The Book about people with Divine Authority

أَشْهَدُ أَنِّي سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً إِمَامٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَهُ وَ أَنَّ الْحَسَنَ إِمَامٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَهُ وَ أَنَّ الْحُسَيْنَ إِمَامٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَهُ وَ أَنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ إِمَامٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ إِمَامٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَهُ.

“I testify that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) is the Imam obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah, that al-Hassan (a.s.) is the Imam obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah, that al-Husayn is the Imam obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah, that Ali ibn al-Husayn is the Imam o

نَحْنُ قَوْمٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَنَا وَ أَنْتُمْ تَأْتَمُّونَ بِمَنْ لَا يُعْذَرُ النَّاسُ بِجَهَالَتِهِ.

“We are the people obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah and you follow those that people’s responsibility to obey them does not cease because of ignorance and not knowing them.”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ آتَيْناهُمْ مُلْكاً عَظِيماً[2] قَالَ الطَّاعَةُ الْمَفْرُوضَةُ.

it means the obedience that is obligatory.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أُشْرِكَ بَيْنَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ وَ الرُّسُلِ فِي الطَّاعَةِ.

“Of the matters common among the successors and the messengers themselves one is that to obey them all is obligatory.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ نَحْنُ قَوْمٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ طَاعَتَنَا لَنَا الْأَنْفَالُ وَ لَنَا صَفْوُ الْمَالِ‌[3] وَ نَحْنُ الرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ وَ نَحْنُ الْمَحْسُودُونَ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ‌ أَمْ يَحْسُدُونَ النَّاسَ عَلى‌ ما آتاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ‌[4].

“We are a people obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. The Anfal (twenty percent in tax) is for us and we have been given the authority to choose the best out of the property seized from the enemy. We are the people very firmly established in knowledge. We are the ones w

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

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ فَارِسِيٌّ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ طَاعَتُكَ مُفْتَرَضَةٌ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ مِثْلُ طَاعَةِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع فَقَالَ نَعَمْ.

“Is obedience to you obligatory?” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “Yes, it is obligatory.” The man then asked is in the same way as obedience to Amir al-Mu’minin Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.)?” The Imam (a.s.) replied “Yes, it is obligatory in the same way,”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْأَئِمَّةِ هَلْ يَجْرُونَ فِي الْأَمْرِ وَ الطَّاعَةِ مَجْرَى وَاحِدٍ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

The Imam (a.s.) replied, “Yes, they are all the same.”

كُنْتُ قَائِماً عَلَى رَأْسِ الرِّضَا ع- بِخُرَاسَانَ وَ عِنْدَهُ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ وَ فِيهِمْ إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مُوسَى بْنِ عِيسَى الْعَبَّاسِيُّ فَقَالَ يَا إِسْحَاقُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ النَّاسَ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّا نَزْعُمُ أَنَّ النَّاسَ عَبِيدٌ لَنَا لَا وَ قَرَابَتِي مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مَا قُلْتُهُ قَطُّ وَ لَا سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْ آبَائِي قَالَهُ وَ لَا بَلَغَنِي عَنْ أَحَدٍ مِنْ آبَائِي قَالَهُ وَ لَكِنِّي أَق

“I was in the presence of al-Rida (a.s.) in Khurasan with a group of Hashemites, among them was Ishaq ibn Musa ibn ‘Isa from the Abbasids, and the Imam (a.s.) said to him, “O Ishaq, I hear that people say we think they are our slaves. I swear upon my close relation with the Messenger of Allah (sw) that I have never sai

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ نَحْنُ الَّذِينَ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَنَا لَا يَسَعُ النَّاسَ إِلَّا مَعْرِفَتُنَا وَ لَا يُعْذَرُ النَّاسُ بِجَهَالَتِنَا مَنْ عَرَفَنَا كَانَ مُؤْمِناً- وَ مَنْ أَنْكَرَنَا كَانَ كَافِراً وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَعْرِفْنَا وَ لَمْ يُنْكِرْنَا كَانَ ضَالًّا حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ إِلَى الْهُدَى الَّذِي افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ طَاعَتِنَا الْوَاجِبَةِ فَإِنْ يَمُتْ عَلَى ضَلَالَتِهِ يَفْعَلِ اللَّهُ بِهِ م

