Kindness & Mercy

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِذَا جَلَسَ أَحَدُكُمْ عَلَى الطَّعَامِ فَلْيَجْلِسْ جِلْسَةَ الْعَبْدِ وَ لَا يَضَعَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ إِحْدَى رِجْلَيْهِ عَلَى الْأُخْرَى وَ لَا يَتَرَبَّعْ فَإِنَّهَا جِلْسَةٌ يُبْغِضُهَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ يَمْقُتُ صَاحِبَهَا.

‘When one of you sits for food, he must sit like slaves and must not place one leg over the other or sit in a cross-legged manner; it is the kind of sitting for which Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, hates and abhors one who sits in such manner.’”

أَوْلَمَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع وَلِيمَةً عَلَى بَعْضِ وُلْدِهِ فَأَطْعَمَ أَهْلَ الْمَدِينَةِ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ الْفَالُوذَجَاتِ فِي الْجِفَانِ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ وَ الْأَزِقَّةِ فَعَابَهُ بِذَلِكَ بَعْضُ أَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ فَبَلَغَهُ ع ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ مَا آتَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ نَبِيّاً مِنْ أَنْبِيَائِهِ شَيْئاً إِلَّا وَ قَدْ آتَى مُحَمَّداً ص مِثْلَهُ وَ زَادَهُ مَا لَمْ يُؤْتِهِمْ قَالَ لِسُلَيْمَانَ ع- ه

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from certain persons of our people who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), ordered to prepare food for the ceremony of a certain one of his children and fed people of al-Madinah with Faludhat (a certain kind of sweet) in l

سَأَلَهُ الْأَبْرَشُ الْكَلْبِيُّ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- يَوْمَ تُبَدَّلُ الْأَرْضُ‌ غَيْرَ الْأَرْضِ‌[1] قَالَ تُبَدَّلُ خُبْزَةً نَقِيَّةً يَأْكُلُ النَّاسُ مِنْهَا حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ مِنَ الْحِسَابِ قَالَ الْأَبْرَشُ فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ يَوْمَئِذٍ لَفِي شُغُلٍ عَنِ الْأَكْلِ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع هُمْ فِي النَّارِ لَا يَشْتَغِلُونَ عَنْ أَكْلِ الضَّرِيعِ وَ شُرْبِ الْحَمِيمِ وَ هُمْ فِي الْعَذَابِ

“Al-Abrash al-Kalbiy once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the meaning of the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘On the day when the earth will be replaced with another earth.’ (14:48) He (the Imam) said, ‘It means that there will be purified bread for people to eat until Allah will clear the accounts.’ Al-Ab

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- يَوْمَ تُبَدَّلُ الْأَرْضُ‌ غَيْرَ الْأَرْضِ‌ قَالَ تُبَدَّلُ خُبْزَةً نَقِيَّةً يَأْكُلُ مِنْهَا النَّاسُ حَتَّى يَفْرُغُوا مِنَ الْحِسَابِ فَقَالَ لَهُ قَائِلٌ إِنَّهُمْ لَفِي شُغُلٍ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ الْأَكْلِ وَ الشُّرْبِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ ابْنَ آدَمَ أَجْوَفَ وَ لَا بُدَّ لَهُ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَ الشَّرَابِ أَ هُمْ أَشَدُّ شُغُل

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the meaning of the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘On the day when the earth will be replaced with another earth.’ (14:48) He (the Imam) said, ‘It will be replaced with purified bread from which people will eat until their accounting is complete.’ Someone then said

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ أَكْرِمُوا الْخُبْزَ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ عَمِلَ فِيهِ مَا بَيْنَ الْعَرْشِ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ وَ مَا فِيهَا مِنْ كَثِيرٍ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِمَنْ حَوْلَهُ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ قَالُوا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فِدَاكَ الْآبَاءُ وَ الْأُمَّهَاتُ فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ نَبِيٌّ فِيمَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ يُقَالُ لَهُ دَانِيَالُ وَ إِنَّهُ أَعْطَى صَاحِبَ مِعْبَرٍ رَغِيفاً لِكَيْ يَعْبُرَ بِهِ فَرَمَى صَا

“It is a narration of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), from the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. He (the Messenger of Allah) once said, ‘You must treat bread with reverence because from the throne to earth and what is in it, a large number of His c

أَطْعِمُوا الْمَحْمُومَ لَحْمَ الْقِبَاجِ‌[3] فَإِنَّهُ يُقَوِّي السَّاقَيْنِ وَ يَطْرُدُ الْحُمَّى طَرْداً.

