Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Chapter 89

The Obligation and Duty of the People at the Time of the Passing away of the Imam (a.s.)

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ عَنْ يَعْقُوبَ بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِذَا حَدَثَ عَلَى الامَامِ حَدَثٌ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ النَّاسُ قَالَ أَيْنَ قَوْلُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَلَوْ لا نَفَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِنْهُمْ طائِفَةٌ لِيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ وَلِيُنْذِرُوا قَوْمَهُمْ إِذا رَجَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ قَالَ هُمْ فِي عُذْرٍ مَا دَامُوا فِي الطَّلَبِ وَهَؤُلاءِ الَّذِينَ يَنْتَظِرُونَهُمْ فِي عُذْرٍ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ إِلَيْهِمْ أَصْحَابُهُمْ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from from Muhammad ibnlh from Safwan from ya‘qub ibn Shu‘ayb who has said the following. “I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘If something would happen to the Imam what should then the people do?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Where are the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, ‘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) The Imam (a.s.) said, “They will good reason to be excused as long as they are searching also those who wait for them until they complete their religious education and return back to them.”

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ عَنْ عَبْدِ الاعْلَى قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ قَوْلِ الْعَامَّةِ إِنَّ رَسُولَ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) قَالَ مَنْ مَاتَ وَلَيْسَ لَهُ إِمَامٌ مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّةً فَقَالَ الْحَقُّ وَالله قُلْتُ فَإِنَّ إِمَاماً هَلَكَ وَرَجُلٌ بِخُرَاسَانَ لا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ وَصِيُّهُ لَمْ يَسَعْهُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ لا يَسَعُهُ إِنَّ الامَامَ إِذَا هَلَكَ وَقَعَتْ حُجَّةُ وَصِيِّهِ عَلَى مَنْ هُوَ مَعَهُ فِي الْبَلَدِ وَحَقُّ النَّفْرِ عَلَى مَنْ لَيْسَ بِحَضْرَتِهِ إِذَا بَلَغَهُمْ إِنَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَقُولُ فَلَوْ لا نَفَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِنْهُمْ طائِفَةٌ لِيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ وَلِيُنْذِرُوا قَوْمَهُمْ إِذا رَجَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ. قُلْتُ فَنَفَرَ قَوْمٌ فَهَلَكَ بَعْضُهُمْ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَصِلَ فَيَعْلَمَ قَالَ إِنَّ الله جَلَّ وَعَزَّ يَقُولُ وَمَنْ يَخْرُجْ مِنْ بَيْتِهِ مُهاجِراً إِلَى الله وَرَسُولِهِ ثُمَّ يُدْرِكْهُ الْمَوْتُ فَقَدْ وَقَعَ أَجْرُهُ عَلَى الله قُلْتُ فَبَلَغَ الْبَلَدَ بَعْضُهُمْ فَوَجَدَكَ مُغْلَقاً عَلَيْكَ بَابُكَ وَمُرْخًى عَلَيْكَ سِتْرُكَ لا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَى نَفْسِكَ وَلا يَكُونُ مَنْ يَدُلُّهُمْ عَلَيْكَ فَبِمَا يَعْرِفُونَ ذَلِكَ. قَالَ‏ بِكِتَابِ الله الْمُنْزَلِ قُلْتُ فَيَقُولُ الله جَلَّ وَعَزَّ كَيْفَ قَالَ أَرَاكَ قَدْ تَكَلَّمْتَ فِي هَذَا قَبْلَ الْيَوْمِ قُلْتُ أَجَلْ قَالَ فَذَكِّرْ مَا أَنْزَلَ الله فِي علي (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَمَا قَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فِي حَسَنٍ وَحُسَيْنٍ (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) وَمَا خَصَّ الله بِهِ عَلِيّاً (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَمَا قَالَ فِيهِ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) مِنْ وَصِيَّتِهِ إِلَيْهِ وَنَصْبِهِ إِيَّاهُ وَمَا يُصِيبُهُمْ وَإِقْرَارِ الْحَسَنِ وَالْحُسَيْنِ بِذَلِكَ وَوَصِيَّتِهِ إِلَى الْحَسَنِ وَتَسْلِيمِ الْحُسَيْنِ لَهُ بِقَوْلِ الله النَّبِيُّ أَوْلى‏ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَأَزْواجُهُ أُمَّهاتُهُمْ وَأُولُوا الارْحامِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلى‏ بِبَعْضٍ فِي كِتابِ الله قُلْتُ فَإِنَّ النَّاسَ تَكَلَّمُوا فِي ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَيَقُولُونَ كَيْفَ تَخَطَّتْ مِنْ وُلْدِ أَبِيهِ مَنْ لَهُ مِثْلُ قَرَابَتِهِ وَمَنْ هُوَ أَسَنُّ مِنْهُ وَقَصُرَتْ عَمَّنْ هُوَ أَصْغَرُ مِنْهُ فَقَالَ يُعْرَفُ صَاحِبُ هَذَا الامْرِ بِثَلاثِ خِصَالٍ لا تَكُونُ فِي غَيْرِهِ هُوَ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِالَّذِي قَبْلَهُ وَهُوَ وَصِيُّهُ وَعِنْدَهُ سِلاحُ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَوَصِيَّتُهُ وَذَلِكَ عِنْدِي لا أُنَازَعُ فِيهِ قُلْتُ إِنَّ ذَلِكَ مَسْتُورٌ مَخَافَةَ السُّلْطَانِ قَالَ لا يَكُونَ فِي سِتْرٍ إِلا وَلَهُ حُجَّةٌ ظَاهِرَةٌ إِنَّ أَبِي اسْتَوْدَعَنِي مَا هُنَاكَ فَلَمَّا حَضَرَتْهُ الْوَفَاةُ قَالَ ادْعُ لِي شُهُوداً فَدَعَوْتُ أَرْبَعَةً مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فِيهِمْ نَافِعٌ مَوْلَى عَبْدِ الله بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ اكْتُبْ هَذَا مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ يَعْقُوبُ بَنِيهِ يا بَنِيَّ إِنَّ الله اصْطَفى‏ لَكُمُ الدِّينَ فَلا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ وَأَوْصَى مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ إِلَى ابْنِهِ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَأَمَرَهُ أَنْ يُكَفِّنَهُ فِي بُرْدِهِ الَّذِي كَانَ يُصَلِّي فِيهِ الْجُمَعَ وَأَنْ يُعَمِّمَهُ بِعِمَامَتِهِ وَأَنْ يُرَبِّعَ قَبْرَهُ وَيَرْفَعَهُ أَرْبَعَ أَصَابِعَ ثُمَّ يُخَلِّيَ عَنْهُ فَقَالَ اطْوُوهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِلشُّهُودِ انْصَرِفُوا رَحِمَكُمُ الله فَقُلْتُ بَعْدَ مَا انْصَرَفُوا مَا كَانَ فِي هَذَا يَا أَبَتِ أَنْ تُشْهِدَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ إِنِّي كَرِهْتُ أَنْ تُغْلَبَ وَأَنْ يُقَالَ إِنَّهُ لَمْ يُوصَ فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ تَكُونَ لَكَ حُجَّةٌ فَهُوَ الَّذِي إِذَا قَدِمَ الرَّجُلُ الْبَلَدَ قَالَ مَنْ وَصِيُّ فُلانٍ قِيلَ فُلانٌ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ أَشْرَكَ فِي الْوَصِيَّةِ قَالَ تَسْأَلُونَهُ فَإِنَّهُ سَيُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman who has said that narrated to us Hammad from ‘Abd al-A‘la’ who has said the following. “I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the statement of Sunni Muslims (al-‘Amma) that says the Messenger of Allah has said, “If a person would die without having an Imam his death would be as if he has died as the death of ignorance (pre-Islamic age of darkness)” The Imam (a.s.) said, “ That is very true, by Allah.” I then asked, “what if the Imam would pass away and a person is in Khurasan and does not know who the executor of the will of the Imam (a.s.) is, is this good excuse for him?” He (the Imam (a.s.) said, “No, that is not a good reason. When the Imam leaves this world the authority of the executor nof his applies to those would live in the area. Also the obligation search and learn about one’s duties apply to those who are not in area but who learned about the passing away of the Imam. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious, has said, “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) I then said, “What if they did went out to find out but some of them would die before they could find out?” He said, “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious, has said, “. . and one who dies, after having abandoned his home to get near to God and His Messenger, will receive his reward from God. . .” (4:100) I if some of them would reach your town but would find out that you have closed your door and the curtains are drawn closed. You would not call them to yourself and there is no one to guide them to you. How then the will know about you?” He said, “They would know about me through the book that Allah has revealed.” I then asked, “How Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious, has said it?” He said, “I know that you have spoken to me about before this day also.” I said, “That is right.” He then said, “Recall what Allah has said about Ali (a.s) and what the Messenger of Allah said to him about Hassan and Husayn and What Allah has specially said about Ali (a.s) and what the Messenger of Allah has said about him about his will to him and hid appointing him and their sufferings and the acknowledgements of al-Hassan and al-Husayn of such facts. Recall the will of al-Hassan and his delivering it to al-Husayn. Allah has said, “The Prophet has more authority over the believers than themselves. His wives are their mothers. The relatives are closer to each other, according to the Book of God, .” .(33:6)

