1ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ يُونُسَ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) عَنِ الْمُسْتَضْعَفِ فَقَالَ هُوَ الَّذِي لا يَهْتَدِي حِيلَةً إِلَى الْكُفْرِ فَيَكْفُرَ وَلا يَهْتَدِي سَبِيلاً إِلَى الإيمَانِ لا يَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ يُؤْمِنَ وَلا يَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ يَكْفُرَ فَهُمُ الصِّبْيَانُ وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ عَلَى مِثْلِ عُقُولِ الصِّبْيَانِ مَرْفُوعٌ عَنْهُمُ الْقَلَمُ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from certain individuals of his people from Zurara who has said the following: “Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) about feeble-minded (weak) people. The Imam said, ‘They are those who have no means to become unbelievers and cannot find guidance to belief. They are not able to establish belief or to become unbelievers. Of such people are children and those of men and women who are of children’s mentality; the pen is held back from writing to hold them responsible.’”

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ جَمِيلٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفُونَ الَّذِينَ لا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ حِيلَةً وَلا يَهْتَدُونَ سَبِيلاً قَالَ لا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ حِيلَةً إِلَى الإيمَانِ وَلا يَكْفُرُونَ الصِّبْيَانُ وَأَشْبَاهُ عُقُولِ الصِّبْيَانِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Jamil from Zurara from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The feeble-minded people are those who are not able to find the means, the guidance or the way. The Imam said, ‘They are not able to find the means to belief and they do not disbelieve, like children and those who are of children’s mental condition, male and female.’”

3ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنِ ابْنِ رِئَابٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) عَنِ الْمُسْتَضْعَفِ فَقَالَ هُوَ الَّذِي لا يَسْتَطِيعُ حِيلَةً يَدْفَعُ بِهَا عَنْهُ الْكُفْرَ وَلا يَهْتَدِي بِهَا إِلَى سَبِيلِ الإيمَانِ لا يَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ يُؤْمِنَ وَلا يَكْفُرَ قَالَ وَالصِّبْيَانُ وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ عَلَى مِثْلِ عُقُولِ الصِّبْيَانِ.

3. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn Mahbub from ibn Ri’ab from Zurara who has said the following: “Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) about the feeble-minded people. The Imam said, ‘They are those who are not able to defend themselves against disbelief or find the means to the way in the direction of belief. They are not able to have belief and do not disbelieve.’ The Imam said, ‘Children and those of men and women who are of children’s mental condition are among such people.’”

4ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ جُنْدَبٍ عَنْ سُفْيَانَ بْنِ السِّمْطِ الْبَجَلِيِّ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) مَا تَقُولُ فِي الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ فَقَالَ لِي شَبِيهاً بِالْفَزِعِ فَتَرَكْتُمْ أَحَداً يَكُونُ مُسْتَضْعَفاً وَأَيْنَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفُونَ فَوَ الله لَقَدْ مَشَى بِأَمْرِكُمْ هَذَا الْعَوَاتِقُ إِلَى الْعَوَاتِقِ فِي خُدُورِهِنَّ وَتُحَدِّثُ بِهِ السَّقَّايَاتُ فِي طَرِيقِ الْمَدِينَةِ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from ‘Abd Allah ibn Jundab from Sufyan ibn al-Samt al-Bajilli who has said the following: “Once I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘What do you say about the feeble-minded people?’ The Imam asked me in a manner similar to one frightened, ‘Have you left anyone to be considered feeble? By Allah, girls behind the curtains have heard about your cause (Divine Authority of Ahl al-Bayt ) and water carriers in the street of Madina speak about it.’”

5ـ عَنْهُ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ فَضَالَةَ بْنِ أَيُّوبَ عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ أَبَانٍ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) عَنِ الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ فَقَالَ هُمْ أَهْلُ الْوَلايَةِ فَقُلْتُ أَيُّ وَلايَةٍ فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهَا لَيْسَتْ بِالْوَلايَةِ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَكِنَّهَا الْوَلايَةُ فِي الْمُنَاكَحَةِ وَالْمُوَارَثَةِ وَالْمُخَالَطَةِ وَهُمْ لَيْسُوا بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلا بِالْكُفَّارِ وَمِنْهُمُ الْمُرْجَوْنَ لأمْرِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ.

5. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa’id from Fudalah ibn Ayyub from ‘Umar ibn Aban who has said the following: “Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) about the feeble-minded people. The Imam said, ‘They are the people under guardianship.’ I then asked, ‘What kind of guardianship is it?’ The Imam said, ‘It is not a religious guardianship. It is guardianship in marriages, inheritance and social affairs. They are neither believers nor unbelievers. There are those among them for whom one may hope in the command of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.’”

6ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ مُثَنًّى عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ الْجُعْفِيِّ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) عَنِ الدِّينِ الَّذِي لا يَسَعُ الْعِبَادَ جَهْلُهُ فَقَالَ الدِّينُ وَاسِعٌ وَلَكِنَّ الْخَوَارِجَ ضَيَّقُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ مِنْ جَهْلِهِمْ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَأُحَدِّثُكَ بِدِينِيَ الَّذِي أَنَا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ بَلَى فَقُلْتُ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلا الله وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالإقْرَارَ بِمَا جَاءَ مِنْ عِنْدِ الله وَأَتَوَلاكُمْ وَأَبْرَأُ مِنْ عَدُوِّكُمْ وَمَنْ رَكِبَ رِقَابَكُمْ وَتَأَمَّرَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَظَلَمَكُمْ حَقَّكُمْ فَقَالَ مَا جَهِلْتَ شَيْئاً هُوَ وَالله الَّذِي نَحْنُ عَلَيْهِ قُلْتُ فَهَلْ سَلِمَ أَحَدٌ لا يَعْرِفُ هَذَا الأمْرَ فَقَالَ لا إِلا الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ قُلْتُ مَنْ هُمْ قَالَ نِسَاؤُكُمْ وَأَوْلادُكُمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ رَأَيْتَ أُمَّ أَيْمَنَ فَإِنِّي أَشْهَدُ أَنَّهَا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَمَا كَانَتْ تَعْرِفُ مَا أَنْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ.

6. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu’alla ibn Muhammad from al- Washsha’ from Muthanna from Isma’il al-Ju’fi who has said the following: “Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) about how much religious knowledge people must have. The Imam said, ‘Religion is vast but the Khawarij (those who turned against Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib, recipient of divine supreme covenant) group has narrowed it down upon themselves due to their ignorance.’ I asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, can I tell you what kind of religion I believe in?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, you may do so.’ I said, ‘I testify that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. I affirm to whatever he has brought from Allah. I love you {AM al-Bayt) and disavow your enemies and those who have suppressed you, kept (unjust) control over you and who have usurped your rights.’ The Imam said, ‘You are not ignorant of anything. This, by Allah is what we follow.’ I asked, ‘Is one who does not know this (cause) safe?’ The Imam said, ‘No, except the feeble- minded people.’ I asked, ‘Who are they?’ The Imam said, ‘Your women and children.’ Then he said, ‘Consider ‘Umm ‘Ayman. I testify that she is of the people of paradise, but she did not know what you believe.’”

7ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ يُونُسَ عَنِ ابْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) مَنْ عَرَفَ اخْتِلافَ النَّاسِ فَلَيْسَ بِمُسْتَضْعَفٍ.

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from ibn Muskan from abu Basir who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever knows the differences among people is not a feeble-minded person.’”

8ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ جَمِيلِ بْنِ دَرَّاجٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) إِنِّي رُبَّمَا ذَكَرْتُ هَؤُلاءِ الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ فَأَقُولُ نَحْنُ وَهُمْ فِي مَنَازِلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) لا يَفْعَلُ الله ذَلِكَ بِكُمْ أَبَداً.

8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Darraj who has said the following: “Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘I may have mentioned those feeble-minded people and I say that those people and we are in homes of paradise.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said, ‘Allah will never do that to you.’”

9ـ عَنْهُ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ التَّيْمِيِّ عَنْ أَخَوَيْهِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَأَحْمَدَ ابْنَيِ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ عَنْ مَرْوَانَ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَيُّوبَ بْنِ الْحُرِّ قَالَ قَالَ رَجُلٌ لأبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) وَنَحْنُ عِنْدَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّا نَخَافُ أَنْ نَنْزِلَ بِذُنُوبِنَا مَنَازِلَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لا وَالله لا يَفْعَلُ الله ذَلِكَ بِكُمْ أَبَداً. عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ رَجُلٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) مِثْلَهُ.

9. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ali ibn al-Hassan al- Taymi from his two brothers, Muhammad and Ahmad sons of al-Hassan from Ali ibn Ya’qub from Marwan ibn Muslim from Ayyub ibn al-Hurr who has said the following: “Once a man said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) while we were present, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, we are afraid that because of our sins we will be treated as feeble-minded people.’ The narrator has said that the Imam said, ‘No, by Allah, Allah will never do that to you.’” Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from a man from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) a similar Hadith.

10ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ أَبِي الْمَغْرَاءِ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَنْ عَرَفَ اخْتِلافَ النَّاسِ فَلَيْسَ بِمُسْتَضْعَفٍ.

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from abu al- Maghra’ from abu Basir from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Whoever knows the differences among people is not a feeble- minded person.”

11ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مَنْصُورٍ الْخُزَاعِيِّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الضُّعَفَاءِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ الضَّعِيفُ مَنْ لَمْ تُرْفَعْ إِلَيْهِ حُجَّةٌ وَلَمْ يَعْرِفِ الإخْتِلافَ فَإِذَا عَرَفَ الإخْتِلافَ فَلَيْسَ بِمُسْتَضْعَفٍ.

11. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Isma’il ibn Mehran from Muhammad ibn Mansur al-Khuza’i from Ali ibn Suwayd who has said the following: “Once I asked abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) about the feeble-minded people and he wrote to me, ‘A feeble-minded is one to whom evidence and proof is not (or cannot be) presented and he does not know the differences among people. If he knows the differences among people he is not an enfeeble person.’”

12ـ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حَبِيبٍ الْخَثْعَمِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي سَارَةَ إِمَامِ مَسْجِدِ بَنِي هِلالٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لَيْسَ الْيَوْمَ مُسْتَضْعَفٌ أَبْلَغَ الرِّجَالُ الرِّجَالَ وَالنِّسَاءُ النِّسَاءَ.

12. Certain individuals of our people have narrated from Ali ibn al-Hassan from Ali ibn Habib al-Khath’ami from abu Sarah Imam of the Mosque of Banu Hilal from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Today no one is a feeble-minded person. Men have informed men and women have informed women.”