Imamate & Wilayah

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنا مَوالِيَ‌ مِمَّا تَرَكَ‌ الْوالِدانِ وَ الْأَقْرَبُونَ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ عَقَدَتْ أَيْمانُكُمْ‌[3] قَالَ إِنَّمَا عَنَى بِذَلِكَ الْأَئِمَّةَ ع بِهِمْ عَقَدَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَيْمَانَكُمْ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ’Isa from al-Hasan ibn Mahbub who has said that he asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “We have chosen heirs for every legacy that parents and relatives may leave. Let those who have been

فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى- إِنَّ هذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ‌[4] قَالَ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْإِمَامِ.

regarding the words of The Almigthy: “This Quran shows the way to that which is the most upright . .” (17:9) He (a.s.) said, “It guides to the Imam.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ مَا بَالُ أَقْوَامٍ غَيَّرُوا سُنَّةَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ عَدَلُوا عَنْ وَصِيِّهِ لَا يَتَخَوَّفُونَ أَنْ يَنْزِلَ بِهِمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- أَ لَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ بَدَّلُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ كُفْراً وَ أَحَلُّوا قَوْمَهُمْ دارَ الْبَوارِ جَهَنَّمَ‌[1] ثُمَّ قَالَ نَحْنُ النِّعْمَةُ الَّتِي أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ بِهَا عَلَى عِبَادِهِ وَ بِنَا يَفُوزُ مَنْ فَازَ يَ

“What is wrong with people who changed the Sunnah (traditions) of the Messenger of Allah and deviated from his will? Do they not fear that severe suffering may befall them? He then recited the following verse of the Holy Quran. “Have you not seen (considered) those who changed the blessings (Word) of God through disbel

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَبِأَيِّ آلاءِ رَبِّكُما تُكَذِّبانِ‌[2] أَ بِالنَّبِيِّ أَمْ بِالْوَصِيِّ تُكَذِّبَانِ نَزَلَتْ فِي الرَّحْمَنِ.

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad, in a mafu‘ manner, (rafa’ahu) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “(Jinn and mankind) - which of the favors of your Lord do you deny?” (55:13) Will you deny and refuse the Holy Prophet or his successor.” (This verse has come down in C

تَلَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- فَاذْكُرُوا آلاءَ اللَّهِ‌[3] قَالَ أَ تَدْرِي مَا آلَاءُ اللَّهِ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ هِيَ أَعْظَمُ نِعَمِ اللَّهِ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَ هِيَ وَلَايَتُنَا.

“Keep in mind the bounties of Allah. .” (7:69) The Imams (a.s.) said, “Do you know what the bounties of Allah are?” I said, “No, I do not know.” He said, “It is the greatest of the bounties of Allah. It is to acknowledge the Divine authority that we possess.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَ لَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ بَدَّلُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ كُفْراً الْآيَةَ قَالَ عَنَى بِهَا قُرَيْشاً قَاطِبَةً الَّذِينَ عَادَوْا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص وَ نَصَبُوا لَهُ الْحَرْبَ وَ جَحَدُوا وَصِيَّةَ وَصِيِّهِ.

The Imam (a.s.) said it is a reference to all of Quraysh who exercised animosity towards the Holy Prophet (s.a.), created wars against him and rejected his will about his successor.”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ‌ لَآياتٍ لِلْمُتَوَسِّمِينَ‌ وَ إِنَّها لَبِسَبِيلٍ مُقِيمٍ‌[2] قَالَ فَقَالَ نَحْنُ الْمُتَوَسِّمُونَ وَ السَّبِيلُ فِينَا مُقِيمٌ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “We are the distiguished people and the (right) path is with us.”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ هِيتَ‌[3] فَقَالَ لَهُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ مَا تَقُولُ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لَآياتٍ لِلْمُتَوَسِّمِينَ‌ قَالَ نَحْنُ الْمُتَوَسِّمُونَ وَ السَّبِيلُ فِينَا مُقِيمٌ.

“Asbat ibn Salim has said that once he was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) when a man from the people of Hiyt came and said, ‘May grant you well-being, what is the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, “In this there is evidence (of the Truth) for the distinguished ones.”? (15:75) The Imam (a.s.) said,

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

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

هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع- وَ إِنَّها لَبِسَبِيلٍ مُقِيمٍ‌ قَالَ لَا يَخْرُجُ مِنَّا أَبَداً.

