Kindness & Mercy

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لِلْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ أَنْ يُسَلِّمَ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا لَقِيَهُ وَ يَعُودَهُ إِذَا مَرِضَ وَ يَنْصَحَ لَهُ إِذَا غَابَ وَ يُسَمِّتَهُ‌[1] إِذَا عَطَسَ يَقُولَ‌ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ* لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ يَقُولَ لَهُ يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُ فَيُجِيبَهُ فَيَقُولَ لَهُ يَهْدِيكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ يُصْلِحُ بَالَكُمْ وَ يُجِيبَهُ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَ يَتْبَعَهُ إِذَا مَاتَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘One of the rights of a Muslim on his brother (in belief) is that on meeting him he should offer him the greeting of peace, visit him when he is ill, look after his interests in his absence and when sneezing one should say: “All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds, who has no pa

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ الرِّضَا ع فَعَطَسَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ثُمَّ عَطَسَ فَقُلْتُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ثُمَّ عَطَسَ فَقُلْتُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ وَ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِذَا عَطَسَ مِثْلُكَ‌[2] نَقُولُ لَهُ كَمَا يَقُولُ بَعْضُنَا لِبَعْضٍ يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُ أَوْ كَمَا نَقُولُ قَالَ نَعَمْ أَ لَيْسَ تَقُولُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ ارْحَمْ مُحَمَّد

“Once I was in the presence of al-Rida (a.s.) and he sneezed. I said, ‘May Allah grant you al-Salat (favors).’ He sneezed again, and said, ‘May Allah grant you favors.’ He sneezed again and I said, ‘May Allah grant you favors.’ I then said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, if one like you (Imam) would

كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِذَا عَطَسَ فَقِيلَ لَهُ يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُ قَالَ يَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَ يَرْحَمُكُمْ وَ إِذَا عَطَسَ عِنْدَهُ إِنْسَانٌ قَالَ يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Whenever Abu Ja’ far (a.s.) would sneeze in response it was said, ‘May Allah be kind to you,’ and he would say, ‘May Allah grant you forgiveness and be kind to you. ’ When anyone sneezed in his presence he would say, ‘May Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, grant you forgiveness.’”

عَطَسَ رَجُلٌ نَصْرَانِيٌّ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ الْقَوْمُ هَدَاكَ اللَّهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُولُوا يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُ فَقَالُوا لَهُ إِنَّهُ نَصْرَانِيٌّ فَقَالَ لَا يَهْدِيهِ اللَّهُ حَتَّى يَرْحَمَهُ.

“Once a Christian man sneezed in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and the people said, ‘May Allah guide you.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said, ‘Say, “May Allah grant you mercy.’” They said, ‘He is a Christian.’ The Imam said, ‘Allah will not guide him until He grants him mercy.’”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ لِي جَارٌ يُؤْذِينِي فَقَالَ ارْحَمْهُ فَقُلْتُ لَا رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ فَصَرَفَ وَجْهَهُ عَنِّي قَالَ فَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أَدَعَهُ فَقُلْتُ يَفْعَلُ بِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ يَفْعَلُ بِي وَ يُؤْذِينِي فَقَالَ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ كَاشَفْتَهُ انْتَصَفْتَ مِنْهُ‌[1] فَقُلْتُ بَلَى أُرْبِي عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ ذَا مِمَّنْ يَحْسُدُ النَّاسَ عَلى‌ ما آتاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ‌

“Once I went in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and said to him, ‘My neighbor causes me suffering.’ The Imam said, ‘Be kind to him.’ I said, ‘I wish Allah will not grant him any kindness.’ The Imam turned away from me and I did not like to leave him and I said, ‘He does this and that to me and keeps causing me to

