Al-Kāfi

7ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ يَاسِرٍ الْخَادِمِ وَالرَّيَّانِ بْنِ الصَّلْتِ جَمِيعاً قَالَ لَمَّا انْقَضَى أَمْرُ الْمَخْلُوعِ وَاسْتَوَى الامْرُ لِلْمَأْمُونِ كَتَبَ إِلَى الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَسْتَقْدِمُهُ إِلَى خُرَاسَانَ فَاعْتَلَّ عَلَيْهِ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) بِعِلَلٍ فَلَمْ يَزَلِ الْمَأْمُونُ يُكَاتِبُهُ فِي ذَلِكَ حَتَّى عَلِمَ أَنَّهُ لا مَحِيصَ لَهُ وَأَنَّهُ لا يَكُفُّ عَنْهُ فَخَرَجَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَلابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) سَبْعُ سِنِينَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ الْمَأْمُونُ لا تَأْخُذْ عَلَى طَرِيقِ الْجَبَلِ وَقُمْ وَخُذْ عَلَى طَرِيقِ الْبَصْرَةِ وَالاهْوَازِ وَفَارِسَ حَتَّى وَافَى مَرْوَ فَعَرَضَ عَلَيْهِ الْمَأْمُونُ أَنْ يَتَقَلَّدَ الامْرَ وَالْخِلافَةَ فَأَبَى أَبُو الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ فَوِلايَةَ الْعَهْدِ فَقَالَ عَلَى شُرُوطٍ أَسْأَلُكَهَا قَالَ الْمَأْمُونُ لَهُ سَلْ مَا شِئْتَ فَكَتَبَ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنِّي دَاخِلٌ فِي وِلايَةِ الْعَهْدِ عَلَى أَنْ لا آمُرَ وَلا أَنْهَى وَلا أُفْتِيَ وَلا أَقْضِيَ وَلا أُوَلِّيَ وَلا أَعْزِلَ وَلا أُغَيِّرَ شَيْئاً مِمَّا هُوَ قَائِمٌ وَتُعْفِيَنِي مِنْ ذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ فَأَجَابَهُ الْمَأْمُونُ إِلَى ذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ قَالَ فَحَدَّثَنِي يَاسِرٌ قَالَ فَلَمَّا حَضَرَ الْعِيدُ بَعَثَ الْمَأْمُونُ إِلَى الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَسْأَلُهُ أَنْ يَرْكَبَ وَيَحْضُرَ الْعِيدَ وَيُصَلِّيَ وَيَخْطُبَ فَبَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا كَانَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَكَ مِنَ الشُّرُوطِ فِي دُخُولِ هَذَا الامْرِ فَبَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ الْمَأْمُونُ إِنَّمَا أُرِيدُ بِذَلِكَ أَنْ تَطْمَئِنَّ قُلُوبُ النَّاسِ وَيَعْرِفُوا فَضْلَكَ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يُرَادُّهُ الْكَلامَ فِي ذَلِكَ فَأَلَحَّ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنْ أَعْفَيْتَنِي مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَهُوَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ وَإِنْ لَمْ تُعْفِنِي خَرَجْتُ كَمَا خَرَجَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَأَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقَالَ الْمَأْمُونُ اخْرُجْ كَيْفَ شِئْتَ وَأَمَرَ الْمَأْمُونُ الْقُوَّادَ وَالنَّاسَ أَنْ يُبَكِّرُوا إِلَى بَابِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ قَالَ فَحَدَّثَنِي يَاسِرٌ الْخَادِمُ أَنَّهُ قَعَدَ النَّاسُ لابِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي الطُّرُقَاتِ وَالسُّطُوحِ الرِّجَالُ وَالنِّسَاءُ وَالصِّبْيَانُ وَاجْتَمَعَ الْقُوَّادُ وَالْجُنْدُ عَلَى بَابِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَلَمَّا طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ قَامَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَاغْتَسَلَ وَتَعَمَّمَ بِعِمَامَةٍ بَيْضَاءَ مِنْ قُطْنٍ أَلْقَى طَرَفاً مِنْهَا عَلَى صَدْرِهِ وَطَرَفاً بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهِ وَتَشَمَّرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِجَمِيعِ مَوَالِيهِ افْعَلُوا مِثْلَ مَا فَعَلْتُ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ بِيَدِهِ عُكَّازاً ثُمَّ خَرَجَ وَنَحْنُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَهُوَ حَافٍ قَدْ شَمَّرَ سَرَاوِيلَهُ إِلَى نِصْفِ السَّاقِ وَعَلَيْهِ ثِيَابٌ مُشَمَّرَةٌ فَلَمَّا مَشَى وَمَشَيْنَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَكَبَّرَ أَرْبَعَ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ فَخُيِّلَ إِلَيْنَا أَنَّ السَّمَاءَ وَالْحِيطَانَ تُجَاوِبُهُ وَالْقُوَّادُ وَالنَّاسُ عَلَى الْبَابِ قَدْ تَهَيَّئُوا وَلَبِسُوا السِّلاحَ وَتَزَيَّنُوا بِأَحْسَنِ الزِّينَةِ فَلَمَّا طَلَعْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ بِهَذِهِ الصُّورَةِ وَطَلَعَ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَقَفَ عَلَى الْبَابِ وَقْفَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ الله أَكْبَرُ الله أَكْبَرُ الله أَكْبَرُ الله أَكْبَرُ عَلَى مَا هَدَانَا الله أَكْبَرُ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَنَا مِنْ بَهِيمَةِ الانْعَامِ وَالْحَمْدُ لله عَلَى مَا أَبْلانَا نَرْفَعُ بِهَا أَصْوَاتَنَا قَالَ يَاسِرٌ فَتَزَعْزَعَتْ مَرْوُ بِالْبُكَاءِ وَالضَّجِيجِ وَالصِّيَاحِ لَمَّا نَظَرُوا إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَسَقَطَ الْقُوَّادُ عَنْ دَوَابِّهِمْ وَرَمَوْا بِخِفَافِهِمْ لَمَّا رَأَوْا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) حَافِياً وَكَانَ يَمْشِي وَيَقِفُ فِي كُلِّ عَشْرِ خُطُوَاتٍ وَيُكَبِّرُ ثَلاثَ مَرَّاتٍ قَالَ يَاسِرٌ فَتُخُيِّلَ إِلَيْنَا أَنَّ السَّمَاءَ وَالارْضَ وَالْجِبَالَ تُجَاوِبُهُ وَصَارَتْ مَرْوُ ضَجَّةً وَاحِدَةً مِنَ الْبُكَاءِ وَبَلَغَ الْمَأْمُونَ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْفَضْلُ بْنُ سَهْلٍ ذُو الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنْ بَلَغَ الرِّضَا الْمُصَلَّى عَلَى هَذَا السَّبِيلِ افْتَتَنَ بِهِ النَّاسُ وَالرَّأْيُ أَنْ تَسْأَلَهُ أَنْ يَرْجِعَ فَبَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ الْمَأْمُونُ فَسَأَلَهُ الرُّجُوعَ فَدَعَا أَبُو الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) بِخُفِّهِ فَلَبِسَهُ وَرَكِبَ وَرَجَعَ.

