The Book about people with Divine Authority

وَ عَلاماتٍ‌ وَ بِالنَّجْمِ هُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ‌[1] قَالَ النَّجْمُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ الْعَلَامَاتُ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع.

“The star is the Messenger of Allah (sw) and the signs are the Imams (a.s.)”

سَأَلَ الْهَيْثَمُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا عِنْدَهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ عَلاماتٍ وَ بِالنَّجْمِ هُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ‌[1] فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص النَّجْمُ وَ الْعَلَامَاتُ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع.

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from MuAlia ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Asbat ibn Salim who has said that Haythamm asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), while I was there, about the meaning of the words of Allah, “Through the signs and with the star people do find their way.” [16:16] The Imams (a.s.) said, “St

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- وَ عَلاماتٍ وَ بِالنَّجْمِ هُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ‌ قَالَ نَحْنُ الْعَلَامَاتُ وَ النَّجْمُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص.

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from MuAlia ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ who has said that he asked Imam al-Rida (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most High, “Through the signs and with the star people do find their way.” [16:16] The Imams (a.s.) said, “We are the signs and the messenger of Al

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ ما تُغْنِي الْآياتُ وَ النُّذُرُ عَنْ قَوْمٍ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ‌ قَالَ الْآيَاتُ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ وَ النُّذُرُ هُمُ الْأَنْبِيَاءُ ع.

The Imams (a.s.) said, “Signs are the Imams (a.s.) and warnings are the prophets (s.a.).”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ كَذَّبُوا بِآياتِنا كُلِّها[2] يَعْنِي الْأَوْصِيَاءَ كُلَّهُمْ.

‘The signs are all the successors (of the prophets (s.a.)

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ الشِّيعَةَ يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنْ تَفْسِيرِ هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ- عَمَّ يَتَساءَلُونَ‌ عَنِ النَّبَإِ الْعَظِيمِ‌[3] قَالَ ذَلِكَ إِلَيَّ إِنْ شِئْتُ أَخْبَرْتُهُمْ وَ إِنْ شِئْتُ لَمْ أُخْبِرْهُمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَكِنِّي أُخْبِرُكَ بِتَفْسِيرِهَا قُلْتُ‌ عَمَّ يَتَساءَلُونَ‌ قَالَ فَقَالَ هِيَ فِي أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ

the Shi‘a (your followers) ask about the meaning of the words of Allah, “Of what do they ask one another? (78:1). Do they ask about the great news?”The Imams (a.s.) said, “It depends up on my decision. I may tell them or may not tell them. Then he said: “I like, however, to tell you the meaning thereof.” I then asked w

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ كُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ‌[1] قَالَ إِيَّانَا عَنَى.

The Imam (a.s.) replied, “ ‘The truthful ones’ is a reference to us.”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ كُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ‌ قَالَ الصَّادِقُونَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ وَ الصِّدِّيقُونَ بِطَاعَتِهِمْ.

The Imams (a.s.) said, “The truthful ones are the Imams (a.s.) who, are truthful in their obedience (to Allah).”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَحْيَا حَيَاةً تُشْبِهُ حَيَاةَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ يَمُوتَ مِيتَةً تُشْبِهُ مِيتَةَ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَ يَسْكُنَ الْجِنَانَ الَّتِي غَرَسَهَا الرَّحْمَنُ‌[2] فَلْيَتَوَلَّ عَلِيّاً وَ لْيُوَالِ وَلِيَّهُ وَ لْيَقْتَدِ بِالْأَئِمَّةِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِتْرَتِي خُلِقُوا مِنْ طِينَتِي- اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْهُمْ فَهْمِي وَ عِلْمِي وَ وَيْلٌ لِلْمُخَالِفِينَ لَهُمْ مِنْ أُمَّتِ

“Whoever would like to live a life similar to those of the prophets, die in a similar manner as the martyrs do and live in the garden which is planted by the Beneficent, they must love Imam Ali (a.s.) (acknowledge his Divine authority) and love those who love and support him and follow the Imams after him who are of my

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ اسْتِكْمَالُ حُجَّتِي عَلَى الْأَشْقِيَاءِ مِنْ أُمَّتِكَ‌[3]- مَنْ تَرَكَ وَلَايَةَ عَلِيٍّ وَ وَالَى أَعْدَاءَهُ وَ أَنْكَرَ فَضْلَهُ وَ فَضْلَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَإِنَّ فَضْلَكَ فَضْلُهُمْ وَ طَاعَتَكَ طَاعَتُهُمْ وَ حَقَّكَ حَقُّهُمْ وَ مَعْصِيَتَكَ مَعْصِيَتُهُمْ وَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ الْهُدَاةُ مِنْ

