Prayer

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَيُّمَا أَفْضَلُ الْعِبَادَةُ فِي السِّرِّ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ مِنْكُمُ الْمُسْتَتِرِ فِي دَوْلَةِ الْبَاطِلِ أَوِ الْعِبَادَةُ فِي ظُهُورِ الْحَقِّ وَ دَوْلَتِهِ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ مِنْكُمُ الظَّاهِرِ فَقَالَ يَا عَمَّارُ الصَّدَقَةُ فِي السِّرِّ وَ اللَّهِ أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الصَّدَقَةِ فِي الْعَلَانِيَةِ وَ كَذَلِكَ وَ اللَّهِ عِبَادَتُكُمْ فِي السِّرِّ مَعَ إِمَامِكُمُ‌ الْمُسْتَتِرِ فِي دَوْ

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari has narrated from from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Mirdas from Safwan ibn Yahya and al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Salim from ‘Ammar al-Sabati who has said the following. “Once I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Is the worship in secrecy with an Imam from you under the gover

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ لِلْغُلَامِ غَيْبَةً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُومَ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ لِمَ قَالَ يَخَافُ وَ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى بَطْنِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا زُرَارَةُ وَ هُوَ الْمُنْتَظَرُ وَ هُوَ الَّذِي يُشَكُّ فِي وِلَادَتِهِ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ مَاتَ أَبُوهُ بِلَا خَلَفٍ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ حَمْلٌ‌[1] وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ إِنَّهُ وُلِدَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِ أَبِيهِ بِسَنَتَيْنِ وَ هُوَ الْمُ

“The young boy will disappear from the public sight before his rise (with divine power)” The narrator has said, “I then asked, “Why (would that has to take place)?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He will be afraid.” He pointed out with his hand to his midsection. Then he said, “O zurara, “He is the one whose reappearance is ex

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا بُدَّ لِلْغُلَامِ مِنْ غَيْبَةٍ قُلْتُ وَ لِمَ قَالَ يَخَافُ وَ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى بَطْنِهِ وَ هُوَ الْمُنْتَظَرُ وَ هُوَ الَّذِي يَشُكُّ النَّاسُ فِي وِلَادَتِهِ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ حَمْلٌ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ مَاتَ أَبُوهُ وَ لَمْ يُخَلِّفْ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ وُلِدَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِ أَبِيهِ بِسَنَتَيْنِ قَالَ زُرَارَةُ فَقُلْتُ وَ مَا تَأْمُرُنِي لَوْ أَدْرَكْتُ ذَل

“It will be necessary for the young boy to diappear from the public sight.” I then asked, “Why it will be necessary?” He said, “Because he will have fear- he then pointed towards his midsection. He will be the one whose reappearance will be intensely expected. It will be he in whose being born people will have doubts.

كُنْتُ مَعَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ يَوْمَ النَّهْرَوَانِ فَبَيْنَا عَلِيٌّ ع جَالِسٌ إِذْ جَاءَ فَارِسٌ فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا عَلِيُّ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَلِيٌّ ع وَ عَلَيْكَ السَّلَامُ مَا لَكَ ثَكِلَتْكَ أُمُّكَ لَمْ تُسَلِّمْ عَلَيَّ بِإِمْرَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَالَ بَلَى سَأُخْبِرُكَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ كُنْتُ إِذْ كُنْتَ عَلَى الْحَقِّ بِصِفِّينَ فَلَمَّا حَكَّمْتَ الْحَكَمَيْنِ بَرِئْت

On the day of al-Nahrawan I was in the presence of Ali ibn Abu Talib (a.s.). As we were sitting with the Imam (a.s.) a horse man approached and said, “al-salamu ‘Alayka ya Ali (peace be with you O Ali).” Ali (a.s.) said, “’Alayka al-salam (with you also be peace). May your mother weep over your dead body, why did you n

لَهُمْ يَا بَيَّاعِي مُسُوخِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَ جُنْدِ بَنِي مَرْوَانَ فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ فُرَاتُ بْنُ أَحْنَفَ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ مَا جُنْدُ بَنِي مَرْوَانَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَقْوَامٌ حَلَقُوا اللِّحَى وَ فَتَلُوا الشَّوَارِبَ فَمُسِخُوا فَلَمْ أَرَ نَاطِقاً أَحْسَنَ نُطْقاً مِنْهُ ثُمَّ اتَّبَعْتُهُ فَلَمْ أَزَلْ أَقْفُو أَثَرَهُ حَتَّى قَعَدَ فِي رَحَبَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَمِيرَ

“I saw Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) in the (market) place of the Shurtat al-Khamis with a two pronged whip in his had. With it he would scare the sellers of inedible fish such as eel, moray and angler etc., and say, “O sellers of metamorphosed Israelites and the army of the descendants of Marwan, do not sell (inedible fishe

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَاسْتُؤْذِنَ لِرَجُلٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْيَمَنِ عَلَيْهِ فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ عَبْلٌ طَوِيلٌ جَسِيمٌ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ بِالْوَلَايَةِ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ بِالْقَبُولِ وَ أَمَرَهُ بِالْجُلُوسِ فَجَلَسَ مُلَاصِقاً لِي فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي لَيْتَ شِعْرِي مَنْ هَذَا فَقَالَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع هَذَا مِنْ وُلْدِ الْأَعْرَابِيَّةِ صَاحِبَةِ الْحَصَاةِ الَّتِي طَبَعَ آبَائِي ع فِيهَا بِخَوَاتِيمِهِمْ فَا

“Once I was in thepresence of abu Muhammad (a.s.) that permission was requested for a man from Yemen to see the Imam (a.s.). A chubby, tall and heavy man then came in and greeted the Imam with the greeting for Wilaya, the Leader with Divine Authority and received the acceptance response. The Imam (a.s.) asked him to ha

لَمَّا قُتِلَ الْحُسَيْنُ ع أَرْسَلَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَنَفِيَّةِ إِلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَخَلَا بِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي قَدْ عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص دَفَعَ الْوَصِيَّةَ وَ الْإِمَامَةَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع ثُمَّ إِلَى الْحَسَنِ ع ثُمَّ إِلَى الْحُسَيْنِ ع وَ قَدْ قُتِلَ أَبُوكَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ وَ صَلَّى عَلَى رُوحِهِ وَ لَمْ يُوصِ وَ أَنَا عَمُّكَ وَ صِنْوُ

