AMIRAL MOMININ ALI (AS)

Abu Ja’far Muhammad b. Ya’qub al-Kulayni, the author of this book  said that Ali b. Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Abbas b. ‘Umar al-Qummi from Hisham b. al-Hakam [who narrated] that Abi Abdillah  was asked by an atheist, “From which [proofs] did the prophets and messengers confirm [their authority]?”. The Imam  said, “When we established that we have a Creator, a Maker, exalted above us and above all that He has created, and that this Creator is wise and exalted, it was not permissible for His creation to witness Him or come into contact with Him. He does not engage with them directly, lest they associate partners with Him, and He does not confront them. Instead, He has appointed messengers among His creation to convey His message to His creatures and guide them to their best interests and benefits, as well as their continued existence. Those who convey His message are the prophets and the chosen ones from among His creatures. They are the people of wisdom, disciplined with wisdom and sent to people with the message of wisdom. They are different from other people – although are like them in physical form and shape – in their conditions of discipline and their receiving direct support from Allah (swt). Then this has been established in every era and time by the evidence and proofs brought by the messengers and prophets, so that the earth of God may not lack a proof [of Allah] along with whom there is knowledge that indicates the truth of his sayings and the validity of his justice.”

– قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَعْقُوبَ الْكُلَيْنِيُّ مُصَنِّفُ هَذَا الْكِتَابِ رَحِمَهُ الله حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ الْعَبَّاسِ بْنِ عُمَرَ الْفُقَيْمِيِّ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنَّهُ قَالَ لِلزِّنْدِيقِ الَّذِي سَأَلَهُ مِنْ أَيْنَ أَثْبَتَّ الانْبِيَاءَ وَالرُّسُلَ قَالَ إِنَّا لَمَّا أَثْبَتْنَا أَنَّ لَنَا خَالِقاً صَانِعاً مُتَعَالِياً عَنَّا وَعَنْ جَمِيعِ مَا خَلَقَ وَكَانَ ذَلِكَ الصَّانِعُ حَكِيماً مُتَعَالِياً لَمْ يَجُزْ أَنْ يُشَاهِدَهُ خَلْقُهُ وَلا يُلامِسُوهُ فَيُبَاشِرَهُمْ وَيُبَاشِرُوهُ وَيُحَاجَّهُمْ وَيُحَاجُّوهُ ثَبَتَ أَنَّ لَهُ سُفَرَاءَ فِي خَلْقِهِ يُعَبِّرُونَ عَنْهُ إِلَى خَلْقِهِ وَعِبَادِهِ وَيَدُلُّونَهُمْ عَلَى مَصَالِحِهِمْ وَمَنَافِعِهِمْ وَمَا بِهِ بَقَاؤُهُمْ وَفِي تَرْكِهِ فَنَاؤُهُمْ فَثَبَتَ الامِرُونَ وَالنَّاهُونَ عَنِ الْحَكِيمِ الْعَلِيمِ فِي خَلْقِهِ وَالْمُعَبِّرُونَ عَنْهُ جَلَّ وَعَزَّ وَهُمُ الانْبِيَاءُ (عَلَيْهم السَّلام) وَصَفْوَتُهُ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ حُكَمَاءَ مُؤَدَّبِينَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ مَبْعُوثِينَ بِهَا غَيْرَ مُشَارِكِينَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى مُشَارَكَتِهِمْ لَهُمْ فِي الْخَلْقِ وَالتَّرْكِيبِ فِي شَيْ‏ءٍ مِنْ أَحْوَالِهِمْ مُؤَيَّدِينَ مِنْ عِنْدِ الْحَكِيمِ الْعَلِيمِ بِالْحِكْمَةِ ثُمَّ ثَبَتَ ذَلِكَ فِي كُلِّ دَهْرٍ وَزَمَانٍ مِمَّا أَتَتْ بِهِ الرُّسُلُ وَالانْبِيَاءُ مِنَ الدَّلائِلِ وَالْبَرَاهِينِ لِكَيْلا تَخْلُوَ أَرْضُ الله مِنْ حُجَّةٍ يَكُونُ مَعَهُ عِلْمٌ يَدُلُّ عَلَى صِدْقِ مَقَالَتِهِ وَجَوَازِ عَدَالَتِهِ.

