Faith & Belief

قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّمَا يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ مَنْ يَعْرِفُ اللَّهَ فَأَمَّا مَنْ لَا يَعْرِفُ اللَّهَ فَإِنَّمَا يَعْبُدُهُ هَكَذَا ضَلَالًا[1] قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَمَا مَعْرِفَةُ اللَّهِ قَالَ تَصْدِيقُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ تَصْدِيقُ رَسُولِهِ ص وَ مُوَالاةُ عَلِيٍّ ع وَ الِائْتِمَامُ بِهِ وَ بِأَئِمَّةِ الْهُدَى ع وَ الْبَرَاءَةُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ عَدُوِّهِمْ هَكَذَا يُعْرَفُ اللَّ

“Only those who know Allah worship Him. Those who do not know Allah they worship Him just like that in misguidance.” I then asked, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what the knowledge about Allah?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Knowledge about Allah means is to acknowledge the existence of Allah, the Most Holy

لَا يَكُونُ الْعَبْدُ مُؤْمِناً حَتَّى يَعْرِفَ اللَّهَ وَ رَسُولَهُ وَ الْأَئِمَّةَ كُلَّهُمْ وَ إِمَامَ زَمَانِهِ وَ يَرُدَّ إِلَيْهِ وَ يُسَلِّمَ لَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ كَيْفَ يَعْرِفُ الْآخِرَ وَ هُوَ يَجْهَلُ الْأَوَّلَ.

“One will not be considered a Mu‘min until he knows Allah, His Messenger and all of the Imams and the Imam of ones time, acknowledges his Divine authority and submits his affairs to the Imam (a.s.).” He then said, “How would one know the last one when one is ignorant of the first one.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ مَعْرِفَةِ الْإِمَامِ مِنْكُمْ وَاجِبَةٌ عَلَى‌ جَمِيعِ الْخَلْقِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً ص إِلَى النَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ رَسُولًا وَ حُجَّةً لِلَّهِ عَلَى جَمِيعِ خَلْقِهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ فَمَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَ بِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَ اتَّبَعَهُ وَ صَدَّقَهُ فَإِنَّ مَعْرِفَةَ الْإِمَامِ مِنَّا وَاجِبَةٌ عَلَيْهِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يُؤْمِنْ بِال

“I said to abu Ja’far (a.s.), ‘Is knowing the Imam from among you obligatory on all creatures?’” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, sent Muhammad to all people as His Messenger and as His authority over all creatures on earth. Those who have faith in Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger and

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّمَا يَعْرِفُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ يَعْبُدُهُ مَنْ عَرَفَ اللَّهَ وَ عَرَفَ إِمَامَهُ مِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَ مَنْ لَا يَعْرِفِ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ لَا يَعْرِفِ الْإِمَامَ مِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فَإِنَّمَا يَعْرِفُ وَ يَعْبُدُ غَيْرَ اللَّهِ هَكَذَا وَ اللَّهِ ضَلَالًا.

“I heard imam abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Only those who know Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, and worship Him. It is such people who know Him and know the Imam from the family of the Holy Prophet (sw). Those who do not know Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, and do not know the Imam from us, Ahlul Bayt, such peop

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْأَئِمَّةِ بَعْدَ النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِمَاماً ثُمَّ كَانَ الْحَسَنُ ع إِمَاماً ثُمَّ كَانَ الْحُسَيْنُ ع إِمَاماً ثُمَّ كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ إِمَاماً ثُمَّ كَانَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ إِمَاماً مَنْ أَنْكَرَ ذَلِكَ كَانَ كَمَنْ أَنْكَرَ مَعْرِفَةَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى وَ مَعْرِفَةَ رَسُولِهِ ص ثُمَّ قَالَ قُلْتُ ثُمَّ أَنْتَ‌[3

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the Imams after the Holy Prophet (s.a.).” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali) (a.s.) was the Imam. Then al-Hassan (a.s.) was the Imam. Then al-Husayn (a.s.) was the Imam. Then Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.) was the Imam. Then Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) was the Imam. One who would de

إِنَّكُمْ لَا تَكُونُونَ صَالِحِينَ حَتَّى تَعْرِفُوا- وَ لَا تَعْرِفُوا حَتَّى تُصَدِّقُوا وَ لَا تُصَدِّقُوا حَتَّى تُسَلِّمُوا أَبْوَاباً أَرْبَعَةً[1] لَا يَصْلُحُ أَوَّلُهَا إِلَّا بِآخِرِهَا ضَلَّ أَصْحَابُ الثَّلَاثَةِ وَ تَاهُوا تَيْهاً بَعِيداً[2] إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَا يَقْبَلُ إِلَّا الْعَمَلَ الصَّالِحَ وَ لَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا الْوَفَاءَ بِالشُّرُوطِ وَ الْعُهُودِ فَمَنْ وَفَى لِلّ

6. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from those whom he mentioned from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn abu Layla from his father from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “You will not be of the people of good deeds until you will know. You will not know

أَبَى اللَّهُ أَنْ يُجْرِيَ الْأَشْيَاءَ إِلَّا بِأَسْبَابٍ فَجَعَلَ لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ سَبَباً وَ جَعَلَ لِكُلِّ سَبَبٍ شَرْحاً وَ جَعَلَ لِكُلِّ شَرْحٍ عِلْماً وَ جَعَلَ لِكُلِّ عِلْمٍ بَاباً نَاطِقاً عَرَفَهُ مَنْ عَرَفَهُ وَ جَهِلَهُ مَنْ جَهِلَهُ ذَاكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ نَحْنُ‌[1].