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ يَعْقُوبَ ع لَمَّا ذَهَبَ مِنْهُ بِنْيَامِينُ نَادَى يَا رَبِّ أَ مَا تَرْحَمُنِي أَذْهَبْتَ عَيْنَيَّ وَ أَذْهَبْتَ ابْنَيَّ فَأَوْحَى اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَوْ أَمَتُّهُمَا لَأَحْيَيْتُهُمَا لَكَ حَتَّى أَجْمَعَ بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَهُمَا وَ لَكِنْ تَذْكُرُ الشَّاةَ الَّتِي ذَبَحْتَهَا وَ شَوَيْتَهَا وَ أَكَلْتَ وَ فُلَانٌ وَ فُلَانٌ إِلَى جَانِبِكَ صَائِمٌ لَمْ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘When Benjamin also was taken away from Jacob, he pleaded before Allah for help, saying, “Have mercy on me. You have taken away my eyesight and my son.” Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, sent him inspiration, “Even if I will cause them to die I will give them life again for y

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا آمَنَ بِي مَنْ بَاتَ شَبْعَانَ وَ جَارُهُ جَائِعٌ قَالَ وَ مَا مِنْ أَهْلِ قَرْيَةٍ يَبِيتُ وَ فِيهِمْ جَائِعٌ يَنْظُرُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘One who spends the night with his stomach full while his neighbor is hungry does not believe in me. Any (people of the town) who sleep at night with their stomachs full while among them are hungry people, to such people, on the Day of Judgment, Allah will not look with kindness.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا اصْطَحَبَ اثْنَانِ إِلَّا كَانَ أَعْظَمُهُمَا أَجْراً وَ أَحَبُّهُمَا إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَرْفَقَهُمَا بِصَاحِبِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Of the two companions, the one who is more kind to his companion is more beloved to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.’”

أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ اخْتَبِرُوا إِخْوَانَكُمْ بِخَصْلَتَيْنِ فَإِنْ كَانَتَا فِيهِمْ وَ إِلَّا فَاعْزُبْ ثُمَّ اعْزُبْ ثُمَّ اعْزُبْ مُحَافَظَةٍ عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ فِي مَوَاقِيتِهَا وَ الْبِرِّ بِالْإِخْوَانِ فِي الْعُسْرِ وَ الْيُسْرِ. بَابٌ‌

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz from Mu’Alla ibn Khanis and ‘Uthman ibn Sulayman al- Nakhkhas from Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar and Yunus ibn Zabyan who have said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Try your brothers (friends) in two things that if not found th

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا تَدَعْ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ- وَ إِنْ كَانَ بَعْدَهُ شِعْرٌ.

‘Do not ignore the expression, “(I begin) in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful,” even if it is followed by a poem.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ اكْتُبْ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ- مِنْ أَجْوَدِ كِتَابِكَ وَ لَا تَمُدَّ الْبَاءَ حَتَّى تَرْفَعَ السِّينَ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Write “(I begin) in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful,” with the best of your handwriting. Do not extend the letter ‘B’ more than the letter ‘S’.’” [Note: this may apply to kufi handwriting only].

قَالَ: لَا تَكْتُبْ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ- لِفُلَانٍ وَ لَا بَأْسَ أَنْ تَكْتُبَ عَلَى ظَهْرِ الْكِتَابِ لِفُلَانٍ

“Do not write, ‘(I begin) in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful,’ ‘for so and so’ (in a letter), but it is not an offense to write at the back of the letter, ‘for so and so’.’”

قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِعَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع أَيْنَ يَتَوَضَّأُ الْغُرَبَاءُ[2] قَالَ يَتَّقِي شُطُوطَ الْأَنْهَارِ وَ الطُّرُقَ النَّافِذَةَ وَ تَحْتَ الْأَشْجَارِ الْمُثْمِرَةِ وَ مَوَاضِعَ اللَّعْنِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ وَ أَيْنَ مَوَاضِعُ اللَّعْنِ قَالَ أَبْوَابُ الدُّورِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man asked Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), ‘Where should outsiders take Wudu’?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘They should avoid places like the banks of the canals, open roads, under fruit-bearing trees and places that may subject one to public condemnation.’ Someone asked, ‘What kind of pl

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

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُغِيرِيَّةِ[2] عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ السُّنَنِ فَقَالَ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ يَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ أَحَدٌ مِنْ وُلْدِ آدَمَ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ جَرَتْ فِيهِ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ مِنْ رَسُولِهِ سُنَّةٌ عَرَفَهَا مَنْ عَرَفَهَا وَ أَنْكَرَهَا مَنْ أَنْكَرَهَا فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ فَمَا السُّنَّةُ فِي دُخُولِ الْخَلَاءِ قَالَ تَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ وَ تَتَعَوَّذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ

“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when a man of the followers of al- Mughirah asked him about matters of tradition (the Sunnah). The Imam replied, ‘There a tradition is set about everything that a son of Adam may need from Allah and His Messenger. There are those who have recognized such traditions

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

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

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ احْتَاجَ إِلَى الْوُضُوءِ لِلصَّلَاةِ وَ هُوَ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْمَاءِ فَوَجَدَ بِقَدْرِ مَا يَتَوَضَّأُ بِهِ بِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ أَوْ بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ هُوَ وَاجِدٌ لَهَا يَشْتَرِي وَ يَتَوَضَّأُ أَوْ يَتَيَمَّمُ قَالَ لَا بَلْ يَشْتَرِي قَدْ أَصَابَنِي مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ فَاشْتَرَيْتُ وَ تَوَضَّأْتُ وَ مَا يُشْتَرَى بِذَلِكَ مَالٌ كَثِيرٌ[3].

17. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Barqiy from Sa‘d ibn Sa‘d from Safwan who has said the following: “I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who needs to take Wudu’ for Salah (prayer). However, he is not able to find water. He finds a certain amount of water which is enough for

إِنَّهَا قَدْ تَكُونُ الصُّفْرَةَ وَ الْكُدْرَةَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), would prohibit women to examine themselves at night during their Hayd (menses), saying that it can be a discharge of a yellowish color fluid or some kind of dirt.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ النِّسَاءَ الْيَوْمَ أَحْدَثْنَ مَشْطاً تَعْمِدُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ إِلَى الْقَرَامِلِ مِنَ الصُّوفِ تَفْعَلُهُ الْمَاشِطَةُ تَصْنَعُهُ مَعَ الشَّعْرِ ثُمَّ تَحْشُوهُ بِالرَّيَاحِينِ ثُمَّ تَجْعَلُ عَلَيْهِ خِرْقَةً رَقِيقَةً ثُمَّ تَخِيطُهُ بِمِسَلَّةٍ ثُمَّ تَجْعَلُهُ فِي رَأْسِهَا ثُمَّ تُصِيبُهَا الْجَنَابَةُ فَقَالَ كَانَ النِّسَاءُ الْأُوَلُ إِنَّمَا يَمْتَشِطْنَ الْمَقَادِيمَ فَ

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that today women have found a certain manner of hair dressing. One of them can find a certain device made of wool which a hair dresser uses along with certain fragrance, then places in a thin piece of fabric, then ties it up with a pin and places it over her head and then she may

الطَّامِثُ تَغْتَسِلُ بِتِسْعَةِ أَرْطَالٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A woman for her Ghusl (bath) due to Hayd (menses) must use nine Artal of water.” (One Ritl is about 449.28gms).

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ الْحَائِضِ تَرَى الطُّهْرَ وَ هِيَ فِي السَّفَرِ وَ لَيْسَ مَعَهَا مِنَ الْمَاءِ مَا يَكْفِيهَا لِغُسْلِهَا وَ قَدْ حَضَرَتِ الصَّلَاةُ قَالَ إِذَا كَانَ مَعَهَا بِقَدْرِ مَا تَغْسِلُ بِهِ فَرْجَهَا فَتَغْسِلُهُ ثُمَّ تَتَيَمَّمُ وَ تُصَلِّي قُلْتُ فَيَأْتِيهَا زَوْجُهَا فِي تِلْكَ الْحَالِ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِذَا غَسَلَتْ فَرْجَهَا وَ تَيَمَّمَتْ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who after Hayd (menses) experiences a Hayd-free condition during a journey and cannot find water enough for Ghusl (bath) when it is time for Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘If she has enough water to wash clean her private parts, she must do so and tak

الْحَائِضُ مَا بَلَغَ بَلَلُ الْمَاءِ مِنْ شَعْرِهَا أَجْزَأَهَا[4].

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘For Ghusl (bath) because of Hayd (menses) if wetness and moisture reaches (the skin) from hairs it is sufficient.

