This is part 16 of 21 of “The Book of Divine Authority (al-Hujja)”, book 5 of Al-Kafi — Hadith 1,178–1,227. The book is long enough that it is split across 21 pages so each one stays quick to load; the parts run in order and are linked at the foot of the page.
The Holy Prophet (s.a) was born on the twelfth of the month of Rabi‘ al-Awwal, in the year of Elephant on a Friday at noon. Also it is narrated that it was at dawn forty years before his receiving Divine messages. His mother conceived with him on the days of Tashriq (1, 12, 13) of dhul Hajj near the middle Jamara (a pillar of stones) and she was in the house of ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib. She gave birth in the Sha‘b of abu Talib (a.s.) in the house of Muhammad ibn Yusuf at the left far corner of the house as you would enter.al-Khayzuran made that house into a mosque and people use for prayers. After receiving Divine commands to work as the Messenger of Allah he remained in Makka for thirteen years. Thereafter he migrated to Madina wherein he lived for ten years. He passed away on Monday the twelfth of the month of Rabi‘ al-Awwal at the age of sixty three. His father ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib died in Madina among his maternal uncles when he (Muhammad) was only two months old. His mother, ’Amina daughter of Wahab ibn ‘Abd Manaf, ibn Zuhra ibn Kilab ibn Murra ibn Ka‘b ibn Luway ibn Ghalib, died when he was a boy of four years old. ‘Abd al-Muttalib died when the Holy Prophet (s.a.) was about eight years old. He married khadija when he was twenty and some years old. From Khadija before receiving the Divine commands of his children biorn were al-Qasim, Ruqiyya, Zaynaband ’Umm Kulthum. Of his children born after he received Divine commands were al-Tayyib, al-Tahir and Fatima (a.s.). It is also narrated that after he received Divine commands no other children besides Fatima (a.s.) and that al-Tayyib and al-Tahir were born before he received divine commands. Khadija (a.s.) died at the time the Holy Prophet (s.a.) came out of Sha‘b of abu Talib. This was one year before his migration to Madina.Abu Talib died one after the death of Khaija. When the Messenger of Allah lost these two people at became very difficult for him to live in Makka. He became extremely sad and complained it to Jibril. Allah then send him the message to leave the town, the town of the unjust people because after abu Talib there is no one in Makka to support you. He was commanded to migrate.
1. md ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from ‘Abdallah ibn Muhammad son of the brother of Hammad al-Katib from al-Husayn ibn ‘Abdallah who has said the following. “I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Was the Messenger of Allah the mater of the children of Adam?” The Imam (a.s.) said, ‘By Allah, he was the master of all whom Allah has created. Allah has not created any creature better than Muhammad (s.a.).”
2. om Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hajjal from Hammad from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. When mentioning the the Messenger of Allah he said, “Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) has said, “Allah has not created any creature better than Muhammad (s.a.).”
3. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated al-Husayn ibn ‘Abdallah from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa and Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah from Ali ibn Hadid from Murazim from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “O Muhammad I have created you and Ali a ligh, a spirit, without body before I created My heavens, My earth, My Throne, and My ocean. You continued acknowledge Me as you’re the Lord and speak of My glory. I then collected the spirits of both of you and made it one spirit. This spirit continued to speak of My Glory, My Holiness and acknowledge Me as the Lord. I then divided it into two and two which became four: one Muhammad one Ali, al-Hassan and al-Husayn the two of them. Then Allah created Fatima (a.s.) from the spirit that was created first without a body. He then wiped us with his right hand to allow his light reach us all.
4. Ahmad has narrated from al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah from Muhammad ibn al-Fudayl from abu Hamza who has said the following. “I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.) say, “Allah, the Most High sent revelation to Muhammad (s.a.) saying, “O Muhammad I created you. You did not exist. I blew into you from My spirit. It was an honor with which I honored you when I made it an obligation on all My creatures to obey you. Whoever would obey you has obeyed Me and whoever would dis obey you has disobeyed Me. I made this an obligation in the case of Ali and those of his descendants whom I have chosen for My-self.”
5. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Asha‘ari has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from abu al-Fadl ‘Abdallah ibn Idris from Muhammad ibn Sinan who has said the following “Once I was in the presence of abu Ja‘far (a.s.), the second and I mentioned the differences among the Shi‘a. The Imam (a.s.) said, “O Muhammad, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, is One eternally. He created Muhammad, Ali and Fatima (a.s.). They were there for a thousand Dahr (a turn). Then He created all other things. He made them towitness the creation of all other things, made obedience to them obligatory and gave control of the affairs of the creation. They can, thus, make lawful whatever they would wish and unlawful whatever they would wish and they would never wish anything unless Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, would wish. He then said, “O Muhammad, this is a religion that if exceeded it would lead to extremism and if ignored it would be degradation and those who would hold to it properly would have proper contact. Keep it with you, O Muhammad.”
6. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Muhbub from Salih ibn Sahl from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Certain persons from Quraysh asked the Messenger of Allah, ‘By what means did you excel the prophet while you ended them as the last prophet?” The Messenger of Allah said, “I was the first to believe in my Lord, and the first to answer Allah when He called the prophets to make a covenant and beat testimony against their own souls that had answered positively when asked them, “Am I not your Lord? They all had answered, ‘Yes, You Are our Lord.” I was the prophet that said, “Yes, You Are our Lord.” I, thus, excelled them in the acknowledgment that Allah is the Lord.”
