The Book of Marriage

كَتَبَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَسْبَاطٍ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ فِي أَمْرِ بَنَاتِهِ وَ أَنَّهُ لَا يَجِدُ أَحَداً مِثْلَهُ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فَهِمْتُ مَا ذَكَرْتَ مِنْ أَمْرِ بَنَاتِكَ وَ أَنَّكَ لَا تَجِدُ أَحَداً مِثْلَكَ فَلَا تَنْظُرْ فِي ذَلِكَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ- إِذَا جَاءَكُمْ مَنْ تَرْضَوْنَ خُلُقَهُ وَ دِينَهُ فَزَوِّجُوهُ‌ إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوهُ تَكُنْ فِتْنَةٌ فِي الْأَرْ

“If one proposes marriage and you are happy with his character and religion, then accept his proposal. If you do not do so mischief and great destruction will take place in the land.’”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي التَّزْوِيجِ فَأَتَانِي كِتَابُهُ بِخَطِّهِ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص- إِذَا جَاءَكُمْ مَنْ تَرْضَوْنَ خُلُقَهُ وَ دِينَهُ فَزَوِّجُوهُ‌ إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوهُ‌ تَكُنْ فِتْنَةٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ فَسادٌ كَبِيرٌ.

'Rasulullah (saw) said: If one proposes to you and you are happy with his moral character and religion, then you should marry him. If you do not do so mischief and vast corruption will take place in the land.'"

الْكُفْوُ أَنْ يَكُونَ عَفِيفاً وَ عِنْدَهُ يَسَارٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Proper match is one who is chaste and affluent.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ زَوَّجَ كَرِيمَتَهُ مِنْ شَارِبِ الْخَمْرِ فَقَدْ قَطَعَ رَحِمَهَا[1].

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one gives his daughter in marriage to a man who drinks wine, he has cut off the relation that relatives are commanded to maintain.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ شَارِبُ الْخَمْرِ لَا يُزَوَّجُ إِذَا خَطَبَ.

“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, has said, ‘If one who drinks wine proposes for marriage, it must not be accepted.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ شَرِبَ الْخَمْرَ بَعْدَ مَا حَرَّمَهَا اللَّهُ عَلَى لِسَانِي فَلَيْسَ بِأَهْلٍ أَنْ يُزَوَّجَ إِذَا خَطَبَ.

“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, has said, ‘If one who after knowing that Allah has, through my words, made wine unlawful, drinks wine, his proposal for marriage must not be accepted.’”

تَزَوَّجُوا فِي الشُّكَّاكِ وَ لَا تُزَوِّجُوهُمْ لِأَنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ تَأْخُذُ مِنْ أَدَبِ زَوْجِهَا وَ يَقْهَرُهَا عَلَى دِينِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘You can marry a skeptic but do not give in marriage to a skeptic because a woman follows the manners of her husband, and he compels her into his religion.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَتَزَوَّجُ بِمُرْجِئَةٍ أَوْ حَرُورِيَّةٍ قَالَ لَا عَلَيْكَ بِالْبُلْهِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ قَالَ زُرَارَةَ فَقُلْتُ وَ اللَّهِ مَا هِيَ إِلَّا مُؤْمِنَةٌ أَوْ كَافِرَةٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَيْنَ أَهْلُ ثَنْوَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌[1] قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَصْدَقُ مِنْ قَوْلِكَ‌ إِلَّا الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ الرِّجالِ وَ النِّساءِ وَ الْوِلْدانِ لا يَسْتَطِيعُو

2. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muskan from Yahya al-Halabiy from ‘Abd al-Hamid al-Ta’iy from Zurarah ibn ‘A‘yan who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if I can marry a Murji’ah or Harawriya

لَا يَتَزَوَّجِ الْمُؤْمِنُ النَّاصِبَةَ الْمَعْرُوفَةَ بِذَلِكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A believer must not marry one who is hostile to ‘A’immah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, and his hostility is well known.’”

