Imamate & Wilayah

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ عِنْدَهُ ابْنُهُ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ لِي يَا زِيَادُ هَذَا ابْنِي فُلَانٌ كِتَابُهُ كِتَابِي وَ كَلَامُهُ كَلَامِي وَ رَسُولُهُ رَسُولِي وَ مَا قَالَ فَالْقَوْلُ قَوْلُهُ.

6. Ahmad ibn Mihran has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from Ziyad ibn Marwan al-Qandi, from the Waqifa sect who has said the following. “Once I went to see abu Ibrahim at that time his son abu al-Hassan al-Rida was with him. The Imam (a.s.) said to me, “O Ziyad, this is my son so and so. His writing is my writing, his

بَعَثَ إِلَيْنَا أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع فَجَمَعَنَا ثُمَّ قَالَ لَنَا أَ تَدْرُونَ لِمَ دَعَوْتُكُمْ فَقُلْنَا لَا فَقَالَ اشْهَدُوا أَنَّ ابْنِي هَذَا وَصِيِّي وَ الْقَيِّمُ بِأَمْرِي وَ خَلِيفَتِي مِنْ بَعْدِي مَنْ كَانَ لَهُ عِنْدِي دَيْنٌ فَلْيَأْخُذْهُ مِنِ ابْنِي هَذَا وَ مَنْ كَانَتْ لَهُ عِنْدِي عِدَةٌ فَلْيُنْجِزْهَا مِنْهُ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ بُدٌّ مِنْ لِقَائِي فَلَا يَلْقَنِي إِلَّا بِكِتَابِهِ.

“Abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) once called all of us to see him. We all gathered and then he said to us, “Do you know why have I called you?” We said, “We do not know.” He then said, “Bear testimony that this my son is the executor of my will, the director of my affairs and the succeeding Imam (a.s.). Whoever has a loan du

خَرَجَتْ إِلَيْنَا أَلْوَاحٌ مِنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع وَ هُوَ فِي‌ الْحَبْسِ عَهْدِي إِلَى أَكْبَرِ وُلْدِي أَنْ يَفْعَلَ كَذَا وَ أَنْ يَفْعَلَ كَذَا وَ فُلَانٌ لَا تُنِلْهُ شَيْئاً حَتَّى أَلْقَاكَ أَوْ يَقْضِيَ اللَّهُ عَلَيَّ الْمَوْتَ.

“My instructions and directives to my eldest son to do so and so. As far so and so is concerned, do not give him anything until I will meet you or Allah will decree otherwise.”

خَرَجَ إِلَيْنَا مِنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع بِالْبَصْرَةِ أَلْوَاحٌ مَكْتُوبٌ فِيهَا بِالْعَرْضِ عَهْدِي إِلَى أَكْبَرِ وُلْدِي يُعْطَى فُلَانٌ كَذَا وَ فُلَانٌ كَذَا وَ فُلَانٌ كَذَا وَ فُلَانٌ لَا يُعْطَى حَتَّى أَجِي‌ءَ أَوْ يَقْضِيَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيَّ الْمَوْتَ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ ما يَشاءُ.

“In Basra (wherein the Imam (a.s.) was imprisoned) certain tablets came out to us from abu al-Hassan (a.s.) on which, it was written horizontally, ‘My instructions and directives to the my eldest son (Ali ibn Musa al-Rida (a.s.) who should give such and such to so and so. As far so and so is concerned do not give him a

كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ مِنَ الْحَبْسِ أَنَّ فُلَاناً ابْنِي سَيِّدُ وُلْدِي وَ قَدْ نَحَلْتُهُ كُنْيَتِي.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) wrote to me from prison that so and so my son is the master and guardian of my children and I have gifted my own (Kunya, Arabic) surname.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ يَحْدُثَ حَدَثٌ وَ لَا أَلْقَاكَ فَأَخْبِرْنِي مَنِ الْإِمَامُ بَعْدَكَ فَقَالَ ابْنِي فُلَانٌ يَعْنِي أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع.

“My son, so and so, meaning thereby abu al-Hassan (a.s.).”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ أَبَاكَ ع مَنِ الَّذِي يَكُونُ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ فَأَخْبَرَنِي أَنَّكَ أَنْتَ هُوَ فَلَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ذَهَبَ النَّاسُ يَمِيناً وَ شِمَالًا وَ قُلْتُ فِيكَ أَنَا وَ أَصْحَابِي فَأَخْبِرْنِي مَنِ الَّذِي يَكُونُ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ مِنْ وُلْدِكَ فَقَالَ ابْنِي فُلَانٌ.