“Abu al-Hassan, al-Awwal (a.s.), has said, ‘Feed one who is suffering from fever with the meat of al-Qabaj (a kind of partridge) because it strengthens the legs and dispels fever completely.’”

أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ‌ الْقَدِيدُ لَحْمُ سَوْءٍ لِأَنَّهُ يَسْتَرْخِي فِي الْمَعِدَةِ وَ يُهَيِّجُ كُلَّ دَاءٍ وَ لَا يَنْفَعُ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ بَلْ يَضُرُّهُ.

‘Al-Qadid (dried up meat) is a bad kind of meat because it softens in the stomach and induces every kind of illness and it does not benefit anything, instead it harms.’”

أَكَلْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأُتِيَ بِلَوْنٍ فَقَالَ كُلْ مِنْ هَذَا فَأَمَّا أَنَا فَمَا شَيْ‌ءٌ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنَ الثَّرِيدِ وَ لَوَدِدْتُ أَنَّ الْإِسْفَانَاجَاتِ حُرِّمَتْ‌[2].

“I once ate food with abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), and the food was of one kind. He (the Imam) said, ‘You can have this food but to me any other food is not as desirable as Tharid. I would have liked if al-Asfanajat was prohibited.’” (Al-Asfananjat is either spinach or something presented before the main course of food, whi

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ شِوَاءٌ فَقَالَ لِي ادْنُ فَكُلْ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ هَذَا لِي ضَارٌّ فَقَالَ لِي ادْنُ أُعَلِّمُكَ كَلِمَاتٍ لَا يَضُرُّكَ مَعَهُنَّ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِمَّا تَخَافُ قُلْ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ خَيْرِ الْأَسْمَاءِ مِلْ‌ءَ الْأَرْضِ وَ السَّمَاءِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَا دَاءٌ تَغَدَّ مَعَنَا.

‘In the name of Allah, the best of names, to the fill of the earth and sky, the Beneficent, the Merciful, the one with whose name not even one thing and illness harms.’ Now you can have lunch with us.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَهْدَى إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص هَرِيسَةً مِنْ هَرَائِسِ الْجَنَّةِ غُرِسَتْ فِي رِيَاضِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ فَرَكَهَا الْحُورُ الْعِينُ‌[1] فَأَكَلَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَزَادَ فِي قُوَّتِهِ بُضْعَ أَرْبَعِينَ رَجُلًا وَ ذَلِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَرَادَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يَسُرَّ بِهِ نَبِيَّهُ مُحَمَّداً ص.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said that Allah, most Blessed, most High, sent to His Messenger, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, al-Harisah. It was of the kind planted in gardens of paradise, which is stirred by al-Hur al- ‘iyn as a gift and the Messe

كُنَّا بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْنَا اصْنَعُوا لَنَا فَالُوذَجَ وَ أَقِلُّوا فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهِ فِي قَصْعَةٍ صَغِيرَةٍ.

“We were in al-Madinah and abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), sent a message to us to make for him (the Imam) Faludah (a kind of sweet) of a little quantity . We then sent it to him (the Imam) in a small bowl.’”

شَكَا رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ شَاكِي فَقَالَ أَيْنَ هُوَ عَنِ الْمُبَارَكِ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا الْمُبَارَكُ قَالَ السُّكَّرُ قُلْتُ أَيُّ السُّكَّرِ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ سُلَيْمَانِيُّكُمْ هَذَا.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Azdiy from certain persons of our people in a marfu‘ manner who has said the following: “Once, a man complained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘I am a complaining man.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘What he needs is al-Mubarak.’ I then

أَمَا إِنَّهُ طَعَامٌ لَيْسَ فِيهِ ثِقَلٌ- وَ لَا لَهُ غَائِلَةٌ وَ إِنَّهُ أَعْجَبَنِي فَأَمَرْتُ أَنْ يُتَّخَذَ لِي وَ هُوَ بِاللَّبَنِ أَنْفَعُ وَ أَلْيَنُ فِي الْمَعِدَةِ.

