Faith & Belief

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَيُّمَا أَفْضَلُ الْعِبَادَةُ فِي السِّرِّ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ مِنْكُمُ الْمُسْتَتِرِ فِي دَوْلَةِ الْبَاطِلِ أَوِ الْعِبَادَةُ فِي ظُهُورِ الْحَقِّ وَ دَوْلَتِهِ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ مِنْكُمُ الظَّاهِرِ فَقَالَ يَا عَمَّارُ الصَّدَقَةُ فِي السِّرِّ وَ اللَّهِ أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الصَّدَقَةِ فِي الْعَلَانِيَةِ وَ كَذَلِكَ وَ اللَّهِ عِبَادَتُكُمْ فِي السِّرِّ مَعَ إِمَامِكُمُ‌ الْمُسْتَتِرِ فِي دَوْ

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari has narrated from from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Mirdas from Safwan ibn Yahya and al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Salim from ‘Ammar al-Sabati who has said the following. “Once I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Is the worship in secrecy with an Imam from you under the gover

فِي خُطْبَةٍ لَهُ‌ اللَّهُمَّ وَ إِنِّي لَأَعْلَمُ أَنَّ الْعِلْمَ لَا يَأْرِزُ كُلُّهُ وَ لَا يَنْقَطِعُ مَوَادُّهُ وَ أَنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِي أَرْضَكَ مِنْ حُجَّةٍ لَكَ عَلَى خَلْقِكَ- ظَاهِرٍ لَيْسَ بِالْمُطَاعِ أَوْ خَائِفٍ مَغْمُورٍ كَيْلَا تَبْطُلَ حُجَجُكَ وَ لَا يَضِلَّ أَوْلِيَاؤُكَ بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَهُمْ بَلْ أَيْنَ هُمْ وَ كَمْ أُولَئِكَ الْأَقَلُّونَ عَدَداً وَ الْأَعْظَمُونَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ ق

“Trustworthy reliable men of the companions of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) have said that they heard Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) say in one of his sermons as herein below. “Lord, I know that knowledge will not be erased and its sources will not discontinue altogether and You will not leave your earth without a Leader with Your

إِذَا فُقِدَ الْخَامِسُ مِنْ وُلْدِ السَّابِعِ فَاللَّهَ اللَّهَ فِي أَدْيَانِكُمْ‌[1]- لَا يُزِيلُكُمْ عَنْهَا أَحَدٌ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّهُ لَا بُدَّ لِصَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ مِنْ غَيْبَةٍ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ عَنْ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ مَنْ كَانَ يَقُولُ بِهِ إِنَّمَا هِيَ مِحْنَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ امْتَحَنَ بِهَا خَلْقَهُ لَوْ عَلِمَ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَ أَجْدَادُكُمْ دِيناً أَصَحَّ مِنْ هَذَا لَاتَّبَعُوهُ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ

“When the fifth descendant of the seventh (Imam) will disappear from the public sight at that time for the sake of Allah, for the sake of Allah protect your religion so no one can strip off of it. My son, it is necessary that the in charge of this task (Leadership with Divine Authority) must disappear from the public s

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ التَّنْوِيهَ‌[2] أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَيَغِيبَنَّ إِمَامُكُمْ سِنِيناً مِنْ دَهْرِكُمْ وَ لَتُمَحَّصُنَّ حَتَّى يُقَالَ مَاتَ قُتِلَ هَلَكَ بِأَيِّ وَادٍ سَلَكَ وَ لَتَدْمَعَنَّ عَلَيْهِ عُيُونُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ لَتُكْفَؤُنَ‌[3] كَمَا تُكْفَأُ السُّفُنُ فِي أَمْوَاجِ الْبَحْرِ فَلَا يَنْجُو إِلَّا مَنْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَهُ وَ كَتَبَ فِي قَلْبِهِ الْإِيمَانَ وَ

"I heard Abu 'Abdullah (a.s) say as follows: "Beware of allusion! By Allah, your Imam will be in occultation for a period of time. And you shall indeed be tested until it will be said that he has died, been killed, or lost in an unknown valley. The eyes of the believers will shed many tears for him. Surely, you will be

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عِنْدَهُ فِي الْبَيْتِ أُنَاسٌ فَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ إِنَّمَا أَرَادَ بِذَلِكَ غَيْرِي فَقَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ‌ لَيَغِيبَنَّ عَنْكُمْ صَاحِبُ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ وَ لَيَخْمُلَنَّ هَذَا حَتَّى يُقَالَ مَاتَ هَلَكَ فِي أَيِّ وَادٍ سَلَكَ وَ لَتُكْفَؤُنَّ كَمَا تُكْفَأُ السَّفِينَةُ فِي أَمْوَاجِ الْبَحْرِ لَا يَنْجُو إِلَّا مَنْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَهُ وَ كَتَبَ الْإِيمَانَ فِي قَلْب

“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and there other people also were present so I thought the Imam (a.s.) meant people other thanme when he said, “By Allah, the in chrage of this task (Leadership with Divine Authority) will disappear from your sight and this (case) will become so obscure that people wil

كُنَّا بِالْمَدِينَةِ بَعْدَ وَفَاةِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَا وَ صَاحِبُ الطَّاقِ وَ النَّاسُ مُجْتَمِعُونَ عَلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ أَنَّهُ صَاحِبُ الْأَمْرِ بَعْدَ أَبِيهِ فَدَخَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ أَنَا وَ صَاحِبُ الطَّاقِ وَ النَّاسُ عِنْدَهُ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّهُمْ رَوَوْا عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّهُ قَالَ إِنَّ الْأَمْرَ فِي الْكَبِيرِ مَا لَمْ تَكُنْ بِهِ عَاهَةٌ فَدَخَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ نَسْأَلُهُ عَ

“We were in Medina after Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) left this world. People had gathered around ‘Abdallah ibn Ja’far thinking that he was the in charge of this task (Imamah) after his father. I and Sahib al-Taq went to see him while people were around him because of a hadith that they would narrate from Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.)