12. Ahmad ibn Mihran has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from Sa‘id ibn abu al-Jahm from al-Nasr ibn Qabus who has said the following. “I said to abu Ibrahim (a.s.), ‘I asked your father, “Who will be (the Imam) after you? He informed me that you will be (the Imam after him). When abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) left this world pe

جِئْتُ إِلَى أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع بِمَالٍ فَأَخَذَ بَعْضَهُ وَ تَرَكَ بَعْضَهُ فَقُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ لِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ تَرَكْتَهُ عِنْدِي قَالَ إِنَّ صَاحِبَ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ يَطْلُبُهُ مِنْكَ فَلَمَّا جَاءَنَا نَعْيُهُ بَعَثَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع ابْنُهُ فَسَأَلَنِي ذَلِكَ الْمَالَ فَدَفَعْتُهُ إِلَيْهِ.

“Once I went to deliver some property to abu Ibrahim (a.s.). He accepted some of it and left the others. I asked him, “May Allah keep you well, why have you left it with me?” He said, “The in charge of this task (Leadership with Divine Authority) will demand it from you.” When we heard the news of his (abu Ibrahim’s) d

أَبُو الْحَكَمِ وَ أَخْبَرَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عُمَارَةَ الْجَرْمِيُّ عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ سَلِيطٍ قَالَ: لَقِيتُ أَبَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ نَحْنُ نُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فِي بَعْضِ الطَّرِيقِ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَلْ تُثْبِتُ هَذَا الْمَوْضِعَ الَّذِي نَحْنُ فِيهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَهَلْ تُثْبِتُهُ أَنْتَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ إِنِّي أَنَا وَ أَبِي لَقِينَاكَ هَاهُنَا وَ أَنْتَ مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ مَع

“The the Imam (a.s.) said, “O Yazid, when ever you will pass through this place and meet and you will soon meet himgive him the glad news of the birth of trust worthy son to him, a protected and holy one. He will inform you of your meeting with me. You then inform him that the girl from whom this boy will be born is a

لَمَّا أَوْصَى أَبُو إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع أَشْهَدَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْجَعْفَرِيَّ وَ إِسْحَاقَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْجَعْفَرِيَّ وَ إِسْحَاقَ بْنَ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ جَعْفَرَ بْنَ صَالِحٍ وَ مُعَاوِيَةَ الْجَعْفَرِيَّ وَ يَحْيَى بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ زَيْدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ وَ سَعْدَ بْنَ عِمْرَانَ الْأَنْصَارِيَّ وَ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ الْحَارِثِ الْأَنْصَارِيَّ وَ يَزِيدَ بْنَ سَلِيطٍ الْأَنْصَارِيَّ وَ مُحَمَّدَ

I ask them to witness and bear testimony that he testifies that there is no Lord except Allah Who is the only Lord Who has no partner and that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger. The coming of the Hour (of judgment ) after death is true. The warning is true and that all people will be held responsible for their

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَقْدَمَ الْعِرَاقَ بِسَنَةٍ وَ عَلِيٌّ ابْنُهُ جَالِسٌ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَنَظَرَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَمَا إِنَّهُ سَيَكُونُ فِي هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ حَرَكَةٌ فَلَا تَجْزَعْ لِذَلِكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ مَا يَكُونُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَدْ أَقْلَقَنِي مَا ذَكَرْتَ فَقَالَ أَصِيرُ إِلَى الطَّاغِيَةِ أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَا يَبْدَأُنِي مِنْهُ سُوءٌ وَ مِنَ الَّذِي يَك

“Once I went to see abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) one year before he would leave for Iraq. His son Ali (a.s.) was also in the meeting. He looked at me and said, “O Muhammad, during this year a movement will take place do not be disturbed in it.” The narrator has said that he then asked the Imam (a.s.), “‘May Allah take my

لَهُمُ الْقَوْا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ فَسَلِّمُوا عَلَيْهِ وَ أَحْدِثُوا بِهِ عَهْداً فَلَمَّا نَهَضَ الْقَوْمُ الْتَفَتَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ يَرْحَمُ اللَّهُ الْمُفَضَّلَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ لَيَقْنَعُ بِدُونِ هَذَا.

“When people readied themselves to leave the meeting the Imam (a.s.) said to them, “Meet abu Ja‘far (a.s.), (before you leave), offer to him greeting and renew your covenant with him.” When left, he (the Imam) said to me, “May Allah grant well-being to al-Mufaddal, he would have believed (in the succeeding Imam) withou

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع وَ ذَكَرَ شَيْئاً فَقَالَ مَا حَاجَتُكُمْ إِلَى ذَلِكَ هَذَا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ قَدْ أَجْلَسْتُهُ مَجْلِسِي وَ صَيَّرْتُهُ مَكَانِي وَ قَالَ إِنَّا أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ يَتَوَارَثُ أَصَاغِرُنَا عَنْ أَكَابِرِنَا الْقُذَّةَ بِالْقُذَّةِ[1].

