Companions of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.)
There
is no doubt that Almighty Allah bestowed to HolyProphet
(s.a.w.s.) such family members Ahle Bayt (a.s.), thattheir
equals are not found even among prophets and messengersand He
bestowed all of them ornaments of infallibility anddeclared them
to be implication of verse of Purification. But inspite of that,
their character cannot be considered as masterpieceof training
of Prophet as these personalities because oftheir purity and
infallibility were not in need of that kind oftraining, which is
considered as masterpiece of a trainer. Therewas need of some
other persons also who were different frommembers of family of
purity and infallibility and were like otherordinary people. And
that Prophet should train them in knowledgeand practice and make
them as masterpieces of his training.These same personalities
are known as companions ofProphet whom Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.)
shaped into perfect characterseven though they were basically
nothing and who bearthe stamp of the complete training of
Prophet. Without theirmention, discussion regarding services of
Prophet remains incompleteand in their list also, only names of
such persons canbe included, whose character is eligible to
become masterpieceof Prophet; otherwise those who had embraced
Islam for personalinterests or those who entered service of
Prophet cannotbe included in this list even though they might
have beenhonored with title of companionship. Below we would
mentiononly some of these luminaries, in addition to whom others
canalso be included; but it is not possible to mention all one
hundredand fourteen thousand persons, who are included among
companions of Prophet some of whose characters were an insultto
Islam, on the contrary an insult to humanity and it isalso
inappropriate to mention them with mention of HolyProphet
(s.a.w.s.). Among righteous companions of Prophet,the following
were most prominent:
Salman (r.a.)
He was originally from
Persia and called as Persian, but HolyProphet (s.a.w.s.)
included him among his Ahle Bayt deeminghim as Salman Muhammadi.
Regarding him, the Messenger of64Allah (s.a.w.s.) also said:
Salman is the sea, which would neverdry up and a treasure, which
would never be exhausted. He isfrom us, Ahle Bayt; he is
bestowed with divine proof and he bestowseffulgence of wisdom.
Amirul Momineen (a.s.) comparedhim to Hakim Luqman and Imam
Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) declaredthat he was superior to Hakim
Luqman. Salman was includedamong the four persons that Holy
Prophet (s.a.w.s.) was commandedto love and for whom Paradise
was eager. Once UmarIbne Khattab asked him about his lineage and
he said: I wasdeviated and Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) guided me; I
was poor andAlmighty Allah made me needless through the
Messenger of Allah(s.a.w.s.); I was a slave and the Lord
emancipated methrough him; this is my genealogy. That is, I have
no relationshipwith anyone except with the Messenger of Allah
(s.a.w.s.).In the Battle of Khandaq, it was Salman who suggested
diggingof the ditch.In 36 A.H. he passed away in Madayan;
Amirul Momineen(a.s.) went from Medina to Madayan the same night
and performed his funeral rituals. Jafar Tayyar and Prophet
Khizr(a.s.) also participated in the funeral prayer and
thousands ofangels also performed it.11 Hayatul Quloob, Vol.
2, Chapter 59, Pg. 933; SeeratMasoomeen, Vol. 1, Pg. 141
Abu Zar
His name was Jundab Ibne
Junadah and Abu Zar was his Kunniyat. He was the third, fourth or
the fifth person to embrace Islam. After converting to Islam he went
back to his nativeplace and therefore could not participate in the
Battles of Badr, Uhad and Khandaq. After Salman Muhammadi, he
wasnext in rank from the aspect of faith. Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.)had
compared him to be a replica of Prophet Isa (a.s.) and declaredthat
no one under the sun was more truthful than AbuZar. Abu Zar was
included among those whom the Prophet wascommanded to love and for
whom Paradise was eager. Duringthe reign of Umar he moved to Syria
and continued to residethere till Uthmans reign and regularly
condemned the tyrannyof Muawiyah. So much so that he complained to
Uthman andthe latter summoned him to Medina. As per the
orders, Muawiyah sent him to Medina on such a camel andwith such
a driver that by the time he reached Medina, eventhe flesh of
his thighs was worn out. On reaching Medina hecriticized the
style of Uthmans working as a result of which hewas exiled to
Rabdha and it was proclaimed that no one shouldgo out to see him
off. But Amirul Momineen (a.s.) participated in the farewell of
Abu Zar along with his sons and Abu Zar reached Rabdha in such a
way that his son, Zar, died on theway and on reaching there, his
wife also passed away. At lasthe also passed away leaving behind
a daughter who informed acaravan passing from there under
leadership of Malik Ashtar,who supervised the funeral of Abu Zar
while Abdullah IbneMasud recited the funeral prayers and in 31
or 32 A.H. this respectedand truthful companion of the Prophet
was laid to rest.According to Malik Ashtar, Abu Zar was given a
shroud worthfour thousand dirhams and in this way the prediction
of theProphet was also proved true.11 Hayatul Quloob, Vol.
2, Chapter 60, Pg. 964; SeeratMasoomeen, Vol. 1, Pg. 142
Miqdad Ibne Aswad
His Kunniyat was Abu Mabad and the real name of
his fatherwas Amr; but since Aswad Ibne Abde Yaghus had adopted
him,he became famous as Ibne Aswad. He is also included among
those whom the Prophet was commanded to love and in whose
eagerness Paradise was restless. His wife was Zaba-a binteZubair
Ibne Abdul Muttalib and he participated in all thebattles in the
company of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.).He died in Jarf, at a
distance of one Farsakh from Medina in33 A.H. and was buried in
Jannatul Baqi, but it is regrettablethat his son, Mabad proved
to be like son of Prophet Nuh (a.s.)and in the Battle of Jamal
he joined the army of Ayesha againstAmirul Momineen (a.s.) and
was finally killed there, whereasMiqdad had never even doubted
in the rightfulness and greatnessof Amirul Momineen (a.s.).1
1Hayatul Quloob, Vol. 2, Chapter 61, Pg. 991Bilal Ibne Riyah
His Kunniyat was Abu Abdullah and Abu Amr and his motherwas
Jumana. He had participated in the Battles of Badr, Uhad66
and Khandaq etc. When Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) had appointedhim
as Muezzin, people objected that he pronounced ‘Sh as‘S; so it
was revealed from Providence that in our view the ‘Sof Bilal
was same as ‘Sh. After passing away of Messenger ofAllah
(s.a.w.s.), he took an oath that he would never again recite
Azaan. As a result of this, the sentence of ‘Hayya AlaaKhairil
Amal was omitted. He died in 18 or 20 A.H. in Syriaand was
buried at Babus Saghir.11 Seerat Masoomeen, Vol. 1, Pg. 146
Bilal Ibne Riyah
His
Kunniyat was Abu Abdullah and Abu Amr and his mother was
Jumana. He had participated in the Battles of Badr, Uhad and Khandaq
etc. When Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) had appointed him as Muezzin,
people objected that he pronounced ‘Sh’ as ‘S’; so it was revealed
from Providence that in our view the ‘S’of Bilal was same as ‘Sh’.
After passing away of Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.), he took an oath
that he would never again recite Azaan. As a result of this, the
sentence of ‘Hayya A’laa Khairil Amal’ was omitted. He died in 18 or
20 A.H. in Syria
and was buried at Babus Saghir.1
1 Seerat
Masoomeen, Vol. 1, Pg. 146
Jabir Ibne Abdullah Ansari
He was considered a fighter of the
Battle of Badr. HolyProphet (s.a.w.s.) had conveyed salutations
to Imam Baqir(a.s.) through him. He participated in most battles
in the companyof the Prophet and stayed on side of Amirul
Momineen(a.s.) during the Battle of Siffeen. He used to announce
the followingtradition in the streets of Medina: Ali is the best
of humanbeings and one who denies this would become an
apostate. He also used to say: Test your children through the
love of Ali and if they refuse, you must inspect the character of
their mothers.He passed away in 78 A.H. at the age of more than
ninetyyears and he was the last companion to pass away.
Huzaifah Ibne Yaman AnasiHe was considered among the sincere
companions of HolyProphet (s.a.w.s.) and Amirul Momineen (a.s.).
He participatedin the Battle of Uhad along with his father and
brother. Hisfather was martyred in this battle. Holy Prophet
(s.a.w.s.) hadinformed him of the identities of hypocrites; thus
if he did notattend the funeral of a particular person, people
used to concludethat he was a hypocrite. He became the governor
ofMadayan after Salman and passed away before the Battle of
Jamal. Huzaifah is included among the seven who attended the
funeral of Lady Fatima (s.a.).11 Seerat Masoomeen, Vol. 1, Pg.
147
Huzaifah Ibne Yaman Anasi
He was considered among the
sincere companions of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and Amirul Momineen
(a.s.). He participated in the Battle of Uhad along with his
father and brother. His father was martyred in this battle. Holy
Prophet (s.a.w.s.) had informed him of the identities of
hypocrites; thus if he did not attend the funeral of a particular
person, people used to conclude that he was a hypocrite. He
became the governor of Madayan after Salman and passed away
before the Battle of Jamal. Huzaifah is included among the seven
who attended the funeral of Lady Fatima (s.a.).1
1 Seerat
Masoomeen, Vol. 1, Pg. 147
Abu Ayyub Ansari
His name was Khalid Ibne Zaid. He had
participated in Badrand other battles. After the Messenger of
Allah (s.a.w.s.), he participated in the Battles of Jamal,
Siffeen and Nahrawan onside of Amirul Momineen (a.s.). After
Hijrah, Holy Prophet(s.a.w.s.) had initially resided at his
place and he served theProphet in the best way. In Siffeen, he
had attacked the tent of Muawiyah but the latter fled from there.
After that from theside of Muawiyah, Mutaraffa bin Mansut
attacked the tent of Imam Ali (a.s.), so Abu Ayyub slashed his
sword in such a waythat he was decapitated but the foe remained
on the back ofthe horse till the animal stumbled toppling the
head.He went to fight the Romans during the time of Muawiyah
and passed away there. In his last moments, he made a bequest
that he should be buried on the battlefield only. Thus hewas
buried near Istanbul but after conclusion of the battlewhen
Romans wanted to exhume his grave, it rained so heavilythat they
considered it to be a miracle of Ayyub and they refrainedfrom
this act and his tomb became a place of visitationfor the
people. Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) had also predicted thatone of
his companions would be buried near Constantinople.11 Seerat
Masoomeen, Vol. 1, Pg. 148
Khuzaimah Ibne Thabit Ansari
Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) had declared that his testimony was equal to
that of two persons; that is why he was called as Zu-Shahadatain
(having two testimonies). He participated in theBattle of Badr
and other battles and after that he remained inthe group of Imam
Ali (a.s.). So much so that after the martyrdomof Ammar Yasir in
Siffeen, he undertook a severe attackon the enemy forces and he
was also martyred because of that.The companions whom Amirul
Momineen (a.s.) had mentionedin the sermons of the final period
of his life, included Ammar,Ibne Taihan and Zuhahadatain; who
are mentioned exclusively.11 Seerat Masoomeen, Vol. 1, Pg.