I then said, “People speak about abu Ja‘far‘far (a.s) and say, “How is it that Imamat (leadership with Divine authority has stepped out for him from among all the sons of his father even though they are all relatives and older than him and those younger than him did receive it just because they were younger?”

He said, “The one would possess this matter (Leadership with Divine Authority) can be recognized through three evidence that are not found with other people. He must have greater priority to the preceding Imam and that he would be the executor of the will of the preceding Imam. With him there must be the Armaments of the Messenger of Allah and the document of his will. This document is with me and no one disputes it.” I then asked, “Is that kept secret and hidden for fear from the rulers?” He said, “There is nothing secret and hidden for which there is no clear evidence available. What is there my father entrusted to me. When he wasw about to leave this world he asked me to call people to bear testimony for him. I then called four people from Quraysh among them was Nafi‘ salve of ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Umar. My father said, “Write down, ‘This is how the will of Jacob to his children reads, “God has chosen this religion for you. You must not leave this world unless you are a Muslim (submitted to the will of the Lord of the Universe).” (2:132) Muhammad ibn Ali made the same kind of will to his son, Ja‘far ibn Muhammad annd commanded him to shroud him in his own gown which he would use during his Friday prayers. That his own turban must be used for him, that the surface of his grave should be given a square shape, raised three inches from the ground and thereafter leave it that much only. Thereafter he wrpped up the document of the will and asked the witnesses to leave saying, “May Allah grant you blessings. When they left I asked, “What was in it O father, that asked them to bear testimony to?” He said, “I did not like that you will be defeated and people will say, ‘He left this world without a will. I wanted it to be a supporting authority for you. This the fact that help one who comes to the town and asks, “To who did so and so made a will? And it is said to him, “The will was made to so and so.” I then asked, “What he (Imam) would partners in the will?” He said, “You must ask him. He will explain it to you.”

