محمد بن عبد الله

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who becomes ill in the month of Ramadan. When he becomes well he decides to perform Hajj. What is he required to do about Qada’ (compensatory fast) of the fast? He (the Imam) said, ‘When he comes back he must do its Qada’ (compensatory fast).’

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man for al-Tamattu‘ (advantageous) who does not have anything to buy an animal for offering. He fasts three days in al-Hajj but then it becomes possible for him to buy an animal for offering. Must he buy an animal for offering and slaughter it or leave it alone and fast the remaining seven days when he is back home in his family? He (the Imam) said, ‘He must buy an animal for offering and his fasting is of extra benefit for him.’”

“Abu al-Hassan, meaning al-Rida (a.s.), once came out to us on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Dhul Qa’dah and said, ‘Fast, for today I have awoken while fasting.’ We then said, ‘May we be sacrificed for you, which day is it?’ He replied, ‘It is the day during which the mercy (of Allah) was spread, the earth was extended, al-Ka‘bah was placed in it, and Adam (AS) descended therein.’”

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), commenced a journey just a few days before the end of the month of al-Sha‘ban and he (the Imam) was fasting. The month of Ramadan then started while he (the Imam) was still on his journey but he stopped fasting. He (the Imam) was asked, ‘How is it that you have been fasting in the month of al-Sha‘ban and stopped fasting in the month of Ramadan?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘In the case of the month of al-Sha‘ban it is up to me to fast or not to fast: however, in the case of the month of Ramadan it is the commandment of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, to stop fasting (on a journey).’”

The Messenger of Allah (s) said: There is not a worshiper who is insulted while he is fasting who responds: “Surely, I am fasting. Peace be unto you” except that the Lord says: “My servant sought refuge from My servant by fasting. Save him from My Fire and bring him into My Paradise.”

“I once heard abu Ja’far ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say, ‘It is not harmful for a pregnant woman near her childbirth and a breastfeeding woman who has little milk not to fast in the month of Ramadan. They cannot fast, they must pay a ransom of one mud of food for every day and they are required to make Qada’ (compensatory fast), afterward, of every day of fast they have missed/” Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah ibn Hilal from al-‘Ala’ ibn Razin from Muhammad ibn Muslim from abu Ja‘far (a.s.), a similar Hadith.

“I once wrote to abu al-Hassan, the third (a.s.), that a (certain) people have asked me about al-Fitrah. They ask if they can bring its price to you. In the year before, this man had delivered to you. He had asked me to ask you but I had forgotten about it. This year I have sent you for every one of my dependents one dirham as price of nine Artal for one dirham. Grant us your decision, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. He (the Imam) wrote to me, ‘Questions about al- Fitrah have become so many and I dislike whatever leads to popularity (unnecessary propagation). Cut down its mention, accept from those who have given, and abstain from those who have not paid.’”

My nation has been granted five things in the month of Ramazan which have not been granted to the followers of any previous Prophets. First of all, the Honorable the Exalted God would take a look at his nation on the first night of the month of Ramazan. God will never torture those upon whom He looks. Secondly, the smell of the mouth of those who fast is better than the smell of musk to the Honorable the Exalted God. Thirdly, the angels pray and ask for their forgiveness day and night. Fourthly, the Honorable the Exalted God orders Paradise to ask for God’s forgiveness for Muhammad’s nation and to adorn itself for God’s servants so that the hurt and harm of the world is removed from them once they see it. The fifth is that they will all be forgiven on the last night of the month of Ramazan.”Someone said, “O Prophet of God! How about the Night of Power (Laylat ul-Qadr)?” The Prophet (MGB) replied, “Have you not seen that labor workers are paid off when they finish their work?”

‘I heard Abu Abdullah (asws) saying: ‘When the believers says to his brother, ‘Uff!’ he comes out from his guardianship. If he says, ‘You are my enemy’, one of the two has blasphemed, because Allah (azwj) Mighty and Majestic does not Accept the deeds from anyone during the reproach of a Believer, and does not Accept from a Believer any deeds whilst he harbours evil in his heart against a Believer. If the covering is Lifted from the people, so they will see to the Means of what is between Allah (azwj) Mighty and Majestic and the Believers. Their necks would become submissive to the Believers, and their matters would become easier for them and they would be obedient to them. And if they were to look at the deeds rejected by Allah (azwj) Mighty and Majestic, they would say, ‘Allah (azwj) Mighty and Majestic does not Accept the deeds from anybody’. And I (the narrator) heard him (asws) say to a man from the Shites: ‘You all are the good ones, and your women are the good ones. Every Believing woman is a beautiful Hourie, and every believing man is a truthful one’. He (the narrator) said, ‘And I heard him (asws) saying: ‘Our (asws) Shites would be the closest of the creatures to the Throne of Allah (azwj) Mighty and Majestic on the Day of Judgement after us (asws). And there is no one from our (asws) Shites who stand to Pray except that the number of Angels equal to the ones opposed to him Pray for him in congregation for him until he is free from his Salat (Prayer). And the one from among you who Fasts will be enjoying in the Gardens of the Paradise, and the Angels prepare it for him until he breaks the Fast’. And I (the narrator) heard him (asws) saying: ‘You (Shites) are the people Greeted by the Greetings of Allah (azwj), and the people Impacted by the Mercy of Allah (azwj), and the people Guided by the Protection of Allah (azwj), and the people Invited by Allah (azwj) for being obedient to Him (azwj). There is no Accounting for you (Shites), and no fear, and no grief. You are all for the Paradise and the Paradise is for you all. Your names (titles) in our (asws) presence are, ‘the righteous’, and ‘the reformers’. And you are the people of the Pleasure of Allah (azwj), Him (azwj) being Pleased with you, and the Angels are your brothers in the good. So if you are striving, they supplicate for you, and if you are in neglect, they strive for you. And you are the best of the created beings. Your houses are gardens for your (living ones), and the graves are the garden for your (deceased). It is for the Paradise that you have been created, and it is in the Paradise that you will be Favoured by, and it is to the Paradise that you are travelling to’.

