Leadership & Responsibility

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى‌ ائْتُونِي بِكِتابٍ مِنْ قَبْلِ هذا أَوْ أَثارَةٍ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صادِقِينَ‌[4] قَالَ عَنَى بِالْكِتَابِ التَّوْرَاةَ وَ الْإِنْجِيلَ وَ أَثَارَةٍ مِنْ عِلْمٍ فَإِنَّمَا عَنَى بِذَلِكَ عِلْمَ أَوْصِيَاءِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ ع.

Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Salih from abu ‘Ubayda who has said the following: “Once I asked abu Ja‘far, recipient of divine supreme covenant, about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most High: ‘. . . bring me a Book, revealed before this Quran, or anything remaining of knowledge

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا رَأَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص تَيْماً وَ عَدِيّاً وَ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ يَرْكَبُونَ مِنْبَرَهُ أَفْظَعَهُ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى قُرْآناً يَتَأَسَّى بِهِ‌ وَ إِذْ قُلْنا لِلْمَلائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ‌ أَبى‌[5] ثُمَّ أَوْحَى إِلَيْهِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنِّي أَمَرْتُ فَلَمْ أُطَعْ فَلَا تَجْزَعْ أَنْتَ إِذَا أَمَرْتَ فَلَمْ تُطَعْ فِي وَصِي

‘When the Messenger of Allah saw Taym, ‘Adi and Amawids climb his pulpit he was severely frightened. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, sent him a reading to comfort him. “When We told the angels to prostrate before Adam they all obeyed except Iblis (Satan) who refused.” (20:116) Then Allah, sent him a message that s

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِهِ‌ فَمِنْكُمْ كافِرٌ وَ مِنْكُمْ مُؤْمِنٌ‌[6] فَقَالَ عَرَفَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِيمَانَهُمْ بِمُوَالاتِنَا وَ كُفْرَهُمْ بِهَا يَوْمَ أَخَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمِيثَاقَ وَ هُمْ ذَرٌّ فِي صُلْبِ آدَمَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ‌ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ‌ فَإِنَّما عَلى‌ رَسُولِنَا الْبَلاغُ الْمُبِينُ‌[7] فَقَالَ أَمَا وَ

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah. “. . some of you have accepted the faith and some of you have not. .” (64:2) The Imam (a.s.) said, “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, has defined their faith through their love for us. He has defined their disbelief in the same fact. This took place on

الْبِئْرُ الْمُعَطَّلَةُ الْإِمَامُ الصَّامِتُ وَ الْقَصْرُ الْمَشِيدُ الْإِمَامُ النَّاطِقُ. - وَ رَوَاهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنِ الْعَمْرَكِيِّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “The abandoned well and idle well refers to the silent Imam and lofty mansion refers to the speaking Imam.” Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated a similar hadith from al-‘Amrakifm Ali ibn Ja‘far from abu al-Hassan (a.s.).

يَعْنِي إِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ فِي الْوَلَايَةِ غَيْرَهُ‌ بَلِ اللَّهَ فَاعْبُدْ وَ كُنْ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ‌[3] يَعْنِي بَلِ اللَّهَ فَاعْبُدْ بِالطَّاعَةِ وَ كُنْ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ أَنْ عَضَدْتُكَ بِأَخِيكَ وَ ابْنِ عَمِّكَ.

“It has been revealed to you and to those who lived before you that if you consider other things equal to God, your deeds will be made devoid of all virtue. .” (39:65). The Imam (a.s.) said, “It means equal in Wilaya.” “(Muhammad), You must worship God alone and give Him thanks.” (39:66). The Imam (a.s.) said, “It mean

لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ‌ إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَ يُؤْتُونَ الزَّكاةَ وَ هُمْ راكِعُونَ‌[5] اجْتَمَعَ نَفَرٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فِي مَسْجِدِ الْمَدِينَةِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ مَا تَقُولُونَ فِي هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ إِنْ كَفَرْنَا بِهَذِهِ الْآيَةِ نَكْفُرُ بِسَائِرِهَا وَ إِنْ آمَنَّا فَإِنَّ هَذَا ذُلٌّ حِينَ يُسَلِّطُ

