12-7 Abu Ali Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Abu Abdullah Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Abil Rajal al-Baghdadi quoted Muhammad ibn Abdus al-Harani, on the authority of Abdul Qaf’far ibn al-Hikam, on the authority of Mansoor ibn Abil Aswad, on the authority of Motrif, on the authority of Al-Sha’abi, on the authority of his uncle Qays ibn Abd, “We were sitting in a circle and Abdullah ibn Masood was sitting there with us. A Bedouin (Arab) came in and asked, ‘Are you Abdullah ibn Masood?’ Abdullah replied, ‘Yes, I am Abdullah ibn Masood.’ The man asked, ‘Has your Prophet (MGB) advised you as to how many Caliphs there will be after him?’ Abdullah ibn Masood said, ‘Yes. He (MGB) has said that there will be twelve - as many as the Chiefs of Israel.’”

12-8 The following has been narrated by Abul-Qasim At’tab ibn Muhammad al-Varaminy al-Hafiz who narrated that Yahya ibn Muhammad ibn Sa’ed quoted Ahmad ibn Abdul Rahman ibn al-Fazl and Muhammad ibn Ubaydullah ibn Savar, on the authority of Abdul Qaf’far ibn al-Hikam, on the authority of Mansoor ibn Abil Aswad, on the authority of Motrif, on the authority of Al-Sha’abi. The same has been narrated by At’tab ibn Muhammad, on the authority of Ishaq ibn Muhammad al-Anmati, on the authority of Yusuf ibn Musa, on the authority of Jarir, on the authority of Ash’as ibn Savar, on the authority of Al-Sha’abi. The same has been narrated by At’tab ibn Muhammad and al-Hussein ibn Muhammad al-Harani on the authority of Ayoob ibn Muhammad al-Vazan, on the authority of Sa’id ibn Moslemat, on the authority of Ash’as ibn Savar, on the authority of Al-Sha’abi. All of the above narrated on the authority of Al-Sha’abi’s uncle - Qays ibn Abd. Abul Qasim At’tab narrated that Motrif said, “We were sitting in the mosque and Abdullah ibn Masood was sitting there with us. A Bedouin (Arab) came in and asked, ‘Is Abdullah ibn Masood with you?’ Abdullah replied, ‘Yes, I am Abdullah ibn Masood. What do you want?’ The man asked, ‘O Abdullah! Has your Prophet (MGB) advised you as to how many Caliphs there will be after him?’ Abdullah ibn Masood said, ‘Yes. You have asked me a question which no one has ever asked me since I came to Iraq. The Prophet (MGB) has said that there will be twelve Divine Leaders after him - just as many as the chiefs of Israel.’” In another version we read, ‘Yes, as many as the chiefs of Israel.’”

12-9 Jarir narrated that Al-Ash’as quoted ibn Masood on the authority of the Prophet (MGB), “The Caliphs after me will be twelve - as many as the chiefs of Israel.”

12-10 At’tab ibn Muhammad al-Varaminy al-Hafiz narrated that Yahya ibn Muhammad ibn Sa’ed quoted the following tradition on the authority of Yusuf ibn Musa, on the authority of Abdul Rahman ibn Meqra, on the authority of Mujalid, on the authority of Amer, on the authority of Masruq, on the authority of Atab ibn Muhammad. The same tradition has been narrated on the authority of Muhammad ibn al-Hussein, on the authority of Hafs, on the authority of Hamzih ibn U’an, on the authority of Abi Usamah, on the authority of Mujalid, on the authority of Amer, on the authority of Masruq, “A man went to see (Abdullah) ibn Masood and asked him, ‘Has your Prophet told you how many successors he will have after him?’ He replied, ‘Yes. No one had asked me this question before. You asked it although you are the youngest of them all. The Prophet (MGB) has said, ‘There will be twelve successors after me - as many as the Israelite chiefs after Moses (MGB).’”

12-11 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Al-Nue’man ibn Ahmad ibn Na’eem al-Vaseti quoted Ahmad ibn Senan al-Qat’tan on the authority of Abu Usamah, on the authority of Mujalid, on the authority of Amer, on the authority of Masruq, “A man went to see Abdullah ibn Masood and asked him, ‘O Aba Abdul Rahman! Has your Prophet told you how many successors he will have after him?’ He replied, “Yes. No one had asked me this question before. You asked it although you are the youngest of them all. The Prophet (MGB) has said, ‘There will be twelve successors after me - as many as the Israelite chiefs after Moses (MGB).’”

12-12 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Al-Nue’man ibn Ahmad ibn Na’eem al-Vaseti quoted Ahmad ibn Senan al-Qat’tan on the authority of Abu Usamah, on the authority of Mujalid, on the authority of Amer, on the authority of Masruq that a man came to see Abdullah ibn Masood and asked him, ‘O Aba Abdul Rahman! Has your Prophet told you how many successors there will be after him?’ He replied, “Yes. No one had asked me this question before. You asked it although you are the youngest of them all. Yes. The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘There will be twelve successors after me - as many as the Israelite chiefs after Moses (MGB).’”

