Hadith 180
۞
24-1 Abul Hassan Muhammad ibn Amr ibn Ali ibn Abdullah al-Basri in Ilaq narrated that the preacher Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Jabala quoted on the authority of Abul Qasim Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Amer Al-Ta’ee, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha (s), on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far (al-Kadhim) (s), on the authority of his father Ja’far ibn Muhammad (as-Sadiq) (s), on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali (s), on the authority of his father Ali ibn Al-Hussein (s), on the authority of his father Al-Hussein ibn Ali (s), “Ali ibn Abi Talib (s) was in the Jami’a Mosque of Kufa. A man from Syria stood up and said, “
O Commander of the Faithful! I have several questions.”
The Imam (s) said, “Ask in order to understand. Do not ask in order to bother us.” All the people were staring at them.
The man asked, “Let me know what was that which the Sublime God created first.”
The Imam (s) said, “It was light.”
The man asked, “What are the heavens made of? “
The Imam (s) said, “From water vapour.”
The man asked, “What is the Earth made of? “
The Imam said, “From the foam on top of the water.” The man asked, “What are the mountains made of?”
The Imam (s) said, “From the waves.”
The man asked, “Why have they called Mecca the mother of the towns?”
The Imam (s) said, “Because the Earth has expanded out from beneath it.”
The man asked, “What is the sky of this world made of?”
The Imam (s) said, “It is made of a restricted wave.”
The man asked, “What is the width and length of the sun and the moon?”
The Imam (s) said, “It is nine-hundred Farsakhs square.”
The man asked, “What is the width and length of the stars?”
The Imam (s) said, “Twelve Farsakhs times the same amount.”
The man asked, “What are the colors of the seven heavens and what are their names?”
The Imam (s) said, “The lowest heaven is called ‘Rafi’a’ made of smoke and water. The second heaven is called ‘Faydoom’ and it is the same color as copper. The third heaven is called ‘Maroom’ and it is the same color as brass. The fourth heaven is called ‘Arfoloon’ and it is the same color as silver. The fifth heaven is called ‘Hayoon’ and it is the same color as gold. The sixth heaven is called ‘Aroos’ and it is the same color as chrysolite green. The seventh heaven is called ‘Ajma’ and it is the same color as a while pearl.”And the man asked why cows stare at the ground and never raise their head up towards the sky.
The Imam (s) said, “They are ashamed of the Honorable the Exalted God. The cows keep their heads down from the time when the people of Moses (s) worshipped the calf.”And the man asked about marrying two sisters at once.
The Imam (s) said, “Yaqoob ibn Ishaq married Hibar and Rahil. However, this was forbidden from then on and the following verse was revealed, ‘…and two sisters in wedlock at one and the same time…’ And the man asked about what the high and the low tides are.
The Imam (s) said, “It is one of the angels of God who is appointed to be at the sea. Whenever it steps into the water, they rise and whenever it leaves the water it lowers.”
The man asked about the name of the father of the genies.
The Imam (s) said, “His name was Shooman. He is the one created from flames of the fire.”And the man asked if the Honorable the Exalted God has appointed any Prophets for the genies.
The Imam (s) said, “Yes. God had appointed a Prophet named Joseph for them, but they killed him.”
The man asked, “What was the name of Satan while he was in the heavens?”
The Imam (s) replied, “His name was al-Harith.”
The man asked, “Why was Adam named Adam?”
The Imam (s) replied, “Since he was created from the Earth’s expanse that is called “Adeem” in Arabic.”
The man asked, “Why does a man inherit twice that of a woman?”
The Imam (s) replied, “It is because of the wheat branch which had three seeds. Eve ate one and gave two to Adam. That is why men inherit double the amount that women do.”
The man asked, “Which of the Prophets (s) did the Honorable the Exalted God create circumcised at birth?”
The Imam (s) replied, “The Honorable the Exalted God create Adam, Seth, Idris, Noah, Shem the son of Noah, Abraham, David, Solomon, Lot, Ishmael, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (s) circumcised”
The man asked about the age of Adam (s).
The Imam (s) said, “He lived for 930 years.”
The man asked, “Who was the first poet?
The Imam (s) answered, “It was Adam.”
The man asked, “What was the poem about?”
The Imam (s) said, “When Adam was cast down to the earth he saw the extent of the earth and its air. When Abel killed Cane, then Adam said,The land and its residents have changed vastly; The appearance of the earth has turned black and ugly; Whatever had a taste and color has changed; And the freshness of those good looks has diminished; I see my life span filled with sorrow ; May I get rid of this life tomorrow? Why should I not cry while Cane is in the grave; Abel killed his brother Cane so brave; O sorry! I have lost that good-looking son! Then Satan - may God damn it - replied, Get away from this land and its residents As there is no more room for you anymore in this expanded ParadiseYou and your spouse were living in peace And from the troubles of the world was your heart at comfort. But you could not escape my tricks and plots Until you lost that valuable thing And God gave the people tamarisk and bitter ‘khamt Instead of Paradise and its open gates And had I not received the Mercy of the Omnipotent You would not have lost Paradise now.”
The man asked about Adam crying in Paradise and how much he (s) cried.
The Imam (s) said, “He cried one hundred years and tears flowed down his right eye like the Tigris River and from his right eye like the Euphrates River.”
The man asked, “How many times did Adam (s) perform the Hajj pilgrimage?”
The Imam (s) said, “He performed it seventy times on foot. On the first visit the Shrike accompanied him and showed him where there was water. It had come out of Paradise along with him. Adam (s) was admonished against eating shrikes and swallows.”
The man asked, “Why does a swallow not walk on the Earth?”
The Imam (s) replied, “Because it lamented over the Bayt al-Maqdis and cried over it for forty years. It always cried along with Adam (s) and stayed with him in several homes. It carried along nine of the verses of the Honorable the Exalted God’s Book which Adam (s) had recited in Paradise, still has them and will have them forever. The verses were the first three verses from the beginning of Al-Kahf, three verses from Bani Israel - that are verses [The Holy Quran: Bani Israel 17:45-47] , and three of the verses of Ya Sin starting with ‘And We have put a bar in front of them and a bar behind them, and further, We have covered them up; so that they cannot see.’”
The man asked about the first atheist and the initiator of atheism.
The Imam (s) answered, “It was the damned Satan.”
The man asked about Noah’s name.
The Imam (s) said, “His name was As-Sakan. He was called ‘Noah’ because he lamented for his people for 950 years.”
The man asked about the width and length of Noah’s Ark.
The Imam (s) said, “It was eight-hundred arm-lengths in length and five hundred arm-lengths in width and eighty arm-lengths in height.”Then the man sat down. Another man stood up and said, “O Commander of the Faithful! Let me know about the name of the first tree planted on the Earth.”
The Imam (s) replied, “It was called ‘Al-Osaje. The cane of Moses (s) was also made of the same tree.”
The man asked about the first plant that grew on the Earth?”
The Imam (s) said, “It was pumpkin that is a gourd.”
The man asked, “Who was the first of the people of the heavens and the Earth who performed the Hajj pilgrimage?”
