محمد بن عبد الله

I asked Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.): O son of God’s Prophet (S)! What do you think about the Qur’an?” Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, “It is God’s Words. Do not go beyond its limits. Do not seek any other guidance as you will be lost.”

affairs of the (King’s) Trusteeship are in the hands of his uncle. The Imam (a.s.) wrote him back and said, ‘Regarding the issue of the (King’s) Trusteeship you have become self-sufficient and this problem will soon be solved.’ Muhammad became extremely worried and thought that he would be dismissed from being in charge of this affair, but he died twenty days later.”

I was with Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) when I got really thirsty. I did not want to ask for water in that meeting, but the Imam (a.s.) himself asked for some water, handed it to me and said, “O Muhammad! This is cool water. Drink it!” Then I drank.

God granted twelve members of my Holy Household my understanding, knowledge and wisdom, and has created them from my nature. Woe be to those who deny them after me, and refute their ties of kinship with me. What is wrong with them? May God not make them benefit from my intercession.”

O Mansoor! Do you know what I have done today?’ Mansoor said, ‘No.’ Imam Al-Kadhim (s) said, ’I have appointed my son Ali as my Testamentary Trustee, and my successor after me.’ Then Mansoor said, ‘I then went to see Al-Ridha (s) and congratulated him (s) this. I let him know that his father had instructed me to do so.’ However, Mansoor later denied this, confiscated the property that he had control over, and spent it.”

“I asked Al-Ridha (s), ‘Did God create things using His Might or without it?’ The Imam (s) replied, ‘You cannot say that God created things using His Might since when you say that God has created thing using His Might, you are considering His Might to be something other than Him. Saying that God has created things using the Might He has had over them is like saying that God’s Might is something other than Him, and He has used it as a tool with which He creates. This is polytheism. When you say that God has created things using some other Might, it is as if you consider that Might to be separate from Him and He gets His Power over things using it. However, God is neither weak and incapable, nor is He in need of others. He is Glorified, and Mighty in nature, and not via an external power.’”

I was one of the Waqafites and went on a pilgrimage to Mecca having the same belief. Once I reached Mecca, I wondered whether my belief was correct or not. Then I sought refuge next to the al-Moltazam wall and said, ‘O my God! You know what I want and wish for. Please guide me to the best religion.’ Then it occurred to me to visit Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.). I went to Medina, stood at the door of Ar-Ridha’’s (a.s.) house and told his servant, ‘Go and tell your Master that a man from Iraq is waiting at the door and wants permission to enter.’ I heard Ar-Ridha’’s (a.s.) voice from within the house saying, ‘O Abdullah ibn al-Mogheera! Come in.’ I entered. When Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) saw me, he (a.s.) said, ‘God accepted your prayer and guided you towards His Religion.’ I said, ‘I bear witness that you are the Proof of God and the Trustee of God for His creatures.’”

Whoever does so before putting on a new item of clothing will have no difficulties in his life as long as the threads of it remain.’The author of this book (Sheikh Sadooq) said, “Yasir - the servant lived at the time of Al-Ridha (s). It is strange for him to have had narrated the above tradition on the authority of Abil Hassan Al-Askari (s).

“I went to see (the Blessed Lady) Fatima - the daughter of God’s Prophet (s). There was a tablet in front of her. It was so brilliant that it was about to blind my eyes. Twelve names could be seen - three names on the tablet, three names on the back, three names at the end and three names on the side. I counted them. There were twelve of them. I asked, ‘Whose names are these?’ (The Blessed Lady) Fatima (s) replied, ‘These are the names of the Trustees. The first of them is my cousin (Imam Ali), and the rest are from my progeny. The last one of them is the Riser.’”Jabir ibn Abdullah Al-Ansari added, “The name Muhammad Muhammad Muhammad was seen in three places and the name Ali Ali Ali Ali could be seen in four places.”

I am God. There is no god but Me. Whoever confesses to My Unity will enter My Stronghold. And whoever enters My Stronghold is secure from My punishment.”

Then it must be said that God’s Prophet (s) believed in likening and predestination.” I said, “They believe that God’s Prophet (s) has not said any of them.” The Imam (s) said, “Then they must say that my forefathers - the Immaculate Imams (s) have not said them either. Rather, they have ascribed lies to them.” The Imam (s) then added, “Whoever believes in likening and predestination is a pagan polytheist. We are not associated with them in this world or in the Hereafter. O son of Khalid! The exaggerators who have underestimated the Majesty of God have falsely shown us as having approved of predestination and likening. Whoever likes them is our enemy. Whoever is their enemy is our friend. Whoever establishes ties of friendship with them has established ties of animosity with us. And whoever establishes animosity with them has established friendship with us. Whoever establishes ties with them has cut off ties from us, and whoever cuts off ties from them has established ties with us. Whoever treats them badly has been kind to us, and whoever treats them kindly has mistreated us. Whoever honors them has insulted us, and whoever insults them has honored us. Whoever accepts them and what they say has rejected us, and whoever rejects them has accepted us. Whoever iskind to them has been unkind to us, and whoever is unkind to them has been kind to us. Whoever acknowledges them has denounced us, and whoever denounces them has acknowledged us. Whoever grants them something has deprived us, and whoever deprives them of something has indeed granted it to us. O son of Khalid! Whoever is one of our followers should not choose a friend or companion for himself from amongst them.”

