Submission and the Virtue of the Muslims

“I said to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘I just left your supporters and followers opposing and disdaining each other.” The narrator has said that The Imam (a.s.) then said, “What do you have to do with their conditions. People have three obligations. They must recognize the Imams, submit to the instructions they have received from the Imams and refer to them in their disputes and differences.”

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘If a people would worship Allah only Who has no partner, maintain the prayers, pay Zakat, perform Hajj of the House and fast in the month of Ramadan but say about something that Allah or the Messenger of Allah has done, would that it had been done differently or find such feelings in their hearts in this they will be considered as polytheists. He then recited this verse of the Holy Quran. “I swear by your Lord that they will not be considered believers until they let you judge their disputes and then they will find nothing in their souls to prevent them from accepting your judgment, thus, submitting themselves to the will of God.” (4:65). Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) then said, “You have to be submissive (before Allaah).”

following, “I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Among us there is a man called Kulayb. Nothing comes from you but that he says, “I submit to it.” Thus, we call him, “Kulayb, the submissive.” The narrator has said that The Imam (a.s) expressed kindness towards him and prayed and then said, “Do you know what submission is?” We remained silent. The Imam (a.s.) said, “That, by Allah, is al-Ikhbat in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, ‘The righteously striving believers who are humble before their Lord.” (11:23)

‘achievement’ refers to one’s submission to us, his speaking the truth from us and not to ascribe any lies to us.”

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, “Triumphant indeed are the believers,” (23:1) Do you know who they are?” I said, “You know best.” He said, Triumphant indeed are the believers, who are Muslims (submissive to Allah). The Muslims are noble people. The believers are rare. Congratulations to the believers.”

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘Whoever loves to have a complete belief he must say, “Everything that I say is from the family of Muhammad whether those that they kept secret or those that they made public those that have reached me from them and those that have not reached me.”

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah has addressed Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) in His book.” The narrator has said that asked him, “where and in which passage?” He said, “It is in His words that read, “If they ever do injustice to themselves and come to you (Muhammad) asking for God’s forgiveness and if the Messenger also was to ask God to forgive them, they would certainly find God All-forgiving and All-merciful. (4:64) “I swear by your Lord that they will not be considered believers until they let you judge their disputes (on the issue of their agreement not to allow the leadership pass to the descendants of Hashim). Then they will find nothing in their souls to prevent them from accepting your judgment, (to condemn or forgive them) thus, submitting themselves to the will of God.” (4:65) “

“Once I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. “. .those of Our servants who listen to the words and only follow the best ones. .” .(39:18) The Imam (a.s.) said, “They are those who are submissive to the (commands) of Ahl al-Bayt of Muhammad (s.a). It is those who when hearing a hadith do not add anything thereto or omit anything therefrom. They present it just as they have heard.”