Thirty Third Assembly

1 - قال: أخبرني أبو الحسن أحمد بن محمد بن الحسن بن الوليد قال: حدثني أبي قال: حدثنا محمد بن الحسن الصفار، عن علي بن محمد القاشاني، عن الإصفهاني ، عن سليمان بن داود المنقري، عن حفص بن غياث قال: قال أبو عبد الله جعفر بن محمد عليهما السلام: إذا أراد أحدكم ألا يسأل الله شيئا إلا أعطاء فلييأس من الناس كلهم، ولا يكون له رجاء إلا من عند الله عز وجل ، فإذا علم الله ذلك من قلبه لم يسأل شيئا إلا أعطاه، فحاسبوا أنفسكم قبل أن تحاسبوا، فإن في القيامة خمسين موقفا كل موقف مثل ألف سنة مما تعدون، ثم تلا هذه الآية: " في يوم كان مقداره خمسين ألف سنة ".

1. He said: Abul Hasan Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn al-Hasan ibn al-Walid reported to me from his father, who reported from Muhammad ibnal-Hasan al-Saffar, from ‘Ali ibn Muhammad al-Qashani, from al-Ishfahani, from Sulaiman ibn Dawood al-Manqari, from Hafs ibn Ghayas, who reported that: Abu Abdillah Ja’far ibn Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: "When any of you prays to Allah with a firm intention to have his prayer answered, then he should (first) despair from all the people, and he should have no hope attached to anyone except Allah, Most High. When Allah finds that in his heart, then there is no prayer from him except that He grants. And take account of yourselves before your account is taken (on the Day of Reckoning), for on the Day of Resurrection there will be fifty stations, each equal to a thousand years of your reckoning." Then he recited this verse (from Qur’an): ’... in a period of day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years.’ (70:4)."

2 - قال: أخبرني أبو بكر محمد بن عمر الجعابي قال: حدثنا أبو عبد الله الحسين بن علي المالكي قال: حدثنا أبو الصلت الهروي قال: حدثنا الرضا علي بن موسى عليهما السلام، عن أبيه موسى بن جعفر، عن أبيه جعفر بن محمد، عن أبيه محمد بن علي، عن أبيه علي بن الحسين زين العابدين، عن أبيه الحسين بن علي الشهيد، عن أبيه أمير المؤمنين علي بن أبي طالب عليهم السلام قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: الإيمان قول مقول، وعمل معمول، وعرفان العقول . قال أبو الصلت: فحدثت بهذا الحديث في مجلس أحمد بن حنبل، فقال لي أحمد: يا أبا الصلت لو قرء هذا الإسناد على المجانين لأفاقوا.

2. He said: Abu Bakr, Muhammad ibn Umar al-Ji’abi reported from Abu Abdillah al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali al-Maliki, who reported from Abu al-Swalt al-Hirawi, who reported from al-Ridha, ‘Ali ibn Musa, peace be upon him, from his father Musa ibn Ja’far, peace be upon him, from his father Ja’far ibn Muhammad, peace be upon him, from his father Muhammad ibn ‘Ali, peace be upon him, from his father ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn Zainul Abedeen, peace be upon him, from his father al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali al-Shaheed, peace be upon him, from his father Amirul Mu’mineen ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, peace be upon him, who reported that: The Prophet, peace be upon him and his progeny, said: "Faith is a statement to be uttered, a deed to be acted upon, and an acknowledgement by intellectual recognition." Abu al-Swalt said: I related this tradition in a sitting with Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and he said: "O Abu Swalt! If this chain of narration were to be read over the insane people, they would recover."

