Kitab al-Ghayba: The Book of Occultation

Chapter 11: Being patient in waiting for deliverance

1 - حدثنا أحمد بن محمد بن سعيد بن عقدة الكوفي قال: حدثنا أحمد بن يوسف

(1) Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Sa'eed bin Oqda al-Kufi narrated from Ahmad bin Yousuf bin Ya'qoob al-Ju’fi Abul Hasan from Issma'eel bin Mihran from al-Hasan bin Ali bin Abu Hamza from his father and Wuhayb bin Hafs from Abu Baseer that Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) had said: My father (as) has said to me:

There must be a fire (war) from Azerbaijan that leaves nothing. If it occurs, then you are to stay at homes and remain as we have remained. If our revolter (al-Qa'im) rises, you are to hasten to join him even crawling. By Allah, as if I see him between the temple (of Abraham) and the corner (of the Kaaba) being paid homage on a new covenant. He will be severe with the Arabs. Woe unto the arrogants of the Arabs from an evil that is about to come.”[^1]

2 - حدثنا أحمد بن محمد بن سعيد، عن بعض رجاله، عن علي بن عمارة الكناني،

(2) Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Sa'eed narrated from some of his companions from Ali bin Imara al-Kinani from Muhammad bin Sinan that Abul Jarood had said: I said to Abu Ja'far al-Baqir (as): Please, advise me!” He said:

“I advise you to fear Allah, to stay at home and to be away from these masses of people. Beware of the Kharijites[^2] because they are not on the straight path nor will they get to a pleasant end. Know that the Umayyads have a strong rule that people can not stand against. Know that the faithful people will have a state. If that happens, Allah will entrust one of us with it. If anyone of you lives until that time, he will be with us in the highest position (of Paradise) and if he dies before that, Allah will choose to him as He wills. Know that no group rising to resist oppression or to defend faith unless death is the end until a group, that has fought with the Prophet (S) in the battle of Badr and whose killed ones are not buried, whose felled ones are not lifted and whose wounded ones are not cured, rises.”

I asked: “Who are they?”

He said: “The angels.”[^3]

3 - وأخبرنا أحمد بن محمد بن سعيد قال: حدثني علي بن الحسن التيملي قال:

(3) Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Sa'eed narrated from Ali bin al-Hasan at-Taymali from al-Hasan and Muhammad the sons of Ali bin Yousuf from their father from Ahmad bin Ali al-Halabi from Salih bin Abul Aswad that Abul Jarood had said: I heard Abu Ja'far al-Baqir (as) saying:

“None of us, Ahlul Bayt, resisting an oppression or inviting for a truth, unless death is his end until a group, that has fought in the battle of Badr and whose killed ones are not buried and whose wounded ones are not cured, rises.”

I said: “Whom do you mean?”

He said: “The angels.”[^4]

4 - حدثنا محمد بن همام ومحمد بن الحسن بن محمد بن جمهور جميعاً، عن

(4) Muhammad bin Hammam and Muhammad bin al-Hasan bin Muhammad bin Jumhoor narrated from al-Hasan bin Muhammad bin Jumhoor from his father from Suma’a bin Mihran from Abul Jarood from al-Qassim bin al-Waleed al-Hamadani from al-Harith al-A’war al-Hamadani that Amirul Mo'mineen (as) had said from above the minbar:

“If al-Khattab is perished, the imam of the age disappears and the hearts begin to turn here and there; some fertile and some barren, then the ill-wishers will perish, the vanishers will vanish and the believers will remain and how few they will be; three hundred or a little more! A group that has fought with the Prophet (S) in the battle of Badr, that none of them has been killed or has died, will fight with them (with the imam and his followers).”[^5]

Imam Ali (as) means that when the imam of the age (al-Mahdi) disappears from the sight of people, the Shia becomes confused and they disagree among themselves. Some of them still keep to the truth (fertile hearts) and others deviate from the truth (barren hearts). Then he says that the ill-wishers will be perished because they do not submit to Allah and they want Him to hasten His order. They see that the period become too long and so they perish before the coming of deliverance. Allah saves the patient and submissive believers and rewards them with what they deserve.

