This is part 9 of 21 of “The Book of Divine Authority (al-Hujja)”, book 5 of Al-Kafi — Hadith 828–877. 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.
2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Mu‘ammar ibn Khallad who has said the following. “I heard (abu al-Hassan) al-Rida who said something (leadership with Divine Authority) and then said, “I do not think you need what I just said. This is abu Ja‘far (a.s.). I have placed him in my own place to assume my position. We are of the family Ahl al-Bayt whose younger ones inherit from elder everything exactly measure to measure.”
3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from his father, Muhammad ibn ‘Isa who has said the following. “Once I went to see abu Ja‘far al-Thani’s (a.s.). He debated me in several issues. He then said, “O abu Ali, there is no (reason for) doubt; I am the only son that my father had.”
4. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ja’far ibn Yahya from Malik ibn Ashyam from al-Husayn ibn Bashshar who has said the following. “Ibn Qiyaman wrote a letter to abu al-Hassan (a.s.) in which he had said the following. ‘How can you be an Imam when you do not have a son?” Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) replied him with signs of anger, “How do you know that I will not have a son? By Allah, not many days and nights will pass before Allah will grant me a male child through who He will make the truth distinct from falsehood.”
5. One of our people has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from Mu‘awiya ibn Hakim from ibn abu Basir who has said the following. “Al-Najashi once asked me, “Who will be the Imam after your master? I wish you ask him so I will know.” I then went to see Ali al-Rida (a.s.) and informed him (of al-Najashi’s wish).” The narrator has said that the Imam said, “The Imam will be my son.” Then he said, “Can any one say that my son will be the Imam when he has no son?”
6. Ahmad ibn Mihran has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from Mu‘ammar ibn Khallad who has said the following. “Once in the presence of abu al-Hassan (a.s.) we spoke about an issue, Imamat, (Leadership with Divine Authority). It was after the birth oof abu Ja‘far (a.s.). The Imam (a.s.) said, “You do not need any such thing (thinking who the Imam will be). This is abu Ja‘far (a.s.). I have placed him in my own place and made him to assume my position.”
7. Ahmad has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from ibn Qiyama al-Wasiti who has said the following. “Once I went to see Ali ibn Musa (a.s.). (During the meeting) I asked him, “Can there be two Imams?” He replied, “No, but that one of them must remain silent.” I then said to him, “This applies to you. You are the Imam and there is no silent Imam with you.” At that time his son abu Ja‘far was not yet born. He said to me, “By Allah, Allah will make an Imam from me to establish the truth and the people of truth and banish falsehood and the people of falsehood. One year thereafter abu Ja‘far (a.s.) was born. Ibn Qiyama belonged to the Waqifi sect.”
8. Ahmad has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali From al-Hassan ibn al-Jahm who has said the following. “Once I was in the presence of abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He called his son who was a small (boy). The Imams (a.s.) placed him in my lap and said to me. “ Move his shirt aside.” When I did so. The Imams (a.s.) said, “Look in between his shoulders.” I look and I found in the skin of one shoulder something like an imprint of a seal.” The Imams (a.s.) then asked, “Do you see this.? Similar to this there was one in the shoulder of my father.”
9. It is narrated from him (Ahmad ibn Mihran) from Muhammad ibn Ali from abu Yahya al-San‘ani who has said the following. “Once I was in of abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) Someone brought his son, Ja’far (a.s.) to him and he was a small (child). The Imams (a.s.) said, “This new born is one the like of whom with such great holiness and blessing has not been born for our Shi‘a (followers).”
10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Safwan ibn Yahya who has said the following. “Once I said to al-Rida (a.s.), before Allah’s granting you the blessing of the birth of abu Ja’far (a.s.) we would ask you and you would say, “Allah will grant me a son and He has granted you one. His birth is the delight of our eyes. May Allah spare us from showing your (sad) day. However, if something will happen to who then (will leadership with Divine Authority) will go?” The Imam (a.s.) pointed out with his hand towards abu Ja’far (a.s.) and he was standing before him. I then asked, “ May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, a child of three years?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “That will be of no harm to him. Jesus rose with Divine authority when he was a three years old child.”
11. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Mu‘mmar ibn Khallad who has said the following. “I heard ’Isma‘il ibn Ibrahim say to al-rida (a.s.), ‘My son feels heaviness in his tongue. I intend to sent him tomorrow to you. Pass you your hand over his head and pray for him. He is your Mawla (slave).’” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He is a Mawla (slave) of abu Ja’far (a.s.). send him tomorrow to him (abu Ja‘far (a.s.).”
12. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Nahdi from Muhammad ibn Khallad al.-Sayqal from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following. “Once I was in a meeting with Ali ibn Ja‘far ibn Muhammad in Madina, - I stayed with him for two years to write from him what he would hear from his brother, abu al-Hassan (a.s.),- at such time abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) came in the mosque, the mosque of the Messenger of Allah. Ali ibn Ja‘far rushed towards him bare foot and without his gown. He kissed his hand and showed great respect for him. Abu Ja‘far said to him, “Uncle, please sit down, may Allah grant you well being.” He said, “My master, how can I sit when you are standing.” When Ali ibn Ja‘far returned to his place his companions began to blame him saying, “You are the uncle of his father, how can you act as such before him?” He said to them, “Be quite, When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, has not qualified this beard –holding his beard in his hand- but has qualified this young man and has given him such position, should I deny his excellence and virtue? I seek refuge before Allah from what you say. In fact, I am a servant for him.”
13. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from al-Khayrani, from his father who has said the following. “Once I was standing before abu al-Hassan (a.s.) in Khurasan and someone said tp him, “O my master, if something will happen to who (will go Leadership with Divine Authority)?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It will go to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), my son.” The person asking the question thought of abu Ja‘far (a.s.) as very young for such task. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) said, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, sent Jesus, son of Mary as a messenger prophet, the owner of a whole legal system. He began his task when he was smaller in age than abu Ja‘far (a.s.).”
14. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and Ali ibn Muhammad al-Qasani from Zakariyya ibn Yahya ibn al-Nu‘man al-Sayrafi who has said the following. “I heard Ali ibn Ja‘far speaking to al-Hassan ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn as, “By Allah, Allah has supported abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.).” Al-Hassan then said, “Yes, by Allah, may Allah take my souls in service for your cause, his brothers have rebelled against him.” Ali ibn Ja‘far then said, “Yes, by Allah, and we, his uncles, rebelled against him.” Al-Hassan said to him, “May Allah take my souls in service for your cause, how did you dealt it, I was not present with you.” He said, “His brothers said to him and so did we, “there has never been a blackish Imam from us” The Imam (a.s.) al-Rida said to them, “He is my son.” They said,” Messenger of Allah did judge on the basis of physiognomy , thus, we can also have a judgment on the basis of physiognomy .” The Imam (a.s.) said, “You may call one who has said the following knows physiognomy but I will not do so. You should not give information as to for what reason you have called them. You must stay home. When they will come, we should, all of us, be in the garden. His uncles, brothers and sisters should all line up. They dressed al-Rida (a.s.) in a gown made of wool with a hat of wool on his head and a shovel in his hand. The Imam should be asked to act as the gardener in the garden. Then abu Ja‘far should be brought in and they should be asked to find his father in the people present. They said, “His father is not present among these people, but this is his uncle, this is the uncle of his father, this is his uncle and this is his aunt. If his father is here he is the gardener because his foot print and his foot print matCh” When abu al-Hassan (a.s.) returned, they said, “This is his father.” Ali ibn Ja‘far has said, “I stood up and kissed abu Ja‘far and his saliva came in my mouth. Then I said, “I testify that you are my Imam before Allah. Al-Rida (a.s.) wept and said, “O uncle, did not hear my father say, “The Messenger of Allah has said, “May Allah take my souls and the souls of my father in service for the cause of the son of the best slave girl, the son of al-Nawbiya (a town in Sudan) lady with a fresh smelling mouth, the lady of who will give birth to a purified one. May Allah condemn the ’U‘aybiss (the ‘Abbassides) and their descendents, the mischief makers who murder them (the Imams) for years, months and days, cause them huge sufferings and cause them to endure bitter frustrations. He (abu Ja‘far (a.s.) he live exiled, away from home and suffering the pain of the murder of his father and grandfather. One who is has disappeared (from the eyes of his loved ones). About whom it will be said, “His is dead or perished. No one will in which valleys he will travel. Can such a person, O uncle, be anyone other than my own son?” I then said, “You have spoken the truth, may Allah take my souls in service for your cause.”
