Leadership & Responsibility

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ بِالْعَقْلِ اسْتُخْرِجَ غَوْرُ الْحِكْمَةِ[4] وَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ اسْتُخْرِجَ غَوْرُ الْعَقْلِ وَ بِحُسْنِ السِّيَاسَةِ يَكُونُ الْأَدَبُ الصَّالِحُ قَالَ وَ كَانَ يَقُولُ التَّفَكُّرُ حَيَاةُ قَلْبِ الْبَصِيرِ كَمَا يَمْشِي الْمَاشِي فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ بِالنُّورِ بِحُسْنِ التَّخَلُّصِ وَ قِلَّةِ التَّرَبُّصِ.

“Through intellect, the essence of wisdom is extracted, and through wisdom, the essence of intellect is extracted. With good governance [of one's actions], righteous manners will be formed." He also used to say, "Contemplation is the life of the discerning heart, just as one walks in darkness with light, through the go

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْفُقَهَاءُ أُمَنَاءُ الرُّسُلِ مَا لَمْ يَدْخُلُوا فِي الدُّنْيَا قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ مَا دُخُولُهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا قَالَ اتِّبَاعُ السُّلْطَانِ فَإِذَا فَعَلُوا ذَلِكَ فَاحْذَرُوهُمْ عَلَى دِينِكُمْ.

'The jurists are the trustees of the Messengers as long as they do not indulge in worldly matters.' It was asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, what does it mean for them to indulge in worldly matters?' He replied, 'Following the Sultan. When they do that, beware of them for your religion.'

مَنْ طَلَبَ الْعِلْمَ لِيُبَاهِيَ بِهِ الْعُلَمَاءَ أَوْ يُمَارِيَ بِهِ السُّفَهَاءَ أَوْ يَصْرِفَ بِهِ وُجُوهَ النَّاسِ إِلَيْهِ فَلْيَتَبَوَّأْ مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ إِنَّ الرِّئَاسَةَ لَا تَصْلُحُ إِلَّا لِأَهْلِهَا.

"He who seeks knowledge to boast among scholars, engage in disputes with the foolish, or attract people's attention to himself, then let him prepare a seat for himself in the Hellfire. Indeed, leadership is not suitable except for those who deserve it."

قَالَ: يَا حَفْصُ يُغْفَرُ لِلْجَاهِلِ سَبْعُونَ ذَنْباً قَبْلَ أَنْ يُغْفَرَ لِلْعَالِمِ ذَنْبٌ وَاحِدٌ.

“O Hafs, seventy sins of an ignorant person may be forgiven before only one sin of a learned person is forgiven.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا وَ آلِهِ وَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ وَيْلٌ لِلْعُلَمَاءِ السَّوْءِ كَيْفَ تَلَظَّى عَلَيْهِمُ النَّارُ.

“Jesus son of Mary (a.s.) said, ‘Woe to bad scholars! If only they knew how raging fire will engulf them.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ النَّفْسُ هَاهُنَا وَ أَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى حَلْقِهِ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِلْعَالِمِ تَوْبَةٌ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ إِنَّمَا التَّوْبَةُ عَلَى‌ اللَّهِ‌ لِلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السُّوءَ بِجَهالَةٍ[1].

“When the soul reaches here, pointing to his throat, there will be no chance for learned persons to repent. He recited this verse; “God will only accept the repentance of those who commit evil in ignorance, if they repent immediately. God is All-knowing and All-wise (4:17)”

هُمْ قَوْمٌ وَصَفُوا عَدْلًا بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ‌[3] ثُمَّ خَالَفُوهُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ.

“Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said about the words of Allah in the holy Quran, ‘The idol worshippers, the idols, the rebellious ones, (26:94) and the army of Satan will all be thrown headlong into hell. (26:95)’ They are the people who speak about justice a great deal but in their own practice they would disregard it alt

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِذَا حَدَّثْتُمْ بِحَدِيثٍ فَأَسْنِدُوهُ إِلَى الَّذِي حَدَّثَكُمْ فَإِنْ كَانَ حَقّاً فَلَكُمْ وَ إِنْ كَانَ كَذِباً فَعَلَيْهِ.

“When you would narrate Hadith you must say who its narrator is. If it would be true it will be for you and if it would be false it will be his responsibility.

خَطَبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع النَّاسَ فَقَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّمَا بَدْءُ وُقُوعِ الْفِتَنِ أَهْوَاءٌ تُتَّبَعُ وَ أَحْكَامٌ تُبْتَدَعُ يُخَالَفُ فِيهَا كِتَابُ اللَّهِ يَتَوَلَّى فِيهَا رِجَالٌ رِجَالًا فَلَوْ أَنَّ الْبَاطِلَ خَلَصَ لَمْ يَخْفَ عَلَى ذِي حِجًى وَ لَوْ أَنَّ الْحَقَّ خَلَصَ لَمْ يَكُنِ اخْتِلَافٌ وَ لَكِنْ يُؤْخَذُ مِنْ هَذَا ضِغْثٌ‌[1] وَ مِنْ هَذَا ضِغْثٌ فَيُمْزَجَانِ فَيَجِيئَانِ مَعاً

“Imam Ali said in one of his sermons to people, ‘O people, mischief begins with following certain desires and obeying certain invented rules that are different from the rules and laws of the book of Allah. In such case people yield to other people as high authority if falsehood would have been clear they would have no

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

إِنَّ مِنْ أَبْغَضِ الْخَلْقِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَرَجُلَيْنِ رَجُلٌ وَكَلَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ فَهُوَ جَائِرٌ عَنْ قَصْدِ السَّبِيلِ مَشْعُوفٌ‌[1] بِكَلَامِ بِدْعَةٍ قَدْ لَهِجَ بِالصَّوْمِ وَ الصَّلَاةِ فَهُوَ فِتْنَةٌ لِمَنِ افْتَتَنَ بِهِ ضَالٌّ عَنْ هَدْيِ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَهُ‌[2] مُضِلٌّ لِمَنِ اقْتَدَى بِهِ فِي حَيَاتِهِ وَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ حَمَّالٌ خَطَايَا غَيْرِهِ رَهْنٌ بِخَطِيئَتِهِ وَ رَجُلٌ

“Of the most intensely disliked men before Allah, the Majestic, the Most Glorious, are two kinds of people: A man whom Allah has left all to his own soul and he deviates from the path of justice and is intensely attracted towards the words innovation. He seems a master in performing prayer and fasting but is a mischief

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلَيْنِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا بَيْنَهُمَا مُنَازَعَةٌ فِي دَيْنٍ أَوْ مِيرَاثٍ فَتَحَاكَمَا إِلَى السُّلْطَانِ وَ إِلَى الْقُضَاةِ أَ يَحِلُّ ذَلِكَ قَالَ مَنْ تَحَاكَمَ إِلَيْهِمْ فِي حَقٍّ أَوْ بَاطِلٍ فَإِنَّمَا تَحَاكَمَ إِلَى الطَّاغُوتِ وَ مَا يَحْكُمُ لَهُ فَإِنَّمَا يَأْخُذُ سُحْتاً وَ إِنْ كَانَ حَقّاً ثَابِتاً لِأَنَّهُ أَخَذَهُ بِحُكْمِ الطَّاغُوتِ وَ قَدْ أَمَرَ اللَّه

“I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the two people with a dispute between them on the issue of debts or inheritance and they go to the king or the judges for a decision is it permissible to seek such decisions?” The Imam replied, “Whoever would go to them for a judgement in a right or wrongful matter it is like se

قَالَ لِي هِشَامُ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ كَانَ بِمِصْرَ زِنْدِيقٌ تَبْلُغُهُ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَشْيَاءُ فَخَرَجَ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ لِيُنَاظِرَهُ فَلَمْ يُصَادِفْهُ بِهَا وَ قِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّهُ خَارِجٌ بِمَكَّةَ فَخَرَجَ إِلَى مَكَّةَ وَ نَحْنُ مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَصَادَفَنَا وَ نَحْنُ مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي الطَّوَافِ وَ كَانَ اسْمُهُ عَبْدَ الْمَلِكِ وَ كُنْيَتُهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌[3] فَضَرَبَ

“Hisham ibn al-Hakam has reported that in Egypt there lived a heretic who had heard about Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) a great deal. He traveled to Medina to debate the Imam but he missed to find the Imam therein. He was told that the Imam has traveled to the city of Makkah. He then left for Makkah and we were with Abu ‘Abdill

إِنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ الدَّيَصَانِيَ‌[1] سَأَلَ هِشَامَ بْنَ الْحَكَمِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ لَكَ رَبٌّ فَقَالَ بَلَى قَالَ أَ قَادِرٌ هُوَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَادِرٌ قَاهِرٌ قَالَ يَقْدِرُ أَنْ يُدْخِلَ الدُّنْيَا كُلَّهَا الْبَيْضَةَ لَا تَكْبُرُ الْبَيْضَةُ وَ لَا تَصْغُرُ الدُّنْيَا قَالَ هِشَامٌ النَّظِرَةَ[2] فَقَالَ لَهُ قَدْ أَنْظَرْتُكَ حَوْلًا ثُمَّ خَرَجَ عَنْهُ فَرَكِبَ هِشَامٌ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَاسْتَأْذَ

‘Abdallah al-Daysani asked Hisham ibn al-Hakam, ‘Do you have a God?’” He replied, “Yes, I have a God.” He then asked, “Is He powerful?” Hisham then replied, “Yes, He is powerful and the most powerful One.” The man then asked, “Can He fit the whole world inside an egg without any change in the size of either one?” Hisha

لِلزِّنْدِيقِ حِينَ سَأَلَهُ مَا هُوَ قَالَ هُوَ شَيْ‌ءٌ بِخِلَافِ الْأَشْيَاءِ ارْجِعْ بِقَوْلِي إِلَى إِثْبَاتِ مَعْنًى وَ أَنَّهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ بِحَقِيقَةِ الشَّيْئِيَّةِ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ لَا جِسْمٌ وَ لَا صُورَةٌ وَ لَا يُحَسُّ وَ لَا يُجَسُّ وَ لَا يُدْرَكُ بِالْحَوَاسِّ الْخَمْسِ لَا تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَوْهَامُ وَ لَا تَنْقُصُهُ الدُّهُورُ وَ لَا تُغَيِّرُهُ الْأَزْمَانُ فَقَالَ لَهُ السَّائِلُ فَتَقُولُ إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ بَ

6. It is narrated from Imam abu “Abdallah (a.s.), who said this to an atheist on being asked a question. “He (Allah) is a thing but different from all other things. I repeat my statement that speaks about Him as a thing. He is a thing in the sense of the reality of things except that He does not have a body and form. H

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ اعْرِفُوا اللَّهَ بِاللَّهِ وَ الرَّسُولَ بِالرِّسَالَةِ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ بِالْأَمْرِ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ الْعَدْلِ وَ الْإِحْسَانِ. وَ مَعْنَى قَوْلِهِ ع اعْرِفُوا اللَّهَ بِاللَّهِ‌[2] يَعْنِي أَنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ الْأَشْخَاصَ وَ الْأَنْوَارَ وَ الْجَوَاهِرَ وَ الْأَعْيَانَ فَالْأَعْيَانُ الْأَبْدَانُ وَ الْجَوَاهِرُ الْأَرْوَاحُ وَ هُوَ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ لَا يُشْبِهُ جِسْماً وَ لَا رُ

1. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from the people he mentioned from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Humran from al- Fadl ibn al-Sakan from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has narrated the following. “Imam Ali (a.s.) has said, ‘Recognize Allah by Allah’s Own-Self, recognize the Messenger through his message a

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع مِنْ وَرَاءِ نَهَرِ بَلْخٍ فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ فَإِنْ أَجَبْتَنِي فِيهَا بِمَا عِنْدِي قُلْتُ بِإِمَامَتِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع سَلْ عَمَّا شِئْتَ فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ رَبِّكَ مَتَى كَانَ وَ كَيْفَ كَانَ وَ عَلَى أَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ كَانَ اعْتِمَادُهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَيَّنَ الْأَيْنَ بِلَا أَيْنٍ وَ

A man from Ma Wara’ Nahr Balkh (Transoxania) came to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), and said, ‘I have a question for you. If your answer is the same as I already know, I will accept you as my Imam (leader with divine authority).’” Imam abul-Hassan (a.s.) replied, “Ask whatever you wish.” The man said, “Tell me when did

