The Book of ‘Aqiqah (Offering Animal Sacrifice for a Newborn Child)

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْوَلَدُ الصَّالِحُ رَيْحَانَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ قَسَمَهَا بَيْنَ عِبَادِهِ وَ إِنَّ رَيْحَانَتَيَّ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا- الْحَسَنُ وَ الْحُسَيْنُ سَمَّيْتُهُمَا بِاسْمِ سِبْطَيْنِ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ شَبَّراً وَ شَبِيراً[2].

“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, ‘A virtuous son is a sweet smelling flower from Allah which Allah distributes among His servants. My sweet smelling flowers in this world are al-Hassan a

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الرَّجُلِ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ وُلْدٌ يَسْتَعِينُ بِهِمْ.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), has said, ‘It is of prosperity and good fortune of a man to have sons who help and support him.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَكْثِرُوا الْوَلَدَ أُكَاثِرْ بِكُمُ الْأُمَمَ غَداً.

“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, ‘You (my followers) should bring up more children because I will claim to have the majority with you among the nations tomorrow (on the Day of Judgment).

لَمَّا لَقِيَ يُوسُفُ أَخَاهُ قَالَ لَهُ يَا أَخِي كَيْفَ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَتَزَوَّجَ النِّسَاءَ بَعْدِي‌ قَالَ إِنَّ أَبِي أَمَرَنِي وَ قَالَ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَكُونَ لَكَ ذُرِّيَّةٌ تُثْقِلُ الْأَرْضَ بِالتَّسْبِيحِ فَافْعَلْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When Yusuf ‘Alayhi al-Salam, met his brother, he asked him, ‘How could you marry women after me?’ He replied, ‘My father commanded me and said, ‘If you like to have such a number of children who can make the earth heavy with Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects) you must do so.’”

إِنَّ فُلَاناً رَجُلًا سَمَّاهُ قَالَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ زَاهِداً فِي الْوَلَدِ حَتَّى وَقَفْتُ بِعَرَفَةَ فَإِذَا إِلَى جَانِبِي غُلَامٌ شَابٌّ يَدْعُو وَ يَبْكِي وَ يَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ وَالِدَيَّ وَالِدَيَّ فَرَغَّبَنِي فِي الْوَلَدِ حِينَ سَمِعْتُ ذَلِكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that so and so -whose name he (the Imam) mentioned- once said, ‘I was not interested in children until I stood in al-‘Arafat and there was a young man next to me who prayed and wept, saying, “O Lord, my parents, (grant blessings to) my parents.” Hearing this made me interested in childr

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الرَّجُلِ الْوَلَدُ الصَّالِحُ.

the following: “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, ‘Of good fortune and prosperity of a man is his having the virtuous son.’”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع أَنِّي اجْتَنَبْتُ طَلَبَ الْوَلَدِ مُنْذُ خَمْسِ سِنِينَ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ أَهْلِي كَرِهَتْ ذَلِكَ وَ قَالَتْ إِنَّهُ يَشْتَدُّ عَلَيَّ تَرْبِيَتُهُمْ لِقِلَّةِ الشَّيْ‌ءِ فَمَا تَرَى فَكَتَبَ ع إِلَيَّ اطْلُبِ الْوَلَدَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَرْزُقُهُمْ.

“I once wrote to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ‘I have avoided praying for a son for five years because my wife dislikes it and says that bringing up a child is very difficult because of lack of resources.’ He (the Imam) (a.s.), wrote to me, ‘Ask for them (children): Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, will grant them

إِنَّ أَوْلَادَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَوْسُومُونَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ شَافِعٌ وَ مُشَفَّعٌ فَإِذَا بَلَغُوا اثْنَتَيْ عَشْرَةَ سَنَةً كَانَتْ‌[1] لَهُمُ الْحَسَنَاتُ فَإِذَا بَلَغُوا الْحُلُمَ كُتِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّيِّئَاتُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Children of believing people are named before Allah, as intercessors with accepted intercession. When they become twelve years old they can have good deeds and when they mature then sins are written against them.’”