7. from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Ibrahim from Ali ibn Hammad from al-Mufaddal who has said the following. “I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), “How did you exist when you existed in the shadows?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “O Mufaddal, we were in the presence of our Lord and there was no one else in the green shadow. We would speak of His Glory, Holiness, acknowledge Him as the Lords and speak of His Majesty. There was no angel even of the ones close to Allah or a living being except us in His presence until He decided to create all things. He then created whatever He wanted, in the He wanted of the angels and others. The knowledge of that then came to us.”
8. Sahl ibn Ziyad has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Walid who has said that he heard Yunus ibn ya‘qub narrated from Sinan ibn Turayf who has said the following. “I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘We are the first family whose names Allah has exalted. When He created the heavens and earth He commanded an announcer to proclaim. “I testify that there is no lord besides Allah three times. I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, three times and that Ali is the Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) (Leader with Divine Authority) in all truth, three times.”
9. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from al-Husayn ibn ‘Abdallah al-Saghir from Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Ja‘fari from Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Umar ibn Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah was and no was. He created the was and the place and created the light of lights from which all lights lighted up. He made to flow to it (light of lights) from His own light which lighted up all lights. He was the light from Muhammad and Ali were created. They both continued to be the first two lights because nothing had come into being before them. They continued to flow pure and clean through the clean generations until they separated in two clean persons; ‘Abdallah and abu Talib (a.s.).”
10. Al-Husayn has narrated from (Muhammad) ibn ‘Abdallah from Muhammad ibn Sinan from al-Mufaddal from Jabir ibn Yazid who has said the following. “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) said to me, ‘O Jabir, the first thing that Allah created was Muhammad (s.a) and his offspring who are the rightly guided guides. They existed in ’Ashabah (form ) of light in the presence of Allah.” I then asked, “What is ’Ashabah?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is the shadow of light, the lighting bodies without the spirit. It was supported by one spirit which is the Holy spirit. In that state he and his offspring worshipped Allah and for this reason He created them forbearing scholars, conscientious pure one who worship Allah through prayer, fasting, prostration, speaking of His Glory and the acknowledgment that He is the only Lord. They perform prayers, perform Hajj and fast.”
11. Ali ibn Muhammad and others have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Walid Shabab al-Sayrafi from Malik ibn ’Isma‘il al-Nahdi from ‘abd al-Salamibn Harith from Salim ibn abu Hafsa al-‘Ijli from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “The Messenger of Allah had three qualities that no one else had. He did not have any shadow. Whatever path he would walk even after two or three days one could still notice his passing thereby due to his fragrance that remained along the path. Whatever stones and trees that he would pass by it would prostrate for him our of respect.”
12. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from from his father from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from abu Basir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “When the Messenger of Allah was taken for the ascension Jibril took him to place and left him there alone. He said, “Jibril, How would leave me in such a condition?” Jibril said, “Go on. By Allah, you have stepped at a place whereat no human has ever stepped and no human had ever walked on before you.”
13. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad al-Jawhari from Ali ibn abu Hamza who has said that abu Basir asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) when I was also present. He said, May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, how many time the Messenger of Allah was taken for ascension?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It happened twice. Jibril asked him to stop at a place saying wait right there O Muhammad, you have stood at a place whereat no angel or prophet has ever stood before you. Your Lord Is praying.” He asked, “O Jibril, How does He pray?” Jibril said, “He says, ‘the Glorious, the Holy, I am the Lord of the angels and the Spirit. My mercy exceeds my anger.” The Holy Prophet (s.a) then said, “O Lord, I beg Your forgiveness, I beg Your forgiveness.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “it was as Allah has said, “. . until he was as close to him as the distance of two bows, or even less.” (53:9) Abu Basir then asked, May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what is “. . the distance of two bows, or even less.”? (53:9) The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is the distance between the ark and the head of the bow.” The Imam (a.s.) then said, “Between the two there was a barrier that shined and oscillate that I do not know except that he said it was Zabarjad (chrysolite). He looked into the light of Greatness of the size of needle’s eye or so that Allah willed. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, said, “O Muhammad.” He replies, Yes, my Lord.” He asked, “Who will be after you to guide your followers?” He replied, “Allah knows best.” He said, “Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) will be Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) ( the Leader with Divine Authority), the master of the Muslim, the leader of the ones marked with brightness on their foreheads.” The narrator has said the then abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said to abu Basir, “O abu Muhammad, by Allah, Wilaya of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) did not come form earth but it came from the heavens by words clearly spoken.”
14. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Sayf from ‘Amr ibn Shimr from Jabir who has said the following. “I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘describe to me the Prophet (s.a) of Allah.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “The Holy Prophet (s.a) has a white reddish complexion, large balck eyes, the eyebrows almost joined, chubby hands and feet as if gold molded as to the form of his fingers and toes and with manifest shoulder bones. When he would turn to a person he would so with the whole of his body. Due to kind and tender heartiness. A line of hair extended from the front cavity of his neck down to his bellybutton as if it was a clear and pure silver lining. His neck was tall and clear, his nose would almost touch the water when he wanted to drink and when walking he would somehow lean forwards as if walking on a downward slope. No one similar to him was seen before or after the Holy Prophet (s.a) of Allah.”
15. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Faddal from abu Jamila from Muhammad al-Halabi from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah presented my ’Umma (followers) to me in the realm of clay and taught me their names jus as He had taught all the names to Adam. The people of flags passed by and I prayed to ask forgiveness for Ali (a.s.) and his followers. My Lord has promised me a quality for the Shi‘a of Ali (a.s.).” It was asked, “What is that quality O The Holy Prophet (s.a) of Allah?” He replied, “It is forgiveness for those of them who have faith and that no minor or major sins from them will be left without being changed to good deeds.”
16. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from father from al-Hassan ibn Sayf from his father from those he mentioned from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Once the Holy Prophet (s.a) addressed the people and he raised his right hand while holding his fingers closed and said, ‘Do you know, O people, what is in my hand?” They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He then said, “In my hand there are the names of the people of Paradise, the names of their fathers and the names of their tribes up to the Day of Judgment. He then raised his left and asked, ‘O people, do you know what is my hand?” They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He then said, “In my hand there are the names of the people of Hell, the names of their fathers and the names of teir tribes up to the day of Judgment.” Then he said, “Allah has decreed and He has done justice. Allah has decreed and He has done justice. One group will go to Paradise and the other group to Hell.”
17. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Ishaq ibn Ghalib from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following in a special sermon in which he has described the The Holy Prophet (s.a) and the Imams (a.s.) and their qualities. “Despite the great sins and their bad deeds it did not prevent Our Lord due to His forbearance, considerate and kindness to chose for them the best of His prophets and most respectable to Him who is Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah who was born in an honorable environment and a noble family. His association was suspicious and his lineage was not unknown to the people of knowledge to describe. The glad news of his coming was mentioned in the books of the prophets and spoken of in the words of the scholars and whose qualities were discussed in the thinking of the people of wisdom. No person of Hashimit descent has ever reached the level of his discipline to become parallel to him and no person of the inhabitants of Abtah has ever climbed to his high position. Restraint was of his attributes and generosity was part of his nature. He was made with the dignity of prophet-hood and its discipline. His nature was formed out of the qualities of Divine messenger and its wisdom. The means and measures of Allah brought him to the appointed time and the decree by the commands of Allah continued to their goals. The determined decision of Allah delivered him to their objects. Every nation would gave the glad news about him to the one thereafter and every father would deliver to the next one from one generation to the next. No indecency ever mixed his element and no conjugal relation ever made him unclean from Adam to his father ‘Abdallah. He was in the best group and most honorable descent, the tribe of glory, in the well preserved womb and in the best protective hands. Allah had chosen him as it pleased Him, selected him, gave him the keys to knowledge and the sources of wisdom. He raised as the mercy and blessings for His servants and as the season of spring for His lands. Allah sent to him the Book in which there is communication and explanations. It is a reading in Arabic free of complexities so that they may perhaps observe piety (before Allah). He has explained to people. He has arranged it into a system with the knowledge that explains in details and a religion that he has clarified its obligations, determined his limits for the people and has clarified them. There are matters that He has stated to His servants openly. In it there is guidance to salvation and evidence to show the right guidance. The Messenger of Allah has preached the message that he had brought and demanded obedience to what he was ordered to preach and delivered the responsibilities of a prophet towards his followers. He exercised patience for the sake of his Lord and strove hard in the way of the Lord. He gave good advise to his followers and called them to salvation. He exhorted them in the matters of al-Dhikr (reminder) and showed them the right guidance. He did so with systems and potentials that he established on certain foundations for the servants (of Allah) and with the sources of light for which he raised proper beacons. He did so, so that they will not be mislead after him and he was very compassionate and kind to them.” for .warned made clear e in accordance with His been a parallel of him.”
18. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Sa‘d ibn ‘Abdallah from a group of our people from Ahmad ibn Hilal from ’Umayya ibn Ali al-Qaysi who has said that narrated to me Durust ibn abu Mansur who has said the following. “ I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘Did the Messenger of Allah receive any authority from abu Talib (a.s.) ?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “No, but abu Talib was the trustee of certain (items) that he delivered to the Holy Prophet (s.a.) .” I then asked, “What was the condition of abu Talib?” The Imam (a.s.) Imam said, “ He acknowledged the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and his Divine message. He delivered to him the (Items of) will and died on that day.”
19. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Asha‘ari has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Mansur ibn al-‘Abbass from Ali ibn Asbat from Ya’qub ibn Salim from a man from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “When the Messenger of Allah passed away the family of Muhammad (s.a.) experienced the longest night. They thought there is no sky to provide them shadow or earth to hold them up. The Messenger of Allah had united all people just for the sake of Allah. In such a condition sommeone came to them whom they would not see but would hear his words. He offered them greetings say, “Peace be with you, O members of the family of the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and may Allah’s mercy and blessings be with you. With Allah is the best of condolences for all kinds of suffering and the salvation from all forms of destruction and a remedy for the losses.. He then read the words of Allah “Every soul is destined to experience the agony of death. You (Muslims) will receive the recompense for your deeds on the Day of Judgment. To be saved from the fire and admitted to Paradise is certainly a great triumph. The worldly life is no more than a deceitful possession.” (3:185) He the continued, “Allah hass selected you, granted you distinction, purified, and made members of the family of His prophet. He has entrusted you with His knowledge and has made you to inherit His book He has made you the chest (ark) of His knowledge and the staff of His Majesty. He has given for an example of His light and has protected you from all sins and mistakes. He has protected you against all forms of mischief. Accept the condolences of Allah. Allah has not withdrawn His blessings away from you and He will never remove any of His bounties from you. You are the people of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious, through whom the bounties increase, different groups become united and words receive harmony. You are His friends Those who would love you they achieve success and those who has said the following would do injustice to you will banish.To love you is obligatory because of the commands of Allah in His book on His believing servants. Besides, Allah is full power to help and support whenever He would wish. Exercise patience against the consequences of the matters because they all proceed to Allah.. Allah has accepted you as the Holy Prophet (s.a.) has entrusted you with Him and He has entrusted you with to His faithful friends on earth. Whoever would be truthful to the trust with him Allah will give him the reward for his truthfulness. You are the entrusted trust and to love you is made obligatory on people and obedience to you is a duty. Allah has taken His Messenger away from this world and He has completed the religion for you. He has explained to you how to come out of (difficulties). He has not left any excuse for any one. Whoever, would not know or pretend to be ignorant, deny, forget or pretend to forget will be held accountable before Allah. Allah will always pursue to fulfill your needs. I entrust you with Allah. May peace and blessings be with you.” The narrator has said that then he asked the Imam (a.s.), “ From who did the condolences came?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It came from Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High.”
20. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ibn Muskan from Isma‘il ibn ‘Ammar from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following “When one would look at the Messenger of Allah in the dark night a light like that from the moon could be seen from him.”
21. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from al-Husayn ibn ‘Ubaydallah from abu ‘Abdallah al-Husayn al-Saghir from Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Ja‘fari from Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Umar ibn Ali ibn abu Talib from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and Muhammad ibn Yahya from Sa‘d ibn ‘Abdallah from Ya’qub ibn Yazid from ibn Faddal from certain persons of his people from abu ‘Abdallah who has said the following “Jibril came to the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and said, “O Muhammad, Allah offers you greetings and says, “I have prohibited the fire to harm the man and woman who carried your seed and the man whose lap provided you protection and guardianship. The man who carried your seed is ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib and the woman whose womb carried you is ’Amina daughter of Wahab and the man whose lap provided you protection and guardianship is abu Talib.” In the hadith of ibn Faddal it say Fatima daughter of Asad.”
22. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Jamil ibn Darraj from Zurara ibn ‘A‘yan from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “On the Day of Judgment ‘Abd al-Muttalib will be resurrected as a whole nation and he will have the complexion like those of the prophets and the majestic presence like those of the kings.”
23. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman al-’Asamm from al-Hatham ibn Waqid from Muqarrin from abu ‘‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “ ‘Abd al-Muttalib is the first one who believer in Bada’ (Allah’s revised will). He will be resurrected as a whole nation. He will have a august presence like kings and an countenance like the prophets.”
24. Certain persons of our people have narrated from ibn Jumhur from his father from ibn Mahbub from ibn al-Ri’ab from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj (and) from Muhammad ibn Sinan from al-Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar all from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “‘Abd al-Muttalib will be resurrected as a whole nation (one ’Umma) with the grandeur of the kings and the complexion of the prophets. It is because he was the first one who believed in Bada’ (Allah’s revised will). Once ‘Abd al-Muttalib sent the Messenger of Allah to the shepherds of his camels to help them with a runaway camel. He collected them all but had delayed to return home. ‘Abd al-Muttalib out of anxiety was holding the ring of the door of Ka‘ba. He kept saying, “O Lord, will destroy your own people.? If You would do so then it means that You have revised you decision.” The Messenger of Allah came with camels and ‘Abd al-Muttalib had sent people to search him in all directions and valleys of (Makka). He would keep crying, “O Lord, will you destroy Your own people? If would do so then You may have revised Your decision.” When saw the Messenger of Allah he held him to kiss and said, “Son, I will not sent thereafter for anything. I am afraid for you to be kidnapped and killed.”