“When al-Husayn (a.s.) was martyred, Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiya asked Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) for a private meeting. In the meeting he said, “O son of my brother, you know that the Messenger of Allah (s.a) delivered the task of al-Wasiyya, (the executor-ship of the will) and al-Imamat, (Leadership with Divine Authority)

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى الرِّضَا ع وَ أَنَا يَوْمَئِذٍ وَاقِفٌ- وَ قَدْ كَانَ أَبِي سَأَلَ أَبَاهُ عَنْ سَبْعِ مَسَائِلَ فَأَجَابَهُ فِي سِتٍّ وَ أَمْسَكَ عَنِ السَّابِعَةِ فَقُلْتُ وَ اللَّهِ لَأَسْأَلَنَّهُ عَمَّا سَأَلَ أَبِي أَبَاهُ فَإِنْ أَجَابَ بِمِثْلِ جَوَابِ أَبِيهِ كَانَتْ دَلَالَةً فَسَأَلْتُهُ فَأَجَابَ بِمِثْلِ جَوَابِ أَبِيهِ أَبِي فِي الْمَسَائِلِ السِّتِّ فَلَمْ يَزِدْ فِي الْجَوَابِ وَاواً وَ لَا يَاءً وَ أَ

“Once I went to see Ali al-Rida (a.s.). At that time I was a memebr of Waqifi sect. My father had asked his (al-Rida’s) father seven questions. He had replied to six of them and had refrained from answering the seventh. I said to my self, “By Allah, I will ask him what my father had asked his father if his answers will

كُنْتُ وَاقِفاً وَ حَجَجْتُ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ فَلَمَّا صِرْتُ بِمَكَّةَ خَلَجَ فِي صَدْرِي شَيْ‌ءٌ فَتَعَلَّقْتُ بِالْمُلْتَزَمِ‌[1] ثُمَّ قُلْتُ اللَّهُمَّ قَدْ عَلِمْتَ طَلِبَتِي وَ إِرَادَتِي فَأَرْشِدْنِي إِلَى خَيْرِ الْأَدْيَانِ فَوَقَعَ فِي نَفْسِي أَنْ آتِيَ الرِّضَا ع فَأَتَيْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ فَوَقَفْتُ بِبَابِهِ وَ قُلْتُ لِلْغُلَامِ قُلْ لِمَوْلَاكَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْعِرَاقِ بِالْبَابِ قَالَ فَسَمِع

“I was a member of Waqifa sect and I wen to Hajj with the same belief. When I arrived in Makka an idea began to prick my chest. I got hold of al-Multazam (the wall next to the door of Ka‘ba) and said, “O Lord, You know what I ask for and my intention. Guide me to the best of the religions. It then occurred to me to see

جَاءَتْ أُمُّ أَسْلَمَ يَوْماً إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص وَ هُوَ فِي مَنْزِلِ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ فَسَأَلَتْهَا عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَتْ خَرَجَ فِي بَعْضِ الْحَوَائِجِ وَ السَّاعَةَ يَجِي‌ءُ فَانْتَظَرَتْهُ عِنْدَ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ حَتَّى جَاءَ ص فَقَالَتْ‌ أُمُّ أَسْلَمَ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي قَدْ قَرَأْتُ الْكُتُبَ وَ عَلِمْتُ كُلَّ نَبِيٍّ وَ وَصِيٍّ- فَمُوسَى كَانَ لَهُ وَصِيٌّ فِي حَيَاتِه

“One day ’Umm Aslam came to the Holy Prophet (s.a) when he was in the house of ’Umm salama. She asked about the Messenger of Allah. ’Umm Salama relied that he had just went out for some thing and that he would return soon. She then waited with ’Umm Salama until he (the Messenger of Allah) came. ’Umm Aslam then said, “M

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ يَا ثَابِتُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى قَدْ كَانَ وَقَّتَ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ فِي السَّبْعِينَ فَلَمَّا أَنْ قُتِلَ الْحُسَيْنُ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اشْتَدَّ غَضَبُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى عَلَى أَهْلِ الْأَرْضِ فَأَخَّرَهُ إِلَى أَرْبَعِينَ وَ مِائَةٍ فَحَدَّثْنَاكُمْ فَأَذَعْتُمُ الْحَدِيثَ فَكَشَفْتُمْ قِنَاعَ السَّتْرِ[1] وَ لَمْ يَجْعَلِ اللَّهُ لَهُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ وَقْتاً ع

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) say, “O Thabit, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, had set up a time limit for it in the year seventy but when al-Husayn (a.s.) was murdered Allah’s anger became more intense on the people on earth. He delayed it until one hundred forty. When then spoke to you about it and you publicized th

سَأَلَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ فَقَالَ تَرَانِي أُدْرِكُ الْقَائِمَ ع فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا بَصِيرٍ أَ لَسْتَ تَعْرِفُ إِمَامَكَ فَقَالَ إِي وَ اللَّهِ وَ أَنْتَ هُوَ وَ تَنَاوَلَ يَدَهُ فَقَالَ وَ اللَّهِ مَا تُبَالِي يَا أَبَا بَصِيرٍ أَلَّا تَكُونَ مُحْتَبِياً بِسَيْفِكَ فِي ظِلِّ رِوَاقِ الْقَائِمِ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ.

“Abu basir askked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and I was listening. ‘Do you think I will meet Al-Qa’im (a.s.) ?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “O abu Basir, ‘Do you not know who your Imam is?” He said, “By Allah, your are my Imam while holding his hand.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Then you must worry for not leaning against your sword in

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ الْعَامَّةِ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ مَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ إِمَامٌ مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّةً فَقَالَ الْحَقُّ وَ اللَّهِ- قُلْتُ فَإِنَّ إِمَاماً هَلَكَ وَ رَجُلٌ بِخُرَاسَانَ لَا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ وَصِيُّهُ لَمْ يَسَعْهُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ لَا يَسَعُهُ إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ إِذَا هَلَكَ وَقَعَتْ حُجَّةُ وَصِيِّهِ عَلَى مَنْ هُوَ مَعَهُ فِي الْبَلَدِ وَ حَقُّ النَّفْرِ عَلَى مَن

“I asked Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the statement of the general populace (Sunnis) that says the Messenger of Allah (sw) has said, “If a person would die without having an Imam, his death would be as if he has died as the death of ignorance (pre-Islamic period)” The Imam (a.s.) said, “That is true, by Allah.” I then as