قَالَ لَهُ الْفُضَيْلُ أَتَزَوَّجُ النَّاصِبَةَ قَالَ لَا وَ لَا كَرَامَةَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأَقُولُ لَكَ هَذَا وَ لَوْ جَاءَنِي بِبَيْتٍ مَلْآنَ دَرَاهِمَ مَا فَعَلْتُ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if I can marry al-Nasibah (one hostile to ‘A’immah). He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not an honor.’ I then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I just say it but even if she comes to me with a whole house full of dirham I will not

تَزَوَّجُوا فِي الشُّكَّاكِ وَ لَا تُزَوِّجُوهُمْ فَإِنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ تَأْخُذُ مِنْ أَدَبِ زَوْجِهَا وَ يَقْهَرُهَا عَلَى دِينِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘You can marry a skeptic but do not give in marriage to a skeptic; women follow their husband and he compels her into his religion.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ لِامْرَأَتِي أُخْتاً عَارِفَةً عَلَى رَأْيِنَا وَ لَيْسَ عَلَى رَأْيِنَا بِالْبَصْرَةِ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ فَأُزَوِّجُهَا مِمَّنْ لَا يَرَى رَأْيَهَا قَالَ لَا وَ لَا نِعْمَةَ [وَ لَا كَرَامَةَ] إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ‌ فَلا تَرْجِعُوهُنَّ إِلَى الْكُفَّارِ لا هُنَّ حِلٌّ لَهُمْ وَ لا هُمْ يَحِلُّونَ لَهُنَ‌[1].

"I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (al-Sadiq) (as), about the case of the sister of my wife who is of the same belief as we are; but in Basra very few people believe as we do; if we can give her in marriage to those who do not believe as we do?". He (the Imam) said: "No, it is not a bounty or honor. Allah, most Majestic, most Glor

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنِّي أَخْشَى أَنْ لَا يَحِلَّ لِي أَنْ أَتَزَوَّجَ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلَى أَمْرِي فَقَالَ مَا يَمْنَعُكَ مِنَ الْبُلْهِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ قُلْتُ وَ مَا الْبُلْهُ قَالَ هُنَّ الْمُسْتَضْعَفَاتُ مِنَ اللَّاتِي لَا يَنْصِبْنَ وَ لَا يَعْرِفْنَ مَا أَنْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ.

“I once said to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘I am afraid that my getting married to one who does not believe as I do is not lawful. He (the Imam) said, ‘Your marriage with a simple-minded woman is not unlawful. 5 I then asked, ‘Who is a simple-minded one? He (the Imam) said, ‘They are those who are weak and who are not hostile

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ النَّاصِبِ الَّذِي قَدْ عُرِفَ نَصْبُهُ وَ عَدَاوَتُهُ هَلْ نُزَوِّجُهُ الْمُؤْمِنَةَ[2] وَ هُوَ قَادِرٌ عَلَى رَدِّهِ وَ هُوَ لَا يَعْلَمُ بِرَدِّهِ‌[3] قَالَ لَا يُزَوَّجِ الْمُؤْمِنُ النَّاصِبَةَ وَ لَا يَتَزَوَّجِ النَّاصِبُ الْمُؤْمِنَةَ وَ لَا يَتَزَوَّجِ الْمُسْتَضْعَفُ مُؤْمِنَةً.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of al-Nasib (one hostile to ‘A’immah) who is well known for his hostility; if we can give a believing woman in marriage to him. He (the guardian of the believing woman) is capable to disprove his (Nasib’s) belief but he (Nasib) is not able to

كَانَ بَعْضُ أَهْلِهِ يُرِيدُ التَّزْوِيجَ فَلَمْ يَجِدِ امْرَأَةً مُسْلِمَةً مُوَافِقَةً فَذَكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ أَيْنَ أَنْتَ مِنَ الْبُلْهِ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْرِفُونَ شَيْئاً.

“Someone in my family wanted to get married but could not find a suitable Muslimah and I mentioned it to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), who said, ‘Why does he not find simple-minded women who do not know anything.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ لَا يَحِلَّ لِي أَنْ أَتَزَوَّجَ يَعْنِي مِمَّنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلَى أَمْرِهِ قَالَ وَ مَا يَمْنَعُكَ مِنَ الْبُلْهِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ وَ قَالَ هُنَ‌ الْمُسْتَضْعَفَاتُ اللَّاتِي لَا يَنْصِبْنَ وَ لَا يَعْرِفْنَ مَا أَنْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, I am afraid it is not lawful for me to get married with those who do not believe in the Divine Authority of ‘A’immah. He (the Imam) said, ‘Why do you not marry with one of the simple minded women?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘They are who are weak, who