It is the messengers of Allah and we.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ كُلُّ مَنْ دَانَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِعِبَادَةٍ يُجْهِدُ فِيهَا نَفْسَهُ وَ لَا إِمَامَ لَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ فَسَعْيُهُ غَيْرُ مَقْبُولٍ وَ هُوَ ضَالٌّ مُتَحَيِّرٌ وَ اللَّهُ شَانِئٌ‌[2] لِأَعْمَالِهِ وَ مَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ شَاةٍ ضَلَّتْ عَنْ رَاعِيهَا وَ قَطِيعِهَا فَهَجَمَتْ‌[3] ذَاهِبَةً وَ جَائِيَةً يَوْمَهَا فَلَمَّا جَنَّهَا[4] اللَّيْلُ بَصُرَتْ بِقَطِيعِ غَنَمٍ مَعَ رَاعِيهَا

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever would worship Allah in the expectation for reward and work hard but without having an Imam for himself his efforts would not be received acceptance. Such person is last and straying and Allah would dislike his deeds. The example of such person is like that of a lost sheep who

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ جَاءَ ابْنُ الْكَوَّاءِ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ- وَ عَلَى الْأَعْرافِ رِجالٌ‌ يَعْرِفُونَ كُلًّا بِسِيماهُمْ‌ فَقَالَ نَحْنُ عَلَى الْأَعْرَافِ نَعْرِفُ أَنْصَارَنَا بِسِيمَاهُمْ وَ نَحْنُ الْأَعْرَافُ الَّذِي لَا يُعْرَفُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَّا بِسَبِيلِ مَعْرِفَتِنَا وَ نَحْنُ الْأَعْرَافُ يُعَرِّفُنَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ-

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, ‘Ibn al-Kawwa came to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and asked, “O Amir al-Mu’minin,(what do you say about; “There will be people on the Heights who know everyone by their faces . .” (7:46). The Imam said, “we will be on the Heights. We will recognize our supporters from their faces. We a

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا أَبَا حَمْزَةَ يَخْرُجُ أَحَدُكُمْ فَرَاسِخَ فَيَطْلُبُ لِنَفْسِهِ دَلِيلًا وَ أَنْتَ بِطُرُقِ‌ السَّمَاءِ أَجْهَلُ مِنْكَ بِطُرُقِ الْأَرْضِ فَاطْلُبْ لِنَفْسِكَ دَلِيلًا.

“O Abu Hamza, when one of you decides to travel for just a few miles, he first finds a guide and direction for himself. Your knowledge of the paths of the heavens is much less than your knowledge of the paths of earth. You must find a guide for yourself.”

طَاعَةُ اللَّهِ وَ مَعْرِفَةُ الْإِمَامِ.

“It means obedience to Allah and knowin who one’s Imam is.”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع هَلْ عَرَفْتَ إِمَامَكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ إِي وَ اللَّهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ أَخْرُجَ مِنَ الْكُوفَةِ فَقَالَ حَسْبُكَ إِذاً.

“Have you found out who your Imam is?” I said, “Yes, I swear by Allah, I did so before I left Kufa.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Then it is sufficient for you.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- أَ وَ مَنْ كانَ مَيْتاً فَأَحْيَيْناهُ‌ وَ جَعَلْنا لَهُ نُوراً يَمْشِي بِهِ فِي النَّاسِ‌[2] فَقَالَ مَيْتٌ لَا يَعْرِفُ شَيْئاً وَ نُوراً يَمْشِي بِهِ فِي النَّاسِ‌ إِمَاماً يُؤْتَمُّ بِهِ- كَمَنْ مَثَلُهُ‌ فِي الظُّلُماتِ لَيْسَ بِخارِجٍ مِنْها قَالَ الَّذِي لَا يَعْرِفُ الْإِمَامَ.

The dead do not understand anything ‘The light by the help of which they walk’ is the Imam that they follow.’ “be considered equal to those who can never come out of darkness” applies to those who do not know who their Imam is.”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ دَخَلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْجَدَلِيُّ عَلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَقَالَ ع يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكَ بِقَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- مَنْ جاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ خَيْرٌ مِنْها وَ هُمْ مِنْ فَزَعٍ يَوْمَئِذٍ آمِنُونَ‌. وَ مَنْ جاءَ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ فَكُبَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ فِي النَّارِ هَلْ تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا ما كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ‌[3] قَالَ بَلَى يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

“Imam abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Abu ‘Abdallah al-Jadali once came to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.). Amir al-mu’minin said to him, “O abu ‘Abdallah may I say something to you about the words of Allah, ‘Whoever does a good deed will receive a better reward than what he has done. He will be secure from the terror of the Day

ذِرْوَةُ الْأَمْرِ وَ سَنَامُهُ‌[4]- وَ مِفْتَاحُهُ وَ بَابُ الْأَشْيَاءِ وَ رِضَا الرَّحْمَنِ تَبَارَكَ‌ وَ تَعَالَى الطَّاعَةُ لِلْإِمَامِ بَعْدَ مَعْرِفَتِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطاعَ اللَّهَ وَ مَنْ تَوَلَّى‌ فَما أَرْسَلْناكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظاً[1].

