Kindness & Mercy

رَأَيْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَأْخُذُ عَارِضَيْهِ وَ يُبَطِّنُ لِحْيَتَهُ‌[2].

“I once saw abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), remove hairs from his cheek and from under his chin.’”

مَا زَادَ مِنَ اللِّحْيَةِ عَنِ الْقَبْضَةِ فَهُوَ فِي النَّارِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’Whatever of the beard exceeds one’s fistful is in the fire.’”

تَقْبِضُ بِيَدِكَ عَلَى اللِّحْيَةِ وَ تَجُزُّ مَا فَضَلَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The amount of beard that you must keep is what comes in inside your fist and you must clip off whatever exceeds you fist.’”

رَأَيْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع قَدْ خَفَّفَ لِحْيَتَهُ.

“I once saw abu Ja‘far (a.s.), had made his beard lighter.’”

رَأَيْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ص وَ الْحَجَّامُ يَأْخُذُ مِنْ لِحْيَتِهِ فَقَالَ دَوِّرْهَا.

“I once saw abu Ja‘far (a.s.), when the barber trimmed his beard, he (the Imam) said, ‘Make it round.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ أَنْ تَأْخُذَ مِنَ الشَّارِبِ حَتَّى يَبْلُغَ الْإِطَارَ[1].

The mustache must be trimmed until the lips become visible.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَصِّ الشَّارِبِ أَ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about trimming the mustache; if it is of Sunnah. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is of Sunnah.”’

ذَكَرْنَا الْأَخْذَ مِنَ الشَّارِبِ فَقَالَ نُشْرَةٌ وَ هُوَ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ[2].

“Once we mentioned trimming the mustache before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). He (the Imam) said, ‘It is a charm and trimming it is of Sunnah.”’

أَحْفَى شَارِبَهُ حَتَّى أَلْصَقَهُ بِالْعَسِيبِ‌[3]

trim his mustache up to the root of the hairs.”’

مَا زَادَ عَلَى الْقَبْضَةِ فَفِي النَّارِ يَعْنِي اللِّحْيَةَ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Whatever of beard exceeds the fist is in the fire.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا يُطَوِّلَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ شَارِبَهُ فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَتَّخِذُهُ مَخْبَأً يَسْتَتِرُ بِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘You must not allow your mustache to grow long; Satan makes it his hiding place and cover.’”

مَرَّ بِالنَّبِيِّ ص رَجُلٌ طَوِيلُ اللِّحْيَةِ فَقَالَ مَا كَانَ عَلَى هَذَا لَوْ هَيَّأَ مِنْ لِحْيَتِهِ فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ الرَّجُلَ فَهَيَّأَ لِحْيَتَهُ بَيْنَ اللِّحْيَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَلَمَّا رَآهُ قَالَ هَكَذَا فَافْعَلُوا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a man with a long beard once passed by the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, who said, ‘He would not look like that had he prepared his beard.’ This remark reached that man and he prepared his beard, t

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَخْذُ الشَّعْرِ مِنَ الْأَنْفِ يُحَسِّنُ الْوَجْهَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Removing hairs from the nostrils (outside) beautifies the face.”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الثَّوْبُ النَّقِيُّ يَكْبِتُ الْعَدُوَّ وَ الدُّهْنُ يَذْهَبُ بِالْبُؤْسِ وَ الْمَشْطُ لِلرَّأْسِ يَذْهَبُ بِالْوَبَاءِ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ مَا الْوَبَاءُ قَالَ الْحُمَّى وَ الْمَشْطُ لِلِّحْيَةِ يَشُدُّ الْأَضْرَاسَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Clean and fresh clothes saddens the enemy, using oil dispels despair and combing the head removes al-Waba’.’ I then asked, ‘What is al-Waba’?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is fever. Combing the beard strengthens molar teeth.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْمَشْطُ يَذْهَبُ بِالْوَبَاءِ وَ كَانَ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مُشْطٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ يَتَمَشَّطُ بِهِ إِذَا فَرَغَ مِنْ صَلَاتِهِ.

‘Combing dispels al-Waba’. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), had a comb in (for) the Masjid which he used after completing Salat (prayer).”’

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ فِي يَدِهِ مُشْطُ عَاجٍ يَتَمَشَّطُ بِهِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا بِالْعِرَاقِ مَنْ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ لَا يَحِلُّ التَّمَشُّطُ بِالْعَاجِ قَالَ وَ لِمَ فَقَدْ كَانَ‌ لِأَبِي ع مِنْهَا مُشْطٌ أَوْ مُشْطَانِ ثُمَّ قَالَ تَمَشَّطُوا بِالْعَاجِ فَإِنَّ الْعَاجَ يَذْهَبُ بِالْوَبَاءِ[1].

