Kitab Al-Nawadir (uncommon reports)

Narrated to me my father; he said: narrated to me Saad bin Abdullah from Muhammad bin Isa bin Ubaid from Ali bin Hakam and Ali bin Hasan from Nafe Warraq from Harun bin Kharja from Harun bin Saad Ajali that he said: “Ismail, about who you thought that he would be the Imam after Imam Ja’far Sadiq عليه السلام, died. And Imam Ja’far Sadiq عليه السلام has also reached old age and he will also pass away one of these days. After that you will become without any Imam. I could not give him any reply. So I mentioned his statement to Imam Ja’far Sadiq عليه السلام. He said: “I am surprised at this man. By Allah, if Imamate stops, the days and the nights will come to an end. When you meet him next time tell him that Musa Ibne Ja’far will be the Imam after me. After him, his son will succeed him, if Allah wills.”

Narrated to me Muhammad bin Hasan bin Ahmad bin Walid, that he said: Narrated to me Saad bin Abdullah from Muhammad bin Walid Khazzaz and Sandi bin Muhammad Bazzaz, the two of them from Muhammad bin Abi Umair from Aban bin Uthman Ahmar from Bashir Nabbal from Imam Muhammad Baqir عليه السلام that Imam Ja’far Sadiq عليه السلام said: “When the daughter of Khalid bin Sinan Abasi came to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم he said: Welcome, the daughter of my brother. He called her near and spread out his cloak for her and made her sit near him. Then he said: She is the daughter of the prophet whose community had weakened him and that was Khalid bin Sinan Abasi.”

Narrated to us my father that: Narrated to us Saad bin Abdullah: Narrated to us Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Isa and Muhammad bin Husain bin Abil Khattab and Yaqoob bin Yazid al-Katib and Ahmad bin Hasan bin Ali bin Fuddal from Abdullah bin Bukair from Abi Abdullah عليه السلام that he said: “The name of the last successor of Prophet Isa عليه السلام was Aabi.”

And narrated to us Muhammad bin Hasan bin Ahmad bin Walid: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Hasan Saffar and Saad bin Abdullah; all of them from Yaqoob bin Yazid al-Katib from Muhammad bin Abi Umair from one who narrated to our associates – from Abi Abdullah عليه السلام that he said: “The name of the last successor of Prophet Isa عليه السلام was Balit.”

And narrated to us my father and Muhammad bin Hasan رضي الله عنه: narrated to us Saad bin Abdullah: Narrated to us Haitham Ibne Abi Masrooq Nahdi and Muhammad bin Abdul Jabbar from Ismail bin Sahal from Muhammad bin Abi Umair from Durust bin Abi Mansur Wasiti and others from Abi Abdullah عليه السلام that he said: “Salman Farsi رضي الله عنه went to many scholars in search of truth. At last he came to Aabi and he remained with him till Allah wanted. When the appearance of the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم took place Aabi said: O Salman, the one you are searching for has appeared in Mecca. So Salman رضي الله عنه went out towards him.”

Narrated to us my father and Muhammad bin Hasan رضي الله عنه; they said: Narrated to us Saad bin Abdullah that: Narrated to us a group of our Kufi associates from Muhammad bin Ismail bin Bazi from Umayyah bin Ali Qaisi that he said: Narrated to me Durust bin Abi Mansur Wasiti that he asked Abul Hasan Awwal, that is Imam Musa Kazim عليه السلام: “Was Aabi a divine proof on the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم?” He replied, “No, rather the heirloom of the prophets reached to the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم through Aabi and he accepted it.” I asked, “Was the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم a divine proof on Aabi?” He replied, “He accepted the messengership of the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and whatever was revealed on him. He conveyed to him the heirloom of the prophets and died the same day.”

Narrated to us my father: Narrated to us Saad bin Abdullah: Narrated to us Ahmad bin Muhammad Isa from Abbas bin Musa Warraq from Yunus bin Abdur Rahman from Dawood bin Farqad Attar that he said: Some of our associates said to me: “Do the angels sleep?” I said, “I don’t know.” So he said, “Allah, the Mighty and Sublime has said: They glorify (Him) by night and day; they are never languid.16 Then he said, “Shall I mention you something from the sayings of Imam Ja’far Sadiq عليه السلام by way of gift?” “Why not?” said I. So he said, “The Imam said: All those who are alive are asleep except for Allah, the Mighty and Sublime and the angels.” I said, “The Almighty Allah has said: They glorify (Him) by night and day; they are never languid.17 He said, “Their breathing is divine glorification.”

