Modesty & Chastity

الذُّنُوبُ الَّتِي تُغَيِّرُ النِّعَمَ الْبَغْيُ‌[1]- وَ الذُّنُوبُ الَّتِي تُورِثُ النَّدَمَ الْقَتْلُ وَ الَّتِي تُنْزِلُ النِّقَمَ الظُّلْمُ وَ الَّتِي تَهْتِكُ السِّتْرَ شُرْبُ الْخَمْرِ وَ الَّتِي تَحْبِسُ الرِّزْقَ الزِّنَا وَ الَّتِي تُعَجِّلُ الْفَنَاءَ قَطِيعَةُ الرَّحِمِ وَ الَّتِي تَرُدُّ الدُّعَاءَ وَ تُظْلِمُ الْهَوَاءَ عُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ.

“The sins that change the bounties (of Allah) are transgressions, the sins that bring regret are murder, the one that brings hatred is injustice, that which brings disgrace is drinking wine, the sin which holds back the means of living is fornication, the one that hastens one’s perishing is failing to maintain good rel

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا فَشَا أَرْبَعَةٌ ظَهَرَتْ أَرْبَعَةٌ إِذَا فَشَا الزِّنَا ظَهَرَتِ الزَّلْزَلَةُ وَ إِذَا فَشَا الْجَوْرُ فِي الْحُكْمِ احْتَبَسَ الْقَطْرُ وَ إِذَا خُفِرَتِ الذِّمَّةُ أُدِيلَ لِأَهْلِ الشِّرْكِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْإِسْلَامِ‌[1] وَ إِذَا مُنِعَتِ الزَّكَاةُ ظَهَرَتِ الْحَاجَةُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘When four things spread four other things appear: When fornication spreads all over, earthquakes turn out to be apparent. When injustice in governing is widespread, drops (of rain are) held back, when the rights of al-Dhimmah taxpayers are ignored, the pagans dominate the followers of

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَوْصِنِي بِوَجْهٍ مِنْ وُجُوهِ الْبِرِّ أَنْجُو بِهِ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَيُّهَا السَّائِلُ اسْتَمِعْ ثُمَّ اسْتَفْهِمْ ثُمَّ اسْتَيْقِنْ ثُمَّ اسْتَعْمِلْ‌[1] وَ اعْلَمْ أَنَّ النَّاسَ ثَلَاثَةٌ زَاهِدٌ وَ صَابِرٌ وَ رَاغِبٌ فَأَمَّا الزَّاهِدُ فَقَدْ خَرَجَتِ الْأَحْزَانُ وَ الْأَفْرَاحُ مِنْ قَلْبِهِ فَلَا يَفْرَحُ بِشَيْ‌ء

“Once a man came to Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) and said, ‘O Amir al- Mu’minin, grant me good advice in the aspects of virtue so I may attain salvation.’ Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) said, ‘O seeker of advice, listen carefully, understand, ascertain and practice. You must know that people a

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ أَحَبُّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ‌ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي الْأَرْضِ الدُّعَاءُ وَ أَفْضَلُ الْعِبَادَةِ الْعَفَافُ قَالَ وَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع رَجُلًا دَعَّاءً.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘The most beloved of deeds before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, on earth is pleading before Him for help and the best worship is chastity.’ The Imam said, ‘Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) was a very prayerful man.’”

أَخَذْتُ هَذَا الدُّعَاءَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ ع قَالَ وَ كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ يُسَمِّيهِ‌ الْجَامِعَ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ آمَنْتُ بِاللَّهِ وَ بِجَمِيعِ رُسُلِهِ وَ بِجَمِيعِ مَا أَنْزَلَ بِهِ‌[1] عَلَى جَمِيعِ الرُّسُلِ وَ أَنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَ لِقَاءَه

26. Ali has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Salim from abu Hamza who has said the following: “I acquired this supplication from abu Ja’far, Muhammad ibn Ali, recipient of divine supreme covenant. Abu Ja’far (a.s.) would call it al-Jami’ (comprehensive supplication): “In the name of Allah, the B

