Contentment

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع إِنَّا حِينَ نَفَرْنَا مِنْ مِنًى أَقَمْنَا أَيَّاماً ثُمَّ حَلَقْتُ رَأْسِي طَلَبَ التَّلَذُّذِ فَدَخَلَنِي مِنْ ذَلِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ كَانَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ص إِذَا خَرَجَ مِنْ مَكَّةَ فَأُتِيَ بِثِيَابِهِ حَلَقَ رَأْسَهُ قَالَ وَ قَالَ فِي‌ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- ثُمَّ لْيَقْضُوا تَفَثَهُمْ وَ لْيُوفُوا نُذُورَهُمْ‌ قَالَ التَّفَثُ تَقْلِيمُ الْأَظْفَارِ وَ طَرْحُ الْوَس

when abu al-Hassan ‘Alayhi al-Salam, left Makkah, his clothes were brought to him and he shaved his head and said that in the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . then they must spruce up and fulfill their vows. . .’ (22:29) ‘Tafath’ means cutting the finger nails, removing dirt and (clothes of) Ihram.’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ أَفْضَلِ مَوْضِعٍ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ يُصَلَّى فِيهِ قَالَ الْحَطِيمُ مَا بَيْنَ الْحَجَرِ وَ بَابِ الْبَيْتِ قُلْتُ وَ الَّذِي يَلِي ذَلِكَ فِي الْفَضْلِ فَذَكَرَ أَنَّهُ عِنْدَ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع قُلْتُ ثُمَّ الَّذِي يَلِيهِ فِي الْفَضْلِ قَالَ فِي الْحِجْرِ قُلْتُ ثُمَّ الَّذِي يَلِي ذَلِكَ قَالَ كُلَّمَا دَنَا مِنَ الْبَيْتِ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Rida (a.s.), about the most excellent place for salat (prayer) in Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Masjid). He (the Imam) replied, ’It is al-Hatim, between the Black Stone and the door of the house.’ I then asked, ‘Which place is excellent thereafter?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is Maqam of Ibra

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَخْرُجَ مِنْ مَكَّةَ وَ تَأْتِيَ أَهْلَكَ فَوَدِّعِ الْبَيْتَ وَ طُفْ بِالْبَيْتِ أُسْبُوعاً وَ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَسْتَلِمَ الْحَجَرَ الْأَسْوَدَ وَ الرُّكْنَ الْيَمَانِيَّ فِي كُلِّ شَوْطٍ فَافْعَلْ وَ إِلَّا فَافْتَتِحْ بِهِ وَ اخْتِمْ بِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ ذَلِكَ فَمُوَسَّعٌ عَلَيْكَ ثُمَّ تَأْتِي الْمُسْتَجَارَ فَتَصْنَعُ عِنْدَهُ كَمَا صَنَعْتَ يَوْمَ‌ قَدِمْتَ مَكَّةَ وَ تَخَيَّر

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and Muhammad ibn Isma‘il from af-Fadf ibn Shadhan from Safwan ibn Yahya and ibn abu ‘Umayr from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that when you decide to leave Makkah to go home, say farewell to the House, perfor

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ وَ قَدْ قَالَ لَهُ أَبُو حَنِيفَةَ عَجِبَ النَّاسُ مِنْكَ أَمْسِ وَ أَنْتَ بِعَرَفَةَ تُمَاكِسُ بِبُدْنِكَ أَشَدَّ مِكَاساً يَكُونُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ مَا لِلَّهِ مِنَ الرِّضَا أَنْ أُغْبَنَ فِي مَالِي قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو حَنِيفَةَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا لِلَّهِ فِي هَذَا مِنَ الرِّضَا قَلِيلٌ وَ لَا كَثِيرٌ وَ مَا نَجِيئُكَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا جِئْتَنَا بِمَ

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, in response to abu Hanifah who said to the Imam, ‘Your bargaining so stringently to buy a badanah yesterday in ‘Arafat had astonished people about you . 5 Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘It is because Allah does not become happy if I suffer loss in my belongings . 5 Abu Hanifah t

أَنَّهُ لَمْ يُعَرِّسْ فَأَمَرَهُ الرِّضَا ع أَنْ يَنْصَرِفَ فَيُعَرِّسَ

that he did not disembark for rest where the Holy Prophet had rested. Al-Rida (a.s.), commanded him to go back and do what he was supposed to do.”