Narrated to me my father and Muhammad bin Hasan رضي الله عنه; they said: Narrated to us Saad bin Abdullah: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Husain bin Abil Khattab and Yaqoob bin Yazid, all of them from Hammad bin Isa from Hariz bin Abdullah from Muhammad bin Muslim that he said: I asked Abi Abdullah عليه السلام regarding the saying of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime: You are only a warner and (there is) a guide for every people.21 He replied: “Every Imam is a guide of his community in his time.”

Narrated to us my father: Narrated to us Saad bin Abdullah: Narrated to us Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Isa from his father from Ibne Abi Umair from Umar bin Uzainah from Buraid bin Muawiyah Ijli that he said: “I asked Abi Ja’far عليه السلام regarding the meaning of:You are only a warner and (there is) a guide for every people.22 He replied: ‘Warner means the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and guide means Ali Ibne Abi Talib عليه السلام. And at every time and in every period there will be an Imam from us who will call the people towards the teachings of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم.’”

Narrated to us Muhammad bin Musa bin Mutawakkil: Narrated to us Abdullah bin Ja’far Himyari: Narrated to us Hasan bin Zareef from Salih bin Abi Hammad from Muhammad bin Ismail from Abil Hasan ar-Reza عليه السلام that he said: “One who dies without having an Imam, dies the death of the period of Ignorance.” He was asked, “All those who die without having an Imam die the death of the period of Ignorance?” He replied: “Yes, the Waqifi (those who stop) are infidels and the Nasibi (haters) are polytheists.”

Informed me Ali bin Hatim in what he wrote to me that: Narrated to us Humaid bin Ziyad from Hasan bin Ali bin Sama-a from Ahmad bin Hasan Muthanna from Sama-a et al from Abi Abdullah عليه السلام that he said: The following verse is revealed about the Qaim: And (that) they should not be like those who were given the Book before, but the time became prolonged to them, so their hearts hardened, and most of them are transgressors.25

And through the same chain of narrators from Ahmad bin Hasan Mithami from Hasan bin Mahboob from Momin Taq from Salam bin Mustanir from Abi Ja’far عليه السلام that he said regarding the words of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime: Know that Allah gives life to the earth after its death.26 “It means that Allah, the Mighty and Sublime will revive it through the Qaim after its death - that is death due to the disbelief of its inhabitants – since disbelievers are dead people.”

Narrated to us Muhammad bin Ibrahim bin Ishaq رضي الله عنه: Narrated to us Abdul Aziz bin Yahya Jaludi Basri: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Zakariya Jawahiri: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Ja’far bin Ammara from his father from Saad bin Tareef from Asbagh bin Nubatah that he said: I heard Amirul Momineen Ali Ibne Abi Talib عليه السلام say: I heard the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم say: “The most superior statement is ‘there is no god, except Allah’ and the best creature is one that said ‘there is no god, except Allah’ first. Someone asked: O Messenger of Allah, who was the first to say: ‘There is no god, except Allah’? He replied, I. I was before Allah in the form of light and I used to admit His oneness and glorify and praise Him. Then a witnessing light was created from my light. It was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, who is your witness?” He replied, “Ali Ibne Abi Talib, my brother, my chosen one, my vizier and my successor, and the Imam of my Ummah and the owner of my Pool, and the bearer of my standard.” Then it was said to him, “O Messenger of Allah, who were created from his light?” He replied, “Hasan, Husain the chiefs of the youths of Paradise, and after them the Imams from the progeny of Husain who will come till the Judgment Day.”