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from from Yasir al-Khadim and al-Rayyan ibn al-Salt all have said the following. “When the matter of the deposed Caliph (Amin) ended and it was established for al-Ma’mun he wrote to al-Rida asking to come to Khurasan. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) in reply presented certain reason to justify his disagreement to the proposal but al-Ma’mun continued writing until The Imam (a.s.) found it out to be unavoidable and that will not leave him alone. He (a.s.) then left for Khurasan when abu Ja‘far was only seven years old. Al-Ma’mun wrote to him, “do not travel through the mountains and Qum. Take the road through Basra, al-Ahwaz and Persia. The Imam (a.s.) arrived at Marw. Al-Ma’mun offered him to command and lead the task of Khilafat (Leadership) but abu al-Hassan (a.s.) declined. He then offered the Imam (a.s.) to accept the post of the crown prince The Imam (a.s.) said that he may accept it under certain conditions. Al-Ma’mun said, “Say whatever conditions you like.” The Imam (a.s.) wrote, “I will assume this post with the conditions that I will nor issue any order or prohibitions nor issue any fatwa or judgment nor any appointment or dismissal of officers or change anything in the current system. You must excuse me in all such matters. Al-Ma’mun agreed to all such conditions. The narrator has said that Yasir narrated to me saying, “When it was ‘Id (the holiday) al-Ma’mun asked al-Rida to attend the program, lead the prayer and deliver the sermon. Al-Rida (a.s.) replied him saying, “You know the conditions between us. They did not consist of any such matters. Al-Ma’mun sent the message, “I only want there by to build confidence in the people and they would know your distinction.” He continued insisting until the Imam (a.s.) said, “O Amir al-Mu’minin, I would appreciate much if you would excuse me from such task and if you would still insist then I will out for this task in the manner that the Messenger of Allah and Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) would do.” Al-Ma’mun then said, “You may do as you would chose. Al-Ma’mun ordered the servants guides to lead a procession to the door of abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ Allah is great. The narrator has said that Yasir al-Khadim narrated to me this. “People lined up waiting for the Imam (a.s.) on the roads and roof tops, men women and children. The guides and people from the army gathered at the door of abu al-Hassan (a.s.). At sun rise the Imam (a.s.) took a shower, wore a white turban made of cotton. He let one end of the turban hang over his chest and the other end between his shoulder on his back. He tied his belt and asked his followers, “Do as I have done.” He picked up an arrow shaped staff and came out and we were along with him. He was bare foot and his gown was raised half way between his feet and knees and so were his other (long) clothes. When he walked and we walked along with him he raised his head towards the sky and Allahu Akbar (Allah is great) four times. It seemed to us as if the sky and the walls responded to him. the guides and the people at the door were ready and armed and decorated with the best dresses. When we appeared before them in such fashion and al-Rida (a.s.) appeared to them he stood at the door shortly and then said, “Allahu Akbar (Allah is great). Allahu Akbar (Allah is great). Allahu Akbar (Allah is great). Allahu Akbar (Allah is great) for guidance that He has granted us. Allahu Akbar (Allah is great) that has granted us the cattle. All praise belongs to Allah that He has granted us blessings. We all would raise our voices. Yasir al-Khadim has said that the whole Maw shock with the weeping, cries and shouts when they looked at abu al-Hassan (a.s.). Many of the guides fell from their horses who would kick and throw their boots when they saw abu al-Hassan barefoot. He would walk about ten steps and pause and say Allahu Akbar three times. Yasir al-Khadim has said that to us it seemed as if the sky, earth and mountains would respond to him. The whole Marw had become one voice loud and tearful. Information of this was reported to al-Ma’mun and Sahl ibn al-Fadl, who had two official posts, said to him, “Amir al-Mu’minin, if al-Rida would reach the place of prayer in this manner people will into his devotees. Ask him to return home.” Al-Ma’mun sent his people to ask abu al-Hassan to return home. He asked to bring his shoes and wore them and rode back home.”

8ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ يَاسِرٍ قَالَ لَمَّا خَرَجَ الْمَأْمُونُ مِنْ خُرَاسَانَ يُرِيدُ بَغْدَادَ وَخَرَجَ الْفَضْلُ ذُو الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ وَخَرَجْنَا مَعَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَرَدَ عَلَى الْفَضْلِ بْنِ سَهْلٍ ذِي الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ كِتَابٌ مِنْ أَخِيهِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ سَهْلٍ وَنَحْنُ فِي بَعْضِ الْمَنَازِلِ إِنِّي نَظَرْتُ فِي تَحْوِيلِ السَّنَةِ فِي حِسَابِ النُّجُومِ فَوَجَدْتُ فِيهِ أَنَّكَ تَذُوقُ فِي شَهْرِ كَذَا وَكَذَا يَوْمَ الارْبِعَاءِ حَرَّ الْحَدِيدِ وَحَرَّ النَّارِ وَأَرَى أَنْ تَدْخُلَ أَنْتَ وَأَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالرِّضَا الْحَمَّامَ فِي هَذَا الْيَوْمِ وَتَحْتَجِمَ فِيهِ وَتَصُبَّ عَلَى يَدَيْكَ الدَّمَ لِيَزُولَ عَنْكَ نَحْسُهُ فَكَتَبَ ذُو الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ إِلَى الْمَأْمُونِ بِذَلِكَ وَسَأَلَهُ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ذَلِكَ فَكَتَبَ الْمَأْمُونُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ يَسْأَلُهُ ذَلِكَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ لَسْتُ بِدَاخِلٍ الْحَمَّامَ غَداً وَلا أَرَى لَكَ وَلا لِلْفَضْلِ أَنْ تَدْخُلا الْحَمَّامَ غَداً فَأَعَادَ عَلَيْهِ الرُّقْعَةَ مَرَّتَيْنِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَسْتُ بِدَاخِلٍ غَداً الْحَمَّامَ فَإِنِّي رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فِي هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ فِي النَّوْمِ فَقَالَ لِي يَا عَلِيُّ لا تَدْخُلِ الْحَمَّامَ غَداً وَلا أَرَى لَكَ وَلا لِلْفَضْلِ أَنْ تَدْخُلا الْحَمَّامَ غَداً فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ الْمَأْمُونُ صَدَقْتَ يَا سَيِّدِي وَصَدَقَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) لَسْتُ بِدَاخِلٍ الْحَمَّامَ غَداً وَالْفَضْلُ أَعْلَمُ قَالَ فَقَالَ يَاسِرٌ فَلَمَّا أَمْسَيْنَا وَغَابَتِ الشَّمْسُ قَالَ لَنَا الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قُولُوا نَعُوذُ بِالله مِنْ شَرِّ مَا يَنْزِلُ فِي هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ فَلَمْ نَزَلْ نَقُولُ ذَلِكَ فَلَمَّا صَلَّى الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الصُّبْحَ قَالَ لِيَ اصْعَدْ عَلَى السَّطْحِ فَاسْتَمِعْ هَلْ تَسْمَعُ شَيْئاً فَلَمَّا صَعِدْتُ سَمِعْتُ الضَّجَّةَ وَالْتَحَمَتْ وَكَثُرَتْ فَإِذَا نَحْنُ بِالْمَأْمُونِ قَدْ دَخَلَ مِنَ الْبَابِ الَّذِي كَانَ إِلَى دَارِهِ مِنْ دَارِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ يَا سَيِّدِي يَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ آجَرَكَ الله فِي الْفَضْلِ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ أَبَى وَكَانَ دَخَلَ الْحَمَّامَ فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ قَوْمٌ بِالسُّيُوفِ فَقَتَلُوهُ وَأُخِذَ مِمَّنْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ ثَلاثُ نَفَرٍ كَانَ أَحَدُهُمْ ابْنَ خَالِهِ الْفَضْلَ ابْنَ ذِي الْقَلَمَيْنِ قَالَ فَاجْتَمَعَ الْجُنْدُ وَالْقُوَّادُ وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ رِجَالِ الْفَضْلِ عَلَى بَابِ الْمَأْمُونِ فَقَالُوا هَذَا اغْتَالَهُ وَقَتَلَهُ يَعْنُونَ الْمَأْمُونَ وَلَنَطْلُبَنَّ بِدَمِهِ وَجَاءُوا بِالنِّيرَانِ لِيُحْرِقُوا الْبَابَ فَقَالَ الْمَأْمُونُ لابِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَا سَيِّدِي تَرَى أَنْ تَخْرُجَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَتُفَرِّقَهُمْ قَالَ فَقَالَ يَاسِرٌ فَرَكِبَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ وَقَالَ لِيَ ارْكَبْ فَرَكِبْتُ فَلَمَّا خَرَجْنَا مِنْ بَابِ الدَّارِ نَظَرَ إِلَى النَّاسِ وَقَدْ تَزَاحَمُوا فَقَالَ لَهُمْ بِيَدِهِ تَفَرَّقُوا تَفَرَّقُوا قَالَ يَاسِرٌ فَأَقْبَلَ النَّاسُ وَالله يَقَعُ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ وَمَا أَشَارَ إِلَى أَحَدٍ إِلا رَكَضَ وَمَرَّ.

8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Yasir al-Khadim who has said the following. “When al-Ma’mun left Khurasan for Baghdad along with him came Fadl, Dhu al-Al-Ri’asatayn and we came out with abu al-Hassan (a.s.) Fadl ibn Sahl had received a letter from his brother Hassan, while we were on our journey. Hassan had said in the letter, “I studied the Zodiac changes this year according to the astrological calculations. I found out in the month of so and so on a Wednesday you will feel the test of iron and fire. I urged you to go to a Turkish bath with al-Ma’mun and Imam Ridha (a.s) and perform phlebotomies and stain your hands with blood which, will help remove this misfortune from you. Fadl ibn Sahl wrote about it to al-Ma’mun requesting him to request His Holiness Imam Ali ibn Musar-Redha (a.s) to also join them on the appointed day. Al-Ma’mun informed the Holy Imam of the contents of that letter and demanded the consent of His Holiness. In reply to the caliph’s letter Imam al-Ridha (a.s) wrote, “I will not go to the Turkish bath tomorrow. You and Fadl also must not go there tomorrow.” He sent that letter to the Imam (a.s.) twice. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) wrote to him, “O Amir al-Mu’minin, “I will not go to the Turkish bath. I have seen in a dream the Holy Prophet (a.s) enjoining me not to go to that Turkish bath. You and Fadl also must not go to the Turkish bath.” Al-Ma’mun replied the letter saying, “You have spoken the truth and so has the Messenger of Allah. I will not go to the Turkish bath tomorrow and Fadl knows best.” The narrator has said that Yasir said, “When the night fell al-Rida (a.s.) told us to say, “We seek refuge in Allah against the misfortune in this night. We continued saying the expression. When al-Rida (a.s.) prayed the Morning Prayer he asked me to climb at the roof and to listen if there is anything. When I climbed I heard a great deal of commotion and crying and it was increasing. We saw al-Ma’mun enter from the door that opened to his quarter from the quarter of abu al-Hassan (a.s.) and he said, “My master, abu al-Hassan, may Allah grant you good reward for the death of Fadl. He refused to cancel his decision for the bath and he went to the Turkish bath. A group of people attacked him with swords and killed him. Three of the attackers were arrested and one of them was the son of his maternal uncle, the son of Dhul al-Qalamayn. He then said that the police and the guides and the people of Fadl present at the door of al-Ma’mun said, “He has murdered him.” They killed him. They meant al-Ma’mun thereby.” “We revenge him.” They set the door on fire.” Al-Ma’mun said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), “My master, please come out to them to calm them down and ask them to disperse.” The narrator has said that Yasir said, “Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) rode and asked me to ride also. When we were out of the door of the house he looked at the people who were crowded. He made hand gestures to asked them to disperse.” Yasir has said, “People began to fall one on the other and to whoever, that he would make a hand gesture he would run and pass by.”

9ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُسَافِرٍ وَعَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ مُسَافِرٍ قَالَ لَمَّا أَرَادَ هَارُونُ بْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ أَنْ يُوَاقِعَ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) اذْهَبْ إِلَيْهِ وَقُلْ لَهُ لا تَخْرُجْ غَداً فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ خَرَجْتَ غَداً هُزِمْتَ وَقُتِلَ أَصْحَابُكَ فَإِنْ سَأَلَكَ مِنْ أَيْنَ عَلِمْتَ هَذَا فَقُلْ رَأَيْتُ فِي الْمَنَامِ قَالَ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لا تَخْرُجْ غَداً فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ خَرَجْتَ هُزِمْتَ وَقُتِلَ أَصْحَابُكَ فَقَالَ لِي مِنْ أَيْنَ عَلِمْتَ هَذَا فَقُلْتُ رَأَيْتُ فِي الْمَنَامِ فَقَالَ نَامَ الْعَبْدُ وَلَمْ يَغْسِلِ اسْتَهُ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَانْهَزَمَ وَقُتِلَ أَصْحَابُهُ قَالَ وَحَدَّثَنِي مُسَافِرٌ قَالَ كُنْتُ مَعَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) بِمِنًى فَمَرَّ يَحْيَى بْنُ خَالِدٍ فَغَطَّى رَأْسَهُ مِنَ الْغُبَارِ فَقَالَ مَسَاكِينُ لا يَدْرُونَ مَا يَحُلُّ بِهِمْ فِي هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَأَعْجَبُ مِنْ هَذَا هَارُونُ وَأَنَا كَهَاتَيْنِ وَضَمَّ إِصْبَعَيْهِ قَالَ مُسَافِرٌ فَوَ الله مَا عَرَفْتُ مَعْنَى حَدِيثِهِ حَتَّى دَفَنَّاهُ مَعَهُ.

9. al-Husayn ibnmmd has narrated from Mu‘alla ibnmd from Musafir and from al-Washsha’ from Musafir who has said the following. “When Harun ibn al-Musayyib decided to fight Muhammad ibn Ja‘far, abu al-Hassan (a.s.) told me to go to him and say, “Do not go our tomorrow. If would do so you will be defeated and your people will be killed.” If he would ask, “How do youknow that?” Say, “I saw it in my dream.” The narrator has said that he went to him and said, “May Allah make of service to you, do not go out tomorrow to fight. If would do so you will be defeated and your people will be killed.” He asked, “How do you know this?” I said, “I saw it in my dream.” He said, “A slave goes to sleep (to dream) and his behind is not even washed.” He went out to fight. He was defeated and his people were killed.” The narrator has said that Musafir narrated, “I was in the presenceof al-Rida (a.s.) in Mina, Makka that Yahya ibn Khalid passed by and he covered his head from the dust. The Imam (a.s.) said, “Poor people do not know what will happen to them this year.” I, by Allah, could not understand themeaning of his statement until we buried him (Yahya ibn Khalid).”

10ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْقَاسَانِيِّ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا أَنَّهُ حَمَلَ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مَالاً لَهُ خَطَرٌ فَلَمْ أَرَهُ سُرَّ بِهِ قَالَ فَاغْتَمَمْتُ لِذَلِكَ وَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي قَدْ حَمَلْتُ هَذَا الْمَالَ وَلَمْ يُسَرَّ بِهِ فَقَالَ يَا غُلامُ الطَّسْتَ وَالْمَاءَ قَالَ فَقَعَدَ عَلَى كُرْسِيٍّ وَقَالَ بِيَدِهِ وَقَالَ لِلْغُلامِ صُبَّ عَلَيَّ الْمَاءَ قَالَ فَجَعَلَ يَسِيلُ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَصَابِعِهِ فِي الطَّسْتِ ذَهَبٌ ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ لِي مَنْ كَانَ هَكَذَا لا يُبَالِي بِالَّذِي حَمَلْتَهُ إِلَيْهِ.

10. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibnmd al-Qasani who has said the following. “A Certain person of our people has said that he wanted to deliver an amount of propertyto al-Rida (a.s.). It was a large amount. When he saw it he did not become happy. I became depressed and said to myself, “I delivered this property to him but he did not become happy.” The Imam (a.s.) called, “O boy, bring water and the receptacle.” The narrator has said that the Imam thensat on the chair and made a hand gesture to the boy to pure water on his hand.” The narrator has said that from his hand gold began to fall in the receptacle. He then turned to me and said, “One who would be as this he does not become happy for what you would deliver to him.”

11ـ سَعْدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الله وَعَبْدُ الله بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ جَمِيعاً عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ مَهْزِيَارَ عَنْ أَخِيهِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَهْزِيَارَ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ قَالَ قُبِضَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُوسَى (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَهُوَ ابْنُ تِسْعٍ وَأَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً وَأَشْهُرٍ فِي عَامِ اثْنَيْنِ وَمِائَتَيْنِ عَاشَ بَعْدَ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةً إِلا شَهْرَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلاثَةً.

