Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Section 13: The Hypocrites Among the Bedouins

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 100

وَالسَّابِقُونَ الاَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالاَنْصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بإِحْسَانٍ رَضِيَ اللّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الاَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدَاً ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيم

100. “And the foremost, the first of the Emigrants and the Helpers, and those who followed them in goodness, Allah is well-pleased with them and they are well-pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow wherein shall they abide forever. That is the great success.”

Following the content meaning of the former holy verse which was upon the circumstances of the disbelievers and hypocrites, this verse refers to the true believers of the Muslims, and divides them into three definite groups.

1 . The first group are those who were the foremost and the first in Islam, who emigrated. The verse says:

“And the foremost, the first of the Emigrants…”

2. Those who were first in helping both the Prophet (S) and his companions of the Emigrants.

“…and the Helpers…”

3. The third group are mentioned those who followed them from the point of goodness, and by their good deeds and embracing Islam, Emigration, and helping the Prophet’s religion, they joined them.

“…and those who followed them in goodness…”

It is interesting that all the Islamic scholars have unanimously said that the first person of women who embraced Islam was Khadijah, the faithful and devoted wife of the Prophet (S).

And, as for men, all the scholars and commentators of the Shi‘ites together, and a large number of the Sunnite scholars have confirmed that Ali-ibn-Abi Tālib (as) was the first one who accepted the invitation of the Prophet of Islam (S)1

After mentioning these three groups, the Qur’ān says:

“…Allah is well-pleased with them and they are well-pleased with Him…”

The pleasure of Allah from them is for their Faith and the good deeds they have done; and that they are well-pleased with Allah is for the extraordinary various important rewards He has bestowed upon them.

This sentence contains all the devine merits, (the material and spiritual merits of body and soul) yet, as an emphasis and statement of expansion after epitome, it adds:

“…and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow…”

Among the privileges of this Divine bounty is that it is eternal, as the verse itself says:

“…wherein shall they abide forever…”

This condition is a great triumph for a person. The holy verse continues saying:

“…That is the great success.”

What a success can be better than this that man, a mortal, feels that his Lord, the Exalted, his worshiped, and his Master is well-pleased with him and has accepted the whole deeds he has done?

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 101

وَمِمَّنْ حَوْلَكُم مِنَ الاَعْرَابِ مُنَافِقُونَ وَمِنْ أَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ مَرَدُوا عَلَى النِّفَاقِ لا تَعْلَمُهُمْ نَحْنُ نَعْلَمُهُمْ سَنُعَذِّبُهُم مَرَّتَيْنِ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَى عَذَابٍ عَظِيمٍ

101. “And among the Bedouins around you there are hypocrites, and from among the people of Medina (there are also some who) have grown bold in hypocrisy. You do not know them, (but) We know them. Soon We will punish them twice, then they will be turned back to a grievous chastisement.”

The Qur’ān turns the discussion again unto the deeds of the hypocrites and their mischievous groups. It says:

“And among the Bedouins around you there are hypocrites…”

This phrase means that you should be aware and watch the hypocrites who are outside your city and be careful of their dangerous activities.

Then, it adds that, in Medina itself, and from among the people of this city, there are also some persons who have stretched hypocrisy as far as the limit of disobedience, and they are severely steadfast unto it so that they are experienced in it. The verse says:

“…and from among the people of Medina (there are also some who) have grown bold in hypocrisy…”

This meaning, which is seen in the abovementioned verse about the hypocrites of ‘inside’ and those of ‘outside’, maybe refers to this aspect that the inside hypocrites are more experienced, and naturally more dangerous, in their job than the outside hypocrites. Therefore, the Muslims must intensively be careful of them, although they should not neglect the outside hypocrites either.

That is why, immediately after that, Allah says:

“…You do not know them, (but) We know them…”

This indication, of course, is to the ordinary and common knowledge of the Prophet (S), but there is no contrust that he (S) becomes utterly aware of their secrets through Divine revelation and by His teaching.

At the end of the verse, the Qurān announces the grievous punishment of this group as follows:

“…Soon We will punish them twice, then they will be turned back to grievous chastisement…”

Twice in punishment is, at first, their disgraces among people, and the other is to give up their lives with hardship which includes both their spiritual and bodily chastisements.

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 102

وءَاخَرُونَ اعْتَرَفُوا بِذُنُوبِهِمْ خَلَطُوا عَمَلاً صَالِحاً وءَاخَرَ سَيِّئاً عَسَى اللّهُ أَن يَتُوبَ عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ غَفُورٌرَحِيمٌ

102. “And (there are) othes who have confessed to their sins. They have mixed a righteous deed and an evil one. Maybe Allah will turn (mercifully) to them (and accept their repentance). Verily Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.”

Several persons from among the companions of the Prophet (S) refrained from taking part in the Battle of Tabūk, not hypocritically, of course, but for the sake of loving life.

When the concerning critical verses were revealed, they regreted and, as a sign of repentance, they had fastened themselves on a pillar in the Prophet’s Mosque.

They kept on being in that state until when Allah accepted their repentance and the Messenger of Allah (S) unfastened the ropes from them and they were forgiven. The verse says:

“And (there are) othes who have confessed to their sins. They have mixed a righteous deed and an evil one. Maybe Allah will turn (mercifully) to them (and accept their repentance). Verily Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.”

After that, as gratitude for this matter, they offered all their properties to the Prophet (S), but he took a part of the properties to spend upon the expediencies of the Muslims, and returned the rest to them.

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 103

خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ صَلاتَكَ سَكَنٌ لَهُمْ وَاللّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

103. “Take alms out of their possessions to cleanse them and purify them thereby, and pray for them, surely your prayers are a comfort for them, and Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”

This holy verse points to one of the important Islamic ordinances, viz. alms. As a general rule, it tells the Prophet (S) to take alms tax from their properties. The verse says:

“Take alms out of their possessions…”

The Divine command is a clear evidence for that the chief of the Islamic government can take ‘the alms tax’ from people. It is not in a manner that he must wait until if they wish they pay it by themselves, and, otherwise, they do not pay it.

Then, the Qur’ān refers to two parts of the psychological, ethical, and social philosophy of almsgiving. It says:

“…to cleanse them and purify them thereby…”

Almsgiving cleanse them from the bad qualities, purifies them from mammunism and stinginess, and grows the plant of philanthropy, generosity and attentiveness to people’s rights in them.

Moreover, by the fulfilment of this divine commandment, you may wipe out the imputies and mischieves which come into being inside the society because of poverty, class division, and the deprivation of some groups therein. Thus, you may clean the scene of the society from these vices.

Then, it implies that when they pay alms tax, you do pray for them and send blessing unto them. The verse says:

“…and pray for them…”

This situation indicates that even for the fulfilment of the obligatory duties, people should be thanked and admired. They should be specially encouraged mentally and spiritually. Some Islamic traditions denote that when people brought alms tax to the presence of the Prophet (S), he used to pray for them by saying:

“O’ Allah! Give them peace.”

Then the Qur’ān adds:

“…surely your prayers are a comfort for them…”

It is by the glow of this prayer that the grace and blessing of Allah will be sent down over their selves and spirits, in a form that they may feel it. So, at the end of the verse, the Qur’ān says:

“…and Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”

That is, Allah both hears the prayers of the Prophet (S) and is aware of the intentions of the givers of alms tax.

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 104

أَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللّهَ هُوَ يَقْبَلُ التَّوبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَأْخُذُ الْصَّدَقَاتِ وَأَنَّ اللّهَ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

104. “Do they not know that Allah is He Who accepts the repentance from His servants and takes the alms and that Allah is He Who is Oft-Pardoning, Merciful?”

In view of the fact that some sinners, like the hypocrites concerning the Battle of Tabūk, urged the Prophet (pbuh) to accept their repentance, in this verse the Qur’ān points to this subject indicating that the acceptance of repentance is not something that the Prophet (S) does by himself. The verse says:

“Do they not know that Allah is He Who accepts the repentance from His servants…”

Allah not only accepts the repentances but also takes the alms or the charities which are given to Allah as the atonement of sins and for nearness to Him. The verse continues saying:

“…and takes the alms…”

There is no doubt that the takers of alms and charities are either the Prophet (S) and the immaculate Imams (as), who are the leaders of the Muslims, or the needy and deserving persons.

But, since the hands of the Prophet (S) and those of the true leaders and the hands of deserving persons are counted as the hand of Allah (s.w.t), it seems that Allah (s.w.t) takes these alms.