Narrated to us Muhammad bin Hasan رضي الله عنه: Narrated to us Husain bin Hasan bin Aban from Husain bin Saeed from Muhammad bin Hasan Kinani from his grandfather from Abi Abdullah عليه السلام that he said: “Indeed Allah, the Mighty and Sublime revealed on His Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم a book before his passing away and said: O Muhammad, this is your bequest which you will give to your successor in your family. The Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم asked, “And who is my successor in my family, O Jibraeel?” He replied: Ali Ibne Abi Talib عليه السلام. There were many seals on this book. Thus the Prophet gave that book to Ali عليه السلام and told him to break the seal and act upon what it says. So he broke the seal and did what it said. Then he handed it on to Hasan Ibne Ali عليه السلام, and he broke open one seal and carried out what was in it. Then he handed it on to Husain Ibne Ali عليه السلام, and he broke open one seal and found in it: ‘Go forth with a group of men to martyrdom, for there is no martyrdom for them except with you; and sell your self to Allah, to Whom belong Might and Majesty.’ So he did (this). Then he handed it on to a man after him [Ali Ibne Husain عليه السلام], and he broke open one seal and found in it: ‘Lower your head in silence, do not speak out, stay in your house, and worship your Lord till what is certain (death) carries you away.’ So he did (this). Then he handed it on to his son [Muhammad Ibne Ali عليه السلام], and he broke open one seal and found in it: ‘Speak to the people, give them legal rulings, and disseminate the knowledge of your ancestors.’ So he did (this). Then he handed it on to his son [Ja’far Ibne Muhammad عليه السلام], and he broke open one seal and found in it: ‘Speak to the people, give them legal rulings and testify for your ancestors. And do not fear other than Allah, indeed you are in the protection of Allah and in His guarantee. And he was ordered to transfer it and he transferred it to one after him and so on till [the rising of Mahdi and] the Judgment Day.”

Narrated to us Muhammad bin Musa bin Mutawakkil: Narrated to us Ali bin Husain Sadabadi from Ahmad bin Abi Abdullah Barqi from his father from Muhammad bin Abi Umair from Ali bin Abi Hamza from Abi Baseer that he said: Abi Abdullah عليه السلام said regarding the words of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime: هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ He it is Who sent His Apostle with guidance and the religion of truth, that He might cause it to prevail over all religions, though the polytheists may be averse.27 “The interpretation of this verse has not yet been actualized and neither will it actualize till the advent of the Qaim عليه السلام. Not a single denier in the Almighty Allah and polytheist will remain except that he will detest the Imam and if the disbeliever or polytheist hides in the center of a rock that rock will say: O believer, there is a disbeliever in my center, break me up and eliminate him.”

Narrated to us Muhammad bin Ali Majilaway رضي الله عنه: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Yahya al-Attar from Muhammad bin Husain bin Abil Khattab and Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Isa, all of them from Muhammad bin Sinan from Abil Jarud Ziyad bin Mundhir that he said: Abu Ja’far Imam Muhammad Baqir عليه السلام said: “When Qaim عليه السلام sets out from Mecca, a caller of His Eminence would announce: ‘None of you must carry any food and water.’ His Eminence would be having with himself the stone of Musa bin Imran that weighs a camel load. Thus he does not halt at any stage but that streams burst forth from that stone and anyone that feels hunger eats from it and any that feels thirsty drinks from it. The beasts of burden also get their feed from that till they reach Najaf at the rear of Kufa.”

Narrated to us Muhammad bin Hasan bin Ahmad bin Walid رضي الله عنه: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Hasan Saffar from Yaqoob bin Yazid from Muhammad bin Abi Umair from Aban bin Uthman from Aban bin Taghlib that he said: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام said: “The first to pledge allegiance to Qaim عليه السلام is Jibraeel who would come down in the form of a white bird and give him oath of allegiance. Then keeping one foot on the Holy Kaaba and another on the Holy Qods issue such a loud call that when the creatures hear it they would cry: أَتَىٰ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ فَلَا تَسْتَعْجِلُوهُ “Allah’s commandment has come, therefore do not desire to hasten it.”28

And through the same chain of narrators from Aban bin Taghlib that he said: Abi Abdullah عليه السلام said: “Very soon 313 persons will come to your Masjid – that is the Masjid of Mecca – the people of Mecca will know that they are not natives. All of them will be carrying swords and each of the swords will be inscribed with the Kalima from each of which a hundred Kalimas will be coming out. Then the Almighty Allah shall send a breeze that shall call out in every valley, ‘This is Mahdi, who shall judge like Prophet Dawood and Sulaiman and he would not ask for evidence.’”

