The Book about people with Divine Authority

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

كَانَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ هُلَيْلٍ‌[2] يَقُولُ بِعَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌[3] فَصَارَ إِلَى الْعَسْكَرِ[4] فَرَجَعَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ سَبَبِ رُجُوعِهِ فَقَالَ إِنِّي عَرَضْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَوَافَقَنِي فِي طَرِيقٍ ضَيِّقٍ فَمَالَ نَحْوِي حَتَّى إِذَا حَاذَانِي أَقْبَلَ نَحْوِي بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ فِيهِ فَوَقَعَ عَلَى صَدْرِي فَأَخَذْتُهُ فَإِذَا هُوَ رَقٌّ فِيهِ مَكْتُوبٌ مَا كَانَ هُنَ

“‘Abdallah ibn Hulayl believe in ‘Abdallah (ibn Ja’far (a.s.) ) to be the Imam). He went to the army head quarters in Samarra, Iraq and thereafter he changed his belief. I asked him about the reason for such change. He said, “I thought (while in Samarra) I should discuss it with abu al-Hassan (a.s.) and ask him about i

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

أَنَّ زَيْدَ بْنَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع دَخَلَ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ وَ مَعَهُ كُتُبٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ يَدْعُونَهُ فِيهَا إِلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ يُخْبِرُونَهُ بِاجْتِمَاعِهِمْ وَ يَأْمُرُونَهُ بِالْخُرُوجِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع هَذِهِ الْكُتُبُ ابْتِدَاءٌ مِنْهُمْ أَوْ جَوَابُ مَا كَتَبْتَ بِهِ إِلَيْهِمْ وَ دَعَوْتَهُمْ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ بَلِ ابْتِدَاءٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ لِمَعْرِف

16. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Husayn ibn al-Jarud from Musa ibn Bakr ibn Dab from the one who narrated to him from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Once Zayd ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn went to see abu Ja’far, Muhammad ibn Ali. He carried with him l

أَتَيْنَا خَدِيجَةَ بِنْتَ عُمَرَ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع نُعَزِّيهَا بِابْنِ بِنْتِهَا فَوَجَدْنَا عِنْدَهَا مُوسَى بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ فَإِذَا هِيَ فِي نَاحِيَةٍ قَرِيباً مِنَ النِّسَاءِ فَعَزَّيْنَاهُمْ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ يَقُولُ لِابْنَةِ أَبِي يَشْكُرَ الرَّاثِيَةِ قُولِي‌[1] فَقَالَتْ‌ اعْدُدْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ اعْدُدْ بَعْدَهُ- أَسَدَ

“We went to Khadijah, the daughter of ‘Umar ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) to offer our condolences for the death of the son of her daughter. We met at her place Musa ibn ‘Abdallah ibn al-Hassan. She was to one side near the ladies. We offered them our condolences to all of them. We then turned to h

لَمَّا خَرَجَ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْمَقْتُولُ- بِفَخٍ‌[1] وَ احْتَوَى عَلَى الْمَدِينَةِ دَعَا مُوسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ إِلَى الْبَيْعَةِ فَأَتَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ عَمِّ لَا تُكَلِّفْنِي مَا كَلَّفَ ابْنُ عَمِّكَ عَمَّكَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَيَخْرُجَ مِنِّي مَا لَا أُرِيدُ كَمَا خَرَجَ مِنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ يُرِيدُ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحُسَيْنُ إِنَّمَا عَرَضْتُ عَلَيْكَ أَمْراً فَإِنْ أَرَد

“When al-Husayn ibn Ali who was killed in al-Fakhkh, began his uprising he controlled the city of Madina and called Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) to pledge allegiance for him. When he was brought before him (al-Husayn he Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) ) said, “Son of my uncle, “Do not impose on what the son of your uncle imposed on y

