The Book on Dying People

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ع يَزُورُ الْمُؤْمِنُ أَهْلَهُ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَقُلْتُ فِي كَمْ قَالَ عَلَى قَدْرِ فَضَائِلِهِمْ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَزُورُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَزُورُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمَيْنِ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَزُورُ فِي كُلِّ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ قَالَ ثُمَّ رَأَيْتُ فِي مَجْرَى كَلَامِهِ أَنَّهُ يَقُولُ أَدْنَاهُمْ مَنْزِلَةً يَزُورُ كُلَّ جُمْعَةٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ فِي أَيِّ سَاعَةٍ قَالَ عِنْدَ

“I asked abu al-Hassan al-Awwal (a.s.), ‘Does a believing deceased person visit his family?’ He replied, ‘Yes, he does.’ I then asked, ‘How often does he visit them?’ He replied, ‘It depends upon their merits. Certain ones among them visit every day, others visit every other day, and still others among them visit after

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ إِنَّ ابْنَ آدَمَ إِذَا كَانَ فِي آخِرِ يَوْمٍ مِنْ أَيَّامِ الدُّنْيَا وَ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ مِنْ أَيَّامِ الْآخِرَةِ مُثِّلَ لَهُ مَالُهُ وَ وَلَدُهُ وَ عَمَلُهُ فَيَلْتَفِتُ إِلَى مَالِهِ فَيَقُولُ وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي كُنْتُ عَلَيْكَ حَرِيصاً شَحِيحاً[1] فَمَا لِي عِنْدَكَ فَيَقُولُ خُذْ مِنِّي كَفَنَكَ قَالَ فَيَلْتَفِتُ إِلَى وَلَدِهِ فَيَقُولُ وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي كُنْتُ لَكُمْ مُحِبّاً و

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘When a child of Adam finds himself in the first day of his next life and the last day of his worldly life, his property, children and deeds are pictured before him. He then turns to his property and says, “By Allah, I was very greedy and stingy about you. In what ways can you help m

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا حُمِلَ عَدُوُّ اللَّهِ إِلَى قَبْرِهِ نَادَى حَمَلَتَهُ أَ لَا تَسْمَعُونَ يَا إِخْوَتَاهْ أَنِّي أَشْكُو إِلَيْكُمْ مَا وَقَعَ فِيهِ أَخُوكُمُ الشَّقِيُّ أَنَّ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ خَدَعَنِي‌[2] فَأَوْرَدَنِي ثُمَّ لَمْ يُصْدِرْنِي وَ أَقْسَمَ لِي أَنَّهُ نَاصِحٌ لِي فَغَشَّنِي وَ أَشْكُو إِلَيْكُمْ دُنْيَا غَرَّتْنِي حَتَّى إِذَا اطْمَأْنَنْتُ إِلَيْهَا صَرَعَتْنِي وَ أَشْكُو إِلَيْكُمْ أَ

“The Messenger of Allah has said that when an enemy of Allah is taken to his grave, he keeps saying to those who carry his coffin, ‘Why do you not listen to me, O my brethren, I complain before you about what has happened to me, one of your wicked brethren. The enemy of Allah (Satan) deceived me. He placed me in troubl

وَ كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَبْكِي إِذَا ذَكَرَ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ.

“He continues pleading (and crying) until he is placed in his grave. When he is placed in his grave, his spirit is then returned to his body and the two angels come to his grave and examine him.” “The narrator has that abu Ja‘far (a.s.), would weep whenever this Hadith was mentioned.”

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ مَا نَدْرِي كَيْفَ نَصْنَعُ بِالنَّاسِ إِنْ حَدَّثْنَاهُمْ بِمَا سَمِعْنَا مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص ضَحِكُوا وَ إِنْ سَكَتْنَا لَمْ يَسَعْنَا قَالَ فَقَالَ ضَمْرَةُ بْنُ مَعْبَدٍ[3] حَدِّثْنَا فَقَالَ هَلْ تَدْرُونَ مَا يَقُولُ عَدُوُّ اللَّهِ إِذَا حُمِلَ عَلَى سَرِيرِهِ قَالَ فَقُلْنَا لَا قَالَ فَإِنَّهُ يَقُولُ لِحَمَلَتِهِ أَ لَا تَسْمَعُونَ أَنِّي أَشْكُو إِلَيْكُمْ عَدُوَّ اللَّ

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), has said, ‘We do not know how to deal with people. If we tell them that we have heard (such and such Hadith) from the Messenger of Allah, they laugh, and to remain silent (to neglect our mission) is not possible for us.’ The narrator has said that Damrah ibn Ma‘bad then said, ‘You then should

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا يُسْأَلُ فِي الْقَبْرِ إِلَّا مَنْ مَحَضَ الْإِيمَانَ مَحْضاً أَوْ مَحَضَ الْكُفْرَ مَحْضاً وَ الْآخَرُونَ يُلْهَوْنَ عَنْهُمْ‌[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘No one is interrogated in the grave except those whose faith and belief is pure or those whose disbelief is total, others, besides these, are left alone.”’

