The Book of Dresses, Beautification and Kindness

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَدَعَا بِأَثْوَابٍ فَذَرَعَ مِنْهُ فَعَمَدَ إِلَى خَمْسَةِ أَذْرُعٍ فَقَطَعَهَا ثُمَّ شَبَرَ عَرْضَهَا سِتَّةَ أَشْبَارٍ ثُمَّ شَقَّهُ وَ قَالَ شُدُّوا ضَفَّتَهُ وَ هَدِّبُوا طَرَفَيْهِ‌[1].

“I once was with abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), and he asked for a piece of cloth. He (the Imam) took five yards from it, cut it, then measured it with his shibr and in width it was six shibr. He (the Imam) then asked to stitch its borders and trim its edges.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَلْبَسُ الثَّوْبَ الْجَدِيدَ قَالَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ ثَوْبَ يُمْنٍ وَ تُقًى وَ بَرَكَةٍ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي فِيهِ حُسْنَ عِبَادَتِكَ وَ عَمَلًا بِطَاعَتِكَ وَ أَدَاءَ شُكْرِ نِعْمَتِكَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي كَسَانِي مَا أُوَارِي بِهِ عَوْرَتِي وَ أَتَجَمَّلُ بِهِ فِي النَّاسِ.

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of a man who wears new clothes. He (the Imam) said, ’He must say, ‘O Lord, make it the dress of good fortune and blessings. O Lord, grant me the opportunity to worship You properly and appreciate Your bounties. All praise belongs to Allah who has clothed me with something

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ عَلَّمَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا لَبِسْتُ ثَوْباً جَدِيداً أَنْ أَقُولَ- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي كَسَانِي مِنَ اللِّبَاسِ مَا أَتَجَمَّلُ بِهِ فِي النَّاسِ اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهَا ثِيَابَ بَرَكَةٍ- أَسْعَى فِيهَا لِمَرْضَاتِكَ وَ أَعْمُرُ فِيهَا مَسَاجِدَكَ فَقَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ مَنْ قَالَ ذَلِكَ لَمْ يَتَقَمَّصْهُ حَتَّى يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ وَ فِي نُسْخَةٍ أُخْرَى لَمْ يُصِبْهُ شَيْ

‘’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, “The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, taught me when wearing new clothes to say, ‘All praise belongs to Allah who has dressed me with clothes to beautify myself before the people. O Lord, make it the dress of

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع يَقُولُ‌ قَدْ يَنْبَغِي لِأَحَدِكُمْ إِذَا لَبِسَ الثَّوْبَ الْجَدِيدَ أَنْ يُمِرَّ يَدَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ يَقُولَ- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي كَسَانِي مَا أُوَارِي بِهِ عَوْرَتِي وَ أَتَجَمَّلُ بِهِ فِي النَّاسِ وَ أَتَزَيَّنُ بِهِ بَيْنَهُمْ.

Tt is very proper for you when wearing a piece of new clothes to wipe it with your hand and say, “All praise belongs to Allah who has dressed me with something whereby I cover my privacy, beautify and decorate myself before the people.’”

مَنْ قَرَأَ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ ثِنْتَيْنِ وَ ثَلَاثِينَ مَرَّةً فِي إِنَاءٍ جَدِيدٍ وَ رَشَّ بِهِ ثَوْبَهُ الْجَدِيدَ إِذَا لَبِسَهُ لَمْ يَزَلْ يَأْكُلُ فِي سَعَةٍ مَا بَقِيَ مِنْهُ سِلْكٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one reads Chapter 97 of the Quran thirty-two times on a bowl of water and sprinkles it on a new dress just before wearing it, he will continue to eat affluently as long as a fiber thereof is left with him.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِذَا كَسَا اللَّهُ تَعَالَى الْمُؤْمِنَ ثَوْباً جَدِيداً فَلْيَتَوَضَّأْ وَ لْيُصَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ يَقْرَأُ فِيهِمَا أُمَّ الْكِتَابِ وَ آيَةَ الْكُرْسِيِّ وَ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ وَ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ ثُمَّ لْيَحْمَدِ اللَّهَ الَّذِي سَتَرَ عَوْرَتَهُ وَ زَيَّنَهُ فِي النَّاسِ وَ لْيُكْثِرْ مِنْ قَوْلِ- لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَعْصِي اللَّهَ فِ

