Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Chapter 85

The case of those who would claim to be the Imam but is not qualified, the case of those who would reject all or some of the Imams and the case of those who argue in support of one who is not a qualified Imam.

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي سَلامٍ عَنْ سَوْرَةَ بْنِ كُلَيْبٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ قَوْلُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ تَرَى الَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا عَلَى الله وُجُوهُهُمْ مُسْوَدَّةٌ قَالَ مَنْ قَالَ إِنِّي إِمَامٌ وَلَيْسَ بِإِمَامٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَإِنْ كَانَ عَلَوِيّاً قَالَ وَإِنْ كَانَ عَلَوِيّاً قُلْتُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ وُلْدِ عَلِيِّ ابْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ وَإِنْ كَانَ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from abu Salam from Sawra ibn kulayb who has said the following. “I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, ‘On the Day of Judgment you will see the faces of those who had invented falsehood against God blackened. . .” (39:60). The Imam (a.s.) said, “It refers to whose who claim to be the Imam but in fact, is not the Imam.” I then asked, “Even if he would of the descendants of Ali (a.s.)?” He said, “Even if he would of the descendants of Ali (a.s.),.” I then asked, “Even if he would of the sons of Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) ?” He said, “even if he would be.”

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ أَبَانٍ عَنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَنِ ادَّعَى الامَامَةَ وَلَيْسَ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا فَهُوَ كَافِرٌ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from ‘Abdallah ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa fromAli ibn al-Hakam fromAban from al-Fudayl from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Whoever would claim to be the Imam and in fact he would not be the Imam he would be a unbeliever.”

3ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ جُمْهُورٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ الْمُخْتَارِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ تَرَى الَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا عَلَى الله قَالَ كُلُّ مَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُ إِمَامٌ وَلَيْسَ بِإِمَامٍ قُلْتُ وَإِنْ كَانَ فَاطِمِيّاً عَلَوِيّاً قَالَ وَإِنْ كَانَ فَاطِمِيّاً عَلَوِيّاً.

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from mmd ibn Jumhur from ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman from al-Husayn ibn al-Mukhtar who has said the following. “I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what is the meaning of the words of Allah, ‘On the Day of Judgment you will see the faces of those who had invented falsehood against God blackened. . .”? (39:60). He said, “Itrefers to whoever would claim to be the Imam and, in fact, is not the Imam.” I then asked, “Even if he would a descendant of Fatima and Ali (a.s.)?” He said, “Yes, even if he would a descendant of Fatima and Ali (a.s.).”

4ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ دَاوُدَ الْحَمَّارِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ ثَلاثَةٌ لا يُكَلِّمُهُمُ الله يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَلا يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ مَنِ ادَّعَى إِمَامَةً مِنَ الله لَيْسَتْ لَهُ وَمَنْ جَحَدَ إِمَاماً مِنَ الله وَمَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّ لَهُمَا فِي الاسْلامِ نَصِيباً.

4. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Dawud al-Himar from ibn abu Ya‘fur who has said the following. “I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘On the Day of Judgment Allah will not speak to them, He will not purify them and for them there will be painful suffering. He said it three time. (He added) they are those who claim to be the Imam with Divine authority and, in fact, he is not so, those who reject the Imam who possesses Divine authority and those who think that the two has a share in Islam.”

5ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ يَحْيَى أَخِي أُدَيْمٍ عَنِ الْوَلِيدِ بْنِ صَبِيحٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله يَقُولُ إِنَّ هَذَا الامْرَ لا يَدَّعِيهِ غَيْرُ صَاحِبِهِ إِلا بَتَرَ الله عُمُرَهُ.

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Sinan from Yahya brother of ’daym from al-Walid ibn Subayh who has said the following. “I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, “No one claims this matter (Leadership with Divine Authority) other than one who possesses Divine authority except that Allah will cut his life short.”

6ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَنْ أَشْرَكَ مَعَ إِمَامٍ إِمَامَتُهُ مِنْ عِنْدِ الله مَنْ لَيْسَتْ إِمَامَتُهُ مِنَ الله كَانَ مُشْرِكاً بِالله.

