The Book of Prayer

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[2] عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَسْهُو فَيَقُومُ فِي حَالِ قُعُودٍ أَوْ يَقْعُدُ فِي حَالِ قِيَامٍ قَالَ يَسْجُدُ سَجْدَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ التَّسْلِيمِ وَ هُمَا الْمُرْغِمَتَانِ تُرْغِمَانِ الشَّيْطَانَ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who mistakenly stands up where he was to sit or sits down where he was to stand up. He (the Imam) said, ‘He performs two Sajdah (prostration) after Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) which are destroyers to destroy Satan.’”

إِنْ كُنْتَ لَا تَدْرِي كَمْ صَلَّيْتَ وَ لَمْ يَقَعْ وَهْمُكَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ فَأَعِدِ الصَّلَاةَ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘If you do not know how many Rak‘at you have performed and your guess does not settle anywhere, perform your Salah (prayer) again.’”

قُلْنَا لَهُ‌[1] الرَّجُلُ يَشُكُّ كَثِيراً فِي صَلَاتِهِ حَتَّى لَا يَدْرِيَ كَمْ صَلَّى وَ لَا مَا بَقِيَ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ يُعِيدُ قُلْنَا لَهُ فَإِنَّهُ يَكْثُرُ عَلَيْهِ ذَلِكَ كُلَّمَا عَادَ شَكَّ قَالَ يَمْضِي فِي شَكِّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَا تُعَوِّدُوا الْخَبِيثَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ بِنَقْضِ الصَّلَاةِ فَتُطْمِعُوهُ فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ خَبِيثٌ يَعْتَادُ لِمَا عُوِّدَ فَلْيَمْضِ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي الْوَهْمِ وَ لَا يُكْثِر

“We once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who doubts very often and does not know how many Rak‘at he has performed and how many Rak‘at remain. He (the Imam) said, ‘He performs again.’ We then asked, ‘It becomes a great many on him, because every time he performs again he doubts.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He continu

قَالَ: إِذَا شَكَكْتَ فَلَمْ تَدْرِ أَ فِي ثَلَاثٍ أَنْتَ أَمْ فِي اثْنَتَيْنِ أَمْ فِي وَاحِدَةٍ أَمْ فِي أَرْبَعٍ فَأَعِدْ وَ لَا تَمْضِ عَلَى الشَّكِّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If you doubt and do not know if you have performed three or two or one or four, perform Salah (prayer) again and do not continue with doubt.’”

أَتَى رَجُلٌ النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَشْكُو إِلَيْكَ مَا أَلْقَى مِنَ الْوَسْوَسَةِ فِي صَلَاتِي حَتَّى لَا أَدْرِي مَا صَلَّيْتُ مِنْ زِيَادَةٍ أَوْ نُقْصَانٍ فَقَالَ إِذَا دَخَلْتَ فِي صَلَاتِكَ فَاطْعُنْ فَخِذَكَ الْأَيْسَرَ بِإِصْبَعِكَ الْيُمْنَى الْمُسَبِّحَةِ ثُمَّ قُلْ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ السَّمِيعِ الْعَلِيمِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ ف

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Once a man came to the Holy prophet, and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I complain before you against misgivings I face in my Salah (prayer) so much so that I do not know how much I have performed, increased or decreased. He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘When you begin your Salah (pra

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْإِمَامِ يُصَلِّي بِأَرْبَعَةِ أَنْفُسٍ أَوْ خَمْسَةِ أَنْفُسٍ وَ يُسَبِّحُ اثْنَانِ‌[1] عَلَى أَنَّهُمْ صَلَّوْا ثَلَاثاً وَ يُسَبِّحُ ثَلَاثَةٌ عَلَى أَنَّهُمْ صَلَّوْا أَرْبَعاً وَ يَقُولُ هَؤُلَاءِ قُومُوا وَ يَقُولُ هَؤُلَاءِ اقْعُدُوا وَ الْإِمَامُ مَائِلٌ مَعَ أَحَدِهِمَا أَوْ مُعْتَدِلُ الْوَهْمِ فَمَا يَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ لَيْسَ عَلَى الْإِمَامِ سَهْوٌ إِذَا حَفِظَ عَلَيْهِ مَنْ خَلْفَهُ س

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of an Imam who leads four or five people in Salah (prayer). Of these people two of them say Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects) indicating that it is three Rak‘at and three of them say Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects) to indicate that it is four Rak‘at. These o

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ السَّهْوِ فِي النَّافِلَةِ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“I once asked one of the two Imam, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about mistakes in optional Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘There is not anything upon him.’”