“I once ate Harisah (mashed meat and grains) with al-Jawars with abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), and he (the Imam) said, ‘It is a kind of food which is not heavy or troublesome. I like it so I ordered to use it with my food, however, with milk it is more beneficial and soft on stomach.”’

خَيْرُ تُمُورِكُمُ الْبَرْنِيُّ يَذْهَبُ بِالدَّاءِ وَ لَا دَاءَ فِيهِ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِالْإِعْيَاءِ وَ لَا ضَرَرَ لَهُ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِالْبَلْغَمِ وَ مَعَ كُلِّ تَمْرَةٍ حَسَنَةٌ وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى يَهْنَأُ وَ يَمْرَأُ وَ يَذْهَبُ بِالْإِعْيَاءِ وَ يُشْبِعُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The best of your dates is al- Barniy (a certain kind of date) which removes illnesses and there is no illness in it. It takes away fatigue, there is no harm in it, and it dissolves phlegm. With every date there is one good deed.’ In another Hadith it is said that dates give one deligh

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَا عَلَاءُ هَلْ تَدْرِي مَا أَوَّلُ شَجَرَةٍ نَبَتَتْ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْأَرْضِ قُلْتُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ ابْنُ رَسُولِهِ أَعْلَمُ قَالَ إِنَّهَا الْعَجْوَةُ[2] فَمَا خَلَصَ فَهُوَ الْعَجْوَةُ وَ مَا كَانَ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ فَإِنَّمَا هُوَ مِنَ الْأَشْبَاهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, ‘O ‘Ala’, do you know what was the first tree that grew on earth?’ I replied, ‘Allah, His Messenger and the child of His Messenger know best. He (the Imam) said, ‘It was al-‘Ajwah. What is pure is al-‘Ajwah (a certain kind of date) and whatever is other than this they are only o

لَمَّا حَسَرَ الْمَاءُ[1] عَنْ عِظَامِ الْمَوْتَى فَرَأَى ذَلِكَ نُوحٌ ع جَزِعَ جَزَعاً شَدِيداً وَ اغْتَمَّ لِذَلِكَ فَأَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَيْهِ هَذَا عَمَلُكَ بِنَفْسِكَ أَنْتَ دَعَوْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَقَالَ يَا رَبِّ إِنِّي أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَ أَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ فَأَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَيْهِ أَنْ كُلِ الْعِنَبَ الْأَسْوَدَ لِيَذْهَبَ غَمُّكَ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When water dried up and bones of the dead bodies were unveiled, Nuh (a.s.), became extremely unhappy and sad. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, sent him revelation that said, ‘This is your own act. It was you who prayed against them.’ Nuh said, ‘My Lord, I ask You to forgive me an

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ أَكَلَ رُمَّانَةً أَنَارَتْ قَلْبَهُ وَ مَنْ أَنَارَ اللَّهُ قَلْبَهُ بَعُدَ الشَّيْطَانُ عَنْهُ قُلْتُ أَيَّ الرُّمَّانِ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ سُورَانِيَّكُمْ هَذَا[3].

‘If one eats pomegranate his heart becomes bright and whosoever’s heart Allah brightens Satan is kept away from him.’ I then asked, ‘What kind of pomegranate is this? I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause? He (the Imam) said, ‘It is the one from Sur (name of a place near Baghdad), this one?”

عَلَيْكَ بِالْهِنْدَبَاءِ فَإِنَّهُ يَزِيدُ فِي الْمَاءِ وَ يُحَسِّنُ الْوَلَدَ وَ هُوَ حَارٌّ لَيِّنٌ يَزِيدُ فِي الْوَلَدِ الذُّكُورَةَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said, ‘You must eat endives because it increases one’s seed and forms children well. It is hot, soft and increases male children.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْكَمْأَةُ مِنَ الْمَنِّ وَ الْمَنُّ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَ مَاؤُهَا شِفَاءٌ لِلْعَيْنِ‌[1].

‘The truffle is from Manna (honeydew, a kind of tree sap) which is from paradise and its water is cure for the eye.’”

