178. 'Abd Allah Bin Jundub
He was an ascetic, worshipful, religious scholar. Shaykh al-Tu`si sometimes numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him, sometimes numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Kazim, peace be on him, and sometimes numbered him as
____________
1. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
2. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 10, p. 81.
3. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
4. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith. Hayat Imam Mohammed al-Jawad ( the Life of Imam Mohammed al-Jawad, peace be upon him.)
( 665 )
one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida, peace be on him. Jundub was one of the agents of Ima`m al-Ka`zim and Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on them. He asked Ima`m al-Ka`zim: "Are you satisfied with me?" "Yes, by Allah," replied the Ima`m, "and Allah's Apostle is also satisfied with you."
Yu`nus b. 'Abd al-Rahma`n narrated: "I saw 'Abd Allah b. Jundub when he finished (the rites of) 'Arafa`t. He was one of the religious jurists (
mujjtahidïn)." Yunus said:[ So I said to him:] "Allah has seen your diligence from today." "By Allah with Whom there is no associate," said 'Abd Allah, "I stood in this place of mine and left (it), but Allah did not hear me supplicate for myself with one word, for I heard Abu` al-Hasan (al-Rida`), peace be on him, say: 'He who supplicates for his brother in his absence is called out from firmament: 'You will have one hundred thousand (good deeds) for each (word).' So I hated leaving a guaranteed hundred thousand (good deeds) for ( a word). I do not know whether (Allah) accepts it or not."
Al-Hasan b. 'Ali b. Yaqqtï~n, who had a bad opinion of Yu`nus, reported: [It was said to Abu` al-Hasan (al-Rida`), peace be on him, and I (i.e. al-Hasan b. 'Ali b. Yaqqtï~n) could hear, that Yu`nus, the retainer of the family of Yaqqtï~n, claims that your follower and the one who has clung to obeying you, 'Abd Allah b. Jundub, worships Allah (very shakily) on seventy edges, and says that he is a doubter. So he (al-Rida`) said:] "What is between him and 'Abd Allah b. Jundub? Surely 'Abd Allah b. Jundub is one of the humble. "
1
179. 'Abd Allah Bin al-Harith
He was one of those who narrated the text on the authority of al-Ka`zim, peace be on him, for the Ima`mate of his son Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
2
180. 'Abd Allah Bin al-Salt al-Qummi
His
kunya is Abu Talib. He was the retainer of the Banu Tamïm.
____________
1. Al-Kashi.
2. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith. Quoted from al-Irshad by Shaykh al-Mufid.
( 666 )
He is trustworthy and his traditions are reliable. He narrated on the authority of Imam al-Rida, peace be on him. It is well known that Kitab al-Tafsïr (the Book of Interpretation) belongs to him.
1 Al-Barqi numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida` and Ima`m al-Jawad, peace be on them.
2
He wrote Ima`m al-Jawad in order to permit him to lament his father, and he, peace be on him, wrote him: "Lament me and my father.
3" He wrote poetry lines to Ima`m al-Jawa`d, peace be on him, and mentioned in them his father Ima`m al-Rida`. He asked him (al-Jawa`d) to permit him to compose poetry concerning him, but he cut the poetry and withheld it and wrote at the top of the page: "You have done well! May Allah reward you well!
4"
181. 'Abd Allah Bin Tawus
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, and added that he lived for a hundred years.
5
182. 'Abd Allah Bin 'Ali
b. al-Husayn b. Zayd b. 'Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on him. He narrated on the authority of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him. He has a book.
6
183. 'Abd Allah Bin al-Muba`rak
al-Naha`wandi. He was one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
7
____________
1. Al-Najashi.
2. Al-Barqi.
3. Al-Kashi.
4. Ibid.
5. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
6. Al-Najashi.
7. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 10, p. 35.
(667 )
184. 'Abd Allah Bin Mohammed
al-Asadi, al-Hajja`l. He was the retainer of the Banu` (children) of Taym. He is trustworthy. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
1 And so did al-Barqi.
2 Al-Naja`shi said: "He is trustworthy. It has been established that he has books. A group of our companions have narrated the books."
