عبد الله بن محمد

Abi Ibrahim Musa ibn Ja’far (s), “May I be your ransom! I have become old. Then tell me who will be the Divine Leader (Imam) after you?” Dawood al-Riqqi then continued, “The Imam (s) pointed at Abul Hassan Al-Ridha (s) and said, ‘He is the possessor of authority over you after me.’”

Ali ibn Abi Talib (s) said, “It is written in Assyrian on the wings of all hoopoes that are created, ‘The Household of Muhammad are the best of the people.’”

Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan al-Saffar quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Abdullah Muhammad al-Hajjal, Ahmad ibn Abi Nasr al-Bezanti, Muhammad ibn Sinan, Ali ibn Sinan, and Ali, on the authority of al-Hakam, on the authority of Al-Hussein ibn al-Mukhtar who said, “These sheets came to us from Abi Ibrahim Musa (s) while he was in prison in which it was written, “My successor is my oldest son.”

“A man called Abul Khold was my neighbor. I heard him swear and say, ‘Indeed this nation will not terminate until twelve Caliphs - all of whom act according to the right religion and guidance - appear amongst them.’”

Abi Ibrahim - that is Musa Al-Kadhim (s), “May my father be your ransom! I have become old. I am afraid that something might happen to me, and I may not be able to visit you anymore. Can you please inform me about the Imam after you?” Then the Imam (s) said, “My son, Ali.”

God’s Prophet (s) said, “There are four groups on whose behalf I will intercede on the Resurrection Day: those who honor the members of my Household after me; those who fulfill their needs; those who try to assist my Family in times of need; and those who love them both wholeheartedly and verbally.”

I asked your father (s) ‘Who is going to be your successor?’ Your father (s) informed me that you were his successor. When Abu Abdillah (s) passed away each group of people went on different ways. But my friends and I believed in you. Then please inform me about whom your successor will be.” Musa ibn Ja’far (s) said, “My son Ali.”

a man invited Ali ibn AbiTalib (s) to his house. The Imam (s) accepted upon the fulfillment of three conditions. The man said, ‘O Commander of the Faithful! What are they?’ The Imam (s) said, ‘They are that you bring nothing for me from the outside; that you do not deny me of anything that is in the house; and that you do not burden your wife on my behalf.’ The man said, ‘Fine.’ Ali ibn Abi Talib (s) accepted his invitation.

Whoever dies without following a Divine Leader from among my progeny is regarded as one of those who died during the Age of Ignorance (before Islam). His deeds are not accepted whether he has performed them during the Age of Ignorance or after the advent of Islam.”

Do you know who I am?’ We said, ‘You are our Master and our elder.’ Then he said, ‘Tell me my name and my family.’ Then we said, ‘You are Musa ibn Ja’far ibn Muhammad (s).’ Then he asked, ‘Who is this with me?’ Then we said, ‘He is Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja’far (s).’ He said, ‘Then bear witness that he is my counsel in my life, and is my Testamentary Trustee after my death.’

I was in Baghdad with Hisham ibn al-Hikam and Ali ibn al-Yaqteen. Ali ibn al-Yaqteen said, ‘I was (sitting) in the presence of the virtuous servant Musa ibn Ja’far (s). Then his son Al-Ridha (s) entered. Then he said, ‘O Ali! This is the master of my children. I have given him my nickname .’ Then Hisham hit himself on the forehead and said, ‘Woe! What did you say?’ Then Ali ibn Yaqteen said, ‘I swear by God that I heard him say (what I just told you).’ Then Hisham said, ‘By God, he has informed you that the affairs are entrusted to him (Imam al-Ridha) (after Imam Musa Al-Kadhim).’”

“The Caliphs are twelve. When their time ends and righteous people come, then God will extend their life as God has promised to His nation.” Then he recited (the verse), ‘God has promised, to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will, of a surety, grant them in the land, inheritance (of power), as He granted it to those before them…’ He continued, “The Honorable the Exalted God treated the Children of Israel the same way. It is not hard for the Noble God to gather this nation in one day or half a day, ‘…Verily a Day in the sight of thy Lord is like a thousand years of your reckoning.’ (The author of the book said,) I have compiled the various forms of such traditions in AL-KHISAL.

