Description of the Prayer from Its Beginning to Its End

Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh|Volume 1|Book 1|Chapter 46
Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh

Book 1, Chapter 46

Description of the Prayer from Its Beginning to Its End

34 hadiths · 17 commentaries
رُوِيَ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى أَنَّهُ قَالَ: قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ يَوْماً «تُحْسِنُ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ يَا حَمَّادُ » قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي أَنَا أَحْفَظُ، كِتَابَ حَرِيزٍ فِي اَلصَّلاَةِ قَالَ فَقَالَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ «لاَ عَلَيْكَ قُمْ فَصَلِّ» قَالَ فَقُمْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مُتَوَجِّهاً إِلَى اَلْقِبْلَةِ فَاسْتَفْتَحْتُ اَلصَّلاَةَ وَ رَكَعْتُ وَ سَجَدْتُ فَقَالَ «يَا حَمَّادُ لاَ تُحْسِنُ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ مَا أَقْبَحَ بِالرَّجُلِ أَنْ تَأْتِيَ عَلَيْهِ سِتُّونَ سَنَةً أَوْ سَبْعُونَ سَنَةً فَمَا يُقِيمُ صَلاَةً وَاحِدَةً بِحُدُودِهَا تَامَّةً» قَالَ حَمَّادٌ فَأَصَابَنِي فِي نَفْسِيَ اَلذُّلُّ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَعَلِّمْنِي اَلصَّلاَةَ فَقَامَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ مُسْتَقْبِلَ اَلْقِبْلَةِ مُنْتَصِباً فَأَرْسَلَ يَدَيْهِ جَمِيعاً عَلَى فَخِذَيْهِ قَدْ ضَمَّ أَصَابِعَهُ وَ قَرَّبَ بَيْنَ قَدَمَيْهِ حَتَّى كَانَ بَيْنَهُمَا ثَلاَثُ أَصَابِعَ مُفَرَّجَاتٍ فَاسْتَقْبَلَ بِأَصَابِعِ رِجْلَيْهِ جَمِيعاً لَمْ يُحَرِّفْهُمَا عَنِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ بِخُشُوعٍ وَ اِسْتِكَانَةٍ فَقَالَ «اَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ» ثُمَّ قَرَأَ اَلْحَمْدَ بِتَرْتِيلٍ، وَ «قُلْ هُوَ اَللّٰهُ أَحَدٌ» ثُمَّ صَبَرَ هُنَيْئَةً بِقَدْرِ مَا يَتَنَفَّسُ وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ ثُمَّ قَالَ « اَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ » وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ ثُمَّ رَكَعَ وَ مَلَأَ كَفَّيْهِ مِنْ رُكْبَتَيْهِ مُفَرَّجَاتٍ وَ رَدَّ رُكْبَتَيْهِ إِلَى خَلْفِهِ حَتَّى اِسْتَوَى ظَهْرُهُ حَتَّى لَوْ صُبَّ عَلَيْهِ قَطْرَةُ مَاءٍ أَوْ دُهْنٍ لَمْ تَزُلْ لاِسْتِوَاءِ ظَهْرِهِ وَ رَدَّ رُكْبَتَيْهِ إِلَى خَلْفِهِ وَ نَصَبَ عُنُقَهُ وَ غَمَّضَ عَيْنَيْهِ ثُمَّ سَبَّحَ ثَلاَثاً بِتَرْتِيلٍ وَقَالَ « سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ اَلْعَظِيمِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ » ثُمَّ اِسْتَوَى قَائِماً فَلَمَّا اِسْتَمْكَنَ مِنَ اَلْقِيَامِ قَالَ - « سَمِعَ اَللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ » ثُمَّ كَبَّرَ وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ وَ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حِيَالَ وَجْهِهِ وَ سَجَدَ وَ وَضَعَ يَدَيْهِ إِلَى اَلْأَرْضِ قَبْلَ رُكْبَتَيْهِ فَقَالَ « سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ اَلْأَعْلَى وَ بِحَمْدِهِ » ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ وَ لَمْ يَضَعْ شَيْئاً مِنْ بَدَنِهِ عَلَى شَيْءٍ مِنْهُ وَ سَجَدَ عَلَى ثَمَانِيَةِ أَعْظُمٍ اَلْجَبْهَةِ وَ اَلْكَفَّيْنِ وَ عَيْنَيِ اَلرُّكْبَتَيْنِ وَ أَنَامِلِ إِبْهَامَيِ اَلرِّجْلَيْنِ وَ اَلْأَنْفِ فَهَذِهِ اَلسَّبْعَةُ فَرْضٌ وَ وَضْعُ اَلْأَنْفِ عَلَى اَلْأَرْضِ سُنَّةٌ وَ هُوَ اَلْإِرْغَامُ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ اَلسُّجُودِ فَلَمَّا اِسْتَوَى جَالِساً قَالَ - « اَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ » ثُمَّ قَعَدَ عَلَى جَانِبِهِ اَلْأَيْسَرِ وَ وَضَعَ ظَاهِرَ قَدَمِهِ اَلْيُمْنَى عَلَى بَاطِنِ قَدَمِهِ اَلْيُسْرَى وَقَالَ « أَسْتَغْفِرُ اَللَّهَ رَبِّي وَ أَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ » ثُمَّ كَبَّرَ وَ هُوَ جَالِسٌ وَ سَجَدَ اَلثَّانِيَةَ وَقَالَ كَمَا قَالَ فِي اَلْأُولَى وَ لَمْ يَسْتَعِنْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ بَدَنِهِ عَلَى شَيْءٍ مِنْهُ فِي رُكُوعٍ وَ لاَ سُجُودٍ وَ كَانَ مُجَّنِّحاً وَ لَمْ يَضَعْ ذِرَاعَيْهِ عَلَى اَلْأَرْضِ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ عَلَى هَذَا ثُمَّ قَالَ «يَا حَمَّادُ هَكَذَا صَلِّ.