“I heard (abu al-Hassan) al-Rida who said something (leadership with Divine Authority) and then said, “I do not think you need what I just said. This is abu Ja‘far (a.s.). I have placed him in my own place to assume my position. We are of the family Ahl al-Bayt whose younger ones inherit from elder everything exactly m

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي ع فَنَاظَرَنِي فِي أَشْيَاءَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا عَلِيٍّ ارْتَفَعَ الشَّكُّ مَا لِأَبِي غَيْرِي.

“Once I went to see abu Ja‘far al-Thani’s (a.s.). He debated me in several issues. He then said, “O abu Ali, there is no (reason for) doubt; I am the only son that my father had.”

كَتَبَ ابْنُ قِيَامَا إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع كِتَاباً يَقُولُ فِيهِ كَيْفَ تَكُونُ إِمَاماً وَ لَيْسَ لَكَ وَلَدٌ فَأَجَابَهُ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع شِبْهَ الْمُغْضَبِ وَ مَا عَلَّمَكَ أَنَّهُ لَا يَكُونُ لِي وَلَدٌ وَ اللَّهِ لَا تَمْضِي الْأَيَّامُ وَ اللَّيَالِي حَتَّى يَرْزُقَنِيَ اللَّهُ وَلَداً ذَكَراً يَفْرُقُ بِهِ بَيْنَ الْحَقِّ وَ الْبَاطِلِ.

“Ibn Qiyaman wrote a letter to abu al-Hassan (a.s.) in which he had said the following. ‘How can you be an Imam when you do not have a son?” Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) replied him with signs of anger, “How do you know that I will not have a son? By Allah, not many days and nights will pass before Allah will grant me

قَالَ لِيَ ابْنُ النَّجَاشِيِّ مَنِ الْإِمَامُ بَعْدَ صَاحِبِكَ فَأَشْتَهِي أَنْ تَسْأَلَهُ حَتَّى أَعْلَمَ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى الرِّضَا ع فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي الْإِمَامُ ابْنِي ثُمَّ قَالَ هَلْ يَتَجَرَّأُ أَحَدٌ أَنْ يَقُولَ ابْنِي وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ.

“Al-Najashi once asked me, “Who will be the Imam after your master? I wish you ask him so I will know.” I then went to see Ali al-Rida (a.s.) and informed him (of al-Najashi’s wish).” The narrator has said that the Imam said, “The Imam will be my son.” Then he said, “Can any one say that my son will be the Imam when he

ذَكَرْنَا عِنْدَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع شَيْئاً بَعْدَ مَا وُلِدَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ مَا حَاجَتُكُمْ إِلَى ذَلِكَ هَذَا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ قَدْ أَجْلَسْتُهُ مَجْلِسِي وَ صَيَّرْتُهُ فِي مَكَانِي.

“Once in the presence of abu al-Hassan (a.s.) we spoke about an issue, Imamat, (Leadership with Divine Authority). It was after the birth oof abu Ja‘far (a.s.). The Imam (a.s.) said, “You do not need any such thing (thinking who the Imam will be). This is abu Ja‘far (a.s.). I have placed him in my own place and made hi

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُوسَى ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَ يَكُونُ إِمَامَانِ قَالَ لَا إِلَّا وَ أَحَدُهُمَا صَامِتٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ هُوَ ذَا أَنْتَ لَيْسَ لَكَ صَامِتٌ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ وُلِدَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع بَعْدُ فَقَالَ لِي وَ اللَّهِ لَيَجْعَلَنَّ اللَّهُ مِنِّي مَا يُثْبِتُ بِهِ الْحَقَّ وَ أَهْلَهُ وَ يَمْحَقُ بِهِ الْبَاطِلَ وَ أَهْلَهُ فَوُلِدَ لَهُ بَعْدَ سَنَةٍ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ كَانَ ابْنُ قِيَامَا وَاقِف

“Once I went to see Ali ibn Musa (a.s.). (During the meeting) I asked him, “Can there be two Imams?” He replied, “No, but that one of them must remain silent.” I then said to him, “This applies to you. You are the Imam and there is no silent Imam with you.” At that time his son abu Ja‘far was not yet born. He said to m

كُنْتُ مَعَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع جَالِساً فَدَعَا بِابْنِهِ وَ هُوَ صَغِيرٌ فَأَجْلَسَهُ فِي حَجْرِي فَقَالَ لِي جَرِّدْهُ وَ انْزِعْ قَمِيصَهُ فَنَزَعْتُهُ فَقَالَ لِيَ انْظُرْ بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهِ فَنَظَرْتُ فَإِذَا فِي أَحَدِ كَتِفَيْهِ شَبِيهٌ بِالْخَاتَمِ دَاخِلٌ فِي اللَّحْمِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ تَرَى هَذَا كَانَ مِثْلُهُ فِي هَذَا الْمَوْضِعِ مِنْ أَبِي ع.

