Leadership & Responsibility

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ لَيَسْمَعُ فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ فَإِذَا وُلِدَ خُطَّ بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهِ‌ وَ تَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقاً وَ عَدْلًا لا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِماتِهِ وَ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ‌ فَإِذَا صَارَ الْأَمْرُ إِلَيْهِ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ عَمُوداً مِنْ نُورٍ يُبْصِرُ بِهِ مَا يَعْمَلُ أَهْلُ كُلِّ بَلْدَةٍ.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘The Imam hears in the womb of his mother and when he is born these words of Allah will be written between his shoulders, “. .in all truth and justice, your Lord’s Word has been completed. No one can change His Words. He is All-hearing and All-knowing.”. (6:115) When the matter (Leade

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

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

رَوَى غَيْرُ وَاحِدٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا أَنَّهُ قَالَ: لَا تَتَكَلَّمُوا فِي الْإِمَامِ فَإِنَّ الْإِمَامَ يَسْمَعُ الْكَلَامَ وَ هُوَ فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ فَإِذَا وَضَعَتْهُ كَتَبَ الْمَلَكُ بَيْنَ عَيْنَيْهِ- وَ تَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقاً وَ عَدْلًا لا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِماتِهِ وَ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ‌ فَإِذَا قَامَ بِالْأَمْرِ رُفِعَ لَهُ فِي كُلِّ بَلْدَةٍ مَنَارٌ يَنْظُرُ مِنْهُ إِلَى أَعْمَالِ الْعِبَادِ.

The Imam (a.s.) has said, “Do not speak about the Imam. The Imam (a.s.) hears the words while he still is in the womb of his mother. When she would give birth the angel write between his eyes, “. .in all truth and justice, your Lord’s Word has been completed. No one can change His Words. He is All-hearing and All-knowi

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?”

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

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

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.”

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

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

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

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

إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَنَا مِنْ أَعْلَى عِلِّيِّينَ- وَ خَلَقَ قُلُوبَ شِيعَتِنَا مِمَّا خَلَقَنَا وَ خَلَقَ أَبْدَانَهُمْ مِنْ دُونِ ذَلِكَ فَقُلُوبُهُمْ تَهْوِي إِلَيْنَا لِأَنَّهَا خُلِقَتْ مِمَّا خُلِقْنَا ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- كَلَّا إِنَّ كِتابَ الْأَبْرارِ لَفِي عِلِّيِّينَ. وَ ما أَدْراكَ ما عِلِّيُّونَ. كِتابٌ مَرْقُومٌ. يَشْهَدُهُ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ‌[1] وَ خَلَقَ عَدُوَّنَا مِنْ سِجِّينٍ وَ خَلَقَ قُلُوبَ

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.) say, “Allah has created us from A‘la ‘Illiyin (above the high above). He has created the hearts of our Shi‘a from what He has created us, and He has created their bodies from below that, thus, their hearts incline towards us because they are created from what we are created. Then he recited t

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنِّي تَرَكْتُ مَوَالِيَكَ مُخْتَلِفِينَ يَتَبَرَّأُ بَعْضُهُمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ قَالَ فَقَالَ وَ مَا أَنْتَ وَ ذَاكَ إِنَّمَا كُلِّفَ النَّاسُ ثَلَاثَةً مَعْرِفَةَ الْأَئِمَّةِ وَ التَّسْلِيمَ لَهُمْ فِيمَا وَرَدَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ الرَّدَّ إِلَيْهِمْ فِيمَا اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ.

“I said to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘I just left your supporters and followers opposing and disdaining each other.” The narrator has said that The Imam (a.s.) then said, “What do you have to do with their conditions. People have three obligations. They must recognize the Imams, submit to the instructions they have received f

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

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

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا رَجُلًا يُقَالُ لَهُ كُلَيْبٌ فَلَا يَجِي‌ءُ عَنْكُمْ شَيْ‌ءٌ إِلَّا قَالَ أَنَا أُسَلِّمُ فَسَمَّيْنَاهُ كُلَيْبَ تَسْلِيمٍ قَالَ فَتَرَحَّمَ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ تَدْرُونَ مَا التَّسْلِيمُ فَسَكَتْنَا فَقَالَ هُوَ وَ اللَّهِ الْإِخْبَاتُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَ عَمِلُوا الصَّالِحاتِ وَ أَخْبَتُوا إِلى‌ رَبِّهِمْ‌[1].

