Family & Kinship

قَالَ ابْنُ السِّكِّيتِ‌[2] لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع لِمَا ذَا بَعَثَ اللَّهُ مُوسَى بْنَ عِمْرَانَ ع بِالْعَصَا وَ يَدِهِ الْبَيْضَاءِ وَ آلَةِ السِّحْرِ وَ بَعَثَ عِيسَى بِآلَةِ الطِّبِّ وَ بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ عَلَى جَمِيعِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ بِالْكَلَامِ وَ الْخُطَبِ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَّا بَعَثَ مُوسَى ع كَانَ الْغَالِبُ عَلَى أَهْلِ عَصْرِهِ السِّحْرَ فَأَتَاهُمْ

“Ibn Sukayt asked Imam abu al-Hassan (a.s), ‘Why did Allah sent Moses with the miracle appearing through his staff and through his hand and means of magic, Jesus with means of medical tasks and Prophet Muhammad (may Allah send blessings upon him, his family and all the prophets) with means of speech and sermons?’” “Whe

إِنَّ الْعُلَمَاءَ وَرَثَةُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ ذَاكَ أَنَّ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ لَمْ يُورِثُوا دِرْهَماً وَ لَا دِينَاراً وَ إِنَّمَا أَوْرَثُوا أَحَادِيثَ مِنْ أَحَادِيثِهِمْ فَمَنْ أَخَذَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهَا فَقَدْ أَخَذَ حَظّاً وَافِراً فَانْظُرُوا عِلْمَكُمْ هَذَا عَمَّنْ تَأْخُذُونَهُ فَإِنَّ فِينَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فِي كُلِّ خَلَفٍ عُدُولًا يَنْفُونَ عَنْهُ تَحْرِيفَ الْغَالِينَ وَ انْتِحَالَ الْمُبْطِلِينَ وَ تَأْوِيلَ

“The scholars are the heirs of the prophets because the prophets did not leave any Dirham or Dinar, (units of money) as their legacy. What they left was certain pieces of their statements. Those who acquired anything of these pieces of their statements they have certainly gained a large share. You must be very careful,

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ عِنْدَ كُلِّ بِدْعَةٍ تَكُونُ مِنْ بَعْدِي يُكَادُ بِهَا الْإِيمَانُ وَلِيّاً مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي مُوَكَّلًا بِهِ يَذُبُّ عَنْهُ يَنْطِقُ بِإِلْهَامٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ يُعْلِنُ الْحَقَّ وَ يُنَوِّرُهُ وَ يَرُدُّ كَيْدَ الْكَائِدِينَ يُعَبِّرُ عَنِ الضُّعَفَاءِ فَاعْتَبِرُوا يَا أُولِي الْأَبْصَارِ وَ تَوَكَّلُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said that the holy Prophet has said, ‘It is certain that against every innovation with plots to destroy faith there will be an (religious) authority from my family as guardian of faith and as its defender. (Such) authority will speak on inspiration from Allah to declare the truth and bring it to l

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ع بِمَا أُوَحِّدُ اللَّهَ فَقَالَ يَا يُونُسُ لَا تَكُونَنَّ مُبْتَدِعاً مَنْ نَظَرَ بِرَأْيِهِ هَلَكَ وَ مَنْ تَرَكَ أَهْلَ بَيْتِ نَبِيِّهِ ص ضَلَّ وَ مَنْ تَرَكَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَ قَوْلَ نَبِيِّهِ كَفَرَ.

“I asked (Imam) abu al-Hassan the First, ‘How would I prove that Allah is one?’” The Imam replied, “O Yunus, do not be an innovator. One who depends on his personal opinion he is destroyed. One who abandons the members of the family of his prophet, goes stray. Whoever abandons the book of Allah and the words of His pro

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلِيجَةً[1] فَلَا تَكُونُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ فَإِنَّ كُلَّ سَبَبٍ وَ نَسَبٍ وَ قَرَابَةٍ وَ وَلِيجَةٍ وَ بِدْعَةٍ وَ شُبْهَةٍ مُنْقَطِعٌ إِلَّا مَا أَثْبَتَهُ الْقُرْآنُ.

22. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father in mursal manner (Mursalan) from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Do not take anyone closely and intimately between your selves and Allah lest you will not be believers. Every means, ancestral and relative relations

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَرْسَلَ إِلَيْكُمُ الرَّسُولَ ص وَ أَنْزَلَ إِلَيْهِ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ وَ أَنْتُمْ أُمِّيُّونَ عَنِ الْكِتَابِ وَ مَنْ أَنْزَلَهُ وَ عَنِ الرَّسُولِ وَ مَنْ أَرْسَلَهُ عَلَى حِينِ‌ فَتْرَةٍ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ‌ وَ طُولِ هَجْعَةٍ مِنَ الْأُمَمِ‌[4] وَ انْبِسَاطٍ مِنَ الْجَهْلِ وَ اعْتِرَاضٍ مِنَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَ انْتِقَاضٍ مِنَ الْمُبْ

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from certain persons of his people from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas‘ada ibn Sadaqa from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Imam Ali (a.s.) said, ‘O people, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has sent to you the holy Prophet (s.a.) and gave him the book with truth while

سُبْحَانَكَ مَا عَرَفُوكَ وَ لَا وَحَّدُوكَ فَمِنْ أَجْلِ ذَلِكَ وَصَفُوكَ سُبْحَانَكَ لَوْ عَرَفُوكَ لَوَصَفُوكَ بِمَا وَصَفْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ سُبْحَانَكَ كَيْفَ طَاوَعَتْهُمْ أَنْفُسُهُمْ أَنْ يُشَبِّهُوكَ بِغَيْرِكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَا أَصِفُكَ إِلَّا بِمَا وَصَفْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ وَ لَا أُشَبِّهُكَ بِخَلْقِكَ أَنْتَ أَهْلٌ لِكُلِّ خَيْرٍ فَلَا تَجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ إِلَيْنَا فَقَالَ مَ

3. Muhammad ibn abu ‘Abdallah has narrated from Muhammad ibn Isma‘il from al-Husayn ibn al-Hassan from Bakr ibn Salih from al-Hassan ibn Sa‘id from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Khazzaz and Muhammad ibn al-Husayn they both have said the following. “We met Imam abu abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) and stated to him that Prophet M

نَحْنُ الْمَثَانِي‌[3] الَّذِي أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ نَبِيَّنَا مُحَمَّداً ص وَ نَحْنُ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ نَتَقَلَّبُ فِي الْأَرْضِ بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِكُمْ وَ نَحْنُ عَيْنُ اللَّهِ فِي خَلْقِهِ وَ يَدُهُ الْمَبْسُوطَةُ بِالرَّحْمَةِ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ عَرَفَنَا مَنْ عَرَفَنَا وَ جَهِلَنَا مَنْ جَهِلَنَا وَ إِمَامَةَ الْمُتَّقِينَ‌[4].

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from abu Salam al-Khannas from some of our people from Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “We (family of Prophet Muhammad) are the al-Mathani (one of two) that Allah gave to Prophet Muhammad (s.w). We are the Waj

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الِاسْتِطَاعَةِ فَقَالَ أَ تَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ تَعْمَلَ مَا لَمْ يُكَوَّنْ قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَتَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ تَنْتَهِيَ عَمَّا قَدْ كُوِّنَ قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَمَتَى أَنْتَ مُسْتَطِيعٌ قَالَ لَا أَدْرِي قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ خَلْقاً فَجَعَلَ فِيهِمْ آلَةَ الِاسْتِطَاعَةِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يُفَوِّضْ إِلَيْهِمْ فَهُمْ

“He asked (Imam) abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about capability. The Imam said, ‘Can you do something before its existence?’ He Said, ‘No, I cannot do so.’ The Imam said, ‘Can you stop doing what has already been done?’ He said, ‘No, I cannot do so.’ The Imam then asked, ‘When then can you have the capability?’ He said, ‘I do

