Contentment

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ صَدِيقُ كُلِّ امْرِئٍ عَقْلُهُ وَ عَدُوُّهُ جَهْلُهُ.

“The friend of every person is his intellect and his enemy is ignorance.”

كُنَّا عِنْدَ الرِّضَا ع‌ فَتَذَاكَرْنَا الْعَقْلَ وَ الْأَدَبَ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا هَاشِمٍ الْعَقْلُ حِبَاءٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ الْأَدَبُ كُلْفَةٌ فَمَنْ تَكَلَّفَ الْأَدَبَ قَدَرَ عَلَيْهِ وَ مَنْ تَكَلَّفَ الْعَقْلَ لَمْ يَزْدَدْ بِذَلِكَ إِلَّا جَهْلًا.

“We were in the presence of Imam al-Rida (a.s) that a discussion about intelligence took place and the Imam said, “O abu Hashim, intelligence is a present from Allah but discipline is a skill and burden. One who would pretend as a well disciplined one he would certainly establish full control in it. But to pretend as a

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيقاً يَطْلُبُ فِيهِ عِلْماً سَلَكَ اللَّهُ بِهِ‌[3] طَرِيقاً إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَ إِنَّ الْمَلَائِكَةَ لَتَضَعُ أَجْنِحَتَهَا لِطَالِبِ الْعِلْمِ رِضًا بِهِ‌[4] وَ إِنَّهُ يَسْتَغْفِرُ لِطَالِبِ الْعِلْمِ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ حَتَّى الْحُوتِ فِي الْبَحْرِ وَ فَضْلُ الْعَالِمِ عَلَى الْعَابِدِ كَفَضْلِ الْقَمَرِ عَلَى سَائِرِ النُّجُومِ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْرِ وَ

“The holy Prophet has said, ‘If one sets out on a journey to seek knowledge Allah will lead him to the way that would take him to paradise. The angels will stretch their wings for the pleasure of the seeker of knowledge and all that is in the heavens and earth even the whales in the oceans will ask forgiveness for him

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ يَا طَالِبَ الْعِلْمِ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ ذُو فَضَائِلَ كَثِيرَةٍ فَرَأْسُهُ التَّوَاضُعُ وَ عَيْنُهُ الْبَرَاءَةُ مِنَ الْحَسَدِ وَ أُذُنُهُ الْفَهْمُ وَ لِسَانُهُ الصِّدْقُ وَ حِفْظُهُ الْفَحْصُ وَ قَلْبُهُ حُسْنُ النِّيَّةِ وَ عَقْلُهُ مَعْرِفَةُ الْأَشْيَاءِ وَ الْأُمُورِ وَ يَدُهُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَ رِجْلُهُ زِيَارَةُ الْعُلَمَاءِ وَ هِمَّتُ

2. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Nuh ibn Shu‘ayb al-Naysaburi from ‘Ubaydallah ibn ‘Abdallah al-Dihqan from Durust ibn abu Mansur from ’Urwa cousin of Shu‘ayb al-’Aqarqi from Shu‘ayb from abu Basir who has said the following. “(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said that Imam Ali (a.

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع الرَّجُلُ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا يُعْطِينِي الْكِتَابَ وَ لَا يَقُولُ ارْوِهِ عَنِّي يَجُوزُ لِي أَنْ أَرْوِيَهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ إِذَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ الْكِتَابَ لَهُ فَارْوِهِ عَنْهُ.

“If you knew that the book is his then narrate it from him.”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع مِنْ وَرَاءِ نَهَرِ بَلْخٍ فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ فَإِنْ أَجَبْتَنِي فِيهَا بِمَا عِنْدِي قُلْتُ بِإِمَامَتِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع سَلْ عَمَّا شِئْتَ فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ رَبِّكَ مَتَى كَانَ وَ كَيْفَ كَانَ وَ عَلَى أَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ كَانَ اعْتِمَادُهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَيَّنَ الْأَيْنَ بِلَا أَيْنٍ وَ

A man from Ma Wara’ Nahr Balkh (Transoxania) came to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), and said, ‘I have a question for you. If your answer is the same as I already know, I will accept you as my Imam (leader with divine authority).’” Imam abul-Hassan (a.s.) replied, “Ask whatever you wish.” The man said, “Tell me when did

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ التَّوْحِيدِ فَقَالَ كُلُّ مَنْ قَرَأَ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ وَ آمَنَ بِهَا فَقَدْ عَرَفَ التَّوْحِيدَ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ يَقْرَأُهَا قَالَ كَمَا يَقْرَأُهَا النَّاسُ وَ زَادَ فِيهِ كَذَلِكَ اللَّهُ رَبِّي كَذَلِكَ اللَّهُ رَبِّي.