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَانَ يَقْرَأُ- وَ إِنِّي خِفْتُ الْمَوالِيَ‌ مِنْ وَرائِي‌[2] يَعْنِي أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ وَارِثٌ حَتَّى وَهَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بَعْدَ الْكِبَرِ.

I am afraid for my dependents after me,’ (19:6) meaning that he had no heirs until Allah granted him (an heir) after his becoming very old.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ الْوَلَدَ الصَّالِحَ رَيْحَانَةٌ مِنْ رَيَاحِينِ الْجَنَّةِ.

“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, ‘A virtuous son is a sweet smelling flower from the flowers of paradise.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الرَّجُلِ الْوَلَدُ الصَّالِحُ.

“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, ‘It is of the prosperity and good fortune of a man to have the virtuous son.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَرَّ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ع بِقَبْرٍ يُعَذَّبُ صَاحِبُهُ ثُمَّ مَرَّ بِهِ مِنْ قَابِلٍ فَإِذَا هُوَ لَا يُعَذَّبُ فَقَالَ يَا رَبِّ مَرَرْتُ بِهَذَا الْقَبْرِ عَامَ أَوَّلَ فَكَانَ يُعَذَّبُ وَ مَرَرْتُ بِهِ الْعَامَ فَإِذَا هُوَ لَيْسَ يُعَذَّبُ فَأَوْحَى اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ أَدْرَكَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ صَالِحٌ فَأَصْلَحَ طَرِيقاً وَ آوَى يَتِيماً فَلِهَذَا غَفَرْتُ لَهُ بِمَا فَعَلَ ابْنُهُ

“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 the following: ‘Jesus, son of Marry, once passed by a grave wherein its dweller suffered a great suffering. He passed by the same grave afterward but foun

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مِنْ نِعْمَةِ اللَّهِ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ أَنْ يُشْبِهَهُ وَلَدُهُ.

“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, ’It is of the bounties of Allah for a man to have a son who resembles him.’”

مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الرَّجُلِ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ الْوَلَدُ يُعْرَفُ فِيهِ شِبْهُهُ خَلْقُهُ وَ خُلُقُهُ وَ شَمَائِلُهُ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘It is of good fortune of a man to have a son who resembles his father, physically, morally and in his nature.”’

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ سَعِدَ امْرُؤٌ لَمْ يَمُتْ حَتَّى يَرَى خَلَفاً مِنْ نَفْسِهِ.

“I once heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ‘Fortunate is the man who does not die before seeing a successor of his own self.’”

تَزَوَّجْتُ‌ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَقَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَيْفَ رَأَيْتَ قُلْتُ مَا رَأَى رَجُلٌ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فِي امْرَأَةٍ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ رَأَيْتُهُ فِيهَا وَ لَكِنْ خَانَتْنِي فَقَالَ وَ مَا هُوَ قُلْتُ وَلَدَتْ جَارِيَةً قَالَ لَعَلَّكَ كَرِهْتَهَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- آباؤُكُمْ وَ أَبْناؤُكُمْ لا تَدْرُونَ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ لَكُمْ نَفْعاً[1].

“I married in al-Madinah and abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked me, ‘How is your married life?’ I replied, ‘Every good thing that a man can see in a woman I found with her but she betrayed me.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘How did she do so?’ I replied, ‘She gave birth to a girl.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You may have disliked her but

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَبَا بَنَاتٍ.

“The Messenger of Allah (sw) was a father of daughters.”

إِنَّ أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع سَأَلَ رَبَّهُ أَنْ يَرْزُقَهُ ابْنَةً تَبْكِيهِ وَ تَنْدُبُهُ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ.

