Excellence of Son

Resemblance of a Child

Excellence of Daughters

Prayer and Appeal before Allah for a Son

If When Pregnant one Keeps Her Intention to Name the Child Muhammad or Ali the Child will be a Boy: and the Prayer for it

Beginning of the Creation of a Human Being and His Turning in His Mother’s Womb

When a Woman Gives Birth to More than one Child

Discipline to Follow During Childbirth

Congratulation for Childbirth

Names and Titles

Complete Creation

Foods Preferable for a Pregnant or a Woman during Childbirth to Eat

Special Treatments for the Newborn

Al-’Aqiqah and its Being Obligatory

‘Aqiqah for Boys or Girls is the Same

‘Aqiqah is not Obligatory on One who Cannot Find

On the Seventh Day from Birth the Newborn’s Head is Shaved and a Name is Given to Him

‘Aqiqah is not Equal to al-’Adhiyah (animal offered as sacrificial offering during al-Hajj) and it is Sufficient in Place of ‘Aqiqah

Words to Say on ‘Aqiqah

The Mother should not Eat from the Meat of ‘Aqiqah

The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, Offered ‘Aqiqah for al-Hassan and al-Husayn

Abu Talib Offered ‘Aqiqah for the Holy Prophet, O Allah , Grant Compensation to Muhammad and his Family Worthy of their Services to Your Cause

Cleansing, Circumcision

Lowering for Girls

After Seven Days from Birth Shaving is not Required

The Rare Ahadith

Shaving Certain Parts of the Head of a Newborn and Leaving other Parts

Breastfeeding

The Liability of the Breastfeeder

The Preferable and Non-preferable Milk

The One Who has More Priority for the Custody of a Small Child

Growth of a Child

Disciplines for a Child

The Rights of Children

Kindness to Children

Giving Preference to One Child Over the Others

Intelligence of a Boy and Signs of his Nobility

Rare Ahadith

Detestability of Divorcing a Cooperating Wife

Divorcing an Uncooperative Wife

People Do not Remain Straight in Matters of Divorce without the Sword

The Divorces Not According to the Book and Sunnah

Divorce Does not Take Place unless Once has the Intention to Divorce

There Cannot be Divorce before Marriage

Divorce in Writing

Explanation of Divorce with Waiting Period and what Makes Divorce Binding

The Necessary Expressions to Pronounce with the Decision to Divorce

Three Talaq (Divorce) in Hayd (menses) Free Period in the Presence of Witnesses in One place and Time or More is One Talaq

The Case of One who Arranges Witnesses Separately or Divorces in the Presence of a People but Does not Ask them to Bear Witness

Appointing Witness to Divorce Two Women with One word

Arranging Witness for Revocation of Divorce

Revocation of Divorce without Going to Bed is not Valid

No name

One Who is not Lawful for her Husband without Marriage to another Man

Issues that Validate and Invalidate Divorce

An Absent Man Returns and Divorces at that Time that Divorce Does not Take Place until She Experiences Hayd (menses)

Women who Can be Divorced in all Conditions

Divorce by an Absent Husband

Divorce of a Pregnant Woman

Divorce of a Woman whose Marriage is not Consummated

Divorce of One who is not Mature yet and Divorce of One after Menopause

Women Whose Hayd (menses) is Confusing

The Time when a Divorced Woman in the Manner of Divorce with Waiting Period and Revocable Form Becomes Stranger to him

Meaning of al^Iqra’ (Hayd-free period)

Waiting Period for a Divorced Woman and Where She must have it

The Difference between one Divorced in Non-Sunnah manner and the One who Goes out in her Waiting Period or is Sent out by the Husband

Explanation of the words of Allah, most, High, ‘You must not send them out of their homes and they must not go out. .