"’Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said, ‘When Allah, the most High, dresses a believing man with a new clothe, he must perform wudu and perform a two rak’at prayer in which he should recite Umm al-Kitab (Surah 1), Ayat al-Kursi (Quran 2:255), and "Qul huwa Allahu ahad" (Surah 112), and "Inna anzalnahu" (Surah 97). Then, let him

أَرَدْتُ الدُّخُولَ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَلَبِسْتُ ثِيَابِي وَ نَشَرْتُ طَيْلَسَاناً جَدِيداً كُنْتُ مُعْجَباً بِهِ فَزَحَمَنِي جَمَلٌ فِي بَعْضِ الطَّرِيقِ فَتَمَزَّقَ مِنْ كُلِّ وَجْهٍ فَاغْتَمَمْتُ لِذَلِكَ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَنَظَرَ إِلَى الطَّيْلَسَانِ فَقَالَ لِي مَا لِي أَرَاكَ مُنْهَتِكاً فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ بِالْقِصَّةِ فَقَالَ يَا عُمَرُ إِذَا لَبِسْتَ ثَوْباً جَدِيداً فَقُلْ لَا إ

“I once wanted to visit abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). I dressed up and spread my Taylisan (pallium) which was new and I liked it very much. Somewhere on the road the camel gave me a hard time and it (my dress) was torn in pieces all over. I became depress very much. I then met abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), he looked at my Taylisan

أَدْنَى الْإِسْرَافِ هِرَاقَةُ فَضْلِ الْإِنَاءِ وَ ابْتِذَالُ ثَوْبِ الصَّوْنِ وَ إِلْقَاءُ النَّوَى.

‘The least of squandering is throwing away the remaining water in a bowl, misuse of protective clothes and throwing away of nutlets.”’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا أَدْنَى مَا يَجِي‌ءُ مِنَ الْإِسْرَافِ قَالَ ابْتِذَالُكَ ثَوْبَ صَوْنِكَ وَ إِهْرَاقُكَ فَضْلَ إِنَائِكَ وَ أَكْلُكَ التَّمْرَ وَ رَمْيَكَ بِالنَّوَى هَاهُنَا وَ هَاهُنَا.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the least degree of squandering. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is misuse of protective clothes, throwing away the remaining water in your bowl and when eating dates throwing the date-stone here and there.’”

دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِهِ فَرَأَى عَلَيْهِ قَمِيصاً فِيهِ قَبٌّ قَدْ رَقَعَهُ‌[1] فَجَعَلَ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا لَكَ تَنْظُرُ فَقَالَ قَبٌّ مُلْقًى فِي قَمِيصِكَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِيَ اضْرِبْ يَدَكَ إِلَى هَذَا الْكِتَابِ فَاقْرَأْ مَا فِيهِ وَ كَانَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ كِتَابٌ أَوْ قَرِيبٌ مِنْهُ فَنَظَرَ الرَّجُلُ فِيهِ فَإِذَا فِيهِ لَا إِيمَانَ لِمَنْ لَا حَيَاءَ لَهُ وَ لَا

“Once certain person of his people came to him (the Imam) and he saw on him (the Imam) a shirt with a patch stitched on it and he kept looking at it. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘What is the matter; what are you looking at?’ He replied, ‘I look at the patch stitched on your shirt.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Pick up this bo

مَنْ تَعَمَّمَ وَ لَمْ يَتَحَنَّكْ فَأَصَابَهُ دَاءٌ لَا دَوَاءَ لَهُ فَلَا يَلُومَنَّ إِلَّا نَفْسَهُ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who wears a turban without tahannak (allowing one end to hang down on one’s front side and the other end down one’s back side), if he faces an illness without cure he then must not blame anyone for it except his own-self.’”