The Imams (a.s.) said, “These people are the Imams (a.s.) and the evidence will never depart us.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ فِي قَوْلِهِ‌ تَعَالَى‌ إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لَآياتٍ لِلْمُتَوَسِّمِينَ‌ قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمُتَوَسِّمَ وَ أَنَا مِنْ بَعْدِهِ وَ الْأَئِمَّةُ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي الْمُتَوَسِّمُونَ. - وَ فِي نُسْخَةٍ أُخْرَى‌[1] عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ‌[2] عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ أَيُّوبَ بِإِسْنَادِهِ‌ مِثْلَهُ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) has the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. ““In this there is evidence (of the Truth) for the distinguished ones.” (15:75) The Holy Prophet (s.a.) was the distinguished one and I was as such after him and the Imams from my children are the distinguished ones.”

تُعْرَضُ الْأَعْمَالُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَعْمَالُ الْعِبَادِ[3] كُلَّ صَبَاحٍ أَبْرَارُهَا وَ فُجَّارُهَا فَاحْذَرُوهَا وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَ رَسُولُهُ‌[4] وَ سَكَتَ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn abu Hamza from abu Basir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “All deeds are presented before the Messenger of Allah (s.a.). It is the deeds of the all the virtuous and the evil d

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ‌ قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ.

about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Majestic and most Exalted: “Act as you wish. God will see your deeds and so will do His Messenger and the believers. . .” (9:105) He (a.s.) said, “They (the believers) are the Imams”.

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَا لَكُمْ تَسُوءُونَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ كَيْفَ نَسُوؤُهُ فَقَالَ أَ مَا تَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ أَعْمَالَكُمْ تُعْرَضُ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا رَأَى فِيهَا مَعْصِيَةً سَاءَهُ ذَلِكَ فَلَا تَسُوءُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ سُرُّوهُ.

“What is wrong with you? Why do you disappoint the Messenger of Allah (sw)?” A man asked, “How do we disappoint him?” He (a.s.) replied, “Do you not know that your deeds are presented before him? When he find sins in them it disappoints him. So do not disappoint the Messenger of Allah, rather make him happy.”

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

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

هُوَ وَ اللَّهِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع.

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

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْأَعْمَالَ تُعْرَضُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَبْرَارَهَا وَ فُجَّارَهَا.

"All the deeds are presented before the Messenger of Allah (sw), both good and bad."

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

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

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

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

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ مَا يَنْقِمُ النَّاسُ مِنَّا[1] فَنَحْنُ وَ اللَّهِ شَجَرَةُ النُّبُوَّةِ وَ بَيْتُ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ مَعْدِنُ الْعِلْمِ وَ مُخْتَلَفُ الْمَلَائِكَةِ.

“What is it obscures us to people? (People do not maintain hostility towards us.) We, I swear by Allah, are the tree of the prophet-hood, the house of blessings, the mine of knowledge and the center wherein angels interchange.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ شَجَرَةُ النُّبُوَّةِ وَ مَوْضِعُ الرِّسَالَةِ وَ مُخْتَلَفُ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ بَيْتُ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ مَعْدِنُ الْعِلْمِ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from ‘Adallah ibn Muhammad ibn ’Isa from his father from ‘Adallah ibn al-Mughirah from Isma‘il ibn abu Ziyad from Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a.s.) from his father (a.s.) from Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) who has said the following. “We, the Ahl al-Bayt (family of the Holy Prophet), are the t

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا خَيْثَمَةُ نَحْنُ شَجَرَةُ النُّبُوَّةِ وَ بَيْتُ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ مَفَاتِيحُ الْحِكْمَةِ وَ مَعْدِنُ الْعِلْمِ وَ مَوْضِعُ الرِّسَالَةِ وَ مُخْتَلَفُ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ مَوْضِعُ سِرِّ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ وَدِيعَةُ اللَّهِ فِي عِبَادِهِ وَ نَحْنُ حَرَمُ اللَّهِ الْأَكْبَرُ وَ نَحْنُ ذِمَّةُ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ عَهْدُ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ وَفَى بِعَهْدِنَا فَقَدْ وَفَى بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ وَ مَنْ

3. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from ‘Adallah ibn Muhammad from al-Kashshab. He has said that a number of our people have narrated from al-Khaythama who has said that abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said to him the following. “O Khaythama, we are the tree of prophet-hood, the house of blessings, the

إِنَّ عَلِيّاً ع كَانَ عَالِماً وَ الْعِلْمُ يُتَوَارَثُ وَ لَنْ يَهْلِكَ عَالِمٌ إِلَّا بَقِيَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ مَنْ يَعْلَمُ عِلْمَهُ- أَوْ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ‌[1].

