Justice

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى بَشَّرَ أَهْلَ الْعَقْلِ وَ الْفَهْمِ فِي كِتَابِهِ فَقَالَ‌ فَبَشِّرْ عِبادِ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ‌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ‌ أُولئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَداهُمُ اللَّهُ‌ وَ أُولئِكَ هُمْ أُولُوا الْأَلْبابِ‌[3] يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَكْمَلَ لِلنَّاسِ الْحُجَجَ بِالْعُقُولِ وَ نَصَرَ النّ

“Abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja’far, recipient of divine supreme covenant, said to me the following, ‘O Hisham, Allah has given good news to the people of reason (intelligence) and understanding in His book in the following words, “Give the good news to those of My servants who hear certain words but follow only the good wo

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عِنْدَهُ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ مَوَالِيهِ فَجَرَى ذِكْرُ الْعَقْلِ وَ الْجَهْلِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع اعْرِفُوا الْعَقْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ وَ الْجَهْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ تَهْتَدُوا قَالَ سَمَاعَةُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَا نَعْرِفُ إِلَّا مَا عَرَّفْتَنَا فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْعَقْلَ وَ هُوَ أَوَّلُ خَلْقٍ مِنَ الرُّوحَانِيِّينَ‌[1] عَ

“Once with a gathering of his followers I was in the presence of Imam abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant. A discussion on Intelligence and Ignorance began to emerge among them. Thereupon, Imam abu ‘Abd Allah said, ‘First, you must recognize Intelligence and its army as well as Ignorance and its army,

لَوْ يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مَا فِي طَلَبِ الْعِلْمِ لَطَلَبُوهُ وَ لَوْ بِسَفْكِ الْمُهَجِ‌[3] وَ خَوْضِ اللُّجَجِ‌[4] إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَوْحَى إِلَى دَانِيَالَ أَنَّ أَمْقَتَ عَبِيدِي إِلَيَّ الْجَاهِلُ الْمُسْتَخِفُّ بِحَقِّ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ التَّارِكُ لِلِاقْتِدَاءِ بِهِمْ وَ أَنَّ أَحَبَّ عَبِيدِي إِلَيَّ التَّقِيُّ الطَّالِبُ لِلثَّوَابِ الْجَزِيلِ اللَّازِمُ لِلْعُلَمَاءِ التَّابِعُ لِلْحُلَمَاءِ

"If people knew the value of seeking knowledge, they would pursue it even at the cost of shedding their own blood and crossing deep waters. Indeed, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, revealed to Daniel: 'The most despised of My servants to Me is the ignorant one who belittles the rights of the scholars and neglects follow

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ يَا طَالِبَ الْعِلْمِ إِنَّ لِلْعَالِمِ ثَلَاثَ عَلَامَاتٍ الْعِلْمَ وَ الْحِلْمَ وَ الصَّمْتَ وَ لِلْمُتَكَلِّفِ ثَلَاثَ عَلَامَاتٍ يُنَازِعُ مَنْ فَوْقَهُ بِالْمَعْصِيَةِ وَ يَظْلِمُ مَنْ دُونَهُ بِالْغَلَبَةِ وَ يُظَاهِرُ[2] الظَّلَمَةَ.

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ali ibn Ma‘bad from the person whom he mentioned from Mu‘awiya ibn Wahab from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Imam Ali (a.s.), would often say, ‘O seekers of knowledge, (note that) a scholar has three signs: Knowledge, forbearance and quietness. An

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ مِنْ حَقِّ الْعَالِمِ أَنْ لَا تُكْثِرَ عَلَيْهِ السُّؤَالَ وَ لَا تَأْخُذَ بِثَوْبِهِ وَ إِذَا دَخَلْتَ عَلَيْهِ وَ عِنْدَهُ قَوْمٌ فَسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِمْ جَمِيعاً وَ خُصَّهُ بِالتَّحِيَّةِ دُونَهُمْ وَ اجْلِسْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَ لَا تَجْلِسْ خَلْفَهُ وَ لَا تَغْمِزْ بِعَيْنِكَ وَ لَا تُشِرْ بِيَدِكَ‌[3] وَ لَا تُكْثِرْ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ قَالَ فُلَانٌ وَ قَالَ فُلَانٌ خِلَافا

"Among the rights of a scholar is that one must not overburden him with many questions nor should one pull on his garment (question excessively). When one would enter in his presence while other people are there one should offer general salutation to all of them and a special greeting directed towards the scholar only.

قَامَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ع خَطِيباً فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ فَقَالَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَا تُحَدِّثُوا الْجُهَّالَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ فَتَظْلِمُوهَا وَ لَا تَمْنَعُوهَا أَهْلَهَا فَتَظْلِمُوهُمْ.

“Jesus, son of Mary (a.s.) once stood up to speak to the Israelites saying, ‘O Israelites, do not speak the words of wisdom to the ignorant people because you will be doing injustice to them (words of wisdom). Do not keep them (words of wisdom) from those who deserve lest you will do injustice to them (deserving people

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع مَا حَقُّ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ قَالَ أَنْ يَقُولُوا مَا يَعْلَمُونَ وَ يَقِفُوا عِنْدَ مَا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ.

“I asked Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) this, ‘What are the rights of Allah on people?’” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “They must say what they know and abstain from saying anything that they have no knowledge of.’”

هُمْ قَوْمٌ وَصَفُوا عَدْلًا بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ‌[3] ثُمَّ خَالَفُوهُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ.

“Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said about the words of Allah in the holy Quran, ‘The idol worshippers, the idols, the rebellious ones, (26:94) and the army of Satan will all be thrown headlong into hell. (26:95)’ They are the people who speak about justice a great deal but in their own practice they would disregard it alt

لَهُ كُفَّ وَ اسْكُتْ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَا يَسَعُكُمْ فِيمَا يَنْزِلُ بِكُمْ مِمَّا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ إِلَّا الْكَفُّ عَنْهُ وَ التَّثَبُّتُ وَ الرَّدُّ إِلَى أَئِمَّةِ الْهُدَى حَتَّى يَحْمِلُوكُمْ فِيهِ عَلَى الْقَصْدِ وَ يَجْلُوا عَنْكُمْ فِيهِ الْعَمَى وَ يُعَرِّفُوكُمْ فِيهِ الْحَقَّ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى‌ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌[3].

“(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, ‘In the case of what may come to you and you have no knowledge of its veracity you can do nothing but to hold and verify and refer it to the Imams of guidance so that he would show the way of justice in it and enlighten you in the darkness and introduce to you the truth. Allah, the Mo

إِنَّ مِنْ أَبْغَضِ الْخَلْقِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَرَجُلَيْنِ رَجُلٌ وَكَلَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ فَهُوَ جَائِرٌ عَنْ قَصْدِ السَّبِيلِ مَشْعُوفٌ‌[1] بِكَلَامِ بِدْعَةٍ قَدْ لَهِجَ بِالصَّوْمِ وَ الصَّلَاةِ فَهُوَ فِتْنَةٌ لِمَنِ افْتَتَنَ بِهِ ضَالٌّ عَنْ هَدْيِ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَهُ‌[2] مُضِلٌّ لِمَنِ اقْتَدَى بِهِ فِي حَيَاتِهِ وَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ حَمَّالٌ خَطَايَا غَيْرِهِ رَهْنٌ بِخَطِيئَتِهِ وَ رَجُلٌ

“Of the most intensely disliked men before Allah, the Majestic, the Most Glorious, are two kinds of people: A man whom Allah has left all to his own soul and he deviates from the path of justice and is intensely attracted towards the words innovation. He seems a master in performing prayer and fasting but is a mischief

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِذَا حَدَّثْتُكُمْ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فَاسْأَلُونِي مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ فِي بَعْضِ حَدِيثِهِ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص نَهَى عَنِ الْقِيلِ وَ الْقَالِ وَ فَسَادِ الْمَالِ وَ كَثْرَةِ السُّؤَالِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أَيْنَ هَذَا مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- لا خَيْرَ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِنْ نَجْواهُمْ إِلَّا مَنْ أَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَوْ مَعْرُوفٍ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘When you speak of anything ask me for its law in the book of Allah. He also has said in his Hadith, ‘The holy Prophet prohibited much squabbling and brawling, spoiling of property and much questionings.’” A person then asked, “O descendent of the holy Prophet, where is this in the holy Qur

