Al-Kāfi

4ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ قَالَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَوَرَدَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ فَقَالَ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ صَاحِبُ كَلامٍ وَفِقْهٍ وَفَرَائِضَ وَقَدْ جِئْتُ لِمُنَاظَرَةِ أَصْحَابِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) كَلامُكَ مِنْ كَلامِ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) أَوْ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ فَقَالَ مِنْ كَلامِ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَمِنْ عِنْدِي فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَأَنْتَ إِذاً شَرِيكُ رَسُولِ الله قَالَ لا قَالَ فَسَمِعْتَ الْوَحْيَ عَنِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يُخْبِرُكَ قَالَ لا قَالَ فَتَجِبُ طَاعَتُكَ كَمَا تَجِبُ طَاعَةُ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) قَالَ لا فَالْتَفَتَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ يَا يُونُسَ بْنَ يَعْقُوبَ هَذَا قَدْ خَصَمَ نَفْسَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا يُونُسُ لَوْ كُنْتَ تُحْسِنُ الْكَلامَ كَلَّمْتَهُ قَالَ يُونُسُ فَيَا لَهَا مِنْ حَسْرَةٍ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي سَمِعْتُكَ تَنْهَى عَنِ الْكَلامِ وَتَقُولُ وَيْلٌ لاصْحَابِ الْكَلامِ يَقُولُونَ هَذَا يُنْقَادُ وَهَذَا لا يُنْقَادُ وَهَذَا يُنْسَاقُ وَهَذَا لا يُنْسَاقُ وَهَذَا نَعْقِلُهُ وَهَذَا لا نَعْقِلُهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّمَا قُلْتُ فَوَيْلٌ لَهُمْ إِنْ تَرَكُوا مَا أَقُولُ وَذَهَبُوا إِلَى مَا يُرِيدُونَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي اخْرُجْ إِلَى الْبَابِ فَانْظُرْ مَنْ تَرَى مِنَ الْمُتَكَلِّمِينَ فَأَدْخِلْهُ قَالَ فَأَدْخَلْتُ حُمْرَانَ بْنَ أَعْيَنَ وَكَانَ يُحْسِنُ الْكَلامَ وَأَدْخَلْتُ الاحْوَلَ وَكَانَ يُحْسِنُ الْكَلامَ وَأَدْخَلْتُ هِشَامَ بْنَ سَالِمٍ وَكَانَ يُحْسِنُ الْكَلامَ وَأَدْخَلْتُ قَيْسَ بْنَ الْمَاصِرِ وَكَانَ عِنْدِي أَحْسَنَهُمْ كَلاماً وَكَانَ قَدْ تَعَلَّمَ الْكَلامَ مِنْ عَلِيِّ بن الحسين (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) فَلَمَّا اسْتَقَرَّ بِنَا الْمَجْلِسُ وَكَانَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَبْلَ الْحَجِّ يَسْتَقِرُّ أَيَّاماً فِي جَبَلٍ فِي طَرَفِ الْحَرَمِ فِي فَازَةٍ لَهُ مَضْرُوبَةٍ قَالَ فَأَخْرَجَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) رَأْسَهُ مِنْ فَازَتِهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِبَعِيرٍ يَخُبُّ فَقَالَ هِشَامٌ وَرَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ قَالَ فَظَنَنَّا أَنَّ هِشَاماً رَجُلٌ مِنْ وُلْدِ عَقِيلٍ كَانَ شَدِيدَ الْمَحَبَّةِ لَهُ قَالَ فَوَرَدَ هِشَامُ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ وَهُوَ أَوَّلُ مَا اخْتَطَّتْ لِحْيَتُهُ وَلَيْسَ فِينَا إِلا مَنْ هُوَ أَكْبَرُ سِنّاً مِنْهُ قَالَ فَوَسَّعَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَقَالَ نَاصِرُنَا بِقَلْبِهِ وَلِسَانِهِ وَيَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا حُمْرَانُ كَلِّمِ الرَّجُلَ فَكَلَّمَهُ فَظَهَرَ عَلَيْهِ حُمْرَانُ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا طَاقِيُّ كَلِّمْهُ فَكَلَّمَهُ فَظَهَرَ عَلَيْهِ الاحْوَلُ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا هِشَامَ بْنَ سَالِمٍ كَلِّمْهُ فَتَعَارَفَا ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لِقَيْسٍ الْمَاصِرِ كَلِّمْهُ فَكَلَّمَهُ فَأَقْبَلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَضْحَكُ مِنْ كَلامِهِمَا مِمَّا قَدْ أَصَابَ الشَّامِيَّ فَقَالَ لِلشَّامِيِّ كَلِّمْ هَذَا الْغُلامَ يَعْنِي هِشَامَ بْنَ الْحَكَمِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ لِهِشَامٍ يَا غُلامُ سَلْنِي فِي إِمَامَةِ هَذَا فَغَضِبَ هِشَامٌ حَتَّى ارْتَعَدَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِلشَّامِيِّ يَا هَذَا أَ رَبُّكَ أَنْظَرُ لِخَلْقِهِ أَمْ خَلْقُهُ لانْفُسِهِمْ فَقَالَ الشَّامِيُّ بَلْ رَبِّي أَنْظَرُ لِخَلْقِهِ قَالَ فَفَعَلَ بِنَظَرِهِ لَهُمْ مَا ذَا قَالَ أَقَامَ لَهُمْ حُجَّةً وَدَلِيلاً كَيْلا يَتَشَتَّتُوا أَوْ يَخْتَلِفُوا يَتَأَلَّفُهُمْ وَيُقِيمُ أَوَدَهُمْ وَيُخْبِرُهُمْ بِفَرْضِ رَبِّهِمْ قَالَ فَمَنْ هُوَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) قَالَ هِشَامٌ فَبَعْدَ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) قَالَ الْكِتَابُ وَالسُّنَّةُ قَالَ هِشَامٌ فَهَلْ نَفَعَنَا الْيَوْمَ الْكِتَابُ وَالسُّنَّةُ فِي رَفْعِ الاخْتِلافِ عَنَّا قَالَ الشَّامِيُّ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَلِمَ اخْتَلَفْنَا أَنَا وَأَنْتَ وَصِرْتَ إِلَيْنَا مِنَ الشَّامِ فِي مُخَالَفَتِنَا إِيَّاكَ قَالَ فَسَكَتَ الشَّامِيُّ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لِلشَّامِيِّ مَا لَكَ لا تَتَكَلَّمُ قَالَ الشَّامِيُّ إِنْ قُلْتُ لَمْ نَخْتَلِفْ كَذَبْتُ وَإِنْ قُلْتُ إِنَّ الْكِتَابَ وَالسُّنَّةَ يَرْفَعَانِ عَنَّا الاخْتِلافَ أَبْطَلْتُ لانَّهُمَا يَحْتَمِلانِ الْوُجُوهَ وَإِنْ قُلْتُ قَدِ اخْتَلَفْنَا وَكُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنَّا يَدَّعِي الْحَقَّ فَلَمْ يَنْفَعْنَا إِذَنِ الْكِتَابُ وَالسُّنَّةُ إِلا أَنَّ لِي عَلَيْهِ هَذِهِ الْحُجَّةَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) سَلْهُ تَجِدْهُ مَلِيّاً فَقَالَ الشَّامِيُّ يَا هَذَا مَنْ أَنْظَرُ لِلْخَلْقِ أَ رَبُّهُمْ أَوْ أَنْفُسُهُمْ فَقَالَ هِشَامٌ رَبُّهُمْ أَنْظَرُ لَهُمْ مِنْهُمْ لانْفُسِهِمْ فَقَالَ الشَّامِيُّ فَهَلْ أَقَامَ لَهُمْ مَنْ يَجْمَعُ لَهُمْ كَلِمَتَهُمْ وَيُقِيمُ أَوَدَهُمْ وَيُخْبِرُهُمْ بِحَقِّهِمْ مِنْ بَاطِلِهِمْ قَالَ هِشَامٌ فِي وَقْتِ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) أَوِ السَّاعَةِ. قَالَ الشَّامِيُّ فِي وَقْتِ رَسُولِ الله رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَالسَّاعَةِ مَنْ فَقَالَ هِشَامٌ هَذَا الْقَاعِدُ الَّذِي تُشَدُّ إِلَيْهِ الرِّحَالُ وَيُخْبِرُنَا بِأَخْبَارِ السَّمَاءِ وَالارْضِ وِرَاثَةً عَنْ أَبٍ عَنْ جَدٍّ قَالَ الشَّامِيُّ فَكَيْفَ لِي أَنْ أَعْلَمَ ذَلِكَ قَالَ هِشَامٌ سَلْهُ عَمَّا بَدَا لَكَ قَالَ الشَّامِيُّ قَطَعْتَ عُذْرِي فَعَلَيَّ السُّؤَالُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَا شَامِيُّ أُخْبِرُكَ كَيْفَ كَانَ سَفَرُكَ وَكَيْفَ كَانَ طَرِيقُكَ كَانَ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَأَقْبَلَ الشَّامِيُّ يَقُولُ صَدَقْتَ أَسْلَمْتُ لله السَّاعَةَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) بَلْ آمَنْتَ بِالله السَّاعَةَ إِنَّ الاسْلامَ قَبْلَ الايمَانِ وَعَلَيْهِ يَتَوَارَثُونَ وَيَتَنَاكَحُونَ وَالايمَانُ عَلَيْهِ يُثَابُونَ فَقَالَ الشَّامِيُّ صَدَقْتَ فَأَنَا السَّاعَةَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلا الله وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَأَنَّكَ وَصِيُّ الاوْصِيَاءِ ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِلَى حُمْرَانَ فَقَالَ تُجْرِي الْكَلامَ عَلَى الاثَرِ فَتُصِيبُ وَالْتَفَتَ إِلَى هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ فَقَالَ تُرِيدُ الاثَرَ وَلا تَعْرِفُهُ ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ إِلَى الاحْوَلِ فَقَالَ قَيَّاسٌ رَوَّاغٌ تَكْسِرُ بَاطِلاً بِبَاطِلٍ إِلا أَنَّ بَاطِلَكَ أَظْهَرُ ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ إِلَى قَيْسٍ الْمَاصِرِ فَقَالَ تَتَكَلَّمُ وَأَقْرَبُ مَا تَكُونُ مِنَ الْخَبَرِ عَنْ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) أَبْعَدُ مَا تَكُونُ مِنْهُ تَمْزُجُ الْحَقَّ مَعَ الْبَاطِلِ وَقَلِيلُ الْحَقِّ يَكْفِي عَنْ كَثِيرِ الْبَاطِلِ أَنْتَ وَالاحْوَلُ قَفَّازَانِ حَاذِقَانِ قَالَ يُونُسُ فَظَنَنْتُ وَالله أَنَّهُ يَقُولُ لِهِشَامٍ قَرِيباً مِمَّا قَالَ لَهُمَا ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا هِشَامُ لا تَكَادُ تَقَعُ تَلْوِي رِجْلَيْكَ إِذَا هَمَمْتَ بِالارْضِ طِرْتَ مِثْلُكَ فَلْيُكَلِّمِ النَّاسَ فَاتَّقِ الزَّلَّةَ وَالشَّفَاعَةُ مِنْ وَرَائِهَا إِنْ شَاءَ الله.