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Talha ibn Yazid from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Whoever would share the leadership of a Lead with Divine Authority without Divine authority is a polytheist.”

7ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنْ مَنْصُورِ بْنِ يُونُسَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) رَجُلٌ قَالَ لِيَ اعْرِفِ الاخِرَ مِنَ الائِمَّةِ وَلا يَضُرُّكَ أَنْ لا تَعْرِفَ الاوَّلَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَعَنَ الله هَذَا فَإِنِّي أُبْغِضُهُ وَلا أَعْرِفُهُ وَهَلْ عُرِفَ الاخِرُ إِلا بِالاوَّلِ.

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il from Mansur ibn Yunus from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following. “I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), “A man said to me, “You must know the last of the Imams and it does not matter if you would not know the first of the Imams.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) said, “May Allah condemn this. I am angry with him and I do not know him. How can the last Imam be recognized except through the first Imam?”

8ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ جُمْهُورٍ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ عَنِ ابْنِ مُسْكَانَ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ الشَّيْخَ عَنِ الائِمَّةِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَنْ أَنْكَرَ وَاحِداً مِنَ الاحْيَاءِ فَقَدْ أَنْكَرَ الامْوَاتَ.

8. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn mmd from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Safwan from ibn Maskan who has said the following. “I the Shaykh (Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) about the Imams. He said, ‘Whoever would reject any of the living Imams he has rejected the Imams who have passed away also.”

9ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ أَبِي وَهْبٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مَنْصُورٍ قَالَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَإِذا فَعَلُوا فاحِشَةً قالُوا وَجَدْنا عَلَيْها آباءَنا وَالله أَمَرَنا بِها قُلْ إِنَّ الله لا يَأْمُرُ بِالْفَحْشاءِ أَ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى الله ما لا تَعْلَمُونَ قَالَ فَقَالَ هَلْ رَأَيْتَ أَحَداً زَعَمَ أَنَّ الله أَمَرَ بِالزِّنَا وَشُرْبِ الْخَمْرِ أَوْ شَيْ‏ءٍ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْمَحَارِمِ فَقُلْتُ لا فَقَالَ مَا هَذِهِ الْفَاحِشَةُ الَّتِي يَدَّعُونَ أَنَّ الله أَمَرَهُمْ بِهَا قُلْتُ الله أَعْلَمُ وَوَلِيُّهُ قَالَ فَإِنَّ هَذَا فِي أَئِمَّةِ الْجَوْرِ ادَّعَوْا أَنَّ الله أَمَرَهُمْ بِالائْتِمَامِ بِقَوْمٍ لَمْ يَأْمُرْهُمُ الله بِالائْتِمَامِ بِهِمْ فَرَدَّ الله ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَأَخْبَرَ أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ قَالُوا عَلَيْهِ الْكَذِبَ وَسَمَّى ذَلِكَ مِنْهُمْ فَاحِشَةً.

9. A number of our people has narrated Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Sa‘id from Wahab from mmd ibn Mansur who has said the following. “I asked (the Imam (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, ‘When (The faithless) commit indecent acts they say, “We found our fathers doing this and God has commanded us to do the same.” (Muhammad) tell them that God does not command anyone to commit indecency. Do you speak for God, saying things of which you have no knowledge? (7:28)

The Imam (a.s.) said, “Have you come across any one who would think that Allah has commanded to commit indecent acts, drink wine or other such unlawful things?” I said, “No, I have not done so.” He then said, “What is this indecent act that they claim to have committed because of the command of Allah?” I said, “Allah knows best and His deputy also knows.” He said, “This is found in the unjust Imams. They claim that Allah has commanded them to lead their people and, in fact, Allah has not given them any command to follow them. Allah, thus, has refuted them and has informed (others) that they have spoke lies against Him and their act as such is called an indecent one.”

10ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ أَبِي وَهْبِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مَنْصُورٍ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ عَبْداً صَالِحاً عَنْ قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ قُلْ إِنَّما حَرَّمَ رَبِّيَ الْفَواحِشَ ما ظَهَرَ مِنْها وَما بَطَنَ قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْقُرْآنَ لَهُ ظَهْرٌ وَبَطْنٌ فَجَمِيعُ مَا حَرَّمَ الله فِي الْقُرْآنِ هُوَ الظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَئِمَّةُ الْجَوْرِ وَجَمِيعُ مَا أَحَلَّ الله تَعَالَى فِي الْكِتَابِ هُوَ الظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَئِمَّةُ الْحَقِّ.

10. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Wahab from Muhammad ibn Mansur who has said the following. “I asked the virtuous servant of the Lord about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, “(Muhammad), tell them, “My Lord has only prohibited indecent acts committed in public or in secret,. .” (7:33) The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) then said, “The Quran has an apparent essence and a hidden essence. All that Allah has made unlawful in the Quran is apparent and hidden facts in this (category) are the unjust Imams. All that Allah has made lawful in the book is apparent and the hidden facts in it (category) are the Imams of the truth (Leaders with Divine Authority).”

11ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ ثَابِتٍ عَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَتَّخِذُ مِنْ دُونِ الله أَنْداداً يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ الله قَالَ هُمْ وَالله أَوْلِيَاءُ فُلانٍ وَفُلانٍ اتَّخَذُوهُمْ أَئِمَّةً دُونَ الامَامِ الَّذِي جَعَلَهُ الله لِلنَّاسِ إِمَاماً فَلِذَلِكَ قَالَ وَلَوْ يَرَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا إِذْ يَرَوْنَ الْعَذابَ أَنَّ الْقُوَّةَ لله جَمِيعاً وَأَنَّ الله شَدِيدُ الْعَذابِ. إِذْ تَبَرَّأَ الَّذِينَ اتُّبِعُوا مِنَ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوا وَرَأَوُا الْعَذابَ وَتَقَطَّعَتْ بِهِمُ الاسْبابُ. وَقالَ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوا لَوْ أَنَّ لَنا كَرَّةً فَنَتَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُمْ كَما تَبَرَّؤُا مِنَّا كَذلِكَ يُرِيهِمُ الله أَعْمالَهُمْ حَسَراتٍ عَلَيْهِمْ وَما هُمْ بِخارِجِينَ مِنَ النَّارِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) هُمْ وَالله يَا جَابِرُ أَئِمَّةُ الظَّلَمَةِ وَأَشْيَاعُهُمْ.

11. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ‘Umar ibn Thabit from Jabir who has said the following. “I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, “Some people consider certain things equal to God and love them just as one should love God. . .” (2:165) The Imam (a.s.) said, “They, by Allah, are the friends of so and so and so and so whom they have taken as their Imams and not the Imam, Leaders with Divine Authority, who are appoint for people as suCh For this reason He has said, “. . Had the unjust been able to reflect about their condition, when facing the torment, they would have had no doubt that to God belongs All-power and that He is stern in His retribution. (2:165)

When the leaders see the torment and lose all their resources, they will denounce their followers (2:166). The followers will say, “Had we had the chance we also would have denounced our leaders.” That is how God will show them their regrettable deeds. They will not be able to escape from hell fire.” (2:167).) Then abu Ja‘far (a.s.) said, “By Allah, O Jabir, they are the unjust Imams and their followers.”

12ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَبِي دَاوُدَ الْمُسْتَرِقِّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ ثَلاثَةٌ لا يَنْظُرُ الله إِلَيْهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَلا يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ مَنِ ادَّعَى إِمَامَةً مِنَ الله لَيْسَتْ لَهُ وَمَنْ جَحَدَ إِمَاماً مِنَ الله وَمَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّ لَهُمَا فِي الاسْلامِ نَصِيباً.

12. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from abu Dawud al-Mustariqq fromAli ibn Maymun from ibn abu Ya‘fur who has said the following. “I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘There will be three kinds of people to whom Allah will not look on the Day of Judgment, will not purify them and they will suffer pain full punishments. They are those who claim to be the Imam with authority from Allah, those who would reject the Imam, Leader with Divine Authority and those who think that for the two there is a share in Islam.”

