the Life of Imām 'ali Bin Mūsā Al-ridā

Chapter Xii

HIS COMPANIONS AND NARRATORS OF HIS TRADITIONS

Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him,  was, in his time, the giant of Islamic thought and the most learned person on the face of the earth, as al-Mmūn said. He supplied Islamic world with all  elements of progress and renaissance. He employed the Prophetic Mosque, may Allah increase it in honor, as an institute for his lessons and lectures. The religious scholars, the narrators, and the students of jurisprudence surrounded him, while he was twenty and some years old.[1] They recorded his verdicts, his marvelous wise sayings, and arts.

The religious scholars found in his traditions knowledge similar to that of his grandfather, the Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family, the first Inspirer of the ideological and scientific matters on earth; they came to know that he was as brilliant as his forefathers, the pure Imām, the pioneers of the cultural and scientific renaissance in the world of Islam. The narrators said: There are no seven noble persons on earth from whom the Shia (khas) and non-Shia (ām) wrote traditions except Ali b. Mūsā (al-Ridā), peace be on him.[2]

The religious scholars took great care of his traditions to the extent that when he passed through Nisābūr (Iran), they gathered around him. Their number was more than twenty thousand persons. They held ink pots and asked him to relate to them the traditions of his

[1] Tahdhib al-Tahdhib.
[2] Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 12, p. 29.

grandfather, Allahs Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family. He narrated to them the tradition called al-hadith al-dhahabi (the Golden Tradition), as we will mention it. As the tradition was of great importance, one of the Sām`ni Emirs ordered it to be written in gold and to be buried with him.[1] Some students of his grandfather, Imām al-Sādiq, peace be on him, and of his father Imām Mūsā, peace be on him, narrated (traditions) on his authority.[2] A group of the religious scholars who were coincided with him also narrated from him. We will present the biographies of his companions and the narrators of his traditions. That is because, as we think, they will complete the research on the personality of the Imām and shows a side of his scientific life. (They are as follows:)

1. Ibrāhim Bin al-Abbās

b. Mohammed al-Sawli, the great, inspired poet. He was given the kunya of Abū Ishāq. He was the most brilliant poet of his time and best of all the poets in showing friendship and love toward the Imāms of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. There were close ties between him and Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him. He showed deep, sincere love toward Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him. We will present some sides of his life.

His Paying a Visit to the Imām

Ibrāhim along with Dibil al-Khazāi, the poet of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, visited Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him. That was when al-Mamūn pledged allegiance to him and appointed him as his successor. Dibil recited to him his everlasting poem, which is regarded as one of the Arab excellent poems. We will mention it in his biography. Then Ibrāhim recited to him his poem of which nothing is known except this line:

The murders of the children of the Prophet, Mohammed,

have removed the comfort of the heart after endurance.

[1] Akhbār al-Diwal, p. 115.
[2] Al-Barqi, Rijāl, p. 53.

This poetry line shows the sufferings and sorrow of al-Sawli toward the trials and tribulations which the enemy of Islam wreaked upon the Household of the Prophet. I (i.e. the author) think that the whole poem is good and firm and is regarding the lamentation for the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. When he had finished reciting it, the Imām  gave them twenty thousand of the dirhams which held his holy name. As for Dibil, he took his prize and went to (the holy city) of Qum. There the people bought each dirham for ten dirhams, hence he bought his portion for one hundred thousand dirhams. As for Ibrāhim b. al-Abbās, he kept some of the dirhams until he died.[1]

The following lines are some of his poetry on praising Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him:

Ones actions are a sufficient, just witness for his being the most knowledgeable of his people.[2]

I can see that they have a modern one, but the modern is

not similar to the old (in their good deeds).[3]

He (al-Mamūn) bestows upon you through your own

properties, and you are given one percent.[4]

May Allah not praise him who seeks the help of your

enemies and praises them.

[1] Al-Murtadā, al-Amāli, vol. 1, p. 485. In (the book) A'yān al-Shi'a (vol. 6, p. 16), it has been mentioned: "The (poetry) lines which have been composed by Ibrāhim were written on the backof a notebook and there was a signature at the bottom of them ('matūq khā'if), and that he used them metaphorically for his praising him.
[2] Regarding his explaining this poetry line, al-Sayyid al-Amin has said: "The deeds of the family of Abū Tālib are an enough witness of their good origin."
[3] Al-Sayyid al-Amin has commented on this poetry line, saying: "He (the poet) has used it metaphorically for the children of al-'Abbās that they had a modern one who undertook the caliphate, but he was not similar to their religion in his good deeds."
[4] Ibrāhim has not mentioned the names of the addressed ones; surely he means the family of Abū Tālib and at their top is Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and that al-Ma'mūn bestowed upon them when he gave them some gifts which were of their properties."

You have preferred your partner, who is a close relative,

just as the parent prefers his own son.[1]

These lines show his deep faith in the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, and his friendship toward them. He metaphorically used these lines for them, for he was afraid of the tyrannical authority which punished due to doubt and accusation all those who showed friendship toward the Family of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family.

Examples of his Poetry

Al-Sawlis poems are regarded as part of wonderful Arab poetry. The following lines are some of his chosen poems:

A visit has brought near men to each other in spite of their being far, and the shrine of Laylā has become distant in spite of its being near.

And (the houses) standing at Munrajj al-Liwā are nearer (to me) than (the shrine of) Laylā; and that is her house.[2]

The following lines belong to him:

One maybe tired of a misfortune and the escape from it is

with Allah.

It (the misfortune) became more intense.

When its episodes intensified, it was driven away, while I

thought that it would not be driven away.[3]

The following lines belong to him too:

You were the iris of my eyeball, so the eye wept for you.