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ لِكُلِّ إِمَامٍ عَهْداً فِي عُنُقِ أَوْلِيَائِهِ وَ شِيعَتِهِ وَ إِنَّ مِنْ تَمَامِ الْوَفَاءِ بِالْعَهْدِ وَ حُسْنِ الْأَدَاءِ زِيَارَةَ قُبُورِهِمْ فَمَنْ زَارَهُمْ رَغْبَةً فِي زِيَارَتِهِمْ وَ تَصْدِيقاً بِمَا رَغِبُوا فِيهِ كَانَ أَئِمَّتُهُمْ شُفَعَاءَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

"Indeed, every Imam has a covenant upon his supporters and followers. And among the complete fulfillment of the covenant and good performance is the visitation of their graves. So whoever visits them out of desire for visiting them and in affirmation of what they desired will have their Imams as their intercessors on t

قَالَ الرِّضَا ع‌ مَنْ زَارَ قَبْرَ أَبِي بِبَغْدَادَ كَمَنْ زَارَ قَبْرَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ قَبْرَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا أَنَّ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَ لِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمَا فَضْلَهُمَا.

“Al-Rida’ (a.s.), has said, ‘Whoever visits my father in Baghdad is like one who has visited the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and the grave of ’Amir al-Mu’minin. O Allah, I appeal before You to grant salawat (favors and compensation t

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ زِيَارَةُ الرِّضَا ع أَفْضَلُ أَمْ زِيَارَةُ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَقَالَ زِيَارَةُ أَبِي أَفْضَلُ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَزُورُهُ كُلُّ النَّاسِ وَ أَبِي لَا يَزُورُهُ إِلَّا الْخَوَاصُّ مِنَ الشِّيعَةِ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), saying, ’I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, Is visiting al-Rida (a.s.), more virtuous or that of abu ‘ Abd Allah, al-Husayn (a.s.), more virtuous?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Visiting my father is more virtuous; all people visit abu ‘Abd Allah, al-Husayn (a.s.), but

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ الْجِهَادَ بَابٌ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ فَتَحَهُ اللَّهُ لِخَاصَّةِ أَوْلِيَائِهِ وَ سَوَّغَهُمْ كَرَامَةً مِنْهُ لَهُمْ وَ نِعْمَةٌ ذَخَرَهَا وَ الْجِهَادُ هُوَ لِبَاسُ التَّقْوَى وَ دِرْعُ اللَّهِ الْحَصِينَةُ وَ جُنَّتُهُ الْوَثِيقَةُ[2] فَمَنْ تَرَكَهُ رَغْبَةً عَنْهُ أَلْبَسَهُ اللَّهُ ثَوْبَ الذُّلِّ وَ شَمِلَهُ الْبَلَاءُ[3] وَ ف

“Thereafter, you must take notice that Jihad (serving in the army) is one of the doors to paradise. Allah has opened it for His special friends whom He has made to deserve it through His generosity toward them and a bounty, which He has stored. Jihad is the garment of piety and it is Allah’s invincible gown and strong

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ رَجُلًا مِنْ مَوَالِيكَ بَلَغَهُ أَنَّ رَجُلًا يُعْطِي السَّيْفَ وَ الْفَرَسَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَأَتَاهُ فَأَخَذَهُمَا مِنْهُ وَ هُوَ جَاهِلٌ بِوَجْهِ السَّبِيلِ ثُمَّ لَقِيَهُ أَصْحَابُهُ فَأَخْبَرُوهُ أَنَّ السَّبِيلَ مَعَ هَؤُلَاءِ لَا يَجُوزُ وَ أَمَرُوهُ بِرَدِّهِمَا فَقَالَ فَلْيَفْعَلْ قَالَ قَدْ طَلَبَ الرَّجُلَ فَلَمْ يَجِدْهُ وَ قِيلَ لَهُ قَدْ شَخَصَ الرَّجُلُ قَالَ فَ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida’ (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, one of your followers had heard that a man gives away sword and horse for the cause of Allah. He went to that man and took the two items but he did not know the rules. His companions met him and told him that workin

هَذِهِ الدَّعَوَاتِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ أَعْلَمْتَ سَبِيلًا مِنْ سُبُلِكَ جَعَلْتَ فِيهِ رِضَاكَ وَ نَدَبْتَ إِلَيْهِ أَوْلِيَاءَكَ وَ جَعَلْتَهُ أَشْرَفَ سُبُلِكَ عِنْدَكَ ثَوَاباً وَ أَكْرَمَهَا لَدَيْكَ مَآباً وَ أَحَبَّهَا إِلَيْكَ مَسْلَكاً ثُمَّ اشْتَرَيْتَ فِيهِ‌ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَ أَمْوالَهُمْ بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ يُقاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ‌ فَيَقْتُلُونَ وَ يُقْتَلُونَ‌ وَعْداً عَل

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that whenever Amir al-Mu’minin wanted to take part in a war he would recite the following supplications: “O Lord, You have made a way of Your ways public and have placed Your pleasure in it and have called Your friends toward it. You have made it the most noble of Your ways to You in m

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا أُمَّتِي تَوَاكَلَتِ الْأَمْرَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ النَّهْيَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ[2] فَلْيَأْذَنُوا بِوِقَاعٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى.

