محمد بن مروان الذهلي

Abu Abdillah Ja’far ibn Muhammad (as told me: "Do not abandon seeking your subsistence from its legitimate sources, for that helps you remain on your faith. And fasten your camel (first), and then entrust (it to) Allah."

I said to Abu Abdillah, al-Sadiq, peace be upon him: «Allah is the Light of the Heavens and the earth» (24:35). He said: That is Allah, Exalted and Glorious is He. He said: I said: «the example of His Light» (24:35). He said: Muhammed, may Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family. I said: «like a lantern» (24:35). He said: The chest of Muhammed, Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family. I said: «in which there is a lamp» (24:35). He said: In it is the Light of Knowledge, that is Prophethood. I said: «the lamp is within a glass» (24:35). He said: The knowledge of Allah’s Messenger, Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family, was issued to the heart of Ali, peace be upon him. I said: «as if it is» [2]. He said: For what thing are you reciting: «as if it is”?!» [3] I said: And how do I read it, may I be sacrificed for you? He said: «As if it [4] is a glimmering planet» (24:35). I said: «That is lit from a blessed olive tree, neither of the east, nor of the west» (24:35). He said: That is the Commander of the Believers, Ali bin Abi Talib, peace be upon him, neither a Jew nor a Christian. I said: «Its oil is about to glow, although it has not been touched by fire» (24:35). He said: It is as if knowledge is about to exit the mouth of the Knowledgeable from the Family of Muhammed, Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family, before he utters it. I said: «Light upon Light» (24:35). He said: The Imam right after the Imam.

I asked Abu `Abd Allah al-Sadiq (AS): “Allah is the Light of the Heavens and the Earth?” He answered: “Such is Allah, the Mighty and High.” He says: I asked: “A likeness of His Light?” He answered: “Muhammad (sw).” I enquired: “As a niche?” He replied: “Muhammad (sw) chest.” I then asked: “In which is a lamp?” He said: “That of Prophethood, which contains the Light of Knowledge.” I asked: “The lamp is in a glass?” He answered: “The knowledge of the Messenger of Allah (sw) is preserved in `Ali’s heart.” I asked: “As if she were?” He asked: “Where did you get `As if she were?” So I said: “May I be your ransom! How should I read it?” He said: “As if it were a brightly shining star.” I then asked: “Lit fro a blessed olive-tree, neither eastern nor western?” He replied: “That is the Commander of the Faithful `Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS), who was neither Jewish nor Christian.” I asked: “The oil whereof almost gives light though fire touches it not?” He answered: “The knowledge more or less comes out of the mouth of the learned from the Progeny of Muhammad (AS) before they even speak.” I asked: “Light upon light?” He said: “An Imam (AS), one after another.”