“Ali (a.s.) was a man of knowledge and knowledge is inherited. Whenever a man of knowledge dies he leave another man of knowledge behind who possess his knowledge or whatever Allah wants.”

إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ الَّذِي نَزَلَ مَعَ آدَمَ ع لَمْ يُرْفَعْ وَ الْعِلْمُ يُتَوَارَثُ وَ كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع عَالِمَ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ وَ إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَهْلِكْ مِنَّا عَالِمٌ قَطُّ إِلَّا خَلَفَهُ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ مَنْ عَلِمَ مِثْلَ عِلْمِهِ أَوْ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ.

“The knowledge that came with Adam was not taken away. Knowledge is inherited. Ali (a.s.) was the knowledgeable person of this nation (Muslims). No one from us have ever left this world without leaving behind one like him in knowledge or what Allah wanted.”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ يُتَوَارَثُ وَ لَا يَمُوتُ عَالِمٌ إِلَّا وَ تَرَكَ مَنْ يَعْلَمُ مِثْلَ عِلْمِهِ أَوْ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ.

“Knowledge is inherited. No man of knowledge dies without leaving behind one who is as knowledgeable as his predecessor or what Allah wants.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ فِي عَلِيٍّ ع سُنَّةَ أَلْفِ نَبِيٍّ مِنَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ الَّذِي نَزَلَ مَعَ آدَمَ ع لَمْ يُرْفَعْ وَ مَا مَاتَ عَالِمٌ فَذَهَبَ عِلْمُهُ وَ الْعِلْمُ يُتَوَارَثُ.

“In Imam Ali (a.s.) there was the Sunnah (traditions) of a thousand prophets. The knowledge that came with Adam was not taken away. No man of knowledge ever died along with knowledge. Knowledge is inherited.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ الَّذِي نَزَلَ مَعَ آدَمَ ع لَمْ يُرْفَعْ وَ مَا مَاتَ عَالِمٌ فَذَهَبَ عِلْمُهُ.

“The knowledge that came with Adam was not taken away. No man of knowledge has ever died along with his knowledge.”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَمُصُّونَ الثِّمَادَ[2]- وَ يَدَعُونَ النَّهَرَ الْعَظِيمَ قِيلَ لَهُ وَ مَا النَّهَرُ الْعَظِيمُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ الْعِلْمُ الَّذِي أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَمَعَ لِمُحَمَّدٍ ص سُنَنَ النَّبِيِّينَ مِنْ آدَمَ وَ هَلُمَّ جَرّاً إِلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص قِيلَ لَهُ وَ مَا تِلْكَ السُّنَنُ قَالَ عِلْمُ النَّبِيِّينَ بِأَسْرِهِ وَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص صَيَّرَ ذَلِكَ ك

“They try to absorb the little moisture but ignore the huge river.” Someone asked him, “What is (this) huge river?” The Imams (a.s.)said, “It is the Messenger of Allah (s.a.) and the Knowledge that Allah gave to him. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, combined in Muhammad (s.a.) the Sunnah (traditions) of the all the

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ يُتَوَارَثُ فَلَا يَمُوتُ عَالِمٌ إِلَّا تَرَكَ مَنْ يَعْلَمُ مِثْلَ عِلْمِهِ أَوْ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ.

“Knowledge is inherited. No man of knowledge ever leaves this world without leaving behind one who would have as much knowledge as he had or what Allah wants.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ الَّذِي نَزَلَ مَعَ آدَمَ ع لَمْ يُرْفَعْ وَ مَا مَاتَ عَالِمٌ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ وَرَّثَ عِلْمَهُ إِنَّ الْأَرْضَ لَا تَبْقَى بِغَيْرِ عَالِمٍ.

“The Knowledge that came with Adam was not taken away. No man of knowledge has ever died without his knowledge being inherited. The earth does not remain without a man of knowledge.”

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

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

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

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

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ سُلَيْمَانَ وَرِثَ‌ دَاوُدَ وَ إِنَّ مُحَمَّداً وَرِثَ سُلَيْمَانَ وَ إِنَّا وَرِثْنَا مُحَمَّداً وَ إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا عِلْمَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَ الْإِنْجِيلِ وَ الزَّبُورِ وَ تِبْيَانَ مَا فِي الْأَلْوَاحِ‌[1] قَالَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ هَذَا لَهُوَ الْعِلْمُ قَالَ لَيْسَ هَذَا هُوَ الْعِلْمَ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ الَّذِي يَحْدُثُ يَوْماً بَعْدَ يَوْمٍ وَ سَاعَةً بَعْدَ سَاعَةٍ[2].