لَيْسَ عَلَى الْإِمَامِ سَهْوٌ وَ لَا عَلَى مَنْ خَلْفَ الْإِمَامِ سَهْوٌ وَ لَا عَلَى السَّهْوِ سَهْوٌ وَ لَا عَلَى الْإِعَادَةِ إِعَادَةٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Mistake is not applicable in the case of an Imam, in the case of those behind an Imam, and it is not applicable about a mistake in a mistake or about repeat of the repeat.’”

إِذَا كَثُرَ عَلَيْكَ السَّهْوُ فَامْضِ فِي صَلَاتِكَ فَإِنَّهُ يُوشِكُ أَنْ يَدَعَكَ إِنَّمَا هُوَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has sad, ‘If mistakes become many on you then continue in your Salah (prayer), eventually it may leave you alone; it is from Satan.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ السَّهْوِ فَإِنَّهُ يَكْثُرُ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ أَدْرِجْ صَلَاتَكَ إِدْرَاجاً قُلْتُ فَأَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ الْإِدْرَاجُ قَالَ ثَلَاثُ تَسْبِيحَاتٍ فِي الرُّكُوعِ وَ السُّجُودِ وَ رَوَى أَنَّهُ إِذَا سَهَا فِي النَّافِلَةِ بَنَى عَلَى الْأَقَلِّ. فَجَمِيعُ مَوَاضِعِ السَّهْوِ الَّتِي قَدْ ذَكَرْنَا فِيهَا الْأَثَرَ سَبْعَةَ عَشَرَ مَوْضِعاً سَبْعَةٌ مِنْهَا يَجِبُ عَلَى السَّاهِي فِيهَا إِع

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about mistakes which befall on me a great deal. He (the Imam) said, ‘Incorporate your Salah (prayer) properly.’ I then asked, ‘What is incorporating?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is saying three Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects) in Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) and in Sujud (pr

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ عَمَّاراً السَّابَاطِيَّ رَوَى عَنْكَ رِوَايَةً قَالَ وَ مَا هِيَ قُلْتُ رَوَى أَنَّ السُّنَّةَ فَرِيضَةٌ فَقَالَ أَيْنَ يَذْهَبُ أَيْنَ‌ يَذْهَبُ لَيْسَ هَكَذَا حَدَّثْتُهُ إِنَّمَا قُلْتُ لَهُ مَنْ صَلَّى فَأَقْبَلَ عَلَى صَلَاتِهِ لَمْ يُحَدِّثْ نَفْسَهُ فِيهَا أَوْ لَمْ يَسْهُ فِيهَا أَقْبَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ مَا أَقْبَلَ عَلَيْهَا فَرُبَّمَا رُفِعَ نِصْفُهَا أَوْ رُبُعُهَا أ

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), "Ammar al-Sabatiy has narrated from you a Hadith.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What Hadith is it? 5 I then said, ‘He narrates that Sunnah is obligatory.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Where does he go! Where does he go! I did not speak to him as such. I only said to him that when performing Sala

إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيُرْفَعُ لَهُ مِنْ صَلَاتِهِ نِصْفُهَا أَوْ ثُلُثُهَا أَوْ رُبُعُهَا أَوْ خُمُسُهَا فَمَا يُرْفَعُ لَهُ إِلَّا مَا أَقْبَلَ عَلَيْهِ بِقَلْبِهِ وَ إِنَّمَا أَمَرْنَا بِالنَّافِلَةِ لِيَتِمَّ لَهُمْ بِهَا مَا نَقَصُوا مِنَ الْفَرِيضَةِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Of Salah (prayer) of a servant (of Allah) sometimes one-half, sometimes one-third, one-fourth or one-fifth is raised. Whatever is raised is only what one has performed with love from his heart. We only command to perform optional Salah (prayer) to complete what it is cut short of obligato

قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي كَثِيرُ السَّهْوِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَقَالَ وَ هَلْ يَسْلَمُ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ فَقُلْتُ مَا أَظُنُّ أَحَداً أَكْثَرَ سَهْواً مِنِّي فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ يُرْفَعُ لَهُ ثُلُثُ صَلَاتِهِ وَ نِصْفُهَا وَ ثَلَاثَةُ أَرْبَاعِهَا وَ أَقَلُّ وَ أَكْثَرُ عَلَى قَدْرِ سَهْوِهِ فِيهَا لَكِنَّهُ يَتِمُّ لَه

“Once, when I was present, a man said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I make a great number of mistakes in my Salah (prayer).’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Has anyone remained safe thereby?’ I (the narrator) then said, ‘I think no one makes as many mistakes as I do.’ Abu ‘A

أَنَّهُمَا قَالا إِنَّمَا لَكَ مِنْ صَلَاتِكَ مَا أَقْبَلْتَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْهَا فَإِنْ أَوْهَمَهَا كُلَّهَا أَوْ غَفَلَ عَنْ أَدَائِهَا لُفَّتْ فَضُرِبَ بِهَا وَجْهُ صَاحِبِهَا[1]

“Abu Ja‘far, and abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, have said, ‘Of your Salah (prayer) only that much is for you which you have performed with love. If one instills delusion in Salah (prayer) or omits it altogether, then such Salah (prayer) is rolled up and is struck against the face of its owner.’”

فِي كِتَابِ حَرِيزٍ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: إِنِّي نَسِيتُ أَنِّي فِي صَلَاةٍ فَرِيضَةٍ حَتَّى رَكَعْتُ وَ أَنَا أَنْوِيهَا تَطَوُّعاً قَالَ فَقَالَ هِيَ الَّتِي قُمْتَ فِيهَا إِنْ كُنْتَ قُمْتَ وَ أَنْتَ تَنْوِي فَرِيضَةً ثُمَّ دَخَلَكَ الشَّكُّ فَأَنْتَ فِي الْفَرِيضَةِ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ دَخَلْتَ فِي نَافِلَةٍ فَنَوَيْتَهَا فَرِيضَةً فَأَنْتَ فِي النَّافِلَةِ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ دَخَلْتَ فِي فَرِيضَةٍ ثُمَّ ذَكَرْتَ نَافِلَةً كَانَ

“It is in the book of Hariz who has said that once I forgot about my being in obligatory Salah (prayer) until Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees). Can I make my intention for it to be an optional Salah (prayer)? He (the Imam) (a.s.), said, ‘It is what you had stood up for. If you stood up to perform an obligatory Salah

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] عَنِ الضَّحِكِ هَلْ يَقْطَعُ الصَّلَاةَ قَالَ أَمَّا التَّبَسُّمُ فَلَا يَقْطَعُ الصَّلَاةَ وَ أَمَّا الْقَهْقَهَةُ فَهِيَ تَقْطَعُ الصَّلَاةَ. وَ رَوَاهُ‌- أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about laughing if it destroys Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘Smiling does not destroy Salah (prayer) but laughing loudly destroys it.’” It (the above Hadith) also is narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘ah.”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُصِيبُهُ الرُّعَافُ وَ هُوَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَقَالَ إِنْ قَدَرَ عَلَى مَاءٍ عِنْدَهُ يَمِيناً أَوْ شِمَالًا أَوْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَ هُوَ مُسْتَقْبِلُ الْقِبْلَةِ فَلْيَغْسِلْهُ عَنْهُ ثُمَّ لْيُصَلِّ مَا بَقِيَ مِنْ صَلَاتِهِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ عَلَى مَاءٍ حَتَّى يَنْصَرِفَ بِوَجْهِهِ أَوْ يَتَكَلَّمَ فَقَدْ قَطَعَ صَلَاتَهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who experiences nostril bleeding in Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is possible for him to reach on his right, left or forward when still facing al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah), he washes it clean, then completes the remaining of his Salah (prayer). If he cannot find wa

