Hadith record

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from ‘Imran ibn Musa from Musa ibn Ja‘far from Ali ibn Asbat from Muhammad ibn Fudayl from abu Hamzah who has said the following. “I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the knowledge. Is it a knowledge that the scholar learns from the mouths of the people or it is in the with you from which you read and then learn therefrom.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “The issue is greater and more urgently needed. Have you not heard the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “Thus, We have revealed a Spirit to you, (Muhammad), by Our command. Before, you did not even know what a Book or Faith was, . .” (42:52)?” The The Imam (a.s.) said, “What does your people say about this verse? Do they read that he was as such that he did not know what the or the was?” I said, “I do not know, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what they say.” The Imam (a.s.) then said, “Yes, he lived in a condition wherein he did not know the book and the faith untill Allah, the Most High, sent the Spirit who is mentioned in the book. When the Spirit was inspired (sent) to him he learned through him the knowledge and understanding. He is the Spirit whom Allah, the Most High grants to whoever He wants. When He grants him to a servant he teaches him understanding.”

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