The Book about people with Divine Authority

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ وَ عِنْدَهُ أُنَاسٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ عَجِبْتُ مِنْ قَوْمٍ يَتَوَلَّوْنَا[3] وَ يَجْعَلُونَا أَئِمَّةً وَ يَصِفُونَ أَنَّ طَاعَتَنَا مُفْتَرَضَةٌ عَلَيْهِمْ كَطَاعَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص ثُمَّ يَكْسِرُونَ حُجَّتَهُمْ وَ يَخْصِمُونَ أَنْفُسَهُمْ بِضَعْفِ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَيَنْقُصُونَا حَقَّنَا وَ يَعِيبُونَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى مَنْ أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ بُرْهَانَ حَقِّ مَعْرِفَتِنَا وَ التَّسْلِيمَ لِ

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from ibn Ri’ab from Durays al-Kunasi who has said that he heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.) the following to an audience of his companions. “What an strange case is the case with a group of followers! They acknowledge us as the Divine authority over thems

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِمِنًى- عَنْ خَمْسِمِائَةِ حَرْفٍ مِنَ الْكَلَامِ فَأَقْبَلْتُ أَقُولُ يَقُولُونَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا قَالَ فَيَقُولُ قُلْ كَذَا وَ كَذَا قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا الْحَلَالُ وَ هَذَا الْحَرَامُ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ صَاحِبُهُ وَ أَنَّكَ أَعْلَمُ النَّاسِ بِهِ وَ هَذَا هُوَ الْكَلَامُ فَقَالَ لِي وَيْكَ‌[5] يَا هِشَامُ لَا يَحْتَجُّ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَلْقِهِ بِحُجَّةٍ لَا

“They say that he has said so and so.” Then he says, “You say so and so.” I then said to the Imam (a.s.), “May Allah, take my soul in service for your cause, “This is lawful and that is not lawful. I know that you are the authority in this and you are the most knowledgeable person in it and this is al-Kalam.” The Imam

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا يَكُونُ عَالِمٌ‌[6] جَاهِلًا أَبَداً عَالِماً بِشَيْ‌ءٍ جَاهِلًا بِشَيْ‌ءٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَجَلُّ وَ أَعَزُّ وَ أَكْرَمُ مِنْ أَنْ يَفْرِضَ طَاعَةَ عَبْدٍ يَحْجُبُ عَنْهُ عِلْمَ سَمَائِهِ وَ أَرْضِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَا يَحْجُبُ ذَلِكَ عَنْهُ.

“No, I swear by Allah, the scholar (who possesses Divine authority) is never ignorant or knowledgeable in something and ignorant of other things. The Imam (a.s.) then said, “Allah, the Most Holy, Most High and Most Gracious, is far exalted and above imposing the obedience of a servant (of His) on the others and then hi

إِنَّ جَبْرَئِيلَ ع أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص بِرُمَّانَتَيْنِ فَأَكَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِحْدَاهُمَا وَ كَسَرَ الْأُخْرَى بِنِصْفَيْنِ فَأَكَلَ نِصْفاً وَ أَطْعَمَ عَلِيّاً نِصْفاً ثُمَّ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَا أَخِي هَلْ تَدْرِي مَا هَاتَانِ الرُّمَّانَتَانِ قَالَ لَا قَالَ أَمَّا الْأُولَى فَالنُّبُوَّةُ لَيْسَ لَكَ فِيهَا نَصِيبٌ وَ أَمَّا الْأُخْرَى فَالْعِلْمُ أَنْتَ شَرِيكِي فِيهِ فَقُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّه

“Once Jibril came to the Messenger of Allah and brought him two pieces of pomegranates. The Messenger of Allah ate one of them and broke the other one into two pieces. He then ate one half and fed the other half to Ali (a.s.). The Messenger of Allah said, “O my brother, do you know what those pieces of pomegranates wer

نَزَلَ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص بِرُمَّانَتَيْنِ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ فَأَعْطَاهُ إِيَّاهُمَا فَأَكَلَ وَاحِدَةً وَ كَسَرَ الْأُخْرَى بِنِصْفَيْنِ فَأَعْطَى عَلِيّاً ع نِصْفَهَا فَأَكَلَهَا فَقَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ أَمَّا الرُّمَّانَةُ الْأُولَى الَّتِي أَكَلْتُهَا فَالنُّبُوَّةُ لَيْسَ لَكَ فِيهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ أَمَّا الْأُخْرَى فَهُوَ الْعِلْمُ فَأَنْتَ شَرِيكِي فِيهِ.

