The Conditions of the Imams in the Matters of Age

6. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from al-Khayrani from his father who has said the following. “Once I was standing in the presence of abu al-Hassan عليه السلام in Khurasan and someone said to him, ‘O my master if something will happen to you to who must we then turn for guidance?” The Imam عليه السلام said, “You must turn for guidance to abu Ja‘far عليه السلام, my son.” The person asking the question seemed to have thought of his (abu Ja‘far عليه السلام age very small. Abu al-Hassan عليه السلام then said, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, sent Jesus عليه السلام son of Mary as a Messenger and a prophet being the author of a whole system of law. He began this task in an age much smaller than the age of abu Ja‘far عليه السلام.”