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى الرِّضَا ع وَ أَنَا يَوْمَئِذٍ وَاقِفٌ- وَ قَدْ كَانَ أَبِي سَأَلَ أَبَاهُ عَنْ سَبْعِ مَسَائِلَ فَأَجَابَهُ فِي سِتٍّ وَ أَمْسَكَ عَنِ السَّابِعَةِ فَقُلْتُ وَ اللَّهِ لَأَسْأَلَنَّهُ عَمَّا سَأَلَ أَبِي أَبَاهُ فَإِنْ أَجَابَ بِمِثْلِ جَوَابِ أَبِيهِ كَانَتْ دَلَالَةً فَسَأَلْتُهُ فَأَجَابَ بِمِثْلِ جَوَابِ أَبِيهِ أَبِي فِي الْمَسَائِلِ السِّتِّ فَلَمْ يَزِدْ فِي الْجَوَابِ وَاواً وَ لَا يَاءً وَ أَ

“Once I went to see Ali al-Rida (a.s.). At that time I was a memebr of Waqifi sect. My father had asked his (al-Rida’s) father seven questions. He had replied to six of them and had refrained from answering the seventh. I said to my self, “By Allah, I will ask him what my father had asked his father if his answers will

كُنْتُ وَاقِفاً وَ حَجَجْتُ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ فَلَمَّا صِرْتُ بِمَكَّةَ خَلَجَ فِي صَدْرِي شَيْ‌ءٌ فَتَعَلَّقْتُ بِالْمُلْتَزَمِ‌[1] ثُمَّ قُلْتُ اللَّهُمَّ قَدْ عَلِمْتَ طَلِبَتِي وَ إِرَادَتِي فَأَرْشِدْنِي إِلَى خَيْرِ الْأَدْيَانِ فَوَقَعَ فِي نَفْسِي أَنْ آتِيَ الرِّضَا ع فَأَتَيْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ فَوَقَفْتُ بِبَابِهِ وَ قُلْتُ لِلْغُلَامِ قُلْ لِمَوْلَاكَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْعِرَاقِ بِالْبَابِ قَالَ فَسَمِع

“I was a member of Waqifa sect and I wen to Hajj with the same belief. When I arrived in Makka an idea began to prick my chest. I got hold of al-Multazam (the wall next to the door of Ka‘ba) and said, “O Lord, You know what I ask for and my intention. Guide me to the best of the religions. It then occurred to me to see

كَانَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ هُلَيْلٍ‌[2] يَقُولُ بِعَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌[3] فَصَارَ إِلَى الْعَسْكَرِ[4] فَرَجَعَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ سَبَبِ رُجُوعِهِ فَقَالَ إِنِّي عَرَضْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَوَافَقَنِي فِي طَرِيقٍ ضَيِّقٍ فَمَالَ نَحْوِي حَتَّى إِذَا حَاذَانِي أَقْبَلَ نَحْوِي بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ فِيهِ فَوَقَعَ عَلَى صَدْرِي فَأَخَذْتُهُ فَإِذَا هُوَ رَقٌّ فِيهِ مَكْتُوبٌ مَا كَانَ هُنَ

“‘Abdallah ibn Hulayl believe in ‘Abdallah (ibn Ja’far (a.s.) ) to be the Imam). He went to the army head quarters in Samarra, Iraq and thereafter he changed his belief. I asked him about the reason for such change. He said, “I thought (while in Samarra) I should discuss it with abu al-Hassan (a.s.) and ask him about i

أَنَّ زَيْدَ بْنَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع دَخَلَ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ وَ مَعَهُ كُتُبٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ يَدْعُونَهُ فِيهَا إِلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ يُخْبِرُونَهُ بِاجْتِمَاعِهِمْ وَ يَأْمُرُونَهُ بِالْخُرُوجِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع هَذِهِ الْكُتُبُ ابْتِدَاءٌ مِنْهُمْ أَوْ جَوَابُ مَا كَتَبْتَ بِهِ إِلَيْهِمْ وَ دَعَوْتَهُمْ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ بَلِ ابْتِدَاءٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ لِمَعْرِف

16. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Husayn ibn al-Jarud from Musa ibn Bakr ibn Dab from the one who narrated to him from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Once Zayd ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn went to see abu Ja’far, Muhammad ibn Ali. He carried with him l

