Chapter on What is Permissible and Impermissible to Pray in - of Clothing and Place

Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Musa ibn Al-Qasim and Abu Qatadah together, from Ali ibn Ja‘far, from his brother (Imam) Musa ibn Ja‘far عليه السلام, peace be upon them both, said: I asked Imam عليه السلام about a man, may he pray on a platform (raf) suspended between two palm trees? Imam عليه السلام said: "If it is level, and he is able to perform the prayer on it, then there is no harm." He (narrator) said: “And I asked Imam عليه السلام about beds or rugs made of silk or its like from dibaj (brocade), and a prayer mat of silk or brocade, is it permissible for a man to sleep on it, recline on it, and pray on it?” Imam عليه السلام said: "He may lay it out and stand on it, but he should not prostrate on it." And I asked Imam عليه السلام about a man who prays in a mosque whose walls are all covered with embroidery (kiwa), the qiblah wall and both side walls, and his wife prays in front of him, so that he sees her but she does not see him. Imam عليه السلام said: "There is no problem." And I asked Imam عليه السلام about mats whose reeds were wetted with impure water, may one pray on them? Imam عليه السلام said: "If they have dried, then there is no problem." And I asked Imam عليه السلام about a man who prayed while having with him a saddle or other item made from donkey skin, and he was wearing sandals made from donkey skin, does his prayer suffice him or must he repeat it? Imam عليه السلام said: "It is not proper for him to pray while it is with him unless he fears that it might be lost, then there is no problem in praying while it is with him."