Summary:
We hear and observe dear ones as well the enemies of Allah-azwj pass away, from the world. Sometimes we are grieved and also think about our own departure. We also think about doing something for the deceased and request our family and friends to recite holy Verses, offer Salat, give out charity (sadaqa) in order to transfer useful deeds/rewards for the departed soul. The deceased ones would appreciate our efforts either to be forgiven or to elevate their status in the Paradise.
A more detailed article on visiting the unwell and washing and shrouding of the dead is available see the link below:
http://hubeali.com/articles/AlKafan_September2015.pdf
General people will be regretful by not forwarding to the Next world the good deeds, as Allah-azwj Describes their situation:
يَقُولُ يَا لَيْتَنِي قَدَّمْتُ لِحَيَاتِي {2489:}
He would be saying, ‘Oh I wish I had sent ahead for my life (in Hereafter)!’ [89:24]
However, as momin (believer) will not be regretful, see Appendix I for the interpretation of the Hadith.
Here we present some Ahaidth of Masomeen-asws related to what to be done/recited when a person is dying and what to be done/recited afterward as per of ‘Esalay-Sawab (to transfer some rewards to the departed soul).
In summary, the following actions may be taken, as per Ahadith for the carers/family prior to the death and after death:
- Try to make the body of the dying person towards Qibla (Kabah);
- Try to move the dying person near to his/her praying mat/place;
- Recite Holy Quran (e.g., Verses, Chapter 37);
- Make the dying person to Acknowledge and Recite the Testimonies;
- Make the dead-body facing the Kabah/Qibla;
- For washing, shrouding, and burying the deceased, see Ahadith from the link: http://hubeali.com/articles/AlKafan_September2015.pdf
- Salat for the first night in the grave;
- Reciting seven (7) times Inna Anzalna (Chapter 97) while putting his hand on the grave for protection of any constrictions the deceased may face;
- The recommended days to visit the grave and praying;
- Praying and supplicating, giving charity (sadaqa) for the deceased;
- Further transferring of rewards include feeding/quenching/clothing/paying debts of a momin on behalf of a deceased;
- Lapsed Salat/Zakat, Hajj, Soam are to be offered by the family of the deceased;
- Offer lapsed are more obligatory on the elder son (guardian);
- ‘Sawab-e-Jariya’ -Starting a deed which continued to reward (i.e., planting a tree, building a masjid/Imam bargah) and/or leaving a property for good causes or mourning rituals of lamenting the atrocities targeted against the Holy family of Rasool-Allah-saww.
For the last point we present two Ahadith below:
عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) قَالَ قَالَ لِي أَبِي يَا جَعْفَرُ أَوْقِفْ لِي مِنْ مَالِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا لِنَوَادِبَ تَنْدُبُنِي عَشْرَ سِنِينَ بِمِنًى أَيَّامَ مِنًى .
A number of our companions, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, from Ali Bin Al hakam, from Yunus Bin Yaqoub,
(It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah-asws, said, ‘My-asws father-asws said to me-asws: ‘O Ja’far-asws! Dedicate to me-asws from my-asws such and such wealth for the lamenters to lament me-asws for ten years at Mina in the days of Mina’.[1]
وَ رُوِيَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ: لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ ثَوَابٌ إِلَّا الدَّمْعَةَ فِينَا.
It is narrated that:
Abu Abdullah-asws said: ‘There is a (known) reward for every act (of worship) except for shedding tears regarding us-asws.[2]
Introduction:
A non-believer, or hypocrite, will be squeezed and his soul will be extracted aggressively and very painfully, as per several well-known Ahadith[3]. However, for a devout believer ‘Momin’, the angel of death will be very kind to him, e.g.,
وسئل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم ” كيف يتوفى ملك الموت المؤمن؟ فقال: إن ملك الموت ليقف من المؤمن عند موته موقف العبد الذليل من المولى فيقوم وأصحابه لا يدنو منه حتى يبدأه بالتسليم ويبشره بالجنة “.
Rasool-Allah-saww was asked: How would the angel of death treat a momin? He-saww replied: The angel of death appears and stands in front of a believer near his time of death; the angle acts like a submissive slave would do in front of his master. And do not initiate his extraction of soul, until the believer agrees to go to heavens with him.[4]
The Last moments of the dying person:
عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الشَّعِيرِيِّ وَ غَيْرِ وَاحِدٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) قَالَ فِي تَوْجِيهِ الْمَيِّتِ تَسْتَقْبِلُ بِوَجْهِهِ الْقِبْلَةَ وَ تَجْعَلُ قَدَمَيْهِ مِمَّا يَلِي الْقِبْلَةَ .
Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abu Umeyr, from Ibrahim Al Shaeery and someone else,
(It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah-asws having said regarding making the deceased to face by his face towards the Qibla: ‘You should make his feet from what follows the Qibla’.[5]
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنِ النَّضْرِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) قَالَ إِذَا عَسُرَ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ مَوْتُهُ وَ نَزْعُهُ قُرِّبَ إِلَى مُصَلَّاهُ الَّذِي كَانَ يُصَلِّي فِيهِ .
Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, from Al Husayn Bin Saeed, from Al Nazar Bin Suweyd, from Abdullah Bin Sinan,
(It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah-asws having said: ‘When the death is difficult upon the dying one and is snatching him, so take him closer to his prayer-mat which he was praying Salaat in’.[6]
What to Recite When the Soul is about to Leave the body:
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ الْجَعْفَرِيِّ قَالَ رَأَيْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ يَقُولُ لِابْنِهِ الْقَاسِمِ قُمْ يَا بُنَيَّ فَاقْرَأْ عِنْدَ رَأْسِ أَخِيكَ وَ الصَّافَّاتِ صَفّاً حَتَّى تَسْتَتِمَّهَا فَقَرَأَ فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَ هُمْ أَشَدُّ خَلْقاً أَمْ مَنْ خَلَقْنا قَضَى الْفَتَى
Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Musa Bin Al Hassan, from Suleyman Al Ja’fary who said,
‘I saw Abu Al-Hassan-asws saying to his-asws son Al-Qasim: ‘Arise O my-asws son, and recite by the head of your (dying) brother [37:1] I swear by those who draw themselves out in ranks (i.e., Chapter 37) until you complete it’. So he recited, and when he reached [37:11] Then ask them whether they were more difficult (for Us) to Create or those (others) whom We have Created, the youth expired.
فَلَمَّا سُجِّيَ وَ خَرَجُوا أَقْبَلَ عَلَيْهِ يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ كُنَّا نَعْهَدُ الْمَيِّتَ إِذَا نُزِلَ بِهِ يُقْرَأُ عِنْدَهُ يس. وَ الْقُرْآنِ الْحَكِيمِ وَ صِرْتَ تَأْمُرُنَا بِالصَّافَّاتِ فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ عَبْدٌ مَكْرُوبٌ مِنْ مَوْتٍ قَطُّ إِلَّا عَجَّلَ اللَّهُ رَاحَتَهُ .
So when he was shrouded and they went out, Yaqoub Bin Ja’far turned towards him-asws and said to him-asws, ‘We used to entrust the deceased, when we are with him, reciting in his presence [36:1] Ya Seen [36:2] I swear by the Wise Quran (i.e. Chapter 36) and you-asws have come ordering us with Al-Saffaat (Chapter 37)?’ So he-asws said: ‘O my-asws son! It would not be recited for one who is suffering from death at all, except that Allah-azwj would Hasten his departure’.[7]
Make the dying person to Acknowledge and Recite the Testimonies:
عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ بُنْدَارَ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي هَاشِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي خَدِيجَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) قَالَ مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَحْضُرُهُ الْمَوْتُ إِلَّا وَكَّلَ بِهِ إِبْلِيسُ مِنْ شَيْطَانِهِ أَنْ يَأْمُرَهُ بِالْكُفْرِ وَ يُشَكِّكَهُ فِي دِينِهِ حَتَّى تَخْرُجَ نَفْسُهُ فَمَنْ كَانَ مُؤْمِناً لَمْ يَقْدِرْ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا حَضَرْتُمْ مَوْتَاكُمْ فَلَقِّنُوهُمْ شَهَادَةَ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُهُ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) حَتَّى يَمُوتَ
Ali Bin Muhammad Bin Bundar, from Ahmad Bin Abu Abdullah, from Muhammad Bin Ali, from Abdul Rahman Bin Abu Hashim, from Abu Khadeeja, from
Abu Abdullah-asws has said, ‘There is no one to whom death presents itself except that Iblees-la allocates one of his-la devils instructing him with the infidelity, and making him doubt in his Religion until his soul exits. So the one who was a Believer, he-la would not be able over him. Thus, whenever death presents to your dying ones, indoctrinate them with the testimony, ‘There is no god except for Allah-azwj, and that Muhammad-saww is His-azwj Rasool-saww’, until he dies’.
وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى قَالَ فَلَقِّنْهُ كَلِمَاتِ الْفَرَجِ وَ الشَّهَادَتَيْنِ وَ تُسَمِّي لَهُ الْإِقْرَارَ بِالْأَئِمَّةِ ( عليهم السلام ) وَاحِداً بَعْدَ وَاحِدٍ حَتَّى يَنْقَطِعَ عَنْهُ الْكَلَامُ .
And in another report, ‘He-asws said: ‘Indoctrinate him with the words of relief, and the testimonies, and specify for him the acknowledgement in the Imams-asws, one after one, until the speech is cut off from him’.[8]
Make the dead-body facing the Kabah/Qibla:
محمد بن يعقوب، عن علي بن إبراهيم، عن أبيه، عن ابن أبي عمير عن هشام بن سالم، عن سليمان بن خالد قال: سمعت أبا عبد الله (عليه السلام) يقول: إذا مات لاحدكم ميت فسجوه تجاه القبلة، وكذلك إذا غسل يحفر له موضع المغتسل تجاه القبلة فيكون مستقبل باطن قدميه ووجهه إلى القبلة
Mohammed bin Yaqoob says that he has learned through a chain of narrators that Salaman has heard from Imam Abu Abdullah-asws: When one of you would pass away then ensure that the dead is facing Kiblah, after death as well as during the ‘Ghusal-e-Maiyat’ (bathing of dead-body) in such a way that both the face and the feet are in the direction of Kiblah.[9]
Transferring ‘Rewards’ to the deceased:
Now we come to our main topic of reciting/acting in order to elevate the status and/or reduce the troubles of the deceased:
First Night in the Grave:
السيد علي بن طاووس في فلاح السائل: عن حذيفة بن اليمان
قال: قال رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله): ” لا يأتي على الميت ساعة اشد من اول ليلة، فارحموا موتاكم بالصدقة، فان لم تجدوا فليصل احدكم ركعتين، يقرأ في الاولى بفاتحة الكتاب مرة وقل هو الله احد مرتين، وفي الثانية فاتحة الكتاب مرة والهاكم التكاثر عشر مرات، ويسلم ويقول
About Hozaifa Bin Al Yaman, He said:
Rasool-Allah-saww said, there does not come to the dead hour severer than the first night, then you have mercy your dead by the charity, If you did not find then so that one of you exceed with two rak’ah, he reads in the first by the Book Opening Chapter (Al-Hamd) once and Qul ho wal Allah (Chapter 112) twice, And in the second the Book Opening Chapter (Al-Hamd) one time and Sura e Al-Takasur ‘التكاثر’ (Chapter 102) ten times, and he ends prayer and says:
: اللهم صل على محمد وآل محمد، وابعث ثوابها إلى قبر ذلك الميت فلان بن فلان،
Our Allah-azwj Invoke peace upon Muhammad-saww and the Muhammad’s Family-asws, and I resurrect its reward to the grave of that dead the so-and-so of a son of so-and-so,
فيبعث الله من ساعته الف ملك إلى قبره مع كل ملك ثوب وحلة، ويوسع قبره من الضيق إلى يوم ينفخ في الصور، ويعطى المصلي بعدد ما طلعت عليه الشمس حسنات، وترفع له اربعون درجة
Allah-azwj Sends from at that hour one thousand angels to his grave with each angel carrying a (huge) garment (of Blessings) and (extensive) rewards, and it widens his grave from its narrowness up to the Day when the Trumpet will be sounded. And he is given the prayer by the number of what on him the sun emerged good deeds, and his status is raised by forty levels.[10]
Recitation of Quran at the grave to protect the deceased from constrictions:
إسماعيل بن بزيع، فذهبنا إلى عند قبره، فقال محمد بن علي: حدثني صاحب هذا القبر، عن احدهما (عليه السلام)، انه من زار قبر اخيه المؤمن، فاستقبل القبلة ووضع يده على القبر، وقرأ إنا انزلناه في ليلة القدر سبع مرات امن من الفزع الاكبر
It is narrated from masoom-asws that if a momin visits his brother-in Eman’s grave and recites 7 times Inna Anzalna (Chapter 97) while putting his hand on the grave and facing the Kabah, (as a reward) he is protected from unbearable troubles.[11]
الصدوق في الهداية: قال الصادق (عليه السلام) ” من زار قبر المؤمن، فقرأ عنده إنا انزلناه سبع مرات، غفر الله له ولصاحب القبر “.
Imam Al-Sadiq-asws said” If one visits the grave of a momin and recites Sura al-Qadar (Chapter 97) seven times (7 times); Allah-azwj will Forgive sins of the deceased momin as well as reciter’s.”[12]
Recommended Days for Visiting Cemeteries:
دعائم الاسلام: عن أبي جعفر (عليه السلام) قال: ” كانت فاطمة (صلوات الله عليها)، تزور قبر حمزة وتقوم عليه، وكانت في كل سبت تأتي قبور الشهداء مع نسوة معها، فيدعون ويستغفرون “.
Imam Abu Jafar-asws said: ‘Syeda Fatima-asws used to visit Hazrat Hamza-asws‘s grave and pray for him. Other women also joined Syeda Fatima-asws on every Saturday, to visit martyrs’ graves, and there they prayed and asked for forgiveness.[13]
هشام بن سالم، عن أبي عبد الله (عليه السلام) قال: سمعته يقول: عاشت فاطمة (عليها السلام) بعد أبيها خمسة وسبعين يوما لم تر كاشرة ولا ضاحكة، تأتي قبور الشهداء في كل جمعة مرتين الاثنين والخميس، فتقول: هيهنا كان رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله) هيهنا كان المشركون
Hashim bin Salam says, I heard it from Imam Abu Abdullah-asws: (Our grandmother) Fatima-asws lived seventy five (75) days, after her father-saww, no one saw her-asws smiling or laughing. The pious lady-asws used to visit martyrs graves twice in a week, every Monday and Thursday. Upon visiting graveyard, Syeda-asws used to say, here is the messenger-saww of Allah-azwj and there are the polytheists.[14]
Visiting and Praying at Cemeteries:
– وعن أحمد بن محمد الكوفي، عن ابن جمهور، عن أبيه، عن محمد بن سنان، عن مفضل بن عمر، عن أبي عبد الله، وعن عبد الله بن عبد الرحمن الاصم، عن حريز، عن محمد بن مسلم، عن أبي عبد الله (عليه السلام) قال: قال أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام): زوروا موتاكم فإنهم يفرحون بزيارتكم، وليطلب أحدكم حاجته عند قبر أبيه وعند قبر أمه بما يدعو لهما
Ahmed bin Mohammed Alkufi reports through a chain of narrators that Imam AbuAbullah-asws says that Amir-ul-Momineen-asws has said: Visit graves of your deceased, they rejoice when you visit them and when you visit your parents’ graves, also mention your needs when praying for them.[15]
Praying on Behalf of the Deceased:
محمد بن علي بن الحسين بإسناده عن عمر بن يزيد قال: قلت لابي عبد الله (عليه السلام) نصلي عن الميت ؟ فقال: نعم حتى أنه ليكون في ضيق فيوسع الله عليه ذلك الضيق، ثم يؤتى فيقال له: خفف عنك هذ الضيق بصلاة فلان أخيك عنك، قال: فقلت: فاشرك بين رجلين في ركعتين ؟ قال: نعم
Mohammed bin Ali bin Hussain reports through a chain of narrates that once Imam Abu Abdullah-asws was asked: Is it appropriate to pray for the deceased? Imam-asws replied: Yes, sometimes it helps them, specially when they are in grief. When you pray for them, Allah-azwj relieves them from their difficulties and also Informs them the relief comes to you as a result of your brother so and so has done such and such on your behalf.[16]
قال: وقال (عليه السلام): إن الميت ليفرح بالترحم عليه والاستغفار له كما يفرح الحى بالهدية تهدى إليه
Also said, similar to the alive, who rejoice upon getting presents, deceased are pleased when blessings and prayers are forwarded to them. [17]
قال: وقال (عليه السلام): يدخل على الميت في قبره الصلاة والصوم والحج والصدقة والبر والدعاء ويكتب أجره للذي يفعله وللميت
The prayers (Salat), the fasts, the pilgrimage and the charities forwarded for a dead person would enter into his grave. And the reward of All these is written in the account of the both, the deceased and the sender.[18]
ورام بن أبي فراس في كتابه قال: قال (عليه السلام): إذا تصدق الرجل بنية الميت أمر الله جبرئيل أن يحمل إلى قبره سبعين ألف ملك، في يد كل ملك طبق فيحملون إلى قبره، ويقولون: السلام عليك ياولي الله، هذه هدية فلان بن فلان إليك فيتلالا قبره وأعطاه الله ألف مدينة في الجنة، وزوجه ألف حوراء، وألبسه ألف حلة، وقضى له ألف حاجة
When someone gives alms (Sadaqa) on behalf of a dead person Allah-azwj Commands Angel Jibraeel-as to visit his grave with seventy thousand angels, each angel holding a sack of blessings. The angels go near the grave and say: ‘السلام عليك ياولي الله’ Al-Salam Alaykoum O servant of Allah-azwj, so-and-so, the son of so-and-so has sent to you these presents. They, then sparkle his grave with the bounties of what they have brought in with them and say (in addition) Allah-azwj has given you one thousand (1000) cities in the paradise, 1000 lustrous-eyed devout servants (Houri), and beautiful dresses and have fulfilled your wishes[19]
Transferring Rewards by feeding/quenching/clothing/paying debts of a Momin,
عن أبي جعفر عليه السلام أنه قال: شبع أربعة من المسلمين يعدل رقبة من ولد إسماعيل (ع).
