Leadership & Responsibility

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

كُنْتُ مُجَاوِراً بِالْمَدِينَةِ- مَدِينَةِ الرَّسُولِ ص وَ كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَجِي‌ءُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مَعَ الزَّوَالِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ فَيَنْزِلُ فِي الصَّحْنِ وَ يَصِيرُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ يُسَلِّمُ عَلَيْهِ وَ يَرْجِعُ إِلَى بَيْتِ فَاطِمَةَ ع فَيَخْلَعُ نَعْلَيْهِ وَ يَقُومُ فَيُصَلِّي فَوَسْوَسَ إِلَيَّ الشَّيْطَانُ فَقَالَ إِذَا نَزَلَ فَاذْهَبْ حَتَّى تَأْخُذَ مِنَ التُّرَابِ الَّذِي يَطَأُ عَلَ

“I lived in al-Madina of the Messenger of Allah. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) would come every day to the mosque at noon time. He would enter the compound and would turn to the shrine of the Messenger of Allah and offer his greeting of peace. He would then turn to the house of Fatima (a.s.), take off his shoes, stand up and pray.

خَرَجَ ع عَلَيَّ فَنَظَرْتُ إِلَى رَأْسِهِ وَ رِجْلَيْهِ لِأَصِفَ قَامَتَهُ لِأَصْحَابِنَا بِمِصْرَ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا كَذَلِكَ حَتَّى قَعَدَ وَ قَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ احْتَجَّ فِي الْإِمَامَةِ بِمِثْلِ مَا احْتَجَّ فِي النُّبُوَّةِ فَقَالَ- وَ آتَيْناهُ الْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّا[1] قَالَ‌ وَ لَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ‌[2] وَ بَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً[3] فَقَدْ يَجُوزُ أَنْ يُؤْتَى الْحُكْمَ‌[4] صَبِيّاً وَ يَجُوزُ أَنْ

“He (abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) came out to me and I looked at his head and legs so I would be able to describe him physically to our people in Egypt. I kept looking until he sat down and said, “ O Ali, Allah’s presentation of proofs in support of Imam’s Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority) is the

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 جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ مَعِي ثَلَاثُ رِقَاعٍ غَيْرُ مُعَنْوَنَةٍ وَ اشْتَبَهَتْ عَلَيَّ فَاغْتَمَمْتُ فَتَنَاوَلَ إِحْدَاهُمَا وَ قَالَ هَذِهِ رُقْعَةُ زِيَادِ بْنِ شَبِيبٍ ثُمَّ تَنَاوَلَ الثَّانِيَةَ فَقَالَ هَذِهِ رُقْعَةُ فُلَانٍ فَبُهِتُّ أَنَا فَنَظَرَ إِلَيَّ فَتَبَسَّمَ قَالَ وَ أَعْطَانِي ثَلَاثَمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ وَ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ أَحْمِلَهَا إِلَى بَعْضِ بَنِي عَمِّهِ وَ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ سَيَق

“This is the letter of Ziyad ibn Shabib.” Then he picked up the other one and said, “.This is the letter of so and so.” I became awe struck. He looked at me and smiled.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) then gave me three hundred Dinars and asked me to deliver them to the certain persons of the sons of his un

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع صَبِيحَةَ عُرْسِهِ حَيْثُ بَنَى بِابْنَةِ الْمَأْمُونِ وَ كُنْتُ تَنَاوَلْتُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ دَوَاءً فَأَوَّلُ مَنْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ فِي صَبِيحَتِهِ أَنَا وَ قَدْ أَصَابَنِي الْعَطَشُ وَ كَرِهْتُ أَنْ أَدْعُوَ بِالْمَاءِ فَنَظَرَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي وَجْهِي وَ قَالَ أَظُنُّكَ عَطْشَانَ فَقُلْتُ أَجَلْ فَقَالَ يَا غُلَامُ أَوْ جَارِيَةُ اسْقِنَا مَاءً فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي السَّاعَةَ يَأْ

I went tot see abu Ja‘far (a.s.) in the morning of his marriage to the daughter of al-Ma’al-Ma’mun. The night before I had taken medicine and I was the first to meet him that morning. I was thirsty but did not like to ask for water. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) looked at me and said, “I think you are thirsty.” I said, “Yes, I am

اسْتَأْذَنَ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع قَوْمٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ النَّوَاحِي مِنَ الشِّيعَةِ فَأَذِنَ لَهُمْ فَدَخَلُوا فَسَأَلُوهُ فِي مَجْلِسٍ وَاحِدٍ عَنْ ثَلَاثِينَ أَلْفَ مَسْأَلَةٍ فَأَجَابَ ع‌[2] وَ لَهُ عَشْرُ سِنِينَ.

“Once a group of Shi‘a from the suburbs asked permission to meet abu Ja‘far (a.s.). He granted them permission and they came in his presence. In one meeting they asked him thirty thousand questions. He answered them all and at that time he was ten years old.”

فَقَالَ لَهُ لِمَ لَمْ تَحْمَدِ اللَّهَ قَالَ ثُمَّ دَخَلْتُ بَعْدُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ أَمَرَ لِي بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فَقُلْتُ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ فَقَالَ لِي تَأَدَّبْتَ.

“Di‘bil ibn Ali once went to see abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) and he ordered his people to give him a certain gift but he did thank Allah.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) said to him, “Why did you not thank Allah?” The narrator has said that then I went to see abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and ordered his people to giv

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

صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي مَسْجِدِ الْمُسَيَّبِ وَ صَلَّى بِنَا فِي مَوْضِعِ الْقِبْلَةِ سَوَاءً[2] وَ ذُكِرَ أَنَّ السِّدْرَةَ الَّتِي فِي الْمَسْجِدِ كَانَتْ يَابِسَةً لَيْسَ عَلَيْهَا وَرَقٌ فَدَعَا بِمَاءٍ وَ تَهَيَّأَ تَحْتَ السِّدْرَةِ فَعَاشَتِ السِّدْرَةُ وَ أَوْرَقَتْ وَ حَمَلَتْ مِنْ عَامِهَا.

10. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from from Muhammad ibn Hassa’n from abu Hashim Ali-Ja‘fari who has said the following. “Once I prayed with abu Ja‘far (a.s.) in the Mosque of Ali-Musayyib. He lead the prayer with us and as to the direction of Makka he stood up facing straight. He also has said that a berry tree that wa

مَضَى أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع وَ لِيَ عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعَةُ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي ذَهَبَ مَالِي فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِذَا كَانَ غَداً فَأْتِنِي وَ لْيَكُنْ مَعَكَ مِيزَانٌ وَ أَوْزَانٌ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لِي مَضَى أَبُو الْحَسَنِ وَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعَةُ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَرَفَعَ الْمُصَلَّى الَّذِي كَانَ تَحْتَهُ فَإِذَا تَحْتَهُ دَنَانِيرُ فَد

“Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) passed away and owed my four thousand dirhams. I said to myself, “My money is lost.” Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) sent me a message to come to him the next day and bring with me a balance and weighing stones.” I went to see hiom and he said, “Abu al-Hassan has passed away. Did he owe you four thousan

قُبِضَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ وَ هُوَ ابْنُ خَمْسٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةً- وَ ثَلَاثَةِ أَشْهُرٍ وَ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ يَوْماً تُوُفِّيَ يَوْمَ الثَّلَاثَاءِ لِسِتٍّ خَلَوْنَ مِنْ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ[3] سَنَةَ عِشْرِينَ وَ مِائَتَيْنِ- عَاشَ بَعْدَ أَبِيهِ تِسْعَ عَشْرَةَ سَنَةً إِلَّا خَمْساً وَ عِشْرِينَ يَوْماً.

12. Sa‘d ibn ‘Abdallah and Ali-Himyari all have narrated fom Ibrahim ibn Mahziyar from his brother Ali from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Muhammad ibn Sinan who has said the following. “Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) passed away at the age of twenty five years, three months and twelve days. He died on a Tuesday on the sixth of Dhi

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

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فِي كُلِّ الْأُمُورِ أَرَادُوا إِطْفَاءَ نُورِكَ وَ التَّقْصِيرَ بِكَ حَتَّى أَنْزَلُوكَ هَذَا الْخَانَ الْأَشْنَعَ خَانَ الصَّعَالِيكِ فَقَالَ هَاهُنَا أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ سَعِيدٍ[2] ثُمَّ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ وَ قَالَ انْظُرْ فَنَظَرْتُ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِرَوْضَاتٍ آنِقَاتٍ وَ رَوْضَاتٍ بَاسِرَاتٍ‌[3] فِيهِنَّ خَيْرَاتٌ عَطِرَاتٌ وَ وِلْدَانٌ كَأَنَّهُنَّ اللُّ

“Once I went to see abu al-Hassan (a.s.) and I said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, in all matters they wanted to extinguish your light and be unjust towards you. So much so that they have lodged you in this disgraceful place for the homeless.” He said, “O ibn Sa‘id, here. He pointed out with his ha

اشْتَرَيْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع غَنَماً كَثِيرَةً فَدَعَانِي فَأَدْخَلَنِي مِنْ إِصْطَبْلِ دَارِهِ إِلَى مَوْضِعٍ وَاسِعٍ لَا أَعْرِفُهُ فَجَعَلْتُ أُفَرِّقُ تِلْكَ الْغَنَمَ فِيمَنْ‌ أَمَرَنِي بِهِ فَبَعَثَ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ[1] وَ إِلَى وَالِدَتِهِ وَ غَيْرِهِمَا مِمَّنْ أَمَرَنِي ثُمَّ اسْتَأْذَنْتُهُ فِي الِانْصِرَافِ إِلَى بَغْدَادَ إِلَى وَالِدِي وَ كَانَ ذَلِكَ يَوْمَ التَّرْوِيَةِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ تُقِيمُ غ

“Once I bought a large number of sheeps for abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He called and admitted me into the barn area of his house into a vast location that I could not recognize. He ordered me to distribute the sheep among certain people and of such people were abu Ja‘far and his mother and others. Thereafter I requested per

مَرِضَ الْمُتَوَكِّلُ مِنْ خُرَاجٍ خَرَجَ بِهِ وَ أَشْرَفَ مِنْهُ عَلَى الْهَلَاكِ فَلَمْ يَجْسُرْ أَحَدٌ أَنْ يَمَسَّهُ بِحَدِيدَةٍ فَنَذَرَتْ أُمُّهُ إِنْ عُوفِيَ أَنْ تَحْمِلَ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ مَالًا جَلِيلًا مِنْ مَالِهَا وَ قَالَ لَهُ الْفَتْحُ بْنُ خَاقَانَ لَوْ بَعَثْتَ إِلَى هَذَا الرَّجُلِ فَسَأَلْتَهُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَخْلُو أَنْ يَكُونَ عِنْدَهُ صِفَةٌ يُفَرِّجُ بِهَا عَنْكَ فَبَع

“ Al-Mutawakkil became ill because of a boil so seriously that he was about to die and no one would have the courage to touch to operate him. His mother vowed to sent a large sum of money to abu al-Hassan (a.s.) from her own property if her son would recover. Fath ibn Khaqan had advised him to ask him (the Imam (a.s.)