Zaid Ibne Haritha Ibne Sharahil Kalbi
Hakim Ibne Hizam had
purchased him from the Ukaz marketfor Lady Khadija (s.a.) and
she gifted him to Holy Prophet(s.a.w.s.). Haritha came to get
him emancipated, but he refusedto go with him and preferred the
slavery of Prophet tofreedom. Haritha disowned him because of
this and so Prophet adopted him. Later he also gave his
cousin, Zainab binte in marriage to him.He participated in
the Battle of Mutah in the company ofJafar Tayyar as the
standard bearer and was martyred there.The name of his son was
Usamah and so he is also called as Abu Usamah.1
1Seerat
Masoomeen, Vol. 1, Pg. 150
Saad Ibne Ubadah Ibne Dulaym Ibne Haritha al-Khazraji Ansari
He had attended the allegiance of Aqba and the Battle ofBadr. At the time of conquest of Mecca,
the standard of Ansar was held by him. He was considered to be
among the mostgenerous persons among Arabs from the time of his
grandfather.On the occasion of Saqifah, the Ansar had tried to
makehim as their chief but there was so much clamor that he was
about to be trampled to death and Umar issued orders for his
killing upon which his son, Qays, caught the collar of Umar and
Saad returned alive, but he continuously refused the allegiance
of Abu Bakr. Finally during the reign of Umar he moved toSyria
and he used to go out to meet his clans every week. One day
agents of the regime shot him dead with an arrow and inwas
publicized that he has been killed by Jinns.11 Seerat Masoomeen,
Vol. 1, Pg. 151
Abu Dujana Ansari
He is included among the
great and brave companions andhis amulet is famous. He took part
in the Battle of Yamama andwhen the associates of Musailima
Kazzab took shelter in Hadiqatul Rahman, he entered the orchard
in a special artful manner and slew a large number of foes. So
much so that he was himself also martyred and according to
another account he survived till the Battle of Siffeen and fought
from the side of Amirul Momineen (a.s.). In any case, his name is
found in thelist of those who would arise from the rear of Kufa
to join the forces of the Imam of the Age (a.s.), because he had
supported the Prophet in the most severe circumstances when the
majorityof companions had deserted him.11 Seerat Masoomeen,
Vol. 1, Pg. 15269
Ammar Ibne Yasir
He was among the most
prominent companions of the Prophetand the most loyal devotees
of Amirul Momineen (a.s.). Hewas an ally of Bani Makhzum and his
Kunniyat was Abu Yaqzan.The name of his father was Yasir and his
mother was Sumayyah.He embraced Islam in the early period and
faced untoldcalamities for the sake of Islam. So much so that
the infidelsused to force these persons to lie down on the
burningsand and coerce them to eschew faith. But they displayed
incomparablesteadfastness and Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) gave
glad tidings of Paradise to the family of Yasir.Ammars parents
could no more bear those travails and theydeparted from the
world and Ammar was compelled to utterwords of disbelief at the
behest of the infidels on the basis ofwhich the verse of
dissimulation was revealed and Almighty Allah declared his faith
and tranquility of his heart. Sumayyah,the mother of Ammar was
the first female martyr of Islam.Regarding Ammar, the Messenger
of Allah (s.a.w.s.) hadprophesied that he would be slain by a
rebellious group and hislast diet on the earth would be a bowl
of milk. Thus on 9th Safar,37 A.H. in the Battle of Siffeen he
was martyred at the ageof ninety and after having a bowl of milk
in his last moments hereferred to the prophecy of Holy Prophet
(s.a.w.s.) and sacrificinghis life in the path of God, exposed
the secret of the rebelliousgroup.11 Hayatul Quloob, Vol. 2,
Chapter 58, Pg. 917; SeeratMasoomeen, Vol. 1, Pg. 153
Malik Ibne Nuwaira Hanafi Yarbui
He was among the most sincere
companions of Holy Prophet(s.a.w.s.). He came to meet the
Prophet along with his clansmen and requested him to teach the
faith to them. He said:Confess: There is no god, except Allah;
establish prayer, keep fasts, pay the Zakat, perform the Hajj and
be devoted to my successor, Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.). In
addition to this it is also necessary to refrain from prohibited
things. After this statement of the Prophet, when Malik came out
of the meeting, hewas joyfully announcing: I have obtained faith
from HolyProphet (s.a.w.s.) and His Eminence, said: One who
likes to seea dweller of Paradise should see Malik. Thus some
persons followed Malik and asked him to pray for their
forgiveness asHoly Prophet (s.a.w.s.) has declared him to be a
dweller of Paradise. Malik said: May Allah guide you in the right
way; youhave left the Prophet and come to me, whereas he is the
ownerof Paradise and it is at his discretion.When he came to
Medina after the passing away of theProphet to find Abu Bakr on
the pulpit, he objected to him:Who gave you this right in the
presence of Ali? AbuBakr ordered his men to expel Malik from
there and personslike Khalid bin Walid and Qunfuz drove him out.
Malik decidedthat he would not pay Zakat to Abu Bakr as a result
of whichhe was declared to be an apostate and was killed along
withhis men through Khalid bin Walid. Khalid took all his women
ascaptives and slept with his wife that same night; which earned
Khalid the title of Sword of Allah (Saifullah) and it was decided
that this naked sword should not be sheathed. Thus what can
be
said about the future of Islam?1
|
Imam Ali(as) Companions
1- Asbagh Ibne NubatahHe was one of the close confidants of Amirul
Momineen (a.s.)and was considered among his treasures. There were some
persons in the army of Amirul Momineen (a.s.) who had givenhim an oath
of loyalty and he had promised Paradise to them.They were known as
Shurtatul Khamis; Khamis is an army consistingof five parts: Right wing,
left wing, central wing, vanguardand the rear wing. And it is called as
Shurta on the basisof the vows that they have to take at the time of
joining. AsbaghIbne Nubatah was from these. Some Muslim scholarshave
considered his traditional reports unreliable only becausehe was
extremely devoted to Imam Ali (a.s.).
2- Owais QarniThe Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) has extolled his merits andexpressed his desire to meet
him and compared him to the fragranceof beneficence that comes from
Yemen. He had taken ayears leave from his mother and come to Medina to
meet HolyProphet (s.a.w.s.), but the latter was not present there. Being
thoughtful of the obedience of his mother, he returned fromthere without
meeting the Prophet, who praised this sentiment and remarked:
Owais will be given the power to intercede fornumbers equal to members
of Mudhir and Rabia tribes.Owais used to spend the whole night in bowing
or prostrationand was considered as the eight most pious men of his
times. In Siffeen, he continued to fight on the side of AmirulMomineen
(a.s.) till he was martyred. (In Riqa, Syria, a grandmausoleum
attributed to Owais is being constructed under thesupervision of the
government of Iran. This humble servanthad the honor to visit this tomb
a few times.).2We should know that following eight persons are
consideredto be the most pious of all: Rabi Ibne Khaitham, Haram Ibne
Hayyan, Owais Qarni, Aamid bin Abde Qays, Abu MuslimKhawlani, Masruq
Ibnul Ajza, Hasan Ibne Abil Hasan andAswad Ibne Yazid. The first four
being among close companionsof Amirul Momineen (a.s.) and the remaining
are consideredfollowers of wrong path.
3- Harith Ibne Abdullah Awar Hamadani
He was a prominent personality of Hamadan tribe of Yemenand
was a special companion of Amirul Momineen (a.s.). Histraditional
reports are also included among the four collectionsof traditions and he
is considered to be the one having themost insight, most responsible and
most intelligent of thepeople. One night he arrived all of a sudden in
eagerness of Amirul Momineen (a.s.). He said: Dont worry; I am present
atthe bedside of each of my devotees so that he may depart fromthe
world satisfied and content.We should know that Shaykh Bahai was from
the descendantsof this same Harith Hamadani and hence sometimes he is
also referred to as Harithi. Moreover, from the time of AmirulMomineen
(a.s.) upto the time of Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) ‘Hamadaniindicated
tribe of Hamadan and after that it was alsoconstrued to point out the
city of Hamadan, which was foundedby Hamadan Ibne Faluh Ibne Saam Ibne
Nuh (a.s.).
4- Hujr Ibne Adi Kandi KufiHe was considered as a saint
among the companions of Amirul Momineen (a.s.). He prayed a thousand
units of prayers every day. He was the standard bearer of Kinda tribe in
Siffeenand in Nahrawan he was the commander in chief of the forcesof
Amirul Momineen (a.s.). A governor of Muawiyah orderedhim to imprecate
Imam Ali (a.s.), but he went to the pulpit and cursed Muawiyah and
his governor. As a result of whichhe was martyred in 51 A.H. and the
following persons werealso martyred with him: Shareek Ibne Shaddad
Hazrami, SaifiIbne Sahal Shaibani, Qabisa Ibne Zabiya Abasi, Majzar Ibne
Shahab Munqiri, Kidam Ibne Hayyan Anazi and Abdur RahmanIbne Hassan
Anazi. The tomb of these gentlemen is at MarajAzra near Damascus.The
Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) had prophesied that somepious members of
the family of Islam would be buried at MarajAzra; due to which Ayesha
lodged a severe protest againstMuawiyah, but what was the result of this
protest?3
5- Rushaid HujriHe was considered as a special confidante
of Amirul Momineen(a.s.) and the bearer of his secrets. Thus when Mitham
Tammar and Habib Ibne Mazahir were informing each otherabout his
martyrdom and the people were bewildered, whenRushaid came over there
and he added: The one who bringsthe head of Habib would be rewarded more
handsomely.So the people expressed more astonishment. But at last all
the predictions proved true. Ibne Ziyad summoned him and demandedthat he
should express immunity from Imam Ali (a.s.).He said: It is impossible!
Maula has informed that my hands,feet and tongue would all be cut off
and I would be crucifiedfor my devotion to Ali (a.s.). Ibne Ziyad cut
off his hands andfeet, but refused to cut off his tongue. When Rushaid
began to disseminate the sciences of Imam Ali (a.s.) he was compelled to
cut off his tongue as well.4
6- Zaid Ibne Sauhan AbdiHe was
considered to be among the saints and abstemiouspersons. He achieved
martyrdom during Battle of Jamal. WhenAyesha, due to her position of
being the mother invited him tothe battle, he replied: You are asking to
do something, whichis opposed to divine will and herself she has
abandoned thatwhich was exactly according to divine will. (“And stay in
your houses…”5)Masjid Zaid is one of the most famous Masjids of Kufa.
The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) had given him the glad tidingsthat one
of his limbs would enter Paradise before him.Thus in the Battle of
Nahawand, one of his hands was severed.
7- Sulaiman Ibne Surad
KhuzaiHis name during the period of Ignorance was Yasar, but the
Prophet renamed him as Yasat. He remained on the side ofAmirul Momineen
(a.s.) during Battle of Siffeen. After Yazidcame to the throne, Sulaiman
held a meeting at his house andinvited Imam Husain (a.s.) to come to
Kufa, but he could nothelp the Imam in Kerbala as a result of which
during 65 A.H.,he led a group of penitents and rose up to avenge
Kerbala. A 30000 strong Syrian army was dispatched to put down his
rebellion.They met enroute and a severe fight broke out betweenthem
and he was martyred with the arrow of Sulaiman HusainIbne Numair and
after that most of his companions were martyred.7
8- Sahal Ibne Hunaif Ansari.
He also participated in the Battles of Badr and Uhad and
waspresent in the Battle of Siffeen on the side of Amirul Momineen
(a.s.) and he passed away in Kufa upon returning from Siffeen.Amirul
Momineen (a.s.) recited 25 Takbirs in his funeral prayersand said: Even
seventy takbirs are allowed for Sahal. At thetime of departing for
Battle of Jamal Ali (a.s.) had appointedhim as governor of Medina.
9- Saasa Ibne Suhan Abdi
Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) has said that among the
companionsof Amirul Momineen (a.s.) those who were perfectly cognizant
of the rights of Ali (a.s.) were Saasa and his companions. Hewas a
Muslim of the period of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.), but couldnot meet the
Prophet personally. When Muawiyah came toKufa, people sought his refuge.
When Saasa arrived, Muawiyahsaid: There is no security for you until you
go to the pulpit andcurse Ali. Saasa mounted the pulpit and cursed
Muawiyah as aresult of which he was expelled from Kufa.8
10- Abul
Aswad Zalim bin Zalim Duali.
He was among the intellectuals of his time
and Amirul Momineen(a.s.) has taught Arabic syntax to him and trained
him inputting diacritics and dots on the Holy Quran. When Muawiyah
sent some sweets to his place, a five or six year old girl wantedto eat
it, but he remarked: This Halwa is being sent as recompenseto dissociate
with the love of Ali (a.s.). The little girl immediately replied: May God
curse him; through Halwa of saffron he intends to make us split from the
purifying Sayyid. May178 God destroy one who has sent it and one who
will eat it. He passed away during the Plague of Basra in 69 A.H.9
11- Abdullah Ibne Jafar Tayyar
He was the first Muslim to be born in
Abyssinia who after migrationcame to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.)