The Imam (s) said, “It was Gabriel.”
The man asked about the first part of the Earth that was leveled during the flood?”
The Imam (s) said, “It was the location of the Kaaba that was fresh chrysolite green in color.”
The man asked about the noblest valley on the Earth.
The Imam (s) said, “It is a valley called “Sarandib” where Adam descended to from Paradise.”
The man asked about the worst valley on the Earth. The Imam (s) said, “It is a valley in Yemen called “Barahut” and it is one of the valleys of Hell.”
The man asked about the prison which carried its own prisoner.
The Imam (s) said, “It was the fish which carried Yunus ibn Matta (Jonah) with it.”
The man asked about the six creatures which were not born from the womb.
The Imam (s) answered, “Adam, Eve, the sheep of Abraham, the cane of Moses, the she-camel of Salih, and the bat which Jesus (s) - the son of (the Blessed Lady) Mary (s) - made and it flew with the permission of the Honorable the Exalted God.”And the man asked about the accused thing which is neither human nor of the genies.
The Imam (s) replied, “It is the wolf which Joseph’s brothers accused.”
The man asked about the thing to whom God had revealed something but is neither human nor of the genies. The Imam (s) replied, “It is the bee to which God had revealed something.”
The man asked about the purest spot on the Earth on which one cannot pray.
The Imam (s) replied, “It is the roof of the Kaaba.”
The man asked, “What part of the Earth felt the sunshine for a portion of one day but will never again feel it?” The Imam (s) said, “It is that part of the sea which God split apart for Moses (s) and the sun shined at its depth. Then the water covered it again and the sunshine will never reach there again.”
The man asked about the thing which drank while it was alive and ate while it was dead.
The Imam (s) replied, “It was the cane of Moses (s).”
The man asked about the one who advised but it was neither human nor of the genies.
The Imam (s) replied, “It was an ant.”
The man asked about the first one to prescribe circumcision.
The Imam (s) replied, “It was Abraham (s).”
The man asked about the first female to be circumcised.
The Imam (s) replied, “It was Hagar - the mother of Ishmael whom Sarah circumcised to have honored her oath.”
The man asked about the first woman to have dragged her skirt on the ground.
The Imam (s) replied, “It was Hagar who was running away from Sarah.”The man asked about the first man to have dragged his garment on the ground.
The Imam (s) replied, “It was Qarun.”The man asked about the first one to wear sandals. The Imam (s) replied, “It was Abraham (s).”
The man asked about the one with the noblest lineage.
The Imam (s) replied, “It was God’s friend Joseph - the son of Jacob Israel ul-lah ibn Ishaq Thabihullah ibn Abraham (s) - God’s close friend.”
The man asked about the six Prophets who had two names. The Imam (s) replied, “They are Yusha’ ibn Noon, also called Thul Kifl; Jacob also called Israel; Khazr also called Heliqa; Yunus also called Thul Noon; Jesus also called the Messiah; and Muhammad (s) also called Ahmad.”
The man asked about the thing which breezes but has no flesh and blood.
The Imam (s) replied, “It is the morning.”
The man asked about the five Prophets who spoke Arabic.
The Imam (s) replied, “They are Hud, Sho’aib, Salih, Ishmael and Muhammad.”Then the man sat down. Another man stood up and tried to make trouble with his questions. He said, “O Commander of the Faithful! Let me know who flees from whom in the following verse from the Honorable the Exalted God, ‘That Day shall a man flee from his own brother, And from his mother and his father, And from his wife and his children. Each one of them, that Day, will have enough concern (of his own) to make him indifferent to the others.’
The Imam (s) said, “Cane flees from Abel. The one who flees from his mother is Moses (s). The one who flees fromhis father - that is the one who raised him not his real father - is Abraham (s). The one who flees from his wife is Lot (s). The one who flees from his son is Noah (s) fleeing from his son Kan’an.”
The man asked, “Who was the first one to undergo a sudden death?”
The Imam (s) said, “It was David (s) who died on the pulpit on a Wednesday.”
The man asked, “What are the four things that never get satiated with another four things?”
The Imam (s) said, “The Earth never gets satiated with rain. The female never gets satiated with the male. The eyes never get satiated with looking and the scientist never gets satiated with knowledge.”
The man asked, “Who was the first man to coin Dinar and Dirham?”
The Imam (s) said, “It was Nimrood, the son of Kan’an after Noah (s).”
The man asked, “Who was the first one to do the acts of the people of Lot (homosexuality)?”
The Imam (s) said, “It was Satan who offered himself.”
The man asked about the meaning of the sound of the dove called ‘Ra’ebia?”
The Imam (s) said, “It is cursing those who are people of musical instruments, singing maidens, clarinets and lutes.”
The man asked about the nickname of Al-Boraq.
The Imam (s) said, “Its nickname is Aba Hilal.”
The man asked, “Why was the king of Tobba called Tobba?”
The Imam (s) said, “He was a young writer who used to write for the king before himself. He used to start writing by writing, “In the Name of God who created the wind and the cry.” The king asked him to start by writing, “In the name of the king of lightning.” But he refused to do so and said, “I will only start writing in the Name of my Worshipped One. Then I will consider your needs.” Then the Honorable the Exalted God thanked him for that and granted him the kingdom of that king and the people obeyed him. That is why he was called “Tobba.” The man asked, “Why is a goat’s tail upwards and his private parts can be seen?”
The Imam (s) said, “When Noah (s) wanted to have it get on the Ark, it disobeyed Noah (s). Therefore, Noah (s) used force to push it into the Ark and its tail broke. The private parts of sheep are covered since it got on the Ark by itself. Then Noah (s) caressed it and the private parts got covered with fat.”The man asked him about the language of the people in Paradise.
The Imam (s) replied, “The people in Paradise speak in Arabic.” He asked him about the language of the people in the Fire.
The Imam replied, “They speak in Magi.”
The man asked him about the various ways to sleep. The Commander of the Faithful (s) said, “There are four ways to sleep. The Prophets (s) sleep on their back. Their eyes do not go to sleep and await revelations from their Lord - the Honorable the Exalted. The believers sleep on their right side and face the Qibla. The Kings and their children sleep on their left side so that they can enjoy what they eat. Satan, his followers, mad and ill persons sleep on their stomach.”Then the man sat down. Another man stood up and said, “O Commander of the Faithful! What is your opinion about Wednesdays having bad omen?”
