Al-Kāfi

وُلِدَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لِلنِّصْفِ مِنْ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ سَنَةَ اثْنَتَيْ عَشْرَةَ وَمِائَتَيْنِ. وَرُوِيَ أَنَّهُ وُلِدَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي رَجَبٍ سَنَةَ أَرْبَعَ عَشْرَةَ وَمِائَتَيْنِ وَمَضَى لارْبَعٍ بَقِينَ مِنْ جُمَادَى الاخِرَةِ سَنَةَ أَرْبَعٍ وَخَمْسِينَ وَمِائَتَيْنِ. وَرُوِيَ أَنَّهُ قُبِضَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي رَجَبٍ سَنَةَ أَرْبَعٍ وَخَمْسِينَ وَمِائَتَيْنِ وَلَهُ أَحَدٌ وَأَرْبَعُونَ سَنَةً وَسِتَّةُ أَشْهُرٍ. وَأَرْبَعُونَ سَنَةً عَلَى الْمَوْلِدِ الاخَرِ الَّذِي رُوِيَ وَكَانَ الْمُتَوَكِّلُ أَشْخَصَهُ مَعَ يَحْيَى بْنِ هَرْثَمَةَ بْنِ أَعْيَنَ مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ إِلَى سُرَّ مَنْ رَأَى فَتُوُفِّيَ بِهَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَدُفِنَ فِي دَارِهِ وَأُمُّهُ أُمُّ وَلَدٍ يُقَالُ لَهَا سَمَانَةُ.

He was born on Dhil Hajj fifteen in the year two hundred twelve. It is said that he was born in the month of Rajab in the year two hundred and fourteen AH. He passed away on twenty sixth of Jamadi al-Akhir in the year two hundred fifty two. It is narrated that he passed away in the month of Rajab in the year two hundred fifty four AH. He lived for forty one years and six months. According to the previously mentioned date he lived for forty years. Ali-Mutawakkil had summond him from al-Madina with Yahya ibn Harthama ibn ’Ayan to Surra man Ra‘Abdallah. He left this world therefrom and he was buried in his house. His mother was ’Umm Walad, called Samana.

1ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ خَيْرَانَ الاسْبَاطِيِّ قَالَ قَدِمْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الْمَدِينَةَ فَقَالَ لِي مَا خَبَرُ الْوَاثِقِ عِنْدَكَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ خَلَّفْتُهُ فِي عَافِيَةٍ أَنَا مِنْ أَقْرَبِ النَّاسِ عَهْداً بِهِ عَهْدِي بِهِ مُنْذُ عَشَرَةِ أَيَّامٍ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْمَدِينَةِ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُ مَاتَ فَلَمَّا أَنْ قَالَ لِيَ النَّاسَ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّهُ هُوَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي مَا فَعَلَ جَعْفَرٌ قُلْتُ تَرَكْتُهُ أَسْوَأَ النَّاسِ حَالاً فِي السِّجْنِ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ صَاحِبُ الامْرِ مَا فَعَلَ ابْنُ الزَّيَّاتِ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ النَّاسُ مَعَهُ وَالامْرُ أَمْرُهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ شُؤْمٌ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ ثُمَّ سَكَتَ وَقَالَ لِي لا بُدَّ أَنْ تَجْرِيَ مَقَادِيرُ الله تَعَالَى وَأَحْكَامُهُ يَا خَيْرَانُ مَاتَ الْوَاثِقُ وَقَدْ قَعَدَ الْمُتَوَكِّلُ جَعْفَرٌ وَقَدْ قُتِلَ ابْنُ الزَّيَّاتِ فَقُلْتُ مَتَى جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ بَعْدَ خُرُوجِكَ بِسِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ.

1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Khayrana Ali-Asbati who has said the following. “Once I went to al-Madina to see abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He asked me, “What is the news from Ali-Wathiq (Abbassid ruler)?” I said, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I left him in good health and I am of all people the latest who met him. I met him just ten days ago.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) then said, “People of al-Madina say that he has died.” When he said, “people say’ I understood that it is he himself. He then said, “What has Ja‘far (Mutawakkil Abbassid) done?” I said, “I left him in the worst condition of all people. He was in prison.” The narrator has said that he then said, “He has become the ruler. What has ibn Ali-Zayyat (the vizir of Wathiq) has done?” I said, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, people are with him and whatever he says it goes.” The narrator has said that he then said, “His progress has proved to become a misfortune for him.” The narrator has said that he then paused for a while and said to me, “The measures of Allah, the Most High and His decrees must go on. O Khayaran, al-Wathiq has died and Ali-Mutawakkil , Ja‘far has replaced him and ibn al-Zayyat is killed.” I then asked, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, when this has happened?” He said, “After six days from the time you left.”

2ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الله عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ صَالِحِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ قَالَ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فِي كُلِّ الامُورِ أَرَادُوا إِطْفَاءَ نُورِكَ وَالتَّقْصِيرَ بِكَ حَتَّى أَنْزَلُوكَ هَذَا الْخَانَ الاشْنَعَ خَانَ الصَّعَالِيكِ فَقَالَ هَاهُنَا أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ سَعِيدٍ ثُمَّ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ وَقَالَ انْظُرْ فَنَظَرْتُ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِرَوْضَاتٍ آنِقَاتٍ وَرَوْضَاتٍ بَاسِرَاتٍ فِيهِنَّ خَيْرَاتٌ عَطِرَاتٌ وَوِلْدَانٌ كَأَنَّهُنَّ اللُّؤْلُؤُ الْمَكْنُونُ وَأَطْيَارٌ وَظِبَاءٌ وَأَنْهَارٌ تَفُورُ فَحَارَ بَصَرِي وَحَسَرَتْ عَيْنِي فَقَالَ حَيْثُ كُنَّا فَهَذَا لَنَا عَتِيدٌ لَسْنَا فِي خَانِ الصَّعَالِيكِ.

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Salih ibn Sa‘id who has said the following. “Once I went to see abu al-Hassan (a.s.) and I said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, in all matters they wanted to extinguish your light and be unjust towards you. So much so that they have lodged you in this disgraceful place for the homeless.” He said, “O ibn Sa‘id, here. He pointed out with his hand and said, “Look there.” When looked I saw gardens. I saw very delightful gardens. There lived lovely boys and girls as if they well protected and secure pearls. There lived birds and beautiful deer. It have fountains and rivers that pur out and gush forth. My sight bewildered and my eyes turned dull. He then said, “Wherever we may live these are for us. We are in the lodging for the homeless.”

3ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الله عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ الْجَلابِ قَالَ اشْتَرَيْتُ لابِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) غَنَماً كَثِيرَةً فَدَعَانِي فَأَدْخَلَنِي مِنْ إِصْطَبْلِ دَارِهِ إِلَى مَوْضِعٍ وَاسِعٍ لا أَعْرِفُهُ فَجَعَلْتُ أُفَرِّقُ تِلْكَ الْغَنَمَ فِيمَنْ أَمَرَنِي بِهِ فَبَعَثَ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ وَإِلَى وَالِدَتِهِ وَغَيْرِهِمَا مِمَّنْ أَمَرَنِي ثُمَّ اسْتَأْذَنْتُهُ فِي الانْصِرَافِ إِلَى بَغْدَادَ إِلَى وَالِدِي وَكَانَ ذَلِكَ يَوْمَ التَّرْوِيَةِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ تُقِيمُ غَداً عِنْدَنَا ثُمَّ تَنْصَرِفُ قَالَ فَأَقَمْتُ فَلَمَّا كَانَ يَوْمُ عَرَفَةَ أَقَمْتُ عِنْدَهُ وَبِتُّ لَيْلَةَ الاضْحَى فِي رِوَاقٍ لَهُ فَلَمَّا كَانَ فِي السَّحَرِ أَتَانِي فَقَالَ يَا إِسْحَاقُ قُمْ قَالَ فَقُمْتُ فَفَتَحْتُ عَيْنِي فَإِذَا أَنَا عَلَى بَابِي بِبَغْدَادَ قَالَ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى وَالِدِي وَأَنَا فِي أَصْحَابِي فَقُلْتُ لَهُمْ عَرَّفْتُ بِالْعَسْكَرِ وَخَرَجْتُ بِبَغْدَادَ إِلَى الْعِيدِ.

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah from Ali ibn Muhammad from Ishaq al-Jallab who has said the following. “Once I bought a large number of sheeps for abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He called and admitted me into the barn area of his house into a vast location that I could not recognize. He ordered me to distribute the sheep among certain people and of such people were abu Ja‘far and his mother and others. Thereafter I requested permission to leave for Baghdad to see my father. It was the day of Tarwiya (eighth of the month of Dhi al-Hajj). He wrote to me, “Stay with us tomorrow thereafter leave.” I stayed that day and then it was the day of ‘Arafa (ninth of Dhi al-Hajj but I stayed with them that day as well as the tenth night in the balcony of his house. At dawn he came to me and said, “O Ishaq, wake up.” I then got up.” The narrator has said that I then opened my eyes and found myself at my own door in Baghdad. I went inside and met my father and I was among my people and I told them I spent the day of ‘Arafa (ninth of Dhi al-Hajj) in the army camp (Samarra) and for ‘Id (tenth of Dhi al-Hajj) I am in Baghdad.”

4ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الطَّاهِرِيِّ قَالَ مَرِضَ الْمُتَوَكِّلُ مِنْ خُرَاجٍ خَرَجَ بِهِ وَأَشْرَفَ مِنْهُ عَلَى الْهَلاكِ فَلَمْ يَجْسُرْ أَحَدٌ أَنْ يَمَسَّهُ بِحَدِيدَةٍ فَنَذَرَتْ أُمُّهُ إِنْ عُوفِيَ أَنْ تَحْمِلَ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ مَالاً جَلِيلاً مِنْ مَالِهَا وَقَالَ لَهُ الْفَتْحُ بْنُ خَاقَانَ لَوْ بَعَثْتَ إِلَى هَذَا الرَّجُلِ فَسَأَلْتَهُ فَإِنَّهُ لا يَخْلُو أَنْ يَكُونَ عِنْدَهُ صِفَةٌ يُفَرِّجُ بِهَا عَنْكَ فَبَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ وَوَصَفَ لَهُ عِلَّتَهُ فَرَدَّ إِلَيْهِ الرَّسُولُ بِأَنْ يُؤْخَذَ كُسْبُ الشَّاةِ فَيُدَافَ بِمَاءِ وَرْدٍ فَيُوضَعَ عَلَيْهِ فَلَمَّا رَجَعَ الرَّسُولُ وَأَخْبَرَهُمْ أَقْبَلُوا يَهْزَءُونَ مِنْ قَوْلِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْفَتْحُ هُوَ وَالله أَعْلَمُ بِمَا قَالَ وَأَحْضَرَ الْكُسْبَ وَعَمِلَ كَمَا قَالَ وَوَضَعَ عَلَيْهِ فَغَلَبَهُ النَّوْمُ وَسَكَنَ ثُمَّ انْفَتَحَ وَخَرَجَ مِنْهُ مَا كَانَ فِيهِ وَبُشِّرَتْ أُمُّهُ بِعَافِيَتِهِ فَحَمَلَتْ إِلَيْهِ عَشَرَةَ آلافِ دِينَارٍ تَحْتَ خَاتَمِهَا ثُمَّ اسْتَقَلَّ مِنْ عِلَّتِهِ فَسَعَى إِلَيْهِ الْبَطْحَائِيُّ الْعَلَوِيُّ بِأَنَّ أَمْوَالاً تُحْمَلُ إِلَيْهِ وَسِلاحاً فَقَالَ لِسَعِيدٍ الْحَاجِبِ اهْجُمْ عَلَيْهِ بِاللَّيْلِ وَخُذْ مَا تَجِدُ عِنْدَهُ مِنَ الامْوَالِ وَالسِّلاحِ وَاحْمِلْهُ إِلَيَّ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ فَقَالَ لِي سَعِيدٌ الْحَاجِبُ صِرْتُ إِلَى دَارِهِ بِاللَّيْلِ وَمَعِي سُلَّمٌ فَصَعِدْتُ السَّطْحَ فَلَمَّا نَزَلْتُ عَلَى بَعْضِ الدَّرَجِ فِي الظُّلْمَةِ لَمْ أَدْرِ كَيْفَ أَصِلُ إِلَى الدَّارِ فَنَادَانِي يَا سَعِيدُ مَكَانَكَ حَتَّى يَأْتُوكَ بِشَمْعَةٍ فَلَمْ أَلْبَثْ أَنْ أَتَوْنِي بِشَمْعَةٍ فَنَزَلْتُ فَوَجَدْتُهُ عَلَيْهِ جُبَّةُ صُوفٍ وَقَلَنْسُوَةٌ مِنْهَا وَسَجَّادَةٌ عَلَى حَصِيرٍ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَلَمْ أَشُكَّ أَنَّهُ كَانَ يُصَلِّي فَقَالَ لِي دُونَكَ الْبُيُوتَ فَدَخَلْتُهَا وَفَتَّشْتُهَا فَلَمْ أَجِدْ فِيهَا شَيْئاً وَوَجَدْتُ الْبَدْرَةَ فِي بَيْتِهِ مَخْتُومَةً بِخَاتَمِ أُمِّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِ وَكِيساً مَخْتُوماً وَقَالَ لِي دُونَكَ الْمُصَلَّى فَرَفَعْتُهُ فَوَجَدْتُ سَيْفاً فِي جَفْنٍ غَيْرِ مُلَبَّسٍ فَأَخَذْتُ ذَلِكَ وَصِرْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَلَمَّا نَظَرَ إِلَى خَاتَمِ أُمِّهِ عَلَى الْبَدْرَةِ بَعَثَ إِلَيْهَا فَخَرَجَتْ إِلَيْهِ فَأَخْبَرَنِي بَعْضُ خَدَمِ الْخَاصَّةِ أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ لَهُ كُنْتُ قَدْ نَذَرْتُ فِي عِلَّتِكَ لَمَّا أَيِسْتُ مِنْكَ إِنْ عُوفِيتَ حَمَلْتُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ مَالِي عَشَرَةَ آلافِ دِينَارٍ فَحَمَلْتُهَا إِلَيْهِ وَهَذَا خَاتَمِي عَلَى الْكِيسِ وَفَتَحَ الْكِيسَ الاخَرَ فَإِذَا فِيهِ أَرْبَعُمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ فَضَمَّ إِلَى الْبَدْرَةِ بَدْرَةً أُخْرَى وَأَمَرَنِي بِحَمْلِ ذَلِكَ إِلَيْهِ فَحَمَلْتُهُ وَرَدَدْتُ السَّيْفَ وَالْكِيسَيْنِ وَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا سَيِّدِي عَزَّ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ لِي سَيَعْلَمُ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا أَيَّ مُنْقَلَبٍ يَنْقَلِبُونَ.

4. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Tahiri who has said the following. “ Al-Mutawakkil became ill because of a boil so seriously that he was about to die and no one would have the courage to touch to operate him. His mother vowed to sent a large sum of money to abu al-Hassan (a.s.) from her own property if her son would recover. Fath ibn Khaqan had advised him to ask him (the Imam (a.s.) about it. He might know something that would help relieve you. He sent the message to him and explained his illness. The messenger returned with a message that said, “Warm up oil from sheep mixed with water and place it on the boil.” When the messenger explained it to them they laughed at his words. However, al-Fath said, “He, by Allah, knows best about what he has said.” They brought the oil and prepared it as explained and placed it on the boil. The patience soon after was fast asleep and his acting pain had calmed down. Afterwards it opened up and the substance in it was discharged and his mother was given the glad news of his recovery. She sent ten thousand Dinars to him (abu al-Hassan (a.s.) marked with her own seal. He had fully recovered from his illness, al-Batha’i al-‘Alawi acting as a spy said to him, “Large sums of money and weapons are delivered to him (abu al-Hassan (a.s.).” He (Al-Mutawakkil) ordered Sa‘id the police chief to search his house during the night and confiscate whatever money and weapons you would find therein and bring hem to him (Al-Mutawakkil).” Ibrahim ibn Muhammad has said, “Sa‘id, the chief of police told me that when I went to his house during the night and I had a ladder to climb over the wall and when I climbed on the roof and then climbed down few steps in the dark I did not know how to reach the house. He (abu al-Hassan (a.s.) called me, “O Sa‘id, hold on until they bring you candles. In a little while they brought me a candle and I climbed down and found him with woolen gown on him and woolen cap and before him there was prayer rug with a mat on it. I then had no doubt that he was praying. He said to me, “There are the rooms.” I then searched them and did not find anything there but I found the bag of money in his house that was sealed with the seal of the mother of Al-Mutawakkil on it and another sealed bag of money. He said to me, “There is the prayer rug.” I lifted it up and there was a sword underneath in a sheath. I took them to Al-Mutawakkil. When saw the seal of his mother on it he called her for inquiry and she came to him. Private servants informed me that she said to him, “When you were very ill, I had vowed out of frustration that if you would recover I will pay him ten thousand Dinars from my own properties. I paid him and this is my own seal. He opened the other bag and there was a four hundred Dinars in it. He added an other bag of money to it and asked me to deliver them to him (abu al-Hassan (a.s.) I returned the sword and the bags of money to him saying, “My master, (I wish you knew) how much this assignment has depressed me.” He said, “The unjust ones will find out very soon to what kind of destination they will end up.”

5ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْمُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الله عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ النَّوْفَلِيِّ قَالَ قَالَ لِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْفَرَجِ إِنَّ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ كَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَجْمِعْ أَمْرَكَ وَخُذْ حِذْرَكَ قَالَ فَأَنَا فِي جَمْعِ أَمْرِي وَلَيْسَ أَدْرِي مَا كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ حَتَّى وَرَدَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولٌ حَمَلَنِي مِنْ مِصْرَ مُقَيَّداً وَضَرَبَ عَلَى كُلِّ مَا أَمْلِكُ وَكُنْتُ فِي السِّجْنِ ثَمَانَ سِنِينَ ثُمَّ وَرَدَ عَلَيَّ مِنْهُ فِي السِّجْنِ كِتَابٌ فِيهِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ لا تَنْزِلْ فِي نَاحِيَةِ الْجَانِبِ الْغَرْبِيِّ فَقَرَأْتُ الْكِتَابَ فَقُلْتُ يَكْتُبُ إِلَيَّ بِهَذَا وَأَنَا فِي السِّجْنِ إِنَّ هَذَا لَعَجَبٌ فَمَا مَكَثْتُ أَنْ خُلِّيَ عَنِّي وَالْحَمْدُ لله قَالَ وَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْفَرَجِ يَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ ضِيَاعِهِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ سَوْفَ تُرَدُّ عَلَيْكَ وَمَا يَضُرُّكَ أَنْ لا تُرَدَّ عَلَيْكَ فَلَمَّا شَخَصَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْفَرَجِ إِلَى الْعَسْكَرِ كُتِبَ إِلَيْهِ بِرَدِّ ضِيَاعِهِ وَمَاتَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ قَالَ وَكَتَبَ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ الْخَضِيبِ إِلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفَرَجِ يَسْأَلُهُ الْخُرُوجَ إِلَى الْعَسْكَرِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يُشَاوِرُهُ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ اخْرُجْ فَإِنَّ فِيهِ فَرَجَكَ إِنْ شَاءَ الله تَعَالَى فَخَرَجَ فَلَمْ يَلْبَثْ إِلا يَسِيراً حَتَّى مَاتَ.

5. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah from Ali ibn Muhammad al-Nawfali who has said the following. “Muhammad ibn al-Faraj told me that abu al-Hassan (a.s.) has written to him this. “O Muhammad, organize you affairs and be careful.” He said that he began to organize his affairs and did not know what the Imam (a.s.) meant thereby until police came to me and took me out of Egypt as a captive. All of my belongings were confiscated and I remained in prison for eight years. In the prison I received a letter from him that said, “O Muhammad, do not reside in the western location.” I read the letter and said to my self, “He writes me this and I am in prison. This is strange.” Shortly afterwards, I was released, thanks to Allah. The narrator has said that Muhammad ibn al-Faraj wrote to him about his properties. The Imam (a.s.) wrote to him in response, “Your properties will soon be returned to you and even if they are not returned to you it will not harm you.” When Muhammad al-Faraj left to the army camp (Samarra) an order was issued to release his properties but he died before receiving them. The narrator has said that Ahmad ibn al-Khadib wrote to Muhammad ibn al-Faraj asking him to come to the army camp. He wrote to the Imam (a.s.) for his advise in the matter and the response was this. “ Go out. In it there will be happiness and relief for you, by the will of Allah, the Most High..” He left for the journey but very shortly afterwards he died.”

6ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ رَجُلٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو يَعْقُوبَ قَالَ رَأَيْتُهُ يَعْنِي مُحَمَّداً قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ بِالْعَسْكَرِ فِي عَشِيَّةٍ وَقَدِ اسْتَقْبَلَ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ وَاعْتَلَّ مِنْ غَدٍ فَدَخَلْتُ إِلَيْهِ عَائِداً بَعْدَ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ عِلَّتِهِ وَقَدْ ثَقُلَ فَأَخْبَرَنِي أَنَّهُ بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ بِثَوْبٍ فَأَخَذَهُ وَأَدْرَجَهُ وَوَضَعَهُ تَحْتَ رَأْسِهِ قَالَ فَكُفِّنَ فِيهِ قَالَ أَحْمَدُ قَالَ أَبُو يَعْقُوبَ رَأَيْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مَعَ ابْنِ الْخَضِيبِ فَقَالَ لَهُ ابْنُ الْخَضِيبِ سِرْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَنْتَ الْمُقَدَّمُ فَمَا لَبِثَ إِلا أَرْبَعَةَ أَيَّامٍ حَتَّى وُضِعَ الدَّهَقُ عَلَى سَاقِ ابْنِ الْخَضِيبِ ثُمَّ نُعِيَ قَالَ رُوِيَ عَنْهُ حِينَ أَلَحَّ عَلَيْهِ ابْنُ الْخَضِيبِ فِي الدَّارِ الَّتِي يَطْلُبُهَا مِنْهُ بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ لاقْعُدَنَّ بِكَ مِنَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مَقْعَداً لا يَبْقَى لَكَ بَاقِيَةٌ فَأَخَذَهُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِي تِلْكَ الايَّامِ.

6. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from a man from Ahmad ibn Muhammad who has said the following. “Abu ya‘qub informed me saying, ‘ I saw him (Muhammad) before his death in the army camp in an evening. Abu al-Hassan received him and looked at him and he became ill the next day. After several days I went to visit him during his illness and his illness was worsening. He informed me that he (abu al-Hassan (a.s.) has sent him cloths which he had folded to use as a pillow. The narrator has said that he was shrouded in that cloth.” Ahmad has said that abu ya‘qub said, “I saw abu al-Hassan (a.s.) with ibn al-Khadib who said to him, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, go ahead.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “You go first.” Only after four days he was put in shackles and the news of his death was given out. The narrator has said that it is narrated that when ibn al-Khadib insisted in his demand from him the house he sent him this messages. “I will ask Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, to place as such that not even your traces would be found.” Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, took him away in those days.”

7ـ مُحَمَّ��ُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا قَالَ أَخَذْتُ نُسْخَةَ كِتَابِ الْمُتَوَكِّلِ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الثَّالِثِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مِنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ هَرْثَمَةَ فِي سَنَةِ ثَلاثٍ وَأَرْبَعِينَ وَمِائَتَيْنِ وَهَذِهِ نُسْخَتُهُ بِسْمِ الله الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَارِفٌ بِقَدْرِكَ رَاعٍ لِقَرَابَتِكَ مُوجِبٌ لِحَقِّكَ يُقَدِّرُ مِنَ الامُورِ فِيكَ وَفِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ مَا أَصْلَحَ الله بِهِ حَالَكَ وَحَالَهُمْ وَثَبَّتَ بِهِ عِزَّكَ وَعِزَّهُمْ وَأَدْخَلَ الْيُمْنَ وَالامْنَ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَيْهِمْ يَبْتَغِي بِذَلِكَ رِضَاءَ رَبِّهِ وَأَدَاءَ مَا افْتُرِضَ عَلَيْهِ فِيكَ وَفِيهِمْ وَقَدْ رَأَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَرْفَ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَمَّا كَانَ يَتَوَلاهُ مِنَ الْحَرْبِ وَالصَّلاةِ بِمَدِينَةِ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) إِذْ كَانَ عَلَى مَا ذَكَرْتَ مِنْ جَهَالَتِهِ بِحَقِّكَ وَاسْتِخْفَافِهِ بِقَدْرِكَ وَعِنْدَ مَا قَرَفَكَ بِهِ وَنَسَبَكَ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ الامْرِ الَّذِي قَدْ عَلِمَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بَرَاءَتَكَ مِنْهُ وَصِدْقَ نِيَّتِكَ فِي تَرْكِ مُحَاوَلَتِهِ وَأَنَّكَ لَمْ تُؤَهِّلْ نَفْسَكَ لَهُ وَقَدْ وَلَّى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَا كَانَ يَلِي مِنْ ذَلِكَ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ الْفَضْلِ وَأَمَرَهُ بِإِكْرَامِكَ وَتَبْجِيلِكَ وَالانْتِهَاءِ إِلَى أَمْرِكَ وَرَأْيِكَ وَالتَّقَرُّبِ إِلَى الله وَإِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِذَلِكَ وَأَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مُشْتَاقٌ إِلَيْكَ يُحِبُّ إِحْدَاثَ الْعَهْدِ بِكَ وَالنَّظَرَ إِلَيْكَ فَإِنْ نَشِطْتَ لِزِيَارَتِهِ وَالْمُقَامِ قِبَلَهُ مَا رَأَيْتَ شَخَصْتَ وَمَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ وَمَوَالِيكَ وَحَشَمِكَ عَلَى مُهْلَةٍ وَطُمَأْنِينَةٍ تَرْحَلُ إِذَا شِئْتَ وَتَنْزِلُ إِذَا شِئْتَ وَتَسِيرُ كَيْفَ شِئْتَ وَإِنْ أَحْبَبْتَ أَنْ يَكُونَ يَحْيَى بْنُ هَرْثَمَةَ مَوْلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَمَنْ مَعَهُ مِنَ الْجُنْدِ مُشَيِّعِينَ لَكَ يَرْحَلُونَ بِرَحِيلِكَ وَيَسِيرُونَ بِسَيْرِكَ وَالامْرُ فِي ذَلِكَ إِلَيْكَ حَتَّى تُوَافِيَ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَمَا أَحَدٌ مِنْ إِخْوَتِهِ وَوُلْدِهِ وَأَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَخَاصَّتِهِ أَلْطَفَ مِنْهُ مَنْزِلَةً وَلا أَحْمَدَ لَهُ أُثْرَةً وَلا هُوَ لَهُمْ أَنْظَرَ وَعَلَيْهِمْ أَشْفَقَ وَبِهِمْ أَبَرَّ وَإِلَيْهِمْ أَسْكَنَ مِنْهُ إِلَيْكَ إِنْ شَاءَ الله تَعَالَى وَالسَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَةُ الله وَبَرَكَاتُهُ وَكَتَبَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ الْعَبَّاسِ وَصَلَّى الله عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ.

