رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمُنْذِرُ وَ لِكُلِّ زَمَانٍ مِنَّا هَادٍ يَهْدِيهِمْ إِلَى مَا جَاءَ بِهِ- نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ص ثُمَّ الْهُدَاةُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ عَلِيٌّ ثُمَّ الْأَوْصِيَاءُ وَاحِدٌ بَعْدَ وَاحِدٍ.
The Imam (a.s.) said that at all times there is a guide from us who guides people to the teachings of the Holy Prophet (s.a.) Of the guides who possess Divine authority after the holy Prophet (s.a.) is Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and his successors one after the other.”
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- إِنَّما أَنْتَ مُنْذِرٌ وَ لِكُلِ قَوْمٍ هادٍ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمُنْذِرُ وَ عَلِيٌّ الْهَادِي يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ هَلْ مِنْ هَادٍ الْيَوْمَ قُلْتُ بَلَى جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا زَالَ مِنْكُمْ هَادٍ بَعْدَ هَادٍ حَتَّى دُفِعَتْ إِلَيْكَ فَقَالَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ لَوْ كَانَتْ إِذَا نَزَلَتْ آيَةٌ عَلَى رَجُلٍ ثُمَّ مَاتَ ذَلِكَ الرَّجُلُ مَاتَتِ الْآيَةُ- مَا
“I asked Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah: “(Muhammad), you are only a warner, and for every nation there is a guide.” (13:7) He (a.s.) replied, “The Messenger of Allah (sw) is the warner and Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) is the guide. O Abu Muhammad, is there a guide today?” I said, “Yes, may All
رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمُنْذِرُ وَ عَلِيٌّ الْهَادِي أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا ذَهَبَتْ مِنَّا وَ مَا زَالَتْ فِينَا إِلَى السَّاعَةِ.
The Imam (a.s.) said, “The Holy Prophet (s.a.) is the Warner and Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) is the guide. Let it be known, I swear by Allah, that guidance never departed us, it is with us and will always be with us until the Day of Judgment.”
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ نَحْنُ وُلَاةُ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ وَ خَزَنَةُ عِلْمِ اللَّهِ وَ عَيْبَةُ وَحْيِ اللَّهِ[1].
“We are the ones who has said the following possess Divine authority of the command of Allah, we are the treasury of the knowledge of Allah and the repository of the revelations of Allah.”
قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا لَخُزَّانُ اللَّهِ فِي سَمَائِهِ وَ أَرْضِهِ لَا عَلَى ذَهَبٍ وَ لَا عَلَى فِضَّةٍ إِلَّا عَلَى عِلْمِهِ.
“By Allah, we are the treasurers of Allah in His heavens and on His earth, not over gold or silver, but over His knowledge.”
قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا أَنْتُمْ قَالَ نَحْنُ خُزَّانُ عِلْمِ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ تَرَاجِمَةُ وَحْيِ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ الْحُجَّةُ الْبَالِغَةُ عَلَى مَنْ دُونَ السَّمَاءِ وَ مَنْ فَوْقَ الْأَرْضِ.
“may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what are you?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “We are the treasurers of the knowledge of Allah. We are the translators of the revelations of Allah. We possess complete Divine authority over all that is under the heavens and those above the earth.”
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى اسْتِكْمَالُ حُجَّتِي عَلَى الْأَشْقِيَاءِ مِنْ أُمَّتِكَ[2] مِنْ تَرْكِ وَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍّ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ فَإِنَّ فِيهِمْ سُنَّتَكَ وَ سُنَّةَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ وَ هُمْ خُزَّانِي عَلَى عِلْمِي مِنْ بَعْدِكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لَقَدْ أَنْبَأَنِي جَبْرَئِيلُ ع بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ وَ أَسْمَا
“The Messenger of Allah (sw) said that Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, said: "The completion of My proof against the wretched ones of your nation lies in their abandonment of the authority (wilāyah) of ʿAlī and the successors after you. For within them is your tradition and the tradition of the prophets before you. The
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَا ابْنَ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَاحِدٌ- مُتَوَحِّدٌ بِالْوَحْدَانِيَّةِ مُتَفَرِّدٌ بِأَمْرِهِ فَخَلَقَ خَلْقاً فَقَدَّرَهُمْ لِذَلِكَ الْأَمْرِ فَنَحْنُ هُمْ يَا ابْنَ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ فَنَحْنُ حُجَجُ اللَّهِ فِي عِبَادِهِ وَ خُزَّانُهُ عَلَى عِلْمِهِ وَ الْقَائِمُونَ بِذَلِكَ.