The Imam (s) said, “It is the last Wednesday of the month on which the moon is wane. It was on that day that Abel killed his brother Cane. Abraham was thrown into the fire on Wednesday. He was put in a catapult on Wednesday. God drowned Pharaoh on Wednesday. The Honorable the Exalted God destroyed the people of Lot. God sent the ‘furious wind’ to the people of ‘Ad on Wednesday. The ‘(garden) became, by the morning, like a dark and desolate spot, (whose fruit had been gathered)’ on Wednesday. The Honorable the Exalted God had the bug overcome Nimrood on Wednesday. Pharaoh wanted to kill Moses on Wednesday. The roof fell down upon one of the pagan tribes in the past. Pharaoh issued the order to kill baby boys on Wednesday. The Bait ul-Moqaddas was ruined on Wednesday. The mosque of Solomon, the son of David, in Astakhar was burnt on Wednesday. John, the son of Zacharias, was killed on Wednesday. The punishment started to overtake the people of Pharaoh on Wednesday. Jacob (s) lost his family, wealth and children on Wednesday. Joseph was taken to prison on Wednesday. God said ‘..., that We destroyed them and their people, all (of them)’ on Wednesday. The heavenly cry overtook them on Wednesday. The people of Thamud slaughtered the she-camel on Wednesday. Stones fell down like rain on the people of Lot on Wednesday. The Prophet’s (s) head and tooth broke on Wednesday. The Amaliqa took the Ark of Covenant from the Children of Israel on Wednesday.”
The man asked the Imam (s) about the days of the week and what can be done on them. The Commander of the Faithful (s) said, “Saturdays are for deceit and trickery. Sundays are for planting and building. Mondays are for war and bloodshed. Tuesdays are for traveling and making requests. Wednesdays are for pessimism and bad omen. Thursdays are for visiting the chiefs and Fridays are for proposing to and getting married.”
The Imam (s) said, “Ask in order to understand. Do not ask in order to bother us.” All the people were staring at them.
The man asked, “Let me know what was that which the Sublime God created first.”
The Imam (s) said, “It was light.”
The man asked, “What are the heavens made of? “
The Imam (s) said, “From water vapour.”
The man asked, “What is the Earth made of? “
The Imam said, “From the foam on top of the water.” The man asked, “What are the mountains made of?”
The Imam (s) said, “From the waves.”
The man asked, “Why have they called Mecca the mother of the towns?”
The Imam (s) said, “Because the Earth has expanded out from beneath it.”
The man asked, “What is the sky of this world made of?”
The Imam (s) said, “It is made of a restricted wave.”
The man asked, “What is the width and length of the sun and the moon?”
The Imam (s) said, “It is nine-hundred Farsakhs square.”
The man asked, “What is the width and length of the stars?”
The Imam (s) said, “Twelve Farsakhs times the same amount.”
The man asked, “What are the colors of the seven heavens and what are their names?”
The Imam (s) said, “The lowest heaven is called ‘Rafi’a’ made of smoke and water. The second heaven is called ‘Faydoom’ and it is the same color as copper. The third heaven is called ‘Maroom’ and it is the same color as brass. The fourth heaven is called ‘Arfoloon’ and it is the same color as silver. The fifth heaven is called ‘Hayoon’ and it is the same color as gold. The sixth heaven is called ‘Aroos’ and it is the same color as chrysolite green. The seventh heaven is called ‘Ajma’ and it is the same color as a while pearl.”And the man asked why cows stare at the ground and never raise their head up towards the sky.
The Imam (s) said, “They are ashamed of the Honorable the Exalted God. The cows keep their heads down from the time when the people of Moses (s) worshipped the calf.”And the man asked about marrying two sisters at once.
The Imam (s) said, “Yaqoob ibn Ishaq married Hibar and Rahil. However, this was forbidden from then on and the following verse was revealed, ‘…and two sisters in wedlock at one and the same time…’ And the man asked about what the high and the low tides are.
The Imam (s) said, “It is one of the angels of God who is appointed to be at the sea. Whenever it steps into the water, they rise and whenever it leaves the water it lowers.”
The man asked about the name of the father of the genies.
The Imam (s) said, “His name was Shooman. He is the one created from flames of the fire.”And the man asked if the Honorable the Exalted God has appointed any Prophets for the genies.
The Imam (s) said, “Yes. God had appointed a Prophet named Joseph for them, but they killed him.”
The man asked, “What was the name of Satan while he was in the heavens?”
The Imam (s) replied, “His name was al-Harith.”
The man asked, “Why was Adam named Adam?”
The Imam (s) replied, “Since he was created from the Earth’s expanse that is called “Adeem” in Arabic.”
The man asked, “Why does a man inherit twice that of a woman?”
The Imam (s) replied, “It is because of the wheat branch which had three seeds. Eve ate one and gave two to Adam. That is why men inherit double the amount that women do.”
The man asked, “Which of the Prophets (s) did the Honorable the Exalted God create circumcised at birth?”
The Imam (s) replied, “The Honorable the Exalted God create Adam, Seth, Idris, Noah, Shem the son of Noah, Abraham, David, Solomon, Lot, Ishmael, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (s) circumcised”
The man asked about the age of Adam (s).
The Imam (s) said, “He lived for 930 years.”
The man asked, “Who was the first poet?
The Imam (s) answered, “It was Adam.”
The man asked, “What was the poem about?”
The Imam (s) said, “When Adam was cast down to the earth he saw the extent of the earth and its air. When Abel killed Cane, then Adam said,The land and its residents have changed vastly; The appearance of the earth has turned black and ugly; Whatever had a taste and color has changed; And the freshness of those good looks has diminished; I see my life span filled with sorrow ; May I get rid of this life tomorrow? Why should I not cry while Cane is in the grave; Abel killed his brother Cane so brave; O sorry! I have lost that good-looking son! Then Satan - may God damn it - replied, Get away from this land and its residents As there is no more room for you anymore in this expanded ParadiseYou and your spouse were living in peace And from the troubles of the world was your heart at comfort. But you could not escape my tricks and plots Until you lost that valuable thing And God gave the people tamarisk and bitter ‘khamt Instead of Paradise and its open gates And had I not received the Mercy of the Omnipotent You would not have lost Paradise now.”
The man asked about Adam crying in Paradise and how much he (s) cried.
The Imam (s) said, “He cried one hundred years and tears flowed down his right eye like the Tigris River and from his right eye like the Euphrates River.”
The man asked, “How many times did Adam (s) perform the Hajj pilgrimage?”
The Imam (s) said, “He performed it seventy times on foot. On the first visit the Shrike accompanied him and showed him where there was water. It had come out of Paradise along with him. Adam (s) was admonished against eating shrikes and swallows.”
The man asked, “Why does a swallow not walk on the Earth?”
The Imam (s) replied, “Because it lamented over the Bayt al-Maqdis and cried over it for forty years. It always cried along with Adam (s) and stayed with him in several homes. It carried along nine of the verses of the Honorable the Exalted God’s Book which Adam (s) had recited in Paradise, still has them and will have them forever. The verses were the first three verses from the beginning of Al-Kahf, three verses from Bani Israel - that are verses [The Holy Quran: Bani Israel 17:45-47] , and three of the verses of Ya Sin starting with ‘And We have put a bar in front of them and a bar behind them, and further, We have covered them up; so that they cannot see.’”
The man asked about the first atheist and the initiator of atheism.
The Imam (s) answered, “It was the damned Satan.”
The man asked about Noah’s name.
The Imam (s) said, “His name was As-Sakan. He was called ‘Noah’ because he lamented for his people for 950 years.”
The man asked about the width and length of Noah’s Ark.
The Imam (s) said, “It was eight-hundred arm-lengths in length and five hundred arm-lengths in width and eighty arm-lengths in height.”Then the man sat down. Another man stood up and said, “O Commander of the Faithful! Let me know about the name of the first tree planted on the Earth.”