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُصِيبُهُ الْغَمْزُ فِي بَطْنِهِ وَ هُوَ يَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ يَصْبِرَ عَلَيْهِ أَ يُصَلِّي عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ أَوْ لَا يُصَلِّي قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنِ احْتَمَلَ الصَّبْرَ وَ لَمْ يَخَفْ إِعْجَالًا عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فَلْيُصَلِّ وَ لْيَصْبِرْ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who feels something in his abdomen and he is able to bear it. Can he perform Salah (prayer) in that condition or not? He (the Imam) said, ‘If he can remain patient without fear of hastening his Salah (prayer), he completes his Salah (prayer) and exercise patience.’”

أَنَّهُمَا كَانَا يَقُولَانِ‌ لَا يَقْطَعُ الصَّلَاةَ إِلَّا أَرْبَعَةٌ الْخَلَاءُ وَ الْبَوْلُ وَ الرِّيحُ وَ الصَّوْتُ.

‘Only four things discontinue Salah (prayer): defecation, urination, gas and sound.’”

إِنْ كَانَ يَابِساً فَلْيَرْمِ بِهِ وَ لَا بَأْسَ.

“About a man who during Salah (prayer) touches his nose and finds blood; one of the two Imam, abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ‘If it is dry he throws it away and it is not harmful.’”

الْقَهْقَهَةُ لَا تَنْقُضُ الْوُضُوءَ وَ تَنْقُضُ الصَّلَاةَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Laughing does not invalidate Wudu’ but it invalidates Salah (prayer).”’

يُومِئُ بِرَأْسِهِ وَ يُشِيرُ بِيَدِهِ وَ يُسَبِّحُ وَ الْمَرْأَةُ إِذَا أَرَادَتِ الْحَاجَةَ وَ هِيَ تُصَلِّي تُصَفِّقُ بِيَدِهَا[1].

7. It is a narration from him (narrator of previous Hadith) by ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, was asked about one who, while in Salah (prayer), needs something. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can make a gesture with his head and with his hand or s

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص سَمِعَ خَلْفَهُ فَرْقَعَةً[2] فَرْقَعَ رَجُلٌ أَصَابِعَهُ فِي صَلَاتِهِ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص أَمَا إِنَّهُ حَظُّهُ مِنْ صَلَاتِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The Holy prophet once heard behind him a click like one’s cracking his finger in his Salah (prayer). After ending his Salah (prayer) the Holy prophet, said, ‘That is his share from his Salah (prayer).”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَأْخُذُهُ الرُّعَافُ وَ الْقَيْ‌ءُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ قَالَ يَنْفَتِلُ فَيَغْسِلُ أَنْفَهُ وَ يَعُودُ فِي صَلَاتِهِ فَإِنْ تَكَلَّمَ فَلْيُعِدْ صَلَاتَهُ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ وُضُوءٌ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about a man who experiences nose bleeding and vomiting while in Salah (prayer). What is he to do? He (the Imam) said, ‘He turns to wash his nose and comes back to his Salah (prayer). If he has spoken, he must perform his Salah (prayer) again, but he does not need Wudu’.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ أَ يَقْطَعُ صَلَاتَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِمَّا يَمُرُّ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَا يَقْطَعُ صَلَاةَ الْمُسْلِمِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَكِنِ ادْرَأْ[5] مَا اسْتَطَعْتَ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ رَعَفَ فَلَمْ يَرْقَ‌[6] رُعَافُهُ حَتَّى دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الصَّلَاةِ قَالَ يَحْشُو أَنْفَهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي وَ لَا يُطِيلُ إِنْ خَشِيَ أَنْ يَسْبِقَهُ الدَّمُ قَالَ وَ قَالَ إِذَا الْتَفَتَّ فِي صَلَاةٍ مَكْت

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man whose Salah (prayer) is discontinued because of something passing in front of him. He (the Imam) said, ‘Salah (prayer) of a Muslim does not become discontinued by anything; however, protect as much as you can.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘I then asked him (the Imam) abo