along with hisrespected father and remained in his service. Upon the
martyrdomof Jafar Tayyar, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) gave
condolence to him weeping and said to Asma binte Umais that I am now the
guardian of these children.Abdullah was a very noble and charitable man
and had a proverbial generosity. When some people criticized him for this
hesaid: Almighty Allah has made me used to His nobility and Ihave
made the beggars used to my philanthropy, now the danger is that if I
stop my generosity, my Lord might also dothe same with me. He passed
away in Medina in 80 A.H. and itis said that he had twenty or
twenty-four children among whomwere Aun and Muhammad who were martyred
in Kerbala.10
12- Adi Ibne Hatim Tai
He embraced Islam in 10 A.H. and
its reason was that in 9A.H. the Islamic forces attacked the Tai tribe
and destroyed the idol houses of that place and took those people as
hostages.Adi fled to Syria and his sister was taken hostage. On
reaching Medina, she pleaded to Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) thather father
was dead and her brother had fled; now he shouldbe kind to her. He said:
If we find a reliable person, I wouldsend you to your brother. After
some days, a group of peoplefrom Quza-a tribe were setting out and the
Prophet sent her toSyria with them according to her wishes. On meeting
herbrother, she mentioned the praiseworthy manners and qualitiesof
the Prophet and Adi set out for Medina immediately andthe Prophet
accorded great respect to him and made him sit inhis place; as a result
of which he embraced Islam and afterthat he participated in Jamal,
Siffeen and Nahrawan on theside of Imam Ali (a.s.). He passed away in 68
A.H. in Kufa.Once when he went to meet Muawiyah, he ridiculed him by
asking him where his sons were. He replied: They are all martyred in the
Battle of Siffeen. Muawiyah said: Ali has not donejustice with you that
he had your sons killed and saved his own.Adi said: I have not justice
with Ali that he is martyred while Iremain alive.11179
13- Amr Ibnul Hamaq Khuzai
He was considered a saintly personality always
engrossed indevotions and he was also a disciple of Amirul Momineen
(a.s.).He was at the side of Ali (a.s.) in all the battles. When Ziyad
issuedcommand for his arrest, he moved to Mosul and tookrefuge in a
cave, but he was stung by a snake and he passedaway there. When the
soldiers of Ziyad saw the corpse, theycut off his head and brought it to
Ziyad. He sent it to Muawiyahand he had it mounted on a spear point,
which was the first head in Islam to have been raised on spear point;
regarding which Imam Husain (a.s.) penned a letter of protest to
Muawiyah.Once, when Amr presented drinking water to the Prophet,His
Eminence prayed for him as a result of which not a singlestrand of hair
greyed even when he reached eighty years of age.12
14- Qambar
He was among special slaves of Amirul Momineen (a.s.).When Hajjaj Thaqafi
arrested him and asked: What wereyour duties at Alis place? He replied:
I brought water for ablutionand the Imam recited the following verse of
Quran afterablution: The unjust are going to be destroyed. Hajjaj said:
Perhaps he implied me by that? He replied: Doubtlessly. Heasked: What
will happen if I have you killed? He replied: Iwould be fortunate and
you would be unfortunate. Hajjajordered his execution in fury.13
14- Qambar
He was among
special slaves of Amirul Momineen (a.s.). When Hajjaj Thaqafi arrested him
and asked: What were your duties at Ali’s place? He replied: I brought water
for ablution and the Imam recited the following verse of Quran after
ablution: The unjust are going to be destroyed. Hajjaj said: Perhaps he
implied me by that? He replied: Doubtlessly. He asked: What will happen if I
have you killed? He replied: I
would be fortunate and you would be
unfortunate. Hajjaj ordered his execution in fury.1
15-
Kumail Ibne Ziyad Nakhai
He was considered as a special companion and a
confidant of Amirul Momineen (a.s.). Dua Kumail is sufficient to prove
hismajesty. When Hajjaj Thaqafi after becoming the governor ofIraq
issued his arrest warrant, he went underground. Hajjajhad the pension of
his community stopped. When Kumail cameto know about it, he came to his
court and said: I cannot becomethe cause of stopping the livelihood of
my people.Hajjaj said: I was looking for you so that I may punish you.
He said: Definitely so, only a few days remain in my life. Afterthat
both you and me would be presented in the court of ourreal master.
Hajjaj signed his execution order and he was martyredat the age of 90 in
83 A.H. His mausoleum is well knownbetween Najaf and Kufa.14180
16- Malik Ibne Harith Ashtar Nakhai
He was among the very special
companions of Amirul Momineen(a.s.) and considered to be most valiant
person of histime. When Amirul Momineen (a.s.) sent him as governor for
Egypt, Muawiyah bribed a landlord of that area with exemptionof twenty
years tax to have him administered poison in ahoney drink and he
succumbed to the poison of treason in Areesh. His last remain were
brought to Medina and AmirulMomineen (a.s.) expressed shock at this
tragedy and said: Malik was to me just as I was to the Messenger of Allah
(s.a.w.s.).In spite of such valor, such was his piety that one day when
aman threw rubbish at him in Kufa market, he moved onwithout saying
anything. Someone who knew him happened tosee this and he warned the
person who had thrown rubbish that he was Malik Ashtar. That man hastened
to apologize, butfound him praying in a Masjid. After he concluded his
devotionsthat man fell at his feet, but he said: I was seeking
forgivenessfor you as you had committed a deadly sin.The covenant
that Amirul Momineen (a.s.) had written forMalik Ashtar is still the
best document of governance for everyruler and without acting on it, it
is impossible to establishjustice and equity.1517- Muhammad Ibne Abi
Bakr Ibne Abi Qahafa He was born during the journey of Farewell Hajj. His
motherwas Asma binte Umais, previously wife of Jafar Tayyar and
after Abu Bakr she married Imam Ali (a.s.) due to which theupbringing of
Muhammad was under Imam Ali (a.s.) and heused to say: Muhammad is my son
even though born from loinsof Abu Bakr. In 38 A.H. when Amirul Momineen
(a.s.) appointedhim as governor of Egypt, Muawiyah sent persons like Amr
Aas, Muawiyah Ibne Khadij and Abul Awar Salmi to Egypt.They hatched a
conspiracy and apprehended Muhammad andafter slaying him, placed his
body in a donkey skin and had itburned; as a result of which Ayesha was
so aggrieved that all her life she never again partook roasted meat and
she used toregularly curse Muawiyah, Amr Aas and Ibne Khadij.
Muawiyah expressed great joy at his martyrdom and AmirulMomineen (a.s.)
displayed a deep sorrow at it.16Among the maternal brothers of Muhammad
were Abdullah,Muhammad and Aun Ibne Jafar and his paternal sister was
181Ayesha. Muhammads son, Qasim was among the jurisprudentsof
Medina who was considered as the maternal grandfather ofImam Jafar
Sadiq (a.s.).
17-
Muhammad Ibne Abi Bakr Ibne Abi Qahafa
He was born during the journey of Farewell Hajj. His mother was Asma binte
Umais, previously wife of Ja’far Tayyar and after Abu Bakr she married Imam
Ali (a.s.) due to which the upbringing of Muhammad was under Imam Ali (a.s.)
and he used to say: Muhammad is my son even though born from loins of Abu
Bakr. In 38 A.H. when Amirul Momineen (a.s.) appointed him as governor of
Egypt, Muawiyah sent persons like Amr Aas, Muawiyah Ibne Khadij and Abul
Awar Salmi to Egypt. They hatched a conspiracy and apprehended Muhammad and
after slaying him, placed his body in a donkey skin and had it burned; as a
result of which Ayesha was so aggrieved that all her life she never again
partook roasted meat and she used to regularly curse Muawiyah, Amr Aas and
Ibne Khadij. Muawiyah expressed great joy at his martyrdom and Amirul
Momineen (a.s.) displayed a deep sorrow at it.16 Among the maternal brothers
of Muhammad were Abdullah, Muhammad and Aun Ibne Ja’far and his paternal
sister was 181 Ayesha. Muhammad’s son, Qasim was among the jurisprudents of
Medina who was considered as the maternal grandfather of Imam Ja’far Sadiq
(a.s.).
18- Mitham Ibne Yahya Tammar
He was a close confidant
and a bearer of secrets of AmirulMomineen (a.s.) and he possessed so
much knowledge of Quranthat he taught Ibne Abbas exegesis of Quran and
the latterused to note down his discourses. One day he was traveling on
a boat when a strong wind blew. He remarked:Muawiyah has died. And later
on it proved to be true. He wasa freed slave of Amirul Momineen (a.s.)
and after purchasing him when Imam asked him what his name was, he
replied:Saalim. Ali (a.s.) said: Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) has mentioned
that your real name is Mitham, so your name must be Mithamand Abu Saalim
must be your Kunniyat. As per the predictionof Imam, Ibne Ziyad had him
crucified and he was martyred on22 Zilhajj, eleven days before Imam
Husain (a.s.) arrived atKerbala.17
19- Hashim Ibne Ataba Ibne Abi Waqqas Mirqal.
He earned the title of Mirqal because he was very much
adeptin swift attacks. He embraced Islam at the time of conquestof
Mecca and was present in Siffeen on the side of AmirulMomineen (a.s.).
He was martyred in Siffeen and along withhim, his son, Aatba Ibne Hashim
also was martyred.18
========================================================
Imam Hassan (as ) companions
Imam Hussain (as) companions
Imam Zaiunl Abideen(as) companions
Imam Mohammed Baqir (as) Companions
Among the companions of Prophet who narrated traditions from Imam
Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) is Jabir Ibne Abdullah and among Tabiin is Jabir Ibne
Yazid Jofi, Kaisan Sajistani. Among the jurists, there are Ibne Mubarak,
Zuhri, Abu Hanifah, Maalik, Shafei, Awzai, Ziyad Ibnul Mundhir and many
other exegesists and historians. But the following companions are worth
special mention:
Jabir Ibne Abdullah Ansari, Jabir Ibne Yazid Jofi,
Zurarah, Amir Ibne Abdullah Ibne Shuraik Amiri, Fuzail Ibne Yasar Basri,
Salam Ibnul Mustansir, Buraid Ibne Muawiyah, Hakeem Ibne Abi Naeem, Muhammad
Ibne Muslim Thaqafi, Abdullah Ibne Abi Yafur, Ziyad Ibnul Munshir Abul
Jarud, Ziyad Ibne Abi Raja Abu Ubaidah Al-Hadha, Ziyad Ibne Sauqa, Ziyad
Ibne Abi Ziyad Munqiri, Ziyad Al-Ahlam, Abu Basir Yahya Ibne Abil Qasim
Makfuf (Ishaq), Humran, Bukair, Abdul Malik, Abdur Rahman Ayyin, Muhammad
Ibne Ismail Ibne Bazi, Abdullah Ibne Maimoon Kadha, Muhammad Ibne Marwan
Kufi, Ismail Ibne Fazal Hashimi, from the sons of Naufal Ibne Harith Abu
Harun Makfuf, Zarif Ibne Nasih, Saeed Ibne Iskaf Duali, Ismail Ibne Jabir
Khathami Kufi, Uqbah Ibne Bashir Asadi, Aslam Mulki, Abu Basir Laith Ibne
Bakhtari Muradi, Kumayt Ibne Zaid Asadi, Najiya Ibne Umara Saidawi, Maaz
Ibne Muslim Nahwi, Bashirur Rijal, etc.1
From the above, after
Muhammad Ibne Ismail Ibne Bazi all are included among companions of Imam
Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) as well and they had gained knowledge from both Imams.
Below, we shall mention some brief biographical sketches of some of the
companions:
1- Jabir Ibne Abdullah Ansari
He is
included among companions of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and was the bearer of
the Prophets greetings for Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.). Jabir was present in
the Battle of Badr and other battles along with Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.). His
father was present in the allegiance of Aqbah. In the second allegiance of
Aqbah, Jabir himself was present. He was considered among the devotees of
Amirul Momineen (a.s.). His greatest excellence is that in 61 A.H. on the
day of Arbaeen, he 480 was the first visitor to the grave of Imam Husain
(a.s.) and his Ziarat Arbaeen is mentioned in books of Ziyarat and books of
Kerbala Tragedy (Maqatil).
2- Abdul Basir Laith Ibne Bakhtari
Muradi
He was absolutely reliable in narrating traditions and
was an honest personality. Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) is supposed to have said:
Four individuals have preserved the jurisprudence of my father: Abu Basir,
Zurarah, Muhammad Ibne Muslim and Buraid Ibne Muawiyah Ajali.
3- Abu Basir Abdullah Ibne Muhammad Asadi He is among
those six companions called as Afqah (experts in jurisprudence): Abu Basir
Asadi, Muhammad Ibne Muslim, Fuzail Ibne Yasaar, Buraid Ajali, Zurarah and
Abu Basir Muradi.
4- Abu Basir Yahya Ibne Qasim Asadi
His father was Ishaq; he was himself visually handicapped and was an
extremely reliable narrator of traditions and well versed in Islamic
jurisprudence. Some people have included him in the six great experts of
jurisprudence and narrated that Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) had ordered people
to refer to him in his absence.
5- Zurarah Ibne Ayyin
He was an extremely intelligent person, a jurist, a theologian, litterateur
and a reliable tradition scholar. Once, when he was mentioned in the
gathering of Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.), the Imam mentioned him in a negative
manner. When he learnt of this, he sent his son to the Imam to find out the
truth. The Imam said: You are my true friend, but what can I do, the world
is the enemy of my friends; so I mention them in such a way that my
friendship is not revealed and in this way my followers remain safe from the
mischief of enemies.2 It should remain clear that Zurarah was one of the
four brothers: Zurarah, Humran, Bukair and Abdur Rahman and all were very
sincere Shia and there is no doubt about the honesty of anyone them.