In a tradition narrated from the Prophet (S), we recite:

“Verily the alms will reach to the hand of Allah before it reaches to the beggar’s hand.”2

Moreover, in an Islamic tradition, it has been announced that the angels receive all the deeds of man, except alms which directly reach to the hand of Allah.

At the end of the verse, as an emphasis, the Qurān says:

“…and that Allah is He Who is Oft-Pardoning, Merciful?”

From the content of this holy verse, it is so understood that the forgiveness of the faults and accepting the repentance is only up to Allah (s.w.t.). Thus, even the Prophet (S) is not rightful to accept repentances, much less are the monks and the authorities of churches. This rank belongs only to Allah (s.w.t.).

“…Allah is He Who accepts the repentance…”

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 105

وَقُلِ اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَسَتُرَدُّونَ إِلَى عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

105. “And say: ‘Act you (as you will )! Allah will see your work and (so will) His Messenger and the believers, then soon you will be returned to the Knower of the Unseen and the visible, and He will inform you of what you used to do’.”

This verse announces that Allah, His Messenger and the believers are cognizant of what we do. It states the very belief of the Shi‘ite in ‘presenting deeds’ to the saints of Allah. This presentation may be performed daily, weekly, or monthly.

So, if our deeds are good, the saints of Allah will be happy with us; and if they are bad, they will become worried and sad. Belief in this ‘presentation of deeds’ is effective in creating piety and modesty in us, and contains an extraordinary educative role.

The verse says:

“And say: ‘Act you (as you will )! Allah will see your work and (so will) His Messenger and the believers, then soon you will be returned to the Knower of the Unseen and the visible, and He will inform you of what you used to do’.”

Imam Sādiq (as) said:

“O people! Do not annoy the Messenger of Allah by your sin! ”

As some Islamic traditions indicate the objective meaning of /mu’m‘nūn/ (the believers), mentioned in this verse, is the Immacate Imams whom Allah makes aware of our deeds.3

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 106

وءَاخَرُونَ مُرْجَوْنَ لأَمْرِ اللّهِ إِمَّا يُعَذِّبُهُمْ وإِمَّا يَتُوبُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَاللّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

106. “And (there are) others expecting Allah’s decree: either He shall chastise them, or turn to them (mercifully), and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”

The Qur’ānic term /murjūn/ is derived from /’irjā’/ in the sense of ‘delay and stop’, a delay which is acompanied with ‘hope and expectation’. The verse says:

“And (there are) others expecting Allah’s decree…”

According to the Islamic literature, the verse is concerning to the murderers of Hadrat-i-Hamzah, or Ja‘far-i-Tayyār, who were remorsed from their actions against these two. Or it refers to those persons who did not participate in the Battle of Tabūk and simply regretted and did not confess it by their tongues.

However, Allah is capable to either forgive the sinners or punish them. The verse continues saying:

“…either He shall chastise them, or turn to them (mercifully)…”

The wrath or grace of Allah is based on knowledge and wisdom, not upon vengeance. The verse concludes:

“…and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 107

وَالَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مَسْجِداً ضِرَاراً وَكُفْراً وَتَفْرِيقاً بَيْنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وإِرْصَاداً لِمَنْ حَارَبَ اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَيَحْلِفُنَّ إِنْ أَرَدْنَآ إِلاَّ الْحُسْنَى وَاللّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ

107. “And those who built a mosque to cause harm (to Islam) and for unbelief, and to divide the believers, and (as) an ambush for those who fought Allah and His Messenger aforetime; and they will surely swear: ‘We purposed naught save good,’ but Allah testifies that verily they are liars.”

In this verse, the Qur’ān has made manifest one of the great plots of the hypocrites of Medina. The event was as follows:

Twelve persons from among those hypocrites built a place under the title of ‘a mosque’. They built it with the recommendation of Abū-‘Āmir-Rāhib who was a harsh enemy of Islam from before. He lived in Syria.

In order to make that mosque formal, the hypocrites went to the Prophet (S) and asked him to come into that mosque and pray therein. They said that they had built the mosque for those Muslims who were weak and could not attend the Prophet’s Mosque or Quba Mosque from some far places to pray; so they could pray in that mosque.

At that time, the Prophet (S) was going to travel for the Battle of Tabūk and had not time enough to go there. Therefore, he told them to wait until he would come back from his journey and then he might establish prayer in that mosque.

When the Prophet (S) returned from the Battle of Tabūk, they had made that mosque ready. So, they came to the Prophet (S) and asked him to pray in that mosque. It was at the same time that these very holy verses were sent down and made their plot manifest.

The revelations made it evident that those hypocrites aimed to harm the religion of Islam under the name of the mosque. That was why the Prophet of Allah (S) sent several of his companions to ruin and burn that mosque.

They were Mālik-ibn-Dikhsham, Mu‘an-ibn-‘Āmir-ibn-Sakn, and Wahshi. The command of the Prophet (S) was obeyed, and later the site of that mosque was used as a place of rubbishes in that locality.

In this verse, the Qur’ān indicates that the hypocrites pursued four aims by building that mosque:

1 . To cause harm to Islam and the Muslims.

2 . To create disbelief in Allah and His Messenger (S) among people, and that the foundations of infidelity to be strengthened in that mosque.

3 . To disperse the Muslims. The Muslims usually attended in one mosque, and there was a unity among them.

4 . To supply a lurking-place for the one who was fighting against Allah and His Prophet, viz. ‘Abū-‘Āmir-i-Rāhib.4 He was a man who became a Christian in the Age of Ignorance and obtained a high rank there.

When the Prophet of Islam (S) migrated to Medina, as a result of his envy,’Abū-‘Āmir always applied his hostility against him (S), and finally he ran away toward the polytheists of Mecca.

He accompanied them in the Battle of’Uhud, and, at last, he escaped to Syria in order to attract the help of Roman army and to fight against the Prophet of Islam (S).

The hypocrites of Medina had built that mosque with Abū-‘Āmir’s recommendation and were waiting for him to come with the Roman troops and to use that mosque as his station for invadiny the Muslims. The verse says:

“And those who built a mosque to cause harm (to Islam) and for unbelief, and to divide the believers, and (as) an ambush for those who fought Allah and His Messenger aforetime…”

In order to deceive the Muslims, the hypocrites swore that they desired nothing but good for them, and that their aim was to help and serve the Muslims. But, by narrating their saying, the Qur’ān says:

“…and they will surely swear: ‘We purposed naught save good,’ but Allah testifies that verily they are liars.”

In this way and by sending down these verses, Allah made their great plot manifest, and futiled the evil plan of those hypocrites.

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 108

لاَتَقُمْ فِيهِ أَبَداً لَمَسْجِدٌ اُسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوَى مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِ فِيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُوا وَاللّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِّرِينَ

108. “Never do stand therein (to pray). Certainly a mosque founded on piety from the first day is worthier that you stand in it (for prayer). Therein are men who love to purify themselves, and Allah loves the purified ones.”

The Prophet (S) is commanded in this holy verse not to stand in that mosque at all, i.e. he should not establish prayer there. The holy verse says:

“Never do stand therein (to pray)…”

Then the Qur’ān compares this mosque with the Prophet’s Mosque or Qubā Mosque, and says:

“…Certainly a mosque founded on piety from the first day is worthier that you stand in it (for prayer)…”

The objective meaning of this mosque was either Qubā Mosque, or the Prophet’s Mosque, or any mosque which had been founded on the basis of piety and belief in Allah (s.w.t.); and the purpose of the phrase ‘the first day’ was that, from the first day, the aim of its founders had been Allah.

The Qur’ān adds that, in this mosque, which has been established on the basis of piety, there are some men who desire to purify themselves, and Allah likes the purified ones.

The purpose of this purification is a spiritual purification which has been rendered into being far from sins and being studious in doing divine obligations. It also envelops the purification of both clothes and body.

The verse continues saying:

“…Therein are men who love to purify themselves, and Allah loves the purified ones.”

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 109

أَفَمَنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَانَهُ عَلَى تَقْوَى مِنَ اللّهِ وَرِضْوَانٍ خَيْرٌ أَم مَنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَانَهُ عَلَى شَفَا جُرُفٍ هَارٍ فَانْهَارَ بِهِ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ وَاللّهُ لايَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ

109. “Is he, therefore, better who has laid his foundation on fear of Allah and (His) good pleasure, or he who has laid his foundation on the brink of a crumbling hollowed bank that tumbles with him into the Fire of Hell? And Allah does not guide the unjust people.”