3 - قال: أخبرني أبو عبيد الله محمد بن عمران المرزباني قال: حدثني أحمد بن سليمان الطوسي، عن الزبير بن بكار قال: حدثني عبد الله بن وهب، عن السدي، عن عبد خير، عن قبي��ة بن جابر الأسدي قال: قام رجل إلى أمير المؤمنين علي بن أبي طالب عليه السلام: فسأله عن الإيمان، فقام عليه السلام خطيبا فقال: الحمد لله الذي شرع الإسلام فسهل شرايعه لمن ورده، وأعز أركانه على من جاز به ، وجعله عزا لمن والاه، وسلما لمن دخله، وهدى لمن ائتم به، وزينة لمن تحلى به، وعصمة لمن اعتصم به، وحبلا لمن تمسك به، وبرهانا لمن تكلم به، ونورا لمن استضاء به، وشاهدا لمن خاصم به، وفلجا لمن حاج به ، وعلما لمن وعاه، وحديثا لمن رواه، وحكما لمن قضى به، وحلما لمن جرب ، ولبا لمن تدبر، وفهما لمن فطن، ويقينا لمن عقل، وبصيرة لمن عزم، وآية لمن توسم ، وعبرة لمن اتعظ، ونجاة لمن صدق، ومودة من الله لمن أصلح ، وزلفى لمن ارتقب ، وثقة لمن توكل، وراحة لمن فوض، وجنة لمن صبر. الحق سبيله، والهدى صفته، والحسنى مأثرته، فهو أبلج المنهاج، مشرف المنار ، مضئ المصابيح، رفيع الغاية، يسير المضمار، جامع الحلبة، متنافس السبقة، كريم الفرسان. التصديق منهاجه، والصالحات مناره، والفقه مصابيحه، والموت غايته، والدنيا مضماره، والقيامة حلبته، والجنة سبقته ، والنار نقمته، والتقوى عدته، والمحسنون فرسانه. فبالإيمان يستدل على الصالحات، وبالصالحات يعمر الفقه، وبالفقه يرهب الموت، وبالموت تختم الدنيا، [وبالدنيا تجوز القيامة ] وبالقيامة تزلف الجنة للمتقين، وتبرز الجحيم للغاوين. فالإيمان على أربع دعائم: الصبر، واليقين، والعدل، والجهاد. والصبر من ذلك أربع شعب: الشوق والاشفاق والزهادة والترقب. ألا من اشتاق إلى الجنة سلا عن الشهوات، ومن أشفق من النار رجع عن المحرمات، ومن زهد في الدنيا هانت عليه المصيبات ، [ومن ارتقب الموت سارع إلى الخيرات. واليقين على أربع شعب: على تبصرة الفطنة، وتأول الحكمة ، و موعظة العبرة، وسنة الأولين. فمن تبصر في الفطنة تبين الحكمة، ومن تبين الحكمة عرف السنة، ومن عرف السنة فكأنما كان في الأولين. والعدل على أربع شعب: على غامض الفهم ، وغمرة العلم، وزهرة الحكم وروضة الحلم. فمن فهم فسر جمل العلم ، ومن علم عرف شرايع الحكم، ومن عرف شرايع الحكم لم يضل، ومن حلم لم يفرط [في] أمره وعاش في الناس حميدا. والجهاد على أربع شعب: على الأمر بالمعروف، والنهي عن المنكر، والصدق في المواطن، وشنآن الفاسقين. فمن أمر بالمعروف شد ظهر المؤمن، ومن نهى عن المنكر أرغم أنف الكافر، ومن صدق في المواطن قضى ما عليه، ومن شنئ الفاسقين غضب لله، ومن غضب لله تعالى فهو مؤمن حقا. فهذه صفة الإيمان ودعائمه. فقال له السائل: لقد هديت يا أمير المؤمنين وأرشدت، فجزاك الله عن الدين خيرا] .