“Once I was in the presence of abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He called his son who was a small (boy). The Imams (a.s.) placed him in my lap and said to me. “ Move his shirt aside.” When I did so. The Imams (a.s.) said, “Look in between his shoulders.” I look and I found in the skin of one shoulder something like an imprint of

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَجِي‌ءَ بِابْنِهِ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ هُوَ صَغِيرٌ فَقَالَ هَذَا الْمَوْلُودُ الَّذِي لَمْ يُولَدْ مَوْلُودٌ أَعْظَمُ بَرَكَةً عَلَى شِيعَتِنَا مِنْهُ.

“Once I was in of abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) Someone brought his son, Ja’far (a.s.) to him and he was a small (child). The Imams (a.s.) said, “This new born is one the like of whom with such great holiness and blessing has not been born for our Shi‘a (followers).”

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع قَدْ كُنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَهَبَ اللَّهُ لَكَ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فَكُنْتَ تَقُولُ يَهَبُ اللَّهُ لِي غُلَاماً فَقَدْ وَهَبَهُ اللَّهُ لَكَ فَأَقَرَّ عُيُونَنَا فَلَا أَرَانَا اللَّهُ يَوْمَكَ فَإِنْ كَانَ كَوْنٌ فَإِلَى مَنْ فَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا ابْنُ ثَلَاثِ سِنِينَ فَقَالَ وَ مَا يَضُرُّهُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَ

“Once I said to al-Rida (a.s.), before Allah’s granting you the blessing of the birth of abu Ja’far (a.s.) we would ask you and you would say, “Allah will grant me a son and He has granted you one. His birth is the delight of our eyes. May Allah spare us from showing your (sad) day. However, if something will happen to

سَمِعْتُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ يَقُولُ لِلرِّضَا ع إِنَّ ابْنِي فِي لِسَانِهِ ثِقْلٌ فَأَنَا أَبْعَثُ بِهِ إِلَيْكَ غَداً تَمْسَحُ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ وَ تَدْعُو لَهُ فَإِنَّهُ مَوْلَاكَ فَقَالَ هُوَ مَوْلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ فَابْعَثْ بِهِ غَداً إِلَيْهِ.

“I heard ’Isma‘il ibn Ibrahim say to al-rida (a.s.), ‘My son feels heaviness in his tongue. I intend to sent him tomorrow to you. Pass you your hand over his head and pray for him. He is your Mawla (slave).’” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He is a Mawla (slave) of abu Ja’far (a.s.). send him tomorrow to him (abu Ja‘far (a.s.).

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ جَالِساً بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَ كُنْتُ أَقَمْتُ عِنْدَهُ سَنَتَيْنِ أَكْتُبُ عَنْهُ مَا يَسْمَعُ مِنْ أَخِيهِ يَعْنِي أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الرِّضَا ع الْمَسْجِدَ- مَسْجِدَ الرَّسُولِ ص فَوَثَبَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ بِلَا حِذَاءٍ وَ لَا رِدَاءٍ فَقَبَّلَ يَدَهُ وَ عَظَّمَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا عَمِّ اجْ

“Once I was in a meeting with Ali ibn Ja‘far ibn Muhammad in Medina, - I stayed with him for two years to write from him what he would hear from his brother, Abu al-Hassan (a.s.),- at such time Abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) came in the mosque, the mosque of the Messenger of Allah. Ali ibn Ja‘far rushed tow

كُنْتُ وَاقِفاً بَيْنَ يَدَيْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع- بِخُرَاسَانَ فَقَالَ لَهُ قَائِلٌ يَا سَيِّدِي إِنْ كَانَ كَوْنٌ فَإِلَى مَنْ قَالَ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ابْنِي فَكَأَنَّ الْقَائِلَ اسْتَصْغَرَ سِنَّ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى بَعَثَ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولًا نَبِيّاً صَاحِبَ شَرِيعَةٍ مُبْتَدَأَةٍ فِي أَصْغَرَ مِنَ السِّنِّ الَّذِي فِيهِ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “It will go to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), my son.” The person asking the question thought of abu Ja‘far (a.s.) as very young for such task. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) said, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, sent Jesus, son of Mary as a messenger prophet, the owner of a whole legal system. He began his task

سَمِعْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ يُحَدِّثُ الْحَسَنَ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ فَقَالَ: وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ نَصَرَ اللَّهُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحَسَنُ إِي وَ اللَّهِ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَقَدْ بَغَى عَلَيْهِ إِخْوَتُهُ فَقَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ إِي وَ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ عُمُومَتُهُ بَغَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحَسَنُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَيْفَ صَنَعْتُمْ فَإِنِّي لَمْ أَحْضُر

“By Allah, Allah has supported abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.).” Al-Hassan then said, “Yes, by Allah, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, his brothers have rebelled against him.” Ali ibn Ja‘far then said, “Yes, by Allah, and we, his uncles, rebelled against him.” Al-Hassan said to him, “May Allah take my sou

لَمَّا خَرَجَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ إِلَى بَغْدَادَ فِي الدَّفْعَةِ الْأُولَى مِنْ خَرْجَتَيْهِ قُلْتُ لَهُ عِنْدَ خُرُوجِهِ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكَ فِي هَذَا الْوَجْهِ فَإِلَى مَنِ الْأَمْرُ بَعْدَكَ فَكَرَّ بِوَجْهِهِ إِلَيَّ ضَاحِكاً وَ قَالَ لَيْسَ الْغَيْبَةُ حَيْثُ ظَنَنْتَ فِي هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ فَلَمَّا أُخْرِجَ بِهِ الثَّانِيَةَ إِلَى الْمُعْتَصِمِ صِرْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُ

“The disappearance, as have thought, will not take place this year. When he was about to be taken to al-Mu‘tasam (179/795 —became caliph 218/833 — 227/841), for the second time I went to him and said, “May Allah take my souls in service for your cause. You are leaving. To who, after you, will go this task Leadership wi

الرَّسُولُ لِأَبِي إِنَّ مَوْلَاكَ يَقْرَأُ عَلَيْكَ السَّلَامَ وَ يَقُولُ لَكَ إِنِّي مَاضٍ وَ الْأَمْرُ صَائِرٌ إِلَى ابْنِي عَلِيٍّ وَ لَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ بَعْدِي مَا كَانَ لِي عَلَيْكُمْ بَعْدَ أَبِي ثُمَّ مَضَى الرَّسُولُ وَ رَجَعَ أَحْمَدُ إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ وَ قَالَ لِأَبِي مَا الَّذِي قَدْ قَالَ لَكَ قَالَ خَيْراً قَالَ قَدْ سَمِعْتُ مَا قَالَ فَلِمَ تَكْتُمُهُ وَ أَعَادَ مَا سَمِعَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبِي قَدْ حَرَّمَ

“My father was to watch the door of the house of abu Ja‘far (a.s.) to serve the task for which he was assigned. Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa would come every day at dawn for information about the health of abu Ja‘far (a.s.). There was a messenger that would come and go between abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and my father. When he (t

أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَحْمَدَ بْنَ أَبِي خَالِدٍ مَوْلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ يَحْكِي أَنَّهُ أَشْهَدَهُ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْوَصِيَّةِ الْمَنْسُوخَةِ[1]- شَهِدَ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ أَبِي خَالِدٍ مَوْلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ أَنَّ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع أَشْهَدَهُ أَنَّهُ أَوْصَى إِلَى عَلِيٍّ ابْنِهِ بِنَفْسِهِ وَ أَخَوَاتِهِ

“I heard Ahmad ibn abu Khalid, stating that he (The Imam (a.s.) had appointed him as witness to bear testimony to this documented will in the following words. “Ahmad ibn abu Khalid, the slave of abu Ja‘far, bears testimony that abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja‘far ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali

أَوْصَى أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع إِلَى ابْنِهِ الْحَسَنِ قَبْلَ مُضِيِّهِ بِأَرْبَعَةِ أَشْهُرٍ وَ أَشْهَدَنِي عَلَى ذَلِكَ وَ جَمَاعَةً مِنَ الْمَوَالِي.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) prepared his directive will to his son, al-Hassan four months before his leaving this world. He appointed me to bear testimony to his will as well as a group of the follower friends.”

كُنْتُ مَعَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع فِي صَحْنِ دَارِهِ فَمَرَّ بِنَا مُحَمَّدٌ ابْنُهُ‌[5]- فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا صَاحِبُنَا بَعْدَكَ فَقَالَ لَا صَاحِبُكُمْ بَعْدِيَ الْحَسَنُ.