كَتَبَ يَحْيَى بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ إِلَى مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ ع أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنِّي أُوصِي نَفْسِي بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَ بِهَا أُوصِيكَ فَإِنَّهَا وَصِيَّةُ اللَّهِ فِي الْأَوَّلِينَ وَ وَصِيَّتُهُ فِي الْآخِرِينَ خَبَّرَنِي مَنْ وَرَدَ عَلَيَّ مِنْ أَعْوَانِ اللَّهِ عَلَى دِينِهِ وَ نَشْرِ طَاعَتِهِ بِمَا كَانَ مِنْ تَحَنُّنِكَ مَعَ خِذْلَانِكَ وَ قَدْ شَاوَرْتُ فِي الدَّعْوَةِ لِلرِّضَا مِنْ‌ آلِ م

19. And by this chain, from Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al Ja'fari who said, ‘Yahya bin Abdullah bin Al-Hassan wrote to Musa bin Ja’far (AS), ‘Following on from that, I hereby bequeath myself to fear Allah, and by it I bequeath you, for it is a bequest of Allah among the former ones and His bequest among the later ones. They

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

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ مِهْزَمٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ الَّذِي نَنْتَظِرُ مَتَى هُوَ فَقَالَ يَا مِهْزَمُ كَذَبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ وَ هَلَكَ الْمُسْتَعْجِلُونَ وَ نَجَا الْمُسَلِّمُونَ.

“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that Mihzam came in and to The Imam (a.s.), ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, enlighten me about this matter that we wait for (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine authoriiity). When it will take place?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “O Mihzam, those who give it

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْقَائِمِ ع فَقَالَ كَذَبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ إِنَّا أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ لَا نُوَقِّتُ.

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) , ‘I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about al-Qa’im ((the one who will rise with Divine Authority) with divine power).’ He said, “Those who give it a definite time have spoken lies. We, Ahl al-Bayt, do not set a definite time.”

قَالَ أَبَى اللَّهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يُخَالِفَ وَقْتَ الْمُوَقِّتِينَ.

“Allah disdains to make the people’s time set for it (reappearance of the one who will rise with Divine Authority) to come true.”

قُلْتُ لِهَذَا الْأَمْرِ وَقْتٌ فَقَالَ كَذَبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ كَذَبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ كَذَبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ إِنَّ مُوسَى ع لَمَّا خَرَجَ وَافِداً إِلَى‌ رَبِّهِ وَاعَدَهُمْ ثَلَاثِينَ يَوْماً فَلَمَّا زَادَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى الثَّلَاثِينَ عَشْراً قَالَ قَوْمُهُ قَدْ أَخْلَفَنَا مُوسَى فَصَنَعُوا مَا صَنَعُوا فَإِذَا حَدَّثْنَاكُمُ الْحَدِيثَ فَجَاءَ عَلَى مَا حَدَّثْنَاكُمْ بِهِ فَقُولُوا صَدَقَ اللَّهُ وَ إِذَا حَدَّثْن

“I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), ‘Is there a definite time for this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority)?” He said, “Those who set a definite time have lied, those who set a definite time have lied, those who set a definite time have lied. When Musa (Moses) came out to delegate before his lord and gave the pe

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع الشِّيعَةُ تُرَبَّى بِالْأَمَانِيِّ مُنْذُ مِائَتَيْ سَنَةٍ:" قَالَ وَ قَالَ يَقْطِينٌ لِابْنِهِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ يَقْطِينٍ مَا بَالُنَا قِيلَ لَنَا فَكَانَ وَ قِيلَ لَكُمْ فَلَمْ يَكُنْ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَلِيٌّ إِنَّ الَّذِي قِيلَ لَنَا وَ لَكُمْ كَانَ مِنْ مَخْرَجٍ وَاحِدٍ غَيْرَ أَنَّ أَمْرَكُمْ حَضَرَ فَأُعْطِيتُمْ مَحْضَهُ فَكَانَ كَمَا قِيلَ لَكُمْ وَ إِنَّ أَمْرَنَا لَمْ يَحْضُرْ فَعُ

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) said to me, ‘The Shi‘a have live on hopes for two hundred years.’” The narrator has said that Yaqtin said to his son, Ali ibn Yaqtin, “We did not have to worry. What was said to us came true. What is said to you has not come true yet” Ali then said to him, “What was said to you and what is said to

ذَكَرْنَا عِنْدَهُ مُلُوكَ آلِ فُلَانٍ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا هَلَكَ النَّاسُ مِنِ اسْتِعْجَالِهِمْ لِهَذَا الْأَمْرِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَعْجَلُ لِعَجَلَةِ الْعِبَادِ إِنَّ لِهَذَا الْأَمْرِ غَايَةً يَنْتَهِي إِلَيْهَا فَلَوْ قَدْ بَلَغُوهَا لَمْ يَسْتَقْدِمُوا سَاعَةً وَ لَمْ يَسْتَأْخِرُوا.

