الكافي- ط الاسلامية, volume 1, page 191

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ibn ’dhayna from Yazid al-‘Ijli who has said that he asked Imam abu Ja’far (a.s.) about the meaning of the following verse of the Holy Quran. “We have made you (true Muslims) a moderate nation so that you could be (witness) an example for all people and the Prophet (a witness) an example for you. . .” (2:143) The Imam (a.s.) said, “We are the moderate nation and we are the witness for Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, over the activities of His creatures and possess His authority on earth.” I then asked about the meaning of the following verse of the Holy Quran that says, “Believers, worship your Lord, bow down and prostrate yourselves before Him and do virtuous deeds so that perhaps you will have everlasting happiness. (22:77) Strive steadfastly for the Cause of God. He has chosen you . Believers, worship your Lord, bow down and prostrate yourselves before Him and do virtuous deeds so that perhaps you will have everlasting happiness. (22:77) Strive steadfastly for the Cause of God. He has chosen you but has not imposed on you hardship in your religion, the noble religion of your father, Abraham. God named you Muslims before and in this Book, so that the Messenger will witness (your actions) and you will be the witness over mankind. The noble religion also is a reference to us. Allah has called us as Muslims in the heaven books that were revealed before and in this holy book (the Holy Quran) The Holy Prophet (s.a.) has testified in our favor by conveying the message of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. We bear witness to the activities and on the Day of Judgment certify the faith of those who have acknowledged our Divine authority and reject those who have rejected our Divine authority.”

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

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibrahim ibn ‘Umar al-Yamani from Sulaym ibn Qays al-Hilali from Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, cleansed us, granted us protection against sins, made us to bear witness to the activities of His creatures and granted us Divine authority on earth. He made us to be with the holy Quran and the Holy Quran to be with us. We do not depart the Holy Quran and the Holy Quran does not depart us.”

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

1. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd and Fudala ibn Ayyub from Musa ibn Bakr from al-Fudayl who has said that he asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah: “For every nation there is a guide.” (13:7) The Imam (a.s.) said that every Imam is the guide in his own time.”

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

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ibn ’Udhayna from Buray al-‘Ijli from Ima abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah. “(Muhammad), you are only a Warner. For every nation there is a guide. (13:7)” The Imam (a.s.) said that at all times there is a guide from us who guides people to the teachings of the Holy Prophet (s.a.) Of the guides who possess Divine authority after the holy Prophet (s.a.) is Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and his successors one after the other.”

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

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il from Sa‘dan from Abu Basir who said: “I asked Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah: “(Muhammad), you are only a warner, and for every nation there is a guide.” (13:7) He (a.s.) replied, “The Messenger of Allah (sw) is the warner and Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) is the guide. O Abu Muhammad, is there a guide today?” I said, “Yes, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, there has always been a guide from you, one after the other, until this (noble task) is being carried on by your own self.” He (a.s.) said, “May Allah have mercy on you, O Abu Muhammad. Had it been like the coming of guidance to man and then he would die with his death, the guidance would also die and the whole book would die, but it lives and it continues with new generations as it has done so with the people in the past.”

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