“Once I was with abu al-Hassan in the compound of his house and at that time his son, Muhammad passed by. I said to him, “may Allah take my souls in service for your cause, will he be our master, Imam, after you?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “ No, your master, Imam, after me will be al-Hassan (a.s.).” * This abu Ja‘far Muham

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع‌ صَاحِبُكُمْ بَعْدِيَ الَّذِي يُصَلِّي عَلَيَّ قَالَ وَ لَمْ نَعْرِفْ أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَخَرَجَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ فَصَلَّى عَلَيْهِ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) said, “Your master (Imam) after me will be the one who will perform prayer for me (prayer for burial).” The narrator has said that we did not know abu Muhammad (a.s.) before this. Abu Muhammad came out and prayed (for his burial).”

كُنْتُ حَاضِراً أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع لَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ ابْنُهُ مُحَمَّدٌ فَقَالَ لِلْحَسَنِ يَا بُنَيَّ أَحْدِثْ لِلَّهِ شُكْراً فَقَدْ أَحْدَثَ فِيكَ أَمْراً.

“I was present with abu al-Hassan (a.s.) when his son Muhammad died. The Imam (a.s.) said this to (his son) al-Hassan (a.s.), “Son renew your thanks to Allah because He has just granted you the matter (Leadership with Divine Authority).”

كُنْتُ حَاضِراً عِنْدَ مُضِيِّ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ ع فَجَاءَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع فَوُضِعَ لَهُ كُرْسِيٌّ فَجَلَسَ عَلَيْهِ وَ حَوْلَهُ أَهْلُ بَيْتِهِ وَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ قَائِمٌ فِي نَاحِيَةٍ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ مِنْ أَمْرِ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ- الْتَفَتَ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ أَحْدِثْ لِلَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى شُكْراً فَقَدْ أَحْدَثَ فِيكَ أَمْراً.

“I was present at the time of abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Ali’s (leaving this world). Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) came and a chair was set for him. He sat on it and his family around him. Abu Muhammad was standing on one side. When he was free from the matters about abu Ja‘far he then turned to abu Muhammad (a.s.) and said, “My s

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع إِنْ كَانَ كَوْنٌ وَ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ فَإِلَى مَنْ قَالَ عَهْدِي إِلَى الْأَكْبَرِ مِنْ وَلَدَيَّ.

“Once I said abu al-Hassan (a.s.), “If something will happen-I seek refuge before Allah – to who then will go (Leadership with Divine Authority)?” He said, “My covenant (directive will) is for the eldest of my sons.”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْعَسْكَرِيِّ ع وَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ابْنُهُ فِي الْأَحْيَاءِ وَ أَنَا أَظُنُّ أَنَّهُ هُوَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَنْ أَخُصُّ مِنْ وُلْدِكَ فَقَالَ لَا تَخُصُّوا أَحَداً حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ إِلَيْكُمْ أَمْرِي قَالَ فَكَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ بَعْدُ فِيمَنْ يَكُونُ هَذَا الْأَمْرُ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ فِي الْكَبِيرِ مِنْ وَلَدَيَّ قَالَ وَ كَانَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ أَكْبَرَ مِنْ أَبِي جَعْفَر

“Once I went to see al-Hassan al-‘Askari (a.s.) when his son abu Ja‘far (Muhammad ) was still alive and I thought he will be the Imam after his father. I then asked the Imam (a.s.), “May Allah take my souls in service for your cause, which of your sons I will consider (my Imam)?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “do not consider

فِي صَحْنِ دَارِهِ وَ النَّاسُ جُلُوسٌ حَوْلَهُ فَقَالُوا قَدَّرْنَا أَنْ يَكُونَ حَوْلَهُ مِنْ آلِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ وَ قُرَيْشٍ مِائَةٌ وَ خَمْسُونَ رَجُلًا سِوَى مَوَالِيهِ وَ سَائِرِ النَّاسِ إِذْ نَظَرَ إِلَى الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ قَدْ جَاءَ مَشْقُوقَ الْجَيْبِ حَتَّى قَامَ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ نَحْنُ لَا نَعْرِفُهُ فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع بَعْدَ سَاعَةٍ فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ أَحْدِثْ لِلَّه

“They were present on the day Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Muhammad, at the door of abu al-Hassan to offer condolences. A place in the compound of his house was prepared for him and people were sitting around him. They said, “We estimated that at that time from the descendents of abu Talib, Hashim and Quraysh there were about

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع بَعْدَ مُضِيِّ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ فَعَزَّيْتُهُ عَنْهُ وَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع جَالِسٌ فَبَكَى أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَأَقْبَلَ عَلَيْهِ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى قَدْ جَعَلَ فِيكَ خَلَفاً مِنْهُ فَاحْمَدِ اللَّهَ.