Hamad ibn Isa reported that one day Imam Abu Abdullah عليه السلام asked him, "Do you know how to pray, Hamad?" Hamad replied: "O’ Master, I have memorized the book of Ḥarīz on prayer." Imam said: "It is fine, rise and pray." So Hamad stood facing the qibla and began his prayer, reciting, bowing, and prostrating. When he completed it, Imam said: "Hamad, you do not know how to pray. It is a shame for a man to live for sixty or seventy years without properly performing even one prayer with all its rules." Hamad, feeling humiliated, said: "Teach me how to pray, may I be your ransom." The Imam then stood facing the qibla, with his hands at his sides, fingers closed together, and brought his feet close enough that three of his fingers would fit between them. He directed his toes toward the qibla, maintaining humility and a sense of awe, and said: "Allāhu Akbar (Allah سبحانه وتعالى is the Greatest)." He then recited al-Ḥamd (Surat al-Fātiḥa) slowly, followed by 'Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad' (Surah Al-Ikhlas). After a brief pause, sufficient to take a breath, He said: "Allāhu Akbar" again while still standing, then bowed (ruku‘). The Imam placed his hands, fingers spread, on his knees, kept his back straight so that if water or oil were poured on it, it would not move due to its levelness. He pushed his knees back, raised his head, and kept his neck straight while closing his eyes. He glorified Allah سبحانه وتعالى three times by saying, "Subḥāna Rabbī al-‘Aẓīm wa Biḥamdih (Glory be to my Lord عز وجل, the Most Great, and praised be He)." He then rose to a standing position, saying, "Samī‘ Allāhu Liman Ḥamidah (Allah سبحانه وتعالى hears the one who praises Him)." He then uttered "Allāhu Akbar" while raising his hands before his face and prostrated, placing his hands on the ground before his knees. In sujood, He said: "Subḥāna Rabbī al-A‘lā wa Biḥamdih (Glory be to my Lord عز وجل, the Most High, and praised be He)" three times. He made sure not to place any part of his body on another part while in prostration, instead resting on eight parts: his forehead, both palms, both knees, the tips of both big toes, and the nose (the latter being a sunnah act). He then raised his head and said: "Allāhu Akbar," sat back on his left thigh with the top of his right foot on the sole of his left, and sought forgiveness by saying, "Astaghfirullāha Rabbī wa Atūbu Ilayh (I seek forgiveness from Allah سبحانه وتعالى, my Lord عز وجل, and turn to Him in repentance)." He then said "Allāhu Akbar" and performed the second prostration in the same manner as the first. The Imam continued the prayer and said: "Pray like this, Hamad." He also instructed him not to fidget, avoid turning his head, not to spit in front of him, nor to engage in other distractions during the prayer.
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَقَالَ اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى اَلصَّلاَةِ فَقُلِ اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُقَدِّمُ إِلَيْكَ مُحَمَّداً بَيْنَ يَدَيْ حَاجَتِي وَ أَتَوَجَّهُ إِلَيْكَ بِهِ فَاجْعَلْنِي بِهِ «وَجِيهاً فِي اَلدُّنْيٰا وَ اَلْآخِرَةِ وَ مِنَ اَلْمُقَرَّبِينَ» وَ اِجْعَلْ صَلاَتِي بِهِ مَقْبُولَةً وَ ذَنْبِي بِهِ مَغْفُوراً وَ دُعَائِي بِهِ مُسْتَجَاباً إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ اَلْغَفُورُ اَلرَّحِيمُ.
Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: When you stand for prayer, say: 'O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, I present Muhammad before You concerning my need and turn towards You through him. Make me, through him, respectable in this world and the hereafter and among the near ones. Make my prayer through him acceptable, my sins forgiven, and my supplication answered, for You are the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.'"
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ إِلَى اَلصَّلاَةِ وَ قَدْ كَانَ اَلْحُسَيْنُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَبْطَأَ عَنِ اَلْكَلاَمِ حَتَّى تَخَوَّفُوا أَنَّهُ لاَ يَتَكَلَّمُ وَ أَنْ يَكُونَ بِهِ خَرَسٌ فَخَرَجَ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ بِهِ حَامِلاً عَلَى عَاتِقِهِ وَ صَفَّ اَلنَّاسُ خَلْفَهُ فَأَقَامَهُ عَلَى يَمِينِهِ فَافْتَتَحَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ اَلصَّلاَةَ فَكَبَّرَ اَلْحُسَيْنُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ تَكْبِيرَهُ عَادَ فَكَبَّرَ وَ كَبَّرَ اَلْحُسَيْنُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ حَتَّى كَبَّرَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ سَبْعَ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ وَ كَبَّرَ اَلْحُسَيْنُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ فَجَرَتِ اَلسُّنَّةُ بِذَلِكَ.
Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام narrated that He said: "The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم went out for prayer while carrying Imam al-Husayn عليه السلام on his shoulder, as al-Husayn عليه السلام had delayed in speaking, and there was concern that he might have a speech impediment or be unable to speak. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم carried him out, and the people lined up behind him (for prayer). He placed al-Husayn عليه السلام on his right side. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم began the prayer, and when He said the takbir (saying 'Allahu Akbar'), Imam al-Husayn عليه السلام repeated the takbir after him. When the Prophet heard al-Hussayn’s takbir, he repeated it, and so did al-Husayn. This continued until the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم had said seven takbirs, with al-Husayn repeating them. Thus, the tradition (of seven takbirs at the beginning of the prayer) was established."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ قَدْ رَوَى هِشَامُ بْنُ اَلْحَكَمِ عَنْ أَبِي اَلْحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِمَا اَلسَّلاَمُ: «لِذَلِكَ عِلَّةً أُخْرَى وَ هِيَ أَنَّ اَلنَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ لَمَّا أُسْرِيَ بِهِ إِلَى اَلسَّمَاءِ قَطَعَ سَبْعَةَ حُجُبٍ فَكَبَّرَ عِنْدَ كُلِّ حِجَابٍ تَكْبِيرَةً فَأَوْصَلَهُ اَللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِذَلِكَ إِلَى مُنْتَهَى اَلْكَرَامَةِ.
