intention to name him Muhammad a son then is born to him.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If one’s wife is pr

مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ يُحْمَلُ لَهُ حَمْلٌ‌[4] فَيَنْوِي أَنْ يُسَمِّيَهُ مُحَمَّداً إِلَّا كَانَ ذَكَراً إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ وَ قَالَ هَاهُنَا ثَلَاثَةٌ كُلُّهُمْ مُحَمَّدٌ مُحَمَّدٌ مُحَمَّدٌ وَ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي حَدِيثٍ آخَرَ يَأْخُذُ بِيَدِهَا وَ يَسْتَقْبِلُ بِهَا الْقِبْلَةَ عِنْدَ الْأَرْبَعَةِ الْأَشْهُرِ وَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي‌ سَمَّيْتُهُ مُحَمَّداً وُلِدَ لَهُ غُلَامٌ وَ إِنْ حَوَّلَ اس

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Anyone whose wife is pregnant and he keeps in his intention to name him Muhammad, the child will be a boy by the will of Allah.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘There are three and all of them are Muhammad, Muhammad, Muhammad.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), in another Hadith has said, ‘He should hold h

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ كَانَ لَهُ حَمْلٌ فَنَوَى أَنْ يُسَمِّيَهُ- مُحَمَّداً أَوْ عَلِيّاً وُلِدَ لَهُ غُلَامٌ.

“The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘If one’s wife is pregnant and he keeps in his intention to name him Muhammad or Ali, a boy will be born to him.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الرَّجُلُ يَدْعُو لِلْحُبْلَى أَنْ يَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ مَا فِي بَطْنِهَا ذَكَراً سَوِيّاً قَالَ يَدْعُو مَا بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ أَرْبَعَةِ أَشْهُرٍ فَإِنَّهُ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً نُطْفَةٌ وَ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً عَلَقَةٌ وَ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً مُضْغَةٌ فَذَلِكَ تَمَامُ أَرْبَعَةِ أَشْهُرٍ ثُمَّ يَبْعَثُ اللَّهُ مَلَكَيْنِ خَلَّاقَيْنِ فَيَقُولَانِ يَا رَبِّ مَا نَخْلُقُ ذَكَراً

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, can a pregnant woman pray to Allah to make the child inside her a well formed boy?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘She can do so from conception up to the fourth month. Up to forty nights it is sperm, for another forty nights it

هَنَّأَ رَجُلٌ رَجُلًا أَصَابَ ابْناً فَقَالَ يَهْنِئُكَ الْفَارِسُ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحَسَنُ ع مَا عِلْمُكَ يَكُونُ فَارِساً أَوْ رَاجِلًا قَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَمَا أَقُولُ قَالَ تَقُولُ شَكَرْتَ الْوَاهِبَ وَ بُورِكَ لَكَ فِي الْمَوْهُوبِ وَ بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ وَ رَزَقَكَ بِرَّهُ.

“Once a man congratulated another man on the birth of his son by saying, ‘Congratulation for the birth of the rider (the knight).’ Al-Hasan (a.s.) then said, ‘How would you know if he will be a rider or walking on foot?’ He asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what I should say?’ He (the I

مُرُوا الْقَابِلَةَ أَوْ بَعْضَ مَنْ يَلِيهِ أَنْ تُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةَ فِي أُذُنِهِ الْيُمْنَى فَلَا يُصِيبَهُ لَمَمٌ وَ لَا تَابِعَةٌ أَبَداً[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Instruct the doctor or someone involved to say Salat (prayer) in the right ear of the child to protect the child against the effect of insanity or the Jinn that follows human beings.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ وُلِدَ لَهُ مَوْلُودٌ فَلْيُؤَذِّنْ فِي أُذُنِهِ الْيُمْنَى بِأَذَانِ الصَّلَاةِ وَ لْيُقِمْ فِي الْيُسْرَى فَإِنَّهَا عِصْمَةٌ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ.

“The Messenger of Allah (sw) has said, ‘Whoever has a newborn child, let them recite the call to prayer (adhan) in their right ear, and let them recite the iqamah in their left (ear), for it serves as protection from the accursed Satan.’”

الصَّبِيُّ إِذَا وُلِدَ عُقَّ عَنْهُ وَ حُلِقَ رَأْسُهُ يُتَصَدَّقُ بِوَزْنِ الشَّعْرِ وَ أُهْدِيَ إِلَى الْقَابِلَةِ الرِّجْلُ مَعَ الْوَرِكِ وَ يُدْعَى نَفَرٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَيَأْكُلُونَ وَ يَدْعُونَ لِلْغُلَامِ وَ يُسَمَّى يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ.

‘When ‘Aqiqah is offered for a child, his head is shaved, equal to the weight of his hair charity is given, one leg and hip is given to al-Qabilah (the special nurse, doctor), Muslims should be invited and when they are served they should pray for the boy. A name can be given to the child on the seventh day of his birt

تَقُولُ عَلَى‌[2] الْعَقِيقَةِ ذَكَرَ مِثْلَهُ وَ زَادَ فِيهِ اللَّهُمَّ لَحْمُهَا بِلَحْمِهِ وَ دَمُهَا بِدَمِهِ وَ عَظْمُهَا بِعَظْمِهِ وَ شَعْرُهَا بِشَعْرِهِ وَ جِلْدُهَا بِجِلْدِهِ اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ وِقَاءً لِفُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has instructed to say on ‘Aqiqah - he (the narrator) mentioned the prayer in Hadith number two above with this addition: ‘O Lord, its flesh is for his flesh, its blood is for his blood, its bones for his bones, its hairs for his hairs and its skin is for his skin. O Lord, make it a protection fo

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَذْبَحَ الْعَقِيقَةَ قُلْتَ- يا قَوْمِ‌ إِنِّي بَرِي‌ءٌ مِمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ إِنِّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضَ حَنِيفاً مُسْلِماً وَ ما أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ‌ إِنَّ صَلاتِي وَ نُسُكِي‌ وَ مَحْيايَ وَ مَماتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ بِذلِكَ أُمِرْتُ‌ وَ أَنَا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ اللَّهُمَّ مِنْكَ وَ لَكَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ال

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you decide to slaughter the animal for ‘Aqiqah say, ‘O my people I denounce what you consider partners (of Allah). I turn my face to the One who has invented the skies and earth, purely in obedience to Him and I am not a pagan. My Salat (prayer), acts of worship, life and deat

فِي الْعَقِيقَةِ إِذَا ذَبَحْتَ تَقُولُ- وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضَ حَنِيفاً مُسْلِماً وَ ما أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ‌ إِنَّ صَلاتِي وَ نُسُكِي وَ مَحْيايَ وَ مَماتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ‌ اللَّهُمَّ مِنْكَ وَ لَكَ اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا عَنْ فُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانٍ.

I turn my face to the One who has invented the skies and earth, purely in obedience to Him and I am not a pagan. My Salat (prayer), acts of worship, life and death are all in obedience to Allah, Cherisher of the worlds who has no partner. O Lord, it is from You and for You. O Lord, this is from so and so son of so and

أَنَّهُ كَتَبَ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع أَنَّهُ رُوِيَ عَنِ الصَّادِقِينَ ع أَنِ اخْتِنُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ يَطَّهَّرُوا وَ إِنَّ الْأَرْضَ تَضِجُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ بَوْلِ الْأَغْلَفِ وَ لَيْسَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لِحَجَّامِي بَلَدِنَا حِذْقٌ بِذَلِكَ وَ لَا يَخْتِنُونَهُ‌[1] يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ وَ عِنْدَنَا حَجَّامُ الْيَهُودِ فَهَلْ يَجُوزُ لِلْيَهُودِ أَنْ يَخْتِنُوا أَوْلَادَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَمْ لَا إِ

’Circumcise your children on the seventh day from their birth; the earth cries before Allah because of the urine of an uncircumcised person.’ I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, people performing circumcision in our city are not very knowledgeable and they do not do it on the seventh day but ther

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ مَنْ قِبَلَنَا يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع خَتَنَ نَفْسَهُ بِقَدُومٍ عَلَى دَنٍ‌[3] فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ لَيْسَ كَمَا يَقُولُونَ كَذَبُوا عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع قُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ ذَاكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ ع كَانَتْ تَسْقُطُ عَنْهُمْ غُلْفَتُهُمْ مَعَ سُرَرِهِمْ فِي الْيَوْمِ السَّابِعِ فَلَمَّا وُلِدَ لِإِبْرَاهِيمَ ع مِنْ هَاجَرَ[4] عَيَّرَتْ سَارَةُ هَاجَرَ بِمَا

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘We are told that Ibrahim ‘Alayhi al-Salam circumcised with an adze on a base. He (the Imam) said, ‘Allah is free of all defects, it is not the way they say it is. They have lied against Ibrahim.’ I then asked, ‘How did it happen?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘In the case of the prophets,

أُتِيَ النَّبِيُّ ص بِصَبِيٍّ يَدْعُو لَهُ وَ لَهُ قَنَازِعُ فَأَبَى أَنْ يَدْعُوَ لَهُ وَ أَمَرَ بِحَلْقِ رَأْسِهِ وَ أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِحَلْقِ شَعْرِ الْبَطْنِ.

’Once a child was brought to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, so that he (the Messenger of Allah) might pray for him but the child had Qanazi ‘ and he (the Messenger of Allah) refused to pray for him. He (the Messenger of Allah) instr

يَثَّغِرُ الْغُلَامُ‌[2] لِسَبْعِ سِنِينَ وَ يُؤْمَرُ بِالصَّلَاةِ لِتِسْعٍ وَ يُفَرَّقُ بَيْنَهُمْ فِي الْمَضَاجِعِ لِعَشْرٍ وَ يَحْتَلِمُ لِأَرْبَعَ عَشْرَةَ سَنَةً وَ مُنْتَهَى طُولِهِ لِاثْنَتَيْنِ وَ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةً وَ مُنْتَهَى عَقْلِهِ لِثَمَانٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةً إِلَّا التَّجَارِبَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has stated this Hadith. ‘Children’s milk teeth are replaced in seven years. They must be instructed to perform Salat (prayer) at the age of nine years, their bed must be separated at the age of ten, they experience wet dream at the age of fourteen, their growth in length stops at the age of twen

إِنَّا نَأْمُرُ الصِّبْيَانَ أَنْ يَجْمَعُوا بَيْنَ الصَّلَاتَيْنِ الْأُولَى وَ الْعَصْرِ وَ بَيْنَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَ الْعِشَاءِ الْآخِرَةِ مَا دَامُوا عَلَى وُضُوءٍ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَشْتَغِلُوا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘We instruct children to perform two Salat (prayer) together, one Salat (prayer) soon after the other, like al-Zuhr and al-‘Asr, al-Maghrib and al-‘Isha ’ as long as they have valid wudu before they get busy.’”

صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِالنَّاسِ الظُّهْرَ فَخَفَّفَ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ قَالَ لَهُ النَّاسُ هَلْ حَدَثَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ حَدَثٌ قَالَ وَ مَا ذَاكَ قَالُوا خَفَّفْتَ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ لَهُمْ أَمَا سَمِعْتُمْ صُرَاخَ الصَّبِيِّ.

“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, once performed Salat (prayer) of al-Zuhr with people and made the two last Rak’at light. When he (the Messenger of Allah) completed, people asked if something has

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ بَعْضُ وُلْدِهِ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَ يُقَدِّمُ بَعْضَ وُلْدِهِ عَلَى بَعْضٍ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قَدْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع نَحَلَ مُحَمَّداً وَ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع نَحَلَ أَحْمَدَ شَيْئاً فَقُمْتُ أَنَا بِهِ حَتَّى حُزْتُهُ لَهُ‌[1] فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ بَنَاتُهُ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ بَنِيهِ فَقَالَ الْ

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the case of a man who loves certain ones of his children more than others and gives preference to certain ones among them over the others. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), gave a present to Muhammad; so also did abu al- Hassan (a.s.), by gifting something to Ahmad a

كَانَتْ عِنْدِي امْرَأَةٌ تَصِفُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ وَ كَانَ أَبُوهَا كَذَلِكَ وَ كَانَتْ سَيِّئَةَ الْخُلُقِ فَكُنْتُ أَكْرَهُ طَلَاقَهَا لِمَعْرِفَتِي بِإِيمَانِهَا وَ إِيمَانِ أَبِيهَا فَلَقِيتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع وَ أَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ عَنْ طَلَاقِهَا فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ لِي إِلَيْكَ حَاجَةً فَتَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْهَا فَقَالَ ائْتِنِي غَداً صَلَاةَ الظُّهْرِ قَالَ فَلَمَّا صَل

“I had a wife who believed (in the divine authority of ‘ A’immah ) and so also was her father, but she had very bad moral behaviors and I did not like to divorce her because of her belief and the belief of her father. I met abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), and I wanted to ask him (the Imam) if divorcing her is proper saying

كُنْتُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَدَخَلَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع وَ لَمْ أُثْبِتْهُ فَسَأَلْتُ عَنْهُ فَأُخْبِرْتُ بِاسْمِهِ فَقُمْتُ إِلَيْهِ أَنَا وَ غَيْرِي فَاكْتَنَفْنَاهُ‌[1] فَسَلَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ مَا تَرَى فِي رَجُلٍ سَمَّى امْرَأَةً بِعَيْنِهَا وَ قَالَ يَوْمَ يَتَزَوَّجُهَا هِيَ طَالِقٌ ثَلَاثاً ثُمَّ بَدَا لَهُ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَهَا أَ يَصْلُحُ لَهُ‌ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا ال

“Once I was in the Masjid when Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, came in but I could not recognize him properly; so I asked about him and I was told about his name so others and I stood up for him, we surrounded him (the Imam) and offered him (the Imam) greeting of peace. A man then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep y

كُنْتُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَدَخَلَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع وَ لَمْ أُثْبِتْهُ وَ عَلَيْهِ عِمَامَةٌ سَوْدَاءُ قَدْ أَرْسَلَ طَرَفَيْهَا بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ لِرَجُلٍ قَرِيبِ الْمَجْلِسِ مِنِّي مَنْ هَذَا الشَّيْخُ فَقَالَ مَا لَكَ لَمْ تَسْأَلْنِي عَنْ أَحَدٍ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ غَيْرِ هَذَا الشَّيْخِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ لَمْ أَرَ أَحَداً دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ أَحْسَنَ هَيْئَةً فِي عَيْنِي مِنْ هَذَا الشَّيْخِ فَلِ

“Once I was in the Masjid when Ali ibn al-Husayn, Alayhi al-Salam, came and I could not recognize him. He (the Imam) had a black turban and he had allowed both ends of the turban to hang down between his two shoulders. I then asked a man sitting near me, ‘Who is this Shaykh?’ He asked, ‘Why did you not ask me about peo

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ طَلَّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ بَعْدَ مَا غَشِيَهَا بِشَهَادَةِ عَدْلَيْنِ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ هَذَا بِطَلَاقٍ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ- كَيْفَ طَلَاقُ السُّنَّةِ فَقَالَ يُطَلِّقُهَا إِذَا طَهُرَتْ مِنْ حَيْضِهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَغْشَاهَا بِشَاهِدَيْنِ عَدْلَيْنِ كَمَا قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ‌[1] فَإِنْ خَالَفَ ذَلِكَ رُدَّ إِلَى كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ فَ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who divorces his wife in the presence of two just witnesses after going to bed with her. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not a divorce,’ I then asked saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, how is divorce according to Sunnah ?’ He (the I

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ رَجُلٌ طَلَّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ عَلَى طُهْرٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ جِمَاعٍ بِشَهَادَةِ عَدْلَيْنِ فَقَالَ إِذَا دَخَلَتْ فِي الْحَيْضَةِ الثَّالِثَةِ فَقَدِ انْقَضَتْ عِدَّتُهَا وَ حَلَّتْ لِلْأَزْوَاجِ قُلْتُ لَهُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْعِرَاقِ يَرْوُونَ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ ص أَنَّهُ قَالَ هُوَ أَحَقُّ بِرَجْعَتِهَا مَا لَمْ تَغْتَسِلْ مِنَ الْحَيْضَةِ الثَّالِثَةِ فَقَالَ فَقَدْ كَذَبُوا.

“I once said to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, a man has divorced his wife in Hayd (menses)-free period, in the presence of two just witnesses before going to bed with her. He (the Imam) said, ‘When she experiences Hayd (menses) for the third time her waiting period is complete and she is lawful

سَمِعْتُ رَبِيعَةَ الرَّأْيِ يَقُولُ مِنْ رَأْيِي أَنَّ الْأَقْرَاءَ الَّتِي سَمَّى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي الْقُرْآنِ إِنَّمَا هُوَ الطُّهْرُ فِيمَا بَيْنَ الْحَيْضَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ كَذَبَ لَمْ يَقُلْهُ بِرَأْيِهِ وَ لَكِنَّهُ إِنَّمَا بَلَغَهُ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ ص فَقُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ أَ كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع يَقُولُ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّمَا الْقُرْءُ الطُّهْرُ يَقْرِي فِيهِ الدَّمَ فَيَجْمَعُهُ فَإِذَا جَاءَ الْ

‘It is my opinion that al-‘Iqra’ which Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has mentioned in the Quran is nothing but Hayd (menses)-free period between the two Hayd (menses).’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He has spoken a lie. It is not his opinion. In fact it has reached him from Ali (a.s.).’ I then said, ‘I pray to Allah to k

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَيْفَ صَارَتْ عِدَّةُ الْمُطَلَّقَةِ ثَلَاثَ حِيَضٍ أَوْ ثَلَاثَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَ صَارَتْ عِدَّةُ الْمُتَوَفَّى عَنْهَا زَوْجُهَا أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَ عَشْراً فَقَالَ أَمَّا عِدَّةُ الْمُطَلَّقَةِ ثَلَاثَةَ قُرُوءٍ فَلِاسْتِبْرَاءِ الرَّحِمِ مِنَ الْوَلَدِ وَ أَمَّا عِدَّةُ الْمُتَوَفَّى عَنْهَا زَوْجُهَا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ شَرَطَ لِلنِّسَاءِ شَرْطاً وَ شَرَطَ عَلَيْهِنَّ شَرْ

“I once asked abu Ja‘far, al-Thaniy (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, why is it that waiting period for a woman divorced three times, is three cycles of Hayd (menses) or three months, and the waiting period of a widow is four months and ten days? He (the Imam) said, ‘Waiting pe

سَأَلْتُ الْعَبْدَ الصَّالِحَ ع وَ هُوَ بِالْعُرَيْضِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي قَدْ تَزَوَّجْتُ امْرَأَةً وَ كَانَ تُحِبُّنِي فَتَزَوَّجْتُ عَلَيْهَا ابْنَةَ خَالِي وَ قَدْ كَانَ لِي مِنَ الْمَرْأَةِ وَلَدٌ فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَغْدَادَ فَطَلَّقْتُهَا وَاحِدَةً ثُمَّ رَاجَعْتُهَا ثُمَّ طَلَّقْتُهَا الثَّانِيَةَ ثُمَّ رَاجَعْتُهَا ثُمَّ خَرَجْتُ مِنْ عِنْدِهَا أُرِيدُ سَفَرِي هَذَا حَتَّى إِذَا كُنْتُ بِالْك

“I once asked Allah’s virtuous servant (a.s.), when he was in al-‘Arid, (name of a place) saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I married a woman who loved me. I then married the daughter of my maternal uncle and from the woman I had a son. I returned to Baghdad and divorced her once, then

