12. Ahmad ibn Harun al-Fami رضي الله عنه said: Muhammad ibn `Abd Allah ibn Ja`far al-Himyari said, on the authority of his father that Ibrahim ibn Hashim said, on the authority of `Ali ibn Ma`bad, on the authority of al-Husayn ibn Khalid that I asked Abu al-Hasan `Ali ibn Musa al-Rida عليه السلام: “O son of the Messenger of Allah! People claim that we believe in anthropomorphism and determinism on the basis of the traditions transmitted from your forefathers عليه السلام.” Consequently, he عليه السلام said: “O son of Khalid! Are there more traditions about anthropomorphism and determinism related from my forefathers the Imam عليه السلام or are there more traditions about anthropomorphism and determinism related from the Prophet?” I answered, “Truly, there are far more transmitted from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم.” He عليه السلام said: “(Instead of accusing the Imams), they should accuse the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم of believing in anthropomorphism and determinism.” I asked him, “They claim: `Verily, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم never said anything on the subject; rather, what has been transmitted has been falsely attributed to him.” He responded, “Then they should say the same thing about my forefathers عليه السلام: They never spoke on the subject; rather, what has been transmitted has been falsely attributed to them.” He then added, Whoever believes in anthropomorphism and determinism is an unbeliever and an infidel. We disown them in this world and the Hereafter. O son of Khalid! Verily, the traditions concerning anthropomorphism and determinism have been fabricated in our name by the exaggerators [ghali], who belittle the greatness of Allah. Therefore, whoever likes them dislikes us, and whoever dislikes them, likes us. Whoever befriends them shuns us, and whoever shuns them befriends us. Whoever strengthens ties with them servers ties with us, and whoever (severs) shuns ties with them strengthens ties with us. Whoever is harsh with them is kind to us, and whoever is kind to them is harsh with us. Whoever honors them has insulted us, and whoever insults them has honored us. Whoever accepted them has rejected us, and whoever rejects them has accepted us. Whoever is good to them is mean to us, and whoever is mean to them is good to us. Whoever verifies them belies us, and whoever belies them, verifies us. Whoever bestows anything upon them, has refused to bestow it to us. O son of Khalid! Whoever is our Shi`ite, then he should not take them to be his fiend or helper.
