Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Chapter 20

The people of Dhikr (memory and knowledge) that Allah has commanded the creatures to ask for their questions are the Imams (a.s.)

1ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ عَجْلانَ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) الذِّكْرُ أَنَا وَالائِمَّةُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَقَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَإِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ وَسَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) نَحْنُ قَوْمُهُ وَنَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.

1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha' from 'Abdallah ibn ‘Ajlan from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.” (16:43, 21: 7 Holy Quran). The Holy Prophet (s.a.) has said, ‘I am the Dhikr and the Imams are the people of Dhikr.’” About the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High that says, “It is a Dhikr for you and for your people and you all will be asked questions.’ (43:44) The Imams (a.s.) said, “We are his people and we will be questioned.”(It seems that both the Holy Prophet (s.a.) is called Dhikr and the Holy Quran is also called Dhikr although the above passage seems confusing).

2ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أُورَمَةَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حَسَّانَ عَنْ عَمِّهِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ كَثِيرٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ قَالَ الذِّكْرُ مُحَمَّدٌ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَنَحْنُ أَهْلُهُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ قَالَ قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ وَإِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ وَسَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ قَالَ إِيَّانَا عَنَى وَنَحْنُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَنَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn ’Uwarma from Ali ibn Hassa’n from his uncle ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Kathir said that he asked I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the following words of Allah. “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.” (16:43, 21: 7 Holy Quran) The Imams (a.s.) said, “Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) is ‘Dhikr’ and we are the people of ‘Dhikr who will be asked.” I also asked about, “It is a Dhikr for you and for your people and you all will be asked questions.’ (43:44) The Imams (a.s.) said it is a reference to us. We are the people of Dhikr and we will be asked questions.”

3ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ فَقَالَ نَحْنُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَنَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ قُلْتُ فَأَنْتُمُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ وَنَحْنُ السَّائِلُونَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ حَقّاً عَلَيْنَا أَنْ نَسْأَلَكُمْ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ حَقّاً عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ تُجِيبُونَا قَالَ لا ذَاكَ إِلَيْنَا إِنْ شِئْنَا فَعَلْنَا وَإِنْ شِئْنَا لَمْ نَفْعَلْ أَ مَا تَسْمَعُ قَوْلَ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى هذا عَطاؤُنا فَامْنُنْ أَوْ أَمْسِكْ بِغَيْرِ حِسابٍ.

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha' who has said that said to Imam al-Rida (a.s.), “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what is the meaning of the words of Allah, “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.”? (16:43, 21: 7 Holy Quran) The Imams (a.s.) said, “ ‘Dhikr’ is Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) and we are his family (people) about whom questions will be asked.” I further asked about, “Are you the ones to be questioned and we will be the one to question?” The Imams (a.s.) said yes, that is true.” I then asked, “Will it a right on us to ask you?” The Imams (a.s.) said, “Yes, it is so.” I then asked, “Will it be a right on you to answer us?” The Imams (a.s.) said, “No, will decide. We may or may not answer. Have you not heard the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, that say, “This is a gift from us. You may (give to others and) oblige or keep without being held accountable.”(38:39)

4ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنِ النَّضْرِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ حُمَيْدٍ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَإِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ وَسَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ فَرَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) الذِّكْرُ وَأَهْلُ بَيْتِهِ (عَلَيْهم السَّلام) الْمَسْئُولُونَ وَهُمْ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ.

4. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from ‘Asim ibn Hamid from abu Basir from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “It is a Dhikr for you and for your people and you all will be asked questions.’ (43:44) The Messenger of Allah is the Dhikr (reminder of Allah) and members of his family (a.s.) are the ones who will be asked questions and they are the people of Dhikr.”

5ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ حَمَّادٍ عَنْ رِبْعِيٍّ عَنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى وَإِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ وَسَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ قَالَ الذِّكْرُ الْقُرْآنُ وَنَحْنُ قَوْمُهُ وَنَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.

5. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Hammad from Rib‘iy from Fudayl form abu 'Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “It is a Dhikr for you and for your people and you all will be asked questions.’ (43:44) The Imams (a.s.)said, “The Holy Quran is the ’Dhikr’ and we are the one who will be asked questions.”

6ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنْ مَنْصُورِ بْنِ يُونُسَ عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرٍ الْحَضْرَمِيِّ قَالَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْوَرْدُ أَخُو الْكُمَيْتِ فَقَالَ جَعَلَنِيَ الله فِدَاكَ اخْتَرْتُ لَكَ سَبْعِينَ مَسْأَلَةً مَا تَحْضُرُنِي مِنْهَا مَسْأَلَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ قَالَ وَلا وَاحِدَةٌ يَا وَرْدُ قَالَ بَلَى قَدْ حَضَرَنِي مِنْهَا وَاحِدَةٌ قَالَ وَمَا هِيَ قَالَ قَوْلُ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُمْ قَالَ نَحْنُ قَالَ قُلْتُ عَلَيْنَا أَنْ نَسْأَلَكُمْ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ تُجِيبُونَا قَالَ ذَاكَ إِلَيْنَا.

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il from Mansur ibn Yunus from abu Bakr al-Hadrami who has said the following. “I was in the presence of Imam (a.s.) abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and al-Ward brother of al-Kumayt came to see him. He to the Imams (a.s.) said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I have chosen seventy questions and I do not know the answer even for one of them.” The Imams (a.s.) said, “Not even one answer, O Ward?” He then said, “Yes, I do know the answer for one of them.” The Imams (a.s.) asked, “What is it then?” He replied, “It is the words of Allah that say, ‘Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know’ who are they?” The Imams (a.s.) replied, “We are the people of Dhikr?” I then said, “Must we then ask you?” The Imams (a.s.) said, “Yes, you must ask us for answers.” I then asked, “Must you then give us answers?” The Imams (a.s.) said, “We may or may not answer.”

7ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنِ الْعَلاءِ بْنِ رَزِينٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ مَنْ عِنْدَنَا يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ قَوْلَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُمُ الْيَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَى قَالَ إِذاً يَدْعُونَكُمْ إِلَى دِينِهِمْ قَالَ قَالَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ نَحْنُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَنَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Safwan ibn Yahya from al-‘Ala‘ ibn Razin from Muhammad ibn Muslim who ha said that he said the who has said the following to abu Ja‘far ( a.s.).

“These are people who think that the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. ‘Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know,’ refers to the Jews and the Christians.” The Imams (a.s.) asked, “Do they call you to their religion?” He (Muhammad ibn Muslim) has aid that the Imams (a.s.) “Said, with his hand (pointing) to his chest, ‘We are the People of Dhikr (reminders of Allah) and we are the ones who must be asked questions.’”

8ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَالَ عَلِيُّ بن الحسين (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) عَلَى الائِمَّةِ مِنَ الْفَرْضِ مَا لَيْسَ عَلَى شِيعَتِهِمْ وَعَلَى شِيعَتِنَا مَا لَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا أَمَرَهُمُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَنْ يَسْأَلُونَا قَالَ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ فَأَمَرَهُمْ أَنْ يَسْأَلُونَا وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا الْجَوَابُ إِنْ شِئْنَا أَجَبْنَا وَإِنْ شِئْنَا أَمْسَكْنَا.

8. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha' who has said that he heard Imam al-Rida say the following. “Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn has said that there are certain obligation for the Imams that are not obligatory for their followers and certain obligation of our followers are not obligatory for us. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has commanded them to ask us their questions saying, “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know,’ Thus, Allah has commanded them to ask us their questions but it is not obligatory for us to answer them. We may answer them or may not answer them if we may so decide.” the is not said:

9ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ قَالَ كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) كِتَاباً فَكَانَ فِي بَعْضِ مَا كَتَبْتُ قَالَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ وَقَالَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَما كانَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لِيَنْفِرُوا كَافَّةً فَلَوْ لا نَفَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِنْهُمْ طائِفَةٌ لِيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ وَلِيُنْذِرُوا قَوْمَهُمْ إِذا رَجَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ فَقَدْ فُرِضَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَسْأَلَةُ وَلَمْ يُفْرَضْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْجَوَابُ قَالَ قَالَ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا لَكَ فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّمإ؛33ّّ يَتَّبِعُونَ أَهْواءَهُمْ وَمَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ اتَّبَعَ هَواهُ.

9. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr who has said that he wrote a letter to Imam al-Rida (a.s.). Of the issues for which he requested explanation in the letter one was about the following words of Allah, Most Holy, the Most High. “Ask the people of Dhikr (people who remind of Allah) if you do not know.” The other question was about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “Not all believers have to become specialists in religious learning. Why do not some people from each group of believers seek to become specialists in religious learning and, after completing their studies, guide their group so that they will have fear of God.” (9:122)

thus, it is obligatory for them to ask but it is not obligatory for you to answer.”

The Imams (a.s.) has said the following for the answer. “If they would not do what you would ask them, know that they are only following their (evil) desires. Who strays more than one who follows his desires without guidance from God? . .” (28:50)

Chapter 21

Those whom Allah has called people of knowledge they are the Imams (a.s.)

1ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمُؤْمِنِ بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ الانْصَارِيِّ عَنْ سَعْدٍ عَنْ جَابِرٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ إِنَّما يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُوا الالْبابِ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ عَدُوُّنَا وَشِيعَتُنَا أُولُو الالْبَابِ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Abdallah ibn al-Mughirah from ‘Abd al-Mu’min ibn al-Qasim al-Ansari from Sa‘d from Jabir from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only the people of reason take heed.” (39:9) ‘We are the people of knowledge, the people who and it is our enemies who do not know and our followers are the people who take heed and are the people of reason.’”

2ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنِ النَّضْرِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ عَنْ جَابِرٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ إِنَّما يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُوا الالْبابِ قَالَ نَحْنُ الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَعَدُوُّنَا الَّذِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ وَشِيعَتُنَا أُولُو الالْبَابِ.

2. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from an-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Jabir from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only the people of reason take heed.” (39:9) ‘We are the people of knowledge, the people who and it is our enemies who do not know and our followers are the people who take heed and are the people of reason.’”

Chapter 22

The People Well-grounded in Knowledge are the Imams (a.s.) alone

1ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنِ النَّضْرِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ عَنْ أَيُّوبَ بْنِ الْحُرِّ وَعِمْرَانَ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ نَحْنُ الرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ وَنَحْنُ نَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ.

1. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from an-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Ayyub ibn Hurr and ‘Imran ibn Ali from abu Basir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “We are the people well-grounded in knowledge and we are the ones who know how to interpret it.”

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ حَمَّادٍ عَنْ بُرَيْدِ بْنِ مُعَاوِيَةَ عَنْ أَحَدِهِمَا (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَما يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلا الله وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ فَرَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) أَفْضَلُ الرَّاسِخِينَ فِي الْعِلْمِ قَدْ عَلَّمَهُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ جَمِيعَ مَا أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ التَّنْزِيلِ وَالتَّأْوِيلِ وَمَا كَانَ الله لِيُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْئاً لَمْ يُعَلِّمْهُ تَأْوِيلَهُ وَأَوْصِيَاؤُهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ يَعْلَمُونَهُ كُلَّهُ وَالَّذِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِذَا قَالَ الْعَالِمُ فِيهِمْ بِعِلْمٍ فَأَجَابَهُمُ الله بِقَوْلِهِ يَقُولُونَ آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِنْ عِنْدِ رَبِّنا وَالْقُرْآنُ خَاصٌّ وَعَامٌّ وَمُحْكَمٌ وَمُتَشَابِهٌ وَنَاسِخٌ وَمَنْسُوخٌ فَالرَّاسِخُونُ فِي الْعِلْمِ يَعْلَمُونَهُ.

2. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from ‘Abdallah ibn Ali from Ibrahim ibn Ishaq from ‘Adallah ibn Hammad from Burayd ibn Mu‘awiya who has narrated the following from either one of the Imams (a.s.) about the words of Allah, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. “No one knows its true interpretations except God and those who have a firm grounding in knowledge . .” (3:7). The Holy Prophet is the best among the people well-grounded in knowledge. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, taught him all that He had revealed to him in the form of original text and in the form of interpretations. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, would not reveal anything to him that he would not know the meaning thereof. The successors of the Holy Prophet (s.a.) after him knew all revelations. As for those who do not know the interpretations thereof, when the scholar speaks to them with knowledge, they say, “We believe in it, for all of this is from our Lord.” The Holy Quran consists of specific, general, clear, not so clear, abrogating and abrogated statements. The people who are well-grounded in knowledge know all of the Holy Quran.”

3ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أُورَمَةَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حَسَّانَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ كَثِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ الرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالائِمَّةُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام )

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from MuAlia ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn ’Uwarma from Ali ibn Hassan from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Kathir from abu ‘bdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “People well-grounded in Knowledge stands for Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) and the Imams after him.”

Chapter 23

The Imams are those who have received Knowledge and it is firmly Established in their Hearts

1ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مِهْرَانَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ الْمُخْتَارِ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ فِي هَذِهِ الايَةِ بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ فَأَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ.

1. Ahmad ibn Mahran has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from Hammed ibn 'Isa from al-Husayn ibn al-Mukhtar from abu Basir who has said that he heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say the following about this verse of the Holy Quran. “In fact, the Quran consists of illustrious verses that exist in the hearts of those who have knowledge. . .” (29:49) The Imams (a.s.) pointed to his own hear.”

2ـ عَنْهُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَبْدِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ قَالَ هُمُ الائِمَّةُ (عَلَيْهم السَّلام )

2. It is narrated from him from Muhammad ibn Ali from ibn Mahbub from ‘Abd al-‘Aziz al-‘Abdi from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “In fact, the Quran consists of illustrious verses that exist in the hearts of those who have knowledge. . .” (29:49) ‘They are the Imams (a.s.)’.

3ـ وَعَنْهُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي هَذِهِ الايَةِ بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَا وَالله يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ مَا قَالَ بَيْنَ دَفَّتَيِ الْمُصْحَفِ قُلْتُ مَنْ هُمْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ مَنْ عَسَى أَنْ يَكُونُوا غَيْرَنَا.

3. It is narrated from him from Muhammad ibn Ali from 'Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘a from abu Basir from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following about this verse of the Holy Quran. “In fact, the Quran consists of illustrious verses that exist in the hearts of those who have knowledge. . .” (29:49) The Imams (a.s.) then said, “O abu Muhammad, for the sake of Allah, be the judge and tell, of who it is spoken (so often) between the two covers of the Holy Quran?” I then asked, “Who are they, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause. The Imams (a.s.) said, “Who else can they be other than ourselves?”

4ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ يَزِيدَ شَغَرٍ عَنْ هَارُونَ بْنِ حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ قَالَ هُمُ الائِمَّةُ (عَلَيْهم السَّلام) خَاصَّةً.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Yazid Sha‘ar from Harun ibn Hamza who has said that he hear abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say who has said the following. “In fact, the Quran consists of illustrious verses that exist in the hearts of those who have knowledge. . .” (29:49) ‘They are the Imams (a.s.) exclusive of all others.’”

5ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفُضَيْلِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ قَالَ هُمُ الائِمَّةُ (عَلَيْهم السَّلام) خَاصَّةً.

5. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘d from Muhammad ibn al-Fudayl who has said that he asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the following verse of the Holy Quran. “In fact, the Quran consists of illustrious verses that exist in the hearts of those who have knowledge. . .” (29:49) The Imams (a.s.) said, “They are the Imams (a.s.) exclusive of all others.”

Chapter 24

The people whom Allah has Chosen and has Made the Heirs of His Book are the Imams (a.s.)

1ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ جُمْهُورٍ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَنْ سَالِمٍ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنا مِنْ عِبادِنا فَمِنْهُمْ ظالِمٌ لِنَفْسِهِ وَمِنْهُمْ مُقْتَصِدٌ وَمِنْهُمْ سابِقٌ بِالْخَيْراتِ بِإِذْنِ الله قَالَ السَّابِقُ بِالْخَيْرَاتِ الامَامُ وَالْمُقْتَصِدُ الْعَارِفُ لِلامَامِ وَالظَّالِمُ لِنَفْسِهِ الَّذِي لا يَعْرِفُ الامَامَ.

