The Book of Marriage

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَخْطُبُ بِهَذِهِ الْخُطْبَةِ- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الْعَالِمِ بِمَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَدِينَ لَهُ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ دَائِنٌ فَاطِرِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ مُؤَلِّفِ الْأَسْبَابِ بِمَا جَرَتْ بِهِ الْأَقْلَامُ وَ مَضَتْ بِهِ الْأَحْتَامُ مِنْ سَابِقِ عِلْمِهِ وَ مُقَدَّرِ حُكْمِهِ أَحْمَدُهُ عَلَى نِعَمِهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِهِ مِنْ نِقَمِهِ وَ أَسْتَهْدِي اللَّهَ الْهُدَى وَ أَعُوذُ بِ

6. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Khalid from ‘Abd al-‘Azim ibn ‘Abd Allah who has said the following: “I heard abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, give the following as Khutbah (sermon) when solemnizing a marriage: ‘All praise belongs to Allah who knows what is to come into being be

خَطَبَ الرِّضَا ع هَذِهِ الْخُطْبَةَ- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي حَمِدَ فِي الْكِتَابِ نَفْسَهُ وَ افْتَتَحَ بِالْحَمْدِ كِتَابَهُ وَ جَعَلَ الْحَمْدَ أَوَّلَ جَزَاءِ مَحَلِّ نِعْمَتِهِ وَ آخِرَ دَعْوَى أَهْلِ جَنَّتِهِ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ شَهَادَةً أُخْلِصُهَا لَهُ وَ أَدَّخِرُهَا عِنْدَهُ وَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ خَاتَمِ النُّبُوَّةِ وَ خَيْرِ الْبَرِيَّةِ وَ

7. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘awiyah ibn Hakim who has said the following: “Al-Rida’, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once read the following as Khutbah (sermon) when solemnizing a marriage: ‘All praise belongs to Allah who has praised Himself in the book and has opened His book with it, has made it the first reward of

كَانَ الرِّضَا ع يَخْطُبُ فِي النِّكَاحِ- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ إِجْلَالًا لِقُدْرَتِهِ وَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ خُضُوعاً لِعِزَّتِهِ وَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ عِنْدَ ذِكْرِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ‌ خَلَقَ مِنَ الْماءِ بَشَراً فَجَعَلَهُ نَسَباً وَ صِهْراً إِلَى آخِرِ الْآيَةِ.

'All praise is due to Allah, in reverence of His power; there is no deity but Allah, in submission to His might; and may Allah send blessings upon Muhammad and his family when His name is mentioned. Indeed, Allah created mankind from water and made them kin and by marriage, up to the end of the verse.'"

لَمَّا أَرَادَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَ خَدِيجَةَ بِنْتَ خُوَيْلِدٍ أَقْبَلَ أَبُو طَالِبٍ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ مَعَهُ نَفَرٌ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ حَتَّى دَخَلَ عَلَى وَرَقَةَ بْنِ نَوْفَلٍ عَمِّ خَدِيجَةَ فَابْتَدَأَ أَبُو طَالِبٍ بِالْكَلَامِ فَقَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِرَبِّ هَذَا الْبَيْتِ الَّذِي جَعَلَنَا مِنْ زَرْعِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ ذُرِّيَّةِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ وَ أَنْزَلَنَا حَرَماً آمِناً وَ جَعَلَنَا الْحُكَّامَ عَل

9. Certain persons of our people have narrated from Ali ibn al-Husayn from Ali ibn Hassan from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Kathir who has said the following: “When the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, decided to marry Khadijah daughter of Khuwayli

كَانَ صَدَاقُ النَّبِيِّ ص اثْنَتَيْ عَشْرَةَ أُوقِيَّةً وَ نَشّاً وَ الْأُوقِيَّةُ أَرْبَعُونَ دِرْهَماً وَ النَّشُّ عِشْرُونَ دِرْهَماً وَ هُوَ نِصْفُ الْأُوقِيَّةِ[3].