“When my followers postpone asking others to do good and prohibit them from committing evil they, in so doing, allow affliction to befall upon them from Allah.’””

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ إِذَا أَدْخَلَ طَعَامَ سَنَتِهِ خَفَّ ظَهْرُهُ وَ اسْتَرَاحَ وَ كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ وَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَا يَشْتَرِيَانِ عُقْدَةً حَتَّى يُحْرَزَ إِطْعَامُ سَنَتِهِمَا[1].

“I heard al-Rida’ (a.s.), saying, ‘If one saves food for one year, his burden becomes light and he feels comfortable. Abu Ja’far and abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, would not buy anything before reserving their food for one year.”

سَأَلَ الرِّضَا ع رَجُلٌ وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- وَ إِنْ كانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلى‌ مَيْسَرَةٍ[5] أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ هَذِهِ النَّظِرَةِ الَّتِي ذَكَرَهَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ لَهَا حَدٌّ يُعْرَفُ إِذَا صَارَ هَذَا الْمُعْسِرُ إِلَيْهِ لَا بُدَّ لَهُ مِنْ أَنْ‌ يُنْتَظَرَ وَ قَدْ أَخَذَ مَالَ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ وَ أَنْفَقَهُ عَلَى عِيَالِ

“A man asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), when I was listening, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “If one has difficulty to pay his debts, he should be given respite until he is able to pay.” (2:281) Explain to me the limits of this “respite” of which Allah, most

سَمِعْتُ رَجُلًا يَسْأَلُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَقَالَ إِنِّي أُعَالِجُ الدَّقِيقَ وَ أَبِيعُهُ وَ النَّاسُ يَقُولُونَ لَا يَنْبَغِي فَقَالَ لَهُ الرِّضَا ع وَ مَا بَأْسُهُ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِمَّا يُبَاعُ إِذَا اتَّقَى اللَّهَ فِيهِ الْعَبْدُ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

“I heard a man asking abu al-Hassan, al-Rida (a.s.), saying, ‘I prepare (special kind of flour) and sell it but people say that it should not be done.’ Al-Rida (a.s.), said to him, ‘What is wrong with it? There is no offense in selling things in which a servant maintains piety before Allah.’”

سُئِلَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ شِرَاءِ الْمُغَنِّيَةِ فَقَالَ قَدْ تَكُونُ لِلرَّجُلِ الْجَارِيَةُ تُلْهِيهِ وَ مَا ثَمَنُهَا إِلَّا ثَمَنُ كَلْبٍ وَ ثَمَنُ الْكَلْبِ سُحْتٌ وَ السُّحْتُ فِي النَّارِ.

“Abu al-Hassan al-Rida’ (a.s.), was asked about the legal status of purchasing a female singer. He (the Imam) said, ‘Sometimes a slave-girl of a man makes him go astray. What is then paid for such a slave-girl is like payment to purchase a dog. Payment for a dog is Suht (unlawful and filthy) and Suht is in the fire.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ عَلَامَةُ رِضَا اللَّهِ تَعَالَى فِي خَلْقِهِ عَدْلُ سُلْطَانِهِمْ وَ رُخْصُ أَسْعَارِهِمْ وَ عَلَامَةُ غَضَبِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَلْقِهِ- جَوْرُ سُلْطَانِهِمْ وَ غَلَاءُ أَسْعَارِهِمْ.

“He (the Imam) (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 the signs of happiness of Allah, most High, with His creatures is the existence of a just ruler and low prices. Of the signs of unhappiness of Allah,

الشَّرْطُ فِي الْحَيَوَانِ ثَلَاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ لِلْمُشْتَرِي اشْتَرَطَ أَمْ لَمْ يَشْتَرِطْ فَإِنْ أَحْدَثَ الْمُشْتَرِي فِيمَا اشْتَرَى حَدَثاً قَبْلَ الثَّلَاثَةِ الْأَيَّامِ فَذَلِكَ رِضًا مِنْهُ فَلَا شَرْطَ قِيلَ لَهُ وَ مَا الْحَدَثُ قَالَ أَنْ لَامَسَ أَوْ قَبَّلَ أَوْ نَظَرَ مِنْهَا إِلَى مَا كَانَ يَحْرُمُ عَلَيْهِ قَبْلَ الشِّرَاءِ[1].