After explaining the story of the mosque of dissension, the Qur’ān compares between those two groups: a group who built Qubā Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, and the group who built the mosque of dissension.

The foundation of the work of the first group was on piety and the pleasure of Allah, while the result of the work of the second group was blazing Fire and falling into Hell.

The basis of the work of the first group is piety and obtaining the pleasure of Allah, and they have no other aim from it. Are these people better or the second group whose basis of work is upon the brink of a crumbling hollowed bank?

They will fall into the Fire of Hell by the building they have built. In other words, the building, which they have established, is at the edge of the precipice of the Fire of Hell which will suddenly ruins into it.

The verse says:

“Is he, therefore, better who has laid his foundation on fear of Allah and (His) good pleasure, or he who has laid his foundation on the brink of a crumbling hollowed bank that tumbles with him into the Fire of Hell? And Allah does not guide the unjust people.”

Surah At-Tawbah - Verse 110

لا يَزَالُ بُنْيَانُهُمُ الَّذِي بَنَوْا رِيبَةً فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ إِلآَّ أَن تَقَطَّعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَاللّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

110. “The building which they built will not cease to be (a source of) disquiet in their hearts unless their hearts be cut into pieces, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”

By this holy verse, the Qur’ān implies that the building which the hypocrites have built is always a source of suspicion in their hearts. This suspicion is with them until their hearts be cut into pieces, viz. when they die.

The purpose is that the instruction of the Prophet (S) that the mosque of dissension to be ruined has increased in the hatred of their hearts. This hatred or rancoure and disquiet towards the ordinances of Islam will be with them until the time they die and their hearts be cut into pieces.

This meaning denotes that they will never believe in the Truth and will die with the same state of hypocrisy and disbelief.

The verse says:

“The building which they built will not cease to be (a source of) disquiet in their hearts unless their hearts be cut into pieces…”

Then, at the end of the verse, the Qur’ān mentions two attributes of Allah. They are: All-Knowing, All-Wise, which means Allah is aware of their status and the command He has ordained about the mosque of dissension has been done wisely. The verse says:

“…and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”

Notes

1. Al-Qadir, vol. 3, pp. 220 to 243; Ihqāq-ul-Haqq, vol. 3, pp. 114 to 120; Tafsir-ul-Qurtubi, vol. 5, p. 3075 (narrated from Mustadrak-I-Hākim), and some other books.

2. Tafsir-us_Sāfi and Tafsir-ul-Burhān (under the holy verse).

3. Tafsir-ul-Burhān, and Tafsir-us-Sāfi (under the holy verse), ’Usūl-i-Kāfi, vol. 1, p. 171, and Bihār-ul-’Anwār, by ‘Allāmah Majlisi.

4. ’Abū-‘Āmir was the father of Hanzalah

Chapter 2

The Categories of the Prophets, the Messengers and the Imams (a.s.)

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَبِي يَحْيَى الْوَاسِطِيِّ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ وَدُرُسْتَ بْنِ أَبِي مَنْصُورٍ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الانْبِيَاءُ وَالْمُرْسَلُونَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ طَبَقَاتٍ فَنَبِيٌّ مُنَبَّأٌ فِي نَفْسِهِ لا يَعْدُو غَيْرَهَا وَنَبِيٌّ يَرَى فِي النَّوْمِ وَيَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَلا يُعَايِنُهُ فِي الْيَقَظَةِ وَلَمْ يُبْعَثْ إِلَى أَحَدٍ وَعَلَيْهِ إِمَامٌ مِثْلُ مَا كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ عَلَى لُوطٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَنَبِيٌّ يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَيَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَيُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَى طَائِفَةٍ قَلُّوا أَوْ كَثُرُوا كَيُونُسَ قَالَ الله لِيُونُسَ وَأَرْسَلْناهُ إِلى‏ مِائَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ قَالَ يَزِيدُونَ ثَلاثِينَ أَلْفاً وَعَلَيْهِ إِمَامٌ وَالَّذِي يَرَى فِي نَوْمِهِ وَيَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَيُعَايِنُ فِي الْيَقَظَةِ وَهُوَ إِمَامٌ مِثْلُ أُولِي الْعَزْمِ وَقَدْ كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) نَبِيّاً وَلَيْسَ بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى قَالَ الله إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِماماً قالَ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي فَقَالَ الله لا يَنالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ مَنْ عَبَدَ صَنَماً أَوْ وَثَناً لا يَكُونُ إِمَاماً.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from abu Yahya al-Wasiti from Hisham ibn Salim and Durust ibn abu Mansur from him the following.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said that the prophets and the messengers are of four categories. There were prophets who were given Divine news in their souls just for their own-selves and for no one else. There were also prophets who were given Divine news in their dreams and would hear the voice but would not see anyone when awake and they were not sent to other people with such news. They had to follow and Imam just as it happened with Lot who followed Abraham.. There were prophets who would experience in their dreams, hear the voice and see the angel and were sent to a group of people small or large like Jonas (we sent him to a hundred thousand people or a few more). The Imam said that there were thirty thousand more people lead by an Imam. Those who saw in their dreams heard the voice and saw the angel when awake and were also Imams like ’Ulul ‘Azm ones, such as Abraham were prophets but not Imams until Allah said, “I want to appoint you as the Imam for people.” He said, “Also please from my descendents, to which He said, ‘My covenant does not go to the unjust ones, those who have worshipped idols or statues will not become Imams.”

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ زَيْدٍ الشَّحَّامِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِنَّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى اتَّخَذَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَبْداً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ نَبِيّاً وَإِنَّ الله اتَّخَذَهُ نَبِيّاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ رَسُولاً وَإِنَّ الله اتَّخَذَهُ رَسُولاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ خَلِيلاً وَإِنَّ الله اتَّخَذَهُ خَلِيلاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَجْعَلَهُ إِمَاماً فَلَمَّا جَمَعَ لَهُ الاشْيَاءَ قَالَ إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِماماً قَالَ فَمِنْ عِظَمِهَا فِي عَيْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ قَالَ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي قالَ لا يَنالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ قَالَ لا يَكُونُ السَّفِيهُ إِمَامَ التَّقِيِّ.

2. Muhammad ibn al-Hassan has narrated those whom he mentioned from Muhammad ibn Khalid from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Zayd al-Shahham who has said the following.

“I heard Imam abu ‘Abdallah saying, ‘Allah chose Abraham as a servant before choosing him as a prophet. Allah chose him as a prophet before choosing him as a messenger. Allah chose him as a messenger before choosing him as a friend of His. Allah chose him as a friend of His before choosing him as an Imam. When all of the above things were gathered in Abraham, Allah said, “I have certainly appointed you as the Imam for the people.” Because to Abraham it was so great he asked, “Can this (Imamat, leadership) be in my descendents also?” Allah said, “The feeble-minded can become the leaders of the pious ones.”

3ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الْخَثْعَمِيِّ عَنْ هِشَامٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ سَادَةُ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ خَمْسَةٌ وَهُمْ أُولُو الْعَزْمِ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ وَعَلَيْهِمْ دَارَتِ الرَّحَى نُوحٌ وَإِبْرَاهِيمُ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى وَمُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَعَلَى جَمِيعِ الانْبِيَاءِ.

3. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Khath‘ami from Hisham from abu Ya‘qub who has said the following “I heard abu ‘Abdallah saying, ‘The leaders and masters of the prophets and the messengers are five who are called ’ulul ‘Azm (people with determination) among the messengers who have the central role. They are Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (s.a.).”

4ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ أَبِي السَّفَاتِجِ عَنْ جَابِرٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ إِنَّ الله اتَّخَذَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَبْداً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ نَبِيّاً وَاتَّخَذَهُ نَبِيّاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ رَسُولاً وَاتَّخَذَهُ رَسُولاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ خَلِيلاً وَاتَّخَذَهُ خَلِيلاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ إِمَاماً فَلَمَّا جَمَعَ لَهُ هَذِهِ الاشْيَاءَ وَقَبَضَ يَدَهُ قَالَ لَهُ يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِماماً فَمِنْ عِظَمِهَا فِي عَيْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ يَا رَبِّ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي قالَ لا يَنالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ.

4. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from Ishaq ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz from abu al-Saffah from Jabir from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said the following.

“I heard the Imam saying, ‘Allah chose Abraham as a servant before He chose him as a prophet. He chose him as a prophet before He chose him as a messenger. He chose him as a messenger before He chose him as a friend of His. He chose him as a friend of His before He chose him as an Imam. When all of these things gathered in him (the Imam holding his hands said, “Allah said, ‘O Ibrahim I have appointed you as the Imam (leader) of the people.” Because of the greatness of the position Abraham them asked, “O Lord, can it be in my descendants also?” The Lord said, ‘My covenant does not go to the unjust ones.”