The Imam (a.s.) said that once this verse was revealed. “Only God, His Messenger, and the true believers who are steadfast in prayer and pay alms, while they kneel during prayer, are your guardians” (5:55) Certain persons gathered in the Mosque of Madina. They said, ‘If we reject this verse we would have rejected the r

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

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ- كَشَجَرَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُها ثابِتٌ‌ وَ فَرْعُها فِي السَّماءِ[4] قَالَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَصْلُهَا وَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَرْعُهَا وَ الْأَئِمَّةُ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا أَغْصَانُهَا وَ عِلْمُ الْأَئِمَّةِ ثَمَرَتُهَا وَ شِيعَتُهُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَرَقُهَا هَلْ فِيهَا فَضْلٌ‌[5] قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا وَ اللَّهِ قَالَ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيُولَدُ

“The root is Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) and the branches are the Imams from their (Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and The Holy Prophet (s.a) descendants and the knowledge of Imams stand for the fruits. Their faithful followers represent the leaves of such tree.” The Imam (a.s.) asked, “Is there anything else in the tree?” I

الْإِقْرَارُ بِالْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ وَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع خَاصَّةً قَالَ لَا يَنْفَعُ إِيمَانُهَا لِأَنَّهَا سُلِبَتْ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “It means to acknowledge the prophets and the executors of their wills especially Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.).” The Imam (a.s.) said, “The faith of a soul will not be of any benefit because it will be removed.”

إِذَا جَحَدَ إِمَامَةَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع- فَأُولئِكَ أَصْحابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيها خالِدُونَ‌[1].

Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from Yunus from Sabah al- Muzniy from abu Hamza from one of them, recipient of divine supreme covenant, who has said the following: “About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious, ‘There is no doubt that evil doers who are engulfed in sins, [when one r

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الِاسْتِطَاعَةِ وَ قَوْلِ النَّاسِ فَقَالَ وَ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ وَ لا يَزالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَ‌ إِلَّا مَنْ رَحِمَ رَبُّكَ‌ وَ لِذلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ‌[2] يَا أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ النَّاسُ مُخْتَلِفُونَ فِي إِصَابَةِ الْقَوْلِ وَ كُلُّهُمْ هَالِكٌ قَالَ قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ‌ إِلَّا مَنْ رَحِمَ رَبُّكَ‌ قَالَ هُمْ شِيعَتُنَا وَ لِرَحْمَتِهِ خَلَقَهُمْ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُهُ‌ وَ لِذلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ‌ يَقُول

A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from abu ‘Ubayda al-Hadhdha’ who has said the following. “I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the capability and the people’s words. The Imam (a.s.) recited this verse of the Holy Quran. “They still have different beliefs [11:1

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَ فَمَنِ اتَّبَعَ رِضْوانَ اللَّهِ‌ كَمَنْ باءَ بِسَخَطٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ مَأْواهُ‌ جَهَنَّمُ وَ بِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ هُمْ دَرَجاتٌ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ‌[1] فَقَالَ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوا رِضْوَانَ اللَّهِ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ وَ هُمْ وَ اللَّهِ يَا عَمَّارُ دَرَجَاتٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ بِوَلَايَتِهِمْ وَ مَعْرِفَتِهِمْ إِيَّانَا يُضَاعِفُ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ أَعْمَالَ

81. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Salim from ‘Ammar al-Sabati who has said the following. “I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. “Are those who seek God’s pleasure equal to those who incur His wrath and whose dwel

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِلَيْهِ يَصْعَدُ الْكَلِمُ‌ الطَّيِّبُ وَ الْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ يَرْفَعُهُ‌[2] وَلَايَتُنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَ أَهْوَى بِيَدِهِ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَتَوَلَّنَا لَمْ يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ لَهُ عَمَلًا.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is our Wilaya Leadership and Guardianship with Divine Authority. He made a gesture with his hands to his own chest saying Allah will not raise the deeds of those who would not acknowledge our Wilaya.”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ يُؤْتِكُمْ كِفْلَيْنِ مِنْ رَحْمَتِهِ‌ قَالَ- الْحَسَنُ وَ الْحُسَيْنُ‌ وَ يَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ نُوراً تَمْشُونَ بِهِ‌[3] قَالَ إِمَامٌ تَأْتَمُّونَ بِهِ.

about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. “. . God will grant you a double share of mercy, ( al-Hassan and al-Husayn ) a light by which you can walk. .” (57:28) The Imam (a.s.) said, “Light means the Imam that you would follow.”

