1 - حدثنا الشيخ الفقيه أبو جعفر محمد بن علي بن الحسين بن موسى ابن بابويه القمي (رضي الله عنه)، قال: حدثنا أبي (رضي الله عنه)، قال: حدثنا سعد بن عبد الله، قال: حدثنا أحمد بن الحسين بن سعيد، عن سهيل (1) بن زياد الواسطي، عن أحمد ابن محمد بن ربيع، عن محمد بن سنان، عن أبي الاغر النخاس، قال: سمعت الصادق جعفر بن محمد (عليه السلام) يقول: قضاء حاجة المؤمن أفضل من ألف حجة متقبلة بمناسكها، وعتق ألف رقبة لوجه الله، وحملان ألف فرس في سبيل الله بسرجها ولجمها (2).

Abu Ja`far Muhammad b. `Ali b. al-Husayn b. Musa b. Babuwayh al-Qummi (ra) narrated to us. He said: My father (ra) narrated to us. He said: Sa`d b. `Abdullah narrated to us. He said: Ahmad b. al-Husayn b. Sa`id narrated to us from Suhayl b. Ziyad al-Wasiti from Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Rabi` from Muhammad b. Sinan from Abi’l Aghur al-Nakhas. He said: I heard al-Sadiq Ja`far b. Muhammad (as) say: Fulfilling the need of a believer is better than one thousand accepted Hajj with its rites, freeing one thousand slaves for the sake of Allah, and preparing one thousand horses in the way of Allah with a saddle and bridle.

2 - حدثنا محمد بن الحسن بن أحمد بن الوليد (رضي الله عنه)، قال: حدثنا أحمد بن إدريس، قال: حدثنا محمد بن أحمد بن يحيى بن عمران الاشعري، عن إبراهيم بن إسحاق النهاوندي، عن محمد بن سليمان الديلمي، عن أبيه، قال: سمعت أبا عبد الله الصادق (عليه السلام) يقول: الشتاء ربيع المؤمن، يطول فيه ليله، فيستعين به على قيامه (1)، ويقصر فيه نهاره فيستعين به على صيامه (2).

Muhammad b. al-Hasan b. Ahmad b. al-Walid (ra) narrated to us. He said: Ahmad b. Idris narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. Ahmad b. yahya b. `Imran al-Ash`ari narrated to us from Ibrahim b. Ishaq al-Nahawandi from Muhammad b. Sulayman al-Daylami from his father. He said: I heard Aba `Abdillah al-Sadiq (as) say: Winter is the springtime of the believer – night is prolonged in it, which helps him stand up in prayer in it; and its day is shortened, which helps him fast in it.

3 - حدثنا أحمد بن الحسن القطان، قال: حدثنا الحسن بن علي السكري، قال: أخبرنا محمد بن زكريا، قال: حدثنا أحمد بن عيسى، عن عمه محمد ابن عبد الله بن الحسن، عن زيد بن علي (عليه السلام)، قال: من أتى قبر الحسين (عليه السلام) عارفا بحقه غفر الله له ما تقدم من ذنبه وما تأخر (3).

Ahmad b. al-Hasan al-Qattan narrated to us. He said: Al-Hasan b. `Ali al-Sikri narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. Zakariyya informed us. He said: Ahmad b. `Isa narrated to us from his uncle Muhammad b. `Abdullah b. al-Hasan from Zayd b. `Ali (as). He said: Whoever comes to the grave of al-Husayn (as), recognizing his right, Allah will forgive his past and future sins.

4 - حدثنا علي بن أحمد بن موسى الدقاق (رضي الله عنه)، قال: حدثنا محمد بن أبي عبد الله الكوفي، قال: حدثنا محمد بن إسماعيل البرمكي، قال: حدثنا الحسين بن الهيثم، قال: حدثنا عباد بن يعقوب الاسدي، قال: حدثني عنبسة بن بجاد العابد، قال: لما مات إسماعيل بن جعفر بن محمد وفرغنا من جنازته جلس الصادق جعفر بن محمد (عليهما السلام) وجلسنا حوله وهو مطرق، ثم رفع رأسه فقال: أيها الناس، إن هذه الدنيا دار فراق، ودار التواء لا دار استواء، على أن لفراق المألوف حرقة لا تدفع ولوعة لا ترد، وإنما يتفاضل الناس بحسن العزاء وصحة الفكر (4)، فمن لم يثكل أخاه ثكله أخوه، ومن لم يقدم ولدا كان هو المقدم دون الولد. ثم تمثل (عليه السلام) بقول أبي خراش الهذلي يرثي أخاه: فلا تحسبي أني تناسيت عهده * * ولكن صبري يا أميم جميل (5)