Chapter 3

The Difference among he Messengers, the Prophets and the al-Muhaddath

1ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ عَنْ ثَعْلَبَةَ بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَكانَ رَسُولاً نَبِيًّا مَا الرَّسُولُ وَمَا النَّبِيُّ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَيَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَلا يُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ وَالرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَيَرَى فِي الْمَنَامِ وَيُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ قُلْتُ الامَامُ مَا مَنْزِلَتُهُ قَالَ يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَلا يَرَى وَلا يُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ ثُمَّ تَلا هَذِهِ الايَةَ وَما أَرْسَلْنا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَسُولٍ وَلا نَبِيٍّ وَلا مُحَدَّثٍ.

1. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Tha‘laba ibn Maymun from Zurara who has said the following

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, ‘He was a messenger, a prophet’. What is a messenger and what is a prophet?’” The Imam said, “A prophet is one who sees things in his dream and hears the voice but does not see the angel. The messenger is one who hears the voice, in his dreams and sees the angel.” I then said, “What is the position of the Imam?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He hears the voice but does not see and observe the angel” Then he recited the following verse of the Holy Quran. ‘Satan would try to tamper with the desires of every Prophet or Messenger or Muhaddith (Muhaddith is a commentary of Imam (a.s.), whom We sent . .’” (22:52)

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ مَرَّارٍ قَالَ كَتَبَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الْعَبَّاسِ الْمَعْرُوفِيُّ إِلَى الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَخْبِرْنِي مَا الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَ الرَّسُولِ وَالنَّبِيِّ وَالامَامِ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ أَوْ قَالَ الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَ الرَّسُولِ وَالنَّبِيِّ وَالامَامِ أَنَّ الرَّسُولَ الَّذِي يُنْزَلُ عَلَيْهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ فَيَرَاهُ وَيَسْمَعُ كَلامَهُ وَيُنْزَلُ عَلَيْهِ الْوَحْيُ وَرُبَّمَا رَأَى فِي مَنَامِهِ نَحْوَ رُؤْيَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَالنَّبِيُّ رُبَّمَا سَمِعَ الْكَلامَ وَرُبَّمَا رَأَى الشَّخْصَ وَلَمْ يَسْمَعْ وَالامَامُ هُوَ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ الْكَلامَ وَلا يَرَى الشَّخْصَ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Isma‘il ibn Marrar who has said the following “Al-Hassan ibn al-‘Abbass al-Ma‘rufi wrote to Imam al-Rida (a.s.). “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, explain to me the difference between the messengers, the prophets and the Imams.” The Imam said or wrote, “ The difference between the messengers, the prophets and the Imams is that a messenger is one to whom Jibril (Gabriel) comes. He sees Jibril and hears his speech and Jibril (the angel) brings him (Divine) revelation and sometimes he may see in his dream like the dream of Abraham (a.s.). A prophet is one who may hear the speech and may see the person or may not hear. The Imam is the one who hears the speech but does not see the person.”

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنِ الاحْوَلِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنِ الرَّسُولِ وَالنَّبِيِّ وَالْمُحَدَّثِ قَالَ الرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَأْتِيهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ قُبُلاً فَيَرَاهُ وَيُكَلِّمُهُ فَهَذَا الرَّسُولُ وَأَمَّا النَّبِيُّ فَهُوَ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ نَحْوَ رُؤْيَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَنَحْوَ مَا كَانَ رَأَى رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) مِنْ أَسْبَابِ النُّبُوَّةِ قَبْلَ الْوَحْيِ حَتَّى أَتَاهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مِنْ عِنْدِ الله بِالرِّسَالَةِ وَكَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) حِينَ جُمِعَ لَهُ النُّبُوَّةُ وَجَاءَتْهُ الرِّسَالَةُ مِنْ عِنْدِ الله يَجِيئُهُ بِهَا جَبْرَئِيلُ وَيُكَلِّمُهُ بِهَا قُبُلاً وَمِنَ الانْبِيَاءِ مَنْ جُمِعَ لَهُ النُّبُوَّةُ وَيَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَيَأْتِيهِ الرُّوحُ وَيُكَلِّمُهُ وَيُحَدِّثُهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَكُونَ يَرَى فِي الْيَقَظَةِ وَأَمَّا الْمُحَدَّثُ فَهُوَ الَّذِي يُحَدَّثُ فَيَسْمَعُ وَلا يُعَايِنُ وَلا يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from al-Ahwal who has said the following.

“I Asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the messenger, the prophet and al-Muhaddith (one who reports Divine guidance).” The Imam (a.s.) said, “A messenger is one to whom Jibril (angel) comes openly he sees him (the angel) and speaks to him. Such person is a messenger. A prophet is one who sees in his dream something like the dream of Abraham (a.s.) or the dream of our Prophet (s.a.) about reasons for prophethood before the coming of revelation until Jibril came from Allah with to inform him that he was to be a messenger. In the case of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) when prophethood was established in him then Jibril brought him the message that he was to be a messenger. Jibril would come and speak to him openly. Some of the prophets in whom prophethood is established they see in their dreams, the spirit comes to them, speaks and reports to them but they do not see the spirit when awake. Al-Muhaddith is one to who is reported to and he hears the reporting but does not see openly or in his dream.”

4ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حَسَّانَ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ الْهَاشِمِيِّ عَنْ مَرْوَانَ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ بُرَيْدٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ وَأَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَما أَرْسَلْنا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَسُولٍ وَلا نَبِيٍّ وَلا مُحَدَّثٍ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَيْسَتْ هَذِهِ قِرَاءَتَنَا فَمَا الرَّسُولُ وَالنَّبِيُّ وَالْمُحَدَّثُ قَالَ الرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَظْهَرُ لَهُ الْمَلَكُ فَيُكَلِّمُهُ وَالنَّبِيُّ هُوَ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَرُبَّمَا اجْتَمَعَتِ النُّبُوَّةُ وَالرِّسَالَةُ لِوَاحِدٍ وَالْمُحَدَّثُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَلا يَرَى الصُّورَةَ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ الله كَيْفَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّ الَّذِي رَأَى فِي النَّوْمِ حَقٌّ وَأَنَّهُ مِنَ الْمَلَكِ قَالَ يُوَفَّقُ لِذَلِكَ حَتَّى يَعْرِفَهُ لَقَدْ خَتَمَ الله بِكِتَابِكُمُ الْكُتُبَ وَخَتَمَ بِنَبِيِّكُمُ الانْبِيَاءَ.

4. Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn Yahya have narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Ali ibn Hassan from Faddal from Ali ibn Ya'qub al-Hashimi from Marwan ibn Muslim from Burayd who has said the following.

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “Satan would try to tamper with the desires of every Prophet or Messenger or Muhaddith (Muhaddith is a commentary of Imam (a.s.), whom We sent . .’” (22:52). I said, ““May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, the word Muhaddith does not exist in our reading. What then is the meaning of The Messenger, Prophet and Muhaddith?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “A messenger is one to whom the angel comes openly and speaks to him. A prophet is one who sees in his dream. Sometimes prophethood and messengership may exist in one person. Al-Muhaddith is one who hears the voice but does not see the person (of the angel).” I then asked, may Allah keep you well, “How would one know that what one sees in his dream is true and that it is from the angel?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He receives help for success to know the angel. Allah has your book the last book and your Prophet the last of prophets.”

Chapter 4

The issue that Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى الْعَطَّارُ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ دَاوُدَ الرَّقِّيِّ عَنِ الْعَبْدِ الصَّالِحِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الْحُجَّةَ لا تَقُومُ لله عَلَى خَلْقِهِ إِلا بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفَ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya al-‘Attar has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn abu ‘Amayr from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Dawud al-Riqqi from the pious man (a.s.) the following “Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam who would teach people about Him.”

2ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الْوَشَّاءِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِنَّ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الْحُجَّةَ لا تَقُومُ لله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ إِلا بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفَ.

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Washsha’ who has said the following.

“Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam who would teach people about Him.”

3ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عُمَارَةَ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الْحُجَّةَ لا تَقُومُ لله عَلَى خَلْقِهِ إِلا بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفَ.

3. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from ‘Abbad ibn Sulayman from Sa‘d ibn Sa‘d from Muhammad ibn ‘Ammara from abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam who would teach people about Him.”

4ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْبَرْقِيِّ عَنْ خَلَفِ بْنِ حَمَّادٍ عَنْ أَبَانِ بْنِ تَغْلِبَ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الْحُجَّةُ قَبْلَ الْخَلْقِ وَمَعَ الْخَلْقِ وَبَعْدَ الْخَلْقِ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Barqi from Khalaf ibn Hammad from ’Aban ibn Taghlib from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“A person with Divine authority is before the people, with the people and after the people.”

Chapter 5

The Issue that the Earth at no time is without a Person with Divine Authority

1ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أَبِي الْعَلاءِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) تَكُونُ الارْضُ لَيْسَ فِيهَا إِمَامٌ قَالَ لا قُلْتُ يَكُونُ إِمَامَانِ قَالَ لا إِلا وَأَحَدُهُمَا صَامِتٌ.

1. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn abu ‘Umayr from al-Husayn ibn abu al-‘Ala’ who has said the following.

“I abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Can there be a time on earth without Imam?” The Imam said, “No, it can not be without Imam.” I asked, “Can there be two Imams at a time?” He said, “No, unless one is quite.”

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ مَنْصُورِ بْنِ يُونُسَ وَسَعْدَانَ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ إِنَّ الارْضَ لا تَخْلُو إِلا وَفِيهَا إِمَامٌ كَيْمَا إِنْ زَادَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ شَيْئاً رَدَّهُمْ وَإِنْ نَقَصُوا شَيْئاً أَتَمَّهُ لَهُمْ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn abu ‘Umayr from Mansur ibn Yunus and Su‘dan ibn Muslim from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammara from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“I heard the Imam (a.s.) saying, ‘The earth is never left without an Imam so that if the believers would add any thing it would be brought back and if they would reduce anything it would be completed.”

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ رَبِيعِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْمُسْلِيِّ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ الْعَامِرِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَا زَالَتِ الارْضُ إِلا وَلله فِيهَا الْحُجَّةُ يُعَرِّفُ الْحَلالَ وَالْحَرَامَ وَيَدْعُو النَّاسَ إِلَى سَبِيلِ الله.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Rabi‘ ibn Muhammad al-Musalliy from ‘Abdallah ibn Sulayman al- ‘Amiriy from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“The earth has never been without a person with Divine authority who would teach people about the lawful and unlawful matters and call them to the path of Allah.”

4ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مِهْرَانَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أَبِي الْعَلاءِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ تَبْقَى الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لا.

4. Ahmad ibn Mihran has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from al-Husayn ibn abu ‘Ala’ from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Can the earth be without Imam?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “No, it can be without Imam.”

5ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ يُونُسَ عَنِ ابْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَحَدِهِمَا (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ إِنَّ الله لَمْ يَدَعِ الارْضَ بِغَيْرِ عَالِمٍ وَلَوْ لا ذَلِكَ لَمْ يُعْرَفِ الْحَقُّ مِنَ الْبَاطِلِ.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus ibn Muskan from abu Basir from one of them (Imams (a.s.), who has said the following

“Allah does not leave the earth without a ‘Alim (scholar). Without this the truth would not be distinguished from falsehood.”

6ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الله أَجَلُّ وَأَعْظَمُ مِنْ أَنْ يَتْرُكَ الارْضَ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ عَادِلٍ.

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn abu Hamza from abu Basir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following

“Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, is far greater and above leaving the earth without an Imam of justice.”

7ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَبِي أُسَامَةَ وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَبِي أُسَامَةَ وَهِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ عَمَّنْ يَثِقُ بِهِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ اللهمَّ إِنَّكَ لا تُخْلِي أَرْضَكَ مِنْ حُجَّةٍ لَكَ عَلَى خَلْقِكَ.

7. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from abu ’Usama and Ali ibn Ibrahim from his father from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from abu ’Usama and Hisham ibn salim from abu Hamza from abu Ishaq from those reliable among the companions of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) who has said the following.

“O Lord. You do not leave your earth without a person who would represent Your authority among the people.”

8ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ وَالله مَا تَرَكَ الله أَرْضاً مُنْذُ قَبَضَ آدَمَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِلا وَفِيهَا إِمَامٌ يُهْتَدَى بِهِ إِلَى الله وَهُوَ حُجَّتُهُ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ وَلا تَبْقَى الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ حُجَّةٍ لله عَلَى عِبَادِهِ.

8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn al-Fudayl from abu Hamza from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following.

“I swear to Allah that He has not, from the day Adam died, left the earth without an Imam who would guide people to the Lord as with divine authority over the servants of the Lord. The earth will never remain without an Imam with Divine authority over His servants.”

9ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَبِي عَلِيِّ بْنِ رَاشِدٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ الارْضَ لا تَخْلُو مِنْ حُجَّةٍ وَأَنَا وَالله ذَلِكَ الْحُجَّةُ.

9. Al-Hassan ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from some of our people from abu Ali ibn Rashid from abu al-Hassan (a.s.) who has said the following.

“ The earth is never without a person with divine authority and I swear to Allah that I am the person with Divine authority.”

10ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَ تَبْقَى الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لَوْ بَقِيَتِ الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ لَسَاخَتْ.

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Fudayl from ibn abu Hamza who has said the following.

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Can the earth be left without the Imam?’” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “ Were to remain without Imam it would obliterate its inhabitants.”

11ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ تَبْقَى الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لا قُلْتُ فَإِنَّا نُرَوَّى عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنَّهَا لا تَبْقَى بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ إِلا أَنْ يَسْخَطَ الله تَعَالَى عَلَى أَهْلِ الارْضِ أَوْ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ فَقَالَ لا لا تَبْقَى إِذاً لَسَاخَتْ.

11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘isa from Muhammad al-Fudayl who has said the following.

“I asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), ‘Can the remain without Imam?’” He replied, “No, it will not remain so.” I then said, “We narrate from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that the earth will not remain without Imam unless Allah becomes extremely angry with the people of the earth or with His servants.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “In such condition it will not remain but it would obliterate with its inhabitants.”

12ـ عَلِيٌّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله الْمُؤْمِنِ عَنْ أَبِي هَرَاسَةَ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لَوْ أَنَّ الامَامَ رُفِعَ مِنَ الارْضِ سَاعَةً لَمَاجَتْ بِأَهْلِهَا كَمَا يَمُوجُ الْبَحْرُ بِأَهْلِهِ.

12. Ali has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from abu ‘Abd al_Mu’min from abu Harassa from abu Ja'far (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Would the Imam be taken away from the earth it will create waves against her inhabitants just like what the inhabitants of the ocean face.”

13ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) هَلْ تَبْقَى الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لا قُلْتُ إِنَّا نُرَوَّى أَنَّهَا لا تَبْقَى إِلا أَنْ يَسْخَطَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ قَالَ لا تَبْقَى إِذاً لَسَاخَتْ.

13. Al-Husayn ibn Ali has narrated from Muhammad from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ who has said the following.

“I asked al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), “I can the earth remain without Imam?” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “No, it will not remain so.” I said, “We narrate that it will not remain without the Imam unless Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, becomes angry with the people.” The Imam said, “In such condition it will not remain but it will obliterate its inhabitants.”

Chapter 6

The Issue that even if only two people would remain on earth one of them would certainly be the Imam, the person with divine authority

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنِ ابْنِ الطَّيَّارِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ لَوْ لَمْ يَبْقَ فِي الارْضِ إِلا اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْحُجَّةَ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ibn al-Tayyar who has said the following.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, ‘Would there remain no one on earth except two persons one of them would certainly be the person with Divine authority.”

2ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى جَمِيعاً عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ حَمْزَةَ بْنِ الطَّيَّارِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لَوْ بَقِيَ اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْحُجَّةَ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ.

مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى مِثْلَهُ.

2. Ahmad ibn Idris and Muhammad ibn Yahya together have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from abu ‘Ubayd from Muhammad ibn Sinan from abu Hamza ibn al-Tayyar from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Would there remain only two people on earth, one of them would the person with divine authority over the other.”

Muhammad ibn al-Hassan has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa a similar Hadith.

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مُوسَى الْخَشَّابِ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ كَرَّامٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لَوْ كَانَ النَّاسُ رَجُلَيْنِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الامَامَ وَقَالَ إِنَّ آخِرَ مَنْ يَمُوتُ الامَامُ لِئَلا يَحْتَجَّ أَحَدٌ عَلَى الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَنَّهُ تَرَكَهُ بِغَيْرِ حُجَّةٍ لله عَلَيْهِ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from those who he has mentioned from al-Hassan ibn Musa al-Khashshab from Ja'far ibn Muhammad from Kiram from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“If of all the people there will remain only two man one of them will be the Imam. He also said, ‘The last person to die will be the Imam (a.s.) so that no one could complain against Allah leaving him without Imam, the person with Divine authority over him.’”

4ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْبَرْقِيِّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنِ ابْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ حَمْزَةَ بْنِ الطَّيَّارِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ لَوْ لَمْ يَبْقَ فِي الارْضِ إِلا اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْحُجَّةَ أَوْ الثَّانِي الْحُجَّةَ.

الشَّكُّ مِنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ.

4. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Barqi from Ali ibn Isma‘il from ibn Sinan from Hamza ibn al-Tayyar who has said the following.

“I heard Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, ‘Would there remain on earth no one except two people one of them will be the person with Divine authority or the second one will be the person with Divine authority (uncertainty is from the narrator).”

5ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنِ النَّهْدِيِّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ لَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي الارْضِ إِلا اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ الامَامُ أَحَدَهُمَا.

Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from al-Nahdi from his father from Yunus ibn ya‘qub from abu ‘Abdallah who has said the following. “Would there remain no one except two people one of them will certainly be the Imam.”

Chapter 2

The Categories of the Prophets, the Messengers and the Imams (a.s.)

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَبِي يَحْيَى الْوَاسِطِيِّ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ وَدُرُسْتَ بْنِ أَبِي مَنْصُورٍ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الانْبِيَاءُ وَالْمُرْسَلُونَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ طَبَقَاتٍ فَنَبِيٌّ مُنَبَّأٌ فِي نَفْسِهِ لا يَعْدُو غَيْرَهَا وَنَبِيٌّ يَرَى فِي النَّوْمِ وَيَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَلا يُعَايِنُهُ فِي الْيَقَظَةِ وَلَمْ يُبْعَثْ إِلَى أَحَدٍ وَعَلَيْهِ إِمَامٌ مِثْلُ مَا كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ عَلَى لُوطٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَنَبِيٌّ يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَيَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَيُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَى طَائِفَةٍ قَلُّوا أَوْ كَثُرُوا كَيُونُسَ قَالَ الله لِيُونُسَ وَأَرْسَلْناهُ إِلى‏ مِائَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ قَالَ يَزِيدُونَ ثَلاثِينَ أَلْفاً وَعَلَيْهِ إِمَامٌ وَالَّذِي يَرَى فِي نَوْمِهِ وَيَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَيُعَايِنُ فِي الْيَقَظَةِ وَهُوَ إِمَامٌ مِثْلُ أُولِي الْعَزْمِ وَقَدْ كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) نَبِيّاً وَلَيْسَ بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى قَالَ الله إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِماماً قالَ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي فَقَالَ الله لا يَنالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ مَنْ عَبَدَ صَنَماً أَوْ وَثَناً لا يَكُونُ إِمَاماً.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from abu Yahya al-Wasiti from Hisham ibn Salim and Durust ibn abu Mansur from him the following.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said that the prophets and the messengers are of four categories. There were prophets who were given Divine news in their souls just for their own-selves and for no one else. There were also prophets who were given Divine news in their dreams and would hear the voice but would not see anyone when awake and they were not sent to other people with such news. They had to follow and Imam just as it happened with Lot who followed Abraham.. There were prophets who would experience in their dreams, hear the voice and see the angel and were sent to a group of people small or large like Jonas (we sent him to a hundred thousand people or a few more). The Imam said that there were thirty thousand more people lead by an Imam. Those who saw in their dreams heard the voice and saw the angel when awake and were also Imams like ’Ulul ‘Azm ones, such as Abraham were prophets but not Imams until Allah said, “I want to appoint you as the Imam for people.” He said, “Also please from my descendents, to which He said, ‘My covenant does not go to the unjust ones, those who have worshipped idols or statues will not become Imams.”

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ زَيْدٍ الشَّحَّامِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِنَّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى اتَّخَذَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَبْداً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ نَبِيّاً وَإِنَّ الله اتَّخَذَهُ نَبِيّاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ رَسُولاً وَإِنَّ الله اتَّخَذَهُ رَسُولاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ خَلِيلاً وَإِنَّ الله اتَّخَذَهُ خَلِيلاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَجْعَلَهُ إِمَاماً فَلَمَّا جَمَعَ لَهُ الاشْيَاءَ قَالَ إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِماماً قَالَ فَمِنْ عِظَمِهَا فِي عَيْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ قَالَ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي قالَ لا يَنالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ قَالَ لا يَكُونُ السَّفِيهُ إِمَامَ التَّقِيِّ.

2. Muhammad ibn al-Hassan has narrated those whom he mentioned from Muhammad ibn Khalid from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Zayd al-Shahham who has said the following.

“I heard Imam abu ‘Abdallah saying, ‘Allah chose Abraham as a servant before choosing him as a prophet. Allah chose him as a prophet before choosing him as a messenger. Allah chose him as a messenger before choosing him as a friend of His. Allah chose him as a friend of His before choosing him as an Imam. When all of the above things were gathered in Abraham, Allah said, “I have certainly appointed you as the Imam for the people.” Because to Abraham it was so great he asked, “Can this (Imamat, leadership) be in my descendents also?” Allah said, “The feeble-minded can become the leaders of the pious ones.”

3ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الْخَثْعَمِيِّ عَنْ هِشَامٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ سَادَةُ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ خَمْسَةٌ وَهُمْ أُولُو الْعَزْمِ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ وَعَلَيْهِمْ دَارَتِ الرَّحَى نُوحٌ وَإِبْرَاهِيمُ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى وَمُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَعَلَى جَمِيعِ الانْبِيَاءِ.

3. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Khath‘ami from Hisham from abu Ya‘qub who has said the following “I heard abu ‘Abdallah saying, ‘The leaders and masters of the prophets and the messengers are five who are called ’ulul ‘Azm (people with determination) among the messengers who have the central role. They are Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (s.a.).”

4ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ أَبِي السَّفَاتِجِ عَنْ جَابِرٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ إِنَّ الله اتَّخَذَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَبْداً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ نَبِيّاً وَاتَّخَذَهُ نَبِيّاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ رَسُولاً وَاتَّخَذَهُ رَسُولاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ خَلِيلاً وَاتَّخَذَهُ خَلِيلاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ إِمَاماً فَلَمَّا جَمَعَ لَهُ هَذِهِ الاشْيَاءَ وَقَبَضَ يَدَهُ قَالَ لَهُ يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِماماً فَمِنْ عِظَمِهَا فِي عَيْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ يَا رَبِّ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي قالَ لا يَنالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ.

4. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from Ishaq ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz from abu al-Saffah from Jabir from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said the following.

“I heard the Imam saying, ‘Allah chose Abraham as a servant before He chose him as a prophet. He chose him as a prophet before He chose him as a messenger. He chose him as a messenger before He chose him as a friend of His. He chose him as a friend of His before He chose him as an Imam. When all of these things gathered in him (the Imam holding his hands said, “Allah said, ‘O Ibrahim I have appointed you as the Imam (leader) of the people.” Because of the greatness of the position Abraham them asked, “O Lord, can it be in my descendants also?” The Lord said, ‘My covenant does not go to the unjust ones.”

Chapter 3

The Difference among he Messengers, the Prophets and the al-Muhaddath

1ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ عَنْ ثَعْلَبَةَ بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَكانَ رَسُولاً نَبِيًّا مَا الرَّسُولُ وَمَا النَّبِيُّ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَيَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَلا يُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ وَالرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَيَرَى فِي الْمَنَامِ وَيُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ قُلْتُ الامَامُ مَا مَنْزِلَتُهُ قَالَ يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَلا يَرَى وَلا يُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ ثُمَّ تَلا هَذِهِ الايَةَ وَما أَرْسَلْنا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَسُولٍ وَلا نَبِيٍّ وَلا مُحَدَّثٍ.

1. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Tha‘laba ibn Maymun from Zurara who has said the following

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, ‘He was a messenger, a prophet’. What is a messenger and what is a prophet?’” The Imam said, “A prophet is one who sees things in his dream and hears the voice but does not see the angel. The messenger is one who hears the voice, in his dreams and sees the angel.” I then said, “What is the position of the Imam?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He hears the voice but does not see and observe the angel” Then he recited the following verse of the Holy Quran. ‘Satan would try to tamper with the desires of every Prophet or Messenger or Muhaddith (Muhaddith is a commentary of Imam (a.s.), whom We sent . .’” (22:52)

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ مَرَّارٍ قَالَ كَتَبَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الْعَبَّاسِ الْمَعْرُوفِيُّ إِلَى الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَخْبِرْنِي مَا الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَ الرَّسُولِ وَالنَّبِيِّ وَالامَامِ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ أَوْ قَالَ الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَ الرَّسُولِ وَالنَّبِيِّ وَالامَامِ أَنَّ الرَّسُولَ الَّذِي يُنْزَلُ عَلَيْهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ فَيَرَاهُ وَيَسْمَعُ كَلامَهُ وَيُنْزَلُ عَلَيْهِ الْوَحْيُ وَرُبَّمَا رَأَى فِي مَنَامِهِ نَحْوَ رُؤْيَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَالنَّبِيُّ رُبَّمَا سَمِعَ الْكَلامَ وَرُبَّمَا رَأَى الشَّخْصَ وَلَمْ يَسْمَعْ وَالامَامُ هُوَ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ الْكَلامَ وَلا يَرَى الشَّخْصَ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Isma‘il ibn Marrar who has said the following “Al-Hassan ibn al-‘Abbass al-Ma‘rufi wrote to Imam al-Rida (a.s.). “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, explain to me the difference between the messengers, the prophets and the Imams.” The Imam said or wrote, “ The difference between the messengers, the prophets and the Imams is that a messenger is one to whom Jibril (Gabriel) comes. He sees Jibril and hears his speech and Jibril (the angel) brings him (Divine) revelation and sometimes he may see in his dream like the dream of Abraham (a.s.). A prophet is one who may hear the speech and may see the person or may not hear. The Imam is the one who hears the speech but does not see the person.”

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنِ الاحْوَلِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنِ الرَّسُولِ وَالنَّبِيِّ وَالْمُحَدَّثِ قَالَ الرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَأْتِيهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ قُبُلاً فَيَرَاهُ وَيُكَلِّمُهُ فَهَذَا الرَّسُولُ وَأَمَّا النَّبِيُّ فَهُوَ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ نَحْوَ رُؤْيَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَنَحْوَ مَا كَانَ رَأَى رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) مِنْ أَسْبَابِ النُّبُوَّةِ قَبْلَ الْوَحْيِ حَتَّى أَتَاهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مِنْ عِنْدِ الله بِالرِّسَالَةِ وَكَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) حِينَ جُمِعَ لَهُ النُّبُوَّةُ وَجَاءَتْهُ الرِّسَالَةُ مِنْ عِنْدِ الله يَجِيئُهُ بِهَا جَبْرَئِيلُ وَيُكَلِّمُهُ بِهَا قُبُلاً وَمِنَ الانْبِيَاءِ مَنْ جُمِعَ لَهُ النُّبُوَّةُ وَيَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَيَأْتِيهِ الرُّوحُ وَيُكَلِّمُهُ وَيُحَدِّثُهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَكُونَ يَرَى فِي الْيَقَظَةِ وَأَمَّا الْمُحَدَّثُ فَهُوَ الَّذِي يُحَدَّثُ فَيَسْمَعُ وَلا يُعَايِنُ وَلا يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from al-Ahwal who has said the following.

“I Asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the messenger, the prophet and al-Muhaddith (one who reports Divine guidance).” The Imam (a.s.) said, “A messenger is one to whom Jibril (angel) comes openly he sees him (the angel) and speaks to him. Such person is a messenger. A prophet is one who sees in his dream something like the dream of Abraham (a.s.) or the dream of our Prophet (s.a.) about reasons for prophethood before the coming of revelation until Jibril came from Allah with to inform him that he was to be a messenger. In the case of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) when prophethood was established in him then Jibril brought him the message that he was to be a messenger. Jibril would come and speak to him openly. Some of the prophets in whom prophethood is established they see in their dreams, the spirit comes to them, speaks and reports to them but they do not see the spirit when awake. Al-Muhaddith is one to who is reported to and he hears the reporting but does not see openly or in his dream.”

4ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حَسَّانَ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ الْهَاشِمِيِّ عَنْ مَرْوَانَ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ بُرَيْدٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ وَأَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَما أَرْسَلْنا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَسُولٍ وَلا نَبِيٍّ وَلا مُحَدَّثٍ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَيْسَتْ هَذِهِ قِرَاءَتَنَا فَمَا الرَّسُولُ وَالنَّبِيُّ وَالْمُحَدَّثُ قَالَ الرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَظْهَرُ لَهُ الْمَلَكُ فَيُكَلِّمُهُ وَالنَّبِيُّ هُوَ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَرُبَّمَا اجْتَمَعَتِ النُّبُوَّةُ وَالرِّسَالَةُ لِوَاحِدٍ وَالْمُحَدَّثُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَلا يَرَى الصُّورَةَ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ الله كَيْفَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّ الَّذِي رَأَى فِي النَّوْمِ حَقٌّ وَأَنَّهُ مِنَ الْمَلَكِ قَالَ يُوَفَّقُ لِذَلِكَ حَتَّى يَعْرِفَهُ لَقَدْ خَتَمَ الله بِكِتَابِكُمُ الْكُتُبَ وَخَتَمَ بِنَبِيِّكُمُ الانْبِيَاءَ.

4. Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn Yahya have narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Ali ibn Hassan from Faddal from Ali ibn Ya'qub al-Hashimi from Marwan ibn Muslim from Burayd who has said the following.

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “Satan would try to tamper with the desires of every Prophet or Messenger or Muhaddith (Muhaddith is a commentary of Imam (a.s.), whom We sent . .’” (22:52). I said, ““May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, the word Muhaddith does not exist in our reading. What then is the meaning of The Messenger, Prophet and Muhaddith?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “A messenger is one to whom the angel comes openly and speaks to him. A prophet is one who sees in his dream. Sometimes prophethood and messengership may exist in one person. Al-Muhaddith is one who hears the voice but does not see the person (of the angel).” I then asked, may Allah keep you well, “How would one know that what one sees in his dream is true and that it is from the angel?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He receives help for success to know the angel. Allah has your book the last book and your Prophet the last of prophets.”

Chapter 4

The issue that Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى الْعَطَّارُ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ دَاوُدَ الرَّقِّيِّ عَنِ الْعَبْدِ الصَّالِحِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الْحُجَّةَ لا تَقُومُ لله عَلَى خَلْقِهِ إِلا بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفَ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya al-‘Attar has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn abu ‘Amayr from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Dawud al-Riqqi from the pious man (a.s.) the following “Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam who would teach people about Him.”

2ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الْوَشَّاءِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِنَّ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الْحُجَّةَ لا تَقُومُ لله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ إِلا بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفَ.

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Washsha’ who has said the following.

“Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam who would teach people about Him.”

3ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عُمَارَةَ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الْحُجَّةَ لا تَقُومُ لله عَلَى خَلْقِهِ إِلا بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفَ.

3. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from ‘Abbad ibn Sulayman from Sa‘d ibn Sa‘d from Muhammad ibn ‘Ammara from abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam who would teach people about Him.”

4ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْبَرْقِيِّ عَنْ خَلَفِ بْنِ حَمَّادٍ عَنْ أَبَانِ بْنِ تَغْلِبَ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الْحُجَّةُ قَبْلَ الْخَلْقِ وَمَعَ الْخَلْقِ وَبَعْدَ الْخَلْقِ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Barqi from Khalaf ibn Hammad from ’Aban ibn Taghlib from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“A person with Divine authority is before the people, with the people and after the people.”

Chapter 5

The Issue that the Earth at no time is without a Person with Divine Authority

1ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أَبِي الْعَلاءِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) تَكُونُ الارْضُ لَيْسَ فِيهَا إِمَامٌ قَالَ لا قُلْتُ يَكُونُ إِمَامَانِ قَالَ لا إِلا وَأَحَدُهُمَا صَامِتٌ.

1. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn abu ‘Umayr from al-Husayn ibn abu al-‘Ala’ who has said the following.

“I abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Can there be a time on earth without Imam?” The Imam said, “No, it can not be without Imam.” I asked, “Can there be two Imams at a time?” He said, “No, unless one is quite.”

