Ceci est la partie 18 sur 21 de « The Book of Divine Authority (al-Hujja) », livre 5 de Al-Kafi — Hadith 1 278–1 327. Le livre est suffisamment long pour être divisé en 21 pages afin que chacune se charge rapidement ; les parties se suivent dans l'ordre et sont liées au bas de la page.
6. Abu Ali al-Ash‘ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from Ja‘far ibn Muhammad ibn al-’Ash‘ath who said to me following. “Do you know the reason that we came in this matter (became Shi‘a) and recognized it even though there was no mention of it among us and we had no knowledge of what other people (Shi‘a) had?” The narrator has said that I asked him, “What then is the reason for it?” He said, “Abu Ja‘far, abu Dawaniq once said to abu Muhammad ibn al-‘Ash‘ath, ‘O Muhammad, I want a person of reason who has said the following. can represent me.” My father said, “I have found one for you. He is so and so ibn Muhajir, my maternal uncle.” He said, “bring him to me.” He has said that he brought him to abu Dawaniq. Abu Ja‘far, abu Dawaniq said, “O son of Muhajir, take this property to Madina and gave it to ‘Abdallah ibn al-Hassan ibn al-Hassan and a number of the people of his family among who is Ja‘far ibn Muhammad and say to them, “I am from Khrasan and an stranger in this area. One of your Shi‘a (followers) from Khurasan gave me this property to deliver to you. Then gave to each of them from the property with such and such conditions. When they take the property than ask them for a receipt our people has narrated who for the amount and kind of the property you have received.” He then took the property and went to Madina and came back to abu Dawaniq when Muhammad ibn al-’Ash‘th was also present. Abu Daqwaniq asked, “What did you leave behind?” He said, “I met the people and this is the receipt in their hand writings for what they received accept Ja‘far ibn Muhammad. I went to see him when he was praying in the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah. I sat behind him t wait until he would finish and then I would give him the message as I had done with the others. He hurried up and finished and then turned to me and said, “O you, have fear of Allah and do not deceive Ahl al-Bayt (family members) of Muhammad (s.a). They have just experienced the government of the sons of Marwan and they all are needy.” I then asked, “What are you talking about, may Allah grand you well beeing?” He said, “Then he brought his head closer to me and told me about all that had passed between me and you as if he has the third person with us.” He has said that abu Ja‘far, al-Dawaniq said, “O ibn Muhajir take notice and pay attention that there has never been the family of a prophet without a Muhaddath (a person to whom angels would speak) among them. Today the Muhaddath among us is Ja‘far ibn Muhammad.” This was the reason for our receiving guidance and acceptance of this matter and faith.”
7. Sa‘d ibn ‘Abdallah and ‘Abdallah ibn Ja‘far all have narrated from Ibrahim ibn Mahziyar from his brother Ali Mahziyar from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ibn Muskan from abu Basir who has said the following. “Abu ‘Abdallah, Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a.s.) passed away at the age of fifty bsix in the year one hundred forty eight AH. He lived after abu Ja‘far (a.s.), his father for forty three years.”
8. Sa‘d ibn ‘Abdallah has narrated from abu Ja‘far ibn ‘Umar ibn Sa‘id from Yunus ibn ya‘qub from abu al-Hassan, the first (a.s.) who has said the following. “I shrouded my father with two pieces of winter clothes that he had used as the clothe for Ihram (special clothes used during performing Hajj). Also a shirt of his shirts and the ‘Amama (turban) that belonged to Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) and a gown that he had bought for forty Dinars were used.”
Abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) was born in Abwa’ in the year one hundred twenty eight AH. Certain historians have said that it to be the year one hundred twenty six. He passed away on the sixth of the month of Rajab in the year one hundred eighty six at the age of fifty four of fifty five in Baghdad in the prison of al-Sindi ibn Shahik. Haarun has summoned him from Madina on twentieth of the month of Shawwal in the year one hundred seventy nine. Harun went to Madina on his way back from ‘Umra (pilgrimage to Makka) in the month of Ramadan. Thereafter Harum went for hHajj and took abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.) with him to Baghdad. He then imprisoned him in the control of al-Sindi ibn Shahik and in his prison he (a.s.) died. He was buried in Baghdad ingrave yard of Quraysh. His mother was ’Umm walad, called Hamida.”
1. al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Sindi al-Qummi who has said that narrated to us ‘Isa ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman from his father the following. “Once ibn al-‘Ukkasha ibn Muhsin al-Asadi went to see abu Ja‘far and abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) was present with him. Grapes were offered to him. The Imam (a.s.) said, “The old man and the small boy eat grasps one piece at a time and one who is anxious for filling himself up eats several pieces at a time but you should take two pieces at a time because it is mustahab (preferable) to do so.” He then asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), “Why do you not arrange a marriage for abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has grown up already?” He has said that before abu Ja‘far (a.s.) there was a bag filled with money and he said, “Very soon traders will come from Barbar and find accommodation in the house of Maymun and with the money in this bag we will buy for him a slave girl.” The narrator has said that time went by and one day we went to see abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and he said, “Do you want me to tell you about the traders of whom I spoke to you a few days ago? He has just arrived. Go and with the money in this bag buy a slave girl from him.” The narrator has said, “We went to the trader but he had sold all of his slave girls accept two of them who were ill and one of them was more beautiful than the other. We said that we would like to see them. Then we saw them and asked as to for how much he would sell the more beautiful one.” He said, “Seventy Dinars is the price.” We asked him to reduce the price but he said that he will not accept anything less than seventy Dinars. We then said, “We will give all the money that is in the bag but we do not know how much is in it.” There was a man with gray hair and beard who, said, “Open the bag and weigh it.” The trader said, “Do not open because if it would be less then seventy Dinars I will not accept.” The old man said, “Come close and we went closer and opened the bag and weighed the Dinars in it and there were exactly seventy Dinars no more and no less. We brought the slave girl to abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and Ja‘far (a.s.) was also there. We informed abu Ja‘far (a.s.) of the whole story and he offered thanks to Allah and praised Him and then he asked the girl, “What is your name?” She said, “My name is Humayda.” He said, “You are Humayda in this world and a praised one in the next life. Tell me more, “Are you virgin or not virgin?” She said, “I am virgin.” He said, “How can that be true? The traders corrupt whatever may come in their hands.” She said, “He would come to me and would sit next to me just as man and woman would do but Allah would make a man with gray hairs and beard would appear and would slap him until he would go away from me. This happened several times on his part and on the part of the man with gray hairs and beard.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “O Ja‘far (a.s.) take her for yourself.” She then give birth to the best person on earth who was Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.).”
2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from from Muhammad ibn Ahmad from ‘Abdallah ibn Ahmad from Ali ibn al-Husayn from ibn Sinan from Sabiq ibn al-Walid from al-Mu‘alla ibn Khunays who has said the following. “Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, “Humayda is clean of uncleanliness like purified gold. The angels continuously guarded her until she reach me due to Allah’s regards for me and the possessor of Leadership with Divine Authority after me.”
3. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Ali ibn Ibrahim from his father all from abu Qatada al-Qummi from Ali ibn Khalid al-Zabali who has said the following “When abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) was brought before al-Mahdi the first time he was accommodated in Zabala and I talked to him. He found me depressed and asked, “O abu Khalid, why is it that I see you are depressed?” I said, “How can I be not depressed when you are being take to this transgressor and I do not know wha will happen to you.” He said, “I will be alright. In so and so month and day come to me on one mile’s distance.” I then had no worries but count the months and days pass by until that particular day. I then went up to a mile’s distance and spent the day there until it was almost sun set. Suddenly, Satan caused temptations to my heart and I was afraid to doubt in what he had said. At this point I saw figures coming from the direction of Iraq. I went to meet them and abu al-Hassan (a.s.) was in front of them on a mule. He said, “Is it you O abu Khalid” I said, “Yes, grand son of the Messenger of Allah.” He said, “ Do not doubt; Satan loved that you had doubts.” I then said, “Thanks to Allah Who saved you from them.” He said, “I will have a return to them in which I will not find any safety.”