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَوْ أَنَّ قَوْماً عَبَدُوا اللَّهَ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَ آتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ وَ حَجُّوا الْبَيْتَ وَ صَامُوا شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَّ قَالُوا لِشَيْ‌ءٍ صَنَعَهُ اللَّهُ أَوْ صَنَعَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَلَّا صَنَعَ خِلَافَ الَّذِي صَنَعَ أَوْ وَجَدُوا ذَلِكَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ لَكَانُوا بِذَلِكَ مُشْرِكِينَ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- فَلا وَ رَبِّكَ‌ لا يُؤْمِن

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘If a people would worship Allah only Who has no partner, maintain the prayers, pay Zakat, perform Hajj of the House and fast in the month of Ramadan but say about something that Allah or the Messenger of Allah has done, would that it had been done differently or find such feelings in th

كُنْتُ مُزَامِلًا لِجَابِرِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ الْجُعْفِيِّ فَلَمَّا أَنْ كُنَّا بِالْمَدِينَةِ دَخَلَ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَوَدَّعَهُ وَ خَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ وَ هُوَ مَسْرُورٌ حَتَّى وَرَدْنَا الْأُخَيْرِجَةَ[3] أَوَّلَ مَنْزِلٍ نَعْدِلُ مِنْ فَيْدَ[4] إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ- يَوْمَ جُمُعَةٍ فَصَلَّيْنَا الزَّوَالَ فَلَمَّا نَهَضَ بِنَا الْبَعِيرُ إِذَا أَنَا بِرَجُلٍ طُوَالٍ آدَمَ مَعَهُ كِتَابٌ فَنَاوَلَهُ جَابِراً فَتَن

“Once I was a companion of Jabir ibn Yazid al-Ja‘far‘fi on a journey. When reached he went to meet abu Ja‘far (a.s.). He said farewell to him and came out very happy until we arrived in al-’Ukhayraja, the first length of journey from Fayd to Madina. It was a Friday. We said our prayers at noon. When the camel rose to l

نَضَّرَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً سَمِعَ مَقَالَتِي فَوَعَاهَا وَ حَفِظَهَا وَ بَلَّغَهَا مَنْ لَمْ يَسْمَعْهَا فَرُبَّ حَامِلِ فِقْهٍ غَيْرُ فَقِيهٍ وَ رُبَّ حَامِلِ فِقْهٍ إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ أَفْقَهُ مِنْهُ ثَلَاثٌ لَا يُغِلُّ عَلَيْهِنَّ قَلْبُ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ‌[1] إِخْلَاصُ الْعَمَلِ لِلَّهِ وَ النَّصِيحَةُ لِأَئِمَّةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ‌[2] وَ اللُّزُومُ لِجَمَاعَتِهِمْ فَإِنَّ دَعْوَتَهُمْ مُحِيطَةٌ مِنْ وَرَائِهِمْ الْمُسْلِمُ

“The the Messenger of Allah addressed people in the mosque of Khif and said, “May Allah grant joy and happiness to those of His servants that on hearing my words understand them, memorize them preach them to those who have not heard them. There can be many scholars of Fiqh (law) who do not have understanding as there c

قَالَ سُفْيَانُ الثَّوْرِيُّ اذْهَبْ بِنَا إِلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ فَذَهَبْتُ مَعَهُ إِلَيْهِ فَوَجَدْنَاهُ قَدْ رَكِبَ دَابَّتَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ سُفْيَانُ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ حَدِّثْنَا بِحَدِيثِ خُطْبَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فِي مَسْجِدِ الْخَيْفِ قَالَ دَعْنِي حَتَّى أَذْهَبَ فِي حَاجَتِي فَإِنِّي قَدْ رَكِبْتُ فَإِذَا جِئْتُ حَدَّثْتُكَ فَقَالَ أَسْأَلُكَ بِقَرَابَتِكَ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لَمَّا حَ

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The sermon of the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his family) in Masjid al-Khayf: 'May God brighten the face of a servant who hears my words, retains them, and conveys them to those who did not hear them. O people, let the one who is present convey to th

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ نُعِيَتْ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص نَفْسُهُ وَ هُوَ صَحِيحٌ لَيْسَ بِهِ وَجَعٌ قَالَ نَزَلَ بِهِ الرُّوحُ الْأَمِينُ- قَالَ فَنَادَى ص الصَّلَاةَ جَامِعَةً وَ أَمَرَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَ الْأَنْصَارَ بِالسِّلَاحِ وَ اجْتَمَعَ النَّاسُ فَصَعِدَ النَّبِيُّ ص الْمِنْبَرَ فَنَعَى إِلَيْهِمْ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أُذَكِّرُ اللَّهَ الْوَالِيَ مِنْ بَعْدِي عَلَى أُمَّتِي أَلَّا يَرْحَمُ عَلَى

‘The Holy Prophet (sw) was given the news of his own death while he was in a good health and he did not suffer any pain.” He said, “The trusted Spirit came to him.” He said, “The Holy Prophet called for a prayer in congregation. He then ordered the Muhajir and Ansar (people from Makka and the people of Madina) to arm t

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ تَفْسِيرِ هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ- ما سَلَكَكُمْ فِي سَقَرَ. قالُوا لَمْ نَكُ مِنَ الْمُصَلِّينَ‌[6] قَالَ عَنَى بِهَا لَمْ نَكُ مِنْ أَتْبَاعِ الْأَئِمَّةِ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى فِيهِمْ- وَ السَّابِقُونَ السَّابِقُونَ. أُولئِكَ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ‌[7] أَ مَا تَرَى النَّاسَ يُسَمُّونَ الَّذِي يَلِي السَّابِقَ فِي الْحَلْبَةِ[8] مُصَلِّي فَذَلِكَ الَّذِي عَنَى حَيْثُ قَالَ- لَمْ نَكُ مِنَ ا

The Imam (a.s.)said, “Such people will be those who did believe in the Imams about whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has saaid, “ (The foremost ones) will be the nearest ones to God” (56:11) Have not noticed that people call the one second to the lead in horse racing ‘al-Musalli’ (the praying)? This is what is

لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ‌ إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَ يُؤْتُونَ الزَّكاةَ وَ هُمْ راكِعُونَ‌[5] اجْتَمَعَ نَفَرٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فِي مَسْجِدِ الْمَدِينَةِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ مَا تَقُولُونَ فِي هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ إِنْ كَفَرْنَا بِهَذِهِ الْآيَةِ نَكْفُرُ بِسَائِرِهَا وَ إِنْ آمَنَّا فَإِنَّ هَذَا ذُلٌّ حِينَ يُسَلِّطُ