أَخَذَنِي الْعَبَّاسُ بْنُ مُوسَى فَأَمَرَ فَوُجِئَ فَمِي‌[1] فَتَزَعْزَعَتْ أَسْنَانِي فَلَا أَقْدِرُ أَنْ أَمْضَغَ الطَّعَامَ فَرَأَيْتُ أَبِي فِي الْمَنَامِ وَ مَعَهُ شَيْخٌ لَا أَعْرِفُهُ فَقَالَ أَبِي رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ سَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَهْ مَنْ هُوَ فَقَالَ هَذَا أَبُو شَيْبَةَ الْخُرَاسَانِيُ‌[2] قَالَ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ مَا لِي أَرَاكَ هَكَذَا قَالَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ الْفَاسِقَ الْعَبَّاسَ

“Al-‘ Abbas ibn Musa took me and commanded to hit my mouth, so my teeth became shaky and I could not chew food. I then saw my father in my dream. There was an old man with him whom I could not recognize. My father, may Allah grant him mercy, said to me to offer greeting of peace to him.’ I then asked, ‘Father, who is h

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا شَرِبَ الْمَاءَ قَالَ- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي سَقَانَا عَذْباً زُلَالًا وَ لَمْ يَسْقِنَا مِلْحاً أُجَاجاً وَ لَمْ يُؤَاخِذْنَا بِذُنُوبِنَا.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, when drinking water would say, ‘All praise belongs to Allah, who has given us cool and clear water and not of salty and foul smelling kind, and has not yet questioned us because of our sins.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا بَعَثَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ نَبِيّاً قَطُّ إِلَّا وَ فِي عِلْمِ اللَّهِ أَنَّهُ إِذَا أَكْمَلَ دِينَهُ كَانَ فِيهِ تَحْرِيمُ الْخَمْرِ وَ لَمْ تَزَلِ الْخَمْرُ حَرَاماً وَ إِنَّمَا يُنْقَلُونَ مِنْ خَصْلَةٍ إِلَى خَصْلَةٍ وَ لَوْ حُمِلَ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ جُمْلَةً لَقُطِعَ بِهِمْ دُونَ الدِّينِ قَالَ وَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع لَيْسَ أَحَدٌ أَرْفَقَ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَمِنْ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’Every time Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, sent a Prophet, it was in the knowledge of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, that in the case of completing his religion wine must have been made unlawful. It had to remain unlawful, however, religion is to change the habits one after

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْخَمْرِ فَقَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَعَثَنِي‌ رَحْمَةً لِلْعالَمِينَ‌ وَ لِأَمْحَقَ الْمَعَازِفَ وَ الْمَزَامِيرَ وَ أُمُورَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ وَ الْأَوْثَانَ وَ قَالَ أَقْسَمَ رَبِّي أَنْ لَا يَشْرَبَ عَبْدٌ لِي فِي الدُّنْيَا خَمْراً إِلَّا سَقَيْتُهُ مِثْلَ مَا شَرِبَ مِنْهَا مِنَ الْحَمِيمِ- يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مُعَذَّباً أَوْ مَغْفُوراً لَهُ وَ

“Once abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about wine. Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, sent me as mercy for the worlds. (Allah sent me) to eradicate playi

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ أَتَيْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ وَ زِيَادُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ الْحَارِثِيُّ عَلَيْهَا فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَ سَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَ تَمَكَّنْتُ مِنْ مَجْلِسِي قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي الْحَارِثِ بْنِ كَعْبٍ وَ قَدْ هَدَانِي اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى مَحَبَّتِكُمْ وَ مَوَدَّتِكُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي أَبُ

“I once went to al-Madinah when Ziyad ibn ‘Ubayd Allah al-Harithiy was the governor. I asked permission to visit abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.). I then visited and offered him (the Imam) the greeting of peace and took my place. I then said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I am from banu al-Harith ibn Ka‘b and Allah, most Majestic, m