4. Ahmad ibn Mihran and Ali ibn Ibrahim all have narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from al-Hassan ibn Rashid from Ya’qub ibn Ja‘far who has said the following “I was in the presence of abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) that a Christian man came to see him. At this time we were with him in al-‘Urayd. The Christian man said, “I have come to you from a far away place after a difficult journey. I have been praying to my Lord for thirty years to guide me to the best of the religions and to the best of the servants (of Allah) and the most knowledgeable among them. I saw a person in my dream who described to me a man who lived in ‘Ulya’ (upper) of Damascus. I went to see that man and I talked to him. He said , “I am the most knowledgeable one among the people who follow my religion but other than me is more knowledgeable than me I then asked him to guide me to the one who is more knowledgeable than him because I like traveling and I can endure difficulties. I have read the whole Gospel, the Psalms of David and the four parts of Torah. I have read the apparent text of the whole Quran. The scholar then said to me, “ If you would like Christianity I am the most knowledgeable person in it among the Arab and none Arab people. If you would like the knowledge of Judaism then Bati ibn Shurahbil al-Samari is the most knowledgeable person in that religion today. However, you may like to learn the knowledge of Islam, the knowledge of Torah, the knowledge of the Gospel, the knowledge of Psalms, the book of Hud and all that is revealed to any of the prophets in your time or in the times of the others. You may like to learn all that has come from the heavens in the form of information. People may have learned or not learned such information. In such information there is the explanation for everything, the cure for the worlds, the spirit for those who wish to have comfort, understanding in what Allah has willed to be for their good and seek intimacy with the truth. I can guide you to a person who can teach you all such things). Go to him even if you would have to walk to him on foot. If would not be able to walk then you must crawl to him on your knees. If you would be able to do that also then you must drag yourself on your hips. If you would be able to reach him that way you must move to him on your face.” I then said, “ No, none of these is necessary. I can walk to him. Physically I am capable and financially I am capable.” He then said, “Go on to him without any delay until you will reach Yathrib.” I said, “I do not know where Yathrib is?” He said, “Go until you reach Madina of the Holy Prophet (s.a.) who was raised among the Arabs. He was a prophet from the Arabs, from the tribe of al-Hashim. When you will arrive there ask for banu Ghanam ibn Malik ibn al-Najjar who is near the door of the Mosque in that city. Show your self to him in the Christian dress because their governor is strict on them and the caliph is even stricter on them. Thereafter ask for the tribe of banu ‘Amr ibn Mabdhul that is in the area of al-Zubayr. Then ask for Musa ibn Ja‘far and his house and that where he himself is that is he on a journey or at home. If he would be on a journey then you must reach him because his destination is shorter than the distance you have to travel. When you will meet him say that the chief monk of al-Ghuta, Ghuta of Damascus guided me to you. That he asked me to convey his great deal greetings of peace to you and has said to you the following. “I pray to my Lord very often to make my Islam take form in your hands.” The Christian man told this story of his dream while he was standing and supporting himself with his staff. Then he said, my master, if you would grant me permission I would like to fold my hands before you and sit down.” He said, “I you have my permission to sit down but I will not give permission to fold your hands before me” He sat down and removed his hat and said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, will you grant me permission to speak?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes, you have come just for it.” The Christian man said, “Return the greetings to my friend. Do you not return the greetings of peace?” Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) said, “The answer to your friend is that he must accept Islam. The greeting of peace will be returned when he will accept our religion.” The Christian man then said, “I like to ask you questions, may Allah grant you well being.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Ask your questions.” He said, “Tell me about the book that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has revealed to Muhammad that he read to people and introduced it to them the way he did. And said, “Ha. Mim (44:1). I swear by the illustrious Book (44:2) that We have revealed the Quran on a blessed night to warn mankind (44:3). On this night, every absolute command coming from Us becomes distinguishable.” (44:4) What is its intrinsic interpretation and meaning?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Ha Mim stands for Muhammad (s.a.) who is mentioned in the book of Hud which was revealed to him and its letters are shortened. The ‘illustrious book’ stands for Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) The blessed night stands for Fatima (a.s.).”. . absolute command coming from Us becomes distinguishable.” (44:4) It means that in that night there comes a great deal of good. There is the man of wisdom, the man of wisdom and the man of wisdom. (a reference to the first three Imams from the descendants of Fatima (a.s.)” The man then said, “Describe to me the first and last of these men.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Qualities are similar. However I will describe the third of these people and his descendants and he is mentioned in your books revealed to you. If you have not altered and changed and reject them as you have been doing so for a long time.” The Christian man said, “I will not hide from you what I know and will not lie to you and you already know what I will say is true and what is false. By Allah, He has granted you through His grace so much distinction and has given the opportunity through His bounties so much that people can not even think how much they are? No one can hide them and falsify them even those who reject (the truth). My words in the matter are true as I mentioned and it is as such that I said.” Abu Ibrahim then said to him, “I can tell you a news that only very few people who read books know.” Tell me what was the name of the mother of Mary and when the spirit was blown in Mary and in which hour of the day? What was the date when Jesus was born and during which hour of the day?” The Christian man said, “I do not know.” Abu Ibrahim then said, “The name of the mother of Mary was Martha and ‘Wahayba’ in Arabic. The day Mary conceived with Jesus was a Friday at noontime. It was the day in which the trusted spirit descended and among the Muslims there is no holiday of greater preference than this. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has advanced it with greatness and Muhammad (s.a) has venerated it with greatness. He commanded it to be observed as a holiday, thus, it is the day of congregation. The day in which Mary was born was a Tuesday four and a half hour before noon. Do you know the river on the side of which Mary gave birth to Jesus?” The Christian man said, “No, I do not know it.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It was Euphrates that has palm trees and vineyards on its banks. No other place is like Euphrates for vineyards and palm trees. Have you noticed the day in which her tongue was curtained in speaking and Qaydus (the king of Israel) called his sons and subjects for support to take the family of ‘Imran out and look at Mary? They said to her, “What has Allah told you in His book and against us in His book?” The Christian man said, “Yes, I have read about the day of suffering.” The Imam (a.s.) then said, “Therefore, you will not rise from this meeting before Allah will grant you the right guidance.” The Christian man asked, “What was the name of my mother in Asyrian language and in Arabic.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “In Asyrian it was ‘Anqalia. ‘Unqura was the name of your grandmother from your father’s side. The name of your mother in Arabic was Mayyata. The name of your father was ‘Abd al-Masih and it is ‘Abdallah in Arabic. Al-Masih (Messiah) did not have any servant.” The Christian man said, “You have spoken the truth and did a good deed. Would you tell me what the name of my grandfather was?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “The name of your grandfather was Gibrael and I call him ‘Abd al-Rahman in this our meeting.” The Christian man asked, “Was he a Muslim?” Abu Ibrahim (a.s.) said, “Yes, he was a Muslim and he was martyred. Soldiers attacked him and murdered him in his home senselessly and the soldiers were from the people of Damascus.” The Christian man asked, “What was my name before my Kunya (such as ‘abu’ so and so or ‘ibn’ so and so)?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It was ‘Abd al-Salib.” The Christian man asked, “What name would you like to give me?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “I will call you ‘Abdallah.” The Christian man said, “I then declare my faith in Allah the great and testify that there is no lord besides Allah Who is One and no one is His partner. He is One, Self-sufficient. He is not like what the Christians describe Him. He is not like what the Jews describe Him. He is not a genus of the categories of polytheism. I testify that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger. He has sent him with all truth. He has manifested the truth to the people of truth and has turned the people of falsehood blind. That Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah to all mankind, red and black all alike. Thus, those who have understanding have understood and those who sought guidance have received guidance. The people of falsehood have turned blind and have lost what they were calling. I testify that His representative His Wali (the Leader with Divine Authority) have spoken with His wisdom. That all the prophets before him had spoken with pure wisdom, supported each other in obedience to Allah and stayed away from falsehood and the people of falsehood and filth and the people of filth. That they kept aloof from error and that Allah supported them through obedience to Him and kept them infallible and sinless. Thus, they were the Awliya’ of Allah, possessing Divine Authority and the protectors of religion. They encouraged others to do good and commanded them to do so. I declare my faith in the small ones among them and greater ones among them, those of them whom I have mentioned as well as those that I have not mentioned. I declare my faith in Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, the Lord of the worlds” He then cut off his necktie and the cross that was made of gold and hanged from his neck. He then said, “Command me as you would wish as to who must I pay charities due on me.’ The Imam (a.s.) said, “There is one of your brethren in religion and he is of your own people, from Qays ibn al-Tha‘laba and is doing well financially like your self. You must cooperate with each other and be lenient to each other and I will not allow that your rights in Islam be ignored.” He then said, “By Allah,-may Allah grant you well being- I am doing very well financially. In my town I have three hundred horses male and female and a thousand camels. Your rights in them is more than mine.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “You are the slave of Allah and His Messenger and your lineage is natural.” He improved himself in Islam and married a lady from the tribe of Fihr. Abu Ibrahim (a.s.) paid her dowry (marriage gift) which was fifty Dinars from the charities of Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.). He hired for him a servant and provided him accommodation until abu Ibrahim (a.s.) was taken (to Baghdad). Thereafter he died only after twenty eight days.”