In fact, the Honorable the Exalted God has forbidden the forbidden things, has allowed the allowed things, and has made incumbent the incumbent deeds. One cannot rely on or act according to any traditions which allow what God has forbidden, or forbid what God has allowed. One cannot cancel any of the incumbent deeds which God has made incumbent (upon the people) in His Book and are clearly supported by traditions for which there are no instances of having been cancelled. God’s Prophet (s) never allowed what God forbade, never forbade what God allowed, and never changed any of God’s Decrees or anything which God made incumbent (upon the people). He was completely subject to God’s revelations and decrees and only delivered them (to others) from God. That is what the Honorable the Exalted God said, ‘…I follow but that which is revealed to me by inspiration…’ The Prophet (s) followed only God and delivered what God had ordered him to deliver.”Ahmad ibn Al-Hassan al-Maythami added, “I asked the Imam (s), ‘What should we do in instances in which there is a ruling on something from you - the Members of the Holy Household - which does not exist in God’s Book, but it is in the traditions and there is also an opposite tradition narrated on your authority.” The Imam (s) answered, “Yes, sometimes God’s Prophet (s) admonished against something. That is a kind of admonishing which is like that of God. It is no longer permitted to do what the Prophet (s) has admonished against. He (s) has also ordered to do things which are considered to be like the orders of the Sublime God’s. His orders are according to the Sublime God’s orders. Therefore, whenever there is an admonishment by God’s Prophet (s) for which there is a tradition which opposes it, acting according to that tradition is not permissible. The same holds true for what the Prophet (s) has allowed. That is because we (Members of the Holy Household) never allow (the people to do) what God’s Prophet (s) has not allowed (them) to do, and never order (the people) to do the opposite of what God’s Prophet (s) has ordered (the people) to do - except for in conditions in which there is some fear of harm (cases of concealment of faith ). It will never be the case that we allow what God’s Prophet has forbidden or forbid what God’s Prophet (s) has allowed, since we (- Members of the Holy Household -) are all the followers of God’s Prophet (s). We submit to the Prophet’s (s) orders and admonishments, just as God’s Prophet (s) submitted to the Honorable the Exalted Lord’s orders. The Honorable the Exalted God said, ‘…So take what the Messenger assigns to you, and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you…’ Indeed God’s Prophet (s) has admonished against things, which are not forbidden, but are not good to do. He (s) has also ordered to do things, which are not incumbent upon one to do, but are better to be done to be more noble. He (s) has then left the people free to chose to do them or not, whether or not they are excused from doing those things. There are cases in which God’s Prophet (s) has admonished against something since it is not good to do, or has ordered to do what is not forbidden to do or not incumbent upon one not to do. Therefore, if there are two traditions from us (Members of the Holy Household) in which one has ordered you to do something, while in the other one he (s) has admonished you against doing it, and someone has compiled both these traditions in the same book and has not denied either one of them; then you can follow either one if the tradition narrators are reliable. You are allowed to submit toGod’s Prophet’s (s) words or reject his knowledge and ours on that issue whenever the duty is not clear. Whoever refuses to submit due to being stubborn or wanting to deny God’s Prophet (s) is, in fact, a polytheist regarding the Majestic God. Therefore, you should first review the traditions that are narrated to you for which there is also an opposite tradition related to what is in God’s Book. Then use the one which agrees with God’s Book regarding what is forbidden and what is allowed and act accordingly. If you cannot find it in God’s Book, then refer to the traditions of the Prophet (s). Use the tradition which is in agreement with the traditions of the Prophet (s) regarding its being allowed or forbidden. However, when there is something which has been admonished against in the traditions, but then a tradition has come opposite to that, this is a permission to do what God’s Prophet (s) has admonished against, but has not forbidden to do. In such cases you can rely on either one. The person is allowed to chose, since both traditions are narrated on the authority of God’s Prophet (s). However, in cases which are neither of the above, you should leave the knowledge regarding them to us - Members of the Holy Household - and do not issue your own decrees, since we are more deserving to do so. You must be careful and stop at the doubtful instances, wait to understand them and search about them, until you get enough clarifications on them by us – Members of the Holy Household.”The author of this book (Sheikh Sadooq) - may God be pleased with him - said, “My Sheikh Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ahmad ibn al-Waleed - may God be pleased with him - did not have a good opinion of Abdullah Mesma’ee who narrated this tradition. However, when I picked out this tradition from the book called KITAB AR-RAHMA and recited it for him, he did not object to it and let me include it here.

O Abul Hassan! What is entrusted cannot be dealt with by using examples. His decrees do not depend on traditions. These are things that have been totally set from before the birth of the Divine Proofs of God (the Imams) the Exalted the Sublime.” Then he called in Jabir ibn Abdullah and told him, “O Jabir! Tell us about the sheet that you saw yourself.” Then Jabir told him (s), “O Aba Ja’far! Yes. I went to see the Blessed Lady Fatima - my master - the daughter of God’s Prophet (s) to congratulate her upon the birth of Al-Hussein (s).There was a silvery-white pearl brilliant sheet of paper in her hands. I told her, “O Master of all Women! What is this sheet that I see you have?” She (s) said, “The names of the Imams who are going to be from my progeny are written on it.” I said, “Give it to me to look at.” She (s) said, “O Jabir! I would have surely done so if it was not forbidden to do so. However, it is forbidden for anyone but the Prophet (s), the Prophet’s Trustee or a Member of the Holy Household to touch it. You are only allowed to look at it from the outside.” Jabir added, “It said, ‘Abul Qasim Muhammad ibn Abdullah al-Mustafa (the Prophet) whose mother is Amina, Abul Hassan Ali ibn Abi Talib al-Morteza whose mother is Fatima - the daughter of Asad ibn Hashem ibn Abd Manaf, Abu Muhammad Al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Barr, Abu Abdullah Al-Hussein ibn Ali At-Taqi whose mother is (the Blessed Lady) Fatima - the daughter of Muhammad, Abu Muhammad Ali ibn Al-Hussein al-Adl whose mother is Shahr Banu - the daughter of Yazd Gird, Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir whose mother is Umm Abdullah - the daughter of Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib, Abu Abdullah Ja’far ibn Muhammad As-Sadiq whose mother is Umm Farwa - the daughter of Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr, Abu Ibrahim Musa ibn Ja’far whose mother is a slave maid called Hamidah al-Mosaffat, Abul Hassan Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha (s) whose mother is a slave maid called Najma, Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ali al-Zak’ki whose mother is a slave maid called Khayzaran, Abul Hassan Ali ibn Muhammad Al-Amin whose mother is a slave maid called Susan, Abu Muhammad Al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Rafiq whose mother is a slave maid called Samanah and whose nickname is Ummul Hassan, Abul Qasim Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan (s) who is the Riser (Imam al-Mahdi) - the Proof of God - whose mother is a slave maid called Narjis. May God’s Blessings be upon them all.’”The author of this book (Sheikh Sadooq) said, This tradition has been narrated this way by mentioning the name of the Riser (s). However, I think that it is not proper to mention his name - may God bless him.