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from a number of our people the following. “I took a copy of the letter of Al-Mutawakkil to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), the third from Yahya ibn Harthama in the year two hundred forty three that read as follows. “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Thereafter, Amir al-Mu’minin acknowledges your positions, takes good care of you as a relative, deems it obligatory to observe your rights. He pays attentions towards your well fare and the well being of your family through the means with which Allah will grant well being to you and to them and establish your honor and honor to them, grant blessing and security to you and to them. He seeks thereby the pleasure of his Lord and to fulfill his obligations towards you and to them. Amir al-Mu’minin, believes that it is best to remove ‘Abdallah ibn Muhammad as commander of the army and prayer leader in al-Madina of the Messenger of Allah since you have mentioned his ignorance and his disregard of your rights. That he has not respected you properly. Also it is because of his accusing you of matters that Amir al-Mu’minin has learned is unfounded and he acquits of such charges. It is because of your sincere intentions in not leading a attempt to achieve what you consider yourself unfit for. Amir al-Mu’minin has replace him (‘Abdallah ibn Muhammad) with Muhammad ibn al-Fadl and has ordered him to honor and revere you and abide by your orders and opinions. He must seek nearness to Allah and to Amir al-Mu’minin in this way. Amir al-Mu’minin looks forwards to see you and loves to see you soon to look at you. If you would like to visit him and stay with him as long as you would like along with whoever of the members of your family and friends and servants you may do so whenever convenient for you and desirable. You may start your journey whenever you would like, stop on the way whenever and wherever you would like. If you would like, Yahya ibn Harthama, the slave of Amir al-Mu’minin and the elements of the army will escort you. They will travel as you would like them to do so. All the matters will be up to you to decide until you would arrive at Amir al-Mu’minin’s place. No one of his brothers, sons, family members and persons special to him would be deserving more kindness, respected position, more praise worthy and preferable to him than you do. He will not be more caring, compassionate and helpful to them and more happy with any of them than he will be with you. If Allah would so will. May peace be with you and the kindness and blessings of Allah. Written by Ibrahim ibn al-‘Abbass. May Allah grant blessing up on Muhammad and his family.

8ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ الْحَسَنِيُّ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو الطَّيِّبِ الْمُثَنَّى يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ يَاسِرٍ قَالَ كَانَ الْمُتَوَكِّلُ يَقُولُ وَيْحَكُمْ قَدْ أَعْيَانِي أَمْرُ ابْنِ الرِّضَا أَبَى أَنْ يَشْرَبَ مَعِي أَوْ يُنَادِمَنِي أَوْ أَجِدَ مِنْهُ فُرْصَةً فِي هَذَا فَقَالُوا لَهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَجِدْ مِنْهُ فَهَذَا أَخُوهُ مُوسَى قَصَّافٌ عَزَّافٌ يَأْكُلُ وَيَشْرَبُ وَيَتَعَشَّقُ قَالَ ابْعَثُوا إِلَيْهِ فَجِيئُوا بِهِ حَتَّى نُمَوِّهَ بِهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَنَقُولَ ابْنُ الرِّضَا فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ وَأُشْخِصَ مُكَرَّماً وَتَلَقَّاهُ جَمِيعُ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ وَالْقُوَّادُ وَالنَّاسُ عَلَى أَنَّهُ إِذَا وَافَى أَقْطَعَهُ قَطِيعَةً وَبَنَى لَهُ فِيهَا وَحَوَّلَ الْخَمَّارِينَ وَالْقِيَانَ إِلَيْهِ وَوَصَلَهُ وَبَرَّهُ وَجَعَلَ لَهُ مَنْزِلاً سَرِيّاً حَتَّى يَزُورَهُ هُوَ فِيهِ فَلَمَّا وَافَى مُوسَى تَلَقَّاهُ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ فِي قَنْطَرَةِ وَصِيفٍ وَهُوَ مَوْضِعٌ تُتَلَقَّى فِيهِ الْقَادِمُونَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ وَوَفَّاهُ حَقَّهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ إِنَّ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ قَدْ أَحْضَرَكَ لِيَهْتِكَكَ وَيَضَعَ مِنْكَ فَلا تُقِرَّ لَهُ أَنَّكَ شَرِبْتَ نَبِيذاً قَطُّ فَقَالَ لَهُ مُوسَى فَإِذَا كَانَ دَعَانِي لِهَذَا فَمَا حِيلَتِي قَالَ فَلا تَضَعْ مِنْ قَدْرِكَ وَلا تَفْعَلْ فَإِنَّمَا أَرَادَ هَتْكَكَ فَأَبَى عَلَيْهِ فَكَرَّرَ عَلَيْهِ فَلَمَّا رَأَى أَنَّهُ لا يُجِيبُ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّ هَذَا مَجْلِسٌ لا تُجْمَعُ أَنْتَ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِ أَبَداً فَأَقَامَ ثَلاثَ سِنِينَ يُبَكِّرُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ قَدْ تَشَاغَلَ الْيَوْمَ فَرُحْ فَيَرُوحُ فَيُقَالُ قَدْ سَكِرَ فَبَكِّرْ فَيُبَكِّرُ فَيُقَالُ شَرِبَ دَوَاءً فَمَا زَالَ عَلَى هَذَا ثَلاثَ سِنِينَ حَتَّى قُتِلَ الْمُتَوَكِّلُ وَلَمْ يَجْتَمِعْ مَعَهُ عَلَيْهِ.

8. al-Husayn ibn al-Hassan al-Hassani has said that narrated to me abu al-Tayb al-Muthanna ya‘qub ibn Yasir the following. “Al-Mutawakkil would say, “Woe is you, the ibn (the son of) al-Rida, (Ali al-Hadi (a.s.)) has frustrated me. He refuses to share a drink (liquor) with me and associate with me and I never get a chance in it.” They (his associates) told him, “If he does not give you a chance his brother, Musa plays music, sings, eats, drinks and seeks carnal love.” He asked them to call him so that we may confuse people with ibn al-Rida (Musa considered as Ali al-Hadi) has become an associate of Al-Mutawakkil. He wrote to Musa and invited him with honorably. All the people from the clan of Hashim present, the officials and people received him with the condition that on his arrival a piece of land will be given to him on which proper accommodations will be build for him. People who love to drink liquor and the singers will come to meet him there. He (Al-Mutawakkil) maintained good relations with him, cared for him and prepared a gorgeous lodging for him where he would visit him therein. When Musa arrived abu al-Hassan (a.s.) met him at al-Qantra Wasif, the place where the visitors were being received. He met him, offered him the greeting of peace and observed his rights. Then he said to him, “This mman has invited you to insult and humiliate you. Do not confess to him that you have ever drank any liquor.” Musa said, “If he has invited me for this purpose then what should I do?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Do not humiliate yourself and do not drink any liquor because he wants to insult you.” He (Musa) refused and he (abu al-Hassan (a.s.)) repeated his advise. When he found out that he (Musa) does not agree he said, “Remember, this is a place where you will never be able to meet him (Al-Mutawakkil).” He (Musa) lived there for three years. Everyday he would wake up and his people would tell that Al-Mutawakkil is busy today you can meet him next time. He would go and they would tell him that he (Al-Mutawakkil) is drunk. He would go again and they would say he (Al-Mutawakkil) has just had medicine. It continued this way for three years until Al-Mutawakkil was killed and Musa had never had a chance to meet him.”

9ـ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي زَيْدُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ قَالَ مَرِضْتُ فَدَخَلَ الطَّبِيبُ عَلَيَّ لَيْلاً فَوَصَفَ لِي دَوَاءً بِلَيْلٍ آخُذُهُ كَذَا وَكَذَا يَوْماً فَلَمْ يُمَكِّنِّي فَلَمْ يَخْرُجِ الطَّبِيبُ مِنَ الْبَابِ حَتَّى وَرَدَ عَلَيَّ نَصْرٌ بِقَارُورَةٍ فِيهَا ذَلِكَ الدَّوَاءُ بِعَيْنِهِ فَقَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ يُقْرِئُكَ السَّلامَ وَيَقُولُ لَكَ خُذْ هَذَا الدَّوَاءَ كَذَا وَكَذَا يَوْماً فَأَخَذْتُهُ فَشَرِبْتُهُ فَبَرَأْتُ قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ قَالَ لِي زَيْدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ يَأْبَى الطَّاعِنُ أَيْنَ الْغُلاةُ عَنْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ.

9. Certain persons of our people have narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali who has said the following. “Zayd ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Zayd narrated to me as follows. “I became ill and a doctor came to see me at night. He prescribed a medicine for me to be taken at night for so and so many days. I could not find the medicine that night. The physician was still there that Nasr came in with a bottle that contained the medicine that the physician had prescribed for me and said, “Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) sends you the greeting of peace and has asked you to take this medicine for so and so many days.” I took the medicine and recovered from my illness.” Muhammad ibn Ali has said that Zayd ibn ail told me, “The critics would refuse to accept this hadith saying, “Wherefrom the extremist have brought this hadith?”