Whoever desires to die after you, then let him die. For I

took care of you.[4]

[1] The one addressed in his words 'you have preferred' is al-Ridā the great Imām, peace be on him, and his partner is al-Ma'mūn.
[2] Ibn Khullakān, Wafayāt al-A'yān, vol. 1, p. 25.
[3] Ibid., p. 29.
[4] Ibid.

His Burning the Divan of his Poetry

Ibrāhim was the friend of Ishāq b. Ibrāhim, so he wrote a copy of his poetry concerning Imām Ali b. Mūsā al-Ridā, peace be on him, and gave it to him. The copy remained with him until al-Mutawakkil, the tyrannical, became a caliph.  Ibrāhim was in charge of expenditure for al-Mutawakkil. Separation and hate took place between Ibrāhim and Ishāq, hence Ibrāhim removed him from some expenditures which were at his hand, asked him for some money, insisted on it, and demanded him in a bad manner. Hence Ishāq summoned one of his trustworthy brothers and said to him: Go to Ibrāhim b. al-Abbās and say to him: Your poetry concerning Ali b. Mūsā in your own handwriting and other than your handwriting is with Ishāq. By Allah, if you continue wronging him and do not refrain from asking him (for money), he will hand over (your) poetry to al-Mutawakkil. As a result the man went to Ibrāhim b. al-Abbās and told him about that. Ibrāhim was so worried that he entrusted the affair to the man. He released him (Ishāq) from all that which he asked from him, took the poetry from him, and made him swear by Allah that he had no poetry with him. When he received the poetry, he burnt it in his presence.[1]

Examples of his Writings

Ibrāhim was an eloquent writer. The following is a piece of his writing on behalf of an Abbāsid king who threatened the rebels:

Now, then, the Commander of the faithful has patience. If it is not sufficient, a threat will follow it. If it is not sufficient, his resolutions will be sufficient. Greetings.

Ibn Khullakān commented on this letter, saying: This statement, though brief, is very marvelous.[2]

His Death

Ibrāhim died in Samarā in Shabān 15, in the year 243 A. H.[3]

[1] Al-Murtadā, Amāli, vol. 1, p. 485.
[2] Ibn Khulakān, Wafayāt al-A'yān, vol. 1, p. 29.
[3] Ibid.

2. Ibrāhim Bin Abū al-Bilād

The real name of Abū al-Bilād is Yahyā b. Salim al-Ghatafāni. He (Ibrāhim) was given the kunya of Abu Ismāil. In his book al-Rijāl, Shaykh al-Tūsi number him as one of the companions of Imām al-Sādiq, peace be on him. He said: He (Ibrāhim) was trustworthy, a jurist, and a reciter (of the Qurān). He lived for a long time until Ali b. Mūsā al-Ridā sent him a letter. His two sons (Yahyā and Mohammed), Sahl b. al-Yasa, and others narrated (traditions) on his authority.[1]

Al-Najāshi said: Ibrāhim was trustworthy, a reciter (of the Qurān), and an author. His father was blind and a narrator of poetry; al-Farazdaq said to him: O sorrow of my soul at your eyes, O man!

Ibrāhim narrated (traditions) on the authority of Abū Abd Allah, Abū al-Hasan Mūsā, and al-Ridā, peace be on them. Imām al-Ridā sent him a letter and lauded him. He has a book. A group (of narrators) reported the book on his authority.[2]

3. Ibrāhim Bin Abū Mahmūd

al-Khurasāni. Al-Najāshi regarded him as reliable and said: He (Ibrāhim) reported (traditions) on the authority of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him. He has a book. Ahmed b. Īsā narrated the book on his authority.[3]

Al-Kashi said: [Nasr b. al-Sabāh said:] Ibrāhim b. Abū Mahmūd was blind. Ahmed b. Īsā narrated on his authority the questions of Mūsā, peace be on him, which are about twenty-five pages. He lived after (the death of) al-Ridā.

Hamdawayh narrated, saying: [Al-Hasan b. Mūsā al-Khashshāb informed us, saying: Ibrāhim b. Abū Mahmūd informed us, saying:] I visited Abū Jafar and there were books with me for him from his father. He began reading them and putting a big book on his eyes. He

[1] Al-Najāshi, Rijāl.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.

wept until his tears flowed down his cheeks, so l said to him: May I be your ransom, your father, perhaps, said to me in one session several times: May Allah make you dwell the Garden. So he said: I also say to you: May Allah make you dwell the Garden! Then I asked him: Do you guarantee that your Lord will make me enter the Garden? Yes, he replied. He (Ibrāhim b. Abū Mahmūd) said: I took his foot and kissed it.[1]

4. Ibrāhim Bin Ishāq al-Nahāwandi

He narrated (traditions) on the authority of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and Sālih b. Mohammed al-Nahāwandi reported (the traditions) on his authority.[2]

5. Ibrāhim Bin Ismāil Bin Dāwud

He narrated (traditions) on the authority of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and Mūsā b. Jafar al-Madāini reported (the traditions) on his authority.[3]

6. Ibrāhim Bin Bashir

Al-Najāshi said: He narrated questions on the authority of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, Mohammed b. Abd al-Hamid narrated on his authority.[4]

7. Ibrāhim Bin Salāma al-Nishābūri

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and added that he was an agent.[5] Al-Sayyid al-Khūi said: The men differed over his state. Some regarded him as an argument; others did not regard him (as argument). Those who regarded him (as argument) gave evidence through two premises:

[1] Ibid.
[2] Al-Tahdhib, vol. 6, Chapter on the Excellence of the Visitation of Abū al-Hasan, 'Ali b. Mūsā, peace be on him.
[3] Ibid., vol. 4, Chapter on the Fasting of three Days in every Month.
[4] Al-Najāshi.
[5] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.