2. Ibn Mahbub has narrated from Ali ibn Ri’ab who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A stipulation, the right and choice to return a merchandise, in the case of an animal is applicable only up to three days in favor of the buyer, regardless he has formed any stipulation or not. If the buyer Ahda

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا الشَّرْطُ فِي الْحَيَوَانِ فَقَالَ إِلَى ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ لِلْمُشْتَرِي قُلْتُ فَمَا الشَّرْطُ فِي غَيْرِ الْحَيَوَانِ قَالَ الْبَيِّعَانِ بِالْخِيَارِ مَا لَمْ يَفْتَرِقَا فَإِذَا افْتَرَقَا فَلَا خِيَارَ بَعْدَ الرِّضَا مِنْهُمَا.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘What is a stipulation in a deal for animals ? 5 He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is valid for three days in favor of a buyer . 5 I then asked, ‘What is it in a deal for non-animal ? 5 He (the Imam) replied, ‘A buyer and a seller have the choice to dismiss a deal

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع هَلْ يَجُوزُ بَيْعُ النَّخْلِ إِذَا حَمَلَ فَقَالَ يَجُوزُ بَيْعُهُ حَتَّى يَزْهُوَ فَقُلْتُ وَ مَا الزَّهْوُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ يَحْمَرُّ وَ يَصْفَرُّ وَ شِبْهُ ذَلِكَ.

‘It is permissible when they Yazhu.’ I then asked, ‘What is Yazhu?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is when they turn red, yellow and so on.’”

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ قَوْمٍ مِنَ الْعَدُوِّ صَالَحُوا ثُمَّ خَفَرُوا[1] وَ لَعَلَّهُمْ إِنَّمَا خَفَرُوا لِأَنَّهُ لَمْ يُعْدَلْ عَلَيْهِمْ أَ يَصْلُحُ أَنْ يُشْتَرَى مِنْ سَبْيِهِمْ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ مِنْ عَدُوٍّ قَدِ اسْتَبَانَ عَدَاوَتُهُمْ فَاشْتَرِ مِنْهُمْ وَ إِنْ كَانَ قَدْ نَفَرُوا وَ ظَلَمُوا فَلَا تَبْتَعْ مِنْ سَبْيِهِمْ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ سَبْيِ الدَّيْلَمِ يَسْرِقُ بَعْضُهُمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَ يُ

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the enemy people who make peace, then breach it because justice was not practiced with them; if it is permissible to buy their captives. He (the Imam) said, ‘If they are open enemies you can buy but if they are exiled and treated unjustly, then do not buy their captives.’ I asked hi

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ يُرَدُّ الْمَمْلُوكُ مِنْ أَحْدَاثِ السَّنَةِ مِنَ الْجُنُونِ وَ الْجُذَامِ وَ الْبَرَصِ فَقُلْنَا كَيْفَ يُرَدُّ مِنْ أَحْدَاثِ السَّنَةِ قَالَ هَذَا أَوَّلُ السَّنَةِ فَإِذَا اشْتَرَيْتَ مَمْلُوكاً بِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْخِصَالِ مَا بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ رَدَدْتَهُ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ فَالْإِبَاقُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ لَيْسَ الْإِبَاقُ مِنْ

“I once heard al-Rida’ (a.s.), saying, ‘Slaves, because of the happenings of the year are returned, such as madness, leprosy and Bars (leprosy).’ We then asked, ‘How is the return because of the happenings of the year?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘This is the beginning of the year. If you buy a slave with any of these things

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الْقَصَّارِ وَ الصَّائِغِ أَ يُضَمَّنُونَ قَالَ لَا يُصْلِحُ النَّاسَ إِلَّا أَنْ يُضَمَّنُوا قَالَ وَ كَانَ يُونُسُ يَعْمَلُ بِهِ وَ يَأْخُذُ.

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Isma’il ibn Marrar from Yunus who has said the following: “I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the case of a cleaner man and a jeweler if they were liable. He (the Imam) said, ‘People do not behave well unless they are held liable.’ Yunus would act accordingly and

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع أَنَّ لِي عَلَى رَجُلٍ ثَلَاثَةَ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ كَانَتْ تِلْكَ الدَّرَاهِمُ تَنْفُقُ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ تِلْكَ الْأَيَّامَ وَ لَيْسَتْ تَنْفُقُ الْيَوْمَ فَلِي عَلَيْهِ تِلْكَ الدَّرَاهِمُ بِأَعْيَانِهَا أَوْ مَا يَنْفُقُ الْيَوْمَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ لَكَ أَنْ تَأْخُذَ مِنْهُ مَا يَنْفُقُ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ كَمَا أَعْطَيْتَهُ مَا يَنْفُقُ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ.