“I asked Imam Ali al-Rida (a.s.) about the Oneness of Allah.” He replied, “Whoever recites Chapter 112 of the holy Quran: In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful (Muhammad), say, “He is the only God (112:1). God is Absolute (112:2). He neither begets nor was He begotten (112:3). There is no one equal to Him

سَأَلَنِي‌ أَبُو قُرَّةَ الْمُحَدِّثُ أَنْ أُدْخِلَهُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُهُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَأَذِنَ لِي فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ فَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ الْحَلَالَ وَ الْحَرَامِ وَ الْأَحْكَامِ حَتَّى بَلَغَ سُؤَالُهُ إِلَى التَّوْحِيدِ فَقَالَ أَبُو قُرَّةَ إِنَّا رُوِّينَا أَنَّ اللَّهَ قَسَمَ الرُّؤْيَةَ وَ الْكَلَامَ بَيْنَ نَبِيَّيْنِ فَقَسَمَ الْكَلَامَ لِمُوسَى وَ لِمُحَمَّدٍ الرُّؤْيَةَ فَقَالَ أَبُ

Oneness of Allah (God). Abu Qurrah said, “We (the narrators of Hadith) narrate that Allah, the Almighty has divided His being seen al-Ru’yah and His al-kalam, speech between the two prophets. He gave Musa (Moses) the opportunity to hear His speech, and Muhammad (s.a.) the opportunity to see Him.” Imam abu al-Hassan (a.

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الرُّؤْيَةِ وَ مَا تَرْوِيهِ الْعَامَّةُ وَ الْخَاصَّةُ- وَ سَأَلْتُهُ أَنْ يَشْرَحَ لِي ذَلِكَ فَكَتَبَ بِخَطِّهِ اتَّفَقَ الْجَمِيعُ لَا تَمَانُعَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَنَّ الْمَعْرِفَةَ مِنْ جِهَةِ الرُّؤْيَةِ ضَرُورَةٌ فَإِذَا جَازَ أَنْ يُرَى اللَّهُ بِالْعَيْنِ وَقَعَتِ الْمَعْرِفَةُ ضَرُورَةً- ثُمَّ لَمْ تَخْلُ تِلْكَ الْمَعْرِفَةُ مِنْ أَنْ تَكُونَ إِيمَاناً أَ

“I wrote to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) and asked him about the belief in eye-witnessing Allah’s self. Is it is possible to see Allah’s self with one’s own eyes as is traditionally narrated in the affirmative by the Sunni Muslims (al-’ammah) and the Shi‘ah Muslims (al-khassah) who are contrary. I requested him to expl

جِئْتُ إِلَى الرِّضَا ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ التَّوْحِيدِ فَأَمْلَى عَلَيَّ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ فَاطِرِ الْأَشْيَاءِ إِنْشَاءً وَ مُبْتَدِعِهَا ابْتِدَاعاً بِقُدْرَتِهِ وَ حِكْمَتِهِ‌[1] لَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ فَيَبْطُلَ الِاخْتِرَاعُ وَ لَا لِعِلَّةٍ فَلَا يَصِحَّ الِابْتِدَاعُ خَلَقَ مَا شَاءَ كَيْفَ شَاءَ مُتَوَحِّداً بِذَلِكَ لِإِظْهَارِ حِكْمَتِهِ وَ حَقِيقَةِ رُبُوبِيَّتِهِ لَا تَضْبِطُهُ الْعُقُولُ وَ لَا تَبْلُغُهُ الْأَو