Chapter 86

The case of those who would accept the religion of Allah but without accepting the Imam, Leader with Divine Authority

1ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَمَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ اتَّبَعَ هَواهُ بِغَيْرِ هُدىً مِنَ الله قَالَ يَعْنِي مَنِ اتَّخَذَ دِينَهُ رَأْيَهُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ مِنْ أَئِمَّةِ الْهُدَى.

1. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad (from) ibn abu Nasr from abu al-Hassan (a.s.) who has said the following. “The words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, “Who strays more than one who follows his desires without guidance from God?. . “(28:50) The Imam (a.s.), “It refers to those who take their own opinions as their religion without an Imam from the Imams of guidance (Leadership with Divine Authority).”

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنِ الْعَلاءِ بْنِ رَزِينٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ كُلُّ مَنْ دَانَ الله بِعِبَادَةٍ يُجْهِدُ فِيهَا نَفْسَهُ وَلا إِمَامَ لَهُ مِنَ الله فَسَعْيُهُ غَيْرُ مَقْبُولٍ وَهُوَ ضَالٌّ مُتَحَيِّرٌ وَالله شَانِئٌ لاعْمَالِهِ وَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ شَاةٍ ضَلَّتْ عَنْ رَاعِيهَا وَقَطِيعِهَا فَهَجَمَتْ ذَاهِبَةً وَجَائِيَةً يَوْمَهَا فَلَمَّا جَنَّهَا اللَّيْلُ بَصُرَتْ بِقَطِيعٍ مَعَ غَيْرِ رَاعِيهَا فَحَنَّتْ إِلَيْهَا وَاغْتَرَّتْ بِهَا فَبَاتَتْ مَعَهَا فِي رَبَضَتِهَا فَلَمَّا أَنْ سَاقَ الرَّاعِي قَطِيعَهُ أَنْكَرَتْ رَاعِيَهَا وَقَطِيعَهَا فَهَجَمَتْ مُتَحَيِّرَةً تَطْلُبُ رَاعِيَهَا وَقَطِيعَهَا فَبَصُرَتْ بِغَنَمٍ مَعَ رَاعِيهَا فَحَنَّتْ إِلَيْهَا وَاغْتَرَّتْ بِهَا فَصَاحَ بِهَا الرَّاعِي الْحَقِي بِرَاعِيكِ وَقَطِيعِكِ فَإِنَّكِ تَائِهَةٌ مُتَحَيِّرَةٌ عَنْ رَاعِيكِ وَقَطِيعِكِ فَهَجَمَتْ ذَعِرَةً مُتَحَيِّرَةً نَادَّةً لا رَاعِيَ لَهَا يُرْشِدُهَا إِلَى مَرْعَاهَا أَوْ يَرُدُّهَا فَبَيْنَا هِيَ كَذَلِكَ إِذَا اغْتَنَمَ الذِّئْبُ ضَيْعَتَهَا فَأَكَلَهَا وَكَذَلِكَ وَالله يَا مُحَمَّدُ مَنْ أَصْبَحَ مِنْ هَذِهِ الامَّةِ لا إِمَامَ لَهُ مِنَ الله جَلَّ وَعَزَّ ظَاهِراً عَادِلاً أَصْبَحَ ضَالاً تَائِهاً وَإِنْ مَاتَ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْحَالِ مَاتَ مِيتَةَ كُفْرٍ وَنِفَاقٍ وَاعْلَمْ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنَّ أَئِمَّةَ الْجَوْرِ وَأَتْبَاعَهُمْ لَمَعْزُولُونَ عَنْ دِينِ الله قَدْ ضَلُّوا وَأَضَلُّوا فَأَعْمَالُهُمُ الَّتِي يَعْمَلُونَهَا كَرَمَادٍ اشْتَدَّتْ بِهِ الرِّيحُ فِي يَوْمٍ عَاصِفٍ لا يَقْدِرُونَ مِمَّا كَسَبُوا عَلَى شَيْ‏ءٍ ذَلِكَ هُوَ الضَّلالُ الْبَعِيدُ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Safwan ibn Yahya from al-‘Ala’ ibn Razin from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following. “I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.) say, ‘Whoever follows the religion of Allah worshipping assiduously without an Imam, Leader with Divine Authority his toil will not be acceptable. In fact, he is lost and confused and Allah disdains his deeds. Such person’s case and example is like a sheep that has lost the shepherd and the flock that runs back and forth the whole day. As the night would fall that sheep would see a flock of sheep with a shepherd. The (lost) sheep would then join the flock affectionately that in fact is only a deception. The sheep would pass the night in their shelter but when the shepherd would lead the flock to the pasture the lost sheep would feel lost and away from the flock and the shepherd,. thus, run back and forth in search of the flock and the shepherd. Then it would find a flock of sheep with a shepherd and affectionately join them but, in fact, suffer a deception. This shepherd would shout at the lost sheep saying, “Go and find your own flock and shepherd you are lost, confused and without a flock and shepherd. The lost sheep then would run back and forth in confusion, fear and frustration without a shepherd to guide to the pasture and to the shelter. While the lost sheep is in such confusion a wolf would seize the opportunity and would kill the lost sheep for food. Thus, by Allah, O Muhammad is the case of a person from this ’Umma (nation) who would live without an Imam (Leader with Divine Authority) from Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, who is clearly supported with evidence and is just in his dealings. A person without such Imam is lost and confused and if he would die in such condition his death would be like dying in disbelief and hypocrisy. O Muhammad, bear in mind properly that the unjust Imams and their followers are far away from the religion of Allah. They are lost and misleading. Their deeds that they do are like the dust blown by the winds away in a windy day which, would go out of hand without benefits. Thus is straying far away from the truth.”

3ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَبْدِيِّ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنِّي أُخَالِطُ النَّاسَ فَيَكْثُرُ عَجَبِي مِنْ أَقْوَامٍ لا يَتَوَلَّوْنَكُمْ وَيَتَوَلَّوْنَ فُلاناً وَفُلاناً لَهُمْ أَمَانَةٌ وَصِدْقٌ وَوَفَاءٌ وَأَقْوَامٌ يَتَوَلَّوْنَكُمْ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ تِلْكَ الامَانَةُ وَلا الْوَفَاءُ وَالصِّدْقُ قَالَ فَاسْتَوَى أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) جَالِساً فَأَقْبَلَ عَلَيَّ كَالْغَضْبَانِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لا دِينَ لِمَنْ دَانَ الله بِوَلايَةِ إِمَامٍ جَائِرٍ لَيْسَ مِنَ الله وَلا عَتْبَ عَلَى مَنْ دَانَ بِوَلايَةِ إِمَامٍ عَادِلٍ مِنَ الله قُلْتُ لا دِينَ لاولَئِكَ وَلا عَتْبَ عَلَى هَؤُلاءِ قَالَ نَعَمْ لا دِينَ لاولَئِكَ وَلا عَتْبَ عَلَى هَؤُلاءِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ لا تَسْمَعُ لِقَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ الله وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُماتِ إِلَى النُّورِ يَعْنِي مِنْ ظُلُمَاتِ الذُّنُوبِ إِلَى نُورِ التَّوْبَةِ وَالْمَغْفِرَةِ لِوَلايَتِهِمْ كُلَّ إِمَامٍ عَادِلٍ مِنَ الله وَقَالَ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِياؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ يُخْرِجُونَهُمْ مِنَ النُّورِ إِلَى الظُّلُماتِ إِنَّمَا عَنَى بِهَذَا أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا عَلَى نُورِ الاسْلامِ فَلَمَّا أَنْ تَوَلَّوْا كُلَّ إِمَامٍ جَائِرٍ لَيْسَ مِنَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ خَرَجُوا بِوَلايَتِهِمْ إِيَّاهُ مِنْ نُورِ الاسْلامِ إِلَى ظُلُمَاتِ الْكُفْرِ فَأَوْجَبَ الله لَهُمُ النَّارَ مَعَ الْكُفَّارِ فَ أُولئِكَ أَصْحابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيها خالِدُونَ.

3. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Mahbub from ‘Abd ‘Aziz al-‘Abdi from ‘Abdallah ibn abu Ya‘fur who has said the following. “I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). ’Isma‘il meet people and it increases my wonders when I find people who do not consider you as their guardians and Imams but they consider so and so as their Imam. However, they are trustworthy, truthful and loyal. I also find people who consider you as their guardian and Imam but are not that trustworthy, loyal and truthful.” The narrator has said that abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) then sat in an upright position and turned to me as if with anger and then said, “One follows the religion of Allah under the guardianship of an unjust Imam who possesses no Divine authority, he has no religion. One who follows the religion of Allah under the guardianship of an Imam who just in his dealings (possesses Divine authority).” I then said, “These have no religion and these will face no destruction.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “That is correct “these have no religion and these will face no destruction.” Then the Imam (a.s.) said, “Have y0ou not heard the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, “God is the Guardian of the believers and it is He who takes them out of darkness into light. .” (2:257) It means that He takes them out of the darkness of sins to the light of repentance and forgiveness because of their love for and their being under the guardianship of the just Imams who possess Divine authority. He has also said, “The Devil is the guardian of those who deny the Truth and he leads them from light to darkness.. .” (2:257) It means that they were in the light of Islam but when they accepted the guardianship and the leadership of every unjust Imam who possessed no authority from Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, their guardianship took them out of the light of Islam to the darkness of disbelief. Allah then made it necessary for them to suffer in fire along with the unbelievers. “These are the dwellers of hell wherein they will live forever.” (2:257)

4ـ وَعَنْهُ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ عَنْ حَبِيبٍ السِّجِسْتَانِيِّ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى لاعَذِّبَنَّ كُلَّ رَعِيَّةٍ فِي الاسْلامِ دَانَتْ بِوَلايَةِ كُلِّ إِمَامٍ جَائِرٍ لَيْسَ مِنَ الله وَإِنْ كَانَتِ الرَّعِيَّةُ فِي أَعْمَالِهَا بَرَّةً تَقِيَّةً وَلاعْفُوَنَّ عَنْ كُلِّ رَعِيَّةٍ فِي الاسْلامِ دَانَتْ بِوَلايَةِ كُلِّ إِمَامٍ عَادِلٍ مِنَ الله وَإِنْ كَانَتِ الرَّعِيَّةُ فِي أَنْفُسِهَا ظَالِمَةً مُسِيئَةً.

4. He has narrated from Hisham ibn Salim from Habib al-Sajistani from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, ’I will cause to suffer punishment all those who live a religious life in Islam under the guardianship of unjust Imams who possesses no authority from Allah even though such followers would be virtuous and pious in their deeds. I will forgive all those who live a religious life in Islamunder the guardianship of an Imam who is just in his dealings and possess authority from Allah even though such followers in their dealings would be unjust sinners.”

5ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ جُمْهُورٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ عَنِ ابْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ إِنَّ الله لا يَسْتَحْيِي أَنْ يُعَذِّبَ أُمَّةً دَانَتْ بِإِمَامٍ لَيْسَ مِنَ الله وَإِنْ كَانَتْ فِي أَعْمَالِهَا بَرَّةً تَقِيَّةً وَإِنَّ الله لَيَسْتَحْيِي أَنْ يُعَذِّبَ أُمَّةً دَانَتْ بِإِمَامٍ مِنَ الله وَإِنْ كَانَتْ فِي أَعْمَالِهَا ظَالِمَةً مُسِيئَةً.

5. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from ibn Jumhur from his father from Safwan from ibn Maskan from ‘Abdallah ibn Sinan from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah will not be ashamed to punish an ’Umma (nation) who has lived a religious lile under the guardianship of an unjust Imam who has said the following.would possess no authority form Allah even though such people would be virtuous and pious in their deeds. However, Allah will be ashamed to punish a people who lived a religious life under the guardianship of an Imam who is just in his dealings and possesses authority from Allah even though they would be unjust in their dealings and have committed sins.”