From Abu Ja’far-asws having said: ‘Satiating (the hunger of) four from the Muslims equates to freeing a neck from the children of Ismail-as’.[20]
وعن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: ما من مؤمن يدخل بيته مؤمنين يطعمهما [ ويشبعهما ]: إلا كان ذلك أفضل من عتق نسمة.
And from Abu Abdullah-asws having said: ‘There is none from a ‘Momin’ (believer) who invites two Momineen into his house to feed them (and satiate them), except that would be superior than the one who frees a person’.[21]
Additional Ahadith are given in Appendix II
Performing Hajj, Offering Salat, Soma and Paying Zakat, on behalf of deceased:
عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ حَرِيزٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ قَالَ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ( عليه السلام ) رَجُلٌ لَمْ يُزَكِّ مَالَهُ فَأَخْرَجَ زَكَاتَهُ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ فَأَدَّاهَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ يُجْزِئُ عَنْهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ أَوْصَى بِوَصِيَّةٍ مِنْ ثُلُثِهِ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ زَكَّى أَ يُجْزِئُ عَنْهُ مِنْ زَكَاتِهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ يُحْسَبُ لَهُ زَكَاةٌ وَ لَا تَكُونُ لَهُ نَافِلَةٌ وَ عَلَيْهِ فَرِيضَةٌ .
Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Hammad Bin Isa, from Hareyz, from Zurara who said,
‘I said to Abu Ja’far-asws, ‘A man did not pay Zakāt of his wealth, so his Zakāt was extracted during his death. So, would the payment of what suffice him from it?’ He-asws said: ‘Yes’. I said, ‘Supposing he were to bequeath with a bequest from his third, and Zakāt had not been paid on it, would it suffice him from his Zakāt?’
He-asws said: ‘Yes. Zakāt would be reckoned for him, and no optional Salāt would happen to be upon him, and upon him would be the Obligatory (Salāt)’.[22]
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الْأَخِيرِ ( عليه السلام ) رَجُلٌ مَاتَ وَ عَلَيْهِ قَضَاءٌ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ عَشَرَةُ أَيَّامٍ وَ لَهُ وَلِيَّانِ هَلْ يَجُوزُ لَهُمَا أَنْ يَقْضِيَا عَنْهُ جَمِيعاً خَمْسَةَ أَيَّامٍ أَحَدُ الْوَلِيَّيْنِ وَ خَمْسَةَ أَيَّامٍ الْآخَرُ فَوَقَّعَ ( عليه السلام ) يَقْضِي عَنْهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِيِّهِ عَشَرَةَ أَيَّامٍ وِلَاءً إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ .
Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Muhammad who said,
‘I wrote to Al-Akheir-asws (11th Imam-asws), ‘A man died and upon him were Fasts to make up for from a Month of Ramazan of ten days, and for him are two guardians. Is it allowed for both of them that they both make up for it together, five days by one guardian and five days by the other?’ So he-asws signed: ‘The elder of his guardians should make up for it on his behalf, ten days, as a guardian, Allah-azwj Willing’.[23]
Some Ahadith related to paying the zakat on behalf of deceased are given in Appendix III.
Similarly, if the deceased had left some wealth but did not perform obligatory Hajj, Hajj will be performed on his behalf, see Appendix IV.
Also, see Appendix V, if one left a ‘Will’ where some money was specified (bequest) for Hajj.
Organising gatherings where Allah-azwj and Masomeen-asws are mentioned:
Remembering Masomeen-asws is Remembering Allah-azwj:
عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ فَضَالَةَ بْنِ أَيُّوبَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ شِيعَتُنَا الرُّحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمُ الَّذِينَ إِذَا خَلَوْا ذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ ذِكْرَنَا مِنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ إِنَّا إِذَا ذُكِرْنَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ عَدُوُّنَا ذُكِرَ الشَّيْطَانُ
A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Mohammed ibn Khalid from his father from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from Ali ibn abu Hamza who has said the following:
‘I heard Abu AbdAllah-asws saying: ‘Our Shia are compassionate to each other. When alone they speak of and remember Allah-azwj. To speak of us-asws is to speak of Allah-azwj. When we-asws are mentioned Allah-azwj is mentioned, but when our enemies-la are spoken of it is like speaking of Satan-la.’[24]
Rewards of Holding Majalis (Meetings):
صَالِحُ بْنُ عُقْبَةَ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ الْجَمَّالِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ أَيُّمَا ثَلَاثَةِ مُؤْمِنِينَ اجْتَمَعُوا عِنْدَ أَخٍ لَهُمْ يَأْمَنُونَ بَوَائِقَهُ وَ لَا يَخَافُونَ غَوَائِلَهُ وَ يَرْجُونَ مَا عِنْدَهُ إِنْ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ أَجَابَهُمْ وَ إِنْ سَأَلُوا أَعْطَاهُمْ وَ إِنِ اسْتَزَادُوا زَادَهُمْ وَ إِنْ سَكَتُوا ابْتَدَأَهُمْ
Salih ibn ‘Aqabah has narrated from Safwan al-Jammal who has narrated the following from abu Abd Allah-asws:
‘Whichever three believing brothers (in belief) come together to a brother (in belief) of theirs from whose evils they feel safe, who are not afraid of his rebellion, and who have good hopes in him, if they pray to Allah-azwj their prayers will be answered, if they ask, their wish will be granted, if they ask for more it will be increased and if they remain silent, He-azwj will initiate.’[25]
عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ النَّوْفَلِيِّ عَنِ السَّكُونِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع لِقَاءُ الْإِخْوَانِ مَغْنَمٌ جَسِيمٌ وَ إِنْ قَلُّوا
Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni who has narrated the following from abu Abd Allah-asws:
‘Amir-ul-Momineen-asws has said: ‘Meeting of brothers (in belief) is a great opportunity, even if they are very few.’[26]
Believers Should Narrate Ahadith in their Meetings:
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ بَزِيعٍ عَنْ صَالِحِ بْنِ عُقْبَةَ عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ تَزَاوَرُوا فَإِنَّ فِي زِيَارَتِكُمْ إِحْيَاءً لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَ ذِكْراً لِأَحَادِيثِنَا وَ أَحَادِيثُنَا تُعَطِّفُ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ فَإِنْ أَخَذْتُمْ بِهَا رَشَدْتُمْ وَ نَجَوْتُمْ وَ إِنْ تَرَكْتُمُوهَا ضَلَلْتُمْ وَ هَلَكْتُمْ فَخُذُوا بِهَا وَ أَنَا بِنَجَاتِكُمْ زَعِيمٌ
Mohammed ibn Yahya has narrated from Mohammed ibn al-Hussain from Mohammed ibn lsma’il ibn Bazi’ from Salih ibn ‘Aqabah from Yazid ibn ‘Abd al-Malik who has narrated the following from abu Abd Allah-asws:
‘Visit each other; in it there is a revival for your hearts and a study of our-asws Ahadith (may take place). Our-asws Ahadith helps you to be kind to each other. If you follow them you will find guidance and salvation in them. If you disregard them you will go astray and be destroyed. Therefore, follow them and I-asws will assure you of your salvation.’[27]
عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ مَنْصُورِ بْنِ يُونُسَ عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ كَثِيرٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي مَرَرْتُ بِقَاصٍّ يَقُصُّ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ هَذَا الْمَجْلِسُ الَّذِي لَا يَشْقَى بِهِ جَلِيسٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَيْهَاتَ هَيْهَاتَ أَخْطَأَتْ أَسْتَاهُهُمُ الْحُفْرَةَ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَلَائِكَةً سَيَّاحِينَ سِوَى الْكِرَامِ الْكَاتِبِينَ فَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِقَوْمٍ يَذْكُرُونَ مُحَمَّداً وَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ قَالُوا قِفُوا فَقَدْ أَصَبْتُمْ حَاجَتَكُمْ فَيَجْلِسُونَ فَيَتَفَقَّهُونَ مَعَهُمْ فَإِذَا قَامُوا عَادُوا مَرْضَاهُمْ وَ شَهِدُوا جَنَائِزَهُمْ وَ تَعَاهَدُوا غَائِبَهُمْ فَذَلِكَ الْمَجْلِسُ الَّذِي لَا يَشْقَى بِهِ جَلِيسٌ
A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Washsha’ from Mansur ibn Younis from ‘Abbad ibn Kathir who has said the following:
‘Once I told abu Abd Allah-asws that I passed by a storyteller who said to his audience, ‘This is a gathering whose attendants do not suffer wickedness.’ The narrator has said that abu Abd Allah-asws then said: ‘How extremely far is it from reality!’ You passed by the wrong gathering. (Astahahum al-Hufrah) How terribly wrong is their expression! Allah-azwj has certain angels who visit places, and they are other than the honourable scribes. When they pass by a people, who speak of Muhammad-saww and Ale Muhammad-asws, these angels say, ‘Stop here.’ You have found what you needed.’ They will sit down and begin to think and understand with them. When the gathering disperses they visit their people suffering due to ill health, attend their funerals and look after those of them who are absent. Those are the gatherings whose attendant do not suffer wickedness.’[28]
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنِ الْمُسْتَوْرِدِ النَّخَعِيِّ عَمَّنْ رَوَاهُ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ إِنَّ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ الَّذِينَ فِي السَّمَاءِ لَيَطَّلِعُونَ إِلَى الْوَاحِدِ وَ الِاثْنَيْنِ وَ الثَّلَاثَةِ وَ هُمْ يَذْكُرُونَ فَضْلَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ فَتَقُولُ أَ مَا تَرَوْنَ إِلَى هَؤُلَاءِ فِي قِلَّتِهِمْ وَ كَثْرَةِ عَدُوِّهِمْ يَصِفُونَ فَضْلَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص قَالَ فَتَقُولُ الطَّائِفَةُ الْأُخْرَى مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ ذَلِكَ فَضْلُ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَ اللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ
Mohammed ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Mohammed ibn Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from al-Mustawrid al-Nakha’i from those whom he has mentioned (in his book) who has narrated the following from abu Abd Allah:
‘Certain angels of heaven look at one, two or three people on earth speak of the excellence and praise of Muhammad-saww and his family-asws and they say: ‘Look the small number of these people, their enemies are enormous, but they still speak of the praise of Muhammad-saww and his family-asws.’ The Imam-asws then said: ‘Another group of angels say to them: ‘It is a favour to them from Allah-azwj that He-azwj Grants to whomever He-azwj Wants, Allah-azwj Possesses a great deal of favours.’[29]
Attendance of Masomeen-asws in Exclusive gatherings of Masomeen-asws:
عَنْهُ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنِ ابْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ مُيَسِّرٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع قَالَ قَالَ لِي أَ تَخْلُونَ وَ تَتَحَدَّثُونَ وَ تَقُولُونَ مَا شِئْتُمْ فَقُلْتُ إِي وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا لَنَخْلُو وَ نَتَحَدَّثُ وَ نَقُولُ مَا شِئْنَا فَقَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَوَدِدْتُ أَنِّي مَعَكُمْ فِي بَعْضِ تِلْكَ الْمَوَاطِنِ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّ رِيحَكُمْ وَ أَرْوَاحَكُمْ وَ إِنَّكُمْ عَلَى دِينِ اللَّهِ وَ دِينِ مَلَائِكَتِهِ فَأَعِينُوا بِوَرَعٍ وَ اجْتِهَادٍ
It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ahmad ibn Mohammed from ibn Faddal from ibn Muskan from Muyassir who has said the following:
‘Once abu Jafar-asws asked me: ‘Do you hold private ‘Majalis’ gatherings wherein you say whatever you want?’ I said, ‘Yes, I swear by Allah-azwj, we hold private ‘Majalis’ gatherings and say whatever we like to say (in praise of Muhammad-saww and his family-asws).’
The Imam-asws said: ‘I swear by Allah-azwj, I-asws wish I-asws could be with you at such ‘Majalis’ gatherings. I swear by Allah-azwj, I-asws love your fragrance and your spirits. You, certainly, follow the religion of Allah-azwj, and the religion of the angels-as. Pay attention to restraining from the worldly attractions and assist yourselves with striving hard in (good) work.’[30]
وَ بِهَذَا الْإِسْنَادِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مَحْفُوظٍ عَنْ أَبِي الْمَغْرَاءِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ لَيْسَ شَيْءٌ أَنْكَى لِإِبْلِيسَ وَ جُنُودِهِ مِنْ زِيَارَةِ الْإِخْوَانِ فِي اللَّهِ بَعْضِهِمْ لِبَعْضٍ قَالَ وَ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَيْنِ يَلْتَقِيَانِ فَيَذْكُرَانِ اللَّهَ ثُمَّ يَذْكُرَانِ فَضْلَنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فَلَا يَبْقَى عَلَى وَجْهِ إِبْلِيسَ مُضْغَةُ لَحْمٍ إِلَّا تَخَدَّدُ حَتَّى إِنَّ رُوحَهُ لَتَسْتَغِيثُ مِنْ شِدَّةِ مَا يَجِدُ مِنَ الْأَلَمِ فَتَحُسُّ مَلَائِكَةُ السَّمَاءِ وَ خُزَّانُ الْجِنَانِ فَيَلْعَنُونَهُ حَتَّى لَا يَبْقَى مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ إِلَّا لَعَنَهُ فَيَقَعُ خَاسِئاً حَسِيراً مَدْحُوراً
Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from Mohammed ibn Sulayman from Mohammed ibn Mahfuz from abu al-Maghra’ who has said the following;
‘I heard abu al-Hassan-asws saying: ‘There is nothing more injurious to Satan and his soldiers than believing people’s visitation of their brothers (in belief) for the sake of Allah-azwj.’ The Imam-asws said: ‘When believing people meet each other, speak of Allah-azwj and speak of the praise and excellence of Ahl al-Bayt-asws, all the flesh at the face of Satan disappear, he even cries for help due to the severity of his suffering and the angels of heaven sense it as well as the keepers of paradise and they all condemn him until all the angels close to Allah-azwj condemn him and Satan remains humiliated, frustrated and defeated.’[31]
The Gatherings which should be Avoided:
الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى جَمِيعاً عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ زَكَرِيَّا عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدِ بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ غِيَاثِ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ مَا اجْتَمَعَ ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَصَاعِداً إِلَّا حَضَرَ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ مِثْلُهُمْ فَإِنْ دَعَوْا بِخَيْرٍ أَمَّنُوا وَ إِنِ اسْتَعَاذُوا مِنْ شَرٍّ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ لِيَصْرِفَهُ عَنْهُمْ وَ إِنْ سَأَلُوا حَاجَةً تَشَفَّعُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ سَأَلُوهُ قَضَاءَهَا وَ مَا اجْتَمَعَ ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنَ الْجَاحِدِينَ إِلَّا حَضَرَهُمْ عَشَرَةُ أَضْعَافِهِمْ مِنَ الشَّيَاطِينِ فَإِنْ تَكَلَّمُوا تَكَلَّمَ الشَّيْطَانُ بِنَحْوِ كَلَامِهِمْ وَ إِذَا ضَحِكُوا ضَحِكُوا مَعَهُمْ وَ إِذَا نَالُوا مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءِ اللَّهِ نَالُوا مَعَهُمْ فَمَنِ ابْتُلِيَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِهِمْ فَإِذَا خَاضُوا فِي ذَلِكَ فَلْيَقُمْ وَ لَا يَكُنْ شِرْكَ شَيْطَانٍ وَ لَا جَلِيسَهُ فَإِنَّ غَضَبَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَا يَقُومُ لَهُ شَيْءٌ وَ لَعْنَتَهُ لَا يَرُدُّهَا شَيْءٌ ثُمَّ قَالَ ص فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَلْيُنْكِرْ بِقَلْبِهِ وَ لْيَقُمْ وَ لَوْ حَلْبَ شَاةٍ أَوْ فُوَاقَ نَاقَةٍ
AI-Hussain ibn Mohammed and Mohammed ibn Yahya all have narrated from Ali ibn Mohammed ibn Sa’d from Mohammed ibn Muslim from Ahmad ibn Zakariya from Mohammed ibn Khalid ibn Maymun from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan from Ghiyath ibn Ibrahim who has narrated the following from Abu Abd Allah-asws:
‘Abu Abd Allah-asws has said: ‘Wherever three or more believing people gather together an equal number of angels also attend it (gathering). If they pray for a good purpose the angels say Amen! If they seek protection (from Allah-azwj) against an evil matter, the angels pray to Allah-azwj to divert it from them. If they pray so their wishes come true, the angels intercede for them before Allah-azwj and pray to Him-azwj to Grant their wishes.
