Sincerity & Intention

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الصَّائِمِ الْمُتَطَوِّعِ تَعْرِضُ لَهُ الْحَاجَةُ قَالَ هُوَ بِالْخِيَارِ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ الْعَصْرِ وَ إِنْ مَكَثَ حَتَّى الْعَصْرِ ثُمَّ بَدَا لَهُ أَنْ يَصُومَ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ نَوَى ذَلِكَ فَلَهُ أَنْ يَصُومَ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ إِنْ شَاءَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about a man who fasts an optional fast but he faces a certain issue of his needs.“ He (the Imam) replied, ‘He has the choice until al-‘Asr (later afternoon). If he waits until al-‘Asr and then it occurs to him to fast, if he did not have the intention for fasting, he can fast that day

ذَلِكَ فِي الْفَرِيضَةِ فَأَمَّا النَّافِلَةُ فَلَهُ أَنْ يُفْطِرَ أَيَّ سَاعَةٍ شَاءَ إِلَى غُرُوبِ الشَّمْسِ.

regarding his saying, ‘A fasting person has the choice until Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime)’. He said: ‘It is about the obligatory (fast). In the case of the optional (fast), one has the choice to stop fasting any time up to sunset.’”

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَبْدُو لَهُ بَعْدَ مَا يُصْبِحُ وَ يَرْتَفِعُ النَّهَارُ فِي صَوْمِ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ لِيَقْضِيَهُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ نَوَى ذَلِكَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ قَالَ نَعَمْ لِيَصُمْهُ وَ لْيَعْتَدَّ بِهِ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ أَحْدَثَ شَيْئاً.

“This is about the case of one who only after it is day light, decides to fast that day as Qada’ (compensatory fast) for the fast of the month of Ramadan. He did not have such intention in the night. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said that he can fast that day and count it, if nothing invalidating has taken place before.”

إِنْ كَانَ أَتَى أَهْلَهُ قَبْلَ زَوَالِ الشَّمْسِ فَلَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا يَوْمٌ مَكَانَ يَوْمٍ وَ إِنْ كَانَ أَتَى أَهْلَهُ بَعْدَ زَوَالِ الشَّمْسِ فَإِنَّ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَتَصَدَّقَ عَلَى عَشَرَةِ مَسَاكِينَ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ صَامَ يَوْماً مَكَانَ يَوْمٍ وَ صَامَ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ كَفَّارَةً لِمَا صَنَعَ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about a man who when fasting as Qada’ (compensatory fast) for the fast of the month of Ramadan goes to his wife for sexual relation. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it takes place before Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime), he is not obligated for anything. It is only one d

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَقْضِي شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ فَيُكْرِهُهَا زَوْجُهَا عَلَى الْإِفْطَارِ فَقَالَ لَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يُكْرِهَهَا بَعْدَ الزَّوَالِ‌[1].

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who fasts as Qada’ (compensatory fast) for the fast of the month of Ramadan and her husband forces her to invalidate her fast. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not proper for him to do so after Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime)/”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَنْوِي الصَّوْمَ فَيَلْقَاهُ أَخُوهُ الَّذِي هُوَ عَلَى أَمْرِهِ أَ يُفْطِرُ قَالَ- إِنْ كَانَ تَطَوُّعاً أَجْزَأَهُ وَ حُسِبَ لَهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ قَضَاءَ فَرِيضَةٍ قَضَاهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who decides to fast, then he meets his brother who believes as he does; if he can discontinue his fast. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is optional it will be counted as one day of fasting in his favor, but if it is obligatory Qada’ (compensatory fast), he must do its Qada’ (

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص حِينَ حَجَّ حَجَّةَ الْإِسْلَامِ خَرَجَ فِي أَرْبَعٍ بَقِينَ مِنْ ذِي الْقَعْدَةِ حَتَّى أَتَى الشَّجَرَةَ فَصَلَّى بِهَا ثُمَّ قَادَ رَاحِلَتَهُ حَتَّى أَتَى الْبَيْدَاءَ فَأَحْرَمَ مِنْهَا وَ أَهَلَّ بِالْحَجِ‌[6] وَ سَاقَ مِائَةَ بَدَنَةٍ- وَ أَحْرَمَ النَّاسُ كُلُّهُمْ بِالْحَجِّ لَا يَنْوُونَ عُمْرَةً وَ لَا يَدْرُونَ مَا الْمُتْعَةُ حَتَّى إِذَا قَدِمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَكَّةَ طَافَ بِا

