Contentment

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُجَامِعُ الْمَرْأَةَ فِيمَا دُونَ الْفَرْجِ وَ تُنْزِلُ الْمَرْأَةُ عَلَيْهَا غُسْلٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked al-Rida, Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who allows intercourse with a woman to take place but not in vagina, and she feels discharges, is Ghusl (bath) necessary on her? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, Ghusl (bath) is necessary for her.’”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى الرِّضَا ع وَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ إِبْرِيقٌ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَتَهَيَّأَ مِنْهُ لِلصَّلَاةِ فَدَنَوْتُ مِنْهُ لِأَصُبَّ عَلَيْهِ فَأَبَى ذَلِكَ وَ قَالَ مَهْ يَا حَسَنُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ لِمَ تَنْهَانِي أَنْ أَصُبَّ عَلَى يَدِكَ تَكْرَهُ أَنْ أُوجَرَ قَالَ تُؤْجَرُ أَنْتَ وَ أُوزَرُ أَنَا فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَ كَيْفَ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ أَ مَا سَمِعْتَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ‌ فَمَنْ كانَ يَرْجُوا لِقاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْ

“Once I visited Ali al-Rida (a.s.). There was a water jug in front of him and he was about to take Wudu’ for Salah (prayer). I went closer to pour water to help him to take Wudu’. He said, ‘Hold it, O Hassan.’ I then asked, ‘Why do you stop me from pouring water so you take Wudu’ and I can receive rewards for it?’ He r

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ النَّاسَ يَرْفَعُونَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ فِي التَّكْبِيرِ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ فِي التَّكْبِيرَةِ الْأُولَى وَ لَا يَرْفَعُونَ فِيمَا بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأَقْتَصِرُ عَلَى التَّكْبِيرَةِ الْأُولَى كَمَا يَفْعَلُونَ أَوْ أَرْفَعُ يَدَيَّ فِي كُلِّ تَكْبِيرَةٍ فَقَالَ ارْفَعْ يَدَكَ فِي كُلِّ تَكْبِيرَةٍ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. People raise their hands during the first Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) in Salah (prayer) for a deceased but not in the rest of Takbir and if should I raise my hand in the first Takbir only or in all Takbir.

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الْمَصْلُوبِ فَقَالَ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ جَدِّي ع صَلَّى عَلَى عَمِّهِ‌[2] قُلْتُ أَعْلَمُ ذَاكَ وَ لَكِنِّي لَا أَفْهَمُهُ مُبَيَّناً قَالَ أُبَيِّنُهُ لَكَ إِنْ كَانَ وَجْهُ الْمَصْلُوبِ إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ فَقُمْ عَلَى مَنْكِبِهِ الْأَيْمَنِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ قَفَاهُ إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ فَقُمْ عَلَى مَنْكِبِهِ الْأَيْسَرِ فَإِنَّ بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَ الْمَغْرِبِ قِبْلَةً وَ إِنْ كَانَ مَنْكِبُه

‘Do you not know that my grandfather performed Salah (prayer) for his uncle?’ I said, ‘I know it but I do not understand it clearly.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘I explain it for you. If the face of the person crucified is toward al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah), stand near his right shoulder. If his back is toward al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah)

كُنْتُ بِفَيْدَ[3] فَمَشَيْتَ مَعَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ بِلَالٍ إِلَى قَبْرِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ بَزِيعٍ فَقَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ بِلَالٍ قَالَ لِي صَاحِبُ هَذَا الْقَبْرِ عَنِ الرِّضَا ع قَالَ مَنْ أَتَى قَبْرَ أَخِيهِ ثُمَّ وَضَعَ يَدَهُ عَلَى الْقَبْرِ وَ قَرَأَ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْناهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ سَبْعَ مَرَّاتٍ أَمِنَ يَوْمَ الْفَزَعِ الْأَكْبَرِ أَوْ يَوْمَ الْفَزَعِ‌[4].

“If one visits the grave of his brother (in belief), places his hand over the grave and reads Surah 97 of the Holy Quran seven times he, on the distressful Day (of Judgment) will be granted full protection and peace.’””

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا حُمِلَ عَدُوُّ اللَّهِ إِلَى قَبْرِهِ نَادَى حَمَلَتَهُ أَ لَا تَسْمَعُونَ يَا إِخْوَتَاهْ أَنِّي أَشْكُو إِلَيْكُمْ مَا وَقَعَ فِيهِ أَخُوكُمُ الشَّقِيُّ أَنَّ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ خَدَعَنِي‌[2] فَأَوْرَدَنِي ثُمَّ لَمْ يُصْدِرْنِي وَ أَقْسَمَ لِي أَنَّهُ نَاصِحٌ لِي فَغَشَّنِي وَ أَشْكُو إِلَيْكُمْ دُنْيَا غَرَّتْنِي حَتَّى إِذَا اطْمَأْنَنْتُ إِلَيْهَا صَرَعَتْنِي وَ أَشْكُو إِلَيْكُمْ أَ

“The Messenger of Allah has said that when an enemy of Allah is taken to his grave, he keeps saying to those who carry his coffin, ‘Why do you not listen to me, O my brethren, I complain before you about what has happened to me, one of your wicked brethren. The enemy of Allah (Satan) deceived me. He placed me in troubl

لَمَّا مَاتَ ذَرُّ بْنُ أَبِي ذَرٍّ مَسَحَ أَبُو ذَرٍّ الْقَبْرَ بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ يَا ذَرُّ وَ اللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتَ بِي بَارّاً وَ لَقَدْ قُبِضْتَ وَ إِنِّي عَنْكَ لَرَاضٍ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا بِي فَقْدُكَ وَ مَا عَلَيَّ مِنْ غَضَاضَةٍ[3] وَ مَا لِي إِلَى أَحَدٍ سِوَى اللَّهِ مِنْ حَاجَةٍ وَ لَوْ لَا هَوْلُ الْمُطَّلَعِ‌[4] لَسَرَّنِي أَنْ أَكُونَ مَكَانَكَ وَ لَقَدْ شَغَلَنِي الْحُزْنُ لَكَ عَنِ

“When Dharr, son of abu Dharr passed away, abu Dharr wiped his grave with his hand and said, ‘May Allah grant you mercy, O Dharr, by Allah, you were kind to me and I am satisfied with you. By Allah, I am not disappointed due to your death and I do not need anyone beside Allah. Had it not been for fear from the next lif

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا يَقُولُ‌ أَقْرَبُ مَا يَكُونُ الْعَبْدُ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ هُوَ سَاجِدٌ[1] وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ اسْجُدْ وَ اقْتَرِبْ‌[2].

“I heard al-Rida’ (a.s.), say, ’The condition wherein a servant of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, is nearest and closest to Him is in Sajdah. It is because of the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, “Prostrate (do Sajdah) and become close.’””

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الرِّضَا ع ذَكَرَ أَصْحَابُنَا أَنَّهُ إِذَا زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَقَدْ دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الظُّهْرِ وَ الْعَصْرِ وَ إِذَا غَرَبَتْ دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الْمَغْرِبِ وَ الْعِشَاءِ الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا أَنَّ هَذِهِ قَبْلَ هَذِهِ فِي السَّفَرِ وَ الْحَضَرِ وَ أَنَّ وَقْتَ الْمَغْرِبِ إِلَى رُبُعِ اللَّيْلِ فَكَتَبَ كَذَلِكَ الْوَقْتُ غَيْرَ أَنَّ وَقْتَ الْمَغْرِبِ ضَيِّقٌ وَ آخِرُ وَقْتِهَا ذَهَابُ الْحُمْرَةِ وَ مَصِيرُ

“I once, wrote to al-Rida’ (a.s.), to ask a question. ‘Our people have said that when the sun declines toward the west at noontime, it is the time of al-Dhuhr and al-‘Asr Salah (prayers). When it is sunset it is time of al-Maghrib and al-‘Isha’ al-Akhirah Salah (prayers) except that this is before this. It is the same

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا فَرَغْتَ مِنْ صَلَاتِكَ فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَدِينُكَ بِطَاعَتِكَ وَ وَلَايَتِكَ وَ وَلَايَةِ رَسُولِكَ وَ وَلَايَةِ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع مِنْ أَوَّلِهِمْ إِلَى آخِرِهِمْ وَ تُسَمِّيهِمْ ثُمَّ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَدِينُكَ بِطَاعَتِكَ وَ وَلَايَتِهِمْ وَ الرِّضَا بِمَا فَضَّلْتَهُمْ بِهِ غَيْرَ مُتَكَبِّرٍ وَ لَا مُسْتَكْبِرٍ عَلَى مَعْنَى مَا أَنْزَلْتَ فِي كِتَابِكَ

‘When you complete your Salah (prayer) say this. “O Lord, I follow Your religion in obedience to You under Your guardianship, the guardianship of Your messenger and the guardianship of ’A’immah, the first to the last Imam. . .” You should mention the name of each Imam. Then say, “O Lord, I follow Your religion in obedi

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع‌ الْإِعَادَةُ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأَوَّلَتَيْنِ وَ السَّهْوُ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ.