1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Hammad ibn 'Isa from 'Abd al-Mu’min from Salim who has said that he asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “We gave the Book as an inheritance to Our chosen servants, among whom some are unjust against their souls, some are moderate, and some are exceedingly virtuous by the permission of God. . .” (35:31) The exceedingly virtuous is the Imam (a.s.), the moderateones are those who know the Imams (a.s.) and the unjust ones are those who do not know the Imams (a.s.).”

2ـ الْحُسَيْنُ عَنْ مُعَلىً عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْكَرِيمِ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنا مِنْ عِبادِنا فَقَالَ أَيَّ شَيْ‏ءٍ تَقُولُونَ أَنْتُمْ قُلْتُ نَقُولُ إِنَّهَا فِي الْفَاطِمِيِّينَ قَالَ لَيْسَ حَيْثُ تَذْهَبُ لَيْسَ يَدْخُلُ فِي هَذَا مَنْ أَشَارَ بِسَيْفِهِ وَدَعَا النَّاسَ إِلَى خِلافٍ فَقُلْتُ فَأَيُّ شَيْ‏ءٍ الظَّالِمُ لِنَفْسِهِ قَالَ الْجَالِسُ فِي بَيْتِهِ لا يَعْرِفُ حَقَّ الامَامِ وَالْمُقْتَصِدُ الْعَارِفُ بِحَقِّ الامَامِ وَالسَّابِقُ بِالْخَيْرَاتِ الامَامُ.

2. Al-Husayn has narrated from Mu‘alla from al-Washsha' from ‘Abd al-Karim from Sulayman who has said that he asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the following verse of the Holy Quran. “We gave the book as an inheritance to Our chosen servants,.. .” (35:31) The Imam (a.s.) asked, “What do you say about it?” I said, “We say that they are the Fatimid (descendents of Fatima, Daughter of the Holy Prophet (s.a.)” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is not as you say. No one who would point out his sword and call people into schism and misguidance comes in this (category of people exceeding in virtue).” I then asked, “Who then are the ones doing wrong to themselves?” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “It is those who sit in their homes and do not know the rights of his Imam (a.s.). The moderate ones are those who know the rights of their Imam and the ones exceeding in virtue are the Imams (a.s.)”

3ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنا مِنْ عِبادِنا الايَةَ قَالَ فَقَالَ وُلْدُ فَاطِمَةَ (عليها السلام) وَالسَّابِقُ بِالْخَيْرَاتِ الامَامُ وَالْمُقْتَصِدُ الْعَارِفُ بِالامَامِ وَالظَّالِمُ لِنَفْسِهِ الَّذِي لا يَعْرِفُ الامَامَ.

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan from Ahmad ibn ‘Umar who has said that he asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “We gave the book as an inheritance to Our chosen servants. .” (35:31). The Imam (a.s.) said such people are the children of Fatima (a.s.), those exceeding in virtue are the Imams (a.s.), the moderate ones are those who know the Imam (a.s.) and those who do injustice to themselves are the ones who do not know their Imam (a.s.).”

4ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَبِي وَلادٍ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ الَّذِينَ آتَيْناهُمُ الْكِتابَ يَتْلُونَهُ حَقَّ تِلاوَتِهِ أُولئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ قَالَ هُمُ الائِمَّةُ (عَلَيْهم السَّلام )

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from abu Wallad who has said that he asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “The people who have received Our Book (Quran), and read it thoroughly, believe in it. Those who disbelieve the Book are certainly losers.” (2:121) The Imams (a.s.) said that such people are the Imams (a.s.).”

Chapter 25

Two Kinds of Imam are mentioned in the Holy Quran: the Imams (a.s.) who call to Allah and the Imams who call to Fire

