Imamate & Wilayah

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- يَسْئَلُونَكَ عَنِ الرُّوحِ‌ قُلِ الرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّي‌[3] قَالَ خَلْقٌ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ جَبْرَئِيلَ وَ مِيكَائِيلَ كَانَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ هُوَ مَعَ الْأَئِمَّةِ وَ هُوَ مِنَ الْمَلَكُوتِ.

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “They ask you about the Spirit. Say, “The Spirit comes by the command of my Lord. . .” (17:85). The Imam (a.s.) said, “He is a creature greater than Jibril and Mika’il. He was with the Messenger of Allah and he is present with the Ima

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ يَسْئَلُونَكَ عَنِ الرُّوحِ قُلِ الرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّي‌ قَالَ خَلْقٌ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ جَبْرَئِيلَ وَ مِيكَائِيلَ لَمْ يَكُنْ مَعَ أَحَدٍ مِمَّنْ مَضَى غَيْرِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَ هُوَ مَعَ الْأَئِمَّةِ يُسَدِّدُهُمْ وَ لَيْسَ كُلُّ مَا طُلِبَ وُجِدَ.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘“They ask you about the Spirit. Say, “The Spirit comes by the command of my Lord. . .” (17:85). The Imam (a.s.) said, “He is a creature greater than Jibril and Mika’il. He was present with anyone before except Muhammad (s.a.). He is present with the Imams (a.s.). He protects them. It

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْعِلْمِ أَ هُوَ عِلْمٌ يَتَعَلَّمُهُ الْعَالِمُ مِنْ أَفْوَاهِ الرِّجَالِ أَمْ فِي الْكِتَابِ عِنْدَكُمْ تَقْرَءُونَهُ فَتَعْلَمُونَ مِنْهُ قَالَ الْأَمْرُ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ أَوْجَبُ أَ مَا سَمِعْتَ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كَذلِكَ أَوْحَيْنا إِلَيْكَ رُوحاً مِنْ أَمْرِنا ما كُنْتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتابُ وَ لَا الْإِيمانُ‌ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يَقُولُ أَصْحَاب

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the knowledge. Is it a knowledge that the scholar learns from the mouths of the people or it is in the with you from which you read and then learn therefrom.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “The issue is greater and more urgently needed. Have you not heard the words of Allah, the Most Holy, t

أَتَى رَجُلٌ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الرُّوحِ أَ لَيْسَ هُوَ جَبْرَئِيلَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع جَبْرَئِيلُ ع مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ الرُّوحُ غَيْرُ جَبْرَئِيلَ فَكَرَّرَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ فَقَالَ لَهُ لَقَدْ قُلْتَ عَظِيماً مِنَ الْقَوْلِ مَا أَحَدٌ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّ الرُّوحَ غَيْرُ جَبْرَئِيلَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِنَّكَ ضَالٌّ تَرْوِي عَنْ أَهْلِ الضَّلَالِ يَقُو

“Once a man came to Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) asking him about the Spirit. “Is he not Jibril?” Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) then said, “Jibril is of the angels. The Spirit is not Jibril. He repeated it to the man. The man said, “You have said something very much extraordinary. No one other than you thinks that the Spi

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَتَى يَعْرِفُ الْأَخِيرُ مَا عِنْدَ الْأَوَّلِ قَالَ فِي آخِرِ دَقِيقَةٍ تَبْقَى مِنْ رُوحِهِ.

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘When does the succeeding one (Imam) come to know of what the one preceding him knew?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “At the last minute of the life of the Imam before him.”

يَعْرِفُ الَّذِي بَعْدَ الْإِمَامِ عِلْمَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَهُ فِي آخِرِ دَقِيقَةٍ تَبْقَى مِنْ رُوحِهِ.

‘The succeeding Imam comes to know of the knowledge of the preceding Imam in the last minute of the time left from his life.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ الْإِمَامُ مَتَى يَعْرِفُ إِمَامَتَهُ وَ يَنْتَهِي الْأَمْرُ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ فِي آخِرِ دَقِيقَةٍ مِنْ حَيَاةِ الْأَوَّلِ.

“When does the Imam come to know that he has become the Imam and position is transferred to him?” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “At the last minute of the life of the preceding Imam (a.s.).”

