The Book about people with Divine Authority

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ السِّلَاحِ فِينَا مَثَلُ التَّابُوتِ فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ كَانَتْ بَنُو إِسْرَائِيلَ أَيُّ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ وُجِدَ التَّابُوتُ عَلَى بَابِهِمْ أُوتُوا النُّبُوَّةَ فَمَنْ صَارَ إِلَيْهِ السِّلَاحُ مِنَّا أُوتِيَ الْإِمَامَةَ[1].

“The case of the Armaments with us is like the case of the Ark with Israelites. In whichever house of the Israelites the Ark would have been found, that house would receive prophet-hood. Whoever among us would receive the Armaments he would also receive Imamat (leadership with Divine authority).”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ السِّلَاحِ فِينَا مَثَلُ التَّابُوتِ فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ حَيْثُمَا دَارَ التَّابُوتُ دَارَ الْمُلْكُ فَأَيْنَمَا دَارَ السِّلَاحُ فِينَا دَارَ الْعِلْمُ.

“The case of the Armaments with us is like the case of the Ark with the Israelites. Wherever the Ark would go kingdom would also follow. Wherever the Armaments go among us knowledge (leadership with Divine authority) also follows it.”

كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ السِّلَاحِ فِينَا مَثَلُ التَّابُوتِ فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ حَيْثُمَا دَارَ التَّابُوتُ أُوتُوا النُّبُوَّةَ[2] وَ حَيْثُمَا دَارَ السِّلَاحُ فِينَا فَثَمَّ الْأَمْرُ قُلْتُ فَيَكُونُ السِّلَاحُ مُزَائِلًا لِلْعِلْمِ قَالَ لَا.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) would say, ‘The case of the Armaments with us is as the Ark with the Israelites. Wherever the Ark would go prophet-hood would also follow. Wherever the Armaments among us would go the matter (leadership with Divine authority) would also settle there.” I then asked, “Would the Armaments ever depart kn

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ السِّلَاحِ فِينَا كَمَثَلِ التَّابُوتِ فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَيْنَمَا دَارَ التَّابُوتُ دَارَ الْمُلْكُ وَ أَيْنَمَا دَارَ السِّلَاحُ فِينَا دَارَ الْعِلْمُ.

‘The case of the Armaments with us is as the Ark with the Israelites. Wherever the Ark would go kingdom would also follow. Wherever the Armaments among us would go knowledge would also follow.”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ هَاهُنَا أَحَدٌ يَسْمَعُ كَلَامِي‌[1] قَالَ فَرَفَعَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع سِتْراً بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ بَيْتٍ آخَرَ فَاطَّلَعَ فِيهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ سَلْ عَمَّا بَدَا لَكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ شِيعَتَكَ يَتَحَدَّثُونَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص عَلَّمَ عَلِيّاً ع بَاباً يُفْتَحُ لَهُ مِنْ

1. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Abdallah ibn al-Hajjal from Ahmad ibn ‘Umar al-Halabi from abu Basir who has said the following. “I went to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I like to ask you a question. Is there anyone else in this ho

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ تَظْهَرُ الزَّنَادِقَةُ فِي سَنَةِ ثَمَانٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ وَ مِائَةٍ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنِّي نَظَرْتُ فِي مُصْحَفِ فَاطِمَةَ ع قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ مَا مُصْحَفُ فَاطِمَةَ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى لَمَّا قَبَضَ نَبِيَّهُ ص دَخَلَ عَلَى فَاطِمَةَ ع مِنْ وَفَاتِهِ مِنَ الْحُزْنِ مَا لَا يَعْلَمُهُ إِلَّا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَأَرْسَلَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهَا مَلَكاً يُسَلِّي غَمَّهَا وَ يُحَد

"The heretics will appear in the year one hundred twenty eight (745/746AD) because I have found it in the Mushaf of Fatima (a.s.).” I asked the Imam, “What is Mushaf of Fatima?” The Imam said, “When Allah took the Holy Prophet (s.w) from this world, it caused such a degree of grief to Fatima (a.s.) that only Allah, the

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ عِنْدِي الْجَفْرَ الْأَبْيَضَ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَأَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ فِيهِ قَالَ زَبُورُ دَاوُدَ وَ تَوْرَاةُ مُوسَى وَ إِنْجِيلُ عِيسَى وَ صُحُفُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ الْحَلَالُ وَ الْحَرَامُ وَ مُصْحَفُ فَاطِمَةَ مَا أَزْعُمُ أَنَّ فِيهِ قُرْآناً وَ فِيهِ مَا يَحْتَاجُ النَّاسُ إِلَيْنَا وَ لَا نَحْتَاجُ إِلَى أَحَدٍ حَتَّى فِيهِ الْجَلْدَةُ وَ نِصْفُ الْجَلْدَةِ وَ رُبُعُ الْجَلْد

3. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from al-Husayn ibn abu ‘Ala’who has said that he heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say the following. “With me is the white Jafr.” The narrator has said that he asked the Imams (a.s.) “What is in it?” The Imams (a.s.) said, “In it there is th

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ فِي الْجَفْرِ الَّذِي يَذْكُرُونَهُ‌[1] لَمَا يَسُوؤُهُمْ لِأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَقُولُونَ الْحَقَ‌[2] وَ الْحَقُّ فِيهِ فَلْيُخْرِجُوا قَضَايَا عَلِيٍّ وَ فَرَائِضَهُ إِنْ كَانُوا صَادِقِينَ وَ سَلُوهُمْ عَنِ الْخَالاتِ وَ الْعَمَّاتِ‌[3] وَ لْيُخْرِجُوا مُصْحَفَ فَاطِمَةَ ع فَإِنَّ فِيهِ وَصِيَّةَ فَاطِمَةَ ع وَ مَعَهُ‌[4] سِلَاحُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ

“The Jafr of which they speak certainly disappoints them because they (the Zaydis) do not speak the truth while Jafr does contain the truth. Let them bring to light therefrom the judgments of Ali (a.s.) and his rulles of inheritance if they are truthful. Ask them about (the inheritance) of paternal and maternal aunts.

سَأَلَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنِ الْجَفْرِ فَقَالَ هُوَ جِلْدُ ثَوْرٍ مَمْلُوءٌ عِلْماً قَالَ لَهُ فَالْجَامِعَةُ قَالَ تِلْكَ صَحِيفَةٌ طُولُهَا سَبْعُونَ ذِرَاعاً فِي عَرْضِ الْأَدِيمِ مِثْلُ فَخِذِ الْفَالِجِ‌[6] فِيهَا كُلُّ مَا يَحْتَاجُ النَّاسُ إِلَيْهِ وَ لَيْسَ مِنْ قَضِيَّةٍ إِلَّا وَ هِيَ فِيهَا حَتَّى أَرْشُ الْخَدْشِ قَالَ فَمُصْحَفُ فَاطِمَةَ ع قَالَ فَسَكَتَ طَوِيلًا ثُمَّ قَالَ إ

“It is the skin of a bull which is full of knowledge.” Then they asked the Imam (a.s.) about al-Jami‘a. The Imam (a.s.) replied, “It is a parchment that is seventy yards long with a width of hide like that of the leg of a huge camel. It contains everything people need, and there is no case except that it is in it, even

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا مَا لَا نَحْتَاجُ مَعَهُ إِلَى النَّاسِ وَ إِنَّ النَّاسَ لَيَحْتَاجُونَ إِلَيْنَا وَ إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا كِتَاباً إِمْلَاءُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ خَطُّ عَلِيٍّ ع صَحِيفَةً فِيهَا كُلُّ حَلَالٍ وَ حَرَامٍ وَ إِنَّكُمْ لَتَأْتُونَّا بِالْأَمْرِ فَنَعْرِفُ إِذَا أَخَذْتُمْ بِهِ وَ نَعْرِفُ إِذَا تَرَكْتُمُوهُ.

"Indeed, we possess that which makes us independent of others, while others are in need of us. We have a book dictated by the Messenger of Allah (sw) and written in the handwriting of ʿAlī (AS), a scroll that contains all matters of what is lawful and unlawful. You bring matters to us, and we recognize whether you have

لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ الزَّيْدِيَّةَ وَ الْمُعْتَزِلَةَ قَدْ أَطَافُوا بِمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌[1] فَهَلْ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ فَقَالَ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ عِنْدِي لَكِتَابَيْنِ فِيهِمَا تَسْمِيَةُ كُلِّ نَبِيٍّ وَ كُلِّ مَلِكٍ يَمْلِكُ الْأَرْضَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فِي وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “I swear by Allah that with me there are two books in which there is the name of every prophet and the name of every king that would rule on earth. No, I swear by Allah, the name of Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah is not in the list as one of them.”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ يَا فُضَيْلُ أَ تَدْرِي فِي أَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ كُنْتُ أَنْظُرُ قُبَيْلُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ كُنْتُ أَنْظُرُ فِي كِتَابِ فَاطِمَةَ ع لَيْسَ مِنْ مَلِكٍ يَمْلِكُ الْأَرْضَ إِلَّا وَ هُوَ مَكْتُوبٌ فِيهِ بِاسْمِهِ وَ اسْمِ أَبِيهِ وَ مَا وَجَدْتُ لِوُلْدِ الْحَسَنِ فِيهِ شَيْئاً.

