Leadership & Responsibility

إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَجَلُّ وَ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ أَنْ يَتْرُكَ الْأَرْضَ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ عَادِلٍ.

“Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, is far greater and above leaving the earth without an Imam of justice.”

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِي أَرْضَكَ مِنْ حُجَّةٍ لَكَ عَلَى خَلْقِكَ.

“O Lord. You do not leave your earth without a person who would represent Your authority among the people.”

قَالَ: وَ اللَّهِ مَا تَرَكَ اللَّهُ أَرْضاً مُنْذُ قَبَضَ آدَمَ ع إِلَّا وَ فِيهَا إِمَامٌ يُهْتَدَى بِهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ هُوَ حُجَّتُهُ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ وَ لَا تَبْقَى الْأَرْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ حُجَّةٍ لِلَّهِ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ.

“I swear to Allah that He has not, from the day Adam died, left the earth without an Imam who would guide people to the Lord as with divine authority over the servants of the Lord. The earth will never remain without an Imam with Divine authority over His servants.”

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع‌[1] إِنَّ الْأَرْضَ لَا تَخْلُو مِنْ حُجَّةٍ وَ أَنَا وَ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ الْحُجَّةُ.

“ The earth is never without a person with divine authority and I swear to Allah that I am the person with Divine authority.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ تَبْقَى الْأَرْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لَوْ بَقِيَتِ الْأَرْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ لَسَاخَتْ‌[2].

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Can the earth be left without the Imam?’” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “ Were to remain without Imam it would obliterate its inhabitants.”

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ تَبْقَى الْأَرْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لَا قُلْتُ فَإِنَّا نُرَوَّى عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّهَا لَا تَبْقَى بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ إِلَّا أَنْ يَسْخَطَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى عَلَى أَهْلِ الْأَرْضِ أَوْ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ فَقَالَ لَا لَا تَبْقَى إِذاً لَسَاخَتْ.

“I asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), ‘Can the remain without Imam?’” He replied, “No, it will not remain so.” I then said, “We narrate from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that the earth will not remain without Imam unless Allah becomes extremely angry with the people of the earth or with His servants.” The Imam (a.s.) sai

لَوْ أَنَّ الْإِمَامَ رُفِعَ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ سَاعَةً لَمَاجَتْ بِأَهْلِهَا كَمَا يَمُوجُ الْبَحْرُ بِأَهْلِهِ.

“Would the Imam be taken away from the earth it will create waves against her inhabitants just like what the inhabitants of the ocean face.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع هَلْ تَبْقَى الْأَرْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لَا قُلْتُ إِنَّا نُرَوَّى أَنَّهَا لَا تَبْقَى إِلَّا أَنْ يَسْخَطَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ قَالَ لَا تَبْقَى إِذاً لَسَاخَتْ.

“I asked al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), “I can the earth remain without Imam?” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “No, it will not remain so.” I said, “We narrate that it will not remain without the Imam unless Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, becomes angry with the people.” The Imam said, “In such condition it will not remain bu

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَوْ لَمْ يَبْقَ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْحُجَّةَ.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, ‘Would there remain no one on earth except two persons one of them would certainly be the person with Divine authority.”

لَوْ بَقِيَ اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْحُجَّةَ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ. - مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى‌ مِثْلَهُ.

“Would there remain only two people on earth, one of them would the person with divine authority over the other.” Muhammad ibn al-Hassan has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa a similar Hadith.

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَوْ كَانَ النَّاسُ رَجُلَيْنِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْإِمَامَ وَ قَالَ إِنَّ آخِرَ مَنْ يَمُوتُ الْإِمَامُ لِئَلَّا يَحْتَجَّ أَحَدٌ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنَّهُ تَرَكَهُ بِغَيْرِ حُجَّةٍ لِلَّهِ عَلَيْهِ.