“The top most matter (in religion) the most noble, the key issue, the gateway to all affairs and the pleasure of the Most Beneficent , the Most Holy, the Most High, is obedience to the Imam after finding out who the Imam is.” The Imam (a.s.) then said, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, ‘One who obeys the

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ أَفْضَلِ مَا يَتَقَرَّبُ بِهِ الْعِبَادُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ أَفْضَلُ مَا يَتَقَرَّبُ بِهِ الْعِبَادُ إِلَى اللَّهِ‌ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ طَاعَةُ اللَّهِ وَ طَاعَةُ رَسُولِهِ وَ طَاعَةُ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع حُبُّنَا إِيمَانٌ وَ بُغْضُنَا كُفْرٌ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “Of the matters that can take people closer to Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, the best one is to obey Him, His messenger and those who posses Divine authority.” Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, “To love us if faith and to harbor hatred towards us is disbelief.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَعْرِضُ عَلَيْكَ دِينِيَ الَّذِي أَدِينُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ هَاتِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الْإِقْرَارُ بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ وَ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً كَانَ إِمَاماً فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَهُ ثُمَّ كَانَ بَعْدَهُ الْحَسَنُ إِمَاماً فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَهُ ثُمَّ

I asked Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) if I may state before him my religion and faith in Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. The Imam (a.s.) said, “Say it and let us hear them.” I said, “I testify that there is no god other than Allah Who is One and has no partner. I testify that Muhammad (s.a.) is the servant and messenger

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كَذلِكَ جَعَلْناكُمْ‌ أُمَّةً وَسَطاً لِتَكُونُوا شُهَداءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ‌[3] قَالَ نَحْنُ الْأُمَّةُ الْوُسْطَى وَ نَحْنُ شُهَدَاءُ اللَّهِ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَ حُجَجُهُ فِي أَرْضِهِ قُلْتُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- مِلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ‌ إِبْراهِيمَ‌ قَالَ إِيَّانَا عَنَى خَاصَّةً- هُوَ سَمَّاكُمُ‌ الْمُسْلِمِينَ‌ مِنْ قَبْلُ‌ فِي الْكُتُبِ الَّتِ

The Imam (a.s.) said, “We are the moderate nation and we bear witness to the activities of the people for Allah and we possess Divine authority on earth.” I then asked about the meaning following verse of the holy Quran: “. . the noble religion of your father, Abraham. God named you Muslims before and in this Book, so

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع قَوْلَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ كَذلِكَ جَعَلْناكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطاً لِتَكُونُوا شُهَداءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَ يَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيداً قَالَ نَحْنُ الْأُمَّةُ الْوَسَطُ وَ نَحْنُ شُهَدَاءُ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَ حُجَجُهُ فِي أَرْضِهِ قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ تَعَالَى‌ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ارْكَعُوا وَ اسْجُدُوا وَ اعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمْ‌ وَ افْعَلُو

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 prost

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ‌ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ‌ كَمِشْكاةٍ[3] فَاطِمَةُ ع‌ فِيها مِصْباحٌ‌ الْحَسَنُ- الْمِصْباحُ فِي زُجاجَةٍ الْحُسَيْنُ- الزُّجاجَةُ كَأَنَّها كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌ‌ فَاطِمَةُ كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ بَيْنَ نِسَاءِ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا- يُوقَدُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبارَكَةٍ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع- زَيْتُونَةٍ لا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَ لا غَرْبِيَّةٍ لَا يَهُودِيَّةٍ

The Imam (a.s.) said that the lantern metaphorically stands for the Holy lady, Fatima (a.s.), the lamp stands for Imam al-Hassan (a.s.) and the glass stands for Imam al-Husayn (a.s.). The shining star stands for the Holy lady Fatima (a.s.) who shines among the ladies of the world. The blessed olive tree stands for Prop

فَضْلُ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌[1] مَا جَاءَ بِهِ آخُذُ بِهِ وَ مَا نَهَى عَنْهُ أَنْتَهِي عَنْهُ جَرَى لَهُ مِنَ الطَّاعَةِ بَعْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مَا لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ الْفَضْلُ لِمُحَمَّدٍ ص الْمُتَقَدِّمُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ كَالْمُتَقَدِّمِ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ وَ الْمُتَفَضِّلُ عَلَيْهِ كَالْمُتَفَضِّلِ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ الرَّادُّ عَلَيْهِ فِي صَغِيرَةٍ أَوْ كَبِيرَةٍ عَلَى حَدِّ الشّ