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ مَنْصُورِ بْنِ يُونُسَ وَسَعْدَانَ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ إِنَّ الارْضَ لا تَخْلُو إِلا وَفِيهَا إِمَامٌ كَيْمَا إِنْ زَادَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ شَيْئاً رَدَّهُمْ وَإِنْ نَقَصُوا شَيْئاً أَتَمَّهُ لَهُمْ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn abu ‘Umayr from Mansur ibn Yunus and Su‘dan ibn Muslim from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammara from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“I heard the Imam (a.s.) saying, ‘The earth is never left without an Imam so that if the believers would add any thing it would be brought back and if they would reduce anything it would be completed.”

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ رَبِيعِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْمُسْلِيِّ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ الْعَامِرِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَا زَالَتِ الارْضُ إِلا وَلله فِيهَا الْحُجَّةُ يُعَرِّفُ الْحَلالَ وَالْحَرَامَ وَيَدْعُو النَّاسَ إِلَى سَبِيلِ الله.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Rabi‘ ibn Muhammad al-Musalliy from ‘Abdallah ibn Sulayman al- ‘Amiriy from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“The earth has never been without a person with Divine authority who would teach people about the lawful and unlawful matters and call them to the path of Allah.”

4ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مِهْرَانَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أَبِي الْعَلاءِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ تَبْقَى الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لا.

4. Ahmad ibn Mihran has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from al-Husayn ibn abu ‘Ala’ from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Can the earth be without Imam?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “No, it can be without Imam.”

5ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ يُونُسَ عَنِ ابْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَحَدِهِمَا (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ إِنَّ الله لَمْ يَدَعِ الارْضَ بِغَيْرِ عَالِمٍ وَلَوْ لا ذَلِكَ لَمْ يُعْرَفِ الْحَقُّ مِنَ الْبَاطِلِ.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus ibn Muskan from abu Basir from one of them (Imams (a.s.), who has said the following

“Allah does not leave the earth without a ‘Alim (scholar). Without this the truth would not be distinguished from falsehood.”

6ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الله أَجَلُّ وَأَعْظَمُ مِنْ أَنْ يَتْرُكَ الارْضَ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ عَادِلٍ.

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn abu Hamza from abu Basir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following

“Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, is far greater and above leaving the earth without an Imam of justice.”

7ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَبِي أُسَامَةَ وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَبِي أُسَامَةَ وَهِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ عَمَّنْ يَثِقُ بِهِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ اللهمَّ إِنَّكَ لا تُخْلِي أَرْضَكَ مِنْ حُجَّةٍ لَكَ عَلَى خَلْقِكَ.

7. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from abu ’Usama and Ali ibn Ibrahim from his father from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from abu ’Usama and Hisham ibn salim from abu Hamza from abu Ishaq from those reliable among the companions of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) who has said the following.

“O Lord. You do not leave your earth without a person who would represent Your authority among the people.”

8ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ وَالله مَا تَرَكَ الله أَرْضاً مُنْذُ قَبَضَ آدَمَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِلا وَفِيهَا إِمَامٌ يُهْتَدَى بِهِ إِلَى الله وَهُوَ حُجَّتُهُ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ وَلا تَبْقَى الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ حُجَّةٍ لله عَلَى عِبَادِهِ.

8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn al-Fudayl from abu Hamza from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following.

“I swear to Allah that He has not, from the day Adam died, left the earth without an Imam who would guide people to the Lord as with divine authority over the servants of the Lord. The earth will never remain without an Imam with Divine authority over His servants.”

9ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَبِي عَلِيِّ بْنِ رَاشِدٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ الارْضَ لا تَخْلُو مِنْ حُجَّةٍ وَأَنَا وَالله ذَلِكَ الْحُجَّةُ.

9. Al-Hassan ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from some of our people from abu Ali ibn Rashid from abu al-Hassan (a.s.) who has said the following.

“ The earth is never without a person with divine authority and I swear to Allah that I am the person with Divine authority.”

10ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَ تَبْقَى الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لَوْ بَقِيَتِ الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ لَسَاخَتْ.

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Fudayl from ibn abu Hamza who has said the following.

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Can the earth be left without the Imam?’” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “ Were to remain without Imam it would obliterate its inhabitants.”

11ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ تَبْقَى الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لا قُلْتُ فَإِنَّا نُرَوَّى عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنَّهَا لا تَبْقَى بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ إِلا أَنْ يَسْخَطَ الله تَعَالَى عَلَى أَهْلِ الارْضِ أَوْ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ فَقَالَ لا لا تَبْقَى إِذاً لَسَاخَتْ.

11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘isa from Muhammad al-Fudayl who has said the following.

“I asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), ‘Can the remain without Imam?’” He replied, “No, it will not remain so.” I then said, “We narrate from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that the earth will not remain without Imam unless Allah becomes extremely angry with the people of the earth or with His servants.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “In such condition it will not remain but it would obliterate with its inhabitants.”

12ـ عَلِيٌّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله الْمُؤْمِنِ عَنْ أَبِي هَرَاسَةَ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لَوْ أَنَّ الامَامَ رُفِعَ مِنَ الارْضِ سَاعَةً لَمَاجَتْ بِأَهْلِهَا كَمَا يَمُوجُ الْبَحْرُ بِأَهْلِهِ.

12. Ali has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from abu ‘Abd al_Mu’min from abu Harassa from abu Ja'far (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Would the Imam be taken away from the earth it will create waves against her inhabitants just like what the inhabitants of the ocean face.”

13ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) هَلْ تَبْقَى الارْضُ بِغَيْرِ إِمَامٍ قَالَ لا قُلْتُ إِنَّا نُرَوَّى أَنَّهَا لا تَبْقَى إِلا أَنْ يَسْخَطَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ قَالَ لا تَبْقَى إِذاً لَسَاخَتْ.

13. Al-Husayn ibn Ali has narrated from Muhammad from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ who has said the following.

“I asked al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), “I can the earth remain without Imam?” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “No, it will not remain so.” I said, “We narrate that it will not remain without the Imam unless Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, becomes angry with the people.” The Imam said, “In such condition it will not remain but it will obliterate its inhabitants.”

Chapter 6

The Issue that even if only two people would remain on earth one of them would certainly be the Imam, the person with divine authority

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنِ ابْنِ الطَّيَّارِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ لَوْ لَمْ يَبْقَ فِي الارْضِ إِلا اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْحُجَّةَ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ibn al-Tayyar who has said the following.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, ‘Would there remain no one on earth except two persons one of them would certainly be the person with Divine authority.”

2ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى جَمِيعاً عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ حَمْزَةَ بْنِ الطَّيَّارِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لَوْ بَقِيَ اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْحُجَّةَ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ.

مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى مِثْلَهُ.

2. Ahmad ibn Idris and Muhammad ibn Yahya together have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from abu ‘Ubayd from Muhammad ibn Sinan from abu Hamza ibn al-Tayyar from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Would there remain only two people on earth, one of them would the person with divine authority over the other.”

Muhammad ibn al-Hassan has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa a similar Hadith.

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مُوسَى الْخَشَّابِ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ كَرَّامٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لَوْ كَانَ النَّاسُ رَجُلَيْنِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الامَامَ وَقَالَ إِنَّ آخِرَ مَنْ يَمُوتُ الامَامُ لِئَلا يَحْتَجَّ أَحَدٌ عَلَى الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَنَّهُ تَرَكَهُ بِغَيْرِ حُجَّةٍ لله عَلَيْهِ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from those who he has mentioned from al-Hassan ibn Musa al-Khashshab from Ja'far ibn Muhammad from Kiram from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“If of all the people there will remain only two man one of them will be the Imam. He also said, ‘The last person to die will be the Imam (a.s.) so that no one could complain against Allah leaving him without Imam, the person with Divine authority over him.’”

4ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْبَرْقِيِّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنِ ابْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ حَمْزَةَ بْنِ الطَّيَّارِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ لَوْ لَمْ يَبْقَ فِي الارْضِ إِلا اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْحُجَّةَ أَوْ الثَّانِي الْحُجَّةَ.

الشَّكُّ مِنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ.

4. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Barqi from Ali ibn Isma‘il from ibn Sinan from Hamza ibn al-Tayyar who has said the following.

“I heard Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, ‘Would there remain on earth no one except two people one of them will be the person with Divine authority or the second one will be the person with Divine authority (uncertainty is from the narrator).”

5ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنِ النَّهْدِيِّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ لَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي الارْضِ إِلا اثْنَانِ لَكَانَ الامَامُ أَحَدَهُمَا.

Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from al-Nahdi from his father from Yunus ibn ya‘qub from abu ‘Abdallah who has said the following. “Would there remain no one except two people one of them will certainly be the Imam.”