فِي‌ الْحَائِضِ تَغْتَسِلُ وَ عَلَى جَسَدِهَا الزَّعْفَرَانُ لَمْ يَذْهَبْ بِهِ الْمَاءُ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a woman who takes Ghusl (bath) because of Hayd (menses) and there is saffron on her body which is not removed with Ghusl (bath), has said, ‘It is not harmful.

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص سَنَّ فِي الْحَائِضِ ثَلَاثَ سُنَنٍ بَيَّنَ فِيهَا كُلَّ مُشْكِلٍ لِمَنْ سَمِعَهَا وَ فَهِمَهَا حَتَّى لَا[3] يَدَعَ لِأَحَدٍ مَقَالًا فِيهِ بِالرَّأْيِ أَمَّا إِحْدَى السُّنَنِ فَالْحَائِضُ الَّتِي لَهَا أَيَّامٌ مَعْلُومَةٌ قَدْ أَحْصَتْهَا بِلَا اخْتِلَاطٍ عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ اسْتَحَاضَتْ وَ اسْتَمَرَّ بِهَا الدَّمُ وَ هِيَ فِي ذَلِكَ تَعْرِفُ أَيَّامَهَا وَ مَبْلَغَ عَدَدِهَا فَإِنَّ امْرَأَةً

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa have narrated from Yunus from more than one person who have said the following: “They asked abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about women experiencing Hayd (menses) and the tradition in his time. He (the Imam) said, ‘The Messenger of Allah has established three tra

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الطَّامِثِ تَسْمَعُ السَّجْدَةَ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَتْ مِنَ الْعَزَائِمِ فَلْتَسْجُدْ إِذَا سَمِعَتْهَا.

‘If it is of al-‘Aza’im kind, she must prostrate when she listens to it.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَشْتَرِي الْجَارِيَةَ فَرُبَّمَا احْتَبَسَ طَمْثُهَا مِنْ فَسَادِ دَمٍ أَوْ رِيحٍ فِي الرَّحِمِ فَتُسْقَى الدَّوَاءَ لِذَلِكَ فَتَطْمَثُ مِنْ يَوْمِهَا أَ فَيَجُوزُ لِي ذَلِكَ وَ أَنَا لَا أَدْرِي ذَلِكَ مِنْ حَبَلٍ هُوَ أَوْ مِنْ غَيْرِهِ فَقَالَ لِي لَا تَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّهُ إِنَّمَا ارْتَفَعَ طَمْثُهَا مِنْهَا شَهْراً وَ لَوْ كَانَ ذَلِكَ مِنْ حَبَلٍ إِنَّمَا كَانَ

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that I may purchase a slave-girl. Her Hayd (menses) stops because of spoiled blood or some kind of air in her womb, and she uses medicine for cure and her Hayd (menses) begins on the same day. I do not know if it is because of pregnancy or for other reasons, is it (use of medicine

سَأَلَتْهُ أُمُّ وَلَدٍ لِأَبِيهِ فَقَالَتْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ أَنَا أَسْتَحْيِي مِنْهُ فَقَالَ سَلِي وَ لَا تَسْتَحْيِي قَالَتْ‌ أَصَابَ ثَوْبِي دَمُ الْحَيْضِ فَغَسَلْتُهُ فَلَمْ يَذْهَبْ أَثَرُهُ فَقَالَ اصْبَغِيهِ بِمِشْقٍ حَتَّى يَخْتَلِطَ وَ يَذْهَبَ‌[1].

“Once a mother of the child of his father asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I like to ask you a question but I feel shy. He (the Imam) said, ‘Ask and do not feel shy.’ She said, ‘My clothes have come in contact with blood of Hayd (menses) and I wash them, b

كَانَ النَّاسُ يَعْتَبِطُونَ اعْتِبَاطاً[1] فَلَمَّا كَانَ زَمَانُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع قَالَ يَا رَبِّ اجْعَلْ لِلْمَوْتِ عِلَّةً يُؤْجَرُ بِهَا الْمَيِّتُ وَ يُسَلَّى بِهَا عَنِ الْمُصَابِ قَالَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْمُومَ وَ هُوَ الْبِرْسَامُ‌[2] ثُمَّ أَنْزَلَ بَعْدَهُ الدَّاءَ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘People would just drop dead. Ibrahim (Abraham), ‘Alayhi al Salam, in his time pleaded before Allah to create a cause for death so the dying person receives rewards and the grieving people find solace. Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, then sent al-Mum, which is a kind of fever causing ha