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى‌ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَ اتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّيَّتُهُمْ بِإِيمانٍ‌ أَلْحَقْنا بِهِمْ‌ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ‌ وَ ما أَلَتْناهُمْ‌ مِنْ عَمَلِهِمْ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ[1] قَالَ‌ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا النَّبِيُّ ص وَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ ذُرِّيَّتُهُ الْأَئِمَّةُ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءُ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمْ أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ وَ لَمْ نَنْقُصْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمُ الْحُجَّةَ- الَّتِي جَاءَ بِهَا مُحَمَّدٌ ص فِي عَلِيّ

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn abu Zahir from al-Khashshab from Ali ibn Hass’an from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Kathir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “The offspring of the believers will also follow them to Paradise. So shall We join their offspring to them because of their faith. We s

قَالَ لِي‌ نَحْنُ فِي الْعِلْمِ وَ الشَّجَاعَةِ سَوَاءٌ وَ فِي الْعَطَايَا[2] عَلَى قَدْرِ مَا نُؤْمَرُ.

“In knowledge and courage we all are equal. In benefaction and grants we do to the degree we are commanded.”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ نَحْنُ فِي الْأَمْرِ وَ الْفَهْمِ وَ الْحَلَالِ وَ الْحَرَامِ نَجْرِي مَجْرًى وَاحِداً فَأَمَّا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ عَلِيٌّ ع فَلَهُمَا فَضْلُهُمَا.

that he heard Abu 'Abdillah (al-Sadiq) (as) say that Rasulullah (sw) said: "We in the matters of commands, understanding, lawful and unlawfulness are all alike and the same. However, the Rasulullah (sw) and Ali (as) have their own [unique] virtue.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ‌ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَماناتِ إِلى‌ أَهْلِها وَ إِذا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ‌[1] قَالَ إِيَّانَا عَنَى أَنْ يُؤَدِّيَ الْأَوَّلُ إِلَى الْإِمَامِ الَّذِي بَعْدَهُ الْكُتُبَ وَ الْعِلْمَ وَ السِّلَاحَ‌ وَ إِذا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ‌ الَّذِي فِي أَيْدِيكُمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ ل

who has said that I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the following verse of the Holy Quran. “Allah (God) commands you to return that which had been entrusted to you to the rightful owners. Be just when passing judgment among people. . .” (4:58) The Imam (a.s.) said, “ We are intended thereby. The preceding Imam must trans

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَماناتِ إِلى‌ أَهْلِها قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص أَنْ يُؤَدِّيَ الْإِمَامُ الْأَمَانَةَ[4] إِلَى مَنْ بَعْدَهُ وَ لَا يَخُصَّ بِهَا غَيْرَهُ وَ لَا يَزْوِيَهَا عَنْهُ‌[5].

about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “Allah (God) commands you to return that which had been entrusted to you to the rightful owners. Be just when passing judgment among people. . .” (4:58) The Imam (a.s.) said, “They are the Imams (a.s.) from the family of Muhammad (s.a.) who are commanded to delive

هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ يُؤَدِّي الْإِمَامُ إِلَى الْإِمَامِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ وَ لَا يَخُصُّ بِهَا غَيْرَهُ وَ لَا يَزْوِيهَا عَنْهُ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “They are the Imams (a.s.). The Imam (a.s.) must deliver the trust to the succeeding Imam (a.s.) exclusively and to no one else and that the succeeding Imams must not be deprived of this trust.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَماناتِ إِلى‌ أَهْلِها قَالَ أَمَرَ اللَّهُ الْإِمَامَ الْأَوَّلَ أَنْ يَدْفَعَ إِلَى الْإِمَامِ الَّذِي بَعْدَهُ كُلَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ عِنْدَهُ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “it is the command of Allah that the preceding Imam (a.s.) transfer to the succeeding Imam (a.s.) every thing that is with him.”

لَا يَمُوتُ الْإِمَامُ حَتَّى يَعْلَمَ مَنْ يَكُونُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَيُوصِيَ إِلَيْهِ.

“The Imam does not die until he learns who the succeeding Imam is so he would deliver his will to him.”

إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ يَعْرِفُ الْإِمَامَ الَّذِي مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَيُوصِي إِلَيْهِ.

“The Imam (a.s.) knows the succeeding Imam and delivers his will to him.”

مَا مَاتَ عَالِمٌ حَتَّى يُعْلِمَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى مَنْ يُوصِي.

