Prophethood

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-

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.)

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَلْ لِلْمَاءِ الَّذِي يُغَسَّلُ بِهِ الْمَيِّتُ حَدٌّ مَحْدُودٌ قَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ لِعَلِيٍّ ع إِذَا مِتُّ فَاسْتَقِ سِتَّ قِرَبٍ مِنْ مَاءِ بِئْرِ غَرْسٍ فَغَسِّلْنِي وَ كَفِّنِّي وَ حَنِّطْنِي فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ مِنْ غُسْلِي وَ كَفْنِي فَخُذْ بِجَوَامِعِ كَفَنِي وَ أَجْلِسْنِي ثُمَّ سَلْنِي عَمَّا شِئْتَ فَوَ اللَّهِ لَا تَسْأَلُنِي عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّ

‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, is there a certain quantitiyof water required to give Ghusl (bath) a dead person?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “The Messenger of Allah said to Ali (a.s.), ‘When I will die draw six sacks of water from the well Ghars (name of the well). Then wash my body, shroud it and rub ca

لَمَّا حَضَرَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص الْمَوْتُ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ عَلِيٌّ ع فَأَدْخَلَ رَأْسَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ إِذَا أَنَا مِتُّ فَغَسِّلْنِي وَ كَفِّنِّي ثُمَّ أَقْعِدْنِي وَ سَلْنِي وَ اكْتُبْ.

“When the Messenger of Allah was about to leave this world Ali (a.s.) came in to see him he (the Messenger of Allah) placed his (Ali’s) head under the blanket and said, “O Ali, when I will die, wash my body and shroud it then place me in a sitting posture then ask me and write down.”

دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَ كَامِلٌ التَّمَّارُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ كَامِلٌ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ حَدِيثٌ رَوَاهُ فُلَانٌ فَقَالَ اذْكُرْهُ فَقَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص حَدَّثَ عَلِيّاً ع بِأَلْفِ بَابٍ يَوْمَ تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص كُلُّ بَابٍ يَفْتَحُ أَلْفَ بَابٍ فَذَلِكَ أَلْفُ أَلْفِ بَابٍ فَقَالَ لَقَدْ كَانَ ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَظَهَرَ ذَلِكَ لِشِيعَتِكُمْ وَ مَوَالِيكُمْ فَقَا

there is a hadith which so and so son of so and so has narrated.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Say and read it.” He (Kamil) then said, “He so and so narrated to me that the Holy Prophet narrated a thousand chapter to Ali on the day the Messenger of Allah died. Each of those chapters open a thousand chapter. The total becomes

شَهِدْتُ وَصِيَّةَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع حِينَ أَوْصَى إِلَى ابْنِهِ الْحَسَنِ ع وَ أَشْهَدَ عَلَى وَصِيَّتِهِ الْحُسَيْنَ ع وَ مُحَمَّداً وَ جَمِيعَ وُلْدِهِ وَ رُؤَسَاءَ شِيعَتِهِ وَ أَهْلَ بَيْتِهِ ثُمَّ دَفَعَ إِلَيْهِ الْكِتَابَ وَ السِّلَاحَ وَ قَالَ لِابْنِهِ الْحَسَنِ ع يَا بُنَيَّ أَمَرَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَنْ أُوصِيَ إِلَيْكَ وَ أَنْ أَدْفَعَ إِلَيْكَ كُتُبِي وَ سِلَاحِي كَمَا أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ رَسُولُ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibrahim ibn ‘Umar al-Yamani and ‘Umar ibn ’Udhayna from Sulaym ibn Qays who has said the following. “I witnessed Amir al-Mu’minin Ali’s (a.s.) will made before me in which he appointed his, al-Hassan (a.s.) as the executor. He called al-Husayn (a

إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص لَمَّا حَضَرَهُ الَّذِي حَضَرَهُ قَالَ لِابْنِهِ الْحَسَنِ ادْنُ مِنِّي حَتَّى أُسِرَّ إِلَيْكَ مَا أَسَرَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِلَيَّ وَ أَئْتَمِنَكَ عَلَى مَا ائْتَمَنَنِي عَلَيْهِ فَفَعَلَ.