Wherever three or more rejecters (of belief) gather together, ten times their number, Satan also attends it. If they speak, Satan also speaks likewise, if they laugh, they (Satans) laugh with them. If they succeed (in abuse) against the friends of Allah-azwj, they (Satans) do the same.
If any of the believing people is trapped among them and when they involve themselves in such behaviours he should move away from them so he does not become of the attendance along with Satan; the wrath of Allah-azwj is insurmountable and His-azwj condemnation is irremovable.’ The Imam-asws then said: ‘If he cannot do so (move away) he must condemn it in his heart and stand-up even for a short while and move a little, like the time of allowing the young animal to have its share of milk while milking the mother.’[32]
Devotion of Masomeen-asws for their visitors:
حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ عَنْ جَمَاعَةِ مَشَايِخِي عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أَبِي الْخَطَّابِ عَنْ أَبِي دَاوُدَ الْمُسْتَرِقِّ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ: بَكَى عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ عَلَى أَبِيهِ حُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ ص عِشْرِينَ سَنَةً أَوْ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً وَ مَا وُضِعَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ طعاما [طَعَامٌ] إِلَّا بَكَى عَلَى الْحُسَيْنِ حَتَّى قَالَ لَهُ مَوْلًى لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنَ الْهَالِكِينَ قَالَ إِنَّما أَشْكُوا بَثِّي وَ حُزْنِي إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ أَعْلَمُ مِنَ اللَّهِ ما لا تَعْلَمُونَ إِنِّي لَمْ أَذْكُرْ مَصْرَعَ بَنِي فَاطِمَةَ إِلَّا خَنَقَتْنِي الْعَبْرَةُ لِذَلِكَ.
My father narrated to me from all of my scholars, from Saad ibn Abd Allah, from Mohammed ibn Hussain ibn Abil Khattab, from Abi Dawud Al-Mustariq, from some of our companions, who said:
Abu Abdullah-asws said: ‘Ali-asws ibn Hussain-asws (Imam Sajjad-asws) cried over his-asws father-asws, Hussain-asws Ibn Ali-asws for twenty years – or forty years – and whenever food was brought to him-asws, he-asws would cry over Hussain-asws.
One day, his servant said to him, ‘May I sacrifice myself for you-asws, O son of Rasool Allah-asws! I am afraid that you-asws may die (from grief).
He (the Imam Sajjad-asws) replied: I only complain of my distress and grief to Allah, and I know from Allah what you do not know (12:86)[33]. Verily whenever I-asws remember the killing of the children of Syeda Fatima-asws, I-asws am choked with tears over them-asws.[34]
حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مُوسَى الْخَشَّابِ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع.
It is narrated from Saeed ibn Abd Allah, who Al-Hassan Ibn Musa Al-Khashaab, from Ismail ibn Mehran, from Ali ibn abi Hamza, who says that:
Abu Abdullah-asws said:
Hussain-asws Ibn Ali-asws said:
أَنَا قَتِيلُ الْعَبْرَةِ لَا يَذْكُرُنِي مُؤْمِنٌ إِلَّا اسْتَعْبَرَ
I-asws am the Martyr of Tears. No Momin (believer) remembers me-asws without crying.[35]
Some selected Ahadith on remembrance are given in Appendix IV.
Appendix I: Interpretation of Verse 89:24:
يَقُولُ يَا لَيْتَنِي قَدَّمْتُ لِحَيَاتِي {2489:}
He would be saying,
‘Oh I wish I had sent ahead for my life (in Hereafter)!’ [89:24]
ابن بابويه، قال: حدثنا علي بن حاتم القزويني (رضي الله عنه)، قال: حدثنا علي بن الحسين النحوي، قال: حدثنا أحمد بن أبي عبد الله البرقي، عن أبيه محمد بن خالد، عن أبي أيوب سليمان بن مقبل المديني، عن موسى بن جعفر، عن أبيه الصادق جعفر بن محمد (عليهما السلام)، أنه قال: «إذا مات الكافر، شيعه سبعون ألف ملك من الزبانية إلى قبره، و إنه ليناشد حامليه بصوت يسمعه كل شيء إلا الثقلان، و يقول: لو أن لي كرة فأكون من المؤمنين،
Ibn babuwayh, from Ali Bin Haatim Al Qazwiny, from Ali Bin Al Husayn Al Nahwy, from Ahmad, from Ahmad Bin Abu Abdullah Al Barqy, from his father Muhammad Bin Khalid, from Abu Ayoub Suleyman Bin Maqbal Al Madayni, from:
Musa-asws Bin Ja’far-asws, from his-asws father-asws Al-Sadiq Ja’far-asws Bin Muhammad-asws having said: ‘When the Kafir dies, seventy thousand Angels from the Zabaniyya (Angels of Hell) escort him to his grave, and he appeals to his bearers with a voice which everything can hear except for the Saqalayn (Jinn and the Humans), and he says, ‘If only there was a return for me I would become from the Momins’.
و يقول: رَبِّ ارْجِعُونِ لَعَلِّي أَعْمَلُ صالِحاً فِيما تَرَكْتُ فتجيبه الزبانية: كَلَّا إِنَّها كَلِمَةٌ هُوَ قائِلُها».
And he says: Lord, send me back [23:99] Perhaps I may do righteous deeds which I had neglected [23:100]’. So the Zabaniyya answer him: Never! It is merely a word he is saying’.[36]
عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ السَّرِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عليه السلام) قَالَ سَمِعْتُ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ يَقُولُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ (صلى الله عليه وآله) مَرَّ بِنَا ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ وَ نَحْنُ فِي نَادِينَا وَ هُوَ عَلَى نَاقَتِهِ وَ ذَلِكَ حِينَ رَجَعَ مِنْ حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ فَوَقَفَ عَلَيْنَا فَسَلَّمَ فَرَدَدْنَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامَ
A number of our companions, from sahl Bin Ziyad, from Ibn Mahboub, from Al-Hassan Bin Al-Sarayy, from Abu Maryam, who has said the following:
Abu Ja’far-asws said: ‘I-asws heard Jabir Bin Abdullah saying that, ‘The Rasool-Allah-saww passed by us one day whilst we were in our group, and he-saww was upon his-saww mule, and that was when he-saww was returning from the Farewell Pilgrimage. He-saww paused near to us and greeted us. We returned his-saww greeting.
ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا لِي أَرَى حُبَّ الدُّنْيَا قَدْ غَلَبَ عَلَى كَثِيرٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ حَتَّى كَأَنَّ الْمَوْتَ فِي هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى غَيْرِهِمْ كُتِبَ وَ كَأَنَّ الْحَقَّ فِي هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى غَيْرِهِمْ وَجَبَ وَ حَتَّى كَأَنْ لَمْ يَسْمَعُوا وَ يَرَوْا مِنْ خَبَرِ الْأَمْوَاتِ قَبْلَهُمْ سَبِيلُهُمْ سَبِيلُ قَوْمٍ سَفْرٍ عَمَّا قَلِيلٍ إِلَيْهِمْ رَاجِعُونَ بُيُوتُهُمْ أَجْدَاثُهُمْ وَ يَأْكُلُونَ تُرَاثَهُمْ فَيَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُمْ مُخَلَّدُونَ بَعْدَهُمْ هَيْهَاتَ هَيْهَاتَ [أَ] مَا يَتَّعِظُ آخِرُهُمْ بِأَوَّلِهِمْ لَقَدْ جَهِلُوا وَ نَسُوا كُلَّ وَاعِظٍ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَ آمَنُوا شَرَّ كُلِّ عَاقِبَةِ سُوءٍ وَ لَمْ يَخَافُوا نُزُولَ فَادِحَةٍ وَ بَوَائِقَ حَادِثَةٍ
Then he-saww said: ‘From what I-saww see, love of the world have overcome many from the people to the extent that as if the death in this world has been Ordained to come upon other than them, and as if the truth in this world has been obligated on other than them, and to the extent that as if they had never heard nor seen the news of the death of those who lived before them, even though their own path is the path of the people on a journey. After a short while they will be returning to their homes, their tombs, and their inheritors would be consuming their legacies thinking that they would now be living forever after those ones.
