Friendship & Companionship

فِي خُطْبَةٍ لَهُ‌ اللَّهُمَّ وَ إِنِّي لَأَعْلَمُ أَنَّ الْعِلْمَ لَا يَأْرِزُ كُلُّهُ وَ لَا يَنْقَطِعُ مَوَادُّهُ وَ أَنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِي أَرْضَكَ مِنْ حُجَّةٍ لَكَ عَلَى خَلْقِكَ- ظَاهِرٍ لَيْسَ بِالْمُطَاعِ أَوْ خَائِفٍ مَغْمُورٍ كَيْلَا تَبْطُلَ حُجَجُكَ وَ لَا يَضِلَّ أَوْلِيَاؤُكَ بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَهُمْ بَلْ أَيْنَ هُمْ وَ كَمْ أُولَئِكَ الْأَقَلُّونَ عَدَداً وَ الْأَعْظَمُونَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ ق

“Trustworthy reliable men of the companions of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) have said that they heard Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) say in one of his sermons as herein below. “Lord, I know that knowledge will not be erased and its sources will not discontinue altogether and You will not leave your earth without a Leader with Your

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

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنْ بَلَغَكُمْ عَنْ صَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ غَيْبَةٌ فَلَا تُنْكِرُوهَا.

“‘If an occultation reaches you all regarding the Master of this command, then do not reject it.”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عِنْدَهُ فِي الْبَيْتِ أُنَاسٌ فَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ إِنَّمَا أَرَادَ بِذَلِكَ غَيْرِي فَقَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ‌ لَيَغِيبَنَّ عَنْكُمْ صَاحِبُ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ وَ لَيَخْمُلَنَّ هَذَا حَتَّى يُقَالَ مَاتَ هَلَكَ فِي أَيِّ وَادٍ سَلَكَ وَ لَتُكْفَؤُنَّ كَمَا تُكْفَأُ السَّفِينَةُ فِي أَمْوَاجِ الْبَحْرِ لَا يَنْجُو إِلَّا مَنْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَهُ وَ كَتَبَ الْإِيمَانَ فِي قَلْب

“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and there other people also were present so I thought the Imam (a.s.) meant people other thanme when he said, “By Allah, the in chrage of this task (Leadership with Divine Authority) will disappear from your sight and this (case) will become so obscure that people wil

مِمَّنْ يُوثَقُ بِهِ‌ أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع تَكَلَّمَ بِهَذَا الْكَلَامِ وَ حُفِظَ عَنْهُ وَ خَطَبَ بِهِ عَلَى مِنْبَرِ الْكُوفَةِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّهُ لَا بُدَّ لَكَ مِنْ حُجَجٍ فِي أَرْضِكَ حُجَّةٍ بَعْدَ حُجَّةٍ عَلَى خَلْقِكَ يَهْدُونَهُمْ إِلَى دِينِكَ وَ يُعَلِّمُونَهُمْ عِلْمَكَ كَيْلَا يَتَفَرَّقَ أَتْبَاعُ أَوْلِيَائِكَ ظَاهِرٍ غَيْرِ مُطَاعٍ أَوْ مُكْتَتَمٍ يُتَرَقَّبُ إِنْ غَابَ عَنِ النَّاسِ شَخْصُ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) once spoke the words herein below from the pulpit in Kufa and I memorized them. “O Lord it is certain that You must have a person with Your Authority on Yaour earth. Such persons would come one after the other whith Your authority over the creatures who would guide people in your religion and t

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنْ بَلَغَكُمْ عَنْ صَاحِبِكُمْ غَيْبَةٌ فَلَا تُنْكِرُوهَا.

“When an Occultation reaches you all from your Companion, do not reject it.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لِلْقَائِمِ غَيْبَتَانِ إِحْدَاهُمَا قَصِيرَةٌ وَ الْأُخْرَى طَوِيلَةٌ الْغَيْبَةُ الْأُولَى لَا يَعْلَمُ بِمَكَانِهِ فِيهَا إِلَّا خَاصَّةُ شِيعَتِهِ وَ الْأُخْرَى لَا يَعْلَمُ بِمَكَانِهِ فِيهَا إِلَّا خَاصَّةُ مَوَالِيهِ.

