The Statements and the Explicit Texts on Leadership with Divine Authority) of the Twelve Imams (a.s.)

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) came with al-Hassan and al-Husayn and he was holding the hand of Salman for support. He entered the sacred Mosque in Makka and sat down. Then a good looking and well dressed man came. He offered the greeting of peace to Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) who answered his greetings likewise and he sat down. He then said, “I will ask you three questions. If you would answer them I will acknowledge that the people who have acted against you in the matters of leadership after the Holy Prophet (s.a) they have acted against their own selves. Their actions have taken away peace from them in this world as well in the next life. If it would be otherwise, (you can answer) then you and those people will be the same.” Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) said, “Ask whatever you would like.” He said, “Tell about the man who sleeps. Where does his spirit go?” Tell about the man, how he remembers and forgets? Tell me about the man how do his children become similar to the aunts and uncles.?” Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) turned to al-Hassan and said, “O abu Muhammad, answer him.” The narrator has said that al-Hassan answered his questions. The man then said, “I testify that there is no lord besides Allah and I continue to testify to this fact. I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and I continue to testify to this fact I testify that you are the executor of the will of the Messenger of Allah and that you are the in charge of this task ((Leadership with Divine Authority) with His authorization.” He pointed out to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) with his hand. He then said, “I continue to testify to this fact.” “I testify that you are the executor of his (Amir al-Mu’minin’s (a.s.) will and the in charge of this task ((Leadership with Divine Authority) by His authorization after him (Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) “ He pointed out with his hand to al-Hassan (a.s.). Then He then said, “I continue to testify to this fact.” “I testify that al-Husayn ibn Ali (a.s.) will be the executor of the will of his brother and the in charge of this task ((Leadership with Divine Authority) with His authorization after him. “I testify in support of Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) that he will be the in charge of the task of al-Husayn after him. “I testify that Muhammad ibn Ali will be the in charge of the task of Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) after him. “I testify that Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a.s.) will be the in charge of the task of Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.). “I testify that Musa will be the in charge of the task of Ja‘far ibn Muhammad after him. “I testify that Ali ibn Musa will be the in charge of the task of Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.). “I testify that Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) will be the in charge of the task of Ali ibn Musa (a.s.) after him. “I testify that Ali ibn Muhammad will be the in charge of the task of Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) after him. “I testify that al-Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.) will be the in charge of the task of Ali ibn Muhammad (a.s.) after him. “I testify in support of a man from the children of al-Hassan who will not be mentioned by his Kunya (father or son of so and so) or his name until he will rise with Divine authority to fill the earth with justice after being filled with injustice. “I offer you my greeting of peace O Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and praay to Allah to grant you blessings and holiness.” He then stood up and left. Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) said, “O abu Muhammad follow him and see where went.” Al-Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.) went out to find out (and came back) and said, “As soon as he stepped out of the Mosque I could not figure out in which direction of the earth of Allah ddid he disappear. I returned to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and informed him.” He said, “O abu Muhammad, do you know him?” I said, Allah, the Messenger of Allah and Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) know best.” He said, “He was al-Khidr (a.s.) “

I said to Muhammad ibn al-Hassan, “O abu Ja‘far I wish this would have been narrated through a chain of narrators other then Ahmad ibn ‘Abdallah .” He said, “He Ahmad ibn ‘Abdallah had narrated this to me ten years before the confusion.”

