Al-Amālī

11 - حدثنا محمد بن الحسن بن أحمد بن الوليد (رضي الله عنه)، قال: حدثنا الحسن بن متيل الدقاق، قال: حدثنا محمد بن الحسين بن أبي الخطاب، قال: حدثنا محمد بن سنان، عن جعفر بن سليمان النهدي، قال: حدثنا ثابت بن دينار الثمالي، عن سيد العابدين علي بن الحسين، عن أبيه (عليهما السلام)، قال: نظر رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله) ذات يوم إلى علي بن أبي طالب (عليه السلام) وقد أقبل وحوله جماعة من أصحابه، فقال: من أراد (2) أن ينظر إلى يوسف في جماله، وإلى إبراهيم في سخائه، وإلى سليمان في بهجته، وإلى داود في قوته، فلينظر إلى هذا (3).

Muhammad b. al-Hasan b. Ahmad b. al-Walid (ra) narrated to us. He said: Al-Hasan b. Matil al-Daqqaq narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. al-Husayn b. Abi’l Khattab narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. Sinan narrated to us from Ja`far b. Sulayman al-Nahdi. He said: Thabit b. Dinar al-Thumali narrated to us from the Master of Worshipers `Ali b. al-Husayn from his father (as). He said: One day, the Messenger of Allah (s) looked to `Ali b. Abi Talib (as) and came forward while a group of his companions were around him. So, he said: He who wants to see Yusuf in his beauty, Ibrahim in his generosity, Sulayman in his delight, and Dawud in his strength should look to this one.

12 - حدثنا جعفر بن محمد بن مسرور (رضي الله عنه)، قال: حدثنا محمد ابن عبد الله بن جعفر بن جامع الحميري، عن أبيه، عن يعقوب بن يزيد، قال: حدثنا الحسن بن علي بن فضال، عن أبي الحسن علي بن موسى الرضا (عليه السلام)، عن أبيه، عن آبائه (عليهم السلام)، قال: قال رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله): علي مني وأنا من علي، قاتل الله من قاتل عليا، لعن الله من خالف عليا، علي إمام الخليقة بعدي، من تقدم على علي (4) فقد تقدم علي، ومن فارقه فقد فارقني، ومن آثر عليه فقد آثر علي، أنا سلم لمن سالمه، وحرب لمن حاربه، وولي لمن والاه، وعدو لمن عاداه (5).

Ja`far b. Muhammad b. Masrur (ra) narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. `Abdullah b. Ja`far b. Jami` al-Himyari narrated to us from his father from Ya`qub b. Yazid. He said: Al-Hasan b. `Ali b. Faddal narrated to us from Abi’l Hasan `Ali b. Musa al-Rida (as) from his father from his forefathers (as). He said: The Messenger of Allah (s) said: `Ali is from me, and I am from `Ali. May Allah fight him who fights `Ali. May Allah curse him who opposes `Ali. `Ali is the Imam of the creatures after me. He who approaches `Ali has approached me, and he who departs from him has departed from me. He who has preferred him has preferred me. I am at peace with him who is at peace with him, and I am at war with him who is at war with him. I am the ally of him who aligns with him, and I am the enemy of him who is enemies with him.

13 - حدثنا أحمد بن علي (6) بن إبراهيم (رحمه الله)، قال: حدثنا أبي، عن ياسر، قال: لما ولي الرضا (عليه السلام) العهد سمعته وقد رفع يديه إلى السماء وقال: اللهم إنك تعلم أني مكره مضطر، فلا تؤاخذني كما لم تؤاخذ عبدك ونبيك يوسف حين دفع إلى ولاية مصر (1).

Ahmad b. `Ali b. Ibrahim (rh) narrated to us. He said: My father narrated to us from Yasir. He said: When al-Rida (as) became the crown prince, he raised his hands to the sky and I heard him say: O Allah! Surely, You know that I dislike and despair this. So, do not hold me accountable, just as You did not hold Your servant and prophet Yusuf accountable when he came into power in Egypt.

14 - حدثنا الحسين بن أحمد البيهقي، قال: أخبرنا محمد بن يحيى الصولي، قال: حدثنا أبو ذكوان، قال: سمعت إبراهيم بن العباس يقول: ما رأيت الرضا (عليه السلام) سئل عن شئ قط إلا علمه، ولا رأيت أعلم منه بما كان في الزمان إلى وقته وعصره، وكان المأمون يمتحنه بالسؤال عن كل شئ فيجيب فيه، وكان كلامه كله وجوابه وتمثيله بآيات من القرآن، وكان يختمه في كل ثلاث، ويقول: لو أردت أن أختمه في أقل من ثلاث لختمت، ولكن ما مررت بآية قط إلا فكرت فيها، وفي أي شئ أنزلت، وفي أي وقت، فلذلك صرت أختم في ثلاثة أيام (2).