“No scholar (Imam) has ever died before Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, would grant him the knowledge of to who must he deliver his will.”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَذَكَرُوا الْأَوْصِيَاءَ وَ ذَكَرْتُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ‌[1] فَقَالَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ مَا ذَاكَ إِلَيْنَا وَ مَا هُوَ إِلَّا إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُنْزِلُ وَاحِداً بَعْدَ وَاحِدٍ.

“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). People mentioned the executors of the will and I mentioned Isma‘il. The Imam (a.s.) said, “No, I swear by Allah. O abu Muhammad, it is not up to us. It is up to no one except Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. He makes them descend one after the other.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أَ تَرَوْنَ الْمُوصِيَ مِنَّا يُوصِي إِلَى مَنْ يُرِيدُ لَا وَ اللَّهِ وَ لَكِنْ عَهْدٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ ص لِرَجُلٍ فَرَجُلٍ حَتَّى يَنْتَهِيَ الْأَمْرُ إِلَى صَاحِبِهِ‌[1]. - الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ جُمْهُورٍ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مِنْهَالٍ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْأَشْعَثِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ

“Do you think that a testator of us chooses whoever he wants as the executor of his will? No, I swear by Allah, it is not so. It is a covenant from Allah and His Messenger to a man and then to the next man until the matter is delivered to its rightful owner.” Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhamma

إِنَّ الْإِمَامَةَ عَهْدٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَعْهُودٌ لِرِجَالٍ مُسَمَّيْنَ لَيْسَ لِلْإِمَامِ أَنْ يَزْوِيَهَا عَنِ الَّذِي يَكُونُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَوْحَى إِلَى دَاوُدَ ع أَنِ اتَّخِذْ وَصِيّاً مِنْ أَهْلِكَ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ سَبَقَ فِي عِلْمِي أَنْ لَا أَبْعَثَ نَبِيّاً إِلَّا وَ لَهُ وَصِيٌّ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ وَ كَانَ لِدَاوُدَ ع أَوْلَادٌ عِدَّةٌ وَ فِيهِمْ غُلَامٌ كَانَتْ أُ

“Imamat (leadership with Divine authority) is a covenant from Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, pledged to particularly known man. The Imam does not have the right to divert it from the succeeding Imam. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, sent inspiration to David to appoint the executor of his will from among your

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أَ تَرَوْنَ أَنَّ الْمُوصِيَ مِنَّا يُوصِي إِلَى مَنْ يُرِيدُ لَا وَ اللَّهِ وَ لَكِنَّهُ عَهْدٌ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِلَى رَجُلٍ فَرَجُلٍ حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى نَفْسِهِ‌[1].

“Do you think that a testator of us chooses whoever he wants as the executor of his will? No, I swear by Allah, it is not so. It is a covenant from the Messenger of Allah to a man and then to next man. Until the Imam (abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) ended up to his self.” The Imam (a.s.) six times said, “To the next man.” 1. The

إِنَّ الْوَصِيَّةَ نَزَلَتْ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ كِتَاباً[2] لَمْ يُنْزَلْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص كِتَابٌ مَخْتُومٌ إِلَّا الْوَصِيَّةُ فَقَالَ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع يَا مُحَمَّدُ هَذِهِ وَصِيَّتُكَ فِي أُمَّتِكَ عِنْدَ أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَيُّ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ قَالَ نَجِيبُ اللَّهِ‌[3] مِنْهُمْ وَ ذُرِّيَّتُهُ لِيَرِثَكَ عِلْمَ النُّبُوَّةِ كَمَا وَرَّثَهُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع وَ مِيرَاث

“The will came from the heavens to Muhammad (sw) in a book (written). Nothing came to Muhammad (sw) from heavens in a written sealed document form except the will. Jibril (a.s.) said, “O Muhammad, this is your will about your followers with your family. The Messenger of Allah (sw) asked, “Which family of mine, O Jibril

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْزَلَ عَلَى نَبِيِّهِ ص كِتَاباً قَبْلَ وَفَاتِهِ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ هَذِهِ وَصِيَّتُكَ إِلَى النُّجَبَةِ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ قَالَ وَ مَا النُّجَبَةُ يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ فَقَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ وُلْدُهُ ع وَ كَانَ عَلَى الْكِتَابِ خَوَاتِيمُ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ فَدَفَعَهُ النَّبِيُّ ص إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ أَمَرَهُ أَنْ يَفُكَّ خَاتَماً مِنْهُ وَ يَعْمَلَ بِمَا فِيهِ فَفَكّ

2. Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn Yahya have narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from abu al-Hassan al-Kinani from Ja‘far ibn Najih al-Kindi from Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn ‘Ubaydallah al-‘Umari from his father from his grandfather from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah,

قَالَ لَهُ حُمْرَانُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَ رَأَيْتَ مَا كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِ عَلِيٍّ وَ الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع وَ خُرُوجِهِمْ وَ قِيَامِهِمْ بِدِينِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ مَا أُصِيبُوا مِنْ قَتْلِ الطَّوَاغِيتِ إِيَّاهُمْ وَ الظَّفَرِ بِهِمْ حَتَّى قُتِلُوا وَ غُلِبُوا فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا حُمْرَانُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى قَدْ كَانَ قَدَّرَ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ قَضَاهُ وَ أَمْضَاهُ وَ حَتَمَهُ

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from ibn Ri’ab from Durays al-Kunasi from Humran who has said that once Humran asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) the following. “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, ‘Why the cases of Ali al-Hassan and al-Husayn (a.s.) come about the way they

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَ لَيْسَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَاتِبَ الْوَصِيَّةِ وَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمُمْلِي عَلَيْهِ وَ جَبْرَئِيلُ وَ الْمَلَائِكَةُ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ ع شُهُودٌ قَالَ فَأَطْرَقَ طَوِيلًا[2] ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ قَدْ كَانَ مَا قُلْتَ‌[3] وَ لَكِنْ حِينَ نَزَلَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص الْأَمْرُ نَزَلَتِ الْوَصِيَّةُ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ كِتَاباً مُسَجَّلًا نَزَلَ بِهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ مَ

4. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Harith ibn Ja’far from Ali ibn Isma‘il ibn Yaqtin from ‘Isa ibn al-Mustafad, abu Musa al-Darir who has said that Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.) narrated to me the following. “I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Was Amir al-

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع إِذَا مَاتَ الْإِمَامُ بِمَ يُعْرَفُ الَّذِي بَعْدَهُ فَقَالَ لِلْإِمَامِ عَلَامَاتٌ مِنْهَا أَنْ يَكُونَ أَكْبَرَ وُلْدِ أَبِيهِ‌[2] وَ يَكُونَ فِيهِ الْفَضْلُ وَ الْوَصِيَّةُ وَ يَقْدَمَ الرَّكْبُ فَيَقُولَ إِلَى مَنْ أَوْصَى فُلَانٌ فَيُقَالَ إِلَى فُلَانٍ وَ السِّلَاحُ فِينَا بِمَنْزِلَةِ التَّابُوتِ فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ تَكُونُ الْإِمَامَةُ مَعَ السِّلَاحِ حَيْثُمَا كَانَ.

“When the Imam dies through what means one would know the succeeding Imam (a.s.)?” He said, “For the Imam there are certain signs. Of such sign one is that he must be the eldest son of his father. The will and excellence must be found in him and when people come to ask who is appointed the executor of the will in answe

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْمُتَوَثِّبُ عَلَى هَذَا الْأَمْرِ الْمُدَّعِي لَهُ مَا الْحُجَّةُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ يُسْأَلُ عَنِ الْحَلَالِ وَ الْحَرَامِ‌[4] قَالَ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنَ الْحُجَّةِ لَمْ تَجْتَمِعْ فِي أَحَدٍ إِلَّا كَانَ صَاحِبَ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ أَنْ يَكُونَ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِمَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَهُ وَ يَكُونَ عِنْدَهُ السِّلَاحُ وَ يَكُونَ صَاحِبَ الْوَصِيَّةِ الظَّاهِرَةِ الَّتِ

“In the case of those who rush to hold control of this matter (leadership) and who claim to be for it, how would one verify their possessing Divine authority?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “They are asked about the rules of lawful and unlawful matters.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) then turned to me and said, “T

قِيلَ لَهُ بِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يُعْرَفُ الْإِمَامُ قَالَ بِالْوَصِيَّةِ الظَّاهِرَةِ وَ بِالْفَضْلِ إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ أَحَدٌ أَنْ يَطْعُنَ عَلَيْهِ فِي فَمٍ وَ لَا بَطْنٍ وَ لَا فَرْجٍ فَيُقَالَ كَذَّابٌ وَ يَأْكُلُ أَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ وَ مَا أَشْبَهَ هَذَا.