Divorce of a Woman whose Hayd (menses) is Confusing

Divorce of Women Who Hide Their Experiencing Hayd (menses)

The Case of a Woman who Experiences Hayd (menses) after Every Two or Three Months

Waiting Period of a Woman whose Hayd (menses) is Confused

The Word of Women are Accepted in Matters of Hayd (menses)

A Woman Confused about Pregnancy

Maintenance of Pregnant Divorced Women

A Woman Divorcee Three Times Does not have the Right for Lodging or Maintenance

Benefits for a Divorced Woman

The Rights of a Divorced Woman of mahr (dower) with Whom He has not Gone to Bed

The Issue that Completes Mahr (dower)

The Divorced Woman Whose Husband is Absent Commences Her ‘Iddah (waiting period) from the Day She is Divorced

Waiting period of a Widow whose Husband is Absent

Reason for Difference about Waiting Period and Waiting Period of a Widow

Waiting Period of a Pregnant Widow and Her Expenses

Waiting Period of a Widow with whom he has Gone to Bed and where she must Complete her Waiting Period and Her Obligations

The Case of a Woman whose Husband Dies before Going to Bed with her and that there is no Waiting Period and Mahr (dower) for her

The Case of a Man who Divorces his Wife and Dies before her Waiting period Ends

Divorce and Marriage during one’s Illness

About words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, . do not harm them (women) to make it Difficult for them

Divorce of Children

Divorce of People with Mental Condition and Insane Ones and their Guardian

Divorce by a Drunk Man

Divorce of One Compelled and Coerced

Divorce by a Speechless Man

Appointing an Attorney for Divorce

Swearing and Taking an Oath

’Ila’ (swearing) does not Take Place except after Going to Bed with one’s Wife

If a Man Says to his Wife, ‘You are Unlawful for me”

The Free, Cleared and Severed Woman

The Choices

How the Choice originally was

عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ جَمِيعاً عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ وَ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ جَمِيعاً عَنِ الْعَلَاءِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ قَالَ أَقْرَأَنِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ( عليه السلام ) شَيْئاً مِنْ كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ( عليه السلام ) فَإِذَا فِيهِ أَنْهَاكُمْ عَنِ الْجِرِّيِّ وَ الزِّمِّيرِ وَ الْمَارْمَاهِي وَ الطَّافِي وَ الطِّحَالِ قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُ إِنَّا نُؤْتَى بِالسَّمَكِ لَيْسَ لَهُ قِشْرٌ فَقَالَ كُلْ مَا لَهُ قِشْرٌ مِنَ السَّمَكِ وَ مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ قِشْرٌ فَلَا تَأْكُلْهُ .

1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad all from ibn Mahbub and Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Nasr all from al-‘Ala’ from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Once abu Ja‘far (a.s.), made me read something from the books of ‘Ali (a.s.). Therein I found this: I prohibit you from using eel for food, al-Zimir, (a certain kind of fish), Mar mahi (something like fish), snake fish, dead fish floating on water and the spleen.’ I then asked, ‘O child of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah grant you kindness, ’People bring to us a kind of fish that has no scales.’ He (the Imam) said, ’You can use for food of fish that which has scales and do not use for food the kind of fish which has no scales.’” 

الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ قَالَ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الْحِيتَانُ مَا يُؤْكَلُ مِنْهَا فَقَالَ مَا كَانَ لَهُ قِشْرٌ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا تَقُولُ فِي الْكَنْعَتِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِأَكْلِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ فَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ قِشْرٌ فَقَالَ لِي بَلَى وَ لَكِنَّهَا سَمَكَةٌ سَيِّئَةُ الْخُلُقِ تَحْتَكُّ بِكُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ وَ إِذَا نَظَرْتَ فِي أَصْلِ أُذُنِهَا وَجَدْتَ لَهَا قِشْراً .

2. Al-Husayn from Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla’ ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ’I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, of fish which kind is edible?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘The kind of fish that has scales is edible.’ I then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what do you say about al-Kan‘at (a kind of fish with very little scales). He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful to use it for food.’ I then said, ‘It does not have scales?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it has scales but it is a bad mannered fish and it sticks to everything. If you look at the base of its ears you can find scales.’” 

عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ حَمَّادٍ عَنْ حَرِيزٍ عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنْهُمَا ( عليهما السلام ) أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ( عليه السلام ) كَانَ يَكْرَهُ الْجِرِّيثَ وَ قَالَ لَا تَأْكُلُوا مِنَ السَّمَكِ إِلَّا شَيْئاً عَلَيْهِ فُلُوسٌ وَ كَرِهَ الْمَارْمَاهِيَ .

