B. Al-Naja`shi
Al-Naja`shi said: "Zara`ra bin A'yun b. Sansan was the retainer of the Banu (sons of) 'Abd Allah. He was the shaykh of our companions at his time. He was the foremost of them. He was a reciter of the
____________
1. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 7, p. 249.
2. Ibid, p. 225.
3. Ibid.
( 518 )
Koran. He was a jurist, a theologian, and a poet. The excellent religious qualities gathered in him. He was truthful in what he said.
1
C. Al-Kashi said:
The Shi'ites agreed on the truthfulness of the early companions of Abu` Ja'far and of Abu` 'Abd Allah, peace be on them. They relied on them in jurisprudence. They (the Shi'ites) said: 'The most knowledgeable of the early people in jurisprudence are six persons. They are Zara`ra, Ma’ruf b. Kharbudh, Barid, Abu` Basir al-Asadi, al-Fudayl b. Yasa`r, and Mohammed b. Moslem al-Taa`ifi.’ They (the Shi'ites) said: 'The most knowledgeable of the six persons in jurisprudence is Zara`ra.
2
D. Ibn al-Nadim
Ibn al-Nadim said: "Zara`ra is the
greatest Shi'ite in jurisprudence, traditions, theology, and Shiism.
3
These words show that Zara`ra had outstanding scientific abilities. These abilities made him occupy the first position in knowledge.
Ima`m al-Sa`diq and Zara`ra
Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him, respected and admired Zara`ra. For Zara`ra was among the main scholars and jurists who studied under his (al-Sa`diq’s) father and preserved his cultural scientific wealth. Many traditions reported on the authority of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him. In the traditions, the Ima`m praised and lauded Zara`ra. The following is some of the traditions:
A. Al-Fadl b. 'Abd al-Ma`lik reported. He said: [I heard Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, say:] "The most lovable people, dead or living, with me are four (persons). They are Barid b. Mu'a`wiya al-'Ajali, Zara`ra, Mohammed b. Moslem, and al-Ahwal.
4
____________
1. Al-Najashi.
2. Al-Kashi.
3. Ibn al-Nadim, Fihrast.
4. Al-Kashi.
( 519 )
This narration shows the sincere love of the Ima`m, peace be on them, for these four persons. For they raised the banner of Islam and enlightened the life of Moslems through their sciences and morals.
B. Jamil b. Darra`jj reported. He said: [I heard Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, say:] "Give good news to the humble about the garden. They are Barid b. Mu'a`wiya al-’Ajali, Abu` Basir (layth b. al-Bakhtari al-Mura`di), Mohammed b. Moslem, and Zara`ra. They are highborn persons. They are the trustees of Allah over His lawful and unlawful. Were it not for them, the traditions of the Prophet would be obliterated.
1
These Mujahideen rendered excellent services to Islam and Moslems. For they preserved the traditions of the Ima`ms of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. Such traditions represent the guidance and essence of Islam.
C. Da`wu`d b. Sarha`n reported on the authority of Ima`m Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, who said: "My father’s companions were ornaments before and after their death. I mean Zara`ra, Mohammed b. Moslem, Layth al-Mura`di, and Barid al-'Ajali. It is they who are just and truthful.
2
These chosen persons were ornaments for the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. For they had good behavior and high moral standards. They were a good example for those who wanted to follow them. After their death, they are also ornaments for the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on him. For they have left behind them scientific knowledge.
D. Sulayma`n b. Kha`lid al-Aqta' reported: [I heard Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, say:] "No one has enlivened our fame and our traditions except Barid b. Mu'a`wiya al-'Ajali, Abu` Basir (layth b. al-Bakhtari al-Mura`di), Mohammed b. Moslem, and Zara`ra. Were it not for them, no one would conclude (religious precepts). They are the preservers of the religion. They are the trustees of my father over the lawful and unlawful of Allah. They are close to us in the world. They will be close to us in the next world.
