سفيان بن عيينة بن أبي عمران الهلالي

Everything in this book that is narrated from Al-Zuhri has been transmitted by me from my father - may Allah (swt) be pleased with him - from Sad ibn Abdullah, from Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad Al-Isfahani, from Sulayman ibn Dawud Al-Munqari, from Sufyan ibn Uyaynah, from Al-Zuhri - whose name is Muhammad ibn Muslim ibn Shihab - from Ali ibn Al-Husayn (peace be upon them both).

"This means: whoever dies [after completing Hajj], there is no sin upon him. And for whoever's term is delayed, there is no sin upon him as long as they avoid major sins."

I was testifying at the presence of Ibn Abi Layla, and he had judged with regards to a man who had made for some of his relatives benefit from a house and not specified a (particular) time for them, and then the man died and his inheritors were present at Ibn Abi Layla, and his relative to whom he made the house was (also) present. Then Ibn Abi Layla said: I see that I (should) leave it like how its owner left it. Then Muhammed bin Muslim al-Thaqafi said to him: Verily, Ali bin Abi Talib, Allah’s blessings be upon him, indeed, judged in this mosque to the contrary of what you have judged. He said: And how do you know? He said: I heard Abu Ja’far, peace be upon him, say: Ali bin Abi Talib, Allah’s blessings be upon him, judged for the return of the restrained and the fulfilment of inheritance. Then Ibn Abi Layla said: Is it with you in a book? He said: Yes. He said: Then send to him and come to me with it. Then Muhammed bin Muslim said: (On the condition that) You must not look into the Book except in that narration. He said: You may do so. He said: Then he showed him the narration of Abu Ja’far, peace be upon him, in the Book and he retracted his judgement. [1]

Having fever for a night compensates for sins of a year because its pain remains in the body for a year.”

You mentioned Ali’s name. Indeed Ali (MGB) had four characteristics. If I had even one of these qualities, it would be better than everything, even owning a flock of red-haired camels . Remember that the Prophet said the following in the Battle of Khaybar, ‘Tomorrow I shall hand the flag to the one (whom God and the Prophet love, and he loves God and the Prophet.) Also remember that the Prophet said to Ali (MGB), ‘Your position relative to me is the same as Aaron’s position relative to Moses.’ Sa’ed forgot the fourth.”

I found that all the knowledge of the people is in four areas:1- to know your Lord;2- to know what He has done with you;3- to know what He expects of you; and4- to know what will deviate you from your religion.”