Al-Qa’im ((the one who will rise with Divine Authority) will have two disappearances. One of them will be for a short time and the other for a longer time. No one would know his place during the shorter disappearance except the special persons from his Shi‘a. During his longer disappearance no one will see him except v

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

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

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع إِنِّي أَرْجُو أَنْ تَكُونَ صَاحِبَ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ وَ أَنْ يَسُوقَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ بِغَيْرِ سَيْفٍ فَقَدْ بُويِعَ لَكَ وَ ضُرِبَتِ الدَّرَاهِمُ بِاسْمِكَ فَقَالَ مَا مِنَّا أَحَدٌ اخْتَلَفَتْ إِلَيْهِ الْكُتُبُ وَ أُشِيرَ إِلَيْهِ بِالْأَصَابِعِ وَ سُئِلَ عَنِ الْمَسَائِلِ وَ حُمِلَتْ إِلَيْهِ الْأَمْوَالُ إِلَّا اغْتِيلَ‌[2] أَوْ مَاتَ عَلَى فِرَاشِهِ حَتَّى يَبْعَثَ اللَّهُ ل

The Imam (a.s.) said, “There has been no one from us with whom letters had been exchanged, being pointed out with the gesture of fingers, questions asked and properties delivered to him but that he was murdered or died in his bed. (It will be as such) until Allah will raise for this task (Leadership with Divine Authori

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

كُنَّا بِالْمَدِينَةِ بَعْدَ وَفَاةِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَا وَ صَاحِبُ الطَّاقِ وَ النَّاسُ مُجْتَمِعُونَ عَلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ أَنَّهُ صَاحِبُ الْأَمْرِ بَعْدَ أَبِيهِ فَدَخَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ أَنَا وَ صَاحِبُ الطَّاقِ وَ النَّاسُ عِنْدَهُ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّهُمْ رَوَوْا عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّهُ قَالَ إِنَّ الْأَمْرَ فِي الْكَبِيرِ مَا لَمْ تَكُنْ بِهِ عَاهَةٌ فَدَخَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ نَسْأَلُهُ عَ

“We were in Medina after Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) left this world. People had gathered around ‘Abdallah ibn Ja’far thinking that he was the in charge of this task (Imamah) after his father. I and Sahib al-Taq went to see him while people were around him because of a hadith that they would narrate from Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.)

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

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَتَّخِذُ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ أَنْداداً يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ اللَّهِ‌[3] قَالَ هُمْ وَ اللَّهِ أَوْلِيَاءُ فُلَانٍ وَ فُلَانٍ اتَّخَذُوهُمْ أَئِمَّةً دُونَ الْإِمَامِ الَّذِي جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَاماً فَلِذَلِكَ قَالَ‌ وَ لَوْ يَرَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا إِذْ يَرَوْنَ الْعَذابَ أَنَّ الْقُوَّةَ لِلَّهِ‌ جَمِيعاً وَ أَنَّ اللَّ

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, “Some people consider certain things equal to God and love them just as one should love God. . .” (2:165) The Imam (a.s.) said, “They, by Allah, are the friends of so and so and so and so whom they have taken as their Imams and n

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 أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الْإِمَامِ مَتَى يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ إِمَامٌ حِينَ يَبْلُغُهُ أَنَّ صَاحِبَهُ قَدْ مَضَى أَوْ حِينَ يَمْضِي مِثْلَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ قُبِضَ بِبَغْدَادَ وَ أَنْتَ هَاهُنَا قَالَ يَعْلَمُ ذَلِكَ حِينَ يَمْضِي صَاحِبُهُ قُلْتُ بِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ قَالَ يُلْهِمُهُ اللَّهُ.