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا ثَابِتُ مَا لَكُمْ وَ لِلنَّاسِ كُفُّوا عَنِ النَّاسِ وَ لَا تَدْعُوا أَحَداً إِلَى أَمْرِكُمْ فَوَ اللَّهِ لَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ أَهْلَ الْأَرَضِينَ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَهْدُوا عَبْداً يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ ضَلَالَتَهُ مَا اسْتَطَاعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَهْدُوهُ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ أَهْلَ الْأَرَضِينَ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يُضِلُّوا عَبْداً يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ هِ

“Once, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘O Thabit, why do you bother about people? Leave them alone and do not call anyone to accept your belief (the belief of the Shi’a Muslims). I swear by Allah that even if all the people in the heavens and earth come together to guide a person whom Allah wants not to guide they will ne

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع نَدْعُو النَّاسَ إِلَى هَذَا الْأَمْرِ فَقَالَ لَا يَا فُضَيْلُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً أَمَرَ مَلَكاً فَأَخَذَ بِعُنُقِهِ فَأَدْخَلَهُ فِي هَذَا الْأَمْرِ طَائِعاً أَوْ كَارِهاً[1].

Abu Ali al-Ash‘ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from Muhammad ibn Marwan from Fudayl ibn Yasar the following: “Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Can we invite people to this belief (the belief of the Shi’a Muslims)?’ He said, ‘No, do not invite them, O Fudayl. When Allah wants

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَوَرَدَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ فَقَالَ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ صَاحِبُ كَلَامٍ وَ فِقْهٍ وَ فَرَائِضَ وَ قَدْ جِئْتُ لِمُنَاظَرَةِ أَصْحَابِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَلَامُكَ مِنْ كَلَامِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَوْ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ فَقَالَ مِنْ كَلَامِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ مِنْ عِنْدِي فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَنْتَ إِذاً شَرِيكُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَس

“I was in the presence of Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that a man from Sham (Syria) came to him and said, ‘I am a man of Kalam (meaningful words) Fiqh (laws) and rules of obligations and I have come to debate your people.” Imam abu ‘Abdallah asked, “ Are your meaningful words those of the Messenger of Allah or your own wo

أَنَّ زَيْدَ بْنَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ مُسْتَخْفٍ قَالَ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ مَا تَقُولُ إِنْ طَرَقَكَ طَارِقٌ مِنَّا أَ تَخْرُجُ مَعَهُ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنْ كَانَ أَبَاكَ أَوْ أَخَاكَ خَرَجْتُ مَعَهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي فَأَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَخْرُجَ أُجَاهِدُ هَؤُلَاءِ الْقَوْمَ فَاخْرُجْ مَعِي قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا مَا أَفْعَلُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي أَ

"Zayd ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) sent a message to me for a meeting with him when he was in hiding. When I met him, he said, 'O Abu Ja'far, what do you say if someone from us comes to you asking to join us? Will you rise up with him (against the enemies)?' I said, 'If such a person would be your father or brother I w

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّمَا يَعْرِفُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ يَعْبُدُهُ مَنْ عَرَفَ اللَّهَ وَ عَرَفَ إِمَامَهُ مِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَ مَنْ لَا يَعْرِفِ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ لَا يَعْرِفِ الْإِمَامَ مِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فَإِنَّمَا يَعْرِفُ وَ يَعْبُدُ غَيْرَ اللَّهِ هَكَذَا وَ اللَّهِ ضَلَالًا.

“I heard imam abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Only those who know Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, and worship Him. It is such people who know Him and know the Imam from the family of the Holy Prophet (sw). Those who do not know Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, and do not know the Imam from us, Ahlul Bayt, such peop

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَكَيْفَ‌ إِذا جِئْنا مِنْ كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ بِشَهِيدٍ وَ جِئْنا بِكَ‌ عَلى‌ هؤُلاءِ شَهِيداً[2] قَالَ نَزَلَتْ فِي أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص خَاصَّةً فِي كُلِّ قَرْنٍ مِنْهُمْ إِمَامٌ مِنَّا شَاهِدٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ مُحَمَّدٌ ص شَاهِدٌ عَلَيْنَا.