“Solomon inherited David. Muhammad (s.a.) inherited Solomon and we inherited Muhammad (s.a.). We have the knowledge of Torah and the Gospel (Injil), the Psalms, (al-Zabur) and the explanation of what the tablets contained.” I (the narrator) said, “This certainly is the knowledge.” The Imams (a.s.) said, “This is not kn

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عِنْدَهُ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ دَاوُدَ وَرِثَ عِلْمَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ إِنَّ سُلَيْمَانَ وَرِثَ دَاوُدَ وَ إِنَّ مُحَمَّداً ص وَرِثَ سُلَيْمَانَ وَ إِنَّا وَرِثْنَا مُحَمَّداً ص وَ إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا صُحُفَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ أَلْوَاحَ مُوسَى فَقَالَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ إِنَّ هَذَا لَهُوَ الْعِلْمُ‌[4] فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ لَيْسَ هَذَا هُوَ الْعِلْمَ إِن

The Imams (a.s.) said, “David inherited the knowledge of the prophets. Solomon inherited David. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) inherited Solomon and we inherited Muhammad (s.a.). With us are the pages of Abraham and the tablets of Moses.” Abu Basir then said, “This is the knowledge.” The Imams (a.s.) said, “O abu Muhammad, th

قَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يُعْطِ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ شَيْئاً إِلَّا وَ قَدْ أَعْطَاهُ مُحَمَّداً ص قَالَ وَ قَدْ أَعْطَى مُحَمَّداً جَمِيعَ مَا أَعْطَى الْأَنْبِيَاءَ وَ عِنْدَنَا الصُّحُفُ الَّتِي قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- صُحُفِ إِبْراهِيمَ وَ مُوسى‌[6] قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هِيَ الْأَلْوَاحُ‌[7] قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said to me, “O abu Muhammad, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has not given anything to the prophets that He has not given to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.). The Imams (a.s.) further said, “Allah gave to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) all that He had given to the prophets. With us is the book about whi

الذِّكْرُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَ الزَّبُورُ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ عَلَى دَاوُدَ وَ كُلُّ كِتَابٍ نَزَلَ فَهُوَ عِنْدَ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ وَ نَحْنُ هُمْ.

the following about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “We have written in the psalms which We had revealed after the Torah. .” (21:105). What is al-Zabur and what is al-Dhikr?” The Imams (a.s.) said, “Al-Dhikr is with Allah and al-Zabur is what He gave to David.” Every book that was revea

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ص وَرِثَ النَّبِيِّينَ كُلَّهُمْ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ مِنْ لَدُنْ آدَمَ حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى نَفْسِهِ قَالَ مَا بَعَثَ اللَّهُ نَبِيّاً إِلَّا وَ مُحَمَّدٌ ص أَعْلَمُ مِنْهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ كَانَ يُحْيِي الْمَوْتَى بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ قَالَ صَدَقْتَ وَ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنَ دَاوُدَ كَانَ يَفْهَمُ مَنْطِقَ الطَّيْرِ وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَ

“I said to abu al-Hassan al-Thani (a.s.), ““May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, “Would you tell me about the Prophet who inherited all the prophets.” The Imams (a.s.) said, “Yes, I may do so. I asked, “Did he inherit from Adam up to his-self?” The Imams (a.s.) said, “Of prophet that Allah sent Prophet Muh

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

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

أَتَيْنَا بَابَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ نَحْنُ نُرِيدُ الْإِذْنَ عَلَيْهِ فَسَمِعْنَاهُ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِكَلَامٍ لَيْسَ بِالْعَرَبِيَّةِ فَتَوَهَّمْنَا أَنَّهُ بِالسُّرْيَانِيَّةِ ثُمَّ بَكَى فَبَكَيْنَا لِبُكَائِهِ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَيْنَا الْغُلَامُ فَأَذِنَ لَنَا فَدَخَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ أَتَيْنَاكَ نُرِيدُ الْإِذْنَ عَلَيْكَ فَسَمِعْنَاكَ تَتَكَلَّمُ بِكَلَامٍ لَيْسَ بِالْعَرَبِيَّةِ فَتَوَهّ

“We went to Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and wanting to seek his permission. We heard him speaking in a language that was not Arabic, we imagined it was Syriac, then he cried and we cried because of his crying. Then the boy (his servant) came out and allowed us to enter. So we entered and I said, “May Allah keep you well, we c

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا ادَّعَى أَحَدٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ أَنَّهُ جَمَعَ الْقُرْآنَ كُلَّهُ كَمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَّا كَذَّابٌ وَ مَا جَمَعَهُ وَ حَفِظَهُ كَمَا نَزَّلَهُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى إِلَّا عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع وَ الْأَئِمَّةُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ ع.