And through the same chain of narrators from Aban bin Taghlib that he said: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام said: “When the Qaim عليه السلام reappears, there will be a sign for every person by which he would recognize whether he is righteous or evil-doer. And in it is the sign for those who possess reason and it is the right path.”

And through the same chain of narrators from Aban bin Taghlib that he said: Abi Abdullah عليه السلام said: “Two bloods are made lawful by Allah, the Mighty and Sublime and no one can issue a judgment regarding them; till the time Allah, the Mighty and Sublime will send the Qaim from Ahlul Bayt عليه السلام and he will judge according to the command of Allah. Thus at that time testimony will not be needed. The married fornicator will be stoned to death and the one who refuses to pay the Zakat will be beheaded.”

And through the same chain of narrators from Aban bin Taghlib that he said: Abi Abdullah عليه السلام said: “As if I can see the Qaim astride a black speckled horse which has a white mark between its eyes. When his horse moves no one will remain in any town who does not think that he is in that town. When he waves the flag of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم 13000 angels will come down to him. Of them 13 will be awaiting for the Qaim. These angels are same who were with Prophet Nuh عليه السلام in his Ark, who were with Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام when he was thrown into the fire and who were with Prophet Isa عليه السلام when he was taken up to the heavens. And 4000 will be following him with flags. 313 are those angels who were present in the Battle of Badr and 4000 are those who came down to accompany Imam Husain عليه السلام in fighting against the Yazidite forces. However they were not allowed to take part in the battle. So they returned to Allah to take the permission but when they came down once more Imam Husain عليه السلام was already martyred. Thus today they remain with disheveled hair and dust smeared condition at the grave of Imam Husain عليه السلام where they will continue to lament till the Judgment Day. And there is constant coming and going of angels between the grave of Imam Husain عليه السلام and the heavens.”

And through the same chain of narrators from Aban bin Taghlib that he said: Narrated to me Abu Hamza Thumali that he said: Abu Ja’far عليه السلام said: “As if I can see Qaim عليه السلام appearing in Kufa at the back of Najaf. When he arrives at Najaf he would unfurl the standard of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. Its pole would be a pillar of the Arsh and those who accompany it would be helpers of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime. He would not bring it down for anyone but that the Almighty Allah would destroy that person.” The narrator says: I asked in a polite manner: “Is that flag with him or it would be brought for him?” He said: “It would be brought for him by Jibraeel عليه السلام.”

Narrated to us Muhammad bin Ali Majilaway that he said: Narrated to us my uncle Muhammad bin Abil Qasim from Ahmad bin Abi Abdullah Kufi from his father from Muhammad bin Sinan from Mufaddal bin Umar that he said: Abi Abdullah عليه السلام said: The following verse was revealed about the companions of the Qaim:  أَيْنَ مَا تَكُونُوا يَأْتِ بِكُمُ اللَّهُ جَمِيعًا Wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together.29 “They shall to go bed at night and in the morning find themselves in Mecca. Some of them will travel on clouds. The Imam will be knowing them by their names, father’s names, appearance and genealogies.” I asked, “May I be sacrificed on you, who will be the best in faith among them?” He replied, “One who will ride the clouds during the day.”

And through the same chain of narrators from Mufaddal bin Umar that he said: Abi Abdullah عليه السلام said: “As if I can see Qaim عليه السلام on the pulpit of Kufa surrounded by his 313 men equal to the people of Badr. They are the standard bearers and they are the divine rulers on His (Allah’s) earth over His creatures. Till he would bring out from his cloak a parchment sealed with a golden seal. A covenant from the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. Then they would go away and disperse from him like tongueless sheep and none would remain with him except the deputy and eleven chiefs - as had remained with Musa bin Imran عليه السلام - then they would wander in the earth but will not be able to find a way except him. Then they would come back to him. By Allah, I know what he will say to them which they will deny.”

Narrated to us my father: Narrated to us Saad bin Abdullah from Ahmad bin Husain bin Saeed from Muhammad bin Jumhur from Ahmad bin Abi Harasa from Abi Ishaq Ibrahim bin Ishaq from Abdullah bin Hammad Ansari that he said: Narrated to us Amr bin Shimr from Jabir bin Yazid from Abi Ja’far عليه السلام that he said: “As if I can see the companions of the Qaim عليه السلام that have filled up the earth from the east to the west. Everything, even the wild beasts and the jungle birds will obey them, and everything will seek his satisfaction, so much so that a piece of land will pride itself over others and say: Today a companion of the Imam passed over me.”