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ اعْرِفُوا اللَّهَ بِاللَّهِ وَ الرَّسُولَ بِالرِّسَالَةِ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ بِالْأَمْرِ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ الْعَدْلِ وَ الْإِحْسَانِ. وَ مَعْنَى قَوْلِهِ ع اعْرِفُوا اللَّهَ بِاللَّهِ‌[2] يَعْنِي أَنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ الْأَشْخَاصَ وَ الْأَنْوَارَ وَ الْجَوَاهِرَ وَ الْأَعْيَانَ فَالْأَعْيَانُ الْأَبْدَانُ وَ الْجَوَاهِرُ الْأَرْوَاحُ وَ هُوَ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ لَا يُشْبِهُ جِسْماً وَ لَا رُ

1. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from the people he mentioned from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Humran from al- Fadl ibn al-Sakan from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has narrated the following. “Imam Ali (a.s.) has said, ‘Recognize Allah by Allah’s Own-Self, recognize the Messenger through his message a

سُبْحَانَكَ مَا عَرَفُوكَ وَ لَا وَحَّدُوكَ فَمِنْ أَجْلِ ذَلِكَ وَصَفُوكَ سُبْحَانَكَ لَوْ عَرَفُوكَ لَوَصَفُوكَ بِمَا وَصَفْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ سُبْحَانَكَ كَيْفَ طَاوَعَتْهُمْ أَنْفُسُهُمْ أَنْ يُشَبِّهُوكَ بِغَيْرِكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَا أَصِفُكَ إِلَّا بِمَا وَصَفْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ وَ لَا أُشَبِّهُكَ بِخَلْقِكَ أَنْتَ أَهْلٌ لِكُلِّ خَيْرٍ فَلَا تَجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ إِلَيْنَا فَقَالَ مَ

3. Muhammad ibn abu ‘Abdallah has narrated from Muhammad ibn Isma‘il from al-Husayn ibn al-Hassan from Bakr ibn Salih from al-Hassan ibn Sa‘id from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Khazzaz and Muhammad ibn al-Husayn they both have said the following. “We met Imam abu abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) and stated to him that Prophet M

الْمَشِيئَةُ مُحْدَثَةٌ. جُمْلَةُ الْقَوْلِ فِي صِفَاتِ الذَّاتِ وَ صِفَاتِ الْفِعْلِ‌ يقدر أن يعلم. و الحاصل أن القدرة صفة ذاتية تتعلق بالممكنات لا غير فلا تتعلق بالواجب و لا بالممتنع فكل ما هو صفة الذات فهو أزليّ غير مقدور و كل ما هو صفة الفعل فهو ممكن مقدور و بهذا يعرف الفرق بين الصفتين و قوله:« و لا يقدر أن لا يعلم» الظاهر أن« لا» لتأكيد النفي السابق أي لا يجوز أن يقال: يقدر أن لا يعلم و يمكن أن يكون من مقول القو

7. A group of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ibn ’Udhaynah from Muhammad ibn Muslim from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said, “The will is created.” Summery Statements on the Attributes of His self Sifat al-Dhat and the Attributes of His Actions Sifat a

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع اسْتَنْهَضَ النَّاسَ فِي حَرْبِ مُعَاوِيَةَ فِي الْمَرَّةِ الثَّانِيَةِ فَلَمَّا حَشَدَ النَّاسُ‌[1] قَامَ خَطِيباً فَقَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الْوَاحِدِ الْأَحَدِ الصَّمَدِ الْمُتَفَرِّدِ الَّذِي‌[2] لَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ كَانَ وَ لَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ خَلَقَ مَا كَانَ قُدْرَةٌ[3] بَانَ بِهَا مِنَ الْأَشْيَاءِ وَ بَانَتِ الْأَشْيَاءُ مِنْهُ فَلَيْسَتْ لَهُ صِفَةٌ تُنَالُ وَ لَا حَدٌّ تُضْرَبُ لَه

1. Muhammad ibn abu ‘Abdallah and Muhammad ibn Yahya - both in a marfu‘ manner- have narrated from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Imam Amirul Mu’minin mobilized people against Mu’awiya for the second time and when people came in multitudes he stood up to give a speeCh ‘All praise is due to Allah

سَأَلْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ اللَّهُ فَوَّضَ الْأَمْرَ إِلَى الْعِبَادِ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَعَزُّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ فَجَبَرَهُمْ عَلَى الْمَعَاصِي قَالَ اللَّهُ أَعْدَلُ وَ أَحْكَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ قَالَ اللَّهُ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ أَنَا أَوْلَى بِحَسَنَاتِكَ مِنْكَ وَ أَنْتَ أَوْلَى بِسَيِّئَاتِكَ مِنِّي- عَمِلْتَ الْمَعَاصِيَ بِقُوَّتِيَ الَّتِي جَعَلْتُهَا فِيكَ.