“Abu al-Hassan, al-Rida (a.s.), once said to me, ‘In the first two Rak‘at it is performing again and confusion in the second two Rak‘at (has remedies).”’

قَالَ الرِّضَا ع‌ كُلُّ طَرِيقٍ يُوطَأُ وَ يُتَطَرَّقُ كَانَتْ فِيهِ جَادَّةٌ أَوْ لَمْ تَكُنْ لَا يَنْبَغِي الصَّلَاةُ فِيهِ قُلْتُ فَأَيْنَ أُصَلِّي قَالَ يَمْنَةً وَ يَسْرَةً.

“Al-Rida’ (a.s.), has said, ‘Do not perform Salah (prayer) on any road which is used, regardless, it has a main path or not. It is not proper to perform Salah (prayer) on it.’ I then asked, ‘Where then one can perform Salah (prayer)?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘On its right or left sides.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فِي جُلُودِ السِّبَاعِ فَقَالَ لَا تُصَلِّ فِيهَا قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ هَلْ يُصَلِّي الرَّجُلُ فِي ثَوْبِ إِبْرِيسَمٍ فَقَالَ لَا.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida’ (a.s.), about performing Salah (prayer) with the skin of beasts. He (the Imam) said, ‘Do not perform Salah (prayer) with it.’ He (the narrator) has said that he then asked him (the Imam) about performing Salah (prayer) with Abrisam (silk). He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not permissi

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الرِّضَا ع أَنِّي أَعْمَلُ أَغْمَادَ السُّيُوفِ مِنْ جُلُودِ الْحُمُرِ الْمَيْتَةِ فَيُصِيبُ ثِيَابِي فَأُصَلِّي فِيهَا فَكَتَبَ ع إِلَيَّ اتَّخِذْ ثَوْباً لِصَلَاتِكَ فَكَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي ع كُنْتُ كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِيكَ ع بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا فَصَعَّبَ عَلَيَّ ذَلِكَ فَصِرْتُ أَعْمَلُهَا مِنْ جُلُودِ الْحُمُرِ الْوَحْشِيَّةِ الذَّكِيَّةِ فَكَتَبَ ع إِلَيَّ كُلُ‌[1] أَعْمَالِ الْبِرِّ

“I once wrote to al-Rida’ (a.s.), saying, ‘I make sword sheathing of leather from dead donkeys. My clothes come in contact with it and I perform Salah (prayer) with them. He (the Imam) (a.s.), wrote to me, ‘Find other clothes for your Salah (prayer).’ I then wrote to abu Ja’far, the second (a.s.), saying, ‘I would writ

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَ أَنْتَ فِي الْمِصْرِ وَ أَنْتَ تُرِيدُ السَّفَرَ فَأَتِمَّ فَإِذَا خَرَجْتَ بَعْدَ الزَّوَالِ قَصِّرِ الْعَصْرَ.

“I once heard al-Rida’ (a.s.), say, ‘At Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime) if you are in a city and want to travel, if you go out after Zawal perform al-‘Asr Salah in the reduced form.’”

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَخْرُجُ إِلَى ضَيْعَتِهِ وَ يُقِيمُ الْيَوْمَ وَ الْيَوْمَيْنِ وَ الثَّلَاثَةَ أَ يُقَصِّرُ أَمْ يُتِمُّ قَالَ يُتِمُّ الصَّلَاةَ[2] كُلَّمَا أَتَى ضَيْعَةً مِنْ ضِيَاعِهِ.

3. Muhammad ibn al-Hassan and others have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Nasr who has said the following: “I once asked al-Rida’, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who has a country estate where he goes and stays for one, two or three days. Is he required to perform his Salah (prayer) com

سَأَلْتُهُ يَعْنِي الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الْأَرْبَعِ رَكَعَاتٍ بَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ فِي السَّفَرِ يُعْجِلُنِي الْجَمَّالُ وَ لَا يُمَكِّنِّي الصَّلَاةَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَلْ أُصَلِّيهَا فِي الْمَحْمِلِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ صَلِّهَا فِي الْمَحْمِلِ.

“I once asked him (Imam al-Rida’) (a.s.), about the four Rak‘at after al-Maghrib on a journey, because camel man is in hurry and I am not able to perform on the ground. Can I perform Salah (prayer) in the carriage on the camel’s back? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, you can perform it in the carriage.’”

صَلَّيْتُ خَلْفَ الرِّضَا ع فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ صَلَاةَ اللَّيْلِ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ جَعَلَ مَكَانَ‌ الضَّجْعَةِ سَجْدَةً[1].

