Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Chapter 82

Setting-up a Time Limit for the Reappearance of the Twelfth Imam (a.s.) an Antipathetic Issue

1ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى جَمِيعاً عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ الثُّمَالِيِّ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ يَا ثَابِتُ إِنَّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى قَدْ كَانَ وَقَّتَ هَذَا الامْرَ فِي السَّبْعِينَ فَلَمَّا أَنْ قُتِلَ الْحُسَيْنُ صَلَوَاتُ الله عَلَيْهِ اشْتَدَّ غَضَبُ الله تَعَالَى عَلَى أَهْلِ الارْضِ فَأَخَّرَهُ إِلَى أَرْبَعِينَ وَمِائَةٍ فَحَدَّثْنَاكُمْ فَأَذَعْتُمُ الْحَدِيثَ فَكَشَفْتُمْ قِنَاعَ السَّتْرِ وَلَمْ يَجْعَلِ الله لَهُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ وَقْتاً عِنْدَنَا وَيَمْحُو الله مَا يَشَاءُ وَيُثْبِتُ وَعِنْدَهُ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ قَالَ أَبُو حَمْزَةَ فَحَدَّثْتُ بِذَلِكَ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقَالَ قَدْ كَانَ كَذَلِكَ.

1. Ali ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn al-Hassan have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa all from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from abu Hamza al-Thumali who has said the following. “I heard abu Ja'far (a.s.) say, “O Thabit, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, had set up a time limit for it in the year seventy but when al-Husayn (a.s.) was murdered Allah’s anger became more intense on the people on earth. He delayed it until one hundred forty. When then spoke to you about it and you publicized this hadith and disclosed the secret. Allah thereafter has not set up a time limit for it available with us. Allah deletes whatever He wants and establishes whatever He wants, with Him is the original book.

Abu Hamza has said, “I narrated the above Hadith to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and he said, “It was as you said.”

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حَسَّانَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ كَثِيرٍ قَالَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ مِهْزَمٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ هَذَا الامْرِ الَّذِي نَنْتَظِرُ مَتَى هُوَ فَقَالَ يَا مِهْزَمُ كَذَبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ وَهَلَكَ الْمُسْتَعْجِلُونَ وَنَجَا الْمُسَلِّمُونَ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Salma ibn al-Khattab from Ali ibn Hassa’n from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Kathir who has said the following. “Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that Mihzam came in and to The Imam (a.s.), ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, enlighten me about this matter that we wait for (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine authoriiity). When it will take place?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “O Mihzam, those who give it d definite time have lied, the expediting ones perish and salvation is for those who are submissive.”

3ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْقَائِمِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقَالَ كَذَبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ إِنَّا أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ لا نُوَقِّتُ.

3. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father form al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn abu Hamza from abu Basir who has said the following. “I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) , ‘I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about al-Qa’im ((the one who will rise with Divine Authority) with divine power).’ He said, “Those who give it a definite time have spoken lies. We, Ahl al-Bayt, do not set a definite time.”

4ـ أَحْمَدُ بِإِسْنَادِهِ قَالَ قَالَ أَبَى الله إِلا أَنْ يُخَالِفَ وَقْتَ الْمُوَقِّتِينَ.

4. Ahmad has narrated through his chain of narrators from the Imam (a.s.) the following. “Allah disdains to make the people’s time set for it (reappearance of the one who will rise with Divine Authority) to come true.”

5ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الْخَزَّازِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْكَرِيمِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو الْخَثْعَمِيِّ عَنِ الْفُضَيْلِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ لِهَذَا الامْرِ وَقْتٌ فَقَالَ كَذَبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ كَذَبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ كَذَبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ إِنَّ مُوسَى (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لَمَّا خَرَجَ وَافِداً إِلَى رَبِّهِ وَاعَدَهُمْ ثَلاثِينَ يَوْماً فَلَمَّا زَادَهُ الله عَلَى الثَّلاثِينَ عَشْراً قَالَ قَوْمُهُ قَدْ أَخْلَفَنَا مُوسَى فَصَنَعُوا مَا صَنَعُوا فَإِذَا حَدَّثْنَاكُمُ الْحَدِيثَ فَجَاءَ عَلَى مَا حَدَّثْنَاكُمْ بِهِ فَقُولُوا صَدَقَ الله وَإِذَا حَدَّثْنَاكُمُ الْحَدِيثَ فَجَاءَ عَلَى خِلافِ مَا حَدَّثْنَاكُمْ بِهِ فَقُولُوا صَدَقَ الله تُؤْجَرُوا مَرَّتَيْنِ.