Al-Husayn b. Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. Yahya al-Sawli narrated to us. He said: Abu Dhakwan narrated to us. He said: I heard Ibrahim b. al-`Abbas say: I have never seen al-Rida (as) asked about anything except that he knew its answer. I have never seen one more knowledgeable than him since his time and age. Al-Ma’mun would test him by asking him about everything, and he would answer him. His words, his answers, and his metaphors were all from the verses of the Quran. He would complete [reciting] it every three days, and he would say: Had I wanted to finish it in fewer than three days, I would have done so. However, I do not ever pass by a verse without thinking about it, why it was revealed and when – and for that reason, I finish it every three days.

15 - قال الصولي: وحدثنا الحسين (3) بن الجهم، قال: حدثنا أبي، قال: صعد المأمون المنبر ليبايع علي بن موسى الرضا (عليه السلام)، فقال: أيها الناس، جاءتكم بيعة علي بن موسى بن جعفر بن محمد بن علي بن الحسين بن علي (عليهم السلام)، والله لو قرئت هذه الاسماء على الصم البكم لبرئوا بإذن الله (4).

Al-Suli said: Al-Husayn b. al-Jahm narrated to us. He said: My father narrated to us. He said: Al-Ma’mun climbed the pulpit to inaugurate `Ali b. Musa al-Rida (as). So, he said: O people! The inauguration of `Ali b. Musa b. Ja`far b. Muhammad b. `Ali b. al-Husayn b. `Ali (as) has come to you. By Allah, had these names been recited over the deaf and the dumb, they would be cured by Allah’s permission.

16 - حدثنا الحسين بن أحمد البيهقي، قال: أخبرنا محمد بن يحيى الصولي، قال: حدثني هارون بن عبد الله المهلبي، قال: حدثنا دعبل بن علي الخزاعي، قال: جاءني خبر موت علي بن موسى الرضا (عليه السلام) وأنا مقيم بقم، فقلت قصيدتي الرائية هذه: أرى أمية معذورين إن قتلوا * * ولا أرى لبني العباس من عذر أولاد حرب ومروان وأسرتهم (5) * * بني معيط ولاة الحقد والوغر قوم قتلتم على الاسلام أولهم * * حتى إذا استمكنوا جازوا على الكفر إربع (1) بطوس على قبر الزكي به * * إن كنت تربع من دين على وطر قبران في طوس خير الناس كلهم * * وقبر شرهم هذا من العبر ما ينفع الرجس من قرب الزكي ولا * * على الزكي بقرب الرجس من ضرر هيهات كل امرئ رهن بما كسبت * * له (2) يداه فخذ ما شئت أو فذر (3)

Al-Husayn b. Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. Yahya al-Suli informed us. He said: Harun b. `Abdullah al-Mahlabi narrated to me. He said: De`bal b. `Ali al-Khuza`i narrated to us. He said: When I was staying in Qum, the news of the death of `Ali b. Musa al-Rida (as) came to me. So, I said this visionary poem: I see that [Bani] Umayya are excused if they kill, But I see no excuse for Bani al-`Abbas. Sons of Harb, Marwan, and their kin, Bani Mu`it are the masters of hatred and grudges, The firsts of them were killed upon Islam, Once they came to power, they were able to disbelieve [again]. Head to Tus, to the grave of the pure, If you were there, you would find two graves in Tus, The best of all the people, and the grave of the worst of them. This is a lesson that impurity cannot benefit from nearness to purity, Nor can the pure be harmed by nearness to impurity. No way! Every soul will reap what its hands sow, So, harvest what you wish, or sow a seed.