3. He said: Abu Ubaidullah Muhammad ibn Imran al-Marzbani reported to me from Ahmad ibn Sulaiman al-Tusi, from al-Zubair ibn Bakkar, from Abdullah ibn Wahab, from al-Suddi, from Abd Khair, from Qubaisah ibn Jabir al-Asadi, who said: A man visited Amirul Mu’mineen ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, peace be upon him, and questioned him about Faith. So, Imam stood up to deliver this address: "Praise to Allah who set the laws of Islam, and made its ways easy for whoever arrived at it, and entrenched its basis against those who came to destroy it. And made it an honour for those who supported it, and a security for those who entered it. He made it a guidance for those who followed it, and an adornment for those who adopted it. He made it a protection for those who sought refuge in it, and a strong rope for those who adhered to it. He made it a proof for those who spoke for it, a light for those who sought to be illuminated by it, a strong witness against those who disputed it, and a victory for those who argued for it. He made it a (good) knowledge for those who contained it and a (worthy) tradition for those who narrated about it. He made it the (best) basis of judgement for those who adjudged by it, (full of) wisdom for those who experienced, source of intellect for those who pondered, an understanding for those who grasped, certitude for those who recognized, an insight for those who are intent, a sign for those who perceive, an admonition for those who draw lesson, salvation for those who confirmed its truth. He made it a way of divine love for those who reformed (themselves) and a path of proximity (to Allah) for those who expected it, and a place of trust for those who entrusted. He made it a repose for those who handed over the charge of their affairs (to Allah) and a shield for those who endure. Truth is its way, guidance its (prime) quality, kindness its distinctive feature. It is the most clear path, the towering beacon, the most brilliant light. (Using an equestrian metaphor, he said), It has the highest flag, facile racetrack, an encompassing arena, a contestant for winning the race, and noble horsemen. Confirming the truth is its track, good deeds are its beacons, learning Islam is its light, death is its flag (at the destination), the world is its racetrack, and the Day of Reckoning is its arena; and attaining Paradise its victory, and hellfire its resentment. Taqwa is its implement and people of good deeds are its horsemen. From Faith, one seeks guidance to good and righteous deeds, and with the righteous deeds, learning of Islam is (truly) maintained. And with the knowledge of Islam, death is dreaded, and with death comes the end of (life in) the world. And it is through this world (life) that one passes over to Resurrection, and it will be with the Resurrection, that Paradise will be brought close to the God-fearing, and justify hell for those who have gone astray. So Faith is supported by four pillars: Endurance, Certitude, Justice and struggle (in the way of Allah). And endurance among them is subdivided into four branches: motivation, fear, renunciation and anticipation. Know you that one who is motivated by the yearning for Paradise keeps away from base desires, and one who fears hell abandons the forbidden acts, and one who renounces (by detachment from the) world, finds it easy to face the worldly ordeals, and who anticipates death, hastens to do charitable deeds. And certitude has four branches: intelligent discernment, wise interpretation, drawing lesson from the events, and (studying) the example of the previous generations. So, he who discerns with intelligence will be able to unravel (the secrets of) wisdom, and he who perceives wisdom understands the tradition (handed down) and for he who understands the tradition, it will be as if he belongs to the past generation. And justice has four branches: subtle insight, abundant knowledge, being sensibly judicious and drilled in patience. So he who has an insight, deserves the beauty of knowledge, and he who has knowledge, knows the ways of dispensing justice, and he who is judicious, never goes astray. And he who is patient and enduring never neglects his affairs and thus lives among the people highly appreciated. And struggle (in the way of Allah) has four branches: enjoining good, forbidding evil, being truthful in all situations, and detestation of the impious. So he who enjoins good, lends strength to the believer, and he who forbids evil earns the scorn of the unbelievers; and he who is truthful in all situations (fearlessly) judges against himself, and he who abhors the impious displays anger for the sake of Allah; and he who displays anger for His sake is a true believer. This is then the definition of Faith and its props." The questioner rose and said: "You have indeed guided, O Amirul Mu’mineen, and advised. May Allah reward you best on behalf of Islam."

4 - قال: أخبرنا أبو غالب أحمد بن محمد الزراري قال: حدثني جدي محمد بن سليمان قال: حدثنا محمد بن خالد، عن عاصم بن حميد، عن أبي عبيدة الحذاء قال: سمعت أبا جعفر محمد بن علي الباقر عليهما السلام يقول: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله: إن أسرع الخير ثوابا البر، وأسرع الشر عقابا البغي، وكفى بالمرء عيبا أن يبصر من الناس ما يعمي عنه من نفسه، وأن يعير الناس بما لا يستطيع تركه، وأن يؤذي جليسه بما يعنيه .