“When Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) was about to leave this world, he called his son, al-Hasan (a.s.) saying, 'Come very close to me so I can speak to you secretly just as the Messenger of Allah did to me and entrust you with all that he entrusted me with.' and he did so.”

أَوْصَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِلَى الْحَسَنِ وَ أَشْهَدَ عَلَى وَصِيَّتِهِ الْحُسَيْنَ ع وَ مُحَمَّداً وَ جَمِيعَ وُلْدِهِ وَ رُؤَسَاءَ شِيعَتِهِ وَ أَهْلَ بَيْتِهِ ثُمَّ دَفَعَ إِلَيْهِ الْكِتَابَ وَ السِّلَاحَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِابْنِهِ الْحَسَنِ يَا بُنَيَّ أَمَرَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ أَنْ أُوصِيَ إِلَيْكَ وَ أَنْ أَدْفَعَ إِلَيْكَ كُتُبِي وَ سِلَاحِي كَمَا أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَ دَفَعَ إِلَيَّ كُتُبَهُ و

5. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from ‘Amr ibn Shimr from Jabur from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) made his directive will to al-Hassan (a.s.) and asked al-Husayn (a.s.), Muhammad, all his sons, the

الْكُلَيْنِيُّ وَ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنِ ابْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ الدَّيْلَمِيِّ عَنْ هَارُونَ بْنِ الْجَهْمِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا حَضَرَ الْحَسَنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع الْوَفَاةُ قَالَ لِلْحُسَيْنِ ع يَا أَخِي إِنِّي أُوصِيكَ بِوَصِيَّةٍ فَاحْفَظْهَا إِذَا أَنَا مِتُّ فَهَيِّئْنِي ثُمَّ وَجِّهْنِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لِأُحْدِثَ بِهِ ع

“When al-Hassan (a.s.) ibn Ali (a.s.) was about to leave this world he said to al-Husayn (a.s.), “O my brother, I want to entrust you with my directive will (please) safeguard and preserve it. When I will die prepare and help me towards (the Shrine of) the Messenger of Allah so I can renew my covenant with him then hel

لَمَّا حَضَرَتِ‌ الْحَسَنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع الْوَفَاةُ قَالَ يَا قَنْبَرُ انْظُرْ هَلْ تَرَى مِنْ وَرَاءِ بَابِكَ مُؤْمِناً مِنْ غَيْرِ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَقَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ ابْنُ رَسُولِهِ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي قَالَ ادْعُ لِي مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَلَمَّا دَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ هَلْ حَدَثَ إِلَّا خَيْرٌ قُلْتُ أَجِبْ أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ فَعَجَّلَ عَلَى شِسْعِ نَعْلِهِ فَلَمْ يُسَوِّهِ وَ

“When al-Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.) was about to leave this world he said, “O Qanbar, see if you there is any believer (in Islam) other than the members of the family of Muhammad (s.a.) behind the door.” He (Qanbar) said Allah, His Messenger and the grand son of His Messenger know better than I do.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “C

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا احْتُضِرَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع قَالَ لِلْحُسَيْنِ يَا أَخِي إِنِّي أُوصِيكَ بِوَصِيَّةٍ فَاحْفَظْهَا فَإِذَا أَنَا مِتُّ فَهَيِّئْنِي ثُمَّ وَجِّهْنِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لِأُحْدِثَ بِهِ عَهْداً ثُمَّ اصْرِفْنِي إِلَى أُمِّي فَاطِمَةَ ع ثُمَّ رُدَّنِي فَادْفِنِّي بِالْبَقِيعِ وَ اعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ سَيُصِيبُنِي مِنَ الْحُمَيْرَاءِ مَا يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مِنْ صَنِيعِهَا وَ

“When al-Hassan (a.s.) ibn Ali (a.s.) was about to leave this world he said to al-Husayn (a.s.), “O my brother, I want to entrust you with my directive will (please) safeguard and preserve it. When I will die prepare and help me towards (the Shrine of) the Messenger of Allah so I can renew my covenant with him then hel

وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَجَالِسٌ عِنْدَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ وَ عِنْدَهُ وُلْدُهُ إِذْ جَاءَهُ جَابِرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ بِيَدِ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَخَلَا بِهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أَخْبَرَنِي أَنِّي سَأُدْرِكُ رَجُلًا مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ يُقَالُ لَهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ يُكَنَّى أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ فَإِذَا أَدْرَكْتَهُ فَأَقْرِئْهُ مِنِّي السَّلَامَ قَالَ وَ م

“ I swear by Allah, I was sitting in the presence of Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) whose sons also were there when Jabir ibn ‘Abdallah al-Ansari came. He offered his greeting then he held the hand of Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and took him aside for privacy and said, “The Messenger of Allah informed me that I would find my self with

لَمَّا حَضَرَ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع الْوَفَاةُ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ أَخْرَجَ سَفَطاً أَوْ صُنْدُوقاً عِنْدَهُ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ احْمِلْ هَذَا الصُّنْدُوقَ قَالَ فَحَمَلَ بَيْنَ أَرْبَعَةٍ فَلَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ جَاءَ إِخْوَتُهُ يَدَّعُونَ مَا فِي الصُّنْدُوقِ فَقَالُوا أَعْطِنَا نَصِيبَنَا فِي الصُّنْدُوقِ فَقَالَ وَ اللَّهِ مَا لَكُمْ فِيهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَوْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِيهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ مَا دَفَعَهُ إِلَيَّ وَ كَانَ فِي ا

When Ali ibn al-Husayn (as) was on his deathbed, he took out a box or chest that was with him and said, "O Muhammad, carry this chest." So he carried it between four men. When he passed away, his brothers came claiming what was in the chest and said, "Give us our share of the chest." He replied, "By God, you have no sh

إِنَّ أَبِي ع اسْتَوْدَعَنِي مَا هُنَاكَ فَلَمَّا حَضَرَتْهُ الْوَفَاةُ قَالَ ادْعُ لِي شُهُوداً فَدَعَوْتُ لَهُ أَرْبَعَةً مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فِيهِمْ نَافِعٌ مَوْلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ اكْتُبْ هَذَا مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ يَعْقُوبُ بَنِيهِ‌ يا بَنِيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفى‌ لَكُمُ الدِّينَ فَلا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَ أَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ‌[1] وَ أَوْصَى مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ إِلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَمَر

“My father entrusted me with all that is there (the sacred objects inherited from the prophets such as directive wills etc.). When he was about to leave this world, he asked me to call for him a few people to bear testimony. I then called for him four people from Quraysh among them was Nafi‘ Mawla ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Umar.

إِنَّ ابْنِي عَلِيّاً أَكْبَرُ وُلْدِي وَ أَبَرُّهُمْ عِنْدِي وَ أَحَبُّهُمْ‌ إِلَيَّ وَ هُوَ يَنْظُرُ مَعِي فِي الْجَفْرِ وَ لَمْ يَنْظُرْ فِيهِ إِلَّا نَبِيٌّ أَوْ وَصِيُّ نَبِيٍّ.

“My son, Ali is the eldest of my sons and the most virtuous among them to me and the most beloved of them to me. He looks into the Jafr (a secret source of knowledge) with me. No one looks into it except a prophet or the executor of the will of a prophet.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ع أَ لَا تَدُلُّنِي إِلَى مَنْ آخُذُ عَنْهُ دِينِي فَقَالَ هَذَا ابْنِي عَلِيٌّ إِنَّ أَبِي أَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَأَدْخَلَنِي إِلَى قَبْرِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ- إِنِّي جاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً[1] وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا قَالَ قَوْلًا وَفَى بِهِ.