17 - حدثنا محمد بن علي ماجيلويه (رحمه الله)، قال: حدثني علي بن إبراهيم، عن أبيه إبراهيم بن هاشم، عن أبي الصلت الهروي، قال: بينا أنا واقف بين يدي أبي الحسن علي بن موسى الرضا (عليه السلام) إذ قال لي: يا أبا الصلت، ادخل هذه القبة التي فيها قبر هارون فأتني بتراب من أربع جوانبها. قال: فمضيت فأتيت به، فلما مثلت بين يديه قال لي: ناولني من هذا التراب، وهو من عند الباب، فناولته، فأخذه وشمه، ثم رمى به، ثم قال: سيحفر لي ها هنا قبر، وتظهر صخرة، لو جمع عليها كل معول بخراسان لم يتهيأ قلعها، ثم قال: في الذي عند الرجل والذي عند الرأس مثل ذلك، ثم قال: ناولني هذا التراب، فهو من تربتي. ثم قال: سيحفر لي في هذا الموضع، فتأمرهم أن يحفروا لي سبع مراقي إلى أسفل، وأن يشق لي ضريحة، فإن أبوا إلا أن يلحدوا، فتأمرهم أن يجعلوا اللحد ذراعين وشبرا، فإن الله عز وجل سيوسعه لي ما شاء، فإذا فعلوا ذلك فإنك ترى عند رأسي نداوة، فتكلم بالكلام الذي أعلمك، فإنه ينبع الماء حتى يمتلئ اللحد، وترى فيه حيتانا صغارا فتفت لها الخبز الذي اعطيك فإنها تلتقطه، فإذا لم يبق منه شئ خرجت منه حوتة كبيرة، فالتقطت الحيتان الصغار حتى لا يبقى منها شئ، ثم تغيب، فإذا غابت فضع يدك على الماء، وتكلم بالكلام الذي أعلمك، فإنه ينضب ولا يبقى منه شئ، ولا تفعل ذلك إلا بحضرة المأمون. ثم قال (عليه السلام): يا أبا الصلت، غدا أدخل إلى هذا الفاجر، فإن أنا خرجت وأنا مكشوف الرأس فتكلم اكلمك، وإن خرجت وأنا مغطى الرأس فلا تكلمني. قال أبو الصلت: فلما أصبحنا من الغد لبس ثيابه وجلس في محرابه ينتظر، فبينا هو كذلك إذ دخل عليه غلام المأمون، فقال له: أجب أمير المؤمنين، فلبس نعله ورداءه وقام يمشي وأنا أتبعه، حتى دخل على المأمون وبين يديه طبق عليه عنب، وأطباق فاكهة بين يديه، وبيده عنقود عنب قد أكل بعضه وبقي بعضه، فلما أبصر بالرضا (صلوات الله عليه) وثب إليه وعانقه، وقبل ما بين عينيه، وأجلسه معه، ثم ناوله العنقود وقال: يا بن رسول الله، هل رأيت (1) عنبا أحسن من هذا. فقال له: الرضا (عليه السلام): ربما كان عنبا حسنا يكون من الجنة. فقال له: كل منه. فقال له الرضا (عليه السلام): أو تعفيني منه؟ فقال: لا بد من ذلك، ما يمنعك منه، لعلك تتهمنا بشئ؟ فتناول العنقود فأكل منه، ثم ناوله فأكل منه الرضا (عليه السلام) ثلاث حبات ثم رمى به وقام، فقال له المأمون: إلى أين؟ قال: إلى حيث وجهتني. وخرج (عليه السلام) مغطى الرأس، فلم أكلمه حتى دخل الدار، فأمر أن يغلق الباب فأغلق، ثم نام على فراشه، فمكثت واقفا في صحن الدار مهموما محزونا، فبينا أنا كذلك إذ دخل علي شاب حسن الوجه قطط الشعر، أشبه الناس بالرضا (عليه السلام)، فبادرت إليه فقلت له: من أين دخلت والباب مغلق؟ فقال لي: الذي جاء بي من المدينة في هذا الوقت، هو الذي أدخلني الدار والباب مغلق. فقلت له: ومن أنت؟ فقال لي: أنا حجة الله عليك يا أبا الصلت، أنا محمد بن علي. ثم مضى نحو أبيه (عليهم السلام)، فدخل وأمرني بالدخول معه، فلما نظر إليه الرضا (عليه السلام) وثب إليه وعانقه وضمه إلى صدره وقبل ما بين عينيه، ثم سحبه سحبا إلى فراشه (2)، وأكب عليه محمد بن علي (عليهما السلام) يقبله ويساره بشئ لم أفهمه، ورأيت على شفتي الرضا (عليه السلام) زبدا أشد بياضا من الثلج، ورأيت أبا جعفر يلحسه بلسانه، ثم أدخل يده بين ثوبه وصدره، فاستخرج منه شيئا شبيها بالعصفور، فابتلعه أبو جعفر (عليه السلام)، ومضى الرضا (عليه السلام). فقال أبو جعفر (عليه السلام): قم يا أبا الصلت فأتني بالمغتسل والماء من الخزانة، فقلت: ما في الخزانة مغتسل ولا ماء! فقال: ائتمر بما آمرك (1) به. فدخلت الخزانة فإذا فيها مغتسل وماء، فأخرجته وشمرت ثيابي لاغسله معه، فقال لي: تنح يا أبا الصلت، فإن لي من يعينني غيرك، فغسله، ثم قال لي: ادخل الخزانة فاخرج إلي السفط الذي فيه كفنه وحنوطه، فدخلت فإذا أنا بسفط لم أره في تلك الخزانة، فحملته إليه، فكفنه وصلى عليه، ثم قال: أئتني بالتابوت، فقلت: أمضي إلى النجار حتى يصلح تابوتا. قال: قم فإن في الخزانة تابوتا، فدخلت الخزانة فإذا تابوت لم أره قط، فأتيته به، فأخذ الرضا (عليه السلام)، بعد أن كان صلى عليه، فوضعه في التابوت وصف قدميه، وصلى ركعتين لم يفرغ منهما حتى علا التابوت وانشق السقف، فخرج منه التابوت ومضى. فقلت: يا بن رسول الله، الساعة يجيئنا المأمون فيطالبني بالرضا (عليه السلام)، فما أصنع؟ فقال: اسكت، فإنه سيعود، يا أبا الصلت، ما من نبي يموت في المشرق ويموت وصيه بالمغرب إلا جمع الله عز وجل بين أرواحهما وأجسادهما، فما تم الحديث حتى انشق السقف ونزل التابوت، فقام (عليه السلام) فاستخرج الرضا (عليه السلام) من التابوت، ووضعه على فراشه، كأنه لم يغسل ولم يكفن، وقال: يا أبا الصلت، قم فافتح الباب للمأمون. ففتحت الباب، فإذا المأمون والغلمان بالباب، فدخل باكيا حزينا قد شق جيبه، ولطم رأسه، وهو يقول: يا سيداه، فجعت بك يا سيدي، ثم دخل وجلس عند رأسه، وقال: خذوا في تجهيزه، فمر بحفر القبر، فحضرت الموضع، وظهر كل شئ على ما وصفه الرضا (عليه السلام)، فقال بعض جلسائه: ألست تزعم أنه إمام؟ قال: نعم. لا يكون الامام إلا مقدم الرأس، فأمر أن يحفر له في القبلة، فقلت: أمرني أن أحفر له سبع مراقي، وأن أشق له ضريحة، فقال: انتهوا إلى ما يأمركم به أبو الصلت سوى الضريحة، ولكن يحفر له ويلحد، فلما رأى ما ظهر من النداوة والحيتان وغير ذلك، قال المأمون: لم يزل الرضا (عليه السلام) يرينا عجائبه في حياته حتى أراناها بعد وفاته. فقال له وزير كان معه، أتدري ما أخبرك به الرضا؟ قال: لا. قال: إنه أخبرك أن ملككم بني العباس مع كثرتكم وطول مدتكم مثل هذه الحيتان، حتى إذا فنيت آجالكم، وانقطعت آثاركم، وذهبت دولتكم سلط الله تبارك وتعالى عليكم رجلا منا فأفناكم عن آخركم. قال له: صدقت. ثم قال لي: يا أبا الصلت، علمني الكلام الذي تكلمت به. قلت: والله لقد نسيت الكلام من ساعتي، وقد كنت صدقت. فأمر بحبسي، ودفن الرضا (عليه السلام)، فحبست سنة، وضاق علي الحبس، وسهرت الليل، فدعوت الله عز وجل بدعاء ذكرت فيه محمدا وآل محمد (عليهم السلام)، وسألت الله بحقهم أن يفرج عني. فلم استتم الدعاء حتى دخل علي محمد بن علي (عليهما السلام)، فقال لي: يا أبا الصلت، ضاق صدرك؟ فقلت: إي والله. قال: قم فاخرج، ثم ضرب يده إلى القيود التي كانت علي ففكها، وأخذ بيدي، وأخرجني من الدار، والحسرة والغلمة يرونني، فلم يستطيعوا أن يكلموني، وخرجت من باب الدار، ثم قال: امض في ودائع الله، فإنك لم تصل إليه، ولا يصل إليك أبدا. قال أبو الصلت: فلم ألتق مع المأمون إلى هذا الوقت (1).