“O Fudayl, do you know what at did I look just awhile before?” The narrator has said that he said to the Imams (a.s.), “No, I do not know.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “I was looking at the book of Fatima (a.s.). There is no king who would rule on earth with being listed therein by his name and the name of his father but I d

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ بَيْنَا أَبِي ع يَطُوفُ بِالْكَعْبَةِ إِذَا رَجُلٌ مُعْتَجِرٌ[3] قَدْ قُيِّضَ لَهُ‌ فَقَطَعَ عَلَيْهِ أُسْبُوعَهُ‌[1] حَتَّى أَدْخَلَهُ إِلَى دَارٍ جَنْبَ الصَّفَا فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيَّ فَكُنَّا ثَلَاثَةً فَقَالَ مَرْحَباً يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ وَضَعَ يَدَهُ عَلَى رَأْسِي وَ قَالَ بَارَكَ اللَّهُ فِيكَ يَا أَمِينَ اللَّهِ بَعْدَ آبَائِهِ يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ[2] إِنْ شِئْتَ فَأَخْبِر

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Once while my father was walking around the Ka‘ba for Tawaf a man who had covered his face partially with his turban suddenly came by. He caused discontinuation in the Tawaf of the Imam (a.s.) and took him (a.s.) to a house adjacent to al-Safa. He sent for me also and then we were there

بَيْنَا أَبِي جَالِسٌ وَ عِنْدَهُ نَفَرٌ إِذَا اسْتَضْحَكَ حَتَّى اغْرَوْرَقَتْ عَيْنَاهُ دُمُوعاً ثُمَّ قَالَ هَلْ تَدْرُونَ مَا أَضْحَكَنِي قَالَ فَقَالُوا لَا قَالَ زَعَمَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّهُ مِنَ‌ الَّذِينَ قالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ‌ ثُمَّ اسْتَقامُوا[2] فَقُلْتُ لَهُ هَلْ رَأَيْتَ الْمَلَائِكَةَ يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ تُخْبِرُكَ بِوَلَايَتِهَا لَكَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ مَعَ الْأَمْنِ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَ الْحُ

“Once, in a meeting in the presence of my father with a group of people also present my father smiled and (the feeling was quite intense it caused) tears flooded his eyes. He then asked, “Do you know what made me laugh?” The narrator has said that they said, “No, we do not know the reason.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Ibn ‘

قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ- فِيها يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ‌ يَقُولُ يَنْزِلُ فِيهَا كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ وَ الْمُحْكَمُ لَيْسَ بِشَيْئَيْنِ إِنَّمَا هُوَ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَاحِدٌ فَمَنْ حَكَمَ بِمَا لَيْسَ فِيهِ اخْتِلَافٌ فَحُكْمُهُ مِنْ حُكْمِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ مَنْ حَكَمَ بِأَمْرٍ فِيهِ اخْتِلَافٌ فَرَأَى أَنَّهُ مُصِيبٌ فَقَدْ حَكَمَ بِحُكْمِ الطَّاغُوتِ إِنَّهُ لَيَنْزِلُ فِي لَيْلَة

3. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said about the Night of Determination, “. . every absolute command coming from Us becomes distinguishable.” (44:4) He has said that absolute and strong command. Absolute and

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْناهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ صَدَقَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ الْقُرْآنَ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ- وَ ما أَدْراكَ ما لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لَا أَدْرِي قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ لَيْسَ فِيهَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ قَالَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ هَلْ تَدْرِي لِمَ

“Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) would say, “We revealed the Quran on the Night of Destiny ((97:1) Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has certainly said the truth has reveal the Holy Quran on the Night of Determination. “Would that you knew what the Night of Destiny is! (97:2)” the Messenger of Allah said, “I do not kn

كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع كَثِيراً مَا يَقُولُ‌- مَا اجْتَمَعَ التَّيْمِيُّ وَ الْعَدَوِيُّ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ هُوَ يَقْرَأُ- إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ بِتَخَشُّعٍ وَ بُكَاءٍ فَيَقُولَانِ مَا أَشَدَّ رِقَّتَكَ لِهَذِهِ السُّورَةِ فَيَقُولُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِمَا رَأَتْ عَيْنِي وَ وَعَى قَلْبِي وَ لِمَا يَرَى قَلْبُ هَذَا مِنْ بَعْدِي فَيَقُولَانِ وَ مَا الَّذِي رَأَيْتَ وَ مَا الَّذِي يَرَى قَالَ فَيَكْتُبُ لَهُمَا فِي ال