“We are the ones obedience to whom is obligatory by the commands of Allah. People have no other choice except to know us and they will not be excused for not knowing us. Those who know us are the true believers and those who would refuse to acknowledge our Divine authority are unbelievers. Those who would not know us a

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ أَفْضَلِ مَا يَتَقَرَّبُ بِهِ الْعِبَادُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ أَفْضَلُ مَا يَتَقَرَّبُ بِهِ الْعِبَادُ إِلَى اللَّهِ‌ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ طَاعَةُ اللَّهِ وَ طَاعَةُ رَسُولِهِ وَ طَاعَةُ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع حُبُّنَا إِيمَانٌ وَ بُغْضُنَا كُفْرٌ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “Of the matters that can take people closer to Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, the best one is to obey Him, His messenger and those who posses Divine authority.” Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, “To love us if faith and to harbor hatred towards us is disbelief.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَعْرِضُ عَلَيْكَ دِينِيَ الَّذِي أَدِينُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ هَاتِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الْإِقْرَارُ بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ وَ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً كَانَ إِمَاماً فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَهُ ثُمَّ كَانَ بَعْدَهُ الْحَسَنُ إِمَاماً فَرَضَ اللَّهُ طَاعَتَهُ ثُمَّ

I asked Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) if I may state before him my religion and faith in Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. The Imam (a.s.) said, “Say it and let us hear them.” I said, “I testify that there is no god other than Allah Who is One and has no partner. I testify that Muhammad (s.a.) is the servant and messenger

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ صُحْبَةَ الْعَالِمِ‌[1] وَ اتِّبَاعَهُ دِينٌ يُدَانُ اللَّهُ بِهِ وَ طَاعَتَهُ مَكْسَبَةٌ لِلْحَسَنَاتِ مَمْحَاةٌ لِلسَّيِّئَاتِ وَ ذَخِيرَةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ رِفْعَةٌ[2] فِيهِمْ فِي حَيَاتِهِمْ وَ جَمِيلٌ بَعْدَ مَمَاتِهِمْ‌[3].

14. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Salim from abu Hamza from abu Ishaq from some of the companions of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) who has narrated the following from Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.). “Know that to establish companionship with the scholar and to follow him is a religion

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ السَّمْعُ وَ الطَّاعَةُ أَبْوَابُ الْخَيْرِ- السَّامِعُ الْمُطِيعُ لَا حُجَّةَ عَلَيْهِ وَ السَّامِعُ الْعَاصِي لَا حُجَّةَ لَهُ وَ إِمَامُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ تَمَّتْ حُجَّتُهُ وَ احْتِجَاجُهُ يَوْمَ يَلْقَى اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا كُلَّ أُناسٍ بِإِمامِهِمْ‌[1].

“Listening and obeying are the gates to goodness. One who listens and is obedient has all the authority in his favor. One who listens but disobeys will have no authority in his favor. The leader, the Imam of the Muslims, on the Day of Judgment, in the presence of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, will have complete

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَكَيْفَ‌ إِذا جِئْنا مِنْ كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ بِشَهِيدٍ وَ جِئْنا بِكَ‌ عَلى‌ هؤُلاءِ شَهِيداً[2] قَالَ نَزَلَتْ فِي أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص خَاصَّةً فِي كُلِّ قَرْنٍ مِنْهُمْ إِمَامٌ مِنَّا شَاهِدٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ مُحَمَّدٌ ص شَاهِدٌ عَلَيْنَا.

The Imam (a.s.) said that this verse is was revealed about the followers of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) in particular. In every generation of these people there will an Imam from our family who would bear witness over their activities and Prophet Muahammad himself will bear witness over us.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كَذلِكَ جَعَلْناكُمْ‌ أُمَّةً وَسَطاً لِتَكُونُوا شُهَداءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ‌[3] قَالَ نَحْنُ الْأُمَّةُ الْوُسْطَى وَ نَحْنُ شُهَدَاءُ اللَّهِ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَ حُجَجُهُ فِي أَرْضِهِ قُلْتُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- مِلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ‌ إِبْراهِيمَ‌ قَالَ إِيَّانَا عَنَى خَاصَّةً- هُوَ سَمَّاكُمُ‌ الْمُسْلِمِينَ‌ مِنْ قَبْلُ‌ فِي الْكُتُبِ الَّتِ