5. Ali ibn Ibrahim and Ahmad ibn Mihran all have narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from al-Hassan ibn Rashid from ya‘qub ibn Ja‘far who has said the following. “Once I was in the presence of abu Ibrahim (a.s.) that a monk and a nun from the people of Najran, Yemen came to see him. al-Fadl ibn Sawwar sought permission for them and the Imam (a.s.) said, “Tomorrow bring them to the well of ’Umm Khaayr.” The narrator has said that on the next day we went to see him and we found the people also there. The Imam (a.s.) ordered to spread a mat that was made of palm tree fibers. He then sat down on it and the people sat down on The Imam (a.s.).The nun began asking questions. She asked may questions. The Imam (a.s.) answered them all. Abu Ibrahim (a.s.) asked her certain questions but she could not answer. She then accepted Islam. The monk then began to ask questions and the Imam (a.s.) would answer whatever he would ask. The monk then said, “I was very strong in my religion and no one of the Christians was as knowledgeable as I am. I heard of man from India who could go for pilgrimage to the Holy House in one day and one night and then go back to India to his home. I asked as to where did he live? I was told that he lived in Sibdhan. The one who informed me about him said that he knew the knowledge with which Asaf, the companion of Solomon brought the throne of Sheba before Solomon. He is the one whom Allah has mentioned in your book and in the books of the followers of the Bible.” Abu Ibrahim (a.s.) then said, “How many are the names of Allah that if invoke would not leave one without the desired result?” The monk said, “They are many but the ones with perfect effects that do not leave the person invoking them without the desired results are seven.” Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) asked him, “Tell of whichever that you know.” The monk said, “By Allah, who has sent the Torah to Moses and has made Jesus to be a lesson for the worlds and a trial for the thankfulness of the people of reason, Who has made Muhammad (s.a.) to be a blessing and mercy and has made Ali (a.s.) a lesson and the source of understanding, Who has made the executors of his will from his descendants and the descendants of Muhammad (s.a.) that I do not know.” Had I known them you would not have to ask me, I would not have come to you and would have asked you questions.” Abu Ibrahim (a.s.) then said, “Tell me more about the man from India.” The monk said, “I have heard certain names but I do not know their meanings and interpretations. I do not know what they are and how they are and how they are read? I journeyed until I reached Sidhan in India. I asked about the man and I was told that he has built a monastery in the mountain and can only be seen twice a yea. The people of India believe that Allah has made a stream flow through his monastery. They think that a different kincheloe, MI 49784 of farming is done for him therein and that all is done for him without normal labor. I then went to his door and waaited for three days without knocking and trying to open the door. On the fourth day Allah opened the door. A cow loaded wth fire wood came. Her breast was so heavily filled with milk that it would almost touch the ground and the milk would almost to come out. The cow pushed the door open and I followed her. I found the man in a standing position looking towards the sky and would weep. Then he would look to the earth and weep. He would look at the mountains and would weep. I said, “Glory belongs to Allah. How few are the people like you in our times.” He said, “By Allah, I am only one good of the deeds of the one whom you have left behind you.” I then said, “I am told that you know certain names of the name s of Allah through which you can reach every day and night the Holy house that is in al-Sham (Syria). Is it true?”He asked me, “Do you recognize the Holy House?” I replied, “I do not know any other Holy House besides that in al-Sham.” He said, “Not Bayt al-Maqdis (the mosque in Jerusalem). The Holy House that is the House of the family of Muhammad (s.a.).” I then said, “What I have heard up to this day is the Holy House that I just mentioned.” He said, “That is the place where the prophets worshipped Allah. It had been called the center of the places of worship until the period between the time of Jesus and the coming of Muhammad (s.a.) in which the calamities approached the pagans and misfortune entered the houses of Satan. They moved, changed and transferred those names as Allah has said in His words whose intrinsic meaning stand for the family of Muhammad and apparently stand as a proverb, “These are only names given by yourselves and your fathers. God has not given them any authority. . .”(53:23). I then said, to him, “I have come to your from a far away land. On the way I crossed , oceans, sadness, anxieties and fear. I have passed days and night in despair for falling to reach my goal.” He said to me, “I do not see that your mother conceived with you at any time without a noble angel with her. I never found your father without formal purification whenever he would go to bed with your mother. He went to bed with her in purified condition. I do not think there was any other reason except his reading the fourth part of the Torah during his nightly vigil, thus, arrived with him to the good end. Go back jus as you came. Leave until you reach Madina of Muhammad (s.a.) which also called the pure and clean. In the age of darkness of ignorance they called it Yathrib. Then go a place therein called al-Barqi’. Then ask for a house called the house of Marwan. Logde there for three days. Then ask for a black old man who works with the fibers of the palm tree (to make mats and other such things) that they call al-Khasf. Be kind to him and tell him, “I am sent to you by your guest who would stay with you in the corner of the house wherein there are the four pieces of woods. Then ask him about so and so son of so and so. Ask him where he forms his gathering and what time he passes thereby. He will show him to you or will give full description and dyou recognize him through the description and I also describe him for you.” .I said, “After meeting him what would I do?” He said, “Ask him of whatever happened and whatever will happen. Ask him about religious guidance of those past and those yet to come.” The narrator has said that abu Ibrahim (a.s.) said to him, “Your friend who you met has given you very good advise.” The monk then asked the Imam (a.s.), “What is his name, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause,?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “His name is Mutammim ibn Firuz from the people of Persia. He established faith in Allah Who is only One and has no partners and worshipped Him sincerely with certainty and devotion. He ran away from his people when was afraid of them. His Lord granted him authority and guided him to the way of right guidance and progress. He made him to be of the pious ones and granted him the knowledge of who the His sincere servants are. Every year he he visits Makka for Hajj and performs ‘Umra at the beginning of every month once. He comes from his place in India to Makka because of the distinction that Allah ahs granted to him and His support and thus Allah rewards those who give thanks.” The monk then asked him many questions. The Imam (a.s.) answered them all. He asked the monk certain questions which he could not answer but the Imam (a.s.) himself answered them.. The monk then said, “Tell me of the eight letters that were revealed out of which four were manifested on earth and the other four remained in space. To who the four were sent thhe fpur that remained in space? Who will interpret them?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He will be our al-Qa’im (the one who will rise with Divine authority). Allah will sent them to him and he will interpret them. He will sent to him what has not even been sent to the truthful ones, the messengers and the rightly guided ones.” Then the monk said, “Tell me about the of the four that were sent to earth. What are they?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “I will tell you about all four. The first one was ‘there is no lord except Allah Who is One and has no partners that He is eternal ’. The second was, ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah purely’. The third one was we the Ahl al-Bayt (infallible members of the family of Muhammad (s.a.). the fourth one was our Shi‘a (followers) who are from us and we are from the Messenger of Allah and the Messenger of Allah is from Allah through means.” The monk then said, “I testify that there is no lord except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and that whatever he brought from Allah is true and that your, Ahl al-Bayt (the infallible members of the family of Muhammad (s.a.) are the chosen of Allah from His creatures and that you Shi‘a are pure who are the replacement (of those who oppose you). They will have the good end. All thanks are due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.” Abu Ibrahim (a.s.) called to bring for him a gown, a shirt made in Gha’in Khurasan, a scarf, a shoe and a hat. He gave them to him and prayed the noon time prayer and asked him to circumcise. He said, “ It had been done when he was seven years old.”
6. om Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from ‘Abdallah ibn al-Mughira who has said the following. “The pious servant of Allah passed in Mina by a woman who was weeping and her children around her also were weeping because her cow was dead. He went close to her and asked, “What has caused you t weep O slave of Allah ?” Sshe said, “O servant of Allah, we have orphan children. Our cow that was them means for our living has died and we are left without any means of living.” He said, “Will you be happy if will b;ring your cow back to kife?” She was just inspired to say, “Yes, O servant of Allah I will be very happy..” He stepped aside and said two Rak‘at prayers. He then raised his hands gently has said the following and moved his lips. He then stood up and called the cow to get up. He pushed the cow with his foot or a staff and she was up straight and standing. When the woman looked at the cow she cried and said, “Jesus, son of Mary, I swear by the Lord of the Ka‘ba. Many people gathered around and he disappeared among them and went.”
7. Ahmad ibn Mahziyar, may Allah grant him blessings, has narrated from mmmd ibn ali from Sayf ibn ‘Umayra from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following. “Once I heard the pious servant of Allah giving the news of his own death to a man. I thought that he might or might not know when a person from his Shi‘a (followers) would die. He turned to me as if angry and said, “O Ishaq, if Rashid al-Hajri possessed the knowledge of deaths and suffering, the necessity for such knowledge for the Imam is much greater.” Then he said, “O Ishaq, do whatever you may like. Your life is destroyed and you will die within two years. Your brothers and family will very soon after you will scatter in disunity turn as traitors against each other so much so that even their enemies would scold them. Was this in your mind?” I said, “I seek refuge to Allah for what went in my center (heart or chest).” After that meeting Ishaq, did live for very long time.and he died. And very soon after banu (children of) ‘Ammar began to live on loans and they became very poor and destitute.”
8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Musa ibn al-Qasim al-Bajali from Ali ibn Ja‘far who has said the following. “Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il came to me when we were still in Makka after completing our ‘Umra in the month of Rajab. He said, “Uncle, I intend to go to Baghdad but I want to say farewell to my uncle, abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.) aand I would like that you also come with me.” I came with him to my brother and he was in his house in al-Hawba It was just after sun set. I knocked the door and my brother answered the door asking, “Who is it?” I replied, “It is Ali.” He said, “I am just coming.” He would do his Wudu very slowly. I said, “Be quick please.” He said, “I will be quick.” He came out wearing dyed clothe that he secured around his neck and sat down just below the door steps. I, Ali ibn Ja‘far leaned over him and kissed his head and said, “I have come for a matter to find out if you would agree then Allah may grant him success, if you would not agree then it is one of those mistake that we make.” He asked, “what is it?” I said, “This is the son of your brother. He wants to say farewell to you because he wants to go to Baghdad.” He said to me, “Call him.” I called him and he had kept some distance. He came close to him and kissed his head and said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, please advise me.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “I advise you to be pious before Allah and spare my life.” He in answer said, “Whoever would have bad intentions towards you, may Allah have the same for him.” He continued to pray against those who would have bad intentions towards the Imam (a.s.). He them kiss the head of the Imam (a.s.) again and said, “Please advise me.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “I advise you to be pious before Allah and spare my life.” may or not.” He in answer said, “Whoever would have bad intentions towards you, may Allah have the same for him.” He kissed the head of the Imam (a.s.) and said, “Please advise me.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “I advise you to be pious before Allah and spare my life.” He prayed against those who would have bad intentions towards the Imam (a.s.) and moved away and I left along with him. My brother called me and said, “O Ali, wait where you are.” I waited and he went inside and then called me inside. I went inside and he gave me a bag with a hundred Dinars in it and said, “Tell your cousin to use it during his journey.” The narrator has said, “I secured the money in my dress and he gave me another hundred Dinar to give to him also and then he give me one more bag to give to him. I said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, “When you are afraid of him so much then why do you give him all this money and why do you support him to against your own self?.” He said, “When I would maintain good relations with him and would cut off such relationships Allah will cut his life short.” Then he gave to me a pillow with three hundred pure Dirhams (units of money) in it and asked to give him also.” The narrator has said, “I then left and gave him the first one hundred and he became extremely happy and prayed for his uncle. I then gave him the other money and he became so happy that I thought he might not go to Baghdad any more. I then gave him all the Dirhams and he left for Baghdad. He greeted Harun as the Caliph and said, “I did not think that there can be two caliphs on earth at the same time. I also saw my uncle Musa ibn Ja‘far being greeted as the Caliph.” Harun sent him one hundred thousand Dirhams. He fell sich with Diphtheria or scrofulous and died before seeing or touching any of those money.”
9. Sa‘dibn ‘Abdallah and ‘Abdallah ibn Ja‘far all have narrated from Ibrahim ibn Mahziyar from his brother Ali ibn Mahziyar from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ibn Muskan from abu Basir who has said the following. “Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.) died at the age of fifty five in the year one hundred eighty three. He lived for thirty five years after Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a.s.).”
Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) was born in the year the one hundred forty eight AH. He passed away in the month of Safar in the year two hundred and three at the age of fifty-five. All the views about this date are not the same but it is more accurate, if Allah would so will. He died in Tus in the town called Sanabad, that is within the reach of human voice from Nawqan. He was buried there. Al-Ma’mun had summoned him from Madina to Marw via Basra to Persia. When al-Ma’mun left for Baghdad he took The Imam (a.s.) he passed away in this town. His mother was ’Umm Walad called ’Umm al-Banin.
1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Ahmar who has said the following. “Once abu al-Hassan, the second asked me, “Do you know if anyone from Morocco (or the west) has arrived?” I replied, “No, no one has come.” He said, “Yes, a man has come. Come with us.” He rode and also rode and went until we reached the man. He was a man from Madina who had a few slaves with him for sale. I asked him to show the slaves for sale and he showed me seven slave-girls. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) said, “I do not need any of these.” Then he asked, “Show us more.” The man said, “There is no more except one who is ill.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Why do you not show her to us?” The man refused and the Imam (a.s.) returned. The next day he sent me and said to ask him for how much is the girl who is ill and if he said for so and so amount say, “I pay.” I went to him and he said, “I will not accept less than so and so amount for her.” I said, “I take her.” He said, “She is yours but tell me who was the man with you yesterday?” I said, “A man from the clan of banu Hashim.” He asked from which family is he?” I said, “That is all I have.” He said, “I like to tell you about this girl. I bought her in the far corner of the west (or Morocco). A woman from the followers of the Bible came and said, “What is she doing with you?” I said, “I have purchased her for my self.” She said, “This girl should not be with one like you. This girl should be with the best of the people on earth. With such a one she will not live very long before giving birth to a boy whose like will not be born in the west or east of the earth.” The narrator has said, “I brought her to the Imam (a.s.) and shortly afterwards she became the mother of Imam al-Rida (a.s.).”
2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from those he mentioned from Safwan ibnyh who has said the following. “when abu Ibrahim (a.s.) passed away abu al-Hassan (al-Rida) (a.s.) spoke (about his Imamat) and we became afraid for him because of it. It was said to him, “You have declared a very great issue and we are afraid for you from this rebel.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Let him strive his best but he will find way against me.”
3. Ahmad ibn Mihran, Allah grant him blessings, from Muhammad ibn Ali from al-Hassan ibn al-Mansur from his brother who has said the following. “Once I went to see al-Rida (a.s.) in a house inside his house in the middle of the night. He raised his hand and it was as if there were ten lamps inside the house and a man asked permission for a meeting. He lowered his hand and then gave him permission.”
4. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from ibn Jumhur from Ibrahim ibn ‘Abdallah from Ahmad ibn ‘Abdallah from al-Ghifari who has said the following. “I owed money to a man from the family of abu Rafi‘, slave of the Holy Prophet (s.a), called Tays. He demanded payment and pressed me hard and people also assisted him. When I found myself in such condition I prayed the morning prayer in the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah and then headed to al-Rida (a.s.) who was in al-‘Arid those days. When I almost reached his door he appeared on his donkey wearing a shirt and a gown. When I looked at him I felt shy. When he approached me he looked at me and I offered him the greeting of peace. It was the month of Ramadan. I said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I owe money to your slave, Tays and he has defamed me. I thought he will order him to stop pressuring me and by Allah, I did not tell him how much I owed nor I mentioned any amount. He ordered me to sit until he will return. I remained there until said my sun set prayer and I was fasting. I became depressed and I thought of returning home. At that time he appeared before me with people around him. He was surrounded by the beggars and would give them charity. He passed by and entered his house. Then he came out and called me inside. We both sat down and I began to speak to him about ibn al-Musayyib, the governor of Madina as I would speak to him about the governor often. When I finished he said, “I do not think you had any break fast yet. I said, “No, I did not break fast yet.” He asked for food and ordered the boy to join me at the table. I and the boy had our meal and when we finished he said to me, “Lift up the furnishing and pick up whatever is underneath.” I lifted it up and found Dinars therein. I picked them up and place in my pocket. He ordered four of his slaves to escort me to my house. I said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, the spies of ibn al-Musayyib check around all the time and I do not like them to see me with your slaves. He said, “You are right, may Allah keep you rightly guided.” He ordered them to return whenever I wanted them to do so.” When almost reached my house and felt safe I asked them to go back I went home and asked for a lamp. I looked at the Dinars and there were forty-eight of them, I owed twenty eight to the man. Among them one Dinar caught my sight and picked it up and brought near the lamp. I found a clear mark on it that said, “Payment to the man twenty-eight Dinars and the rest for your self.” By Allah, I did not know how much I owed him. All praise belong to Allah Who has granted honor to those who He has give authority.”
5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from certain person of our people who has said the following. “ Abu al-Hassan al-Rida came out of Madina in the year that Harun wanted to performed Hajj. When he arrived near the mountain called Fari‘ on the left going to Makka, abu al-Hassan looked at it and then said, “The builder at Fari‘ and he who would demolish will be cut in pieces.” We had no idea what it meant. When he returned Harun arrived and camped at that place. Ja‘far ibn Yahya climbed the mountain and ordered to build a resting place for him. When he returned from Makka he climbed there and ordered to demolish what was built there. When he returned to Iraq he was cut in pieces.”
6. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Hamza ibn al-Qasim from Ibrahim ibn Musa who has said the following. “I would urge abu al-Hassan al-Rida in a matter that I would demand from him and he would ask to give him time. One day he went out to receive the governor of Madina and I was with him. He came near the castle of so and so and stopped for rest among a few trees. Just the two of us and not a third was there. I said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, this holy is upon us, by Allah, all I have is one Dirham only and nothing else.” He scratched the earth with his whip firmly and with his hand picked up a mold of gold and said, “Use it and keep secret what you just saw.”
7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from from Yasir al-Khadim and al-Rayyan ibn al-Salt all have said the following. “When the matter of the deposed Caliph (Amin) ended and it was established for al-Ma’mun he wrote to al-Rida asking to come to Khurasan. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) in reply presented certain reason to justify his disagreement to the proposal but al-Ma’mun continued writing until The Imam (a.s.) found it out to be unavoidable and that will not leave him alone. He (a.s.) then left for Khurasan when abu Ja‘far was only seven years old. Al-Ma’mun wrote to him, “do not travel through the mountains and Qum. Take the road through Basra, al-Ahwaz and Persia. The Imam (a.s.) arrived at Marw. Al-Ma’mun offered him to command and lead the task of Khilafat (Leadership) but abu al-Hassan (a.s.) declined. He then offered the Imam (a.s.) to accept the post of the crown prince The Imam (a.s.) said that he may accept it under certain conditions. Al-Ma’mun said, “Say whatever conditions you like.” The Imam (a.s.) wrote, “I will assume this post with the conditions that I will nor issue any order or prohibitions nor issue any fatwa or judgment nor any appointment or dismissal of officers or change anything in the current system. You must excuse me in all such matters. Al-Ma’mun agreed to all such conditions. The narrator has said that Yasir narrated to me saying, “When it was ‘Id (the holiday) al-Ma’mun asked al-Rida to attend the program, lead the prayer and deliver the sermon. Al-Rida (a.s.) replied him saying, “You know the conditions between us. They did not consist of any such matters. Al-Ma’mun sent the message, “I only want there by to build confidence in the people and they would know your distinction.” He continued insisting until the Imam (a.s.) said, “O Amir al-Mu’minin, I would appreciate much if you would excuse me from such task and if you would still insist then I will out for this task in the manner that the Messenger of Allah and Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) would do.” Al-Ma’mun then said, “You may do as you would chose. Al-Ma’mun ordered the servants guides to lead a procession to the door of abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ Allah is great. The narrator has said that Yasir al-Khadim narrated to me this. “People lined up waiting for the Imam (a.s.) on the roads and roof tops, men women and children. The guides and people from the army gathered at the door of abu al-Hassan (a.s.). At sun rise the Imam (a.s.) took a shower, wore a white turban made of cotton. He let one end of the turban hang over his chest and the other end between his shoulder on his back. He tied his belt and asked his followers, “Do as I have done.” He picked up an arrow shaped staff and came out and we were along with him. He was bare foot and his gown was raised half way between his feet and knees and so were his other (long) clothes. When he walked and we walked along with him he raised his head towards the sky and Allahu Akbar (Allah is great) four times. It seemed to us as if the sky and the walls responded to him. the guides and the people at the door were ready and armed and decorated with the best dresses. When we appeared before them in such fashion and al-Rida (a.s.) appeared to them he stood at the door shortly and then said, “Allahu Akbar (Allah is great). Allahu Akbar (Allah is great). Allahu Akbar (Allah is great). Allahu Akbar (Allah is great) for guidance that He has granted us. Allahu Akbar (Allah is great) that has granted us the cattle. All praise belongs to Allah that He has granted us blessings. We all would raise our voices. Yasir al-Khadim has said that the whole Maw shock with the weeping, cries and shouts when they looked at abu al-Hassan (a.s.). Many of the guides fell from their horses who would kick and throw their boots when they saw abu al-Hassan barefoot. He would walk about ten steps and pause and say Allahu Akbar three times. Yasir al-Khadim has said that to us it seemed as if the sky, earth and mountains would respond to him. The whole Marw had become one voice loud and tearful. Information of this was reported to al-Ma’mun and Sahl ibn al-Fadl, who had two official posts, said to him, “Amir al-Mu’minin, if al-Rida would reach the place of prayer in this manner people will into his devotees. Ask him to return home.” Al-Ma’mun sent his people to ask abu al-Hassan to return home. He asked to bring his shoes and wore them and rode back home.”
8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Yasir al-Khadim who has said the following. “When al-Ma’mun left Khurasan for Baghdad along with him came Fadl, Dhu al-Al-Ri’asatayn and we came out with abu al-Hassan (a.s.) Fadl ibn Sahl had received a letter from his brother Hassan, while we were on our journey. Hassan had said in the letter, “I studied the Zodiac changes this year according to the astrological calculations. I found out in the month of so and so on a Wednesday you will feel the test of iron and fire. I urged you to go to a Turkish bath with al-Ma’mun and Imam Ridha (a.s) and perform phlebotomies and stain your hands with blood which, will help remove this misfortune from you. Fadl ibn Sahl wrote about it to al-Ma’mun requesting him to request His Holiness Imam Ali ibn Musar-Redha (a.s) to also join them on the appointed day. Al-Ma’mun informed the Holy Imam of the contents of that letter and demanded the consent of His Holiness. In reply to the caliph’s letter Imam al-Ridha (a.s) wrote, “I will not go to the Turkish bath tomorrow. You and Fadl also must not go there tomorrow.” He sent that letter to the Imam (a.s.) twice. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) wrote to him, “O Amir al-Mu’minin, “I will not go to the Turkish bath. I have seen in a dream the Holy Prophet (a.s) enjoining me not to go to that Turkish bath. You and Fadl also must not go to the Turkish bath.” Al-Ma’mun replied the letter saying, “You have spoken the truth and so has the Messenger of Allah. I will not go to the Turkish bath tomorrow and Fadl knows best.” The narrator has said that Yasir said, “When the night fell al-Rida (a.s.) told us to say, “We seek refuge in Allah against the misfortune in this night. We continued saying the expression. When al-Rida (a.s.) prayed the Morning Prayer he asked me to climb at the roof and to listen if there is anything. When I climbed I heard a great deal of commotion and crying and it was increasing. We saw al-Ma’mun enter from the door that opened to his quarter from the quarter of abu al-Hassan (a.s.) and he said, “My master, abu al-Hassan, may Allah grant you good reward for the death of Fadl. He refused to cancel his decision for the bath and he went to the Turkish bath. A group of people attacked him with swords and killed him. Three of the attackers were arrested and one of them was the son of his maternal uncle, the son of Dhul al-Qalamayn. He then said that the police and the guides and the people of Fadl present at the door of al-Ma’mun said, “He has murdered him.” They killed him. They meant al-Ma’mun thereby.” “We revenge him.” They set the door on fire.” Al-Ma’mun said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), “My master, please come out to them to calm them down and ask them to disperse.” The narrator has said that Yasir said, “Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) rode and asked me to ride also. When we were out of the door of the house he looked at the people who were crowded. He made hand gestures to asked them to disperse.” Yasir has said, “People began to fall one on the other and to whoever, that he would make a hand gesture he would run and pass by.”
9. al-Husayn ibnmmd has narrated from Mu‘alla ibnmd from Musafir and from al-Washsha’ from Musafir who has said the following. “When Harun ibn al-Musayyib decided to fight Muhammad ibn Ja‘far, abu al-Hassan (a.s.) told me to go to him and say, “Do not go our tomorrow. If would do so you will be defeated and your people will be killed.” If he would ask, “How do youknow that?” Say, “I saw it in my dream.” The narrator has said that he went to him and said, “May Allah make of service to you, do not go out tomorrow to fight. If would do so you will be defeated and your people will be killed.” He asked, “How do you know this?” I said, “I saw it in my dream.” He said, “A slave goes to sleep (to dream) and his behind is not even washed.” He went out to fight. He was defeated and his people were killed.” The narrator has said that Musafir narrated, “I was in the presenceof al-Rida (a.s.) in Mina, Makka that Yahya ibn Khalid passed by and he covered his head from the dust. The Imam (a.s.) said, “Poor people do not know what will happen to them this year.” I, by Allah, could not understand themeaning of his statement until we buried him (Yahya ibn Khalid).”
10. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibnmd al-Qasani who has said the following. “A Certain person of our people has said that he wanted to deliver an amount of propertyto al-Rida (a.s.). It was a large amount. When he saw it he did not become happy. I became depressed and said to myself, “I delivered this property to him but he did not become happy.” The Imam (a.s.) called, “O boy, bring water and the receptacle.” The narrator has said that the Imam thensat on the chair and made a hand gesture to the boy to pure water on his hand.” The narrator has said that from his hand gold began to fall in the receptacle. He then turned to me and said, “One who would be as this he does not become happy for what you would deliver to him.”
11. Sa‘d ibn ‘Abdallah and ‘Abdallah ibn Ja‘far all have narrated from Ibrahim ibn Mahziyar from his brother Ali ibn Mahziyar from al-Hassan al-Husayn ibn Sa‘idfm Muhammad ibn Sinan who has said the following. “Ali ibn Musa (a.s.) died at the age of forty nine and few months in the year two hundred and two AH. He lived for nineteen years and two or three month after the death of Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.).”
Abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) was born in the month of Ramadan in the year one hundred ninety five and passed away in the year two hundred twenty at the end of the month of Dhu al-Al-Qa‘da at the age of twenty five and two months and eighteen days. He was buried in Baghdad in the grave yard of Quraysh near the grave of his grandfather, Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.). Al-Mu‘tasam had summoned him to Baghdad at the beginning of the year in which he left this world. His mother was ’Umm Walad, called, Sabika Nuwbiyya. It is also said that her name was Khizuran. It also is narrated that she was from the family of Maria, mother of Ibrahim, son of the Messenger of Allah.”
1. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from Muhammad ibn Hassa’n from ali ibn Khalid who has said the following. “Muhammad who belonged to Zaydi sect said to me this. “I was in the army camp and I was told that there was a prisoner brought from the area of al-Sham (Syria) tied up and that he has proclaimed himself a prophet.” Ali ibn Khalid has said, “I went to him and found my way through the guards until I reached him. I found him to be a man of understanding. I asked him, “O you, what is your story and your case?” He said, “I am a man from al-Sham, worshipping Allah at a place called the ‘place of the head of al-Husayn’. During my worshipping a man came to me and said, “Come with me.” I went with him and I found myself in theMosque of al-Kufa. He asked me, “Do you recognize this Mosque?” I replied, “Yes, I recognize it.” He said, “He prayed and I prayed with him. Then I found us in the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah in Madina. He offered greeting of peace to the Messenger of Allah and I did the same. He prayed and I prayed with him. He offered the special prayer for the Messenger of Allah. I was with him and found us in Makka. I continued to find myself with him until we finished all the acts to be perform there. Then I found myself with him at the place that I would worship in al-Sham. The man left. The next year I was with him again and we did as in the year before. When we finished all of the forms of worship and returned me back to my place of worship in al-Sham and was about to leave I asked him this. “I swear you the one who has given all these capabilities, tell me who are you?” He said, “I am Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Musa (a.s.).” The news spread and it reached Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Malik al-Zayyat. He sent his people who arrested me and tied me up in chains and transferred me to Iraq.” The narrator has said, “I asked him to send a petition to Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Malik. He did so explaining the whole story but the answer to his petition bearing the signature of Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Malik said, “He should ask the one who took him from al-Sham to al-Kufa, then to al-Madina then to al-Makka then back to al-Sham to release him from prison also.” I felt very sad for him with a great deal of sympathy. I tried to cheer him up and asked him to exercise patience. Next early morning when went to see him I found people from the army, the chief of the security men and the prison guard and the crowd of people around and in the area. I asked, “What is thematter?” They said, “The prisoner from al-Sham who had proclaimed himself as a prophet has disappeared and no one knows if the earth has swallowed him or the birds have snatched him away.”
2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari has said that a shaykh from our people called ‘Abdallah ibn Razyn narrated to me the following. “I lived in al-Madina of the Messenger of Allah. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) would come every day to the mosque at noon time. He would enter the compound and would turn to the shrine of the Messenger of Allah and offer his greeting of peace. He would then turn to the house of Fatima (a.s.), take off his shoes, stand up and pray. Satan induced temptation in my heart and said, “when he (the Imam (a.s.) would come go and pick up from the dust on which he has just stepped.” I waited that day for that purpose. When it was noontime he came on his donkey but he did not dismount at the place that he would do so before. He came and dismounted on the rock in front the door of the Mosque. He then entered the Mosque, turned to the Shrine of the Messenger of Allah and offered his greeting of peace to the Messenger of Allah. his disembark.” The narrator has said that then he then turned to the place where he would pray. He did the exact thing for several days. I then said to myself, “When will come this time and will remove his shoes I will go and pick up from the gravel on which he has jus stepped..” When he came next day at noontime he dismounted on the rock then entered the Mosque, turned to the Shrine of the Messenger of Allah and offered his greeing of peace then came to the place where he would pray but prayed without removing his shoes and did the same thing for several days. I then said to my self, “I could not succeed this way but now I must find which public bathhouse he uses to take a shower. I must wait at the door of the place and when he would come to enter the public bathhouse I will pick up the dust from the spot on which he has just stepped. I asked about such public bathhoue and found out that it is such a place in al-Baqi‘ that belongs to man from the family of al-Talha. I found out about the day that he would go this bathhouse. I then on that day went to the place and met the man from the family of al-Talha and began to talk to him while waiting for him (the Imam (a.s.) to come. The owner of the place said to me, “If you want to use the bathhouse you must do now because latter on it will not be available.” I asked, “Why is that?” He said, “Ibn al-Rida will come to use it.” I then asked, “Who is ibn al-Rida ?” He said, “A man from the family of Muhammad (s.a.). He is very pious and well discilpined.” I then asked, “Is it unlawful to use the public bathhouse at the time that he is there?” He said, “We just vacate the place and leave it just for him.” The narrator has said that at that time he came with a few of his slaves. In front of him there was a slave who carried a piece of mat and brought it in all the way to the dressing-room where he spread it down. He (the Imam) also came in offered his greeting of peace and entered the dressing-room while stile riding on the donkey. He then dismounted on the mat. I then said to the man from the family of al-Talha, “Is this the one whom you mentioned with all the superlatives?” He said, “O you, by Allah, he had never done this before. It only has happened today.” I said to my self, “This is because of what I have committed against my own soul.” I then said to myself, “I will wait until he comes out perhaps I will succeed in my plan.” When he came out he asked his people to bring the donkey. The donkey was brought in the dressing-room and he rode on the donkey from the top of the mat. And left. I said to my self, “By Allah, this is enough I have troubled him so much and I will not do any such thing again and will not even thing about doing such things.” My decision was complete and solid. When it became noontime of that day he came to the Mosque while riding on his donkey and dismounted on the spot in the compound of the Mosque where he had usually been doing. Then he turned to Shrine of the Messenger of Allah and offered his greeting of peace and went to the place where he prayed in the house of Fatima (a.s.). He took off his shoes and stood for prayer.”