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, performed al- Hajjata al-Islam, he left al-Madinah when only four days from the month of Dhu al-Qa‘dah remained. When he (the Messenger of Allah) arrived at

مَنْ خَرَجَ مِنْ مَكَّةَ وَ هُوَ لَا يُرِيدُ الْعَوْدَ إِلَيْهَا فَقَدِ اقْتَرَبَ أَجَلُهُ وَ دَنَا عَذَابُهُ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one who leaves Makkah with an intention not to return to Makkah again, (must take notice that) his death has come very near, as well as torment for him.”

مَنْ خَرَجَ مِنْ مَكَّةَ وَ هُوَ لَا يُرِيدُ الْعَوْدَ إِلَيْهَا فَقَدِ اقْتَرَبَ أَجَلُهُ وَ دَنَا عَذَابُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one who leaves Makkah with an intention not to return to Makkah again, (must take notice that) his death has come very near as well as torment for him/”

كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ص يَقُولُ لِوُلْدِهِ يَا بَنِيَّ انْظُرُوا بَيْتَ رَبِّكُمْ فَلَا يَخْلُوَنَّ مِنْكُمْ فَلَا تُنَاظَرُوا[1].

‘My sons, take the House of your Lord in your consideration so it is not left without your presence therein; otherwise, you will risk coming of torment upon you.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ مَالٌ فَحَجَّ بِهِ أُنَاسٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ أَ قَضَى حَجَّةَ الْإِسْلَامِ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَإِذَا أَيْسَرَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَعَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَحُجَّ قُلْتُ وَ هَلْ تَكُونُ حَجَّتُهُ تِلْكَ تَامَّةً أَوْ نَاقِصَةً إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ حَجَّ مِنْ مَالِهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ يُقْضَى عَنْهُ حَجَّةُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ تَكُونُ تَامَّةً وَ لَيْسَتْ بِنَاقِصَةٍ وَ إِنْ أَيْسَرَ فَلْيَحُجَ‌[2] قَالَ وَ سُئ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who does not have any assets but people helped him to perform al-Hajj; if it is sufficient for Hajjahta al-Islam. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, but if later he becomes affluent, he is required to perform al-Hajj again.’ I then asked, ‘The kind of al-Hajj that he has performe

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ رَجَعَ مِنْ مَكَّةَ وَ هُوَ يَنْوِي الْحَجَّ مِنْ قَابِلٍ زِيدَ فِي عُمُرِهِ.

‘One who returns from Makkah with an intention to return to al-Hajj again in the future lives longer.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ لَبَّى بِالْحَجِّ مُفْرِداً فَقَدِمَ مَكَّةَ وَ طَافَ بِالْبَيْتِ وَ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ عِنْدَ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ سَعَى بَيْنَ الصَّفَا وَ الْمَرْوَةِ قَالَ فَلْيَحِلَ‌[1] وَ لْيَجْعَلْهَا مُتْعَةً إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ سَاقَ الْهَدْيَ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Mu’awiyah ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who says Talbiyah for al-Hajj in Ifrad manner (al-Hajj without al- £ Umrah), enters Makkah, performs Tawaf around the House, two Rak £ at

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ طَافَ بِالْبَيْتِ وَ بِالصَّفَا وَ الْمَرْوَةِ أَحَلَّ أَحَبَّ أَوْ كَرِهَ‌[2].

One who performs Tawaf around the House and al-Safa’ and al-Marwah is out of the state of Ihram, whether he likes or not.’”

مَا طَافَ بَيْنَ هَذَيْنِ الْحَجَرَيْنِ- الصَّفَا وَ الْمَرْوَةِ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا أَحَلَّ إِلَّا سَائِقَ الْهَدْيِ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘Whoever performs Tawaf between these two stones, al- Safa’ and al-Marwah, is out of the state of Ihram unless he has driven the offering animal along with him.’”