الْعَمَائِمُ اعْتَمَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَسَدَلَهَا مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَ مِنْ خَلْفِهِ وَ اعْتَمَّ جَبْرَئِيلُ فَسَدَلَهَا مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَ مِنْ خَلْفِهِ.

The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, wore a turban and hanged down one end on his front side and the other end down his backside. Jibril wore a turban and hanged down one end on his front side and the other end down his back.’”

كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمَلَائِكَةِ الْعَمَائِمُ الْبِيضُ الْمُرْسَلَةُ يَوْمَ بَدْرٍ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that the angels had turbans hanging on them on the day of Badr.”

عَمَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَلِيّاً ع بِيَدِهِ فَسَدَلَهَا مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَ قَصَّرَهَا مِنْ خَلْفِهِ قَدْرَ أَرْبَعِ أَصَابِعَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَدْبِرْ فَأَدْبَرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَقْبِلْ فَأَقْبَلَ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَكَذَا تِيجَانُ الْمَلَائِكَةِ.

“The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, made Ali (a.s.), to wear turban and hanged one end down his front side but made it shorter for the end hanging down his back by four fingers. He (the Messenger of Allah) then asked him to go back whic

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْعَمَائِمُ تِيجَانُ الْعَرَبِ. - وَ رُوِيَ‌ أَنَّ الطَّابِقِيَّةَ عِمَّةُ إِبْلِيسَ لَعَنَهُ اللَّهُ‌[1].

“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, ‘Turbans are the crown of Arabs.’” And it has been narrated that the Tabiqiyya is the turban of Iblis, may Allah curse him.

مَنْ خَرَجَ مِنْ مَنْزِلِهِ مُعْتَمّاً تَحْتَ حَنَكِهِ يُرِيدُ سَفَراً لَمْ يُصِبْهُ فِي سَفَرِهِ سَرَقٌ وَ لَا حَرَقٌ وَ لَا مَكْرُوهٌ.

He said, "Whoever leaves his home, intending a journey, with trust under his chin (meaning he has good intentions), he will not be afflicted with theft, fire, or anything disliked during his journey."

مَنِ اعْتَمَّ فَلَمْ يُدِرِ الْعِمَامَةَ تَحْتَ حَنَكِهِ فَأَصَابَهُ أَلَمٌ لَا دَوَاءَ لَهُ فَلَا يَلُومَنَّ إِلَّا نَفْسَهُ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one wears a turban but does not turn the turban under his chin and then suffers an incurable illness , he then must not blame anyone other than his own self.’”

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَلْبَسُ الْقَلَانِسَ الْيَمَنِيَّةَ وَ الْبَيْضَاءَ وَ الْمُضَرَّبَةَ وَ ذَاتَ الْأُذُنَيْنِ فِي‌ الْحَرْبِ وَ كَانَتْ عِمَامَتُهُ السَّحَابَ وَ كَانَ لَهُ بُرْنُسٌ يَتَبَرْنَسُ بِهِ‌[1].

“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, would wear a white Yemeniy cape and a quilted one with two ears for the war time. His turban was al-Sahab and a hooded cloak which he would wear.’”

