The Book - Garden (of Flowers)
Seven marks of excellence for Banu Hashim
عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ عَنْ عَيْثَمِ بْنِ أَشْيَمَ عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) قَالَ خَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ وَ هُوَ مُسْتَبْشِرٌ يَضْحَكُ سُرُوراً فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّاسُ أَضْحَكَ اللَّهُ سِنَّكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ زَادَكَ سُرُوراً فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ يَوْمٍ وَ لَا لَيْلَةٍ إِلَّا وَ لِيَ فِيهِمَا تُحْفَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ أَلَا وَ إِنَّ رَبِّي أَتْحَفَنِي فِي يَوْمِي هَذَا بِتُحْفَةٍ لَمْ يُتْحِفْنِي بِمِثْلِهَا فِيمَا مَضَى إِنَّ جَبْرَئِيلَ أَتَانِي فَأَقْرَأَنِي مِنْ رَبِّيَ السَّلَامَ وَ قَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ اخْتَارَ مِنْ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ سَبْعَةً لَمْ يَخْلُقْ مِثْلَهُمْ فِيمَنْ مَضَى وَ لَا يَخْلُقُ مِثْلَهُمْ فِيمَنْ بَقِيَ أَنْتَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ سَيِّدُ النَّبِيِّينَ وَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَصِيُّكَ سَيِّدُ الْوَصِيِّينَ وَ الْحَسَنُ وَ الْحُسَيْنُ سِبْطَاكَ سَيِّدَا الْأَسْبَاطِ وَ حَمْزَةُ عَمُّكَ سَيِّدُ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَ جَعْفَرٌ ابْنُ عَمِّكَ الطَّيَّارُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ يَطِيرُ مَعَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ حَيْثُ يَشَاءُ وَ مِنْكُمُ الْقَائِمُ يُصَلِّي عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ خَلْفَهُ إِذَا أَهْبَطَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّةِ عَلِيٍّ وَ فَاطِمَةَ مِنْ وُلْدِ الْحُسَيْنِ ( عليه السلام ) .
10. A number of our companions, from Sahl Bin Ziyad, from Muhammad Bin Suleyman, from Aysam Bin Asheym, from Muawiya Bin Ammar have said the following: Abu Abdullah (AS) said: ‘One day the Prophet (sw) came out having received good news, smiling joyfully. So the people said to him, ‘May Allah keep you smiling for the whole life, O Messenger of Allah, and increase your joy’. The Messenger of Allah (sw) said: ‘There is no day or night except that I receive a gift from Allah. Indeed! Allah has gifted to me in this day of mine with a Gift which He has never Gifted to me the like of it in the past. <br>Gabriel (as) came to me and conveyed greetings to me from my Lord and said: ‘O Muhammad! Allah Mighty and Majestic has chosen seven from the Clan of Hashim that He has never created anyone similar to them from the past nor will He be creating anyone like them in the future. You, O Messenger of Allah are the Chief of the Prophets, and Ali Bin Abu Talib is your Successor and the Chief of the successors, and Al-Hassan and Al-Husayn your grandsons are the Chiefs of the grandsons, and Hamza your uncle is the Chief of the martyrs, and Ja’far the son of your uncle is the flyer in the Paradise flying along with the angels wherever he desires to, and among you all is Al-Qaim behind whom Isa bin Maryam will be praying when Allah sends him down to the earth. He will be from the descendants of Ali and Fatima from the sons of Al-Husayn (AS)’.
The Book - Garden (of Flowers)
This Book speaks to you in all truth (45:29)
سَهْلُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ الدَّيْلَمِيِّ الْمِصْرِيِّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ هذا كِتابُنا يَنْطِقُ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْحَقِّ قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْكِتَابَ لَمْ يَنْطِقْ وَ لَنْ يَنْطِقَ وَ لَكِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) هُوَ النَّاطِقُ بِالْكِتَابِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ هَذَا كِتَابُنَا يُنْطَقُ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْحَقِّ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّا لَا نَقْرَؤُهَا هَكَذَا فَقَالَ هَكَذَا وَ اللَّهِ نَزَلَ بِهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) وَ لَكِنَّهُ فِيمَا حُرِّفَ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ .
11. Sahl Bin Ziyad, from Muhammad Bin Suleyman Al-Saylami Al-Misry, from his father, from Abu Baseer, who has narrated: Abu Abdullah (asws) said when the Statement of Allah (azwj) Mighty and Majestic was recited to him (asws); “[45:29] This is Our book that speaks against you with the truth”, he (asws) said: ‘Surely, the Book has never Spoken and will never Speak, but the Messenger (saww) of Allah (azwj), he (saww) is the speaker of the Book. Allah (azwj) has Said: “[45:29] This (the Messenger (saww) of Allah (azwj) )is Our book that speaks against you with the truth”. The narrator said, ‘I asked, ‘May I be sacrificed for you (asws), we do not read it as such’. He (asws) said: ‘By Allah (azwj), this is how Gabriel came down with it upon Muhammad (saww), but this is what was altered from the Book of Allah (azwj)’.
The Book - Garden (of Flowers)
Cure for the back
عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ نُوحِ بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ (عليه السلام) قَالَ مَنْ تَغَيَّرَ عَلَيْهِ مَاءُ الظَّهْرِ فَلْيَنْفَعْ لَهُ اللَّبَنُ الْحَلِيبُ وَ الْعَسَلُ.
222. A number of our companions, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad Bin Khalid, from Muhammad Bin Ali, from Nuh Bin Shuayb, from the one whom he mentioned: Abu Al-Hassan (asws) said: ‘The one who’s water of the back (semen) has changed, so the butter milk and the honey would be beneficial for him’.
The Book - Garden (of Flowers)
About the words of Allah ‘By the midday sun’ (91:1)
جَمَاعَةٌ عَنْ سَهْلٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) قَالَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ الشَّمْسِ وَ ضُحاها قَالَ الشَّمْسُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) بِهِ أَوْضَحَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِلنَّاسِ دِينَهُمْ قَالَ قُلْتُ الْقَمَرِ إِذا تَلاها قَالَ ذَاكَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ( عليه السلام ) تَلَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) وَ نَفَثَهُ بِالْعِلْمِ نَفْثاً قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ اللَّيْلِ إِذا يَغْشاها قَالَ ذَاكَ أَئِمَّةُ الْجَوْرِ الَّذِينَ اسْتَبَدُّوا بِالْأَمْرِ دُونَ آلِ الرَّسُولِ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) وَ جَلَسُوا مَجْلِساً كَانَ آلُ الرَّسُولِ أَوْلَى بِهِ مِنْهُمْ فَغَشُوا دِينَ اللَّهِ بِالظُّلْمِ وَ الْجَوْرِ فَحَكَى اللَّهُ فِعْلَهُمْ فَقَالَ وَ اللَّيْلِ إِذا يَغْشاها قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ النَّهارِ إِذا جَلَّاها قَالَ ذَلِكَ الْإِمَامُ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّةِ فَاطِمَةَ (عليها السلام) يُسْأَلُ عَنْ دِينِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ (صلى الله عليه وآله) فَيُجَلِّيهِ لِمَنْ سَأَلَهُ فَحَكَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَوْلَهُ فَقَالَ وَ النَّهارِ إِذا جَلَّاها .