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ نِكَاحِ النَّاصِبِ فَقَالَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا يَحِلُّ قَالَ فُضَيْلٌ ثُمَّ سَأَلْتُهُ مَرَّةً أُخْرَى فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا تَقُولُ فِي نِكَاحِهِمْ قَالَ وَ الْمَرْأَةُ عَارِفَةٌ قُلْتُ عَارِفَةٌ قَالَ إِنَّ الْعَارِفَةَ لَا تُوضَعُ إِلَّا عِنْدَ عَارِفٍ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about giving in marriage to one hostile to ‘A’immah. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, by Allah, it is not lawful.’ I (Fudayl) then asked him (the Imam) again saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what do you say about their marriage?’ H

قُلْتُ مَا تَقُولُ فِي مُنَاكَحَةِ النَّاسِ فَإِنِّي قَدْ بَلَغْتُ مَا تَرَى وَ مَا تَزَوَّجْتُ قَطُّ قَالَ وَ مَا يَمْنَعُكَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ مَا يَمْنَعُنِي إِلَّا أَنِّي أَخْشَى أَنْ لَا يَكُونَ يَحِلُّ لِي مُنَاكَحَتُهُمْ فَمَا تَأْمُرُنِي قَالَ كَيْفَ تَصْنَعُ وَ أَنْتَ شَابٌّ أَ تَصْبِرُ قُلْتُ أَتَّخِذُ الْجَوَارِيَ قَالَ فَهَاتِ الْآنَ فَبِمَ تَسْتَحِلُّ الْجَوَارِيَ أَخْبِرْنِي فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ الْأَمَةَ لَي

“This is concerning my question before abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the marriage of people. ‘I, as you can see, of this age have not married yet.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What holds you back from getting married?’ I replied, ‘The only thing that holds me back is that I am afraid marrying them is not lawful and I wish to see

كَانَتْ تَحْتَهُ امْرَأَةٌ مِنْ ثَقِيفٍ وَ لَهُ مِنْهَا ابْنٌ يُقَالُ لَهُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ فَدَخَلَتْ عَلَيْهَا مَوْلَاةٌ لِثَقِيفٍ فَقَالَتْ لَهَا مَنْ زَوْجُكِ هَذَا قَالَتْ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ قَالَتْ فَإِنَّ لِذَلِكِ أَصْحَاباً بِالْكُوفَةِ قَوْمٌ يَشْتِمُونَ السَّلَفَ وَ يَقُولُونَ قَالَ فَخَلَّى سَبِيلَهَا قَالَ فَرَأَيْتُهُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ قَدِ اسْتَبَانَ عَلَيْهِ وَ تَضَعْضَعَ مِنْ جِسْمِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ قَالَ فَقُلْ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), had a wife from the people of Thaqif and from her he (the Imam) had a son called Ibrahim. A slave-girl from Thaqif came to her and asked, ‘Who is your husband?’ She replied, ‘He is Muhammad ibn Ali.’ She then said, ‘That is why in al-Kufah there are people who insult the ancestors and say...’ He (th

دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ عَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَقَالَ إِنَّ امْرَأَتَكَ الشَّيْبَانِيَّةَ خَارِجِيَّةٌ تَشْتِمُ عَلِيّاً ع فَإِنْ سَرَّكَ أَنْ أُسْمِعَكَ مِنْهَا ذَاكَ أَسْمَعْتُكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَإِذَا كَانَ غَداً حِينَ تُرِيدُ أَنْ تَخْرُجَ كَمَا كُنْتَ تَخْرُجُ فَعُدْ فَاكْمُنْ‌[2] فِي جَانِبِ الدَّارِ قَالَ فَلَمَّا كَانَ مِنَ الْغَدِ كَمَنَ فِي جَانِبِ الدَّارِ فَجَاءَ الرَّجُلُ فَكَلَّمَهَا فَتَبَيَّنَ مِ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Once a man came to Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), and said, “Your wife from al-Shayban people is of Kharijiy sect who vilify Ali (a.s.). If you like I can manage for you to hear what she says.” He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, I agree.’ He (man) said, ‘Tomorrow as you come out of your home as you nor

سَأَلَهُ أَبِي وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ عَنْ نِكَاحِ الْيَهُودِيَّةِ وَ النَّصْرَانِيَّةِ فَقَالَ نِكَاحُهُمَا أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ نِكَاحِ النَّاصِبِيَّةِ وَ مَا أُحِبُّ لِلرَّجُلِ الْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَ الْيَهُودِيَّةَ وَ لَا النَّصْرَانِيَّةَ مَخَافَةَ أَنْ يَتَهَوَّدَ وَلَدُهُ أَوْ يَتَنَصَّرَ.

“My father once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about marriage with the Jews and Christians when I was listening. He (the Imam) said, ‘Marriage with them in my view is better than marriage with al-Nasibah (people hostile to ‘A’immah) and I do not like a Muslim man’s marriage with a Jewish woman or a Christian woman becaus

تَزَوُّجُ الْيَهُودِيَّةِ وَ النَّصْرَانِيَّةِ أَفْضَلُ أَوْ قَالَ خَيْرٌ مِنْ تَزَوُّجِ النَّاصِبِ وَ النَّاصِبِيَّةِ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Marriage with a Jewish or Christian women is preferable’ - or He (the Imam) said that it is better- ‘than marriage with al-Nasibah (people hostile to ‘A’immah).”’

لَهُمْ تُصَافِحُونَ أَهْلَ بِلَادِكُمْ وَ تُنَاكِحُونَهُمْ أَمَا إِنَّكُمْ إِذَا صَافَحْتُمُوهُمْ انْقَطَعَتْ عُرْوَةٌ مِنْ عُرَى الْإِسْلَامِ وَ إِذَا نَاكَحْتُمُوهُمْ انْهَتَكَ الْحِجَابُ بَيْنَكُمْ وَ بَيْنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Once, a people from Khurasan, from Transoxiana came to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). He (the Imam) asked them, ‘Do you shake hands with the people of your country and marry them? If you shake hands with them a ring of the rings of Islam is cut and if you marry them the privacy between you and Allah is violated.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ نِكَاحَ الزِّنْجِ فَإِنَّهُ خَلْقٌ مُشَوَّهٌ‌[1].

’Be aware of marrying the people of al-Zanj, for they are a distorted creature.'

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَا تَشْتَرِ مِنَ السُّودَانِ أَحَداً فَإِنْ كَانَ لَا بُدَّ فَمِنَ النُّوبَةِ[2] فَإِنَّهُمْ مِنَ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ قالُوا إِنَّا نَصارى‌ أَخَذْنا مِيثاقَهُمْ فَنَسُوا حَظًّا مِمَّا ذُكِّرُوا بِهِ‌[3] أَمَا إِنَّهُمْ سَيَذْكُرُونَ ذَلِكَ الْحَظَّ وَ سَيَخْرُجُ مَعَ الْقَائِمِ ع مِنَّا عِصَابَةٌ مِنْهُمْ وَ لَا تَنْكِحُوا مِنَ الْأَكْرَادِ أَحَد

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, ‘You must not buy anyone from al-Sudan, but if you must buy, then buy from al-Nawbah; they are of those about whom Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has said, “Of those who have said, ‘We are helpers’, We took a covenant from them; then they forgot the share of what they were

لَا تُنَاكِحُوا الزِّنْجَ وَ الْخَزَرَ[4] فَإِنَّ لَهُمْ أَرْحَاماً تَدُلُّ عَلَى غَيْرِ الْوَفَاءِ قَالَ وَ الْهِنْدُ وَ السِّنْدُ وَ الْقَنْدُ لَيْسَ فِيهِمْ نَجِيبٌ يَعْنِي الْقُنْدُهَارَ.

‘You must not marry al-Zanj and al-Khazar; they have such wombs that indicate disloyalty.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Of Indians, al-Sind and al-Qand - meaning al-Qandahar - a hybrid does not exist among them.’

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْخَبِيثَةِ أَتَزَوَّجُهَا قَالَ لَا[1].

“This is concerning my question before abu Ja’far (a.s.), if I can marry the filthy (prostitute). He (the Imam) said, ’No, you cannot do so/”

إِنْ لَمْ يَخَفِ الْعَيْبَ عَلَى وُلْدِهِ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

‘If he is not afraid of the stigma for his children, it is not unlawful.”’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَلَدُ الزِّنَا يُنْكَحُ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ لَا يُطْلَبُ وَلَدُهَا.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about marriage with one born out of wedlock. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, but her children are not wanted.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنِ الْخَبِيثَةِ يَتَزَوَّجُهَا الرَّجُلُ قَالَ لَا وَ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ لَهُ أَمَةٌ وَطِئَهَا وَ لَا يَتَّخِذْهَا أُمَّ وَلَدِهِ.

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of a man if he could marry the filthy (prostitute). He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he cannot do so.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If he has a slave-girl with whom he has gone to bed but she must not be taken as the mother of his children.’” (He must use contraceptives)

سُئِلَ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ لَهُ الْخَادِمُ وَلَدَ زِنًى عَلَيْهِ جُنَاحٌ أَنْ يَطَأَهَا قَالَ لَا وَ إِنْ تَنَزَّهَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَهُوَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ.

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the case of a man who has a servant born out of wedlock; if he can go to bed with her. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, if he stays clean of that, it is more likeable to me.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ تَزْوِيجَ الْحَمْقَاءِ فَإِنَّ صُحْبَتَهَا بَلَاءٌ وَ وُلْدَهَا ضِيَاعٌ.

’Beware of marriage with dimwitted ones, living with her is a tragedy and her children are a loss.’”

زَوِّجُوا الْأَحْمَقَ وَ لَا تُزَوِّجُوا الْحَمْقَاءَ فَإِنَّ الْأَحْمَقَ يَنْجُبُ وَ الْحَمْقَاءَ لَا تَنْجُبُ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘You can give in marriage to a dimwitted man but do not marry a dimwitted woman; a dimwitted man can have children (healthy ones) but a dimwitted woman cannot.”’

سَأَلَهُ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنِ الرَّجُلِ الْمُسْلِمِ تُعْجِبُهُ الْمَرْأَةُ الْحَسْنَاءُ أَ يَصْلُحُ لَهُ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَهَا وَ هِيَ مَجْنُونَةٌ قَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ إِنْ كَانَتْ عِنْدَهُ أَمَةٌ مَجْنُونَةٌ فَلَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ يَطَأَهَا وَ لَا يَطْلُبَ وَلَدَهَا.

“Certain persons of our people once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of a Muslim man who likes a beautiful woman; if he can marry her and she is insane. He (the Imam) said, ’No, however, if he has an insane slave-girl he can go to bed with her but must not seek her children (he must use contraceptives).”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الزَّانِي لا يَنْكِحُ إِلَّا زانِيَةً أَوْ مُشْرِكَةً[1] قَالَ هُنَّ نِسَاءٌ مَشْهُورَاتٌ بِالزِّنَا وَ رِجَالٌ مَشْهُورُونَ بِالزِّنَا شُهِرُوا وَ عُرِفُوا بِهِ وَ النَّاسُ الْيَوْمَ بِذَلِكَ الْمَنْزِلِ‌[2] فَمَنْ أُقِيمَ عَلَيْهِ حَدُّ الزِّنَا أَوْ مُتَّهَمٌ بِالزِّنَا لَمْ يَنْبَغِ لِأَحَدٍ أَنْ يُنَاكِحَهُ حَتَّى يَعْرِفَ مِنْهُ التَّوْبَةَ.

“Once I asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the meaning of the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious. ‘A prostitute man cannot marry but a prostitute woman or a pagan.’ (24:4) He (the Imam) said, ‘They were well-known prostitute females, and males. Today people who are convicted for fornication and punished (by

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الزَّانِي لا يَنْكِحُ إِلَّا زانِيَةً أَوْ مُشْرِكَةً فَقَالَ كُنَّ نِسْوَةٌ مَشْهُورَاتٌ بِالزِّنَا وَ رِجَالٌ مَشْهُورُونَ بِالزِّنَا قَدْ عُرِفُوا بِذَلِكَ وَ النَّاسُ الْيَوْمَ بِتِلْكَ الْمَنْزِلَةِ فَمَنْ أُقِيمَ عَلَيْهِ حَدُّ الزِّنَا أَوْ شُهِرَ بِهِ لَمْ يَنْبَغِ لِأَحَدٍ أَنْ يُنَاكِحَهُ‌ حَتَّى يَعْرِفَ مِنْهُ التَّوْبَةَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the word of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘A prostitute man cannot marry but a prostitute woman or a pagan.’ (24:4) He (the Imam) said, ‘They were well-known prostitute females and males. Today people who are convicted for fornication and punish

هُمْ رِجَالٌ وَ نِسَاءٌ كَانُوا عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مَشْهُورِينَ بِالزِّنَا فَنَهَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَنْ أُولَئِكَ الرِّجَالِ وَ النِّسَاءِ وَ النَّاسُ الْيَوْمَ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْمَنْزِلَةِ مَنْ شَهَرَ شَيْئاً مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَوْ أُقِيمَ عَلَيْهِ الْحَدُّ فَلَا تُزَوِّجُوهُ حَتَّى تُعْرَفَ تَوْبَتُهُ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the word of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘A prostitute man cannot marry but a prostitute woman or a pagan,’ (24:4) has said, ‘During the time of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, there were well-known

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ تَزَوَّجَ امْرَأَةً فَعَلِمَ بَعْدَ مَا تَزَوَّجَهَا أَنَّهَا كَانَتْ زَنَتْ قَالَ إِنْ شَاءَ زَوْجُهَا أَنْ يَأْخُذَ الصَّدَاقَ مِنَ الَّذِي زَوَّجَهَا وَ لَهَا الصَّدَاقُ بِمَا اسْتَحَلَّ مِنْ فَرْجِهَا وَ إِنْ شَاءَ تَرَكَهَا[2].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who marries a woman and afterwards finds out that she had committed fornication. He (the Imam) said, ‘If the husband wants he can take back from her guardian the mahr that he has paid, but she deserves the mahr because of which her ma

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ لَا خَيْرَ فِي وَلَدِ الزِّنَا وَ لَا فِي بَشَرِهِ وَ لَا فِي شَعْرِهِ وَ لَا فِي لَحْمِهِ وَ لَا فِي دَمِهِ وَ لَا فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهُ عَجَزَتْ عَنْهُ السَّفِينَةُ وَ قَدْ حُمِلَ فِيهَا الْكَلْبُ وَ الْخِنْزِيرُ.

There is no goodness in one who is born out of wedlock, not in his skin, his hair, his flesh, his blood and not in anything of him, the Ark (of Noah) failed to carry him even though dogs and pigs had embarked therein.’”

إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ فِي الْجَهْرِ[3] ثُمَّ قَالَ لَوْ أَنَّ إِنْسَاناً زَنَى ثُمَّ تَابَ تَزَوَّجَ حَيْثُ شَاءَ.

This is about well- known, and openly committing prostitution.’ He (the Imam) then said, ’If one after committing fornication repents he can marry as he wants.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَحِلُ‌ لَهُ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَ امْرَأَةً كَانَ يَفْجُرُ بِهَا فَقَالَ إِنْ آنَسَ مِنْهَا رُشْداً فَنَعَمْ وَ إِلَّا فَلْيُرَاوِدَنَّهَا عَلَى الْحَرَامِ فَإِنْ تَابَعَتْهُ فَهِيَ عَلَيْهِ حَرَامٌ وَ إِنْ أَبَتْ فَلْيَتَزَوَّجْهَا.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who has committed fornication with a woman; if he can marry her. He (the Imam) said, if he finds her to have gained wisdom then he can do so, otherwise, he can try her by offering unlawful choices; if she follows then it is unlawful

أَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ فَجَرَ بِامْرَأَةٍ ثُمَّ بَدَا لَهُ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَهَا حَلَالًا قَالَ أَوَّلُهُ سِفَاحٌ وَ آخِرُهُ نِكَاحٌ وَ مَثَلُهُ مَثَلُ النَّخْلَةِ أَصَابَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ ثَمَرِهَا حَرَاماً ثُمَّ اشْتَرَاهَا بَعْدُ فَكَانَتْ لَهُ حَلَالًا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, If a man commits an indecent act (goes to bed with her out of wedlock) with a woman and then decides to marry her, it is a case of indecency in the beginning and then marriage, like a palm tree that one uses its fruit in an unlawful manner then buys the whole tree in a lawful manner an

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ فَجَرَ بِامْرَأَةٍ ثُمَّ بَدَا لَهُ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَهَا فَقَالَ حَلَالٌ أَوَّلُهُ سِفَاحٌ وَ آخِرُهُ نِكَاحٌ أَوَّلُهُ حَرَامٌ وَ آخِرُهُ حَلَالٌ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who commits an indecent act (goes to bed with her out of wedlock), then decides to marry her. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is lawful, although in the beginning, it is indecency, and at the end is marriage; in the beginning, (it is) unlawfu

قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ يَفْجُرُ بِالْمَرْأَةِ ثُمَّ يَبْدُو لَهُ فِي تَزْوِيجِهَا هَلْ يَحِلُّ لَهُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِذَا هُوَ اجْتَنَبَهَا حَتَّى تَنْقَضِيَ عِدَّتُهَا بِاسْتِبْرَاءِ رَحِمِهَا مِنْ مَاءِ الْفُجُورِ فَلَهُ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَهَا وَ إِنَّمَا يَجُوزُ لَهُ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَهَا بَعْدَ أَنْ يَقِفَ عَلَى تَوْبَتِهَا.[1]

This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who commits an indecent act (goes to bed with her out of wedlock) with a woman and then decides to marry her; if it is lawful for him. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is lawful if he waits until her waiting period is complete to cleans he

إِذَا أَصَابَ الْمُسْلِمَةَ فَمَا يَصْنَعُ بِالْيَهُودِيَّةِ وَ النَّصْرَانِيَّةِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَكُونُ لَهُ فِيهَا الْهَوَى فَقَالَ إِنْ فَعَلَ فَلْيَمْنَعْهَا مِنْ شُرْبِ الْخَمْرِ وَ أَكْلِ لَحْمِ الْخِنْزِيرِ وَ اعْلَمْ أَنَّ عَلَيْهِ فِي دِينِهِ غَضَاضَةً[2].

“About the case of a man who marries a Jewish or a Christian woman, abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘What has he to do with a Jewish or Christian woman if he can find a Muslim woman?’ I (the narrator) asked, ‘What happens if he loves her?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If he marries, he must stop her from drinking wine and ea

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ نِكَاحِ الْيَهُودِيَّةِ وَ النَّصْرَانِيَّةِ فَقَالَ لَا يَصْلُحُ لِلْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ يَنْكِحَ يَهُودِيَّةً وَ لَا نَصْرَانِيَّةً وَ إِنَّمَا يَحِلُّ لَهُ مِنْهُنَّ نِكَاحُ الْبُلْهِ.

‘It is not proper for a Muslim to marry a Jewish or Christian woman; only with the simple-minded ones of them marriage is lawful.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع أَ يَتَزَوَّجُ الْمَجُوسِيَّةَ قَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ إِنْ كَانَتْ لَهُ أَمَةً.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), if it is lawful to marry a Zoroastrian woman. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, however, she can be his slave-girl.’”

لَا يَتَزَوَّجُ الْيَهُودِيَّةَ وَ لَا النَّصْرَانِيَّةَ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمَةِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘A Jewish or a Christian woman cannot become a second wife, the first being a Muslim woman.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْيَهُودِيَّةِ وَ النَّصْرَانِيَّةِ أَ يَتَزَوَّجُهَا الرَّجُلُ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمَةِ قَالَ لَا وَ يَتَزَوَّجُ الْمُسْلِمَةَ عَلَى الْيَهُودِيَّةِ وَ النَّصْرَانِيَّةِ.

“This is concerning my question before him (the Imam) (a.s.), if one can marry a Jewish or a Christian woman as a second wife, the first being a Muslim woman. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, but a Muslim woman can become a second wife, the first being a Jewish or a Christian woman.’”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ مَا تَقُولُ فِي رَجُلٍ يَتَزَوَّجُ نَصْرَانِيَّةً عَلَى مُسْلِمَةٍ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا قَوْلِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ قَالَ لَتَقُولَنَّ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ يُعْلَمُ بِهِ قَوْلِي قُلْتُ‌لَا يَجُوزُ تَزْوِيجُ النَّصْرَانِيَّةِ عَلَى مُسْلِمَةٍ وَ لَا غَيْرِ مُسْلِمَةٍ قَالَ وَ لِمَ قُلْتُ لِقَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لا تَنْكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكاتِ‌ حَتَّى يُؤ

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from al-Hassan ibn al-Jahm who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), once said to me, ‘O abu Muhammad, what do you say about a man who marries a Jewish or a Christian woman, as a second wife, the first being a Muslim woman?’ I