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَيَّامَ قَدِمَ الْعِرَاقَ فَقَالَ لِيَ ادْخُلْ عَلَى إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ فَإِنَّهُ شَاكٍ فَانْظُرْ مَا وَجَعُهُ وَ صِفْ لِي شَيْئاً مِنْ وَجَعِهِ الَّذِي يَجِدُ قَالَ فَقُمْتُ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى إِسْمَاعِيلَ فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ وَجَعِهِ الَّذِي يَجِدُ فَأَخْبَرَنِي بِهِ فَوَصَفْتُ لَهُ دَوَاءً فِيهِ نَبِيذٌ فَقَالَ إِسْمَاعِيلُ النَّبِيذُ حَرَامٌ وَ إِنَّا أَهْل

“I once visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), during the days that he had come to Iraq. He (the Imam) told me to visit ’Isma‘il ibn Ja‘far because he complains and see what kind of pain has made him suffer then describe for him (the Imam) the pain he feels. I then left him (the Imam) to see Tsma‘il and asked him about his pai

سَمِعْتُ رَجُلًا وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي النَّبِيذِ فَإِنَّ أَبَا مَرْيَمَ يَشْرَبُهُ وَ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّكَ أَمَرْتَهُ بِشُرْبِهِ فَقَالَ صَدَقَ أَبُو مَرْيَمَ سَأَلَنِي عَنِ النَّبِيذِ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ أَنَّهُ حَلَالٌ وَ لَمْ يَسْأَلْنِي عَنِ الْمُسْكِرِ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ ع إِنَّ الْمُسْكِرَ مَا اتَّقَيْتُ فِيهِ أَحَداً سُلْطَاناً وَ لَا غَيْرَهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص كُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ حَ

“I once heard a man who asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘What do you say about al-Nabidh? Abu Maryam drinks it and he thinks that you have commanded him to drink. ’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Abu Maryam has spoken the truth. He asked me about al-Nabidh but not about intoxicating liquor.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Intoxicating

فَقَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا يُفْسِدُ بُطُونَنَا قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَفْسَدُ لِبَطْنِكَ أَنْ تَشْرَبَ مَا لَا يَحِلُّ لَكَ.

“I once heard abu al-Balad ask abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about al-Nabidh and he (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’ He then said, ‘The residue is placed in it.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘It is the worst drink, however, you can soak it in water in the morning to drink in the evening.’ He then said, ‘I pray to A

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ النَّبِيذِ فَقَالَ حَلَالٌ قُلْتُ إِنَّا نَنْبِذُهُ فَنَطْرَحُ فِيهِ الْعَكَرَ وَ مَا سِوَى ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ ع شَهْ شَهْ‌[1] تِلْكَ الْخَمْرَةُ الْمُنْتِنَةُ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَأَيَّ نَبِيذٍ تَعْنِي فَقَالَ إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْمَدِينَةِ شَكَوْا إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص تَغَيُّرَ الْمَاءِ وَ فَسَادَ طَبَائِعِهِمْ فَأَمَرَهُمْ أَنْ يَنْبِذُوا فَكَانَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْهُمْ يَأْمُرُ خَا

‘It is lawful.’ I said, ‘We soak it, then place the residue in it and other things.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Shashsh! That is putrid wine.’ I then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what kind of al- Nabidh is what you mention?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘People of al-Madinah once complained befor

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقُلْتُ يَا جَارِيَةُ اسْقِينِي مَاءً فَقَالَ لَهَا اسْقِيهِ مِنْ نَبِيذِي فَجَاءَتْنِي بِنَبِيذٍ مِنْ بُسْرٍ فِي قَدَحٍ مِنْ صُفْرٍ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْكُوفَةِ لَا يَرْضَوْنَ بِهَذَا قَالَ فَمَا نَبِيذُهُمْ قُلْتُ لَهُ يَجْعَلُونَ فِيهِ الْقَعْوَةَ قَالَ وَ مَا الْقَعْوَةُ قُلْتُ الدَّاذِيُّ قَالَ وَ مَا الدَّاذِيُّ فَقُلْتُ ثُفْلُ التَّمْرِ قَالَ يَضْرَى بِهِ الْإِنَاءُ حَ

“I once was with abu Ja’far (a.s.), and I said, ‘O Jariyah (girl or slave-girl) give me some water.’ He (the Imam) said to her, ‘Give him from my al-Nabidh.’ She then brought al-Nabidh which was a dry date in a cup of brass.’ I then said, ‘People of al-Kufah do not agree with it.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What is their al

