Grapes

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from al- Rabi ‘ al-Musliy from Ma‘ruf ibn Kharrabudh from those who had seen ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), eating bread with grapes.”

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When water dried up and bones of the dead bodies were unveiled, Nuh (a.s.), became extremely unhappy and sad. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, sent him revelation that said, ‘This is your own act. It was you who prayed against them.’ Nuh said, ‘My Lord, I ask You to forgive me and I turn to You (for kindness).’ Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, sent him revelation to eat black grapes.’”

“Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, liked grapes. One day he fasted and when it was the time to break his fast, the first thing that was brought to him was grapes. A mother of his child brought a bunch of grapes and placed before him. A beggar came and he (the Imam) give it to him. The mother of his child managed to buy it secretly from the beggar. She then placed it before him (the Imam). Another beggar came and he (the Imam) give it to the beggar. The mother of his child again secretly bought it from the beggar. She placed it before him (the Imam). Another beggar came and he (the Imam) give it to the beggar and she again secretly bought and placed it before him (the Imam). In the fourth time he (the Imam) (a.s.), was able to eat it.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One of the Prophets complained before Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, about sadness and Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, commanded him to eat grapes.’”

“I once was grazing my camels on the road of al-Khawarnaq (name of a place) and I saw a group of people coming. I then asked a man among them, ‘Who are these people?’ He replied, ‘They are Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a.s.), and ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Hassan who are summoned by al-Mansur.’ Afterward I asked about them and it was said that they are in al-Hirah.’ The next morning I went to offer them greeting of peace. When I was there, I saw baskets before them with fresh dates given to them as gift from al-Kufah. The baskets were opened before them. Ja‘far ibn Muhammad, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, extended his hand and ate, then said to me, ‘Eat.’ He (the Imam) then said to ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Hassan, ‘O abu Muhammad, what do you say about these fine fresh dates?’ Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a.s.), then turned to me and said, ‘O people of al-Kufah, you have been given preference over other people in matters of food by three things: Your fish, al-Bunaniy, your grapes, this al- Raziqiy and your fresh dates, this al-Mushan.’”

“Once abu ‘Ukashah ibn Mihsan al-Asadiy visited abu Ja‘far (a.s.), then grapes were brought for him and he (the Imam) said to him, ‘An old man and small children eat one piece after one piece. Three and three pieces or four pieces at a time eating is the manner of a person who thinks that he cannot become satisfied but you can eat two pieces at a time because it is preferable.’”