`Ali b. Ahmad b. Musa al-Qaqqaq (ra) narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. Abi `Abdullah al-Kufi narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. Isma`il al-Barmaki narrated to us. He said: Al-Husayn b. Haytham narrated to us. He said: `Abbad b. Ya`qub al-Asadi narrated to us. He said: `Anbasa b. Bijad al-`Abid narrated to me. He said: When Isma`il b. Ja`far b. Muhammad died and we left his funeral, al-Sadiq Ja`far b. Muhammad (as) sat down, and we sat down around him. He was melancholy. Then, he raised his head and said: O people! This world is the abode of departure – an abode of crookedness and not an abode of straightness. Departure is a tragedy that cannot be repelled and a woe that cannot be deterred. Surely, people are only distinguished by beautiful mourning and good contemplation. Whoever does not mourn for his brother, his brother will mourn for him. Whoever does not have a child, then he is the one who will proceed [toward death] without a child. Then, he (as) presented the poem of Abi Khurash al-Hadhali when he mourned for his brother: “Do not think that I have forgotten his covenant, but rather, my patience – O Amim – is beautiful.”

5 - حدثنا أبي (رضي الله عنه)، قال: حدثنا علي بن إبراهيم، عن أبيه، عن محمد بن أبي عمير، عن أبان الاحمر، عن الصادق جعفر بن محمد (عليه السلام)، قال: جاء رجل إلى رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله)، وقد بلي ثوبه، فحمل إليه اثني عشر درهما، فقال: يا علي، خذ هذه الدراهم فاشتر لي ثوبا ألبسه. قال علي (عليه السلام): فجئت إلى السوق فاشتريت له قميصا باثني عشر درهما، وجئت به إلى رسول الله، فنظر إليه فقال: يا علي، قميص دونه يكفيني (1)، أترى صاحبه يقيلنا؟ فقلت: لا أدري، فقال: أنظر، فجئت إلى صاحبه، فقلت: إن رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله) قد كره هذا، يريد ثوبا دونه، فأقلنا فيه. فرد علي الدراهم، وجئت بها إلى رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله)، فمشى معي إلى السوق ليبتاع قميصا، فنظر إلى جارية قاعدة على الطريق تبكي، فقال لها رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله): ما شأنك؟ قالت: يا رسول الله، إن أهل بيتي أعطوني أربعة دراهم لاشتري لهم بها حاجة فضاعت، فلا أجسر أن أرجع إليهم. فأعطاها رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله) أربعة دراهم وقال: ارجعي إلى أهلك. ومضى رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله) إلى السوق، فاشترى قميصا بأربعة دراهم، ولبسه وحمد الله، وخرج فرأى رجلا عريانا يقول: من كساني كساه الله من ثياب الجنة، فخلع رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله) قميصه الذي اشتراه وكساه السائل، ثم رجع إلى السوق فاشترى بالاربعة التي بقيت قميصا آخر، فلبسه وحمد الله. ورجع إلى منزله فإذا الجارية قاعدة على الطريق، فقال لها رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله): ما لك لا تأتين أهلك؟ قالت: يا رسول الله، إني قد أبطأت عليهم وأخاف أن يضربوني. فقال لها رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله): مري بين يدي ودليني على أهلك. فجاء رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله) حتى وقف على باب دراهم، ثم قال: السلام عليكم يا أهل الدار. فلم يجيبوه، فأعاد السلام فلم يجيبوه، فأعاد السلام، فقالوا: عليك السلام - يا رسول الله - ورحمة الله وبركاته. فقال لهم: ما لكم تركتم إجابتي في أول السلام والثاني؟ قالوا: يا رسول الله، سمعنا سلامك فأحببنا أن نستكثر منه. فقال رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله): إن هذه الجارية أبطأت عليكم فلا تؤاخذوها. فقالوا: يا رسول الله، هي حرة لممشاك. فقال رسول الله: الحمد لله، ما رأيت اثني عشر درهما أعظم بركة من هذه، كسا الله بها عريانين، وأعتق بها نسمة (1).