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كانَ عَرْشُهُ‌ عَلَى الْماءِ[1] فَقَالَ مَا يَقُولُونَ قُلْتُ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ الْعَرْشَ كَانَ عَلَى الْمَاءِ وَ الرَّبُّ فَوْقَهُ فَقَالَ كَذَبُوا مَنْ زَعَمَ هَذَا فَقَدْ صَيَّرَ اللَّهَ مَحْمُولًا وَ وَصَفَهُ بِصِفَةِ الْمَخْلُوقِ وَ لَزِمَهُ أَنَّ الشَّيْ‌ءَ الَّذِي يَحْمِلُهُ أَقْوَى مِنْهُ قُلْتُ بَيِّنْ لِي جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ ال

The Imam asked, “What do they say about it?” I said, “They say that al-‘Arsh (the Throne) was on the water and the Lord was on top of it.” The Imam then said, “They have said a lie. Whoever would think that way he has considered Allah as being carried and has described Him with the qualities of the creatures which invo

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع اسْتَنْهَضَ النَّاسَ فِي حَرْبِ مُعَاوِيَةَ فِي الْمَرَّةِ الثَّانِيَةِ فَلَمَّا حَشَدَ النَّاسُ‌[1] قَامَ خَطِيباً فَقَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الْوَاحِدِ الْأَحَدِ الصَّمَدِ الْمُتَفَرِّدِ الَّذِي‌[2] لَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ كَانَ وَ لَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ خَلَقَ مَا كَانَ قُدْرَةٌ[3] بَانَ بِهَا مِنَ الْأَشْيَاءِ وَ بَانَتِ الْأَشْيَاءُ مِنْهُ فَلَيْسَتْ لَهُ صِفَةٌ تُنَالُ وَ لَا حَدٌّ تُضْرَبُ لَه

1. Muhammad ibn abu ‘Abdallah and Muhammad ibn Yahya - both in a marfu‘ manner- have narrated from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Imam Amirul Mu’minin mobilized people against Mu’awiya for the second time and when people came in multitudes he stood up to give a speeCh ‘All praise is due to Allah

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ اسْمُهُ وَ تَعَالَى ذِكْرُهُ وَ جَلَّ ثَنَاؤُهُ سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَقَدَّسَ وَ تَفَرَّدَ وَ تَوَحَّدَ وَ لَمْ يَزَلْ وَ لَا يَزَالُ وَ هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ‌ وَ الْآخِرُ وَ الظَّاهِرُ وَ الْباطِنُ‌ فَلَا أَوَّلَ لِأَوَّلِيَّتِهِ رَفِيعاً فِي أَعْلَى عُلُوِّهِ شَامِخُ الْأَرْكَانِ رَفِيعُ الْبُنْيَانِ عَظِيمُ السُّلْطَانِ مُنِيفُ الْآلَاءِ سَنِيُّ الْعَلْيَاءِ الَّذِي عَجَزَ الْوَاصِفُونَ عَنْ كُنْهِ صِ

“Allah, the Most Holy is Whose name, the Most High is Whose praise, the Most Glorious are Whose attributes. He is the Most Sacred, the Most Holy, the only One in oneness. He is eternal, the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden. There is no beginning for Him. He is the Most Exalted in His highness. The Highes

خَطَبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع خُطْبَةً بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ فَعَجِبَ النَّاسُ مِنْ حُسْنِ صِفَتِهِ وَ مَا ذَكَرَهُ مِنْ تَعْظِيمِ اللَّهِ جَلَّ جَلَالُهُ قَالَ أَبُو إِسْحَاقَ فَقُلْتُ لِلْحَارِثِ أَ وَ مَا حَفِظْتَهَا قَالَ قَدْ كَتَبْتُهَا فَأَمْلَاهَا عَلَيْنَا مِنْ كِتَابِهِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَمُوتُ وَ لَا تَنْقَضِي عَجَائِبُهُ لِأَنَّهُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ فِي شَأْنٍ مِنْ إِحْدَاثِ بَدِيعٍ لَمْ يَكُنِ الَّذِ

7. It is narrated from a number of our people from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from Ahmad ibn al-Nadr and others whom he mentioned from ‘Amr ibn Thabit from a man whom he mentioned from abu Ishaq al-Subay‘i from Harith al-A‘war who said the following. “Amirul Mu’minin gave a speech in the afternoon an

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

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَأَنْشَأَ يَقُولُ ابْتِدَاءً مِنْهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ نَحْنُ حُجَّةُ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ بَابُ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ لِسَانُ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ عَيْنُ اللَّهِ فِي خَلْقِهِ وَ نَحْنُ وُلَاةُ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ فِي عِبَادِهِ.