Abul Qasim Ishaq ibn Ja’far Al-Alawi quoted on the authority of Abi Ja’far ibn Muhammad ibn Ali, on the authority of Soleiman ibn Muhammad al-Qurashi, on the authority of Isma’il ibn Abi Ziyad, on the authority of Ja’far ibn Muhammad (s), on the authority of his father (s), on the authority of his grandfather Ali ibn Al-Hussein (s), on the authority of Ali (s). The same tradition was narrated by Abul Hussein Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Ishaq al-Farsi al-Aza’emi who quoted on the authority of Abu Sa’eed Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Romayh an-Nasawi at Gorgan, on the authority of Abdul Aziz ibn Ishaq ibn Ja’far at Baghdad, on the authority of Abdul Wahhab ibn Isa al-Marwazi, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Muhammad al-Balawi, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Nujayh, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Ja’far ibn Muhammad (s), on the authority of his father (s), on the authority of his grandfather (s), on the authority of his father (s). The same tradition was narrated by Al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Sokkari who quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Jowhari, on the authority of Al-Abbas ibn Bakkar al-Dhabiy, on the authority of Abu Bakr al-Hothali, on the authority of Ikremah, on the authority of Ibn Abbas, “When the Commander of the Faithful Ali ibn Abi Talib (s) returned from the Siffin Battle, one of the elders who had seen the events in the battle with him stood up and said, ‘O Commander of the Faithful! Let us know if our course was destined by the Sublime God and by His Power?’” Al-Ridha (s) has also narrated in another tradition on the authority of his forefathers, on the authority of Ali ibn Al-Hussein ibn Ali (s), “A man from Iraq went to the Commander of the Faithful (s) and said, ‘Let me know if our departure from Sham has been destined by the Sublime God and by His Power?’ The Commander of the Faithful (s) replied, ‘O old man! Yes. By God, you did not climb any hills and did not go down any valleys except through God’s destiny and by His Power.’ Then theold man said, ‘O Commander of the Faithful! Do my sufferings then have any rewards?’ Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (s) told him, ‘O old man! Wait a moment! It seems that you have thought that what I meant by God’s destiny was that it was a certainty. If so there would be no reward or punishment, no admonishing or advice, nor any Divine Promises. Then a sinner could not be blamed, and a good-doer will not deserve to be praised. Then a good-doer would even deserve to be blamed more than a sinner does. This is what the idol worshippers, the enemies of the Merciful God, the Qadarites and the Magi (Zoroastrians) in this nation say. O old man! The Sublime God has made the people responsible. However, the people are free to choose. He has admonished them but He has only warned them. He has granted a great reward for the very minute good deeds. One who disobeys does not defeat God. One who obeys Him is not forced to do so. God has not created the heavens and the Earth without a purpose, ‘Not without purpose did We create heaven and earth and all between! that were the thought of Unbelievers! but woe be to the Unbelievers because of the Fire (of Hell)!’ “The narrator added, “As the old man was standing up he recited the following,‘You are the Leader through whose obedience we hope to be saved by the Merciful on the Day of Saving (Resurrection). You clarified for us that part of the religion which was vague for us. May God grant you a good reward! There are no excuses for doing any wicked deeds which I do - Acts of corruption and disobedience. No! No! I never think that Him who has admonished against doing evil Himself forces one to do evil. You will be serving Satan if you ever think so. God does not like it. He does not want corruption. He has never allowed animosity with and oppressively killing God’s Friend. How could He - the Owner of Both Thrones - have done so while His tradition has itself clearly declared this.’”The author of this book (Sheikh Sadooq) said, “Muhammad ibn Umar Al-Hafiz has only included the first two couplets at the end of this tradition.”

God has not created any creature nobler than me and more honored near Himself than me.’ Ali (s) said, ‘O Prophet of God! Are you nobler or is Gabriel nobler?’ The Prophet (s) said, ‘O Ali! The Blessed the Sublime God has made the Messengers nobler than the nearby-stationed angels. He has also made me nobler than all the Prophets and Messengers. O Ali! He has made you and the Divine Leaders after you the noblest after me. O Ali! The angels are at our service and at the service of those who love us. O Ali! They are the same angels ‘... who sustain the Throne (of God) and those around it, and sing Glory and Praise to their Lord; believe in Him; and implore forgiveness for those who believe’ in our Mastery. Were it not for us, God would not have created Adam (s), Eve, Paradise, Hell, the heavens and the Earth. Then how could we not be nobler than the angels? We recognized our Lord earlier than they did, we sang Glory and Praise be to Him and Sanctified Him before them.
The first things that the Honorable the Exalted God created were our spirits which He made declare His Unity and Exalt Him. Then He created the angels. Once the angels saw our spirits as a single light, they found it to be majestic. We sang Glory be to God the Sublime, so that they realize that we are creatures and that Godis Exalted High above our traits. Then the angels sang Glory be to God the Sublime and declared Him Exalted High above our traits. When the angels saw the majesty of our rank we testified to the Unity of God, so that the angels would know that there is no god but God, that we are only servants, that we are not gods and should not be worshipped along with Him or besides Him. Then the angels declared that there is no god but God. When they saw the greatness of our position we declared God is the Greatest, so that the angels would know that God is Great and no one can attain a high position unless God grants him that position. When they saw the honor and strength that God has granted us, we declared that there is no power nor any strength save in God, so that they would know that whatever power or strength we have is from God. When they saw the blessings granted to us by God - that is our being obliged to obey Him - we declared praise be to God, so that the angels would know that praising God for His Blessings is the right of God - High is His Remembrance - incumbent upon us. Then the angels declared Praise be to God.Thus it was by us that the angels were led to the recognition of the Unity of the Honorable the Exalted God, His Glory, Majesty, Praise, and Exaltation. Then the Blessed the Sublime God created Adam, placed us in his loin and ordered the angels to fall in prostration in order to exult and honor us. Their prostration was indeed equal to their worship of the Honorable the Exalted God and a form of honoring and obedience for Adam due to our being in his loin. How could we then not be nobler than the angels while all the angels have fallen in prostration for Adam?When I (Muhammad (s)) was taken up to the heavens for the Ascension, Gabriel recited the ‘Azan and the ‘Iqamah saying each part twice. Then Gabriel told me, ‘O Muhammad! Stand up in the front.’ Then I said, ’O Gabriel! Should I stand in front of you?’ Gabriel said, ‘Yes because the Blessed the Sublime God has honored His Prophets over all of His angels and He has especially honored you.’
Then I stood in the front and they followed me, but I am not haughty about this. Then we reached a screen of Light. Gabriel told me, ’You go ahead.’ Gabriel himself stood back. I told him, ‘O Gabriel! Will you abandon me here in this position?’ Gabriel said, ‘O Muhammad! This place is the end of the limits which the Honorable the Exalted God has established for me. If I go beyond this point, my wings will burn due to transgressing beyond thelimits set by my Lord - the Exalted the Magnificent.’ At this time the Light pushed me forward until I reached to as close a High Position that the Honorable the Exalted God had willed. Then I was called. I said, ‘Yes, my Lord! You are Blessed and High!’ Then I was called again, ‘O Muhammad! You are My servant and I am your Lord! Then worship Me and rely on Me. You are My Light amongst My creatures, and My Proof amongst the people. I have created Paradise for you and your followers, and created Hell for those who oppose you. I have made it incumbent to honor your Trustees, and have assured reward for their followers.’Then I asked, “O Lord! Who are my Trustees?” Then I was called, “O Muhammad! The names of your Trustees are recorded on the base of My Throne.” When I was in front of my Lord - the Exalted the Magnificent - I looked at the base of the Throne and saw twelve Lights. Over each Light there was a green line on which the name of one of my Trustees was written.
The first of them was Ali ibn Abi Talib. The last one was the Al-Mahdi (Divinely Guided One) of my nation. Then I said, “O Lord! Are these the Trustees after me?” Then I was called, “O Muhammad! They are My Trustees, Loved Ones, Chosen Ones and Proofs for my creatures after you. They are your Trustees and successors and are the best of the people after you. I swear by My Honor and Majesty that I will make my Religion victorious by means of them. I will announce My Word by them. I will cleanse the Earth from My enemies by the last one of them (Imam al-Mahdi). I will Rule the East and the West of the Earth by him. I will make the winds subdued to him. I will debase tough clouds for him. I will raise him up to the heavens and assist him with My Troops. I will assist him with the angels so that he propagates My invitation and unites the people concerning My Unity. Then I will extend his rule and continue the times under the control of my Masters up until the Resurrection Day.”