“Ibrahim (a.s.) asked his Lord to give him a daughter who will weep and mourn for him after his death.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ لِي بَنَاتٍ فَقَالَ لَعَلَّكَ تَتَمَنَّى مَوْتَهُنَّ أَمَا إِنَّكَ إِنْ تَمَنَّيْتَ مَوْتَهُنَّ فَمِتْنَ لَمْ تُؤْجَرْ وَ لَقِيتَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَوْمَ تَلْقَاهُ وَ أَنْتَ عَاصٍ.

“I once said to Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that I have several daughters. He (the Imam) said, ‘Perhaps you wish that they die. You must take notice that if you wished that they die and they died, you will have no reward and will meet Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, as a disobedient person.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ نِعْمَ الْوَلَدُ الْبَنَاتُ مُلْطِفَاتٌ مُجَهِّزَاتٌ مُونِسَاتٌ مُبَارَكَاتٌ مُفَلِّيَاتٌ‌[2].

‘The best of children are daughters, who are kind, serving, comforting, blessed and nursing (their parents).”’

أُتِيَ رَجُلٌ وَ هُوَ عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ ص فَأُخْبِرَ بِمَوْلُودٍ أَصَابَهُ فَتَغَيَّرَ وَجْهُ الرَّجُلِ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ع مَا لَكَ فَقَالَ خَيْرٌ فَقَالَ قُلْ قَالَ خَرَجْتُ وَ الْمَرْأَةُ تَمْخَضُ فَأُخْبِرْتُ أَنَّهَا وَلَدَتْ جَارِيَةً فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ص الْأَرْضُ تُقِلُّهَا[3] وَ السَّمَاءُ تُظِلُّهَا- وَ اللَّهُ يَرْزُقُهَا وَ هِيَ رَيْحَانَةٌ تَشَمُّهَا ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى أَصْحَابِهِ فَقَالَ مَ

“A man once was with the Holy Prophet (saww) and he informed him about the birth of a child but his face changed. The Holy Prophet asked him, ‘What is the matter with you?’ He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘Say that it is good.’ He then said, ‘I left and my wife was in labor. I am informed that she has given birth to

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عَلَى الْإِنَاثِ أَرْأَفُ مِنْهُ عَلَى الذُّكُورِ وَ مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ يُدْخِلُ فَرْحَةً عَلَى امْرَأَةٍ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَهَا حُرْمَةٌ إِلَّا فَرَّحَهُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

"The Messenger of Allah (sw) said, 'Indeed, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, is more compassionate towards females than He is towards males. And no man brings joy to a woman with whom he has a relationship except that Allah will bring him joy on the Day of Resurrection.'"

الْبَنَاتُ حَسَنَاتٌ وَ الْبَنُونَ نِعْمَةٌ فَإِنَّمَا يُثَابُ عَلَى الْحَسَنَاتِ وَ يُسْأَلُ عَنِ النِّعْمَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Daughters are good deeds and sons are bounties. Reward comes only from good deeds and for bounties one will be held for questioning.’”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بَلَغَنِي أَنَّهُ وُلِدَ لَكَ ابْنَةٌ فَتُسْخِطُهَا وَ مَا عَلَيْكَ مِنْهَا رَيْحَانَةٌ تَشَمُّهَا وَ قَدْ كُفِيتَ رِزْقَهَا وَ قَدْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَبَا بَنَاتٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, ‘I am told a girl is born to you whom you dislike. What has she brought upon you? She is a sweet smelling flower you enjoy and her sustenance is guaranteed, besides, the Messenger of Allah was a father of girls.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ عَالَ ثَلَاثَ بَنَاتٍ أَوْ ثَلَاثَ أَخَوَاتٍ وَجَبَتْ لَهُ الْجَنَّةُ فَقِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص وَ اثْنَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ وَ اثْنَتَيْنِ فَقِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ وَاحِدَةً فَقَالَ وَ وَاحِدَةً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah (saww) has said, 'One who supports three daughters or three sisters, paradise becomes obligatory for him.’ It then was asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what happens if one supports just two?’ He (the Messenger of Allah) replied, ‘Even if they are just two.’ It t