“I performed my Salah (prayer), in Masjid al-Haram. Al-Rida’ ‘Alayhi al-Salam, led the Salah (prayer). It was Salah (prayer) of night. When he (the Imam) completed, he (the Imam) made his sleep (instead of sleeping after Salah (prayer)) into a Sajdah (prostration).”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَكُونُ عَلَيَّ الصَّلَاةُ النَّافِلَةُ مَتَى أَقْضِيهَا فَكَتَبَ ع أَيَّةَ سَاعَةٍ شِئْتَ مِنْ لَيْلٍ أَوْ نَهَارٍ.

‘You can perform them whenever you like, during the day or night.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا تَرَى آخُذُ بَرّاً أَوْ بَحْراً فَإِنَّ طَرِيقَنَا مَخُوفٌ شَدِيدُ الْخَطَرِ فَقَالَ اخْرُجْ بَرّاً وَ لَا عَلَيْكَ‌[3] أَنْ تَأْتِيَ مَسْجِدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ تُصَلِّيَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فِي غَيْرِ وَقْتِ فَرِيضَةٍ ثُمَّ لَتَسْتَخِيرُ اللَّهَ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ وَ مَرَّةً ثُمَّ تَنْظُرُ فَإِنْ عَزَمَ اللَّهُ لَكَ عَلَى الْبَحْرِ فَقُلِ الَّذِي قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ

“I said to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. Do you advise if I travel by land or by sea? Our road is very dangerous and frightening.’ The Imam said, ‘Travel by land but there is no offense, if you go to the Masjid of the Messenger of Allah; perform two Rak‘at Sal

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ أَفْضَلُ مَوْضِعِ الْقَدَمَيْنِ لِلصَّلَاةِ النَّعْلَانِ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), say, ‘The best place for the feet, during Salah (prayer) is one’s shoes (clean Arabic shoes).”’

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الْوَصِيِّ أَ يُزَكِّي زَكَاةَ الْفِطْرَةِ عَنِ الْيَتَامَى إِذَا كَانَ لَهُمْ مَالٌ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ ع لَا زَكَاةَ عَلَى يَتِيمٍ‌[3].

‘Zakat is not due on orphans.”

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ لَهُ قَرَابَةٌ وَ مَوَالِي وَ أَتْبَاعٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص وَ لَيْسَ يَعْرِفُونَ صَاحِبَ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ أَ يُعْطَوْنَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ قَالَ لَا.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about a man who has relatives, friends and followers who love ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), but they do not acknowledge the owner of this issue (one who possesses Divine Authority) if he can give Zakat to them. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he cannot give Zakat to them.’”

نَعَمْ إِنَّ النَّفْسَ إِذَا عَرَفَتْ قُوتَهَا قَنِعَتْ بِهِ وَ نَبَتَ عَلَيْهِ اللَّحْمُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked, ‘Did the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, provide proper sustenance for his family?’ The Imam replied, ‘Yes, when a soul knows how much it needs, it then becomes satisfied with that much and flesh grows

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يَنْقُصَ مِنْ قُوتِ عِيَالِهِ فِي الشِّتَاءِ وَ يَزِيدَ فِي وَقُودِهِمْ.

‘A man should spare from the means of his sustenance to provide fuel for his family during winter.’”

كُنْتُ فِي مَجْلِسِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع أُحَدِّثُهُ وَ قَدِ اجْتَمَعَ إِلَيْهِ خَلْقٌ كَثِيرٌ يَسْأَلُونَهُ عَنِ الْحَلَالِ وَ الْحَرَامِ إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ طُوَالٌ آدَمُ‌[4] فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ- رَجُلٌ مِنْ مُحِبِّيكَ وَ مُحِبِّي آبَائِكَ وَ أَجْدَادِكَ ع مَصْدَرِي مِنَ الْحَجِّ وَ قَدِ افْتَقَدْتُ نَفَقَتِي وَ مَا مَعِي مَا أَبْلُغُ مَرْحَلَةً فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ أَنْ ت

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn Sandal from Yasir from al-Yasa’ ibn Hamzah who has said the following: “Once I was in the presence of abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), and I was speaking to him before a large gathering that wanted to ask him about lawful and unlawful matters. At such time, a tall man o

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع‌ يَا ابْنَ عَرَفَةَ إِنَّ النِّعَمَ كَالْإِبِلِ الْمُعْتَقَلَةِ فِي عَطَنِهَا[1] عَلَى الْقَوْمِ مَا أَحْسَنُوا جِوَارَهَا فَإِذَا أَسَاءُوا مُعَامَلَتَهَا وَ إِنَالَتَهَا نَفَرَتْ عَنْهُمْ.

“Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), has said, ‘O ibn ‘Arafah, bounties are like guarded camels around drinking water. It is up to people to maintain good relations with the camel. If they fail to keep the good relations, the camel runs away from them.’”

