THE LIFE OF IMAM MUSA BIN JA'FAR chapter6

THE LIFE OF IMAM MUSA BIN JA'FAR

Chapter6

Exemplary Punishments on the Shi‘ites

As the Shi‘ites were the strongest organizations who demanded the responsible to establish social justice, human values, they were subjected to severe vengeance by the governors and the kings. Those governors and kings practiced on the Shi‘ites all kinds of force and violence. They deprived them of life through throwing them into dark prisons. The pursed them and practiced on them exemplary punishments. They cut off their hands and legs. They gouged their eyes and crucified them on the trunks of the date-palms. [106] An example of that is that Mu‘awiya subjected them to oppression and tyranny. He wrote a letter to all his governors mentioning in it: “If you come to know that someone loves ‘Ali and his household, then delete his (name) from the Divan and do not give a salary to him. ” Then he sent them another letter saying: “If you accuse someone of loving these people (the ‘Alawids) , then severely punish him and demolish his house. ” [107]

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Imam al-Baqir, peace be on him, talked about the ordeals and misfortunes wreaked by the oppressive upon their Shi‘ites, saying: “Our Shi‘ites (followers) were killed in all the cities; their hands and their legs were cut off for a suspicion. All those who loved us were imprisoned, their properties were plundered, and their houses were demolished. ”[108]

During those dark periods, the Shi‘ites met many political and social problems; there is no way to imagine them because they were horrible and bitter. Some poetry lines have been ascribed to an Imam of the Shi‘ites. In them he has mentioned the disasters that befell them, saying:

We, the sons of the chosen one, have ordeals our Kazim stand.

Our ordeal is great among the people. The first and the last of us is inflicted.

The people are delighted with their ‘Id, while our ‘Id is a funeral ceremony.

All the Muslims are delighted with their ‘Ids. However, the Shi‘ites felt that their ‘Ids were funeral ceremonies due to the ordeals they met. The accusation of Shi‘ism was among the most dangerous crimes that brought about exhaustion and severe punishments. Rather the mere communication with the Shi‘ites or greeting them brought about death and severe punishments. When Ibrahim b. Herthema went to Medina, a man visited him. He said to the man: “Go away from me! Do not let them shed my blood! ”[109] Mansur al-Nimri has mentioned in a poem of his the harm and tyranny that befell the Shi‘ites, saying:

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The Prophet’s family and those who love them hide themselves out of fear of killing.

They are isolated from the community of monotheism, while the Christians and the Jews are secure!

Al-Fedl b. Dukayn became a Shi‘ite. His son came to him crying. He asked him: “What wrong with you? ”

“Father,” he replied, “the people say that you are a Shi‘ite. ”

He composed, saying:

I am still concealing (my being a Shi‘ite) to the extent that (I have become) a non-Arab in returning the answer to the askers.

That I and you may be safe from the speech of the informers. Can a living thing be safe from the people? [110]

His son cried because of this accusation that brought about severe punishments by the responsible. All those who were accused of love for Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them, were subjected to ordeal and tribulation. ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Amir, a poet, and better known as al-‘Abli, has referred in one of his poems to the exhaustion he met due to his love for them:

They exiled me when I praised ‘Ali, and they thought that that was a dangerous illness in me.

By my Lord, I will (love them) forever until my heart is full of love for ‘Ali and his children. I love them because of my love for the Prophet.

The love is for religion, not for the world. The most wicked of all kinds of love is that which is for the world.

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Al-Teghra’i says:

The love for the family of Musa is manifest and their friendship for the children of his brother is apparent.

Their Imam is from among the progeny of the first Harun. They have become rightly guided through them; and every people have a guide.

Similarly, the Christians honor a kind of stick.

However, when one loves the family of Ahmed (Muhammed) , they kill him or accuse him of atheism.

This is the dangerous illness. The reasons of those in the cities and in the deserts have gone astray.

They have not kept the Prophet Muhammed’s right in respect with his family; and Allah is watching.

Another poet says:

Surely through their love for their Prophet, the Jews have become safe from the disgrace of their treacherous time.

Through their love for ‘Isa, the possessor of the cross (the Christians) , proudly walk in the villages of Nejran.

However, the believers are thrown into the fires in the cities.

The authorities took all the procedures against those who praised the ‘Alawids or mentioned them in a good manner. Also they intentionally tired the ‘Alawids. A loyal decree issued from Baghdad and was sent to Egypt. It has been mentioned in the decree: “The ‘Alawids should not be given country estates. They should not ride horses nor should they go to any part of al-Fustat. They should be prevented from taking slaves except one slave. If there is a dispute between an ‘Alawid and another person, then speech of the ‘Alawid should not be accepted, and the speech of his opponent should be accepted without any proof. ”[111] It incumbent on the ‘Alawids to go to the capital, that they might be under the supervision of the government. Al-Rashid ordered his governor over Median to order the ‘Alawids to guarantee each other. He ordered them to be brought before the authority every day. If any of them had been absent, he should have been punished. [112]

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The oppressive used all means to severely punish the ‘Alawids and their followers. They harbored so great malice against the Imams of Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them, that they severely punished all those who mentioned them.

Al-Meqrizi has mentioned: “Yazid b. ‘Abd Allah, the governor of Egypt, ordered a solider to be punished. When the solider felt the pain of whip, he adjured the governor by the right of al-Hasan and al-Husayn, peace be on them, to pardon him. However, the governor ordered him to be flogged thirty times because of this oath. Then he wrote a letter to al-Mutawakil in Baghdad and informed him of the solider. So al-Mutawakil ordered him to be flogged a hundred times and ordered him to be sent to Baghdad. ”[113]

A poet recited a poem before al-Mutawakil and dispraised the ‘Alawids and their followers. So al-Mutawakil ordered three thousand dinars to be scattered over his head and to be collected for him. He appointed him as a governor over al-Bahrain and al-Yemen and gave him four robes of honor. [114]

The ordeal of the Shi‘ites was difficult and hard, for they met violent political and social problems. They were afflicted with deprivation of all the natural rights. I (the author) think that no sect met the persecution and tyranny the Shi‘ites met. For the Umayyad and the ‘Abbasid rulers went too far in abasing them and forcing them to do what they hated.

________________________________

[106] Ibn Abi al-Haddeed, Sharh Nahjj al-Balagha, vol. 3, p. 15.

[107] Hayat al-Hasan b. 'Ali, vol. 2, pp. 302-307.

[108] Ibn Abi al-Haddeed, Sharh Nahjj al-Balagha, vol. 3, p. 15.

[109] Tarikh Baghdad, vol. 6, p. 127.

[110] Ibid. , 12, p. 351.

[111] Al-Kindi, al-Wilat wa al-Qudat, p. 198.

[112] Imam al-Sadiq wa al-Madhahib al-Arba'a, vol. 1, p. 117.

[113] Tarikh Baghdad, vol. 4, p. 153.

[114] Ibn al-Athir, al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh, vol. 7, p. 38.

Wonderful Resistance

The Shi‘ites resisted the violent attacks of the rulers, defended their doctrines, and protected their message. They paid no attention the to tyranny and terrorism of the ruler. The carried out the following wonderful deeds:

A. The Secret Propaganda

The Shi‘ites secretly and continually resisted the tyranny and oppression of the ‘Abbasids. They made widespread propaganda against them. They exposed their arrogance, their disparaging the subjects, their possessing alone their affairs, and other things. They wanted to make the subjects hate the then standing government. The Shi‘ite propaganda at the Umayyad time could create collective feelings against that government until it overthrew it. At the ‘Abbasid time it spared no effort to strip the ‘Abbasid government of legality. It indicated that all those who joined them or cooperated with them were sinful and were not clinging to their religion. Those campaigns enlightened the public opinion, opened the door to the continuos revolt against those tyrannical rulers, and deprived them of the confidence of the masses in them.

B. Forming Parties

During their first time, the Shi‘ites formed secret parties, and those parties formed groups of people and organizations. Each group and organization was headed by a person called al-Da‘i (the summoner). [115] The Shi‘ites played an important role in moving the society. For they were able to establish some Shi‘ite governments in some Islamic countries. They founded a state in Morocco. The state was founded by ‘Ubayd Allah al-Mehdi in the year 296 A. H. It included Siqlya and the south of Italy. They also formed a state in Egypt at the hand of the great leader Jawher al-Siqili in the year 358 A. H. They founded the Nezari State of Death (Dawlet al-Mout al-Nezariya) in Persia in the year 483 A. H. This state was founded by al-Hasan b. al-Sebbagh. They founded a state in al-Bahrain in the year 270 A. H. This state was founded by al-Hasan al-Ahwazi, Hemdan b. al-Ash‘ath, and Abu Sa‘eed b. Merewayh al-Jenabi. The Fatimid state founded al- Ezher Mosque in Egypt. This mosque was the first science foundation to be founded by the Shi‘ites. The Shi‘ites built castles and strongholds in Syria (Sham).

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The reason for this important political success was the secret organizations founded by the Shi‘ites in their first times. The Shi‘ites had records including the names of the Shi‘ite summoners. When Muhammed b. ‘Abd Allah was deserted, he ordered the records to be burnt. [116] Some companions of the Imams had secret records containing the names of the Shi‘ites. [117] The then ruling authorities spared no effort to find them, but they failed.

Any way those secret parties and organizations played an important rule against the standing government, enlightened social thoughts, opened the way for the revolutionaries to help them liberate their countries from abasement and tyranny. They also did their best to spread Shi‘ite beliefs all over the Islamic countries. So the Shi‘ites became so powerful that the authorities were unable to force them to follow their desires. This affair forced al-Ma’mun to appoint Imam al-Rida, peace be on him, as a successor after him.

C. The Debates

Though the supervision over the Shi‘ite great figures was strict and pressure on them was strong, they debated with the Imams of the other Islamic doctrines on some theological affairs such as the Imamate. Those debates were hold in the public places, and in the house of Yehya al-Bermeki. Some times they were hold in the royal palace of Harun, who listened to them and admired them. Those debates were hold by Hisham b. al-Hekem, Hisham b. Salim, and Mu’min al-Taqq. Thanks to the strong proofs given by these great figures, the beliefs of the Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them, spread. The Shi‘ites were the greatest of all the Islamic sects in the fields of the theological researches. The fundamentals of their beliefs have depended on logic and objective research, so Kradfwa has described them: “The possessors of the free thoughts. ”[118]

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Anyway, the Shi‘ite great figures have given many wonderful proofs of the authenticity of their beliefs. These proofs have made people follow the Shi‘ite beliefs.

D. Writings on Walls

Because of the hard ordeals and difficult misfortunes in those black conditions, the Shi‘ites were unable to find a way to spread their pain and their sorrows. The strict supervision and the strong pursuit prevented them from presenting their misfortunes. So some of them resort to write their fears on walls to inform the people of them. An ‘Alawid wrote on the wall by which al-Mehdi, the ‘Abbasid, passed the following poetry lines:

By Allah, when the people sleep, I do not sleep out of fear.

The men of aggression have made me homeless. I have committed no sin except mentioning the hereafter.

I have believed in Allah, while they have not believed (in Him). So they have regarded my faith as evil.

When I al-Mehdi saw that, he had pity on him and wrote under each poetry line: “Allah and I have given you security; therefore, appear whenever you wish. ” A person asked him about the person who had written them, and he answered: “Surely he is ‘Isa b. Zayd. ”[119] Dhu al-Nun al-Mesri mentioned that he walked through a village, and that he saw some poetry lines had been written on a wall of its:

I am the son of Mina, al-Mish’arayn, Zamzam, Mecca, and the Magnified Kaaba.

My grandfather is the chosen Prophet; and my father is he whose authority is incumbent on all Muslims.

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My mother is the chaste (one) from whom (men) seek light if we do not number her as equal to Maryam (Mary).

The grandsons of Allah’s Apostle are my uncles and (fore) fathers; and his pure (grand) sons are nine stars.

If you cling to the cord of their authority, you will be successful on the day when the successful will be rewarded and you will lead a life of ease and comfort.

The Imams of this creation after their Prophet; if you do not know that, then know (it).

I am the Alawid, the Fatimid who is full of fear; and days fill man with (fear).

Thus, I feel that the earth is narrow through it is wide; and I cannot obtain the sky through a ladder.

So I have stopped at the house in which I have written my poetry; therefore, read and acquaint yourself with whatever you like.

And submit to the Command of Allah in all circumstances; whoever does not submit (to His command) is not a follower of Islam.

Dhu al-Nun has said: “I have come to know that he was an ‘Alawid who escaped from the authority. That was at the time of Harun. ” Al-Mejjlisi assumed that the poetry lines belonged to Imam al-Kazim, peace be on him. We have discussed that in the previous chapters of the book.

Anyway, the ‘Alawids and their followers met severe ordeals and misfortunes during those black periods of time, to the extent that they wrote on walls their sorrows, that the people might come to know of the oppression and persecution they met.

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The last poetry lines picture a side of the protest of the ‘Alawids against the rulers, that they might obtain their rights in undertaking the caliphate and the affairs of the Muslims. For they were the most appropriate of the people in the great Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. They were his successors over his community. So whoever cling to them will be successful on the Day of Resurrection. This was mentioned by their grandfather, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. The ‘Alawids have such clear lineage, outstanding qualities, and achievements; however, they were fearful and homeless. They were afraid of the oppressive who deprived them of their rights and usurped their legacy.

E. Practicing Teqiya

The ‘Abbasid officially intended to persecute the Shi‘ites in all the fields. They pursued and severely punished them. They endangered them and destroyed them. Accordingly, the then Imams of the Shi‘ites were forced to order their followers to practice teqiya (precautionary dissimulation) , that they might keep the lives of the remaining rest of them, their blood and their properties.

Teqiya is caution, alertness, hiding and concealing faith. The Holy Qur’an has referred to that teqiya is permissible: Let not the believers take the unbelievers for friends rather than believers; and whoever does this, he shall have nothing of (the guardianship of) Allah, but you should guard yourselves against them, guarding carefully; and Allah makes you cautious of (retribution from) Himself; and to Allah is the eventual coming. [120] The Imams of Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them, strictly ordered their followers to hide their beliefs and not to show it and to conceal the love for them. Mu‘ammar b. Khallad has narrated, saying: [I asked Abu al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him, about undertaking the affairs of the Imam, and he, peace be on him, said: Abu Ja‘far, peace be on him, said: ] “Teqiya (precautionary dissimulation) is my and my fathers’ religion. He who has no teqiya has no faith. ”[121]

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Durust b. Abi Mansur has related, saying: “I was with Abu al-Hasan Musa; and al-Kumayt b. Zayd was also with him. The Imam asked him: Are you who says:

“I have come to the Umayyads; and the affairs have destinies? ”

“I have said that,” replied al-Kumayt, “by Allah, I have not withdrawn from my religion. I am your follower and I hate your enemy; however, I have said it according to teqiya. ”

So the Imam, peace be on him, said that teqiya was permissible even if (it led) to drinking wine. [122]

Teqiya brought about the strong displeasure of the Shi‘ites with their opponents. It also made them firmly cling to their beliefs and principles. Professor Ajnas Gold Teshir says: “The Shi‘ites were unable to express their thought openly. In the meantime they were displeased with their strong opponents. This displeasure resulted from the a sentiment of extreme spite and revolutionary fanaticism. ”[123] Some stupid opponents criticized the Shi‘ites for the affair of teqiya. Were it not for this wise plan, the Shi‘ite doctrine would not remain on the surface of the earth, and the name of Ahl al-Bayt would go in vain. That is because of the hard ordeals that surrounded them, and the black disasters that they met from the beginning of their history and accompanied them for many years.

Shaykh al-Tusi says: “No sect met (what the Shi‘ites met) , nor did a doctrine was afflicted with which the Shi‘ites were afflicted…. ”[124]

The teqiya was legislated to spare the blood of the Shi‘ites, to protect their properties and honors from those tyrannical rulers who spared no effort to destroy and put an end to them.

_______________________________

[115] Al-'Aqida wa al-Shari'a fi al-Islam, p. 177.

[116] 'Umdat al-Talib, p. 82.

[117] Al-Nejashi, Rijal.

[118] Al-Hadara al-Islamiya, vol. 1, p. 127.

[119] Maqatil al-Talibiyyin, pp. 411-412.

[120] Ibid. , 3, 28.

[121] Al-Wasa'il, Chapter on al-Amir bil Ma'ruf wa al-Nahy 'an al-Munker.

[122] Ibid.

[123] Al-'Aqida wa al-Shari'a fi al-Islam, p. 181.

[124] Al-Shafi, Talkhis, vol. 1, p. 59.

The Shi‘ite Sects

The Shi‘ite Sects

The Shi‘a was divided into many sects. Those sects happened due to the pressure practiced on them, their incapability to meet the Imam of Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on him. Some hypocrites used that as means to divide their ranks. Dr. ‘Abd al-Rezaq Muhyi al-Din has talked about the reasons of their division, saying: “The thought (of Shi‘ism) was always liable to threat on the side of the caliphs. This made its followers to spread it secretly and to put it into practice in the remote cities. The thought put into effect secretly is liable to confusion and division in respect with the number of the Imams. For this reason the Shi‘ite sects are many and they differ with each other. Moreover, their Umayyad and ‘Abbasid opponents had the means of power and propagation. So they said many things about their doctrines and ascribed to them that of which they were innocent.

“Besides the Imams of the (Imami) Shi‘ites were afraid of spreading their beliefs openly. They were isolated from their followers due to the prohibition imposed on them. They put into effect teqiya that required the Imam to keep pace with the jurisprudence and ideological fundamentals of the Sunnis, in addition to that a large number of the Shi‘ites were ignorant of the fundamentals of the Imami doctrine. ”[125]

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These factors mentioned by Professor ‘Abd al-Rezaq led to the division of the Shi‘ites into sects and tribes, their difference over the number of the Imams. The following is a brief account on their sects:

1. Al-Kaysaniya

They were the followers of al-Mukhtar b. ‘Ubayd al-Theqefi. They were called so due the ‘name’ Kaysan. It was said that al-Mukhtar was called Kaysan. He was given this name by Muhammed b. Imam ‘Ali, the Commander of the faithful, when he entrusted him with demanding the blood of Imam al-Husayn, master of martyrs, peace be on him. [126] Other than that was also said. This sect maintained that the Imam after al-Husayn, peace be on him, was Muhammed, that he was al-Mehdi, of whom the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, had given good news, who would fill the world with fairness and justice, that he is living and never dies, that he has disappeared in the Mountain of Redewa, and that there are with him honey and water. In this respect al-Sayyid al-Himyari says:

The Imams from among Quraysh, the rulers of the truth, are four equal ones.

(They are) ‘Ali and the three from among his well-known sons.

A grandson is a grandson of faith and kindness; a grandson Kerbela made disappear; a grandson who will never dies, lead the horses, be followed by the standard; none has seen him for a time; he has disappear in (the mountain of Redewa) ; he has honey and water.

Some of them exaggerated when they said: “ (Muhammed) b. al-Hanafiya was the Imam after Imam (‘Ali) the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him. He was before al-Hasan and al-Husayn. Al-Hasan inwardly summoned (the people) through his command. Al-Husayn appeared with the sword through his permission. They were two summoners to him, and were commanded by him. ”[127]

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The Kaysaniya believed in transmigration of souls. They took this belief from the Indian philosophy. They did not absolutely believed in the transmigration of souls; rather they restricted that to the Imams only. [128] This sect came to an end and had no followers throughout the Islamic countries.

2. Al-Zaydiya

Al-Zaydiya have built their ideological frame on the revolt to remove oppressive governments and to establish justice. They have maintained that any ‘Alawid person comes out in revolt with the sword is an Imam to whom obedience is obligatory. All those who claim the Imamate and are sitting in their own houses are not Imams and it is not permissible to follow them. [129]

More likely, they maintained that due to the oppression and tyranny the Shi‘ites met during those terrible times. The Umayyad government regarded as atheistic all those who loved Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them. To this meaning al-Kumayt, the poet of Islam, refers:

They indicate with their hands to me and their statement is: verily this is unsuccessful, while the indicters are more unsuccessful (than me).

A sect has accused me of unbelief and a sect says that I am an evil-doer and guilty.

They criticize me for (my) love for you out of their deception and deviation; rather they mock (at me) , while I wonder at them.

They say: His inclination and opinion are Turabi; (such was) I called and nicknamed by them. [130]

‘Abd Allah b. Kuthayr al-Sehmi refuted those who criticized him for his love for the family of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, saying:

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I am the man whose defects are the love for the Prophet, the children of Abu al-Hasan, and their father, who was good in the wombs and the backbones.

Is it a sin that I love them? Rather love for them is the expiation for sin. [131]

A person wanted to degrade the position of al-Sayyid al-Himyari. The person said to him: “O Rafidi! ”[132]

So al-Sayyid al-Himyari said to him:

In spite of you, we refuse the men of error and abominable things! [133]

These oppressive measures hurt the feelings of the Shi‘ites and they urged them to believe in revolt as a basic rule to build their ideological entity. Al-Zaydiya maintained that. They believed that Zayd b. ‘Ali, a great revolutionary, was the Imam and after him was his son Yehya, who followed the example of his father in raising the flag of the revolt against the Umayyad government. They did not follow the text (the tradition) which is a basic rule for the Imamate with the Shi‘ites. They refused to maintain the Imams of guidance. For they did not respond to them through going in revolt with the sword against the Umayyad government. Their justification for that was that the positive resistance was not useful, unsuccessful, and would bring to the Muslims hardships and misfortunes. They adopted the negative resistance against the authority and made it forbidden for the Muslims to cooperate with it.

Al-Zaydiya maintained the Imamate of Zayd because he resisted the Umayyads and went to the fields of jihad saying: “When people hate the heat of the sword, they become lowly. ” This was the slogan of al-Zaydiya. Zayd recited the words of his father, saying:

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O Zayd’s son, did Zayd not say: Whoever loves life lives lowly?

Be like Zayd, for you are Zayd’s soul, and take a dense shade. [134]

3. Al-Imamiya

This sect has clung to the essence and reality of Islam. They followed the Prophet’s pure family, from whom Allah took away uncleanness. They maintained all the traditions narrated from them in respect with the fundamental and branches of Islam, to the extent that their doctrines is better known as the doctrine of Ahl al- Bayt, peace be on them. They are distinguished from the rest of the Islamic doctrines by the following:

A. They have opened the horizons of reason; they have not isolated reason from the real life. They have regarded the things perceived by it as one of the four proofs from which a jurist concludes a religious verdict. Moreover they regarded it as a referee among the contradictory traditions. All the things agree with the decision of reason are regarded as proof; all the things deviate from it are worthless. For this reason the Shi‘ites are the greatest of all the Islamic sects in taking care of the decision and freedom of reason and in making use of it.

B. They have opened the door to ijtihad[135]. For this reason their jurisprudence keeps pace with the time development and treats all new events on which there is not Islamic text. This has brought about great development in the Shi‘ite jurisprudence and made it take the first place in the Islamic jurisprudence, for it is serious, deep, and developed. Accordingly, the jurists and men of law in the world have admired it. Professor Muhammed Abu Zehra says: “They (the Shi‘ites) did not yield to the regime of the authority in closing the door to jurisprudence, nor did their education yield to the regime of the state, nor did their schools follow that program followed by most Islamic schools. Rather they followed the way of Ahl al-Bayt in refusing cooperation with the government. Their door to ijtihad has not been closed; it is still open. This is among the things of which the Shi‘ites are proud before all the present Islamic groupings. [136]

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C. They have a generous, huge inheritance of that which has been narrated from their Imams, peace be on them. This inheritance is full of all the elements of development and progress such as good manners, rules of conduct, society, short wise sayings, morals, creative foundations of economic and social development of the community, taking care of administrative and political affairs. All these things have been mentioned in Imam ‘Ali’s Nehjj al-Belagha, which is the greatest book after the Holy Qur’an, and which has different kinds of knowledge. Definitely some secrets of its chapters have not been discovered, especially as it concerns the creation of the heavens and others, for many explainers of the words of the Imam, peace be on him, have not understood them fully. The Shi‘ites have al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiya, which is the Gospel of the family of Muhammed, may Allah bless him and his family. This great book is full of the most wonderful cultural legacy the like of which people have not found. It contains Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin’s supplications.

The Imam has the Treatise on Rights (Risalet al-Huquq). This treatise takes care of the rights of the community against the government, and vise-versa. It also takes care of the rights of the members of society against each other. Though the book is brief, it is the greatest of all the books written on Islam. If we review all that which narrated from Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, and the rest of the Imams of Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them, then we will find a flood of sciences and arts. They split open the doors to them and put their foundations such botany, chemistry, medicine, and other sciences that have taken part in developing scientific and cultural life during those times, and whose waves included the rest of the times. The Imami sect has the greatest scientific inheritance the like of which no religious or social sect has.

D. They have objectively taken care of the philosophy of government. They have clung to the office of the Imamate. The theologians have limited the values and concepts of the Imamate aiming at the righteous government Islam has brought. This government stands on pure justice and truth through which the community is developed in economic and social fields, its rights and interests are protected.

The philosophy of the Imamate the Shi‘ites maintain positively takes care of the policy of government of the country. In their viewpoints it stands on a firm foundation of justice whose plans and objectives none can carry out except the infallible Imam who does not yield to sentiment and inclination; rather he follows 

the public interests. We have witnessed that in the government of Imam ‘Ali, peace be on him. He adopted among the Muslims a kind of policy the like of which the Muslims and other than them have never witnessed throughout the stages of history. He treated the subjects with justice and equality. He denied his personal interests and others.

