أحمد بن مهران

I said to Abu Ibrahim [Imam Musa Kadhim (a.s)]: I am afraid that something may happen and I will not be able to meet you. So tell me who the Imam is after you? Imam (a.s) replied: My son, so-and-so, meaning Abul Hasan [Imam Ali Ridha].

I visited Abu Ibrahim [Imam Kadhim (a.s)]. With him was Abul Hasan [Ali Ridha (a.s)], his son. Imam (a.s) said: Ziyad, this is my son, Ali. His writing is my writing, his words are my words, his messenger is my messenger, and whatever he says, (the truth) is what he says.

Abul Hasan Musa (a.s) summoned us and we gathered. Then he said: Do you know why I have summoned you? No, we answered. Witness that this son of mine is my testamentary trustee (Wasi) and one who will superintend my affair as my successor after me. Whoever has a debt (to be collected) from me, let him collect it from this son of mine. Whoever I have made a promise to; let him get its fulfillment from him. Whoever has to meet me, will only do so through his correspondence.

“Is the world left without an imam?” He replied: “No, it is not.”

in the year in which he died: I will be taken in this year and the authority (Amr) will belong to son, Ali, who is named after two Alis. The first Ali is Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s) and the second Ali is Ali bin Husain, the blessings of God be on them. He (i.e. Ali Ridha) is given understanding, forbearance, knowledge, help, love, piety and religion of the first and tribulation and endurance in the face of adversity of the second.

I said to Abu Ibrahim (Imam Kadhim): May I be your ransom, I have grown old. So take my hand and save me from Hell-fire. Who is our leader after you? Imam (a.s) pointed to his son, Abul Hasan (Imam Ridha) and said: This is your leader after me.

The ordinances (alwah) came to us from Abul Hasan Musa (a.s) while he was in prison: My testament (ahd) to the eldest of my sons is that he should do such-and-such. As far as so-and-so is concerned, do not give him anything until you meet me or God decrees death for me.