“I went to Imam al-Rida (a.s.) to ask about the Oneness of Allah (God). The Imam dictated to me thus, ‘All praise belongs to Allah, Who is the originator of all things. He is the inventor of all things, an invention that came from His power and wisdom but not from a thing so it would invalidate the invention and not fr

لَهُ فَلَهُ رِضًا وَ سَخَطٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع نَعَمْ وَ لَكِنْ لَيْسَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى مَا يُوجَدُ مِنَ الْمَخْلُوقِينَ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ الرِّضَا حَالٌ تَدْخُلُ عَلَيْهِ فَتَنْقُلُهُ‌[5] مِنْ حَالٍ إِلَى حَالٍ لِأَنَّ الْمَخْلُوقَ أَجْوَفُ مُعْتَمِلٌ‌[6] مُرَكَّبٌ لِلْأَشْيَاءِ فِيهِ مَدْخَلٌ وَ خَالِقُنَا لَا مَدْخَلَ لِلْأَشْيَاءِ فِيهِ لِأَنَّهُ وَاحِدٌ وَاحِدِيُّ الذَّاتِ وَاحِدِيُّ الْمَعْنَى فَرِضَاهُ ث

“Does Allah become pleased and displeased?” Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) replied, “Yes, but not like that which is found in His creatures. In His creatures the pleasure is a state (hal), which enters into him and changes him from one state to another. The creatures are hollow, active and compound with entrance in them. Nothing

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع هَلْ كَانَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَارِفاً بِنَفْسِهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ الْخَلْقَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ يَرَاهَا وَ يَسْمَعُهَا قَالَ مَا كَانَ مُحْتَاجاً إِلَى ذَلِكَ لِأَنَّهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ يَسْأَلُهَا وَ لَا يَطْلُبُ مِنْهَا هُوَ نَفْسُهُ وَ نَفْسُهُ هُوَ قُدْرَتُهُ نَافِذَةٌ فَلَيْسَ يَحْتَاجُ أَنْ يُسَمِّيَ نَفْسَهُ وَ لَكِنَّهُ اخْتَارَ لِنَفْسِهِ أَسْمَاءً لِغَيْرِهِ يَدْعُوه

“I asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), ‘Did Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, know Himself before He created the creation?’” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “Yes, He knew Himself.” I further asked, “Did He see and hear His Own Self?” The Imam replied, “Allah did not need such things because He did not ask or demand it. He is

- سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ‌ اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ‌ فَقَالَ هَادٍ لِأَهْلِ السَّمَاءِ وَ هَادٍ لِأَهْلِ الْأَرْضِ وَ فِي رِوَايَةِ الْبَرْقِيِّ هُدَى مَنْ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَ هُدَى مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ.

“I asked Imam al-Rida (a.s.), about the words of Allah, ‘Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth’” (24:35). The Imam replied, “Allah is the Guide for all that is in the heavens and the Guide for all that is on the earth.” According to another Hadith narrated by al-Barqi,(the Imam said), “Allah has guided everyo

سَأَلَنِي أَبُو قُرَّةَ الْمُحَدِّثُ أَنْ أُدْخِلَهُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُهُ فَأَذِنَ لِي فَدَخَلَ فَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ الْحَلَالِ وَ الْحَرَامِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ أَ فَتُقِرُّ أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَحْمُولٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع كُلُّ مَحْمُولٍ مَفْعُولٌ بِهِ مُضَافٌ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ مُحْتَاجٌ وَ الْمَحْمُولُ اسْمُ نَقْصٍ فِي اللَّفْظِ[3] وَ الْحَامِلُ فَاعِلٌ وَ هُوَ فِي اللَّفْظِ مِدْحَةٌ وَ كَذَلِك

2. Ahmad ibn Idris from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya who has said the following. “Abu Qurrah, the narrator of Hadith asked for help to meet Imam Ali abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.). I requested the Imam (a.s.) to meet him and he agreed. Abu Qurrah asked the Imam about the lawful and unlawful matters a