The Imam (s) replied, “It was called ‘Al-Osaje. The cane of Moses (s) was also made of the same tree.”
The man asked about the first plant that grew on the Earth?”
The Imam (s) said, “It was pumpkin that is a gourd.”
The man asked, “Who was the first of the people of the heavens and the Earth who performed the Hajj pilgrimage?”
The Imam (s) said, “It was Gabriel.”
The man asked about the first part of the Earth that was leveled during the flood?”
The Imam (s) said, “It was the location of the Kaaba that was fresh chrysolite green in color.”
The man asked about the noblest valley on the Earth.
The Imam (s) said, “It is a valley called “Sarandib” where Adam descended to from Paradise.”
The man asked about the worst valley on the Earth. The Imam (s) said, “It is a valley in Yemen called “Barahut” and it is one of the valleys of Hell.”
The man asked about the prison which carried its own prisoner.
The Imam (s) said, “It was the fish which carried Yunus ibn Matta (Jonah) with it.”
The man asked about the six creatures which were not born from the womb.
The Imam (s) answered, “Adam, Eve, the sheep of Abraham, the cane of Moses, the she-camel of Salih, and the bat which Jesus (s) - the son of (the Blessed Lady) Mary (s) - made and it flew with the permission of the Honorable the Exalted God.”And the man asked about the accused thing which is neither human nor of the genies.
The Imam (s) replied, “It is the wolf which Joseph’s brothers accused.”
The man asked about the thing to whom God had revealed something but is neither human nor of the genies. The Imam (s) replied, “It is the bee to which God had revealed something.”
The man asked about the purest spot on the Earth on which one cannot pray.
The Imam (s) replied, “It is the roof of the Kaaba.”
The man asked, “What part of the Earth felt the sunshine for a portion of one day but will never again feel it?” The Imam (s) said, “It is that part of the sea which God split apart for Moses (s) and the sun shined at its depth. Then the water covered it again and the sunshine will never reach there again.”
The man asked about the thing which drank while it was alive and ate while it was dead.
The Imam (s) replied, “It was the cane of Moses (s).”
The man asked about the one who advised but it was neither human nor of the genies.
The Imam (s) replied, “It was an ant.”
The man asked about the first one to prescribe circumcision.
The Imam (s) replied, “It was Abraham (s).”
The man asked about the first female to be circumcised.
The Imam (s) replied, “It was Hagar - the mother of Ishmael whom Sarah circumcised to have honored her oath.”
The man asked about the first woman to have dragged her skirt on the ground.
The Imam (s) replied, “It was Hagar who was running away from Sarah.”The man asked about the first man to have dragged his garment on the ground.
The Imam (s) replied, “It was Qarun.”The man asked about the first one to wear sandals. The Imam (s) replied, “It was Abraham (s).”
The man asked about the one with the noblest lineage.
The Imam (s) replied, “It was God’s friend Joseph - the son of Jacob Israel ul-lah ibn Ishaq Thabihullah ibn Abraham (s) - God’s close friend.”
The man asked about the six Prophets who had two names. The Imam (s) replied, “They are Yusha’ ibn Noon, also called Thul Kifl; Jacob also called Israel; Khazr also called Heliqa; Yunus also called Thul Noon; Jesus also called the Messiah; and Muhammad (s) also called Ahmad.”
The man asked about the thing which breezes but has no flesh and blood.
The Imam (s) replied, “It is the morning.”
The man asked about the five Prophets who spoke Arabic.
The Imam (s) replied, “They are Hud, Sho’aib, Salih, Ishmael and Muhammad.”Then the man sat down. Another man stood up and tried to make trouble with his questions. He said, “O Commander of the Faithful! Let me know who flees from whom in the following verse from the Honorable the Exalted God, ‘That Day shall a man flee from his own brother, And from his mother and his father, And from his wife and his children. Each one of them, that Day, will have enough concern (of his own) to make him indifferent to the others.’
The Imam (s) said, “Cane flees from Abel. The one who flees from his mother is Moses (s). The one who flees fromhis father - that is the one who raised him not his real father - is Abraham (s). The one who flees from his wife is Lot (s). The one who flees from his son is Noah (s) fleeing from his son Kan’an.”
The man asked, “Who was the first one to undergo a sudden death?”
The Imam (s) said, “It was David (s) who died on the pulpit on a Wednesday.”
The man asked, “What are the four things that never get satiated with another four things?”
The Imam (s) said, “The Earth never gets satiated with rain. The female never gets satiated with the male. The eyes never get satiated with looking and the scientist never gets satiated with knowledge.”
The man asked, “Who was the first man to coin Dinar and Dirham?”
The Imam (s) said, “It was Nimrood, the son of Kan’an after Noah (s).”
The man asked, “Who was the first one to do the acts of the people of Lot (homosexuality)?”
The Imam (s) said, “It was Satan who offered himself.”
The man asked about the meaning of the sound of the dove called ‘Ra’ebia?”
The Imam (s) said, “It is cursing those who are people of musical instruments, singing maidens, clarinets and lutes.”
The man asked about the nickname of Al-Boraq.
The Imam (s) said, “Its nickname is Aba Hilal.”
The man asked, “Why was the king of Tobba called Tobba?”
The Imam (s) said, “He was a young writer who used to write for the king before himself. He used to start writing by writing, “In the Name of God who created the wind and the cry.” The king asked him to start by writing, “In the name of the king of lightning.” But he refused to do so and said, “I will only start writing in the Name of my Worshipped One. Then I will consider your needs.” Then the Honorable the Exalted God thanked him for that and granted him the kingdom of that king and the people obeyed him. That is why he was called “Tobba.” The man asked, “Why is a goat’s tail upwards and his private parts can be seen?”
The Imam (s) said, “When Noah (s) wanted to have it get on the Ark, it disobeyed Noah (s). Therefore, Noah (s) used force to push it into the Ark and its tail broke. The private parts of sheep are covered since it got on the Ark by itself. Then Noah (s) caressed it and the private parts got covered with fat.”The man asked him about the language of the people in Paradise.
The Imam (s) replied, “The people in Paradise speak in Arabic.” He asked him about the language of the people in the Fire.
The Imam replied, “They speak in Magi.”
The man asked him about the various ways to sleep. The Commander of the Faithful (s) said, “There are four ways to sleep. The Prophets (s) sleep on their back. Their eyes do not go to sleep and await revelations from their Lord - the Honorable the Exalted. The believers sleep on their right side and face the Qibla. The Kings and their children sleep on their left side so that they can enjoy what they eat. Satan, his followers, mad and ill persons sleep on their stomach.”Then the man sat down. Another man stood up and said, “O Commander of the Faithful! What is your opinion about Wednesdays having bad omen?”