The Imam (a.s.) said that once this verse was revealed. “Only God, His Messenger, and the true believers who are steadfast in prayer and pay alms, while they kneel during prayer, are your guardians” (5:55) Certain persons gathered in the Mosque of Madina. They said, ‘If we reject this verse we would have rejected the r

قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَوَّلَ مَا خَلَقَ خَلَقَ مُحَمَّداً ص وَ عِتْرَتَهُ الْهُدَاةَ الْمُهْتَدِينَ فَكَانُوا أَشْبَاحَ نُورٍ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ قُلْتُ وَ مَا الْأَشْبَاحُ قَالَ ظِلُّ النُّورِ أَبْدَانٌ نُورَانِيَّةٌ بِلَا أَرْوَاحٍ وَ كَانَ مُؤَيَّداً بِرُوحٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَ هِيَ رُوحُ الْقُدُسِ فَبِهِ كَانَ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ وَ عِتْرَتُهُ‌[2] وَ لِذَلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ حُلَمَاءَ عُلَمَاءَ

10. Al-Husayn has narrated from (Muhammad) b. ‘Abdallah from Muhammad b. Sinan from Al Mufaddal from Jabir b. Yazid who has said the following. “Once Abu Ja‘far (AS) said to me, ‘Oh Jabir, the first thing that Allah created was Muhammad (SAW) and his offspring who are the rightly guided guides. They existed in ’Ashbah

سَأَلَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ فَقَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَمْ عُرِجَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ مَرَّتَيْنِ فَأَوْقَفَهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ مَوْقِفاً فَقَالَ لَهُ مَكَانَكَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ فَلَقَدْ وَقَفْتَ مَوْقِفاً مَا وَقَفَهُ مَلَكٌ قَطُّ وَ لَا نَبِيٌّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يُصَلِّي فَقَالَ يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ وَ كَيْفَ يُصَلِّي قَالَ يَقُولُ سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ أَنَا رَبُّ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ الرُّوحِ سَبَ

“He said, ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, how many times was the Messenger of Allah taken for ascension?’ The Imam (AS) said, ‘It happened twice. Jibrail asked him to stop at a place saying, ‘Wait right there, O Muhammad, you have stood at a place whereat no angel or prophet has ever stood before you

قُلْتُ لَهُ كَيْفَ كَانَتِ الصَّلَاةُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص قَالَ لَمَّا غَسَّلَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ كَفَّنَهُ سَجَّاهُ ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَ عَلَيْهِ عَشَرَةً فَدَارُوا حَوْلَهُ ثُمَّ وَقَفَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي وَسَطِهِمْ فَقَالَ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَ مَلائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَ سَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيماً فَيَقُولُ الْقَوْمُ كَمَا يَقُولُ حَتَّى صَلَّى عَ

“Once I asked Abu Ja‘far (AS),’How was the prayer for the dead body of the Holy Prophet (SAW)?’ The Imam (AS) said: ‘When Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (AS) washed his body and he placed him in the shroud and covered his body then ten persons came in and they walked around him. Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (AS) then stood in the middle

أَتَى الْعَبَّاسُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدِ اجْتَمَعُوا أَنْ يَدْفِنُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فِي بَقِيعِ الْمُصَلَّى وَ أَنْ يَؤُمَّهُمْ رَجُلٌ مِنْهُمْ فَخَرَجَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِلَى النَّاسِ فَقَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص إِمَامٌ‌[1] حَيّاً وَ مَيِّتاً وَ قَالَ إِنِّي أُدْفَنُ فِي الْبُقْعَةِ الَّتِي أُقْبَضُ فِيهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ عَلَى الْبَابِ فَصَل

“Al-‘Abbas came to Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (AS) and said, ‘O Ali, people have come in a group to bury the Messenger of Allah in Baqi’ Al Musalla, and want one of them as an Imam to lead the prayer.’ Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (AS) then came out to the people and said, “O people, the Messenger of Allah is the Imam whether dead o

لَمَّا قُبِضَ النَّبِيُّ ص صَلَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَ الْمُهَاجِرُونَ وَ الْأَنْصَارُ فَوْجاً فَوْجاً قَالَ- وَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ فِي صِحَّتِهِ وَ سَلَامَتِهِ إِنَّمَا أُنْزِلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ عَلَيَّ فِي الصَّلَاةِ عَلَيَّ بَعْدَ قَبْضِ اللَّهِ لِي- إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَ مَلائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَ سَل

“When the Holy Prophet (SAW) passed away, the angels, Al Muhajirun and Al Ansar prayed over his body group after group.” The narrator has said that Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (AS) has said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah say in good health, “This verse is revealed to me about praying for me after Allah will take me away fro

كُنْتُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَ سَقْفُ الْمَسْجِدِ الَّذِي يُشْرِفُ عَلَى الْقَبْرِ قَدْ سَقَطَ وَ الْفَعَلَةُ يَصْعَدُونَ وَ يَنْزِلُونَ وَ نَحْنُ جَمَاعَةٌ فَقُلْتُ لِأَصْحَابِنَا مَنْ مِنْكُمْ لَهُ مَوْعِدٌ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع اللَّيْلَةَ فَقَالَ مِهْرَانُ بْنُ أَبِي نَصْرٍ أَنَا وَ قَالَ إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ عَمَّارٍ الصَّيْرَفِيُّ أَنَا فَقُلْنَا لَهُمَا سَلَاهُ لَنَا عَنِ الصُّعُودِ لِنُشْرِفَ عَلَى قَب

“I was in Madina when the roof over the grave of the Holy Prophet (s.a) had crumbled down and the workers were climbing up and down (for repairs). We were a group and said to our people, “Who has an appointment with abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.)?” Mihran ibn abu Nasr said, “I have an appointment with the Imam (a.s.).” ’Isma‘il

خَرَجَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع فِي بَعْضِ عُمَرِهِ‌[2] وَ مَعَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ وُلْدِ الزُّبَيْرِ كَانَ يَقُولُ بِإِمَامَتِهِ فَنَزَلُوا فِي مَنْهَلٍ مِنْ تِلْكَ الْمَنَاهِلِ تَحْتَ نَخْلٍ يَابِسٍ قَدْ يَبِسَ مِنَ الْعَطَشِ فَفُرِشَ لِلْحَسَنِ ع تَحْتَ نَخْلَةٍ وَ فُرِشَ لِلزُّبَيْرِيِّ بِحِذَاهُ تَحْتَ نَخْلَةٍ أُخْرَى قَالَ فَقَالَ الزُّبَيْرِيُّ وَ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ لَوْ كَانَ فِي هَذَا النَّخْلِ رُطَبٌ لَأَكَلْنَا م

“Once al-Hassan (a.s.) went outside the town with a man from the children of al-Zubayr who believed al-Hassan to be the Imam. They stopped for rest on one of the oasis under a palm tree that had dried up due to lack of water. A furnishing was spread for Imam al-Hassan (a.s.) under that tree and for al-Zubayri the furni

خَرَجَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع إِلَى مَكَّةَ سَنَةً مَاشِياً فَوَرِمَتْ قَدَمَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَعْضُ مَوَالِيهِ لَوْ رَكِبْتَ لَسَكَنَ عَنْكَ هَذَا الْوَرَمُ فَقَالَ كَلَّا إِذَا أَتَيْنَا هَذَا الْمَنْزِلَ فَإِنَّهُ يَسْتَقْبِلُكَ أَسْوَدُ وَ مَعَهُ دُهْنٌ فَاشْتَرِ مِنْهُ وَ لَا تُمَاكِسْهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَوْلَاهُ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي مَا قَدِمْنَا مَنْزِلًا فِيهِ أَحَدٌ يَبِيعُ هَذَا الدَّوَاءَ فَقَالَ لَهُ ب

“One year al-Hassan ibn Ali left for Mecca on foot. On the journey his feet swelled and his servants said, 'If you would ride the swelling will go away.' He said, 'Nay, if we reach this place of rest you will a black person who has oil with him, buy from oil without trying to reduce the price.' The servant said, 'May m

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كَانَ سَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ وَ الْقَاسِمُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَ أَبُو خَالِدٍ الْكَابُلِيُّ مِنْ ثِقَاتِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع قَالَ وَ كَانَتْ أُمِّي مِمَّنْ آمَنَتْ وَ اتَّقَتْ وَ أَحْسَنَتْ‌ وَ اللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ* قَالَ وَ قَالَتْ أُمِّي قَالَ أَبِي يَا أُمَّ فَرْوَةَ إِنِّي لَأَدْعُو اللَّهَ لِمُذْنِبِي شِيعَتِنَا فِي الْيَوْمِ وَ اللَّيْلَةِ أَلْفَ

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Sa‘id ibn al-Musayyib, al-Qasim ibn Muhammad Ibn Abi Bakr and Abu al-Khalid al-Kabuli were of the trusted and reliable companions of Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.).” The Imam (a.s.) has said, “My mother was a true believer, pious and a person of good deeds. Allah loves the people of good deed

قَالَ لِي أَ تَدْرِي مَا كَانَ سَبَبُ دُخُولِنَا فِي هَذَا الْأَمْرِ وَ مَعْرِفَتِنَا بِهِ وَ مَا كَانَ عِنْدَنَا مِنْهُ ذِكْرٌ وَ لَا مَعْرِفَةُ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِمَّا عِنْدَ النَّاسِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا ذَاكَ قَالَ إِنَّ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ يَعْنِي أَبَا الدَّوَانِيقِ قَالَ لِأَبِي مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْأَشْعَثِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ ابْغِ لِي رَجُلًا لَهُ عَقْلٌ يُؤَدِّي عَنِّي فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبِي قَدْ أَصَبْتُهُ لَكَ هَذَا فُلَانُ بْنُ

“Do you know the reason that we came in this matter (became Shi‘a) and recognized it even though there was no mention of it among us and we had no knowledge of what other people (Shi‘a) had?” The narrator has said that I asked him, “What then is the reason for it?” He said, “Abu Ja‘far, abu Dawaniq once said to abu Muh

جَاءَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ‌[1] وَ قَدِ اعْتَمَرْنَا عُمْرَةَ رَجَبٍ وَ نَحْنُ يَوْمَئِذٍ بِمَكَّةَ فَقَالَ يَا عَمِّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ بَغْدَادَ وَ قَدْ أَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ أُوَدِّعَ عَمِّي أَبَا الْحَسَنِ يَعْنِي مُوسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ أَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ تَذْهَبَ مَعِي إِلَيْهِ فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَهُ نَحْوَ أَخِي وَ هُوَ فِي دَارِهِ الَّتِي بِالْحَوْبَةِ وَ ذَلِكَ بَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ بِقَلِيلٍ فَضَرَبْتُ الْبَابَ فَأَج

“Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il came to me when we were still in Makka after completing our ‘Umra in the month of Rajab. He said, “Uncle, I intend to go to Baghdad but I want to say farewell to my uncle, abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.) aand I would like that you also come with me.” I came with him to my brother and he was

كَانَ لِرَجُلٍ مِنْ آلِ أَبِي رَافِعٍ مَوْلَى النَّبِيِّ ص يُقَالُ لَهُ طَيْسٌ عَلَيَّ حَقٌّ فَتَقَاضَانِي وَ أَلَحَّ عَلَيَّ وَ أَعَانَهُ النَّاسُ فَلَمَّا رَأَيْتُ ذَلِكَ صَلَّيْتُ الصُّبْحَ فِي مَسْجِدِ الرَّسُولِ ع ثُمَّ تَوَجَّهْتُ نَحْوَ الرِّضَا ع وَ هُوَ يَوْمَئِذٍ بِالْعُرَيْضِ فَلَمَّا قَرُبْتُ مِنْ بَابِهِ إِذَا هُوَ قَدْ طَلَعَ عَلَى حِمَارٍ وَ عَلَيْهِ قَمِيصٌ وَ رِدَاءٌ فَلَمَّا نَظَرْتُ إِلَيْهِ اسْتَح

“I owed money to a man from the family of abu Rafi‘, slave of the Holy Prophet (s.a), called Tays. He demanded payment and pressed me hard and people also assisted him. When I found myself in such condition I prayed the morning prayer in the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah and then headed to al-Rida (a.s.) who was in