قَرَأْتُ فِي كِتَابِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ الْمَوَالِيَ إِذَا رَكِبْتَ أَخْرَجُوكَ مِنَ الْبَابِ الصَّغِيرِ فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ مِنْ بُخْلٍ مِنْهُمْ لِئَلَّا يَنَالَ مِنْكَ أَحَدٌ خَيْراً وَ أَسْأَلُكَ بِحَقِّي عَلَيْكَ لَا يَكُنْ مَدْخَلُكَ وَ مَخْرَجُكَ إِلَّا مِنَ الْبَابِ الْكَبِيرِ فَإِذَا رَكِبْتَ فَلْيَكُنْ مَعَكَ ذَهَبٌ وَ فِضَّةٌ ثُمَّ لَا يَسْأَلُكَ

‘O abu Ja’far, I am told that the servants lead you out of the house through the small door so that no one receives any assistance from you and it is due to their stinginess. I ask you through my rights upon you; you must not use any other door for your exit or entrance besides the main door. When you want to ride, you

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع تَدْرِي مَا الشَّحِيحُ قُلْتُ هُوَ الْبَخِيلُ قَالَ الشُّحُّ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْبُخْلِ إِنَّ الْبَخِيلَ يَبْخَلُ بِمَا فِي يَدِهِ وَ الشَّحِيحُ يَشُحُّ عَلَى مَا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ وَ عَلَى مَا فِي يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى لَا يَرَى مِمَّا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ شَيْئاً إِلَّا تَمَنَّى أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ بِالْحِلِّ وَ الْحَرَامِ وَ لَا يَقْنَعُ بِمَا رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ.[5]

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked me, ‘Do you know who a greedy person is?’ I replied, ‘He is a stingy person.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘A greedy person is worse than a stingy one. A stingy person is stingy about what is already in his hands. A greedy person is greedy about things that are in the hands of others, as well as ab

كَانَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع إِذَا أَكَلَ أُتِيَ بِصَحْفَةٍ[1] فَتُوضَعُ بِقُرْبِ مَائِدَتِهِ فَيَعْمِدُ إِلَى أَطْيَبِ الطَّعَامِ مِمَّا يُؤْتَى بِهِ فَيَأْخُذُ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ شَيْئاً فَيَضَعُ فِي تِلْكَ الصَّحْفَةِ ثُمَّ يَأْمُرُ بِهَا لِلْمَسَاكِينِ ثُمَّ يَتْلُو هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- فَلَا اقْتَحَمَ الْعَقَبَةَ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ عَلِمَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ كُلُّ إِنْسَانٍ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى عِتْقِ رَق

“Abu al-Hassan, al-Rida (a.s.), would ask for an empty plate before having food. He would keep it on one side at the table, then pick up the best of food from each kind brought for him, place them on the empty plate, and ask his people to give it to destitute people. He then would read this, ‘. . . they have not entere

كَتَبَ الْحُسَيْنُ‌[3] إِلَى الرِّضَا ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ رَجُلٌ نَذَرَ أَنْ يَصُومَ أَيَّاماً مَعْلُومَةً فَصَامَ بَعْضَهَا ثُمَّ اعْتَلَّ فَأَفْطَرَ أَ يَبْتَدِئُ فِي صَوْمِهِ أَمْ يَحْتَسِبُ بِمَا مَضَى فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ يَحْتَسِبُ مَا مَضَى.

‘The days that he had fasted are also counted.’”

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ نَذَرَ نَذْراً فِي صِيَامٍ فَعَجَزَ فَقَالَ كَانَ أَبِي يَقُولُ عَلَيْهِ مَكَانَ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مُدٌّ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about a man who makes a vow and then fails to fast. He (the Imam) said, ‘My father (a.s.), would say that he is required to pay one mud (a certain measurement) for every day.’”

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ صَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ وَ مَا يَقُولُ النَّاسُ فِيهِ فَقَالَ عَنْ صَوْمِ ابْنِ مَرْجَانَةَ[5] تَسْأَلُنِي ذَلِكَ يَوْمٌ صَامَهُ الْأَدْعِيَاءُ مِنْ آلِ زِيَادٍ لِقَتْلِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع وَ هُوَ يَوْمٌ يَتَشَأَّمُ بِهِ آلُ مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَ يَتَشَأَّمُ بِهِ أَهْلُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي يَتَشَأَّمُ بِهِ أَهْلُ الْإِسْلَامِ لَا يُصَامُ وَ لَا يُتَبَرَّكُ بِهِ وَ يَوْمُ الْإِثْنَيْنِ يَوْمُ نَح

