Prophethood

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا كُلَّ أُناسٍ بِإِمامِهِمْ‌[1] فَقَالَ يَا فُضَيْلُ اعْرِفْ إِمَامَكَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا عَرَفْتَ إِمَامَكَ لَمْ يَضُرَّكَ تَقَدَّمَ هَذَا الْأَمْرُ أَوْ تَأَخَّرَ وَ مَنْ عَرَفَ إِمَامَهُ ثُمَّ مَاتَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُومَ صَاحِبُ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ كَانَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ مَنْ كَانَ قَاعِداً فِي عَسْكَرِهِ لَا بَلْ بِمَنْزِلَةِ مَنْ قَعَدَ

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “On the day when We call every nation with their leaders, Imams. .” (17:71). He said, “O Fudayl find out who your Imam is because when you will find out who your Imam is then whether this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Autho

ابْتَدَأَنَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَوْماً وَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ إِمَامٌ فَمِيتَتُهُ مِيتَةٌ جَاهِلِيَّةٌ فَقُلْتُ قَالَ ذَلِكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ إِي وَ اللَّهِ قَدْ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَكُلُّ مَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ إِمَامٌ فَمِيتَتُهُ مِيتَةٌ جَاهِلِيَّةٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever would die and is not under the (guardianship) of the Imam his death would be like a death in ignorance.” The narrator has said that I asked, “Is that what the Messenger of Allah has said?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes, by Allah, he has said so.” I then said, “Do all who die with

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ إِمَامٌ فَمِيتَتُهُ مِيتَةٌ جَاهِلِيَّةٌ قَالَ قُلْتُ مِيتَةُ كُفْرٍ قَالَ مِيتَةُ ضَلَالٍ قُلْتُ فَمَنْ مَاتَ الْيَوْمَ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ إِمَامٌ فَمِيتَتُهُ مِيتَةٌ جَاهِلِيَّةٌ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words the Messenger of Allah. ““Whoever would die and is not under the (guardianship) of the Imam his death would be like a death in ignorance.” The narrator has said I then asked, “Is it death in disbelief (in religion)?” He said, “It is death in error .” I then said, “Thus, who

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ مَاتَ لَا يَعْرِفُ إِمَامَهُ مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّةً قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ جَاهِلِيَّةً جَهْلَاءَ أَوْ جَاهِلِيَّةً لَا يَعْرِفُ إِمَامَهُ قَالَ جَاهِلِيَّةَ كُفْرٍ وَ نِفَاقٍ وَ ضَلَالٍ.

‘the Messenger of Allah (sw) said, "Whoever dies and does not know his Imam dies the death of ignorance." He (the Imam) replied in the affirmative. I asked, "Is it the death of ignorance (in the sense) of being ignorant or is it the death of ignorance in not knowing his Imam?" He replied, "(It is the death of) ignoranc

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ الْعَامَّةِ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ مَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ إِمَامٌ مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّةً فَقَالَ الْحَقُّ وَ اللَّهِ- قُلْتُ فَإِنَّ إِمَاماً هَلَكَ وَ رَجُلٌ بِخُرَاسَانَ لَا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ وَصِيُّهُ لَمْ يَسَعْهُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ لَا يَسَعُهُ إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ إِذَا هَلَكَ وَقَعَتْ حُجَّةُ وَصِيِّهِ عَلَى مَنْ هُوَ مَعَهُ فِي الْبَلَدِ وَ حَقُّ النَّفْرِ عَلَى مَن

“I asked Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the statement of the general populace (Sunnis) that says the Messenger of Allah (sw) has said, “If a person would die without having an Imam, his death would be as if he has died as the death of ignorance (pre-Islamic period)” The Imam (a.s.) said, “That is true, by Allah.” I then as

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَدْ عَرَفْتَ انْقِطَاعِي إِلَى أَبِيكَ ثُمَّ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ حَلَفْتُ لَهُ وَ حَقِّ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ حَقِّ فُلَانٍ وَ فُلَانٍ حَتَّى انْتَهَيْتُ إِلَيْهِ بِأَنَّهُ لَا يَخْرُجُ مِنِّي مَا تُخْبِرُنِي بِهِ إِلَى أَحَدٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ أَ حَيٌّ هُوَ أَوْ مَيِّتٌ فَقَالَ قَدْ وَ اللَّهِ مَاتَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ شِيعَتَكَ يَرْوُونَ أَنّ

“I said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, you know how devoted I have been towards your father and after him to yourself. I then swore before him up on the rights of the Messenger of Allah and the rights of so and so and so and so (Ali, al-Hassan, al-Husayn . (a.s.) until his o

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع إِنَّ رَجُلًا عَنَى‌[1] أَخَاكَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فَذَكَرَ لَهُ أَنَّ أَبَاكَ فِي الْحَيَاةِ وَ أَنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ مَا يَعْلَمُ فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ يَمُوتُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ لَا يَمُوتُ مُوسَى ع قَدْ وَ اللَّهِ مَضَى كَمَا مَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ لَكِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَمْ يَزَلْ مُنْذُ قَبَضَ نَبِيَّهُ ص هَلُمَّ جَرّاً يَمُنُّ بِهَذَا الدِّينِ عَلَى أَوْلَادِ الْأَ