68-1 My master - Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan - may God have mercy upon him - narrated in the book Jami’a:Whenever you intend to visit (Imam) Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) in Toos, then perform the ritual bath (Ghusl) before you leave your house (hometown) and say the following while you are performing the ritual bath:“O God! Please cleanse me, and cleanse my heart! (Please) ‘expand my breast’, and let Thy praise and eulogy flow out from my tongue, since indeed there is no power but in Thee. O God! Please establish it as a means of cleansing and treatment for me.”Say the following as you leave your house:“In the Name of God the Beneficent, the Merciful. In the name of God, and by God, I turn to God and towards the son of God’s Prophet (Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.)): God suffices me, and I rely on God. O God! I have set out to Thee. And I have decided (to get) what is near Thee.”When you go out, stop at the door of your house and say:“O God! I have turned my face towards Thee. And I have left behind my family, wealth and whatever Thee have granted me. I have trusted Thee. Then (please) do not turn me into a loser, O the One who would not make a loser anyone whom Thee wish, and will not ruin whatever he possesses. Blessings be upon Muhammad and Muhammad’s Household (a.s.). And (please) guard me under Thy Custody, since nothing that Thee guard gets ruined.”Then whenever you want to go to visit, perform the ritual bathing and while you are bathing say:“O God! Please cleanse me, and cleanse my heart! (Please) ‘expand my breast’, and let Thy praise, love and eulogy flow out of my tongue since indeed there is no power but in Thee. I have indeed realized that the strength of my religion depends upon my submission to Thy Decrees, and the obeying of Thy Prophet’s traditions, and bearing witness (to this) for all Thy creatures. O God! Please establish it as a means of healing for me, and as a light, since Thee are capable of all things.”Then put on your cleanest clothes.Walk in bare feet, with calmness, dignity, exaltation, acclamation and glorification (of God). Take short steps and while you are entering (the Holy shrine) say:“In the Name of God the Beneficent, the Merciful. In the name of God (I begin), in God (I trust), and the religion of God’s Prophet (I follow). God’s Blessings be upon him and his Household. I bear witness that there is no god but God. He is One and He has no partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad (a.s.) is His Servant and His Messenger. And I bear witness that (Imam) Ali (a.s.) is God’s friend.”Then walk until you stop at his tomb. Then face him by turning your back to the Qibla and say:“I bear witness that there is no god but God, the One; and there are no partners for Him. I bear witness that Muhammad (a.s.) is His Servant and His Messenger. Verily, he is the Master of all those of old and those of later times. Verily, he is the Master of the Prophets and the Messengers. O God! God’s Blessings be upon Muhammad (a.s.) - Thy Servant, Thy Messenger, Thy Prophet and the Master of all Thy creatures - blessings that no one but Thee can measure. O God! God’s Blessings be upon the Commander of the Faithful - (Imam) Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) - Thy servant, the brother of Thy Messenger, whom Thou chose by Thy Knowledge, whom Thou established as a guide (to show the Right Path) to those of Thy creatures, and as evidence for those whom Thou appointed to (deliver) Thy Message. And he (Imam Ali) (a.s.) managed the affairs of the religion according to Thy (a.s.ystem of) justice, and applied Thy judgements (to settle the issues which cropped up) among the people - whom Thee predominated thereon. And also God’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him. O God! (Please) send blessings upon (the Blessed Lady) Fatima (a.s.), the daughter of Thy Prophet, the wife of Thy friend (Imam Ali (a.s.)), the mother of the (prophet’s) two grandsons, (Imam) Al-Hassan (a.s.) and (Imam) Al-Husayn (a.s.), the Masters of Youth in Heaven. She is innocent, immaculate, purified, pious, pure, content, sinless - the Master of all the Women of Heaven - blessings which no one but Thee can measure. O God! (Please) send blessings be upon (Imam) Al-Hassan (a.s.) and (Imam) Al-Husayn (a.s.); the two grandsons of Thy Prophet, the Masters of Youth in Heaven; Thy two established authorities among Thy creatures: And they are established as two Proofs for those whom Thou appointed to (deliver) Thy Message. And they are the two who managed the affairs of the religion according to Thy (a.s.ystem of) justice, and applied Thy judgements (to settle the issues which cropped up) among Thy creatures. O God! (Please) send blessings upon (Imam As-Sajjad) Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), Thy servant, Thy established authority among Thy creatures and as evidence for those whom Thee appointed to (deliver) Thy Message. And they managed the affairs of the religion according to Thy (a.s.ystem of) justice, and applied Thy judgements (to settle the issues which cropped up) among Thy creatures. He is the Master of the Worshippers.O God! (Please) send blessings upon (Imam Al-Baqir) Muhammad bin Ali (a.s.) - Thy servant; Thy representative on Earth; and the analyzer of the Knowledge of the Prophets. O God! (Please) send blessings upon (Imam As-Sadiq) Ja’far ibn Muhammad (a.s.) - Thy servant; the defender of Thy religion; and Thy proof for all Thy creatures. He is the truthful, and the righteous. O God! (Please) send blessings upon (Imam Al-Kadhim) Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) - Thy devoted servant; Thy tongue for Thy creatures speaking by Thy authority, and the Proof for all Thy creatures. O God! (Please) send blessings upon (Imam Ar-Ridha’) Ali ibn Musa (a.s.) - the absolute model of contentment - Thy devoted servant; the defender of Thy religion; Thy established authority of Thy justice; the caller to Thy religion and the religion of his truthful forefathers - blessings that no one but Thee can measure. O God! (Please) send blessings upon (Imam Al-Jawad) Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) - Thy servant; Thy established defender by Thy decree; the caller to Thy path. O God! (Please) send blessings upon (Imam Al-Naqi) Ali ibn Muhammad (a.s.) - Thy servant; Thy Established Authority defending Thy Decree; and the caller to Thy path. O God! (Please) send blessings upon (Imam At-Taqi) Al-Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.) - the agent acting upon Thy Decrees; the established authority over Thy creatures; Thy Proof acting on behalf of Thy Prophet; Thy witness for Thy creatures; the exclusive (receiver) of Thy Munificence. He is the caller to Thy obedience and obedience to Thy Prophet. May Thou send blessings upon them all. O God! (Please) send blessings upon (Imam Al-Mahdi (a.s.)) Thy Proof; Thy Established Authority over Thy creatures: Blessings so perfect, developed and lasting by which Thee may expedite his arrival and make him victorious. And make us accompany him in this world and the Hereafter. O God! I seek Thy Nearness through my love for them. I am friends with their friends and oppose their enemies. Therefore, grant me the good of this world and the Hereafter on account of them. And on their account, fend off the evils of this world and the Hereafter from me, and the dreadful fright on the Judgement Day.”Then sit near the position of his (Ar-Ridha’’s (a.s.)) head and say: “O the friend of God! Peace be upon you! O the proof of God! Peace be upon you! O the light of God in the darkness of the Earth! Peace be upon you! O the pillar of the religion! Peace be upon you! O the inheritor of Adam - chosen by God! Peace be upon you! O the inheritor of Noah - the Prophet