مَا تَقُولُ فِي عَلِيٍ‌ قُلْ إِي وَ رَبِّي‌ إِنَّهُ لَحَقٌ‌ وَ ما أَنْتُمْ بِمُعْجِزِينَ‌[4].

“It certainly is true. I swear by my Lord. You can not escape from God’s (retribution).” (10:53)

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَوْلُهُ- فَلَا اقْتَحَمَ الْعَقَبَةَ[5] فَقَالَ مَنْ أَكْرَمَهُ اللَّهُ بِوَلَايَتِنَا فَقَدْ جَازَ الْعَقَبَةَ وَ نَحْنُ تِلْكَ الْعَقَبَةُ الَّتِي مَنِ اقْتَحَمَهَا نَجَا قَالَ فَسَكَتَ فَقَالَ لِي فَهَلَّا أُفِيدُكَ حَرْفاً خَيْرٌ لَكَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَ مَا فِيهَا قُلْتُ بَلَى جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ قَوْلُهُ‌ فَكُّ رَقَبَةٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ النَّاسُ كُلُّهُمْ عَبِيدُ النَّارِ- غَيْرَكَ وَ

The Imam (a.s.) said, “To whoever Allah has granted honor through our Wilaya (Leadership with Divine Authority) he has crossed the ö aqaba (the stage). We are the ö aqaba. Whoever would reach us gains his salvation.” The narrator has said that he remained quite for a while and then said to me, “Would to learn a letter

بِوَلَايَةِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ أُوفِ بِعَهْدِكُمْ‌[1] أُوفِ لَكُمْ بِالْجَنَّةِ.

Fulfill your covenant with Me ..” (the covenant to acknowledge Wilaya of Ali (a.s.)) and I shall fulfill Mine (admit you in paradise).. .” (2:40)

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِذا تُتْلى‌ عَلَيْهِمْ آياتُنا بَيِّناتٍ‌ قالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَيُّ الْفَرِيقَيْنِ‌ خَيْرٌ مَقاماً وَ أَحْسَنُ نَدِيًّا قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص دَعَا قُرَيْشاً إِلَى وَلَايَتِنَا فَنَفَرُوا وَ أَنْكَرُوا فَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ أَقَرُّوا لِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ لَنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ‌ أَيُّ الْفَرِيقَ

The Imam (a.s.) said, “the Messenger of Allah asked Quraysh (the powerful tribe in Makka) to acknowledge our (Wilaya Leadership with Divine Authority) they turned away and refused. The unbelievers of Quraysh told the true believers of Quraysh (those who acknowledged our Wilaya (Leadership with Divine Authority), “Which

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِؤُا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْواهِهِمْ‌[2] قَالَ يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِئُوا وَلَايَةَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ قُلْتُ‌ وَ اللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ‌ قَالَ وَ اللَّهُ مُتِمُّ الْإِمَامَةِ لِقَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الَّذِينَ‌ فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ وَ النُّورِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْنا فَالنُّورُ هُوَ الْإِمَامُ قُلْتُ- هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُ

يَعْنِي بِهِ وَلَايَةَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قُلْتُ‌ وَ نَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ أَعْمى‌ قَالَ يَعْنِي أَعْمَى الْبَصَرِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ أَعْمَى الْقَلْبِ فِي الدُّنْيَا عَنْ وَلَايَةِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَالَ وَ هُوَ مُتَحَيِّرٌ فِي الْقِيَامَةِ يَقُولُ- لِمَ حَشَرْتَنِي أَعْمى‌ وَ قَدْ كُنْتُ بَصِيراً قالَ كَذلِكَ‌ أَتَتْكَ آياتُنا فَنَسِيتَها قَالَ الْآيَاتُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع- فَنَسِيتَها وَ كَذلِكَ‌ الْ

about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. “Whoever ignores My guidance will live a woeful life. .” (20:124) The Imam (a.s.) said, “It means ignoring Wilaya of Ali (a.s.).” I then read the words of Allah. “. . and will be brought in Our presence blind on the Day of Judgment.” (20:124) The Imam (a.s

كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَخَذَ مِيثَاقَ شِيعَتِنَا بِالْوَلَايَةِ وَ هُمْ ذَرٌّ يَوْمَ أَخَذَ الْمِيثَاقَ عَلَى الذَّرِّ وَ الْإِقْرَارَ لَهُ بِالرُّبُوبِيَّةِ وَ لِمُحَمَّدٍ ص بِالنُّبُوَّةِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) used to say, “Allah made our Shi‘a (followers) to acknowledge our Wilaya Leadership with Divine Authority) when they were only in the realm of small particles. It was the day when Allah made the small particles to acknowledge Him as the Lord and Muhammad (sw) as His prophet.”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ فَخَلَقَ مَا أَحَبَّ مِمَّا أَحَبَّ وَ كَانَ مَا أَحَبَّ أَنْ خَلَقَهُ مِنْ طِينَةِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ خَلَقَ مَا أَبْغَضَ مِمَّا أَبْغَضَ وَ كَانَ مَا أَبْغَضَ أَنْ خَلَقَهُ مِنْ طِينَةِ النَّارِ ثُمَّ بَعَثَهُمْ فِي الظِّلَالِ فَقُلْتُ وَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ الظِّلَالُ قَالَ أَ لَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ظِلِّكَ فِي الشَّمْسِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَيْسَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ ثُمَّ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ فِيهِمُ النَّبِيِّينَ يَدْعُونَه

“Allah created the creatures. He created whatever He loved from whatever He loved. The most beloved to Him He created from the clay of paradise. He created whatever He disliked from whatever He disliked. Thus, the most disliked to Him He created from the clay of fire. Then He sent them to the shadow.” I asked him, “Wha

وَلَايَتُنَا وَلَايَةُ اللَّهِ الَّتِي لَمْ يَبْعَثْ نَبِيّاً قَطُّ إِلَّا بِهَا.

“Our Wilaya is the Wilaya of Allah without which no prophet was ever sent.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا مِنْ نَبِيٍّ جَاءَ قَطُّ إِلَّا بِمَعْرِفَةِ حَقِّنَا وَ تَفْضِيلِنَا عَلَى مَنْ سِوَانَا.

"There has never been a prophet who came except with the knowledge of our rights and our preeminence over others."

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ فِي السَّمَاءِ لَسَبْعِينَ صَفّاً مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ لَوِ اجْتَمَعَ أَهْلُ الْأَرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ يُحْصُونَ عَدَدَ كُلِّ صَفٍّ مِنْهُمْ مَا أَحْصَوْهُمْ وَ إِنَّهُمْ لَيَدِينُونَ بِوَلَايَتِنَا.

“By Allah, there are seventy rows of angels in the sky. If all the people on Earth were to gather, they could not count the number of each row of angels, and indeed, they believe in our Wilayah.”

وَلَايَةُ عَلِيٍّ ع مَكْتُوبَةٌ فِي جَمِيعِ صُحُفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ لَنْ يَبْعَثَ اللَّهُ رَسُولًا إِلَّا بِنُبُوَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَ وَصِيِّهِ عَلِيٍّ ع.

“The Wilayah of Ali (a.s) is written in all the scriptures of the prophets, and Allah has never sent a messenger except with the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ and the succession of Ali (a.s).”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ نَصَبَ عَلِيّاً ع عَلَماً بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ خَلْقِهِ فَمَنْ عَرَفَهُ كَانَ مُؤْمِناً وَ مَنْ أَنْكَرَهُ كَانَ كَافِراً وَ مَنْ جَهِلَهُ كَانَ ضَالًّا وَ مَنْ نَصَبَ مَعَهُ شَيْئاً كَانَ مُشْرِكاً وَ مَنْ جَاءَ بِوَلَايَتِهِ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ.

"Indeed, Allah, Mighty and Majestic, appointed Ali (a.s) as a sign between Him and His creation. Whoever acknowledges him is a believer, and whoever denies him is an unbeliever. Whoever is ignorant of him is misguided, and whoever who sets up something alongside him is a polytheist. Whoever comes with his Wilayah will

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ عَلِيّاً ع بَابٌ فَتَحَهُ اللَّهُ فَمَنْ دَخَلَهُ كَانَ مُؤْمِناً وَ مَنْ خَرَجَ مِنْهُ كَانَ كَافِراً وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَدْخُلْ فِيهِ وَ لَمْ يَخْرُجْ مِنْهُ كَانَ فِي الطَّبَقَةِ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لِي فِيهِمُ الْمَشِيئَةُ.

Al Husayn Bin Muhammad, from Moalla Bin Muhammad, from Al Washha, from Abdullah Bin Sinan, from Abu Hamza who said, ‘I heard Abu Ja’far asws saying: ‘Ali asws is a door which Allah azwj Opened. So the one who enters it would be a Momin, and the one who exits from it would be a disbeliever, and the one who does not ente

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

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص سَيِّدَ وُلْدِ آدَمَ فَقَالَ كَانَ وَ اللَّهِ سَيِّدَ مَنْ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ وَ مَا بَرَأَ اللَّهُ بَرِيَّةً خَيْراً مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ ص.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdallah (AS), ‘Was the Messenger of Allah the master of the children of Adam?’ The Imam (AS) said, ‘By Allah, he was the master of all whom Allah has created. Allah has not created any creature better than Muhammad (SAW).”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع مَا بَرَأَ اللَّهُ نَسَمَةً خَيْراً مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ ص.

When mentioning the Messenger of Allah (sw) he said, “Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) has said, “Allah has not created any creature better than Muhammad (sw).”

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنِّي خَلَقْتُكَ وَ عَلِيّاً نُوراً يَعْنِي رُوحاً بِلَا بَدَنٍ قَبْلَ أَنْ أَخْلُقَ سَمَاوَاتِي وَ أَرْضِي وَ عَرْشِي وَ بَحْرِي فَلَمْ تَزَلْ تُهَلِّلُنِي وَ تُمَجِّدُنِي ثُمَّ جَمَعْتُ رُوحَيْكُمَا فَجَعَلْتُهُمَا وَاحِدَةً فَكَانَتْ تُمَجِّدُنِي وَ تُقَدِّسُنِي وَ تُهَلِّلُنِي ثُمَّ قَسَمْتُهَا ثِنْتَيْنِ وَ قَسَمْتُ الثِّنْتَيْنِ ثِنْتَيْنِ فَصَارَتْ أَرْبَعَةً

3. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from Al-Husayn ibn ‘Abdallah from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa and Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah from Ali ibn Hadid from Murazim from Abu ‘Abdallah (AS) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, ‘O Muhammad I have created you and Ali a light, a spirit, without body before

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ تَعَالَى إِلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص أَنِّي خَلَقْتُكَ‌ وَ لَمْ تَكُ شَيْئاً وَ نَفَخْتُ فِيكَ مِنْ رُوحِي كَرَامَةً مِنِّي أَكْرَمْتُكَ بِهَا حِينَ أَوْجَبْتُ لَكَ الطَّاعَةَ عَلَى خَلْقِي جَمِيعاً فَمَنْ أَطَاعَكَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَنِي وَ مَنْ عَصَاكَ فَقَدْ عَصَانِي وَ أَوْجَبْتُ ذَلِكَ فِي‌ عَلِيٍّ وَ فِي نَسْلِهِ مِمَّنِ اخْتَصَصْتُهُ مِنْهُمْ لِنَفْسِي.