“I requested abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), ‘Enlighten me when an Imam comesto know that he is the Imam (a.s.)? Does it take place when the preceding Imam has already passes away or when he is about to leave this world? For example abu al-Hassan (a.s.) passed away in Baghdad and you were here (in the city of Madina)?” T

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

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

كُنْتُ أَنَا وَ ابْنُ فَضَّالٍ جُلُوساً إِذْ أَقْبَلَ يُونُسُ فَقَالَ: دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَدْ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسُ فِي الْعَمُودِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي يَا يُونُسُ مَا تَرَاهُ أَ تَرَاهُ عَمُوداً مِنْ حَدِيدٍ يُرْفَعُ لِصَاحِبِكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ مَا أَدْرِي قَالَ لَكِنَّهُ مَلَكٌ مُوَكَّلٌ بِكُلِّ بَلْدَةٍ يَرْفَعُ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَعْمَالَ تِلْكَ الْبَلْدَةِ قَالَ فَقَامَ اب

“I and ibn Faddal were sitting tha Yunus came and said, ‘I went to see abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) and said to him, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, “People speak so much about pillar.” He said to me, “O Yunus, what do you see? Do you see it as a pillar of iron that you would raise for your friend?”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَا مِنْ مَلَكٍ يُهْبِطُهُ اللَّهُ فِي أَمْرٍ مَا يُهْبِطُهُ إِلَّا بَدَأَ بِالْإِمَامِ فَعَرَضَ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِنَّ مُخْتَلَفَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى إِلَى صَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) say, ‘Every angels that Allah sends down for a task that angel first begins with meeting the Imam to present the task to him. The presence of Imam, Leader with Divine Authority is the scene of great mix of the angels from Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High.”

كُنْتُ مُزَامِلًا لِجَابِرِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ الْجُعْفِيِّ فَلَمَّا أَنْ كُنَّا بِالْمَدِينَةِ دَخَلَ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَوَدَّعَهُ وَ خَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ وَ هُوَ مَسْرُورٌ حَتَّى وَرَدْنَا الْأُخَيْرِجَةَ[3] أَوَّلَ مَنْزِلٍ نَعْدِلُ مِنْ فَيْدَ[4] إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ- يَوْمَ جُمُعَةٍ فَصَلَّيْنَا الزَّوَالَ فَلَمَّا نَهَضَ بِنَا الْبَعِيرُ إِذَا أَنَا بِرَجُلٍ طُوَالٍ آدَمَ مَعَهُ كِتَابٌ فَنَاوَلَهُ جَابِراً فَتَن

“Once I was a companion of Jabir ibn Yazid al-Ja‘far‘fi on a journey. When reached he went to meet abu Ja‘far (a.s.). He said farewell to him and came out very happy until we arrived in al-’Ukhayraja, the first length of journey from Fayd to Madina. It was a Friday. We said our prayers at noon. When the camel rose to l

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

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

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.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأَرْضِ فَتَبَسَّمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى بَعَثَ جَبْرَئِيلَ ع وَ أَمَرَهُ أَنْ يَخْرِقَ بِإِبْهَامِهِ ثَمَانِيَةَ أَنْهَارٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ مِنْهَا سَيْحَانُ وَ جَيْحَانُ‌[1] وَ هُوَ نَهَرُ بَلْخٍ وَ الْخشوع وَ هُوَ نَهَرُ الشَّاشِ‌[2] وَ مِهْرَانُ وَ هُوَ نَهَرُ الْهِنْدِ وَ نِيلُ مِصْرَ وَ دِجْلَةُ وَ الْفُرَاتُ فَمَا سَقَتْ أَوِ اسْت

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘What is for you from this earth?” He smiled and then said, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, sent Jibril and commanded him to dig with his toe eight rivers on earth. Of these are the River Sayhan and Jayhan which is the River in Balkh (central Asia) the River al-Khshu‘ which is the R