The first (premise) is that he was the agent of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him. The second (premise) is that they (the Imāms) did not appoint the sinner as an agent. The Sayyid discussed both premises.[1]

8. Ibrāhim Bin Shuayb al-Wāqifi

He (i.e. Ibrāhim Bin Shuayb) said: I was sitting in the Mosque of Allahs Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, and there was beside me a man from the people of Iraq. I asked him: Who are you? The retainer of Abū al-Hasan al-Ridā, peace be on him, he replied. I said to him: I have a need of you. What is it? he asked. I want you to hand over a letter (ruqa) to him. Yes, he said, as you like. So I went out, took a sheet of paper, and wrote in it: In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Your fathers, who were before you, would tell us of something therein were signs and proofs. I want you to tell me my name and my fathers name.

He (i.e. Ibrāhim Bin Shuayb) said: Then I stamped the letter and gave it to him. On the following morning, he (the retainer) brought me a sealed letter. I opened the letter and read it. At the bottom of the letter (it was written): In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Abū Ibrāhim, among your fathers are Shuayb and Sālih; among your sons are Mohammed, Ali, and so-and-so.[2]

9. Ibrāhim Bin Shuayb al-Aqarqūfi[3]

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him. Shaykh al-Māmaqāni said: His state is unknown to us, and knowledge belongs to Allah.[4]

[1] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 1, p. 91.
[2] Al-Kashi.
[3] He was from 'Aqrāqūf. It was said that it was a village of the districts of al-Dujayl, and it was said that it was one of the districts of the river of 'Īsā. There were four leagues between it and Baghdad. Beside it there was a great, high hill which could be seen five leagues away. This has been mentioned in Marāsid al-Ittilā'
[4] Tanqih al-Maqāl.

10. Ibrāhim Bin Sālih

In his (book) al-Rijāl without mentioning any nick-name or description, Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[1] Al-Najāshi said: Ibrāhim b. Sālih al-Anmāti[2] al-Asadi was trustworthy and narrated (traditions) on the authority of Abū al-Hasan, peace be on him. He has a book. A group (of narrators) reported the book.[3]

11. Ibrāhim Bin Abd al-Hamid

Shaykh al-Tūsi said: He (Ibrāhim) was among the companions of Imām Abū Abd Allah; he coincided with Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and did not hear from him according to the statement of Sad b. Abd Allah. He was a Wāqifi and has a book.[4] He (Shaykh al-Tūsi) said in al-Fihrast: Ibrāhim b. Abd al-Hamid is reliable. He has a book (asl). Abū Abd Allah Mohammed b. Mohammed b. al-Numān al-Mufid told us about the book.[5]

As Shaykh al-Tūsi has regarded him as trustworthy in al-Fihrast, then he was not a Wāqifi. Perhaps he withdrew from the Wāqifiya and adopted the True Religion (of the Shiites).

12. Ibrāhim Bin Ali

b. Abd Allah b. Jafar b. Abū Tālib. Alis mother was the mistress of the women, the heroine of Karbalā, the lady Zaynab, peace be on her. Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[6]

[1] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[2] Al-Anmāti is ascribed to anmāt which is the plural of namat meaning a woolen garment with soft velvet put on the howdah.
[3] Al-Najāshi.
[4] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[5] Al-Tūsi, al-Fihrast.
[6] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.

13. Ibrāhim Bin Mohammed

al-Ashari, al-Qummi. Al-Najāshi said: He (Ibrāhim) is trustworthy and narrated on the authority of Imām Mūsā and Imām al-Ridā, peace be on them, and his brother al-Fadl. Their book is mutual. Al-Hasan b. Abū Ali b. Faddāl narrated the book on their authority.[1] In his (book) al-Rijāl Ibn Dāwud regarded him as reliable, and so did al-Fādil al-Majjlisi, and others.[2]

14. Ibrāhim Bin Mohammed

al-Khazzāz. He narrated on the authority of Imām Abū al-Hasan al-Ridā, peace be on him, and al-Hasan b. Said reported on his authority.[3]

15. Ibrāhim Bin Mohammed

He was a retainer from Khurasān (Iran). Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[4]

16. Ibrāhim Bin Mohammed al-Hamadāni

He was the agent of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[5] Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, Imām al-Jawād, and Imām al-Hādi peace be on them.[6] Al-Kashi said: He performed the hajj forty times.[7]

17. Ibrāhim Bin Mūsā

He narrated on the authority of Imām Abū al-Hasan al-Ridā, peace be on him, and Mohammed b. Hamza reported on his authority.[8]

[1] Al-Najāshi.
[2] Tanqih al-Maqāl.
[3] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 1, p. 152.
[4] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[5] Al-Najāshi.
[6] Al-Barqi, Rijāl.
[7] Al-Kashi.
[8] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 1, p. 162.

18. Ibrāhim Bin Hāshim

Abū Ishāq al-Qummi. He was originally from Kūfa and then moved to (the Holy City of) Qum. Shaykh al-Najāshi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and said: [Our companions say:] He (Ibrāhim b. Hāshim) was the first to publish the traditions of the Kufāns in Qum. He has books. Among them are the Book of al-Nawādir and the Book of the Legal Decisions of Imām Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him.[1]

19. Ibrāhim Bin Hāshim al-Abbāsi[2]

 Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[3] Apparently, he was an unknown Imāmi (traditionalist)[4] Al-Sayyid al-Khūi said: The correct (name) is Hāshim b. Ibrāhim, not Ibrāhim b. Hāshim as in (al-Rijāl by) al-Najāshi.[5]

20. Ahmed Bin Abū Nasr

 He narrated on the authority of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and Ahmed b. Mohammed reported on his authority.[6]

21. Ahmed Bin Ashyam

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[7] He narrated on the authority of Yunus, and Ahmed b. Mohammed reported on his authority.[8]

[1] Al-Najāshi.
[2] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Tanqih al-Maqāl, vol. 1, p. 39.
[5] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 1, p. 152.
[6] Al-Tahdhib, vol. 6, Chapter on Dowers and Wages.
[7] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[8] Al-Tahdhib, vol. 1, Chapter on Dictating to those near to Death.