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنِ النَّضْرِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ عَنْ يَحْيَى الْحَلَبِيِّ عَنْ بُرَيْدِ بْنِ مُعَاوِيَةَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَصْلَحَكَ الله بَلَغَنَا شَكْوَاكَ وَأَشْفَقْنَا فَلَوْ أَعْلَمْتَنَا أَوْ عَلَّمْتَنَا مَنْ قَالَ إِنَّ عَلِيّاً (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) كَانَ عَالِماً وَالْعِلْمُ يُتَوَارَثُ فَلا يَهْلِكُ عَالِمٌ إِلا بَقِيَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ مَنْ يَعْلَمُ مِثْلَ عِلْمِهِ أَوْ مَا شَاءَ الله قُلْتُ أَ فَيَسَعُ النَّاسَ إِذَا مَاتَ الْعَالِمُ أَلا يَعْرِفُوا الَّذِي بَعْدَهُ فَقَالَ أَمَّا أَهْلُ هَذِهِ الْبَلْدَةِ فَلا يَعْنِي الْمَدِينَةَ وَأَمَّا غَيْرُهَا مِنَ الْبُلْدَانِ فَبِقَدْرِ مَسِيرِهِمْ إِنَّ الله يَقُولُ وَما كانَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لِيَنْفِرُوا كَافَّةً فَلَوْ لا نَفَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِنْهُمْ طائِفَةٌ لِيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ وَلِيُنْذِرُوا قَوْمَهُمْ إِذا رَجَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَ رَأَيْتَ مَنْ مَاتَ فِي ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ هُوَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ مَنْ خَرَجَ مِنْ بَيْتِهِ مُهَاجِراً إِلَى الله وَرَسُولِهِ ثُمَّ يُدْرِكُهُ الْمَوْتُ فَقَدْ وَقَعَ أَجْرُهُ عَلَى الله قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِذَا قَدِمُوا بِأَيِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ يَعْرِفُونَ صَاحِبَهُمْ قَالَ يُعْطَى السَّكِينَةَ وَالْوَقَارَ وَالْهَيْبَةَ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Khalid from Nadr ibn Suwayd from Yahya al-Halabi from Barid ibn Mu‘awiya from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following. “I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), “May Allah grant you good health, we heard that you were not feeling good and it caused us great anxiety. Would that you inform or teach us who will be the succeeding Imam.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Ali (a.s.) was the scholar and knowledge is inherited. No scholar dies except that leaves behind a scholar whose knowledge is of the same level or whatever Allah would will.” I then said will people be excused for not knowing the succeeding Imam after the death of the preceding Imam?” He then said, “The people of this area (city of Madina) will not be excused. People of other areas will dealt with according to their abilities. Allah has said, “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)

The narrator has said that he then asked the Imam (a.s.), “What if some of them would die before completing their education and searCh?” He said, “such people will be of the ones mentioned in the words of Allah herein below. “. . and one who dies, after having abandoned his home to get near to God and His Messenger, will receive his reward from God. . .” (4:100) The narrator has said that he then asked the Imam (a.s.), “If people would come to the Imam then by what means would they recognize him?” He said, “The Imam is granted serenity, dignity and an awesome presence.”

Chapter 90

When the Imam learns that Leadership with Divine Authority has come to him?

1ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَبِي جَرِيرٍ الْقُمِّيِّ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَدْ عَرَفْتَ انْقِطَاعِي إِلَى أَبِيكَ ثُمَّ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ حَلَفْتُ لَهُ وَحَقِّ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَحَقِّ فُلانٍ وَفُلانٍ حَتَّى انْتَهَيْتُ إِلَيْهِ بِأَنَّهُ لا يَخْرُجُ مِنِّي مَا تُخْبِرُنِي بِهِ إِلَى أَحَدٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ أَ حَيٌّ هُوَ أَوْ مَيِّتٌ فَقَالَ قَدْ وَالله مَاتَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ شِيعَتَكَ يَرْوُونَ أَنَّ فِيهِ سُنَّةَ أَرْبَعَةِ أَنْبِيَاءَ قَالَ قَدْ وَالله الَّذِي لا إِلَهَ إِلا هُوَ هَلَكَ قُلْتُ هَلاكَ غَيْبَةٍ أَوْ هَلاكَ مَوْتٍ قَالَ هَلاكَ مَوْتٍ فَقُلْتُ لَعَلَّكَ مِنِّي فِي تَقِيَّةٍ فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ الله قُلْتُ فَأَوْصَى إِلَيْكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَأَشْرَكَ مَعَكَ فِيهَا أَحَداً قَالَ لا قُلْتُ فَعَلَيْكَ مِنْ إِخْوَتِكَ إِمَامٌ قَالَ لا قُلْتُ فَأَنْتَ الامَامُ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

1. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from abu Hariz al-Qummi who has said the following. “I said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, you know how devoted I have been towards your father and after him to yourself. I then swore before him up on the rights of the Messenger of Allah and the rights of so and so and so and so (Ali, al-Hassan, al-Husayn . (a.s.) until his own self trying to assure him that whatever you would tell me will not be made public and spread to other people. I asked him about his father to find out if he alive or dead.” He said, “by Allah, he that his father had passed away.” I then said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, your followers (Shi‘a) narrate that in him the traditions of four prophets are found.” He then said, “In certainty by Allah, besides whom there is no Lord that he (my father) has passed away.” I asked, “Is his passing away in the form of disappearance or in the form of death?” He then said, “It is in the form of death.” I then said, “Perhaps you are observing cautious fear from me.” He said, “All glory belongs to Allah, (that is not the case).” I then asked, “Did he deliver his will to you?” He said, “Yes, he did so.” I then asked, “Has he made others as your partners in executing his will?” He said, “No, he has not done so.” I then asked, “Is there any Imam over you among your brothers?” He said, “No, there is no one from them.” I then asked, “Are you the Imam (a.s.)?” He said, “Yes, I am the Imam (Leadership with Divine Authority).”

2ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَسْبَاطٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ رَجُلاً عَنَى أَخَاكَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فَذَكَرَ لَهُ أَنَّ أَبَاكَ فِي الْحَيَاةِ وَأَنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ مَا يَعْلَمُ فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ الله يَمُوتُ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَلا يَمُوتُ مُوسَى (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَدْ وَالله مَضَى كَمَا مَضَى رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَلَكِنَّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى لَمْ يَزَلْ مُنْذُ قَبَضَ نَبِيَّهُ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) هَلُمَّ جَرّاً يَمُنُّ بِهَذَا الدِّينِ عَلَى أَوْلادِ الاعَاجِمِ وَيَصْرِفُهُ عَنْ قَرَابَةِ نَبِيِّهِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) هَلُمَّ جَرّاً فَيُعْطِي هَؤُلاءِ وَيَمْنَعُ هَؤُلاءِ لَقَدْ قَضَيْتُ عَنْهُ فِي هِلالِ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ أَلْفَ دِينَارٍ بَعْدَ أَنْ أَشْفَى عَلَى طَلاقِ نِسَائِهِ وَعِتْقِ مَمَالِيكِهِ وَلَكِنْ قَدْ سَمِعْتُ مَا لَقِيَ يُوسُفُ مِنْ إِخْوَتِهِ.

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Asbat who has said the following. “I said, ‘A man troubled your brother, Ibrahim and said to him, “Your father is still alive.” You know of this case what he knows.’” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Glory belongs to Allah. The Messenger of Allah dies. How is it that Musa (Imam Musa al-Kazim) does not die? Certainly, by Allah, he passed away just as the Messenger of Allah passed away. However, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, ever since that He took his Prophet from this world has continued granting favors through this religion up on the descendants of A‘ajim (pl. of ‘Ajam, meaning the Persians or none Arabs) and abstains it from the people of His Prophet. Ever since He has continued granting such favors to these and abstaining it from them. In the month of Dhu al-Hajj I paid off a thousand Dinar for his debts because of which he (his brother Ibrahim) was in great difficulties. He was about to divorces his wives, free his slaves and servants. You have heard the case of Yusuf and his brothers.”

3ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّهُمْ رَوَوْا عَنْكَ فِي مَوْتِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنَّ رَجُلاً قَالَ لَكَ عَلِمْتَ ذَلِكَ بِقَوْلِ سَعِيدٍ فَقَالَ جَاءَ سَعِيدٌ بَعْدَ مَا عَلِمْتُ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَجِيئِهِ قَالَ وَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ طَلَّقْتُ أُمَّ فَرْوَةَ بِنْتَ إِسْحَاقَ فِي رَجَبٍ بَعْدَ مَوْتِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ بِيَوْمٍ قُلْتُ طَلَّقْتَهَا وَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ بِمَوْتِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقْدَمَ عَلَيْكَ سَعِيدٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

3. al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ who has said the following. “I said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘They have narrated from you about the death of abu al-Hassan (Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) that a man said to you, “You have learned that (the death of your father) through the report of Sa‘id.” He said, “Sa‘id came after I learned about that (death of my father) before his coming.” The narrator has said that he asked the Imam (a.s.), “I heard from him that you divorced mother of Farwa, daughter of Ishaq, in the month of Rajab one day after the death of abu al-Hassan (a.s.). Did you divorce her when you knew that abu al-Hassan (a.s.) has died?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes, I did so.” I asked him, “Did you do so before Sa‘id came to you?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes, I did so before Sa‘id came.”

4ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ قَالَ قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الامَامِ مَتَى يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ إِمَامٌ حِينَ يَبْلُغُهُ أَنَّ صَاحِبَهُ قَدْ مَضَى أَوْ حِينَ يَمْضِي مِثْلَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ قُبِضَ بِبَغْدَادَ وَأَنْتَ هَاهُنَا قَالَ يَعْلَمُ ذَلِكَ حِينَ يَمْضِي صَاحِبُهُ قُلْتُ بِأَيِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ قَالَ يُلْهِمُهُ الله.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from al-Husayn from Safwan who has said the following. “I requested abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), ‘Enlighten me when an Imam comesto know that he is the Imam (a.s.)? Does it take place when the preceding Imam has already passes away or when he is about to leave this world? For example abu al-Hassan (a.s.) passed away in Baghdad and you were here (in the city of Madina)?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He comes to know it at the time his companion (the preceding Imam) is about to leave this world.” I then asked, “By what means does he come to know it?” He said, “He comes to know it through inspiration from Allah.”

5ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ أَبِي الْفَضْلِ الشَّهْبَانِيِّ عَنْ هَارُونَ بْنِ الْفَضْلِ قَالَ رَأَيْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ عَلِيَّ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ فِي الْيَوْمِ الَّذِي تُوُفِّيَ فِيهِ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقَالَ إِنَّا لله وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ مَضَى أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقِيلَ لَهُ وَكَيْفَ عَرَفْتَ قَالَ لانَّهُ تُدَاخِلُنِي ذِلَّةٌ لله لَمْ أَكُنْ أَعْرِفُهَا.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from abu al-Fadl al-Shahbani from Harun ibn al-Fadl who has said the following. “I saw abu al-Hassan Ali ibn Muhammad on the day abu Ja‘far (a.s.) passed away. He said, “To Allah we belong and to Him we return. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) passed away.” He was asked, “How do you know that he passed away?” He said, “A form of humbleness before Allah that I had never experienced overwhelmed me.”

6ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُسَافِرٍ قَالَ أَمَرَ أَبُو إِبْرَاهِيمَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) حِينَ أُخْرِجَ بِهِ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنْ يَنَامَ عَلَى بَابِهِ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ أَبَداً مَا كَانَ حَيّاً إِلَى أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ خَبَرُهُ قَالَ فَكُنَّا فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ نَفْرُشُ لابِي الْحَسَنِ فِي الدِّهْلِيزِ ثُمَّ يَأْتِي بَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ فَيَنَامُ فَإِذَا أَصْبَحَ انْصَرَفَ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ قَالَ فَمَكَثَ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْحَالِ أَرْبَعَ سِنِينَ فَلَمَّا كَانَ لَيْلَةٌ مِنَ اللَّيَالِي أَبْطَأَ عَنَّا وَفُرِشَ لَهُ فَلَمْ يَأْتِ كَمَا كَانَ يَأْتِي فَاسْتَوْحَشَ الْعِيَالُ وَذُعِرُوا وَدَخَلَنَا أَمْرٌ عَظِيمٌ مِنْ إِبْطَائِهِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ مِنَ الْغَدِ أَتَى الدَّارَ وَدَخَلَ إِلَى الْعِيَالِ وَقَصَدَ إِلَى أُمِّ أَحْمَدَ فَقَالَ لَهَا هَاتِ الَّتِي أَوْدَعَكِ أَبِي فَصَرَخَتْ وَلَطَمَتْ وَجْهَهَا وَشَقَّتْ جَيْبَهَا وَقَالَتْ مَاتَ وَالله سَيِّدِي فَكَفَّهَا وَقَالَ لَهَا لا تَكَلَّمِي بِشَيْ‏ءٍ وَلا تُظْهِرِيهِ حَتَّى يَجِي‏ءَ الْخَبَرُ إِلَى الْوَالِي فَأَخْرَجَتْ إِلَيْهِ سَفَطاً وَأَلْفَيْ دِينَارٍ أَوْ أَرْبَعَةَ آلافِ دِينَارٍ فَدَفَعَتْ ذَلِكَ أَجْمَعَ إِلَيْهِ دُونَ غَيْرِهِ وَقَالَتْ إِنَّهُ قَالَ لِي فِيمَا بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُ وَكَانَتْ أَثِيرَةً عِنْدَهُ احْتَفِظِي بِهَذِهِ الْوَدِيعَةِ عِنْدَكِ لا تُطْلِعِي عَلَيْهَا أَحَداً حَتَّى أَمُوتَ فَإِذَا مَضَيْتُ فَمَنْ أَتَاكِ مِنْ وُلْدِي فَطَلَبَهَا مِنْكِ فَادْفَعِيهَا إِلَيْهِ وَاعْلَمِي أَنِّي قَدْ مِتُّ وَقَدْ جَاءَنِي وَالله عَلامَةُ سَيِّدِي فَقَبَضَ ذَلِكَ مِنْهَا وَأَمَرَهُمْ بِالامْسَاكِ جَمِيعاً إِلَى أَنْ وَرَدَ الْخَبَرُ وَانْصَرَفَ فَلَمْ يَعُدْ لِشَيْ‏ءٍ مِنَ الْمَبِيتِ كَمَا كَانَ يَفْعَلُ فَمَا لَبِثْنَا إِلا أَيَّاماً يَسِيرَةً حَتَّى جَاءَتِ الْخَرِيطَةُ بِنَعْيِهِ فَعَدَدْنَا الايَّامَ وَتَفَقَّدْنَا الْوَقْتَ فَإِذَا هُوَ قَدْ مَاتَ فِي الْوَقْتِ الَّذِي فَعَلَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مَا فَعَلَ مِنْ تَخَلُّفِهِ عَنِ الْمَبِيتِ وَقَبْضِهِ لِمَا قَبَضَ.

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Musafir who has said the following. “Abu Ibrahim commanded –at the time he was taken out to Baghdad- abu al-Hassan (a.s.) to sleep every night at his (abu Ibrahim’s) house until the coming of the news of his death. The narrator has said narrator has said that we would prepare the bed for abu al-Hassan every night in the terrace and he would come after the ‘Isha (late evening) to rest and in the morning he would leave for his own house. He has said that it continued for four years. One night he delayed and the bed was prepared for him. He did not come as usual and the family was alarmed and deeply saddened. His delay was a very great matter that overwhelmed us. In the morning he came to the house and went to the family room to ’Umm (mother of) Ahmad and said to her, “Bring me the things that my father had entrusted you with.” She began to cry, beat up her face and tear her clothe over her heart saying, “My master, by Allah, has passed away.” He stopped her and said, “Do not say any thing to any one and do not make it public before the news of his death comes to the governor.” She then brought a package, a two thousand and a four thousand Dinar and gave all of it to him and to one else. She said, “He had told me when there were only two of us (She was beloved to him), “Keep this trust well protected with you and do allow anyone to know it before I will die. When I will die whichever of my sons will come to and ask you to deliver this trust to him give it to him and know that I have passed away. The sign that my master had informed me of has exactly come.” He took charge of the package and money from her and commanded everyone to keep it secret until the coming of the news. He left the house and thereafter did not come to rest at night as before. After a few days only the news of the passing away of abu Ibrahim reach the city. We calculated the time and found out that it was exactly the time abu al-Hassan had done those things; his delaying to come for rest at night and taking charge of the trust with (’Umm Ahamd).”