The Imam (a.s.) Possess Divine Authority and the Treasure of Divine Knowledge

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya al-‘Attar has narrated from Ahmad ibn abu Zahir from al-Hassan ibn Musa from Ali ibn Hassan from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Kathir who has said that he heard Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “We are the ones who has said the following possess Divine authority of the command of Allah, we are the treasury of the knowledge of Allah and the repository of the revelations of Allah.”

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

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ibn ‘Udhaynah from Zurara from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Once, a Jewish person went in the presence of the Messenger of Allah while ‘A’ishah was with him. The Jewish person said, ‘Sam ‘Alaykum instead of ‘ Salamun ‘Alaykum. ’ The Messenger of Allah said, Alaykum. ’ Then another Jewish person came and said the same thing as the one before and the Messenger of Allah responded just as before. Then a third Jewish person came. He also said what the other two had said before and the Messenger of Allah responded just as that to the other two before. ‘A’ishah became angry and said, Alaykum al-Sam (wrath and condemnation) O Jewish group, brethren of monkeys and swine.’ The Messenger of Allah said to her, ‘O ‘A’ishah, if name-calling were to appear with a shape and form it would have a very evil shape. Wherever gentleness is placed it beautifies it and removing it is only to make it despised. ’ “‘A’ishah then asked, ‘O the Messenger of Allah, did you not hear their words: ’al-Sam Alaykuml’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘I heard them but did you not note what I said? I said, ‘Alaykum’. Whenever a Muslim offers you the greeting of peace say, ‘ Salamun ‘Alaykum,’ but when a non-Muslim says something in their manners, just say, Alaykum’, meaning the same to you.’”

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

1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash’ariy has narrated from ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Amir from Ali ibn Mahziyar from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from al-Husayn ibn ‘Uthman from ibn Muskan from Zurarah who has said the following: “He (the Imam) (a.s.), once said to me, ‘Do you know why one and two yards are set?’ I (the narrator) said, ‘Why are they set?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is because of obligatory Salah (prayer). You can perform optional Salah (prayer) soon after the sun declines (to the west at noontime) until it become one yard, but if you begin the obligatory one, you do not perform optional Salah (prayer).”’

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

1. Abu Ali al-Ash‘ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il from Ali ibn al-Nu’man from Sa‘id al-A’raj who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a cooking pot with camel’s meat in it being cooked and an amount of blood equal to an Awqiyah (one ounce) falls; if the content of the pot can be used for food. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, because fire eats the blood.’”

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

2. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Ali ibn Asbat from his father, Asbat from Sawra ibn Kulayb who said: Imam Abu Ja’far (a.s.) said to me: “By Allah, we are the treasurers of Allah in His heavens and on His earth, not over gold or silver, but over His knowledge.”

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

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ghiyath ibn Ibrahim from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Do not initiate the offering of the greeting of peace to people of the Book, but if they offered just say, “wa ‘Alaykum’”

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

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal Yunus ibn Ya‘qub from Minhal who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the time when I should not perform any optional Salah (prayer) after the sun declines toward the west at noontime. He (the Imam) replied, ‘When it is one yard until it is like it (twice as much).”’

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

3. Ali ibn Musa has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id and Muhammad ibn Khalid al-Barqi from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd in a marfu‘ manner from Sudayr who has said that he asked Imam abu Ja’far (a.s.) the following. “may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what are you?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “We are the treasurers of the knowledge of Allah. We are the translators of the revelations of Allah. We possess complete Divine authority over all that is under the heavens and those above the earth.”

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

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama’a who has said the following: “Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about Jewish, Christians and pagans’ greetings to one sitting, how should he respond? The Imam said, ‘He will say, ‘ ‘Alaykum’”

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

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘ah who has said the following: “I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who comes to Masjid when people there have completed their Salah (prayer). Should he begin the obligatory or optional before the obligatory? He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is a good time it is not harmful to perform optional Salah (prayer) before obligatory. If he fears that time may end, he must begin the obligatory, which is the right of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, then perform optional Salah (prayer) whatever he wants. The time for optional Salah (prayer) is longer. One can perform in the beginning of the time for obligatory optional ones, unless one is afraid of passing of the time of obligatory one. It is better when one performs alone to begin with obligatory, if it is time for it, so that it is performed during the excellent time which is in the beginning of time. It is not prohibited to perform optional Salah (prayer) at the beginning of time up to near the end of the time.’”

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

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad Ibn Husayn from al-Nadr ibn Shu‘ayb from Muhammad ibn al-Fudayl from abu Hamza who has said that he heard Imam Abu Ja’far (a.s.) say: “The Messenger of Allah (sw) said that Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, said: "The completion of My proof against the wretched ones of your nation lies in their abandonment of the authority (wilāyah) of ʿAlī and the successors after you. For within them is your tradition and the tradition of the prophets before you. They are the keepers of My knowledge after you." Then the Messenger of Allah (sw) said: "Indeed, Jibrīl (AS) informed me of their names and the names of their fathers."

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

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr from Barid ibn Mu’awiyah from Muhammad ibn Muslim from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “When a Jew, Christian or a pagan greets you with peace just say, ‘ ‘Alayka’ meaning, ‘the same to you.’”

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

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), ‘Can I perform optional Salah (prayer) in the time for obligatory one?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Yes, you can do so in the beginning of time if you are with the Imam who leads you in Salah (prayer). If you are alone, then perform the obligatory first.’”