The Imam (a.s.) said, “We are the moderate nation and we bear witness to the activities of the people for Allah and we possess Divine authority on earth.” I then asked about the meaning following verse of the holy Quran: “. . the noble religion of your father, Abraham. God named you Muslims before and in this Book, so

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 لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع قَوْلَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ كَذلِكَ جَعَلْناكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطاً لِتَكُونُوا شُهَداءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَ يَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيداً قَالَ نَحْنُ الْأُمَّةُ الْوَسَطُ وَ نَحْنُ شُهَدَاءُ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَ حُجَجُهُ فِي أَرْضِهِ قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ تَعَالَى‌ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ارْكَعُوا وَ اسْجُدُوا وَ اعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمْ‌ وَ افْعَلُو

The Imam (a.s.) said, “We are the moderate nation and we are the witness for Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, over the activities of His creatures and possess His authority on earth.” I then asked about the meaning of the following verse of the Holy Quran that says, “Believers, worship your Lord, bow down and prost

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى طَهَّرَنَا وَ عَصَمَنَا وَ جَعَلَنَا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَ حُجَّتَهُ فِي أَرْضِهِ وَ جَعَلَنَا مَعَ الْقُرْآنِ- وَ جَعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ مَعَنَا لَا نُفَارِقُهُ وَ لَا يُفَارِقُنَا.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibrahim ibn ‘Umar al-Yamani from Sulaym ibn Qays al-Hilali from Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, cleansed us, granted us protection against sins, made us to bear witness to the activities o

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هادٍ[3] فَقَالَ كُلُّ إِمَامٍ هَادٍ لِلْقَرْنِ الَّذِي هُوَ فِيهِمْ.

The Imam (a.s.) said that every Imam is the guide in his own time.”

رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمُنْذِرُ وَ لِكُلِّ زَمَانٍ مِنَّا هَادٍ يَهْدِيهِمْ إِلَى مَا جَاءَ بِهِ- نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ص ثُمَّ الْهُدَاةُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ عَلِيٌّ ثُمَّ الْأَوْصِيَاءُ وَاحِدٌ بَعْدَ وَاحِدٍ.

The Imam (a.s.) said that at all times there is a guide from us who guides people to the teachings of the Holy Prophet (s.a.) Of the guides who possess Divine authority after the holy Prophet (s.a.) is Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and his successors one after the other.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- إِنَّما أَنْتَ مُنْذِرٌ وَ لِكُلِ‌ قَوْمٍ هادٍ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمُنْذِرُ وَ عَلِيٌّ الْهَادِي يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ هَلْ مِنْ هَادٍ الْيَوْمَ قُلْتُ بَلَى جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا زَالَ مِنْكُمْ هَادٍ بَعْدَ هَادٍ حَتَّى دُفِعَتْ إِلَيْكَ فَقَالَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ لَوْ كَانَتْ إِذَا نَزَلَتْ آيَةٌ عَلَى رَجُلٍ ثُمَّ مَاتَ ذَلِكَ الرَّجُلُ مَاتَتِ الْآيَةُ- مَا

“I asked Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah: “(Muhammad), you are only a warner, and for every nation there is a guide.” (13:7) He (a.s.) replied, “The Messenger of Allah (sw) is the warner and Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) is the guide. O Abu Muhammad, is there a guide today?” I said, “Yes, may All

رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمُنْذِرُ وَ عَلِيٌّ الْهَادِي أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا ذَهَبَتْ مِنَّا وَ مَا زَالَتْ فِينَا إِلَى السَّاعَةِ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “The Holy Prophet (s.a.) is the Warner and Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) is the guide. Let it be known, I swear by Allah, that guidance never departed us, it is with us and will always be with us until the Day of Judgment.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ نَحْنُ وُلَاةُ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ وَ خَزَنَةُ عِلْمِ اللَّهِ وَ عَيْبَةُ وَحْيِ اللَّهِ‌[1].

