نَحْنُ الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَ عَدُوُّنَا الَّذِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ وَ شِيعَتُنَا أُولُوا الْأَلْبابِ.
‘We are the people of knowledge, and our enemies are those who do not know, and our followers (Shias) are the people of reason.’”
نَحْنُ الرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ* وَ نَحْنُ نَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ.
“We are the people well-grounded in knowledge and we are the ones who know how to interpret it.”
فِي الْعِلْمِ قَدْ عَلَّمَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَمِيعَ مَا أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ التَّنْزِيلِ وَ التَّأْوِيلِ وَ مَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْئاً لَمْ يُعَلِّمْهُ تَأْوِيلَهُ وَ أَوْصِيَاؤُهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ يَعْلَمُونَهُ كُلَّهُ وَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِذَا قَالَ الْعَالِمُ[2] فِيهِمْ بِعِلْمٍ فَأَجَابَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِقَوْلِهِ- يَقُولُونَ آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِنْ عِنْدِ رَبِّنا وَ
The Messenger of Allah (sw) is the best among those who are well-grounded in knowledge. Allah, the Most Majestic and Most gracious, taught him all that He had revealed to him in the form of original text and in the form of interpretations. Allah, the Most Majestic and Most gracious, would not reveal anything to him tha
الرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ* أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْأَئِمَّةُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ ع.
“People well-grounded in Knowledge stands for Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) and the Imams after him.”
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ فِي هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ[3] فَأَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ.
The Imams (a.s.) pointed to his own chest.”
فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع.
who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “In fact, the Quran consists of illustrious verses that exist in the hearts of those who have knowledge. . .” (29:49) ‘They are the Imams (a.s.)’.
قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ- بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ مَا قَالَ بَيْنَ دَفَّتَيِ الْمُصْحَفِ قُلْتُ مَنْ هُمْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ مَنْ عَسَى أَنْ يَكُونُوا غَيْرَنَا.
“In fact, the Quran consists of illustrious verses that exist in the hearts of those who have knowledge. . .” (29:49) The Imams (a.s.) then said, “O abu Muhammad, for the sake of Allah, be the judge and tell, of who it is spoken (so often) between the two covers of the Holy Quran?” I then asked, “Who are they, “May All
سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ- بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع خَاصَّةً.
“In fact, the Quran consists of illustrious verses that exist in the hearts of those who have knowledge. . .” (29:49) ‘They are the Imams (a.s.) exclusive of all others.’”
سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع خَاصَّةً.
The Imams (a.s.) said, “They are the Imams (a.s.) exclusive of all others.”
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنا مِنْ عِبادِنا فَمِنْهُمْ ظالِمٌ لِنَفْسِهِ وَ مِنْهُمْ مُقْتَصِدٌ وَ مِنْهُمْ سابِقٌ بِالْخَيْراتِ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ[1] قَالَ السَّابِقُ بِالْخَيْرَاتِ الْإِمَامُ- وَ الْمُقْتَصِدُ الْعَارِفُ لِلْإِمَامِ وَ الظَّالِمُ لِنَفْسِهِ الَّذِي لَا يَعْرِفُ الْإِمَامَ.
The exceedingly virtuous is the Imam (a.s.), the moderate ones are those who know the Imam (a.s.) and the unjust ones are those who do not know the Imam (a.s.).”
سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى- ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنا مِنْ عِبادِنا فَقَالَ أَيَّ شَيْءٍ تَقُولُونَ أَنْتُمْ قُلْتُ نَقُولُ إِنَّهَا فِي الْفَاطِمِيِّينَ قَالَ لَيْسَ حَيْثُ تَذْهَبُ لَيْسَ يَدْخُلُ فِي هَذَا مَنْ أَشَارَ بِسَيْفِهِ وَ دَعَا النَّاسَ إِلَى خِلَافٍ[1] فَقُلْتُ فَأَيُّ شَيْءٍ الظَّالِمُ لِنَفْسِهِ قَالَ الْجَالِسُ فِي بَيْتِهِ لَا يَعْرِفُ حَقَّ الْإِمَامِ وَ الْمُقْتَ
about the meaning of the following verse of the Holy Quran. “We gave the book as an inheritance to Our chosen servants,.. .” (35:31) The Imam (a.s.) asked, “What do you say about it?” I said, “We say that they are the Fatimid (descendents of Fatima, Daughter of the Holy Prophet (s.a.)” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is not
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنا مِنْ عِبادِنا الْآيَةَ قَالَ فَقَالَ وُلْدُ فَاطِمَةَ ع[2] وَ السَّابِقُ بِالْخَيْرَاتِ الْإِمَامُ وَ الْمُقْتَصِدُ الْعَارِفُ بِالْإِمَامِ وَ الظَّالِمُ لِنَفْسِهِ الَّذِي لَا يَعْرِفُ الْإِمَامَ.
The Imam (a.s.) said such people are the children of Fatima (a.s.), those exceeding in virtue are the Imams (a.s.), the moderate ones are those who know the Imam (a.s.) and those who do injustice to themselves are the ones who do not know their Imam (a.s.).”
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ آتَيْناهُمُ الْكِتابَ يَتْلُونَهُ حَقَّ تِلاوَتِهِ أُولئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ[3] قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع.
The Imams (a.s.) said that such people are the Imams (a.s.).”
قَالَ: لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ- يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا كُلَّ أُناسٍ بِإِمامِهِمْ[4] قَالَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَ لَسْتَ إِمَامَ النَّاسِ كُلِّهِمْ أَجْمَعِينَ قَالَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَى النَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ وَ لَكِنْ سَيَكُونُ مِنْ بَعْدِي أَئِمَّةٌ عَلَى النَّاسِ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي يَقُومُونَ فِي النَّاسِ فَيُكَذَّبُونَ وَ يَظْلِمُهُمْ أَئِمَّةُ الْكُفْ
1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ‘Abdallah ibn Ghalib from Jabir from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “When the following verse of the Holy Quran was revealed, “On the day when We call every nation with their leaders, (Imams) . .” [17:71] , people a
قَالَ: إِنَّ الْأَئِمَّةَ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِمَامَانِ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ جَعَلْناهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنا[1] لَا بِأَمْرِ النَّاسِ يُقَدِّمُونَ أَمْرَ اللَّهِ قَبْلَ أَمْرِهِمْ وَ حُكْمَ اللَّهِ قَبْلَ حُكْمِهِمْ قَالَ وَ جَعَلْناهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ[2] يُقَدِّمُونَ أَمْرَهُمْ قَبْلَ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ وَ حُكْمَهُمْ قَبْلَ حُكْمِ اللَّهِ وَ يَأْخُذُونَ
“The Imams mentioned in the book of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, are of two kinds. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has said, ‘We appointed them as leaders (Imams) to guide the people through Our command . .” (21:73) They do so but not because of the commads of the people. They allow our command to come firs
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنا مَوالِيَ مِمَّا تَرَكَ الْوالِدانِ وَ الْأَقْرَبُونَ وَ الَّذِينَ عَقَدَتْ أَيْمانُكُمْ[3] قَالَ إِنَّمَا عَنَى بِذَلِكَ الْأَئِمَّةَ ع بِهِمْ عَقَدَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَيْمَانَكُمْ.
1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ’Isa from al-Hasan ibn Mahbub who has said that he asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “We have chosen heirs for every legacy that parents and relatives may leave. Let those who have been
فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى- إِنَّ هذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ[4] قَالَ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْإِمَامِ.
regarding the words of The Almigthy: “This Quran shows the way to that which is the most upright . .” (17:9) He (a.s.) said, “It guides to the Imam.”
قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع مَا بَالُ أَقْوَامٍ غَيَّرُوا سُنَّةَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ عَدَلُوا عَنْ وَصِيِّهِ لَا يَتَخَوَّفُونَ أَنْ يَنْزِلَ بِهِمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- أَ لَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ بَدَّلُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ كُفْراً وَ أَحَلُّوا قَوْمَهُمْ دارَ الْبَوارِ جَهَنَّمَ[1] ثُمَّ قَالَ نَحْنُ النِّعْمَةُ الَّتِي أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ بِهَا عَلَى عِبَادِهِ وَ بِنَا يَفُوزُ مَنْ فَازَ يَ
“What is wrong with people who changed the Sunnah (traditions) of the Messenger of Allah and deviated from his will? Do they not fear that severe suffering may befall them? He then recited the following verse of the Holy Quran. “Have you not seen (considered) those who changed the blessings (Word) of God through disbel
فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَبِأَيِّ آلاءِ رَبِّكُما تُكَذِّبانِ[2] أَ بِالنَّبِيِّ أَمْ بِالْوَصِيِّ تُكَذِّبَانِ نَزَلَتْ فِي الرَّحْمَنِ.
2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad, in a mafu‘ manner, (rafa’ahu) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “(Jinn and mankind) - which of the favors of your Lord do you deny?” (55:13) Will you deny and refuse the Holy Prophet or his successor.” (This verse has come down in C
تَلَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- فَاذْكُرُوا آلاءَ اللَّهِ[3] قَالَ أَ تَدْرِي مَا آلَاءُ اللَّهِ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ هِيَ أَعْظَمُ نِعَمِ اللَّهِ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَ هِيَ وَلَايَتُنَا.
“Keep in mind the bounties of Allah. .” (7:69) The Imams (a.s.) said, “Do you know what the bounties of Allah are?” I said, “No, I do not know.” He said, “It is the greatest of the bounties of Allah. It is to acknowledge the Divine authority that we possess.”
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَ لَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ بَدَّلُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ كُفْراً الْآيَةَ قَالَ عَنَى بِهَا قُرَيْشاً قَاطِبَةً الَّذِينَ عَادَوْا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص وَ نَصَبُوا لَهُ الْحَرْبَ وَ جَحَدُوا وَصِيَّةَ وَصِيِّهِ.
The Imam (a.s.) said it is a reference to all of Quraysh who exercised animosity towards the Holy Prophet (s.a.), created wars against him and rejected his will about his successor.”
كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لَآياتٍ لِلْمُتَوَسِّمِينَ وَ إِنَّها لَبِسَبِيلٍ مُقِيمٍ[2] قَالَ فَقَالَ نَحْنُ الْمُتَوَسِّمُونَ وَ السَّبِيلُ فِينَا مُقِيمٌ.
The Imam (a.s.) said, “We are the distiguished people and the (right) path is with us.”
كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ هِيتَ[3] فَقَالَ لَهُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ مَا تَقُولُ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لَآياتٍ لِلْمُتَوَسِّمِينَ قَالَ نَحْنُ الْمُتَوَسِّمُونَ وَ السَّبِيلُ فِينَا مُقِيمٌ.
“Asbat ibn Salim has said that once he was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) when a man from the people of Hiyt came and said, ‘May grant you well-being, what is the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, “In this there is evidence (of the Truth) for the distinguished ones.”? (15:75) The Imam (a.s.) said,
هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص اتَّقُوا فِرَاسَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَإِنَّهُ يَنْظُرُ بِنُورِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى[4] إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لَآياتٍ لِلْمُتَوَسِّمِينَ.
“The Imam (a.s.) said, “The distinguished people are the Imams (a.s.) the Holy Prophet has said, “Be on your guard from the intelligence of the believers. He looks through the light of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High as mentioned in, “In this there is evidence (of the Truth) for the distinguished ones.” (15:75)
هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع- وَ إِنَّها لَبِسَبِيلٍ مُقِيمٍ قَالَ لَا يَخْرُجُ مِنَّا أَبَداً.