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Among us there is a man called Kulayb. Nothing comes from you but that he says, “I submit to it.” Thus, we call him, “Kulayb, the submissive.” The narrator has said that The Imam (a.s) expressed kindness towards him and prayed and then said, “Do you know what submission is?” We remaine

الِاقْتِرَافُ التَّسْلِيمُ لَنَا وَ الصِّدْقُ عَلَيْنَا وَ أَلَّا يَكْذِبَ عَلَيْنَا.

The Imam (a.s.) said, ‘achievement’ refers to one’s submission to us, his speaking the truth from us and not to ascribe any lies to us.”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ‌ أَ تَدْرِي مَنْ هُمْ قُلْتُ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ قَالَ قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الْمُسَلِّمُونَ إِنَّ الْمُسَلِّمِينَ هُمُ النُّجَبَاءُ فَالْمُؤْمِنُ غَرِيبٌ فَطُوبَى لِلْغُرَبَاءِ.

Triumphant indeed are the believers,” (23:1) Do you know who they are?” I said, “You know best.” He said, Triumphant indeed are the believers, who are Muslims (submissive to Allah). The Muslims are noble people. The believers are rare. Congratulations to the believers.”

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.”

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

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

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ‌[1] إِلَى آخِرِ الْآيَةِ قَالَ هُمُ الْمُسَلِّمُونَ لآِلِ مُحَمَّدٍ الَّذِينَ إِذَا سَمِعُوا الْحَدِيثَ لَمْ يَزِيدُوا فِيهِ وَ لَمْ يَنْقُصُوا مِنْهُ جَاءُوا بِهِ كَمَا سَمِعُوهُ.

“Once I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. “. .those of Our servants who listen to the words and only follow the best ones. .” .(39:18) The Imam (a.s.) said, “They are those who are submissive to the (commands) of Ahl al-Bayt of Muhammad (s.a). It is those who whe

نَظَرَ إِلَى النَّاسِ يَطُوفُونَ حَوْلَ الْكَعْبَةِ فَقَالَ هَكَذَا كَانُوا يَطُوفُونَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ إِنَّمَا أُمِرُوا أَنْ يَطُوفُوا بِهَا ثُمَّ يَنْفِرُوا إِلَيْنَا فَيُعْلِمُونَا وَلَايَتَهُمْ وَ مَوَدَّتَهُمْ وَ يَعْرِضُوا عَلَيْنَا نُصْرَتَهُمْ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- فَاجْعَلْ أَفْئِدَةً مِنَ النَّاسِ‌ تَهْوِي إِلَيْهِمْ‌[2].

“abu Ja‘far (a.s.) looked at the people perform Tawaf (walking around the Ka‘ba seven times) and said, “This is how they used to perform Tawaf in the times ignorance (pre-Islamic era). What they are required to do is to perform Tawaf and come to us, declare their support and love for us and express their help for us. T

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ رَأَى النَّاسَ بِمَكَّةَ وَ مَا يَعْمَلُونَ قَالَ فَقَالَ فِعَالٌ كَفِعَالِ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا أُمِرُوا بِهَذَا وَ مَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا أَنْ يَقْضُوا تَفَثَهُمْ‌ وَ لْيُوفُوا نُذُورَهُمْ‌ فَيَمُرُّوا بِنَا فَيُخْبِرُونَا بِوَلَايَتِهِمْ وَ يَعْرِضُوا عَلَيْنَا نُصْرَتَهُمْ.