Any way the Imami Shi‘ites maintain that the Imamate stands on a deep foundation of awareness and understanding, that it is confirmed by the most wonderful reliable proofs from the Qur’an, the sunna, and the decision of reason.

E. They renounce the excessiveness in respect with the Imams, peace be on him; and they decide that it is apostasy from the religion.

These are the essential affairs that distinguish the Imami Shi‘ites from the rest of the Shi‘ite sects.

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4. Al-Fetehiya

This sect maintained that ‘Abd Allah al-Afteh was the Imam after his father Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him. ‘Abd Allah al-Afteh was Isma‘il’s brother. He was the eldest son of the Imam. The Fetehiya supported their claim with a tradition. They took the beginning of the tradition and left its end. This tradition is these words of Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him: “None has the right to undertake the office of the Imamate except the eldest son provided that he has no defect. ” As for ‘Abd Allah, he was a broad-headed. It was said that he was broad-legged. However, his followers added to him some laudable deeds and achievements. ‘Abd Allah lived for seventy days after his father’s death. [137] He had no son. [138] This sect also called al-‘Ammariya whose leader was called ‘Ammar. [139] Perhaps he was ‘Ammar b. Musa al-Sabati over whose traditions the traditionists have differed.

5. Al-Semetiya

They claimed that the Imam after Ja‘far b. Muhammed was his son Muhammed. Then his sons after him undertook the office of the Imamate. They were ascribed to one of their heads who was called Yehya b. Abi Sumayt. [140] It was said that he was called Yehya b. Shumayt, and that he was among the commanders of al- Mukhtar al-Theqefi’s troops. [141] This sect claimed that the Awaited Imam would be among the children of Muhammed b. Ja‘far. [142]

6. Al-Khettabiya

They were the followers of Abi al-Khettab, Muhammed b. Abi Zayneb. They went out in revolt during the time of Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him. They warred against ‘Isa b. Musa, the governor over Kufa. They were seventy men. They were killed by ‘Isa. None escaped him except one man who was critically wounded. This man was numbered as among the dead. So he escaped ‘Isa, and then he recovered. This man was called Abu Selema, Salim b. Mukerram al-Jemmal, whose nickname was Abi Khedija. Abu al-Khettab, the head of this sect was captured and brought before ‘Isa b. Musa, and he ordered him to be killed. So he was killed at Dar al-Rizq on the bank of the Euphrates. ‘Isa ordered him and a group of his companions to be crucified. Then he ordered them to be burnt. Then he sent their heads to al-Mansur, and he ordered them to be crucified on the gate of the city of Baghdad for three days. Then he ordered them to be burnt. One of the followers of Abi al-Khettab said: “Neither Abu al-Khettab nor his companions were killed. ” Al-Khettabiya also claimed that they warred against ‘Isa according to an order from Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, and that he sent Abu al-Khettab as a prophet to the people. [143]

7. Al-Nawusiya

They claimed that Imam Ja‘far b. Muhammed, peace be on him, was alive and did not die, that he was al-Qa’im al-Mehdi. This sect was called al-Nawusiya because its head was called ‘Ajlan b. Nawus from Basrah. [144]

8. Al-Isma‘iliya

They maintained that the Imam after Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, was his son Isma‘il. They denied that Isma‘il died during the life time of his father and said: “Isma‘il will not die until he under takes the office of the Imamate. ”[145] Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, refused this idea during his life time. When his son Isma‘il died, he sent for some of his companions and made them bear witness for his death. We have mentioned that in detail in the previous chapters of the book.

Al-Isma‘iliya insisted on denying the death of Isma‘il. They thought that Imam al-Sadiq made some of his Shi‘ites bear witness for the death of his son because he had felt the dangers that would threaten the life of his son, whom he had appointed as the successor after him. They said that he ordered him to hide himself. So Isma‘il secretly left Medina and headed for Damascus. Al-Mansur came to know of that, and he order his governor their to arrest him. However, his governor there had already adopted the doctrine of al-Isma‘iliya. Accordingly, he showed the letter to Isma‘il.

So Isma‘il left Damascus and headed for Iraq. They claimed that he had been seen in Basrah in the year 151 A. H. , and that he passed by an invalid person, and Allah healed him through him. They also claimed that Isma‘il secretly went to his followers until he died in Basrah in the year 158 A. H. Moreover, they said that he had children whose names were: Muhammed, ‘Ali, Fatima, and that he appointed his eldest son as an Imam after him in the presence of some loyal summoners. [146]

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Any way, our sources have not confirmed these claims. They have unanimously agreed that Isma‘il died during the lifetime of his father, just as we have mentioned in the previous chapters of the book.

Al-Isma‘iliya have regarded the Imamate as a high position and gone too far in sanctifying it. In his praising Imam al-Mu‘iz, an Isma‘ili Imam, Ibn Hani has said:

What you please, not what the fates please, so decide, for you are the one, the supreme.

You look like the Prophet Muhammed; and your ansar (supporters) are like the Ansar.

You are the one of whom the religious scholars and the traditions have given good news in their books.

This is the Imam of the pious, who has stunned the tyrannical and the unbelievers.

This is he through love for him salvation is hoped, and through whom sins and burdens are forgiven.

This is he whose intercession is useful tomorrow; and the fire goes out when it sees him.

In his poem, Ibn Hani’ goes on giving high qualities to al-Mu‘iz li Dinillah. Through that he expresses the beliefs of al-Isma‘iliya, shows excessiveness toward their Imams and gives to them many attributes of Allah, the Most High. Another of their poets went too far in describing their Imams, saying:

Love for them is a religious duty obligatory on men. Disobedience to them is a ruinous disbelief leading to the fire.

They are the firmest handle and way to guidance. They are the utmost objective which none can obtain.

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Were it not for them, Allah would not create his creation, light and splendor were not in the world.

They are the large tree of the religion that produces guidance, gives shade and is high through blessing and piety, defends him who sits in its shadow, releases and protects the ignorant from death.

Whoever carefully considers the beliefs of al-Isma‘iliya, he will find them full of excessiveness and immoderation in respect with the love for their Imams. They regarded their present young Imam as a world lamp, available everywhere, the one who will save souls from everlasting unhappiness, and lead the world to the Ideal Reality.

9. Al-Waqifiya

It was an errant sect, deviated from the religion, betrayed Allah and His Apostle, and plundered the wealth of the Muslims. They maintained that Imam Musa, peace be on him, was alive and did not die, that he was raised to the heaven just as al-Mesih ‘Isa b. Maryam, peace be on him. They believed that he was al-Qa’im who would fill the world with justice and fairness as it was filled with oppression and tyranny. They claimed that the person who was imprisoned in the prison of al-Sindi b. Shahik was not Imam Musa, peace be on him; rather he was someone like him. So it is necessary to give a brief account on the affairs of this sect:

A. The Reason for al-Waqf

They reason for that they restricted the Imamate to Imam Musa, peace be on him, and their denying his death is: “When the Imam, peace be on him, was in the dark prisons, he appointed some representatives to receive the money sent by some believers. Some of them could collect a lot of money. An example of that is that Ziyad b. Merwan al-Qendi had seventy thousand dinars. ‘Ali b. Hamza had thirty thousand dinars. Other than them had sums of money similar to these. When the Imam, peace be on him, died, these people denied his death. They bought country estates and house for the money they had. When Imam al-Rida, peace be on him, asked them to return the money, they refused to give it to him and denied the death of his father.

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”[147] Al-Husayn b. Muhammed has mentioned: “The Ash‘athis collected thirty dinars from the zekat due on their properties and on the rest of the other rights. So they sent these funds of money to two agents of Imam Musa, peace be on him, in Kufa. One of them was called Hayyan al-Serrajj. The Imam, peace be on him, was then in prison. When they received the money, they bought houses and corps for it. When the Imam died, they denied his death, announced that he would not die, and that he was the awaited al-Qa’im (al-Mehdi). ”[148] However, some of them returned to the way of the truth and correctness. They handed over the money they had taken to Imam al-Rida, peace be on him, and acknowledged his Imamate.

B. Its Spread

The doctrine of al-Waqf spread and was adopted by many people. Among them were a large number from among the companions of the Imam, peace be on him, and the narrators of his traditions. We will mention them in detail when we speak about the group of the narrators and companions. The reason for spreading this idea is: “Those who propagated it had been known for their good conduct and their clinging to the religion. So they deluded the simple Shi‘ites and greatly misled them. Besides they spent a lot of money buying consciences. ” Yunus b. ‘Abd al-Rahman has narrated, saying: “When Abu Ibrahim Musa, peace be on him, died, most of his people had a lot of money. This was the reason for their restricting themselves to his Imamate and their denying his death. For they craved after the money.

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For example Ziyad b. Merwan al-Qendi had seventy thousand dinars. ‘Ali b. Hamza had thirty thousand dinars. When I saw that and came to know of the truth and of the affairs of Abu al-Hasan al Rida, peace be on him, I talked about that and summoned the people to it. So they (Ziyad and ‘Ali) sent for me and said to me: ‘What has made you say that? If you want money, we will enrich you. ’ They decided to give me ten thousand dinars and said to me: ‘Refrain (from saying that). ’ However, I refused and said to them: ‘The two persons called al-Sadiq, peace be on them, told us: ‘When the heresies appear, the (religious) scholar should show his knowledge. If he does not do that, he is deprived of the light of faith. ’ As I was not ready to leave jihad in the way of Allah, they showed enmity toward me and harbored malice against me. ”[149]

Through these manners and tempting ways the doctrine of Waqf was spread. However, shortly after that this doctrine was destroyed; the believers came to know that it was false; and the lying of those who summoned the people to it appeared.

The Imams condemn al-Waqf

In many traditions the Imams of Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them, have condemned the thought of al-Waqf, criticized its leaders and the narrators of their traditions, and warned the people against their vague errors. Al-Hekem b. al-‘Ays has mentioned, saying: [I and my uncle Sulayman b. Khalid visited Abu ‘Abd Allah, peace be on him, and he asked: ]

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-Who is this boy? He indicated with his hand to me.

-My nephew.

-Does he have any knowledge of this affair (the Imamate)?

-Yes.

-Praise belongs to Allah, Who did not create him Satan. I seek refuge for your son with Allah from the discord of our Shi‘ites.

-What will be that discord?

-Their denying the Imams and their restricting themselves to the Imamate of my son Musa. They will deny his death and claim that he would be the Imam after me. Surely there will be no Imam after me. Those are the most wicked of the creation! [150]

Imam Musa, peace be on him, said to ‘Ali b. Abi Hamza al-Ta’i, a great figure of al-Waqifiya: “O Ali, You and your companions are like donkeys! ”[151] Muhammed b. al-Fudayl came in to Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Rida, peace be on him. Then he turned to him and said: “May I be your ransom, I am the successor after Ibn Abi Hamza, Ibn Mahran, and Ibn Abi Sa‘eed. They are the leaders of al-Waqifiya and are the greatest of the people of the world in showing enmity toward Allah, the Most High. ”

So the Imam said to him: “If you are rightly guided, then you are not harmed by him who has gone astray. They have accused Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, of lying. They have accused so-and-so of lying. They have accused Ja‘far and Musa, peace be on them, of lying. And I follow the example of my forefathers! ”

-May I be your ransom, you said to Ibn Mahran: “May Allah take away the light of your heart and make poverty enter your house! ”

-How is he? And how are his companions?

-My master, they are in the worst condition. They are grieved in Baghdad. Al-Husayn is unable to go (to Mecca) to perform (hajj) al-‘Ummrah! ”[152]

A Shi‘ite wrote a letter to Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. He asked him about al-Waqifiya, and he answered him: “A Waqifite is the one who deviates from the truth and insists on performing a bad deed. If he dies while insisting on the bad deed, then the hell fire and evil destination will be his shelter! ”[153] Another Shi‘ite asked him whether it was permissible to pay zekat to the Waqifites, and he prohibited him from that and said to him: “They (al-Waqifiya) are unbelievers, 

polytheists, and hypocrites! ”[154]

Many traditions on the authority of Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them, have been mentioned on dispraising them, criticizing their reports, regarding them as polytheists having no links with Islam and no relationship with Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them. Accordingly, we should not regard this sect and the other previous sects as among the Shi‘ites. That is because some of them denied some of the fundamentals of the religion such as al-Khettabiya, who claimed that Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, sent Abu al-Khettab to the people as a prophet.

Therefore, how this sect and the like could be regarded as among the Shi‘ites? It is worth mentioning that the Shi‘ites worship Allah, the One without partner. They believe that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, is the last of the prophets and master of the apostles. Surely, regarding some of these sects, who have no faith in the Oneness of Allah, as among the Shi‘ite sects is flagrant oppression toward this sect who has adopted Islam and believed in all that which Allah has revealed, and who have spared no effort to raise high the word of monotheism.

Any way, as al-Waqifiya had bad beliefs and Ahl al-Bayt disparaged them, they were given the nickname of al-Memtura (covered with rain) , as a sign of likening them to dogs. Generally speaking, al-Waqifiya invented the thought of al-Waqf, that they might plundered the money of the Shi‘ites. This sect has come to an end.

These are some sects which have been regarded and numbered as among the Shi‘ites. Some sects began and grew at that time and after it; they had nothing to do with the Shi‘ite beliefs which have been built on monotheism and faith in all that which Islam has brought.

10. Al-Qeramita

This sect has been added to the Shi‘ites, while it does not belong to them; rather it does not have the nature of Islam. It has been given such a name because its founder was called Qermutewayh. They claimed that the Imam after Ja‘far al-Sadiq was his grandson Muhammed b. Isma’il, that he was alive and would not die until he ruled the earth, spread justice and good all over the world, and that he was al-Mehdi of whom the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, had given good news. [155] They became strong during the caliphate of al-Mu’tazid Billah, the ‘Abbasid. They revolted against the then government and controlled many Islamic regions. They had many beliefs not similar to that of Islam. Their stories and days have been mentioned in many books of history. [156]

Footnote

[125] Adab al-Murtada, p. 56.

[126] Al-Sayyid al-Murtada, al-Fusool al-Mukhtara.

[127] Al-Khaqani, Rijal, p. 129.

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[128] Al-Madhahib al-Islamiya, p. 70.

[129] Firaq al-Shi'a, pp. 74-75.

[130] Al-Hashimiyat.

[131] Al-Jahiz, al-Bayan wa al-Tabiyyin, vol. 3, p. 360.

[132] Rafidi is the one who refuses a certain thing.

[133] Al-Murtada, al-Fusool, vol. 1, p. 61.

[134] 'Aqa'id al-Zaydiya.

[135] The capability of deriving religious decisions.

[136] Al-Shafi'i, p. 234.

[137] Al-Milal wa al-Nihal, vol. 1, p. 274.

[138] Al-Tabseer fi al-Deen, p. 23.

[139] Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari, Maqalat al-Islamiyyin wa Ikhtilaf al-Musalleen.

[140] Ibid.

[141] Firaq al-Shi'a, p. 77.

[142] Al-Tabseer fi al-Deen, p. 23.

[143] Firaq al-Shi'a, p. 71.

[144] Al-Farq bayna al-Firaq. Al-Razi, I'tiqad Firaq al-Muslimeen.

[145] Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari, Maqalat al-Islamiyyin wa Ikhtilaf al-Musalleen, p. 98.

[146] Tarikh al-Da'wa al-Islamiya, pp. 142-143.

[147] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 12, p. 308.

[148] Ibid.

[149] Ibid. , vol. 11, p. 308.

[150] Tanqeeh al-Maqal, vol. 1, pp. 359-360.

[151] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 12, p. 309.

[152] Al-Keshi, Rijal.

[153] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 12, p. 309.

[154] Ibid.

[155] Al-Noubakhti, Firaq al-Shi'a.

[156] Abu al-Husayn al-Melti, al-Tenbeeh. Ibn al-Athir, al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh. Al-Farq bayna al-Firaq.

The Problem of the Excessive

Among the most important problems the Shi‘ites met was that of the atheistic movement of the excessive. This accusation has been fastened on the Shi‘ites to distort the real meaning of Shi‘ism.

I (the author) firmly believe that the then authorities played an important role in creating that movement. They encouraged it and went too far in supporting it, that they might regarded as lawful shedding the blood of the Shi‘ites and prove against them apostasy from the religion.

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It is important to mention some of their corrupt beliefs. They claimed that the Imams were gods. Some of them claimed that they were prophets. They believed in the transmigration of souls. The Imams of Ahl al-Bayt were displeased with such beliefs, so they condemned them and warned the Muslims against them. It was reported on the authority of Imam ‘Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, that he said: “Unbelief has been based on four pillars: lasciviousness, excessiveness, doubt, and suspicion. ”[157]

Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, cursed Muhammed b. Muqlas al-Kufi, an excessive leader. Then he wrote to all the countries to curse and to renounce him. [158] He, peace be on him, made it incumbent on his companions to boycott them. He said to them: “Do not sit with them, do not eat and drink with them, do not shake hand with them, and do not inherit them. ”[159] He, peace be on him, said: “The least thing through which one withdraws from faith is that he sits with an excessive person and listens to his speech and believes his words. Surely, my father related to me on the authority of Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, who said: ‘Two kinds of my community have no share in Islam: the excessive and the fatalists. ’”[160]

When Abu al-Khettab was killed in Kufa, the Imam, peace be on him, said: “May Allah curse Aba al-Khettab, those killed with him, and those who had mercy on them. ”

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Bashshar al-Shu‘ayri, a summoner to the excessive, came in to Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, and he said to him: “Go away! May Allah curse you! By Allah, I will never sit with you under a ceiling! ”

Bashshar went out in shame. Then the Imam said to his companions: “Woe unto him! Did he not believe in that which the Jews did? Did he not believe in that which the Magians did? Did he not believe in that which the Sabians did? By Allah, none has belittled Allah as this sinful has done! He is Shaytan, son of Shaytan! He has come out of the sea to mislead my companions! Therefore, beware of him! The present should tell those absent: ‘Surely, I am the servant of Allah, son of the servant of Allah! I was in the backbones and the wombs! Certainly I will die and be raised from the death! Then I will be questioned (by Allah)! By Allah, I will be questioned about what this liar has said in connection with me! What wrong with him! May Allah make him grieved! He is secure on his bed, while he has terrified me and deprived me of sleep! ”[161]

He, peace be on him, said about al-Mughira b. Sa‘eed: “May Allah curse al-Mughira b. Sa‘eed and the Jewish woman to whom he went frequently! He learnt from her magic, jugglery, and fables. Surely, Mughira lied to my father, so Allah deprived him of faith. Some people have lied to me. What wrong with them? May Allah make them taste the heat of the iron! By Allah, we are mere servants Allah created and chose. We can do neither harm nor benefit. If He has mercy on us, then (He does that) through His mercy. And if He chastises us, then that is because of our sins. By Allah, we have no proof against Allah. And Allah will not forgive us (our sins). We will die, be buried, raised from the dead, resurrected, stand (before Allah) , and be questioned. What wrong with them? May Allah curse them! They have hurt Allah, Allah’s Apostle in his grave, the Commander of the faithful (Imam ‘Ali) , Fatima, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn, peace be on them. Here I am among you. I spend the night on my bed in fear and terror. They are secure while I am fearful. They sleep on their bed, while I am fearful, sleepless, and scared! Before Allah I renounce what al-Ajjda‘, and Abu al-Khettab have said in respect with me…. ”

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Many traditions have been narrated on the authority of Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them, in this connection. The traditions indicate that the excessive are unbelievers and atheists. They also show that it is incumbent on the Muslims to combat them, not to associate with them, and isolate them. It is strange that some authors have criticized the Shi‘ites on account of this atheistic sect. They have regarded them as among the Shi‘ites though there is no relationship between the two parties.

Certainly the doctrine of Shi‘ism has been based on the Oneness of Allah, regarding Him as far above polytheism, and the equal. This true sect (the Shi‘ites) does not believe in excessiveness and other atheistic thoughts. Moreover it has spared no effort to keep and defend Islam since the dawn of its history.

With this topic we will end our speech about the ordeal of Islam during that time when the Muslims were divided into parties and sects by the then authorities, that they might suppress the movement of Shi‘ism and make the Muslims busy with some ideological problems.

_________________________________

[157] Al-Kafi, p. 369.

[158] Da'a'im al-Islam, pp. 62-63.

[159] Imam al-Sadiq wa al-Medhahib al-Arba'a, vol. 4, p. 151.

[160] Al-Khisal, p. 37.

[161] Imam al-Sadiq wa al-Medhahib al-Arba'a, vol. 4, p. 155.

The Problem of the Creation of the Qur’an

A dangerous problem happened during the time of the Imam. The problem was that of the creation of the Qur’an. For the Muslims differed over it. Because of it 

some of them suffered from the displeasure and vengeance of the government, and the anger of the people. This thought happened at the end of the time of the Umayyad government. It was invented by al-Ju‘d b. Dirham, the teacher of Merwan, the last Umayyad Caliph. Al-Ju‘d was the first to speak about the creation of the Qur’an.

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He wrote this subject matter and published it in Damascus. Then the authorities summoned him; so he escaped from them and went to Kufa. There al-Jahm b. Saffwan learnt this idea from him. It was said that he learnt that from Aban b. Sam‘an, who had taken it from Taloot b. ‘Asam, the Jewish. [162] Khalid b. ‘Abd Allah al-Qesri, the governor of Kufa, killed al-Ju‘d on the day of ‘Id al-Adha. He said that al-Ju‘d had said: “To Musa Allah did not address His Word, speaking (to him) , nor did He take Ibrahim as a friend! ”[163]

After the death of al-Ju‘d some people secretly believed in this thought. They believed in it openly at the time of Harun al-Rashid when the affair of the Mu‘tazilites appeared and their thoughts spread. They openly said that the Qur’an had been created. Bishr al-Murisi was the most important person in summoning the people to this belief. He wrote many books on it. Al-Rashid heard of that, and he said: “I have been informed that Bishr al-Murisi say that the Qur’an had been created. By Allah, if Allah made me find him, I would kill him in a way with which I had never killed a person! ” When Bishr came to know of that, he hid himself throughout the days of al-Rashid. [164]

One of them said: “I came in to al-Rashid. There was a beheaded man before him. The swordsman was cleaning his sword on the man’s back. Then al-Rashid said: ‘I killed him because he said that the Qur’an had been created. ” Then this thought grew and spread widely until the time of al-Ma’mun. This movement became active during that time, and the people talked about it. The authority helped the Mu’tazilites and the Shi‘ites with that. Al-Ma’mun declared his opinion in respect with that belief, and then he forced the people to follow his viewpoint.

Anyway, those who maintained this thought revolted against mental inactivity. They freed and released reason, so they were liable to ordeal, torture, and severe punishment. This problem is regarded as among the dangerous events took place at that time. It was explained by the Mu’taziliti philosophers and others.

____________________________________

[162] Serh al-'Uyun p. 159.

[163] Duha al-Islam, vol. 3, pp. 161-162.

[164] Al-Nijum al-Zahira, vol. 1, p. 215.

The Disaster of the Bermekis

Imam Musa, peace be on him, predicted that the Bermekis would face misfortunes, disasters, the removal of favor, and a sudden vengeance. That was when he said: “Bermek’s family are miserable! They do not know what will happen to them! ” That happened just as he predicted. The greatest disaster in history happened to them. The world was in their hands. It flourished for them. They enjoyed the pleasures and ease wherein. However, the time invaded them through his disasters and made them lead a life full of abasement and disgrace. That was when their properties were confiscated, Ja‘far was killed, his father Yehya and the rest of his family were thrown into a dark prison. The following are some reasons for their disaster:

1. Ja‘far betrays al-‘Abbasa

A historian thinks that the reason for the disaster of the Bermekis is the story of al-‘Abbas, daughter of al-Mehdi. The story can be summarized as follows: “When al-Rashid drank, he did not show patience toward Ja‘far b. Yehya and his sister al-‘Abbasa. So he decided to marry her to Ja‘far provided that the latter should not sleep with her. However he did not fulfill his promise and stipulation. He slept with her and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to a baby, she had fear for her baby. So she sent it to Mecca. When al-Rashid came to know of that, he killed the baby and severely punished the Bermekis. ”[165]

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This story is incorrect for these reasons: firstly, al-Rashid did not pay attention to that, for he was dissolute and absorbed in his low desires. We have mentioned that in details. If he had had these religious or social feelings, he would not have permitted his sister ‘Aliya to sing him songs and send him wine as a gift, to the extent that her dissoluteness and treason spread all over the social circles. Secondly, Ja‘far controlled al-Rashid. He possessed his heart and his feelings, to that extent that he sat with him in one uniform with two pockets. [166] Ja‘far was so influential that he married al-‘Alya to Ibrahim b. ‘Abd al-Malik b. Salih al- ‘Abbasi. Harun did not know that. When Ja‘far told him of that, he regarded his conduct as permissible.

He also took hold of other affairs of Harun al-Rashid. All these things indicate that he had great influence with him. Then how did he doubt him while he was the dearest of the people to him? Thirdly, most reliable historical resources have refuted this story. For example, al-Jehshyary has confuted it quoting the statement of Mesrur, al-Rashid’s servant. That was when he was asked about the reason for that al-Rashid severely punished the Bermekis, and he said: “It seems that you want to say just as the common people say in respect with the affair of the woman? By Allah, this is incorrect. ”[167] As for Ibn Khaldun, he has fully denied that and thought that it is a fable, saying: “Surely the social and religious position did not permit her to commit such a crime, and especially with one of her retainers. ”[168]

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Any way this is an imaginary story. However some historians have taken care of it and written it in an imaginary way.