3. al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Asbat who has said the following “He (abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) came out to me and I looked at his head and legs so I would be able to describe him physically to our people in Egypt. I kept looking until he sat down and said, “ O Ali, Allah’s presentation of proofs in support of Imam’s Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority) is the same as those in support of the prophet-hood of a prophet. Allah has said, “. . We gave knowledge and wisdom to John during his childhood (19:12). “. . When he attained maturity, God gave him strength, wisdom and knowledge. Thus, do We reward those who do good. (12:22) “. . When he grew-up to manhood and became forty years old,. .”(46:15). Allah may give authority to a child and He may do so when he is a fortyb years old man.”
4. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from certain persons of our people from Muhammad ibn al-Rayyan who has said the following “Al-Ma’mun did all he could to prove that abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) was only a young man of worldly desires. However Al-Ma’mun could not succeed. When he became frustrated he gave his daughter in marriage to abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.). For the ceremony he sent two hundred most beautiful entertaining girls each with a bowl in her hand with a precious pearl in it to well come abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) when he would sit on the special seat prepared for him. They, however, were not of any attraction to the Imam (a.s.) to disturb him. There was a man called Mukhariq who had a voice, musical skills, a guitar and a tall beard. Al-Ma’mun called him and he said, “O Amir al-Mu’minin, if he is a worldly man I will prove myself as dealing him deadly blows on your behalf.” He sat in front of abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) and began to bray a hee-haw that made all the people of the house gather around him. He began to play his guitar and sing. He did it for an hour but abu Ja‘far (a.s.) did not pay any attention to the right or left. Then he (a.s.) raised his head and said, “O you, tall bearded one, be pious before Allah.” The narrator has said that the musical instrument and guitar fell off his hand and he could not use his hands thereafter until he died. When Al-Ma’mun asked him about his condition he said, “When abu Ja‘far (a.s.) expressed his disappointment at me it struck me with a huge degree of fear from which I have not been able to relieve myself ever since.”
5. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn zd from Dawud ibn al-Qasim al-Ja‘fari who has said the following “Once I went to see abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and I had a few questions on three pieces of materials with proper markings and they were mixed as such that I could not distinguish. I felt sad. He picked one and said, “This is the letter of Ziyad ibn Shabib.” Then he picked up the other one and said, “.This is the letter of so and so.” I became awe struck. He looked at me and smiled.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) then gave me three hundred Dinars and asked me to deliver them to the certain persons of the sons of his uncle and said, “He will ask you to show him a professional person who would help him to buy goods, help show him one.” The narrator has said that I then went to him and gave him the Dinars and asked me, “O abu Hashim, can you show me a professional person who would help me to buy goods.” I said, “Yes, I can do so.” The narrator has said that a camel man asked me to speak on his behalf to abu Ja‘far (a.s.) to take part in certain matters of his affairs. I went to see him (abu Ja‘far (a.s.) to speak to him but he was having meal with a group of people and I did not get a chance to speak to him. He (abu Ja‘far (a.s.) said, “O abu Hashim, eat. He placed food before me. Then he said, initiating and without any question from me, “O slave, take good care of the camel-man that abu Hashim has brought for us. Keep him with you.” The narrator has said that one day I entered a garden along with him and said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I am addicted to eating fig. Pray to Allah for me.” He was quite and then after three day on his own initiation he said, “O abu Hashim, “Allah has removed your addiction.” Ever since it is the thing that I hate most.”
6. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Ali from Muhammad ibn Hamza al-Hashimi from Ali ibn Muhammad or Muhammad ibn Ali al-Hashimi who has said the following “ I went tot see abu Ja‘far (a.s.) in the morning of his marriage to the daughter of al-Ma’al-Ma’mun. The night before I had taken medicine and I was the first to meet him that morning. I was thirsty but did not like to ask for water. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) looked at me and said, “I think you are thirsty.” I said, “Yes, I am thirsty.” He called, “O Ghulam (male slave or servant) or Jariya (female slave orservant) bring us water.” I said to myself, “They may poison the water. For this reason I became depressed. The servant then came with water. He (abu Ja‘far (a.s.) looked at me with a smile and, “O Ghulam, give the water.” He drank from it and gave the rest to me and I drank. I became thirsty again and did not like to ask for water. He then did as he had done before. When the Ghulam (servant) came with the bowl of water I thought as I thought before. He then took the bowl, drank from it and gave the rest to me with a smile.” Muhammad ibn Hamza has said that this Hashimi told me, “I think what they (Shi‘a ) say (that Imams possess Divine Authority) about him is true.”
7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father who has said the following. “Once a group of Shi‘a from the suburbs asked permission to meet abu Ja‘far (a.s.). He granted them permission and they came in his presence. In one meeting they asked him thirty thousand questions. He answered them all and at that time he was ten years old.”
8. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Salj ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn al-Hakam who has said the following. “Di‘bil ibn Ali once went to see abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) and he ordered his people to give him a certain gift but he did thank Allah.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) said to him, “Why did you not thank Allah?” The narrator has said that then I went to see abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and ordered his people to give a gift and I said, “All praise belongs to Allah.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “You just demonstrated your discipline.”
9. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah from Muhammad ibn Sinan who has said the following. “Once I went to see abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He said, “O Muhammad, has something happened to the family of al-Faraj (the governor of al-Madina )?” I said, “Yes, ‘Umar (a member of al-Faraj family) has died.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “All thanks and praise belongs to Allah.” He said it twenty four times. I then said, “My master, had known it would make you this happy I would have come to running and bare foot with the news (to congratulate you).” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Do you not know what he –may Allah condemn him- once had said to Muhammad ibn Ali, my father?” The narrator has said that I said, “No, I do not know it.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He spoke to my father about an issue and then said to him, “I think you are drunk.” My father then had said, “O Lord, if you know that I have been fasting this day, then make him test the taste of al-A ‘war, and the humiliation of captivity.” By Allah, in just a few days his belongings were looted and he was captured and know he is dead-may Allah deprive him of His mercy. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, has exacted revenge from him and He continues to exact revenge for His friends from His enemies.
10. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from from Muhammad ibn Hassa’n from abu Hashim Ali-Ja‘fari who has said the following. “Once I prayed with abu Ja‘far (a.s.) in the Mosque of Ali-Musayyib. He lead the prayer with us and as to the direction of Makka he stood up facing straight. He also has said that a berry tree that was in the Mosque had dried up and had no leaves. The Imam (a.s.) asked for water and prepared himself under that tree for prayer. The berry tree came alive with leaves and fruits in that year.”
11. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali-Hajjal and ‘Amr ibn ‘Uthman from a man of the people of al-Madina from Ali-Mutrifiy who has said the following. “Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) passed away and owed my four thousand dirhams. I said to myself, “My money is lost.” Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) sent me a message to come to him the next day and bring with me a balance and weighing stones.” I went to see hiom and he said, “Abu al-Hassan has passed away. Did he owe you four thousand Dirhams?” I said, “Yes, he did.” He then lifted up his prayer rug on which was sitting and there were Dinars and he give them to me.”
12. Sa‘d ibn ‘Abdallah and Ali-Himyari all have narrated fom Ibrahim ibn Mahziyar from his brother Ali from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Muhammad ibn Sinan who has said the following. “Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) passed away at the age of twenty five years, three months and twelve days. He died on a Tuesday on the sixth of Dhil Hajj in the year two hundred twenty AH. He lived nineteen years less twenty five days.”
He was born on Dhil Hajj fifteen in the year two hundred twelve. It is said that he was born in the month of Rajab in the year two hundred and fourteen AH. He passed away on twenty sixth of Jamadi al-Akhir in the year two hundred fifty two. It is narrated that he passed away in the month of Rajab in the year two hundred fifty four AH. He lived for forty one years and six months. According to the previously mentioned date he lived for forty years. Ali-Mutawakkil had summond him from al-Madina with Yahya ibn Harthama ibn ’Ayan to Surra man Ra‘Abdallah. He left this world therefrom and he was buried in his house. His mother was ’Umm Walad, called Samana.
1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Khayrana Ali-Asbati who has said the following. “Once I went to al-Madina to see abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He asked me, “What is the news from Ali-Wathiq (Abbassid ruler)?” I said, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I left him in good health and I am of all people the latest who met him. I met him just ten days ago.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) then said, “People of al-Madina say that he has died.” When he said, “people say’ I understood that it is he himself. He then said, “What has Ja‘far (Mutawakkil Abbassid) done?” I said, “I left him in the worst condition of all people. He was in prison.” The narrator has said that he then said, “He has become the ruler. What has ibn Ali-Zayyat (the vizir of Wathiq) has done?” I said, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, people are with him and whatever he says it goes.” The narrator has said that he then said, “His progress has proved to become a misfortune for him.” The narrator has said that he then paused for a while and said to me, “The measures of Allah, the Most High and His decrees must go on. O Khayaran, al-Wathiq has died and Ali-Mutawakkil , Ja‘far has replaced him and ibn al-Zayyat is killed.” I then asked, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, when this has happened?” He said, “After six days from the time you left.”