22. Ahmed Bin Āmir

b. Sulaymān b. Sālih b. Wahab who was martyred along with (Imām al-Husayn), the sweet basil of Allahs Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family. His son Abd Allah reported: My father was born in the year 157 A. H. He met Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him,  in the year 174 A. H. Al-Ridā died in Tūs, on Tuesday, Jamādi al-Ulā 18, in the year 202 A. H. I saw Abū al-Hasan (al-Ridā) and Abū Mohammed, peace be on them. In this manner he has been mentioned in al-Najāshis (book of al-Rijāl).

23. Ahmed Bin Umar al-Hallāl

He sold sesame oil. He narrated on the authority of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him. He has questions on his authority.[1]

24. Ahmed Bin al-Fayd

 Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām Abū al-Hasan (al-Ridā), peace be on him.[2] He is an unknown Imāmi (Shiite).

25. Ahmed Bin Mohammed

b. Abū Nasr al-Bizanti. He was a trustworthy Kufān. He met Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and had a great rank with him. He reported a book on his authority. He has books such as the Comprehensive Book (kitāb al-Jāmi), and the Book of the Miscellaneous  Traditions (kitāb al-nawādir). In his book al-Ghayba, Shaykh al-Tūsi said: He (Ahmed b. Mohammed) was a Wāqifi, then he withdrew when he saw the miracles at the hand of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, which declared the correctness of his Imāmate. Hence he clung to the argument, adopted his Imāmate and that of his children after him.

Ahmed said: I was with Imām al-Ridā and spent the evening with him. He (Ahmed) said: I said: Shall I leave? He, peace be on

[1] Al-Najāshi.
[2] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.

him, said to me: Dont leave, for you have entered into evening. He (Ahmed) said: I stayed with him, and he said to his slave-girl: Fetch my mat and pillow and spread them for Ahmed in that room. He (Ahmed) said: When I entered the room, I asked myself: Was anyone like me in the house of Allahs friend[1] and in his bed? So he called me: Ahmed, the Commander of the faithful visited Sasaa b. Sohān and said to him: Sasaa, dont regard my visit to you as pride over your people. Be humble before Allah and He will raise you. (The Shiite traditionalists) have unanimously agreed that he is meritorious, and that his narration is correct when it is narrated in correct manner from him. He died in the year 221 A. H.[2]

26. Ahmed Bin Mohammed

b. Hanbal b. Hilāl al-Shaybāni. Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām Abū (al-Ridā), peace be on him.[3] Ibn Hajar said: Ahmed b. Mohammed b. Hanbal b. Hilāl b. Asad al-Shaybāni, al-Marwazi, who lived in Baghdad, Abu Abd Allah, one of the Imāms, is trustworthy, a memorizer (of the Qurān), a jurist, and an argument. He is the head of the tenth class. He died in the year 241 A. H. and was 77 years old.[4]

27. Ahmed Bin Mohammed

b. Īsā al-Ashari, al-Qummi was the Shaykh of the Qummis, their eminent figure, their jurist. He was the only head who met the Sultan. He met Abū Jafar, the Second, and Abū al-Hasan al-Askari, peace be on them.

He has books. The following are some of them:

1. Kitāb Fadl al-Nabi (the Book of the Excellence of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family).

[1] In another account: "So I said: Praise belongs to Allah, the argument of Allah and inheritor of the knowledge of the prophets is intimate with me...."
[2] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, pp. 237-239.
[3] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[4] Taqrib al-Tahdhib. Tarjama fi Tahdhib al-Tahdhib.

2. Kitāb al-Mutta (the Book of Fixed-term Marriage).

3. Kitāb al-Nawādir (the Book of Miscellaneous Traditions). It was not classified, and then it was classified by Dāwud b. Kawra.

4. Kitāb al-Nāsikh wa al-Mansūkh (the Book of the Abrogating and the Abrogated Verses).

5. Kitāb al-Attima (the Book of Foods).

6. Kitāb al-Mansūkh (the Book of the Transformed).

7. Kitāb Fadāil al-Arab (the Book of the Excellences of the Arabs).

Ibn Nūh said: I have seen his book on the hajj with al-Dabili.

28. Ahmed Bin Yusuf

He was the retainer of the Banū (children) of Taym Allah. He was from Kūfa, but his house was in Basrah. Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and added that he was trustworthy.[1]

29. Idris Bin Zayd

He was among the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him. Al-Sadūq mentioned him firstly along with Ali b. Idris and numbered them as two companions of al-Ridā, peace be on him. He (al-Sadūq) described him as al-Qummi when he mentioned his way to him again.[2]

30. Idris Bin Abd Allah

b. Sad al-Ashari. He is trustworthy and has a book. He narrated on the authority of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[3]

31. Idris Bin Īsā

al-Ashari, al-Qummi. Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of

[1] Al-Kashi.
[2] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[3] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 3,  p. 9.

the companions of Imām Abū al-Hasan al-Ridā, peace be on him. He is reliable, and he narrated on tradition on His (the Imāms)  authority.[1]

32. Idris Bin Yaqtin

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām Abū al-Hasan al-Ridā, peace be on him.[2]

33. Ishāq Bin Ādam

al-Ashari, al-Qummi. He narrated a book on the authority of Imām Abū al-Hasan al-Ridā, peace be on him, and a group (of traditionalists) narrated the book on his authority.[3]

34. Ishāq Bin Ibrāhim

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā and Imām al-Jawād, peace be on them.[4] Al-Kashi said: He (Ishāq) reached serving Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, through al-Hasan b. Said al-Ahwāzi.[5]

35. Ishāq Bin Ibrāhim

al-Hanzali, better known as Ibn Rāhawayh. Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[6]

36. Ishāq Bin Mohammed

al-Hudayni. Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[7]

[1] Al-Najāshi.
[2] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[3] Al-Najāshi.
[4] Al-Barqi, Rijāl.
[5] Al-Kashi.
[6] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[7] Ibid.