My father (ra) narrated to us. He said: `Ali b. Ibrahim narrated to us from his father from Muhammad b. Abi `Umayr from Aban al-Ahmar from al-Sadiq Ja`far b. Muhammad (as). He said: A man came to the Messenger of Allah (s), and he (s) had a tattered garment. So, he gave him twelve silver coins. So, he said: O `Ali! Take these silver coins and purchase a garment with it for me. `Ali (as) said: I went to the market and bought a shirt with the twelve silver coins for him. I took it to the Messenger of Allah. He looked at it and said: O `Ali! I would like something different than this. Do you think the owner will take it back? I said: I do not know. So, he said: Go and see. I went back to the owner and I said: The Messenger of Allah (s) does not like this. He wants another shirt. Please take it back and return the silver coins. So, I went back to the Messenger of Allah (s) and walked with him to the market to buy a shirt, when we saw a slave girl sitting on the street crying. So, the Messenger of Allah (s) said to her: What is your issue? She said: O Messenger of Allah! My master gave me four silver coins to purchase a thing for him, but I lost it, and I do not dare to return to them. So, the Messenger of Allah (s) gave her four silver coins, and he said: Return to your master. The Messenger of Allah (s) went to the market to purchase a shirt with four silver coins. He wore it, and praised Allah. [On his way back,] he saw a naked man. He was saying: Whoever clothes me, may Allah clothe with the garments of Paradise. So, the Messenger of Allah (s) removed his shirt that he had bought and clothed the beggar. Then, he returned to the market to purchase a shirt with the remaining four silver coins. He wore it and praised Allah. Upon his return to his house, he saw the slave girl who was sitting on the street crying. So, he (s) said to her: Why haven’t you returned to your master? She said: O Messenger of Allah! I have delayed in returning to them, and I fear that they will beat me. So, the Messenger of Allah (s) said: Walk in front of me and guide me to your master. The Messenger of Allah (s) went until he stopped at the door of the house. Then he said: Peace be with you, O people of the house. No one responded to him. The Messenger of Allah repeated the greeting, and no one responded, and he repeated the greeting, and they said: And peace, mercy, and blessings be with you, O Messenger of Allah. So, he (s) said: Why didn't you answer my greeting the first and second [time]? So, they said: O Messenger of Allah! We loved to hear you speak again. So, the Messenger of Allah (s) said: Here is your slave girl. She has delayed in returning to you, but do not harm her. So, they said: O Messenger of Allah, we will free her because you came. So, the Messenger of Allah (s) said: Praise be to Allah! Look at what a great blessing these twelve silver coins were. This has clothed two naked people and has freed a person.

6 - حدثنا محمد بن موسى بن المتوكل (رحمه الله)، قال: حدثنا علي بن الحسين السعد آبادي، عن أحمد بن أبي عبد الله البرقي، عن أبيه، عن عبد الرحمن بن سالم، عن المفضل، عن أبي عبد الله الصادق (عليه السلام)، قال: إذا قام العبد نصف الليل بين يدي ربه جل جلاله، فصلى له أربع ركعات في جوف الليل المظلم ثم سجد سجدة الشكر بعد فراغه، فقال: ما شاء الله، ما شاء الله، مائة مرة، ناداه الله جل جلاله من فوقه، عبدي إلى كم تقول: ما شاء الله، ما شاء الله! أنا ربك وإلي المشيئة قد شئت قضاء حاجتك فسلني ما شئت (2).