Hisham ibn al-Hakam narrated from Abu Al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام, that He said: "There is another reason (for the seven takbirs), which is that when The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was taken up to the heavens (during the Miʿrāj), he passed through seven veils (ḥujub). At each veil, He said a takbir (declaring 'Allahu Akbar'). Thus, Allah سبحانه وتعالى (the Almighty and Glorious) brought him to the highest level of honor through these takbirs."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ ذَكَرَ اَلْفَضْلُ بْنُ شَاذَانَ عَنِ اَلرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «عِلَّةً أُخْرَى وَ هِيَ أَنَّهُ إِنَّمَا صَارَتِ اَلتَّكْبِيرَاتُ فِي أَوَّلِ اَلصَّلاَةِ سَبْعاً لِأَنَّ أَصْلَ اَلصَّلاَةِ رَكْعَتَانِ وَ اِسْتِفْتَاحَهُمَا بِسَبْعِ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ تَكْبِيرَةِ اَلاِفْتِتَاحِ وَ تَكْبِيرَةِ اَلرُّكُوعِ وَ تَكْبِيرَتَيِ اَلسَّجْدَتَيْنِ وَ تَكْبِيرَةِ اَلرُّكُوعِ فِي اَلثَّانِيَةِ وَ تَكْبِيرَتَيِ اَلسَّجْدَتَيْنِ فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ اَلْإِنْسَانُ فِي أَوَّلِ صَلاَةٍ سَبْعَ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ ثُمَّ نَسِيَ شَيْئاً مِنْ تَكْبِيرَاتِ اَلاِفْتِتَاحِ مِنْ بَعْدُ أَوْ سَهَا عَنْهَا لَمْ يَدْخُلْ عَلَيْهِ نَقْصٌ فِي صَلاَتِهِ».
Al-Fadl ibn Shadhan reported from Imam al-Rida عليه السلام: "Another reason (for the seven takbirs) is that the original structure of the prayer is two Rak'ah (units), and the opening of these two Rak'ah with seven takbirs corresponds to the takbir for the opening, the takbir for bowing (Rukuh), and the two takbirs for the two prostrations (sujood) in the first rak’a, followed by the takbir for bowing in the second rak’a and the two takbirs for the two prostrations in the second rak’a. Thus, if a person begins their prayer with seven takbirs and later forgets or misses one of the opening takbirs, it does not cause a deficiency in their prayer."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ أَتَمَّ اَلنَّاسِ صَلاَةً وَ أَوْجَزَهُمْ كَانَ إِذَا دَخَلَ فِي صَلاَةٍ قَالَ «اَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ «بِسْمِ اَللّٰهِ اَلرَّحْمٰنِ اَلرَّحِيمِ».
"The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was the most complete in performing prayer and the most concise. When he began his prayer, he would say: 'Allāhu Akbar (God is the Greatest)' and then recite, 'Bismillāh al-Raḥmān al-Raḥīm (In the name of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful).'"
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ أَمِيرَ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ فَقَالَ لَهُ: يَا اِبْنَ عَمِّ خَيْرِ خَلْقِ اَللَّهِ تَعَالَى مَا مَعْنَى رَفْعِ يَدَيْكَ فِي اَلتَّكْبِيرَةِ اَلْأُولَى فَقَالَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ «مَعْنَاهُ اَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اَلْوَاحِدُ اَلْأَحَدُ اَلَّذِي «لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ» لاَ يُلْمَسُ بِالْأَخْمَاسِ وَ لاَ يُدْرَكُ بِالْحَوَاسِّ.
A man asked The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام saying: "O’ son of the cousin of the best of Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى creation, what is the meaning of raising your hands in the first Takbir (opening glorification of Allah سبحانه وتعالى)?" He عليه السلام replied: "It signifies that Allah سبحانه وتعالى is the Greatest, the One, the Unique, Who 'there is nothing like unto Him.' He cannot be perceived by the senses nor touched by the limbs."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ قَدْ رُوِيَ أَنَّهُ يَقُولُ: فِي سَجْدَةِ اَلْعَزَائِمِ، « لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اَللَّهُ حَقّاً حَقّاً لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اَللَّهُ إِيمَاناً وَ تَصْدِيقاً لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اَللَّهُ عُبُودِيَّةً وَ رِقّاً سَجَدْتُ لَكَ يَا رَبِّ تَعَبُّداً وَ رِقّاً لاَ مُسْتَنْكِفاً وَ لاَ مُسْتَكْبِراً بَلْ أَنَا عَبْدٌ ذَلِيلٌ خَائِفٌ مُسْتَجِيرٌ » ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ.
It has been narrated that in the prostration of the obligatory verses of prostration (Sajdat al-‘Azā’im), one should say: La ilaha illa Allah haqqan haqqan, la ilaha illa Allah imanan wa tasdeeqan, la ilaha illa Allah ‘uboodiyyatan wa riqqan. Sajadtu laka ya Rabbi ta‘abbudan wa riqqan, la mustankifan wa la mustakbiran, bal ana ‘abdon dhaleelun kha’ifun mustajeer “There is no god but Allah سبحانه وتعالى, truly and genuinely; there is no god but Allah سبحانه وتعالى in faith and affirmation; there is no god but Allah سبحانه وتعالى in servitude and subjugation. I prostrate to You, my Lord عز وجل, in devotion and humility, without reluctance or arrogance, but as a humble, fearful, and seeking servant.” Then, he should raise his head and say “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great).
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَقَالَ اَلرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ اَلْقِرَاءَةُ فِي اَلرَّكْعَتَيْنِ اَلْأَوَّلَتَيْنِ وَ اَلتَّسْبِيحُ فِي اَلْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ لِلْفَرْقِ بَيْنَ مَا فَرَضَهُ اَللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ وَ بَيْنَ مَا فَرَضَهُ اَللَّهُ تَعَالَى مِنْ عِنْدِ رَسُولِ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ.
Imam al-Ridha عليه السلام said: "The reason why recitation is required in the first two rak‘ahs and glorification (tasbih) in the last two rak‘ahs of the prayer is to distinguish between what Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, has ordained from Himself and what He has commanded through His Messenger”.