لَمَّا انْقَضَى أَمْرُ الْمَخْلُوعِ‌[1] وَ اسْتَوَى الْأَمْرُ لِلْمَأْمُونِ كَتَبَ إِلَى الرِّضَا ع يَسْتَقْدِمُهُ إِلَى خُرَاسَانَ فَاعْتَلَّ عَلَيْهِ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع بِعِلَلٍ فَلَمْ يَزَلِ الْمَأْمُونُ يُكَاتِبُهُ فِي ذَلِكَ حَتَّى عَلِمَ أَنَّهُ لَا مَحِيصَ لَهُ وَ أَنَّهُ لَا يَكُفُّ عَنْهُ فَخَرَجَ ع وَ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع سَبْعُ سِنِينَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ الْمَأْمُونُ لَا تَأْخُذْ عَلَى طَرِيقِ الْجَبَلِ وَ قُم

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from from Yasir al-Khadim and al-Rayyan ibn al-Salt all have said the following. “When the matter of the deposed Caliph (Amin) ended and it was established for al-Ma’mun he wrote to al-Rida asking to come to Khurasan. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) in reply presented certain reason to justify his

مُحَمَّدٌ وَ كَانَ زَيْدِيّاً قَالَ: كُنْتُ بِالْعَسْكَرِ فَبَلَغَنِي أَنَّ هُنَاكَ رَجُلٌ مَحْبُوسٌ أُتِيَ بِهِ مِنْ نَاحِيَةِ الشَّامِ مَكْبُولًا[2] وَ قَالُوا إِنَّهُ تَنَبَّأَ[3] قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ خَالِدٍ فَأَتَيْتُ الْبَابَ وَ دَارَيْتُ الْبَوَّابِينَ وَ الْحَجَبَةَ حَتَّى وَصَلْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ لَهُ فَهْمٌ فَقُلْتُ يَا هَذَا مَا قِصَّتُكَ وَ مَا أَمْرُكَ قَالَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ رَجُلًا بِالشَّامِ أَعْبُد

“Muhammad who belonged to Zaydi sect said to me this. “I was in the army camp and I was told that there was a prisoner brought from the area of al-Sham (Syria) tied up and that he has proclaimed himself a prophet.” Ali ibn Khalid has said, “I went to him and found my way through the guards until I reached him. I found

كُنْتُ مُجَاوِراً بِالْمَدِينَةِ- مَدِينَةِ الرَّسُولِ ص وَ كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَجِي‌ءُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مَعَ الزَّوَالِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ فَيَنْزِلُ فِي الصَّحْنِ وَ يَصِيرُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ يُسَلِّمُ عَلَيْهِ وَ يَرْجِعُ إِلَى بَيْتِ فَاطِمَةَ ع فَيَخْلَعُ نَعْلَيْهِ وَ يَقُومُ فَيُصَلِّي فَوَسْوَسَ إِلَيَّ الشَّيْطَانُ فَقَالَ إِذَا نَزَلَ فَاذْهَبْ حَتَّى تَأْخُذَ مِنَ التُّرَابِ الَّذِي يَطَأُ عَلَ

“I lived in al-Madina of the Messenger of Allah. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) would come every day to the mosque at noon time. He would enter the compound and would turn to the shrine of the Messenger of Allah and offer his greeting of peace. He would then turn to the house of Fatima (a.s.), take off his shoes, stand up and pray.

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ مَعِي ثَلَاثُ رِقَاعٍ غَيْرُ مُعَنْوَنَةٍ وَ اشْتَبَهَتْ عَلَيَّ فَاغْتَمَمْتُ فَتَنَاوَلَ إِحْدَاهُمَا وَ قَالَ هَذِهِ رُقْعَةُ زِيَادِ بْنِ شَبِيبٍ ثُمَّ تَنَاوَلَ الثَّانِيَةَ فَقَالَ هَذِهِ رُقْعَةُ فُلَانٍ فَبُهِتُّ أَنَا فَنَظَرَ إِلَيَّ فَتَبَسَّمَ قَالَ وَ أَعْطَانِي ثَلَاثَمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ وَ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ أَحْمِلَهَا إِلَى بَعْضِ بَنِي عَمِّهِ وَ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ سَيَق

“This is the letter of Ziyad ibn Shabib.” Then he picked up the other one and said, “.This is the letter of so and so.” I became awe struck. He looked at me and smiled.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) then gave me three hundred Dinars and asked me to deliver them to the certain persons of the sons of his un

صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي مَسْجِدِ الْمُسَيَّبِ وَ صَلَّى بِنَا فِي مَوْضِعِ الْقِبْلَةِ سَوَاءً[2] وَ ذُكِرَ أَنَّ السِّدْرَةَ الَّتِي فِي الْمَسْجِدِ كَانَتْ يَابِسَةً لَيْسَ عَلَيْهَا وَرَقٌ فَدَعَا بِمَاءٍ وَ تَهَيَّأَ تَحْتَ السِّدْرَةِ فَعَاشَتِ السِّدْرَةُ وَ أَوْرَقَتْ وَ حَمَلَتْ مِنْ عَامِهَا.

10. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from from Muhammad ibn Hassa’n from abu Hashim Ali-Ja‘fari who has said the following. “Once I prayed with abu Ja‘far (a.s.) in the Mosque of Ali-Musayyib. He lead the prayer with us and as to the direction of Makka he stood up facing straight. He also has said that a berry tree that wa

مَضَى أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع وَ لِيَ عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعَةُ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي ذَهَبَ مَالِي فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِذَا كَانَ غَداً فَأْتِنِي وَ لْيَكُنْ مَعَكَ مِيزَانٌ وَ أَوْزَانٌ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لِي مَضَى أَبُو الْحَسَنِ وَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعَةُ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَرَفَعَ الْمُصَلَّى الَّذِي كَانَ تَحْتَهُ فَإِذَا تَحْتَهُ دَنَانِيرُ فَد

“Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) passed away and owed my four thousand dirhams. I said to myself, “My money is lost.” Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) sent me a message to come to him the next day and bring with me a balance and weighing stones.” I went to see hiom and he said, “Abu al-Hassan has passed away. Did he owe you four thousan

مَرِضَ الْمُتَوَكِّلُ مِنْ خُرَاجٍ خَرَجَ بِهِ وَ أَشْرَفَ مِنْهُ عَلَى الْهَلَاكِ فَلَمْ يَجْسُرْ أَحَدٌ أَنْ يَمَسَّهُ بِحَدِيدَةٍ فَنَذَرَتْ أُمُّهُ إِنْ عُوفِيَ أَنْ تَحْمِلَ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ مَالًا جَلِيلًا مِنْ مَالِهَا وَ قَالَ لَهُ الْفَتْحُ بْنُ خَاقَانَ لَوْ بَعَثْتَ إِلَى هَذَا الرَّجُلِ فَسَأَلْتَهُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَخْلُو أَنْ يَكُونَ عِنْدَهُ صِفَةٌ يُفَرِّجُ بِهَا عَنْكَ فَبَع

“ Al-Mutawakkil became ill because of a boil so seriously that he was about to die and no one would have the courage to touch to operate him. His mother vowed to sent a large sum of money to abu al-Hassan (a.s.) from her own property if her son would recover. Fath ibn Khaqan had advised him to ask him (the Imam (a.s.)