The Imam (a.s.) said, “Glory belongs to Allah. The Messenger of Allah dies. How is it that Musa (Imam Musa al-Kadhim) does not die? Certainly, by Allah, he passed away just as the Messenger of Allah passed away. However, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, ever since that He took his Prophet from this world has contin

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع أَ كَانَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ع حِينَ تَكَلَّمَ فِي الْمَهْدِ حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ عَلَى أَهْلِ زَمَانِهِ فَقَالَ كَانَ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَبِيّاً حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ غَيْرَ مُرْسَلٍ أَ مَا تَسْمَعُ لِقَوْلِهِ حِينَ قَالَ- إِنِّي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ‌ آتانِيَ الْكِتابَ وَ جَعَلَنِي نَبِيًّا. وَ جَعَلَنِي مُبارَكاً أَيْنَ ما كُنْتُ‌ وَ أَوْصانِي بِالصَّلاةِ وَ الزَّكاةِ ما دُمْتُ حَيًّا[2] قُلْتُ فَكَانَ يَوْمَئِ

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘Was Jesus at the time he spoke to people from the cradle a Divine authority over the people of his time?” He said, “At that time he was a prophet, a Divine authority over the people but not a Mursal (Messenger). Have you not heard the words of Allah that say, “He said, “I am the servant of

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 ع رَسُولًا نَبِيّاً صَاحِبَ شَرِيعَةٍ مُبْتَدَأَةٍ فِي أَصْغَرَ مِنَ السِّنِّ الَّذِي فِيهِ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ.

“Once I was standing in the presence of abu al-Hassan (a.s.) in Khurasan and someone said to him, ‘O my master if something will happen to you to who must we then turn for guidance?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “You must turn for guidance to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), my son.” The person asking the question seemed to have thought of

رَأَيْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ قَدْ خَرَجَ عَلَيَّ فَأَخَذْتُ النَّظَرَ إِلَيْهِ وَ جَعَلْتُ أَنْظُرُ إِلَى رَأْسِهِ وَ رِجْلَيْهِ لِأَصِفَ قَامَتَهُ لِأَصْحَابِنَا بِمِصْرَ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا كَذَلِكَ حَتَّى قَعَدَ فَقَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ احْتَجَّ فِي الْإِمَامَةِ بِمِثْلِ مَا احْتَجَّ بِهِ فِي النُّبُوَّةِ فَقَالَ‌ وَ آتَيْناهُ الْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّا[1] وَ لَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ‌[2] وَ بَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً[3

“Once I saw abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who had come out to me and I began to look at him from head to his toes so I can describe him to our people in Egypt. I was looking until he sat down and said, “O Ali, Allah has supported His argument against the people in the case of Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority) just as He ha

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ حَسَّانَ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا سَيِّدِي إِنَّ النَّاسَ يُنْكِرُونَ عَلَيْكَ حَدَاثَةَ سِنِّكَ فَقَالَ وَ مَا يُنْكِرُونَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَقَدْ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِنَبِيِّهِ ص- قُلْ هذِهِ سَبِيلِي‌ أَدْعُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ عَلى‌ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَ مَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي‌[4] فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا تَبِعَهُ إِلَّا عَلِيٌّ ع وَ لَهُ تِسْعُ سِنِينَ وَ أَنَا ابْنُ تِسْعِ سِنِينَ.

“My mater, people refuse to accept your Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority) because of you very young age.” He said, “Why do they not refuse to accept the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, has said to His prophet, “ (Muhammad), say, “This is my way.

حَجَجْنَا مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي السَّنَةِ الَّتِي وُلِدَ فِيهَا ابْنُهُ مُوسَى ع فَلَمَّا نَزَلْنَا الْأَبْوَاءَ[4] وَضَعَ لَنَا الْغَدَاءَ وَ كَانَ إِذَا وَضَعَ الطَّعَامَ لِأَصْحَابِهِ أَكْثَرَ وَ أَطَابَ قَالَ فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ نَأْكُلُ إِذْ أَتَاهُ رَسُولُ حَمِيدَةَ فَقَالَ لَهُ إِنَّ حَمِيدَةَ تَقُولُ قَدْ أَنْكَرْتُ نَفْسِي وَ قَدْ وَجَدْتُ مَا كُنْتُ أَجِدُ إِذَا حَضَرَتْ وِلَادَتِي وَ قَدْ أَمَرْتَنِ

When we arrived at al-Abwa lunch was served When he would serve food to his people he would serve good and plentiful food. At such time the messenger of Hamida, (his wife), came saying, “Hamida says, “I have almost lost my self and I have found what I was to find, I am about to give birth. You had commanded me not to d

