The Continuity of the Divine Testament Since the Time of Adam عليه السلام

Narrated to us Muhammad bin Hasan رضي الله عنه: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Hasan as-Saffar; and Saad bin Abdullah and Abdullah bin Ja’far Humyari, all of them said: Narrated to us Muhammad bin Isa bin Ubaid: Narrated to us Abul Qasim Hashimi: Narrated to me Ubaid bin Nafees Ansari: Informed us Hasan bin Samaa-a from Ja’far bin Samaa-a from Abi Abdullah عليه السلام that he said: “Jibraeel عليه السلام descended on the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم with a scroll from the heavens, which was such that Allah, to Whom belong Might and Majesty, had never sent down such a writing before or after that. It had a number of gold seals. Jibraeel عليه السلام said: ‘O Muhammad, this is your instruction concerning successorship to the noble among your household.’ He said: ‘Who are the noble ones, O Jibraeel?’ He said: ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib and his sons عليه السلام.’ The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم handed it on to Amirul Momineen عليه السلام commanding him to break open one of its seals and carry out what (was written) in it. After the passing away of the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم Amirul Momineen عليه السلام broke open a seal and carried out what was in it. Then he handed it on to Hasan ibn Ali عليه السلام, and he broke open one seal and carried out what was in it. Then he handed it on to Husain ibn 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 yourself to Allah, to Whom belong Might and Majesty.’ So he did (this). Then he handed it on to a man after him [Ali ibn 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 ibn 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 ibn 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.”