“No one from the people has claimed to have collected the whole of the Quran (in a book form) as it was revealed. If anyone would come up with such a claim, he is liar. No one collected this Book and preserved it as Allah, the Most High revealed it except Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) and the Imams after him.”

مَا يَسْتَطِيعُ أَحَدٌ أَنْ يَدَّعِيَ أَنَّ عِنْدَهُ جَمِيعَ الْقُرْآنِ كُلِّهِ ظَاهِرِهِ وَ بَاطِنِهِ غَيْرُ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ[5].

“No one is able to claim that with him is the whole of the Holy Quran; its apparent and hidden essence, except the executors of the will of the Holy Prophet (s.a.).

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ مِنْ عِلْمِ مَا أُوتِينَا تَفْسِيرَ الْقُرْآنِ وَ أَحْكَامَهُ وَ عِلْمَ تَغْيِيرِ الزَّمَانِ وَ حَدَثَانِهِ إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍ خَيْراً أَسْمَعَهُمْ‌[1] وَ لَوْ أَسْمَعَ مَنْ لَمْ يَسْمَعْ لَوَلَّى مُعْرِضاً كَأَنْ لَمْ يَسْمَعْ ثُمَّ أَمْسَكَ هُنَيْئَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ لَوْ وَجَدْنَا أَوْعِيَةً أَوْ مُسْتَرَاحاً لَقُلْنَا وَ اللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعانُ‌[2].

“Of the knowledge that we have received is the interpretation of the Holy Quran and its laws, the knowledge of the changes of time and the happenings therein. When Allah wants good for a people, He makes them to understand. If He would make to understand one who does not want to understand such a person turns away as i

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأَعْلَمُ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَوَّلِهِ إِلَى آخِرِهِ كَأَنَّهُ فِي كَفِّي‌[3] فِيهِ خَبَرُ السَّمَاءِ وَ خَبَرُ الْأَرْضِ وَ خَبَرُ مَا كَانَ وَ خَبَرُ مَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِيهِ تِبْيَانُ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ[4].

“I swear by Allah that I know the Holy Quran from the beginning to end as if it is in the palm of my hand. In it there is the news of the heavens and the earth, the news of what has been and the new of what will come into being. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “In it there is the explanation of all thing

قالَ الَّذِي عِنْدَهُ عِلْمٌ مِنَ الْكِتابِ‌ أَنَا آتِيكَ‌ بِهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَرْتَدَّ إِلَيْكَ طَرْفُكَ‌[5] قَالَ فَفَرَّجَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بَيْنَ أَصَابِعِهِ فَوَضَعَهَا فِي صَدْرِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ عِنْدَنَا وَ اللَّهِ عِلْمُ الْكِتَابِ كُلُّهُ.

“The one who had knowledge from the Book said, “I can bring it to you before you even blink your eye. . .” (27:40). The narrator said that abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) opened his two fingers and placed them on his chest and then said, “With us, I swear by Allah, is the knowledge of the whole of the Book.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع- قُلْ كَفى‌ بِاللَّهِ شَهِيداً بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَكُمْ‌ وَ مَنْ عِنْدَهُ عِلْمُ الْكِتابِ‌[6] قَالَ إِيَّانَا عَنَى وَ عَلِيٌّ أَوَّلُنَا وَ أَفْضَلُنَا وَ خَيْرُنَا بَعْدَ النَّبِيِّ ع.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is a reference to us. Ali (a.s.) is the first among us and the most virtuous and the best among us after the Prophet (s.a.)”