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from al-Nadr ibn Shu’ayb from Muhammad ibn al-Fudayl from abu Hamzah al-Thamali who has said that he heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) say, “The Messenger of Allah (s.a.) said: “ Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, says, “It is to establish my authority over th

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَحْيَا حَيَاتِي وَ يَمُوتَ مِيتَتِي وَ يَدْخُلَ جَنَّةَ عَدْنٍ الَّتِي غَرَسَهَا اللَّهُ رَبِّي بِيَدِهِ فَلْيَتَوَلَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ لْيَتَوَلَّ وَلِيَّهُ وَ لْيُعَادِ عَدُوَّهُ وَ لْيُسَلِّمْ لِلْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِتْرَتِي مِنْ لَحْمِي وَ دَمِي أَعْطَاهُمُ اللَّهُ فَهْمِي وَ عِلْمِي إِلَى اللَّهِ

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever would want to live like my living, die like I will die and enter the garden of Eden that my Lord has planted with His own hands, he must love (acknowledge the Divine authority of) Ali (a.s.) ibn abu Talib. He must love (acknowledge the Divine authority of his successor) those

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَحْيَا حَيَاتِي وَ يَمُوتَ مِيتَتِي وَ يَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ الَّتِي وَعَدَنِيهَا رَبِّي وَ يَتَمَسَّكَ بِقَضِيبٍ غَرَسَهُ رَبِّي بِيَدِهِ‌[2] فَلْيَتَوَلَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع وَ أَوْصِيَاءَهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يُدْخِلُونَكُمْ فِي بَابِ ضَلَالٍ وَ لَا يُخْرِجُونَكُمْ مِنْ بَابِ هُدًى فَلَا تُعَلِّمُوهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ مِنْكُمْ وَ إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ ر

“Whoever would like to live as I have lived and die as will do and enter the garden that my Lord has promised to me and hold in hands the stick that Allah has planted with His own hands he then must love and acknowledge (Leadership with Divine Authority of) Ali (a.s.) and his successors after him because they do not le

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌[1] وَ إِنَّ الرَّوْحَ وَ الرَّاحَةَ وَ الْفَلْجَ‌[2] وَ الْعَوْنَ وَ النَّجَاحَ وَ الْبَرَكَةَ وَ الْكَرَامَةَ وَ الْمَغْفِرَةَ وَ الْمُعَافَاةَ وَ الْيُسْرَ وَ الْبُشْرَى وَ الرِّضْوَانَ وَ الْقُرْبَ وَ النَّصْرَ وَ التَّمَكُّنَ وَ الرَّجَاءَ وَ الْمَحَبَّةَ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِمَنْ تَوَلَّى عَلِيّاً وَ ائْتَمَّ بِهِ وَ بَرِئَ مِنْ عَدُوِّهِ وَ سَلَّمَ لِفَضْلِهِ وَ لِلْأَوْصِيَاءِ

7. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Fadala ibn Ayyub from al-Hassan ibn Ziyad from Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said that abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said the following. “Tranquillity, comfort, victory, support, success, blessings, honor, forgiveness, relief, ease, glad

رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الذِّكْرُ أَنَا وَ الْأَئِمَّةُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ‌ وَ لِقَوْمِكَ‌ وَ سَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ‌[4] قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع نَحْنُ قَوْمُهُ وَ نَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.

1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from ’Abdallah ibn ‘Ajlan from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.” (16:43, 21: 7 Holy Quran). The Holy Prophet (s.a.) has said, ‘I am the Dh

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌ قَالَ الذِّكْرُ مُحَمَّدٌ ص وَ نَحْنُ أَهْلُهُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ قَالَ قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ- وَ إِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَ لِقَوْمِكَ وَ سَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ‌ قَالَ إِيَّانَا عَنَى وَ نَحْنُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَ نَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.