قَالَ لِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْفَرَجِ‌ إِنَّ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ كَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَجْمِعْ أَمْرَكَ وَ خُذْ حِذْرَكَ‌[1] قَالَ فَأَنَا فِي جَمْعِ أَمْرِي وَ لَيْسَ أَدْرِي مَا كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ حَتَّى وَرَدَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولٌ حَمَلَنِي مِنْ مِصْرَ مُقَيَّداً وَ ضَرَبَ عَلَى كُلِّ مَا أَمْلِكُ‌[2] وَ كُنْتُ فِي السِّجْنِ ثَمَانَ سِنِينَ ثُمَّ وَرَدَ عَلَيَّ مِنْهُ فِي السِّجْنِ كِتَابٌ فِيهِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ لَا تَنْزِل

“Muhammad ibn al-Faraj told me that abu al-Hassan (a.s.) has written to him this. “O Muhammad, organize you affairs and be careful.” He said that he began to organize his affairs and did not know what the Imam (a.s.) meant thereby until police came to me and took me out of Egypt as a captive. All of my belongings were

رَأَيْتُهُ يَعْنِي مُحَمَّداً قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ بِالْعَسْكَرِ فِي عَشِيَّةٍ وَ قَدِ اسْتَقْبَلَ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ وَ اعْتَلَّ مِنْ غَدٍ فَدَخَلْتُ إِلَيْهِ عَائِداً بَعْدَ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ عِلَّتِهِ وَ قَدْ ثَقُلَ فَأَخْبَرَنِي أَنَّهُ بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ بِثَوْبٍ- فَأَخَذَهُ وَ أَدْرَجَهُ وَ وَضَعَهُ تَحْتَ رَأْسِهِ قَالَ فَكُفِّنَ فِيهِ قَالَ أَحْمَدُ قَالَ أَبُو يَعْقُوبَ رَأَيْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع مَعَ ا

“Abu ya‘qub informed me saying, ‘ I saw him (Muhammad) before his death in the army camp in an evening. Abu al-Hassan received him and looked at him and he became ill the next day. After several days I went to visit him during his illness and his illness was worsening. He informed me that he (abu al-Hassan (a.s.) has s

أَخَذْتُ نُسْخَةَ كِتَابِ الْمُتَوَكِّلِ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الثَّالِثِ ع مِنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ هَرْثَمَةَ فِي سَنَةِ ثَلَاثٍ وَ أَرْبَعِينَ وَ مِائَتَيْنِ وَ هَذِهِ نُسْخَتُهُ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَارِفٌ بِقَدْرِكَ رَاعٍ لِقَرَابَتِكَ مُوجِبٌ لِحَقِّكَ يُقَدِّرُ مِنَ الْأُمُورِ فِيكَ وَ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ مَا أَصْلَحَ اللَّهُ بِهِ حَالَكَ وَ حَالَهُمْ وَ

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from a number of our people the following. “I took a copy of the letter of Al-Mutawakkil to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), the third from Yahya ibn Harthama in the year two hundred forty three that read as follows. “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Thereafter, Amir al-Mu’min

كَانَ الْمُتَوَكِّلُ يَقُولُ وَيْحَكُمْ قَدْ أَعْيَانِي أَمْرُ ابْنِ الرِّضَا[1] أَبَى أَنْ يَشْرَبَ مَعِي أَوْ يُنَادِمَنِي أَوْ أَجِدَ مِنْهُ فُرْصَةً فِي هَذَا فَقَالُوا لَهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَجِدْ مِنْهُ فَهَذَا أَخُوهُ مُوسَى قَصَّافٌ عَزَّافٌ‌[2]- يَأْكُلُ وَ يَشْرَبُ وَ يَتَعَشَّقُ قَالَ ابْعَثُوا إِلَيْهِ فَجِيئُوا بِهِ حَتَّى نُمَوِّهَ بِهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَ نَقُولَ ابْنُ الرِّضَا[3] فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ وَ أُشْخِص

“Al-Mutawakkil would say, “Woe is you, the ibn (the son of) al-Rida, (Ali al-Hadi (a.s.)) has frustrated me. He refuses to share a drink (liquor) with me and associate with me and I never get a chance in it.” They (his associates) told him, “If he does not give you a chance his brother, Musa plays music, sings, eats, d

مَرِضْتُ فَدَخَلَ الطَّبِيبُ عَلَيَّ لَيْلًا فَوَصَفَ لِي دَوَاءً بِلَيْلٍ آخُذُهُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا يَوْماً فَلَمْ يُمَكِّنِّي فَلَمْ يَخْرُجِ الطَّبِيبُ مِنَ الْبَابِ حَتَّى وَرَدَ عَلَيَّ نَصْرٌ بِقَارُورَةٍ فِيهَا ذَلِكَ الدَّوَاءُ بِعَيْنِهِ فَقَالَ لِي- أَبُو الْحَسَنِ يُقْرِئُكَ السَّلَامَ وَ يَقُولُ لَكَ خُذْ هَذَا الدَّوَاءَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا يَوْماً فَأَخَذْتُهُ فَشَرِبْتُهُ فَبَرَأْتُ:" قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِ

“I became ill and a doctor came to see me at night. He prescribed a medicine for me to be taken at night for so and so many days. I could not find the medicine that night. The physician was still there that Nasr came in with a bottle that contained the medicine that the physician had prescribed for me and said, “Abu al