Muhammad b. `Ali Majiluwayh (rh) narrated to us. He said: `Ali b. Ibrahim narrated to me from his father Ibrahim b. Hashim from Abi’l Salt al-Harawi. He said: I was standing before Abi’l Hasan `Ali b. Musa al-Rida (as) when he said to me: O Aba’l Salt! Enter this dome in which is the grave of Harun [al-Rashid] and bring me dust from its four sides. He said: So, I went and brought it to him. When I came before him, he said to me: Give me the dust that is at the gate. So, I brought it to him, and he took it, smelled it, then dropped it. Then, he said: A grave will be dug for me here, and a rock will appear. Were you to bring every pickaxe in Khurasan, you would not be able to uproot it. Then, he said: [The dust] that is at the person is like that which is at the head. Then, he said: Bring me this dust, for it is from my dust. Then, he said: [A grave] will be dug up for me at this place. So, order them to dig seven steps deep and create space for a tomb. If they refuse and offer a regular grave, then order them to extend the regular grave by two armlengths and a handspan, for Allah will extend it for me however He pleases. If they do it, you will see a creek at [the place for] my head. So, speak the words that I will teach you, and the water will fill up the grave. You will see small fish therein. So, feed them the bread that I will give to you. When none of it is left, a large whale will come and devour the small fish until none are left. Then, it will leave. Once it leaves, put your hand in the water, and speak the words that I will teach you, and it will recede until nothing is left of it. Do not do this except in the presence of al-Ma’mun. Then, he (as) said: O Aba’l Salt! Tomorrow morning, I will visit this transgressor. If my head is uncovered when I leave, then speak to me and I will speak to you. If my head is covered, then do not speak to me. Abu’l Salt said: When we awoke the next morning, he got dressed and sat waiting in his prayer-niche. He remained there until the slave of al-Ma’mun entered and said to him: Answer the commander of the faithful. So, he put on his sandals and his cloak, and he walked while I followed him. He entered the place of al-Ma’mun, and before him was a plate with grapes on it and plates with fruits on them. In his hand were a bunch of grapes, and he had eaten some and left some. When he saw al-Rida (s), he embraced him and kissed his forehead. He sat him with him and passed the bunch to him, saying: O son of the Messenger of Allah! Have you seen grapes more beautiful than these? So, al-Rida (as) said to him: Perhaps beautiful grapes came from Paradise. So, he said to him: Eat from it. So, al-Rida (as) said to him: Would you excuse me from [eating from] it? So, he said: There is no need for that. What prevents you from it? Do you accuse us of something? He took it back and ate from it. Then, al-Rida (as) ate three grapes from it. Then, he put it away and stood up. So, al-Ma’mun said to him: Where are you going? He said: To where you had sent me. So, he (as) left with his head covered. I did not speak to him until he entered the house. He ordered that the gate be locked, so it was locked. Then, he slept on his bed. So, I remained standing in the courtyard, concerned and distressed; until a youth with a beautiful face and short hair entered. He was the person who resembled al-Rida (as) the most. I rushed to him and said to him: Where did you enter from, considering the gate is locked? So, he said to me: The One who brought me here from Medina in this time is the same One who brought me into the house when the gate was locked. So, I said to him: Who are you? So, he said to me: I am the Proof of Allah over you, Aba’l Salt. I am Muhammad b. `Ali. Then, he went in the direction of his father (as) and entered. He commanded me to enter with him. When al-Rida (as) saw him, he embraced him, held him tightly to his chest, and kissed his forehead. Then, he brought him to his bed; and Muhammad b. `Ali (as) kissed him and whispered something to him that I did not understand. On the lips of al-Rida (as), I saw butter that was whiter than snow, and I saw Aba Ja`far [Muhammad b. `Ali al-Jawad] lick it with his tongue. Then, he brought his hand between his robe and his chest, took out something that resembled a bird, and had Abu Ja`far (as) swallow it. Then, al-Rida (as) passed away. Abu Ja`far (as) then said: Stand, Aba’l Salt, and bring me a water basin and water from the closet. So, I said: There is no water basin or water in the closet! So, he said: Do what I command you to do. So, I entered the closet and found a water basin and water. I brought it to him, and I tied my clothes to my waist so that I could bathe him with him. So, he said to me: Go, Aba’l Salt, for surely, I have someone else to assist me. So, he washed him, and then said to me: Enter the closet and bring me the basket that has his shroud and embalmment in it. So, I entered, and I saw a basket that I had not seen before in that closet. So, I carried it to him, and he shrouded him and prayed over him. Then, he said: Bring me the coffin. So, I said: Go to the carpenter so that he could prepare a coffin. He said: Stand, for there is a coffin in the closet. So, I entered the closet and I saw a coffin that I had not seen before. Then, I brought it to him. So, he took al-Rida (as) after praying over him, and he placed him in the coffin and lined up his feet. He prayed two units and did not stop until the coffin was lifted up. The ceiling cracked open, and the coffin went away. So, I said: O son of the Messenger of Allah! At this hour, al-Ma’mun will come to us, and he will demand al-Rida (as) from me. So, what should I do? So, he said: Be quiet, for he will return, Aba’l Salt. There is not a prophet who dies in the East who has his deputy die in the West except that Allah gathers their spirits and bodies together. He did not finish speaking until the roof cracked open [again] and the coffin came down. So, he (as) stood, took the body of al-Rida (as) out of the coffin, and placed it on his bed. It was as though he was not bathed or shrouded. He said: O Aba’l Salt! Stand and open the gate for al-Ma’mun. So, I opened the gate, and I found al-Ma’mun and slaves at the gate. So, he entered weeping, grieving, with his pocket ripped, striking his face, saying: O master! I have panicked over you, master. Then, he entered, sat at his head, and said: Take him and prepare him. He passed by the digging of the grave – and I had prepared the spot, and everything that al-Rida (as) described had appeared. One of his guards said to him (al-Ma’mun): Do you not allege that he was an Imam? He said: Yes. He would not be an Imam if he had not been the head and the superior [of all people]. So, he commanded that a grave be dug facing the qibla. So, I said: He ordered me to dig seven steps deep and create space for a tomb. So, he said: Do as Abu’l Salt commands you to do, except regarding the tomb – dig a regular grave there. When he saw what appeared from the creek, the whale, and other than that, al-Ma’mun said: Al-Rida (as) has not ceased in showing us his marvels in his life, to the point where he showed them to us after his death. So, a vizier who was with him said to him: Do you recognize what al-Rida is informing you through this? He said: No. He said: Surely, he is informing you that your kingdom – the Children of al-`Abbas – with your multitudes and the length of your term is like these [small] fish; until your ending comes and your state vanishes, and Allah empowers a man from us to finish every last one of you. He said to him: You have spoken the truth. Then, he said to me: O Aba’l Salt! Teach me the words that you spoke. I said: By Allah, I have forgotten the words in this moment – and I had spoken the truth. So, he ordered that I be imprisoned. Al-Rida (as) was buried, and I was imprisoned for a year. The prison was narrow for me, and [one day,] I stayed up during the night. So, I supplicated to Allah with a supplication in which I mentioned Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad (as). I asked Allah, by their right, to relieve me. I did not conclude the supplication until Muhammad b. `Ali (as) visited me. He said to me: O Aba’l Salt! Has your chest tightened? So, I said: Yes, by Allah. He said: Stand and exit. Then, he struck my shackles with his hand, and they loosened. He took me by my hands and took me out of the [prison] house. The guards and the slaves saw me, but they were unable to speak to me. I exited from the front door. Then, he said: Go, in the trust of Allah. You will not reach him, nor will he reach you, ever. Abu’l Salt said: I haven not met with al-Ma’mun [again] till this day.

