On Ar-Ridha’s Words on the Reasons for Various Things

32-29 Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Ishaq al-Taliqani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Sa’eed al-Kufi quoted on the authority of Ali ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Fadhdhal, on the authority of his father: I asked Abal Hassan Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام, “Why was the Prophet’s عليه السلام nickname Abul Qasim?” Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام said, “It was because he had a son named Qasim. That was why his nickname was Abul Qasim.” I asked him, “O son of God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم! Do you consider me worthy of more explanation?” Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام said, “Yes. Don’t you know that God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said?, “Ali and I are the fathers of this nation.” I said, “Yes, I do.” Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام said, “Don’t you know that God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is the father of all the nation, and Ali is one of the members of this nation?” I said, “Yes.” Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام said, “Don’t you know that Ali عليه السلام is the ‘Qasim or the one who divides up Paradise and Hell?” I replied, “Yes.” Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام said, “Then that is why the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is called Abul Qasim - as he is the father of the one who divides up Paradise and Hell.” I asked, “What does this mean?” Ar-Ridha’ عليه السلام replied, “The kindness of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم for his nation is like that of a father for his children. The noblest member of his nation is Ali عليه السلام. And after him the kindness of Ali عليه السلام for them is like the kindness of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, since he is the Prophet’s عليه السلام Trustee, Successor and the Divine Leader after the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. That is why the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Ali and I are the two fathers of this nation.” God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم climbed up the pulpit and said, “Whoever leaves behind a debt or a wife, I must repay his debt and pay for the living expenses of his wife. Whoever leaves behind some property, that property will belong to his inheritors.” That is why the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was superior to their fathers, mothers and even themselves. The same thing held true for the Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام after God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم.”