“We mention before abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) the Kings from the descendants of so and so. The Imam (a.s.) said, “People have perished due to their haste for this matter ((the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority). Allah does not expedite it because of the haste of people. For this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine

فِيهَا أَلَا إِنَّ بَلِيَّتَكُمْ قَدْ عَادَتْ كَهَيْئَتِهَا يَوْمَ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ نَبِيَّهُ ص وَ الَّذِي بَعَثَهُ بِالْحَقِّ لَتُبَلْبَلُنَّ بَلْبَلَةً وَ لَتُغَرْبَلُنَّ غَرْبَلَةً حَتَّى يَعُودَ أَسْفَلُكُمْ أَعْلَاكُمْ وَ أَعْلَاكُمْ أَسْفَلَكُمْ وَ لَيَسْبِقَنَّ سَبَّاقُونَ كَانُوا قَصَّرُوا وَ لَيُقَصِّرَنَّ سَبَّاقُونَ كَانُوا سَبَقُوا وَ اللَّهِ مَا كَتَمْتُ وَسِمَةً وَ لَا كَذَبْتُ كَذِبَةً وَ لَقَدْ نُبِّئْت

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ya‘qub al-Sarraj and Ali ibn Ri’ab from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “When people pledged allegiance to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) after the assassination of ‘Uthman he addressed the people from the pulpit and delivered a se

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ وَيْلٌ لِطُغَاةِ الْعَرَبِ مِنْ أَمْرٍ قَدِ اقْتَرَبَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَمْ مَعَ الْقَائِمِ مِنَ الْعَرَبِ قَالَ نَفَرٌ يَسِيرٌ قُلْتُ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ مَنْ يَصِفُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ مِنْهُمْ لَكَثِيرٌ قَالَ لَا بُدَّ لِلنَّاسِ مِنْ أَنْ يُمَحَّصُوا وَ يُمَيَّزُوا وَ يُغَرْبَلُوا وَ يُسْتَخْرَجُ فِي الْغِرْبَالِ خَلْقٌ كَثِيرٌ.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say as herein below, ‘Woe to the rebellious Arabs from the matter that is coming closer.’0” I then asked, May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, “How many people will be there with Al-Qa’im (the one who will rise with Divine Authority)?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “just a very few pe

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا مَنْصُورُ إِنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ لَا يَأْتِيكُمْ إِلَّا بَعْدَ إِيَاسٍ وَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ حَتَّى تُمَيَّزُوا وَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ حَتَّى تُمَحَّصُوا وَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ حَتَّى يَشْقَى مَنْ يَشْقَى وَ يَسْعَدَ مَنْ يَسْعَدُ.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said to me, “O Mansur, this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) will not come to you before despair, and not, by Allah, before (your good ones are) distinguished (from evil ones) and not, by Allah, before you are refined and not, by Allah, before tuning to misfortune of those who a

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الم أَ حَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يُتْرَكُوا أَنْ يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَ هُمْ لا يُفْتَنُونَ‌[2] ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي مَا الْفِتْنَةُ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الَّذِي عِنْدَنَا الْفِتْنَةُ فِي الدِّينِ فَقَالَ يُفْتَنُونَ كَمَا يُفْتَنُ الذَّهَبُ ثُمَّ قَالَ يُخْلَصُونَ كَمَا يُخْلَصُ الذَّهَبُ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) say, “Alif, Lam, Mim. Do people think they will not be tested because they say, “We have faith?” (29:1-2). Then he (a.s.) asked me, “What is al-Fitna (the Test)?” I said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, in our opinion it is the test in religion.“ He (a.s.) replied, “They