3
____________
1. Ibid.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
( 520 )
These jurists were the preservers of the religion. They were sincere custodians over the lawful and the unlawful of Allah. Had it not been for them the traditions of the Prophet and of the Ima`m would have been extinguished. It was they who maintained the traditions of the Ima`ms when they recorded them. So, their services to Islam are wonderful.
E. Jamil b. Darra`jj reported. He said: [I entered the house of Abu` 'Abd Aallah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him. He asked me:] "Have you seen the person who has just left the house?" "Yes," I replied," He is among our Kufan companions." He, peace be on him, said: "May Allah not hallow his soul nor may He hallow those who are like him. He mentioned persons whom my father appointed as trustees over the lawful and the unlawful of Allah. He said that they were the container of my father’s knowledge, and that they were the
store of my secret. As for the real companions of my father, Allah removes evil from the people of the earth through them. They are the stars of my followers (Shi'ites), whether they are dead or living. They enliven my father’s reputation. Through them, Allah discloses all heresies. They purify this religion from the claims of the liars and the interpretation of the extremists.
Then Ima`m Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, wept. Jamil b. Darra`jj was astonished. So, he asked the Ima`m: "Who are they?
The Ima`m, peace be on him, answered: "The blessing and mercy of Allah be on them, whether they are dead or living. They are Barid al-'Ajali, Zara`ra, Abu` Basir, and Mohammed b. Moslem. Jamil, you will know the affair of this man, who disparaged Zara`ra. He belongs to the companions of Abu` al-Khatta`b.
1
This tradition show that Zara`ra and his learned companions were of great importance. For they were the store of the secret of the Ima`mate. They were the trustees of Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, over the lawful and the lawful of Allah. They did their best to bring the community to Allah.
____________
1. Ibid.
( 521 )
F. Ima`m Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, said: "May Allah have mercy on Zara`ra b. A'yun. Were it not for Zara`ra and his companions, my father’s traditions would be extinguished.
1
Traditions similar to these praised Zara`ra’s outstanding qualities. The showed his rank
and position with the Ima`ms of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. They denoted that he was in their hearts and feelings of the Ima`ms of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, for they loved him very much.
Slanderous Traditions
Some traditions have been mentioned. The traditions damage Zara`ra’s reputation. Surely, some of the traditions are fabricated, and some of them were said by Ima`m Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him. The Ima`m said such traditions not to show malice towards him nor to damage his reputation. Rather, he said them to save Zara`ra from the Umayyad government. The following are some of these traditions:
A. Al-Dhahabi reported on the authority of b. al-Samma`k, who said: "I made a pilgrimage (to Mecca). Then Zara`ra b. A'yun met me in Qadisiya (a city in Iraq). He said to me : 'I have a great need with you.’ 'What is your need?’ I asked. 'When you meet Ja'far b. Mohammed (al-Sa`diq), send him my greetings. Ask him to tell me whether I am from the people of the fire or from the people of the garden,’ Zara`ra replied. However, I blamed him for that. Then Zara`ra said to me: 'The Ima`m knows that.’ Zara`ra insisted on that till I responded
to him. When I met Ja'far b. Mohammed (al-Sa`diq), I told him about what Zara`ra had said. So, he said to me: 'Zara`ra is among the people of the fire.’ Ja'far (al-Sa`diq’s) words moved me. So, I asked him: 'From where have you known that?’ He replied: 'Whoever says that I have such knowledge is among the people of the fire.’ When I returned, I met Zara`ra. Then I told him that the Ima`m said to me: 'You (Zara`ra) are from the people of the fire.’ Thus, Zara`ra said: 'He (al-Sa`diq) weighed to you from the bag of the lime.
2 'What is the
____________
1. Ibid.
2. Majjma 'al-Bahrain, maddat nur.
( 522 )
bag of the lime?’ I (b. al-Samma`k) asked. 'Al-Sa`diq put precautionary dissimulation into effect,’ Zara`ra explained.
1 This narration is unacceptable. For Zara`ra opposed b. al-Samma`k in beliefs. Besides Zara`ra was among the Moslem thinkers and scholars. So, was it important for him to ask such insignificant questions? Noteworthy, man knows his final result according to his deeds in this world.