6- Muhammad Ibne Muslim Thaqafi Kufi
He was a
very sincere companion of Imam Baqir and Imam Sadiq (a.s.). He had recorded
thirty-thousand traditions from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) and sixteen
thousand traditions from Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.). Once when Imam Muhammad
481 Baqir (a.s.) ordered him humility, he took up the profession of selling
dates and then later started milling flour, which is why sometimes he is
also called as Tahhan.3 Abu Kahmash says that I came to Imam Jafar Sadiq
(a.s.) and the Imam said: I have heard that Qazi Abu Laila has rejected the
testimony of Muhammad Ibne Muslim. When you go to Kufa you should meet Abu
Laila and ask three questions and tell him that the condition is that he
should reply from the traditions of Prophet:
1- What one should do if he
gets doubt in the first two rakats
of Obligatory Prayers?
2- If the
body or clothes become impure due to urine, how
they should be purified?
3- What is to be done if one pebble is dropped from the seven
during the
stoning of satans (Ramee Jamarat)?
Abu Kahmash obeyed the instructions of
the Imam and when Abu Laila could not reply, he said: Imam Sadiq (a.s.) had
taught these questions to me and said that when you have no knowledge of
Sunnah of Prophet, what right you have to reject the testimony of Muhammad
Ibne Muslim. Abu Laila was extremely ashamed and he accepted the testimony
of Muhammad Ibne Muslim.
• The second time, two representatives of the
Imam went to Qadi Shuraih and posed two questions: What is the distance of
Qasr (shortening of prayers etc) and what are the conditions necessary for
Friday prayer? And they asked him to reply from traditions. When he could
not reply, they said: Muhammad Ibne Muslim has narrated to us this tradition
of the Prophet from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.): Qasr becomes obligatory at a
distance of two bareed and Friday prayers becomes obligatory in the
gathering of five persons, one of whom is the Imam. Shuraih was astonished
at this academic brilliance.
7- Jabir Ibne Yazid Jofi
He was a resident of Kufa, but he came into the service of Imam Muhammad
Baqir (a.s.) and started living in Medina. Imam told him that he must not
say that he was from Kufa or people would harass him. He asked the Imam:
would it not imply falsehood. Imam said: Never, as long as you are in Medina
you a Medinan. What is the question of falsehood in that? Noman Ibne Bashir
narrated that a person brought a letter to Jabir. He touched it to his eyes,
opened it and started reading. He was highly pleased and soon he departed to
Kufa. On reaching Kufa, he began to act in a strange manner. He put a stick
between his legs and mimicked riding a horse and ran here and there with
children. People said that Jabir has become insane. After some days a
proclamation of Hisham Ibne Abdul Malik came to the governor of Kufa to cut
off the head of Jabir and dispatch it to Hisham. When he made inquiries, he
was told that he was an Islamic jurist but now he had become insane, so what
is the use of executing him? So he changed his mind and the wisdom behind
Imams letter became clear and it came to be known how the Holy Imams (a.s.)
used to protect the lives of their followers and how difficult life had
become for Aale Muhammad (a.s.). Jabir passed away in 128 A.H. That is
fourteen years after martyrdom of Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.).
1 For
more details and the companions of Imam MuhammadBaqir (a.s.) refer to the
following books: Al-Iktisaas, Pg. 83, 98,161; Rijal Kishi, Pg. 6, Biharul
Anwar, Vol. 86; Majalisul Momineen;
Imam Sadiq Mazahib Arba, Vol. 2;
Tahzeebut Tahzeeb,Ibne Hajar Asqalani
2 Majalisul Momineen
3 Majalisul
Momineen
=====================================
Imam Jafar As Sadiq(as) Companions
There were more than four thousand students in the classes of Imam Jafar
Sadiq (a.s.) and they include great Imams of the Ummah as well, but those
companions who had truly gained from the knowledge of Imam and remained
steadfast on faith till their last moments, their number is definitely less
than this, although this number is also more and some names are worth
special mention, but they are some who are also included among companions of
Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.); on the contrary they are considered as his
companions only. Some are mentioned among companions of Imam Jafar Sadiq
(a.s.); therefore we would mention about some of the members of this second
group:
1- Aban Ibne Taghlib
He was from Kufa and
he belonged to Bakr Ibne Waeel tribe. He was a very religious type of person
who held a special position in the knowledge of recitation of Quran and he
had a particular style of recitation, famous among reciters of Quran. He had
also studied under Imam Sajjad (a.s.), but Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) had
ordered him during his period that he should sit in the mosque and issue
religious verdicts as he wanted such people among his companions. He had
learnt by heart thirty thousand traditions from Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.). He
was also appointed by Imam to hold debates on religious topics, in order to
continue the system of verification of truth. He passed away in 141 A.H. and
Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) expressed great sorrow at this tragedy. It is
mentioned in traditional reports that when Aban used to come to Medina, the
Masjid of Medina used to fill up with students of religious knowledge and
each of them used to be eager to hear traditions directly from Aban.1
2- Ishaq Ibne Ammar Sairafi Kufi
He was considered a
teacher of traditions and was a high class trustful tradition narrator. He
brother, Yunus, Yusuf, Ismail, Qays and his nephews, Ali, Bashir and sons of
Ismail were also prominent personages among tradition scholars. Scholars of
tradition narrators of the early period used to refer to him as a follower
of Fathi school and his traditional 512 reports were considered trustworthy
instead of being Sahih; but Shaykh Bahai has investigated this point and
concluded that there are two narrators of this name; Ishaq Ibne Ammar Ibne
Hayyan from the Imamiyah and was a reliable man; and Ishaq Ibne Ammar Ibne
Musa was on religion of Fatihis, but he was trustworthy. The former is
mentioned in Rijal Najjashi and the later is mentioned in Rijal of Shaykh
and this research of Shaykh Bahai remained in force for sometime but in the
end, Allamah Tabatabai Bahrul Ulum showed that Ishaq Ibne Ammar is only one
person and he was on Imamite faith and a reliable person, so his traditional
reports should get the rank of authentic reports.2
3- Buraid
Ibne Muawiyah Ajali Kindi
His Kunniyat was Abul Qasim and he was
considered one of the closest confidants of Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) and
Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.). Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) used to remark about him
that there are four standards of religion: Muhammad Ibne Muslim, Buraid Ibne
Muawiyah, Laith Ibne Bakhtari Abu Basir and Zurarah Ibne Ayyin; if they had
not been there, the jurisprudence of Ahle Bayt (a.s.) would have been
destroyed. Buraid passed away in 150 A.H. and his son Qasim Ibne Buraid is
also considered a narrator of traditional reports of Imam Jafar Sadiq
(a.s.).3
4- Abu Hamza Thumali
Imam Jafar Sadiq
(a.s.) used to tell him: Seeing you I become assured. Once his daughter had
a fall and she fractured her hand; a surgeon was brought there for her
treatment; seeing the condition of his daughter, he began to weep;
Providence had so much pity on this condition that the fractured hand was
cured by itself and the orthopedic expert continued to search for broken
bones. Abu Hamza has also cultivated the company of Imam Sajjad (a.s.) and
often used to go for Ziyarat of Amirul Momineen (a.s.), when a large crowd
of Imamiyah jurists used to gather and people gained from his know how. He
passed away in 150 A.H.4
5- Hareeth Ibne Abdullah Sajistani
He was originally from Kufa, but he used to travel to Sajistan on business;
therefore he became famous as Sajistani. His book, As-Salaat, was highly
popular among scholars.5 6- Humran Ibne Ayyin Shaibani 513 He was a brother
to Zurarah and Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) has verified his being a Shia; on
his death, the Imam had remarked that a believer man has passed away. Once
Humran told Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.): So less is the number of your followers
that they cannot finish the mutton of a single goat. Imam (a.s.) said: More
surprising is the fact that after Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) the only sincere
supporters of Amirul Momineen (a.s.) were Salman, Abu Zar and Miqdad and
Ammar had also joined them.6
6- Humran Ibne Ayyin
Shaibani
He was a brother to Zurarah and Imam Muhammad Baqir
(a.s.) has verified his being a Shia; on his death, the Imam had remarked
that a believer man has passed away. Once Humran
told Imam Ja’far Sadiq
(a.s.): So less is the number of your followers that they cannot finish the
mutton of a single goat.
Imam (a.s.) said: More surprising is the fact
that after Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) the only sincere supporters of Amirul
Momineen (a.s.) were Salman, Abu Zar and Miqdad and Ammar had also joined
them.2
7- Zurarah Ibne Ayyin
He was the most prominent companion of Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.). So much so
that that Imam told Faiz Ibne Mukhtar: If Zurarah had not been there, the
traditions of my respected father would have been lost. When Yunus Ibne
Ammar narrated a tradition of Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) on the authority of
Zurarah, Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) said: If Zurarah has narrated it, it must
be authentic. Jamil Ibne Darraj said: We used to seem like nursery kids
before Zurarah. Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) said: Your name is mentioned in the
list of the inmates of Paradise without an Alif; he confessed: My real name
is Abde Rabbih and Zurarah became famous later. He passed away two months
after demise of Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.), but he left a generations behind
him who were highly reliable religious authorities and missionaries of
faith.7
8- Safwan Ibne Mahran Jammal Asadi Kufi
He was from Kufa and was in the business of hiring out camels. Once Imam
Musa Kazim (a.s.) asked him: Do you rent out year camels to Harun. He said:
Only for traveling to Mecca. The Imam asked: Do not wish that he should
return safe and sound so that you get your animals and rent. He replied:
Yes. Imam said: One who desires for the survival of oppressors would be
raised with them on Judgment Day. Safwan disposed off all his camels upon
this. When Harun learnt of this, he said: If you did not have good relations
with us I would have got you killed. Traditional reports of Ziyarat Waritha,
Ziyarat Arbaeen and Dua Al-Qama have been recorded from Safwan and he used
to transport Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) from Medina to Kufa for a long time and
himself also worshipped at the tomb of Amirul Momineen (a.s.).8
9- Abdullah Ibne Abi Yafur
He was a disciple of Imam
Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) and Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.). He had perfect faith on
the Imam and the latter had also prayed in his favor a number of times. He
passed away during a plague in the lifetime of the Imam. Imam extolled his
praises in his letter to Mufaddal Ibne Umar and said: I have not seen anyone
more pious and obedient to God, Prophet and the Imam.9
10-
Fuzail Ibne Yasar Basri
His Kunniyat was Abu Qasim and he was a
prominent companion of Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.). He was considered among
companions of consensus. That is all scholars had consensus on authenticity
of his traditional reports. Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) used to say: One who
likes to see an inmate of Paradise should look at Fuzail.10
11- Faiz Ibne Mukhtar Kufi
He is included among companions and
tradition reporters of Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.), Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.)
and Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.). Once he came to Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) and
said: Please introduce your successor to me. The Imam went inside and
summoned Faiz there. After sometime Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.) appeared with a
lash. He was around five years old at that time. Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.)
introduced the successor and said: Son, what lash is this. He replied: My
brother, Ali was lashing everyone with this so I have taken it away from
him. Imam said: Faiz, this is my successor and legatee. He said: Maula,
please give some more details. He said: Suhuf Ibrahim and scrolls of Prophet
Musa (a.s.) have reached to me from the Prophet in inheritance and I have
appointed this sons of mine as my successor. Faiz said: Maula tell me some
more. He said: When my respected father used to supplicate, I used to say
Amen; and when I supplicate, this son of mine says Amen. Faiz said: Maula
tell me some more. He said: when my respected father wanted to sleep I used
to put my arms to act as pillows and when I want to rest, this boy gives me
support; so you must accept his Imamate and convey this information to your
special companions. Faiz kissed the forehead of the Imam and coming back to
Yunus Ibne Zabyan narrated this incident to him. He said I will get it
verified directly from the Imam and he came to the Imams house for this
purpose. The Imam called from inside: Yunus, do not investigate; whatever
Faiz has reported is correct.11
12- Laith Ibne Bakhtari
He is famous as Abu Basir and he is also included among the righteous
personages who had been given the glad tidings of Paradise and who are
included among companions of consensus and all scholar have unanimity about
the authenticity of all his reports. Abu Basir says: Once, when I came to
Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.), he said: You were present during the last moments
of Alba Ibne Darra Asadi; what did he say at that time? I replied: He told
us that you have guaranteed Paradise for him. Imam said: You are right. I
began to cry: Alas, if I also had this honor. Imam (a.s.) said: I stand a
surety for you as well. I said: Please recommend my case to your ancestors
also. He said: They are also your sureties. I said: Please recommend my case
to the Lord of the worlds also. He said: He is also a surety, and anyone who
is sincere and steadfast in the love of Ahle Bayt (a.s.), Aale Muhammad
(a.s.) would be his surety for Paradise.12
13- Muhammad Ibne Ali Ibne Noman Kufi
His
Kunniyat was Abu Jafar and he had a shop in Taqqul Mahammin; therefore he
became as Momin Taq and the opponents being overwhelmed by his wit used to
refer to him as Shaitan Taq. He was an expert of scholastic theology and the
art of debate. He had also written a number of books; and had frequent
debates with Abu Hanifah. Thus once Abu Hanifah ridiculed belief of Rajat
and said: Lend me 500 gold coins; I will return them to you in Rajat. Abu
Jafar said: I am ready, but you must get a surety that you will come in the
shape of a human being in Rajat; if you come in form of monkey, how I would
get my money back?