I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the following words of Allah. “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.” (16:43, 21: 7 Holy Quran) The Imams (a.s.) said, “Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) is ‘Dhikr’ and we are the people of ‘Dhikr who will be asked.” I also asked about, “It is a Dhikr for you and for y

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ‌ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌ فَقَالَ نَحْنُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَ نَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ قُلْتُ فَأَنْتُمُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ وَ نَحْنُ السَّائِلُونَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ‌ حَقّاً عَلَيْنَا أَنْ نَسْأَلَكُمْ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ حَقّاً عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ تُجِيبُونَا قَالَ لَا[1] ذَاكَ إِلَيْنَا إِنْ شِئْنَا فَعَلْنَا وَ إِنْ شِئْنَا لَمْ نَفْعَلْ أ

“I asked al-Rida (a.s) and said, 'May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what is the meaning of the words of Allah, “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.”?' (16:43 and 21:7) He (a.s.) replied, “ We are the people of ‘Dhikr’ and we are the ones about whom questions will be asked.” I asked further, “Are

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَ لِقَوْمِكَ‌ وَ سَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ‌ فَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الذِّكْرُ وَ أَهْلُ بَيْتِهِ ع الْمَسْئُولُونَ وَ هُمْ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ[3].

4. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from ‘Asim ibn Hamid from abu Basir from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “It is a Dhikr for you and for your people and you all wil

الذِّكْرُ الْقُرْآنُ وَ نَحْنُ قَوْمُهُ وَ نَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.

The Imams (a.s.)said, “The Holy Quran is the ’Dhikr’ and we are the one who will be asked questions.”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْوَرْدُ أَخُو الْكُمَيْتِ فَقَالَ جَعَلَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ اخْتَرْتُ لَكَ سَبْعِينَ مَسْأَلَةً مَا تَحْضُرُنِي مِنْهَا مَسْأَلَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ قَالَ وَ لَا وَاحِدَةٌ يَا وَرْدُ قَالَ بَلَى قَدْ حَضَرَنِي مِنْهَا وَاحِدَةٌ قَالَ وَ مَا هِيَ قَالَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌ مَنْ هُمْ قَالَ نَحْنُ قَال

“I was in the presence of Imam (a.s.) abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and al-Ward brother of al-Kumayt came to see him. He to the Imams (a.s.) said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I have chosen seventy questions and I do not know the answer even for one of them.” The Imams (a.s.) said, “Not even one answer, O War

إِنَّ مَنْ عِنْدَنَا يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌ أَنَّهُمُ الْيَهُودُ وَ النَّصَارَى قَالَ إِذاً يَدْعُونَكُمْ إِلَى دِينِهِمْ قَالَ قَالَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ‌[4] نَحْنُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَ نَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.

“These are people who think that the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. ‘Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know,’ refers to the Jews and the Christians.” The Imams (a.s.) asked, “Do they call you to their religion?” He (Muhammad ibn Muslim) has aid that the Imams (a.s.) “Said, with his hand (pointing) to

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ مِنَ الْفَرْضِ مَا لَيْسَ عَلَى شِيعَتِهِمْ وَ عَلَى شِيعَتِنَا مَا لَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا أَمَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يَسْأَلُونَا قَالَ‌ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌ فَأَمَرَهُمْ أَنْ يَسْأَلُونَا وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا الْجَوَابُ إِنْ شِئْنَا أَجَبْنَا وَ إِنْ شِئْنَا أَمْسَكْنَا.

“Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn has said that there are certain obligation for the Imams that are not obligatory for their followers and certain obligation of our followers are not obligatory for us. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has commanded them to ask us their questions saying, “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الرِّضَا ع كِتَاباً فَكَانَ فِي بَعْضِ مَا كَتَبْتُ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌ وَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ ما كانَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ‌ لِيَنْفِرُوا كَافَّةً فَلَوْ لا نَفَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِنْهُمْ طائِفَةٌ لِيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ وَ لِيُنْذِرُوا قَوْمَهُمْ‌ إِذا رَجَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ‌ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ‌[1] فَقَدْ فُرِضَتْ ع

The Imams (a.s.) has said the following for the answer. “If they would not do what you would ask them, know that they are only following their (evil) desires. Who strays more than one who follows his desires without guidance from God? . .” (28:50)

أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ‌ الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ‌ عَدُوُّنَا وَ شِيعَتُنَا أُولُوا الْأَلْبابِ‌.

Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only the people of reason take heed.” (39:9) ‘We are the people of knowledge, the people who and it is our enemies who do not know and our followers are the people who take heed and are the people of reason.’”