“If of all the people there will remain only two man one of them will be the Imam. He also said, ‘The last person to die will be the Imam (a.s.) so that no one could complain against Allah leaving him without Imam, the person with Divine authority over him.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَوْ لَمْ يَبْقَ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْحُجَّةَ أَوْ الثَّانِي الْحُجَّةَ. الشَّكُّ مِنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ.

“I heard Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, ‘Would there remain on earth no one except two people one of them will be the person with Divine authority or the second one will be the person with Divine authority (uncertainty is from the narrator).”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ لَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ الْإِمَامُ أَحَدَهُمَا.

“Would there remain no one except two people one of them will certainly be the Imam.”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّمَا يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ مَنْ يَعْرِفُ اللَّهَ فَأَمَّا مَنْ لَا يَعْرِفُ اللَّهَ فَإِنَّمَا يَعْبُدُهُ هَكَذَا ضَلَالًا[1] قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَمَا مَعْرِفَةُ اللَّهِ قَالَ تَصْدِيقُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ تَصْدِيقُ رَسُولِهِ ص وَ مُوَالاةُ عَلِيٍّ ع وَ الِائْتِمَامُ بِهِ وَ بِأَئِمَّةِ الْهُدَى ع وَ الْبَرَاءَةُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ عَدُوِّهِمْ هَكَذَا يُعْرَفُ اللَّ

“Only those who know Allah worship Him. Those who do not know Allah they worship Him just like that in misguidance.” I then asked, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what the knowledge about Allah?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Knowledge about Allah means is to acknowledge the existence of Allah, the Most Holy

لَا يَكُونُ الْعَبْدُ مُؤْمِناً حَتَّى يَعْرِفَ اللَّهَ وَ رَسُولَهُ وَ الْأَئِمَّةَ كُلَّهُمْ وَ إِمَامَ زَمَانِهِ وَ يَرُدَّ إِلَيْهِ وَ يُسَلِّمَ لَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ كَيْفَ يَعْرِفُ الْآخِرَ وَ هُوَ يَجْهَلُ الْأَوَّلَ.

“One will not be considered a Mu‘min until he knows Allah, His Messenger and all of the Imams and the Imam of ones time, acknowledges his Divine authority and submits his affairs to the Imam (a.s.).” He then said, “How would one know the last one when one is ignorant of the first one.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ مَعْرِفَةِ الْإِمَامِ مِنْكُمْ وَاجِبَةٌ عَلَى‌ جَمِيعِ الْخَلْقِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً ص إِلَى النَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ رَسُولًا وَ حُجَّةً لِلَّهِ عَلَى جَمِيعِ خَلْقِهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ فَمَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَ بِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَ اتَّبَعَهُ وَ صَدَّقَهُ فَإِنَّ مَعْرِفَةَ الْإِمَامِ مِنَّا وَاجِبَةٌ عَلَيْهِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يُؤْمِنْ بِال

“I said to abu Ja’far (a.s.), ‘Is knowing the Imam from among you obligatory on all creatures?’” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, sent Muhammad to all people as His Messenger and as His authority over all creatures on earth. Those who have faith in Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger and

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّمَا يَعْرِفُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ يَعْبُدُهُ مَنْ عَرَفَ اللَّهَ وَ عَرَفَ إِمَامَهُ مِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَ مَنْ لَا يَعْرِفِ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ لَا يَعْرِفِ الْإِمَامَ مِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فَإِنَّمَا يَعْرِفُ وَ يَعْبُدُ غَيْرَ اللَّهِ هَكَذَا وَ اللَّهِ ضَلَالًا.

