Hadith record

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad b. al-Hussain from Safwan from Ya‘qub ibn Shu‘ayb who said the following: “I asked Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘If something would happen to the Imam what should then the people do?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Where are the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious, ‘Not all believers have to become specialists in religious learning. Why do not some people from each group of believers seek to become specialists in religious learning and, after completing their studies, guide their group so that they will have fear of God.’” (9:122) The Imam (a.s.) said, “They will have good reason to be excused as long as they are searching also those who wait for them until they complete their religious education and return back to them.”

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