إِنَّمَا يُسْأَلُ فِي قَبْرِهِ مَنْ مَحَضَ الْإِيمَانَ مَحْضاً وَ الْكُفْرَ مَحْضاً وَ أَمَّا مَا سِوَى ذَلِكَ فَيُلْهَى عَنْهُمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the only people who are interrogated in the grave are those whose belief or disbelief is absolute and total, and people other than these are left alone.”

إِنَّمَا يُسْأَلُ فِي قَبْرِهِ مَنْ مَحَضَ الْإِيمَانَ مَحْضاً وَ الْكُفْرَ مَحْضاً وَ أَمَّا مَا سِوَى ذَلِكَ فَيُلْهَى عَنْهُ.[4]

the only ones interrogated in the grave are those whose belief or disbelief is absolute and total, and people other than such ones are left alone.”

أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا يُسْأَلُ فِي الْقَبْرِ إِلَّا مَنْ مَحَضَ الْإِيمَانَ مَحْضاً أَوْ مَحَضَ الْكُفْرَ مَحْضاً.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The only ones interrogated in the grave are those whose belief or disbelief is absolute and total.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يُسْأَلُ وَ هُوَ مَضْغُوطٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a person is interrogated in the grave while he is pressed hard from all sides.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ يُفْلِتُ‌[1] مِنْ ضَغْطَةِ الْقَبْرِ أَحَدٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ نَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْهَا مَا أَقَلَّ مَنْ يُفْلِتُ مِنْ ضَغْطَةِ الْقَبْرِ إِنَّ رُقَيَّةَ لَمَّا قَتَلَهَا عُثْمَانُ وَقَفَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَلَى قَبْرِهَا فَرَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَدَمَعَتْ عَيْنَاهُ وَ قَالَ لِلنَّاسِ إِنِّي ذَكَرْتُ هَذِهِ وَ مَا لَقِيَتْ فَرَقَقْتُ لَهَا وَ اسْتَوْهَبْتُهَا مِنْ ضَمَّةِ الْ

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Can anyone remain safe from the pressure of the grave?’ The Imam said, ‘I seek protection against it from Allah. How few are those who remain safe from the pressure in the grave! When Ruqiyyah was murdered by Uthman. The Messenger of Allah stood on her grave and raised his head toward t

يَجِي‌ءُ الْمَلَكَانِ- مُنْكَرٌ وَ نَكِيرٌ إِلَى الْمَيِّتِ حِينَ يُدْفَنُ أَصْوَاتُهُمَا كَالرَّعْدِ الْقَاصِفِ وَ أَبْصَارُهُمَا كَالْبَرْقِ الْخَاطِفِ يَخُطَّانِ الْأَرْضَ‌[4] بِأَنْيَابِهِمَا وَ يَطَئَانِ‌[5] فِي شُعُورِهِمَا فَيَسْأَلَانِ الْمَيِّتَ مَنْ رَبُّكَ- وَ مَا دِينُكَ قَالَ فَإِذَا كَانَ مُؤْمِناً قَالَ اللَّهُ رَبِّي وَ دِينِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ فَيَقُولَانِ لَهُ مَا تَقُولُ فِي هَذَا الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي خَر

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the two interrogating angels (Munkar and Nakir) will come to the person who is just buried. Their voice sounds like thunder, their eyes like swift lightening, tearing the earth with their incisors, they strike the earth with their hairs and ask the deceased, ’Who is your Lord and w

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ مَنِ الْمَسْئُولُونَ فِي قُبُورِهِمْ قَالَ مَنْ مَحَضَ الْإِيمَانَ وَ مَنْ مَحَضَ الْكُفْرَ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَبَقِيَّةُ هَذَا الْخَلْقِ قَالَ يُلْهَى وَ اللَّهِ عَنْهُمْ مَا يُعْبَأُ بِهِمْ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ عَمَّ يُسْأَلُونَ قَالَ عَنِ الْحُجَّةِ الْقَائِمَةِ بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِكُمْ فَيُقَالُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ مَا تَقُولُ فِي فُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانٍ فَيَقُولُ ذَاكَ إِمَامِي فَيُقَالُ نَمْ

“I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), ’May Allah grant you well being, who are interrogated in the grave?’ The Imam replied, ‘The only ones interrogated in the grave are those whose belief or disbelief is absolute and total.’ The narrator has said that I then asked, ‘What about the rest of these creatures?’ The Imam replied, ‘Th

أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ يُسْأَلُ الرَّجُلُ فِي قَبْرِهِ فَإِذَا أَثْبَتَ فُسِحَ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ سَبْعَةَ أَذْرُعٍ وَ فُتِحَ لَهُ بَابٌ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَ قِيلَ لَهُ نَمْ نَوْمَةَ الْعَرُوسِ قَرِيرَ الْعَيْنِ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say that a man is interrogated in his grave. If he remains steadfast (in his belief), his grave is then made spacious by nine yards, a door to paradise is then opened for him and it is said to him, ‘Rest to sleep like a newly wedded person with delightful heart.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا وُضِعَ الرَّجُلُ فِي قَبْرِهِ أَتَاهُ مَلَكَانِ مَلَكٌ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ مَلَكٌ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ وَ أُقِيمَ الشَّيْطَانُ بَيْنَ عَيْنَيْهِ عَيْنَاهُ مِنْ نُحَاسٍ‌[1] فَيُقَالُ لَهُ كَيْفَ تَقُولُ فِي الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي كَانَ بَيْنَ ظَهْرَانَيْكُمْ قَالَ فَيَفْزَعُ لَهُ فَزْعَةً فَيَقُولُ إِذَا كَانَ مُؤْمِناً أَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص تَسْأَلَانِي فَيَقُولَانِ لَه

”1 heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘When a person is placed in his grave, two angels come to him, one from the right, the other from the left, and Satan whose eyes are made of brass stands before his eyes. The two angels will ask, “What do you say about the man who lived among you?’” The Imam then said, ‘This causes

يُقَالُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ فِي قَبْرِهِ مَنْ رَبُّكَ قَالَ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ مَا دِينُكَ فَيَقُولُ الْإِسْلَامُ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ مَنْ نَبِيُّكَ فَيَقُولُ مُحَمَّدٌ فَيُقَالُ مَنْ إِمَامُكَ فَيَقُولُ فُلَانٌ فَيُقَالُ كَيْفَ عَلِمْتَ بِذَلِكَ فَيَقُولُ أَمْرٌ هَدَانِي اللَّهُ لَهُ وَ ثَبَّتَنِي عَلَيْهِ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ نَمْ نَوْمَةً لَا حُلُمَ فِيهَا نَوْمَةَ الْعَرُوسِ ثُمَّ يُفْتَحُ لَهُ بَابٌ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ

“Abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.), has said, that a believing person in his grave will be asked, ‘Who is your Lord?’ He will reply, ‘Allah is my Lord.’ He is then asked, ‘What is your religion?’ He will reply, ‘Islam is my religion.’ He is then asked, ‘Who is your prophet?’ He will reply, ‘Muhammad is my prophet.’ He is then

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ إِذَا أُخْرِجَ مِنْ بَيْتِهِ شَيَّعَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ إِلَى قَبْرِهِ يَزْدَحِمُونَ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى إِذَا انْتَهَى بِهِ إِلَى قَبْرِهِ قَالَتْ لَهُ الْأَرْضُ مَرْحَباً بِكَ وَ أَهْلًا أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ كُنْتُ أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَمْشِيَ عَلَيَّ مِثْلُكَ لَتَرَيَنَّ مَا أَصْنَعُ بِكَ فَتَوَسَّعُ لَهُ مَدَّ بَصَرِهِ وَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَيْهِ فِي قَبْرِهِ مَلَكَا الْقَبْرِ وَ هُمَا قَعِيدَا الْقَبْرِ مُنْك

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when a believing person is taken out of his home, the angels escort him to his grave in a crowded manner until they arrive on his grave. The earth then says to him, ‘You are most welcome. By Allah, I loved that people like you walk on me. You will see what I will do for you.’ His g

إِذَا دَخَلَ الْمُؤْمِنُ قَبْرَهُ كَانَتِ الصَّلَاةُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ الزَّكَاةُ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ وَ الْبِرُّ يُطِلُّ عَلَيْهِ‌[6] وَ يَتَنَحَّى الصَّبْرُ نَاحِيَةً وَ إِذَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْمَلَكَانِ اللَّذَانِ يَلِيَانِ مُسَاءَلَتَهُ قَالَ الصَّبْرُ لِلصَّلَاةِ وَ الزَّكَاةِ دُونَكُمَا صَاحِبَكُمْ فَإِنْ عَجَزْتُمْ عَنْهُ فَأَنَا دُونَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when a believing person is placed in his grave, his prayer appears on his right side, Zakat (his paying charity) on his left side, his good manners above him and his patience stands on one side. When the angels, who interrogate him, enter his grave, his patience will say to his pra