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَا يَأْسَفُ كَأَسَفِنَا وَ لَكِنَّهُ خَلَقَ أَوْلِيَاءَ لِنَفْسِهِ يَأْسَفُونَ وَ يَرْضَوْنَ وَ هُمْ مَخْلُوقُونَ مَرْبُوبُونَ فَجَعَلَ رِضَاهُمْ رِضَا نَفْسِهِ وَ سَخَطَهُمْ سَخَطَ نَفْسِهِ لِأَنَّهُ جَعَلَهُمُ الدُّعَاةَ إِلَيْهِ وَ الْأَدِلَّاءَ عَلَيْهِ فَلِذَلِكَ صَارُوا كَذَلِكَ وَ لَيْسَ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ يَصِلُ إِلَى اللَّهِ كَمَا يَصِلُ إِلَى خَلْقِهِ لَكِنْ هَذَا مَعْنَى مَا قَالَ م

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn Isma‘il ibn Bazi‘a from his uncle, Hamza ibn Bazi‘a from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah. “When they invoked Our anger, (43:54). We took revenge on them . .” (43:55). “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا بَعَثَ اللَّهُ نَبِيّاً قَطُّ إِلَّا بِتَحْرِيمِ الْخَمْرِ وَ أَنْ يُقِرَّ لِلَّهِ بِالْبَدَاءِ.

“I heard Imam al-Rida (a.s.) saying, “Allah never sent a prophet without the law that prohibits the use of wine and without belief in al-Bada.’”

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ بِمَشِيئَتِي كُنْتَ أَنْتَ الَّذِي تَشَاءُ لِنَفْسِكَ مَا تَشَاءُ وَ بِقُوَّتِي أَدَّيْتَ فَرَائِضِي وَ بِنِعْمَتِي قَوِيتَ عَلَى مَعْصِيَتِي جَعَلْتُكَ سَمِيعاً بَصِيراً قَوِيّاً ما أَصابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ اللَّهِ‌ وَ ما أَصابَكَ مِنْ سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِنْ نَفْسِكَ‌ وَ ذَاكَ أَنِّي أَوْلَى بِحَسَنَاتِكَ مِنْكَ وَ أَنْتَ أَوْلَى بِسَيِّئَاتِكَ مِنِّي وَ

“Allah said, ‘O son of Adam through My wish you came into existence and it is you who wish for yourself whatever you wish. Through My power you fulfill your obligations and through My bounties you receive strength to disobey Me. I made you to hear and see and be strong. Whatever good you receive is from Allah and whate

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَا يُونُسُ لَا تَقُلْ بِقَوْلِ الْقَدَرِيَّةِ فَإِنَّ الْقَدَرِيَّةَ لَمْ يَقُولُوا بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ لَا بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ وَ لَا بِقَوْلِ إِبْلِيسَ- فَإِنَّ أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ قَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي هَدانا لِهذا وَ ما كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِيَ لَوْ لا أَنْ هَدانَا اللَّهُ‌ وَ قَالَ أَهْلُ النَّارِ رَبَّنا غَلَبَتْ عَلَيْنا شِقْوَتُنا وَ كُنَّا قَوْماً ضال

“O Yunus do not say what pre-determinists say. The pre- determinists do not say what people of paradise say or what people of hell say or what Satan says. The people of paradise say, ‘. . . all praise is due to Allah for His guiding us. We could never have been guided without Allah’s guiding us.’ (7:43) The people of h

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع إِنَّ بَعْضَ أَصْحَابِنَا يَقُولُ بِالْجَبْرِ وَ بَعْضَهُمْ يَقُولُ‌ بِالاسْتِطَاعَةِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي اكْتُبْ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ بِمَشِيئَتِي كُنْتَ أَنْتَ الَّذِي تَشَاءُ وَ بِقُوَّتِي أَدَّيْتَ إِلَيَّ فَرَائِضِي وَ بِنِعْمَتِي قَوِيتَ عَلَى مَعْصِيَتِي جَعَلْتُكَ سَمِيعاً بَصِيراً م

“Once I asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), ‘Certain persons of our people believe in compulsion and others believe in people’s capabilities. The Imam said, ‘Write down, “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, (Imam) Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), has said that Allah, the Most Majestic has said, ‘O son of Adam,