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرِ بْنِ الرِّضَا ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُلْصِقَ بَطْنِي بِبَطْنِكَ فَقَالَ هَاهُنَا يَا أَبَا إِسْمَاعِيلَ وَ كَشَفَ عَنْ بَطْنِهِ وَ حَسَرْتُ عَنْ بَطْنِي وَ أَلْزَقْتُ بَطْنِي بِبَطْنِهِ ثُمَّ أَجْلَسَنِي وَ دَعَا بِطَبَقٍ فِيهِ زَبِيبٌ فَأَكَلْتُ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ فِي الْحَدِيثِ فَشَكَا إِلَيَّ مَعِدَتَهُ وَ عَطِشْتُ‌ فَاسْتَقَيْتُ مَاءً فَقَالَ يَا جَارِيَةُ اسْقِيهِ مِنْ نَبِي

“I once visited abu Ja‘far, ibn al-Rida’ (a.s.), and said to him, ‘I want to touch your belly with my belly.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Here O abu Tsma‘il,’ He uncovered his belly and I uncovered my belly and touched his belly with my belly. He then made me sit and called for a plate of raisins. I ate and he began to speak

اسْتَأْذَنْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِبَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا فَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ النَّبِيذِ فَقَالَ حَلَالٌ فَقَالَ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ إِنَّمَا سَأَلْتُ عَنِ النَّبِيذِ الَّذِي يُجْعَلُ فِيهِ الْعَكَرُ فَيَغْلِي حَتَّى يُسْكِرَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص كُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ حَرَامٌ.

“I once asked for permission to visit abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), for a certain person of our people and he asked him (the Imam) about al-Nabidh. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is lawful.’ He then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, I ask about al-Nabidh in which residue is placed, then is boiled until it becomes intoxicating

قَدِمَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مِنَ الْيَمَنِ قَوْمٌ‌[1] فَسَأَلُوهُ عَنْ مَعَالِمِ دِينِهِمْ فَأَجَابَهُمْ فَخَرَجَ الْقَوْمُ بِأَجْمَعِهِمْ فَلَمَّا سَارُوا مَرْحَلَةً قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ نَسِينَا أَنْ نَسْأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص عَمَّا هُوَ أَهَمُّ إِلَيْنَا ثُمَّ نَزَلَ الْقَوْمُ ثُمَّ بَعَثُوا وَفْداً لَهُمْ فَأَتَى الْوَفْدُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الْقَوْمَ بَعَثُوا بِنَا إِل

“Once a people from Yemen came to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, to ask him (the Messenger of Allah) for the guidance of their religion and he (the Messenger of Allah) answered them. All of the people then left. When they went a cer

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عِنْدَهُ نِسَاؤُهُ قَالَ فَشَمَّ رَائِحَةَ النَّضُوحِ‌[1] فَقَالَ مَا هَذَا قَالُوا نَضُوحٌ يُجْعَلُ فِيهِ الصَّيَّاحُ‌[2] قَالَ فَأَمَرَ بِهِ فَأُهَرِيقَ فِي الْبَالُوعَةِ.

‘It is a kind of perfume which is placed in one’s hairs.’ He (the narrator) has said, that he (the Imam) commanded to throw it in the sewage.’”

نَزَلْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ فَأَتَيْنَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَنَا أَيْنَ نَزَلْتُمْ فَقُلْنَا عَلَى فُلَانٍ صَاحِبِ الْقِيَانِ‌[2] فَقَالَ كُونُوا كِرَاماً فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْنَا مَا أَرَادَ بِهِ وَ ظَنَنَّا أَنَّهُ يَقُولُ تَفَضَّلُوا عَلَيْهِ فَعُدْنَا إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْنَا إِنَّا لَا نَدْرِي مَا أَرَدْتَ بِقَوْلِكَ كُونُوا كِرَاماً فَقَالَ أَ مَا سَمِعْتُمْ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ- وَ إِ

“Once we arrived in al-Madinah and visited abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), who asked us, ‘Where have you lodged?’ We said, ‘It is with so and so, the owner of singing slave-girls.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must remain honorable.’ By Allah we did not understand what he (the Imam) meant and we thought perhaps he wants us to be k

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَمِيلٌ يُحِبُّ الْجَمَالَ وَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَرَى أَثَرَ النِّعْمَةِ عَلَى عَبْدِهِ.