إِنَّ جَبْرَئِيلَ ع كَرَى‌[4] بِرِجْلِهِ خَمْسَةَ أَنْهَارٍ وَ لِسَانُ الْمَاءِ يَتْبَعُهُ- الْفُرَاتَ وَ دِجْلَةَ وَ نِيلَ مِصْرَ وَ مِهْرَانَ وَ نَهْرَ بَلْخٍ فَمَا سَقَتْ أَوْ سُقِيَ مِنْهَا فَلِلْإِمَامِ وَ الْبَحْرُ الْمُطِيفُ بِالدُّنْيَا لِلْإِمَامِ. عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنِ السَّرِيِّ بْنِ الرَّبِيعِ قَالَ" لَمْ يَكُنِ ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ يَعْدِلُ بِهِشَامِ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ شَيْئاً وَ كَانَ لَا يَغُبُّ إ

8. Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan and Ali ibn Ibrahim from his father all from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hafs ibn al-Bakhtari from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Jibril dug with his foot five rivers and the flank of water would follow his foot. These rivers were, Euphrates, Tig

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَوْلُهُ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ- بَلْ تُؤْثِرُونَ الْحَياةَ الدُّنْيا قَالَ وَلَايَتَهُمْ‌[1] وَ الْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَ أَبْقى‌ قَالَ وَلَايَةُ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع- إِنَّ هذا لَفِي الصُّحُفِ الْأُولى‌. صُحُفِ إِبْراهِيمَ وَ مُوسى‌[2].

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. “However, (the unbelievers) prefer the worldly life, (87:16) -The Imam (a.s.) said, “They have preferred their (evil doers) friendship-” even though the life hereafter will be better and will last forever –The I

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ نَحْنُ فِي الطَّرِيقِ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْجُمُعَةِ اقْرَأْ فَإِنَّهَا لَيْلَةُ الْجُمُعَةِ قُرْآناً فَقَرَأْتُ‌ إِنَّ يَوْمَ الْفَصْلِ‌ كَانَ‌ مِيقاتُهُمْ‌ أَجْمَعِينَ. يَوْمَ لا يُغْنِي‌ مَوْلًى‌ عَنْ مَوْلًى‌ شَيْئاً وَ لا هُمْ يُنْصَرُونَ. إِلَّا مَنْ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ‌[5] فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع نَحْنُ وَ اللَّهِ الَّذِي رَحِمَ اللَّهُ وَ نَحْنُ وَ اللَّهِ الَّذِي اسْتَثْنَى ال

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said to me on the way home on Friday night, “Read from the Holy Quran. It is a Friday night. I then read, “The appointed time for all of them will be the Day of Judgment (44:40) (when wrong will be distinguished from right). On this day friends will be of no benefit to one another, nor will they r

النَّبِيُّ ص وَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع.

In the Praise of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful All praise belongs to Allah Who is praised for His bounties, worshipped for His Might, obeyed in His rule and feared for His Majesty. He possesses all that is attractive; His commands pervade in all of His creation. He is High, the Most High. He is near in His Highne

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى- الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ‌ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْناً[6] قَالَ هُمُ الْأَوْصِيَاءُ مِنْ مَخَافَةِ عَدُوِّهِمْ.

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most High. “(Among) the servants of the Beneficent God are those who walk gently on the earth . .” (25:63) The Imam (a.s.) said, “They are the executors of the will (The Holy Prophet (s.a) who are afraid of their enemies.” Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from

الْوَالِدَانِ اللَّذَانِ أَوْجَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُمَا الشُّكْرَ هُمَا اللَّذَانِ وَلَدَا الْعِلْمَ وَ وَرَّثَا الْحُكْمَ وَ أَمَرَ النَّاسَ بِطَاعَتِهِمَا ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُ‌ إِلَيَّ الْمَصِيرُ فَمَصِيرُ الْعِبَادِ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ الدَّلِيلُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ الْوَالِدَانِ ثُمَّ عَطَفَ الْقَوْلَ عَلَى ابْنِ حَنْتَمَةَ[3] وَ صَاحِبِهِ فَقَالَ فِي الْخَاصِّ وَ الْعَامِّ- وَ إِنْ جاهَداكَ‌ عَلى‌ أَنْ تُشْرِكَ بِي‌ يَقُولُ فِي

Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Bastam ibn Murra from ishaq ibn Hassa’n from al-Haytham ibn Waqid from Ali ibn al-Husayn al-‘Abdi from Sa‘d al-’Iskaf from Asbagh ibn Nabata that he asked Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most High. “. . to give thanks to Me first a

كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَخَذَ مِيثَاقَ شِيعَتِنَا بِالْوَلَايَةِ لَنَا وَ هُمْ ذَرٌّ يَوْمَ أَخَذَ الْمِيثَاقَ عَلَى الذَّرِّ بِالْإِقْرَارِ لَهُ بِالرُّبُوبِيَّةِ وَ لِمُحَمَّدٍ ص بِالنُّبُوَّةِ وَ عَرَضَ اللَّهُ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص أُمَّتَهُ فِي الطِّينِ وَ هُمْ أَظِلَّةٌ وَ خَلَقَهُمْ مِنَ الطِّينَةِ الَّتِي خُلِقَ مِنْهَا آدَمُ وَ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ أَرْوَاحَ شِيعَتِنَا قَبْلَ أَبْ

Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, from Ibn Mahboub, from Ibn Raib, from Bukeyr Bin Ayn who said, ‘Abu Ja’far asws was saying: ‘Allah azwj Took the Covenant of our asws Shias with the Wilayah for us asws , and they were particles on the day the Covenant was Taken upon the particles with the acknowledgment to

لَهُ أَنَا وَ اللَّهِ أُحِبُّكَ وَ أَتَوَلَّاكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَذَبْتَ قَالَ بَلَى وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أُحِبُّكَ وَ أَتَوَلَّاكَ فَكَرَّرَ ثَلَاثاً فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَذَبْتَ مَا أَنْتَ كَمَا قُلْتَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ الْأَرْوَاحَ قَبْلَ الْأَبْدَانِ بِأَلْفَيْ عَامٍ ثُمَّ عَرَضَ عَلَيْنَا الْمُحِبَّ لَنَا فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا رَأَيْتُ رُوحَكَ فِيمَنْ عُرِضَ فَأَيْنَ كُنْتَ فَس

“A man came to Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) when he was in the company of his companions. The man offered greetings and said, “By Allah, I love you and acknowledge your Wilaya (Leadership with Divine Authority).” Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) said to him, “What you say is not true.” He said, “Yes, by Allah, I love you and

إِنَّا لَنَعْرِفُ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا رَأَيْنَاهُ بِحَقِيقَةِ الْإِيمَانِ وَ حَقِيقَةِ النِّفَاقِ.

“We know men when we see them through the reality of faith and the reality of hypocrisy.”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْإِمَامِ فَوَّضَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ كَمَا فَوَّضَ إِلَى سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ دَاوُدَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ رَجُلًا سَأَلَهُ عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ فَأَجَابَهُ فِيهَا وَ سَأَلَهُ آخَرُ عَنْ تِلْكَ الْمَسْأَلَةِ فَأَجَابَهُ بِغَيْرِ جَوَابِ الْأَوَّلِ ثُمَّ سَأَلَهُ آخَرُ فَأَجَابَهُ بِغَيْرِ جَوَابِ الْأَوَّلَيْنِ ثُمَّ قَالَ هذا عَطاؤُنا فَامْنُنْ أَوْ أَعْطِ بِغَيْرِ حِسابٍ وَ هَكَذَا هِيَ فِي قِرَاءَة

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the Imam. Has Allah made him the in charge of the and in full control (over the affairs of the people) as Sulayman ibn Dawud was?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes, he is given control. It is because a man asked him a question and he gave the answer. Another person asked the same question

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَمَّا أَنْ وَجَّهَ صَاحِبُ الْحَبَشَةِ بِالْخَيْلِ وَ مَعَهُمُ الْفِيلُ لِيَهْدِمَ الْبَيْتَ مَرُّوا بِإِبِلٍ لِعَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَسَاقُوهَا فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ عَبْدَ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَأَتَى صَاحِبَ الْحَبَشَةِ فَدَخَلَ الْآذِنُ فَقَالَ هَذَا عَبْدُ الْمُطَّلِبِ بْنُ هَاشِمٍ قَالَ وَ مَا يَشَاءُ قَالَ التَّرْجُمَانُ جَاءَ فِي إِبِلٍ لَهُ سَاقُوهَا يَسْأَلُكَ رَدَّهَا فَقَالَ مَلِكُ الْحَبَ

