The Time When the Imam Learns the Knowledge of the Imam before him (a.s.)

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘When does the succeeding one (Imam) come to know of what the one preceding him knew?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “At the last minute of the life of the Imam before him.”

“We heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘The succeeding Imam comes to know of the knowledge of the preceding Imam in the last minute of the time left from his life.’”

I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) the following. “When does the Imam come to know that he has become the Imam and position is transferred to him?” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “At the last minute of the life of the preceding Imam…