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), one day asked me, ‘O Zuhriy, where from are you coming?’ I replied, ’I am coming from the Masjid.’ He then asked, ‘What were you doing there?’ I replied, ‘We were discussing the issues of fasting. It is my opinion and the opinion of my people that of all fasting, only that in the month of Ramadan is obligatory.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not as you, O Zuhriy, say it is. Fasting is of forty kinds. Ten kinds of fasting are obligatory, just as is fasting during the month of Ramadan. Another ten kinds are prohibited. In fourteen kinds of fasting, one has the choice to fast or not to fast. For three kinds of fasting, one needs permission. One kind is for discipline, one is permissible, and one is fasting on a journey and fasting of an ill person.’ I then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for Your cause; please explain them to me.’ “The Imam then said, ‘Of the obligatory fasting there is (1) fasting during the month of Ramadan. (2) Two consecutive months of fasting are obligatory as expiation of zihar (swearing to consider one’s wife as one’s mother). This is because of the words of Allah, most High, “Those who pronounce zihar against their wives and then decide to take back their words must set free one slave before resuming marital relations . . . But those who cannot find this must fast for two consecutive months.” (58:2-3) (3) Fasting is obligatory for two consecutive months because of failing to fast one day in the month of Ramadan. (4) Two consecutive months of fasting are obligatory for killing a person by mistake for one who is unable to set free one slave and payment of wergild, blood money, to the people of the person killed. It is because of the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, “One who kills a believing person by mistake must set free one believing slave and pay blood money to the people of the person killed . . . but those who cannot do the above must fast for two consecutive months and repent before Allah. Allah knows all things and He is all wise.” (4:92) (5) Fasting for three days is obligatory as expiation for swearing because of the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, “Three days of fasting (is obligatory) as expiation for swearing when you do so.” (5:89) This is when one is unable to serve food for this reason. All such fasting must be completed in consecutive order and without intervals in between. Of such obligatory fasting is (6) that due to shaving one’s head during Hajj due to discomfort in the head. This is because of the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, “One who is ill or feels discomfort in his head pays expiation in the form of fasting or serving food, or animal sacrifice. . .” (2:196) In this case, the person has the choice between serving food and fasting for three days. Of such obligatory fasting is (7) that due to Tamattu‘ (enjoying the interval between ‘Umrah and Hajj) and one’s inability to offer a sacrifice. This is because of the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, “One who enjoys (the interval) between ‘Umrah and Hajj and cannot offer a sacrifice must fast three days during Hajj and seven more days after Hajj at home. This makes it ten complete days of fasting.” Of such obligatory fasting is (8) that due to hunting. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has said, “One who knowingly kills an animal must as penalty slaughter a similar animal. This is determined by two just persons deeming it to be similar with the animal hunted. Such an animal then must be offered as a sacrificial animal sent to Ka‘bah or he must serve food to destitute people or fast an equal number of days.’” (5:95) ‘Do you, O Zuhriy, know what is an equal number of days of fasting?’ the Imam asked. I (Zuhriy) replied, ‘No, I do not know.’ The Imam then said, ‘First, the price for the animal hunted is found. With such (money), wheat is then purchased and the total amount of wheat is divided into Sa‘ (about 3 kg) and for each one and half kilogram of wheat he has to fast for one day. Of such fasting is (9), that for an obligatory vow and (10) fasting for Ttikaf. ‘Of the unlawful fasting, there is (1) fasting on the first day of Shawwal, (‘id of al-Fitr), (2) on the tenth of Dhul Hajjah, (3-5) three days of al-Tashriq, 11, 12 and 13 of Dhul Hajjah. (6) Fasting (with an intention for fasting as a day of the month of Ramadan) is unlawful on a day that cannot be identified with certainty. In such a case, there is a command and a prohibition upon us. We are commanded to fast considering it as the last day of the month of Sha‘ban, and we are prohibited to fast considering it as the first day of the month of Ramadan when people have doubts about its being the first day of the month of Ramadan.’ I (Zuhriy) then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what happens if it, in fact, is not of the month of Sha‘ban at all?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If he fasts with an intention of fasting a day of the month of Sha‘ban, and in fact, it happens to be of the month of Ramadan, his fasting is counted for the month of Ramadan. If one thinks it to be a day of the month of Ramadan and, in fact, it is a day of the month of Sha‘ban, it does not harm him in any way.’ I (Zuhriy) then asked, ‘How can an optional fast replace an obligatory fast?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘If one fasts during the month of Ramadan with an intention for optional fast, it is counted for the obligatory fast of the month of Ramadan as a replacement. Of such fasting is (7) fasting for two days without any break in between, (8) the fasting to remain speechless and silent, (9) fasting for an unlawful vow, and (10) fasting for all the time is unlawful. ‘The fasting in which one has the choice is (1-2) fasting on Friday and Thursday. Of such fasting, are (3-6) the days (of brightness) in the middle of the month, (7-13) fasting six days of the month of Shawwal after the month of Ramadan, (14) fasting on the ninth of Dhul Hajjah, and fasting on the tenth of the month of Muharram. In all such days, one has the choice to fast or not to fast. ‘The fasting for which one needs to have permission is (1) fasting of a woman optionally; she needs to have permission from her husband; (2) a slave for optional fasting needs the permission of his master; (3) and a guest for optional fasting needs the permission of his host. The Messenger of Allah has said, “One who is a guest of a people must not fast without permission from his host.” ‘Of fasting for discipline (1) one is the fasting of a growing child (about to become mature) for discipline, not as an obligation. (2) Two is the fasting of a person on a journey who has used food at the beginning of the day, who should abstain from eating for the rest of the day when he arrives home, but it is not an obligation. Of the permissible fasting, is (3) the case of one, who by mistake, eats, drinks or vomits unintentionally; Allah for him has made it lawful and his fasting is considered valid. “About the fasting of a traveler and one suffering from an illness, ’Ammah (non-Shi`a) have different ideas. Certain ones among them say one must fast. Others say that one must not fast. Yet another group says that he may or may not fast, that the choice is his. We, however, say that in both cases he must not fast (it is unlawful fasting). If one fasts while on a journey or suffering from an illness, he must fast again later to make up for his invalid fasting. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has said, “Those of you who are ill or on a journey must fast an equal number of days during other times.” (2:187) This is how fasting is explained.’”

