Introduction

The Book of Intelligence and Ignorance

Chapter on the necessity to seek knowledge and the recommendations to learn

Chapter on the quality of knowledge its virtue and the virtue of the scholars

Chapter on Kinds of People

Chapter on the reward for the scholars and those who seek knowledge

Chapter on the Qualities of the Scholars

Chapter on the Rights of the scholars

Chapter on the Loss of a Scholar

Chapter on Meeting the Scholars and Associating with Them

Chapter on Asking the Scholar and Discussing with him

Chapter on Giving Knowledge as Charity

Prohibition on Speaking without Knowledge.

Chapter on Those who Act without Knowledge

Chapter on Utilization of Knowledge

Chapter on Those who use their Knowledge to Fill their Stomach and are Boastful for it

Chapter on the Need for the Existence of a Divine Authority in the World and the Seriousness of this Matter

Chapter on Miscellaneous Issues

Chapter on narrating books and Hadith (The virtue of writing and its preservation)

Chapter on Taqlid, following the opinions of someone

Chapter on Innovations, Personal Opinions and Analogies

Chapter on the need to refer to the book and Sunnah

Chapter on the Differences in al-Hadith

Chapter on Following the Sunnah and Evidence of the Book

Chapter on Contingency of the Universe and Proof of the Existence of its Creator

Chapter on Can Allah (God) be Considered a Thing?

Chapter on (the Issue) that only He is proof of His Own Existence

Chapter on the minimum degree of knowledge of the existence of Allah

Chapter on Who is Worshipped

Chapter On Being and Space (al-Kawn WA al-Makan)

Chapter On The relationships (Nisbah) Of Allah

Chapter On Prohibition on Saying How is Allah (al-Kayfiyyah)

Chapter On The Invalidity of the Belief to see God (Ru’yah of Allah)

Chapter On Prohibition on Attributing to Allah What He Himself has not Done so

Chapter On Prohibition on Considering Allah as having Body (JISM) and Form (SURAH)

Chapter On Attribute Of Essence (Sifat al-DhDhat) Of Allah

Another Chapter of The Previous Chapter

Chapter On Will Power (IRADAH) it is of the Attributes of Action (SIFAT al-FI‘L) and the Rest of the Attributes of Action

Chapter On the Coming into the Existence of the Names of Allah

Chapter On The Meanings of the Names of Allah and their Derivatives

Chapter on Another Chapter (Related) to the Previous Chapter

Chapter on the Interpretation of al-Samad, Self-sufficient

Chapter on Motion and Change

Chapter about al-‘Arsh and al-Kursi

Chapter on al-Ruh, the Spirit

Chapter on Comprehensive (Ahadith) about the Oneness of Allah

Chapter on Miscellaneous Ahadith

Chapter on al-Bida’

Chapter on the issue that there is nothing in heavens and earth but that they are in seven

Chapter on Wish and Will

Chapter on Test and Choice

Chapter on Fortunateness and Un-fortunateness

Good and Evil

Predestination, Fate and the Middle Road in Between

The Capabilities

Declaration, Definition and the Need for Solid Proof

Differences in the Justification of Divine Authority among People

Allah’s Authorities and Means of Justification of Accountability in People

Guidance Is From Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High

The necessity of the presence of Divine Authority among the people

The Categories of the Prophets, the Messengers and the Imams (a.s.)

The Difference among he Messengers, the Prophets and the al-Muhaddath

The issue that Allah’s holding people accountable remains unjustified without the Imam

The Issue that the Earth at no time is without a Person with Divine Authority

The Issue that even if only two people would remain on earth one of them would certainly be the Imam, the person with divine authority

Knowing the Imam (a.s.) and Belief in His Divine Authority

The obligation to obey the Imams (a.s.)

The Imams (a.s.) are witness for Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, over His creature

The Imams (a.s.) are the only true guides

The Imam (a.s.) Possess Divine Authority and the Treasure of Divine Knowledge

The Imams (a.s.) are the Deputies of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, on earth and the Gates through which people go nearer to Allah

The Imams (a.s.) are the light of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High

The Imams are the corner stone on earth

The Unique Ahadith that sums up the Virtue and Qualifications of the Imam (a.s.)