“I heard Abu Ja‘far (AS) say “Allah, the Most High sent revelation to Muhammad (SAW) saying, ‘O Muhammad I created you. You did not exist. I blew into you from My spirit. It was an honor with which I honored you when I made it an obligation on all of My creatures to obey you. Whoever would obey you has obeyed Me and wh

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي ع فَأَجْرَيْتُ اخْتِلَافَ الشِّيعَةِ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَمْ يَزَلْ مُتَفَرِّداً بِوَحْدَانِيَّتِهِ ثُمَّ خَلَقَ مُحَمَّداً وَ عَلِيّاً وَ فَاطِمَةَ فَمَكَثُوا أَلْفَ دَهْرٍ ثُمَّ خَلَقَ جَمِيعَ الْأَشْيَاءِ فَأَشْهَدَهُمْ خَلْقَهَا وَ أَجْرَى طَاعَتَهُمْ عَلَيْهَا وَ فَوَّضَ أُمُورَهَا إِلَيْهِمْ فَهُمْ يُحِلُّونَ مَا يَشَاءُونَ وَ يُحَرِّ

“Once I was in the presence of Abu Ja‘far the second (AS) and I mentioned the differences among the Shi‘a. The Imam (AS) said: “O Muhammad, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, is One in his being eternal. He created Muhammad, Ali and Fatima (sa). They were there for a thousand Dahr. Then He created all other things. H

لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص بِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ سَبَقْتَ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ وَ أَنْتَ بُعِثْتَ آخِرَهُمْ وَ خَاتَمَهُمْ قَالَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ أَوَّلَ مَنْ آمَنَ بِرَبِّي وَ أَوَّلَ مَنْ أَجَابَ حِينَ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ‌ مِيثاقَ النَّبِيِّينَ‌ وَ أَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلى‌ أَنْفُسِهِمْ أَ لَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ قالُوا بَلى‌ فَكُنْتُ أَنَا أَوَّلَ نَبِيٍّ قَالَ بَلَى فَسَبَقْتُهُمْ بِالْإِقْرَارِ بِاللَّهِ.

“Certain persons from Quraysh asked the Messenger of Allah, ‘By what means did you excel the prophets and you were sent as the last of them as their seal?” The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “I was the first to believe in my Lord, and the first to answer Allah when He called the prophets to make a covenant and bear tes

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَيْفَ كُنْتُمْ حَيْثُ كُنْتُمْ فِي الْأَظِلَّةِ فَقَالَ يَا مُفَضَّلُ كُنَّا عِنْدَ رَبِّنَا لَيْسَ عِنْدَهُ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُنَا فِي ظُلَّةٍ خَضْرَاءَ نُسَبِّحُهُ وَ نُقَدِّسُهُ وَ نُهَلِّلُهُ وَ نُمَجِّدُهُ وَ مَا مِنْ مَلَكٍ مُقَرَّبٍ وَ لَا ذِي رُوحٍ غَيْرُنَا حَتَّى بَدَا لَهُ فِي خَلْقِ الْأَشْيَاءِ فَخَلَقَ مَا شَاءَ كَيْفَ شَاءَ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ غَيْرِهِمْ ثُمَّ أَنْهَى عِلْ

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdallah (AS), “How did you exist when you existed in the shadows?” The Imam (AS) said, “O Mufadhal, we were in the presence of our Lord and there was no one else in the green shadow. We spoke of His Glory, Holiness, acknowledged Him as the Lords and spoke of His Majesty. There was no angel even of t

قَالَ: إِنَّا أَوَّلُ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ نَوَّهَ اللَّهُ‌[1] بِأَسْمَائِنَا إِنَّهُ لَمَّا خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرْضَ أَمَرَ مُنَادِياً فَنَادَى أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ ثَلَاثاً أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ثَلَاثاً أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَقّاً ثَلَاثاً.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdallah (AS) say ‘We are the first family whose names Allah has exalted. When He created the heavens and earth He commanded an announcer to proclaim three times, “I testify that no one other than Allah deserves to be worshipped, I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, three times, and that Ali

إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ إِذْ لَا كَانَ فَخَلَقَ الْكَانَ وَ الْمَكَانَ وَ خَلَقَ نُورَ الْأَنْوَارِ الَّذِي نُوِّرَتْ مِنْهُ الْأَنْوَارُ وَ أَجْرَى فِيهِ مِنْ نُورِهِ الَّذِي نُوِّرَتْ مِنْهُ الْأَنْوَارُ وَ هُوَ النُّورُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ مِنْهُ مُحَمَّداً وَ عَلِيّاً فَلَمْ يَزَالا نُورَيْنِ أَوَّلَيْنِ إِذْ لَا شَيْ‌ءَ كُوِّنَ قَبْلَهُمَا فَلَمْ يَزَالا يَجْرِيَانِ طَاهِرَيْنِ مُطَهَّرَيْنِ فِي الْأَصْلَابِ الطَّاهِرَةِ