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الم أَ حَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يُتْرَكُوا أَنْ يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَ هُمْ لا يُفْتَنُونَ‌[2] ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي مَا الْفِتْنَةُ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الَّذِي عِنْدَنَا الْفِتْنَةُ فِي الدِّينِ فَقَالَ يُفْتَنُونَ كَمَا يُفْتَنُ الذَّهَبُ ثُمَّ قَالَ يُخْلَصُونَ كَمَا يُخْلَصُ الذَّهَبُ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) say, “Alif, Lam, Mim. Do people think they will not be tested because they say, “We have faith?” (29:1-2). Then he (a.s.) asked me, “What is al-Fitna (the Test)?” I said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, in our opinion it is the test in religion.“ He (a.s.) replied, “They

قَالَ إِنَّ حَدِيثَكُمْ هَذَا لَتَشْمَئِزُّ مِنْهُ قُلُوبُ الرِّجَالِ فَمَنْ أَقَرَّ بِهِ فَزِيدُوهُ وَ مَنْ أَنْكَرَهُ فَذَرُوهُ إِنَّهُ لَا بُدَّ مِنْ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ يَسْقُطُ فِيهَا- كُلُّ بِطَانَةٍ وَ وَلِيجَةٍ[3] حَتَّى يَسْقُطَ فِيهَا مَنْ يَشُقُّ الشَّعْرَ بِشَعْرَتَيْنِ حَتَّى لَا يَبْقَى إِلَّا نَحْنُ وَ شِيعَتُنَا.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘Your story (belief in the rise of al- Mahdi with Divine authority) causes apprehension in the hearts of people. Those who acknowledge it (belief in the rise of al- Mahdi with Divine authority) you should enlighten him further and those who would deny it you should leave them alone. There m

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَتَى الْفَرَجُ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا بَصِيرٍ وَ أَنْتَ مِمَّنْ يُرِيدُ الدُّنْيَا مَنْ عَرَفَ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ فَقَدْ فُرِّجَ عَنْهُ لِانْتِظَارِهِ.

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, when will the relief come?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “O abu Basir, are you after the worldly gains? In fact, one who has established faith in this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) he has already experienced relief of exp

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَسْتَكْمِلَ الْإِيمَانَ كُلَّهُ فَلْيَقُلِ الْقَوْلُ مِنِّي فِي جَمِيعِ الْأَشْيَاءِ قَوْلُ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ فِيمَا أَسَرُّوا وَ مَا أَعْلَنُوا وَ فِيمَا بَلَغَنِي عَنْهُمْ وَ فِيمَا لَمْ يَبْلُغْنِي.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘Whoever loves to have a complete belief he must say, “Everything that I say is from the family of Muhammad whether those that they kept secret or those that they made public those that have reached me from them and those that have not reached me.”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ حَدِيثَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ صَعْبٌ مُسْتَصْعَبٌ لَا يُؤْمِنُ بِهِ إِلَّا مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ أَوْ نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ أَوْ عَبْدٌ امْتَحَنَ اللَّهُ قَلْبَهُ لِلْإِيمَانِ فَمَا وَرَدَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ حَدِيثِ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص فَلَانَتْ لَهُ قُلُوبُكُمْ وَ عَرَفْتُمُوهُ فَاقْبَلُوهُ وَ مَا اشْمَأَزَّتْ مِنْهُ قُلُوبُكُمْ وَ أَنْكَرْتُمُوهُ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ إِلَى الرَّس

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The Hadith (statements) of Ahl al-Bayt (members of the family of Prophet Muhammad) is difficult and it becomes difficult. No one believes in it except the angels that are close to Allah or the Prophets who are Messengers also, a servant of Allah whose H

ذُكِرَتِ التَّقِيَّةُ يَوْماً عِنْدَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَقَالَ وَ اللَّهِ لَوْ عَلِمَ أَبُو ذَرٍّ مَا فِي قَلْبِ سَلْمَانَ لَقَتَلَهُ وَ لَقَدْ آخَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بَيْنَهُمَا فَمَا ظَنُّكُمْ بِسَائِرِ الْخَلْقِ إِنَّ عِلْمَ الْعُلَمَاءِ صَعْبٌ مُسْتَصْعَبٌ لَا يَحْتَمِلُهُ إِلَّا نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ‌[1] أَوْ مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ أَوْ عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ امْتَحَنَ اللَّهُ قَلْبَهُ لِلْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ وَ إِنَّمَا صَ

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah that I one day spoke of Taqiya (hiding something for fear) before Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.).” He said, “By Allah, if abu Dhar knew what was in the heart of Salam he would have killed him even though the Messenger of Allah had formed brotherhood between them. What then would you think of the rest

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ صَاحِبِ الْعَسْكَرِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا مَعْنَى قَوْلِ الصَّادِقِ ع حَدِيثُنَا لَا يَحْتَمِلُهُ مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ وَ لَا نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ وَ لَا مُؤْمِنٌ امْتَحَنَ اللَّهُ قَلْبَهُ لِلْإِيمَانِ فَجَاءَ الْجَوَابُ‌ إِنَّمَا مَعْنَى قَوْلِ الصَّادِقِ ع أَيْ لَا يَحْتَمِلُهُ مَلَكٌ وَ لَا نَبِيٌّ وَ لَا مُؤْمِنٌ إِنَّ الْمَلَكَ لَا يَحْتَمِلُهُ حَتَّى يُخْرِجَهُ إِلَى مَلَكٍ غَيْرِهِ وَ