أَنَّ عَلِيّاً ص كَانَ يَقُولُ‌ لَا يَقْطَعُ الصَّلَاةَ الرُّعَافُ وَ لَا الْقَيْ‌ءُ وَ لَا الدَّمُ فَمَنْ وَجَدَ أَزّاً[1] فَلْيَأْخُذْ بِيَدِ رَجُلٍ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ مِنَ الصَّفِّ فَلْيُقَدِّمْهُ يَعْنِي إِذَا كَانَ إِمَاماً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Ali (a.s.), would say, ‘Nose bleeding does not discontinue Salah (prayer) nor vomiting, or blood. If one feels a pinch he can hold another man’s hand of the people in the rows to come forward, if he is an Imam, to lead.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَلْتَفِتُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ قَالَ لَا وَ لَا يَنْقُضُ أَصَابِعَهُ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), if a man in Salah (prayer) can turn around. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, and he must not crack his fingers also.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُسَلَّمُ عَلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ قَالَ يَرُدُّ سَلامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ* وَ لَا يَقُولُ وَ عَلَيْكُمُ السَّلَامُ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ قَائِماً يُصَلِّي فَمَرَّ بِهِ عَمَّارُ بْنُ يَاسِرٍ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ عَمَّارٌ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ النَّبِيُّ ص هَكَذَا.

“I once asked Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who is offered Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) while he performs Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘He responds by saying, 'Salamun ‘Alaykum,' but he does not say, 'Alaykum al-Salam.' The Messenger of Allah once was standing in Salah (prayer) when ‘Amm

إِذَا عَطَسَ الرَّجُلُ فِي صَلَاتِهِ فَلْيَحْمَدِ اللَّهَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘In case of sneezing in Salah (prayer) one should say, ‘Tahmid, (all praise belongs to Allah).”

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَسْمَعُ الْعَطْسَةَ وَ أَنَا فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَأَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ وَ أُصَلِّي عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ إِذَا عَطَسَ أَخُوكَ وَ أَنْتَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَقُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ صَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ وَ إِنْ كَانَ بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَ صَاحِبِكَ الْيَمُّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from Mu‘alla’ abu ‘Uthman from abu Basir who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘In Salah (prayer) I hear sneezing, can I then praise Allah and say, “O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family wor

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَيَرَى الْحَيَّةَ أَوِ الْعَقْرَبَ يَقْتُلُهُمَا إِنْ آذَيَاهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who in Salah (prayer) sees a snake or scorpion; can he kill it if it is hurting? He (the Imam) said, ’Yes, he can do so.”’

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَقْتُلُ الْبَقَّةَ وَ الْبُرْغُوثَ وَ الْقَمْلَةَ وَ الذُّبَابَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ أَ يَنْقُضُ صَلَاتَهُ وَ وُضُوءَهُ قَالَ لَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who kills, a bug, flea, lice or a fly while in Salah (prayer), does it invalidate his Salah (prayer) and Wudu’? He (the Imam) said, ’No, it does not do so.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ قَائِماً فِي الصَّلَاةِ الْفَرِيضَةِ فَيَنْسَى كِيسَهُ أَوْ مَتَاعاً يَتَخَوَّفُ ضَيْعَتَهُ أَوْ هَلَاكَهُ قَالَ يَقْطَعُ صَلَاتَهُ وَ يُحْرِزُ مَتَاعَهُ ثُمَّ يَسْتَقْبِلُ الصَّلَاةَ قُلْتُ فَيَكُونُ فِي الْفَرِيضَةِ فَتَفَلَّتُ عَلَيْهِ دَابَّةٌ أَوْ تَفَلَّتُ دَابَّتُهُ‌[2] فَيَخَافُ أَنْ تَذْهَبَ أَوْ يُصِيبَ مِنْهَا عَنَتاً[3] فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ يَقْطَعَ صَلَاتَهُ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who is standing in obligatory Salah (prayer) when he remembers his bag or property and he is afraid of loss or destruction of such items. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can discontinue his Salah (prayer) to secure such items then perform his Salah (prayer) again.’ I then asked

كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِذَا وَجَدَ قَمْلَةً فِي الْمَسْجِدِ دَفَنَهَا فِي الْحَصَى.