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya and Ahmad ibn Muhammad both have narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from Ali ibn Hassa’n who has said that abu ‘Abdallah al-Riyahi narrated to him from abu al-Samit al-Hulwani from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the virtue of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) the following Hadith. “Whatever Imam Ali (a.s.) h

كُنَّا مَعَ الرِّضَا ع بِمَرْوَ فَاجْتَمَعْنَا فِي الْجَامِعِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فِي بَدْءِ مَقْدَمِنَا فَأَدَارُوا أَمْرَ الْإِمَامَةِ وَ ذَكَرُوا كَثْرَةَ اخْتِلَافِ النَّاسِ فِيهَا فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى سَيِّدِي ع فَأَعْلَمْتُهُ خَوْضَ النَّاسِ فِيهِ فَتَبَسَّمَ ع ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا عَبْدَ الْعَزِيزِ جَهِلَ الْقَوْمُ وَ خُدِعُوا عَنْ آرَائِهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يَقْبِضْ نَبِيَّهُ ص حَتَّى أَكْمَلَ لَهُ ال

1. Abu Muhammad al-Qasim ibn al-’Ala’, may Allah grant him blessings, in a marfu‘ manner (rafa’abu), has narrated from ‘Ad al-’Aziz ibn Muslim the following. “We had been with al-Rida (a.s.) at Marw. During an assembly in the central mosque on Friday, we attended the gathering. It was when we had just arrived (in Marw)

فِي خُطْبَةٍ لَهُ يَذْكُرُ فِيهَا حَالَ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع وَ صِفَاتِهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَوْضَحَ بِأَئِمَّةِ الْهُدَى مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِ نَبِيِّنَا عَنْ دِينِهِ وَ أَبْلَجَ بِهِمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِ مِنْهَاجِهِ وَ فَتَحَ بِهِمْ عَنْ بَاطِنِ يَنَابِيعِ عِلْمِهِ فَمَنْ عَرَفَ مِنْ أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَاجِبَ حَقِّ إِمَامِهِ وَجَدَ طَعْمَ حَلَاوَةِ إِيمَانِهِ وَ عَلِمَ فَضْلَ طُلَاوَةِ إِسْلَامِهِ‌[4] لِأَنَّ اللَّ

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ’Isa from al-Hasan ibn Mahbub from Ishaq ibn Ghalib from abu ’Abdallah (a.s.) who has described the condition of the Imams (a.s.) and their attributes in one of his sermons. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has explained His religion through the Imams

هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص اتَّقُوا فِرَاسَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَإِنَّهُ يَنْظُرُ بِنُورِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى‌[4] إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لَآياتٍ لِلْمُتَوَسِّمِينَ‌.

“The Imam (a.s.) said, “The distinguished people are the Imams (a.s.) the Holy Prophet has said, “Be on your guard from the intelligence of the believers. He looks through the light of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High as mentioned in, “In this there is evidence (of the Truth) for the distinguished ones.” (15:75)

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع ادْعُ اللَّهَ لِي وَ لِأَهْلِ بَيْتِي فَقَالَ أَ وَ لَسْتُ أَفْعَلُ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَعْمَالَكُمْ لَتُعْرَضُ عَلَيَّ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَ لَيْلَةٍ قَالَ فَاسْتَعْظَمْتُ ذَلِكَ- فَقَالَ لِي أَ مَا تَقْرَأُ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ قُلِ اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ‌ قَالَ هُوَ وَ اللَّهِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع‌[1].

4. Ali from has narrated from his father from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from al-Zayyat from ‘Abdallah ibn Aban al-Zayyat who was well placed in the eyes of al-Rida (a.s.). He has said that he asked al-Rida (a.s.) to pray for him and for his family. Am I not praying for them? I swear by Allah that your deeds are presented b

هُوَ وَ اللَّهِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع.

"Pray for me and my family." He (a.s) replied: "Am I not praying for them? I swear by Allah that your deeds are presented before me every day and night.” He has said that it seemed extremely great to me. He (a.s.) said to me, “Do you not read in the Book of Allah, the Most Majestic and Most Exalted, ‘Act as you wish. G

يَعْنِي لَوِ اسْتَقَامُوا عَلَى وَلَايَةِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ وُلْدِهِ ع وَ قَبِلُوا طَاعَتَهُمْ فِي أَمْرِهِمْ وَ نَهْيِهِمْ لَأَسْقَيْنَاهُمْ مَاءً غَدَقاً يَقُولُ لَأَشْرَبْنَا قُلُوبَهُمُ الْإِيمَانَ وَ الطَّرِيقَةُ هِيَ الْإِيمَانُ بِوَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍّ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ.