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about fasting on ‘Ashura’ and what people say about it. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is the fast of ibn Marjanah. You are asking me about the day in which the adopted ones of the family of Ziyad for their murdering al-Husayn (a.s.), were fasting. It is an ominous day for the family of Muhammad

خَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا أَبُو الْحَسَنِ يَعْنِي الرِّضَا ع فِي يَوْمِ خَمْسَةٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ مِنْ ذِي الْقَعْدَةِ فَقَالَ صُومُوا فَإِنِّي أَصْبَحْتُ صَائِماً قُلْنَا جُعِلْنَا فِدَاكَ أَيُّ يَوْمٍ هُوَ فَقَالَ يَوْمٌ نُشِرَتْ فِيهِ الرَّحْمَةُ وَ دُحِيَتْ فِيهِ الْأَرْضُ وَ نُصِبَتْ فِيهِ الْكَعْبَةُ وَ هَبَطَ فِيهِ آدَمُ ع.

“Abu al-Hassan, meaning al-Rida (a.s.), once came out to us on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Dhul Qa’dah and said, ‘Fast, for today I have awoken while fasting.’ We then said, ‘May we be sacrificed for you, which day is it?’ He replied, ‘It is the day during which the mercy (of Allah) was spread, the earth was e

تُكَرِّرُ فِي لَيْلَةِ ثَلَاثٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ هَذَا الدُّعَاءَ سَاجِداً وَ قَائِماً وَ قَاعِداً وَ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ وَ فِي الشَّهْرِ كُلِّهِ وَ كَيْفَ أَمْكَنَكَ وَ مَتَى حَضَرَكَ مِنْ دَهْرِكَ تَقُولُ بَعْدَ تَحْمِيدِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى وَ الصَّلَاةِ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص- اللَّهُمَّ كُنْ لِوَلِيِّكَ فُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانٍ فِي هَذِهِ السَّاعَةِ وَ فِي كُلِّ سَاعَةٍ وَلِيّاً وَ حَافِظاً وَ

4. Muhammad ibn ‘Isa has narrated through the chain of his narrators who has narrated the following:: “The virtuous ones, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, have said the following that you should repeat this prayer during the twenty-third night of the month of Ramadan, while in prostration, standing, sitting and in all conditions and

بَعَثْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع بِدَرَاهِمَ لِي وَ لِغَيْرِي وَ كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ أُخْبِرُهُ أَنَّهَا مِنْ فِطْرَةِ الْعِيَالِ فَكَتَبَ بِخَطِّهِ قَبَضْتُ وَ قَبِلْتُ.

“I once sent a certain amount of dirham that belonged to me and someone else to abu al-Hassan, al- Rida’ (a.s.), and wrote to inform him that it is of al-Fitrah of the family. He (the Imam) wrote with his hand writing, ‘I received and accepted.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الْحَرَمِ وَ أَعْلَامِهِ كَيْفَ صَارَ بَعْضُهَا أَقْرَبَ مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَ بَعْضُهَا أَبْعَدَ مِنْ بَعْضٍ‌[1] فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمَّا أَهْبَطَ آدَمَ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ هَبَطَ عَلَى أَبِي قُبَيْسٍ فَشَكَا إِلَى رَبِّهِ الْوَحْشَةَ وَ أَنَّهُ لَا يَسْمَعُ مَا كَانَ يَسْمَعُهُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ فَأَهْبَطَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْهِ يَاقُوتَةً حَمْرَاءَ فَوَضَعَهَا

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Rida (a.s.), about the Sacred Area, about its landmarks and why certain ones of its landmarks are closer than others, and others are farther?’ He (the Imam) replied, ’When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, sent Adam down from paradise, he landed on abu Qubays (hill). He compla

وَ لَوْ أَرَادَ اللَّهُ جَلَّ ثَنَاؤُهُ بِأَنْبِيَائِهِ حَيْثُ بَعَثَهُمْ أَنْ يَفْتَحَ لَهُمْ كُنُوزَ الذِّهْبَانِ وَ مَعَادِنَ الْعِقْيَانِ‌[3] وَ مَغَارِسَ الْجِنَانِ وَ أَنْ يَحْشُرَ طَيْرَ السَّمَاءِ وَ وَحْشَ الْأَرْضِ مَعَهُمْ لَفَعَلَ وَ لَوْ فَعَلَ لَسَقَطَ الْبَلَاءُ وَ بَطَلَ الْجَزَاءُ وَ اضْمَحَلَّتِ الْأَنْبَاءُ وَ لَمَا وَجَبَ لِلْقَائِلِينَ أُجُورُ الْمُبْتَلَيْنَ‌[4] وَ لَا لَحِقَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ثَوَ