قَالَ إِنَّ حَدِيثَكُمْ هَذَا لَتَشْمَئِزُّ مِنْهُ قُلُوبُ الرِّجَالِ فَمَنْ أَقَرَّ بِهِ فَزِيدُوهُ وَ مَنْ أَنْكَرَهُ فَذَرُوهُ إِنَّهُ لَا بُدَّ مِنْ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ يَسْقُطُ فِيهَا- كُلُّ بِطَانَةٍ وَ وَلِيجَةٍ[3] حَتَّى يَسْقُطَ فِيهَا مَنْ يَشُقُّ الشَّعْرَ بِشَعْرَتَيْنِ حَتَّى لَا يَبْقَى إِلَّا نَحْنُ وَ شِيعَتُنَا.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘Your story (belief in the rise of al- Mahdi with Divine authority) causes apprehension in the hearts of people. Those who acknowledge it (belief in the rise of al- Mahdi with Divine authority) you should enlighten him further and those who would deny it you should leave them alone. There m

كُنْتُ أَنَا وَ الْحَارِثُ بْنُ الْمُغِيرَةِ وَ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا جُلُوساً وَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَسْمَعُ كَلَامَنَا فَقَالَ لَنَا فِي أَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَنْتُمْ هَيْهَاتَ هَيْهَاتَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا يَكُونُ مَا تَمُدُّونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْيُنَكُمْ حَتَّى تُغَرْبَلُوا لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا يَكُونُ مَا تَمُدُّونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْيُنَكُمْ حَتَّى تُمَحَّصُوا لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا يَكُونُ مَا تَمُدُّونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْيُنَكُ

“Once I, al-Harith ibn al-Mughira and a group of our people were in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who could hear our conversations. He asked ask us, “What is the issue in your dialogue? It will not happen and it will never happen. By Allah, what you are looking to will not take place before you are sifted, by Al

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ اعْرِفْ إِمَامَكَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا عَرَفْتَ لَمْ يَضُرَّكَ تَقَدَّمَ هَذَا الْأَمْرُ أَوْ تَأَخَّرَ.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Learn who your Imam is. When you learn who he is then it will have no affect on you whether this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) will take place earlier or later.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا كُلَّ أُناسٍ بِإِمامِهِمْ‌[1] فَقَالَ يَا فُضَيْلُ اعْرِفْ إِمَامَكَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا عَرَفْتَ إِمَامَكَ لَمْ يَضُرَّكَ تَقَدَّمَ هَذَا الْأَمْرُ أَوْ تَأَخَّرَ وَ مَنْ عَرَفَ إِمَامَهُ ثُمَّ مَاتَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُومَ صَاحِبُ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ كَانَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ مَنْ كَانَ قَاعِداً فِي عَسْكَرِهِ لَا بَلْ بِمَنْزِلَةِ مَنْ قَعَدَ

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “On the day when We call every nation with their leaders, Imams. .” (17:71). He said, “O Fudayl find out who your Imam is because when you will find out who your Imam is then whether this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Autho

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَتَى الْفَرَجُ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا بَصِيرٍ وَ أَنْتَ مِمَّنْ يُرِيدُ الدُّنْيَا مَنْ عَرَفَ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ فَقَدْ فُرِّجَ عَنْهُ لِانْتِظَارِهِ.

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, when will the relief come?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “O abu Basir, are you after the worldly gains? In fact, one who has established faith in this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) he has already experienced relief of exp

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ إِمَامٌ فَمِيتَتُهُ مِيتَةُ جَاهِلِيَّةٍ وَ مَنْ مَاتَ وَ هُوَ عَارِفٌ لِإِمَامِهِ لَمْ يَضُرَّهُ تَقَدَّمَ هَذَا الْأَمْرُ أَوْ تَأَخَّرَ وَ مَنْ مَاتَ وَ هُوَ عَارِفٌ لِإِمَامِهِ كَانَ كَمَنْ هُوَ مَعَ الْقَائِمِ فِي فُسْطَاطِهِ.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘One who would die without having an Imam his death would like the death of ignorance. One who would die and would know who his Imam is then the coming of this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) earlier or later will not affect him at all. One who would knowing who hi

مَا ضَرَّ مَنْ مَاتَ مُنْتَظِراً لِأَمْرِنَا أَلَّا يَمُوتَ فِي وَسَطِ فُسْطَاطِ الْمَهْدِيِّ وَ عَسْكَرِهِ.