“Allah existed when there was no other “being”. He created the “being” and the place and created the light of lights from which all lights lit up. He made to flow to it (light of lights) from His own light which lit up all lights. It was the light from Muhammad and Ali were created. They both continued to be the first

قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَوَّلَ مَا خَلَقَ خَلَقَ مُحَمَّداً ص وَ عِتْرَتَهُ الْهُدَاةَ الْمُهْتَدِينَ فَكَانُوا أَشْبَاحَ نُورٍ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ قُلْتُ وَ مَا الْأَشْبَاحُ قَالَ ظِلُّ النُّورِ أَبْدَانٌ نُورَانِيَّةٌ بِلَا أَرْوَاحٍ وَ كَانَ مُؤَيَّداً بِرُوحٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَ هِيَ رُوحُ الْقُدُسِ فَبِهِ كَانَ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ وَ عِتْرَتُهُ‌[2] وَ لِذَلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ حُلَمَاءَ عُلَمَاءَ

10. Al-Husayn has narrated from (Muhammad) b. ‘Abdallah from Muhammad b. Sinan from Al Mufaddal from Jabir b. Yazid who has said the following. “Once Abu Ja‘far (AS) said to me, ‘Oh Jabir, the first thing that Allah created was Muhammad (SAW) and his offspring who are the rightly guided guides. They existed in ’Ashbah

كَانَ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص ثَلَاثَةٌ لَمْ تَكُنْ فِي أَحَدٍ غَيْرِهِ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ فَيْ‌ءٌ وَ كَانَ لَا يَمُرُّ فِي طَرِيقٍ فَيُمَرُّ فِيهِ بَعْدَ يَوْمَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلَاثَةٍ إِلَّا عُرِفَ أَنَّهُ قَدْ مَرَّ فِيهِ لِطِيبِ عَرْفِهِ‌[3] وَ كَانَ لَا يَمُرُّ بِحَجَرٍ وَ لَا بِشَجَرٍ إِلَّا سَجَدَ لَهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah had three qualities that no one else had. He did not have any shadow. Whatever path he would walk even after two or three days one could still notice his passing thereby due to his fragrance that remained along the path. On his passing by, every stone and tree prostrated before him out of respec

لَمَّا عُرِجَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص انْتَهَى بِهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ إِلَى مَكَانٍ فَخَلَّى عَنْهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ تُخَلِّينِي عَلَى هَذِهِ الْحَالَةِ فَقَالَ امْضِهْ‌[4] فَوَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ وَطِئْتَ مَكَاناً مَا وَطِئَهُ بَشَرٌ وَ مَا مَشَى فِيهِ بَشَرٌ قَبْلَكَ.

“When the Messenger of Allah was taken for the ascension Jibril took him to place and left him there alone. He said, “Jibril, How would leave me in such a condition?” Jibril said, “Go on. By Allah, you have stepped at a place whereat no human has ever stepped and no human had ever walked on before you.”

سَأَلَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ فَقَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَمْ عُرِجَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ مَرَّتَيْنِ فَأَوْقَفَهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ مَوْقِفاً فَقَالَ لَهُ مَكَانَكَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ فَلَقَدْ وَقَفْتَ مَوْقِفاً مَا وَقَفَهُ مَلَكٌ قَطُّ وَ لَا نَبِيٌّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يُصَلِّي فَقَالَ يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ وَ كَيْفَ يُصَلِّي قَالَ يَقُولُ سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ أَنَا رَبُّ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ الرُّوحِ سَبَ

“He said, ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, how many times was the Messenger of Allah taken for ascension?’ The Imam (AS) said, ‘It happened twice. Jibrail asked him to stop at a place saying, ‘Wait right there, O Muhammad, you have stood at a place whereat no angel or prophet has ever stood before you

