On Ar-Ridha’s Appointment of his son Muhammad ibn Ali عليه السلام as the Imam and his Successor
ʿUyūn akhbār al-Riḍā|Volume 2|Book 1|Chapter 30
ʿUyūn akhbār al-Riḍā
Volume 2, Book 1, Chapter 30
On Ar-Ridha’s Appointment of his son Muhammad ibn Ali عليه السلام as the Imam and his Successor
1 hadith1 - حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِم أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْمَد الْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ حَدَّثَني مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الصُّوليُّ قالَ حَدَّثَنا عَوْنُ بْنِ مُحَمَّد قالَ حَدَّثَنا أَبُو الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبي عباد وَكانَ يَكْتُبُ لِلرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ ضمه إِلَيْهِ الفَضْلِ بْنِ سَهْل قالَ مَا كَانَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ يَذْكُرُ مُحَمَّداً ابْنَهُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ إِلا بِكُنْيَتِهِ يَقُولُ كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ وَكُنْتُ أَكْتُبُ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ وَهُوَ صَبِيٌّ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَيُخَاطِبُهُ بِالتَّعْظِيمِ وَتَرِدُ كُتُبُ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ فِي نِهَايَةِ الْبَلاغَةِ وَالْحُسْنِ فَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ وَصِيِّي وَخَلِيفَتِي فِي أَهْلِي مِنْ بَعْدِي.
60-1 Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Oun ibn Muhammad, on the authority of Abul Husayn Muhammad ibn Abi Abbad - the one who was hired by Fadhl ibn Sahl to write for Imam Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام, “Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام would never mention the name of his son Muhammad عليه السلام except by using his nickname (Abu Ja’far). For example, Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام would say, ‘Abu Ja’far has written me a letter’ or say, ‘I wrote such and such to Abu Ja’far.’ This was so, even though his son was still a small child in Medina. However, the Imam عليه السلام always addressed him with respect. Abu Ja’far عليه السلام would also always respond in an extremely eloquent and charming manner. Once I heard Imam Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام say, ‘Abu Ja’far عليه السلام is my Testamentary Trustee, and my successor from amongst my family after me.’”