“I heard abu Ja‘far say, (a.s.) when he saw people in Makka and what they were doing, “Activities like those in the days of ignorance. By Allah, they are not commanded to do as suCh What they are commanded to do is to complete their Hajj, relieve themselves of the obligations of vows and visit us to inform us of their

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ هُوَ دَاخِلٌ وَ أَنَا خَارِجٌ وَ أَخَذَ بِيَدِي ثُمَ‌ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْبَيْتَ فَقَالَ يَا سَدِيرُ إِنَّمَا أُمِرَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يَأْتُوا هَذِهِ الْأَحْجَارَ فَيَطُوفُوا بِهَا ثُمَّ يَأْتُونَا فَيُعْلِمُونَا وَلَايَتَهُمْ لَنَا وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ‌ وَ إِنِّي لَغَفَّارٌ لِمَنْ تابَ‌ وَ آمَنَ وَ عَمِلَ صالِحاً ثُمَّ اهْتَدى‌[1] ثُمَّ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ إِلَى وَلَايَتِنَا ثُمَّ

"I heard Abu Ja'far al-Baqir (as) while I was exiting, and he took my hand and faced the house (Kaaba) and said: 'O Sudair, the people were commanded to come to these stones and perform tawaf around them, then come to us and nd declare their allegiance to us. This is the word of Allah: Indeed, I am the Forgiving for wh

كُنْتُ لَا أَزِيدُ عَلَى أَكْلَةٍ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ فَرُبَّمَا اسْتَأْذَنْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَجِدُ الْمَائِدَةَ قَدْ رُفِعَتْ‌[2] لَعَلِّي لَا أَرَاهَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُ دَعَا بِهَا فَأُصِيبَ مَعَهُ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَ لَا أَتَأَذَّى بِذَلِكَ وَ إِذَا عَقَّبْتُ بِالطَّعَامِ عِنْدَ غَيْرِهِ لَمْ أَقْدِرْ عَلَى أَنْ أَقِرَّ وَ لَمْ أَنَمْ مِنَ النَّفْخَةِ فَشَكَوْتُ ذَلِكَ إِلَيْه

“I used to eat one meal in twenty four hours. I would ask permission to see abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) at such time that I would expect that their table cloth is collected and they have fished their meal. When I would arrive he would ask to return the table cloth. I would find food in it but it would not harm me while if I w

قَالَ يَا حُسَيْنُ وَ ضَرَبَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى مَسَاوِرَ[3] فِي الْبَيْتِ مَسَاوِرُ طَالَ مَا اتَّكَتْ عَلَيْهَا الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَ رُبَّمَا الْتَقَطْنَا مِنْ زَغَبِهَا.

“Once Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, ‘O Husayn, tapping his hand on a cushion in the house, saying, ‘Cushions on which for a long time angels have been leaning and perhaps we pick up some of their fluff around.”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَاحْتُبِسْتُ فِي الدَّارِ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ دَخَلْتُ الْبَيْتَ وَ هُوَ يَلْتَقِطُ شَيْئاً وَ أَدْخَلَ يَدَهُ مِنْ وَرَاءِ السِّتْرِ فَنَاوَلَهُ مَنْ كَانَ فِي الْبَيْتِ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا الَّذِي أَرَاكَ تَلْتَقِطُهُ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ هُوَ فَقَالَ فَضْلَةٌ مِنْ زَغَبِ الْمَلَائِكَةِ نَجْمَعُهُ إِذَا خَلَّوْنَا نَجْعَلُهُ سَيْحاً[1] لِأَوْلَادِنَا فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَا

“Once I went to see Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) and I became confounded in the room for an hour then I went inside the house while he was picking up things and would give to someone behind the curtain. I then said, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, What was that thing that I saw you picking up?” The Imam (

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.”

أَتَيْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي بَعْضِ مَا أَتَيْتُهُ فَجَعَلَ يَقُولُ لَا تَعْجَلْ حَتَّى حَمِيَتِ الشَّمْسُ عَلَيَّ وَ جَعَلْتُ أَتَتَبَّعُ الْأَفْيَاءَ فَمَا لَبِثَ أَنْ خَرَجَ عَلَيَّ قَوْمٌ كَأَنَّهُمُ الْجَرَادُ الصُّفْرُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْبُتُوتُ‌[3] قَدِ انْتَهَكَتْهُمُ الْعِبَادَةُ قَالَ فَوَ اللَّهِ لَأَنْسَانِي مَا كُنْتُ فِيهِ مِنْ حُسْنِ هَيْئَةِ الْقَوْمِ فَلَمَّا دَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ لِي أَرَانِي قَدْ شَق

“On one of the occasion of my meeting with abu Ja‘far (a.s.) when I went tosee him he asked me to wait until the sun became very hot on me. I tried to follow the shadow from the sun. No very long thereafter a people came out of his presence that looked like locusts dressed in large gowns and very oale and slim due to e

كُنَّا بِبَابِهِ فَخَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا قَوْمٌ أَشْبَاهُ الزُّطِّ[4] عَلَيْهِمْ أُزُرٌ وَ أَكْسِيَةٌ فَسَأَلْنَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْهُمْ فَقَالَ هَؤُلَاءِ إِخْوَانُكُمْ مِنَ الْجِنِّ.

“They were your brethren from Jinns.”

أَتَيْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع أُرِيدُ الْإِذْنَ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا رِحَالُ إِبِلٍ عَلَى الْبَابِ مَصْفُوفَةٌ وَ إِذَا الْأَصْوَاتُ قَدِ ارْتَفَعَتْ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ قَوْمٌ مُعْتَمِّينَ بِالْعَمَائِمِ يُشْبِهُونَ الزُّطَّ قَالَ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَبْطَأَ إِذْنُكَ عَلَيَّ الْيَوْمَ وَ رَأَيْتُ قَوْماً خَرَجُوا عَلَيَّ مُعْتَمِّينَ بِالْعَمَائِمِ فَأَنْكَرْتُهُمْ فَقَالَ أَ وَ تَدْرِي مَن

I to ask permission to meet abu Ja‘far (a.s.). I found saddles of camels lined up in front of the door and noises coming very loud and then a people came out with turbans like those of the Indian gypsies. I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about them and said, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause. Today it took a lo

أَوْصَانِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع بِحَوَائِجَ لَهُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَخَرَجْتُ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا بَيْنَ فَجِّ الرَّوْحَاءِ[1] عَلَى رَاحِلَتِي إِذَا إِنْسَانٌ يَلْوِي ثَوْبَهُ‌[2] قَالَ فَمِلْتُ إِلَيْهِ وَ ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ عَطْشَانُ فَنَاوَلْتُهُ الْإِدَاوَةَ[3] فَقَالَ لِي لَا حَاجَةَ لِي بِهَا وَ نَاوَلَنِي كِتَاباً طِينُهُ رَطْبٌ قَالَ فَلَمَّا نَظَرْتُ إِلَى الْخَاتَمِ إِذَا خَاتَمُ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقُلْتُ مَتَى عَهْدُك

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) asked me to help him in a few things in Maina. I left and when reached fajj al-Rawha’ a man waved to me with his cloths. The narrator has said that I turned to him and I though he was thirsty. I offered the cup but he declined saying, “I do not need it.” He gave a letter with its ink still not dried

رَأَيْتُ الرِّضَا ع وَاقِفاً عَلَى بَابِ بَيْتِ الْحَطَبِ وَ هُوَ يُنَاجِي وَ لَسْتُ أَرَى أَحَداً فَقُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي لِمَنْ تُنَاجِي فَقَالَ هَذَا عَامِرٌ الزَّهْرَائِيُّ أَتَانِي يَسْأَلُنِي وَ يَشْكُو إِلَيَّ فَقُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَسْمَعَ كَلَامَهُ فَقَالَ لِي إِنَّكِ إِنْ سَمِعْتِ بِهِ حُمِمْتِ سَنَةً فَقُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَسْمَعَهُ- فَقَالَ لِيَ اسْمَعِي فَاسْتَمَعْتُ فَسَمِعْتُ شِ

