The Birth of the Imams (a.s.)

1. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from ‘Abdallah ibn Ishaq al-‘Alawi from Muhammad ibn Zayd al-Rizami from Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Daylami from Ali ibn Hamza from abu Basir who has said the following. “Once we went for Hajj with abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) in the year that his son Musa (a.s.) was born. When we arrived at al-Abwa lunch was served When he would serve food to his people he would serve good and plentiful food. At such time the messenger of Hamida, (his wife), came saying, “Hamida says, “I have almost lost my self and I have found what I was to find, I am about to give birth. You had commanded me not to do anything to this child without you.” Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) left with the messenger. When he came back his companions congratulated him and said, “May Allah take our souls in service for your cause, what did you do to Hamida?” He said, “Allah granted her good health and gifted me with a boy whom He has formed as the best in His creatures. Hamida informed me of a matter about him that she thought I did not know. I, however, knew it better than her.” I then asked him, May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what was it that Hamida told you about the child?” He said that she informed him about the baby’s actions as soon as he fell on the ground. “The baby placed his hands on the ground and raised his head to the sky.” I explained to her that it was a sign like that of the Messenger of Allah and a sign of the executor of his will after him.” I then said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what sign is the sign of the Messenger of Allah and the sign of the executor of his will after him?” He said to me, “In the night that the mother of my grandfather conceived him someone came to my great grandfather with a drink finer than water, softer than butter, sweeter than honey, cooler than ice and whiter than milk. He was asked to drink it and then go to bed with his wife. He went to bed with his wife and she conceived with the baby. In the night that the mother of my father conceived him someone came to my grandfather with the same kind of drink as that brought to my great-grandfather. He was asked to drink it as my great-grandfather had done. He was commanded to do as my great grandfather had done. He then went to bed with his wife and she conceived with my father. In the night that my mother would conceive with me someone came to my father with the same kind of drink as that brought for my great-grandfather and grandfather and made him to drink as they had done and commanded him as he had commanded them before him. He then went to bed with his wife and my mother conceived with me. In the night that my wife was to conceive with my son someone came to me with the same kind of drink as that for my great grandfather, my grandfather and my father. He did to me as he done to them. I then went with the knowledge of Allah and with joy for what Allah had granted to me to bed with my wife and she conceived with the baby that is just born. The newborn is with you and he, by Allah, will be your companion after me. The seed of the Imam is from what I just explained to you. When the seed is accommodated in the womb for four months and the spirit is established therein Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, then send an angel. This angel is called Haywan (animal or living). He then writes on his right shoulder “. .in all truth and justice, your Lord’s Word has been completed. No one can change His Words. He is All-hearing and All-knowing.”. (6:115) When he comes out of his mothers womb he places his hands on the floor and raises his head to the sky. Placing his hands on earth is an indication of his taking possession of all the knowledge of Allah that is sent from the heavens to earth. Raising his head to the sky is that because a caller from inside the Throne calls him from the high horizon with his name and the name of his father. It is for (on behalf of) the Lord, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, saying, “O so and so, son of so and so. Be firm so that you would be established. For the great purpose that I have created you, you are my chosen one in my creatures. You are the keeper of My secrets, the container of My knowledge, the trustee of My inspiration and My deputy and representative on earth. I have made it necessary for My blessings and mercy to reach you and those who would love you (and acknowledge your Divine Authority). I have gifted My paradise and given a place near Myself to you and to them. Also, by My Majesty and Grace, I will make your enemies to feel the heat of My punishment even though I may have given them expanded prosperity in My world such as prosperity in their livelihood. When the call of caller ends he responds to it by placing his hands on the ground and raising his head to the sky and says the following. “God Himself testifies that He is the only Lord. The angels and the men of knowledge and justice testify that God is the only Lord, the Majestic, and All-wise.” (3:18) The Imam (a.s.) said, “When he says this, Allah grants him the knowledge of the fist and the knowledge of the last the qualification to be visited by the spirit in the nights of destiny.” I then said, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, is the Spirit different from Jibril?” He said, “The Spirit is a creature greater than Jibril. Jibril is of the angels. The Spirit is a creature greater than the angels. Is it not true that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “On this Night, the angels and the Spirit descend .” .(97:4) Muhammad ibn Yahya and Ahmad ibn Muhammad have narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Ahmad ibn al-Hassan from al-Mukhtar ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn Sulayman from his father from abu Basir a similar hadith.