“I wrote to Imam al-Hassan al_’Askari (a.s.) saying, May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what is the meaning of the following Hadith of Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (a.s.)? “Our Hadith (statements) are difficult and they become difficult. No one is capable to bear them not even an angel or a prophet who is also a

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا وَ اللَّهِ سِرّاً مِنْ سِرِّ اللَّهِ وَ عِلْماً مِنْ عِلْمِ اللَّهِ وَ اللَّهِ مَا يَحْتَمِلُهُ مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ وَ لَا نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ وَ لَا مُؤْمِنٌ امْتَحَنَ اللَّهُ قَلْبَهُ لِلْإِيمَانِ وَ اللَّهِ مَا كَلَّفَ اللَّهُ ذَلِكَ أَحَداً غَيْرَنَا وَ لَا اسْتَعْبَدَ بِذَلِكَ أَحَداً غَيْرَنَا وَ إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا سِرّاً مِنْ سِرِّ اللَّهِ- وَ عِلْماً مِ

5. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Mansur ibn al-‘Abbass from Safwan ibn Yahya from ‘Abdallah ibn Muskan from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Khaliq and abu Basir who has said the following. “Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, ‘O abu Muhammad, with us there is a secret of the secrets of Allah and a knowle

قَالَ سُفْيَانُ الثَّوْرِيُّ اذْهَبْ بِنَا إِلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ فَذَهَبْتُ مَعَهُ إِلَيْهِ فَوَجَدْنَاهُ قَدْ رَكِبَ دَابَّتَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ سُفْيَانُ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ حَدِّثْنَا بِحَدِيثِ خُطْبَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فِي مَسْجِدِ الْخَيْفِ قَالَ دَعْنِي حَتَّى أَذْهَبَ فِي حَاجَتِي فَإِنِّي قَدْ رَكِبْتُ فَإِذَا جِئْتُ حَدَّثْتُكَ فَقَالَ أَسْأَلُكَ بِقَرَابَتِكَ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لَمَّا حَ

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The sermon of the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his family) in Masjid al-Khayf: 'May God brighten the face of a servant who hears my words, retains them, and conveys them to those who did not hear them. O people, let the one who is present convey to th

أَنَا أَوْلَى بِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ وَ عَلِيٌّ أَوْلَى بِهِ مِنْ بَعْدِي فَقِيلَ لَهُ مَا مَعْنَى ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ قَوْلُ النَّبِيِّ ص مَنْ تَرَكَ دَيْناً أَوْ ضَيَاعاً فَعَلَيَّ وَ مَنْ تَرَكَ مَالًا فَلِوَرَثَتِهِ فَالرَّجُلُ لَيْسَتْ لَهُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ وِلَايَةٌ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ مَالٌ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ عَلَى عِيَالِهِ أَمْرٌ وَ لَا نَهْيٌ إِذَا لَمْ يُجْرِ عَلَيْهِمُ النَّفَقَةَ وَ النَّبِيُّ وَ أَمِيرُ

“The Holy Prophet has said, ’Isma‘il have more authority over every believer than their own selves and after me Ali (a.s.) will such authority.” He was asked, “What is the meaning of that?” He said, “These are the words of the Holy Prophet (sw), ‘One who would pass away his debts and liabilities become my responsibilit

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ أَوْ مُسْلِمٍ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ دَيْناً لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي فَسَادٍ وَ لَا إِسْرَافٍ فَعَلَى الْإِمَامِ أَنْ يَقْضِيَهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْضِهِ فَعَلَيْهِ إِثْمُ ذَلِكَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ- إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقاتُ لِلْفُقَراءِ وَ الْمَساكِينِ‌ الْآيَةَ[1] فَهُوَ مِنَ الْغَارِمِينَ وَ لَهُ سَهْمٌ عِنْدَ الْإِمَامِ فَإِنْ حَبَسَهُ فَإِثْمُهُ عَلَيْهِ.

"The Messenger of Allah (sw) said: 'Any believer or Muslim who dies while leaving behind a debt not incurred for unlawful or extravagant reasons, it will be the responsibility of the Imam to pay it off. Otherwise, its sin is upon him. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, says: 'Welfare funds (zakat) are only for the po

بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ مُحَمَّدٌ ص مِنَ الْوَلَايَةِ وَ لَمْ يَخْلِطُوهَا بِوَلَايَةِ فُلَانٍ وَ فُلَانٍ فَهُوَ الْمُلَبَّسُ بِالظُّلْمِ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “It refers to faith in that Prophet Muhammad (s.a) has brought from Allah about Wilaya, Leadership with Divine Authority and have not mixed it with the authority of so and so that is mixing with injustice.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ فَمِنْكُمْ كافِرٌ[4] وَ مِنْكُمْ مُؤْمِنٌ‌ فَقَالَ عَرَفَ اللَّهُ إِيمَانَهُمْ بِوَلَايَتِنَا وَ كُفْرَهُمْ بِهَا يَوْمَ أَخَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمِيثَاقَ فِي صُلْبِ آدَمَ ع وَ هُمْ ذَرٌّ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “On the day that Allah made all the offspring of Adam to make a covenant with Him when they were just small particles He made faith our Wilaya, (Leadership with Divine Authority) the standard for faith and disbelief.”