They are the guided ones.” Then at the end he said, “I wonder about Muhammad ibn Ja’far (Imam Sadiq’s son) and his revolt having heard these from his father (s).’ “ Then he added, “These are God’s Secrets, His Religion and the Religion of His angels. Then guard it against those to whom it does not belong.”

…For We were wont to put on Record all that ye did.’ God also said the following about the People of Hell, ‘…But if they were returned, they would certainly relapse to the things they were forbidden, for they are indeed liars.’ Thus God knows that if they are brought back to this world, they would go back and do what they had done before. Also when the angels said, ‘…Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? whilst we do celebrate Thy Praises and glorify Thy Holy (Name)? ’ God replied, ‘I know what ye know not.’ Therefore, the Honorable the Exalted God always knows about things before creating them. Therefore, Blessed is our Lord. High indeed is HeExalted. He is High and Great. He has created things, and knew about them before they were created, just as He willed. Thus is our Lord! He is the All-Knowing, All-Hearing and All-Seeing.

God’s Prophet (s) said, “O Ali! Blessed be whoever loves you and acknowledges you. Woe be to whoever hates you and denies you. Your lovers are known in the seventh heaven and the lower seventh earth and in between. They are religious, pious, good- mannered and humble to the Honorable the Exalted God. Their gazes are humble and their hearts are wary of remembering the Honorable the Exalted God. They have recognized the worth of your Mastery. Their tongues are busy mentioning your nobilities. Their eyes are full of tears out of their love for you and the Divine Leaders from your progeny. They adhere to what God has ordained in His Book and what His Prophet (s) has brought in his traditions and is supported by reasons. They follow what the one incharge of the affairs amongst them orders. They are united and are not separate from each other. They love each other and have no despise for one another. The angels will send blessings upon them, say Amen when they pray, implore forgiveness for those of them who repent, are present when they die, and feel lonely when they perish up until the Resurrection Day.”

I heard Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) narrate the following on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.), on the authority of his father Ja’far ibn Muhammad (a.s.) regarding the Honorable the Exalted God’s words, ‘So he smiled, amused at her speech….’ God was referring to the ant’s words when it said, ‘O ye ants, get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under foot) without knowing it.’ The wind that was blowing in the air brought the ant’s voice to Solomon. Solomon stopped and called in that ant and asked it, ‘Don’t you know that I am God’s Prophet and I will not oppress anyone?’ The ant said, ‘Yes.’ Solomon (a.s.) said, ‘Then why did you make them afraid of me oppressing them?’ The ant said, ‘I feared that they might see Your Majesty and get so attracted to you that they forget the Sublime God’s remembrance.’ Then the ant asked, ‘Is your rank higher or that of your father David?’ Solomon (a.s.) said, ‘My father David!’ The ant said, ‘However, your name has one more letter than your father’s name David. Doesn’t it?’ Solomon said, ‘I have no knowledge of this.’ The ant said, ‘No. Your father David’s name was actually ‘Davi jorha (meaning that David heals). Then he was called David. I hope you canreach the rank of your father.’ Then the ant added, ‘Do you know why God did not make things other than the wind subservient to you in His Kingdom?’ Solomon said, ‘I do not know.’ The ant said, ‘The Honorable the Exalted God wanted to teach you that if He had made everything else subservient to you, they would also end as fast as the wind does, and you would lose them as fast as the wind.’ Solomon (a.s.) laughed at this.”

