Family & Kinship

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

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

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

سُئِلَ عَنِ الْقَائِمِ ع فَضَرَبَ بِيَدِهِ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ هَذَا وَ اللَّهِ قَائِمُ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص قَالَ عَنْبَسَةُ فَلَمَّا قُبِضَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ بِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ صَدَقَ جَابِرٌ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَرَوْنَ أَنْ لَيْسَ كُلُّ إِمَامٍ هُوَ الْقَائِمَ بَعْدَ الْإِمَامِ الَّذِي كَانَ قَبْلَهُ.

"A question was asked of Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about al-Qa’im (the twelfth Imam (a.s.). He (Abu Ja‘far) tapped (at the shoulder of) Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and said, 'This, by Allah, is the Qa’im (one who will establish the kingdom of Allah) of the family of Muhammad (s.w.).' ‘Anbasa has said, 'When Abu Ja‘far passed away, we

لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هُوَ صَاحِبُكَ الَّذِي سَأَلْتَ عَنْهُ فَقُمْ إِلَيْهِ فَأَقِرَّ لَهُ بِحَقِّهِ فَقُمْتُ حَتَّى قَبَّلْتُ رَأْسَهُ وَ يَدَهُ وَ دَعَوْتُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَمْ يُؤْذَنْ لَنَا فِي أَوَّلَ مِنْكَ‌[2] قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَأُخْبِرُ بِهِ أَحَداً فَقَالَ نَعَمْ أَهْلَكَ وَ وُلْدَكَ وَ كَانَ مَعِي أَهْلِي وَ وُلْدِي وَ رُفَقَائِي و

“He is your Master of who you asked. Stand up for him and acknowledge his rights.” I then stood up and kissed his head and hand and prayed to Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, for him.” Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) then said, “Keep in mind that permission is not given to us to speak about him to anyone before you.” The narr

كَانَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَلُومُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ وَ يُعَاتِبُهُ وَ يَعِظُهُ وَ يَقُولُ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِثْلَ أَخِيكَ فَوَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأَعْرِفُ النُّورَ فِي وَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ لِمَ أَ لَيْسَ أَبِي وَ أَبُوهُ وَاحِداً وَ أُمِّي وَ أُمُّهُ وَاحِدَةً[1] فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ مِنْ نَفْسِي وَ أَنْتَ ابْنِي.

10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Ja‘far ibn Bashir from Fudayl from Tahir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). He has said that abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) would blame ‘Abdallah, show him his anger and advise him saying, “What is the matter that you are not like your brother (Musa) By Allah, I observ

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

جَرَى حَدِيثُ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ فَذَمَّهُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ فَلَيْسَ غَيْرُهُ فَهَلْ رَأَيْتَهُ فَقَالَ لَمْ أَرَهُ وَ لَكِنْ رَآهُ غَيْرِي قُلْتُ وَ مَنْ رَآهُ قَالَ قَدْ رَآهُ جَعْفَرٌ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَ لَهُ حَدِيثٌ.

“Once Ja‘far ibn Ali was mentioned and he reproached him. I said to him, “Well, there is no one (in his family) besides him. Have you seen him?” He said, “I have not seen him (the twelfth Imam) but other people have seen him.” I then asked, “Who has seen him?” He said, “Ja‘far has seen him twice and he has quite a stor

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الْعَسْكَرِيَّ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْخَلَفُ مِنْ بَعْدِي الْحَسَنُ فَكَيْفَ لَكُمْ بِالْخَلَفِ مِنْ بَعْدِ الْخَلَفِ فَقُلْتُ وَ لِمَ جَعَلَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ لَا تَرَوْنَ شَخْصَهُ- وَ لَا يَحِلُّ لَكُمْ ذِكْرُهُ بِاسْمِهِ فَقُلْتُ فَكَيْفَ نَذْكُرُهُ فَقَالَ قُولُوا الْحُجَّةُ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَ سَلَامُهُ.

