Leadership & Responsibility

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنْ كَانَ كَوْنٌ وَ لَا أَرَانِي اللَّهُ ذَلِكَ فَبِمَنْ أَئْتَمُّ قَالَ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَى ابْنِهِ مُوسَى ع قُلْتُ فَإِنْ حَدَثَ بِمُوسَى حَدَثٌ فَبِمَنْ أَئْتَمُّ قَالَ بِوَلَدِهِ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ حَدَثَ بِوَلَدِهِ حَدَثٌ وَ تَرَكَ أَخاً كَبِيراً وَ ابْناً صَغِيراً فَبِمَنْ أَئْتَمُّ قَالَ بِوَلَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَكَذَا أَبَداً قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَعْرِفْهُ وَ لَا أَعْرِفْ مَوْضِعَهُ قَالَ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمّ

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). “If something would happen (death of Imam), may Allah will not make me experience it, then who must I follow as my Imam?” The narrator has said that he pointed to his son Musa (a.s.). I then asked, “What if something will happen to Musa (a.s.) then who must I follow as my Imam?” The Ima

ذَكَرَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع وَ هُوَ يَوْمَئِذٍ غُلَامٌ فَقَالَ هَذَا الْمَوْلُودُ الَّذِي لَمْ يُولَدْ فِينَا مَوْلُودٌ أَعْظَمُ بَرَكَةً عَلَى شِيعَتِنَا مِنْهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي لَا تَجْفُوا إِسْمَاعِيلَ.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) spoke of abu al-Hassan (a.s.) and he was a young boy in those days. He said, “This is a child that no other child born to us has been of such a greater blessing to our followers than him.” The Imam (a.s.) then said to me, “Do not be harsh with Isma‘il.”

لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هُوَ صَاحِبُكَ الَّذِي سَأَلْتَ عَنْهُ فَقُمْ إِلَيْهِ فَأَقِرَّ لَهُ بِحَقِّهِ فَقُمْتُ حَتَّى قَبَّلْتُ رَأْسَهُ وَ يَدَهُ وَ دَعَوْتُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَمْ يُؤْذَنْ لَنَا فِي أَوَّلَ مِنْكَ‌[2] قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَأُخْبِرُ بِهِ أَحَداً فَقَالَ نَعَمْ أَهْلَكَ وَ وُلْدَكَ وَ كَانَ مَعِي أَهْلِي وَ وُلْدِي وَ رُفَقَائِي و

“He is your Master of who you asked. Stand up for him and acknowledge his rights.” I then stood up and kissed his head and hand and prayed to Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, for him.” Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) then said, “Keep in mind that permission is not given to us to speak about him to anyone before you.” The narr

كَانَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَلُومُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ وَ يُعَاتِبُهُ وَ يَعِظُهُ وَ يَقُولُ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِثْلَ أَخِيكَ فَوَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأَعْرِفُ النُّورَ فِي وَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ لِمَ أَ لَيْسَ أَبِي وَ أَبُوهُ وَاحِداً وَ أُمِّي وَ أُمُّهُ وَاحِدَةً[1] فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ مِنْ نَفْسِي وَ أَنْتَ ابْنِي.

10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Ja‘far ibn Bashir from Fudayl from Tahir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). He has said that abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) would blame ‘Abdallah, show him his anger and advise him saying, “What is the matter that you are not like your brother (Musa) By Allah, I observ

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ هُوَ وَاقِفٌ عَلَى رَأْسِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى وَ هُوَ فِي الْمَهْدِ فَجَعَلَ يُسَارُّهُ طَوِيلًا فَجَلَسْتُ حَتَّى فَرَغَ فَقُمْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لِي ادْنُ مِنْ مَوْلَاكَ فَسَلِّمْ فَدَنَوْتُ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَرَدَّ عَلَيَّ السَّلَامَ بِلِسَانٍ فَصِيحٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِيَ اذْهَبْ فَغَيِّرِ اسْمَ ابْنَتِكَ الَّتِي سَمَّيْتَهَا أَمْسِ فَإِنَّهُ اسْمٌ يُبْغِضُهُ اللَّهُ وَ

“Once I went to see abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who was standing by the cradle of abu al-Hassan. He began to speak secretly to him for a long time. I sat there until he was free. I then stood for him and he said to me, “Come close to your Mawla (master and Leader with Divine Authority).” I went close and said greetings. He an

دَعَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَوْماً وَ نَحْنُ عِنْدَهُ فَقَالَ لَنَا عَلَيْكُمْ بِهَذَا فَهُوَ وَ اللَّهِ صَاحِبُكُمْ بَعْدِي.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) one day called abu al-Hassan (a.s.) while we were in his presence and said to us, “You must take hold of this man. He, by Allah, will be your Master after me.”

بَعَثَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ الْمَنْصُورُ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ جَالِسٌ عَلَى كُرْسِيٍّ وَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ شَمْعَةٌ وَ فِي يَدِهِ كِتَابٌ قَالَ فَلَمَّا سَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ رَمَى بِالْكِتَابِ إِلَيَّ وَ هُوَ يَبْكِي فَقَالَ لِي هَذَا كِتَابُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ يُخْبِرُنَا أَنَّ جَعْفَرَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ قَدْ مَاتَ فَ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَ إِنَّا إِلَيْهِ راجِعُونَ‌ ثَلَاثاً و

“Abu Ja‘far, al-Mansur summoned me in the middle of the night and I went to see him. When met him he was sitting in a chair. Before him there was a candle and a letter in his hand. The narrator has said that I greeted him and he threw the letter to me while was weeping. He said, “This is a letter of Muhammad ibn Sulaym

بِنَحْوٍ مِنْ هَذَا إِلَّا أَنَّهُ ذَكَرَ أَنَّهُ أَوْصَى إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الْمَنْصُورِ وَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ وَ مُوسَى وَ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ وَ مَوْلًى لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌ ع قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ لَيْسَ إِلَى قَتْلِ هَؤُلَاءِ سَبِيلٌ.

“He left a will to abu Ja‘far, al-Mansur, ‘Abdallah , Musa, Muhammad ibn Ja‘far and Mawla of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). Abu Ja‘far then said, “There is no way to kill these people.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ صَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ صَاحِبَ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ لَا يَلْهُو وَ لَا يَلْعَبُ- وَ أَقْبَلَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى وَ هُوَ صَغِيرٌ وَ مَعَهُ عَنَاقٌ مَكِّيَّةٌ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ لَهَا اسْجُدِي لِرَبِّكِ فَأَخَذَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ ضَمَّهُ إِلَيْهِ وَ قَالَ بِأَبِي وَ أُمِّي مَنْ لَا يَلْهُو وَ لَا يَلْعَبُ.

15. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Ali ibn al-Hassan from Safwan al-Jammal who has said the following. “I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the in charge of this matter (Leadership with Divine Authority) nad he said. “ The in charge of the task does not trifle or play

إِنِّي لَعِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ أَقْبَلَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع وَ هُوَ غُلَامٌ فَالْتَزَمْتُهُ وَ قَبَّلْتُهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنْتُمُ السَّفِينَةُ وَ هَذَا مَلَّاحُهَا قَالَ فَحَجَجْتُ مِنْ قَابِلٍ وَ مَعِي أَلْفَا دِينَارٍ فَبَعَثْتُ بِأَلْفٍ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَلْفٍ إِلَيْهِ فَلَمَّا دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ يَا فَيْضُ عَدَلْتَهُ بِي قُلْتُ إِنَّمَا فَ

“Once when I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) came and he was a young boy. I held and kissed him. Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, “You are the ark and he is the captain.” The narrator has said that he wen to perform Hajj next year and I had two thousand Dinars. I sent one thousand t

كُنْتُ أَنَا وَ هِشَامُ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ وَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ يَقْطِينٍ بِبَغْدَادَ فَقَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ يَقْطِينٍ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ الْعَبْدِ الصَّالِحِ جَالِساً فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ ابْنُهُ عَلِيٌّ فَقَالَ لِي يَا عَلِيَّ بْنَ يَقْطِينٍ هَذَا عَلِيٌّ سَيِّدُ وُلْدِي أَمَا إِنِّي قَدْ نَحَلْتُهُ كُنْيَتِي فَضَرَبَ هِشَامُ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ بِرَاحَتِهِ جَبْهَتَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَيْحَكَ كَيْفَ قُلْتَ فَقَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ يَقْطِينٍ سَمِع

Ahmad ibn Mihran has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from al-Husayn ibn Nu‘aym al-Sahhaf who has said the following. “Once I was in the presence of the pious servant (of Allah).In al-Safwani manuscript it says, “I was then he relates the rest of the above hadith.”

إِنَّ ابْنِي عَلِيّاً أَكْبَرُ وُلْدِي وَ أَبَرُّهُمْ عِنْدِي وَ أَحَبُّهُمْ‌ إِلَيَّ وَ هُوَ يَنْظُرُ مَعِي فِي الْجَفْرِ وَ لَمْ يَنْظُرْ فِيهِ إِلَّا نَبِيٌّ أَوْ وَصِيُّ نَبِيٍّ.

“My son, Ali is the eldest of my sons and the most virtuous among them to me and the most beloved of them to me. He looks into the Jafr (a secret source of knowledge) with me. No one looks into it except a prophet or the executor of the will of a prophet.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي قَدْ كَبِرَ سِنِّي فَخُذْ بِيَدِي مِنَ النَّارِ قَالَ فَأَشَارَ إِلَى ابْنِهِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ هَذَا صَاحِبُكُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِي.

“I said to abu Ibrahim (a.s.), ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I have become old, take my hand out of fire.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) pointed to his son, abu al-Hassan (a.s.) and then said, “This is your guardian after me.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ع أَ لَا تَدُلُّنِي إِلَى مَنْ آخُذُ عَنْهُ دِينِي فَقَالَ هَذَا ابْنِي عَلِيٌّ إِنَّ أَبِي أَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَأَدْخَلَنِي إِلَى قَبْرِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ- إِنِّي جاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً[1] وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا قَالَ قَوْلًا وَفَى بِهِ.

“I said to Abu al-Hassan the 1st (a.s.) 'Would you guide me to a person from whom I could learn my religion?'” He (the Imam) said, “This is my son Ali. My father took my hand until we were at the grave of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) and said, “My son, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “. . I am appointi

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع إِنِّي قَدْ كَبِرَتْ سِنِّي وَ دَقَّ عَظْمِي وَ إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ أَبَاكَ ع فَأَخْبَرَنِي بِكَ فَأَخْبِرْنِي مَنْ بَعْدَكَ فَقَالَ هَذَا أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا.

“I said to abu al-Hassan aMusa (a.s.), ‘I have grown old and my bones are weakening. I asked your father (a.s.) and he informed me about you. Would you also inform me (about the Imam after you).” The Imam (a.s.) said, “This abu al-Hassan al-Rida.”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ عِنْدَهُ ابْنُهُ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ لِي يَا زِيَادُ هَذَا ابْنِي فُلَانٌ كِتَابُهُ كِتَابِي وَ كَلَامُهُ كَلَامِي وَ رَسُولُهُ رَسُولِي وَ مَا قَالَ فَالْقَوْلُ قَوْلُهُ.

6. Ahmad ibn Mihran has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from Ziyad ibn Marwan al-Qandi, from the Waqifa sect who has said the following. “Once I went to see abu Ibrahim at that time his son abu al-Hassan al-Rida was with him. The Imam (a.s.) said to me, “O Ziyad, this is my son so and so. His writing is my writing, his

بَعَثَ إِلَيْنَا أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع فَجَمَعَنَا ثُمَّ قَالَ لَنَا أَ تَدْرُونَ لِمَ دَعَوْتُكُمْ فَقُلْنَا لَا فَقَالَ اشْهَدُوا أَنَّ ابْنِي هَذَا وَصِيِّي وَ الْقَيِّمُ بِأَمْرِي وَ خَلِيفَتِي مِنْ بَعْدِي مَنْ كَانَ لَهُ عِنْدِي دَيْنٌ فَلْيَأْخُذْهُ مِنِ ابْنِي هَذَا وَ مَنْ كَانَتْ لَهُ عِنْدِي عِدَةٌ فَلْيُنْجِزْهَا مِنْهُ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ بُدٌّ مِنْ لِقَائِي فَلَا يَلْقَنِي إِلَّا بِكِتَابِهِ.

“Abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) once called all of us to see him. We all gathered and then he said to us, “Do you know why have I called you?” We said, “We do not know.” He then said, “Bear testimony that this my son is the executor of my will, the director of my affairs and the succeeding Imam (a.s.). Whoever has a loan du

خَرَجَتْ إِلَيْنَا أَلْوَاحٌ مِنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع وَ هُوَ فِي‌ الْحَبْسِ عَهْدِي إِلَى أَكْبَرِ وُلْدِي أَنْ يَفْعَلَ كَذَا وَ أَنْ يَفْعَلَ كَذَا وَ فُلَانٌ لَا تُنِلْهُ شَيْئاً حَتَّى أَلْقَاكَ أَوْ يَقْضِيَ اللَّهُ عَلَيَّ الْمَوْتَ.

“My instructions and directives to my eldest son to do so and so. As far so and so is concerned, do not give him anything until I will meet you or Allah will decree otherwise.”

خَرَجَ إِلَيْنَا مِنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع بِالْبَصْرَةِ أَلْوَاحٌ مَكْتُوبٌ فِيهَا بِالْعَرْضِ عَهْدِي إِلَى أَكْبَرِ وُلْدِي يُعْطَى فُلَانٌ كَذَا وَ فُلَانٌ كَذَا وَ فُلَانٌ كَذَا وَ فُلَانٌ لَا يُعْطَى حَتَّى أَجِي‌ءَ أَوْ يَقْضِيَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيَّ الْمَوْتَ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ ما يَشاءُ.

“In Basra (wherein the Imam (a.s.) was imprisoned) certain tablets came out to us from abu al-Hassan (a.s.) on which, it was written horizontally, ‘My instructions and directives to the my eldest son (Ali ibn Musa al-Rida (a.s.) who should give such and such to so and so. As far so and so is concerned do not give him a

كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ مِنَ الْحَبْسِ أَنَّ فُلَاناً ابْنِي سَيِّدُ وُلْدِي وَ قَدْ نَحَلْتُهُ كُنْيَتِي.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) wrote to me from prison that so and so my son is the master and guardian of my children and I have gifted my own (Kunya, Arabic) surname.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ يَحْدُثَ حَدَثٌ وَ لَا أَلْقَاكَ فَأَخْبِرْنِي مَنِ الْإِمَامُ بَعْدَكَ فَقَالَ ابْنِي فُلَانٌ يَعْنِي أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع.

“My son, so and so, meaning thereby abu al-Hassan (a.s.).”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ أَبَاكَ ع مَنِ الَّذِي يَكُونُ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ فَأَخْبَرَنِي أَنَّكَ أَنْتَ هُوَ فَلَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ذَهَبَ النَّاسُ يَمِيناً وَ شِمَالًا وَ قُلْتُ فِيكَ أَنَا وَ أَصْحَابِي فَأَخْبِرْنِي مَنِ الَّذِي يَكُونُ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ مِنْ وُلْدِكَ فَقَالَ ابْنِي فُلَانٌ.

12. Ahmad ibn Mihran has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from Sa‘id ibn abu al-Jahm from al-Nasr ibn Qabus who has said the following. “I said to abu Ibrahim (a.s.), ‘I asked your father, “Who will be (the Imam) after you? He informed me that you will be (the Imam after him). When abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) left this world pe

جِئْتُ إِلَى أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع بِمَالٍ فَأَخَذَ بَعْضَهُ وَ تَرَكَ بَعْضَهُ فَقُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ لِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ تَرَكْتَهُ عِنْدِي قَالَ إِنَّ صَاحِبَ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ يَطْلُبُهُ مِنْكَ فَلَمَّا جَاءَنَا نَعْيُهُ بَعَثَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع ابْنُهُ فَسَأَلَنِي ذَلِكَ الْمَالَ فَدَفَعْتُهُ إِلَيْهِ.

“Once I went to deliver some property to abu Ibrahim (a.s.). He accepted some of it and left the others. I asked him, “May Allah keep you well, why have you left it with me?” He said, “The in charge of this task (Leadership with Divine Authority) will demand it from you.” When we heard the news of his (abu Ibrahim’s) d

أَبُو الْحَكَمِ وَ أَخْبَرَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عُمَارَةَ الْجَرْمِيُّ عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ سَلِيطٍ قَالَ: لَقِيتُ أَبَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ نَحْنُ نُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فِي بَعْضِ الطَّرِيقِ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَلْ تُثْبِتُ هَذَا الْمَوْضِعَ الَّذِي نَحْنُ فِيهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَهَلْ تُثْبِتُهُ أَنْتَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ إِنِّي أَنَا وَ أَبِي لَقِينَاكَ هَاهُنَا وَ أَنْتَ مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ مَع

“The the Imam (a.s.) said, “O Yazid, when ever you will pass through this place and meet and you will soon meet himgive him the glad news of the birth of trust worthy son to him, a protected and holy one. He will inform you of your meeting with me. You then inform him that the girl from whom this boy will be born is a

لَمَّا أَوْصَى أَبُو إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع أَشْهَدَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْجَعْفَرِيَّ وَ إِسْحَاقَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْجَعْفَرِيَّ وَ إِسْحَاقَ بْنَ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ جَعْفَرَ بْنَ صَالِحٍ وَ مُعَاوِيَةَ الْجَعْفَرِيَّ وَ يَحْيَى بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ زَيْدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ وَ سَعْدَ بْنَ عِمْرَانَ الْأَنْصَارِيَّ وَ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ الْحَارِثِ الْأَنْصَارِيَّ وَ يَزِيدَ بْنَ سَلِيطٍ الْأَنْصَارِيَّ وَ مُحَمَّدَ

I ask them to witness and bear testimony that he testifies that there is no Lord except Allah Who is the only Lord Who has no partner and that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger. The coming of the Hour (of judgment ) after death is true. The warning is true and that all people will be held responsible for their

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَقْدَمَ الْعِرَاقَ بِسَنَةٍ وَ عَلِيٌّ ابْنُهُ جَالِسٌ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَنَظَرَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَمَا إِنَّهُ سَيَكُونُ فِي هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ حَرَكَةٌ فَلَا تَجْزَعْ لِذَلِكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ مَا يَكُونُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَدْ أَقْلَقَنِي مَا ذَكَرْتَ فَقَالَ أَصِيرُ إِلَى الطَّاغِيَةِ أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَا يَبْدَأُنِي مِنْهُ سُوءٌ وَ مِنَ الَّذِي يَك

“Once I went to see abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) one year before he would leave for Iraq. His son Ali (a.s.) was also in the meeting. He looked at me and said, “O Muhammad, during this year a movement will take place do not be disturbed in it.” The narrator has said that he then asked the Imam (a.s.), “‘May Allah take my

لَهُمُ الْقَوْا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ فَسَلِّمُوا عَلَيْهِ وَ أَحْدِثُوا بِهِ عَهْداً فَلَمَّا نَهَضَ الْقَوْمُ الْتَفَتَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ يَرْحَمُ اللَّهُ الْمُفَضَّلَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ لَيَقْنَعُ بِدُونِ هَذَا.

“When people readied themselves to leave the meeting the Imam (a.s.) said to them, “Meet abu Ja‘far (a.s.), (before you leave), offer to him greeting and renew your covenant with him.” When left, he (the Imam) said to me, “May Allah grant well-being to al-Mufaddal, he would have believed (in the succeeding Imam) withou

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع وَ ذَكَرَ شَيْئاً فَقَالَ مَا حَاجَتُكُمْ إِلَى ذَلِكَ هَذَا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ قَدْ أَجْلَسْتُهُ مَجْلِسِي وَ صَيَّرْتُهُ مَكَانِي وَ قَالَ إِنَّا أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ يَتَوَارَثُ أَصَاغِرُنَا عَنْ أَكَابِرِنَا الْقُذَّةَ بِالْقُذَّةِ[1].

“I heard (abu al-Hassan) al-Rida who said something (leadership with Divine Authority) and then said, “I do not think you need what I just said. This is abu Ja‘far (a.s.). I have placed him in my own place to assume my position. We are of the family Ahl al-Bayt whose younger ones inherit from elder everything exactly m

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي ع فَنَاظَرَنِي فِي أَشْيَاءَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا عَلِيٍّ ارْتَفَعَ الشَّكُّ مَا لِأَبِي غَيْرِي.

“Once I went to see abu Ja‘far al-Thani’s (a.s.). He debated me in several issues. He then said, “O abu Ali, there is no (reason for) doubt; I am the only son that my father had.”

كَتَبَ ابْنُ قِيَامَا إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع كِتَاباً يَقُولُ فِيهِ كَيْفَ تَكُونُ إِمَاماً وَ لَيْسَ لَكَ وَلَدٌ فَأَجَابَهُ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع شِبْهَ الْمُغْضَبِ وَ مَا عَلَّمَكَ أَنَّهُ لَا يَكُونُ لِي وَلَدٌ وَ اللَّهِ لَا تَمْضِي الْأَيَّامُ وَ اللَّيَالِي حَتَّى يَرْزُقَنِيَ اللَّهُ وَلَداً ذَكَراً يَفْرُقُ بِهِ بَيْنَ الْحَقِّ وَ الْبَاطِلِ.

“Ibn Qiyaman wrote a letter to abu al-Hassan (a.s.) in which he had said the following. ‘How can you be an Imam when you do not have a son?” Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) replied him with signs of anger, “How do you know that I will not have a son? By Allah, not many days and nights will pass before Allah will grant me

قَالَ لِيَ ابْنُ النَّجَاشِيِّ مَنِ الْإِمَامُ بَعْدَ صَاحِبِكَ فَأَشْتَهِي أَنْ تَسْأَلَهُ حَتَّى أَعْلَمَ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى الرِّضَا ع فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي الْإِمَامُ ابْنِي ثُمَّ قَالَ هَلْ يَتَجَرَّأُ أَحَدٌ أَنْ يَقُولَ ابْنِي وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ.

“Al-Najashi once asked me, “Who will be the Imam after your master? I wish you ask him so I will know.” I then went to see Ali al-Rida (a.s.) and informed him (of al-Najashi’s wish).” The narrator has said that the Imam said, “The Imam will be my son.” Then he said, “Can any one say that my son will be the Imam when he

ذَكَرْنَا عِنْدَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع شَيْئاً بَعْدَ مَا وُلِدَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ مَا حَاجَتُكُمْ إِلَى ذَلِكَ هَذَا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ قَدْ أَجْلَسْتُهُ مَجْلِسِي وَ صَيَّرْتُهُ فِي مَكَانِي.

“Once in the presence of abu al-Hassan (a.s.) we spoke about an issue, Imamat, (Leadership with Divine Authority). It was after the birth oof abu Ja‘far (a.s.). The Imam (a.s.) said, “You do not need any such thing (thinking who the Imam will be). This is abu Ja‘far (a.s.). I have placed him in my own place and made hi

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُوسَى ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَ يَكُونُ إِمَامَانِ قَالَ لَا إِلَّا وَ أَحَدُهُمَا صَامِتٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ هُوَ ذَا أَنْتَ لَيْسَ لَكَ صَامِتٌ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ وُلِدَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع بَعْدُ فَقَالَ لِي وَ اللَّهِ لَيَجْعَلَنَّ اللَّهُ مِنِّي مَا يُثْبِتُ بِهِ الْحَقَّ وَ أَهْلَهُ وَ يَمْحَقُ بِهِ الْبَاطِلَ وَ أَهْلَهُ فَوُلِدَ لَهُ بَعْدَ سَنَةٍ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ كَانَ ابْنُ قِيَامَا وَاقِف

“Once I went to see Ali ibn Musa (a.s.). (During the meeting) I asked him, “Can there be two Imams?” He replied, “No, but that one of them must remain silent.” I then said to him, “This applies to you. You are the Imam and there is no silent Imam with you.” At that time his son abu Ja‘far was not yet born. He said to m

كُنْتُ مَعَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع جَالِساً فَدَعَا بِابْنِهِ وَ هُوَ صَغِيرٌ فَأَجْلَسَهُ فِي حَجْرِي فَقَالَ لِي جَرِّدْهُ وَ انْزِعْ قَمِيصَهُ فَنَزَعْتُهُ فَقَالَ لِيَ انْظُرْ بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهِ فَنَظَرْتُ فَإِذَا فِي أَحَدِ كَتِفَيْهِ شَبِيهٌ بِالْخَاتَمِ دَاخِلٌ فِي اللَّحْمِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ تَرَى هَذَا كَانَ مِثْلُهُ فِي هَذَا الْمَوْضِعِ مِنْ أَبِي ع.

“Once I was in the presence of abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He called his son who was a small (boy). The Imams (a.s.) placed him in my lap and said to me. “ Move his shirt aside.” When I did so. The Imams (a.s.) said, “Look in between his shoulders.” I look and I found in the skin of one shoulder something like an imprint of

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَجِي‌ءَ بِابْنِهِ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ هُوَ صَغِيرٌ فَقَالَ هَذَا الْمَوْلُودُ الَّذِي لَمْ يُولَدْ مَوْلُودٌ أَعْظَمُ بَرَكَةً عَلَى شِيعَتِنَا مِنْهُ.

“Once I was in of abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) Someone brought his son, Ja’far (a.s.) to him and he was a small (child). The Imams (a.s.) said, “This new born is one the like of whom with such great holiness and blessing has not been born for our Shi‘a (followers).”

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع قَدْ كُنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَهَبَ اللَّهُ لَكَ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فَكُنْتَ تَقُولُ يَهَبُ اللَّهُ لِي غُلَاماً فَقَدْ وَهَبَهُ اللَّهُ لَكَ فَأَقَرَّ عُيُونَنَا فَلَا أَرَانَا اللَّهُ يَوْمَكَ فَإِنْ كَانَ كَوْنٌ فَإِلَى مَنْ فَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا ابْنُ ثَلَاثِ سِنِينَ فَقَالَ وَ مَا يَضُرُّهُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَ

“Once I said to al-Rida (a.s.), before Allah’s granting you the blessing of the birth of abu Ja’far (a.s.) we would ask you and you would say, “Allah will grant me a son and He has granted you one. His birth is the delight of our eyes. May Allah spare us from showing your (sad) day. However, if something will happen to

سَمِعْتُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ يَقُولُ لِلرِّضَا ع إِنَّ ابْنِي فِي لِسَانِهِ ثِقْلٌ فَأَنَا أَبْعَثُ بِهِ إِلَيْكَ غَداً تَمْسَحُ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ وَ تَدْعُو لَهُ فَإِنَّهُ مَوْلَاكَ فَقَالَ هُوَ مَوْلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ فَابْعَثْ بِهِ غَداً إِلَيْهِ.

“I heard ’Isma‘il ibn Ibrahim say to al-rida (a.s.), ‘My son feels heaviness in his tongue. I intend to sent him tomorrow to you. Pass you your hand over his head and pray for him. He is your Mawla (slave).’” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He is a Mawla (slave) of abu Ja’far (a.s.). send him tomorrow to him (abu Ja‘far (a.s.).

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ جَالِساً بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَ كُنْتُ أَقَمْتُ عِنْدَهُ سَنَتَيْنِ أَكْتُبُ عَنْهُ مَا يَسْمَعُ مِنْ أَخِيهِ يَعْنِي أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الرِّضَا ع الْمَسْجِدَ- مَسْجِدَ الرَّسُولِ ص فَوَثَبَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ بِلَا حِذَاءٍ وَ لَا رِدَاءٍ فَقَبَّلَ يَدَهُ وَ عَظَّمَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا عَمِّ اجْ

“Once I was in a meeting with Ali ibn Ja‘far ibn Muhammad in Medina, - I stayed with him for two years to write from him what he would hear from his brother, Abu al-Hassan (a.s.),- at such time Abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) came in the mosque, the mosque of the Messenger of Allah. Ali ibn Ja‘far rushed tow

كُنْتُ وَاقِفاً بَيْنَ يَدَيْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع- بِخُرَاسَانَ فَقَالَ لَهُ قَائِلٌ يَا سَيِّدِي إِنْ كَانَ كَوْنٌ فَإِلَى مَنْ قَالَ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ابْنِي فَكَأَنَّ الْقَائِلَ اسْتَصْغَرَ سِنَّ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى بَعَثَ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولًا نَبِيّاً صَاحِبَ شَرِيعَةٍ مُبْتَدَأَةٍ فِي أَصْغَرَ مِنَ السِّنِّ الَّذِي فِيهِ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “It will go to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), my son.” The person asking the question thought of abu Ja‘far (a.s.) as very young for such task. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) said, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, sent Jesus, son of Mary as a messenger prophet, the owner of a whole legal system. He began his task

سَمِعْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ يُحَدِّثُ الْحَسَنَ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ فَقَالَ: وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ نَصَرَ اللَّهُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحَسَنُ إِي وَ اللَّهِ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَقَدْ بَغَى عَلَيْهِ إِخْوَتُهُ فَقَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ إِي وَ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ عُمُومَتُهُ بَغَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحَسَنُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَيْفَ صَنَعْتُمْ فَإِنِّي لَمْ أَحْضُر

“By Allah, Allah has supported abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.).” Al-Hassan then said, “Yes, by Allah, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, his brothers have rebelled against him.” Ali ibn Ja‘far then said, “Yes, by Allah, and we, his uncles, rebelled against him.” Al-Hassan said to him, “May Allah take my sou

لَمَّا خَرَجَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ إِلَى بَغْدَادَ فِي الدَّفْعَةِ الْأُولَى مِنْ خَرْجَتَيْهِ قُلْتُ لَهُ عِنْدَ خُرُوجِهِ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكَ فِي هَذَا الْوَجْهِ فَإِلَى مَنِ الْأَمْرُ بَعْدَكَ فَكَرَّ بِوَجْهِهِ إِلَيَّ ضَاحِكاً وَ قَالَ لَيْسَ الْغَيْبَةُ حَيْثُ ظَنَنْتَ فِي هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ فَلَمَّا أُخْرِجَ بِهِ الثَّانِيَةَ إِلَى الْمُعْتَصِمِ صِرْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُ

“The disappearance, as have thought, will not take place this year. When he was about to be taken to al-Mu‘tasam (179/795 —became caliph 218/833 — 227/841), for the second time I went to him and said, “May Allah take my souls in service for your cause. You are leaving. To who, after you, will go this task Leadership wi

الرَّسُولُ لِأَبِي إِنَّ مَوْلَاكَ يَقْرَأُ عَلَيْكَ السَّلَامَ وَ يَقُولُ لَكَ إِنِّي مَاضٍ وَ الْأَمْرُ صَائِرٌ إِلَى ابْنِي عَلِيٍّ وَ لَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ بَعْدِي مَا كَانَ لِي عَلَيْكُمْ بَعْدَ أَبِي ثُمَّ مَضَى الرَّسُولُ وَ رَجَعَ أَحْمَدُ إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ وَ قَالَ لِأَبِي مَا الَّذِي قَدْ قَالَ لَكَ قَالَ خَيْراً قَالَ قَدْ سَمِعْتُ مَا قَالَ فَلِمَ تَكْتُمُهُ وَ أَعَادَ مَا سَمِعَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبِي قَدْ حَرَّمَ

“My father was to watch the door of the house of abu Ja‘far (a.s.) to serve the task for which he was assigned. Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa would come every day at dawn for information about the health of abu Ja‘far (a.s.). There was a messenger that would come and go between abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and my father. When he (t

أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَحْمَدَ بْنَ أَبِي خَالِدٍ مَوْلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ يَحْكِي أَنَّهُ أَشْهَدَهُ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْوَصِيَّةِ الْمَنْسُوخَةِ[1]- شَهِدَ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ أَبِي خَالِدٍ مَوْلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ أَنَّ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع أَشْهَدَهُ أَنَّهُ أَوْصَى إِلَى عَلِيٍّ ابْنِهِ بِنَفْسِهِ وَ أَخَوَاتِهِ

“I heard Ahmad ibn abu Khalid, stating that he (The Imam (a.s.) had appointed him as witness to bear testimony to this documented will in the following words. “Ahmad ibn abu Khalid, the slave of abu Ja‘far, bears testimony that abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja‘far ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali

أَوْصَى أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع إِلَى ابْنِهِ الْحَسَنِ قَبْلَ مُضِيِّهِ بِأَرْبَعَةِ أَشْهُرٍ وَ أَشْهَدَنِي عَلَى ذَلِكَ وَ جَمَاعَةً مِنَ الْمَوَالِي.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) prepared his directive will to his son, al-Hassan four months before his leaving this world. He appointed me to bear testimony to his will as well as a group of the follower friends.”

كُنْتُ مَعَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع فِي صَحْنِ دَارِهِ فَمَرَّ بِنَا مُحَمَّدٌ ابْنُهُ‌[5]- فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا صَاحِبُنَا بَعْدَكَ فَقَالَ لَا صَاحِبُكُمْ بَعْدِيَ الْحَسَنُ.

“Once I was with abu al-Hassan in the compound of his house and at that time his son, Muhammad passed by. I said to him, “may Allah take my souls in service for your cause, will he be our master, Imam, after you?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “ No, your master, Imam, after me will be al-Hassan (a.s.).” * This abu Ja‘far Muham

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع‌ صَاحِبُكُمْ بَعْدِيَ الَّذِي يُصَلِّي عَلَيَّ قَالَ وَ لَمْ نَعْرِفْ أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَخَرَجَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ فَصَلَّى عَلَيْهِ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) said, “Your master (Imam) after me will be the one who will perform prayer for me (prayer for burial).” The narrator has said that we did not know abu Muhammad (a.s.) before this. Abu Muhammad came out and prayed (for his burial).”

كُنْتُ حَاضِراً أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع لَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ ابْنُهُ مُحَمَّدٌ فَقَالَ لِلْحَسَنِ يَا بُنَيَّ أَحْدِثْ لِلَّهِ شُكْراً فَقَدْ أَحْدَثَ فِيكَ أَمْراً.

“I was present with abu al-Hassan (a.s.) when his son Muhammad died. The Imam (a.s.) said this to (his son) al-Hassan (a.s.), “Son renew your thanks to Allah because He has just granted you the matter (Leadership with Divine Authority).”

كُنْتُ حَاضِراً عِنْدَ مُضِيِّ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ ع فَجَاءَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع فَوُضِعَ لَهُ كُرْسِيٌّ فَجَلَسَ عَلَيْهِ وَ حَوْلَهُ أَهْلُ بَيْتِهِ وَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ قَائِمٌ فِي نَاحِيَةٍ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ مِنْ أَمْرِ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ- الْتَفَتَ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ أَحْدِثْ لِلَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى شُكْراً فَقَدْ أَحْدَثَ فِيكَ أَمْراً.

“I was present at the time of abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Ali’s (leaving this world). Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) came and a chair was set for him. He sat on it and his family around him. Abu Muhammad was standing on one side. When he was free from the matters about abu Ja‘far he then turned to abu Muhammad (a.s.) and said, “My s

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع إِنْ كَانَ كَوْنٌ وَ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ فَإِلَى مَنْ قَالَ عَهْدِي إِلَى الْأَكْبَرِ مِنْ وَلَدَيَّ.

“Once I said abu al-Hassan (a.s.), “If something will happen-I seek refuge before Allah – to who then will go (Leadership with Divine Authority)?” He said, “My covenant (directive will) is for the eldest of my sons.”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْعَسْكَرِيِّ ع وَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ابْنُهُ فِي الْأَحْيَاءِ وَ أَنَا أَظُنُّ أَنَّهُ هُوَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَنْ أَخُصُّ مِنْ وُلْدِكَ فَقَالَ لَا تَخُصُّوا أَحَداً حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ إِلَيْكُمْ أَمْرِي قَالَ فَكَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ بَعْدُ فِيمَنْ يَكُونُ هَذَا الْأَمْرُ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ فِي الْكَبِيرِ مِنْ وَلَدَيَّ قَالَ وَ كَانَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ أَكْبَرَ مِنْ أَبِي جَعْفَر

“Once I went to see al-Hassan al-‘Askari (a.s.) when his son abu Ja‘far (Muhammad ) was still alive and I thought he will be the Imam after his father. I then asked the Imam (a.s.), “May Allah take my souls in service for your cause, which of your sons I will consider (my Imam)?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “do not consider