The Obligation and Duty of the People at the Time of the Passing away of the Imam (a.s.)

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.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Muhammad ibn Muslim and al-Husayn ibn Muhammad from ’Abd Allah ibn ‘Amir from Ali ibn Mahziyar from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from Ahmad ibn Sulayman all from Murrah Mawla’ Muhammad ibn Khalid who has said the following: “People of al-Madinah cried before Muhammad ibn Khalid about Salah (prayer) for rain. He said to me, ’Go to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and ask him what is his opinion. These people cry before me.’ I went to him (the Imam) and conveyed to him (the Imam) the message. He (the Imam) told me to tell him (Muhammad ibn Khalid) to go out (for Salah (prayer) for rain). I then asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, when he should go out? 5 He (the Imam) said, ‘He should go out on Monday.’ I then asked, ‘What should he do?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He takes out the pulpit, then he goes out and walks as it is done on both ‘Id days with those calling Adhan in front of him with their staff in their hands, until they are in the place for Salah (prayer). He performs, with people, two Rak‘at without Adhan and ‘Iqamah, then he climbs on the pulpit with his gown turned upside down by wearing its right shoulder (sleeve) on his left shoulder (arm) and its left sleeve on his right shoulder. He then faces al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) and says Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) one hundred times, raising his voice. He then turns to people on his right side and says Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects) one hundred times, raising his voice. He then turns to the people on his left side and says Tahlil, (no one deserves worship except Allah) one hundred times, raising his voice. He then turns to the people and says Tahmid, (all praise belongs to Allah) one hundred times, raising his voice. He then raises his hand and pleads. They also plead. I hope they will not be deprived.’ He (the narrator) has said that he followed the instruction and when we returned rain came and they said, ‘It is of the instruction of Ja‘far (‘ Alayhi al-Salam).’” “In the narration of Yunus it is said, ‘We had not returned yet that rain came.’” (Hadith 1 is best explained by fatwa.)

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

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman who has said that narrated to us Hammad from ‘Abd al-A‘la’ who said: “I asked Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the statement of the general populace (Sunnis) that says the Messenger of Allah (sw) has said, “If a person would die without having an Imam, his death would be as if he has died as the death of ignorance (pre-Islamic period)” The Imam (a.s.) said, “That is true, by Allah.” I then asked, “What if the Imam would pass away and a person is in Khurasan and does not know who the executor of the will of the Imam (a.s.) is, is this good excuse for him?” He (the Imam (a.s.) said, “No, that is not a good reason. When the Imam passes away, the responsibility of his successor becomes incumbent upon those present with him in the same land, while the duty of traveling (to seek guidance) falls upon those not in his vicinity once the news reaches them. Indeed, Allah, the Glorified and Exalted, says: "But why should not a party from every group among them go forth to gain understanding in the religion and warn their people when they return to them so that they may beware?" (9:122) I then said, “What if they did went out to find out but some of them would die before they could find out?” He said, “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious, has said, “...and one who dies, after having abandoned his home to get near to God and His Messenger, will receive his reward from God...” (4:100) I then asked, “If some of them would reach your town but would find out that you have closed your door and the curtains are drawn closed; you would not call them to yourself and there is no one to guide them to you. How then the will know about you?” He said, “They would know about me through the book that Allah has revealed.” I then asked, “How has Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious, said it?” He said, “I know that you have spoken to me about before this day also.” I said, “That is right.” He then said, “Recall what Allah has said about Ali (a.s) and what the Messenger of Allah (sw) said to him about Hasan and Husayn and what Allah has specially said about Ali (a.s) and what the Messenger of Allah (sw) has said about him about his will to him and appointing him and their sufferings and the acknowledgements of al-Hasan and al-Husayn of such facts. Recall the will of al-Hasan and his delivering it to al-Husayn. Allah has said, “The Prophet has more authority over the believers than themselves. His wives are their mothers. The relatives are closer to each other, according to the Book of God...” (33:6) I then said, “People speak about Abu Ja‘far (a.s) and say, “How is it that Imamah has stepped out for him from among all the sons of his father even though they are all relatives and older than him and those younger than him did receive it just because they were younger?” He said, “The one to possess this matter can be recognized through three evidences that are not found with other people. He must have greater priority to the preceding Imam and that he would be the executor of the will of the preceding Imam. With him there must be the Armaments of the Messenger of Allah (sw) and the document of his will. This document is with me and no one disputes it.” I then asked, “Is that kept secret and hidden for fear from the rulers?” He said, “There is nothing secret and hidden for which there is no clear evidence available. What is there, my father entrusted to me. When he was about to leave this world, he asked me to call people to bear testimony for him. I then called four people from Quraysh, among them was Nafi‘ the slave of ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Umar. My father said, “Write down, ‘This is how the will of Jacob to his children reads, “God has chosen this religion for you. You must not leave this world unless you are a Muslims.” (2:132) Muhammad ibn Ali made the same kind of will to his son, Ja‘far ibn Muhammad and commanded him to shroud him in his own gown which he would use during his Friday prayers, that his own turban must be used for him, that the surface of his grave should be given a square shape, raised three inches from the ground and thereafter leave it that much only. Thereafter he wrapped up the document of the will and asked the witnesses to leave saying, “May Allah grant you blessings.“ When they left I asked, “What was in it O father, that asked them to bear testimony to?” He replied, "I disliked that you might be overpowered and that it might be said, 'He did not make a will.' I wanted you to have clear proof. This is why, when a man enters a city and asks, 'Who is the executor of so-and-so?' it is said, 'It is so-and-so.'" I asked, "What if he included others in the will?" He replied, "Ask him, for he will clarify it for you."