185. 'Abd Allah Bin Mohammed
b. Husayn al-Hudayni al-Ahwa`zi. He narrated on the authority of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him. He is trustworthy. He has a book. A number of our companions has narrated the book. As for the title of the book, it is Questions by Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
3
186. 'Abd Allah Bin Mohammed
b. 'Ali b. al-'Abba`s al-Tamimi al-Ra`zi. He has a book on Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
4
187. 'Abd Allah Bin al-Mughïra
He was the retainer of Ibn Nawfal b. al-Ha`rith b. 'Abd al-Muttalib. He was a Ku`fan silk dealer. Under this title, Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
5 Al-Kashi narrated, saying: "He reported the handwriting of Abu` 'Abd Allah al-Sha`dha`ni." Al-'Ubaydi said:[ Mohammed b. 'Isa related to me on the authority of al-Hasan b. 'Ali b. Fadda`l, who said: 'Abd Allah b. al-Mughïra said:] "I was a Wa`qifite and performed the hajj in that state. When I arrived in Mecca, something came to my mind, so I clung to the Moltazam and said: 'O Allah, you have known my request and want, hence guide me to the best religion.' Then I though that I would go to al-Rida`, peace be on him. I went to Medina, stopped
____________
1. Al-Tusi.
2. Al-Baqir, Rijal.
3. Al-Najashi.
4. Al-Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith.
5. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
( 668 )
at his door, and said to the retainer: 'Say to your master that an Iraqi is at your door.' I heard him call (me) out: 'Come in, 'Abd Allah b. al-Mughïra.' I went in to him. When he looked at me, he said: 'Allah has accepted your supplication and guided you to His religion.' As a result I said: 'I witness that you are the proof of Allah and entrusted by Him over His creatures.
1'"
Sahl b. Ziya`d al-Adami narrated, saying: "When 'Abd Allah b. al-Mughï~ra wrote his book, he promised his companions to read it before them in one of the corners of the mosque of Ku`fa. He had an opposing brother. When they attended to listen to (his reading) the book, his brother came and sat down. 'Abd Allah said to them: 'Depart today!' His brother said to him: 'Where will they depart? I have come to what they have come.' When they returned, he ('Abd Allah's brother) said: 'I dreamt that the angels were coming down from the sky. I asked them: Why are you coming down from the sky? 'We are coming down in order to listen to the book which 'Abd Allah b. al-Mughï~ra compiled,' replied the angels. I have also come for this (purpose) and turned to Allah in repentance.' 'Abd Allah was pleased at that.
2"
188. 'Abd al-Wahhab
He is better known as Abu` Kuthayr al-Naha`wandi. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
3
189. 'Ubayd al-Nasri
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
4
____________
1. Al-Kashi.
2. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 10, p. 354.
3. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
4. Ibid.
( 669 )
190. 'Ubayd Allah
b. Abu 'Abd Allah. He narrated on the authority of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, and al-Sayyari reported on his authority.
1
191. 'Ubayd Allah Bin Ishaq al-Mada'ini
He narrated on the authority of Ima`m Abu` al-Hasan al-Rida`, peace be on him, and 'Amru` b. 'Uthma`n reported on his authority.
2
192. 'Ubayd Allah Bin 'Abd Allah al-Dahqan
He narrated on the authority of Ima`m Abu` al-Hasan al-Rida`, peace be on him, and 'Ali b. al-Rayya`n reported on his authority.
3
193. 'Ubayd Allah Bin 'Ali
b. 'Ubayd Allah. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
4
194. 'Uthman Bin Rashïd
He was one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him. He narrated on the authority of Ma'ru`f b. Kharbu`dh, and 'Ali b. Haddï~d reported on his authority.
5
195. 'Uthman Bin 'Isa al-'Amiri, al-Kilabi
His
kunya is Abu 'Amru. He was the shaykh and leading figure of the Wa`qifites. He was one of the agents who were singled out for the properties of Imam Musa b. Ja'far, peace be on him. Nasr b. al-Saba`h reported: "He (Ima`m al-Rida`), peace be on him, had money at his ('Uthman b. 'Isa`'s) hand. He ('Uthma`n b. 'Isa) prevented him (al-Rida` from his money). As a result al-Rida` was displeased with him."
____________
1. Ibid.
2. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 11, p. 72.
3. Ibid., p. 82.
4. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
5. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 11, p. 116.
