The Book about people with Divine Authority

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا احْتُضِرَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع قَالَ لِلْحُسَيْنِ يَا أَخِي إِنِّي أُوصِيكَ بِوَصِيَّةٍ فَاحْفَظْهَا فَإِذَا أَنَا مِتُّ فَهَيِّئْنِي ثُمَّ وَجِّهْنِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لِأُحْدِثَ بِهِ عَهْداً ثُمَّ اصْرِفْنِي إِلَى أُمِّي فَاطِمَةَ ع ثُمَّ رُدَّنِي فَادْفِنِّي بِالْبَقِيعِ وَ اعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ سَيُصِيبُنِي مِنَ الْحُمَيْرَاءِ مَا يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مِنْ صَنِيعِهَا وَ

“When al-Hassan (a.s.) ibn Ali (a.s.) was about to leave this world he said to al-Husayn (a.s.), “O my brother, I want to entrust you with my directive will (please) safeguard and preserve it. When I will die prepare and help me towards (the Shrine of) the Messenger of Allah so I can renew my covenant with him then hel

إِنَّ الْحُسَيْنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع لَمَّا حَضَرَهُ الَّذِي حَضَرَهُ دَعَا ابْنَتَهُ الْكُبْرَى فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَدَفَعَ إِلَيْهَا كِتَاباً مَلْفُوفاً وَ وَصِيَّةً ظَاهِرَةً وَ كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع مَبْطُوناً مَعَهُمْ لَا يَرَوْنَ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ لِمَا بِهِ فَدَفَعَتْ فَاطِمَةُ الْكِتَابَ إِلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع ثُمَّ صَارَ وَ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ الْكِتَابُ‌ إِلَيْنَا يَا زِيَادُ قَالَ قُلْ

“When al-Husayn ibn Ali (a.s.) was about to leave this world he called his eldest daughter, Fatima and gave her a sealed document and openly before the people his directive will. Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) was ill with some internal illness and the people would see as dying. Fatima then gave the document to Ali ibn al-Hu

لَمَّا حَضَرَ الْحُسَيْنَ ع مَا حَضَرَهُ دَفَعَ وَصِيَّتَهُ إِلَى ابْنَتِهِ فَاطِمَةَ ظَاهِرَةً فِي كِتَابٍ مُدْرَجٍ فَلَمَّا أَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع مَا كَانَ دَفَعَتْ ذَلِكَ إِلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع قُلْتُ لَهُ فَمَا فِيهِ يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُ فَقَالَ مَا يَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ وُلْدُ آدَمَ مُنْذُ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا إِلَى أَنْ تَفْنَى.

“When al-Husayn (a.s.) was about to leave this world he gave his directive will to his daughter, Fatima in a sealed document before the people onpenly. When what had to happen to al-Husayn (a.s.) did happen she gave it to Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s..” The narrator has said that then he asked the Imam (a.s.). “What was in i

إِنَّ الْحُسَيْنَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ لَمَّا صَارَ إِلَى الْعِرَاقِ اسْتَوْدَعَ أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا الْكُتُبَ وَ الْوَصِيَّةَ فَلَمَّا رَجَعَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع دَفَعَتْهَا إِلَيْهِ.

“When al-Husayn (a.s.) was about to leave for Iraq he entrusted ’Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) with the books and directive will. When Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) returned (to Madina) she delivered them to him. According to the manuscript of al-Safwan the hadith reads as follows:

وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَجَالِسٌ عِنْدَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ وَ عِنْدَهُ وُلْدُهُ إِذْ جَاءَهُ جَابِرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ بِيَدِ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَخَلَا بِهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أَخْبَرَنِي أَنِّي سَأُدْرِكُ رَجُلًا مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ يُقَالُ لَهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ يُكَنَّى أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ فَإِذَا أَدْرَكْتَهُ فَأَقْرِئْهُ مِنِّي السَّلَامَ قَالَ وَ م

“ I swear by Allah, I was sitting in the presence of Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) whose sons also were there when Jabir ibn ‘Abdallah al-Ansari came. He offered his greeting then he held the hand of Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and took him aside for privacy and said, “The Messenger of Allah informed me that I would find my self with

لَمَّا حَضَرَ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع الْوَفَاةُ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ أَخْرَجَ سَفَطاً أَوْ صُنْدُوقاً عِنْدَهُ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ احْمِلْ هَذَا الصُّنْدُوقَ قَالَ فَحَمَلَ بَيْنَ أَرْبَعَةٍ فَلَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ جَاءَ إِخْوَتُهُ يَدَّعُونَ مَا فِي الصُّنْدُوقِ فَقَالُوا أَعْطِنَا نَصِيبَنَا فِي الصُّنْدُوقِ فَقَالَ وَ اللَّهِ مَا لَكُمْ فِيهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَوْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِيهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ مَا دَفَعَهُ إِلَيَّ وَ كَانَ فِي ا

