Chapter on the Formulation of the Bequest
Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh|Volume 4|Book 1|Chapter 86
Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh
Volume 4, Book 1, Chapter 86
Chapter on the Formulation of the Bequest
3 hadiths
رَوَى عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ هَاشِمٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ عَنِ اَلْحَسَنِ بْنِ حَازِمٍ اَلْكَلْبِيِّ اِبْنِ أُخْتِ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ وَ لَيْسَ بِالْجَعْفَرِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ: "قَالَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ: "مَنْ لَمْ يُحْسِنْ وَصِيَّتَهُ عِنْدَ اَلْمَوْتِ كَانَ نَقْصاً فِي مُرُوءَتِهِ وَ عَقْلِهِ" قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ وَ كَيْفَ يُوصِي اَلْمَيِّتُ قَالَ "إِذَا حَضَرَتْهُ وَفَاتُهُ وَ اِجْتَمَعَ اَلنَّاسُ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ -: "اَللّٰهُمَّ فٰاطِرَ اَلسَّمٰاوٰاتِ وَ اَلْأَرْضِ عٰالِمَ اَلْغَيْبِ وَ اَلشَّهٰادَةِ" اَلرَّحْمَنَ اَلرَّحِيمَ اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعْهَدُ إِلَيْكَ فِي دَارِ اَلدُّنْيَا أَنِّي أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ وَحْدَكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُكَ وَ رَسُولُكَ وَ أَنَّ اَلْجَنَّةَ حَقٌّ وَ اَلنَّارَ حَقٌّ وَ أَنَّ اَلْبَعْثَ حَقٌّ وَ اَلْحِسَابَ حَقٌّ وَ اَلصِّرَاطَ حَقٌّ وَ اَلْقَدَرَ وَ اَلْمِيزَانَ حَقٌّ وَ أَنَّ اَلدِّينَ كَمَا وَصَفْتَ وَ أَنَّ اَلْإِسْلاَمَ كَمَا شَرَعْتَ وَ أَنَّ اَلْقَوْلَ كَمَا حَدَّثْتَ وَ أَنَّ اَلْقُرْآنَ كَمَا أَنْزَلْتَ وَ أَنَّكَ أَنْتَ اَللَّهُ اَلْحَقُّ اَلْمُبِينُ جَزَى اَللَّهُ مُحَمَّداً عَنَّا خَيْرَ اَلْجَزَاءِ وَ حَيَّا اَللَّهُ مُحَمَّداً وَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ بِالسَّلاَمِ اَللَّهُمَّ يَا عُدَّتِي عِنْدَ كُرْبَتِي وَ يَا صَاحِبِي عِنْدَ شِدَّتِي وَ يَا وَلِيَّ نِعْمَتِي إِلَهِي وَ إِلَهَ آبَائِي لاَ تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي أَقْرُبْ مِنَ اَلشَّرِّ وَ أَبْعُدْ مِنَ اَلْخَيْرِ فَآنِسْ فِي اَلْقَبْرِ وَحْشَتِي وَ اِجْعَلْ لِي عَهْداً يَوْمَ أَلْقَاكَ مَنْشُوراً ثُمَّ يُوصِي بِحَاجَتِهِ وَ تَصْدِيقُ هَذِهِ اَلْوَصِيَّةِ فِي اَلْقُرْآنِ فِي اَلسُّورَةِ اَلَّتِي تُذْكَرُ فِيهَا مَرْيَمُ فِي قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لاٰ يَمْلِكُونَ اَلشَّفٰاعَةَ إِلاّٰ مَنِ اِتَّخَذَ عِنْدَ اَلرَّحْمٰنِ عَهْداً فَهَذَا عَهْدُ اَلْمَيِّتِ وَ اَلْوَصِيَّةُ حَقٌّ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ وَ حَقٌّ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَحْفَظَ هَذِهِ اَلْوَصِيَّةَ وَ يُعَلِّمَهَا" وَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ صَلَوَاتُ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ "عَلَّمَنِيهَا رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ " وَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ "عَلَّمَنِيهَا جَبْرَئِيلُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ"".
Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashim narrated from Ali ibn Ishaq, from Al-Hasan ibn Hazim Al-Kalbi, the nephew of Hisham ibn Salim, from Sulayman ibn Ja'far (who was not from the Ja'fari lineage), from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, who said: The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) said: "Whoever does not make a proper will at the time of death, it is a deficiency in his dignity and intellect." It was asked: "O' Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, how does a dying person make a will?" Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم replied: "When his death approaches and people gather around him, he should say: "O' Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. O' Allah سبحانه وتعالى, I make a covenant with You سبحانه وتعالى in this worldly life that I bear witness there is no God but You سبحانه وتعالى, alone with no partner. And that Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is Your سبحانه وتعالى servant and Your Messenger صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. Paradise is true, Hellfire is true, resurrection is true, reckoning is true, the path (Sirat) is true, divine decree and the scale (Mizan) are true. Indeed, the religion is as You سبحانه وتعالى have described, Islam is as You سبحانه وتعالى have legislated, the word is as You سبحانه وتعالى have conveyed, and the Qur'an is as You سبحانه وتعالى have revealed. And You سبحانه وتعالى are Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the True and Manifest. May Allah سبحانه وتعالى reward Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم on our behalf with the best reward, and may Allah سبحانه وتعالى send peace upon Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and the family of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. O' Allah سبحانه وتعالى, You سبحانه وتعالى are my refuge in my hardship, my companion in my difficulty, and the guardian of my blessings. My God سبحانه وتعالى and the God سبحانه وتعالى of my forefathers, do not leave me to myself for the blink of an eye, for if You سبحانه وتعالى abandon me to myself, I will be closer to evil and farther from good. Bring comfort to my loneliness in the grave, and grant me a written covenant on the Day I meet You سبحانه وتعالى. Then he should state his wishes (in his will). The confirmation of this will is found in the Quran, in the chapter where Maryam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is mentioned, in the words of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Majestic: "They do not possess [the right of] intercession except for those who have taken a covenant with the Most Merciful." (Surah Maryam 19:87) This is the covenant of the dying person, and making a will is an obligation upon every Muslim. It is a duty to preserve this will and to teach it to others. Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, peace be upon him and his family, taught it to me." And the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, said: "Jibril عليه السلام taught it to me (from Allah سبحانه وتعالى)."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ رَوَى اَلْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا اَلْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ عُلْوَانَ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ ثَابِتٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ لِعَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: "يَا عَلِيُّ أُوصِيكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ بِخِصَالٍ فَاحْفَظْهَا" ثُمَّ قَالَ "اَللَّهُمَّ أَعِنْهُ أَمَّا اَلْأُولَى فَالصِّدْقُ وَ لاَ تَخْرُجَنَّ مِنْ فِيكَ كَذِبَةٌ أَبَداً وَ اَلثَّانِيَةُ اَلْوَرَعُ حَتَّى لاَ تَجْتَرِيَنَّ عَلَى خِيَانَةٍ أَبَداً وَ اَلثَّالِثَةُ اَلْخَوْفُ مِنَ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حَتَّى كَأَنَّكَ تَرَاهُ وَ اَلرَّابِعَةُ كَثْرَةُ اَلْبُكَاءِ مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُبْنَى لَكَ بِكُلِّ دَمْعَةٍ بَيْتٌ فِي اَلْجَنَّةِ وَ اَلْخَامِسَةُ بَذْلُ مَالِكَ وَ دَمِكَ دُونَ دِينِكَ وَ اَلسَّادِسَةُ اَلْأَخْذُ بِسُنَّتِي فِي صَلاَتِي وَ صِيَامِي وَ صَدَقَتِي أَمَّا اَلصَّلاَةُ فَالْخَمْسُونَ رَكْعَةً وَ أَمَّا اَلصِّيَامُ فَثَلاَثَةُ أَيَّامٍ فِي كُلِّ شَهْرٍ، خَمِيسٌ فِي أَوَّلِهِ وَ أَرْبِعَاءُ فِي وَسَطِهِ وَ خَمِيسٌ فِي آخِرِهِ وَ أَمَّا اَلصَّدَقَةُ فَجُهْدَكَ حَتَّى تَقُولَ قَدْ أَسْرَفْتُ وَ لَمْ تُسْرِفْ وَ عَلَيْكَ بِصَلاَةِ اَللَّيْلِ وَ عَلَيْكَ بِصَلاَةِ اَللَّيْلِ وَ عَلَيْكَ بِصَلاَةِ اَللَّيْلِ وَ عَلَيْكَ بِصَلاَةِ اَلزَّوَالِ وَ عَلَيْكَ بِتِلاَوَةِ اَلْقُرْآنِ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ وَ عَلَيْكَ بِرَفْعِ يَدَيْكَ فِي اَلصَّلاَةِ وَ تَقْلِيبِهِمَا بِكِلْتَيْهِمَا وَ عَلَيْكَ بِالسِّوَاكِ عِنْدَ كُلِّ وُضُوءِ كُلِّ صَلاَةٍ وَ عَلَيْكَ بِمَحَاسِنِ اَلْأَخْلاَقِ فَارْكَبْهَا وَ عَلَيْكَ بِمَسَاوِيهَا فَاجْتَنِبْهَا فَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلْ فَلاَ تَلُمْ إِلاَّ نَفْسَكَ".