“We are the ones who has said the following possess Divine authority of the command of Allah, we are the treasury of the knowledge of Allah and the repository of the revelations of Allah.”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا لَخُزَّانُ اللَّهِ فِي سَمَائِهِ وَ أَرْضِهِ لَا عَلَى ذَهَبٍ وَ لَا عَلَى فِضَّةٍ إِلَّا عَلَى عِلْمِهِ.

“By Allah, we are the treasurers of Allah in His heavens and on His earth, not over gold or silver, but over His knowledge.”

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا أَنْتُمْ قَالَ نَحْنُ خُزَّانُ عِلْمِ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ تَرَاجِمَةُ وَحْيِ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ الْحُجَّةُ الْبَالِغَةُ عَلَى مَنْ دُونَ السَّمَاءِ وَ مَنْ فَوْقَ الْأَرْضِ.

“may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what are you?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “We are the treasurers of the knowledge of Allah. We are the translators of the revelations of Allah. We possess complete Divine authority over all that is under the heavens and those above the earth.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى اسْتِكْمَالُ حُجَّتِي عَلَى الْأَشْقِيَاءِ مِنْ أُمَّتِكَ‌[2] مِنْ تَرْكِ وَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍّ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ فَإِنَّ فِيهِمْ سُنَّتَكَ وَ سُنَّةَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ وَ هُمْ خُزَّانِي عَلَى عِلْمِي مِنْ بَعْدِكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لَقَدْ أَنْبَأَنِي جَبْرَئِيلُ ع بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ وَ أَسْمَا

“The Messenger of Allah (sw) said that Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, said: "The completion of My proof against the wretched ones of your nation lies in their abandonment of the authority (wilāyah) of ʿAlī and the successors after you. For within them is your tradition and the tradition of the prophets before you. The

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا ابْنَ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَاحِدٌ- مُتَوَحِّدٌ بِالْوَحْدَانِيَّةِ مُتَفَرِّدٌ بِأَمْرِهِ فَخَلَقَ خَلْقاً فَقَدَّرَهُمْ لِذَلِكَ الْأَمْرِ فَنَحْنُ هُمْ يَا ابْنَ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ فَنَحْنُ حُجَجُ اللَّهِ فِي عِبَادِهِ وَ خُزَّانُهُ عَلَى عِلْمِهِ وَ الْقَائِمُونَ بِذَلِكَ.

“O son of Abi Ya'fur, indeed Allah is One, unique in His Oneness. He alone issues His command. He created a creation and appointed and measured them for that command (Amr, task). So, we, O son of Abu Ya‘fur, are that creation. We are the authority of Allah among His servants, the treasurers of His knowledge, and the gu

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَنَا فَأَحْسَنَ خَلْقَنَا وَ صَوَّرَنَا فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَنَا[3] وَ جَعَلَنَا خُزَّانَهُ فِي سَمَائِهِ وَ أَرْضِهِ وَ لَنَا نَطَقَتِ الشَّجَرَةُ وَ بِعِبَادَتِنَا عُبِدَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌[4] وَ لَوْلَانَا مَا عُبِدَ اللَّهُ.

6. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Musa ibn al-Qasim ibn Mu‘awiya and Muhammad ibn Yahya from al-‘Amrakiy ibn Ali altogether from Ali ibn Ja’far from abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) who has said the following. “Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, created us and He

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ الْأَئِمَّةُ خُلَفَاءُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي أَرْضِهِ.

The Imams (a.s.) are the deputies of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, on earth.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ الْأَوْصِيَاءُ هُمْ أَبْوَابُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الَّتِي يُؤْتَى مِنْهَا وَ لَوْلَاهُمْ مَا عُرِفَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ بِهِمُ احْتَجَّ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَلْقِهِ.

2. Mu‘alla has narrated from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Sulayman ibn Suma‘a from ‘Abdallah ibn al-Qasim from abu Basir who has said that Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said the following. “The successors (of the holy Prophet (s.a.) are the gates to Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, through which people go to Him. Had they

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ جَلَّ جَلَالُهُ- وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَ عَمِلُوا الصَّالِحاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ‌ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ‌[1] قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ.