“Once Jibril brought from Paradise two pieces of pomegranate to the Messenger of Allah and brought him two pieces of pomegranates. The Messenger of Allah ate one of them and broke the other one into two pieces. He then ate one half and gave the other half to Ali (a.s.) who also ate it (a.s.). The Messenger of Allah sai

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ نَزَلَ جَبْرَئِيلُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص بِرُمَّانَتَيْنِ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ فَلَقِيَهُ عَلِيٌّ ع فَقَالَ مَا هَاتَانِ الرُّمَّانَتَانِ اللَّتَانِ فِي يَدِكَ فَقَالَ أَمَّا هَذِهِ فَالنُّبُوَّةُ لَيْسَ لَكَ فِيهَا نَصِيبٌ وَ أَمَّا هَذِهِ فَالْعِلْمُ ثُمَّ فَلَقَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِنِصْفَيْنِ فَأَعْطَاهُ نِصْفَهَا وَ أَخَذَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص نِصْفَهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ أَنْتَ شَرِيكِي فِيهِ

“Once Jibril descended to Muhammad (s.a) (and) brought two pieces of pomegranate from Paradise. Ali (a.s.) meet him and asked, “What (kind of ) pomegranate are those in your hands?” He replied, “As to this one, it is the Prophet-hood in which there is no share for you. As to this one, it is knowledge. Then the Messenge

قَالَ: مَبْلَغُ عِلْمِنَا عَلَى ثَلَاثَةِ وُجُوهٍ مَاضٍ وَ غَابِرٍ وَ حَادِثٍ‌[2] فَأَمَّا الْمَاضِي فَمُفَسَّرٌ وَ أَمَّا الْغَابِرُ فَمَزْبُورٌ[3] وَ أَمَّا الْحَادِثُ فَقَذْفٌ فِي الْقُلُوبِ وَ نَقْرٌ فِي الْأَسْمَاعِ‌[4] وَ هُوَ أَفْضَلُ عِلْمِنَا وَ لَا نَبِيَّ بَعْدَ نَبِيِّنَا.

"The extent of our knowledge is based on three categories: past, present, and future. As for the past, it is explained; as for the present, it is recorded; and as for the future, it is a whisper in the hearts and a knocking in the ears, and this is the best of our knowledge. There is no prophet after our prophet."

قُلْتُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ عِلْمِ عَالِمِكُمْ قَالَ وِرَاثَةٌ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ مِنْ عَلِيٍّ ع قَالَ قُلْتُ إِنَّا نَتَحَدَّثُ أَنَّهُ يُقْذَفُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ وَ يُنْكَتُ فِي آذَانِكُمْ‌[5] قَالَ أَوْ ذَاكَ‌[6].

“It is inherited from the Messenger of Allah and from Ali (a.s.).” The narrator has said that he asked him, “We narrate that it is thrown into your hearts and is dotted in your ears.” He then said, “Is that so?”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع رُوِّينَا عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّهُ قَالَ إِنَّ عِلْمَنَا غَابِرٌ وَ مَزْبُورٌ وَ نَكْتٌ فِي الْقُلُوبِ وَ نَقْرٌ فِي الْأَسْمَاعِ فَقَالَ أَمَّا الْغَابِرُ فَمَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ عِلْمِنَا وَ أَمَّا الْمَزْبُورُ فَمَا يَأْتِينَا وَ أَمَّا النَّكْتُ فِي الْقُلُوبِ فَإِلْهَامٌ وَ أَمَّا النَّقْرُ فِي الْأَسْمَاعِ فَأَمْرُ الْمَلَكِ.

“As for that about the matters of the past is that which is passed our knowledge. That which is written is the kind that will come in future. That which is dotted into the hearts is the inspired kind and that which is struck against the ears is the order of the angel.”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ لَوْ كَانَ لِأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ أَوْكِيَةٌ[7] لَحَدَّثْتُ كُلَّ امْرِئٍ بِمَا لَهُ وَ عَلَيْهِ.

“Had there been a thing (zip) to contain (to sack) your tongues I would have spoken to everyone about what is for or against him.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا بَصِيرٍ يَقُولُ‌ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مِنْ أَيْنَ أَصَابَ أَصْحَابَ عَلِيٍّ مَا أَصَابَهُمْ مَعَ عِلْمِهِمْ بِمَنَايَاهُمْ وَ بَلَايَاهُمْ قَالَ فَأَجَابَنِي شِبْهَ الْمُغْضَبِ مِمَّنْ ذَلِكَ إِلَّا مِنْهُمْ فَقُلْتُ مَا يَمْنَعُكَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ ذَلِكَ بَابٌ أُغْلِقَ إِلَّا أَنَّ الْحُسَيْنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ صَلَوَاتٌ عَلَيْهِمَا فَتَحَ مِنْهُ شَيْئاً يَسِيراً ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَبَا مُحَ

“from who could it come except from their own selves.?” I then asked, “What prevents you, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, from telling it all (to your friends). The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is a door that is closed door except that al-Husayn ibn Ali (a.s.) opened it to a small degree (told a few things a

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَدَّبَ نَبِيَّهُ عَلَى مَحَبَّتِهِ فَقَالَ‌ وَ إِنَّكَ لَعَلى‌ خُلُقٍ‌ عَظِيمٍ‌[1] ثُمَّ فَوَّضَ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ ما آتاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ‌ وَ ما نَهاكُمْ عَنْهُ‌ فَانْتَهُوا[2] وَ قَالَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- مَنْ يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطاعَ اللَّهَ‌[3] قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ إِنَّ نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ فَوَّضَ إ

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn abu Zahir from Ali ibn Isma‘il from Safwan ibn Yahya from ‘Asim ibn Humayd from abu Ishaq al-Nahwi who has said that he went see abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and heard him say the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, discipline and education His Messenger with His a

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ عَنْ آيَةٍ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَأَخْبَرَهُ بِهَا ثُمَّ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ دَاخِلٌ فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ تِلْكَ الْآيَةِ فَأَخْبَرَهُ بِخِلَافِ مَا أَخْبَرَ بِهِ الْأَوَّلَ فَدَخَلَنِي مِنْ ذَلِكَ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ حَتَّى كَأَنَّ قَلْبِي يُشْرَحُ بِالسَّكَاكِينِ‌[4] فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي تَرَكْتُ أَبَا قَتَادَةَ بِالشَّامِ لَا يُخْطِئُ فِي الْوَاوِ وَ شِبْه

“I was in presence o abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) a man asked him about a verse of the book of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. The Imam (a.s.) explained it to him. Then another person came to see the Imam (a.s.) and asked him about the same verse. The Imam (a.s.) gave him a different explanation. This made as many things

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ وَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولَانِ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَوَّضَ إِلَى نَبِيِّهِ ص أَمْرَ خَلْقِهِ لِيَنْظُرَ كَيْفَ طَاعَتُهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- ما آتاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَ ما نَهاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا.

3. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hajjal from Tha‘labah that Zurarah who has said that he heard abu Ja‘far and abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has made the Holy Prophet in charge of the affairs of His creatures to see how their obedience

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ لِبَعْضِ أَصْحَابِ قَيْسٍ الْمَاصِرِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَدَّبَ نَبِيَّهُ فَأَحْسَنَ أَدَبَهُ فَلَمَّا أَكْمَلَ لَهُ الْأَدَبَ قَالَ- إِنَّكَ لَعَلى‌ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ‌ ثُمَّ فَوَّضَ إِلَيْهِ أَمْرَ الدِّينِ وَ الْأُمَّةِ لِيَسُوسَ عِبَادَهُ فَقَالَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- ما آتاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَ ما نَهاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا وَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ مُسَدَّد

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ’Udhayna from Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said that he heard abu ‘Abdallah say the following to some of the companions of Qays al-Masir. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, discipline and education His Messenger. He then made his discipli

أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ وَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولَانِ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى فَوَّضَ إِلَى نَبِيِّهِ ص أَمْرَ خَلْقِهِ لِيَنْظُرَ كَيْفَ طَاعَتُهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- ما آتاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَ ما نَهاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا. - مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَجَّالِ عَنْ ثَعْلَبَةَ بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ مِثْلَهُ.