11. Sa‘d ibn ‘Abdallah and ‘Abdallah ibn Ja‘far all have narrated from Ibrahim ibn Mahziyar from his brother Ali ibn Mahziyar from al-Hassan al-Husayn ibn Sa‘idfm Muhammad ibn Sinan who has said the following. “Ali ibn Musa (a.s.) died at the age of forty nine and few months in the year two hundred and two AH. He lived for nineteen years and two or three month after the death of Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.).”

وُلِدَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ مِنْ سَنَةِ خَمْسٍ وَتِسْعِينَ وَمِائَةٍ وَقُبِضَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) سَنَةَ عِشْرِينَ وَمِائَتَيْنِ فِي آخِرِ ذِي الْقَعْدَةِ وَهُوَ ابْنُ خَمْسٍ وَعِشْرِينَ سَنَةً وَشَهْرَيْنِ وَثَمَانِيَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْماً وَدُفِنَ بِبَغْدَادَ فِي مَقَابِرِ قُرَيْشٍ عِنْدَ قَبْرِ جَدِّهِ مُوسَى (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَقَدْ كَانَ الْمُعْتَصِمُ أَشْخَصَهُ إِلَى بَغْدَادَ فِي أَوَّلِ هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ الَّتِي تُوُفِّيَ فِيهَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَأُمُّهُ أُمُّ وَلَدٍ يُقَالُ لَهَا سَبِيكَةُ نُوبِيَّةٌ وَقِيلَ أَيْضاً إِنَّ اسْمَهَا كَانَ خَيْزُرَانَ وَرُوِيَ أَنَّهَا كَانَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِ مَارِيَةَ أُمِّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه )

Abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) was born in the month of Ramadan in the year one hundred ninety five and passed away in the year two hundred twenty at the end of the month of Dhu al-Al-Qa‘da at the age of twenty five and two months and eighteen days. He was buried in Baghdad in the grave yard of Quraysh near the grave of his grandfather, Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.). Al-Mu‘tasam had summoned him to Baghdad at the beginning of the year in which he left this world. His mother was ’Umm Walad, called, Sabika Nuwbiyya. It is also said that her name was Khizuran. It also is narrated that she was from the family of Maria, mother of Ibrahim, son of the Messenger of Allah.”

1ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ حَسَّانَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ خَالِدٍ قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ وَكَانَ زَيْدِيّاً قَالَ كُنْتُ بِالْعَسْكَرِ فَبَلَغَنِي أَنَّ هُنَاكَ رَجُلٌ مَحْبُوسٌ أُتِيَ بِهِ مِنْ نَاحِيَةِ الشَّامِ مَكْبُولاً وَقَالُوا إِنَّهُ تَنَبَّأَ قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ خَالِدٍ فَأَتَيْتُ الْبَابَ وَدَارَيْتُ الْبَوَّابِينَ وَالْحَجَبَةَ حَتَّى وَصَلْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ لَهُ فَهْمٌ فَقُلْتُ يَا هَذَا مَا قِصَّتُكَ وَمَا أَمْرُكَ قَالَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ رَجُلاً بِالشَّامِ أَعْبُدُ الله فِي الْمَوْضِعِ الَّذِي يُقَالُ لَهُ مَوْضِعُ رَأْسِ الْحُسَيْنِ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا فِي عِبَادَتِي إِذْ أَتَانِي شَخْصٌ فَقَالَ لِي قُمْ بِنَا فَقُمْتُ مَعَهُ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا مَعَهُ إِذَا أَنَا فِي مَسْجِدِ الْكُوفَةِ فَقَالَ لِي تَعْرِفُ هَذَا الْمَسْجِدَ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ هَذَا مَسْجِدُ الْكُوفَةِ قَالَ فَصَلَّى وَصَلَّيْتُ مَعَهُ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا مَعَهُ إِذَا أَنَا فِي مَسْجِدِ الرَّسُولِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَسَلَّمْتُ وَصَلَّى وَصَلَّيْتُ مَعَهُ وَصَلَّى عَلَى رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فَبَيْنَا أَنَا مَعَهُ إِذَا أَنَا بِمَكَّةَ فَلَمْ أَزَلْ مَعَهُ حَتَّى قَضَى مَنَاسِكَهُ وَقَضَيْتُ مَنَاسِكِي مَعَهُ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا مَعَهُ إِذَا أَنَا فِي الْمَوْضِعِ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَعْبُدُ الله فِيهِ بِالشَّامِ وَمَضَى الرَّجُلُ فَلَمَّا كَانَ الْعَامُ الْقَابِلُ إِذَا أَنَا بِهِ فَعَلَ مِثْلَ فِعْلَتِهِ الاولَى فَلَمَّا فَرَغْنَا مِنْ مَنَاسِكِنَا وَرَدَّنِي إِلَى الشَّامِ وَهَمَّ بِمُفَارَقَتِي قُلْتُ لَهُ سَأَلْتُكَ بِالْحَقِّ الَّذِي أَقْدَرَكَ عَلَى مَا رَأَيْتُ إِلا أَخْبَرْتَنِي مَنْ أَنْتَ فَقَالَ أَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُوسَى قَالَ فَتَرَاقَى الْخَبَرُ حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ الزَّيَّاتِ فَبَعَثَ إِلَيَّ وَأَخَذَنِي وَكَبَّلَنِي فِي الْحَدِيدِ وَحَمَلَنِي إِلَى الْعِرَاقِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ فَارْفَعِ الْقِصَّةَ إِلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ فَفَعَلَ وَذَكَرَ فِي قِصَّتِهِ مَا كَانَ فَوَقَّعَ فِي قِصَّتِهِ قُلْ لِلَّذِي أَخْرَجَكَ مِنَ الشَّامِ فِي لَيْلَةٍ إِلَى الْكُوفَةِ وَمِنَ الْكُوفَةِ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ وَمِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ إِلَى مَكَّةَ وَرَدَّكَ مِنْ مَكَّةَ إِلَى الشَّامِ أَنْ يُخْرِجَكَ مِنْ حَبْسِكَ هَذَا قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ خَالِدٍ فَغَمَّنِي ذَلِكَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ وَرَقَقْتُ لَهُ وَأَمَرْتُهُ بِالْعَزَاءِ وَالصَّبْرِ قَالَ ثُمَّ بَكَّرْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا الْجُنْدُ وَصَاحِبُ الْحَرَسِ وَصَاحِبُ السِّجْنِ وَخَلْقُ الله فَقُلْتُ مَا هَذَا فَقَالُوا الْمَحْمُولُ مِنَ الشَّامِ الَّذِي تَنَبَّأَ افْتُقِدَ الْبَارِحَةَ فَلا يُدْرَى أَ خَسَفَتْ بِهِ الارْضُ أَوِ اخْتَطَفَهُ الطَّيْرُ.

1. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from Muhammad ibn Hassa’n from ali ibn Khalid who has said the following. “Muhammad who belonged to Zaydi sect said to me this. “I was in the army camp and I was told that there was a prisoner brought from the area of al-Sham (Syria) tied up and that he has proclaimed himself a prophet.” Ali ibn Khalid has said, “I went to him and found my way through the guards until I reached him. I found him to be a man of understanding. I asked him, “O you, what is your story and your case?” He said, “I am a man from al-Sham, worshipping Allah at a place called the ‘place of the head of al-Husayn’. During my worshipping a man came to me and said, “Come with me.” I went with him and I found myself in theMosque of al-Kufa. He asked me, “Do you recognize this Mosque?” I replied, “Yes, I recognize it.” He said, “He prayed and I prayed with him. Then I found us in the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah in Madina. He offered greeting of peace to the Messenger of Allah and I did the same. He prayed and I prayed with him. He offered the special prayer for the Messenger of Allah. I was with him and found us in Makka. I continued to find myself with him until we finished all the acts to be perform there. Then I found myself with him at the place that I would worship in al-Sham. The man left. The next year I was with him again and we did as in the year before. When we finished all of the forms of worship and returned me back to my place of worship in al-Sham and was about to leave I asked him this. “I swear you the one who has given all these capabilities, tell me who are you?” He said, “I am Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Musa (a.s.).” The news spread and it reached Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Malik al-Zayyat. He sent his people who arrested me and tied me up in chains and transferred me to Iraq.” The narrator has said, “I asked him to send a petition to Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Malik. He did so explaining the whole story but the answer to his petition bearing the signature of Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Malik said, “He should ask the one who took him from al-Sham to al-Kufa, then to al-Madina then to al-Makka then back to al-Sham to release him from prison also.” I felt very sad for him with a great deal of sympathy. I tried to cheer him up and asked him to exercise patience. Next early morning when went to see him I found people from the army, the chief of the security men and the prison guard and the crowd of people around and in the area. I asked, “What is thematter?” They said, “The prisoner from al-Sham who had proclaimed himself as a prophet has disappeared and no one knows if the earth has swallowed him or the birds have snatched him away.”

2ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الاشْعَرِيُّ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي شَيْخٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا يُقَالُ لَهُ عَبْدُ الله بْنُ رَزِينٍ قَالَ كُنْتُ مُجَاوِراً بِالْمَدِينَةِ مَدِينَةِ الرَّسُولِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَكَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَجِي‏ءُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مَعَ الزَّوَالِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ فَيَنْزِلُ فِي الصَّحْنِ وَيَصِيرُ إِلَى رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَيُسَلِّمُ عَلَيْهِ وَيَرْجِعُ إِلَى بَيْتِ فَاطِمَةَ (عليها السلام) فَيَخْلَعُ نَعْلَيْهِ وَيَقُومُ فَيُصَلِّي فَوَسْوَسَ إِلَيَّ الشَّيْطَانُ فَقَالَ إِذَا نَزَلَ فَاذْهَبْ حَتَّى تَأْخُذَ مِنَ التُّرَابِ الَّذِي يَطَأُ عَلَيْهِ فَجَلَسْتُ فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ أَنْتَظِرُهُ لافْعَلَ هَذَا فَلَمَّا أَنْ كَانَ وَقْتُ الزَّوَالِ أَقْبَلَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَلَى حِمَارٍ لَهُ فَلَمْ يَنْزِلْ فِي الْمَوْضِعِ الَّذِي كَانَ يَنْزِلُ فِيهِ وَجَاءَ حَتَّى نَزَلَ عَلَى الصَّخْرَةِ الَّتِي عَلَى بَابِ الْمَسْجِدِ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) قَالَ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إِلَى الْمَكَانِ الَّذِي كَانَ يُصَلِّي فِيهِ فَفَعَلَ هَذَا أَيَّاماً فَقُلْتُ إِذَا خَلَعَ نَعْلَيْهِ جِئْتُ فَأَخَذْتُ الْحَصَى الَّذِي يَطَأُ عَلَيْهِ بِقَدَمَيْهِ فَلَمَّا أَنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْغَدِ جَاءَ عِنْدَ الزَّوَالِ فَنَزَلَ عَلَى الصَّخْرَةِ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) ثُمَّ جَاءَ إِلَى الْمَوْضِعِ الَّذِي كَانَ يُصَلِّي فِيهِ فَصَلَّى فِي نَعْلَيْهِ وَلَمْ يَخْلَعْهُمَا حَتَّى فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ أَيَّاماً فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي لَمْ يَتَهَيَّأْ لِي هَاهُنَا وَلَكِنْ أَذْهَبُ إِلَى بَابِ الْحَمَّامِ فَإِذَا دَخَلَ إِلَى الْحَمَّامِ أَخَذْتُ مِنَ التُّرَابِ الَّذِي يَطَأُ عَلَيْهِ فَسَأَلْتُ عَنِ الْحَمَّامِ الَّذِي يَدْخُلُهُ فَقِيلَ لِي إِنَّهُ يَدْخُلُ حَمَّاماً بِالْبَقِيعِ لِرَجُلٍ مِنْ وُلْدِ طَلْحَةَ فَتَعَرَّفْتُ الْيَوْمَ الَّذِي يَدْخُلُ فِيهِ الْحَمَّامَ وَصِرْتُ إِلَى بَابِ الْحَمَّامِ وَجَلَسْتُ إِلَى الطَّلْحِيِّ أُحَدِّثُهُ وَأَنَا أَنْتَظِرُ مَجِيئَهُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقَالَ الطَّلْحِيُّ إِنْ أَرَدْتَ دُخُولَ الْحَمَّامِ فَقُمْ فَادْخُلْ فَإِنَّهُ لا يَتَهَيَّأُ لَكَ ذَلِكَ بَعْدَ سَاعَةٍ قُلْتُ وَلِمَ قَالَ لانَّ ابْنَ الرِّضَا يُرِيدُ دُخُولَ الْحَمَّامِ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَمَنِ ابْنُ الرِّضَا قَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ لَهُ صَلاحٌ وَوَرَعٌ قُلْتُ لَهُ وَلا يَجُوزُ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ مَعَهُ الْحَمَّامَ غَيْرُهُ قَالَ نُخْلِي لَهُ الْحَمَّامَ إِذَا جَاءَ قَالَ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا كَذَلِكَ إِذْ أَقْبَلَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَمَعَهُ غِلْمَانٌ لَهُ وَبَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ غُلامٌ مَعَهُ حَصِيرٌ حَتَّى أَدْخَلَهُ الْمَسْلَخَ فَبَسَطَهُ وَوَافَى فَسَلَّمَ وَدَخَلَ الْحُجْرَةَ عَلَى حِمَارِهِ وَدَخَلَ الْمَسْلَخَ وَنَزَلَ عَلَى الْحَصِيرِ فَقُلْتُ لِلطَّلْحِيِّ هَذَا الَّذِي وَصَفْتَهُ بِمَا وَصَفْتَ مِنَ الصَّلاحِ وَالْوَرَعِ فَقَالَ يَا هَذَا لا وَالله مَا فَعَلَ هَذَا قَطُّ إِلا فِي هَذَا الْيَوْمِ فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي هَذَا مِنْ عَمَلِي أَنَا جَنَيْتُهُ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ أَنْتَظِرُهُ حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ فَلَعَلِّي أَنَالُ مَا أَرَدْتُ إِذَا خَرَجَ فَلَمَّا خَرَجَ وَتَلَبَّسَ دَعَا بِالْحِمَارِ فَأُدْخِلَ الْمَسْلَخَ وَرَكِبَ مِنْ فَوْقِ الْحَصِيرِ وَخَرَجَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي قَدْ وَالله آذَيْتُهُ وَلا أَعُودُ وَلا أَرُومُ مَا رُمْتُ مِنْهُ أَبَداً وَصَحَّ عَزْمِي عَلَى ذَلِكَ فَلَمَّا كَانَ وَقْتُ الزَّوَالِ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى حِمَارِهِ حَتَّى نَزَلَ فِي الْمَوْضِعِ الَّذِي كَانَ يَنْزِلُ فِيهِ فِي الصَّحْنِ فَدَخَلَ وَسَلَّمَ عَلَى رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَجَاءَ إِلَى الْمَوْضِعِ الَّذِي كَانَ يُصَلِّي فِيهِ فِي بَيْتِ فَاطِمَةَ (عليها السلام) وَخَلَعَ نَعْلَيْهِ وَقَامَ يُصَلِّي.

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari has said that a shaykh from our people called ‘Abdallah ibn Razyn narrated to me the following. “I lived in al-Madina of the Messenger of Allah. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) would come every day to the mosque at noon time. He would enter the compound and would turn to the shrine of the Messenger of Allah and offer his greeting of peace. He would then turn to the house of Fatima (a.s.), take off his shoes, stand up and pray. Satan induced temptation in my heart and said, “when he (the Imam (a.s.) would come go and pick up from the dust on which he has just stepped.” I waited that day for that purpose. When it was noontime he came on his donkey but he did not dismount at the place that he would do so before. He came and dismounted on the rock in front the door of the Mosque. He then entered the Mosque, turned to the Shrine of the Messenger of Allah and offered his greeting of peace to the Messenger of Allah. his disembark.” The narrator has said that then he then turned to the place where he would pray. He did the exact thing for several days. I then said to myself, “When will come this time and will remove his shoes I will go and pick up from the gravel on which he has jus stepped..” When he came next day at noontime he dismounted on the rock then entered the Mosque, turned to the Shrine of the Messenger of Allah and offered his greeing of peace then came to the place where he would pray but prayed without removing his shoes and did the same thing for several days. I then said to my self, “I could not succeed this way but now I must find which public bathhouse he uses to take a shower. I must wait at the door of the place and when he would come to enter the public bathhouse I will pick up the dust from the spot on which he has just stepped. I asked about such public bathhoue and found out that it is such a place in al-Baqi‘ that belongs to man from the family of al-Talha. I found out about the day that he would go this bathhouse. I then on that day went to the place and met the man from the family of al-Talha and began to talk to him while waiting for him (the Imam (a.s.) to come. The owner of the place said to me, “If you want to use the bathhouse you must do now because latter on it will not be available.” I asked, “Why is that?” He said, “Ibn al-Rida will come to use it.” I then asked, “Who is ibn al-Rida ?” He said, “A man from the family of Muhammad (s.a.). He is very pious and well discilpined.” I then asked, “Is it unlawful to use the public bathhouse at the time that he is there?” He said, “We just vacate the place and leave it just for him.” The narrator has said that at that time he came with a few of his slaves. In front of him there was a slave who carried a piece of mat and brought it in all the way to the dressing-room where he spread it down. He (the Imam) also came in offered his greeting of peace and entered the dressing-room while stile riding on the donkey. He then dismounted on the mat. I then said to the man from the family of al-Talha, “Is this the one whom you mentioned with all the superlatives?” He said, “O you, by Allah, he had never done this before. It only has happened today.” I said to my self, “This is because of what I have committed against my own soul.” I then said to myself, “I will wait until he comes out perhaps I will succeed in my plan.” When he came out he asked his people to bring the donkey. The donkey was brought in the dressing-room and he rode on the donkey from the top of the mat. And left. I said to my self, “By Allah, this is enough I have troubled him so much and I will not do any such thing again and will not even thing about doing such things.” My decision was complete and solid. When it became noontime of that day he came to the Mosque while riding on his donkey and dismounted on the spot in the compound of the Mosque where he had usually been doing. Then he turned to Shrine of the Messenger of Allah and offered his greeting of peace and went to the place where he prayed in the house of Fatima (a.s.). He took off his shoes and stood for prayer.”

3ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَسْبَاطٍ قَالَ خَرَجَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَلَيَّ فَنَظَرْتُ إِلَى رَأْسِهِ وَرِجْلَيْهِ لاصِفَ قَامَتَهُ لاصْحَابِنَا بِمِصْرَ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا كَذَلِكَ حَتَّى قَعَدَ وَقَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ إِنَّ الله احْتَجَّ فِي الامَامَةِ بِمِثْلِ مَا احْتَجَّ فِي النُّبُوَّةِ فَقَالَ وَآتَيْناهُ الْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّا قَالَ وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ وَبَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً فَقَدْ يَجُوزُ أَنْ يُؤْتَى الْحُكْمَ صَبِيّاً وَيَجُوزُ أَنْ يُعْطَاهَا وَهُوَ ابْنُ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً.

3. al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Asbat who has said the following “He (abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) came out to me and I looked at his head and legs so I would be able to describe him physically to our people in Egypt. I kept looking until he sat down and said, “ O Ali, Allah’s presentation of proofs in support of Imam’s Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority) is the same as those in support of the prophet-hood of a prophet. Allah has said, “. . We gave knowledge and wisdom to John during his childhood (19:12). “. . When he attained maturity, God gave him strength, wisdom and knowledge. Thus, do We reward those who do good. (12:22) “. . When he grew-up to manhood and became forty years old,. .”(46:15). Allah may give authority to a child and He may do so when he is a fortyb years old man.”

4ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الرَّيَّانِ قَالَ احْتَالَ الْمَأْمُونُ عَلَى ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) بِكُلِّ حِيلَةٍ فَلَمْ يُمْكِنْهُ فِيهِ شَيْ‏ءٌ فَلَمَّا اعْتَلَّ وَأَرَادَ أَنْ يَبْنِيَ عَلَيْهِ ابْنَتَهُ دَفَعَ إِلَى مِائَتَيْ وَصِيفَةٍ مِنْ أَجْمَلِ مَا يَكُونُ إِلَى كُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُنَّ جَاماً فِيهِ جَوْهَرٌ يَسْتَقْبِلْنَ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِذَا قَعَدَ فِي مَوْضِعِ الاخْيَارِ فَلَمْ يَلْتَفِتْ إِلَيْهِنَّ وَكَانَ رَجُلٌ يُقَالُ لَهُ مُخَارِقٌ صَاحِبُ صَوْتٍ وَعُودٍ وَضَرْبٍ طَوِيلُ اللِّحْيَةِ فَدَعَاهُ الْمَأْمُونُ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنْ كَانَ فِي شَيْ‏ءٍ مِنْ أَمْرِ الدُّنْيَا فَأَنَا أَكْفِيكَ أَمْرَهُ فَقَعَدَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَشَهِقَ مُخَارِقٌ شَهْقَةً اجْتَمَعَ عَلَيْهِ أَهْلُ الدَّارِ وَجَعَلَ يَضْرِبُ بِعُودِهِ وَيُغَنِّي فَلَمَّا فَعَلَ سَاعَةً وَإِذَا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ لا يَلْتَفِتُ إِلَيْهِ لا يَمِيناً وَلا شِمَالاً ثُمَّ رَفَعَ إِلَيْهِ رَأْسَهُ وَقَالَ اتَّقِ الله يَا ذَا الْعُثْنُونِ قَالَ فَسَقَطَ الْمِضْرَابُ مِنْ يَدِهِ وَالْعُودُ فَلَمْ يَنْتَفِعْ بِيَدَيْهِ إِلَى أَنْ مَاتَ قَالَ فَسَأَلَهُ الْمَأْمُونُ عَنْ حَالِهِ قَالَ لَمَّا صَاحَ بِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ فَزِعْتُ فَزْعَةً لا أُفِيقُ مِنْهَا أَبَداً.

4. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from certain persons of our people from Muhammad ibn al-Rayyan who has said the following “Al-Ma’mun did all he could to prove that abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) was only a young man of worldly desires. However Al-Ma’mun could not succeed. When he became frustrated he gave his daughter in marriage to abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.). For the ceremony he sent two hundred most beautiful entertaining girls each with a bowl in her hand with a precious pearl in it to well come abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) when he would sit on the special seat prepared for him. They, however, were not of any attraction to the Imam (a.s.) to disturb him. There was a man called Mukhariq who had a voice, musical skills, a guitar and a tall beard. Al-Ma’mun called him and he said, “O Amir al-Mu’minin, if he is a worldly man I will prove myself as dealing him deadly blows on your behalf.” He sat in front of abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) and began to bray a hee-haw that made all the people of the house gather around him. He began to play his guitar and sing. He did it for an hour but abu Ja‘far (a.s.) did not pay any attention to the right or left. Then he (a.s.) raised his head and said, “O you, tall bearded one, be pious before Allah.” The narrator has said that the musical instrument and guitar fell off his hand and he could not use his hands thereafter until he died. When Al-Ma’mun asked him about his condition he said, “When abu Ja‘far (a.s.) expressed his disappointment at me it struck me with a huge degree of fear from which I have not been able to relieve myself ever since.”