“Once I asked the Imam (a.s.), ‘Has Allah left all the matters to people?’ The Imam said, ‘Allah, Most Exalted, is by far above and beyond such things.’ I then asked, ‘Has He compelled them to commit sins?’ The Imam said, ‘Allah’s justice and His judgment are far above and beyond such things.’ The Imam further said, ‘A

إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَجَلُّ وَ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ أَنْ يَتْرُكَ الْأَرْضَ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ عَادِلٍ.

“Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, is far greater and above leaving the earth without an Imam of justice.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ مَعْرِفَةِ الْإِمَامِ مِنْكُمْ وَاجِبَةٌ عَلَى‌ جَمِيعِ الْخَلْقِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً ص إِلَى النَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ رَسُولًا وَ حُجَّةً لِلَّهِ عَلَى جَمِيعِ خَلْقِهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ فَمَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَ بِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَ اتَّبَعَهُ وَ صَدَّقَهُ فَإِنَّ مَعْرِفَةَ الْإِمَامِ مِنَّا وَاجِبَةٌ عَلَيْهِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يُؤْمِنْ بِال

“I said to abu Ja’far (a.s.), ‘Is knowing the Imam from among you obligatory on all creatures?’” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, sent Muhammad to all people as His Messenger and as His authority over all creatures on earth. Those who have faith in Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger and

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ كُلُّ مَنْ دَانَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِعِبَادَةٍ يُجْهِدُ فِيهَا نَفْسَهُ وَ لَا إِمَامَ لَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ فَسَعْيُهُ غَيْرُ مَقْبُولٍ وَ هُوَ ضَالٌّ مُتَحَيِّرٌ وَ اللَّهُ شَانِئٌ‌[2] لِأَعْمَالِهِ وَ مَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ شَاةٍ ضَلَّتْ عَنْ رَاعِيهَا وَ قَطِيعِهَا فَهَجَمَتْ‌[3] ذَاهِبَةً وَ جَائِيَةً يَوْمَهَا فَلَمَّا جَنَّهَا[4] اللَّيْلُ بَصُرَتْ بِقَطِيعِ غَنَمٍ مَعَ رَاعِيهَا

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever would worship Allah in the expectation for reward and work hard but without having an Imam for himself his efforts would not be received acceptance. Such person is last and straying and Allah would dislike his deeds. The example of such person is like that of a lost sheep who

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ جَاءَ ابْنُ الْكَوَّاءِ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ- وَ عَلَى الْأَعْرافِ رِجالٌ‌ يَعْرِفُونَ كُلًّا بِسِيماهُمْ‌ فَقَالَ نَحْنُ عَلَى الْأَعْرَافِ نَعْرِفُ أَنْصَارَنَا بِسِيمَاهُمْ وَ نَحْنُ الْأَعْرَافُ الَّذِي لَا يُعْرَفُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَّا بِسَبِيلِ مَعْرِفَتِنَا وَ نَحْنُ الْأَعْرَافُ يُعَرِّفُنَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ-

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, ‘Ibn al-Kawwa came to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and asked, “O Amir al-Mu’minin,(what do you say about; “There will be people on the Heights who know everyone by their faces . .” (7:46). The Imam said, “we will be on the Heights. We will recognize our supporters from their faces. We a

فَضْلُ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌[1] مَا جَاءَ بِهِ آخُذُ بِهِ وَ مَا نَهَى عَنْهُ أَنْتَهِي عَنْهُ جَرَى لَهُ مِنَ الطَّاعَةِ بَعْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مَا لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ الْفَضْلُ لِمُحَمَّدٍ ص الْمُتَقَدِّمُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ كَالْمُتَقَدِّمِ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ وَ الْمُتَفَضِّلُ عَلَيْهِ كَالْمُتَفَضِّلِ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ الرَّادُّ عَلَيْهِ فِي صَغِيرَةٍ أَوْ كَبِيرَةٍ عَلَى حَدِّ الشّ

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya and Ahmad ibn Muhammad both have narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from Ali ibn Hassa’n who has said that abu ‘Abdallah al-Riyahi narrated to him from abu al-Samit al-Hulwani from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the virtue of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) the following Hadith. “Whatever Imam Ali (a.s.) h