He said: "It means, “Had people maintained steadfastness in respecting the Divine authority of Ali ibn abu Talib Amir al-Mu’minin, and his successors from his children, peace be upon them, and agreed to obey them, in their orders and prohibitions, He would have given them abundant water. He says, We would drench their

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ قالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقامُوا فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع اسْتَقَامُوا عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ وَاحِدٍ بَعْدَ وَاحِدٍ- تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخافُوا وَ لا تَحْزَنُوا وَ أَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنْتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ‌[3].

about the meaning of the following words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “To those who have said, ‘God is our Lord,’ and who have remained steadfast to their belief. .” The Imams (a.s.) said, “Those who remain steadfast in respecting the Divine authority of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) and his successors, the Im

أَنَّهُ كَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ الرِّضَا ع أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ مُحَمَّداً ص كَانَ أَمِينَ اللَّهِ فِي خَلْقِهِ فَلَمَّا قُبِضَ ص كُنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَرَثَتَهُ فَنَحْنُ أُمَنَاءُ اللَّهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ‌[1] عِنْدَنَا عِلْمُ الْبَلَايَا وَ الْمَنَايَا وَ أَنْسَابُ الْعَرَبِ‌[2] وَ مَوْلِدُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ إِنَّا لَنَعْرِفُ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا رَأَيْنَاهُ بِحَقِيقَةِ الْإِيمَانِ وَ حَقِيقَةِ النِّفَاقِ وَ إِنَّ شِيعَتَنَا لَمَك

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn al-Muhtadi from ‘Adallah ibn Jundab to who Imam al-Rida (a.s.) wrote the following. “Thereafter, (thanking Allah) Muhammad (s.a.) was the trustee of Allah for His creatures. When he was taken away from this world we, Ahl al-Bayt inherited him, thus,

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ وَصِيٍّ كَانَ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْأَرْضِ- هِبَةُ اللَّهِ بْنُ آدَمَ وَ مَا مِنْ نَبِيٍّ مَضَى إِلَّا وَ لَهُ وَصِيٌّ وَ كَانَ جَمِيعُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ مِائَةَ أَلْفِ نَبِيٍّ وَ عِشْرِينَ أَلْفَ نَبِيٍّ مِنْهُمْ خَمْسَةٌ أُولُو الْعَزْمِ- نُوحٌ وَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ وَ مُوسَى وَ عِيسَى وَ مُحَمَّدٌ ع وَ إِنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ كَانَ هِبَةَ اللَّهِ لِمُحَمَّدٍ وَ وَرِثَ عِلْمَ الْأَو

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Kathir from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The first successor and executor of the will on earth was Hibbatullah, the son of Adam. No prophet has ever left this worl

فِي حَدِيثِ بُرَيْهٍ‌[1] أَنَّهُ لَمَّا جَاءَ مَعَهُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَلَقِيَ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ ع فَحَكَى لَهُ هِشَامٌ الْحِكَايَةَ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع لِبُرَيْهٍ يَا بُرَيْهُ كَيْفَ عِلْمُكَ بِكِتَابِكَ قَالَ أَنَا بِهِ عَالِمٌ‌[2] ثُمَّ قَالَ كَيْفَ ثِقَتُكَ بِتَأْوِيلِهِ قَالَ مَا أَوْثَقَنِي بِعِلْمِي فِيهِ قَالَ فَابْتَدَأَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع يَقْرَأُ الْإِنْجِي

When he (Burayh) came with Hishām to Abū ʿAbdillāh (as), they encountered Abū al-Ḥasan Mūsā ibn Jaʿfar (as). Hishām narrated the story to him (Imam Mūsā). When he finished, Abū al-Ḥasan (as) said to Burayh: "O Burayh, how well do you know your Book?" He replied: "I am knowledgeable of it." Then the Imam asked: "And how

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلَانِ مِنَ الزَّيْدِيَّةِ فَقَالا لَهُ أَ فِيكُمْ إِمَامٌ مُفْتَرَضُ الطَّاعَةِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا[3] قَالَ فَقَالا لَهُ قَدْ أَخْبَرَنَا عَنْكَ الثِّقَاتُ أَنَّكَ تُفْتِي وَ تُقِرُّ وَ تَقُولُ بِهِ‌[4] وَ نُسَمِّيهِمْ لَكَ فُلَانٌ وَ فُلَانٌ وَ هُمْ أَصْحَابُ وَرَعٍ وَ تَشْمِيرٍ[5] وَ هُمْ مِمَّنْ لَا يَكْذِبُ‌[6] فَغَضِبَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ- م

“I was in the presence of Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) when two people from the Zaydiyya sect came to him. They asked, 'Is there with you an Imam obedience to whom is obligatory?' The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) said, 'No, there no one as such.' They then said, 'Reliable people have informed us about you that you is

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ فِي الْجَفْرِ الَّذِي يَذْكُرُونَهُ‌[1] لَمَا يَسُوؤُهُمْ لِأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَقُولُونَ الْحَقَ‌[2] وَ الْحَقُّ فِيهِ فَلْيُخْرِجُوا قَضَايَا عَلِيٍّ وَ فَرَائِضَهُ إِنْ كَانُوا صَادِقِينَ وَ سَلُوهُمْ عَنِ الْخَالاتِ وَ الْعَمَّاتِ‌[3] وَ لْيُخْرِجُوا مُصْحَفَ فَاطِمَةَ ع فَإِنَّ فِيهِ وَصِيَّةَ فَاطِمَةَ ع وَ مَعَهُ‌[4] سِلَاحُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ

“The Jafr of which they speak certainly disappoints them because they (the Zaydis) do not speak the truth while Jafr does contain the truth. Let them bring to light therefrom the judgments of Ali (a.s.) and his rulles of inheritance if they are truthful. Ask them about (the inheritance) of paternal and maternal aunts.