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ سَأَلَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عِمْرَانَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ فَقَالَ: لِأَيِّ عِلَّةٍ يُجْهَرُ فِي صَلاَةِ اَلْجُمُعَةِ وَ صَلاَةِ اَلْمَغْرِبِ وَ صَلاَةِ اَلْعِشَاءِ اَلْآخِرَةِ وَ صَلاَةِ اَلْغَدَاةِ وَ سَائِرُ اَلصَّلَوَاتِ اَلظُّهْرُ وَ اَلْعَصْرُ لاَ يُجْهَرُ فِيهِمَا وَ لِأَيِّ عِلَّةٍ صَارَ اَلتَّسْبِيحُ فِي اَلرَّكْعَتَيْنِ اَلْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ اَلْقِرَاءَةِ قَالَ «لِأَنَّ اَلنَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ لَمَّا أُسْرِيَ بِهِ إِلَى اَلسَّمَاءِ كَانَ أَوَّلَ صَلاَةٍ فَرَضَ اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ اَلظُّهْرُ يَوْمَ اَلْجُمُعَةِ فَأَضَافَ اَللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَيْهِ اَلْمَلاَئِكَةَ تُصَلِّي خَلْفَهُ وَ أَمَرَ نَبِيَّهُ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ أَنْ يَجْهَرَ بِالْقِرَاءَةِ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ فَضْلَهُ ثُمَّ فَرَضَ اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ اَلْعَصْرَ وَ لَمْ يُضِفْ إِلَيْهِ أَحَداً مِنَ اَلْمَلاَئِكَةِ وَ أَمَرَهُ أَنْ يُخْفِيَ اَلْقِرَاءَةَ لِأَنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ وَرَاءَهُ أَحَدٌ ثُمَّ فَرَضَ عَلَيْهِ اَلْمَغْرِبَ وَ أَضَافَ إِلَيْهِ اَلْمَلاَئِكَةَ وَ أَمَرَهُ بِالْإِجْهَارِ وَ كَذَلِكَ اَلْعِشَاءُ اَلْآخِرَةُ فَلَمَّا كَانَ قُرْبَ اَلْفَجْرِ نَزَلَ فَفَرَضَ اَللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْهِ اَلْفَجْرَ وَ أَمَرَهُ بِالْإِجْهَارِ لِيُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ فَضْلَهُ كَمَا بَيَّنَ لِلْمَلاَئِكَةِ فَلِهَذِهِ اَلْعِلَّةِ يُجْهَرُ فِيهَا وَ صَارَ اَلتَّسْبِيحُ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ اَلْقِرَاءَةِ فِي اَلْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ لِأَنَّ اَلنَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ لَمَّا كَانَ فِي اَلْأَخِيرَتَيْنِ ذَكَرَ مَا رَأَى مِنْ عَظَمَةِ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَدَهِشَ فَقَالَ « سُبْحَانَ اَللَّهِ وَ اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اَللَّهُ وَ اَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ » فَلِذَلِكَ صَارَ اَلتَّسْبِيحُ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ اَلْقِرَاءَةِ.
Muhammad ibn Imran asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام: "For what reason is the recitation done aloud in the Jumu’ah prayer, the Maghrib prayer, the Isha prayer, and the Fajr prayer, while it is not done aloud in the Dhuhr and Asr prayers? And why is glorification (tasbih) in the last two rak‘ahs preferred over recitation?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "When The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was taken on the Night Journey to the heavens, the first prayer that Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, ordained upon him was the Dhuhr prayer on the day of Jumu‘ah (Jumu’ah). Allah سبحانه وتعالى added angels to pray behind him and commanded His Prophet to recite aloud so that they would realize his excellence. Then, Allah سبحانه وتعالى ordained the Asr prayer without adding any angels behind him, and He commanded him to recite quietly because there was no one behind him. Next, Allah سبحانه وتعالى ordained the Maghrib prayer and added the angels to pray with him and commanded him to recite aloud, and the same applies to the Isha prayer. Near the time of Fajr, he descended, and Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, ordained the Fajr prayer and commanded him to recite aloud so that people would know its excellence, just as He had shown it to the angels. This is why it is recited aloud in these prayers. Tasbih became preferable to recitation in the last two rak‘ahs because, in those rak‘ahs, The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, upon recalling the greatness of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, glorified Him, saying: Subhana Allah, wal-hamdu lillah, wa la ilaha illa Allah, wa Allahu Akbar “Glory be to Allah, and all praise is for Allah, and there is no deity except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest” Therefore, tasbih became superior to recitation."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ سَأَلَ يَحْيَى بْنُ أَكْثَمَ اَلْقَاضِي أَبَا اَلْحَسَنِ اَلْأَوَّلَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنْ صَلاَةِ اَلْفَجْرِ لِمَ يُجْهَرُ فِيهَا بِالْقِرَاءَةِ وَ هِيَ مِنْ صَلَوَاتِ اَلنَّهَارِ وَ إِنَّمَا يُجْهَرُ فِي صَلاَةِ اَللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ «لِأَنَّ اَلنَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ كَانَ يُغَلِّسُ بِهَا فَقَرَّبَهَا مِنَ اَللَّيْلِ.