“Ali (a.s.) would say very often, “(What for) al-Taymies and al-‘Adawies have gathered around the Messenger of Allah (s.a.). He, the Messenger of Allah, would read, “We have revealed it on the Night of Determination” very humbly and tearfully. They (al-Taymi and al-‘Adwi) would say, “How intense is the tenderness that

يَا مَعْشَرَ الشِّيعَةِ خَاصِمُوا بِسُورَةِ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ تَفْلُجُوا فَوَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهَا لَحُجَّةُ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عَلَى الْخَلْقِ بَعْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ إِنَّهَا لَسَيِّدَةُ دِينِكُمْ وَ إِنَّهَا لَغَايَةُ عِلْمِنَا يَا مَعْشَرَ الشِّيعَةِ خَاصِمُوا بِ حم وَ الْكِتابِ الْمُبِينِ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْناهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُبارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنْذِرِينَ‌ فَإِنَّهَا لِوُلَاةِ الْأَمْرِ خَاصَّةً

“O the community of of our followers, debate the opposition by means of chapter ninety seven of the Holy Quran. We have revealed on the Night of Determination, you will gain victory. I swear by Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, that this is the authoritative evidence from Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, against

لَقَدْ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ- لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ أَوَّلَ مَا خَلَقَ الدُّنْيَا وَ لَقَدْ خَلَقَ فِيهَا أَوَّلَ نَبِيٍّ يَكُونُ وَ أَوَّلَ وَصِيٍّ يَكُونُ وَ لَقَدْ قَضَى أَنْ يَكُونَ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ لَيْلَةٌ يَهْبِطُ فِيهَا بِتَفْسِيرِ الْأُمُورِ إِلَى مِثْلِهَا مِنَ السَّنَةِ الْمُقْبِلَةِ مَنْ جَحَدَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ رَدَّ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عِلْمَهُ لِأَنَّهُ لَا يَقُومُ الْأَنْبِيَاءُ وَ الرُّسُلُ

7. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah, Majestic is Whose mention, created the Night of Determination when He first created the world and created in it the first prophet that would come and the first executor of the will (of prophet) that would co

وَ قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ لَا تَغْضَبُ عَلَيَّ قَالَ لِمَا ذَا قَالَ لِمَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْهُ قَالَ قُلْ قَالَ وَ لَا تَغْضَبُ قَالَ وَ لَا أَغْضَبُ قَالَ أَ رَأَيْتَ قَوْلَكَ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ وَ تَنَزُّلِ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ الرُّوحِ فِيهَا إِلَى الْأَوْصِيَاءِ يَأْتُونَهُمْ بِأَمْرٍ لَمْ يَكُنْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَدْ عَلِمَهُ أَوْ يَأْتُونَهُمْ بِأَمْرٍ كَانَ رَسُو

8. The narrator has said that a man said to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), “O child of the Messenger of Allah, “Please do not be angry with m.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Why should I be angry?” The man said, “It is because of the question that like to ask you.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Ask your question.” He said, “Please do not be ang

لَمَا تَرَوْنَ‌[1] مَنْ بَعَثَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِلشَّقَاءِ- عَلَى أَهْلِ الضَّلَالَةِ مِنْ أَجْنَادِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَ أَزْوَاجِهِمْ‌[1] أَكْثَرُ مِمَّا تَرَوْنَ خَلِيفَةَ اللَّهِ الَّذِي بَعَثَهُ لِلْعَدْلِ وَ الصَّوَابِ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ قِيلَ يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ وَ كَيْفَ يَكُونُ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَكْثَرَ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ قَالَ كَمَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ السَّائِلُ يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ إِنِّي لَوْ ح

9. The narrator has said that abu Ja‘far (a.s.) said the following. “You, certainly, find those whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has sent to induce misfortune into the heretics and misleading people of the army (followers) of Satan and their companions in greater numbers than those sent to the deputy of Allah,

قَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا يَحْيَى إِنَّ لَنَا فِي لَيَالِي الْجُمُعَةِ لَشَأْناً مِنَ الشَّأْنِ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا ذَاكَ الشَّأْنُ قَالَ يُؤْذَنُ لِأَرْوَاحِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ الْمَوْتَى ع وَ أَرْوَاحِ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ الْمَوْتَى وَ رُوحِ الْوَصِيِّ الَّذِي بَيْنَ ظَهْرَانَيْكُمْ يُعْرَجُ بِهَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ حَتَّى تُوَافِيَ عَرْشَ رَبِّهَا فَتَطُوفُ بِهِ أُسْبُوعاً وَ تُصَلِّي عِنْدَ كُلِّ قَائِمَةٍ مِنْ ق

“O abu Yahya, on every Friday night there is a special task for us to pursue.” The narrator has said that he asked the Imams (a.s.), “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, of what nature is this special task?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “The spirits of the deceased prophets and the spirits of the deceased execut

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ وَ كَانَ لَا يُكَنِّينِي قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَبَّيْكَ قَالَ إِنَّ لَنَا فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةِ جُمُعَةٍ سُرُوراً قُلْتُ زَادَكَ اللَّهُ وَ مَا ذَاكَ قَالَ إِذَا كَانَ لَيْلَةُ الْجُمُعَةِ وَافَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْعَرْشَ وَ وَافَى الْأَئِمَّةُ ع مَعَهُ وَ وَافَيْنَا مَعَهُمْ فَلَا تُرَدُّ أَرْوَاحُنَا إِلَى أَبْدَانِنَا إِلَّا بِعِلْمٍ مُسْت

“One day abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) addressed me with a surname, “O abu ‘Abdallah, –he would address me this way before- and I responded, “Yes, O Imam, here I am.” He said, “Every Friday night it’s a time of happiness for us.” I said, “May Allah increase such a happiness for you. Of what nature is this happiness?” The Imam (

مَا مِنْ لَيْلَةِ جُمُعَةٍ إِلَّا وَ لِأَوْلِيَاءِ اللَّهِ فِيهَا سُرُورٌ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ ذَلِكَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ إِذَا كَانَ لَيْلَةُ الْجُمُعَةِ وَافَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْعَرْشَ وَ وَافَى الْأَئِمَّةُ ع وَ وَافَيْتُ مَعَهُمْ فَمَا أَرْجِعُ إِلَّا بِعِلْمٍ مُسْتَفَادٍ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ لَنَفِدَ مَا عِنْدِي.

“There is no Friday night in which except that in it there is joy and happiness for those who possess Divine authority.” I asked, “How is it, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “When Frinday night comes the Messenger of Allah arrives to the throne with the Imams (a.s.) and I also

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ كَانَ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَوْ لَا أَنَّا نَزْدَادُ لَأَنْفَدْنَا. - مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ‌ مِثْلَهُ.

“Would we not receive (new knowledge) we would diminish (in knowledge).” Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Khalid from Safwan from abu a1-Hassan (a.s.) a similar Hadith.

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا ذَرِيحُ لَوْ لَا أَنَّا نَزْدَادُ لَأَنْفَدْنَا.

“O Dharih, “Would we not receive (new knowledge) we will diminish (in knowledge).”said:

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَوْ لَا أَنَّا نَزْدَادُ لَأَنْفَدْنَا قَالَ قُلْتُ تَزْدَادُونَ شَيْئاً لَا يَعْلَمُهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ إِذَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ عُرِضَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص ثُمَّ عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ ثُمَّ انْتَهَى الْأَمْرُ إِلَيْنَا.

“Would we not receive additional (knowledge) we would diminish (in knowledge).” The narrator has said that he asked the Imams (a.s.) “Do receive additional something that the Messenger of Allah does not know?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “The fact of the matter is that when that happens, it is presented to the Messenger of A

لَيْسَ يَخْرُجُ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حَتَّى يَبْدَأَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص ثُمَّ بِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع ثُمَّ بِوَاحِدٍ بَعْدَ وَاحِدٍ لِكَيْلَا يَكُونَ آخِرُنَا أَعْلَمَ مِنْ أَوَّلِنَا.

“Nothing comes from Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, except that first it begins with the Messenger of Allah then Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) then the Imams one after the other so that the last us would not be more knowledgeable than the first of us.”