5. Abu Ali al-Ash‘ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from ibn Faddal from Tha‘laba ibn Maymun from Zurarah who has said that he heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, made His Prophet the in charge of His creatures to se how their obedien

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَدَّبَ نَبِيَّهُ ص فَلَمَّا انْتَهَى بِهِ إِلَى مَا أَرَادَ قَالَ لَهُ‌ إِنَّكَ لَعَلى‌ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ‌[2] فَفَوَّضَ إِلَيْهِ دِينَهُ فَقَالَ‌ وَ ما آتاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَ ما نَهاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ الْفَرَائِضَ وَ لَمْ يَقْسِمْ لِلْجَدِّ شَيْئاً وَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أَطْعَمَهُ السُّدُسَ فَأَجَازَ اللَّهُ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ لَه

6.Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, disciplined and educated His Prophet to the level that He wanted and said, ““O Muhammad, you certainly possess a great degre

وَضَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص دِيَةَ الْعَيْنِ وَ دِيَةَ النَّفْسِ وَ حَرَّمَ النَّبِيذَ وَ كُلَّ مُسْكِرٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ وَضَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَكُونَ جَاءَ فِيهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ لِيَعْلَمَ مَنْ يُطِيعُ الرَّسُولَ مِمَّنْ يَعْصِيهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah (s.a.) sanctioned the compensation for a damaged eye and the blood-money for the slain person. He pronounced the consumption of Nabidh (a beverage from dates) and all intoxicants as unlawful.” A man asked the Imam (a.s.) said, “Did the Messenger of Allah sanction this law without receiving any t

وَجَدْتُ فِي نَوَادِرِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ‌ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا فَوَّضَ اللَّهُ إِلَى أَحَدٍ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ إِلَّا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ إِلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ قَالَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتابَ بِالْحَقِّ لِتَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِما أَراكَ اللَّهُ‌[1] وَ هِيَ جَارِيَةٌ فِي الْأَوْصِيَاءِ ع.

“No, I swear by Allah, that He has no made anyone of His creatures the in charge except the Messenger of Allah and the Imams (a.s.). Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “ We have sent down to you the Book with the truth, so that you may judge between the people by that which Allah has shown you (4:105) and i

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَدَّبَ رَسُولَهُ حَتَّى قَوَّمَهُ عَلَى مَا أَرَادَ ثُمَّ فَوَّضَ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ عَزَّ ذِكْرُهُ- ما آتاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَ ما نَهاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا فَمَا فَوَّضَ اللَّهُ إِلَى رَسُولِهِ ص فَقَدْ فَوَّضَهُ إِلَيْنَا.

“Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, disciplined and educated His Messenger until he was well established in whatever He wanted. Then He made him the in charge as He, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “. .what the Messenger (of Allah) you, you must take (obey) and what he prohibits you, you must desist from. .”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى- هذا عَطاؤُنا فَامْنُنْ أَوْ أَمْسِكْ بِغَيْرِ حِسابٍ‌ قَالَ أَعْطَى سُلَيْمَانَ مُلْكاً عَظِيماً ثُمَّ جَرَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَكَانَ لَهُ أَنْ يُعْطِيَ مَا شَاءَ مَنْ شَاءَ وَ يَمْنَعَ مَنْ شَاءَ وَ أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ أَفْضَلَ مِمَّا أَعْطَى سُلَيْمَانَ لِقَوْلِهِ‌ ما آتاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَ ما نَهاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “Solomon was given a great kingdom. This verse continued to apply to the Messenger of Allah. He had authority to grant whatever he wished to whomever he wished and withhold from whomever he wished. Allah granted him a favor greater than what He had granted to Solomon as He has said, “. .what the M

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع مَا مَوْضِعُ الْعُلَمَاءِ[2] قَالَ مِثْلُ ذِي الْقَرْنَيْنِ وَ صَاحِبِ سُلَيْمَانَ وَ صَاحِبِ مُوسَى ع.

It is like Dhul Qarnayn, (see 18:83 – 99 Holy Quran),the companion of Solomon (see 27:40),and the companion of Moses (a.s.) (See 18:65)”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّمَا الْوُقُوفُ عَلَيْنَا فِي الْحَلَالِ وَ الْحَرَامِ فَأَمَّا النُّبُوَّةُ فَلَا.[3]

“To refer to us (as the Divine authorities) is valid only in finding the lawful and unlawful matters. To refer to us as prophet-hood is not valid.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ ذِكْرُهُ خَتَمَ بِنَبِيِّكُمُ النَّبِيِّينَ فَلَا نَبِيَّ بَعْدَهُ أَبَداً وَ خَتَمَ بِكِتَابِكُمُ الْكُتُبَ فَلَا كِتَابَ بَعْدَهُ أَبَداً وَ أَنْزَلَ فِيهِ تِبْيَانَ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ خَلْقَكُمْ وَ خَلْقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ وَ نَبَأَ مَا قَبْلَكُمْ وَ فَصْلَ مَا بَيْنَكُمْ وَ خَبَرَ مَا بَعْدَكُمْ وَ أَمْرَ الْجَنَّةِ وَ النَّارِ وَ مَا أَنْتُمْ صَ

