Imamate & Wilayah

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا قَوْماً لَهُمْ مَحَبَّةٌ وَ لَيْسَتْ لَهُمْ تِلْكَ الْعَزِيمَةُ[4] يَقُولُونَ بِهَذَا الْقَوْلِ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ أُولَئِكَ مِمَّنْ عَاتَبَ اللَّهُ إِنَّمَا قَالَ اللَّهُ‌ فَاعْتَبِرُوا يا أُولِي الْأَبْصارِ.

It is narrated from him from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal that al-Hassan ibn al-Juham said: “I told Abul Hasan (al-Ridha) (as), 'We know of a people who have love [for the Ahlul-bayt] but they do not have much determination [in understanding their imamate], they make such claims.' He then replied, 'They are not o

إِنَّ الْعُلَمَاءَ وَرَثَةُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ ذَاكَ أَنَّ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ لَمْ يُورِثُوا دِرْهَماً وَ لَا دِينَاراً وَ إِنَّمَا أَوْرَثُوا أَحَادِيثَ مِنْ أَحَادِيثِهِمْ فَمَنْ أَخَذَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهَا فَقَدْ أَخَذَ حَظّاً وَافِراً فَانْظُرُوا عِلْمَكُمْ هَذَا عَمَّنْ تَأْخُذُونَهُ فَإِنَّ فِينَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فِي كُلِّ خَلَفٍ عُدُولًا يَنْفُونَ عَنْهُ تَحْرِيفَ الْغَالِينَ وَ انْتِحَالَ الْمُبْطِلِينَ وَ تَأْوِيلَ

“The scholars are the heirs of the prophets because the prophets did not leave any Dirham or Dinar, (units of money) as their legacy. What they left was certain pieces of their statements. Those who acquired anything of these pieces of their statements they have certainly gained a large share. You must be very careful,

قَالَ: يَا حَفْصُ يُغْفَرُ لِلْجَاهِلِ سَبْعُونَ ذَنْباً قَبْلَ أَنْ يُغْفَرَ لِلْعَالِمِ ذَنْبٌ وَاحِدٌ.

“O Hafs, seventy sins of an ignorant person may be forgiven before only one sin of a learned person is forgiven.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا وَ آلِهِ وَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ وَيْلٌ لِلْعُلَمَاءِ السَّوْءِ كَيْفَ تَلَظَّى عَلَيْهِمُ النَّارُ.

“Jesus son of Mary (a.s.) said, ‘Woe to bad scholars! If only they knew how raging fire will engulf them.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ النَّفْسُ هَاهُنَا وَ أَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى حَلْقِهِ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِلْعَالِمِ تَوْبَةٌ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ إِنَّمَا التَّوْبَةُ عَلَى‌ اللَّهِ‌ لِلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السُّوءَ بِجَهالَةٍ[1].

“When the soul reaches here, pointing to his throat, there will be no chance for learned persons to repent. He recited this verse; “God will only accept the repentance of those who commit evil in ignorance, if they repent immediately. God is All-knowing and All-wise (4:17)”

هُمْ قَوْمٌ وَصَفُوا عَدْلًا بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ‌[3] ثُمَّ خَالَفُوهُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ.

“Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said about the words of Allah in the holy Quran, ‘The idol worshippers, the idols, the rebellious ones, (26:94) and the army of Satan will all be thrown headlong into hell. (26:95)’ They are the people who speak about justice a great deal but in their own practice they would disregard it alt

إِنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ الدَّيَصَانِيَ‌[1] سَأَلَ هِشَامَ بْنَ الْحَكَمِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ لَكَ رَبٌّ فَقَالَ بَلَى قَالَ أَ قَادِرٌ هُوَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَادِرٌ قَاهِرٌ قَالَ يَقْدِرُ أَنْ يُدْخِلَ الدُّنْيَا كُلَّهَا الْبَيْضَةَ لَا تَكْبُرُ الْبَيْضَةُ وَ لَا تَصْغُرُ الدُّنْيَا قَالَ هِشَامٌ النَّظِرَةَ[2] فَقَالَ لَهُ قَدْ أَنْظَرْتُكَ حَوْلًا ثُمَّ خَرَجَ عَنْهُ فَرَكِبَ هِشَامٌ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَاسْتَأْذَ

‘Abdallah al-Daysani asked Hisham ibn al-Hakam, ‘Do you have a God?’” He replied, “Yes, I have a God.” He then asked, “Is He powerful?” Hisham then replied, “Yes, He is powerful and the most powerful One.” The man then asked, “Can He fit the whole world inside an egg without any change in the size of either one?” Hisha

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ اعْرِفُوا اللَّهَ بِاللَّهِ وَ الرَّسُولَ بِالرِّسَالَةِ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ بِالْأَمْرِ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ الْعَدْلِ وَ الْإِحْسَانِ. وَ مَعْنَى قَوْلِهِ ع اعْرِفُوا اللَّهَ بِاللَّهِ‌[2] يَعْنِي أَنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ الْأَشْخَاصَ وَ الْأَنْوَارَ وَ الْجَوَاهِرَ وَ الْأَعْيَانَ فَالْأَعْيَانُ الْأَبْدَانُ وَ الْجَوَاهِرُ الْأَرْوَاحُ وَ هُوَ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ لَا يُشْبِهُ جِسْماً وَ لَا رُ

1. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from the people he mentioned from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Humran from al- Fadl ibn al-Sakan from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has narrated the following. “Imam Ali (a.s.) has said, ‘Recognize Allah by Allah’s Own-Self, recognize the Messenger through his message a

سُئِلَ‌ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِمَ عَرَفْتَ رَبَّكَ قَالَ بِمَا عَرَّفَنِي نَفْسَهُ قِيلَ وَ كَيْفَ عَرَّفَكَ نَفْسَهُ قَالَ لَا يُشْبِهُهُ صُورَةٌ وَ لَا يُحَسُّ بِالْحَوَاسِّ وَ لَا يُقَاسُ بِالنَّاسِ قَرِيبٌ فِي بُعْدِهِ بَعِيدٌ فِي قُرْبِهِ فَوْقَ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ لَا يُقَالُ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَوْقَهُ أَمَامَ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ لَا يُقَالُ لَهُ أَمَامٌ دَاخِلٌ فِي الْأَشْيَاءِ لَا كَشَيْ‌ءٍ دَاخِلٍ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ خَارِجٌ

The Commander of the Faithful (as) was asked: "How did you come to know your Lord?" He said: "By what He has introduced Himself to me." It was asked: "And how did He introduce Himself to you?" He said: "He is not similar to any image, nor can He be perceived by the senses, nor can He be compared to people. He is close

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع مِنْ وَرَاءِ نَهَرِ بَلْخٍ فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ فَإِنْ أَجَبْتَنِي فِيهَا بِمَا عِنْدِي قُلْتُ بِإِمَامَتِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع سَلْ عَمَّا شِئْتَ فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ رَبِّكَ مَتَى كَانَ وَ كَيْفَ كَانَ وَ عَلَى أَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ كَانَ اعْتِمَادُهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَيَّنَ الْأَيْنَ بِلَا أَيْنٍ وَ

A man from Ma Wara’ Nahr Balkh (Transoxania) came to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), and said, ‘I have a question for you. If your answer is the same as I already know, I will accept you as my Imam (leader with divine authority).’” Imam abul-Hassan (a.s.) replied, “Ask whatever you wish.” The man said, “Tell me when did

نَحْنُ الْمَثَانِي‌[3] الَّذِي أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ نَبِيَّنَا مُحَمَّداً ص وَ نَحْنُ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ نَتَقَلَّبُ فِي الْأَرْضِ بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِكُمْ وَ نَحْنُ عَيْنُ اللَّهِ فِي خَلْقِهِ وَ يَدُهُ الْمَبْسُوطَةُ بِالرَّحْمَةِ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ عَرَفَنَا مَنْ عَرَفَنَا وَ جَهِلَنَا مَنْ جَهِلَنَا وَ إِمَامَةَ الْمُتَّقِينَ‌[4].