The Imam (a.s.) said that this verse is was revealed about the followers of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) in particular. In every generation of these people there will an Imam from our family who would bear witness over their activities and Prophet Muahammad himself will bear witness over us.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ وَ النُّورِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْنا[2] فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا خَالِدٍ النُّورُ وَ اللَّهِ- الْأَئِمَّةُ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ هُمْ وَ اللَّهِ نُورُ اللَّهِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ وَ هُمْ وَ اللَّهِ نُورُ اللَّهِ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ اللَّهِ يَا أَبَا خَالِدٍ لَنُورُ الْإِمَامِ فِي قُلُوبِ الْمُؤ

"I asked Abu Ja'far (peace be upon him) about the saying of Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, 'So believe in Allah and His Messenger and the light which We have sent down.' (68:4) He said: 'O Abu Khalid, by Allah, the light is the Imams from the family of Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) until the Day of Resurr

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ‌ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ‌ كَمِشْكاةٍ[3] فَاطِمَةُ ع‌ فِيها مِصْباحٌ‌ الْحَسَنُ- الْمِصْباحُ فِي زُجاجَةٍ الْحُسَيْنُ- الزُّجاجَةُ كَأَنَّها كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌ‌ فَاطِمَةُ كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ بَيْنَ نِسَاءِ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا- يُوقَدُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبارَكَةٍ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع- زَيْتُونَةٍ لا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَ لا غَرْبِيَّةٍ لَا يَهُودِيَّةٍ

The Imam (a.s.) said that the lantern metaphorically stands for the Holy lady, Fatima (a.s.), the lamp stands for Imam al-Hassan (a.s.) and the glass stands for Imam al-Husayn (a.s.). The shining star stands for the Holy lady Fatima (a.s.) who shines among the ladies of the world. The blessed olive tree stands for Prop

كُنَّا مَعَ الرِّضَا ع بِمَرْوَ فَاجْتَمَعْنَا فِي الْجَامِعِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فِي بَدْءِ مَقْدَمِنَا فَأَدَارُوا أَمْرَ الْإِمَامَةِ وَ ذَكَرُوا كَثْرَةَ اخْتِلَافِ النَّاسِ فِيهَا فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى سَيِّدِي ع فَأَعْلَمْتُهُ خَوْضَ النَّاسِ فِيهِ فَتَبَسَّمَ ع ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا عَبْدَ الْعَزِيزِ جَهِلَ الْقَوْمُ وَ خُدِعُوا عَنْ آرَائِهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يَقْبِضْ نَبِيَّهُ ص حَتَّى أَكْمَلَ لَهُ ال

1. Abu Muhammad al-Qasim ibn al-’Ala’, may Allah grant him blessings, in a marfu‘ manner (rafa’abu), has narrated from ‘Ad al-’Aziz ibn Muslim the following. “We had been with al-Rida (a.s.) at Marw. During an assembly in the central mosque on Friday, we attended the gathering. It was when we had just arrived (in Marw)

فِي خُطْبَةٍ لَهُ يَذْكُرُ فِيهَا حَالَ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع وَ صِفَاتِهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَوْضَحَ بِأَئِمَّةِ الْهُدَى مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِ نَبِيِّنَا عَنْ دِينِهِ وَ أَبْلَجَ بِهِمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِ مِنْهَاجِهِ وَ فَتَحَ بِهِمْ عَنْ بَاطِنِ يَنَابِيعِ عِلْمِهِ فَمَنْ عَرَفَ مِنْ أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَاجِبَ حَقِّ إِمَامِهِ وَجَدَ طَعْمَ حَلَاوَةِ إِيمَانِهِ وَ عَلِمَ فَضْلَ طُلَاوَةِ إِسْلَامِهِ‌[4] لِأَنَّ اللَّ

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ’Isa from al-Hasan ibn Mahbub from Ishaq ibn Ghalib from abu ’Abdallah (a.s.) who has described the condition of the Imams (a.s.) and their attributes in one of his sermons. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has explained His religion through the Imams