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Ash’ari has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Barqi from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Yahya ibn ‘Imran al-Halabi from Ayyub ibn al-Hurr who has said that he heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say the following. “Allah, Majestic is Whose mention, ended with your prophet the (coming of) the prophets. T

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِنَّ عَلِيّاً ع كَانَ مُحَدَّثاً فَقُلْتُ فَتَقُولُ نَبِيٌّ قَالَ فَحَرَّكَ بِيَدِهِ هَكَذَا[1] ثُمَّ قَالَ أَوْ كَصَاحِبِ سُلَيْمَانَ أَوْ كَصَاحِبِ مُوسَى أَوْ كَذِي الْقَرْنَيْنِ أَ وَ مَا بَلَغَكُمْ أَنَّهُ قَالَ وَ فِيكُمْ مِثْلُهُ.

“Ali (a.s.) was a Muhaddith (a Divine spokesman).” The narrator has said that he then asked the Imam (a.s.), “What is mmeans, O Imam? Do you say he was a prophet?” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) rose his hand like this, (meaning thereby, no, I did not say that).” The Imam (a.s.) then said, “Or he is like th

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا مَنْزِلَتُكُمْ وَ مَنْ تُشْبِهُونَ مِمَّنْ مَضَى قَالَ صَاحِبُ مُوسَى وَ ذُو الْقَرْنَيْنِ كَانَا عَالِمَيْنِ وَ لَمْ يَكُونَا نَبِيَّيْنِ.

“I resemble the companion of Moses and Dhul Qarnayn who were two scholars but not two prophets.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ قَوْماً يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّكُمْ آلِهَةٌ- يَتْلُونَ بِذَلِكَ عَلَيْنَا قُرْآناً- وَ هُوَ الَّذِي فِي السَّماءِ إِلهٌ وَ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلهٌ‌[2] فَقَالَ يَا سَدِيرُ سَمْعِي وَ بَصَرِي وَ بَشَرِي وَ لَحْمِي وَ دَمِي وَ شَعْرِي مِنْ هَؤُلَاءِ بِرَاءٌ وَ بَرِئَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُمْ مَا هَؤُلَاءِ عَلَى دِينِي وَ لَا عَلَى دِينِ آبَائِي وَ اللَّهِ لَا يَجْمَعُنِي اللَّهُ وَ إِيَّاهُمْ يَوْمَ

6.Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Barqi from abu Talib from Sadir who has said that he asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) the following. “A certain group of people believe that you are gods. They read to us from the Quran about it. And it is He Who in heaven is God and in earth is God.” [43:84]

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْأَئِمَّةُ بِمَنْزِلَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِلَّا أَنَّهُمْ لَيْسُوا بِأَنْبِيَاءَ وَ لَا يَحِلُّ لَهُمْ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ مَا يَحِلُّ لِلنَّبِيِّ ص فَأَمَّا مَا خَلَا ذَلِكَ فَهُمْ فِيهِ بِمَنْزِلَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

“The Imams (a.s.) possess the position of the Messenger of Allah except that they are not prophets and the number of wives permissible for the Holy Prophet is not permissible for them. In the aspects other than these they possess the same positions as the Messenger of Allah did.”

أَرْسَلَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِلَى زُرَارَةَ أَنْ يُعْلِمَ الْحَكَمَ بْنَ عُتَيْبَةَ أَنَّ أَوْصِيَاءَ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْهِ وَ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ مُحَدَّثُونَ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) sent (message) to Zurara to inform al-Hakam ibn ‘Utayba that the executors of the will of Muhammad (s.a.) (are Muhaddathun) hear from the angels.” al-Hakam ibn ’Utaybah (al-Kindi al-Kufi [50/670 - 115/ 733], one of the tab‘un [those who knew the companions of the Holy Prophet and famous narrators of

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَوْماً فَقَالَ يَا حَكَمُ هَلْ تَدْرِي الْآيَةَ الَّتِي كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع يَعْرِفُ قَاتِلَهُ بِهَا وَ يَعْرِفُ بِهَا الْأُمُورَ الْعِظَامَ الَّتِي كَانَ يُحَدِّثُ بِهَا النَّاسَ قَالَ الْحَكَمُ فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي قَدْ وَقَعْتُ عَلَى عِلْمٍ مِنْ عِلْمِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ أَعْلَمُ بِذَلِكَ تِلْكَ الْأُمُورَ الْعِظَامَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا

“One day I went to see Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.).” He said, “O Hakam do you know the verse (of the Holy Quran) from which Ali ibn abu Talib had learned who his assassin was and the extremely great matters of which he would speak to people? “ Al-Hakam has said that I said to myself in my mind, “ I have now a chance to le

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْأَئِمَّةُ عُلَمَاءُ صَادِقُونَ مُفَهَّمُونَ مُحَدَّثُونَ.

“The Imams (a.s.) are scholar, truthful people, have perfect understanding and Muhaddathum hear from the angels.”

ذُكِرَ الْمُحَدَّثُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَ لَا يَرَى الشَّخْصَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَيْفَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ كَلَامُ الْمَلَكِ قَالَ إِنَّهُ يُعْطَى السَّكِينَةَ وَ الْوَقَارَ حَتَّى يَعْلَمَ أَنَّهُ كَلَامُ مَلَكٍ.

“Once Muhaddath was mentioned in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and he said, “He, Muhaddath, hears the voice but does not see the persons of the angels.” I then said to him, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, how he would come to know that the voice and words are from the angels?” The Imam (a.s.)

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِنَّ عَلِيّاً ع كَانَ مُحَدَّثاً فَخَرَجْتُ إِلَى أَصْحَابِي فَقُلْتُ جِئْتُكُمْ بِعَجِيبَةٍ فَقَالُوا وَ مَا هِيَ فَقُلْتُ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع مُحَدَّثاً فَقَالُوا مَا صَنَعْتَ شَيْئاً إِلَّا سَأَلْتَهُ مَنْ كَانَ يُحَدِّثُهُ فَرَجَعْتُ‌[1] إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي حَدَّثْتُ أَصْحَابِي بِمَا حَدَّثْتَنِي فَقَالُوا مَا صَنَعْتَ شَيْئاً إِلَّا سَأَلْتَهُ مَنْ كَان

“Ali (a.s.) was a Muhaddath.” I then returned to my associates and said, “I have brought you a very strange news.” They asked, “What is it?” I then said that I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.) say that Ali (a.s.) was a Muhaddath. They then said, “What did you do?” Would that you had asked him as to who would speak to him (Ali (

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ ثَلَاثَةَ أَصْنَافٍ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كُنْتُمْ أَزْواجاً ثَلاثَةً فَأَصْحابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ ما أَصْحابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ وَ أَصْحابُ الْمَشْئَمَةِ ما أَصْحابُ الْمَشْئَمَةِ وَ السَّابِقُونَ السَّابِقُونَ‌ أُولئِكَ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ‌[3] فَالسَّابِقُونَ هُمْ رُسُلُ اللَّهِ ع وَ خَاصَّةُ اللَّهِ مِنْ‌ خَلْقِه

“O Jabir, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has created th e creatures in three categories as mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “On that day, you (mankind) will be divided into three groups: (56:7) The people of the right hand - those whose books of records will be placed in their right h

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ عِلْمِ الْعَالِمِ فَقَالَ لِي يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّ فِي الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ خَمْسَةَ أَرْوَاحٍ رُوحَ الْقُدُسِ وَ رُوحَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ رُوحَ الْحَيَاةِ وَ رُوحَ الْقُوَّةِ وَ رُوحَ الشَّهْوَةِ فَبِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ يَا جَابِرُ عَرَفُوا مَا تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ إِلَى مَا تَحْتَ الثَّرَى ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّ هَذِهِ الْأَرْبَعَةَ أَرْوَاحٌ يُصِيبُهَا الْحَدَثَانُ إِلَّا رُوحَ الْقُدُسِ فَإِنّ

“O Jabir, in the prophets and in the executors of their will there are five spirits. They are the Holy Spirit, the spirit of faith, the spirit of life, the spirit of power and the spirit of desire. Through the Holy Spirit, O Jabir, they receive the knowledge all that is below the Throne all the way to under the land.”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ عِلْمِ الْإِمَامِ بِمَا فِي أَقْطَارِ الْأَرْضِ وَ هُوَ فِي بَيْتِهِ مُرْخًى عَلَيْهِ سِتْرُهُ فَقَالَ يَا مُفَضَّلُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى جَعَلَ فِي النَّبِيِّ ص خَمْسَةَ أَرْوَاحٍ رُوحَ الْحَيَاةِ فَبِهِ دَبَّ وَ دَرَجَ وَ رُوحَ الْقُوَّةِ فَبِهِ نَهَضَ وَ جَاهَدَ وَ رُوحَ الشَّهْوَةِ فَبِهِ أَكَلَ وَ شَرِبَ وَ أَتَى النِّسَاءَ مِنَ الْحَلَالِ وَ رُوحَ الْإِيمَانِ فَبِهِ آمَنَ وَ عَدَل