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَلْبَسُ قَلَنْسُوَةً بَيْضَاءَ مُضَرَّبَةً وَ كَانَ يَلْبَسُ فِي الْحَرْبِ قَلَنْسُوَةً لَهَا أُذُنَانِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, wore a white cape which was quilted. And for the war time he would wear one which had two ears.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ اعْمَلْ لِي قَلَانِسَ بَيْضَاءَ وَ لَا تُكَسِّرْهَا فَإِنَّ السَّيِّدَ مِثْلِي لَا يَلْبَسُ الْمُكَسَّرَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, once said, ‘Make for me white capes and do not (make them of large size that require folding) break them; a master like me does not wear the broken one.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ اتَّخِذْ لِي قَلَنْسُوَةً وَ لَا تَجْعَلْهَا مُصَبَّغَةً[2] فَإِنَّ السَّيِّدَ مِثْلِي لَا يَلْبَسُهَا يَعْنِي لَا تُكَسِّرْهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, once said to me, ‘Find for me capes but do not color them; a master like me does not wear them, that is, you must not (make them of a large size to require you to) break (fold) them.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ اسْتِجَادَةُ الْحِذَاءِ وِقَايَةٌ لِلْبَدَنِ وَ عَوْنٌ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ وَ الطَّهُورِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘Good shoes (footgear) are protection for the body and helps for Salat (prayer) and al-Tahur (cleansing).”’

أَوَّلُ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ النَّعْلَيْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع.

The first one who used footgear was Ibrahim ‘Alayhi al- Salam.”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ نَعْلًا فَلْيَسْتَجِدْهَا.

“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, ‘One who uses a sandal must find a good one.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا تَحْتَذُوا الْمَلْسَ فَإِنَّهَا حِذَاءُ فِرْعَوْنَ وَ هُوَ أَوَّلُ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ الْمَلْسَ.

‘Do not use an al-Mals footgear (one without heels and strip between the toes); it is the kind of the footgear of the pharaoh who was the first to use such footgear.’”

إِنِّي لَأَمْقُتُ الرَّجُلَ لَا أَرَاهُ مُعَقَّبَ النَّعْلَيْنِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘I dislike a man whose footgear is without pursuer (the back part to support the back of the heels).”’

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عَلَيَّ نَعْلٌ مَمْسُوحَةٌ فَقَالَ هَذَا حِذَاءُ الْيَهُودِ فَانْصَرَفَ مِنْهَالٌ فَأَخَذَ سِكِّيناً فَخَصَّرَهَا بِهَا.

“Once I was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and I was wearing a sandal which was smooth. He (the Imam) said, ‘This is of the kind of sandals that Jews wear.’ Minhal then returned, took a knife and carved to narrow down its middle.’”

أَرْسَلَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ نَحْنُ بِمِنًى ائْتِنِي وَ مَعَكَ كِنْفُكَ‌[2] قَالَ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فِي مِضْرَبِهِ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَرَدَّ عَلَيَّ وَ أَوْمَأَ إِلَيَّ أَنِ اجْلِسْ فَجَلَسْتُ ثُمَّ تَنَاوَلَ نَعْلًا جَدِيداً فَرَمَى بِهَا إِلَيَّ فَلَمَّا أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَذْهَبَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَوْ وَهَبْتَ لِي هَذِهِ النَّعْلَ وَ كُنْتُ أَحْذُو عَلَيْهَا فَرَمَى إِلَيَّ بِالْفَرْدِ الْآخَرِ فَقَ

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), sent for me, when we were in Mina, to come to him with my tools. I went to his tent and offered him (the Imam) the greeting of peace to which he responded and made a hand gesture for me to sit down. I sat down. He (the Imam) took a new shoe and threw it to me. When I wanted to leave I said,

فِي رِجْلِهِ نَعْلًا غَيْرَ مُخَصَّرَةٍ أَمَا إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَنْ غَيَّرَ حَذْوَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فُلَانٌ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا تُسَمُّونَ هَذَا الْحَذْوَ قُلْتُ الْمَمْسُوحَ قَالَ هَذَا الْمَمْسُوحُ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘I dislike a man when I see him wearing a sandal which does not have a narrow middle part. The first one who changed the model of the Messenger of Allah was so and so.’ He (the Imam) then asked, ‘What do you call this model?’ I said, ‘It is smooth.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘This

نَظَرَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع وَ عَلَيَّ نَعْلَانِ مَمْسُوحَتَانِ فَأَخَذَهُمَا وَ قَلَبَهُمَا ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي أَ تُرِيدُ أَنْ تَهَوَّدَ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّمَا وَهَبَهُمَا لِي إِنْسَانٌ قَالَ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

‘Do you want to be like Jews?’ I said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, it is only what a human being has given to me as a gift.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It then is not unlawful.’”

