Leadership & Responsibility

مَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَمْ يَحُجَّ حَجَّةَ الْإِسْلَامِ لَمْ تَمْنَعْهُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ حَاجَةٌ تُجْحِفُ بِهِ أَوْ مَرَضٌ لَا يُطِيقُ فِيهِ الْحَجَّ أَوْ سُلْطَانٌ يَمْنَعُهُ فَلْيَمُتْ- يَهُودِيّاً أَوْ نَصْرَانِيّاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one who dies without performing Hajjata al-Islam and without any good excuse, such as poverty, an illness with which one cannot perform al-Hajj or any ruling authority’s preventing him from performing al-Hajj, he dies as a Jew or a Christian.”

لَوْ أَنَّ النَّاسَ تَرَكُوا الْحَجَّ لَكَانَ عَلَى الْوَالِي أَنْ يُجْبِرَهُمْ عَلَى ذَلِكَ وَ عَلَى الْمُقَامِ عِنْدَهُ وَ لَوْ تَرَكُوا زِيَارَةَ النَّبِيِّ ص لَكَانَ عَلَى الْوَالِي أَنْ يُجْبِرَهُمْ عَلَى ذَلِكَ وَ عَلَى الْمُقَامِ عِنْدَهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُمْ أَمْوَالٌ أَنْفَقَ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ بَيْتِ مَالِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if people neglect performing al-Hajj, the authorities will force them to perform al-Hajj and to reside therein. If people neglect visiting the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, the authorities will force the

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ حَجَّ وَ لَا يَدْرِي وَ لَا يَعْرِفُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ ثُمَّ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ بِمَعْرِفَتِهِ وَ الدَّيْنُونَةِ بِهِ أَ عَلَيْهِ حَجَّةُ الْإِسْلَامِ أَمْ قَدْ قَضَى قَالَ قَدْ قَضَى فَرِيضَةَ اللَّهِ وَ الْحَجُّ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ وَ عَنْ رَجُلٍ هُوَ فِي بَعْضِ هَذِهِ الْأَصْنَافِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْقِبْلَةِ نَاصِبٍ مُتَدَيِّنٍ ثُمَّ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ فَع

“I once wrote to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and asked him about a man who did not believe in this issue (the Divine Authority of ’A’immah); then Allah granted him understanding and belief in it. Does he still owe Hajjahta al-Islam or it is complete?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He has completed the obligation from Allah but perfo

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ الدَّيْنُ وَ يَحْضُرُهُ الشَّيْ‌ءُ أَ يَقْضِي دَيْنَهُ أَوْ يَحُجُّ قَالَ يَقْضِي بِبَعْضٍ وَ يَحُجُّ بِبَعْضٍ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَكُونُ إِلَّا بِقَدْرِ نَفَقَةِ الْحَجِّ فَقَالَ يَقْضِي سَنَةً وَ يَحُجُّ سَنَةً فَقُلْتُ أُعْطِيَ الْمَالَ مِنْ نَاحِيَةِ السُّلْطَانِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about a man who owes a debt and he earns a certain amount; if he must pay the debt or perform al-Hajj. He (the Imam) said, ‘With a certain part he pays the debt and with other part performs al-Hajj.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if it is only enough for al-Hajj?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘One y

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي ع قَدْ أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَطُوفَ عَنْكَ وَ عَنْ أَبِيكَ فَقِيلَ لِي إِنَّ الْأَوْصِيَاءَ لَا يُطَافُ عَنْهُمْ فَقَالَ لِي بَلْ طُفْ مَا أَمْكَنَكَ فَإِنَّهُ جَائِزٌ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ لَهُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ بِثَلَاثِ سِنِينَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ اسْتَأْذَنْتُكَ فِي الطَّوَافِ عَنْكَ وَ عَنْ أَبِيكَ فَأَذِنْتَ لِي فِي ذَلِكَ فَطُفْتُ عَنْكُمَا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ وَقَعَ فِي قَلْبِي شَيْ‌ءٌ فَعَمِلْتُ

“I once said to abu Ja‘far, the second ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I want to perform Tawaf on your behalf and on behalf of your father.’ It was said to me, ‘Tawaf is not performed on behalf of the executors of the will (of the Messenger of Allah).’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Perform Tawaf as much as you can; it is permissible.’

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ عَرَضَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ فَأَخَذَهُ ظَالِماً لَهُ يَوْمَ عَرَفَةَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُعَرِّفَ فَبَعَثَ بِهِ إِلَى مَكَّةَ فَحَبَسَهُ فَلَمَّا كَانَ يَوْمُ النَّحْرِ خَلَّى سَبِيلَهُ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ قَالَ يَلْحَقُ فَيَقِفُ بِجَمْعٍ ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُ إِلَى مِنًى فَيَرْمِي وَ يَذْبَحُ وَ يَحْلِقُ وَ لَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَيْهِ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ خَلَّى عَنْهُ يَوْمَ النَّفْرِ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ قَالَ هَذَا مَصْدُودٌ عَنِ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who is referred to Sultan who has held him unjustly on the day of ‘Arafah from attending. He is sent to Makkah in jail. On the day of al-Nahr (offering sacrifice) he is released. What should he do? He (the Imam) said, ‘He must catch up to stay at the gathering place (‘Ara

حَجَّ إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ عَلِيٍ‌[3] بِالنَّاسِ سَنَةَ أَرْبَعِينَ وَ مِائَةٍ فَسَقَطَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ بَغْلَتِهِ فَوَقَفَ عَلَيْهِ إِسْمَاعِيلُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع سِرْ فَإِنَّ الْإِمَامَ لَا يَقِفُ‌[4].