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ وَصِيٍّ كَانَ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْأَرْضِ- هِبَةُ اللَّهِ بْنُ آدَمَ وَ مَا مِنْ نَبِيٍّ مَضَى إِلَّا وَ لَهُ وَصِيٌّ وَ كَانَ جَمِيعُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ مِائَةَ أَلْفِ نَبِيٍّ وَ عِشْرِينَ أَلْفَ نَبِيٍّ مِنْهُمْ خَمْسَةٌ أُولُو الْعَزْمِ- نُوحٌ وَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ وَ مُوسَى وَ عِيسَى وَ مُحَمَّدٌ ع وَ إِنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ كَانَ هِبَةَ اللَّهِ لِمُحَمَّدٍ وَ وَرِثَ عِلْمَ الْأَو

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Kathir from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The first successor and executor of the will on earth was Hibbatullah, the son of Adam. No prophet has ever left this worl

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 ‘

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,

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

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

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

الرَّسُولُ لِأَبِي إِنَّ مَوْلَاكَ يَقْرَأُ عَلَيْكَ السَّلَامَ وَ يَقُولُ لَكَ إِنِّي مَاضٍ وَ الْأَمْرُ صَائِرٌ إِلَى ابْنِي عَلِيٍّ وَ لَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ بَعْدِي مَا كَانَ لِي عَلَيْكُمْ بَعْدَ أَبِي ثُمَّ مَضَى الرَّسُولُ وَ رَجَعَ أَحْمَدُ إِلَى مَوْضِعِهِ وَ قَالَ لِأَبِي مَا الَّذِي قَدْ قَالَ لَكَ قَالَ خَيْراً قَالَ قَدْ سَمِعْتُ مَا قَالَ فَلِمَ تَكْتُمُهُ وَ أَعَادَ مَا سَمِعَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبِي قَدْ حَرَّمَ

“My father was to watch the door of the house of abu Ja‘far (a.s.) to serve the task for which he was assigned. Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa would come every day at dawn for information about the health of abu Ja‘far (a.s.). There was a messenger that would come and go between abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and my father. When he (t

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَيُّمَا أَفْضَلُ الْعِبَادَةُ فِي السِّرِّ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ مِنْكُمُ الْمُسْتَتِرِ فِي دَوْلَةِ الْبَاطِلِ أَوِ الْعِبَادَةُ فِي ظُهُورِ الْحَقِّ وَ دَوْلَتِهِ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ مِنْكُمُ الظَّاهِرِ فَقَالَ يَا عَمَّارُ الصَّدَقَةُ فِي السِّرِّ وَ اللَّهِ أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الصَّدَقَةِ فِي الْعَلَانِيَةِ وَ كَذَلِكَ وَ اللَّهِ عِبَادَتُكُمْ فِي السِّرِّ مَعَ إِمَامِكُمُ‌ الْمُسْتَتِرِ فِي دَوْ

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari has narrated from from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Mirdas from Safwan ibn Yahya and al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Salim from ‘Ammar al-Sabati who has said the following. “Once I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Is the worship in secrecy with an Imam from you under the gover

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ لِلْغُلَامِ غَيْبَةً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُومَ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ لِمَ قَالَ يَخَافُ وَ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى بَطْنِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا زُرَارَةُ وَ هُوَ الْمُنْتَظَرُ وَ هُوَ الَّذِي يُشَكُّ فِي وِلَادَتِهِ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ مَاتَ أَبُوهُ بِلَا خَلَفٍ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ حَمْلٌ‌[1] وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ إِنَّهُ وُلِدَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِ أَبِيهِ بِسَنَتَيْنِ وَ هُوَ الْمُ

“The young boy will disappear from the public sight before his rise (with divine power)” The narrator has said, “I then asked, “Why (would that has to take place)?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He will be afraid.” He pointed out with his hand to his midsection. Then he said, “O zurara, “He is the one whose reappearance is ex

أَتَيْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَوَجَدْتُهُ مُتَفَكِّراً يَنْكُتُ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَا لِي أَرَاكَ مُتَفَكِّراً تَنْكُتُ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَ رَغْبَةً مِنْكَ فِيهَا فَقَالَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا رَغِبْتُ فِيهَا وَ لَا فِي الدُّنْيَا يَوْماً قَطُّ وَ لَكِنِّي فَكَّرْتُ فِي مَوْلُودٍ يَكُونُ مِنْ ظَهْرِي الْحَادِيَ عَشَرَ مِنْ وُلْدِي هُوَ الْمَهْدِيُّ الَّذِي يَمْلَأُ الْأَرْضَ عَدْلًا وَ

