9. Haydar Bin Ayyub
Haydar b. Ayyu`b has reported: [We were at a place called al-Qaba in Medina. Mohammed b. Zayd b. 'Ali was at the place. He came after the time in which he used to come to us. We asked him: 'May Allah make us your ransom what delayed you from coming?' He answered:] "Abu` Ibrahïm summoned us today. We were seventeen men from among the children of 'Ali and Fatima, peace be on them. He made us witness that his son 'Ali was his testamentary trustee and his deputy during his lifetime and after his death, and that his order
____________
1. Ibi.
2. Ibid.
(140 )
valid against him and for him." Then Mohammed said: "O Hayder, by Allah, he entrusted the Ima`mate to him today, and the Shï'ites will profess him after his death." I (i.e. Hayder) said: "However, may Allah protect him, what is this?" He (i.e. Mohammed b. Zayd b. 'Ali) answered: "O Hayder, he made him as (his) testamentary trustee. This means that he entrusted the Ima`mate to him.
1"
10. Al-Husayn Bin Bashïr
Al-Husayn b. Bashïr has said: [Abu` al-Hasan Mu`sa` b. Ja'far appointed for us his son 'Ali just as Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, appointed 'Ali on the Day of Ghadïr Khum. He said:] "O People of Medina or he said O People of the Mosque, this is my testamentary trustee after me.
2 "
11. Ja'far Bin Khalaf
Ja'far b. Khalaf has narrated: [I (i.e. Ja'far b. Khalaf) heard Abu` al-Hasan Mu`sa` b. Ja'far say:] "Happy is the person who does not die until he sees a successor belongs to him. Allah has made me see my successor, who is this son of mine. He pointed to him (i.e. al-Rida`).
3"
12. Nasr Bin Qabus
Nasr Bin Qa`bu`s said: [I (i.e. Nasr b. Qa`bu`s) said to Abu` Ibra`hïm Mu`sa` b. Ja'far: 'I have asked your father who would be after you and he told me that you would be. Therefore when Abu` 'Abd Allah (Ja'far al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, died, the people went to right and left while I and my companions declared (our support) for you. Therefore tell me which of your children will be (the Ima`m) after you.' He said:] "My son 'Ali.
4 "
____________
1. Ibid.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid., p. 30.
4. Ibid., p. 31.
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13. Mohammed Bin Sinan
Mohammed b. Sina`n has narrated: [I (i.e. Mohammed b. Sinan) visited Abu al-Hasan (Musa) the year before he went to Iraq. 'Ali, his son, was sitting in front of him. He looked at me and said:] "Mohammed, this year there will be some disturbance but do not be worried by that."
"My Allah make me your ransom, what will that be?" I asked, for he had filled me with anxiety.
"I will go to this despot," he answered, "but he will not receive any evil from me nor from the son who will be after me."
"May Allah make me your ransom, what will happen?" I asked.
"Allah leads astray the oppressors," he told me, "and Allah does what He wishes."
"Whoever wrongs the right of this son of mine and denies his Ima`mate after me is like those who wronged 'Ali b. Abu` Ta`lib, peace be on him, and denied his right after the Apostle of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family," he replied.
"If Allah supports me in my life, may I submit to his right and declare (your belief in) his Ima`mate," I said.
"True, Mohammed," he said, "Allah will support you during your life and you will submit to his right and declare (your belief) in his Ima`mate, and the Ima`mate of the one who will be (Ima`m) after him."
"Who will that be?" I asked.
"His son Mohammed," he answered.
I said: "(I give) consent (
rida) and submission to him.
1"
These are some texts narrated on the authority of Ima`m Musa, peace be on him, concerning the Ima`mate of his son Ima`m al-Rida, peace be on him. Ima`m Mu`sa` took great care of the Ima`mate of his son, for he wanted to refute those who believed in his Ima`mate only, to abolish their vague errors, and to warn the Muslims against them.
____________
1. Ibid., pp. 32-33.
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The Imam's Commandments
Imam Musa, peace be on him, appointed his son al-Rida` as a testamentary trustee after him. He entrusted him with two commandments which included his authority over his endowments, his deputyship on his behalf over his private and general affairs, his binding his children to yield to his commands. He also entrusted Ima`m al-Rida` with marrying the ladies from among his daughters, for he was the most knowledgeable of others in (choosing) qualified (husbands for them). He ordered him not to marry them to anyone except a believing, pious person who would respect their place and position.