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الِاسْتِطَاعَةِ فَقَالَ يَسْتَطِيعُ الْعَبْدُ بَعْدَ أَرْبَعِ خِصَالٍ أَنْ يَكُونَ مُخَلَّى السَّرْبِ صَحِيحَ الْجِسْمِ سَلِيمَ الْجَوَارِحِ- لَهُ سَبَبٌ‌ وَارِدٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ- قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَسِّرْ لِي هَذَا قَالَ أَنْ يَكُونَ الْعَبْدُ مُخَلَّى السَّرْبِ صَحِيحَ الْجِسْمِ سَلِيمَ الْجَوَارِحِ- يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَزْنِيَ فَلَا يَجِدُ امْرَأَةً ثُمَّ يَجِدُهَا فَإِم

“Once I asked Imam abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), about capability. The Imam said, ‘A servant (of Allah) has the capability if four things exist. That he is free and on his own, that he is physically well and of sound limbs and that for him there is reason and means from Allah.’ I asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in the s

سِتَّةُ أَشْيَاءَ لَيْسَ لِلْعِبَادِ فِيهَا صُنْعٌ الْمَعْرِفَةُ وَ الْجَهْلُ وَ الرِّضَا وَ الْغَضَبُ وَ النَّوْمُ وَ الْيَقَظَةُ.

“There are six things in which the people have no doing. They are knowing, ignorance, contentment, anger, sleeping and waking up.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَجَلُّ وَ أَكْرَمُ مِنْ أَنْ يُعْرَفَ بِخَلْقِهِ بَلِ الْخَلْقُ يُعْرَفُونَ بِاللَّهِ قَالَ صَدَقْتَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ مَنْ عَرَفَ أَنَّ لَهُ رَبّاً فَيَنْبَغِي لَهُ‌ أَنْ يَعْرِفَ أَنَّ لِذَلِكَ الرَّبِّ رِضًا وَ سَخَطاً وَ أَنَّهُ لَا يُعْرَفُ رِضَاهُ وَ سَخَطُهُ إِلَّا بِوَحْيٍ أَوْ رَسُولٍ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَأْتِهِ الْوَحْيُ فَقَدْ يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَطْلُبَ الرُّسُلَ فَإِذَ

“I said to Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Allah by far above Majestic and Gracious to be known through His creatures. In fact, the creatures are known through Allah.’” The Imam (a.s.) said, “You have spoken the truth.” I said, “One who knows that he has a Lord, he must also learn that his Lord agrees with certain things a

كَتَبَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الْعَبَّاسِ الْمَعْرُوفِيُّ إِلَى الرِّضَا ع- جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَخْبِرْنِي مَا الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَ الرَّسُولِ وَ النَّبِيِّ وَ الْإِمَامِ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ أَوْ قَالَ الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَ الرَّسُولِ وَ النَّبِيِّ وَ الْإِمَامِ أَنَّ الرَّسُولَ الَّذِي يُنْزَلُ عَلَيْهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ فَيَرَاهُ وَ يَسْمَعُ كَلَامَهُ وَ يُنْزَلُ عَلَيْهِ الْوَحْيُ وَ رُبَّمَا رَأَى فِي مَنَامِهِ نَحْوَ رُؤْيَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع و

The Imam said or wrote, “ The difference between the messengers, the prophets and the Imams is that a messenger is one to whom Jibril (Gabriel) comes. He sees Jibril and hears his speech and Jibril (the angel) brings him (Divine) revelation and sometimes he may see in his dream like the dream of Abraham (a.s.). A proph

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ إِنَّ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ: إِنَّ الْحُجَّةَ لَا تَقُومُ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ إِلَّا بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفَ.

"I heard al-Ridha (as) say: 'Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam who would teach people about Him.'"

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع هَلْ تَبْقَى الْأَرْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لَا قُلْتُ إِنَّا نُرَوَّى أَنَّهَا لَا تَبْقَى إِلَّا أَنْ يَسْخَطَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ قَالَ لَا تَبْقَى إِذاً لَسَاخَتْ.