2. The Accusation of Shi‘ism

Some historians think that the only reason for the disaster of the Bermekis is their inclination to the ‘Alawids. Al-Teberi has mentioned on the authority of Abu Muhammed al-Yezidi, who was the most knowledgeable of the people in respect with the Bermekis, saying: “Whoever says that al-Rashid killed Ja‘far for a reason other than that of Yehya b. ‘Abd Allah is mistaken. ” Al-Jehshyary: “Al-Rashid accused Yehya of his inclining to Yehya al-‘Alawi, and that he gave him two thousand dinars during his revolt. ”[169] In his book al-Aghani, Abu al-Ferajj al-Asfahani has said: “The Bermekis hated al-Rashid’s displeasure with the ‘Alawids and regarded this deed of his as forbidden. ”[170]

This statement is similar to the previous one in weakness. For the Bermekis sought nearness to al-Rashid through informing him against the ‘Alawids. They were among those who brought about the imprisonment and murder of the Imam, peace be on him. Al-Saduq has narrated on the authority of Saffwan b. Ma‘an, who said: “Surely Yehya al-Bermeki was not satisfied with provoking al-Rashid to kill Imam al-Kazim, peace be on him; rather he provoked him to Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. So Harun said to him: ‘Does what we did toward his father not suffice us? Do you want me to kill them all? ’”[171]

Sayyid Ni‘mat Allah al-Jaza’iri: “The real reason for the destruction of the Bermekis was the supplication of Abu al-Hasan al-Rida, peace be on him, when he stood at ‘Arafa. That is because they informed (al-Rashid) of his father, al-Kazim, peace be on him. ”[172]

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Without doubt the Bermekis had no affection toward the ‘Alawids. They went too far in punishing them severely apart from al-Fedl b. Yehya, for he inclined to Imam al-Kazim, peace be on him, entertained him when he was in his prison in Basrah, and permitted Yehya al-‘Alawi to go to the Sacred House of Allah (Mecca). Perhaps they said that the Bermekis inclined to Shi‘ism was because of him.

3. Their wide Influence

Perhaps, among the main reasons that urged al-Rashid to punish the Bermekis severely is their wide influence and their controlling the affairs of the government, to the extent that al-Rashid was afraid that his kingdom would come to an end. Professor Muhammed Kurd has maintained this viewpoint, saying: “The Bermekis were so kind to the people that the great figures devoted themselves to them. They were in the same position in respect with the Caliph. When al-Rashid saw that his kingdom was liable to danger due to the influence of the Bermekis, he ordered them to be captured and killed, their properties to be confiscated. He had fear of them for his kingdom. ”[173]

There are may attitudes indicate that they decided to revolt against al-Rashid and to hand over that caliphate to some people other than the ‘Abbasids. An example of that is that Ja‘far talked about Abu Muslim and his important role in taking the caliphate from the Umayyads and handing it over to the ‘Abbasids, saying: “Surely Abu Muslim took the authority from some people and handed it other to others through killing and shedding blood. The (good) man is he who hands it over without shedding blood. ” Al-Rashid was informed of his statement, so he was afraid and hurried to afflict them with disaster. [174]

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Any way, I (the author) think that the only reason for that al-Rashid severely punished Ja‘far and the rest of his family is their wide influence and their strong seizing the reins of government. In his house was twenty-five clerks who belonged to Yehya b. Khalid. [175] Were it not for that al-Rashid surprised them, he would not be able to put an end to them, and they would destroy him because of their close relationship with the military commanders, and their abundant kindness to the people. If they had revolted against him, they would have found a great popular support from the Muslims who had harbored malice against the ‘Abbasid government. Besides they had perfect relationship with the Persians, who were the most important pillar in the Islamic government.

The historians have mentioned other reasons for their disaster. Some of them have mentioned forty reasons. A group of historians has inclined to each of the reasons for the disaster of the Bermekis such as that their enviers informed Harun against them. We are satisfied with this brief account of the reasons for the severe punishments they received.

__________________________________

[165] Al-Tabari, Tarikh, vol. 3, p. 547.

[166] Ibn Badrun, Sharh Qasidat Ibn 'Abdun, pp. 222-223.

[167]Al-Jahshyari, p. 254.

[168] Al-Muqaddama, p. 12.

[169] Al-Jahshyari, p. 243.

[170] Al-Tamadun al-Islami, vol. 4, p. 146.

[171] 'Uyun Akhbar al-Rida. Sahifat al-Abrar, vol. 2, p. 396.

[172] Zehr al-Rabi', p. 205.

[173] Al-Islam wa al-Hadara al-'Arabiya, vol. 2, p. 213.

[174] Bara'at al-'Abbasa, p. 53.

[175] Ibn Khaldun, al-Muqaddama, p. 13.

The Execution of Ja‘far

Ja‘far was playing in his palace. He did not know what had been scheming against him. Abu Zekar al-‘Ama was singing him a song:

Do not go away! Death will come to every young man!

This poetry line contains a prediction on a dangerous event. While the singers were singing him this poetry line, Mesrur al-Khadim came into him carrying a weapon and without permission. When Ja‘far saw him, he became afraid and shook all over. Mesrur told him about what he had been ordered to do. So Ja‘far begged him and reminded him of his kindness to him. He asked him to give him a respite until the following morning, that Harun might become calm and pardon him. However, he prevented from responding to him. Then he ordered him to go to the palace of the Caliph to hear his statement and his decision concerning him. So he responded to him and went with him. Mesrur came in to Harun, and he angrily rose. He did not control himself, and his conditions had changed. So Mesrur quickly said to him: “O Commander of the faithful, all things have come to an end, Ja‘far’s head is close to you! ”

So Harun understood the affair and promised to kill him because he was late in executing Ja‘far, saying: “If you came and did not bring me Ja‘far’s head, I would send someone to firstly bring me you head and his head secondly. ”

So Mesrur immediately came out and brought him Ja‘far’s head.

Al-Rashid spent that night without tasting sleep. He impatiently waited for the light of the morning. Before the light of the dawn, he ordered Herthema b. ‘Ayun to carry the corpse of Ja‘far and hand it over to al-Sindi b. Shahik, that he might crucify his head in the middle court of the city of al-Mansur, divide the corpse into two parts and crucify each part at a bridge head in Baghdad. He also ordered him to announce the state of emergency and to command the military forces to be ready to face any popular revolt. In the meantime he ordered him to siege the houses of the Bermekis, to confiscate the movable and immovable properties, to arrest them, and to throw them in dark prisons.

The speech on the Bermekis spread in the east and west of the country. It was the talk among the gatherings. Rather the following generations talked about them. So the hearts of their supporters and their brothers melt. Their opponents and enviers gloated over them. For that high stronghold was destroyed; and the attack of the Bermekis was in vain.

With this point we will end our speech about the disaster of the Bermekis. It indicates that Harun employed violence, severe punishments, and tricks. He severely punished the dearest of all the people to him. From this we can understand that he was very strict toward the ‘Alawid and their followers. For he used all his abilities to exhaust them, to scare them, and to punish them severely. According, Imam Musa faced severe, painful ordeal. That is because Harun was merciless.

With this we will end our talk about the time of the Imam, peace be on him. We have mentioned some important events at that time. As for the talking about all the affairs, it will make the book unduly long.

Chapter XIV

A Group of his Companions and of the Narrators of his Traditions 1

The school of Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, continuously worked and spared no effort to educate human reason, to develop mental renaissance, and to help the Muslims make progress in the fields of civilization and science. It brought up a righteous generation ready for doing good and great efforts. It conveyed its reformative message to the following generations. So thanks to Imam al-Sadiq’s school, the Islamic reason ripened, Islamic sciences, teachings, and rules came into the practical existence in the east and west of the world.

When the Islamic world suffered the loss of demise of Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, Imam Musa, peace be on him, managed the affairs of that great school, which exalted science and hoisted its flag. Since the first day after his father’s death, he became the den and leader of the science board and mental renaissance in his time. The religious scholars came to him, and the thinkers surrounded him. They did not leave him nor did they separate themselves from him, to the extent that they hurried to record all his words and his religious decisions on various events. [1] These scholars reported from him all kinds of science such as wisdom, exegesis of the Holy Qur’an, and all chapters of the science of Islamic jurisprudence; they also narrated from him social rules, excellent commandments, and his urging his followers to be versed in all kinds of science.

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That group of religious scholars and of narrators, whose number was over four thousand people, was not on the same level of trust and justice; among it was a few number of the hypocrites and liars who did not refrain from telling lies and fabricating traditions; they fabricated traditions and ascribed them to the trusted Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, and to his blessed family, that they might take some money from the ruling authorities, which launched war against Islam, spoiled the beliefs of the Muslims, divided them into groups and parties; Every sect rejoicing in what they had with them. Yet there was another group from among the unknown who were not authenticated; there was another group from among the weak; also there was among them a large number of trustworthy and just narrators who refrained from fabrication and were known for truthfulness and honesty. They did their best to precisely do the Islamic precepts and to spread the science of Islamic jurisprudence of Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them. As such group was among the narrators of hadith, the hadith has been divided, according to their viewpoint, into: authentic hadith, good hadith, weak hadith, and trustworthy

hadith.

Any way, many companions of Imam Musa played an important role in writing books and publishing Islamic civilization, to the extent that they filled the Arab and Islamic Library in their time with their valuable writings. This shows that they spared no effort to hoist the flag of knowledge, to set right morals, and to correct the opinions.

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Ahmed b. Khalid has mentioned that the number of the companions of Imam Musa was a hundred and sixty. [2] This is a manifest mistake if he wanted to limit them, for the result of the scrutiny is that most of those who attained the school of Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, continued after his death their studies under Imam Musa al-Kazim. Perhaps, by this number, al-Barqi meant those great figures from among them excluding that inferior to them in the ranks of the science of Islamic jurisprudence, hadith, and knowledge.

We will mention the biographies of some of Imam Musa’s companions and the narrators of his traditions. We have alphabetically ordered them; they are as follows:

1. Aban Bin ‘Uthman

Aban b. ‘Uthman al-Lu’lu’i, known as al-Ahmar al-Bajali, lived in Kufa and Basrah; he narrated (traditions) on the authority of Abu ‘Abd Allah al-Sadiq and his son al-Kazim. Abu Amru al-Kashi has mentioned that the Shi’a have unanimously agreed on the authenticity of the traditions correctly reported from him, and they have acknowledged his ability in the science of Islamic jurisprudence. [3] Among the Basris who studied under him are Abu ‘Ubayda b. Mu’ammar b. al- Muthanna, Abu ‘Abd Allah b. al-Muthanna, Abu ‘Abd Allah Muhammed b. Salam al-Jahmi. He wrote a book in which he has gathered: the beginning (al-mabda’) , the return (al-ma‘ad) , the resurrection, (al-mab‘ath) , the campaigns (al-ma‘gazi) , the shelter (al-saqifa) , and apostasy (al-ridda). [4] Ibn Hayyan has mentioned in (his book) al-Thiqat and said: “He makes mistakes and errs (in narrating traditions). He was given the kunya of Abu ‘Abd Allah. He lived in Basrah and Kufa. He was an author and a genealogist. Abu ‘Ubayda and Muhammed b. Salam al-Jahmi studied under him. ” Al-Tusi has mentioned him (in his book) Rijal al-Shi’a and said that he narrated (traditions) on the authority of Ja’far b. Muhammed and Musa b. Ja‘far. Muhammed b. Abi ‘Umar has said: “Aban was the greatest of the people in memorizing (the Qur’an by heart). ”[5]

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2. Ibrahim Bin Abi al-Bilad

The name of Abu al-Bilad is Yehya b. Saleem; Abu al-Bilad is his kunya. Ibrahim is trustworthy and great with a high position and of great importance. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , al-Kazim, and al-Rida. Imam al-Rida sent him a letter in which he praised and admired him. [6]

3. Ibrahim Bin Abi Bakr

It was said that he was (Ibrahim) b. Abi Sammal. A group of the great figures has certified him. He has been accused of his being a Waqifite. He is known for truthfulness and refraining from lying. He has a book entitled al-Newadir. [7]

4. Ibrahim Bin Shu‘ayb al-‘Aqarqufi[8]

He was a Waqifite. Ibn Wahab and al-Waqidi reported traditions on his authority. Ibn Hayyan has numbered him as among the trustworthy. [9]

5. Ibrahim Bin ‘Abd al-Hameed al-San‘ani[10]

He narrated traditions on the authority of Imam al-Sadiq, Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , and his son al-Rida. He sat in the Mesjid of Kufa and narrated traditions to the people and said: “Abu Ishaq (i. e. , Imam al-Sadiq) has told me.... ” He has been accused of his being a Waqifite. Ibn Shahrashub has certified him. [11] Al-Fedl b. Shadan has said: “He (Ibrahim b. ‘Abd al-Hameed) is good. ”[12]

6. Ibrahim Bin Muhammed al-Ju’di[13]

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) , peace be on him. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi’ite). [14]

7. Ibrahim Bin Muhammed al-Ash‘ary, al-Qummi

He narrated traditions on the authority of Imam Musa, Abi al-Hasan al-Rida. A group of the great figures has certified him. [15]

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8. Ibrahim Bin Nasr Bin al-Qa‘qa‘ al-Ju‘fi

He narrated traditions on the authority of Imam Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , Abi al-Hasan (Musa). Al-Najashi has certified him and said: “He is trustworthy; his traditions are authentic. ” Al-Tusi has mentioned that he has a book. [16]

9. Ibrahim Bin Naeem al-‘Abdi al-Kinani

He is reliable and great. He is among the notables of this sect (i. e. , the Shi’a) and among the great figures from whom Islamic precepts and religious decisions were taken. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , and his son Musa. He died in the year 170 A. H. [17]

10. Ibrahim Bin Yousif al-Kindi, al-Tahhan

He is trustworthy; his traditions are authentic; his prestige is high; he is among the authors; and he has the book entitled al-Nawadir. [18]

A Group of his Companions and of the Narrators of his Traditions 2

11. Ahmed Bin Abi Bishr

He is known as al-Sarrajj. He is a trustworthy Kufan. His traditions are accepted. He has been accused of his being a Waqifite. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He has a book entitled al-Nawadir. [19]

12. Ahmed Bin al-Harith

He is known as al-Anmati. He was a Waqifite. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq). He is among the companions of Abu al-Hasan (Musa). He has a book. [20]

13. Ahmed Bin al-Hasan Bin Isma’il al-Tammar

He was the retainer of the Banu Asad. He has been accused of his being a Waqifite. He is among the companions of Imam al-Kazim. [21] He narrated traditions on the authority of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. Al-Najashi has said: “Any way, he is trustworthy; his traditions are authentic; he is reliable; he has a book entitled al-Nawadir. ”[22]

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14. Ahmed Bin Ziyad

He is known as al-Khazzaz; he is among the companions of Imam Musa; he has been accused of his being a Waqifite. [23]

15. Ahmed Bin ‘Amru Bin Abi Shu‘ba al-Halabi

He narrated traditions on the authority of Imam al-Kazim and al-Rida; and his father reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq). He belonged to a house known for fear of Allah, truthfulness, and following Ahl al-Bayt. [24]

16. Ahmed Bin al-Fedl al-Khaza‘i

He is among the companions of Imam al-Kazim; he has been accused of his being a Waqifite;[25] he has a book. Al-Kashi has narrated that he is among the companions of Musa and of ‘Ali b. Musa.

17. Ahmed Bin Muhammed

He was from Kufa. He is the brother of Kamil b. Muhammed; he is among the companions of Imam Musa. He has a narration concerning the excellence of the visitation to al-Husayn; the narration has been mentioned in (the book) al-Tahdhib. [26]

18. Ahmed Bin Muhammed al-Najashi

He is among the companions of Imam Musa, peace be on him. [27]

19. Ahmed Bin Mukhalad al-Nakhkhas

He is an unknown Imami (Shi’ite). Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa. [28]

20. Ahmed Bin Zayd

He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on him. His narration has been mentioned by the author of (the book) al-Wafi. [29]

21. Usama Bin Hafs

He is trustworthy and just; and he was the representative of Imam Musa, peace be on him. [30]

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22. Asbat Bin Salim

He was the retainer of the Banu ‘Adi. He belonged to Kinda. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on them. He has a book. [31]

23. Ishaq Bin Jareer

He is trustworthy. He is among the men of knowledge. He narrated traditions on the authority of Imam Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , peace be on him. Shaykh al- Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Abi al-Hasan Musa and as a Waqifite. [32]

24. Ishaq Bin ‘Abd Allah Bin Malik al-Ash‘ary, al-Qummi

He is trustworthy and just. He narrated traditions on the authority of Imam Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on them. [33]

25. Ishaq Bin ‘Ammar al-Kufi al-Sayrafi

He was the retainer of the Banu Taghlub. He is among the Shaykhs of the Shi‘a and their authorities. He narrated traditions on the authority of al-Sadiq and al- Kazim. He is other than Ishaq b. ‘Ammar al-Sabati, who was an Afatahi. Some people mixed and made mistake concerning their names. They imagined that they were one person, just as the researcher, our Shaykh al-Mamaqani has mentioned. [34] Some reports contradict his trustworthiness and justice.

It has been reported that Ishaq was sitting with the Imam when one of his followers (Shi’a) came in to him.

The Imam turned to his follower and said to him: “O So-and so, renew your repentance and your acts of worship, for nothing of your life span has remained except one month. ”

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Ishaq said: “I said to my self: ‘How wonderful! It was as if that he told his followers about their fixed terms. ’”

The Imam angrily turned to Ishaq and asked him: “Which of that do you deny? Al-Hajri was unable (to undertake the office of the Imamate) ; nevertheless he had knowledge of death; and the Imam is more appropriate to that than Rashid al-Hajri. Ishaq, two years of your life span has remained. Your people will scatter, and your family will be very poor. ”

Shortly after that, Ishaq died at the time the Imam appointed; his people and his family became poor and miserable. [35]

26. Ishaq Bin ‘Ammar al-Sabati[36]

He lived in Baghdad. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He was an Afatahi. [37]

27. Ishaq Bin Muhammed

He is among the companions of Imam Musa. A group of the great figures has certified him. [38]

28. Isma‘il Bin Abi Sammal

It was said that his name was Isma’il b. Abi al-Sammak. Al-Najashi has said: “He is trustworthy. He is a Waqifite, so I do not rely on his narration. ”[39]

29. Isma‘il Bin al-Hasan

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him, without a description, as among the companions of Imam Musa. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi’ite). [40]

30. Isma‘il Bin ‘Abd al-Khaliq

He was the retainer of the Banu Asad. He was one of the Shi’ite notables and jurists. His family were famous for justice and following Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He has a book. [41]

A Group of his Companions and of the Narrators of his Traditions 3

31. Isma‘il Bin Muhammed al-Manqari[42]

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi’ite). [43]

32. Umayya Bin ‘Amru

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa and said that he is a Waqifite. [44] A group of traditionists has regarded him as weak. [45]

33. Aymen Bin Muhriz

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi’ite). In (the book) Jami‘ al-Ruwat it has been mentioned that he narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) ; Isma’il b. Mahran reported traditions on his authority. [46]

34. Ayyub Bin Ayun al-Kufi

He was the retainer of the Banu Tareef. Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa, peace be on him. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi’ite). [47]

35. Ayyub Bin al-Hurr al-Ju‘fi

He is trustworthy and great. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan Musa. [48] Yehya b. ‘Umran al-Halabi and Abu ‘Abd Allah al-Barqi narrated traditions on his authority. [49] Shaykh al-Tusi has said: “He is trustworthy and has a book. ”[50]

36. Besheer al-Dahhan

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa and added that he reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq). [51]

37. Bakr Bin al-Ash‘ath, Abu Isma’il al-Kufi

He narrated traditions on the authority of Imam Musa. A group of the great figures has certified him. [52]

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38. Bakr Bin Salih al-Razi

He was the retainer of the Banu Daba. He narrated traditions on the authority of Imam Musa. Ibn al-Ghada’iri has said: “He is very weak (in traditions) ; only he has mentioned rare traditions. A group of (the religious) scholars has regarded him as weak. ”[53]

39. Bakr Bin Muhammed Bin Jinah

He is one of the companions of Imam Musa; he has been accused of his being a Waqifite. [54]

40. Bakr Bin Muhammed Bin Na‘eem al-Azdi al-Ghamidi

He is trustworthy and great. He belonged to a noble house in Kufa. Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam (Musa) al-Kazim. He lived for a long time. He has a book. ‘Abd Allah b. Miskan and Ahmed narrated traditions on his authority. [55]

41. Tha‘laba Bin Maymun al-Asadi al-Kufi.

Al-Najashi has said: “He was one of our notable companions, a reader (of the Qur’an) , jurist, linguist, and narrator. His deeds were good; his worship and asceticism were too much. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He has a book over which the narrators have differed. The book has been narrated by a group of people. It was narrated that when Harun (al-Rashid) performed the hajj, he passed by Kufa. [56] When he arrived at the place called the Mesjid of Sammak, Tha‘laba lived in a room on the road. Harun heard him supplicating with an eloquent tongue. He stopped to here his supplication. Then he turned to al-Fedl b. al-Rabi‘ and asked him: “Can you hear what I can hear? ” “Yes,” was the answer. “Our good ones are in Kufa,”[57] retorted Harun. He was nicknamed Abu Ishaq al-Faqeeh. He is regarded as on top of the Shi’ite scholars. Besides he was pious and Allah-fearing. [58] Muhammed b. ‘Abd Allah al-Muzakhraf, ‘Ali b. Asbat, al-Hasan b. ‘Ali al-Khazzaz, and Tareef b. Nash reported traditions on his authority. [59]

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42. Ja‘far Bin Khalaf al-Kufi

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of Imam Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He said that he (Ja‘far b. Khalaf) heard the Imam say: “Blessed is the man who will not die until he sees a successor of his; and Allah has made me see this son of mine as a successor. ” He indicated with his hand to his son al-Rida. [60]

43. Ja‘far Bin Sulayman

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him, without a description to a Kunya or a nickname, as among the companions of the Imam. Al-Ardabili has numbered him as among those who narrated traditions on the authority of Imam Musa. [61]

44. Ja‘far Bin Samma‘ah

Shaykh al-Tusi has one time numbered him as among the companions of al-Sadiq, second time numbered him as among the companions of al-Kazim, and added that he is a Waqifite. [62]

45. Ja‘far Bin Muhammed Bin Hakim al-Khath‘ami

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam al-Kazim. [63]

46. Jameel Bin Darrajj Bin ‘Abd Allah al-Nakha‘i al-Kufi

He is among the companions of Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, and of his son Abi al-Hasan Musa. He is trustworthy and great. He is among the great religious scholars. He is one of the six (narrators) ; they (the Shi’a) have unanimously agreed on the authenticity of the traditions correctly reported from him. He reported many traditions. Many narrators reported traditions on his authority such as al-Hasan b. Mahbub, Salih b. ‘Aqaba, Abu Malik al-Hadrami, and the like. He wrote some books; he and Murazim b. Hakim wrote a book. He has a source he wrote by himself. He died during the days of al-Rida, peace be on him. [64]

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47. Jameel Bin Salih al-Asadi al-Kufi

He is trustworthy and great. He is among the companions of Imam al-Sadiq and of his son Abi al-Hasan. He has a source. A group of narrators reported traditions from him; among them are: ‘Ammar b. Musa al-Sabati, and others. [65]

48. Jundub Bin Ayyub

In His Rijal, Shaykh Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam (Musa) al-Kazim, peace be on him, and said that he is a Waqifite. And so al- ‘Allama (al-Hilli) has said. [66]

49. Jahm Bin Abi Juhaym

He is trustworthy, of great importance, and with a high position. He narrated traditions on the authority of Imam Musa, peace be on him. He has a source. [67]

50. Juhaym Bin Ja‘far Bin Jayyan

In His Rijal, Shaykh Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of the Imam, and said that he is a Waqifite. [68]

51. Habeeb Bin al-Mu‘alil al-Khath’ami al-Medaini

He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). Al-Najashi has said: “He is trustworthy; his traditions are authentic. ” So al-Kashi has said and added that he has a book. [69]

52. Hadeed Bin al-Hakeem, Abu ‘Ali al-Azdi al-Meda’ini

Al-Najashi has said: “He is reliable and notable; he is a theologian. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He has a book. ”[70] A group of the eminent men has certified him. [71]

53. Hudhayfa Bin Mansur, Bayya‘ al-Sabiri

Al-Najashi has said: “He is reliable. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi Ja‘far, Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He has a book narrated by numerous of our friends. ” Al-Shaykh al-Mufeed has regarded him as trustworthy, but Ibn al-Ghada’iri has criticized him and said that his traditions are not pure, that he has narrated correct and incorrect traditions, that his affair is confused, and that it has been reported from him that he was a governor with the Umayyads. [72]

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54. Hassan Bin Mahran al-Jammal

He was the retainer of the Banu Kahil; he belonged to the Banu Asad. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He is trustworthy; his traditions are more authentic than those of Saffwan. He has a book. [73]

55. Al-Hasan Bin Abi al-‘Arandas al-Kufi

He was from Kinda. Shaykh al-Tusi has sometimes numbered him as one of the companions of Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, and sometimes numbered him as among the companions of al-Kazim. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi’ite). [74]

56. Al-Hasan Bin Basheer

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of Imam Musa, peace be on him, and added that he is unknown. [75]

57. Al-Hasan Bin Ayyub

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of Imam al-Kazim, peace be on him, and that he has a book. [76] Apparently, he is an Imami (Shi’ite). We have found none has praised him. [77]

58. Al-Hasan Bin al-Jahm Bin Bukayr, Abu Muhammed al-Shaybani

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of Imam Musa (al-Kazim) , peace be on him. He has regarded him as reliable. Al-Najashi has said: “He is trustworthy. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan Musa and his son al-Rida. He has a book. ”[78]

59. Al-Hasan Bin Rashid

He was the retainer of the Banu al-‘Abbas. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He is weak in his narration. Al-Barqi has mentioned that he was the minister of al-Mehdi, Musa al-Hadi, and Harun. [79]

60. Al-Hasan Bin Sadafa al-Meda’ini

Ibn ‘Uqda has said: “He (al-Hasan b. Sadafa) and his brother Musadaq reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) ; they are trustworthy. ”[80]

A Group of his Companions and of the Narrators of his Traditions 4

61. Al-Hasan Bin ‘Abd Allah

He was the most religious of the men of his time. The authorities feared him because he was brave and Allah-fearing. Imam Musa guided him (to the true Islam). We have mentioned that in the first part of the book.