“I went to see abu al-Hassan (a.s.) after the death of abu Ja‘far and offered condolences for this reason. Abu Muhammad (a.s.) was also present. He wept and abu al-Hassan (a.s.) turned to him and said, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has made you to succeed (the Imam) instead of him. You must thanks Allah.”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع بَعْدَ مَا مَضَى ابْنُهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ وَ إِنِّي لَأُفَكِّرُ فِي نَفْسِي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَقُولَ كَأَنَّهُمَا أَعْنِي أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ وَ أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ فِي هَذَا الْوَقْتِ- كَأَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى وَ إِسْمَاعِيلَ ابْنَيْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ ع وَ إِنَّ قِصَّتَهُمَا كَقِصَّتِهِمَا إِذْ كَانَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ الْمُرْجَى بَعْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَأَقْبَلَ عَلَيَّ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ قَبْلَ أ

“Abu Ja‘far and Abu Muhammad at this time are like Abu al-Hassan Musa and ’Isma‘il, the sons of Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a.s.), and their stories are similar, since Abu Muhammad was the appointee after Abu Ja'far (AS).” At that moment, Abu al-Hassan turned to me before I could say anything and said, “Yes, O Abu Hashim, All

كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع- أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ابْنِي أَنْصَحُ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ غَرِيزَةً[4] وَ أَوْثَقُهُمْ‌ حُجَّةً وَ هُوَ الْأَكْبَرُ مِنْ وَلَدَيَّ وَ هُوَ الْخَلَفُ وَ إِلَيْهِ يَنْتَهِي عُرَى الْإِمَامَةِ وَ أَحْكَامُهَا[1] فَمَا كُنْتَ سَائِلِي فَسَلْهُ عَنْهُ فَعِنْدَهُ مَا يُحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ.

“My son, abu Muhammad instinctively is the most considerate in the family of Muhammad (s.a). He possesses the strongest authoritative supporting evidence above them and he is the eldest of my sons. He is the succeeding Imam and to him go the rings of Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority) and its rules. Whatever you

كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ فِي كِتَابٍ أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَسْأَلَ عَنِ الْخَلَفِ بَعْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ وَ قَلِقْتَ‌[2] لِذَلِكَ فَلَا تَغْتَمَّ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَا يُضِلُ‌ قَوْماً بَعْدَ إِذْ هَداهُمْ‌ حَتَّى يُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ ما يَتَّقُونَ‌ وَ صَاحِبُكَ بَعْدِي أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ابْنِي وَ عِنْدَهُ مَا تَحْتَاجُونَ إِلَيْهِ يُقَدِّمُ مَا يَشَاءُ اللَّهُ وَ يُؤَخِّرُ مَا يَشَاءُ اللَّهُ- ما نَنْسَخْ مِنْ آ

“Abu al-Hassan wrote to me in a letter as herein below. “You wanted to ask about the succeeding Imam after (the death) of abu Ja‘far and you were anxious about it. Do not feel sad; “God does not misguide a nation after having given them guidance until the means of piety are made known to them. . .” (9:115) Allah, the M

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْخَلَفُ مِنْ بَعْدِيَ الْحَسَنُ فَكَيْفَ لَكُمْ بِالْخَلَفِ مِنْ بَعْدِ الْخَلَفِ فَقُلْتُ وَ لِمَ جَعَلَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّكُمْ لَا تَرَوْنَ شَخْصَهُ وَ لَا يَحِلُّ لَكُمْ ذِكْرُهُ بِاسْمِهِ فَقُلْتُ فَكَيْفَ نَذْكُرُهُ فَقَالَ قُولُوا الْحُجَّةُ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ.

‘The succeeding (Imam) after me will be al-Hassan. How will your dealing be with the succeeding (Imam) of the succeeding (Imam)?” I then said, “Why will that be so, may Allah take my souls in service for your cause?” He said, “You will not see him in person. It will not lawful for you to pronounce his name.” I then ask

خَرَجَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ قَبْلَ مُضِيِّهِ بِسَنَتَيْنِ يُخْبِرُنِي بِالْخَلَفِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ قَبْلِ مُضِيِّهِ بِثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ يُخْبِرُنِي بِالْخَلَفِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ.

“Two years before his leaving this world, abu Muhammad (a.s.)sent out information to me about the succeeding Imam after him. Just three days before his leaving this world he again sent out information to me about the succeeding Imam after him.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع جَلَالَتُكَ تَمْنَعُنِي مِنْ مَسْأَلَتِكَ فَتَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ فَقَالَ سَلْ قُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي هَلْ لَكَ وَلَدٌ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَقُلْتُ فَإِنْ حَدَثَ بِكَ حَدَثٌ فَأَيْنَ أَسْأَلُ عَنْهُ قَالَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ.