“I said to Abu al-Hassan the 1st (a.s.) 'Would you guide me to a person from whom I could learn my religion?'” He (the Imam) said, “This is my son Ali. My father took my hand until we were at the grave of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) and said, “My son, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “. . I am appointi

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

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

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

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ فِي صَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ شَبَهاً مِنْ يُوسُفَ ع قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ كَأَنَّكَ تَذْكُرُهُ حَيَاتَهُ أَوْ غَيْبَتَهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي وَ مَا يُنْكَرُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةُ أَشْبَاهُ الْخَنَازِيرِ- إِنَّ إِخْوَةَ يُوسُفَ ع كَانُوا أَسْبَاطاً أَوْلَادَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ تَاجَرُوا يُوسُفَ وَ بَايَعُوهُ وَ خَاطَبُوهُ وَ هُمْ إِخْوَتُهُ وَ هُوَ أَخُوهُمْ- فَلَمْ يَعْرِفُ

“In the (case) of the person in charge of this task (Leadership with Divine Authority, the twelfth Imam (a.s.)) there is a similarity to Yusuf (Joseph) (a.s.).” I then said, “Are you, O Imam, speaking of his life time or his disappearance.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) then said, “ What then is it that ce

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ لِلْغُلَامِ غَيْبَةً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُومَ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ لِمَ قَالَ يَخَافُ وَ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى بَطْنِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا زُرَارَةُ وَ هُوَ الْمُنْتَظَرُ وَ هُوَ الَّذِي يُشَكُّ فِي وِلَادَتِهِ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ مَاتَ أَبُوهُ بِلَا خَلَفٍ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ حَمْلٌ‌[1] وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ إِنَّهُ وُلِدَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِ أَبِيهِ بِسَنَتَيْنِ وَ هُوَ الْمُ

“The young boy will disappear from the public sight before his rise (with divine power)” The narrator has said, “I then asked, “Why (would that has to take place)?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He will be afraid.” He pointed out with his hand to his midsection. Then he said, “O zurara, “He is the one whose reappearance is ex

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَنْتَ صَاحِبُ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ فَقَالَ لَا فَقُلْتُ فَوَلَدُكَ فَقَالَ لَا فَقُلْتُ فَوَلَدُ وَلَدِكَ هُوَ قَالَ لَا فَقُلْتُ فَوَلَدُ وَلَدِ وَلَدِكَ فَقَالَ لَا قُلْتُ مَنْ هُوَ قَالَ الَّذِي يَمْلَأُهَا عَدْلًا كَمَا مُلِئَتْ ظُلْماً وَ جَوْراً عَلَى فَتْرَةٍ مِنَ الْأَئِمَّةِ كَمَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص بُعِثَ‌ عَلى‌ فَتْرَةٍ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ‌.

Once I went to see abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and said to him, “Are you the in charge of this task ((to rise with divine power)?” he said, “No, I am not he.” I then asked, “Is he your son?” He said, “No, my son will be he either.” I then asked, “Will the son of your son be he?” He said, “No, my grandson will not be he.” I th

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا بُدَّ لِلْغُلَامِ مِنْ غَيْبَةٍ قُلْتُ وَ لِمَ قَالَ يَخَافُ وَ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى بَطْنِهِ وَ هُوَ الْمُنْتَظَرُ وَ هُوَ الَّذِي يَشُكُّ النَّاسُ فِي وِلَادَتِهِ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ حَمْلٌ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ مَاتَ أَبُوهُ وَ لَمْ يُخَلِّفْ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ وُلِدَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِ أَبِيهِ بِسَنَتَيْنِ قَالَ زُرَارَةُ فَقُلْتُ وَ مَا تَأْمُرُنِي لَوْ أَدْرَكْتُ ذَل

“It will be necessary for the young boy to diappear from the public sight.” I then asked, “Why it will be necessary?” He said, “Because he will have fear- he then pointed towards his midsection. He will be the one whose reappearance will be intensely expected. It will be he in whose being born people will have doubts.

لَهُمْ يَا بَيَّاعِي مُسُوخِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَ جُنْدِ بَنِي مَرْوَانَ فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ فُرَاتُ بْنُ أَحْنَفَ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ مَا جُنْدُ بَنِي مَرْوَانَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَقْوَامٌ حَلَقُوا اللِّحَى وَ فَتَلُوا الشَّوَارِبَ فَمُسِخُوا فَلَمْ أَرَ نَاطِقاً أَحْسَنَ نُطْقاً مِنْهُ ثُمَّ اتَّبَعْتُهُ فَلَمْ أَزَلْ أَقْفُو أَثَرَهُ حَتَّى قَعَدَ فِي رَحَبَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَمِيرَ

“I saw Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) in the (market) place of the Shurtat al-Khamis with a two pronged whip in his had. With it he would scare the sellers of inedible fish such as eel, moray and angler etc., and say, “O sellers of metamorphosed Israelites and the army of the descendants of Marwan, do not sell (inedible fishe

لَمَّا قُتِلَ الْحُسَيْنُ ع أَرْسَلَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَنَفِيَّةِ إِلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَخَلَا بِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي قَدْ عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص دَفَعَ الْوَصِيَّةَ وَ الْإِمَامَةَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع ثُمَّ إِلَى الْحَسَنِ ع ثُمَّ إِلَى الْحُسَيْنِ ع وَ قَدْ قُتِلَ أَبُوكَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ وَ صَلَّى عَلَى رُوحِهِ وَ لَمْ يُوصِ وَ أَنَا عَمُّكَ وَ صِنْوُ

“When al-Husayn (a.s.) was martyred, Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiya asked Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) for a private meeting. In the meeting he said, “O son of my brother, you know that the Messenger of Allah (s.a) delivered the task of al-Wasiyya, (the executor-ship of the will) and al-Imamat, (Leadership with Divine Authority)

دَخَلْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ وَ لَسْتُ أَعْرِفُ شَيْئاً مِنْ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ فَأَتَيْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَإِذَا جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فَقُلْتُ أَخْبِرُونِي عَنْ عَالِمِ أَهْلِ هَذَا الْبَيْتِ فَقَالُوا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ فَأَتَيْتُ مَنْزِلَهُ فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُ فَخَرَجَ إِلَيَّ رَجُلٌ ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ غُلَامٌ لَهُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِي عَلَى مَوْلَاكَ فَدَخَلَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَقَالَ لِيَ ادْخُلْ فَدَخَلْتُ فَإِذ

6. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from al-Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Ali who has said that Sama‘a ibn Mihran narrated to me that al-Kalbi al-Nassaba narrated to him the following. “ I went to Madina and I had no knowledge of this matter (Leadership with Divine Authority, Imamat ). I went to the Mosque

كَانَ لِيَ ابْنُ عَمٍّ يُقَالُ لَهُ- الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ كَانَ زَاهِداً وَ كَانَ مِنْ أَعْبَدِ أَهْلِ زَمَانِهِ وَ كَانَ يَتَّقِيهِ السُّلْطَانُ لِجِدِّهِ فِي الدِّينِ وَ اجْتِهَادِهِ وَ رُبَّمَا اسْتَقْبَلَ السُّلْطَانَ بِكَلَامٍ صَعْبٍ يَعِظُهُ وَ يَأْمُرُهُ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ يَنْهَاهُ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَ كَانَ السُّلْطَانُ يَحْتَمِلُهُ لِصَلَاحِهِ وَ لَمْ تَزَلْ هَذِهِ حَالَتَهُ حَتَّى كَانَ يَوْمٌ مِنَ

“I had a son of uncle. He wascalled al-Hassan ibn ‘Abdallah He was Zahid (restricted himself from worldly pleasures). He was the foremost in worship of his time. He king would also observe cautions due to his assiduousness and seriousness in the matters of religion. He would even demand the king to respect and maintain

سَمِعْتُ يَحْيَى بْنَ أَكْثَمَ قَاضِيَ سَامَرَّاءَ بَعْدَ مَا جَهَدْتُ بِهِ وَ نَاظَرْتُهُ وَ حَاوَرْتُهُ وَ وَاصَلْتُهُ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ عُلُومِ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ فَقَالَ: بَيْنَا أَنَا ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ دَخَلْتُ أَطُوفُ بِقَبْرِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَرَأَيْتُ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ الرِّضَا ع يَطُوفُ بِهِ فَنَاظَرْتُهُ فِي مَسَائِلَ عِنْدِي فَأَخْرَجَهَا إِلَيَّ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ مَسْأَ

It happened only after serious debates, conversations, maintaining good relations and asking him about the knowledge of the members of the family of Muhammad (s.a). He said, “Once when was walking around the grave of the Messenger of Allah I saw Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) also walk around the grave of the Messenge