كَانَ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ خَاقَانَ عَلَى الضِّيَاعِ وَ الْخَرَاجِ بِقُمَّ فَجَرَى فِي مَجْلِسِهِ يَوْماً ذِكْرُ الْعَلَوِيَّةِ وَ مَذَاهِبِهِمْ وَ كَانَ شَدِيدَ النَّصْبِ فَقَالَ مَا رَأَيْتُ وَ لَا عَرَفْتُ بِسُرَّ مَنْ رَأَى رَجُلًا مِنَ الْعَلَوِيَّةِ مِثْلَ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الرِّضَا فِي هَدْيِهِ وَ سُكُونِهِ وَ عَفَافِهِ وَ نُبْلِهِ وَ كَرَمِهِ عِنْدَ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ ب

1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Asha‘ari and Muhammad ibn Yahya and others have narrated the following. “Ahmad ibn ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Khaqan was in charge of collecting property and other taxes in the city of Qumm. One day in his presence the ‘Alawids and their beliefs were mentioned. He was a staunch Nasibi (abusive of ‘Al

كَتَبَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع إِلَى أَبِي الْقَاسِمِ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ الزُّبَيْرِيِّ قَبْلَ مَوْتِ الْمُعْتَزِّ بِنَحْوِ عِشْرِينَ يَوْماً الْزَمْ بَيْتَكَ حَتَّى يَحْدُثَ الْحَادِثُ فَلَمَّا قُتِلَ بُرَيْحَةُ كَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ قَدْ حَدَثَ الْحَادِثُ فَمَا تَأْمُرُنِي فَكَتَبَ لَيْسَ هَذَا الْحَادِثُ هُوَ الْحَادِثَ الْآخِرَ فَكَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِ الْمُعْتَزِّ مَا كَانَ وَ عَنْهُ قَالَ كَتَبَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ آخَرَ يُقْتَلُ

‘Stay home until what is to happen will happen.’ When Burayha was killed he wrote to him, “A happening has happened. What would you command me to do?” He wrote back, “This is not the happening. It is another happening.” Then there was the case of al-Mu‘tazz the way it was.” It is narrated from the same narrator that th

ضَاقَ بِنَا الْأَمْرُ فَقَالَ لِي أَبِي امْضِ بِنَا حَتَّى نَصِيرَ إِلَى هَذَا الرَّجُلِ يَعْنِي أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ وُصِفَ عَنْهُ سَمَاحَةٌ فَقُلْتُ تَعْرِفُهُ فَقَالَ مَا أَعْرِفُهُ وَ لَا رَأَيْتُهُ قَطُّ قَالَ فَقَصَدْنَاهُ فَقَالَ لِي أَبِي وَ هُوَ فِي طَرِيقِهِ مَا أَحْوَجَنَا إِلَى أَنْ يَأْمُرَ لَنَا بِخَمْسِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ مِائَتَا دِرْهَمٍ لِلْكِسْوَةِ وَ مِائَتَا دِرْهَمٍ لِلدَّيْنِ وَ مِائَةٌ

“We were under pressure and constraint. My father said, “Let us go to Abu Muhammad (a.s.). People describe him as very generous and considerate.” I asked, “Do you know him?” He said, “No, I do not know him and I have not seen him before.” We decided to go and meet him. My father said on the way, 'I wish he would grant

كُنْتُ مَعَ أَبِي بِسُرَّ مَنْ رَأَى وَ كَانَ أَبِي يَتَعَاطَى الْبَيْطَرَةَ فِي مَرْبِطِ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ وَ كَانَ عِنْدَ الْمُسْتَعِينِ بَغْلٌ لَمْ يُرَ مِثْلُهُ حُسْناً وَ كِبْراً وَ كَانَ يَمْنَعُ ظَهْرَهُ وَ اللِّجَامَ وَ السَّرْجَ وَ قَدْ كَانَ جَمَعَ عَلَيْهِ الرَّاضَةَ[1] فَلَمْ يُمَكِّنْ لَهُمْ حِيلَةً فِي رُكُوبِهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَعْضُ نُدَمَائِهِ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَ لَا تَبْعَثُ إِلَى ا

“I was with my father in the city of Surra man Ra‘a. My father was a veterinarian at the animal farm of abu Muhammad (a.s.). Al-Musta‘in had a mule the like of which in beauty and size has not been seen. No one could touch that mule to ride, saddle or harness. He had called all the trainers and they had faild to ready

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع الْحَاجَةَ فَحَكَّ بِسَوْطِهِ الْأَرْضَ قَالَ وَ أَحْسَبُهُ غَطَّاهُ بِمِنْدِيلٍ وَ أَخْرَجَ خَمْسَمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا هَاشِمٍ خُذْ وَ أَعْذِرْنَا.

“I requested abu Muhammad for something that I needed. He scratched the earth with his whip. The narrator has said that I think he then covered it with a handkerchief and then took out five hundred Dinars. He then said, “O abu Hashim take it and grants us pardon.”

أَنَّهُ كَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ سَنَةَ الْقَادِسِيَّةِ يُعْلِمُهُ انْصِرَافَ النَّاسِ وَ أَنَّهُ يَخَافُ الْعَطَشَ فَكَتَبَ ع‌ امْضُوا فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمْ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ فَمَضَوْا سَالِمِينَ‌ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ*.

“continue your journey and you will have no fear by the will of Allah.” They continued their journey to Hajj safely and thanks to Allah.”

نَزَلَ بِالْجَعْفَرِيِّ مِنْ آلِ جَعْفَرٍ خَلْقٌ لَا قِبَلَ لَهُ بِهِمْ فَكَتَبَ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ يَشْكُو ذَلِكَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ تُكْفَوْنَ ذَلِكَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى فَخَرَجَ إِلَيْهِمْ فِي نَفَرٍ يَسِيرٍ وَ الْقَوْمُ يَزِيدُونَ عَلَى عِشْرِينَ أَلْفاً وَ هُوَ فِي أَقَلَّ مِنْ أَلْفٍ فَاسْتَبَاحَهُمْ‌[1].