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ‌[1] فَكَانَ جَوَابُهُ- أَ لَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا نَصِيباً مِنَ الْكِتابِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْجِبْتِ وَ الطَّاغُوتِ‌ وَ يَقُولُونَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا هؤُلاءِ أَهْدى‌ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا سَبِيلًا[2] يَقُولُونَ لِأَئِمَّةِ الضَّلَالَةِ وَ الدُّعَاةِ إِلَى النَّارِ- هؤُلاءِ أَهْ

The read the following words of Allah. “Have you seen how those who had been given a share of the Book believe in idols and Satan and who say, “The disbelievers are better guided than the believers” (4:51) ‘The say that the leaders of misguidance and those who call people to Hell’ “God has condemned them. No one can he

جَعَلَ مِنْهُمُ الرُّسُلَ وَ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ وَ الْأَئِمَّةَ فَكَيْفَ يُقِرُّونَ فِي آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ يُنْكِرُونَهُ فِي آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص قَالَ قُلْتُ- وَ آتَيْناهُمْ مُلْكاً عَظِيماً قَالَ الْمُلْكُ الْعَظِيمُ أَنْ جَعَلَ فِيهِمْ أَئِمَّةً مَنْ أَطَاعَهُمْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ وَ مَنْ عَصَاهُمْ عَصَى اللَّهَ فَهُوَ الْمُلْكُ الْعَظِيمُ.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn abu ‘Umayr from ’Umar ibn Udhayna from Burayd al-‘IJli from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, ““We have given to the family of Abraham the Book, Wisdom, and a great Kingdom.” [4:54] “Great kingdom means

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَحْيَا حَيَاةً تُشْبِهُ حَيَاةَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ يَمُوتَ مِيتَةً تُشْبِهُ مِيتَةَ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَ يَسْكُنَ الْجِنَانَ الَّتِي غَرَسَهَا الرَّحْمَنُ‌[2] فَلْيَتَوَلَّ عَلِيّاً وَ لْيُوَالِ وَلِيَّهُ وَ لْيَقْتَدِ بِالْأَئِمَّةِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِتْرَتِي خُلِقُوا مِنْ طِينَتِي- اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْهُمْ فَهْمِي وَ عِلْمِي وَ وَيْلٌ لِلْمُخَالِفِينَ لَهُمْ مِنْ أُمَّتِ

“Whoever would like to live a life similar to those of the prophets, die in a similar manner as the martyrs do and live in the garden which is planted by the Beneficent, they must love Imam Ali (a.s.) (acknowledge his Divine authority) and love those who love and support him and follow the Imams after him who are of my

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ اسْتِكْمَالُ حُجَّتِي عَلَى الْأَشْقِيَاءِ مِنْ أُمَّتِكَ‌[3]- مَنْ تَرَكَ وَلَايَةَ عَلِيٍّ وَ وَالَى أَعْدَاءَهُ وَ أَنْكَرَ فَضْلَهُ وَ فَضْلَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَإِنَّ فَضْلَكَ فَضْلُهُمْ وَ طَاعَتَكَ طَاعَتُهُمْ وَ حَقَّكَ حَقُّهُمْ وَ مَعْصِيَتَكَ مَعْصِيَتُهُمْ وَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ الْهُدَاةُ مِنْ

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from al-Nadr ibn Shu’ayb from Muhammad ibn al-Fudayl from abu Hamzah al-Thamali who has said that he heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) say, “The Messenger of Allah (s.a.) said: “ Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, says, “It is to establish my authority over th

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَحْيَا حَيَاتِي وَ يَمُوتَ مِيتَتِي وَ يَدْخُلَ جَنَّةَ عَدْنٍ الَّتِي غَرَسَهَا اللَّهُ رَبِّي بِيَدِهِ فَلْيَتَوَلَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ لْيَتَوَلَّ وَلِيَّهُ وَ لْيُعَادِ عَدُوَّهُ وَ لْيُسَلِّمْ لِلْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِتْرَتِي مِنْ لَحْمِي وَ دَمِي أَعْطَاهُمُ اللَّهُ فَهْمِي وَ عِلْمِي إِلَى اللَّهِ

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever would want to live like my living, die like I will die and enter the garden of Eden that my Lord has planted with His own hands, he must love (acknowledge the Divine authority of) Ali (a.s.) ibn abu Talib. He must love (acknowledge the Divine authority of his successor) those

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَ لِقَوْمِكَ‌ وَ سَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ‌ فَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الذِّكْرُ وَ أَهْلُ بَيْتِهِ ع الْمَسْئُولُونَ وَ هُمْ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ[3].

4. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from ‘Asim ibn Hamid from abu Basir from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “It is a Dhikr for you and for your people and you all wil

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْوَرْدُ أَخُو الْكُمَيْتِ فَقَالَ جَعَلَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ اخْتَرْتُ لَكَ سَبْعِينَ مَسْأَلَةً مَا تَحْضُرُنِي مِنْهَا مَسْأَلَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ قَالَ وَ لَا وَاحِدَةٌ يَا وَرْدُ قَالَ بَلَى قَدْ حَضَرَنِي مِنْهَا وَاحِدَةٌ قَالَ وَ مَا هِيَ قَالَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌ مَنْ هُمْ قَالَ نَحْنُ قَال

“I was in the presence of Imam (a.s.) abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and al-Ward brother of al-Kumayt came to see him. He to the Imams (a.s.) said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I have chosen seventy questions and I do not know the answer even for one of them.” The Imams (a.s.) said, “Not even one answer, O War

قَالَ: لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ- يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا كُلَّ أُناسٍ بِإِمامِهِمْ‌[4] قَالَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَ لَسْتَ إِمَامَ النَّاسِ كُلِّهِمْ أَجْمَعِينَ قَالَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَى النَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ وَ لَكِنْ سَيَكُونُ مِنْ بَعْدِي أَئِمَّةٌ عَلَى النَّاسِ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي يَقُومُونَ فِي النَّاسِ فَيُكَذَّبُونَ وَ يَظْلِمُهُمْ أَئِمَّةُ الْكُفْ

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ‘Abdallah ibn Ghalib from Jabir from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “When the following verse of the Holy Quran was revealed, “On the day when We call every nation with their leaders, (Imams) . .” [17:71] , people a

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنا مَوالِيَ‌ مِمَّا تَرَكَ‌ الْوالِدانِ وَ الْأَقْرَبُونَ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ عَقَدَتْ أَيْمانُكُمْ‌[3] قَالَ إِنَّمَا عَنَى بِذَلِكَ الْأَئِمَّةَ ع بِهِمْ عَقَدَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَيْمَانَكُمْ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ’Isa from al-Hasan ibn Mahbub who has said that he asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “We have chosen heirs for every legacy that parents and relatives may leave. Let those who have been

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع ادْعُ اللَّهَ لِي وَ لِأَهْلِ بَيْتِي فَقَالَ أَ وَ لَسْتُ أَفْعَلُ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَعْمَالَكُمْ لَتُعْرَضُ عَلَيَّ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَ لَيْلَةٍ قَالَ فَاسْتَعْظَمْتُ ذَلِكَ- فَقَالَ لِي أَ مَا تَقْرَأُ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ قُلِ اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ‌ قَالَ هُوَ وَ اللَّهِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع‌[1].

4. Ali from has narrated from his father from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from al-Zayyat from ‘Abdallah ibn Aban al-Zayyat who was well placed in the eyes of al-Rida (a.s.). He has said that he asked al-Rida (a.s.) to pray for him and for his family. Am I not praying for them? I swear by Allah that your deeds are presented b

هُوَ وَ اللَّهِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع.

"Pray for me and my family." He (a.s) replied: "Am I not praying for them? I swear by Allah that your deeds are presented before me every day and night.” He has said that it seemed extremely great to me. He (a.s.) said to me, “Do you not read in the Book of Allah, the Most Majestic and Most Exalted, ‘Act as you wish. G

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ شَجَرَةُ النُّبُوَّةِ وَ مَوْضِعُ الرِّسَالَةِ وَ مُخْتَلَفُ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ بَيْتُ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ مَعْدِنُ الْعِلْمِ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from ‘Adallah ibn Muhammad ibn ’Isa from his father from ‘Adallah ibn al-Mughirah from Isma‘il ibn abu Ziyad from Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a.s.) from his father (a.s.) from Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) who has said the following. “We, the Ahl al-Bayt (family of the Holy Prophet), are the t