“Once my father said to Jabir ibn ‘Abdallah al-Ansari, ‘I need your help in certain issue. When do you think it will be convenient for you we meet privately and I will ask you about it.?” He said, “Whenever you would like will be all right for me.” One day when they met each other he said, “O Jabir, tell me about the tablet that you saw in the hand of my great-grandmother, Fatima (a.s.), daughter of the Messenger of Allah. Tell me of what she said toyou about the tablet and the writing on it?” Jabir then said, “I ask Allah to testify (to the truth of what I experienced that day). Once I went to see your great grandmother Fatime (a.s.) in the life time of the Messenger of Allah. I congratulated for the birth of al-Husayn (a.s.). I saw in her hand a green tablet that I think was made of Emerald (precious gems). I saw on it a white writing that was shining like the color of sun. I then said to her, “May Allah take my soul and the souls of my parents in service for your cause, O daughter of the Messenger of Allah, what is this tablet?” She said, “This is a tablet that Allah has given as a gift to His Messenger. In it there is the name of my father, the name of my husband, the names of my two sons and the names of the executors of the wills of my (special) descendants. My father gave it to me as a gift and glad news.” Jabir then said, “Your great grandmother (a.s.) then gave the tablet to me. I read it and made a copy of it.” My father then said, “O Jabir can you show that copy (that made from the tablet) to me?” He said, “Yes, I can show it to you.” My father went with him to his house and he brought to light a tablet of parchment. He then said, “O Jabir, look carefully at your writing to see how read it for you.” Jabir then kept looking at his handwriting while my father read and his reading was exactly letter by letter the same as what Jabir had in his copy. Jabir theen said, “I ask Allah to testify to the truth of my words that this is what I saw was written on the tablet.” In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the merciful This a document from Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Wise, for Muhammad, His Prophet (s.a), His light, His embassador, His barrier and His guide (for people). Jibril, the trusted spirit has brought from the Lord of the worlds. “O Muhammad acknowledge the greatness of My names and pay thanks for My bounties. Do not hide My favors. I am the Allah and there is no lord besides Me. I break down the transgressors and grant wealth to the oppressed. I am the One Who has established the religion. I am Allah. There is no lord besides I. Whoever would expect to receive any distinction from someone other than Me or have fear of the justice of someone other Me I will cause him to suffer a torment the like of which I would cause no one else of the creatures of the world to suffer. I must be worshipped and in Me you must trust. I have not sent any prophet without, up on the completion of his days, appointing the executor of his will. I have given preference to you over the prophets and I have given preference to the executor of your will over the executors of the wills of the other prophets. I have granted you honor through your two brave grandsons, al-Hassan and al-Husayn. I have made al-Hassan to be the treasure of my knowledge after the completion of the time of his father. I have made al-Husayn to be the keeper of My revelation. I have granted him nobility through martyrdom and made his end triumphant. He will be the best of the martyrs and of the highest degree in the rank of the martyrs. I have kept My perfect word with him and My extremely clear authority and proof available for him. Through his descendant I will give good rewards or cause people to suffer torments. The first of them will Ali ibn al-Husayn, master of the worshippers, and the beauty of My friends of the past then his son who will be very similar to his grand father, the praised one, Muhammad al-Baqir, the one who will be very deeply founded in My knowledge and the source of wisdom from Me. Those who will have doubts about Ja‘far will soon be destroyed. Whoever would reject him would be like one who would reject Me. The true words have already come from Me that I will dignify the position of Ja‘far and will grant him joy and happiness for his followers, supporters and friends. After him Musa will live at the time of a blind, confusing and dark mischief. (He will live among the people) because the system of obedience to Me does not break down and my authority (proof of My existence) does not remain obscure. The thirst (for knowledge and guidance) of my friends will be quenched with sufficient measure. Whoever would reject any of them he has rejected my favors. Whoever would change my signs and verses of my book he has excused with lies. Woe is to those who would fabricate lies and reject (the truth) after the completion of the time of Musa, My servant, My beloved, My chosen one about Ali (al-Rida ). (Ali al-Rida) who is My wali (the one who possesses Divine Authority) My supporter, the one on whom I will place the task of prophet-hood and examine how he would deal with it. An arrogant devil will murder him. He will be buried in the city build by the virtuous servant (of Allah) next to the worst of My creature. The words of truth have already been established that I will grant him joy and happiness with the birth of his son, Muhammad, his successor and the heir of his knowledge. He is the the mine of My knowledge, the right place for My secrets and My authority over My creature. Whoever would believe in him I will make paradise his dwelling and will grant him the ability to intercede for seventy people from his family of whom everyone would have become subject to Hellfire. I will make the end for his son, Ali, to arrive at salvation. Ali, is My wali (the one who possesses Divine Authority), My supporter, the testimony in My creatures and My trustee in My revelation. From him I will make to come out a preacher to My way and a treasure of My Knowledge, al-Hassan. I will complete it with his son (M.H.M.D.) a blessing for the worlds. In him will be found the perfection of Musa (Moses) the beauty of Jesus and the patience of Ayyub. My friends in his time will become weak. Their heads will be sent as gifts like the heads of the Turks and Daylam. They will be murdered and burned. They will live in fear, frightened and fearful. The earth will be stained with their blood and wailing and lamentations will become wide spread in their women. These will possess My authority and through them I will remove the blind and dark mischief. Through them I will remove uncertainties, sufferings and shackles. These are the ones upon whom the blessings and forgiveness of their Lord descend and they are the ones who provide guidance. ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Salim has said that abu Basir said, “Even if you would hear no other Hadith expect this it will be enough for you. Protect it against everyone except the deserving people.”