“Once I went to see Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and found him thinking and he drawing lines on the ground. I then said, “O Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) I can see you thinking and drawing lines on the ground. Have you become interested in it (worldly things) ?” He said, no, by Allah, I have not become interested in it and the wh

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَنْتَ صَاحِبُ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ فَقَالَ لَا فَقُلْتُ فَوَلَدُكَ فَقَالَ لَا فَقُلْتُ فَوَلَدُ وَلَدِكَ هُوَ قَالَ لَا فَقُلْتُ فَوَلَدُ وَلَدِ وَلَدِكَ فَقَالَ لَا قُلْتُ مَنْ هُوَ قَالَ الَّذِي يَمْلَأُهَا عَدْلًا كَمَا مُلِئَتْ ظُلْماً وَ جَوْراً عَلَى فَتْرَةٍ مِنَ الْأَئِمَّةِ كَمَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص بُعِثَ‌ عَلى‌ فَتْرَةٍ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ‌.

Once I went to see abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and said to him, “Are you the in charge of this task ((to rise with divine power)?” he said, “No, I am not he.” I then asked, “Is he your son?” He said, “No, my son will be he either.” I then asked, “Will the son of your son be he?” He said, “No, my grandson will not be he.” I th

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَاسْتُؤْذِنَ لِرَجُلٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْيَمَنِ عَلَيْهِ فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ عَبْلٌ طَوِيلٌ جَسِيمٌ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ بِالْوَلَايَةِ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ بِالْقَبُولِ وَ أَمَرَهُ بِالْجُلُوسِ فَجَلَسَ مُلَاصِقاً لِي فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي لَيْتَ شِعْرِي مَنْ هَذَا فَقَالَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع هَذَا مِنْ وُلْدِ الْأَعْرَابِيَّةِ صَاحِبَةِ الْحَصَاةِ الَّتِي طَبَعَ آبَائِي ع فِيهَا بِخَوَاتِيمِهِمْ فَا

“Once I was in thepresence of abu Muhammad (a.s.) that permission was requested for a man from Yemen to see the Imam (a.s.). A chubby, tall and heavy man then came in and greeted the Imam with the greeting for Wilaya, the Leader with Divine Authority and received the acceptance response. The Imam (a.s.) asked him to ha

أَتَيْنَا خَدِيجَةَ بِنْتَ عُمَرَ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع نُعَزِّيهَا بِابْنِ بِنْتِهَا فَوَجَدْنَا عِنْدَهَا مُوسَى بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ فَإِذَا هِيَ فِي نَاحِيَةٍ قَرِيباً مِنَ النِّسَاءِ فَعَزَّيْنَاهُمْ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ يَقُولُ لِابْنَةِ أَبِي يَشْكُرَ الرَّاثِيَةِ قُولِي‌[1] فَقَالَتْ‌ اعْدُدْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ اعْدُدْ بَعْدَهُ- أَسَدَ

“We went to Khadijah, the daughter of ‘Umar ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) to offer our condolences for the death of the son of her daughter. We met at her place Musa ibn ‘Abdallah ibn al-Hassan. She was to one side near the ladies. We offered them our condolences to all of them. We then turned to h

لَمَّا خَرَجَ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْمَقْتُولُ- بِفَخٍ‌[1] وَ احْتَوَى عَلَى الْمَدِينَةِ دَعَا مُوسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ إِلَى الْبَيْعَةِ فَأَتَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ عَمِّ لَا تُكَلِّفْنِي مَا كَلَّفَ ابْنُ عَمِّكَ عَمَّكَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَيَخْرُجَ مِنِّي مَا لَا أُرِيدُ كَمَا خَرَجَ مِنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ يُرِيدُ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحُسَيْنُ إِنَّمَا عَرَضْتُ عَلَيْكَ أَمْراً فَإِنْ أَرَد

“When al-Husayn ibn Ali who was killed in al-Fakhkh, began his uprising he controlled the city of Madina and called Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) to pledge allegiance for him. When he was brought before him (al-Husayn he Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) ) said, “Son of my uncle, “Do not impose on what the son of your uncle imposed on y