“One who would expecting the coming of our task (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) he his not suffered any loss of not dying in the tents of al-Mahdi and in his army.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ اعْرِفِ الْعَلَامَةَ[1] فَإِذَا عَرَفْتَهُ لَمْ يَضُرَّكَ تَقَدَّمَ هَذَا الْأَمْرُ أَوْ تَأَخَّرَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا كُلَّ أُناسٍ بِإِمامِهِمْ‌ فَمَنْ عَرَفَ إِمَامَهُ كَانَ كَمَنْ كَانَ فِي فُسْطَاطِ الْمُنْتَظَرِ ع.

“I heard abu‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘Find out (who the) sign (of Allah, the Imam) is. When you will find out and learn who he is then it will not harm you whether this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) will take place earlier or later. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, has said, ““On the day

قُلْتُ لَهُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ تَرَى الَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ‌ وُجُوهُهُمْ مُسْوَدَّةٌ[2] قَالَ مَنْ قَالَ إِنِّي إِمَامٌ وَ لَيْسَ بِإِمَامٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ عَلَوِيّاً قَالَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ عَلَوِيّاً قُلْتُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مِنْ وُلْدِ عَلِيِّ ابْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع قَالَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ.

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, ‘On the Day of Judgment you will see the faces of those who had invented falsehood against God blackened. . .” (39:60). The Imam (a.s.) said, “It refers to whose who claim to be the Imam but in fact, is not the Imam.” I then aske

مَنِ ادَّعَى الْإِمَامَةَ وَ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا فَهُوَ كَافِرٌ.

“Whoever would claim to be the Imam and in fact he would not be the Imam he would be a unbeliever.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ‌ وَ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ تَرَى الَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ‌ قَالَ كُلُّ مَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُ إِمَامٌ وَ لَيْسَ بِإِمَامٍ قُلْتُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فَاطِمِيّاً عَلَوِيّاً قَالَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فَاطِمِيّاً عَلَوِيّاً.

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what is the meaning of the words of Allah, ‘On the Day of Judgment you will see the faces of those who had invented falsehood against God blackened. . .”? (39:60). He said, “Itrefers to whoever would claim to be the Imam and, in fact, is

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ ثَلَاثَةٌ لا يُكَلِّمُهُمُ اللَّهُ- يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ وَ لا يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَ لَهُمْ عَذابٌ أَلِيمٌ‌ مَنِ ادَّعَى إِمَامَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ لَيْسَتْ لَهُ وَ مَنْ جَحَدَ إِمَاماً مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ مَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّ لَهُمَا فِي الْإِسْلَامِ نَصِيباً.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘On the Day of Judgment Allah will not speak to them, He will not purify them and for them there will be painful suffering. He said it three time. (He added) they are those who claim to be the Imam with Divine authority and, in fact, he is not so, those who reject the Imam who possess

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ لَا يَدَّعِيهِ غَيْرُ صَاحِبِهِ إِلَّا بَتَرَ اللَّهُ عُمُرَهُ.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, “No one claims this matter (Leadership with Divine Authority) other than one who possesses Divine authority except that Allah will cut his life short.”

مَنْ أَشْرَكَ مَعَ إِمَامٍ إِمَامَتُهُ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ مَنْ لَيْسَتْ إِمَامَتُهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ كَانَ مُشْرِكاً بِاللَّهِ.

