Hadith record

3. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from abu Ali Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il ibn Musa ibn Ja’far from Ahmad ibn al-Qasim al-‘Ijli from Ahmad ibn Yahya, also known as Kurd from Muhammad ibn Khudahi from ‘Abdallah ibn Ayyub from ‘Abdallah ibn Hashim from ‘Abd al-Karim ibn ‘Amr al-Khath‘ami from Hababa al-Walibiyyah who has said the following. “I saw Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) in the (market) place of the Shurtat al-Khamis with a two pronged whip in his had. With it he would scare the sellers of inedible fish such as eel, moray and angler etc., and say, “O sellers of metamorphosed Israelites and the army of the descendants of Marwan, do not sell (inedible fishes).” At this time Furat ibn Ahnaf came to him and said, “O Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), ‘What is the army of the descendants of Marwan?” She has said that Ali (a.s.) said to him, “They groups of people who shaved their beards and crinkle their mustache and then they were metamorphosed.” I had not heard any one speak better than him, I followed him without missing his traces until he sat down at an open space of the Mosque (of kufa). I then asked him, “O Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), what are the signs of Imamate (Leadership with Divine Authority) may Allah grant you blessings? “ She has said that he said, “Bring to me that pebble.” He pointed with his hand. I then got the pebble for him and he set for me his seal on it. He then said to me, ‘O Hababa, if any one would claim to be the Imam (Leader with Divine Authority) and can set his seal as you just saw then acknowledge that he is the Imam that must be obeyed. The Imam does not miss what he would want.” She has said, “I then left him until Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) was taken out of this world. Thereafter I went o al-Hassan (a.s.) who was sitting in the place of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and people around would ask him questions. He said to me, “O Hababa al-Walibyya.” I said, “Yes, my master.” He then said, “Give to me what is with you.” I then gave it to him. He set on it (his seal) just as Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) had done. She has said, “Afterwards I went to al-Husayn (a.s.). He was in Mosque of the Messenger of Allah. He welcomed warmly and then said to me, “There is no doubt that in the proof ( to support the true Imam) there is already enough proof for what you want. Do you want the proof to know the Imam?” I said, “Yes, my master.” He then said, “Bring to me what have with you.” I gave him the pebble and he printed (his seal) on it. She has said that afterwards I went to Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) but at that time I had become very old and my hands were shaky. I could count one hundred thirteen year of my lifetime. I found him in Ruku’ (kneeling in prayer) and Sujud (prostration) or busy in some form of worship. I became despaired about the proof (of Leadership with Divine Authority). He pointed out with his forefinger and my youth came back. She has said that she asked, “My mater, how much of the world is passed and how much is left?” He said, “Of how much is passed yes (I can tell) but not of how much is to come.” She has that he then said to me, “give to me what is with you.” I then gave him the pebble and he printed on it (his seal) for me. Thereafter I went to Abu Ja’far (a.s.) and he printed on it (his seal) for me. Then I went to Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). He printed on it (his seal) for me. Then I went to Abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) and he printed (his seal) for me. Then I went to al-Rida and printed for me.” According to Abu Muhammad Hababa lived thereafter another nine moths.”

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