As for the second commandment, we have mentioned it in our book the
Life of Ima`m Musa, peace be on him, so there is no need to mention it, for I (i.e. the author) do not want to mention anything which I have already written.
The Prison of al-Sindi
(Harun) al-Rashïd ordered the Ima`m to be detained in the prison of al-Sindi b. Sha`hik. It is worth mentioning that al-Sindi b. Shahik merciless and wicked. He turned away from all moral values. He did not believe in the hereafter; nor did he respect Allah. He treated the Imam rudely, turned away from him, troubled him during his eating and drinking, and shackled him. The narrators have said: "He (i.e. al-Sindi b. Sha`hik) fettered him (Ima`m Mu`sa`) with thirty pounds of iron."
As usual, the Imam devoted himself to performing the acts of worship. He performed prayers, recited the Qur'a`n, glorified and praised Allah for giving him free time to worship Him.
Imam Musa sends a Letter to Harun
The Imam sent Harun (al-Rashïd) a letter in which he expressed his displeasure with him, saying: "No day of tribulation passes me until a day of ease passes you, so that we will all perish and (be resurrected) on the endless day when those who say false things shall be losers.
1"
____________
1. Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya, vol. 10, p. 183.
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This letter gives an account of the Ima`m's pain and sorrow in prison and, in addition, it shows that the Ima`m will judge the tyrant (i.e. Ha`ru`n) on the day when those who say false things shall be losers.
Harun al-Rashïd orders the Imam to be assassinated
The tyrant (i.e. Harun al-Rashïd) entrusted al-Sindi or other than him from among his statesmen with assassinating the Imam, and he put fatal poison in dates and forced the Imam to eat them. The Imam (Musa) ate some of them, and al-Sindi said to: "Eat more!"
The Imam look at him and said to him: "It is sufficient for you that you have accomplished your need.
1"
The poison circulated through the Ima`m's body, and he suffered from severe pain. Then the cruel police surrounded him. Al-Sindi accompanied him, said rude words to him, and prevented him from having first aids, that he might hasten his decreed end.
During that terrible period, the Ima`m led a life of tribulation and misfortune, for the poison destroyed his limbs, al-Sindi and his police violated his sacredness and dignity.
The Imam joins the Most High Comrade
The poison circulated through all parts of the body of the Ima`m, peace be on him, and he suffered from severe pain and ache, so he summoned al-Sindi and asked him to bring him his retainer (
mawla), who was staying at the house of al-'Abba`s b. Mohammed at the cane-market (
mashra at al-Qasab), and who had to wash and shroud the Imam's body. Al-Sindi asked the Ima`m to permit him in order to shroud his body, but he refused and said: "I am a member of the House (of the Prophet). The giving of dowries for our women, the performing of pilgrimages on behalf of those of us who have not made the pilgrimage, and the shrouding of our dead can only be performed by one of our retainers (
mawali) who is pure. I already have my
____________
1. Hayat al-Imam Musa Bin Ja'far, vol. 1, pp. 499-500.
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shroud.
1" Al-Sindi brought him his retainer and entrusted him with washing and shrouding him.
When the Ima`m was in a critical condition and was about to meet the decreed end, he summoned al-Musayyab b. Zahra and said to him: "I have told you about (my) departure to Allah, the Great and Almighty. When I ask you to give a drink of water and you see that I relax, and that my face turns yellow, red, green, and changes colors, tell the tyrant (Harun al-Rashïd) about my death."
Al-Musayyab said: "I went on watching him until he, peace be on him, asked me to give him a drink of water and he drank it. Then he summoned me and said: 'O Musayyab, this dirty one (i.e. al-Sindi b. Sha`hik) will claim that he will undertaking washing and burying me. Far be it from him! Far be it from him! When I am carried to the cemetery known as the cemetery of Quraysh, bury me in it, do not raise my grave higher than four separated fingers, and do not take anything of my earth to get the blessing of it, for each earth of us is forbidden except that of my grandfather al-Husayn b. 'Ali, for Allah, the Great and Almighty, has made it cure for our Shï'ites and friends."