“He is recognized through a publicly established will, through excellence in perfection. In the case of Imam no one must be able to raise objections in matters words, of his consumption and sexual matters so that people would say, “He is a liar, usurping other’s properties and such similar things.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع مَا عَلَامَةُ الْإِمَامِ‌[1] الَّذِي بَعْدَ الْإِمَامِ فَقَالَ طَهَارَةُ الْوِلَادَةِ وَ حُسْنُ الْمَنْشَإِ وَ لَا يَلْهُو وَ لَا يَلْعَبُ.

“What is the sign of being A number of our people has narrated from Imam after the preceding Imam (a.s.)?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “ Being of pure birth, good up bringing and that he would not trifle or engage in amusement.”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الدَّلَالَةِ عَلَى صَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ فَقَالَ الدَّلَالَةُ عَلَيْهِ الْكِبَرُ وَ الْفَضْلُ وَ الْوَصِيَّةُ إِذَا قَدِمَ الرَّكْبُ الْمَدِينَةَ فَقَالُوا إِلَى مَنْ أَوْصَى فُلَانٌ قِيلَ إِلَى فُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانٍ وَ دُورُوا مَعَ السِّلَاحِ حَيْثُمَا دَارَ فَأَمَّا الْمَسَائِلُ فَلَيْسَ فِيهَا حُجَّةٌ.

"I asked him about the evidence for the one in charge of this matter. He said, 'The evidence for him is his seniority, virtue, and the bequest when the caravan arrives in the city. They say, 'To whom did so-and-so bequeath?' It is said, 'To so-and-so, son of so-and-so,' and they revolve with the weapons wherever they r

إِنَّ الْأَمْرَ[2] فِي الْكَبِيرِ مَا لَمْ تَكُنْ فِيهِ عَاهَةٌ.

“The leadership is with being the elder as long as he is free of defects.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ بِمَ يُعْرَفُ الْإِمَامُ قَالَ فَقَالَ بِخِصَالٍ أَمَّا أَوَّلُهَا فَإِنَّهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ قَدْ تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ أَبِيهِ فِيهِ بِإِشَارَةٍ إِلَيْهِ‌[3] لِتَكُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ حُجَّةً وَ يُسْأَلُ فَيُجِيبُ وَ إِنْ سُكِتَ عَنْهُ ابْتَدَأَ وَ يُخْبِرُ بِمَا فِي غَدٍ وَ يُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ بِكُلِّ لِسَانٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ أُعْطِيكَ عَلَامَةً قَبْلَ أَنْ تَقُومَ فَلَمْ

“May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what is the proof to know the Imam (a.s.) ?” He said, “Through several qualities. The first thing is that his father must have said to this effect about him so that it could be considered a proof up on him. And that when asked he would answer and if one remain silent h

لَا تَعُودُ الْإِمَامَةُ فِي أَخَوَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ أَبَداً إِنَّمَا جَرَتْ مِنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ كَمَا قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ أُولُوا الْأَرْحامِ‌ بَعْضُهُمْ‌ أَوْلى‌ بِبَعْضٍ فِي كِتابِ اللَّهِ‌[1] فَلَا تَكُونُ بَعْدَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع إِلَّا فِي الْأَعْقَابِ وَ أَعْقَابِ الْأَعْقَابِ.

“Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority) will never go to two brothers after al-Hassan and al-Husayn (a.s.). It has continued from Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) as Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has said, “The relatives are closer to each other, according to the Book of God, . .” (33:6) After Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (

أَنَّهُ سَمِعَهُ يَقُولُ‌ أَبَى اللَّهُ أَنْ يَجْعَلَهَا لِأَخَوَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع.

“ Allah has disdained to place Imamat in two brothers after al-Hassan and al-Husayn (a.s.).”

لَا فَقُلْتُ فَفِي أَخٍ قَالَ لَا قُلْتُ فَفِي مَنْ قَالَ فِي وَلَدِي وَ هُوَ يَوْمَئِذٍ لَا وَلَدَ لَهُ.

“Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) was once asked, “Can Imamat continue in uncles?” He replied, “No, it can not happen.” The narrator has said that he asked the Imams (a.s.), “Can it continue in a brother?” He replied, “No, it can not happen.” I then asked, “With who then it can continues?” He replied, “It will continue wit

لَا تَجْتَمِعُ الْإِمَامَةُ فِي أَخَوَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ إِنَّمَا هِيَ فِي الْأَعْقَابِ وَ أَعْقَابِ الْأَعْقَابِ.

“Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority) does not take place in two brothers after al-Hassan and al-Husayn (a.s.). It only continues in the descendents of the Imam (a.s.) generation after the generation.”

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنْ كَانَ كَوْنٌ وَ لَا أَرَانِي اللَّهُ فَبِمَنْ أَئْتَمُّ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَى ابْنِهِ مُوسَى قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ حَدَثَ بِمُوسَى حَدَثٌ فَبِمَنْ أَئْتَمُّ قَالَ بِوَلَدِهِ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ حَدَثَ بِوَلَدِهِ حَدَثٌ وَ تَرَكَ أَخاً كَبِيراً وَ ابْناً صَغِيراً فَبِمَنْ أَئْتَمُّ قَالَ بِوَلَدِهِ ثُمَّ وَاحِداً فَوَاحِداً-. - وَ فِي نُسْخَةِ الصَّفْوَانِيِ‌ ثُمَّ هَكَذَا أَبَداً.

“Would there happen what is to happen, may Allah would not show me such a day (death of the Imam (a.s.) who then must I follow as my Imam?” The Imam (a.s.) pointed to his son Musa (a.s.). The narrator has said that he asked the Imams (a.s.), “ What if something will happen to Musa (a.s.) who then must I follow?” The Im

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ‌[2] فَقَالَ نَزَلَتْ فِي عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ يَقُولُونَ فَمَا لَهُ لَمْ يُسَمِّ عَلِيّاً وَ أَهْلَ بَيْتِهِ ع فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ فَقَالَ قُولُوا لَهُمْ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص نَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ

“I asked Abā ʿAbdillāh (AS) about the words of God, the Mighty and Majestic: "Obey God and obey the Messenger and those of authority from yourselves." (4:59). So he [al-Ṣādiq] said, “It was sent down regarding ʿAlī b. Abī Ṭālib, al-Ḥasan, and al-Ḥusayn, upon them be peace.” So I [Abī Baṣīr] said to him [al-Ṣādiq]

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- النَّبِيُّ أَوْلى‌ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ أَزْواجُهُ أُمَّهاتُهُمْ وَ أُولُوا الْأَرْحامِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلى‌ بِبَعْضٍ فِي كِتابِ اللَّهِ‌ فِيمَنْ نَزَلَتْ فَقَالَ نَزَلَتْ فِي الْإِمْرَةِ إِنَّ هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ جَرَتْ فِي وُلْدِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَنَحْنُ أَوْلَى بِالْأَمْرِ وَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَ الْأَنْصَارِ قُلْتُ

About who this verse has come? He then said, “It came about the governance (Leadership with Divine Authority). This verse continued to apply to the lineage of al-Husayn (a.s.) after him. We, thus, are of a priority to governance (Leadership with Divine Authority) and to the Messenger of Allah than the believers of immi

إِنَّمَا يَعْنِي أَوْلَى بِكُمْ أَيْ أَحَقُّ بِكُمْ وَ بِأُمُورِكُمْ وَ أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَ أَمْوَالِكُمُ‌ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يَعْنِي عَلِيّاً وَ أَوْلَادَهُ الْأَئِمَّةَ ع إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ثُمَّ وَصَفَهُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقَالَ‌ الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَ يُؤْتُونَ الزَّكاةَ وَ هُمْ‌ راكِعُونَ‌ وَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي صَلَاةِ الظُّهْرِ وَ قَدْ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَ

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Muhammad al-Hashimi from his father from Ahmad ibn ‘Isa from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). The Imam (a.s.) has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “Only God, His Messenger, and the

أَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ رَسُولَهُ بِوَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍّ وَ أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ- إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَ يُؤْتُونَ الزَّكاةَ وَ فَرَضَ وَلَايَةَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ فَلَمْ يَدْرُوا مَا هِيَ فَأَمَرَ اللَّهُ مُحَمَّداً ص أَنْ يُفَسِّرَ لَهُمُ الْوَلَايَةَ كَمَا فَسَّرَ لَهُمُ الصَّلَاةَ وَ الزَّكَاةَ وَ الصَّوْمَ وَ الْحَجَّ فَلَمَّا أَتَاهُ ذَلِكَ

Allah to Whom belong Might and Majesty revealed to him: O Messenger, deliver that which has been sent down to thee from thy Lord; for if thou cost not, thou wig not have delivered His Message. Allah will protect thee from men (al-Maidah, 5:67). He complied with the command of Allah, may remembrance of Him be exalted, a

كُنْتُ عِنْدَهُ جَالِساً فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ حَدِّثْنِي عَنْ وَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍّ أَ مِنَ اللَّهِ أَوْ مِنْ رَسُولِهِ فَغَضِبَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَيْحَكَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَخْوَفَ لِلَّهِ مِنْ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا لَمْ يَأْمُرْهُ بِهِ اللَّهُ بَلِ افْتَرَضَهُ كَمَا افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ الصَّلَاةَ وَ الزَّكَاةَ وَ الصَّوْمَ وَ الْحَجَّ.

“Once I was with Abu Ja’far (a.s.) at a session, when a man asked him, ’Please speak to me about the wilaya (divine authority) of Ali (a.s), whether it is from Allah or from His Messenger?’ The Imam who seemed angry said: ’Fie upon you! The Messenger of Allah (s.w) was more fearing of Allah than that he should say what

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ خَمْساً أَخَذُوا أَرْبَعاً وَ تَرَكُوا وَاحِداً قُلْتُ أَ تُسَمِّيهِنَّ لِي جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ الصَّلَاةُ وَ كَانَ النَّاسُ لَا يَدْرُونَ كَيْفَ يُصَلُّونَ فَنَزَلَ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَخْبِرْهُمْ بِمَوَاقِيتِ صَلَاتِهِمْ ثُمَّ نَزَلَتِ الزَّكَاةُ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَخْبِرْهُمْ مِنْ زَكَاتِهِمْ مَا أَخْبَرْتَه

“I heard Abu Ja’far (a.s.) say: Allah, to Whom belongs Might and Majesty, made five things incumbent on (his) servants: they accepted four and rejected one.’ I asked: ’May I be made your ransom, name them for me?’ He said: ’Prayer; but the people did not understand how to pray, then Jibril (a.s.) came down and said: “O

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ رَجُلًا مِنَ الْمُخْتَارِيَّةِ لَقِيَنِي فَزَعَمَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ الْحَنَفِيَّةِ إِمَامٌ فَغَضِبَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ فَلَا قُلْتَ‌ لَهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا دَرَيْتُ مَا أَقُولُ قَالَ أَ فَلَا قُلْتَ لَهُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أَوْصَى إِلَى عَلِيٍّ وَ الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ فَلَمَّا مَضَى عَلِيٌّ ع أَوْصَى إِلَى الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ وَ لَوْ ذَهَبَ ي

"A man from the Mukhtariyyah met me and claimed that Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah is an Imam." Abu Ja'far (as) became angry and said: "Did you not tell him...? I said: 'No, by Allah, I did not know what to say.' He said: 'Did you not tell him that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) entrusted Ali, a

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ وَلَايَةُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع وَ كَانَ مِنْ قَوْلِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص سَلِّمُوا عَلَى عَلِيٍّ بِإِمْرَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَكَانَ مِمَّا أَكَّدَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ يَا زَيْدُ قَوْلُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لَهُمَا قُومَا فَسَلِّمَا عَلَيْهِ بِإِمْرَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَقَالا أَ مِنَ اللَّهِ أَوْ مِنْ رَسُولِهِ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ- فَقَالَ لَهُمَا رَسُولُ اللَّه

“When Wilaya (Divine Authority over the people) of 'Ali ibn Abu Talib has descended and it was in the words of the Messenger of Allah they all greeted and congratulated Ali (a.s.) as the commander of the believers. Of the matters that Allah had stressed up on the two of them on that day, O Zayd was what came through th