“I asked al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), “I can the earth remain without Imam?” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “No, it will not remain so.” I said, “We narrate that it will not remain without the Imam unless Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, becomes angry with the people.” The Imam said, “In such condition it will not remain bu

ذِرْوَةُ الْأَمْرِ وَ سَنَامُهُ‌[4]- وَ مِفْتَاحُهُ وَ بَابُ الْأَشْيَاءِ وَ رِضَا الرَّحْمَنِ تَبَارَكَ‌ وَ تَعَالَى الطَّاعَةُ لِلْإِمَامِ بَعْدَ مَعْرِفَتِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطاعَ اللَّهَ وَ مَنْ تَوَلَّى‌ فَما أَرْسَلْناكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظاً[1].

“The top most matter (in religion) the most noble, the key issue, the gateway to all affairs and the pleasure of the Most Beneficent , the Most Holy, the Most High, is obedience to the Imam after finding out who the Imam is.” The Imam (a.s.) then said, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, ‘One who obeys the

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

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

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَجَلُّ وَ أَكْرَمُ مِنْ أَنْ يُعْرَفَ بِخَلْقِهِ بَلِ الْخَلْقُ يُعْرَفُونَ بِاللَّهِ قَالَ صَدَقْتَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ مَنْ عَرَفَ أَنَّ لَهُ رَبّاً فَقَدْ يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَعْرِفَ أَنَّ لِذَلِكَ الرَّبِّ رِضًا وَ سَخَطاً وَ أَنَّهُ لَا يُعْرَفُ رِضَاهُ وَ سَخَطُهُ إِلَّا بِوَحْيٍ أَوْ رَسُولٍ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَأْتِهِ الْوَحْيُ فَيَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَطْلُبَ الرُّسُلَ فَإِذَا

“I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Allah is the Most Holy, the Most High to be recognized through His creatures. In fact, it is the creature who are recognized through Allah.’” The Imam (a.s.) said you have is very true.” I then said, “One who knows that he has a creator he must also know that his creator becomes wit

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

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

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

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

سَأَلْتُ 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 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

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)

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 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

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْأَعْمَالَ تُعْرَضُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَبْرَارَهَا وَ فُجَّارَهَا.

"All the deeds are presented before the Messenger of Allah (sw), both good and bad."

أَنَّهُ كَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ الرِّضَا ع أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ مُحَمَّداً ص كَانَ أَمِينَ اللَّهِ فِي خَلْقِهِ فَلَمَّا قُبِضَ ص كُنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَرَثَتَهُ فَنَحْنُ أُمَنَاءُ اللَّهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ‌[1] عِنْدَنَا عِلْمُ الْبَلَايَا وَ الْمَنَايَا وَ أَنْسَابُ الْعَرَبِ‌[2] وَ مَوْلِدُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ إِنَّا لَنَعْرِفُ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا رَأَيْنَاهُ بِحَقِيقَةِ الْإِيمَانِ وَ حَقِيقَةِ النِّفَاقِ وَ إِنَّ شِيعَتَنَا لَمَك

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn al-Muhtadi from ‘Adallah ibn Jundab to who Imam al-Rida (a.s.) wrote the following. “Thereafter, (thanking Allah) Muhammad (s.a.) was the trustee of Allah for His creatures. When he was taken away from this world we, Ahl al-Bayt inherited him, thus,

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

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع إِذَا مَاتَ الْإِمَامُ بِمَ يُعْرَفُ الَّذِي بَعْدَهُ فَقَالَ لِلْإِمَامِ عَلَامَاتٌ مِنْهَا أَنْ يَكُونَ أَكْبَرَ وُلْدِ أَبِيهِ‌[2] وَ يَكُونَ فِيهِ الْفَضْلُ وَ الْوَصِيَّةُ وَ يَقْدَمَ الرَّكْبُ فَيَقُولَ إِلَى مَنْ أَوْصَى فُلَانٌ فَيُقَالَ إِلَى فُلَانٍ وَ السِّلَاحُ فِينَا بِمَنْزِلَةِ التَّابُوتِ فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ تَكُونُ الْإِمَامَةُ مَعَ السِّلَاحِ حَيْثُمَا كَانَ.