نَحْنُ‌ الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ‌ وَ عَدُوُّنَا الَّذِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ‌ وَ شِيعَتُنَا أُولُوا الْأَلْبابِ‌.

‘We are the people of knowledge, and our enemies are those who do not know, and our followers (Shias) are the people of reason.’”

نَحْنُ‌ الرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ* وَ نَحْنُ نَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ.

“We are the people well-grounded in knowledge and we are the ones who know how to interpret it.”

فِي الْعِلْمِ قَدْ عَلَّمَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَمِيعَ مَا أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ التَّنْزِيلِ وَ التَّأْوِيلِ وَ مَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْئاً لَمْ يُعَلِّمْهُ تَأْوِيلَهُ وَ أَوْصِيَاؤُهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ يَعْلَمُونَهُ كُلَّهُ وَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِذَا قَالَ الْعَالِمُ‌[2] فِيهِمْ بِعِلْمٍ فَأَجَابَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِقَوْلِهِ- يَقُولُونَ‌ آمَنَّا بِهِ‌ كُلٌّ مِنْ عِنْدِ رَبِّنا وَ

The Messenger of Allah (sw) is the best among those who are well-grounded in knowledge. Allah, the Most Majestic and Most gracious, taught him all that He had revealed to him in the form of original text and in the form of interpretations. Allah, the Most Majestic and Most gracious, would not reveal anything to him tha

الرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ* أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْأَئِمَّةُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ ع.

“People well-grounded in Knowledge stands for Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) and the Imams after him.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ فِي هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ‌[3] فَأَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ.

The Imams (a.s.) pointed to his own chest.”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ‌ قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع.

who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “In fact, the Quran consists of illustrious verses that exist in the hearts of those who have knowledge. . .” (29:49) ‘They are the Imams (a.s.)’.

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ فِي هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ- بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ‌ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ مَا قَالَ بَيْنَ دَفَّتَيِ الْمُصْحَفِ قُلْتُ مَنْ هُمْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ مَنْ عَسَى أَنْ يَكُونُوا غَيْرَنَا.

“In fact, the Quran consists of illustrious verses that exist in the hearts of those who have knowledge. . .” (29:49) The Imams (a.s.) then said, “O abu Muhammad, for the sake of Allah, be the judge and tell, of who it is spoken (so often) between the two covers of the Holy Quran?” I then asked, “Who are they, “May All

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌- بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ‌ قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع خَاصَّةً.

“In fact, the Quran consists of illustrious verses that exist in the hearts of those who have knowledge. . .” (29:49) ‘They are the Imams (a.s.) exclusive of all others.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ‌ قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع خَاصَّةً.

The Imams (a.s.) said, “They are the Imams (a.s.) exclusive of all others.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتابَ‌ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنا مِنْ عِبادِنا فَمِنْهُمْ ظالِمٌ لِنَفْسِهِ‌ وَ مِنْهُمْ مُقْتَصِدٌ وَ مِنْهُمْ سابِقٌ بِالْخَيْراتِ‌ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ‌[1] قَالَ السَّابِقُ بِالْخَيْرَاتِ الْإِمَامُ- وَ الْمُقْتَصِدُ الْعَارِفُ لِلْإِمَامِ وَ الظَّالِمُ لِنَفْسِهِ الَّذِي لَا يَعْرِفُ الْإِمَامَ.

The exceedingly virtuous is the Imam (a.s.), the moderate ones are those who know the Imam (a.s.) and the unjust ones are those who do not know the Imam (a.s.).”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى- ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنا مِنْ عِبادِنا فَقَالَ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ تَقُولُونَ أَنْتُمْ قُلْتُ نَقُولُ إِنَّهَا فِي الْفَاطِمِيِّينَ قَالَ لَيْسَ حَيْثُ تَذْهَبُ لَيْسَ يَدْخُلُ فِي هَذَا مَنْ أَشَارَ بِسَيْفِهِ وَ دَعَا النَّاسَ إِلَى خِلَافٍ‌[1] فَقُلْتُ فَأَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ الظَّالِمُ لِنَفْسِهِ قَالَ الْجَالِسُ فِي بَيْتِهِ لَا يَعْرِفُ حَقَّ الْإِمَامِ وَ الْمُقْتَ

about the meaning of the following verse of the Holy Quran. “We gave the book as an inheritance to Our chosen servants,.. .” (35:31) The Imam (a.s.) asked, “What do you say about it?” I said, “We say that they are the Fatimid (descendents of Fatima, Daughter of the Holy Prophet (s.a.)” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is not

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنا مِنْ عِبادِنا الْآيَةَ قَالَ فَقَالَ وُلْدُ فَاطِمَةَ ع‌[2] وَ السَّابِقُ بِالْخَيْرَاتِ الْإِمَامُ وَ الْمُقْتَصِدُ الْعَارِفُ بِالْإِمَامِ وَ الظَّالِمُ لِنَفْسِهِ الَّذِي لَا يَعْرِفُ الْإِمَامَ.