Al-Husayn ibn Saʿid narrated that Al-Husayn ibn Ulwan reported from Amr ibn Thabit from Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, who said: The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) said to Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام: "O' Ali عليه السلام, I advise you regarding certain traits concerning yourself, so preserve them." Then Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "O' Allah سبحانه وتعالى, assist him! Seek truthfulness - never let a lie leave your mouth. And seek Piety - never allow yourself to commit a betrayal. And seek Fear of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Majestic - as if you see Him سبحانه وتعالى. And seek Abundant weeping from the fear of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Majestic - for every tear shed, a house will be built for you in Paradise. And seek Sacrificing your wealth and blood in defense of your religion. And seek Adhering to my tradition in prayer, fasting, and charity. As for prayer, it is fifty rak'ahs. As for fasting, it is three days in every month; a Thursday at the beginning (of the month), a Wednesday in the middle, and a Thursday at the end (of the month). As for charity, it should be given to your utmost ability until you say, 'I have gone to excess,' though you will not have gone to excess. You must uphold the night prayer, you must uphold the night prayer, you must uphold the night prayer. You must uphold the midday prayer (Salat Al-Zawal). You must recite the Quran in all conditions. You must raise your hands in prayer and move them in supplication. You must use the siwak (tooth-stick) before every ablution and before every prayer. You must adopt good morals - embrace them. You must avoid bad morals - stay away from them. If you fail to do so, then blame none but yourself."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh
وَ رُوِيَ عَنْ سُلَيْمِ بْنِ قَيْسٍ اَلْهِلاَلِيِّ قَالَ: شَهِدْتُ وَصِيَّةَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ حِينَ أَوْصَى إِلَى اِبْنِهِ اَلْحَسَنِ وَ أَشْهَدَ عَلَى وَصِيَّتِهِ اَلْحُسَيْنَ وَ مُحَمَّداً وَ جَمِيعَ وُلْدِهِ وَ رُؤَسَاءَ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ شِيعَتِهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ ثُمَّ دَفَعَ إِلَيْهِ اَلْكِتَابَ وَ اَلسِّلاَحَ ثُمَّ قَالَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ "يَا بُنَيَّ أَمَرَنِي رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ أَنْ أُوصِيَ إِلَيْكَ وَ أَنْ أَدْفَعَ إِلَيْكَ كُتُبِي وَ سِلاَحِي كَمَا أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ دَفَعَ إِلَيَّ كُتُبَهُ وَ سِلاَحَهُ وَ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ آمُرَكَ إِذَا حَضَرَكَ اَلْمَوْتُ أَنْ تَدْفَعَهُ إِلَى أَخِيكَ اَلْحُسَيْنِ " قَالَ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى اِبْنِهِ اَلْحُسَيْنِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ فَقَالَ "وَ أَمَرَكَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ أَنْ تَدْفَعَهُ إِلَى اِبْنِكَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ اَلْحُسَيْنِ " ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى اِبْنِهِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ اَلْحُسَيْنِ عَلَيْهِمَا اَلسَّلاَمُ فَقَالَ "وَ أَمَرَكَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ أَنْ تَدْفَعَ وَصِيَّتَكَ إِلَى اِبْنِكَ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ فَأَقْرِئْهُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ مِنِّي اَلسَّلاَمَ" ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى اِبْنِهِ اَلْحَسَنِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ فَقَالَ "يَا بُنَيَّ أَنْتَ وَلِيُّ اَلْأَمْرِ وَ وَلِيُّ اَلدَّمِ فَإِنْ عَفَوْتَ فَلَكَ وَ إِنْ قَتَلْتَ فَضَرْبَةً مَكَانَ ضَرْبَةٍ وَ لاَ تَأْثَمْ " ثُمَّ قَالَ "اُكْتُبْ "بِسْمِ اَللّٰهِ اَلرَّحْمٰنِ اَلرَّحِيمِ" هَذَا مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ أَوْصَى أَنَّهُ يَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اَللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ أَرْسَلَهُ "بِالْهُدىٰ وَ دِينِ اَلْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى اَلدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَ لَوْ كَرِهَ اَلْمُشْرِكُونَ" ثُمَّ "إِنَّ صَلاٰتِي وَ نُسُكِي وَ مَحْيٰايَ وَ مَمٰاتِي لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ اَلْعٰالَمِينَ لاٰ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ بِذٰلِكَ أُمِرْتُ" وَ أَنَا مِنَ اَلْمُسْلِمِينَ ثُمَّ إِنِّي أُوصِيكَ يَا حَسَنُ وَ جَمِيعَ وُلْدِي وَ أَهْلَ بَيْتِي وَ مَنْ بَلَغَهُ كِتَابِي مِنَ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِتَقْوَى اَللَّهِ رَبِّكُمْ "وَ لاٰ تَمُوتُنَّ إِلاّٰ وَ أَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ وَ اِعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اَللّٰهِ جَمِيعاً وَ لاٰ تَفَرَّقُوا وَ اُذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اَللّٰهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدٰاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ" فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ يَقُولُ "صَلاَحُ ذَاتِ اَلْبَيْنِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ عَامَّةِ اَلصَّلاَةِ وَ اَلصِّيَامِ" وَ إِنَّ اَلْبِغْضَةَ حَالِقَةُ اَلدِّينِ وَ فَسَادُ ذَاتِ اَلْبَيْنِ وَ "لاٰ قُوَّةَ إِلاّٰ بِاللّٰهِ" اُنْظُرُوا ذَوِي أَرْحَامِكُمْ فَصِلُوهُمْ يُهَوِّنِ اَللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ اَلْحِسَابَ وَ اَللَّهَ اَللَّهَ فِي اَلْأَيْتَامِ فَلاَ تَعِرَّ أَفْوَاهُهُمْ وَ لاَ يَضِيعُوا بِحَضْرَتِكُمْ فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ يَقُولُ "مَنْ عَالَ يَتِيماً حَتَّى يَسْتَغْنِيَ أَوْجَبَ اَللَّهُ لَهُ اَلْجَنَّةَ كَمَا أَوْجَبَ لآِكِلِ مَالِ اَلْيَتِيمِ اَلنَّارَ " وَ اَللَّهَ اَللَّهَ فِي اَلْقُرْآنِ فَلاَ يَسْبِقَنَّكُمْ إِلَى اَلْعَمَلِ بِهِ غَيْرُكُمْ وَ اَللَّهَ اَللَّهَ فِي جِيرَانِكُمْ فَإِنَّ اَللَّهَ وَ رَسُولَهُ أَوْصَيَا بِهِمْ وَ اَللَّهَ اَللَّهَ فِي بَيْتِ رَبِّكُمْ فَلاَ يَخْلُوَنَّ مِنْكُمْ مَا بَقِيتُمْ فَإِنَّهُ إِنْ تُرِكَ لَمْ تُنَاظَرُوا فَإِنَّ أَدْنَى مَا يَرْجِعُ بِهِ مَنْ أَمَّهُ أَنْ يُغْفَرَ لَهُ مَا سَلَفَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَ اَللَّهَ اَللَّهَ فِي اَلصَّلاَةِ فَإِنَّهَا خَيْرُ اَلْعَمَلِ وَ إِنَّهَا عَمُودُ دِينِكُمْ وَ اَللَّهَ اَللَّهَ فِي اَلزَّكَاةِ فَإِنَّهَا تُطْفِئُ غَضَبَ رَبِّكُمْ وَ اَللَّهَ اَللَّهَ فِي صِيَامِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَإِنَّ صِيَامَهُ جُنَّةٌ مِنَ اَلنَّارِ وَ اَللَّهَ اَللَّهَ فِي اَلْفُقَرَاءِ وَ اَلْمَسَاكِينِ فَشَارِكُوهُمْ فِي مَعِيشَتِكُمْ وَ اَللَّهَ اَللَّهَ فِي اَلْجِهَادِ "فِي سَبِيلِ اَللّٰهِ بِأَمْوٰالِكُمْ وَ أَنْفُسِكُمْ" فَإِنَّمَا يُجَاهِدُ فِي سَبِيلِ اَللَّهِ رَجُلاَنِ إِمَامٌ هُدًى وَ مُطِيعٌ لَهُ مُقْتَدٍ بِهُدَاهُ وَ اَللَّهَ اَللَّهَ فِي ذُرِّيَّةِ نَبِيِّكُمْ فَلاَ تُظْلَمُنَّ بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِكُمْ وَ أَنْتُمْ تَقْدِرُونَ عَلَى اَلدَّفْعِ عَنْهُمْ وَ اَللَّهَ اَللَّهَ فِي أَصْحَابِ نَبِيِّكُمُ اَلَّذِينَ لَمْ يُحْدِثُوا حَدَثاً وَ لَمْ يُؤْوُوا مُحْدِثاً فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ أَوْصَى بِهِمْ وَ لَعَنَ اَلْمُحْدِثَ مِنْهُمْ وَ مِنْ غَيْرِهِمْ وَ اَلْمُؤْوِيَ لِلْمُحْدِثِ وَ اَللَّهَ اَللَّهَ فِي اَلنِّسَاءِ وَ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ لاَ تَخَافُنَّ فِي اَللَّهِ لَوْمَةَ لاَئِمٍ يَكْفِيكُمُ اَللَّهُ مَنْ أَرَادَكُمْ وَ بَغَى عَلَيْكُمْ "قُولُوا لِلنّٰاسِ حُسْناً" كَمَا أَمَرَكُمُ اَللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لاَ تَتْرُكُنَّ اَلْأَمْرَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ اَلنَّهْيَ عَنِ اَلْمُنْكَرِ فَيُوَلِّيَ اَللَّهُ اَلْأَمْرَ شِرَارَكُمْ، ثُمَّ تَدْعُونَ فَلاَ يُسْتَجَابُ لَكُمْ، عَلَيْكُمْ يَا بَنِيَّ بِالتَّوَاصُلِ وَ اَلتَّبَاذُلِ وَ اَلتَّبَارِّ وَ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ اَلتَّقَاطُعَ وَ اَلتَّدَابُرَ وَ اَلتَّفَرُّقَ وَ "تَعٰاوَنُوا عَلَى اَلْبِرِّ وَ اَلتَّقْوىٰ وَ لاٰ تَعٰاوَنُوا عَلَى اَلْإِثْمِ وَ اَلْعُدْوٰانِ وَ اِتَّقُوا اَللّٰهَ إِنَّ اَللّٰهَ شَدِيدُ اَلْعِقٰابِ" حَفِظَكُمُ اَللَّهُ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ وَ حَفِظَ فِيكُمْ نَبِيَّكُمْ وَ أَسْتَوْدِعُكُمُ اَللَّهَ وَ أَقْرَأُ عَلَيْكُمُ اَلسَّلاَمَ" ثُمَّ لَمْ يَزَلْ يَقُولُ: " لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اَللَّهُ " حَتَّى قُبِضَ صَلَوَاتُ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَ سَلاَمُهُ فِي أَوَّلِ لَيْلَةٍ مِنَ اَلْعَشْرِ اَلْأَوَاخِرِ، لَيْلَةَ إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ لَيْلَةَ اَلْجُمُعَةِ لِأَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً مَضَتْ مِنَ اَلْهِجْرَةِ.