“When the Imam dies through what means one would know the succeeding Imam (a.s.)?” He said, “For the Imam there are certain signs. Of such sign one is that he must be the eldest son of his father. The will and excellence must be found in him and when people come to ask who is appointed the executor of the will in answe

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

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع وَ ذَكَرَ شَيْئاً فَقَالَ مَا حَاجَتُكُمْ إِلَى ذَلِكَ هَذَا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ قَدْ أَجْلَسْتُهُ مَجْلِسِي وَ صَيَّرْتُهُ مَكَانِي وَ قَالَ إِنَّا أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ يَتَوَارَثُ أَصَاغِرُنَا عَنْ أَكَابِرِنَا الْقُذَّةَ بِالْقُذَّةِ[1].

“I heard (abu al-Hassan) al-Rida who said something (leadership with Divine Authority) and then said, “I do not think you need what I just said. This is abu Ja‘far (a.s.). I have placed him in my own place to assume my position. We are of the family Ahl al-Bayt whose younger ones inherit from elder everything exactly m

كَتَبَ ابْنُ قِيَامَا إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع كِتَاباً يَقُولُ فِيهِ كَيْفَ تَكُونُ إِمَاماً وَ لَيْسَ لَكَ وَلَدٌ فَأَجَابَهُ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع شِبْهَ الْمُغْضَبِ وَ مَا عَلَّمَكَ أَنَّهُ لَا يَكُونُ لِي وَلَدٌ وَ اللَّهِ لَا تَمْضِي الْأَيَّامُ وَ اللَّيَالِي حَتَّى يَرْزُقَنِيَ اللَّهُ وَلَداً ذَكَراً يَفْرُقُ بِهِ بَيْنَ الْحَقِّ وَ الْبَاطِلِ.

“Ibn Qiyaman wrote a letter to abu al-Hassan (a.s.) in which he had said the following. ‘How can you be an Imam when you do not have a son?” Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) replied him with signs of anger, “How do you know that I will not have a son? By Allah, not many days and nights will pass before Allah will grant me

قَالَ لِيَ ابْنُ النَّجَاشِيِّ مَنِ الْإِمَامُ بَعْدَ صَاحِبِكَ فَأَشْتَهِي أَنْ تَسْأَلَهُ حَتَّى أَعْلَمَ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى الرِّضَا ع فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي الْإِمَامُ ابْنِي ثُمَّ قَالَ هَلْ يَتَجَرَّأُ أَحَدٌ أَنْ يَقُولَ ابْنِي وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ.

“Al-Najashi once asked me, “Who will be the Imam after your master? I wish you ask him so I will know.” I then went to see Ali al-Rida (a.s.) and informed him (of al-Najashi’s wish).” The narrator has said that the Imam said, “The Imam will be my son.” Then he said, “Can any one say that my son will be the Imam when he

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَجِي‌ءَ بِابْنِهِ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ هُوَ صَغِيرٌ فَقَالَ هَذَا الْمَوْلُودُ الَّذِي لَمْ يُولَدْ مَوْلُودٌ أَعْظَمُ بَرَكَةً عَلَى شِيعَتِنَا مِنْهُ.

“Once I was in of abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) Someone brought his son, Ja’far (a.s.) to him and he was a small (child). The Imams (a.s.) said, “This new born is one the like of whom with such great holiness and blessing has not been born for our Shi‘a (followers).”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ جَالِساً بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَ كُنْتُ أَقَمْتُ عِنْدَهُ سَنَتَيْنِ أَكْتُبُ عَنْهُ مَا يَسْمَعُ مِنْ أَخِيهِ يَعْنِي أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الرِّضَا ع الْمَسْجِدَ- مَسْجِدَ الرَّسُولِ ص فَوَثَبَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ بِلَا حِذَاءٍ وَ لَا رِدَاءٍ فَقَبَّلَ يَدَهُ وَ عَظَّمَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا عَمِّ اجْ

“Once I was in a meeting with Ali ibn Ja‘far ibn Muhammad in Medina, - I stayed with him for two years to write from him what he would hear from his brother, Abu al-Hassan (a.s.),- at such time Abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) came in the mosque, the mosque of the Messenger of Allah. Ali ibn Ja‘far rushed tow

سَمِعْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ يُحَدِّثُ الْحَسَنَ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ فَقَالَ: وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ نَصَرَ اللَّهُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحَسَنُ إِي وَ اللَّهِ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَقَدْ بَغَى عَلَيْهِ إِخْوَتُهُ فَقَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ إِي وَ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ عُمُومَتُهُ بَغَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحَسَنُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَيْفَ صَنَعْتُمْ فَإِنِّي لَمْ أَحْضُر

“By Allah, Allah has supported abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.).” Al-Hassan then said, “Yes, by Allah, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, his brothers have rebelled against him.” Ali ibn Ja‘far then said, “Yes, by Allah, and we, his uncles, rebelled against him.” Al-Hassan said to him, “May Allah take my sou

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ وَ سُئِلَ عَنِ الْقَائِمِ فَقَالَ لَا يُرَى جِسْمُهُ وَ لَا يُسَمَّى اسْمُهُ.

‘He will not be seen physically nor his very name will particularly be mentioned.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع إِنِّي أَرْجُو أَنْ تَكُونَ صَاحِبَ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ وَ أَنْ يَسُوقَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ بِغَيْرِ سَيْفٍ فَقَدْ بُويِعَ لَكَ وَ ضُرِبَتِ الدَّرَاهِمُ بِاسْمِكَ فَقَالَ مَا مِنَّا أَحَدٌ اخْتَلَفَتْ إِلَيْهِ الْكُتُبُ وَ أُشِيرَ إِلَيْهِ بِالْأَصَابِعِ وَ سُئِلَ عَنِ الْمَسَائِلِ وَ حُمِلَتْ إِلَيْهِ الْأَمْوَالُ إِلَّا اغْتِيلَ‌[2] أَوْ مَاتَ عَلَى فِرَاشِهِ حَتَّى يَبْعَثَ اللَّهُ ل

The Imam (a.s.) said, “There has been no one from us with whom letters had been exchanged, being pointed out with the gesture of fingers, questions asked and properties delivered to him but that he was murdered or died in his bed. (It will be as such) until Allah will raise for this task (Leadership with Divine Authori

لَهُمْ يَا بَيَّاعِي مُسُوخِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَ جُنْدِ بَنِي مَرْوَانَ فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ فُرَاتُ بْنُ أَحْنَفَ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ مَا جُنْدُ بَنِي مَرْوَانَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَقْوَامٌ حَلَقُوا اللِّحَى وَ فَتَلُوا الشَّوَارِبَ فَمُسِخُوا فَلَمْ أَرَ نَاطِقاً أَحْسَنَ نُطْقاً مِنْهُ ثُمَّ اتَّبَعْتُهُ فَلَمْ أَزَلْ أَقْفُو أَثَرَهُ حَتَّى قَعَدَ فِي رَحَبَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَمِيرَ

“I saw Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) in the (market) place of the Shurtat al-Khamis with a two pronged whip in his had. With it he would scare the sellers of inedible fish such as eel, moray and angler etc., and say, “O sellers of metamorphosed Israelites and the army of the descendants of Marwan, do not sell (inedible fishe

سَمِعْتُ يَحْيَى بْنَ أَكْثَمَ قَاضِيَ سَامَرَّاءَ بَعْدَ مَا جَهَدْتُ بِهِ وَ نَاظَرْتُهُ وَ حَاوَرْتُهُ وَ وَاصَلْتُهُ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ عُلُومِ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ فَقَالَ: بَيْنَا أَنَا ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ دَخَلْتُ أَطُوفُ بِقَبْرِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَرَأَيْتُ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ الرِّضَا ع يَطُوفُ بِهِ فَنَاظَرْتُهُ فِي مَسَائِلَ عِنْدِي فَأَخْرَجَهَا إِلَيَّ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ مَسْأَ

It happened only after serious debates, conversations, maintaining good relations and asking him about the knowledge of the members of the family of Muhammad (s.a). He said, “Once when was walking around the grave of the Messenger of Allah I saw Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) also walk around the grave of the Messenge