On Miscellaneous Topics

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said : Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Blessed and Exalted, revealed to Musa ibn Imran عليه السلام to bring out the bones of Yusuf عليه السلام from Egypt ’, and promised him the rising of the moon. However, the moon delayed in rising so he inquired about someone who knew its location. He was told of an elderly woman who knew its whereabouts. He summoned her, and a paralyzed, blind elderly woman was brought before him. Musa عليه السلام asked: 'Do you know the grave of Yusuf عليه السلام?' She replied: 'Yes.' Musa عليه السلام said: 'Then inform me of its location.' She said: 'I will not do so unless you grant me certain conditions: to restore my legs so that I may walk, to return my eyesight, to restore my youth, and to make me with you in Paradise.' This request was burdensome for Musa عليه السلام, but Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic, revealed to him, 'You are only granting these on My behalf, so fulfil her request.' So Musa عليه السلام did as She asked. She then guided him to the grave of Yusuf عليه السلام, and Musa عليه السلام extracted it from the banks of the Nile in a marble coffin. When he brought it out, the moon rose. He then carried it to Sham (the Levant). For this reason, the People of the Book carry their dead to Sham."