1 - حدثنا الشيخ الجليل أبو جعفر محمد بن علي بن الحسين بن موسى بن بابويه القمي (رضي الله عنه)، قال: حدثنا محمد بن الحسن بن أحمد بن الوليد (رضي الله عنه)، قال: حدثنا محمد بن الحسن الصفار، قال: حدثنا محمد بن الحسين ابن أبي الخطاب، عن محمد بن إسماعيل بن بزيع، عن محمد بن عذافر، عن أبيه، قال: قلت لابي جعفر محمد بن علي الباقر (عليه السلام): لم حرم الله الميتة والدم ولحم الخنزير والخمر؟ فقال: إن الله تبارك وتعالى لم يحرم ذلك على عباده، وأحل لهم ما سوى ذلك، من رغبة فيما أحل لهم، ولا زهد فيما حرم عليهم، ولكنه عز وجل خلق الخلق فعلم ما تقوم به أبدانهم وما يصلحهم فأحله لهم وأبا حهموه (1)، وعلم ما يضرهم فنهاهم عنه، ثم أحله للمضطر في الوقت الذي لا يقوم بدنه إلا به، فأحله لقد بقدر البلغة (2) لا غير ذلك. ثم قال (عليه السلام): أما الميتة فإنه لم ينل أحد منها إلا ضعف بدنه، وأوهنت قوته، وانقطع نسله، ولا يموت آكل الميتة إلا فجأة، وأما الدم فإنه يورث أكله الماء الاصفر، ويورث الكلب (1)، وقساوة القلب، وقلة الرأفة والرحمة، ثم لا يؤمن على حميمه، ولا يؤمن على من صحبه، وأما لحم الخنزير فإن الله تبارك وتعالى مسخ قوما في صور شتى مثل الخنزير والقرد والدب، ثم نهى عن أكل المثلة (2). لكيلا ينتفع بها ولا يستخف بعقوبتها، وأما الخمر فإنه حرمها لفعلها وفسادها. ثم قال (عليه السلام): إن مدمن الخمر كعابد وثن، وتورثه الارتعاش، وتهدم مروءته، وتحمله على أن يجسر على المحارم من سفك الدماء وركوب الزنا، حتى لا يؤمن إذا سكر أن يثب على حرمه وهو لا يعقل ذلك، والخمر لا تزيد شاربها إلا كل شر (3).