‘The succeeding Imam after me will be al-Hassan (a.s.). How will it be for you in the case of the succeeding Imam after the Imam succeeding myself?” I then asked, “ May Allah take my souls in service for your cause, why will that be so?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “You will not see his person and it will not be permissible

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

أَتَيْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَوَجَدْتُهُ مُتَفَكِّراً يَنْكُتُ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَا لِي أَرَاكَ مُتَفَكِّراً تَنْكُتُ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَ رَغْبَةً مِنْكَ فِيهَا فَقَالَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا رَغِبْتُ فِيهَا وَ لَا فِي الدُّنْيَا يَوْماً قَطُّ وَ لَكِنِّي فَكَّرْتُ فِي مَوْلُودٍ يَكُونُ مِنْ ظَهْرِي الْحَادِيَ عَشَرَ مِنْ وُلْدِي هُوَ الْمَهْدِيُّ الَّذِي يَمْلَأُ الْأَرْضَ عَدْلًا وَ

“Once I went to see Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and found him thinking and he drawing lines on the ground. I then said, “O Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) I can see you thinking and drawing lines on the ground. Have you become interested in it (worldly things) ?” He said, no, by Allah, I have not become interested in it and the wh

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لِصَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ غَيْبَتَانِ إِحْدَاهُمَا يَرْجِعُ مِنْهَا إِلَى أَهْلِهِ وَ الْأُخْرَى يُقَالُ هَلَكَ فِي أَيِّ وَادٍ سَلَكَ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ نَصْنَعُ إِذَا كَانَ كَذَلِكَ قَالَ إِذَا ادَّعَاهَا مُدَّعٍ فَاسْأَلُوهُ عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ يُجِيبُ فِيهَا مِثْلَهُ.

“The in charge of this task (Leadership with Divine Authority) will disappear from the public sight twice. From one them he will return to his family but in the other one it will be said that he is dead or no one knows in which of the valleys has he traveled.” I then asked, “What shall we do in such conditions?” The Im

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ شِيعَتَكَ بِالْعِرَاقِ كَثِيرَةٌ وَ اللَّهِ مَا فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ مِثْلُكَ فَكَيْفَ لَا تَخْرُجُ قَالَ فَقَالَ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَطَاءٍ قَدْ أَخَذْتَ تَفْرُشُ أُذُنَيْكَ لِلنَّوْكَى‌[1] إِي وَ اللَّهِ مَا أَنَا بِصَاحِبِكُمْ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ فَمَنْ صَاحِبُنَا قَالَ انْظُرُوا مَنْ عَمِيَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وِلَادَتُهُ فَذَاكَ صَاحِبُكُمْ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنَّا أَحَدٌ يُشَارُ إِلَيْهِ بِالْإِصْبَ

“I said to him, ‘Your Shi‘a (followers) in Iraq are many. By Allah, there is no one like you in your family. Why do you not rise (for leadership)?” The narrator has said that he said, “O ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Ata’, you have began to open your ears to silliness. Yes, by Allah, I am not your companion (the one who will rise wit

بَعَثَ طَلْحَةُ وَ الزُّبَيْرُ رَجُلًا مِنْ عَبْدِ الْقَيْسِ يُقَالُ لَهُ خِدَاشٌ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص وَ قَالا لَهُ إِنَّا نَبْعَثُكَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ طَالَ مَا كُنَّا نَعْرِفُهُ وَ أَهْلَ بَيْتِهِ بِالسِّحْرِ وَ الْكِهَانَةِ وَ أَنْتَ أَوْثَقُ مَنْ بِحَضْرَتِنَا مِنْ أَنْفُسِنَا مِنْ أَنْ تَمْتَنِعَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ أَنْ تُحَاجَّهُ لَنَا حَتَّى تَقِفَهُ عَلَى أَمْرٍ مَعْلُومٍ وَ اعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ أَعْظَمُ النَّاس

“Once Talha and al-Zubayr sent a man called Khidash from the tribe of ‘Abd a1-Qays, to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.). Before he would leave they spoke to him as herein below. “We are sending you to a man who and whose family are known to us since a long time as magicians and soothsayers. You are more trusted to us, than thos

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)