أَخَذْتُ نُسْخَةَ كِتَابِ الْمُتَوَكِّلِ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الثَّالِثِ ع مِنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ هَرْثَمَةَ فِي سَنَةِ ثَلَاثٍ وَ أَرْبَعِينَ وَ مِائَتَيْنِ وَ هَذِهِ نُسْخَتُهُ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَارِفٌ بِقَدْرِكَ رَاعٍ لِقَرَابَتِكَ مُوجِبٌ لِحَقِّكَ يُقَدِّرُ مِنَ الْأُمُورِ فِيكَ وَ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ مَا أَصْلَحَ اللَّهُ بِهِ حَالَكَ وَ حَالَهُمْ وَ

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from a number of our people the following. “I took a copy of the letter of Al-Mutawakkil to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), the third from Yahya ibn Harthama in the year two hundred forty three that read as follows. “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Thereafter, Amir al-Mu’min

كَانَ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ خَاقَانَ عَلَى الضِّيَاعِ وَ الْخَرَاجِ بِقُمَّ فَجَرَى فِي مَجْلِسِهِ يَوْماً ذِكْرُ الْعَلَوِيَّةِ وَ مَذَاهِبِهِمْ وَ كَانَ شَدِيدَ النَّصْبِ فَقَالَ مَا رَأَيْتُ وَ لَا عَرَفْتُ بِسُرَّ مَنْ رَأَى رَجُلًا مِنَ الْعَلَوِيَّةِ مِثْلَ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الرِّضَا فِي هَدْيِهِ وَ سُكُونِهِ وَ عَفَافِهِ وَ نُبْلِهِ وَ كَرَمِهِ عِنْدَ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ ب

1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Asha‘ari and Muhammad ibn Yahya and others have narrated the following. “Ahmad ibn ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Khaqan was in charge of collecting property and other taxes in the city of Qumm. One day in his presence the ‘Alawids and their beliefs were mentioned. He was a staunch Nasibi (abusive of ‘Al

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع ضِيقَ الْحَبْسِ وَ كَتَلَ الْقَيْدِ[5] فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ أَنْتَ تُصَلِّي الْيَوْمَ الظُّهْرَ فِي مَنْزِلِكَ فَأُخْرِجْتُ فِي وَقْتِ الظُّهْرِ فَصَلَّيْتُ فِي مَنْزِلِي كَمَا قَالَ ع وَ كُنْتُ مُضَيَّقاً فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَطْلُبَ مِنْهُ دَنَانِيرَ فِي الْكِتَابِ فَاسْتَحْيَيْتُ فَلَمَّا صِرْتُ إِلَى مَنْزِلِي وَجَّهَ إِلَيَّ بِمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ وَ كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ إِذَا كَانَتْ لَكَ حَاجَةٌ

“I complained to abu Muhammad (a.s.) about the constraining cell of the prison and the weight of the shackles on me. He wrote back in reply to me. “Today you will pray your noontime prayer in your own home.” I then was released that day and prayed the noontime prayer in my own home as he had said.” I was under financia

كَانَ لِي فَرَسٌ وَ كُنْتُ بِهِ مُعْجَباً أُكْثِرُ ذِكْرَهُ فِي الْمَحَالِّ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ يَوْماً فَقَالَ لِي مَا فَعَلَ فَرَسُكَ فَقُلْتُ هُوَ عِنْدِي وَ هُوَ ذَا هُوَ عَلَى بَابِكَ وَ عَنْهُ نَزَلْتُ فَقَالَ لِيَ اسْتَبْدِلْ بِهِ قَبْلَ الْمَسَاءِ إِنْ قَدَرْتَ عَلَى مُشْتَرِي وَ لَا تُؤَخِّرْ ذَلِكَ وَ دَخَلَ عَلَيْنَا دَاخِلٌ وَ انْقَطَعَ الْكَلَامُ فَقُمْتُ مُتَفَكِّراً وَ مَضَيْتُ إِلَى مَنْز

“I had a horse that I liked very much and I would admire it often in gatherings. One day I went to see abu Muhammad (a.s.) and he said, “What has your horse done?” I said, “I still have it and it is in front of your. I just dismounted it.” He said, “Change it before this evening if you can if you would find a buyer and

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع أَسْأَلُهُ أَنْ يَدْعُوَ اللَّهَ لِي مِنْ وَجَعِ عَيْنِي وَ كَانَتْ إِحْدَى عَيْنَيَّ ذَاهِبَةً وَ الْأُخْرَى عَلَى شَرَفِ ذَهَابٍ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ حَبَسَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ عَيْنَكَ فَأَفَاقَتِ الصَّحِيحَةُ وَ وَقَّعَ فِي آخِرِ الْكِتَابِ آجَرَكَ اللَّهُ وَ أَحْسَنَ ثَوَابَكَ فَاغْتَمَمْتُ لِذَلِكَ وَ لَمْ أَعْرِفْ فِي أَهْلِي أَحَداً مَاتَ فَلَمَّا كَانَ بَعْدَ أَيَّامٍ جَاءَتْنِي وَف

“I wrote to abu Muhammad (a.s.) requesting him to pray for because of the pain that I suffered in my eyes. One of my eye had gone and the other was about to go. He wrote back to me in reply, “Allah has kept your eye for you.” My painful eye then recovered. He had signed at the end with these words, “May Allah, grant yo