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

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Khalid from al-Nadr ibn al-Suwayd from Yahya al-Halabiy from ‘Amr ibn Hurayth who said: “Abu ’Abdillah (a.s.) said, ‘Perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) and ask Allah to choose for you what is good. By Allah, if a Muslim asks Allah to choose for him what is good, He certainly chooses for him as such.’”

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

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from mmd ibn al-Husayn from Musa ibn Sa‘dan from ‘Abdallah ibn al-Qasim from al-Hassan ibn Rashid who has said the following. “I Heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘When Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, would love to create the Imam He would command an angel to take a drink of water from under the Throne and his father to drink it and from this He creates the Imam. for the first forty days and nights in his mothers womb he would hear anything. After that he would hear the words. When he is born that angel comes and writes between his eyes, “. .in all truth and justice, your Lord’s Word has been completed. No one can change His Words. He is All-hearing and All-knowing.” (6:115) When the preceding Imam passes away a light house made from light is prepared for him and this light house he examines the deeds of the creatures. By this means Allah establishes His authority over the creatures.”

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

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Hadidfrom Mansur ibn Yunus from Yunus ibn Zabyan who has said the following. “I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, decides to create the Imam from another Imam He sends an angel with a drink of water from under the Throne. Then the angel would make the Imam to drink it and would give it to him to drink. For the first forty days he would not hear any words and thereafter he would hear words. When his mogthor would give birth Aallah would send the same angel who had brought the water. The angels would on his right should, “. .in all truth and justice, your Lord’s Word has been completed. No one can change His Words. He is All-hearing and All-knowing.”. (6:115) When he would rise to execute the task of an Imam Allah would raise a light house for him in every town through which he would examine the deeds of the servants of Allah.”

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

3. More than one person has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Basriy from al-Qasim ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Hashimiy from Harun ibn Kharijah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you think of doing something, take six pieces of paper and write on three of them, ‘In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. It is to ask from Allah, the Majestic, the Wise, what is good for so and so son of so and so, “do it.’” On the other, three write, ‘In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. It is to ask from Allah, the Majestic, the Wise, what is good for so and so son of so and so, “do not do it.’” Keep them under your prayer rug and perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer). After completing Salah (prayer), make a sajdah and say one hundred times, ‘I ask Allah, through His mercy, to choose what is good and safe.’ Then sit straight and say, ‘O Lord, pick and choose for me in all matters with ease and safety.’ Then mix the pieces and take out one. If three times, consecutively it comes ‘do it’, then you may do what you wanted to do. If three times consecutively it comes ‘do not do it,’ then do not do what you wanted to do. If one comes ‘do it’ and the other comes ‘do not do it’ continue taking out up to five pieces, then see which side is more then follow the side which is more and ignore the sixth piece.’”

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

4. A number of our people has narrated Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from al-Rabi‘ ibn Muhammad al-Musalli from Muhammad ibn Marwan who has said the following. “I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘The Imam hears in the womb of his mother and when he is born these words of Allah will be written between his shoulders, “. .in all truth and justice, your Lord’s Word has been completed. No one can change His Words. He is All-hearing and All-knowing.”. (6:115) When the matter (Leadership with Divine Authority) is delivered to him Allah establishes a pillar of light for him through which he can see the deeds of the people of every town.”

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 who has said the following: “Al-Hassan ibn Jahm asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), for ibn Asbat; ibn Asbat and we all were present. ‘Should he travel by land or by sea to Egypt? Please tell him about the best road by land.’ The Imam said, ‘By land, but go to the Masjid in a time other than that for obligatory Salah (prayer). Perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) and ask Allah, one hundred times, to choose for you the best. Then see what comes in your mind, then act accordingly.’ Al-Hassan then said, ‘By land is what I like for him.’ The Imam said, ‘I also like for him by land.’”