لَقَدْ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ- لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ أَوَّلَ مَا خَلَقَ الدُّنْيَا وَ لَقَدْ خَلَقَ فِيهَا أَوَّلَ نَبِيٍّ يَكُونُ وَ أَوَّلَ وَصِيٍّ يَكُونُ وَ لَقَدْ قَضَى أَنْ يَكُونَ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ لَيْلَةٌ يَهْبِطُ فِيهَا بِتَفْسِيرِ الْأُمُورِ إِلَى مِثْلِهَا مِنَ السَّنَةِ الْمُقْبِلَةِ مَنْ جَحَدَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ رَدَّ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عِلْمَهُ لِأَنَّهُ لَا يَقُومُ الْأَنْبِيَاءُ وَ الرُّسُلُ

7. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah, Majestic is Whose mention, created the Night of Determination when He first created the world and created in it the first prophet that would come and the first executor of the will (of prophet) that would co

لَمَا تَرَوْنَ‌[1] مَنْ بَعَثَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِلشَّقَاءِ- عَلَى أَهْلِ الضَّلَالَةِ مِنْ أَجْنَادِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَ أَزْوَاجِهِمْ‌[1] أَكْثَرُ مِمَّا تَرَوْنَ خَلِيفَةَ اللَّهِ الَّذِي بَعَثَهُ لِلْعَدْلِ وَ الصَّوَابِ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ قِيلَ يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ وَ كَيْفَ يَكُونُ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَكْثَرَ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ قَالَ كَمَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ السَّائِلُ يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ إِنِّي لَوْ ح

9. The narrator has said that abu Ja‘far (a.s.) said the following. “You, certainly, find those whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has sent to induce misfortune into the heretics and misleading people of the army (followers) of Satan and their companions in greater numbers than those sent to the deputy of Allah,

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ وَ عِنْدَهُ أُنَاسٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ عَجِبْتُ مِنْ قَوْمٍ يَتَوَلَّوْنَا[3] وَ يَجْعَلُونَا أَئِمَّةً وَ يَصِفُونَ أَنَّ طَاعَتَنَا مُفْتَرَضَةٌ عَلَيْهِمْ كَطَاعَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص ثُمَّ يَكْسِرُونَ حُجَّتَهُمْ وَ يَخْصِمُونَ أَنْفُسَهُمْ بِضَعْفِ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَيَنْقُصُونَا حَقَّنَا وَ يَعِيبُونَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى مَنْ أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ بُرْهَانَ حَقِّ مَعْرِفَتِنَا وَ التَّسْلِيمَ لِ

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from ibn Ri’ab from Durays al-Kunasi who has said that he heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.) the following to an audience of his companions. “What an strange case is the case with a group of followers! They acknowledge us as the Divine authority over thems

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ ثَلَاثَةَ أَصْنَافٍ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كُنْتُمْ أَزْواجاً ثَلاثَةً فَأَصْحابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ ما أَصْحابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ وَ أَصْحابُ الْمَشْئَمَةِ ما أَصْحابُ الْمَشْئَمَةِ وَ السَّابِقُونَ السَّابِقُونَ‌ أُولئِكَ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ‌[3] فَالسَّابِقُونَ هُمْ رُسُلُ اللَّهِ ع وَ خَاصَّةُ اللَّهِ مِنْ‌ خَلْقِه

“O Jabir, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has created th e creatures in three categories as mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “On that day, you (mankind) will be divided into three groups: (56:7) The people of the right hand - those whose books of records will be placed in their right h

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ عِلْمِ الْعَالِمِ فَقَالَ لِي يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّ فِي الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ خَمْسَةَ أَرْوَاحٍ رُوحَ الْقُدُسِ وَ رُوحَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ رُوحَ الْحَيَاةِ وَ رُوحَ الْقُوَّةِ وَ رُوحَ الشَّهْوَةِ فَبِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ يَا جَابِرُ عَرَفُوا مَا تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ إِلَى مَا تَحْتَ الثَّرَى ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّ هَذِهِ الْأَرْبَعَةَ أَرْوَاحٌ يُصِيبُهَا الْحَدَثَانُ إِلَّا رُوحَ الْقُدُسِ فَإِنّ

“O Jabir, in the prophets and in the executors of their will there are five spirits. They are the Holy Spirit, the spirit of faith, the spirit of life, the spirit of power and the spirit of desire. Through the Holy Spirit, O Jabir, they receive the knowledge all that is below the Throne all the way to under the land.”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ عِلْمِ الْإِمَامِ بِمَا فِي أَقْطَارِ الْأَرْضِ وَ هُوَ فِي بَيْتِهِ مُرْخًى عَلَيْهِ سِتْرُهُ فَقَالَ يَا مُفَضَّلُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى جَعَلَ فِي النَّبِيِّ ص خَمْسَةَ أَرْوَاحٍ رُوحَ الْحَيَاةِ فَبِهِ دَبَّ وَ دَرَجَ وَ رُوحَ الْقُوَّةِ فَبِهِ نَهَضَ وَ جَاهَدَ وَ رُوحَ الشَّهْوَةِ فَبِهِ أَكَلَ وَ شَرِبَ وَ أَتَى النِّسَاءَ مِنَ الْحَلَالِ وَ رُوحَ الْإِيمَانِ فَبِهِ آمَنَ وَ عَدَل