The Imam (s) said, “It is the last Wednesday of the month on which the moon is wane. It was on that day that Abel killed his brother Cane. Abraham was thrown into the fire on Wednesday. He was put in a catapult on Wednesday. God drowned Pharaoh on Wednesday. The Honorable the Exalted God destroyed the people of Lot. God sent the ‘furious wind’ to the people of ‘Ad on Wednesday. The ‘(garden) became, by the morning, like a dark and desolate spot, (whose fruit had been gathered)’ on Wednesday. The Honorable the Exalted God had the bug overcome Nimrood on Wednesday. Pharaoh wanted to kill Moses on Wednesday. The roof fell down upon one of the pagan tribes in the past. Pharaoh issued the order to kill baby boys on Wednesday. The Bait ul-Moqaddas was ruined on Wednesday. The mosque of Solomon, the son of David, in Astakhar was burnt on Wednesday. John, the son of Zacharias, was killed on Wednesday. The punishment started to overtake the people of Pharaoh on Wednesday. Jacob (s) lost his family, wealth and children on Wednesday. Joseph was taken to prison on Wednesday. God said ‘..., that We destroyed them and their people, all (of them)’ on Wednesday. The heavenly cry overtook them on Wednesday. The people of Thamud slaughtered the she-camel on Wednesday. Stones fell down like rain on the people of Lot on Wednesday. The Prophet’s (s) head and tooth broke on Wednesday. The Amaliqa took the Ark of Covenant from the Children of Israel on Wednesday.”
The man asked the Imam (s) about the days of the week and what can be done on them. The Commander of the Faithful (s) said, “Saturdays are for deceit and trickery. Sundays are for planting and building. Mondays are for war and bloodshed. Tuesdays are for traveling and making requests. Wednesdays are for pessimism and bad omen. Thursdays are for visiting the chiefs and Fridays are for proposing to and getting married.”
1 - حَدَّثَنا أَبُو الحَسَن مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عمرو بْنِ عَلِىِّ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّه البَصَرِيِّ بإيلاق قالَ: حَدَّثَناعَبْدِ اللَّه مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّه بْنِ أَحْمَدِ بْنِ جَبَلَةَ الواعظ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا أَبُو القاسِم عَبْدِ اللَّه بْنِ أَحْمَدِ بْنِ عامِر الطَّائيّ قالحدثنا أَبي قالَ: حَدَّثَنا عَلِىِّ بْنِ مُوسَى الرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا أَبي جَعْفَر عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قالَ: حَدَّثَناأَبي جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّد عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا أَبي مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِى عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا أَبيالحُسَيْن عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قالَ: حَدَّثَنا أَبي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِى عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قالَ
كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ بِالْكُوفَةِ فِي الْجَامِعِ إِذْ قَامَ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ فَقَالَ سَلْ تَفَقُّهاً وَلا تَسْأَلْ تَعَنُّتاً فَأَحْدَقَ النَّاسُ بِأَبْصَارِهِمْ.فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ أَوَّلِ مَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى. فَقَالَ: خَلَقَ النُّورَ. قَالَ: فَمِمَّ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ؟ قَالَ: مِنْ بُخَارِ الْمَاءِ. قَالَ: فَمِمَّ خَلَقَ الأَرْضَ؟ قَالَ: مِنْ زَبَدِ الْمَاءِ. قَالَ: فَمِمَّ خُلِقَتِ الْجِبَالُ؟ قَالَ: مِنَ الأَمْوَاجِ. قَالَ: فَلِمَ سُمِّيَتْ مَكَّةُ أُمَّ الْقُرَى؟ قَالَ: لأنَّ الأَرْضَ دُحِيَتْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا. وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ سَمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا مِمَّا هِيَ.قَالَ: مِنْ مَوْجٍ مَكْفُوفٍ. وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ طُولِ الشَّمْسِ وَالْقَمَرِ وَعَرْضِهِمَا.قَالَ: تِسْعُمِائَةِ فَرْسَخٍ فِي تِسْعِمِائَةِ فَرْسَخٍ.وَسَأَلَهُ: كَمْ طُولُ الْكَوَاكِبِ وَعَرْضُهُ؟ قَالَ: اثْنَا عَشَرَ فَرْسَخاً فِي اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ فَرْسَخاً.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَلْوَانِ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَأَسْمَائِهَا. فَقَالَ لَهُ: اسْمُ السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا رَفِيعٌ، وَهِيَ مِنْ مَاءٍ وَدُخَانٍ. وَاسْمُ السَّمَاءِ الثَّانِيَةِ قَيْدَراً، وَهِيَ عَلَى لَوْنِ النُّحَاسِ. وَالسَّمَاءُ الثَّالِثَةُ اسْمُهَا الْمَارُومُ، وَهِيَ عَلَى لَوْنِ الشَّبَهِ. وَالسَّمَاءُ الرَّابِعَةُ اسْمُهَا أرفلون، وَهِيَ عَلَى لَوْنِ الْفِضَّةِ. وَالسَّمَاءُ الْخَامِسَةُ اسْمُهَا هيعون، وَهِيَ عَلَى لَوْنِ الذَّهَبِ. وَالسَّمَاءُ السَّادِسَةُ اسْمُهَا عَرُوسٌ، وَهِيَ يَاقُوتَةٌ خَضْرَاءُ. وَالسَّمَاءُ السَّابِعَةُ اسْمُهَا عَجْمَاءُ، وَهِيَ دُرَّةٌ بَيْضَاءُ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ الثَّوْرِ مَا بَالُهُ غَاضٌّ طَرْفَهُ وَلا يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ. قَالَ: حَيَاءً مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَمَّا عَبَدَ قَوْمُ مُوسَى الْعِجْلَ نَكَسَ رَأْسَهُ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ مَنْ جَمَعَ بَيْنَ الأُخْتَيْنِ. فَقَالَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ: يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إسْحَاقَ جَمَعَ بَيْنَ حَبَارَ وَرَاحِيلَ. فَحُرِّمَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ، فَأَنْزَلَ (وَأَنْ تَجْمَعُوا بَيْنَ الْأُخْتَيْنِ…)وَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ الْمَدِّ وَالْجَزْرِ مَا هُمَا. قَالَ: مَلَكٌ مُوَكَّلٌ بِالْبِحَارِ يُقَالُ لَهُ رُومَانُ، فَإِذَا وَضَعَ قَدَمَيْهِ فِي الْبَحْرِ فَاضَ، وَإِذَا أَخْرَجَهُمَا غَاضَ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ اسْمِ أَبِي الْجِنِّ. فَقَالَ: شُومَانُ، وَهُوَ الَّذِي خُلِقَ مِنْ مَارِجٍ مِنْ نَارٍ.