Prophethood

لَمَّا خَرَجَ الْمَأْمُونُ مِنْ خُرَاسَانَ يُرِيدُ بَغْدَادَ وَ خَرَجَ الْفَضْلُ ذُو الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ وَ خَرَجْنَا مَعَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع وَرَدَ عَلَى الْفَضْلِ بْنِ سَهْلٍ ذِي الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ كِتَابٌ مِنْ أَخِيهِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ سَهْلٍ وَ نَحْنُ فِي بَعْضِ الْمَنَازِلِ إِنِّي نَظَرْتُ فِي تَحْوِيلِ السَّنَةِ فِي حِسَابِ النُّجُومِ فَوَجَدْتُ فِيهِ أَنَّكَ تَذُوقُ فِي شَهْرِ كَذَا وَ كَذَا- يَوْمَ الْأَرْبِعَاءِ حَرّ

“When al-Ma’mun left Khurasan for Baghdad along with him came Fadl, Dhu al-Al-Ri’asatayn and we came out with abu al-Hassan (a.s.) Fadl ibn Sahl had received a letter from his brother Hassan, while we were on our journey. Hassan had said in the letter, “I studied the Zodiac changes this year according to the astrologic

مُحَمَّدٌ وَ كَانَ زَيْدِيّاً قَالَ: كُنْتُ بِالْعَسْكَرِ فَبَلَغَنِي أَنَّ هُنَاكَ رَجُلٌ مَحْبُوسٌ أُتِيَ بِهِ مِنْ نَاحِيَةِ الشَّامِ مَكْبُولًا[2] وَ قَالُوا إِنَّهُ تَنَبَّأَ[3] قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ خَالِدٍ فَأَتَيْتُ الْبَابَ وَ دَارَيْتُ الْبَوَّابِينَ وَ الْحَجَبَةَ حَتَّى وَصَلْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ لَهُ فَهْمٌ فَقُلْتُ يَا هَذَا مَا قِصَّتُكَ وَ مَا أَمْرُكَ قَالَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ رَجُلًا بِالشَّامِ أَعْبُد

“Muhammad who belonged to Zaydi sect said to me this. “I was in the army camp and I was told that there was a prisoner brought from the area of al-Sham (Syria) tied up and that he has proclaimed himself a prophet.” Ali ibn Khalid has said, “I went to him and found my way through the guards until I reached him. I found

كُنْتُ مُجَاوِراً بِالْمَدِينَةِ- مَدِينَةِ الرَّسُولِ ص وَ كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَجِي‌ءُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مَعَ الزَّوَالِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ فَيَنْزِلُ فِي الصَّحْنِ وَ يَصِيرُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ يُسَلِّمُ عَلَيْهِ وَ يَرْجِعُ إِلَى بَيْتِ فَاطِمَةَ ع فَيَخْلَعُ نَعْلَيْهِ وَ يَقُومُ فَيُصَلِّي فَوَسْوَسَ إِلَيَّ الشَّيْطَانُ فَقَالَ إِذَا نَزَلَ فَاذْهَبْ حَتَّى تَأْخُذَ مِنَ التُّرَابِ الَّذِي يَطَأُ عَلَ

“I lived in al-Madina of the Messenger of Allah. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) would come every day to the mosque at noon time. He would enter the compound and would turn to the shrine of the Messenger of Allah and offer his greeting of peace. He would then turn to the house of Fatima (a.s.), take off his shoes, stand up and pray.

خَرَجَ ع عَلَيَّ فَنَظَرْتُ إِلَى رَأْسِهِ وَ رِجْلَيْهِ لِأَصِفَ قَامَتَهُ لِأَصْحَابِنَا بِمِصْرَ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا كَذَلِكَ حَتَّى قَعَدَ وَ قَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ احْتَجَّ فِي الْإِمَامَةِ بِمِثْلِ مَا احْتَجَّ فِي النُّبُوَّةِ فَقَالَ- وَ آتَيْناهُ الْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّا[1] قَالَ‌ وَ لَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ‌[2] وَ بَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً[3] فَقَدْ يَجُوزُ أَنْ يُؤْتَى الْحُكْمَ‌[4] صَبِيّاً وَ يَجُوزُ أَنْ

“He (abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) came out to me and I looked at his head and legs so I would be able to describe him physically to our people in Egypt. I kept looking until he sat down and said, “ O Ali, Allah’s presentation of proofs in support of Imam’s Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority) is the

مَرِضَ الْمُتَوَكِّلُ مِنْ خُرَاجٍ خَرَجَ بِهِ وَ أَشْرَفَ مِنْهُ عَلَى الْهَلَاكِ فَلَمْ يَجْسُرْ أَحَدٌ أَنْ يَمَسَّهُ بِحَدِيدَةٍ فَنَذَرَتْ أُمُّهُ إِنْ عُوفِيَ أَنْ تَحْمِلَ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ مَالًا جَلِيلًا مِنْ مَالِهَا وَ قَالَ لَهُ الْفَتْحُ بْنُ خَاقَانَ لَوْ بَعَثْتَ إِلَى هَذَا الرَّجُلِ فَسَأَلْتَهُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَخْلُو أَنْ يَكُونَ عِنْدَهُ صِفَةٌ يُفَرِّجُ بِهَا عَنْكَ فَبَع

“ Al-Mutawakkil became ill because of a boil so seriously that he was about to die and no one would have the courage to touch to operate him. His mother vowed to sent a large sum of money to abu al-Hassan (a.s.) from her own property if her son would recover. Fath ibn Khaqan had advised him to ask him (the Imam (a.s.)

