Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Chapter 2

The Categories of the Prophets, the Messengers and the Imams (a.s.)

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَبِي يَحْيَى الْوَاسِطِيِّ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ وَدُرُسْتَ بْنِ أَبِي مَنْصُورٍ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الانْبِيَاءُ وَالْمُرْسَلُونَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ طَبَقَاتٍ فَنَبِيٌّ مُنَبَّأٌ فِي نَفْسِهِ لا يَعْدُو غَيْرَهَا وَنَبِيٌّ يَرَى فِي النَّوْمِ وَيَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَلا يُعَايِنُهُ فِي الْيَقَظَةِ وَلَمْ يُبْعَثْ إِلَى أَحَدٍ وَعَلَيْهِ إِمَامٌ مِثْلُ مَا كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ عَلَى لُوطٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَنَبِيٌّ يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَيَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَيُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَى طَائِفَةٍ قَلُّوا أَوْ كَثُرُوا كَيُونُسَ قَالَ الله لِيُونُسَ وَأَرْسَلْناهُ إِلى‏ مِائَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ قَالَ يَزِيدُونَ ثَلاثِينَ أَلْفاً وَعَلَيْهِ إِمَامٌ وَالَّذِي يَرَى فِي نَوْمِهِ وَيَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَيُعَايِنُ فِي الْيَقَظَةِ وَهُوَ إِمَامٌ مِثْلُ أُولِي الْعَزْمِ وَقَدْ كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) نَبِيّاً وَلَيْسَ بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى قَالَ الله إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِماماً قالَ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي فَقَالَ الله لا يَنالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ مَنْ عَبَدَ صَنَماً أَوْ وَثَناً لا يَكُونُ إِمَاماً.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from abu Yahya al-Wasiti from Hisham ibn Salim and Durust ibn abu Mansur from him the following.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said that the prophets and the messengers are of four categories. There were prophets who were given Divine news in their souls just for their own-selves and for no one else. There were also prophets who were given Divine news in their dreams and would hear the voice but would not see anyone when awake and they were not sent to other people with such news. They had to follow and Imam just as it happened with Lot who followed Abraham.. There were prophets who would experience in their dreams, hear the voice and see the angel and were sent to a group of people small or large like Jonas (we sent him to a hundred thousand people or a few more). The Imam said that there were thirty thousand more people lead by an Imam. Those who saw in their dreams heard the voice and saw the angel when awake and were also Imams like ’Ulul ‘Azm ones, such as Abraham were prophets but not Imams until Allah said, “I want to appoint you as the Imam for people.” He said, “Also please from my descendents, to which He said, ‘My covenant does not go to the unjust ones, those who have worshipped idols or statues will not become Imams.”

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ زَيْدٍ الشَّحَّامِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِنَّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى اتَّخَذَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَبْداً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ نَبِيّاً وَإِنَّ الله اتَّخَذَهُ نَبِيّاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ رَسُولاً وَإِنَّ الله اتَّخَذَهُ رَسُولاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ خَلِيلاً وَإِنَّ الله اتَّخَذَهُ خَلِيلاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَجْعَلَهُ إِمَاماً فَلَمَّا جَمَعَ لَهُ الاشْيَاءَ قَالَ إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِماماً قَالَ فَمِنْ عِظَمِهَا فِي عَيْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ قَالَ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي قالَ لا يَنالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ قَالَ لا يَكُونُ السَّفِيهُ إِمَامَ التَّقِيِّ.

2. Muhammad ibn al-Hassan has narrated those whom he mentioned from Muhammad ibn Khalid from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Zayd al-Shahham who has said the following.

“I heard Imam abu ‘Abdallah saying, ‘Allah chose Abraham as a servant before choosing him as a prophet. Allah chose him as a prophet before choosing him as a messenger. Allah chose him as a messenger before choosing him as a friend of His. Allah chose him as a friend of His before choosing him as an Imam. When all of the above things were gathered in Abraham, Allah said, “I have certainly appointed you as the Imam for the people.” Because to Abraham it was so great he asked, “Can this (Imamat, leadership) be in my descendents also?” Allah said, “The feeble-minded can become the leaders of the pious ones.”

3ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الْخَثْعَمِيِّ عَنْ هِشَامٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ سَادَةُ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ خَمْسَةٌ وَهُمْ أُولُو الْعَزْمِ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ وَعَلَيْهِمْ دَارَتِ الرَّحَى نُوحٌ وَإِبْرَاهِيمُ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى وَمُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَعَلَى جَمِيعِ الانْبِيَاءِ.

3. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Khath‘ami from Hisham from abu Ya‘qub who has said the following “I heard abu ‘Abdallah saying, ‘The leaders and masters of the prophets and the messengers are five who are called ’ulul ‘Azm (people with determination) among the messengers who have the central role. They are Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (s.a.).”

4ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ أَبِي السَّفَاتِجِ عَنْ جَابِرٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ إِنَّ الله اتَّخَذَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَبْداً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ نَبِيّاً وَاتَّخَذَهُ نَبِيّاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ رَسُولاً وَاتَّخَذَهُ رَسُولاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ خَلِيلاً وَاتَّخَذَهُ خَلِيلاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ إِمَاماً فَلَمَّا جَمَعَ لَهُ هَذِهِ الاشْيَاءَ وَقَبَضَ يَدَهُ قَالَ لَهُ يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِماماً فَمِنْ عِظَمِهَا فِي عَيْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ يَا رَبِّ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي قالَ لا يَنالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ.

4. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from Ishaq ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz from abu al-Saffah from Jabir from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said the following.

“I heard the Imam saying, ‘Allah chose Abraham as a servant before He chose him as a prophet. He chose him as a prophet before He chose him as a messenger. He chose him as a messenger before He chose him as a friend of His. He chose him as a friend of His before He chose him as an Imam. When all of these things gathered in him (the Imam holding his hands said, “Allah said, ‘O Ibrahim I have appointed you as the Imam (leader) of the people.” Because of the greatness of the position Abraham them asked, “O Lord, can it be in my descendants also?” The Lord said, ‘My covenant does not go to the unjust ones.”

Chapter 3

The Difference among he Messengers, the Prophets and the al-Muhaddath

1ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ عَنْ ثَعْلَبَةَ بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَكانَ رَسُولاً نَبِيًّا مَا الرَّسُولُ وَمَا النَّبِيُّ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَيَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَلا يُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ وَالرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَيَرَى فِي الْمَنَامِ وَيُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ قُلْتُ الامَامُ مَا مَنْزِلَتُهُ قَالَ يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَلا يَرَى وَلا يُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ ثُمَّ تَلا هَذِهِ الايَةَ وَما أَرْسَلْنا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَسُولٍ وَلا نَبِيٍّ وَلا مُحَدَّثٍ.

1. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Tha‘laba ibn Maymun from Zurara who has said the following

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, ‘He was a messenger, a prophet’. What is a messenger and what is a prophet?’” The Imam said, “A prophet is one who sees things in his dream and hears the voice but does not see the angel. The messenger is one who hears the voice, in his dreams and sees the angel.” I then said, “What is the position of the Imam?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He hears the voice but does not see and observe the angel” Then he recited the following verse of the Holy Quran. ‘Satan would try to tamper with the desires of every Prophet or Messenger or Muhaddith (Muhaddith is a commentary of Imam (a.s.), whom We sent . .’” (22:52)

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ مَرَّارٍ قَالَ كَتَبَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الْعَبَّاسِ الْمَعْرُوفِيُّ إِلَى الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَخْبِرْنِي مَا الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَ الرَّسُولِ وَالنَّبِيِّ وَالامَامِ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ أَوْ قَالَ الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَ الرَّسُولِ وَالنَّبِيِّ وَالامَامِ أَنَّ الرَّسُولَ الَّذِي يُنْزَلُ عَلَيْهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ فَيَرَاهُ وَيَسْمَعُ كَلامَهُ وَيُنْزَلُ عَلَيْهِ الْوَحْيُ وَرُبَّمَا رَأَى فِي مَنَامِهِ نَحْوَ رُؤْيَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَالنَّبِيُّ رُبَّمَا سَمِعَ الْكَلامَ وَرُبَّمَا رَأَى الشَّخْصَ وَلَمْ يَسْمَعْ وَالامَامُ هُوَ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ الْكَلامَ وَلا يَرَى الشَّخْصَ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Isma‘il ibn Marrar who has said the following “Al-Hassan ibn al-‘Abbass al-Ma‘rufi wrote to Imam al-Rida (a.s.). “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, explain to me the difference between the messengers, the prophets and the Imams.” 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 prophet is one who may hear the speech and may see the person or may not hear. The Imam is the one who hears the speech but does not see the person.”

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنِ الاحْوَلِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنِ الرَّسُولِ وَالنَّبِيِّ وَالْمُحَدَّثِ قَالَ الرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَأْتِيهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ قُبُلاً فَيَرَاهُ وَيُكَلِّمُهُ فَهَذَا الرَّسُولُ وَأَمَّا النَّبِيُّ فَهُوَ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ نَحْوَ رُؤْيَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَنَحْوَ مَا كَانَ رَأَى رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) مِنْ أَسْبَابِ النُّبُوَّةِ قَبْلَ الْوَحْيِ حَتَّى أَتَاهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مِنْ عِنْدِ الله بِالرِّسَالَةِ وَكَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) حِينَ جُمِعَ لَهُ النُّبُوَّةُ وَجَاءَتْهُ الرِّسَالَةُ مِنْ عِنْدِ الله يَجِيئُهُ بِهَا جَبْرَئِيلُ وَيُكَلِّمُهُ بِهَا قُبُلاً وَمِنَ الانْبِيَاءِ مَنْ جُمِعَ لَهُ النُّبُوَّةُ وَيَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَيَأْتِيهِ الرُّوحُ وَيُكَلِّمُهُ وَيُحَدِّثُهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَكُونَ يَرَى فِي الْيَقَظَةِ وَأَمَّا الْمُحَدَّثُ فَهُوَ الَّذِي يُحَدَّثُ فَيَسْمَعُ وَلا يُعَايِنُ وَلا يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from al-Ahwal who has said the following.

“I Asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the messenger, the prophet and al-Muhaddith (one who reports Divine guidance).” The Imam (a.s.) said, “A messenger is one to whom Jibril (angel) comes openly he sees him (the angel) and speaks to him. Such person is a messenger. A prophet is one who sees in his dream something like the dream of Abraham (a.s.) or the dream of our Prophet (s.a.) about reasons for prophethood before the coming of revelation until Jibril came from Allah with to inform him that he was to be a messenger. In the case of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) when prophethood was established in him then Jibril brought him the message that he was to be a messenger. Jibril would come and speak to him openly. Some of the prophets in whom prophethood is established they see in their dreams, the spirit comes to them, speaks and reports to them but they do not see the spirit when awake. Al-Muhaddith is one to who is reported to and he hears the reporting but does not see openly or in his dream.”

4ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حَسَّانَ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ الْهَاشِمِيِّ عَنْ مَرْوَانَ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ بُرَيْدٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ وَأَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَما أَرْسَلْنا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَسُولٍ وَلا نَبِيٍّ وَلا مُحَدَّثٍ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَيْسَتْ هَذِهِ قِرَاءَتَنَا فَمَا الرَّسُولُ وَالنَّبِيُّ وَالْمُحَدَّثُ قَالَ الرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَظْهَرُ لَهُ الْمَلَكُ فَيُكَلِّمُهُ وَالنَّبِيُّ هُوَ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَرُبَّمَا اجْتَمَعَتِ النُّبُوَّةُ وَالرِّسَالَةُ لِوَاحِدٍ وَالْمُحَدَّثُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَلا يَرَى الصُّورَةَ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ الله كَيْفَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّ الَّذِي رَأَى فِي النَّوْمِ حَقٌّ وَأَنَّهُ مِنَ الْمَلَكِ قَالَ يُوَفَّقُ لِذَلِكَ حَتَّى يَعْرِفَهُ لَقَدْ خَتَمَ الله بِكِتَابِكُمُ الْكُتُبَ وَخَتَمَ بِنَبِيِّكُمُ الانْبِيَاءَ.

4. Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn Yahya have narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Ali ibn Hassan from Faddal from Ali ibn Ya'qub al-Hashimi from Marwan ibn Muslim from Burayd who has said the following.

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “Satan would try to tamper with the desires of every Prophet or Messenger or Muhaddith (Muhaddith is a commentary of Imam (a.s.), whom We sent . .’” (22:52). I said, ““May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, the word Muhaddith does not exist in our reading. What then is the meaning of The Messenger, Prophet and Muhaddith?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “A messenger is one to whom the angel comes openly and speaks to him. A prophet is one who sees in his dream. Sometimes prophethood and messengership may exist in one person. Al-Muhaddith is one who hears the voice but does not see the person (of the angel).” I then asked, may Allah keep you well, “How would one know that what one sees in his dream is true and that it is from the angel?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He receives help for success to know the angel. Allah has your book the last book and your Prophet the last of prophets.”

Chapter 4

The issue that Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى الْعَطَّارُ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ دَاوُدَ الرَّقِّيِّ عَنِ الْعَبْدِ الصَّالِحِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الْحُجَّةَ لا تَقُومُ لله عَلَى خَلْقِهِ إِلا بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفَ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya al-‘Attar has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn abu ‘Amayr from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Dawud al-Riqqi from the pious man (a.s.) the following “Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam who would teach people about Him.”

2ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الْوَشَّاءِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِنَّ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الْحُجَّةَ لا تَقُومُ لله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ إِلا بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفَ.

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Washsha’ who has said the following.

“Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam who would teach people about Him.”

3ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عُمَارَةَ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الْحُجَّةَ لا تَقُومُ لله عَلَى خَلْقِهِ إِلا بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفَ.

3. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from ‘Abbad ibn Sulayman from Sa‘d ibn Sa‘d from Muhammad ibn ‘Ammara from abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam who would teach people about Him.”

4ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْبَرْقِيِّ عَنْ خَلَفِ بْنِ حَمَّادٍ عَنْ أَبَانِ بْنِ تَغْلِبَ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الْحُجَّةُ قَبْلَ الْخَلْقِ وَمَعَ الْخَلْقِ وَبَعْدَ الْخَلْقِ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Barqi from Khalaf ibn Hammad from ’Aban ibn Taghlib from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“A person with Divine authority is before the people, with the people and after the people.”

Chapter 5

The Issue that the Earth at no time is without a Person with Divine Authority

1ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أَبِي الْعَلاءِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) تَكُونُ الارْضُ لَيْسَ فِيهَا إِمَامٌ قَالَ لا قُلْتُ يَكُونُ إِمَامَانِ قَالَ لا إِلا وَأَحَدُهُمَا صَامِتٌ.

1. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn abu ‘Umayr from al-Husayn ibn abu al-‘Ala’ who has said the following.

“I abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Can there be a time on earth without Imam?” The Imam said, “No, it can not be without Imam.” I asked, “Can there be two Imams at a time?” He said, “No, unless one is quite.”

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ مَنْصُورِ بْنِ يُونُسَ وَسَعْدَانَ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ إِنَّ الارْضَ لا تَخْلُو إِلا وَفِيهَا إِمَامٌ كَيْمَا إِنْ زَادَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ شَيْئاً رَدَّهُمْ وَإِنْ نَقَصُوا شَيْئاً أَتَمَّهُ لَهُمْ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn abu ‘Umayr from Mansur ibn Yunus and Su‘dan ibn Muslim from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammara from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“I heard the Imam (a.s.) saying, ‘The earth is never left without an Imam so that if the believers would add any thing it would be brought back and if they would reduce anything it would be completed.”

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ رَبِيعِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْمُسْلِيِّ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ الْعَامِرِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَا زَالَتِ الارْضُ إِلا وَلله فِيهَا الْحُجَّةُ يُعَرِّفُ الْحَلالَ وَالْحَرَامَ وَيَدْعُو النَّاسَ إِلَى سَبِيلِ الله.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Rabi‘ ibn Muhammad al-Musalliy from ‘Abdallah ibn Sulayman al- ‘Amiriy from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“The earth has never been without a person with Divine authority who would teach people about the lawful and unlawful matters and call them to the path of Allah.”

4ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مِهْرَانَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أَبِي الْعَلاءِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ تَبْقَى الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لا.

4. Ahmad ibn Mihran has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from al-Husayn ibn abu ‘Ala’ from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Can the earth be without Imam?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “No, it can be without Imam.”

5ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ يُونُسَ عَنِ ابْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَحَدِهِمَا (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ إِنَّ الله لَمْ يَدَعِ الارْضَ بِغَيْرِ عَالِمٍ وَلَوْ لا ذَلِكَ لَمْ يُعْرَفِ الْحَقُّ مِنَ الْبَاطِلِ.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus ibn Muskan from abu Basir from one of them (Imams (a.s.), who has said the following

“Allah does not leave the earth without a ‘Alim (scholar). Without this the truth would not be distinguished from falsehood.”

6ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الله أَجَلُّ وَأَعْظَمُ مِنْ أَنْ يَتْرُكَ الارْضَ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ عَادِلٍ.

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn abu Hamza from abu Basir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following

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

7ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَبِي أُسَامَةَ وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَبِي أُسَامَةَ وَهِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ عَمَّنْ يَثِقُ بِهِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ اللهمَّ إِنَّكَ لا تُخْلِي أَرْضَكَ مِنْ حُجَّةٍ لَكَ عَلَى خَلْقِكَ.

7. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from abu ’Usama and Ali ibn Ibrahim from his father from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from abu ’Usama and Hisham ibn salim from abu Hamza from abu Ishaq from those reliable among the companions of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) who has said the following.

“O Lord. You do not leave your earth without a person who would represent Your authority among the people.”

8ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ وَالله مَا تَرَكَ الله أَرْضاً مُنْذُ قَبَضَ آدَمَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِلا وَفِيهَا إِمَامٌ يُهْتَدَى بِهِ إِلَى الله وَهُوَ حُجَّتُهُ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ وَلا تَبْقَى الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ حُجَّةٍ لله عَلَى عِبَادِهِ.

8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn al-Fudayl from abu Hamza from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following.

“I swear to Allah that He has not, from the day Adam died, left the earth without an Imam who would guide people to the Lord as with divine authority over the servants of the Lord. The earth will never remain without an Imam with Divine authority over His servants.”

9ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَبِي عَلِيِّ بْنِ رَاشِدٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ الارْضَ لا تَخْلُو مِنْ حُجَّةٍ وَأَنَا وَالله ذَلِكَ الْحُجَّةُ.

9. Al-Hassan ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from some of our people from abu Ali ibn Rashid from abu al-Hassan (a.s.) who has said the following.

“ The earth is never without a person with divine authority and I swear to Allah that I am the person with Divine authority.”

10ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَ تَبْقَى الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لَوْ بَقِيَتِ الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ لَسَاخَتْ.

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Fudayl from ibn abu Hamza who has said the following.

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Can the earth be left without the Imam?’” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “ Were to remain without Imam it would obliterate its inhabitants.”

11ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ تَبْقَى الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لا قُلْتُ فَإِنَّا نُرَوَّى عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنَّهَا لا تَبْقَى بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ إِلا أَنْ يَسْخَطَ الله تَعَالَى عَلَى أَهْلِ الارْضِ أَوْ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ فَقَالَ لا لا تَبْقَى إِذاً لَسَاخَتْ.

11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘isa from Muhammad al-Fudayl who has said the following.

“I asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), ‘Can the remain without Imam?’” He replied, “No, it will not remain so.” I then said, “We narrate from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that the earth will not remain without Imam unless Allah becomes extremely angry with the people of the earth or with His servants.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “In such condition it will not remain but it would obliterate with its inhabitants.”

12ـ عَلِيٌّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله الْمُؤْمِنِ عَنْ أَبِي هَرَاسَةَ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لَوْ أَنَّ الامَامَ رُفِعَ مِنَ الارْضِ سَاعَةً لَمَاجَتْ بِأَهْلِهَا كَمَا يَمُوجُ الْبَحْرُ بِأَهْلِهِ.

12. Ali has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from abu ‘Abd al_Mu’min from abu Harassa from abu Ja'far (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Would the Imam be taken away from the earth it will create waves against her inhabitants just like what the inhabitants of the ocean face.”

13ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) هَلْ تَبْقَى الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لا قُلْتُ إِنَّا نُرَوَّى أَنَّهَا لا تَبْقَى إِلا أَنْ يَسْخَطَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ قَالَ لا تَبْقَى إِذاً لَسَاخَتْ.

13. Al-Husayn ibn Ali has narrated from Muhammad from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ who has said the following.

“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 but it will obliterate its inhabitants.”

Chapter 6

The Issue that even if only two people would remain on earth one of them would certainly be the Imam, the person with divine authority

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنِ ابْنِ الطَّيَّارِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ لَوْ لَمْ يَبْقَ فِي الارْضِ إِلا اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْحُجَّةَ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ibn al-Tayyar who has said the following.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, ‘Would there remain no one on earth except two persons one of them would certainly be the person with Divine authority.”

2ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى جَمِيعاً عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ حَمْزَةَ بْنِ الطَّيَّارِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لَوْ بَقِيَ اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْحُجَّةَ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ.

مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى مِثْلَهُ.

2. Ahmad ibn Idris and Muhammad ibn Yahya together have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from abu ‘Ubayd from Muhammad ibn Sinan from abu Hamza ibn al-Tayyar from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Would there remain only two people on earth, one of them would the person with divine authority over the other.”

Muhammad ibn al-Hassan has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa a similar Hadith.

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مُوسَى الْخَشَّابِ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ كَرَّامٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لَوْ كَانَ النَّاسُ رَجُلَيْنِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الامَامَ وَقَالَ إِنَّ آخِرَ مَنْ يَمُوتُ الامَامُ لِئَلا يَحْتَجَّ أَحَدٌ عَلَى الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَنَّهُ تَرَكَهُ بِغَيْرِ حُجَّةٍ لله عَلَيْهِ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from those who he has mentioned from al-Hassan ibn Musa al-Khashshab from Ja'far ibn Muhammad from Kiram from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“If of all the people there will remain only two man one of them will be the Imam. He also said, ‘The last person to die will be the Imam (a.s.) so that no one could complain against Allah leaving him without Imam, the person with Divine authority over him.’”

4ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْبَرْقِيِّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنِ ابْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ حَمْزَةَ بْنِ الطَّيَّارِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ لَوْ لَمْ يَبْقَ فِي الارْضِ إِلا اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْحُجَّةَ أَوْ الثَّانِي الْحُجَّةَ.

الشَّكُّ مِنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ.

4. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Barqi from Ali ibn Isma‘il from ibn Sinan from Hamza ibn al-Tayyar who has said the following.

“I heard Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, ‘Would there remain on earth no one except two people one of them will be the person with Divine authority or the second one will be the person with Divine authority (uncertainty is from the narrator).”

5ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنِ النَّهْدِيِّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ لَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي الارْضِ إِلا اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ الامَامُ أَحَدَهُمَا.

Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from al-Nahdi from his father from Yunus ibn ya‘qub from abu ‘Abdallah who has said the following. “Would there remain no one except two people one of them will certainly be the Imam.”

Chapter 16

Chapter on Miscellaneous Issues

1ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ حَفْصِ بْنِ الْبَخْتَرِيِّ رَفَعَهُ قَالَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ رَوِّحُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ بِبَدِيعِ الْحِكْمَةِ فَإِنَّهَا تَكِلُّ كَمَا تَكِلُّ الابْدَانُ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hafs ibn al-Bakhtari in a marfu’ manner from Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Relax your souls with new sparks of wisdom, because souls also tire as bodies do.”

2ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ نُوحِ بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ النَّيْسَابُورِيِّ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ الله بْنِ عَبْدِ الله الدِّهْقَانِ عَنْ دُرُسْتَ بْنِ أَبِي مَنْصُورٍ عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ أَخِي شُعَيْبٍ الْعَقَرْقُوفِيِّ عَنْ شُعَيْبٍ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ يَا طَالِبَ الْعِلْمِ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ ذُو فَضَائِلَ كَثِيرَةٍ فَرَأْسُهُ التَّوَاضُعُ وَعَيْنُهُ الْبَرَاءَةُ مِنَ الْحَسَدِ وَأُذُنُهُ الْفَهْمُ وَلِسَانُهُ الصِّدْقُ وَحِفْظُهُ الْفَحْصُ وَقَلْبُهُ حُسْنُ النِّيَّةِ وَعَقْلُهُ مَعْرِفَةُ الاشْيَاءِ وَالامُورِ وَيَدُهُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَرِجْلُهُ زِيَارَةُ الْعُلَمَاءِ وَهِمَّتُهُ السَّلامَةُ وَحِكْمَتُهُ الْوَرَعُ وَمُسْتَقَرُّهُ النَّجَاةُ وَقَائِدُهُ الْعَافِيَةُ وَمَرْكَبُهُ الْوَفَاءُ وَسِلاحُهُ لِينُ الْكَلِمَةِ وَسَيْفُهُ الرِّضَا وَقَوْسُهُ الْمُدَارَاةُ وَجَيْشُهُ مُحَاوَرَةُ الْعُلَمَاءِ وَمَالُهُ الادَبُ وَذَخِيرَتُهُ اجْتِنَابُ الذُّنُوبِ وَزَادُهُ الْمَعْرُوفُ وَمَاؤُهُ الْمُوَادَعَةُ وَدَلِيلُهُ الْهُدَى وَرَفِيقُهُ مَحَبَّةُ الاخْيَارِ.

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.s.) used to say, “O seekers of knowledge, knowledge (in a personified form) has a great deal of virtues. Humbleness is his head, freedom from jealousy forms his eyes, proper understanding shapes his ears, truthfulness constitutes his tongue, research and investigation produce his memory, optimism stands for his heart, the knowledge of facts and affairs strengthen his intellect. Intelligence and kindness are his hands, visitation of the scholars builds his legs, safety and peace emerge from his stamina, chastity develops his wisdom, salvation is his head quarters, good health and tranquility are his lead, loyalty will provide him his conveyance, politeness in communication gives him weapons, consent frames his sword, yielding to the truth stands for his bow and arrow, communication with the scholars establishes his army, proper discipline treasures his wealth, avoiding sins preserves his savings, uprightness institutes his supplies, amicable dealings supply him water, guidance determines his direction and love of virtuous people is the archetype for his friends.”

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) نِعْمَ وَزِيرُ الايمَانِ الْعِلْمُ وَنِعْمَ وَزِيرُ الْعِلْمِ الْحِلْمُ وَنِعْمَ وَزِيرُ الْحِلْمِ الرِّفْقُ وَنِعْمَ وَزِيرُ الرِّفْقِ الصَّبْرُ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“The holy Prophet has said, ‘The best minister for faith is knowledge, the best minister for knowledge is forbearance, the best minister for forbearance is amicable dealings and the best minister for amicable dealings is patience.’”

4ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الاشْعَرِيِّ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ الْقَدَّاحِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ آبَائِهِ (عَلَيْهم السَّلام) قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ الله مَا الْعِلْمُ قَالَ الانْصَاتُ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَهْ قَالَ الاسْتِمَاعُ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَهْ قَالَ الْحِفْظُ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَهْ قَالَ الْعَمَلُ بِهِ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَهْ يَا رَسُولَ الله قَالَ نَشْرُهُ.

4. Ali ibn Muhammad from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ja’far ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari from ‘Abdallah ibn Maymun al-Qaddah from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) from his ancestors (the Imams (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Once a man came to the holy Prophet (s.a.) and said, ‘O messenger of Allah what is knowledge?’

The holy Prophet replied, “It is silence.”

The man then asked, “Then what?”

The holy Prophet said, “It is listening.”

The man asked, “Then what?”

The holy Prophet (s.a.) said, “Then it is memorizing.”

The man asked, “Then what?”

The holy Prophet said, “Then it is practice accordingly.”

The man then asked, “Then what O messenger of Allah?”

The holy Prophet said, “Then it is to propagate what one has learned.”

5ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَفَعَهُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ طَلَبَةُ الْعِلْمِ ثَلاثَةٌ فَاعْرِفْهُمْ بِأَعْيَانِهِمْ وَصِفَاتِهِمْ صِنْفٌ يَطْلُبُهُ لِلْجَهْلِ وَالْمِرَاءِ وَصِنْفٌ يَطْلُبُهُ لِلاسْتِطَالَةِ وَالْخَتْلِ وَصِنْفٌ يَطْلُبُهُ لِلْفِقْهِ وَالْعَقْلِ فَصَاحِبُ الْجَهْلِ وَالْمِرَاءِ مُوذٍ مُمَارٍ مُتَعَرِّضٌ لِلْمَقَالِ فِي أَنْدِيَةِ الرِّجَالِ بِتَذَاكُرِ الْعِلْمِ وَصِفَةِ الْحِلْمِ قَدْ تَسَرْبَلَ بِالْخُشُوعِ وَتَخَلَّى مِنَ الْوَرَعِ فَدَقَّ الله مِنْ هَذَا خَيْشُومَهُ وَقَطَعَ مِنْهُ حَيْزُومَهُ وَصَاحِبُ الاسْتِطَالَةِ وَالْخَتْلِ ذُو خِبٍّ وَمَلَقٍ يَسْتَطِيلُ عَلَى مِثْلِهِ مِنْ أَشْبَاهِهِ وَيَتَوَاضَعُ لِلاغْنِيَاءِ مِنْ دُونِهِ فَهُوَ لِحَلْوَائِهِمْ هَاضِمٌ وَلِدِينِهِ حَاطِمٌ فَأَعْمَى الله عَلَى هَذَا خُبْرَهُ وَقَطَعَ مِنْ آثَارِ الْعُلَمَاءِ أَثَرَهُ وَصَاحِبُ الْفِقْهِ وَالْعَقْلِ ذُو كَ‏آبَةٍ وَحَزَنٍ وَسَهَرٍ قَدْ تَحَنَّكَ فِي بُرْنُسِهِ وَقَامَ اللَّيْلَ فِي حِنْدِسِهِ يَعْمَلُ وَيَخْشَى وَجِلاً دَاعِياً مُشْفِقاً مُقْبِلاً عَلَى شَأْنِهِ عَارِفاً بِأَهْلِ زَمَانِهِ مُسْتَوْحِشاً مِنْ أَوْثَقِ إِخْوَانِهِ فَشَدَّ الله مِنْ هَذَا أَرْكَانَهُ وَأَعْطَاهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَمَانَهُ.

وَحَدَّثَنِي بِهِ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَحْمُودٍ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله الْقَزْوِينِيُّ عَنْ عِدَّةٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا مِنْهُمْ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الصَّيْقَلِ بِقَزْوِينَ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ عِيسَى الْعَلَوِيِّ عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ صُهَيْبٍ الْبَصْرِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام).

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim in a marfu’ manner has narrated from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“The seekers of knowledge are of three kinds. The more noticeable of them in person or character are: (a) the group who seeks knowledge for ignorance and quarrel. (b) The group who seeks knowledge to dominate and cheat others. (c) The group who seeks knowledge for proper understanding, Fiqh, and power of intelligence. The group whose purpose of seeking knowledge is ignorance and quarrel is a harmful and quarrelsome group. This group interrupts conversations in the gatherings of the people to speak about knowledge and the description of forbearance. Such people appear in the garb of the gentle and humble ones but, in fact, are devoid of all the qualities of the pious people. Allah has humiliated and has condemned this group. The group that seeks domination and cheating is a deceitful and flattering group. Such people try to dominate people of their kind and flatter the wealthy ones who know less than they do. Such people consume the sweetmeat of the rich people and destroy their own religion. May Allah banish the news of such people and cut off their traces from the history of the scholars.

“The group that seeks knowledge for the sake of Fiqh, proper understanding, and to gain the power of intelligence consists of people who are deeply concerned and stay awake very often. They pull their robe on their heads and standup for prayer in the darkness of nights. They work hard anxiously and fearfully and pray with deep worries. They are very attentive of their affairs, knowledgeable of the people of their time and fearful even of their own trusted brothers. May Allah strengthen the corners of such people and grant them salvation on the Day of Judgment.”

Narrated to me the above hadith Muhammad ibn Mahmud abu ‘Abdallah al-Qazwini from a number of our people of whom is Ja‘far in Muhammad al-Sayqal of Qazwin from Ahmad ibn ‘Isa al-‘Alawi from ‘Abbad ibn Suhayb al-Basri from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.).

6ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِنَّ رُوَاةَ الْكِتَابِ كَثِيرٌ وَإِنَّ رُعَاتَهُ قَلِيلٌ وَكَمْ مِنْ مُسْتَنْصِحٍ لِلْحَدِيثِ مُسْتَغِشٍّ لِلْكِتَابِ فَالْعُلَمَاءُ يَحْزُنُهُمْ تَرْكُ الرِّعَايَةِ وَالْجُهَّالُ يَحْزُنُهُمْ حِفْظُ الرِّوَايَةِ فَرَاعٍ يَرْعَى حَيَاتَهُ وَرَاعٍ يَرْعَى هَلَكَتَهُ فَعِنْدَ ذَلِكَ اخْتَلَفَ الرَّاعِيَانِ وَتَغَايَرَ الْفَرِيقَانِ.

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Talha ibn Zayd who has said the following.

“(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, ‘The narrators of the book are a great many but those who would follow the proper discipline are very few. There are many, who are sincere about Hadith but mess up with the book. Lack of protection and discipline saddens the scholars and the (zeal) of ignorant ones to protect the (words of) narration (of a false text in reality) betrays the later group altogether. One kind of protectionism seeks protection of life and the other leads to its destruction and in such a situation the two forms of protectionism become different and the two groups distinct from each other.’”

7ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الاشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ جُمْهُورٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي نَجْرَانَ عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَنْ حَفِظَ مِنْ أَحَادِيثِنَا أَرْبَعِينَ حَدِيثاً بَعَثَهُ الله يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَالِماً فَقِيهاً.

7. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from 'Abd al-Rahman ibn abu Najran from one he mentioned from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Whoever would preserve and memorize forty of our Hadith on the Day of Judgment Allah will raise him as a scholar and Faqih, one with proper understanding of religion.”

8ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنْ زَيْدٍ الشَّحَّامِ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَلْيَنْظُرِ الانْسانُ إِلى‏ طَعامِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ مَا طَعَامُهُ قَالَ عِلْمُهُ الَّذِي يَأْخُذُهُ عَمَّنْ يَأْخُذُهُ.

8. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from one he mentioned from Zayd al-Shahham from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following.

“It is his knowledge that he acquires from whoever he acquires.”

This he said in answer to the question ‘What is his food’ in the words of Allah, “Let the human being think about (how We produce) his food.” (80:24)?’

9ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ النُّعْمَانِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ دَاوُدَ بْنِ فَرْقَدٍ عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الزُّهْرِيِّ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ الْوُقُوفُ عِنْدَ الشُّبْهَةِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الاقْتِحَامِ فِي الْهَلَكَةِ وَتَرْكُكَ حَدِيثاً لَمْ تُرْوَهُ خَيْرٌ مِنْ رِوَايَتِكَ حَدِيثاً لَمْ تُحْصِهِ.

9. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn an-Ni‘man from ‘Abdallah ibn Muskan from Daiwud ibn Farqad from abu Sa‘id al-Zuhri from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Holding back in an uncertain conditions is better than indulging in a destructive case. Your ignoring a Hadith that you do not narrate is better than your narrating a Hadith that you have not verified.”

10ـ مُحَمَّدٌ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنِ ابْنِ بُكَيْرٍ عَنْ حَمْزَةَ بْنِ الطَّيَّارِ أَنَّهُ عَرَضَ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) بَعْضَ خُطَبِ أَبِيهِ حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغَ مَوْضِعاً مِنْهَا قَالَ لَهُ كُفَّ وَاسْكُتْ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لا يَسَعُكُمْ فِيمَا يَنْزِلُ بِكُمْ مِمَّا لا تَعْلَمُونَ إِلا الْكَفُّ عَنْهُ وَالتَّثَبُّتُ وَالرَّدُّ إِلَى أَئِمَّةِ الْهُدَى حَتَّى يَحْمِلُوكُمْ فِيهِ عَلَى الْقَصْدِ وَيَجْلُوا عَنْكُمْ فِيهِ الْعَمَى وَيُعَرِّفُوكُمْ فِيهِ الْحَقَّ قَالَ الله تَعَالَى فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ.

10. Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad from ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr from Hamza ibn al-Tayyar the following.

“(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 Most High has said, “Ask those who know about the heavenly Books if you do not know about this.”’' (16:43)

11ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْمِنْقَرِيِّ عَنْ سُفْيَانَ بْنِ عُيَيْنَةَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ وَجَدْتُ عِلْمَ النَّاسِ كُلَّهُ فِي أَرْبَعٍ أَوَّلُهَا أَنْ تَعْرِفَ رَبَّكَ وَالثَّانِي أَنْ تَعْرِفَ مَا صَنَعَ بِكَ وَالثَّالِثُ أَنْ تَعْرِفَ مَا أَرَادَ مِنْكَ وَالرَّابِعُ أَنْ تَعْرِفَ مَا يُخْرِجُكَ مِنْ دِينِكَ.

11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from al-Minqari from Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah who has said the following.

“(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who said, ‘I have found all the knowledge of people in four categories: (a) The knowledge that would teach you about your Lord. (b) The knowledge that would teach you what the Lord has done for you. (c) The knowledge that would teach you what the Lord wants from you. (d) The knowledge that would teach you what destroys your religion.’”

12ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مَا حَقُّ الله عَلَى خَلْقِهِ فَقَالَ أَنْ يَقُولُوا مَا يَعْلَمُونَ وَيَكُفُّوا عَمَّا لا يَعْلَمُونَ فَإِذَا فَعَلُوا ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ أَدَّوْا إِلَى الله حَقَّهُ.

12. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim who has said the following.

“(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, ‘People must say only what they know and hold back from what they do not know. If they would do as such they have observed the rights of the Lord upon them.’” This he said in answer to a question from Hisham ibn Salim.

13ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ ابْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مَرْوَانَ الْعِجْلِيِّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حَنْظَلَةَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ اعْرِفُوا مَنَازِلَ النَّاسِ عَلَى قَدْرِ رِوَايَتِهِمْ عَنَّا.

13. Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn Sinan from Muhammad ibn Marwan al-‘Ijli from Ali ibn Hanzala who has said the following.

“(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), said, ‘Note the position of the people from the degree of their narration of Hadith from us.’”

14ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ زَكَرِيَّا الْغَلابِيِّ عَنِ ابْنِ عَائِشَةَ الْبَصْرِيِّ رَفَعَهُ أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ فِي بَعْضِ خُطَبِهِ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ بِعَاقِلٍ مَنِ انْزَعَجَ مِنْ قَوْلِ الزُّورِ فِيهِ وَلا بِحَكِيمٍ مَنْ رَضِيَ بِثَنَاءِ الْجَاهِلِ عَلَيْهِ النَّاسُ أَبْنَاءُ مَا يُحْسِنُونَ وَقَدْرُ كُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا يُحْسِنُ فَتَكَلَّمُوا فِي الْعِلْمِ تَبَيَّنْ أَقْدَارُكُمْ.

14. Al-Husayn ibn al-Hassan has narrated from Muhammad ibn Zakariyya al-Ghalibi from ibn ‘A’isha al-Basri in a marfu‘ manner (rafa'ahu) Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) who has said the following.

“In certain parts of his sermons he said, ‘O people, know that there is no man of intelligence who would become disappointed for a lie spoken about him. There is no man of wisdom who would become pleased with the praises of ignorant people of him. People are children of what they do best and the value of a man is what he does best. Speak knowledge it will manifest your value.’”

15ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ أَبَانِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ وَعِنْدَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَصْرَةِ يُقَالُ لَهُ عُثْمَانُ الاعْمَى وَهُوَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ الْحَسَنَ الْبَصْرِيَّ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ الْعِلْمَ يُؤْذِي رِيحُ بُطُونِهِمْ أَهْلَ النَّارِ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَهَلَكَ إِذَنْ مُؤْمِنُ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ مَا زَالَ الْعِلْمُ مَكْتُوماً مُنْذُ بَعَثَ الله نُوحاً (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَلْيَذْهَبِ الْحَسَنُ يَمِيناً وَشِمَالاً فَوَ الله مَا يُوجَدُ الْعِلْمُ إِلا هَاهُنَا.

15. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from ‘Abdallah ibn Sulayman who has said the following.

‘(Imam) abu Ja‘far (a.s.) said to a man from Basra called ‘Uthman al-A'ma who would keep saying, “Al-Hassan al-Basri believes that those who hide knowledge the bad odor from their stomach will cause suffering to the people of hell.” The Imam said, “The true believer of the people of Pharaoh is then destroyed. Knowledge from the time of Noah became veiled (s.a). Let Hassan go left and right. I swear by Allah he will not find knowledge in no other place but here with us.”

Chapter 17

Chapter on narrating books and Hadith (The virtue of writing and its preservation)

1ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ مَنْصُورِ بْنِ يُونُسَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَوْلَ الله جَلَّ ثَنَاؤُهُ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ قَالَ هُوَ الرَّجُلُ يَسْمَعُ الْحَدِيثَ فَيُحَدِّثُ بِهِ كَمَا سَمِعَهُ لا يَزِيدُ فِيهِ وَلا يَنْقُصُ مِنْهُ.

Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Mansur ibn Yunus from abu Basir who has said the following.

“(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said about the words of Allah in the holy Quran, “ . Our servants who listen to the words and only follow the best ones . (39:18).” “He is a man who learns Hadith and reports it as he has learned without any additions of omissions”

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أُذَيْنَةَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَسْمَعُ الْحَدِيثَ مِنْكَ فَأَزِيدُ وَأَنْقُصُ قَالَ إِنْ كُنْتَ تُرِيدُ مَعَانِيَهُ فَلا بَأْسَ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ibn ’Udhayna from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following.

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Can I add to or omit from a Hadith that I hear from you?’” He said, “It is alight, if you would preserve the meaning,’”

3ـ وَعَنْهُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنِ ابْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ دَاوُدَ بْنِ فَرْقَدٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنِّي أَسْمَعُ الْكَلامَ مِنْكَ فَأُرِيدُ أَنْ أَرْوِيَهُ كَمَا سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْكَ فَلا يَجِي‏ءُ قَالَ فَتَعَمَّدُ ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ لا فَقَالَ تُرِيدُ الْمَعَانِيَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَلا بَأْسَ.

3. It is narrated from him from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from ibn Sinan from Dawud ibn Farqad who has said the following.

“I asked (Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘I hear your statement and I want to narrate to others but it does not come through exactly.’” The Imam asked, “Do you do it purposely?” He said, “No, I do not do it purposely.” The Imam asked, “Do you keep the meaning?” He said, “Yes, I keep the meaning.” The Imam said, “It then is alright.”

4ـ وَعَنْهُ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الْحَدِيثُ أَسْمَعُهُ مِنْكَ أَرْوِيهِ عَنْ أَبِيكَ أَوْ أَسْمَعُهُ مِنْ أَبِيكَ أَرْوِيهِ عَنْكَ قَالَ سَوَاءٌ إِلا أَنَّكَ تَرْوِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ وَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لِجَمِيلٍ مَا سَمِعْتَ مِنِّي فَارْوِهِ عَنْ أَبِي.

4. It is narrated from him from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn abu Hamza from abu Basir who has said the following.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said to Jamil, ‘What you hear from me narrate it from my father.’”

5ـ وَعَنْهُ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ سِنَانٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَجِيئُنِي الْقَوْمُ فَيَسْتَمِعُونَ مِنِّي حَدِيثَكُمْ فَأَضْجَرُ وَلا أَقْوَى قَالَ فَاقْرَأْ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ أَوَّلِهِ حَدِيثاً وَمِنْ وَسَطِهِ حَدِيثاً وَمِنْ آخِرِهِ حَدِيثاً.

5. It is narrated from him from Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from ibn Mahbub from ‘Abdallah ibn Sinan who has said the following.

“I said to (Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘People come to me and they listen to the Ahadith that I narrate to them from you. I become tired and weak.’” The Imam said, “Narrate to them a Hadith from the beginning and one from the middle and one from the end.”

6ـ عَنْهُ بِإِسْنَادِهِ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ عُمَرَ الْحَلالِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الرَّجُلُ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا يُعْطِينِي الْكِتَابَ وَلا يَقُولُ ارْوِهِ عَنِّي يَجُوزُ لِي أَنْ أَرْوِيَهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ إِذَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ الْكِتَابَ لَهُ فَارْوِهِ عَنْهُ.

6. It is narrated from him from Ahmad ibn ‘Umar al-Hallal who has said the following.

“I said to (Imam) abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), ‘One of our people gives me a book but he does not say whether I can narrate any thing from it or not. Can I narrate from it?’” He has said that the Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes, you can narrate if you would that the book is his.”

7ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ وَعَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنِ النَّوْفَلِيِّ عَنِ السَّكُونِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِذَا حَدَّثْتُمْ بِحَدِيثٍ فَأَسْنِدُوهُ إِلَى الَّذِي حَدَّثَكُمْ فَإِنْ كَانَ حَقّاً فَلَكُمْ وَإِنْ كَانَ كَذِباً فَعَلَيْهِ‏.

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“When you would narrate Hadith you must say who its narrator is. If it would be true it will be for you and if it would be false it will be his responsibility.

8ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الله عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ الْمَدَنِيِّ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ حُسَيْنٍ الاحْمَسِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ الْقَلْبُ يَتَّكِلُ عَلَى الْكِتَابَةِ.

8. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from abu Ayyub al-Madani from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Husayn al-Ahmasi from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“The heart relies on writing.”

9ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ حُمَيْدٍ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ اكْتُبُوا فَإِنَّكُمْ لا تَحْفَظُونَ حَتَّى تَكْتُبُوا.

9. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Washsha’ from ‘Asim ibn Humayd from abu Basir who has said the following.

“(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, ‘You must write down because you will not memorize until you write down.’”

10ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنِ ابْنِ بُكَيْرٍ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ زُرَارَةَ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) احْتَفِظُوا بِكُتُبِكُمْ فَإِنَّكُمْ سَوْفَ تَحْتَاجُونَ إِلَيْهَا.

10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr from 'Ubayd ibn Zurara who has said the following.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, ‘You must preserve your books because you will soon need them.’”

11ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ الْبَرْقِيِّ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخَيْبَرِيِّ عَنِ الْمُفَضَّلِ بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) اكْتُبْ وَبُثَّ عِلْمَكَ فِي إِخْوَانِكَ فَإِنْ مِتَّ فَأَوْرِثْ كُتُبَكَ بَنِيكَ فَإِنَّهُ يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانُ هَرْجٍ لا يَأْنَسُونَ فِيهِ إِلا بِكُتُبِهِمْ.

11. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid al-Barqi from certain persons of his people from abu Sa‘id al-Khaybari from al-Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar who has said the following.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, ‘You must write down (Hadith) and spread your knowledge among your brethren. If you will die your children will inherit your books. A time will come when people will face chaos and they will find no comfort but with their books.’”

