1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from ’Abdallah ibn ‘Ajlan from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.” (16:43, 21: 7 Holy Quran). The Holy Prophet (s.a.) has said, ‘I am the Dhikr and the Imams are the people of Dhikr.’” About the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High that says, “It is a Dhikr for you and for your people and you all will be asked questions.’ [43:44] The Imams (a.s.) said, “We are his people and we will be questioned.”(It seems that both the Holy Prophet (s.a.) is called Dhikr and the Holy Quran is also called Dhikr although the above passage seems confusing).

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

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn ’Uwarma from Ali ibn Hassa’n from his uncle ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Kathir said that he asked I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the following words of Allah. “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.” (16:43, 21: 7 Holy Quran) The Imams (a.s.) said, “Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) is ‘Dhikr’ and we are the people of ‘Dhikr who will be asked.” I also asked about, “It is a Dhikr for you and for your people and you all will be asked questions.’ (43:44) The Imams (a.s.) said it is a reference to us. We are the people of Dhikr and we will be asked questions.”

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

3- Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ who said: “I asked al-Rida (a.s) and said, 'May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what is the meaning of the words of Allah, “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.”?' (16:43 and 21:7) He (a.s.) replied, “ We are the people of ‘Dhikr’ and we are the ones about whom questions will be asked.” I asked further, “Are you the ones to be questioned and we will be the ones to question?” He (a.s.) said, “Yes.“ I then asked, “Will it be a right on us to ask you?” He (a.s.) said, “Yes.” I then asked, “Will it be a right on you to answer us?” He (a.s.) said, “No, that is up to us. If we wish, we will, and if we wish, we won't. Have you not heard the words of Allah, the Most Holy and Most High: “This is a gift from us. You may (give to others and) oblige or keep without being held accountable.”? (38:39)

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

4. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from ‘Asim ibn Hamid from abu Basir from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “It is a Dhikr for you and for your people and you all will be asked questions.’ [43:44] The Messenger of Allah is the Dhikr (reminder of Allah) and members of his family (a.s.) are the ones who will be asked questions and they are the people of Dhikr.”

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

5. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Hammad from Rib‘iy from Fudayl form abu ’Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “It is a Dhikr for you and for your people and you all will be asked questions.’ (43:44) The Imams (a.s.)said, “The Holy Quran is the ’Dhikr’ and we are the one who will be asked questions.”

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

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il from Mansur ibn Yunus from abu Bakr al-Hadrami who has said the following. “I was in the presence of Imam (a.s.) abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and al-Ward brother of al-Kumayt came to see him. He to the Imams (a.s.) said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I have chosen seventy questions and I do not know the answer even for one of them.” The Imams (a.s.) said, “Not even one answer, O Ward?” He then said, “Yes, I do know the answer for one of them.” The Imams (a.s.) asked, “What is it then?” He replied, “It is the words of Allah that say, ‘Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know’ who are they?” The Imams (a.s.) replied, “We are the people of Dhikr?” I then said, “Must we then ask you?” The Imams (a.s.) said, “Yes, you must ask us for answers.” I then asked, “Must you then give us answers?” The Imams (a.s.) said, “We may or may not answer.”

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

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Safwan ibn Yahya from al-‘Ala‘ ibn Razin from Muhammad ibn Muslim who ha said that he said the who has said the following to abu Ja‘far ( a.s.). “These are people who think that the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. ‘Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know,’ refers to the Jews and the Christians.” The Imams (a.s.) asked, “Do they call you to their religion?” He (Muhammad ibn Muslim) has aid that the Imams (a.s.) “Said, with his hand (pointing) to his chest, ‘We are the People of Dhikr (reminders of Allah) and we are the ones who must be asked questions.’”

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

8. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ who has said that he heard Imam al-Rida say the following. “Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn has said that there are certain obligation for the Imams that are not obligatory for their followers and certain obligation of our followers are not obligatory for us. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has commanded them to ask us their questions saying, “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know,’ Thus, Allah has commanded them to ask us their questions but it is not obligatory for us to answer them. We may answer them or may not answer them if we may so decide.” the is not said:

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

9. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr who has said that he wrote a letter to Imam al-Rida (a.s.). Of the issues for which he requested explanation in the letter one was about the following words of Allah, Most Holy, the Most High. “Ask the people of Dhikr (people who remind of Allah) if you do not know.” The other question was about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “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) thus, it is obligatory for them to ask but it is not obligatory for you to answer.” The Imams (a.s.) has said the following for the answer. “If they would not do what you would ask them, know that they are only following their (evil) desires. Who strays more than one who follows his desires without guidance from God? . .” (28:50)

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