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from al-Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from ‘Abdallah ibn Idris from Muhammad ibn Sinan that al-Mufadal ibn ‘Umar who has said that I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) the following. “I asked him about the knowledge of the Imams of the regions of the earth when he is in his house secluded behind the

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ كَذلِكَ أَوْحَيْنا إِلَيْكَ‌ رُوحاً مِنْ أَمْرِنا ما كُنْتَ تَدْرِي‌ مَا الْكِتابُ وَ لَا الْإِيمانُ‌[1] قَالَ خَلْقٌ مِنْ خَلْقِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ جَبْرَئِيلَ وَ مِيكَائِيلَ كَانَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص يُخْبِرُهُ وَ يُسَدِّدُهُ وَ هُوَ مَعَ الْأَئِمَّةِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ.

1. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Yahya al-Halabi from abu ’al-Sabah al-Kinani from abu Basir who has said the following. “I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “Thus, We have revealed a Spi

سَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ هِيتَ‌[2] وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كَذلِكَ أَوْحَيْنا إِلَيْكَ رُوحاً مِنْ أَمْرِنا فَقَالَ مُنْذُ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ذَلِكَ الرُّوحَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص مَا صَعِدَ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَ إِنَّهُ لَفِينَا.

“Once a man from Hayt (a town in Iraq) asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), -when I was present also-, about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “Thus, We have revealed a Spirit to you, (Muhammad), by Our command. Before, you did not even know what a Book or Faith was, . .” (42:52) The Imam (a.s.) said, “From the

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْعِلْمِ أَ هُوَ عِلْمٌ يَتَعَلَّمُهُ الْعَالِمُ مِنْ أَفْوَاهِ الرِّجَالِ أَمْ فِي الْكِتَابِ عِنْدَكُمْ تَقْرَءُونَهُ فَتَعْلَمُونَ مِنْهُ قَالَ الْأَمْرُ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ أَوْجَبُ أَ مَا سَمِعْتَ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كَذلِكَ أَوْحَيْنا إِلَيْكَ رُوحاً مِنْ أَمْرِنا ما كُنْتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتابُ وَ لَا الْإِيمانُ‌ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يَقُولُ أَصْحَاب

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the knowledge. Is it a knowledge that the scholar learns from the mouths of the people or it is in the with you from which you read and then learn therefrom.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “The issue is greater and more urgently needed. Have you not heard the words of Allah, the Most Holy, t

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى‌ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَ اتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّيَّتُهُمْ بِإِيمانٍ‌ أَلْحَقْنا بِهِمْ‌ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ‌ وَ ما أَلَتْناهُمْ‌ مِنْ عَمَلِهِمْ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ[1] قَالَ‌ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا النَّبِيُّ ص وَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ ذُرِّيَّتُهُ الْأَئِمَّةُ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءُ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمْ أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ وَ لَمْ نَنْقُصْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمُ الْحُجَّةَ- الَّتِي جَاءَ بِهَا مُحَمَّدٌ ص فِي عَلِيّ

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn abu Zahir from al-Khashshab from Ali ibn Hass’an from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Kathir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “The offspring of the believers will also follow them to Paradise. So shall We join their offspring to them because of their faith. We s

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْزَلَ عَلَى نَبِيِّهِ ص كِتَاباً قَبْلَ وَفَاتِهِ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ هَذِهِ وَصِيَّتُكَ إِلَى النُّجَبَةِ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ قَالَ وَ مَا النُّجَبَةُ يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ فَقَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ وُلْدُهُ ع وَ كَانَ عَلَى الْكِتَابِ خَوَاتِيمُ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ فَدَفَعَهُ النَّبِيُّ ص إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ أَمَرَهُ أَنْ يَفُكَّ خَاتَماً مِنْهُ وَ يَعْمَلَ بِمَا فِيهِ فَفَكّ

2. Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn Yahya have narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from abu al-Hassan al-Kinani from Ja‘far ibn Najih al-Kindi from Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn ‘Ubaydallah al-‘Umari from his father from his grandfather from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah,

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ وَلَايَةُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع وَ كَانَ مِنْ قَوْلِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص سَلِّمُوا عَلَى عَلِيٍّ بِإِمْرَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَكَانَ مِمَّا أَكَّدَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ يَا زَيْدُ قَوْلُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لَهُمَا قُومَا فَسَلِّمَا عَلَيْهِ بِإِمْرَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَقَالا أَ مِنَ اللَّهِ أَوْ مِنْ رَسُولِهِ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ- فَقَالَ لَهُمَا رَسُولُ اللَّه

“When Wilaya (Divine Authority over the people) of 'Ali ibn Abu Talib has descended and it was in the words of the Messenger of Allah they all greeted and congratulated Ali (a.s.) as the commander of the believers. Of the matters that Allah had stressed up on the two of them on that day, O Zayd was what came through th