حَجُّوا بِامْرَأَةٍ مَعَهُمْ فَقَدِمُوا إِلَى الْوَقْتِ وَ هِيَ لَا تُصَلِّي فَجَهِلُوا أَنَّ مِثْلَهَا يَنْبَغِي أَنْ يُحْرِمَ فَمَضَوْا بِهَا كَمَا هِيَ حَتَّى قَدِمُوا مَكَّةَ وَ هِيَ طَامِثٌ حَلَالٌ فَسَأَلُوا النَّاسَ فَقَالُوا تَخْرُجُ إِلَى بَعْضِ الْمَوَاقِيتِ فَتُحْرِمُ مِنْهُ وَ كَانَتْ إِذَا فَعَلَتْ لَمْ تُدْرِكِ الْحَجَّ فَسَأَلُوا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ تُحْرِمُ مِنْ مَكَانِهَا قَدْ عَلِمَ اللَّهُ نِي

from Zurarah from certain persons of our people who performed al-Hajj with a woman with them. They arrived at Miqat (place for assuming the state of Ihram) and she did not perform Salat (prayer). They did not know that one like her must assume the state of Ihram; so they continued on their journey with her in the same

تُجْزِئُهُ نِيَّتُهُ‌[1] إِذَا كَانَ قَدْ نَوَى ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ تَمَّ حَجُّهُ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يُهِلَّ وَ قَالَ فِي مَرِيضٍ أُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى أَتَى الْوَقْتَ فَقَالَ يُحْرِمُ مِنْهُ‌[2].

“If one forgets to assume the state of Ihram or is ignorant, attends all places for performing the acts of al-Hajj such as Tawaf, Sa‘y between al-Safa’ and al-Marwah and so on, one of the two Imam, (abu Ja’far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ‘His intention is sufficient. If he had such intention, his H

فِي الرَّجُلِ إِذَا تَهَيَّأَ لِلْإِحْرَامِ فَلَهُ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ النِّسَاءَ مَا لَمْ يَعْقِدِ التَّلْبِيَةَ أَوْ يُلَبِ‌[4].

“About a man who is about to assume the state of Ihram, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He can involve with women as long as he has not made his intention for Talbiyah or has pronounced it.’”

خَرَجْنَا سِتَّةَ نَفَرٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا إِلَى مَكَّةَ فَأَوْقَدْنَا نَاراً عَظِيمَةً فِي بَعْضِ الْمَنَازِلِ أَرَدْنَا أَنْ نَطْرَحَ عَلَيْهَا لَحْماً ذَكِيّاً وَ كُنَّا مُحْرِمِينَ فَمَرَّ بِنَا طَائِرٌ صَافٌّ قَالَ حَمَامَةٌ أَوْ شِبْهُهَا فَأَحْرَقَتْ جَنَاحَهُ فَسَقَطَ فِي النَّارِ فَمَاتَ فَاغْتَمَمْنَا لِذَلِكَ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِمَكَّةَ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ فَقَالَ عَلَيْكُمْ

“In a group one year we went for Makkah and on the way, once we started a large fire to cook a certain amount of meat, while we were in the state of Ihram; and a bird like a pigeon flapping its wings, flew by and hit the fire. Its wings burnt and it died. We became depressed. I then went to see abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), i

إِذَا دَخَلْتَ الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ فَادْخُلْهُ حَافِياً عَلَى السَّكِينَةِ وَ الْوَقَارِ وَ الْخُشُوعِ وَ قَالَ وَ مَنْ دَخَلَهُ بِخُشُوعٍ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ قُلْتُ مَا الْخُشُوعُ قَالَ السَّكِينَةُ لَا تَدْخُلْهُ بِتَكَبُّرٍ فَإِذَا انْتَهَيْتَ إِلَى بَابِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَقُمْ وَ قُلِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ مِنَ ا

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you enter Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Masjid), you should be barefoot, in a dignified, serene and humble manner.’ He (the Imam) said, ’One who enters in a humble manner, Allah forgives his sins by His will.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ’What is al-Khushu’ (humbleness)?’ He (

سَأَلَهُ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ وَ أَنَا مَعَهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ طَافَ بِالْبَيْتِ سِتَّةَ أَشْوَاطٍ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ كَيْفَ يَطُوفُ سِتَّةَ أَشْوَاطٍ قَالَ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْحَجَرَ وَ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَ عَقَدَ وَاحِداً فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَطُوفُ شَوْطاً قَالَ سُلَيْمَانُ فَإِنَّهُ فَاتَهُ ذَلِكَ حَتَّى أَتَى أَهْلَهُ قَالَ يَأْمُرُ مَنْ يَطُوفُ عَنْهُ.