“Whoever associates with an Imam whose Imamah is from Allah, while his Imamah not from Allah, then he is associating partners with Allah.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ قَالَ لِيَ اعْرِفِ الْآخِرَ مِنَ الْأَئِمَّةِ وَ لَا يَضُرُّكَ أَنْ لَا تَعْرِفَ الْأَوَّلَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَعَنَ اللَّهُ هَذَا فَإِنِّي أُبْغِضُهُ وَ لَا أَعْرِفُهُ وَ هَلْ عُرِفَ الْآخِرُ إِلَّا بِالْأَوَّلِ.

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), “A man said to me, “You must know the last of the Imams and it does not matter if you would not know the first of the Imams.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) said, “May Allah condemn this. I am angry with him and I do not know him. How can the last Imam be recognized except t

سَأَلْتُ الشَّيْخَ‌[1] عَنِ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع قَالَ مَنْ أَنْكَرَ وَاحِداً مِنَ الْأَحْيَاءِ فَقَدْ أَنْكَرَ الْأَمْوَاتَ.

“I the Shaykh (Musa al-Kadhim (a.s.) about the Imams. He said, ‘Whoever would reject any of the living Imams he has rejected the Imams who have passed away also.”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِذا فَعَلُوا فاحِشَةً قالُوا وَجَدْنا عَلَيْها آباءَنا وَ اللَّهُ أَمَرَنا بِها قُلْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَأْمُرُ بِالْفَحْشاءِ أَ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ ما لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌[2] قَالَ فَقَالَ هَلْ رَأَيْتَ أَحَداً زَعَمَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ أَمَرَ بِالزِّنَا وَ شُرْبِ الْخَمْرِ أَوْ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْمَحَارِمِ فَقُلْتُ لَا فَقَالَ مَا هَذِهِ الْفَاحِشَةُ الَّتِي يَدَّعُو

“I asked (the Imam (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, ‘When (The faithless) commit indecent acts they say, “We found our fathers doing this and God has commanded us to do the same.” (Muhammad) tell them that God does not command anyone to commit indecency. Do you speak for God, sayin

- سَأَلْتُ عَبْداً صَالِحاً[1] عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- قُلْ إِنَّما حَرَّمَ رَبِّيَ الْفَواحِشَ‌ ما ظَهَرَ مِنْها وَ ما بَطَنَ‌[2] قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْقُرْآنَ لَهُ ظَهْرٌ وَ بَطْنٌ فَجَمِيعُ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ فِي الْقُرْآنِ هُوَ الظَّاهِرُ وَ الْبَاطِنُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَئِمَّةُ الْجَوْرِ- وَ جَمِيعُ مَا أَحَلَّ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى فِي الْكِتَابِ هُوَ الظَّاهِرُ وَ الْبَاطِنُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَئِمَّةُ الْحَقِّ.

“I asked the virtuous servant of the Lord about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, “(Muhammad), tell them, “My Lord has only prohibited indecent acts committed in public or in secret,. .” (7:33) The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) then said, “The Quran has an apparent essence and a hidden

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَتَّخِذُ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ أَنْداداً يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ اللَّهِ‌[3] قَالَ هُمْ وَ اللَّهِ أَوْلِيَاءُ فُلَانٍ وَ فُلَانٍ اتَّخَذُوهُمْ أَئِمَّةً دُونَ الْإِمَامِ الَّذِي جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَاماً فَلِذَلِكَ قَالَ‌ وَ لَوْ يَرَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا إِذْ يَرَوْنَ الْعَذابَ أَنَّ الْقُوَّةَ لِلَّهِ‌ جَمِيعاً وَ أَنَّ اللَّ

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, “Some people consider certain things equal to God and love them just as one should love God. . .” (2:165) The Imam (a.s.) said, “They, by Allah, are the friends of so and so and so and so whom they have taken as their Imams and n

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ ثَلَاثَةٌ لَا يَنْظُرُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ لا يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَ لَهُمْ عَذابٌ أَلِيمٌ* مَنِ ادَّعَى إِمَامَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ لَيْسَتْ لَهُ وَ مَنْ جَحَدَ إِمَاماً مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ مَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّ لَهُمَا فِي الْإِسْلَامِ نَصِيباً.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘There will be three kinds of people to whom Allah will not look on the Day of Judgment, will not purify them and they will suffer pain full punishments. They are those who claim to be the Imam with authority from Allah, those who would reject the Imam, Leader with Divine Authority an

يَعْنِي مَنِ اتَّخَذَ دِينَهُ رَأْيَهُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ مِنْ أَئِمَّةِ الْهُدَى.

“The words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, “Who strays more than one who follows his desires without guidance from God?. . “(28:50) The Imam (a.s.), “It refers to those who take their own opinions as their religion without an Imam from the Imams of guidance (Leadership with Divine Authority).”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ كُلُّ مَنْ دَانَ اللَّهَ بِعِبَادَةٍ يُجْهِدُ فِيهَا نَفْسَهُ وَ لَا إِمَامَ لَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ فَسَعْيُهُ غَيْرُ مَقْبُولٍ وَ هُوَ ضَالٌّ مُتَحَيِّرٌ وَ اللَّهُ شَانِئٌ لِأَعْمَالِهِ‌[1] وَ مَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ شَاةٍ ضَلَّتْ عَنْ رَاعِيهَا وَ قَطِيعِهَا فَهَجَمَتْ‌[2] ذَاهِبَةً وَ جَائِيَةً يَوْمَهَا فَلَمَّا جَنَّهَا اللَّيْلُ بَصُرَتْ بِقَطِيعٍ مَعَ غَيْرِ رَاعِيهَا فَحَنَّتْ‌[3] إِل

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.) say, ‘Whoever follows the religion of Allah worshipping assiduously without an Imam, Leader with Divine Authority his toil will not be acceptable. In fact, he is lost and confused and Allah disdains his deeds. Such person’s case and example is like a sheep that has lost the shepherd and the f

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي أُخَالِطُ النَّاسَ فَيَكْثُرُ عَجَبِي مِنْ أَقْوَامٍ لَا يَتَوَلَّوْنَكُمْ وَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَ فُلَاناً وَ فُلَاناً لَهُمْ أَمَانَةٌ وَ صِدْقٌ وَ وَفَاءٌ وَ أَقْوَامٌ يَتَوَلَّوْنَكُمْ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ تِلْكَ الْأَمَانَةُ وَ لَا الْوَفَاءُ وَ الصِّدْقُ قَالَ فَاسْتَوَى أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جَالِساً فَأَقْبَلَ عَلَيَّ كَالْغَضْبَانِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَا دِينَ لِمَنْ دَانَ اللَّهَ بِوَلَاي

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). ’I meet people and it increases my wonders when I find people who do not consider you as their guardians and Imams but they consider so and so as their Imam. However, they are trustworthy, truthful and loyal. I also find people who consider you as their guardian and Imam but are not tha

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَأُعَذِّبَنَّ كُلَّ رَعِيَّةٍ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ دَانَتْ بِوَلَايَةِ كُلِّ إِمَامٍ جَائِرٍ لَيْسَ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَتِ الرَّعِيَّةُ فِي أَعْمَالِهَا بَرَّةً تَقِيَّةً وَ لَأَعْفُوَنَّ عَنْ كُلِّ رَعِيَّةٍ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ دَانَتْ بِوَلَايَةِ كُلِّ إِمَامٍ عَادِلٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَتِ الرَّعِيَّةُ فِي أَنْفُسِهَا ظَالِمَةً مُسِيئَةً.

4. He has narrated from Hisham ibn Salim from Habib al-Sajistani from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, ’I will cause to suffer punishment all those who live a religious life in Islam under the guardianship of unjust Imams who possesses no authority from Allah

قَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَسْتَحْيِي أَنْ يُعَذِّبَ أُمَّةً دَانَتْ بِإِمَامٍ لَيْسَ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ فِي أَعْمَالِهَا بَرَّةً تَقِيَّةً وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيَسْتَحْيِي أَنْ يُعَذِّبَ أُمَّةً دَانَتْ بِإِمَامٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ فِي أَعْمَالِهَا ظَالِمَةً مُسِيئَةً.