2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Salih ibn Sa‘id who has said the following. “Once I went to see abu al-Hassan (a.s.) and I said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, in all matters they wanted to extinguish your light and be unjust towards you. So much so that they have lodged you in this disgraceful place for the homeless.” He said, “O ibn Sa‘id, here. He pointed out with his hand and said, “Look there.” When looked I saw gardens. I saw very delightful gardens. There lived lovely boys and girls as if they well protected and secure pearls. There lived birds and beautiful deer. It have fountains and rivers that pur out and gush forth. My sight bewildered and my eyes turned dull. He then said, “Wherever we may live these are for us. We are in the lodging for the homeless.”
3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah from Ali ibn Muhammad from Ishaq al-Jallab who has said the following. “Once I bought a large number of sheeps for abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He called and admitted me into the barn area of his house into a vast location that I could not recognize. He ordered me to distribute the sheep among certain people and of such people were abu Ja‘far and his mother and others. Thereafter I requested permission to leave for Baghdad to see my father. It was the day of Tarwiya (eighth of the month of Dhi al-Hajj). He wrote to me, “Stay with us tomorrow thereafter leave.” I stayed that day and then it was the day of ‘Arafa (ninth of Dhi al-Hajj but I stayed with them that day as well as the tenth night in the balcony of his house. At dawn he came to me and said, “O Ishaq, wake up.” I then got up.” The narrator has said that I then opened my eyes and found myself at my own door in Baghdad. I went inside and met my father and I was among my people and I told them I spent the day of ‘Arafa (ninth of Dhi al-Hajj) in the army camp (Samarra) and for ‘Id (tenth of Dhi al-Hajj) I am in Baghdad.”
4. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Tahiri who has said the following. “ Al-Mutawakkil became ill because of a boil so seriously that he was about to die and no one would have the courage to touch to operate him. His mother vowed to sent a large sum of money to abu al-Hassan (a.s.) from her own property if her son would recover. Fath ibn Khaqan had advised him to ask him (the Imam (a.s.) about it. He might know something that would help relieve you. He sent the message to him and explained his illness. The messenger returned with a message that said, “Warm up oil from sheep mixed with water and place it on the boil.” When the messenger explained it to them they laughed at his words. However, al-Fath said, “He, by Allah, knows best about what he has said.” They brought the oil and prepared it as explained and placed it on the boil. The patience soon after was fast asleep and his acting pain had calmed down. Afterwards it opened up and the substance in it was discharged and his mother was given the glad news of his recovery. She sent ten thousand Dinars to him (abu al-Hassan (a.s.) marked with her own seal. He had fully recovered from his illness, al-Batha’i al-‘Alawi acting as a spy said to him, “Large sums of money and weapons are delivered to him (abu al-Hassan (a.s.).” He (Al-Mutawakkil) ordered Sa‘id the police chief to search his house during the night and confiscate whatever money and weapons you would find therein and bring hem to him (Al-Mutawakkil).” Ibrahim ibn Muhammad has said, “Sa‘id, the chief of police told me that when I went to his house during the night and I had a ladder to climb over the wall and when I climbed on the roof and then climbed down few steps in the dark I did not know how to reach the house. He (abu al-Hassan (a.s.) called me, “O Sa‘id, hold on until they bring you candles. In a little while they brought me a candle and I climbed down and found him with woolen gown on him and woolen cap and before him there was prayer rug with a mat on it. I then had no doubt that he was praying. He said to me, “There are the rooms.” I then searched them and did not find anything there but I found the bag of money in his house that was sealed with the seal of the mother of Al-Mutawakkil on it and another sealed bag of money. He said to me, “There is the prayer rug.” I lifted it up and there was a sword underneath in a sheath. I took them to Al-Mutawakkil. When saw the seal of his mother on it he called her for inquiry and she came to him. Private servants informed me that she said to him, “When you were very ill, I had vowed out of frustration that if you would recover I will pay him ten thousand Dinars from my own properties. I paid him and this is my own seal. He opened the other bag and there was a four hundred Dinars in it. He added an other bag of money to it and asked me to deliver them to him (abu al-Hassan (a.s.) I returned the sword and the bags of money to him saying, “My master, (I wish you knew) how much this assignment has depressed me.” He said, “The unjust ones will find out very soon to what kind of destination they will end up.”
5. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah from Ali ibn Muhammad al-Nawfali who has said the following. “Muhammad ibn al-Faraj told me that abu al-Hassan (a.s.) has written to him this. “O Muhammad, organize you affairs and be careful.” He said that he began to organize his affairs and did not know what the Imam (a.s.) meant thereby until police came to me and took me out of Egypt as a captive. All of my belongings were confiscated and I remained in prison for eight years. In the prison I received a letter from him that said, “O Muhammad, do not reside in the western location.” I read the letter and said to my self, “He writes me this and I am in prison. This is strange.” Shortly afterwards, I was released, thanks to Allah. The narrator has said that Muhammad ibn al-Faraj wrote to him about his properties. The Imam (a.s.) wrote to him in response, “Your properties will soon be returned to you and even if they are not returned to you it will not harm you.” When Muhammad al-Faraj left to the army camp (Samarra) an order was issued to release his properties but he died before receiving them. The narrator has said that Ahmad ibn al-Khadib wrote to Muhammad ibn al-Faraj asking him to come to the army camp. He wrote to the Imam (a.s.) for his advise in the matter and the response was this. “ Go out. In it there will be happiness and relief for you, by the will of Allah, the Most High..” He left for the journey but very shortly afterwards he died.”
6. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from a man from Ahmad ibn Muhammad who has said the following. “Abu ya‘qub informed me saying, ‘ I saw him (Muhammad) before his death in the army camp in an evening. Abu al-Hassan received him and looked at him and he became ill the next day. After several days I went to visit him during his illness and his illness was worsening. He informed me that he (abu al-Hassan (a.s.) has sent him cloths which he had folded to use as a pillow. The narrator has said that he was shrouded in that cloth.” Ahmad has said that abu ya‘qub said, “I saw abu al-Hassan (a.s.) with ibn al-Khadib who said to him, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, go ahead.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “You go first.” Only after four days he was put in shackles and the news of his death was given out. The narrator has said that it is narrated that when ibn al-Khadib insisted in his demand from him the house he sent him this messages. “I will ask Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, to place as such that not even your traces would be found.” Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, took him away in those days.”
7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from a number of our people the following. “I took a copy of the letter of Al-Mutawakkil to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), the third from Yahya ibn Harthama in the year two hundred forty three that read as follows. “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Thereafter, Amir al-Mu’minin acknowledges your positions, takes good care of you as a relative, deems it obligatory to observe your rights. He pays attentions towards your well fare and the well being of your family through the means with which Allah will grant well being to you and to them and establish your honor and honor to them, grant blessing and security to you and to them. He seeks thereby the pleasure of his Lord and to fulfill his obligations towards you and to them. Amir al-Mu’minin, believes that it is best to remove ‘Abdallah ibn Muhammad as commander of the army and prayer leader in al-Madina of the Messenger of Allah since you have mentioned his ignorance and his disregard of your rights. That he has not respected you properly. Also it is because of his accusing you of matters that Amir al-Mu’minin has learned is unfounded and he acquits of such charges. It is because of your sincere intentions in not leading a attempt to achieve what you consider yourself unfit for. Amir al-Mu’minin has replace him (‘Abdallah ibn Muhammad) with Muhammad ibn al-Fadl and has ordered him to honor and revere you and abide by your orders and opinions. He must seek nearness to Allah and to Amir al-Mu’minin in this way. Amir al-Mu’minin looks forwards to see you and loves to see you soon to look at you. If you would like to visit him and stay with him as long as you would like along with whoever of the members of your family and friends and servants you may do so whenever convenient for you and desirable. You may start your journey whenever you would like, stop on the way whenever and wherever you would like. If you would like, Yahya ibn Harthama, the slave of Amir al-Mu’minin and the elements of the army will escort you. They will travel as you would like them to do so. All the matters will be up to you to decide until you would arrive at Amir al-Mu’minin’s place. No one of his brothers, sons, family members and persons special to him would be deserving more kindness, respected position, more praise worthy and preferable to him than you do. He will not be more caring, compassionate and helpful to them and more happy with any of them than he will be with you. If Allah would so will. May peace be with you and the kindness and blessings of Allah. Written by Ibrahim ibn al-‘Abbass. May Allah grant blessing up on Muhammad and his family.
8. al-Husayn ibn al-Hassan al-Hassani has said that narrated to me abu al-Tayb al-Muthanna ya‘qub ibn Yasir the following. “Al-Mutawakkil would say, “Woe is you, the ibn (the son of) al-Rida, (Ali al-Hadi (a.s.)) has frustrated me. He refuses to share a drink (liquor) with me and associate with me and I never get a chance in it.” They (his associates) told him, “If he does not give you a chance his brother, Musa plays music, sings, eats, drinks and seeks carnal love.” He asked them to call him so that we may confuse people with ibn al-Rida (Musa considered as Ali al-Hadi) has become an associate of Al-Mutawakkil. He wrote to Musa and invited him with honorably. All the people from the clan of Hashim present, the officials and people received him with the condition that on his arrival a piece of land will be given to him on which proper accommodations will be build for him. People who love to drink liquor and the singers will come to meet him there. He (Al-Mutawakkil) maintained good relations with him, cared for him and prepared a gorgeous lodging for him where he would visit him therein. When Musa arrived abu al-Hassan (a.s.) met him at al-Qantra Wasif, the place where the visitors were being received. He met him, offered him the greeting of peace and observed his rights. Then he said to him, “This mman has invited you to insult and humiliate you. Do not confess to him that you have ever drank any liquor.” Musa said, “If he has invited me for this purpose then what should I do?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Do not humiliate yourself and do not drink any liquor because he wants to insult you.” He (Musa) refused and he (abu al-Hassan (a.s.)) repeated his advise. When he found out that he (Musa) does not agree he said, “Remember, this is a place where you will never be able to meet him (Al-Mutawakkil).” He (Musa) lived there for three years. Everyday he would wake up and his people would tell that Al-Mutawakkil is busy today you can meet him next time. He would go and they would tell him that he (Al-Mutawakkil) is drunk. He would go again and they would say he (Al-Mutawakkil) has just had medicine. It continued this way for three years until Al-Mutawakkil was killed and Musa had never had a chance to meet him.”