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

5. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah from ibn Mas‘ud from ‘Abdallah ibn Ibrahim al-Ja‘fari who has said the following. “I heard Ishaq ibn Ja‘far say that he heard his father say as herein below. “When the mothers of the executors of the will conceive them she will go through a condition as if she has fainted for the rest of day if it would take place during the day or for the rest of the night if it would take place at night. She then would see in her dream a man congratulating her with the birth of a son, very knowledgeable and very forbearing. The condition then goes away annnd she wakes up and from her right side in the house she hears a voice. It says, “You have conceived with good, you are changing into good and you have come up with good. Congratulations to you for a son who is very forbearing and very knowledgeable. She then would feel light and thereafter she would feel no discomfort from her sides or from her belly. After nine months she would hear (something) intensely in the house On the night of the birth of the child a light would appear to her in the house that only she and the father of the child can see. When the child would born he would be found in a sitting position. There would be enough opening for the child to come out with both thighs and legs folded. The child would turn on the ground so as not to miss facing the direction of Makka. He will sneeze three time and would point with his fingers for the words of blessings said up on sneezing. He would be born his umbilical cord already cut off and circumcised. Both of his Ruba‘ia (molar) teeth from the upper and lower jaws, both of his (Na‘b) canine teeth and both of his Dahika (bicuspids) would have already grown. In front of him there would a light shine like flowing gold. For the next day and night a golden light would flow from his hands. This is how the prophets are when they are born. The executors of their will are the only ones who are the attachments of the prophets.”

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

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Asbat and Muhammad ibn Ahmad from Musa ibn al-Qasim af-Bajafiy from Afi ibn Asbat who has said the following: “I said to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. Do you advise if I travel by land or by sea? Our road is very dangerous and frightening.’ The Imam said, ‘Travel by land but there is no offense, if you go to the Masjid of the Messenger of Allah; perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) in a time other than that for obligatory Salah (prayer). Thereafter ask Allah, one hundred times, to choose for you the best, then see what comes in your mind. If Allah has decided for you by sea, then say the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, “He said, ‘Go onboard in the name of Allah who sets it afloat and anchors it down. My Lord is forgiving and merciful’” (11:41). If you find the sea turbulent then lean on your right side and say, “In the name of Allah, calm down with the serenity of Allah, rest by the dignity of Allah and quiet down by the permission of Allah. There is no means and power without help from Allah.’” “We then asked him, ‘What is al-Sakinah (serenity)?’ The Imam said, ‘It is a wind that comes out of paradise and has a face like the face of man and it has a fine fragrance. It is this wind that descended down to Ibrahim (Abraham) and circled around al-Bayt (Ka’bah) when he was placing the pillars.’ It was asked: ‘Is it of that which Allah, the Most Majestic, the most Glorious, speaks, “In it there is Sakinah from your Lord, and remainder of that which people of Moses left and so did people of Harun (Aaron) ’”(2: 246). The Imam said, ‘That al-Sakinah was in the Ark (chest) in which there was a tray wherein the hearts of prophets had been washed. And the Ark circled among the children of Israel with the prophets and then it came to us.’ He asked, ‘What is your Ark?’ We said, ‘It is the armaments.’ He then said, ‘You are right. That is your Ark.’ The Imam said, ‘If you travel by land, then say what Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has said, “Free of all defects is the One who has made it subservient to us, otherwise, we could not reach it (our destination). To our Lord we all return.” (42:13-14) If any servant (of Allah) says it during his riding he will not, by the permission of Allah, fall off his camel or horse or get hurt.’ He then said, ‘When you come out of your home say, “In the name of Allah, I believe in Allah, I assign Allah as my attorney, there is no means and power without the help of Allah.” The angels strike the face of Satans and say to them, ‘He has spoken the name of Allah, believed in Allah and has assigned Allah as his attorney and has said, “There is no means and power without the help of Allah.’””

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

6. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Hadid from Jamil ibn Darraj who has said the following. “Several persons of our people have narrated that The Imam (a.s.) has said, “Do not speak about the Imam. The Imam (a.s.) hears the words while he still is in the womb of his mother. When she would give birth the angel write between his eyes, “. .in all truth and justice, your Lord’s Word has been completed. No one can change His Words. He is All-hearing and All-knowing.”. (6:115) When takes charge of the matter (Leadership with Divine Authority) in every a light house will be established for him through which he would examine the deeds of the servants (of Allah).”