“Allah will not be ashamed to punish an ’Umma (nation) who has lived a religious lile under the guardianship of an unjust Imam who has said the following.would possess no authority form Allah even though such people would be virtuous and pious in their deeds. However, Allah will be ashamed to punish a people who lived

ابْتَدَأَنَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَوْماً وَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ إِمَامٌ فَمِيتَتُهُ مِيتَةٌ جَاهِلِيَّةٌ فَقُلْتُ قَالَ ذَلِكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ إِي وَ اللَّهِ قَدْ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَكُلُّ مَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ إِمَامٌ فَمِيتَتُهُ مِيتَةٌ جَاهِلِيَّةٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever would die and is not under the (guardianship) of the Imam his death would be like a death in ignorance.” The narrator has said that I asked, “Is that what the Messenger of Allah has said?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes, by Allah, he has said so.” I then said, “Do all who die with

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ إِمَامٌ فَمِيتَتُهُ مِيتَةٌ جَاهِلِيَّةٌ قَالَ قُلْتُ مِيتَةُ كُفْرٍ قَالَ مِيتَةُ ضَلَالٍ قُلْتُ فَمَنْ مَاتَ الْيَوْمَ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ إِمَامٌ فَمِيتَتُهُ مِيتَةٌ جَاهِلِيَّةٌ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words the Messenger of Allah. ““Whoever would die and is not under the (guardianship) of the Imam his death would be like a death in ignorance.” The narrator has said I then asked, “Is it death in disbelief (in religion)?” He said, “It is death in error .” I then said, “Thus, who

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ مَاتَ لَا يَعْرِفُ إِمَامَهُ مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّةً قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ جَاهِلِيَّةً جَهْلَاءَ أَوْ جَاهِلِيَّةً لَا يَعْرِفُ إِمَامَهُ قَالَ جَاهِلِيَّةَ كُفْرٍ وَ نِفَاقٍ وَ ضَلَالٍ.

‘the Messenger of Allah (sw) said, "Whoever dies and does not know his Imam dies the death of ignorance." He (the Imam) replied in the affirmative. I asked, "Is it the death of ignorance (in the sense) of being ignorant or is it the death of ignorance in not knowing his Imam?" He replied, "(It is the death of) ignoranc

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ دَانَ اللَّهَ بِغَيْرِ سَمَاعٍ عَنْ صَادِقٍ أَلْزَمَهُ اللَّهُ الْبَتَّةَ[1] إِلَى الْعَنَاءِ- وَ مَنِ ادَّعَى سَمَاعاً مِنْ غَيْرِ الْبَابِ الَّذِي فَتَحَهُ اللَّهُ فَهُوَ مُشْرِكٌ وَ ذَلِكَ الْبَابُ الْمَأْمُونُ عَلَى سِرِّ اللَّهِ الْمَكْنُونِ.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever would follow the religion of Allah without hearing (instructions) from a truthful (Imam) person Allah will cause him, inevitably, to suffer hardships. Whoever would claim to have heard from a source other than the one Allah has opened for him, he will be considered as polytheist

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌[2] بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع وَ امْرَأَتَهُ وَ بَنِيهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَنْ عَرَفَ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ مِنْ وُلْدِ عَلِيٍّ وَ فَاطِمَةَ ع لَمْ يَكُنْ كَالنَّاسِ.

“I heards al-Rida (a.s.) saying, “Ali ibn ‘Abdallah (or ‘Ubaydallah)ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.), his wife and childred are of the people of paradise.” He then said, “Whoever would recognize this matter (Leadership with Divine Authority) in the descendants of Ali and Fatima (a.s.) he

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع أَخْبِرْنِي عَمَّنْ عَانَدَكَ وَ لَمْ يَعْرِفْ حَقَّكَ مِنْ وُلْدِ فَاطِمَةَ هُوَ وَ سَائِرُ النَّاسِ سَوَاءٌ فِي الْعِقَابِ فَقَالَ كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقُولُ عَلَيْهِمْ ضِعْفَا الْعِقَابِ.

“I asked abi al-Hasan (a.s): Inform me about those who, as a descendant of Fatima, opposed you and did not know your right, would his punishment be the same as the rest of other people?” He replied, “Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) used to say that their punishment will twice as much.”