I have seen some of our companions take some of the clay of...

I have seen some of our companions take some of the clay of the ‘Hair’ and seek cure with it. Does it contain any cure like they say it does?” ‘ Imam -asws replied: It can be used as a cure even if it is collected from the distance of four miles away from the Grave (of Hussain -asws ).

The same applies to the grave of my grandfather -asws (Imam Ali -asws ) the Messenger of Allah -saww , and the same applies to the clay of the graves of Hassan -asws , Ali (Imam Sajjad -asws ), and the Mohammed (Imam Baqir -asws ). Take some of it (the clay of the grave of Hussain -asws ), for verily it is a cure for every disease and a shield against any fearful matter. Nothing else from among that which is used to cure (an ailment) can be compared to it except supplication.

However, the containers in which it is (often) kept and the lack of certainty of those who treat themselves with it, spoils it. Those who are certain that if they treat themselves with it, they will be cured, (will find that) it will suffice them with the permission of Allah -azwj from having to use any other medicine. The devils and the disbeliever Jinns also spoil it by rubbing themselves against it. Nothing passes by it without smelling it.

As for the devils and the disbeliever Jinns, they envy humans because of it so they rub themselves against it and all of its fragrance vanishes. An innumerable number from among them (the devils and the disbeliever Jinns) prepare themselves as soon as the clay leaves the Hair – for they cannot enter the Hair because of the angels (who guard it) – and they rub themselves against the clay while it is in the hands of the person who is carrying it.

If any part of this dust remained intact and was used to treat any patient, he would be cured immediately. So when you take from this clay, keep it hidden and mention Allah -azwj , increasingly on it. I have been informed that some of the people who take from the dust belittle it so much that some of them even place it in the feedbag of their camels, mules and donkeys, or in their own food containers, or in the handkerchiefs which are used to wipe the hands after eating, or in their saddlebags.

How can a perrson who dishonours it in this way seek cure with it? (Verily) the uncertain hearts of those who belittle that which leads to their righteousness will ruin its effect.