( 670 )
He (Nasr b. al-Saba`h) added: " He ('Uthma`n b. 'Isa) turned to Allah in repentance and sent the money to al-Rida`. He narrated on the authority of Ibn Hamza. He dreamt that he would die at al-Ha`'ir al-Husayni, so he abandoned his house in Ku`fa and stayed at al-Ha`'ir al-Husayni until he died and was buried there." He wrote books of which is
Kitab al-Miyah (the Book of Water).
Ibn Shahr Ashub numbered him as one of the trustworthy (companions) of Ima`m al-Ka`zim, peace be on him. Ima`m al-Khu'i said: "Without doubt, 'Uthma`n b. 'Isa deviated from the True Religion, opposed Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, did not recognize his Ima`mate, regarded as lawful the properties of the Ima`m, peace be on him, and did not pay them to him. As for his repentance and his returning the properties, it has not been established, for it is the narration of Nasr b. al-Saba`h, who is nothing.
1"
196. 'Atiya Bin Rustam
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, and added that he was unknown.
2
197. 'Aqaba Bin Rustam
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
3
198. 'Ali Bin Abu Thawr
He was from Ku`fa. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
4
199. 'Ali Bin Ahmed
b. Ashyam. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
5
____________
1. Ibid., p. 126.
2. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
( 671 )
200. 'Ali Bin Idrïs
He was the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him. Al-Sadu`q has mentioned him in (his book)
al-Mashyakha. He narrated on the authority of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, and Mohammed b. Sahl reported on his authority.
1
201. 'Ali Bin Asbat al-Maqari
b. Sa`lim, the seller of al-Zati.
2 His
kunya is Abu` al-Hasan. He is a trustworthy Ku`fan. He was an Aftahi. He exchanged letters with 'Ali b. Mahzya`r concerning that (belief). As a result 'Ali (b. Asba`t) withdrew from his viewpoint and believed in the Ima`mate of Ima`m al-Jawa`d, peace be on him. He was the most trustworthy of the people and most truthful of them in tradition.
Kitab al-Dala`'il (the Book of Proofs) belongs to him.
3
202. 'Ali Bin Ja'far
b. Mohammed b. 'Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on them. His
kunya is Abu` al-Hasan. He had a great position and reliable faith. He was one of those who narrated the text for the Ima`mate of Ima`m al-Ka`zim, peace be on him, and was one of his trustworthy companions. The narrators have reported some signs of his faith and clinging to religion. The following are some of them:
A. 'Ali b. Ja'far related to us and said: [A man whom I regarded as a Wa`qifite asked me:]
"What about your brother Abu` al-Hasan (i.e. Ima`m Mu`sa` al-Ka`zim, peace be on him)?"
"He died," I replied.
"How did you know that?" he asked.
"His properties have been divided; his wives have been married, and the spokesman after him has spoken (i.e. the Ima`m after him has undertaken the office of the Ima`mate), I answered.
____________
1. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 11, p. 276.
2. Al-Zati: A kind of the black and the Indians
3. Al-Najashi.
( 672 )
"Who is the spokesman after him?" he asked.
"His son Abu` Ja'far," I replied.
"You are an old man, have a great position, and your father is Ja'far b. Mohammed, so why do you say this statement concerning this young man (Ima`m al-Rida`)?" he said.
"I see you nothing except Satan," I said to him, "then I seized my beard and raised it toward the heaven and said: 'What is my strength if Allah has seen him more appropriate for this (i.e. the Ima`mate) and has not seen this white hair more entitled to it?"
The Ima`mate is in the hand of Allah, the Most Exalted. It is He who chooses for it one of His righteous servants. As for the priority in age and other than it, it is not important.
B. Abu` 'Abd Allah b. al-Husayn b. Ima`m Mu`sa`, peace be on him, reported, saying: [I was with Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Jawa`d), peace be on him, in Medina. There was with him 'Ali b. Ja'far and A Medinan Bedouin. The Bedouin asked me:]
"Who is that young man, pointing to Ima`m al-Jawa`d?"
"He is the testamentary trustee of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family," I replied.
The Bedouin admired that and said: "Glory belongs to Allah! Allah's Messenger died two hundred years ago, in the year so-and-so. This is a young man. How will he be the testamentary trustee of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family?"