When Ali ibn al-Husayn (as) was on his deathbed, he took out a box or chest that was with him and said, "O Muhammad, carry this chest." So he carried it between four men. When he passed away, his brothers came claiming what was in the chest and said, "Give us our share of the chest." He replied, "By God, you have no sh

الْتَفَتَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع إِلَى وُلْدِهِ وَ هُوَ فِي الْمَوْتِ وَ هُمْ مُجْتَمِعُونَ عِنْدَهُ ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ إِلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ هَذَا الصُّنْدُوقُ اذْهَبْ بِهِ إِلَى بَيْتِكَ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهِ دِينَارٌ وَ لَا دِرْهَمٌ وَ لَكِنْ‌[1] كَانَ مَمْلُوءاً عِلْماً.

“O Muhammad, take this box to your house.” He said, “It was not full of Dirhams and Dinars (valuable properties), it, however, was full of knowledge.”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ كَتَبَ إِلَى ابْنِ حَزْمٍ‌[2] أَنْ يُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ بِصَدَقَةِ عَلِيٍّ وَ عُمَرَ وَ عُثْمَانَ وَ إِنَّ ابْنَ حَزْمٍ بَعَثَ إِلَى زَيْدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ وَ كَانَ أَكْبَرَهُمْ فَسَأَلَهُ الصَّدَقَةَ فَقَالَ زَيْدٌ إِنَّ الْوَالِيَ‌[3] كَانَ بَعْدَ عَلِيٍّ الْحَسَنَ وَ بَعْدَ الْحَسَنِ الْحُسَيْنَ وَ بَعْدَ الْحُسَيْنِ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ وَ بَعْدَ عَلِيِّ بْن

“’Umar ibn ‘ad al-‘Aziz wrote ibn Hazm to send him the endowment documents of Ali, ‘Umar and ‘Uthman. Inb Hazm sent a person to Zayd ibn al-Hassan (a.s.) who was the eldest among them and asked him about the documents. Zayd said, “The high authority after Ali was al-Hassan and after him al-Husayn and Ali ibn al-Husayn

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ كَتَبَ إِلَى ابْنِ حَزْمٍ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ مِثْلَهُ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ قَالَ بَعَثَ ابْنُ حَزْمٍ إِلَى زَيْدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ وَ كَانَ أَكْبَرَ مِنْ أَبِي ع. - عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ مِثْلَهُ.

‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz wrote ibn Hazm. He then have narrated a hadith similar to the above one except that he has said, “Ibn Hazm sent to Zayd ibn al-Hassan who was older than my father.” A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ a similar hadith.

نَظَرَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَمْشِي فَقَالَ تَرَى هَذَا هَذَا مِنَ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ نُرِيدُ أَنْ نَمُنَ‌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ‌ وَ نَجْعَلَهُمْ أَئِمَّةً وَ نَجْعَلَهُمُ الْوارِثِينَ‌[2].

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) looked at abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who was walking. The Imam (a.s.) said, ‘Do you see this (person)? This is of those about whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “However, We have decided to grant a favor to the suppressed ones by appointing them leaders and heirs of the land,” [28:5]:

لَمَّا حَضَرَتْ أَبِي ع الْوَفَاةُ قَالَ يَا جَعْفَرُ أُوصِيكَ بِأَصْحَابِي خَيْراً قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ اللَّهِ لَأَدَعَنَّهُمْ وَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْهُمْ يَكُونُ فِي الْمِصْرِ فَلَا يَسْأَلُ أَحَداً.

"When my father was about to leave this world he said, 'O Ja‘far, I recommend you to be good to my companions.' I then said, “May I be your ransom, by Allah, I will educate them as such that in any city where any of them would live he would not need to ask others for knowledge (of religion).”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الرَّجُلِ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ الْوَلَدُ يَعْرِفُ فِيهِ شِبْهَ خَلْقِهِ وَ خُلُقِهِ وَ شَمَائِلِهِ وَ إِنِّي لَأَعْرِفُ مِنِ ابْنِي هَذَا شِبْهَ خَلْقِي وَ خُلُقِي وَ شَمَائِلِي يَعْنِي أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع.