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَدْ عَرَفْتَ انْقِطَاعِي إِلَى أَبِيكَ ثُمَّ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ حَلَفْتُ لَهُ وَ حَقِّ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ حَقِّ فُلَانٍ وَ فُلَانٍ حَتَّى انْتَهَيْتُ إِلَيْهِ بِأَنَّهُ لَا يَخْرُجُ مِنِّي مَا تُخْبِرُنِي بِهِ إِلَى أَحَدٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ أَ حَيٌّ هُوَ أَوْ مَيِّتٌ فَقَالَ قَدْ وَ اللَّهِ مَاتَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ شِيعَتَكَ يَرْوُونَ أَنّ

“I said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, you know how devoted I have been towards your father and after him to yourself. I then swore before him up on the rights of the Messenger of Allah and the rights of so and so and so and so (Ali, al-Hassan, al-Husayn . (a.s.) until his o

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع أَ كَانَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ع حِينَ تَكَلَّمَ فِي الْمَهْدِ حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ عَلَى أَهْلِ زَمَانِهِ فَقَالَ كَانَ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَبِيّاً حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ غَيْرَ مُرْسَلٍ أَ مَا تَسْمَعُ لِقَوْلِهِ حِينَ قَالَ- إِنِّي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ‌ آتانِيَ الْكِتابَ وَ جَعَلَنِي نَبِيًّا. وَ جَعَلَنِي مُبارَكاً أَيْنَ ما كُنْتُ‌ وَ أَوْصانِي بِالصَّلاةِ وَ الزَّكاةِ ما دُمْتُ حَيًّا[2] قُلْتُ فَكَانَ يَوْمَئِ

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘Was Jesus at the time he spoke to people from the cradle a Divine authority over the people of his time?” He said, “At that time he was a prophet, a Divine authority over the people but not a Mursal (Messenger). Have you not heard the words of Allah that say, “He said, “I am the servant of

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى إِذَا أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ الْإِمَامَ أَمَرَ مَلَكاً فَأَخَذَ شَرْبَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ فَيَسْقِيهَا أَبَاهُ فَمِنْ ذَلِكَ يَخْلُقُ الْإِمَامَ فَيَمْكُثُ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً وَ لَيْلَةً فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ لَا يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ ثُمَّ يَسْمَعُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ الْكَلَامَ فَإِذَا وُلِدَ بَعَثَ ذَلِكَ الْمَلَكَ فَيَكْتُبُ بَيْنَ عَيْنَ

‘When Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, would love to create the Imam He would command an angel to take a drink of water from under the Throne and his father to drink it and from this He creates the Imam. for the first forty days and nights in his mothers womb he would hear anything. After that he would hear the wor

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ الْإِمَامَ مِنَ الْإِمَامِ بَعَثَ مَلَكاً فَأَخَذَ شَرْبَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ ثُمَّ أَوْقَعَهَا أَوْ دَفَعَهَا إِلَى الْإِمَامِ فَشَرِبَهَا فَيَمْكُثُ فِي الرَّحِمِ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً لَا يَسْمَعُ الْكَلَامَ ثُمَّ يَسْمَعُ الْكَلَامَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَإِذَا وَضَعَتْهُ أُمُّهُ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ ذَلِكَ الْمَ

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, decides to create the Imam from another Imam He sends an angel with a drink of water from under the Throne. Then the angel would make the Imam to drink it and would give it to him to drink. For the first forty days he would not hear a

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ لَيَسْمَعُ فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ فَإِذَا وُلِدَ خُطَّ بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهِ‌ وَ تَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقاً وَ عَدْلًا لا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِماتِهِ وَ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ‌ فَإِذَا صَارَ الْأَمْرُ إِلَيْهِ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ عَمُوداً مِنْ نُورٍ يُبْصِرُ بِهِ مَا يَعْمَلُ أَهْلُ كُلِّ بَلْدَةٍ.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘The Imam hears in the womb of his mother and when he is born these words of Allah will be written between his shoulders, “. .in all truth and justice, your Lord’s Word has been completed. No one can change His Words. He is All-hearing and All-knowing.”. (6:115) When the matter (Leade

رَوَى غَيْرُ وَاحِدٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا أَنَّهُ قَالَ: لَا تَتَكَلَّمُوا فِي الْإِمَامِ فَإِنَّ الْإِمَامَ يَسْمَعُ الْكَلَامَ وَ هُوَ فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ فَإِذَا وَضَعَتْهُ كَتَبَ الْمَلَكُ بَيْنَ عَيْنَيْهِ- وَ تَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقاً وَ عَدْلًا لا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِماتِهِ وَ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ‌ فَإِذَا قَامَ بِالْأَمْرِ رُفِعَ لَهُ فِي كُلِّ بَلْدَةٍ مَنَارٌ يَنْظُرُ مِنْهُ إِلَى أَعْمَالِ الْعِبَادِ.