“I once wrote to al-Rida’ (a.s.), and asked, ’A man owes to me three thousand dirham which were in circulation at that time among people, but today they are not in circulation among people; if he still owes me the very substance of those dirham or what is currently in circulation today. He (the Imam) wrote to me, ‘You

كُنْتُ حَمَلْتُ مَعِي مَتَاعاً إِلَى مَكَّةَ فَبَارَ عَلَيَّ فَدَخَلْتُ بِهِ الْمَدِينَةَ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع وَ قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنِّي حَمَلْتُ مَتَاعاً قَدْ بَارَ عَلَيَّ وَ قَدْ عَزَمْتُ عَلَى أَنْ أَصِيرَ إِلَى مِصْرَ فَأَرْكَبُ بَرّاً أَوْ بَحْراً فَقَالَ مِصْرُ الْحُتُوفِ يُقَيَّضُ‌[2] لَهَا أَقْصَرُ النَّاسِ أَعْمَاراً وَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَا أَجْمَلَ فِي الطَّلَبِ مَنْ رَكِبَ الْبَحْرَ ثُمَّ ق

“I had carried goods with me to Makkah. I faced severe competition there so I went to visit abu al- Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), and told him (the Imam) that I had carried goods to Makkah but I faced competition and I decided to travel to Egypt. Should I travel by land or by sea? He (the Imam) said, ’Egypt is destructive.

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ يَشْتَرِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ أَرْضاً جُرْبَاناً مَعْلُومَةً بِمِائَةِ كُرٍّ عَلَى أَنْ يُعْطِيَهُ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ فَقَالَ حَرَامٌ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ فَمَا تَقُولُ جَعَلَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ إِنِ‌ اشْتَرَى مِنْهُ الْأَرْضَ بِكَيْلٍ مَعْلُومٍ وَ حِنْطَةٍ مِنْ غَيْرِهَا قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the case of a man who bought a certain piece of land from another man in exchange for one hundred Kur (a certain unit of measurement) to be paid from the land. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is unlawful.’ I then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what do you

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الرِّضَا ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ تَقَبَّلَ مِنْ رَجُلٍ أَرْضاً أَوْ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ سِنِينَ مُسَمَّاةً ثُمَّ إِنَّ الْمُقَبِّلَ أَرَادَ بَيْعَ أَرْضِهِ الَّتِي قَبَّلَهَا قَبْلَ انْقِضَاءِ السِّنِينَ الْمُسَمَّاةِ هَلْ لِلْمُتَقَبِّلِ أَنْ يَمْنَعَهُ مِنَ الْبَيْعِ قَبْلَ انْقِضَاءِ أَجَلِهِ الَّذِي تَقَبَّلَهَا مِنْهُ إِلَيْهِ وَ مَا يَلْزَمُ الْمُتَقَبِّلَ لَهُ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ لَهُ أَنْ يَبِيعَ إِذَا ا

’He can sell it if he sets a condition upon the buyer that requires him to allow the tenant to use his years according to the contract of tenancy.’”

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ تَكُونُ لَهُ الضَّيْعَةُ وَ تَكُونُ لَهَا حُدُودٌ تَبْلُغُ حُدُودُهَا عِشْرِينَ مِيلًا وَ أَقَلَّ وَ أَكْثَرَ يَأْتِيهِ الرَّجُلُ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ أَعْطِنِي مِنْ مَرَاعِي ضَيْعَتِكَ وَ أُعْطِيَكَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا دِرْهَماً فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَتِ الضَّيْعَةُ لَهُ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

‘If you give to me from your pastures I will give you so and so amount of dirham. He (the Imam) said, ‘If the property is his property it is not unlawful.’”