The Imams (a.s.) possess Divine authority, they are Envied and Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has spoken of them

The Imams (a.s.) are the Sings of whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has spoken in the Holy Quran

The Signs of which Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has spoken in the Holy Quran are The Imams (a.s.)

The matters that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, and His Messenger (s.a.) have sanctioned as obligatory of the beings with the Imams (a.s.)

The people of Dhikr (memory and knowledge) that Allah has commanded the creatures to ask for their questions are the Imams (a.s.)

Those whom Allah has called people of knowledge they are the Imams (a.s.)

The People Well-grounded in Knowledge are the Imams (a.s.) alone

The Imams are those who have received Knowledge and it is firmly Established in their Hearts

The people whom Allah has Chosen and has Made the Heirs of His Book are the Imams (a.s.)

Two Kinds of Imam are mentioned in the Holy Quran: the Imams (a.s.) who call to Allah and the Imams who call to Fire

The Holy Quran guides people to the Imam (a.s.)

The Bounty and Blessings that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has mentioned in His book, the Holy Quran are the Imams (a.s.)

The People whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has called Mutawassimin (distinguished) in His book are the Imams (a.s.) who are also the straight path

The deeds of the people are presented before the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and the Imams (a.s.)

The Path, Urged to be Maintained Steadfastly is Acknowledgement of the Divine Authority of Imam Ali (a.s.)

The Imams (a.s.) are the Mines of Knowledge, the Tree of Prophet-hood and the Centers wherein angels Interchange

The Imams (a.s.) are the Heirs of Knowledge to Inherit it one from the other

The Imams (a.s.) inherited the knowledge of the Holy prophet (s.a.) and all the prophets and their successors before them

The Imams (a.s.) have with all the books that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has revealed and that they know them even the language in them are different

No one collect all of the Holy Quran except the Imams (a.s.) and that they have the knowledge of all of the Holy Quran

The degree of the Great Names of Allah that are given to the Imams (a.s.)

Sacred objects of the Prophets transferred to the Imams (a.s.)

The Armaments and Sacred Items belonging to the Holy Prophet (s.a.) that transferred to the Imam (a.s.)

The case of the Arms of the Messenger of Allah is like the Ark among the Israelites

Statements about al-Jafr al-Jami‘ and the Book of Fatima (a.s.)

Chapter Ninety Seven of the Holy Quran and its interpretation

 1ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ عَجْلانَ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) الذِّكْرُ أَنَا وَالائِمَّةُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَقَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَإِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ وَسَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) نَحْنُ قَوْمُهُ وَنَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.

 1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from ’Abdallah ibn ‘Ajlan from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.” (16:43, 21: 7 Holy Quran). The Holy Prophet (s.a.) has said, ‘I am the Dhikr and the Imams are the people of Dhikr.’” About the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High that says, “It is a Dhikr for you and for your people and you all will be asked questions.’ (43:44) The Imams (a.s.) said, “We are his people and we will be questioned.”(It seems that both the Holy Prophet (s.a.) is called Dhikr and the Holy Quran is also called Dhikr although the above passage seems confusing).

 2ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أُورَمَةَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حَسَّانَ عَنْ عَمِّهِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ كَثِيرٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ قَالَ الذِّكْرُ مُحَمَّدٌ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَنَحْنُ أَهْلُهُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ قَالَ قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ وَإِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ وَسَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ قَالَ إِيَّانَا عَنَى وَنَحْنُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَنَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.

 2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn ’Uwarma from Ali ibn Hassa’n from his uncle ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Kathir said that he asked I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the following words of Allah. “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.” (16:43, 21: 7 Holy Quran) The Imams (a.s.) said, “Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) is ‘Dhikr’ and we are the people of ‘Dhikr who will be asked.” I also asked about, “It is a Dhikr for you and for your people and you all will be asked questions.’ (43:44) The Imams (a.s.) said it is a reference to us. We are the people of Dhikr and we will be asked questions.”

 3- الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ فَقَالَ نَحْنُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَنَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ قُلْتُ فَأَنْتُمُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ وَنَحْنُ السَّائِلُونَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ حَقّاً عَلَيْنَا أَنْ نَسْأَلَكُمْ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ حَقّاً عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ تُجِيبُونَا قَالَ لا ذَاكَ إِلَيْنَا إِنْ شِئْنَا فَعَلْنَا وَإِنْ شِئْنَا لَمْ نَفْعَلْ أَ مَا تَسْمَعُ قَوْلَ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى هذا عَطاؤُنا فَامْنُنْ أَوْ أَمْسِكْ بِغَيْرِ حِسابٍ.

 3- Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ who said: “I asked al-Rida (a.s) and said, 'May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what is the meaning of the words of Allah, “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know.”?' (16:43 and 21:7) He (a.s.) replied, “ We are the people of ‘Dhikr’ and we are the ones about whom questions will be asked.” I asked further, “Are you the ones to be questioned and we will be the ones to question?” He (a.s.) said, “Yes.“ I then asked, “Will it be a right on us to ask you?” He (a.s.) said, “Yes.” I then asked, “Will it be a right on you to answer us?” He (a.s.) said, “No, that is up to us. If we wish, we will, and if we wish, we won't. Have you not heard the words of Allah, the Most Holy and Most High: “This is a gift from us. You may (give to others and) oblige or keep without being held accountable.”? (38:39)

 4ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنِ النَّضْرِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ حُمَيْدٍ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَإِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ وَسَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ فَرَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) الذِّكْرُ وَأَهْلُ بَيْتِهِ (عَلَيْهم السَّلام) الْمَسْئُولُونَ وَهُمْ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ.

 4. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from ‘Asim ibn Hamid from abu Basir from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “It is a Dhikr for you and for your people and you all will be asked questions.’ (43:44) The Messenger of Allah is the Dhikr (reminder of Allah) and members of his family (a.s.) are the ones who will be asked questions and they are the people of Dhikr.”

 5ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ حَمَّادٍ عَنْ رِبْعِيٍّ عَنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى وَإِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ وَسَوْفَ تُسْئَلُونَ قَالَ الذِّكْرُ الْقُرْآنُ وَنَحْنُ قَوْمُهُ وَنَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.

 5. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Hammad from Rib‘iy from Fudayl form abu ’Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “It is a Dhikr for you and for your people and you all will be asked questions.’ (43:44) The Imams (a.s.)said, “The Holy Quran is the ’Dhikr’ and we are the one who will be asked questions.”

 6ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنْ مَنْصُورِ بْنِ يُونُسَ عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرٍ الْحَضْرَمِيِّ قَالَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْوَرْدُ أَخُو الْكُمَيْتِ فَقَالَ جَعَلَنِيَ الله فِدَاكَ اخْتَرْتُ لَكَ سَبْعِينَ مَسْأَلَةً مَا تَحْضُرُنِي مِنْهَا مَسْأَلَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ قَالَ وَلا وَاحِدَةٌ يَا وَرْدُ قَالَ بَلَى قَدْ حَضَرَنِي مِنْهَا وَاحِدَةٌ قَالَ وَمَا هِيَ قَالَ قَوْلُ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُمْ قَالَ نَحْنُ قَالَ قُلْتُ عَلَيْنَا أَنْ نَسْأَلَكُمْ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ تُجِيبُونَا قَالَ ذَاكَ إِلَيْنَا.

 6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il from Mansur ibn Yunus from abu Bakr al-Hadrami who has said the following. “I was in the presence of Imam (a.s.) abu Ja‘far (a.s.) and al-Ward brother of al-Kumayt came to see him. He to the Imams (a.s.) said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I have chosen seventy questions and I do not know the answer even for one of them.” The Imams (a.s.) said, “Not even one answer, O Ward?” He then said, “Yes, I do know the answer for one of them.” The Imams (a.s.) asked, “What is it then?” He replied, “It is the words of Allah that say, ‘Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know’ who are they?” The Imams (a.s.) replied, “We are the people of Dhikr?” I then said, “Must we then ask you?” The Imams (a.s.) said, “Yes, you must ask us for answers.” I then asked, “Must you then give us answers?” The Imams (a.s.) said, “We may or may not answer.”

 7ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنِ الْعَلاءِ بْنِ رَزِينٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ مَنْ عِنْدَنَا يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ قَوْلَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُمُ الْيَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَى قَالَ إِذاً يَدْعُونَكُمْ إِلَى دِينِهِمْ قَالَ قَالَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ نَحْنُ أَهْلُ الذِّكْرِ وَنَحْنُ الْمَسْئُولُونَ.

 7. Muhammad ibn Yahya from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Safwan ibn Yahya from al-‘Ala‘ ibn Razin from Muhammad ibn Muslim who ha said that he said the who has said the following to abu Ja‘far ( a.s.). “These are people who think that the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. ‘Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know,’ refers to the Jews and the Christians.” The Imams (a.s.) asked, “Do they call you to their religion?” He (Muhammad ibn Muslim) has aid that the Imams (a.s.) “Said, with his hand (pointing) to his chest, ‘We are the People of Dhikr (reminders of Allah) and we are the ones who must be asked questions.’”

 8ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَالَ عَلِيُّ بن الحسين (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) عَلَى الائِمَّةِ مِنَ الْفَرْضِ مَا لَيْسَ عَلَى شِيعَتِهِمْ وَعَلَى شِيعَتِنَا مَا لَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا أَمَرَهُمُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَنْ يَسْأَلُونَا قَالَ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ فَأَمَرَهُمْ أَنْ يَسْأَلُونَا وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا الْجَوَابُ إِنْ شِئْنَا أَجَبْنَا وَإِنْ شِئْنَا أَمْسَكْنَا.

 8. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ who has said that he heard Imam al-Rida say the following. “Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn has said that there are certain obligation for the Imams that are not obligatory for their followers and certain obligation of our followers are not obligatory for us. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has commanded them to ask us their questions saying, “Ask the people of Dhikr if you do not know,’ Thus, Allah has commanded them to ask us their questions but it is not obligatory for us to answer them. We may answer them or may not answer them if we may so decide.” the is not said:

 9ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ قَالَ كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) كِتَاباً فَكَانَ فِي بَعْضِ مَا كَتَبْتُ قَالَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ وَقَالَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَما كانَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لِيَنْفِرُوا كَافَّةً فَلَوْ لا نَفَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِنْهُمْ طائِفَةٌ لِيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ وَلِيُنْذِرُوا قَوْمَهُمْ إِذا رَجَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ فَقَدْ فُرِضَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَسْأَلَةُ وَلَمْ يُفْرَضْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْجَوَابُ قَالَ قَالَ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا لَكَ فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّمإ؛33ّّ يَتَّبِعُونَ أَهْواءَهُمْ وَمَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ اتَّبَعَ هَواهُ.

 9. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr who has said that he wrote a letter to Imam al-Rida (a.s.). Of the issues for which he requested explanation in the letter one was about the following words of Allah, Most Holy, the Most High. “Ask the people of Dhikr (people who remind of Allah) if you do not know.” The other question was about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “Not all believers have to become specialists in religious learning. Why do not some people from each group of believers seek to become specialists in religious learning and, after completing their studies, guide their group so that they will have fear of God.” (9:122) thus, it is obligatory for them to ask but it is not obligatory for you to answer.” The Imams (a.s.) has said the following for the answer. “If they would not do what you would ask them, know that they are only following their (evil) desires. Who strays more than one who follows his desires without guidance from God? . .” (28:50)

Al-Kāfi - Volume 1

Book 4, Chapter 20