Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Chapter 47

The Imams (a.s.) know when they will die and they die voluntarily

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ سَمَاعَةَ وَعَبْدِ الله بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ الْبَطَلِ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَيُّ إِمَامٍ لا يَعْلَمُ مَا يُصِيبُهُ وَإِلَى مَا يَصِيرُ فَلَيْسَ ذَلِكَ بِحُجَّةٍ لله عَلَى خَلْقِهِ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Salamah ibn-al-Khattab from ) Sulayman ibn Sama‘a and ‘Abdallah ibn Muhammad from ‘Abdallah ibn al-Qasim al-Batal from abu Basir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Whoever of the Imams that would not know what would happen to him and to what events he would proceed such a person is not a possessor of Divine authority over His creature.”

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ بَشَّارٍ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي شَيْخٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ قَطِيعَةِ الرَّبِيعِ مِنَ الْعَامَّةِ بِبَغْدَادَ مِمَّنْ كَانَ يُنْقَلُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالَ لِي قَدْ رَأَيْتُ بَعْضَ مَنْ يَقُولُونَ بِفَضْلِهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ هَذَا الْبَيْتِ فَمَا رَأَيْتُ مِثْلَهُ قَطُّ فِي فَضْلِهِ وَنُسُكِهِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ مَنْ وَكَيْفَ رَأَيْتَهُ قَالَ جُمِعْنَا أَيَّامَ السِّنْدِيِّ بْنِ شَاهَكَ ثَمَانِينَ رَجُلاً مِنَ الْوُجُوهِ الْمَنْسُوبِينَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ فَأُدْخِلْنَا عَلَى مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) فَقَالَ لَنَا السِّنْدِيُّ يَا هَؤُلاءِ انْظُرُوا إِلَى هَذَا الرَّجُلِ هَلْ حَدَثَ بِهِ حَدَثٌ فَإِنَّ النَّاسَ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّهُ قَدْ فُعِلَ بِهِ وَيُكْثِرُونَ فِي ذَلِكَ وَهَذَا مَنْزِلُهُ وَفِرَاشُهُ مُوَسَّعٌ عَلَيْهِ غَيْرُ مُضَيَّقٍ وَلَمْ يُرِدْ بِهِ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ سُوءاً وَإِنَّمَا يَنْتَظِرُ بِهِ أَنْ يَقْدَمَ فَيُنَاظِرَ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَهَذَا هُوَ صَحِيحٌ مُوَسَّعٌ عَلَيْهِ فِي جَمِيعِ أُمُورِهِ فَسَلُوهُ قَالَ وَنَحْنُ لَيْسَ لَنَا هَمٌّ إِلا النَّظَرُ إِلَى الرَّجُلِ وَإِلَى فَضْلِهِ وَسَمْتِهِ فَقَالَ مُوسَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَمَّا مَا ذَكَرَ مِنَ التَّوْسِعَةِ وَمَا أَشْبَهَهَا فَهُوَ عَلَى مَا ذَكَرَ غَيْرَ أَنِّي أُخْبِرُكُمْ أَيُّهَا النَّفَرُ أَنِّي قَدْ سُقِيتُ السَّمَّ فِي سَبْعِ تَمَرَاتٍ وَأَنَا غَداً أَخْضَرُّ وَبَعْدَ غَدٍ أَمُوتُ قَالَ فَنَظَرْتُ إِلَى السِّنْدِيِّ بْنِ شَاهَكَ يَضْطَرِبُ وَيَرْتَعِدُ مِثْلَ السَّعَفَةِ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa ibn al-Hassan ibn Muhammad ibn Bashshar has said that a respectable man from Qati‘a al- Rabi‘ (a quarter in the Karkh part of Baghdad) from the general public (non-Shi‘a) of Baghdad, from whom people would narrate hadith has said to me the following. “I have seen (experienced) from the people of this family of whose virtues people speak, things that I have never seen (experienced) no one else to be like him in his virtue and worship.” The narrator has said that he asked the man. “Who is he? And how did you find him?” He then said, “In the days of al-Sindi ibn Shahik (a vazir of Harun al-Rashid) we gathered eighty people of the leading personalities in goodness to meet Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.) Al-Sindi asked us, “Gentlemen, please examine this man. Has anything happened to him?” People think that he is tortured and they make a huge noise about it. This is his dwelling place and his bed which, has enough room and he is not constrained. Amir al-Mu’minin (Harun al-Rashid) has not done any bad things to him. He is kept here until the right time comes so he can debate Amir al-Mu’minin (Harun al-Rashid). He is quite well and comfortable from all aspects. You may ask him questions.” The narrator has said, “We had no other intention but to see to the man, to his virtue and his excellent attitude. Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.) then said, “Whatever he (al-Sindi) has said about the capacity of the place and other such things are as he has said. However, O people, I let you know that I am being poisoned with seven pieces of dates. Tomorrow my color will turn green and after tomorrow I will die.” The man has said, “I looked at al-Sindi ibn Shahik. He shivered in terror and shook like the leaves of a branch of palm tree.”