5. Al-Husayn ibn mmd has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Khazzaz from ‘Abd al-Karim ibn ‘Umar al-Khath‘ami from al-Fadl ibn Yasar who has said the following. “I asked abu Ja'far (a.s.), ‘Is there a definite time for this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority)?” He said, “Those who set a definite time have lied, those who set a definite time have lied, those who set a definite time have lied. When Musa (Moses) came out to delegate before his lord and gave the people a definite time for his return and Allah added an other ten days his people said, ‘He has broken his promise.’” They then did what they did. When we say a hadith (make a statement to you) and if our hadith comes true you should say, “Allah has spoken the truth.” If we say a hadith to you ( make a statement) and if doe not come true, you should say, “Allah has spoken the truth.” You will be rewarded twice.”

6ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى وَأَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَحْمَدَ عَنِ السَّيَّارِيِّ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ يَقْطِينٍ عَنْ أَخِيهِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ يَقْطِينٍ قَالَ قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الشِّيعَةُ تُرَبَّى بِالامَانِيِّ مُنْذُ مِائَتَيْ سَنَةٍ قَالَ وَقَالَ يَقْطِينٌ لابْنِهِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ يَقْطِينٍ مَا بَالُنَا قِيلَ لَنَا فَكَانَ وَقِيلَ لَكُمْ فَلَمْ يَكُنْ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَلِيٌّ إِنَّ الَّذِي قِيلَ لَنَا وَلَكُمْ كَانَ مِنْ مَخْرَجٍ وَاحِدٍ غَيْرَ أَنَّ أَمْرَكُمْ حَضَرَ فَأُعْطِيتُمْ مَحْضَهُ فَكَانَ كَمَا قِيلَ لَكُمْ وَإِنَّ أَمْرَنَا لَمْ يَحْضُرْ فَعُلِّلْنَا بِالامَانِيِّ فَلَوْ قِيلَ لَنَا إِنَّ هَذَا الامْرَ لا يَكُونُ إِلا إِلَى مِائَتَيْ سَنَةٍ أَوْ ثَلاثِمِائَةِ سَنَةٍ لَقَسَتِ الْقُلُوبُ وَلَرَجَعَ عَامَّةُ النَّاسِ عَنِ الاسْلامِ وَلَكِنْ قَالُوا مَا أَسْرَعَهُ وَمَا أَقْرَبَهُ تَأَلُّفاً لِقُلُوبِ النَّاسِ وَتَقْرِيباً لِلْفَرَجِ.

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya and Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ’Idris have narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad from al-Sayyari from al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Yaqtin from his brother from his father Ali ibn Yaqtin who has said the following. “Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) said to me, ‘The Shi‘a have live on hopes for two hundred years.’” The narrator has said that Yaqtin said to his son, Ali ibn Yaqtin, “We did not have to worry. What was said to us came true. What is said to you has not come true yet” Ali then said to him, “What was said to you and what is said to us all come from one source except that good news for you have come true and you received it pure. It was just as was said to be. The good news for us has not yet come true. We thus, entertain ourselves with hopes. If we would be told that it will take place after two or three hundred years our hearts will harden and the masses will turn back from Islam. However, they have said that it will come very soon and in near future to encourage people about the coming of the relief.”

7ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ الانْبَارِيِّ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ مِهْزَمٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ ذَكَرْنَا عِنْدَهُ مُلُوكَ آلِ فُلانٍ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا هَلَكَ النَّاسُ مِنِ اسْتِعْجَالِهِمْ لِهَذَا الامْرِ إِنَّ الله لا يَعْجَلُ لِعَجَلَةِ الْعِبَادِ إِنَّ لِهَذَا الامْرِ غَايَةً يَنْتَهِي إِلَيْهَا فَلَوْ قَدْ بَلَغُوهَا لَمْ يَسْتَقْدِمُوا سَاعَةً وَلَمْ يَسْتَأْخِرُوا.

7. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ja'far ibn Muhammad from al-Qasim ibn ’Isma‘il al-Anbari from al-Hassan ibn Ali from Ibrahim ibn Mihzam from his father who has said the following. “We mention before abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) the Kings from the descendants of so and so. The Imam (a.s.) said, “People have perished due to their haste for this matter ((the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority). Allah does not expedite it because of the haste of people. For this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) there is a goal towards which it proceeds, Once they will reach that goal they then will not be able to move it forwards or backwards even by one hour.”

Chapter 83

Refinement and Trial

1ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ يَعْقُوبَ السَّرَّاجِ وَعَلِيِّ بْنِ رِئَابٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لَمَّا بُويِعَ بَعْدَ مَقْتَلِ عُثْمَانَ صَعِدَ الْمِنْبَرَ وَخَطَبَ بِخُطْبَةٍ ذَكَرَهَا يَقُولُ فِيهَا أَلا إِنَّ بَلِيَّتَكُمْ قَدْ عَادَتْ كَهَيْئَتِهَا يَوْمَ بَعَثَ الله نَبِيَّهُ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَالَّذِي بَعَثَهُ بِالْحَقِّ لَتُبَلْبَلُنَّ بَلْبَلَةً وَلَتُغَرْبَلُنَّ غَرْبَلَةً حَتَّى يَعُودَ أَسْفَلُكُمْ أَعْلاكُمْ وَأَعْلاكُمْ أَسْفَلَكُمْ وَلَيَسْبِقَنَّ سَبَّاقُونَ كَانُوا قَصَّرُوا وَلَيُقَصِّرَنَّ سَبَّاقُونَ كَانُوا سَبَقُوا وَالله مَا كَتَمْتُ وَسْمَةً وَلا كَذَبْتُ كَذِبَةً وَلَقَدْ نُبِّئْتُ بِهَذَا الْمَقَامِ وَهَذَا الْيَوْمِ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ya‘qub al-Sarraj and Ali ibn Ri’ab from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “When people pledged allegiance to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) after the assassination of ‘Uthman he addressed the people from the pulpit and delivered a sermon (that abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) mentioned). In this sermon he has said, “The time for your trial has returned in the same conditions as those of the day Allah sent his Prophet (s.a.). By the One Who has sent him with the truth that you will suffer hideous confusions, will be sifted thoroughly and turned upside down. Of the contestants those who were behind of others will overtake those who were ahead and those who were ahead of others (because of their shortcomings) will be left behind of those who once were behind of others. By Allah I have not concealed any of the marks therein nor have I spoken a lie. I was certainly, told about this place and this day.”

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى وَالْحَسَنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ الانْبَارِيِّ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ أَبِي الْمَغْرَاءِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ وَيْلٌ لِطُغَاةِ الْعَرَبِ مِنْ أَمْرٍ قَدِ اقْتَرَبَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَمْ مَعَ الْقَائِمِ مِنَ الْعَرَبِ قَالَ نَفَرٌ يَسِيرٌ قُلْتُ وَالله إِنَّ مَنْ يَصِفُ هَذَا الامْرَ مِنْهُمْ لَكَثِيرٌ قَالَ لا بُدَّ لِلنَّاسِ مِنْ أَنْ يُمَحَّصُوا وَيُمَيَّزُوا وَيُغَرْبَلُوا وَيُسْتَخْرَجُ فِي الْغِرْبَالِ خَلْقٌ كَثِيرٌ.