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا وُضِعَ الْمَيِّتُ فِي قَبْرِهِ مُثِّلَ لَهُ شَخْصٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا هَذَا كُنَّا ثَلَاثَةً كَانَ رِزْقَكَ فَانْقَطَعَ بِانْقِطَاعِ أَجَلِكَ وَ كَانَ أَهْلَكَ فَخَلَّفُوكَ وَ انْصَرَفُوا عَنْكَ وَ كُنْتُ عَمَلَكَ فَبَقِيتُ مَعَكَ أَمَا إِنِّي كُنْتُ أَهْوَنَ الثَّلَاثَةِ عَلَيْكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When a deceased person is placed in his grave, someone appears before him and says, “O so and so, there were three of us. One was your means of sustenance that is no more because of the coming of the time of your death. The other one was your family who left you and has returned home.

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يُسْأَلُ الْمَيِّتُ فِي قَبْرِهِ عَنْ خَمْسٍ عَنْ صَلَاتِهِ وَ زَكَاتِهِ وَ حَجِّهِ وَ صِيَامِهِ وَ وَلَايَتِهِ إِيَّانَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فَتَقُولُ الْوَلَايَةُ مِنْ جَانِبِ الْقَبْرِ لِلْأَرْبَعِ مَا دَخَلَ فِيكُنَّ مِنْ نَقْصٍ فَعَلَيَّ تَمَامُهُ.

15. It is narrated from him (narrator of the above Hadith) from his father in a marfu‘ manner who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that a deceased is asked in his grave about five issues. He is asked about his prayer, Zakat (paying charity), his Hajj, his fasting and about our, Ahl al

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] عَنِ الْمَصْلُوبِ يُعَذَّبُ عَذَابَ الْقَبْرِ قَالَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَأْمُرُ الْهَوَاءَ أَنْ يَضْغَطَهُ.

“I asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about one who dies because of being hanged, ’Is such a person punished in the form of the pressure of the grave?’ He replied, ’Yes, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, sends the air to place huge pressures on him.’”

إِنَّ رَبَّ الْأَرْضِ هُوَ رَبُّ الْهَوَاءِ فَيُوحِي اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى الْهَوَاءِ فَيَضْغَطُهُ ضَغْطَةً أَشَدَّ مِنْ ضَغْطَةِ الْقَبْرِ.

The Imam said, ‘The Lord of the earth is also the Lord of the air. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, inspires the air and it applies a pressure on the deceased which is greater than the pressure in the grave.’”

لَمَّا مَاتَتْ رُقَيَّةُ ابْنَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْحَقِي بِسَلَفِنَا الصَّالِحِ- عُثْمَانَ بْنِ مَظْعُونٍ وَ أَصْحَابِهِ قَالَ وَ فَاطِمَةُ ع عَلَى شَفِيرِ الْقَبْرِ تَنْحَدِرُ دُمُوعُهَا فِي الْقَبْرِ وَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَتَلَقَّاهُ بِثَوْبِهِ‌[2] قَائِماً يَدْعُو قَالَ إِنِّي لَأَعْرِفُ ضَعْفَهَا وَ سَأَلْتُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يُجِيرَهَا مِنْ ضَمَّةِ الْقَبْرِ.

“When Ruqayyah, daughter of the Messenger of Allah passed away, the Messenger of Allah said, ’You now join the people of good deeds of our predecessors like ’Uthman ibn Madh'un and his friends.’ The Imam said, "Fatimah (AS) stood on the edge of the grave with her tears falling into the grave, and the Messenger of Allah

مَا مِنْ مَوْضِعِ قَبْرٍ إِلَّا وَ هُوَ يَنْطِقُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ أَنَا بَيْتُ التُّرَابِ أَنَا بَيْتُ الْبَلَاءِ أَنَا بَيْتُ الدُّودِ قَالَ فَإِذَا دَخَلَهُ عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ قَالَ مَرْحَباً وَ أَهْلًا أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ كُنْتُ أُحِبُّكَ وَ أَنْتَ تَمْشِي عَلَى ظَهْرِي فَكَيْفَ إِذَا دَخَلْتَ بَطْنِي فَسَتَرَى ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَيُفْسَحُ لَهُ مَدَّ الْبَصَرِ وَ يُفْتَحُ لَهُ بَابٌ يَرَى مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that every gravesite speaks three times every day, ‘I am the house of soil, I am the house of misfortune and I am the house of worms.’ The Imam then said, ‘When a believing person enters the grave it says, “You are most welcome. By Allah I loved you when you walked on me. Why then shoul

إِنَّ لِلْقَبْرِ كَلَاماً فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ يَقُولُ أَنَا بَيْتُ الْغُرْبَةِ أَنَا بَيْتُ الْوَحْشَةِ أَنَا بَيْتُ الدُّودِ أَنَا الْقَبْرُ أَنَا رَوْضَةٌ مِنْ رِيَاضِ الْجَنَّةِ أَوْ حُفْرَةٌ مِنْ حُفَرِ النَّارِ.