“When Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), would see lice in Masjid he would cover it with sand.”

إِذَا كُنْتَ فِي صَلَاةِ الْفَرِيضَةِ فَرَأَيْتَ غُلَاماً لَكَ- قَدْ أَبَقَ أَوْ غَرِيماً لَكَ عَلَيْهِ مَالٌ أَوْ حَيَّةً تَخَافُهَا عَلَى نَفْسِكَ فَاقْطَعِ الصَّلَاةَ وَ اتْبَعِ الْغُلَامَ أَوْ غَرِيماً لَكَ وَ اقْتُلِ الْحَيَّةَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When you are in obligatory Salah (prayer) and see your slave escaping or your debtor who owes you a certain amount of property, or a snake because of which you are afraid for your life, you can discontinue your Salah (prayer) follow the slave or debtor or kill the snake.’”

إِنْ وَجَدْتَ قَمْلَةً وَ أَنْتَ تُصَلِّي فَادْفِنْهَا فِي الْحَصَى.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If you see lice in the Masjid when you are in Salah (prayer) cover it in the sand.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ بَنَى مَسْجِداً بَنَى اللَّهُ لَهُ بَيْتاً فِي الْجَنَّةِ قَالَ أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ فَمَرَّ بِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي طَرِيقِ مَكَّةَ وَ قَدْ سَوَّيْتُ بِأَحْجَارٍ مَسْجِداً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ نَرْجُو أَنْ يَكُونَ هَذَا مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I heard abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘If one builds a Masjid, Allah builds for him a house in paradise.’ Abu ‘Ubaydah has said, ‘Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once passed by on the way to Makkah and I had built a Masjid with stones and asked him, “I pray to Allah to keep my souls in the service of your cause , I hope this wil

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ يَكُونُ فِي الْبَيْتِ فَيُرِيدُ أَهْلُ الْبَيْتِ أَنْ يَتَوَسَّعُوا بِطَائِفَةٍ مِنْهُ أَوْ يُحَوِّلُوهُ إِلَى غَيْرِ مَكَانِهِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَكَانِ يَكُونُ خَبِيثاً ثُمَّ يُنَظَّفُ وَ يُجْعَلُ مَسْجِداً قَالَ يُطْرَحُ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ التُّرَابِ حَتَّى يُوَارِيَهُ فَهُوَ أَطْهَرُ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a Masjid which is in a house and the people of the house want to expand it to a certain extent or relocate it in another place. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’ He (the narrator) has said that he then asked him (the Imam) about a place which is filthy, then it

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْبِيَعِ وَ الْكَنَائِسِ هَلْ يَصْلُحُ نَقْضُهُمَا لِبِنَاءِ الْمَسَاجِدِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about al-Biya‘ and churches if they can be changed into Masjid. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is possible.’”

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمَسَاجِدِ الْمُظَلَّلَةِ أَ يُكْرَهُ الصَّلَاةُ فِيهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ لَكِنْ لَا يَضُرُّكُمُ الْيَوْمَ وَ لَوْ قَدْ كَانَ الْعَدْلُ لَرَأَيْتُمْ كَيْفَ يُصْنَعُ فِي ذَلِكَ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ أَ يُعَلِّقُ الرَّجُلُ السِّلَاحَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ أَمَّا فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَكْبَرِ فَلَا فَإِنَّ جَدِّي‌ نَهَى رَجُلًا يَبْرِي مِشْقَصاً فِي الْمَسْجِدِ[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once was asked about Masjid, which is made to also provide shadow, if performing Salah (prayer) therein is undesirable. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is as such but today it is not harmful for you. Had there been justice you would see how it is dealt with.’ He (the narrator) has said that he then

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَمِعْتُمُوهُ يُنْشِدُ الشِّعْرَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ فَقُولُوا فَضَّ اللَّهُ‌[2] فَاكَ إِنَّمَا نُصِبَتِ الْمَسَاجِدُ لِلْقُرْآنِ.