37. Ishāq Bin Imām Mūsā

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him. He (Ishāq) narrated on the authority of his brother, on the authority of his uncle, on the authority of Imām Abū Abd Allah, peace be on him. Mohammed b. Muslim reported on his authority.[1]

38. Ismāil Bin Sad

al-Ahwas. He narrated on the authority of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and Mohammed b. Khālid reported on his authority.[2]

39. Ismāil Bin Abbād

al-Qasri, from the Qasr of the children of Hubayra. Al-Barqi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām Abū al-Hasan al-Ridā, peace be on him.[3]

40. Ismāil Bin Īsā

He narrated on the authority of Imām Abū al-Hasan and Imām  al-Ridā, peace be on them, and his son Sad reported on his authority.[4]

41. Ismāil Bin Qutayba

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and added that he was unknown.[5]

42. Ismāil Bin Mahrān

b. Abū Nasr al-Sukūni. He was a Kufān retainer. He was given the kunya of Abū Yaqūb. He is trustworthy and reliable. He was one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him. He wrote a group of books. The following are some of them:

[1] Ibid.
[2] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 3 p. 133.
[3] Al-Barqi.
[4] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 3,  p. 158.
[5] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.

1. Al-Malāhim (Bloody Fights).

2. Thawāb al-Qurān (the Reward of the Qurān).

3. Al-Ihlilijya (the Myrobalan).

4. Sifat al-Mumin wa al-Fājir (the Qualities of the Believer and the Sinner).

5. Khutab al-Imām Amir al-Muminin, peace be on him (the Sermons of Imām the Commander of the faithful).

6. Nawādir (Miscellaneous Traditions).

7. Al-Nawādir (the Miscellaneous Traditions).[1]

Ibn al-Ghadāiri criticized his traditions, saying: His (Ismāils) traditions are not pure. They sometimes become disordered and are sometimes right. He narrated many (traditions) on the authority of the very weak (traditionalists). It is permissible to regard him as a witness. Our master al-Khūi regarded him as trustworthy because of the testimony of Jafar b. Mohammed b. Qawlawayh, Ali b. Ibrāhim, Shaykh al-Tūsi, al-Najāshi, and al-Ayyāshi. What Ibn al-Ghadāiri has mentioned does not mean that he is not trustworthy; rather he negated purity of his (Ismāils) traditions because he narrated on the authority of the weak (traditionalists).[2]

43. Ismāil Bin Hammām

b. Abd al-Rahmān al-Basri, the retainer of Kinda. He narrated on the authority of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him. He, his father, and his grandfather are trustworthy. He has a book, and a group (of traditionalists) reported the book on his authority.[3]

44. Asram Bin Matar

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[4]

[1]Al-Kashi.
[2] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 3,  pp. 188-189. 
[3] Al-Najāshi.
[4] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.

45. Aflah Bin Zayd

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[1]

46. Aflah Bin Zayd

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and added that he was unknown.[2]

h2>47. Al-Yās Bin Mrū

al-Sayrafi, al-Khazzāz. He was one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him. When death came to him, he said to those who were around him: [Witness against me, and this is not the hour of lying. I heard Abū Abd Allah, peace be on him, say:] By Allah, if the servant who loves Allah and His Messenger and shows friendship toward the Imāms dies, the Fire will not touch him.[3]

48. Ayyūb Bin Nūh

He was from Kūfa and was the retainer of al-Nakha. He is trustworthy. Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[4] He was an agent. When he died, he left behind him only one hundred and fifty dinars. The people thought that he had a lot of money because he was the agent of the Imāms, peace be on them.[5]

49. Al-Bāis

He was the retainer of Hamza b. al-Yasa al-Ashari. He is trustworthy. Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[6]

[1] Ibid.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Al-Kashi.
[4] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[5] Al-Kashi.
[6]Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.

50. Bakr Bin Sālih

al-Rāzi. Shaykh al-Barqi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[1] The Shaykh said: He has a book on the degrees of faith and kinds of unbelief, seeking forgiveness, and jihād (struggle).[2]

Ibn al-Ghadāiri said: He is very weak. He was unique in (mentioning) the oddities.[3]

51. Thaljj Bin Abū Thaljj

al-Yaqūbi. He was one of the sons of Dāwud b. Ali al-Yaqūbi. Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[4]

52. Jafar Bin Bashir al-Bujayli

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[5] He was one of the ascetic, worshipful Shiites. His mosque is still at Bujayla, in Kūfa. Al-Najāshi said: When my companions and I went to Kūfa, we performed the prayer in the mosque.

Jafar, may Allah have mercy on him, died in al-Abwā, in the year 208 A. H. He was given the nick-name of the Basket of Knowledge (quffat al-Ilm). His books are as follows:

1. Kitāb al-Mashyakha (the Book of the Shaykhs).

2. Kitāb al-Salāt (the Book of Prayer).

3. Kitāb al-Makāsib (the Book of Gains).

4. Kitāb al-Sayd (the Book of Hunting).

5. Kitāb al-Dhabāih (the Book of Slaughtering).[6]

Shaykh al-Tūsi said: He has a book; the book is ascribed to

[1] Al-Barqi, Rijāl.
[2] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Al-Najāshi.