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) has said, ‘Having the Holy Quran with me I will have no fear or anxiety, even if everyone between the East and West may all die.’ On reading verse four of Chapter 1, “The owner (of the kingdom) on the Day of Judgment,” repeatedly he seemed as if he were about to die.’”

“The last advice of al-Khizr (MGB) to Moses - the son of Imran (MGB) was as follows: ‘Never blame anyone for their sins. The best deeds in the Opinion of God are the following three deeds: moderation at times of being wealthy; forgiving at times of being in power; and being kind to the servants of God (i.e. the people). If anyone treats others with kindness in this world, God the Honorable the Exalted will treat him with kindness on the Resurrection Day. The foremost form of wisdom is fearing the Blessed the Sublime God.’”

Learn a few things from me. You will never find anything like these even if you get on your vehicles and ride them around the world. You should not have hopes in anyone but your Lord. You should not fear anything but your sins. You should never feel ashamed of learning what you do not know about. You should never feel ashamed of not knowing something you are questioned about. You should just say, ‘God knows best!’ You should know that the relationship of patience to faith is like that of the head to the body. There is no faith when there is no patience.”

A man asked `Ali ibn al-Husayn (AS): “May Allah make me your ransom! Does Allah punish people due to the Divine Decree or due to their actions?” He (AS) replied, Verily, the Divine Decree and actions are like the spirit and the body. The spirit, within a body, cannot be sensed. The body, without a spirit, is shape without movement. When they combine they become strong and proper. The Divine Decree operates in a similar fashion. If the Divine Decree did not act, then the Creator would not be differentiated from the created, and the Divine Decree would not be sensed. If action took place without the Divine Decree, then it would not be proper, and would be incomplete. Their strength is in their combination. And Allah is the (Sole Source of) Help for His Pious Servants. He (AS) then added, Beware! Verily, the greatest oppressor of people is he who views his oppression as justice, and sees the justice of the rightly-guided as oppression. Beware! Verily, the greatest oppressor of people is he who views his oppression as justice, and sees the justice of the rightly-guide as oppression. Beware! Verily, a servant as four eyes: two eyes with which he sees the affairs of the Hereafter, and the two eyes with which he sees the affairs of this world. When Allah, the Mighty and High, intends good for a servant, he opens the two eyes of his heart, and he sees his shortcomings. When He intends other than that for him, He leaves the heart (of His Servant as it is), with all it contains. He (AS) then turned to the person who had asked about the Divine Decree, and said: “This is from that and this is from that.”