’Allah is beautiful, He loves beauty and He loves to see the signs of bounty on His servant.”’

إِذَا أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَى عَبْدِهِ بِنِعْمَةٍ فَظَهَرَتْ عَلَيْهِ سُمِّيَ حَبِيبَ اللَّهِ مُحَدِّثاً بِنِعْمَةِ اللَّهِ وَ إِذَا أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَى عَبْدٍ بِنِعْمَةٍ فَلَمْ تَظْهَرْ عَلَيْهِ سُمِّيَ بَغِيضَ اللَّهِ مُكَذِّباً بِنِعْمَةِ اللَّهِ.

2. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from in a marfu‘ manner the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has stated this Hadith. ‘If Allah grants a bounty to one of His servants and such bounty appears on him, he is called the friend of Allah who speaks of the bounty of Allah. If Allah grants a bounty to one of His servants but

مَرَّ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَلَى رَجُلٍ قَدِ ارْتَفَعَ صَوْتُهُ عَلَى رَجُلٍ يَقْتَضِيهِ شَيْئاً يَسِيراً فَقَالَ بِكَمْ تُطَالِبُهُ قَالَ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ مَا بَلَغَكَ أَنَّهُ كَانَ يُقَالُ لَا دِينَ لِمَنْ لَا مُرُوءَةَ لَهُ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Uqbah ibn Muhammad from Salmah ibn Muhammad Bayya’ al-Qalanisiy who has said the following: “Once, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), passed by a man whose voice had become very loud on another person when demanding something very little from

إِذَا أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَى عَبْدِهِ بِنِعْمَةٍ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَرَاهَا عَلَيْهِ لِأَنَّهُ جَمِيلٌ يُحِبُّ الْجَمَالَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When Allah grants a bounty to His servant He loves to see it on him; He is beautiful and loves beauty.’”

أَبْصَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص رَجُلًا شَعِثاً شَعْرُ رَأْسِهِ وَسِخَةً ثِيَابُهُ سَيِّئَةً حَالُهُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مِنَ الدِّينِ الْمُتْعَةُ وَ إِظْهَارُ النِّعْمَةِ.

The Messenger of Allah said, ‘It is of religion to enjoy and allow the bounty to show.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ بِئْسَ الْعَبْدُ الْقَاذُورَةُ[1].

“He (the Imam )’ 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, has said, ‘The worse servant is a dirty servant.’”

رَآنِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا أَحْمِلُ بَقْلًا فَقَالَ يُكْرَهُ لِلرَّجُلِ السَّرِيِ‌[2] أَنْ يَحْمِلَ الشَّيْ‌ءَ الدَّنِيَّ فَيُجْتَرَأَ عَلَيْهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once saw me carrying grass. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is undesirable for a man of dignity to carry lowly things, thus people become bold against him.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ النَّاسَ يَرْوُونَ أَنَّ لَكَ مَالًا كَثِيراً فَقَالَ مَا يَسُوؤُنِي ذَاكَ إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع مَرَّ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ عَلَى نَاسٍ شَتَّى مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ وَ عَلَيْهِ قَمِيصٌ مُخَرَّقٌ فَقَالُوا أَصْبَحَ عَلِيٌّ لَا مَالَ لَهُ فَسَمِعَهَا أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَأَمَرَ الَّذِي يَلِي صَدَقَتَهُ أَنْ يَجْمَعَ تَمْرَهُ وَ لَا يَبْعَثَ إِلَى إِنْسَانٍ شَيْئاً وَ أَنْ يُوَفِّرَه

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘People say you have a great wealth . 5 He (the Imam) said, ‘It does not affect me badly because ’Amir al-Mu’minin one day passed by different groups of Quraysh with a very old shirt on him and they said, ‘Ali has become very poor and has no assets . 5 ’Amir al-Mu 5 minin heard it

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنِّي لَأَكْرَهُ لِلرَّجُلِ أَنْ يَكُونَ عَلَيْهِ نِعْمَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ فَلَا يُظْهِرَهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘I dislike to see a man who has received a bounty from Allah but does not show it."