“I once visited abu Ibrahim (a.s.), and he had an ivory comb in his hand which he used. I said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, in Iraq there are people with us who think that using ivory comb is not permissible.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘For what reason it can be as you said it is, my father ha

رَأَيْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَتَمَشَّطُ بِمُشْطِ عَاجٍ وَ اشْتَرَيْتُهُ لَهُ.

“I saw abu al-Hassan (a.s.), using ivory comb and I bought it for him.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الْعَاجِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ وَ إِنَّ لِي مِنْهُ لَمُشْطاً.

‘It is not unlawful and I have one ivory comb.’”

كَثْرَةُ تَسْرِيحِ الرَّأْسِ‌[2] تَذْهَبُ بِالْوَبَاءِ وَ تَجْلِبُ الرِّزْقَ وَ تَزِيدُ فِي الْجِمَاعِ.

“The Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Combing of the head very often removes al-Waba’ (fever), attracts sustenance and increases one’s ability to go to bed with one’s wife.’”

مِنْ ذَلِكَ التَّمَشُّطُ عِنْدَ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ.

“About the meaning of the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘You must beautify yourselves near every Masjid’ abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘Of such matters one is combing at the time of every Salat (prayer).”’

إِذَا سَرَّحْتَ رَأْسَكَ وَ لِحْيَتَكَ فَأَمِرَّ الْمُشْطَ عَلَى صَدْرِكَ فَإِنَّهُ يَذْهَبُ بِالْهَمِّ وَ الْوَبَاءِ.

“Abu al-Hassan, has said, ‘When you comb your head and beard, then wipe the comb against your chest; it removes worries and al-Waba’ (fever).’”

كَثْرَةُ التَّمَشُّطِ تُقَلِّلُ الْبَلْغَمَ.

“Using the comb very often reduces phlegm.’”

مَنْ سَرَّحَ لِحْيَتَهُ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً وَ عَدَّهَا مَرَّةً مَرَّةً لَمْ يَقْرَبْهُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one uses his comb seventy times and counts it one by one, Satan will not come close to him for forty days.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ عِظَامِ الْفِيلِ مَدَاهِنِهَا[3] وَ أَمْشَاطِهَا قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about elephant bones, its oil (perfume) containers and combs. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ تَقْلِيمُ الْأَظْفَارِ يَمْنَعُ الدَّاءَ الْأَعْظَمَ وَ يُدِرُّ الرِّزْقَ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Qasim ibn Yahya from his grandfather al-Hassan ibn Rashid who has said the following: “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, h

تَقْلِيمُ الْأَظْفَارِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ يُؤْمِنُ مِنَ الْجُذَامِ وَ الْبَرَصِ وَ الْعَمَى وَ إِنْ لَمْ تَحْتَجْ فَحُكَّهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ’Clipping fingernails on Fridays is immunity from leprosy, vilitigo and blindness. If you do not need to trim them then at least scratch them.’”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ خُذْ مِنْ شَارِبِكَ وَ أَظْفَارِكَ فِي كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ فَحُكَّهَا لَا يُصِيبُكَ جُنُونٌ وَ لَا جُذَامٌ وَ لَا بَرَصٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, once said to me, ’You must clip your mustache and fingernails every Friday, if you do not need clipping then just scratch them. You will not be affected by insanity, leprosy and albinism.’”

تَقْلِيمُ الْأَظْفَارِ وَ أَخْذُ الشَّارِبِ فِي كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ أَمَانٌ مِنَ الْبَرَصِ وَ الْجُنُونِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ’Clipping fingernails and mustache every Friday is immunity from albinism and insanity.’”

مِنَ السُّنَّةِ تَقْلِيمُ الْأَظْفَارِ.

‘It is of Sunnah to clip one’s fingernails.’”

إِنَّمَا قُصَّ الْأَظْفَارُ لِأَنَّهَا مَقِيلُ الشَّيْطَانِ وَ مِنْهُ يَكُونُ النِّسْيَانُ.

“Abu Ja’far, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ’There is clipping of fingernails; it reduces Satan; and because of it (unclipped fingernails) is forgetfulness.’”