يَا سَعْدُ تَعَلَّمُوا الْقُرْآنَ فَإِنَّ الْقُرْآنَ يَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فِي أَحْسَنِ صُورَةٍ نَظَرَ إِلَيْهَا الْخَلْقُ وَ النَّاسُ صُفُوفٌ عِشْرُونَ وَ مِائَةُ أَلْفِ صَفٍّ ثَمَانُونَ أَلْفَ صَفٍّ أُمَّةُ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَرْبَعُونَ أَلْفَ صَفٍّ مِنْ سَائِرِ الْأُمَمِ فَيَأْتِي عَلَى صَفِّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فِي صُورَةِ رَجُلٍ فَيُسَلِّمُ فَيَنْظُرُونَ إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْحَلِيمُ

1. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from al-‘Abbas from h n Fadl ibn Shadhan ‘Abd al-Rahman from Sufyan al-Hariri from his father from Sa’d al-Khaffaf from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “O Sa’d, learn the Holy Quran; on the Day of Judgment the Holy Quran will come in the best form that people may have ever

أَنَّهُ كَرِهَ‌[1] سُؤْرَ وَلَدِ الزِّنَا وَ سُؤْرَ الْيَهُودِيِّ وَ النَّصْرَانِيِّ وَ الْمُشْرِكِ وَ كُلِّ مَا خَالَفَ الْإِسْلَامَ وَ كَانَ أَشَدَّ ذَلِكَ عِنْدَهُ سُؤْرُ النَّاصِبِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), did not like the leftover of a person born out of wedlock, Jews, Christians and pagans and whoever opposed Islam and most serious to him was the leftover of one hostile to ’A’immah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam.”

قَالَ: لَا تَغْتَسِلْ مِنَ الْبِئْرِ الَّتِي تَجْتَمِعُ فِيهَا غُسَالَةُ الْحَمَّامِ فَإِنَّ فِيهَا غُسَالَةَ وَلَدِ الزِّنَا وَ هُوَ لَا يَطْهُرُ إِلَى سَبْعَةِ آبَاءٍ[1] وَ فِيهَا غُسَالَةَ النَّاصِبِ وَ هُوَ شَرُّهُمَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ يَخْلُقْ خَلْقاً شَرّاً مِنَ الْكَلْبِ وَ إِنَّ النَّاصِبَ أَهْوَنُ عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنَ الْكَلْبِ قُلْتُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ مَاءِ الْحَمَّامِ يَغْتَسِلُ مِنْهُ الْجُنُبُ وَ الصَّبِيّ

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Do not take Ghusl (bath) from a well in which water from bath houses accumulate, because in it there is water which is used by one born out of wedlock and it does not become clean for seven generations. In it there is water used by one hostile to ’A’immah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam. One who i

سَأَلْتُهُ مَتَى يَجِبُ الْغُسْلُ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ وَ الْمَرْأَةِ فَقَالَ إِذَا أَدْخَلَهُ فَقَدْ وَجَبَ الْغُسْلُ وَ الْمَهْرُ وَ الرَّجْمُ.

“I once asked one of the two Imam, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, ‘When does Ghusl (bath) become necessary for man and woman?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘After consummating sexual relation, Ghusl (bath), payment of al-Mahr (payment agreed upon during marriage) and stoning (if it is fornication) become necessary.’”

بَيْنَا أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَاعِدٌ وَ مَعَهُ ابْنُهُ مُحَمَّدٌ إِذْ قَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ ائْتِنِي بِإِنَاءٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ[2] فَأَتَاهُ بِهِ فَصَبَّهُ بِيَدِهِ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى يَدِهِ الْيُسْرَى ثُمَّ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي‌[3] جَعَلَ الْمَاءَ طَهُوراً وَ لَمْ يَجْعَلْهُ نَجِساً ثُمَّ اسْتَنْجَى فَقَالَ- اللَّهُمَّ حَصِّنْ فَرْجِي وَ أَعِفَّهُ وَ اسْتُرْ عَوْرَتِي وَ حَرِّمْهَا عَلَى النَّارِ ثُمَّ اسْتَنْش