Narrated to us Ja’far bin Muhammad bin Masroor رضي الله عنه: Narrated to us Husain bin Muhammad bin Aamir from his uncle Abdullah bin Aamir from Muhammad bin Abi Umair from Ibne Abi Hamza from Abi Baseer that he said: Abi Abdullah عليه السلام said: “When Prophet Lut عليه السلام told his people: قَالَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِي بِكُمْ قُوَّةً أَوْ آوِي إِلَىٰ رُكْنٍ شَدِيدٍ “He said: Ah! that I had power to suppress you, rather I shall have recourse to a strong support.”30 He did not mean to say anything except that he was wishing for the power of Qaim عليه السلام and ‘a strong support’ are his companions, each of whom would have the strength of forty men and their hearts would be more solid than a mountain of iron, such that if they wanted they could move a mountain of iron from its place. And they shall not lay down arms till Allah, the Mighty and Sublime is satisfied.”

Narrated to us my father: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Yahya from Salamah bin Khattab from Abdullah Ibne Muhammad from Mani bin Hajjaj Basri from Majashe from Mualla from Muhammad and Faid from Abu Ja’far عليه السلام that he said: “The staff of Musa عليه السلام actually was one that Adam had. Then it reached to Shuaib and at that time it reached Musa عليه السلام. That staff is in our possession and even now when I see it, it is as green and fresh as it was when it was broken from the tree. If it is spoken to, it talks. It has come for our Qaim. He would perform all the tasks through it that Musa عليه السلام had performed. It does whatever it is ordered. And wherever it is cast, it snaps up with its tongue the deception of the enemies.”

Narrated to us Muhammad bin Ali Majilaway رضي الله عنه: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Yahya from Muhammad bin Husain from Muhammad bin Ismail from Abi Ismail Sarraj from Bishr bin Ja’far from Mufaddal bin Umar from Abi Abdullah عليه السلام that he asked: “Do you know what the garment of Yusuf was? ‘No,’ replied I. He said, “When fire was lit for (burning) Ibrahim عليه السلام Jibraeel brought a garment of Paradise for him and dressed him in it. That garment protected him from heat and cold and when his death approached, he made it into an arm band and tied it to Ishaq; Ishaq in turn tied it to Yaqoob and when Yusuf was born Yaqoob tied it on him. And it was tied to his arm till those circumstances befell him. Thus when Yusuf removed it from the arm band in Egypt, Yaqoob perceived its fragrance and it is about the same that Allah quotes him saying: لَأَجِدُ رِيحَ يُوسُفَ لَوْلَا أَنْ تُفَنِّدُونِ “Most surely I perceive the fragrance of Yusuf, unless you pronounce me to be weak in judgment.”31 It is the same garment that had come down from Paradise.” I said: May I be sacrificed on you, whom did this garment reach after him? He replied, “To the one deserving of it. And the garment is with our Qaim, when he would reappear. Then he said: All knowledge or things inherited by every prophet have reached to [the progeny of] Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم.”

And from the same chain of narrators from Mufaddal bin Umar from Abi Baseer that he said: Abi Abdullah عليه السلام said: "Indeed, when matters reaches the end with the Master of this Command (Sahib al-Amr), Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, will raise for him every low place of the earth and lower for him every high place of it, until the entire world will be for him like the palm of his hand. Then, which of you, if there were a hair in the palm of his hand, would not see it?"

Narrated to us Ja’far bin Muhammad Masroor: Narrated to us Husain bin Muhammad bin Aamir from Mualla bin Muhammad Basri from Hasan bin Ali Washsha from Muthanna Hannat from Qutaibah Aashi from Ibne Abi Yafur from the freed slave of Bani Shaiban from Abi Ja’far [al-Baqir] عليه السلام that he said: “When our Qaim arises, he will stroke the heads of the people which will gather their intellects and perfect their understandings.”