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَمِيلَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَخِي عَنْ جَعْفَرٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ أَنَّهُ أَتَى عَلِيَّ بن الحسين (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) لَيْلَةً قُبِضَ فِيهَا بِشَرَابٍ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَتِ اشْرَبْ هَذَا فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةُ الَّتِي أُقْبَضُ فِيهَا وَهِيَ اللَّيْلَةُ الَّتِي قُبِضَ فِيهَا رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه )

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from abu Jamilah from ‘Abdallah ibn abu Ja‘far who has said that my brother narrated from Ja‘far (abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) from his father that he went to Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) on the night in which he passed away and offered him a drink requesting, “Father, please drink it.” He said, “Son, this is the night in which I will pass away and during such night the Messenger of Allah also passed away.” (The date of the demise of the two holy ones, as generally held, is not the same. However, being the same day is a possibility).

4ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْحَمِيدِ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ الْجَهْمِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَدْ عَرَفَ قَاتِلَهُ وَاللَّيْلَةَ الَّتِي يُقْتَلُ فِيهَا وَالْمَوْضِعَ الَّذِي يُقْتَلُ فِيهِ وَقَوْلُهُ لَمَّا سَمِعَ صِيَاحَ الاوَزِّ فِي الدَّارِ صَوَائِحُ تَتْبَعُهَا نَوَائِحُ وَقَوْلُ أُمِّ كُلْثُومٍ لَوْ صَلَّيْتَ اللَّيْلَةَ دَاخِلَ الدَّارِ وَأَمَرْتَ غَيْرَكَ يُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ فَأَبَى عَلَيْهَا وَكَثُرَ دُخُولُهُ وَخُرُوجُهُ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ بِلا سِلاحٍ وَقَدْ عَرَفَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنَّ ابْنَ مُلْجَمٍ لَعَنَهُ الله قَاتِلُهُ بِالسَّيْفِ كَانَ هَذَا مِمَّا لَمْ يَجُزْ تَعَرُّضُهُ فَقَالَ ذَلِكَ كَانَ وَلَكِنَّهُ خُيِّرَ فِي تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةِ لِتَمْضِيَ مَقَادِيرُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ.

4. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Hamid from al-Hassan ibn al-Jahm who has said that he said to al-Rida (a.s.) the following. “Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) knew his assassin, the night in of being murdered and the spot whereat who be murdered. It is his words on hearing the ducks at the house, “These are the quacks that will be followed by lamentations.” Also the words of ’Umm Kulthum (his daughter). “Would that you pray inside the house and send someone else to lead the prayer in the Mosque.” He refused to do so and at that night he went many times out of the house unarmed. He knew that ibn Muljim, may he be condemned will murder him with a sword. He must not have exposed himself to it” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is true but it was chosen that night wherein the measure and the determination of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High would come to pass.”

5ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ غَضِبَ عَلَى الشِّيعَةِ فَخَيَّرَنِي نَفْسِي أَوْ هُمْ فَوَقَيْتُهُمْ وَالله بِنَفْسِي.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from some of our people from abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High expressed anger at the Shi‘a. He, therefore, let me choose either myself or them (to receive protection). I swear by Allah, that I protected them with my own soul.”

6ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ مُسَافِرٍ أَنَّ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لَهُ يَا مُسَافِرُ هَذَا الْقَنَاةُ فِيهَا حِيتَانٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) الْبَارِحَةَ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ يَا عَلِيُّ مَا عِنْدَنَا خَيْرٌ لَكَ.

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Musafir that abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) said to him the following. “O Musafir, in this water passage there is fish.” The narrator has said that he said, “Yes, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, there is fish there.” The Imam (a.s.) then said, “I saw the Messenger of Allah last night and was saying, “O Ali, what is with us is better for you.” (The mention of fish is to show equality of degree of certain in his knowledge from observation and his knowledge from his dream.)

7ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ عَائِذٍ عَنْ أَبِي خَدِيجَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي فِي الْيَوْمِ الَّذِي قُبِضَ فِيهِ فَأَوْصَانِي بِأَشْيَاءَ فِي غُسْلِهِ وَفِي كَفْنِهِ وَفِي دُخُولِهِ قَبْرَهُ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَاهْ وَالله مَا رَأَيْتُكَ مُنْذُ اشْتَكَيْتَ أَحْسَنَ مِنْكَ الْيَوْمَ مَا رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْكَ أَثَرَ الْمَوْتِ فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ أَ مَا سَمِعْتَ عَلِيَّ بن الحسين (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) يُنَادِي مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجِدَارِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ تَعَالَ عَجِّلْ.

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Ahmad ibn ‘Aidh from abu Khadija from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “I was in the presence of my father during the day in which he passes away. He made several recommendations to me about his funeral matters, such as washing his whole body, shrouding him and placing him in his grave. I then said to him, “Father, I have not seen in a better health from the day you complained illness than today. I do not see in you any sign of death.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Son, have you not heard about Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) calling from behind the wall, ‘O Muhammad, come. Be quick.’”

8ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ سَيْفِ بْنِ عَمِيرَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ أَعْيَنَ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ أَنْزَلَ الله تَعَالَى النَّصْرَ عَلَى الْحُسَيْنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) حَتَّى كَانَ مَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالارْضِ ثُمَّ خُيِّرَ النَّصْرَ أَوْ لِقَاءَ الله فَاخْتَارَ لِقَاءَ الله تَعَالَى.

8. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Sayf ibn ‘Umayra from ‘Abd al-Malik ibn A‘yan from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, sent support for Imam al-Husayn (a.s.) up to the fill between the heavens and earth. Then he was let to choose either victory or meeting Allah. He, however, chose the meeting of Allah the Most High.”

Chapter 48

The Imams (a.s.) do have the knowledge of what was and will be, and that nothing is unknown to them (a.s.)

1ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ الاحْمَرِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ حَمَّادٍ عَنْ سَيْفٍ التَّمَّارِ قَالَ كُنَّا مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) جَمَاعَةً مِنَ الشِّيعَةِ فِي الْحِجْرِ فَقَالَ عَلَيْنَا عَيْنٌ فَالْتَفَتْنَا يَمْنَةً وَيَسْرَةً فَلَمْ نَرَ أَحَداً فَقُلْنَا لَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا عَيْنٌ فَقَالَ وَرَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ وَرَبِّ الْبَنِيَّةِ ثَلاثَ مَرَّاتٍ لَوْ كُنْتُ بَيْنَ مُوسَى وَالْخَضِرِ لاخْبَرْتُهُمَا أَنِّي أَعْلَمُ مِنْهُمَا وَلانْبَأْتُهُمَا بِمَا لَيْسَ فِي أَيْدِيهِمَا لانَّ مُوسَى وَالْخَضِرَ (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) أُعْطِيَا عِلْمَ مَا كَانَ وَلَمْ يُعْطَيَا عِلْمَ مَا يَكُونُ وَمَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ حَتَّى تَقُومَ السَّاعَةُ وَقَدْ وَرِثْنَاهُ مِنْ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وِرَاثَةً.

1. Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn Yahya have narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Ibrahim ibn Ishaq al-Ahmar from ‘Abdallah ibn Hammad from Sayf al-Tammar who has said that he with a group of Shi‘a were in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) in Hijr and the Imam (a.s.) said the following.

“An eye is watching over us.” We then looked right and left and did not see anyone. We said, “No eye is watching over us.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “I swear by the Lord of the Ka‘ba. I swear by the Lord of the House.” He said so three times. “Had I been with Moses and al-Khidr I would have told them that I had more than they did and would have informed them of what they had no knowledge. This is because Moses and al-Khidr were given the knowledge of what was in the past and they were given the knowledge what will be in future or what will exist up to the Day of Judgment while we have inherited all of them from the Messenger of Allah as heirs.”

2ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ عَنِ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ وَعِدَّةٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا مِنْهُمْ عَبْدُ الاعْلَى وَأَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ وَعَبْدُ الله بْنُ بِشْرٍ الْخَثْعَمِيُّ سَمِعُوا أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِنِّي لاعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الارْضِ وَأَعْلَمُ مَا فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَأَعْلَمُ مَا فِي النَّارِ وَأَعْلَمُ مَا كَانَ وَمَا يَكُونُ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَكَثَ هُنَيْئَةً فَرَأَى أَنَّ ذَلِكَ كَبُرَ عَلَى مَنْ سَمِعَهُ مِنْهُ فَقَالَ عَلِمْتُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ كِتَابِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِنَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَقُولُ فِيهِ تِبْيَانُ كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ.

2. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Sinan from Yunus ibn Ya‘qub from al-Harith ibn al-Mughirah and a group of our people, among whom were ‘Abd al-A‘la’, abu ‘Ubaydah and ‘Abdallah ibn Bishr al-Khath‘ami, who have said that they heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say the following. “I certainly know what is the heavens and what is in the earth. I know what is in paradise and what is the fire. I know what was there and what will be there.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) paused for a while and found that what he had just said was much heavy for the audience then he (a.s.) said, “I learned all of it from the book of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “In it there is the clarification of all things.”

3ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْكَرِيمِ عَنْ جَمَاعَةَ بْنِ سَعْدٍ الْخَثْعَمِيِّ أَنَّهُ قَالَ كَانَ الْمُفَضَّلُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقَالَ لَهُ الْمُفَضَّلُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ يَفْرِضُ الله طَاعَةَ عَبْدٍ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ وَيَحْجُبُ عَنْهُ خَبَرَ السَّمَاءِ قَالَ لا الله أَكْرَمُ وَأَرْحَمُ وَأَرْأَفُ بِعِبَادِهِ مِنْ أَنْ يَفْرِضَ طَاعَةَ عَبْدٍ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ ثُمَّ يَحْجُبَ عَنْهُ خَبَرَ السَّمَاءِ صَبَاحاً وَمَسَاءً.

3. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Aabu Nasr from ‘Abd al-Karim from Jama‘a ibn Sa‘d al-Khath‘ami who has said that al-Mufaddal was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). Al-Mufaddal asked the Imam (a.s.) the following. “May Allah, take my soul in service for your cause, does Allah command (his) servants to obey a servant and hide the news of the heavens from him?” The Imam (a.s.) said, Allah is by far much honorable, kind and caring towards His servants than to command them to obey a servant (of His) and then hide form him the news of the heavens mornings and evenings.”

4ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنِ ابْنِ رِئَابٍ عَنْ ضُرَيْسٍ الْكُنَاسِيِّ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ وَعِنْدَهُ أُنَاسٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ عَجِبْتُ مِنْ قَوْمٍ يَتَوَلَّوْنَا وَيَجْعَلُونَا أَئِمَّةً وَيَصِفُونَ أَنَّ طَاعَتَنَا مُفْتَرَضَةٌ عَلَيْهِمْ كَطَاعَةِ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) ثُمَّ يَكْسِرُونَ حُجَّتَهُمْ وَيَخْصِمُونَ أَنْفُسَهُمْ بِضَعْفِ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَيَنْقُصُونَا حَقَّنَا وَيَعِيبُونَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى مَنْ أَعْطَاهُ الله بُرْهَانَ حَقِّ مَعْرِفَتِنَا وَالتَّسْلِيمَ لامْرِنَا أَ تَرَوْنَ أَنَّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى افْتَرَضَ طَاعَةَ أَوْلِيَائِهِ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ ثُمَّ يُخْفِي عَنْهُمْ أَخْبَارَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالارْضِ وَيَقْطَعُ عَنْهُمْ مَوَادَّ الْعِلْمِ فِيمَا يَرِدُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِمَّا فِيهِ قِوَامُ دِينِهِمْ فَقَالَ لَهُ حُمْرَانُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَ رَأَيْتَ مَا كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِ قِيَامِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَالْحَسَنِ وَالْحُسَيْنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَخُرُوجِهِمْ وَقِيَامِهِمْ بِدِينِ الله عَزَّ ذِكْرُهُ وَمَا أُصِيبُوا مِنْ قَتْلِ الطَّوَاغِيتِ إِيَّاهُمْ وَالظَّفَرِ بِهِمْ حَتَّى قُتِلُوا وَغُلِبُوا فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَا حُمْرَانُ إِنَّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى قَدْ كَانَ قَدَّرَ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَقَضَاهُ وَأَمْضَاهُ وَحَتَمَهُ عَلَى سَبِيلِ الاخْتِيَارِ ثُمَّ أَجْرَاهُ فَبِتَقَدُّمِ عِلْمٍ إِلَيْهِمْ مِنْ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) قَامَ عَلِيٌّ وَالْحَسَنُ وَالْحُسَيْنُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَبِعِلْمٍ صَمَتَ مَنْ صَمَتَ مِنَّا وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ يَا حُمْرَانُ حَيْثُ نَزَلَ بِهِمْ مَا نَزَلَ مِنْ أَمْرِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَإِظْهَارِ الطَّوَاغِيتِ عَلَيْهِمْ سَأَلُوا الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَنْ يَدْفَعَ عَنْهُمْ ذَلِكَ وَأَلَحُّوا عَلَيْهِ فِي طَلَبِ إِزَالَةِ مُلْكِ الطَّوَاغِيتِ وَذَهَابِ مُلْكِهِمْ إِذاً لاجَابَهُمْ وَدَفَعَ ذَلِكَ عَنْهُمْ ثُمَّ كَانَ انْقِضَاءُ مُدَّةِ الطَّوَاغِيتِ وَذَهَابُ مُلْكِهِمْ أَسْرَعَ مِنْ سِلْكٍ مَنْظُومٍ انْقَطَعَ فَتَبَدَّدَ وَمَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ الَّذِي أَصَابَهُمْ يَا حُمْرَانُ لِذَنْبٍ اقْتَرَفُوهُ وَلا لِعُقُوبَةِ مَعْصِيَةٍ خَالَفُوا الله فِيهَا وَلَكِنْ لِمَنَازِلَ وَكَرَامَةٍ مِنَ الله أَرَادَ أَنْ يَبْلُغُوهَا فَلا تَذْهَبَنَّ بِكَ الْمَذَاهِبُ فِيهِمْ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from ibn Ri’ab from Durays al-Kunasi who has said that he heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.) the following to an audience of his companions. “What an strange case is the case with a group of followers! They acknowledge us as the Divine authority over themselves, accept us as their Imam and say that obedience to us is obligatory just as is the case with the Messenger of Allah. They then destroy the veracity of their belief as such and dispute against their own selves due to weakness of their hearts. They then diminish our right and blame those whom Allah has granted evidence to know us as it should be and the (abulity) to submit themselves to our Divine authority. Do you not consider that how would Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, make it obligatory to obey those who possess Divine authority over his servants and then hide from them (people who possess Divine authority) `the new of the heaves and the earth? How would He cut them off of the sources of knowledge that might come to them to maintain their religion?” Humran then said to the Imam (a.s.), “May Allah, take my soul in service for your cause, how would you explain the case of the uprising of Ali ibn abu Talib, al-Hassan and al-Husayn (a.s.)? They came out and rose up for the cause of Allah, Whose mention is so Majestic. How much they suffered and how mercilessly were they murdered at the hands of the rebels? They were defeated, murdered and over powered.” Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) then said, “O Humran, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, had determined it on them. He had decreed, approved and made it unavoidable though the voluntary manner. He then allowed to take place. It, thus, happened with a pre-existing knowledge that had come to them from the Messenger of Allah. Ali al-Hassan and al-Husayn (a.s.) rose up for the cause of Allah with full knowledge of the consequences and remained silent from us those who remained silent. Had they, O Humran, when facing what Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, made them to face and suffer defeat at the hands of the rebels, asked Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, to remove their suffering and would implore Him to destroy the government and kingdom of the rebels He would have answered their prayers and would grant them relief. In such case the destruction of the governments of the rebels and the ending of their time would take place quicker than the dispersal under a great pressure, of beads threaded together. The suffering, O Humran, that befell them, because of the sins that they might have committed or the punishment for their opposition to Allah. It was because of the high marvelous position that Allah had prepared and wanted them to reaCh Do not let people’s opinions take you away from the right path.”

5ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَعْبَدٍ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) بِمِنًى عَنْ خَمْسِمِائَةِ حَرْفٍ مِنَ الْكَلامِ فَأَقْبَلْتُ أَقُولُ يَقُولُونَ كَذَا وَكَذَا قَالَ فَيَقُولُ قُلْ كَذَا وَكَذَا قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا الْحَلالُ وَهَذَا الْحَرَامُ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ صَاحِبُهُ وَأَنَّكَ أَعْلَمُ النَّاسِ بِهِ وَهَذَا هُوَ الْكَلامُ فَقَالَ لِي وَيْكَ يَا هِشَامُ لا يَحْتَجُّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى عَلَى خَلْقِهِ بِحُجَّةٍ لا يَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ كُلُّ مَا يَحْتَاجُونَ إِلَيْهِ.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ali ibn Ma‘bad from Hisham ibn al-Hakam who has said the following. “I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) at Mina five hundred letters from al-Kalam (theology). I asked the Imam (a.s.), “They say that he has said so and so.” Then he says, “You say so and so.” I then said to the Imam (a.s.), “May Allah, take my soul in service for your cause, “This is lawful and that is not lawful. I know that you are the authority in this and you are the most knowledgeable person in it and this is al-Kalam.” The Imam (a.s.) said to me, “O poor, Hisham, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, does not require any duty from His creatures without first availing them all that they need to comply with the command.”

6ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ لا وَالله لا يَكُونُ عَالِمٌ جَاهِلاً أَبَداً عَالِماً بِشَيْ‏ءٍ جَاهِلاً بِشَيْ‏ءٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ الله أَجَلُّ وَأَعَزُّ وَأَكْرَمُ مِنْ أَنْ يَفْرِضَ طَاعَةَ عَبْدٍ يَحْجُبُ عَنْهُ عِلْمَ سَمَائِهِ وَأَرْضِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لا يَحْجُبُ ذَلِكَ عَنْهُ.

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz from Muhammad ibn al-Fudayl from abu Hamzah who has that he heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.) say the following. “No, I swear by Allah, the scholar (who possesses Divine authority) is never ignorant or knowledgeable in something and ignorant of other things. The Imam (a.s.) then said, “Allah, the Most Holy, Most High and Most Gracious, is far exalted and above imposing the obedience of a servant (of His) on the others and then hide the knowledge of things in the heavens and on earth from him and then say, “Do not hide that from him.”

Chapter 49

Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, did not teach anything to His Messenger but that He commanded him to teach such knowledge to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and he was his partner in Knowledge

1ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أُذَيْنَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ عَنْ حُمْرَانَ بْنِ أَعْيَنَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ جَبْرَئِيلَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَتَى رَسُولَ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) بِرُمَّانَتَيْنِ فَأَكَلَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) إِحْدَاهُمَا وَكَسَرَ الاخْرَى بِنِصْفَيْنِ فَأَكَلَ نِصْفاً وَأَطْعَمَ عَلِيّاً نِصْفاً ثُمَّ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) يَا أَخِي هَلْ تَدْرِي مَا هَاتَانِ الرُّمَّانَتَانِ قَالَ لا قَالَ أَمَّا الاولَى فَالنُّبُوَّةُ لَيْسَ لَكَ فِيهَا نَصِيبٌ وَأَمَّا الاخْرَى فَالْعِلْمُ أَنْتَ شَرِيكِي فِيهِ فَقُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ الله كَيْفَ كَانَ يَكُونُ شَرِيكَهُ فِيهِ قَالَ لَمْ يُعَلِّمِ الله مُحَمَّداً (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) عِلْماً إِلا وَأَمَرَهُ أَنْ يُعَلِّمَهُ عَلِيّاً (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام )

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ibn ’Udhayna from ‘Abdallah ibn Sulayman from Humran ibn A‘yan from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Once Jibril came to the Messenger of Allah and brought him two pieces of pomegranates. The Messenger of Allah ate one of them and broke the other one into two pieces. He then ate one half and fed the other half to Ali (a.s.). The Messenger of Allah said, “O my brother, do you know what those pieces of pomegranates were?” He said, “No, I do not know.” He then said, “The first one was prophet-hood. There is no share in it for you. The other one is knowledge in which you’re my partner.” I then said, “May Allah keep you well, how was that?” He would be his partner in it?” He said, “Allah did not teach any knowledge but that He commanded him to teach it to Ali (a.s.).”