جَاءَتْ أُمُّ أَسْلَمَ يَوْماً إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص وَ هُوَ فِي مَنْزِلِ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ فَسَأَلَتْهَا عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَتْ خَرَجَ فِي بَعْضِ الْحَوَائِجِ وَ السَّاعَةَ يَجِي‌ءُ فَانْتَظَرَتْهُ عِنْدَ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ حَتَّى جَاءَ ص فَقَالَتْ‌ أُمُّ أَسْلَمَ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي قَدْ قَرَأْتُ الْكُتُبَ وَ عَلِمْتُ كُلَّ نَبِيٍّ وَ وَصِيٍّ- فَمُوسَى كَانَ لَهُ وَصِيٌّ فِي حَيَاتِه

“One day ’Umm Aslam came to the Holy Prophet (s.a) when he was in the house of ’Umm salama. She asked about the Messenger of Allah. ’Umm Salama relied that he had just went out for some thing and that he would return soon. She then waited with ’Umm Salama until he (the Messenger of Allah) came. ’Umm Aslam then said, “M

أَنَّ زَيْدَ بْنَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع دَخَلَ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ وَ مَعَهُ كُتُبٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ يَدْعُونَهُ فِيهَا إِلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ يُخْبِرُونَهُ بِاجْتِمَاعِهِمْ وَ يَأْمُرُونَهُ بِالْخُرُوجِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع هَذِهِ الْكُتُبُ ابْتِدَاءٌ مِنْهُمْ أَوْ جَوَابُ مَا كَتَبْتَ بِهِ إِلَيْهِمْ وَ دَعَوْتَهُمْ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ بَلِ ابْتِدَاءٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ لِمَعْرِف

16. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Husayn ibn al-Jarud from Musa ibn Bakr ibn Dab from the one who narrated to him from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Once Zayd ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn went to see abu Ja’far, Muhammad ibn Ali. He carried with him l

كَتَبَ يَحْيَى بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ إِلَى مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ ع أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنِّي أُوصِي نَفْسِي بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَ بِهَا أُوصِيكَ فَإِنَّهَا وَصِيَّةُ اللَّهِ فِي الْأَوَّلِينَ وَ وَصِيَّتُهُ فِي الْآخِرِينَ خَبَّرَنِي مَنْ وَرَدَ عَلَيَّ مِنْ أَعْوَانِ اللَّهِ عَلَى دِينِهِ وَ نَشْرِ طَاعَتِهِ بِمَا كَانَ مِنْ تَحَنُّنِكَ مَعَ خِذْلَانِكَ وَ قَدْ شَاوَرْتُ فِي الدَّعْوَةِ لِلرِّضَا مِنْ‌ آلِ م

19. And by this chain, from Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al Ja'fari who said, ‘Yahya bin Abdullah bin Al-Hassan wrote to Musa bin Ja’far (AS), ‘Following on from that, I hereby bequeath myself to fear Allah, and by it I bequeath you, for it is a bequest of Allah among the former ones and His bequest among the later ones. They

فِيهَا أَلَا إِنَّ بَلِيَّتَكُمْ قَدْ عَادَتْ كَهَيْئَتِهَا يَوْمَ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ نَبِيَّهُ ص وَ الَّذِي بَعَثَهُ بِالْحَقِّ لَتُبَلْبَلُنَّ بَلْبَلَةً وَ لَتُغَرْبَلُنَّ غَرْبَلَةً حَتَّى يَعُودَ أَسْفَلُكُمْ أَعْلَاكُمْ وَ أَعْلَاكُمْ أَسْفَلَكُمْ وَ لَيَسْبِقَنَّ سَبَّاقُونَ كَانُوا قَصَّرُوا وَ لَيُقَصِّرَنَّ سَبَّاقُونَ كَانُوا سَبَقُوا وَ اللَّهِ مَا كَتَمْتُ وَسِمَةً وَ لَا كَذَبْتُ كَذِبَةً وَ لَقَدْ نُبِّئْت

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ya‘qub al-Sarraj and Ali ibn Ri’ab from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “When people pledged allegiance to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) after the assassination of ‘Uthman he addressed the people from the pulpit and delivered a se