Hadith record

6. Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad from Ali ibn Nu‘man, in a marfu’ manner (rafa’ahu) from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “They try to absorb the little moisture but ignore the huge river.” Someone asked him, “What is (this) huge river?” The Imams (a.s.)said, “It is the Messenger of Allah (s.a.) and the Knowledge that Allah gave to him. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, combined in Muhammad (s.a.) the Sunnah (traditions) of the all the prophets from Adam onwards to Muhammad (s.a.).” Someone asked him, “What are those sunnah (traditions)?” The Imams (a.s.) said, “They are all the knowledge of the prophets (s.a.). The Messenger of Allah transferred all of them to Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.).” The man then said, “O son of the Messenger of Allah, is Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) more knowledgeable or some of the prophets?” Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) replied, “Listen, everyone to what he just said. Allah opens the ears of whoever He wants. I said to him that Allah combined for Muhammad (s.a.) the knowledge of the prophets and he combined all of it with Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.). He now asks me, “Was he (Ali (a.s.) more knowledgeable or some of the prophets?”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.