“Sulayman ibn Khalid asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), when I was there, about a man who performed six times Tawaf (walking around the House). Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked, ‘How did he do so? He said, ‘He faced the Black Stone and said, “Takhir (Allah is great beyond description),” made his intention and made it one.’ Abu ‘

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي أَكُونُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَ أَنْظُرُ إِلَى النَّاسِ يَطُوفُونَ بِالْبَيْتِ وَ أَنَا قَاعِدٌ فَأَغْتَمُّ لِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ يَا زِيَادُ لَا عَلَيْكَ فَإِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ إِذَا خَرَجَ مِنْ بَيْتِهِ يَؤُمُّ الْحَجَّ لَا يَزَالُ فِي طَوَافٍ وَ سَعْيٍ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ.

When a believing person comes out of his home with the intention to perform al-Hajj, he is considered performing Tawaf and Sa‘y all the time until he is back home.’”

كُنْتُ وَرَاءَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع‌[3] عَلَى الصَّفَا أَوْ عَلَى الْمَرْوَةِ وَ هُوَ لَا يَزِيدُ عَلَى حَرْفَيْنِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ حُسْنَ الظَّنِّ بِكَ فِي كُلِّ حَالٍ وَ صِدْقَ النِّيَّةِ فِي التَّوَكُّلِ عَلَيْكَ‌[4].

“I was following abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), when climbing al-Safa’ and al-Marwah, and he did not say anything more than two words, ‘O Allah, I appeal before You to grant me optimism about You in all conditions and true intention to place my trust with You.’”

مَنْ دَخَلَ مَكَّةَ مُتَمَتِّعاً فِي أَشْهُرِ الْحَجِّ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ حَتَّى يَقْضِيَ الْحَجَّ فَإِنْ عَرَضَتْ لَهُ حَاجَةٌ إِلَى عُسْفَانَ أَوْ إِلَى الطَّائِفِ أَوْ إِلَى ذَاتِ عِرْقٍ خَرَجَ مُحْرِماً وَ دَخَلَ مُلَبِّياً بِالْحَجِّ فَلَا يَزَالُ عَلَى إِحْرَامِهِ فَإِنْ رَجَعَ إِلَى مَكَّةَ رَجَعَ مُحْرِماً وَ لَمْ يَقْرَبِ الْبَيْتَ حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ مَعَ النَّاسِ إِلَى مِنًى عَلَى إِحْرَامِهِ وَ إِ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who enters Makkah in the months of al-Hajj for al- Hajj al-Tamattu‘ (advantageous) must not leave Makkah until he completes al-Hajj. If he for an urgent reason needs to go to ‘Usfan or

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَتَى الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ وَ قَدْ أَزْمَعَ بِالْحَجِ‌[1] يَطُوفُ بِالْبَيْتِ قَالَ نَعَمْ مَا لَمْ يُحْرِمْ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who comes to Masjid al-Haram with the intention to commence al-Hajj, if he can perform Tawaf around the House. He (the Imam) said, ’Yes, as long as he has not assumed the state of Ihram.’”

يُكْتَبُ لَهُ فِي الَّذِي قَدْ نَوَى أَوْ يُكْتَبُ لَهُ فِي أَفْضَلِهِمَا[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a man who assumes the state of Ihram during a month and comes out of it during the next month, the Imam said, ‘This is counted al-‘Umrah in the month in which he has made his intention or al-‘Umrah in the more virtuous month.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا تَدَعْ إِتْيَانَ الْمَشَاهِدِ كُلِّهَا- مَسْجِدِ قُبَاءَ فَإِنَّهُ الْمَسْجِدُ الَّذِي‌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوى‌ مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ‌ وَ مَشْرَبَةِ أُمِّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ مَسْجِدِ الْفَضِيخِ وَ قُبُورِ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَ مَسْجِدِ الْأَحْزَابِ وَ هُوَ مَسْجِدُ الْفَتْحِ‌[1] قَالَ وَ بَلَغَنَا أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص كَانَ إِذَا أَتَى قُبُورَ الشُّهَدَاءِ قَالَ السَّلَامُ‌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِما صَبَر

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr and Muhammad ibn Isma‘il from af-Fadf ibn Shadhan from Safwan ibn Yahya and ibn abu ‘Umayr all from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘You must not ignore visiting all shrines. One is Masjid o

سَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ أُكْثِرُ الْغَزْوَ وَ أَبْعُدُ فِي طَلَبِ الْأَجْرِ وَ أُطِيلُ الْغَيْبَةَ فَحُجِرَ ذَلِكَ عَلَيَّ فَقَالُوا لَا غَزْوَ إِلَّا مَعَ إِمَامٍ عَادِلٍ فَمَا تَرَى أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنْ شِئْتَ أَنْ أُجْمِلَ لَكَ أَجْمَلْتُ وَ إِنْ شِئْتَ أَنْ أُلَخِّصَ لَكَ لَخَّصْتُ فَقَالَ بَلْ أَجْمِلْ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَحْشُرُ النَّاسَ عَلَى نِيّ

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from abu ‘Amrah al-Sullamiy who has said the following: “A man once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, saying, ‘I would mobilize (against the enemy) very often, stay away from asking for compensation and remain absent for a l

خَطَبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ وَ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّهُ إِنَّمَا هَلَكَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ حَيْثُ مَا عَمِلُوا مِنَ الْمَعَاصِي وَ لَمْ يَنْهَهُمُ الرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَ الْأَحْبَارُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ وَ إِنَّهُمْ لَمَّا تَمَادَوْا فِي الْمَعَاصِي وَ لَمْ يَنْهَهُمُ الرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَ الْأَحْبَارُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ نَزَلَتْ بِهِمُ الْعُقُوبَاتُ فَأْمُرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ انْهَوْ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), once delivered a sermon. He first praised and glorified Allah. Thereafter he said, ‘People before were destroyed because when they committed sins the Rabbis and Monks did not stop them from committing such deeds. When they continued committing disobedience and the Rabbis and Monks did not proh

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْإِجَارَةِ فَقَالَ صَالِحٌ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ إِذَا نَصَحَ قَدْرَ طَاقَتِهِ قَدْ آجَرَ مُوسَى ع نَفْسَهُ وَ اشْتَرَطَ فَقَالَ إِنْ شِئْتُ ثَمَانِيَ وَ إِنْ شِئْتُ عَشْراً فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِيهِ- أَنْ تَأْجُرَنِي ثَمانِيَ حِجَجٍ فَإِنْ أَتْمَمْتَ عَشْراً فَمِنْ عِنْدِكَ‌[1].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who places himself for hire, and he said, 'It is permissible and there is no harm in it as long as he is sincere to the best of his ability. Musa (as) placed himself for hire and stipulated, saying, "If you wish, [I will work] for eight years, and if you wish,

إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّ لِلرَّجُلِ أَنْ يَكُونَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ يَنْوِي قَضَاءَهُ.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘I like for a man, who is indebted, to sincerely have the intention of paying it off.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ فَيَنْوِي قَضَاءَهُ كَانَ مَعَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حَافِظَانِ يُعِينَانِهِ عَلَى الْأَدَاءِ عَنْ أَمَانَتِهِ فَإِنْ قَصُرَتْ نِيَّتُهُ عَنِ الْأَدَاءِ قَصُرَا عَنْهُ مِنَ الْمَعُونَةِ بِقَدْرِ مَا قَصُرَ مِنْ نِيَّتِهِ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘If one is indebted and he intends to pay it back, from the side of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, there will be two guards to help him to keep his trust; but if his intention falls short they also fall behind in their help proportionate to the degree of the fall of hi

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ كَانَ لَهُ عَلَى رَجُلٍ مَالٌ فَجَحَدَهُ إِيَّاهُ وَ ذَهَبَ بِهِ ثُمَّ صَارَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ لِلرَّجُلِ الَّذِي ذُهِبَ بِمَالِهِ مَالٌ قِبَلَهُ أَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنْهُ مَكَانَ مَالِهِ الَّذِي ذَهَبَ بِهِ مِنْهُ ذَلِكَ الرَّجُلُ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ لَكِنْ لِهَذَا كَلَامٌ يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي آخُذُ هَذَا الْمَالَ مَكَانَ مَالِيَ الَّذِي أَخَذَهُ مِنِّي وَ إِنِّي لَمْ آخُذْ مَا أَخَذْت

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who has a certain amount of property with another person who denies the existence of such thing with him and goes away with it. Later a certain amount of the property of this person comes in the control of the first one; Can he offset