Alas! Alas! The later ones do not take a lesson from the former ones. They have become ignorant and forgotten all the Advice in the Book of Allah-azwj and feel safe from all the evil consequences of the bad deeds and do not fear the descent into the grave and the events that are to occur…(An extract).[37]
Appendix II: Transferring Rewards by feeding/quenching/clothing/paying debts of a Momin
وعن علي بن الحسين عليهما السلام قال: من أطعم مؤمنا من جوع، أطعمه الله عزوجل من ثمار الجنة، ومن سقى مؤمنا من ظمأ، سقاه [ الله يوم القيامة ] من الرحيق المختوم، [ ومن كسى مؤمنا من العرى، كساه الله عزوجل من الثياب الخضر “
And from Ali-asws Bin Al-Hassan-asws having said: ‘The one who feeds a Momin from hunger, Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic would Feed him from the fruits of the Paradise. And the one who quenches a Momin from thirst, Allah-azwj would Quench him of the Day of Judgment from the Sealed Nectar. And the one who clothes a Momin from the bareness, Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic would Clothe him from the clothes of Paradise’.
وفي حديث آخر ” قال: 6 ] من كسا مؤمنا من عرى لم يزل في ضمان الله مادام عليه سلك.
And in another Hadeeth, he-asws said: ‘The one who clothes a Momin from bareness would not cease to be in the Guarantee of Allah-azwj for as long as there is a (single) thread (of it) upon him’.[38]
وعن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: من أطعم مؤمنا من جوع أطعمه الله من ثمار الجنة، وأيما مؤمن سقى مؤمنا سقاه الله من الرحيق المختوم، وأيما مؤمن كسا مؤمنا من عرى لم يزل في ستر الله وحفظه ما بقيت منه خرقه.
And from Abu Abdullah-asws having said: ‘The one who feeds a Momin from hunger, Allah-azwj would Feed him from the fruits of the Paradise. And whichever Momin quenches a Momin, Allah-azwj would Quench him from the Sealed Nectar. And whichever Momin clothes a Momin from bareness, he would not cease to be in the Veil of Allah-azwj and His-azwj Protection for as long as there remains a shred from it’.[39]
وعن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال لبعض أصحابه، يا ثابت، أما تستطيع أن تعتق كل يوم رقبة؟ أصلحك الله، ما أقوى على ذلك، قال: أما تقدر أن تغدي أو تعشي أربعة من المسلمين؟ قلت: أما هذا فاني أقوي عليه، قال: هو والله يعدل عتق رقبة.
And from Abu Abdullah-asws having said to one of his-asws companions: ‘O Sabit! But, do you have the capacity to free a slave every day?’ (He said), ‘May Allah-azwj Keep you-asws well! I am not (financially) strong upon that?’ He-asws said: ‘But, are you able to either provide lunch or dinner to four from the Muslims?’ I said, ‘As for this, so I am strong enough upon it’. He-asws said: ‘By Allah-azwj! It equates to freeing a slave’.[40]
وعن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: من كسا مؤمنا ثوبا لم يزل في رحمة الله عزوجل ما بقي من الثوب شئ، ومن سقاه شربة من ماء، سقاه الله عزوجل من رحيق مختوم، ومن أشبع جوعته، أطعمه الله عزوجل من ثمار الجنة.
And from Abu Abdullah-asws having said: ‘The one who clothes a Momin with a cloth would not cease to be in the Mercy of Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic for as long as something remains from the cloth. And the one who quenches him a drink of water, Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic would Quench him from the Sealed Nectar. And the one who satiates his hunger, Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic would Feed him from the fruits of the Paradise’.[41]
وعن أمير المؤمنين علي عليه السلام أنه قال: لان أطعم أخاك لقمة، أحب إلي من أن أتصدق بدرهم، ولان اعطيه درهما، أحب إلي من أن أتصدق بعشرة، ولان اعطيه عشرة، أحب إلي من أن اعتق رقبة.
And from Amir Al-Momineen-asws having said: ‘If you were to feed a morsel to your brother, it would be more beloved to me-asws than if you were to give charity with a Dirham. And if you were to give him a Dirham, it would be more beloved to me-asws than if you were to give in charity with ten. And if you were to give him ten, it would be more beloved to me-asws than if you were to free a slave’.[42]
وعن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: ما من مؤمن يطعم مؤمنا [ شبعا، إلا أطعمه ] الله عزوجل من ثمار الجنة، ولا سقاه شربة إلا سقاه الله من الرحيق المختوم، ولا كساه ثوبا، إلا كساه الله عزوجل من الثياب الخضر، وكان في ضمان الله تعالى مادام من ذلك الثوب سلك.
And from Abu Abdullah-asws having said: ‘There is neither from a Momin feeding a Momin, satiating, except that Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic would Feed him from the fruits of the Paradise, nor if he quenches him a drink, except Allah-azwj Would Quench him from the Sealed Nectar, nor clothe him with a cloth, except Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic would Clothe him from the clothes of Paradise, and he would be in the Protection of Allah-azwj the Exalted for as long as a shred remains from that cloth’.[43]
وعن أبي جعفر عليه السلام قال: [ من ] أحب الخصال إلى الله عز وجل ثلاثة: مسلم أطعم مسلما من جوع، أو فك عنه كربة، أو قضى عنه دينا.
And from Abu Ja’far-asws having said: ‘The most Beloved of characteristics to Allah-azwj are three – A Muslim feeding a Muslim from hunger, or remove a worry from him, or fulfilling his debts from him’.[44]
وعن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: أول ما يتحف به المؤمن في قبره أن يغفر لمن تبع جنازته.
And from Abu Abdullah-asws having said: ‘The first of what the Momin would be Gifted with in his grave is that there would be Forgiveness for the ones who followed his funeral’.[45]
وعن سدير قال: قال أبو عبد الله عليه السلام، ما يمنعك أن تعتق كل يوم نسمة؟ قلت: لا يحتمل ذلك مالي، قال، فقال، تطعم كل يوم رجلا مسلما؟ فقلت: موسرا أو معسرا؟ قال: إن الموسر قد يشتهي الطعام.
And from Sadeyr who said, ‘Abu Abdullah-asws said: ‘What prevents you from freeing a person every day?’ I said, ‘My wealth cannot bear that’. So he-asws said: ‘Can you feed a Muslim man every day?’ So I said: ‘A wealthy one or a poor one?’ He-asws said: ‘The wealthy (also) desire the food’.[46]
وعن أبي جعفر عليه السلام أنه قال: إطعام مسلم يعدل [ عتق ] نسمة.
And from Abu Ja’far-asws having said: ‘Feeding a Muslim equates to freeing a person’.[47]
Appendix III: Paying Zakāt on behalf of the deceased
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ صُهَيْبٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) فِي رَجُلٍ فَرَّطَ فِي إِخْرَاجِ زَكَاتِهِ فِي حَيَاتِهِ فَلَمَّا حَضَرَتْهُ الْوَفَاةُ حَسَبَ جَمِيعَ مَا كَانَ فَرَّطَ فِيهِ مِمَّا لَزِمَهُ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ ثُمَّ أَوْصَى بِهِ أَنْ يُخْرَجَ ذَلِكَ فَيُدْفَعَ إِلَى مَنْ يَجِبُ لَهُ قَالَ جَائِزٌ يُخْرَجُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الْمَالِ إِنَّمَا هُوَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ دَيْنٍ لَوْ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ لَيْسَ لِلْوَرَثَةِ شَيْءٌ حَتَّى يُؤَدُّوا مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ .
Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad Bin Isa, from Al Hassan Bin Mahboub, from Abbad Bin Suheyb,
(It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah-asws regarding a man who omitted the extraction of his Zakāt during his lifetime. So when the death presented itself to him, he counted the entirety of what he had omitted from what been Imposed upon him from the Zakāt, then bequeathed that it be extracted and handed over to the one it is Obligated upon (to be handed over to)’. He-asws said: ‘Allowed. That would be extracted from the entirety of the wealth. But rather, it would be at the status of a debt, had it been upon him. There would not be anything for the inheritors until what he had bequeathed with from the Zakāt, is paid over’.[48]
عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ شَاذَانَ جَمِيعاً عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ شُعَيْبٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) إِنَّ عَلَى أَخِي زَكَاةً كَثِيرَةً فَأَقْضِيهَا أَوْ أُؤَدِّيهَا عَنْهُ فَقَالَ لِي وَ كَيْفَ لَكَ بِذَلِكَ قُلْتُ أَحْتَاطُ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِذاً تُفَرِّجَ عَنْهُ .
Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, and Muhammad Bin Ismail, from Al Fazl Bin Shazaan, altogether from Ibn Abu Umeyr, from Shuayb who said,
‘I said to Abu Abdullah-asws, ‘There is a lot of Zakāt upon my brother. So, can I fulfil it or pay it on his behalf?’ So he-asws said to me: ‘And how is it for you with that?’ I said, ‘Precaution’. He-asws said: ‘Yes, then you relieve it from him’.[49]
عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ يَمُوتُ وَ عَلَيْهِ خَمْسُ مِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ عَلَيْهِ حَجَّةُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ تَرَكَ ثَلَاثَمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَأَوْصَى بِحَجَّةِ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ أَنْ يُقْضَى عَنْهُ دَيْنُ الزَّكَاةِ قَالَ يُحَجُّ عَنْهُ مِنْ أَقْرَبِ مَا يَكُونُ وَ يُخْرَجُ الْبَقِيَّةُ فِي الزَّكَاةِ .
Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abu Umeyr, from Muawiya Bin Ammar who said,
‘I said to him-asws, ‘A man is dying and upon him is five hundred Dirhams of Zakāt, and upon him is the (performance) of Hajj of Al-Islam, and leaves three hundred Dirhams. So he bequeaths with (the performance of) the Hajj of Al-Islam, and that the debt of Zakāt to be fulfilled from him’. He-asws said: ‘Hajj would be performed on his behalf from the nearest of what can happen to be, and the remainder would be extracted regarding the Zakāt’.[50]
عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ يَقْطِينٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ( عليه السلام ) رَجُلٌ مَاتَ وَ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاةٌ وَ أَوْصَى أَنْ تُقْضَى عَنْهُ الزَّكَاةُ وَ وُلْدُهُ مَحَاوِيجُ إِنْ دَفَعُوهَا أَضَرَّ ذَلِكَ بِهِمْ ضَرَراً شَدِيداً فَقَالَ يُخْرِجُونَهَا فَيَعُودُونَ بِهَا عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ يُخْرِجُونَ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً فَيُدْفَعُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِمْ .
Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abu Umeyr, from Ali Bin Yaqteen who said,
‘I said to Abu Al-Hassan-asws the 1st, ‘A man dies, and upon him is the Zakāt, and he bequeaths that the Zakāt be fulfilled from him, and his children are destitute. If it were to be handed over, that would be extremely harmful to them’. So he-asws said: ‘It would be extracted and paid over upon themselves, and they (in turn) would take something out from it and hand it over to others’.[51]
Appendix IV: Hajj for the deceased:
عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي خَلَفٍ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ( عليه السلام ) عَنِ الرَّجُلِ الصَّرُورَةِ يَحُجُّ عَنِ الْمَيِّتِ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِذَا لَمْ يَجِدِ الصَّرُورَةُ مَا يَحُجُّ بِهِ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ فَإِنْ كَانَ لَهُ مَا يَحُجُّ بِهِ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ فَلَيْسَ يُجْزِئُ عَنْهُ حَتَّى يَحُجَّ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ هِيَ تُجْزِئُ عَنِ الْمَيِّتِ إِنْ كَانَ لِلصَّرُورَةِ مَالٌ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ مَالٌ.
A number of our companions, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, from Sa’ad Bin abu Khalaf who said,
‘I asked Abu Al-Hassan Musa-asws about the Saroura man (not having had performed Hajj), performing Hajj on behalf of the deceased. He-asws said: ‘Yes. When the Saroura does not find what he can perform Hajj with for himself. So if there was for him what he can perform Hajj with for himself, so he would not be suffice from it until he performs Hajj from his own wealth, and it would be sufficient on behalf of the deceased, whether there happened to be any wealth for the Saroura, or if there did not happen to be any wealth for him’.[52]
Hajj cannot be performed for a dead ‘Nasabi’, unless if he was a father:
عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ وَهْبِ بْنِ عَبْدِ رَبِّهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) أَ يَحُجُّ الرَّجُلُ عَنِ النَّاصِبِ فَقَالَ لَا فَقُلْتُ فَإِنْ كَانَ أَبِي قَالَ فَإِنْ كَانَ أَبَاكَ فَنَعَمْ .
Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abu Umeyr, from Wahab Bin Abd Rabbih who said,
‘I said to Abu Abdullah-asws, ‘Can the man perform Hajj on behalf of the Nasibi (Hostile one)?’ So he-asws said: ‘No’. I said, ‘Supposing it was my father?’ He-asws said: ‘So if it was your father, then yes’.[53]
عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَهْزِيَارَ قَالَ كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ الرَّجُلُ يَحُجُّ عَنِ النَّاصِبِ هَلْ عَلَيْهِ إِثْمٌ إِذَا حَجَّ عَنِ النَّاصِبِ وَ هَلْ يَنْفَعُ ذَلِكَ النَّاصِبَ أَمْ لَا فَكَتَبَ لَا يَحُجَّ عَنِ النَّاصِبِ وَ لَا يَحُجَّ بِهِ .
A number of our companions, from Sahl Bin Ziyad, from Ali Bin Mahziyar who said,
‘I wrote to him-asws, ‘The man performs Hajj on behalf of the Nasibi (Hostile one), would there be a sin upon him when he performs Hajj on behalf of the Nasibi (Hostile one), and would that be beneficial to the Nasibi (Hostile one) or not?’ So he-asws wrote: ‘Do not perform Hajj on behalf of the Nasibi (Hostile one), nor perform Hajj with him’.[54]
Appendix V: Dealing with the Will (Bequest) of a deceased:
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَحْمَدَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) إِنَّ رَجُلًا أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ بِشَيْءٍ فِي السَّبِيلِ فَقَالَ لِيَ اصْرِفْهُ فِي الْحَجِّ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ فِي السَّبِيلِ قَالَ اصْرِفْهُ فِي الْحَجِّ فَإِنِّي لَا أَعْلَمُ شَيْئاً مِنْ سَبِيلِهِ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الْحَجِّ .
Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Muhammad Bin Ahmad, from Muhammad Bin Isa, from Muhammad Bin Suleyman, from Al Husayn Bin Umar who said,
‘I said to Abu Abdullah-asws, ‘A man (in Wilayah) bequeathed something in the Way (Jihad)’. So he-asws said to me: ‘Spend it regarding the Hajj’. I said to him-asws, ‘He bequeathed to me (to be in) the Way (Jihad)’. He-asws said: ‘Spend it regarding the Hajj, for I-asws do not know of anything from His-azwj Way being superior than the Hajj’.[55]
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ الرَّزَّازُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَحْمَدَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ رَاشِدٍ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ الْعَسْكَرِيَّ ( عليه السلام ) بِالْمَدِينَةِ عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى بِمَالٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ سَبِيلُ اللَّهِ شِيعَتُنَا .
Muhammad Bin Ja’far Al Razaaz, from Muhammad Bin Isa and Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Muhammad Bin Ahmad, from Muhammad Bin Isa Bin Ubeyd, from Al Hassan Bin Rashid who said,
‘I asked (Imam) Al-Askari-asws at Al-Medina about a man who had bequeathed wealth to be in the Way of Allah-azwj. So he-asws said: ‘The Way of Allah-azwj, is (a reference to) our-asws Shias’.[56]
عَنْهُ عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ فِي امْرَأَةٍ أَوْصَتْ بِمَالٍ فِي عِتْقٍ وَ صَدَقَةٍ وَ حَجٍّ فَلَمْ يَبْلُغْ قَالَ ابْدَأْ بِالْحَجِّ فَإِنَّهُ مَفْرُوضٌ فَإِنْ بَقِيَ شَيْءٌ فَاجْعَلْهُ فِي الصَّدَقَةِ طَائِفَةً وَ فِي الْعِتْقِ طَائِفَةً .