Al-Ja‘fari from the family of Ja‘far was attacked by such a large number of people that seemed impossible for them to defend themselves. He wrote to abu Muhammad (a.s.) about his dangerous condition. He wrote back to him in reply, “You will be adequately defended by the will of Allah, the Most High. He came out with ju

حُبِسَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ عِنْدَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ نَارْمَشَ وَ هُوَ أَنْصَبُ النَّاسِ وَ أَشَدُّهُمْ عَلَى آلِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ قِيلَ لَهُ افْعَلْ بِهِ وَ افْعَلْ‌[2] فَمَا أَقَامَ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا يَوْماً حَتَّى وَضَعَ خَدَّيْهِ لَهُ وَ كَانَ لَا يَرْفَعُ بَصَرَهُ إِلَيْهِ إِجْلَالًا وَ إِعْظَاماً فَخَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ وَ هُوَ أَحْسَنُ النَّاسِ بَصِيرَةً وَ أَحْسَنُهُمْ فِيهِ قَوْلًا.

“Abu Muhammad (a.s.) was imprisoned under the supervision of Ali ibn Narmasha who was extremely hostile towards the descendants of abu Talib. He was told to treat him (abu Muhammad (a.s.) as he (the guard) wished. He stayed with him only for day and the guard who was hostile towards him became so submissive before him

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الْوَلِيجَةِ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- وَ لَمْ يَتَّخِذُوا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَ لا رَسُولِهِ وَ لَا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلِيجَةً[3] قُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي لَا فِي الْكِتَابِ مَنْ تَرَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ هَاهُنَا[4] فَرَجَعَ الْجَوَابُ الْوَلِيجَةُ الَّذِي يُقَامُ دُونَ وَلِيِّ الْأَمْرِ وَ حَدَّثَتْكَ نَفْسُكَ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَنْ هُمْ فِي هَذَا الْمَوْضِعِ فَهُمُ الْأَ

The Walija refers to a person who would be appointed in place of the Leader with Divine Authority. You have said to yourself “To who the believers refers in this verse”? They are the Imams who ask Allah to grant security to the people and He grants their request.”

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع ضِيقَ الْحَبْسِ وَ كَتَلَ الْقَيْدِ[5] فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ أَنْتَ تُصَلِّي الْيَوْمَ الظُّهْرَ فِي مَنْزِلِكَ فَأُخْرِجْتُ فِي وَقْتِ الظُّهْرِ فَصَلَّيْتُ فِي مَنْزِلِي كَمَا قَالَ ع وَ كُنْتُ مُضَيَّقاً فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَطْلُبَ مِنْهُ دَنَانِيرَ فِي الْكِتَابِ فَاسْتَحْيَيْتُ فَلَمَّا صِرْتُ إِلَى مَنْزِلِي وَجَّهَ إِلَيَّ بِمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ وَ كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ إِذَا كَانَتْ لَكَ حَاجَةٌ

“I complained to abu Muhammad (a.s.) about the constraining cell of the prison and the weight of the shackles on me. He wrote back in reply to me. “Today you will pray your noontime prayer in your own home.” I then was released that day and prayed the noontime prayer in my own home as he had said.” I was under financia

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ غَيْرَ مَرَّةٍ يُكَلِّمُ غِلْمَانَهُ بِلُغَاتِهِمْ- تُرْكٍ وَ رُومٍ وَ صَقَالِبَةٍ فَتَعَجَّبْتُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ قُلْتُ هَذَا وُلِدَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَ لَمْ يَظْهَرْ لِأَحَدٍ حَتَّى مَضَى أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع وَ لَا رَآهُ أَحَدٌ فَكَيْفَ هَذَا أُحَدِّثُ نَفْسِي بِذَلِكَ فَأَقْبَلَ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى بَيَّنَ حُجَّتَهُ مِنْ سَائِرِ خَلْقِهِ بِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ يُعْطِي

11. Ishaq has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Aqra‘ who has said that narrated to me abuhz Nasir al-Khadim the following. “I had heard many times that abu Muhammad (a.s.) to each of his Roman, Turkish and Saqaliba slaves in their own languages. It was astonishing to me and I would think that he is born in al-Madina

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الْإِمَامِ هَلْ يَحْتَلِمُ وَ قُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي بَعْدَ مَا فَصَلَ الْكِتَابُ الِاحْتِلَامُ شَيْطَنَةٌ وَ قَدْ أَعَاذَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَوْلِيَاءَهُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَوَرَدَ الْجَوَابُ حَالُ الْأَئِمَّةِ فِي الْمَنَامِ حَالُهُمْ فِي الْيَقَظَةِ لَا يُغَيِّرُ النَّوْمُ مِنْهُمْ شَيْئاً وَ قَدْ أَعَاذَ اللَّهُ أَوْلِيَاءَهُ مِنْ لَمَّةِ الشَّيْطَانِ كَمَا حَدَّثَ

The answer came. “The conditions of the Imams when asleep is the same as when they are awake. Sleep does not change anything in them. Allah has given protection to those whom He has given authority from Satanic encounters as you spoke to yourself.”

