Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Chapter 8

The obligation to obey the Imams (a.s.)

1ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ حَرِيزٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ ذِرْوَةُ الامْرِ وَسَنَامُهُ وَمِفْتَاحُهُ وَبَابُ الاشْيَاءِ وَرِضَا الرَّحْمَنِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى الطَّاعَةُ لِلامَامِ بَعْدَ مَعْرِفَتِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يَقُولُ مَنْ يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطاعَ الله وَمَنْ تَوَلَّى فَما أَرْسَلْناكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظاً.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Zurara from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following.

“The top most matter (in religion) the most noble, the key issue, the gateway to all affairs and the pleasure of the Most Beneficent , the Most Holy, the Most High, is obedience to the Imam after finding out who the Imam is.” The Imam (a.s.) then said, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, ‘One who obeys the Messenger has certainly obeyed God. You have not been sent to watch over those who turn away from you (4:80)’”

2ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الاشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ أَبَانِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنْ أَبِي الصَّبَّاحِ قَالَ أَشْهَدُ أَنِّي سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً إِمَامٌ فَرَضَ الله طَاعَتَهُ وَأَنَّ الْحَسَنَ إِمَامٌ فَرَضَ الله طَاعَتَهُ وَأَنَّ الْحُسَيْنَ إِمَامٌ فَرَضَ الله طَاعَتَهُ وَأَنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ إِمَامٌ فَرَضَ الله طَاعَتَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ إِمَامٌ فَرَضَ الله طَاعَتَهُ.

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Washsha from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from abu al-Sabah who has said that he heard Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, “I testify that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) is the Imam obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah, that al-Hassan (a.s.) is the Imam obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah, that al-Husayn is the Imam obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah, that Ali ibn al-Husayn is the Imam obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah and that Muhammad ibn Ali is the Imam obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah.”

3ـ وَبِهَذَا الاسْنَادِ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ عُثْمَانَ عَنْ بَشِيرٍ الْعَطَّارِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ نَحْنُ قَوْمٌ فَرَضَ الله طَاعَتَنَا وَأَنْتُمْ تَأْتَمُّونَ بِمَنْ لا يُعْذَرُ النَّاسُ بِجَهَالَتِهِ.

3. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali who has said that Hammad ibn ‘Uthman narrated to us from Bashir al-‘Attar who has said that he heard Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, “We are the people obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah and you follow those that people’s responsibility to obey them does not cease because of ignorance and not knowing them.”

4ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ الْمُخْتَارِ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَآتَيْناهُمْ مُلْكاً عَظِيماً قَالَ الطَّاعَةُ الْمَفْرُوضَةُ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Husayn ibn al_Mukhtar from some of our people from Imam abu Ja'far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “We gave them a great kingdom” 4:58, it means the obedience that is obligatory.”

5ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي خَالِدٍ الْقَمَّاطِ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْعَطَّارِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ أُشْرِكَ بَيْنَ الاوْصِيَاءِ وَالرُّسُلِ فِي الطَّاعَةِ.

5. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from abu Khalid al-Qammat from abu al_hassan al-‘Attar who has said that he heard Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, “Of the matters common among the successors and the messengers themselves one is that to obey them all is obligatory.”

6ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ سَيْفِ بْنِ عَمِيرَةَ عَنْ أَبِي الصَّبَّاحِ الْكِنَانِيِّ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) نَحْنُ قَوْمٌ فَرَضَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ طَاعَتَنَا لَنَا الانْفَالُ وَلَنَا صَفْوُ الْمَالِ وَنَحْنُ الرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ وَنَحْنُ الْمَحْسُودُونَ الَّذِينَ قَالَ الله أَمْ يَحْسُدُونَ النَّاسَ عَلى‏ ما آتاهُمُ الله مِنْ فَضْلِهِ.

6. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn abu ‘Umayr from Sayf ibn ibn ‘Umayr from abu al-Sabah al-Kinani who has said that Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“We are a people obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. The Anfal (twenty percent in tax) is for us and we have been given the authority to choose the best out of the property seized from the enemy. We are the people very firmly established in knowledge. We are the ones who are considered as subject to the jealousy of people in the following verse of the holy Quran, “Are they jealous of the favors that God has done to some people? . (4:54)

7ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أَبِي الْعَلاءِ قَالَ ذَكَرْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَوْلَنَا فِي الاوْصِيَاءِ إِنَّ طَاعَتَهُمْ مُفْتَرَضَةٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ هُمُ الَّذِينَ قَالَ الله تَعَالَى أَطِيعُوا الله وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الامْرِ مِنْكُمْ وَهُمُ الَّذِينَ قَالَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ الله وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا.

7. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Hakam from al-Husayn ibn abu al-‘Ala’ whos has said that I mentioned to Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) our expression about the successors (of the Prophets (s.a.)) “That obedience to them is obligatory”, the Imam (a.s.) said, ‘It is very true because they are the people about whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “Believers, obey God, His Messenger, and your (qualified) leaders. . .’ (4:59) It is they about whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has also said, ‘Only God, His Messenger, and the true believers who are steadfast in prayer and pay alms, while they kneel during prayer, are your guardians (5:55)’”

8ـ وَبِهَذَا الاسْنَادِ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَمَّرِ بْنِ خَلادٍ قَالَ سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ فَارِسِيٌّ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقَالَ طَاعَتُكَ مُفْتَرَضَةٌ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ مِثْلُ طَاعَةِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقَالَ نَعَمْ.

8. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Mu‘ammar ibn Khallad who has said that a man from Persia asked Imam abu al-Hassan (a.s.) “Is obedience to you obligatory?” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “Yes, it is obligatory.” The man then asked is in the same way as obedience to Amir al-Mu’minin Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.)?” The Imam (a.s.) replied “Yes, it is obligatory in the same way,”

9ـ وَبِهَذَا الاسْنَادِ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الائِمَّةِ هَلْ يَجْرُونَ فِي الامْرِ وَالطَّاعَةِ مَجْرَى وَاحِدٍ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

9. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Ali ibn abu Hamza from abu Basir who has said that I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the Imams whether in the matters of the obligation of obedience to them they are all the same or not. The Imam (a.s.) replied, “Yes, they are all the same.”

10ـ وَبِهَذَا الاسْنَادِ عَنْ مَرْوَكِ بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ الطَّبَرِيِّ قَالَ كُنْتُ قَائِماً عَلَى رَأْسِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) بِخُرَاسَانَ وَعِنْدَهُ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ وَفِيهِمْ إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مُوسَى بْنِ عِيسَى الْعَبَّاسِيُّ فَقَالَ يَا إِسْحَاقُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ النَّاسَ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّا نَزْعُمُ أَنَّ النَّاسَ عَبِيدٌ لَنَا لا وَقَرَابَتِي مِنْ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) مَا قُلْتُهُ قَطُّ وَلا سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْ آبَائِي قَالَهُ وَلا بَلَغَنِي عَنْ أَحَدٍ مِنْ آبَائِي قَالَهُ وَلَكِنِّي أَقُولُ النَّاسُ عَبِيدٌ لَنَا فِي الطَّاعَةِ مَوَالٍ لَنَا فِي الدِّينِ فَلْيُبَلِّغِ الشَّاهِدُ الْغَائِبَ.

10. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from Marwak ibn ‘Ubayd from Muhammad ibn Zayd al-Tabari who has said the following.

“I was in the presence of Imam al-Rida (a.s.) in Khurasan with a group of Hashimite people among them was Issshaq ibn Musa ibn ‘Isa from Abbasides and the Imam (a.s.) said to Ishaq, “I hear that people say we think they are our slaves. I swear upon my close relation with the holy Prophet (s.a.) that I have never said such a thing nor Have I ever heard any such thing from my father and grandfather nor I have received any such report from my (holy and noble) ancestors who may have said any such thing. But I must say that people are our slaves in the matters of obedience to us. They are our friends in religion. Those present here must tell this to those who are not present here.”

11ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ صَالِحِ بْنِ السِّنْدِيِّ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ نَحْنُ الَّذِينَ فَرَضَ الله طَاعَتَنَا لا يَسَعُ النَّاسَ إِلا مَعْرِفَتُنَا وَلا يُعْذَرُ النَّاسُ بِجَهَالَتِنَا مَنْ عَرَفَنَا كَانَ مُؤْمِناً وَمَنْ أَنْكَرَنَا كَانَ كَافِراً وَمَنْ لَمْ يَعْرِفْنَا وَلَمْ يُنْكِرْنَا كَانَ ضَالاً حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ إِلَى الْهُدَى الَّذِي افْتَرَضَ الله عَلَيْهِ مِنْ طَاعَتِنَا الْوَاجِبَةِ فَإِنْ يَمُتْ عَلَى ضَلالَتِهِ يَفْعَلِ الله بِهِ مَا يَشَاءُ.

11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Salih ibn al-Sindi from Ja'far ibn Bashir from abu Salma who has said that I heard Imam abu ‘Abdallah say the following.

“We are the ones obedience to whom is obligatory by the commands of Allah. People have no other choice except to know us and they will not be excused for not knowing us. Those who know us are the true believers and those who would refuse to acknowledge our Divine authority are unbelievers. Those who would not know us and would not acknowledge us are straying and lost until they return to guidance and affirm the fact that Allah has made obedience to us obligatory. But if they would die in their straying condition Allah will deal with the way He would will.”

12ـ عَلِيٌّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ يُونُسَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفُضَيْلِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ أَفْضَلِ مَا يَتَقَرَّبُ بِهِ الْعِبَادُ إِلَى الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ قَالَ أَفْضَلُ مَا يَتَقَرَّبُ بِهِ الْعِبَادُ إِلَى الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ طَاعَةُ الله وَطَاعَةُ رَسُولِهِ وَطَاعَةُ أُولِي الامْرِ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) حُبُّنَا إِيمَانٌ وَبُغْضُنَا كُفْرٌ.

12. Ali has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Muhammad ibn Fudayl who has said that I asked the Imam (a.s.) about such a matter that would take people closer to Allah. The Imam (a.s.) said, “Of the matters that can take people closer to Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, the best one is to obey Him, His messenger and those who posses Divine authority.” Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, “To love us if faith and to harbor hatred towards us is disbelief.”

13ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ فَضَالَةَ بْنِ أَيُّوبَ عَنْ أَبَانٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ جَابِرٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَعْرِضُ عَلَيْكَ دِينِيَ الَّذِي أَدِينُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بِهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ هَاتِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلا الله وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالاقْرَارُ بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ مِنْ عِنْدِ الله وَأَنَّ عَلِيّاً كَانَ إِمَاماً فَرَضَ الله طَاعَتَهُ ثُمَّ كَانَ بَعْدَهُ الْحَسَنُ إِمَاماً فَرَضَ الله طَاعَتَهُ ثُمَّ كَانَ بَعْدَهُ الْحُسَيْنُ إِمَاماً فَرَضَ الله طَاعَتَهُ ثُمَّ كَانَ بَعْدَهُ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ إِمَاماً فَرَضَ الله طَاعَتَهُ حَتَّى انْتَهَى الامْرُ إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ أَنْتَ يَرْحَمُكَ الله قَالَ فَقَالَ هَذَا دِينُ الله وَدِينُ مَلائِكَتِهِ.

13. Muhammad ibn al-Hassan has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Fadala ibn Ayyub from Aban from ‘Abdallah ibn Sinan from ’isma‘il ibn Jabir who has said the I asked Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) if I may state before him my religion and faith in Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. The Imam (a.s.) said, “Say it and let us hear them.” I said, “I testify that there is no god other than Allah Who is One and has no partner. I testify that Muhammad (s.a.) is the servant and messenger of Allah. I acknowledge the truth of all that he has brought from Allah. I testify that Imam (a.s.) was the Imam obedience was and is obligatory by the command of Allah. After him Imam al-Hassan was the Imam obedience to whom was and is obligatory by the command of Allah. After him Imam al-Husayn was and is the Imam obedience to whom was and is obligatory by the command of Allah. After him Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn was and is the Imam obedience to whom is obligatory by the command of Allah. I continued until it was the turn for him and I said, “Then yourself, may Allah have you in His blessings are such Imam.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “This is the religion that belongs to Allah and it is the religion of His angels.”

14ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ صُحْبَةَ الْعَالِمِ وَاتِّبَاعَهُ دِينٌ يُدَانُ الله بِهِ وَطَاعَتَهُ مَكْسَبَةٌ لِلْحَسَنَاتِ مَمْحَاةٌ لِلسَّيِّئَاتِ وَذَخِيرَةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَرِفْعَةٌ فِيهِمْ فِي حَيَاتِهِمْ وَجَمِيلٌ بَعْدَ مَمَاتِهِمْ.

14. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Salim from abu Hamza from abu Ishaq from some of the companions of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) who has narrated the following from Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.).

“Know that to establish companionship with the scholar and to follow him is a religion on account of which Allah will grant rewards. Obedience to the scholar is the means to gain goodness and to delete evil deeds. It is the most valuable treasure for the believers. It is dignifying progress in their life time and after their death because of it people will speak of him with praise and virtue .”

15ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ شَاذَانَ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ مَنْصُورِ بْنِ حَازِمٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ الله أَجَلُّ وَأَكْرَمُ مِنْ أَنْ يُعْرَفَ بِخَلْقِهِ بَلِ الْخَلْقُ يُعْرَفُونَ بِالله قَالَ صَدَقْتَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ مَنْ عَرَفَ أَنَّ لَهُ رَبّاً فَقَدْ يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَعْرِفَ أَنَّ لِذَلِكَ الرَّبِّ رِضًا وَسَخَطاً وَأَنَّهُ لا يُعْرَفُ رِضَاهُ وَسَخَطُهُ إِلا بِوَحْيٍ أَوْ رَسُولٍ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَأْتِهِ الْوَحْيُ فَيَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَطْلُبَ الرُّسُلَ فَإِذَا لَقِيَهُمْ عَرَفَ أَنَّهُمُ الْحُجَّةُ وَأَنَّ لَهُمُ الطَّاعَةَ الْمُفْتَرَضَةَ فَقُلْتُ لِلنَّاسِ أَ لَيْسَ تَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) كَانَ هُوَ الْحُجَّةَ مِنَ الله عَلَى خَلْقِهِ قَالُوا بَلَى قُلْتُ فَحِينَ مَضَى (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) مَنْ كَانَ الْحُجَّةَ قَالُوا الْقُرْآنُ فَنَظَرْتُ فِي الْقُرْآنِ فَإِذَا هُوَ يُخَاصِمُ بِهِ الْمُرْجِئُ وَالْقَدَرِيُّ وَالزِّنْدِيقُ الَّذِي لا يُؤْمِنُ بِهِ حَتَّى يَغْلِبَ الرِّجَالَ بِخُصُومَتِهِ فَعَرَفْتُ أَنَّ الْقُرْآنَ لا يَكُونُ حُجَّةً إِلا بِقَيِّمٍ فَمَا قَالَ فِيهِ مِنْ شَيْ‏ءٍ كَانَ حَقّاً فَقُلْتُ لَهُمْ مَنْ قَيِّمُ الْقُرْآنِ قَالُوا ابْنُ مَسْعُودٍ قَدْ كَانَ يَعْلَمُ وَعُمَرُ يَعْلَمُ وَحُذَيْفَةُ يَعْلَمُ قُلْتُ كُلَّهُ قَالُوا لا فَلَمْ أَجِدْ أَحَداً يُقَالُ إِنَّهُ يَعْلَمُ الْقُرْآنَ كُلَّهُ إِلا عَلِيّاً صَلَوَاتُ الله عَلَيْهِ وَإِذَا كَانَ الشَّيْ‏ءُ بَيْنَ الْقَوْمِ فَقَالَ هَذَا لا أَدْرِي وَقَالَ هَذَا لا أَدْرِي وَقَالَ هَذَا لا أَدْرِي وَقَالَ هَذَا أَنَا أَدْرِي فَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) كَانَ قَيِّمَ الْقُرْآنِ وَكَانَتْ طَاعَتُهُ مُفْتَرَضَةً وَكَانَ الْحُجَّةَ عَلَى النَّاسِ بَعْدَ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَأَنَّ مَا قَالَ فِي الْقُرْآنِ فَهُوَ حَقٌّ فَقَالَ رَحِمَكَ الله فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ عَلِيّاً (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لَمْ يَذْهَبْ حَتَّى تَرَكَ حُجَّةً مِنْ بَعْدِهِ كَمَا تَرَكَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَأَنَّ الْحُجَّةَ بَعْدَ عَلِيٍّ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ وَأَشْهَدُ عَلَى الْحَسَنِ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَذْهَبْ حَتَّى تَرَكَ حُجَّةً مِنْ بَعْدِهِ كَمَا تَرَكَ أَبُوهُ وَجَدُّهُ وَأَنَّ الْحُجَّةَ بَعْدَ الْحَسَنِ الْحُسَيْنُ وَكَانَتْ طَاعَتُهُ مُفْتَرَضَةً فَقَالَ رَحِمَكَ الله فَقَبَّلْتُ رَأْسَهُ وَقُلْتُ وَأَشْهَدُ عَلَى الْحُسَيْنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَذْهَبْ حَتَّى تَرَكَ حُجَّةً مِنْ بَعْدِهِ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ وَكَانَتْ طَاعَتُهُ مُفْتَرَضَةً فَقَالَ رَحِمَكَ الله فَقَبَّلْتُ رَأْسَهُ وَقُلْتُ وَأَشْهَدُ عَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَذْهَبْ حَتَّى تَرَكَ حُجَّةً مِنْ بَعْدِهِ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ وَكَانَتْ طَاعَتُهُ مُفْتَرَضَةً فَقَالَ رَحِمَكَ الله قُلْتُ أَعْطِنِي رَأْسَكَ حَتَّى أُقَبِّلَهُ فَضَحِكَ قُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ الله قَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ أَبَاكَ لَمْ يَذْهَبْ حَتَّى تَرَكَ حُجَّةً مِنْ بَعْدِهِ كَمَا تَرَكَ أَبُوهُ وَأَشْهَدُ بِالله أَنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْحُجَّةُ وَأَنَّ طَاعَتَكَ مُفْتَرَضَةٌ فَقَالَ كُفَّ رَحِمَكَ الله قُلْتُ أَعْطِنِي رَأْسَكَ أُقَبِّلْهُ فَقَبَّلْتُ رَأْسَهُ فَضَحِكَ وَقَالَ سَلْنِي عَمَّا شِئْتَ فَلا أُنْكِرُكَ بَعْدَ الْيَوْمِ أَبَداً.

15. Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Safwan ibn Yahya from Mansur ibn Hazim who has the following.

“I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Allah is the Most Holy, the Most High to be recognized through His creatures. In fact, it is the creature who are recognized through Allah.’” The Imam (a.s.) said you have is very true.” I then said, “One who knows that he has a creator he must also know that his creator becomes with certain things and displeased with certain other things. That the only way to know what is pleases the creator and what displeases Him is through divine revelation or a messengers. One who does not receive Divine revelation must find the messenger and when one would find the messengers and upon finding the messenger one would learn that they are the Divine authorities and obedience to them is obligatory. I say it to people, “Do you not acknowledge that obedience to the holy Prophet possessed Divine authority from Allah over His creatures?” They say, “Yes, it is true.” I then say to them, “When the holy Prophet left this world who possessed Divine authority over the people?” The say, “The holy Quran.” I then looked in the holy Quran and I found out that all kinds of people consider this holy as the basis for their beliefs. The group called al-Murji’a consider it as the basis for whatever it believes. Those who believe in predestination also consider this holy Book as the basis for whatever they believe in. Even the atheists who do not even believe in it at all refer to this holy book to defeat the others. This proves that the holy Quran can not be considered a Divine authority without a guardian whose words about the Quran would be the true ones. I then ask them, “Who is the guardian of the Quran?” They reply, “Ibn Mas‘ud knew the Quran. ‘Umar knew the Quran. Hudhayfa knew the Quran.” I then ask them, “Did these people know all of the Quran?” They say, “No, they did not know all of the Quran.” I do not find anyone who would say that he knows all of the Quran. The only one who says that he knows all of the Quran is Ali, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. If any question would arise in these people, that one would say that he did not know. The other one would say that he did not know and so on except Ali that would say that he did know. That gives enough proof to say that Ali was the guardian of the Quran. Obedience to Ali was obligatory by the command of