The Imams (a.s.) said, “The people referred to in this verse are the Imams (a.s.).”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ وَ النُّورِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْنا[2] فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا خَالِدٍ النُّورُ وَ اللَّهِ- الْأَئِمَّةُ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ هُمْ وَ اللَّهِ نُورُ اللَّهِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ وَ هُمْ وَ اللَّهِ نُورُ اللَّهِ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ اللَّهِ يَا أَبَا خَالِدٍ لَنُورُ الْإِمَامِ فِي قُلُوبِ الْمُؤ

"I asked Abu Ja'far (peace be upon him) about the saying of Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, 'So believe in Allah and His Messenger and the light which We have sent down.' (68:4) He said: 'O Abu Khalid, by Allah, the light is the Imams from the family of Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) until the Day of Resurr

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى‌ الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ‌ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الْأُمِّيَ‌ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ‌ مَكْتُوباً عِنْدَهُمْ فِي التَّوْراةِ وَ الْإِنْجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُمْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ يَنْهاهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَ يُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّباتِ‌ وَ يُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبائِثَ‌ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ‌ وَ اتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ مَعَهُ‌ أُولئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ‌[3] قَالَ النُّورُ فِي هَذَا الْمَوْض

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated through his chain of narrators from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah that say, There are those who follow the Messengers, the illiterate Prophet (not conventionally educated), whose description they find written in the Torah and the Gospel. [He (the Messengers) enjoins them

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع لَقَدْ آتَى اللَّهُ أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ خَيْراً كَثِيراً قَالَ وَ مَا ذَاكَ قُلْتُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- الَّذِينَ آتَيْناهُمُ الْكِتابَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ‌ هُمْ بِهِ‌ يُؤْمِنُونَ‌ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ‌ أُولئِكَ يُؤْتَوْنَ أَجْرَهُمْ مَرَّتَيْنِ‌ بِما صَبَرُوا[4] قَالَ فَقَالَ قَدْ آتَاكُمُ اللَّهُ كَمَا آتَاهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلَا- يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ آمِنُوا بِرَسُولِهِ‌ يُؤْت

“Allah has given a great deal of good to the people of the heavenly books.” The Imam (a.s.) then asked, “What is it?” I then said it said in Holy Quran, “We sent Our guidance to them so that perhaps they might take heed. (28:51) (Some of) the followers of the Bible believe in the Quran (28:52). When it is recited to th

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ وَ النُّورِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْنا[2] فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا خَالِدٍ النُّورُ وَ اللَّهِ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع يَا أَبَا خَالِدٍ لَنُورُ الْإِمَامِ فِي قُلُوبِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنْوَرُ مِنَ الشَّمْسِ الْمُضِيئَةِ بِالنَّهَارِ وَ هُمُ الَّذِينَ يُنَوِّرُونَ قُلُوبَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ يَحْجُبُ اللَّهُ نُورَهُمْ عَمَّنْ يَشَاءُ فَتُظْلِمُ قُلُوبُهُمْ

The Imams (a.s.) said, “O abu Khalid, the light in this verse, I swear by Allah, means the Imams. O abu Khalid the light of the Imam (a.s.) in the hearts of the true believers is more bright than the light of the sun in midday. It is they who brighten the hearts of the true believers and Allah withholds their light fro

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ‌ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ‌ كَمِشْكاةٍ[3] فَاطِمَةُ ع‌ فِيها مِصْباحٌ‌ الْحَسَنُ- الْمِصْباحُ فِي زُجاجَةٍ الْحُسَيْنُ- الزُّجاجَةُ كَأَنَّها كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌ‌ فَاطِمَةُ كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ بَيْنَ نِسَاءِ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا- يُوقَدُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبارَكَةٍ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع- زَيْتُونَةٍ لا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَ لا غَرْبِيَّةٍ لَا يَهُودِيَّةٍ

The Imam (a.s.) said that the lantern metaphorically stands for the Holy lady, Fatima (a.s.), the lamp stands for Imam al-Hassan (a.s.) and the glass stands for Imam al-Husayn (a.s.). The shining star stands for the Holy lady Fatima (a.s.) who shines among the ladies of the world. The blessed olive tree stands for Prop