Al-Musayyab said: "Then I saw a person like him sitting beside him. I recognized my master al-Rida`, peace be on him, when he was a boy, so I wanted to ask the person, but my master Mu`sa` shouted at me and said: 'Didn't I prevent you (from doing such a deed)?' Then the person disappeared. I came to the Ima`m and found him a motionless body. He passed away, so I told (Harun) al-Rashïd about (his death).
2"
The Imam's soul departed to its Almighty Creator. The angels of the Most Merciful (Allah) escorted it carrying bouquet of flowers from the Garden. The souls of the prophets, the testamentary trustees, the chosen ones, and the good received it.
My master Abu` al-Rida`, you went to the Abode of Immortality after you had delivered your message, raised the word of Allah high on earth, defended the rights of the persecuted, and opposed tyranny. So how great your achievements toward Islam are!
____________
1. Maqatil al-Talibyyin, p. 504.
2. Hayat al-Imam Musa Bin Ja'far, vol. 2, pp. 514-515.
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My master Abu` al-Rida, you suffered from various kinds of hardships created by the tyrant of your time. He detained you in his prisons, prevented you from having anything, and prohibited you from seeing your Shï'ites, your children, and your family. That is because you did not follow him; nor did you justify his evil acts. You led the anti oppression and tyranny front. You condemned his reckless policy standing on looting the Muslims' properties and spending them on his pleasures and his red nights. Therefore, peace be on you! Peace be on you on the day when you were born, on the day when you died, and on the day when you will be raised from the dead!
The Police investigate the Event
The police held an investigation into the cause of the death of the Ima`m. They spared no effort to prove that the Ima`m had died normally, that they might clear the tyrant (Ha`ru`n) of the charge of murder. Al-Sindi b. Sha`hik himself investigated. This matter has been mentioned by many narrators of whom is 'Amru` b. Wa`qid, who said: [Al-Sindi b. Sha`hik summoned me at the night. I was in Baghdad. I feared that he would do evil for me, so I asked my family (to prepare) my needs. I said: 'We belong to Allah and to Him is our return.' Then I rode to him. When he saw me, he said:]
"O Abu Hafs, have we terrified and annoyed you?"
"Yes," I replied.
"There is nothing here except good," he explained.
"Will you send a messenger to my family to tell them
about me?" I asked.
"Yes," was the answer.
When my fear became calm and terror went away from me, al-Sindi asked me:
"O Abu Hafs, do you know why I summoned you?"
"No," I answered.
"Do you recognize Musa b. Ja'far?" he asked.
"Yes, by Allah, I recognize him," I replied, "and there was a friendship between us for a long time."
"Do you think that there is in Baghdad anyone who recognizes him?" he asked.
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"Yes," was the answer.
Then he (Abu` Hafs) nominated for him persons from among those who recognized the Ima`m. Al-Sindi b. Sha`hik summoned them and asked them: "Do you know people who recognize Mu`sa` b. Ja'far?" They nominated some people for him and he summoned them. He went on summoning people throughout the night until day dawned.
When over fifty witnesses were present before him, he summoned his notary and ordered him to write their names, their houses, their works, and their characteristics. When the notary had finished writing that, he told al-Sindi about it. The latter went out of his place, turned to 'Amru` and said to him: "Abu`` Hafs, stand up and remove the shroud from the face of Mu`sa` b. Ja'far." 'Amru` removed the shroud from the face of the Ima`m. Then al-Sindi b. Sha`hik turned to the people and said to them: "Look at him!" The people began to come and look into his face. Then he (i.e. al-Sindi b. Sha`hik) asked them: "Do you witness that this is Mu`sa` b. Ja'far?"
"Yes," they replied.
Then he ordered his boy to remove the shrouds from the Ima`m, and he did. Then he turned to the people and asked them: "Do you see on him any mark which you regard as abominable?"
"No," they answered.
Then he ordered their testimonies to be written, and they went away.