“It is part of the success of a man to have a child who is similar to his father physically, ethically and in good character. I do not know anyone more similar to me physically, ethically and in good character than this son of mine." (meaning thereby Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.))

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَأَقْبَلَ جَعْفَرٌ ع فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع هَذَا خَيْرُ الْبَرِيَّةِ أَوْ أَخْيَرُ.

“Once I was in the presence of Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) when Ja‘far (a.s.) came. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) said, “He (Ja‘far) is the best of the people or the best of best among them.”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَأَقْبَلَ جَعْفَرٌ ع فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع هَذَا خَيْرُ الْبَرِيَّةِ.

“Once I was in the presence of Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) when Ja‘far (a.s.) came. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) said, “This (Ja‘far ) is the best of the people.”

كُنْتُ قَاعِداً عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَأَقْبَلَ جَعْفَرٌ ع فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع هَذَا خَيْرُ الْبَرِيَّةِ.

“Once I was in the presence of abu Ja‘far (a.s.) that Ja‘far (a.s.) came. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) said, “This (Ja‘far) is the best of the people.”

سُئِلَ عَنِ الْقَائِمِ ع فَضَرَبَ بِيَدِهِ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ هَذَا وَ اللَّهِ قَائِمُ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص قَالَ عَنْبَسَةُ فَلَمَّا قُبِضَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ بِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ صَدَقَ جَابِرٌ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَرَوْنَ أَنْ لَيْسَ كُلُّ إِمَامٍ هُوَ الْقَائِمَ بَعْدَ الْإِمَامِ الَّذِي كَانَ قَبْلَهُ.

"A question was asked of Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about al-Qa’im (the twelfth Imam (a.s.). He (Abu Ja‘far) tapped (at the shoulder of) Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and said, 'This, by Allah, is the Qa’im (one who will establish the kingdom of Allah) of the family of Muhammad (s.w.).' ‘Anbasa has said, 'When Abu Ja‘far passed away, we

إِنَّ أَبِي ع اسْتَوْدَعَنِي مَا هُنَاكَ فَلَمَّا حَضَرَتْهُ الْوَفَاةُ قَالَ ادْعُ لِي شُهُوداً فَدَعَوْتُ لَهُ أَرْبَعَةً مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فِيهِمْ نَافِعٌ مَوْلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ اكْتُبْ هَذَا مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ يَعْقُوبُ بَنِيهِ‌ يا بَنِيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفى‌ لَكُمُ الدِّينَ فَلا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَ أَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ‌[1] وَ أَوْصَى مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ إِلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَمَر

“My father entrusted me with all that is there (the sacred objects inherited from the prophets such as directive wills etc.). When he was about to leave this world, he asked me to call for him a few people to bear testimony. I then called for him four people from Quraysh among them was Nafi‘ Mawla ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Umar.

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع خُذْ بِيَدِي مِنَ النَّارِ مَنْ لَنَا بَعْدَكَ فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ أَبُو إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ هُوَ يَوْمَئِذٍ غُلَامٌ فَقَالَ هَذَا صَاحِبُكُمْ فَتَمَسَّكْ بِهِ‌[3].

“This is your companion hold fast to him.”

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي رَزَقَ أَبَاكَ مِنْكَ هَذِهِ الْمَنْزِلَةَ أَنْ يَرْزُقَكَ مِنْ عَقِبِكَ قَبْلَ الْمَمَاتِ مِثْلَهَا فَقَالَ قَدْ فَعَلَ اللَّهُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ مَنْ هُوَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَأَشَارَ إِلَى الْعَبْدِ الصَّالِحِ‌[1] وَ هُوَ رَاقِدٌ فَقَالَ هَذَا الرَّاقِدُ وَ هُوَ غُلَامٌ.

who was asleep, saying this man who is asleep. He was a young boy.”

سَأَلْتُ عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ فِي السَّنَةِ الَّتِي أُخِذَ فِيهَا أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الْمَاضِي ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ قَدْ صَارَ فِي يَدِ هَذَا وَ مَا نَدْرِي‌[2] إِلَى مَا يَصِيرُ فَهَلْ بَلَغَكَ عَنْهُ فِي أَحَدٍ مِنْ وُلْدِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ لِي مَا ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّ أَحَداً يَسْأَلُنِي عَنْ هَذِهِ الْمَسْأَلَةِ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ فِي مَنْزِلِهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ فِي بَيْتٍ كَذَا فِي دَارِهِ

“Abu Ali al-Arjani al-Farisi narrated to me from ‘Abd al-Rahman al- Hajjaj in the year ( 179 AH /795 AD) in which former abu al-Hasan, Imam Musa (a.s.) was detained. I (Hajjaj) said to him (‘Abd al-Rahman), “This man (abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) has been detained in his (Mansur, current ruler) hands. We do not know how h

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَدَخَلَ أَبُو إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ هُوَ غُلَامٌ فَقَالَ اسْتَوْصِ بِهِ وَ ضَعْ أَمْرَهُ عِنْدَ مِنْ تَثِقُ بِهِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِكَ‌[4].