اخْتَلَجَ فِي صَدْرِي مَسْأَلَتَانِ أَرَدْتُ الْكِتَابَ فِيهِمَا إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَكَتَبْتُ أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الْقَائِمِ ع إِذَا قَامَ بِمَا يَقْضِي وَ أَيْنَ مَجْلِسُهُ الَّذِي يَقْضِي فِيهِ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ وَ أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ لِحُمَّى الرِّبْعِ فَأَغْفَلْتُ خَبَرَ الْحُمَّى فَجَاءَ الْجَوَابُ سَأَلْتَ عَنِ الْقَائِمِ فَإِذَا قَامَ قَضَى بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِعِلْمِهِ كَقَضَاءِ دَاوُدَ ع لَا ي

“Two issues would poke in my chest which made me to write to abu Muhammad (a.s.). I wrote about Al-Qa’im (the one who will rise with Divine Authority). “When he rise by what means he will judge among the people and where will be his court house?” I also wanted to ask him about alternating fever but I had missed to ment

قَعَدْتُ لِأَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع عَلَى ظَهْرِ الطَّرِيقِ فَلَمَّا مَرَّ بِي شَكَوْتُ إِلَيْهِ الْحَاجَةَ وَ حَلَفْتُ لَهُ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ عِنْدِي دِرْهَمٌ فَمَا فَوْقَهَا وَ لَا غَدَاءٌ وَ لَا عَشَاءٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ تَحْلِفُ بِاللَّهِ كَاذِباً وَ قَدْ دَفَنْتَ مِائَتَيْ دِينَارٍ وَ لَيْسَ قَوْلِي هَذَا دَفْعاً لَكَ عَنِ الْعَطِيَّةِ أَعْطِهِ يَا غُلَامُ مَا مَعَكَ فَأَعْطَانِي غُلَامُهُ مِائَةَ دِينَارٍ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَ

“Once I sat on the side of the road waiting for abu Muhammad (a.s.) to pass by so that I can present before him my complain against a need. When he was passing by I presented my complain before him and swore that I did not have even a Dirham, nothing for lunch or dinner.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) said

كَانَ لِي فَرَسٌ وَ كُنْتُ بِهِ مُعْجَباً أُكْثِرُ ذِكْرَهُ فِي الْمَحَالِّ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ يَوْماً فَقَالَ لِي مَا فَعَلَ فَرَسُكَ فَقُلْتُ هُوَ عِنْدِي وَ هُوَ ذَا هُوَ عَلَى بَابِكَ وَ عَنْهُ نَزَلْتُ فَقَالَ لِيَ اسْتَبْدِلْ بِهِ قَبْلَ الْمَسَاءِ إِنْ قَدَرْتَ عَلَى مُشْتَرِي وَ لَا تُؤَخِّرْ ذَلِكَ وَ دَخَلَ عَلَيْنَا دَاخِلٌ وَ انْقَطَعَ الْكَلَامُ فَقُمْتُ مُتَفَكِّراً وَ مَضَيْتُ إِلَى مَنْز

“I had a horse that I liked very much and I would admire it often in gatherings. One day I went to see abu Muhammad (a.s.) and he said, “What has your horse done?” I said, “I still have it and it is in front of your. I just dismounted it.” He said, “Change it before this evening if you can if you would find a buyer and

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع حِينَ أَخَذَ الْمُهْتَدِي فِي قَتْلِ الْمَوَالِي يَا سَيِّدِي الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي شَغَلَهُ عَنَّا فَقَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّهُ يَتَهَدَّدُكَ وَ يَقُولُ وَ اللَّهِ لَأُجْلِيَنَّهُمْ عَنْ جَدِيدِ الْأَرْضِ‌[3] فَوَقَّعَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع بِخَطِّهِ ذَاكَ أَقْصَرُ لِعُمُرِهِ عُدَّ مِنْ يَوْمِكَ هَذَا خَمْسَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَ يُقْتَلُ فِي الْيَوْمِ السَّادِسِ بَعْدَ هَوَانٍ وَ اسْتِخْفَافٍ ي

“I wrote to abu Muhammad (a.s.) when al-Muhtadi had began to kill the Turkish Mawali (slave or supporters). My master, we thank Allah for diverting his (al-Muhtadi’s) attention from us. I have heard that he had threatened you and has said, By Allah, I will wipe them out from the face of the earth.” Abu Muhammad (a.s.)

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع أَسْأَلُهُ أَنْ يَدْعُوَ اللَّهَ لِي مِنْ وَجَعِ عَيْنِي وَ كَانَتْ إِحْدَى عَيْنَيَّ ذَاهِبَةً وَ الْأُخْرَى عَلَى شَرَفِ ذَهَابٍ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ حَبَسَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ عَيْنَكَ فَأَفَاقَتِ الصَّحِيحَةُ وَ وَقَّعَ فِي آخِرِ الْكِتَابِ آجَرَكَ اللَّهُ وَ أَحْسَنَ ثَوَابَكَ فَاغْتَمَمْتُ لِذَلِكَ وَ لَمْ أَعْرِفْ فِي أَهْلِي أَحَداً مَاتَ فَلَمَّا كَانَ بَعْدَ أَيَّامٍ جَاءَتْنِي وَف

“I wrote to abu Muhammad (a.s.) requesting him to pray for because of the pain that I suffered in my eyes. One of my eye had gone and the other was about to go. He wrote back to me in reply, “Allah has kept your eye for you.” My painful eye then recovered. He had signed at the end with these words, “May Allah, grant yo

قَدِمَ عَلَيْنَا بِسُرَّ مَنْ رَأَى رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ مِصْرَ يُقَالُ لَهُ سَيْفُ بْنُ اللَّيْثِ- يَتَظَلَّمُ إِلَى الْمُهْتَدِي فِي ضَيْعَةٍ لَهُ قَدْ غَصَبَهَا إِيَّاهُ- شَفِيعٌ الْخَادِمُ وَ أَخْرَجَهُ مِنْهَا فَأَشَرْنَا عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَكْتُبَ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع يَسْأَلُهُ تَسْهِيلَ أَمْرِهَا فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع لَا بَأْسَ عَلَيْكَ ضَيْعَتُكَ تُرَدُّ عَلَيْكَ فَلَا تَتَقَدَّمْ إِلَى السُّلْطَ