وَسَأَلَهُ هَلْ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ نَبِيّاً إِلَى الْجِنِّ؟ فَقَالَ: نَعَمْ، بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِمْ نَبِيّاً يُقَالُ لَهُ يُوسُفُ، فَدَعَاهُمْ إِلَى اللَّهِ فَقَتَلُوهُ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ اسْمِ إِبْلِيسَ مَا كَانَ فِي السَّمَاءِ. فَقَالَ: كَانَ اسْمُهُ الْحَارِثَ.وَسَأَلَهُ لِمَ سُمِّيَ آدَمُ آدَمَ. قَالَ: لانَّهُ خُلِقَ مِنْ أَدِيمِ الأَرْضِ.وَسَأَلَهُ لِمَ صَارَ الْمِيرَاثُ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الأُنْثَيَيْنِ. فَقَالَ: مِنْ قِبَلِ السُّنْبُلَةِ، كَانَ عَلَيْهَا ثَلاثُ حَبَّاتٍ فَبَادَرَتْ إِلَيْهَا حَوَّاءُ فَأَكَلَتْ مِنْهَا حَبَّةً، وَأَطْعَمَتْ آدَمَ حَبَّتَيْنِ؛ فَمِنْ أَجْلِ ذَلِكَ وَرِثَ الذَّكَرُ مِثْلَ حَظِّ الأُنْثَيَيْنِ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَمَّنْ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الأَنْبِيَاءِ مَخْتُوناً: فَقَالَ: خَلَقَ اللَّهُ آدَمَ مَخْتُوناً، وَوُلِدَ شَيْثٌ مَخْتُوناً، وَإِدْرِيسُ وَنُوحٌ وَإِبْرَاهِيمُ وَدَاوُدُ وَسُلَيَْمانُ وَلُوطٌ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى وَمُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَيْهِمْ أَجْمَعِينَ.وَسَأَلَهُ كَمْ كَانَ عُمُرُ آدَمَ. فَقَالَ: تِسْعُمِائَةِ سَنَةٍ وَثَلاثِينَ سَنَةً.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَوَّلِ مَنْ قَالَ الشِّعْرَ. فَقَالَ: آدَمُ.قَالَ: وَمَا كَانَ شِعْرُهُ؟ قَالَ: لَمَّا أُنْزِلَ إِلَى الأَرْضِ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ، فَرَأَى تُرْبَتَهَا وَسِعَتَهَا وَهَوَاهَا وَقَتَلَ قَابِيلُ هَابِيلَ، قَالَ آدَمُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ:فَوَجْهُ الأَرْضِ مُغْبَرٌّ قَبِيحٌتَغَيَّرَتِ الْبِلادُ وَمَنْ عَلَيْهَاوَقَلَّ بَشَاشَةُ الْوَجْهِ الْمَلِيحِتَغَيَّرَ كُلُّ ذِي لَوْنٍ وَطَعْمٍوَهَلْ أَنَا مِنْ حَيَاتِي مُسْتَرِيحُأَرَى طُولَ الْحَيَاةِ عَلَيَّ غَمّاًوَهَابِيلٌ تَضَمَّنَهُ الضَّرِيحُوَمَا لِي لاَ أَجُودُ بِسَكْبِ دَمْعٍفَوَا حُزْنِي لَقَدْ فُقِدَ الْمَلِيحُقَتَلْ قَابِيلُ هَابِيلاً أَخَاهُفَأَجَابَهُ إِبْلِيسُ:فَفِي الْفِرْدَوْسِ ضَاقَ بِكَ الْفَسِيحُتَنَحَّ عَنِ الْبِلادِ وَسَاكِنِيهَاوَقَلْبُكَ مِنْ أَذَى الدُّنْيَا مُرِيحٌوَكُنْتَ بِهَا وَزَوْجُكَ فِي قَرَارٍإِلَى أَنْ فَاتَكَ الثَّمَنُ الرَّبِيحُفَلَمْ تَنْفَكَّ مِنْ كَيْدِي وَمَكْرِيبِحَبَّاتٍ وَأبْوَابٍ مَنِيحُوَبُدِّلَ أهْلُهَا إثْلاً وَخَمْطاًبِكَفِّكَ مِنْ جِنَانِ الْخُلْدِ رِيحفَلَوْ لا رَحْمَةُ الْجَبَّارِ أَضْحىوَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ بُكَاءِ آدَمَ عَلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَكَمْ كَانَتْ دُمُوعُهُ الَّتِي جَرَتْ مِنْ عَيْنَيْهِ. فَقَالَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ: بَكَى مِائَةَ سَنَةٍ. وَخَرَجَ مِنْ عَيْنِهِ اليُمْنَى مِثْلُ دِجْلَةَ وَالْعَيْنِ الأُخْرَى مِثْلُ الْفُرَاتِ.وَسَأَلَهُ كَمْ حَجَّ آدَمُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ مِنْ حَجَّةٍ. فَقَالَ لَهُ سَبْعِينَ حَجَّةً مَاشِياً عَلَى قَدَمَيْهِ، وَأَوَّلُ حَجَّةٍ كَانَ مَعَهُ الصُّرَدُ يَدُلُّهُ عَلَى مَوَاضِعِ الْمَاءِ، وَخَرَجَ مَعَهُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ، وَقَدْ نُهِيَ عَنْ أَكْلِ الصُّرَدِ وَالْخُطَّافِ.وَسَأَلَهُ مَا بَالُهُ لا يَمْشِي عَلَى الأَرْضِ. قَالَ: لأنَّهُ نَاحَ عَلَى بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِسِ، فَطَافَ حَوْلَهُ أَرْبَعِينَ عَاماً يَبْكِي عَلَيْهِ، وَلَمْ يَزَلْ يَبْكِي مَعَ آدَمَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ. فَمِنْ هُنَاكَ سَكَنَ الْبُيُوتَ وَمَعَهُ تِسْعُ آيَاتٍ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مِمَّا كَانَ آدَمُ يَقْرَؤُهَا فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَهِيَ مَعَهُ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ. ثَلاثُ آيَاتٍ مِنْ أَوَّلِ الْكَهْفِ، وَثَلاثُ آيَاتٍ مِنْ سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى، وَهِيَ وَإِذا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ…، وَثَلاثُ آيَاتٍ مِنْ يس: وَجَعَلْنا مِنْ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ سَدّاً وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ سَدّاً…وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَوَّلِ مَنْ كَفَرَ وَأَنْشَأَ الْكُفْرَ. فَقَالَ: إِبْلِيسُ لَعَنَهُ اللَّهُ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ اسْمِ نُوحٍ مَا كَانَ. فَقَالَ: كَانَ اسْمُهُ السَّكَنَ، وَإِنَّمَا سُمِّيَ نُوحاً لأنَّهُ نَاحَ عَلَى قَوْمِهِ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ إِلاّ خَمْسِينَ عاماً.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ سَفِينَةِ نُوحٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ مَا كَانَ عَرْضُهَا وَطُولُهَا. فَقَالَ: كَانَ طُولُهَا ثَمَانَمِائَةِ ذِرَاعٍ وَعَرْضُهَا خَمْسَمِائَةِ ذِرَاعٍ وَارْتِفَاعُهَا فِي السَّمَاءِ ثَمَانُونَ ذِرَاعاً.