‘The amount of mahr (dower) the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, paid was twelve Awqiyah and one Nashsha. Al-Awqiyah is equal to forty dirham and one al-Nashsha is equal to twenty dirham and it is equal to one-half of al- Awqiyah.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ سَاقَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِلَى أَزْوَاجِهِ اثْنَتَيْ عَشْرَةَ أُوقِيَّةً وَ نَشّاً وَ الْأُوقِيَّةُ أَرْبَعُونَ دِرْهَماً وَ النَّشُّ نِصْفُ الْأُوقِيَّةِ عِشْرُونَ دِرْهَماً فَكَانَ ذَلِكَ خَمْسَمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ قُلْتُ بِوَزْنِنَا قَالَ نَعَمْ.

‘The amount of mahr (dower) the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, paid to his wives was twelve Awqiyah and one Nashsha. Al-Awqiyah is equal to forty dirham and one al-Nashsha is equal to one-half of al-Awqiyah. It was five hundred dirham/

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الصَّدَاقِ هَلْ لَهُ وَقْتٌ قَالَ لَا ثُمَّ قَالَ كَانَ صَدَاقُ النَّبِيِّ ص اثْنَتَيْ عَشْرَةَ أُوقِيَّةً وَ نَشّاً وَ النَّشُّ نِصْفُ الْأُوقِيَّةِ وَ الْأُوقِيَّةُ أَرْبَعُونَ دِرْهَماً فَذَلِكَ خَمْسُمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about mahr (dower); if there is an appointed time to pay it. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, there is no particular time for it.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘The amount of mahr (dower) the Messenger of Allah paid was twelve Awqiyah and one Nashsha. One al-Nashsha is

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَهَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص نِسَاءَهُ اثْنَتَيْ عَشْرَةَ أُوقِيَّةً وَ نَشّاً وَ الْأُوقِيَّةُ أَرْبَعُونَ دِرْهَماً وَ النَّشُّ نِصْفُ الْأُوقِيَّةِ وَ هُوَ عِشْرُونَ دِرْهَماً.

‘The amount of mahr (dower) the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, paid to his wives was twelve Awqiyah and one Nashsha. Al-Awqiyah is equal to forty dirham and one al-Nashsha is equal to one-half of al-Awqiyah which is twenty dirham.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَالَ أَبِي‌ مَا زَوَّجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص سَائِرَ بَنَاتِهِ وَ لَا تَزَوَّجَ شَيْئاً مِنْ نِسَائِهِ عَلَى أَكْثَرَ مِنِ اثْنَتَيْ عَشْرَةَ أُوقِيَّةً وَ نَشٍّ الْأُوقِيَّةُ أَرْبَعُونَ وَ النَّشُّ عِشْرُونَ دِرْهَماً.

"My father said, ‘The Messenger of Allah (SW) did not give in marriage any of his daughters or marry any of his wives for a mahr (dower) of more than twelve Uqiyyahs and one Nashsh. An Uqiyyah is equal to forty dirhams and a Nashsh is equal to twenty dirhams.’"

وَ كَانَتِ الدَّرَاهِمُ وَزْنَ سِتَّةٍ يَوْمَئِذٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The weight of dirham in those days was six.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع- عَنْ مَهْرِ السُّنَّةِ كَيْفَ صَارَ خَمْسَمِائَةٍ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَوْجَبَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ أَلَّا يُكَبِّرَهُ مُؤْمِنٌ مِائَةَ تَكْبِيرَةٍ وَ يُسَبِّحَهُ مِائَةَ تَسْبِيحَةٍ وَ يُحَمِّدَهُ مِائَةَ تَحْمِيدَةٍ وَ يُهَلِّلَهُ مِائَةَ تَهْلِيلَةٍ وَ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ ثُمَّ يَقُولَ اللَّهُمَّ زَوِّجْنِي مِنَ الْحُورِ الْعِينِ إِلَّا ز

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Nasr from al-Husayn ibn Khalid and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Uthman al-Khazzaz from a man from al-Husayn ibn Khalid who has said the following: “I once asked abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about mahr (

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ عَلِيّاً تَزَوَّجَ فَاطِمَةَ ع عَلَى جَرْدِ بُرْدٍ وَ دِرْعٍ وَ فِرَاشٍ كَانَ مِنْ إِهَابِ كَبْشٍ‌[1].