Yahya ibn Aktham asked Abu Al-Hasan al-Awwal عليه السلام about the Fajr prayer and why it is recited aloud even though it is one of the daytime prayers, while generally only nighttime prayers are recited aloud. Imam عليه السلام replied: "This is because The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would offer it at the break of dawn, making it close to the nighttime."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ فِيمَا ذَكَرَهُ اَلْفَضْلُ مِنَ اَلْعِلَلِ عَنِ اَلرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «أُمِرَ اَلنَّاسُ بِالْقِرَاءَةِ فِي اَلصَّلاَةِ لِئَلاَّ يَكُونَ اَلْقُرْآنُ مَهْجُوراً مُضَيَّعاً وَ لْيَكُنْ مَحْفُوظاً مَدْرُوساً فَلاَ يَضْمَحِلَّ وَ لاَ يُجْهَلَ وَ إِنَّمَا بُدِئَ بِالْحَمْدِ دُونَ سَائِرِ اَلسُّوَرِ لِأَنَّهُ لَيْسَ شَيْءٌ مِنَ اَلْقُرْآنِ وَ اَلْكَلاَمِ جُمِعَ فِيهِ مِنْ جَوَامِعِ اَلْخَيْرِ وَ اَلْحِكْمَةِ مَا جُمِعَ فِي سُورَةِ اَلْحَمْدِ، وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ قَوْلَهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ «اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ» إِنَّمَا هُوَ أَدَاءٌ لِمَا أَوْجَبَ اَللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ مِنَ اَلشُّكْرِ وَ شُكْرٌ لِمَا وَفَّقَ عَبْدَهُ مِنَ اَلْخَيْرِ، «رَبِّ اَلْعٰالَمِينَ» تَوْحِيدٌ لَهُ وَ تَحْمِيدٌ وَ إِقْرَارٌ بِأَنَّهُ هُوَ اَلْخَالِقُ اَلْمَالِكُ لاَ غَيْرُهُ، «اَلرَّحْمٰنِ اَلرَّحِيمِ» اِسْتِعْطَافٌ وَ ذِكْرٌ لآِلاَئِهِ وَ نَعْمَائِهِ عَلَى جَمِيعِ خَلْقِهِ، «مٰالِكِ يَوْمِ اَلدِّينِ» إِقْرَارٌ لَهُ بِالْبَعْثِ وَ اَلْحِسَابِ وَ اَلْمُجَازَاةِ وَ إِيجَابُ مُلْكِ اَلْآخِرَةِ لَهُ كَإِيجَابِ مُلْكِ اَلدُّنْيَا، «إِيّٰاكَ نَعْبُدُ» رَغْبَةٌ وَ تَقَرُّبٌ إِلَى اَللَّهِ تَعَالَى ذِكْرُهُ وَ إِخْلاَصٌ لَهُ بِالْعَمَلِ دُونَ غَيْرِهِ «وَ إِيّٰاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ» اِسْتِزَادَةٌ مِنْ تَوْفِيقِهِ وَ عِبَادَتِهِ وَ اِسْتِدَامَةٌ لِمَا أَنْعَمَ اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ نَصَرَهُ «اِهْدِنَا اَلصِّرٰاطَ اَلْمُسْتَقِيمَ» اِسْتِرْشَادٌ لِدِينِهِ وَ اِعْتِصَامٌ بِحَبْلِهِ وَ اِسْتِزَادَةٌ فِي اَلْمَعْرِفَةِ لِرَبِّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ، «صِرٰاطَ اَلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ» تَوْكِيدٌ فِي اَلسُّؤَالِ وَ اَلرَّغْبَةِ وَ ذِكْرٌ لِمَا قَدْ تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ نِعَمِهِ عَلَى أَوْلِيَائِهِ وَ رَغْبَةٌ فِي مِثْلِ تِلْكَ اَلنِّعَمِ «غَيْرِ اَلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ» اِسْتِعَاذَةٌ مِنْ أَنْ يَكُونَ مِنَ اَلْمُعَانِدِينَ اَلْكَافِرِينَ اَلْمُسْتَخِفِّينَ بِهِ وَ بِأَمْرِهِ وَ نَهْيِهِ «وَ لاَ اَلضّٰالِّينَ» اِعْتِصَامٌ مِنْ أَنْ يَكُونَ مِنَ اَلَّذِينَ ضَلُّوا عَنْ سَبِيلِهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ مَعْرِفَةٍ «وَ هُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ يُحْسِنُونَ صُنْعاً» فَقَدِ اِجْتَمَعَ فِيهِ مِنْ جَوَامِعِ اَلْخَيْرِ وَ اَلْحِكْمَةِ مِنْ أَمْرِ اَلْآخِرَةِ وَ اَلدُّنْيَا مَا لاَ يَجْمَعُهُ شَيْءٌ مِنَ اَلْأَشْيَاءِ.
In what al-Fadl narrated from Imam al-Ridha عليه السلام concerning reasons for the recitation in prayer, he stated: “People have been commanded to recite during prayer so that the Qur’an would not be abandoned or neglected, but instead preserved and studied so that it is neither forgotten nor lost. The recitation begins with Surah al-Hamd (The Opening) because it uniquely contains comprehensive wisdom and blessings not found in other verses of the Qur’an. The phrase ‘Alhamdulillah’ (All praise is due to Allah سبحانه وتعالى) is a fulfilment of the obligation to thank Allah سبحانه وتعالى and an expression of gratitude for enabling His servant to do good. ‘Rabbil 'Alamin’ (Lord عز وجل of the Worlds) affirms Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى unity, praise, and recognition that He is the Creator and Owner without any partner. ‘Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim’ (The Most Merciful, The Most Compassionate) is a plea for Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى kindness and a reminder of His blessings upon all creation. ‘Maliki Yawmid-Deen’ (Master of the Day of Judgment) is a declaration of belief in the resurrection, accountability, and Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى dominion over both worlds. ‘Iyyaka Na’budu’ (You alone we worship) signifies devotion and sincerity to Allah سبحانه وتعالى in worship. ‘Wa iyyaka nasta’in’ (And You alone we seek for help) seeks His continued assistance and favour. ‘Ihdinas-Siratal-Mustaqeem’ (Guide us to the Straight Path) asks for steadfastness in religion, adherence to divine guidance, and further recognition of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. ‘Siratal-Ladheena an’amta ‘alayhim’ (The path of those whom You have blessed) expresses longing for the grace granted to Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى chosen ones. ‘Ghayril-maghdubi ‘alayhim’ (Not the path of those who have evoked [Your] anger) seeks protection from becoming among those who oppose or belittle Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى commands. ‘Wala-dhallin’ (And not of those who have gone astray) and [it is] a protection from being among those who have gone astray from His path without knowledge, thinking they are doing good. In this, all the essentials of goodness and wisdom, from both the matters of the world and the hereafter, have been combined in a way that nothing else can gather."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ أَمِيرَ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ فَقَالَ: يَا اِبْنَ عَمِّ خَيْرِ خَلْقِ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا مَعْنَى مَدِّ عُنُقِكَ فِي اَلرُّكُوعِ فَقَالَ «تَأْوِيلُهُ آمَنْتُ بِاللَّهِ وَ لَوْ ضُرِبَتْ عُنُقِي.
A man asked The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام saying: "O’ son of the cousin of the best of Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى creation, what is the significance of extending your neck during ruku' (bowing in prayer)?" Imam Ali عليه السلام responded, "It symbolizes 'I have faith in Allah سبحانه وتعالى, even if my neck is struck.'"
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ سَأَلَ طَلْحَةُ اَلسُّلَمِيُّ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: لِأَيِّ عِلَّةٍ تُوضَعُ اَلْيَدَانِ عَلَى اَلْأَرْضِ فِي اَلسُّجُودِ قَبْلَ اَلرُّكْبَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ «لِأَنَّ اَلْيَدَيْنِ بِهِمَا مِفْتَاحُ اَلصَّلاَةِ.