I swear to you by God to recite what you have recited about him who was in Toos.’ A woman started to recite:Pleasant it be for Toos and for him (Imam Ridha’) (a.s.) who dwelled therefrom the progeny of Muhammad who caused us everlasting mourning.The narrator added, “After hearing this, Al-Ma’mun cried and said, ‘O Abdullah (i.e. Muhammad ibn Abdullah al-Hashemi)! Will my family and your family blame me for leaving a sign for Abal Hassan Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) here?’ By God, I will narrate for you a tradition on which hearing will amaze you. One day I went to see Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) and said, ‘May I be your ransom! Musa ibn Ja’far (al-Kadhim) (a.s.), Ja’far ibn Muhammad (as-sadiq) (a.s.), Muhammad ibn Ali (al-Baqir) (a.s.) and Ali ibn Al-Husayn (as-Sajjad) (a.s.) were your ancestors. They possessed the knowledge of whatever had happened and whatever will happen up until the Resurrection Day. Now you are their Trustee and Inheritor. You possess their knowledge. I need something.’ Imam Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) asked, ‘What do you need?’ I said, ‘This is my slave-wife Az-Zaherieh. She is very special in terms of beinggood-tempered. I prefer no one over her. She has become pregnant several times, but has miscarried. Now she is pregnant again. Please suggest to me what would treat her and deliver her (a healthy) child.’ The Imam (a.s.) said, ‘Do not be worried about her miscarriages, since she will get well and deliver a boy who looks very much like his mother, has an extra small finger on his right hand which does not have any joints, and has an extra toe without any joints on his left foot.’ It occurred to me that I should bear witness that God has power over all things. Then Az-Zaherieh delivered a boy who looked much like his mother, with an extra finger on his right hand and an extra toe on his left foot which had no joints just as Imam Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) had said. Then I see no reason for anyone to blame me for having accepted Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) as a Divine Sign.”The narrator said, “There was much more than this to say, but I summarized it. There is no power nor any strength save by God - the Exalted, the Magnificent.”The author of this book (a.s.heikh Sadooq) said, “The knowledge of Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) about this event was derived from what he had received from his forefathers (a.s.), from the Prophet of God (a.s.). That is Gabriel brought the news about the Caliphs, their children from the Umayyads and the Abbasids, and what will happen in their times and what they will do for the Prophet of God (a.s.). There is no power save in God.”