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لِيَتَزَيَّنْ‌ أَحَدُكُمْ لِأَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ كَمَا يَتَزَيَّنُ لِلْغَرِيبِ الَّذِي يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَرَاهُ فِي أَحْسَنِ الْهَيْئَةِ[1].

‘You must dress up for your Muslim brother just as you dress up before a stranger; the Muslim brother who likes to see him (his Muslim brother) in the best dress . 555

بَلَغَ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَنَّ طَلْحَةَ وَ الزُّبَيْرَ يَقُولَانِ لَيْسَ لِعَلِيٍّ مَالٌ قَالَ فَشَقَّ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَمَرَ وُكَلَاءَهُ أَنْ يَجْمَعُوا غَلَّتَهُ حَتَّى إِذَا حَالَ الْحَوْلُ- أَتَوْهُ وَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا مِنْ ثَمَنِ الْغَلَّةِ مِائَةَ أَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ فَنُشِرَتْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَى طَلْحَةَ وَ الزُّبَيْرِ فَأَتَيَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُمَا هَذَا الْمَالُ وَ اللَّهِ لِي لَيْسَ لِأَحَدٍ فِ

“’Amir al-Mu 5 minin (a.s.), was informed that Talhah and Zubayr say, ‘Ali has no assets . 5 He (the Imam) said, ‘It troubled him and he commanded his agents to collect his share of grains. They followed his instruction until the end of the year, then they brought it to him and it was worth one hundred thousand dirhams

إِنَّ أُنَاساً بِالْمَدِينَةِ قَالُوا لَيْسَ لِلْحَسَنِ ع مَالٌ فَبَعَثَ الْحَسَنُ ع إِلَى رَجُلٍ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَاسْتَقْرَضَ مِنْهُ أَلْفَ دِرْهَمٍ وَ أَرْسَلَ بِهَا إِلَى الْمُصَدِّقِ وَ قَالَ هَذِهِ صَدَقَةُ مَالِنَا فَقَالُوا مَا بَعَثَ الْحَسَنُ ع بِهَذِهِ مِنْ تِلْقَاءِ نَفْسِهِ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ مَالٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that in al-Madinah people said, ‘Al-Hassan (a.s.), has no assets . 5 Al-Hassan (a.s.), sent to a man in al-Madinah, borrowed one thousand dirham from him and sent it to the charity collector saying, ‘It is the charity due on our assets . 5 People said, ‘Al-Hassan (a.s.), has not sent it

إِنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع اشْتَدَّتْ حَالُهُ حَتَّى تَحَدَّثَ بِذَلِكَ أَهْلُ الْمَدِينَةِ فَبَلَغَهُ ذَلِكَ فَتَعَيَّنَ أَلْفَ دِرْهَمٍ ثُمَّ بَعَثَ بِهَا إِلَى صَاحِبِ الْمَدِينَةِ وَ قَالَ هَذِهِ صَدَقَةُ مَالِي.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, lived in serious financial condition and people of al-Madinah began to speak about it. It came to his notice. He assigned one thousand dirham and sent it to the governor of al-Madinah saying, ‘It is the charity due on our assets.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُحِبُّ الْجَمَالَ وَ التَّجَمُّلَ وَ يُبْغِضُ الْبُؤْسَ وَ التَّبَاؤُسَ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, loves beauty and beautification and dislikes misery and wretchedness.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِعُبَيْدِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ إِظْهَارُ النِّعْمَةِ أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ صِيَانَتِهَا فَإِيَّاكَ أَنْ تَتَزَيَّنَ إِلَّا فِي أَحْسَنِ زِيِّ قَوْمِكَ قَالَ فَمَا رُئِيَ عُبَيْدٌ إِلَّا فِي أَحْسَنِ زِيِّ قَوْمِهِ حَتَّى مَاتَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to ‘Ubayd ibn Ziyad, ‘Showing the bounty is more beloved to Allah than its safekeeping. Therefore, you must live in your people with the best dress among them.’ He (the narrator) has said that ‘Ubayd was never seen except with the best dress among his people until he died.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الثَّوْبُ النَّقِيُّ يَكْبِتُ الْعَدُوَّ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Clean garments put down the enemy.’”