On Imam Al-kazim’s صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم Clear Appointment of Imam al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم

4-29 In another tradition it is narrated that Ahmad ibn Ziyad ibn Ja’far al-Hamadani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Sinan, “One day about a year before they took Abil Hassan Al-Kadhim صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم to Iraq, I went to see him. His son Ali Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was in front of him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. Imam Al-Kadhim صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘O Muhammad (ibn Sinan)!’ I said, ’Yes.’ He said, ‘There will be a problem this year. Try not to get upset.’ Then he صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم became silent. He hit the ground with his hand. Then the Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم looked at me and recited the Quranic verse ‘but God will leave to stray, those who do wrong. God doeth what He willeth.’ Muhammad (ibn Sinan) said, ‘May I be your ransom! What is the matter?’ He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘Whoever oppresses this son of mine, does not honor his rights and denies his Divine Leadership after me is like those who oppressed Ali ibn Abi-Talib صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, did not honor his rights and denied his Divine Leadership after the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم.’ Then Muhammad (ibn Sinan) realized that the Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was informing him about his upcoming death, and the appointment of his son. Muhammad (ibn Sinan) said, ‘[I swear by God that if God extends my life, I will honor his right and accept his Divine Leadership and] I will bear witness that he will be the Almighty God’s witness for the creatures after you, and the inviter to His Religion.’ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘O Muhammad (ibn Sinan)! God will extend your life, and you will invite the people to accept his Divine Leadership, and the Divine Leadership of the Imam that will come after him.’ Muhammad (ibn Sinan) said, ‘O May I be your ransom! Who is it?’ He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘His son Muhammad. ’ Muhammad (ibn Sinan) said, ‘I accept.’ He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘Yes. I had found you to be thisway in the Commander of the Faithful’s صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم book. Among our followers you are brighter than lightening in the darkness of night.’ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم then added, ‘O Muhammad (ibn Sinan)! Indeed Mufadhdhal has been my companion, and a source of my comfort. You are going to be their companion (Imam Al-Ridha’s صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and Imam Al-Jawad’s صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم companion) and their source of comfort. It is forbidden for the Fire to ever touch you.’”