إِنَّمَا عَنَى بِذَلِكَ عَلِيّاً ع وَ فَاطِمَةَ وَ الْحَسَنَ وَ الْحُسَيْنَ وَ جَرَتْ بَعْدَهُمْ فِي الْأَئِمَّةِ ع ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ الْقَوْلُ مِنَ اللَّهِ فِي النَّاسِ فَقَالَ‌ فَإِنْ آمَنُوا يَعْنِي النَّاسَ‌ بِمِثْلِ ما آمَنْتُمْ بِهِ‌ يَعْنِي عَلِيّاً وَ فَاطِمَةَ وَ الْحَسَنَ وَ الْحُسَيْنَ وَ الْأَئِمَّةَ ع‌ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوْا وَ إِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّما هُمْ فِي شِقاقٍ‌[1].

The Imam (a.s.) said, “This is primarily addressed to Ali, Fatima, al-Hassan and al-Husayn (a.s.) and thereafter to the Imams (a.s.). Then the words of Allah “. . If they (refer to people) have faith, in all that you (Ali, Fatima, al-Hassan and al-Husayn (a.s.) believe, they will have the right guidance, but if they tu

نَزَلَ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص بِهَذِهِ الْآيَةِ هَكَذَا يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتابَ آمِنُوا بِما نَزَّلْنا فِي عَلِيٍ‌ نُوراً مُبِيناً[4].

“Jibril brought the following verse to Prophet Muhammad (s.a). “People of the Book, have faith in the what We have revealed (about Ali’s Leadership with Divine Authority). .” (4:47)

وَ لَوْ أَنَّهُمْ فَعَلُوا ما يُوعَظُونَ بِهِ‌ فِي عَلِيٍ‌ لَكانَ خَيْراً لَهُمْ‌[5].

“If they had done what they had been advised to do (acknowledge Ali’s Leadership with Divine Authority), it would have been for their good and to strengthen their faith.” (4:66)

لَأَشْرَبْنَا قُلُوبَهُمُ الْإِيمَانَ وَ الطَّرِيقَةُ هِيَ وَلَايَةُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ ع.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “It means that Allah would quench their heart with faith. Religion is a reference to Leadership of Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) and the executor of his will with Divine Authority.”

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 وَاحِداً بَعْدَ وَاحِدٍ- تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخافُوا وَ لا تَحْزَنُوا وَ أَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنْتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ‌[1].

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. “To those who have said, “God is our Lord, “ and who have remained steadfast to their belief,. .” (41:30) The Imam (a.s.) said, “It refers to those who remained steadfast in their belief of Leadership with Divine Authority of

نَزَلَتْ فِي فُلَانٍ وَ فُلَانٍ وَ فُلَانٍ‌ آمَنُوا بِالنَّبِيِّ ص فِي أَوَّلِ الْأَمْرِ وَ كَفَرُوا حَيْثُ عُرِضَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الْوَلَايَةُ حِينَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص مَنْ كُنْتُ مَوْلَاهُ فَهَذَا عَلِيٌّ مَوْلَاهُ‌ ثُمَّ آمَنُوا بِالْبَيْعَةِ لِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ ثُمَّ كَفَرُوا حَيْثُ مَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَلَمْ يَقِرُّوا بِالْبَيْعَةِ ثُمَّ ازْدادُوا كُفْراً بِأَخْذِهِمْ مَنْ بَايَعَهُ بِالْبَيْعَةِ لَهُمْ

The Imam (a.s.) said, “It was revealed about so and so and so and so who believed in the Holy Prophet (s.a) in the beginning. They turned to disbelief when Leadership with Divine Authority of Ali was made know to them when the Holy Prophet (s.a) said, “Over whoever, I have Divine authority Ali also has Divine authority

قَوْلُهُ تَعَالَى‌ ذلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قالُوا لِلَّذِينَ كَرِهُوا ما نَزَّلَ اللَّهُ‌ سَنُطِيعُكُمْ فِي بَعْضِ الْأَمْرِ[6] قَالَ نَزَلَتْ وَ اللَّهِ فِيهِمَا وَ فِي أَتْبَاعِهِمَا وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ‌ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الَّذِي نَزَلَ بِهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص‌ ذلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قالُوا لِلَّذِينَ كَرِهُوا ما نَزَّلَ اللَّهُ‌ فِي عَلِيٍّ ع‌ سَنُطِيعُكُمْ فِي بَعْضِ الْأَمْرِ قَالَ دَعَوْا بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ إِلَ

The Imam (a.s.) said, “They are so and so and so and so who reverted from the faith in rejecting Leadership with Divine Authority of Ali (a.s.).” I then asked about the words of Allah, the Most High. “This is because they have said to those who hate God’s revelation, “We shall obey you in some matters.” . .” (47:26) Th

نَزَلَ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع بِهَذِهِ الْآيَةِ هَكَذَا إِنَّ الَّذِينَ‌ ... ظَلَمُوا آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ حَقَّهُمْ‌ لَمْ يَكُنِ اللَّهُ لِيَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ وَ لا لِيَهْدِيَهُمْ طَرِيقاً. إِلَّا طَرِيقَ جَهَنَّمَ خالِدِينَ فِيها أَبَداً وَ كانَ ذلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيراً[2] ثُمَّ قَالَ‌ يا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جاءَكُمُ الرَّسُولُ بِالْحَقِّ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ‌ فِي وَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍ‌ فَآمِنُوا خَيْراً لَكُمْ‌ وَ إِنْ تَكْفُرُوا بِوَلَا