‘If you hear someone reciting poems in Masjid say to him, “May Allah tear your mouth, Masjid is built only for al-Quran (to read).””’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ الْمُصَوَّرَةِ فَقَالَ أَكْرَهُ ذَلِكَ وَ لَكِنْ لَا يَضُرُّكُمْ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ وَ لَوْ قَدْ قَامَ الْعَدْلُ رَأَيْتُمْ كَيْفَ يُصْنَعُ فِي ذَلِكَ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), if it is permissible to perform Salah (prayer) in a Masjid with pictures. He (the Imam) said, ‘I dislike it, however, today it is not harmful to you. Had justice been established you would see how it is dealt with.’”

نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنْ رَطَانَةِ الْأَعَاجِمِ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, “The Messenger of Allah has prohibited speaking jargon language in Masjid (expressions understood by two people or a group only).’”

نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنْ سَلِّ السَّيْفِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ وَ عَنْ بَرْيِ النَّبْلِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ قَالَ إِنَّمَا بُنِيَ لِغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ.

‘The Messenger of Allah prohibited unsheathing of swords and trimming arrows in the Masjid saying, “Masjid is built for something other than such things.’””

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْوُضُوءِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَكَرِهَهُ مِنَ الْغَائِطِ وَ الْبَوْلِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about taking Wudu’ in Masjid and he disliked it because of defecation and urination.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ النَّوْمِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَ مَسْجِدِ النَّبِيِّ ص قَالَ نَعَمْ فَأَيْنَ يَنَامُ النَّاسُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about sleeping in Masjid al-Haram and Masjid of the Holy prophet. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, they can do so, where else can people sleep?”’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي النَّوْمِ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ إِلَّا فِي الْمَسْجِدَيْنِ- مَسْجِدِ النَّبِيِّ ص وَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ قَالَ وَ كَانَ يَأْخُذُ بِيَدِي فِي بَعْضِ اللَّيْلِ فَيَنْتَحِي نَاحِيَةً ثُمَّ يَجْلِسُ فَيَتَحَدَّثُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ فَرُبَّمَا نَامَ وَ نِمْتُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا يُكْرَهُ أَنْ يَنَامَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ ال

“I once asked abu Ja‘far, Alayhi al-Salam, about sleeping in Masjid. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not an offense, except two Masjids: Masjid of the Holy prophet and Masjid al-Haram.’ He (the narrator) has said that he (the Imam) would in certain parts of the night hold my hand and move to one side where he would sit and

قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَيُرِيدُ أَنْ يَبْزُقَ فَقَالَ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فِي غَيْرِ صَلَاةٍ فَلَا يَبْزُقُ حِذَاءَ الْقِبْلَةِ وَ يَبْزُقُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ يَسَارِهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who is in Masjid in Salah (prayer) and wants to spit away. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can do it toward his left and if he is not in Salah (prayer); he must not do so in front of al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) but do so toward his left or right sides.’”

رَأَيْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِيَ ع يَتْفُلُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ فِيمَا بَيْنَ الرُّكْنِ الْيَمَانِيِّ وَ الْحَجَرِ الْأَسْوَدِ وَ لَمْ يَدْفِنْهُ.

“I once saw abu Ja‘far, al-Thaniy, Alayhi al-Salam, emit saliva in Masjid al-Haram between al- Yemaniy corner and the Blackstone and did not bury it.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي لَأَكْرَهُ الصَّلَاةَ فِي مَسَاجِدِهِمْ فَقَالَ لَا تَكْرَهْ فَمَا مِنْ مَسْجِدٍ بُنِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى قَبْرِ نَبِيٍّ أَوْ وَصِيِّ نَبِيٍّ قُتِلَ فَأَصَابَ تِلْكَ الْبُقْعَةَ رَشَّةٌ مِنْ دَمِهِ فَأَحَبَّ اللَّهُ أَنْ يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا فَأَدِّ فِيهَا الْفَرِيضَةَ وَ النَّوَافِلَ وَ اقْضِ فِيهَا مَا فَاتَكَ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I dislike performing Salah (prayer) in their Masjid.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must not dislike it; every Masjid is built on the grave of a prophet or the executor of the will of a prophet who was murdered and that site received a sprinkle of his blood and Allah loved t