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying that Ali (a.s.), married Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, for a mahr (dower) from the price of a single gown, a shield and a bed which was made of the hide of a ram.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ زَوَّجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَاطِمَةَ ع عَلَى دِرْعٍ حُطَمِيَّةٍ[2] يَسْوَى ثَلَاثِينَ دِرْهَماً.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, arranged the marriage of Fatimah and Ali, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, for a mahr (dower) from one shield made by Hatmiyah (a certain people) valued at thirty dirham.’”

زَوَّجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَلِيّاً فَاطِمَةَ ع عَلَى دِرْعٍ حُطَمِيَّةٍ وَ كَانَ فِرَاشُهَا إِهَابَ كَبْشٍ يَجْعَلَانِ الصُّوفَ إِذَا اضْطَجَعَا تَحْتَ جُنُوبِهِمَا.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, arranged marriage of Ali and Fatimah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, with a mahr (dower) from a shield made by Hatmiyah and their bed was made of the hide of ram and when sleeping they would turn its fury face un

زَوَّجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَلِيّاً- فَاطِمَةَ ع عَلَى دِرْعٍ حُطَمِيَّةٍ يُسَاوِي ثَلَاثِينَ دِرْهَماً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, arranged the marriage of Fatimah and Ali, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, for a mahr (dower) from one shield made by Hatmiyah (a certain people) valued at thirty dirham.’”

كَانَ صَدَاقُ فَاطِمَةَ ع جَرْدَ بُرْدٍ حِبَرَةٍ وَ دِرْعَ حُطَمِيَّةٍ وَ كَانَ فِرَاشُهَا إِهَابَ كَبْشٍ يُلْقِيَانِهِ وَ يَفْرُشَانِهِ وَ يَنَامَانِ عَلَيْهِ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that mahr (dower) of Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, was from a gown which was patched, a shield of Hatmiyah and her bed was of hide of a ram which the wife and husband used as floor covering and bed on which they would sleep.’”

لَمَّا زَوَّجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص- عَلِيّاً فَاطِمَةَ ع دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا وَ هِيَ تَبْكِي فَقَالَ لَهَا مَا يُبْكِيكِ فَوَ اللَّهِ لَوْ كَانَ فِي أَهْلِي خَيْرٌ مِنْهُ مَا زَوَّجْتُكِهِ وَ مَا أَنَا زَوَّجْتُهُ وَ لَكِنَّ اللَّهَ زَوَّجَكِ وَ أَصْدَقَ عَنْكِ الْخُمُسَ مَا دَامَتِ السَّمَاوَاتُ وَ الْأَرْضُ.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘When the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, arranged the marriage of Ali and Fatimah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, he went to see her but found her weeping. He (the Messenger of Allah) asked her, ‘What has made you w

إِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ ع قَالَتْ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص زَوَّجْتَنِي بِالْمَهْرِ الْخَسِيسِ فَقَالَ لَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَا أَنَا زَوَّجْتُكِ وَ لَكِنَّ اللَّهَ زَوَّجَكِ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ وَ جَعَلَ مَهْرَكِ خُمُسَ الدُّنْيَا مَا دَامَتِ السَّمَاوَاتُ وَ الْأَرْضُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, said to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, ‘You have given me in marriage for a very little mahr (dower).’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘I have not given you in marriage but

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَهْرِ مَا هُوَ قَالَ مَا تَرَاضَى عَلَيْهِ النَّاسُ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about mahr (dower) and its amount. He (the Imam) said, ‘Whatever amount people agree upon is mahr (dower).’”