“Jibril brought this verse. “Those who have done injustice (against the rights of the family of Muhammad (s.a.) will not receive forgiveness from Allah or guidance to any other path but that to Hell wherein they will remain forever. Then he said, “O people, the Messenger has come to you with the truth (Wilaya of Imam A

نَزَلَ جَبْرَئِيلُ بِهَذِهِ الْآيَةِ هَكَذَا فَأَبى‌ أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ‌ بِوَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍ‌ إِلَّا كُفُوراً[1] قَالَ وَ نَزَلَ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع بِهَذِهِ الْآيَةِ هَكَذَا- وَ قُلِ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ‌ فِي وَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍ‌ فَمَنْ شاءَ فَلْيُؤْمِنْ وَ مَنْ شاءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْ إِنَّا أَعْتَدْنا لِلظَّالِمِينَ‌ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ ناراً[2].

“Jibril brought this verse as this. “. . but most human beings turn away (from Wilaya of Ali (Leadership with Divine Authority) in disbelief.” (17:89) He said, “Jibril brought this verse as this “Say,” Truth comes from your Lord.(about Wilaya of Ali Leadership with Divine Authority) Let people have faith or disbelieve

النَّبِيُّ ص وَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع.

In the Praise of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful All praise belongs to Allah Who is praised for His bounties, worshipped for His Might, obeyed in His rule and feared for His Majesty. He possesses all that is attractive; His commands pervade in all of His creation. He is High, the Most High. He is near in His Highne

ذَاكَ حَمْزَةُ وَ جَعْفَرٌ وَ عُبَيْدَةُ وَ سَلْمَانُ وَ أَبُو ذَرٍّ وَ الْمِقْدَادُ بْنُ الْأَسْوَدِ وَ عَمَّارٌ هُدُوا إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ قَوْلِهِ- حَبَّبَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْإِيمانَ‌ وَ زَيَّنَهُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ‌ يَعْنِي أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ‌ وَ كَرَّهَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكُفْرَ وَ الْفُسُوقَ وَ الْعِصْيانَ‌[3] الْأَوَّلَ وَ الثَّانِيَ وَ الثَّالِثَ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “They were Hamza, ‘Ubayda, Salman, abu Dhar, al-Miqdad ibn al_Aswad and ‘Ammar who were guidedd to Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.). “However, God has endeared the faith to you and has made it attractive to your hearts –meaning thereby Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.)) He has made disbelief, evil deeds and

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى‌ ائْتُونِي بِكِتابٍ مِنْ قَبْلِ هذا أَوْ أَثارَةٍ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صادِقِينَ‌[4] قَالَ عَنَى بِالْكِتَابِ التَّوْرَاةَ وَ الْإِنْجِيلَ وَ أَثَارَةٍ مِنْ عِلْمٍ فَإِنَّمَا عَنَى بِذَلِكَ عِلْمَ أَوْصِيَاءِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ ع.

Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Salih from abu ‘Ubayda who has said the following: “Once I asked abu Ja‘far, recipient of divine supreme covenant, about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most High: ‘. . . bring me a Book, revealed before this Quran, or anything remaining of knowledge

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِهِ‌ فَمِنْكُمْ كافِرٌ وَ مِنْكُمْ مُؤْمِنٌ‌[6] فَقَالَ عَرَفَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِيمَانَهُمْ بِمُوَالاتِنَا وَ كُفْرَهُمْ بِهَا يَوْمَ أَخَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمِيثَاقَ وَ هُمْ ذَرٌّ فِي صُلْبِ آدَمَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ‌ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ‌ فَإِنَّما عَلى‌ رَسُولِنَا الْبَلاغُ الْمُبِينُ‌[7] فَقَالَ أَمَا وَ

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah. “. . some of you have accepted the faith and some of you have not. .” (64:2) The Imam (a.s.) said, “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, has defined their faith through their love for us. He has defined their disbelief in the same fact. This took place on

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ- كَشَجَرَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُها ثابِتٌ‌ وَ فَرْعُها فِي السَّماءِ[4] قَالَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَصْلُهَا وَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَرْعُهَا وَ الْأَئِمَّةُ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا أَغْصَانُهَا وَ عِلْمُ الْأَئِمَّةِ ثَمَرَتُهَا وَ شِيعَتُهُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَرَقُهَا هَلْ فِيهَا فَضْلٌ‌[5] قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا وَ اللَّهِ قَالَ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيُولَدُ

“The root is Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) and the branches are the Imams from their (Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and The Holy Prophet (s.a) descendants and the knowledge of Imams stand for the fruits. Their faithful followers represent the leaves of such tree.” The Imam (a.s.) asked, “Is there anything else in the tree?” I

الْإِقْرَارُ بِالْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ وَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع خَاصَّةً قَالَ لَا يَنْفَعُ إِيمَانُهَا لِأَنَّهَا سُلِبَتْ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “It means to acknowledge the prophets and the executors of their wills especially Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.).” The Imam (a.s.) said, “The faith of a soul will not be of any benefit because it will be removed.”