12. A group, from Sahl Bin Ziyad, from Muhammad, from his father, from Abu Muhammad has narrated: Abu Abdullah (asws) having said when asked about the Statement of Allah (azwj): “[91:1] I swear by the sun and its brilliance,”, said: ‘The sun (is a reference to) the Messenger (saww) of Allah (azwj) by whom (saww) Allah (azwj) Mighty and Majestic Clarified for the people their Religion’. ‘I then asked, ‘(What about) “[91:2] And the moon when it follows the sun”? He (asws) said: ‘That is Amir-ul-Momineen (asws) following the Messenger (saww) of Allah (azwj), and emitted the knowledge by reradiating (like moon reflects the rays to the earth which fall on its surface from the sun)’. ‘I then asked, ‘(What about) “[91:4] And the night when it draws a veil over it”?’ Imam (asws) said: ‘That (is a reference to) the imams of the injustice who tyrannised by the command the Progeny (asws) of the Messenger (saww) and seated themselves upon a set which was for the Progeny (asws) of the Messenger (saww) who (asws) were higher (more deserving) for it than them. They veiled the Religion of Allah (azwj) by the injustices and the tyranny. So Allah (azwj) has Referred to their deeds by Saying “[91:4] And the night when it draws a veil over it”. ‘I then asked, (What about) “[91:3] By the Day as it shows up (the Sun’s) clarity”?’ He (asws) said: ‘That (is a reference to) the Imams (asws) from the descendants of Fatima (sa), when asked about the Religion of the Messenger (saww) of Allah (azwj) so they clarify it for the one who has asked (from them (asws)). So Allah (azwj) has referred it in His (azwj) Statement by Saying “[91:3] By the Day as it shows up (the Sun’s) clarity”.
The Book - Garden (of Flowers)
About the words of Allah ‘Has the story of the overwhelming come to you…’ (88:1)
سَهْلٌ عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) قَالَ قُلْتُ هَلْ أَتاكَ حَدِيثُ الْغاشِيَةِ قَالَ يَغْشَاهُمُ الْقَائِمُ بِالسَّيْفِ قَالَ قُلْتُ وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ خاشِعَةٌ قَالَ خَاضِعَةٌ لَا تُطِيقُ الِامْتِنَاعَ قَالَ قُلْتُ عامِلَةٌ قَالَ عَمِلَتْ بِغَيْرِ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ ناصِبَةٌ قَالَ نَصَبَتْ غَيْرَ وُلَاةِ الْأَمْرِ قَالَ قُلْتُ تَصْلى ناراً حامِيَةً قَالَ تَصْلَى نَارَ الْحَرْبِ فِي الدُّنْيَا عَلَى عَهْدِ الْقَائِمِ وَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ .
13. Sahl, from Muhammad, from his father has narrated: Abu Abdullah (asws) having said when it was said to him (asws) “[88:1] Has not there come to you the news of the overwhelming calamity?”, he (asws) said: ‘They will be overwhelmed by the sword of the Rising One (Al-Qaim (asws))’. He said, ‘I said, (What about) “[88:2] Some faces, that Day, will be humiliated”?’ He (asws) said: ‘They will be so humiliated that they will not be able to bear the exclusion’. He said, ‘I asked. ‘(What about) “[88:3] Labouring”?’ He (asws) said: ‘Labouring for other than what Allah (azwj) Revealed’. I then asked, (What about) “[88:3] Appointing”?’ He (asws) replied: ‘Having appointed other than the Master (asws) of the Command (Wali Al-Amr)’. He says then I asked, (What about) “[88:4] Entering into burning fire”?’ He (asws) replied: ‘Entering into the fire of the war in the world during the era of the Rising One (Al-Qaim (asws)), and in the Hereafter the Fire of Hell’.
The Book - Garden (of Flowers)
About the words of Allah ‘They swear to Allah earnestly…’ (16:38)
سَهْلٌ عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ (عليه السلام) قَوْلُهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى وَ أَقْسَمُوا بِاللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمانِهِمْ لا يَبْعَثُ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَمُوتُ بَلى وَعْداً عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا وَ لكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لا يَعْلَمُونَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا بَصِيرٍ مَا تَقُولُ فِي هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ قَالَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ الْمُشْرِكِينَ يَزْعُمُونَ وَ يَحْلِفُونَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ (صلى الله عليه وآله) أَنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَبْعَثُ الْمَوْتَى قَالَ فَقَالَ تَبّاً لِمَنْ قَالَ هَذَا سَلْهُمْ هَلْ كَانَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ يَحْلِفُونَ بِاللَّهِ أَمْ بِاللَّاتِ وَ الْعُزَّى قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَأَوْجِدْنِيهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا بَصِيرٍ لَوْ قَدْ قَامَ قَائِمُنَا بَعَثَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ قَوْماً مِنْ شِيعَتِنَا قِبَاعُ سُيُوفِهِمْ عَلَى عَوَاتِقِهِمْ فَيَبْلُغُ ذَلِكَ قَوْماً مِنْ شِيعَتِنَا لَمْ يَمُوتُوا فَيَقُولُونَ بُعِثَ فُلَانٌ وَ فُلَانٌ وَ فُلَانٌ مِنْ قُبُورِهِمْ وَ هُمْ مَعَ الْقَائِمِ فَيَبْلُغُ ذَلِكَ قَوْماً مِنْ عَدُوِّنَا فَيَقُولُونَ يَا مَعْشَرَ الشِّيعَةِ مَا أَكْذَبَكُمْ هَذِهِ دَوْلَتُكُمْ وَ أَنْتُمْ تَقُولُونَ فِيهَا الْكَذِبَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا عَاشَ هَؤُلَاءِ وَ لَا يَعِيشُونَ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ قَالَ فَحَكَى اللَّهُ قَوْلَهُمْ فَقَالَ وَ أَقْسَمُوا بِاللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمانِهِمْ لا يَبْعَثُ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَمُوتُ .
14. Sahl, from Muhammad, from his father, from Abu Baseer who said: ‘I said to Abu Abdullah (asws) the Statement of the Blessed and the High (azwj): “[16:38] And they swear by Allah with the most energetic of their oaths: Allah will not raise up him who dies. Yea! it is a promise binding on Him, quite true, but most people do not know”, he (asws) said: ‘O Abu Baseer! What do you (people) say about this Verse?’ I replied, ‘The ‘Mushrikeen’ (polytheists) are alleging and swearing upon oath to the Messenger (saww) of Allah (azwj) that Allah (azwj) does not Resurrect the dead’. Imam (asws) said: ‘Woe be unto the ones who say this. Ask them, ‘Do the ‘Mushrikeen’ swear by Allah (azwj) or by Al-Laat, and Al-Uzza (names of worshipped idols)?’ I replied, ‘May I be sacrificed for you (asws), enlighten me’. Imam (asws) replied to me: ‘O Abu Baseer! When our (asws) Rising One (Al-Qaim (asws)) makes the stand, Allah (azwj) will Send to him (asws) a group from our (asws) Shiites with the sheaths of their swords upon their shoulders. So that (news) will reach a group from our (asws) Shiites who did not die. So they will say, so and so and so and so have been resurrected from their graves and they are with Al-Qaim (asws). So that (news) will reach a group from our (asws) enemies, so they will say, ‘O group of Shiites, what lies you speak. This is your government and you are speaking lies about it? No, by Allah (azwj), those have never lived nor will they ever be living up to the Day of Judgement’. He (asws) said: ‘So Allah (azwj) Quoted their words, so He (azwj) Said: “[16:38] And they swear by Allah with the most energetic of their oaths: Allah will not raise up him who dies”.
The Book - Garden (of Flowers)
About the words of Allah ‘When they sensed the power of our anger…’ (21:12)
عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ ثَعْلَبَةَ بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ عَنْ بَدْرِ بْنِ الْخَلِيلِ الْأَسَدِيِّ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عليه السلام) يَقُولُ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَلَمَّا أَحَسُّوا بَأْسَنا إِذا هُمْ مِنْها يَرْكُضُونَ لا تَرْكُضُوا وَ ارْجِعُوا إِلى ما أُتْرِفْتُمْ فِيهِ وَ مَساكِنِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُسْئَلُونَ قَالَ إِذَا قَامَ الْقَائِمُ وَ بَعَثَ إِلَى بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ بِالشَّامِ فَهَرَبُوا إِلَى الرُّومِ فَيَقُولُ لَهُمُ الرُّومُ لَا نُدْخِلَنَّكُمْ حَتَّى تَتَنَصَّرُوا فَيُعَلِّقُونَ فِي أَعْنَاقِهِمُ الصُّلْبَانَ فَيُدْخِلُونَهُمْ فَإِذَا نَزَلَ بِحَضْرَتِهِمْ أَصْحَابُ الْقَائِمِ طَلَبُوا الْأَمَانَ وَ الصُّلْحَ فَيَقُولُ أَصْحَابُ الْقَائِمِ لَا نَفْعَلُ حَتَّى تَدْفَعُوا إِلَيْنَا مَنْ قِبَلَكُمْ مِنَّا قَالَ فَيَدْفَعُونَهُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ فَذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ لا تَرْكُضُوا وَ ارْجِعُوا إِلى ما أُتْرِفْتُمْ فِيهِ وَ مَساكِنِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُسْئَلُونَ قَالَ يَسْأَلُهُمُ الْكُنُوزَ وَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِهَا قَالَ فَيَقُولُونَ يا وَيْلَنا إِنَّا كُنَّا ظالِمِينَ فَما زاَلَتْ تِلْكَ دَعْواهُمْ حَتَّى جَعَلْناهُمْ حَصِيداً خامِدِينَ بِالسَّيْفِ.
15. Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Fazaal, from Sa’albat Bin Maymoun, from Badr Bin Al-Khaleel Al-Asady who said: ‘I heard Abu Ja’far (asws) saying regarding the Statement of Allah (azwj) Mighty and Majestic: “[21:12] Yet, when they felt Our Punishment (coming), behold, they (tried to) flee from it. [21:13] Flee not, but return to the good things of this life which were given you, and to your homes in order that ye may be called to account.” He (asws) said: ‘When Al-Qaim (asws) makes the stand, and sends (an army) to the Clan of Umayya in Syria, so they will run away to ‘al-Rome’. So the Romans will say to them, ‘We will not let you enter until you become Christians’. So they will hang crosses upon their necks and allow them to enter. So when the companions of Al-Qaim (asws) descend upon them, they (Romans) will seek security and reconciliation. So the companions of Al-Qaim (asws) will say, ‘We will not do that until you hand over to us the ones who came to you beforehand from us’. So they will hand them over. So that is His (azwj) Statement: “[21:13] Flee not, but return to the good things of this life which were given you, and to your homes in order that ye may be called to account”. He (asws) said: ‘So he (asws) will question them about the treasure although he (asws) knows more than them about it. So they will say, ‘O woe be upon us! Surely we have been unjust’. They will not cease invoking that invocation of theirs until they will be cut down to extinction by the sword’.