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عِلْمَيْنِ عِلْماً أَظْهَرَ عَلَيْهِ مَلَائِكَتَهُ وَ أَنْبِيَاءَهُ وَ رُسُلَهُ فَمَا أَظْهَرَ عَلَيْهِ مَلَائِكَتَهُ وَ رُسُلَهُ وَ أَنْبِيَاءَهُ فَقَدْ عَلِمْنَاهُ وَ عِلْماً اسْتَأْثَرَ بِهِ فَإِذَا بَدَا لِلَّهِ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهُ أَعْلَمَنَا ذَلِكَ وَ عَرَضَ عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلِنَا. - عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْ

"Indeed, Allah, Blessed and Exalted, has two kinds of knowledge: One kind He has made apparent to His angels, His prophets, and His messengers. Whatever He has made apparent to His angels, His prophets, and His messengers, we have learned it. And another kind He has kept exclusively to Himself. So, whenever Allah decid

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عِلْمَيْنِ عِلْماً عِنْدَهُ لَمْ يُطْلِعْ عَلَيْهِ أَحَداً مِنْ خَلْقِهِ وَ عِلْماً نَبَذَهُ إِلَى مَلَائِكَتِهِ وَ رُسُلِهِ فَمَا نَبَذَهُ إِلَى مَلَائِكَتِهِ وَ رُسُلِهِ فَقَدِ انْتَهَى إِلَيْنَا.

2. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn abu Hamzah from abu Basir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has two kinds of knowledge. One kind is His only and no creature knows abo

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عِلْمَيْنِ عِلْمٌ مَبْذُولٌ وَ عِلْمٌ‌ مَكْفُوفٌ فَأَمَّا الْمَبْذُولُ فَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ تَعْلَمُهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَ الرُّسُلُ إِلَّا نَحْنُ نَعْلَمُهُ وَ أَمَّا الْمَكْفُوفُ فَهُوَ الَّذِي عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي أُمِّ الْكِتَابِ إِذَا خَرَجَ نَفَذَ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Salih ibn al-Sindi from Ja‘far ibn Bashir from Durays who has said that he heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.) say the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has two kinds of knowledge. One kind is that which is granted and the kind is that which I withheld. Of the one which, is grant

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عِلْمَيْنِ عِلْمٌ لَا يَعْلَمُهُ إِلَّا هُوَ وَ عِلْمٌ عَلَّمَهُ مَلَائِكَتَهُ وَ رُسُلَهُ فَمَا عَلَّمَهُ مَلَائِكَتَهُ وَ رُسُلَهُ ع فَنَحْنُ نَعْلَمُهُ.

The other kind is that which He has taught to the His angels and His messengers. Whatever His angels and Messengers have learned we know it.”

سَأَلَ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ فَارِسَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ تَعْلَمُونَ الْغَيْبَ- فَقَالَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يُبْسَطُ لَنَا الْعِلْمُ فَنَعْلَمُ وَ يُقْبَضُ عَنَّا فَلَا نَعْلَمُ وَ قَالَ سِرُّ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَسَرَّهُ إِلَى جَبْرَئِيلَ ع وَ أَسَرَّهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ إِلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَ أَسَرَّهُ مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَى مَنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ‌[1].

“Do you know al-Ghayb (the hidden facts)?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘It opens to us then we know it and it is withheld from us then we do not know.” The Imam (a.s.) then said, “It is the secret of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, who has secretly given to Jibril and Jibril has secretly giv

سَمِعْتُ حُمْرَانَ بْنَ أَعْيَنَ يَسْأَلُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- بَدِيعُ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ‌[2] قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ابْتَدَعَ الْأَشْيَاءَ كُلَّهَا بِعِلْمِهِ عَلَى غَيْرِ مِثَالٍ كَانَ قَبْلَهُ فَابْتَدَعَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرَضِينَ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ قَبْلَهُنَّ سَمَاوَاتٌ وَ لَا أَرَضُونَ أَ مَا تَسْمَعُ لِقَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى- وَ كانَ عَرْشُهُ عَلَى

about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High Allah, “. . One Who is the Originator of the heavens and the earth. .” (6:101) Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) said, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, originated all things through His knowledge in unprecedentedly. He Invented the heavens and eath and there was heavens and e

كُنْتُ أَنَا وَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ وَ يَحْيَى الْبَزَّازُ وَ دَاوُدُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ فِي مَجْلِسِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ خَرَجَ إِلَيْنَا وَ هُوَ مُغْضَبٌ فَلَمَّا أَخَذَ مَجْلِسَهُ قَالَ يَا عَجَباً لِأَقْوَامٍ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّا نَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ مَا يَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَقَدْ هَمَمْتُ بِضَرْبِ جَارِيَتِي فُلَانَةَ فَهَرَبَتْ مِنِّي فَمَا عَلِمْتُ فِي أَيِّ بُيُوتِ الدَّارِ هِيَ قَالَ سَد

The Imam (a.s.) came to us while he was angry. When he settled in his seat he then said, “How strange is it that certain people think we know the hidden facts. No one knows the hidden things except Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. I thought to discipline our house maid, so and so, and could not find in which quarte

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْإِمَامِ يَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ فَقَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَعْلَمَ الشَّيْ‌ءَ أَعْلَمَهُ اللَّهُ ذَلِكَ.