It is narrated from Sulaym ibn Qays Al-Hilali who said: "I witnessed the will of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام when he appointed his son Imam Hasan ibn Ali عليه السلام as his successor and made Imam Hussain ibn Ali عليه السلام, Muhammad (Hanafiya), all of his children, the prominent members of his household, and his followers (Shi'a) witnesses to his will. Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام handed over to him (Imam Hasan ibn Ali عليه السلام) the book and the weapon, and Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: 'O' my son, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) commanded me to appoint you as my successor and to hand over to you my books and my weapon, just as he appointed me and handed over his books and his weapon to me. He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم also commanded me to instruct you that when death approaches you, you should hand them over to your brother Al- Hussain عليه السلام.' Then he turned to his son Imam Hussain ibn Ali عليه السلام and said: 'And the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) commanded you to hand it over to your son Ali ibn Al- Hussain عليه السلام.' Then he turned to his son Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussain عليه السلام and said: 'And the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) commanded you to hand your will over to your son Muhammad ibn Ali عليه السلام. Convey to him the greetings of peace from the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) and from me.' Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام turned to his son Imam Hasan ibn Ali عليه السلام and said: 'O' my son, you are the guardian of the matter and the avenger of the blood. If you forgive, it is your right, and if you choose to retaliate, then strike only as you were struck, and do not transgress.' Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: 'Write: In the name of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. This is what Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام bequeathed. He عليه السلام bears witness that there is no God but Allah سبحانه وتعالى, alone without partner, and that Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is His سبحانه وتعالى servant and Messenger, whom He سبحانه وتعالى sent with guidance and the religion of truth so that He سبحانه وتعالى may make it prevail over all religions, even if the polytheists dislike it." Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام continued: "Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are for Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Lord عز وجل of the worlds. He سبحانه وتعالى has no partner, and with this I have been commanded, and I am among the Muslims." Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "I advise you, O' Hasan عليه السلام, and all of my children, my household, and everyone who receives this letter from among the believers to fear Allah سبحانه وتعالى, your Lord عز وجل, and do not die except while you are Muslims.' And hold firmly to the rope of Allah سبحانه وتعالى all together and do not become divided. Remember Allah's سبحانه وتعالى favor upon you when you were enemies, and He سبحانه وتعالى brought your hearts together.' Indeed, I heard the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) say: Reconciliation between people is better than most prayers and fasting.' Hatred destroys religion, and corruption between people is destructive. There is no power except with Allah سبحانه وتعالى.' Take care of your relatives and maintain ties with them, for Allah سبحانه وتعالى will make your reckoning easier. By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of orphans - do not let their mouths hunger, and do not let them be neglected in your presence. For I heard the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) say: 'Whoever takes care of an orphan until they become self-sufficient, Allah سبحانه وتعالى will make Paradise obligatory for them, just as He سبحانه وتعالى has made the Fire obligatory for one who consumes the property of an orphan.'" Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام continued: "By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of the Qur'an. Let no one surpass you in acting upon it. By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of your neighbours, for Allah سبحانه وتعالى and His Messenger have both advised concerning them. By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of the House of your Lord عز وجل. Do not let it be abandoned as long as you live, for if it is neglected, you will be forsaken. The least reward one receives upon visiting it is that past sins are forgiven. By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of prayer, for it is the best of deeds and the pillar of your religion. By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of zakat, for it extinguishes the anger of your Lord عز وجل. By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of fasting during the month of Ramadan, for fasting is a shield against the Fire. By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of the poor and the needy. Include them in your livelihood. By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of jihad in the way of Allah سبحانه وتعالى with your wealth and your lives. Indeed, the one who truly strives in the way of Allah سبحانه وتعالى is either a guiding leader or one who obeys him and follows his guidance. By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of the progeny of your Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. Do not let them be wronged while they are among you and you have the power to defend them. By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of the companions of your Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم - those who did not commit innovations and did not support innovators. For the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) advised regarding them and cursed the one who innovates among them or others and those who support innovators. By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of women and those whom your right hands possess. Do not fear the blame of the blamers when it comes to Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Allah سبحانه وتعالى will suffice you against those who wish you harm and plot against you. Speak kindly to people' as Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, has commanded you. Do not neglect enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, lest Allah سبحانه وتعالى gives authority to the worst among you. Then you will pray, and your prayers will not be answered. O' my children! Maintain ties with one another, be generous to one another, and be kind to each other. Beware of severing ties, turning your backs on one another, and division. Cooperate in righteousness and piety, and do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah سبحانه وتعالى; indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى is severe in punishment.' May Allah سبحانه وتعالى protect you, O' people of my household, and preserve through you your Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. I entrust you to Allah سبحانه وتعالى and convey my peace upon you." Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام continued to say: "There is no God but Allah سبحانه وتعالى," until he passed away - peace and blessings be upon him - in the early night of the last ten nights, on the twenty-first night of the month of Ramadan, on a Friday night, in the fortieth year after the Hijrah.
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh