Imamate & Wilayah

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

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِؤُا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْواهِهِمْ‌[1] قَالَ يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِئُوا وَلَايَةَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ تَعَالَى‌ وَ اللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ‌ قَالَ يَقُولُ وَ اللَّهُ مُتِمُّ الْإِمَامَةِ وَ الْإِمَامَةُ هِيَ النُّورُ وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ وَ النُّورِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْنا

about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, in the following verse of the Holy Quran. “They want to put out the light of God with their mouths, but God will certainly make His light shine forever - even though the unbelievers may dislike this.” (61:8) The Imam (a.s.) said, “They want to put o

مَا جَاءَ بِهِ عَلِيٌّ ع آخُذُ بِهِ وَ مَا نَهَى عَنْهُ أَنْتَهِي عَنْهُ جَرَى لَهُ مِنَ الْفَضْلِ مِثْلُ مَا جَرَى لِمُحَمَّدٍ ص وَ لِمُحَمَّدٍ ص الْفَضْلُ عَلَى جَمِيعِ مَنْ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْمُتَعَقِّبُ عَلَيْهِ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ أَحْكَامِهِ كَالْمُتَعَقِّبِ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ‌[2] وَ الرَّادُّ عَلَيْهِ فِي صَغِيرَةٍ أَوْ كَبِيرَةٍ عَلَى حَدِّ الشِّرْكِ بِاللَّهِ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِن

1. Ahmad ibn Mahran from Muhammad ibn Ali and Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad altogether from Muhammad ibn Sinan from al-Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Whatever Imam Ali (a.s.) has brought I follow them entirely and whatever he has forbidden I desist from them altog

دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَابْتَدَأَنَا فَقَالَ يَا سُلَيْمَانُ مَا جَاءَ عَنْ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يُؤْخَذُ بِهِ وَ مَا نَهَى عَنْهُ يُنْتَهَى عَنْهُ جَرَى لَهُ مِنَ الْفَضْلِ مَا جَرَى لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص الْفَضْلُ عَلَى جَمِيعِ مَنْ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ الْمُعَيِّبُ‌[2] عَلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ أَحْكَامِهِ كَالْمُعَيِّبِ عَل

2. Ali ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn al-Hassan have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Walid Shabab al-Sayrafi who has said that Sa‘id’ al-A‘raj has said that he and Sulayman ibn Khalid once went to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and al-A‘raj began the conversation as follows. “Whatever Imam Ali (a.s.) has brought

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

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ‌[1] فَكَانَ جَوَابُهُ- أَ لَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا نَصِيباً مِنَ الْكِتابِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْجِبْتِ وَ الطَّاغُوتِ‌ وَ يَقُولُونَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا هؤُلاءِ أَهْدى‌ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا سَبِيلًا[2] يَقُولُونَ لِأَئِمَّةِ الضَّلَالَةِ وَ الدُّعَاةِ إِلَى النَّارِ- هؤُلاءِ أَهْ

The read the following words of Allah. “Have you seen how those who had been given a share of the Book believe in idols and Satan and who say, “The disbelievers are better guided than the believers” (4:51) ‘The say that the leaders of misguidance and those who call people to Hell’ “God has condemned them. No one can he

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- أَمْ يَحْسُدُونَ النَّاسَ عَلى‌ ما آتاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ‌ قَالَ نَحْنُ الْمَحْسُودُونَ.

Or are they envious of the people whom Allah has granted of His bounties? ( 4:54 Holy Quran) “We are the envied ones.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَقَدْ آتَيْنا آلَ إِبْراهِيمَ الْكِتابَ‌ فَقَالَ النُّبُوَّةَ قُلْتُ- الْحِكْمَةَ قَالَ الْفَهْمَ وَ الْقَضَاءَ قُلْتُ‌ وَ آتَيْناهُمْ مُلْكاً عَظِيماً فَقَالَ الطَّاعَةَ.

The Imams (a.s.) said, “It means Prophet-hood.” I then asked about the meaning of ‘wisdom’. The Imams (a.s.) said, “It means understanding and judgment.” I then asked about the meaning of ‘great kingdom.’ The Imams (a.s.) said, “It means obedience.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَمْ يَحْسُدُونَ النَّاسَ عَلى‌ ما آتاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ‌ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا الصَّبَّاحِ نَحْنُ وَ اللَّهِ النَّاسُ الْمَحْسُودُونَ.

The Imams (a.s.) said, “O abu al-Sabah, we, I swear by Allah, are the people who are envied.”

جَعَلَ مِنْهُمُ الرُّسُلَ وَ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ وَ الْأَئِمَّةَ فَكَيْفَ يُقِرُّونَ فِي آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ يُنْكِرُونَهُ فِي آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص قَالَ قُلْتُ- وَ آتَيْناهُمْ مُلْكاً عَظِيماً قَالَ الْمُلْكُ الْعَظِيمُ أَنْ جَعَلَ فِيهِمْ أَئِمَّةً مَنْ أَطَاعَهُمْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ وَ مَنْ عَصَاهُمْ عَصَى اللَّهَ فَهُوَ الْمُلْكُ الْعَظِيمُ.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn abu ‘Umayr from ’Umar ibn Udhayna from Burayd al-‘IJli from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, ““We have given to the family of Abraham the Book, Wisdom, and a great Kingdom.” [4:54] “Great kingdom means

وَ عَلاماتٍ‌ وَ بِالنَّجْمِ هُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ‌[1] قَالَ النَّجْمُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ الْعَلَامَاتُ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع.

“The star is the Messenger of Allah (sw) and the signs are the Imams (a.s.)”

سَأَلَ الْهَيْثَمُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا عِنْدَهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ عَلاماتٍ وَ بِالنَّجْمِ هُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ‌[1] فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص النَّجْمُ وَ الْعَلَامَاتُ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع.

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from MuAlia ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Asbat ibn Salim who has said that Haythamm asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), while I was there, about the meaning of the words of Allah, “Through the signs and with the star people do find their way.” [16:16] The Imams (a.s.) said, “St

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- وَ عَلاماتٍ وَ بِالنَّجْمِ هُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ‌ قَالَ نَحْنُ الْعَلَامَاتُ وَ النَّجْمُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص.

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from MuAlia ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ who has said that he asked Imam al-Rida (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most High, “Through the signs and with the star people do find their way.” [16:16] The Imams (a.s.) said, “We are the signs and the messenger of Al

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ ما تُغْنِي الْآياتُ وَ النُّذُرُ عَنْ قَوْمٍ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ‌ قَالَ الْآيَاتُ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ وَ النُّذُرُ هُمُ الْأَنْبِيَاءُ ع.

The Imams (a.s.) said, “Signs are the Imams (a.s.) and warnings are the prophets (s.a.).”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ كَذَّبُوا بِآياتِنا كُلِّها[2] يَعْنِي الْأَوْصِيَاءَ كُلَّهُمْ.

‘The signs are all the successors (of the prophets (s.a.)

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ الشِّيعَةَ يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنْ تَفْسِيرِ هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ- عَمَّ يَتَساءَلُونَ‌ عَنِ النَّبَإِ الْعَظِيمِ‌[3] قَالَ ذَلِكَ إِلَيَّ إِنْ شِئْتُ أَخْبَرْتُهُمْ وَ إِنْ شِئْتُ لَمْ أُخْبِرْهُمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَكِنِّي أُخْبِرُكَ بِتَفْسِيرِهَا قُلْتُ‌ عَمَّ يَتَساءَلُونَ‌ قَالَ فَقَالَ هِيَ فِي أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ

the Shi‘a (your followers) ask about the meaning of the words of Allah, “Of what do they ask one another? (78:1). Do they ask about the great news?”The Imams (a.s.) said, “It depends up on my decision. I may tell them or may not tell them. Then he said: “I like, however, to tell you the meaning thereof.” I then asked w

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ كُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ‌[1] قَالَ إِيَّانَا عَنَى.

The Imam (a.s.) replied, “ ‘The truthful ones’ is a reference to us.”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ كُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ‌ قَالَ الصَّادِقُونَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ وَ الصِّدِّيقُونَ بِطَاعَتِهِمْ.

The Imams (a.s.) said, “The truthful ones are the Imams (a.s.) who, are truthful in their obedience (to Allah).”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَحْيَا حَيَاةً تُشْبِهُ حَيَاةَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ يَمُوتَ مِيتَةً تُشْبِهُ مِيتَةَ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَ يَسْكُنَ الْجِنَانَ الَّتِي غَرَسَهَا الرَّحْمَنُ‌[2] فَلْيَتَوَلَّ عَلِيّاً وَ لْيُوَالِ وَلِيَّهُ وَ لْيَقْتَدِ بِالْأَئِمَّةِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِتْرَتِي خُلِقُوا مِنْ طِينَتِي- اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْهُمْ فَهْمِي وَ عِلْمِي وَ وَيْلٌ لِلْمُخَالِفِينَ لَهُمْ مِنْ أُمَّتِ

“Whoever would like to live a life similar to those of the prophets, die in a similar manner as the martyrs do and live in the garden which is planted by the Beneficent, they must love Imam Ali (a.s.) (acknowledge his Divine authority) and love those who love and support him and follow the Imams after him who are of my

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ اسْتِكْمَالُ حُجَّتِي عَلَى الْأَشْقِيَاءِ مِنْ أُمَّتِكَ‌[3]- مَنْ تَرَكَ وَلَايَةَ عَلِيٍّ وَ وَالَى أَعْدَاءَهُ وَ أَنْكَرَ فَضْلَهُ وَ فَضْلَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَإِنَّ فَضْلَكَ فَضْلُهُمْ وَ طَاعَتَكَ طَاعَتُهُمْ وَ حَقَّكَ حَقُّهُمْ وَ مَعْصِيَتَكَ مَعْصِيَتُهُمْ وَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ الْهُدَاةُ مِنْ

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from al-Nadr ibn Shu’ayb from Muhammad ibn al-Fudayl from abu Hamzah al-Thamali who has said that he heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) say, “The Messenger of Allah (s.a.) said: “ Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, says, “It is to establish my authority over th

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَحْيَا حَيَاتِي وَ يَمُوتَ مِيتَتِي وَ يَدْخُلَ جَنَّةَ عَدْنٍ الَّتِي غَرَسَهَا اللَّهُ رَبِّي بِيَدِهِ فَلْيَتَوَلَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ لْيَتَوَلَّ وَلِيَّهُ وَ لْيُعَادِ عَدُوَّهُ وَ لْيُسَلِّمْ لِلْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِتْرَتِي مِنْ لَحْمِي وَ دَمِي أَعْطَاهُمُ اللَّهُ فَهْمِي وَ عِلْمِي إِلَى اللَّهِ

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever would want to live like my living, die like I will die and enter the garden of Eden that my Lord has planted with His own hands, he must love (acknowledge the Divine authority of) Ali (a.s.) ibn abu Talib. He must love (acknowledge the Divine authority of his successor) those

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَحْيَا حَيَاتِي وَ يَمُوتَ مِيتَتِي وَ يَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ الَّتِي وَعَدَنِيهَا رَبِّي وَ يَتَمَسَّكَ بِقَضِيبٍ غَرَسَهُ رَبِّي بِيَدِهِ‌[2] فَلْيَتَوَلَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع وَ أَوْصِيَاءَهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يُدْخِلُونَكُمْ فِي بَابِ ضَلَالٍ وَ لَا يُخْرِجُونَكُمْ مِنْ بَابِ هُدًى فَلَا تُعَلِّمُوهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ مِنْكُمْ وَ إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ ر

“Whoever would like to live as I have lived and die as will do and enter the garden that my Lord has promised to me and hold in hands the stick that Allah has planted with His own hands he then must love and acknowledge (Leadership with Divine Authority of) Ali (a.s.) and his successors after him because they do not le

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌[1] وَ إِنَّ الرَّوْحَ وَ الرَّاحَةَ وَ الْفَلْجَ‌[2] وَ الْعَوْنَ وَ النَّجَاحَ وَ الْبَرَكَةَ وَ الْكَرَامَةَ وَ الْمَغْفِرَةَ وَ الْمُعَافَاةَ وَ الْيُسْرَ وَ الْبُشْرَى وَ الرِّضْوَانَ وَ الْقُرْبَ وَ النَّصْرَ وَ التَّمَكُّنَ وَ الرَّجَاءَ وَ الْمَحَبَّةَ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِمَنْ تَوَلَّى عَلِيّاً وَ ائْتَمَّ بِهِ وَ بَرِئَ مِنْ عَدُوِّهِ وَ سَلَّمَ لِفَضْلِهِ وَ لِلْأَوْصِيَاءِ

7. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Fadala ibn Ayyub from al-Hassan ibn Ziyad from Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said that abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said the following. “Tranquillity, comfort, victory, support, success, blessings, honor, forgiveness, relief, ease, glad

رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الذِّكْرُ أَنَا وَ الْأَئِمَّةُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ‌ وَ لِقَوْمِكَ‌ وَ سَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ‌[4] قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع نَحْنُ قَوْمُهُ وَ نَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.

1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from ’Abdallah ibn ‘Ajlan from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.” (16:43, 21: 7 Holy Quran). The Holy Prophet (s.a.) has said, ‘I am the Dh

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌ قَالَ الذِّكْرُ مُحَمَّدٌ ص وَ نَحْنُ أَهْلُهُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ قَالَ قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ- وَ إِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَ لِقَوْمِكَ وَ سَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ‌ قَالَ إِيَّانَا عَنَى وَ نَحْنُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَ نَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.

I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the following words of Allah. “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.” (16:43, 21: 7 Holy Quran) The Imams (a.s.) said, “Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) is ‘Dhikr’ and we are the people of ‘Dhikr who will be asked.” I also asked about, “It is a Dhikr for you and for y

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ‌ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌ فَقَالَ نَحْنُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَ نَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ قُلْتُ فَأَنْتُمُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ وَ نَحْنُ السَّائِلُونَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ‌ حَقّاً عَلَيْنَا أَنْ نَسْأَلَكُمْ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ حَقّاً عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ تُجِيبُونَا قَالَ لَا[1] ذَاكَ إِلَيْنَا إِنْ شِئْنَا فَعَلْنَا وَ إِنْ شِئْنَا لَمْ نَفْعَلْ أ

“I asked al-Rida (a.s) and said, 'May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what is the meaning of the words of Allah, “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.”?' (16:43 and 21:7) He (a.s.) replied, “ We are the people of ‘Dhikr’ and we are the ones about whom questions will be asked.” I asked further, “Are

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَ لِقَوْمِكَ‌ وَ سَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ‌ فَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الذِّكْرُ وَ أَهْلُ بَيْتِهِ ع الْمَسْئُولُونَ وَ هُمْ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ[3].

4. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from ‘Asim ibn Hamid from abu Basir from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “It is a Dhikr for you and for your people and you all wil

الذِّكْرُ الْقُرْآنُ وَ نَحْنُ قَوْمُهُ وَ نَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.

The Imams (a.s.)said, “The Holy Quran is the ’Dhikr’ and we are the one who will be asked questions.”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْوَرْدُ أَخُو الْكُمَيْتِ فَقَالَ جَعَلَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ اخْتَرْتُ لَكَ سَبْعِينَ مَسْأَلَةً مَا تَحْضُرُنِي مِنْهَا مَسْأَلَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ قَالَ وَ لَا وَاحِدَةٌ يَا وَرْدُ قَالَ بَلَى قَدْ حَضَرَنِي مِنْهَا وَاحِدَةٌ قَالَ وَ مَا هِيَ قَالَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌ مَنْ هُمْ قَالَ نَحْنُ قَال

“I was in the presence of Imam (a.s.) abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and al-Ward brother of al-Kumayt came to see him. He to the Imams (a.s.) said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I have chosen seventy questions and I do not know the answer even for one of them.” The Imams (a.s.) said, “Not even one answer, O War

إِنَّ مَنْ عِنْدَنَا يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌ أَنَّهُمُ الْيَهُودُ وَ النَّصَارَى قَالَ إِذاً يَدْعُونَكُمْ إِلَى دِينِهِمْ قَالَ قَالَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ‌[4] نَحْنُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَ نَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.

“These are people who think that the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. ‘Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know,’ refers to the Jews and the Christians.” The Imams (a.s.) asked, “Do they call you to their religion?” He (Muhammad ibn Muslim) has aid that the Imams (a.s.) “Said, with his hand (pointing) to

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ مِنَ الْفَرْضِ مَا لَيْسَ عَلَى شِيعَتِهِمْ وَ عَلَى شِيعَتِنَا مَا لَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا أَمَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يَسْأَلُونَا قَالَ‌ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌ فَأَمَرَهُمْ أَنْ يَسْأَلُونَا وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا الْجَوَابُ إِنْ شِئْنَا أَجَبْنَا وَ إِنْ شِئْنَا أَمْسَكْنَا.

“Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn has said that there are certain obligation for the Imams that are not obligatory for their followers and certain obligation of our followers are not obligatory for us. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has commanded them to ask us their questions saying, “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الرِّضَا ع كِتَاباً فَكَانَ فِي بَعْضِ مَا كَتَبْتُ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌ وَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ ما كانَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ‌ لِيَنْفِرُوا كَافَّةً فَلَوْ لا نَفَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِنْهُمْ طائِفَةٌ لِيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ وَ لِيُنْذِرُوا قَوْمَهُمْ‌ إِذا رَجَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ‌ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ‌[1] فَقَدْ فُرِضَتْ ع

The Imams (a.s.) has said the following for the answer. “If they would not do what you would ask them, know that they are only following their (evil) desires. Who strays more than one who follows his desires without guidance from God? . .” (28:50)

أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ‌ الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ‌ عَدُوُّنَا وَ شِيعَتُنَا أُولُوا الْأَلْبابِ‌.

Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only the people of reason take heed.” (39:9) ‘We are the people of knowledge, the people who and it is our enemies who do not know and our followers are the people who take heed and are the people of reason.’”

نَحْنُ‌ الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ‌ وَ عَدُوُّنَا الَّذِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ‌ وَ شِيعَتُنَا أُولُوا الْأَلْبابِ‌.

‘We are the people of knowledge, and our enemies are those who do not know, and our followers (Shias) are the people of reason.’”

نَحْنُ‌ الرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ* وَ نَحْنُ نَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ.

“We are the people well-grounded in knowledge and we are the ones who know how to interpret it.”

فِي الْعِلْمِ قَدْ عَلَّمَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَمِيعَ مَا أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ التَّنْزِيلِ وَ التَّأْوِيلِ وَ مَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْئاً لَمْ يُعَلِّمْهُ تَأْوِيلَهُ وَ أَوْصِيَاؤُهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ يَعْلَمُونَهُ كُلَّهُ وَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِذَا قَالَ الْعَالِمُ‌[2] فِيهِمْ بِعِلْمٍ فَأَجَابَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِقَوْلِهِ- يَقُولُونَ‌ آمَنَّا بِهِ‌ كُلٌّ مِنْ عِنْدِ رَبِّنا وَ

The Messenger of Allah (sw) is the best among those who are well-grounded in knowledge. Allah, the Most Majestic and Most gracious, taught him all that He had revealed to him in the form of original text and in the form of interpretations. Allah, the Most Majestic and Most gracious, would not reveal anything to him tha

الرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ* أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْأَئِمَّةُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ ع.

“People well-grounded in Knowledge stands for Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) and the Imams after him.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ فِي هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ‌[3] فَأَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ.

The Imams (a.s.) pointed to his own chest.”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ‌ قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع.

who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “In fact, the Quran consists of illustrious verses that exist in the hearts of those who have knowledge. . .” (29:49) ‘They are the Imams (a.s.)’.

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ فِي هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ- بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ‌ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ مَا قَالَ بَيْنَ دَفَّتَيِ الْمُصْحَفِ قُلْتُ مَنْ هُمْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ مَنْ عَسَى أَنْ يَكُونُوا غَيْرَنَا.

“In fact, the Quran consists of illustrious verses that exist in the hearts of those who have knowledge. . .” (29:49) The Imams (a.s.) then said, “O abu Muhammad, for the sake of Allah, be the judge and tell, of who it is spoken (so often) between the two covers of the Holy Quran?” I then asked, “Who are they, “May All

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌- بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ‌ قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع خَاصَّةً.

“In fact, the Quran consists of illustrious verses that exist in the hearts of those who have knowledge. . .” (29:49) ‘They are the Imams (a.s.) exclusive of all others.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ‌ قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع خَاصَّةً.

The Imams (a.s.) said, “They are the Imams (a.s.) exclusive of all others.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتابَ‌ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنا مِنْ عِبادِنا فَمِنْهُمْ ظالِمٌ لِنَفْسِهِ‌ وَ مِنْهُمْ مُقْتَصِدٌ وَ مِنْهُمْ سابِقٌ بِالْخَيْراتِ‌ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ‌[1] قَالَ السَّابِقُ بِالْخَيْرَاتِ الْإِمَامُ- وَ الْمُقْتَصِدُ الْعَارِفُ لِلْإِمَامِ وَ الظَّالِمُ لِنَفْسِهِ الَّذِي لَا يَعْرِفُ الْإِمَامَ.

The exceedingly virtuous is the Imam (a.s.), the moderate ones are those who know the Imam (a.s.) and the unjust ones are those who do not know the Imam (a.s.).”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى- ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنا مِنْ عِبادِنا فَقَالَ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ تَقُولُونَ أَنْتُمْ قُلْتُ نَقُولُ إِنَّهَا فِي الْفَاطِمِيِّينَ قَالَ لَيْسَ حَيْثُ تَذْهَبُ لَيْسَ يَدْخُلُ فِي هَذَا مَنْ أَشَارَ بِسَيْفِهِ وَ دَعَا النَّاسَ إِلَى خِلَافٍ‌[1] فَقُلْتُ فَأَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ الظَّالِمُ لِنَفْسِهِ قَالَ الْجَالِسُ فِي بَيْتِهِ لَا يَعْرِفُ حَقَّ الْإِمَامِ وَ الْمُقْتَ

about the meaning of the following verse of the Holy Quran. “We gave the book as an inheritance to Our chosen servants,.. .” (35:31) The Imam (a.s.) asked, “What do you say about it?” I said, “We say that they are the Fatimid (descendents of Fatima, Daughter of the Holy Prophet (s.a.)” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is not

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنا مِنْ عِبادِنا الْآيَةَ قَالَ فَقَالَ وُلْدُ فَاطِمَةَ ع‌[2] وَ السَّابِقُ بِالْخَيْرَاتِ الْإِمَامُ وَ الْمُقْتَصِدُ الْعَارِفُ بِالْإِمَامِ وَ الظَّالِمُ لِنَفْسِهِ الَّذِي لَا يَعْرِفُ الْإِمَامَ.

The Imam (a.s.) said such people are the children of Fatima (a.s.), those exceeding in virtue are the Imams (a.s.), the moderate ones are those who know the Imam (a.s.) and those who do injustice to themselves are the ones who do not know their Imam (a.s.).”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ آتَيْناهُمُ الْكِتابَ‌ يَتْلُونَهُ حَقَّ تِلاوَتِهِ‌ أُولئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ‌[3] قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع.

The Imams (a.s.) said that such people are the Imams (a.s.).”

قَالَ: لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ- يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا كُلَّ أُناسٍ بِإِمامِهِمْ‌[4] قَالَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَ لَسْتَ إِمَامَ النَّاسِ كُلِّهِمْ أَجْمَعِينَ قَالَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَى النَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ وَ لَكِنْ سَيَكُونُ مِنْ بَعْدِي أَئِمَّةٌ عَلَى النَّاسِ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي يَقُومُونَ فِي النَّاسِ فَيُكَذَّبُونَ وَ يَظْلِمُهُمْ أَئِمَّةُ الْكُفْ

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ‘Abdallah ibn Ghalib from Jabir from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “When the following verse of the Holy Quran was revealed, “On the day when We call every nation with their leaders, (Imams) . .” [17:71] , people a

قَالَ: إِنَّ الْأَئِمَّةَ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِمَامَانِ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ جَعَلْناهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنا[1] لَا بِأَمْرِ النَّاسِ يُقَدِّمُونَ أَمْرَ اللَّهِ قَبْلَ أَمْرِهِمْ وَ حُكْمَ اللَّهِ قَبْلَ حُكْمِهِمْ قَالَ‌ وَ جَعَلْناهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ[2] يُقَدِّمُونَ أَمْرَهُمْ قَبْلَ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ وَ حُكْمَهُمْ قَبْلَ حُكْمِ اللَّهِ وَ يَأْخُذُونَ

“The Imams mentioned in the book of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, are of two kinds. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has said, ‘We appointed them as leaders (Imams) to guide the people through Our command . .” (21:73) They do so but not because of the commads of the people. They allow our command to come firs