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

أَتَيْنَا خَدِيجَةَ بِنْتَ عُمَرَ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع نُعَزِّيهَا بِابْنِ بِنْتِهَا فَوَجَدْنَا عِنْدَهَا مُوسَى بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ فَإِذَا هِيَ فِي نَاحِيَةٍ قَرِيباً مِنَ النِّسَاءِ فَعَزَّيْنَاهُمْ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ يَقُولُ لِابْنَةِ أَبِي يَشْكُرَ الرَّاثِيَةِ قُولِي‌[1] فَقَالَتْ‌ اعْدُدْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ اعْدُدْ بَعْدَهُ- أَسَدَ

“We went to Khadijah, the daughter of ‘Umar ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) to offer our condolences for the death of the son of her daughter. We met at her place Musa ibn ‘Abdallah ibn al-Hassan. She was to one side near the ladies. We offered them our condolences to all of them. We then turned to h

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

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 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

أَمَرَ أَبُو إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع حِينَ أُخْرِجَ بِهِ- أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع أَنْ يَنَامَ عَلَى بَابِهِ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ أَبَداً مَا كَانَ حَيّاً إِلَى أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ خَبَرُهُ قَالَ فَكُنَّا فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ نَفْرُشُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ فِي الدِّهْلِيزِ ثُمَّ يَأْتِي بَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ فَيَنَامُ فَإِذَا أَصْبَحَ انْصَرَفَ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ قَالَ فَمَكَثَ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْحَالِ أَرْبَعَ سِنِينَ فَلَمَّا كَانَ لَيْلَةٌ مِنَ اللّ

“Abu Ibrahim commanded –at the time he was taken out to Baghdad- abu al-Hassan (a.s.) to sleep every night at his (abu Ibrahim’s) house until the coming of the news of his death. The narrator has said narrator has said that we would prepare the bed for abu al-Hassan every night in the terrace and he would come after th

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الْإِمَامِ يُغَسِّلُهُ الْإِمَامُ قَالَ سُنَّةُ مُوسَى بْنِ عِمْرَانَ ع‌[1].

2. It is narrated from him from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Yunus from Talha who has said the following. “Once I said to al-Rida (a.s.), ‘Is it true that only an Imam has the authority to wash the body of an Imam for burial?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Do you know who comes to wash his body for buria

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ لَا يُغَسِّلُهُ إِلَّا الْإِمَامُ فَقَالَ أَ مَا تَدْرُونَ مَنْ حَضَرَ لِغُسْلِهِ‌[2] قَدْ حَضَرَهُ خَيْرٌ مِمَّنْ غَابَ عَنْهُ الَّذِينَ حَضَرُوا يُوسُفَ فِي الْجُبِّ حِينَ غَابَ عَنْهُ أَبَوَاهُ وَ أَهْلُ بَيْتِهِ.

“Once I said to al-Rida (a.s.), ‘Is it true that only an Imam has the authority to wash the body of an Imam for burial?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Do you know who comes to wash his body for burial? One who is better than the one who is absence from his presence comes to wash. Those who came to Joseph in the well to help w

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 أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ الْإِمَامَ مِنَ الْإِمَامِ بَعَثَ مَلَكاً فَأَخَذَ شَرْبَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ ثُمَّ أَوْقَعَهَا أَوْ دَفَعَهَا إِلَى الْإِمَامِ فَشَرِبَهَا فَيَمْكُثُ فِي الرَّحِمِ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً لَا يَسْمَعُ الْكَلَامَ ثُمَّ يَسْمَعُ الْكَلَامَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَإِذَا وَضَعَتْهُ أُمُّهُ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ ذَلِكَ الْمَ

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, decides to create the Imam from another Imam He sends an angel with a drink of water from under the Throne. Then the angel would make the Imam to drink it and would give it to him to drink. For the first forty days he would not hear a

إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَنَا مِنْ عِلِّيِّينَ وَ خَلَقَ أَرْوَاحَنَا مِنْ فَوْقِ ذَلِكَ وَ خَلَقَ أَرْوَاحَ شِيعَتِنَا مِنْ عِلِّيِّينَ وَ خَلَقَ أَجْسَادَهُمْ مِنْ دُونِ ذَلِكَ فَمِنْ أَجْلِ ذَلِكَ الْقَرَابَةُ بَيْنَنَا وَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَ قُلُوبُهُمْ تَحِنُّ إِلَيْنَا.