“Does the Imam have the knowledge of the hidden facts?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “No, but if he would like to know about a thing Allah grants him that.”

إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ إِذَا شَاءَ أَنْ يَعْلَمَ عُلِّمَ.

“Would the Imam (a.s.) like to know he would know.”

إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ إِذَا شَاءَ أَنْ يَعْلَمَ أُعْلِمَ.

“Would the Imam (a.s.) want to know he would know.”

إِذَا أَرَادَ الْإِمَامُ أَنْ يَعْلَمَ شَيْئاً أَعْلَمَهُ اللَّهُ ذَلِكَ.

“When the Imam (a.s.) would will to know something Allah will grant him such knowledge.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَيُّ إِمَامٍ لَا يَعْلَمُ مَا يُصِيبُهُ وَ إِلَى مَا يَصِيرُ فَلَيْسَ ذَلِكَ بِحُجَّةٍ لِلَّهِ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ.

“Whoever of the Imams that would not know what would happen to him and to what events he would proceed such a person is not a possessor of Divine authority over His creature.”

قَالَ لِي قَدْ رَأَيْتُ بَعْضَ مَنْ يَقُولُونَ بِفَضْلِهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ هَذَا الْبَيْتِ فَمَا رَأَيْتُ مِثْلَهُ قَطُّ فِي فَضْلِهِ وَ نُسُكِهِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ مَنْ وَ كَيْفَ رَأَيْتَهُ قَالَ جُمِعْنَا أَيَّامَ السِّنْدِيِّ بْنِ شَاهَكَ‌[2]- ثَمَانِينَ رَجُلًا مِنَ الْوُجُوهِ الْمَنْسُوبِينَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ فَأُدْخِلْنَا عَلَى مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لَنَا السِّنْدِيُّ يَا هَؤُلَاءِ انْظُرُوا إِلَى هَذَا الرَّجُلِ

“I have seen (experienced) from the people of this family of whose virtues people speak, things that I have never seen (experienced) no one else to be like him in his virtue and worship.” The narrator has said that he asked the man. “Who is he? And how did you find him?” He then said, “In the days of al-Sindi ibn Shahi

أَنَّهُ أَتَى عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع لَيْلَةً قُبِضَ فِيهَا بِشَرَابٍ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَتِ اشْرَبْ هَذَا فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةُ الَّتِي أُقْبَضُ فِيهَا وَ هِيَ اللَّيْلَةُ الَّتِي قُبِضَ فِيهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص.

he went to Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) on the night in which he passed away and offered him a drink requesting, “Father, please drink it.” He said, “Son, this is the night in which I will pass away and during such night the Messenger of Allah also passed away.” (The date of the demise of the two holy ones, as generally he

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَدْ عَرَفَ قَاتِلَهُ وَ اللَّيْلَةَ الَّتِي يُقْتَلُ فِيهَا وَ الْمَوْضِعَ الَّذِي يُقْتَلُ فِيهِ وَ قَوْلُهُ لَمَّا سَمِعَ صِيَاحَ الْإِوَزِّ[6] فِي الدَّارِ صَوَائِحُ تَتْبَعُهَا نَوَائِحُ وَ قَوْلُ أُمِّ كُلْثُومٍ- لَوْ صَلَّيْتَ اللَّيْلَةَ دَاخِلَ الدَّارِ وَ أَمَرْتَ غَيْرَكَ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ فَأَبَى عَلَيْهَا وَ كَثُرَ دُخُولُهُ وَ خُرُوجُهُ تِلْكَ اللَّيْل

I said to al-Rida (peace be upon him): “The Commander of the Faithful knew his killer, the night on which he would be killed, and the place where he would be killed. He even said, when he heard the cries of the geese in the house: ‘Cries that will be followed by wailing.’ And Umm Kulthum said to him: ‘If only you would

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ غَضِبَ عَلَى الشِّيعَةِ[1] فَخَيَّرَنِي نَفْسِي أَوْ هُمْ فَوَقَيْتُهُمْ وَ اللَّهِ بِنَفْسِي.

“Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High expressed anger at the Shi‘a. He, therefore, let me choose either myself or them (to receive protection). I swear by Allah, that I protected them with my own soul.”