Muhammad b. Musa b. al-Mutawakkil (rh) narrated to us. He said: `Ali b. al-Husayn al-Sa`d Abadi narrated to us from Ahmad b. Abi `Abdillah al-Barqi from his father from `Abd al-Rahman b. Salim from al-Mufaddal from Abi `Abdillah al-Sadiq (as). He said: If a worshiper stands before his Lord in the middle of the night, prays four units deep into a dark night, prostrates a prostration of gratitude (sujud al-shukr) after completing his prayer, then says: “Whatever Allah wills, whatever Allah wills (mashaAllah, mashaAllah)” one hundred times, Allah calls to him from above him: “O My servant! How long will you say ‘Whatever Allah wills, whatever Allah wills’?! I am your Lord, and the definite will is Mine. I have decided to fulfill your need, so ask Me for whatever you wish.”

7 - حدثنا محمد بن علي ماجيلويه (رحمه الله)، قال: حدثنا محمد بن يحيى العطار، قال: حدثنا سهل بن زياد الآدمي، قال: حدثني عثمان بن عيسى، عن خالد بن نجيح، عن أبي عبد الله الصادق (عليه السلام)، قال: تذاكروا الشؤم عنده، فقال: الشؤم في ثلاثة: في المرأة، والدابة، والدار، فأما شؤم المرأة فكثرة مهرها وعقوق زوجها، وأما الدابة فسوء خلقها ومنعها ظهرها، وأما الدار فضيق ساحتها وشر جيرانها وكثرة عيوبها (3).

Muhammad b. `Ali Majiluwayh (rh) narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. Yahya al-`Attar narrated to us. He said: Sahl b. Ziyad al-Adami narrated to us. He said: `Uthman b. `Isa narrated to me from Khalid b. Najih from Abi `Abdillah al-Sadiq (as). He said: Misery was mentioned in his presence, so he said: Misery is in three things: (1) in a woman, (2) in a creature, and (3) in a house. As for the misery of a woman, it is in the exorbitance of her dowry and the responsibilities of her partner. As for the creature, it is in its poor behaviour and when it prevents one from riding its back. As for the house, it is in its narrow space, the evil of its neighbours, and the plenitude of its faults.

8 - حدثنا الحسين بن أحمد بن إدريس (رحمه الله)، قال: حدثنا أبي، قال: حدثني أبو سعيد الآدمي، قال: حدثني الحسن بن علي بن النعمان، عن علي بن أسباط، عن الحسن بن الجهم، قال: سألت الرضا (عليه السلام) فقلت له: جعلت فداك، ما حد التوكل؟ فقال لي: أن لا تخاف مع الله أحدا. قال: قلت: فما حد التواضع؟ قال: أن تعطي الناس من نفسك ما تحب أن يعطوك مثله. قال: قلت: جعلت فداك، أشتهي أن أعلم كيف أنا عندك؟ فقال: أنظر كيف أنا عندك (1).

Al-Husayn b. Ahmad b. Idris (rh) narrated to us. He said: My father narrated to us. He said: Abu Sa`id al-Adami narrated to me. He said: Al-Hasan b. `Ali b. al-Nu`man narrated to me from `Ali b. Asbat from al-Hasan b. al-Jahm. He said: I asked al-Rida (as); I said to him: May I be your sacrifice! What is the limit of reliance [on Allah] (tawakkul)? So, he said to me: To not fear anything besides Allah. He said: I said: What is the limit of humility? He said: To give to the people of yourself that which you would like to be given. He said: I said: May I be your sacrifice! I would like to know – what is my status in your view? So, he said: Look to what my status is in your own view.

9 - حدثنا أحمد بن محمد بن يحيى العطار (رحمه الله)، قال: حدثنا أبي، عن سهل بن زياد، عن محمد بن عيسى، عن أحمد بن محمد بن أبي نصر، عن جميل ابن دراج، عن الصادق جعفر بن محمد (عليه السلام)، قال: كان أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام) يقول: أصل الانسان لبه وعقله ودينه (2) ومروءته حيث يجعل نفسه، والايام دول، والناس إلى آدم شرع سواء (3).

Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Yahya al-`Attar (rh) narrated to us. He said: My father narrated to us from Sahl b. Ziyad from Muhammad b. `Isa from Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Abi Nasr from Jamil b. Darraj from al-Sadiq Ja`far b. Muhammad (as). He said: Amir al-Mu’minin (as) would say: The basis of mankind – his heart, his intellect, his religion, and his chivalry – is whatever he makes of himself. The days change, but the people are as Adam.