The Imam (a.s.) has said, “Do not speak about the Imam. The Imam (a.s.) hears the words while he still is in the womb of his mother. When she would give birth the angel write between his eyes, “. .in all truth and justice, your Lord’s Word has been completed. No one can change His Words. He is All-hearing and All-knowi

قَالَ: لَقَدْ خَاطَبَ اللَّهُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي كِتَابِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فِي أَيِّ مَوْضِعٍ قَالَ فِي قَوْلِهِ‌ وَ لَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذْ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ جاؤُكَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا اللَّهَ‌ وَ اسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ الرَّسُولُ‌ لَوَجَدُوا اللَّهَ تَوَّاباً رَحِيماً. فَلا وَ رَبِّكَ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّى يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيما شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ‌ فِيمَا تَعَاقَدُوا عَلَيْهِ لَئِنْ أَمَاتَ اللَّهُ مُحَمَّداً أَلَّا يَرُ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah has addressed Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) in His book.” The narrator has said that asked him, “where and in which passage?” He said, “It is in His words that read, “If they ever do injustice to themselves and come to you (Muhammad) asking for God’s forgiveness and if the Messenger also w

سَمِعْتُ‌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا تَذْهَبُ الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ رَجُلٌ مِنِّي يَحْكُمُ بِحُكُومَةِ آلِ دَاوُدَ وَ لَا يَسْأَلُ بَيِّنَةً يُعْطِي كُلَّ نَفْسٍ حَقَّهَا.

“The world will not end before the rise of a man from us who would judge among people the way the family of David had been judging them. He will not ask any witness to testify. He will make every soul’s rights available to it.”

إِنَّ حَدِيثَنَا صَعْبٌ مُسْتَصْعَبٌ لَا يَحْتَمِلُهُ إِلَّا صُدُورٌ مُنِيرَةٌ أَوْ قُلُوبٌ سَلِيمَةٌ أَوْ أَخْلَاقٌ حَسَنَةٌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَخَذَ مِنْ شِيعَتِنَا الْمِيثَاقَ كَمَا أَخَذَ عَلَى بَنِي آدَمَ‌ أَ لَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ‌ فَمَنْ وَفَى لَنَا وَفَى اللَّهُ لَهُ بِالْجَنَّةِ وَ مَنْ أَبْغَضَنَا وَ لَمْ يُؤَدِّ إِلَيْنَا حَقَّنَا فَفِي النَّارِ خَالِداً مُخَلَّداً.

“Our Hadith (statements) are difficult and they become difficult. Only well lighted chests, the well protected of virtuous moral abilities are capable to accept them.” Allah has taken a pledge from our Shi‘a (followers) just as He has taken such pledge from the children of Adam (Am I not Your Lord?” Whoever would remai

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع مَا حَقُّ الْإِمَامِ عَلَى النَّاسِ قَالَ حَقُّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَنْ يَسْمَعُوا لَهُ وَ يُطِيعُوا قُلْتُ فَمَا حَقُّهُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ قَالَ يَقْسِمَ بَيْنَهُمْ بِالسَّوِيَّةِ وَ يَعْدِلَ فِي الرَّعِيَّةِ فَإِذَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ فِي النَّاسِ فَلَا يُبَالِي مَنْ أَخَذَ هَاهُنَا وَ هَاهُنَا.

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘What are the rights of the Imam over the people?” He replied, “Of his rights over them is that they must listen to him and obey him.” I then asked, “What are their rights on him?” He replied, “Maintain among them equality and justice among the followers. When this prevails among the peop

هَكَذَا وَ هَكَذَا وَ هَكَذَا وَ هَكَذَا يَعْنِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَ خَلْفِهِ وَ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ.

“this way, this way, this way and this way, meaning thereby front, back, right and left.”