قَالَ لِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْفَرَجِ‌ إِنَّ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ كَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَجْمِعْ أَمْرَكَ وَ خُذْ حِذْرَكَ‌[1] قَالَ فَأَنَا فِي جَمْعِ أَمْرِي وَ لَيْسَ أَدْرِي مَا كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ حَتَّى وَرَدَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولٌ حَمَلَنِي مِنْ مِصْرَ مُقَيَّداً وَ ضَرَبَ عَلَى كُلِّ مَا أَمْلِكُ‌[2] وَ كُنْتُ فِي السِّجْنِ ثَمَانَ سِنِينَ ثُمَّ وَرَدَ عَلَيَّ مِنْهُ فِي السِّجْنِ كِتَابٌ فِيهِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ لَا تَنْزِل

“Muhammad ibn al-Faraj told me that abu al-Hassan (a.s.) has written to him this. “O Muhammad, organize you affairs and be careful.” He said that he began to organize his affairs and did not know what the Imam (a.s.) meant thereby until police came to me and took me out of Egypt as a captive. All of my belongings were

أَخَذْتُ نُسْخَةَ كِتَابِ الْمُتَوَكِّلِ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الثَّالِثِ ع مِنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ هَرْثَمَةَ فِي سَنَةِ ثَلَاثٍ وَ أَرْبَعِينَ وَ مِائَتَيْنِ وَ هَذِهِ نُسْخَتُهُ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَارِفٌ بِقَدْرِكَ رَاعٍ لِقَرَابَتِكَ مُوجِبٌ لِحَقِّكَ يُقَدِّرُ مِنَ الْأُمُورِ فِيكَ وَ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ مَا أَصْلَحَ اللَّهُ بِهِ حَالَكَ وَ حَالَهُمْ وَ

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from a number of our people the following. “I took a copy of the letter of Al-Mutawakkil to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), the third from Yahya ibn Harthama in the year two hundred forty three that read as follows. “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Thereafter, Amir al-Mu’min

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَسَأَلْتُهُ أَنْ يَكْتُبَ لِأَنْظُرَ إِلَى خَطِّهِ فَأَعْرِفَهُ إِذَا وَرَدَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَحْمَدُ إِنَّ الْخَطَّ سَيَخْتَلِفُ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ بَيْنِ الْقَلَمِ الْغَلِيظِ إِلَى الْقَلَمِ الدَّقِيقِ فَلَا تَشُكَّنَّ ثُمَّ دَعَا بِالدَّوَاةِ فَكَتَبَ وَ جَعَلَ يَسْتَمِدُّ إِلَى مَجْرَى الدَّوَاةِ فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي وَ هُوَ يَكْتُبُ أَسْتَوْهِبُهُ الْقَلَمَ الَّذِي كَت

“Once I went to see abu Muhammad (a.s.) and asked him to write for me few lines so that whenever I would see his hand writing I would recognize it. The Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes, and then said, “O Ahmad the writing with a fine pen and with thick pen will look different to you. Do not have doubts He then asked for a pen an

كُنْتُ بِمَدِينَةِ الْهِنْدِ الْمَعْرُوفَةِ- بِقِشْمِيرَ الدَّاخِلَةِ وَ أَصْحَابٌ لِي يَقْعُدُونَ عَلَى كَرَاسِيَّ عَنْ يَمِينِ الْمَلِكِ أَرْبَعُونَ رَجُلًا كُلُّهُمْ يَقْرَأُ الْكُتُبَ الْأَرْبَعَةَ التَّوْرَاةَ وَ الْإِنْجِيلَ وَ الزَّبُورَ وَ صُحُفَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ نَقْضِي بَيْنَ النَّاسِ وَ نُفَقِّهُهُمْ فِي دِينِهِمْ وَ نُفْتِيهِمْ فِي حَلَالِهِمْ وَ حَرَامِهِمْ يَفْزَعُ النَّاسُ إِلَيْنَا الْمَلِكُ فَمَنْ دُونَه

“I lived in interior Kashmir, India. My friends would sit on chairs on the right and left of the King. They were forty people and all of them would read the four books, Torah, Gospel, Psalms and the books of Abraham. We would judge among the people and provide them understanding of their religion and issue fatwas for t

شَكَكْتُ عِنْدَ مُضِيِّ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع وَ اجْتَمَعَ عِنْدَ أَبِي مَالٌ جَلِيلٌ فَحَمَلَهُ وَ رَكِبَ السَّفِينَةَ وَ خَرَجْتُ مَعَهُ مُشَيِّعاً فَوُعِكَ‌[1] وَعْكاً شَدِيداً فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ رُدَّنِي فَهُوَ الْمَوْتُ وَ قَالَ لِيَ اتَّقِ اللَّهَ فِي هَذَا الْمَالِ وَ أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ فَمَاتَ فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي لَمْ يَكُنْ أَبِي لِيُوصِيَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ غَيْرِ صَحِيحٍ أَحْمِلُ هَذَا الْمَالَ إِلَى الْعِرَاقِ وَ أَكْت

“At the time abu Muhammad (a.s.) passed away I had doubts. Large quantities of commodities (of religious dues) were accumulated with my father. He loaded them in a boat and himself also embarked. I was with him to say farewell to him. He began to feel severe fever and asked me to take him back home because he said, “It