أَنَّهُ كَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ الرِّضَا ع أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ مُحَمَّداً ص كَانَ أَمِينَ اللَّهِ فِي خَلْقِهِ فَلَمَّا قُبِضَ ص كُنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَرَثَتَهُ فَنَحْنُ أُمَنَاءُ اللَّهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ‌[1] عِنْدَنَا عِلْمُ الْبَلَايَا وَ الْمَنَايَا وَ أَنْسَابُ الْعَرَبِ‌[2] وَ مَوْلِدُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ إِنَّا لَنَعْرِفُ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا رَأَيْنَاهُ بِحَقِيقَةِ الْإِيمَانِ وَ حَقِيقَةِ النِّفَاقِ وَ إِنَّ شِيعَتَنَا لَمَك

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn al-Muhtadi from ‘Adallah ibn Jundab to who Imam al-Rida (a.s.) wrote the following. “Thereafter, (thanking Allah) Muhammad (s.a.) was the trustee of Allah for His creatures. When he was taken away from this world we, Ahl al-Bayt inherited him, thus,

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ أَ تَدْرِي مَا كَانَ قَمِيصُ يُوسُفَ ع قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع لَمَّا أُوقِدَتْ لَهُ النَّارُ أَتَاهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع بِثَوْبٍ مِنْ ثِيَابِ الْجَنَّةِ فَأَلْبَسَهُ إِيَّاهُ فَلَمْ يَضُرَّهُ مَعَهُ حَرٌّ وَ لَا بَرْدٌ فَلَمَّا حَضَرَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْمَوْتُ جَعَلَهُ فِي تَمِيمَةٍ[1] وَ عَلَّقَهُ عَلَى إِسْحَاقَ وَ عَلَّقَهُ إِسْحَاقُ عَلَى يَعْقُوبَ فَلَمَّا وُلِدَ يُوسُفُ ع عَلَّق

“Do you know what was the shirt of Joseph?” I said, “I do not know.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “When the fire was set for Abraham, Jibril brought him a dress from paradise and made him wear it. With that dress on him, nothing of the cold or heat would harm him. When Abraham was about to die, he placed it in a covering and

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلَانِ مِنَ الزَّيْدِيَّةِ فَقَالا لَهُ أَ فِيكُمْ إِمَامٌ مُفْتَرَضُ الطَّاعَةِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا[3] قَالَ فَقَالا لَهُ قَدْ أَخْبَرَنَا عَنْكَ الثِّقَاتُ أَنَّكَ تُفْتِي وَ تُقِرُّ وَ تَقُولُ بِهِ‌[4] وَ نُسَمِّيهِمْ لَكَ فُلَانٌ وَ فُلَانٌ وَ هُمْ أَصْحَابُ وَرَعٍ وَ تَشْمِيرٍ[5] وَ هُمْ مِمَّنْ لَا يَكْذِبُ‌[6] فَغَضِبَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ- م

“I was in the presence of Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) when two people from the Zaydiyya sect came to him. They asked, 'Is there with you an Imam obedience to whom is obligatory?' The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) said, 'No, there no one as such.' They then said, 'Reliable people have informed us about you that you is

لَمَّا حَضَرَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص الْوَفَاةُ دَعَا الْعَبَّاسَ بْنَ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ وَ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ لِلْعَبَّاسِ يَا عَمَّ مُحَمَّدٍ تَأْخُذُ تُرَاثَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ تَقْضِي دَيْنَهُ وَ تُنْجِزُ عِدَاتِهِ‌[1] فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي إِنِّي شَيْخٌ كَثِيرُ الْعِيَالِ قَلِيلُ الْمَالِ مَنْ يُطِيقُكَ وَ أَنْتَ تُبَارِي الرِّيحَ‌[2] قَالَ فَأَطْرَقَ ص هُنَ

“When the Messenger of Allah was about to die, he called to him al-‘Abbas Bbn ‘Abd al-Muttalib and Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.). He said to al-‘Abbas, “O uncle of Muhammad, will you inherit the legacy of Muhammad, pay his debts and fulfill his promises and commitments?” He responded, “O the Messenger of Allah, may Allah tak