سَمِعْتُ إِسْحَاقَ بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ أَبِي يَقُولُ‌ الْأَوْصِيَاءُ إِذَا حَمَلَتْ بِهِمْ أُمَّهَاتُهُمْ أَصَابَهَا فَتْرَةٌ شِبْهُ الْغَشْيَةِ فَأَقَامَتْ فِي ذَلِكَ‌ يَوْمَهَا ذَلِكَ إِنْ كَانَ نَهَاراً أَوْ لَيْلَتَهَا إِنْ كَانَ لَيْلًا ثُمَّ تَرَى فِي مَنَامِهَا رَجُلًا يُبَشِّرُهَا بِغُلَامٍ عَلِيمٍ حَلِيمٍ فَتَفْرَحُ لِذَلِكَ ثُمَّ تَنْتَبِهُ مِنْ نَوْمِهَا فَتَسْمَعُ مِنْ جَانِبِهَا الْأَيْمَنِ فِ

“When the mothers of the executors of the will conceive them she will go through a condition as if she has fainted for the rest of day if it would take place during the day or for the rest of the night if it would take place at night. She then would see in her dream a man congratulating her with the birth of a son, ver

لِلْإِمَامِ عَشْرُ عَلَامَاتٍ يُولَدُ مُطَهَّراً مَخْتُوناً وَ إِذَا وَقَعَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ وَقَعَ عَلَى رَاحَتِهِ رَافِعاً صَوْتَهُ بِالشَّهَادَتَيْنِ وَ لَا يُجْنِبُ وَ تَنَامُ عَيْنَاهُ وَ لَا يَنَامُ قَلْبُهُ وَ لَا يَتَثَاءَبُ وَ لَا يَتَمَطَّى وَ يَرَى مِنْ خَلْفِهِ كَمَا يَرَى مِنْ أَمَامِهِ وَ نَجْوُهُ كَرَائِحَةِ الْمِسْكِ وَ الْأَرْضُ مُوَكَّلَةٌ بِسَتْرِهِ‌ وَ ابْتِلَاعِهِ وَ إِذَا لَبِسَ دِرْعَ رَسُولِ ال

“Imam has ten signs. He is born clean and circumcised. When falls on the earth his palms reach the ground first while he raises his head to the sky and loudly says the two testimonies. He does not experience wit dream. His eyes sleep but not his heart. He does not yawn and stretCh He sees behind just as he sees in fron

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَنَا مِنْ نُورِ عَظَمَتِهِ ثُمَّ صَوَّرَ خَلْقَنَا مِنْ طِينَةٍ مَخْزُونَةٍ مَكْنُونَةٍ مِنْ تَحْتِ الْعَرْشِ فَأَسْكَنَ ذَلِكَ النُّورَ فِيهِ فَكُنَّا نَحْنُ خَلْقاً وَ بَشَراً نُورَانِيِّينَ لَمْ يَجْعَلْ لِأَحَدٍ فِي مِثْلِ الَّذِي خَلَقَنَا مِنْهُ نَصِيباً وَ خَلَقَ أَرْوَاحَ شِيعَتِنَا مِنْ طِينَتِنَا وَ أَبْدَانَهُمْ مِنْ طِينَةٍ مَخْزُونَةٍ مَكْنُونَةٍ أَسْفَلَ مِنْ ذَلِك

“Allah has created us from the light of His greatness. Thereafter He shaped our form from a preserved and hidden clay under the Throne. Then He made that light to reside in that clay. We then were a spiritual creature of the human being species. He has not placed anything as a share from that which we were created in a

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ نَهَراً دُونَ عَرْشِهِ وَ دُونَ النَّهَرِ الَّذِي دُونَ عَرْشِهِ نُورٌ نَوَّرَهُ وَ إِنَّ فِي حَافَتَيِ النَّهَرِ رُوحَيْنِ مَخْلُوقَيْنِ- رُوحُ الْقُدُسِ وَ رُوحٌ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ وَ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَشْرَ طِينَاتٍ خَمْسَةً مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَ خَمْسَةً مِنَ الْأَرْضِ فَفَسَّرَ الْجِنَانَ وَ فَسَّرَ الْأَرْضَ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا مِنْ نَبِيٍّ وَ لَا مَلَكٍ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ جَبَلَهُ إِل

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Ali ibn Hassa’n and Muhammad ibn Yahya from Salma ibn al-Khattab and others from Ali ibn Hassa’n from Ali ibn ‘Atiyya from Ali ibn Ri’ab who has narrated it in a marfu‘ manner from Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah has a canal below His Throne. Below the can

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَوْ أَنَّ قَوْماً عَبَدُوا اللَّهَ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَ آتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ وَ حَجُّوا الْبَيْتَ وَ صَامُوا شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَّ قَالُوا لِشَيْ‌ءٍ صَنَعَهُ اللَّهُ أَوْ صَنَعَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَلَّا صَنَعَ خِلَافَ الَّذِي صَنَعَ أَوْ وَجَدُوا ذَلِكَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ لَكَانُوا بِذَلِكَ مُشْرِكِينَ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- فَلا وَ رَبِّكَ‌ لا يُؤْمِن