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Qasim af-Khazzaz, from ’Abd af-Rahman ibn Kathir who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that once, ’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, while Muhammad, his son was present, asked him to bring water for Wudu’. He brought water and he (

سَأَلَتْنِي امْرَأَةٌ مِنَّا أَنْ أُدْخِلَهَا عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُ لَهَا فَأَذِنَ لَهَا فَدَخَلَتْ وَ مَعَهَا مَوْلَاةٌ لَهَا فَقَالَتْ لَهُ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَوْلُهُ تَعَالَى‌ زَيْتُونَةٍ لا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَ لا غَرْبِيَّةٍ[2] مَا عَنَى بِهَذَا فَقَالَ لَهَا أَيَّتُهَا الْمَرْأَةُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى لَمْ يَضْرِبِ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلشَّجَرَةِ إِنَّمَا ضَرَبَ الْأَمْثَالَ لِبَنِي آدَمَ سَ

A woman from among us asked me to bring her to Abu Abdillah (as), so I sought permission for her, and he granted it. She entered, accompanied by her servant. She said to him, “O Abu Abdillah, regarding the verse ‘a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west’ (24:35), what does this mean?” He said to her, “

خَمْسَةٌ لَا يَؤُمُّونَ النَّاسَ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ الْمَجْذُومُ وَ الْأَبْرَصُ وَ الْمَجْنُونُ وَ وَلَدُ الزِّنَا وَ الْأَعْرَابِيُ‌[1].

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’Five kinds of people are not to lead other people in Salah (prayer) in all circumstances: People suffering from leprosy, insanity, one born out of wedlock and al-A‘ra’biy Arab of the desert.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ الصَّلَاةُ خَلْفَ الْعَبْدِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ إِذَا كَانَ فَقِيهاً وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ هُنَاكَ أَفْقَهُ مِنْهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ أُصَلِّي خَلْفَ الْأَعْمَى قَالَ نَعَمْ إِذَا كَانَ لَهُ مَنْ يُسَدِّدُهُ وَ كَانَ‌ أَفْضَلَهُمْ قَالَ وَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع لَا يُصَلِّيَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ خَلْفَ الْمَجْذُومِ وَ الْأَبْرَصِ وَ الْمَجْنُونِ وَ الْمَحْدُودِ وَ وَلَدِ الزِّنَا وَ الْأَعْرَابِيُّ لَا يَؤُمُّ ا

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about performing Salah (prayer) behind a slave. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not an offense if he has good understanding of fiqh (Islamic laws) and there is no one ex

فِي خُطْبَةِ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ الْخُطْبَةُ الْأُولَى- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ نَحْمَدُهُ وَ نَسْتَعِينُهُ وَ نَسْتَغْفِرُهُ وَ نَسْتَهْدِيهِ وَ نَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَ مِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا مَنْ يَهْدِي اللَّهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ وَ مَنْ يُضْلِلْ‌ فَلا هادِيَ لَهُ‌ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ انْتَجَبَه

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn al-Suwayd, from Yahya al-Halabiy from Burayd ibn Mu‘awiyah from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “In the first sermon of Friday prayer, abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said to say, ’All praise belongs t

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا تَزَوَّجَ أَحَدُكُمْ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ قُلْتُ لَا أَدْرِي قَالَ إِذَا هَمَّ بِذَلِكَ فَلْيُصَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ يَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَتَزَوَّجَ فَقَدِّرْ لِي مِنَ النِّسَاءِ أَعَفَّهُنَّ فَرْجاً وَ أَحْفَظَهُنَّ لِي فِي نَفْسِهَا[1] وَ فِي مَالِي وَ أَوْسَعَهُنَّ رِزْقاً وَ أَعْظَمَهُنَّ بَرَكَةً وَ قَدِّرْ لِي وَلَداً طَيِّباً تَجْعَلُه

‘When anyone of you likes to get married, what does he need to do?’ I replied, ‘I do not know.’ The Imam then said, ‘When one of you has such intention, he should first perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) and praise Allah. Thereafter, say, “O Allah, I like to become married. Determine for me of women the most protective

كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ‌[1] أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ عَلَيْهِ مَهْرُ امْرَأَتِهِ لَا تَطْلُبُهُ مِنْهُ إِمَّا لِرِفْقٍ بِزَوْجِهَا وَ إِمَّا حَيَاءً فَمَكَثَ بِذَلِكَ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ عُمُرَهُ وَ عُمُرَهَا يَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاةُ ذَلِكَ الْمَهْرِ أَمْ لَا فَكَتَبَ لَا يَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ الزَّكَاةُ إِلَّا فِي مَالِهِ.

“I once wrote to him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who owes Mahr of his woman who does not ask for payment due to sympathy or shyness. It goes on for their lifetime. Is he required to pay Zakat for that Mahr? He (the Imam) wrote, ‘Zakat is not due on him except for his assets.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً عَفَّ وَ تَعَفَّفَ وَ كَفَّ عَنِ الْمَسْأَلَةِ فَإِنَّهُ يَتَعَجَّلُ الدَّنِيَّةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ لَا يُغْنِي النَّاسُ عَنْهُ شَيْئاً[3] قَالَ ثُمَّ تَمَثَّلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِبَيْتِ حَاتِمٍ- إِذَا مَا عَرَفْتُ الْيَأْسَ أَلْفَيْتُهُ الْغِنَى‌ إِذَا عَرَفَتْهُ النَّفْسُ وَ الطَّمَعُ الْفَقْرُ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah grants mercy to one of His servants who has maintained chastity, continues to do so, and abstains from asking (people) for a favor; doing so brings lowliness for one in this world quickly, and people cannot make him self-sufficient.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then mentioned a line

سُئِلَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الْقَرَامِلِ الَّتِي تَضَعُهَا النِّسَاءُ فِي رُءُوسِهِنَّ يَصِلْنَهُ بِشُعُورِهِنَ‌[2] فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ عَلَى الْمَرْأَةِ بِمَا تَزَيَّنَتْ بِهِ لِزَوْجِهَا قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ بَلَغَنَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص لَعَنَ الْوَاصِلَةَ وَ الْمَوْصُولَةَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ هُنَاكَ إِنَّمَا لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْوَاصِلَةَ الَّتِي تَزْنِي فِي شَبَابِهَا فَلَمَّا كَبِرَتْ قَادَتِ النِّسَاءَ إ

“Abu Ja‘far, Alayhi al-Salam, was asked about women’s decorating their hairs with silk fibers or hairs and so on. He (the Imam) replied, ‘There is no offense in women’s beautifying themselves for their husbands.’ I (the narrator) said, ‘We are told that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad an

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا يَطِيبُ وَلَدُ الزِّنَا وَ لَا يَطِيبُ ثَمَنُهُ أَبَداً وَ الْمِمْرَازُ لَا يَطِيبُ إِلَى سَبْعَةِ آبَاءٍ وَ قِيلَ لَهُ وَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ الْمِمْرَازُ فَقَالَ‌[2] الرَّجُلُ يَكْتَسِبُ مَالًا مِنْ غَيْرِ حِلِّهِ فَيَتَزَوَّجُ بِهِ‌[3] أَوْ يَتَسَرَّى بِهِ فَيُولَدُ لَهُ فَذَاكَ الْوَلَدُ هُوَ الْمِمْرَازُ.