“I was in the presence of Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.), who began to speak without any question from me.” “We are the authority of Allah. We are the door to Allah. We are the tongue of Allah. We are the face of Allah. We are the eyes of Allah in His people. We are the authority in the commandments of Allah among His servants

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ ما ظَلَمُونا وَ لكِنْ كانُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ‌ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى أَعْظَمُ وَ أَعَزُّ وَ أَجَلُّ وَ أَمْنَعُ مِنْ أَنْ يُظْلَمَ وَ لَكِنَّهُ خَلَطَنَا بِنَفْسِهِ فَجَعَلَ ظُلْمَنَا ظُلْمَهُ وَ وَلَايَتَنَا وَلَايَتَهُ حَيْثُ يَقُولُ- إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يَعْنِي الْأَئِمَّةَ مِنَّا ثُمَّ قَالَ فِي مَوْضِعٍ آخَ

“I asked the Imam about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “They (children of Israel) did not wrong Us but they wronged themselves.” (2:57) The Imam said, “Allah is far Great and Majestic and Mighty above being wronged. But He has mixed us with His Own-self. He has considered the wrong done to us as bein

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع جَالِساً بِالْكُوفَةِ بَعْدَ مُنْصَرَفِهِ مِنْ صِفِّينَ إِذْ أَقْبَلَ شَيْخٌ فَجَثَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ‌[1]- ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَخْبِرْنَا عَنْ مَسِيرِنَا إِلَى أَهْلِ الشَّامِ أَ بِقَضَاءٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ قَدَرٍ فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَجَلْ يَا شَيْخُ مَا عَلَوْتُمْ تَلْعَةً وَ لَا هَبَطْتُمْ بَطْنَ وَادٍ إِلَّا بِقَضَاءٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ قَدَرٍ فَقَالَ

Ali Bin Muhammad, from Sahl Bin Ziyad and Is’haq Bin Muhammad and someone else, raising it, He asws said: ‘Amir Al-Momineen asws was seated in Al-Kufa, after his asws leaving from (the battle of) Siffeen, when an old man squatted in front of him asws , then said to him asws , ‘O Amir Al-Momineen asws ! Inform us about

سَأَلْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ اللَّهُ فَوَّضَ الْأَمْرَ إِلَى الْعِبَادِ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَعَزُّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ فَجَبَرَهُمْ عَلَى الْمَعَاصِي قَالَ اللَّهُ أَعْدَلُ وَ أَحْكَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ قَالَ اللَّهُ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ أَنَا أَوْلَى بِحَسَنَاتِكَ مِنْكَ وَ أَنْتَ أَوْلَى بِسَيِّئَاتِكَ مِنِّي- عَمِلْتَ الْمَعَاصِيَ بِقُوَّتِيَ الَّتِي جَعَلْتُهَا فِيكَ.

“Once I asked the Imam (a.s.), ‘Has Allah left all the matters to people?’ The Imam said, ‘Allah, Most Exalted, is by far above and beyond such things.’ I then asked, ‘Has He compelled them to commit sins?’ The Imam said, ‘Allah’s justice and His judgment are far above and beyond such things.’ The Imam further said, ‘A

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالسُّوءِ وَ الْفَحْشَاءِ فَقَدْ كَذَبَ عَلَى اللَّهِ- وَ مَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّ الْخَيْرَ وَ الشَّرَّ بِغَيْرِ مَشِيئَةِ اللَّهِ فَقَدْ أَخْرَجَ اللَّهَ مِنْ سُلْطَانِهِ وَ مَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّ الْمَعَاصِيَ بِغَيْرِ قُوَّةِ اللَّهِ فَقَدْ كَذَبَ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ مَنْ كَذَبَ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَدْخَلَهُ اللَّهُ النَّارَ[2].