4. He said: Abu Ghalib Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Zurari reported to me from his grandfather Muhammad ibn Sulaiman, who reported from Muhammad ibn Khalid, from Asim ibn Hamid, from Abu Ubaidah al-Hazza’, who said: I heard Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn ‘Ali al-Baqir, peace be upon him, reporting that the Prophet, peace be upon him and his progeny, said: "A good act which attracts quickest reward (from Allah) is righteousness, and an evil act which draws close His wrath is to be oppressive. And the worst drawback in a person is that he sees (faults) in others, while he does not see the same in himself, and reproaches others for that which he himself cannot give up, and makes his companions suffer things with which he is not concerned."

5 - قال: حدثنا أبو حفص عمر بن محمد المعروف بابن الزيات رحمه الله قال: حدثنا أبو علي محمد بن همام الإسكافي قال: حدثنا عبد الله بن جعفر الحميري قال: حدثنا عبد الله بن محمد بن عيسى قال: حدثني أبي، عن عبد الله بن المغيرة، عن ابن مسكان، عن عمر بن يزيد ، عن أبي عبد الله جعفر بن محمد عليهما السلام قال: لما نزل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله بطن قديد قال لعلي بن أبي طالب عليه السلام: يا علي إني سألت الله عز وجل أن يوالي بيني وبينك ففعل، وسألته أن يواخي بيني وبينك ففعل، وسألته أن يجعلك وصيي ففعل. فقال رجل من القوم: والله لصاع من تمر في شن بال خير مما سأل محمد ربه! هلا سأله ملكا يعضده على عدوه، أو كنزا يستعين به على فاقته ؟! فأنزل الله تعالى: " فلعلك تارك بعض ما يوحى إليك وضائق به صدرك أن يقولوا لولا أنزل عليه كنز أو جاء معه ملك إنما أنت نذير والله على كل شئ وكيل " .

5. He said: Abu Hafs Umar ibn Muhammad, commonly known as Ibn al-Zayyat, may Allah bless him with mercy, reported to me from Abu ‘Ali Muhammad ibn Hammam al-Iskafi, from Abdullah ibn Ja’far al-Himyari, from Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, from his father, from Abdullah ibn al-Mughaira, from Ibn Maskan, from Umar ibn Zayd, who reported that: Abu Abdullah Ja’far ibn Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: When the Prophet, peace be upon him and his progeny, arrived at the middle of Qudaid (near Makkah), he said to ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, peace be upon him: "O ‘Ali, I prayed to Allah for (a firm bond of) love between me and you, and He granted, and I prayed to Him to establish brotherhood between you and me, and He granted, and I prayed unto him that He make you my successor, and He granted." A man stood up from the people and remarked: "By Allah, a (small) measure of dates from an old, coarse sack is better than what Muhammad prayed for from his Lord. Why did he not ask for angel to come and help him against his enemy, or a treasure to help him keep away his paucity?" Then Allah revealed this verse: ’Perhaps you feel like giving away some of what has been revealed to you, and your chest is straitened for it, because they say: Why has a treasure not been sent down to him or an angel come down with him? Surely, you are only a warner, and Allah is the Trustee over all things.’ (11:12)