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from those whom mentioned from Yunus ibn Ya’qub who has said the following. “I was in the presence of Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that a man from Sham (Syria) came to him and said, ‘I am a man of Kalam (meaningful words) Fiqh (laws) and rules of obligations and I have come to debate your people.” Imam abu ‘Abdallah asked, “ Are your meaningful words those of the Messenger of Allah or your own words?” He replied, “Somme of them are from the Messenger of Allah and some of them are my own words.” The Imam said, “Are then you a partner of the Messenger of Allah?” He said, “No, I am not.” The Imam (a.s.) asked, “Have you received any revelation from Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High ?” He said, “No, I have not.” The Imam then asked, “Is it obligatory to obey you just as it is obligatory to obey the Messenger of Allah?” He said, “No, it is not.” The Imam (a.s.) then turned to me and said, “O Yunus, this man has just defeated himself before debating others.” The Imam then said, “O Yunus, why do you not speak to him if you do well in debate?” I said, “I wish I could but, may Allah take my soul in the service for your cause, I have heard that you do not allow debating and say that wayl (a place in hell) is for those who debate. Some of them say, ‘This is accepted and that is not accepted and this is alright to say but that is not alright to say that this we understand and that we do not understand.’ The Imam (a.s.) said, “I said so if they would ignore what I say and follow what they themselves want.” The Imam then said, “find out who is outside who could debate and bring them in. The reporter has said, “I then brought in Humran ibn ’Ayun who was good in debating, Ahwal who also was good in debate. I brought Hisham ibn Salim who debated well. Another person I brought was Qays ibn Masir who the best of them to me. He had learned Kalam (theology) from Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) Our gathering took place in Makka before Hajj. Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) would stay near the Holy Mosque for few days in a small tent. Once the Imam (a.s.) looked outside the tent and there was a camel growling and said, “By the Lord of the Ka‘ba, it is Hisham.” We thought it must be Hisham, the man from the family of ‘Qil who was very beloved to the Imam (a.s.). It was Hisham ibn al-Hakam who came in. He had just grown a small beard and all of us were older than him. The Imam (a.s.) made room for him and said, “He is our supporter with his heart, tongue and hands.” The Imam then asked Humran to debate the man. Humran came out strong. Then the Imam asked Taqi to debate the man. Ahwal also came strong. Then the Imam asked Hisham ibn Salim to debate the man. They both remained the same. The Imam (a.s.) then asked Qasys al-Masir to debate the man. When they debated the Imam (a.s.) laughed because of the man from Sham sometimes saying the right thing. The Imam then asked the man from to speak with Hisham ibn al-Hakam. The man said, “O boy, ask me about the Imamat (spiritual leadership) of this man.” Hisham become angry and began to shake and said, “O you, is your Lord more protective of His people or people themselves?” The man said, “It is My Lord Who is more protective of His creatures.” Hisham then asked, “What then He in His opinion has done for them?” The Man said, “He has established His authority and guidance so that they would not differ and disunite and be united to support each other and remind them of their duties towards Allah.” Hisham asked, “Who is he?” The man said, “He is the Messenger of Allah.” Hisham then asked, “Who is the Divine authority after the Messenger of Allah?” The man replied, “It is the book if Allah and the Sunnah.” Hisham then said, “Have the Book and Sunnah helped us today in removing our differences?” The man said, “Yes, they have helped us.” Hisham then asked, “Why then do we have differences among us. You have come all the way from Sham to oppose and debate us?” The man then remained quite. The Imam asked him, “Why do not speak?” The man said, “If I were to say that we have no differences I would speaking lies. Were I to say that the Book and Sunnah solves our differences it would be invalid because they can be interpreted in so many ways. Were I to say that we do have differences and each claims to be the rightful party then the Book and the Sunnah would have been proved of no help. However, I can ask the same question from him also.” The Imam (a.s.) then said to man from Sham, “Why do not then ask him this question?” The man from Sham (Syria) then turned to Hisham and asked, “O you, is your Lord more protective of His people or people themselves?” Hisham said, “It is My Lord Who is more protective of His creatures.” The man then asked, “Has He then established for them a means that would remove their differences, unite them, remove their difficulties and show them the right from wrong?” Hisham asked, “Do you mean for the time of the Messenger of Allah or at this time?” The man from Sham said, “At the time of the Messenger of Allah was the Messenger of Allah. Who is the (Divine) authority at this time?” Hisham said, “(The Divine authority) at this time is this person sitting among us. To him people journey long distance to find answer to their questions. He tells us about the news of the heavens and the earth as he has inherited it from his father and grand father.” The man from Sham said, “How would I know that?” Hisham then said, “Ask him whatever you would like.” The man from Sham said, “You have left no excuse for me and I must ask.” Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) then said, “O man from Sham, “I can tell you how was your journey and how was your road. It was so and so.” The Imam (a.s.) informed him with details. The man agreed and acknowledged the details and said, “Now I have become a Muslim.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “In fact, you have become a believer in Allah now. Islam is before Iman (faith). Because of Islam people inherit each other and marry. Because of faith people receive rewards.” The man then said, “You have spoken the truth. At this time I testify that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is His Messenger and that you are the executor of the will of the Executor of wills of the Messengers of Allah.” The Imam (a.s.) then turned to Humran and said, “When you speak on the basis of Hadith you speak the truth.” Turning to Hisham ibn Salim the Imam (a.s.) said, “You want the Hadith but you do not know them.” About the al-Ahwal the Imam said, “You analogized and use a great deal of cunning ways and break falsehood with falsehood but your falsehood is stronger.” To Qays al-Masir the Imam (a.s.) said, “You speak of something very near to the Hadith of the Holy Prophet (sw) but use something very far from the Hadith of the Holy Prophet. You mix the truth with falsehood while a small degree of truth is enough to remove falsehood. You and Ahwal are experts in jumping here and there.” Yunus has said, “I thought the Imam will say about Hisham something similar to those he said about the other two.” The Imam then said, “O Hisham, you sometimes almost fall but you spring up like a bird on take-off. People like you should speak but be careful of slipping and intercession will follow, Allah willing.”

5ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ أَبَانٍ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي الاحْوَلُ أَنَّ زَيْدَ بْنَ عَلِيِّ بن الحسين (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ وَهُوَ مُسْتَخْفٍ قَالَ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ مَا تَقُولُ إِنْ طَرَقَكَ طَارِقٌ مِنَّا أَ تَخْرُجُ مَعَهُ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنْ كَانَ أَبَاكَ أَوْ أَخَاكَ خَرَجْتُ مَعَهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي فَأَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَخْرُجَ أُجَاهِدُ هَؤُلاءِ الْقَوْمَ فَاخْرُجْ مَعِي قَالَ قُلْتُ لا مَا أَفْعَلُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي أَ تَرْغَبُ بِنَفْسِكَ عَنِّي قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّمَا هِيَ نَفْسٌ وَاحِدَةٌ فَإِنْ كَانَ لله فِي الارْضِ حُجَّةٌ فَالْمُتَخَلِّفُ عَنْكَ نَاجٍ وَالْخَارِجُ مَعَكَ هَالِكٌ وَإِنْ لا تَكُنْ لله حُجَّةٌ فِي الارْضِ فَالْمُتَخَلِّفُ عَنْكَ وَالْخَارِجُ مَعَكَ سَوَاءٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ كُنْتُ أَجْلِسُ مَعَ أَبِي عَلَى الْخِوَانِ فَيُلْقِمُنِي الْبَضْعَةَ السَّمِينَةَ وَيُبَرِّدُ لِيَ اللُّقْمَةَ الْحَارَّةَ حَتَّى تَبْرُدَ شَفَقَةً عَلَيَّ وَلَمْ يُشْفِقْ عَلَيَّ مِنْ حَرِّ النَّارِ إِذاً أَخْبَرَكَ بِالدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْبِرْنِي بِهِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مِنْ شَفَقَتِهِ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ حَرِّ النَّارِ لَمْ يُخْبِرْكَ خَافَ عَلَيْكَ أَنْ لا تَقْبَلَهُ فَتَدْخُلَ النَّارَ وَأَخْبَرَنِي أَنَا فَإِنْ قَبِلْتُ نَجَوْتُ وَإِنْ لَمْ أَقْبَلْ لَمْ يُبَالِ أَنْ أَدْخُلَ النَّارَ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَنْتُمْ أَفْضَلُ أَمِ الانْبِيَاءُ قَالَ بَلِ الانْبِيَاءُ قُلْتُ يَقُولُ يَعْقُوبُ لِيُوسُفَ يَا بُنَيَّ لا تَقْصُصْ رُؤْيَاكَ عَلَى إِخْوَتِكَ فَيَكِيدُوا لَكَ كَيْداً لِمَ لَمْ يُخْبِرْهُمْ حَتَّى كَانُوا لا يَكِيدُونَهُ وَلَكِنْ كَتَمَهُمْ ذَلِكَ فَكَذَا أَبُوكَ كَتَمَكَ لانَّهُ خَافَ عَلَيْكَ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَمَا وَالله لَئِنْ قُلْتَ ذَلِكَ لَقَدْ حَدَّثَنِي صَاحِبُكَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ أَنِّي أُقْتَلُ وَأُصْلَبُ بِالْكُنَاسَةِ وَإِنَّ عِنْدَهُ لَصَحِيفَةً فِيهَا قَتْلِي وَصَلْبِي فَحَجَجْتُ فَحَدَّثْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) بِمَقَالَةِ زَيْدٍ وَمَا قُلْتُ لَهُ فَقَالَ لِي أَخَذْتَهُ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ وَعَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَعَنْ شِمَالِهِ وَمِنْ فَوْقِ رَأْسِهِ وَمِنْ تَحْتِ قَدَمَيْهِ وَلَمْ تَتْرُكْ لَهُ مَسْلَكاً يَسْلُكُهُ.

5. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn 'Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Aban who has that al-Ahwal reported to him the following: "Zayd ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) sent a message to me for a meeting with him when he was in hiding. When I met him, he said, 'O Abu Ja'far, what do you say if someone from us comes to you asking to join us? Will you rise up with him (against the enemies)?' I said, 'If such a person would be your father or brother I would join him.' He then said, 'I want to rise up against these people. Come and join me.' I said, 'No, may Allah make my soul of service to you.' He then said, 'Is it that you distance yourself away from me?' I said, “It is only one soul. If Allah's Authority on earth existed, then those keeping away from you would have saved themselves and those joining you would have faced their destruction. If no Divine Authority existed on earth then people joining and keeping away from you would be the same.' He then said, 'O Abu Ja'far, I would sit with my father at the same table and he would feed me chunky morsels and cool off for me the hot ones out of kindness and diligent care. Do you think he was not afraid for me from the fire of hell? So he has informed you about religion and did not inform me? "I said, 'May Allah make my soul of service to you, this also is of the kindness of your father to you. To save you from the fire he did not inform you. He was concerned for you that after having the information you might ignore his guidance and become subject to fire. He informed me also. If I follow I will be safe and I will be destroyed, if I disobeyed (him), for which (my destruction) he was not that much concerned.' "Then I told him, 'May Allah make my soul of service to you, are you of a higher degree of excellence or the prophets?" He said, 'It is the prophets.' I said, 'Consider what Ya'qub said to Joseph, "My son do not tell your dream to your brothers. They may plot against you." Why did he not inform the brothers so that they would not plot against Joseph? He hid it from them and so also your father has done; he was afraid for you.' He then said, 'When you say that, I swear to Allah that your friend the Imam (a.s.) did tell me in Medina that I will be killed and crucified in al-Kunasa and that he has a book with him that lists the people killed and crucified.' "I then went for Hajj and reported the story of Zayd to Abu 'Abd Allah, (a.s.) and what I said to Zayd. The Imam (a.s.) said, 'It seems you surrounded him from his front, back, left, right, above and below and did not leave for him any way out!'"