They are the few true believers as Imam Ali has said that they are three hundred ones or a little more, whom Allah qualifies to support His guardian and to fight His enemy. They are the rulers, the viziers and the assistants of al-Qa'im (as) over the world after the war comes to an end and the world enjoys peace. Then Imam Ali (as) says that “A group that has fought with the Prophet (S) in the battle of Badr and that none of them has been killed or has died will fight with them.” He means that Allah will assist al-Qa'im (as) with the three hundred or more of the angels, who have assisted the Prophet (S) and his companions in the battle of Badr.

5 - أخبرنا أحمد بن محمد بن سعيد قال: حدثنا حميد بن زياد الكوفي، قال:

(5) Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Sa'eed narrated from Hameed bin Ziyad al-Kufi from Ali bin as-Sabah bin ad-Dhahhak from Ja'far bin Muhammad bin Suma’a from Sayf at-Tammar from Abul Murhaf that Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) had said:

“The hasteners will perish and those nearest to Allah will be saved! Keep to your homes because seditions will be against those, who cause them! Whenever they wish you a distress, Allah afflicts them with what makes them busy away from you except those, who follow them.”[^6]

6 - حدثنا أحمد بن محمد بن سعيد قال: حدثني يحيى بن زكريا بن شيبان، قال:

(6) Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Sa'eed narrated from Yahya bin Zakariyya bin Shayban from Yousuf bin Kulayb al-Mass’oodi from al-Hakam bin Sulayman from Muhammad bin Kuthayr that Abu Bakr al-Hadhrami had said: Once Abban and I came to Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) when the black banners (revolts) had been raised in Khurasan (Persia). We asked him: “What do you think about that?” He said:

“Stay at home and when you see us agree unanimously upon a man, then hurry to us with your weapons.”[^7]

7 - وحدثنا محمد بن همام قال: حدثني جعفر بن محمد بن مالك الفزاري، قال:

(8) Muhammad bin Hammam narrated from Ja’far bin Muhammad bin Malik al-Fazari from Muhammad bin Ahmad from Ali bin Asbat from some of his companions that Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) had said:

“Keep silent and remain in your houses because no bad will afflict you especially, which will afflict the rest of people, and as long as the (revolutionary) Zaydites[^8] will be as a frontstead between you and the governments.”

8 - وحدثنا علي بن أحمد قال: حدثنا عبيد الله بن موسى العلوي، عن محمد بن

(8) Ali bin Ahmad narrated from Obaydillah bin Musa al-Alawi from Muhammad bin Musa from Ahmad bin Abu Ahmad from Muhammad bin Ali from Ali bin Hassaan that Abdurrahman bin Kuthayr had said: One day I was with Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) and Muhzim al-Asadi was there too. Muhzim said to Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as), “May Allah make me die for you! When will this matter, which you are waiting for, take place? It has been delayed too much.” Abu Abdullah (as) said:

“O Muhzim, the ill-whishers have told lies, the hasteners will perish and the believers will be saved and will be with us.”[^9]

9 - علي بن أحمد، عن عبيد الله بن موسى العلوي، قال: حدثنا علي بن الحسن،

(9) Ali bin Ahmad narrated from Obaydillah bin Musa al-Alawi from Ali bin al-Hasan from Ali bin Hassaan from Abdurrahman bin Kuthayr that Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) had said when talking about the Qur’anic verse, “Allah's commandment has come, therefore do not desire to hasten it”[^10]

“It is our matter. Allah the Almighty has ordered not to hasten it until He assists it with three armies; the angels, the believers and fright. His (al-Qa'im’s) advent will be like the advent of the Prophet (S) as Allah has said, “Even as your Lord caused you to go forth from your house with the truth.[^11]”[^12]

10 - أخبرنا محمد بن همام ومحمد بن الحسن بن محمد بن جمهور جميعاً، عن

(10) Muhammad bin Hammam and Muhammad bin al-Hasan bin Muhammad bin Jumhoor narrated from al-Hasan bin Muhammad bin Jumhoor from his father from Suma’a bin Mihran from Salih bin Maytham and Yahya bin Sabiq that Abu Ja'far al-Baqir (as) had said:

“The hasteners will perish and those nearest to Allah will be saved! After distress there will be a wonderful deliverance!”[^13]

11 - وحدثنا أحمد بن محمد بن سعيد بن عقدة قال: حدثنا أحمد بن يوسف بن

(11) Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Sa'eed bin Oqda narrated from Ahmad bin Yousuf bin Ya'qoob al-Ju’fi from Issma'eel bin Mihran from al-Hasan bin Ali bin Abu Hamza from al-Hakam bin Ayman from Dhurays al-Kinasi from Abu Khalid al-Kabuli that Ali bin al-Husayn as-Sajjad[^14] (as) had said:

“I wish I was permitted to talk to people three times (about three things) and then Allah might do to me whatever He liked. But it is the will of Allah that we are to be patient and to wait.”