The Imam (a.s.) said such people are the children of Fatima (a.s.), those exceeding in virtue are the Imams (a.s.), the moderate ones are those who know the Imam (a.s.) and those who do injustice to themselves are the ones who do not know their Imam (a.s.).”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ آتَيْناهُمُ الْكِتابَ‌ يَتْلُونَهُ حَقَّ تِلاوَتِهِ‌ أُولئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ‌[3] قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع.

The Imams (a.s.) said that such people are the Imams (a.s.).”

قَالَ: لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ- يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا كُلَّ أُناسٍ بِإِمامِهِمْ‌[4] قَالَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَ لَسْتَ إِمَامَ النَّاسِ كُلِّهِمْ أَجْمَعِينَ قَالَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَى النَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ وَ لَكِنْ سَيَكُونُ مِنْ بَعْدِي أَئِمَّةٌ عَلَى النَّاسِ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي يَقُومُونَ فِي النَّاسِ فَيُكَذَّبُونَ وَ يَظْلِمُهُمْ أَئِمَّةُ الْكُفْ

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ‘Abdallah ibn Ghalib from Jabir from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “When the following verse of the Holy Quran was revealed, “On the day when We call every nation with their leaders, (Imams) . .” [17:71] , people a

قَالَ: إِنَّ الْأَئِمَّةَ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِمَامَانِ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ جَعَلْناهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنا[1] لَا بِأَمْرِ النَّاسِ يُقَدِّمُونَ أَمْرَ اللَّهِ قَبْلَ أَمْرِهِمْ وَ حُكْمَ اللَّهِ قَبْلَ حُكْمِهِمْ قَالَ‌ وَ جَعَلْناهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ[2] يُقَدِّمُونَ أَمْرَهُمْ قَبْلَ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ وَ حُكْمَهُمْ قَبْلَ حُكْمِ اللَّهِ وَ يَأْخُذُونَ

“The Imams mentioned in the book of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, are of two kinds. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has said, ‘We appointed them as leaders (Imams) to guide the people through Our command . .” (21:73) They do so but not because of the commads of the people. They allow our command to come firs

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنا مَوالِيَ‌ مِمَّا تَرَكَ‌ الْوالِدانِ وَ الْأَقْرَبُونَ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ عَقَدَتْ أَيْمانُكُمْ‌[3] قَالَ إِنَّمَا عَنَى بِذَلِكَ الْأَئِمَّةَ ع بِهِمْ عَقَدَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَيْمَانَكُمْ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ’Isa from al-Hasan ibn Mahbub who has said that he asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “We have chosen heirs for every legacy that parents and relatives may leave. Let those who have been

فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى- إِنَّ هذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ‌[4] قَالَ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْإِمَامِ.

regarding the words of The Almigthy: “This Quran shows the way to that which is the most upright . .” (17:9) He (a.s.) said, “It guides to the Imam.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ مَا بَالُ أَقْوَامٍ غَيَّرُوا سُنَّةَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ عَدَلُوا عَنْ وَصِيِّهِ لَا يَتَخَوَّفُونَ أَنْ يَنْزِلَ بِهِمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- أَ لَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ بَدَّلُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ كُفْراً وَ أَحَلُّوا قَوْمَهُمْ دارَ الْبَوارِ جَهَنَّمَ‌[1] ثُمَّ قَالَ نَحْنُ النِّعْمَةُ الَّتِي أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ بِهَا عَلَى عِبَادِهِ وَ بِنَا يَفُوزُ مَنْ فَازَ يَ

“What is wrong with people who changed the Sunnah (traditions) of the Messenger of Allah and deviated from his will? Do they not fear that severe suffering may befall them? He then recited the following verse of the Holy Quran. “Have you not seen (considered) those who changed the blessings (Word) of God through disbel

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَبِأَيِّ آلاءِ رَبِّكُما تُكَذِّبانِ‌[2] أَ بِالنَّبِيِّ أَمْ بِالْوَصِيِّ تُكَذِّبَانِ نَزَلَتْ فِي الرَّحْمَنِ.