I was with `Ali b. al-Husayn (as), and a man from his companions had come to him. So, `Ali b. al-Husayn (as) said to him: What news do you bring, man? So, the man said: My news – O son of the Messenger of Allah – is that I have incurred a debt of four hundred gold coins, and I do not have the means to pay it off. I have weighty dependants, and I do not have that which I owe them. He said: So, `Ali b. al-Husayn (as) wept intensely. So, I said to him: What makes you weep, O son of the Messenger of Allah? So, he said: Doesn’t one weep after afflictions and great hardships? They said: Yes, O son of the Messenger of Allah. He said: So, what hardship or affliction is greater for the sanctity of the believer than to see his believing brother in a difficulty that he cannot stop and witness a poverty that he cannot uplift himself from?! He said: So, they left their gathering upon that. He said: So, one of the opponents (mukhalifin) who would insult `Ali b. al-Husayn (as) said: It is astonishing that these, who, in one instance, claim that the heavens and the Earth and all things obey them, and that Allah does not reject their requests, then in another instance, admit to being unable to rectify the situations of the choicest of their brothers. [News of] that came to the man related to the story. So, he went to `Ali b. al-Husayn (as) and said to him: O son of the Messenger of Allah! I was informed that so-and-so said such-and-such, and that was harder on me than my difficult situation. So, `Ali b. al-Husayn (as) said [to his maidservant]: May Allah relieve you, so-and-so, hold up my pre-fasting meal (suhur) and my breakfast (futur). So, she held up two morsels. Then, `Ali b. al-Husayn (as) said to the man: Take this, for we have nothing else but this. Allah will relieve you through this, and He will give you expansive goodness through this. So, the man took them (the two morsels) and went to the market not knowing what to do with them. He was thinking about the weight of his debt and the condition of his dependants. Satan whispered to him: What is the status of these two [meals] in comparison to your need? So, he passed by a fish seller who had a fish with an odour. So, he said to him: This fish of yours is no good for you, and this morsel is no good for me, so would you trade your no-good fish for my no-good morsel? So, he said: Yes. So, he took the fish and had one morsel remaining. Then, he passed by a man who had a small amount of salt. So, he said to him: Would you trade this small amount of salt for this small morsel? He said: Yes. So, the man had fish and salt, and said: I will rectify this [fish] with this [salt]. When he cut the stomach of the fish, he found two luxurious pearls in it. He praised Allah for them. He went back to his house, and there was a knock on his door. He went out to see who was at the door. He found that the fish seller and the salt seller had come, each of whom said: O servant of Allah! We and our dependants tried eating this morsel, but our teeth could not handle it. We know that you are in a bad condition and that you are forbearing misery. So, we return this bread to you, and we want you to keep what you have taken from us. So, he took the two morsels from them. After they left, there was a knock on his door. He found the messenger of `Ali b. al-Husayn (as), who entered and said: He says to you: “Surely, Allah has given you relief, so return our food to us, for none but us can eat it.” So, the man sold the pearls for great wealth and paid off his debt. After that, his condition improved. So, one of the opponents said: How severe is this disparity! We thought that `Ali b. al-Husayn (as) was unable to rectify his poverty, but he enriched him with great wealth. How can this be? How can he be unable to rectify poverty when he can enrich this person with great wealth? So, `Ali b. al-Husayn (as) said: This is what Quraysh said to the Prophet (s): How can he go from Mecca to Bayt al-Maqdis and witness what is in it of the relics of the prophets; and return to it in one night? It took him twelve days to go from Mecca to Medina. [He said:] That was [said] after he had emigrated from it. Then, `Ali b. al-Husayn (as) said: They are ignorant of the order of Allah and the order of His friends with Him. Surely, the exalted ranks cannot be reached except by submitting to Allah, abandoning proposals [that are contrary] to Him, and being content with what He plans for you. Surely, the friends of Allah are patient with adversity and misfortunes in a way that others are not, so because of that, Allah grants them success in all their requests. However, with that, they only want from Him what He wants for them.

“Once I asked Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) ‘What deed is more virtuous?’ He said, ‘Al-Hall al- Murtahal .’ I then asked, ‘What is al-Hall al-MurtahalT The Imam said, ‘It is one who opens the Holy Quran and completes reading, whenever he begins he arrives at the end of the Holy Quran.’ The Imam said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If one who has received the Holy Quran would think that what others have received is better than what he has received, he has considered something very great as insignificant, and something insignificant as very great.’”

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘If a servant maintains pure belief in Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for forty days, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, purifies his heart in this world and shows him his illnesses and the cure for them (illnesses).’ Also he (a.s.) said, ‘Whenever a servant of Allah speaks of Him in a beautiful way for forty days Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, purifies his heart in this world and shows him his illnesses and the cure for such illnesses. He then establishes wisdom in his heart and will make his tongue to speak wisdom. ’ The Imam then recited this verse of the Holy Quran, ‘Those who took the calf as their Lord will face anger and humiliation from their Lord in the worldly life and thus, We recompense those who forge lies.’ (7:157) “The Imam said, ‘You should note that all those who forge lies are but despicable persons. So also is one who forges lies against Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, His messenger and his A hi al-Bayt, recipients of divine supreme covenant. Such person is nothing but a despicable one.’”

“Fever is a good disease. It gives a part of suffering to each and every part of body. Not getting involved in it has no good.”

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) say, ‘You must, for the sake of Allah, offer good advice to His creatures; you will not meet Him with any deed better than this.’”