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

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Hadid from Murazim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said to me, ‘If one of you may think of doing something, he should perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer), then praise Allah, speak of His greatness and say, “Allahumma Salli ‘Ala Muhammad wa ‘Ali Muhammad (O Allah grant Muhammad and his family a compensation worthy of their serving Your cause).” Thereafter say, “O Lord, if this matter is good for my religion and worldly matters, please make it possible for me with ease; and if it is otherwise, keep it away from me.’” I then asked, ‘What should I read in the two Rak‘at Salah (prayer)?’ The Imam replied, ‘You may read whatever you like. You can read Chapter 112 or 109.’”

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

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa ibn ‘Ubayd who has said the following. “I and ibn Faddal were sitting tha Yunus came and said, ‘I went to see abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) and said to him, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, “People speak so much about pillar.” He said to me, “O Yunus, what do you see? Do you see it as a pillar of iron that you would raise for your friend?” The narrator has said that he said, “I do not know.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “In fact, it is an appointed angel in every town. Through him Allah raises the deeds of that town.” The narrator has said that ibn Faddal then stood up and kissed his head and said, “May allah grant you blessings, O abu Muhammad, you continue to bring us true hadith with which Allah grants us relief and comfort.”

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

7. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ‘Amr ibn Ibrahim from Khalaf ibn Hammad from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Sometimes I may get two different opinions: one for and the other against what I think to do, what then I should do?’ The Imam said, ‘If such is the case, then perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) and ask Allah, one hundred and one times, to choose for you what is best. Thereafter choose the matter for which your determination is stronger; the choice is for it, by the will of Allah. Your choice should be based on what is safe; sometimes it is better for a man to see his hand cut off, or his son die or his property gone.”’

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

8. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from some of our people from ibn abu ‘umayr from Hariz from Zurara from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Imam has ten signs. He is born clean and circumcised. When falls on the earth his palms reach the ground first while he raises his head to the sky and loudly says the two testimonies. He does not experience wit dream. His eyes sleep but not his heart. He does not yawn and stretCh He sees behind just as he sees in front. His excretion would smell like musk. The earth is made to conceal and devour it. When he would dress up with coat of arms of the Messenger of Allah it would perfectly fit him. However, when other people, taller or shorter would try it would be taller on them by a hand stretch of thump and pinkeye. He is a Muhaddath (the one spoken to by angels) up to the time of his passing away.”

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

8. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated in a marfu’ manner from one of ’A’immah who has said the following: “The Imam (a.s.), said to one of his companions who had asked about an issue that he wanted to do but did not find any one to consult with. The Imam said, ‘Consult your Lord.’ He then asked, ‘How should I do so?’ The Imam replied, ‘Keep in your mind what you wish to do, then write two pieces of paper, “yes” on one and “no” on the other. Place them inside two balls of clay, perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) and place them under your furnishing and say, “O Allah, I consult You in this matter and You are the best consultant and advisor. Grant me a sign about that which is beneficial and is of good consequences,” then take out one of the papers; if it is “yes”, then do what you wanted and if it is “no” then do not do it. This is how you consult your Lord.’”

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

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from ‘Amr ibn Shimr from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Whenever Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, would think of performing Hajj, ‘Umrah or buying, selling or setting free a slave, he would first cleanse himself (take Wudu’ or bath), then perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) for Istikharah in which he read chapters 55 and 59. After completing Salah (prayer) he would read chapters 113, 114 and 112 while still in a sitting position. He then say, ‘O Lord, if such and such thing is good for me in this world and for my religion, immediately or later, Allahumma Salli ‘Ala Muhammad wa ‘Ali Muhammad, (O Allah grant Muhammad and his family a compensation worthy of their serving Your cause), please make it easy for me in the best manner and make it come beautiful. O Lord, if such and such thing is bad for my religion and my worldly matters immediately or later, Allahumma Salli ‘Ala Muhammad wa ‘Ali Muhammad, (O Allah grant Muhammad and his family a compensation worthy of their serving Your cause), please keep it away from me. O Lord, Allahumma Salli ‘Ala Muhammad wa ‘Ali Muhammad, (O Allah grant Muhammad and his family a compensation worthy of their serving your cause), please grant me determination with guidance even if I dislike it and my soul refuses.”

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