62. Al-Hasan Bin ‘Ali Bin Yaqteen Bin Musa

He was the retainer of the Banu Hashim; and it was said that he was the retainer of the Banu Asad. He is reliable; he is a jurist and theologian. He reported traditions on the authority of Imam Musa, peace be on him, and his son al-Rida. He has a book; and he has called the book Masa’il Abi al-Hasan Musa (Questions were put forth before Abi al-Hasan). [81]

63. Al-Hasan Bin ‘Ali Bin Faddal Bin ‘Amru Bin Anees al-Temimi

He was their (the Imams’) retainer. He narrated traditions on the authority of Imam Musa, peace be on him, Imam ‘Ali b. Musa, peace be on him, Ibrahim b. Muhammed al-Ash‘ary, Muhammed b. ‘Abd Allah b. Zarara, ‘Ali b. Aqaba, and the like. Al-Fedl b. Shadan reported traditions on his authority and very much praised his asceticism and worship. He was an author. He wrote some books of which are: Kitab al-Ziyarat (a Book on Visitations) , Kitab al-Bisharat (a Book on Good News) , Kitab al-Nawadir (a Book on Miscellaneous Traditions) , Kitab al-Radd ‘ala al-Ghalia (a Book of Answers to the Excessive) , Kitab al-Nasikh wa al-Mansukh (a Book on the abrogating and the abrogated Verses in the Qur’an) , Kitab al-Tafseer (A Book on the Exegesis of the Qur’an) , and Kitab al-Ibtida’ wa al-Mubtada’ (a Book on the Beginning and Inchoative). He died in the year 224 A. H. [82]

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64. Al-Hasan Bin Amir Bin Sulayman

Ibn Dawud has said that he is among the companions of al-Sadiq and al-Kazim, peace be on them. [83]

65. Al-Hasan Bin Mahbub al-Sarrad

He was the retainer of Bujayla; he was a reliable Kufan. Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa. He reported traditions on the authority of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. He narrated traditions on the authority of sixty men from among the companions of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq). He had a great position. He is regarded as among the great figures of his time. He wrote many books of which are the following: Kitab al-Hudud (a Book on the Prescribed Punishments) , Kitab al-Diyat (a Book on Blood Money) , Kitab al-Fara’id (a Book on the Religious Duties) , Kitab al-Nawadir (a Book on Miscellaneous Traditions) , which has a thousand pages, and Kitab al-Tafseer (A Book on the Exegesis of the Qur’an). [84]

66. Al-Hasan Bin Muhammed Bin Samma‘ah al-Kindi al-Sayrafi

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam (Musa) al-Kazim. He has said: “He (al-Hasan b. Muhammed) is a Waqifite in creed but he is good in writing, pure in jurisprudence, good in criticism. He wrote thirty books of which are: Kitab al-Salah (a Book on the Ritual Prayers) , Kitab al-Sawm (a Book on Fasting) , Kitab Wafat Abi ‘Abd Allah al-Sadiq (a Book on the Death of Abi ‘Abd Allah al-Sadiq) , Kitab al-Zuhd (a Book on Asceticism) , Kitab al- Bisharat (a Book on Good News) , and the like. He died in Jamadi al-Ula, in the year 263 A. H. The prayer over him was performed by Ibrahim b. Muhammed al- ‘Alawi. [85]

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67. Al-Husayn Bin Ibrahim Bin Musa

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) , peace be on him. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi’ite). [86]

68. Al-Husayn Bin Rashid

He was the retainer of the Banu al-‘Abbas. He was from Baghdad. Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) , peace be on him. Apparently, he is an Imami (Shi’ite). [87]

69. Al-Husayn Bin Bashshar al-Meda’ini

He was the retainer of Ziyad. He is reliable; his traditions are authentic. He narrated traditions on the authority of Imam al-Kazim, peace be on him. He has been accused of his being a Waqifite. Al-Kashi has said: “He withdrew from that (the creed of the Waqifites) and believed in the true (creed). I rely on what he has narrated due to the witness of the two Shaykhs for him. ”[88] Shaykh al-Tusi and al-‘Allama (al-Hilli) have regarded him as trustworthy. [89]

70. Al-Husayn Bin al-Jahm Bin Bukayr Bin A‘yun

‘Allama (al-Hilli) has mentioned him in the first part of (his book) al-Khulasa and said that he is among the companions of Imam al-Kazim and that he is reliable. [90]

71. Al-Husayn Bin Khalid al-Sayrafi

He is among the companions of Imam al-Kazim and al-Rida; he reported traditions from them both. [91]

72. Al-Husayn Bin Zayd Bin ‘Ali Bin al-Husayn

He was given the nickname of Dhi al-Dam‘a (the possessor of the tear). Imam al-Sadiq adopted him, brought him up, and married him to the daughter of al-Arqat. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). [92] The traditionists have said: “He (al-Husayn b. Zayd) grew up under the care of Imam al-Sadiq since his father was killed. He took abundant knowledge from him. He sat with no body, and no body came in to him except those whom he trusted. He was given the nickname of Dhi al-Dam’a (the possessor of the tear) due to his too much crying. His wife asked him: ‘Why have you wept too much? ’ ‘Have the two arrows and the fire left me delight to prevent me from crying? ’ he asked in turn. By the two arrows, he meant the two arrows with which his father Zayd and his brother Yehya were killed; by the fire, he meant the fire in which his father Zayd was burnt. He died in the year 140 A. H. ; it was said that he died in the year 135 A. H. at the age of 76 years. ”[93]

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73. Al-Husayn Bin Sadaqa

He is among the companions of the Imam (Musa) ; a group of the great figures has regarded him as trustworthy. [94]

74. Al-Husayn Bin ‘Uthman Bin Shurayk Bin Adi al-Amiri al-Wahidi al-Kufi.

Al-Najashi has said: “He is reliable. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He has a book. ”[95]

75. Al-Husayn Bin al-Qasim al-‘Abbasi

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) , peace be on him. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi’ite). [96]

76. Al-Husayn Bin Qiyama

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) , peace be on him, and said that he is a Waqifite. And so have al-‘Allama (al- Hilli) and Bin Dawud said. Al-Kulayni has mentioned his talk with Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. The talk indicates that he is dispraised and has ill intention. [97]

77. Al-Husayn Bin Kaysan

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) , peace be on him, and said that he is a Waqifite. And so have al-‘Allama (al- Hilli) and Bin Dawud said. [98]

78. Al-Husayn Bin Muhammed Bin al-Fedl al-Hashimi

He is reliable and great. He was among the Hashimite Shaykhs. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He wrote a book and called it Majalis al-Rida ma’a Ahl al-Adyan (The Debates of al-Rida with the People of the Religions). [99] Al-Shaykh al-Mufeed has said: “Al-Husayn b. Muhammed was among the special group of al-Kazim, among those who he trusted, among the men of piety, knowledge, virtue from among his followers. ”[100]

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79. Al-Husayn Bin al-Mukhtar al-Qalanisi, al-Kufi

He is a Waqifite. Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of Imam (Musa) al-Kazim, peace be on him, and said that he has a book. Ibn ‘Uqda has said: “He is trustworthy. ” Al-Shaykh al-Mufeed has praised him and placed him among the vanguard of the companions of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. [101]

80. Al-Husayn Bin Musa

He is among the companions of the Imam (Musa) ; and he was a Waqifite. [102]

81. Al-Husayn Bin Mahran al-Sukuni

He narrated traditions on the authority of Imam Musa and Imam al-Rida. He was a Waqifite. He has (a book of) questions. [103] Al-‘Allama (al-Hilli) has said: “He is weak in certitude. He has a book on Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him. I do not depend on his narration. ”[104]

82. Al-Husayn Bin Makhariq

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of Imam (Musa) al-Kazim, peace be on him, and accused him of his being a Waqifite. Ibn al- Ghada’iri has said: “He is weak. ” It was reported from b. ‘Uqda that al-Husayn b. Makhariq fabricated traditions and that he was a Zaydi. [105]

83. Hafs Bin al-Bakhtary al-Baghdadi

He is reliable. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on them. [106]

84. Hafs Bin Sulayman

Shaykh al-Tusi has, without nickname nor kunya, numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa). Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi’ite). [107]

85. Hafs Bin Sawaqa al-‘Umari

He was the retainer of ‘Amru b. Hurayth al-Makhzumi. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be 

on them. He is trustworthy; and he has a source. [108]

86. Hafs Bin Gayyath al-Nakha’i al-Kufi

Harun (al-Rashid) appointed him as a judge in the Eastern Baghdad, and then he assumed the judgeship in Kufa. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He has a book. He died in Kufa in the year 194 A. H. [109] The traditionists have differed over certifying and criticizing him. [110]

87. Al-Hakam Bin Ayun al-Hannat

He was the retainer of Quraysh. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He has a book. [111]

88. Hammad Bin ‘Uthman Bin ‘Amru Bin Khalid al-Fazari, al-Kufi

He lived in ‘Arzam and he has been attributed to it. He is trustworthy. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , (Musa) al-Kazim, and al-Rida. He died in Kufa in the year 190 A. H. [112]

89. Hammad Bin ‘Uthman Bin Ziyad al-Rawasi

He was given the nickname of al-Nab. He is trustworthy and has a great position. The Shi‘a have unanimously agreed on the authenticity of the traditions correctly reported from him, and they have acknowledged his ability in the science of Islamic jurisprudence. He has a book. He reported traditions on the authority of Imam Musa and his son al-Rida. He died in the year 190 A. H. [113]

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90. Hammad Bin ‘Isa al-Juhni al-Basri

Al-Kashi has said: “The Shi‘a have unanimously agreed on the authenticity of the traditions correctly reported from him, and they have acknowledged his ability in the science of Islamic jurisprudence. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , Abi al-Hasan (Musa al-Kazim) , and al-Rida. He took care of reporting traditions. He was an author. He had some books of which are: Kitab al-Nawadr (a Book on Miscellaneous Traditions) , Kitab al-salah (a Book on the Ritual prayers) , Kitab al-Zekat (a Book on Alms). He visited Imam al-Kazim, peace be on him, and said to him: “May I be your ransom, invoke Allah for me to provide me with a house, a wife, a servant, and performing the hajj. ” The Imam invoked Allah for him to provide him with that and with letting him perform the hajj fifty times. So Allah provided him with that all. He performed the hajj fifty times. When he concluded the fiftieth time, he came to a valley to wash (his body) , and suddenly a violent flood came and he drowned in it; that was in the year 209 A. H. [114]

A Group of his Companions and of the Narrators of his Traditions 5

91. Hammad Bin al-Mu‘afa al-Subayhi

He reported traditions on the authority of Imam Musa, and His son al-Rida. Mas‘ada b. Sadaqa narrated traditions from him. He has the book Sharai‘ al-Iman (a Book on the Laws of Faith) , and the book al-Ihliljah (a Book on Myrobalans). He died in the year 255 A. H. That was when the followers of al-‘Alawi conquered Qaseen. [115]

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92. Hamza Bin al-Yasa‘ al-As‘ari al-Qumi

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of Imam Abi al-Hasan Musa. [116]

93. Hameed Bin al-Muthana al-‘Ijli, Abu al-Mu‘iz al-Kufi

He is trustworthy. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He has a book. [117]

94. Hanan Bin Sudayr al-Sayrafi, al-Kufi

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He has a book on the attributes of the Garden and the Fire. [118]

95. Khalid Bin Bukhayh al-Jawan

He was a Kufan retainer; he was given the kunya of Abu ‘Abd Allah. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). [119] Al-Kashi has said: “Khalid was the servant of Abi al-Hasan Musa. It was he who narrated from him what was about the affair of his son al-Rida, peace be on him. He said concerning him: ‘My covenant is to my son Ali, the eldest of my sons, the best of them, and the most meritorious of them. ’”[120]

96. Khalid Bin Ziyad al-Qalanisi

He is trustworthy. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). [121]

97. Khalid Bin Sa‘eed al-Qammat

In his (book) al-Rijal, Chapter on Kunyas, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of Imam (Musa) al-Kazim. Al-Najashi has regarded him as reliable and said: “He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah al-Sadiq, peace be on him. He has a book. ”[122]

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98. Khalid Bin Ramad al-Qalanisi al-Kufi

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on them. He was a retainer. He is a reliable. He has a book. [123]

99. Khalid Bin Yazid Bin Jabal

He is a reliable Kufan. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He has a book narrated by Yehya b. Zakariya al-Lu’lu’i. [124]

100. Khuzayma Bin Yaqteen

He is the brother of Ali b. Yaqteen. In his (book) al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) , peace be on him. Apparently, he is an Imami (Shi’ite). [125]

101. Khalaf Bin Hammad Bin Yasir Bin al-Musayyab

He is a trustworthy Kufan. He heard from Imam Musa, peace be on him. He has a book narrated by a group of whom is al-Husayn b. Abi al-Khattab. [126] Ibn al- Ghada’iri has said: “His affair is confused; his tradition is sometimes known and sometimes denied; it is permissible to use it as a witness. ”[127]

102. Khalaf Bin Hammad al-Kufi

He was an Imami (Shi’ite) ; his condition is good. He is one of the companions of Imam al-Kazim and reported traditions from him. [128]

103. Khalaf Bin Khalaf

In his (book) al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) , peace be on him, and said that he is unknown. And so has said al-‘Allama (al-Hilli) in (his book) al-Khulasa. [129]

104. Khalaf Bin Salama al-Basri

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) al-Kazim and al-Rida, peace be on them. Apparently, he is an Imami (Shi‘ite). We have found none who has praised him. [130]

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105. Dawud Bin Abi Yazid al-Kufi al-‘Attar

He was a trustworthy retainer. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He has a book. [131]

106. Dawud Bin Abi al-Husayn al-Asadi, al-Kufi

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). Shaykh al-Tusi has said: “He is a Waqifite. ” And so has said Ibn ‘Uqda. Al-Najashi has regarded him as reliable. He has a book. [132]

107. Dawud Bin Zurbi al-Khandafi, al-Bandar

Al-Najashi has regarded him as reliable. Al-Shaykh al-Mufeed has said in his book al-Irshad: “He was among the special group of Abu al-Hasan and those whom he trusted, among the men of piety, knowledge, and jurisprudence, and among those who narrated the textual nomination for the Imamate of Abi al-Hasan al-Rida, peace be on him. He brought some money to Imam Musa, peace be on him. He took some of it and left some of it. So Dawud asked him: ‘Why do you not take the rest? ’ He, peace be on him, answered him: ‘The one who will be in charge of this authority will ask you for it. ’ When Imam Musa, peace be on him, died, Imam al-Rida asked Dawud for the rest of the money. Dawud b. Zurbi was a close associate of Harun (al-Rashid). He has a book. [133]

108. Dawud Bin Sarhan al-‘Attar, al-Kufi

He is trustworthy. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He has a book. [134]

109. Dawud Bin Sulayman

Al-Shaykh al-Mufeed has numbered him among the special group of Abu al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him, and those whom he trusted, among the men of piety, knowledge, and jurisprudence, and among those who narrated the textual nomination from Imam Musa for the Imamate of his son al-Rida. He said to him: “I asked your father-i. e. , Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him-about who would be after him? He told me that you would be after him. When Abu ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) died, the people went to the right and to the left, while I and my companions followed you; therefore, tell me: who will be after you? ” He, peace be on him, said to him: “My son so-and-so (i. e. , al-Rida). ” Al-Shaykh al-Tusi has mentioned his biography in (his book) al-Fihrast and said that he has a source. [135]

110. Dawud Bin ‘Ali al-Ya‘qubi al-Hashimi

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan (Musa) ; and it was said that he narrated traditions on the authority of al-Rida, peace be on him. He has a book. [136]

A Group of his Companions and of the Narrators of his Traditions 6

111. Dawud Bin Farqad

He was the retainer of the Banu al-Sammak al-Asadi. He was a reliable Kufan. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al- Hasan (Musa). He has a book. [137]

112. Dawud Bin Kuthayr

He was the retainer of the Banu Asad. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , and al-Rida. He has a book on al-Ihliljah (Myrobalans). The traditionists have differed over certifying him. Ibn al-Ghada’iri has decided his weakness. He has said: ” He is corrupt in creed and weak in narration. None pays attention to him. ” Al-Najashi has agreed with him on that and added that the excessive narrate traditions on his authority. Dawud b. Kuthayr has been regarded as reliable by the two Shaykhs, Ibn Faddal, al-Saduq, Ibn Tawus, and the like. He died shortly after the death of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. [138]

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113. Dawud Bin al-Nu‘man

He was the retainer of the Banu Hashim. He is the brother of ‘Ali b. al-Nu‘man. He reported traditions on the authority of Imam Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him. He has a book. [139]

114. Durust Bin Abi Mansur al-Wasiti

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on him. He has a book narrated by a group of which is Sa‘ad b. Muhammed al-Tatiri. [140] He was a Waqifite. [141]

115. Dhurayh Bin Muhammed Bin Yazid, Abu al-Waleed al-Maharibi

He was an Arab from the Banu Muharib from the Banu Khusfa. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan. Ibn ‘Uqda and Ibn Nuh have mentioned him. He has a book. [142] Al-Shaykh al-Tusi,[143] al-‘Allama (al-Hilli) ,[144] and the like have regarded him as reliable.

116. Rib‘i Bin ‘Abd Allah Bin al-Jarud Bin Abi Sibra al-Hadhali

His kunya was Abu Na‘eem. He was from Basrah. He is trustworthy. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on him. He made friends with al-Fudayl b. Yasar and took too much knowledge from him. He was a close associate of him. [145] Shaykh al- Tusi has said: “He has a source. ”[146]

117. Rifa‘a Bin Musa al-Asadi al-Nahhas

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on him. He is reliable in his traditions; his narration is trustworthy; none has criticized him; his way is good. He has a classified book on the religious duties (al-fara’id). [147] Al-‘Allama (al-Hilli) has mentioned him in the first part of (his book) al-Khulasa. He has been regarded as reliable in (the books) al-Wajiza, Mushtarakat al-Kazimi, al-Hawi, and the like. [148]

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118. Rumi Bin Zarara Bin A‘yun al-Shaybani

He was their (the Imams’) retainer. He was a Kufan. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He is trustworthy and narrated few traditions. [149] He has a book narrated by b. ‘Ayyash. He has been regarded as reliable in (the books) al-Wajiza, al-Bulgha, and al- Hawi. [150]

119. Rehem al-Ansari

He is among the companions of Imam Musa, peace be on him, just as Shaykh ‘Inayat Allah has mentioned him,[151] and numbered him in (his book) al-Hawi of the section of the weak.

120. Zar‘a Bin Muhammed al-Hadrami

He is reliable. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He accompanied Samma‘ah and (reported) many (traditions) from him. He has a book narrated by a group (of narrators). [152] Shaykh al-Tusi has said: “He is a Waqifite in faith. ”[153]

121. Zakariya Bin Idris al-Qummi

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) and al-Rida, peace be on him. He was a notable in Imam al-Rida’s sight. He has a book. [154]

122. Zakariya Bin ‘Abd al-Samad al-Qummi

His kunya was Abu Jareer. He is reliable and among the companions of Imam al-Kazim and al-Rida. [155]

123. Zakariya Bin ‘Abd Allah al-Fayyad

His kunya was Abu Yehya. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). Ibn Nuh has said: “He reported traditions on the authority of Abi Ja‘far. He has a book reported from him by a group (of narrators). ”[156]

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124. Zakariya Bin ‘Umran

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on him, in the Chapter on Time (Waqt). His narration has been mentioned in (the book) al-Istibsar. [157]

125. Zakariya Bin Muhammed, Abu ‘Abd Allah al-Mu’min

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on them. He met al-Rida in al-Mesjid al-Haram (the Holy Mosque in Mecca). (The traditionists) have reported from him something indicating that he is a Waqifite. He is confused in his traditions. He has a book (entitled) Muntahal al-Hadith (Plagiarized Traditions). [158] His weakness has been mentioned in (the books) al-Wajiza and al-Hawi. Ibn al-Nadeem has mentioned him in (his book) al-Fihrast as among the Shi‘ite jurists.

126. Ziyad Bin Abi Salam

He was an ‘Abasid governor. He visited Imam Musa, peace be on him. The Imam turned to him and asked him:

-Do you work for the Sultan?

-Yes, I am a generous man; I have a family and there is nothing behind my back (i. e. , none helps me).

-Ziyad, if I fell off a high mountain and was cut into pieces is more lovable to me than assuming a work for one of them or walking on the carpet of one of them, except for relieving the worry of a believer or setting him free or repaying his debt. Ziyad, the easiest thing with which Allah punishes them is that He encompasses them with curtains of fire until He has finished reckoning creatures. Ziyad, if you assume any of their work, then be kind to your brothers; therefore, a work for a work; and Allah is behind that. Ziyad, if one assumes a work for them and makes you and them equal, then say to him: You are a personator and liar! Ziyad, if you remember your power over the people, then remember the power of Allah, the Great and almighty, over you tomorrow; what you have brought to them from them runs out; and what you have brought to them against you remains. [159]

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127. Ziyad Bin al-Hasan

In his (book) al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa). Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi’ite). [160]

128. Ziyad Bin Sulayman al-Balakhi

In his (book) al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa). Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi‘ite). [161]

129. Ziyad Bin Merwan al-Qandi al-Anbari

His Kunya was Abu al-Fedl. He was the retainer of the Banu Hashim. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on them. He became a Waqifite to al-Rida. He has a book. In his book al-Irshad, Shaykh al-Mufeed has numbered him as among the men of piety, knowledge, and the science of Islamic jurisprudence, and among those who narrated the textual designation for the Imamate of Ali b. Musa al-Rida, peace be on him. It was said that the reason for accusing him of following the creed of the Waqifites was that Imam Musa, peace be on him, entrusted seventy thousand dinars to him. When the Imam died, he denied them and adopted the faith of the Waqifites. [162]

130. Ziyad Bin al-Haythem al-Washsha’

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) al-Kazim. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi‘ite). [163]

131. Zayd Bin Musa al-Ju‘fi al-Kufi

He is one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) al-Kazim, peace be on him. He is a Waqifite. [164]

132. Zayd al-Narsi

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on them. He has a book narrated by a group of narrators. [165]

133. Zayd Bin Yunus

It was said that his name was Zayd b. Musa, Abu Usama al-Shahham. He was the retainer of Shaddeed b. ‘Abd al-Rahman b. Na‘eem al-Azdi al-Ghamidi. He was from Kufa. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on them. He has a book narrated by a group of narrators. [166]

134. Salim Bin Mukarram Bin ‘Abd Allah

His kunya was Abu Khadija and it is said that his kunya is Abu Salama al-Kanasi. He was the retainer of the Banu Asad. It was said that Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, gave him the kunya of Abu Salama. He is reliable. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on them. He has a book narrated by a group of narrators. Al-Shaykh al-Tusi has said: “He is very weak. It was said that he was among the companions of Abi 

al-Khattab and repented after that. ”[167]

135. Sa‘d Bin Abi Khalaf

He is known as al-Zam. He was the retainer of the Banu Zahra b. Kilab. He was a Kufan. He is reliable. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on them. He has a book narrated by a group of narrators of whom is Ibn Abi ‘Umayr. [168] Ibn Dawud has numbered him in the first part of his narrators. He has been regarded as reliable in (the books): al-Wajiza, al-Bulgha, and al-Hawi.

136. Sa‘d Bin Abi ‘Umran al-Ansari

He was a Waqifite. He is among the companions of Imam Musa, peace be on him. [169] He is weak. [170]

137. Sa‘d Bin Khalaf

In his Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa, peace be on him, and said that he is a Waqifite. Al-‘Allama (al-Hilli) has mentioned him in the second part of (his book) al-Khulasa. [171]

138. Sa‘d Bin Sa‘eed al-Balakhi

In his Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of Imam (Musa) al-Kazim. Apparently, he is an Imami (Shi‘ite). [172]

139. Sa‘d Bin ‘Umran al-Qummi

In his Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of Imam (Musa) al-Kazim. Apparently, he is an Imami (Shi‘ite). [173]

140. Sa‘dan Bin Muslim

It was said that his name was ‘Abd al-Rahman b. Muslim, Abu al-Hasan al-Amiri. He was the retainer of Abi al-Ala‘. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan. He lived for a long time. He has a book. [174]

A Group of his Companions and of the Narrators of his Traditions 7

141. Sa‘eed Bin Abi al-Jahm al-Qabusi al-Lakhmi, al-Kufi

He is trustworthy in his traditions. He was a notable in Kufa. Abi Jahm had a big family in Kufa. He reported many traditions of the authority of Aban b. Taghlub.