2ـ عَلِيٌّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أُذَيْنَةَ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ نَزَلَ جَبْرَئِيلُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَلَى رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) بِرُمَّانَتَيْنِ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ فَأَعْطَاهُ إِيَّاهُمَا فَأَكَلَ وَاحِدَةً وَكَسَرَ الاخْرَى بِنِصْفَيْنِ فَأَعْطَى عَلِيّاً (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) نِصْفَهَا فَأَكَلَهَا فَقَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ أَمَّا الرُّمَّانَةُ الاولَى الَّتِي أَكَلْتُهَا فَالنُّبُوَّةُ لَيْسَ لَكَ فِيهَا شَيْ‏ءٌ وَأَمَّا الاخْرَى فَهُوَ الْعِلْمُ فَأَنْتَ شَرِيكِي فِيهِ.

2. Ali has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ibn ‘Udhaynah from Zurarah from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Once Jibril brought from Paradise two pieces of pomegranate to the Messenger of Allah and brought him two pieces of pomegranates. The Messenger of Allah ate one of them and broke the other one into two pieces. He then ate one half and gave the other half to Ali (a.s.) who also ate it (a.s.). The Messenger of Allah said, “The first one that I ate was prophet-hood. There is no share in it for you. The other one is knowledge in which you are my partner.”

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْحَمِيدِ عَنْ مَنْصُورِ بْنِ يُونُسَ عَنِ ابْنِ أُذَيْنَةَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ نَزَلَ جَبْرَئِيلُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) بِرُمَّانَتَيْنِ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ فَلَقِيَهُ علي (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقَالَ مَا هَاتَانِ الرُّمَّانَتَانِ اللَّتَانِ فِي يَدِكَ فَقَالَ أَمَّا هَذِهِ فَالنُّبُوَّةُ لَيْسَ لَكَ فِيهَا نَصِيبٌ وَأَمَّا هَذِهِ فَالْعِلْمُ ثُمَّ فَلَقَهَا رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) بِنِصْفَيْنِ فَأَعْطَاهُ نِصْفَهَا وَأَخَذَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) نِصْفَهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ أَنْتَ شَرِيكِي فِيهِ وَأَنَا شَرِيكُكَ فِيهِ قَالَ فَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ وَالله رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) حَرْفاً مِمَّا عَلَّمَهُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلا وَقَدْ عَلَّمَهُ عَلِيّاً ثُمَّ انْتَهَى الْعِلْمُ إِلَيْنَا ثُمَّ وَضَعَ يَدَهُ عَلَى صَدْرِهِ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Hamid from Mansur ibn Yunus from ibn ’Udhaynah from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said that he heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.) say the following. “Once Jibril descended to Muhammad (s.a) (and) brought two pieces of pomegranate from Paradise. Ali (a.s.) meet him and asked, “What (kind of ) pomegranate are those in your hands?” He replied, “As to this one, it is the Prophet-hood in which there is no share for you. As to this one, it is knowledge. Then the Messenger of Allah broke it into two halves. He then gave one half and the Messenger of Allah kept the other half and then said, “You are my partner in it and I am your partner in it.” The Imam (a.s.) then said, “I swear by Allah that there was nothing of all the knowledge that was taught to the Messenger of Allah but that he taught them to Ali (a.s.) and thereafter knowledge was transferred to us. He then placed his hand over his chest.”

Chapter 50

Aspects of the Knowledge of the Imams (a.s.)

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنْ عَمِّهِ حَمْزَةَ بْنِ بَزِيعٍ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ السَّائِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الاوَّلِ مُوسَى (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ مَبْلَغُ عِلْمِنَا عَلَى ثَلاثَةِ وُجُوهٍ مَاضٍ وَغَابِرٍ وَحَادِثٍ فَأَمَّا الْمَاضِي فَمُفَسَّرٌ وَأَمَّا الْغَابِرُ فَمَزْبُورٌ وَأَمَّا الْحَادِثُ فَقَذْفٌ فِي الْقُلُوبِ وَنَقْرٌ فِي الاسْمَاعِ وَهُوَ أَفْضَلُ عِلْمِنَا وَلا نَبِيَّ بَعْدَ نَبِيِّنَا.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Isma‘il from his paternal uncle Hamzah ibn Bazi‘ from Ali as-Sa’I from abu al-Hassan, the first, Musa (a.s.) who has said the folloowing. “The totality of our knowledge is of three aspects. Knowledge of the past, future and that coming into being. The knowledge of the past is that which is interpreted. The knowledg eot he future is that which is written and the knowledge of that which come into being is the kind that is thrown into the hearts and is heard by the ears and this is best aspect of our knowledge and there is no prophet after our Holy Prophet (s.a.).”