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘If a people would worship Allah only Who has no partner, maintain the prayers, pay Zakat, perform Hajj of the House and fast in the month of Ramadan but say about something that Allah or the Messenger of Allah has done, would that it had been done differently or find such feelings in th

قَالَ: لَقَدْ خَاطَبَ اللَّهُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي كِتَابِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فِي أَيِّ مَوْضِعٍ قَالَ فِي قَوْلِهِ‌ وَ لَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذْ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ جاؤُكَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا اللَّهَ‌ وَ اسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ الرَّسُولُ‌ لَوَجَدُوا اللَّهَ تَوَّاباً رَحِيماً. فَلا وَ رَبِّكَ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّى يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيما شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ‌ فِيمَا تَعَاقَدُوا عَلَيْهِ لَئِنْ أَمَاتَ اللَّهُ مُحَمَّداً أَلَّا يَرُ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah has addressed Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) in His book.” The narrator has said that asked him, “where and in which passage?” He said, “It is in His words that read, “If they ever do injustice to themselves and come to you (Muhammad) asking for God’s forgiveness and if the Messenger also w

وَ عِنْدَهُ أُنَاسٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ- عَجَباً لِلنَّاسِ أَنَّهُمْ أَخَذُوا عِلْمَهُمْ كُلَّهُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَعَمِلُوا بِهِ وَ اهْتَدَوْا وَ يَرَوْنَ أَنَّ أَهْلَ بَيْتِهِ لَمْ يَأْخُذُوا عِلْمَهُ وَ نَحْنُ أَهْلُ بَيْتِهِ وَ ذُرِّيَّتُهُ فِي مَنَازِلِنَا نَزَلَ الْوَحْيُ وَ مِنْ عِنْدِنَا خَرَجَ الْعِلْمُ إِلَيْهِمْ أَ فَيَرَوْنَ أَنَّهُمْ عَلِمُوا وَ اهْتَدَوْا وَ جَهِلْنَا نَحْنُ وَ ضَلَلْنَا إِنَّ

“Once I heard Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a.s.) say while a group of people of Kufa was present before him, “It is very strange of the people. They have received their knowledge from the Messenger of Allah. They have followed such knowledge and found guidance but they think that his Ahl al-Bayt (members of his family) have no

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَيْسَ عِنْدَ أَحَدٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ حَقٌّ وَ لَا صَوَابٌ وَ لَا أَحَدٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ يَقْضِي بِقَضَاءٍ حَقٍّ إِلَّا مَا خَرَجَ مِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَ إِذَا تَشَعَّبَتْ بِهِمُ الْأُمُورُ كَانَ الْخَطَأُ مِنْهُمْ وَ الصَّوَابُ مِنْ عَلِيٍّ ع.

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.) say, ‘No one of the people has anything true with him, or correct nor does anyone of the people judge with truth except by means of what is made available from Ahl al-Bayt (members of the family of Prophet Muhammad). When the affairs grow branches and scatter chaotically the mistake would be

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع لِسَلَمَةَ بْنِ كُهَيْلٍ وَ الْحَكَمِ بْنِ عُتَيْبَةَ شَرِّقَا وَ غَرِّبَا فَلَا تَجِدَانِ عِلْماً صَحِيحاً إِلَّا شَيْئاً خَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ.

‘Easternize or westernize you two will find not find correct knowledge except that which has come to light through Ahl al-Bayt (members of the family of Prophet Muhammad).”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنْ شَهَادَةِ وَلَدِ الزِّنَا تَجُوزُ فَقَالَ لَا فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ الْحَكَمَ بْنَ عُتَيْبَةَ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهَا تَجُوزُ فَقَالَ اللَّهُمَّ لَا تَغْفِرْ ذَنْبَهُ مَا قَالَ اللَّهُ لِلْحَكَمِ- إِنَّهُ‌ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ‌ وَ لِقَوْمِكَ‌[1] فَلْيَذْهَبِ الْحَكَمُ يَمِيناً وَ شِمَالًا فَوَ اللَّهِ لَا يُؤْخَذُ الْعِلْمُ إِلَّا مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ نَزَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع.

“I askked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the permissibility of the testimony of a person born out of wedlock.” He said, “No, it is not addissible.” I then said, “Al-Hakam ibn ‘Utayba believes it is addmissible.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “O Lord, do not forgive his sin. Allah has not to al-Hakam, “ It (the Quran) is a reminder to

بَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسٌ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ عَبَّادُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ عَابِدُ أَهْلِ الْبَصْرَةِ وَ ابْنُ شُرَيْحٍ- فَقِيهُ أَهْلِ مَكَّةَ وَ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- مَيْمُونٌ الْقَدَّاحُ مَوْلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَسَأَلَهُ عَبَّادُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فِي كَمْ ثَوْبٍ كُفِّنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ فِي ثَلَاثَةِ أَثْوَابٍ ثَوْبَيْنِ صُحَارِيَّيْنِ وَ ثَوْبٍ ح