كَانَ النَّاسُ يَعْتَبِطُونَ اعْتِبَاطاً فَقَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع يَا رَبِّ لَوْ جَعَلْتَ لِلْمَوْتِ عِلَّةً يُعْرَفُ بِهَا وَ يُسَلَّى عَنِ الْمُصَابِ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْمُومَ وَ هُوَ الْبِرْسَامُ ثُمَّ أَنْزَلَ الدَّاءَ بَعْدَهُ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Faddal from ‘Asim ibn Humayd from Sa‘d ibn Tarif who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘People would just drop dead. Ibrahim (Abraham), ‘Alayhi al Salam, pleaded before Allah, ‘Would that You had created a cause for death t

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَبْتَلِي الْمُؤْمِنَ بِكُلِّ بَلِيَّةٍ وَ يُمِيتُهُ بِكُلِّ مِيتَةٍ وَ لَا يَبْتَلِيهِ بِذَهَابِ عَقْلِهِ أَ مَا تَرَى أَيُّوبَ ع كَيْفَ سَلَّطَ إِبْلِيسَ عَلَى مَالِهِ وَ وُلْدِهِ وَ عَلَى أَهْلِهِ وَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهُ وَ لَمْ يُسَلِّطْهُ عَلَى عَقْلِهِ تَرَكَ لَهُ مَا يُوَحِّدُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, places a believing person under any kind of test and trial and causes him or her to die by any form of death but He does not cause him or her to suffer the loss of reason. Consider the case of prophet Ayyub, how Satan controlled his property, chil

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَنْ مَرِضَ ثَلَاثاً فَلَمْ يَشْكُ إِلَى أَحَدٍ مِنْ عُوَّادِهِ أَبْدَلْتُهُ لَحْماً خَيْراً مِنْ لَحْمِهِ وَ دَماً خَيْراً مِنْ دَمِهِ فَإِنْ عَافَيْتُهُ عَافَيْتُهُ وَ لَا ذَنْبَ لَهُ وَ إِنْ قَبَضْتُهُ قَبَضْتُهُ إِلَى رَحْمَتِي.

The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, says, “If one remains ill for three days and does not complain about it to anyone of his visitors, I change his flesh into a better flesh and his blood into a better blood. If I give him good health, I give him a good health free from sin. If I take h

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ ابْتَلَيْتُهُ بِبَلَاءٍ فَلَمْ يَشْكُ إِلَى عُوَّادِهِ إِلَّا أَبْدَلْتُهُ لَحْماً خَيْراً مِنْ لَحْمِهِ وَ دَماً خَيْراً مِنْ دَمِهِ فَإِنْ قَبَضْتُهُ قَبَضْتُهُ إِلَى رَحْمَتِي وَ إِنْ عَاشَ عَاشَ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ ذَنْبٌ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from certain persons of his people from abu Hamzah who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, Most Holy, Most blessed, says, “Any servant whom I test by an affliction and who does not complain about it before any of his visitors, I most certainly ch

قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَيُّمَا عَبْدٍ ابْتَلَيْتُهُ بِبَلِيَّةٍ فَكَتَمَ ذَلِكَ مِنْ عُوَّادِهِ ثَلَاثاً أَبْدَلْتُهُ لَحْماً خَيْراً مِنْ لَحْمِهِ وَ دَماً خَيْراً مِنْ دَمِهِ وَ بَشَراً خَيْراً مِنْ بَشَرِهِ فَإِنْ أَبْقَيْتُهُ أَبْقَيْتُهُ وَ لَا ذَنْبَ لَهُ وَ إِنْ مَاتَ مَاتَ إِلَى رَحْمَتِي.