“Once I saw al-Rida (a.s.) standing at the door of the firewood room and he was whispering but I would not see anyone else around. I then asked him, “My master, who are you talking to?” He said, “This is ‘Amir al-Zahra’i. He has come to ask a few questions and he has certain complains.” I then asked, “My master, I like

بَيْنَا أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ إِذْ أَقْبَلَ ثُعْبَانٌ مِنْ نَاحِيَةِ بَابٍ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَهَمَّ النَّاسُ أَنْ يَقْتُلُوهُ فَأَرْسَلَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَنْ كُفُّوا فَكَفُّوا وَ أَقْبَلَ الثُّعْبَانُ يَنْسَابُ‌[2] حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَتَطَاوَلَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَأَشَارَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِلَيْهِ أَنْ يَقِفَ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ مِنْ خ

“Once when Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) was on the pulpit a serpent entered from one of the doors of the mosque. People wanted to kill him. Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) asked them to leave him alone. They left him alone. The serpent began to crawl to the pulpit. He stretched and saluted to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.). Amir al-Mu’min

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

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.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِمَا تَحْكُمُونَ إِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ قَالَ بِحُكْمِ اللَّهِ وَ حُكْمِ دَاوُدَ فَإِذَا وَرَدَ عَلَيْنَا الشَّيْ‌ءُ الَّذِي لَيْسَ عِنْدَنَا تَلَقَّانَا بِهِ رُوحُ الْقُدُسِ.

“Once I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), “By what means do you judge when you would judge?” He said, “We judge by the laws of Allah and in the manner of David. If an issue would come before us for which there is nothing with us the Holy Spirit provides us inspiration.”

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

لَقِيَ رَجُلٌ الْحُسَيْنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍ‌ ع بِالثَّعْلَبِيَّةِ وَ هُوَ يُرِيدُ كَرْبَلَاءَ فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحُسَيْنُ ع مِنْ أَيِّ الْبِلَادِ أَنْتَ قَالَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ قَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ يَا أَخَا أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ لَوْ لَقِيتُكَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ لَأَرَيْتُكَ أَثَرَ جَبْرَئِيلَ ع مِنْ دَارِنَا وَ نُزُولِهِ بِالْوَحْيِ عَلَى جَدِّي يَا أَخَا أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ أَ فَمُسْتَقَى

“A man met al-Husayn ibn Ali (a.s.) at al-Tha‘laba on his way to Karbala. He came in his presence and offered Islamic greetings to him. Al-Husayn (a.s.) asked, “Where are you from?” He replied, “I am from Kufa.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “By Allah, O brethren from Kufa, if only I had a meeting with you in Madina, I could h

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

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ يَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع سَلُونِي عَمَّا شِئْتُمْ فَلَا تَسْأَلُونِّي عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا أَنْبَأْتُكُمْ بِهِ قَالَ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ أَحَدٌ عِنْدَهُ عِلْمُ شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا خَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَلْيَذْهَبِ النَّاسُ حَيْثُ شَاءُوا فَوَ اللَّهِ لَيْسَ الْأَمْرُ إِلَّا مِنْ هَاهُنَا وَ أَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ إِ

“Once I was in the presence of abu Ja‘far (a.s.). A man from Kufa asked him about the words of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), “Ask me whatever you would like. Whatever you may ask I will give you the answer.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “No one has any piece of knowledge of anything that has not come through Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.

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).”

قَالَ لِي إِنَّ الْحَكَمَ بْنَ عُتَيْبَةَ مِمَّنْ قَالَ اللَّهُ‌ وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَقُولُ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَ بِالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَ ما هُمْ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ‌[1] فَلْيُشَرِّقِ الْحَكَمُ وَ لْيُغَرِّبْ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا يُصِيبُ الْعِلْمَ إِلَّا مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ نَزَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ جَبْرَئِيلُ.

Abu Basir said to me, ‘Al-Hakam ibn ‘Utayba is of those people about whom Allah has said, “Some people say, “We believe in God and the Day of Judgment,” but they are not true believers.” (2:8) Al-Hakam may easternize or westernize, he, by Allah, will not find the true knowledge in no other source except from Ahl al-Bay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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