أَنَّهُ كَرِهَ عَقْدَ شِرَاكِ النَّعْلِ وَ أَخَذَ نَعْلَ أَحَدِهِمْ وَ حَلَّ شِرَاكَهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), disliked tying of shoelaces. He (the Imam) took the sandals of one of them and opened its laces.”

كَانَ أَبِي يُطِيلُ ذَوَائِبَ نَعْلَيْهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘My father would keep Dhawa’ib (the clump) of his shoes longer.’”

أَنَّهُ نَظَرَ إِلَى نَعْلٍ شِرَاكُهَا مَعْقُودَةٌ فَتَنَاوَلَهَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَحَلَّهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ لَا تَعْقِدْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once looked at a shoe which had laces that were tied down. He (the Imam) picked it up, opened its laces and said, ‘This must not be tied down.’”

كُنْتُ أَمْشِي مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَانْقَطَعَ شِسْعُ نَعْلِهِ فَأَخْرَجْتُ مِنْ كُمِّي شِسْعاً فَأَصْلَحَ بِهِ نَعْلَهُ ثُمَّ ضَرَبَ يَدَهُ عَلَى كَتِفِيَ الْأَيْسَرِ وَ قَالَ يَا عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ كَثِيرٍ مَنْ حَمَلَ مُؤْمِناً عَلَى شِسْعِ نَعْلِهِ حَمَلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى نَاقَةٍ دَمْكَاءَ[1] حِينَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ حَتَّى يَقْرَعَ بَابَ الْجَنَّةِ.

“I once was walking with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when the thong and strap of his shoe broke. I took out one from my bag with which he repaired his shoe. He (the Imam) touched my left shoulder saying, ‘O ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Kathir, if one helps a believing person in the matters of his shoe thong Allah, most Majestic, most

كُنَّا نَمْشِي مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ هُوَ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يُعَزِّيَ ذَا قَرَابَةٍ لَهُ بِمَوْلُودٍ لَهُ فَانْقَطَعَ شِسْعُ نَعْلِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَتَنَاوَلَ نَعْلَهُ مِنْ رِجْلِهِ ثُمَّ مَشَى حَافِياً فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ ابْنُ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ فَخَلَعَ نَعْلَ نَفْسِهِ مِنْ رِجْلِهِ وَ خَلَعَ الشِّسْعَ مِنْهَا وَ نَاوَلَهُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ كَهَيْئَةِ الْمُغْضَبِ ثُمَّ أَبَى أَنْ يَقْ

“Once we were walking with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), to (the house of) one of his relatives for offering condolences because of the death of their child. The strap and thong of the shoe of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), broke, so he took his shoes in his hand and began to walk barefoot. Ibn abu Ya‘fur looked at him and took his s

كُنْتُ مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- فَدَخَلَ عَلَى رَجُلٍ فَخَلَعَ نَعْلَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ اخْلَعُوا نِعَالَكُمْ فَإِنَّ النَّعْلَ إِذَا خُلِعَتِ اسْتَرَاحَتِ الْقَدَمَانِ.

“Once I was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when he visited a man. On his arrival he took off his shoes and then said, ‘You must take off your shoes; when shoes are removed the feet receive more comfort and rest.’”

مَا لَكَ وَ لِلنَّعْلِ السَّوْدَاءِ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّهَا تُضِرُّ بِالْبَصَرِ وَ تُرْخِي الذَّكَرَ وَ هِيَ بِأَغْلَى الثَّمَنِ مِنْ غَيْرِهَا وَ مَا لَبِسَهَا أَحَدٌ إِلَّا اخْتَالَ فِيهَا.