“The Messenger of Allah (sw) said, ‘Whoever believes that Allah has commanded to do evil and sin has ascribed lies to Allah. Whoever thinks that good and evil are without the wish of Allah, has considered Allah without authority. Whoever thinks that sins are without the power from Allah, has ascribed lies to Allah and

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ هَلْ جُعِلَ فِي النَّاسِ أَدَاةٌ يَنَالُونَ بِهَا الْمَعْرِفَةَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا قُلْتُ فَهَلْ كُلِّفُوا الْمَعْرِفَةَ قَالَ لَا عَلَى اللَّهِ الْبَيَانُ- لا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْساً إِلَّا وُسْعَها وَ لا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْساً إِلَّا ما آتاها قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِهِ‌ وَ ما كانَ اللَّهُ لِيُضِلَّ قَوْماً بَعْدَ إِذْ هَداهُمْ حَتَّى يُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ ما

“Once I said to (Imam) abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ’May Allah keep you well, Has Allah placed a means in people to know?’ He replied, ‘No, He has not done so.’ I asked, ‘Will He hold them responsible for knowing?’ He said, ‘No, because it is for Allah to explain.’ ‘Allah does not impose on any soul a responsibility beyond i

لِلزِّنْدِيقِ الَّذِي سَأَلَهُ مِنْ أَيْنَ أَثْبَتَّ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ وَ الرُّسُلَ قَالَ إِنَّا لَمَّا أَثْبَتْنَا أَنَّ لَنَا خَالِقاً صَانِعاً مُتَعَالِياً عَنَّا وَ عَنْ جَمِيعِ مَا خَلَقَ وَ كَانَ ذَلِكَ الصَّانِعُ حَكِيماً مُتَعَالِياً لَمْ يَجُزْ أَنْ يُشَاهِدَهُ خَلْقُهُ وَ لَا يُلَامِسُوهُ فَيُبَاشِرَهُمْ وَ يُبَاشِرُوهُ وَ يُحَاجَّهُمْ وَ يُحَاجُّوهُ ثَبَتَ أَنَّ لَهُ سُفَرَاءَ فِي خَلْقِهِ يُعَبِّرُونَ عَنْهُ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-‘Abbass ibn ‘Umar al-Qummi from Hisham ibn al-Hakam from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) the following. “An atheist asked the Imam (a.s.), ‘How do you prove the truthfulness of the prophets and the messengers?’” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is a fact that we have established wi

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَجَلُّ وَ أَكْرَمُ مِنْ أَنْ يُعْرَفَ بِخَلْقِهِ بَلِ الْخَلْقُ يُعْرَفُونَ بِاللَّهِ قَالَ صَدَقْتَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ مَنْ عَرَفَ أَنَّ لَهُ رَبّاً فَيَنْبَغِي لَهُ‌ أَنْ يَعْرِفَ أَنَّ لِذَلِكَ الرَّبِّ رِضًا وَ سَخَطاً وَ أَنَّهُ لَا يُعْرَفُ رِضَاهُ وَ سَخَطُهُ إِلَّا بِوَحْيٍ أَوْ رَسُولٍ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَأْتِهِ الْوَحْيُ فَقَدْ يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَطْلُبَ الرُّسُلَ فَإِذَ

“I said to Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Allah by far above Majestic and Gracious to be known through His creatures. In fact, the creatures are known through Allah.’” The Imam (a.s.) said, “You have spoken the truth.” I said, “One who knows that he has a Lord, he must also learn that his Lord agrees with certain things a

كَانَ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ مِنْهُمْ حُمْرَانُ بْنُ أَعْيَنَ وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ النُّعْمَانِ وَ هِشَامُ بْنُ سَالِمٍ وَ الطَّيَّارُ وَ جَمَاعَةٌ فِيهِمْ هِشَامُ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ وَ هُوَ شَابٌّ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَا هِشَامُ أَ لَا تُخْبِرُنِي كَيْفَ صَنَعْتَ بِعَمْرِو بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ وَ كَيْفَ سَأَلْتَهُ فَقَالَ هِشَامٌ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أُجِلُّكَ وَ أَسْتَحْيِ

“In the presence of Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) once there was a group of his followers consisting of Humran ibn ’Ayun, Muhammad ibn al-Ni‘man, Hisham ibn Salim, al-Tayyar and others among whom was also Hisham ibn al-Hakam, a young man. Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, “O Hisham can you tell us what did you do to ‘Amr ibn

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

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ الْأَنْبِيَاءُ وَ الْمُرْسَلُونَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ طَبَقَاتٍ فَنَبِيٌّ مُنَبَّأٌ فِي نَفْسِهِ لَا يَعْدُو غَيْرَهَا وَ نَبِيٌّ يَرَى فِي النَّوْمِ وَ يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ- وَ لَا يُعَايِنُهُ فِي الْيَقَظَةِ وَ لَمْ يُبْعَثْ إِلَى أَحَدٍ وَ عَلَيْهِ إِمَامٌ مِثْلُ مَا كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ عَلَى لُوطٍ ع وَ نَبِيٌّ يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَ يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَ يُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ وَ قَدْ أُرْسِلَ إ