6 - قال: حدثنا أبو جعفر محمد بن علي بن الحسين بن بابويه رحمه الله قال: حدثني محمد بن موسى بن المتوكل قال: حدثنا علي بن الحسين السعد آبادي، عن أحمد بن أبي عبد الله البرقي، عن أبيه، عن محمد بن أبي عمير، عن غير واحد من أصحابه، عن أبي حمزة الثمالي قال: حدثني من حضر عبد الملك ابن مروان وهو يخطب الناس بمكة، فلما صار إلى موضع العظة من خطبته قام إليه رجل فقال: مهلا مهلا، إنكم تأمرون ولا تأتمرون، وتنهون ولا تنتهون، وتعظون ولا تتعظون، أفاقتداء بسيرتكم؟ أم طاعة لأمركم؟ فإن قلتم: اقتدوا بسيرتنا فكيف نقتدي بسيرة الظالمين؟ وما الحجة في اتباع المجرمين الذين اتخذوا مال الله دولا، وجعلوا عباد الله خولا، وإن قلتم: أطيعوا أمرنا واقبلوا نصحنا، فكيف ينصح غيره من يغش نفسه؟ أم كيف تجب طاعة من لم تثبت له عدالة. وإن قلتم: خذوا الحكمة من حيث وجدتموها، واقبلوا العظة ممن سمعتموها، فلعل فينا من هو أفصح بصنوف العظات، وأعرف بوجوه اللغات منكم، فزحزحوا عنها، أطلقوا أقفالها، وخلوا سبيلها، ينتدب لها الذين شردتموهم في البلاد، ونقلتموهم عن مستقرهم إلى كل واد، فوالله ما قلدناكم أزمة أمورنا، وحكمناكم في أبداننا وأموالنا وأدياننا لتسيروا فيها بسيرة الجبارين، غير أنا نصبر [أنفسنا] لاستيفاء المدة، وبلوغ الغاية، وتمام المحنة، ولكل قائل منكم يوم لا يعدوه، وكتاب لا بد أن يتلوه ، لا يغادر صغيرة ولا كبيرة إلا أحصاها " وسيعلم الذين ظلموا أي منقلب ينقلبون ". قال: فقام إليه بعض أصحاب المسالح فقبض عليه، وكان ذلك آخر عهدنا به، ولا ندري ما كانت حاله.

6. He said: Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Babawayh, may Allah bless him with mercy, reported to me from Muhammad ibn Musa ibn al-Mutawakkil, who reported from ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn al-Sa’dabadi, from Ahmad ibn Abu Abdillah al-Barqi, from his father, from Muhammad ibn Abu Umair, from more than one of his companions, from Abu Hamza al-Thumali, who reported from one who was present when Abdul Malik ibn Marwan rose to address the people in Makkah. When he began the part of admonition during his sermon, a man stood up and said: "Wait, wait! You are from those who preach, but do not follow, you forbid but do not refrain from what you forbid. You admonish but take no lesson from your admonition. Can your example be emulated? Can your orders be obeyed? If you ask us to follow your example, how can we follow the example of the oppressors? And what is the justification for following the culprits who have usurped the wealth of Allah for their state, and have turned the slaves of Allah as their own slaves? And if you say: ’Obey our orders and accept our advice’, how can one advise others when one deceives oneself, and how can obedience to the unjust be obligatory?’ And if you say: ’Take the (words of) wisdom wherever you find them, and accept the admonitions from whoever you hear them’, then perhaps there are among us more eloquent in the types of admonitions, and more acquainted with the uses of language than you are. So, remove yourselves from it, open up its locks and leave the way open, so that those whom you have scattered in the country, and transferred them from their abode to several places, may take the charge. By Allah, we did not give you the reins of our affairs, and did not give you authority over ourselves, our wealth and our faith so that you may act in the manner of despots; except that we force ourselves to endure till the time comes, and the end is achieved, and the suffering is over. For everyone of you there is a day he cannot escape and a book of record he must read; a record that does not leave anything small or big without counting it. ’And those who do wrong shall soon come to know what punishment awaits them.’ (26:227)." He said: Then some armed men arrested him. That was the last time we saw him, and we do not know what was meted out to him!