18. Ishaq has said that narrated to me ‘Umar ibn Muslim the following. “We were in the city of Surra man Ra’a that a man, called Sayf ibn al-Layth, from Egypt came with a complain to al-Muhtadi against Shafi‘ al-Khadim who had usurped his property and expelled him from the city. We gave a hint to write to abu Muhammad

كَانَ لِأَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ وَكِيلٌ قَدِ اتَّخَذَ مَعَهُ فِي الدَّارِ حُجْرَةً يَكُونُ فِيهَا مَعَهُ خَادِمٌ أَبْيَضُ فَأَرَادَ الْوَكِيلُ الْخَادِمَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ فَأَبَى إِلَّا أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ بِنَبِيذٍ فَاحْتَالَ لَهُ بِنَبِيذٍ ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ثَلَاثَةُ أَبْوَابٍ مُغْلَقَةٍ قَالَ فَحَدَّثَنِي الْوَكِيلُ قَالَ إِنِّي لَمُنْتَبِهٌ إِذْ أَنَا بِالْأَبْوَابِ تُفْتَحُ حَتَّى

“Abu Muhammad (a.s.) had an agent who lived in a room in the house with white servant of the Imam (a.s.). the agent invited the servant to have evil activities with him and the servant refused to do so unless he brought him wine. The agent managed to find wine and take it to him. There were three closed doors between t

نَاظَرْتُ رَجُلًا مِنَ الثَّنَوِيَّةِ بِالْأَهْوَازِ ثُمَّ قَدِمْتُ سُرَّ مَنْ رَأَى وَ قَدْ عَلِقَ بِقَلْبِي شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنْ مَقَالَتِهِ فَإِنِّي لَجَالِسٌ عَلَى بَابِ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ الْخَضِيبِ إِذْ أَقْبَلَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع مِنْ دَارِ الْعَامَّةِ[4] يَؤُمُّ الْمَوْكِبَ فَنَظَرَ إِلَيَّ وَ أَشَارَ بِسَبَّاحَتِهِ‌[5] أَحَدٌ أَحَدٌ فَرْدٌ[6] فَسَقَطْتُ مَغْشِيّاً عَلَيَّ.

“I debated a man who believed in dualism in Ahwaz them went to Surra man Ra‘a. However, his words were stuck to my heart. I was sitting in front of the door of Ahmad al-Khadib that I saw abu Muhammad (a.s.) coming from the house for public gathering. It was the house wherein on a certain day the Sultan would allow the

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ يَوْماً وَ أَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ مَا أَصُوغُ بِهِ خَاتَماً أَتَبَرَّكُ بِهِ فَجَلَسْتُ وَ أُنْسِيتُ مَا جِئْتُ لَهُ فَلَمَّا وَدَّعْتُ وَ نَهَضْتُ رَمَى إِلَيَّ بِالْخَاتَمِ فَقَالَ أَرَدْتَ فِضَّةً فَأَعْطَيْنَاكَ خَاتَماً رَبِحْتَ الْفَصَّ وَ الْكِرَاءَ هَنَأَكَ اللَّهُ يَا أَبَا هَاشِمٍ فَقُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ وَلِيُّ اللَّهِ وَ إِمَامِيَ الَّذِي أَدِينُ اللَّه

“One day I went to see abu Muhammad (a.s.) and I wanted him to give me a certain amount of silver so I can make a ring out of it and keep for blessing. I sat down but forgot to ask what I had come for. When was leaving and said farewell to him he threw a ring to me and said, “You wanted silver and we gave you and profi

كُنْتُ أَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَأَعْطَشُ وَ أَنَا عِنْدَهُ فَأُجِلُّهُ أَنْ أَدْعُوَ بِالْمَاءِ فَيَقُولُ يَا غُلَامُ اسْقِهِ وَ رُبَّمَا حَدَّثْتُ نَفْسِي بِالنُّهُوضِ فَأُفَكِّرُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَيَقُولُ يَا غُلَامُ دَابَّتَهُ‌[2].

“Often time I would go to see abu Muhammad (a.s.). When in his presence I would feel thirsty but I would feel shy, out of respect for him, to ask for water but he would call the people of his household to bring water for me. Often times I would think to myself of leaving and he would say, “Young man, bring his horse.”

دَخَلَ الْعَبَّاسِيُّونَ عَلَى صَالِحِ بْنِ وَصِيفٍ وَ دَخَلَ صَالِحُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ وَ غَيْرُهُ مِنَ الْمُنْحَرِفِينَ عَنْ هَذِهِ النَّاحِيَةِ عَلَى صَالِحِ بْنِ وَصِيفٍ عِنْدَ مَا حَبَسَ أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَقَالَ لَهُمْ صَالِحٌ وَ مَا أَصْنَعُ قَدْ وَكَّلْتُ بِهِ رَجُلَيْنِ مِنْ أَشَرِّ مَنْ قَدَرْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَدْ صَارَا مِنَ الْعِبَادَةِ وَ الصَّلَاةِ وَ الصِّيَامِ إِلَى أَمْرٍ عَظِيمٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُمَا مَا فِيهِ ف

“When abu Muhammad (a.s.) was imprisoned, the ‘Abbassids, Salih ibn Wasif, Salih ibn Ali and others who were not Shi‘as all came to Salih ibn Wasif asking him to exert more pressure on abu Muhammad (a.s.).Salih told them, “What should I do? I managed to find two people who were of the harshest manners and appointed the

وَ نَاوَلَنِي عِرْقاً لَمْ أَفْهَمْهُ مِنَ الْعُرُوقِ الَّتِي تُفْصَدُ فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي مَا رَأَيْتُ أَمْراً أَعْجَبَ مِنْ هَذَا يَأْمُرُنِي أَنْ أَفْصِدَ فِي وَقْتِ الظُّهْرِ وَ لَيْسَ بِوَقْتِ فَصْدٍ وَ الثَّانِيَةُ عِرْقٌ لَا أَفْهَمُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِيَ انْتَظِرْ وَ كُنْ فِي الدَّارِ فَلَمَّا أَمْسَى دَعَانِي وَ قَالَ لِي سَرِّحِ الدَّمَ فَسَرَّحْتُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي أَمْسِكْ فَأَمْسَكْتُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي كُنْ فِ

Certain persons of our people have narrated from a Christian cupping expert who served in the army the following. “One day at noontime abu Muhammad (a.s.) sent for me at the time of noon prayer and told me to perform cupping on this vein. He showed me a vein that was not know to me as one of the veins used for cupping.

كَتَبَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حُجْرٍ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع يَشْكُو عَبْدَ الْعَزِيزِ بْنَ دُلَفَ وَ يَزِيدَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ أَمَّا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ فَقَدْ كُفِيتَهُ وَ أَمَّا يَزِيدُ فَإِنَّ لَكَ وَ لَهُ مَقَاماً بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ فَمَاتَ عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ وَ قَتَلَ يَزِيدُ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ حُجْرٍ.

“mmd ibn al-Hujr once wrote to abu Muhammad (a.s.) complaining against ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn Dulf and Yazid ibn ‘Abdallah. He wrote back in reply, “As far as ‘Abd al-‘Aziz is concerned I have relieved you from his troubles. As far as Yazid is concerned for each of you there is position before Allah.” ‘Abd al-‘Aziz died and

سُلِّمَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع إِلَى نِحْرِيرٍ[1] فَكَانَ يُضَيِّقُ عَلَيْهِ وَ يُؤْذِيهِ قَالَ فَقَالَتْ لَهُ امْرَأَتُهُ وَيْلَكَ اتَّقِ اللَّهَ لَا تَدْرِي مَنْ فِي مَنْزِلِكَ وَ عَرَّفَتْهُ صَلَاحَهُ وَ قَالَتْ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكَ مِنْهُ فَقَالَ لَأَرْمِيَنَّهُ بَيْنَ السِّبَاعِ ثُمَّ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ بِهِ فَرُئِيَ ع قَائِماً يُصَلِّي وَ هِيَ حَوْلَهُ.

“Abu Muhammad (a.s.) was placed under the supervision of a zoo-keeper who would cause constraints suffering to him. He has said that his wife told him, “woe is you, be pious before Allah. Do you not know who is in your house?” She then explained to him the good manners of the Imam (a.s.) and said, “I am afraid for you

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَسَأَلْتُهُ أَنْ يَكْتُبَ لِأَنْظُرَ إِلَى خَطِّهِ فَأَعْرِفَهُ إِذَا وَرَدَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَحْمَدُ إِنَّ الْخَطَّ سَيَخْتَلِفُ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ بَيْنِ الْقَلَمِ الْغَلِيظِ إِلَى الْقَلَمِ الدَّقِيقِ فَلَا تَشُكَّنَّ ثُمَّ دَعَا بِالدَّوَاةِ فَكَتَبَ وَ جَعَلَ يَسْتَمِدُّ إِلَى مَجْرَى الدَّوَاةِ فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي وَ هُوَ يَكْتُبُ أَسْتَوْهِبُهُ الْقَلَمَ الَّذِي كَت

“Once I went to see abu Muhammad (a.s.) and asked him to write for me few lines so that whenever I would see his hand writing I would recognize it. The Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes, and then said, “O Ahmad the writing with a fine pen and with thick pen will look different to you. Do not have doubts He then asked for a pen an

خَرَجَ عَنْ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع حِينَ قُتِلَ الزُّبَيْرِيُّ هَذَا جَزَاءُ مَنِ افْتَرَى عَلَى اللَّهِ فِي أَوْلِيَائِهِ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُ يَقْتُلُنِي وَ لَيْسَ لِي عَقِبٌ فَكَيْفَ رَأَى قُدْرَةَ اللَّهِ وَ وُلِدَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ سَمَّاهُ م‌ح‌م‌د- سَنَةَ سِتٍّ وَ خَمْسِينَ وَ مِائَتَيْنِ.

“When al-Zabayri was killed this letter came from abu Muhammad (a.s.). ‘Such as this is the retribution for those who lie against Allah in the matters of those who possess authority from Him. He thought that he will kill me and I will leave no children behind. How then he has experienced the power of Allah? “ A child w

أَتَيْتُ سُرَّ مَنْ رَأَى وَ لَزِمْتُ بَابَ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَدَعَانِي مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ أَسْتَأْذِنَ فَلَمَّا دَخَلْتُ وَ سَلَّمْتُ قَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا فُلَانٍ كَيْفَ حَالُكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي اقْعُدْ يَا فُلَانُ ثُمَّ سَأَلَنِي عَنْ جَمَاعَةٍ مِنْ رِجَالٍ وَ نِسَاءٍ مِنْ أَهْلِي ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي مَا الَّذِي أَقْدَمَكَ قُلْتُ رَغْبَةٌ فِي خِدْمَتِكَ قَالَ فَقَالَ فَالْزَمِ الدَّارَ قَالَ فَكُنْتُ فِي الدَّارِ مَعَ الْ

“I went to the city of Surra man Ra‘a and kept myself at the door of abu Muhammad (a.s.). He called me inside without any request from me. When I went inside and offered greeting of peace he said to me, “How are you, O father of so and so?” Then he told me, “Sit down O so and so.” He then asked me about a group of men