“Once abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), looked at one of his people who wore a black shoe. He (the Imam) said, ‘What have you to do with a black shoe, did you not know that it is harmful to the eyes, it slackens the penis, besides it is more expensive than others and whoever wears it, he shows arrogance in it?”’

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ فِي رِجْلِي نَعْلٌ سَوْدَاءُ فَقَالَ يَا حَنَانُ مَا لَكَ وَ لِلسَّوْدَاءِ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ فِيهَا ثَلَاثَ خِصَالٍ تُضْعِفُ الْبَصَرَ وَ تُرْخِي الذَّكَرَ وَ تُورِثُ الْهَمَّ وَ مَعَ ذَلِكَ مِنْ لِبَاسِ الْجَبَّارِينَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ فَمَا أَلْبَسُ مِنَ النِّعَالِ قَالَ عَلَيْكَ بِالصَّفْرَاءِ فَإِنَّ فِيهَا ثَلَاثَ خِصَالٍ تَجْلُو الْبَصَرَ وَ تَشُدُّ الذَّكَرَ وَ تَدْرَأ

“I once visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and I wore a black shoe. He (the Imam) said, ‘O Hanan, what do you have to do with black (color)? Did you not know that it has three disadvantages ? It weakens the eye sight, slackens the penis and causes anxieties [and besides it is of footgear of tyrants]?’ I then asked, ‘What k

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عَلَيَّ نَعْلٌ بَيْضَاءُ فَقَالَ يَا سَدِيرُ مَا هَذِهِ النَّعْلُ احْتَذَيْتَهَا عَلَى عِلْمٍ قُلْتُ لَا وَ اللَّهِ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ مَنْ دَخَلَ السُّوقَ قَاصِداً لِنَعْلٍ بَيْضَاءَ لَمْ يُبْلِهَا حَتَّى يَكْتَسِبَ مَالًا مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ قَالَ أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ أَخْبَرَنِي سَدِيرٌ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يُبْلِ تِلْكَ النَّعْلَ حَتَّى اكْتَسَبَ مِائَةَ دِينَارٍ مِنْ حَيْث

“I once visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and I was wearing a white shoe. He (the Imam) asked, ‘O Sadir, are you wearing this shoe intentionally?’ I replied, ‘No, by Allah, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Whoever goes to the market place to buy a white shoe, it will not bec

رَآنِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عَلَيَّ نَعْلٌ سَوْدَاءُ فَقَالَ يَا عُبَيْدُ مَا لَكَ وَ لِلنَّعْلِ السَّوْدَاءِ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ فِيهَا ثَلَاثَ خِصَالٍ تُرْخِي الذَّكَرَ وَ تُضْعِفُ الْبَصَرَ وَ هِيَ أَغْلَى ثَمَناً مِنْ غَيْرِهَا وَ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَلْبَسُهَا وَ مَا يَمْلِكُ إِلَّا أَهْلَهُ وَ وَلَدَهُ فَيَبْعَثُهُ اللَّهُ جَبَّاراً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saw me with a black shoe and said, ‘O ‘Ubayd, what have you to do with a black shoe? Did you not know that it has three negative qualities? It slackens the penis, weakens the eyesight and it is more expensive than other shoes. If a man, who does not have anything except his wife and children, we

مَنْ لَبِسَ نَعْلًا صَفْرَاءَ كَانَ فِي سُرُورٍ حَتَّى يُبْلِيَهَا.

“If one wears yellow shoes he continues with happiness until that shoe becomes old.’”

مَنْ لَبِسَ نَعْلًا صَفْرَاءَ لَمْ يَزَلْ يَنْظُرُ فِي سُرُورٍ مَا دَامَتْ عَلَيْهِ لِأَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- صَفْراءُ فاقِعٌ لَوْنُها تَسُرُّ النَّاظِرِينَ‌[1].

