Usul16

Proof that Imamat (leadership with Divine Authority) Continues in the Descendents of the Preceding Imam but not through his Brother or Paternal Uncle or other such Relatives

alkafi-748Vol. 1, p. 285-286

لَا تَعُودُ الْإِمَامَةُ فِي أَخَوَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ أَبَداً إِنَّمَا جَرَتْ مِنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ كَمَا قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ أُولُوا الْأَرْحامِ‌ بَعْضُهُمْ‌ أَوْلى‌ بِبَعْضٍ فِي كِتابِ اللَّهِ‌[1] فَلَا تَكُونُ بَعْدَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع إِلَّا فِي الْأَعْقَابِ وَ أَعْقَابِ الْأَعْقَابِ.

“Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority) will never go to two brothers after al-Hassan and al-Husayn (a.s.). It has continued from Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) as Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has said, “The relatives are closer to each other, according to the Book of God, . .” (33:6) After Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (

alkafi-750Vol. 1, p. 286

لَا فَقُلْتُ فَفِي أَخٍ قَالَ لَا قُلْتُ فَفِي مَنْ قَالَ فِي وَلَدِي وَ هُوَ يَوْمَئِذٍ لَا وَلَدَ لَهُ.

“Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) was once asked, “Can Imamat continue in uncles?” He replied, “No, it can not happen.” The narrator has said that he asked the Imams (a.s.), “Can it continue in a brother?” He replied, “No, it can not happen.” I then asked, “With who then it can continues?” He replied, “It will continue wit

alkafi-751Vol. 1, p. 286

لَا تَجْتَمِعُ الْإِمَامَةُ فِي أَخَوَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ إِنَّمَا هِيَ فِي الْأَعْقَابِ وَ أَعْقَابِ الْأَعْقَابِ.

“Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority) does not take place in two brothers after al-Hassan and al-Husayn (a.s.). It only continues in the descendents of the Imam (a.s.) generation after the generation.”

alkafi-752Vol. 1, p. 286

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنْ كَانَ كَوْنٌ وَ لَا أَرَانِي اللَّهُ فَبِمَنْ أَئْتَمُّ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَى ابْنِهِ مُوسَى قَالَ 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 وَاحِداً فَوَاحِداً-. - وَ فِي نُسْخَةِ الصَّفْوَانِيِ‌ ثُمَّ هَكَذَا أَبَداً.

“Would there happen what is to happen, may Allah would not show me such a day (death of the Imam (a.s.) who then must I follow as my Imam?” The Imam (a.s.) pointed to his son Musa (a.s.). The narrator has said that he asked the Imams (a.s.), “ What if something will happen to Musa (a.s.) who then must I follow?” The Im