Narrated to us Muhammad bin Musa bin Mutawakkil: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Yaqoob: Narrated to us Abu Muhammad Qasim bin Alaa: Narrated to me Qasim bin Muslim from his brother Abdul Aziz bin Muslim and Narrated to us Abul Abbas Muhammad bin Ibrahim bin Ishaq Taliqani رضي الله عنه: Narrated to us Abu Ahmad Qasim bin Muhammad bin Ali Maruzi: Narrated to us Abu Haamid Imran bin Musa bin Ibrahim from Hasan bin Qasim Raqqam: Narrated to me Qasim bin Muslim from his brother Abdul Aziz Ibne Muslim that he said: “We had been with ar-Reza عليه السلام at Merv. We gathered at the Friday mosque on Friday, when we had just arrived (in Merv), and they discussed the matter of Imamate, and they discussed the many differences among people in this matter. Then I came into the presence of my master عليه السلام. I informed him about the various things the people had said respecting him. He smiled, then said: O Abd al-’Aziz! The people do not know, and have been deceived in their opinions. Verily, Allah, to Whom belong Might and Majesty, did not take away (the life of) His Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم until He had perfected the religion for him, and sent down on him the Quran in which is the clarification of all things. He completely clarified in it what is lawful and what is unlawful, the restrictions (hudud) and the commands, and all that people need. He to whom belong Might and Majesty said: We have neglected nothing in the Book.32 And he sent down in the Farewell Pilgrimage, which was at the end of his life: الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My blessing upon you, and I have approved Islam for your religion.33 “And the matter of the Imamate is one of the things by which the religion is completed. He did not pass away until he had clarified the guiding principles of their religion to his community and made plain their path for them, and he left them pointing in the direction of the path of the truth. And he established Ali عليه السلام for them as a sign and as Imam. He (Allah) has not left for them anything which the community needs without clarifying it. Hence, whoever imagines that Allah to Whom belong Might and Majesty, has not perfected His religion has surely rejected the Book of Allah, and whoever has rejected the Book of Allah, is an unbeliever in it. “‘Do they know the value of Imamate and its position in the community that their selection could be allowable in this matter? Verily, the Imamate is too sublime among values, too great among ranks, too high among stations, too impenetrable on all sides, too profound among the depths, for people to reach it with their intellects, or to grasp it with their opinions, or to establish an Imam by their choice. Verily, the Imamate is that in which Allah, to Whom belong Might and Majesty, has distinguished Ibrahim, the Intimate Friend (al-Khalil), after Prophethood and Intimacy, as a third degree, and an eminence with which He honored him and by which He raised his renown, and He said: “Behold! I make you an Imam for the people.” Then the Intimate Friend عليه السلام said out of delight in this: “And of my seed.” Allah, the Blessed, the Sublime, said: My covenant shall not reach the evil-doers.34 Thus, this verse has abolished the leadership (Imamah) of all evil-doers till the Day of Resurrection, and it has become for the select ones. Then Allah, the Sublime, bestowed honors on him, by establishing it in his seed, the ones who are selected and purified (by Allah). And He said: And We gave him Ishaq and Yaqoob in superabundance, and everyone made We righteous and appointed them to be Imams guiding by Our commands, and We revealed to them the doing of good deeds, and to perform the prayer, and to pray Zakat, and Us they served.35 “So it (the Imamate) did not leave his seed; one of them inheriting it from another, generation after generation, till Allah, the Sublime, caused the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم to inherit it. And He, the Majestic, the Sublime, said: Surely the people standing closet to Ibrahim are those who followed him, and this Prophet, and those who believe; and Allah is the Master of the believers.36 So it (the Imamate) belonged to him particularly, and hence he invested Ali عليه السلام with it by the command of Allah, the Sublime, in the way in which Allah has made obligatory. So it came to be in his (Ali’s) selected seed, those to whom Allah has given knowledge and faith, as in the words of He Who is the Sublime: But those who have given knowledge and faith shall say, And those who are given knowledge and faith will say: Certainly you tarried according to the ordinance of Allah till the day of resurrection, so this is the day of resurrection, but you did not know.37 Thus it will be within the sons of Ali عليه السلام, especially, till the Day of Resurrection, since there is no prophet after Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. So from where have these ignorant people got (the right) to select? “Verily, the Imamate is the position of the Prophets, and the heritage of the successors. Indeed, the Imamate is the vicegerency (Khalifa) of Allah and the vicegerency of the