كُنْتُ بِبَغْدَادَ فَتَهَيَّأَتْ قَافِلَةٌ لِلْيَمَانِيِّينَ فَأَرَدْتُ الْخُرُوجَ مَعَهَا فَكَتَبْتُ أَلْتَمِسُ الْإِذْنَ فِي ذَلِكَ فَخَرَجَ لَا تَخْرُجْ مَعَهُمْ فَلَيْسَ لَكَ فِي الْخُرُوجِ مَعَهُمْ خِيَرَةٌ وَ أَقِمْ بِالْكُوفَةِ قَالَ وَ أَقَمْتُ وَ خَرَجَتِ الْقَافِلَةُ فَخَرَجَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ‌ حَنْظَلَةُ[1] فَاجْتَاحَتْهُمْ وَ كَتَبْتُ أَسْتَأْذِنُ فِي رُكُوبِ الْمَاءِ فَلَمْ يَأْذَنْ لِي فَسَأَلْتُ عَنِ الْمَر

“Do not leave with them. There is nothing good for you in leaving with them. Stay in al-Kufa.” The narrator has said, “ I stayed in al-Kufa and the caravan left but the tribe of Hanzala attacked and looted them. I then wrote for permission to leave by ships on water. Permission was denied. I then found out that of the

كَتَبَ أَبِي بِخَطِّهِ كِتَاباً فَوَرَدَ جَوَابُهُ ثُمَّ كَتَبْتُ بِخَطِّي فَوَرَدَ جَوَابُهُ ثُمَّ كَتَبَ بِخَطِّهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ فُقَهَاءِ أَصْحَابِنَا فَلَمْ يَرِدْ جَوَابُهُ فَنَظَرْنَا فَكَانَتِ الْعِلَّةُ أَنَّ الرَّجُلَ تَحَوَّلَ قَرْمَطِيّاً قَالَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الْفَضْلِ فَزُرْتُ الْعِرَاقَ وَ وَرَدْتُ طُوسَ وَ عَزَمْتُ أَنْ لَا أَخْرُجَ إِلَّا عَنْ بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ أَمْرِي وَ نَجَاحٍ مِنْ حَوَائِجِي وَ لَوِ احْ

13. Al-Hassan ibn al-Fadl ibn Yazid al-Yamani has said the following. “My father wrote in his own had writing he received back a response. I then wrote in my own hand writing I also received back a response. One of our Fuqaha’ (scholar of law) wrote in his own hand writing but he did not receive any response. We then b

بَعَثَ‌[2] بِخَدَمٍ إِلَى مَدِينَةِ الرَّسُولِ ص وَ مَعَهُمْ خَادِمَانِ وَ كَتَبَ إِلَى خَفِيفٍ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ مَعَهُمْ فَخَرَجَ مَعَهُمْ فَلَمَّا وَصَلُوا إِلَى الْكُوفَةِ شَرِبَ أَحَدُ الْخَادِمَيْنِ مُسْكِراً فَمَا خَرَجُوا مِنَ الْكُوفَةِ حَتَّى وَرَدَ كِتَابٌ مِنَ الْعَسْكَرِ بِرَدِّ الْخَادِمِ الَّذِي شَرِبَ الْمُسْكِرَ وَ عُزِلَ عَنِ الْخِدْمَةِ.

“Imam al-Mahdi (a.s.) had sent certain servants to al-Madina of the Messenger of Allah and among them were two servants. He had written to Khafif to leave with them. He then left with them and they reached al-Kufa where one of the two servants had consumed alcohol. Before the would al-Kufa a letter came to them from th

أَقْبَلَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ مَعَهُ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع وَ هُوَ مُتَّكِئٌ عَلَى يَدِ سَلْمَانَ فَدَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ فَجَلَسَ إِذْ أَقْبَلَ رَجُلٌ حَسَنُ الْهَيْئَةِ وَ اللِّبَاسِ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ- فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامَ فَجَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَسْأَلُكَ عَنْ‌ ثَلَاثِ مَسَائِلَ إِنْ أَخْبَرْتَنِي بِهِنَّ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ الْقَوْمَ رَكِبُوا مِنْ

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) came with al-Hassan and al-Husayn and he was holding the hand of Salman for support. He entered the sacred Mosque in Makka and sat down. Then a good looking and well dressed man came. He offered the greeting of peace to Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) who answered his greetings likewise an

قَالَ أَبِي لِجَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ- إِنَّ لِي إِلَيْكَ حَاجَةً فَمَتَى يَخِفُّ عَلَيْكَ أَنْ أَخْلُوَ بِكَ فَأَسْأَلَكَ عَنْهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ جَابِرٌ أَيَّ الْأَوْقَاتِ أَحْبَبْتَهُ فَخَلَا بِهِ فِي بَعْضِ الْأَيَّامِ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا جَابِرُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ اللَّوْحِ الَّذِي رَأَيْتَهُ فِي يَدِ أُمِّي فَاطِمَةَ ع بِنْتِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ مَا أَخْبَرَتْكَ بِهِ أُمِّي أَنَّهُ فِي ذَلِكَ اللَّ

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya and Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah have narrated from ‘Abdallah ibn Ja‘far from al-Hassan ibn Zarif and Ali ibn Muhammad from Salih ibn abu Hammad from Bakr ibn Salih from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Salim from abu Basir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following “Once my father said to Jabir ibn ‘Abdall

سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ الطَّيَّارِ يَقُولُ‌ كُنَّا عِنْدَ مُعَاوِيَةَ أَنَا وَ الْحَسَنُ وَ الْحُسَيْنُ وَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبَّاسٍ وَ عُمَرُ ابْنُ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ وَ أُسَامَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ فَجَرَى بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ مُعَاوِيَةَ كَلَامٌ فَقُلْتُ لِمُعَاوِيَةَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ أَنَا أَوْلى‌ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ‌ ثُمَّ أَخِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ‌ أَوْلى‌ بِالْمُؤْمِ

“ I heard ‘Abdallah ibn Ja‘far al-Tayyar say, ‘we were in the court of Mu‘awiya I al-Hassan, al-Husayn, ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Abbass, ‘Umar ibn ’Umm Salama and ’Usama ibn Zayd. A conversation started between me and Mu‘awiya, and I said to Mu‘awiya’, ’I heard the Messenger of Allah say, ‘I have more authority over the believer

شَهِدْتُ جِنَازَةَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ يَوْمَ مَاتَ وَ شَهِدْتُ عُمَرَ حِينَ بُويِعَ وَ عَلِيٌّ ع جَالِسٌ نَاحِيَةً فَأَقْبَلَ غُلَامٌ يَهُودِيٌّ جَمِيلُ الْوَجْهِ بَهِيٌّ عَلَيْهِ ثِيَابُ حِسَانٌ وَ هُوَ مِنْ وُلْدِ هَارُونَ حَتَّى قَامَ عَلَى رَأْسِ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ بِكِتَابِهِمْ وَ أَمْرِ نَبِيِّهِمْ قَالَ فَطَأْطَأَ عُمَرُ رَأْسَهُ فَقَالَ إِيَّاكَ أَعْنِي وَ أَ

“I was present in the funeral procession of abu Bakr the day it took place. I was also present when ‘Umar took oath of allegiance and Ali (a.s.) was sitting on the side. A young, good looking, well dressed Jewish boy came. He was a descendant of Harun and he stood (on a place that was) above ’Umar and asked, “O Amir al

سَمِعْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ‌ خَلَقَ مُحَمَّداً وَ عَلِيّاً وَ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ مِنْ وُلْدِهِ مِنْ نُورِ عَظَمَتِهِ فَأَقَامَهُمْ أَشْبَاحاً فِي ضِيَاءِ نُورِهِ يَعْبُدُونَهُ قَبْلَ خَلْقِ الْخَلْقِ يُسَبِّحُونَ اللَّهَ وَ يُقَدِّسُونَهُ وَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ مِنْ وُلْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

‘Allah created Muhammad , Ali and the eleven Imams from his descendants out of the light of His greatness. He then placed them as figures in the brightness of His light where they worshipped Him before the creation of the creatures. They would speak of the Glory of Allah and of His Holiness. They are the Imams from des

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ الِاثْنَا عَشَرَ الْإِمَامَ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ع كُلُّهُمْ مُحَدَّثٌ مِنْ وُلْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ مِنْ وُلْدِ عَلِيٍّ وَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَ عَلِيٌّ ع هُمَا الْوَالِدَانِ فَقَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ رَاشِدٍ[2] كَانَ أَخَا عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ لِأُمِّهِ وَ أَنْكَرَ ذَلِكَ فَصَرَّرَ[3] أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّ ابْنَ أُمِّكَ كَانَ أَحَدَهُمْ.

"The twelve Imams all from the family of Muhammad (sw). They are all muhadiths from the descendants of the Rasulullah and the descendants of Ali (as). Rasulullah and Ali are their ancestors.” So he (Zurarah) said, "Ali bin Rashid was the brother of Ali bin al-Husayn (as) from his mother's side, but he (i.e. a man named

كُنْتُ حَاضِراً لَمَّا هَلَكَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَ اسْتَخْلَفَ عُمَرَ أَقْبَلَ يَهُودِيٌّ مِنْ عُظَمَاءِ يَهُودِ يَثْرِبَ وَ تَزْعُمُ يَهُودُ الْمَدِينَةِ أَنَّهُ أَعْلَمُ أَهْلِ زَمَانِهِ حَتَّى رُفِعَ إِلَى عُمَرَ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا عُمَرُ إِنِّي جِئْتُكَ أُرِيدُ الْإِسْلَامَ فَإِنْ أَخْبَرْتَنِي عَمَّا أَسْأَلُكَ عَنْهُ فَأَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ أَصْحَابِ مُحَمَّدٍ بِالْكِتَابِ وَ السُّنَّةِ وَ جَمِيعِ مَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَ

“I was (in the city of al-Madina) when abu Bakr was no more and he appointed ‘Umar as his successor. Once one of the great Jewish men of Yathrib came to ‘Umar. The Jewish people of the city of al-Madina thought that he (‘Umar) was the most knowledgeable person of his time.He came to ‘Umar and said, “O ‘Umar, I have com

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى فَاطِمَةَ ع وَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا لَوْحٌ فِيهِ أَسْمَاءُ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ وُلْدِهَا فَعَدَدْتُ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ آخِرُهُمُ الْقَائِمُ ع ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنْهُمْ مُحَمَّدٌ وَ ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنْهُمْ عَلِيٌ‌[1].

9. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from ibn Mahbub from Abu al-Jarud from Abu Ja‘far from Jabir b. ‘Abdallah al-Ansari who has said the following: “Once I went to see Fatima (a.s.) (daughter of the Holy Prophet (saww) and I saw with her a tablet in which the names of the executors of the wil

إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَرْسَلَ مُحَمَّداً ص إِلَى الْجِنِّ وَ الْإِنْسِ وَ جَعَلَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ وَصِيّاً مِنْهُمْ مَنْ سَبَقَ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ بَقِيَ وَ كُلُّ وَصِيٍّ جَرَتْ بِهِ سُنَّةٌ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءُ الَّذِينَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص عَلَى سُنَّةِ أَوْصِيَاءِ عِيسَى وَ كَانُوا اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ وَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَلَى سُنَّةِ الْمَسِيحِ.

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa ibn ‘Ubayd from Muhammad ibn al-Fadl from abu Hamza from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following “Allah sent Muhammad (s.a.) to all Jinn and manand appointed twelve executors of the will Of these people are those who have left this world and there are those w

لِابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ إِنَّ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ وَ إِنَّهُ يَنْزِلُ فِي تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةِ أَمْرُ السَّنَةِ وَ لِذَلِكَ الْأَمْرِ وُلَاةٌ بَعْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ مَنْ هُمْ قَالَ أَنَا وَ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ مِنْ صُلْبِي أَئِمَّةٌ مُحَدَّثُونَ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) said to ibn ‘Abbass, “Layla al-Qadr (the night of destiny) comes every year and that night the command for the whole year descend down. To receive that command are the Leaders with Divine Authority after the Messenger of Allah.” Ibn ‘Abbass then asked, “Who are they?” He said, “I and the el

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِأَصْحَابِهِ‌ آمِنُوا بِلَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ إِنَّهَا تَكُونُ- لِعَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ لِوُلْدِهِ الْأَحَدَ عَشَرَ مِنْ بَعْدِي.

“the Messenger of Allah once said to his companions, ‘You must believ in the Layla al-Qadr (night of destiny). It is Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) and his eleven descendants after me.”

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَالَ لِأَبِي بَكْرٍ يَوْماً لا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْواتاً بَلْ أَحْياءٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ‌ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً ص رَسُولُ اللَّهِ مَاتَ شَهِيداً وَ اللَّهِ لَيَأْتِيَنَّكَ فَأَيْقِنْ إِذَا جَاءَكَ فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ غَيْرُ مُتَخَيِّلٍ‌[1] بِهِ فَأَخَذَ عَلِيٌّ بِيَدِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَأَرَاهُ النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) one day said to Abu Bakr, “Do not think of those slain for the cause of God as dead. They are alive with their Lord and receive sustenance from Him.” (3:169) I testify that Muhammad the Messenger of Allah (sw) died as a martyr. He by Allah, will come to you and do have any doubts when he will c

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ الِاثْنَا عَشَرَ الْإِمَامَ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كُلُّهُمْ مُحَدَّثٌ مِنْ وُلْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ وُلْدِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع- فَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ عَلِيٌّ ع هُمَا الْوَالِدَانِ.

“I heard abu Ja‘far say, ‘There will be twelve Imams from the family of Muhammad and they all will be (Muhaddathun), persons to whom angles speak. They will of the descendants of the Messenger of Allah and Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.). The Messenger of Allah and Ali are their anscesters.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنِّي وَ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ مِنْ وُلْدِي وَ أَنْتَ يَا عَلِيُّ زِرُّ الْأَرْضِ يَعْنِي أَوْتَادَهَا وَ جِبَالَهَا بِنَا أَوْتَدَ اللَّهُ الْأَرْضَ أَنْ تَسِيخَ بِأَهْلِهَا فَإِذَا ذَهَبَ الِاثْنَا عَشَرَ مِنْ وُلْدِي سَاخَتِ الْأَرْضُ بِأَهْلِهَا وَ لَمْ يُنْظَرُوا.

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ has said, ‘I and twelve persons from my descendants and you O Ali, are the securing anchor of the earth, that is, the pillars thereof and its ropes. Through us Allah has secured the earth from devouring the inhabitants. If all the twelve persons from my family will no longer be there, the eart

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مِنْ وُلْدِيَ اثْنَا عَشَرَ نَقِيباً نُجَبَاءُ مُحَدَّثُونَ مُفَهَّمُونَ آخِرُهُمُ الْقَائِمُ بِالْحَقِّ يَمْلَأُهَا عَدْلًا كَمَا مُلِئَتْ جَوْراً.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, “From my descendants there will be twelve noble supervisors, who are (Muhaddathun) persons to whom angles speak and very intelligent. The last of them will be Al-Qa’im (the one who will rise with Divine Authority) and with truth who will fill the earth with justice after being filled w

سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ نَحْنُ وَ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ عَنَى اللَّهُ بِذِي الْقُرْبَى الَّذِينَ قَرَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِنَفْسِهِ وَ نَبِيِّهِ ص فَقَالَ‌ ما أَفاءَ اللَّهُ‌ عَلى‌ رَسُولِهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْقُرى‌ فَلِلَّهِ وَ لِلرَّسُولِ وَ لِذِي الْقُرْبى‌ وَ الْيَتامى‌ وَ الْمَساكِينِ‌[2] مِنَّا خَاصَّةً وَ لَمْ يَجْعَلْ لَنَا سَهْماً فِي الصَّدَقَةِ أَكْرَمَ اللَّهُ نَبِيَّهُ وَ أَكْرَمَنَا أَنْ يُطْعِمَن

“I heard Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) say, ‘We, By Allah, are the ones to whom Allah has referred by the words ‘Dhi al-Qurba’ (relatives) and has given the same status as to Him self and His the Holy Prophet (s.a). He has said, “Whatever God grants to His Messenger (out of the property) of the people of the towns, belon

هُمْ قَرَابَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ الْخُمُسُ لِلَّهِ وَ لِلرَّسُولِ وَ لَنَا.