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from al-Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from ‘Abdallah ibn Idris from Muhammad ibn Sinan that al-Mufadal ibn ‘Umar who has said that I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) the following. “I asked him about the knowledge of the Imams of the regions of the earth when he is in his house secluded behind the

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ كَذلِكَ أَوْحَيْنا إِلَيْكَ‌ رُوحاً مِنْ أَمْرِنا ما كُنْتَ تَدْرِي‌ مَا الْكِتابُ وَ لَا الْإِيمانُ‌[1] قَالَ خَلْقٌ مِنْ خَلْقِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ جَبْرَئِيلَ وَ مِيكَائِيلَ كَانَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص يُخْبِرُهُ وَ يُسَدِّدُهُ وَ هُوَ مَعَ الْأَئِمَّةِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ.

1. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Yahya al-Halabi from abu ’al-Sabah al-Kinani from abu Basir who has said the following. “I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “Thus, We have revealed a Spi

سَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ هِيتَ‌[2] وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كَذلِكَ أَوْحَيْنا إِلَيْكَ رُوحاً مِنْ أَمْرِنا فَقَالَ مُنْذُ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ذَلِكَ الرُّوحَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص مَا صَعِدَ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَ إِنَّهُ لَفِينَا.

“Once a man from Hayt (a town in Iraq) asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), -when I was present also-, about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “Thus, We have revealed a Spirit to you, (Muhammad), by Our command. Before, you did not even know what a Book or Faith was, . .” (42:52) The Imam (a.s.) said, “From the

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- يَسْئَلُونَكَ عَنِ الرُّوحِ‌ قُلِ الرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّي‌[3] قَالَ خَلْقٌ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ جَبْرَئِيلَ وَ مِيكَائِيلَ كَانَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ هُوَ مَعَ الْأَئِمَّةِ وَ هُوَ مِنَ الْمَلَكُوتِ.

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “They ask you about the Spirit. Say, “The Spirit comes by the command of my Lord. . .” (17:85). The Imam (a.s.) said, “He is a creature greater than Jibril and Mika’il. He was with the Messenger of Allah and he is present with the Ima

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ يَسْئَلُونَكَ عَنِ الرُّوحِ قُلِ الرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّي‌ قَالَ خَلْقٌ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ جَبْرَئِيلَ وَ مِيكَائِيلَ لَمْ يَكُنْ مَعَ أَحَدٍ مِمَّنْ مَضَى غَيْرِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَ هُوَ مَعَ الْأَئِمَّةِ يُسَدِّدُهُمْ وَ لَيْسَ كُلُّ مَا طُلِبَ وُجِدَ.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘“They ask you about the Spirit. Say, “The Spirit comes by the command of my Lord. . .” (17:85). The Imam (a.s.) said, “He is a creature greater than Jibril and Mika’il. He was present with anyone before except Muhammad (s.a.). He is present with the Imams (a.s.). He protects them. It

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْعِلْمِ أَ هُوَ عِلْمٌ يَتَعَلَّمُهُ الْعَالِمُ مِنْ أَفْوَاهِ الرِّجَالِ أَمْ فِي الْكِتَابِ عِنْدَكُمْ تَقْرَءُونَهُ فَتَعْلَمُونَ مِنْهُ قَالَ الْأَمْرُ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ أَوْجَبُ أَ مَا سَمِعْتَ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كَذلِكَ أَوْحَيْنا إِلَيْكَ رُوحاً مِنْ أَمْرِنا ما كُنْتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتابُ وَ لَا الْإِيمانُ‌ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يَقُولُ أَصْحَاب

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the knowledge. Is it a knowledge that the scholar learns from the mouths of the people or it is in the with you from which you read and then learn therefrom.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “The issue is greater and more urgently needed. Have you not heard the words of Allah, the Most Holy, t

أَتَى رَجُلٌ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الرُّوحِ أَ لَيْسَ هُوَ جَبْرَئِيلَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع جَبْرَئِيلُ ع مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ الرُّوحُ غَيْرُ جَبْرَئِيلَ فَكَرَّرَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ فَقَالَ لَهُ لَقَدْ قُلْتَ عَظِيماً مِنَ الْقَوْلِ مَا أَحَدٌ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّ الرُّوحَ غَيْرُ جَبْرَئِيلَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِنَّكَ ضَالٌّ تَرْوِي عَنْ أَهْلِ الضَّلَالِ يَقُو

“Once a man came to Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) asking him about the Spirit. “Is he not Jibril?” Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) then said, “Jibril is of the angels. The Spirit is not Jibril. He repeated it to the man. The man said, “You have said something very much extraordinary. No one other than you thinks that the Spi

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَتَى يَعْرِفُ الْأَخِيرُ مَا عِنْدَ الْأَوَّلِ قَالَ فِي آخِرِ دَقِيقَةٍ تَبْقَى مِنْ رُوحِهِ.