كُنْتُ مَعَ الرِّضَا ع فِي بَعْضِ الْحَاجَةِ فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَنْصَرِفَ إِلَى مَنْزِلِي فَقَالَ لِيَ انْصَرِفْ مَعِي فَبِتْ عِنْدِيَ اللَّيْلَةَ فَانْطَلَقْتُ مَعَهُ فَدَخَلَ إِلَى دَارِهِ مَعَ الْمُعَتِّبِ فَنَظَرَ إِلَى غِلْمَانِهِ يَعْمَلُونَ بِالطِّينِ أَوَارِيَ الدَّوَابِ‌[2] وَ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ وَ إِذاً مَعَهُمْ أَسْوَدُ لَيْسَ مِنْهُمْ فَقَالَ مَا هَذَا الرَّجُلُ مَعَكُمْ فَقَالُوا يُعَاوِنُنَا وَ نُعْطِيهِ شَيْئ

“I once was with al-Rida’ (a.s.), because of a certain work and I wanted to leave for my home but he (the Imam) said, ‘Come with me and stay for the night with me/ I went with him (the Imam), he entered in his house with al-Mu‘attib and looked at his slaves who worked with clay, in the animal barn and other things and

سَمِعْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ مُوسَى الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ ثَلَاثٌ مِنْ سُنَنِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ الْعِطْرُ وَ أَخْذُ الشَّعْرِ وَ كَثْرَةُ الطَّرُوقَةِ[1].

‘Three things are of the traditions of the Messengers (of Allah): use of perfume, trimming hairs and ampleness of (relation in) marriage.’”

قَالَ لِيَ الرِّضَا ع إِذَا نَكَحْتَ فَانْكِحْ عَجْزَاءَ.

“Al-Rida’ (a.s.), once said to me, ‘If you want to marry, marry a woman of large buttocks.’”

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

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ الرِّضَا ع فَسَأَلَهُ صَفْوَانُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ تَزَوَّجَ ابْنَةَ رَجُلٍ وَ لِلرَّجُلِ امْرَأَةٌ وَ أُمُّ وَلَدٍ فَمَاتَ أَبُو الْجَارِيَةِ أَ يَحِلُّ لِلرَّجُلِ الْمُتَزَوِّجِ امْرَأَتُهُ وَ أُمُّ وَلَدِهِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

“Once I was with al-Rida’ (a.s.), when Safwan asked about a man who has married the daughter of a man and the man has a woman and a mother of child. The father of the girl dies; if this man can marry the wife and mother of the child of the deceased. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’”

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

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

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

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

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

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

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع- عَنِ الْجَارِيَةِ الصَّغِيرَةِ يُزَوِّجُهَا أَبُوهَا أَ لَهَا أَمْرٌ إِذَا بَلَغَتْ قَالَ لَا لَيْسَ لَهَا مَعَ أَبِيهَا أَمْرٌ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْبِكْرِ إِذَا بَلَغَتْ مَبْلَغَ النِّسَاءِ أَ لَهَا مَعَ أَبِيهَا أَمْرٌ قَالَ لَا لَيْسَ لَهَا مَعَ أَبِيهَا أَمْرٌ مَا لَمْ تَكْبَرْ[2].

“I once asked al-Rida’, Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a small girl whose father wanted to give her in marriage: if she had any commandment. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, with the existence of her father she has no commandments.’ I then asked about a virgin who has grown like other woman; if she has any commandment with

إِنَّ الْجَدَّ إِذَا زَوَّجَ ابْنَةَ ابْنِهِ وَ كَانَ أَبُوهَا حَيّاً وَ كَانَ الْجَدُّ مَرْضِيّاً جَازَ قُلْنَا فَإِنْ هَوِيَ أَبُو الْجَارِيَةِ هَوًى وَ هَوِيَ الْجَدُّ هَوًى وَ هُمَا سَوَاءٌ فِي الْعَدْلِ وَ الرِّضَا قَالَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ أَنْ تَرْضَى بِقَوْلِ الْجَدِّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a grandfather gives his granddaughter in marriage and his son is living but grandfather is ill, still marriage is binding.’ We then asked, ‘What happens if the father loves one and grandfather loves another man and they both are equal in justice and agreement?’ He (the Imam) said,

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ تَكُونُ لَهُ الْجَارِيَةُ فَيُقَبِّلُهَا هَلْ تَحِلُّ لِوَلَدِهِ قَالَ بِشَهْوَةٍ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَقَالَ مَا تَرَكَ شَيْئاً إِذَا قَبَّلَهَا بِشَهْوَةٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ ابْتِدَاءً مِنْهُ إِنْ جَرَّدَهَا وَ نَظَرَ إِلَيْهَا بِشَهْوَةٍ حَرُمَتْ عَلَى أَبِيهِ وَ ابْنِهِ قُلْتُ إِذَا نَظَرَ إِلَى جَسَدِهَا فَقَالَ إِذَا نَظَرَ إِلَى فَرْجِهَا وَ جَسَدِهَا بِشَهْوَةٍ حَر