Chapter 87

The Case of those who would Die without having an Imam from the Imams of Guidance

Part of Previous Chapter

1ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ عَائِذٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أُذَيْنَةَ عَنِ الْفُضَيْلِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ قَالَ ابْتَدَأَنَا أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَوْماً وَقَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) مَنْ مَاتَ وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ إِمَامٌ فَمِيتَتُهُ مِيتَةُ جَاهِلِيَّةٍ فَقُلْتُ قَالَ ذَلِكَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فَقَالَ إِي وَالله قَدْ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَكُلُّ مَنْ مَاتَ وَلَيْسَ لَهُ إِمَامٌ فَمِيتَتُهُ مِيتَةُ جَاهِلِيَّةٍ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Washsha’ from Ahmad ibn ‘Aidh from ibn ’Udhayna from al-al-Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said the following. “ One day abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) initiated to speak to us and said, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever would die and is not under the (guardianship) of the Imam his death would be like a death in ignorance.” The narrator has said that I asked, “Is that what the Messenger of Allah has said?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes, by Allah, he has said so.” I then said, “Do all who die without acknowledging the Imam die as if died in ignorance (without religion)?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes, that is right.”

2ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الْكَرِيمِ بْنُ عَمْرٍو عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ قَوْلِ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) مَنْ مَاتَ وَلَيْسَ لَهُ إِمَامٌ فَمِيتَتُهُ مِيتَةُ جَاهِلِيَّةٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ مِيتَةُ كُفْرٍ قَالَ مِيتَةُ ضَلالٍ قُلْتُ فَمَنْ مَاتَ الْيَوْمَ وَلَيْسَ لَهُ إِمَامٌ فَمِيتَتُهُ مِيتَةُ جَاهِلِيَّةٍ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ.

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ who has said that ‘Abd al-Karim ibn ‘Amr narrated to me from ibn abu Ya‘fur who has said the following. “I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words the Messenger of Allah. ““Whoever would die and is not under the (guardianship) of the Imam his death would be like a death in ignorance.” The narrator has said I then asked, “Is it death in disbelief (in religion)?” He said, “It is death in error .” I then said, “Thus, whoever would die today and would not have an Imam would his death be considered as if he has died in ignorance (without religion)?” He said, “Yes, that is true.”

3ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ عَنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنِ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) مَنْ مَاتَ لا يَعْرِفُ إِمَامَهُ مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّةً قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ جَاهِلِيَّةً جَهْلاءَ أَوْ جَاهِلِيَّةً لا يَعْرِفُ إِمَامَهُ قَالَ جَاهِلِيَّةَ كُفْرٍ وَنِفَاقٍ وَضَلالٍ.

3. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from al-Fudayl from al-Harith ibn al-Mughira who has said the following. “I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) , ‘the Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever would die without knowing who his Imam is he would die as if has died in ignorance (of religion).” The Imam (a.s.) said, “That is true.” I then said, “Is it the ignorance of uneducated people or ignorance of ones not knowing his Imam?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It means the ignorance that is disbelief, hypocrisy and error?”

4ـ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ عَبْدِ الْعَظِيمِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الله الْحَسَنِيِّ عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ عَامِرٍ عَنِ الْمُفَضَّلِ بْنِ زَائِدَةَ عَنِ الْمُفَضَّلِ بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مَنْ دَانَ الله بِغَيْرِ سَمَاعٍ عَنْ صَادِقٍ أَلْزَمَهُ الله الْبَتَّةَ إِلَى الْعَنَاءِ وَمَنِ ادَّعَى سَمَاعاً مِنْ غَيْرِ الْبَابِ الَّذِي فَتَحَهُ الله فَهُوَ مُشْرِكٌ وَذَلِكَ الْبَابُ الْمَأْمُونُ عَلَى سِرِّ الله الْمَكْنُونِ.