إِنَّ أَسْتَرَ وَ أَخْفَى مَا يُسَلِّطُ الشَّيْطَانَ مِنِ ابْنِ آدَمَ أَنْ صَارَ أَنْ يَسْكُنَ تَحْتَ الْأَظَافِيرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ’The strongest cover and most secret place for Satan by which he dominates children of Adam, Alayhi al-Salam is his hiding under the fingernails.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا ثَوَابُ مَنْ أَخَذَ مِنْ شَارِبِهِ وَ قَلَّمَ أَظْفَارَهُ فِي كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ قَالَ لَا يَزَالُ مُطَهَّراً إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ الْأُخْرَى.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about the reward for clipping the mustache and fingernails every Friday. He (the Imam) said, ‘He continues with cleanliness until the next Friday.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ مَنْ أَخَذَ مِنْ أَظْفَارِهِ وَ شَارِبِهِ كُلَّ جُمُعَةٍ وَ قَالَ حِينَ يَأْخُذُ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ عَلَى سُنَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لَمْ يَسْقُطْ مِنْهُ قُلَامَةٌ وَ لَا جُزَازَةٌ إِلَّا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِهَا عِتْقَ نَسَمَةٍ وَ لَا يَمْرَضُ إِلَّا مَرَضَهُ الَّذِي يَمُوتُ فِيهِ.

There is one’s clipping his mustache and fingernails every Friday. When clipping, one should say, “In the name of Allah, with Allah, and on the Sunnah of Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause.” For every piece of clipped hair Alla

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ تَقْلِيمُ الْأَظْفَارِ وَ قَصُّ الشَّارِبِ وَ غَسْلُ الرَّأْسِ بِالْخِطْمِيِّ كُلَّ جُمُعَةٍ يَنْفِي الْفَقْرَ وَ يَزِيدُ فِي الرِّزْقِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Clipping fingernails, mustache and washing one’s head with hollyhock (marshmallow plant) every Friday banishes poverty and increases one’s sustenance.’”

قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ عَلِّمْنِي شَيْئاً فِي الرِّزْقِ فَقَالَ الْزَمْ مُصَلَّاكَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ الْفَجْرَ إِلَى طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ فَإِنَّهُ أَنْجَعُ‌[1] فِي طَلَبِ الرِّزْقِ مِنَ الضَّرْبِ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَأَخْبَرْتُ بِذَلِكَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ أَ لَا أُعَلِّمُكَ فِي الرِّزْقِ مَا هُوَ أَنْفَعُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ خُذْ مِنْ شَارِبِكَ وَ أَظْفَارِكَ كُلَّ جُمُعَةٍ.

“A man once asked ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Hassan to teach him something for increased sustenance. He said, ‘Remain in the place of your Salat (prayer) after the morning Salat (prayer) until sunrise; it is more useful for seeking increased sustenance than traveling in the land.’ I informed abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about it and

أَتَيْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ الْحَسَنِ فَقُلْتُ عَلِّمْنِي دُعَاءً فِي الرِّزْقِ فَقَالَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ تَوَلَّ أَمْرِي وَ لَا تُوَلِّ أَمْرِي غَيْرَكَ فَعَرَضْتُهُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ أَ لَا أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى مَا هُوَ أَنْفَعُ مِنْ هَذَا فِي الرِّزْقِ تَقُصُّ أَظَافِيرَكَ وَ شَارِبَكَ فِي كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ وَ لَوْ بِحَكِّهَا.

"I went to Abdullah ibn al-Hasan and said, 'Teach me a supplication for sustenance.' He said, 'Say: O Allah, take charge of my affairs and do not entrust my affairs to anyone other than You.' I presented this to Abu Abdillah (AS), and he said, 'Shall I not guide you to what is more beneficial than this for sustenance?

رَآنِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع بِخُرَاسَانَ وَ أَنَا أَشْتَكِي عَيْنِي فَقَالَ أَ لَا أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ إِنْ فَعَلْتَهُ لَمْ تَشْتَكِ عَيْنَكَ فَقُلْتُ بَلَى فَقَالَ خُذْ مِنْ أَظْفَارِكَ فِي كُلِّ خَمِيسٍ قَالَ فَفَعَلْتُ فَمَا اشْتَكَيْتُ عَيْنِي إِلَى يَوْمَ أَخْبَرْتُكَ.

‘Clip your fingernails every Thursday.’ I followed the instruction and have not complained ever since of my eyes.’”