‘One born out of fornication does not recover as well as his price. Al-Mumraz does not recover for seven generations. It was asked, ‘What is al- Mumraz?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘One earns through unlawful ways and with such funds gets married or enjoys it, and a child is born for him. That child is al-Mumraz.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ وَلَدِ الزِّنَا أَشْتَرِيهِ أَوْ أَبِيعُهُ أَوْ أَسْتَخْدِمُهُ فَقَالَ اشْتَرِهِ وَ اسْتَرِقَّهُ وَ اسْتَخْدِمْهُ وَ بِعْهُ فَأَمَّا اللَّقِيطُ فَلَا تَشْتَرِهِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Can I buy, sell or use services of one born out of wedlock? He (the Imam) said, ‘You can buy, sell, enslave or use his services but do not buy a discarded child that is found.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ تَكُونُ لِيَ الْمَمْلُوكَةُ مِنَ الزِّنَا أَحُجُّ مِنْ ثَمَنِهَا وَ أَتَزَوَّجُ فَقَالَ لَا تَحُجَّ وَ لَا تَتَزَوَّجْ مِنْهُ‌[1].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘I have a slave born out of wedlock; if I can perform al-Hajj with his price or spend it for my marriage/ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must not perform al-Hajj with it and do not spend it for your marriage.’”

لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا لَكَ تَنْظُرُ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَبٌّ يُلْقَى فِي قَمِيصِكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ 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 مَالَ لِمَنْ لَا تَقْدِيرَ لَهُ وَ لَا جَدِيدَ لِمَنْ لَا خَلَقَ لَهُ.

“Once a certain person of the followers of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), came to visit him (the Imam) and he saw his shirt had a patch on it, so he kept looking at it. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked, ‘Why are you looking?’ He replied, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, there is a patch on your shirt.’ H

سَمِعْتُ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ يَقُولُ كُنَّا عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ: إِنَّ خَيْرَ نِسَائِكُمُ الْوَلُودُ الْوَدُودُ الْعَفِيفَةُ الْعَزِيزَةُ فِي أَهْلِهَا الذَّلِيلَةُ مَعَ بَعْلِهَا الْمُتَبَرِّجَةُ مَعَ زَوْجِهَا الْحَصَانُ عَلَى غَيْرِهِ الَّتِي تَسْمَعُ قَوْلَهُ وَ تُطِيعُ أَمْرَهُ وَ إِذَا خَلَا بِهَا بَذَلَتْ لَهُ مَا يُرِيدُ مِنْهَا وَ لَمْ تَبَذَّلْ كَتَبَذُّلِ الرَّجُلِ.

“The best of your women are the child bearing, loving and chaste who are dear at home, humble with her husband, showing her beauty to her husband, fortressed from strangers, who listens to his words and obeys his orders and in private offers to him what he wants and she does not display vulgar manners as man does.’””

خَيْرُ نِسَائِكُمُ الَّتِي إِذَا خَلَتْ مَعَ زَوْجِهَا خَلَعَتْ لَهُ دِرْعَ الْحَيَاءِ وَ إِذَا لَبِسَتْ لَبِسَتْ مَعَهُ دِرْعَ الْحَيَاءِ.

‘The best of your women are those who in privacy removes the shield of shyness before her husband and when dressed up dresses with him the shield of shyness.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ خَيْرُ نِسَائِكُمُ الْعَفِيفَةُ الْغَلِمَةُ[3].

‘The best of your women is the chaste and full of carnal appetite.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِشِرَارِ نِسَائِكُمْ الذَّلِيلَةُ فِي أَهْلِهَا الْعَزِيزَةُ مَعَ بَعْلِهَا الْعَقِيمُ الْحَقُودُ الَّتِي لَا تَوَرَّعُ مِنْ قَبِيحٍ الْمُتَبَرِّجَةُ إِذَا غَابَ عَنْهَا بَعْلُهَا الْحَصَانُ مَعَهُ إِذَا حَضَرَ[3] لَا تَسْمَعُ قَوْلَهُ وَ لَا تُطِيعُ أَمْرَهُ وَ إِذَا خَلَا بِهَا بَعْلُهَا تَمَنَّعَتْ مِنْهُ كَمَا تَمَنَّعُ الصَّعْبَةُ عَنْ رُكُوبِهَا ل

‘If you like I can tell you who are of the worst kind of your women. She is the one who is undignified in her family, flattered by her husband, barren, spiteful, who does not abstain from indecency, roams around to show off in the absence of her husband and very reserved when her husband is present. She does not listen

يَتَزَوَّجُوا حَتَّى يُغْنِيَهُمْ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ‌[5].