ثُمَّ جَلَسَ الرَّجُلُ وَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ آخَرُ فَقَالَ: يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ، أَخْبِرْنَا عَنْ أَوَّلِ شَجَرَةٍ غُرِسَتْ فِي الأَرْضِ. فَقَالَ: الْعَوْسَجَةُ، وَمِنْهَا عَصَا مُوسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَوَّلِ شَجَرَةٍ نَبَتَتْ فِي الأَرْضِ. فَقَالَ: هِيَ الدُّبَّاءُ، وَهُوَ الْقَرْعُ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَوَّلِ مَنْ حَجَّ مِنْ أَهْلِ السَّمَاءِ. فَقَالَ لَهُ: جَبْرَئِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَوَّلِ بُقْعَةٍ بُسِطَتْ مِنَ الأَرْضِ أَيَّامَ الطُّوفَانِ. فَقَالَ لَهُ، مَوْضِعُ الْكَعْبَةِ، وَكَانَ زَبَرْجَدَةً خَضْرَاءَ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَكْرَمِ وَادٍ عَلَى وَجْهِ الأَرْضِ. فَقَالَ لَهُ: وَادٍ يُقَالُ لَهُ سَرَنْدِيبُ، سَقَطَ فِيهِ آدَمُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ شَرِّ وَادٍ عَلَى وَجْهِ الأَرْضِ. فَقَالَ: وَادٍ بِالَْيمَنِ يُقَالُ لَهُ بَرَهُوتُ، وَهُوَ مِنْ أَوْدِيَةِ جَهَنَّمَ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ سِجْنٍ سَارَ بِصَاحِبِهِ. فَقَالَ: الْحُوتُ سَارَ بِيُونُسَ بْنِ مَتَّى عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ سِتَّةٍ لَمْ يَرْكُضُوا فِي رَحِمٍ. فَقَالَ: آدَمُ وَحَوَّاءُ وَكَبْشُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَصَا مُوسَى وَنَاقَةُ صَالِحٍ وَالْخُفَّاشُ الَّذِي عَمِلَهُ عِيسَى بْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَطَارَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ شَيْءٍ مَكْذُوبٍ عَلَيْهِ لَيْسَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَلا مِنَ الإِنْسِ. فَقَالَ: الذِّئْبُ الَّذِي كَذَبَ عَلَيْهِ إِخْوَةُ يُوسُفَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ شَيْءٍ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلَيْهِ لَيْسَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَلا مِنَ الإِنْسِ. فَقَالَ: أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلَى النَّحْلِ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ مَوْضِعٍ طَلَعَتْ عَلَيْهِ الشَّمْسُ سَاعَةً مِنَ النَّهَارِ وَلا تَطْلُعُ عَلَيْهِ أَبَداً. قَالَ: ذَلِكَ الْبَحْرُ حِينَ فَلَقَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لِمُوسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ، فَأَصَابَتْ أَرْضَهُ الشَّمْسُ وَأُطْبِقَ عَلَيْهِ الْمَاءُ فَلَنْ تُصِيبَهُ الشَّمْسُ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ شَيْءٍ شَرِبَ وَهُوَ حَيٌّ وَأَكَلَ وَهُوَ مَيِّتٌ. فَقَالَ: تِلْكَ عَصَا مُوسَى.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ نَذِيرٍ أَنْذَرَ قَوْمَهُ لَيْسَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَلا مِنَ الإِنْسِ. فَقَالَ: هِيَ الَّنمْلَةُ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَوَّلِ مَنْ أُمِرَ بِالْخِتَانِ. قَالَ: إِبْرَاهِيمُ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَوَّلِ مَنْ خُفِضَ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ. فَقَالَ: هَاجَرُ أُمُّ إِسْمَاعِيلَ؛ خَفَضَتْهَا سَارَةُ لِتَخْرُجَ مِنْ يَمِينِهَا.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَوَّلِ امْرَأَةٍ جَرَّتْ ذَيْلَهَا. فَقَالَ: هَاجَرُ لَمَّا هَرَبَتْ مِنْ سَارَةَ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَوَّلِ مَنْ جَرَّ ذَيْلَهُ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ. فَقَالَ: قَارُونُ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَوَّلِ مَنْ لَبِسَ النَّعْلَيْنِ. فَقَالَ: إِبْرَاهِيمُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَكْرَمِ النَّاسِ نَسَباً. فَقَالَ: صِدِّيقُ اللَّهِ يُوسُفُ بْنُ يَعْقُوبَ إِسْرَائِيلِ اللَّهِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ ذَبِيحِ اللَّهِ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ خَلِيلِ اللَّهِ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ سِتَّةٍ مِنَ الأَنْبِيَاءِ لَهُمْ اسْمَانِ. فَقَالَ: يُوشَعُ بْنُ نُونٍ وَهُوَ ذُو الْكِفْلِ، وَيَعْقُوبُ وَهُوَ إِسْرَائِيلُ، وَالْخِضْرُ وَهُوَ تَالِيَا، وَيُونُسُ وَهُوَ ذُو النُّونِ، وَعِيسَى وَهُوَ الْمَسِيحُ، وَمُحَمَّدٌ وَهُوَ أَحْمَدُ، صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمْ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ شَيْءٍ تَنَفَّسَ لَيْسَ لَهُ لَحْمٌ وَلا دَمٌ. فَقَالَ: ذَاكَ الصُّبْحُ إِذَا تَنَفَّسَ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ خَمْسَةٍ مِنَ الأَنْبِيَاءِ تَكَلَّمُوا بِالْعَرَبِيَّةِ: فَقَالَ: هُودٌ وَشُعَيْبٌ وَصَالِحٌ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ وَمُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَيْهِمْ.ثُمَّ جَلَسَ وَقَامَ رَجُلٌ آخَرُ فَسَأَلَهُ وَتَعَنَّتَهُ، فَقَالَ: يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ، أَخْبِرْنَا عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: (يَوْمَ يَفِرُّ الْمَرْءُ مِنْ أَخِيهِ وَأُمِّهِ وَأَبِيهِ وَصاحِبَتِهِ وَبَنِيهِ) مَنْ هُمْ؟فَقَـالَ: قَـابِيلُ يَفِرُّ مِنْ هَـابِيلَ، وَالَّذِي يَفِرُّ مِنْ أُمِّـهِ مُوسَى، وَالَّذِي يَفِرُّ مِنْ أَبِيـهِ إِبْرَاهِيمُ،وَالَّذِي يَفِرُّ مِنْ صَاحِبَتِهِ لُوطٌ، وَالَّذِي يَفِرُّ مِنِ ابْنِهِ نُوحٌ، يَفِرُّ مِنِ ابْنِهِ كَنْعَانَ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَوَّلِ مَنْ مَاتَ فَجْأَةً. فَقَالَ: دَاوُدُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ؛ مَاتَ عَلَى مِنْبَرِهِ يَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَرْبَعَةٍ لا يَشْبَعْنَ مِنْ أَرْبَعَةٍ. فَقَالَ: أَرْضٌ مِنْ مَطَرٍ، وَأُنْثَى مِنْ ذَكَرٍ، وَعَيْنٌ مِنْ نَظَرٍ، وَعَالِمٌ مِنْ عِلْمٍ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَوَّلِ مَنْ وَضَعَ سِكَكَ الدَّنَانِيرِ وَالدَّرَاهِمِ. فَقَالَ: نُمْرُودُ بْنُ كَنْعَانَ بَعْدَ نُوحٍ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَوَّلِ مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلَ قَوْمِ لُوطٍ. فَقَالَ: إِبْلِيسُ، فَإِنَّهُ أَمْكَنَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ مَعْنَى هَدِيرِ الْحَمَامِ الرَّاعِبِيَّةِ. فَقَالَ: تَدْعُو عَلَى أَهْلِ الْمَعَازِفِ وَالْقَيْنَاتِ وَالْمَزَامِيرِ وَالْعِيدَانِ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ كُنْيَةِ الْبُرَاقِ. فَقَالَ: يُكَنَّى أَبَا هُزَالٍ.