The Book - Garden (of Flowers)
The letter of Abu Ja’far, 'Alayhim al-Salam, to Sa’ad al-Khayr
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ بَزِيعٍ عَنْ عَمِّهِ حَمْزَةَ بْنِ بَزِيعٍ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْأَشْعَرِيِّ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَمَّنْ حَدَّثَهُ قَالَ كَتَبَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ( عليه السلام ) إِلَى سَعْدٍ الْخَيْرِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنِّي أُوصِيكَ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ فِيهَا السَّلَامَةَ مِنَ التَّلَفِ وَ الْغَنِيمَةَ فِي الْمُنْقَلَبِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقِي بِالتَّقْوَى عَنِ الْعَبْدِ مَا عَزَبَ عَنْهُ عَقْلُهُ وَ يُجْلِي بِالتَّقْوَى عَنْهُ عَمَاهُ وَ جَهْلَهُ وَ بِالتَّقْوَى نَجَا نُوحٌ وَ مَنْ مَعَهُ فِي السَّفِينَةِ وَ صَالِحٌ وَ مَنْ مَعَهُ مِنَ الصَّاعِقَةِ وَ بِالتَّقْوَى فَازَ الصَّابِرُونَ وَ نَجَتْ تِلْكَ الْعُصَبُ مِنَ الْمَهَالِكِ وَ لَهُمْ إِخْوَانٌ عَلَى تِلْكَ الطَّرِيقَةِ يَلْتَمِسُونَ تِلْكَ الْفَضِيلَةَ نَبَذُوا طُغْيَانَهُمْ مِنَ الْإِيرَادِ بِالشَّهَوَاتِ لِمَا بَلَغَهُمْ فِي الْكِتَابِ مِنَ الْمَثُلَاتِ حَمِدُوا رَبَّهُمْ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُمْ وَ هُوَ أَهْلُ الْحَمْدِ وَ ذَمُّوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ عَلَى مَا فَرَّطُوا وَ هُمْ أَهْلُ الذَّمِّ وَ عَلِمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى الْحَلِيمَ الْعَلِيمَ إِنَّمَا غَضَبُهُ عَلَى مَنْ لَمْ يَقْبَلْ مِنْهُ رِضَاهُ وَ إِنَّمَا يَمْنَعُ مَنْ لَمْ يَقْبَلْ مِنْهُ عَطَاهُ وَ إِنَّمَا يُضِلُّ مَنْ لَمْ يَقْبَلْ مِنْهُ هُدَاهُ ثُمَّ أَمْكَنَ أَهْلَ السَّيِّئَاتِ مِنَ التَّوْبَةِ بِتَبْدِيلِ الْحَسَنَاتِ دَعَا عِبَادَهُ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِلَى ذَلِكَ بِصَوْتٍ رَفِيعٍ لَمْ يَنْقَطِعْ وَ لَمْ يَمْنَعْ دُعَاءَ عِبَادِهِ فَلَعَنَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ وَ كَتَبَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ الرَّحْمَةَ فَسَبَقَتْ قَبْلَ الْغَضَبِ فَتَمَّتْ صِدْقاً وَ عَدْلًا فَلَيْسَ يَبْتَدِئُ الْعِبَادَ بِالْغَضَبِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُغْضِبُوهُ وَ ذَلِكَ مِنْ عِلْمِ الْيَقِينِ وَ عِلْمِ التَّقْوَى وَ كُلُّ أُمَّةٍ قَدْ رَفَعَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ عِلْمَ الْكِتَابِ حِينَ نَبَذُوهُ وَ وَلَّاهُمْ عَدُوَّهُمْ حِينَ تَوَلَّوْهُ وَ كَانَ مِنْ نَبْذِهِمُ الْكِتَابَ أَنْ أَقَامُوا حُرُوفَهُ وَ حَرَّفُوا حُدُودَهُ فَهُمْ يَرْوُونَهُ وَ لَا يَرْعَوْنَهُ وَ الْجُهَّالُ يُعْجِبُهُمْ حِفْظُهُمْ لِلرِّوَايَةِ وَ الْعُلَمَاءُ يَحْزُنُهُمْ تَرْكُهُمْ لِلرِّعَايَةِ وَ كَانَ مِنْ نَبْذِهِمُ الْكِتَابَ أَنْ وَلَّوْهُ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ فَأَوْرَدُوهُمُ الْهَوَى وَ أَصْدَرُوهُمْ إِلَى الرَّدَى وَ غَيَّرُوا عُرَى الدِّينِ ثُمَّ وَرَّثُوهُ فِي السَّفَهِ وَ الصِّبَا فَالْأُمَّةُ يَصْدُرُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِ النَّاسِ بَعْدَ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى وَ عَلَيْهِ يُرَدُّونَ فَبِئْسَ لِلظَّالِمِينَ بَدَلًا وَلَايَةُ النَّاسِ بَعْدَ وَلَايَةِ اللَّهِ وَ ثَوَابُ النَّاسِ بَعْدَ ثَوَابِ اللَّهِ وَ رِضَا النَّاسِ بَعْدَ رِضَا اللَّهِ فَأَصْبَحَتِ الْأُمَّةُ كَذَلِكَ وَ فِيهِمُ الْمُجْتَهِدُونَ فِي الْعِبَادَةِ عَلَى تِلْكَ الضَّلَالَةِ مُعْجَبُونَ مَفْتُونُونَ فَعِبَادَتُهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ لَهُمْ وَ لِمَنِ اقْتَدَى بِهِمْ وَ قَدْ كَانَ فِي الرُّسُلِ ذِكْرَى لِلْعَابِدِينَ إِنَّ نَبِيّاً مِنَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ كَانَ يَسْتَكْمِلُ الطَّاعَةَ ثُمَّ يَعْصِي اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى فِي الْبَابِ الْوَاحِدِ فَخَرَجَ بِهِ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَ يُنْبَذُ بِهِ فِي بَطْنِ الْحُوتِ ثُمَّ لَا يُنَجِّيهِ إِلَّا الِاعْتِرَافُ وَ التَّوْبَةُ فَاعْرِفْ أَشْبَاهَ الْأَحْبَارِ وَ الرُّهْبَانِ الَّذِينَ سَارُوا بِكِتْمَانِ الْكِتَابِ وَ تَحْرِيفِهِ فَما رَبِحَتْ تِجارَتُهُمْ وَ ما كانُوا مُهْتَدِينَ ثُمَّ اعْرِفْ أَشْبَاهَهُمْ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ الَّذِينَ أَقَامُوا حُرُوفَ الْكِتَابِ وَ حَرَّفُوا حُدُودَهُ فَهُمْ مَعَ السَّادَةِ وَ الْكُبُرَّةِ فَإِذَا تَفَرَّقَتْ قَادَةُ الْأَهْوَاءِ كَانُوا مَعَ أَكْثَرِهِمْ دُنْيَا وَ ذَلِكَ مَبْلَغُهُمْ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ لَا يَزَالُونَ كَذَلِكَ فِي طَبَعٍ وَ طَمَعٍ لَا يَزَالُ يُسْمَعُ صَوْتُ إِبْلِيسَ عَلَى أَلْسِنَتِهِمْ بِبَاطِلٍ كَثِيرٍ يَصْبِرُ مِنْهُمُ الْعُلَمَاءُ عَلَى الْأَذَى وَ التَّعْنِيفِ وَ يَعِيبُونَ عَلَى الْعُلَمَاءِ بِالتَّكْلِيفِ وَ الْعُلَمَاءُ فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ خَانَةٌ إِنْ كَتَمُوا النَّصِيحَةَ إِنْ رَأَوْا تَائِهاً ضَالًّا لَا يَهْدُونَهُ أَوْ مَيِّتاً لَا يُحْيُونَهُ فَبِئْسَ مَا يَصْنَعُونَ لِأَنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَخَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمِيثَاقَ فِي الْكِتَابِ أَنْ يَأْمُرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ بِمَا أُمِرُوا بِهِ وَ أَنْ يَنْهَوْا عَمَّا نُهُوا عَنْهُ وَ أَنْ يَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَ التَّقْوَى وَ لَا يَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَ الْعُدْوَانِ فَالْعُلَمَاءُ مِنَ الْجُهَّالِ فِي جَهْدٍ وَ جِهَادٍ إِنْ وَعَظَتْ قَالُوا طَغَتْ وَ إِنْ عَلَّمُوا الْحَقَّ الَّذِي تَرَكُوا قَالُوا خَالَفَتْ وَ إِنِ اعْتَزَلُوهُمْ قَالُوا فَارَقَتْ وَ إِنْ قَالُوا هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ عَلَى مَا تُحَدِّثُونَ قَالُوا نَافَقَتْ وَ إِنْ أَطَاعُوهُمْ قَالُوا عَصَتِ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَهَلَكَ جُهَّالٌ فِيمَا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ أُمِّيُّونَ فِيمَا يَتْلُونَ يُصَدِّقُونَ بِالْكِتَابِ عِنْدَ التَّعْرِيفِ وَ يُكَذِّبُونَ بِهِ عِنْدَ التَّحْرِيفِ فَلَا يُنْكِرُونَ أُولَئِكَ أَشْبَاهُ الْأَحْبَارِ وَ الرُّهْبَانِ قَادَةٌ فِي الْهَوَى سَادَةٌ فِي الرَّدَى وَ آخَرُونَ مِنْهُمْ جُلُوسٌ بَيْنَ الضَّلَالَةِ وَ الْهُدَى لَا يَعْرِفُونَ إِحْدَى الطَّائِفَتَيْنِ مِنَ الْأُخْرَى يَقُولُونَ مَا كَانَ النَّاسُ يَعْرِفُونَ هَذَا وَ لَا يَدْرُونَ مَا هُوَ وَ صَدَّقُوا تَرْكَهُمْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) عَلَى الْبَيْضَاءِ لَيْلُهَا مِنْ نَهَارِهَا لَمْ يَظْهَرْ فِيهِمْ بِدْعَةٌ وَ لَمْ يُبَدَّلْ فِيهِمْ سُنَّةٌ لَا خِلَافَ عِنْدَهُمْ وَ لَا اخْتِلَافَ فَلَمَّا غَشِيَ النَّاسَ ظُلْمَةُ خَطَايَاهُمْ صَارُوا إِمَامَيْنِ دَاعٍ إِلَى اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى وَ دَاعٍ إِلَى النَّارِ فَعِنْدَ ذَلِكَ نَطَقَ الشَّيْطَانُ فَعَلَا صَوْتُهُ عَلَى لِسَانِ أَوْلِيَائِهِ وَ كَثُرَ خَيْلُهُ وَ رَجْلُهُ وَ شَارَكَ فِي الْمَالِ وَ الْوَلَدِ مَنْ أَشْرَكَهُ فَعُمِلَ بِالْبِدْعَةِ وَ تُرِكَ الْكِتَابُ وَ السُّنَّةُ وَ نَطَقَ أَوْلِيَاءُ اللَّهِ بِالْحُجَّةِ وَ أَخَذُوا بِالْكِتَابِ وَ الْحِكْمَةِ فَتَفَرَّقَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ أَهْلُ الْحَقِّ وَ أَهْلُ الْبَاطِلِ وَ تَخَاذَلَ وَ تَهَادَنَ أَهْلُ الْهُدَى وَ تَعَاوَنَ أَهْلُ الضَّلَالَةِ حَتَّى كَانَتِ الْجَمَاعَةُ مَعَ فُلَانٍ وَ أَشْبَاهِهِ فَاعْرِفْ هَذَا الصِّنْفَ وَ صِنْفٌ آخَرُ فَأَبْصِرْهُمْ رَأْيَ الْعَيْنِ نُجَبَاءُ وَ الْزَمْهُمْ حَتَّى تَرِدَ أَهْلَكَ فَ إِنَّ الْخاسِرِينَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَ أَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ أَلا ذلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرانُ الْمُبِينُ [إِلَى هَاهُنَا رِوَايَةُ الْحُسَيْنِ وَ فِي رِوَايَةِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى زِيَادَةٌ] لَهُمْ عِلْمٌ بِالطَّرِيقِ فَإِنْ كَانَ دُونَهُمْ بَلَاءٌ فَلَا تَنْظُرْ إِلَيْهِمْ فَإِنْ كَانَ دُونَهُمْ عَسْفٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْعَسْفِ وَ خَسْفٌ وَ دُونَهُمْ بَلَايَا تَنْقَضِي ثُمَّ تَصِيرُ إِلَى رَخَاءٍ ثُمَّ اعْلَمْ أَنَّ إِخْوَانَ الثِّقَةِ ذَخَائِرُ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ وَ لَوْ لَا أَنْ تَذْهَبَ بِكَ الظُّنُونُ عَنِّي لَجَلَيْتُ لَكَ عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ غَطَّيْتُهَا وَ لَنَشَرْتُ لَكَ أَشْيَاءَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ كَتَمْتُهَا وَ لَكِنِّي أَتَّقِيكَ وَ أَسْتَبْقِيكَ وَ لَيْسَ الْحَلِيمُ الَّذِي لَا يَتَّقِي أَحَداً فِي مَكَانِ التَّقْوَى وَ الْحِلْمُ لِبَاسُ الْعَالِمِ فَلَا تَعْرَيَنَّ مِنْهُ وَ السَّلَامُ
16. Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Muhammad Bin Al-Husayn, from Muhammad Bin Ismail Bin Yazi’e, from his uncle Hamza Bin Yazi’e and Al-Husayn Bin Muhammad Bin Al-Ashary, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad Bin Abdullah, from Yazeed Bin Abdullah, from the one who narrated to him said: ‘Abu Ja’far (asws) wrote to Sa’ad Al-Khayr: - In the Name of Allah (azwj), the Beneficent, the Merciful. Having said that, I (asws) hereby bequeath to you to fear Allah (azwj) for therein is safety from destruction and a gain during the returning (to Allah (azwj)). Allah (azwj) Mighty and Majestic Protects the servant by means of his piety from whatever his intellect was remote from; and by means of piety he gets clarity from his blindness and his ignorance. And it was by piety that Noah (as) got salvation and those who were with him (as) in the ark got safety from the storm. And it was by piety that the patient ones succeeded and survived from the calamities, and they have brethren upon that path seeking those preferences, having renounced their insolence and their intentions by the desires when the examples from the Book reached them. They praised their Lord (azwj) on what He (azwj) has Sustained them with and that He (azwj) was the One (azwj) Deserving of the Praise, and they blamed their own selves upon what they had wasted and that they themselves were deserving of the condemnation. And they knew that Allah (azwj) Blessed and High, is the Forbearing, the Knowledgeable, however, He (azwj) is Angry on the one who does not care about His (azwj) Pleasure and (as a result) He (azwj) Withholds from the one who does not accept His (azwj) Favours, and but rather the one does not accept guidance from Him (azwj) goes astray. Then it is possible for the sinful people to turn to the repentance and change to the doing of good deeds. He (azwj) has Called His (azwj) servants in the Book to that with a Loud Voice. He (azwj) Never Cut-off nor Prevented the calling of His (azwj) servants. So Allah (azwj) has Cursed the ones who conceal what Allah (azwj) has Revealed, and Obligated upon Himself (azwj), the Mercy to be before the Wrath. So He (azwj) Completed the Truth and the Mercy, so there is no beginning for the servant with the Wrath before he arouses His (azwj) Anger, and that is from the knowledge of certainty and the knowledge of piety. And every community from whom Allah (azwj) has Raised the Knowledge from them (Taken away), the Knowledge of the Book is when they rejected it, and befriended His (azwj) enemies when they made them to be the rulers. And from their rejection of the Book was that they established its letters and distorted its Limits. So they were narrating it but were not acting upon it. And the ignorant ones were pleased with the preservation of the narrations, whereas the scholars became aggrieved at their abandonment of the correct aspects of the narrations. And from their rejection of the Book was that they made such people as rulers who did not know, so they took them (in a direction) of wherever their own desires led them, and released them to the death (ruination). They amended the ties of the Religion, and then they left it as a legacy among the foolish and the childish (people). So the community was issued with the commands devised by the people instead of the Commands of Allah (azwj) Blessed and High, and it is to them that they referred to. So evil it was what the unjust took in exchange, the governance of the people instead of the Governance of Allah (azwj), and took the reward of the people instead of the Reward of Allah (azwj), and the pleasure of the people instead of the Pleasure of Allah (azwj). So this is how the community has become, and among them were those who strived (The Mujtahids) in the worship upon that misguidance. They (the people) were fascinated by them, and admired them, and their worship became a strife (Fitna) for them as well as those who followed them, whereas in the Messengers (as) there was a Reminder for the worshippers. Of these Prophets (as) was a Prophet (as) who was complete in his (as) worship, but then he (as) disobeyed Allah (azwj) Blessed and High in one aspect, so he (as) was exited from the Paradise, and he (as) was thrown into the belly of the whale. Then he (as) was not rescued until he (as) recognised (Al-Wilayah) and repented. So understand that there are similar ones to ‘Al-Ahbaar and Al-Rahbaan’ who go around concealing the Book, and alter it. So their business did not give them any gain and they were not of the guided ones. Then understand those that are similar to them in this community who establish the letters of the Book and alter its Limits. So they are with the chiefs and the notables, and when they disperse there are guided by the desires and they are with those who have a lot of the world (wealth), and that is what has reached to them from the knowledge. They do not cease to be like that in the copying (emulating) and the greed. The voice of Iblees (la) does not cease to be heard from their tongues with the falsehood, a great deal. The scholars observe patience from them from the harm that they (asws) suffer and their bullying, whereas they themselves blame the scholars for having burdened them. And the scholars in themselves are disloyal for having concealed the advice when they see a lost and strayed one with no guidance to him, or for not having revived a dead one. So evil it is what they do because Allah (azwj) Blessed and High has Taken a Covenant to them in the Book that they would enjoin the doing of good and by what He (azwj) has Ordered for, and forbid them from what He (azwj) has Forbidden them from, and that they would help each other upon the goodness, and the piety, and will not co-operate upon the sins and the animosity. So the scholars are in a struggle in their efforts from the ignorant ones, that if they give good advice, the people would say that they have transgressed. And if they come to know the truth which they had avoided, they would say that they have opposed. And if they quit they would say that they have separated, and they say, ‘Give us your proof on what you are narrating’, they would say that they have become hypocrites, and if they obey them, they would say that Allah (azwj) Mighty and Majestic has been disobeyed. So the ignorant ones are destroyed in what they do not know, unlettered in what they recite. They ratify the Book when it is defined and deny it in its altered state (Meaning they accept the present altered one and reject the original one which they consider to be the altered one), and so they are not deniers as such. They are similar to Al-Ahbaar and Al-Rahbaan, leaders in matters of desires and chiefs in matters of ruination, and others from among them are seated in between the misguidance and the guidance, not understanding one community from the other. They are saying that the people do not know this, not will they return to what it used to be. And they are right. The Messenger (saww) of Allah (azwj) left them upon the clarity, its night from its day. No innovations appeared among them, nor was the Sunnah changed among them. There was no opposition from them or differences among them. So what made the people to be covered in darkness of their errors (sins) is when two imams appeared, one (asws) calling to Allah (azwj) Blessed and High, and one calling to the Fire. At that time Satan (la) spoke in a loud voice by the tongues of his (la) friends and numerous were his horsemen, and infantry, and he included them in the wealth and the sons, the ones who associated with him (la). So they acted by the innovations, and avoided the Book and the Sunnah, whereas the Guardians (asws) of Allah (azwj) spoke by the Proof and took to the Book and the Wisdom. So from that day on, the people of the truth separated from the people of the falsehood. The people of guidance were abandoned and insulted, whilst the people of the misguidance helped each other until they became a group with so and so, and the like of him. So, understand this type, and the other type and look at them by the eyes of the excellent ones, and be firm with them until you come to your family, for the losers are the one who have lost themselves and their families on the Day of Judgement. Indeed! That is the clear loss’. (Up to here is the report of Al-Husayn, and in the report of Muhammad Bin Yahya this is the extra bit). ‘They (people of the truth) know the path, if without them (asws) there are afflictions do not hold it against them (asws). If without them (asws) there is tyranny from the tyrannous people, and sinking of the earth and other afflictions, it will soon pass, then you will travel to the prosperity (through them (asws)). Then know that the reliable brothers are an ammunition, some of them for the other. Had it not been that you would leave from me (asws) due to your conjectures, I (asws) would have clarified for you certain things from the truth which I (asws) have kept covered, and would make public certain things from the truth which I (asws) have kept concealed, but I (asws) fear for you, and want you to remain (alive), and it is not for the forbearing person that he would not fear for anyone in the place of the piety, and the forbearance is the robe of the scholar, so do not be without it. ‘Salam’ (peace be with you)’.