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from abu Yahya al-Wasiti from Hisham ibn Salim and Durust ibn abu Mansur from him the following. “Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said that the prophets and the messengers are of four categories. There were prophets who were given Divine news in their souls just for t

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى اتَّخَذَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَبْداً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ نَبِيّاً وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اتَّخَذَهُ نَبِيّاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ رَسُولًا وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اتَّخَذَهُ رَسُولًا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ خَلِيلًا وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اتَّخَذَهُ خَلِيلًا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَجْعَلَهُ إِمَاماً فَلَمَّا جَمَعَ لَهُ الْأَشْيَاءَ قَالَ‌ إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِما

“I heard Imam Abu ‘Abdallah saying, ‘Allah chose Abraham as a servant before choosing him as a prophet. Allah chose him as a prophet before choosing him as a messenger. Allah chose him as a messenger before choosing him as a friend of His. Allah chose him as a friend of His before choosing him as an Imam. When all of t

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ سَادَةُ النَّبِيِّينَ وَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ خَمْسَةٌ وَ هُمْ‌ أُولُوا الْعَزْمِ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ‌ وَ عَلَيْهِمْ دَارَتِ الرَّحَى‌[2]- نُوحٌ وَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ وَ مُوسَى وَ عِيسَى وَ مُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ عَلَى جَمِيعِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ.

3. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Khath‘ami from Hisham from abu Ya‘qub who has said the following “I heard abu ‘Abdallah saying, ‘The leaders and masters of the prophets and the messengers are five who are called ’ulul ‘Azm (people with determination) among the me

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اتَّخَذَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَبْداً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ نَبِيّاً وَ اتَّخَذَهُ نَبِيّاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ رَسُولًا وَ اتَّخَذَهُ رَسُولًا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ خَلِيلًا وَ اتَّخَذَهُ خَلِيلًا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ إِمَاماً فَلَمَّا جَمَعَ لَهُ هَذِهِ الْأَشْيَاءَ وَ قَبَضَ يَدَهُ‌[4] قَالَ لَهُ- يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ‌ إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِماماً فَمِنْ عِظَمِهَا فِي عَيْنِ إ

“I heard the Imam saying, ‘Allah chose Abraham as a servant before He chose him as a prophet. He chose him as a prophet before He chose him as a messenger. He chose him as a messenger before He chose him as a friend of His. He chose him as a friend of His before He chose him as an Imam. When all of these things gathere

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ كانَ رَسُولًا نَبِيًّا مَا الرَّسُولُ وَ مَا النَّبِيُّ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَ يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَ لَا يُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ وَ الرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَ يَرَى فِي الْمَنَامِ وَ يُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ قُلْتُ الْإِمَامُ مَا مَنْزِلَتُهُ قَالَ يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَ لَا يَرَى وَ لَا يُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, ‘He was a messenger, a prophet’. What is a messenger and what is a prophet?’” The Imam said, “A prophet is one who sees things in his dream and hears the voice but does not see the angel. The messenger is one who hears the voice, in h

كَتَبَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الْعَبَّاسِ الْمَعْرُوفِيُّ إِلَى الرِّضَا ع- جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَخْبِرْنِي مَا الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَ الرَّسُولِ وَ النَّبِيِّ وَ الْإِمَامِ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ أَوْ قَالَ الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَ الرَّسُولِ وَ النَّبِيِّ وَ الْإِمَامِ أَنَّ الرَّسُولَ الَّذِي يُنْزَلُ عَلَيْهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ فَيَرَاهُ وَ يَسْمَعُ كَلَامَهُ وَ يُنْزَلُ عَلَيْهِ الْوَحْيُ وَ رُبَّمَا رَأَى فِي مَنَامِهِ نَحْوَ رُؤْيَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع و

The Imam said or wrote, “ The difference between the messengers, the prophets and the Imams is that a messenger is one to whom Jibril (Gabriel) comes. He sees Jibril and hears his speech and Jibril (the angel) brings him (Divine) revelation and sometimes he may see in his dream like the dream of Abraham (a.s.). A proph