B. Al-Kashi reported on the authority of Masma' Kardin b. Sayyar, who said: [I heard Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, say: "May Allah curse Barid! May Allah curse Zara`ra!
2
C. Al-Kashi reported on the authority of Layth al-Mura`di, who said: [[I heard Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, say: "Zara`ra will not die but astray.
3 This narration is similar to the previous narrations. It is either fabricated or the Ima`m said it to save Zara`ra’s life from the Umayyad government that illegally shed the blood of the Shi'ites of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. 'Abd Allah b. Zara`ra confirmed this idea when he said: [Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, said to me:] "Send my greetings to you father. Tell him: I (al-Sa`diq) slander you to defend you. The people and the enemy try to persecute and kill the persons we love and praise. They praise the persons we dispraise. I find fault with you, for you are famous for your love for us and your inclination to us. The people dispraise you, for
you love us and incline to us. I want to find fault with you to make them praise your position in the religion. With that we are able to drive their evil away from you. Allah, the Great and Almighty, said: 'As for the boat, it belonged to (some) poor men who worked on the river and I wished that I would damage it, and there was behind them a king who seized every boat by force.’ So, understand this example, may Allah have mercy on you. By Allah, you are the most lovable person with me.
4
____________
1. Al-Kashi.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
( 523 )
Zara`ra is Immortal
Zara`ra faced many difficulties and misfortunes for his faith and doctrine. Yet he was loyal to the Ima`ms of guidance. He recorded their sciences and jurisprudence. He related that to the scholars and jurists. He strengthened the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. For he had outstanding merits and high moral standrads.
The historians said: "Zara`ra became ill. He suffered from great pains for several days. Then he passed away delighted. For rendered matchless services to Islam. He died in the year 150 A. H. That was a month before the death of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him. So, the Moselms lost a signpost of knowledge and culture." May Allah be please with him. Peace be on him on the day when he was born, on the day when he died, and on the day when he will be raised from the dead.
165. Zakariya bin 'Abd Allah
He was called al-Fayya`d. He was given the kunya of Abu` Yahya``. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. He reported on his authority. He said: [I heard
Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, say:] "After Allah’s Apostle, some people have position (with us) as Aaron had with Moses and his followers, some are the same as those who followed the Calf ." He has a book. A group (of narrators) reported the book on his authority.
1
166. Zuhayr al-Mada`’ini
He was among the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. He reported on his authority and on the authority of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him. Hamma`d b. 'Uthma`n reported on the authority of Zuhayr.
2
____________
1. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
2. Ibid.
( 524 )
167. Zyya`d al-Ahla`m
He was a retainer. He was from Ku`fa. He was among the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. He reported on his authority and on the authority of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him. It was narrated in al-Tahdhib: " Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, saw Zyya`d in Mecca. Zyya`d’s skin cracked. So, the Ima`m said to him: 'From where did you enter into ihram?’ 'From Ku`fa,’ replied Zyya`d. 'Why?’ the Ima`m, peace be on him, asked. 'I have heard from some of you that the distant ihram (the state of ritual consecration) is great in reward,’ replied Zyya`d. 'What you have heard if false,’ explained the Ima`m.
1
168. Zyya`d al-Aswad
He was called al-Ba`n. He was from Ku`fa. He was among the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. He reported on his authority and on the authority of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him.
2 We have mentioned him in Part 1 of this book.
169. Zyya`d bin Abi al-Halla`l
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, and of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him. Al-Barqi said: "He was a reliable Kufan." Al-Naja`shi said: "He has a book.
3
170. Zyya`d bin Abi Raja`’
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on
him. He reported on his authority and on the authority of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him. Al-Naja`shi said: "He was a reliable Kufan.
4
____________
1. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 1, p. 454.
2. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 7, p. 300.
3. Ibid, p. 302.
4. Ibid, p. 303.
( 525 )
171. Zyya`d bin Abi Zyya`d
He was called al-Manqari al-Timimi. He was among the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
1
172. Zyya`d bin al-Aswad
He was called al-Najja`r. He was among the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. He was an unknown Ima`mi Shi'ite.