Talha al-Salmi asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام, "Why do the hands touch the ground before the knees during Sujood (prostration)?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "Because the hands are the key to prayer."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ رَوَى إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ عَنِ اَلصَّادِقِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَلَيْهِمَا اَلسَّلاَمُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «إِذَا سَجَدَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيُبَاشِرْ بِكَفَّيْهِ اَلْأَرْضَ لَعَلَّ اَللَّهَ يَدْفَعُ عَنْهُ اَلْغُلَّ يَوْمَ اَلْقِيَامَةِ.
Ismail ibn Muslim narrated from Imam Al-Sadiq, from his father عليه السلام, who said: "When any of you performs Sujood (prostration), let them place their palms directly on the ground, so that Allah سبحانه وتعالى may protect them from shackles on the Day of Judgment."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ أَمِيرَ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ فَقَالَ لَهُ: يَا اِبْنَ عَمِّ خَيْرِ خَلْقِ اَللَّهِ مَا مَعْنَى اَلسَّجْدَةِ اَلْأُولَى فَقَالَ «تَأْوِيلُهَا اَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ مِنْهَا خَلَقْتَنَا يَعْنِي مِنَ اَلْأَرْضِ وَ تَأْوِيلُ رَفْعِ رَأْسِكَ وَ مِنْهَا أَخْرَجْتَنَا وَ تَأْوِيلُ اَلسَّجْدَةِ اَلثَّانِيَةِ وَ إِلَيْهَا تُعِيدُنَا وَ رَفْعِ رَأْسِكَ وَ مِنْهَا تُخْرِجُنَا تَارَةً أُخْرَى.
A man asked The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام saying: "O’ son of the cousin of the best of Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى creation, what is the meaning of the first sajdah (prostration)?" Imam Ali عليه السلام replied: "Its meaning is, 'O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, from it (the earth) You created us,' referring to being created from the earth. The meaning of raising your head is 'and from it, You brought us forth.' The meaning of the second sajdah is 'and to it, You shall return us,' and raising your head again means 'and from it, You shall bring us forth another time.'"
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ سَأَلَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنْ عِلَّةِ اَلصَّلاَةِ كَيْفَ صَارَتْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ أَرْبَعَ سَجَدَاتٍ قَالَ «لِأَنَّ رَكْعَةً مِنْ قِيَامٍ بِرَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ جُلُوسٍ.
Abu Basir asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام about the reason for why the prayer consists of two units (rak'ahs) with four prostrations (Sujood). Imam عليه السلام replied: "Because one unit of standing (qiyam) is equivalent to two units of sitting."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
لَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اَللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وتَعَالَى «فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ اَلْعَظِيمِ» قَالَ اَلنَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ «اِجْعَلُوهَا فِي رُكُوعِكُمْ» فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اَللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ «سَبِّحِ اِسْمَ رَبِّكَ اَلْأَعْلَى» قَالَ اَلنَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ «اِجْعَلُوهَا فِي سُجُودِكُمْ.
When Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Blessed and Exalted, revealed: "So glorify the name of your Lord عز وجل, the Most Great" (Surah Al-Waqi'ah, 56:74), The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Make it a part of your bowing (ruku')." Then, when Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, revealed: "Glorify the name of your Lord عز وجل, the Most High" (Surah Al-A’lā, 87:1) The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Make it a part of your prostration (Sujood)”.
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ سَأَلَ اَلْحَلَبِيُّ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلْقُنُوتِ فِيهِ قَوْلٌ مَعْلُومٌ فَقَالَ «أَثْنِ عَلَى رَبِّكَ وَ صَلِّ عَلَى نَبِيِّكَ وَ اِسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنْبِكَ.
Al-Halabi asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام about what should be said in the Qunoot (the supplication during prayer). Imam عليه السلام replied: "Praise your Lord عز وجل, send blessings upon your Prophet, and seek forgiveness for your sins."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh, p. 45
وَ رَوَى مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «اَلْقُنُوتُ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فِي اَلتَّطَوُّعِ وَ اَلْفَرِيضَةِ.
Muhammad ibn Muslim narrated from Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام that He said: "The Qunoot (supplication) is in every two units of both voluntary and obligatory prayers."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh, p. 45
وَ رَوَى عَنْهُ زُرَارَةُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «اَلْقُنُوتُ فِي كُلِّ اَلصَّلَوَاتِ.
Zurarah narrated that Imam عليه السلام said: "Qunoot (supplication) is in all prayers."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
لِقَوْلِ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ اَلثَّانِي عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «لاَ بَأْسَ أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ اَلرَّجُلُ فِي صَلاَةِ اَلْفَرِيضَةِ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ يُنَاجِي بِهِ رَبَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.
The saying of Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Jawad عليه السلام: "There is no harm if a person speaks in the obligatory prayer with anything by which he converses with his Lord عز وجل, Mighty and Majestic."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
عَنِ اَلصَّادِقِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «كُلُّ شَيْءٍ مُطْلَقٌ حَتَّى يَرِدَ فِيهِ نَهْيٌ.
It is narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام that He said: "Everything is permissible unless there is a prohibition regarding it”.
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَقَالَ اَلْحَلَبِيُّ لَهُ: أُسَمِّي اَلْأَئِمَّةَ عَلَيهِمُ اَلسَّلاَمُ فِي اَلصَّلاَةِ قَالَ «أَجْمِلْهُمْ.
Al-Halabi asked him, "Should I mention the names of the Imams عليه السلام in prayer?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "Mention them collectively”.
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَقَالَ اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «كُلُّ مَا نَاجَيْتَ بِهِ رَبَّكَ فِي اَلصَّلاَةِ فَلَيْسَ بِكَلاَمٍ.
Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Whatever you use to converse with your Lord عز وجل during prayer is not considered ordinary speech”.