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘When does the succeeding one (Imam) come to know of what the one preceding him knew?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “At the last minute of the life of the Imam before him.”

يَعْرِفُ الَّذِي بَعْدَ الْإِمَامِ عِلْمَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَهُ فِي آخِرِ دَقِيقَةٍ تَبْقَى مِنْ رُوحِهِ.

‘The succeeding Imam comes to know of the knowledge of the preceding Imam in the last minute of the time left from his life.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ الْإِمَامُ مَتَى يَعْرِفُ إِمَامَتَهُ وَ يَنْتَهِي الْأَمْرُ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ فِي آخِرِ دَقِيقَةٍ مِنْ حَيَاةِ الْأَوَّلِ.

“When does the Imam come to know that he has become the Imam and position is transferred to him?” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “At the last minute of the life of the preceding Imam (a.s.).”

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى‌ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَ اتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّيَّتُهُمْ بِإِيمانٍ‌ أَلْحَقْنا بِهِمْ‌ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ‌ وَ ما أَلَتْناهُمْ‌ مِنْ عَمَلِهِمْ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ[1] قَالَ‌ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا النَّبِيُّ ص وَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ ذُرِّيَّتُهُ الْأَئِمَّةُ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءُ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمْ أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ وَ لَمْ نَنْقُصْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمُ الْحُجَّةَ- الَّتِي جَاءَ بِهَا مُحَمَّدٌ ص فِي عَلِيّ

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn abu Zahir from al-Khashshab from Ali ibn Hass’an from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Kathir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “The offspring of the believers will also follow them to Paradise. So shall We join their offspring to them because of their faith. We s

قَالَ لِي‌ نَحْنُ فِي الْعِلْمِ وَ الشَّجَاعَةِ سَوَاءٌ وَ فِي الْعَطَايَا[2] عَلَى قَدْرِ مَا نُؤْمَرُ.

“In knowledge and courage we all are equal. In benefaction and grants we do to the degree we are commanded.”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ نَحْنُ فِي الْأَمْرِ وَ الْفَهْمِ وَ الْحَلَالِ وَ الْحَرَامِ نَجْرِي مَجْرًى وَاحِداً فَأَمَّا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ عَلِيٌّ ع فَلَهُمَا فَضْلُهُمَا.

that he heard Abu 'Abdillah (al-Sadiq) (as) say that Rasulullah (sw) said: "We in the matters of commands, understanding, lawful and unlawfulness are all alike and the same. However, the Rasulullah (sw) and Ali (as) have their own [unique] virtue.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ‌ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَماناتِ إِلى‌ أَهْلِها وَ إِذا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ‌[1] قَالَ إِيَّانَا عَنَى أَنْ يُؤَدِّيَ الْأَوَّلُ إِلَى الْإِمَامِ الَّذِي بَعْدَهُ الْكُتُبَ وَ الْعِلْمَ وَ السِّلَاحَ‌ وَ إِذا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ‌ الَّذِي فِي أَيْدِيكُمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ ل

who has said that I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the following verse of the Holy Quran. “Allah (God) commands you to return that which had been entrusted to you to the rightful owners. Be just when passing judgment among people. . .” (4:58) The Imam (a.s.) said, “ We are intended thereby. The preceding Imam must trans

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَماناتِ إِلى‌ أَهْلِها قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص أَنْ يُؤَدِّيَ الْإِمَامُ الْأَمَانَةَ[4] إِلَى مَنْ بَعْدَهُ وَ لَا يَخُصَّ بِهَا غَيْرَهُ وَ لَا يَزْوِيَهَا عَنْهُ‌[5].

about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “Allah (God) commands you to return that which had been entrusted to you to the rightful owners. Be just when passing judgment among people. . .” (4:58) The Imam (a.s.) said, “They are the Imams (a.s.) from the family of Muhammad (s.a.) who are commanded to delive