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَبِي يَحْيَى الْوَاسِطِيِّ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ وَدُرُسْتَ بْنِ أَبِي مَنْصُورٍ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الانْبِيَاءُ وَالْمُرْسَلُونَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ طَبَقَاتٍ فَنَبِيٌّ مُنَبَّأٌ فِي نَفْسِهِ لا يَعْدُو غَيْرَهَا وَنَبِيٌّ يَرَى فِي النَّوْمِ وَيَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَلا يُعَايِنُهُ فِي الْيَقَظَةِ وَلَمْ يُبْعَثْ إِلَى أَحَدٍ وَعَلَيْهِ إِمَامٌ مِثْلُ مَا كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ عَلَى لُوطٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَنَبِيٌّ يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَيَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَيُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَى طَائِفَةٍ قَلُّوا أَوْ كَثُرُوا كَيُونُسَ قَالَ الله لِيُونُسَ وَأَرْسَلْناهُ إِلى‏ مِائَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ قَالَ يَزِيدُونَ ثَلاثِينَ أَلْفاً وَعَلَيْهِ إِمَامٌ وَالَّذِي يَرَى فِي نَوْمِهِ وَيَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَيُعَايِنُ فِي الْيَقَظَةِ وَهُوَ إِمَامٌ مِثْلُ أُولِي الْعَزْمِ وَقَدْ كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) نَبِيّاً وَلَيْسَ بِإِمَامٍ حَتَّى قَالَ الله إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِماماً قالَ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي فَقَالَ الله لا يَنالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ مَنْ عَبَدَ صَنَماً أَوْ وَثَناً لا يَكُونُ إِمَاماً.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from abu Yahya al-Wasiti from Hisham ibn Salim and Durust ibn abu Mansur from him the following. “Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said that the prophets and the messengers are of four categories. There were prophets who were given Divine news in their souls just for their own-selves and for no one else. There were also prophets who were given Divine news in their dreams and would hear the voice but would not see anyone when awake and they were not sent to other people with such news. They had to follow and Imam just as it happened with Lot who followed Abraham.. There were prophets who would experience in their dreams, hear the voice and see the angel and were sent to a group of people small or large like Jonas (we sent him to a hundred thousand people or a few more). The Imam said that there were thirty thousand more people lead by an Imam. Those who saw in their dreams heard the voice and saw the angel when awake and were also Imams like ’Ulul ‘Azm ones, such as Abraham were prophets but not Imams until Allah said, “I want to appoint you as the Imam for people.” He said, “Also please from my descendents, to which He said, ‘My covenant does not go to the unjust ones, those who have worshipped idols or statues will not become Imams.”

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ زَيْدٍ الشَّحَّامِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِنَّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى اتَّخَذَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَبْداً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ نَبِيّاً وَإِنَّ الله اتَّخَذَهُ نَبِيّاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ رَسُولاً وَإِنَّ الله اتَّخَذَهُ رَسُولاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ خَلِيلاً وَإِنَّ الله اتَّخَذَهُ خَلِيلاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَجْعَلَهُ إِمَاماً فَلَمَّا جَمَعَ لَهُ الاشْيَاءَ قَالَ إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِماماً قَالَ فَمِنْ عِظَمِهَا فِي عَيْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ قَالَ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي قالَ لا يَنالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ قَالَ لا يَكُونُ السَّفِيهُ إِمَامَ التَّقِيِّ.

2. Muhammad ibn al-Hassan has narrated those whom he mentioned from Muhammad ibn Khalid from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Zayd al-Shahham who has said the following. “I heard Imam Abu ‘Abdallah saying, ‘Allah chose Abraham as a servant before choosing him as a prophet. Allah chose him as a prophet before choosing him as a messenger. Allah chose him as a messenger before choosing him as a friend of His. Allah chose him as a friend of His before choosing him as an Imam. When all of the above things were gathered in Abraham, Allah said, “I have certainly appointed you as the Imam for the people.” Because to Abraham it was so great he asked, “Can this (Imamate, leadership) be in my descendants also?” Allah said, “The feeble-minded can not become the leader of the pious one.”

3ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الْخَثْعَمِيِّ عَنْ هِشَامٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ سَادَةُ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ خَمْسَةٌ وَهُمْ أُولُو الْعَزْمِ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ وَعَلَيْهِمْ دَارَتِ الرَّحَى نُوحٌ وَإِبْرَاهِيمُ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى وَمُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَعَلَى جَمِيعِ الانْبِيَاءِ.

3. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Khath‘ami from Hisham from abu Ya‘qub who has said the following “I heard abu ‘Abdallah saying, ‘The leaders and masters of the prophets and the messengers are five who are called ’ulul ‘Azm (people with determination) among the messengers who have the central role. They are Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (s.a.).”

4ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ أَبِي السَّفَاتِجِ عَنْ جَابِرٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ إِنَّ الله اتَّخَذَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَبْداً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ نَبِيّاً وَاتَّخَذَهُ نَبِيّاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ رَسُولاً وَاتَّخَذَهُ رَسُولاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ خَلِيلاً وَاتَّخَذَهُ خَلِيلاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ إِمَاماً فَلَمَّا جَمَعَ لَهُ هَذِهِ الاشْيَاءَ وَقَبَضَ يَدَهُ قَالَ لَهُ يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِماماً فَمِنْ عِظَمِهَا فِي عَيْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ يَا رَبِّ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي قالَ لا يَنالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ.

4. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from Ishaq ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz from abu al-Saffah from Jabir from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said the following. “I heard the Imam saying, ‘Allah chose Abraham as a servant before He chose him as a prophet. He chose him as a prophet before He chose him as a messenger. He chose him as a messenger before He chose him as a friend of His. He chose him as a friend of His before He chose him as an Imam. When all of these things gathered in him (the Imam holding his hands said, “Allah said, ‘O Ibrahim I have appointed you as the Imam (leader) of the people.” Because of the greatness of the position Abraham them asked, “O Lord, can it be in my descendants also?” The Lord said, ‘My covenant does not go to the unjust ones.”

1ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ عَنْ ثَعْلَبَةَ بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَكانَ رَسُولاً نَبِيًّا مَا الرَّسُولُ وَمَا النَّبِيُّ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَيَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَلا يُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ وَالرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَيَرَى فِي الْمَنَامِ وَيُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ قُلْتُ الامَامُ مَا مَنْزِلَتُهُ قَالَ يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَلا يَرَى وَلا يُعَايِنُ الْمَلَكَ ثُمَّ تَلا هَذِهِ الايَةَ وَما أَرْسَلْنا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَسُولٍ وَلا نَبِيٍّ وَلا مُحَدَّثٍ.

1. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Tha‘laba ibn Maymun from Zurara who has said the following “I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, ‘He was a messenger, a prophet’. What is a messenger and what is a prophet?’” The Imam said, “A prophet is one who sees things in his dream and hears the voice but does not see the angel. The messenger is one who hears the voice, in his dreams and sees the angel.” I then said, “What is the position of the Imam?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He hears the voice but does not see and observe the angel” Then he recited the following verse of the Holy Quran. ‘Satan would try to tamper with the desires of every prophet or messenger or muhaddath whom We sent...’” (22:52)

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ مَرَّارٍ قَالَ كَتَبَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الْعَبَّاسِ الْمَعْرُوفِيُّ إِلَى الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَخْبِرْنِي مَا الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَ الرَّسُولِ وَالنَّبِيِّ وَالامَامِ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ أَوْ قَالَ الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَ الرَّسُولِ وَالنَّبِيِّ وَالامَامِ أَنَّ الرَّسُولَ الَّذِي يُنْزَلُ عَلَيْهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ فَيَرَاهُ وَيَسْمَعُ كَلامَهُ وَيُنْزَلُ عَلَيْهِ الْوَحْيُ وَرُبَّمَا رَأَى فِي مَنَامِهِ نَحْوَ رُؤْيَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَالنَّبِيُّ رُبَّمَا سَمِعَ الْكَلامَ وَرُبَّمَا رَأَى الشَّخْصَ وَلَمْ يَسْمَعْ وَالامَامُ هُوَ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ الْكَلامَ وَلا يَرَى الشَّخْصَ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Isma‘il ibn Marrar who has said the following “Al-Hassan ibn al-‘Abbass al-Ma‘rufi wrote to Imam al-Rida (a.s.). “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, explain to me the difference between the messengers, the prophets and the Imams.” The Imam said or wrote, “ The difference between the messengers, the prophets and the Imams is that a messenger is one to whom Jibril (Gabriel) comes. He sees Jibril and hears his speech and Jibril (the angel) brings him (Divine) revelation and sometimes he may see in his dream like the dream of Abraham (a.s.). A prophet is one who may hear the speech and may see the person or may not hear. The Imam is the one who hears the speech but does not see the person.”