From him, from Muawiya Bin Amaar,
(It has been narrated) regarding a woman who bequeathed with wealth regarding emancipation (of a slave), and charity, and Hajj, but it (amount) did not reach (the necessary required). He-asws said: ‘Begin with the Hajj, for it is Obligatory. So if anything were to remain, so make a portion of it to be regarding the charity, a portion regarding the emancipation (of a slave)’.[57]
Appendix VI: Remembrance of Allah-azwj and Masomeen-asws:
عَنْهُمْ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ عُقْبَةَ وَ ثَعْلَبَةَ بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ وَ غَالِبِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ وَ هَارُونَ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ بُرَيْدِ بْنِ مُعَاوِيَةَ قَالَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ( عليه السلام ) فِي فُسْطَاطٍ لَهُ بِمِنًى فَنَظَرَ إِلَى زِيَادٍ الْأَسْوَدِ مُنْقَلِعَ الرِّجْلِ فَرَثَى لَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَا لِرِجْلَيْكَ هَكَذَا قَالَ جِئْتُ عَلَى بَكْرٍ لِي نِضْوٍ فَكُنْتُ أَمْشِي عَنْهُ عَامَّةَ الطَّرِيقِ فَرَثَى لَهُ وَ قَالَ لَهُ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ زِيَادٌ إِنِّي أُلِمُّ بِالذُّنُوبِ حَتَّى إِذَا ظَنَنْتُ أَنِّي قَدْ هَلَكْتُ ذَكَرْتُ حُبَّكُمْ فَرَجَوْتُ النَّجَاةَ وَ تَجَلَّى عَنِّي
From him, from Sahl Bin Ziyad, from Al-Hassan Bin Ali Bin Fazzal, from Ali Bin Uqba and Tha’alba Bin Maymoun and Ghalib Bin Usman and Haroun Bin Muslim, from Bureyd Bin Muawiya who said:
‘I was in the presence of Abu Ja’far-asws in his-asws tent at Mina. He-asws looked at the feet of Ziyad which had turned black, so he-asws pitied it saying: ‘What is the matter with your feet that they are like this?’ He said, ‘I came upon a weak ride and so had to walk most of the way’. He-asws lamented to him and Ziyad said to him-asws during that, ‘I was in (so much) pain due to my sins to the extent that I thought that I would be destroyed. I remembered my love for you-asws which gave me hope for salvation and it brightened my situation’.
فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ( عليه السلام ) وَ هَلِ الدِّينُ إِلَّا الْحُبُّ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى حَبَّبَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْإِيمانَ وَ زَيَّنَهُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ وَ قَالَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ قَالَ يُحِبُّونَ مَنْ هاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أُحِبُّ الْمُصَلِّينَ وَ لَا أُصَلِّي وَ أُحِبُّ الصَّوَّامِينَ وَ لَا أَصُومُ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ أَنْتَ مَعَ مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَ لَكَ مَا اكْتَسَبْتَ وَ قَالَ مَا تَبْغُونَ وَ مَا تُرِيدُونَ أَمَا إِنَّهَا لَوْ كَانَ فَزْعَةٌ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَزِعَ كُلُّ قَوْمٍ إِلَى مَأْمَنِهِمْ وَ فَزِعْنَا إِلَى نَبِيِّنَا وَ فَزِعْتُمْ إِلَيْنَا .
So Abu Ja’far-asws said: ‘And is the Religion anything except for the love? Allah-azwj the High has Said: “[49:7] But Allah has endeared the Faith to you, and has made it beautiful in your hearts”, and Said: “[3:31] Say: If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you”, and Said: “[59:9] love those who have fled to them”. A man came up to the Prophet-saww so he said, ‘O Messenger-saww of Allah-azwj, I love the Praying ones but I do not Pray myself, and I love the Fasting ones but I do not Fast myself’. The Messenger-saww of Allah-azwj said: ‘You are with the one whom you love, but to you belongs what you have acquired’. And he-asws said: ‘What you are seeking and what you want, but it is if there is a scare from the sky, every people would seek protection in its safe place, and we-asws will seek safety with our Prophet-saww, and you will be seeking safety with us-asws’.[58]
[1] Al Kafi – V 5 – The Book of Subsistence Ch 35 H 1
[2] الباب الثالث و الثلاثون من قال في الحسينع شعرا فبكى و أبكى,H6, كامل الزيارات، النص، ص: 105
[3] See for example: Al Kafi V 3 – The Book Of Funerals CH 12 H 4
[4] Manlayazahoor Alfaqi Vol-1 Page-135
[5] Al Kafi V 3 – The Book Of Funerals CH 11 H 1
[6] Al Kafi V 3 – The Book Of Funerals CH 10 H 2
[7] Al Kafi V 3 – The Book Of Funerals CH 10 H 5
[8] Al Kafi V 3 – The Book Of Funerals CH 9 H 6
[9] Wasil u Shia Vol-2, Page-452
[10] Mustadrak al wasail V-8 P-167
[11] Al-Kafi Vol-3,Page-229
[12] Mustadrak ul wasail Vol-2,Page-372
[13] Mustadrak ul wasail Vol-2,Page-365
[14] Al-Kafi Vol-3,Page-227
[15] Al-Kafi Vol-3,Page-229
[16] Wasil u Shia Vol-2,Page-443
[17] Wasil u Shia Vol-2,Page-444
[18] Wasil u Shia Vol-2,Page-444
[19] Wasil u Shia Vol-2,Page-445
[20] Kitab Al Momin – Ch 7 H 159
[21] Kitab Al Momin – Ch 7 H 160
[22] Al Kafi V 3 – The Book Of Zakāt CH 29 H 2
[23] Al Kafi – V 4 – The Book of Fasts Ch 44 H 5
[24] Al-Kafi, vol, 2, H. 2109, Ch. 77, h 1
[25] Al-Kafi, vol, 2, H. 2077, Ch. 73, h 14
[26] Al-Kafi, vol, 2, H. 2079, Ch. 73, h 16
[27] Al-Kafi, vol, 2, H. 2110, Ch. 77, h 2
[28] Al-Kafi, vol, 2, H. 2111, Ch. 77, h 3 الكافي ج : 2 ص : 187
[29] Al-Kafi, vol, 2, H. 2112, Ch. 77, h 4
[30] Al-Kafi, vol, 2, H. 2113, Ch. 77, h 5
[31] Al-Kafi, vol, 2, H. 2115, Ch. 77, h 7
[32] Al-Kafi, vol, 2, H. 2114, Ch. 77, h 6 الكافي ج : 2 ص : 188
[33]This Verse is the answer from Prophet Yaqub (in the Holy Quran) to his sons when they said: ‘By Allah! You will not cease remembering Yusuf till you are on the verge of death, or until you die (12:85)
[34] كامل الزيارات، النص، ص: 107, chapter 35, H. 1.
[35] كامل الزيارات، النص، ص: 109, chapter 36, H. 3
[36] أمالي الصدوق: 239/ 12.
[37] Al-Kafi, Vol. 8, H. 14638
[38] Kitab Al Momin – Ch 7 H 161
[39] Kitab Al Momin – Ch 7 H 162
[40] Kitab Al Momin – Ch 7 H 163
[41] Kitab Al Momin – Ch 7 H 164
[42] Kitab Al Momin – Ch 7 H 165
[43] Kitab Al Momin – Ch 7 H 166
[44] Kitab Al Momin – Ch 7 H 167
[45] Kitab Al Momin – Ch 7 H 168
[46] Kitab Al Momin – Ch 7 H 169
[47] Kitab Al Momin – Ch 7 H 170
[48] Al Kafi V 3 – The Book Of Zakāt CH 29 H 1
[49] Al Kafi V 3 – The Book Of Zakāt CH 29 H 3
[50] Al Kafi V 3 – The Book Of Zakāt CH 29 H 4
[51] Al Kafi V 3 – The Book Of Zakāt CH 29 H 5
[52] Al Kafi – V 4 – The Book of Hajj Ch 59 H 2
[53] Al Kafi – V 4 – The Book of Hajj Ch 64 H 1
[54] Al Kafi – V 4 – The Book of Hajj Ch 64 H 2
[55] Al Kafi – V 7 – The Book of Bequests Ch 11 H 5
[56] Al Kafi – V 7 – The Book of Bequests Ch 12 H 2
[57] Al Kafi – V 7 – The Book of Bequests Ch 14 H 8
[58] Al-Kafi, Vol. 8, H. 14483