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الرَّسُولِ وَ النَّبِيِّ وَ الْمُحَدَّثِ قَالَ الرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَأْتِيهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ قُبُلًا[2] فَيَرَاهُ وَ يُكَلِّمُهُ فَهَذَا الرَّسُولُ وَ أَمَّا النَّبِيُّ فَهُوَ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ نَحْوَ رُؤْيَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ نَحْوَ مَا كَانَ رَأَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مِنْ أَسْبَابِ النُّبُوَّةِ قَبْلَ الْوَحْيِ حَتَّى أَتَاهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ بِالرِّسَالَةِ وَ كَانَ

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the Messenger, the Prophet, and the Muhaddath. He said, 'The Messenger is the one to whom Jibril comes face to face, so he sees him and speaks to him. This is the Messenger. As for the Prophet, he is the one who sees in his dream, like the vision of Abraham and like what the Messenger o

فِي قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ ما أَرْسَلْنا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَسُولٍ وَ لا نَبِيٍ‌ وَ لَا مُحَدَّثٍ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَيْسَتْ هَذِهِ قِرَاءَتَنَا فَمَا الرَّسُولُ وَ النَّبِيُّ وَ الْمُحَدَّثُ قَالَ الرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَظْهَرُ لَهُ الْمَلَكُ فَيُكَلِّمُهُ وَ النَّبِيُّ هُوَ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَ رُبَّمَا اجْتَمَعَتِ النُّبُوَّةُ وَ الرِّسَالَةُ لِوَاحِدٍ وَ الْمُحَدَّثُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ و

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “Satan would try to tamper with the desires of every Prophet or Messenger or Muhaddith (Muhaddith is a commentary of Imam (a.s.), whom We sent . .’” (22:52). I said, ““May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, the word Muhaddith

إِنَّ الْحُجَّةَ لَا تَقُومُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ إِلَّا بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفَ‌[2].

“Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam who would teach people about Him.”

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ إِنَّ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ: إِنَّ الْحُجَّةَ لَا تَقُومُ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ إِلَّا بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفَ.

"I heard al-Ridha (as) say: 'Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam who would teach people about Him.'"

إِنَّ الْحُجَّةَ لَا تَقُومُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ إِلَّا بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفَ.

“Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam who would teach people about Him.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ الْحُجَّةُ قَبْلَ الْخَلْقِ وَ مَعَ الْخَلْقِ وَ بَعْدَ الْخَلْقِ.

“A person with Divine authority is before the people, with the people and after the people.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع تَكُونُ الْأَرْضُ لَيْسَ فِيهَا إِمَامٌ قَالَ لَا قُلْتُ يَكُونُ إِمَامَانِ قَالَ لَا إِلَّا وَ أَحَدُهُمَا صَامِتٌ.

“I asked Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Can there be a time on earth without Imam?” The Imam said, “No, it can not be without an Imam.” I asked, “Can there be two Imams at a time?” He said, “No, unless one of them is silent.”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْأَرْضَ لَا تَخْلُو إِلَّا وَ فِيهَا إِمَامٌ كَيْمَا إِنْ زَادَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ شَيْئاً رَدَّهُمْ وَ إِنْ نَقَصُوا شَيْئاً أَتَمَّهُ لَهُمْ.

“I heard the Imam (a.s.) saying, ‘The earth is never left without an Imam so that if the believers would add any thing it would be brought back and if they would reduce anything it would be completed.”

مَا زَالَتِ الْأَرْضُ إِلَّا وَ لِلَّهِ فِيهَا الْحُجَّةُ يُعَرِّفُ الْحَلَالَ وَ الْحَرَامَ وَ يَدْعُو النَّاسَ إِلَى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ.

“The earth has never been without a person with Divine authority who would teach people about the lawful and unlawful matters and call them to the path of Allah.”

قُلْتُ لَهُ تَبْقَى الْأَرْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لَا.

I (the narrator) said to him: “Can the earth be without Imam?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “No.”

قَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ يَدَعِ الْأَرْضَ بِغَيْرِ عَالِمٍ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ لَمْ يُعْرَفِ الْحَقُّ مِنَ الْبَاطِلِ.

“Allah does not leave the earth without a ‘Alim (scholar). Without this the truth would not be distinguished from falsehood.”