وُلِدَ لِرَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا جَارِيَةٌ فَدَخَلَ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَرَآهُ مُتَسَخِّطاً فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ رَأَيْتَ لَوْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَوْحَى إِلَيْكَ أَنْ أَخْتَارُ لَكَ أَوْ تَخْتَارُ لِنَفْسِكَ مَا كُنْتَ تَقُولُ قَالَ كُنْتُ أَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ تَخْتَارُ لِي قَالَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدِ اخْتَارَ لَكَ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ الْغُلَامَ الَّذِي‌ قَتَلَهُ الْعَال

"A man from our companions had a girl born to him, so he entered upon Abu Abdillah al-Sadiq (as) and saw him displeased. Abu Abdillah (as) said to him, 'What would you say if Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, inspired you to choose what He would choose for you or for yourself?' He replied, 'I would say, O Lord, choose fo

الْبَنُونَ نَعِيمٌ وَ الْبَنَاتُ حَسَنَاتٌ وَ اللَّهُ يَسْأَلُ عَنِ النَّعِيمِ وَ يُثِيبُ عَلَى الْحَسَنَاتِ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Sons are bounties and daughters are good deeds, Allah questions one about the bounties but for the good deeds He gives good rewards.”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَبْطَأَ عَلَى أَحَدِكُمُ الْوَلَدُ فَلْيَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَ‌ لا تَذَرْنِي فَرْداً وَ أَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْوارِثِينَ‌ وَحِيداً وَحْشاً فَيَقْصُرَ شُكْرِي عَنْ تَفَكُّرِي‌[2] بَلْ هَبْ لِي عَاقِبَةَ صِدْقٍ ذُكُوراً وَ إِنَاثاً آنَسُ بِهِمْ مِنَ الْوَحْشَةِ وَ أَسْكُنُ إِلَيْهِمْ مِنَ الْوَحْدَةِ وَ أَشْكُرُكَ عِنْدَ تَمَامِ النِّعْمَةِ يَا وَهَّابُ يَا عَظِيمُ يَا مُعَظَّمُ‌[3] ثُمَّ أَعْط

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If the birth of a child for one of you is delayed, he should say this prayer, ‘O Lord, do not leave me all by myself- and You are the best heir- alone and frightened so that my thoughts about a child reduce my thanks (to You). Grant me truthful consequences (successors) of male (child

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ قَدِ انْقَرَضُوا وَ لَيْسَ لِي وَلَدٌ قَالَ ادْعُ وَ أَنْتَ سَاجِدٌ- رَبِّ هَبْ‌ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ وَلِيًّا يَرِثُنِي‌ رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعاءِ رَبِّ لا تَذَرْنِي فَرْداً وَ أَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْوارِثِينَ‌ قَالَ فَفَعَلْتُ فَوُلِدَ لِي عَلِيٌّ وَ الْحُسَيْنُ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that I belong to a family that is extinct and I do not have any children. He (the Imam) said, ‘Pray when you are in Sajdah (prostration), ‘[My Lord, grant me from Your dominion an heir who will inherit me]. O Lord, grant me fine offspring from Your dominion; You hear the prayers.

مَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يُحْبَلَ لَهُ فَلْيُصَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْجُمُعَةِ يُطِيلُ فِيهِمَا الرُّكُوعَ وَ السُّجُودَ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِمَا سَأَلَكَ بِهِ زَكَرِيَّا يَا رَبِّ لا تَذَرْنِي فَرْداً وَ أَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْوارِثِينَ‌ اللَّهُمَ‌ هَبْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعاءِ اللَّهُمَّ بِاسْمِكَ اسْتَحْلَلْتُهَا وَ فِي أَمَانَتِكَ أَخَذْتُهَا فَإِنْ قَضَيْتَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who wishes for pregnancy should perform two Rak’at Salat (prayer) after Friday Salat (prayer) with long Ruku’ (bowing down on one’s knees) and Sajdah (prostration): then say, “O Lord, I ask and appeal before You as Zakariya had done. O Lord, do not leave me alone by myself -You ar

