Question 104 - The Enlightening Answer Across the Ether, Vol 2

Source footnotes

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↑ [204] The Imams (a) stated explicitly in many narrations that the Proof over creation must be expressly designated in the testament of the Messenger of Allah (s), in which he designated the proofs until the Day of Resurrection. Al-Harith ibn al-Mughira said: I asked Abu Abdullah (a), ‘By what is the possessor of this matter known?’ He said: ‘By tranquility, dignity, knowledge, and the testament.’ Basair al-Darajat by Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Saffar, p. 509. Abu Abdullah (a) also said: ‘… The possessor of this matter is known by three qualities not found in anyone else: he has the greatest right to the one before him and is his vicegerent; he possesses the weapon of the Messenger of Allah (s) and his testament. That is with me, and I am not disputed concerning it …’ Al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 379. No one can therefore be a proof over creation unless he is mentioned in the testament of the Messenger of Allah (s). Here is the text of the testament: … Abu Abdullah Jafar ibn Muhammad narrated from his father al-Baqir, from his father Dhu al-Thafanat, Master of the Worshippers, from his father al-Husayn, the pure martyr, from his father, the Commander of the Faithful (a), who said: ‘On the night of his death, the Messenger of Allah (s) said to Ali (a): “O Abu al-Hasan, bring a sheet and an inkwell.” The Messenger of Allah (s) dictated his testament until he reached this point, then said: “O Ali, after me there will be twelve Imams, and after them twelve Mahdis. You, O Ali, are the first of the twelve Imams. Allah the Exalted named you in His heaven Ali al-Murtada, the Commander of the Faithful, the Greatest Truthful One, the Greatest Distinguisher, the Trusted One, and the Mahdi. These names are not valid for anyone other than you. O Ali, you are my vicegerent over my Ahl al-Bayt, their living and their dead, and over my wives. Whomever you retain will meet me tomorrow, and whomever you divorce, I am disassociated from her; she will neither see me nor will I see her in the courtyard of the Resurrection. You are my caliph over my nation after me. When death comes to you, hand it over to my son al-Hasan, the righteous and connected one. When death comes to him, let him hand it over to my son al-Husayn, the pure, murdered martyr. When death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son, the Master of the Worshippers and possessor of calluses, Ali. When death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son Muhammad al-Baqir. When death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son Jafar al-Sadiq. When death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son Musa al-Kadhim. When death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son Ali al-Rida. When death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son Muhammad, the trustworthy and Godwary. When death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son Ali, the sincere adviser. When death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son al-Hasan, the virtuous. When death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son Muhammad, the Preserver from the family of Muhammad. These are the twelve Imams. Then after him there will be twelve Mahdis. When death comes to him, let him hand it over to his son, the first of the close ones (the Mahdis). He has three names: a name like my name and my father’s name-Abdullah and Ahmed-and the third name is al-Mahdi. He is the first of the believers.”’ Al-Ghayba by al-Tusi, pp. 107–108, and other reliable and accepted sources. (Commentator.)

↑ [205] Abu al-Hasan al-Rida (a) said: ‘Balam ibn Baura was given the Greatest Name. He would supplicate through it and his supplication would be answered, but he inclined toward Pharaoh. When Pharaoh set out in pursuit of Moses and his companions, Pharaoh said to Balam: “Supplicate to Allah against Moses and his companions so that He will detain them for us.” He mounted his she-donkey to go in pursuit of Moses, but his she-donkey refused him. He began beating her, so Allah, Mighty and Majestic, gave her speech, and she said: “Woe to you! Why do you beat me? Do you want me to go with you so that you may supplicate against Allah’s prophet and a believing people?” He continued beating her until he killed her, and the Name was stripped from his tongue. This is His word: “He stripped himself of them, so Satan followed him and he became one of those who went astray. Had We willed, We would have raised him through them, but he clung to the earth and followed his desire. His likeness is like that of a dog: if you attack it, it pants, and if you leave it, it pants.” This is a likeness He set forth.’ Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 13, p. 377. Sulayman al-Labban said: Abu Jafar (a) said, ‘Do you know the likeness of al-Mughira ibn Said?’ I said, ‘No.’ He said: ‘His likeness is that of Balam, who was given the Greatest Name, concerning whom Allah said: “We gave him Our signs, but he stripped himself of them, so Satan followed him and he became one of those who went astray.”’ Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 13, p. 379. (Commentator.)