إِنَّ اسْمَ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمَ عَلَى ثَلَاثَةٍ وَ سَبْعِينَ حَرْفاً- وَ إِنَّمَا كَانَ عِنْدَ آصَفَ مِنْهَا حَرْفٌ وَاحِدٌ فَتَكَلَّمَ بِهِ فَخُسِفَ بِالْأَرْضِ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ سَرِيرِ بِلْقِيسَ حَتَّى تَنَاوَلَ السَّرِيرَ بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ عَادَتِ الْأَرْضُ كَمَا كَانَتْ أَسْرَعَ مِنْ طَرْفَةِ عَيْنٍ وَ نَحْنُ عِنْدَنَا مِنَ الِاسْمِ الْأَعْظَمِ اثْنَانِ وَ سَبْعُونَ حَرْفاً وَ حَرْفٌ وَاحِدٌ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ تَع

“The greatest name of Allah has seventy three letters. There was only of these letters. He spoke that one letter and land between him and throne of the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis) sunk down as such that he could reach her throne with his hand and the land returned to the original state. This happened in a blinking of A num

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ ع أُعْطِيَ حَرْفَيْنِ كَانَ يَعْمَلُ بِهِمَا وَ أُعْطِيَ مُوسَى أَرْبَعَةَ أَحْرُفٍ وَ أُعْطِيَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ثَمَانِيَةَ أَحْرُفٍ وَ أُعْطِيَ نُوحٌ خَمْسَةَ عَشَرَ حَرْفاً وَ أُعْطِيَ آدَمُ خَمْسَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ حَرْفاً وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى جَمَعَ ذَلِكَ كُلَّهُ لِمُحَمَّدٍ ص- وَ إِنَّ اسْمَ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمَ ثَلَاثَةٌ وَ سَبْعُونَ حَرْفاً أُ

“Two letters were given to Jesus son of Mary (a.s.) and he would work with them. Four letters were given to Moses. Eight letters were given to Abraham. Fifteen letters were given to Noah. Twenty five letters were given to Adam. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has combined all of them in Muhammad (sw). The greatest

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ اسْمُ اللَّهِ الْأَعْظَمُ ثَلَاثَةٌ وَ سَبْعُونَ حَرْفاً كَانَ عِنْدَ آصَفَ حَرْفٌ فَتَكَلَّمَ بِهِ فَانْخَرَقَتْ لَهُ الْأَرْضُ فِيمَا بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ سَبَإٍ فَتَنَاوَلَ عَرْشَ بِلْقِيسَ حَتَّى صَيَّرَهُ إِلَى سُلَيْمَانَ ثُمَّ انْبَسَطَتِ الْأَرْضُ فِي أَقَلَّ مِنْ طَرْفَةِ عَيْنٍ وَ عِنْدَنَا مِنْهُ اثْنَانِ وَ سَبْعُونَ حَرْفاً وَ حَرْفٌ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مُسْتَأْثِرٌ بِهِ فِي عِلْمِ الْغَيْبِ

“The greatest name of Allah has seventy three letters. There was only one letter with Asif. He spoke with it and the land between him and the throne of the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis) sunk down as such that he took her throne and placed it before Solomon. The land then came to normal state within less than a blinking of an

كَانَتْ عَصَا مُوسَى لآِدَمَ ع فَصَارَتْ إِلَى شُعَيْبٍ ثُمَّ صَارَتْ إِلَى مُوسَى بْنِ عِمْرَانَ وَ إِنَّهَا لَعِنْدَنَا وَ إِنَّ عَهْدِي بِهَا آنِفاً وَ هِيَ خَضْرَاءُ كَهَيْئَتِهَا حِينَ انْتُزِعَتْ مِنْ شَجَرَتِهَا وَ إِنَّهَا لَتَنْطِقُ إِذَا اسْتُنْطِقَتْ أُعِدَّتْ لِقَائِمِنَا ع يَصْنَعُ بِهَا مَا كَانَ يَصْنَعُ مُوسَى وَ إِنَّهَا لَتَرُوعُ وَ تَلْقَفُ‌ ما يَأْفِكُونَ‌[1]* وَ تَصْنَعُ مَا تُؤْمَرُ بِهِ إِنَّهَ

The staff of Moses belonged to Adam. It was passed to Shu‘ayb then to Moses ibn ‘Imran. Now it is with us. I have just, moments before, seen it. It is green just as being picked from its tree. It speaks if it is induced to do so. It is prepared for the one who will rise to establish the kingdom of Allah on earth. He wi

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ أَلْوَاحُ مُوسَى ع عِنْدَنَا وَ عَصَا مُوسَى عِنْدَنَا وَ نَحْنُ وَرَثَةُ النَّبِيِّينَ.

The Tablets of Moses are with us. The Staff of Moses is with us. We are the heirs of the prophets (a.s.).”