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad from Hariz from those whom he has mentioned who has said the following: “One of the two Imam, (abu Ja’far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said that ’Amir al- Mu’minin (a.s.), disliked eel. He (the Imam) had said, ‘Do not use for food the kind of fish which has no scales’ and he (the Imam) disliked al-Mar Mahi (catfish).”’ 

عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) قَالَ لَا تَأْكُلِ الْجِرِّيثَ وَ لَا الْمَارْمَاهِيَ وَ لَا طَافِياً وَ لَا طِحَالًا لِأَنَّهُ بَيْتُ الدَّمِ وَ مُضْغَةُ الشَّيْطَانِ .

4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘ah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Do not use for food eel, al-Mar Mahi, the dead fish floating on water and the spleen because it is the home of blood and a morsel of Satan.’” 

عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ حَنْظَلَةَ قَالَ حُمِلَتْ إِلَيَّ رَبِيثَا يَابِسَةٌ فِي صُرَّةٍ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْهَا فَقَالَ كُلْهَا فَلَهَا قِشْرٌ .

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim from ‘Umar ibn Hanzalah who has said the following: “Dried up rabitha (shrimp) was sent to me in a sack and I visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and asked him (the Imam) about it. He (the Imam) said, ‘You can use it for food; it has scales.’” 

عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) قَالَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ( عليه السلام ) بِالْكُوفَةِ يَرْكَبُ بَغْلَةَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) ثُمَّ يَمُرُّ بِسُوقِ الْحِيتَانِ فَيَقُولُ لَا تَأْكُلُوا وَ لَا تَبِيعُوا مِنَ السَّمَكِ مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ قِشْرٌ .

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has stated this Hadith. ’Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib in al-Kufah would ride the mule of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, then pass by the fish market and say, ‘Do not use for food and do not sell of fish whatever has no scales.’” 

عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ حَنَانِ بْنِ سَدِيرٍ قَالَ سَأَلَ الْعَلَاءُ بْنُ كَامِلٍ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ عَنِ الْجِرِّيِّ فَقَالَ وَجَدْنَا فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ( عليه السلام ) أَشْيَاءَ مُحَرَّمَةً مِنَ السَّمَكِ فَلَا تَقْرَبْهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ قِشْرٌ مِنَ السَّمَكِ فَلَا تَقْرَبَنَّهُ .

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hanan ibn Sadir who has said the following: “Al-‘Ala’ ibn Kamil asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when I was present, about eel. He (the Imam) said, ‘We have found in the book of Ali (a.s.), of fish certain varities are unlawful for food so do not go close to them.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘Of fish those which have no scales, do not go close to them.’” 

حَنَانُ بْنُ سَدِيرٍ قَالَ أَهْدَى الْفَيْضُ بْنُ الْمُخْتَارِ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) رَبِيثَا فَأَدْخَلَهَا إِلَيْهِ وَ أَنَا عِنْدَهُ فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهَا وَ قَالَ هَذِهِ لَهَا قِشْرٌ فَأَكَلَ مِنْهُ وَ نَحْنُ نَرَاهُ .

8. Hanan ibn Sadir has the following: “Once, al-Fayd ibn al-Mukhtar sent rabitha as gift to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). It was brought for him when I was present. He (the Imam) looked at it and said, ‘This has scales.’ He (the Imam) ate thereof and we saw him eating.”’ 

عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ هَارُونَ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ مَسْعَدَةَ بْنِ صَدَقَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ( عليه السلام ) كَانَ يَرْكَبُ بَغْلَةَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) ثُمَّ يَمُرُّ بِسُوقِ الْحِيتَانِ فَيَقُولُ أَلَا لَا تَأْكُلُوا وَ لَا تَبِيعُوا مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ قِشْرٌ .

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated [from his father] from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas’adah ibn Sadaqah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has stated this Hadith. ’Amir al-Mu’minin would ride the mule of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. He (the Imam) then would pass by the fish market and say, ‘You must not use for food and must not sell whatever does not have scales.’” 

أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الْأَشْعَرِيُّ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ عَمِّهِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي إِسْحَاقُ صَاحِبُ الْحِيتَانِ قَالَ خَرَجْنَا بِسَمَكٍ نَتَلَقَّى بِهِ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ( عليه السلام ) وَ قَدْ خَرَجْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ وَ قَدْ قَدِمَ هُوَ مِنْ سَفَرٍ لَهُ فَقَالَ وَيْحَكَ يَا فُلَانُ لَعَلَّ مَعَكَ سَمَكاً فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ يَا سَيِّدِي جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ انْزِلُوا ثُمَّ قَالَ وَيْحَكَ لَعَلَّهُ زَهْوٌ قَالَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَأَرَيْتُهُ فَقَالَ ارْكَبُوا لَا حَاجَةَ لَنَا فِيهِ وَ الزَّهْوُ سَمَكٌ لَيْسَ لَهُ قِشْرٌ .

10. Abu Ali al-Ash‘ariy has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Ali from his uncle Muhammad ibn Sulayman ibn Ja‘far who has said the following: “Ishaq, fisherman, narrated to me the following, ‘Once we went out with fish to meet abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.). We went out of al-Madinah and he (the Imam) was coming from his journey and he (the Imam) said, ‘Fie upon, you O so and so, perhaps you have fish with you.’ I replied, ‘Yes, O my master, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Bring them down.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Perhaps it is Zahw.’ I replied, ‘Yes, it is and I showed him (the Imam) Zahw ’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Ride your stumpers; we cannot use them for food.’ Al- Zahw is a fish that has no scales.’” 

مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنِ الْعَمْرَكِيِّ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ عَنْ أَخِيهِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ( عليه السلام ) قَالَ لَا يَحِلُّ أَكْلُ الْجِرِّيِّ وَ لَا السُّلَحْفَاةِ وَ لَا السَّرَطَانِ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ اللَّحْمِ الَّذِي يَكُونُ فِي أَصْدَافِ الْبَحْرِ وَ الْفُرَاتِ أَ يُؤْكَلُ فَقَالَ ذَاكَ لَحْمُ الضَّفَادِعِ لَا يَحِلُّ أَكْلُهُ .

11. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from al-‘Amrakiy from Ali ibn Ja‘far from his brother abu al-Hassan (a.s.), who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not lawful to use eel, turtle and crab for food.’ I then asked him (the Imam) about the shellfish of the ocean and al-Furat: if they could be used for food. He (the Imam) said, ‘That is the flesh of frogs and it is not lawful to use it for food.’” 

الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الْهَمَذَانِيِّ عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ عَنِ الْكَلْبِيِّ النَّسَّابَةِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) عَنِ الْجِرِّيِّ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَسَخَ طَائِفَةً مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ فَمَا أَخَذَ مِنْهُمُ الْبَحْرَ فَهُوَ الْجِرِّيُّ وَ الزِّمِّيرُ وَ الْمَارْمَاهِي وَ مَا سِوَى ذَلِكَ وَ مَا أَخَذَ مِنْهُمُ الْبَرَّ فَالْقِرَدَةُ وَ الْخَنَازِيرُ وَ الْوَبْرُ وَ الْوَرَلُ وَ مَا سِوَى ذَلِكَ .

12. Al-Husayn from Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla’ ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Ali al-Hamadaniy from Sama‘ah ibn Mehran from al-Kalbiy al-Nassabah who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about eel. He (the Imam) said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, metamorphosed a group of banu Israelites, those of them who went to the sea are eels, al-Zimir and al-Mar Mahi and others, and those who remained on land are apes, pigs, wild cats and lizards and others.’” 

عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ صَالِحِ بْنِ السِّنْدِيِّ عَنْ يُونُسَ قَالَ كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الرِّضَا ( عليه السلام ) السَّمَكُ لَا يَكُونُ لَهُ قِشْرٌ أَ يُؤْكَلُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ مِنَ السَّمَكِ مَا يَكُونُ لَهُ زَعَارَّةٌ فَيَحْتَكُّ بِكُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ فَتَذْهَبُ قُشُورُهُ وَ لَكِنْ إِذَا اخْتَلَفَ طَرَفَاهُ يَعْنِي ذَنَبَهُ وَ رَأْسَهُ فَكُلْهُ .

13. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Salih al-Sindiy from Yunus who has said the following: “I once wrote to abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), and asked if fish which has no scales can be used for food. He (the Imam) said, ‘Of fish there are those which have bad manners and they rub against everything and its scales go away, but if its two ends are different, its tail and head, then you can use it for food.’” 

Al-Kāfi - Volume 6

Book 3, Chapter 12