‘I am the house of loneliness. I am the terrifying house and I am the house of worms. I am the grave. I can be a garden of the gardens of paradise or a pit of the pits of hell.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي سَمِعْتُكَ وَ أَنْتَ تَقُولُ كُلُّ شِيعَتِنَا فِي الْجَنَّةِ عَلَى مَا كَانَ فِيهِمْ قَالَ صَدَقْتُكَ كُلُّهُمْ وَ اللَّهِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ الذُّنُوبَ كَثِيرَةٌ كِبَارٌ فَقَالَ أَمَّا فِي الْقِيَامَةِ فَكُلُّكُمْ فِي الْجَنَّةِ بِشَفَاعَةِ النَّبِيِّ الْمُطَاعِ أَوْ وَصِيِّ النَّبِيِّ وَ لَكِنِّي وَ اللَّهِ أَتَخَوَّفُ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الْبَرْزَخِ

“I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I have heard you say, “All of our Shi‘ah will be in paradise just as they are.’” He said, ‘I have told you the truth. All of them, by Allah, will be in paradise.’ The narrator has said that I then said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in your service, the sins are many and the major ones.’ He

خَرَجْتُ مَعَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِلَى الظَّهْرِ[2] فَوَقَفَ بِوَادِي السَّلَامِ كَأَنَّهُ مُخَاطِبٌ لِأَقْوَامٍ فَقُمْتُ بِقِيَامِهِ حَتَّى أَعْيَيْتُ ثُمَّ جَلَسْتُ حَتَّى مَلِلْتُ ثُمَّ قُمْتُ حَتَّى نَالَنِي مِثْلُ مَا نَالَنِي أَوَّلًا ثُمَّ جَلَسْتُ حَتَّى مَلِلْتُ ثُمَّ قُمْتُ وَ جَمَعْتُ رِدَائِي فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنِّي قَدْ أَشْفَقْتُ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ طُولِ الْقِيَامِ فَرَاحَةَ سَاعَةٍ[

“Once I went out along with ’Amir al-Mu’minin toward the backside of the city of Kufah. He stood on Wadiy al-Salam (valley of peace). He seemed like speaking to certain people. I stood as he was until I became tired. I then sat down until I became bored. I then stood up until I began to feel as it happened before. I th

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ أَخِي بِبَغْدَادَ وَ أَخَافُ أَنْ يَمُوتَ بِهَا فَقَالَ مَا تُبَالِي حَيْثُمَا مَاتَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَا يَبْقَى مُؤْمِنٌ فِي شَرْقِ الْأَرْضِ وَ غَرْبِهَا إِلَّا حَشَرَ اللَّهُ رُوحَهُ إِلَى وَادِي السَّلَامِ قُلْتُ لَهُ وَ أَيْنَ وَادِي السَّلَامِ قَالَ ظَهْرُ الْكُوفَةِ أَمَا إِنِّي كَأَنِّي بِهِمْ حَلَقٌ حَلَقٌ قُعُودٌ يَتَحَدَّثُونَ.

“I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘My brother is in Baghdad and I am afraid that he may die there.’ He said, ‘Why should you worry about wherever he dies? Indeed, Allah sends to Wadi al- Salam the soul of every believing person who dies in the east or west of the earth.’ I then asked, ‘Where is Wadi al-Salam?’ ‘It is b

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ يَرْوُونَ أَنَّ أَرْوَاحَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي حَوَاصِلِ طُيُورٍ خُضْرٍ حَوْلَ الْعَرْشِ‌[1] فَقَالَ لَا الْمُؤْمِنُ أَكْرَمُ عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ رُوحَهُ فِي حَوْصَلَةِ طَيْرٍ وَ لَكِنْ فِي أَبْدَانٍ كَأَبْدَانِهِمْ.

“I asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ’May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, they narrate that the souls of the believing people are kept in the craw of green birds that live around the Throne.’ The Imam replied, ‘Believing people are very much respectable before Allah. He does not keep them in the craw of birds.

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ أَرْوَاحَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَفِي شَجَرَةٍ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ يَأْكُلُونَ مِنْ طَعَامِهَا وَ يَشْرَبُونَ مِنْ شَرَابِهَا وَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا أَقِمِ السَّاعَةَ لَنَا وَ أَنْجِزْ لَنَا مَا وَعَدْتَنَا وَ أَلْحِقْ آخِرَنَا بِأَوَّلِنَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The souls of the believing people are in a tree of paradise. They eat and drink of fruits and water thereof, and say, “O Lord, make the Day of Judgment to come for us, make what You had promised to come true and allow the last of us to join our first.’””