The Imams (a.s.) said, “These people are the Imams (a.s.) and the evidence will never depart us.”
قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لَآياتٍ لِلْمُتَوَسِّمِينَ قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمُتَوَسِّمَ وَ أَنَا مِنْ بَعْدِهِ وَ الْأَئِمَّةُ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي الْمُتَوَسِّمُونَ. - وَ فِي نُسْخَةٍ أُخْرَى[1] عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ[2] عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ أَيُّوبَ بِإِسْنَادِهِ مِثْلَهُ.
“Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) has the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. ““In this there is evidence (of the Truth) for the distinguished ones.” (15:75) The Holy Prophet (s.a.) was the distinguished one and I was as such after him and the Imams from my children are the distinguished ones.”
تُعْرَضُ الْأَعْمَالُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَعْمَالُ الْعِبَادِ[3] كُلَّ صَبَاحٍ أَبْرَارُهَا وَ فُجَّارُهَا فَاحْذَرُوهَا وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَ رَسُولُهُ[4] وَ سَكَتَ.
1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn abu Hamza from abu Basir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “All deeds are presented before the Messenger of Allah (s.a.). It is the deeds of the all the virtuous and the evil d
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ.
about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Majestic and most Exalted: “Act as you wish. God will see your deeds and so will do His Messenger and the believers. . .” (9:105) He (a.s.) said, “They (the believers) are the Imams”.
سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ مَا لَكُمْ تَسُوءُونَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ كَيْفَ نَسُوؤُهُ فَقَالَ أَ مَا تَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ أَعْمَالَكُمْ تُعْرَضُ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا رَأَى فِيهَا مَعْصِيَةً سَاءَهُ ذَلِكَ فَلَا تَسُوءُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ سُرُّوهُ.
“What is wrong with you? Why do you disappoint the Messenger of Allah (sw)?” A man asked, “How do we disappoint him?” He (a.s.) replied, “Do you not know that your deeds are presented before him? When he find sins in them it disappoints him. So do not disappoint the Messenger of Allah, rather make him happy.”
قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع ادْعُ اللَّهَ لِي وَ لِأَهْلِ بَيْتِي فَقَالَ أَ وَ لَسْتُ أَفْعَلُ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَعْمَالَكُمْ لَتُعْرَضُ عَلَيَّ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَ لَيْلَةٍ قَالَ فَاسْتَعْظَمْتُ ذَلِكَ- فَقَالَ لِي أَ مَا تَقْرَأُ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ قُلِ اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ قَالَ هُوَ وَ اللَّهِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع[1].
4. Ali from has narrated from his father from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from al-Zayyat from ‘Abdallah ibn Aban al-Zayyat who was well placed in the eyes of al-Rida (a.s.). He has said that he asked al-Rida (a.s.) to pray for him and for his family. Am I not praying for them? I swear by Allah that your deeds are presented b
هُوَ وَ اللَّهِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع.
"Pray for me and my family." He (a.s) replied: "Am I not praying for them? I swear by Allah that your deeds are presented before me every day and night.” He has said that it seemed extremely great to me. He (a.s.) said to me, “Do you not read in the Book of Allah, the Most Majestic and Most Exalted, ‘Act as you wish. G
سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ إِنَّ الْأَعْمَالَ تُعْرَضُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَبْرَارَهَا وَ فُجَّارَهَا.
"All the deeds are presented before the Messenger of Allah (sw), both good and bad."
يَعْنِي لَوِ اسْتَقَامُوا عَلَى وَلَايَةِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ وُلْدِهِ ع وَ قَبِلُوا طَاعَتَهُمْ فِي أَمْرِهِمْ وَ نَهْيِهِمْ لَأَسْقَيْنَاهُمْ مَاءً غَدَقاً يَقُولُ لَأَشْرَبْنَا قُلُوبَهُمُ الْإِيمَانَ وَ الطَّرِيقَةُ هِيَ الْإِيمَانُ بِوَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍّ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ.
He said: "It means, “Had people maintained steadfastness in respecting the Divine authority of Ali ibn abu Talib Amir al-Mu’minin, and his successors from his children, peace be upon them, and agreed to obey them, in their orders and prohibitions, He would have given them abundant water. He says, We would drench their
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ قالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقامُوا فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع اسْتَقَامُوا عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ وَاحِدٍ بَعْدَ وَاحِدٍ- تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخافُوا وَ لا تَحْزَنُوا وَ أَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنْتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ[3].
about the meaning of the following words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “To those who have said, ‘God is our Lord,’ and who have remained steadfast to their belief. .” The Imams (a.s.) said, “Those who remain steadfast in respecting the Divine authority of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) and his successors, the Im
قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع مَا يَنْقِمُ النَّاسُ مِنَّا[1] فَنَحْنُ وَ اللَّهِ شَجَرَةُ النُّبُوَّةِ وَ بَيْتُ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ مَعْدِنُ الْعِلْمِ وَ مُخْتَلَفُ الْمَلَائِكَةِ.
“What is it obscures us to people? (People do not maintain hostility towards us.) We, I swear by Allah, are the tree of the prophet-hood, the house of blessings, the mine of knowledge and the center wherein angels interchange.”
قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ شَجَرَةُ النُّبُوَّةِ وَ مَوْضِعُ الرِّسَالَةِ وَ مُخْتَلَفُ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ بَيْتُ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ مَعْدِنُ الْعِلْمِ.
2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from ‘Adallah ibn Muhammad ibn ’Isa from his father from ‘Adallah ibn al-Mughirah from Isma‘il ibn abu Ziyad from Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a.s.) from his father (a.s.) from Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) who has said the following. “We, the Ahl al-Bayt (family of the Holy Prophet), are the t
قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَا خَيْثَمَةُ نَحْنُ شَجَرَةُ النُّبُوَّةِ وَ بَيْتُ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ مَفَاتِيحُ الْحِكْمَةِ وَ مَعْدِنُ الْعِلْمِ وَ مَوْضِعُ الرِّسَالَةِ وَ مُخْتَلَفُ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ مَوْضِعُ سِرِّ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ وَدِيعَةُ اللَّهِ فِي عِبَادِهِ وَ نَحْنُ حَرَمُ اللَّهِ الْأَكْبَرُ وَ نَحْنُ ذِمَّةُ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ عَهْدُ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ وَفَى بِعَهْدِنَا فَقَدْ وَفَى بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ وَ مَنْ
3. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from ‘Adallah ibn Muhammad from al-Kashshab. He has said that a number of our people have narrated from al-Khaythama who has said that abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said to him the following. “O Khaythama, we are the tree of prophet-hood, the house of blessings, the
إِنَّ عَلِيّاً ع كَانَ عَالِماً وَ الْعِلْمُ يُتَوَارَثُ وَ لَنْ يَهْلِكَ عَالِمٌ إِلَّا بَقِيَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ مَنْ يَعْلَمُ عِلْمَهُ- أَوْ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ[1].
“Ali (a.s.) was a man of knowledge and knowledge is inherited. Whenever a man of knowledge dies he leave another man of knowledge behind who possess his knowledge or whatever Allah wants.”
إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ الَّذِي نَزَلَ مَعَ آدَمَ ع لَمْ يُرْفَعْ وَ الْعِلْمُ يُتَوَارَثُ وَ كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع عَالِمَ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ وَ إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَهْلِكْ مِنَّا عَالِمٌ قَطُّ إِلَّا خَلَفَهُ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ مَنْ عَلِمَ مِثْلَ عِلْمِهِ أَوْ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ.
“The knowledge that came with Adam was not taken away. Knowledge is inherited. Ali (a.s.) was the knowledgeable person of this nation (Muslims). No one from us have ever left this world without leaving behind one like him in knowledge or what Allah wanted.”
قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ يُتَوَارَثُ وَ لَا يَمُوتُ عَالِمٌ إِلَّا وَ تَرَكَ مَنْ يَعْلَمُ مِثْلَ عِلْمِهِ أَوْ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ.
“Knowledge is inherited. No man of knowledge dies without leaving behind one who is as knowledgeable as his predecessor or what Allah wants.”
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ إِنَّ فِي عَلِيٍّ ع سُنَّةَ أَلْفِ نَبِيٍّ مِنَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ الَّذِي نَزَلَ مَعَ آدَمَ ع لَمْ يُرْفَعْ وَ مَا مَاتَ عَالِمٌ فَذَهَبَ عِلْمُهُ وَ الْعِلْمُ يُتَوَارَثُ.
“In Imam Ali (a.s.) there was the Sunnah (traditions) of a thousand prophets. The knowledge that came with Adam was not taken away. No man of knowledge ever died along with knowledge. Knowledge is inherited.”
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ الَّذِي نَزَلَ مَعَ آدَمَ ع لَمْ يُرْفَعْ وَ مَا مَاتَ عَالِمٌ فَذَهَبَ عِلْمُهُ.
“The knowledge that came with Adam was not taken away. No man of knowledge has ever died along with his knowledge.”
قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَمُصُّونَ الثِّمَادَ[2]- وَ يَدَعُونَ النَّهَرَ الْعَظِيمَ قِيلَ لَهُ وَ مَا النَّهَرُ الْعَظِيمُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ الْعِلْمُ الَّذِي أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَمَعَ لِمُحَمَّدٍ ص سُنَنَ النَّبِيِّينَ مِنْ آدَمَ وَ هَلُمَّ جَرّاً إِلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص قِيلَ لَهُ وَ مَا تِلْكَ السُّنَنُ قَالَ عِلْمُ النَّبِيِّينَ بِأَسْرِهِ وَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص صَيَّرَ ذَلِكَ ك
“They try to absorb the little moisture but ignore the huge river.” Someone asked him, “What is (this) huge river?” The Imams (a.s.)said, “It is the Messenger of Allah (s.a.) and the Knowledge that Allah gave to him. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, combined in Muhammad (s.a.) the Sunnah (traditions) of the all the
قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ يُتَوَارَثُ فَلَا يَمُوتُ عَالِمٌ إِلَّا تَرَكَ مَنْ يَعْلَمُ مِثْلَ عِلْمِهِ أَوْ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ.
“Knowledge is inherited. No man of knowledge ever leaves this world without leaving behind one who would have as much knowledge as he had or what Allah wants.”
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ الَّذِي نَزَلَ مَعَ آدَمَ ع لَمْ يُرْفَعْ وَ مَا مَاتَ عَالِمٌ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ وَرَّثَ عِلْمَهُ إِنَّ الْأَرْضَ لَا تَبْقَى بِغَيْرِ عَالِمٍ.
“The Knowledge that came with Adam was not taken away. No man of knowledge has ever died without his knowledge being inherited. The earth does not remain without a man of knowledge.”
أَنَّهُ كَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ الرِّضَا ع أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ مُحَمَّداً ص كَانَ أَمِينَ اللَّهِ فِي خَلْقِهِ فَلَمَّا قُبِضَ ص كُنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَرَثَتَهُ فَنَحْنُ أُمَنَاءُ اللَّهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ[1] عِنْدَنَا عِلْمُ الْبَلَايَا وَ الْمَنَايَا وَ أَنْسَابُ الْعَرَبِ[2] وَ مَوْلِدُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ إِنَّا لَنَعْرِفُ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا رَأَيْنَاهُ بِحَقِيقَةِ الْإِيمَانِ وَ حَقِيقَةِ النِّفَاقِ وَ إِنَّ شِيعَتَنَا لَمَك
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn al-Muhtadi from ‘Adallah ibn Jundab to who Imam al-Rida (a.s.) wrote the following. “Thereafter, (thanking Allah) Muhammad (s.a.) was the trustee of Allah for His creatures. When he was taken away from this world we, Ahl al-Bayt inherited him, thus,
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِنَّ أَوَّلَ وَصِيٍّ كَانَ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْأَرْضِ- هِبَةُ اللَّهِ بْنُ آدَمَ وَ مَا مِنْ نَبِيٍّ مَضَى إِلَّا وَ لَهُ وَصِيٌّ وَ كَانَ جَمِيعُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ مِائَةَ أَلْفِ نَبِيٍّ وَ عِشْرِينَ أَلْفَ نَبِيٍّ مِنْهُمْ خَمْسَةٌ أُولُو الْعَزْمِ- نُوحٌ وَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ وَ مُوسَى وَ عِيسَى وَ مُحَمَّدٌ ع وَ إِنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ كَانَ هِبَةَ اللَّهِ لِمُحَمَّدٍ وَ وَرِثَ عِلْمَ الْأَو
2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Kathir from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The first successor and executor of the will on earth was Hibbatullah, the son of Adam. No prophet has ever left this worl
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ سُلَيْمَانَ وَرِثَ دَاوُدَ وَ إِنَّ مُحَمَّداً وَرِثَ سُلَيْمَانَ وَ إِنَّا وَرِثْنَا مُحَمَّداً وَ إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا عِلْمَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَ الْإِنْجِيلِ وَ الزَّبُورِ وَ تِبْيَانَ مَا فِي الْأَلْوَاحِ[1] قَالَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ هَذَا لَهُوَ الْعِلْمُ قَالَ لَيْسَ هَذَا هُوَ الْعِلْمَ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ الَّذِي يَحْدُثُ يَوْماً بَعْدَ يَوْمٍ وَ سَاعَةً بَعْدَ سَاعَةٍ[2].
“Solomon inherited David. Muhammad (s.a.) inherited Solomon and we inherited Muhammad (s.a.). We have the knowledge of Torah and the Gospel (Injil), the Psalms, (al-Zabur) and the explanation of what the tablets contained.” I (the narrator) said, “This certainly is the knowledge.” The Imams (a.s.) said, “This is not kn
كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عِنْدَهُ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ دَاوُدَ وَرِثَ عِلْمَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ إِنَّ سُلَيْمَانَ وَرِثَ دَاوُدَ وَ إِنَّ مُحَمَّداً ص وَرِثَ سُلَيْمَانَ وَ إِنَّا وَرِثْنَا مُحَمَّداً ص وَ إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا صُحُفَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ أَلْوَاحَ مُوسَى فَقَالَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ إِنَّ هَذَا لَهُوَ الْعِلْمُ[4] فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ لَيْسَ هَذَا هُوَ الْعِلْمَ إِن
The Imams (a.s.) said, “David inherited the knowledge of the prophets. Solomon inherited David. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) inherited Solomon and we inherited Muhammad (s.a.). With us are the pages of Abraham and the tablets of Moses.” Abu Basir then said, “This is the knowledge.” The Imams (a.s.) said, “O abu Muhammad, th
قَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يُعْطِ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ شَيْئاً إِلَّا وَ قَدْ أَعْطَاهُ مُحَمَّداً ص قَالَ وَ قَدْ أَعْطَى مُحَمَّداً جَمِيعَ مَا أَعْطَى الْأَنْبِيَاءَ وَ عِنْدَنَا الصُّحُفُ الَّتِي قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- صُحُفِ إِبْراهِيمَ وَ مُوسى[6] قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هِيَ الْأَلْوَاحُ[7] قَالَ نَعَمْ.
“Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said to me, “O abu Muhammad, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has not given anything to the prophets that He has not given to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.). The Imams (a.s.) further said, “Allah gave to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) all that He had given to the prophets. With us is the book about whi