“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘Those who cannot find marriage must remain chaste until Allah through His generosity makes them self-sufficient,’ (24:33) he (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘They must become married so that (when) Allah makes them self- sufficient through His generosity.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ الشَّهْوَةَ عَشَرَةَ أَجْزَاءٍ فَجَعَلَ تِسْعَةَ أَجْزَاءٍ فِي النِّسَاءِ وَ جُزْءاً وَاحِداً فِي الرِّجَالِ وَ لَوْ لَا مَا جَعَلَ اللَّهُ فِيهِنَّ مِنَ الْحَيَاءِ عَلَى قَدْرِ أَجْزَاءِ الشَّهْوَةِ لَكَانَ لِكُلِّ رَجُلٍ تِسْعُ نِسْوَةٍ مُتَعَلِّقَاتٍ بِهِ.

‘Allah created desire of ten parts, of which nine parts are placed in women and only one part in men. If He did not place shyness in women of a similar (nine out of ten) amount in women like desire, nine women would attach themselves to one man.’”

الْكُفْوُ أَنْ يَكُونَ عَفِيفاً وَ عِنْدَهُ يَسَارٌ.

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

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

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 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

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

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ الْمُحْصَناتُ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتابَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ‌ فَقَالَ هَذِهِ مَنْسُوخَةٌ بِقَوْلِهِ- وَ لا تُمْسِكُوا بِعِصَمِ الْكَوافِرِ[2].

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘Marry of the chaste women of those to whom the book was given before you.’ (5:5) He (the Imam) said, ‘It is cancelled by, ‘You must not hold on to your unbelieving wives.’ (60:10)”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى أَحَلَّ الْفَرْجَ لِعِلَلِ مَقْدُرَةِ الْعِبَادِ فِي الْقُوَّةِ عَلَى الْمَهْرِ وَ الْقُدْرَةِ عَلَى الْإِمْسَاكِ فَقَالَ‌ فَانْكِحُوا ما طابَ لَكُمْ مِنَ النِّساءِ مَثْنى‌ وَ ثُلاثَ وَ رُباعَ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا فَواحِدَةً أَوْ ما مَلَكَتْ أَيْمانُكُمْ‌[1] وَ قَالَ‌ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ مِنْكُمْ طَوْلًا أَنْ يَنْكِحَ الْمُحْصَناتِ الْمُؤْمِناتِ فَمِنْ ما مَلَكَتْ أَيْمانُكُمْ

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Hisham ibn al-Hakam who has said the following: “He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, most High has made marriage lawful on the basis of His servants’ ability to pay mahr (dower) and their ability to provide maintenance, so He has said, “Marry wh

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.’”

زَوِّجْنِي فُلَاناً فَقَالَ إِنِّي لَا أُزَوِّجُكِ حَتَّى تُشْهِدِي لِي أَنَّ أَمْرَكِ بِيَدِي فَأَشْهَدَتْ لَهُ فَقَالَ عِنْدَ التَّزْوِيجِ لِلَّذِي يَخْطُبُهَا يَا فُلَانُ عَلَيْكَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا قَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ هُوَ لِلْقَوْمِ اشْهَدُوا أَنَّ ذَلِكَ لَهَا عِنْدِي وَ قَدْ زَوَّجْتُهَا نَفْسِي فَقَالَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ لَا وَ لَا كَرَامَةَ وَ مَا أَمْرِي إِلَّا بِيَدِي وَ مَا وَلَّيْتُكَ أَمْرِي إِلَّا حَيَاءً مِنَ

“About the case of a woman who appoints a man to form her marriage with so and so and he says, ‘I will do so only if you testify that I am your attorney;’ she testifies for him and at the time of ceremony he says to the man who has proposed marriage, ‘O so and so you owe such and such amount’ and he says, ‘Yes, I agree

عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَلِدُ مِنَ الزِّنَا وَ لَا يَعْلَمُ بِذَلِكَ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا وَلِيُّهَا أَ يَصْلُحُ لَهُ أَنْ يُزَوِّجَهَا وَ يَسْكُتَ عَلَى ذَلِكَ إِذَا كَانَ قَدْ رَأَى مِنْهَا تَوْبَةً أَوْ مَعْرُوفاً فَقَالَ‌ إِنْ لَمْ يَذْكُرْ ذَلِكَ لِزَوْجِهَا ثُمَّ عَلِمَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَشَاءَ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ صَدَاقَهَا مِنْ وَلِيِّهَا بِمَا دَلَّسَ عَلَيْهِ كَانَ لَهُ ذَلِكَ عَلَى وَلِيِّهَا وَ كَانَ الصَّدَاقُ الَّذِي أَخَذَت

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who gives birth because of going to bed with a man out of wedlock and no one except her guardian knows it, if it is proper for him to give her in marriage and remain quiet about it, provided, he has seen her repenting or good deeds.

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ تَزَوَّجَ امْرَأَةً فَزَفَّتْهَا إِلَيْهِ‌[2] أُخْتُهَا وَ كَانَتْ أَكْبَرَ مِنْهَا فَأَدْخَلَتْ مَنْزِلَ زَوْجِهَا لَيْلًا فَعَمَدَتْ إِلَى ثِيَابِ امْرَأَتِهِ فَنَزَعَتْهَا مِنْهَا وَ لَبِسَتْهَا ثُمَّ قَعَدَتْ فِي حَجَلَةِ أُخْتِهَا وَ نَحَّتِ امْرَأَتَهُ وَ أَطْفَتِ الْمِصْبَاحَ وَ اسْتَحْيَتِ الْجَارِيَةُ أَنْ تَتَكَلَّمَ فَدَخَلَ الزَّوْجُ الْحَجَلَةَ فَوَاقَعَهَا وَ هُوَ

“This is concerning my question before abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a man who marries a woman but her sister who is older than her goes to the house of the man, takes away the clothes of his wife, wears them, lies down in her room, moves her away and switches off the light. The girl cannot speak because of shyn

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِذَا زَنَى رَجُلٌ بِامْرَأَةِ أَبِيهِ أَوْ جَارِيَةِ أَبِيهِ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ لَا يُحَرِّمُهَا عَلَى زَوْجِهَا وَ لَا تُحَرِّمُ الْجَارِيَةَ عَلَى سَيِّدِهَا إِنَّمَا يُحَرِّمُ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ إِذَا أَتَى الْجَارِيَةَ وَ هِيَ حَلَالٌ فَلَا تَحِلُّ تِلْكَ الْجَارِيَةُ أَبَداً لِابْنِهِ وَ لَا لِأَبِيهِ وَ إِذَا تَزَوَّجَ رَجُلٌ امْرَأَةً تَزْوِيجاً حَلَالًا فَلَا تَحِلُّ تِلْكَ الْمَرْأَةُ لِأَبِي

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘If a man commits fornication with the woman of his father or his slave-girl, it does not make her unlawful to her husband or the slave-girl unlawful to her master. If he goes to bed with a slave-girl who is lawful thereafter she becomes unlawful forever to his son and father. If a man mar

فِي الرَّجُلِ تَكُونُ لَهُ الْجَارِيَةُ فَيَقَعُ عَلَيْهَا ابْنُ ابْنِهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَطَأَهَا الْجَدُّ أَوِ الرَّجُلُ يَزْنِي بِالْمَرْأَةِ فَهَلْ يَحِلُّ لِأَبِيهِ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَهَا قَالَ لَا إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ‌[2] إِذَا تَزَوَّجَهَا الرَّجُلُ فَوَطِئَهَا ثُمَّ زَنَى بِهَا ابْنُهُ لَمْ يَضُرَّهُ لِأَنَّ الْحَرَامَ لَا يُفْسِدُ الْحَلَالَ وَ كَذَلِكَ الْجَارِيَةُ.

“About the case of a man who has a slave-girl and his grandson falls on her (does sexual intercourse) before his grandfather or that a man commits fornication with a woman; if she is lawful for his father to marry, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘No, it is not permissible. Only if the man marries her and goes to bed with