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ أَبِي زَاهِرٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُوسَى عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنِ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ عِلْمِ عَالِمِكُمْ قَالَ وِرَاثَةٌ مِنْ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَمِنْ علي (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ إِنَّا نَتَحَدَّثُ أَنَّهُ يُقْذَفُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ وَيُنْكَتُ فِي آذَانِكُمْ قَالَ أَوْ ذَاكَ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated Ahmad ibn abu Zahir from Ali ibn Musa from Safwan ibn Yahya from al-Harith ibn al-Mughirah who has said that he asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) the following. “Tell me about the knowledge of your scholar.” He said, “It is inherited from the Messenger of Allah and from Ali (a.s.).” The narrator has said that he asked him, “We narrate that it is thrown into your hearts and is dotted in your ears.” He then said, “Is that so?”

3ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَمَّنْ حَدَّثَهُ عَنِ الْمُفَضَّلِ بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) رُوِّينَا عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنَّهُ قَالَ إِنَّ عِلْمَنَا غَابِرٌ وَمَزْبُورٌ وَنَكْتٌ فِي الْقُلُوبِ وَنَقْرٌ فِي الاسْمَاعِ فَقَالَ أَمَّا الْغَابِرُ فَمَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ عِلْمِنَا وَأَمَّا الْمَزْبُورُ فَمَا يَأْتِينَا وَأَمَّا النَّكْتُ فِي الْقُلُوبِ فَإِلْهَامٌ وَأَمَّا النَّقْرُ فِي الاسْمَاعِ فَأَمْرُ الْمَلَكِ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from the person who narrated (it) to him from al-Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar who has said that he said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.) the following. “We narrate from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that he has said, ‘Our knowledge consists (of the knowledge of the things) of past, of the written nature, that which is dotted in the hearts and that which is struck against the ears. He then said, “As for that about the matters of the past is that which is passed our knowledge. That which is written is the kind that will come in future. That which is dotted into the hearts is the inspired kind and that which is struck against the ears is the order of the angel.”

Chapter 51

If Secrets would be kept the Imams (a.s.) can tell everyone what is for and against them

1ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ فَضَالَةَ بْنِ أَيُّوبَ عَنْ أَبَانِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْوَاحِدِ بْنِ الْمُخْتَارِ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لَوْ كَانَ لالْسِنَتِكُمْ أَوْكِيَةٌ لَحَدَّثْتُ كُلَّ امْرِئٍ بِمَا لَهُ وَعَلَيْهِ.

1. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Fadala ibn Ayyub from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from ‘Abd al-Wahid ibn al-Mukhtar who has that abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said the following. “Had there been a thing (zip) to contain (to sack) your tongues I would have spoken to everyone about what is for or against him.”

2ـ وَبِهَذَا الاسْنَادِ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ مُسْكَانَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا بَصِيرٍ يَقُولُ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مِنْ أَيْنَ أَصَابَ أَصْحَابَ عَلِيٍّ مَا أَصَابَهُمْ مَعَ عِلْمِهِمْ بِمَنَايَاهُمْ وَبَلايَاهُمْ قَالَ فَأَجَابَنِي شِبْهَ الْمُغْضَبِ مِمَّنْ ذَلِكَ إِلا مِنْهُمْ فَقُلْتُ مَا يَمْنَعُكَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ ذَلِكَ بَابٌ أُغْلِقَ إِلا أَنَّ الْحُسَيْنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ صَلَوَاتٌ عَلَيْهِمَا فَتَحَ مِنْهُ شَيْئاً يَسِيراً ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ إِنَّ أُولَئِكَ كَانَتْ عَلَى أَفْوَاهِهِمْ أَوْكِيَةٌ.

2. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Sinan from ‘Abdallah ibn Muskan who has said that he heard abu Basir say that he said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) the following. “What made the supporters of Ali (a.s.) suffer the troubles despite the fact that they knew about their deaths and (causes of their) suffering?” the Imam (a.s.) replied me in a way as if he seemed angry, “from who could it come except from their own selves.?” I then asked, “What prevents you, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, from telling it all (to your friends). The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is a door that is closed door except that al-Husayn ibn Ali (a.s.) opened it to a small degree (told a few things about future to his supporters just before their martyrdom).” The Imam (a.s.) then said, “O abu Muhammad, those people had a tie (zip) over their mouths.”