“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that ‘Abbad ibn Kathir, the devoted worshipper of Basra, and Shurayh, the Faqih, (scholar of law) of the people of Makka came to see The Imam (a.s.). In the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) already there was Maymun al-Qaddah, the slave of abu Ja‘far (a.s.). ‘Abbad ibn

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ حَدِيثَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ صَعْبٌ مُسْتَصْعَبٌ لَا يُؤْمِنُ بِهِ إِلَّا مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ أَوْ نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ أَوْ عَبْدٌ امْتَحَنَ اللَّهُ قَلْبَهُ لِلْإِيمَانِ فَمَا وَرَدَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ حَدِيثِ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص فَلَانَتْ لَهُ قُلُوبُكُمْ وَ عَرَفْتُمُوهُ فَاقْبَلُوهُ وَ مَا اشْمَأَزَّتْ مِنْهُ قُلُوبُكُمْ وَ أَنْكَرْتُمُوهُ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ إِلَى الرَّس

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The Hadith (statements) of Ahl al-Bayt (members of the family of Prophet Muhammad) is difficult and it becomes difficult. No one believes in it except the angels that are close to Allah or the Prophets who are Messengers also, a servant of Allah whose H

ذُكِرَتِ التَّقِيَّةُ يَوْماً عِنْدَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَقَالَ وَ اللَّهِ لَوْ عَلِمَ أَبُو ذَرٍّ مَا فِي قَلْبِ سَلْمَانَ لَقَتَلَهُ وَ لَقَدْ آخَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بَيْنَهُمَا فَمَا ظَنُّكُمْ بِسَائِرِ الْخَلْقِ إِنَّ عِلْمَ الْعُلَمَاءِ صَعْبٌ مُسْتَصْعَبٌ لَا يَحْتَمِلُهُ إِلَّا نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ‌[1] أَوْ مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ أَوْ عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ امْتَحَنَ اللَّهُ قَلْبَهُ لِلْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ وَ إِنَّمَا صَ

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah that I one day spoke of Taqiya (hiding something for fear) before Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.).” He said, “By Allah, if abu Dhar knew what was in the heart of Salam he would have killed him even though the Messenger of Allah had formed brotherhood between them. What then would you think of the rest

إِنَّ حَدِيثَنَا صَعْبٌ مُسْتَصْعَبٌ لَا يَحْتَمِلُهُ إِلَّا صُدُورٌ مُنِيرَةٌ أَوْ قُلُوبٌ سَلِيمَةٌ أَوْ أَخْلَاقٌ حَسَنَةٌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَخَذَ مِنْ شِيعَتِنَا الْمِيثَاقَ كَمَا أَخَذَ عَلَى بَنِي آدَمَ‌ أَ لَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ‌ فَمَنْ وَفَى لَنَا وَفَى اللَّهُ لَهُ بِالْجَنَّةِ وَ مَنْ أَبْغَضَنَا وَ لَمْ يُؤَدِّ إِلَيْنَا حَقَّنَا فَفِي النَّارِ خَالِداً مُخَلَّداً.

“Our Hadith (statements) are difficult and they become difficult. Only well lighted chests, the well protected of virtuous moral abilities are capable to accept them.” Allah has taken a pledge from our Shi‘a (followers) just as He has taken such pledge from the children of Adam (Am I not Your Lord?” Whoever would remai

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ صَاحِبِ الْعَسْكَرِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا مَعْنَى قَوْلِ الصَّادِقِ ع حَدِيثُنَا لَا يَحْتَمِلُهُ مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ وَ لَا نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ وَ لَا مُؤْمِنٌ امْتَحَنَ اللَّهُ قَلْبَهُ لِلْإِيمَانِ فَجَاءَ الْجَوَابُ‌ إِنَّمَا مَعْنَى قَوْلِ الصَّادِقِ ع أَيْ لَا يَحْتَمِلُهُ مَلَكٌ وَ لَا نَبِيٌّ وَ لَا مُؤْمِنٌ إِنَّ الْمَلَكَ لَا يَحْتَمِلُهُ حَتَّى يُخْرِجَهُ إِلَى مَلَكٍ غَيْرِهِ وَ

“I wrote to Imam al-Hassan al_’Askari (a.s.) saying, May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what is the meaning of the following Hadith of Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (a.s.)? “Our Hadith (statements) are difficult and they become difficult. No one is capable to bear them not even an angel or a prophet who is also a

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا وَ اللَّهِ سِرّاً مِنْ سِرِّ اللَّهِ وَ عِلْماً مِنْ عِلْمِ اللَّهِ وَ اللَّهِ مَا يَحْتَمِلُهُ مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ وَ لَا نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ وَ لَا مُؤْمِنٌ امْتَحَنَ اللَّهُ قَلْبَهُ لِلْإِيمَانِ وَ اللَّهِ مَا كَلَّفَ اللَّهُ ذَلِكَ أَحَداً غَيْرَنَا وَ لَا اسْتَعْبَدَ بِذَلِكَ أَحَداً غَيْرَنَا وَ إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا سِرّاً مِنْ سِرِّ اللَّهِ- وَ عِلْماً مِ

5. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Mansur ibn al-‘Abbass from Safwan ibn Yahya from ‘Abdallah ibn Muskan from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Khaliq and abu Basir who has said the following. “Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, ‘O abu Muhammad, with us there is a secret of the secrets of Allah and a knowle

نَضَّرَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً سَمِعَ مَقَالَتِي فَوَعَاهَا وَ حَفِظَهَا وَ بَلَّغَهَا مَنْ لَمْ يَسْمَعْهَا فَرُبَّ حَامِلِ فِقْهٍ غَيْرُ فَقِيهٍ وَ رُبَّ حَامِلِ فِقْهٍ إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ أَفْقَهُ مِنْهُ ثَلَاثٌ لَا يُغِلُّ عَلَيْهِنَّ قَلْبُ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ‌[1] إِخْلَاصُ الْعَمَلِ لِلَّهِ وَ النَّصِيحَةُ لِأَئِمَّةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ‌[2] وَ اللُّزُومُ لِجَمَاعَتِهِمْ فَإِنَّ دَعْوَتَهُمْ مُحِيطَةٌ مِنْ وَرَائِهِمْ الْمُسْلِمُ

“The the Messenger of Allah addressed people in the mosque of Khif and said, “May Allah grant joy and happiness to those of His servants that on hearing my words understand them, memorize them preach them to those who have not heard them. There can be many scholars of Fiqh (law) who do not have understanding as there c

قَالَ سُفْيَانُ الثَّوْرِيُّ اذْهَبْ بِنَا إِلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ فَذَهَبْتُ مَعَهُ إِلَيْهِ فَوَجَدْنَاهُ قَدْ رَكِبَ دَابَّتَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ سُفْيَانُ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ حَدِّثْنَا بِحَدِيثِ خُطْبَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فِي مَسْجِدِ الْخَيْفِ قَالَ دَعْنِي حَتَّى أَذْهَبَ فِي حَاجَتِي فَإِنِّي قَدْ رَكِبْتُ فَإِذَا جِئْتُ حَدَّثْتُكَ فَقَالَ أَسْأَلُكَ بِقَرَابَتِكَ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لَمَّا حَ

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The sermon of the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his family) in Masjid al-Khayf: 'May God brighten the face of a servant who hears my words, retains them, and conveys them to those who did not hear them. O people, let the one who is present convey to th

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا نَظَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى وَلِيٍّ لَهُ يُجْهِدُ نَفْسَهُ بِالطَّاعَةِ لِإِمَامِهِ وَ النَّصِيحَةِ إِلَّا كَانَ مَعَنَا فِي الرَّفِيقِ الْأَعْلَى.

“the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, would not look to a friend of His who would strive and pressure his soul in obedience to his Imam and wishing well for him but that he will be with us in the high position in paradise.”

مَنْ فَارَقَ جَمَاعَةَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ قِيدَ شِبْرٍ فَقَدْ خَلَعَ رِبْقَةَ الْإِسْلَامِ مِنْ عُنُقِهِ.

“Whoever would distance himself from the company the Muslims even by one shibr (one foot) he has removed the band of allegiance with Islam from his neck.”

مَنْ فَارَقَ جَمَاعَةَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ نَكَثَ صَفْقَةَ الْإِمَامِ‌[1] جَاءَ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَجْذَمَ.

“Whoever would distance himself from the company of the Muslims and disregard the pledge of allegiance with the Imam he will come before Allah with his hand cut off.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ نُعِيَتْ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص نَفْسُهُ وَ هُوَ صَحِيحٌ لَيْسَ بِهِ وَجَعٌ قَالَ نَزَلَ بِهِ الرُّوحُ الْأَمِينُ- قَالَ فَنَادَى ص الصَّلَاةَ جَامِعَةً وَ أَمَرَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَ الْأَنْصَارَ بِالسِّلَاحِ وَ اجْتَمَعَ النَّاسُ فَصَعِدَ النَّبِيُّ ص الْمِنْبَرَ فَنَعَى إِلَيْهِمْ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أُذَكِّرُ اللَّهَ الْوَالِيَ مِنْ بَعْدِي عَلَى أُمَّتِي أَلَّا يَرْحَمُ عَلَى

‘The Holy Prophet (sw) was given the news of his own death while he was in a good health and he did not suffer any pain.” He said, “The trusted Spirit came to him.” He said, “The Holy Prophet called for a prayer in congregation. He then ordered the Muhajir and Ansar (people from Makka and the people of Madina) to arm t

أَنَا أَوْلَى بِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ وَ عَلِيٌّ أَوْلَى بِهِ مِنْ بَعْدِي فَقِيلَ لَهُ مَا مَعْنَى ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ قَوْلُ النَّبِيِّ ص مَنْ تَرَكَ دَيْناً أَوْ ضَيَاعاً فَعَلَيَّ وَ مَنْ تَرَكَ مَالًا فَلِوَرَثَتِهِ فَالرَّجُلُ لَيْسَتْ لَهُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ وِلَايَةٌ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ مَالٌ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ عَلَى عِيَالِهِ أَمْرٌ وَ لَا نَهْيٌ إِذَا لَمْ يُجْرِ عَلَيْهِمُ النَّفَقَةَ وَ النَّبِيُّ وَ أَمِيرُ