Abu Ja`far Muhammad b. `Ali b. al-Husayn b. Musa b. Babuwayh al-Qummi (ra) narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. al-Hasan b. Ahmad b. al-Walid (ra) narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. al-Hasan al-Saffar narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. al-Husayn b. Abi’l Khattab narrated to us from Muhammad b. Isma`il b. Bazi` from Muhammad b. `Adhafir from his father. He said: I said to Abi Ja`far Muhammad b. `Ali al-Baqir (as): Why did Allah prohibit carrion, blood, pork, and wine? So, he said: Surely, Allah did not prohibit this for His servants, but [rather] He permitted everything else for them out of desire for what was made lawful for them. There is no discipline (zuhd) in what was prohibited for them. Rather, He created the creation, and He knew what would strengthen their bodies and what would rectify them, so He made that lawful and permitted for them; and He knew what would harm them, so He prohibited that from them. Then, he made those things permissible for those in a desperate situation, in which their bodies would not be strengthened except through them. So, He only permitted the quantity sufficient [to stay alive] and not more than that. Then, he (as) said: As for carrion, none consume it except that it weakens their body, diminishes their strength, and cuts off his offspring. A consumer of carrion does not die except suddenly. As for blood, its consumption causes yellow urine, kidney disease, the hardening of the heart, and the deterioration of kindness and mercy – so their partner and companions will not be safe from them. As for pork, Allah transfigured a people into different forms in the likeness of swine, monkeys, and bears. Then, He prohibited consuming that likeness so that one may not seek benefit from it or underestimate its punishment. As for wine, its prohibition is due to its affect and its corruption. Then, he (as) said: Surely, the wine addict is like the worshiper of idols. It causes trembling and it diminishes masculinity. It causes a person to dare to commit unlawful things, from the shedding of blood to adultery – to the point where his female relatives are unsafe from him when he is drunk and not comprehending [what he is doing]. Wine does not increase anything for its drinker except in every evil.