• After martyrdom of Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.), Abu
Hanifah remarked sarcastically: Now your Imam is dead. Abu Jafar retorted:
What is your problem; your Imam is going to livetill the appointed hour.
• One day Abu Hanifah was seated with his companions and he decried Abu
Jafar coming from a distance. He said: 516 Satan is coming. Abu Jafar heard
this and immediately recited the verse of Quran: We have sent the satans to
the disbelievers so that they may continue to torment them forever.
•
There was a Khariji in Kufa, named Zahhak and he used to call himself Amirul
Momineen and invited people to follow him. One day Momin Taq went to him and
said: I have heard a lot about your justice; I want to become your
companion. He considered it as a good opportunity and extended a warm
welcome and included him among his companions. Momin Taq said: Why are you
an opponent of Imam Ali (a.s.)? He replied: He accepted arbitration in
Siffeen and it is against Islam. Momin Taq said: I want to discuss this
matter with you if you can prove your stance, I will accept your
superiority, but who will judge the debate; no judgment is possible without
a third party. Zahhak appointed one of his companions as a judge. Momin Taq
accepted the suggestion and said: O people, this person has accepted an
arbitrator, so he has gone out of the pale of Islam. People beat him up so
much that he lost consciousness.13
14- Muhammad Ibne Muslim Ibne Riyah Tahhan Thaqafi Kufi
A senior-most companion of Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) and Imam Jafar Sadiq
(a.s.); scholars are unanimous on the correctness of his traditional
reports. He lived in Medina for four years and learnt thirty thousand
traditions from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) and sixteen thousand from Imam
Jafar Sadiq (a.s.). Abdullah Ibne Abi Yafur asked Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.)
that if one cannot reach him, whom should one refer to. He replied: What is
the problem with Muhammad Ibne Muslim? He was respected in the view of my
honorable father as well.
• Muhammad Ibne Muslim says: One night a lady
knocked at my door and asked me the religious problem that what should be
done if a pregnant woman dies having a living unborn child in her womb? I
said: Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) has said that the child should be removed
surgically, but I live in seclusion; who gave you my address? She replied:
This problem came to Abu Hanifah; since he didnt know the answer, I was sent
to you. When the following day I entered the mosque I found Abu Hanifah
explaining that matter on his own authority. I gestured to him that I was
present there. He became worried and said: Let me live for a moment at
least.
• According to histories Muhammad Ibne Muslim was an affluent
person. Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) had advised him to adopt humility. So he
closed down all his businesses and took up selling dates. People tried to
convince him that it was not according to his rank, so he installed a flour
mill and therefore he came to be known as Tahhan.14
15- Maaz
Ibne Kathir Kasai Kufi
He is included among senior companions of
Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) and is also among narrators of Nass for Imamate of
Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.). He was a dealer in canvas. When he closed down his
business, Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) said: To close down a business is an act
of Satan; by closing down a business, two-thirds of the intellect is
destroyed.
• Once, in the fields of Arafat, seeing the milling crowds, he
said to Imam (a.s.): This year a large number of people have come for Hajj.
The Imam called him and said: This is a crowd; the real Hajis are you
people. And Almighty Allah accepts the deeds only of persons like you.15
16- Mualla Ibne Khunais Bazzaz Kufi
He is also
considered to be a divine saint and a man of Paradise. Imam Jafar Sadiq
(a.s.) had appointed him as manager of his household affairs and used to
trust him completely. On the contrary Dawood Ibne Ali killed him due to this
love and devotion only. When Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) learnt of this, he came
from Mecca and went to Dawood Ibne Ali and said: You have killed one who was
definitely better than you in the court of Allah; you should remember that
the destination of Mualla is Jannatul Firdos. He presented excuse that he
had not killed him, on the contrary Sairafi had killed him; so the Imam took
revenge from Sairafi and had him killed and according to another traditional
report he invoked curse on Dawood Ibne Ali, placing his head in prostration
in the last part of the night and within a short time wails arose from his
house and it was learnt that Dawood was dead.16
17- Hisham
Ibne Muhammad Ibne Saib Kalbi
His Kunniyat was Abul Mundhir and
he was an expert of genealogy. His memory became defective due to an
accident and he forgot everything, he pleaded Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) and
the latter gave him a cup of drink; after he drank it, his memory was
restored. Imam (a.s.) was very fond of him and he is famous as Nassab Kalbi,
an expert of genealogy.17
18- Yunus Ibne Zabyan Kufi
Some scholars of Rijal
had misgivings about him but Muhaddith Nuri has mentioned the evidences of
his veracity at the end of his Mustadrakul Wasail, and stated that Imam
Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) had prayed for mercy on him, on the contrary, he even
gave him glad tidings of Paradise. Among his traditional reports is a
Ziyarat of Imam Husain (a.s.), supplication after Ziyarat of Amirul Momineen
(a.s.) in Najaf Ashraf, Allaahumma laa budda min amrika…and other famous
Ziyarats and supplications. May God give them a good recompense from us and
from Islam.18
1 Majalisul Momineen, Kitab Ibne Dawood, Ahsanul Maqal,
Vol. 1, Pg. 754
2 Majalisul Momineen, Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 1, Pg. 754
3
Majalisul Momineen, Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 1, Pg. 755
4 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol.
1, Pg. 755
5 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 1, Pg. 757
6 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 1,
Pg. 757
7 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 1, Pg. 759
8 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 1, Pg.
760
9 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 1, Pg. 761
10 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 1, Pg. 762
11Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 1, Pg. 753
12 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 1, Pg. 764
13
Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 1, Pg. 765; Majalisul Momineen
14Ahsanul Maqal, Vol.
1, Pg. 766
15Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 1, Pg. 768
16Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 1,
Pg. 768
17Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 1, Pg. 769
18Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 1, Pg.
769; Tarikh Kamil, Tahzeeb,
Majalisul Momineen.
==============================
Imam Musa Al Kazim(as) Companions
Details of over 300 companions al-islam.org
1- Hammad Ibne Isa
He has witnessed the period
from Imam Sajjad (a.s.) to Imam Jawad (a.s.) and he is considered as a
reporter of traditional reports. He was so careful in narrating traditional
reports that he has quoted only seventy traditions from Imam Jafar Sadiq
(a.s.) and from them, he selected only twenty, in which there was no
possibility of any defect or distortion. He requested Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.)
to pray from him and he prayed for his house, wife, servants and that he be
able to perform Hajj fifty times. By the grace of the Imam all these
bounties became facts for him. But when after performing fifty Hajjs he
decided to go for one more Hajj, while he was putting on his Ihram he was
washed away in floods and earned the title of ‘the one drowned in Johfa.1
2- Abu Abdullah Abdur Rahman Ibne Hajjaj Bajali Kufi
He was a teacher of Safwan bin Yahya and was considered a companion of Imam
Sadiq and Imam Kazim (a.s.). He came to the right path after a period of
time and also met Imam Reza (a.s.) and passed away during that time. Imam
Ali Reza (a.s.) had given glad tidings of Paradise to him and Imam Sadiq
(a.s.) used to tell him: Have debates with people of Medina. I need people
like you among my companions. It is also narrated from Abul Hasan that he
said with regard to Abdur Rahman that he was heavy on the heart, which is
explained by scholars to mean that he was heavy on the hearts of enemies or
that ‘he was valuable in my heart or he was heavy as his name was Abdur
Rahman and the name of his father was Hajjaj and both these names are heavy
on the hearts of believers and as Sibte Ibne Jauzi has narrated that when
Abdullah Ibne Jafar named one of his sons as Muawiyah all members of Bani
Hashim clan stopped speaking with him as they could not bear this name even
in some exigency.2
3- Abdullah Ibne Jundab Bajali Kufi
He was a
prominent companion of Imam Kazim (a.s.) and Imam Reza (a.s.) and a learned
jurist and representative of the Imam. Imam Reza (a.s.) had given him the
guarantee of the 592 satisfaction of God and His Prophet and also gave glad
tidings of Paradise to him. It is famous about him that he was weeping
profusely in the fields of Arafat; so Ibrahim bin Hashim said: I have never
seen such a devoted stay in Arafat. He said: By Allah, I have not
supplicated anything for myself; I have supplicated everything for the
believers in faith as Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.) has said: One who prays in
favor of his brothers in faith, a voice comes from the Great Throne of the
Almighty: You will be rewarded a hundred thousand times of this. So I did
not want that I should refuse a hundred thousand times from God and recite
one sup plication for my own favor, for which there is no guarantee that it
would be accepted. Once, Abdullah wrote to Imam Reza (a.s.): I have become
old. So please teach me a recitation that would increase my knowledge and
understanding and make me proximate to God. Imam (a.s.) said: Recite the
following often: Bismillaahir rahmaanir Raheem. Laa hawla wa laa quwwata
illa billaahil aliyyil azeem. (In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the
Merciful. There is no might and strength except by Allah, the high and the
great.).3
4- Abu Muhammad Abdullah Ibne Mughira Bajali Kufi
He was a reliable Islamic jurist and exceptional in piety and worship. He
was considered among people of consensus and was the author of thirty books.
He himself admitted that he originally came from Waqifite sect; by chance he
went for Hajj and clinging to the wall of Kaaba wept and prayed: O God,
guide me to the right faith. Suddenly a thought came to me that I should
meet Imam Kazim (a.s.). So after Hajj I went to Medina and sent information
inside the Imams house that a person from Iraq has come to meet him. A voice
came from inside: Abdullah Ibne Mughira, come in. I was astonished and I
immediately accepted his Imamate. Then he said: Go, your supplication is
granted. I gained more certainty about the Imamate of the Imam and by the
praise of God I am still on it.4
5- Abdullah Ibne Yahya Kahili Kufi
He and his
brother, Ishaq are among narrators of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) and Musa Kazim
(a.s.) and the latter had bestowed special attention to him. So much so that
he advised Ali Ibne Yaqtin that he should take special care of Kahili and
therefore 593 he used to mind the financial affairs of Kahili and bear the
expenses of the whole family. Once, after the Hajj, when he came to meet
Imam Kazim (a.s.), the Imam said: “Abdullah, now perform more good deeds as
the time of your death has approached.” Abdullah began to weep. Imam said:
“Do not grieve, you are counted among my Shia and you have a good
hereafter.” Abdullah was highly elated and passed away after some days.5
6- Ali Ibne Yaqtin
He was originally from Kufa,
but lived in Baghdad. He was among the most prominent companions of Imam
Kazim (a.s.) and was the focus of special attention of the Imam. He was born
in Kufa in 124 A.H. after which his father left the country due the fear of
Marwan Himar and his mother also resided in Medina till Marwan Himar was
killed and the Bani Abbas came to power. At that time both came out from
underground. The father of Ali Ibne Yaqtin passed away in 185 A.H. and Ali
Ibne Yaqtin remained in the service of Imam Kazim (a.s.) till the Imam
informed him of his salvation from Hell fire and he became the vizier of the
ruler according to orders of the Holy Imam (a.s.). Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.)
had also prayed for him during his childhood and Ali Ibne Yaqtin was a very
generous person; so much so that he sponsored 150 persons for Hajj in a
year.
Incidents during the period of the ministry of Ali Ibne Yaqtin are
famous and interesting. Imam Kazim (a.s.) was so kind to him that when he
did not meet Ibrahim Jammal, the Imam refused to meet him in Medina and
said: Make Ibrahim happy and sent him to Kufa from Medina in a single night.
Ali Ibne Yaqtin sought the forgiveness of Ibrahim and returned to the Imam.
Ali Ibne Yaqtin died in 180 A.H. at a time when Imam Kazim (a.s.) was in the
prison. Some people have mentioned the year of his death to be 182 A.H.6
7- Mufaddal Ibne Umar Kufi Jofi
Shaykh Najjashi
and Allamah have cast doubts on him, but other scholars of Rijal have
praised him and testified to his veracity and narrated that he was an
official representative of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) and Imam Kazim (a.s.) and the
former had placed a sum of money with him through which he was 594 supposed
to solve disputes between followers of Imam. And it is the report of
Muhammad Ibne Sinan that Imam (a.s.) said: Like Mufaddal is a comfort for
me, in the same way you would be for Imam Reza (a.s.) and Imam Jawad (a.s.).
Abdullah Ibne Fazl Hashmi narrates that he was with Imam Sadiq (a.s.) when
Mufaddal arrived. The Imam greeted him cheerfully and said: “By God, you are
dear to me and if only all my companions had the same cognition as you.”
Mufaddal said modestly: “Maula, do not exalt me so much.” He replied: “I
have only stated your true position.” He asked: “Then what would be the rank
of Jabir Ibne Yazid?” He replied: “Just like Salman was to Holy Prophet
(s.a.w.s.).” He asked: “And Dawood Ibne Kathir Raqqi?” He replied: “Like
Miqdad Ibne Aswad.” After that he told Abdullah: “The Lord of the worlds has
created our souls from effulgence of His greatness and has created your
souls through our souls. I have the list of all my Shias; neither anyone can
increase or decrease them. Abdullah expressed his wish to see the list. Imam
(a.s.) showed him the scroll and Abdullah at last saw his name and
prostrated in thankfulness.7
8- Abu Muhammad Hisham Ibne Hikam
He was born and
Kufa and brought up in Wasit and at last settled down in Baghdad as he had
business there. He is included among companions of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) and
Imam Kazim (a.s.) and was an extremely clever and intelligent person. He had
no equal in scholastic theology and method of debate. When he passed away in
Kufa in 179 A.H. Imam Reza (a.s.) prayed for his salvation and when he was
mentioned in the presence of Imam Jawad (a.s.), he said: “May God have mercy
on him; he was the best defender of the rights of us, Ahle Bayt (a.s.).”
Umair Ibne Yazid narrates that Hisham was originally following the Jahmi
religion. Once he expressed desire to debate with Imam Sadiq (a.s.) so I
booked an appointment with the Imam. When Hisham arrived, the Imam posed a
question to him, which he could not answer and came with the reply only
after some days. Now the Imam asked him another question and again he
continued to search for its reply for some days. 595 When he came for the
third time, he could not dare to say anything due the awe of the Imam.
Considering it to be a Taufeeq of Allah, he embraced faith and gained so
much progress in the company of the Imam that he gave him a central place in
gathering in presence of Humran Ibne Ayyin, Qays, Yunus Ibne Yaqub and Momin
Taq and said: “He is our helper through his heart and tongue,” and then
trained Hisham so well in the method of debate that no one could defeat him.
It was the result of his defense of Ahle Bayt (a.s.) that Harun issued
orders for his arrest and he went underground. So much so, that his family
members were arrested. During this period, when time of his death
approached, he said to Bashir: “After I am dead, give me funeral bath, cover
me with the shroud and keep my bier at Kunasa locality and write on a piece
of paper: This is the bier of Hisham who died because of the fear of regime
so that it becomes certain of my death and my family members are released.”
It happened in the same way and after the testimony of many persons, his
family members were released as now the regime was safe from Hishams
danger.8
9- Yunus Ibne Abdur Rahman
He was born during the
reign of Hisham Ibne Abdul Malik; he had also met Imam Baqir (a.s.) and Imam
Sadiq (a.s.) but he had the honor to narrate only from Imam Kazim (a.s.); he
is included among the people of consensus and Imam Reza (a.s.) used to
advise people to consult him in religious matters. He had also written a
book, Yaum wa Laila, which when it was presented to Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.)
he read it from cover to cover and remarked: This is the religion of my
ancestors and me. Yunus passed away in 208 A.H. and Imam Reza (a.s.) had
given him the glad tidings of Paradise to him thrice and compared him to
Salman as he had confronted the Waqifite sect and invited people to the
Imamate of Imam Reza (a.s.); otherwise many had stopped the series of
Imamate after Imam Kazim (a.s.) and denied the Imamate of Imam Reza (a.s.)
and seized all the properties and rights of Imam Kazim (a.s.).9
10- Yunus Ibne Yaqub Bajali Dahni
He was a nephew
of Muawiyah Ibne Ammar. In the beginning he was most probably following the
Imamate of Abdullah Aftah and after that he accepted the Imam Kazim (a.s.)
as the Imam and became one of his most reliable companions. So 596 much so
that he also became his representative. He died in Medina during Imamate of
Imam Reza (a.s.) and the Imam arranged for his last rites and ordered
everyone to attend his funeral; had him buried at Baqi on which a few people
objected as he was Iraqi. Imam said: He was our follower, so if he is not
given space in Baqi. We would also not bury our dead there; after, which he
was given the space to make his grave and the Imam ordered the caretaker of
graveyard to water the grave for forty days as Yunus was so dear to God that
He brought him from Iraq to the neighborhood of Prophet. And peace be on
those who follow the guidance.10
======================================
Imam Ali ib Musa Ridha (as) Companions and Students
1- Dibil Ibne Ali al-Khuzai
He was the greatest
poet and litterateur of his time. His panegyric is considered to be a
masterpiece of literature. After composing the Qasida about Imam Ali Reza
(a.s.) he set out to Khorasan to recite it in the presence of the Imam. The
Imam praised it highly, but told him not to recite it before everyone. But
when it became popular, Mamun summoned Dibil and asked him to compose a
Qasida for him as well but Dibil ignored the request. Mamun then called Imam
Reza (a.s.) and asked him to recommend to Dibil and upon the orders of the
Imam, he composed and recited Qasida for Mamun. Mamun gave him 50000 dirhams
as reward and Imam (a.s.) also presented a similar amount. Dibil said:
Maula, I dont vie for material wealth; just give me a robe, which would be
useful for me in the hereafter. He was given a robe and asked to keep it
safe as it would prove useful sometimes. Thus during the journey, when they
were attacked by robbers, the same robe helped in saving the belongings of
the whole caravan.1 It is mentioned in some traditional reports that when
Dibil in his composition, mentioned a tomb in Baghdad, the Imam said: Add
two more couplets to this Qasida so that it may become complete and saying
this he recited two couplets about a tomb in Tus. Dibil asked: Maula whose
tomb does it imply? Imam (a.s.) said: Whoever visits me in my alienity would
be raised with me on Judgment Day. Saying this he gave him a hundred Rizvi
Dinars on which the name of Imam was inscribed and Dibil preserved them as a
blessing.2
2- Hasan Ibne Ali Ibne Ziyad al-Washa Bajali Kufi
He was among special companions of Imam Reza (a.s.) and his maternal
grandfather, Ilyas Sairafi was considered a prominent companion of Imam
Sadiq (a.s.) and he has narrated the following report of Imam Sadiq (a.s.)
in his final moments: One who is truly devoted to us, Ahle Bayt (a.s.),
cannot be touched by Hellfire.
Shaykh Tusi has narrated from Ahmad bin
Muhammad bin Isa Qummi that he went from Qom to Kufa in search of traditions
and met Hasan Ibne Ali Ibne Washa and sought his 619 permission to narrating
from books of Alaa Ibne Razin and Aban Ibne Uthman. He said: First you may
copy the books and then I would hear them. He said you may recite them now,
because no one knows when he would have to harken to the call of Lord. Hasan
Ibne Ali Ibne Washa said: If I had known that there was so much interest
among people for traditions, I would have gathered a treasure trove of
traditions, because I saw nine hundred senior teachers in this same Masjid
Kufa narrating traditions from Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.). Ibne Shahr Ashob
says that Hasan Ibne Ali Ibne Washa had a little doubt in the Imamate of
Imam Reza (a.s.). So once he collected some questions and came to the Imam
to test him. He was yet at the door when a servant came and asked: Which of
you is Hasan Ibne Ali Ibne Washa? He said: I am. The servant gave him an
envelope and said: The Imam says that it contains replies to your queries.
This created a revolution in his life and he became certain of his Imamate.3
3- Hasan Ibne Ali Ibne Faddal Yatumuli Kufi
He
was a special companion of Imam Reza (a.s.) and a reporter of his
traditions. Fazl Ibne Shazan says: I was in the class of Quranic recitation
in Masjid when I saw that some people talking about a person who lives in
mountains and who is continuously engrossed in worship. Even beasts of
wilderness had become so accustomed with him that they graze near him and he
prolongs his prostrations so much, as if he has died. I was amazed how a
person can be like this. Meanwhile a man entered and my father stepped
forward to welcome him and accorded him great respect. After he went away, I
asked: Who was this gentleman. He said: It was Hasan Ibne Ali Ibne Faddal.
“He is the same famous man? I thought he lived in mountains.” “Yes, he is
the same; he came down today and visits me frequently. I have developed such
respect for him that I used to visit him frequently and listen to the books
of Ibne Bukair and often he came and read them out to me and it was only his
sentiment of religion; because when commander in chief of Mamun, Tahir Ibne
Husain Khuzai on his return from Hajj, expressed his wish to meet Hasan, the
latter declined. Hasan passed away in 224 A.H.4
4- Hasan Ibne Mahbub Sarrad Bajali Kufi
He
was considered a key personality of his time and included among people of
consensus. He was generally referred to as Jarrad, but Imam Reza (a.s.)
suggested that he should be addressed as Sarrad as the word of SRD is used
in Holy Quran in the meaning of making coat of mail and importance should be
given to words of Quran. His father was so particular about his training
that he gave one dirham as prize for learning each tradition of Ali Ibne
Ruab. Hasan Ibne Mahbub passed away at the end of 224 A.H. at the age of
approximately 65 years.5
5- Zakariya Ibne Adam Ibne Abdullah Ibne Saad
Ashari Qummi
He was among the close confidants of Imam Ali Reza (a.s.).
Once he said to the Imam that he wanted to separate from his family members
as many fools have appeared among them. The Imam said: Almighty Allah
dispels calamities from them through you just as He wards off the calamities
of people of Baghdad for the sake of the tomb of Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.). Ali
Ibne Musayyib Hamadani said to Imam Reza (a.s.): My house is very far away
and I cannot be present with you all the time; so from whom should I learn
the laws of religion? He replied: Zakariya Ibne Adam Qummi, who is
trustworthy in my view from the aspect of religion as well as the world.
Some historians have stated that he also had the honor of attending Hajj
with Imam Reza (a.s.) and on the return journey shared the litter with the
Imam. Allamah Majlisi has narrated in connection with history of Qom that
Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) had prayed for Ashari clan that may Allah
forgive their young and old. The grave of Zakariya Ibne Adam is well known
inShaikhan Kabir cemetery. Zakariya Ibne Idris Ibne Abdullah Ibne Saad
Ashari, his cousin is buried near him.6 6- Safwan Ibne Yahya Abu Muhammad
Bajali Kufi He was considered among the most reliable reporters of his time
and was a companion of Imam Reza (a.s.) and Imam Jawad (a.s.); on the
contrary, he was also an official representative of the Imam. Allamah Kishi
has included him also among people of consensus and some historians have
narrated that Safwan was a partner in business with Abdullah Ibne Judub and
Ali Ibne 621 Noman. And three of them used to pray 51 units of prayers every
day without fail. They had entered into an agreement that the survivor among
them would perform worship and good deeds on behalf of others also. Thus
after the passing away of his friends, he used to pray 51 units of prayers
three times daily and fasted for three months in a year and paid Zakat of
wealth three times. Such was his precaution that once he had rented a camel
and was heading to Kufa when someone gave him two Dinars to be conveyed till
Kufa. He did not mount the camel till he could get the approval from the
owner of the camel for increase in load; and such was his sense of duty to
believers that he could not refuse the owner of Dinar also. Safwan has
narrated traditions from forty companions of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) and he passed
away in Medina in 210 A.H. Imam Jawad (a.s.) arranged for his shroud and
Hunut and ordered Ismail Ibne Musa to pray his funeral prayers.7
5-
Zakariya Ibne Adam Ibne Abdullah Ibne Saad Ashari Qummi
He was among the close confidants of Imam Ali Reza (a.s.). Once he said
to the Imam that he wanted to separate from his family members as many fools
have appeared among
them. The Imam said: Almighty Allah dispels
calamities from them through you just as He wards off the calamities of
people of Baghdad for the sake of the tomb of Imam Musa Kazim
(a.s.).
Ali Ibne Musayyib Hamadani said to Imam Reza (a.s.):My house is very far
away and I cannot be present with you all the time; so from whom should I
learn the laws of religion? He replied: Zakariya Ibne Adam Qummi, who is
trustworthy in my view from the aspect of religion as well as the world.
Some historians have stated that he also had the honor of attending Hajj
with Imam Reza (a.s.) and on the return journey shared the litter with the
Imam. Allamah Majlisi has narrated in
connection with history of Qom that
Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) had prayed for Ashari clan that may Allah
forgive their young and old.
The grave of Zakariya Ibne Adam is well
known in Shaikhan Kabir cemetery. Zakariya Ibne Idris Ibne Abdullah Ibne
Saad Ashari, his cousin is buried near him.1
6- Safwan
Ibne Yahya Abu Muhammad Bajali Kufi
He was considered among the most reliable reporters of his time and was a
companion of Imam Reza (a.s.) and Imam Jawad (a.s.); on the contrary, he was
also an official
representative of the Imam.
Allamah Kishi has
included him also among people of consensus and some historians have
narrated that Safwan was a partner in business with Abdullah Ibne Judub and
Ali Ibne Noman. And three of them used to pray 51 units of prayers every day
without fail. They had entered into an agreement that the survivor among
them would perform worship and good deeds on behalf of others also. Thus
after the passing away of his friends, he used to pray 51 units of prayers
three times daily and fasted for three months in a year and paid Zakat of
wealth three times. Such was his precaution that once he had rented a
camel and was heading to Kufa when someone gave him two Dinars to be
conveyed till Kufa. He did not mount the camel till he could get the
approval from the owner of the camel for
increase in load; and such was
his sense of duty to believers that he could not refuse the owner of Dinar
also.
Safwan has narrated traditions from forty companions of Imam Sadiq
(a.s.) and he passed away in Medina in 210 A.H.Imam Jawad (a.s.) arranged
for his shroud and Hunut and ordered Ismail Ibne Musa to pray his funeral
prayers.1
7- Muhammad Ibne Ismail Ibne Bazi
He was a
trustworthy narrator of traditions and a special companion of Imam Reza
(a.s.). He was also present during the times of Imam Jawad (a.s.). He was
also a minister in the government. Ali Ibne Noman had bequeathed all his
books to Muhammad Ibne Ismail Ibne Bazi. He had requested Imam Jawad (a.s.)
for a cloth for his shroud; the Imam fulfilled it and said that its hooks
should be removed. He died at Fayd on way to Mecca about which it is
mentioned by Muhammad Ibne Ahmad Ibne Yahya Ashari that he visited his grave
in the company of Ali Ibne Bilal and narrated the following tradition of
Imam Reza (a.s.) on his authority: If a person places his hand on the grave
and recites Surah Qadr seven times; both the reciter as well as the departed
one would be secure from terror of Judgment Day.
Such was the excellence
and nobility of Muhammad Ibne Ismail that Sayyid Murtada, father of Allamah
Tabatabai Bahrul Uloom dreamt on the eve of birth of Allamah that Imam Reza
(a.s.) has given a candle to Muhammad Ibne Ismail and sent him to his house
and when he lighted it, there was light all around.
Indeed, the being of
Allamah Bahrul Uloom was a like a lighted candle, which had illuminated the
world of piety and knowledge, but it was the greatness of Muhammad Ibne
Ismail 622 that Imam Reza (a.s.) chose his medium to give this glad tiding,
as if this candle of knowledge would be lighted through his traditional
reports and their blessings and this is sufficient an honor of both
persons.8
8- Nasr Ibne Qabus
He has narrated from Imam
Sadiq (a.s.), Imam Kazim (a.s.) and Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) and served as a
representative of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) for twenty years. He was among the close
confidants of Imam Kazim (a.s.) and has narrated from him the tradition of
appointment of Imam Reza (a.s.) to Imamate.
• Shaykh Kishi has narrated
from him that Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.) took him to a room where Imam Reza
(a.s.) was engrossed in reading a book and asked: Nasr, do you know who this
boy is? He replied: It is Ali Ibne Musa ar- Reza (a.s.). Then he asked: And
this book? He replied: You know better. Imam (a.s.) said: This is Jafr,
which only the prophets and their successors can read. After which he became
more certain about the Imamate of Imam Reza (a.s.).
• On another
occasion, Nasr told Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.): I asked your father about his
successor and he told me your name. Now who would your successor be? He
replied: My son, Ali Ibne Musa.9
1 Uyun Akhbar Reza, Vol. 2, Pg. 265; Kashful Ghumma, Vol.
3,
Pg. 74; Rijal Kishi, Pg. 42; Shawahidun Nubuwwah, Pg. 199
2 Nurul Absar,
Pg. 138; Safinatul Biharul, Vol. 1, Pg. 241; Ahsanul
Maqal, Vol. 2, Pg.
177; Majalisul Momineen, Pg. 466; Wafayatul
Ayan, Vol. 1, Pg. 322
3Manaqib Ibne Shahr Ashob; Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2, Pg. 182
4Ahsanul Maqal,
Vol. 2, Pg. 183
5Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2, Pg. 184; Rijal Kishi
6Ahsanul
Maqal, Vol. 2, Pg. 185
7Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2, Pg. 187
8Ahsanul Maqal,
Vol. 2, Pg. 188
9Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2, Pg. 190
=======================
Imam Mohamed Taqi(as) Companions and students
1- Abu Jafar Ahmad Ibne Muhammad Ibne Abi Nasr Bazanti Kufi
He was a companion of Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) and was considered among special
students of Imam Muhammad Taqi (a.s.). Such was the level of his veracity
that chain of narrators was not investigated of the tradition, related from
him and it was taken to be authentic as he has not narrated any tradition
from any unreliable reporter. He died in 221 A.H.1
2- Abu Muhammad Fazl Ibne Shazan Ibne Khalil Azdi Nishapuri
He is the author of 180 books and was an extremely reliable person. Imam
Hasan Askari (a.s.) had invoked mercy for him, once or twice. He lived for
years with people like Muhammad Ibne Abi Umair and Safwan Ibne Yahya and he
was a point of reference for traditions after them.2
3- Abu Tammam Habib Ibne Aws Tai
He was the best
poet of his age. In one panegyric, he has mentioned all the Imams till Imam
Jawad (a.s.) as he died during the lifetime of Imam Jawad (a.s.) only. Jahiz
has included him among leaders of Shia, which is the best evidence that he
was a Shia. Such was his memory that in addition to panegyrics, he knew
14000 poems by heart. His Hamasa is a masterpiece of literature, although
some bigoted people used to refrain from reading and writing his couplets.
Abu Tammam passed away in Mosul in 231 A.H. and his tomb is situated there.3
4- Abul Hasan Ali Ibne Mahziyar Ahwazi
In a
letter, Imam Jawad (a.s.) had written to him that I have tested you fully
from the aspect of accepting good advice, obedience, service and according
respect and found you one who fulfills all duties perfectly. If I say that I
have not seen anyone like you, I might not be untrue in my claim. Although
his father was a Christian, he gained such expertise in jurisprudence that
he became a special confidant of the Imam and also represented him in some
areas. On the contrary he continued to be the representative of Imam Ali
Naqi (a.s.) as well. 662 His brother, Ibrahim and son, Muhammad Ibne Ali,
are included among reliable companions of Imam Ali Naqi (a.s.).4
5- Thiqatul Islam Muhammad Ibne Abi Umair Baghdadi
Both friends and enemies have accepted his trustworthiness and majesty and
some have considered him to be superior to Yunus Ibne Abdur Rahman, while it
is famous that there is no jurist better than Salman Farsi and Yunus Ibne
Abdur Rahman. Under orders of Mamun Rashid, he was lashed 120 times by
Sanadi Shahik for the crime of being a Shia and then he was cast into prison
from which he was able to purchase his freedom with 121000 dirhams as Ibne
Umair was a wealthy man, or he would have remained in prison all his life.
After paying such huge amount in tax to the regime, he became absolutely
poor and the regime seized all his property. By chance a man had taken
borrowed 10000 dirham from him.
When he learnt about his circumstances he
sold his house and brought the amount to him. Ibne Abi Umair asked about the
source of that money and was told that he had sold his house. He said: Take
it back. My master, Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) has said that a man cannot be
compelled to sell his house to repay a loan, although right now I am in need
of every penny; but I cannot go against law of Shariah.5
6- Muhammad Ibne Sinan Abu Jafar Zahiri
Imam
Muhammad Taqi (a.s.) has spoken highly of him and stated that Almighty Allah
is pleased with him, because the Imam was pleased with him. He has neither
opposed me nor my father.
This last statement shows that there were
rumors about his opposition to the Imams and it was necessary for the Imam
to exonerate him.
It is mentioned in his biography that he lost his
eyesight and Imam Muhammad Taqi (a.s.) passed his hands over his eyes and
restored his vision. Therefore apart from being a center of the trust of the
Imam he was also a cause of miracle of the Imam. And only this much is
sufficient for his greatness and trustworthiness.6
7- Ayyub Ibne
Nuh Ibne Darraj Kufi
He was a reliable scholar and author of
books. He was also the representative of Imam Reza (a.s.) and Imam Jawad
(a.s.). 663 He was an extremely precautious and pious man.
8- Jafar Ibne Muhammad Ibne Yunus Ahwal
He was a
companion of Imam Reza (a.s.) and Imam Jawad (a.s.) and was a trustworthy
person.
9- Husain Ibne Saeed Ahwazi
He was a companion of
Imam Reza (a.s.), Imam Jawad (a.s.) and Imam Hadi (a.s.) and author of
around thirty books.7
10- Ali Ibne Asbat Ibne Saalim
He was a companion
of Imam Reza (a.s.) and Imam Jawad (a.s.) and a reliable man and author of
Tafseer. His veracity was famed and he was like a teacher to his companions.
1 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2, Pg. 229
2 Ahsanul Maqal,
Vol. 2, Pg. 230
3Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2, Pg. 232
4 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol.
2, Pg. 233
5 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2, Pg. 234
6Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2,
Pg. 236
7 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2, Pg. 280
============================================
Imam ALi Naqi (as) Companions
1- Husain Ibne Saeed Ibne Hammad Ibne Saeed Ibne Mahran
Ahwazi
He was originally from Kufa, but later on he had
relocated to Ahwaz. He is included among companions of Imam Ali Reza (a.s.),
Imam Jawad (a.s.) and Imam Hadi (a.s.). He passed away in Qom. He was the
author of thirty books and his brother, Hasan penned fifty books and
contributed in writing those thirty books also. The distinction of the books
of Husain Ibne Saeed Ahwazi is that they are presented as models. He brought
Ali Ibne Mahziyar, Ishaq Ibne Ibrahim Huzaini and Ali Ibne Rayyan to the
Imam and was instrumental in their conversion to Shia faith.1
2- Khairan, servant of Imam Ali Reza (a.s.)
He
also had got the honor of seeing three Imams and was among their confidants.
Imam Hadi (a.s.) has appointed him as his representative and asked him to
use his mind about adjudicating matters, as his opinion is same as opinion
of the Imam and his obedience is same as obedience of the Imam.2
3- Abu Hashim Jafar Dawood Ibne Qasim Ibne Ishaq
Ibne Abdullah Ibne Jafar Ibne Abi Talib He was present from the time of Imam
Reza (a.s.) to Imam Zamana (a.s.) and was also the representative of Imam
Zamana (a.s.). He was an extremely pious and religious person. He passed
away in 261 A.H. and was buried in Baghdad.
4- Abdul Azeem Ibne Abdullah Ibne Ali Ibne Hasan
Ibne Zaid Ibne Hasan Ibne Ali Ibne Abi Talib He is included among the
senior-most scholars of traditions, prominent learned men of his time and
the pious persons of Islam. He was a companion of Imam Hadi and Imam Jawad
(a.s.). He is the narrator of numerous traditional reports. Of is
distinctions is the fact that he got all his beliefs approved from Imam Ali
Naqi (a.s.): Monotheism, non-attribution of corporeality, creator of whole
universe; finality of prophethood of the Prophet of Islam; permanence of
Shariah of seal of the prophets, Imamate of Holy Imams (a.s.), Imam Ali
(a.s.), Hasan, Husain, Ali Ibnul Husain, Muhammad Ibne Ali, Jafar Ibne
Muhammad, Musa Ibne Jafar, Ali Ibne Musa, Muhammad Ibne 688 Ali, Ali Ibne
Muhammad. When Abdul Azeem stopped here, Imam (a.s.) said: After me, my son,
Hasan Askari (a.s.) and after him his son, the last Hujjat, whose name
cannot be pronounced before reappearance; he would go into occultation and
in the end he would reappear and fill up the earth with justice and equity.