2. It is narrated that ’Amir al-Mu’minin once said in his sermon the following: “’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that if Allah, Glorious is whose praise, wanted, He could have opened to His prophets the treasures of gold (stored), mines of pure growing gold, placed at their disposal, gardens of plantation

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع يَعْنِي الرِّضَا لِلْحَسَنِ بْنِ الْجَهْمِ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ السَّكِينَةُ عِنْدَكُمْ فَقَالَ لَا أَدْرِي جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ هِيَ قَالَ رِيحٌ تَخْرُجُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ طَيِّبَةٌ لَهَا صُورَةٌ كَصُورَةِ وَجْهِ الْإِنْسَانِ فَتَكُونُ مَعَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ هِيَ الَّتِي نَزَلَتْ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع حَيْثُ بَنَى الْكَعْبَةَ فَجَعَلَتْ تَأْخُذُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا فَبَنَى الْأَسَاسَ عَلَيْهَا.

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal who has said the following: “Once, abu al-Hassan, al-Rida (a.s.), asked al-Hassan ibn al-Jahm, ‘What in your view is al-Sakinah?’ He replied, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. I do not know. What is it?’ He (the Imam) s

إِنَّمَا هَدَمَتْ قُرَيْشٌ الْكَعْبَةَ لِأَنَّ السَّيْلَ كَانَ يَأْتِيهِمْ مِنْ أَعْلَى مَكَّةَ فَيَدْخُلُهَا فَانْصَدَعَتْ وَ سُرِقَ مِنَ الْكَعْبَةِ غَزَالٌ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ رِجْلَاهُ مِنْ جَوْهَرٍ وَ كَانَ حَائِطُهَا قَصِيراً وَ كَانَ ذَلِكَ قَبْلَ مَبْعَثِ النَّبِيِّ ص بِثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً[2] فَأَرَادَتْ قُرَيْشٌ أَنْ يَهْدِمُوا الْكَعْبَةَ وَ يَبْنُوهَا وَ يَزِيدُوا فِي عَرْصَتِهَا ثُمَّ أَشْفَقُوا مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ خَاف

“They have said that Quraysh had demolished al-Ka‘bah because of flood that would come from the upper part of Makkah and enter al-Ka‘bah. Damages would take place and a deer made of gold with its legs made of diamond was stolen. The walls were not high enough. This happened thirty years before Allah commanded His proph

إِذَا خَرَجْتَ فِي سَفَرٍ فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي خَرَجْتُ فِي وَجْهِي هَذَا بِلَا ثِقَةٍ مِنِّي بِغَيْرِكَ وَ لَا رَجَاءٍ آوِي إِلَيْهِ إِلَّا إِلَيْكَ وَ لَا قُوَّةٍ أَتَّكِلُ عَلَيْهَا وَ لَا حِيلَةٍ أَلْجَأُ إِلَيْهَا إِلَّا طَلَبَ فَضْلِكَ وَ ابْتِغَاءَ رِزْقِكَ وَ تَعَرُّضاً لِرَحْمَتِكَ وَ سُكُوناً إِلَى حُسْنِ عَادَتِكَ‌[3] وَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا سَبَقَ لِي فِي عِلْمِكَ فِي سَفَرِي هَذَا مِمَّا أُحِبُّ أَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you come out for a journey say, ‘O Allah, I have come out in this direction without placing my trust in anyone other than You. I do not have any hope in anyone to which I incline except to You. I have no power to rely on, or any plan to use, except seeking favors from You. I s

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَمُوتُ فَيُوصِي بِالْحَجِّ مِنْ أَيْنَ يُحَجُّ عَنْهُ قَالَ عَلَى قَدْرِ مَالِهِ إِنْ وَسِعَهُ مَالُهُ فَمِنْ مَنْزِلِهِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَسَعْهُ مَالُهُ مِنْ مَنْزِلِهِ فَمِنَ الْكُوفَةِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسَعْهُ مِنَ الْكُوفَةِ فَمِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), about a man who dies and says in his will to perform al-Hajj for him. Where from this al-Hajj must be performed? He (the Imam) said, ‘It is according to the amount of asset assigned for it. If it is sufficient from his home, then it must be performed from his home; if it is