“O son of Abi Ya'fur, indeed Allah is One, unique in His Oneness. He alone issues His command. He created a creation and appointed and measured them for that command (Amr, task). So, we, O son of Abu Ya‘fur, are that creation. We are the authority of Allah among His servants, the treasurers of His knowledge, and the gu
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَنَا فَأَحْسَنَ خَلْقَنَا وَ صَوَّرَنَا فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَنَا[3] وَ جَعَلَنَا خُزَّانَهُ فِي سَمَائِهِ وَ أَرْضِهِ وَ لَنَا نَطَقَتِ الشَّجَرَةُ وَ بِعِبَادَتِنَا عُبِدَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ[4] وَ لَوْلَانَا مَا عُبِدَ اللَّهُ.
6. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Musa ibn al-Qasim ibn Mu‘awiya and Muhammad ibn Yahya from al-‘Amrakiy ibn Ali altogether from Ali ibn Ja’far from abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) who has said the following. “Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, created us and He
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ الْأَئِمَّةُ خُلَفَاءُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي أَرْضِهِ.
The Imams (a.s.) are the deputies of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, on earth.”
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْأَوْصِيَاءُ هُمْ أَبْوَابُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الَّتِي يُؤْتَى مِنْهَا وَ لَوْلَاهُمْ مَا عُرِفَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ بِهِمُ احْتَجَّ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَلْقِهِ.
2. Mu‘alla has narrated from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Sulayman ibn Suma‘a from ‘Abdallah ibn al-Qasim from abu Basir who has said that Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said the following. “The successors (of the holy Prophet (s.a.) are the gates to Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, through which people go to Him. Had they
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ جَلَّ جَلَالُهُ- وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَ عَمِلُوا الصَّالِحاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ[1] قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ.
The Imams (a.s.) said, “The people referred to in this verse are the Imams (a.s.).”
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ وَ النُّورِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْنا[2] فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا خَالِدٍ النُّورُ وَ اللَّهِ- الْأَئِمَّةُ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ هُمْ وَ اللَّهِ نُورُ اللَّهِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ وَ هُمْ وَ اللَّهِ نُورُ اللَّهِ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ اللَّهِ يَا أَبَا خَالِدٍ لَنُورُ الْإِمَامِ فِي قُلُوبِ الْمُؤ
"I asked Abu Ja'far (peace be upon him) about the saying of Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, 'So believe in Allah and His Messenger and the light which We have sent down.' (68:4) He said: 'O Abu Khalid, by Allah, the light is the Imams from the family of Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) until the Day of Resurr
فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الْأُمِّيَ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ مَكْتُوباً عِنْدَهُمْ فِي التَّوْراةِ وَ الْإِنْجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُمْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ يَنْهاهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَ يُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّباتِ وَ يُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبائِثَ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ وَ اتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ مَعَهُ أُولئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ[3] قَالَ النُّورُ فِي هَذَا الْمَوْض
2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated through his chain of narrators from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah that say, There are those who follow the Messengers, the illiterate Prophet (not conventionally educated), whose description they find written in the Torah and the Gospel. [He (the Messengers) enjoins them
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع لَقَدْ آتَى اللَّهُ أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ خَيْراً كَثِيراً قَالَ وَ مَا ذَاكَ قُلْتُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- الَّذِينَ آتَيْناهُمُ الْكِتابَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ هُمْ بِهِ يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ أُولئِكَ يُؤْتَوْنَ أَجْرَهُمْ مَرَّتَيْنِ بِما صَبَرُوا[4] قَالَ فَقَالَ قَدْ آتَاكُمُ اللَّهُ كَمَا آتَاهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلَا- يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ آمِنُوا بِرَسُولِهِ يُؤْت
“Allah has given a great deal of good to the people of the heavenly books.” The Imam (a.s.) then asked, “What is it?” I then said it said in Holy Quran, “We sent Our guidance to them so that perhaps they might take heed. (28:51) (Some of) the followers of the Bible believe in the Quran (28:52). When it is recited to th
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ وَ النُّورِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْنا[2] فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا خَالِدٍ النُّورُ وَ اللَّهِ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع يَا أَبَا خَالِدٍ لَنُورُ الْإِمَامِ فِي قُلُوبِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنْوَرُ مِنَ الشَّمْسِ الْمُضِيئَةِ بِالنَّهَارِ وَ هُمُ الَّذِينَ يُنَوِّرُونَ قُلُوبَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ يَحْجُبُ اللَّهُ نُورَهُمْ عَمَّنْ يَشَاءُ فَتُظْلِمُ قُلُوبُهُمْ
The Imams (a.s.) said, “O abu Khalid, the light in this verse, I swear by Allah, means the Imams. O abu Khalid the light of the Imam (a.s.) in the hearts of the true believers is more bright than the light of the sun in midday. It is they who brighten the hearts of the true believers and Allah withholds their light fro
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكاةٍ[3] فَاطِمَةُ ع فِيها مِصْباحٌ الْحَسَنُ- الْمِصْباحُ فِي زُجاجَةٍ الْحُسَيْنُ- الزُّجاجَةُ كَأَنَّها كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌ فَاطِمَةُ كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ بَيْنَ نِسَاءِ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا- يُوقَدُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبارَكَةٍ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع- زَيْتُونَةٍ لا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَ لا غَرْبِيَّةٍ لَا يَهُودِيَّةٍ
The Imam (a.s.) said that the lantern metaphorically stands for the Holy lady, Fatima (a.s.), the lamp stands for Imam al-Hassan (a.s.) and the glass stands for Imam al-Husayn (a.s.). The shining star stands for the Holy lady Fatima (a.s.) who shines among the ladies of the world. The blessed olive tree stands for Prop
سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِؤُا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْواهِهِمْ[1] قَالَ يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِئُوا وَلَايَةَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ تَعَالَى وَ اللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ قَالَ يَقُولُ وَ اللَّهُ مُتِمُّ الْإِمَامَةِ وَ الْإِمَامَةُ هِيَ النُّورُ وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ وَ النُّورِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْنا
about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, in the following verse of the Holy Quran. “They want to put out the light of God with their mouths, but God will certainly make His light shine forever - even though the unbelievers may dislike this.” (61:8) The Imam (a.s.) said, “They want to put o
مَا جَاءَ بِهِ عَلِيٌّ ع آخُذُ بِهِ وَ مَا نَهَى عَنْهُ أَنْتَهِي عَنْهُ جَرَى لَهُ مِنَ الْفَضْلِ مِثْلُ مَا جَرَى لِمُحَمَّدٍ ص وَ لِمُحَمَّدٍ ص الْفَضْلُ عَلَى جَمِيعِ مَنْ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْمُتَعَقِّبُ عَلَيْهِ فِي شَيْءٍ مِنْ أَحْكَامِهِ كَالْمُتَعَقِّبِ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ[2] وَ الرَّادُّ عَلَيْهِ فِي صَغِيرَةٍ أَوْ كَبِيرَةٍ عَلَى حَدِّ الشِّرْكِ بِاللَّهِ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِن
1. Ahmad ibn Mahran from Muhammad ibn Ali and Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad altogether from Muhammad ibn Sinan from al-Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Whatever Imam Ali (a.s.) has brought I follow them entirely and whatever he has forbidden I desist from them altog
دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَابْتَدَأَنَا فَقَالَ يَا سُلَيْمَانُ مَا جَاءَ عَنْ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يُؤْخَذُ بِهِ وَ مَا نَهَى عَنْهُ يُنْتَهَى عَنْهُ جَرَى لَهُ مِنَ الْفَضْلِ مَا جَرَى لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص الْفَضْلُ عَلَى جَمِيعِ مَنْ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ الْمُعَيِّبُ[2] عَلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي شَيْءٍ مِنْ أَحْكَامِهِ كَالْمُعَيِّبِ عَل
2. Ali ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn al-Hassan have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Walid Shabab al-Sayrafi who has said that Sa‘id’ al-A‘raj has said that he and Sulayman ibn Khalid once went to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and al-A‘raj began the conversation as follows. “Whatever Imam Ali (a.s.) has brought
فَضْلُ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع[1] مَا جَاءَ بِهِ آخُذُ بِهِ وَ مَا نَهَى عَنْهُ أَنْتَهِي عَنْهُ جَرَى لَهُ مِنَ الطَّاعَةِ بَعْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مَا لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ الْفَضْلُ لِمُحَمَّدٍ ص الْمُتَقَدِّمُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ كَالْمُتَقَدِّمِ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ وَ الْمُتَفَضِّلُ عَلَيْهِ كَالْمُتَفَضِّلِ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ الرَّادُّ عَلَيْهِ فِي صَغِيرَةٍ أَوْ كَبِيرَةٍ عَلَى حَدِّ الشّ
3. Muhammad ibn Yahya and Ahmad ibn Muhammad both have narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from Ali ibn Hassa’n who has said that abu ‘Abdallah al-Riyahi narrated to him from abu al-Samit al-Hulwani from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the virtue of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) the following Hadith. “Whatever Imam Ali (a.s.) h
فِي خُطْبَةٍ لَهُ يَذْكُرُ فِيهَا حَالَ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع وَ صِفَاتِهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَوْضَحَ بِأَئِمَّةِ الْهُدَى مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِ نَبِيِّنَا عَنْ دِينِهِ وَ أَبْلَجَ بِهِمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِ مِنْهَاجِهِ وَ فَتَحَ بِهِمْ عَنْ بَاطِنِ يَنَابِيعِ عِلْمِهِ فَمَنْ عَرَفَ مِنْ أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَاجِبَ حَقِّ إِمَامِهِ وَجَدَ طَعْمَ حَلَاوَةِ إِيمَانِهِ وَ عَلِمَ فَضْلَ طُلَاوَةِ إِسْلَامِهِ[4] لِأَنَّ اللَّ
2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ’Isa from al-Hasan ibn Mahbub from Ishaq ibn Ghalib from abu ’Abdallah (a.s.) who has described the condition of the Imams (a.s.) and their attributes in one of his sermons. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has explained His religion through the Imams
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ[1] فَكَانَ جَوَابُهُ- أَ لَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا نَصِيباً مِنَ الْكِتابِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْجِبْتِ وَ الطَّاغُوتِ وَ يَقُولُونَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا هؤُلاءِ أَهْدى مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا سَبِيلًا[2] يَقُولُونَ لِأَئِمَّةِ الضَّلَالَةِ وَ الدُّعَاةِ إِلَى النَّارِ- هؤُلاءِ أَهْ
The read the following words of Allah. “Have you seen how those who had been given a share of the Book believe in idols and Satan and who say, “The disbelievers are better guided than the believers” (4:51) ‘The say that the leaders of misguidance and those who call people to Hell’ “God has condemned them. No one can he
فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- أَمْ يَحْسُدُونَ النَّاسَ عَلى ما آتاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ قَالَ نَحْنُ الْمَحْسُودُونَ.
Or are they envious of the people whom Allah has granted of His bounties? ( 4:54 Holy Quran) “We are the envied ones.”
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَقَدْ آتَيْنا آلَ إِبْراهِيمَ الْكِتابَ فَقَالَ النُّبُوَّةَ قُلْتُ- الْحِكْمَةَ قَالَ الْفَهْمَ وَ الْقَضَاءَ قُلْتُ وَ آتَيْناهُمْ مُلْكاً عَظِيماً فَقَالَ الطَّاعَةَ.
The Imams (a.s.) said, “It means Prophet-hood.” I then asked about the meaning of ‘wisdom’. The Imams (a.s.) said, “It means understanding and judgment.” I then asked about the meaning of ‘great kingdom.’ The Imams (a.s.) said, “It means obedience.”
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَمْ يَحْسُدُونَ النَّاسَ عَلى ما آتاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا الصَّبَّاحِ نَحْنُ وَ اللَّهِ النَّاسُ الْمَحْسُودُونَ.
The Imams (a.s.) said, “O abu al-Sabah, we, I swear by Allah, are the people who are envied.”
جَعَلَ مِنْهُمُ الرُّسُلَ وَ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ وَ الْأَئِمَّةَ فَكَيْفَ يُقِرُّونَ فِي آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ يُنْكِرُونَهُ فِي آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص قَالَ قُلْتُ- وَ آتَيْناهُمْ مُلْكاً عَظِيماً قَالَ الْمُلْكُ الْعَظِيمُ أَنْ جَعَلَ فِيهِمْ أَئِمَّةً مَنْ أَطَاعَهُمْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ وَ مَنْ عَصَاهُمْ عَصَى اللَّهَ فَهُوَ الْمُلْكُ الْعَظِيمُ.
5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn abu ‘Umayr from ’Umar ibn Udhayna from Burayd al-‘IJli from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, ““We have given to the family of Abraham the Book, Wisdom, and a great Kingdom.” [4:54] “Great kingdom means
وَ عَلاماتٍ وَ بِالنَّجْمِ هُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ[1] قَالَ النَّجْمُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ الْعَلَامَاتُ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع.
“The star is the Messenger of Allah (sw) and the signs are the Imams (a.s.)”
سَأَلَ الْهَيْثَمُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا عِنْدَهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ عَلاماتٍ وَ بِالنَّجْمِ هُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ[1] فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص النَّجْمُ وَ الْعَلَامَاتُ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع.
2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from MuAlia ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Asbat ibn Salim who has said that Haythamm asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), while I was there, about the meaning of the words of Allah, “Through the signs and with the star people do find their way.” [16:16] The Imams (a.s.) said, “St
سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- وَ عَلاماتٍ وَ بِالنَّجْمِ هُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ قَالَ نَحْنُ الْعَلَامَاتُ وَ النَّجْمُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص.
3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from MuAlia ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ who has said that he asked Imam al-Rida (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most High, “Through the signs and with the star people do find their way.” [16:16] The Imams (a.s.) said, “We are the signs and the messenger of Al
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ ما تُغْنِي الْآياتُ وَ النُّذُرُ عَنْ قَوْمٍ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ قَالَ الْآيَاتُ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ وَ النُّذُرُ هُمُ الْأَنْبِيَاءُ ع.
The Imams (a.s.) said, “Signs are the Imams (a.s.) and warnings are the prophets (s.a.).”
فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ كَذَّبُوا بِآياتِنا كُلِّها[2] يَعْنِي الْأَوْصِيَاءَ كُلَّهُمْ.
‘The signs are all the successors (of the prophets (s.a.)
قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ الشِّيعَةَ يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنْ تَفْسِيرِ هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ- عَمَّ يَتَساءَلُونَ عَنِ النَّبَإِ الْعَظِيمِ[3] قَالَ ذَلِكَ إِلَيَّ إِنْ شِئْتُ أَخْبَرْتُهُمْ وَ إِنْ شِئْتُ لَمْ أُخْبِرْهُمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَكِنِّي أُخْبِرُكَ بِتَفْسِيرِهَا قُلْتُ عَمَّ يَتَساءَلُونَ قَالَ فَقَالَ هِيَ فِي أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ
the Shi‘a (your followers) ask about the meaning of the words of Allah, “Of what do they ask one another? (78:1). Do they ask about the great news?”The Imams (a.s.) said, “It depends up on my decision. I may tell them or may not tell them. Then he said: “I like, however, to tell you the meaning thereof.” I then asked w
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ كُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ[1] قَالَ إِيَّانَا عَنَى.
The Imam (a.s.) replied, “ ‘The truthful ones’ is a reference to us.”
سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ كُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ قَالَ الصَّادِقُونَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ وَ الصِّدِّيقُونَ بِطَاعَتِهِمْ.
The Imams (a.s.) said, “The truthful ones are the Imams (a.s.) who, are truthful in their obedience (to Allah).”
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَحْيَا حَيَاةً تُشْبِهُ حَيَاةَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ يَمُوتَ مِيتَةً تُشْبِهُ مِيتَةَ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَ يَسْكُنَ الْجِنَانَ الَّتِي غَرَسَهَا الرَّحْمَنُ[2] فَلْيَتَوَلَّ عَلِيّاً وَ لْيُوَالِ وَلِيَّهُ وَ لْيَقْتَدِ بِالْأَئِمَّةِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِتْرَتِي خُلِقُوا مِنْ طِينَتِي- اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْهُمْ فَهْمِي وَ عِلْمِي وَ وَيْلٌ لِلْمُخَالِفِينَ لَهُمْ مِنْ أُمَّتِ
“Whoever would like to live a life similar to those of the prophets, die in a similar manner as the martyrs do and live in the garden which is planted by the Beneficent, they must love Imam Ali (a.s.) (acknowledge his Divine authority) and love those who love and support him and follow the Imams after him who are of my
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ اسْتِكْمَالُ حُجَّتِي عَلَى الْأَشْقِيَاءِ مِنْ أُمَّتِكَ[3]- مَنْ تَرَكَ وَلَايَةَ عَلِيٍّ وَ وَالَى أَعْدَاءَهُ وَ أَنْكَرَ فَضْلَهُ وَ فَضْلَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَإِنَّ فَضْلَكَ فَضْلُهُمْ وَ طَاعَتَكَ طَاعَتُهُمْ وَ حَقَّكَ حَقُّهُمْ وَ مَعْصِيَتَكَ مَعْصِيَتُهُمْ وَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ الْهُدَاةُ مِنْ
4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from al-Nadr ibn Shu’ayb from Muhammad ibn al-Fudayl from abu Hamzah al-Thamali who has said that he heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) say, “The Messenger of Allah (s.a.) said: “ Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, says, “It is to establish my authority over th
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَحْيَا حَيَاتِي وَ يَمُوتَ مِيتَتِي وَ يَدْخُلَ جَنَّةَ عَدْنٍ الَّتِي غَرَسَهَا اللَّهُ رَبِّي بِيَدِهِ فَلْيَتَوَلَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ لْيَتَوَلَّ وَلِيَّهُ وَ لْيُعَادِ عَدُوَّهُ وَ لْيُسَلِّمْ لِلْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِتْرَتِي مِنْ لَحْمِي وَ دَمِي أَعْطَاهُمُ اللَّهُ فَهْمِي وَ عِلْمِي إِلَى اللَّهِ
“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever would want to live like my living, die like I will die and enter the garden of Eden that my Lord has planted with His own hands, he must love (acknowledge the Divine authority of) Ali (a.s.) ibn abu Talib. He must love (acknowledge the Divine authority of his successor) those
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَحْيَا حَيَاتِي وَ يَمُوتَ مِيتَتِي وَ يَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ الَّتِي وَعَدَنِيهَا رَبِّي وَ يَتَمَسَّكَ بِقَضِيبٍ غَرَسَهُ رَبِّي بِيَدِهِ[2] فَلْيَتَوَلَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع وَ أَوْصِيَاءَهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يُدْخِلُونَكُمْ فِي بَابِ ضَلَالٍ وَ لَا يُخْرِجُونَكُمْ مِنْ بَابِ هُدًى فَلَا تُعَلِّمُوهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ مِنْكُمْ وَ إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ ر
“Whoever would like to live as I have lived and die as will do and enter the garden that my Lord has promised to me and hold in hands the stick that Allah has planted with His own hands he then must love and acknowledge (Leadership with Divine Authority of) Ali (a.s.) and his successors after him because they do not le
قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع[1] وَ إِنَّ الرَّوْحَ وَ الرَّاحَةَ وَ الْفَلْجَ[2] وَ الْعَوْنَ وَ النَّجَاحَ وَ الْبَرَكَةَ وَ الْكَرَامَةَ وَ الْمَغْفِرَةَ وَ الْمُعَافَاةَ وَ الْيُسْرَ وَ الْبُشْرَى وَ الرِّضْوَانَ وَ الْقُرْبَ وَ النَّصْرَ وَ التَّمَكُّنَ وَ الرَّجَاءَ وَ الْمَحَبَّةَ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِمَنْ تَوَلَّى عَلِيّاً وَ ائْتَمَّ بِهِ وَ بَرِئَ مِنْ عَدُوِّهِ وَ سَلَّمَ لِفَضْلِهِ وَ لِلْأَوْصِيَاءِ
7. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Fadala ibn Ayyub from al-Hassan ibn Ziyad from Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said that abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said the following. “Tranquillity, comfort, victory, support, success, blessings, honor, forgiveness, relief, ease, glad
رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الذِّكْرُ أَنَا وَ الْأَئِمَّةُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَ لِقَوْمِكَ وَ سَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ[4] قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع نَحْنُ قَوْمُهُ وَ نَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.
1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from ’Abdallah ibn ‘Ajlan from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.” (16:43, 21: 7 Holy Quran). The Holy Prophet (s.a.) has said, ‘I am the Dh
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ قَالَ الذِّكْرُ مُحَمَّدٌ ص وَ نَحْنُ أَهْلُهُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ قَالَ قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ- وَ إِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَ لِقَوْمِكَ وَ سَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ قَالَ إِيَّانَا عَنَى وَ نَحْنُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَ نَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.
I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the following words of Allah. “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.” (16:43, 21: 7 Holy Quran) The Imams (a.s.) said, “Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) is ‘Dhikr’ and we are the people of ‘Dhikr who will be asked.” I also asked about, “It is a Dhikr for you and for y
سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ فَقَالَ نَحْنُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَ نَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ قُلْتُ فَأَنْتُمُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ وَ نَحْنُ السَّائِلُونَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ حَقّاً عَلَيْنَا أَنْ نَسْأَلَكُمْ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ حَقّاً عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ تُجِيبُونَا قَالَ لَا[1] ذَاكَ إِلَيْنَا إِنْ شِئْنَا فَعَلْنَا وَ إِنْ شِئْنَا لَمْ نَفْعَلْ أ
“I asked al-Rida (a.s) and said, 'May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what is the meaning of the words of Allah, “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.”?' (16:43 and 21:7) He (a.s.) replied, “ We are the people of ‘Dhikr’ and we are the ones about whom questions will be asked.” I asked further, “Are
فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَ لِقَوْمِكَ وَ سَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ فَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الذِّكْرُ وَ أَهْلُ بَيْتِهِ ع الْمَسْئُولُونَ وَ هُمْ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ[3].
4. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from ‘Asim ibn Hamid from abu Basir from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “It is a Dhikr for you and for your people and you all wil
الذِّكْرُ الْقُرْآنُ وَ نَحْنُ قَوْمُهُ وَ نَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.
The Imams (a.s.)said, “The Holy Quran is the ’Dhikr’ and we are the one who will be asked questions.”
كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْوَرْدُ أَخُو الْكُمَيْتِ فَقَالَ جَعَلَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ اخْتَرْتُ لَكَ سَبْعِينَ مَسْأَلَةً مَا تَحْضُرُنِي مِنْهَا مَسْأَلَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ قَالَ وَ لَا وَاحِدَةٌ يَا وَرْدُ قَالَ بَلَى قَدْ حَضَرَنِي مِنْهَا وَاحِدَةٌ قَالَ وَ مَا هِيَ قَالَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُمْ قَالَ نَحْنُ قَال
“I was in the presence of Imam (a.s.) abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and al-Ward brother of al-Kumayt came to see him. He to the Imams (a.s.) said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I have chosen seventy questions and I do not know the answer even for one of them.” The Imams (a.s.) said, “Not even one answer, O War
إِنَّ مَنْ عِنْدَنَا يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُمُ الْيَهُودُ وَ النَّصَارَى قَالَ إِذاً يَدْعُونَكُمْ إِلَى دِينِهِمْ قَالَ قَالَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ[4] نَحْنُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَ نَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.
“These are people who think that the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. ‘Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know,’ refers to the Jews and the Christians.” The Imams (a.s.) asked, “Do they call you to their religion?” He (Muhammad ibn Muslim) has aid that the Imams (a.s.) “Said, with his hand (pointing) to
سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ مِنَ الْفَرْضِ مَا لَيْسَ عَلَى شِيعَتِهِمْ وَ عَلَى شِيعَتِنَا مَا لَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا أَمَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يَسْأَلُونَا قَالَ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ فَأَمَرَهُمْ أَنْ يَسْأَلُونَا وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا الْجَوَابُ إِنْ شِئْنَا أَجَبْنَا وَ إِنْ شِئْنَا أَمْسَكْنَا.
“Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn has said that there are certain obligation for the Imams that are not obligatory for their followers and certain obligation of our followers are not obligatory for us. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has commanded them to ask us their questions saying, “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not
كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الرِّضَا ع كِتَاباً فَكَانَ فِي بَعْضِ مَا كَتَبْتُ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ وَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ ما كانَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لِيَنْفِرُوا كَافَّةً فَلَوْ لا نَفَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِنْهُمْ طائِفَةٌ لِيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ وَ لِيُنْذِرُوا قَوْمَهُمْ إِذا رَجَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ[1] فَقَدْ فُرِضَتْ ع
The Imams (a.s.) has said the following for the answer. “If they would not do what you would ask them, know that they are only following their (evil) desires. Who strays more than one who follows his desires without guidance from God? . .” (28:50)
أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَ الَّذِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ عَدُوُّنَا وَ شِيعَتُنَا أُولُوا الْأَلْبابِ.
Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only the people of reason take heed.” (39:9) ‘We are the people of knowledge, the people who and it is our enemies who do not know and our followers are the people who take heed and are the people of reason.’”