Jafar b. Mohammed, peace be on him, and the narration of Imām Ali b. Mūsā al-Ridā, peace be on him.[1]

53. Jafar Bin Ibrāhim al-Haddrami

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[2]

54. Jafar Bin Ibrāhim

He narrated on the authority of Imām Abū al-Hasan al-Ridā, peace be on him, and Jafar b. Hāshim reported on his authority.[3]

55. Jafar Bin Īsā

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[4] He narrated on the authority of Imām al-Kāzim and Imām al-Ridā, peace be on them, and his brother Mohammed b. Īsā reported on his authority.[5]

56. Jafar Bin al-Muthannā al-Khatib

He was the retainer of Thaqif and was a Wāqifi. Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[6]

57. Jafar Bin Mohammed al-Qazwini

In the Chapter on Kunā, Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[7]

[1] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 4,  p. 46.
[4] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[5] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 4, p. 92.
[6] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[7] Ibid.

58. Al-Hasan Bin Ibrāhim al-Kūfi

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[1]

59. Al-Hasan Bin Asbāt al-Kindi

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[2]

60. Al-Hasan Bin Asad al-Basri

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[3]

61. Al-Hasan Bin Bashir

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and added that he was unknown.[4]

62. Al-Hasan Bin Bashshār al-Madāini

He was one of the companions of Imām al-Kāzim and Imām al-Ridā, peace be on them. He his trustworthy and correct. He was a Wāqifi, and then he withdrew.[5]

63. Al-Hasan Bin al-Jahm

b. Bukayr b. Ayun, Abū Mohammed al-Shaybāni. He is trustworthy. He narrated on the authority of Imām Abū al-Hasan al-Ridā, peace be on him. He has a book.[6]

64. Al-Hasan Bin al-Jahm al-Rāzi

He was one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[7]

[1] Ibid.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Abū Dāwud, Rijāl.
[6] Al-Najāshi.
[7]Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 4, p. 304. 

65. Al-Hasan Bin al-Husayn al-Anbāri

He narrated on the authority of Imām Abū al-Hasan al-Ridā, peace be on him, and Ali b. al-Hakam reported on his authority.[1]

66. Al-Hasan Bin al-Husayn

b. Sālih. He narrated on the authority of Imām Abū al-Hasan al-Ridā, peace be on him, and Ali b. Abd al-Ghaffār reported on his authority.[2]

67. Al-Hasan Bin al-Husayn al-Alawi

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him. Ahmed b. Mohammed reported on his authority.

68. Al-Hasan Bin Rāshid

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him, without any description, as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[3]

69. Al-Hasan Bin Ziyād

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and added that he had a book.[4]

70. Al-Hasan Bin Said al-Kūfi

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[5]

71. Al-Hasan Bin Shādhān al-Wāsiti

He (i.e. Al-Hasan b. Shādhān) said: [I wrote to Abū al-Hasan al-Ridā, peace be on him, and complained to him of the alienation of the

[1] Ibid., p. 313.
[2] Ibid., p. 315.
[3] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.

people of (Wāsit) and their wrong against me. A group of the Uthmāniya harmed me. Hence, he, peace be on him, wrote with his own hand:] Verily, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, took a promise from His friends for patience in the state of falsehood. Therefore, show forbearance toward the decree of your Lord. If the Master of the creatures rose, they would say: O woe to us! Who has raised us from our sleeping-place? This is what the Beneficent (Allah) promised and the apostles told the truth.[1]

72. Al-Hasan Bin Shuayb al-Madāini

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[2]

73. Al-Hasan Bin Abbād

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[3]

74. Al-Hasan Bin al-Abbās al-Marūfi

He narrated on the authority of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and Mohammed b. Ali reported on his authority.[4]

75. Al-Hasan Bin Ali

b. Faddāl. He was the retainer of Taym al-Rabāb. He is a trustworthy Kufān.[5] Al-Najāshi said: [Abū Amrū said: al-Fadl b. Shādān said:] In the mosque of al-Rabi, in the estate of al-Rabi, while I was reciting (the Qurān) under a reciter (of the Qurān) called Ismāil b. Abbād, I saw some people exchange secrets. One of them said: On the mountain there is a man called b. Faddāl. He is the most worshipful of those whom we have seen or heard about. He goes out

[1] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 4, p. 367.
[2] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 4, p. 382.
[5] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.

to the desert and performs a long prostration to the extent that birds come and sit on him, for they think that he is a garment or a rag. Wild animals graze around him; they are not afraid of him, for they are intimate with him. When the armed paupers come to attack the people or fight against them, they flee in the world out of fear of his person. Al-Fayd said: I thought that this man was in the first time. Shortly after that, while I was sitting with my father, may Allah have mercy on him, in the estate of al-Rabi, a handsome old man came wearing a yellowish shirt and cloak and greenish sandals. He greeted my father and he got up for him, greeted him, and magnified him. When he wanted to go to Ibn Abū Umayr, I asked (my father): Who is this old man?. This is al-Hasan b. Ali b. Faddāl, replied (my father). Is he the meritorious worshipful? I asked. Yes, he is, answered (my father). Isnt he on the mountain? I asked. Yes he is, answered (my father), what heedless your reason is , boy! I told him about what I heard from the people concerning him and he said: That is true. After that he came constantly to my father. Then I went to him in Kūfa and heard from him the book of Ibn Abū Bukayr and traditions other than it. He carried his book, came to al-Hijjra, and recited it for me. When the son-in-law of Tāhir b. al-Husayn performed the hajj, the people magnified him because of his money and his important position with the Sultan (ruler). He (al-Husayn) was described for him, but he did not go to him. He (the son-in-law of Tāhir b. al-Husayn) sent for him asking his coming. He (al-Husayn) said: I have no kinship; there is no work between them and me. After that I knew that his coming to me was for his religion. As for his place of praying, it was near the pillar called al-Sābia (the Seventh) or the Pillar of Ibrāhim, peace be on him, in the mosque of Kūfa. He, Abū Mohammed, and Ali b. Asbāt met. Al-Hajjāl claimed theology; he was the best of the people in theology. Ibn Faddāl ascribed me to him concerning theology and knowledge. He loved me very much. Al-Hasan was famous for that throughout his lifetime until death came to him, and he died. He believed in the True Religion, may Allah have mercy on him. 