إِنَّ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ قَالَتْ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لَا تَعْدِلُ وَ أَنْتَ نَبِيٌّ فَقَالَ تَرِبَتْ يَدَاكِ‌[1] إِذَا لَمْ أَعْدِلْ فَمَنْ يَعْدِلُ فَقَالَتْ دَعَوْتَ اللَّهَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لِيَقْطَعَ يَدَيَّ فَقَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ لَتَتْرَبَانِ فَقَالَتْ إِنَّكَ إِنْ طَلَّقْتَنَا وَجَدْنَا فِي قَوْمِنَا أَكْفَاءَنَا فَاحْتَبَسَ الْوَحْيُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص تِسْعاً وَ عِشْرِينَ لَيْلَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that once Zaynab bint Jahash said to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, ‘You are not fair and you are the Prophet.’ He (the Messenger of Allah) replied, ‘May your hands become soiled, ‘If I am not fair then

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُصَلِّي الصَّلَاةَ أَوْ يَتَوَضَّأُ فَيَشُكُّ فِيهَا بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَيَقُولُ إِنْ أَعَدْتُ الصَّلَاةَ أَوْ أَعَدْتُ الْوُضُوءَ فَامْرَأَتُهُ عَلَيْهِ كَظَهْرِ أُمِّهِ وَ يَحْلِفُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ بِالطَّلَاقِ فَقَالَ هَذَا مِنْ‌ خُطُواتِ الشَّيْطانِ* لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

‘If I repeat my Salat (prayer) or wudu (because of doubts), then my wife will be like the back of my mother and swears for it about divorce.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is of the misdeeds of Satan. He does not owe anything because of it.’”

كَتَبَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع‌ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ بَعْضَ مَوَالِيكَ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا تَكَلَّمَ بِالظِّهَارِ وَجَبَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْكَفَّارَةُ حَنِثَ أَوْ لَمْ يَحْنَثْ وَ يَقُولُ حِنْثُهُ كَلَامُهُ بِالظِّهَارِ وَ إِنَّمَا جُعِلَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْكَفَّارَةُ عُقُوبَةً لِكَلَامٍ وَ بَعْضُهُمْ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّ الْكَفَّارَةَ لَا تَلْزَمُهُ حَتَّى يَحْنَثَ فِي الشَّيْ‌ءِ الَّذِي ح

“‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad once wrote to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, certain ones of your followers think that if a man speaks the statement of al-Zihar, then expiation becomes due, violating the swearing or not. They say that its sinfulness and violation is i

قَرَأْتُ عِتْقَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَإِذَا هُوَ شَرْحُهُ هَذَا مَا أَعْتَقَ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ أَعْتَقَ فُلَاناً غُلَامَهُ لِوَجْهِ اللَّهِ لَا يُرِيدُ بِهِ‌ جَزاءً وَ لا شُكُوراً عَلَى أَنْ يُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةَ وَ يُؤْتِيَ الزَّكَاةَ وَ يَحُجَّ الْبَيْتَ وَ يَصُومَ شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ وَ يَتَوَلَّى أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ وَ يَتَبَرَّأَ مِنْ أَعْدَاءِ اللَّهِ شَهِدَ فُلَانٌ وَ فُلَانٌ وَ فُلَانٌ ثَلَاثَةٌ.

Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, from Al Husayn Bin Saeed, from Ibrahim Bin Abu Al Balaad who said, ‘I read the emancipation (deed) of Abu Abdullah asws , for its starting was – ‘This is what Ja’far asws Bin Muhammad asws has emancipated, an emancipation of so and so slave of his asws for the Face of Allah

ثَلَاثَةٌ لَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُمْ صَلَاةً أَحَدُهُمُ الْعَبْدُ الْآبِقُ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ إِلَى مَوْلَاهُ.

Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, from Muhammad Bin Khalid, and Al Husayn Bin Saeed altogether, from Al Qasim Bin Urwa, from Abdul Hameed, from Muhammad Bin Muslim, (It has been narrated) from Abu Ja’far asws having said: ‘Three (people) Allah azwj Mighty and Majestic will not Accept their Prayers – one of t

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا تَقُولُ فِي حَيَّةٍ ابْتَلَعَتْ سَمَكَةً ثُمَّ طَرَحَتْهَا وَ هِيَ حَيَّةٌ تَضْطَرِبُ أَ فَآكُلُهَا- فَقَالَ ع إِنْ كَانَتْ فُلُوسُهَا قَدْ تَسَلَّخَتْ فَلَا تَأْكُلْهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ لَمْ تَتَسَلَّخْ فَكُلْهَا.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. What do you say about a snake that has swallowed a fish then has thrown it out and it still is alive and struggling; if it can be used for food. He (the Imam) said, ‘If its scales are peeled off then do not use it for food

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ نَهَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَنْ يَتَصَيَّدَ الرَّجُلُ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ قَبْلَ الصَّلَاةِ وَ كَانَ ع يَمُرُّ بِالسَّمَّاكِينَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فَيَنْهَاهُمْ عَنْ أَنْ يَتَصَيَّدُوا مِنَ السَّمَكِ- يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ قَبْلَ الصَّلَاةِ[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin prohibited a man’s fishing on Fridays before Salat (prayer). He (a.s.), would go to the fish market on Fridays and prohibit them from fishing on Fridays before Friday Salat (prayer).”’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الْحِيتَانُ مَا يُؤْكَلُ مِنْهَا فَقَالَ مَا كَانَ لَهُ قِشْرٌ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا تَقُولُ فِي الْكَنْعَتِ‌[2] فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِأَكْلِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ فَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ قِشْرٌ فَقَالَ لِي بَلَى وَ لَكِنَّهَا سَمَكَةٌ سَيِّئَةُ الْخُلُقِ تَحْتَكُّ بِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ إِذَا نَظَرْتَ فِي أَصْلِ أُذُنِهَا وَجَدْتَ لَهَا قِشْراً.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ’I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, of fish which kind is edible?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘The kind of fish that has scales is edible.’ I then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what do you say about al-Kan‘at (a kind of f

خَرَجْنَا بِسَمَكٍ نَتَلَقَّى بِهِ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع وَ قَدْ خَرَجْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ وَ قَدْ قَدِمَ هُوَ مِنْ سَفَرٍ لَهُ‌[1] فَقَالَ وَيْحَكَ يَا فُلَانُ لَعَلَّ مَعَكَ سَمَكاً فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ يَا سَيِّدِي جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ انْزِلُوا ثُمَّ قَالَ وَيْحَكَ لَعَلَّهُ زَهْوٌ قَالَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَأَرَيْتُهُ فَقَالَ ارْكَبُوا لَا حَاجَةَ لَنَا فِيهِ وَ الزَّهْوُ سَمَكٌ لَيْسَ لَهُ قِشْرٌ.

10. Abu Ali al-Ash‘ariy has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Ali from his uncle Muhammad ibn Sulayman ibn Ja‘far who has said the following: “Ishaq, fisherman, narrated to me the following, ‘Once we went out with fish to meet abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.). We went out of al-Madinah and he (the Imam) was coming from his jou

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الطَّيْرُ يَقَعُ عَلَى الدَّارِ فَيُؤْخَذُ أَ حَلَالٌ هُوَ أَمْ حَرَامٌ لِمَنْ أَخَذَهُ فَقَالَ يَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ عَافٍ أَمْ غَيْرُ عَافٍ‌[1] قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا الْعَافِي قَالَ الْمُسْتَوِي جَنَاحَاهُ الْمَالِكُ جَنَاحَيْهِ يَذْهَبُ حَيْثُ شَاءَ قَالَ هُوَ لِمَنْ أَخَذَهُ حَلَالٌ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, if a bird is trapped in the house and it is taken, is taking it lawful or unlawful. He (the Imam) asked, ‘O ’Isma‘il is it healthy or it is not healthy and free ? 5 I then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ جَاءَهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ السَّلَامِ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ يَقُولُ لَكَ جَدِّي إِنَّ رَجُلًا ضَرَبَ بَقَرَةً بِفَأْسٍ فَسَقَطَتْ ثُمَّ ذَبَحَهَا فَلَمْ يُرْسِلْ مَعَهُ بِالْجَوَابِ وَ دَعَا سَعِيدَةَ مَوْلَاةَ أُمِّ فَرْوَةَ فَقَالَ لَهَا إِنَّ مُحَمَّداً أَتَانِي بِرِسَالَةٍ مِنْكِ فَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْكِ بِالْجَوَابِ مَعَهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ الرَّجُلُ الَّذ