“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that abu Ibrahim came and was a young boy. He (abu ‘Abdallah ) said (to me), “Accept my directive will about him (Musa ibn Ja‘far) and discuss his task (Leadership with Divine Authority) with your reliable companions.” :

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي يَوْماً فَسَأَلَهُ عَلِيُّ بْنُ عُمَرَ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ فَقَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِلَى مَنْ نَفْزَعُ وَ يَفْزَعُ النَّاسُ بَعْدَكَ فَقَالَ إِلَى صَاحِبِ الثَّوْبَيْنِ الْأَصْفَرَيْنِ وَ الْغَدِيرَتَيْنِ يَعْنِي الذُّؤَابَتَيْنِ‌[5] وَ هُوَ الطَّالِعُ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ هَذَا الْبَابِ يَفْتَحُ الْبَابَيْنِ بِيَدِهِ جَمِيعاً فَمَا لَبِثْنَا أَنْ طَلَعَتْ عَلَيْنَا كَفَّانِ آخِذَةً بِالْبَابَيْنِ فَفَتَحَهُمَ

“One day I was in the presence of my father that Ali ibn ‘Umar ibn Ali asked him this question. “‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, “from who should we seek help and the people seek help and assistance after you (leave this world)?” He (The Imam (a.s.) said, you must seek refuge and guidance from the ma

قَالَ لَهُ مَنْصُورُ بْنُ حَازِمٍ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي إِنَّ الْأَنْفُسَ يُغْدَى عَلَيْهَا وَ يُرَاحُ فَإِذَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ فَمَنْ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ فَهُوَ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَ ضَرَبَ بِيَدِهِ عَلَى مَنْكِبِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع الْأَيْمَنِ فِي مَا أَعْلَمُ وَ هُوَ يَوْمَئِذٍ خُمَاسِيٌّ وَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ جَالِسٌ مَعَنَا.

“Mansur ibn Hazim said to him, ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, the (human) souls pass through mornings and evenings if that (death for you) comes then who (will be the Imam)?” Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) then said, “If that happens then he is your companion.” He tapped the right shoulder of abu al-Hassan wi

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنْ كَانَ كَوْنٌ وَ لَا أَرَانِي اللَّهُ ذَلِكَ فَبِمَنْ أَئْتَمُّ قَالَ فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَى ابْنِهِ مُوسَى ع قُلْتُ فَإِنْ حَدَثَ بِمُوسَى حَدَثٌ فَبِمَنْ أَئْتَمُّ قَالَ بِوَلَدِهِ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ حَدَثَ بِوَلَدِهِ حَدَثٌ وَ تَرَكَ أَخاً كَبِيراً وَ ابْناً صَغِيراً فَبِمَنْ أَئْتَمُّ قَالَ بِوَلَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَكَذَا أَبَداً قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَعْرِفْهُ وَ لَا أَعْرِفْ مَوْضِعَهُ قَالَ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمّ

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). “If something would happen (death of Imam), may Allah will not make me experience it, then who must I follow as my Imam?” The narrator has said that he pointed to his son Musa (a.s.). I then asked, “What if something will happen to Musa (a.s.) then who must I follow as my Imam?” The Ima

ذَكَرَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع وَ هُوَ يَوْمَئِذٍ غُلَامٌ فَقَالَ هَذَا الْمَوْلُودُ الَّذِي لَمْ يُولَدْ فِينَا مَوْلُودٌ أَعْظَمُ بَرَكَةً عَلَى شِيعَتِنَا مِنْهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي لَا تَجْفُوا إِسْمَاعِيلَ.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) spoke of abu al-Hassan (a.s.) and he was a young boy in those days. He said, “This is a child that no other child born to us has been of such a greater blessing to our followers than him.” The Imam (a.s.) then said to me, “Do not be harsh with Isma‘il.”

لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هُوَ صَاحِبُكَ الَّذِي سَأَلْتَ عَنْهُ فَقُمْ إِلَيْهِ فَأَقِرَّ لَهُ بِحَقِّهِ فَقُمْتُ حَتَّى قَبَّلْتُ رَأْسَهُ وَ يَدَهُ وَ دَعَوْتُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَمْ يُؤْذَنْ لَنَا فِي أَوَّلَ مِنْكَ‌[2] قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَأُخْبِرُ بِهِ أَحَداً فَقَالَ نَعَمْ أَهْلَكَ وَ وُلْدَكَ وَ كَانَ مَعِي أَهْلِي وَ وُلْدِي وَ رُفَقَائِي و

“He is your Master of who you asked. Stand up for him and acknowledge his rights.” I then stood up and kissed his head and hand and prayed to Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, for him.” Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) then said, “Keep in mind that permission is not given to us to speak about him to anyone before you.” The narr

كَانَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَلُومُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ وَ يُعَاتِبُهُ وَ يَعِظُهُ وَ يَقُولُ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِثْلَ أَخِيكَ فَوَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأَعْرِفُ النُّورَ فِي وَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ لِمَ أَ لَيْسَ أَبِي وَ أَبُوهُ وَاحِداً وَ أُمِّي وَ أُمُّهُ وَاحِدَةً[1] فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ مِنْ نَفْسِي وَ أَنْتَ ابْنِي.

10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Ja‘far ibn Bashir from Fudayl from Tahir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). He has said that abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) would blame ‘Abdallah, show him his anger and advise him saying, “What is the matter that you are not like your brother (Musa) By Allah, I observ

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ هُوَ وَاقِفٌ عَلَى رَأْسِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى وَ هُوَ فِي الْمَهْدِ فَجَعَلَ يُسَارُّهُ طَوِيلًا فَجَلَسْتُ حَتَّى فَرَغَ فَقُمْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لِي ادْنُ مِنْ مَوْلَاكَ فَسَلِّمْ فَدَنَوْتُ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَرَدَّ عَلَيَّ السَّلَامَ بِلِسَانٍ فَصِيحٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِيَ اذْهَبْ فَغَيِّرِ اسْمَ ابْنَتِكَ الَّتِي سَمَّيْتَهَا أَمْسِ فَإِنَّهُ اسْمٌ يُبْغِضُهُ اللَّهُ وَ

“Once I went to see abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who was standing by the cradle of abu al-Hassan. He began to speak secretly to him for a long time. I sat there until he was free. I then stood for him and he said to me, “Come close to your Mawla (master and Leader with Divine Authority).” I went close and said greetings. He an

دَعَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَوْماً وَ نَحْنُ عِنْدَهُ فَقَالَ لَنَا عَلَيْكُمْ بِهَذَا فَهُوَ وَ اللَّهِ صَاحِبُكُمْ بَعْدِي.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) one day called abu al-Hassan (a.s.) while we were in his presence and said to us, “You must take hold of this man. He, by Allah, will be your Master after me.”

بَعَثَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ الْمَنْصُورُ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ جَالِسٌ عَلَى كُرْسِيٍّ وَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ شَمْعَةٌ وَ فِي يَدِهِ كِتَابٌ قَالَ فَلَمَّا سَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ رَمَى بِالْكِتَابِ إِلَيَّ وَ هُوَ يَبْكِي فَقَالَ لِي هَذَا كِتَابُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ يُخْبِرُنَا أَنَّ جَعْفَرَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ قَدْ مَاتَ فَ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَ إِنَّا إِلَيْهِ راجِعُونَ‌ ثَلَاثاً و

“Abu Ja‘far, al-Mansur summoned me in the middle of the night and I went to see him. When met him he was sitting in a chair. Before him there was a candle and a letter in his hand. The narrator has said that I greeted him and he threw the letter to me while was weeping. He said, “This is a letter of Muhammad ibn Sulaym

بِنَحْوٍ مِنْ هَذَا إِلَّا أَنَّهُ ذَكَرَ أَنَّهُ أَوْصَى إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الْمَنْصُورِ وَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ وَ مُوسَى وَ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ وَ مَوْلًى لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌ ع قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ لَيْسَ إِلَى قَتْلِ هَؤُلَاءِ سَبِيلٌ.

“He left a will to abu Ja‘far, al-Mansur, ‘Abdallah , Musa, Muhammad ibn Ja‘far and Mawla of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). Abu Ja‘far then said, “There is no way to kill these people.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ صَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ صَاحِبَ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ لَا يَلْهُو وَ لَا يَلْعَبُ- وَ أَقْبَلَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى وَ هُوَ صَغِيرٌ وَ مَعَهُ عَنَاقٌ مَكِّيَّةٌ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ لَهَا اسْجُدِي لِرَبِّكِ فَأَخَذَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ ضَمَّهُ إِلَيْهِ وَ قَالَ بِأَبِي وَ أُمِّي مَنْ لَا يَلْهُو وَ لَا يَلْعَبُ.

15. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Ali ibn al-Hassan from Safwan al-Jammal who has said the following. “I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the in charge of this matter (Leadership with Divine Authority) nad he said. “ The in charge of the task does not trifle or play

إِنِّي لَعِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ أَقْبَلَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع وَ هُوَ غُلَامٌ فَالْتَزَمْتُهُ وَ قَبَّلْتُهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنْتُمُ السَّفِينَةُ وَ هَذَا مَلَّاحُهَا قَالَ فَحَجَجْتُ مِنْ قَابِلٍ وَ مَعِي أَلْفَا دِينَارٍ فَبَعَثْتُ بِأَلْفٍ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَلْفٍ إِلَيْهِ فَلَمَّا دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ يَا فَيْضُ عَدَلْتَهُ بِي قُلْتُ إِنَّمَا فَ

“Once when I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) came and he was a young boy. I held and kissed him. Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, “You are the ark and he is the captain.” The narrator has said that he wen to perform Hajj next year and I had two thousand Dinars. I sent one thousand t

كُنْتُ أَنَا وَ هِشَامُ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ وَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ يَقْطِينٍ بِبَغْدَادَ فَقَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ يَقْطِينٍ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ الْعَبْدِ الصَّالِحِ جَالِساً فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ ابْنُهُ عَلِيٌّ فَقَالَ لِي يَا عَلِيَّ بْنَ يَقْطِينٍ هَذَا عَلِيٌّ سَيِّدُ وُلْدِي أَمَا إِنِّي قَدْ نَحَلْتُهُ كُنْيَتِي فَضَرَبَ هِشَامُ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ بِرَاحَتِهِ جَبْهَتَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَيْحَكَ كَيْفَ قُلْتَ فَقَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ يَقْطِينٍ سَمِع

Ahmad ibn Mihran has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from al-Husayn ibn Nu‘aym al-Sahhaf who has said the following. “Once I was in the presence of the pious servant (of Allah).In al-Safwani manuscript it says, “I was then he relates the rest of the above hadith.”

إِنَّ ابْنِي عَلِيّاً أَكْبَرُ وُلْدِي وَ أَبَرُّهُمْ عِنْدِي وَ أَحَبُّهُمْ‌ إِلَيَّ وَ هُوَ يَنْظُرُ مَعِي فِي الْجَفْرِ وَ لَمْ يَنْظُرْ فِيهِ إِلَّا نَبِيٌّ أَوْ وَصِيُّ نَبِيٍّ.

“My son, Ali is the eldest of my sons and the most virtuous among them to me and the most beloved of them to me. He looks into the Jafr (a secret source of knowledge) with me. No one looks into it except a prophet or the executor of the will of a prophet.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي قَدْ كَبِرَ سِنِّي فَخُذْ بِيَدِي مِنَ النَّارِ قَالَ فَأَشَارَ إِلَى ابْنِهِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ هَذَا صَاحِبُكُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِي.

“I said to abu Ibrahim (a.s.), ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I have become old, take my hand out of fire.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) pointed to his son, abu al-Hassan (a.s.) and then said, “This is your guardian after me.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ع أَ لَا تَدُلُّنِي إِلَى مَنْ آخُذُ عَنْهُ دِينِي فَقَالَ هَذَا ابْنِي عَلِيٌّ إِنَّ أَبِي أَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَأَدْخَلَنِي إِلَى قَبْرِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ- إِنِّي جاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً[1] وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا قَالَ قَوْلًا وَفَى بِهِ.

“I said to Abu al-Hassan the 1st (a.s.) 'Would you guide me to a person from whom I could learn my religion?'” He (the Imam) said, “This is my son Ali. My father took my hand until we were at the grave of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) and said, “My son, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “. . I am appointi

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع إِنِّي قَدْ كَبِرَتْ سِنِّي وَ دَقَّ عَظْمِي وَ إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ أَبَاكَ ع فَأَخْبَرَنِي بِكَ فَأَخْبِرْنِي مَنْ بَعْدَكَ فَقَالَ هَذَا أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا.