الْمَهْرُ مَا تَرَاضَى عَلَيْهِ النَّاسُ أَوِ اثْنَتَا عَشْرَةَ أُوقِيَّةً وَ نَشٌّ أَوْ خَمْسُمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Mahr (dower) is what people agree upon or twelve Awqiyah and one Nashsha or five hundred dirham.’”

الصَّدَاقُ مَا تَرَاضَيَا عَلَيْهِ مِنْ قَلِيلٍ أَوْ كَثِيرٍ فَهَذَا الصَّدَاقُ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘The amount of mahr (dower) is what people agree upon which can be little or a great deal, that is mahr (dower).”’

الصَّدَاقُ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ تَرَاضَى عَلَيْهِ النَّاسُ قَلَّ أَوْ كَثُرَ فِي مُتْعَةٍ أَوْ تَزْوِيجٍ غَيْرِ مُتْعَةٍ.

‘The amount of mahr (dower) is that upon which people agree and it can be little or a great deal, in an advantageous marriage or non-advantageous marriage.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَهْرِ فَقَالَ مَا تَرَاضَى عَلَيْهِ النَّاسُ أَوِ اثْنَتَا عَشْرَةَ أُوقِيَّةً وَ نَشٌّ أَوْ خَمْسُمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ.

‘It is the amount upon which people agree or twelve Awqiyah and one Nashsha or five hundred dirham.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ تَزَوَّجَ امْرَأَةً عَلَى حُكْمِهَا قَالَ لَا يُجَاوِزْ حُكْمُهَا مُهُورَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ع اثْنَتَيْ عَشْرَةَ أُوقِيَّةً وَ نَشّاً وَ هُوَ وَزْنُ خَمْسِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ مِنَ الْفِضَّةِ قُلْتُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ تَزَوَّجَهَا عَلَى حُكْمِهِ وَ رَضِيَتْ بِذَلِكَ قَالَ فَقَالَ مَا حَكَمَ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ فَهُوَ جَائِزٌ عَلَيْهَا قَلِيلًا كَانَ أَوْ كَثِيراً قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ فَكَيْفَ لَم

“This is concerning my question before abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a man who marries a woman following her command to form the marriage contract. He (the Imam) said, ‘Her command in the matters of mahr (dower) must stay within the amount of mahr (dower) of the family of Muhammad (SAW), which is twelve Awqiyah

لَهَا الْمُتْعَةُ وَ الْمِيرَاثُ وَ لَا مَهْرَ لَهَا قُلْتُ فَإِنْ طَلَّقَهَا وَ قَدْ تَزَوَّجَهَا عَلَى حُكْمِهَا قَالَ إِذَا طَلَّقَهَا وَ قَدْ تَزَوَّجَهَا عَلَى حُكْمِهَا لَا يُجَاوِزُ حُكْمُهَا عَلَيْهِ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ وَزْنِ خَمْسِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ‌[2] فِضَّةً مُهُورِ نِسَاءِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

“About the case of a man who marries a woman on her command and decision or according to his decision and command then he or she dies before they go to bed with each other, abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘She can have advantage and inheritance but has no mahr (dower)/ I then asked what happens if he divorces her after ma

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ عَنْ رَجُلٍ تَزَوَّجَ امْرَأَةً عَلَى جَارِيَةٍ لَهُ مُدَبَّرَةٍ قَدْ عَرَفَتْهَا الْمَرْأَةُ وَ تَقَدَّمَتْ عَلَى ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ طَلَّقَهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ بِهَا قَالَ فَقَالَ أَرَى أَنَّ لِلْمَرْأَةِ نِصْفَ خِدْمَةِ الْمُدَبَّرَةِ يَكُونُ لِلْمَرْأَةِ مِنَ الْمُدَبَّرَةِ يَوْمٌ فِي الْخِدْمَةِ وَ يَكُونُ لِسَيِّدِهَا الَّذِي كَانَ دَبَّرَهَا يَوْمٌ فِي الْخِدْمَةِ ق