Then he recited this Qur’anic verse: “And most certainly you will come to know about it after a time”[^15] and then he recited, “And you shall certainly hear from those who have been given the Book before you and from those who are polytheists much annoying talk; and if you are patient and guard (against evil), surely this is one of the affairs (which should be) determined upon).[^16]”[^17]

12 - علي بن أحمد قال: حدثنا عبيد الله بن موسى العلوي، عن علي بن

(12) Ali bin Ahmad narrated from Obaydillah bin Musa al-Alawi from Ali bin Ibraheem bin Hashim from Ali bin Issma'eel from Hammad bin Eessa from Ibraheem bin Umar al-Yamani from Abut-Tufayl that Abu Ja'far Muhammad bin Ali al-Baqir (as) had said:

Once ibn Abbas sent a messenger to Ali bin al-Husayn as-Sajjad (as) asking him about this Qur’anic verse, “O you who believe! Be patient and excel in patience and remain steadfast.”[^18] Ali bin al-Husayn (as) became angry and said to the messenger: “I wish that he, who has sent you with this, faced me with it.” Then he said: “This verse has been revealed about my father and us. Perseverance that we have been ordered of has not occurred yet. It will be for some of our descendants.” Then he added: “From his (ibn Abbas’s) progeny there are some descendants created to be in Hell. They will deviate great masses of people from the religion of Allah. The earth will be dyed with the blood of the descendants of Muhammad’s progeny. Those descendants will rise in unsuitable times and ask for unattainable things. The believers will remain steadfast and persevere until Allah determines and He is the best of judges.”[^19]

13 - حدثنا علي بن أحمد، عن عبيد الله بن موسى، عن هارون بن مسلم، عن

(13) Ali bin Ahmad narrated from Obaydillah bin Musa from Haroon bin Muslim from al-Qassim bin Orwa from Burayd bin Mo’awiya al-Ijli that Abu Ja'far al-Baqir (as) had said when talking about the Qur’anic verse, “Be patient and excel in patience and remain steadfast.”

“Be patient in offering the obligations, persevere before your enemies and wait for your expected imam.”[^20]

14 - حدثنا محمد بن همام قال: حدثنا جعفر بن محمد بن مالك قال: حدثني

(14) Muhammad bin Hammam narrated from Ja'far bin Muhammad bin Malik from Ahmad bin Ali al-Ju’fi from Muhammad bin al-Muthanna al-Hadhrami from his father from Uthman bin Zayd from Jabir that Abu Ja'far al-Baqir (as) had said:

“The advent of al-Qa'im (as) is like the advent of the messenger of Allah (as). If any of us, Ahlul Bayt, rises before the advent of al-Qa'im (as), he will be like a young bird that flies and falls down and then children play with it.”[^21]

15 - حدثنا علي بن أحمد، عن عبيد الله بن موسى، عن أحمد بن الحسين، عن

(15) Ali bin Ahmad narrated from Obaydillah bin Musa from Ahmad bin al-Husayn from Ali bin Aqaba from Musa bin Akeel an-Nimyari from al-Ala’ bin Sayaba that Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) had said:

“Whoever of you dies while still believing in this matter and waiting (for the expected imam) is like one, who will be in the camp of al-Qa'im (as).”[^22]

16 - حدثنا أحمد بن محمد بن سعيد بن عقدة قال: حدثنا أحمد بن يوسف بن

(16) Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Sa'eed bin Oqda narrated from Ahmad bin Yousuf bin Ya'qoob al-Ju’fi Abul Hasan from Issma'eel bin Mihran from al-Hasan bin Ali bin Abu Hamza from his father and Wuhayb bin Hafs from Abu Baseer that Abu Abdullah as-Sadiq (as) had said one day:

“Do I tell you of that which Allah does not accept any doing from His people except with?”

The narrator said: “Yes, please!”