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنِ الاحْوَلِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنِ الرَّسُولِ وَالنَّبِيِّ وَالْمُحَدَّثِ قَالَ الرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَأْتِيهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ قُبُلاً فَيَرَاهُ وَيُكَلِّمُهُ فَهَذَا الرَّسُولُ وَأَمَّا النَّبِيُّ فَهُوَ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ نَحْوَ رُؤْيَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَنَحْوَ مَا كَانَ رَأَى رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) مِنْ أَسْبَابِ النُّبُوَّةِ قَبْلَ الْوَحْيِ حَتَّى أَتَاهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مِنْ عِنْدِ الله بِالرِّسَالَةِ وَكَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) حِينَ جُمِعَ لَهُ النُّبُوَّةُ وَجَاءَتْهُ الرِّسَالَةُ مِنْ عِنْدِ الله يَجِيئُهُ بِهَا جَبْرَئِيلُ وَيُكَلِّمُهُ بِهَا قُبُلاً وَمِنَ الانْبِيَاءِ مَنْ جُمِعَ لَهُ النُّبُوَّةُ وَيَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَيَأْتِيهِ الرُّوحُ وَيُكَلِّمُهُ وَيُحَدِّثُهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَكُونَ يَرَى فِي الْيَقَظَةِ وَأَمَّا الْمُحَدَّثُ فَهُوَ الَّذِي يُحَدَّثُ فَيَسْمَعُ وَلا يُعَايِنُ وَلا يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from al-Ahwal who said: “I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the Messenger, the Prophet, and the Muhaddath. He said, 'The Messenger is the one to whom Jibril comes face to face, so he sees him and speaks to him. This is the Messenger. <br>As for the Prophet, he is the one who sees in his dream, like the vision of Abraham and like what the Messenger of Allah (sw) saw from the causes of prophethood before the revelation until Jibril (as) came to him from Allah with the message. And Muhammad (sw), when prophethood was gathered for him and the message came to him from Allah, Jibril would come to him with it and speak to him face to face. And among the Prophets are those to whom prophethood was gathered, and they see in their dreams, and the Spirit comes to them, speaks to them, and converses with them without seeing in wakefulness. <br>As for the Muhaddath, he is the one who is spoken to, hears, but does not see (directly) nor see in his dream.'"

4ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حَسَّانَ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ الْهَاشِمِيِّ عَنْ مَرْوَانَ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ بُرَيْدٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ وَأَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَما أَرْسَلْنا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَسُولٍ وَلا نَبِيٍّ وَلا مُحَدَّثٍ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَيْسَتْ هَذِهِ قِرَاءَتَنَا فَمَا الرَّسُولُ وَالنَّبِيُّ وَالْمُحَدَّثُ قَالَ الرَّسُولُ الَّذِي يَظْهَرُ لَهُ الْمَلَكُ فَيُكَلِّمُهُ وَالنَّبِيُّ هُوَ الَّذِي يَرَى فِي مَنَامِهِ وَرُبَّمَا اجْتَمَعَتِ النُّبُوَّةُ وَالرِّسَالَةُ لِوَاحِدٍ وَالْمُحَدَّثُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ وَلا يَرَى الصُّورَةَ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ الله كَيْفَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّ الَّذِي رَأَى فِي النَّوْمِ حَقٌّ وَأَنَّهُ مِنَ الْمَلَكِ قَالَ يُوَفَّقُ لِذَلِكَ حَتَّى يَعْرِفَهُ لَقَدْ خَتَمَ الله بِكِتَابِكُمُ الْكُتُبَ وَخَتَمَ بِنَبِيِّكُمُ الانْبِيَاءَ.

4. Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn Yahya have narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Ali ibn Hassan from Faddal from Ali ibn Ya’qub al-Hashimi from Marwan ibn Muslim from Burayd who has said the following. “I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “Satan would try to tamper with the desires of every Prophet or Messenger or Muhaddith (Muhaddith is a commentary of Imam (a.s.), whom We sent . .’” (22:52). I said, ““May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, the word Muhaddith does not exist in our reading. What then is the meaning of The Messenger, Prophet and Muhaddith?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “A messenger is one to whom the angel comes openly and speaks to him. A prophet is one who sees in his dream. Sometimes prophethood and messengership may exist in one person. Al-Muhaddith is one who hears the voice but does not see the person (of the angel).” I then asked, may Allah keep you well, “How would one know that what one sees in his dream is true and that it is from the angel?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “He receives help for success to know the angel. Allah has your book the last book and your Prophet the last of prophets.”