“(Imam) abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘The place where I may sit with one who I trust is more comforting to my soul than working for one whole year.’”

God’s servant has four eyes: two eyes with which he sees the affairs of this world and his religion; and two inner eyes with which he sees the affairs of the Hereafter. When God wishes good for His servant, He opens the servants inner eyes which are in his heart, so that he can see the affairs related to the Hereafter. However, when God wishes anything else, He shall close his inner eyes. ”

Whoever is not calmed by what God has promised would suffer from worldly losses. By God, this world and the Hereafter are like the two sides of a scale. Whichever side is loaded more and goes down, the other side would get lighter and go up.” The Imam (MGB) added, “‘When the Event inevitable cometh to pass ,’ i.e. the Hereafter comes, ‘Then will no (soul) entertain falsehood concerning its coming’ ‘(Many) will it bring low;’ that is God will throw the enemies of God into the Fire, and ‘(many) will it exalt;’ that is God will lead the friends of God into Paradise.”Then the Imam (MGB) turned towards some of the men present and told them, “Fear God, make brief requests and do not ask for what is not created, since whoever asks for what is not created would suffer from grief and not get what he had asked for.”Then the Imam (MGB) asked, “How could one obtain what has not been created?”The man asked, “How could one ask for what has not been created?”Then the Imam (MGB) said, “By asking for wealth, property and increasing sustenance in order to attain comfort, while comfort is not created in this world and is not for the people of this world. Comfort is created in Paradise and it is for the people of Paradise. Suffering and grief have been created in this world and (they are created) for the people of this world. No one is given anything unless he has some greed for it. Whoever has more belongings in this world is more needy, since he needs the people to protect his wealth. Therefore, all the belongings in this world increase one’s needs. Thus, there is no comfort in this world. However, Satan whispers to the Children of Adam that comfort lies in collecting wealth. Thus, they are led to toil in this world and the consequent Reckoning in the Hereafter.”Then the Imam (MGB) said, “In this world the Friends of God would never overexert themselves for this world. Rather, in this world they shall strive for the Hereafter.”Then the Imam (MGB) added, “A sin will be recorded for whoever gets worried about his daily sustenance in this world. Jesus the Messiah (MGB) told his disciples, ‘This world is a bridge. Pass over it but do not build on it.’”

“Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.), has said that a man once asked my father after returning from al- Mawqaf, ‘Do you think Allah will leave all these creatures in hopeless condition?’ My father said, ‘Whoever stays in this station, Allah forgives them, regardless of their being believers or unbelievers. However, forgiveness for them is of three kinds. There is forgiveness in favor of a believer of his past and future sins and his freedom from fire as is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic and Most Glorious, “Lord, grant us goodness in this word, grant us goodness in the next life and protect us against the torment of the fire. These will have a share of what they have done and Allah is quick in accounting.” (2:200-201) There are those of them whose past sins Allah forgives. He has said, “Do good in the rest of your life.” Allah, the Most Majestic and Most Glorious, has said, “Those of them who leave earlier during the two days have not committed any sins. Those who leave after the two days also have not committed any sins,” (2:203) meaning those who die before leaving have not committed any sins and those who leave later have not committed any sins if they maintain piety in the matters of major sins.
Muslims in general (non-Shias) say, “Those who leave during the two days have not committed any sins, meaning leaving Mina’ with the first departing people, and those who leave later have not committed any sins, meaning they have not committed any sins if they maintain piety in the matter of hunting.” Do you think Allah prohibits hunting after making it lawful as is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, “When you are free of the restrictions of Ihram you may hunt.” (5:3) It is in the interpretations of non-Shia Muslims that when you are free of the restrictions of Ihram you must not hunt. “There is the unbeliever who has attended al-Mawqaf (station of the pilgrims) for worldly reasons. Allah forgives his past sins, if he repents from the sin of paganism for his future. He will receive his reward and he will not be left hopeless of the reward of his staying at this station if he does not commit any sins. This is said in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, “Those who want the worldly life and its ornaments We recompense them for their deeds in this world and will not suffer any loss therein. They will not have anything in the next life except fire. Their deeds will become void and their deeds will turn into falsehood.’”” (11:15-16)