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from abu Salam al-Khannas from some of our people from Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “We (family of Prophet Muhammad) are the al-Mathani (one of two) that Allah gave to Prophet Muhammad (s.w). We are the Waj

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع جَالِساً بِالْكُوفَةِ بَعْدَ مُنْصَرَفِهِ مِنْ صِفِّينَ إِذْ أَقْبَلَ شَيْخٌ فَجَثَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ‌[1]- ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَخْبِرْنَا عَنْ مَسِيرِنَا إِلَى أَهْلِ الشَّامِ أَ بِقَضَاءٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ قَدَرٍ فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَجَلْ يَا شَيْخُ مَا عَلَوْتُمْ تَلْعَةً وَ لَا هَبَطْتُمْ بَطْنَ وَادٍ إِلَّا بِقَضَاءٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ قَدَرٍ فَقَالَ

Ali Bin Muhammad, from Sahl Bin Ziyad and Is’haq Bin Muhammad and someone else, raising it, He asws said: ‘Amir Al-Momineen asws was seated in Al-Kufa, after his asws leaving from (the battle of) Siffeen, when an old man squatted in front of him asws , then said to him asws , ‘O Amir Al-Momineen asws ! Inform us about

لِلزِّنْدِيقِ الَّذِي سَأَلَهُ مِنْ أَيْنَ أَثْبَتَّ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ وَ الرُّسُلَ قَالَ إِنَّا لَمَّا أَثْبَتْنَا أَنَّ لَنَا خَالِقاً صَانِعاً مُتَعَالِياً عَنَّا وَ عَنْ جَمِيعِ مَا خَلَقَ وَ كَانَ ذَلِكَ الصَّانِعُ حَكِيماً مُتَعَالِياً لَمْ يَجُزْ أَنْ يُشَاهِدَهُ خَلْقُهُ وَ لَا يُلَامِسُوهُ فَيُبَاشِرَهُمْ وَ يُبَاشِرُوهُ وَ يُحَاجَّهُمْ وَ يُحَاجُّوهُ ثَبَتَ أَنَّ لَهُ سُفَرَاءَ فِي خَلْقِهِ يُعَبِّرُونَ عَنْهُ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-‘Abbass ibn ‘Umar al-Qummi from Hisham ibn al-Hakam from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) the following. “An atheist asked the Imam (a.s.), ‘How do you prove the truthfulness of the prophets and the messengers?’” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is a fact that we have established wi

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَجَلُّ وَ أَكْرَمُ مِنْ أَنْ يُعْرَفَ بِخَلْقِهِ بَلِ الْخَلْقُ يُعْرَفُونَ بِاللَّهِ قَالَ صَدَقْتَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ مَنْ عَرَفَ أَنَّ لَهُ رَبّاً فَيَنْبَغِي لَهُ‌ أَنْ يَعْرِفَ أَنَّ لِذَلِكَ الرَّبِّ رِضًا وَ سَخَطاً وَ أَنَّهُ لَا يُعْرَفُ رِضَاهُ وَ سَخَطُهُ إِلَّا بِوَحْيٍ أَوْ رَسُولٍ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَأْتِهِ الْوَحْيُ فَقَدْ يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَطْلُبَ الرُّسُلَ فَإِذَ

“I said to Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Allah by far above Majestic and Gracious to be known through His creatures. In fact, the creatures are known through Allah.’” The Imam (a.s.) said, “You have spoken the truth.” I said, “One who knows that he has a Lord, he must also learn that his Lord agrees with certain things a