“I heard imam abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Only those who know Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, and worship Him. It is such people who know Him and know the Imam from the family of the Holy Prophet (sw). Those who do not know Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, and do not know the Imam from us, Ahlul Bayt, such peop

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْأَئِمَّةِ بَعْدَ النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِمَاماً ثُمَّ كَانَ الْحَسَنُ ع إِمَاماً ثُمَّ كَانَ الْحُسَيْنُ ع إِمَاماً ثُمَّ كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ إِمَاماً ثُمَّ كَانَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ إِمَاماً مَنْ أَنْكَرَ ذَلِكَ كَانَ كَمَنْ أَنْكَرَ مَعْرِفَةَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى وَ مَعْرِفَةَ رَسُولِهِ ص ثُمَّ قَالَ قُلْتُ ثُمَّ أَنْتَ‌[3

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the Imams after the Holy Prophet (s.a.).” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali) (a.s.) was the Imam. Then al-Hassan (a.s.) was the Imam. Then al-Husayn (a.s.) was the Imam. Then Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.) was the Imam. Then Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) was the Imam. One who would de

إِنَّكُمْ لَا تَكُونُونَ صَالِحِينَ حَتَّى تَعْرِفُوا- وَ لَا تَعْرِفُوا حَتَّى تُصَدِّقُوا وَ لَا تُصَدِّقُوا حَتَّى تُسَلِّمُوا أَبْوَاباً أَرْبَعَةً[1] لَا يَصْلُحُ أَوَّلُهَا إِلَّا بِآخِرِهَا ضَلَّ أَصْحَابُ الثَّلَاثَةِ وَ تَاهُوا تَيْهاً بَعِيداً[2] إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَا يَقْبَلُ إِلَّا الْعَمَلَ الصَّالِحَ وَ لَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا الْوَفَاءَ بِالشُّرُوطِ وَ الْعُهُودِ فَمَنْ وَفَى لِلّ

6. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from those whom he mentioned from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn abu Layla from his father from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “You will not be of the people of good deeds until you will know. You will not know

أَبَى اللَّهُ أَنْ يُجْرِيَ الْأَشْيَاءَ إِلَّا بِأَسْبَابٍ فَجَعَلَ لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ سَبَباً وَ جَعَلَ لِكُلِّ سَبَبٍ شَرْحاً وَ جَعَلَ لِكُلِّ شَرْحٍ عِلْماً وَ جَعَلَ لِكُلِّ عِلْمٍ بَاباً نَاطِقاً عَرَفَهُ مَنْ عَرَفَهُ وَ جَهِلَهُ مَنْ جَهِلَهُ ذَاكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ نَحْنُ‌[1].

It is the messengers of Allah and we.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ كُلُّ مَنْ دَانَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِعِبَادَةٍ يُجْهِدُ فِيهَا نَفْسَهُ وَ لَا إِمَامَ لَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ فَسَعْيُهُ غَيْرُ مَقْبُولٍ وَ هُوَ ضَالٌّ مُتَحَيِّرٌ وَ اللَّهُ شَانِئٌ‌[2] لِأَعْمَالِهِ وَ مَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ شَاةٍ ضَلَّتْ عَنْ رَاعِيهَا وَ قَطِيعِهَا فَهَجَمَتْ‌[3] ذَاهِبَةً وَ جَائِيَةً يَوْمَهَا فَلَمَّا جَنَّهَا[4] اللَّيْلُ بَصُرَتْ بِقَطِيعِ غَنَمٍ مَعَ رَاعِيهَا

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever would worship Allah in the expectation for reward and work hard but without having an Imam for himself his efforts would not be received acceptance. Such person is last and straying and Allah would dislike his deeds. The example of such person is like that of a lost sheep who

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ جَاءَ ابْنُ الْكَوَّاءِ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ- وَ عَلَى الْأَعْرافِ رِجالٌ‌ يَعْرِفُونَ كُلًّا بِسِيماهُمْ‌ فَقَالَ نَحْنُ عَلَى الْأَعْرَافِ نَعْرِفُ أَنْصَارَنَا بِسِيمَاهُمْ وَ نَحْنُ الْأَعْرَافُ الَّذِي لَا يُعْرَفُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَّا بِسَبِيلِ مَعْرِفَتِنَا وَ نَحْنُ الْأَعْرَافُ يُعَرِّفُنَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ-

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, ‘Ibn al-Kawwa came to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and asked, “O Amir al-Mu’minin,(what do you say about; “There will be people on the Heights who know everyone by their faces . .” (7:46). The Imam said, “we will be on the Heights. We will recognize our supporters from their faces. We a

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا أَبَا حَمْزَةَ يَخْرُجُ أَحَدُكُمْ فَرَاسِخَ فَيَطْلُبُ لِنَفْسِهِ دَلِيلًا وَ أَنْتَ بِطُرُقِ‌ السَّمَاءِ أَجْهَلُ مِنْكَ بِطُرُقِ الْأَرْضِ فَاطْلُبْ لِنَفْسِكَ دَلِيلًا.

“O Abu Hamza, when one of you decides to travel for just a few miles, he first finds a guide and direction for himself. Your knowledge of the paths of the heavens is much less than your knowledge of the paths of earth. You must find a guide for yourself.”

طَاعَةُ اللَّهِ وَ مَعْرِفَةُ الْإِمَامِ.

“It means obedience to Allah and knowin who one’s Imam is.”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع هَلْ عَرَفْتَ إِمَامَكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ إِي وَ اللَّهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ أَخْرُجَ مِنَ الْكُوفَةِ فَقَالَ حَسْبُكَ إِذاً.

“Have you found out who your Imam is?” I said, “Yes, I swear by Allah, I did so before I left Kufa.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Then it is sufficient for you.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- أَ وَ مَنْ كانَ مَيْتاً فَأَحْيَيْناهُ‌ وَ جَعَلْنا لَهُ نُوراً يَمْشِي بِهِ فِي النَّاسِ‌[2] فَقَالَ مَيْتٌ لَا يَعْرِفُ شَيْئاً وَ نُوراً يَمْشِي بِهِ فِي النَّاسِ‌ إِمَاماً يُؤْتَمُّ بِهِ- كَمَنْ مَثَلُهُ‌ فِي الظُّلُماتِ لَيْسَ بِخارِجٍ مِنْها قَالَ الَّذِي لَا يَعْرِفُ الْإِمَامَ.

The dead do not understand anything ‘The light by the help of which they walk’ is the Imam that they follow.’ “be considered equal to those who can never come out of darkness” applies to those who do not know who their Imam is.”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ دَخَلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْجَدَلِيُّ عَلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَقَالَ ع يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكَ بِقَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- مَنْ جاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ خَيْرٌ مِنْها وَ هُمْ مِنْ فَزَعٍ يَوْمَئِذٍ آمِنُونَ‌. وَ مَنْ جاءَ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ فَكُبَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ فِي النَّارِ هَلْ تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا ما كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ‌[3] قَالَ بَلَى يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

“Imam abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Abu ‘Abdallah al-Jadali once came to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.). Amir al-mu’minin said to him, “O abu ‘Abdallah may I say something to you about the words of Allah, ‘Whoever does a good deed will receive a better reward than what he has done. He will be secure from the terror of the Day

ذِرْوَةُ الْأَمْرِ وَ سَنَامُهُ‌[4]- وَ مِفْتَاحُهُ وَ بَابُ الْأَشْيَاءِ وَ رِضَا الرَّحْمَنِ تَبَارَكَ‌ وَ تَعَالَى الطَّاعَةُ لِلْإِمَامِ بَعْدَ مَعْرِفَتِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطاعَ اللَّهَ وَ مَنْ تَوَلَّى‌ فَما أَرْسَلْناكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظاً[1].

“The top most matter (in religion) the most noble, the key issue, the gateway to all affairs and the pleasure of the Most Beneficent , the Most Holy, the Most High, is obedience to the Imam after finding out who the Imam is.” The Imam (a.s.) then said, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, ‘One who obeys the

أَشْهَدُ أَنِّي سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً إِمَامٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَهُ وَ أَنَّ الْحَسَنَ إِمَامٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَهُ وَ أَنَّ الْحُسَيْنَ إِمَامٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَهُ وَ أَنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ إِمَامٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ إِمَامٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَهُ.

“I testify that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) is the Imam obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah, that al-Hassan (a.s.) is the Imam obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah, that al-Husayn is the Imam obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah, that Ali ibn al-Husayn is the Imam o

نَحْنُ قَوْمٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَنَا وَ أَنْتُمْ تَأْتَمُّونَ بِمَنْ لَا يُعْذَرُ النَّاسُ بِجَهَالَتِهِ.

“We are the people obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah and you follow those that people’s responsibility to obey them does not cease because of ignorance and not knowing them.”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ آتَيْناهُمْ مُلْكاً عَظِيماً[2] قَالَ الطَّاعَةُ الْمَفْرُوضَةُ.

it means the obedience that is obligatory.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أُشْرِكَ بَيْنَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ وَ الرُّسُلِ فِي الطَّاعَةِ.

“Of the matters common among the successors and the messengers themselves one is that to obey them all is obligatory.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ نَحْنُ قَوْمٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ طَاعَتَنَا لَنَا الْأَنْفَالُ وَ لَنَا صَفْوُ الْمَالِ‌[3] وَ نَحْنُ الرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ وَ نَحْنُ الْمَحْسُودُونَ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ‌ أَمْ يَحْسُدُونَ النَّاسَ عَلى‌ ما آتاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ‌[4].

“We are a people obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. The Anfal (twenty percent in tax) is for us and we have been given the authority to choose the best out of the property seized from the enemy. We are the people very firmly established in knowledge. We are the ones w

ذَكَرْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَوْلَنَا فِي الْأَوْصِيَاءِ إِنَّ طَاعَتَهُمْ مُفْتَرَضَةٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ هُمُ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى‌ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ‌ وَ هُمُ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ‌ وَ رَسُولُهُ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا[1].

our expression about the successors (of the Prophets (s.a.)) “That obedience to them is obligatory”, the Imam (a.s.) said, ‘It is very true because they are the people about whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “Believers, obey God, His Messenger, and your (qualified) leaders. . .’ (4:59) It is they abou

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ فَارِسِيٌّ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ طَاعَتُكَ مُفْتَرَضَةٌ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ مِثْلُ طَاعَةِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع فَقَالَ نَعَمْ.

“Is obedience to you obligatory?” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “Yes, it is obligatory.” The man then asked is in the same way as obedience to Amir al-Mu’minin Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.)?” The Imam (a.s.) replied “Yes, it is obligatory in the same way,”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْأَئِمَّةِ هَلْ يَجْرُونَ فِي الْأَمْرِ وَ الطَّاعَةِ مَجْرَى وَاحِدٍ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

The Imam (a.s.) replied, “Yes, they are all the same.”

كُنْتُ قَائِماً عَلَى رَأْسِ الرِّضَا ع- بِخُرَاسَانَ وَ عِنْدَهُ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ وَ فِيهِمْ إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مُوسَى بْنِ عِيسَى الْعَبَّاسِيُّ فَقَالَ يَا إِسْحَاقُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ النَّاسَ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّا نَزْعُمُ أَنَّ النَّاسَ عَبِيدٌ لَنَا لَا وَ قَرَابَتِي مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مَا قُلْتُهُ قَطُّ وَ لَا سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْ آبَائِي قَالَهُ وَ لَا بَلَغَنِي عَنْ أَحَدٍ مِنْ آبَائِي قَالَهُ وَ لَكِنِّي أَق

“I was in the presence of al-Rida (a.s.) in Khurasan with a group of Hashemites, among them was Ishaq ibn Musa ibn ‘Isa from the Abbasids, and the Imam (a.s.) said to him, “O Ishaq, I hear that people say we think they are our slaves. I swear upon my close relation with the Messenger of Allah (sw) that I have never sai

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ نَحْنُ الَّذِينَ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَنَا لَا يَسَعُ النَّاسَ إِلَّا مَعْرِفَتُنَا وَ لَا يُعْذَرُ النَّاسُ بِجَهَالَتِنَا مَنْ عَرَفَنَا كَانَ مُؤْمِناً- وَ مَنْ أَنْكَرَنَا كَانَ كَافِراً وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَعْرِفْنَا وَ لَمْ يُنْكِرْنَا كَانَ ضَالًّا حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ إِلَى الْهُدَى الَّذِي افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ طَاعَتِنَا الْوَاجِبَةِ فَإِنْ يَمُتْ عَلَى ضَلَالَتِهِ يَفْعَلِ اللَّهُ بِهِ م

“We are the ones obedience to whom is obligatory by the commands of Allah. People have no other choice except to know us and they will not be excused for not knowing us. Those who know us are the true believers and those who would refuse to acknowledge our Divine authority are unbelievers. Those who would not know us a

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ أَفْضَلِ مَا يَتَقَرَّبُ بِهِ الْعِبَادُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ أَفْضَلُ مَا يَتَقَرَّبُ بِهِ الْعِبَادُ إِلَى اللَّهِ‌ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ طَاعَةُ اللَّهِ وَ طَاعَةُ رَسُولِهِ وَ طَاعَةُ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع حُبُّنَا إِيمَانٌ وَ بُغْضُنَا كُفْرٌ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “Of the matters that can take people closer to Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, the best one is to obey Him, His messenger and those who posses Divine authority.” Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, “To love us if faith and to harbor hatred towards us is disbelief.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَعْرِضُ عَلَيْكَ دِينِيَ الَّذِي أَدِينُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ هَاتِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الْإِقْرَارُ بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ وَ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً كَانَ إِمَاماً فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَهُ ثُمَّ كَانَ بَعْدَهُ الْحَسَنُ إِمَاماً فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَهُ ثُمَّ

I asked Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) if I may state before him my religion and faith in Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. The Imam (a.s.) said, “Say it and let us hear them.” I said, “I testify that there is no god other than Allah Who is One and has no partner. I testify that Muhammad (s.a.) is the servant and messenger

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ صُحْبَةَ الْعَالِمِ‌[1] وَ اتِّبَاعَهُ دِينٌ يُدَانُ اللَّهُ بِهِ وَ طَاعَتَهُ مَكْسَبَةٌ لِلْحَسَنَاتِ مَمْحَاةٌ لِلسَّيِّئَاتِ وَ ذَخِيرَةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ رِفْعَةٌ[2] فِيهِمْ فِي حَيَاتِهِمْ وَ جَمِيلٌ بَعْدَ مَمَاتِهِمْ‌[3].

14. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Salim from abu Hamza from abu Ishaq from some of the companions of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) who has narrated the following from Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.). “Know that to establish companionship with the scholar and to follow him is a religion

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

“I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Allah is the Most Holy, the Most High to be recognized through His creatures. In fact, it is the creature who are recognized through Allah.’” The Imam (a.s.) said you have is very true.” I then said, “One who knows that he has a creator he must also know that his creator becomes wit

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْأَوْصِيَاءُ طَاعَتُهُمْ مُفْتَرَضَةٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ هُمُ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ‌[1] وَ هُمُ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَ يُؤْتُونَ الزَّكاةَ وَ هُمْ راكِعُونَ‌[2].

“I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Is obedience to the successor (of the holy Prophet) obligatory?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes, it is they about whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “Believers, obey God, His Messenger, and your (qualified) leaders. . (4:59) It is they about whom Allah, the Most Holy, t

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ السَّمْعُ وَ الطَّاعَةُ أَبْوَابُ الْخَيْرِ- السَّامِعُ الْمُطِيعُ لَا حُجَّةَ عَلَيْهِ وَ السَّامِعُ الْعَاصِي لَا حُجَّةَ لَهُ وَ إِمَامُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ تَمَّتْ حُجَّتُهُ وَ احْتِجَاجُهُ يَوْمَ يَلْقَى اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا كُلَّ أُناسٍ بِإِمامِهِمْ‌[1].