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي الرَّجُلِ يُعْطَى الْحَجَّةَ فَيَدْفَعُهَا إِلَى غَيْرِهِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about a man who receives an amount to perform al-Hajj but he gives it to someone else. He (the Imam) said, ’It is not harmful.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُعْطَى الْحَجَّةَ يَحُجُّ بِهَا وَ يُوَسِّعُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ فَيَفْضُلُ مِنْهَا أَ يَرُدُّهَا عَلَيْهِ قَالَ لَا هِيَ لَهُ‌[1].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), about a man who is paid for al-Hajj and he spends openhandedly, but still a certain amount remains with him; if he is required to return it to the payer. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it belongs to him.’”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الرِّضَا ع هَلْ يَجُوزُ لِلْمُحْرِمِ أَنْ يَمْشِيَ تَحْتَ ظِلِّ الْمَحْمِلِ فَكَتَبَ نَعَمْ قَالَ وَ سَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ عَنِ الظِّلَالِ لِلْمُحْرِمِ مِنْ أَذَى مَطَرٍ أَوْ شَمْسٍ وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ فَأَمَرَهُ أَنْ يَفْدِيَ شَاةً وَ يَذْبَحَهَا بِمِنًى.

“I wrote to al-Rida’ (a.s.), and asked if it is permissible to walk in the shadow of the carriage on camel back. He (the Imam) wrote back, ‘Yes, it is permissible.’ Another man had asked about preparing a shadow for one in the state of Ihram because of rain or sun and I was listening, he (the Imam) commanded him to pay

سُئِلَ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الْحَجَرِ الْأَسْوَدِ وَ هَلْ يُقَاتَلُ عَلَيْهِ النَّاسُ إِذَا كَثُرُوا قَالَ إِذَا كَانَ كَذَلِكَ فَأَوْمِ إِلَيْهِ إِيمَاءً بِيَدِكَ.

‘If that becomes the case then just make a gesture toward it with your hand.’”

لَمَّا أَرَادَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ يَعْنِي ابْنَ الرِّضَا ع أَنْ يُقَصِّرَ مِنْ شَعْرِهِ لِلْعُمْرَةِ أَرَادَ الْحَجَّامُ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ مِنْ جَوَانِبِ الرَّأْسِ فَقَالَ لَهُ ابْدَأْ بِالنَّاصِيَةِ فَبَدَأَ بِهَا.

“When abu Ja‘far, ibn al-Rida’ (a.s.), wanted to do Taqsir (cutting some hair or finger nails and so on) after al-‘Umrah, the barber wanted to take from the sides of his head but he (the Imam) said, ‘Take from the side of the forehead and the barber did accordingly.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا تَرْمِي الْجَمْرَةَ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ وَ قَالَ تَرْمِي الْجِمَارَ مِنْ بَطْنِ الْوَادِي وَ تَجْعَلُ كُلَّ جَمْرَةٍ عَنْ يَمِينِكَ ثُمَّ تَنْفَتِلُ فِي الشِّقِّ الْآخَرِ إِذَا رَمَيْتَ جَمْرَةَ الْعَقَبَةِ[2].

’You must not throw pebbles on al-Jamarah al-‘ Aqabah on the day of al-Nahr (slaughtering the offering, 10th of Dhu al-Hajjah) until sunrise.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Throw pebbles on al-Jamar from the interior of the valley, keep each one on your right side and turn to the other side when throwing pebbles on Jamarah al-‘

إِذَا وَقَعَتْ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ‌ فَكُلُوا مِنْها وَ أَطْعِمُوا الْقانِعَ وَ الْمُعْتَرَّ[2] قَالَ الْقَانِعُ الَّذِي يَرْضَى بِمَا أَعْطَيْتَهُ وَ لَا يَسْخَطُ وَ لَا يَكْلَحُ‌[3] وَ لَا يَلْوِي شِدْقَهُ غَضَباً وَ الْمُعْتَرُّ الْمَارُّ بِكَ لِتُطْعِمَهُ.

“This is about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘When their sides reach the ground.’ (22:36) Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that it means when they fall on the ground. ‘. . . use it for food and feed thereof to those contented and those who ask.’ (22:36) He (the Imam) said that al-Qani‘ are those who

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَإِذا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُها فَكُلُوا مِنْها وَ أَطْعِمُوا الْقانِعَ وَ الْمُعْتَرَّ قَالَ الْقَانِعُ الَّذِي يَقْنَعُ بِمَا أَعْطَيْتَهُ وَ الْمُعْتَرُّ الَّذِي يَعْتَرِيكَ وَ السَّائِلُ الَّذِي يَسْأَلُكَ فِي يَدَيْهِ وَ الْبَائِسُ هُوَ الْفَقِيرُ.

“This is about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘When their sides reach the ground then eat thereof and feed to those contented and those who ask.’ (22:36) Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said al-Qani‘ is one who becomes satisfied with what you give them. Al-Mu‘tar are those who find you, al-Sa’il are those