يَعْنِي بِهِ وَلَايَةَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قُلْتُ‌ وَ نَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ أَعْمى‌ قَالَ يَعْنِي أَعْمَى الْبَصَرِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ أَعْمَى الْقَلْبِ فِي الدُّنْيَا عَنْ وَلَايَةِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَالَ وَ هُوَ مُتَحَيِّرٌ فِي الْقِيَامَةِ يَقُولُ- لِمَ حَشَرْتَنِي أَعْمى‌ وَ قَدْ كُنْتُ بَصِيراً قالَ كَذلِكَ‌ أَتَتْكَ آياتُنا فَنَسِيتَها قَالَ الْآيَاتُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع- فَنَسِيتَها وَ كَذلِكَ‌ الْ

about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. “Whoever ignores My guidance will live a woeful life. .” (20:124) The Imam (a.s.) said, “It means ignoring Wilaya of Ali (a.s.).” I then read the words of Allah. “. . and will be brought in Our presence blind on the Day of Judgment.” (20:124) The Imam (a.s

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ نَصَبَ عَلِيّاً ع عَلَماً بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ خَلْقِهِ فَمَنْ عَرَفَهُ كَانَ مُؤْمِناً وَ مَنْ أَنْكَرَهُ كَانَ كَافِراً وَ مَنْ جَهِلَهُ كَانَ ضَالًّا وَ مَنْ نَصَبَ مَعَهُ شَيْئاً كَانَ مُشْرِكاً وَ مَنْ جَاءَ بِوَلَايَتِهِ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ.

"Indeed, Allah, Mighty and Majestic, appointed Ali (a.s) as a sign between Him and His creation. Whoever acknowledges him is a believer, and whoever denies him is an unbeliever. Whoever is ignorant of him is misguided, and whoever who sets up something alongside him is a polytheist. Whoever comes with his Wilayah will

إِنَّا لَنَعْرِفُ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا رَأَيْنَاهُ بِحَقِيقَةِ الْإِيمَانِ وَ حَقِيقَةِ النِّفَاقِ.

“We know men when we see them through the reality of faith and the reality of hypocrisy.”

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَثَّلَ لِي‌ أُمَّتِي فِي الطِّينِ وَ عَلَّمَنِي أَسْمَاءَهُمْ كَمَا عَلَّمَ آدَمَ الْأَسْماءَ كُلَّها فَمَرَّ بِي أَصْحَابُ الرَّايَاتِ فَاسْتَغْفَرْتُ لِعَلِيٍّ وَ شِيعَتِهِ إِنَّ رَبِّي وَعَدَنِي فِي شِيعَةِ عَلِيٍّ خَصْلَةً قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ مَا هِيَ قَالَ الْمَغْفِرَةُ لِمَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُمْ وَ أَنْ لَا يُغَادِرَ مِنْهُمْ‌ صَغِيرَةً وَ لا كَبِيرَةً وَ لَهُمْ

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah presented my ’Ummah (followers) to me in the realm of clay and taught me their names just as He had taught all the names to Adam. The (groups of) people of flags passed by and I prayed to ask forgiveness for Ali (AS) and his followers. My Lord has promised me a quality for the S

إِنَّ عَبْدَ الْمُطَّلِبِ أَوَّلُ مَنْ قَالَ بِالْبَدَاءِ يُبْعَثُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أُمَّةً وَحْدَهُ عَلَيْهِ بَهَاءُ الْمُلُوكِ وَ سِيمَاءُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ.

“‘Abd al-Muttalib is the first one who believer in Bada’ (Allah’s revised will). He will be resurrected as a whole nation. He will have an august presence like kings and a countenance like that of the prophets.”

إِنَّ مَثَلَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ مَثَلُ أَصْحَابِ الْكَهْفِ أَسَرُّوا الْإِيمَانَ وَ أَظْهَرُوا الشِّرْكَ فَآتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ‌ أَجْرَهُمْ مَرَّتَيْنِ‌.

“The case of Abu Talib is like the case of the people of the cave who hid their faith and expressed polytheism. Allah gave them twice as much reward.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كَانَ سَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ وَ الْقَاسِمُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَ أَبُو خَالِدٍ الْكَابُلِيُّ مِنْ ثِقَاتِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع قَالَ وَ كَانَتْ أُمِّي مِمَّنْ آمَنَتْ وَ اتَّقَتْ وَ أَحْسَنَتْ‌ وَ اللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ* قَالَ وَ قَالَتْ أُمِّي قَالَ أَبِي يَا أُمَّ فَرْوَةَ إِنِّي لَأَدْعُو اللَّهَ لِمُذْنِبِي شِيعَتِنَا فِي الْيَوْمِ وَ اللَّيْلَةِ أَلْفَ

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Sa‘id ibn al-Musayyib, al-Qasim ibn Muhammad Ibn Abi Bakr and Abu al-Khalid al-Kabuli were of the trusted and reliable companions of Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.).” The Imam (a.s.) has said, “My mother was a true believer, pious and a person of good deeds. Allah loves the people of good deed