2 - حدثنا أحمد بن محمد بن يحيى العطار (رضي الله عنه)، قال: حدثنا سعد بن عبد الله، عن القاسم بن محمد الاصبهاني، عن سليمان بن داود المنقري، عن حفص بن غياث النخعي القاضي، قال: سمعت أبا عبد الله الصادق جعفر بن محمد (عليه السلام) يقول: جاء إبليس إلى موسى بن عمران (عليه السلام) وهو يناجي ربه، فقال له ملك من الملائكة: ما ترجو منه وهو في هذه الحال يناجي ربه؟ فقال: أرجو منه ما رجوت من أبيه آدم وهو في الجنة، وكان فيما ناجاه الله تعالى به أن قال له: يا موسى، لا أقبل الصلاة إلا ممن (4) تواضع لعظمتي، وألزم قلبه خوفي، وقطع نهاره بذكري، ولم يبت مصرا على الخطيئة، وعرف حق أوليائي وأحبائي. فقال موسى: رب تعني بأحبائك وأوليائك إبراهيم وإسحاق ويعقوب؟ فقال عز وجل: هم كذلك يا موسى، إلا أنني أردت من من أجله خلقت آدم وحواء، ومن، من أجله خلقت الجنة والنار. فقال موسى: ومن هو، يا رب؟ قال: محمد أحمد شققت اسمه من اسمي لاني أنا المحمود. فقال موسى: يا رب اجعلني من امته. قال: أنت - يا موسى - من امته إذا عرفته وعرفت منزلته ومنزلة أهل بيته، إن مثله ومثل أهل بيته فيمن خلقت، كمثل الفردوس في الجنان، لا ييبس ورقها ولا يتغير طعمها، فمن عرفهم وعرف حقهم جعلت له عند الجهل حلما، وعند الظلمة نورا، أجيبه قبل أن يدعوني، وأعطيه قبل أن يسألني. يا موسى، إذا رأيت الفقر مقبلا فقل: مرحبا بشعار الصالحين، وإذا رأيت الغنى مقبلا فقل: ذنب عجلت عقوبته، إن الدنيا دار عقوبة، عاقبت فيها آدم عند خطيئة، وجعلتها ملعونة وملعونا ما فيها إلا ما كان منها لي. يا موسى، إن عبادي الصالحين زهدوا فيها بقدر علمهم بي، وسائرهم من خلقي رغبوا فيها بقدر جهلهم بي، وما من خلقي أحد عظمها فقرت عينه، ولم يحقرها أحد إلا انتفع بها. ثم قال الصادق (عليه السلام): إن قدرتم أن لا تعرفوا فافعلوا، وما عليك إن لم يثن عليك الناس، وما عليك أن تكون مذموما عند الناس، إذا كنت عند الله محمودا؟ إن عليا (عليه السلام) كان يقول: لا خير في الدنيا إلا لاحد رجلين: رجل يزداد كل يوم إحسانا ورجل يتدارك سيئته بالتوبة، وأنى له بالتوبة؟ والله لو سجد حتى ينقطع عنقه ما قبل الله منه إلا بولايتنا أهل البيت (1).

Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Yahya al-`Attar (ra) narrated to us. He said: Sa`d b. `Abdullah narrated to us from al-Qasim b. Muhammad al-Isfahani from Sulayman b. Dawud al-Munqari from Hafs b. Ghiyath al-Nakha`i al-Qadi. He said: I heard Aba `Abdillah al-Sadiq Ja`far b. Muhammad (as) say: Iblis came to Musa b. `Imran (as) while he was speaking to his Lord. So, an angel from the angels said to him: What do you hope to get from him whilst he is in this state, speaking to his Lord? So, he said: I hope to get from him that which I hoped to get from his father Adam when he was in Paradise. Of what Allah was saying was that He said to him: O Musa! I will not accept a prayer except from one who humbles himself before My greatness, attaches his heart to the fear of Me, spends a part of his day in My remembrance, avoids sleeping whilst he is upon error, and recognizes the right of My friends and My lovers. So, Musa said: O Lord! By Your lovers and Your friends, do You mean Ibrahim, Ishaq, and Ya`qub? So, He said: They are that, but I was referring to him for whose sake I created Adam and Hawwa’, and for whose sake I created Paradise and the Fire. So, Musa said: Lord, who is that? He said: Muhammad, Ahmad – I derived his name from My name, for I am the Praised (Mahmud). So, Musa said: O Lord! Make me of his Nation. He said: You, Musa, are of his Nation if you recognize him and his status, as well as the status of his Ahl al-Bayt. Surely, his example and the example of his Ahl al-Bayt are like that of the Garden (firdaws) in Paradise – its leaves do not dry up, and its taste does not change. Whoever recognizes them and recognizes their right, I shall grant him forbearance in [moments of] ignorance and a light in [moments of] oppression. I will answer him before he calls out to Me, and I will give to him before he asks Me. O Musa! If you see poverty approaching, then say: “Greetings to the emblem of the righteous.” If you see wealthiness approaching, then say: “A sin whose punishment has hastened.” Surely, this world is the abode of punishment. Adam was punished through it for his error. I have made it damned, and I have damned those therein, except those therein who belong to Me. O Musa! Surely, My righteous servants abstained from it in proportion to their recognition of Me, and the rest of My creation desired it in proportion to their ignorance of Me. There is none from My creation that attained joy by considering it great, and there is none who despises it except that he benefits from that. Then, al-Sadiq (as) said: If you are capable of being unknown, then do so. What is the harm in not being commended by the people? What is wrong in being belittled by the people when you are praiseworthy with Allah? Surely, `Ali (as) would say: “There is no goodness [to be reaped] in this world except for two men: (1) a man who increases in virtue everyday, and (2) a man who compensates for his sin by repenting.” How does he attain repentance? By Allah, had he prostrated until his neck was severed, Allah would not accept that from him except by our walaya, the Ahl al-Bayt.

3 - حدثنا محمد بن الحسن (رضي الله عنه)، قال: حدثنا الحسن بن متيل الدقاق، قال: حدثنا محمد بن الحسين بن أبي الخطاب، عن محمد بن سنان، عن المفضل بن عمر، قال: سألت أبا عبد الله (عليه السلام)، عن العشق فقال: قلوب خلت من ذكر الله فأذاقها الله حب غيره.

Muhammad b. al-Hasan (ra) narrated to us. He said: Al-Hasan b. Matil al-Daqqaq narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. al-Husayn b. Abi’l Khattab narrated to us from Muhammad b. Sinan from al-Mufaddal b. `Umar. He said: I asked Aba `Abdillah (as) about desire (al-`ishq), so he said: Hearts that are empty of the remembrance of Allah, so Allah gives them the taste of a love that is other than His.