('Abd Allah b.) al-Husayn explained the matter to him, saying: "This is the testamentary trustee of 'Ali b. Mu`sa`; 'Ali is the testamentary trustee of Mu`sa` b. Ja'far; Mu`sa` is the testamentary trustee of Ja'far b. Mohammed; Ja'far is the testamentary trustee of Mohammed b. 'Ali; Mohammed is the testamentary trustee of 'Ali b. al-Husayn; 'Ali is the testamentary trustee of al-Husayn; al-Husayn is the testamentary trustee of al-Hasan; al-Hasan is the testamentary trustee of the Commander of the faithful 'Ali b. Abu` Ta`lib; and 'Ali b. Abu` Ta`lib is the testamentary trustee of Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family."
Accordingly, the Bedouin understood that Ima`m al-Jawa`d, peace be on him, was the testamentary trustee of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family.
( 673 )
The Ima`m had sent for a doctor in order to bleed him, so 'Ali b. Ja'far stood up and said to him: "Master, let the doctor start with me, that the sharp iron may cut me before you!"
('Abd Allah b.) al-Husayn addressed the Bedouin, saying: "This is the uncle of his father."
When the doctor had finished the operation, the Ima`m intended to go out, but 'Ali b. Ja'far hurried to prepare his sandals, that he may wear them."
This is evidence for 'Ali b. Ja'far's deep faith in the Ima`m, his knowledge of him and of his position with Allah, the Exalted.
C. Mohammed b. al-Hasan b. 'Amma`r reported, saying: "I stayed with 'Ali b. Ja'far in Medina for two years. I wrote on his authority what he had heard from his brother (i.e. Abu` al-Hasan, peace be on him). (One day) while I was sitting with him, Abu` Ja'far Mohammed b. 'Ali al-Rida`, peace be on him, entered the mosque of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. 'Ali b. Ja'far hurried bare-footed and without a cloak to kiss his hand and to magnify him, so the Ima`m said to him: "Uncle, sit down, may Allah have mercy on you."
'Ali answered him politely and humbly: "Master, how shall I sit while you are standing?
When 'Ali b. Ja'far returned to his session, his companions scolded him for his magnifying the Ima`m, saying: "You are the uncle of his father, so why did you behave in such a manner?"
They did not understand the reality of the Ima`mate, and that Allah, the Exalted, gave it to Ima`m al-Jawa`d. As result 'Ali answered them and said: "Keep silent! If Allah, the Great and Almighty, has not entitled this white hair (i.e. his beard) (to the Ima`mate) and entitled this young man (to it) and placed him where He has placed him, then how can I deny his outstanding merit? I seek refuge in Allah from what you have said; rather I am his servant. "
1
____________
1. Al-Kashi.
( 674 )
203. 'Ali Bin Hadïd
b. Hakïm al-Mada'ini, al-Azdi, al-Sa`ba`ti. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
1 Al-Barqi regarded him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida` and al-Jawa`d, peace be on them. Al-Kashi reported on the authority of Abu` 'Ali b. Ra`shid, on the authority of Abu` Ja'far, peace be on him, that Abu` 'Ali said to the Ima`m: "May I be your ransom, our companions have differed in opinion, so shall I pray behind the followers of Hisham b. al-Hakam?" "Cling to 'Ali b. Haddïd," replied the Ima`m, peace be on him. "Shall I follow his opinion?" I (i.e. 'Ali b. Haddïd) asked him. "Yes," he answered. I met 'Ali b. Haddïd and asked him: "Shall I pray behind the followers of Hisha`m b. al-Hakam?" "No," he replied.
This narration, if correct, is evidence for that the man (i.e. 'Ali b. Haddï~d) is trustworthy and praiseworthy.
204. 'Ali Bin al-Husayn
b. Rubat al-Bujayli al-Kufi. He is trustworthy and reliable. He was one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him. He has a book.
2
205. 'Ali Bin al-Husayn
b. Yahya`. Shaykh al-Tusi numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
3
206. 'Ali Bin Sa'ïd al-Mada'ini
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
4
____________
1. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
2. Al-Najashi.
3. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
4. Ibid.
(675 )
207. 'Ali Bin Swayd al-Sa'i
1
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, and added that he was trustworthy.
2 Al-Kashi narrated that 'Ali b. Swayd wrote a letter to Ima`m al-Ka`zim when he was in prison, and that he asked him about his state and the answers to some questions. The Ima`m answered him in a letter in which he mentioned: "In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise belongs to Allah, the Exalted and Almighty, Who through whose mightiness and light makes the hearts of the believers see, through whose mightiness and light the ignorant show enmity toward Him, and through whose mightiness nearness to Him is sought with different deeds and various religions, hence (men) are: right and wrong, errant and rightly-guided, hearing and deaf, seeing and blind, and perplexed. So praise belongs to Allah who made known and described His religion through Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his family. Now then, you are the man whom Allah has endowed with special position with the family of Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his family, showing affection toward you when He inspired you with your reason, made you perceive the affairs of your religion through their outstanding qualities, made you refer to them regarding your affairs, and made you content with what they said."
In another part of this letter, the Ima`m has mentioned: "Summon to the path of your Lord through us him whose response you expect. You do not encompass what we do. Show friendship toward Mohammed's Household. If something reaches you from us and is attributed to us, do not say: 'This is false', even though you know something other than it, for you do not know why we have said it and in which point we have described it. Belive in what I have told you and do not reveal what I have asked you to conceal. I want to tell you that the most obligatory right of your brother against you is that you should not hide from him what benefits him in this world and the next.
3"
____________
1. Al-Sa'i is ascribed to a village called al-Saya near Medina.
2. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
3. Al-Kashi.
(676 )
This letter contains important points and is evidence for the exalted position of 'Ali (b. Swayd) and his great rank with the Ima`m, peace be on him.
208. 'Ali Bin Sayf
b. 'Umayra al-Nakha'i al-Ku`fi. He was a retainer and was trustworthy. He narrated on the authority of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him. He has a big book.
1
209. 'Ali Bin Sa'id al-Barbari
He narrated on the authority of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, and his son al-Hasan reported on his authority.
2
210. 'Ali Bin 'Abd Allah
b. 'Umra`n. He narrated on the authority of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, and Sa'd b. al-Sindi reported on his authority.
3
211. 'Ali Bin 'Ubayd Allah
b. al-Husayn b. 'Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on him. His kunya Abu` al-Hasan. He was the most ascetic of the family of Abu` Ta`lib and the most worshipful of them in his time. He devoted himself to Ima`m Mu`sa` (al-Ka`zim) and Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him. He mixed with the Ima`mi (Shï'ites). When Mohammed b. Ibrahïm b. Taba`taba` wanted Abu al-Saraya` to pledge allegiance to him after him, he refused that and entrusted the matter to Mohammed b. Mohammed b. Yazïd. He has a book on the hajj. He narrated the whole book on the authority of Ima`m Mu`sa` b. Ja'far, peace be on him.
Al-Kashi narrated, saying: [In the book of Mohammed b. al-Husayn b. Banda`r, in his own handwriting, I have read:] "Mohammed b. Yahya` al-'Atta`r related to me. He said: Ahmed b. Mohammed b. 'Isa reported to me on the authority of 'Ali b. al-Hakam, on the
____________
1. Al-Najashi.
2. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 12, pp. 66.
3. Ibid., p. 87.
( 677 )
authority of Sulayma`n b. Ja'far, who said: 'Ali b. 'Ubayd Allah b. al-Husayn b. 'Ali b. al-Husayn b. 'Ali b. Abu` Ta`lib, peace be on him, said to me: 'I (i.e. 'Ali Bin 'Ubayd Allah) would like to go in to Abu` al-Hasan al-Rida` in order to greet him.' I (i.e. Sulayma`n b. Ja'far) asked him: 'What has prevented you from that?' 'Because I magnify and respect him and fear for him.'"
He (Sulayma`n b. Ja'far) said: "Abu` al-Hasan (al-Rida`), peace be on him, became slightly sick, and the people visited him. I met 'Ali b. 'Ubayd Allah and said to him: 'What you want has come to you; Abu` al-Hasan, peace be on him, has fallen slightly ill, and the people visited him. If you want to visit him, then come today.'"
He (Sulayma`n b. Ja'far) said: " He came to Abu` al-Hasan (al-Rida`), peace be on him, in order to visit him. Abu` al-Hasan received him with honor and magnification, so 'Ali b. 'Ubayd Allah was very pleased with that. Then 'Ali b. 'Ubayd Allah became ill, hence Abu` al-Hasan (al-Rida`), peace be on him, visited him. I was with him. He sat until those who were in the house went out. When we went out, a female slave of mine told me that Umm Sala`m, 'Ali b. 'Ubayd Allah's wife, was behind the curtain and looking at him (al-Rida`). When Abu` al-Hasan, peace be on him, went out, she went out, stooped to the place in which he sat, kissed it and rubbed (her face) with it."
Sulayma`n (b. Ja'far) said: "Then I went in to 'Ali b. 'Ubayd Allah and he told about what Umm Salama had done. I told Abu` al-Hasan (al-Rida`), peace be on him, (about that), and he said: 'Sulayma`n, 'Ali b. 'Ubayd Allah, his wife, and his children are of the people of the Garden. Sulayma`n, the children of 'Ali and Fa`tima are not like the rest of the people because Allah has singled them out for this matter (i.e. the Ima`mate).
1'"
212. 'Ali Bin 'Uthman
b. Razïn. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
2
213. 'Ali Bin 'Ali Bin Razïn al-Khaza'i
____________
1. Al-Kashi.
2. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
( 678 )
He was Di'bil's brother. He has a big book on Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him. Isma`'ï~l narrated on the authority of his father 'Ali, saying: [My father related to me in the year 272 A. H., saying:] "Abu` al-Hasan al-Rida`, peace be on him, reported to us at Tu`s in the year 198 A. H. We headed for him via Basrah. When we entered Basrah, we found wherein 'Abd al-Rahma`n b. al-Mahdi ill, hence we stayed for some days. Then 'Abd al-Rahma`n died, and we attended his funeral and prayed over him. My brother Di'bil and I went in to al-Rida`, peace be on him, and stayed with him to the end of the year 200 A. H. Then we went out to Qum. That was after al-Rida` had given my brother Di'bil a green, silk shirt, a ring whose stone was agate, and Radawi dirhams. Then he said to him: 'Di'bil, pass through Qum, for you will make use of it.' And he said to him: 'Keep this shirt, for I wore it and prayed one thousand ruk'as in one thousand nights and completed reading the Qur'a`n one thousand times.'"
Isma`'ïl said: "My father was born in the year 172 A. H. He died in the year 283 A. H. So his age was then 111 years. My uncle Di'bil was born in the year 148 A. H. That was during the caliphate of al-Mansu`r. He saw Ima`m Mu`sa` (al-Ka`zim), peace be on him, and met Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him. He died in the year 245 A. H. during the days of al-Mutawakkil.
1"
214. 'Ali Bin al-Fadl al-Wasiti
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him. Al-Barqi numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ka`zim, peace be on him. Al-Sadu`q described him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him.
2
215. 'Ali Bin Mahdi
b. Sadaqa al-Raqqi. His
kunya is Abu` al-Hasan. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on
____________
1. Al-Kashi.
2. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 12, p. 125.
( 679 )
him.
1 He narrated on his authority. Al-Naja`shi said: "He has a book on al-Rida`, peace be on him.
2"
216. 'Ali Bin Mahzyar al-Ahwazi
His
kunya was Abu` al-Hasan. He was originally from Dawraq. He was one of the leading scholars and among the great jurists. He narrated on the authority of Ima`m al-Rida`, peace be on him, and Ima`m Abu` Ja'far al-Jawa`d, peace be on him. He devoted himself to him (Abu` Ja'far al-Jawa`d) and was his agent. He also devoted himself to Ima`m al-Ha`di, peace be on him, and was his agent. He was among the pious, worshipful people. The narrators said: "When the sun rose, he prostrated himself in prayer and did not raise his head until he prayed for a thousand of his brothers. There was a callus in his forehead like that of the camel."
Ima`m al-Jawad's Letter to him
Ima`m Abu` Ja'far al-Jawa`d sent him several letters in which he praised, admired, and respected him. The following are some of them:
A. Ima`m al-Jawa`d sent him this letter: "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 'Ali, may Allah reward you well, make you live in the Garden, protect you from disgrace in this world and the next, and muster you with us! 'Ali, I tried and tested you in advice, obedience, service, respect, and carrying out your religious duties. I hope that I am truthful (when I say that) I have seen none like you. May Allah reward you the gardens of Paradise! It is not hidden from me that you worked and served during cold and heat, day and night. I ask Allah to endow you with mercy with which you are pleased when he will muster the creatures on the Resurrection Day! Verily, He hears supplication! "
In this letter the Ima`m lauded and praised the position of this righteous scholar, who was at the top of reverential fear,
____________
1. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
2. Al-Najashi.
3. Al-Ghayb.
( 680 )
righteousness, and showing friendship toward the Ima`ms of guidance, peace be on them.
B. This is one of the letters which the Ima`m sent to him: "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. I ask Allah to protect you from before you and behind you and in all your states! Be delighted, for I hope that Allah will drive away (evil) from you! I ask Allah to place good in your departure which you will carry out on Sunday! Delay that to Monday, Allah willing! May Allah accompany you throughout your travel, replace you among your family, pay your trust on your behalf, and save you by His power!
1"
C. Ima`m al-Jawa`d, peace be on him, also sent him this letter: "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. I have received your letter and understood what you have mentioned in it. Your letter have pleased me, may Allah please you! I hope that (Allah) the All-sufficient, the Repeller, will spare you the trickery of every schemer, Allah, the Exalted, willing!
2 "
These are some of the letters which Ima`m al-Jawa`d, peace be on him, sent to him. The letters indicate 'Ali b. Mahzya`r's exalted position and great importance with the Ima`m, peace be on him.
His Works
'Ali b. Mahzya`r wrote a group of books most of which was on Islamic Jurisprudence. The following are some of them:
1. Kitab al- Wudu`' (the Book of Ablution).
2. Kitab al-Sala`t (the Book of Prayer).
3. Kitab al-Zaka`t (the Book of Alms).
4. Kitab al-Sawm (the Book of Fasting).
5. Kitab al-Hajj (the Book of Pilgrimage).
6. Kitab al-Tala`q(the Book of Divorce).
7. Kitab al-Hudu`d (the Book of Islamic Punishments).
8. Kitab al-Diya`t (the Book of Blood Money).
9. Kitab al-Tafsïr (the Book of Interpretation of the
Qur'a`n).
____________
1. Al-Kashi.
2. Ibid.
( 681 )
10. Kitab al-Fada`'il (the Book of Great Merits).
11. Kitab al-'Itiq wa al-Taddbïr (the Book of
Manumission and Direction).
12. Kitab al-Tijarat wa al-Ijarat (the Book of Trades and
Wages).
13. Kitab al-Maka`sib (the Book of Earnings).
14. Kitab al-Mathalib(the Book of Defects).
15. Kitab al-Du'a`' (the Book of Supplication).
16. Kitab al-Tajjmïl wa al-Muru'a (the Book of
Beautifying and Manhood).
17. Kitab al-Maza`r (the Book of Visitations).
18. Kitab al-Radd 'la` al-Ghula`t (the Book of the Answers
to the Extremists).
19. Kita`b al-Wasa`ya` (the Book of Wills).
20. Kita`b al-Mawa`rï~th (the Book of Inheritances).
21. Kita`b al-Khums (the Book of One-Fifth).
22. Kita`b al-Shaha`da`t (the Book of Testimonies).
23. Kita`b Fada`'il al-Mu'minï~n wa Birahum (the Book
of Excellences and Kindness of Believers).
24. Kita`b al-Mala`him (the Book of Bloody Fights).
25. Kita`b al-Taqiya` (the Book of Precautionary
Dissimulation).
26. Kita`b al-Sayd wa al-Dhaba`'ih (the Book of Hunting
and Slaughtering).
27. Kita`b al-Zuhd (the Book of Asceticism).
28. Kita`b al-Ashriba (the Book of Beverages).
29. Kita`b al-Nudhu`r wa al-Ayma`n wa al-Kuffa`ra`t (the
Book of Vows, Oaths, and Expiatory Gifts).
30. Kita`b al-Huru`f (the Book of the Letters).
31. Kita`b al-Qa`'im (the Book of al-Qa`'im).
32. Kita`b al-Bisha`ra`t (the Book of Good News).
33. Kita`b al-Anbiya`' (the Book of the Prophets).
34. Kita`b al-Nawa`dir (the Book of Miscellaneous Traditions).
1
____________
1. Al-Njashi.