“Abu ‘Abdallah (AS) has said, ‘When the fellow from Ethiopia marched with horses and elephants to destroy the Ka‘ba they passed by the camels of ‘Abd al-Muttalib and they herded them together. When ‘Abd al-Muttalib learned about it, he went to the man from Ethiopia and asked permission for a meeting. His men told him t

أَسْلَمَ أَبُو طَالِبٍ بِحِسَابِ الْجُمَّلِ وَ عَقَدَ بِيَدِهِ ثَلَاثاً وَ سِتِّينَ.

“I saw Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) on the day of victory in Basra while he was riding the on the mule of the Messenger of Allah (then) he said, “O people do you want me to tell who the best of the creatures of Allah will be on the Day when He will bring all of them at one place?” Abu Ayyub al-Ansari stood up and said,

رَأَيْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَوْمَ افْتَتَحَ الْبَصْرَةَ وَ رَكِبَ بَغْلَةَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص ثُمَّ قَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِخَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُهُمُ اللَّهُ فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ- أَبُو أَيُّوبَ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ فَقَالَ بَلَى يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَدِّثْنَا فَإِنَّكَ كُنْتَ تَشْهَدُ وَ نَغِيبُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ خَيْرَ الْخَلْقِ يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُهُمُ اللَّهُ سَبْعَةٌ مِنْ وُلْدِ عَبْد

“Once I saw Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (AS) on the day of victory in Basra while he was riding the on the mule of the Messenger of Allah (SAW). Then he said, ‘Oh people, do you want me to tell you who the best of the creatures of Allah will be on the Day when He will bring all of them to one place?’ Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (RA)

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ صَفِيِّكَ وَ خَلِيلِكَ وَ نَجِيِّكَ الْمُدَبِّرِ لِأَمْرِكَ.

39. Ibn Mahbub has narrated from ‘Abdallah ibn Sinan who has said the following. “I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘O Lord, grant blessings up on Muhammad, Your chosen one, Your friend and Your selected one who manages Your affairs.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَنْ غَسَلَ فَاطِمَةَ قَالَ ذَاكَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ كَأَنِّي اسْتَعْظَمْتُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ قَوْلِهِ فَقَالَ كَأَنَّكَ ضِقْتَ بِمَا أَخْبَرْتُكَ بِهِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ قَدْ كَانَ ذَاكَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا تَضِيقَنَّ فَإِنَّهَا صِدِّيقَةٌ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ يَغْسِلُهَا إِلَّا صِدِّيقٌ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ مَرْيَمَ لَمْ يَغْسِلْهَا إِلَّا عِيسَى.

“I asked Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), 'Who washed Fatima (for burial)?' He replied, 'Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) did.' My reaction to his words seemed to be an extraordinary one. He said, 'You seem troubled by what I said.' The narrator has said that I replied, 'Yes, may I be your ransom, it is so.' The narrator has said that the

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ بَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص جَالِسٌ إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ مَلَكٌ لَهُ أَرْبَعَةٌ وَ عِشْرُونَ وَجْهاً فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص حَبِيبِي جَبْرَئِيلُ لَمْ أَرَكَ فِي مِثْلِ هَذِهِ الصُّورَةِ قَالَ الْمَلَكُ لَسْتُ بِجَبْرَئِيلَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ بَعَثَنِي اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ أُزَوِّجَ النُّورَ مِنَ النُّورِ قَالَ مَنْ مِمَّنْ قَالَ- فَاطِمَةَ مِنْ عَلِيٍّ قَالَ فَلَمَّا وَلَّى

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) say, ‘Once when the Messenger of Allah was sitting an angel who had twenty four faces came to him. The Messenger of Allah said to him, “My friend Jibril, I had not seen you in this form before.” The angel said, “ Iam not Jibril, O Muhammad. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, has