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ سَأَلَهُ مَنْصُورُ بْنُ يُونُسَ بُزُرْجَ: عَنِ اَلرَّجُلِ يَتَبَاكَى فِي اَلصَّلاَةِ اَلْمَفْرُوضَةِ حَتَّى يَبْكِيَ فَقَالَ «قُرَّةُ عَيْنٍ وَ اَللَّهِ» وَقَالَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ «إِذَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ فَاذْكُرْنِي عِنْدَهُ.
Mansur ibn Yunus Buzurj asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام about a person who strives to cry during the obligatory prayer until tears flow. Imam عليه السلام replied: "It is a source of great joy, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى." The Imam also said: "When this happens, remember me in that moment”.
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ رُوِيَ: «أَنَّ اَلْبُكَاءَ عَلَى اَلْمَيِّتِ يَقْطَعُ اَلصَّلاَةَ وَ اَلْبُكَاءَ لِذِكْرِ اَلْجَنَّةِ وَ اَلنَّارِ مِنْ أَفْضَلِ اَلْأَعْمَالِ فِي اَلصَّلاَةِ. وَ رُوِيَ: «أَنَّهُ مَا مِنْ شَيْءٍ إِلاَّ وَ لَهُ كَيْلٌ أَوْ وَزْنٌ إِلاَّ اَلْبُكَاءَ مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَإِنَّ اَلْقَطْرَةَ مِنْهُ تُطْفِئُ بِحَاراً مِنَ اَلنِّيرَانِ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ بَاكِياً بَكَى فِي أُمَّةٍ لَرُحِمُوا.
It has been narrated that "crying over a deceased person interrupts the prayer, but crying out of remembrance for Paradise and Hellfire is among the best deeds during prayer." It is also narrated that "there is a measure or weight for everything except for tears shed out of the fear of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, as a single drop of it can extinguish vast fires of Hell. And if a person who cries were present among a nation, they would be blessed with mercy."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
«وَ كُلُّ عَيْنٍ بَاكِيَةٌ يَوْمَ اَلْقِيَامَةِ إِلاَّ ثَلاَثَ أَعْيُنٍ عَيْنٌ بَكَتْ مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اَللَّهِ وَ عَيْنٌ غُضَّتْ عَنْ مَحَارِمِ اَللَّهِ وَ عَيْنٌ بَاتَتْ سَاهِرَةً فِي سَبِيلِ اَللَّهِ.
”All eyes will shed tears on the Day of Judgment except for three types of eyes: an eye that wept out of the fear of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, an eye that was lowered (in modesty) from what Allah سبحانه وتعالى has forbidden, and an eye that stayed awake guarding in the cause of Allah سبحانه وتعالى.”
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh, p. 45
وَ رُوِيَ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ اَلْجَمَّالِ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: صَلَّيْتُ خَلْفَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَيَّاماً فَكَانَ يَقْنُتُ فِي كُلِّ صَلاَةٍ يُجْهَرُ فِيهَا أَوْ لاَ يُجْهَرُ.
It is reported from Safwan al-Jammal that He said: “I prayed behind Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام for several days, and he would make the Qunoot in every prayer, whether he recited aloud or not”.
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ رُوِيَ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «اَلْقُنُوتُ كُلُّهُ جِهَارٌ.
It is narrated from Zurarah that He said: Abu Ja'far (Imam al-Baqir) stated: "All Qunoot (supplication during prayer) is to be recited aloud."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَقَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَمِيرِ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: يَا اِبْنَ عَمِّ خَيْرِ خَلْقِ اَللَّهِ مَا مَعْنَى رَفْعِ رِجْلِكَ اَلْيُمْنَى وَ طَرْحِكَ اَلْيُسْرَى فِي اَلتَّشَهُّدِ قَالَ «تَأْوِيلُهُ اَللَّهُمَّ أَمِتِ اَلْبَاطِلَ وَ أَقِمِ اَلْحَقَّ» قَالَ فَمَا مَعْنَى قَوْلِ اَلْإِمَامِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَقَالَ «إِنَّ اَلْإِمَامَ يُتَرْجِمُ عَنِ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ يَقُولُ فِي تَرْجَمَتِهِ لِأَهْلِ اَلْجَمَاعَةِ أَمَانٌ لَكُمْ مِنْ عَذَابِ اَللَّهِ يَوْمَ اَلْقِيَامَةِ.
A man asked Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام: "O’ cousin of the best of Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى creation, what is the meaning of raising your right foot and placing your left during the tashahhud (testimony in prayer)?" Imam عليه السلام said: "Its meaning is: 'O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, let falsehood perish and establish the truth.'" The man then asked: "What is the meaning of the Imam's statement 'Peace be upon you' during the salutation?" Imam Ali عليه السلام replied: "The Imam speaks on behalf of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, and his translation for the people of the congregation is, 'You are granted safety from Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى punishment on the Day of Judgment.'"
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
فَإِنَّهُ رُوِيَ عَنِ اَلصَّادِقِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «مَنْ سَبَّحَ تَسْبِيحَ فَاطِمَةَ اَلزَّهْرَاءِ عَلَيْهَا اَلسَّلاَمُ فِي دُبُرِ اَلْفَرِيضَةِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَثْنِيَ رِجْلَيْهِ غَفَرَ اَللَّهُ لَهُ.