“ I heard ‘Abdallah ibn Ja‘far al-Tayyar say, ‘we were in the court of Mu‘awiya I al-Hassan, al-Husayn, ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Abbass, ‘Umar ibn ’Umm Salama and ’Usama ibn Zayd. A conversation started between me and Mu‘awiya, and I said to Mu‘awiya’, ’I heard the Messenger of Allah say, ‘I have more authority over the believers’ souls than they themselves do. Then my brother Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) will have more authority over the believers’ souls than they themselves will have. When Ali (a.s.), will become a martyr al-Hassan ibn Ali will have more authority over the believers’ souls than they themselves will have. Thereafter my son al-Husayn after him (al-Hassan) will have more authority over the believers’ souls than they themselves will have. When he will become a martyr, his son Ali ibn al-Husayn after him (al-Husayn) will have more authority over the believers’ souls than they themselves will have. O Ali, you will see him. Thereafter his son Muhammad ibn Ali will have more authority over the believers’ souls than they themselves will have. O al-Husayn, you will see him. Then the twelve will complete the number of Imams. Nine will be of the descendants of al-Husayn.” ‘Abdallah ibn Ja‘far said, “I asked al-Hassan, al-Husayn, ‘Abdallah, ibn ‘Abbass, Umar ibn ’Umm Salama and ’Usama ibn Zayd to bear witness. They all bore witness for me before Mu‘awiya.” Sulaym ibn Qays has said, “I heard such Hadith from Salman, abu Dharr and al- Miqdad who said that they heard such Hadith from the Messenger of Allah.”

“I was present in the funeral procession of abu Bakr the day it took place. I was also present when ‘Umar took oath of allegiance and Ali (a.s.) was sitting on the side. A young, good looking, well dressed Jewish boy came. He was a descendant of Harun and he stood (on a place that was) above ’Umar and asked, “O Amir al-Mu’minin, are you the most knowledgeable person in this nation in their book and the commands of their prophet?” The narrator has said that ’Umar kept his head down. He then said, “I meant you.” He repeated his words. ’Umar said, “Why is that?” He said, “I have doubts about my relgion and I have come to you for guidance.” He (‘Umar said, “Go to this young man.” He said, “Who is this young man?” He said, “He is Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.), the cousin of the Messenger of Allah and he is the father of al-Hassan and al-Husayn the grandsons of the Messenger of Allah and he is the husband of Fatima daughter of the Messenger of Allah.” The young Jewish man then went to Ali (a.s.) and said, “Are you such a person?” He said, “Yes, I am such a person.” He said, “I want to ask you about three and three and one.” The narrator has said that Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) then smiled a different smile and said, “O Haruni, what prevents you from saying ‘seven’?” He said, “I ask about three. If you answered me then I will ask you about the rest. If you could not answer then will assume that there is no scholars among you.” Ali (a.s.) said, “I swear you to the Lord in whom you believe, if will answer whatever you will ask, will then leave your religion and accept our religion?” He said, “I have come for no other reason but that.” Ali (a.s.) said, “Ask your questions.” He said, “Tell me about the first drop of blood that was spilled on earth what drop was that? Tell me about the first fountain that gushed out of earth which one was it?” Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) answered him. He then said, “Tell me about the other three. Tell me about Muhammad. How many Imams who possess the quality of justice will be there as his successors? In which paradise he will be? Who will be with him in paradise?” He said, “O Haruni, there will twelve just Imams as successors of Muhammad. No one’s betrayal will harm them and they will not feel frightened because of people’s opposition to them. In the matters of religion they will be stronger than the firm mountains on earth. In Paradise Muhammad will dwell with the twelve Imams who possess the noble quality of justice.” He then said, “You have spoken the truth by Allah, besides whom there is no lord. I find them in the book of my father Harun. He has written it in his own hand writing. My uncle Moses had dictated to him.” He then said, “Tell me about the ‘one’. Tell me about the executor of the will of Muhammad. For how long he will live after him? Will he die or will he be killed?” He Ali (a.s.), “O Haruni, he will live after him thirty years, not one day less and not one day more. Then he will be hit with an strike here –meaning over his head- and then this will be stained with this.” The Jewish man screamed loudly and broke his Kustija (a Jewish religious object) and he would say, “I testify that there is no lord besides Allah Who is One and has no partner and I testify the Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger and that you are the executor of his will. You must be above all and no one must be above you. Your greatness must be acknowledged and you must not be weakened.” The narrator has said that Ali (a.s.) then took him to his house and taught him the Divine guidance.”

