Hadith record

11. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ‘Umar ibn Thabit from Jabir who has said the following. “I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, “Some people consider certain things equal to God and love them just as one should love God. . .” (2:165) The Imam (a.s.) said, “They, by Allah, are the friends of so and so and so and so whom they have taken as their Imams and not the Imam, Leaders with Divine Authority, who are appoint for people as suCh For this reason He has said, “. . Had the unjust been able to reflect about their condition, when facing the torment, they would have had no doubt that to God belongs All-power and that He is stern in His retribution. (2:165) When the leaders see the torment and lose all their resources, they will denounce their followers (2:166). The followers will say, “Had we had the chance we also would have denounced our leaders.” That is how God will show them their regrettable deeds. They will not be able to escape from hell fire.” (2:167).) Then abu Ja‘far (a.s.) said, “By Allah, O Jabir, they are the unjust Imams and their followers.”

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