إِنَّ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْأَنْصَارِيَّ كَانَ آخِرَ مَنْ بَقِيَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ‌[1] وَ كَانَ رَجُلًا مُنْقَطِعاً إِلَيْنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَ كَانَ يَقْعُدُ فِي مَسْجِدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ هُوَ مُعْتَجِرٌ[2] بِعِمَامَةٍ سَوْدَاءَ وَ كَانَ يُنَادِي يَا بَاقِرَ الْعِلْمِ يَا بَاقِرَ الْعِلْمِ فَكَانَ أَهْلُ الْمَدِينَةِ يَقُولُونَ- جَابِرٌ يَهْجُرُ فَكَانَ يَقُولُ لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا أَهْجُرُ

'Jabir ibn ‘Abdallah al-Ansari was last surviving of the companions of the Messenger of Allah. He was a devoted follower of us, Ahl al-Bayt. He would sit in the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah, wearing a black turban. He would call, 'O Baqir al-‘Ilm, O Baqir al-‘Ilm, (a person of deep knowledge)' The people of Medina

لَمَّا حُمِلَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِلَى الشَّامِ إِلَى هِشَامِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ وَ صَارَ بِبَابِهِ قَالَ لِأَصْحَابِهِ وَ مَنْ كَانَ بِحَضْرَتِهِ مِنْ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُونِي قَدْ وَبَّخْتُ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ثُمَّ رَأَيْتُمُونِي قَدْ سَكَتُّ فَلْيُقْبِلْ عَلَيْهِ كُلُّ رَجُلٍ مِنْكُمْ فَلْيُوَبِّخْهُ ثُمَّ أَمَرَ أَنْ يُؤْذَنَ لَهُ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع قَالَ بِيَدِهِ السَّلَام

“When abu Ja‘far (a.s.) was taken to al-Sham (Damascus) to the court of hisham ibn ‘Abd al-Malik. When arrived at his door he (Hisham) instructed his people from the Amawids, “When I will finish exasperating Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) and stop then each of you one after the other should reprimand and level blames on him.”

وَجَّهَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ الْمَنْصُورُ إِلَى الْحَسَنِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ وَ هُوَ وَالِيهِ عَلَى الْحَرَمَيْنِ أَنْ أَحْرِقْ عَلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ دَارَهُ فَأَلْقَى النَّارَ فِي دَارِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَأَخَذَتِ النَّارُ فِي الْبَابِ وَ الدِّهْلِيزِ فَخَرَجَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَتَخَطَّى النَّارَ وَ يَمْشِي فِيهَا وَ يَقُولُ أَنَا ابْنُ أَعْرَاقِ الثَّرَى أَنَا ابْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ خَلِيلِ اللَّهِ ع.

‘I am the son of ’A‘raq al-Thara (’Isma‘il), I am the son of Ibrahim, (Abraham) the beloved friend of Allah.”

كَانَ لِي جَارٌ يَتَّبِعُ السُّلْطَانَ فَأَصَابَ مَالًا فَأَعَدَّ قِيَاناً وَ كَانَ يَجْمَعُ الْجَمِيعَ إِلَيْهِ وَ يَشْرَبُ الْمُسْكِرَ وَ يُؤْذِينِي فَشَكَوْتُهُ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ غَيْرَ مَرَّةٍ فَلَمْ يَنْتَهِ فَلَمَّا أَنْ أَلْحَحْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لِي يَا هَذَا أَنَا رَجُلٌ مُبْتَلًى وَ أَنْتَ رَجُلٌ مُعَافًى فَلَوْ عَرَضْتَنِي لِصَاحِبِكَ رَجَوْتُ أَنْ يُنْقِذَنِيَ اللَّهُ بِكَ فَوَقَعَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فِي قَلْبِي ف

“I had a neighbor who followed the Sultan and he gains certain properties. He would arrange parties and invite female singers. They would drink wine and would disturb me. I complained to the man several times but he would not pay any attention. When I insisted he said, “O man, “I am an addicted man and you are sober. I