10 - حدثنا أبي (رحمه الله)، قال: حدثنا سعد بن عبد الله، عن أحمد بن محمد بن عيسى عن الحسن بن علي بن فضال، عن علي بن أبي حمزة، عن أبي بصير، قال: قلت للصادق جعفر بن محمد (عليه السلام): من آل محمد؟ قال: ذريته. فقلت: من أهل بيته؟ قال: الائمة الاوصياء. فقلت: من عترته؟ قال: أصحاب العباء. فقلت: من أمته؟ قال: المؤمنون الذين صدقوا بما جاء به من عند الله عز وجل، المتمسكون بالثقلين اللذين أمروا بالتمسك بهما: كتاب الله، وعترته أهل بيته، الذين أذهب الله عنهم الرجس وطهرهم تطهيرا، وهما الخليفتان على الامة بعد رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله) (4).

My father (rh) narrated to us. He said: Sa`d b. `Abdullah narrated to us from Ahmad b. Muhammad b. `Isa from al-Hasan b. `Ali b. Faddal from `Ali b. Abi Hamza from Abi Basir. He said: I said to al-Sadiq Ja`far b. Muhammad (as): Who are the Family of Muhammad (Aali Muhammad)? He said: His descendants. I said: Who are his Ahl al-Bayt? He said: The deputed Imams. So, I said: Who is his progeny (`itra)? He said: The people of the cloak (al-`aba’). So, I said: Who is his Nation (Umma)? He said: The believers who affirmed what he came with from Allah, who grasp onto the two heavyweights that they were ordered to grasp onto, the Book of Allah and his progeny, his Ahl al-Bayt, from whom Allah has removed uncleanliness and purified with a thorough purification. They are the two vicegerents (khalifatan) over the Nation after the Messenger of Allah (s).

11 - حدثنا أبي (رحمه الله)، قال: حدثنا سعد بن عبد الله وعبد الله بن جعفر الحميري، قالا: حدثنا أحمد بن محمد بن عيسى، عن محمد بن خالد البرقي، عن أحمد بن يزيد النيسابوري، قال: حدثني عمر بن إبراهيم الهاشمي، عن عبد الملك بن عمير، عن أسيد بن صفوان صاحب رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله)، قال: لما كان اليوم الذي قبض فيه أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام) ارتج الموضع بالبكاء، ودهش الناس كيوم قبض فيه النبي (صلى الله عليه وآله). وجاء رجل باك وهو متسرع مسترجع، وهو يقول: اليوم انقطعت خلافة النبوة، حتى وقف على باب البيت الذي فيه أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام)، فقال: رحمك الله أبا الحسن، كنت أول القوم إسلاما، وأخلصهم إيمانا، وأشدهم يقينا، وأخوفهم لله عز وجل، وأعظمهم عناء، وأحوطهم على رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله)، وآمنهم على أصحابه، وأفضلهم مناقب، وأكرمهم سوابق، وأرفعهم درجة، وأقربهم من رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله)، وأشبههم به هديا وخلقا وسمتا وفعلا وأشرفهم منزلة، وأكرمهم عليه، فجزاك الله عن الاسلام وعن رسوله وعن المسلمين خيرا. قويت حين ضعف أصحابه، وبرزت حين استكانوا، ونهضت حين وهنوا، ولزمت منهاج رسوله إذ هم أصحابه، كنت خليفته حقا لم تنازع ولم تضرع برغم المنافقين وغيظ الكافرين وكره الحاسدين وضغن الفاسقين، فقمت بالامر حين فشلوا، ونطقت حين تتعتعوا (1)، ومضيت بنور الله إذ وقفوا، فاتبعوك فهدوا. وكنت أخفضهم صوتا، وأعلاهم فوتا (2)، وأقلهم كلاما، وأصوبهم منطقا، وأكثرهم رأيا، وأشجعهم قلبا، وأشدهم يقينا، وأحسنهم عملا، وأعرفهم بالامور. كنت والله للدين يعسوبا، أولا حين تفرق الناس، وآخرا حين فشلوا، كنت للمؤمنين أبا رحيما إذ صاروا عليك عيالا، فحملت أثقال ما عنه ضعفوا، وحفظت ما أضاعوا، ووعيت (3) ما أهملوا، وشمرت إذ اجتمعوا، وعلوت إذ هلعوا، وصبرت إذ أسرعوا، وأدركت ما عنه (4) تخلفوا، ونالوا بك ما لم يحتسبوا. كنت للكافرين عذابا صبا، وللمؤمنين غيثا وخصبا، فطرت والله بنعماها، وفزت بحبائها وأحرزت سوابقها، وذهبت بفضائلها، لم تفلل حجتك، ولم يزغ قلبك. ولم تضعف بصيرتك، ولم تجبن نفسك ولم تخن، كنت كالجبل لا تحركه العواصف، ولا تزيله القواصف. وكنت كما قال (صلى الله عليه وآله): ضعيفا في بدنك، قويا في أمر الله، متواضعا في نفسك، عظيما عند الله عز وجل، كبيرا في الارض، جليلا عند المؤمنين، لم يكن لاحد فيك مهمز، ولا لقائل فيك مغمز، ولا لاحد فيك مطمع، ولا لاحد عندك هوادة. الضعيف الذليل عندك قوي عزيز حتى تأخذ له بحقه، والقوي العزيز عندك ضعيف ذليل حتى تأخذ منه الحق، والقريب والبعيد عندك في ذلك سواء، شأنك الحق والصدق والرفق، وقولك حكم وحتم، وأمرك حلم وحزم، ورأيك علم وعزم، فاقلعت وقد نهج السبيل، وسهل العسير، وأطفئت النيران، فاعتدل بك الدين، وقوي بك الاسلام والمؤمنون، وسبقت سبقا بعيدا، وأتعبت من بعدك تعبا شديدا، فجللت عن البكاء، وعظمت رزيتك في السماء، وهدت مصيبتك الانام، فإنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون، رضينا عن الله قضاءه، وسلمنا لله أمره، فوالله لن يصاب المسلمون بمثلك أبدا. كنت للمؤمنين كهفا حصينا، وعلى الكافرين غلظة وغيظا، فألحقك الله بنبيه، ولا حرمنا أجرك، ولا أضلنا بعدك. وسكت القوم حتى انقضى كلامه، وبكى وأبكى أصحاب رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله)، ثم طلبوه فلم يصادفوه (1).