Allah and he possessed Divine authority over the people after the holy Prophet (s.a.). Whatever Ali (a.s.) said about the holy Quran is true.” The Imam said, “May Allah’s blessings be with you.” I then said, “Imam Ali (a.s.) did not leave this world without introducing the person who possessed Divine authority over the people after him just as the holy Prophet (s.a.) had done. The person who possessed Divvine authority over the people after Imam Ali (a.s.)_ was Imam al-Hassan (a.s.). I testify that Imam al-Hassan (a.s.) also did not leave this world without introducing the person who would possess Divine authority over the people after him just as his father and grandfather had done. The person who after Imam al-Hassan possessed Divine authority over the people was Imam al-Husayn (a.s.). Obedience to him was obligatory by the command of Allah.” The Imam said, “May Allah’s blessings be with you.” I then kissed his head and said, “I testify that Imam al-Husayn did not leave this world without introducing the person who would possess Divine authority over the people after him. That person was Imam ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) obedience to whom was obligatory by the command of Allah. The Imam said, “May Allah’s blessings be with you.” I then kissed his head and said, “I testify that Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn did not leave this world without introducing the person who would possess divine authority over the people after him. That person was Imam abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) , obedience to whom was obligatory by the commad of Allah. The Imam said, “May Allah’s blessings be with you.” I then said, “Please let me kiss your head again.” The Imam (a.s.) smiled. I then said, may Allah grand you success. I know that your holy father did not leave this world without introducing the person who would possess Divine authrity over the people after him just his father had done. I testify that yourself are the person who possess Divine authrity over the people after your holy father and that obedience to you is obligatory by the command of Allah.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is true enough, The Imam said, “May Allah’s blessings be with you.” I then asked for his permission to kiss hiis head and the Imam (a.s.) smiled. I kissed his head. The Imam (a.s.) then said, “Ask whatever you want. I, from this day on, will never deny you anything.”

16ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ الْبَرْقِيِّ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْجَوْهَرِيِّ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أَبِي الْعَلاءِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الاوْصِيَاءُ طَاعَتُهُمْ مُفْتَرَضَةٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ هُمُ الَّذِينَ قَالَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَطِيعُوا الله وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الامْرِ مِنْكُمْ وَهُمُ الَّذِينَ قَالَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ الله وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكاةَ وَهُمْ راكِعُونَ.

16. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Khalid al-Barqi from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad al-Jawhari from al-Husayn ibn abu al-‘Ala’ who has said the following.

“I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Is obedience to the successor (of the holy Prophet) obligatory?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes, it is they about whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “Believers, obey God, His Messenger, and your (qualified) leaders. . (4:59) It is they about whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “Only God, His Messenger, and the true believers who are steadfast in prayer and pay alms, while they kneel during prayer, are your guardians (5:55).”

17ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَنْ حَمَّادٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الاعْلَى قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ السَّمْعُ وَالطَّاعَةُ أَبْوَابُ الْخَيْرِ السَّامِعُ الْمُطِيعُ لا حُجَّةَ عَلَيْهِ وَالسَّامِعُ الْعَاصِي لا حُجَّةَ لَهُ وَإِمَامُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ تَمَّتْ حُجَّتُهُ وَاحْتِجَاجُهُ يَوْمَ يَلْقَى الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَقُولُ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا كُلَّ أُناسٍ بِإِمامِهِمْ.

17. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated fromMuhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus ibn ‘Abd al-Rahamn from Hammad from ‘Abd al-A‘la’ who has said that he hear Imam abu ‘Abdalla (a.s.) saying. “Listening and obeying are the gates to goodness. One who listens and is obedient has all the authority in his favor. One who listens but disobeys will have no authority in his favor. The leader, the Imam of the Muslims, on the Day of Judgment, in the presence of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, will have complete authoritative support and rightful arguments in his favor.” The Imam (a.s.) then said, “ Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, says, ‘On the day when We call every nation with their leaders, . (17:71).”