“Once I was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Salam came. I said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. My grandfather asks you about the case of a man who has hit a cow with a hammer and it has fallen down, then he has slaughtered it.’ He (the Imam) did not send the answer but

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَكْرَهُ الذَّبْحَ وَ إِرَاقَةَ الدَّمِ- يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ قَبْلَ الصَّلَاةِ إِلَّا عَنْ ضَرُورَةٍ.

“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, disliked slaughtering (animals) and spilling blood on Fridays before Salat (prayer) except in the case of an emergency.’”

سَمِعْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ لِغِلْمَانِهِ‌ لَا تَذْبَحُوا حَتَّى يَطْلُعَ الْفَجْرُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ‌ جَعَلَ اللَّيْلَ سَكَناً لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَإِنْ خِفْنَا فَقَالَ ع إِنْ خِفْتَ الْمَوْتَ فَاذْبَحْ.

‘Do not slaughter any animal before it is dawn because Allah has made the night for everything to rest.’ I then asked him (the Imam) saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what happens if we are afraid?’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘If you are afraid of death then you can slaughter.’”

قَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ إِنَّ لَنَا جَاراً قَصَّاباً فَيَجِي‌ءُ بِيَهُودِيٍّ فَيَذْبَحُ لَهُ حَتَّى يَشْتَرِيَ مِنْهُ الْيَهُودُ فَقَالَ لَا تَأْكُلْ مِنْ ذَبِيحَتِهِ وَ لَا تَشْتَرِ مِنْهُ.

“Once a man said to ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, we have a neighbor who is a butcher and he brings Jews who slaughter for him so that Jews can buy from him.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Do not use for food what he sells and do not buy from him.’”

دَخَلْنَا عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَا وَ أَبِي فَقُلْنَا لَهُ جَعَلَنَا اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ لَنَا خُلَطَاءَ مِنَ النَّصَارَى وَ إِنَّا نَأْتِيهِمْ فَيَذْبَحُونَ لَنَا الدَّجَاجَ وَ الْفِرَاخَ وَ الْجِدَاءَ[1] أَ فَنَأْكُلُهَا قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا تَأْكُلُوهَا وَ لَا تَقْرَبُوهَا فَإِنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ عَلَى ذَبَائِحِهِمْ مَا لَا أُحِبُّ لَكُمْ أَكْلَهَا قَالَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا الْكُوفَةَ دَعَانَا بَعْضُهُمْ فَ

“Once my father and I visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and said, ‘We pray to Allah to keep our souls in service for your cause, we have Christian associates and they slaughter for us chickens and goats; if we can eat thereof. He (the Imam) said, ‘Do not eat and do not get close to it; what they say on it is something bec

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَخْبِرْنِي جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لِمَ حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى الْخَمْرَ وَ الْمَيْتَةَ وَ الدَّمَ وَ لَحْمَ الْخِنْزِيرِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى لَمْ يُحَرِّمْ ذَلِكَ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ وَ أَحَلَّ لَهُمْ سِوَاهُ رَغْبَةً مِنْهُ فِيمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ لَا زُهْداً فِيمَا أَحَلَّ لَهُمْ وَ لَكِنَّهُ خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ وَ عَلِمَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا تَقُومُ ب

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, why has Allah, most Blessed, most High, made wine, dead animals, blood and the flesh of pigs unlawful?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Allah, who is free of all defects, the most High has not made such things unlawful for His