إِنَّ الْأَرْوَاحَ فِي صِفَةِ الْأَجْسَادِ فِي شَجَرَةٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ تَعَارَفُ وَ تَسَاءَلُ فَإِذَا قَدِمَتِ الرُّوحُ عَلَى الْأَرْوَاحِ يَقُولُ دَعُوهَا فَإِنَّهَا قَدْ أَفْلَتَتْ مِنْ هَوْلٍ عَظِيمٍ ثُمَّ يَسْأَلُونَهَا مَا فَعَلَ فُلَانٌ وَ مَا فَعَلَ فُلَانٌ فَإِنْ قَالَتْ لَهُمْ تَرَكْتُهُ حَيّاً ارْتَجَوْهُ وَ إِنْ قَالَتْ لَهُمْ قَدْ هَلَكَ قَالُوا قَدْ هَوَى هَوَى‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the souls (spirits) with the quality of body are in a tree in paradise where they get to know each other and ask questions. Whenever a new coming soul (spirit) joins them, they say, ‘Leave him alone. He has just experienced a huge terrifying experience.’ Then they ask him, ‘What is

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ أَرْوَاحِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَقَالَ فِي حُجُرَاتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ يَأْكُلُونَ مِنْ طَعَامِهَا وَ يَشْرَبُونَ مِنْ شَرَابِهَا وَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا أَقِمِ السَّاعَةَ لَنَا وَ أَنْجِزْ لَنَا مَا وَعَدْتَنَا وَ أَلْحِقْ آخِرَنَا بِأَوَّلِنَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the souls (spirits) of believing people. He said, ‘They are in chambers in paradise, they eat and drink thereof and say, “O Lord, make it the Day of Judgment, allow what You had promised us to come true and join the last of us with those who were first.’””

إِذَا مَاتَ الْمَيِّتُ اجْتَمَعُوا عِنْدَهُ يَسْأَلُونَهُ عَمَّنْ مَضَى‌ وَ عَمَّنْ بَقِيَ فَإِنْ كَانَ مَاتَ وَ لَمْ يَرِدْ عَلَيْهِمْ قَالُوا قَدْ هَوَى هَوَى وَ يَقُولُ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ دَعُوهُ حَتَّى يَسْكُنَ مِمَّا مَرَّ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when a dying person dies, other spirits gather around him and ask, ‘Who is still alive and who is dead?’ If someone is dead and has not joined them they say, ‘He then has fallen into the deep.’ Others among them say, ‘Leave him alone so he can gain comfort from what he has experien

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ مَا يَقُولُ النَّاسُ فِي أَرْوَاحِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَقُلْتُ يَقُولُونَ تَكُونُ فِي حَوَاصِلِ طُيُورٍ خُضْرٍ فِي قَنَادِيلَ تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْمُؤْمِنُ أَكْرَمُ عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ رُوحَهُ فِي حَوْصَلَةِ طَيْرٍ يَا يُونُسُ إِذَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ أَتَاهُ مُحَمَّدٌ ص وَ عَلِيٌّ وَ فَاطِمَةُ وَ الْحَسَنُ وَ الْحُسَيْنُ

’Once I was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and he asked, ‘What do people say about the spirits of the believers?’ I then replied, ‘They say that they live in the craws of green birds in chandlers in paradise under the Throne.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘Allah is free of all defects. A believer is highly respected

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّا نَتَحَدَّثُ عَنْ أَرْوَاحِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنَّهَا فِي حَوَاصِلِ طُيُورٍ خُضْرٍ تَرْعَى فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَ تَأْوِي إِلَى قَنَادِيلَ تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ فَقَالَ لَا إِذاً مَا هِيَ فِي حَوَاصِلِ طَيْرٍ قُلْتُ فَأَيْنَ هِيَ قَالَ فِي رَوْضَةٍ كَهَيْئَةِ الْأَجْسَادِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ.

“Once, I said to abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘We speak about the spirits of the believing people that they live in the craws of green birds that graze in paradise and seek shelter in chandlers under the Throne.’ He said, ‘No, they certainly are not in the craws of birds.’ I then asked, ‘Where are they then?’ He replied, ‘Th

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ أَرْوَاحِ الْمُشْرِكِينَ فَقَالَ فِي النَّارِ يُعَذَّبُونَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا لَا تُقِمْ لَنَا السَّاعَةَ وَ لَا تُنْجِزْ لَنَا مَا وَعَدْتَنَا وَ لَا تُلْحِقْ آخِرَنَا بِأَوَّلِنَا.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about the souls (spirits) of the pagans. He replied, ‘They are in the fire where they are punished. They say, “O Lord, do not make it the Day of Judgment for us. Do not allow what You have promised us to come true and do not join the last of us with our first.””’