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ مَاتَ وَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ أُتِيَ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ‌[2] مِنْ غَيْرِ فَسَادٍ لَمْ يُؤَاخِذْهُ اللَّهُ [عَلَيْهِ‌] إِذَا عَلِمَ بِنِيَّتِهِ [الْأَدَاءَ] إِلَّا مَنْ كَانَ لَا يُرِيدُ أَنْ يُؤَدِّيَ عَنْ أَمَانَتِهِ فَهُوَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ السَّارِقِ وَ كَذَلِكَ الزَّكَاةُ أَيْضاً وَ كَذَلِكَ مَنِ اسْتَحَلَّ أَنْ يَذْهَبَ بِمُهُورِ النِّسَاءِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who dies owing debts. He (the Imam) said, ‘If such debts have become due upon him and it is free of his involvement in corruption, Allah will not hold him responsible if He will find in him the intention to pay back. However, if he di

مَنِ اسْتَدَانَ دَيْناً فَلَمْ يَنْوِ قَضَاهُ كَانَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ السَّارِقِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who borrows without the intention to pay back is considered a thief.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ فِي يَدِهِ مَالٌ لِأَيْتَامٍ فَيَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ فَيَمُدُّ يَدَهُ فَيَأْخُذُهُ وَ يَنْوِي أَنْ يَرُدَّهُ فَقَالَ لَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ إِلَّا الْقَصْدَ لَا يُسْرِفُ‌[3] فَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ نِيَّتِهِ أَنْ لَا يَرُدَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ فَهُوَ بِالْمَنْزِلِ الَّذِي قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوالَ الْيَتامى‌ ظُلْماً[4].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who in his hand has properties of orphans and is needy. He extends his hand to take a certain amount with the intention to return. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not proper for him to consume it, except with moderation and without excess; but if his intention is n

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ عِنْدَ بَعْضِ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ مَالٌ لِأَيْتَامٍ فَيَدْفَعُهُ إِلَيْهِ فَيَأْخُذُ مِنْهُ دَرَاهِمَ يَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهَا وَ لَا يُعْلِمُ الَّذِي كَانَ عِنْدَهُ الْمَالُ لِلْأَيْتَامِ أَنَّهُ أَخَذَ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ شَيْئاً ثُمَّ تَيَسَّرَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ أَيُّ ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ أَ يُعْطِيهِ الَّذِي كَانَ فِي يَدِهِ أَمْ يَدْفَعُهُ إِلَى الْيَتِيمِ وَ قَدْ بَلَغَ وَ هَلْ يُجْزِئُهُ أَنْ يَدْفَعَهُ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man in whose family someone has the assets of orphans and he gives a certain amount of dirham to him that he needs; and the person with whom there are the assets of orphans does not know if he has taken anything from their assets. He thereafter becomes affluent. I

مَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ لِصِلَةِ الرَّحِمِ فَهُوَ جَائِزٌ وَ لَهُ أَنْ يَقْبِضَهَا إِذَا كَانَ لِلثَّوَابِ.

A man gives a gift to a relative, but seeks a reward while that relative is in a position of authority. He said regarding this, "If it is for the sake of Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, and for maintaining family ties, then it is permissible, and he may accept it as long as it is given with the intention of seeking rewa

قَالَ: مَنْ أَخَذَ الْمِيزَانَ بِيَدِهِ فَنَوَى أَنْ يَأْخُذَ لِنَفْسِهِ وَافِياً لَمْ يَأْخُذْ إِلَّا رَاجِحاً[2] وَ مَنْ أَعْطَى فَنَوَى أَنْ يُعْطِيَ سَوَاءً لَمْ يُعْطِ إِلَّا نَاقِصاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one uses a balance with the intention to weigh for himself properly ends up weighing heavier for himself, and one who intends to weigh equally, ends up weighing less.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي صَاحِبُ نَخْلٍ فَخَبِّرْنِي بِحَدٍّ أَنْتَهِي إِلَيْهِ فِيهِ مِنَ الْوَفَاءِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع انْوِ الْوَفَاءَ فَإِنْ أَتَى عَلَى يَدِكَ وَ قَدْ نَوَيْتَ الْوَفَاءَ نُقْصَانٌ كُنْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْوَفَاءِ وَ إِنْ نَوَيْتَ النُّقْصَانَ ثُمَّ أَوْفَيْتَ كُنْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِ النُّقْصَانِ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I own palm trees. Instruct me how to be proper in my giving and taking.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘Keep your intention to maintain it (crop) properly fair; if despite such intention, less proper fairness takes place, you are of those who maintain it properly. On the other han

قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ نِيَّتِهِ الْوَفَاءُ وَ هُوَ إِذَا كَالَ‌ لَمْ يُحْسِنْ أَنْ يَكِيلَ قَالَ فَمَا يَقُولُ الَّذِينَ حَوْلَهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ يَقُولُونَ لَا يُوفِي قَالَ هَذَا لَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَكِيلَ.