قَدِمَ عَلَيْنَا بِسُرَّ مَنْ رَأَى رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ مِصْرَ يُقَالُ لَهُ سَيْفُ بْنُ اللَّيْثِ- يَتَظَلَّمُ إِلَى الْمُهْتَدِي فِي ضَيْعَةٍ لَهُ قَدْ غَصَبَهَا إِيَّاهُ- شَفِيعٌ الْخَادِمُ وَ أَخْرَجَهُ مِنْهَا فَأَشَرْنَا عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَكْتُبَ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع يَسْأَلُهُ تَسْهِيلَ أَمْرِهَا فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع لَا بَأْسَ عَلَيْكَ ضَيْعَتُكَ تُرَدُّ عَلَيْكَ فَلَا تَتَقَدَّمْ إِلَى السُّلْطَ

18. Ishaq has said that narrated to me ‘Umar ibn Muslim the following. “We were in the city of Surra man Ra’a that a man, called Sayf ibn al-Layth, from Egypt came with a complain to al-Muhtadi against Shafi‘ al-Khadim who had usurped his property and expelled him from the city. We gave a hint to write to abu Muhammad

دَخَلَ الْعَبَّاسِيُّونَ عَلَى صَالِحِ بْنِ وَصِيفٍ وَ دَخَلَ صَالِحُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ وَ غَيْرُهُ مِنَ الْمُنْحَرِفِينَ عَنْ هَذِهِ النَّاحِيَةِ عَلَى صَالِحِ بْنِ وَصِيفٍ عِنْدَ مَا حَبَسَ أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَقَالَ لَهُمْ صَالِحٌ وَ مَا أَصْنَعُ قَدْ وَكَّلْتُ بِهِ رَجُلَيْنِ مِنْ أَشَرِّ مَنْ قَدَرْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَدْ صَارَا مِنَ الْعِبَادَةِ وَ الصَّلَاةِ وَ الصِّيَامِ إِلَى أَمْرٍ عَظِيمٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُمَا مَا فِيهِ ف

“When abu Muhammad (a.s.) was imprisoned, the ‘Abbassids, Salih ibn Wasif, Salih ibn Ali and others who were not Shi‘as all came to Salih ibn Wasif asking him to exert more pressure on abu Muhammad (a.s.).Salih told them, “What should I do? I managed to find two people who were of the harshest manners and appointed the

وَ نَاوَلَنِي عِرْقاً لَمْ أَفْهَمْهُ مِنَ الْعُرُوقِ الَّتِي تُفْصَدُ فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي مَا رَأَيْتُ أَمْراً أَعْجَبَ مِنْ هَذَا يَأْمُرُنِي أَنْ أَفْصِدَ فِي وَقْتِ الظُّهْرِ وَ لَيْسَ بِوَقْتِ فَصْدٍ وَ الثَّانِيَةُ عِرْقٌ لَا أَفْهَمُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِيَ انْتَظِرْ وَ كُنْ فِي الدَّارِ فَلَمَّا أَمْسَى دَعَانِي وَ قَالَ لِي سَرِّحِ الدَّمَ فَسَرَّحْتُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي أَمْسِكْ فَأَمْسَكْتُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي كُنْ فِ

Certain persons of our people have narrated from a Christian cupping expert who served in the army the following. “One day at noontime abu Muhammad (a.s.) sent for me at the time of noon prayer and told me to perform cupping on this vein. He showed me a vein that was not know to me as one of the veins used for cupping.

سُلِّمَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع إِلَى نِحْرِيرٍ[1] فَكَانَ يُضَيِّقُ عَلَيْهِ وَ يُؤْذِيهِ قَالَ فَقَالَتْ لَهُ امْرَأَتُهُ وَيْلَكَ اتَّقِ اللَّهَ لَا تَدْرِي مَنْ فِي مَنْزِلِكَ وَ عَرَّفَتْهُ صَلَاحَهُ وَ قَالَتْ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكَ مِنْهُ فَقَالَ لَأَرْمِيَنَّهُ بَيْنَ السِّبَاعِ ثُمَّ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ بِهِ فَرُئِيَ ع قَائِماً يُصَلِّي وَ هِيَ حَوْلَهُ.

“Abu Muhammad (a.s.) was placed under the supervision of a zoo-keeper who would cause constraints suffering to him. He has said that his wife told him, “woe is you, be pious before Allah. Do you not know who is in your house?” She then explained to him the good manners of the Imam (a.s.) and said, “I am afraid for you

كُنْتُ بِمَدِينَةِ الْهِنْدِ الْمَعْرُوفَةِ- بِقِشْمِيرَ الدَّاخِلَةِ وَ أَصْحَابٌ لِي يَقْعُدُونَ عَلَى كَرَاسِيَّ عَنْ يَمِينِ الْمَلِكِ أَرْبَعُونَ رَجُلًا كُلُّهُمْ يَقْرَأُ الْكُتُبَ الْأَرْبَعَةَ التَّوْرَاةَ وَ الْإِنْجِيلَ وَ الزَّبُورَ وَ صُحُفَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ نَقْضِي بَيْنَ النَّاسِ وَ نُفَقِّهُهُمْ فِي دِينِهِمْ وَ نُفْتِيهِمْ فِي حَلَالِهِمْ وَ حَرَامِهِمْ يَفْزَعُ النَّاسُ إِلَيْنَا الْمَلِكُ فَمَنْ دُونَه

“I lived in interior Kashmir, India. My friends would sit on chairs on the right and left of the King. They were forty people and all of them would read the four books, Torah, Gospel, Psalms and the books of Abraham. We would judge among the people and provide them understanding of their religion and issue fatwas for t

خَرَجَ بِي نَاصُورٌ عَلَى مَقْعَدَتِي فَأَرَيْتُهُ الْأَطِبَّاءَ وَ أَنْفَقْتُ عَلَيْهِ مَالًا فَقَالُوا لَا نَعْرِفُ لَهُ دَوَاءً فَكَتَبْتُ رُقْعَةً أَسْأَلُ الدُّعَاءَ فَوَقَّعَ ع إِلَيَّ أَلْبَسَكَ اللَّهُ الْعَافِيَةَ وَ جَعَلَكَ مَعَنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ قَالَ فَمَا أَتَتْ عَلَيَّ جُمْعَةٌ حَتَّى عُوفِيتُ وَ صَارَ مِثْلَ رَاحَتِي فَدَعَوْتُ طَبِيباً مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا وَ أَرَيْتُهُ إِيَّاهُ فَقَالَ مَ

“A boil had grown on my heaps. I sought treament from several physicians and spent money but they said that they knew of no medicine for it. I then wrote a letter to him (the twelfth Imam (a.s.) requesting him to pray. He wrote back to me with his signature, “May Allah grant you good health and place you with us in thi