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

5. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Muhammad ibn Khalid from Fudaala ibn Ayyub from ‘Abdullah ibn Abu Ya‘fur who has said that Imam Abu ‘Abdullah (a.s.) said the following. “O son of Abi Ya'fur, indeed Allah is One, unique in His Oneness. He alone issues His command. He created a creation and appointed and measured them for that command (Amr, task). So, we, O son of Abu Ya‘fur, are that creation. We are the authority of Allah among His servants, the treasurers of His knowledge, and the guardians of it.”

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

5. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn Salim from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from ‘Amr ibn Shimr from Jabir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Once abu Jahl along with a people from Quraysh went to abu Talib and said, ‘Your cousin has offended us and has harmed our idols, call him and command him to stop bothering our gods and we will stop bothering his Lord.’ “The Imam said, ‘Abu Talib sent for the Messenger of Allah. He was called and he came. He did not see in the house but pagans and he said, ‘(I offer) greetings of peace to those who follow guidance.’ He sat down and abu Talib informed him of what the people had said. The Messenger of Allah asked, ‘What if I instruct them with a word of goodness that will be better for them than this and with which they can rule the Arabs and subdue their stiff necks?’ Abu Jahl then asked, ‘What is that word?’ The Messenger of Allah advised him to say, ‘No one deserves to be worshipped except Allah.’ They placed their fingers in their ears and fled saying, ‘We have not heard anything like this in other religions. This is only something falsely invented.’ Allah, the Most High, then sent this: ‘Sad. I swear by the Quran, which is full of reminders of Allah (that you are a Messenger) (38:1). In fact, the unbelievers are the ones who are boastful and quarrelsome (38:2). How many ancient generations did We destroy? (On facing Our torment) they cried out for help, but it was too late for them to escape.’ (38:3) ‘It seems strange to the pagans that a man from their own people should come to them as a prophet. The unbelievers have said, ‘He is only a lying magician’ (38:4). They ask, ‘Has he condemned all other gods but One? This is certainly strange.’ (38:5) ‘A group of the pagans walked out of a meeting with the Prophet and told the others, ‘Let us walk away. Be steadfast in the worship of your gods. This man wants to dominate you (38:6). We have heard nothing like this in the latest religion. This is only his own false invention.”” (38:7)

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

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from abu Ayyub from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘When the time for obligatory Salah (prayer) comes, should I perform optional Salah (prayer) or begin the obligatory one?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is better to begin with obligatory. Al-Dhuhr is delayed to one yard from Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime) by one yard for Salah (prayer) of repentant people.’”

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

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from Zurara from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: ‘‘In response to a Jew or Christian You should say, ‘ Salam ’, meaning peace be upon us or whoever deserves it.”

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

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from abu Ayyub from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘When the time for obligatory Salah (prayer) comes, can I perform optional Salah (prayer) or begin with obligatory Salah (prayer)?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is better to begin with the obligatory Salah (prayer).”’

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

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘Abd al- Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj who has said the following: ‘‘Once I asked abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) ‘If I needed to visit a Christian physician, can I offer the greeting of peace and pray for him?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, but your prayer will not benefit him.’”

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

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ’Udhaynah from a number of our people who has said the following: “They had heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), would not perform Salah (prayer) during the day until Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime). During the night he would not perform any Salah (prayer) after al-‘Isha’ up until midnight. It means that it is not time for obligatory or optional Salah (prayer); the Messenger of Allah has defined all times. However, to perform a make-up for obligatory or performing optional Salah (prayer) before or after is not harmful.’”

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

8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Mahbub from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj who has said the following: “Once I asked abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) ‘If 1 needed to visit a Christian physician, can I offer him the greeting of peace and pray for him?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, but your prayer will not benefit him.’”

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

8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from in a marfu‘ manner the following; “Once a man mentioned before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), the Hadith which is narrated from abu Ja‘far (a.s.), that says, ‘The sun emerges from between the two horns of Satan.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, Iblis has found a throne between the sky and earth. When the sun rises and people prostrate at that time, Iblis then says to his other Satans, ‘Children of Adam perform Salah (prayer) for me.’”

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

9. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa ibn ‘Ubayd from Muhammad ibn ‘Arafah from abu al- Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) who has said the following: “It was asked from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘How do I pray for a Jew or a Christian?’ He had said, ‘Say, “May Allah grant you blessing in this world.’””

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

9. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Husayn ibn Rashid from al-Husayn ibn Aslama who has said the following: “I once said to abu al-Hassan al-Thaniy (a.s.), ‘In the market place I come to know that it is time but it becomes difficult (to perform Salah (prayer)) after I enter the market place (for business).’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Satan nears the sun during three conditions, at sunrise, Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime) and at sunset. You must perform Salah (prayer) after Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime); Satan wants to mislead you from the right path.’”

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

10. Hamid ibn Ziyad has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Muhammad from Wahab ibn Hafs from abu Basir from one of the two Imam (a.s.) who has said the following: “About shaking hands with a Jew or a Christian he had said, ‘Shake hands with them from behind clothes and if you shook their hand without clothes then you must wash your hands.”’

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

11. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Kufi from Abbas ibn ‘Amir from Ali ibn Ma’mar from Khalid al-Qalanisi who said: “I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (as), ‘What should I do if I meet a tax paying non-Muslim and he shakes my hand?’ He replied, ‘Wipe it with soil or against a wall.’ I asked, ‘What about one who is a nasibi (someone who hates the Ahlul Bayt)?‘ He said, ‘Wash it (your hand).”’

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

12. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from al-‘Ala’ ibn Razin from Muhammad ibn Muslim from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “About a man who had shaken hand with Majusi (Zoroastrian), the Imam said, ‘He must wash it but he does not need to perform wuzu again.’”

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