1 Then he brought the jurists and notable men of Baghdad in (to see him). Among them was al-Haytham b. 'Adi. (Al-Sindi) made them give testimony that he had died normally. Ha`ru`n al-Rashïd took measures similar to these, that he might clear himself of committing the crime or, at least, he was not responsible for it.
The Imam is put on the Bridge
Imam Musa al-Kazim, the Prophet's descendant, was put on the bridge. The police surround him and uncovered his face, so the close, the far, and passers-by looked into his face while he was dead. In this
____________
1. Ibid., p. 519.
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manner the tyrant (i.e. Ha`ru`n al-Rashïd) tried to abase the Shï'ites, to disdain their sacred beliefs, and to hurt their feelings. This procedure was one of the severe persecutions from which the Shï'ites suffered. Shaykh Mohammed Mulla has said:
Who informs Islam that his leader has died out of poison in the Prison of al-Rashïd?
Error has become delighted at his death; and right has hold
a funeral ceremony for him!
His coffin has been placed on the Bridge of al-Rasa`fa; the angels have surrounded him in magnifying!
Shaykh Mohammed 'Ali al-Ya'qubi, an excellent orator, has said:
Why was Musa placed on the bridge dead and no monotheist escorted him to the grave-yard?
They carried him while the iron round his legs rang and the hills sighed for him!
The Horrible Announcement
What terrible the disaster was! What awful the misfortune was! Al-Sindi violated all sacred beliefs of Islam. He had to order his headsmen to say to the people: "Attend the funeral of the good one, son of the good one!" However, he ordered them to announce: "This is Musa b. Ja'far whom the Ra`fidites (Shï'ites) claim is last Ima`m (
al-qa'im) who will not die. So (come and) look at him!" The headsmen, who were slaves and rouges, set out and roamed through the streets of Baghdad making this painful announcement at the top of their voices.
1
Sulayman prepares the Imam for Burial
Sulayman was on the top of his palace towering over the Tigris. He saw the police and some military units walking through the streets while the people were worried and frightened. This view terrified him, so he turned to his sons and their boys and asked them: "What is the news?"
____________
1. Ibid.
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"This is al-Sindi b. Sha`hik announcing (the death of) Mu`sa` b. Ja'far," they replied.
They told him about al-Sindi's horrible announcement, and he feared that a discord would occur, and that the situation would lead to unlaudable results, so he shouted at his sons, saying: "You and your boys go down and take Mu`sa` from their hands. If they prevent you (from taking him), then hit them and tear up their black uniforms!
1"
Sulayman's sons along with their boys and their guards set out towards the police and took the holy corpse from their hands. The police did not resist them, for Sulayman was the uncle of the Caliph and the most notable figure in the 'Abbasid family.
They brought the Ima`m's body before Sulayma`n, and he ordered them to walk through the streets of Baghdad and to make an announcement opposite to that of al-Sindi b. Sha`hik. As a result they shouted at the top of their voices: "Come and attend the funeral of the good one, son of the good one!"
The people came from everywhere and escorted Mu`sa` al-Ka`zim, the Ima`m of the Muslims, master of the Allah-fearing and the worshippers. The Shï'ites went out striking their chests and shedding tears. The ladies from among their womenfolk went out weeping and wailing for the Ima`m.
The funeral processions walked through the streets of Baghdad, sang the songs of sorrow and sadness, and asked some people to carry censers in front of the coffin of the Ima`m. They took him to a place at the market, so the place was afterwards called perfume seller market (
suq al-rayyahïn). Honoring the Imam, they built the place lest the people should tread on it with their feet.
2 Then an inspired poet praised the Imam with these marvelous lines:
I already said to the man who undertook washing him: Why didn't you obey him and weren't among those loyal to him?
Put aside your water from him, and then wash him with what the eyes of glory shed when they wept for him!
____________
1. Ibid.
2. Al-Anwar al-Bahiyya, p. 99.
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Remove and set aside from him the scent for embalming
and perfume him with his praise!
Order the noble angels to carry him in honor! Don't you
see that they are beside him?
Do not weaken the necks of the men through carrying
him; those (the angels) carried him because of his abundant favor!
1
The silent, sad people walked and headed for the Tibn Gate. They entered the cemeteries of Quraysh and dug a grave for the great Ima`m. Sulayma`n b. Abu` Ja'far, though bewildered, laid him in the grave. He buried him and his good qualities such as clemency, generosity, knowledge, and honor.
The escorters left numbering the Ima`m's outstanding merits and began talking about their painful loss which resulted from his death. Allah's peace and blessings be upon the Ima`m's soul, which has filled the world with excellences, traditions, and laudable deeds.
Imam al-Rida undertakes the Great Leadership
After the death of his father, Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, undertook the great religious leadership and the general authority over the Muslims. The scholars and the jurists surrounded him and recorded his opinions in the fields of morals, religion, learning and knowledge.
His Travel to Basrah
After the death of Ima`m Mu`sa` al-Ka`zim, peace be on him, Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, traveled to Basrah in order to produce evidence in support of his Ima`mate and in order to disprove the vague errors of those who deviated from the truth. He stopped at the house of al-Hasan b. Mohammed al-'Alawi and held in it a session for a group of the Muslims among whom was 'Amru` b. Hadda`b, who deviated from the members of the House (
ahl al-Bayt ), peace be on him, and
____________
1. Al-Ithaf bi Hub al-Ashraf, p. 57.
(150 )
showed stubbornness toward them. He also summoned to session the Catholic and the Rabbi. Then he turned and said to them: "I have summoned you in order that you may question me about the Prophet's traditions and the Ima`m's signs which you may not find with anyone except with us, the members of the House, so come and question me!"
'Amru` b. Hadda`b hastened and asked him: "Mohammed b. al-Fade al-Ha`shimi told us that you knew all that which Allah sent down, and that you knew all languages?"
The Ima`m, peace be on him, confirmed the statement of Mohammed b. al-Fadl concerning him, saying: "Mohammed b. al-Fadl is right; I told him about that."
'Amru hastened to say: "First of all I want test you through languages. This is a Roman; this is an Indian; this is a Persian; and this is a Turkish. We have brought them before you."
The Imam, peace be on him, said: "Let them say whatever they desire. I will answer each of them in his own language, Allah willing."
The non-Arabs stood before the Ima`m and questioned him, and he, peace be on him, answered them in their own languages. So they admired him. Then the Ima`m turned to 'Amru` and asked him: "Do you believe me when I tell you that you will be tried in these days by murdering one of your blood relations?"
"No," was the answer, "for none knows the unseen except Allah, the Most High."
The Imam disproved 'Amru`'s statement, saying: "Doesn't Allah, the Most High, say:
The Knower of the unseen, so He does not reveal His secrets to any except to him whom He chooses as an apostle. Allah is pleased with His Messenger, may Allah bless him and his Household , and we are the inheritors of the Messenger whom Allah informed of whatever He willed of His secrets, and he (the Messenger) informed us of what was and what will be to the Day of Resurrection.
"What I have told you about, son of Hadda`b, will occur five days later on. When that has occurred, you will come to know that you oppose Allah and His Apostle."
The Imam added, saying: "As for you, you will lose your sight
( 151 )
and become blind. So you will see neither a plain nor a mountain, and this will happen a few days later on. You will perjure and be infected with leprosy."
Mohammed b. al-Fadl swore by Allah that the matter was just as the Ima`m had predicted.
Then 'Amru` b. Hadda`b was asked: "Was al-Rida` truthful in what he had foretold?"
"By Allah I knew that he was truthful at the time when he told me," answered b. Hadda`b, "but I showed myself patient."
Then the Ima`m turned to the Catholic and asked him: "Has the Bible produced evidence in support of the prophecy of Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his family?"
"If the Bible has given proof of him ,we would not deny him," retorted the Catholic.
"Could you tell me about the
sakana which you have in the third Book?" asked the Imam.
"It is one of Allah's attributes," replied the Catholic, "it is not permitted for us to reveal it."
"If your Lord acknowledges that it is the name of Mohammed, Jesus acknowledges him and gives good news to the children of Isra`'ï`l of him, then you should acknowledge him and do not deny him."
The Catholic accepted that, saying: "I f you do, I will acknowledge, for I do not oppose the Bible; nor do I deny it.
The Imam continued establishing proof against him, saying: "Take (an example) from the third part in which Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his family, has been mentioned and Jesus given good news of him."
"Give me (an example of) what you have said," retorted the Catholic.
The Imam began reciting him the part of the Gospel in which the Messenger Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his family, has been mentioned. Then he asked the Catholic: "Who is this described one?"
"Describe him!" the Catholic demanded.
The Imam, peace be on him, began describing him, saying: "I will not describe him but through what Allah has described him. He is
( 152 )
the owner of the she-camel, rod, and the cloak; the illiterate Prophet whom they find written down with them in the Torah and the Bible; (who) enjoins them (to do) good and forbids them (from doing) evil; makes lawful to them the good things and makes unlawful to them impure things; removes from them their burden and the shackles which were upon them; and guides (them) to the best path leading to (Allah), the most just way, and the most straight road.
"I ask you, O Catholic, by the right of Jesus, the Spirit of Allah and His Word, have you found this description of this Prophet (may Allah bless him and his family) (written) in the Gospel?"
The Catholic bowed his head, thought deeply and felt that the earth was narrow though it was wide. He could not deny the Bible, so he answered the Imam, saying: "Yes, this description is in the Bible. Jesus has mentioned this Prophet in the Bible, but the Christians have not proved true that he is your Prophet (
sahip)."
Then the Ima`m went on establishing arguments against him and disproving his imaginations, saying: "As you have not denied the Gospel and acknowledged the description in it concerning Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his family, then take the second Book, for it has mentioned him, his testamentary trustee (i.e. Ima`m 'Ali), his daughter Fa`tima, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn."
The Catholic and the Rabbi came to know that the Ima`m was learned in the Torah and the Bible, and that he had knowledge of all that which was mentioned in both of them. They thought of a way to get rid of the Ima`m's arguments. They doubted the Prophet Mohammed, peace be on him, of whom Moses and Jesus gave good news. They said: "Moses and Jesus gave good news of him, but we have not decided that he is this Mohammed. It is not permitted for us to acknowledge his prophecy because of his name Mohammed. We doubt whether he is your Mohammed or other than him!"
The Imam continued disproving their vague errors, saying: "You have regarded doubt as an argument. Has Allah appointed from among the children of Adam a prophet whose name is Mohammed other than (this) Mohammed? Have you found him (written) in one of the Books
( 153 )
which Allah sent down upon all the prophets?"
They refrained from answering and found no vague error to cling to it. They insisted on obstinacy and denial, saying: "It is not permitted for us to confess before you that Mohammed is your Mohammed. If we acknowledged Mohammed, his testamentary trustee, his daughter and her two sons according to what you had mentioned, then you made us adopt Islam unwillingly!"
The Imam added, saying: "As for you, O Catholic, you are safe, in the protection of Allah and of His Apostle. Nothing which you hate will issue from us toward you."
The Catholic retorted: "As you have given my security, this Prophet whose name is Mohammed, the testamentary trustee whose name is 'Ali, this daughter whose name is Fa`tima, these two grandsons whose names are al-Hasan and al-Husayn are in the Torah, the Bible, and the Zabu`r (David's Psalms)."
"Is this truthfulness and justice?" asked the Ima`m.
"Yes, it is truthfulness and justice," replied the Catholic.
The Catholic kept silent and acknowledged the truth, so the Ima`m turned to the Rabbi and said to him: "Listen, O Rabbi, to the Book so-and-so of David's Psalms."
The Rabbi said: "May Allah bless you and your father, give me (an example of) what you have."
The Ima`m began reciting to him the first Book of David's Psalms until he reached the names of Mohammed, 'Ali, Fa`tima, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn. Then he asked him the following questions: "I ask you, O Rabbi, by the right of Allah, is this in the Zabur of Dawud (David's Psalms)?"
"Yes, this is itself and there names are in the Zabu`r," answered the Rabbi.
"By the right of the ten verses which Allah sent down upon Mu`sa` (Moses), have you found the description of Mohammed, 'Ali, Fa`tima, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn (written) in the Torah, and that they are ascribed to justice and excellence?"