“This a narration of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). He (the Imam) has said that Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, says, ‘Any one of my servants whom I put to test with an affliction and who does not complain about it before any of his visitors for three days, I change his flesh into a better flesh. I change his blood into a b

أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ عَادَ مُؤْمِناً خَاضَ فِي الرَّحْمَةِ خَوْضاً فَإِذَا جَلَسَ غَمَرَتْهُ الرَّحْمَةُ فَإِذَا انْصَرَفَ وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ بِهِ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لَهُ وَ يَسْتَرْحِمُونَ عَلَيْهِ وَ يَقُولُونَ طِبْتَ وَ طَابَتْ لَكَ الْجَنَّةُ إِلَى تِلْكَ السَّاعَةِ مِنْ غَدٍ وَ كَانَ لَهُ يَا أَبَا حَمْزَةَ خَرِيفٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ قُلْتُ وَ مَا الْخَرِيفُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ زَاوِيَةٌ فِي الْجَن

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘If a believing person visits a believing patient, he enters deep into mercy, and when he sits down, mercy covers him altogether. When he returns, Allah assigns seventy thousand angels to ask forgiveness and mercy for him saying, “You did a good deed, may paradise become your dwelling,” un

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ عَادَ مُؤْمِناً مَرِيضاً فِي مَرَضِهِ حِينَ يُصْبِحُ شَيَّعَهُ سَبْعُونَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ فَإِذَا قَعَدَ غَمَرَتْهُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَ اسْتَغْفَرُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ حَتَّى يُمْسِيَ وَ إِنْ عَادَهُ مَسَاءً كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ حَتَّى يُصْبِحَ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘If a believing person visits a believing patient in his illness in the morning, seventy thousand angels escort him, and when he sits down, mercy covers him altogether and they ask Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, until nightfall to forgive him. If his visit takes place

أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ عَادَ مُؤْمِناً حِينَ يُصْبِحُ شَيَّعَهُ سَبْعُونَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ فَإِذَا قَعَدَ غَمَرَتْهُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَ اسْتَغْفَرُوا لَهُ حَتَّى يُمْسِيَ وَ إِنْ عَادَهُ مَسَاءً كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ حَتَّى يُصْبِحَ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if a believing person visits a believing patient in the morning, seventy thousand angels escort him. When he sits down, mercy covers him altogether until nightfall. If he visits in the evening, similar things happen for him until the next morning.”

مَرِضَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي فَأَتَيْتُهُ عَائِداً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي إِنَّ لَكَ عِنْدِي نَصِيحَةً أَ تَقْبَلُهَا فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَقُلْتُ قُلْ- أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ فَشَهِدَ بِذَلِكَ فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ هَذَا لَا تَنْتَفِعُ بِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ مِنْكَ عَلَى يَقِينٍ فَذَكَرَ أَنَّهُ مِنْهُ عَلَى يَقِينٍ فَقُلْتُ قُلْ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُ

‘It is only Allah who must be worshipped and He has no partner.’ He then testified to this fact. I then said, ‘This will not be of any benefit unless you are certain about it.’ He said that he is certain about it. I then asked him to say, ‘I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.’ He then testified to this

حَضَرَ رَجُلًا الْمَوْتُ فَقِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ فُلَاناً قَدْ حَضَرَهُ الْمَوْتُ فَنَهَضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ مَعَهُ أُنَاسٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ حَتَّى أَتَاهُ وَ هُوَ مُغْمًى عَلَيْهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ يَا مَلَكَ الْمَوْتِ كُفَّ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ حَتَّى أَسْأَلَهُ فَأَفَاقَ الرَّجُلُ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص مَا رَأَيْتَ قَالَ رَأَيْتُ بَيَاضاً كَثِيراً وَ سَوَاداً كَثِيراً[1] قَالَ فَأَيُّهُمَا كَانَ أَقْرَبَ إِلَيْك

The Messenger of Allah decided to visit him along with a group of his companions and they found him fainted. The Messenger of Allah said, ‘O angel of death, do not do anything to him; I want to ask him a question.’ The man regained consciousness and the Holy Prophet asked, ‘What did you see?’ He replied, ‘I saw a great

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ هَلْ يُكْرَهُ الْمُؤْمِنُ عَلَى قَبْضِ رُوحِهِ قَالَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ إِذَا أَتَاهُ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ لِقَبْضِ رُوحِهِ جَزِعَ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ يَا وَلِيَّ اللَّهِ لَا تَجْزَعْ فَوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً ص لَأَنَا أَبَرُّ بِكَ وَ أَشْفَقُ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ وَالِدٍ رَحِيمٍ لَوْ حَضَرَكَ افْتَحْ عَيْنَكَ فَانْظُر

2. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn Sulayman from his father from Sadir al-Sayrafiy who has said the following: “Once I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘May Allah keep my soul in the service of your cause, O child of the Messenger of Allah, is a believing person forced to die?’

حَضَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص رَجُلًا مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ وَ كَانَتْ‌ لَهُ حَالَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَحَضَرَهُ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ فَنَظَرَ إِلَى مَلَكِ الْمَوْتِ عِنْدَ رَأْسِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص ارْفُقْ بِصَاحِبِي فَإِنَّهُ مُؤْمِنٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ طِبْ نَفْساً وَ قَرَّ عَيْناً فَإِنِّي بِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ رَفِيقٌ شَفِيقٌ وَ اعْلَمْ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنِّي لَأَحْضُرُ ابْنَ آ

‘The Messenger of Allah once visited a man from Ansar (people of Madinah) and he was of a good status before the Messenger of Allah. He visited him in his dying condition and looked at the angel of death near his head. The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Be kind to my companion; he is a believing person.’ The angel of death

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنِ اسْتَقْبَلَ جَنَازَةً أَوْ رَآهَا فَقَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ هذا ما وَعَدَنَا اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ صَدَقَ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ‌ اللَّهُمَّ زِدْنَا إِيماناً وَ تَسْلِيماً الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي تَعَزَّزَ بِالْقُدْرَةِ وَ قَهَرَ الْعِبَادَ بِالْمَوْتِ لَمْ يَبْقَ فِي السَّمَاءِ مَلَكٌ إِلَّا بَكَى رَحْمَةً لِصَوْتِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If one finds a dead body brought from the opposite direction or just sees one and says, “Allah is great. This is what Allah and His Messenger have told us will happen to us and Allah and His Messenger have indeed spoken the truth. O Lord, increase

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[3] عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ فَقَالَ تُكَبِّرُ خَمْسَ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ تَقُولُ أَوَّلَ مَا تُكَبِّرُ- أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ الْهُدَاةِ وَ اغْفِرْ لَنا وَ لِإِخْوانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونا بِالْإِيمانِ وَ لا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنا غِلًّا ل

1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn ’Uramah from Zur‘ah, from Muhammad ibn Sanaa ‘ah in a Muzmar manner has said the following: “I once asked him (the Imam), ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about Salah (prayer) for a deceased. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must say five Takbir (Allah is great bey

تُكَبِّرُ ثُمَّ تُصَلِّي عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص ثُمَّ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ عَبْدُكَ ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ ابْنُ أَمَتِكَ لَا أَعْلَمُ مِنْهُ إِلَّا خَيْراً وَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ مُحْسِناً فَزِدْ فِي إِحْسَانِهِ وَ تَقَبَّلْ مِنْهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مُسِيئاً فَاغْفِرْ لَهُ ذَنْبَهُ وَ ارْحَمْهُ وَ افْسَحْ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَ اجْعَلْهُ مِنْ رُفَقَاءِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص ثُمَّ تُكَبِّرُ الثَّانِيَةَ وَ تَقُولُ- ا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘In Salah (prayer) for a deceased say Takbir (Allah is great beyond description), then say, “O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause,” then say, “O Lord, this is Your servant the son of Your male and a female servant. I do not know

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ التَّكْبِيرِ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ فَقَالَ خَمْسٌ تَقُولُ فِي أُولَيهُنَّ- أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ثُمَّ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ هَذَا الْمُسَجَّى قُدَّامَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَ ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ وَ قَدْ قَبَضْتَ رُوحَهُ إِلَيْكَ وَ قَدِ احْتَاجَ إِلَى رَحْمَتِكَ وَ أَنْتَ غَنِيٌّ عَنْ عَذَابِهِ اللَّهُم

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about Takbir over a deceased person. He (the Imam) said, ‘There are five Takbir. In the first one say, “I testify that only Allah deserves worship, He is one and has no partners and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O Allah, I pray to You to grant compensation to