شَكَا الْأَبْرَشُ الْكَلْبِيُّ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَنَّهُ لَا يُولَدُ لَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَلِّمْنِي شَيْئاً قَالَ اسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ أَوْ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَقُولُ‌ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كانَ غَفَّاراً إِلَى قَوْلِهِ- وَ يُمْدِدْكُمْ بِأَمْوالٍ وَ بَنِينَ‌[1].

‘I ask forgiveness from Allah, my Lord and return to Him in repentance’ one hundred times every day and every night, because Allah says, ‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord; He is forgiving. ... He helps you by means of your wealth and sons.’” (71:10)

أَنَّهُ وَفَدَ إِلَى هِشَامِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ فَأَبْطَأَ عَلَيْهِ الْإِذْنُ حَتَّى اغْتَمَّ وَ كَانَ لَهُ حَاجِبٌ كَثِيرُ الدُّنْيَا وَ لَا يُولَدُ لَهُ فَدَنَا مِنْهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ هَلْ لَكَ أَنْ تُوصِلَنِي إِلَى هِشَامٍ وَ أُعَلِّمَكَ دُعَاءً[3] يُولَدُ لَكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَأَوْصَلَهُ إِلَى هِشَامٍ وَ قَضَى لَهُ جَمِيعَ حَوَائِجِهِ قَالَ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ قَالَ لَهُ الْحَاجِبُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الد

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Once I wanted to visit Hisham ibn ‘Abd al-Malik but permission for a meeting was delayed and I felt worried.’ He ‘Abd al-Malik had a guard who was wealthy but had no children. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), asked him, ‘If you can arrange a meeting with Hisham I will teach you a prayer and you will ha

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- مُخَلَّقَةٍ وَ غَيْرِ مُخَلَّقَةٍ[1] فَقَالَ الْمُخَلَّقَةُ هُمُ الذَّرُّ الَّذِينَ خَلَقَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِي صُلْبِ آدَمَ ع أَخَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمِيثَاقَ ثُمَّ أَجْرَاهُمْ فِي أَصْلَابِ الرِّجَالِ وَ أَرْحَامِ النِّسَاءِ وَ هُمُ الَّذِينَ يَخْرُجُونَ إِلَى الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى يُسْأَلُوا عَنِ الْمِيثَاقِ وَ أَمَّا قَوْلُهُ‌ وَ غَيْرِ مُخَلَّقَةٍ فَهُمْ كُلُّ نَ

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, . . created and not created . . (22:5) He (the Imam) said, ‘Created are those whom Allah created in the back of Adam (a.s.). He made them to promise and make a covenant. Then He allowed them to move through the backs of men and wom

الْغَيْضُ كُلُّ حَمْلٍ دُونَ تِسْعَةِ أَشْهُرٍ وَ مَا تَزْدَادُ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يَزْدَادُ عَلَى تِسْعَةِ أَشْهُرٍ فَكُلَّمَا رَأَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ الدَّمَ الْخَالِصَ فِي حَمْلِهَا فَإِنَّهَا تَزْدَادُ بِعَدَدِ الْأَيَّامِ الَّتِي رَأَتْ فِي حَمْلِهَا مِنَ الدَّمِ.