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked, when I was present, about the case of a man who married a woman as the second wife, the first being al-Mudabbarah, a slave-girl (a slave whose freedom is agreed to take place after the death of the master) which was known to the woman but she executed the marriage and then he div

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ تَزَوَّجَ امْرَأَةً عَلَى أَنْ يُعَلِّمَهَا سُورَةً مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقَالَ مَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ بِهَا[1] حَتَّى يُعَلِّمَهَا السُّورَةَ وَ يُعْطِيَهَا شَيْئاً قُلْتُ أَ يَجُوزُ أَنْ يُعْطِيَهَا تَمْراً أَوْ زَبِيباً قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ إِذَا رَضِيَتْ بِهِ كَائِناً مَا كَانَ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a man who married a woman to teach her a chapter from the book of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious. He (the Imam) said, ‘I do not like his going with her to bed before teaching her the Chapter and giving her something.’ I then asked if giving dates or raisins is eno

جَاءَتِ امْرَأَةٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَتْ زَوِّجْنِي فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ لِهَذِهِ فَقَامَ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ أَنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ زَوِّجْنِيهَا فَقَالَ مَا تُعْطِيهَا فَقَالَ مَا لِي شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ لَا قَالَ فَأَعَادَتْ فَأَعَادَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْكَلَامَ فَلَمْ يَقُمْ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُ الرَّجُلِ ثُمَّ أَعَادَتْ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي الْمَرَّةِ الثَّالِثَةِ أَ تُحْسِنُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ شَيْئاً

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that once a woman came to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and said, ‘You must give me in marriage.’ The Messenger of Allah, asked, ‘Is there anyone for her?’ A man stood up and said, ‘I am for her, O Messenger

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ تَزَوَّجَ امْرَأَةً بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ فَأَعْطَاهَا عَبْداً لَهُ آبِقاً وَ بُرْداً حِبَرَةً بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ الَّتِي أَصْدَقَهَا قَالَ إِذَا رَضِيَتْ بِالْعَبْدِ وَ كَانَتْ قَدْ عَرَفَتْهُ فَلَا بَأْسَ إِذَا هِيَ قَبَضَتِ الثَّوْبَ وَ رَضِيَتْ بِالْعَبْدِ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ طَلَّقَهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ بِهَا قَالَ لَا مَهْرَ لَهَا وَ تَرُدُّ عَلَيْهِ خَمْسَمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ و

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who marries a woman for one thousand dirham. He then gives her a runaway slave and a gown made of silk for one thousand dirham for her mahr (dower). He (the Imam) said, ‘If she agrees for the slave and knows his condition, then it is

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع تَزَوَّجَ رَجُلٌ امْرَأَةً عَلَى خَادِمٍ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي وَسَطٌ مِنْ الْخَدَمِ قَالَ قُلْتُ عَلَى بَيْتٍ قَالَ وَسَطٌ مِنَ الْبُيُوتِ‌[1].

‘The servant must be of average and medium condition.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if it is a house?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It must be of average and medium condition.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ زَوَّجَ ابْنَتَهُ ابْنَ أَخِيهِ وَ أَمْهَرَهَا بَيْتاً وَ خَادِماً ثُمَّ مَاتَ الرَّجُلُ قَالَ يُؤْخَذُ الْمَهْرُ مِنْ وَسَطِ الْمَالِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَالْبَيْتُ وَ الْخَادِمُ قَالَ وَسَطٌ مِنَ الْبُيُوتِ‌[2] وَ الْخَادِمُ وَسَطٌ مِنَ الْخَدَمِ قُلْتُ ثَلَاثِينَ أَرْبَعِينَ دِينَاراً وَ الْبَيْتُ نَحْوٌ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ هَذَا سَبْعِينَ ثَمَانِينَ دِينَاراً أَوْ مِائَةً نَحْ