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ غَالِبٍ عَنْ جَابِرٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الايَةُ يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا كُلَّ أُناسٍ بِإِمامِهِمْ قَالَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ يَا رَسُولَ الله أَ لَسْتَ إِمَامَ النَّاسِ كُلِّهِمْ أَجْمَعِينَ قَالَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) أَنَا رَسُولُ الله إِلَى النَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ وَلَكِنْ سَيَكُونُ مِنْ بَعْدِي أَئِمَّةٌ عَلَى النَّاسِ مِنَ الله مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي يَقُومُونَ فِي النَّاسِ فَيُكَذَّبُونَ وَيَظْلِمُهُمْ أَئِمَّةُ الْكُفْرِ وَالضَّلالِ وَأَشْيَاعُهُمْ فَمَنْ وَالاهُمْ وَاتَّبَعَهُمْ وَصَدَّقَهُمْ فَهُوَ مِنِّي وَمَعِي وَسَيَلْقَانِي أَلا وَمَنْ ظَلَمَهُمْ وَكَذَّبَهُمْ فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي وَلا مَعِي وَأَنَا مِنْهُ بَرِي‏ءٌ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ‘Abdallah ibn Ghalib from Jabir from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “When the following verse of the Holy Quran was revealed, “On the day when We call every nation with their leaders, (Imams) . .” (17:71), people asked the Holy Prophet (s.a.), ‘Are you not the Imam of all the people altogether?’ The Holy Prophet (s.a.) said, “I am the Messenger of Allah to all the people but after me there will the Imams for the people from my family. They will rise among the people but they will be rejected. The leaders of the unbelievers and misguidance and their followers will do injustice to them. Those who support, love, follow and acknowledge their authority they are from me, with me and will meet me. Let it be known that those who would do injustice to the Imams (a.s) and reject them they are not from me and with me. I denounce them and all associations with them.”

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ إِنَّ الائِمَّةَ فِي كِتَابِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِمَامَانِ قَالَ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى وَجَعَلْناهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنا لا بِأَمْرِ النَّاسِ يُقَدِّمُونَ أَمْرَ الله قَبْلَ أَمْرِهِمْ وَحُكْمَ الله قَبْلَ حُكْمِهِمْ قَالَ وَجَعَلْناهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ يُقَدِّمُونَ أَمْرَهُمْ قَبْلَ أَمْرِ الله وَحُكْمَهُمْ قَبْلَ حُكْمِ الله وَيَأْخُذُونَ بِأَهْوَائِهِمْ خِلافَ مَا فِي كِتَابِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Talha ibn Zayd from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “The Imams mentioned in the book of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, are of two kinds. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has said, ‘We appointed them as leaders (Imams) to guide the people through Our command . .” (21:73) They do so but not because of the commads of the people. They allow our command to come first and before their own orders, and our laws before their own laws and judgment. “We made them the kinds of leaders (Imams) who would invite people to the fire . .” (28:41) ‘They let their own commands to come before the commands of Allah and their laws before the laws of Allah. They follow their desires against what the book of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High requires.’”

Chapter 26

The Holy Quran guides people to the Imam (a.s.)

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَلِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنا مَوالِيَ مِمَّا تَرَكَ الْوالِدانِ وَالاقْرَبُونَ وَالَّذِينَ عَقَدَتْ أَيْمانُكُمْ قَالَ إِنَّمَا عَنَى بِذَلِكَ الائِمَّةَ (عليهم السلم) بِهِمْ عَقَدَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَيْمَانَكُمْ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn 'Isa from al-Hasan ibn Mahbub who has said that he asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “We have chosen heirs for every legacy that parents and relatives may leave. Let those who have been promised a bequest receive their share of the legacy. . .” (4:33) It is a refrence to the Imams (a.s.) With the Imams (a.s.) Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has established your covenants.”

1. There have been a variety of interpretations of who are the last group of heirs mentioned in this verse, i.e., those with whom you have sworn compact, and, as a result of this, and so as to reconcile these various interpretations with the law, it has at different times been asserted that this verse was abrogated or that it was not. For example, see at.-Taban, at-Taf~ir, vol.5,

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْحَمِيدِ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ أُكَيْلٍ النُّمَيْرِيِّ عَنِ الْعَلاءِ بْنِ سَيَابَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى إِنَّ هذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ قَالَ يَهْدِي إِلَى الامَامِ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Ibrahim ibn ‘Abd al-Hamid from Musa ibn ’Ukayl al-Numayri from al-‘Ala’ ibn Sayyaba from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah. “This Quran shows the way to that which is the most upright . .” (17:9) The Imams (a.s.)said, “It guides to the Imam (a.s.).”