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِؤُا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْواهِهِمْ‌[1] قَالَ يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِئُوا وَلَايَةَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ تَعَالَى‌ وَ اللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ‌ قَالَ يَقُولُ وَ اللَّهُ مُتِمُّ الْإِمَامَةِ وَ الْإِمَامَةُ هِيَ النُّورُ وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ وَ النُّورِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْنا

about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, in the following verse of the Holy Quran. “They want to put out the light of God with their mouths, but God will certainly make His light shine forever - even though the unbelievers may dislike this.” (61:8) The Imam (a.s.) said, “They want to put o

مَا جَاءَ بِهِ عَلِيٌّ ع آخُذُ بِهِ وَ مَا نَهَى عَنْهُ أَنْتَهِي عَنْهُ جَرَى لَهُ مِنَ الْفَضْلِ مِثْلُ مَا جَرَى لِمُحَمَّدٍ ص وَ لِمُحَمَّدٍ ص الْفَضْلُ عَلَى جَمِيعِ مَنْ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْمُتَعَقِّبُ عَلَيْهِ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ أَحْكَامِهِ كَالْمُتَعَقِّبِ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ‌[2] وَ الرَّادُّ عَلَيْهِ فِي صَغِيرَةٍ أَوْ كَبِيرَةٍ عَلَى حَدِّ الشِّرْكِ بِاللَّهِ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِن

1. Ahmad ibn Mahran from Muhammad ibn Ali and Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad altogether from Muhammad ibn Sinan from al-Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Whatever Imam Ali (a.s.) has brought I follow them entirely and whatever he has forbidden I desist from them altog

دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَابْتَدَأَنَا فَقَالَ يَا سُلَيْمَانُ مَا جَاءَ عَنْ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يُؤْخَذُ بِهِ وَ مَا نَهَى عَنْهُ يُنْتَهَى عَنْهُ جَرَى لَهُ مِنَ الْفَضْلِ مَا جَرَى لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص الْفَضْلُ عَلَى جَمِيعِ مَنْ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ الْمُعَيِّبُ‌[2] عَلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ أَحْكَامِهِ كَالْمُعَيِّبِ عَل

2. Ali ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn al-Hassan have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Walid Shabab al-Sayrafi who has said that Sa‘id’ al-A‘raj has said that he and Sulayman ibn Khalid once went to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and al-A‘raj began the conversation as follows. “Whatever Imam Ali (a.s.) has brought

فَضْلُ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌[1] مَا جَاءَ بِهِ آخُذُ بِهِ وَ مَا نَهَى عَنْهُ أَنْتَهِي عَنْهُ جَرَى لَهُ مِنَ الطَّاعَةِ بَعْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مَا لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ الْفَضْلُ لِمُحَمَّدٍ ص الْمُتَقَدِّمُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ كَالْمُتَقَدِّمِ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ وَ الْمُتَفَضِّلُ عَلَيْهِ كَالْمُتَفَضِّلِ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ الرَّادُّ عَلَيْهِ فِي صَغِيرَةٍ أَوْ كَبِيرَةٍ عَلَى حَدِّ الشّ

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya and Ahmad ibn Muhammad both have narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from Ali ibn Hassa’n who has said that abu ‘Abdallah al-Riyahi narrated to him from abu al-Samit al-Hulwani from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the virtue of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) the following Hadith. “Whatever Imam Ali (a.s.) h

كُنَّا مَعَ الرِّضَا ع بِمَرْوَ فَاجْتَمَعْنَا فِي الْجَامِعِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فِي بَدْءِ مَقْدَمِنَا فَأَدَارُوا أَمْرَ الْإِمَامَةِ وَ ذَكَرُوا كَثْرَةَ اخْتِلَافِ النَّاسِ فِيهَا فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى سَيِّدِي ع فَأَعْلَمْتُهُ خَوْضَ النَّاسِ فِيهِ فَتَبَسَّمَ ع ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا عَبْدَ الْعَزِيزِ جَهِلَ الْقَوْمُ وَ خُدِعُوا عَنْ آرَائِهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يَقْبِضْ نَبِيَّهُ ص حَتَّى أَكْمَلَ لَهُ ال