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ أَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ نَجْرَانَ الْيَمَنِ مِنَ الرُّهْبَانِ وَ مَعَهُ رَاهِبَةٌ فَاسْتَأْذَنَ لَهُمَا الْفَضْلُ بْنُ سَوَّارٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ إِذَا كَانَ غَداً فَأْتِ بِهِمَا عِنْدَ بِئْرِ أُمِّ خَيْرٍ قَالَ فَوَافَيْنَا مِنَ الْغَدِ فَوَجَدْنَا الْقَوْمَ قَدْ وَافَوْا فَأَمَرَ بِخَصَفَةِ بَوَارِيَّ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ وَ جَلَسُوا فَبَدَأَتِ الرَّاهِبَةُ بِالْمَسَائِلِ فَسَأَلَتْ عَنْ

“Once I was in the presence of abu Ibrahim (a.s.) that a monk and a nun from the people of Najran, Yemen came to see him. al-Fadl ibn Sawwar sought permission for them and the Imam (a.s.) said, “Tomorrow bring them to the well of ’Umm Khaayr.” The narrator has said that on the next day we went to see him and we found t

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

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

احْتَالَ الْمَأْمُونُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع بِكُلِّ حِيلَةٍ فَلَمْ يُمْكِنْهُ فِيهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ[5]- فَلَمَّا اعْتَلَّ وَ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَبْنِيَ عَلَيْهِ ابْنَتَهُ‌[6] دَفَعَ إِلَى مِائَتَيْ وَصِيفَةٍ مِنْ أَجْمَلِ مَا يَكُونُ‌[7] إِلَى كُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُنَّ جَاماً فِيهِ‌ جَوْهَرٌ يَسْتَقْبِلْنَ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع إِذَا قَعَدَ فِي مَوْضِعِ الْأَخْيَارِ فَلَمْ يَلْتَفِتْ إِلَيْهِنَّ وَ كَانَ رَجُلٌ يُقَالُ لَهُ- مُخَارِق

“Al-Ma’mun did all he could to prove that abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) was only a young man of worldly desires. However Al-Ma’mun could not succeed. When he became frustrated he gave his daughter in marriage to abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.). For the ceremony he sent two hundred most beautif

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع‌[3] فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ حَدَثَ بِآلِ فَرَجٍ حَدَثٌ فَقُلْتُ مَاتَ عُمَرُ فَقَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَتَّى أَحْصَيْتُ لَهُ أَرْبَعاً وَ عِشْرِينَ مَرَّةً فَقُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي لَوْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ هَذَا يَسُرُّكَ لَجِئْتُ حَافِياً أَعْدُو إِلَيْكَ قَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَ وَ لَا تَدْرِي مَا قَالَ لَعَنَهُ اللَّهُ لِمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ أَبِي قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ خَاطَبَهُ فِي شَيْ‌ء

“Once I went to see abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He said, “O Muhammad, has something happened to the family of al-Faraj (the governor of al-Madina )?” I said, “Yes, ‘Umar (a member of al-Faraj family) has died.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “All thanks and praise belongs to Allah.” He said it twenty four times. I then said, “My mast

قَدِمْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع الْمَدِينَةَ فَقَالَ لِي مَا خَبَرُ الْوَاثِقِ عِنْدَكَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ خَلَّفْتُهُ فِي عَافِيَةٍ أَنَا مِنْ أَقْرَبِ النَّاسِ عَهْداً بِهِ عَهْدِي بِهِ مُنْذُ عَشَرَةِ أَيَّامٍ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْمَدِينَةِ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُ مَاتَ فَلَمَّا أَنْ قَالَ لِيَ النَّاسَ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّهُ هُوَ[1] ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي مَا فَعَلَ جَعْفَرٌ قُلْتُ تَرَكْتُهُ أَسْوَأَ النَّاسِ ح

“Once I went to al-Madina to see abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He asked me, “What is the news from Ali-Wathiq (Abbassid ruler)?” I said, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I left him in good health and I am of all people the latest who met him. I met him just ten days ago.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a