“I said to abu al-Hassan aMusa (a.s.), ‘I have grown old and my bones are weakening. I asked your father (a.s.) and he informed me about you. Would you also inform me (about the Imam after you).” The Imam (a.s.) said, “This abu al-Hassan al-Rida.”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ عِنْدَهُ ابْنُهُ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ لِي يَا زِيَادُ هَذَا ابْنِي فُلَانٌ كِتَابُهُ كِتَابِي وَ كَلَامُهُ كَلَامِي وَ رَسُولُهُ رَسُولِي وَ مَا قَالَ فَالْقَوْلُ قَوْلُهُ.

6. Ahmad ibn Mihran has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from Ziyad ibn Marwan al-Qandi, from the Waqifa sect who has said the following. “Once I went to see abu Ibrahim at that time his son abu al-Hassan al-Rida was with him. The Imam (a.s.) said to me, “O Ziyad, this is my son so and so. His writing is my writing, his

بَعَثَ إِلَيْنَا أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع فَجَمَعَنَا ثُمَّ قَالَ لَنَا أَ تَدْرُونَ لِمَ دَعَوْتُكُمْ فَقُلْنَا لَا فَقَالَ اشْهَدُوا أَنَّ ابْنِي هَذَا وَصِيِّي وَ الْقَيِّمُ بِأَمْرِي وَ خَلِيفَتِي مِنْ بَعْدِي مَنْ كَانَ لَهُ عِنْدِي دَيْنٌ فَلْيَأْخُذْهُ مِنِ ابْنِي هَذَا وَ مَنْ كَانَتْ لَهُ عِنْدِي عِدَةٌ فَلْيُنْجِزْهَا مِنْهُ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ بُدٌّ مِنْ لِقَائِي فَلَا يَلْقَنِي إِلَّا بِكِتَابِهِ.

“Abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) once called all of us to see him. We all gathered and then he said to us, “Do you know why have I called you?” We said, “We do not know.” He then said, “Bear testimony that this my son is the executor of my will, the director of my affairs and the succeeding Imam (a.s.). Whoever has a loan du

خَرَجَتْ إِلَيْنَا أَلْوَاحٌ مِنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع وَ هُوَ فِي‌ الْحَبْسِ عَهْدِي إِلَى أَكْبَرِ وُلْدِي أَنْ يَفْعَلَ كَذَا وَ أَنْ يَفْعَلَ كَذَا وَ فُلَانٌ لَا تُنِلْهُ شَيْئاً حَتَّى أَلْقَاكَ أَوْ يَقْضِيَ اللَّهُ عَلَيَّ الْمَوْتَ.

“My instructions and directives to my eldest son to do so and so. As far so and so is concerned, do not give him anything until I will meet you or Allah will decree otherwise.”

خَرَجَ إِلَيْنَا مِنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع بِالْبَصْرَةِ أَلْوَاحٌ مَكْتُوبٌ فِيهَا بِالْعَرْضِ عَهْدِي إِلَى أَكْبَرِ وُلْدِي يُعْطَى فُلَانٌ كَذَا وَ فُلَانٌ كَذَا وَ فُلَانٌ كَذَا وَ فُلَانٌ لَا يُعْطَى حَتَّى أَجِي‌ءَ أَوْ يَقْضِيَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيَّ الْمَوْتَ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ ما يَشاءُ.

“In Basra (wherein the Imam (a.s.) was imprisoned) certain tablets came out to us from abu al-Hassan (a.s.) on which, it was written horizontally, ‘My instructions and directives to the my eldest son (Ali ibn Musa al-Rida (a.s.) who should give such and such to so and so. As far so and so is concerned do not give him a

كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ مِنَ الْحَبْسِ أَنَّ فُلَاناً ابْنِي سَيِّدُ وُلْدِي وَ قَدْ نَحَلْتُهُ كُنْيَتِي.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) wrote to me from prison that so and so my son is the master and guardian of my children and I have gifted my own (Kunya, Arabic) surname.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ يَحْدُثَ حَدَثٌ وَ لَا أَلْقَاكَ فَأَخْبِرْنِي مَنِ الْإِمَامُ بَعْدَكَ فَقَالَ ابْنِي فُلَانٌ يَعْنِي أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع.

“My son, so and so, meaning thereby abu al-Hassan (a.s.).”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ أَبَاكَ ع مَنِ الَّذِي يَكُونُ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ فَأَخْبَرَنِي أَنَّكَ أَنْتَ هُوَ فَلَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ذَهَبَ النَّاسُ يَمِيناً وَ شِمَالًا وَ قُلْتُ فِيكَ أَنَا وَ أَصْحَابِي فَأَخْبِرْنِي مَنِ الَّذِي يَكُونُ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ مِنْ وُلْدِكَ فَقَالَ ابْنِي فُلَانٌ.

