The Imams عليه السلام are the only true guides

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il from Sa‘dan from Abu Basir who said: “I asked Abu ‘Abdallah عليه السلام about the meaning of the words of Allah: “(Muhammad), you are only a warner, and for every nation there is a guide.” (13:7) He عليه السلام replied, “The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is the warner and Amir al-Mu’minin عليه السلام is the guide. O Abu Muhammad, is there a guide today?” I said, “Yes, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, there has always been a guide from you, one after the other, until this (noble task) is being carried on by your own self.” He عليه السلام said, “May Allah have mercy on you, O Abu Muhammad. Had it been like the coming of guidance to man and then he would die with his death, the guidance would also die and the whole book would die, but it lives and it continues with new generations as it has done so with the people in the past.”