He has the following books:

1. Kitāb al-Ziyārāt (the Book of Visitations).

2. Kitāb al-Thārāt (the Book of the Revenges).

3. Kitāb al-Nawādir (the Book of Miscellaneous

Traditions).

4. Kitāb al-Radd alā al-Ghāliya (the Book of the Answers to the Extremists).

5. Kitāb al-Shawāhid min Kitāb Allah (the Book of the Examples from the Book of Allah).

6. Kitāb al-Mutta (the Book of Fixed-Term Marriage).

7. Kitāb al-Nāsikh wa al-Mansūkh (the Book of the

Abrogating  and the Abrogated verses).

8. Kitāb al-Malāhim (the Book of the Bloody fights).

9. Kitāb al-Salāt (the Book of Prayer).

10. The book which his son Ali narrated on the authority

of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.

His death, may Allah have mercy on him, was in the year 224 A. H.[1]

  76. Al-Hasan Bin Ali

b. Ziyād al-Washshā, al-Bujayli, al-Kūfi. He was among the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and one of the eminent figures of this sect (i.e. the Shiites). He narrated on the authority of his grandfather al-Yās, who said when death came to him: [Witness against me, and this is not the hour of lying. I heard Abū Abd Allah, peace be on him, say:] By Allah, if the servants who love Allah and His Messenger and shows friendship toward the Imāms dies, the Fire will not touch him. Then he repeated the second and the third while I did not asked him (about that).

Ahmed b. Mohammed b. Īsā reported: I went out to Kūfa to seek traditions and found in it al-Hasan b. Ali al-Washshā and asked him to take out for me the book of al-Alā b. Razin al-Qalā and of Abān b. Uthmān al-Ahmar. He brought them for me and I said to him: I want you to permit me in order to take them (the two books). He said to me: Hasan, may Allah have mercy on you, way are you in

[1] Al-Najāshi.

a hurry? Go and copy them. I said to him: I am not safe from mishaps. He said: If I had known that this tradition would be sought in such a manner, I would have written it many more, for I met in this mosque (i.e. the mosque of Kūfa) nine hundred old men and they would say: Jafar b. Mohammed related to us.

He has books of which are the following:

1. Kitāb Thawāb al-Hajj (the Book of the Reward of the

Hajj).

2. Kitāb al-Nawādir (the Book of Miscellaneous

Traditions).

3. Kitāb Masāil al-Ridā (the Book of the Questions of al-

Ridā).[1]

   77. Al-Hasan Bin Ali

b. Yaqtin b. Mūsā, the retainer of the Hashimites. He was a jurist and theologian. He narrated on the authority of Imām Abū al-Ridā, peace be on him. He has the book: Masāil Abū al-Hasan Mūsā (the Questions of Abū al-Hasan Mūsā), peace be on him.[2]

78. Al-Hasan Bin Ali al-Daylami

Al-Wahid has mentioned him in al-Taliqa  and said: He (al-Hasan b. Ali al-Daylami) was the retainer of al-Ridā, peace be on him.[3]

79. Al-Hasan Bin 'Ali

He was the retainer of Taym Allah b. Tha'laba and was from Kūfā. Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[4]

[1] Ibid.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 5, p. 678.
[4] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.

80. Al-Hasan Bin Ali al-Washshā

He narrated on the authority of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him. He said: When young, my father and I had supper with Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[1]

81. Al-Hasan Bin Umar

b. Yazid. Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[2]

82. Al-Hasan Bin Faddāl

He narrated on the authority of Imām Abū al-Hasan al-Ridā, peace be on him, and on the authority of a group (of traditionalists). His sons Ahmed, Ali and Mohammed reported on his authority. Mūsā b. Umar narrated on his authority.[3]

83. Al-Hasan Bin Qārūn

He narrated on the authority of Imām Abū al-Hasan al-Ridā, peace be on him, and Ibrāhim b. Hāshim reported on his authority.[4]

84. Al-Hasan Bin al-Qāsim

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[5] Al-Kashi narrated on the authority of al-Hasan b. al-Qāsim, who said: One of the sons of Jafar, peace be on him,  was dying. Al-Ridā was late in coming to him. That grieved me, for he was late in coming to his uncle Mohammed. Then he came. Shortly after that he rose,  and I rose along with him and asked him: May I be your ransom, why have you risen and left your uncle in the state in which he is? My uncle will bury so-and-so (i.e. his brother), he, peace be on him, replied. He (al-Hasan b. al-Qāsim) said:

[1] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 5, p. 75.
[2] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[3] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 5, p. 88.
[4] Ibid., p. 93.
[5] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.

Shortly after that, the sick person recovered and buried his brother, who was sound with them. After that al-Hasan realized the True Religion and believed in it.[1]

85. Al-Hasan Bin Mahbūb al-Sarrād

He is also called al-Zarrād. He was given the kunya of Abū Ali. He was the retainer of Bujayla. He was a trustworthy Kufān. He narrated on the authority of Imām Abū al-Hasan al-Ridā, peace be on him, and reported on the authority of sixty men from among the companions of Imām Abū Abd Allah, peace be on him. He was of great position. He wrote a group of books of which are the following:

1. Kitāb al-Mashyakha (the Book of the Shaykhs).

2. Kitāb al-Hudūd (the Book of Islamic Punishments).

3. Kitāb al-Diyāt (the Book of Blood Money).

4. Kitāb al-Farāid (the Book of Religious Obligations).

5. Kitāb al-Nikāh (the Book of Marriage).

6. Kitāb al-Talāq (the Book of Divorce).

7. Kitāb al-Nawādir (the Book of Miscellaneous

Traditions), about one thousand pages.