“My master, do you have a son?” He said, “Yes, I do have a son.” I then said, “If anything will happen to you, where would I ask him (about my religion)?” He replied, “Ask him in Madina.”

أَرَانِي أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ابْنَهُ وَ قَالَ هَذَا صَاحِبُكُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِي.

“Abu Muhammad (a.s.) showed me his son and said, “This will be your master (Leader with Divine Authority) after me.”

قُلْتُ لِلْعَمْرِيِّ قَدْ مَضَى أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ فَقَالَ لِي قَدْ مَضَى وَ لَكِنْ قَدْ خَلَّفَ فِيكُمْ مَنْ رَقَبَتُهُ مِثْلُ هَذِهِ وَ أَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ.

“The narrator has said, ‘I said to al-‘Amri, “Has abu Muhammad (a.s.) left this world?” He said, “He has left this world but has appointed for (a Leader with Divine Authority) whose neck is like this. He made a sign with his hand.” (The hand gesture was an indication of Imam’s good health or perhaps age). *1. Al-‘Amri

خَرَجَ عَنْ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع حِينَ قُتِلَ الزُّبَيْرِيُّ لَعَنَهُ اللَّهُ‌[1] هَذَا جَزَاءُ مَنِ اجْتَرَأَ عَلَى اللَّهِ فِي أَوْلِيَائِهِ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ يَقْتُلُنِي وَ لَيْسَ لِي عَقِبٌ فَكَيْفَ رَأَى قُدْرَةَ اللَّهِ فِيهِ وَ وُلِدَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ سَمَّاهُ م‌ح‌م‌د فِي سَنَةِ سِتٍّ وَ خَمْسِينَ وَ مِائَتَيْنِ‌[2].

“This is the recompense for those who disregard Allah in the matters of the people whom He has appointed as His authority over the cratures. He thought he could murder me and I do not have a son. How did he experience the power of Allah in the matter. A boy was born to him and he named him M.H.M.D. in the year two hund

أَتَيْتُ سَامَرَّاءَ وَ لَزِمْتُ بَابَ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَدَعَانِي فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَ سَلَّمْتُ فَقَالَ مَا الَّذِي أَقْدَمَكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ رَغْبَةٌ فِي خِدْمَتِكَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي فَالْزَمِ الْبَابَ قَالَ فَكُنْتُ فِي الدَّارِ مَعَ الْخَدَمِ ثُمَّ صِرْتُ أَشْتَرِي لَهُمُ الْحَوَائِجَ مِنَ السُّوقِ وَ كُنْتُ أَدْخُلُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ غَيْرِ إِذْنٍ إِذَا كَانَ فِي الدَّارِ رِجَالٌ قَالَ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ يَوْما

“I went to Samarra and devoted myself to the gate (of the house) of abu Muhammad (a.s.). The Imam (a.s.) called me. I went to him and offered greetings. He asked me, “ What brings you here?” The narrator has said that he said, “My wish to serve you has brought me here.” He then said, “(Help us) as a devoted (security g

اجْتَمَعْتُ أَنَا وَ الشَّيْخُ أَبُو عَمْرٍو رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ عِنْدَ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ فَغَمَزَنِي أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِسْحَاقَ أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ عَنِ الْخَلَفِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَبَا عَمْرٍو إِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ مَا أَنَا بِشَاكٍّ فِيمَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ‌ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْهُ فَإِنَّ اعْتِقَادِي وَ دِينِي أَنَّ الْأَرْضَ لَا تَخْلُو مِنْ حُجَّةٍ إِلَّا إِذَا كَانَ قَبْلَ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ بِأَرْ

“I and shaykh abu ‘Amr, may Allah grant him blessings met each other before Ahmad ibn Ishaq. Ahmad ibn Ishaq made an eye gesture to me to ask him about the succeeding Imam. I said to him, “O abu ‘Amr, I like to ask you a question about a matter, although, I do not any doubts in the question I am about to ask. It is my

رَأَيْتُهُ بَيْنَ الْمَسْجِدَيْنِ وَ هُوَ غُلَامٌ ع.

“I saw him (the twelfth Imam (a.s.)) between the two mosque while he was a boy.”

أَنَّهَا رَأَتْهُ لَيْلَةَ مَوْلِدِهِ وَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ.

“Musa ibn Muhammad ibn al-Qasim ibn Hamzah ibn Musa ibn Ja‘far narrated to me that Hakima, the daughter of Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) and the paternal aunt of his (the twelfth’s) father, said to me that she had seen him on the night of his birth and afterwards.”