2. Muhammad Yahya and al-Hassan ibn Muhammad have narrated from al-Qasim ibn ’Isma‘il al-Anbari from al-Husayn ibn Ali from abu al-Mighra’ from abu Yah Ya‘fur who has said the following. “I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say as herein below, ‘Woe to the rebellious Arabs from the matter that is coming closer.’0” I then asked, May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, “How many people will be there with Al-Qa’im (the one who will rise with Divine Authority)?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “just a very few persons.” I then said, “Those who speak of this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) are quite many in number.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “People must be refined, distinguished and sifted. In the sifting process a great deal is taken out.”

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى وَالْحَسَنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الصَّيْرَفِيِّ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الصَّيْقَلِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ قَالَ قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَا مَنْصُورُ إِنَّ هَذَا الامْرَ لا يَأْتِيكُمْ إِلا بَعْدَ إِيَاسٍ وَلا وَالله حَتَّى تُمَيَّزُوا وَلا وَالله حَتَّى تُمَحَّصُوا وَلا وَالله حَتَّى يَشْقَى مَنْ يَشْقَى وَيَسْعَدَ مَنْ يَسْعَدُ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya and al-Hassan ibn Muhammad have narrated from Ja'far ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Muhammad al-Sayrafi from Ja'far ibn Muhammad al-Sayqal from his father from Mansur who has said the following. “Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said to me, “O Mansur, this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) will not come to you before despair, and not, by Allah, before (your good ones are) distinguished (from evil ones) and not, by Allah, before you are refined and not, by Allah, before tuning to misfortune of those who act in evil and before reaching salvation of those who seek salvation.”

4ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَمَّرِ بْنِ خَلادٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ الم أَ حَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يُتْرَكُوا أَنْ يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لا يُفْتَنُونَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي مَا الْفِتْنَةُ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الَّذِي عِنْدَنَا الْفِتْنَةُ فِي الدِّينِ فَقَالَ يُفْتَنُونَ كَمَا يُفْتَنُ الذَّهَبُ ثُمَّ قَالَ يُخْلَصُونَ كَمَا يُخْلَصُ الذَّهَبُ.

4. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Mu‘ammar ibn al-Khallad who has said the following. “I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) say, “Do people think they will not be tested because they say, “We have faith?” (29:2). Then he said, “Do you know what al-Fitna, trial is?” I said, May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, in our opinion it is the trial and test in religion. The Imam (a.s.) said, “They will be test and refined as gold is tested.” He then said, “They will be purified as gold is purified and refined.”

5ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ يُونُسَ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ صَالِحٍ رَفَعَهُ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ إِنَّ حَدِيثَكُمْ هَذَا لَتَشْمَئِزُّ مِنْهُ قُلُوبُ الرِّجَالِ فَمَنْ أَقَرَّ بِهِ فَزِيدُوهُ وَمَنْ أَنْكَرَهُ فَذَرُوهُ إِنَّهُ لا بُدَّ مِنْ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ يَسْقُطُ فِيهَا كُلُّ بِطَانَةٍ وَوَلِيجَةٍ حَتَّى يَسْقُطَ فِيهَا مَنْ يَشُقُّ الشَّعْرَ بِشَعْرَتَيْنِ حَتَّى لا يَبْقَى إِلا نَحْنُ وَشِيعَتُنَا.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Sulayman ibn Salih in a Marfu‘ manner from abu Ja'far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘Your story (belief in the rise of al- Mahdi with Divine authority) causes apprehension in the hearts of people. Those who acknowledge it (belief in the rise of al- Mahdi with Divine authority) you should enlighten him further and those who would deny it you should leave them alone. There must come a period of trial in which all secrets and privacy will be no more even those who would like to split one piece of hair into two pieces to find a better argument would fall until no one would be left except we and our Shi‘a.”

6ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مَنْصُورٍ الصَّيْقَلِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ كُنْتُ أَنَا وَالْحَارِثُ بْنُ الْمُغِيرَةِ وَجَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا جُلُوساً وَأَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَسْمَعُ كَلامَنَا فَقَالَ لَنَا فِي أَيِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ أَنْتُمْ هَيْهَاتَ هَيْهَاتَ لا وَالله لا يَكُونُ مَا تَمُدُّونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْيُنَكُمْ حَتَّى تُغَرْبَلُوا لا وَالله لا يَكُونُ مَا تَمُدُّونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْيُنَكُمْ حَتَّى تُمَحَّصُوا لا وَالله لا يَكُونُ مَا تَمُدُّونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْيُنَكُمْ حَتَّى تُمَيَّزُوا لا وَالله مَا يَكُونُ مَا تَمُدُّونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْيُنَكُمْ إِلا بَعْدَ إِيَاسٍ لا وَالله لا يَكُونُ مَا تَمُدُّونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْيُنَكُمْ حَتَّى يَشْقَى مَنْ يَشْقَى وَيَسْعَدَ مَنْ يَسْعَدُ.

6. Muhammad ibn al-Hassan and Ali ibn Muhammad have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Muhammad ibn Mansur al-Sayqal from his father who has said the following. “Once I, al-Harith ibn al-Mughira and a group of our people were in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who could hear our conversations. He asked ask us, “What is the issue in your dialogue? It will not happen and it will never happen. By Allah, what you are looking to will not take place before you are sifted, by Allah, what you are longing for will not happen until you are refined, by Allah, what you are looking will not happen before you are distinguished, by Allah, what you looking for will not take place before you despair, by Allah, what you are looking to will not take place before misfortune would strike those who become unfortunate and before the fortunate ones attain salvation.”

Chapter 84

The rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority earlier or later will not affect one who has learned who his Imam is

1ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ حَرِيزٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) اعْرِفْ إِمَامَكَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا عَرَفْتَ لَمْ يَضُرَّكَ تَقَدَّمَ هَذَا الامْرُ أَوْ تَأَخَّرَ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Zurara who has said the following. “Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Learn who your Imam is. When you learn who he is then it will have no affect on you whether this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) will take place earlier or later.”

2ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ جُمْهُورٍ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مَرْوَانَ عَنِ الْفُضَيْلِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ قَوْلِ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا كُلَّ أُناسٍ بِإِمامِهِمْ فَقَالَ يَا فُضَيْلُ اعْرِفْ إِمَامَكَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا عَرَفْتَ إِمَامَكَ لَمْ يَضُرَّكَ تَقَدَّمَ هَذَا الامْرُ أَوْ تَأَخَّرَ وَمَنْ عَرَفَ إِمَامَهُ ثُمَّ مَاتَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُومَ صَاحِبُ هَذَا الامْرِ كَانَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ مَنْ كَانَ قَاعِداً فِي عَسْكَرِهِ لا بَلْ بِمَنْزِلَةِ مَنْ قَعَدَ تَحْتَ لِوَائِهِ قَالَ وَقَالَ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِهِ بِمَنْزِلَةِ مَنِ اسْتُشْهِدَ مَعَ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه )

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Safwan ibn Yahya from Muhammad ibn Marwan from al-Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said the following. “I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “On the day when We call every nation with their leaders, Imams. .” (17:71). He said, “O Fudayl find out who your Imam is because when you will find out who your Imam is then whether this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) will take place earlier or later will not affect you at all. One who finds out who his Imam is and then dies before the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority he will be just as those who are positioned in his army. In fact, just like those who have placed themselves under his banner.” The narrator has said that certain persons from his companions said, “He will be just like the martyrs in battle supporting the Messenger of Allah. “

3ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ رَفَعَهُ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَتَى الْفَرَجُ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا بَصِيرٍ وَأَنْتَ مِمَّنْ يُرِيدُ الدُّنْيَا مَنْ عَرَفَ هَذَا الامْرَ فَقَدْ فُرِّجَ عَنْهُ لانْتِظَارِهِ.

3. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from in a Murfu‘ manner from Ali ibn Hamza from abu Basir who has said the following. “I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, when will relief will come?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “O abu Basir, are you after the worldly gains? In fact, one who has established faith in this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) he has already experienced relief of expecting his (coming with Divine Authority).”

4ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ صَالِحِ بْنِ السِّنْدِيِّ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْخُزَاعِيِّ قَالَ سَأَلَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَأَنَا أَسْمَعُ فَقَالَ تَرَانِي أُدْرِكُ الْقَائِمَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا بَصِيرٍ أَ لَسْتَ تَعْرِفُ إِمَامَكَ فَقَالَ إِي وَالله وَأَنْتَ هُوَ وَتَنَاوَلَ يَدَهُ فَقَالَ وَالله مَا تُبَالِي يَا أَبَا بَصِيرٍ أَلا تَكُونَ مُحْتَبِياً بِسَيْفِكَ فِي ظِلِّ رِوَاقِ الْقَائِمِ صَلَوَاتُ الله عَلَيْهِ.

4. Ali Ibrahim has narrated from Salih ibn al-Sindi from Ja‘far ibn Bashir from ’Isma‘il ibn Muhammad al-Khuza’Isma‘il who has said the following. “Abu basir askked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and I was listening. ‘Do you think I will meet Al-Qa’im (a.s.) ?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “O abu Basir, ‘Do you not know who your Imam is?” He said, “By Allah, your are my Imam while holding his hand.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Then you must worry for not leaning against your sword in the shadow of Al-Qa’im’s tent.”

5ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ النُّعْمَانِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مَرْوَانَ عَنْ فُضَيْلِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ مَنْ مَاتَ وَلَيْسَ لَهُ إِمَامٌ فَمِيتَتُهُ مِيتَةُ جَاهِلِيَّةٍ وَمَنْ مَاتَ وَهُوَ عَارِفٌ لامَامِهِ لَمْ يَضُرَّهُ تَقَدَّمَ هَذَا الامْرُ أَوْ تَأَخَّرَ وَمَنْ مَاتَ وَهُوَ عَارِفٌ لامَامِهِ كَانَ كَمَنْ هُوَ مَعَ الْقَائِمِ فِي فُسْطَاطِهِ.

5. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Ni‘man from Muhammad ibn Marwan from al-Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said the following. “I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘One who would die without having an Imam his death would like the death of ignorance. One who would die and would know who his Imam is then the coming of this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) earlier or later will not affect him at all. One who would knowing who his Imam is he would be like the one present with Al-Qa’im in his tents.”

6ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْعَلَوِيُّ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ جُمْهُورٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْعَظِيمِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الله الْحَسَنِيِّ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ الْعُرَنِيِّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ هَاشِمٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَا ضَرَّ مَنْ مَاتَ مُنْتَظِراً لامْرِنَا أَلا يَمُوتَ فِي وَسَطِ فُسْطَاطِ الْمَهْدِيِّ وَعَسْكَرِهِ.

6. al-Husayn ibn Ali al-‘Alawi fromSahl ibn Jumhur from ‘Abd al-‘Azim Ibrahim ‘Abdallah al-Hassani fro al-Hassan ibn al-Husayn al-‘Arni from Ali from Ali ibn Hashim from his father from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “One who would expecting the coming of our task (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) he his not suffered any loss of not dying in the tents of al-Mahdi and in his army.”

7ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ فَضَالَةَ بْنِ أَيُّوبَ عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ أَبَانٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ اعْرِفِ الْعَلامَةَ فَإِذَا عَرَفْتَهُ لَمْ يَضُرَّكَ تَقَدَّمَ هَذَا الامْرُ أَوْ تَأَخَّرَ إِنَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَقُولُ يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا كُلَّ أُناسٍ بِإِمامِهِمْ فَمَنْ عَرَفَ إِمَامَهُ كَانَ كَمَنْ كَانَ فِي فُسْطَاطِ الْمُنْتَظَرِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام )

7. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyadfrom al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Fudala ibn Ayyub from ‘Umar ibn Aban who has said the following. “I heard abu‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘Find out (who the) sign (of Allah, the Imam) is. When you will find out and learn who he is then it will not harm you whether this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) will take place earlier or later. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, has said, ““On the day when We call every nation with their leaders, Imams. .” (17:71). One who knows who his Imam is he would be just like the one who would present in the tents of al-Mahdi (a.s.).”