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the case of a man who had a slave-girl and he kissed her; if she was lawful for his sons. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Was it with lust?’ I replied, ‘Yes, it was with lust.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He then has left nothing if he has kissed with lust.’ He (the Imam) then initiating said, ‘If h

قَرَأْتُ فِي كِتَابِ رَجُلٍ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الرَّجُلُ يَتَزَوَّجُ الْمَرْأَةَ مُتْعَةً إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى فَيَنْقَضِي الْأَجَلُ بَيْنَهُمَا هَلْ لَهُ أَنْ يَنْكِحَ أُخْتَهَا مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تَنْقَضِيَ عِدَّتُهَا فَكَتَبَ لَا يَحِلُّ لَهُ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَهَا حَتَّى تَنْقَضِيَ عِدَّتُهَا.

“I read in the letter of a man to al-Rida’ (a.s.), that said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, if a man marries a woman in the manner of Mut‘ah for an appointed time which expires; if he can marry her sister before her sister completes her waiting period.’ He (the Imam) had written to him, ‘I

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ تَكُونُ لَهُ الْجَارِيَةُ وَ لَهَا ابْنَةٌ فَيَقَعُ عَلَيْهَا أَ يَصْلُحُ لَهُ أَنْ يَقَعَ عَلَى ابْنَتِهَا فَقَالَ أَ يَنْكِحُ الرَّجُلُ الصَّالِحُ ابْنَتَهُ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the case of a man who had a slave-girl who had a daughter. He falls on her (for sexual intercourse); if he could fall on her daughter. He (the Imam) said, ‘Does a man of good deeds marry his own daughter?”’

قَالَ الرِّضَا ع مَا يَقُولُ أَصْحَابُكَ فِي الرَّضَاعِ قَالَ قُلْتُ كَانُوا يَقُولُونَ اللَّبَنُ لِلْفَحْلِ حَتَّى جَاءَتْهُمُ الرِّوَايَةُ عَنْكَ أَنَّهُ يَحْرُمُ مِنَ الرَّضَاعِ مَا يَحْرُمُ مِنَ النَّسَبِ فَرَجَعُوا إِلَى قَوْلِكَ قَالَ فَقَالَ وَ ذَلِكَ لِأَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ‌[3] سَأَلَنِي عَنْهَا الْبَارِحَةَ فَقَالَ لِي اشْرَحْ لِيَ اللَّبَنُ لِلْفَحْلِ وَ أَنَا أَكْرَهُ الْكَلَامَ فَقَالَ لِي كَمَا أَ

“Al-Rida’ (a.s.), once asked me, ‘What do your people say about breastfeeding?’ I replied, They called it the milk of the ‘impregnating agent’ (husband) until a Hadith from you came to them that said, “Because of breastfeeding whoever is unlawful for marriage, as being a relative, becomes unlawful” then they returned t

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ يَتَزَوَّجُ امْرَأَةً مُتْعَةً وَ يَشْتَرِطُ عَلَيْهَا أَنْ لَا يَطْلُبَ وَلَدَهَا فَتَأْتِي بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ بِوَلَدٍ فَشَدَّدَ فِي إِنْكَارِ الْوَلَدِ وَ قَالَ أَ يَجْحَدُهُ إِعْظَاماً لِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ فَإِنِ اتَّهَمَهَا فَقَالَ لَا يَنْبَغِي لَكَ أَنْ تَتَزَوَّجَ إِلَّا مُؤْمِنَةً أَوْ مُسْلِمَةً فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- ا

“A man once asked al-Rida’, Alayhi al-Salam, when I was listening, about the case of a man who married a woman in the manner of al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) with the condition that he was not to support her child. She thereafter brought a child to him and he strongly denied the child. He (the Imam) said, ‘Does he

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع- عَنِ الشُّرُوطِ فِي الْمُتْعَةِ فَقَالَ الشَّرْطُ فِيهَا بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا إِلَى كَذَا وَ كَذَا فَإِنْ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ فَذَاكَ لَهُ جَائِزٌ وَ لَا تَقُولُ كَمَا أُنْهِيَ إِلَيَّ أَنَّ أَهْلَ الْعِرَاقِ يَقُولُونَ الْمَاءُ مَائِي وَ الْأَرْضُ لَكِ وَ لَسْتُ أَسْقِي أَرْضَكِ الْمَاءَ وَ إِنْ نَبَتَ هُنَاكِ نَبْتٌ فَهُوَ لِصَاحِبِ الْأَرْضِ فَإِنَّ شَرْطَيْنِ‌[2] فِي شَرْطٍ فَاسِدٌ فَإ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the conditions of al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage). He (the Imam) said, ‘Of the conditions in it is setting up an appointed time and the amount of mahr (dower), if she agreed it then is lawful. You must not say as it is reported to me that people of Iraq say, “Water

