20. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Sayyari from abu Ya’qub al-Baghdadi who has said the following.

“Ibn Sukayt asked Imam abu al-Hassan , ‘Why did Allah sent Moses with the miracle appearing through his staff and through his hand and means of magic, Jesus with means of medical tasks and Prophet Muhammad (may Allah send blessings upon him, his family and all the prophets) with means of speech and sermons?’” “When Moses was sent magic was very popular among the people. He showed a magic of such form that was not possible for others to perform. He was given such means that destroyed the magical effects of those people’s magic and established the truth of the message of Allah among them. Allah sent Jesus at a time when serious illnesses existed among the people and they needed medical treatment. Jesus brought from Allah what the people did not have. He brought from Allah the means to bring the dead back to life, cure the sick and the lepers by the permission of Allah and thus, establish the truthfulness of the message of Allah among the people.” The Imam explained. Allah sent Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) at a time when oratory and speech was very popular among the people –I think he said poetry. He brought from Allah to the people the good advise and wisdom that showed the falsehood in their speeches and thus established the truthfulness of the message of Allah among them.” Ibn al-Sukayt then said, “I swear by Allah that I have never seen anyone like you. What is the proof to establish the truthfulness of the message of Allah among people today?” The Imam then said, ‘It is intelligence. Through intelligence one recognizes those who speak the truth from Allah, thus, one acknowledges their truthfulness and those who lie in the name of Allah their lies come to light.” Ibn al-Sukayt then said, “This by Allah is the answer.”