وَسَأَلَهُ لِمَ سُمِّيَ تُبَّعٌ تُبَّعاً. قَالَ: لأنَّهُ كَانَ غُلاماً كَاتِباً، فَكَانَ يَكْتُبُ لِمَلِكٍ كَانَ قَبْلَهُ، فَكَانَ إِذَا كَتَبَ كَتَبَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي خَلَقَ صُبْحاً وَرِيحاً، فَقَالَ الْمَلِكُ: اكْتُبْ وَابْدَأْ بِاسْمِ مَلِكِ الرَّعْدِ. فَقَالَ: لا أَبْدَأُ إِلا بِاسْمِ إِلَهِي ثُمَّ أَعْطِفُ عَلَى حَاجَتِكَ. فَشَكَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَهُ ذَلِكَ وَأَعْطَاهُ مُلْكَ ذَلِكَ الْمَلِكِ، فَتَابَعَهُ النَّاسُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ، فَسُمِّيَ تُبَّعاً.وَسَأَلَهُ: مَا بَالُ الْمَاعِزِ مُفَرْقَعَةُ الذَّنَبِ بَادِيَةُ الْحَيَاءِ وَالْعَوْرَةِ؟ فَقَالَ: لأنَّ الْمَاعِزَ عَصَتْ نُوحاً لَمَّا أَدْخَلَهَا السَّفِينَةَ، فَدَفَعَهَا فَكَسَرَ ذَنَبَهَا. وَالنَّعْجَةُ مَسْتُورَةُ الْحَيَاءِ وَالْعَوْرَةِ لأنَّ النَّعْجَةَ بَادَرَتْ بِالدُّخُولِ إِلَى السَّفِينَةِ، فَمَسَحَ نُوحٌ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ يَدَهُ عَلَى حَيَاهَا وَذَنَبِهَا فَاسْتَوَتِ الأَلْيَةُ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ كَلامِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ: فَقَالَ: كَلامُ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ بِالْعَرَبِيَّةِ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ كَلامِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ: فَقَالَ: بِالَْمجُوسِيَّةِ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ النَّوْمِ عَلَى كَمْ وَجْهٍ هُوَ. فقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ: النَّوْمُ عَلَى أَرْبَعَةِ أَصْنَافٍ؛ الأَنْبِيَاءُ تَنَامُ عَلَى أَقْفِيَتِهَا مُسْتَلْقِيَةً وَأَعْيُنُهَا لا تَنَامُ، مُتَوَقِّعَةً لِوَحْيِ رَبِّهَا. وَالْمُؤْمِنُ يَنَامُ عَلَى يَمِينِهِ مُسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةِ. وَالْمُلُوكُ وَأَبْنَاؤُهَا تَنَامُ عَلَى شِمَالِهَا لِيَسْتَمْرِءُوا مَا يَأْكُلُونَ. وَإِبْلِيسُ وَإِخْوَانُهُ وَكُلُّ مَجْنُونٍ وَذِي عَاهَةٍ تَنَامُ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ مُنْبَطِحاً.ثُمَّ قَامَ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ آخَرُ فَقَالَ: يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ، أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ يَوْمِ الأَرْبِعَاءِ وَتَطَيُّرِنَا مِنْهُ وَثِقْلِهِ وَأَيُّ أَرْبِعَاءَ هُوَ. قَالَ: آخِرُ أَرْبِعَاءَ فِي الشَّهْرِ، وَهُوَ الُْمحَاقُ، وَفِيهِ قَتَلَ قَابِيلُ هَابِيلَ أَخَاهُ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ أُلْقِيَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ فِي النَّارِ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ وَضَعُوهُ فِي الْمَنْجَنِيقِ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ أغْرَقَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِرْعَوْنَ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ عالِيَها سافِلَها. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ أَرْسَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ الرِّيحَ عَلَى قَوْمِ عَادٍ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ أَصْبَحَتْ كَالصَّرِيمِ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ سَلَّطَ اللَّهُ عَلَى نُمْرُودَ الْبَقَّةَ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ طَلَبَ فِرْعَوْنُ مُوسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ لِيَقْتُلَهُ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ خَرَّ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّقْفُ مِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ أَمَرَ فِرْعَوْنُ بِذَبْحِ الْغِلْمَانِ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ خُرِّبَ بَيْتُ الْمَقْدِسِ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ أُحْرِقَ مَسْجِدُ سُلَيَْمانَ بْنِ دَاوُدَ بِإِصْطَخْرَ مِنْ كُورَةِ فَارْسٍ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ قُتِلَ يَحْيَى بْنُ زَكَرِيَّا. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ أَظَلَّ قَوْمَ فِرْعَوْنَ أَوَّلُ الْعَذَابِ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ خَسَفَ اللَّهُ بِقَارُونَ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ ابْتُلِيَ أَيُّوبُ بِذَهَابِ مَالِهِ وَوُلْدِهِ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ أُدْخِلَ يُوسُفُ السِّجْنَ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: (أَنَّا دَمَّرْناهُمْ وَقَوْمَهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ). وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ أَخَذَتْهُمُ الصَّيْحَةُ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ عُقِرَتِ النَّاقَةُ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ أُمْطِرَ عَلَيْهِمْ حِجارَةً مِنْ سِجِّيلٍ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ شُجَّ وَجْهُ النَّبِيِ وَكُسِرَتْ رَبَاعِيَتُهُ. وَيَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ أَخَذَتِ الْعَمَالِيقُ التَّابُوتَ.وَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ الأَيَّامِ وَمَا يَجُوزُ فِيهَا مِنَ الْعَمَلِ. فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ: يَوْمُ السَّبْتِ يَوْمُ مَكْرٍ وَخَدِيعَةٍ، وَيَوْمُ الأَحَدِ يَوْمُ غَرْسٍ وَبِنَاءٍ، وَيَوْمُ الإِثْنَيْنِ يَوْمُ سَفَرٍ وَطَلَبٍ، وَيَوْمُ الثَّلاثَاءِ يَوْمُ حَرْبٍ وَدَمٍ، وَيَوْمُ الأَرْبِعَاءِ يَوْمٌ شُؤْمٌ فِيهِ يَتَطَيَّرُ النَّاسُ، وَيَوْمُ الْخَمِيسِ يَوْمُ الدُّخُولِ عَلَى الأُمَرَاءِ وَقَضَاءِ الْحَوَائِجِ، وَيَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ يَوْمُ خِطْبَةٍ وَنِكَاحٍ.