My father (rh) narrated to us. He said: Sa`d b. `Abdullah and `Abdullah b. Ja`far al-Himyari narrated to us. They said: Ahmad b. Muhammad b. `Isa narrated to us from Muhammad b. Khalid al-Barqi from Ahmad b. Yazid al-Nishapuri. He said: `Umar b. Ibrahim al-Hashimi narrated to me from `Abd al-Malik b. `Umayr from Usayd b. Safwan the companion of the Messenger of Allah (s). He said: On the day that Amir al-Mu’minin (as) passed away, the place was jolted in weeping. The people were frightened, just like in the day that the Prophet (s) passed away. A weeping man came hurriedly. He was saying: Today, the vicegerency of prophethood has been cut off. Then, he stood at the door of the house that Amir al-Mu’minin (as) was in. So, he said: May Allah have mercy on you, Aba’l Hasan. You were the first of the people to enter Islam, the sincerest of them in faith, the most intense of them in certainty, the most Godfearing of them, the greatest of them in effort, the most prudent of them over the Messenger of Allah (s), the most protective over his companions, the best of them in virtues, the most honourable of them in precedent, the highest of them in rank; the nearest of them to the Messenger of Allah (s), the most similar to him in guidance, character, resemblance, and actions, the most noble of them in status, and the most favoured of them to him. So, may Allah reward you with goodness on behalf of Islam, its Messenger, and the Muslims. You were strengthened when his companions became weakened, you emerged forth when they settled down, you rose when they languished, and you stuck to the way of His Messenger when they were his companions. You were truly his vicegerent. You did not quarrel nor plead despite the presence of the hypocrites, the anger of disbelievers, the hatred of enviers, and the malevolence of transgressors. You established the order when they failed, you spoke when they stuttered, you forged ahead with the light of Allah when they halted – so they followed you and were guided. Your voice was the quietest of them, you were the best of them in forthrightness, you spoke the least of them; you were the most correct of them in speech, the best of them in opinion, the boldest of them in heart, the most intense of them in certainty, the best of them in actions, and the most knowledgeable of them in matters. You were, by Allah, a leader of the religion – the first when the people would disperse, and the last when they would fail. When the believers would come to you like children, you were a merciful father to them. You carried the burdens that they were too weak to carry. You preserved what they had lost. You were aware of what they had neglected. You strove when they gathered, you rose when they were terrified, you were patient when they hurried, you comprehended whatever they differed about, and they sought you in that which they did not understand. For the disbelievers, you were an outpouring punishment. For the believers, you were [like] rain and arability. By Allah, you were formed for its blessing, you succeeded for its love, you became its precedent, and you went in its virtues. Your argument never failed, your heart never went astray, your insight was never weakened, and you were never cowardly or traitorous. You were like a mountain: storms cannot shake it, and sieges cannot wipe it out. You were as he (s) said: Weak in your constitution, strong in the order of Allah, humble in your self, great with Allah, grand in the Earth, and majestic with the believers. None can find faults in you, nor can one claim to find corruption in you. For you, the weak and servile are great and glorious (important), until they are given their rights; and the great and glorious are weak and servile (unimportant), until their rights are taken away from them. The distant and the near equal to you. Your way is truth, honesty, and affability. Your words are judgment and decisive. Your affair is forbearance and determination. Your opinion is knowledge and integrity. Because of you, the path has been established, hardships have been eased, fires have been extinguished, the religion has been balanced, and Islam and Muslims have been strengthened. You have gone ahead, and you have caused great weariness for those behind you. You are too great for our tears. Your mourning is great is heaven, and your tragedy has threatened the people. So: to Allah we belong, and to Him will we return. We are pleased with what Allah has destined, and we have submitted to His order. By Allah, the Muslims will never be afflicted with something like this again after you. For the believers, you were a fortified cave, and for the disbelievers, you were a toughening rage. May Allah reunite you with His Prophet, and not deprive us of your reward, and not misguide us after you. The people were silent until he completed his words. He wept, and he made the companions of the Messenger of Allah (s) weep. Then, they sought after him, but they did not find him.

/ 12 - حدثنا أحمد بن محمد بن إسحاق الدينوري، قال: أخبرني أبو عروبة الحسين بن أبي معشر الحراني وأبو طالب بن أبي عوانة، قالا: حدثنا أبو داود سليمان بن سيف الحراني، قال: حدثنا عبد الله بن واقد، عن عبد العزيز الماجشون، عن محمد بن المنكدر، عن جابر بن عبد الله، قال: استبشرت الملائكة يوم بدر وحنين بكشف علي (عليه السلام) الاحزاب عن وجه رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله)، فمن لم يستبشر برؤية علي (عليه السلام) فعليه لعنة الله (1).

Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Ishaq al-Dinawri narrated to us. He said: Abu `Uruba al-Husayn b. Abi Mu`shir al-Harrani and Abu Talib b. Abi `Uwana informed me. They said: Abu Dawud Sulayman b. Sayf al-Harrani narrated to us. He said: `Abdullah b. Waqid narrated to us from `Abd al-`Aziz al-Majashun from Muhammad b. al-Munkadir from Jabir b. `Abdullah. He said: The angels were made happy on the Day of Badr and Hunayn when `Ali (as) cleared the brigades from before the Messenger of Allah (s). Whoever is not made happy by the sight of `Ali (as), then the curse of Allah is upon him.

13 - حدثنا أحمد بن محمد بن إسحاق الدينوري، قال: أخبرني عبد الله ابن محمد بن زياد النيسابوري، قال: حدثنا أحمد بن منصور المروزي، قال: حدثنا النضر بن شميل، قال: حدثنا عوف بن أبي جميلة، عن عبد الله بن عمرو بن هند الجملي، قال: قال علي (عليه السلام): كنت إذا سألت رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله) أعطاني، وإذا سكت ابتدأني (2).

Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Ishaq al-Dinuri narrated to us. He said: `Abdullah b. Muhammad b. Ziyad al-Nishapuri informed me. He said: Ahmad b. Mansur al-Maruzi narrated to us. He said: Al-Nadr b. Shumayl narrated to us. He said: `Awf b. Abi Jamila narrated to us from `Abdullah b. `Amr b. Hind al-Jamli. He said: `Ali (as) said: Whenever I would ask the Messenger of Allah (s), he would answer me; and whenever I was silent, he would begin speaking to me.

14 - حدثنا محمد بن أحمد السناني، قال: حدثنا محمد بن أبي عبد الله الكوفي، قال: حدثنا محمد بن أبي بشر، قال: حدثنا الحسين بن الهيثم، قال: حدثنا سليمان بن داود المنقري، عن حفص بن غياث، أنه كان إذا حدثنا عن جعفر بن محمد (عليه السلام)، قال: حدثني خير الجعافر جعفر بن محمد (عليه السلام) (3).

Muhammad b. Ahmad al-Sinani narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. Abi `Abdullah al-Kufinarrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. Abi Bishr narrated to us. He said: Al-Husayn b. Haytham narrated to us. He said: Sulayman b. Dawud al-Minqari narrated to us from Hafs b. Ghiyath. Whenever he would narrate to us from Ja`far b. Muhammad (as), he would say: The best of Ja`fars (khayr al-ja`afir) Ja`far b. Muhammad (as) narrated to me.

15 - حدثنا الحسين بن إبراهيم بن أحمد المؤدب، قال: حدثنا أبو الحسين محمد بن جعفر الكوفي، قال: حدثني محمد بن أبي بشر، قال: حدثنا الحسين بن الهيثم، عن سليمان بن داود المنقري، قال: كان علي بن غراب إذا حدثنا عن جعفر بن محمد قال: حدثنا الصادق عن الله جعفر بن محمد (عليه السلام) (4).

Al-Husayn b. Ibrahim b. Ahmad al-Mu’addab narrated to us. He said: Abu’l Husayn Muhammad b. Ja`far al-Kufi narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. Abi Bishr narrated to me. He said: Al-Husayn b. Haytham narrated to us from Sulayman b. Dawud al-Minqari. He said: Whenever `Ali b. Ghurab narrated to us from Ja`far b. Muhammad, he would say: The truthful about Allah (al-sadiq `an Allah) Ja`far b. Muhammad (as) narrated to us.

368 / 16 - حدثنا محمد بن إبراهيم بن إسحاق، قال: حدثنا أبو سعيد الحسن ابن علي العدوي (5)، قال: حدثنا أحمد بن عبد الله بن عمار الجارودي، قال: حدثنا محمد بن عبد الله، عن أبي الجارود، عن أبي الهيثم، عن أنس بن مالك، قال: قال رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله): إن الله تبارك وتعالى يبعث أناسا وجوههم من نور، على كراسي من نور، عليهم ثياب من نور، في ظل العرش، بمنزلة الانبياء وليسوا بالانبياء، وبمنزلة الشهداء وليسوا بالشهداء. فقال رجل: أنا منهم يا رسول الله؟ قال: لا. قال آخر: أنا منهم يا رسول الله؟ قال: لا. قيل: من هم يا رسول اله؟ قال: فوضع يده على رأس علي (عليه السلام) وقال: هذا وشيعته (1).

Muhammad b. Ibrahim b. Ishaq narrated to us. He said: Abu Sa`id al-Hasan b. `Ali al-Aduwi narrated to us. He said: Ahmad b. `Abdullah b. `Ammar al-Jarudi narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. `Abdullah narrated to us from Abi’l Jarud from Abi’l Haytham from Anas b. Malik. He said: The Messenger of Allah (s) said: Allah will raise a group of people with faces of light, upon seats of light, wearing garments of light, in the shade of the Throne, at the rank of the prophets – and they are not prophets; and at the rank of the martyrs – and they are not martyrs. So, a man said: Am I from them, O Messenger of Allah? He said: No. Another said: Am I from them, O Messenger of Allah? He said: No. It was said: Who are they, O Messenger of Allah? So, he placed his hand upon the head of `Ali (as) and said: Him and his Shi`a.