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَتَزَوَّجُ الْمَرْأَةَ مُتْعَةً فَيَحْمِلُهَا مِنْ بَلَدٍ إِلَى بَلَدٍ فَقَالَ يَجُوزُ النِّكَاحُ الْآخَرُ وَ لَا يَجُوزُ هَذَا[1].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the case of a man who marries a woman in the manner of al-Mut‘ah (advantageous marriage) and then takes her from one town to another town. He (the Imam) said, ‘Another marriage is permissible but this is not permissible/”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع إِنِّي كُنْتُ وَهَبْتُ لِابْنَتِي جَارِيَةً حَيْثُ زَوَّجْتُهَا فَلَمْ تَزَلْ عِنْدَهَا فِي بَيْتِ زَوْجِهَا حَتَّى مَاتَ زَوْجُهَا فَرَجَعَتْ إِلَيَّ هِيَ وَ الْجَارِيَةُ أَ فَيَحِلُّ لِيَ الْجَارِيَةُ أَنْ أَطَأَهَا فَقَالَ قَوِّمْهَا بِقِيمَةٍ عَادِلَةٍ وَ أَشْهِدْ عَلَى ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ إِنْ شِئْتَ فَطَأْهَا.

Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, from Ibn Mahboub who said, ‘I asked Abu Al-Hassan Al-Reza asws , ‘I had gifted a slave girl to my daughter when I got her married. So she did not stay with her in the house of husband until her husband died. So she returned to me, her and her slave girl. Is the slave girl Pe

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع- عَنْ أُمَّهَاتِ الْأَوْلَادِ أَ لَهَا أَنْ تَكْشِفَ رَأْسَهَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِي الرِّجَالِ قَالَ تَقَنَّعُ‌[1].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the mother of children (slave-girls kept to give birth): if they can remove the covering from their heads before men. He (the Imam) said, ’She must use the veil.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع- عَنْ قِنَاعِ الْحَرَائِرِ مِنَ الْخِصْيَانِ فَقَالَ كَانُوا يَدْخُلُونَ عَلَى بَنَاتِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع وَ لَا يَتَقَنَّعْنَ قُلْتُ فَكَانُوا أَحْرَاراً قَالَ لَا قُلْتُ فَالْأَحْرَارُ يُتَقَنَّعُ مِنْهُمْ قَالَ لَا[3].

‘They would go in the presence of the daughters of abu al-Hassan (a.s.), and they would not use veils.’ I then asked if they were free. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, they were not free.’ I then asked, ‘Is veil necessary the free ones before them (castrated) ones?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not so.’”

سَأَلَتْنِي امْرَأَةٌ أَنْ أَسْتَأْذِنَ لَهَا عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَذِنَ لَهَا فَدَخَلَتْ وَ مَعَهَا مَوْلَاةٌ لَهَا فَقَالَتْ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- زَيْتُونَةٍ لا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَ لا غَرْبِيَّة[1] مَا عَنَى بِهَذَا فَقَالَ أَيَّتُهَا الْمَرْأَةُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ يَضْرِبِ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلشَّجَرِ إِنَّمَا ضَرَبَ الْأَمْثَالَ لِبَنِي آدَمَ سَلِي عَمَّا تُرِيدِينَ فَقَالَتْ أ

“A woman asked me to ask abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), for permission to visit him (the Imam). Permission was given and she came with her slave-girl and asked, ‘O abu ‘Abd Allah, what is the meaning of the word of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, “. . . the olive tree which is not eastern or western.’” (24:35) He (the Ima

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ أَخِي مَاتَ وَ تَزَوَّجْتُ امْرَأَتَهُ فَجَاءَ عَمِّي فَادَّعَى أَنَّهُ قَدْ كَانَ تَزَوَّجَهَا سِرّاً فَسَأَلْتُهَا عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَأَنْكَرَتْ أَشَدَّ الْإِنْكَارِ وَ قَالَتْ مَا كَانَ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ قَطُّ فَقَالَ يَلْزَمُكَ إِقْرَارُهَا وَ يَلْزَمُهُ إِنْكَارُهَا.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, my brother died and I married his widow and my paternal uncle came saying that he had married her secretly. I asked her about it but she denied it vehemently saying, ‘There has never been such a thing between us.’ He (the