كَانَ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ مِنْهُمْ حُمْرَانُ بْنُ أَعْيَنَ وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ النُّعْمَانِ وَ هِشَامُ بْنُ سَالِمٍ وَ الطَّيَّارُ وَ جَمَاعَةٌ فِيهِمْ هِشَامُ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ وَ هُوَ شَابٌّ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَا هِشَامُ أَ لَا تُخْبِرُنِي كَيْفَ صَنَعْتَ بِعَمْرِو بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ وَ كَيْفَ سَأَلْتَهُ فَقَالَ هِشَامٌ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أُجِلُّكَ وَ أَسْتَحْيِ

“In the presence of Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) once there was a group of his followers consisting of Humran ibn ’Ayun, Muhammad ibn al-Ni‘man, Hisham ibn Salim, al-Tayyar and others among whom was also Hisham ibn al-Hakam, a young man. Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, “O Hisham can you tell us what did you do to ‘Amr ibn

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَوَرَدَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ فَقَالَ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ صَاحِبُ كَلَامٍ وَ فِقْهٍ وَ فَرَائِضَ وَ قَدْ جِئْتُ لِمُنَاظَرَةِ أَصْحَابِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَلَامُكَ مِنْ كَلَامِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَوْ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ فَقَالَ مِنْ كَلَامِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ مِنْ عِنْدِي فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَنْتَ إِذاً شَرِيكُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَس

“I was in the presence of Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that a man from Sham (Syria) came to him and said, ‘I am a man of Kalam (meaningful words) Fiqh (laws) and rules of obligations and I have come to debate your people.” Imam abu ‘Abdallah asked, “ Are your meaningful words those of the Messenger of Allah or your own wo

أَنَّ زَيْدَ بْنَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ مُسْتَخْفٍ قَالَ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ مَا تَقُولُ إِنْ طَرَقَكَ طَارِقٌ مِنَّا أَ تَخْرُجُ مَعَهُ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنْ كَانَ أَبَاكَ أَوْ أَخَاكَ خَرَجْتُ مَعَهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي فَأَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَخْرُجَ أُجَاهِدُ هَؤُلَاءِ الْقَوْمَ فَاخْرُجْ مَعِي قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا مَا أَفْعَلُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي أَ

"Zayd ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) sent a message to me for a meeting with him when he was in hiding. When I met him, he said, 'O Abu Ja'far, what do you say if someone from us comes to you asking to join us? Will you rise up with him (against the enemies)?' I said, 'If such a person would be your father or brother I w

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ الْأَنْبِيَاءُ وَ الْمُرْسَلُونَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ طَبَقَاتٍ فَنَبِيٌّ مُنَبَّأٌ فِي نَفْسِهِ لَا يَعْدُو غَيْرَهَا وَ نَبِيٌّ يَرَى فِي النَّوْمِ وَ يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ- وَ لَا يُعَايِنُهُ فِي الْيَقَظَةِ وَ لَمْ يُبْعَثْ إِلَى أَحَدٍ وَ عَلَيْهِ إِمَامٌ مِثْلُ مَا كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ عَلَى لُوطٍ ع وَ نَبِيٌّ يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَ يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَ يُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ وَ قَدْ أُرْسِلَ إ

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from abu Yahya al-Wasiti from Hisham ibn Salim and Durust ibn abu Mansur from him the following. “Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said that the prophets and the messengers are of four categories. There were prophets who were given Divine news in their souls just for t

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى اتَّخَذَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَبْداً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ نَبِيّاً وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اتَّخَذَهُ نَبِيّاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ رَسُولًا وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اتَّخَذَهُ رَسُولًا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ خَلِيلًا وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اتَّخَذَهُ خَلِيلًا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَجْعَلَهُ إِمَاماً فَلَمَّا جَمَعَ لَهُ الْأَشْيَاءَ قَالَ‌ إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِما

“I heard Imam Abu ‘Abdallah saying, ‘Allah chose Abraham as a servant before choosing him as a prophet. Allah chose him as a prophet before choosing him as a messenger. Allah chose him as a messenger before choosing him as a friend of His. Allah chose him as a friend of His before choosing him as an Imam. When all of t

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ سَادَةُ النَّبِيِّينَ وَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ خَمْسَةٌ وَ هُمْ‌ أُولُوا الْعَزْمِ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ‌ وَ عَلَيْهِمْ دَارَتِ الرَّحَى‌[2]- نُوحٌ وَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ وَ مُوسَى وَ عِيسَى وَ مُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ عَلَى جَمِيعِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ.

3. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Khath‘ami from Hisham from abu Ya‘qub who has said the following “I heard abu ‘Abdallah saying, ‘The leaders and masters of the prophets and the messengers are five who are called ’ulul ‘Azm (people with determination) among the me

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اتَّخَذَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَبْداً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ نَبِيّاً وَ اتَّخَذَهُ نَبِيّاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ رَسُولًا وَ اتَّخَذَهُ رَسُولًا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ خَلِيلًا وَ اتَّخَذَهُ خَلِيلًا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ إِمَاماً فَلَمَّا جَمَعَ لَهُ هَذِهِ الْأَشْيَاءَ وَ قَبَضَ يَدَهُ‌[4] قَالَ لَهُ- يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ‌ إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِماماً فَمِنْ عِظَمِهَا فِي عَيْنِ إ

“I heard the Imam saying, ‘Allah chose Abraham as a servant before He chose him as a prophet. He chose him as a prophet before He chose him as a messenger. He chose him as a messenger before He chose him as a friend of His. He chose him as a friend of His before He chose him as an Imam. When all of these things gathere

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ كانَ رَسُولًا نَبِيًّا مَا الرَّسُولُ وَ مَا النَّبِيُّ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَ يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَ لَا يُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ وَ الرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَ يَرَى فِي الْمَنَامِ وَ يُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ قُلْتُ الْإِمَامُ مَا مَنْزِلَتُهُ قَالَ يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَ لَا يَرَى وَ لَا يُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, ‘He was a messenger, a prophet’. What is a messenger and what is a prophet?’” The Imam said, “A prophet is one who sees things in his dream and hears the voice but does not see the angel. The messenger is one who hears the voice, in h

كَتَبَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الْعَبَّاسِ الْمَعْرُوفِيُّ إِلَى الرِّضَا ع- جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَخْبِرْنِي مَا الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَ الرَّسُولِ وَ النَّبِيِّ وَ الْإِمَامِ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ أَوْ قَالَ الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَ الرَّسُولِ وَ النَّبِيِّ وَ الْإِمَامِ أَنَّ الرَّسُولَ الَّذِي يُنْزَلُ عَلَيْهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ فَيَرَاهُ وَ يَسْمَعُ كَلَامَهُ وَ يُنْزَلُ عَلَيْهِ الْوَحْيُ وَ رُبَّمَا رَأَى فِي مَنَامِهِ نَحْوَ رُؤْيَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع و

The Imam said or wrote, “ The difference between the messengers, the prophets and the Imams is that a messenger is one to whom Jibril (Gabriel) comes. He sees Jibril and hears his speech and Jibril (the angel) brings him (Divine) revelation and sometimes he may see in his dream like the dream of Abraham (a.s.). A proph

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الرَّسُولِ وَ النَّبِيِّ وَ الْمُحَدَّثِ قَالَ الرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَأْتِيهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ قُبُلًا[2] فَيَرَاهُ وَ يُكَلِّمُهُ فَهَذَا الرَّسُولُ وَ أَمَّا النَّبِيُّ فَهُوَ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ نَحْوَ رُؤْيَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ نَحْوَ مَا كَانَ رَأَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مِنْ أَسْبَابِ النُّبُوَّةِ قَبْلَ الْوَحْيِ حَتَّى أَتَاهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ بِالرِّسَالَةِ وَ كَانَ

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the Messenger, the Prophet, and the Muhaddath. He said, 'The Messenger is the one to whom Jibril comes face to face, so he sees him and speaks to him. This is the Messenger. As for the Prophet, he is the one who sees in his dream, like the vision of Abraham and like what the Messenger o