12. Ahmad ibn Mihran has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from Sa‘id ibn abu al-Jahm from al-Nasr ibn Qabus who has said the following. “I said to abu Ibrahim (a.s.), ‘I asked your father, “Who will be (the Imam) after you? He informed me that you will be (the Imam after him). When abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) left this world pe

جِئْتُ إِلَى أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع بِمَالٍ فَأَخَذَ بَعْضَهُ وَ تَرَكَ بَعْضَهُ فَقُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ لِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ تَرَكْتَهُ عِنْدِي قَالَ إِنَّ صَاحِبَ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ يَطْلُبُهُ مِنْكَ فَلَمَّا جَاءَنَا نَعْيُهُ بَعَثَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع ابْنُهُ فَسَأَلَنِي ذَلِكَ الْمَالَ فَدَفَعْتُهُ إِلَيْهِ.

“Once I went to deliver some property to abu Ibrahim (a.s.). He accepted some of it and left the others. I asked him, “May Allah keep you well, why have you left it with me?” He said, “The in charge of this task (Leadership with Divine Authority) will demand it from you.” When we heard the news of his (abu Ibrahim’s) d

أَبُو الْحَكَمِ وَ أَخْبَرَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عُمَارَةَ الْجَرْمِيُّ عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ سَلِيطٍ قَالَ: لَقِيتُ أَبَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ نَحْنُ نُرِيدُ الْعُمْرَةَ فِي بَعْضِ الطَّرِيقِ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَلْ تُثْبِتُ هَذَا الْمَوْضِعَ الَّذِي نَحْنُ فِيهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَهَلْ تُثْبِتُهُ أَنْتَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ إِنِّي أَنَا وَ أَبِي لَقِينَاكَ هَاهُنَا وَ أَنْتَ مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ مَع

“The the Imam (a.s.) said, “O Yazid, when ever you will pass through this place and meet and you will soon meet himgive him the glad news of the birth of trust worthy son to him, a protected and holy one. He will inform you of your meeting with me. You then inform him that the girl from whom this boy will be born is a

لَمَّا أَوْصَى أَبُو إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع أَشْهَدَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْجَعْفَرِيَّ وَ إِسْحَاقَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْجَعْفَرِيَّ وَ إِسْحَاقَ بْنَ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ جَعْفَرَ بْنَ صَالِحٍ وَ مُعَاوِيَةَ الْجَعْفَرِيَّ وَ يَحْيَى بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ زَيْدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ وَ سَعْدَ بْنَ عِمْرَانَ الْأَنْصَارِيَّ وَ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ الْحَارِثِ الْأَنْصَارِيَّ وَ يَزِيدَ بْنَ سَلِيطٍ الْأَنْصَارِيَّ وَ مُحَمَّدَ

I ask them to witness and bear testimony that he testifies that there is no Lord except Allah Who is the only Lord Who has no partner and that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger. The coming of the Hour (of judgment ) after death is true. The warning is true and that all people will be held responsible for their

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَقْدَمَ الْعِرَاقَ بِسَنَةٍ وَ عَلِيٌّ ابْنُهُ جَالِسٌ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَنَظَرَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَمَا إِنَّهُ سَيَكُونُ فِي هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ حَرَكَةٌ فَلَا تَجْزَعْ لِذَلِكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ مَا يَكُونُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَدْ أَقْلَقَنِي مَا ذَكَرْتَ فَقَالَ أَصِيرُ إِلَى الطَّاغِيَةِ أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَا يَبْدَأُنِي مِنْهُ سُوءٌ وَ مِنَ الَّذِي يَك

“Once I went to see abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) one year before he would leave for Iraq. His son Ali (a.s.) was also in the meeting. He looked at me and said, “O Muhammad, during this year a movement will take place do not be disturbed in it.” The narrator has said that he then asked the Imam (a.s.), “‘May Allah take my

لَهُمُ الْقَوْا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ فَسَلِّمُوا عَلَيْهِ وَ أَحْدِثُوا بِهِ عَهْداً فَلَمَّا نَهَضَ الْقَوْمُ الْتَفَتَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ يَرْحَمُ اللَّهُ الْمُفَضَّلَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ لَيَقْنَعُ بِدُونِ هَذَا.

“When people readied themselves to leave the meeting the Imam (a.s.) said to them, “Meet abu Ja‘far (a.s.), (before you leave), offer to him greeting and renew your covenant with him.” When left, he (the Imam) said to me, “May Allah grant well-being to al-Mufaddal, he would have believed (in the succeeding Imam) withou