of God!Peace be upon you! O the inheritor of Abraham - the friend of God! Peace be upon you! O the inheritor of Ishmael - the offering to God! Peace be upon you! O the inheritor of Moses - the interlocutor of God! Peace be upon you! O the inheritor of Jesus - the spirit of God! Peace be upon you! O the inheritor of Muhammad - the Prophet of God! Peace be upon you! O the inheritor of the Commander of the Faithful - Ali - the friend of God and the Testamentary Trustee of the Messenger of the Lord of the Two Worlds! Peace be upon you! O the inheritor of (the Blessed Lady) Fatima az-Zahra! Peace be upon you! O the inheritor of Al-Hassan and Al-Husayn - the Masters of Youth in Paradise! Peace be upon you! O the inheritor of Ali ibn Al-Husayn - the adornment of the worshippers! Peace be upon you! O the inheritor of Muhammad ibn Ali - the analyzer versed in the knowledge of those of old and those of later times! Peace be upon you! O the inheritor of Ja’far ibn Muhammad As-Sadiq - the virtuous! Peace be upon you! O the inheritor of Musa ibn Ja’far! Peace be upon you! O the truthful martyr! Peace be upon you! O the virtuous and pious Trustee! Peace be upon you! I bear witness that it was indeed you who established prayers, paid the alms-tax, commanded mankind to do right, admonished mankind against doing wrong and sincerely served God until what is sure to come happened to you. O Abal Hassan! Peace be upon you! And may God’s Grace and His Blessings be upon you.For He is indeed worthy of all praise, full of all glory! May God’s Curse be upon the people who murdered you! May God’s Curse be upon the people who oppressed you! May God’s Curse be upon the people who established the foundations of oppression, tyranny and innovation against you the Members of the Holy Household (of the Prophet (S))!”Then you should touch the tomb and say:“O God! I set out towards Thee from my homeland, and have passed through many towns with the hope of receiving Thy Mercy. Please do not disappoint me, and do not send me back without having my needs fulfilled. Have mercy upon my turning towards the tomb of the son of Thy Messenger’s brother (Imam Ali (a.s.)). May Thy Blessings be upon him and his Household. O my Master! May my parents be your ransom! I have come to visit you and I have arrived. I seek refuge in you from whatever crimes I have committed against myself: the burden of which I carry on my back.Then (please) intercede with God on my behalf on the Day of my poverty and destitution, as you enjoy an especial praiseworthy position in the Presence of God. He considers you to be an eminent man.”Then you should raise your right hand up, extend your left hand towards the tomb and say:“O God! I seek Thy Nearness through my love and friendship for them. I love the last one of them as much as I love the first one, and avoid any intimate friendship with anyone but them. My God! (Please) curse those who altered Thy Blessings, accused Thy Prophet, denied Thy verses, mocked Thy appointed Divine Leader, and placed the burden of the people upon the shoulders of the Members of the Holy Household of Muhammad (a.s.). O God! I seek Thy Nearness by cursing them (your enemies), and by staying away from them in this world and in the Hereafter, O the Beneficent!”Then you should turn towards the position of his feet and say:“O Abal Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.)! May God’s Blessings be upon you! O Abal Hassan! May God’s Blessings be upon your spirit and your body! You are truthful - a confirmed truthfulness. You persevered. You were rightful and your rightfulness has been confirmed. May God curse whoever martyred you with his hands and by his tongue.Then supplicate God to help you and curse the murderer of the Commander of the Faithful Ali (a.s.), the murderer of Al-Hassan (a.s.), Al-Husayn (a.s.) and all those who murdered Members of the Holy Household of God’s Messenger (a.s.).”Then you should turn towards the position of his head from behind his back and say two units of prayers. Recite the Chapters ‘Al-Fatihah and ‘Ya-Sin in the first unit, and recite the Chapters ‘Al-Fatiha and ‘Al-Rahman in the second unit. However, if you have not memorized them, recite the Chapter ‘Al-Ikhlas in both units. And pray for the believing men and women, and especially pray for your parents. Also make an effort to recite supplications, cry and pray a lot for yourself, your parents and all your brethren. And stay near the position of his head as much as you wish. And you must say your prayers by the tomb.Then when you decide to depart, recite the following:O Master! O the son of my Master! Peace be upon you! And may God’s Grace and His Blessings be upon you. You are the armour against the Punishment for us. And now it is time for me to leave you, if you permit me. I am neither willing to depart from you, nor to choose anyone else and substitute him for you. And I do not abstain from being near you. Indeed, I made an effort for what came to pass. Indeed I left my family, children and hometown. Then intercede on my behalf on the Day of my need, poverty and destitution: The Day when both my friends and are of no avail; the Day when neither my father nor my mother can avail me anything at all. I ask God - who destined for me to go on pilgrimage to you - to remove my sorrow by you. And I ask God -who destined it for me to depart from your place - to not let this be the last time I make pilgrimage to your tombs, visit your shrine. And I ask God to return me to you. I ask God to make me cry over you so that He may establish it as a means for my salvation and as a savings for the Hereafter. And I ask God to show me your place, guide me towards submission to you, and visit you until I come to you at your Pool (‘Kawthar). I ask God to grant me your companionship in Heaven.“O the one chosen by God! Peace be upon you. Peace be upon the Commander of the Faithful Ali (a.s.), and the Testamentary Trustee of the Messenger of the Lord of the Two Worlds, and the Leader of the lustrous ones. Peace be upon Al-Hassan (a.s.) and Al-Husayn (a.s.) - the Masters of Youth in Heaven. Peace be upon all the Immaculate Imams (a.s.).” And you should call out to them by name one by one - may God bless them all and may God’s Grace and His Blessings be upon you. Peace be upon God’s angels that are encircling (the shrine)! Peace be upon God’s angels that are residing (at the shrine) and singing glory - those that act according to His orders! Peace be upon us and upon the servants of God in the ranks of the righteous.O my God! Please do not let this be the last time I visit him (Imam Ar-Ridha’). Imam Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) deserves more than that. Then please resurrect me with him, and with my forefathers (his forefathers) - those of the past. And my Lord, if you keep me alive then please bestow upon me to go on his pilgrimage to him for as long as I live. Verily, Thou hast power over all things.And say, “I entrust you with God, and I leave you with God, and I pray Him to send Peace upon you. We believe in God, and in what calls us out to Him. O God! Please ‘then write us down amongst those who bear witness.’ O God! (Please) bless me with their love and cordiality for as long as I exist. O son of the Prophet! May peace be upon God’s angels, and upon the visitors to your shrine! May peace be upon me for as long as I exist, and may it last even when I perish. May peace be upon us and upon God’s servants in the ranks of the righteous.”And when you leave and are outside the area from which the dome can be seen, do not turn your face away from it until it goes out of your sight - God willing.This section about the on pilgrimage prayers on the authority of Imam Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) that can be said when visiting any of the Divine Leaders (a.s.).

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.”

“In pure Islam it suffices to confess that there is no god but God the One for Whom there exists no partner; the Only God; the One and Only; the Eternal; the Self-Existent; the All-Hearing; the All-Seeing; the All-Powerful; the Ever-Existing; the Ever-Lasting; the All-Knowing for Whom there is no ignorance; the All-Powerful for Whom there is no incapability; the All-Sufficient for Whom there is no need; the All-Just for Whom there is no wrong. He is the One who created everything. There is nothing like Him. There is no one similar to Him. There is no one opposed to Him. There is no one equal to Him. He is the subject of all worshipping, supplications, desires and fears.And that Muhammad is His Servant, Messenger, Trustee, and Appointee among His creatures. He is the Master of the Messengers, the Seal of the Prophets, and the Noblest of the people of the Two Worlds. There are no Prophets after him and there will be no changes in his Islamic Laws.And that everything with which Muhammad ibn Abdullah (the Prophet) (a.s.) came is the evident Right. We believe in him as well as all the Messengers, Prophets, and Proofs of God that preceded him. We believe in his Truthful Book in which it is stated, ‘No falsehood can approach it from before or behind it: It is sent down by One Full of Wisdom, Worthy of all Praise.’And that his Book supercedes all of the other Divine Books. It is correct from the beginning up to the end. We believe in all its verses whether they are decisive, allegorical, particular, general, promising, threatening, repealing, repealed, or express news. No creature can ever create its equivalent.Moreover, the evidence for the believers after the Prophet (S), the manager of the affairs of the Muslims, the spokesman of the Qur’an, the knower of its decrees is his brother, successor, and Trustee - Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.). His position relative to Muhammad (a.s.) is the same as that of Aaron’s position relative to Moses (a.s.). He is the Commander of the Faithful Believers, the Leader of the God-Fearing ones, the Leader of the lustrous ones, the best of the Trustees of the Prophet (S) and the inheritor of the Knowledge of the Prophets (a.s.) and the Messengers (a.s.).After him comes Al-Hassan (a.s.) and Al-Husayn (a.s.) - the Masters of the Youth in Heaven. Then there is Ali ibn Al-Husayn - the adornment of the worshippers. Then there is Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) - the analyser of the Knowledge of the Prophets. Then there is Ja’far ibn Muhammad As-Sadiq (a.s.) - the inheritor of the Knowledge of the Trustees. Then there is Musa ibn Ja’far Al-Kadhim (a.s.). Then there is Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.). Then there is Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.). Then there is Ali ibn Muhammad (a.s.). Then there is Al-Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.). Then there is His Proof - the Riser; the Awaited One. May God’s Blessings be upon them all. I bear witness to their Trusteeship and Divine Leadership. And the Earth will never be left without the Sublime God’s Proof for His creatures present. They are the Reliable Grip, the Leaders towards guidance, and proofs for the people of the world for as long as the Earth and whatever is on it lasts.Anyone who opposes them (the imams) is deviant, misleading, and the deserter of the Truth and Guidance. The Imams (a.s.) are the interpreters of the Qur’an and the spokespersons of the Prophet (S) with explanations. Whoever dies without acknowledging them has died as one who died during the Age of Ignorance.Piety, chastity, honesty, goodness, perseverance, diligence, returning what we are entrusted with to either the pious or wicked persons, extended prostration (to God), fasting in daytime, worshipping at nighttime, avoiding forbidden acts, patiently expecting the Relief, patience at times of calamities, and good companionship are all among the features of their religion.The ritual ablution - as the Sublime God decreed in His Book - is washing the face and the hands from the elbows, and pouring water over the head and the feet once. What invalidates the ablution is defecating, urination, farting, sleeping or going into a state of major ritual impurity.Whoever wipes water over his slippers or shoes (in the ritual ablution) is opposing the Sublime God and His Messenger (a.s.), and abandons what is obligatory and His Book.The ritual bathing (ghusl) on Fridays is based on tradition. So is the ritual bathing on the two ‘Eids (al-adha and al-Fitr); upon entering Mecca or Medina; going on pilgrimage, entering the state of ritual consecration for the Hajj (or ‘Ihram), on the first night of the (Arabic) month of Ramadhan, the 17th night, the 19th night, the 21st night, the 23rd night of Ramadhan. All these are based on traditions. However, the ritual bathing for major ritual impurity is obligatory. So is the ritual bathing for menstruation.The obligatory prayers include the noon prayer that is four units, the afternoon prayer that is four units, the evening prayer that is three units, the night prayer that is four units, and the morning prayer that is two units. These are seventeen units of prayers. The recommendable prayers consist of thirty-four units. Eight units are for before the noon prayer, eight units are for before the afternoon prayer, four units are for after the evening prayer, two units that are to be said while sitting after the night prayer, eight units for dawn, even and odd - three units (odd) for which the ending ‘Salam is said after the second unit (making it even), and two units for the morning.Prayers said at the onset of their established times are nobler. The reward for congregational prayers is twenty-four times that of individual prayers. Do not pray behind a sinful congregational prayer leader. Pray only behind congregational prayer leaders who believe in Divine Leadership. Do not pray while you are wearing skins of dead animals or beasts.It is not permitted to say ‘As-salamu alaina wa ala ibadillah as-saleheen’ in the first ‘tashahud of the prayer since saying so implies termination of the prayer and once you say that your prayer ends.Shortening the prayers is valid after you travel four ‘farsakhs away from your home. When prayers are shortened while on a journey, fasting should be broken. If not, the fasting is void and should be made up later when you are no longer on a journey. ‘Qunut is obligatory in the following prayers - the morning prayer, the noon prayer, the afternoon prayer, the evening prayer and the night prayer.There are five times of saying God is the Greatest (takbir) required in funeral prayers. Whoever says it fewer times has opposed the tradition. When the corpse is being put into the grave, they should deliver it slowly with its feet going in first.It is a tradition to say ‘Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim’ in a loud voice in all prayers. The obligatory alms-tax on each two-hundred Dirhams is five Dirhams. There is no alms-tax on less money. No alms-tax is required on property unless one years passes. It is not proper to pay the alms-tax to non-Shiites. The one-tenth levy on wheat, barley, dates and raisins is obligatory when they amount to as much as five wasqs. Each wasq equals sixty ‘saa’s each of which equals four mudds (3 kilograms)The alms-tax for fasting (zakat al-Fitr) is obligatory on everybody, whether they are young or old; free or a slave; male or female. It is prescribed on wheat, barley, dates, and raisins. It is four times half a bushel. It is not permitted to be given to anyone who is not from among our followers. The maximum period of menstruation is ten days, and the minimum period is three days. A semi-menstruant person should use cotton pads and perform the ritual bathing before she performs any prayers. The menstruant quits saying her prayers, and does not have to make up the prayers that she misses during her period of menstruation. She quits fasting, however, she should make up for the days of fasting that she misses.Fasting should be observed during the (Arabic) month of Ramadhan only when the new moon is seen, and should be stopped when the new moon (of the next month) is seen. It is invalid to offer the recommendable prayers in congregations as this would be an innovation (in religion). All innovations in religion result in our loss and we end up in the Fire. It is recommendable to fast during three days of every month - one day for each 10 days of the month: a Thursday from the first ten days, a Wednesday from the middle ten days, and a Thursday from the last ten days of the month. It is recommendable for one to fast during the (Arabic) month of Sha’ban. It is acceptable to make up the missed days of fasting of Ramadhan in different days.The Hajj pilgrimage to the Holy House of God is obligatory upon one who finds a way to do it. ‘Way’ in this regard stands for the needed funds and a way to go there - i.e. a means of transportation, and goodhealth. Any forms of Hajj pilgrimage except for that of ‘Tamattu (major) Hajj pilgrimage are not allowed except for the people of Mecca and those present there. It is also not allowed to opt for Hajj Ifraad or Hajj Al-Kiraan except for the people who live there. Entering the state of ritual consecration (or wearing ‘Ihram) is not allowed before reaching the ‘miqat. The Sublime God says, ‘And complete the Hajj or ’umra in the service of God…’ It is not allowed to offer for sacrifice a castrate sheep because it is imperfect. It is also not acceptable to offer for sacrifice a sheep whose testicles have been pressed between two rocks such that it has lost its libido.Jihad (the Holy War) is obligatory only under the leadership of a just leader. Whoever gets killed for defending his wealth is considered to be a martyr. It is not allowed to kill any atheists or imposters during their concealment of faith, except for murderers or aggressors who cause corruption; and only when you have no fear for the safety of yourself and your companions guaranteed from the aftermath. The concealment of faith is obligatory when needed. There is no expiation for telling lies in order to fend off oppression from oneself as a part of concealment of faith.Divorce is valid only when it is implemented according to Islamic laws that the Sublime God mentioned in His Book or according to the tradition of the Prophet (S). Any other form of divorce is invalid, including the forms that oppose the Book. Similarly, any form of marriage that opposes the Book is invalid. It is not allowed for a man to marry more than four free women at the same time. It is not allowed for a husband who divorces his wife three times to marry her again, until after she marries someone else. The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) said, ‘Stay away from women (i.e. do not try to marry them) who were divorced three times at once, for they are still married women.’It is obligatory to send blessings upon the Prophet (S) in every situation, including when sneezing, slaughtering animals, and so on.It is obligatory to cherish the friends of the Sublime God and to hate and disavow the enemies of God, avoid them and their leaders.It is obligatory to treat one’s parents with kindness. In case the parents are polytheists, you may not obey them regarding disobedience to the Exalted the Honorable God. Neither should you do so by following others, as it is not allowed to obey any creatures by disobeying the Creator!The legality of a fetus (of an eatable animal) is proven when the legality of (a.s.laughtering of) its mother is proven.And the two allowed things for which the Sublime God has sent down decrees to you in His Book, and which God’s Prophet (S) has established as his traditions are temporary marriage and Hajj.The laws of the obligatory acts are exactly as they have been descended by the Sublime God in His Book. There should be no reduction in inheritance. No one inherits from one except for one’s parents and children. The only exception to this rule is for one’s husband or wife. The possessor of the share is more entitled (to inheritance) than him who has no share; and there exists no ‘asabah in God’s religion.An offering should be slaughtered for a newborn baby, whether male or female, on the seventh day after birth. On the same day, the baby’s hair should be cut, his name should be chosen, and charity equal in weight to his cut hair should be given in either gold or silver. Circumcision is a commendable and obligatory act for boys and is an honorable deed for girls.God the Blessed the Sublime said, ‘On no soul doth God Place a burden greater than it can bear…’ The people’s deeds are created (by the Sublime God) as optional deeds, not compulsory ones. The Sublime God created destiny, not indeterminism. God is the Creator of all things. Do not believe in fatalism or indeterminism. God the Majestic does not punish an innocent person instead of a sinful one. Likewise, He does not torment the children for the sins that their fathers have committed. God the Exalted says, ‘…No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another…’ He also says, ‘That man can have nothing but what he strives for...’ God forgives, never treats (anyone) unjustly, never orders His servants to obey somebody that He knows would oppress them and lead them to deviation. He never chooses anyone to convey His Message whom He knows would disbelieve in Him and follow Satan.Islam is something different from faith. Every faithful believer is a Muslim. However, every Muslim is not a faithful believer. A thief is faithless the moment he commits robbery and an adulterer is faithless the moment he is committing adultery. The individuals who are subject to religious punishments are neither believers nor atheists - they are Muslims. The Sublime God will not submit the faithful believers to Hellafter He has promised them Paradise. Any atheist who is submitted to Hell will not depart from the Fire, since he has been promised the Fire and an eternal stay in it. He will not forgive anyone who associates partners with Him. However, He will forgive anyone else He wills for any other sins. Those who commit sins but believe in the Unity of God will not remain in the Fire. They will be taken out of it. Intercession is permissible for them. Nowadays is the time of concealment of faith since this land is only the land of Islam (and not the land of faith). It is neither the land of atheism nor is it the land of faith. It is obligatory to enjoin good and forbid evil when possible - that is when it would not threaten one’s own life. Faith includes returning what we are entrusted with, and abstaining from all major forbidden acts. It includes acknowledgement by the heart, verbal declaration, and acting according