“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about the case of a man who gave his daughter in marriage to the son of his brother with a mahr (dower) of a house and a servant and the man died. He (the Imam) said, ‘Mahr (dower) is paid from medium kinds of assets.’ I (the narrator) than asked, ‘What is the condition of the house an

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ تَزَوَّجَ امْرَأَةً وَ شَرَطَ لَهَا أَنْ لَا يَتَزَوَّجَ عَلَيْهَا وَ رَضِيَتْ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ مَهْرُهَا قَالَتْ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَذَا شَرْطٌ فَاسِدٌ لَا يَكُونُ النِّكَاحُ إِلَّا عَلَى دِرْهَمٍ أَوْ دِرْهَمَيْنِ‌[3].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who marries a woman with a condition not to marry any other woman with her and she agrees for that as her mahr (dower). He (the Imam) said, ‘This condition is not valid because mahr (dower) can only be like one or two dirham.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فِي رَجُلٍ تَزَوَّجَ امْرَأَةً وَ لَمْ يَفْرِضْ لَهَا صَدَاقاً ثُمَّ دَخَلَ بِهَا قَالَ لَهَا صَدَاقُ نِسَائِهَا.

“About the case of a man who marries a woman without assigning any mahr (dower) and goes to bed with her, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘She has a mahr (dower) similar to that for the women of her family.’”

الْآجِلُ إِلَى مَوْتٍ أَوْ فُرْقَةٍ.

‘The due date for payment of what is on credit of mahr (dower) is on their separation or death.’”

هُوَ الَّذِي أَسَرَّ وَ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ النِّكَاحُ‌[1].

“About the case of a man who hides the amount of mahr (dower) and in public shows it more, abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘It ( mahr (dower)) is what he hides.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ تَدْرِي مِنْ أَيْنَ صَارَ مُهُورُ النِّسَاءِ أَرْبَعَةَ آلَافٍ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ أُمَّ حَبِيبٍ بِنْتَ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ كَانَتْ بِالْحَبَشَةِ فَخَطَبَهَا النَّبِيُّ ص وَ سَاقَ إِلَيْهَا عَنْهُ النَّجَاشِيُّ أَرْبَعَةَ آلَافٍ فَمِنْ ثَمَّ يَأْخُذُونَ بِهِ فَأَمَّا الْمَهْرُ فَاثْنَتَا عَشْرَةَ أُوقِيَّةً وَ نَشٌّ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), once asked, ‘Do you know why mahr (dower) of women has become four thousand?’ I replied, ‘No, I do not know.’ He (the Imam) said, “Umm Habibah, daughter of abu Sufyan was in al-Habashah (Ethiopia) and the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services t

بِنِصْفِ مَا يُعَلَّمُ بِهِ مِثْلُ تِلْكَ السُّورَةِ.

“About the case of a man who marries a woman for teaching her a chapter from the book of Allah, then divorces her before going to bed with her and what she must receive, abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘He owes to teach her half as much of that chapter.’”

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ أَيُّمَا امْرَأَةٍ تَصَدَّقَتْ عَلَى زَوْجِهَا بِمَهْرِهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ بِهَا إِلَّا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهَا بِكُلِّ دِينَارٍ عِتْقَ رَقَبَةٍ قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَكَيْفَ بِالْهِبَةِ بَعْدَ الدُّخُولِ قَالَ إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ مِنَ الْمَوَدَّةِ وَ الْأُلْفَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘If a woman gives her mahr (dower) as charity to her husband before going to bed with her, Allah writes for her for every dinar freeing of a slave.’ It was ask

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا أَدْنَى مَا يُجْزِئُ مِنَ الْمَهْرِ قَالَ تِمْثَالٌ مِنْ سُكَّرٍ.

‘It can be a figure of sugar.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ كُلَّ ذَنْبٍ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِلَّا مَهْرَ امْرَأَةٍ وَ مَنِ اغْتَصَبَ أَجِيراً أَجْرَهُ وَ مَنْ بَاعَ حُرّاً.