“The Holy Prophet has said, ’Isma‘il have more authority over every believer than their own selves and after me Ali (a.s.) will such authority.” He was asked, “What is the meaning of that?” He said, “These are the words of the Holy Prophet (sw), ‘One who would pass away his debts and liabilities become my responsibilit

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ أَوْ مُسْلِمٍ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ دَيْناً لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي فَسَادٍ وَ لَا إِسْرَافٍ فَعَلَى الْإِمَامِ أَنْ يَقْضِيَهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْضِهِ فَعَلَيْهِ إِثْمُ ذَلِكَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ- إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقاتُ لِلْفُقَراءِ وَ الْمَساكِينِ‌ الْآيَةَ[1] فَهُوَ مِنَ الْغَارِمِينَ وَ لَهُ سَهْمٌ عِنْدَ الْإِمَامِ فَإِنْ حَبَسَهُ فَإِثْمُهُ عَلَيْهِ.

"The Messenger of Allah (sw) said: 'Any believer or Muslim who dies while leaving behind a debt not incurred for unlawful or extravagant reasons, it will be the responsibility of the Imam to pay it off. Otherwise, its sin is upon him. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, says: 'Welfare funds (zakat) are only for the po

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا تَصْلُحُ الْإِمَامَةُ إِلَّا لِرَجُلٍ فِيهِ ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ وَرَعٌ يَحْجُزُهُ عَنْ مَعَاصِي اللَّهِ وَ حِلْمٌ يَمْلِكُ بِهِ غَضَبَهُ‌[2] وَ حُسْنُ الْوِلَايَةِ عَلَى مَنْ يَلِي حَتَّى يَكُونَ لَهُمْ كَالْوَالِدِ الرَّحِيمِ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى‌ حَتَّى يَكُونَ لِلرَّعِيَّةِ كَالْأَبِ الرَّحِيمِ.

"The Messenger of Allah (sw) said: 'The imamate is not suitable for anyone except for a man who possesses three qualities: piety that safeguards him from the disobedience of Allah, forbearance that controls his anger, and excellence in guardianship over those under his care, such that he treats them with the compassion

وَجَدْنَا فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع- إِنَّ الْأَرْضَ‌ لِلَّهِ يُورِثُها مَنْ يَشاءُ مِنْ عِبادِهِ وَ الْعاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ‌ أَنَا وَ أَهْلُ بَيْتِيَ الَّذِينَ أَوْرَثَنَا اللَّهُ الْأَرْضَ وَ نَحْنُ الْمُتَّقُونَ وَ الْأَرْضُ كُلُّهَا لَنَا فَمَنْ أَحْيَا أَرْضاً مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَلْيَعْمُرْهَا وَ لْيُؤَدِّ خَرَاجَهَا إِلَى الْإِمَامِ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي وَ لَهُ مَا أَكَلَ مِنْهَا فَإِنْ تَرَكَهَا أَوْ أَخْرَبَه

“The earth belongs to Allah and He gives it in inheritance to whoever of His servants that He wishes. The good end is for those who are pious before Allah’, I and my Ahl al-Bayt are the people to whom Allah has given the earth in inheritance and we are the ones who are pious before Allah. The whole earth belongs to us.

الدُّنْيَا وَ مَا فِيهَا لِلَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى وَ لِرَسُولِهِ وَ لَنَا فَمَنْ غَلَبَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهَا فَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ وَ لْيُؤَدِّ حَقَّ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى وَ لْيَبَرَّ إِخْوَانَهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فَاللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ نَحْنُ بُرَآءُ مِنْهُ.

“The world and all that is therein belong to Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, His Messenger and to us. If one would control a part of it he must maintain piety before Allah. He must pay the share of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, be generous to his brethren, otherwise, Allah, the Messenger of Allah and we wil

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الْعَسْكَرِيِّ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ رُوِيَ لَنَا أَنْ لَيْسَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مِنَ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا الْخُمُسُ فَجَاءَ الْجَوَابُ إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا وَ مَا عَلَيْهَا لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

it is narrated to us that nothing else from this world belongs to the Messenger of Allah except one fifth of net income.” The answer that came said, “Certainly, the world and all that is in it belong to the Messenger of Allah.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ آدَمَ وَ أَقْطَعَهُ الدُّنْيَا قَطِيعَةً فَمَا كَانَ لآِدَمَ ع فَلِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ مَا كَانَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ لِلْأَئِمَّةِ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص.

“the Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah created Adam and granted the world to him. Whatever belonged to Adam belongs to the Messenger of Allah and whatever belonged to the Messenger of Allah it belongs to the Imams from Ahl al-Bayt of Muhammad (s.a).”

بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ مُحَمَّدٌ ص مِنَ الْوَلَايَةِ وَ لَمْ يَخْلِطُوهَا بِوَلَايَةِ فُلَانٍ وَ فُلَانٍ فَهُوَ الْمُلَبَّسُ بِالظُّلْمِ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “It refers to faith in that Prophet Muhammad (s.a) has brought from Allah about Wilaya, Leadership with Divine Authority and have not mixed it with the authority of so and so that is mixing with injustice.”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ ما كانَ لَكُمْ أَنْ تُؤْذُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‌[2] فِي عَلِيٍّ وَ الْأَئِمَّةِ- كَالَّذِينَ آذَوْا مُوسى‌ فَبَرَّأَهُ اللَّهُ مِمَّا قالُوا[3].

.like those who annoyed Moses. God proved him to be innocent of what they had said about him. .” (33:70).”

فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى‌ أَمْ‌ حَسِبْتُمْ أَنْ تُتْرَكُوا وَ لَمَّا يَعْلَمِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ جاهَدُوا مِنْكُمْ‌ وَ لَمْ يَتَّخِذُوا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَ لا رَسُولِهِ وَ لَا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلِيجَةً[2] يَعْنِي بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ الْأَئِمَّةَ ع لَمْ يَتَّخِذُوا الْوَلَائِجَ مِنْ دُونِهِمْ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “The word ‘faithful’ stands for Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and the Imams who have not relied on any one besides Allah, the Messenger of Allah and the faithful ones.”

يَا زُرَارَةُ أَ وَ لَمْ تَرْكَبْ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةُ بَعْدَ نَبِيِّهَا طَبَقاً عَنْ طَبَقٍ فِي أَمْرِ فُلَانٍ وَ فُلَانٍ وَ فُلَانٍ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “O Zurara, Has this ’Umma (nation) not passed through stages after the Holy Prophet (s.a) and the affairs of three so and sos?”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ هذَا الْقُرْآنُ لِأُنْذِرَكُمْ‌ بِهِ وَ مَنْ بَلَغَ‌[3] قَالَ مَنْ بَلَغَ أَنْ يَكُونَ إِمَاماً مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ فَهُوَ يُنْذِرُ بِالْقُرْآنِ كَمَا أَنْذَرَ بِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “Whoever from the family of Muhammad (s.a.) would become an Imam he will warn people by means of the Holy Quran just as the the Messenger of Allah had done.”

عَهِدْنَا إِلَيْهِ فِي مُحَمَّدٍ وَ الْأَئِمَّةِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَتَرَكَ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ عَزْمٌ أَنَّهُمْ هَكَذَا وَ إِنَّمَا سُمِّيَ أُولُو الْعَزْمِ أُوْلِي الْعَزْمِ لِأَنَّهُ عَهِدَ إِلَيْهِمْ فِي مُحَمَّدٍ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ وَ الْمَهْدِيِّ وَ سِيرَتِهِ وَ أَجْمَعَ عَزْمُهُمْ عَلَى أَنَّ ذَلِكَ كَذَلِكَ وَ الْإِقْرَارِ بِهِ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “It means that Allah commanded Adam about Muhammad (s.a.) and the Imams after him. He did not acknowledge it (Leadership with Divine Authority of the Imams) and he was not an ’Ulu al-‘Azm (a prophet who is granted greater determination. They arecalled ’Ulu al-‘Azm because with a covenant was estab

أَوْحَى اللَّهُ إِلَى نَبِيِّهِ ص- فَاسْتَمْسِكْ بِالَّذِي أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ إِنَّكَ عَلى‌ صِراطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ‌[1] قَالَ إِنَّكَ عَلَى وَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍّ وَ عَلِيٌّ هُوَ الصِّرَاطُ الْمُسْتَقِيمُ

“Allah sent revelation to His prophet (s.a) in which He has said, “Follow devotedly that which is revealed to you. You are certainly on the right path.” (43:43) The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is just as saying, ‘You have acknowledged the Leadership with Divine Authority of Ali (a.s.) and Ali is on the right path.”

نَزَلَ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع بِهَذِهِ الْآيَةِ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ هَكَذَا وَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ فِي رَيْبٍ‌ مِمَّا نَزَّلْنا عَلى‌ عَبْدِنا فِي عَلِيٍ‌ فَأْتُوا بِسُورَةٍ مِنْ مِثْلِهِ‌[3].

“Jibril this verse of the Holy Quran to Prophet Muhammad (s.a) as herein below. “Should you have any doubt about what We have revealed to Our servant, (about Leadership Ali (a.s). with Divine Authority) present one chapter comparable to it . .” (2:23)

نَزَلَ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص بِهَذِهِ الْآيَةِ هَكَذَا يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتابَ آمِنُوا بِما نَزَّلْنا فِي عَلِيٍ‌ نُوراً مُبِيناً[4].

“Jibril brought the following verse to Prophet Muhammad (s.a). “People of the Book, have faith in the what We have revealed (about Ali’s Leadership with Divine Authority). .” (4:47)