فِي قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ ما أَرْسَلْنا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَسُولٍ وَ لا نَبِيٍ‌ وَ لَا مُحَدَّثٍ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَيْسَتْ هَذِهِ قِرَاءَتَنَا فَمَا الرَّسُولُ وَ النَّبِيُّ وَ الْمُحَدَّثُ قَالَ الرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَظْهَرُ لَهُ الْمَلَكُ فَيُكَلِّمُهُ وَ النَّبِيُّ هُوَ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَ رُبَّمَا اجْتَمَعَتِ النُّبُوَّةُ وَ الرِّسَالَةُ لِوَاحِدٍ وَ الْمُحَدَّثُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ و

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “Satan would try to tamper with the desires of every Prophet or Messenger or Muhaddith (Muhaddith is a commentary of Imam (a.s.), whom We sent . .’” (22:52). I said, ““May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, the word Muhaddith

إِنَّ الْحُجَّةَ لَا تَقُومُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ إِلَّا بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفَ‌[2].

“Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam who would teach people about Him.”

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ إِنَّ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ: إِنَّ الْحُجَّةَ لَا تَقُومُ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ إِلَّا بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفَ.

"I heard al-Ridha (as) say: 'Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam who would teach people about Him.'"

إِنَّ الْحُجَّةَ لَا تَقُومُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ إِلَّا بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفَ.

“Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam who would teach people about Him.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ الْحُجَّةُ قَبْلَ الْخَلْقِ وَ مَعَ الْخَلْقِ وَ بَعْدَ الْخَلْقِ.

“A person with Divine authority is before the people, with the people and after the people.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع تَكُونُ الْأَرْضُ لَيْسَ فِيهَا إِمَامٌ قَالَ لَا قُلْتُ يَكُونُ إِمَامَانِ قَالَ لَا إِلَّا وَ أَحَدُهُمَا صَامِتٌ.

“I asked Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Can there be a time on earth without Imam?” The Imam said, “No, it can not be without an Imam.” I asked, “Can there be two Imams at a time?” He said, “No, unless one of them is silent.”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْأَرْضَ لَا تَخْلُو إِلَّا وَ فِيهَا إِمَامٌ كَيْمَا إِنْ زَادَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ شَيْئاً رَدَّهُمْ وَ إِنْ نَقَصُوا شَيْئاً أَتَمَّهُ لَهُمْ.

“I heard the Imam (a.s.) saying, ‘The earth is never left without an Imam so that if the believers would add any thing it would be brought back and if they would reduce anything it would be completed.”

مَا زَالَتِ الْأَرْضُ إِلَّا وَ لِلَّهِ فِيهَا الْحُجَّةُ يُعَرِّفُ الْحَلَالَ وَ الْحَرَامَ وَ يَدْعُو النَّاسَ إِلَى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ.

“The earth has never been without a person with Divine authority who would teach people about the lawful and unlawful matters and call them to the path of Allah.”

قُلْتُ لَهُ تَبْقَى الْأَرْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لَا.

I (the narrator) said to him: “Can the earth be without Imam?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “No.”

قَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ يَدَعِ الْأَرْضَ بِغَيْرِ عَالِمٍ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ لَمْ يُعْرَفِ الْحَقُّ مِنَ الْبَاطِلِ.

“Allah does not leave the earth without a ‘Alim (scholar). Without this the truth would not be distinguished from falsehood.”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَجَلُّ وَ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ أَنْ يَتْرُكَ الْأَرْضَ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ عَادِلٍ.

“Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, is far greater and above leaving the earth without an Imam of justice.”

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِي أَرْضَكَ مِنْ حُجَّةٍ لَكَ عَلَى خَلْقِكَ.

“O Lord. You do not leave your earth without a person who would represent Your authority among the people.”

قَالَ: وَ اللَّهِ مَا تَرَكَ اللَّهُ أَرْضاً مُنْذُ قَبَضَ آدَمَ ع إِلَّا وَ فِيهَا إِمَامٌ يُهْتَدَى بِهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ هُوَ حُجَّتُهُ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ وَ لَا تَبْقَى الْأَرْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ حُجَّةٍ لِلَّهِ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ.

“I swear to Allah that He has not, from the day Adam died, left the earth without an Imam who would guide people to the Lord as with divine authority over the servants of the Lord. The earth will never remain without an Imam with Divine authority over His servants.”

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع‌[1] إِنَّ الْأَرْضَ لَا تَخْلُو مِنْ حُجَّةٍ وَ أَنَا وَ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ الْحُجَّةُ.

“ The earth is never without a person with divine authority and I swear to Allah that I am the person with Divine authority.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ تَبْقَى الْأَرْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لَوْ بَقِيَتِ الْأَرْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ لَسَاخَتْ‌[2].

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Can the earth be left without the Imam?’” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “ Were to remain without Imam it would obliterate its inhabitants.”

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ تَبْقَى الْأَرْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لَا قُلْتُ فَإِنَّا نُرَوَّى عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّهَا لَا تَبْقَى بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ إِلَّا أَنْ يَسْخَطَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى عَلَى أَهْلِ الْأَرْضِ أَوْ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ فَقَالَ لَا لَا تَبْقَى إِذاً لَسَاخَتْ.

“I asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), ‘Can the remain without Imam?’” He replied, “No, it will not remain so.” I then said, “We narrate from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that the earth will not remain without Imam unless Allah becomes extremely angry with the people of the earth or with His servants.” The Imam (a.s.) sai

لَوْ أَنَّ الْإِمَامَ رُفِعَ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ سَاعَةً لَمَاجَتْ بِأَهْلِهَا كَمَا يَمُوجُ الْبَحْرُ بِأَهْلِهِ.

“Would the Imam be taken away from the earth it will create waves against her inhabitants just like what the inhabitants of the ocean face.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع هَلْ تَبْقَى الْأَرْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لَا قُلْتُ إِنَّا نُرَوَّى أَنَّهَا لَا تَبْقَى إِلَّا أَنْ يَسْخَطَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ قَالَ لَا تَبْقَى إِذاً لَسَاخَتْ.

“I asked al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), “I can the earth remain without Imam?” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “No, it will not remain so.” I said, “We narrate that it will not remain without the Imam unless Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, becomes angry with the people.” The Imam said, “In such condition it will not remain bu

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَوْ لَمْ يَبْقَ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْحُجَّةَ.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, ‘Would there remain no one on earth except two persons one of them would certainly be the person with Divine authority.”

لَوْ بَقِيَ اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْحُجَّةَ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ. - مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى‌ مِثْلَهُ.

“Would there remain only two people on earth, one of them would the person with divine authority over the other.” Muhammad ibn al-Hassan has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa a similar Hadith.

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَوْ كَانَ النَّاسُ رَجُلَيْنِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْإِمَامَ وَ قَالَ إِنَّ آخِرَ مَنْ يَمُوتُ الْإِمَامُ لِئَلَّا يَحْتَجَّ أَحَدٌ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنَّهُ تَرَكَهُ بِغَيْرِ حُجَّةٍ لِلَّهِ عَلَيْهِ.

“If of all the people there will remain only two man one of them will be the Imam. He also said, ‘The last person to die will be the Imam (a.s.) so that no one could complain against Allah leaving him without Imam, the person with Divine authority over him.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَوْ لَمْ يَبْقَ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْحُجَّةَ أَوْ الثَّانِي الْحُجَّةَ. الشَّكُّ مِنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ.

“I heard Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, ‘Would there remain on earth no one except two people one of them will be the person with Divine authority or the second one will be the person with Divine authority (uncertainty is from the narrator).”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ لَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ الْإِمَامُ أَحَدَهُمَا.

“Would there remain no one except two people one of them will certainly be the Imam.”

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