9. Certain persons of our people have narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali who has said the following. “Zayd ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Zayd narrated to me as follows. “I became ill and a doctor came to see me at night. He prescribed a medicine for me to be taken at night for so and so many days. I could not find the medicine that night. The physician was still there that Nasr came in with a bottle that contained the medicine that the physician had prescribed for me and said, “Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) sends you the greeting of peace and has asked you to take this medicine for so and so many days.” I took the medicine and recovered from my illness.” Muhammad ibn Ali has said that Zayd ibn ail told me, “The critics would refuse to accept this hadith saying, “Wherefrom the extremist have brought this hadith?”
Abu Muhammad al-Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.) was born in the month of Ramadan (in an other copy it is in ‘the month of Rabi‘ al-Awwal) in the year two hundred thirty two. He died on a Friday on the eighth of the month of Rabi‘ al-Awwal in the year two hundred sixty at the age of twenty eight. He was buried in the house where his father was buried in the city of Surra man Ra‘a (Samarra).her was ’Umm Walad, called Hudayth (or Sawsan).
1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Asha‘ari and Muhammad ibn Yahya and others have narrated the following. “Ahmad ibn ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Khaqan was in charge of collecting property and other taxes in the city of Qumm. One day in his presence the ‘Alawids and their beliefs were mentioned. He was a staunch Nasibi (abusive of ‘Alawids). He said, “In the city of Surra man Ra‘a a man from the ‘Alawids like al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn al-Rida in guidance, calmness, piety, nobility and generosity to his family and among banu Hashim. They all as well as the official, the ministers and all common people all would give preference to him over their elders and the noble ones. One day I was standing next to my father (as a assistant or guard) and it was the day of his meeting people. His guards came and said, “Abu Muhammad ibn al-Rida is at the door.” He said loudly, “Allow him to come in.” I was surprised at their mentioning so boldly someone with his Kunya (i.e. father of so and so) before my father while only a Caliph, a crown Caliph or one who by the command of the Sultan would have to be addressed that way could have been treated as suCh A man with a fair complexion came in. His hieght was good and his face looked handsome, physically very good and young. He looked majestiic and awesome. When my father looked at him he stood up and walked towards him several steps. I had not seen him doing this to a person from the clan of banu Hashim and the officers. When he approached him he embraced him kissed his face and cchest and holding his hand lead him to sit on his own place for prayer and himself sat nest to him turning his face towards him. He would talk to him and would say often, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause.” I was surprised at what I would see. At this time the servant came and said, “Al-Muwaffaq (brother and commander in chief of the Caliph) has come.” When he (Al-Muwaffaq) would come to my father he would receive preference over the officers and other personalities. They stood up in the presence of my father between the door and the seat of my father until he would come in and leave. My father was still paying attention to abu Muhammad and was talking to him until he looked at his special servants and said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, now you may if you would so wish.” “. He then said to his guards to lead him to through the backside so that he (Al-Muwaffaq) would not see him. He stood up and my father also stood up and embraced him and he left. I asked the guards of my father and his servants, “Woe is you, who was the man whom you addressed by his Kunya before my father and my father treated him as he ddid?” They said, “This ‘Alawid man is called al-Hassan ibn Ali, know as ibn al-Rida .” This surprised me even more. The whole day I thought anxiously about his affairs and the behaviors of my father and I did not see him until it was night. He would usually say his ‘Isha (late evening) prayer and would study the things that he would need of the issue to present before the Sultan. When prayed and began to study I went and sat before him while he was alone. He asked, “Oahmad, do you need something?” I said, “Yes, my father. If you would allow me I would like to ask.” He said, “You have permission, my son, say whatever you would like.” I said, “Father, who was the man you met this morning and behaved with him the way you did towards him with so much glorification, greatness and reverence with such expressions as, ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause’?” He said, “My son, he was the Imam ((Leadership with Divine Authority) of the al-Rafida (those who refuse to accept the leadership people other than (Ali and his infallible descendants). He is al-Hassan ibn Ali, known as ibn al-Rida. He remained quite for a while and then said, “My son if the Imamat leadership would be removed from the Abbassid Caliphs no one from the clan of banu Hashim would deserve to become the Imam except this man. He deserves it because of his distinctions, piety, guidance, safety (from mistakes), his chastity, his worship, his beautiful moral characteristics and perfection. Had you had a chance to see his father you would have seen a man of great intelligence, nobility and excellence.” This increased my anxiety, thinking and anger towards my father and I thought his dealing and behavior towards him and his words for him were excessive. Thereafter, there was nothing more important to me than to ask more about him and investigate his affairs. Whoever of the members of Hashite clan or the guards, the clerks, the judges, the scholars of the law (Fuqha’) and other people that I would ask I would find him being glorified, mentioned with greatness and high position. I would hear very beautiful words about him and see him given preference over all members of Hashimite clan, their elders. The feeling of greatness for him increased in my heart because I would not find anyone of his friends or foe that would not speak good of him and praise him.” A certain person from the al-Asha‘ari beliefs present asked him, “What is the news about his brother, Ja‘far, O abu Bakr?” He said, “Who is Ja‘far that you would ask about him or compare him with al-Hassan (a.s.). Ja‘far was an evil doer in public, polluted with sins, an addict drukered, the lowest of all man and the most humiliating of his own self among men. He was worthless and little to his own self. What happened durinng the time of the death of al-Hassan ibn Ali to the Sultan and his people astonished me and I did not think such thing can happen. When became ill. My father was informed that ibn al-Rida has become ill. He immediately rode to reach the capital of the Caliphate. He came back in hurry with five people of the servants of the Amir al-Mu’minin. They all were of his confidants and trustworthy ones among whom one was Nihriyr. He (my father) commanded them to stay close to the house of al-Hassan (a.s.) to learn about him and his conditions. He called a few physicians and commanded them to maintain contact with him and be around him mornings and evenings. After two or three days he was informed that he (the patient) is weakening. He commanded the physicians to remain around his house and sent for the chief judge who came in his presence. He then commanded the him (judge) to select ten persons from his most trust worthy in the matters of their religion, trust and restraint. They were called in his presence and he sent them to house of al-Hassan (a.s.). He commanded them to be there day and night and they were there until he (a.s.) passed away. The city of Surra man Ra‘a turned into one huge voice of weeping and lamentation. The Sultan sent people to search his house and search all the rooms therein and seal the contents thereof.. They searched for his son and called certain women with knowledge to deal with pregnancy. They examined his ladies. A certain woman had said that one of the ladies is pregnant. She was accommodated in a certain quarter and Nihrir, al-Khadim and his people and the women with him were ordered to stay guard around her. Thereafter they began to prepare for the burial. The markets were to remain closed. Members of the clan al-Hashim, the guards, my father and other people formed the burial procession. The city of Surra man Ra’a on that day had turned into a day similar to the Day of resurrection. When the body was readied for burial the Sultan sent message to abu ‘Isa ibn al-Mutawakkil and commanded him to lead the prayer. When the body was placed at the prayer area abu ‘Isa went close and uncovered his face. He then asked all members of al-Hashim clan of the ‘Aliwid and ‘Abbassid branch, the guards, the clerks, the judges and juries to bear witness that al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn al-Rida (a.s.) his died a natural death in his own bed. That this has taken place in the presence of the servants of Amir al-Mu’minin, his confidants, so and so persons of the judges and so and persons of the physicians. He (abu ‘Isa) then covered his face and ordered to pick up the body. The body was then picked up from the central area of the house and was buried in the room where his father was buried. After his burial the Sultan and people began to search for his son. The search was carried out extensively. All the houses and rooms were searched. The distribution of his legacy was suspended. The people appointed to guard one the ladies who was thought of as pregnant continued their task until it was found out that such thought was invalid. When pregnancy was proved invalid they distributed his legacy between his mother and brother, Ja‘far. His mother claimed to be the executor of his will and her claim was confirmed before the judge. The Sultan, even after searching so much for his son continued his search to find traces of his son. Thereafter, Ja‘far came to my father and asked, “Assign the position of my brother to me. I will pay you twenty thousand Dinars every year.” My father treated him harshly and rebuked him saying, “You are a fool. The Sultan puts to the sword whoever he just thinks is a Shi‘a, follower and supporter of your father and brother to stop them from holding such belief but he fails to achieve such goal. Had you been considered an Imam among the Shi‘a of your father and brother you would not need any help from the Sultan or others to give you such position as that of your father and brother. If you are not considered an Imam among the Shi‘a of your father and brother you will not have such position from us.” My father belittled him considered him weak and ordered his people to keep him away from his office. My father did not give him permission for a meeting as long as he lived. We left and he remained in the same condition. The Sultan still would search for the traces of the son of al-Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.).”
Daif· al-Majlisi
Sahih· al-Behbudi
Recueils sunnites : texte du jeu de données ouvert hadith-api. Al-Kafi : texte arabe, traduction de Muhammad Sarwar et authentifications de Thaqalayn.net via l'API Thaqalayn. La numérotation suit ces éditions et peut différer d'une copie imprimée — vérifiez l'arabe dans une édition de confiance avant de vous appuyer sur une référence.