An Imam of the congregation was leading the prayers and during the prayers something happened to him and he died. So what should the people do? Epistle: He will be moved to the rear and a person from the followers will step forward and complete the prayer and the one who has touched the deceased Imam will perform the bath (Ghusl) of touching the dead. Those who moved him to the rear should only wash their hands and if no invalidator has occurred, the same Imam will complete the prayers with the people. Question: Also it is narrated from Imam Musa Kadhim (a.s) that one who touches a corpse when it has yet to cool down, he should wash his hands and if he has touched it after it has cooled, the bath (Ghusl) of touching the dead (Mayyit) becomes obligatory on him and this Imam of congregation will definitely have some warmth remaining and thus he will be touched in that condition only, so only washing of the hands will be required. And most probably he will be lifted along with his clothes so how can bath (Ghusl) of touching the dead become obligatory on him? Epistle: When the dead is touched while warmth remains in it, one just has to wash the hands and that is all. Question: If a person reciting Prayer of Ja’far Tayyar forgets the recitation in standing, sitting, bowing or prostrating; and recalls it later; should he recite it at that point? Or leave it and go ahead? Epistle: When he has forgotten in some of these conditions and he recalled it in the same prayer, he should do it when he remembers. Question: A husband of a woman has died; can she participate in his last rites? Epistle: Yes, she can. Question: Can she visit the grave of the husband during Iddah (waiting period)? Epistle: Yes, but she must spend the nights at her home. Question: Can she go out of her house to fulfill an obligatory duty or she must stay the period of Iddah at home? Epistle: She may fulfill any duty incumbent on her. On the contrary, even if she has a need she can leave the house; but she must spend the nights at her home. Question: It is narrated from Imam Musa Kadhim (a.s) regarding the rewards of reciting the Quran during obligatory prayers that he said: I am surprised at one who does not recite Surah Qadr in his prayer. How can his prayer be accepted and it is mentioned in another report that the prayer of one who does not recite Surah Ikhlas in it cannot be purified. It is mentioned in another report that one who recites Surah Humazah will be rewarded equal to the world. Now the question is: Is it allowed to recite Surah Humazah and leave the other chapters, whereas it is mentioned in traditional reports that his prayer will not be accepted or his prayer will not be purified? Epistle: The reward mentioned in traditional reports for recitation of Surahs is correct, but if one leaves them and recites Surah Ikhlas and Surah Qadr, about which report has come down, he will get the reward of the Surah he has recited and also he will get the reward of the Surah he has left. It is also allowed to leave other Surahs, although his prayer will be correct; only that he should have left it for a preferable deed. Question: When is the farewell to the month of Ramadhan? There is difference of opinion among our associates. Some say that the supplication of the farewell to the month of Ramadhan should be recited on its last night. Some say it should be recited after sighting the moon of Shawwal. Epistle: The Aamaal of Ramadhan are performed in its nights, therefore the supplication of farewell to the month of Ramadhan will be on its last night, although if one fears that there would be deficiency, one should recite on last two nights. Question: “Most surely it is the Word of an honored messenger…” (81:19) It implies the Messenger of Allah (s). “The processor of strength, having an honorable place with the Lord of the Dominion. One (to be) obeyed, and faithful in trust.” (81:20-21) And what the power is and what that being is and where it is? May Allah, the Mighty and Sublime exalt your honor, please ask these questions to a trustworthy jurisprudent and inform me and also write in detail about Muhammad bin Husain bin Malik so that he may be satisfied and pray for the well being of the world and the hereafter from me and the brothers. Epistle: May the Almighty Allah gather the good of the world and the hereafter for you and your brothers. May Allah maintain your honor, help you and be kind to you and may He complete His favor on you and if some harm is to reach you, may it come to me instead. And praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds and may Allah bless Muhammad and his progeny, all of them.