25. Has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Muhammad ibn Humran from Aban ibn Taghlib who has said the following. “Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘When the fellow from Ethiopia marched with horse and elephants to destroy the Ka‘ba they passed by the camels of ‘Abd al-Muttalib and they herded them together. When ‘Abd al-Muttalib learned about it he went to the man from Ethiopia and asked permission for a meeting. His man told him that ‘Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim asks permission for a meeting. He said, “What does he want?” The translator said, “He has come asking that his camels be released.” The king of Ethiopia said to his people, “This is the leader and the chief of the people here. I have come to destroy his house of worship but asks me to order the release of his camels. Had he asked me not to destroy the house I would have done so. Release his cameels.” ‘Abd al-Muttalib asked the translator. “What did the king say?” When the words of the king were explained to him he said, “I am the owner of the camels. The house has an owner who is to protect it. His camels were release and ‘Abd al-Muttalib returned home. He passed by the elephant on his way home. He said to the elephant, “O Muhmud. The elephant shock his head. Then he said, “Do you know why have they brought you here?” The elephant said by shaking his head, “No, I do not know.” ‘Abd al-Muttalib said, “They have brought you to destroy the house of your Lord. Will you do so?” The elephant by shaking his head said, “I will not do so.” ‘Abd al-Muttalib returned home. Next morning they tried the elephant to enter the Holy precinct to destroy it but the elephant refused. ‘Abd al-Muttalib at that time said to some of his servants, “Climb up the hill and see if you observe anything.” He said, “I can see black spots in the direction of the sea. He asked, “Do you see all of it” He said, “Not all of it but almost. When the black spots came closer he said, “They are great many birds. I can see that every bird has a pebble in his beak of the size thrown with a finger.” ‘Abd al-Muttalib said, “By Allah, the Lord of ‘Abd al-Muttalib that the birds aim only those people.” When the birds arrived over their heads they threw the pebble on their heads and every pebble fell on top of their scales and pierced its way down to their bottom end and left them dead. Only man was left alive who went with the news to the others. When he gave them the new a pebble fell on his head and killed him.”
26. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Rifa‘Abdallah from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “At a certain place around the Ka‘ba ‘Abd al-Muttalib’s people would spread house furnishings for him only and for no one else. His sons would stand around him for protection. Once the Messenger of Allah, then a small child who had just began to walk came to ‘Abd al-Muttalib and sat in his lap. One of the people standing as a guard came to remove the child away but ‘Abd al-Muttalib said, “Leave my child alone. The angel has just come to him.”
27. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Sa‘d ibn ‘Abdallah from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Thaqafi from Ali ibn Mu‘alla from his brother, Muhammad from Durust ibn abu Mansur from Ali ibn abu Hamza from abu Basir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “When the Holy Prophet (s.a) was born he remained for days without milk. Abu Talib himself breast fed him and Allah sent milk through his nipples. It continued for several days until abu Talib found Halima al-Sa‘diya and the child was given to her”
28. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “The case of abu Talib islike the case of the people of the cave who hid their faith and expressed polytheism. Allah gave them twice as much reward.”
29. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn Yahya have narrated from Ahmad ibn Ishaq from Bakr ibn Muhammad al-Azdi from Ishaq ibn Ja‘far from his father (a.s.) who has said the following. “They think that abu Talib was an unbeliever. They speak lies, how could he be an unbeliever when he would say such worlds as herein below. “Do they not know that we found Muhammad as a prophet like Musa (Moses) whose name is written in the ancient books.” In another hadith he has said, “How could abu Talib be an unbeliever when he would say, “They certainly know that our child is not a liar to us and the false words are not paid any attention to. The (beautiful) white face that prays for rain from the clouds, is the helper of the orphans and the protector of the widows.”
30. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn al-Hakam from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Once when the Holy Prophet (s.a) in the sacred Mosque wearing new clothes the pagans threw the contents of the stomach of camel on him and his new clothes was messed up. Allah knows how hard it was for him. He went to abu Talib and asked, “How is mannerism and discipline among you?” He asked what is the matter, O son of my brother?” The Holy Prophet (s.a) informed him of the incident. Abu Talib called Hamza and pickup a sword. He asked Hamza to pick up the stomach of the camel and they came to the peole along with the Holy Prophet (s.a). They found people of Quraysh around the Ka‘ba. When the saw him they read trouble from his face. Abu Talib asked Hamza to level of the contents of camel stomach against everyone’s mustache and Hamza did so to the last person. Abu Talib then turned to the Holy Prophet (s.a) and said, “Son of my brother, this is how much we value your mannerism and discipline (face such great risk).”
31. Ali has narrated from his father from ibn abu Nasr from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari from ‘Ubayd ibn Zurara from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “When abu Talib (a.s.) passed away, Jibril came to the Messenger of Allah and said, “O Muhammad, migrate from Makka. There is no one to help you. Qurash revolted against the Holy Prophet (s.a) and came out of Makka running away until he reach one of the mountains of Makka. Called al-Hajun. He went there.”
32. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah and Muhammad ibnyh have narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah who in a in a marfu‘ manner has narrated it from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Abu Talib acknowledged Islam through the expression of (al-Jummal). (It is a system wherein each letter of the alphabet is given a certain numerical and instead of a letter its numeric value is used for secrecy or other reasons.)”
33. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from from Ahmad and ‘Abdallah sons of Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from their father from ‘Abdallah ibn ;a-Mughira from ’Isma‘il ibn abu Ziyad from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Abu Talib acknowledged Islam through the expression of al-Jummal. He formed number sixty three with his hands.” Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn al-Faddal from al-Husayn ibn ‘Ulwan al-Kalbi from Ali ibn al-Hazawwar al-Ghanawi from Asbagh ibn Nubata al-Hanzali who has said the following. “I saw Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) on the day of victory in Basra while he was riding the on the mule of the Messenger of Allah (then) he said, “O people do you want me to tell who the best of the creatures of Allah will be on the Day when He will bring all of them at one place?” Abu Ayyub al-Ansari stood up and said, “Yes, O Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) please explain to use. Your were present and we were absent.” The Imam (a.s.) then said, “The best of the people on the day of resurrection when will bring all people together are seven people from the descendant of ‘Abd al-Muttalib whose distinction no one except an unbeliever would deny and no one would reject except a deviant.” ‘Ammar ibn Yasir (may Allah grand him blessings) then stood up and said, “O Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) tell us their names so we can recognise them properly..” The Imam (a.s.) said, “The best in the creatures of Allah on the Day when He will bring all creature together are the messenger and the best of the messengers is Muhammad (s.a). The best after the prophet in his ’Umma (followers) is the executor of his will until the prophet would come. There is no doubt that the best among the executors of the wills of the prophets is the executor of the will of Prophet Muhammad (s.a). There is also no doubt that the best among the people after the executors of the will of the prophets are the martyrs and the best of the martyrs is Hamza ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib and Ja‘far ibn abu Talib who were given two fresh wings with which they fly in Paradise. No one else besides him from this ’Umma. With this Allah honored and granted dignity t Muhammad (s.a). Also of the seven people are the two grand sons of the Holy Prophet (s.a) and al-Mahdi (a.s.). Whoever Allah would want will al-Mahdi from us Ahl al-Bayt. The he read this verse of the Holy Quran. “One who obeys God and the Messenger is the friend of the Prophets, saints, martyrs, and the righteous ones to whom God has granted His favors. They are the best friends that one can have (4:69). The favors of God are such, and He knows very well (how to reward you).” (4:70)”
34. Muhammad ibn al-Husayn has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn al-Faddal from Ali ibn al-Nu‘man from abu Maryam al-Ansari who has said the following. “I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.),”How was the prayer for the dead body of the Holy Prophet (s.a)?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “When Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) washed his body and he placed him in the shroud and covered his body then ten persons came in and they walked around him. Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) then stood in the middle of them and said, “God showers His blessings upon the Prophet and the angels seek forgiveness for him. Believers, pray for the Prophet and greet him with, “Peace be with you.” (33:56) The group also said what the Imam (a.s.) had said until the people of Madina and people of ‘Awali also said so.”
35. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from from Salma ibn al-Khattab from Ali ibn Sayf from abu al-Maghra’ from ‘Uqba ibn Bashir from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “The Holy Prophet (s.a) said to Ali (a.s.), O Ali, bury me in this place, raise the surface of my grave from the ground by the width of four fingers and sprinkle water on it.”
36. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad from al-Halabi from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Al-‘Abbass came to Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) and said, “O Ali, people have come in a group to bury the Messenger of Allah in Baqi‘, the prayer place. Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) them came out to the people and said, “O people, the Messenger of Allah is the Imam whether dead or living. He had said that he must be buried in the place where he died.. He then stood at the door and prayed for him. Then he commanded every ten people to come in and pray for him and come out”
37. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from from Salma ibn al-Khattab from Ali ibn Sayf from ‘Amr ibn Shimr from Jabir from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “When the Holy Prophet (s.a) passed away, the angels, the immigrant Muslims (al-Muhajirun) and the helping Muslims (al-Ansar) prayed over his body group after group.” The narrator has said that Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) has said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah say in good health, “This verse is revealed to me about praying for after I Allah will take me away from this world. ““God showers His blessings upon the Prophet and the angels seek forgiveness for him. Believers, pray for the Prophet and greet him with, “Peace be with you.” (33:56)
38. Certain persons of our people have narrated from in a in a marfu‘ manner have narrated from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Dawud ibn Kathir al-Raqqi who has said that he asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) the following. “What is the meaning of ‘peace be with the Messenger of Allah’?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “When Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, created His Prophet, the executor of the will of His Prophet, the daughter of His Prophet, their two sons, all the Imams (a.s.) and their Shi‘a (followers) He made them to form a covenant to exercise patience, help to exercise patience, establish good relations and live piously before Allah. He promised them to give to them the blessed land and sacred sanctuary and to bring down to them the constructed house (al-Bayt al-Ma‘mur) and to manifest to the raised ceiling (alsaqf al-Marfu‘) and grant them relief against their enemies. Also He grant them the earth that He will change with peace and protect all that is therein for them without any quarrels therein against the enemies and there will exist all that they would love. The Messenger of Allah made all the Imams and their Shi‘a to form a covenant similarly. Offering of peace to him is to remind of that covenant and renew it before Allah. that pehaps He, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, would allow that peace to take place soon for all of you with all that is therein.”
39. Ibn Mahbub has narrated from ‘Abdallah ibn Sinan who has said the following. “I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘O Lord, grant blessings up on Muhammad, Your chosen one, Your friend and Your selected one who manages Your affairs.”
1. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Barqi from Ja‘far ibn al-Muthanna al-Khatib who has said the following. “I was in Madina when the roof over the grave of the Holy Prophet (s.a) had crumbled down and the workers were climbing up and down (for repairs). We were a group and said to our people, “Who has an appointment with abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.)?” Mihran ibn abu Nasr said, “I have an appointment with the Imam (a.s.).” ’Isma‘il ibn ‘Ammar al-Sayrafi said, “I have an appointment with the Imam (a.s.).” I said to them, “Ask the Imam (a.s.) if it is permissible to climb up and look on to the grave of the Holy Prophet (s.a).” Next day we met them and we all came together. ’Isma‘il said, “We asked your question and he said this. “I do not like anyone to climb over him and I do not feel safe for anyone whose eye sight may go away because of catching sight of something that cause him such loss or see him standing in prayer or see him with anyone of his wives.”
Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) was born thirty years after the year of elephant. He was martyred in month of Ramadan twenty first Sunday night in the year fortieth after Hijra (migration). He was sixty three years at that time. He lived for thirty years after the death of the Holy Prophet (s.a). His mother was Fatima daughter of Asad Ibrahimn Hashim ibn ‘Abd Manaf. He was the first person whose both parents belonged to Hashim.
1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Farisiy from abu Hanifa Muhammad ibn Yahya from al-Walid ibn Aban from Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah ibn Muskan from who has said the following. “Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Once Fatima, daughter of Asad came to abu Talib with the glad news of the birth of the Holy Prophet (s.a). Abu Talib said, “Wait for a sabt then I will give a similar glad news except prophet-hood.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “A sabt is thirty years. Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) was born thirty years after the birth of the Holy Prophet (s.a).”
2. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah has narrated from al-Sayyariy from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from certain persons of our people from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Fatima, mother of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) was the first woman who has said the following. migrated to the Messenger of Allah from Makka to Madina on foot. She was the most kind person to the Messenger of Allah She heard the Messenger of Allah say, “On the Day of Judgment people will be raised naked as they were born.” She said, “My goodness, what a shame!” The Messenger of Allah then said, “I will pray to Allah to resurrect you all dressed up.” She heard him speak of the constraint in the grave.” She then said, “ Alas! How pitiful is my weakness!” the Messenger of Allah said, “I will pray to Allah to make it easy for you.”
3. Certain persons of our people have narrated from those he mentioned from ibn Mahbub from ‘Umar ibn Aban al-Kalbi from al-Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar who has said the following. “I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘When the Messenger of Allah was born the whiteness (houses) of the Persian kingdom and the palaces of Sham (Syria) was shown to Amina, his mother, openly (conquered). Fatima daughter of Asad, mother of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) came to abu Talib laughing with glad news and explained to him what Amina had said. Abu Talib said to her, “Has it surprised you so much? You will conceive a child who will be the executor of the will and the vizier of this new born.”
4. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Barqi from Ahmad ibn Zayd al-Naysaburi who has said that narrated to me ‘Umar ibn Ibrahim al-Hashimi from ‘Abd al-Malik ibn ‘Umar from ’Asid ibn Safwan the companion of the Messenger of Allah who has said the following. “On the day that Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) passed away the place shock as people wept and cried and they were frightened like al-Thaqafi day the Holy Prophet (s.a) passed away. A man came weeping who seemed in a hurry and saying the words of the Holy Quran, “We are the servants of God and to Him we shall all return.” (2:156) He continued, “Today the government as succession of that of the Holy Prophet (s.a) is discontinued.” He stood at the door of the house in which Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) was and said, “May Allah grant you blessing, O abu al-Hassan. You were the first in the nation who accepted Islam and were of the purest faith among them. You were of the most solid certainty and feared Allah the most among them. The degree of your hard work (for the cause of Allah) was the greatest and you were the most cautious in protecting the Messenger of Allah among them. You were the most trusted in the affairs of his companions and of the most distinguished in excellence, of the most honorable past credentials, of the highest degree of virtue and the closest as relatives to the Messenger of Allah among them. You were the most similar among them to him (the Messenger of Allah) in the matters of providing guidance, moral discipline, mannerism and deeds. You were the most precious to him (the Messenger of Allah) among them, in value and the most honorable to him among them. May Allah grant you good rewards on behalf of Islam, His Messenger and the Muslims. You exercised strength when his (the Messenger of Allah’s) companions became weak. You would come out (to face the enemy) when they showed humiliation, you rose up whenever showed laziness. You maintained steadfastness in adherence to the system of the Messenger of Allah whenever his companions attended othewise. You, indeed, were his undisputed successor and you did not cause strife 9in the community) despite the mischief of the hypocrites, of the anger of the unbelievers, the dislike of the jealous ones, and lowliness of the transgressors. You stood firm for the truth when they failed, spoke clearly when they became speechless, marched forwards in the light of Allah and they halted and if they followed you they found the right guidance. You were the softest in tone and of the highest degree of prayer among them, of the smallest amount of speech and of the most correct and valid statements. You were of the greatest ideas, of the bravest heart, of the most solid certainty, of the best of deeds and the most knowledgeable of the issues among them. You, by Allah, were the lead figure in religion at first and at last. You were the first when people digressed in chaos and the last when they failed. Your as a kind father to the believers as they become dependent up on you and you bore such burdens that others felt much weak to carry. Your protected what they had lost and guarded what they had ignored. You tightened your belt when they accumulated (wealth with greed), you rose high when they despaired (in humiliation). You exercised patience when they rushed and you achieved what they had never dreamed to achieve and through you they gained what they had never expected to gain. You were as pouring calamity and disaster up on the unbelievers and the fortress and support for the believers. You were invented for the task of Leadership with Divine Authority with its blessing and you succeeded to achieve its awards, established its prerequisite and left with its distinctions. Your evidence in support your divine Authority never