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع صِفْ لِي نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ كَانَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ع أَبْيَضَ مُشْرَبَ حُمْرَةٍ أَدْعَجَ الْعَيْنَيْنِ مَقْرُونَ الْحَاجِبَيْنِ شَثْنَ الْأَطْرَافِ‌[5] كَأَنَّ الذَّهَبَ أُفْرِغَ عَلَى بَرَاثِنِهِ‌[6] عَظِيمَ مُشَاشَةِ الْمَنْكِبَيْنِ إِذَا الْتَفَتَ يَلْتَفِتُ جَمِيعاً مِنْ شِدَّةِ اسْتِرْسَالِهِ سُرْبَتُهُ سَائِلَةٌ مِنْ لَبَّتِهِ إِلَى سُرَّتِهِ كَأَنَّهَا وَسَطُ الْفِضَّةِ الْمُصَفَّ

“Once I asked Abu Ja‘far (AS), ‘Describe to me the Prophet (SAW) of Allah.’ The Imam (AS) said, “The Holy Prophet (SAW) had a white reddish complexion, large sharp black and white eyes, the eyebrows almost joined, chubby hands and feet as if gold molded as to the form of his fingers and toes and with manifest shoulder

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَثَّلَ لِي‌ أُمَّتِي فِي الطِّينِ وَ عَلَّمَنِي أَسْمَاءَهُمْ كَمَا عَلَّمَ آدَمَ الْأَسْماءَ كُلَّها فَمَرَّ بِي أَصْحَابُ الرَّايَاتِ فَاسْتَغْفَرْتُ لِعَلِيٍّ وَ شِيعَتِهِ إِنَّ رَبِّي وَعَدَنِي فِي شِيعَةِ عَلِيٍّ خَصْلَةً قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ مَا هِيَ قَالَ الْمَغْفِرَةُ لِمَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُمْ وَ أَنْ لَا يُغَادِرَ مِنْهُمْ‌ صَغِيرَةً وَ لا كَبِيرَةً وَ لَهُمْ

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah presented my ’Ummah (followers) to me in the realm of clay and taught me their names just as He had taught all the names to Adam. The (groups of) people of flags passed by and I prayed to ask forgiveness for Ali (AS) and his followers. My Lord has promised me a quality for the S

خَطَبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص النَّاسَ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى قَابِضاً عَلَى كَفِّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ تَدْرُونَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ مَا فِي كَفِّي قَالُوا اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ فَقَالَ فِيهَا أَسْمَاءُ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ أَسْمَاءُ آبَائِهِمْ وَ قَبَائِلِهِمْ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ يَدَهُ الشِّمَالَ فَقَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَ تَدْرُونَ مَا فِي كَفِّي قَالُوا اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ فَق

“Once the Holy Prophet (s.a) addressed the people and he raised his right hand while holding his fingers closed and said, ‘Do you know, O people, what is in my hand?” They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He then said, “In my hand there are the names of the people of Paradise, the names of their fathers and t

فِي خُطْبَةٍ لَهُ خَاصَّةً يَذْكُرُ فِيهَا حَالَ النَّبِيِّ وَ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع وَ صِفَاتِهِمْ فَلَمْ يَمْنَعْ رَبَّنَا لِحِلْمِهِ وَ أَنَاتِهِ وَ عَطْفِهِ مَا كَانَ مِنْ عَظِيمِ جُرْمِهِمْ وَ قَبِيحِ أَفْعَالِهِمْ أَنِ انْتَجَبَ لَهُمْ أَحَبَّ أَنْبِيَائِهِ إِلَيْهِ وَ أَكْرَمَهُمْ عَلَيْهِ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي حَوْمَةِ الْعِزِّ مَوْلِدُهُ وَ فِي دَوْمَةِ الْكَرَمِ مَحْتِدُهُ غَيْرَ مَشُوبٍ حَسَبُهُ وَ

17. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Ishaq ibn Ghalib from Abu ‘Abdallah (AS) in a special sermon in which he has described the The Holy Prophet (AS) and the Imams (AS), and their qualities as follows: “The great sins and people’s bad deeds did not prevent