It is narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام that He said: "Whoever recites the Tasbih of Sayyida Fatimah Al-Zahra صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم after the obligatory prayer before moving their legs (changing their position) will have their sins forgiven by Allah سبحانه وتعالى."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ رُوِيَ: أَنَّ أَمِيرَ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ لِرَجُلٍ مِنْ بَنِي سَعْدٍ، «أَ لاَ أُحَدِّثُكَ عَنِّي وَ عَنْ فَاطِمَةَ اَلزَّهْرَاءِ أَنَّهَا كَانَتْ عِنْدِي فَاسْتَقَتْ بِالْقِرْبَةِ حَتَّى أَثَّرَ فِي صَدْرِهَا وَ طَحَنَتْ بِالرَّحَى حَتَّى مَجِلَتْ يَدَاهَا وَ كَسَحَتِ اَلْبَيْتَ حَتَّى اِغْبَرَّتْ ثِيَابُهَا وَ أَوْقَدَتْ تَحْتَ اَلْقِدْرِ حَتَّى دَكِنَتْ ثِيَابُهَا فَأَصَابَهَا مِنْ ذَلِكَ ضُرٌّ شَدِيدٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا لَوْ أَتَيْتِ أَبَاكِ فَسَأَلْتِهِ خَادِماً يَكْفِيكِ حَرَّ مَا أَنْتِ فِيهِ مِنْ هَذَا اَلْعَمَلِ فَأَتَتِ اَلنَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ فَوَجَدَتْ عِنْدَهُ حُدَّاثاً فَاسْتَحْيَتْ فَانْصَرَفَتْ فَعَلِمَ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ أَنَّهَا قَدْ جَاءَتْ لِحَاجَةٍ فَغَدَا عَلَيْنَا وَ نَحْنُ فِي لِحَافِنَا فَقَالَ «اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ» فَسَكَتْنَا وَ اِسْتَحْيَيْنَا لِمَكَانِنَا ثُمَّ قَالَ «اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ » فَسَكَتْنَا ثُمَّ قَالَ «اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ» فَخَشِينَا إِنْ لَمْ نَرُدَّ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَنْصَرِفَ وَ قَدْ كَانَ يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ فَيُسَلِّمُ ثَلاَثاً فَإِنْ أُذِنَ لَهُ وَ إِلاَّ اِنْصَرَفَ فَقُلْنَا «وَ عَلَيْكَ اَلسَّلاَمُ يَا رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ اُدْخُلْ» فَدَخَلَ وَ جَلَسَ عِنْدَ رُءُوسِنَا ثُمَّ قَالَ «يَا فَاطِمَةُ مَا كَانَتْ حَاجَتُكِ أَمْسِ عِنْدَ مُحَمَّدٍ » فَخَشِيتُ إِنْ لَمْ نُجِبْهُ أَنْ يَقُومَ فَأَخْرَجْتُ رَأْسِي فَقُلْتُ أَنَا وَ اَللَّهِ أُخْبِرُكَ يَا رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ إِنَّهَا اِسْتَقَتْ بِالْقِرْبَةِ حَتَّى أَثَّرَ فِي صَدْرِهَا وَ جَرَتْ بِالرَّحَى حَتَّى مَجِلَتْ يَدَاهَا وَ كَسَحَتِ اَلْبَيْتَ حَتَّى اِغْبَرَّتْ ثِيَابُهَا وَ أَوْقَدَتْ تَحْتَ اَلْقِدْرِ حَتَّى دَكِنَتْ ثِيَابُهَا فَقُلْتُ لَهَا لَوْ أَتَيْتِ أَبَاكِ فَسَأَلْتِهِ خَادِماً يَكْفِيكِ حَرَّ مَا أَنْتِ فِيهِ مِنْ هَذَا اَلْعَمَلِ قَالَ «أَ فَلاَ أُعَلِّمُكُمَا مَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمَا مِنَ اَلْخَادِمِ إِذَا أَخَذْتُمَا مَنَامَكُمَا فَكَبِّرَا أَرْبَعاً وَ ثَلاَثِينَ تَكْبِيرَةً وَ سَبِّحَا ثَلاَثاً وَ ثَلاَثِينَ تَسْبِيحَةً وَ اِحْمَدَا ثَلاَثاً وَ ثَلاَثِينَ تَحْمِيدَةً» فَأَخْرَجَتْ فَاطِمَةُ عَلَيْهَا اَلسَّلاَمُ رَأْسَهَا وَ قَالَتْ «رَضِيتُ عَنِ اَللَّهِ وَ عَنْ رَسُولِهِ رَضِيتُ عَنِ اَللَّهِ وَ عَنْ رَسُولِهِ ».
It is narrated that The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said to a man from the Bani Sa'd tribe: "Shall I tell you about myself and Sayyida Fatimah Al-Zahra صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم? She used to carry water with the water-skin until it left a mark on her chest. She ground grain with the millstone until her hands blistered. She swept the house until her clothes were covered in dust, and She kindled the fire under the cooking pot until her clothes were stained. She suffered greatly from these tasks. I said to her, 'Why don’t you go to your father and ask him for a servant to relieve you of the hardships of this work?' She went to the Prophet but found him with people (guests), so She felt shy and left. The Prophet, realizing She had come for something, came to us the next morning while we were still in our beds. He greeted us with 'Peace be upon you,' and we remained silent out of shyness. He then said: 'Peace be upon you' again, and we still did not reply. He repeated, 'Peace be upon you,' and we feared he would leave if we did not respond. We then replied: 'And peace be upon you, O’ Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, please enter.' He came in and sat by our heads. He asked: 'O’ Sayyida Fatimah Al-Zahra صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, what was your need yesterday with Muhammad?' I was worried that if we did not answer, he would leave, so I said: 'I will tell you, O’ Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. She carried water with the water-skin until it marked her chest, ground with the millstone until her hands blistered, swept until her clothes were dusty, and kindled fire until her clothes were stained. I suggested She ask you for a servant to ease her burdens.' The Prophet replied: 'Shall I not teach you something better than a servant? When you go to bed, say Allahu Akbar (God is Great) thirty-four times, SubhanAllah سبحانه وتعالى (Glory be to God) thirty-three times, and Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God) thirty-three times.' Sayyida Fatimah Al-Zahra صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم then lifted her head and said: 'I am content with Allah سبحانه وتعالى and His Messenger. I am content with Allah سبحانه وتعالى and His Messenger.'"
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
قَالَ اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «أَدْنَى مَا يُجْزِيكَ مِنَ اَلدُّعَاءِ بَعْدَ اَلْمَكْتُوبَةِ أَنْ تَقُولَ اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ اَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ كُلِّ خَيْرٍ أَحَاطَ بِهِ عِلْمُكَ وَ نَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ أَحَاطَ بِهِ عِلْمُكَ اَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ عَافِيَتَكَ فِي جَمِيعِ أُمُورِنَا كُلِّهَا وَ نَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ خِزْيِ اَلدُّنْيَا وَ عَذَابِ اَلْآخِرَةِ.
Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "The minimum supplication that suffices you after the obligatory (prayers) is to say: 'O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad. O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, we ask You for every good that Your knowledge encompasses, and we seek refuge in You from every evil that Your knowledge encompasses. O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, we ask You for Your protection in all of our matters, and we seek refuge in You from the disgrace of this world and the punishment of the Hereafter.'"
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh