Imamate & Wilayah

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ‌ أَ تَدْرِي مَنْ هُمْ قُلْتُ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ قَالَ قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الْمُسَلِّمُونَ إِنَّ الْمُسَلِّمِينَ هُمُ النُّجَبَاءُ فَالْمُؤْمِنُ غَرِيبٌ فَطُوبَى لِلْغُرَبَاءِ.

Triumphant indeed are the believers,” (23:1) Do you know who they are?” I said, “You know best.” He said, Triumphant indeed are the believers, who are Muslims (submissive to Allah). The Muslims are noble people. The believers are rare. Congratulations to the believers.”

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: لَقَدْ خَاطَبَ اللَّهُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي كِتَابِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فِي أَيِّ مَوْضِعٍ قَالَ فِي قَوْلِهِ‌ وَ لَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذْ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ جاؤُكَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا اللَّهَ‌ وَ اسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ الرَّسُولُ‌ لَوَجَدُوا اللَّهَ تَوَّاباً رَحِيماً. فَلا وَ رَبِّكَ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّى يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيما شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ‌ فِيمَا تَعَاقَدُوا عَلَيْهِ لَئِنْ أَمَاتَ اللَّهُ مُحَمَّداً أَلَّا يَرُ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah has addressed Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) in His book.” The narrator has said that asked him, “where and in which passage?” He said, “It is in His words that read, “If they ever do injustice to themselves and come to you (Muhammad) asking for God’s forgiveness and if the Messenger also w

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ‌[1] إِلَى آخِرِ الْآيَةِ قَالَ هُمُ الْمُسَلِّمُونَ لآِلِ مُحَمَّدٍ الَّذِينَ إِذَا سَمِعُوا الْحَدِيثَ لَمْ يَزِيدُوا فِيهِ وَ لَمْ يَنْقُصُوا مِنْهُ جَاءُوا بِهِ كَمَا سَمِعُوهُ.

“Once I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. “. .those of Our servants who listen to the words and only follow the best ones. .” .(39:18) The Imam (a.s.) said, “They are those who are submissive to the (commands) of Ahl al-Bayt of Muhammad (s.a). It is those who whe

نَظَرَ إِلَى النَّاسِ يَطُوفُونَ حَوْلَ الْكَعْبَةِ فَقَالَ هَكَذَا كَانُوا يَطُوفُونَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ إِنَّمَا أُمِرُوا أَنْ يَطُوفُوا بِهَا ثُمَّ يَنْفِرُوا إِلَيْنَا فَيُعْلِمُونَا وَلَايَتَهُمْ وَ مَوَدَّتَهُمْ وَ يَعْرِضُوا عَلَيْنَا نُصْرَتَهُمْ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- فَاجْعَلْ أَفْئِدَةً مِنَ النَّاسِ‌ تَهْوِي إِلَيْهِمْ‌[2].

“abu Ja‘far (a.s.) looked at the people perform Tawaf (walking around the Ka‘ba seven times) and said, “This is how they used to perform Tawaf in the times ignorance (pre-Islamic era). What they are required to do is to perform Tawaf and come to us, declare their support and love for us and express their help for us. T

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ رَأَى النَّاسَ بِمَكَّةَ وَ مَا يَعْمَلُونَ قَالَ فَقَالَ فِعَالٌ كَفِعَالِ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا أُمِرُوا بِهَذَا وَ مَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا أَنْ يَقْضُوا تَفَثَهُمْ‌ وَ لْيُوفُوا نُذُورَهُمْ‌ فَيَمُرُّوا بِنَا فَيُخْبِرُونَا بِوَلَايَتِهِمْ وَ يَعْرِضُوا عَلَيْنَا نُصْرَتَهُمْ.

“I heard abu Ja‘far say, (a.s.) when he saw people in Makka and what they were doing, “Activities like those in the days of ignorance. By Allah, they are not commanded to do as suCh What they are commanded to do is to complete their Hajj, relieve themselves of the obligations of vows and visit us to inform us of their

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ هُوَ دَاخِلٌ وَ أَنَا خَارِجٌ وَ أَخَذَ بِيَدِي ثُمَ‌ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْبَيْتَ فَقَالَ يَا سَدِيرُ إِنَّمَا أُمِرَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يَأْتُوا هَذِهِ الْأَحْجَارَ فَيَطُوفُوا بِهَا ثُمَّ يَأْتُونَا فَيُعْلِمُونَا وَلَايَتَهُمْ لَنَا وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ‌ وَ إِنِّي لَغَفَّارٌ لِمَنْ تابَ‌ وَ آمَنَ وَ عَمِلَ صالِحاً ثُمَّ اهْتَدى‌[1] ثُمَّ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ إِلَى وَلَايَتِنَا ثُمَّ

"I heard Abu Ja'far al-Baqir (as) while I was exiting, and he took my hand and faced the house (Kaaba) and said: 'O Sudair, the people were commanded to come to these stones and perform tawaf around them, then come to us and nd declare their allegiance to us. This is the word of Allah: Indeed, I am the Forgiving for wh

كُنْتُ لَا أَزِيدُ عَلَى أَكْلَةٍ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ فَرُبَّمَا اسْتَأْذَنْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَجِدُ الْمَائِدَةَ قَدْ رُفِعَتْ‌[2] لَعَلِّي لَا أَرَاهَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُ دَعَا بِهَا فَأُصِيبَ مَعَهُ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَ لَا أَتَأَذَّى بِذَلِكَ وَ إِذَا عَقَّبْتُ بِالطَّعَامِ عِنْدَ غَيْرِهِ لَمْ أَقْدِرْ عَلَى أَنْ أَقِرَّ وَ لَمْ أَنَمْ مِنَ النَّفْخَةِ فَشَكَوْتُ ذَلِكَ إِلَيْه

“I used to eat one meal in twenty four hours. I would ask permission to see abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) at such time that I would expect that their table cloth is collected and they have fished their meal. When I would arrive he would ask to return the table cloth. I would find food in it but it would not harm me while if I w

قَالَ يَا حُسَيْنُ وَ ضَرَبَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى مَسَاوِرَ[3] فِي الْبَيْتِ مَسَاوِرُ طَالَ مَا اتَّكَتْ عَلَيْهَا الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَ رُبَّمَا الْتَقَطْنَا مِنْ زَغَبِهَا.

“Once Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, ‘O Husayn, tapping his hand on a cushion in the house, saying, ‘Cushions on which for a long time angels have been leaning and perhaps we pick up some of their fluff around.”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَاحْتُبِسْتُ فِي الدَّارِ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ دَخَلْتُ الْبَيْتَ وَ هُوَ يَلْتَقِطُ شَيْئاً وَ أَدْخَلَ يَدَهُ مِنْ وَرَاءِ السِّتْرِ فَنَاوَلَهُ مَنْ كَانَ فِي الْبَيْتِ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا الَّذِي أَرَاكَ تَلْتَقِطُهُ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ هُوَ فَقَالَ فَضْلَةٌ مِنْ زَغَبِ الْمَلَائِكَةِ نَجْمَعُهُ إِذَا خَلَّوْنَا نَجْعَلُهُ سَيْحاً[1] لِأَوْلَادِنَا فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَا

“Once I went to see Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) and I became confounded in the room for an hour then I went inside the house while he was picking up things and would give to someone behind the curtain. I then said, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, What was that thing that I saw you picking up?” The Imam (

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَا مِنْ مَلَكٍ يُهْبِطُهُ اللَّهُ فِي أَمْرٍ مَا يُهْبِطُهُ إِلَّا بَدَأَ بِالْإِمَامِ فَعَرَضَ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِنَّ مُخْتَلَفَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى إِلَى صَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) say, ‘Every angels that Allah sends down for a task that angel first begins with meeting the Imam to present the task to him. The presence of Imam, Leader with Divine Authority is the scene of great mix of the angels from Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High.”

أَتَيْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي بَعْضِ مَا أَتَيْتُهُ فَجَعَلَ يَقُولُ لَا تَعْجَلْ حَتَّى حَمِيَتِ الشَّمْسُ عَلَيَّ وَ جَعَلْتُ أَتَتَبَّعُ الْأَفْيَاءَ فَمَا لَبِثَ أَنْ خَرَجَ عَلَيَّ قَوْمٌ كَأَنَّهُمُ الْجَرَادُ الصُّفْرُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْبُتُوتُ‌[3] قَدِ انْتَهَكَتْهُمُ الْعِبَادَةُ قَالَ فَوَ اللَّهِ لَأَنْسَانِي مَا كُنْتُ فِيهِ مِنْ حُسْنِ هَيْئَةِ الْقَوْمِ فَلَمَّا دَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ لِي أَرَانِي قَدْ شَق

“On one of the occasion of my meeting with abu Ja‘far (a.s.) when I went tosee him he asked me to wait until the sun became very hot on me. I tried to follow the shadow from the sun. No very long thereafter a people came out of his presence that looked like locusts dressed in large gowns and very oale and slim due to e

كُنَّا بِبَابِهِ فَخَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا قَوْمٌ أَشْبَاهُ الزُّطِّ[4] عَلَيْهِمْ أُزُرٌ وَ أَكْسِيَةٌ فَسَأَلْنَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْهُمْ فَقَالَ هَؤُلَاءِ إِخْوَانُكُمْ مِنَ الْجِنِّ.

“They were your brethren from Jinns.”

أَتَيْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع أُرِيدُ الْإِذْنَ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا رِحَالُ إِبِلٍ عَلَى الْبَابِ مَصْفُوفَةٌ وَ إِذَا الْأَصْوَاتُ قَدِ ارْتَفَعَتْ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ قَوْمٌ مُعْتَمِّينَ بِالْعَمَائِمِ يُشْبِهُونَ الزُّطَّ قَالَ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَبْطَأَ إِذْنُكَ عَلَيَّ الْيَوْمَ وَ رَأَيْتُ قَوْماً خَرَجُوا عَلَيَّ مُعْتَمِّينَ بِالْعَمَائِمِ فَأَنْكَرْتُهُمْ فَقَالَ أَ وَ تَدْرِي مَن

I to ask permission to meet abu Ja‘far (a.s.). I found saddles of camels lined up in front of the door and noises coming very loud and then a people came out with turbans like those of the Indian gypsies. I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about them and said, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause. Today it took a lo

أَوْصَانِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع بِحَوَائِجَ لَهُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَخَرَجْتُ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا بَيْنَ فَجِّ الرَّوْحَاءِ[1] عَلَى رَاحِلَتِي إِذَا إِنْسَانٌ يَلْوِي ثَوْبَهُ‌[2] قَالَ فَمِلْتُ إِلَيْهِ وَ ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ عَطْشَانُ فَنَاوَلْتُهُ الْإِدَاوَةَ[3] فَقَالَ لِي لَا حَاجَةَ لِي بِهَا وَ نَاوَلَنِي كِتَاباً طِينُهُ رَطْبٌ قَالَ فَلَمَّا نَظَرْتُ إِلَى الْخَاتَمِ إِذَا خَاتَمُ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقُلْتُ مَتَى عَهْدُك

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) asked me to help him in a few things in Maina. I left and when reached fajj al-Rawha’ a man waved to me with his cloths. The narrator has said that I turned to him and I though he was thirsty. I offered the cup but he declined saying, “I do not need it.” He gave a letter with its ink still not dried

رَأَيْتُ الرِّضَا ع وَاقِفاً عَلَى بَابِ بَيْتِ الْحَطَبِ وَ هُوَ يُنَاجِي وَ لَسْتُ أَرَى أَحَداً فَقُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي لِمَنْ تُنَاجِي فَقَالَ هَذَا عَامِرٌ الزَّهْرَائِيُّ أَتَانِي يَسْأَلُنِي وَ يَشْكُو إِلَيَّ فَقُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَسْمَعَ كَلَامَهُ فَقَالَ لِي إِنَّكِ إِنْ سَمِعْتِ بِهِ حُمِمْتِ سَنَةً فَقُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَسْمَعَهُ- فَقَالَ لِيَ اسْمَعِي فَاسْتَمَعْتُ فَسَمِعْتُ شِ

“Once I saw al-Rida (a.s.) standing at the door of the firewood room and he was whispering but I would not see anyone else around. I then asked him, “My master, who are you talking to?” He said, “This is ‘Amir al-Zahra’i. He has come to ask a few questions and he has certain complains.” I then asked, “My master, I like

بَيْنَا أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ إِذْ أَقْبَلَ ثُعْبَانٌ مِنْ نَاحِيَةِ بَابٍ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَهَمَّ النَّاسُ أَنْ يَقْتُلُوهُ فَأَرْسَلَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَنْ كُفُّوا فَكَفُّوا وَ أَقْبَلَ الثُّعْبَانُ يَنْسَابُ‌[2] حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَتَطَاوَلَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَأَشَارَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِلَيْهِ أَنْ يَقِفَ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ مِنْ خ

“Once when Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) was on the pulpit a serpent entered from one of the doors of the mosque. People wanted to kill him. Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) asked them to leave him alone. They left him alone. The serpent began to crawl to the pulpit. He stretched and saluted to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.). Amir al-Mu’min

كُنْتُ مُزَامِلًا لِجَابِرِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ الْجُعْفِيِّ فَلَمَّا أَنْ كُنَّا بِالْمَدِينَةِ دَخَلَ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَوَدَّعَهُ وَ خَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ وَ هُوَ مَسْرُورٌ حَتَّى وَرَدْنَا الْأُخَيْرِجَةَ[3] أَوَّلَ مَنْزِلٍ نَعْدِلُ مِنْ فَيْدَ[4] إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ- يَوْمَ جُمُعَةٍ فَصَلَّيْنَا الزَّوَالَ فَلَمَّا نَهَضَ بِنَا الْبَعِيرُ إِذَا أَنَا بِرَجُلٍ طُوَالٍ آدَمَ مَعَهُ كِتَابٌ فَنَاوَلَهُ جَابِراً فَتَن

“Once I was a companion of Jabir ibn Yazid al-Ja‘far‘fi on a journey. When reached he went to meet abu Ja‘far (a.s.). He said farewell to him and came out very happy until we arrived in al-’Ukhayraja, the first length of journey from Fayd to Madina. It was a Friday. We said our prayers at noon. When the camel rose to l

كُنَّا زَمَانَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع حِينَ قُبِضَ نَتَرَدَّدُ كَالْغَنَمِ لَا رَاعِيَ لَهَا فَلَقِينَا سَالِمَ بْنَ أَبِي حَفْصَةَ فَقَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ مَنْ إِمَامُكَ فَقُلْتُ أَئِمَّتِي آلُ مُحَمَّدٍ فَقَالَ هَلَكْتَ وَ أَهْلَكْتَ أَ مَا سَمِعْتُ أَنَا وَ أَنْتَ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ مَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ إِمَامٌ مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّةً فَقُلْتُ بَلَى لَعَمْرِي وَ لَقَدْ كَانَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ بِثَ

“We lived during the times of abu Ja‘far (a.s.). When he passed away we were left like sheep without shepherd. We met Salim ibn abu Hafs and he said to me, “O abu ‘Ubayda, who is your Imam?” I said, “My Imams are A’l (family) of Muhammad (s.a).” He said, “Did not I and you hear abu Ja‘far (a.s.) say, “Whoever would die

سَمِعْتُ‌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا تَذْهَبُ الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ رَجُلٌ مِنِّي يَحْكُمُ بِحُكُومَةِ آلِ دَاوُدَ وَ لَا يَسْأَلُ بَيِّنَةً يُعْطِي كُلَّ نَفْسٍ حَقَّهَا.

“The world will not end before the rise of a man from us who would judge among people the way the family of David had been judging them. He will not ask any witness to testify. He will make every soul’s rights available to it.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِمَا تَحْكُمُونَ إِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ قَالَ بِحُكْمِ اللَّهِ وَ حُكْمِ دَاوُدَ فَإِذَا وَرَدَ عَلَيْنَا الشَّيْ‌ءُ الَّذِي لَيْسَ عِنْدَنَا تَلَقَّانَا بِهِ رُوحُ الْقُدُسِ.

“Once I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), “By what means do you judge when you would judge?” He said, “We judge by the laws of Allah and in the manner of David. If an issue would come before us for which there is nothing with us the Holy Spirit provides us inspiration.”

سَأَلْتُهُ بِأَيِّ حُكْمٍ تَحْكُمُونَ قَالَ حُكْمِ آلِ دَاوُدَ فَإِنْ أَعْيَانَا شَيْ‌ءٌ تَلَقَّانَا بِهِ رُوحُ الْقُدُسِ.

“Once I asked Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), “By what mean do you issue judgments?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “We judge by the laws of Allah and the judgment of the family of David. If a case would frustrate us the Holy Spirit inspires us with its laws.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا مَنْزِلَةُ الْأَئِمَّةِ قَالَ كَمَنْزِلَةِ ذِي الْقَرْنَيْنِ وَ كَمَنْزِلَةِ يُوشَعَ وَ كَمَنْزِلَةِ آصَفَ صَاحِبِ سُلَيْمَانَ قَالَ فَبِمَا تَحْكُمُونَ قَالَ بِحُكْمِ اللَّهِ وَ حُكْمِ آلِ دَاوُدَ وَ حُكْمِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَ يَتَلَقَّانَا بِهِ رُوحُ الْقُدُسِ.

“Once I said to abu ‘Abdallah, “What is the degree of the excellence of the Imams?” He said, “It is like that of Dhul Qarnayn and like that of Yusha‘ and like that of Asaf, the companion of Sulayman.” He asked, “With what do you issue judgments.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “ We issue judgments according to the laws of Allah

وَ عِنْدَهُ أُنَاسٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ- عَجَباً لِلنَّاسِ أَنَّهُمْ أَخَذُوا عِلْمَهُمْ كُلَّهُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَعَمِلُوا بِهِ وَ اهْتَدَوْا وَ يَرَوْنَ أَنَّ أَهْلَ بَيْتِهِ لَمْ يَأْخُذُوا عِلْمَهُ وَ نَحْنُ أَهْلُ بَيْتِهِ وَ ذُرِّيَّتُهُ فِي مَنَازِلِنَا نَزَلَ الْوَحْيُ وَ مِنْ عِنْدِنَا خَرَجَ الْعِلْمُ إِلَيْهِمْ أَ فَيَرَوْنَ أَنَّهُمْ عَلِمُوا وَ اهْتَدَوْا وَ جَهِلْنَا نَحْنُ وَ ضَلَلْنَا إِنَّ

“Once I heard Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a.s.) say while a group of people of Kufa was present before him, “It is very strange of the people. They have received their knowledge from the Messenger of Allah. They have followed such knowledge and found guidance but they think that his Ahl al-Bayt (members of his family) have no

لَقِيَ رَجُلٌ الْحُسَيْنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍ‌ ع بِالثَّعْلَبِيَّةِ وَ هُوَ يُرِيدُ كَرْبَلَاءَ فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحُسَيْنُ ع مِنْ أَيِّ الْبِلَادِ أَنْتَ قَالَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ قَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ يَا أَخَا أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ لَوْ لَقِيتُكَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ لَأَرَيْتُكَ أَثَرَ جَبْرَئِيلَ ع مِنْ دَارِنَا وَ نُزُولِهِ بِالْوَحْيِ عَلَى جَدِّي يَا أَخَا أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ أَ فَمُسْتَقَى

“A man met al-Husayn ibn Ali (a.s.) at al-Tha‘laba on his way to Karbala. He came in his presence and offered Islamic greetings to him. Al-Husayn (a.s.) asked, “Where are you from?” He replied, “I am from Kufa.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “By Allah, O brethren from Kufa, if only I had a meeting with you in Madina, I could h

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَيْسَ عِنْدَ أَحَدٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ حَقٌّ وَ لَا صَوَابٌ وَ لَا أَحَدٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ يَقْضِي بِقَضَاءٍ حَقٍّ إِلَّا مَا خَرَجَ مِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَ إِذَا تَشَعَّبَتْ بِهِمُ الْأُمُورُ كَانَ الْخَطَأُ مِنْهُمْ وَ الصَّوَابُ مِنْ عَلِيٍّ ع.

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.) say, ‘No one of the people has anything true with him, or correct nor does anyone of the people judge with truth except by means of what is made available from Ahl al-Bayt (members of the family of Prophet Muhammad). When the affairs grow branches and scatter chaotically the mistake would be

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ يَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع سَلُونِي عَمَّا شِئْتُمْ فَلَا تَسْأَلُونِّي عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا أَنْبَأْتُكُمْ بِهِ قَالَ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ أَحَدٌ عِنْدَهُ عِلْمُ شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا خَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَلْيَذْهَبِ النَّاسُ حَيْثُ شَاءُوا فَوَ اللَّهِ لَيْسَ الْأَمْرُ إِلَّا مِنْ هَاهُنَا وَ أَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ إِ

“Once I was in the presence of abu Ja‘far (a.s.). A man from Kufa asked him about the words of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), “Ask me whatever you would like. Whatever you may ask I will give you the answer.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “No one has any piece of knowledge of anything that has not come through Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع لِسَلَمَةَ بْنِ كُهَيْلٍ وَ الْحَكَمِ بْنِ عُتَيْبَةَ شَرِّقَا وَ غَرِّبَا فَلَا تَجِدَانِ عِلْماً صَحِيحاً إِلَّا شَيْئاً خَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ.

‘Easternize or westernize you two will find not find correct knowledge except that which has come to light through Ahl al-Bayt (members of the family of Prophet Muhammad).”

قَالَ لِي إِنَّ الْحَكَمَ بْنَ عُتَيْبَةَ مِمَّنْ قَالَ اللَّهُ‌ وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَقُولُ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَ بِالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَ ما هُمْ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ‌[1] فَلْيُشَرِّقِ الْحَكَمُ وَ لْيُغَرِّبْ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا يُصِيبُ الْعِلْمَ إِلَّا مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ نَزَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ جَبْرَئِيلُ.

Abu Basir said to me, ‘Al-Hakam ibn ‘Utayba is of those people about whom Allah has said, “Some people say, “We believe in God and the Day of Judgment,” but they are not true believers.” (2:8) Al-Hakam may easternize or westernize, he, by Allah, will not find the true knowledge in no other source except from Ahl al-Bay

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنْ شَهَادَةِ وَلَدِ الزِّنَا تَجُوزُ فَقَالَ لَا فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ الْحَكَمَ بْنَ عُتَيْبَةَ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهَا تَجُوزُ فَقَالَ اللَّهُمَّ لَا تَغْفِرْ ذَنْبَهُ مَا قَالَ اللَّهُ لِلْحَكَمِ- إِنَّهُ‌ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ‌ وَ لِقَوْمِكَ‌[1] فَلْيَذْهَبِ الْحَكَمُ يَمِيناً وَ شِمَالًا فَوَ اللَّهِ لَا يُؤْخَذُ الْعِلْمُ إِلَّا مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ نَزَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع.

“I askked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the permissibility of the testimony of a person born out of wedlock.” He said, “No, it is not addissible.” I then said, “Al-Hakam ibn ‘Utayba believes it is addmissible.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “O Lord, do not forgive his sin. Allah has not to al-Hakam, “ It (the Quran) is a reminder to

بَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسٌ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ عَبَّادُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ عَابِدُ أَهْلِ الْبَصْرَةِ وَ ابْنُ شُرَيْحٍ- فَقِيهُ أَهْلِ مَكَّةَ وَ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- مَيْمُونٌ الْقَدَّاحُ مَوْلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَسَأَلَهُ عَبَّادُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فِي كَمْ ثَوْبٍ كُفِّنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ فِي ثَلَاثَةِ أَثْوَابٍ ثَوْبَيْنِ صُحَارِيَّيْنِ وَ ثَوْبٍ ح

“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that ‘Abbad ibn Kathir, the devoted worshipper of Basra, and Shurayh, the Faqih, (scholar of law) of the people of Makka came to see The Imam (a.s.). In the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) already there was Maymun al-Qaddah, the slave of abu Ja‘far (a.s.). ‘Abbad ibn

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

إِنَّ حَدِيثَنَا صَعْبٌ مُسْتَصْعَبٌ لَا يَحْتَمِلُهُ إِلَّا صُدُورٌ مُنِيرَةٌ أَوْ قُلُوبٌ سَلِيمَةٌ أَوْ أَخْلَاقٌ حَسَنَةٌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَخَذَ مِنْ شِيعَتِنَا الْمِيثَاقَ كَمَا أَخَذَ عَلَى بَنِي آدَمَ‌ أَ لَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ‌ فَمَنْ وَفَى لَنَا وَفَى اللَّهُ لَهُ بِالْجَنَّةِ وَ مَنْ أَبْغَضَنَا وَ لَمْ يُؤَدِّ إِلَيْنَا حَقَّنَا فَفِي النَّارِ خَالِداً مُخَلَّداً.

“Our Hadith (statements) are difficult and they become difficult. Only well lighted chests, the well protected of virtuous moral abilities are capable to accept them.” Allah has taken a pledge from our Shi‘a (followers) just as He has taken such pledge from the children of Adam (Am I not Your Lord?” Whoever would remai

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

نَضَّرَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً سَمِعَ مَقَالَتِي فَوَعَاهَا وَ حَفِظَهَا وَ بَلَّغَهَا مَنْ لَمْ يَسْمَعْهَا فَرُبَّ حَامِلِ فِقْهٍ غَيْرُ فَقِيهٍ وَ رُبَّ حَامِلِ فِقْهٍ إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ أَفْقَهُ مِنْهُ ثَلَاثٌ لَا يُغِلُّ عَلَيْهِنَّ قَلْبُ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ‌[1] إِخْلَاصُ الْعَمَلِ لِلَّهِ وَ النَّصِيحَةُ لِأَئِمَّةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ‌[2] وَ اللُّزُومُ لِجَمَاعَتِهِمْ فَإِنَّ دَعْوَتَهُمْ مُحِيطَةٌ مِنْ وَرَائِهِمْ الْمُسْلِمُ

“The the Messenger of Allah addressed people in the mosque of Khif and said, “May Allah grant joy and happiness to those of His servants that on hearing my words understand them, memorize them preach them to those who have not heard them. There can be many scholars of Fiqh (law) who do not have understanding as there c

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

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا نَظَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى وَلِيٍّ لَهُ يُجْهِدُ نَفْسَهُ بِالطَّاعَةِ لِإِمَامِهِ وَ النَّصِيحَةِ إِلَّا كَانَ مَعَنَا فِي الرَّفِيقِ الْأَعْلَى.

“the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, would not look to a friend of His who would strive and pressure his soul in obedience to his Imam and wishing well for him but that he will be with us in the high position in paradise.”

مَنْ فَارَقَ جَمَاعَةَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ قِيدَ شِبْرٍ فَقَدْ خَلَعَ رِبْقَةَ الْإِسْلَامِ مِنْ عُنُقِهِ.

“Whoever would distance himself from the company the Muslims even by one shibr (one foot) he has removed the band of allegiance with Islam from his neck.”

مَنْ فَارَقَ جَمَاعَةَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ نَكَثَ صَفْقَةَ الْإِمَامِ‌[1] جَاءَ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَجْذَمَ.

“Whoever would distance himself from the company of the Muslims and disregard the pledge of allegiance with the Imam he will come before Allah with his hand cut off.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع مَا حَقُّ الْإِمَامِ عَلَى النَّاسِ قَالَ حَقُّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَنْ يَسْمَعُوا لَهُ وَ يُطِيعُوا قُلْتُ فَمَا حَقُّهُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ قَالَ يَقْسِمَ بَيْنَهُمْ بِالسَّوِيَّةِ وَ يَعْدِلَ فِي الرَّعِيَّةِ فَإِذَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ فِي النَّاسِ فَلَا يُبَالِي مَنْ أَخَذَ هَاهُنَا وَ هَاهُنَا.

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘What are the rights of the Imam over the people?” He replied, “Of his rights over them is that they must listen to him and obey him.” I then asked, “What are their rights on him?” He replied, “Maintain among them equality and justice among the followers. When this prevails among the peop

هَكَذَا وَ هَكَذَا وَ هَكَذَا وَ هَكَذَا يَعْنِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَ خَلْفِهِ وَ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ.

“this way, this way, this way and this way, meaning thereby front, back, right and left.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا تَخْتَانُوا وُلَاتَكُمْ وَ لَا تَغُشُّوا هُدَاتَكُمْ وَ لَا تَجْهَلُوا أَئِمَّتَكُمْ وَ لَا تَصَدَّعُوا عَنْ حَبْلِكُمْ‌[2] فَتَفْشَلُوا وَ تَذْهَبَ رِيحُكُمْ‌ وَ عَلَى هَذَا فَلْيَكُنْ تَأْسِيسُ أُمُورِكُمْ وَ الْزَمُوا هَذِهِ الطَّرِيقَةَ فَإِنَّكُمْ لَوْ عَايَنْتُمْ مَا عَايَنَ مَنْ قَدْ مَاتَ مِنْكُمْ‌[3] مِمَّنْ خَالَفَ مَا قَدْ تُدْعَوْنَ إِلَيْهِ لَبَدَرْتُمْ وَ خَرَجْتُمْ و

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) has said, ‘Do not be deceitful to your leaders, do not confuse your guides, do not be ignorant of your Imams and do not cut off the rope of your unity, least you will fail and be disgraced. On such foundation your affairs must be based and you must strictly live within such system. Had you been

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ نُعِيَتْ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص نَفْسُهُ وَ هُوَ صَحِيحٌ لَيْسَ بِهِ وَجَعٌ قَالَ نَزَلَ بِهِ الرُّوحُ الْأَمِينُ- قَالَ فَنَادَى ص الصَّلَاةَ جَامِعَةً وَ أَمَرَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَ الْأَنْصَارَ بِالسِّلَاحِ وَ اجْتَمَعَ النَّاسُ فَصَعِدَ النَّبِيُّ ص الْمِنْبَرَ فَنَعَى إِلَيْهِمْ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أُذَكِّرُ اللَّهَ الْوَالِيَ مِنْ بَعْدِي عَلَى أُمَّتِي أَلَّا يَرْحَمُ عَلَى

‘The Holy Prophet (sw) was given the news of his own death while he was in a good health and he did not suffer any pain.” He said, “The trusted Spirit came to him.” He said, “The Holy Prophet called for a prayer in congregation. He then ordered the Muhajir and Ansar (people from Makka and the people of Madina) to arm t

جَاءَ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَسَلٌ وَ تِينٌ مِنْ هَمْدَانَ وَ حُلْوَانَ‌[2] فَأَمَرَ الْعُرَفَاءَ أَنْ يَأْتُوا بِالْيَتَامَى فَأَمْكَنَهُمْ مِنْ رُءُوسِ الْأَزْقَاقِ يَلْعَقُونَهَا وَ هُوَ يَقْسِمُهَا لِلنَّاسِ قَدَحاً قَدَحاً فَقِيلَ لَهُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَا لَهُمْ يَلْعَقُونَهَا فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ أَبُو الْيَتَامَى وَ إِنَّمَا أَلْعَقْتُهُمْ هَذَا بِرِعَايَةِ الْآبَاءِ.

“Honey and fig were brought to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) from Hamadhan and al-Hulwan (places near Baghdad). He asked the his officers to call in the orphans. They were allowed to lick honey from the containers while he himself distributed them among the people. People asked, “Why should the orphans be allowed to lick the

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

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا تَصْلُحُ الْإِمَامَةُ إِلَّا لِرَجُلٍ فِيهِ ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ وَرَعٌ يَحْجُزُهُ عَنْ مَعَاصِي اللَّهِ وَ حِلْمٌ يَمْلِكُ بِهِ غَضَبَهُ‌[2] وَ حُسْنُ الْوِلَايَةِ عَلَى مَنْ يَلِي حَتَّى يَكُونَ لَهُمْ كَالْوَالِدِ الرَّحِيمِ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى‌ حَتَّى يَكُونَ لِلرَّعِيَّةِ كَالْأَبِ الرَّحِيمِ.

"The Messenger of Allah (sw) said: 'The imamate is not suitable for anyone except for a man who possesses three qualities: piety that safeguards him from the disobedience of Allah, forbearance that controls his anger, and excellence in guardianship over those under his care, such that he treats them with the compassion

قَالَ مُعَاوِيَةُ وَ لَقِيتُ الطَّبَرِيَّ مُحَمَّداً بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأَخْبَرَنِي قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ مُوسَى ع يَقُولُ‌ الْمُغْرَمُ إِذَا تَدَيَّنَ أَوِ اسْتَدَانَ فِي حَقٍّ الْوَهْمُ مِنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ أُجِّلَ سَنَةً فَإِنِ اتَّسَعَ وَ إِلَّا قَضَى عَنْهُ الْإِمَامُ مِنْ بَيْتِ الْمَالِ.

Ali Bin Muhammad, from Sahl Bin Ziyad, from Muawiya Bin Hukeym, from Muhammad Bin Aslam, from a man from Tabaristan called Muhammad, said, ‘Muawiya said, ‘And I met the Al Tabary, Muhammad, after that, so he informed me saying, ‘I heard Ali asws Bin Musa asws saying: ‘The debtor, when he lends a loan’, or ‘borrows rega