After that His Eminence, Abdul Azeem mentioned that Meraj, questioning of
the grave, Paradise, Hell, Siraat Bridge, Mizan and Qiyamat were all true
and after beliefs, he mentioned practical acts like: prayers, Zakat, fast,
Hajj, Jihad, Amr bil Maroof and Nahy Anil Munkar. Imam (a.s.) said: Indeed
this is the religion that Almighty Allah has chosen for His servants.3
5- Ali Ibne Jafar Haminawi
He was a resident of
Baghdad suburbs and was the representative of Imam Hadi (a.s.). When
Mutawakkil learnt of this he threw him into prison and issued orders for his
execution. He requested the Imam to pray for him and when Imam prayed,
Mutawakkil fell suddenly ill and as ransom released all prisoners. Under
orders of Imam (a.s.), he moved to Mecca and settled down there.4
6- Ibne Sikkit Ibne Yaqub Ibne Ishaq Ahwazi
He
was among special companions of Imam Hadi and Imam Jawad (a.s.) and was an
expert of literature and grammar. So much so that Mutawakkil appointed him
as tutor of his sons. One day the tyrant asked: Who are superior, my sons or
Hasan and Husain? In reply, initially Ibne Sikkit mentioned the excellence
of Hasan and Husain and then said: Their slave, Qambar is also better than
you and your sons. Mutawakkil punished him by having his tongue pulled out
from behind his head and had him beaten so severely that he passed away.
Since he was mostly silent, he was referred to as Ibne Sikkit (silent).5
1 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2,
Pg. 280
2 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2, Pg. 280
3 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2, Pg.
281
4Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2, Pg. 282
5 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2, Pg. 282
================================
Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) Companions
1- Abu Ali Ahmad Ibne Ishaq Ibne Abdullah Ibne Saad Ibne
Malik Ahwas Ashari.
He was an extremely reliable, trusted and
pious man. He was from the companions of Imam Jawad, Imam Hadi and Imam
Askari (a.s.). Many prominent scholars came from his family and the Imam has
also praised him. He was also the representative of Imam (a.s.) and had the
honor of seeing Imam Zamana (a.s.). He requested Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.)
for shroud cloth and the Imam told him not to worry, ‘you will get it. Thus
when he died on road to Kermanshah, Imam (a.s.) sent his servant, Kafur with
the shroud and had him reach there miraculously. He gave the shroud and then
companions buried him after praying the funeral prayers.1
2- Ahmad Ibne Muhammad Ibne Mutahhir
He is called
as the special companion of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.), which is a rank above
ordinary companions and students. Thus during the last days of his Imamate,
Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) sent his mother for Hajj and appointed Ahmad Ibne
Muhammad in charge of the journey and said: Even if people return fearing
thirst, you must continue your journey; Insha Allah there is nothing to
fear.2
3- Abu Sahl Ismail Ibne Ali Ibne Ishaq Ibne Abi Sahl Ibne
Naubakht
He was the greatest theologian of Baghdad and possessed
a sort of ministership. He has authored a number of books on different
topics of which, Al-Anwaar fee Tarikhil Aimmatil Athar is particularly
famous. He had the honor of seeing Imam Zamana (a.s.) as well and when
Mansur Hallaj invited him claiming that he was the special representative of
Sahibul Amr, he wrote back: If you really have this post, prove it to me by
making the hair of my beard black and that I should not need to dye it.
Mansur realized his helplessness and refrained from replying; but Abu Sahl
mentioned this incident in gatherings all the time and degraded Mansur
forever and proved his claim baseless; otherwise there was a possibility
that a large number of people would have got deviated.
1 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2, Pg.
312; Kamaluddin, Shaykh Saduq
2 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2, Pg. 314;
Isbatul Wasiyya, Masudi
3 Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2, Pg. 315
716
==================================
Imam Mahdi (ajtfs) - Four Special Deputies
ZIYARAT OF Deputies
These gentlemen were entrusted with the task of deputation during
period of Minor Occultation, and they fulfilled the duties of an ambassador.
Their duty was not to deduce religious commandments through Quran and
Sunnah; their function was to carry problems of community to Imam Zamana
(a.t.f.s.), and after getting their reply convey it to the community.
Although this does not demand extraordinary knowledge, understanding and
expertise in deductions; and any generally qualified person can fulfill this
task, but keeping in mind the circumstances of a lengthy occultation, Imam
Asr (a.t.f.s.) selected in that period, persons who were highly learned and
of excellent character, so that the community be aware even during Minor
Occultation, that deputation of Imam (a.s.) cannot be performed by any
common man. And also realize that self-knowledge and understanding is not to
be used, and God forbid, if there is breach of trust, Imam is present there
to correct it, and his connection with the community is in force. Therefore
such high caliber persons were selected. So that when the stage comes of
utilizing expertise of Ijtihad and all apparent connections of the reforming
Imam would be severed how important would be the loftiness of knowledge and
deeds of deputies and advocates of that time? And the Holy Imams have
clearly hinted so in their respective periods about qualities of points of
reference of religious commandments.
Following in brief are biographies
of four Special Deputies of Imam Asr (a.t.f.s.):1
1- Uthman bin Saeed Amri
He was a companion and
special representative of Imam Ali Naqi and Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.).2 As a
cover, Uthman traded in edible oils and had set up a shop so that monies of
Imam may be collected from those who came in guise of customers, and also to
deliver the answers of their questions received from Imam (a.s.); due to
this he is also called Samman (butter seller).3
Ahmed Ibne Ishaq Qummi, a
renowned scholar, says that I said to Imam Ali Naqi (a.s.): “My master, many
a time, I go away and then come to your vicinity, yet I am still not able to
find access to you every time I come. So whose word should we accept and
whose order should we obey?” The Imam (a.s.) said: “This is Abu Amr. He is
trustworthy and honest. He is the trustworthy man of the past and my man of
trust in my lifetime and after my death. Whatever he says to you, he says it
from us; whatever he delivers to you, he does so from me.” And after the
demise of tenth Imam, I asked Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.), he replied exactly
in the same manner. With regard to a group coming from Yemen, Imam said to
Saeed: Go and collect the funds from them as you are trustworthy, and when
people asked: You have raised his status too high, Imam replied: Uthman Ibne
Saeed is my representative, and his son is the representative of my son.
After the martyrdom of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.), Imam Asr (a.t.f.s.) too
retained Uthman Ibne Saeed as his representative. As a special deputy and
representative of Holy Imams (a.s.), he displayed such wonders that people
were amazed. He informed about the amount of money and distinguished lawful
and unlawful amounts without looking, and mostly replied without hearing the
questions.4
We should know that this testimony from Imam Ali Naqi (a.s.)
and Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) that “his word is my word and his message is my
message”, hints at such a position, for which he can be considered as Imams
righteous follower and ‘secure from mistakes also. Alas! If any claimant of
faith could have got this certificate from Infallible! The period of Uthman
Ibne Saeeds deputyship was five years.
2- Muhammad Ibne
Uthman Ibne Saeed Amri
He was also appointed by Imam Hasan
Askari (a.s.) as the representative of his son. But when Uthman Ibne Saeed
passed away, a letter of condolence arrived from Imam Zamana (a.t.f.s.) as
follows: “Indeed we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return! We submit to
His command and are satisfied with His decree. Your father has lived in good
fortune and has passed away with dignity. May Allahs mercy be upon him, he
has joined his friends and masters. Your father was always in the affair of
the Imams (a.s.) and whatever would bring him near to Allah. May Allah
brighten his countenance! May Allah give you more reward…and from the
success of that departed one it is sufficient that he had a son like you,
who would succeed him in his place and invoke mercy for him. And I also say
that thanks be to my Lord, because the hearts of Shias are happy because of
what Allah had made in you. May Allah help you and make you succeed. May He
be your guardian and protector.”
Allamah Majlisi (r.a.) mentions
referring Ghaibat Tusi that after the death of Uthman Ibne Saeed, Imam Asr
(a.t.f.s.) sent this message about his son: “And his son, may Allah protect
him, has always been our man of trust during lifetime of his father (a.s.).
He is to us like his father and in his place. He orders according to our
command and according to our command he acts. May Allah protect him from all
calamities.”6 The pious daughter of Muhammad Ibne Uthman Ibne Saeed, Umme
Kulthum says: Abu Jafar Muhammad Ibne Uthman Amari had a number of books. He
had written them on the subject of fiqh on the basis of his learning from
Abu Muhammad Hasan (a.s.) and the Patron (a.s.) and from his father Uthman
Ibne Saeed, who had procured his knowledge from Abu Muhammad and from Ali
Ibne Muhammad (a.s.). They included books titled The Books of Drinks.
Kabira, mother of Kulthum, daughter of Abu Jafar (a.s.) mentioned that the
books reached Abul Qasim Husain Ibne Ruh at the time of the final will to
him and they remained in his possession.
According to Muhammad Ibne
Uthman Ibne Saeed, Imam Zamana (a.t.f.s.) comes to Hajj every year and even
meets the people, but people cannot recognize him; as I too last met him in
the Hajj while he was busy reciting this supplication near Kaaba, “O Allah!
Fulfill my promise!” and then went near Mustajaar and recited this Dua, “O
Allah! Give me the opportunity to take revenge from enemies.”8
He
functioned as a special representative for forty years.
3-
Husain Ibne Rauh
He was a special friend of Muhammad Ibne
Uthman, but outwardly his position was lesser than Jafar bin Ahmad and
people thought the fourth deputy would be Jafar bin Ahmad. So when the last
moments of Muhammad Ibne Uthman arrived, Jafar bin Ahmad sat by his head and
Husain Ibne Rauh at his feet. But as soon as Muhammad Ibne Uthman read the
message of Imam (a.s.) that Husain Ibne Rauh has been appointed as special
deputy, immediately Jafar bin Ahmad made him sit at the head and himself sat
at his feet, as no one is more aware of circumstances better than Imam
(a.s.), and it is our duty to submit before his command.9 In some
narrations, it is mentioned that he (Husain Ibne Rauh) was more competent in
preserving secrets of Imamate, and his behavior with all the people was such
that everyone thought him to be having similar views and was proud that
Husain Ibne Rauh was associated with them. And in those days of deputation
and legateship more importance was accorded to secrecy and determination
rather than excellence in knowledge, as even in thousands of calamities,
security of Imamate should not be compromised at any cost.10
Imams
descriptions for Husain Ibne Rauh were thus, “We know him, may Allah let him
know all that is good, and His pleasure, and may He render him fortuitous by
success. We came across his letter. He is our man of trust on the position
he is. He is before us in the position and rank that please him. May Allah
increase His favors upon him; He is the All-Mighty Guardian. And praise
belongs to Allah; there is no partner for Him. And may Allah bless His
Messenger, Muhammad and his Progeny and salute them many salutations.” His
period of special deputation was twenty-one years.11
4- Abul
Hasan Ali Ibne Muhammad Samari
He was appointed by Husain Ibne
Rauh, on Imams order, and he fulfilled duties of deputation and
ambassadorship in an orderly manner, passing on monies of people to Imam
(a.s.) until his last moments approached and people inquired: Who will be
your successor? He replied: It is not in my authority as Allah best knows
His ways, and this is the message from Imam, which I received just now:12
“In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate. “O Ali Ibne Muhammad
Saymoori, may Allah enhance the reward of your brothers for you, as you
shall die within six days. Tie up your affairs together and do not appoint
any successor to carry out your duties after your final transfer. The full
occultation has begun and there shall be no appearance but after Divine
permission, high His name is, and that shall be after lengthy times, and the
hardening of the hearts, and the earths repletion with inequity. Individuals
who will claim they have seen me will come to my Shia. Behold, whoever
claims seeing me before rise of Sufyani and the call, is a liar and a
slanderer. And there is no power except through Allah, the High, the
Great.”13
Along with prohibiting successorship and legateship the mention
of claimants of Mushahida (meeting at will) with Imam is clear proof that it
does not denote that encounter means casual meeting; on the contrary
Mushahida means deputyship in which regular meetings are held and messages
are exchanged. Imam has rejected such encounters and called the claimants of
such representation as liars and slanderers. If the meeting is one sided and
someone describes his meeting or asks something on any occasion from Imam
(a.s.), or seeks help in any problem and he is guided; all these things are
beyond the limits of an encounter. In fact a person claiming encounter says:
Hand over your problems and monies to me and in my next meeting I will
present them to Imam (a.s.), and get the replies from him. Such claims, in
fact, are claims of special deputyship, which was related to Minor
Occultation, and in Major Occultation no such arrangement exists.14
After
this analysis, the subject of meeting Imam Asr (a.t.f.s.) is absolutely
clear, but two things are worth noting:
1- A person should be confident
that he is Imam Asr (a.t.f.s), the devil should not deceive in the name of
Imam (a.s.), and a person should pass away from the world in this fraud.
2- The meeting should be kept secret and not made public, because he does
not have any proof, and in this way everyone gets the right to reject, and
this, at times may become the rejection of Imams meeting or even construe to
be an insult to the Imam; the responsibility of which rests on claimant, as
the rejector still have the right to reject. His period of special
deputation was only for three years and after that Major Occultation began.
1 Whose details are mentioned in Kifayatul
Muwahhideen;
Ahsanul Maqal, Vol. 2, Chap. 14, Part 8, Pg. 436
761