“I heard Ali ibn al-Husayn say, ‘Allah created Muhammad , Ali and the eleven Imams from his descendants out of the light of His greatness. He then placed them as figures in the brightness of His light where they worshipped Him before the creation of the creatures. They would speak of the Glory of Allah and of His Holiness. They are the Imams from descendants of the Messenger of Allah.”

he heard Abu Ja'far (al-Baqir) (as) say: "The twelve Imams all from the family of Muhammad (sw). They are all muhadiths from the descendants of the Rasulullah and the descendants of Ali (as). Rasulullah and Ali are their ancestors.” So he (Zurarah) said, "Ali bin Rashid was the brother of Ali bin al-Husayn (as) from his mother's side, but he (i.e. a man named Abdullah Ibn Zayd) denied this." So Abu Ja'far (as) became angry and said, "Verily, the son of your mother was one of them."

“I was (in the city of al-Madina) when abu Bakr was no more and he appointed ‘Umar as his successor. Once one of the great Jewish men of Yathrib came to ‘Umar. The Jewish people of the city of al-Madina thought that he (‘Umar) was the most knowledgeable person of his time.He came to ‘Umar and said, “O ‘Umar, I have come to accept Islam if you would answer what I will ask. Are you the most knowledgeable person among the companions of Muhammad in the matters of the book, the Sunnah (his traditions) and all that I like to ask from you.” The narrator has said that ‘Umar than said to him, “I am not the one you are looking for. However, I can guide you to the one who is the most knowledgeable person in our nation in the matters of the book, the Sunnah (traditions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and all that you like to ask.” He pointed out to Ali (a.s.). the Jewish man then said, “If what you say is true then why have you taken the oath of allegiance from people? The most knowledge among you is that man.” ‘Umar then treated him harshly. The Jewish man went to Ali (a.s.) and said, “Are you as such as ‘Umar has said?” He (Ali (a.s.) then asked, “What has ‘Umar said?” He then informed him of what ‘Umar had said. The Jewish man said, “If are as has said you are, I like to ask you certain questions toknow if anyone of you knows the answer so I would know that your claim is true that you are the best, the best and the truth among the nations. In such case I will accept your religion, Islam.” Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) said, “Yes, I am as ‘Umar has I am. Ask whatever you would like to ask. I will give the answer by the will of Allah.” He said, “Tell me about three and three and one.” Ali (a.s.) said, “O Jewish man, why do not say, “Tell me about seven?” The Jewish man then said, “If you would tell me the answer to the three then I will ask you other questions, otherwise, I will abstain. If you would provide me the answer to these seven you then you are the most knowledgeable person on earth, the best of them and have more authority over the people than they themselves do” he then said, “Ask your questions O Jewish man.” .He said, “Tell me about the first stone that was placed on the face of earth, the first tree that was planted on earth and the first water fountain that gushed out of earth.” Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) answered his questions. The Jewish man then said to him, “Tell me how many Imams (Leaders with Divine Authority) will this nation have? Tell me about your Prophet as to where will be his place in paradise and who will be with him therein?” Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) said, “This nation will have twelve Imams ((Leaders with Divine Authority).All of them will be from the descendants of the the Holy Prophet (s.a.) of this nation. They will be from my descendants. The place of out the Holy Prophet (s.a.) in paradise will be the best and holiest of them in Eden. Those who will be with him therein in his dwelling will be these twelve people from his descendants. Their mother and grand mother and the mother of their mother and their descendants will live with them therein. No one else will live therein as their partner.”

“Once I went to see Fatima (a.s.) (daughter of the Holy Prophet (saww) and I saw with her a tablet in which the names of the executors of the wills of (Leaders with Divine Authority) from her descendants were written. I then counted them to twelve. The last one’s name was al-Qa’im (the one who will rise with Divine authority). The names of three of them was Muhammad and the names of another three was Ali.”

