Hadith record

10. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ishaq ibn Muhammad from Abu Hashim al-Ja‘fari who said: “I was in the presence of Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) after the death of his son, Abu Ja‘far. I thought to myself wanting to say, “Abu Ja‘far and Abu Muhammad at this time are like Abu al-Hassan Musa and ’Isma‘il, the sons of Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a.s.), and their stories are similar, since Abu Muhammad was the appointee after Abu Ja'far (AS).” At that moment, Abu al-Hassan turned to me before I could say anything and said, “Yes, O Abu Hashim, Allah applied Bada’ (a change in the current natural conditions) in the case of Abu Muhammad after Abu Ja‘far (AS), a fact that was not known for him (Abu Muhammad). In the same way He applied Bada’ in the case of Musa after the death of ’Isma‘il as an issue that through which his condition came to light. That is what you thought to yourself. Even though people of falsehood may dislike it, Abu Muhammad, my son, will be the successor after me. With him is the knowledge that he will need and with him are the signs of Imamate (Leadership with Divine Authority).”

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