8. Kitāb al-Tafsir (the Book of Interpretation (of the

Qurān).

9. Kitāb al-Itqq (the Book of Emancipation of Slaves).

Shaykh al-Kashi numbered him as one of the jurists on whose authentic traditions our companions unanimously agreed. That was when he (the Shaykh) nominated the jurists from among the companions of Imām al-Kāzim and Imām al-Ridā, peace be on them. He (al-Hasan b. Mahbūb) died at the age of seventy-five, in the year 224 A. H.[2]

86. Al-Hasan Bin Mohammed

b. Abū Tallha. Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[3]

[1] Al-Kashi, Rijāl.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.

87. Al-Hasan Bin Mohammed

b. Sahl al-Nawfali. Al-Najāshi regarded him as a weak (traditionalist) and said: However, he has a good book with many interests. He called it Majālis al-Ridā maa Ahl al-Adyān (the Sessions of al-Ridā with the People of Religions).[1]

88. Al-Hasan Bin Mohammed al-Qummi

He narrated on the authority of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and al-Khabiri reported on his authority.[2]

89. Al-Hasan Bin Mohammed

al-Nawfali, al-Hāshimi. He narrated on the authority of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[3]

90. Al-Hasan Bin al-Nadr al-Armani

He narrated on the authority of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and Ahmed b. Mohammed b. Īsā reported on his authority.[4]

91. Al-Hasan Bin Yazid

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[5]

92. Al-Hasan Bin Yunus

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[6]

[1] Al-Najāshi.
[2] Al-Tahdhib, vol. 6, Chapter on the Excellence of the Visitation of Abū al-Hasan Mūsā.
[3] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 5 p. 138.
[4] Ibid., p. 151.
[5] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[6] Ibid.

93. Al-Hasan al-Taflisi

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[1]

94. Al-Husayn Bin Ibrāhim

b. Imām Mūsā b. Jafar, peace be on him. Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[2]

95. Al-Husayn Bin Abū Said

al-Makāri, Abū Abd Allah. He and his father were two eminent figures of the Wāqifa. He went in to Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and said to him: You have opened your door for the people and sat to give them religious opinions, while your father had never done that. He (the Imām), peace be on him,  said to him: There is no harm on me from Hārūn (al-Rashid). Then he said to him: May Allah put out the light of your heart and make poverty enter your house. Woe unto you! Did you not know that Allah revealed to Maryam that there was a prophet in her womb? Accordingly, Maryam gave birth to Īsā, peace be on him, so Maryam belonged to Īsā, and Īsā belonged to Maryam. As for me, I belong to my father and my father belong to me. He (al-Husayn b. Abū Said) said (to the Imām): I want to ask you a question. I do not think that you will hear from me, explained the Imām, however, question (me). He said: A man was near to death, and he said: Whomever I possessed in the past is free, and whomever I possess at present is not free. Have you not recited this verse: For the moon we have appointed stages until it becomes again like an old dry branch of palm tree (urjūn)? Whomever the man possessed before the six moths was old, and whomever he possessed after the six months was not old. Then he left the Imām, peace be on him. Shortly after that, poverty and affliction befell him.[3]

[1] Ibid.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Al-Kashi.

96. Al-Husayn Bin Bashshār al-Wāsiti

He was Ziyāds retainer. He is a trustworthy and correct (traditionalist). He narrated on the authority of Imām Abū al-Hasan Mūsā (al-Kāzim), peace be on him, and reported on the authority of Imām Abū al-Hasan al-Ridā, peace be on him.

When Imām (Mūsā) al-Kāzim died, he (al-Husayn b. Bashshār) went out to Imām al-Ridā. He did not think that Imām al-Kāzim would die nor did he acknowledge the Imāmate of al-Ridā. He intended to ask him (Imām al-Ridā). When he reached the Imām, who was at al-Sawi, he asked for permission and went in. The Imām welcomed him, brought him near to him, and then he said to him: Husayn, if you want Allah to look at you without any veil and you look at Allah without any veil, then show friendship toward the Household of Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his family, and him who undertakes the affairs (of the Muslims) from among them. Al-Husayn hurried to say: Will I look at Allah, the Great and Almighty?

Yes, by Allah, he, peace be on him, replied.

After that al-Husayn was sure that Imām al-Kāzim died, and Imām al-Ridā was the Imām after him.

The Imām, peace be on him, turned to him and said: I did not want to permit you (to come in), for the affair is critical that is because of the observation imposed on him by the Abbāsid authority. However, I have known your affair (i.e. that you belong to the Wāqifiya).

The Imām added, saying: Did you know your affair well?

Yes, al-Husayn replied.[1]

97. Al-Husayn Bin Bashir

He narrated on the authority of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him, and Ahmed b. Mohammed reported on his authority.[2]

[1] Ibid.
[2] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 5, p. 208.

98. AL-Husayn Bin al-Jahm

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[1] Imām, professor al-Khūi said: It is possible that his name has been changed, for his correct name is al-Hasan. His biography has already been mentioned in al-Hasan Bin al-Jahm al-Rāzi.[2]

99. Al-Husayn Bin Khālid al-Sayrafi

Shaykh al-Tūsi numbered him as one of the companions of Imām al-Ridā, peace be on him.[3] Al-Sadūq narrated on the authority of Safwān b. Yahyā, who said: I was with al-Ridā, peace be on him, when al-Husayn b. Khālid al-Sayrafi came in to him and said to him: May I be your ransom, I want to go out to al-Awad. He (the Imām), peace be on him, said: Cling to well-being wherever you find it. He (al-Husayn) was not satisfied with that. He went out and headed for al-Awad. However, he was attacked and all his money was robbed on a highway.[4]

[1] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[2] Mu'jam Rijāl al-Hadith, vol. 5, p. 214.
[3] Al-Tūsi, Rijāl.
[4] Al-Kashi.