“Allah has created us from ‘Illiyin (high above) and He has created our spirits from above that. He has created the spirit of our Shi‘as (followers) from ‘Illiyin and their bodies from below that. For this reason there is relationship among us and among them and their hearts are affectionate towards us.”

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

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَسْتَكْمِلَ الْإِيمَانَ كُلَّهُ فَلْيَقُلِ الْقَوْلُ مِنِّي فِي جَمِيعِ الْأَشْيَاءِ قَوْلُ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ فِيمَا أَسَرُّوا وَ مَا أَعْلَنُوا وَ فِيمَا بَلَغَنِي عَنْهُمْ وَ فِيمَا لَمْ يَبْلُغْنِي.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘Whoever loves to have a complete belief he must say, “Everything that I say is from the family of Muhammad whether those that they kept secret or those that they made public those that have reached me from them and those that have not reached me.”

كُنَّا زَمَانَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع حِينَ قُبِضَ نَتَرَدَّدُ كَالْغَنَمِ لَا رَاعِيَ لَهَا فَلَقِينَا سَالِمَ بْنَ أَبِي حَفْصَةَ فَقَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ مَنْ إِمَامُكَ فَقُلْتُ أَئِمَّتِي آلُ مُحَمَّدٍ فَقَالَ هَلَكْتَ وَ أَهْلَكْتَ أَ مَا سَمِعْتُ أَنَا وَ أَنْتَ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ مَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ إِمَامٌ مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّةً فَقُلْتُ بَلَى لَعَمْرِي وَ لَقَدْ كَانَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ بِثَ

“We lived during the times of abu Ja‘far (a.s.). When he passed away we were left like sheep without shepherd. We met Salim ibn abu Hafs and he said to me, “O abu ‘Ubayda, who is your Imam?” I said, “My Imams are A’l (family) of Muhammad (s.a).” He said, “Did not I and you hear abu Ja‘far (a.s.) say, “Whoever would die

سَمِعْتُ‌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا تَذْهَبُ الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ رَجُلٌ مِنِّي يَحْكُمُ بِحُكُومَةِ آلِ دَاوُدَ وَ لَا يَسْأَلُ بَيِّنَةً يُعْطِي كُلَّ نَفْسٍ حَقَّهَا.

“The world will not end before the rise of a man from us who would judge among people the way the family of David had been judging them. He will not ask any witness to testify. He will make every soul’s rights available to it.”

سَأَلْتُهُ بِأَيِّ حُكْمٍ تَحْكُمُونَ قَالَ حُكْمِ آلِ دَاوُدَ فَإِنْ أَعْيَانَا شَيْ‌ءٌ تَلَقَّانَا بِهِ رُوحُ الْقُدُسِ.

“Once I asked Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), “By what mean do you issue judgments?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “We judge by the laws of Allah and the judgment of the family of David. If a case would frustrate us the Holy Spirit inspires us with its laws.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا مَنْزِلَةُ الْأَئِمَّةِ قَالَ كَمَنْزِلَةِ ذِي الْقَرْنَيْنِ وَ كَمَنْزِلَةِ يُوشَعَ وَ كَمَنْزِلَةِ آصَفَ صَاحِبِ سُلَيْمَانَ قَالَ فَبِمَا تَحْكُمُونَ قَالَ بِحُكْمِ اللَّهِ وَ حُكْمِ آلِ دَاوُدَ وَ حُكْمِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَ يَتَلَقَّانَا بِهِ رُوحُ الْقُدُسِ.

“Once I said to abu ‘Abdallah, “What is the degree of the excellence of the Imams?” He said, “It is like that of Dhul Qarnayn and like that of Yusha‘ and like that of Asaf, the companion of Sulayman.” He asked, “With what do you issue judgments.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “ We issue judgments according to the laws of Allah

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