“It refers to the relatives of the Messenger of Allah. Al-Khums (one fifth) belongs to Allah, the Messenger and to us.”

الْأَنْفَالُ مَا لَمْ يُوجَفْ‌[3] عَلَيْهِ بِ خَيْلٍ وَ لا رِكابٍ‌ أَوْ قَوْمٌ صَالَحُوا أَوْ قَوْمٌ أَعْطَوْا بِأَيْدِيهِمْ وَ كُلُّ أَرْضٍ خَرِبَةٍ وَ بُطُونُ الْأَوْدِيَةِ فَهُوَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ هُوَ لِلْإِمَامِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ يَضَعُهُ حَيْثُ يَشَاءُ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hafs ibn al-Bakhtari from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Al-Anfal is such property for the acquisition of which no camels or horses are use and no armed expeditions are undertaken. It is the property that may come as a result of

الْخُمُسُ مِنْ خَمْسَةِ أَشْيَاءَ مِنَ الْغَنَائِمِ وَ الْغَوْصِ وَ مِنَ الْكُنُوزِ وَ مِنَ الْمَعَادِنِ وَ الْمَلَّاحَةِ[4] يُؤْخَذُ مِنْ كُلِّ هَذِهِ الصُّنُوفِ الْخُمُسُ فَيُجْعَلُ لِمَنْ جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى لَهُ وَ يُقْسَمُ الْأَرْبَعَةُ الْأَخْمَاسِ بَيْنَ مَنْ قَاتَلَ عَلَيْهِ‌[5] وَ وَلِيَ ذَلِكَ وَ يُقْسَمُ بَيْنَهُمُ الْخُمُسُ عَلَى سِتَّةِ أَسْهُمٍ- سَهْمٌ لِلَّهِ وَ سَهْمٌ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَ سَهْمٌ

“Al-Khums (one fifth) is due on five categories of properties. 1 Cattle 2 Properties acquired from diving deep waters 3 The treasures 4 The mines and Salts. On each of such categories al-Khums is due. Such one fifth is distributed just as Allah has done. The remaining four portions is distributed among those who has ta

لَمَّا وَرَدَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع عَلَى الْمَهْدِيِّ رَآهُ يَرُدُّ الْمَظَالِمَ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَا بَالُ مَظْلِمَتِنَا لَا تُرَدُّ فَقَالَ لَهُ وَ مَا ذَاكَ يَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَمَّا فَتَحَ عَلَى نَبِيِّهِ ص فَدَكاً وَ مَا وَالاهَا لَمْ يُوجَفْ عَلَيْهِ بِ خَيْلٍ وَ لا رِكابٍ‌ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَى نَبِيِّهِ ص‌ وَ آتِ ذَا الْقُرْبى‌ حَقَّهُ‌[1] فَ

“In one of the meetings of abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) with al-Mahdi (one of ‘Abbassid ruler) the Imam found him paying reparations (for the damages caused to people). The Imam (a.s.) said, “O Amir al-Mu’minin, what has happened to the reparations due to us?” He then asked, “What damage is caused to you O abu al-Hassan ?

سُئِلَ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّما غَنِمْتُمْ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ فَأَنَّ لِلَّهِ خُمُسَهُ وَ لِلرَّسُولِ وَ لِذِي الْقُرْبى‌[1] فَقِيلَ لَهُ فَمَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ فَلِمَنْ هُوَ فَقَالَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ مَا كَانَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ لِلْإِمَامِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ أَ فَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ كَانَ صِنْفٌ مِنَ الْأَصْنَافِ أَكْثَرَ وَ صِنْفٌ أَقَلَّ مَا يُصْنَعُ بِهِ قَالَ ذَاكَ إِلَى الْإِمَامِ أَ رَأَ

“Once a person asked al-Rida (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, “Know that whatever property you may gain, one fifth belongs to God, the Messenger, the kindred,. .” (8:41) It then was asked, “The portion that belongs to Allah to who does it go?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It belongs to t

الْإِمَامُ يُجْرِي وَ يُنَفِّلُ وَ يُعْطِي مَا شَاءَ[2] قَبْلَ أَنْ تَقَعَ السِّهَامُ وَ قَدْ قَاتَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِقَوْمٍ لَمْ يَجْعَلْ لَهُمْ فِي الْفَيْ‌ءِ نَصِيباً وَ إِنْ شَاءَ قَسَمَ ذَلِكَ بَيْنَهُمْ.

“The Imam has the right before the distribution to spend form (booties of war), give as gift, grants and other causes. The Messenger of Allah had a confrontation with a people and he did not leave anything for them from al-Fay’. He may have given them a share if he would have wanted.”

كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ قُوتِلَ عَلَيْهِ عَلَى شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ لَنَا خُمُسَهُ وَ لَا يَحِلُّ لِأَحَدٍ أَنْ يَشْتَرِيَ مِنَ الْخُمُسِ شَيْئاً حَتَّى يَصِلَ إِلَيْنَا حَقُّنَا.