مَنْ أَدْمَنَ أَخْذَ أَظْفَارِهِ كُلَّ خَمِيسٍ لَمْ تَرْمَدْ عَيْنُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Whoever continues clipping his fingernails every Thursday will not experience eye ache.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لِلرِّجَالِ قُصُّوا أَظَافِيرَكُمْ وَ لِلنِّسَاءِ اتْرُكْنَ فَإِنَّهُ أَزْيَنُ لَكُنَّ.

‘Men must clip their fingernails and women must keep them because it is more beautifying for them.’”

فِي قَصِّ الْأَظْفَارِ تَبْدَأُ بِخِنْصِرِ الْأَيْسَرِ ثُمَّ تَخْتِمُ بِالْيَمِينِ.

“When clipping fingernails you must begin with the little finger of the left hand and complete it with the right hand (little fingernail).’”

احْتَبَسَ الْوَحْيُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ص فَقِيلَ لَهُ احْتَبَسَ الْوَحْيُ عَنْكَ فَقَالَ ص وَ كَيْفَ لَا يَحْتَبِسُ وَ أَنْتُمْ لَا تُقَلِّمُونَ أَظْفَارَكُمْ وَ لَا تُنَقُّونَ رَوَاجِبَكُمْ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’Once a lapse took place in coming of divine revelation to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. He (the Messenger of Allah) was asked, ’Has coming of divine revelation to you stopped?’ He (the Messenger of Alla

لَا بَأْسَ بِجَزِّ الشَّمَطِ وَ نَتْفِهِ‌[2] وَ جَزُّهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ نَتْفِهِ.

‘It is not unlawful to clip or pull out gray from the head but clipping is more likable to me.”

لَا بَأْسَ بِجَزِّ الشَّمَطِ وَ نَتْفِهِ مِنَ اللِّحْيَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not unlawful to pull up or clip gray from the beard.’”

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَانَ لَا يَرَى بِجَزِّ الشَّيْبِ بَأْساً وَ يَكْرَهُ نَتْفَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin did not consider it harmful to clip gray hairs but disliked pulling it out.’”

ع‌ أَوَّلُ مَنْ شَابَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع فَقَالَ يَا رَبِّ مَا هَذَا فَقَالَ نُورٌ وَ تَوْقِيرٌ قَالَ رَبِّ زِدْنِي مِنْهُ.

4. Through the same chain of narrators as that of the previous Hadith the following is narrated: “He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘The first one who noticed gray hairs was Ibrahim ‘Alayhi al-Salam, and he asked, ‘O Lord, what is this?’ He said, ‘It is light and reverence.’ He then said, ‘O Lord, increase it for me.’”

كَانَ النَّاسُ لَا يَشِيبُونَ فَأَبْصَرَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع شَيْباً فِي لِحْيَتِهِ فَقَالَ يَا رَبِّ مَا هَذَا فَقَالَ هَذَا وَقَارٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَبِّ زِدْنِي وَقَاراً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘People did not grow gray hairs but Ibrahim ‘Alayhi al- Salam, found gray in his beard and asked, ‘O Lord, what is this?’ He said, ‘It is reverence.’ He then said, ‘O Lord, increase my reverence.’”

الشَّيْبُ فِي مُقَدَّمِ الرَّأْسِ يُمْنٌ‌[1] وَ فِي الْعَارِضَيْنِ سَخَاءٌ وَ فِي الذَّوَائِبِ شَجَاعَةٌ وَ فِي الْقَفَا شُؤْمٌ‌[2].

‘Gray in front of the head is good fortune, on the sides is generosity, on top of the head is courage, and at the back is misfortune.’”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَ لَمْ نَجْعَلِ الْأَرْضَ كِفاتاً أَحْياءً وَ أَمْواتاً[3] قَالَ دَفْنُ الشَّعْرِ وَ الظُّفُرِ.

“About the meaning of the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ’Have We not made the earth a collector (homes) of dead and living/ (77:25) abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’It is a reference to burying of the hairs and fingernails/”

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَكْتَحِلُ بِالْإِثْمِدِ[4] إِذَا أَوَى إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ وَتْراً وَتْراً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, applied al-Athmad (antimony) to his eyes before going to bed, once in each eye. 5 ”

أَرَانِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع مِيلًا مِنْ حَدِيدٍ وَ مُكْحُلَةً مِنْ عِظَامٍ فَقَالَ هَذَا كَانَ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ فَاكْتَحِلْ بِهِ فَاكْتَحَلْتُ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), once showed me a pin made of iron and a powder container of bones and said that this belonged to abu al-Hassan with which he applied eye powder and I also apply eye powder to my eyes.’”