7 - قال: حدثنا أبو جعفر محمد بن علي بن الحسين قال: حدثنا أبي قال: حدثنا أحمد بن إدريس قال: حدثنا محمد بن عبد الجبار، عن القاسم بن محمد الرازي، عن علي بن محمد الهرمزاني ، عن علي بن الحسين بن علي، عن أبيه الحسين عليهم السلام قال: لما مرضت فاطمة بنت النبي صلى الله عليه وآله وعليها السلام وصت إلى علي صلوات الله عليه أن يكتم أمرها، ويخفي خبرها، ولا يؤذن أحدا بمرضها، ففعل ذلك. وكان يمرضها بنفسه، وتعينه على ذلك أسماء بنت عميس رحمها الله على استسرار بذلك كما وصت به. فلما حضرتها الوفاة وصت أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام أن يتولى أمرها، ويدفنها ليلا، ويعفي قبرها . فتولى ذلك أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام ودفنها، وعفى موضع قبرها. فلما نفض يده من تراب القبر، هاج به الحزن، فأرسل دموعه على خديه، وحول وجهه إلى قبر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم فقال: " السلام عليك يا رسول الله مني، والسلام عليك من ابنتك وحبيبتك وقرة عينك وزائرتك والبائتة في الثرى ببقعتك والمختار لها الله سرعة اللحاق بك، قل يا رسول الله عن صفيتك صبري، وضعف عن سيدة النساء تجلدي (3 ()، إلا أن في التأسي لي بسنتك والحزن الذي حل بي بفراقك موضع التعزي، فلقد وسدتك في ملحود قبرك بعد أن فاضت نفسك على صدري، وغمضتك بيدي ، وتوليت أمرك بنفسي، نعم وفي كتاب الله أنعم القبول : " إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون ". لقد استرجعت الوديعة ، وأخذت الرهينة، واختلست الزهراء، فما أقبح الخضراء والغبراء، يا رسول الله! أما حزني فسرمد، وأما ليلي فمسهد، لا يبرح الحزن من قلبي، أو يختار الله لي دارك التي أنت فيها مقيم، كمد مقيح، وهم مهيج، سرعان ما فرق بيننا، وإلى الله أشكو. وستنبئك ابنتك بتضافر أمتك علي وعلى هضمها حقها، فاستخبرها الحال، فكم من غليل معتلج بصدرها لم تجد إلى بثه سبيلا وستقول، ويحكم الله وهو خير الحاكمين. سلام عليك يا رسول الله سلام مودع، لا سئم ولا قال، فإن أنصرف فلا عن ملالة، وإن أقم فلا عن سوء ظن بما وعد الله الصابرين، [و] الصبر أيمن وأجمل، ولولا غلبة المستولين علينا لجعلت المقام عند قبرك لزاما، وللبثت عنده معكوفا، ولأعولت إعوال الثكلى على جليل الرزية، فبعين الله تدفن ابنتك سرا، وتهتضم حقها قهرا، وتمنع إرثها جهرا، ولم يطل العهد، ولم يخل منك الذكر، فإلى الله يا رسول الله المشتكى، وفيك أجمل العزاء، وصلوات الله عليك وعليها ورحمة الله وبركاته ".