1. Abu Muhammad al-Qasim ibn al-’Ala’, may Allah grant him blessings, in a marfu‘ manner (rafa’abu), has narrated from ‘Ad al-’Aziz ibn Muslim the following. “We had been with al-Rida (a.s.) at Marw. During an assembly in the central mosque on Friday, we attended the gathering. It was when we had just arrived (in Marw)

فِي خُطْبَةٍ لَهُ يَذْكُرُ فِيهَا حَالَ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع وَ صِفَاتِهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَوْضَحَ بِأَئِمَّةِ الْهُدَى مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِ نَبِيِّنَا عَنْ دِينِهِ وَ أَبْلَجَ بِهِمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِ مِنْهَاجِهِ وَ فَتَحَ بِهِمْ عَنْ بَاطِنِ يَنَابِيعِ عِلْمِهِ فَمَنْ عَرَفَ مِنْ أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَاجِبَ حَقِّ إِمَامِهِ وَجَدَ طَعْمَ حَلَاوَةِ إِيمَانِهِ وَ عَلِمَ فَضْلَ طُلَاوَةِ إِسْلَامِهِ‌[4] لِأَنَّ اللَّ

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ’Isa from al-Hasan ibn Mahbub from Ishaq ibn Ghalib from abu ’Abdallah (a.s.) who has described the condition of the Imams (a.s.) and their attributes in one of his sermons. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has explained His religion through the Imams

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ‌[1] فَكَانَ جَوَابُهُ- أَ لَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا نَصِيباً مِنَ الْكِتابِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْجِبْتِ وَ الطَّاغُوتِ‌ وَ يَقُولُونَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا هؤُلاءِ أَهْدى‌ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا سَبِيلًا[2] يَقُولُونَ لِأَئِمَّةِ الضَّلَالَةِ وَ الدُّعَاةِ إِلَى النَّارِ- هؤُلاءِ أَهْ

The read the following words of Allah. “Have you seen how those who had been given a share of the Book believe in idols and Satan and who say, “The disbelievers are better guided than the believers” (4:51) ‘The say that the leaders of misguidance and those who call people to Hell’ “God has condemned them. No one can he

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- أَمْ يَحْسُدُونَ النَّاسَ عَلى‌ ما آتاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ‌ قَالَ نَحْنُ الْمَحْسُودُونَ.

Or are they envious of the people whom Allah has granted of His bounties? ( 4:54 Holy Quran) “We are the envied ones.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَقَدْ آتَيْنا آلَ إِبْراهِيمَ الْكِتابَ‌ فَقَالَ النُّبُوَّةَ قُلْتُ- الْحِكْمَةَ قَالَ الْفَهْمَ وَ الْقَضَاءَ قُلْتُ‌ وَ آتَيْناهُمْ مُلْكاً عَظِيماً فَقَالَ الطَّاعَةَ.

The Imams (a.s.) said, “It means Prophet-hood.” I then asked about the meaning of ‘wisdom’. The Imams (a.s.) said, “It means understanding and judgment.” I then asked about the meaning of ‘great kingdom.’ The Imams (a.s.) said, “It means obedience.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَمْ يَحْسُدُونَ النَّاسَ عَلى‌ ما آتاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ‌ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا الصَّبَّاحِ نَحْنُ وَ اللَّهِ النَّاسُ الْمَحْسُودُونَ.

The Imams (a.s.) said, “O abu al-Sabah, we, I swear by Allah, are the people who are envied.”

جَعَلَ مِنْهُمُ الرُّسُلَ وَ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ وَ الْأَئِمَّةَ فَكَيْفَ يُقِرُّونَ فِي آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ يُنْكِرُونَهُ فِي آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص قَالَ قُلْتُ- وَ آتَيْناهُمْ مُلْكاً عَظِيماً قَالَ الْمُلْكُ الْعَظِيمُ أَنْ جَعَلَ فِيهِمْ أَئِمَّةً مَنْ أَطَاعَهُمْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ وَ مَنْ عَصَاهُمْ عَصَى اللَّهَ فَهُوَ الْمُلْكُ الْعَظِيمُ.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn abu ‘Umayr from ’Umar ibn Udhayna from Burayd al-‘IJli from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, ““We have given to the family of Abraham the Book, Wisdom, and a great Kingdom.” [4:54] “Great kingdom means