to the major principles (of the religion).Declaring that God is the Greatest is obligatory on the two ‘Eids. It is obligatory to say God is the Greatest after all the five prayers on ‘Eid ul-Fitr starting from the evening prayer on the day before the Eid. It is obligatory to say God is the Greatest after ten prayers on ‘Eid ul-Azha starting from the noon prayer on the day of the Eid. If one is at Mina, it is obligatory to say it after fifteen prayers.A woman during the puerperal state should not abandon saying her prayers for more than eighteen days. She should offer prayers if she becomes clean before the end of this period. However, if these eighteen days pass and she does not get clean, she should perform the ritual bath (ghusl), pray and act as the semi-menstruant does.And the belief in the agony of the grave, the angels Munkar and Nakeer, resurrection after death, the Scale, and the Bridge.All of the following are obligatory: The belief in the disavowal of those who oppressed (and still oppress) the Members of the Holy Household of Muhammad (a.s.) - especially those who tried to force them out (of their homes), began oppressing them; and changed the traditions established by their Prophet (S). It is obligatory to disavow those who breach their covenants (nakitheen), the hypocrites, and the Kharijites who dishonoured the veil of the Household of God’s Prophet (S) by breaking their covenants with their Leader, having that lady (Aa’isha) ride a camel, (and taking her to Basra); started to fight with the Commander ofthe Faithful (a.s.); killed the pious Shiites whom God may forgive. It is also obligatory to disavow those who denounced the good companions and deported them, honored those who had abandoned God’s Prophet (S), distributed government funds among the rich and put the fools in charge of the Muslims’ affairs such as Mo’awiya and Amr ibn al-‘Aass - who were both damned by God’s Prophet (S). It is also obligatory to disavow those of their friends who fought with the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.), killed the Helpers (Ansar), the Immigrants (Muhajireen), the noble ones and the good doers from the past. It is also obligatory to disavow those who believe in the setting up of the council, and disavow Abu Musa al-Ash’ari, and those of his friends - ‘those whose efforts have been wasted in this life, while they thought that they were acquiring good by their works. They are those who deny the Signs of their Lord…’ They disbelieved in the authority of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) and in this state they will meet their Lord! They disbelieved and they will meet God while not believing in his Divine Leadership. Thus they have ruined their deeds. Then we will not set up any Scale of Deeds for them on the Resurrection Day for their deeds to be weighed! They will be the dogs which reside in the Fire. It is also obligatory to disavow the first and the last one of those built-up idols who were the leaders into corruption and loss, the forerunners of oppression. It is also obligatory to disavow those who ham-strung the she-camel of Salih - they were the oppressors of the first and the last, and of anyone who is friends with them.And the friendship with the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) and with those who followed the way of their Prophet (S), and who did not change their way such as Salman al-Farsi, Abu Tharr al-Ghifari, al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad, Ammar bin Yasir, Hothayfa al-Yamani, Abil Haytham ibn al-Tayyihan, Sahl ibn Honayf, Ubada ibn As-Samit, Abi Ayyoub Al-Ansari, Khozayma ibn Thabit Thull-Shahadatayn, Abi Sa’eed al-Khodri and the like - may God be pleased with and have Mercy upon them - is obligatory. And the friendship with their followers who have been guided along their path - may God be pleased with them - is obligatory.And the forbiddance of alcohol - whether a little or a lot, the forbiddance of all intoxicating drinks - whether a little or a lot, the forbiddance of any small amount of whatever a lot of is intoxicating. Even if one is compelled to drink, he should not since it will kill him. Canine beasts and all birds with claws are forbidden to eat. Eating spleens is forbidden, since it is like eating blood. The eating of all floating (dead) fish, eels, sheatfish, and scaleless fish is forbidden.It is also obligatory to believe in (the necessity of) the abstinence from the forbidden deeds - which include killing that the Sublime God has forbidden; fornication; stealing; drinking alcohol; ingratitude to parents; fleeing from the battle-field; wrongful use of orphans’ property; eating dead animal’s meat; drinking blood; eating pork; or eating the meat of any animal that is slaughtered and consecrated in the name of someone (or something) other than God - except in states of utmost necessity. Furthermore, it is furthermore obligatory to believe in the forbiddance of usury after getting to know about it, unlawful trade; gambling; cheating in weighing and measuring; false accusation of married women; sodomy; perjury; being despaired of receiving God’s Comfort; feeling of security from God’s unexpected plans; losing hope in God’s Mercy; supporting oppressors and relying upon them; false swearing; not paying back other people’s rights even though one is able to do so; deceit and arrogance; being wasteful or miserly; treachery; belittling the pilgrimage to the Kaaba; fighting with the Sublime God’s friends; engaging in licentious acts; and finally (but not last) insistence on committing sins.Moreover, Hamza ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Ja’far ibn Muhammad ibn Zayd ibn Ali ibn Al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) narrated that Abu Nasr Qanbar ibn Ali ibn Shathan quoted on the authority of his father Al-Fadhl ibn Shathan, narrated a similar account on the authority of Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) - with the exception that he did not mention that the Imam (a.s.) wrote (a letter) to Al-Ma’mun. In addition, in his tradition the letter also states that “The alms-tax for fasting is one bushel of wheat or two bushels of barley, dates or raisins.” In addition it mentions that, “When making ablutions, washing once is obligatory, but washing twice is recommendable.” It also states that, “The sins of the Prophets (a.s.) are minor ones and are forgiven.” It was also written that the alms-tax is due on nine things being wheat, barley, dates, raisins, camels, cows, sheep, gold and silver.” However, the tradition narrated by Abdul Wahid ibn Muhammad ibn Abdoos - may God be pleased with him - is more reliable in my opinion.And al-Hakim Abu Muhammad Ja’far ibn Nu’aym ibn Shathan - may God be pleased with him - narrated the same on the authority of his uncle Abi Abdullah Muhammad ibn Shathan, on the authority of Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) just as Abdul Wahid ibn Muhammad ibn Abdoos had narrated.And al-Hakim Abu Muhammad Ja’far ibn Nu’aym ibn Shathan - may God be pleased with him - narrated that his uncle Abi Abdullah Muhammad ibn Shathan quoted on the authority of Fadhl ibn Shathan, a tradition similar to that narrated by Abdul Wahid Muhammad ibn Ubdoos on the authority of Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.).And among the other traditions from Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.), we can cite the following ones: