Prayer

ذَكَرْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلًا مُبْتَلًى بِالْوُضُوءِ وَ الصَّلَاةِ[2] وَ قُلْتُ هُوَ رَجُلٌ عَاقِلٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ وَ أَيُّ عَقْلٍ لَهُ وَ هُوَ يُطِيعُ الشَّيْطَانَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَ كَيْفَ يُطِيعُ الشَّيْطَانَ- فَقَالَ سَلْهُ هَذَا الَّذِي يَأْتِيهِ مِنْ أَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ هُوَ فَإِنَّهُ يَقُولُ لَكَ مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ‌[3].

“I mentioned to Abu ‘Abdillah (al-Sadiq) (as) a man who was afflicted with doubts in his ablution and prayer (constantly repeating them) and added that he is an intelligent man.” Abu 'Abdillah then said, ‘What kind of intelligence does he have, when he obeys Satan?’. I asked him, 'How is he obeying Satan?'. He replied,

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ لِي جَاراً كَثِيرَ الصَّلَاةِ كَثِيرَ الصَّدَقَةِ كَثِيرَ الْحَجِّ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ‌[1] قَالَ فَقَالَ يَا إِسْحَاقُ كَيْفَ عَقْلُهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَيْسَ لَهُ عَقْلٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا يَرْتَفِعُ بِذَلِكَ مِنْهُ.

‘May I be your ransom, I have a neighbor who does a lot of salaat, gives a lot in charity and very often does hajj and there is no flaw with him.’ He asked, 'O Ibn Ishaq how is his intelligence?'. I then said, 'May I be your ransom, he does not have any intelligence'. So he said, 'Nothing from what he does will be rais

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ الرَّجُلَ كَثِيرَ الصَّلَاةِ كَثِيرَ الصِّيَامِ فَلَا تُبَاهُوا بِهِ حَتَّى تَنْظُرُوا كَيْفَ عَقْلُهُ.

“Rasulullah (sw) said, ‘When you find a man who prays and fasts a great deal do not become proud of him until you see how his intelligence he is.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ تَذَاكُرُ الْعِلْمِ دِرَاسَةٌ وَ الدِّرَاسَةُ صَلَاةٌ حَسَنَةٌ.

“Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘Discussing knowledge is study and study is a good prayer.’”

طَلَبَةُ الْعِلْمِ ثَلَاثَةٌ فَاعْرِفْهُمْ بِأَعْيَانِهِمْ وَ صِفَاتِهِمْ صِنْفٌ يَطْلُبُهُ لِلْجَهْلِ وَ الْمِرَاءِ وَ صِنْفٌ يَطْلُبُهُ لِلِاسْتِطَالَةِ وَ الْخَتْلِ وَ صِنْفٌ يَطْلُبُهُ لِلْفِقْهِ وَ الْعَقْلِ فَصَاحِبُ الْجَهْلِ وَ الْمِرَاءِ مُوذٍ مُمَارٍ مُتَعَرِّضٌ لِلْمَقَالِ فِي أَنْدِيَةِ الرِّجَالِ بِتَذَاكُرِ الْعِلْمِ وَ صِفَةِ الْحِلْمِ قَدْ تَسَرْبَلَ بِالْخُشُوعِ وَ تَخَلَّى مِنَ الْوَرَعِ فَدَقَّ الل

“The seekers of knowledge are of three kinds. The more noticeable of them in person or character are: (a) the group who seeks knowledge for ignorance and quarrel. (b) The group who seeks knowledge to dominate and cheat others. (c) The group who seeks knowledge for proper understanding, Fiqh, and power of intelligence.

وَ اللَّهِ مَا صَامُوا لَهُمْ وَ لَا صَلَّوْا لَهُمْ وَ لَكِنْ أَحَلُّوا لَهُمْ حَرَاماً وَ حَرَّمُوا عَلَيْهِمْ حَلَالًا فَاتَّبَعُوهُمْ.

“They (unconditionally) obeyed the rabbis and the monks and worshipped the Messiah, son of Mary, as they should have obeyed God . (9:31).’ “By Allah, they (the people) did not pray or fast for them (rabbis and monks) but they (rabbis and monks) made lawful for the people what was unlawful and unlawful what was lawful a

إِنَّ مِنْ أَبْغَضِ الْخَلْقِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَرَجُلَيْنِ رَجُلٌ وَكَلَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ فَهُوَ جَائِرٌ عَنْ قَصْدِ السَّبِيلِ مَشْعُوفٌ‌[1] بِكَلَامِ بِدْعَةٍ قَدْ لَهِجَ بِالصَّوْمِ وَ الصَّلَاةِ فَهُوَ فِتْنَةٌ لِمَنِ افْتَتَنَ بِهِ ضَالٌّ عَنْ هَدْيِ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَهُ‌[2] مُضِلٌّ لِمَنِ اقْتَدَى بِهِ فِي حَيَاتِهِ وَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ حَمَّالٌ خَطَايَا غَيْرِهِ رَهْنٌ بِخَطِيئَتِهِ وَ رَجُلٌ

“Of the most intensely disliked men before Allah, the Majestic, the Most Glorious, are two kinds of people: A man whom Allah has left all to his own soul and he deviates from the path of justice and is intensely attracted towards the words innovation. He seems a master in performing prayer and fasting but is a mischief

جَاءَ حِبْرٌ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ هَلْ رَأَيْتَ رَبَّكَ حِينَ عَبَدْتَهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ وَيْلَكَ مَا كُنْتُ أَعْبُدُ رَبّاً لَمْ أَرَهُ قَالَ وَ كَيْفَ رَأَيْتَهُ قَالَ وَيْلَكَ لَا تُدْرِكُهُ الْعُيُونُ فِي مُشَاهَدَةِ الْأَبْصَارِ وَ لَكِنْ رَأَتْهُ الْقُلُوبُ بِحَقَائِقِ الْإِيمَانِ‌[1].

“Once a rabbi (hibr) came to Imam Ali (a.s.) and asked, ‘O Amir al-mu’minin, have you seen your Lord when worshipping Him?’” Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “This is not a proper question. I would not have worshipped a Lord whom I could not see.” He then asked, “How did you see Him?” Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “This is not a prope

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي ع فَسَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الرَّبِّ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَهُ أَسْمَاءٌ وَ صِفَاتٌ‌[2] فِي كِتَابِهِ وَ أَسْمَاؤُهُ وَ صِفَاتُهُ هِيَ هُوَ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ لِهَذَا الْكَلَامِ وَجْهَيْنِ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَقُولُ هِيَ هُوَ أَيْ إِنَّهُ ذُو عَدَدٍ وَ كَثْرَةٍ فَتَعَالَى اللَّهُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَقُولُ هَذِهِ الصِّفَاتُ وَ الْأَسْمَاءُ لَمْ تَز

7. Muhammad ibn abu ‘Abdallah in a marfu‘ manner, has narrated from abu Hashim al-Ja‘fari who has said the following. “I was in the company of abu Ja’far al-Thani, the 2nd (a.s.), when a person asked him, “The names and attributes of the Lord, the Most Holy, the Most High, mentioned in His book (the Holy Quran) are the

ذُكِرَ عِنْدَهُ قَوْمٌ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَنْزِلُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَنْزِلُ وَ لَا يَحْتَاجُ إِلَى أَنْ يَنْزِلَ إِنَّمَا مَنْظَرُهُ‌[1] فِي الْقُرْبِ وَ الْبُعْدِ سَوَاءٌ لَمْ يَبْعُدْ مِنْهُ قَرِيبٌ وَ لَمْ يَقْرُبْ مِنْهُ بَعِيدٌ- وَ لَمْ يَحْتَجْ إِلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ بَلْ يُحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ ذُو الطَّوْلِ‌ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيم

“A people was mentioned, before the Imam (a.s.), who believed that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, comes down to the sky above the earth.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Allah does not come down and He does not need to come down. His sight for near and far is the same. Near does not become far for Him and far does not bec

سَأَلَنِي أَبُو قُرَّةَ الْمُحَدِّثُ أَنْ أُدْخِلَهُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُهُ فَأَذِنَ لِي فَدَخَلَ فَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ الْحَلَالِ وَ الْحَرَامِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ أَ فَتُقِرُّ أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَحْمُولٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع كُلُّ مَحْمُولٍ مَفْعُولٌ بِهِ مُضَافٌ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ مُحْتَاجٌ وَ الْمَحْمُولُ اسْمُ نَقْصٍ فِي اللَّفْظِ[3] وَ الْحَامِلُ فَاعِلٌ وَ هُوَ فِي اللَّفْظِ مِدْحَةٌ وَ كَذَلِك

2. Ahmad ibn Idris from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya who has said the following. “Abu Qurrah, the narrator of Hadith asked for help to meet Imam Ali abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.). I requested the Imam (a.s.) to meet him and he agreed. Abu Qurrah asked the Imam about the lawful and unlawful matters a

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كانَ عَرْشُهُ‌ عَلَى الْماءِ[1] فَقَالَ مَا يَقُولُونَ قُلْتُ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ الْعَرْشَ كَانَ عَلَى الْمَاءِ وَ الرَّبُّ فَوْقَهُ فَقَالَ كَذَبُوا مَنْ زَعَمَ هَذَا فَقَدْ صَيَّرَ اللَّهَ مَحْمُولًا وَ وَصَفَهُ بِصِفَةِ الْمَخْلُوقِ وَ لَزِمَهُ أَنَّ الشَّيْ‌ءَ الَّذِي يَحْمِلُهُ أَقْوَى مِنْهُ قُلْتُ بَيِّنْ لِي جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ ال

The Imam asked, “What do they say about it?” I said, “They say that al-‘Arsh (the Throne) was on the water and the Lord was on top of it.” The Imam then said, “They have said a lie. Whoever would think that way he has considered Allah as being carried and has described Him with the qualities of the creatures which invo

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ ما ظَلَمُونا وَ لكِنْ كانُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ‌ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى أَعْظَمُ وَ أَعَزُّ وَ أَجَلُّ وَ أَمْنَعُ مِنْ أَنْ يُظْلَمَ وَ لَكِنَّهُ خَلَطَنَا بِنَفْسِهِ فَجَعَلَ ظُلْمَنَا ظُلْمَهُ وَ وَلَايَتَنَا وَلَايَتَهُ حَيْثُ يَقُولُ- إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يَعْنِي الْأَئِمَّةَ مِنَّا ثُمَّ قَالَ فِي مَوْضِعٍ آخَ

“I asked the Imam about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “They (children of Israel) did not wrong Us but they wronged themselves.” (2:57) The Imam said, “Allah is far Great and Majestic and Mighty above being wronged. But He has mixed us with His Own-self. He has considered the wrong done to us as bein

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا تَنَبَّأَ نَبِيٌّ قَطُّ حَتَّى يُقِرَّ لِلَّهِ بِخَمْسِ خِصَالٍ بِالْبَدَاءِ وَ الْمَشِيئَةِ وَ السُّجُودِ وَ الْعُبُودِيَّةِ وَ الطَّاعَةِ.

“No prophet has ever proclaimed prophethood before acknowledging before Allah about five things. Acknowledgement of al-Bada’, of the wish of Allah, the prostration, affirmation of worshipping and obedience.”

قَالَ لِي اكْتُبْ فَأَمْلَى عَلَيَّ إِنَّ مِنْ قَوْلِنَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَحْتَجُّ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ بِمَا آتَاهُمْ وَ عَرَّفَهُمْ ثُمَّ أَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِمْ رَسُولًا وَ أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْكِتَابَ فَأَمَرَ فِيهِ وَ نَهَى أَمَرَ فِيهِ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَ الصِّيَامِ فَنَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فَقَالَ أَنَا أُنِيمُكَ وَ أَنَا أُوقِظُكَ‌ فَإِذَا قُمْتَ فَصَلِّ لِيَعْلَمُوا إِذَا أَصَابَهُمْ ذَلِكَ كَيْفَ يَصْن

“Once Imam abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said to me, ‘Write down.’ He dictated to me the following. ‘It is of our Hadith that Allah will, justifiably, hold people accountable for what He has given and made known to them. Allah then sent His messenger to them and sent down books upon them in which He has commanded and prohibit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

قُلْتُ 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

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

أَتَيْنَا بَابَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ نَحْنُ نُرِيدُ الْإِذْنَ عَلَيْهِ فَسَمِعْنَاهُ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِكَلَامٍ لَيْسَ بِالْعَرَبِيَّةِ فَتَوَهَّمْنَا أَنَّهُ بِالسُّرْيَانِيَّةِ ثُمَّ بَكَى فَبَكَيْنَا لِبُكَائِهِ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَيْنَا الْغُلَامُ فَأَذِنَ لَنَا فَدَخَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ أَتَيْنَاكَ نُرِيدُ الْإِذْنَ عَلَيْكَ فَسَمِعْنَاكَ تَتَكَلَّمُ بِكَلَامٍ لَيْسَ بِالْعَرَبِيَّةِ فَتَوَهّ

“We went to Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and wanting to seek his permission. We heard him speaking in a language that was not Arabic, we imagined it was Syriac, then he cried and we cried because of his crying. Then the boy (his servant) came out and allowed us to enter. So we entered and I said, “May Allah keep you well, we c

خَرَجَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ بَعْدَ عَتَمَةٍ[3] وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ هَمْهَمَةً هَمْهَمَةً وَ لَيْلَةً مُظْلِمَةً خَرَجَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْإِمَامُ عَلَيْهِ قَمِيصُ‌ آدَمَ وَ فِي يَدِهِ خَاتَمُ سُلَيْمَانَ وَ عَصَا مُوسَى ع.

“Amir al-Mu’mini (a.s.) once came out during the night after the ‘Isha’ prayer saying, ‘Ham hama, ham hama it is a dark night. The Imam (a.s.) has come out to you and he is wearing the shirt of Adam (a.s.) and he is wearing the ring of Solomon (a.s.) and holding the staff of Moses (a.s.).”

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْناهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ صَدَقَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ الْقُرْآنَ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ- وَ ما أَدْراكَ ما لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لَا أَدْرِي قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ لَيْسَ فِيهَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ قَالَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ هَلْ تَدْرِي لِمَ

“Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) would say, “We revealed the Quran on the Night of Destiny ((97:1) Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has certainly said the truth has reveal the Holy Quran on the Night of Determination. “Would that you knew what the Night of Destiny is! (97:2)” the Messenger of Allah said, “I do not kn

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَدْ عَرَفَ قَاتِلَهُ وَ اللَّيْلَةَ الَّتِي يُقْتَلُ فِيهَا وَ الْمَوْضِعَ الَّذِي يُقْتَلُ فِيهِ وَ قَوْلُهُ لَمَّا سَمِعَ صِيَاحَ الْإِوَزِّ[6] فِي الدَّارِ صَوَائِحُ تَتْبَعُهَا نَوَائِحُ وَ قَوْلُ أُمِّ كُلْثُومٍ- لَوْ صَلَّيْتَ اللَّيْلَةَ دَاخِلَ الدَّارِ وَ أَمَرْتَ غَيْرَكَ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ فَأَبَى عَلَيْهَا وَ كَثُرَ دُخُولُهُ وَ خُرُوجُهُ تِلْكَ اللَّيْل

I said to al-Rida (peace be upon him): “The Commander of the Faithful knew his killer, the night on which he would be killed, and the place where he would be killed. He even said, when he heard the cries of the geese in the house: ‘Cries that will be followed by wailing.’ And Umm Kulthum said to him: ‘If only you would

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا بَصِيرٍ يَقُولُ‌ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مِنْ أَيْنَ أَصَابَ أَصْحَابَ عَلِيٍّ مَا أَصَابَهُمْ مَعَ عِلْمِهِمْ بِمَنَايَاهُمْ وَ بَلَايَاهُمْ قَالَ فَأَجَابَنِي شِبْهَ الْمُغْضَبِ مِمَّنْ ذَلِكَ إِلَّا مِنْهُمْ فَقُلْتُ مَا يَمْنَعُكَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ ذَلِكَ بَابٌ أُغْلِقَ إِلَّا أَنَّ الْحُسَيْنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ صَلَوَاتٌ عَلَيْهِمَا فَتَحَ مِنْهُ شَيْئاً يَسِيراً ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَبَا مُحَ

“from who could it come except from their own selves.?” I then asked, “What prevents you, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, from telling it all (to your friends). The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is a door that is closed door except that al-Husayn ibn Ali (a.s.) opened it to a small degree (told a few things a

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ لِبَعْضِ أَصْحَابِ قَيْسٍ الْمَاصِرِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَدَّبَ نَبِيَّهُ فَأَحْسَنَ أَدَبَهُ فَلَمَّا أَكْمَلَ لَهُ الْأَدَبَ قَالَ- إِنَّكَ لَعَلى‌ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ‌ ثُمَّ فَوَّضَ إِلَيْهِ أَمْرَ الدِّينِ وَ الْأُمَّةِ لِيَسُوسَ عِبَادَهُ فَقَالَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- ما آتاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَ ما نَهاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا وَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ مُسَدَّد

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ’Udhayna from Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said that he heard abu ‘Abdallah say the following to some of the companions of Qays al-Masir. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, discipline and education His Messenger. He then made his discipli

أَتَى رَجُلٌ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الرُّوحِ أَ لَيْسَ هُوَ جَبْرَئِيلَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع جَبْرَئِيلُ ع مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ الرُّوحُ غَيْرُ جَبْرَئِيلَ فَكَرَّرَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ فَقَالَ لَهُ لَقَدْ قُلْتَ عَظِيماً مِنَ الْقَوْلِ مَا أَحَدٌ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّ الرُّوحَ غَيْرُ جَبْرَئِيلَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِنَّكَ ضَالٌّ تَرْوِي عَنْ أَهْلِ الضَّلَالِ يَقُو

“Once a man came to Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) asking him about the Spirit. “Is he not Jibril?” Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) then said, “Jibril is of the angels. The Spirit is not Jibril. He repeated it to the man. The man said, “You have said something very much extraordinary. No one other than you thinks that the Spi

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى‌ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَ اتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّيَّتُهُمْ بِإِيمانٍ‌ أَلْحَقْنا بِهِمْ‌ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ‌ وَ ما أَلَتْناهُمْ‌ مِنْ عَمَلِهِمْ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ[1] قَالَ‌ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا النَّبِيُّ ص وَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ ذُرِّيَّتُهُ الْأَئِمَّةُ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءُ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمْ أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ وَ لَمْ نَنْقُصْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمُ الْحُجَّةَ- الَّتِي جَاءَ بِهَا مُحَمَّدٌ ص فِي عَلِيّ

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn abu Zahir from al-Khashshab from Ali ibn Hass’an from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Kathir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “The offspring of the believers will also follow them to Paradise. So shall We join their offspring to them because of their faith. We s

إِنَّ الْوَصِيَّةَ نَزَلَتْ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ كِتَاباً[2] لَمْ يُنْزَلْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص كِتَابٌ مَخْتُومٌ إِلَّا الْوَصِيَّةُ فَقَالَ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع يَا مُحَمَّدُ هَذِهِ وَصِيَّتُكَ فِي أُمَّتِكَ عِنْدَ أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَيُّ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ قَالَ نَجِيبُ اللَّهِ‌[3] مِنْهُمْ وَ ذُرِّيَّتُهُ لِيَرِثَكَ عِلْمَ النُّبُوَّةِ كَمَا وَرَّثَهُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع وَ مِيرَاث

“The will came from the heavens to Muhammad (sw) in a book (written). Nothing came to Muhammad (sw) from heavens in a written sealed document form except the will. Jibril (a.s.) said, “O Muhammad, this is your will about your followers with your family. The Messenger of Allah (sw) asked, “Which family of mine, O Jibril

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ‌[2] فَقَالَ نَزَلَتْ فِي عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ يَقُولُونَ فَمَا لَهُ لَمْ يُسَمِّ عَلِيّاً وَ أَهْلَ بَيْتِهِ ع فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ فَقَالَ قُولُوا لَهُمْ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص نَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ

“I asked Abā ʿAbdillāh (AS) about the words of God, the Mighty and Majestic: "Obey God and obey the Messenger and those of authority from yourselves." (4:59). So he [al-Ṣādiq] said, “It was sent down regarding ʿAlī b. Abī Ṭālib, al-Ḥasan, and al-Ḥusayn, upon them be peace.” So I [Abī Baṣīr] said to him [al-Ṣādiq]

إِنَّمَا يَعْنِي أَوْلَى بِكُمْ أَيْ أَحَقُّ بِكُمْ وَ بِأُمُورِكُمْ وَ أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَ أَمْوَالِكُمُ‌ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يَعْنِي عَلِيّاً وَ أَوْلَادَهُ الْأَئِمَّةَ ع إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ثُمَّ وَصَفَهُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقَالَ‌ الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَ يُؤْتُونَ الزَّكاةَ وَ هُمْ‌ راكِعُونَ‌ وَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي صَلَاةِ الظُّهْرِ وَ قَدْ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَ

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Muhammad al-Hashimi from his father from Ahmad ibn ‘Isa from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). The Imam (a.s.) has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “Only God, His Messenger, and the

أَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ رَسُولَهُ بِوَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍّ وَ أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ- إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَ يُؤْتُونَ الزَّكاةَ وَ فَرَضَ وَلَايَةَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ فَلَمْ يَدْرُوا مَا هِيَ فَأَمَرَ اللَّهُ مُحَمَّداً ص أَنْ يُفَسِّرَ لَهُمُ الْوَلَايَةَ كَمَا فَسَّرَ لَهُمُ الصَّلَاةَ وَ الزَّكَاةَ وَ الصَّوْمَ وَ الْحَجَّ فَلَمَّا أَتَاهُ ذَلِكَ

Allah to Whom belong Might and Majesty revealed to him: O Messenger, deliver that which has been sent down to thee from thy Lord; for if thou cost not, thou wig not have delivered His Message. Allah will protect thee from men (al-Maidah, 5:67). He complied with the command of Allah, may remembrance of Him be exalted, a

كُنْتُ عِنْدَهُ جَالِساً فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ حَدِّثْنِي عَنْ وَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍّ أَ مِنَ اللَّهِ أَوْ مِنْ رَسُولِهِ فَغَضِبَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَيْحَكَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَخْوَفَ لِلَّهِ مِنْ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا لَمْ يَأْمُرْهُ بِهِ اللَّهُ بَلِ افْتَرَضَهُ كَمَا افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ الصَّلَاةَ وَ الزَّكَاةَ وَ الصَّوْمَ وَ الْحَجَّ.

“Once I was with Abu Ja’far (a.s.) at a session, when a man asked him, ’Please speak to me about the wilaya (divine authority) of Ali (a.s), whether it is from Allah or from His Messenger?’ The Imam who seemed angry said: ’Fie upon you! The Messenger of Allah (s.w) was more fearing of Allah than that he should say what

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ خَمْساً أَخَذُوا أَرْبَعاً وَ تَرَكُوا وَاحِداً قُلْتُ أَ تُسَمِّيهِنَّ لِي جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ الصَّلَاةُ وَ كَانَ النَّاسُ لَا يَدْرُونَ كَيْفَ يُصَلُّونَ فَنَزَلَ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَخْبِرْهُمْ بِمَوَاقِيتِ صَلَاتِهِمْ ثُمَّ نَزَلَتِ الزَّكَاةُ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَخْبِرْهُمْ مِنْ زَكَاتِهِمْ مَا أَخْبَرْتَه

“I heard Abu Ja’far (a.s.) say: Allah, to Whom belongs Might and Majesty, made five things incumbent on (his) servants: they accepted four and rejected one.’ I asked: ’May I be made your ransom, name them for me?’ He said: ’Prayer; but the people did not understand how to pray, then Jibril (a.s.) came down and said: “O

أَنَّ عَلِيّاً صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ حِينَ سَارَ إِلَى الْكُوفَةِ اسْتَوْدَعَ أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ كُتُبَهُ وَ الْوَصِيَّةَ فَلَمَّا رَجَعَ الْحَسَنُ دَفَعَتْهَا إِلَيْهِ.

“When Ali (a.s.) was about to leave for Kufa he left in ’Umm Salama’s trust his books and his will. When al-Hasan (a.s.) returned to Medina she delivered all of them to him.”

الْكُلَيْنِيُّ وَ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنِ ابْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ الدَّيْلَمِيِّ عَنْ هَارُونَ بْنِ الْجَهْمِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا حَضَرَ الْحَسَنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع الْوَفَاةُ قَالَ لِلْحُسَيْنِ ع يَا أَخِي إِنِّي أُوصِيكَ بِوَصِيَّةٍ فَاحْفَظْهَا إِذَا أَنَا مِتُّ فَهَيِّئْنِي ثُمَّ وَجِّهْنِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لِأُحْدِثَ بِهِ ع

“When al-Hassan (a.s.) ibn Ali (a.s.) was about to leave this world he said to al-Husayn (a.s.), “O my brother, I want to entrust you with my directive will (please) safeguard and preserve it. When I will die prepare and help me towards (the Shrine of) the Messenger of Allah so I can renew my covenant with him then hel

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا احْتُضِرَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع قَالَ لِلْحُسَيْنِ يَا أَخِي إِنِّي أُوصِيكَ بِوَصِيَّةٍ فَاحْفَظْهَا فَإِذَا أَنَا مِتُّ فَهَيِّئْنِي ثُمَّ وَجِّهْنِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لِأُحْدِثَ بِهِ عَهْداً ثُمَّ اصْرِفْنِي إِلَى أُمِّي فَاطِمَةَ ع ثُمَّ رُدَّنِي فَادْفِنِّي بِالْبَقِيعِ وَ اعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ سَيُصِيبُنِي مِنَ الْحُمَيْرَاءِ مَا يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مِنْ صَنِيعِهَا وَ

“When al-Hassan (a.s.) ibn Ali (a.s.) was about to leave this world he said to al-Husayn (a.s.), “O my brother, I want to entrust you with my directive will (please) safeguard and preserve it. When I will die prepare and help me towards (the Shrine of) the Messenger of Allah so I can renew my covenant with him then hel

إِنَّ الْحُسَيْنَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ لَمَّا صَارَ إِلَى الْعِرَاقِ اسْتَوْدَعَ أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا الْكُتُبَ وَ الْوَصِيَّةَ فَلَمَّا رَجَعَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع دَفَعَتْهَا إِلَيْهِ.

“When al-Husayn (a.s.) was about to leave for Iraq he entrusted ’Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) with the books and directive will. When Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) returned (to Madina) she delivered them to him. According to the manuscript of al-Safwan the hadith reads as follows:

وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَجَالِسٌ عِنْدَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ وَ عِنْدَهُ وُلْدُهُ إِذْ جَاءَهُ جَابِرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ بِيَدِ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَخَلَا بِهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أَخْبَرَنِي أَنِّي سَأُدْرِكُ رَجُلًا مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ يُقَالُ لَهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ يُكَنَّى أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ فَإِذَا أَدْرَكْتَهُ فَأَقْرِئْهُ مِنِّي السَّلَامَ قَالَ وَ م

“ I swear by Allah, I was sitting in the presence of Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) whose sons also were there when Jabir ibn ‘Abdallah al-Ansari came. He offered his greeting then he held the hand of Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and took him aside for privacy and said, “The Messenger of Allah informed me that I would find my self with

إِنَّ أَبِي ع اسْتَوْدَعَنِي مَا هُنَاكَ فَلَمَّا حَضَرَتْهُ الْوَفَاةُ قَالَ ادْعُ لِي شُهُوداً فَدَعَوْتُ لَهُ أَرْبَعَةً مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فِيهِمْ نَافِعٌ مَوْلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ اكْتُبْ هَذَا مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ يَعْقُوبُ بَنِيهِ‌ يا بَنِيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفى‌ لَكُمُ الدِّينَ فَلا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَ أَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ‌[1] وَ أَوْصَى مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ إِلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَمَر

“My father entrusted me with all that is there (the sacred objects inherited from the prophets such as directive wills etc.). When he was about to leave this world, he asked me to call for him a few people to bear testimony. I then called for him four people from Quraysh among them was Nafi‘ Mawla ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Umar.