إِنَّ أَرْوَاحَ الْكُفَّارِ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا لَا تُقِمْ لَنَا السَّاعَةَ وَ لَا تُنْجِزْ لَنَا مَا وَعَدْتَنَا وَ لَا تُلْحِقْ آخِرَنَا بِأَوَّلِنَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the souls (spirits) of the unbelievers are exposed to hellfire. They say, ‘O Lord, do not make any Day of Judgment for us. Do not allow what You have promised us to come true and do not join the last of us with our first ones.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ شَرُّ بِئْرٍ فِي النَّارِ بَرَهُوتُ‌[1] الَّذِي فِيهِ أَرْوَاحُ الْكُفَّارِ.

‘The worst well in the fire is the well of Barahut in which the souls (spirits) of unbelievers live.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ شَرُّ مَاءٍ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْأَرْضِ مَاءُ بَرَهُوتَ وَ هُوَ الَّذِي بِحَضْرَمَوْتَ تَرِدُهُ هَامُ الْكُفَّارِ[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah from his ancestors (a.s.), has narrated that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘The worst water on earth is the water of Barahut which is in Hadramawt where the souls (spirits) of unbelievers camp.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ شَرُّ الْيَهُودِ يَهُودُ بَيْسَانَ‌[3] وَ شَرُّ النَّصَارَى نَصَارَى نَجْرَانَ وَ خَيْرُ مَاءٍ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْأَرْضِ مَاءُ زَمْزَمَ وَ شَرُّ مَاءٍ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْأَرْضِ مَاءُ بَرَهُوتَ وَ هُوَ وَادٍ بِحَضْرَمَوْتَ يَرِدُ عَلَيْهِ هَامُ الْكُفَّارِ وَ صَدَاهُمْ.

‘The worst ones among Jews are the Jews of Baysan, the worst ones among Christians are the Christians of Najran. The best water on earth is the water of Zamzam and the worst water on earth is the water of Barahut and it is in the valley of Hadramawt where the souls and spirits of unbelievers camp.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع أَنَّ النَّاسَ يَذْكُرُونَ أَنَّ فُرَاتَنَا يَخْرُجُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ فَكَيْفَ هُوَ وَ هُوَ يُقْبِلُ مِنَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَ تُصَبُّ فِيهِ الْعُيُونُ وَ الْأَوْدِيَةُ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ- إِنَّ لِلَّهِ جَنَّةً خَلَقَهَا اللَّهُ فِي الْمَغْرِبِ وَ مَاءَ فُرَاتِكُمْ يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَ إِلَيْهَا تَخْرُجُ أَرْوَاحُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ حُفَرِهِمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسَاءٍ فَتَ

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad as well as Sahl ibn Ziyad and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father, all from ibn Mahbub from Ali ibn Ri’ab from Durays al-Kunasiy who has said the following: “I said to abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘People say that our Euphrates gushes forth from

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ جَنَّةِ آدَمَ ع فَقَالَ جَنَّةٌ مِنْ جِنَانِ الدُّنْيَا تَطْلُعُ فِيهَا الشَّمْسُ وَ الْقَمَرُ وَ لَوْ كَانَتْ مِنْ جِنَانِ الْآخِرَةِ مَا خَرَجَ مِنْهَا أَبَداً.

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the garden of Adam (a.s.). He said, ‘It was a garden of the gardens of the world on which the sun and moon rise. Had it been of the gardens of the hereafter, he would have never been expelled there from.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ هَلْ سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنِ الْأَطْفَالِ فَقَالَ قَدْ سُئِلَ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا كَانُوا عَامِلِينَ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا زُرَارَةُ هَلْ تَدْرِي قَوْلَهُ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا كَانُوا عَامِلِينَ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ لِلَّهِ فِيهِمُ الْمَشِيئَةُ إِنَّهُ إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ جَمَعَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْأَطْفَالَ وَ الَّذِي مَاتَ مِنَ النَّاسِ فِي الْفَتْرَةِ[1] وَ الشَّيْخَ الْكَبِير

“I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), ’Had the Messenger of Allah been asked about children?’ He said, ‘Indeed he was asked and he said, “Allah knows better about their deeds.’” The Imam then said, ‘O Zurarah, do you know His words, “Allah knows better of what they had been doing?”’ I replied, ‘I do not know.’ The Imam said, ‘Al

إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ جَمَعَهُمُ اللَّهُ وَ أَجَّجَ لَهُمْ نَاراً وَ أَمَرَهُمْ أَنْ يَطْرَحُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ فِيهَا فَمَنْ كَانَ فِي عِلْمِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنَّهُ سَعِيدٌ رَمَى بِنَفْسِهِ فِيهَا وَ كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ بَرْداً وَ سَلَاماً وَ مَنْ كَانَ فِي عِلْمِهِ أَنَّهُ شَقِيٌّ امْتَنَعَ فَيَأْمُرُ اللَّهُ بِهِمْ إِلَى النَّارِ فَيَقُولُونَ يَا رَبَّنَا تَأْمُرُ بِنَا إِلَى النَّارِ وَ لَمْ تُجْرِ عَ

“He (the Holy Prophet) was asked about the children and he replied, ‘On the Day of Judgment Allah will bring all of them together, light up for them a fire and command them to throw themselves in it. Those of them who are fortunate in the knowledge of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, throw themselves in the

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الْوِلْدَانِ فَقَالَ سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنِ الْوِلْدَانِ وَ الْأَطْفَالِ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا كَانُوا عَامِلِينَ.

‘The Messenger of Allah was asked about the children and infants, and he replied, “Allah knows best about what they had been doing.’””

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي الْأَطْفَالِ الَّذِينَ مَاتُوا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَبْلُغُوا فَقَالَ سُئِلَ عَنْهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا كَانُوا عَامِلِينَ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ يَا زُرَارَةُ هَلْ تَدْرِي مَا عَنَى بِذَلِكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا عَنَى كُفُّوا عَنْهُمْ وَ لَا تَقُولُوا فِيهِمْ شَيْئاً وَ رُدُّوا عِلْمَهُمْ إِلَى اللَّهِ.

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about children who die before maturity and he replied, ‘The Messenger of Allah was asked about them and he said, “Allah knows best about what they may do.’” Then he turned to me and said, ‘O Zurarah, do you know what the Messenger of Allah meant thereby?’ I said, ‘No, I do not know.’ He

فَقَالَ قَصَرَتِ الْأَبْنَاءُ عَنْ عَمَلِ الْآبَاءِ فَأَلْحَقُوا الْأَبْنَاءَ بِالْآبَاءِ لِتَقَرَّ بِذَلِكَ أَعْيُنُهُمْ.

‘The children even though may have had shortcomings in their deeds, they will be joined with their parents to grant delightfulness to the eyes of the parents.’”

يَحْتَجُّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ يَرْفَعُ لَهُمْ نَاراً فَيَقُولُ لَهُمْ ادْخُلُوهَا فَمَنْ دَخَلَهَا كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ بَرْداً وَ سَلَاماً وَ مَنْ أَبَى قَالَ هَا أَنْتُمْ قَدْ أَمَرْتُكُمْ فَعَصَيْتُمُونِي.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah was asked about those who die in the interval (between the passing away of one prophet and coming of the other), those who have not committed sins, and people with severe mental conditions. He replied, ‘Allah argues against them by lighting up a fire and tell

ثَلَاثَةٌ يُحْتَجُّ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَبْكَمُ وَ الطِّفْلُ وَ مَنْ مَاتَ فِي الْفَتْرَةِ فَتُرْفَعُ لَهُمْ نَارٌ فَيُقَالُ لَهُمْ ادْخُلُوهَا فَمَنْ دَخَلَهَا كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ بَرْداً وَ سَلَاماً وَ مَنْ أَبَى قَالَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى هَذَا قَدْ أَمَرْتُكُمْ فَعَصَيْتُمُونِي.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘An argument will be made against three kinds of people: dumb people, children, and those who have died in the interval between the passing away and coming of a prophet. A fire will be brought before them and they will be commanded to go in it. Those who go in the fire, it will turn co

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْجُنُبِ يُغَسِّلُ الْمَيِّتَ أَوْ مَنْ غَسَّلَ مَيِّتاً لَهُ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ أَهْلَهُ ثُمَّ يَغْتَسِلَ فَقَالَ سَوَاءٌ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ إِذَا كَانَ جُنُباً غَسَلَ يَدَهُ وَ تَوَضَّأَ وَ غَسَّلَ الْمَيِّتَ فَإِنْ غَسَّلَ مَيِّتاً ثُمَّ تَوَضَّأَ ثُمَّ أَتَى أَهْلَهُ يُجْزِئُهُ غُسْلٌ وَاحِدٌ لَهُمَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who is involved in sexual relations and he gives Ghusl (bath) to a dead person or one who has given Ghusl (bath) to a dead person, then performs sexual relation with his wife. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is the same and it is not harmful. If he is involved in sex