3. We were told by Muhammed bin Ali Majilawayh, may Allah grant him mercy, that he said: We were told by Ali bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Muhammed bin Abi Umayr, that he said: I have not heard nor benefited from Hisham bin Hakam throughout my companionship with him from anything better than this speech with regards to the characteristic of an Imam’s Infallibility. Indeed, I asked him one day about an Imam: Is he Infallible? He said: Yes. Then I said: Then I said: Then what is the characteristic of Infallibility in him? And by what thing is he recognized? Then he said: Indeed, all sins have four indications, and there is no fifth to them: craving, jealousy, anger and desire. These are negated from him; it is not possible that he is craving for this world when it is under his seal, because he is the Guardian of the Muslims, so for what does he crave? Also, it is not possible that he is jealous, because a human is only jealous of the one who is above him, and there is none above him, so how can he be jealous of the one who is beneath him? Also, it is not possible that he is angered for something of this world, except if his anger is for Allah, Exalted and Glorious is He, for indeed, Allah, Exalted and Glorious is He, has imposed upon him to carry out fixated punishments and for him to not be taken by the blame of a blamer nor compassion with regards to His Religion until he carries out the fixated punishments of Allah, Exalted and Glorious is He. Also, it is not possible for him to follow desires and prefer this world over the Hereafter, because Allah, Exalted and Glorious is He, made the Hereafter more beloved to him, like how He made for us (by disposition) this world more beloved, for he looks at the Hereafter like how we look at this world. Have you seen leave a beautiful face for an ugly face, and a good food for a bitter food, and a soft robe for a coarse robe, and an everlasting, remaining, grace for a world that is to perish and terminate?