“Allah sent Muhammad (s.a.) to all Jinn and manand appointed twelve executors of the will Of these people are those who have left this world and there are those who will have to complete their task. All the executors of the wills (of the prophets) experience certain traditions, Sunnah. The executors of the will after Muhammad (s.a.) experienced the traditions, Sunnah of the executor of the will of Jesus who were twelve in number. Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) experienced the tradition of Jesus.”

“Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) said to ibn ‘Abbass, “Layla al-Qadr (the night of destiny) comes every year and that night the command for the whole year descend down. To receive that command are the Leaders with Divine Authority after the Messenger of Allah.” Ibn ‘Abbass then asked, “Who are they?” He said, “I and the eleven persons from my descendant who all are Imams, (Muhaddathun) such persons to whom angles speak.”

12. Through same chain of narrators the following is narrated. “the Messenger of Allah once said to his companions, ‘You must believ in the Layla al-Qadr (night of destiny). It is Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) and his eleven descendants after me.”

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) one day said to Abu Bakr, “Do not think of those slain for the cause of God as dead. They are alive with their Lord and receive sustenance from Him.” (3:169) I testify that Muhammad the Messenger of Allah (sw) died as a martyr. He by Allah, will come to you and do have any doubts when he will come to you. Satan can not appear in his disguise.” Ali (a.s.) took the hand of Abu Bakr and showed the Prophet (sw) to him who said to him, “O Abu Bakr, believe in Ali and in the eleven Imams from his descendants. They are all like me except prophethood. Repent before Allah because of what you involvement in what you are involved. You have no right in it.” The narrator has said that then he went and was not seen around.”

“I heard abu Ja‘far say, ‘There will be twelve Imams from the family of Muhammad and they all will be (Muhaddathun), persons to whom angles speak. They will of the descendants of the Messenger of Allah and Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.). The Messenger of Allah and Ali are their anscesters.”

“I heard abu Ja‘far say, ‘after al-Husayn ibn Ali (a.s.) there will be nine Imams. The ninth of them will be Al-Qa’im (the one who will with Divine Authority).”

he heard Abu Ja'far (al-Baqir) (as) say: "We are twelve Imams, al-Hassan and al-Husayn are of them and [the rest of] the Imams are from the descendants of al-Husayn (as)."

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ has said, ‘I and twelve persons from my descendants and you O Ali, are the securing anchor of the earth, that is, the pillars thereof and its ropes. Through us Allah has secured the earth from devouring the inhabitants. If all the twelve persons from my family will no longer be there, the earth will devour her inhabitants without delay.”

abu Sa‘id in a marfu‘ manner from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “The Messenger of Allah has said, “From my descendants there will be twelve noble supervisors, who are (Muhaddathun) persons to whom angles speak and very intelligent. The last of them will be Al-Qa’im (the one who will rise with Divine Authority) and with truth who will fill the earth with justice after being filled with injustice.”

“I took an oath with my self that I will not any food during the day until the rise of Al-Qa’im (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority). I then went to see abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.).” The narrator has said, “A man from you Shi‘a (followers) has imposed on himself on oath not to eat any food during the day until the rise of Al-Qa’im from the family of Muhammad (s.a) (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority).” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Fast, then O Karram. Do not fast on the two ‘Id days and the three days of Tashriq (11,12,13) of the month of Dhil Hajj. Also do not fast when you are on a journey or when you will have an illness. It is because when al-Husayn was murdered the heavens and the earth and all the angles in them mourned and lamented before the Lord. They said, “Lord, grant us permission to destroy the creature and purge the earth from them because of their disregard of you reverence and their murdering your chosen people. Allah then inspired them, “My angels, My heavens and My earth be patient and relieved.. He then removed a barrier of the barriers and there appeared Muhammad and the twelve executors of his will. He then held the hand of so and so, Al-Qa’im (the one who will rise with Divine Authority) from among them and said, ‘O My angels, My heavens and My earth through this I will grant support for this.” He said it three times.”

“Once I, abu Basir and Muhammad ibn ‘Imran the slave of abu Ja‘far (a.s.) were in his house in Makka. Muhammad ibn ‘Imran said, “I have heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘We all twelve of us are Muhaddath (the ones to whom angels speak).” Abu Basir then said, “Did you hear abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say so? He made him to swear one or twice that he has heard so. Abu Basir then said, “However, I have heard it from abu Ja‘far (a.s.).”