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عِلْمَيْنِ عِلْماً أَظْهَرَ عَلَيْهِ مَلَائِكَتَهُ وَ أَنْبِيَاءَهُ وَ رُسُلَهُ فَمَا أَظْهَرَ عَلَيْهِ مَلَائِكَتَهُ وَ رُسُلَهُ وَ أَنْبِيَاءَهُ فَقَدْ عَلِمْنَاهُ وَ عِلْماً اسْتَأْثَرَ بِهِ فَإِذَا بَدَا لِلَّهِ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهُ أَعْلَمَنَا ذَلِكَ وَ عَرَضَ عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلِنَا. - عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْ

"Indeed, Allah, Blessed and Exalted, has two kinds of knowledge: One kind He has made apparent to His angels, His prophets, and His messengers. Whatever He has made apparent to His angels, His prophets, and His messengers, we have learned it. And another kind He has kept exclusively to Himself. So, whenever Allah decid

قَالَ لِي قَدْ رَأَيْتُ بَعْضَ مَنْ يَقُولُونَ بِفَضْلِهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ هَذَا الْبَيْتِ فَمَا رَأَيْتُ مِثْلَهُ قَطُّ فِي فَضْلِهِ وَ نُسُكِهِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ مَنْ وَ كَيْفَ رَأَيْتَهُ قَالَ جُمِعْنَا أَيَّامَ السِّنْدِيِّ بْنِ شَاهَكَ‌[2]- ثَمَانِينَ رَجُلًا مِنَ الْوُجُوهِ الْمَنْسُوبِينَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ فَأُدْخِلْنَا عَلَى مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لَنَا السِّنْدِيُّ يَا هَؤُلَاءِ انْظُرُوا إِلَى هَذَا الرَّجُلِ

“I have seen (experienced) from the people of this family of whose virtues people speak, things that I have never seen (experienced) no one else to be like him in his virtue and worship.” The narrator has said that he asked the man. “Who is he? And how did you find him?” He then said, “In the days of al-Sindi ibn Shahi

إِنَّ جَبْرَئِيلَ ع أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص بِرُمَّانَتَيْنِ فَأَكَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِحْدَاهُمَا وَ كَسَرَ الْأُخْرَى بِنِصْفَيْنِ فَأَكَلَ نِصْفاً وَ أَطْعَمَ عَلِيّاً نِصْفاً ثُمَّ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَا أَخِي هَلْ تَدْرِي مَا هَاتَانِ الرُّمَّانَتَانِ قَالَ لَا قَالَ أَمَّا الْأُولَى فَالنُّبُوَّةُ لَيْسَ لَكَ فِيهَا نَصِيبٌ وَ أَمَّا الْأُخْرَى فَالْعِلْمُ أَنْتَ شَرِيكِي فِيهِ فَقُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّه

“Once Jibril came to the Messenger of Allah and brought him two pieces of pomegranates. The Messenger of Allah ate one of them and broke the other one into two pieces. He then ate one half and fed the other half to Ali (a.s.). The Messenger of Allah said, “O my brother, do you know what those pieces of pomegranates wer

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَوْماً فَقَالَ يَا حَكَمُ هَلْ تَدْرِي الْآيَةَ الَّتِي كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع يَعْرِفُ قَاتِلَهُ بِهَا وَ يَعْرِفُ بِهَا الْأُمُورَ الْعِظَامَ الَّتِي كَانَ يُحَدِّثُ بِهَا النَّاسَ قَالَ الْحَكَمُ فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي قَدْ وَقَعْتُ عَلَى عِلْمٍ مِنْ عِلْمِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ أَعْلَمُ بِذَلِكَ تِلْكَ الْأُمُورَ الْعِظَامَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا

“One day I went to see Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.).” He said, “O Hakam do you know the verse (of the Holy Quran) from which Ali ibn abu Talib had learned who his assassin was and the extremely great matters of which he would speak to people? “ Al-Hakam has said that I said to myself in my mind, “ I have now a chance to le

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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