“Isma‘il ibn Ali (appointed leader for pilgrim) performed al-Hajj in the year 140 Hijriy. Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, fell off his transporting mule and Isma‘il ibn Ali stopped to care for him. Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, said, ‘Move along with people; the (Imam) leader must not stop.’”

إِنَّ الْقَائِمَ ع إِذَا قَامَ رَدَّ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ إِلَى أَسَاسِهِ وَ مَسْجِدَ الرَّسُولِ إِلَى أَسَاسِهِ وَ مَسْجِدَ الْكُوفَةِ إِلَى أَسَاسِهِ وَ قَالَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ إِلَى مَوْضِعِ التَّمَّارِينَ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ.

“When al-Qa’im will rise with Divine Authority, he will return the House to its foundation, the Masjid of the messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, to its foundation and the Masjid of al-Kufa to its foundation.” Abu Basir has said, ‘Up to the

إِنَّمَا أُمِرَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يَأْتُوا هَذِهِ الْأَحْجَارَ فَيَطُوفُوا بِهَا ثُمَّ يَأْتُونَا فَيُخْبِرُونَا بِوَلَايَتِهِمْ وَ يَعْرِضُوا عَلَيْنَا نَصْرَهُمْ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘People are commanded to come to these stones, perform Tawaf, thereafter come to us to inform us of their acceptance of our Divine Authority and offer us their support. ‘“

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا كَانَ سَنَةُ إِحْدَى وَ أَرْبَعِينَ أَرَادَ مُعَاوِيَةُ الْحَجَّ فَأَرْسَلَ نَجَّاراً وَ أَرْسَلَ بِالْآلَةِ وَ كَتَبَ إِلَى صَاحِبِ الْمَدِينَةِ أَنْ يَقْلَعَ مِنْبَرَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ يَجْعَلُوهُ عَلَى قَدْرِ مِنْبَرِهِ بِالشَّامِ فَلَمَّا نَهَضُوا لِيَقْلَعُوهُ انْكَسَفَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَ زُلْزِلَتِ الْأَرْضُ فَكَفُّوا وَ كَتَبُوا بِذَلِكَ إِلَى مُعَاوِيَةَ فَكَتَبَ

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘In the year forty-one Mu‘awiyah decided to perform al-Hajj. He sent certain carpenters with tools with orders to the governor of al-Madinah to remove the pulpit of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause,

إِذَا أَتَيْتَ الْقَبْرَ الَّذِي بِالْبَقِيعِ فَاجْعَلْهُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ ثُمَّ تَقُولُ- السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَئِمَّةَ الْهُدَى السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ التَّقْوَى السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمُ الْحُجَّةَ عَلَى أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقُوَّامَ فِي الْبَرِيَّةِ بِالْقِسْطِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الصَّفْوَةِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ النَّجْوَى أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكُمْ قَدْ بَلَّغْتُمْ وَ نَصَحْتُمْ

1. The following is narrated in a mawquf and mursal manner who has narrated the following: (It seems as if it is part of Hadith 5 of previous Chapter narrated from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar). “When you go to the grave in al-Baqi‘ keep it in front of you and say, ‘(I hereby declare, affirm and acknowledge that you are ‘Alayh

حَمَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ إِلَى مَكَّةَ فَلَمَّا انْتَهَيْنَا إِلَى مَسْجِدِ الْغَدِيرِ نَظَرَ إِلَى مَيْسَرَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَقَالَ ذَلِكَ مَوْضِعُ قَدَمِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص حَيْثُ قَالَ مَنْ كُنْتُ مَوْلَاهُ فَعَلِيٌّ مَوْلَاهُ ثُمَّ نَظَرَ إِلَى الْجَانِبِ الْآخَرِ فَقَالَ ذَلِكَ مَوْضِعُ فُسْطَاطِ أَبِي فُلَانٍ وَ فُلَانٍ وَ سَالِمٍ مَوْلَى أَبِي حُذَيْفَةَ وَ أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ الْجَرَّاحِ فَ

“I once provided transportation for Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), from al-Medina to Mecca. When we arrived at Masjid of al-Ghadir Khumm, he looked to the left side of the Masjid and said this. ‘That is the place where the Messenger of Allah (saww) set foot when he (the Messenger of Allah) said, “On whoever I have Divine Autho

بَعَثَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع فِي مَرَضِهِ وَ إِلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ حَمْزَةَ فَسَبَقَنِي إِلَيْهِ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَمْزَةَ وَ أَخْبَرَنِي مُحَمَّدٌ مَا زَالَ يَقُولُ ابْعَثُوا إِلَى الْحَيْرِ ابْعَثُوا إِلَى الْحَيْرِ فَقُلْتُ لِمُحَمَّدٍ أَ لَا قُلْتَ لَهُ أَنَا أَذْهَبُ إِلَى الْحَيْرِ ثُمَّ دَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَنَا أَذْهَبُ إِلَى الْحَيْرِ فَقَالَ انْظُرُوا فِي ذَاكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي

3. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from abu Hashim al-Ja’fariy who has said the following: “Once, abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, during his illness, called me and Muhammad ibn Hamzah. Muhammad ibn Hamzah went to him before me. Muhammad told me that he (the Imam) still says, ‘You must send som

تَقُولُ عِنْدَ رَأْسِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع- السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ‌ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ وَ شَاهِدَهُ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ عَلِيٍّ الْمُرْتَضَى السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ فَاطِمَةَ الزَّهْرَاءِ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ قَدْ أَقَمْتَ الصَّلَاةَ وَ آتَيْتَ الزَّكَاةَ وَ أَمَرْتَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ نَهَيْتَ عَن

“Abu al-Hassan Sahib al- ‘Askar (a.s.), has said, near the head of al-Husayn (a.s.), you should say this. ‘(I hereby declare, affirm and acknowledge that you are a ‘Alayhi al-Salam and my) submission to (your commandments), O abu ‘Abd Allah. (I hereby declare, affirm and acknowledge that you are a ‘Alayhi al-Salam and

تَقُولُ بِبَغْدَادَ- السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَلِيَّ اللَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا نُورَ اللَّهِ فِي ظُلُمَاتِ الْأَرْضِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا مَنْ بَدَا لِلَّهِ فِي شَأْنِهِ أَتَيْتُكَ عَارِفاً بِحَقِّكَ مُعَادِياً لِأَعْدَائِكَ فَاشْفَعْ لِي عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ وَ ادْعُ اللَّهَ وَ سَلْ حَاجَتَكَ قَالَ وَ تُسَلِّمُ بِهَذَا عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘When you are in Baghdad, (near the gravesite of the Imam) say, ‘(I hereby declare, affirm and acknowledge that you are a ‘Alayhi al-Salam and my) submission to (your commandments), O Allah’s appointed guardian over His creatures. (I hereby declare, affirm and acknowledge that you are a

سُئِلَ أَبِي عَنْ إِتْيَانِ قَبْرِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَقَالَ صَلُّوا فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ حَوْلَهُ وَ يُجْزِئُ فِي الْمَوَاضِعِ كُلِّهَا أَنْ تَقُولَ- السَّلَامُ عَلَى أَوْلِيَاءِ اللَّهِ وَ أَصْفِيَائِهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَى أُمَنَاءِ اللَّهِ وَ أَحِبَّائِهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَى أَنْصَارِ اللَّهِ وَ خُلَفَائِهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَى مَحَالِّ مَعْرِفَةِ اللَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَى مَسَاكِنِ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَى مُظَاهِرِي أَمْرِ

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad from Harun ibn Muslim from Ali ibn Hassan who has said the following: “Al-Rida, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘My father was asked about visiting the gravesite of al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, and he said, ‘Perform salat (prayer) in the Masjids around his gravesit

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع‌ أَدْنَى مَا يُثَابُ بِهِ زَائِرُ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِشَطِّ الْفُرَاتِ إِذَا عَرَفَ حَقَّهُ وَ حُرْمَتَهُ وَ وَلَايَتَهُ أَنْ يُغْفَرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَ مَا تَأَخَّرَ.

‘The least of rewards that a visitor of abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, near al-Furat canal, will receive, when he has proper understanding of his rights, sacred status, his possessing authority from Allah, is forgiveness of his past sins and that which come later.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ حَجَّ حَجَّةَ الْإِسْلَامِ فَدَخَلَ مُتَمَتِّعاً بِالْعُمْرَةِ إِلَى الْحَجِ‌ فَأَعَانَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى عُمْرَتِهِ وَ حَجِّهِ ثُمَّ أَتَى الْمَدِينَةَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص ثُمَّ أَتَاكَ عَارِفاً بِحَقِّكَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ حُجَّةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَ بَابُهُ الَّذِي يُؤْتَى مِنْهُ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْكَ ثُمَّ أَتَى أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْحُسَيْنَ ص فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ ثُ

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘A man has performed al-Hajjahta al-Islam, he then commences al-Hajj with al-‘Umrah, and Allah grants him the opportunity to complete his al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah. He then comes to al-Madinah and offers his greeting of peace to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and

قَالَ‌[3]: الْخَتْمُ عَلَى طِينِ قَبْرِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع أَنْ يُقْرَأَ عَلَيْهِ- إِنَّا أَنْزَلْناهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ[1] وَ رُوِيَ إِذَا أَخَذْتَهُ فَقُلْ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ اللَّهُمَّ بِحَقِّ هَذِهِ التُّرْبَةِ الطَّاهِرَةِ وَ بِحَقِّ الْبُقْعَةِ الطَّيِّبَةِ وَ بِحَقِّ الْوَصِيِّ الَّذِي تُوَارِيهِ وَ بِحَقِّ جَدِّهِ وَ أَبِيهِ وَ أُمِّهِ وَ أَخِيهِ وَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ الَّذِينَ يَحُفُّونَ بِهِ وَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ الْع

7. Ali ibn Muhammad in a marfu‘ manners, has narrated the following: “He (the Imam), ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘The benefit of the clay from the grave of al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, is complete when thereupon Chapter 97 of the Holy Quran is read.” “It is narrated that when you take the clay say, ‘I begin this task i

كَتَبَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي رِسَالَةٍ إِلَى بَعْضِ خُلَفَاءِ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ وَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ مَا ضَيَّعَ الْجِهَادَ الَّذِي فَضَّلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى الْأَعْمَالِ وَ فَضَّلَ عَامِلَهُ عَلَى الْعُمَّالِ تَفْضِيلًا فِي الدَّرَجَاتِ وَ الْمَغْفِرَةِ وَ الرَّحْمَةِ لِأَنَّهُ ظَهَرَ بِهِ الدِّينُ وَ بِهِ يُدْفَعُ عَنِ الدِّينِ وَ بِهِ اشْتَرَى اللَّهُ‌ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَ أَمْوالَهُمْ‌ بِالْجَن

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), once wrote in a letter to a certain individual of the Amawide rulers the following: “Of his neglectfulness one example is his disregard of the duty of Jihad (serving in the army) which Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has given preference over all other good deeds. He (Allah) has given p

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ رَجُلًا مِنْ مَوَالِيكَ بَلَغَهُ أَنَّ رَجُلًا يُعْطِي السَّيْفَ وَ الْفَرَسَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَأَتَاهُ فَأَخَذَهُمَا مِنْهُ وَ هُوَ جَاهِلٌ بِوَجْهِ السَّبِيلِ ثُمَّ لَقِيَهُ أَصْحَابُهُ فَأَخْبَرُوهُ أَنَّ السَّبِيلَ مَعَ هَؤُلَاءِ لَا يَجُوزُ وَ أَمَرُوهُ بِرَدِّهِمَا فَقَالَ فَلْيَفْعَلْ قَالَ قَدْ طَلَبَ الرَّجُلَ فَلَمْ يَجِدْهُ وَ قِيلَ لَهُ قَدْ شَخَصَ الرَّجُلُ قَالَ فَ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida’ (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, one of your followers had heard that a man gives away sword and horse for the cause of Allah. He went to that man and took the two items but he did not know the rules. His companions met him and told him that workin

قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ لِلرِّضَا ص وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي عَنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ عَنْ آبَائِهِ ع أَنَّهُ قَالَ لِبَعْضِهِمْ إِنَّ فِي بِلَادِنَا مَوْضِعَ رِبَاطٍ يُقَالُ لَهُ قَزْوِينُ وَ عَدُوّاً يُقَالُ لَهُ الدَّيْلَمُ فَهَلْ مِنْ جِهَادٍ أَوْ هَلْ مِنْ رِبَاطٍ[4] فَقَالَ عَلَيْكُمْ بِهَذَا الْبَيْتِ فَحُجُّوهُ فَأَعَادَ عَلَيْهِ الْحَدِيثَ فَقَالَ عَلَيْكُمْ بِهَذَا الْبَيْتِ فَحُجُّوهُ أَ

“Once Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah said to al-Rida’, Alayhi al-Salam, when I was listening, said, ‘My father has narrated from the people of his family from their ancestors, Alayhim al-Salam, that he said to a certain one of them (ancestors), “In our location there is a place called Qazwin for keeping guard against the enem

إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص كَانَ إِذَا بَعَثَ أَمِيراً لَهُ عَلَى سَرِيَّةٍ أَمَرَهُ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي خَاصَّةِ نَفْسِهِ ثُمَّ فِي أَصْحَابِهِ عَامَّةً ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اغْزُ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ قَاتِلُوا مَنْ كَفَرَ بِاللَّهِ وَ لَا تَغْدِرُوا وَ لَا تَغُلُّوا وَ تُمَثِّلُوا وَ لَا تَقْتُلُوا وَلِيداً وَ لَا مُتَبَتِّلًا فِي شَاهِقٍ‌[2] وَ لَا تُحْرِقُوا النَّخْلَ وَ لَا تُغْرِقُوهُ بِالْمَ

‘Mobilize in the name of Allah and in the way of Allah. Fight those who reject belief in Allah. You must not betray, or deceive, you must not deform anyone, you must not kill children, you must not kill devoted worshippers who live in desolate places, you must not burn palm trees or flood them in water, you must not cu

لَا تُقَاتِلُوا الْقَوْمَ حَتَّى يَبْدَءُوكُمْ فَإِنَّكُمْ بِحَمْدِ اللَّهِ عَلَى حُجَّةٍ وَ تَرْكُكُمْ إِيَّاهُمْ حَتَّى يَبْدَءُوكُمْ حُجَّةٌ لَكُمْ أُخْرَى فَإِذَا هَزَمْتُمُوهُمْ فَلَا تَقْتُلُوا مُدْبِراً وَ لَا تُجْهِزُوا عَلَى جَرِيحٍ وَ لَا تَكْشِفُوا عَوْرَةً وَ لَا تُمَثِّلُوا بِقَتِيلٍ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), in every battlefield we faced our enemies issued his commandments and said, ‘You must not fight the people before they attack you; you by the grace of Allah possess authority and good cause. Your allowing them to attack you first is another valid point in support of the good cause. When you de

يُؤْخَذُ الْخُمُسُ مِنَ الْغَنَائِمِ فَيُجْعَلُ لِمَنْ جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ يُقْسَمُ أَرْبَعَةَ أَخْمَاسٍ بَيْنَ مَنْ قَاتَلَ عَلَيْهِ وَ وَلِيَ ذَلِكَ قَالَ وَ لِلْإِمَامِ صَفْوُ الْمَالِ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ الْجَارِيَةَ الْفَارِهَةَ وَ الدَّابَّةَ الْفَارِهَةَ[1] وَ الثَّوْبَ وَ الْمَتَاعَ مِمَّا يُحِبُّ وَ يَشْتَهِي فَذَلِكَ لَهُ قَبْلَ قِسْمَةِ الْمَالِ وَ قَبْلَ إِخْرَاجِ الْخُمُسِ قَالَ وَ لَيْسَ لِمَنْ

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad from certain individuals of his people from abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al- Salam, who has said the following: “One fifth of the properties captured is first kept aside to distribute as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has instructed. The remaining prop

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع اللِّصُّ يَدْخُلُ فِي بَيْتِي يُرِيدُ نَفْسِي وَ مَالِي قَالَ اقْتُلْ فَأُشْهِدُ اللَّهَ وَ مَنْ سَمِعَ أَنَّ دَمَهُ فِي عُنُقِي‌[2].

“I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about a thief who may enter my house to harm my life or properties.’ He (the Imam) said, ’Eliminate him. Allah and those who hear me are my witness; his blood (life) is on my neck (my responsibility).”’

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِذَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْكَ اللِّصُّ الْمُحَارِبُ فَاقْتُلْهُ فَمَا أَصَابَكَ فَدَمُهُ فِي عُنُقِي.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘If a fighting thief enters your house, eliminate him. Whatever responsibility his blood (life) may bring is on my neck (my responsibility).”’

يَكُونُ فِي آخِرِ الزَّمَانِ قَوْمٌ يُتَّبَعُ فِيهِمْ قَوْمٌ مُرَاءُونَ يَتَقَرَّءُونَ وَ يَتَنَسَّكُونَ حُدَثَاءُ سُفَهَاءُ[2] لَا يُوجِبُونَ أَمْراً بِمَعْرُوفٍ وَ لَا نَهْياً عَنْ مُنْكَرٍ إِلَّا إِذَا أَمِنُوا الضَّرَرَ[3] يَطْلُبُونَ لِأَنْفُسِهِمُ الرُّخَصَ وَ الْمَعَاذِيرَ يَتَّبِعُونَ زَلَّاتِ الْعُلَمَاءِ وَ فَسَادَ عَمَلِهِمْ يُقْبِلُونَ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ وَ الصِّيَامِ وَ مَا لَا يَكْلِمُهُمْ‌[4] فِي نَفْسٍ

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Khalid from certain persons of our people from Bashir ibn ‘Abd Allah from abu ‘Ismah Qadiy of Marve from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘During the last era of time there will be a people who are followe

قَالَ لِي يَا مُفَضَّلُ مَنْ تَعَرَّضَ لِسُلْطَانٍ جَائِرٍ فَأَصَابَتْهُ بَلِيَّةٌ لَمْ يُؤْجَرْ عَلَيْهَا وَ لَمْ يُرْزَقِ الصَّبْرَ عَلَيْهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, ‘O Mufaddal, if one protests against an unjust ruler and he faces an affliction he will not receive any reward for such suffering nor is he granted any patience to bear in such suffering.’”

كَيْفَ أَقِيهِمْ قَالَ تَأْمُرُهُمْ بِمَا أَمَرَ اللَّهُ وَ تَنْهَاهُمْ عَمَّا نَهَاهُمُ اللَّهُ فَإِنْ أَطَاعُوكَ كُنْتَ قَدْ وَقَيْتَهُمْ وَ إِنْ عَصَوْكَ كُنْتَ قَدْ قَضَيْتَ مَا عَلَيْكَ.

“About the words of Allah, the most Majestic, the most Glorious, ‘. . . Save yourselves and your family from a fire. . . .’ (66:6) I asked him (the Imam), ‘How can I save them?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘You must order them to do what Allah has commanded to do and prohibit them from what Allah has prohibited them to do.

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنْ ظَنَنْتَ أَوْ بَلَغَكَ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ كَائِنٌ فِي غَدٍ[1] فَلَا تَدَعَنَّ طَلَبَ الرِّزْقِ وَ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ لَا تَكُونَ كَلًّا فَافْعَلْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, ‘Even if you find enough reason to believe that this task (the rise of al-Qa’im with divine authority) will take place tomorrow, still you must not neglect work for a living. If you cannot complete the work do (what you can)”’

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع مَنْ طَلَبَ هَذَا الرِّزْقَ مِنْ حِلِّهِ لِيَعُودَ بِهِ‌[2] عَلَى نَفْسِهِ وَ عِيَالِهِ كَانَ كَالْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَإِنْ غُلِبَ عَلَيْهِ‌[3] فَلْيَسْتَدِنْ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ مَا يَقُوتُ بِهِ عِيَالَهُ فَإِنْ مَاتَ وَ لَمْ يَقْضِهِ كَانَ عَلَى الْإِمَامِ قَضَاؤُهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْضِهِ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ وِزْرُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ-

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), said to me, ‘Whoever works to provide sustenance for himself and his family is considered a Mujahid (fighter) for the cause of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious. If poverty over-powers him, he then should borrow upon the responsibility of Allah and His Messenger for his sustenance and his famil

احْتُضِرَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ فَاجْتَمَعَ عَلَيْهِ غُرَمَاؤُهُ فَطَالَبُوهُ بِدَيْنٍ لَهُمْ فَقَالَ لَا مَالَ عِنْدِي فَأُعْطِيَكُمْ وَ لَكِنِ ارْضَوْا بِمَا شِئْتُمْ مِنِ ابْنَيْ عَمِّي عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع وَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ فَقَالَ الْغُرَمَاءُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ مَلِيٌّ مَطُولٌ‌[3] وَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع [رَجُلٌ‌] لَا مَالَ لَهُ صَدُوقٌ وَ هُوَ أَحَبُّهُمَا إِلَيْنَا فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَ

“‘Abd Allah was about to die and his creditors gathered around him demanding payment. He said to them, ‘I do not have any property to pay you but you may choose one of the sons of my uncle, Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), and ‘Abd Allah ibn Ja’far who will assume responsibility to pay you.’ They said, “Abd Allah ibn Ja’far i

إِذَا رَضِيَ بِهِ الْغُرَمَاءُ فَقَدْ بَرِئَتْ ذِمَّةُ الْمَيِّتِ.

“About the case of a man who dies indebted and someone guarantees the creditors to pay them on behalf of the deceased, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If the creditors agree with such guarantees, the deceased becomes free of his responsibility for payment of debts he owed.”’

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع رَجُلٌ اشْتَرَى دَيْناً عَلَى رَجُلٍ ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ إِلَى صَاحِبِ الدَّيْنِ فَقَالَ لَهُ ادْفَعْ إِلَيَّ مَا لِفُلَانٍ عَلَيْكَ فَقَدِ اشْتَرَيْتُهُ مِنْهُ قَالَ يَدْفَعُ إِلَيْهِ قِيمَةَ مَا دَفَعَ إِلَى صَاحِبِ الدَّيْنِ وَ بَرِئَ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ الْمَالُ مِنْ جَمِيعِ مَا بَقِيَ عَلَيْهِ‌[1].

The debtor pays what the collector has paid to the creditor and in so doing becomes free of the responsibility of paying all that was due on him.’”

أَبْطَأْتُ عَنِ الْحَجِّ فَقَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا أَبْطَأَ بِكَ عَنِ الْحَجِّ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ تَكَفَّلْتُ بِرَجُلٍ فَخَفَرَ بِي‌[2] فَقَالَ مَا لَكَ وَ الْكَفَالاتِ‌ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّهَا أَهْلَكَتِ الْقُرُونَ الْأُولَى ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ قَوْماً أَذْنَبُوا ذُنُوباً كَثِيرَةً فَأَشْفَقُوا مِنْهَا وَ خَافُوا خَوْفاً شَدِيداً وَ جَاءَ آخَرُونَ فَقَالُوا ذُنُوبُكُمْ عَلَيْنَا فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ

“I once remained behind from performing al-Hajj and abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), asked, ’What caused you to remain behind from performing al-Hajj ? 5 I replied, ’I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I bailed out a person but he violated his responsibility . 5 He (the Imam) said, ‘What do you have to do

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ صُونُوا دِينَكُمْ بِالْوَرَعِ وَ قَوُّوهُ بِالتَّقِيَّةِ وَ الِاسْتِغْنَاءِ بِاللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّهُ مَنْ خَضَعَ لِصَاحِبِ سُلْطَانٍ وَ لِمَنْ يُخَالِفُهُ عَلَى دِينِهِ طَلَباً لِمَا فِي يَدَيْهِ مِنْ دُنْيَاهُ‌ أَخْمَلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌[1] وَ مَقَّتَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ وَكَلَهُ إِلَيْهِ فَإِنْ هُوَ غَلَبَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ دُنْيَاهُ فَصَارَ إِل

3. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn Mahbub from Hadid who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, saying, ‘You must maintain piety before Allah and protect your religion by means of restraint from sins and strengthen your religion by means of taqiyah (caution)

كُنْتُ قَاعِداً عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع عَلَى بَابِ دَارِهِ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَنَظَرَ إِلَى النَّاسِ يَمُرُّونَ أَفْوَاجاً فَقَالَ لِبَعْضِ مَنْ عِنْدَهُ حَدَثَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ أَمْرٌ فَقَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وُلِّيَ الْمَدِينَةَ وَالٍ فَغَدَا النَّاسُ يُهَنِّئُونَهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيُغْدَى عَلَيْهِ بِالْأَمْرِ تَهَنَّأَ بِهِ وَ إِنَّهُ لَبَابٌ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ النَّارِ.

“I once was sitting in the presence of abu Ja‘far (a.s.), near the door of his house and he (the Imam) looked at the people passing in throngs and mobs. He (the Imam) asked someone near him, ‘Has anything happened in al-Madinah?’ He replied, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, a new governor is

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فُلَانٌ يُقْرِئُكَ السَّلَامَ وَ فُلَانٌ وَ فُلَانٌ فَقَالَ وَ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ قُلْتُ يَسْأَلُونَكَ الدُّعَاءَ فَقَالَ وَ مَا لَهُمْ قُلْتُ حَبَسَهُمْ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ[4] فَقَالَ وَ مَا لَهُمْ وَ مَا لَهُ قُلْتُ اسْتَعْمَلَهُمْ فَحَبَسَهُمْ فَقَالَ وَ مَا لَهُمْ وَ مَا لَهُ أَ لَمْ أَنْهَهُمْ أَ لَمْ أَنْهَهُمْ أَ لَمْ أَنْهَهُمْ هُمُ النَّارُ هُمُ النَّارُ هُمُ النَّارُ قَالَ ثُمّ

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘So and so has offered you Salam (greeting of peace) and so also is so and so.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Greeting of peace is upon them.’ I then said, ‘They request you to pray for them.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What is the matter with them?’ I said, ‘Abu Ja‘far, (Abbaside ruler) has im

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ مَا تَغْشَى سُلْطَانَ هَؤُلَاءِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ وَ لِمَ قُلْتُ فِرَاراً بِدِينِي قَالَ فَعَزَمْتَ عَلَى ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ لِي الْآنَ سَلِمَ لَكَ دِينُكَ.

‘Do you use the power of these people for cover?’ I replied, ‘No, I do not do so.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Why do you not do so?’ I replied, ‘It is because of my running away with my religion.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Are you determined in this issue?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I am determined.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Now your religi

هُوَ الرَّجُلُ يَأْتِي السُّلْطَانَ‌ فَيُحِبُّ بَقَاءَهُ إِلَى أَنْ يُدْخِلَ يَدَهُ إِلَى كِيسِهِ فَيُعْطِيَهُ.

“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘You must not take sides with the unjust ones; consequently the fire will touch you,’ (11:13) he (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘This is a man who works with the sultan and loves his remaining in power so that he can have a hand in his achievements and receive gran

وَصَفْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَنْ يَقُولُ بِهَذَا الْأَمْرِ مِمَّنْ يَعْمَلُ عَمَلَ السُّلْطَانِ فَقَالَ إِذَا وَلُوكُمْ يُدْخِلُونَ عَلَيْكُمُ الرِّفْقَ‌[1] وَ يَنْفَعُونَكُمْ فِي حَوَائِجِكُمْ قَالَ قُلْتُ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ لَا يَفْعَلُ قَالَ مَنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُمْ فَابْرَءُوا مِنْهُ بَرِئَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ.

“I once spoke to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about certain people who believe in Divine Authority of ‘A’immah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, but work for the Sultan. He (the Imam) said, ‘They have achieved authority, therefore, they benefit you and help you.’ I (the narrator) then said, ‘Certain ones among them do so and certain other

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع فَقَالَ لِي يَا زِيَادُ إِنَّكَ لَتَعْمَلُ عَمَلَ‌ السُّلْطَانِ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَجَلْ قَالَ لِي وَ لِمَ قُلْتُ أَنَا رَجُلٌ لِي مُرُوءَةٌ[1] وَ عَلَيَّ عِيَالٌ وَ لَيْسَ وَرَاءَ ظَهْرِي شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ لِي يَا زِيَادُ لَأَنْ أَسْقُطَ مِنْ حَالِقٍ فَأَتَقَطَّعَ‌[2] قِطْعَةً قِطْعَةً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَتَوَلَّى لِأَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ عَمَلًا أَوْ أَطَأَ بِسَاطَ أَحَدِهِمْ إِلَّ

“I once went to visit abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.), and he (the Imam) asked me, ‘O Ziyad, do you work for Sultan ? 5 I replied, ‘Yes, I do so . 5 He (the Imam) said to me, ‘Why do you do so ? 5 I replied, ‘I am a man of fairness and I have a family to feed. I do not have any other means for support . 5 He (the Imam) said,

كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ أَرْبَعَ عَشْرَةَ سَنَةً أَسْتَأْذِنُهُ فِي عَمَلِ السُّلْطَانِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ فِي آخِرِ كِتَابٍ كَتَبْتُهُ إِلَيْهِ أَذْكُرُ أَنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَى خَبْطِ عُنُقِي‌[1] وَ أَنَّ السُّلْطَانَ يَقُولُ لِي إِنَّكَ رَافِضِيٌّ وَ لَسْنَا نَشُكُّ فِي أَنَّكَ تَرَكْتَ الْعَمَلَ لِلسُّلْطَانِ لِلرَّفْضِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع قَدْ فَهِمْتُ كِتَابَكَ وَ مَا ذَكَرْتَ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ فَإ

“I wrote to abu al-Hassan, al-Rida 5 (a.s.), for fourteen years asking his permission to work for Sultan. In the last letter I wrote saying that I fear for my life if I did not work for the Sultan, because he calls me a Rafidiy (rejecter) saying, ‘We have no doubt that you have refused to work for the Sultan because of

رَافَقْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي السَّنَةِ الَّتِي حَجَّ فِيهَا فِي أَوَّلِ خِلَافَةِ الْمُعْتَصِمِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَ أَنَا مَعَهُ عَلَى الْمَائِدَةِ وَ هُنَاكَ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءِ السُّلْطَانِ إِنَّ وَالِيَنَا جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ رَجُلٌ يَتَوَلَّاكُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَ يُحِبُّكُمْ وَ عَلَيَّ فِي دِيوَانِهِ خَرَاجٌ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ جَعَلَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ أَنْ تَكْتُبَ إِلَيْهِ كِتَاباً بِالْإِحْسَانِ إِلَيَّ فَ

"I accompanied Abu Ja'far al-Baqir (as) in the year he performed Hajj during the beginning of al-Mu'tasim's caliphate. While we were at the table, and a group of the Sultan's officials were present, I said to him: 'May I be your ransom, our governor is a man who is loyal to you, Ahl al-Bayt, and he loves you. I owe tax

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع‌ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَعَ السُّلْطَانِ أَوْلِيَاءَ يَدْفَعُ بِهِمْ عَنْ أَوْلِيَائِهِ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), once said to me, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has friends with the Sultan through whom He protects His friends.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ إِنِّي كُنْتُ أَحْمِلُ السِّلَاحَ إِلَى أَهْلِ الشَّامِ فَأَبِيعُهُ مِنْهُمْ فَلَمَّا أَنْ عَرَّفَنِيَ اللَّهُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ ضِقْتُ بِذَلِكَ وَ قُلْتُ لَا أَحْمِلُ إِلَى أَعْدَاءِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ احْمِلْ إِلَيْهِمْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَدْفَعُ بِهِمْ عَدُوَّنَا وَ عَدُوَّكُمْ يَعْنِي الرُّومَ وَ بِعْهُمْ فَإِذَا كَانَتِ الْحَرْبُ بَيْنَنَا فَلَا تَحْمِلُوا فَمَنْ حَمَلَ إِلَ

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, I used to carry arms to sell to people of al-Sham. Ever since Allah has helped me to recognize the matter (Divine Authority of ‘A’immah) it bothers me, and I think I must not deliver arms to the enemies of Allah.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You can d

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَانَ لِي أَخٌ هَلَكَ فَأَوْصَى إِلَى أَخٍ أَكْبَرَ مِنِّي وَ أَدْخَلَنِي مَعَهُ فِي الْوَصِيَّةِ وَ تَرَكَ ابْناً لَهُ صَغِيراً وَ لَهُ مَالٌ فَيَضْرِبُ بِهِ أَخِي فَمَا كَانَ مِنْ فَضْلٍ سَلَّمَهُ لِلْيَتِيمِ وَ ضَمِنَ لَهُ مَالَهُ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ لِأَخِيكَ مَالٌ يُحِيطُ بِمَالِ الْيَتِيمِ إِنْ تَلِفَ فَلَا بَأْسَ بِهِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ مَالٌ فَلَا يَعْرِضْ لِمَالِ الْيَتِي

“I once said to abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I had a brother who has died and made a will in which he appointed my brother who is elder to me and myself as executors. He has left behind a small son and has left behind a certain amount of assets. My brother uses that asset in business and gives the extra to the orphan and h

قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ مَوَالِيكَ يَسْتَحِلُّ مَالَ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ وَ دِمَاءَهُمْ وَ إِنَّهُ وَقَعَ لَهُمْ عِنْدَهُ وَدِيعَةٌ فَقَالَ أَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَى أَهْلِهَا وَ إِنْ كَانُوا مَجُوسِيّاً فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ لَا يَكُونُ حَتَّى يَقُومَ قَائِمُنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ ع فَيُحِلَّ وَ يُحَرِّمَ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘One of your Mawaliy (followers) considers use of the properties of Amawide people lawful as well as their lives. Something that they had left with him for safe-keeping is in his possession.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must return trusts to the rightful people

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ لِابْنِهِ مَالٌ فَيَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ الْأَبُ قَالَ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ فَأَمَّا الْأُمُّ فَلَا تَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ إِلَّا قَرْضاً عَلَى نَفْسِهَا[1].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man whose son owned a certain amount of wealth and his father was needy. He (the Imam) replied, ‘He has permission to use such wealth for food; however, a mother does not have such permission but she can borrow on her own responsibility.’”