“I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘He knows what every female bears and what the wombs decrease (spoil) and what they increase (dispose).’ (13:8) He (the Imam) said, ‘Decrease’ is every pregnancy before nine mont

قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ النُّطْفَةَ تَكُونُ فِي الرَّحِمِ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً ثُمَّ تَصِيرُ عَلَقَةً أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً ثُمَّ تَصِيرُ مُضْغَةً أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً فَإِذَا كَمَلَ أَرْبَعَةُ أَشْهُرٍ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ مَلَكَيْنِ خَلَّاقَيْنِ‌[1] فَيَقُولَانِ يَا رَبِّ مَا تَخْلُقُ ذَكَراً أَوْ أُنْثَى فَيُؤْمَرَانِ فَيَقُولَانِ يَا رَبِّ شَقِيّاً أَوْ سَعِيداً فَيُؤ

Abu Ja'far (al-Baqir) (as) said: "Sperm in the womb after forty days becomes a clot, and then after another forty days becomes a fetus. When four months pass by, Allah sends two creating angels and they ask, “Oh Lord, what do You want to create, male or female?". They are then commanded accordingly. Then they ask, "Oh

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ النُّطْفَةَ[2] الَّتِي مِمَّا أَخَذَ عَلَيْهَا الْمِيثَاقَ فِي صُلْبِ آدَمَ أَوْ مَا يَبْدُو لَهُ فِيهِ‌[3] وَ يَجْعَلَهَا فِي الرَّحِمِ حَرَّكَ الرَّجُلَ لِلْجِمَاعِ وَ أَوْحَى إِلَى الرَّحِمِ‌[4] أَنِ افْتَحِي بَابَكِ حَتَّى يَلِجَ فِيكِ- خَلْقِي وَ قَضَائِيَ النَّافِذُ وَ قَدَرِي فَتَفْتَحُ الرَّحِمُ بَابَهَا فَتَصِلُ النُّطْفَةُ إِلَى الرَّحِمِ فَتَرَدَّدُ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘When Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, wants to create the seed which has formed the covenant when taken from the back of Adam or what appears to Him, (due to al-Bada’ ) He places it in the womb and moves the man to go to bed with the woman (his wife). He inspires the womb to open its

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الْخَلْقِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَمَّا خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ مِنْ طِينٍ أَفَاضَ بِهَا كَإِفَاضَةِ الْقِدَاحِ‌[2] فَأَخْرَجَ الْمُسْلِمَ فَجَعَلَهُ سَعِيداً وَ جَعَلَ الْكَافِرَ شَقِيّاً فَإِذَا وَقَعَتِ النُّطْفَةُ تَلَقَّتْهَا الْمَلَائِكَةُ فَصَوَّرُوهَا ثُمَّ قَالُوا يَا رَبِّ أَ ذَكَراً أَوْ أُنْثَى فَيَقُولُ الرَّبُّ جَلَّ جَلَالُهُ أَيَّ ذَلِكَ شَاءَ فَيَقُولَانِ تَ

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the creation. He (the Imam) said, ‘When Allah, most Blessed, most High, created the creation from clay He poured them as arrows are poured, took out the Muslim ones, made him fortunate and made the unbeliever wicked ones. When the seed falls angels receive it and give it its shape

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

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا وَقَعَتِ النُّطْفَةُ فِي الرَّحِمِ اسْتَقَرَّتْ فِيهَا أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً وَ تَكُونُ عَلَقَةً أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً وَ تَكُونُ مُضْغَةً أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً ثُمَّ يَبْعَثُ اللَّهُ مَلَكَيْنِ خَلَّاقَيْنِ فَيُقَالُ لَهُمَا اخْلُقَا كَمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ ذَكَراً أَوْ أُنْثَى صَوِّرَاهُ وَ اكْتُبَا أَجَلَهُ وَ رِزْقَهُ وَ مَنِيَّتَهُ‌[1] وَ شَقِيّاً أَوْ سَعِيداً وَ اكْتُبَا لِلَّه

“I once heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), saying, ‘When the seed falls in the womb it settles there for forty days, remains as a clot for forty days and as an embryo for another forty days. Allah then sends two creative angels with instruction to create him, as Allah wants it to be. It can be a male or a female. They shape him