قَالَ لِي أَ تَدْرِي مَا كَانَ سَبَبُ دُخُولِنَا فِي هَذَا الْأَمْرِ وَ مَعْرِفَتِنَا بِهِ وَ مَا كَانَ عِنْدَنَا مِنْهُ ذِكْرٌ وَ لَا مَعْرِفَةُ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِمَّا عِنْدَ النَّاسِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا ذَاكَ قَالَ إِنَّ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ يَعْنِي أَبَا الدَّوَانِيقِ قَالَ لِأَبِي مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْأَشْعَثِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ ابْغِ لِي رَجُلًا لَهُ عَقْلٌ يُؤَدِّي عَنِّي فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبِي قَدْ أَصَبْتُهُ لَكَ هَذَا فُلَانُ بْنُ

“Do you know the reason that we came in this matter (became Shi‘a) and recognized it even though there was no mention of it among us and we had no knowledge of what other people (Shi‘a) had?” The narrator has said that I asked him, “What then is the reason for it?” He said, “Abu Ja‘far, abu Dawaniq once said to abu Muh

كَانَ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ خَاقَانَ عَلَى الضِّيَاعِ وَ الْخَرَاجِ بِقُمَّ فَجَرَى فِي مَجْلِسِهِ يَوْماً ذِكْرُ الْعَلَوِيَّةِ وَ مَذَاهِبِهِمْ وَ كَانَ شَدِيدَ النَّصْبِ فَقَالَ مَا رَأَيْتُ وَ لَا عَرَفْتُ بِسُرَّ مَنْ رَأَى رَجُلًا مِنَ الْعَلَوِيَّةِ مِثْلَ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الرِّضَا فِي هَدْيِهِ وَ سُكُونِهِ وَ عَفَافِهِ وَ نُبْلِهِ وَ كَرَمِهِ عِنْدَ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ ب

1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Asha‘ari and Muhammad ibn Yahya and others have narrated the following. “Ahmad ibn ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Khaqan was in charge of collecting property and other taxes in the city of Qumm. One day in his presence the ‘Alawids and their beliefs were mentioned. He was a staunch Nasibi (abusive of ‘Al

ضَاقَ بِنَا الْأَمْرُ فَقَالَ لِي أَبِي امْضِ بِنَا حَتَّى نَصِيرَ إِلَى هَذَا الرَّجُلِ يَعْنِي أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ وُصِفَ عَنْهُ سَمَاحَةٌ فَقُلْتُ تَعْرِفُهُ فَقَالَ مَا أَعْرِفُهُ وَ لَا رَأَيْتُهُ قَطُّ قَالَ فَقَصَدْنَاهُ فَقَالَ لِي أَبِي وَ هُوَ فِي طَرِيقِهِ مَا أَحْوَجَنَا إِلَى أَنْ يَأْمُرَ لَنَا بِخَمْسِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ مِائَتَا دِرْهَمٍ لِلْكِسْوَةِ وَ مِائَتَا دِرْهَمٍ لِلدَّيْنِ وَ مِائَةٌ

“We were under pressure and constraint. My father said, “Let us go to Abu Muhammad (a.s.). People describe him as very generous and considerate.” I asked, “Do you know him?” He said, “No, I do not know him and I have not seen him before.” We decided to go and meet him. My father said on the way, 'I wish he would grant

إِنَّ قَوْماً مِنْ أَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ مِنَ الطَّالِبِيِّينَ كَانُوا يَقُولُونَ بِالْحَقِّ وَ كَانَتِ الْوَظَائِفُ تَرِدُ عَلَيْهِمْ‌[5] فِي وَقْتٍ مَعْلُومٍ فَلَمَّا مَضَى أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع رَجَعَ قَوْمٌ مِنْهُمْ عَنِ الْقَوْلِ بِالْوَلَدِ[6] فَوَرَدَتِ‌ الْوَظَائِفُ عَلَى مَنْ ثَبَتَ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى الْقَوْلِ بِالْوَلَدِ وَ قُطِعَ عَنِ الْبَاقِينَ فَلَا يُذْكَرُونَ فِي الذَّاكِرِينَ‌ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعا

“Certain people of the city of al-Madina that belonged to al-Talibiyin group believed in the truth (about Ahl al-Bayt). They would receive their financial grants regularly on time. When abu Muhammad (a.s.) passed away a few of them disregarded the belief that abu Muhammad (a.s.) has behind a son. The financial grants t

كَتَبَ أَبِي بِخَطِّهِ كِتَاباً فَوَرَدَ جَوَابُهُ ثُمَّ كَتَبْتُ بِخَطِّي فَوَرَدَ جَوَابُهُ ثُمَّ كَتَبَ بِخَطِّهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ فُقَهَاءِ أَصْحَابِنَا فَلَمْ يَرِدْ جَوَابُهُ فَنَظَرْنَا فَكَانَتِ الْعِلَّةُ أَنَّ الرَّجُلَ تَحَوَّلَ قَرْمَطِيّاً قَالَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الْفَضْلِ فَزُرْتُ الْعِرَاقَ وَ وَرَدْتُ طُوسَ وَ عَزَمْتُ أَنْ لَا أَخْرُجَ إِلَّا عَنْ بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ أَمْرِي وَ نَجَاحٍ مِنْ حَوَائِجِي وَ لَوِ احْ

13. Al-Hassan ibn al-Fadl ibn Yazid al-Yamani has said the following. “My father wrote in his own had writing he received back a response. I then wrote in my own hand writing I also received back a response. One of our Fuqaha’ (scholar of law) wrote in his own hand writing but he did not receive any response. We then b