“Aba Ibrahim Musa ibn Ja’far (s) had Ishaq ibn Ja’far ibn Muhammad , Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Ja’fari, Ja’far ibn Salih, Mo’awiya bin al-Ja’farayn , Yahya ibn Al-Hussein ibn Zayd, Sa’d ibn Imran Al-Ansari, Yazid ibn Saleet Al-Ansari and Muhammad ibn Ja’far Al-Aslamy be witnesses to his will, after they had witnessed that There is no god but God; He is One and there are no partners for Him; Muhammad is His Servant and His Messenger; the Hour (the Day of Resurrection) will undoubtedly come and God will resurrect the people from their graves; there is resurrection after death; there is Reckoning and just retaliation; there will be a stop in front of the Almighty God the Truth; what Muhammad - may God’s Blessings be upon him and his Household - has brought is the Truth, the Truth, and the Truth ; and what the Trusted Spirit (Gabriel) has sent down is the Truth. I live with these beliefs. I will die with these beliefs. God willing, I will be resurrected with these beliefs.” He had them bear witness that the following was his will written in his own handwriting. ‘Firstly, I wrote the will of my grandfather - the Commander of the Faithful (s), the wills of Al-Hassan (s) and Al-Hussein (s) and Ali ibn Al-Hussein (s), the will of Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (s), and the will of Ja’far ibn Muhammad (s) letter by letter. And I will appoint my son Ali as my Trustee - along with his other brothers, God willing. If he recognizes that they have grownup enough and he likes to keep them as my Trustees - he can. If he is not pleased with them and wants them not to be my Trustees, he can. They have no authority over him. I entrust my affairs regarding charity, property, and my children to him and to Ibrahim, Abbas, Isma’il, Ahmad, Umm Ahmad. I entrust the affairs of my wives to Ali alone. He can spend one-third of the charity of my father and my household in any way he likes - as anyone would deal with his own property. He can carry out what I said regarding my wives and household - if he pleases. He can also not do what I said if he pleases. He can sell, donate or give in charity in a way other than what I have stated. According to this will, he can act just like me myself regarding my property, my family and my children. If he pleases, he can keep his brothers as Trustees - whom I named in the beginning of this document. If he likes, he can also keep them from being Trustees. No one is allowed to object to his decision. If anyone of them wants to marry off his sister, he is not authorized to do so without his permission and order. Whatever power tries to take away the authorities which I have written down for him has deviated from God the Almighty and His Messenger (s). God and His Messenger will also have nothing to do with them. God’s Curse, all those who curse, the curse of the nearby-stationed angels, the curse of the Prophets and the curse of (all) the Messengers and the believers be on such a person. None of the kings nor any of my children are allowed to take away his authority over the property I have entrusted him with. Whatever he says about its amount is acceptable to me - whether it be a small amount or large sum. The reason I mentioned the names of my other children here is that I wanted their names and the names of my other small children to be respectfully mentioned here. Those of my slave-wives who are Umm Walad and do not leave will have the same rights and privileges that they had had during my life-time, if Ali Al-Ridha (s) pleases. But if they should get married, they can no longer return and receive payments unless Ali Al-Ridha (s) deems it proper to do so. The same holds true for my daughters. The marriage of none of my daughters is entrusted to their maternal brothers (uncles) or the King. My daughters should not do anything unless they seek Ali Al-Ridha’s (s) counsel and opinion (advice). If my daughters’ maternal brothers take any steps regarding the marriage of my daughters they have disobeyed God the Almighty and His Prophet - may God’s Blessings be upon him and his Household, and have interfered in his authority. He knows best about the marriage of hisfamily members. He can marry them off if he pleases, or not marry them off if he wills. I have advised them regarding what I have written here. I set God as a witness over them. No one is allowed to open my will, or express its contents. This will is just as I have stated to you. Whoever does wrong has wronged himself. Whoever does good has done it for himself. And your Lord will not oppress any servants. No one - whether the King or others - has the right to open this letter underneath which I have placed my seal. May God’s Curse and His Wrath be upon whoever does so. And after God, the angels and the group of Muslim men and women will be my supporters.’ Then Musa ibn Ja’far (s) and the witnesses affixed their seals to it.” Abdullah ibn Muhammad al-Ja’far narrated that Al-Abbas ibn Musa (Imam Ridha’a brother) (s) told Imran Al-Qadhi At-Talhi, “There is a treasure and some jewels inside this letter for us, and he wants to take it all for himself and give nothing to us. He has taken everything for himself that our father has left for us; and has left us deprived.” Then Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Ja’far yelled and swore at him. His uncle Ishab ibn Ja’far did the same thing. Al-Abbas told al-Qadhi, “May God make you prosperous! Unseal the letter and read it.” He said, “I will not unseal it. I will not do something to make me suffer from your father’s curse.” Al-Abbas said, “I will unseal it.” Al-Qadhi said, “It is up to you.” Then al-Abbas broke the seal, and noted that his father had put them aside and established Ali (s) alone (as his Trustee), and had placed all of them under the guardianship of Ali (s) - whether they like it or not. Thus they had been placed under his guardianship like orphans, and had been put aside. Then Ali ibn Musa (s) looked at al-Abbas and said, “O brother! I knew that your losses and debts made you say so.” Then the Imam (s) said, “O Sa’d! Go and see how much debt they are under. Pay it off on their behalf. Take back their receipts, and get a receipt for paying off their debts. By God, I will not hesitate to help you, be your companion, and be sympathetic to you as long as I live on the Earth. Say whatever you wish to say.” Al-Abbas said, “You are giving these payments to us from our excess property. There is much more.” He (s) said, “Say whatever you wish to say. My honor is the same as your honor. O God! Please improve them and improve their affairs. Fend off Satan from us and from them. And assist them in obeying you. ‘…Be God a witness to what we say.’ Al-Abbas said, “How well do I understand you! I have nothing left to be greedy of.” Then they all walked away.