“Whatever is gained from a war that is fought to establish the testimony of that says, “There is no lord besides Allah and the Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah “ its al-Khums belongs to us. It is not lawful for to buy anything with a money for which al-Khums, our right is not paid.”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ النَّبِيِّينَ مِنْ طِينَةِ عِلِّيِّينَ قُلُوبَهُمْ وَ أَبْدَانَهُمْ‌[1] وَ خَلَقَ قُلُوبَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ تِلْكَ الطِّينَةِ وَ جَعَلَ خَلْقَ أَبْدَانِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ دُونِ ذَلِكَ وَ خَلَقَ الْكُفَّارَ مِنْ طِينَةِ سِجِّينٍ قُلُوبَهُمْ وَ أَبْدَانَهُمْ فَخَلَطَ بَيْنَ الطِّينَتَيْنِ- فَمِنْ هَذَا يَلِدُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْكَافِرَ وَ يَلِدُ الْكَافِرُ الْمُؤْمِنَ وَ مِنْ هَاهُنَ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Rib’i ibn ‘Abd Allah from a man from Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, created the prophets from the clay of ‘Illiyiyyn (paradise), both their bodies and souls. He made the hearts of the beli

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْمُؤْمِنَ مِنْ طِينَةِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ خَلَقَ الْكَافِرَ مِنْ طِينَةِ النَّارِ وَ قَالَ إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً طَيَّبَ رُوحَهُ وَ جَسَدَهُ فَلَا يَسْمَعُ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْخَيْرِ إِلَّا عَرَفَهُ وَ لَا يَسْمَعُ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْمُنْكَرِ إِلَّا أَنْكَرَهُ قَالَ وَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ الطِّينَاتُ ثَلَاثٌ طِينَةُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ الْمُؤْمِنُ مِنْ تِلْكَ الط

“Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, created the believers from the clay of paradise. He created the unbelievers from the clay of fire. He then said, ‘When Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, decides to grant good to one of His servants. He purifies his spirit and body. Whenever he hears any good thing he recognizes it.

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مِنْ أَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ طِينَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَقَالَ مِنْ طِينَةِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ فَلَمْ تَنْجَسْ أَبَداً[4].

“May Allah keep my soul of service to you, from what kind of material has Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, created the clay of the believers? He then replied, ‘He has created them with the clay from which the prophets were made. Thus, they never become unclean.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- الْمُؤْمِنُونَ مِنْ طِينَةِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Are the believers made from the clay from which the prophets were made?’ He said, ‘Yes, that is correct.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمَّا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ آدَمَ ع بَعَثَ جَبْرَئِيلَ ع فِي أَوَّلِ سَاعَةٍ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَقَبَضَ بِيَمِينِهِ قَبْضَةً بَلَغَتْ قَبْضَتُهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ السَّابِعَةِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا وَ أَخَذَ مِنْ كُلِّ سَمَاءٍ تُرْبَةً وَ قَبَضَ قَبْضَةً أُخْرَى مِنَ الْأَرْضِ السَّابِعَةِ الْعُلْيَا إِلَى الْأَرْضِ السَّابِعَةِ الْقُصْوَى فَأَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ كَلِمَ

“When Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, willed to create Adam He sent Jibril in the first hours of the Friday. He picked up with his right hand a handful. His hand had in its reach from the seventh heavens to the heaven above earth. From each of the heavens he picked up a handful. He also picked up another handful fro

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمَّا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ آدَمَ ع أَرْسَلَ الْمَاءَ عَلَى الطِّينِ ثُمَّ قَبَضَ قَبْضَةً فَعَرَكَهَا ثُمَّ فَرَّقَهَا فِرْقَتَيْنِ بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ ذَرَأَهُمْ فَإِذَا هُمْ يَدِبُّونَ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ لَهُمْ نَاراً فَأَمَرَ أَهْلَ الشِّمَالِ أَنْ يَدْخُلُوهَا فَذَهَبُوا إِلَيْهَا فَهَابُوهَا فَلَمْ يَدْخُلُوهَا ثُمَّ أَمَرَ أَهْلَ الْيَمِينِ أَنْ يَدْخُلُوهَا فَذَهَبُوا فَدَخَلُوهَا فَأَمَرَ

“When Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, willed to create Adam He sent water on the clay. He then took a handful and kneaded it and then divided it in two parts with His hands then scattered them and they began to move. He then started a fire for them and commanded the people of the left hand to enter therein. They wen

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمَّا أَخْرَجَ ذُرِّيَّةَ آدَمَ ع مِنْ ظَهْرِهِ‌[4] لِيَأْخُذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمِيثَاقَ بِالرُّبُوبِيَّةِ لَهُ وَ بِالنُّبُوَّةِ لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ فَكَانَ أَوَّلَ مَنْ أَخَذَ لَهُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمِيثَاقَ بِنُبُوَّتِهِ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ص ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لآِدَمَ انْظُرْ مَا ذَا تَرَى قَالَ فَنَظَرَ آدَمُ ع إِلَى ذُرِّيَّتِهِ وَ

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Salim from Habib al-Sajistani who has said the following: “I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘There was a time when Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, took the descendent

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ فَخَلَقَ مَنْ أَحَبَّ مِمَّا أَحَبَّ وَ كَانَ مَا أَحَبَّ أَنْ خَلَقَهُ مِنْ طِينَةِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ خَلَقَ مَنْ أَبْغَضَ مِمَّا أَبْغَضَ وَ كَانَ مَا أَبْغَضَ أَنْ خَلَقَهُ مِنْ طِينَةِ النَّارِ ثُمَّ بَعَثَهُمْ فِي الظِّلَالِ فَقُلْتُ وَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ الظِّلَالُ فَقَالَ أَ لَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ظِلِّكَ فِي الشَّمْسِ شَيْئاً وَ لَيْسَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ ثُمَّ بَعَثَ مِنْهُمُ النَّبِيِّين

“Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, created the creation. He created His most beloved ones from that which He loved most. What was most beloved to Him was the fact that he created His most beloved ones from the clay of paradise. He created those whom He hated most from that which he hated most. What was most hated to H

لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص بِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ سَبَقْتَ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ[5]- وَ أَنْتَ بُعِثْتَ آخِرَهُمْ وَ خَاتَمَهُمْ فَقَالَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ أَوَّلَ مَنْ آمَنَ بِرَبِّي وَ أَوَّلَ مَنْ أَجَابَ حَيْثُ‌ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ‌ مِيثاقَ النَّبِيِّينَ‌ وَ أَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلى‌ أَنْفُسِهِمْ أَ لَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ‌ فَكُنْتُ أَنَا أَوَّلَ نَبِيٍّ قَالَ‌ بَلى‌ فَسَبَقْتُهُمْ بِالْإِقْرَارِ بِاللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Certain persons of Quraysh asked, ‘O messenger of Allah, by what means have you surpassed the prophets in excellence while you are the last and final one among them to come (with Divine message)?’ He replied, ‘I was the first among them to express my belief in my Lord and the first one to answer the call when Allah ma

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي لَأَرَى بَعْضَ أَصْحَابِنَا يَعْتَرِيهِ النَّزَقُ وَ الْحِدَّةُ وَ الطَّيْشُ‌[1] فَأَغْتَمُّ لِذَلِكَ غَمّاً شَدِيداً وَ أَرَى مَنْ خَالَفَنَا فَأَرَاهُ حَسَنَ السَّمْتِ‌[2] قَالَ لَا تَقُلْ حَسَنَ السَّمْتِ فَإِنَّ السَّمْتَ سَمْتُ الطَّرِيقِ وَ لَكِنْ قُلْ حَسَنَ السِّيمَاءِ- فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ‌ سِيماهُمْ فِي وُجُوهِهِمْ مِنْ أَثَرِ السُّجُ

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I find certain persons of our people who seem light-minded and very temperamental and this extremely saddens me. On the other hand 1 find certain persons of those who do not accept our belief seem to (have very good Simt) be very di

سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ سَبَقْتَ وُلْدَ آدَمَ قَالَ إِنِّي أَوَّلُ مَنْ أَقَرَّ بِرَبِّي إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَخَذَ مِيثاقَ النَّبِيِّينَ‌ وَ أَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلى‌ أَنْفُسِهِمْ أَ لَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ قالُوا بَلى‌ فَكُنْتُ أَوَّلَ مَنْ أَجَابَ.

“The messenger of Allah was asked, ‘By what means have you surpassed other descendents of Adam?’ He said, ‘I was the first one to affirm my faith in my Lord. Allah established a covenant with the prophets and made them to bear testimony against their own souls when the Lord asked, “Am I not your Lord.” They all said, “

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- حُنَفاءَ لِلَّهِ‌ غَيْرَ مُشْرِكِينَ بِهِ‌[3] قَالَ الْحَنِيفِيَّةُ مِنَ الْفِطْرَةِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ اللَّهُ‌ النَّاسَ عَلَيْها لا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ‌- قَالَ فَطَرَهُمْ عَلَى الْمَعْرِفَةِ بِهِ قَالَ زُرَارَةُ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنْ بَنِي آدَمَ مِنْ ظُهُورِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَ أَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلى‌ أَنْفُسِهِمْ

“I asked him (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, ‘They are humble before Allah and they do not consider anything as partners of Allah.’ The Imam said, ‘Humbleness comes from the nature with which Allah has created all people and there is no change in the creation of Allah.’ The Imam also said,

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّمَا هُوَ اللَّهُ وَ الشَّيْطَانُ وَ الْحَقُّ وَ الْبَاطِلُ وَ الْهُدَى وَ الضَّلَالَةُ وَ الرُّشْدُ وَ الْغَيُّ وَ الْعَاجِلَةُ وَ الْآجِلَةُ وَ الْعَاقِبَةُ وَ الْحَسَنَاتُ وَ السَّيِّئَاتُ فَمَا كَانَ مِنْ حَسَنَاتٍ فَلِلَّهِ وَ مَا كَانَ مِنْ سَيِّئَاتٍ فَلِلشَّيْطَانِ لَعَنَهُ اللَّهُ.

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from his father in a Marfa* manner from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘O people, what there is, is Allah and Satan, Truth and falsehood, guidance and straying, wisdom and error, present and fut

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَعْطَى مُحَمَّداً ص شَرَائِعَ نُوحٍ وَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ مُوسَى وَ عِيسَى ع التَّوْحِيدَ وَ الْإِخْلَاصَ وَ خَلْعَ الْأَنْدَادِ وَ الْفِطْرَةَ الْحَنِيفِيَّةَ السَّمْحَةَ وَ لَا رَهْبَانِيَّةَ وَ لَا سِيَاحَةَ أَحَلَّ فِيهَا الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَ حَرَّمَ فِيهَا الْخَبَائِثَ وَ وَضَعَ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَ الْأَغْلَالَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِ فِيهَا الصَّلَاةَ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr. And a number of our people from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Thaqafi from Muhammad ibn Marwan all of them have narrated from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from those whom he has mentioned from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) wh