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا أَنْ قَضَى مُحَمَّدٌ نُبُوَّتَهُ وَ اسْتَكْمَلَ أَيَّامَهُ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ تَعَالَى إِلَيْهِ أَنْ يَا مُحَمَّدُ قَدْ قَضَيْتَ نُبُوَّتَكَ وَ اسْتَكْمَلْتَ أَيَّامَكَ فَاجْعَلِ الْعِلْمَ الَّذِي عِنْدَكَ وَ الْإِيْمَانَ وَ الِاسْمَ الْأَكْبَرَ وَ مِيرَاثَ الْعِلْمِ وَ آثَارَ عِلْمِ النُّبُوَّةِ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ عِنْدَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَإِنِّي لَنْ أَقْطَعَ الْعِلْمَ وَ الْإِيمَ

“When Muhammad (s.a.) completed his task of prophet-hood and the duration of his life was about to end Allah, the Most High sent him wahy information through the angels. It said, “O Muhammad, your task of prophet-hood has come to an end and the duration of your life is about to reach a close. Therefore, you must place

لَمَّا حَضَرَتِ‌ الْحَسَنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع الْوَفَاةُ قَالَ يَا قَنْبَرُ انْظُرْ هَلْ تَرَى مِنْ وَرَاءِ بَابِكَ مُؤْمِناً مِنْ غَيْرِ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَقَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ ابْنُ رَسُولِهِ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي قَالَ ادْعُ لِي مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَلَمَّا دَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ هَلْ حَدَثَ إِلَّا خَيْرٌ قُلْتُ أَجِبْ أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ فَعَجَّلَ عَلَى شِسْعِ نَعْلِهِ فَلَمْ يُسَوِّهِ وَ

“When al-Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.) was about to leave this world he said, “O Qanbar, see if you there is any believer (in Islam) other than the members of the family of Muhammad (s.a.) behind the door.” He (Qanbar) said Allah, His Messenger and the grand son of His Messenger know better than I do.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “C

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا احْتُضِرَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع قَالَ لِلْحُسَيْنِ يَا أَخِي إِنِّي أُوصِيكَ بِوَصِيَّةٍ فَاحْفَظْهَا فَإِذَا أَنَا مِتُّ فَهَيِّئْنِي ثُمَّ وَجِّهْنِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لِأُحْدِثَ بِهِ عَهْداً ثُمَّ اصْرِفْنِي إِلَى أُمِّي فَاطِمَةَ ع ثُمَّ رُدَّنِي فَادْفِنِّي بِالْبَقِيعِ وَ اعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ سَيُصِيبُنِي مِنَ الْحُمَيْرَاءِ مَا يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مِنْ صَنِيعِهَا وَ

“When al-Hassan (a.s.) ibn Ali (a.s.) was about to leave this world he said to al-Husayn (a.s.), “O my brother, I want to entrust you with my directive will (please) safeguard and preserve it. When I will die prepare and help me towards (the Shrine of) the Messenger of Allah so I can renew my covenant with him then hel

الرَّسُولُ لِأَبِي إِنَّ مَوْلَاكَ يَقْرَأُ عَلَيْكَ السَّلَامَ وَ يَقُولُ لَكَ إِنِّي مَاضٍ وَ الْأَمْرُ صَائِرٌ إِلَى ابْنِي عَلِيٍّ وَ لَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ بَعْدِي مَا كَانَ لِي عَلَيْكُمْ بَعْدَ أَبِي ثُمَّ مَضَى الرَّسُولُ وَ رَجَعَ أَحْمَدُ إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ وَ قَالَ لِأَبِي مَا الَّذِي قَدْ قَالَ لَكَ قَالَ خَيْراً قَالَ قَدْ سَمِعْتُ مَا قَالَ فَلِمَ تَكْتُمُهُ وَ أَعَادَ مَا سَمِعَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبِي قَدْ حَرَّمَ

“My father was to watch the door of the house of abu Ja‘far (a.s.) to serve the task for which he was assigned. Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa would come every day at dawn for information about the health of abu Ja‘far (a.s.). There was a messenger that would come and go between abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and my father. When he (t

اجْتَمَعْتُ أَنَا وَ الشَّيْخُ أَبُو عَمْرٍو رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ عِنْدَ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ فَغَمَزَنِي أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِسْحَاقَ أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ عَنِ الْخَلَفِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَبَا عَمْرٍو إِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ مَا أَنَا بِشَاكٍّ فِيمَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ‌ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْهُ فَإِنَّ اعْتِقَادِي وَ دِينِي أَنَّ الْأَرْضَ لَا تَخْلُو مِنْ حُجَّةٍ إِلَّا إِذَا كَانَ قَبْلَ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ بِأَرْ

“I and shaykh abu ‘Amr, may Allah grant him blessings met each other before Ahmad ibn Ishaq. Ahmad ibn Ishaq made an eye gesture to me to ask him about the succeeding Imam. I said to him, “O abu ‘Amr, I like to ask you a question about a matter, although, I do not any doubts in the question I am about to ask. It is my