‘Allah forgives every sin on the Day of Judgment except non-payment of mahr (dower), usurpation of wages and selling free people.’”

قَالَ إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ يَقْضِي عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الدُّيُونَ مَا خَلَا مُهُورَ النِّسَاءِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Imam pays debts of believing people except mahr (dower) of women.’”

دُخُولُ الرَّجُلِ عَلَى الْمَرْأَةِ يَهْدِمُ الْعَاجِلَ‌[1].

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A man’s going to bed with his woman destroys immediate payability of mahr (dower) which was for immediate payment.’”

إِذَا دَخَلَ بِهَا فَقَدْ هَدَمَ الْعَاجِلَ.

“About the case of a man who marries a woman and goes to bed with her, then she asks for payment of mahr (dower), abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘His going to bed with her destroys immediate payability of mahr (dower) which was for immediate payment.’”

إِذَا دَخَلَ بِهَا فَقَدْ هَدَمَ الْعَاجِلَ.

“About the case of a man who goes to bed with a woman, then she asks for payment of mahr (dower), abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When he goes to bed with her the condition of immediate payment is destroyed.’”

مَنْ أَمْهَرَ مَهْراً ثُمَّ لَا يَنْوِي قَضَاءَهُ كَانَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ السَّارِقِ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one agrees to pay mahr (dower) then decides not to pay it, he is like a thief.’”

مَنْ تَزَوَّجَ الْمَرْأَةَ وَ لَا يَجْعَلُ فِي نَفْسِهِ أَنْ يُعْطِيَهَا مَهْرَهَا فَهُوَ زِنًى‌[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one marries a woman and then decides in his soul not to pay her mahr (dower), he has committed fornication.’”

‌ فِي الرَّجُلِ يَتَزَوَّجُ الْمَرْأَةَ وَ لَا يَجْعَلُ فِي نَفْسِهِ أَنْ يُعْطِيَهَا مَهْرَهَا فَهُوَ زِنًى

‘If a man marries a woman and does not tell his soul to pay her mahr (dower) it is fornication.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا تَزَوَّجَ امْرَأَةً وَ جَعَلَ مَهْرَهَا عِشْرِينَ أَلْفاً وَ جَعَلَ لِأَبِيهَا عَشَرَةَ آلَافٍ كَانَ الْمَهْرُ جَائِزاً وَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لِأَبِيهَا فَاسِداً.

“I once heard al-Rida’ (a.s.), saying, ‘If a man marries a woman for a mahr (dower) of twenty thousand of which ten thousand is for her father, mahr (dower) is permissible but that which is for her father is invalid.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَهَبُ نَفْسَهَا لِلرَّجُلِ يَنْكِحُهَا بِغَيْرِ مَهْرٍ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا كَانَ هَذَا لِلنَّبِيِّ ص وَ أَمَّا لِغَيْرِهِ فَلَا يَصْلُحُ هَذَا حَتَّى يُعَوِّضَهَا شَيْئاً يُقَدِّمُ إِلَيْهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ بِهَا قَلَّ أَوْ كَثُرَ وَ لَوْ ثَوْبٌ أَوْ دِرْهَمٌ وَ قَالَ يُجْزِئُ الدِّرْهَمُ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who gives herself as a gift to a man for marriage. He (the Imam) said, ‘This was only for the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, but for others it is not prop

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ امْرَأَةً مُؤْمِنَةً إِنْ وَهَبَتْ نَفْسَها لِلنَّبِيِ‌[1] فَقَالَ لَا تَحِلُّ الْهِبَةُ إِلَّا لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ أَمَّا غَيْرُهُ فَلَا يَصْلُحُ نِكَاحٌ إِلَّا بِمَهْرٍ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘A believing woman who gifts herself to the Holy Prophet. . . .’ (33:50) He (the Imam) said that such gift is not lawful except for the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their serv