7. He said: Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn reported to me from his father who reported from Ahmad ibn Idrees, who reported from Muhammad ibn Abd al-Jabbar, from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad al-Razi, from ‘Ali ibn Muhammad al-Hurmuzani, who reported from ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali, from his father al-Husayn, peace be upon them, who said: When Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet, peace be upon him and his progeny, fell ill, she willed to ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah bless him, to withhold the news of her (death) and treat it as a secret; and to allow no one to visit her during her illness. So he did accordingly, attending on her himself, helped by Asma bint Umays, may Allah bless her with mercy, so as to maintain the secrecy as she wished. Then as her death drew near, she willed that Amirul Mu’mineen, peace be upon him, should attend to her rites, to bury her at night and to efface the trace of her grave. So Amirul Mu’mineen, peace be upon him, arranged accordingly, buried her and concealed the place of her burial. When he dusted off the earth of the grave (from hands), he was so overwhelmed with grief that tears rolled on his cheeks. And then he turned his face towards the grave of the Prophet, peace be upon him and his progeny, and said: "Peace be upon you from me, O messenger of Allah! And peace be upon you from your beloved daughter, the delight of your eye, your visitor, resting in the earth in your locality, for whom Allah so destined that she should join you so soon. O messenger of Allah, it is indeed difficult to forbear the parting of your beloved daughter and my strength has waned with the demise of the lady who was above the women of the world. My main source of solace has been from your tradition (of submission to the will of Allah) and from your own departure which caused to me greater sorrow. For I laid you in the niche of your grave after you breathed your last on my chest, and I interred you with my own hands. And I attended to your rites myself. Yes, and the Book of Allah has the best guide to submission (in the verse): ’To Him we belong and unto Him shall we return.’ (2:156). The trust has been (thus) returned (to you) and the deposit (with me) has been redeemed; and al-Zahra has been snatched away (from me). How ugly has the green and the dusty (i.e. the surrounding) become. O messenger of Allah! As for my sorrow, it is ever lasting, my nights sleepless. The grief cannot leave my heart, till Allah destines for me the same abode as yours where you live. It is the heartache like a festering wound, and the irritating distress. How soon have we been parted from each other? And I raise my complain to Allah! Your daughter will inform you how your Ummah rallied against me and worked together to usurp her right. So you seek information from her. How much of ill feeling wrestles within her chest for revenge! for which she found no expression. She would say: ’Allah will judge, and He is the Most Just of the Judges.’ Farewell greetings to you O messenger of Allah! Not from weariness or seeking respite. If I go, I do not go because of tiredness, and if I stay on, it is not because of any distrust in what Allah has promised the patient ones. And patience is a blessed and more auspicious option. And had it not been for the prevailing authority against us, I would have found a place by your graveside, and would have lived in seclusion near it, and would have wailed the way a bereaved mother wails over her dead son, over the most distressing calamity. With Allah as Witness, your daughter is buried in secrecy, her rights usurped forcefully, and her inheritance denied openly. And the time has not been long, nor had you been forgotten. So, the complain is raised to Allah, O messenger of Allah! And to you I offer the most sincere condolence; and the blessing of Allah be upon you and her, and His Mercy and His Grace."

8 - قال: حدثنا أبو جعفر محمد بن علي بن الحسين قال: حدثنا محمد بن علي ماجيلويه، عن عمه محمد بن أبي القاسم، عن أحمد بن محمد بن خالد، عن أبيه، عن محمد بن سنان، عن محمد بن عطية، عن أبي عبد الله جعفر بن محمد عليهما السلام قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله: الموت كفارة لذنوب المؤمنين.

8. He said: Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn reported to me from Muhammad ibn ‘Ali Majilawayh from his uncle Mohammad ibn Abul Qasim, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid, from his father, from Muhammad ibn Sinan, from Muhammad ibn Atiyyah, from Abu Abdillah Ja’far ibn Muhammad, peace be upon him, that: The Prophet, peace be upon him and his progeny, said: "Death is an expiateon for the sins of the believers."

9 - قال: أخبرني أبو الحسن علي بن محمد الكاتب قال: حدثنا أبو القاسم يحيى بن زكريا الكتنجي قال: حدثني أبو هاشم داود بن القاسم الجعفري رحمه الله قال: سمعت الرضا علي بن موسى عليهما السلام يقول: إن أمير المؤمنين صلوات الله عليه قال لكميل بن زياد فيما قال: يا كميل أخوك دينك، فاحتط لدينك بما شئت. والحمد لله رب العالمين، وصلى الله على سيدنا محمد وآله وسلم تسليما.

9. He said: Abul Hasan ‘Ali ibn Muhammad al-Katib reported to me from Abul Qasim Yahya ibn Zakariyya al-Katanji, who reported from Abu Hashim Dawood ibn al-Qasim al-Ja’fari, may Allah bless him with mercy, who said: I heard al-Ridha ‘Ali ibn Musa saying: Once Amirul Mu’mineen, peace be upon him, told Kumail ibn Ziyad during his discourse: "Your brother is your religion (his welfare is your religious responsibility) so be cautious of your religion in what you desire (for him)." And all praise for Allah, the Lord of the Universe. And may Allah bless our master Muhammad and his progeny.