The Rabbi acknowledge that. Then the Ima`m continued reciting another Book of the Torah. The Rabbi admired the Imam's abundant
( 154 )
knowledge, eloquence, and his interpreting what was mentioned concerning the Prophet, 'Ali, Fatima, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn. Then he said: "By Allah, O (grand)son of Mohammed, were it not for the presidency which I attained over all the Jews, I would have believed in Ahmed (i.e. Prophet Mohammed) and follow your order. By Allah Who sent down Torah upon Mu`sa` and Zabu`r upon Dawud, I have never seen anyone better than you in reciting the Torah, the Bible, and the Zabu`r; nor have I seen anyone better than you in interpreting these Books."
The Imam's debate with them lasted for a long time until the timing of the noon prayer came, so the Ima`m, peace be on him, stood and led the people in the noon prayer, and then he went to carry out his personal affairs. On the following day he returned to his assembly, and they brought a Roman slave-girl before the Ima`m, peace be on him, that they might test the Ima`m. The Ima`m spoke to her in her own language in the presence of the Catholic. He had knowledge of her own language, so he
asked her: "Whom do you love more Mohammed or Jesus?"
"In the past I loved Jesus more," replied the slave-girl, "for I did not recognize Mohammed. After I had come to know of Mohammed, I loved him more than Jesus."
The Catholic turned to her and asked her: "You have adopted the religion of Mohammed, then do you detest Jesus?"
The slave-girl opposed his statement and said: "I seek refuge in Allah; rather I love Jesus and believe in him, but I love Mohammed more than him."
The Imam turned to the Catholic and asked him to translate her words to the people, and he translated them to them. Then the Catholic asked the Ima`m to debate with a Christian from the Sind, for he had knowledge of Christianity and debates. The Ima`m debated with him in his own language. Al-Sindi adopted Islam and acknowledged the Ima`mate of the Imam, peace be on him. Then the Imam, peace be on him, asked Mohammed b. al-Fadl to take the Christian to the bath-house, that he might bathe and purify his body from the dirt of polytheism. Mohammed took him to the bath-house and clothed him
( 155 )
in clean clothes. Then the Ima`m ordered the Christian to be taken to Median (Yathrib) to learn some of his sciences. Then the Ima`m said farewell to his friend (the Catholic) and went to Medina al-Munawara.
1
The Imam travels to Kufa
The Imam, peace be on him, left Medina (Yathrib) and headed for Ku`fa. When he arrived in it, he was received warmly. He stopped at the house of Hafs b. 'Umayr al-Yashkuri. The scholars and the theologians surrounded him. They asked him about various questions and he answered them. Then he held a session and summoned to it Christian and Jewish scholars. Debates occurred between him and them and led to his victory over them and their inability to debate with him. Then the Ima`m turned to those who attended the meeting and asked them: "People, isn't the fairest of all people he who argues with his opponent through his religion, his Book, and his law?"
"Yes," all of them replied.
"Know that there is no Ima`m after Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his family, except him who does what Mohammed, peace be on him, had done when the Command came to him," the Ima`m, peace be on him, replied, "none is appropriate for the Imamate except him who argues with the communities through the proofs of the Imamate."
"What is the evidence for the Ima`mate?" a Jewish scholar asked the Ima`m, peace be on him.
He, peace be on him, answered: "He must be learned in the Torah, the Gospel, the Zabur (David's Psalms), and the Holy Qur'a`n, that he may be able to argue with the people of the Torah through their Torah, the People of the Bible through their Bible, and the people of the Qur'a`n through their Qur'a`n. He must be learned in all languages, that each language may be obvious to him, and that he may be able to debate with each people in their own language. In addition to these qualities, he must be Allah-fearing, clear from every uncleanness, pure from every defect, just, fair, wise, affectionate, merciful, forgiving,
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1. Al-Bihar, vol. 12, pp. 21-23. I ( i.e the author) have reported the account freely.
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sympathetic, truthful, pitiful, kind, honest, and trustworthy.
1"
Then the Ima`m debated with some anti-Ima`mate attendants and forces; he disproved their vague errors and rendered them incapable of debating with him. Accordingly, the Shï'ites clung to him, peace be on him, and increased their faith in his abundant, scientific abilities. With this matter we will end our speech about the role of the Imam before and after the death of his father.
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1. Ibid., p. 23. I ( i. e. the author) have reported the account freely.