Muhammad ibn Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Safwan ibn Yahya from Mansur ibn Hazim who has said the following. “I said to Imam abu ‘Abdallah , ‘Allah by far above Majestic and Gracious to be known through His creatures. In fact, the creatures are known through Allah.’” The Imam  said, “You have spoken the truth.” I said, “One who knows that he has a Lord, he must also learn that his Lord agrees with certain things and disagrees with certain other things. The only way he would know what his like and dislikes is revelation or a messenger. On e does not receive revelation he must find the messengers and when finds the messengers he will know that they the Divine authority and that obedience to them is necessary. I say to people, “Do you know that the messenger of Allah was the Divine authority over His creatures?” They say, “Yes, he was the Divine authority.” I then ask, “After the messenger of Allah who was the Divine authority over His creatures?” They said, “After the messenger of Allah the Divine authority is the Holy Quran.” I considered the Holy Quran and found out that various kinds of people consider this Holy Book as support for their beliefs. For example the Murji’a (people who say Allah has postponed punishment), the pre-determinists and the atheist who even do not believe in it but take it as the basis for their arguments against the others. I then learned that the Holy Quran can not serve as Divine authority without a guardian whose words from the Holy Quran would be the truth. I then ask the people, “Who is the guardian of the Holy Quran?” They say, “Ibn Mas‘ud knew the Holy Quran, ‘Umar knew it and Hudhayfa knew the Holy Quran.” I ask them, “Did they know all of the Holy Quran?” The people say, “No, they did not know all of it.” I have not found anyone who would know all of the Holy Quran except Ali ibn abu Talib . It is a fact that if any issue would emerge that needed a Quranic solution, except for Imam Ali  every one of the others would, in many cases, say, “I do not know.” Only Imam Ali  would say, “I know.” I then acknowledge that Imam Ali  is the guardian of the Holy Quran and obedience to him is obligatory and he is the Divine authority over the people after the Holy Prophet (s.a.). Whatever Imam Ali  has said from the Holy Quran is the truth.” The Imam  said, “May Allah grant you blessing.”

مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ شَاذَانَ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ مَنْصُورِ بْنِ حَازِمٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله  إِنَّ الله أَجَلُّ وَأَكْرَمُ مِنْ أَنْ يُعْرَفَ بِخَلْقِهِ بَلِ الْخَلْقُ يُعْرَفُونَ بِالله قَالَ صَدَقْتَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ مَنْ عَرَفَ أَنَّ لَهُ رَبّاً فَيَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَعْرِفَ أَنَّ لِذَلِكَ الرَّبِّ رِضًا وَسَخَطاً وَأَنَّهُ لا يُعْرَفُ رِضَاهُ وَسَخَطُهُ إِلا بِوَحْيٍ أَوْ رَسُولٍ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَأْتِهِ الْوَحْيُ فَقَدْ يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَطْلُبَ الرُّسُلَ فَإِذَا لَقِيَهُمْ عَرَفَ أَنَّهُمُ الْحُجَّةُ وَأَنَّ لَهُمُ الطَّاعَةَ الْمُفْتَرَضَةَ وَقُلْتُ لِلنَّاسِ تَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ الله ﷺ كَانَ هُوَ الْحُجَّةَ مِنَ الله عَلَى خَلْقِهِ قَالُوا بَلَى قُلْتُ فَحِينَ مَضَى رَسُولُ الله ﷺ مَنْ كَانَ الْحُجَّةَ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ فَقَالُوا الْقُرْآنُ فَنَظَرْتُ فِي الْقُرْآنِ فَإِذَا هُوَ يُخَاصِمُ بِهِ الْمُرْجِئُ وَالْقَدَرِيُّ وَالزِّنْدِيقُ الَّذِي لا يُؤْمِنُ بِهِ حَتَّى يَغْلِبَ الرِّجَالَ بِخُصُومَتِهِ فَعَرَفْتُ أَنَّ الْقُرْآنَ لا يَكُونُ حُجَّةً إِلا بِقَيِّمٍ فَمَا قَالَ فِيهِ مِنْ شَيْ‏ءٍ كَانَ حَقّاً فَقُلْتُ لَهُمْ مَنْ قَيِّمُ الْقُرْآنِ فَقَالُوا ابْنُ مَسْعُودٍ قَدْ كَانَ يَعْلَمُ وَعُمَرُ يَعْلَمُ وَحُذَيْفَةُ يَعْلَمُ قُلْتُ كُلَّهُ قَالُوا لا فَلَمْ أَجِدْ أَحَداً يُقَالُ إِنَّهُ يَعْرِفُ ذَلِكَ كُلَّهُ إِلا عَلِيّاً  وَإِذَا كَانَ الشَّيْ‏ءُ بَيْنَ الْقَوْمِ فَقَالَ هَذَا لا أَدْرِي وَقَالَ هَذَا لا أَدْرِي وَقَالَ هَذَا لا أَدْرِي وَقَالَ هَذَا أَنَا أَدْرِي فَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً  كَانَ قَيِّمَ الْقُرْآنِ وَكَانَتْ طَاعَتُهُ مُفْتَرَضَةً وَكَانَ الْحُجَّةَ عَلَى النَّاسِ بَعْدَ رَسُولِ الله ﷺ وَأَنَّ مَا قَالَ فِي الْقُرْآنِ فَهُوَ حَقٌّ فَقَالَ رَحِمَكَ الله.

Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Hassan ibn Ibrahim from Yunus ibn Ya‘qub who has said the following. “In the presence of Imam abu ‘Abdallah  once there was a group of his followers consisting of Humran ibn ’Ayun, Muhammad ibn al-Ni‘man, Hisham ibn Salim, al-Tayyar and others among whom was also Hisham ibn al-Hakam, a young man. Imam abu ‘Abdallah  said, “O Hisham can you tell us what did you do to ‘Amr ibn ‘Ubayd and how did you ask him questions?” Hisham said, “O descendant of the Holy Prophet Your greatness makes me feel shy and my tongue does not work in your presence.” The Imam  said, “When I would order you something you should do it.” Hisham, then said, “I came to learn about the gathering of ‘Amr ibn ‘Ubayd and sessions of speeches for people in the Mosque of Basra. It disturbed me a great deal and I went to Basra. It was a Friday. I went to the Mosque and found a large circle of people among was ‘Arm ibn ‘Ubayd with a black piece of woolen cloth used as a loin cloth and another piece over him as a gown and people would ask him questions. I asked people for room, which they made for me. I sat in front of the people with my legs folded beneath and said, “O scholar, I come from out of town. Can I ask you questions?” He said, “Yes, you may ask.” I asked, “Do you have eyes?” He said, “Son, what kind of question is this? Something that you can see why then do you ask?” I said, “That is how my questions are.” He said, “Son, you may ask your questions even if they would be foolish ones.” I asked, “Do you have eyes?” He said, “Yes, I have eyes.” I asked, “What do you do with them?” He said, “I see with them the colors and persons.” I asked, “Do you have a nose?” He said, “Yes, I have a nose.” I asked, “What do you do with it?” He said, “ I use it to smell things.” I asked, “Do you have a mouth?” He said, “Yes, I have a mouth.” I asked, “What do you do with it?” He said, “I test things with it.” I asked, “Do you have ears?” He said, “Yes, I have ears.” I asked, “What do you do with them?” He said, “I hear sounds with them.” He I asked, “Do you have a heart?” He said, “Yes, I have a heart.” I asked, “What do you do with it?” He said, “I distinguish and discern things that come to it from the other senses.” I asked, “Why are your others senses independent of your heart and why do they need it?” He said, “They are not independent of my heart.” I said, “Why do they need your heart when they are all healthy and sound?” He said, “Son, when the other senses face a doubt about something, such as smell, test, etc., I send it to my heart and it ascertains certainty and discards doubts.” I asked him, “Do you mean that Allah has set up the heart to remove doubts from the other senses?” He said, “Yes, that is true.” I asked, “Is then the existence of the heart necessary to remove the doubts of the other senses?” He said, “Yes, it is necessary.” I then said, “O abu Marwan, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, as you say, has not left your senses without an Imam to correct the doubts and the mistakes of the other senses in you and remove doubts therefrom, how would He leave all the people with doubts and confusions without an Imam who would remove their doubts and settle their disputes?” He remained quite and did not say anything for a while. He then asked, “Are you Hisham ibn al-Hakam?” I said, “No, I am not.” He asked, “Are you of his associates?” I said, “No.” He asked, “Wherefrom are you?” I said, “I am from Kufa.” He said, “You then must be Hisham ibn al-Hakam.” He then took to himself and gave me room nearby. He discontinued his speech until I left.” Imam abu ‘abdallah  smiled and said, “O Hisham who has taught you this?” I replied, “I learned something from you and added something of my self.” The Imam  said, “This, I swear by Allah, is written in the books of Abraham and Moses.”

عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ قَالَ كَانَ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله  جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ مِنْهُمْ حُمْرَانُ بْنُ أَعْيَنَ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ النُّعْمَانِ وَهِشَامُ بْنُ سَالِمٍ وَالطَّيَّارُ وَجَمَاعَةٌ فِيهِمْ هِشَامُ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ وَهُوَ شَابٌّ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله  يَا هِشَامُ أَ لا تُخْبِرُنِي كَيْفَ صَنَعْتَ بِعَمْرِو بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ وَكَيْفَ سَأَلْتَهُ فَقَالَ هِشَامٌ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ الله إِنِّي أُجِلُّكَ وَأَسْتَحْيِيكَ وَلا يَعْمَلُ لِسَانِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله إِذَا أَمَرْتُكُمْ بِشَيْ‏ءٍ فَافْعَلُوا قَالَ هِشَامٌ بَلَغَنِي مَا كَانَ فِيهِ عَمْرُو بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ وَجُلُوسُهُ فِي مَسْجِدِ الْبَصْرَةِ فَعَظُمَ ذَلِكَ عَلَيَّ فَخَرَجْتُ إِلَيْهِ وَدَخَلْتُ الْبَصْرَةَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فَأَتَيْتُ مَسْجِدَ الْبَصْرَةِ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِحَلْقَةٍ كَبِيرَةٍ فِيهَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ وَعَلَيْهِ شَمْلَةٌ سَوْدَاءُ مُتَّزِراً بِهَا مِنْ صُوفٍ وَشَمْلَةٌ مُرْتَدِياً بِهَا وَالنَّاسُ يَسْأَلُونَهُ فَاسْتَفْرَجْتُ النَّاسَ فَأَفْرَجُوا لِي ثُمَّ قَعَدْتُ فِي آخِرِ الْقَوْمِ عَلَى رُكْبَتَيَّ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ أَيُّهَا الْعَالِمُ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ غَرِيبٌ تَأْذَنُ لِي فِي مَسْأَلَةٍ فَقَالَ لِي نَعَمْ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَ لَكَ عَيْنٌ فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ أَيُّ شَيْ‏ءٍ هَذَا مِنَ السُّؤَالِ وَشَيْ‏ءٌ تَرَاهُ كَيْفَ تَسْأَلُ عَنْهُ فَقُلْتُ هَكَذَا مَسْأَلَتِي فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ سَلْ وَإِنْ كَانَتْ مَسْأَلَتُكَ حَمْقَاءَ قُلْتُ أَجِبْنِي فِيهَا قَالَ لِي سَلْ قُلْتُ أَ لَكَ عَيْنٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَمَا تَصْنَعُ بِهَا قَالَ أَرَى بِهَا الالْوَانَ وَالاشْخَاصَ قُلْتُ فَلَكَ أَنْفٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَمَا تَصْنَعُ بِهِ قَالَ أَشَمُّ بِهِ الرَّائِحَةَ قُلْتُ أَ لَكَ فَمٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَمَا تَصْنَعُ بِهِ قَالَ أَذُوقُ بِهِ الطَّعْمَ قُلْتُ فَلَكَ أُذُنٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَمَا تَصْنَعُ بِهَا قَالَ أَسْمَعُ بِهَا الصَّوْتَ قُلْتُ أَ لَكَ قَلْبٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَمَا تَصْنَعُ بِهِ قَالَ أُمَيِّزُ بِهِ كُلَّ مَا وَرَدَ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْجَوَارِحِ وَالْحَوَاسِّ قُلْتُ أَ وَلَيْسَ فِي هَذِهِ الْجَوَارِحِ غِنًى عَنِ الْقَلْبِ فَقَالَ لا قُلْتُ وَكَيْفَ ذَلِكَ وَهِيَ صَحِيحَةٌ سَلِيمَةٌ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ الْجَوَارِحَ إِذَا شَكَّتْ فِي شَيْ‏ءٍ شَمَّتْهُ أَوْ رَأَتْهُ أَوْ ذَاقَتْهُ أَوْ سَمِعَتْهُ رَدَّتْهُ إِلَى الْقَلْبِ فَيَسْتَيْقِنُ الْيَقِينَ وَيُبْطِلُ الشَّكَّ قَالَ هِشَامٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ فَإِنَّمَا أَقَامَ الله الْقَلْبَ لِشَكِّ الْجَوَارِحِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ لا بُدَّ مِنَ الْقَلْبِ وَإِلا لَمْ تَسْتَيْقِنِ الْجَوَارِحُ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَبَا مَرْوَانَ فَالله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى لَمْ يَتْرُكْ جَوَارِحَكَ حَتَّى جَعَلَ لَهَا إِمَاماً يُصَحِّحُ لَهَا الصَّحِيحَ وَيَتَيَقَّنُ بِهِ مَا شُكَّ فِيهِ وَيَتْرُكُ هَذَا الْخَلْقَ كُلَّهُمْ فِي حَيْرَتِهِمْ وَشَكِّهِمْ وَاخْتِلافِهِمْ لا يُقِيمُ لَهُمْ إِمَاماً يَرُدُّونَ إِلَيْهِ شَكَّهُمْ وَحَيْرَتَهُمْ وَيُقِيمُ لَكَ إِمَاماً لِجَوَارِحِكَ تَرُدُّ إِلَيْهِ حَيْرَتَكَ وَشَكَّكَ قَالَ فَسَكَتَ وَلَمْ يَقُلْ لِي شَيْئاً ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ لِي أَنْتَ هِشَامُ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ فَقُلْتُ لا قَالَ أَ مِنْ جُلَسَائِهِ قُلْتُ لا قَالَ فَمِنْ أَيْنَ أَنْتَ قَالَ قُلْتُ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ قَالَ فَأَنْتَ إِذاً هُوَ ثُمَّ ضَمَّنِي إِلَيْهِ وَأَقْعَدَنِي فِي مَجْلِسِهِ وَزَالَ عَنْ مَجْلِسِهِ وَمَا نَطَقَ حَتَّى قُمْتُ قَالَ فَضَحِكَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله  وَقَالَ يَا هِشَامُ مَنْ عَلَّمَكَ هَذَا قُلْتُ شَيْ‏ءٌ أَخَذْتُهُ مِنْكَ وَأَلَّفْتُهُ فَقَالَ هَذَا وَالله مَكْتُوبٌ فِي صُحُفِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى.

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  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  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  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  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  Our gathering took place in Makka before Hajj. Imam abu ‘Abdallah  would stay near the Holy Mosque for few days in a small tent. Once the Imam  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 . 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  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  then asked Qasys al-Masir to debate the man. When they debated the Imam  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  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  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  informed him with details. The man agreed and acknowledged the details and said, “Now I have become a Muslim.” The Imam  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  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  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  said, “You speak of something very near to the Hadith of the Holy Prophet  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.”

عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ قَالَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله  فَوَرَدَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ فَقَالَ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ صَاحِبُ كَلامٍ وَفِقْهٍ وَفَرَائِضَ وَقَدْ جِئْتُ لِمُنَاظَرَةِ أَصْحَابِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله  كَلامُكَ مِنْ كَلامِ رَسُولِ الله ﷺ أَوْ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ فَقَالَ مِنْ كَلامِ رَسُولِ الله ﷺ وَمِنْ عِنْدِي فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله  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 ﷺ قَالَ لا فَالْتَفَتَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله  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  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  قَبْلَ الْحَجِّ يَسْتَقِرُّ أَيَّاماً فِي جَبَلٍ فِي طَرَفِ الْحَرَمِ فِي فَازَةٍ لَهُ مَضْرُوبَةٍ قَالَ فَأَخْرَجَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله  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  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  لِقَيْسٍ الْمَاصِرِ كَلِّمْهُ فَكَلَّمَهُ فَأَقْبَلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله  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 ﷺ قَالَ هِشَامٌ فَبَعْدَ رَسُولِ الله ﷺ 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  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  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 ﷺ أَوِ السَّاعَةِ. قَالَ الشَّامِيُّ فِي وَقْتِ رَسُولِ الله رَسُولُ الله ﷺ 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  يَا شَامِيُّ أُخْبِرُكَ كَيْفَ كَانَ سَفَرُكَ وَكَيْفَ كَانَ طَرِيقُكَ كَانَ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَأَقْبَلَ الشَّامِيُّ يَقُولُ صَدَقْتَ أَسْلَمْتُ لله السَّاعَةَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله  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 ﷺ وَأَنَّكَ وَصِيُّ الاوْصِيَاءِ ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله  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 ﷺ 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.

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  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  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,  and what I said to Zayd. The Imam  said, ‘It seems you surrounded him from his front, back, left, right, above and below and did not leave for him any way out!’”

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  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.