12ـ وَبِهَذَا الاسْنَادِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ رَفَعَهُ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِيَّاكُمْ وَالْكَذِبَ الْمُفْتَرِعَ قِيلَ لَهُ وَمَا الْكَذِبُ الْمُفْتَرِعُ قَالَ أَنْ يُحَدِّثَكَ الرَّجُلُ بِالْحَدِيثِ فَتَتْرُكَهُ وَتَرْوِيَهُ عَنِ الَّذِي حَدَّثَكَ عَنْهُ.

12. It is narrated through the same chain of narrators from Muhammad ibn Ali in a marfu‘ manner from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, ‘Beware of the branched-out lies.’ They asked the Imam, “What is branched-out lies?” The Imam replied, “It is when a person narrates a Hadith to you and you would ignore him and narrate it from the person from whom he had narrated the Hadith.’”

13ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ عَنْ جَمِيلِ بْنِ دَرَّاجٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَعْرِبُوا حَدِيثَنَا فَإِنَّا قَوْمٌ فُصَحَاءُ.

13. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Jamil ibn Darraj who has said the following.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, ‘Speak our Hadith clearly because we are eloquent people.’”

14ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ وَحَمَّادِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ وَغَيْرِهِ قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ حَدِيثِي حَدِيثُ أَبِي وَحَدِيثُ أَبِي حَدِيثُ جَدِّي وَحَدِيثُ جَدِّي حَدِيثُ الْحُسَيْنِ وَحَدِيثُ الْحُسَيْنِ حَدِيثُ الْحَسَنِ وَحَدِيثُ الْحَسَنِ حَدِيثُ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَحَدِيثُ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَدِيثُ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَحَدِيثُ رَسُولِ الله قَوْلُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ.

14. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Umar ibn 'Abd al-‘Aziz from Hisham ibn Salim, Hammed ibn ‘Uthman and others who have said the following.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, ‘My Hadith is the Hadith of my father. The Hadith of my father is the Hadith of my grandfather. The Hadith of my grandfather is the Hadith of Imam Husayn. The Hadith of Imam al-Husayn is the Hadith of Imam al- Hassan. The Hadith of Imam al-Hassan is the Hadith of Imam Ali (a.s.). The Hadith of Imam Ali is the Hadith of the holy Prophet (s.a.) and the Hadith of the holy Prophet is the words of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious.’”

15ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ أَبِي خَالِدٍ شَيْنُولَةَ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ مَشَايِخَنَا رَوَوْا عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ وَأَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَكَانَتِ التَّقِيَّةُ شَدِيدَةً فَكَتَمُوا كُتُبَهُمْ وَلَمْ تُرْوَ عَنْهُمْ فَلَمَّا مَاتُوا صَارَتِ الْكُتُبُ إِلَيْنَا فَقَالَ حَدِّثُوا بِهَا فَإِنَّهَا حَقٌّ.

15. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan ibn abu Khalid Shaynula who has said the following.

“I said to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘May Allah take my soul in your service, our shaikhs have narrated Hadith from Imam abu Ja‘far and from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and at that time because of fear Taqiyah, concealment was sever. They concealed their books and did narrate from them. When they died their books came to us.’” The Imam said, “You may narrate from them because they contain the truth.”

Chapter 18

Chapter on Taqlid, following the opinions of someone

1ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنِ ابْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ اتَّخَذُوا أَحْبارَهُمْ وَرُهْبانَهُمْ أَرْباباً مِنْ دُونِ الله فَقَالَ أَمَا وَالله مَا دَعَوْهُمْ إِلَى عِبَادَةِ أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ دَعَوْهُمْ مَا أَجَابُوهُمْ وَلَكِنْ أَحَلُّوا لَهُمْ حَرَاماً وَحَرَّمُوا عَلَيْهِمْ حَلالاً فَعَبَدُوهُمْ مِنْ حَيْثُ لا يَشْعُرُونَ.

1. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from 'Abdallah ibn Yahya from ibn Muskan from abu Basir who has said the following.

“I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the verse of the holy Quran that says, ‘They (unconditionally) obeyed the rabbis and the monks and worshipped the Messiah, son of Mary, as they should have obeyed God. . (9:31)’. The Imam replied, “By Allah they did not call people to worship them. If they had done so people would not have accepted it. The Rabbis and monks made unlawful things lawful for them and the lawful things as lawful. And in this way they worshipped them unintentionally.”

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْهَمَذَانِيِّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عُبَيْدَةَ قَالَ قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَنْتُمْ أَشَدُّ تَقْلِيداً أَمِ الْمُرْجِئَةُ قَالَ قُلْتُ قَلَّدْنَا وَقَلَّدُوا فَقَالَ لَمْ أَسْأَلْكَ عَنْ هَذَا فَلَمْ يَكُنْ عِنْدِي جَوَابٌ أَكْثَرُ مِنَ الْجَوَابِ الاوَّلِ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ الْمُرْجِئَةَ نَصَبَتْ رَجُلاً لَمْ تَفْرِضْ طَاعَتَهُ وَقَلَّدُوهُ وَأَنْتُمْ نَصَبْتُمْ رَجُلاً وَفَرَضْتُمْ طَاعَتَهُ ثُمَّ لَمْ تُقَلِّدُوهُ فَهُمْ أَشَدُّ مِنْكُمْ تَقْلِيداً.

2. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Hamdani from Muhammad ibn ‘Ubayda who has said the following.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) said, ‘O Muhammad, Do you observe Taqlid more strictly or the group of Murji’a?’ Muhammad ibn ‘ubaydah has said, “I replied, ‘They observe Taqlid and we observe Taqlid.’ The Imam then said, “I did not ask you about this.” I did not have any answer other than the first one. The Imam then said, “The group of Murji’a chose a man whose obedience was not obligatory (in the commands of Allah) but they obeyed and followed him strictly. You chose a man and considered obedience to him necessary (in commands from Allah) and then you did not follow him strictly, therefore, they are more strict in Taqlid, following than you are.”

3 ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ شَاذَانَ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ رِبْعِيِّ بْنِ عَبْدِ الله عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ الله جَلَّ وَعَزَّ اتَّخَذُوا أَحْبارَهُمْ وَرُهْبانَهُمْ أَرْباباً مِنْ دُونِ الله فَقَالَ وَالله مَا صَامُوا لَهُمْ وَلا صَلَّوْا لَهُمْ وَلَكِنْ أَحَلُّوا لَهُمْ حَرَاماً وَحَرَّمُوا عَلَيْهِمْ حَلالاً فَاتَّبَعُوهُمْ.

3. Muhammad ibn ‘Isma’il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Hammed ibn ‘Isa from Rib‘i ibn ‘Abdallah from abu Basir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“They (unconditionally) obeyed the rabbis and the monks and worshipped the Messiah, son of Mary, as they should have obeyed God . (9:31).’ “By Allah, they (the people) did not pray or fast for them (rabbis and monks) but they (rabbis and monks) made lawful for the people what was unlawful and unlawful what was lawful and people followed them accordingly.”