2
173. Zyya`d bin Sawqa
He was called al-Bajali al-Ku`fi. He was a retainer. He belonged to the next generation. He was given the kunya of Abu` al-Hasan. He was the retainer of Jareer b. 'Abd Allah. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. Al-Barqi also numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. He (Zyya`d) reported on the authority of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him.
3
174. Zyya`d bin Sa`lih
He was called al-Hamada`ni al-Ku`fi. He was among the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
3
175. Zyya`d bin 'Isa``
He was given the kunya of Abu` 'Ubayda. He was called al-Hadhdha`’. He was from Ku`fa. He was a retainer. He was reliable. He reported on the authority of Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, and of Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq). Al-Aqiqi al-Alawi said: "Abu` 'Ubayda al-Hadhdha`’ had a good position with the family of Mohammed, peace be on him. He accompanied Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir),
____________
1. Ibid, p. 394.
2. Ibid, p. 306.
3. Ibid, p. 308.
4. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
( 526 )
peace be on him, to Mecca. He has a book. 'Ali b. Ri’a`b reported the book. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir and of al-Sa`diq, peace be on them. In the biography of Sa`lim bin Abi Hafs, al-Kashi reported on the authority of Fudal al-A'war, on the authority of Abu` 'Ubayd al-Hadhdha`’ who said: [I said to Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) that Sa`lim b. Abi Hafsa asked me: 'Have you not heard that whoever dies and has no Ima`m dies as those before Islam died?’ 'Yes,’ replied. 'Who is your Ima`m?’ he asked me. 'My Ima`ms are the family of Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his family,’ I replied. 'By Allah, I think you do not know your Ima`m,’ he said. Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, said: 'Woe unto Sa`lim! Does he know what the rank of the Ima`m is? It is greater and better than what Sa`lim and all the people think.’" In the biography of Zyya`d b. 'Isa`, al-Kashi reported: 'When Abu` 'Ubayda, Zyya`d b. 'Isa`, died, Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, said to al-Arqat: 'Let us go to pray over Abu` 'Ubayd Allah.’ He (al-Arqat) said: 'So, we set off. When we arrived at his grave, the Ima`m invoked Allah for, saying: 'O Allah, relieve Abu` 'Ubayda! O Allah, lighten his grave! O Allah, add him to your Prophet!’ He (Abu` 'Abd Allah) did not pray over him. So, I (al-Arqat) asked him: 'After the burial, is there a prayer over the dead?’ 'No,’ he replied, 'only supplication.’
Ibn Idris reported: "When Abu` 'Ubayda had died, his wife came to Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him. She wept, and she then said to him: 'Abu` 'Ubayda died a stranger!’ Abu` 'Abd Allah, peace be on him, said: 'No! Abu` 'Ubayda is not a stranger. He belongs to us, the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt).
1
176. Zyya`d bin 'Isa`
He was from Ku`fa. He sold fine cloth. He was among the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
____________
1. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 7, pp. 212-314.
2. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
( 527 )
177. Zyya`d bin al-Mundhir
He was given the kunya of Abu` al-Ja`ru`d. He was called al-Hamada`ni, al-Kha`rifi, al-A’ma` (the blind one). He said : "I was born blind. I have never seen the world.
1 He reported on the authority of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, and of Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him. He has an origin (book), and he has the Book of al-Tafsir. He learned the book from Ima`m al-Ba`qir. His doctrine was Zaydi. The Zaydi Ja`ru`dis are ascribed to him.
2 He has been dispraised in many traditions. Abu` Usa`ma reported on the authority of Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, who said: "Abu` al-Ja`ru`d will not die but astray." Abu` Basir reported on the authority of Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, who said: " Kathir al-Nawa`, Sa`lim bin Abi Hafs, and Abu` al-Ja`ru`d are liars and unbelievers. May Allah
curse them.