Messenger صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, and the station of Amirul Momineen عليه السلام and the inheritance of al-Hasan and Husain عليه السلام. “Truly, the Imamate is the reins of religion, the state of order of the Muslims, the rectitude of the world, and the might of the believers. Verily, the Imamate is Islam’s growing root, and its lofty branch. Through the Imam the prayer, Zakat, fasting, hajj and jihad (exerting oneself, striving in the way of Allah, whether by means of one’s property, one’s life, one’s knowledge, or by any other means) are perfected, public funds are increased, restrictions and the commands are put into practice, and the frontier-posts and borders are protected. “The Imam allows what Allah allows, and prohibits what Allah prohibits; he establishes the restrictions of Allah; he defends the religion of Allah; and he calls to the way of his Lord with wisdom and good admonition and with the Proof which reaches. “The Imam is like the rising sun which covers the world with its light and which is in a place where no hand or eye can reach it. The Imam is the radiant moon, the shining lamp, the brilliant light, and the star that guides in the heavy darkness, and in the middle of inhabited lands, deserted regions and high seas. The Imam is sweet water for the thirst, the pointer towards true guidance, and the deliverer from destruction. The Imam is the fire on the heights (which guides those far away), and which warms those who seek the heat, and an indicator in dangers. He who moves away from him will perish. “The Imam is the rain-bearing cloud, the rainfall that covers everywhere, the shining sun, the covering that shades, the prairie, the overflowing spring, the pool and the meadow. The Imam is the gentle, close friend, the sympathetic father, the blood-brother, the mother who is tender to her small child, a place of refuge for mankind from perilous disaster. The Imam is Allah’s custodian over His creation, His Proof for His slaves, His vicegerent in His lands, a caller towards Allah and the defender of Allah’s precincts. The Imam is the one who is purified from sins, free from all shortcomings, characterized by knowledge, distinguished by forbearance, the state of order of the religion, the might of the Muslims, the one who enrages the hypocrites, and the doom of unbelievers. The Imam is unique of his time, no one can approach his rank, no man of knowledge is comparable to him, there is no one who can take his place, nor is there anyone similar to him or same as him. He is characterized by every (kind of) eminence, without his seeking it or acquiring it, rather it is a characteristic from the Bestower of eminence, the All-giving. So who is there who can arrive at knowledge of Imam, or have the ability to select him? How far from the truth is it! Intellects have lost (themselves), imaginations have gone astray, minds have become perplexed, eyes have turned away, the great have been made small, the wise have confounded themselves, those who reflect forever fall short, orators falter, the intelligent become ignorant, poets become expressionless, prosodists incapable and the eloquent stammer, in describing one of his aspects, or one of his eminences. All of them have confessed their incapacity and inadequacy. How can his totality be described, and how can his inner essence be characterized? How can anything concerning him be understood? Who can be found one to take his place and to give what he can give? No! How and where? Since he is in the position of the star for hands of those that grasp, and to the description of those who describe. What is the place of choice in this affair? What is the place of intellects in this affair? “Where can someone like this be found? Do you imagine that this can be found anywhere else but in the progeny of the Messenger, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. By Allah, they have lied to themselves, they have promised to themselves the impossible, they have climbed up to a difficult and dangerous height, (and) their feet will slip and fall to the bottom. They want to appoint an Imam with (their) confused, unproductive and defective minds, and (their) misguided opinions. Nothing accrued to them but remoteness from him. Allah assail them! How they are perverted! Surely, they are looking for a difficulty. They have uttered an untruth, and have gone astray into far error; they have put themselves into confusion, because they have knowingly abandoned the Imam. And Shaitan decked out fair to them their works, and barred them from the way, though they saw clearly. “They have turned their backs on the choice of Allah, the choice of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and his Ahlul Bayt, (and turned) to their own choice. And the Quran has called them: Thy Lord creates whatsoever He will and He chooses; they have not the choice. Glory be to Allah! High be He above that they associate.38 And He to Whom belong Might and Majesty has said: It is not for any believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter, to have the choice in the affair.39 And He has said: What ails you then, how you judge? Or have you a Book wherein