سَأَلْتُ عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ فِي السَّنَةِ الَّتِي أُخِذَ فِيهَا أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الْمَاضِي ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ قَدْ صَارَ فِي يَدِ هَذَا وَ مَا نَدْرِي‌[2] إِلَى مَا يَصِيرُ فَهَلْ بَلَغَكَ عَنْهُ فِي أَحَدٍ مِنْ وُلْدِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ لِي مَا ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّ أَحَداً يَسْأَلُنِي عَنْ هَذِهِ الْمَسْأَلَةِ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ فِي مَنْزِلِهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ فِي بَيْتٍ كَذَا فِي دَارِهِ

“Abu Ali al-Arjani al-Farisi narrated to me from ‘Abd al-Rahman al- Hajjaj in the year ( 179 AH /795 AD) in which former abu al-Hasan, Imam Musa (a.s.) was detained. I (Hajjaj) said to him (‘Abd al-Rahman), “This man (abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) has been detained in his (Mansur, current ruler) hands. We do not know how h

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

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.).

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).”

فِي صَحْنِ دَارِهِ وَ النَّاسُ جُلُوسٌ حَوْلَهُ فَقَالُوا قَدَّرْنَا أَنْ يَكُونَ حَوْلَهُ مِنْ آلِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ وَ قُرَيْشٍ مِائَةٌ وَ خَمْسُونَ رَجُلًا سِوَى مَوَالِيهِ وَ سَائِرِ النَّاسِ إِذْ نَظَرَ إِلَى الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ قَدْ جَاءَ مَشْقُوقَ الْجَيْبِ حَتَّى قَامَ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ نَحْنُ لَا نَعْرِفُهُ فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع بَعْدَ سَاعَةٍ فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ أَحْدِثْ لِلَّه

“They were present on the day Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Muhammad, at the door of abu al-Hassan to offer condolences. A place in the compound of his house was prepared for him and people were sitting around him. They said, “We estimated that at that time from the descendents of abu Talib, Hashim and Quraysh there were about

اجْتَمَعْتُ أَنَا وَ الشَّيْخُ أَبُو عَمْرٍو رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ عِنْدَ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ فَغَمَزَنِي أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِسْحَاقَ أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ عَنِ الْخَلَفِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَبَا عَمْرٍو إِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ مَا أَنَا بِشَاكٍّ فِيمَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ‌ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْهُ فَإِنَّ اعْتِقَادِي وَ دِينِي أَنَّ الْأَرْضَ لَا تَخْلُو مِنْ حُجَّةٍ إِلَّا إِذَا كَانَ قَبْلَ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ بِأَرْ

“I and shaykh abu ‘Amr, may Allah grant him blessings met each other before Ahmad ibn Ishaq. Ahmad ibn Ishaq made an eye gesture to me to ask him about the succeeding Imam. I said to him, “O abu ‘Amr, I like to ask you a question about a matter, although, I do not any doubts in the question I am about to ask. It is my

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الْعَسْكَرِيَّ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْخَلَفُ مِنْ بَعْدِي الْحَسَنُ فَكَيْفَ لَكُمْ بِالْخَلَفِ مِنْ بَعْدِ الْخَلَفِ فَقُلْتُ وَ لِمَ جَعَلَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ لَا تَرَوْنَ شَخْصَهُ- وَ لَا يَحِلُّ لَكُمْ ذِكْرُهُ بِاسْمِهِ فَقُلْتُ فَكَيْفَ نَذْكُرُهُ فَقَالَ قُولُوا الْحُجَّةُ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَ سَلَامُهُ.

‘The succeeding Imam after me will be al-Hassan (a.s.). How will it be for you in the case of the succeeding Imam after the Imam succeeding myself?” I then asked, “ May Allah take my souls in service for your cause, why will that be so?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “You will not see his person and it will not be permissible