تُكَبِّرُ ثُمَّ تَشَهَّدُ ثُمَّ تَقُولُ‌ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَ إِنَّا إِلَيْهِ راجِعُونَ‌- ... الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ* رَبِّ الْمَوْتِ وَ الْحَيَاةِ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ جَزَى اللَّهُ عَنَّا- مُحَمَّداً خَيْرَ الْجَزَاءِ بِمَا صَنَعَ بِأُمَّتِهِ وَ بِمَا بَلَّغَ مِنْ رِسَالاتِ رَبِّهِ ثُمَّ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ عَبْدُكَ ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ ابْنُ أَمَتِكَ نَاصِيَتُهُ بِيَدِكَ خَلَا مِنَ الدُّنْي

Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘In Salah (prayer) for a deceased say Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) and the testimony and say, “We are from Allah and to Allah we return. All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds, Lord of death and life. O Allah, I pray to You to grant compensation to Muhammad and hi

إِنْ كَانَ مُسْتَضْعَفاً فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تابُوا وَ اتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَ قِهِمْ عَذابَ الْجَحِيمِ‌ وَ إِذَا كُنْتَ لَا تَدْرِي مَا حَالُهُ فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ يُحِبُّ الْخَيْرَ وَ أَهْلَهُ فَاغْفِرْ لَهُ وَ ارْحَمْهُ وَ تَجَاوَزْ عَنْهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفُ مِنْكَ بِسَبِيلٍ‌[2] فَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُ عَلَى وَجْهِ الشَّفَاعَةِ لَا عَلَى وَجْهِ الْوَلَايَةِ[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If the deceased is a person of weak understanding, say, “O Lord, forgive those who have repented and followed Your path and protect them against suffering of the hell fire.” If you do not know the condition of the deceased, then say, “O Lord, if this deceased is of those who

التَّرَحُّمُ عَلَى جِهَتَيْنِ جِهَةِ الْوَلَايَةِ وَ جِهَةِ الشَّفَاعَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Expressing kindness and compassion has two aspects: The aspect of al-Walayah (guardianship) and that of intercession.’”

تَقُولُ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ‌ اللَّهِ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَ رَسُولِكَ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ تَقَبَّلْ شَفَاعَتَهُ وَ بَيِّضْ وَجْهَهُ وَ أَكْثِرْ تَبَعَهُ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَ ارْحَمْنِي وَ تُبْ عَلَيَّ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تابُوا وَ اتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَ قِهِمْ عَذابَ الْجَحِيمِ‌ فَإِنْ كَانَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said to say this, ‘(I testify that only Allah deserves worship, He is one and has no partners and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger). O Allah, I pray to You to grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. O Lord, accept hi

لَمَّا مَاتَ إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَتَى أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْقَبْرَ فَأَرْخَى نَفْسَهُ‌[2] فَقَعَدَ ثُمَّ قَالَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ وَ صَلَّى عَلَيْكَ وَ لَمْ يَنْزِلْ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَ قَالَ هَكَذَا فَعَلَ النَّبِيُّ ص بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ ع.

“When Isma’il, son of abu ‘Abd Allah, passed away, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), went to the grave site, allowed his body to reach the ground, and said, ‘I pray to Allah to grant you mercy and favors.’ He did not enter the grave; and he said, ‘This is how the Holy Prophet did when Ibrahim died.’”

إِذَا أَتَيْتَ بِالْمَيِّتِ الْقَبْرَ فَسُلَّهُ مِنْ قِبَلِ رِجْلَيْهِ فَإِذَا وَضَعْتَهُ فِي الْقَبْرِ فَاقْرَأْ آيَةَ الْكُرْسِيِّ وَ قُلْ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص اللَّهُمَّ افْسَحْ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَ أَلْحِقْهُ بِنَبِيِّهِ ص وَ قُلْ كَمَا قُلْتَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ عَلَيْهِ مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً مِنْ عِنْدِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ مُحْسِناً فَزِدْ فِي إِحْسَانِهِ وَ إِنْ كَ

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that you should place a deceased, after his arrival near the grave, in it from the side where you intend to place his feet. When the deceased is placed in the grave, read Ayatu al-Kursiy and say, ’(I begin) in the name of Allah, in the way of Allah and on the path of the Messenger of Al