لَهُ يَا مُسَافِرُ هَذَا الْقَنَاةُ فِيهَا حِيتَانٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص الْبَارِحَةَ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ يَا عَلِيُّ مَا عِنْدَنَا خَيْرٌ لَكَ‌[2].

“O Musafir, in this water passage there is fish.” The narrator has said that he said, “Yes, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, there is fish there.” The Imam (a.s.) then said, “I saw the Messenger of Allah last night and was saying, “O Ali, what is with us is better for you.” (The mention of fish is to

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي فِي الْيَوْمِ الَّذِي قُبِضَ فِيهِ فَأَوْصَانِي بِأَشْيَاءَ فِي غُسْلِهِ وَ فِي كَفْنِهِ وَ فِي دُخُولِهِ قَبْرَهُ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَاهْ وَ اللَّهِ مَا رَأَيْتُكَ مُنْذُ اشْتَكَيْتَ‌[3] أَحْسَنَ مِنْكَ الْيَوْمَ مَا رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْكَ أَثَرَ الْمَوْتِ فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ أَ مَا سَمِعْتَ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يُنَادِي مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجِدَارِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ تَعَالَ عَجِّلْ.

“I was in the presence of my father during the day in which he passes away. He made several recommendations to me about his funeral matters, such as washing his whole body, shrouding him and placing him in his grave. I then said to him, “Father, I have not seen in a better health from the day you complained illness tha

أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى النَّصْرَ عَلَى الْحُسَيْنِ ع حَتَّى كَانَ مَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَ الْأَرْضِ‌[4] ثُمَّ خُيِّرَ النَّصْرَ أَوْ لِقَاءَ اللَّهِ فَاخْتَارَ لِقَاءَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى.

8. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Sayf ibn ‘Umayra from ‘Abd al-Malik ibn A‘yan from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, sent support for Imam al-Husayn (a.s.) up to the fill between the heavens and earth. Then he wa

كُنَّا مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جَمَاعَةً مِنَ‌ الشِّيعَةِ فِي الْحِجْرِ فَقَالَ عَلَيْنَا عَيْنٌ فَالْتَفَتْنَا يَمْنَةً وَ يَسْرَةً فَلَمْ نَرَ أَحَداً فَقُلْنَا لَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا عَيْنٌ فَقَالَ وَ رَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ وَ رَبِّ الْبَنِيَّةِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ لَوْ كُنْتُ بَيْنَ مُوسَى وَ الْخَضِرِ لَأَخْبَرْتُهُمَا أَنِّي أَعْلَمُ مِنْهُمَا وَ لَأَنْبَأْتُهُمَا بِمَا لَيْسَ فِي أَيْدِيهِمَا لِأَنَّ مُوسَى وَ الْخَضِرَ

“An eye is watching over us.” We then looked right and left and did not see anyone. We said, “No eye is watching over us.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “I swear by the Lord of the Ka‘ba. I swear by the Lord of the House.” He said so three times. “Had I been with Moses and al-Khidr I would have told them that I had more than t

إِنِّي لَأَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ أَعْلَمُ مَا فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَ أَعْلَمُ مَا فِي النَّارِ وَ أَعْلَمُ مَا كَانَ وَ مَا يَكُونُ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَكَثَ هُنَيْئَةً فَرَأَى أَنَّ ذَلِكَ كَبُرَ عَلَى مَنْ سَمِعَهُ مِنْهُ فَقَالَ عَلِمْتُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ فِيهِ تِبْيَانُ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ[1].

“I certainly know what is the heavens and what is in the earth. I know what is in paradise and what is the fire. I know what was there and what will be there.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) paused for a while and found that what he had just said was much heavy for the audience then he (a.s.) said, “I learn

كَانَ الْمُفَضَّلُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ الْمُفَضَّلُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ يَفْرِضُ اللَّهُ طَاعَةَ عَبْدٍ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ وَ يَحْجُبُ عَنْهُ خَبَرَ السَّمَاءِ قَالَ لَا اللَّهُ أَكْرَمُ وَ أَرْحَمُ وَ أَرْأَفُ بِعِبَادِهِ مِنْ أَنْ يَفْرِضَ طَاعَةَ عَبْدٍ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ ثُمَّ يَحْجُبَ عَنْهُ خَبَرَ السَّمَاءِ صَبَاحاً وَ مَسَاءً.

Al-Mufaddal asked the Imam (a.s.) the following. “May Allah, take my soul in service for your cause, does Allah command (his) servants to obey a servant and hide the news of the heavens from him?” The Imam (a.s.) said, Allah is by far much honorable, kind and caring towards His servants than to command them to obey a s