4. Certain persons of our people have narrated from ‘Abd al-‘Azim ibn ‘Abdallah al-Hassani from Malik ibn ‘Amir from al-Mufaddal ibn Za’id from al-Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar who has said the following. “Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever would follow the religion of Allah without hearing (instructions) from a truthful (Imam) person Allah will cause him, inevitably, to suffer hardships. Whoever would claim to have heard from a source other than the one Allah has opened for him, he will be considered as polytheist. The source and door that Allah has opened is the one that trustworthy in the matters of the hidden secrets of Allah.”

Chapter 88

The case of those who have recognized Ahl al-Bayt and those who have ignored them

1ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَامْرَأَتَهُ وَبَنِيهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَنْ عَرَفَ هَذَا الامْرَ مِنْ وُلْدِ عَلِيٍّ وَفَاطِمَةَ (عليها السلام) لَمْ يَكُنْ كَالنَّاسِ.

1. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Sulayman ibn Ja‘far who has said the following. “I heards al-Rida (a.s.) saying, “Ali ibn ‘Abdallah (or ‘Ubaydallah)ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.), his wife and childred are of the people of paradise.” He then said, “Whoever would recognize this matter (Leadership with Divine Authority) in the descendants of Ali and Fatima (a.s.) he would not be like the people.”

2ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي الْوَشَّاءُ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عُمَرَ الْحَلالُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَخْبِرْنِي عَمَّنْ عَانَدَكَ وَلَمْ يَعْرِفْ حَقَّكَ مِنْ وُلْدِ فَاطِمَةَ هُوَ وَسَائِرُ النَّاسِ سَوَاءٌ فِي الْعِقَابِ فَقَالَ كَانَ عَلِيُّ بن الحسين (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) يَقُولُ عَلَيْهِمْ ضِعْفَا الْعِقَابِ.

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad who has said that al-Washsha’ said Ahmad ibn ‘Umar has narrated to us the following. “Inform me about those who have opposed you and has ignored your rights as a descendant of Fatima (a.s.) would his suffering be the same as the other people?” He said, “Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) would say that their suffering will twice as muCh”

3ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ رَاشِدٍ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ الْمِيثَمِيُّ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا رِبْعِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ الله قَالَ قَالَ لِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الْمُنْكِرُ لِهَذَا الامْرِ مِنْ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ وَغَيْرِهِمْ سَوَاءٌ فَقَالَ لِي لا تَقُلِ الْمُنْكِرُ وَلَكِنْ قُلِ الْجَاحِدُ مِنْ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ وَغَيْرِهِمْ قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ فَتَفَكَّرْتُ فِيهِ فَذَكَرْتُ قَوْلَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِي إِخْوَةِ يُوسُفَ فَعَرَفَهُمْ وَهُمْ لَهُ مُنْكِرُونَ.

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Rashid who has that reported to us Ali ibn ’Isma‘il al-Maythami who has said that narrated to us Rabi’i ibn ‘Abdallah who has said that said to him ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn abu ‘Abdallah the following. “I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘are those who are ignorant of this matter (Leadership with Divine Authority) of the descendants of Hashim and others the same?” He said to me, “Do not say, “al-Munkir” (ignorant) but say al-Jahid (rejecter ) of the descendants of Hashim and other people.”

Abu al-Hassan has said I thought about it and then I recalled the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, about the brothers of Yusuf (Joseph) “He recognized them but they were ignorant about him.” (12:58)

4ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قُلْتُ لَهُ الْجَاحِدُ مِنْكُمْ وَمِنْ غَيْرِكُمْ سَوَاءٌ فَقَالَ الْجَاحِدُ مِنَّا لَهُ ذَنْبَانِ وَالْمُحْسِنُ لَهُ حَسَنَتَانِ.

4. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Nasr who has said the following. “I asked al-Rida (a.s.), ‘Are those who reject you from your own people and other such people the same?” He replied, “Those of our own people who would reject us (our Leadership with Divine Authority) would be considered as having committed twice as much sin and the good deed from our own people who are virtuous would also considered as of twice as much value.”