Some of the Reasons for Differences in the Narrations

It was said to Abi Abdillah (AS) while I was with him: "Salim b. Abi Hafsa narrates from you that you speak with seventy facets, for each facet you have a way out [a possible alternative interpretation to avoid speaking…

I said to Abi Abdillah عليه السلام: what is my condition – I ask you about an issue so you answer me in it with a certain answer, then someone other than me comes to you so you answer him in it with a different answer?…

I asked him about a matter so he answered me, then a man came to him and asked him about it so he answered him with a different answer to mine, then another man came so he answered him with a different answer to the one…

I said to him: there is nothing more difficult for me [to bear] than the differences [that exists] between our fellows, he said: that is from me (I purposely caused that).

I asked him about a man who is answered oppositely by two of his co-religionists (i.e. Shi’as) in regards a matter – [and] both transmit it [their answers – on your authority], one of them obligates it while the other…