Ima`m al-Khu`’i regarded this tradition as weak. He regarded Abu` al-Ja`ru`d as reliable. For Abu` al-Ja`ru`d has been mentioned in the chain of the authorities of "Ka`mil al-Zyya`ra`t". His author, Mohammed b. Ja'far b. Qolwayh, testified the truthfulness of all the narrators of his book. Besides, in "al-Risa`la al-Adadiya", shaykh al-Mufid said: "He (Abu` al-Ja`ru`d) was among the main figures, from whom (the people) took the lawful, the unlawful, religious opinions, and legal precepts, whom no one slanders and
dispraises.
In his Tafsir, 'Ali b. Ibra`him testified the truthfulness of all those who have been mentioned in his chain of authorities. He (Zyya`d) reported on the authority of Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him. Kuthayr b. Abbas reported on his authority the explanation of the words of Him, the Exalted: "When the angels said: O Mariam, surely Allah gives you good news with a Word from Him (of one) whose name is the Messih, 'Isa` son of Mariam.
Ima`m al-Khu`’i added: [Then Shaykh al-Sadu`q said:] "My father related to us on the
authority of Mohammed b. al-Husayn b. Abi al-
____________
1. Al-Najashi.
2. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
( 528 )
Khatta`b, on the authority of al-Husayn b. Mahbub, on the authority of Abu` al-Ja`ru`d, on the authority of Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), on the authority of Ja`bir b. 'Abd Allah al-Ansa`ri, who said: 'I come to Fa`tima (the Prophet’s daughter). There was a tablet between her hands. The names of the trustees (of the Prophet) were in the tablet (lawh). She numbered twelve (trustees). The last of them was al-Qaa’im (the one who will rise), may Allah quicken his appearance. Three of them were with the name of Mohammed. Four of them were with the name of 'Ali, peace be on them.
1
178. Zyya`d, the Retainer of Abu` Ja'far
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on
him
2
179. Zyya`d al-Ha`shimi
He was their retainer. He was from Ku`fa. He was among the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
3
180. Zayyd al-Ajjra`
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on
him. He was an unknown Ima`mi Shi'ite.
4
181. Zayyd bin Sulayt
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on
him. He was an unknown Ima`mi Shi'ite.
5
____________
1. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 7, pp. 322-326.
2. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 1, p. 465.
( 529 )
182. Zayyd al-Shahham
He was given the kunya of Abu` Usa`ma. He was called al-Azdi al-Ku`fi. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, and of al-Sa`diq, peace be on him. In al-Fihrast, the Shaykh said: "Zayd has a book." Shaykh al-Mufid said: "Zayd was among the knowledgeable companions of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him. He was among the main figures, from whom (the people) took the lawful, the unlawful, religious opinions, and legal precepts, whom no one slanders and dispraises.
Zayd reported: "I circumambulated the Kaaba. I was hand in hand with Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him. His tears were flowing down his cheeks. He, peace be on him, asked me: 'Do you not know what my Lord had done for me?’ He wept and supplicated. Then he said to me: 'O Shahha`m, Sudayr, and 'Abd al-Sala`m b. 'Abd al-Rahma`n were in prison. I provoked Allah for them. So, He released them.
1 This narration shows that Zayd was reliable, and that was of great importance. Other traditions have been mentioned about his truthfulness and his relationship with the Ima`ms.
183. Zayyd bin Qadda`ma
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
184. Sa`lim bin Abi Hafsa
He was the retainer of the son of Ajeel al-Ku`fi. He reported on the authority of Ima`m 'Ali b. al-Husayn, Mohammed al-Ba`qir, and Ja'far al-Saqid, peace be on them. He was given the kunya of Abu` al-Hasan, and Abu` Younis. He has a book.
3 Al-Kashi reported some accounts about him. The accounts show that Sa`lim was weak, and that he deviated from the truth. Al-Kashi reported on Zara`ra, who said: I
____________
1. Ibid, pp. 465-466.
2. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
3. Al-Najashi.
( 530 )
met Sa`lim b. Abi Hafsa. He said to me: 'Zara`ra, woe unto you! Abu` Ja'far said to me: 'Tell me about the date-palms in Iraq. Do they grow vertically or horizontally?’ 'They grow vertically,’ I replied. He said: 'Tell me about your dates. Are they sweet?’ He asked me about date-palms: 'How do they give dates?’ I told him about that. He asked me about boats: 'Do they run on water or on land?’ I told him that they ran on water, and that people push them with their chests. Then Sa`lim said to me: 'Shall I follow such an Ima`m who has no knowledge of these matters?’" Zara`ra said: "When I heard these words of Sa`lim, I became sad. However, I circumambulated the Kaab. There I met Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, and told him about Sa`lim’s words. When we passed the Black Stone, Abu` Ja'far said to me: 'Forget Sa`lim. By Allah, he will never see good.’
1
Zayd b. 'Ali, peace be on him, said to Sa`lim and his companions: "Why have you renounced Fa`tima? You have cut off our affair. My Allah cut off your affair.
2Sa`lim disappeared all through the Umayyad rule. He remained in his house. When Abu` al-'Abba`s al-Saffa`h became caliph, Sa`lim entered into the state of ritual consecration (ahrama) from Ku`fa. He said :"O Breaker of the Umayyads, here I am at your service (labbayk)." He went on saying that till he made his camel kneel. He died in the year 138 A. H. That was during the lifetime of Ima`m Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be no him.
3
185. Sa`lim al-Ashal
He sold copies of the Holy Koran. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
4
____________
1. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 8, p. 18.
2. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 2, p. 3.
3. Al-Najashi.
4. Al-Tusi, Rijal, p. 124.
( 531 )
186. Sa`lim al-Ja'far
He was among the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
1
187. Sudayr bin Hakim
He was the son of Muheeb al-Sayrafi. He was given the kunya of Abu` al-Fadl. He was among the companions of Ima`m al-Sajja`d, Ima`m al-Ba`qir, and Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on them.
2 He was in prison. So, Ima`m al-Sa`diq asked Allah to release him. With his authentic chain of authorities, al-Sadu`q reported on the authority of Hana`n b. Sudayr, on the authority of his father, who said: "I, my father, my grandfather, and my uncle entered a bath-room in Medina. Suddenly, we found a man there. The man asked us 'Where are you from?’ 'From Iraq,’ we replied. 'Which Iraq?’ asked the man. 'From Ku`fa,’ we replied. 'You are welcome, people of Ku`fa,’ the man said. When we went out of the bath-room, we asked (the people) about the man. 'Ali b. al-Husayn and his son Mohammed al-Ba`qir,’ was the answer.
3Some traditions slandered Sudayr. However, the traditions are weak and not important. He has been mentioned the chain of authorities of "Ka`mil al-Ziyarat." It was reported on his authority, on the authority of Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, in Thawa`b man Za`ra al-Husayn, peace be on him. Our master, professer al-Khu`’i, regarded him as trustworthy.
188. Sudayf al-Makki
He was the son of Isma`'il al-Makki. He was the retainer of the Banu (sons) of Ha`shim. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
4 Shaykh al-Mufid
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1. Ibid.
2. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 1, p. 8.
3. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 8, p. 27.
4. Al-Tusi, Rijal, p. 124.
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reported on the authority of Hana`n b. Sudayr, on the authority of Sudayf al-Makki, who said: [Mohammed b. 'Ali, peace be on him, related to me, on the authority of Ja`bir b. 'Abd Allah al-Ansa`ri, who said:] "Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, called the Muhajirin and the Ansa`r. They cae with their weapons. Then he, may Allah bless him and his family, went up on the pulpit. He praised Allah and lauded him. Then he said: 'O Moslems, whoever hates us, the ahl al-Bayt, Allah will raise him from the dead as Jewish on the Day of Judgment.
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Sudayf was among the eminent Shi'ites. He was firm in defending the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. He was an inspired poet. He was among the prominent poets of his time. He composed most of his poetry in praising the Ima`ms of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. He satirized the Umayyads. He was liable to their persecutions. So, he hid himself from them. When the Abbasids overthrew the Umayyads, Sudayf hurried to meet Abu` al-'Abba`s al-Saffa`h. He arrived at his palace. The chamberlain asked him about his name to let him enter. However, Sudayf refused that. The chamberlain went to al-Saffa`h and said to him:
O Commander of the faithful, there is a veiled Hija`zi black man riding a horse. He asks permission to see you, but he refuses to tell me about his name. He swears that he will be veiled till he sees you.
Al-Saffa`h recognized Sudayf. So, he said to his chamberlain: "This is Sudayf, my retainer. Let him enter." Sudayf entered. He saw the Umayyads sitting on chairs. They had come to ask al-Saffa`h for safety over their souls. Sudayf was full of anger when he saw them. He composed a poem to praise al-Saffa`h. The poem moved the feelings and sentiments of al-Saffa`h. Some of the Umayyads felt the danger. They said: "By Allah, the black man (Sudayf ) has killed us." Then al-Saffa`h commanded the Khurasanis to hit the Umayyads severely. Thus, the Umayyads fell on the ground. They were groaning.
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1. Shaykh al-Mufid, al-Amali.
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However, al-Saffa`h commanded his retainers to spread the food-cloth. Al-Saffa`h ate his dinner, and then he said to his retinues: "This is the most delicious meal I have ever seen.
Then all the Umayyads died. Al-Saffa`h commanded his retainers to draw their bodies and throw them into the roads. So, the dogs ate most of them.
1Sudayf looked at them. He was full of happiness. Then he composed some lines of poetry.
2
Sudayf urged al-Saffa`h to destroy and kill the Umayyads. He came to al-Saffa`h. Sulayma`n b. Hisha`m b. 'Abd al-Ma`lik was with al-Saffa`h. So, Sudayf was full of anger. He composed a poem to provoke al-Saffa`h against the Umayyads.
O Shaykh, you have killed me," shouted Sulayma`n. Then al-Saffa`h ordered him to be killed. Thus, Sulayma`n was beheaded.
3 Then, Sudayf continued his struggle the Umayyads, who destroyed the family of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, and violated his sacredness. Al-Mansu`r al-Dawaniqi persecuted and killed the Alids. So, Sudayf showed enmity towards him, satirized him, and treated him as he treated the Umayyads. Accordingly, al-Mansu`r commanded his police men to kill Sudayf. Thus, they killed him. He died martyr in the way of Allah, for he defended the family of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family.
189. Sa'd bin Abi 'Amru`
He was called al-Jalla`b al-Ku`fi. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir and Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on them.
4 Ahmed b. Da`wu`d reported on his authority. He was among those who wept over Ima`m al-Husayn, peace be on him.
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1. Mukhtasar Akhbar al-Khulafa', p. 10.
2. Al-'Aqd al-Farid, vol. 3, p. 207.
3. Ibn al-Athir, Tarikh, vol. 4, p. 332.
4. Al-Tusi, Rijal, p. 124.
5. Kamil al-Ziyarat, Chapter 26.
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190. Sa'd al-Hadda`d
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. He added that Sa'd was unknown.
191. Sa'd bin al-Hasan
He was called al-Kindi. He was among the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. He was unknown.
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192. Sa'd bin Turayf
He was called al-Hanzali al-Iska`fi. He was the retainer of the Banu (sons of) Tamimi. He was from Ku`fa. Al-Naja`shi said: "Sa'd reported on the authority of al-Asbagh b. Nabba`ta. He reported on the authority of Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) and of Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on them. He was a judge. Has a book including the letter of Abu' Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) to him.
3 It was he who said to Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him: "I sit and narrate. I mention your right (to authority), and your outstanding merits." Thus, the Ima`m, peace be on him, said to him: "I wish that there is a narrator like you on every thirty cubits.
4 Ayyu`b b. 'Abd al-Rahma`n, Zayd b. al-Hasan, Abba'd, and the like reported on his authority.
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