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘If one wears yellow shoes he continues in happiness as long as he wears that shoes; Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “It is yellow which is delightful to the on-lookers.” (2:69)*’”

مَنْ أَرَادَ لُبْسَ النَّعْلِ فَوَقَعَتْ لَهُ صَفْرَاءُ إِلَى الْبَيَاضِ لَمْ يَعْدَمْ مَالًا وَ وَلَداً وَ مَنْ وَقَعَتْ لَهُ سَوْدَاءُ لَمْ يَعْدَمْ غَمّاً وَ هَمّاً.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘If one wants to wear shoes and he finds yellow toward whiteness shoes, he will not live without property or children; but if one finds black shoes he will not live without sadness and anxieties.’”

لُبْسُ الْخُفِّ يَزِيدُ فِي قُوَّةِ الْبَصَرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one wears al-Khuff (half-boot) his eyesight sharpens.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ لُبْسُ الْخُفِّ أَمَانٌ مِنَ السِّلِّ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Wearing al-Khuff (half-boot) provides immunity from tuberculoses.’”

إِدْمَانُ لُبْسِ الْخُفِّ أَمَانٌ مِنَ السِّلِّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Continuously wearing al-Khuff (half-boot) provides immunity against tuberculoses.’”

خَرَجْتُ مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِلَى يَنْبُعَ فَلَمَّا خَرَجَ رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْهِ خُفّاً أَحْمَرَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا هَذَا الْخُفُّ الْأَحْمَرُ الَّذِي أَرَاهُ عَلَيْكَ فَقَالَ خُفٌّ اتَّخَذْتُهُ لِلسَّفَرِ وَ هُوَ أَبْقَى عَلَى الطِّينِ وَ الْمَطَرِ وَ أَحْمَلُ لَهُ قُلْتُ فَأَتَّخِذُهَا وَ أَلْبَسُهَا قَالَ أَمَّا فِي السَّفَرِ فَنَعَمْ وَ أَمَّا فِي الْحَضَرِ فَلَا تَعْدِلَنَ‌ بِالسَّوَادِ شَيْ

“I once traveled with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), to Yanbu‘. When he (the Imam) came out, I saw him wearing a red al-Khuff (half-boot). I then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what kind of shoe is this red shoe which I see you wearing?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is al- Khuff (half-boot) which

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ عَلَيَّ خُفٌّ مَقْشُورٌ فَقَالَ يَا زِيَادُ مَا هَذَا الْخُفُّ الَّذِي أَرَاهُ عَلَيْكَ قُلْتُ خُفٌّ اتَّخَذْتُهُ فَقَالَ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ الْبِيضَ مِنَ الْخِفَافِ يَعْنِي الْمَقْشُورَةَ مِنْ لِبَاسِ الْجَبَابِرَةِ وَ هُمْ أَوَّلُ مَنِ اتَّخَذَهَا وَ الْحُمْرَ مِنْ لِبَاسِ الْأَكَاسِرَةِ وَ هُمْ أَوَّلُ مَنِ اتَّخَذَهَا وَ السُّودَ مِنْ لِبَاسِ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ وَ سُنَّةٌ.

“I once visited abu Ja’far (a.s.), and I was wearing al-Khuff (half-boot) which was Maqshurah. He (the Imam) said, ‘O, Ziyad, what is this which I see you wearing?’ I replied, ‘It is al- Khuff (half-boot) that I have found.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Did you know that the white one of al-Khuff (half-boot) that is, al-Maqshu

إِدْمَانُ الْخُفِّ يَقِي مِيتَةَ السَّوْءِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Continuously wearing al-Khuff (half-boot) is protection against dying badly.’”

مِنَ السُّنَّةِ خَلْعُ الْخُفِّ الْيَسَارِ قَبْلَ الْيَمِينِ وَ لُبْسُ الْيَمِينِ قَبْلَ الْيَسَارِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘It is of the noble tradition to take off al-Khuff (half-boot) first from the left foot before the right foot and wear it on the right foot before the left foot.”’