you study? Surely therein you shall have whatever you choose! Or have you oaths from Us, reaching to the Day of Resurrection? Surely you shall have whatever you judge! Ask them, which of them will guarantee that! Or do they have associates? Then let them bring their associates, if they speak truly.40 And He to Whom belong Might and Majesty has said: What, do they not ponder the Quran? Or is it that there are locks upon their hearts?41 Or has Allah set a seal upon their hearts, so they understand not.42 A seal has been set upon their hearts, or they say: “We hear,” and they hear not. Surely the worst of beasts in Allah’s sight are those that are deaf and dumb and do not understand. If Allah had known of any good in them He would have made them hear, and if He had made them hear, they would have turned away, swerving aside.43 Or they said: We have heard and we disobey.44 But that is the bounty of Allah; He gives it to whom He will, and Allah is of bounty abounding. How can they have (the right) to choose an Imam? Since the Imam is the man of knowledge, he is not ignorant (of anything), a shepherd who does not shirk (his duty), a mine of sanctity and purity, of piety and renunciation, of knowledge and worship. He is the one specifically mentioned in the supplication of the Messenger صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, and he is of the seed of the purified one, the chaste (Fatima). Aspersion cannot be cast on him in relation to his parentage; no one can approach him in nobility. He is in the noble house of the Quraish, at the summit of (Banu) Hashim, of the offspring of the Messenger صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and the one accepted by Allah, to Whom belong Might and Majesty. He is the nobility of the noblest men, and the true branch of Abde Manaf (the father of Hashim and Umayyah); the one whose knowledge forever grows and whose knowledge is perfect, who is completely acquainted with the Imamate, entirely knowledgeable in statesmanship. Obedience to him is obligatory, the one who establishes the affair of Allah, to Whom belong Might and Majesty. He is the sincere advisor to the slaves of Allah, the protector of the religion of Allah. “Truly, Allah accommodates the prophets and the Imams, may Allah bless them, (to the right path). He gives them of His stored knowledge and wisdom, which He does not give to anyone else. Thus their knowledge is far above the knowledge of the people of their time, as He, the Sublime, says: He who guides to the truth, is he worthier to be followed, or he who guides not unless he is guided? What then ails you, how you judge?45 And as He the Blessed, the Sublime, says: He grants wisdom to whom He pleases, and whoever is granted wisdom, he indeed is given a great good and none but men of understanding mind. 46 Also what he says about Talut (Saul): Verily Allah has chosen him over you, and has increased him broadly in knowledge and body. Allah gives the kingship to whom He will. And Allah is All-embracing, All-knowing.47 And He said to His Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم: Allah’s bounty to thee is very great.48 And He says about the Imams from the Ahlul Bayt of His Prophet, his progeny and his seed, may Allah bless them: Or are they jealous of the people for the bounty that Allah has given them? Yet We gave the progeny of Ibrahim the Book and the Wisdom, and We gave them a mighty kingdom. And some of them (i.e., those they were jealous) there are that believe, and some of them that bar from it; Gehenna suffices for a Blaze!49 “Verily, when Allah, to Whom belong Might and Majesty, selects a slave for the affairs of His slaves, He expands his breast for it; He entrusts to his hearts the fountains of wisdom, and profoundly inspires him with knowledge. So, after this, he does not stammer in answers, and he does not deviate from the truth in them. Thus, he is infallible (Masoom), supported (by Allah); he is accommodated (to the right path, his steps being) firmly guided; he will be safe from errors, slips and stumblings. Allah distinguishes him by this, because he is His Proof over his slaves, and His witness over His creatures – That is the bounty of Allah, He gives it to whom He will, and Allah is of bounty abounding.50 “So, do they have the power to do the like of this, so that they can choose him? Or can the one that they choose have this attribution so that they may prefer him? By the House of Allah, they have transgressed against the truth, they have rejected the Book of Allah behind their backs as though they did not know, and in the Book of Allah there is guidance and cure. So they have rejected it, and they have followed their own desires. Therefore, Allah has found fault with them, detested them and cast them down, as He, to Whom belong Mighty and Sublimity, has said: And who is further astray them he who follows his own caprice without guidance from Allah? Surely Allah guides not the people of the evil-doers.51 And He has said: Ill chance shall befall them, He will send their works astray.52 And He has said: Verily, hateful is that in the sight of Allah and the believers; so Allah sets a seal on every heart proud, arrogant.53