22. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Mufaddal ibn Salih from Jabir from abu Jaffar about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious. “We had commanded Adam (certain matters). He forgot Our commandment and We did not find in him the determination to fulfil Our commandments.” (20:115).

The Imam said, “It means that Allah commanded Adam about Muhammad (s.a.) and the Imams after him. He did not acknowledge it (Leadership with Divine Authority of the Imams) and he was not an ’Ulu al-‘Azm (a prophet who is granted greater determination. They arecalled ’Ulu al-‘Azm because with a covenant was established to acknowledge (Leadership with Divine Authority) of Muhammad (s.a.) and the executors of his will and al-Mahdi and his discipline. They establish their determination to acknowledge (Leadership with Divine Authority) of Muhammad and th executors of his will.”