He said: “Witnessing that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, submitting to the orders of Allah, believing in the guardianship of the infallible imams, submitting to them and disavowing their enemies, piety, sincerity of faith and waiting for al-Qa'im (as). There will be a state for us, Ahlul Bayt. Allah achieves that when He wills. Whoever likes to be one of al-Qa'im’s companions has to wait while being pious and acting morally. If that one dies before the advent of al-Qa'im (as), he will be rewarded as if he has accompanied al-Qa'im (as). Try your best (in being pious) and wait. How lucky you are, O you the mercified group!”[^23]

17 - علي بن أحمد، عن عبيد الله بن موسى العلوي، عن محمد بن الحسين، عن

(17) Ali bin Ahmad narrated from Obaydillah bin Musa al-Alawi from Muhammad bin al-Husayn from Muhammad bin Sinan from Ammar bin Marwan from Munakhkhal bin Jameel from Jabir bin Yazeed that Abu Ja'far al-Baqir (as) had said:

“Be quiet as long as the Heaven and the earth are quiet! Do not rebel against any one. Your matter is clear and not vague but it is a sign from Allah and not from people. It is brighter than the sun. It is neither ignored by a pious nor by a dissolute. Do you see morning? It is like morning, which is clear to everyone.”[^24]

[^1]: Biharul Anwar, vol.52 p.135.

[^2]: A sect of the Muslims that had seceded from Imam Ali (as) and had not believed in the infallible imams of Ahlul Bayt.

[^3]: Ithbat al-Hudat, vol.3 p.536, Biharul Anwar, vol.52 p.136, Mustadrak al-Wassa’il, vol.11 p.35, Mo’jam Ahadeeth al-Imam al-Mahdi, vol.3 p.267.

[^4]: Mustadrak al-Wassa’il, vol.11 p.36, Mo’jam Ahadeeth al-Imam al-Mahdi, vol.3 p.266.

[^5]: Biharul Anwar, vol.52 p.137, Mo’jam Ahadeeth al-Imam al-Mahdi, vol.3 p.103.

[^6]: Biharul Anwar, vol.52 p.138.

[^7]: Hilyatul Abrar, vol.2 p.644, Biharul Anwar, vol.52 p.138, Mustadrak al-Wassa’il, vol.11 p.36, Mo’jam Ahadeeth al-Imam al-Mahdi, vol.3 p.465.

[^8]: A sect of Shi'ite Muslims owing allegiance to Zayd ibn 'Ali, grandson of Husayn ibn 'Ali. Doctrinally the Zaydiyah are closer to the majority Sunnites than are the other Shi'ites.

[^9]: Al-Kafi, vol.1 p.368, al-Imama wet Tabsira p.95, al-Ghayba by at-Toossi p.262, Biharul Anwar, vol.52 p.103, Mo’jam Ahadeeth al-Imam al-Mahdi, vol.3 p.379.

[^10]: Qur'an, 16:1.

[^11]: Qur'an, 8:5.

[^12]: Ta’weel al-Aayat, vol.1 p.252, Ithbat al-Hudat, vol.3 p.562, Hilyatul Abrar, vol.2 p.626, Tafseer al-Burhan, vol.2 p.359, al-Mahajja p.114, Biharul Anwar, vol.52 p.356, Mo’jam Ahadeeth al-Imam al-Mahdi, vol.5 p.209.

[^13]: Biharul Anwar, vol.52 p.139, Mo’jam Ahadeeth al-Imam al-Mahdi, vol.3 p.224.

[^14]: He is the fourth imam of the Shia.

[^15]: Qur'an, 38:88.

[^16]: Qur'an, 3:186.

[^17]: Tafseer al-Ayyashi, vol.1 p.211, Biharul Anwar, vol.68 p.223, vol.71 p.423.

[^18]: Qur'an, 3:200.

[^19]: Biharul Anwar, vol.24 p.219.

[^20]: Ta'weel al-Aayat, vol.1 p.127, Ithbat al-Hudat, vol.3 p.531, Ghayatul Maram p.408, al-Mahajja p.52, Tafseer al-Burhan, vol.1 p.334, Biharul Anwar, vol.24 p.219.

[^21]: Biharul Anwar, vol.52 p.139.

[^22]: Al-Mahasin p.173, Mo’jam Ahadeeth al-Imam al-Mahdi, vol.3 p.402.

[^23]: Ithbat al-Hudat, vol.3 p.536, Biharul Anwar, vol.52 p.140, Mo’jam Ahadeeth al-Imam al-Mahdi, vol.3 p.417.

[^24]: Biharul Anwar, vol.52 p.139.