“Listening and obeying are the gates to goodness. One who listens and is obedient has all the authority in his favor. One who listens but disobeys will have no authority in his favor. The leader, the Imam of the Muslims, on the Day of Judgment, in the presence of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, will have complete

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَكَيْفَ‌ إِذا جِئْنا مِنْ كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ بِشَهِيدٍ وَ جِئْنا بِكَ‌ عَلى‌ هؤُلاءِ شَهِيداً[2] قَالَ نَزَلَتْ فِي أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص خَاصَّةً فِي كُلِّ قَرْنٍ مِنْهُمْ إِمَامٌ مِنَّا شَاهِدٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ مُحَمَّدٌ ص شَاهِدٌ عَلَيْنَا.

The Imam (a.s.) said that this verse is was revealed about the followers of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) in particular. In every generation of these people there will an Imam from our family who would bear witness over their activities and Prophet Muahammad himself will bear witness over us.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كَذلِكَ جَعَلْناكُمْ‌ أُمَّةً وَسَطاً لِتَكُونُوا شُهَداءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ‌[3] قَالَ نَحْنُ الْأُمَّةُ الْوُسْطَى وَ نَحْنُ شُهَدَاءُ اللَّهِ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَ حُجَجُهُ فِي أَرْضِهِ قُلْتُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- مِلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ‌ إِبْراهِيمَ‌ قَالَ إِيَّانَا عَنَى خَاصَّةً- هُوَ سَمَّاكُمُ‌ الْمُسْلِمِينَ‌ مِنْ قَبْلُ‌ فِي الْكُتُبِ الَّتِ

The Imam (a.s.) said, “We are the moderate nation and we bear witness to the activities of the people for Allah and we possess Divine authority on earth.” I then asked about the meaning following verse of the holy Quran: “. . the noble religion of your father, Abraham. God named you Muslims before and in this Book, so

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَ فَمَنْ كانَ عَلى‌ بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَ يَتْلُوهُ شاهِدٌ مِنْهُ‌[5] فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ الشَّاهِدُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَلَى بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّهِ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) testified to support the holy Prophet (s.a.) and the holy Prophet received supporting evidence from his Lord.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع قَوْلَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ كَذلِكَ جَعَلْناكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطاً لِتَكُونُوا شُهَداءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَ يَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيداً قَالَ نَحْنُ الْأُمَّةُ الْوَسَطُ وَ نَحْنُ شُهَدَاءُ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَ حُجَجُهُ فِي أَرْضِهِ قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ تَعَالَى‌ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ارْكَعُوا وَ اسْجُدُوا وَ اعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمْ‌ وَ افْعَلُو

The Imam (a.s.) said, “We are the moderate nation and we are the witness for Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, over the activities of His creatures and possess His authority on earth.” I then asked about the meaning of the following verse of the Holy Quran that says, “Believers, worship your Lord, bow down and prost

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى طَهَّرَنَا وَ عَصَمَنَا وَ جَعَلَنَا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَ حُجَّتَهُ فِي أَرْضِهِ وَ جَعَلَنَا مَعَ الْقُرْآنِ- وَ جَعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ مَعَنَا لَا نُفَارِقُهُ وَ لَا يُفَارِقُنَا.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibrahim ibn ‘Umar al-Yamani from Sulaym ibn Qays al-Hilali from Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, cleansed us, granted us protection against sins, made us to bear witness to the activities o

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هادٍ[3] فَقَالَ كُلُّ إِمَامٍ هَادٍ لِلْقَرْنِ الَّذِي هُوَ فِيهِمْ.

The Imam (a.s.) said that every Imam is the guide in his own time.”