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad, in a mafu‘ manner, (rafa’ahu) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “(Jinn and mankind) - which of the favors of your Lord do you deny?” (55:13) Will you deny and refuse the Holy Prophet or his successor.” (This verse has come down in C

تَلَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- فَاذْكُرُوا آلاءَ اللَّهِ‌[3] قَالَ أَ تَدْرِي مَا آلَاءُ اللَّهِ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ هِيَ أَعْظَمُ نِعَمِ اللَّهِ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَ هِيَ وَلَايَتُنَا.

“Keep in mind the bounties of Allah. .” (7:69) The Imams (a.s.) said, “Do you know what the bounties of Allah are?” I said, “No, I do not know.” He said, “It is the greatest of the bounties of Allah. It is to acknowledge the Divine authority that we possess.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَ لَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ بَدَّلُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ كُفْراً الْآيَةَ قَالَ عَنَى بِهَا قُرَيْشاً قَاطِبَةً الَّذِينَ عَادَوْا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص وَ نَصَبُوا لَهُ الْحَرْبَ وَ جَحَدُوا وَصِيَّةَ وَصِيِّهِ.

The Imam (a.s.) said it is a reference to all of Quraysh who exercised animosity towards the Holy Prophet (s.a.), created wars against him and rejected his will about his successor.”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ‌ لَآياتٍ لِلْمُتَوَسِّمِينَ‌ وَ إِنَّها لَبِسَبِيلٍ مُقِيمٍ‌[2] قَالَ فَقَالَ نَحْنُ الْمُتَوَسِّمُونَ وَ السَّبِيلُ فِينَا مُقِيمٌ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “We are the distiguished people and the (right) path is with us.”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ هِيتَ‌[3] فَقَالَ لَهُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ مَا تَقُولُ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لَآياتٍ لِلْمُتَوَسِّمِينَ‌ قَالَ نَحْنُ الْمُتَوَسِّمُونَ وَ السَّبِيلُ فِينَا مُقِيمٌ.

“Asbat ibn Salim has said that once he was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) when a man from the people of Hiyt came and said, ‘May grant you well-being, what is the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, “In this there is evidence (of the Truth) for the distinguished ones.”? (15:75) The Imam (a.s.) said,

هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص اتَّقُوا فِرَاسَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَإِنَّهُ يَنْظُرُ بِنُورِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى‌[4] إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لَآياتٍ لِلْمُتَوَسِّمِينَ‌.

“The Imam (a.s.) said, “The distinguished people are the Imams (a.s.) the Holy Prophet has said, “Be on your guard from the intelligence of the believers. He looks through the light of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High as mentioned in, “In this there is evidence (of the Truth) for the distinguished ones.” (15:75)

هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع- وَ إِنَّها لَبِسَبِيلٍ مُقِيمٍ‌ قَالَ لَا يَخْرُجُ مِنَّا أَبَداً.

The Imams (a.s.) said, “These people are the Imams (a.s.) and the evidence will never depart us.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ فِي قَوْلِهِ‌ تَعَالَى‌ إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لَآياتٍ لِلْمُتَوَسِّمِينَ‌ قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمُتَوَسِّمَ وَ أَنَا مِنْ بَعْدِهِ وَ الْأَئِمَّةُ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي الْمُتَوَسِّمُونَ. - وَ فِي نُسْخَةٍ أُخْرَى‌[1] عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ‌[2] عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ أَيُّوبَ بِإِسْنَادِهِ‌ مِثْلَهُ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) has the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. ““In this there is evidence (of the Truth) for the distinguished ones.” (15:75) The Holy Prophet (s.a.) was the distinguished one and I was as such after him and the Imams from my children are the distinguished ones.”

تُعْرَضُ الْأَعْمَالُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَعْمَالُ الْعِبَادِ[3] كُلَّ صَبَاحٍ أَبْرَارُهَا وَ فُجَّارُهَا فَاحْذَرُوهَا وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَ رَسُولُهُ‌[4] وَ سَكَتَ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn abu Hamza from abu Basir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “All deeds are presented before the Messenger of Allah (s.a.). It is the deeds of the all the virtuous and the evil d