last its sharp edge and your heart never wavered, your intelligence never weakened, your soul did not falter or become frightened. You were like a mountain that strong winds could not move. It is just as the Holy Prophet (s.a) has said, “People lived secure in your company and their property well preserved in your hands.” You were just as the Holy Prophet (s.a) has said, “Physically weak but very strong to support the cause of Allah, of a very humble soul, but very great in the sight of Allah, the chief on earth and majestic in the sight of the believers. No one could ever find faults with you or advance criticism. No one could ever involve you in corruption. You never showed anyone (corrupt) compliance. The weak and feeble to you were strong popular until you would restore their rights and the powerful and popular were weak and feeble to you until you would make to yield to others rights. People of close relation or otherwise were all equal to you in such cases. You aimed the truth, the true and kindness. Your words were law and final and your commands were based on forbearance and determination your view was knowledge and the final decision in what you would do. The system is established, the pitfalls are routed, the fires (of mischief) are extinguished, religious issues are balanced and through you Islam has become strong. The guidance of Allah has become manifest even though the unbelievers dislike. Islam, the through you, and the believers are strengthened. You have raced (for Divine excellence) a long race and cause a great deal of weariness to those behind you. Losing you can never be compensated with weeping and your death is a great issue in heavens and it has threatened the people (with emergence of chaos). “We are the servants of God and to Him we shall all return.” (2:156) We accept the decision of Allah and submit to His commands. By Allah, the Muslims will never find any one like you. You were a fortress and the stronghold like a heavy mountain and the intense anger for the unbelievers. May Allah join you with His Holy Prophet (s.a). May Allah not deprive us of your rewards and keep us safe against mis-guidance after you. People remained silent until he finished his words. He wept and the companions of the Messenger of Allah wept. Thereafter, they searched for him but he was nowhere to be found.”
5. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Safwan al-Jammal who has said the following. “Once I , ‘Amir and ‘Abdallah ibn Jiza‘Abdallah al-’Azdi were in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). The narrator has said that ‘Amir said to The Imam (a.s.), May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, people think that Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) was buried in al-Rahba (and open space near the mosque of Kufa).” The Imam (a.s.) said, “No, he was not buried there.” He then asked, “Where is he buried?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “When he dies al-Hassan (a.s.) carried him towards behind Kufa near al-Najaf, towards the right of al-Ghari and the left of al-Hira. He buried him among the small dunes of white sands.” Later on I went to the place and I thought of one place as being it. I then returned and informed The Imam (a.s.) about it. The Imam (a.s.) said, “You found it three times. May grant you blessing.”
6. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from ibn abu ‘Umayr from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from ‘Abdallah ibn Sinan who has said the following. “Once ‘Umar ibn yazid came to me and said, “Ride with us and rode with them and went until we came to the house of Hafs al-Kunasi. He took him also with us and we continued the journey until we arrived at al-Ghari and to the grave. He said, “dismount, this is the grave of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.).” We asked him, “How did you find out?” He said, “I have come here several times with abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) when he was in al-Hira and he told me that this is his (Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) grave.”
7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Salma ibn al-Khattab from ‘Abdallah ibn Muhammad from ‘Abdallah ibn al-Qasim from ‘Isa Shalqan who has said the following. “I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) has maternal uncles in tribe of descendant of Makhdhum and a young man from them came to him (Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) and said, “Uncle, my brother has died and I am very sad because of his death.” The narrator has said that he asked him, “Do you want to see him?” He said, “Yes, I want to see him.” He said, “show me his grave.” The narrator has said that he (Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) came out with him with the gown of the Messenger of Allah on him and when he reach the grave he moved his lips and knocked his grave with hid foot and he came of his grave speaking in Persian language. Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) asked, “Did you not die as a Arab man?” He said, “ Yes, but we died in the tradition of so and so son of so and so then our language changed.”
8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Ali ibn mmd from Sahl ibn Ziyad all from kbn Mahbub from abu Hamza from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “When Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) passed away, al-Hassan ibn Ali stoop up in the Mosque if Kufa. He praises Allah and spoke of His Glory prayed to Allah to grant blessings up on the Holy Prophet (s.a) and then he said this. People tonight a man has passed away the like whom can not be found in previous and the coming generations. He was the standard bearer of the Messenger of Allah, with Jibril on his right micha’il on his left. He would not turn back until Allah would grant him victory. All that he has left of the worldly belongings is a seven hundred Dirham extra from his gifts with which he wanted to buy ( hire) a servant for his household. By Allah, he died during a night in which the executor of the will of Musa (Moses) Yusha‘ ibn Nun had passed away, the night in which Jesus son of Mary was taken to heavens and the night in which the Holy Quran was revealed.”
Sahih· al-Majlisi
لم يخرجه· al-Behbudi
Sunni collections: text from the open hadith-api dataset. Al-Kafi: Arabic text, Muhammad Sarwar's translation and gradings from Thaqalayn.net via the Thaqalayn API. Hadith numbering follows those editions and can differ from a printed copy — check the Arabic against a trusted edition before relying on a reference.