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا أَنْ قَضَى مُحَمَّدٌ نُبُوَّتَهُ وَ اسْتَكْمَلَ أَيَّامَهُ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ تَعَالَى إِلَيْهِ أَنْ يَا مُحَمَّدُ قَدْ قَضَيْتَ نُبُوَّتَكَ وَ اسْتَكْمَلْتَ أَيَّامَكَ فَاجْعَلِ الْعِلْمَ الَّذِي عِنْدَكَ وَ الْإِيْمَانَ وَ الِاسْمَ الْأَكْبَرَ وَ مِيرَاثَ الْعِلْمِ وَ آثَارَ عِلْمِ النُّبُوَّةِ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ عِنْدَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَإِنِّي لَنْ أَقْطَعَ الْعِلْمَ وَ الْإِيمَ

“When Muhammad (s.a.) completed his task of prophet-hood and the duration of his life was about to end Allah, the Most High sent him wahy information through the angels. It said, “O Muhammad, your task of prophet-hood has come to an end and the duration of your life is about to reach a close. Therefore, you must place

أَوْصَى مُوسَى ع إِلَى يُوشَعَ بْنِ نُونٍ وَ أَوْصَى يُوشَعُ بْنُ نُونٍ إِلَى وَلَدِ هَارُونَ وَ لَمْ يُوصِ إِلَى وَلَدِهِ وَ لَا إِلَى وَلَدِ مُوسَى إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى لَهُ الْخِيَرَةُ يَخْتَارُ مَنْ يَشَاءُ مِمَّنْ يَشَاءُ وَ بَشَّرَ مُوسَى وَ يُوشَعُ بِالْمَسِيحِ ع فَلَمَّا أَنْ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْمَسِيحَ ع قَالَ الْمَسِيحُ لَهُمْ إِنَّهُ سَوْفَ يَأْتِي مِنْ بَعْدِي نَبِيٌّ اسْمُهُ أَحْمَدُ مِنْ

“Moses prepared his will and be given to Yusha‘ ibn Nun. Yusha‘ ibn Nun made his will to be given to the sons of Harun. He did not made a will to be given to his own sons nor to be given to the sons of Moses. To Allah, the Most High belong all the good choice. He chooses whoever He wants from whomever He wants. He gave

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي مَرَضِهِ الَّذِي تُوُفِّيَ فِيهِ ادْعُوا لِي خَلِيلِي- فَأَرْسَلَتَا إِلَى أَبَوَيْهِمَا فَلَمَّا نَظَرَ إِلَيْهِمَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَعْرَضَ عَنْهُمَا ثُمَّ قَالَ ادْعُوا لِي خَلِيلِي فَأُرْسِلَ إِلَى عَلِيٍّ فَلَمَّا نَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ أَكَبَّ عَلَيْهِ يُحَدِّثُهُ فَلَمَّا خَرَجَ لَقِيَاهُ فَقَالا لَهُ مَا حَدَّثَكَ خَلِيلُكَ فَقَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَلْفَ بَابٍ يَفْتَحُ كُلُّ بَابٍ أَلْفَ بَا

“the Messenger of Allah during the illness from which died said, ‘Call my beloved one to come to me.” We sent to call the fathers of the two of them (‘A’isha and hafsa’s fathers). When the Messenger of Allah looked at them he turned away from them. He them said again, “Call my beloved one to come to me.” Ali was then c

عَلَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَلِيّاً ص أَلْفَ حَرْفٍ كُلُّ حَرْفٍ يَفْتَحُ أَلْفَ حَرْفٍ.

“the Messenger of Allah made Ali (a.s.) learn a thousand letters of which each one opens a thousand letters.”

كَانَ فِي ذُؤَابَةِ سَيْفِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص صَحِيفَةٌ صَغِيرَةٌ فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ كَانَ فِي تِلْكَ الصَّحِيفَةِ قَالَ هِيَ الْأَحْرُفُ الَّتِي يَفْتَحُ كُلُّ حَرْفٍ أَلْفَ حَرْفٍ قَالَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَمَا خَرَجَ مِنْهَا حَرْفَانِ حَتَّى السَّاعَةِ.

“In the hilt of the sword of the the Messenger of Allah there was a small booklet.” The narrator has said that then he asked the Imam (a.s.), “What did that booklet contain?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It contained the few letters of which each letter opened a thousand letters. Abu Basir has said that abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.)