7. We were told by Ibrahim bin Harun al-Haysi – in the City of Peace [1] – that he said: We were told by Muhammed bin Ahmad bin Abi’l-Thalj, that he said: We were told by Hussain bin Ayub, from Muhammed bin Ghalib, from Ali bin Hussain, from Hasan bin Ayub, from Hussain bin Sulayman, from Muhammed bin Marwan al-Dhahli, from Fudail bin Yasar, that he said: I said to Abu Abdillah, al-Sadiq, peace be upon him: «Allah is the Light of the Heavens and the earth»
(24:35). He said: That is Allah, Exalted and Glorious is He. He said: I said: «the example of His Light»
(24:35). He said: Muhammed, may Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family. I said: «like a lantern»
(24:35). He said: The chest of Muhammed, Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family. I said: «in which there is a lamp»
(24:35). He said: In it is the Light of Knowledge, that is Prophethood. I said: «the lamp is within a glass»
(24:35). He said: The knowledge of Allah’s Messenger, Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family, was issued to the heart of Ali, peace be upon him. I said: «as if it is» [2]. He said: For what thing are you reciting: «as if it is”?!» [3] I said: And how do I read it, may I be sacrificed for you? He said: «As if it [4] is a glimmering planet»
(24:35). I said: «That is lit from a blessed olive tree, neither of the east, nor of the west»
(24:35). He said: That is the Commander of the Believers, Ali bin Abi Talib, peace be upon him, neither a Jew nor a Christian. I said: «Its oil is about to glow, although it has not been touched by fire»
(24:35). He said: It is as if knowledge is about to exit the mouth of the Knowledgeable from the Family of Muhammed, Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family, before he utters it. I said: «Light upon Light»
(24:35). He said: The Imam right after the Imam.