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

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Khalid from Nadr ibn Suwayd from Yahya al-Halabi from Barid ibn Mu‘awiya from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following. “I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), “May Allah grant you good health, we heard that you were not feeling good and it caused us great anxiety. Would that you inform or teach us who will be the succeeding Imam.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Ali (a.s.) was the scholar and knowledge is inherited. No scholar dies except that leaves behind a scholar whose knowledge is of the same level or whatever Allah would will.” I then said will people be excused for not knowing the succeeding Imam after the death of the preceding Imam?” He then said, “The people of this area (city of Madina) will not be excused. People of other areas will dealt with according to their abilities. Allah has said, “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 narrator has said that he then asked the Imam (a.s.), “What if some of them would die before completing their education and searCh?” He said, “such people will be of the ones mentioned in the words of Allah herein below. “. . and one who dies, after having abandoned his home to get near to God and His Messenger, will receive his reward from God. . .” (4:100) The narrator has said that he then asked the Imam (a.s.), “If people would come to the Imam then by what means would they recognize him?” He said, “The Imam is granted serenity, dignity and an awesome presence.”

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

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya in a marfu‘ manner has narrated the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about how the Holy prophet turned his gown upside down when pleading before Allah for rain. He (the Imam) (a.s.), said, ‘It is a sign between him and his companions that turns aridity to fertility.’”

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

4. It is in the narration of ibn al-Mughirah: that Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) in Salah (prayer) for rain is said in the same way as on the day of ‘Id, seven times in the first Rak‘at and five times in the second Rak‘at. He (the Imam) performs Salah (prayer) before the sermon; recites aloud and pleads for rain when he is sitting . (Ahadith 3-4 and the following chapter are best by fatwa.)

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

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn af-Hakam who has said the following: “I asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about Salah (prayer) for rain. The Imam said, ‘It is like Salah (prayer) of ‘Idayn (Salah (prayer) for two ‘Sa’id) in which there is Takbir (saying Allah is great) just like in ‘Idayn. The Imam (prayer leader) comes out to a clean place with serenity, dignity, humbleness and a feeling of desperation. People also come with him, they then praise Allah, glorify Him, admire Him and strive to plead before Him. Say a great deal of Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects), Tahlil, (no one deserves worship except Allah), and Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) and perform Salah (prayer) just as in ‘Idayn which has two Rak‘at with supplications and striving. When Salah (prayer) ends with Imam’s saying, “I pray to Allah to grant you peace,” he then wears his gown upside down, places the right shoulder in place of the left shoulder and vice versa; the Holy Prophet would do so.’”

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