The Book - Garden (of Flowers)
Another letter to him from him (the imam) also
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ بَزِيعٍ عَنْ عَمِّهِ حَمْزَةَ بْنِ بَزِيعٍ قَالَ كَتَبَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ( عليه السلام ) إِلَى سَعْدٍ الْخَيْرِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَقَدْ جَاءَنِي كِتَابُكَ تَذْكُرُ فِيهِ مَعْرِفَةَ مَا لَا يَنْبَغِي تَرْكُهُ وَ طَاعَةَ مَنْ رِضَا اللَّهِ رِضَاهُ فَقُلْتَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ لِنَفْسِكَ مَا كَانَتْ نَفْسُكَ مُرْتَهَنَةً لَوْ تَرَكْتَهُ تَعْجَبُ أَنَّ رِضَا اللَّهِ وَ طَاعَتَهُ وَ نَصِيحَتَهُ لَا تُقْبَلُ وَ لَا تُوجَدُ وَ لَا تُعْرَفُ إِلَّا فِي عِبَادٍ غُرَبَاءَ أَخْلَاءً مِنَ النَّاسِ قَدِ اتَّخَذَهُمُ النَّاسُ سِخْرِيّاً لِمَا يَرْمُونَهُمْ بِهِ مِنَ الْمُنْكَرَاتِ وَ كَانَ يُقَالُ لَا يَكُونُ الْمُؤْمِنُ مُؤْمِناً حَتَّى يَكُونَ أَبْغَضَ إِلَى النَّاسِ مِنْ جِيفَةِ الْحِمَارِ وَ لَوْ لَا أَنْ يُصِيبَكَ مِنَ الْبَلَاءِ مِثْلُ الَّذِي أَصَابَنَا فَتَجْعَلَ فِتْنَةَ النَّاسِ كَعَذَابِ اللَّهِ وَ أُعِيذُكَ بِاللَّهِ وَ إِيَّانَا مِنْ ذَلِكَ لَقَرُبْتَ عَلَى بُعْدِ مَنْزِلَتِكَ وَ اعْلَمْ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ أَنَّهُ لَا تُنَالُ مَحَبَّةُ اللَّهِ إِلَّا بِبُغْضِ كَثِيرٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَ لَا وَلَايَتُهُ إِلَّا بِمُعَادَاتِهِمْ وَ فَوْتُ ذَلِكَ قَلِيلٌ يَسِيرٌ لِدَرْكِ ذَلِكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ يَا أَخِي إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَعَلَ فِي كُلٍّ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ بَقَايَا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ يَدْعُونَ مَنْ ضَلَّ إِلَى الْهُدَى وَ يَصْبِرُونَ مَعَهُمْ عَلَى الْأَذَى يُجِيبُونَ دَاعِيَ اللَّهِ وَ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى اللَّهِ فَأَبْصِرْهُمْ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ فَإِنَّهُمْ فِي مَنْزِلَةٍ رَفِيعَةٍ وَ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَضِيعَةٌ إِنَّهُمْ يُحْيُونَ بِكِتَابِ اللَّهِ الْمَوْتَى وَ يُبَصِّرُنَّ بِنُورِ اللَّهِ مِنَ الْعَمَى كَمْ مِنْ قَتِيلٍ لِإِبْلِيسَ قَدْ أَحْيَوْهُ وَ كَمْ مِنْ تَائِهٍ ضَالٍّ قَدْ هَدَوْهُ يَبْذُلُونَ دِمَاءَهُمْ دُونَ هَلَكَةِ الْعِبَادِ وَ مَا أَحْسَنَ أَثَرَهُمْ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ وَ أَقْبَحَ آثَارَ الْعِبَادِ عَلَيْهِمْ .
17. Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Muhammad Bin Al-Husayn, from Muhammad Bin Ismail Bin Yazi’e, from his uncle Hamza Bin Yazi’e who said: ‘Abu Ja’far (asws) wrote to Sa’d Al-Khayr: - ‘In the Name of Allah (azwj), the Beneficent, the Merciful. Having said that, your letter came to me (asws) in which you have asked how much it is necessary to learn and the obedience to the one (asws) whose pleasure is the Pleasure of Allah (azwj). So then you had said to yourself, then you will not be blamed if you then avoid some other. You are (also) amazed (by the fact) that the Pleasure of Allah (azwj), and obedience to Him (azwj), and His (azwj) Advice is neither accepted, nor found, nor recognised except within the servants who are unrecognised (unknown to public), who are alone (away) from the people. The people have taken them in ridicule and they ascribe to them evil matters to the extent that it was said that one cannot be a Believer and is not a Believer until he becomes more hated by the people than the carcass of a donkey. And if you suffer from the affliction similar to what we (asws) have suffered, so do not consider the strife of the people (against you) like a Punishment of Allah (azwj), and I (asws) seek Refuge with Allah (azwj) as well as for you all from that, to Bring near your destination which though is a far distance. And know, may Allah (azwj) have Mercy upon you, that one cannot achieve the Love of Allah (azwj) except by hatred from a lot of the people, nor His (azwj) Wilayah except by being their enemy, and losing (their friendship) is very little in comparison to that which is Gained from Allah (azwj), for a people who know. O my (asws) brother, verily Allah (azwj) Mighty and Majestic has Made regarding everyone from the Messengers (as) a successor (as) who remains, from the people of the knowledge, calling the one who has strayed towards the guidance, and observes patience along with them upon the suffering, answering to the Call of Allah (azwj) and calling towards Allah (azwj). So look at them (asws), may Allah (azwj) have Mercy upon you, for they (asws) are in a high position even though they would be in affliction in the world and considered to be menial. They (asws) revive the dead by the Book of Allah (azwj), and they (asws) visualise by the Light of Allah (azwj) from the blindness. How many who had been killed by the Iblees (la) were revived by them (asws), and how many lost and strayed ones were guided by them (asws), sacrificing their (asws) blood to save the servants from destruction, and how good are their (asws) effects upon the servants, and how ugly are the effects of the people against them (asws)’.
The Book - Garden (of Flowers)
The letter of Abu Ja’far, 'Alayhim al-Salam, was similar to Jesus, 'Alayhim al-Salam
عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ بَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ جَالِساً إِذْ أَقْبَلَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ( عليه السلام ) فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) إِنَّ فِيكَ شَبَهاً مِنْ عِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ وَ لَوْ لَا أَنْ تَقُولَ فِيكَ طَوَائِفُ مِنْ أُمَّتِي مَا قَالَتِ النَّصَارَى فِي عِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ لَقُلْتُ فِيكَ قَوْلًا لَا تَمُرُّ بِمَلَإٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ إِلَّا أَخَذُوا التُّرَابَ مِنْ تَحْتِ قَدَمَيْكَ يَلْتَمِسُونَ بِذَلِكَ الْبَرَكَةَ قَالَ فَغَضِبَ الْأَعْرَابِيَّانِ وَ الْمُغِيرَةُ بْنُ شُعْبَةَ وَ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ مَعَهُمْ فَقَالُوا مَا رَضِيَ أَنْ يَضْرِبَ لِابْنِ عَمِّهِ مَثَلًا إِلَّا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَى نَبِيِّهِ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) فَقَالَ وَ لَمَّا ضُرِبَ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ مَثَلًا إِذا قَوْمُكَ مِنْهُ يَصِدُّونَ وَ قالُوا أَ آلِهَتُنا خَيْرٌ أَمْ هُوَ ما ضَرَبُوهُ لَكَ إِلَّا جَدَلًا بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ خَصِمُونَ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبْدٌ أَنْعَمْنا عَلَيْهِ وَ جَعَلْناهُ مَثَلًا لِبَنِي إِسْرائِيلَ وَ لَوْ نَشاءُ لَجَعَلْنا مِنْكُمْ يَعْنِي مِنْ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ مَلائِكَةً فِي الْأَرْضِ يَخْلُفُونَ قَالَ فَغَضِبَ الْحَارِثُ بْنُ عَمْرٍو الْفِهْرِيُّ فَقَالَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كانَ هذا هُوَ الْحَقَّ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ أَنَّ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ يَتَوَارَثُونَ هِرَقْلًا بَعْدَ هِرَقْلٍ فَأَمْطِرْ عَلَيْنا حِجارَةً مِنَ السَّماءِ أَوِ ائْتِنا بِعَذابٍ أَلِيمٍ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ مَقَالَةَ الْحَارِثِ وَ نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ وَ ما كانَ اللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَ أَنْتَ فِيهِمْ وَ ما كانَ اللَّهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ عَمْرٍو إِمَّا تُبْتَ وَ إِمَّا رَحَلْتَ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ بَلْ تَجْعَلُ لِسَائِرِ قُرَيْشٍ شَيْئاً مِمَّا فِي يَدَيْكَ فَقَدْ ذَهَبَتْ بَنُو هَاشِمٍ بِمَكْرُمَةِ الْعَرَبِ وَ الْعَجَمِ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) لَيْسَ ذَلِكَ إِلَيَّ ذَلِكَ إِلَى اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ قَلْبِي مَا يُتَابِعُنِي عَلَى التَّوْبَةِ وَ لَكِنْ أَرْحَلُ عَنْكَ فَدَعَا بِرَاحِلَتِهِ فَرَكِبَهَا فَلَمَّا صَارَ بِظَهْرِ الْمَدِينَةِ أَتَتْهُ جَنْدَلَةٌ فَرَضَخَتْ هَامَتَهُ ثُمَّ أَتَى الْوَحْيُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) فَقَالَ سَأَلَ سائِلٌ بِعَذابٍ واقِعٍ لِلْكافِرينَ بِوَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍّ لَيْسَ لَهُ دافِعٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ ذِي الْمَعارِجِ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّا لَا نَقْرَؤُهَا هَكَذَا فَقَالَ هَكَذَا وَ اللَّهِ نَزَلَ بِهَا جَبْرَئِيلُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) وَ هَكَذَا هُوَ وَ اللَّهِ مُثْبَتٌ فِي مُصْحَفِ فَاطِمَةَ ( عليها السلام ) فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) لِمَنْ حَوْلَهُ مِنَ الْمُنَافِقِينَ انْطَلِقُوا إِلَى صَاحِبِكُمْ فَقَدْ أَتَاهُ مَا اسْتَفْتَحَ بِهِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ اسْتَفْتَحُوا وَ خابَ كُلُّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيدٍ .
18. A number of our companions, from Sahl Bin Ziyad, from Muhammad Bin Suleyman, from his father, from Abu Baseer who said: ‘One day the Messenger (saww) of Allah (azwj) was explaining (matters) in a session when Amir-ul-Momineen (asws) came over. The Messenger (saww) of Allah (azwj) said to him (asws) that: ‘In you (asws) there is a similarity with Isa (as) Bin Maryam (as), and had it not been for a sect from my (saww) community saying regarding you (asws) what the Christians are saying regarding Isa (as) Bin Maryam (asws), I (saww) would have said regarding you (asws) such words that none from the people would pass by you (asws) except that he would take the dust from under your (asws) feet seeking Blessings by that’. He (asws) said: ‘Two Arabs became angered along with Al-Mugheira Bin Sho’bat as well a number from the Qureish among them. So they said, ‘He (saww) was not happy until he (saww) struck an example for the son (asws) of his (saww) uncle (as) with Isa (as) Bin Maryam (as)’. So Allah (azwj) Revealed unto His (azwj) Prophet (saww) Saying: “[43:57] When (Jesus) the son of Mary is held up as an example, behold, thy people raise a clamour thereat (in ridicule)! [43:58] And they say: Are our gods better, or is he? They do not set it forth to you save by way of disputation; Indeed, they are a contentious people. [43:59] He was naught but a servant on whom We bestowed favour, and We made him an example for the children of Israel [43:60] And if it were Our Will, We could make angels from amongst you” meaning the Clan of Hashim (as), “succeeding each other on the earth” He (asws) said: ‘Al-Haaris Bin Amro Al-Fahry became angry and said, ‘Our Allah (azwj)! If this was the truth from You (azwj) that the Clan of Hashim (as) will be inheriting from Heraclius and after Heraclius, so Rain upon us stones from the sky or Bring down upon us a Grievous Punishment’. So Allah (azwj) Revealed against the words of Al-Haaris and this Verse Came down: “[8:33] But Allah was not going to chastise them while you were among them, nor is Allah going to chastise them while yet they ask for forgiveness”. Then he (saww) said to him: ‘O Ibn Amro, either you repent or you leave’. He said, ‘O Muhammad (saww), but you (saww) have made for all of the Qureish something from what is in your (saww) hands, for the Clan of Hashim (as) have taken away the prestige of the Arabs and the non-Arabs’. The Prophet (saww) said to him: ‘That is not up to me (saww), but that is up to Allah (azwj) Blessed and High’. He said, ‘O Muhammad (saww), my heart does not incline me for the repentance, but I shall leave from you’. So he called for his ride and rode away. When he came to the back of Al-Medina, a stone fell upon him and crushed his skull. Then Revelation Came to the Prophet (saww) Saying: “[70:1] One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall [70:2] Upon the disbelievers, of the Wilayah of Ali (asws) which none can repel [70:3] From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways”. He (the narrator) said, ‘I said, ‘May I be sacrificed for you (asws), we do not read it like this’. He (asws) said: ‘By Allah (azwj)! Jibraeel Descended with it upon Muhammad (saww), and by Allah (azwj), this is how it is recorded in the Parchment (Mus’haf) of Fatima (sa)’. So the Messenger (saww) of Allah (azwj) said to those who were around him (saww) from the hypocrites: ‘Go to your companion, for he has got what he was seeking for’. Allah (azwj) Mighty and Majestic Said: “[14:15] And they asked for Judgement and every insolent opposer was disappointed”.