Chapter 9

The Imams (a.s.) are witness for Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, over His creature

1ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ يَعْقُوبَ بْنِ يَزِيدَ عَنْ زِيَادٍ الْقَنْدِيِّ عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَكَيْفَ إِذا جِئْنا مِنْ كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ بِشَهِيدٍ وَجِئْنا بِكَ عَلى‏ هؤُلاءِ شَهِيداً قَالَ نَزَلَتْ فِي أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) خَاصَّةً فِي كُلِّ قَرْنٍ مِنْهُمْ إِمَامٌ مِنَّا شَاهِدٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَمُحَمَّدٌ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) شَاهِدٌ عَلَيْنَا.

1. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ya‘qub ibn Yazid from Ziyad al-Qandi from Suma‘a who has said that Imam abu ‘Abdallah has said the following about the words of Allah in the Holu Quran.

“How will it be when We call for a witness from every nation and have you, (Muhammad), testify against them all?” (4:41) The Imam (a.s.) said that this verse is was revealed about the followers of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) in particular. In every generation of these people there will an Imam from our family who would bear witness over their activities and Prophet Muahammad himself will bear witness over us.”

2ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ عَائِذٍ عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ أُذَيْنَةَ عَنْ بُرَيْدٍ الْعِجْلِيِّ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَكَذلِكَ جَعَلْناكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطاً لِتَكُونُوا شُهَداءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ قَالَ نَحْنُ الامَّةُ الْوُسْطَى وَنَحْنُ شُهَدَاءُ الله عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَحُجَجُهُ فِي أَرْضِهِ قُلْتُ قَوْلَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مِلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْراهِيمَ قَالَ إِيَّانَا عَنَى خَاصَّةً هُوَ سَمَّاكُمُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِنْ قَبْلُ فِي الْكُتُبِ الَّتِي مَضَتْ وَفِي هَذَا الْقُرْآنِ لِيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ شَهِيداً عَلَيْكُمْ فَرَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) الشَّهِيدُ عَلَيْنَا بِمَا بَلَّغَنَا عَنِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَنَحْنُ الشُّهَدَاءُ عَلَى النَّاسِ فَمَنْ صَدَّقَ صَدَّقْنَاهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَمَنْ كَذَّبَ كَذَّبْنَاهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn al-Washsha’ from Ahmad ibn ‘A’idh from ‘Umar ibn ’Udhayna from Buarayd al-‘Ili who has said that I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah: “We have made you (true Muslims) a moderate nation so that you could be (witness) an example for all people and the Prophet (a witness) an example for you. . .” (2:143) The Imam (a.s.) said, “We are the moderate nation and we bear witness to the activities of the people for Allah and we possess Divine authority on earth.” I then asked about the meaning following verse of the holy Quran: “. . the noble religion of your father, Abraham. God named you Muslims before and in this Book, so that the Messenger will witness (your actions). .” (22:78) The word ‘your father’ refers to us particularly we were called Muslims in the heavenly books that were sent before as well as this book. The messenger of Allah bears witness over us by means of teaching us the guidance of Allah and bear witness over the people. Those who would acknowledge our authority, on the Day of Judgment, we will acknowledge their faith and those who would reject our Divine authority, one the Day of Judgment, we will refuse to acknowledge their faith.”

3ـ وَبِهَذَا الاسْنَادِ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ عُمَرَ الْحَلالِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَ فَمَنْ كانَ عَلى‏ بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَيَتْلُوهُ شاهِدٌ مِنْهُ فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ الله عَلَيْهِ الشَّاهِدُ عَلَى رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَرَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) عَلَى بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّهِ.

3. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from Mu‘allah ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali from Ahmad ibn ‘Umar al-Hallal who has said that he asked Imam abu al-Hassan (a.s.) about the meaning of the following verse of the holy Quran: “Should they be compared with those whose Lord has given them a guidance which is testified by a witness from among their own people . .” (11:17) The Imam (a.s.) said, “Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) testified to support the holy Prophet (s.a.) and the holy Prophet received supporting evidence from his Lord.”

4ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أُذَيْنَةَ عَنْ بُرَيْدٍ الْعِجْلِيِّ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَوْلَ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى وَكَذلِكَ جَعَلْناكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطاً لِتَكُونُوا شُهَداءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيداً قَالَ نَحْنُ الامَّةُ الْوَسَطُ وَنَحْنُ شُهَدَاءُ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَحُجَجُهُ فِي أَرْضِهِ قُلْتُ قَوْلَهُ تَعَالَى يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ارْكَعُوا وَاسْجُدُوا وَاعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمْ وَافْعَلُوا الْخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ وَجاهِدُوا فِي الله حَقَّ جِهادِهِ هُوَ اجْتَباكُمْ قَالَ إِيَّانَا عَنَى وَنَحْنُ الْمُجْتَبَوْنَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَلِ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ فَالْحَرَجُ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الضِّيقِ مِلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْراهِيمَ إِيَّانَا عَنَى خَاصَّةً وَسَمَّاكُمُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ الله سَمَّانَا الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِنْ قَبْلُ فِي الْكُتُبِ الَّتِي مَضَتْ وَفِي هَذَا الْقُرْآنِ لِيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ شَهِيداً عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا شُهَداءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ فَرَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) الشَّهِيدُ عَلَيْنَا بِمَا بَلَّغَنَا عَنِ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى وَنَحْنُ الشُّهَدَاءُ عَلَى النَّاسِ فَمَنْ صَدَّقَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ صَدَّقْنَاهُ وَمَنْ كَذَّبَ كَذَّبْنَاهُ.

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn abu ‘Umayr from ibn ’dhayna from Yazid al-‘Ijli who has said that he asked Imam abu Ja'far (a.s.) about the meaning of the following verse of the Holy Quran.

“We have made you (true Muslims) a moderate nation so that you could be (witness) an example for all people and the Prophet (a witness) an example for you. . .” (2:143) The Imam (a.s.) said, “We are the moderate nation and we are the witness for Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, over the activities of His creatures and possess His authority on earth.” I then asked about the meaning of the following verse of the Holy Quran that says, “Believers, worship your Lord, bow down and prostrate yourselves before Him and do virtuous deeds so that perhaps you will have everlasting happiness. (22:77)

Strive steadfastly for the Cause of God. He has chosen you . Believers, worship your Lord, bow down and prostrate yourselves before Him and do virtuous deeds so that perhaps you will have everlasting happiness. (22:77)

Strive steadfastly for the Cause of God. He has chosen you but has not imposed on you hardship in your religion, the noble religion of your father, Abraham. God named you Muslims before and in this Book, so that the Messenger will witness (your actions) and you will be the witness over mankind. The noble religion also is a reference to us. Allah has called us as Muslims in the heaven books that were revealed before and in this holy book (the Holy Quran) The Holy Prophet (s.a.) has testified in our favor by conveying the message of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. We bear witness to the activities and on the Day of Judgment certify the faith of those who have acknowledged our Divine authority and reject those who have rejected our Divine authority.”

5ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ عُمَرَ الْيَمَانِيِّ عَنْ سُلَيْمِ بْنِ قَيْسٍ الْهِلالِيِّ عَنْ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) قَالَ إِنَّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى طَهَّرَنَا وَعَصَمَنَا وَجَعَلَنَا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَحُجَّتَهُ فِي أَرْضِهِ وَجَعَلَنَا مَعَ الْقُرْآنِ وَجَعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ مَعَنَا لا نُفَارِقُهُ وَلا يُفَارِقُنَا.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibrahim ibn ‘Umar al-Yamani from Sulaym ibn Qays al-Hilali from Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, cleansed us, granted us protection against sins, made us to bear witness to the activities of His creatures and granted us Divine authority on earth. He made us to be with the holy Quran and the Holy Quran to be with us. We do not depart the Holy Quran and the Holy Quran does not depart us.”