"I said to him, 'A man has the intention of being honest, but when he measures, he does not know how to measure.' He said, 'What do those around him say?' I said, 'They say he does not fulfill (his measures).' He replied, 'This person should not measure.'"

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ قُلْتُ لَهُ أُعْطِي الرَّجُلَ لَهُ الثَّمَرَةُ عِشْرِينَ دِينَاراً عَلَى أَنِّي أَقُولُ لَهُ إِذَا قَامَتْ ثَمَرَتُكَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فَهِيَ لِي بِذَلِكَ الثَّمَنِ إِنْ رَضِيتَ أَخَذْتُ وَ إِنْ كَرِهْتَ تَرَكْتُ فَقَالَ مَا تَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ تُعْطِيَهُ وَ لَا تَشْتَرِطَ شَيْئاً قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَا يُسَمِّي شَيْئاً وَ اللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مِنْ نِيَّتِهِ ذَلِكَ قَالَ لَا يَصْلُحُ إِذَا ك

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man whom I gave twenty dinar for his fruits saying that when your fruits become fruits these dinars are payments, if then I will like I will take the fruits, and if I will not like I will not take them. He (the Imam) said, ‘You cannot giv

قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ لِي عَلَيْهِ دَرَاهِمُ وَ كَانَتْ دَارُهُ رَهْناً فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَبِيعَهَا قَالَ أُعِيذُكَ بِاللَّهِ أَنْ تُخْرِجَهُ مِنْ ظِلِّ رَأْسِهِ.

‘Do you, by Allah, have the intention to take the roof away from the top of his head?”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَ الْمَرْأَةَ أَ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّمَا يَشْتَرِيهَا بِأَغْلَى الثَّمَنِ‌[1].

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a man who wanted to marry a woman if he could look at her. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can do so because he wants to pay a high price/”

لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ يَنْظُرَ إِلَى وَجْهِهَا وَ مَعَاصِمِهَا إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَهَا[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not unlawful for a man to look at her face and hands to wrists, if he wants to marry her.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَ الْمَرْأَةَ يَتَأَمَّلُهَا وَ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى خَلْفِهَا وَ إِلَى وَجْهِهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ يَنْظُرَ الرَّجُلُ إِلَى الْمَرْأَةِ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَهَا يَنْظُرَ إِلَى خَلْفِهَا وَ إِلَى وَجْهِهَا.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who wants to marry a woman; if he can think about her, look behind her and to her face. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is lawful for a man to look at the woman, if he wants to marry, behind her and to her face/”

أَنَّهُ سَأَلَهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى الْمَرْأَةِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ فَلِمَ يُعْطِي مَالَهُ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who looks at a woman before he marries her. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can do so; then what for he gives his assets?’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ يَنْظُرُ الرَّجُلُ إِلَى الْمَرْأَةِ يُرِيدُ تَزْوِيجَهَا فَيَنْظُرُ إِلَى شَعْرِهَا وَ مَحَاسِنِهَا قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ مُتَلَذِّذاً.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who wants to marry a woman; if he can look to her hairs and beauty. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is lawful if it is not with lust.’”

الْوَلِيمَةُ يَوْمٌ وَ يَوْمَانِ مَكْرُمَةٌ وَ ثَلَاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ رِيَاءٌ وَ سُمْعَةٌ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Serving food in a wedding ceremony for one or two days is an honor ; but for three days (it) is a show-off and for the sake of publicity.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْوَلِيمَةُ أَوَّلَ يَوْمٍ حَقٌّ وَ الثَّانِيَ مَعْرُوفٌ وَ مَا زَادَ رِيَاءٌ وَ سُمْعَةٌ.

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘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, ‘Serving food in a wedding ceremo