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan. He has a book on different kinds of jurisprudence, matters, and laws. [175]

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142. Sa‘eed Bin Jinah

He was originally from Kufa but he grew up and died in Baghdad. He was the retainer of al-Azd; and it was said that he was the retainer of Juhayna and of his brother Abu Amir. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan and al-Rida. [176] He has a book on the attributes of the Garden and the Fire (Fi Sifat al-Janna wa al-Naar) , yet he has another book titled Qabd Ruh al-Mu’min wa al-Kafir, Death of the Believer and the Unbeliever. Ibn Dawud has numbered him in the first part. He has been regarded as trustworthy in (the books) al-Wajiza and al-Bulgha. [177]

143. Sa‘eed Bin Yasar al-Dab‘i

He was the retainer of the Banu of Dab‘a b. ‘Ijil. He was a Kufan. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan. He is reliable. He has a book narrated by many of our companions of whom is Muhammed b. Abi Hamza. [178]

144. Salama Bin Hanan

It was said that his name was Salama b. Hayyan, just as it has been mentioned by al-Shaheed al-Thany. He was a Waqifite. Al-‘Allama (al-Hilli) has mentioned him in the second part of (his book) al-Khulasa and said that his narration is untrustworthy and unreliable. [179]

145. Salama Bin Muhammed al-Kufi

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan. He has a book. [180] Al-Fadil al-Majlisi has mentioned him in (his book) al-Wajiza, al-Bahrani has mentioned him in (his book) al-Bulgha.

146. Saleem al-Farra’ al-Kufi

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He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan, peace be on them. He is reliable. He has a book narrated by a group of narrators of whom is Muhammed b. Abi Umayr. [181]

147. Saleem Mawla ‘Ali Bin Yaqteen

He reported traditions on the authority of Imam Musa, and Ibn ‘Umayr narrated traditions on his authority. [182]

148. Sulayman Bin Abi Zayd

In his Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of Imam al-Kazim, peace be on him. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi‘ite). [183]

149. Sulayman Bin Abi Zina

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him, and Saffwan Ibn Yehya narrated traditions on his authority. [184]

150. Sulayman Bin Khalid al-Khattab

In his Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam, peace be on him. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi‘ite). [185]

151. Sulayman Bin Rib‘i Bin ‘Abd Allah al-Hamadani

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam, peace be on him. [186]

152. Sulayman al-Mu’min

In his Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam, peace be on him. He has neither praised him nor has he dispraised him. [187]

153. Samma‘ah Bin Mahran Bin ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Hadrami

He was the retainer of ‘Abd b. Waiyil b. Hajar al-Hadrami. His kunya was Abu Nashira; and it was said that it was Abu Muhammed. He sold silk and sent it to Harran. He lived at Kinda, a district of Kufa. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on them. He has a Mesjid in Kufa. He has a book narrated from him by a group of narrators. He died in Medina. [188]

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154. Sanan Bin Turayf al-Thawri

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam, peace be on him. Abu Hanifa, the driver of the hajjis, reported traditions on his authority. [189]

155. Sindi Bin al-Rabi‘ al-Baghdadi

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him. He has a book narrated by Saffwan b. Yehya and other than him. [190]

156. Sehl Bin al-Yasa‘ Bin ‘Abd Allah Bin Sa‘d al-Ash‘ari

He was from Qum. He is reliable. He reported traditions on the authority of Imam Musa and al-Rida, peace be on them. He has a book. [191]

157. Sayyaba Bin Najiya al-Medani

In his Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam, peace be on him, and said that he has a book. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi‘ite). [192]

158. Sayf Bin ‘Umayra al-Nakha‘i

He is a reliable Arab Kufan. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan, peace be on them. He has a book narrated by groups of our companions. [193] Al-Shaheed has said: “Perhaps, Sayf is weak, but the right is that he is trustworthy. ”[194] Ibn al-Nadeem has numbered him as among the Shi‘ite jurists. [195]

159. Shu‘ayb Bin Ya‘qub al-‘Aqarqufi

He was the nephew of Abi Basir Yehya b. al-Qasim. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). He is reliable. He has a book narrated by Hammad b. ‘Isa and other than him. [196] Ya‘qub visited Imam Musa, peace be on him. When he had the honor of standing before him, he said to him: “Ya‘qub, you came yesterday, and evil took place between you and your brother in the place so-and-so, to the extent that you cursed each other; this is not my religion, nor is the religion of my forefathers; we do not order any of the people to do this; therefore, fear Allah, the One, without a partner with Him as if that you would separate through death. As for your brother, he will die during his journey before he reaches his homeland; and you will repent of that which had issued from you; that is because you have turned away from each other, so Allah has decreased your life spans. ”[197] He has been regarded as reliable in (the books) al-Wajiza, al-Bulgha, and al-Hawi.

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160. Salih Bin Khalid al-Muhamili, Abu Shayb al-Kanasi

He was the retainer of Ali b. al-Hakam b. al-Zubayr. He reported traditions on the authority of Imam al-Kazim, peace be on him. He has a book narrated by a group of which is ‘Abbas b. Ma‘ruf. Al-Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as reliable in his Rijal, Chapter on Kunyas. [198] He has been regarded trustworthy in (the books) al-Wajiza and al-Bulgha.

161. Salih Bin Sa‘eed al-Ahwal

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of Imam Musa, and added that he is an unknown. [199]

162. Sabah Bin Musa al-Sabati

He is trustworthy. He reported (traditions) on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan, peace be on them. [200]

163. Saffwan Bin Mahran Bin al-Mughira al-Asadi al-Kufi

He is reliable. He reported (traditions) on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah, peace be on him. [201] He came in to Imam Musa, peace be on him, and he said to him:

-Saffwan, everything (issues) from you is good and beautiful except one thing.

-May I be your ransom, what is it?

-Your hiring out your camels to the man-i. e. , Harun al-Rashid.

-By Allah I have not hired them out to him out of joy nor out of ingratitude nor for hunting nor for amusement, but I have hired them out to him (for building) this road-the road to Mecca. I do not undertake them by myself; rather I send my servants with them.

-Do you receive your wages from them?

-Yes, may I be your ransom.

-Would you like them to remain till you receive your wages?

-Yes.

-Therefore, whoever loves their remaining, he is of them; whoever is of them, he enters the fire.

Immediately, Saffwan arose and went to sell his camels. He sold them and turned away from his job. Harun al-Rashid heard of that and sent for him. When he was in his presence, he angrily said to him:

-Saffwan, I have heard that you have sold your camels!

-Yes!

-Why?

-I am an old man; and the servants are not loyal to work.

-How far! How far! I know him who advised you to do that; Musa b. Ja‘far advised you!

-I have no relationship with Musa b. Ja‘far!

-Leave this! By Allah, were it not for your good friendship, I would kill you! [202]

This conversation indicates that Saffwan had good faith and beliefs. He has been regarded as trustworthy in (the books) al-Wajiza and al-Bulgha.

164. Saffwan Bin Yehya Abu Muhammed, Bayya‘ al-Sabiry

He was a reliable Kufan. Al-Shaykh al-Tusi has said: “He is the most reliable of the people of his time in the sight of the traditionists and other than them. He prayed a hundred and fifty ruk’as every day, fasted for three months every year, and took out the zekat due on his money three times a year. The reason for that is that he, ‘Abd Allah b. Jundub, and Ali b. al-Nu‘man made a covenant in the Sacred House of Allah (the Kaaba) ; the covenant stipulated that if one of them died, the rest should pay zekat, perform prayers and the hajj on his behalf. His two friends died, and Saffwan remained alone, so he fulfilled his covenant with them. He divided all the good deeds he performed into three parts: One part was for him; and two parts were for his two friends. He was among the careful, worshipful ascetics. While he was traveling to Kufa, a person asked him to take some dinars to his family there, and he said to him: “My camels have been hired out; therefore, I must take a permission from the hirers. ”

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A sufficient proof of his reliability is that he had a position with Imam al-Rida, peace be on him, and was his representative.

He wrote thirty books of which are: Kitab al-Salah (a Book on the Ritual Prayers) , Kitab al-Sawm (a Book on Fasting) , Kitab al-Hajj (a Book on the Hajj) , Kitab al-Zekat (a Book on Zekat) , Kitab al-Talaq (a Book on Divorce) , Kitab al-Fara’id (a Book on the Religious Duties) , Kitab al-Shara’ wa al-Bay’ (a Book on Buying and Selling) , Kitab al-‘Itq wa al-Tadbeer (a Book on Release of Slaves and Management) , Kitab al-Bisharat (a Book on Good News) , Masa’il ‘An Abi al-Hasan Musa (Questions put forth before Abi al-Hasan Musa) , and the like. He died in Medina, in the year 210 A. H. Abu Ja‘far sent him scent for embalming (hanut) and a shroud and ordered Isma‘il b. Musa to pray over him. [203]

165. Sandal Bin Muhammed Bin al-Hasan al-Anbari al-Khayyat

In his (book) al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of Imam Musa, peace be on him. [204]

166. Al-Dahhak al-Hadrami

His kunya was Abu Malik; he was an Arab Kufan. He lived in the days of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , peace be on him. Some people have said: “He reported traditions on his authority. ” Others have said: “He reported traditions on his authority and the authority of Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him. He was a theologian and reliable in the hadith. He has a book narrated by ‘Ali b. al-Hasan al-Tatiri. [205]

167. ‘Asim Bin al-Hasan

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In his (book) al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of Imam (Musa) al-Kazim, peace be on him. And he has said: “He is unknown. ”[206]

168. ‘Abbas Bin Amir

In his (book) al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) , peace be on him. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi‘ite). [207]

169. ‘Abd al-Hemid Bin Salim al-‘Attar al-Kufi

He is reliable. He narrated (traditions) on the authority of Imam Musa, peace be on him. [208]

170. ‘Abd al-Hemid Bin Sa‘eed

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa, peace be on him. Saffwan b. Yehya reported traditions on his authority. [209]

171. ‘Abd al-Hemid Bin Auwas al-Ta’i al-Kisa’i

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa, peace be on him. And he has said: “He (Auwas) is trustworthy. ”[210]

172. ‘Abd al-Rahman Bin al-Hajjajj al-Bajali

He is their (the Imams’) retainer. He sold fine cloth (sabiri). He lived in Baghdad. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al- Hasan (Musa). He adopted the creed of the Kaysaniya. Then he returned to the true creed and believed in the Imams, peace be on them. He has books narrated by groups of our companions. [211]

Abu ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , peace be on him, said to him: “‘Abd al-Rahman, speak to the people of Medina; I want them to see someone like you among the Shi’ite men. ” He died during the life of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. [212]

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173. ‘Abd al-Rahman Bin Yehya al-‘Uqayli

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami Shi’ite. [213]

174. ‘Abd al-Kareem Bin ‘Uttba al-Qarashi, al-Hashimi, al-Lahabi.

He is one of the companions of Imam Musa al-Kazim. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , peace be on him. He is reliable. [214]

175. ‘Abd al-Kareem Bin ‘Amru Bin Salih al-Khath‘ami

He was their (the Imams’) retainer. He was from Kufa. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan, peace be on them. He was a Waqifite. He was a reliable notable. He was given the nickname of Kiram. He has a book narrated by a number of our companions. [215] But Shaykh al-Tusi has said: “He is a malicious Waqifite. ” Ibn al-Ghada’iri has said: “The Waqifites claim that he belongs to them, and the excessive narrate many traditions on his authority; I see the creed of the Waqifites in what he narrates. ”[216]

176. ‘Abd Allah Bin Jublah Bin Hanan Bin al-Hirr al-Kinani

In his book al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam al-Kazim. Al-Najashi he has said: “He is a Waqifite and jurist. He is trustworthy and famous. He has books of which are: Kitab al-Rijal (a Book on Narrators of Traditions) , Kitab al-Sifat fi al-Ghayba (a Book on the Attributes during the Occultation according to the Doctrine of the Waqifiya) , Kitab al-Salah (a Book on the ritual Prayers) , Kitab al-Zekat (a Book on al-Zekat) , Kitab al- Fitra (a Book on the Alms given at the End of Ramadan) , Kitab al-Talaq (a Book on Divorce) , Kitab al-Nawadir (a Book on Miscellaneous Traditions). All these books have been narrated by al-Husayn b. ‘Abd Allah. He died in the year 209 A. H. [217]

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177. ‘Abd Allah Bin al-Harith al-Makhzumi

His mother was among the children of Ja‘far b. Abi Talib. Al-Shaykh al-Mufeed has regarded him as reliable in his al-Irshad and numbered him as among the special group of Imam al-Kazim, peace be on him, and those who he trusted, among the men of piety, knowledge, and jurisprudence. [218]

178. ‘Abd Allah Bin Hammad al-Ansari

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him. He has said: “He has a book. ”[219]

179. ‘Abd Allah Bin Jundub al-Bajali

He was an Arab Kufan. He is among the companions of Imam al-Kazim and of al-Rida, peace be on them. Al-Shaykh al-Tusi has said: “He was the representative of Imam Musa and his son al-Rida. He was worshipful and had a high position. ” Concerning him, al-Kashi has narrated: “He (‘Abd Allah b. Jundub) asked Imam Abi al-Hasan: ‘Are you pleased with me? ’ ‘Yes,’ he answered, ‘Allah and His Apostle are pleased with you! ’” On the authority of al-Hasan b. ‘Ali b. Yaqteen, who has said: “It was said to Abi al-Hasan (Musa) that Yunus, the retainer of the family of Yaqteen, claimed that your follower who clang to obeying you, ‘Abd Allah b. Jundub, worshipped Allah (very shakily) on seventy edges and said that he was doubtful. ” The Imam, peace be on him, has answered: “By Allah, he (Yunus) is more worthy to worship Allah (very shakily) on the edge; there is a great difference between him and ‘Abd Allah b. Jundub; surely ‘Abd Allah (b. Jundub) is among the humble. ”[220]

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On the authority of ‘Ali b. Ibrahim, on the authority of his father, who has said: “I have seen ‘Abd Allah b. Jundub in the Standing Place-the Standing place of ‘Arafa. I have never seen a standing place better than his. He stretched out his hands towards the heaven and his tears flowed down his cheeks and reached the ground. When the people left, I said to him: ‘Abu Muhammed, I have never seen a standing place better than yours. ’ He said to me: ‘By Allah, in it I did not invoke Allah (for nothing) but for my brothers; that is because Abu al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him, had told me that whoever invoked (Allah) for his absent, believing brother, someone would call out from the Throne: ‘You will get a hundred thousand (rewards) for each (word). ’ I hated to invoke (Allah) for a hundred thousand times for one (need) ; I did not know whether it was granted or not. ’”[221]

‘Abd Allah b. Jundub has been regarded as reliable in (the books) al-Wajiza, al-Hawi, and Mushtarakat al-Tarahi. The biographers have unanimously agreed that none has criticized him and that he is trustworthy without any objection. [222]

180. ‘Abd Allah Bin Khaddash al-Mihri[223]

Al-Najashi has said: “He is very weak; there is immoderation in his creed. He has a book of which Ibn Shadan has informed us. ”[224] Al-Kashi has said: (Mahmud b. Mas‘ud has said: ) “Yousif b. al-Sakht has said: ‘I have heard b. Khaddash say: ‘I have never shaken hand with a Dhimi, nor have I entered the house of a Dhimi; I have never taken a medicine, nor have I ordered a vein to be open. I have never left Friday Ghusul. I have never visited a governor, nor has a judge visited me. ’”[225]

A Group of his Companions and of the Narrators of his Traditions 8

181. ‘Abd Allah Bin Sinan Bin Tareef

He was the retainer of the Banu Hashim; it was said that he was the retainer of the Banu Abi Talib; it was said that he was the retainer of the Banu al-‘Abbas. He was the treasurer of al-Mansur, al-Mehdi, al-Hadi, and al-Rashid. He is a reliable Kufan. He is among our companions. He is great; none criticizes him for a certain thing. He narrated traditions on the authority of Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him. [226] Al-Shaykh al-Tusi has regarded him as among the companions of Imam al-Kazim, peace be on him, and said that he has the book Youm wa Layla (a Day and a Night). [227]

182. ‘Abd Allah Bin Salih al-Khath‘ami

He reported traditions on the authority of Imam al-Sadiq and his son Musa, peace be on him. On the authority of ‘Ali b. Hamza, who has said: “Abu al-Hasan Musa gave me eighteen dirhams and said to me: ‘Go to ‘Abd Allah b. Salih and say to him: ‘Make use of these dirhams; they will suffice you until you die. ’” He (‘Ali b. Hamza) has mentioned a long tradition of which is: “When ‘Abd Allah died, I sold his house and took the money to Abi al-Hasan (Musa) and told him about his will, and he, peace be on him, has said: ‘May Allah have mercy on him; he was among our followers (Shi‘a) ’”. The Imam’s seeking mercy for him indicates that he is reliable. [228]

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183. ‘Abd Allah Bin ‘Uthman al-Kayyat

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him. And he has said: “He (‘Abd Allah b. ‘Uthman al-Kayyat) was a Waqifite; and so al-‘Allama (al-Hilli) has mentioned him in his (book) al-Khulasa. ”[229]

184. ‘Abd Allah Bin Ghalib al-Asadi

He was a poet and jurist. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi Ja‘far, Abi ‘Abd Allah, and Abi al-Hasan, peace be on them. He is trustworthy and has a book. [230]

185. ‘Abd Allah Bin al-Kasim al-Hadrami

He is better known as the hero (al-Batal). He is lying and excessive. He narrated traditions on the authority of the excessive. There is no good in him; and none depends on his narration. He has a book narrated from him by a group of narrators. [231]

186. ‘Abd Allah al-Qasir

In his book al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him. And he has said: “He is a Waqifite. ”[232]

187. ‘Abd Allah Bin Muhammed al-Ahwazi

A narrator has mentioned that he has seen the questions he had put forth before Imam Musa, peace be on him. [233]

188. ‘Abd Allah Bin Muhammed al-Shu‘ayri, al-Yemeni

In his book al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi‘ite). [234]

189. ‘Abd Allah Bin Marhum al-Azdi

In his book al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him. In his (book) al-‘Uyun, al-Saduq has mentioned (the following tradition) on the authority of ‘Abd Allah b. Marhum, who has said: “I went out of Basrah and wanted (to go) to Medina. When I covered a short distance of the road, I met Abu Ibrahim, peace be on him. He was on his way to be imprisoned in Basrah. He, peace be on him, sent (someone) towards me. When I was in front of him, he gave me a letter and ordered me to carry the letter to Medina. I asked him: “To whom shall I give it, may I be your ransom? ” “To my son ‘Ali,” he replied, “for he is my testamentary trustee and the one who undertakes my affairs. ”[235]

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190. ‘Abd Allah Bin Miskan

His kunya was Abu Muhammed. He was the retainer of ‘Anza. He is a reliable and notable. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on him, and it was said that he reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq). He has books of which are: Kitab al-Imama (a Book on the Imamate) , Kitab fi al-Hahal wa al-Haram (a Book on the Lawful and the Unlawful). [236] Al-Kashi has said: “The Shi‘a have unanimously agreed on the authenticity of the traditions correctly reported from him, and they have acknowledged his ability in the science of Islamic jurisprudence. ” He died during the days of Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him. [237]

191. ‘Abd Allah Bin al-Mughira

His kunya and nickname are Abu Muhammed al-Bajali. He was the retainer of Jundub b. ‘Abd Allah b. Sufayn al-‘Alaqi. He was a trustworthy Kufan. None was equal to him due to his greatness, religion, piety. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan (Musa). It was said that he wrote thirty books. The books which our companions know are: Kitab al-Wudu’ (a Book on Ablution) and Kitab al-Salah (a Book on the Ritual Prayers). These books have been narrated by many of our companions. [238] Al-Kashi has said: (‘Abd Allah b. al-Mughira has said: ) “I was a Waqifite. I performed the hajj while I was in that state. When I arrived in Mecca, a thing was on my mind, so I clang to al-Multazam and said: ‘O Allah, You have known my request and want; therefore, guide me to the best religion, so it came to my mind that I had to go to al-Rida, peace be on him. I went to Medina and stopped at the door of al-Rida and said to the servant: ‘Say to your master: There is a man from among the people of Iraq by the door and I heard Imam al-Rida, peace be on him, calling out: ‘Come in, O ‘Abd Allah b. al- Mughira. ’ I entered. When he looked at me, he said: ‘Certainly, Allah has granted your supplication and guided you to His religion. ’ So I said: ‘I bear witness that you are the proof of Allah and the one entrusted by Him over His creatures. ’”[239]

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192. ‘Abd Allah al-Najashi

He is among the companions of Imam Musa, peace be on him. He is a Waqifite. [240]

193. ‘Abd Allah Bin Yehya

Al-Najashi has said: “He was Abu Muhammed al-Kahili; he was an Arab; He was Ishaq’s brother; they both reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on him. ‘Abd Allah was a notable in the sight of Abi al-Hasan, who ordered Ali b. Yaqteen to take care of him, saying to him: ‘Guarantee for me al-Kahili and his family and I will guarantee for you the Garden. ’” Muhammed b. ‘Uqda has said: “The Genealogist ‘Abd Allah b. Yehya, who has been given the nickname of al-Kahili, is Temimi in lineage. He has a book narrated by a group of which is Ahmed b. Muhammed b. Nasr. ” Al- Kashi has said: “‘Abd Allah al-Kahili came in to Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him, and the Imam said to him: ‘Perform good deeds in this year of yours, for your fixed term has approached. ’ ‘Abd Allah began crying. So the Imam asked him: ‘What has made you cry? ’ ‘May I be your ransom, ‘replied ‘Abd Allah,’ you have announced my death. ’ ‘Be cheerful, for you are among our followers (Shi’a) ,’ retorted the Imam. ” Shortly after that, ‘Abd Allah died. [241]

194. ‘Abd al-Malik Bin al-Hakam al-Khath‘ami

He is a trustworthy and remarkable Kufan. He narrated on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan, peace be on them. He has a book narrated by a group of narrators. [242]

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195. ‘Abd al-Malik Bin ‘Uttba al-Sayrafi

He is a trustworthy Kufan. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan, peace be on them. He has the book which has been ascribed to ‘Abd al-Malik Bin ‘Uttba al-Hashimi, al-Lahabi. [243]

196. ‘Ubayd Bin Yaqteen

He is one of the companions of Imam Musa, peace be on him. [244]

197. ‘Uthman Bin ‘Isa, Abu ‘Amru al-Amiri al-Kilabi

He was among the sons of ‘Ubayd b. Rawas. He was the Shaykh of the Waqifites; he was a notable and among the representatives, who alone possessed the money of Imam Musa b. Ja‘far, peace be on him. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him. [245] Nasr b. Sabah has mentioned that ‘Uthman b. ‘Isa was a Waqifite and was the representative of Abi al-Hasan Musa; in his hand was the money of Imam al-Rida; he denied it, and the Imam was displeased with him. Then he repented and sent the money to him. [246] He wrote books of which are: Kitab al-Miyah (a Book on Water) , Kitab al-Qadaya wa al-Ahqam (a Book on Cases and Precepts) , Kitab al-Wasaya (a Book on Wills) , Kitab al-Salah (a Book on the Ritual Prayers). [247]

198. ‘Ali Bin Abi Hamza[248]

He was the master of the Ansar; he was from Kufa; he was the commander (of the army) of Abu Baseer Yehya b. al-Qasim. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan, peace be on them. He was among the notables and pillars of the Waqifites. Concerning him, Ibn al-Ghada’iri has said: “Certainly he was the origin (of the creed) of the Waqifites and the greatest of men in showing enmity toward the Master-i. e. , Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. ” Ali b. al-Husayn b. Faddal has said: “Ali b. Abi Hamza is lying, accused, and cursed. ” Numerous traditions have been mentioned concerning dispraising him. Muhammed b. Ubaydir has reported, saying: “Abu al-Hasan al-Rida stood among the Banu Zurayq[249] and said: ‘O Ahmed! ’ ‘Here I am,’ was the answer.

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“When Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, passed away, the people spared no effort to put out the light of Allah, but Allah would not consent save to perfect His light through the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him. When Abu al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him, died, ‘Ali b. Abi Hamza spared no effort to put out the light of Allah, but Allah would not consent save to perfect His light. The people of the true creed become pleased when someone joins them; they do not become impatient when someone leaves them, for they are sure of their affair. As for the people of the false creed, they become pleased when someone joins them, but they become impatient when someone leaves them, for they have doubt of their affair. Surely, Allah, may His greatness be great, says: a resting-place and a depository-the resting-place is unshakable; and the depository is shakable. ’” Many authentic traditions have dispraised and criticized him. The reason for that is that he became a Waqifite, and that there was in his hand thirty thousand dinars belonged to Imam Musa, peace be on him. When the Imam died, he took it and did not pay it to his successor. He wrote many books of which are Kitab al-Salah (a Book on the Ritual Prayers) , Kitab al-Zekat (a Book on Alms) , Kitab al- Tafseer (a Book on the Exegesis of the Qur’an) , and the like. He died during the lifetime of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. When the Imam was told about his death, he said: “He has entered the fire! ”[250]

199. ‘Ali Bin Ja‘far

He is the brother of Imam Musa, peace be on him. He is great and trustworthy. He was among the good, notable Hashimites. He is on top of the reliable narrators. He reported traditions on the authority of his father. After his death, he devoted himself to his brother Musa; he reported many traditions on his authority. In his (book) al-Bihar, al-Mejjlisi has specified a chapter on his narration from him. He has written a treatise on the traditions he reported from his brother. He was strong in faith and firm in creed. A Waqifite came in to him and asked him:

-What has your brother Abu al-Hasan done?

-He has died.

-How have you come to know of that?

-His Possessions have been divided, and the spokesman after him has spoken.

-Who is the spokesman?

-His son Ali.

Trying to play with him and to seduce him, the Waqifite turned to him and said to him:

-You are an old man, have a high position, and your father is Ja‘far b. Muhammed; therefore, why have you said such words concerning this boy?

He was fully aware of this deception, so he looked at him angrily and said to him:

-I can see you nothing except a Satan.

Then he took his beard and raised it toward the heaven, saying:

-What shall I do? Allah has seen him worthy of that, while He has not seen this white beard worthy of it! [251]

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This conversation indicates his strong faith and firm creed. He has written a book on the lawful and the unlawful. [252] A group of narrators reported traditions on his authority; of them are his sons Ahmed and Muhammed and his grandson ‘Abd Allah b. al-Hasan. He died in the year 210 A. H. [253]

200. ‘Ali Bin al-Hasan al-Tatiri

His kunya was Abu al-Hasan; he was a jurist and reliable in his tradition; he was among the notable Waqifites and their Shaykhs. He has books of which are: al- Tawheed (Monotheism) , al-Imama (the Imamate) , al-Wafat (Death) , al-Salah (the Ritual Prayers) , al-Mutt‘a (Temporary Marriage) , al-Ma‘rifa (Knowledge) , al-Nikah (Marriage) , al-Talaq (Divorce) , al-Hajj (the Hajj) , al-Wilaya (Islamic Authority) , al-Hayd (Menstruation) , and al-Nifas (Confinement). [254] Shaykh al-Tusi has said in his biography: “He is very stubborn in his doctrine, difficult in fanaticism toward the Imami (Shi‘ites) who opposed him. He has many books on supporting his doctrine. ”[255]

201. ‘Ali Bin Hadeed al-Mada’ini, al-Azdi, al-Sabati

He has narrated traditions on the authority of Imam Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him. He has a book. [256]

202. ‘Ali Bin Hamza Bin al-Hasan Bin ‘Ubayd Allah Bin al-‘Abbas Bin Amir al-Mu’minin, peace be on him.

He is the father of our master Hamza buried near al-Hilla, whom people visit and ask the blessing of him. He is reliable. He reported many traditions. He has a copy he narrated from Imam Musa, peace be on him. [257]

203. ‘Ali Bin al-Khattab al-Hallal

In his book al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him. And he has added: “He is a Waqifite. ”[258]

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204. ‘Ali Bin Rabab

He was the master of Jurm, subdivision of the tribe Qida‘a; it was said that he was the master of the Banu Sa‘d b. Bakr. His nickname was al-Tahhan. He was from Kufa. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq). He has been mentioned by Abu al-‘Abbas and others. He also narrated traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on him. He has books of which are: Kitab al-Wasiya wa al-Imama (a Book on the Textual Nomination and the Imamate) and Kitab al-Diyat (a Book on Blood Money). [259] Shaykh al-Tusi has said: “He is reliable, with a great prestige. He has a big source. ”

205. ‘Ali Bin Sa‘eed

In his book al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him. And he has said: “He is a Waqifite. ”[260]

206. ‘Ali Bin Swayyid al-Tammar

In his book al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him. Apparently, he is an Imami Shi‘ite. [261]

207. ‘Ali Bin Swayyid al-Sa’i[262]

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him; and it was said he reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al- Sadiq). He reported the letter of Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him. [263] We will mention the text of the letter when we speak of the conditions of Imam Musa in prison. He has been regarded as reliable in (the books) al-Wajiza, al-Hawi, and al-Bulgha.

208. ‘Ali Bin ‘Abd al-Hameed al-Zabbi

In his book al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami Shi‘ite. [264]

209. ‘Ali Bin ‘Ubayd Allah Bin al-Husayn Bin ‘Ali Bin Al-Husayn Bin ‘Ali Bin Abi Talib, peace be on him.

Concerning him, al-Najashi has said: “He was the most ascetic and religious of the family of Abi Talib of his time. He devoted himself to Imam Musa, peace be on him, and Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. He has a book on the Hajj. He narrated the whole of the book on the authority of Imam Musa. ”[265]

210. ‘Ali Bin ‘Attiya

In his book al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him, without a description, as among the companions of Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him. And in his al- Fihrast, he has said: “He (‘Ali Bin ‘Attiya) has a book. ”[266]

A Group of his Companions and of the Narrators of his Traditions 9

211. ‘Ali Bin ‘Isa Bin Razeen

In his (book) al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) , peace be on him. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi‘ite). [267]

212. ‘Ali Bin Maymun al-Sa’igh

He has been given the nickname of Abu al-Akrad (the father of the Kurds). He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan, peace be on them. He has a book narrated by a group of narrators. [268]

213. ‘Ali Bin Yaqteen Bin Musa al-Baghdadi

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He was the master of the Banu Asad. He is among the notables of this sect (i. e. , the Shi‘a). He had a remarkable prestige and high position with Imam Abi al- Hasan Musa, peace be on him. The following is a brief outline on some of his affairs and conditions:

A. His Birth

He was born in Kufa, in the year 124 A. H. [269] That was during the last days of the Umayyad government.

B. His Early Life

He grew up in Kufa. He sold abzar in it. [270] His father Yaqteen was among those who believed in the Imamate. He carried money and gifts to Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him. [271] He was among the summoners to the ‘Abbasid State. So Merwan al-Himar (the Donkey) ordered him to be arrested, and he escaped from him; his wife along with her two sons ‘Ali and ‘Ubayd Allah fled to Medina. When the Umayyad State came to an end and the ‘Abbasid State was formed, she along with her two sons returned to her homeland. At that time the affair of Yaqteen appeared and his name became famous. He communicated with Abi al-‘Abbas al- Saffah, al-Mansur, and al-Mehdi. Someone informed them that he believed in the Imamate, but Allah, the Most High, turned away from him the scheming of the treacherous. When Yaqteen moved to the True Abode (i. e. , died) , his son ‘Ali succeeded him; he firmly communicated with the ‘Abbasid and assumed some important offices in the State; meanwhile, he relieved and helped the Shi‘ites; he repelled from them misfortunes and disasters. He was among the believing and righteous notables. He sent every year a group of men to perform the hajj on his behalf.

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His secretary, Sulayman b. al-Husayn, has narrated, saying: “I have counted those who performed the hajj on behalf of ‘Ali b. Yaqteen in one year, (and their number was) one hundred and fifty men. The minimum (sum of money) he gave to some of them was seven hundred dirhams; the maximum (sum) he gave to some of them was ten thousand dirhams. ” Al-‘Ubaydi has narrated on the authority of Yunus that he counted one hundred and fifty people who said the Talbiya on behalf of ‘Ali b. Yaqteen in the Standing-Place (in ‘Arafa). ”[272] He spent a lot of money on the acts of charity and benefaction. For example, he sent large gifts to the Imam ranging from a hundred thousand dirhams to three hundred thousand dirhams. He married three or four of the sons of the Imam; one of them was Abu al-Hasan, peace be on him. The dower which he paid to them was ten thousand dinars; similarly he paid three thousand dinars for the banquet. He supported some Shi‘ite families; for example, he spent money on al-Kahili and his family until he died; there are other kinds of charity and benefaction he performed; all these examples indicate that he had faith and good creed.

C. His Office

‘Ali assumed the office of Azmat al-Azma during the days of al- Mehdi. [273] After him he was appointed as a minister by Harun al-Rashid. Then he asked Imam Musa to permit him to leave and resign his office, but he, peace be on him, prevented him from that, saying to him: “Do not do that. We feel friendliness with you, and your brothers feel exaltedness through you; may Allah redress through you a heart-broken one or break through you the flame of hate of those opponents from His friends. O ‘Ali, the expiatory gift of your works is showing kindness to your brothers. Guarantee me one (thing) , and I will guarantee you three (things). Guarantee me that you grant the needs of our followers and ennoble them, I will guarantee you that no ceiling of a prison will shade you, the edge of the sword will not reach you, and poverty will never enter your house. O ‘Ali, whoever delights a believer, he firstly begins with Allah, secondly with the Prophet, and thirdly with us. ”[274]

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This holy tradition indicates that it is permissible to follow an unjust ruler if one does men favors or repel from them calamities. The jurists have depended on this tradition to justify that working for an unjust ruler.

When Imam Musa, peace be on him, came to Iraq, ‘Ali visited him and complained to him of his conditions and asked him to permit him to resign his office. The Imam prevented him from that and said to him: “O ‘Ali, certainly Allah has placed his friends among the friends of the oppressive to defend his friends; and you, ‘Ali, are of them. ”

Imam Musa wanted ‘Ali to remain in his office, that he might relieve the Shi‘ites persecuted by the ‘Abbasid authorities, to the extent that they prevent them from all legal rights.

D. Imam Musa loves ‘Ali Bin Yaqteen

Imam Musa, peace be on him, showed loyal affection and friendship for ‘Ali. For example, he visited him one day and said to his companions:

-If one is happy to see one of the companions of Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, than let him look at that coming (man) -he indicated with his hand to ‘Ali.

One of those present asked him:

-Is ‘Ali among the people of the Garden?

-As for me, I bear witness that he is of the people of the Garden.

‘Ali sent a person to Imam Musa to ask him to invoke Allah for him. When the person was in front of the Imam, peace be on him, he said to him:

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-O Son of Allah’s Apostle, ‘Ali b. Yaqteen has sent me, that you may invoke Allah for him.

-For the hereafter?

-Yes.

-I have guaranteed that the fire will never touch ‘Ali!

Dawud al-Raqqi has narrated, saying: “I visited Abi al-Hasan on the Day of Immolation (Youm al-nahr). He spoke first to me: ‘When I was in the Standing-place (of ‘Arafa) , none came to my mind except ‘Ali b. Yaqteen. He was still with me. He did not separated himself from me until I finished. ”

Isma‘il b. Musa has said: “I heard the righteous servant (Musa) say on al-Safa (Mountain): “My Lord, (O You Who are) in the Highest Place, forgive ‘Ali b. Yaqteen! ” And Imam Musa has said: “ Of the happiness of ‘Ali b. Yaqteen is that I remembered him in the Standing-place (of ‘Arafa). ” These examples indicate that Imam Musa harbored love and loyalty to ‘Ali b. Yaqteen. Without doubt the Imam was sincere to him, for he was a wonderful example of piety, righteousness, and ideals.

E. Imam Musa guides him

Imam Musa, peace be on him, took great care of ‘Ali b. Yaqteen; he had fear for him of the authority of Harun al-Rashid, for the affair of his becoming a Shi‘ite was not hidden from the followers and hirelings who sought nearness to the authority through every horrible means. The Imam came to know that such hirelings would not leave ‘Ali unless they put an end to him. So the Imam, peace be on him, undertook guiding him and raising danger from him. That was through two things:

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Firstly, the Jubbah

Al-Rashid gave some excellent clothes to ‘Ali b. Yaqteen as gift; among them was an excellent, black jubbah brocaded with gold the caliphs worn. When it reached him, he immediately sent it to Imam, peace be on him, as a gift. The Imam returned it to him and wrote to him: “Keep it and do not take it out from you; you will face an affair and you will need it for the affair. When the jubbah a long with the Imam’s letter reached ‘Ali b. Yaqteen, he read the letter and kept the jubbah. He put it into a basket and set a seal on it. A period of time elapsed, ‘Ali b. Yaqteen changed his policy toward one of his boys who had knowledge of his affairs, and he immediately went to Harun and said to him: “Surely ‘Ali b. Yaqteen believe in the Imamate of Musa al-Kazim; every year he sends him the alms of his possessions, gifts, and valuable things; this year he has sent him the whole of that along with the black jubbah which you gave to him as a gift at the time so- and-so. ”

The condition of al-Rashid changed when he heard of that as if that a sword hit him on the face. He angrily said: “I will discover that. If the affair is just as you have said, I will kill him. That will be as part of the punishment for him. ”

Then he sent a messenger for ‘Ali b. Yaqteen. When he stood before him, he turned to him and asked him: “What about the black jubbah I gave to you as gift and singled you with it from among the rest of my special group? ”

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Ibn Yaqteen turned to him calmly and said to:

-It is with me, Commander of the faithful! It has been perfumed and put into a basket on which a seal has been set!

-Fetch it now!

-Yes, I hear and obey!

‘Ali summoned a servant of his and told him about where the jubbah was. He gave him the keys, and he quickly went. Shortly after that he brought the jubbah and put it before Harun. He ordered the seal and the basket to be opened. The jubbah was folded; it was as it had been before; and nothing hit it, so the anger of al- Rashid calmed, and his revolution abated; and he said to ‘Ali: “Return it to its place. Take it and go away with safety. After this we will believe no informer against you! ”

Then he ordered a prize to be given to him and ordered the ignoble informer to be flogged a thousand times. He was flogged five hundred times,[275] and he 

perished. As for ‘Ali b. Yaqteen, he peacefully went out; Allah saved him from the punishment and tyranny of Harun. A poet has composed a poem on this miracle, saying:

The pure one (Imam Musa) returned the clothes to Ibn Yaqteen and said to him: Take them, for you will be questioned about them. Without doubt your enemy will be a loser! [276]

Secondly, the Wudu’

Ali b. Yaqteen performed the Wudu’ of the Sunnis. He asked the Imam to guide him to the wudu’ he performed, but he ordered him to continue performing his wudu’ for a time when he would guide him to that. The followers informed al-Rashid of ‘Ali and said many times that he was a Shi‘ite. Any way, al-Rashid decided to try him through his wudu’. At the time of the ritual prayer, he stood in one of the balconies of his palace and looked at ‘Ali; he saw him performing the wudu’ of the Sunnis; soon al-Rashid became impatient and said: “I will never believe an informer against you! ”

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After that, the Imam wrote to him how to perform the wudu’. He mentioned to him that of what he feared for him had disappeared. A poet has composed a poem concerning this miracle, saying:

Then the state of the wudu’ is wonderful! How did he inform and tell him through the conscience?

He is the eye of life; he is salvation and guidance to him who acknowledges (his Imamate) and ponders over (it)! [277]

Another poet has written a poem on that, saying:

Were it not for Him (Musa) , (‘Ali) b. Yaqteen would not leave his previous way, which is well-known.

At a time when al-Rashid was in a lookout watching him during his affair (to know) how he (‘Ali) performed (his wudu’).

He saw something (issued) from him other than that of which he had been informed; and denied what the informers said.

F. His Books

(Ali) b. Yaqteen was among the notables of knowledge and one of the meritorious of his time. The following are some of his books:

1. Al-Malahim; he took them from Imam al-Sadiq. [278]

2. Munazarat al-Shaak. [279]

3. Al-Masa’il; he took them from Imam Musa, peace be on him.

These books were narrated by Muhammed b. Muhammed, al-Husayn b. ‘Ubayd Allah, Muhammed b. al-Hasan, and a group (of narrators). [280]

G. His Death

He passed a way in the City of Peace (Baghdad) in the year 182 A. H. at the age of 57 years. Muhammed, the crown prince of al-Rashid, performed the prayer over him; that was at the time when Imam Musa was at a dark prison. [281]

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214. ‘Ammar Bin Musa al-Sabati

He has been given the Kunya of Abu al-Yaqdan. He was a Kufan and lived in al-Medain. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al- Hasan, Musa, peace be on them, who has said: “I asked my Lord to give me ‘Ammar al-Sabati, and He gave him to me. ”[282] The biographers have mentioned that he was a Fatahi. Shaykh al-Tusi has mentioned: “A Group (of traditionists) have regarded ‘Ammar al-Sabati as weak and mentioned that he is a traditionist. They have also mentioned that what he narrated alone cannot be put into practice, for he was a Fatahi, but we cannot criticize him in this way, for though he is so, he is reliable in reporting (traditions) ; none can criticize him for that. ”[283] Al-Shaykh al-Baha’i has said: “He is trustworthy and great; he is among the companions of Imam al-Sadiq and al-Kazim; the traditions reported by him are like the authentic ones. ”[284] Al-Shaykh al-Mufeed has numbered him as among the great figures from whom the lawful, the unlawful, religious decisions, and precepts are taken, and whom none can criticize. He has a book narrated by a group (of narrators). ”[285]

215. ‘Ammar Bin al-Minhal Bin Meqlas al-Qaysi.

He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan, peace be on them. He had two sons: Ahmed and al-Hasan, who were both traditionists. He has a book. [286] He has been mentioned as trustworthy (in the two books entitled) al-Wajiza and al-Baligha.

216. ‘Amru Bin Riyah

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He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan, peace be on them. He was a Waqifite, and so were his sons. Al-‘Allama (al-Hilli) and al-Sayyid b. Tawus have said: “He (‘Amru Bin Riyah) belonged to the Tabaria, which is a sect of the Zaydiya. [287]

217. ‘Amr Bin Muhammed Bin Yazid Abu al-Aswad, Bayya‘ al-Sabiri

He was the retainer of Thaqif; he was from Kufa; he is reliable and of great importance. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on them. Imam Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , peace be on them, praised him, saying:

-By Allah, you belong to us, Ahl al-Bayt.

-May I be your ransom, do I belong to the family of Muhammed?

-Yes, by Allah, you belong to them themselves!

-Do I belong to them themselves?

-Yes, by Allah, you belong to them themselves! O ‘Amr, have you not recited the Book of Allah: Most surely the nearest of people to Ibrahim are those who followed him and this Prophet and those who believe and Allah is the guardian of the believer. [288]

He has books of which is Kitab Manasik al-Hajj wa Fara’idahu (a Book on the Rites and Duties of the Hajj). [289]

218. ‘Isa Bin Dawud al-Najjar

He is a Kufan. He is among our friends. He narrated few traditions. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him. He has a book entitled al-Tafseer. [290]

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219. ‘Isa Bin ‘Abd Allah Bin Sa‘d Bin Malik al-Ash‘ari

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan Musa; he has Questions put forth before al-Rida, peace be on him. [291] Concerning him, Yunus b. Ya‘qub has narrated, saying: “I was in Medina; Ja‘far b. Muhammed (al-Sadiq) received me in one of its lanes. He said: ‘Yunus, go! There is by the door a man belongs to us, Ahl al-Bayt. ’ When I went and reached the door, I found ‘Isa b. ‘Abd Allah al-Qummi sitting (there). I asked him: ”

-Who are you?

- A man from Qum

Shortly after that the Imam came and asked them to come into the house. When they sat down, the Imam, peace be on him, turned to Yunus and asked him: I think that you have denied my words when I said that ‘Isa b. ‘Abd Allah belonged to us,

Ahl al-Bayt?

-Yes, by Allah, he is a man from among the people of Qum.

-Yunus, ‘Isa b. ‘Abd Allah belongs to us whether he is dead or alive. [292]

This narration indicates that ‘Isa b. ‘Abd Allah is just and reliable, and that he devoted himself to Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them.

220. Al-‘Ays Bin al-Qasim Bin Thabit Bin ‘Ubayd Bin Mahran al-Bajali.

He was an Arab Kufan. He was given the kunya of Abu al-Qasim. He is trustworthy and notable. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi Musa, peace be on him. He has a book. [293]

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221. Ghalib Bin ‘Uthman

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of Imam al-Kazim, peace be on him. And he has said: “He was a Waqifite. ”[294]

222. Ghayyath Bin Ibrahim al-Temimi al-Asadi.

He was from Basrah and lived in Kufa. He is reliable. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan. He has a classified book on the lawful and the unlawful; the book has been narrated by a group of narrators. [295]

223. Fayyid al-Hannat

He is a Kufan. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan. He has a book narrated by ‘Uthman b. ‘Isa. [296]

224. Fadala Bin Ayyub al-Azdi

He is an Arab. He lived in al-Ahwaz. He is trustworthy in his narrating traditions. He narrated traditions on the authority of Imam Musa, peace be on him. Al- Kashi has said that our companions (the Shi‘a) have unanimously agreed on authenticity of the traditions correctly reported from them from among the companions of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and that they have believed them, acknowledged their ability in the science of Islamic jurisprudence and knowledge. He has a book on the ritual prayers. [297]

225. Al-Fedl Bin Sulayman, al-Katib, al-Baghdadi

He was the secretary of al-Mansur and al-Mehdi for land taxes. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan. He wrote a book entitled Youm wa Layla (a Day and a Night). [298]

226. Al-Fedl Bin Yunus al-Katib al-Baghdadi

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him. He has a book. [299] Al-Shaykh al-Tusi has said: “He is a Waqifite. ”[300] Ali b. 

Ibrahim b. Hashim narrated on the authority of Muhammed b. Salim, who has said: “When my master Musa b. Ja‘far was taken to Harun (al-Rashid) , Hisham b. Ibrahim came to him and said to him: ‘My master, I have a need with al-Fedl b. Yunus and I want you to ask him to grant my need. ’ The Imam went to him. When he reached him, his chamberlain came in to him and told him about the arrival of the Imam. Delight appeared on al-Fedl b. Yunus’s face, and he said to him: ‘If you are truthful, then you are free! ’ He promised to give him money if he was truthful. Then he went out bared-footed. When he saw the Imam, he fell at his feet and kissed them. Then he asked him to honor his house. The Imam responded to him. When he sat down, he asked him to grant the need of Hisham b. Ibrahim, and he granted it. ”[301] This narration indicate that al-Fedl b. Yunus was a loyal follower of Imam Musa, peace be on him.

227. Al-Fayd Bin al-Mukhtar al-Ju‘fui

He was from Kufa. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi Ja‘far, Abi ‘Abd Allah, and Abi al-Hasan, peace be on them. He is reliable and notable. He has a book narrated by his son Ja‘far. [302] He was the first to hear Abi ‘Abd Allah designating his son Musa, peace be on him, as an Imam. We have previously talked about him in the first part of the book.

228. Al-Qasim Bin Muhammed al-Jawhari.

He was from Kufa but he lived in Baghdad. He narrated traditions on the authority of Imam Musa, peace be on him. He has a book. [303] He has been accused of his joining the Waqifites. [304]

229. Qays Bin Musa al-Sabati

He is the brother of ‘Ammar al-Sabati. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan. He is trustworthy, and the traditions narrated by him are accepted. [305]

A Group of his Companions and of the Narrators of his Traditions 10

230. Kurdawayh al-Hamadani

He is among those who narrated traditions on the authority of Imam Musa, peace be on him. The traditions narrated by him have been mentioned in the book al- Tahdhib, Chapter on Purifying Water. They have also been mentioned in the book al-Istibsar, Chapter on How to compensate Supererogatory Prayers. He has been accused of ignorance, just as it has been mentioned in the books: al-Masalik and al-Dhakhira. [306]

231. Layth Bin al-Bakhtary al-Muradi

He was given the kunya of Abu Baseer. He is reliable in his tradition. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan (Musa). In the authentic (tradition) of Jameel b. Darrajj is that the pegs of the earth and the great figures of the religion are four (persons): Muhammed b. Muslim, Burayd b. Mu’awiya,... , and Layth b. al-Bukhtary al-Muradi; other than that has been said concerning him. Ibn al-Ghada’iri has said: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , peace be on him, was bored with him. His companions have differed over him. As for me, I think that he has been criticized for his creed, not for his hadith. A group of the great researchers has regarded him as reliable and regarded the traditions which have been mentioned concerning dispraising him are as incorrect, and that he is as among the high class in Islam. ”[307]

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232. Muhammed Bin Ibrahim al-Mousili

In his (book) al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has twice numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) al-Kazim, peace be on him. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi‘ite). [308]

233. Muhammed Bin Abi ‘Umayr al-Azdi

He was originally from Baghdad. He is among the most famous (religious) scholars of this (Shi‘ite) sect and among its notable narrators. The companions (the Shi‘a) have unanimously agreed on the authenticity of the traditions correctly reported from him, and that they have regarded his incompletely transmitted hadith as a traceable hadith. He was a contemporary of Imam al-Kazim, al-Rida, and al-Jewad, peace be on them. We will mention to gentle readers some of his affairs and conditions:

A. His Knowledge

He was among the notable (religious) scholars and among the great jurists. The Shi‘a have unanimously agreed that he is versed in the science on Islamic jurisprudence. [309] He accompanied three Imams from among Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them. He acquired some of their pure knowledge. He supplied the science on Islamic jurisprudence with many of his traditions he heard from the blessed Imams. The jurists have regarded his incompletely transmitted hadiths as traceable hadiths. This is evidence for his high scientific position and his justice.

B. His Books

He wrote ninety-four books of which are: Kitab al-Maghazi (a Book on Ghazwas) , Kitab al-Kufr wa al-Iman (a Book on Belief and Unbelief) , Kitab al-Bida’ (a Book on Bida’) , Kitab al-Ihtijajj fi al-Imama (a Book on Offering Pleas of the Imamate) , Kitab al-Hajj (a Book on the Hajj) , Kitab Fada’il al-Hajj (a Book on the Virtues of the Hajj) , Kitab al-Mutt’a (a Book on Fixed-term Marriage) , Kitab al-Istita‘a (a Book on Capability) , Kitab al-Malahim (a Book on the Events) , Kitab Youm wa Layla (a Book on Day and a Night) , Kitab Manasik al-Hajj (a Book on the Rites of the Hajj) , Kitab al-Siyam (a Book on Fasting) , Kitab Ikhtilaf al- Hadith (a Book on Different Traditions) , Kitab al-Ma‘arif (a Book on Knowledge) , Kitab al-Talaq (a Book on Divorce) , Kitab al-Rida‘[310] (a Book on Foster Age) , and others. Unfortunately, these books were destroyed. The reason for their being damaged is that he left them in a room and some rain flowed on them and damaged them. It was said that his sister buried his books when he was imprisoned and they become lost. Any way, the world has lost the books of this great scholar.

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C. His Worship

Muhammed was among the notable, the Allah-fearing and the righteous, for he was brought up in the house of the Imamate; he followed the way of Ahl al-Bayt, who renounced the world and paid no attention to the pleasures and desires wherein. The enough proof of his too much worship is the tradition reported by al-Fedl b. Shadan, who has said: “I entered Iraq and heard a person admonishing his friend, saying to him: ‘You are a man with a family and you are in need of earning for them; I have fear for that you will be blind due to your long prostration (sujud) ; he rebuked and scold him so much that he turned to him and said: ‘If someone became blind out of prostration (sujud) , then (Muhammed) b. Abi ‘Umayr would be blind; then what is your idea about a man who performed the sajjda for giving thanks (sajjdat al-shukr) after the dawn prayer and did not raise his head until the sun came to descending (from its midday zenith).

“He told him about the worship of Muhammed b. Abi ‘Umayr, saying to him: ‘My Shaykh took me by the hand and we went to Muhammed b. Abi ‘Umayr; we ascended to him in a room; there was in his gathering a group of Shaykhs who respected and magnified him, so I asked:

“-Who is this?

“-This is Muhammed b. Abi ‘Umayr.

“-The righteous, worshipful man? ”[311]

Such was Muhammed in his fear of Allah and piety; he was respected and magnified by those Allah-fearing and righteous; his position admired by them indicates that he had a high position and was of great importance.

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D. In Prison

Muhammed b. Abi ‘Umayr was among the prominent figures in the world of Shi‘a due to his close relationship with the Imams from among Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on him. Meanwhile he had the general record in which were the names of the Shi‘ites. This state disturbed Harun al-Rashid and he ordered Muhammed b. Abi ‘Umayr to be thrown into a dark prison, and he remained in the prison for seventeen years. [312] Then he was chained and brought before Harun al-Rashid. He ordered him to tell him about the names of the Shi‘ites. He firmly refused to mention their names, and Harun ordered him to be flogged a hundred times. He said that he felt sever pain and was about to tell him of them but he heard the voice of Yunus b. ‘Abd al-Rahman saying to him: “Muhammed b. Abi ‘Umayr, remember your standing before Allah. ” That he felt strong through his statement, was patient, did not informed (Harun) of their names, and thanked Allah. [313] From this we conclude that the Shi‘a faced intense pressure in those dark periods of time. We have mentioned some of that when we talked about the Time of Imam Musa, peace be on him.

E. His Death

Muhammed b. Abi ‘Umayr passed away in the year 217 A. H. [314]

234. Muhammed Bin Ishaq Bin ‘Ammar Bin Hayyan al-Taghlubi al-Sayrafi

He is reliable and notable. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on him. He has a book. [4] Al-Shaykh al-Mufeed has said: ” He was among the reliable, special group of Imam Musa and was among the men of piety and knowledge. ”[315] Abu Ja‘far b. Babawayh has said: “He was among the Waqifites. ” This can be refuted by that he asked the Imam:

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-Do you not guide me to him from whom I take (the precepts of) my religion?

-This son of mine, ‘Ali. Surely, my father took me by the hand and made me enter the grave of Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, and said: “O My little son, surely Allah, the Great and Almighty, has said: Surely I am going to place in the earth a caliph. And most surely when Allah, the Great and Almighty, says a statement, He fulfills it. ”

This narration indicates that he was a Waqifite. [317]

235. Muhammed Bin Isma‘il Bin Buzaygh

He is among the righteous persons and notables of this sect (the Shi‘a) and one of the narrators of the traditionists of Imam Musa, peace be on him. He was a follower of al-Mansur and one of the ministers in the ‘Abbasid state. Imam al-Rida, peace be on him, has said: “Surely Allah has at the doors of the oppressive those for whom He illuminates the proof and makes capable in the land, that He may through them defend His friends, set right the affairs of the Muslims, to whom the believer resort from harm, to whom resort the possessors of needs from among our Shi’ites, through them Allah makes safe the fearful believers in the land of the oppressive. It is they who are true believers; it is they who are entrusted by Allah on His earth; it is they from among His subjects whom Allah will illuminate on the Day of Resurrection, whose light shine over the inhabitants of the heavens just as the glittering stars shine over the inhabitants of the earth, due to their light the Day of Resurrection will be luminous; by Allah, they have been created for the Garden, and the Garden has been created for them; may it be agreeable for them! There is no (harm) on you, you can attain the whole of this if you wish. ”

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Muhammed asked: “May Allah make me your ransom, through what? ”

He, peace be on him, replied: “He is one of them and he delight us through delighting our believing followers. Therefore, Muhammed, be on of them. ”

He wrote books of which are Kitab al-Hajj (a Book on the Hajj) , and Kitab Thawab al-Hajj (a Book on the Reward of the Hajj). [318]

236. Muhammed Bin Basheer

He is among the excessive Waqifites; one of those who sold their religion and their life in the next world for this world; he created jugglery, false things, lies, and heresies. He spared no effort to spoil the Muslims and to divide their unity. The following is a brief outline on his affairs:

A. His Heresies

This man was among the destroyers and mischief-makers. He apostatized from Islam due to the heresies and misleading things he founded. Among his heresies is his statement: “Whoever of the children of Imam Musa, peace be on him, claims the Imamate is a liar and not good in birth. ” He regarded as unbelievers all those who believed in their Imamate and as lawful (shedding) their blood. He and his followers innovated illegal things, saying: “Surely the duties made obligatory on them by Allah, the Most High, are only performing the five prayers and fasting the Month of Ramadan. ” They denied al-zekat, the hajj, and the rest of the Islamic duties. They believed in regarding as lawful all kinds of the forbidden things such as fornication, sodomy, and reincarnation. They claimed other forbidden things that indicated their unbelief and their denying Allah, the Most High.

B. His Jugglery

Muhammed b. Basheer was knowledgeable in all kinds of jugglery. He was unique in his time in that. He used his jugglery as means to seduce the simple and the simple-minded. Among the wonders of his jugglery is that he drew a picture of Imam Musa, peace be on him. He clothed it in a silk garment. He folded it. When he wanted to seduce his companions, he said to them: “Abu al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him, is with me. If you like to see him, then come with me to show him to you. They went with him, and he made them enter the house. While the picture was folded, he asked them: “Do you see anybody in the house? ” “No,” they replied. Then he ordered them to go out. When they went out, he spread the picture and removed the curtain between it and them. They saw a standing picture looking like Imam Musa, peace be on him. He stood by the picture and whispered to it and spoke to it. He approached it as if that he wanted to tell it some thing in secret. Then he asked them to go out, lowered the curtains and folded the picture. Such was his behavior for a period of time in seducing, misleading, deceiving, and spreading discords among the people.

An example of his jugglery is that when Harun al-Rashid arrested him and intended to kill him, he said to him: “O Commander of the faithful, leave me and I will make you the things the kings like. ” Thus, he released him and he made him norias in a wonderful way. He made plates (al-wah) and put mercury into them. The norias were full of water and poured into those plates; the mercury was reversed and the norias became wide; they functioned in this way without a machine or an engine. Harun al-Rashid admired that. Muhammed b. Isma’il made Harun al-Rashid other works that indicated his skill.

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C. His Denying Imam Musa

Muhammed b. Basheer denied Imam Musa, peace be on him. He claimed that he had been raised up to the heaven, and that the one who was in prison was other than Imam Musa. Through that, he tried to spoil the beliefs of the Shi‘a and to control their legal rights, for he claimed that he was the representative of the Imam.

D. Imam Musa invokes Allah against him

When this unbeliever spread heresies and errors among the people and spoiled the Muslim young men, Imam Musa invoke Allah against him and warned the people against him. Ibn Abi Hamza al-Bataini has related, saying: [I have heard Imam Musa, peace be on him, say: ] “May Allah curse Muhammed b. Basheer and make him taste the heat of the iron; he lied to me; may Allah renounce him; and I renounce him before him. O Allah, before You I renounce what Ibn Bashir claims! O Allah, rid me of him! ” Then he, peace be on him, turned to Ibn Abi Hamza and said: “O ‘Ali, if someone tells lies to us, Allah makes him taste the heat of iron. Banan told lies to ‘Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on him, and Allah made him taste the heat of iron; al-Mughira b. Sa‘eed told lies to Abu Ja‘far, peace be on him, and Allah made him taste the heat of iron; Abu al-Khattab told lies to my father, and Allah made him taste the heat of iron; and Muhammed b. Bashir, may Allah curse him told lies to me, and Allah made him taste the heat of iron. I, before Allah, renounce him; O Allah, before You I renounce what Muhammed b. Bashir claims concerning me. O Allah, relieve me of him! O Allah, rid me of him! O Allah, surely I ask You to relieve me of this dirty and unpure one (Muhammed b. Bashir)! ”

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From this supplication, we conclude that the Imam was displeased with this rogue (Muhammed b. Bashir) , with whom he was afflicted just as his pure forefathers were afflicted with persons similar to this dirty, wicked person (Muhammed b. Bashir).

E. His Death

When the heresies of this dirty person appeared and his false beliefs spread, the local authorities arrested him, tortured him with various kinds of torture, and killed him with the worst killing. [319] He met his just reward in the world before the hereafter.

237. Muhammed Bin Bakr Bin Jinah

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) al-Kazim, peace be on him. He (Muhammed Bin Bakr) has been accused of his joining the Waqifites. [320]

238. Muhammed Bin Thabit

In his book al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has two times numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa al-Kazim) , peace be on him. In the second time he mentioned that he was unknown. [321]

239. Muhammed Bin Ja‘far Bin Sa‘d al-Aslami

It was he who wrote the first will of Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him; and he bore witness in his second will. [322] We will mention the text of the will in a chapter of this book.

240. Muhammed Bin al-Harith al-Ansari

In his book al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) al-Kazim, peace be on him. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami Shi‘ite;[323] similarly, he was one of the witnesses during the second will of the Imam, according to the narration of al-Kulayni.

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241. Muhammed Bin Hakim al-Khath‘ami

He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan. He was given the kunya of Abu Ja‘far. He has a book narrated by Ja‘far b. Muhammed b. Hakim. [324] He has been praised in the book al-Wajiza.

242. Muhammed Bin Khalid

He is better known as Abu ‘Abd Allah al-Barqi. [325] In his book al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam al-Kazim, peace be on him. He was a writer and had good knowledge of traditions and the sciences of the Arabs. He has some books of which are Kitab al-Tanzil wa al-Ta‘bir (a Book on Revelation and Expression) , Kitab Youm wa Layla (a Book on a Day and a Night) , Kitab al-Tafseer (a Book on the Exegesis of Qur’anic Verses) , Kitab Mecca wa al-Medina (A Book on Mecca and al-Medina) , Kitab Harb al-Aws wa al-Khazrajj (a Book on the Battle between al-Aws and al-Khazrajj) , Kitab al- ‘Ilal (a Book on the Causes) , Kitab ‘Ilm al-Baari (a Book on the Knowledge of the Creator) , and Kitab al-Khutab (a Book on Sermons). [326] Concerning him Ibn al-Ghada’iri has said: “Surely, he knows and denies in his traditions; he has narrated many traditions on the authority of the weak narrators and depended on incompletely transmitted hadith (mursal). ” Al-Najashi has said: “He is weak in his hadith. ” Another group (of reporters) has regarded him as reliable. [327]

243. Muhammed Bin Zarqan Bin al-Habab, the companion of Imam Musa. [328]

He has a book. His association with the Imam indicates that he is trustworthy and important.

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244. Muhammed Bin Sulayman al-Basri al-Daylami

He is among the companions of Imam Musa, peace be on him. He has been accused of excessiveness. None depends on his narrating traditions due to his bad thought. [329]

245. Muhammed Bin Sinan, Abu Ja‘far al-Zahidi al-Khaza‘i

In his book al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa, peace be on him. The biographers have differed over him: Some have dispraised him, and others have regarded him as trustworthy. Ibn al-Ghada’iri has said: “He is weak and excessive. He fabricated traditions. None pays attention to him. ” He has been regarded as weak by: al-Muhaqiq (al-Tusi) in his al-Mu‘tabar, al-‘Allama (al-Hili) in his al-Mukhtalif, al-Shahid al-Thani in his al-Mesalik, and al-Shaykh (al-Tusi) in his al-Istibsar. Great figures other than these have also dispraised him. Al-Shaykh al-Mufid had regarded him as trustworthy and said: “He is among the men of piety, knowledge, jurisprudence, and religion. ” He has also been regarded as reliable by: al-Shaykh al-Mejjlisi, al-Shaykh al-Hur al-‘Amili, and al-Hasan b. Abi Shu‘ba in his Tuhafa al-‘Uqul. Concerning him al-Kashi has narrated: [He came in to Abu al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him, one year before he was transferred to Iraq. With the Imam was his son al-Rida, peace be on him. He, peace be on him, turned to him, saying: ]

-Muhammed!

-Here I am!

-There will be a movement this year.

The Imam bowed his head. Then he raised his head, turned to Muhammed and said to him:

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-Allah causes the unjust to go astray, and Allah does what He pleases.

-What is that? May I be your ransom!

-Whoever wrongs this son of mine in his right, he indicated with his hand to his son al-Rida, peace be on him, and denies his Imamate after me is like him who wronged ‘Ali b. Abi Talib, peace be on him, and denied his Imamate after (the Prophet) Muhammed, may Allah bless him and his family.

Muhammed understood that the Imam had announced his death before him, and that he would meet his Lord was close at hand. So he wanted to understand some secrets none knew except the Imam, saying:

-By Allah, If Allah prolonged my lifetime, I would hand over to him his right and to acknowledge his Imamate. I bear witness that he is the proof of Allah over His creatures after you, the summoner to His religion.

-Muhammed, Allah will prolong your lifetime, and you (must) summon (the people) to his Imamate and to that of him who would take his place after him.

-Who is that?

-Muhammed, his son.

-Consent and submission?

-Yes. I have found in the page of the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, that you are clearer than the lightning at a dark night.

This narration is a proof of that Muhammed was among the remarkable believers and of the righteous people. Other narrations have praised his merits, his being trustworthy, and his nearness to Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them. These viewpoints have been mentioned by al-Muhaqiq al-Mamaqani, may Allah have mercy on him, who has said: “Surely the strongest opinion is that the man (Muhammed) is trustworthy; his beliefs are true; his narration is accepted. As for those who have accused him of excessiveness, they are either mistaken about his inclination to excessiveness firstly and his firmness when Saffwan talked with him or due to what I have already heard from some pious people who said that he was among those who had the secrets of the Imam, and that he narrated some of their secrets to 

which the excessive clung. So the companions criticized him to get rid of that which is more corrupt, and which is that the excessive feel strength through that which is corrupt. If he was really weak, a great group from among our great companions would not narrate (traditions) on his authority. ”[330]

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Muhammed wrote some books of which are the following: Kitab al-Tara’if, Kitab al-Azilla, Kitab al-Makasib (a Book on Earnings) , Kitab al-Hajj (a Book on hajj) , Kitab al-Sayd wa al-Dhabaih (a Book on Hunting and Slaughtering) , Kitab al-Shra’ wa al-Bay‘ (A Book on Buying and Selling) , Kitab al-Wasiya (a Book on Will) , and Kitab al-Nawadir (a Book on Miscellaneous Traditions). He died in the year 220 A. H. [331]

246. Muhammed Bin al-Sabah

In his book al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) al-Kazim, peace be on him. Concerning him, al-Najashi has said: “He is a reliable Kufan. He has a book. Ahmed b. ‘Abd al-Wahid has told us about the book. Ibn Dawud has mentioned him in the first part of His Rijal. ”[332]

247. Muhammed Bin Sadaqa al-Anbari al-Basri

His kunya is Abu Ja‘far. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan Musa and al-Rida, peace be on them. He has a book on Musa b. Ja‘far, peace be on him. [333]

248. Muhammed Bin ‘Abd Allah al-Jallab al-Basri

He is one of the companions of Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him, and is a Waqifite. [334]

249. Muhammed Bin ‘Adhafir Bin ‘Isa al-Sayrafi al-Meda’ini

He is trustworthy. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan Musa and al-Rida, peace be on them. He lived for a long time until the days of Imam al- Rida, peace be on him. He has a book on which there are different narrations. He died at the age of 93 years old. [335]

A Group of his Companions and of the Narrators of his Traditions 11

250. Muhammed Bin ‘Ali Bin al-Nu‘man

His Kunya is Abu Ja‘far and is better known as Mu’min al-Taq. He is among great Muslim thinkers and among the notables of the time who widely opened the gate of history and passed through it as free people and recorded for their community and their time glory and pride. Mu’min al-Taq was on top of Muslim religious scholars in his jurisprudence, his knowledge, and his defending the religion. However, the early historians mentioned nothing of his viewpoints and legacy except a little bit. Those who harbored malice against him criticized him and fastened on him various accusations and doubts and made him carry many burdens. The reason for that, as we think, is his many attitudes through which he argued with the Imams of the Islamic creeds and the rest of the religious scholars of his time, and clearly proved that the Imamate was a correct thought and that it harmonized with the reality and guidance of Islam, the affair that moved spites against him.

Any way, the Shi‘a nicknamed this great giant Mu’min al-Taq, while his opponents nicknamed him Shaytan al-Taq. The reason for that, as they said, is that he sat to exchange money in a market situated at Taq al-Mahamil, in Kufa, so he disputed with a man on a forged dirham. He overcame his opponent, and he was given this nickname. [336] This justification has no scientific meaning. For this attitude does not require giving him such a nickname and spreading it among the people. The correct thing is that Abu Hanifa was the first to give him this nickname after a debate took place in his presence between him and one of the Harawriya. [337] The Shi‘a gave him this nickname to refute Abu Hanifa.

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An author has attacked Mu’min al-Taq, saying: “Surely, he (Mu’min al-Taq) is cross-eyed and wicked! ”[338]

This weak reason resulted from a great malice against this great mujahid, who defended Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them, and supported their affairs. It is necessary for us to pause to give a brief account of him:

1. His Graduation

Mu’min al-Taq joined the school of Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, and took some of its brilliant sciences. He specialized in Islamic philosophy and theology. He was among the great scholars in this science; none was like him in it. Imam al-Sadiq delegated him to undertake scientific debates with the rest of the Islamic schools. He accompanied the Imam and took some of his sciences. When Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, moved to the Abode of Everlastingness (lit. passed away) , Mu’min al-Taq devoted himself to Imam Musa and took from him many sciences and much knowledge. Accordingly, he was among the most prominent religious scholars of his time.

2. His high Position

Mu’min al-Taq was among the Muslim leading thinkers. The religious scholars of his time unanimously acknowledged his scientific position. Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, praised his merits and his nearness to him. [339] He compared him to the great scholars from among his companions, saying: “The most lovable people, alive and dead, to me are: Burayd b. Mu‘awiya al-‘Ijjli, Zarara b. A‘yun, Muhammed b. Muslim, and Abu Ja‘far al-Ahwal (Mu’min al-Taq). ”[340]

This tradition is a proof of that he had an important position with the Imam, peace be on him. For he regarded him as one of his unique companions.

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3 His Specialization

Mu’min al-Taq specialized, as we have mentioned, in theology, so he was among those skillful in this art. Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, entrusted him with debating with the religious scholars of his time; meanwhile, he prevented his companions from dealing with this subject matter, for they were poor in this science. Abu Khalid al-Kamili has said: “I saw Abu Ja‘far (Mu’min al-Taq) sitting in al-Rawda. The people of Medina cut off his buttons while he was answering their questions. I drew near to him and asked him: ‘Surely Abu ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) had prevented us from dealing with theology, and he asked me: ‘Did he order you to say that to me? ’ ‘No, by Allah,’ I replied, ‘but he ordered me not to debate with anyone on theology. ’ ‘Go and obey him in what he has ordered you,’ he retorted. I came in to Abu ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and told him about the story took place between me and Mu’min al-Taq and about his statement that I had to go and to obey him in what he had ordered me. He, peace be on him, smiled and said: ‘O Khalid, surely Mu’min al-Taq debate with the people on theology, so he increases and decreases. However, you do not increase when they debate with you. ’”[341] This tradition is evidence for that Mu’min al-Tadq had great merits, knowledge, and culture. In addition to his specialization in this art, he was among the gifted poets, but he left poetry and practiced theology. [342]

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4. His Debates

His high debates with his opponents are evidence for his skillfulness and his excellence over them. He was famous for his firm arguments, strong proofs and conclusions. The following are some of his debates:

A. With al-Dahhak

The Kharijites went in revolt in Kufa and controlled it. Al-Dahhak headed their movements and called himself the Commander of the faithful. When his companions saw Mu’min al-Taq waking towards him, they jumped and surrounded him, but he ordered them not to hurt him. Then Mu’min al-Taq turned to him and said to him: “Surely I am a man with knowledge of my religion. I have heard that you describe justice, so I would like to enter (a debate) with you. ”

Al-Dahhak was happy at that and regarded it as a victory for him, so he said to his companions: “Certainly, if this (Mu’min al-Taq) enter (a debate) with you, he will benefit you. ”

Mu’min al-Taq approached al-Dahhak and asked him the following question:

-Why did you renounce ‘Ali b. Abi Talib?

-Because he appointed someone as arbitrator in respect with the religion of Allah.

-Do you regard as lawful killing him or fighting him who appoints someone as arbitrator in respect with the religion of Allah?

Yes?

-Tell me about the religion on which I have come to debate with you: If my demonstration overcomes yours or yours overcomes mine, then who will draw the attention of the mistaken to his mistake and decide the rightness of the right? Therefore, we have no escape from that we must appoint someone to decide between us.

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Al-Dahhak had no escape from saying:

This-he indicated with his hand to a companion of his-is the arbitrator between us; he has knowledge of the religion.

Mu’min al-Taq found a way to criticize him and to abolish his beliefs, saying to him:

-Have you appointed this person as an arbitrator in respect with the religion on which I have to debate with you?

-Yes.

Mu’min al-Taq came near to the Kharijites and showed them the mistakes of their leader, saying to them: “Surely, your leader has appointed someone as an arbitrator in respect with Allah’s religion; then that is up to you! ”

The Kharijites attacked al-Dahhak and cut him into pieces with their own swords. [343] Mu’min al-Taq went out and left disgrace and shame hurt their souls.

B. With Abu Hanifa

Mu’min al-Taq had with Abu Hanifa wonderful debates indicating his victory and excellence over him. He met with him, and he sneeringly asked him:

-I have heard something about you, O People of Shi’a!

-What is it?

-When one of you dies, you break his left hand, that he may be given his book in his right hand.

Soon Mu’min al-Taq aimed at him an arrow of his abundant knowledge, saying to him:

-O Nu’man, this lie has been fabricated against us. However, I have heard about you, O People of the Murji’a, that when one of you dies, you supply him with water through the back, that he may not be thirsty on the Day of Resurrection.

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Abu Hanifa was unable to give an answer. He said to him with the words of someone deserted:

-These lies have been fabricated against us and you. [344]

Mu’min al-Taq met with Abu Hanifa another time, and he asked him:

-O Abu Ja‘far, do you believe in the return?

-Yes.

Abu Hanifa sneeringly said to him:

-Give me five hundred dinars. When I and you return, I will give it back to you.

So Mu’min al-Taq said to him:

-I want someone to guarantee that you will not turn into a monkey, that I will be able to take back what you will borrow from me.

Abu Hanifa was unable to answer him. He went away deserted. [345]

He met with him another time, and he asked him:

-Abu Ja‘far, what is your opinion of contemporary marriage? Do you think that it is Islamically lawful?

-Yes.

-Then what prevents you from ordering your wives to marry contemporarily and earn you (some money)?

-Not all jobs are desirable even if they are lawful. People have ranks through which their importance is high. However, Abu Hanifa, what is your opinion of wine? Do you think that it is lawful?

-Yes.

-Then what prevents you from letting your wives sit in wine shops and earn you (some money)?

-One for one, but your arrow is more penetrative! [346]

When Imam Abu ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , peace be on him, passed away, Abu Hanifa gloated over his death and said to Mu’min al-Taq:

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-Abu Ja‘far, Your Imam has died!

-But your Imam is among those who have been granted a respite until the Day of Resurrection. By that he meant Satan. [347]

He had with Abu Hanifa other debates indicating his excellence over him and his ability to recall answers.

C. With Bin Abi al-‘Awja’

Mu’min al-Taq met with Bin Abi al-‘Awja’, the head of the unbelievers in the Arab world, and he asked him the following question:

-Whoever creates or produces something to know that it is of his creation is its creator, isn’t he?

-Yes.

-Come after a month or two months, that I may show you that!

Mu’min al-Taq said: “So I went to the Sacred House of Allah. Then I came in to Abu ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) , peace be on him, and told him about the affair, and he, peace be on him, said: ‘Surely he has prepared two ewes for you. He will bring out the two ewes full of worms for you in the presence of some of his companions and say to you: ‘I have created these worms. ’ Say to him: ‘If they are of your creation, then distinguish the males from females. ’ He will say to you: ‘This is not of your thoughts; rather you have brought it from al-Hijaz. ’ Then he will ask you: ‘Do you not claim that He (Allah) is rich? ’ Say: ‘Yes. ’ He will also ask you: ‘Do you think that He is rich while he has neither gold nor silver? ’ Say to him: ‘Yes. ’ He will say to you: ‘How will this be rich? ’ Say to him: ‘If riches among us on the part of gold or silver or trade, then all this is of that with which people deal, so which thing is in comparison greater and more appropriate than that which is said: ‘Who is richer-the One Who by Himself creates riches before it was a thing and makes people rich through it or he who benefits by a gift, alms, and a trade? ’”

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Mu’min al-Taq returned home and met with Ibn Abi al-‘Awja’. The previous talk took place between them, and the latter said to the former: “By Allah, this (thought) is not of yours! By Allah, this (thought) is of that which carried by camels! ”[348]

Mu’min al-Taq had other debates indicating his abundant knowledge.

5. His Books

Mu’min al-Taq wrote a group of books on various kinds of sciences of which are the following:

A. If‘al wa la Taf‘al (Do and do not do) ; it is a good, big book. Al-Najashi saw it with Ahmed b. al-Husayn. Concerning it he has said: “Some later author added to it some traditions indicating corruption. ”

B. Kalamihi ma‘a al-Khawarijj (his Theological Debates with the Kharijites) ; it contains his debates with them and their corrupt beliefs.

C. Majalisihi ma’a Abu Hanifa wa al-Murji’a (his Debates with Abu Hanifa and the Murji’a).

D. Al-Ihtijajj fi Imamat Amir al-Mu’minin (Evidence for the Imamate of the Commander of the faithful). [349]

E. Al-Ma’rifa (Knowledge).

F. Al-Radd ‘alaa al-Mu’tazila fi Imamat al-Mafdul (Answers to the Mu‘tazilites on the Imamate of the less excellent).

G. Al-Jamal (the Battle of the Camel). In it he has explained the story of Talha, al-Zubayr, and ‘A’isha.

H. Ithbat al-Wasiya (the Establishment of the Will). [350]

With this subject matter we will end our talk about this unique, great man who struggled and combated for a long time in the way of Allah and defending the entity of Islam at the time when the ruling authorities pursued the reformers and severely punished the men of knowledge and thought, who spread the merits of Ahl al- Bayt, peace be on them.

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251. Muhammed Bin ‘Ali Bin al-Nisaburi

He is among the trustworthy Shi’ites. The people of Nisabur delegated him as their representative after the death of Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, that they might know the Proof (hajja) and Imam after Abi ‘Abd Allah. We have mentioned his tradition in the first part of the book.

252. Muhammed Bin ‘Amru

He is one of the companions of Imam Musa, peace be on him. He is a Waqifite. [351]

253. Muhammed Bin ‘Amru Bin Yazid al-Sabiry.

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him. He has a book. [352]

254. Muhammed Bin al-Faraj al-Rakhji.

He reported traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him. He has a book. [353]

255. Muhammed Bin al-Fedl Bin Kuthayr al-Azdi al-Sayrafi al-Kufi

He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan Musa and his son al-Rida, peace be on them. He has a book and questions. [354]

256. Muhammed Bin Mas‘ud al-Ta’i

He is a trustworthy Arab Kufan. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on them. [355]

257. Muhammed Bin Yazid al-Nehrwani

In His Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him. He is an unknown. [356]

258. Muhammed Bin Yunus

In His Rijal, Shaykh Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him, and said that he is trustworthy. Similarly, al- ‘Allama (al-Hilli) has mentioned him in his al-Khulasa. He has also been regarded as trustworthy in both al-Wajiza and al-Baligha. [357]

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259. Marzam Bin Hakim al-Azdi al-Meda’ini

He is a trustworthy retainer. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on them. Al-Rashid brought him along with his two brothers Muhammed and Hadeed, and ‘Abd al-Hameed Bin Ghauwas. He ordered ‘Abd al-Hameed to be killed, while Marzam and his two brothers were safe from his wickedness. Marzam died during the days of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. He has a book narrated by a group of narrators. [358]

260. Mas‘ada Bin Sadaqa al-‘Abdi

His kunya was Abu Muhammed; and it was said that it was Abu Basheer. He reported traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan (Musa) , peace be on them. He has some books; among them is Khutab Ameer al-Mu’mineen (the Sermons of the Commander of the Faithful). [359]

A Group of his Companions and of the Narrators of his Traditions 12

261. Masma‘ Bin ‘Abd al-Malik Bin Masma‘

He was given the Kunya of Abu Sayyar and the nickname of Kardin. He was the Shaykh of Bakr b. Wa’il in Basrah. He was a notable and master of the Masami‘a. He narrated a few traditions on the authority of Abu Ja‘far, peace be on him. He also reported traditions on the authority of Abu ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and devoted himself to him. Most his narrations were on his authority. Abu ‘Abd Allah said to him: “I prepare you for a great affair, O Abu Sayyar. ” He narrated traditions on the authority of Abu al-Hasan Musa. He has many miscellaneous traditions. It was he who narrated the Days of al-Basus. [360]

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262. Musadif

He was the retainer of Abi ‘Abd Allah al-Sadiq, peace be on him. Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Imam Musa al-Kazim, peace be on him. Imam al-Kazim, peace be on him, bought an estate and granted it to the children of Musadif. Ibn al-Ghada’iri has regarded Musadif as a weak narrator. [361]

263. Mu‘awiya Bin Abi Mu‘awiya al-Bajali al-Dihni

He was a Kufan, among our notable companions, given precedence (over others) , with great importance and position, and trustworthy. His father ‘Ammar was trustworthy in the sight of the general populace (‘amma). He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan. He has books of which are: Kitab al-hajj (a Book on the Hajj) , Kitab al-Salat (a Book on Prayers) , Kitab Youm wa Layla (a Book on a Day and a Night) , Kitab al-Du‘a’ (a Book on Supplications) , Kitab al-Talaq (a Book on Divorce) , and Kitab Mazar Ameer al-Mu’mineen (a Book on Paying Visitations to the Commander of the Faithful, i. e. , Imam ‘Ali). He died in the year 175 A. H. [362]

264. Mu‘awiya Bin Wahab al-Bajali

His kunya was Abu al-Hasan. He was a real Arab, trustworthy, and had a good way. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan, peace be on them. He has books among them are: Fada’il al-Hajj (the Virtues of the Hajj). [363] He has been regarded as trustworthy by a group of the great figures. [364]

265. Mi‘tib

He was the retainer of Abi ‘Abd Allah (Muhammed b. Ja‘far al-Sadiq). Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as among the companions of Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him, and added that he is trustworthy. Concerning him, Imam Abu ‘Abd Allah (Muhammed b. Ja‘far al-Sadiq) , peace be on him, has said: “My retainers are ten; the best and most meritorious of them is Mi‘tib. ”[365]

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266. Al-Mughira Bin Tawba al-Makhzumi al-Kufi

In his Irshad, Shaykh al-Mufeed has numbered him as among the special group of Imam al-Kazim and one of the trustworthy with him. He was among the men of piety, knowledge, and the science of Islamic jurisprudence. He was among those who narrated the textual designation for the Imamate of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. [366]

267. Al-Mufaddal Bin Salih

His kunya and nickname were Abu Jameela al-Nakhkhas. Concerning him, Ibn al-Ghada’iri has said: “He (Al-Mufaddal Bin Salih) is a liar. He fabricated traditions. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan, peace be on them. ”[367]

268. Al-Mufaddal Bin ‘Amru al-Ju‘fi al-Kufi

He was among the great religious scholars, one of the righteous, pious masters, and among the unique of his time. He had a remarkable rank and a high position with Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them. The following is a brief account of his affairs:

A. His Birth

He was born in Kufa, in the days of Imam al-Baqir, peace be on him, in the end of the first century.

B. His Early life

He grew up in Kufa at the time when the political atmosphere was disordered, the religious societies spread all over the Arab and Muslim world, especially as it concerns Kufa, which was the place of all the parties. Al-Mufaddal grew up in the middle of that violent battle, and was fed on the love for Ahl al-Bayt, for the prevailing nature of his society was love to the honorable Imams, peace be on them. He closely associated them just as what we will explain.

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C. His Knowledge

He was among the great religious scholar and one of the leading thinkers in Islam. He took sciences from Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him. He devoted himself to him for many years and was among his notable companions who took knowledge of him. A sufficient proof of his abundant knowledge is his valuable book entitled Tawhid al-Mufaddal, which was dictated to him by Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him. The book is one of the achievements of the Islamic legacy on which one prides himself. Sadr al-Din al-‘Amili, a researcher, praised the book and lauded al-Mufaddal, saying: “Whoever looks at the famous tradition on the authority of al-Sadiq, peace be on him, comes to know that the Imam did not address anyone through that eloquent speech, the beautiful meanings, and the unusual words except a great man with abundant knowledge, clever senses, and qualified to undertaking the high secrets and wonderful subtle things. ”[368]

Imam al-Sadiq, peace be on him, acknowledged his scientific talents. Al-Fayd b. al-Mukhtar related, saying: “I said to Imam al-Sadiq: ‘I used to attend the seminars of our companions in Kufa; I had doubt about their different traditions, but when I went to al-Mufaddal, he decided them in a way in which I became sure and tranquil. ’ He, peace be on him, said: ‘Yes, he is always so. ’”[369] Al-Shaykh al-Mufid numbered him as among the trustworthy, righteous jurists. [370]

D. His trustworthiness

Al-Mufaddal was among the righteous, trustworthy notables and one of those who had knowledge of their religion. The sufficient proof of his being pious is that he was the representative of Imam al-Sadiq and Imam al-Kazim, peace be on them, in receiving the money sent to them and in other religious rights which belonged to them and in spending them according to his viewpoints on correcting discord, the poor, and the miserable. Of course, such representation resulted from his high social position and his brilliant importance. Concerning him, Imam al-Sadiq said: “By Allah other Whom there is no god, the best servant is al- Mufaddal b. ‘Amr al-Ju‘fi. Imam al-Rida said: “Surely, al-Mufaddal is my bosom friend, who relieves me. ” Many traditions have been mentioned in respect with lauding him, and which indicate his sincere faith, his piety, his hard work in obeying Allah, the Most High, and his turning away from the world.

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E. Criticisms

A group of people accused him of excessiveness and of his being one of the Khettabiya and of other corrupt beliefs, depending on weak traditions which cannot be used as means to criticize this great giant, who is among the pillars of Islam. That is because most reliable Muslim Shi’ites such as Hisham b. al-Hakam were accused of that of which they were innocent.

F. His Books

Al-Mufaddal wrote many books indicating his scientific abilities, they following are some of them:

1. Kitab Youm wa Layla (a Book on a Day and a Night).

2. Kitab Fikr (a Book on Thought).

3. Kitab Bid’ al-Khalq wa al-Hath ‘alaa al-I‘tibar (a Book on the Beginning of the Creation and Urging People to learn a Lesson).

4. Kitab ‘Ilal al-Sharaiya‘ (a Book on the Causes of the Religious Laws).

5. Kitab Wasiyat al-Mufaddal (a Book on al-Mufaddal’s Will). [371]

The greatest book he wrote is al-Tawhid, which is entitled by al-Najashi as the Book of Fikr (a Book on Thought). Professor, researcher al-Sayyid Mustafa Jewad doubted its ascription to al-Mufaddal in an article published in the Magazine al-Wihda al-Islamiya under the title: Is it Tawhid al-Mufaddal or Tawhid al-Jahiz? He believed in that through some weak proofs refuted by some writers and researchers on whose top was the late, our friend, professor, al-Shaykh Muhammed in the introduction of the mentioned book; he fully and valuably explained it in the light of modern science; he ascribed the book to al-Mufaddal depending on many, decisive proofs.

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G. His Commandments

He gave to his Shi‘ite brothers these valuable commandments full of the morals of Ahl al-Bayt, their good manners, and their lives. They should be lessons and programs for all Muslims, for they contain high teachings and unique ideals. They are as follows:

“I recommend you to fear Allah, the One, without a partner, (to) bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammed is His servant and Apostle. Fear Allah and say good words; seek Allah’s good pleasure and fear His displeasure. Keep Allah’s Laws; do not transgress the things limited by Allah; conform to Allah in respect with all your affairs; and be satisfied with His decree in that which is for you and that which is against you.

“You should stick to enjoining the good and forbidding the evil.

“Whoever does good to you, increase him in good; pardon him who wrongs you; do to people that which you like them to do to you.

“Associate with them in a better manner which you are able (to use) ; you had better not place a way against you. You have to fully understand the religion of Allah, to refrain from the things made forbidden by Him, and to well associate him who associates with you, pious and sinful. Cling to strong piety, for the angel of the religion is piety; perform the ritual prayers at their timings; and perform the religious duties according to their limits.

“Do not fall short of that which Allah has made obligatory on you and of that through which He becomes pleased with you. For I heard Abu ‘Abd Allah, peace be on him, said: ‘Fully understand the religion of Allah, and do not be like the Arabs of the desert, for surely whoever does not obtain understanding in the religion of Allah, Allah will not look at him on the Day of Resurrection. You must be moderate during riches and poverty; seek help through some of the world for the hereafter, for I heard Abu ‘Abd Allah say: ‘Seek help through some of this (world) against this (the hereafter) , and do not be dependent on people. ’ You should cling to kindness and good deeds to all those with whom you associate.

“Beware of oppression, for Abu ‘Abd Allah used to say: ‘Surly the quickest wickedness in punishment is oppression. ’ Perform what Allah has made obligatory on you such as prayers, fasting, and the rest of the religious duties decided by Allah. Pay the due zekat to those who deserve it. For surely Abu ‘Abd Allah said: ‘O Mufaddal, say to your companions: ‘Pay zekat to those who deserve it; and I guarantee what they pay. ’ You should follow the family of Muhammed, may Allah bless him and his family. Correct discord; do not backbite each other; visit each other; love each other; do good to each other; meet each other; talk with each other; do not harbor (malice) against each other. Beware of deserting one another; and beware of forsaking each other, for surely I heard Abu ‘Abd Allah say: ‘When two men of our Shi‘ites leave one another as a sign of abandonment, I will renounce one of them and curse him; I most time do that to them both. ’ So Mi‘tib[372] asked him: ‘May I be your ransom, this concerns the oppressor, then what is about the oppressed? ’

And he replied: ‘Because he does not ask his brother to visit him. I heard my father say: ‘When two of our Shi‘ites dispute with each other and they leave each other, then let the oppressed come back to his friend and say to him: ‘My brother, I am the oppressor. ’ That the abandonment between them may come to an end. Surely Allah, the Blessed and the Exalted, is a just judge who punishes the oppressor for the oppressed. ’ Do not degrade and turn away from our the poor from among the Shi‘ites of the family of Muhammed, may Allah bless him and his family. Show kindness to them, give them of the right which Allah has imposed on your properties, and do good to them. Do not swallow the properties of men.

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“Do not swallow (the properties of) men through the family of Muhammed, may Allah bless him and his family. For, most surely, I heard Abu ‘Abd Allah say: ‘The people has become three groups in respect with us: A group love us out of waiting for our Qa’im, that they may obtain some of our world. They have memorized our words by heart, but they have fallen short of (following) our deeds. Accordingly, Allah will bring them together in the fire; a group loves us, hears our words, and does not fall short of (following) our deeds, that they may swallow (the properties of) men through us, so Allah will fill their bellies with fire, empower hunger and thirst over them; and a group loves us, memorizes our words by heart, obeys our orders, and does not oppose us; therefore, they are of us, and we are of them. ’ Do not leave giving gifts to the family of Muhammed, may Allah bless Muhammed and his family, of your properties; the rich (should give) according to his riches, and the poor according to his poverty. So whoever wants Allah to grant the most important of his needs, then let him bestow upon the family of Muhammed and their followers through the property he needs very much. Do not be angry out of the truth when it is said to you; do not make the men of the truth angry when they show you the truth, for most surely the believer does not become angry on account of the truth when it is declared before him.

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“I was with Abu ‘Abd, and he one time said: ‘O Mufaddal, how many are your companions? ’ ‘A few,’ I replied. When I went to Kufa and came nearer to the Shi‘ites, they wanted to cut me into pieces and to eat my flesh. They abused my honor; some of them faced me and shouted at me; and some of them sat in the streets of Kufa and intended to hit me. They fastened accusations on me, to the extent that Abu ‘Abd Allah, peace be on him, heard of it. When I returned to him in the following year, he was the first to receive me. After he greeted me, he said: ‘O Mufaddal, what is that of which I have heard? (What did) they say to you and against them? ’ ‘I attach no importance to their words,’ replied I. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘that is against them. Do they become angry? Woe unto them! You said that your companions were few. No, by Allah, they are not our Shi‘ites (followers). If they were our followers, they would not become angry because of your words, nor did they revolt against them. Certainly, Allah has described our followers with a thing other than that in which they are. None is of Ja‘far’s followers except him who prevents his tongue (from saying ugly words) , does for his Creator, hopes for his master, and fears Allah greatly. Woe unto them! Is there anyone among them who has become arched due to too much praying, lost out of strong fear (of Allah) , blind because of reverence, thirsty on account of fasting, dumb owing to long silence or deprive himself of the pleasure and ease in the world out of fear of Allah and earning for us, Ahl al-Bayt...? ’” These commandments are full of urging men to fear Allah, to obey Him, and to do good. [373]

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269. Al-Minkhil Bin Jameel al-Asadi al-Kufi

Concerning him, Ibn al-Ghada’iri has said: “He (Al-Minkhil Bin Jameel) narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah and Abi al-Hasan, peace be on them. He is a weak Kufan (traditionist) ; there is excessiveness in his way. All those who have written his biography have unanimously agreed on accusing him of immoderation and weakness (in his traditions). He has a book on the exegesis (of the Qur’an). [374]

270. Mansur Bin Abi Baseer

He was the retainer of Abu al-Hasan (Musa al-Kazim). In his (book) al-Rijal, under this title, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) al-Kazim, peace be on him. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi’ite). [375]

271. Mansur Bin Hazim al-Bajali, al-Kufi

His kunya was Abu Ayyub. He is trustworthy, notable, truthful, among the great Shi‘ites, and one of the eminent jurists. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on them. He wrote a group of books; among them are Usool al-Sharai‘ (the Principles of Islamic Laws) , Kitab al-hajj (a Book on the Hajj). [376] All those who wrote his biography unanimously agreed on that he was trustworthy and had abundant knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence. [377]

272. Mansur Bin Yunus

Concerning him al-Najashi has said: “His Kunya is Abu Yehya; it was said that his Kunya was Abu Sa‘eed. He was a trustworthy Kufan. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abu ‘Abd Allah and Abu al-Hasan Musa, peace be on them. He has a book. ”[378] Al-Shaykh al-Tusi has accused him of his being a Waqifite. Al-Kashi has Narrated: “He came in to Abu al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him, and he asked him: ‘Did you not know what I did this day? ’ ‘No,’ He replied. ‘I have appointed my son ‘Ali as my testamentary trustee and the successor after me,’ he, peace be on him, retorted,’ so come in to him, congratulate him on that, and tell him that I had ordered you to do that. ’ He came in to him and inform him of his father’s statement. When he (Imam Musa) , peace be on him, passed away, he denied his death. The reason for that is that he had some properties belonged to Imam Musa, and he craved after them, so he denied them and denied the Imamate of Imam al-Rida. Some traditionists did not take this into consideration and regarded him as just and trustworthy. ”[379]

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273. Musa Bin Ibrahim al-Merwezi

He devoted himself to Imam Musa, peace be on him, when he was in the prison of the tyrannical one, al-Sindi b. Shahik, for he was the teacher of his children, and he allowed him to communicate with the Imam. He wrote a book about what he heard from the Imam. [380] He entitled the book as Musned Imam Musa b. Ja‘far. A copy of the book is available in al-Zahiriya Library, with group number 34-70. The great ‘Allama al-Sayyid Muhammed al-Husayn al-Jalali copied some chapters of it. According to his investigation, the book dates back to the sixth century A. H. The book has many dates, the oldest of them dates back to the year 531 A. H. It is one of the endowments of al-Hafiz al-Muhaddith, Dia’ al-Din Abi ‘Abd Allah Muhammed b. ‘Abd Allah, al-Wahid, al-Sa‘di, al-Maqdisi, al-Salihi, al- Hanbali.

Al-‘Allama al-Jalali took great care of investigating the Musned (book) ; he fully wrote the author’s biography, mentioned the Shaykhs and those who narrated on their authority; he also mentioned the chain of authorities (sanad) of the book, just as it has been mentioned by al-Shaykh al-Tusi, al-Najashi, and Abu al- Mekarim al-Bedra’i. The book contains fifty-nine hadiths (traditions) ; the following are some of them:

1. [Muhammed b. Muhammed Khalaf related to us, Musa b. Ibrahim related to us,Musa b. Ja‘far related to us on the authority of Ja‘far b. Muhammed, on the authority of his father, on the authority of his grandfather, who said: Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “Whoever of my community enters into morning and his concern is other than Allah does not belong to Allah. ”

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2. In the same chain of authorities, he, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “Whoever narrates traditions on my authority and knows that it is fabrication, then he is a liar. ”

3. He, peace be on him, said: “Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, admired him who had a soft voice and hated him who had a loud one. ”

4. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “Surely vainglory spoils a seventy years’ deed. ”

5. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “If you want your prayers to be pure, then let your good ones lead you (in prayer). ”

6. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “A creature is not obeyed when he orders (people) to disobey the Creator. ”

7. He, peace be on him, said: [Ali, peace be on him, said: Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “Whoever ascribes himself to other than his father, Allah will bring him together with the polytheists. ”

8. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “Whoever harms the Muslims in their ways, it is incumbent on them to curse him. ”

9. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “Whoever keeps the five prayers in congregational prayer is not written of the heedless. ”

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10. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “When a servant comes nearer to Satan, he is far away from Allah. ”

11. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “Do good deeds to those who deserve them and to those who do not deserve them, for surely if they are not worthy of them, then you are worthy of them. ”

12. With this same chain of authorities, he, peace be on him, said: [‘Ali, peace be on him, said: ] “Shaking hands strengthens affection. ”

13. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “Man follows his friend’s religion, so you must reflect on him with whom you make friends. ”

14. He, peace be on him, said: “Certainly, al-Hasan and al-Husayn did not accept the prizes of Mu’awiya b. Abi Sufyan. ”

15. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “Whoever is permitted to supplicate (Allah) , the gates to mercy are opened to him. ”

16. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “Wronging a worker in respect with his wage is among great sins. ”

17. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “When Allah wants to do good to a servant, He makes him obtain

knowledge in religion, makes him see the defects of His creatures, and makes him renounce the world. ”

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18. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “A father does not give his child knowledge better than a good manner. ”

19. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “On the Day of Resurrection, some people will preferring falling off Pleiades to that they had been ordered to do something. ”

20. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “The supplication of three (persons) is not refused: the just Imam, the fasting until he breaks the fast, and the supplication of the oppressed. ”

21. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “Whoever says that he is knowledgeable, then he is ignorant. ”

22. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “Forgiveness is the best of the believer’s morals. ”

23. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “Whoever forgives his Muslim brother, Allah forgives him. ”

24. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ] “Faith is knowledge through the heart, acknowledgement with the tongue, and deed with the limbs. ”

These are some traditions mentioned in the Musned; they were heard by Musa b. Ibrahim from the Imam, peace be on him, when he was in the prison of al-Sindi b. Shahik.

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274. Musa Bin Bakr al-Wasiti

He was originally from Kufa. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi ‘Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) and Abi al-Hasan Musa. He is one of those who have narrated the textual nomination from Imam Musa for the Imamate of his son al-Rida, but he, after the death of Imam Musa became a Waqifite and did not acknowledge the Imamate of al-Rida, peace be on him. He has a book. [381]

275. Musa Bin al-Hasan

In his (book) al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of Imam Musa, peace be on him. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi’ite). [382]

276. Musa Bin Sa‘dan al-Hannat al-Kufi.

He narrated traditions on the authority of Abu al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him. He has a book. Ibn al-Ghada’iri has said: “He is weak (in traditions) , and there is immoderation in his way. ” The same thing has been mentioned by al-‘Allama (al-Hilli) in his (book) al-Kulasah. [383]

277. Mahran Bin Abi Baseer

In his (book) al-Rijal, Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) , peace be on him. Apparently, he is an unknown Imami (Shi‘ite). [384]

278. Nujayya Bin al-Harith al-Qauwas al-‘Attar.

Shaykh al-Tusi has numbered him as one of the companions of the Imam (Musa) al-Kazim, peace be on him. Al-Kashi has narrated on the authority of Muhammed b. ‘Isa who has said that Nujayya is a truthful Shaykh and the friend of ‘Ali b. Yaqteen. [385]

279. Nasheet Bin Salih Bin Laffafa.

He was the retainer of the Banu ‘Ijal. He is trustworthy. He narrated traditions on the authority of Abi al-Hasan Musa, peace be on him. He has a book. [386] Al- ‘Allama (al-Hilli) has narrated that Nasheet was the servant of Imam Musa, peace be on him. [387] Nasheet is among those who have narrated the textual nomination for the Imamate of al-Rida, peace be on him. [388]