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father that ’Isma‘il ibn Mihran who has said the following. “When abu Ja‘far (a.s.) left Madina for Baghdad the first time of his two journeys on his leaving I said to him, “May Allah take my souls in service for your cause, I am afraid about you in this condition. To who, after you, will belong the task (Leadership with Divine Authority)?” He turned to me laughing and said, “The disappearance, as have thought, will not take place this year. When he was about to be taken to al-Mu‘tasam (179/795 —became caliph 218/833 — 227/841), for the second time I went to him and said, “May Allah take my souls in service for your cause. You are leaving. To who, after you, will go this task Leadership with Divine Authority)?” He wept until his beard become soaked. He then turned to me and said, “This time you should be afraid about my life. The task (Leadership with Divine Authority) after me will go to my son Ali (a.s.).”
2. Al -Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from al -Khayrani who has narrated from his father the following. “My father was to watch the door of the house of abu Ja‘far (a.s.) to serve the task for which he was assigned. Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa would come every day at dawn for information about the health of abu Ja‘far (a.s.). There was a messenger that would come and go between abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and my father. When he (the messenger) would come Ahmad would leave and my father would remain with him privately. One night I went out and Ahmad also left the meeting and my father remained in privacy with the messenger. Ahmad, however, wlaked around the meeting place as such that could hear the conversation. The messenger said to my father, “You master sends you greetings and says to you, “I am leaving and the task ((Leadership with Divine Authority) goes to my son, Ali (a.s.). His rights up on you after me will be as much as my rights up on you after my father.” The messenger then left and Ahmad came back to his place and said to my father, “What did he say to you?” My father said, “He said good.” Ahmad said, “I heard what he just said to you. Why do hide it?” He then stated all that he had heard. My father said to him, “Allah has made unlawful for you what you just did, because Allah, the Most High, has said, “Do not spy. .” (49 :12) However, you must bear this testimony, perhaps we my need it one day but you must not make it public until the proper time. In the morning my father wrote dawn the text of the message in ten, sealed and sent them to the leaders of the community. He said to them, “If my death may take place before I will ask you for this message you may open it to learn about it.” When abu Ja‘far (a.s.) left this world, my father has mentioned that he did not come out of his home until about four hundred people had faith expressed their faith with certainty in the abu al-Hassan, Ali ibn Muhammad (a.s.) as their Imam (Leader with Divine Authority). The leaders in the community gathered together in the house of Muhammad ibn al-Faraj consulting each other about this task (Leadership with Divine Authority). Muhammad ibn al-Faraj then wrote to my father to inform him of the gathering with him. He had said that had it not been for fear of publicity he would personally come to my father and ask him to join (them). My father rode and went to him. He found the community gathered at his place and they said to my father, “What do you say about this issue (Leadership with Divine Authority)?” My father those to whom he had sent a copy of the text of the message to bring them. They were brought and he said, “This is what I was commanded to do.” Some of them then said, “We would have loved if you would have asked another person also to bear witness and testimony to this fact.” He then said, “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious, has, in fact, brought for you such witness. This is abu Ja‘far al-Asha‘ari can testify to my hearing this message.” He asked him to testify but Ahmad denied his hearing the message as suCh My father then asked him for a mubahala (disputing party’s asking Allah to condemn the untrue party). He has said that when the case was proved against Ahmad he then said, “Yes, I did hear the message and it is an honor. I loved that it should go to a Arab man not to a none Arab person. Up on this the people there acknowledged the truth altogether.” In the copy of al-Safwan the above Hadith is recorded as follows:
3. Muhammad ibn Ja‘far al-Kufi has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa ibn ‘Ubayd from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al-Wasiti who has said the following “I heard Ahmad ibn abu Khalid, stating that he (The Imam (a.s.) had appointed him as witness to bear testimony to this documented will in the following words. “Ahmad ibn abu Khalid, the slave of abu Ja‘far, bears testimony that abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja‘far ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) is asked to bear testimony. Testimony to the fact that he has appointed his son, Ali, the executor of his directive wills about himself and bout his sisters. He has placed the affairs of Musa in his charge when he would attain maturity. He has appointed ‘Abdallah ibn al-Musawir as the over seer to his legacy, his estate, property, expenditures and slaves etc., until Ali ibn Muhammad will reach the age of maturity. At such time ‘Abdallah ibn al-Musawir will transfer the overseeing position to him (Ali ibn Muhammad (a.s.)). He thereafter will take charge of his own affairs and sister. The management of the affairs of Musa will also be left to him. Musa will take charge of his own affairs after the two (overseers) according to the conditions set forth by the father of the two of them in the matters his charitable charities. This has been documented on Sunday 3rd dhu al-Hijja, in the year two hundred twenty. Ahmad ibn abu Khalid has transcribed his own testimony with his own hand writing. He has asked al-Hassan ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah ibn al-Hassan ibn ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.). He is also known as al-Jawani has a testimony just like the testimony of Ahmad ibn abu Khalid at the beginning of this document. He als has written his testimony with his own hand and the witness to bear testimony in the document is Nasr, the servant and he has written his bearing testimony with his own hand.”
1. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Nahdi from Yahya ibn Yasar al-Qanbar who has said the following. “Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) prepared his directive will to his son, al-Hassan four months before his leaving this world. He appointed me to bear testimony to his will as well as a group of the follower friends.”
2. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Kufi from Bashshar ibn Ahmad al-Basri from Ali ibn ‘Umar al-Nawfali who has said the following. “Once I was with abu al-Hassan in the compound of his house and at that time his son, Muhammad passed by. I said to him, “may Allah take my souls in service for your cause, will he be our master, Imam, after you?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “ No, your master, Imam, after me will be al-Hassan (a.s.).” * This abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Ali, is the eldest son of the Imam al-Hadi (a.s.).He died before his father (230/845 - 252/866). His shrine is near Balad which is near Baghdad, and the place is now known as al-Sayyid Muhammad. In the following ahadith his name is frequently mentioned.
3. From him has narrated from Bashshar ibn Ahmad from ‘Abdallah ibn Muhammad al-Isfahani who has said the following. “Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) said, “Your master (Imam) after me will be the one who will perform prayer for me (prayer for burial).” The narrator has said that we did not know abu Muhammad (a.s.) before this. Abu Muhammad came out and prayed (for his burial).”
4. From him who has narrated from Musa ibn Ja‘far ibn Wahab from Ali ibn Ja‘far who has said the following. “I was present with abu al-Hassan (a.s.) when his son Muhammad died. The Imam (a.s.) said this to (his son) al-Hassan (a.s.), “Son renew your thanks to Allah because He has just granted you the matter (Leadership with Divine Authority).”
5. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah ibn Marwan al-Anbari who has said the following. “I was present at the time of abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Ali’s (leaving this world). Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) came and a chair was set for him. He sat on it and his family around him. Abu Muhammad was standing on one side. When he was free from the matters about abu Ja‘far he then turned to abu Muhammad (a.s.) and said, “My son, renew thanks to Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, because He has just granted you a task (Leadership with Divine Authority).”
6. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Qalanisi from Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn ‘Amr from Ali ibn Mahziyar who has said the following. “Once I said abu al-Hassan (a.s.), “If something will happen-I seek refuge before Allah – to who then will go (Leadership with Divine Authority)?” He said, “My covenant (directive will) is for the eldest of my sons.”
7. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from abu Muhammad al-Asbarqiniy from Ali ibn ‘Amr al-‘Attar who has said the following. “Once I went to see al-Hassan al-‘Askari (a.s.) when his son abu Ja‘far (Muhammad ) was still alive and I thought he will be the Imam after his father. I then asked the Imam (a.s.), “May Allah take my souls in service for your cause, which of your sons I will consider (my Imam)?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “do not consider any of them (your Imam) until my command will come to you.” The narrator has said, “I wrote to him afterwards asking, ‘To who will go this task (Leadership with Divine Authority)” The narrator has said, “He wrote to me, “(It will go) to my eldest son.” The narrator has said, “Abu Muhammad (a.s.) was older then abu Ja‘far.”
8. Muhammad ibn Yahya and others have narrated from Sa‘id ibn ‘Abdallah from a group of banu Hashim, among whom was al-Hassan ibn al-Hassan al-Aftas, the following. “They were present on the day Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Muhammad, at the door of abu al-Hassan to offer condolences. A place in the compound of his house was prepared for him and people were sitting around him. They said, “We estimated that at that time from the descendents of abu Talib, Hashim and Quraysh there were about fifty men besides his slaves and other people. At such time he look at al-Hassan ibn Ali coming and the front of his shirt was torn. He stood at the right of his father and we did not know him. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) looked at him after a while and said, “My son, renew your thanks to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, because He has granted you a new task (Leadership with Divine Authority).” The young man wept, praised Allah, and said, “We are for Allah and to Him we shall return. He then said, “All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds. I pray to Allah for completion the blessings for us in you. “We are for Allah and to Him we shall return.” We asked about him and it was said that he was al-Hassan, the son of the Imam. We estimated his age at that time around twenty years or more. On that day we learned and came to know that he had tacitly made a statement about the succeeding Imam and (the Leader with Divine Authority).”
9. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ishaq ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Yahya ibn Daryab who has said the following. “I went to see abu al-Hassan (a.s.) after the death of abu Ja‘far and offered condolences for this reason. Abu Muhammad (a.s.) was also present. He wept and abu al-Hassan (a.s.) turned to him and said, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has made you to succeed (the Imam) instead of him. You must thanks Allah.”
10. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ishaq ibn Muhammad from abu Hashim al-Ja‘fari who has said the following. “I was in the presence of abu al-Hassan (a.s.) after the death of his son, abu Ja‘far. I thought to my self like wanting to say, “The two; abu Ja‘far and abu Muhammad at this time are like abu al-Hassan Musa and ’Isma‘il, the sons of Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a.s.).” At such time abu al-Hassan turned to me before I would say anything and said, “Yes, O abu Hashim, Allah applied Bada’ (a change in the current natural conditions) in the case of abu Muhammad after abu Ja‘far, a fact that was not known for him. In the same He applied Bada’ in the case of Musa after the death of ’Isma‘il as an issue that through which his condition came to light. That is what you thought to yourself. Even though people of falsehood may dislike, abu Muhammad, my son will be the succeeding Imam after me. With him is the knowledge that he will need and with him is the means of Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority).”
11. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ishaq ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Yahya ibn Daryab from abu Bakr al-Fahfaki who has said the following. “He wrote to me as herein below. “My son, abu Muhammad instinctively is the most considerate in the family of Muhammad (s.a). He possesses the strongest authoritative supporting evidence above them and he is the eldest of my sons. He is the succeeding Imam and to him go the rings of Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority) and its rules. Whatever you wanted to ask me ask it from him. With him is whatever he may need.”
12. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ishaq ibn Muhammad from Shahwayh ibn ‘Abdallah al-Jallab who has said the following. “Abu al-Hassan wrote to me in a letter as herein below. “You wanted to ask about the succeeding Imam after (the death) of abu Ja‘far and you were anxious about it. Do not feel sad; “God does not misguide a nation after having given them guidance until the means of piety are made known to them. . .” (9:115) Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, does not neglect the people whom He has granted guidance to go astray until He clarifies for them the means with which they can maintain piety. You master (Imam) after me will be, my son, abu Muhammad (a.s.). With there is whatever you would need. Allah allows to precede whatever He wants and Allah allows to succeed whatever He wants. “For whatever sign We change or eliminate or cause to recede into oblivion, We bring forth a better sign, one that is identical.. .” (2:106). I have written enough convincing facts for the people of reason with awareness.”
13. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from the person he mentioned from Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-‘Alawi from Dawud ibn al-Qasim who has said the following. “I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘The succeeding (Imam) after me will be al-Hassan. How will your dealing be with the succeeding (Imam) of the succeeding (Imam)?” I then said, “Why will that be so, may Allah take my souls in service for your cause?” He said, “You will not see him in person. It will not lawful for you to pronounce his name.” I then asked, “How then will we speak of him?” He said, “Say, ‘The Divine Authority from the family of Muhammad (s.a).”
1. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Bilal who has said the following. “Two years before his leaving this world, abu Muhammad (a.s.)sent out information to me about the succeeding Imam after him. Just three days before his leaving this world he again sent out information to me about the succeeding Imam after him.”
2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Ishaq from abu Hashim al-Ja‘fari who has said the following. “I said to abu Muhammad (a.s.), ‘Your grace causes shyness to me to ask you questions. May I ask you a question?” He said, “Yes, you may ask.” I said, “My master, do you have a son?” He said, “Yes, I do have a son.” I then said, “If anything will happen to you, where would I ask him (about my religion)?” He replied, “Ask him in Madina.”
3. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Kufi from Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Makfuf from ‘Amr al-Ahwazi who has said the following. “Abu Muhammad (a.s.) showed me his son and said, “This will be your master (Leader with Divine Authority) after me.”
4. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Hamdan al-Qalanisi who has said the following. “The narrator has said, ‘I said to al-‘Amri, “Has abu Muhammad (a.s.) left this world?” He said, “He has left this world but has appointed for (a Leader with Divine Authority) whose neck is like this. He made a sign with his hand.” (The hand gesture was an indication of Imam’s good health or perhaps age). *1. Al-‘Amri was the first of the twelfth Imam’s representatives.
Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah who has said the following. “(A letter) came out from abu Muhammad (a.s.) when al-Zubayri, may Allah condemn him, was killed. It said, “This is the recompense for those who disregard Allah in the matters of the people whom He has appointed as His authority over the cratures. He thought he could murder me and I do not have a son. How did he experience the power of Allah in the matter. A boy was born to him and he named him M.H.M.D. in the year two hundred fifty six. (Abbreviation stands for the name of the Imam because of the prohibition to pronounce it in a complete word.).”
6. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from al-Husayn and Muhammad, the sons of Ali ibn Ibrahim from Muhammad ibn Ali ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman al-‘Abdi -from the tribe of ‘Abd Qays- from Daw’ ibn Ali al-‘Ijli from a man of the people of Fars whose name he mentioned and who has said the following. “I went to Samarra and devoted myself to the gate (of the house) of abu Muhammad (a.s.). The Imam (a.s.) called me. I went to him and offered greetings. He asked me, “ What brings you here?” The narrator has said that he said, “My wish to serve you has brought me here.” He then said, “(Help us) as a devoted (security guard) at the gate.)” The narrator has said that he then stayed at the gate with other servants. Once then he went to buy the needed items from the market. He would inter the house without formal permission when man were in the house. The narrator has said, “One day I interred the house and he (The Imam (a.s.) was in the men’s quarters. I heard some movement in the house and the Imam (a.s.) said to me, “Stay wherever you are and do not move.” I felt shy of going both inside and outside. A maiden came out to me with something under a cover with her. Then the Imam (a.s.) called me to come in. I went inside. He called the maiden and she came back to him. He said to her, “Remove the covering from (the face of) who is you. She removed the cover from the face of a white a complexion beautiful boy. The Imam (a.s.) then removed the covering further aside. There was greenish black hair between his neck and belly. The Imam (a.s.) said, “This is you master (Leader with Divine Authority). Then he ordered her to take him and she obeyed. Ever since I did not see him until abu Muhammad (a.s.) left this world.”
1. Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah and Muhammad ibn Yahya, all have narrated from ‘Abdallah ibn Ja‘far al-Himyari who has said the following. “I and shaykh abu ‘Amr, may Allah grant him blessings met each other before Ahmad ibn Ishaq. Ahmad ibn Ishaq made an eye gesture to me to ask him about the succeeding Imam. I said to him, “O abu ‘Amr, I like to ask you a question about a matter, although, I do not any doubts in the question I am about to ask. It is my belief and religion that the earth is not left without a Leadership with Divine Authority except if would be just before the coming of the Day of Judgment by forty days because in such a period Leadership with Divine Authority will take away. The door to repentance will be closed. No soul will benefit from the faith with which it has not achieved any good deeds. “. . the belief of any soul will be of no avail to it unless some good deeds have been done with it, or it has been formed before the coming of such a day. .” (6:158) Such people would be of the evil creatures of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, and it is these people on whom the Day of Judgment will be established. However, I wanted to strengthen my faith further just as Abrahm (a.s.) asked his Lord, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, to show him how would He will bring the dead to life again. He said, “When Abraham prayed, “Lord, show me how you bring the dead back to life,” the Lord said, “Do you not yet believe?” Abraham replied, “I believe but want more confidence for my heart.. .” (2:260) Abu Ali Ahmad ibn Ishaq has inarrated to me from abu al-Hassan (a.s.) who has said that he asked the Imam (a.s.), “With who should I deal and ask questions about my faith and religion and whose words should I accept (after you)?” The Imam (a.s.) said to him, “Al-‘Amri is trustworthy to me. Whatever he will deliver to you is from me. From me he delivers. Whatever he would say is from me, from me he saays it. Listen to him and obey him because he is reliable and trustworthy. Abu Ali has said to me that he asked abu Muhammad (a.s.) a similar question and he said to him, “Al-‘Amri and his son are trustworthy people. Whatever they would deliver to you is from me from they deliover. Whatevet they say to you from they say it. Listen to them and obey them because they are trustworthy and reliable people. These are the words of the Imams spoken about you. Abu ‘Amr fell down on his face in prostration and wept. Then he said, “Ask what you need to ask.” I said, “Did you see the succeeding Imam (Leader with Divine Authority) after abu Muhammad (a.s.) ?” He said, “Yes, by Allah , his neck was like that-making a gesture with his hand.” I then said, “Onne more question is left.” He said, “Say, whaever is is it.” I said, “What is his (succeding Imam) name?” He said, “It is unlawful for you to ask about it. I do not say this because abu left this world without a surviving son. His legacy is distributed and is taken away by one who has no right in it. He is (that prson). His family is despersed and no one has the courage to learn about them or recieve any thing from them. When the name is mentioned search for him will take place. Have fear of Allah and abstain from it.” Al-Kulayni, may Allah grant his soul blessings, has said, “:A shaykh from our people narrated this to me – his name I have forgotten- that abu’Amr asked Ahmad ibn Ishaq a similar question and received a similar answer.”
2. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il ibn Musa ibn Ja‘far, the most senior (in his time) of the descendants of the Messenger of Allah, in Iraq has said the following. “I saw him (the twelfth Imam (a.s.)) between the two mosque while he was a boy.”
3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from al-Husayn ibn Rizqillah abu ‘Abdallah ‘Abdallah who has said the following. “Musa ibn Muhammad ibn al-Qasim ibn Hamzah ibn Musa ibn Ja‘far narrated to me that Hakima, the daughter of Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) and the paternal aunt of his (the twelfth’s) father, said to me that she had seen him on the night of his birth and afterwards.”
4. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Hamdan al-Qalanisi who has said the following. “I asked al-‘Amri, “Has abu Muhammad (a.s.) passed away?” He said, “Yes, he has passed away but has left behind among you a person (the succeeding Imam) whose neck is like this. He made a sign with his hand (meaning thereby good health and beauty).”
5. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Fath, Mawla (slave) of al-Zurari who has said the following. “I heard abu Ali ibn Mutahhar saying that has seen him (the twelfth Imam) and would describe his (Imam’s) figure.”
6. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn Shadhan ibn Nu‘aym from Ibrahim ibn ‘Abdahu al-Naysaburi’s house maid who has said the following. “I was standing with Ibrahim on al-Safa’ that he (the twelfth Imam) came and stood higher than Ibrahim, took his Hajj guide book and spoke to him about a number of things.”
7. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Ibrahim from abu ‘Abdallah ibn Salih who has said the following. “I saw him (the twelfth Imam) near the Black Stone while people were clinging over it. The Imam (a.s.) would say, “They are not commanded in this condition ( to kiss the Black Stone.”
8. Ali has narrated from abu Ali Ahmad ibn Ibrahim ibn Idris from his father who has said the following. “I saw him (the twelfth Imam) after the death of abu Muhammad (a.s.) when he had reached adolescence. I kissed his hand and head.”
9. Ali has narrated from abu ‘Abdallah ibn Salih and Ahmad ibn al-Nadr from al-Qanbari, one of the descendants of Qanbar al-Kabir (great), the slave of abuu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) who has said the following. “Once Ja‘far ibn Ali was mentioned and he reproached him. I said to him, “Well, there is no one (in his family) besides him. Have you seen him?” He said, “I have not seen him (the twelfth Imam) but other people have seen him.” I then asked, “Who has seen him?” He said, “Ja‘far has seen him twice and he has quite a story about it to tell.”
10. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from abu Muhammad al-Wajnani who has said the following. “He narrated to me from a person who had seen him (The Imam (a.s) in the words below. ‘He (the twelfth Imam) came out the house ten days before his father would leave this world and said, “O Lord, You know that this is the most lovely place to me, had there been no expulsion.” Or that he spoke a similar expression.”
11. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn Qays from one of the security men jalawiza, plural of jilwaz, from the (al-Sawad) rural area of Iraq who has said the following. “I saw Sima’(a man) soon after the death of abu Muhammad (a.s) in Surra man ra’a (a city in Iraq) who had just broken the door (of the tenth Imam (a.s.). He (the twelfth Imam) came out to him with an ax in his hand and said, “What are you doing to my house?” Sima said, “Ja‘far thinks that your father has passed away with leaving any son behind. If it is your house, I then get out.” He went out of the house. Ali ibn al-Qays has said, “A servant of the servants of the house came out to us and I asked about this new. He asked me, “Who has told you a such thing.?” I said, “A security man of rural area has told me.” He then said, “Almost nothing remains hidden from people.”
12. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Kufi from Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Makfuf from ‘Amr al-Ahwazi who has said the following. “Abu Muhammad (a.s.) showed him (the twelfth Imam (a.s.) to me and said, “This will be your master (Leader with Divine Authority).”
13. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Naysaburi from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah ibn Musa ibn Ja’far from abu Nasr Zarif, the servant (of abu Muhammad (a.s.) who has said that he saw him (the twelfth Imam (a.s.) .
14. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad and al-Hassan, two sons of Ali ibn Ibrahim narrated to him in the year two hundred seventy nine from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman al-‘Abdi from Daw’ ibn Ali al-‘Ijli from a man from the people of Fars whose name he mentioned has that abu Muhammad (a.s.) him (the twelfth Imam (a.s.) ) to him.
15. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from abu Ahmad ibn Rashid from one of the people of al-Mada’in who has said the following. “I and a friend of mine were in Makka to perform Hajj. When we arrived in ‘Arafat (a famous place) we found a young man sitting on the ground. He had a piece of clothe on him for the lower part of the body called ’Izar and another piece for the upper part of the body called Rida’ wearing on his feet a yellow footwear. I estimated the ’Izar and Rida’ for about a hundred and fifty Dinars. No sign of journey was visible on him. A beggar approached us and we turned him down. He then approached the young man and asked him for help. He picked up something from the ground and gave it to him. The beggar prayed for him. He assiduously prayed and prolonged it. The young man stood up and disappeared from our eyes. We went closer to the beggar and said, “Fie up on you! What did he gave you?” He showed us pebbles of gold with marks on them. We estimated them to value about twenty Mithqal (a certain unit of weight). I then said to my companion, “Our master was with us and we did not know.” We then went to searched him in the whole of station but we could not find him. We then asked every one around the area where we had seen him earlier, of the people of Makka and Madina and they said, “He is a ‘Alawi (descendent of Ali (a.s.) young man and he performs Hajj every year on foot.”
Majhul· 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.