Yes. These are my children, and he is their master.’ The Imam (s) pointed at his son, Musa (s). He (s) added, ‘He has knowledge, just judgement, understanding, generosity and recognition of what the people need regarding their conflicts concerning their religious affairs. He is good-tempered. He is agood neighbor. He is a gate from the gates of the Almighty the Sublime God. There is another important point about him that is even more important than all these points.’ Yazid ibn Saleet continued, ‘My father told him, ‘May my father and mother be your ransom! What is this point?’ The Imam (s) said, ‘The Almighty God will deliver this nation’s helper through him - their helper, their knowledge, their light, their understanding and their just judgement. He will deliver through him the best baby and the best youth. God will prevent bloodshed through him. He will settle the disputes through him. He will eliminate separation through him. He will fill the gaps through him. He will clothe the bare through him. He will feed the hungry through him. He will secure the fearful ones through him. He will send down rain because of him. He will make the servants obedient due to him. He will be the best middle-aged man. He will be the best young man. His family will be given the glad tidings (of his becoming the Imam before puberty). His words are full of wisdom. His silence is out of knowledge. He will clarify for the people issues on which they differ.’’ Yazid ibn Saleet continued, ‘My father asked, ‘May my father and my mother be our ransom! Will we have a child after him?’ Then the Imam (s) said, ‘Yes.’ Then he stopped talking. Then Yazid ibn Saleet said, ‘I met Abul Hassan - that is Musa ibn Ja’far (s) after a while and told him, ‘May my father and my mother be our ransom! I wish that you inform me (of the one who will follow you) just as your father did.’ Then Imam Al-Kadhim (s) said, ‘My father (s) lived at a time that was quite different from this time.’ Then Yazid ibn Saleet said, ‘God will damn whoever stops the following of the Divine Leaders at ths point!’ Then the Imam (s) laughed and said, ‘O Aba Imara! I left my house. I set all my sons including Ali as my Testamentary Trustees on the surface. However, in private, I appointed him (Imam al-Ridha) as my Testamentary Trustee. In fact, I dreamt of God’s Prophet (s) and the Commander of the Faithful (s) with him, along with a ring, a sword, a cane, a book and a turban. I asked what these were. The Prophet (s) said, ‘The turban is a sign of the kingdom of the Almighty God. The sword is a sign of the Honor of the Almighty God. The book is a sign of the Light of the Almighty God. The cane is a sign of the Might of the Almighty God. And the ring includes all of these.’ The Prophet (s) added, ‘The affairs will be entrusted to your son Ali.’ Yazid ibn Saleet added, ‘Then the Imam (s) said, ‘O Yazid! You are entrusted with these. Do not speak to anyone about what I told you exceptfor intelligent people, or those whose hearts have been tested for faith by God, or honest ones. Do not be ungrateful for the Almighty God’s Blessings. Testify if you are ever asked to testify to this since God the Blessed the Sublime has said, ‘God doth command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due….’; He also said, ‘…Ah! who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from God?…’ Then Yazid ibn Saleet said, ‘By God, I will never do that.’ Then Abul Hassan (s) said, ‘Then God’s Prophet (s) started to enumerate his characteristics and said, ‘Your son Ali is one who looks using God’s light; hears using God’s understanding; speaks using God’s wisdom; always acts right and never makes any mistakes; he is knowledgeable and is not ignorant; he is filled with wisdom and knowledge. But how short a period will you be with him! It will be so short that it is as if he was never with you. Thus settle your affairs upon your return from this journey. Relieve yourself of your wishes, since you will be separated from them and be with other things. Therefore, gather your children together, and have God be as a witness over them all. It suffices for God to witness.’ Then Imam Al-Kadhim (s) said, ‘O Yazid! I will die this year. My son Ali has the same name as Ali ibn Al-Hussein (s). He has been granted the understanding of the former, and his knowledge, grandeur and honor. He is not allowed to say anything until four years after Harun. Then after the four years have passed, you may ask him any question you have. He will answer your question by the Almighty God’s will.’”