12-13 Ahmad ibn Al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Abu Bakr Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ubaydah al-Neishaboory quoted Abul Qasim Harun ibn Ishaq, i.e. al-Hamdani, on the authority of his uncle Ibrahim ibn Muhammad, on the authority of Zyad ibn Ilaqa and Abdul-Malik ibn Umayr,on the authority of Jabir ibn Samurah, “My father and I were with the Prophet (MGB). I heard the Prophet (MGB) say, ‘There will be twelve Leaders after me.’ Then the Prophet (MGB) lowered his voice. I asked my father, ‘What did he (MGB) say when he lowered his voice?’ My father said, ‘The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘They are all from the Quraysh.’”

12-14 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Abu Ali Muhammad ibn Isma’il al-Yashkari al-Marvazy quoted Sahl ibn Ammar al-Neishaboory, on the authority of Umar ibn Abdullah ibn Razin, on the authority of Sufyan, on the authority of Sa’id ibn Amr ibn Ashva’e, on the authority of Al-Sha’abi, on the authority of Jabir ibn Samurah, “I went to the mosque with my father when the Prophet (MGB) was delivering a sermon. I heard the Prophet (MGB) say, ‘There will be twelve Leaders after me.’ Then the Prophet (MGB) lowered his voice such that I could not understand what he (MGB) said. I asked my father, ‘What did he (MGB) say when he lowered his voice?’ My father said, ‘The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘They are all from the Quraysh.’”

12-15 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Abul Hussein Tahir ibn Isma’il al-Khas’ami quoted Abu Kurayb - Muhammad ibn Ala’ al-Hamedany, on the authority of his uncle Ibn Ubayd al-Tanafesi, on the authority of Samak ibn Harb, on the authority of Jabir ibn Samurah, “I heard God’s Prophet (MGB) say, ‘There will be twelve Leaders after me.’ Then the Prophet (MGB) lowered his voice. I asked my father, ‘What did he (MGB) say when he lowered his voice?’ My father said, ‘The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘They are all from the Quraysh.’”

12-16 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Ali ibn Al-Hassan ibn Salim quoted Muhammad ibn al-Walid - al-Basry, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ja’far - Qandar, on the authority of Shu’bat, on the authority of Samak ibn Harb, on the authority of Jabir ibn Samurah, “I heard the Prophet (MGB) say, ‘There will be twelve Leaders after me.’ Then the Prophet (MGB) (lowered his voice and) said something which I could not hear. I asked, ‘What tribe?’ The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘They are all from the Quraysh.’”

12-17 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Abu Ali Muhammad ibn Isma’il al-Marvazy in Ray quoted Al-Fazl ibn Abdul Jab’bar al-Marvazy, on the authority of Ali ibn al-Hassan - that is ibn Shaqiq, on the authority of Al-Hussein ibn Vaqid, on the authority of Samak ibn Harb, on the authority of Jabir ibn Samurah, “I went to see the Prophet (MGB) and heard him say, ‘This Rule will not end until twelve Caliphs come.’ He (MGB) then said something in a low voice which I could not understand. I asked my father, ‘What did he (MGB) say?’ My father said, ‘The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘They are all from the Quraysh.’’”

12-18 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Abu Abdul Rahman Abdullah ibn Sa’edan ibn Sahl al-Yashkari quoted Ahmad ibn al-Miqdam, on the authority of Yazid - ibn Zari’a, on the authority of Jabir ibn Samurah that God’s Prophet (MGB) said, “This dear and invulnerable religion will not end and it shall overcome all its enemies until there come twelve Caliphs.” Then the Prophet (MGB) said something which the people could not hear. I asked my father, ‘What was it that the people could not hear?’ My father said, ‘The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘They are all from the Quraysh.’”

12-19 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Abu Muhammad Abdul Rahman ibn Abi Hatam quoted Al-Fazl ibn Yaqoob, on the authority of Al-Haysam ibn Komayl, on the authority of Zaheer, on the authority of Zyad ibn Khaysamat, on the authority of Sa’ed ibn Qays al-Hamedany, on the authority of Jabir ibn Samurah that God’s Prophet (MGB) said, “The rule of this nation will not terminate and it shall overcome its enemies until there come twelve Leaders all of whom are from the Quraysh.’”Samurah went to see him (MGB) in private and asked, “What will happen after them?” The Prophet (MGB) replied, “Then there will be chaos.”

12-20 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Abdul Rahman ibn Abi Hatam quoted Al-Ala’ ibn Salim, on the authority of Yazid ibn Harun, on the authority of Sharik, on the authority of Samak, Abdullah ibn Umayr and Haseen ibn Abdul Rahman, on the authority of Jabir ibn Samurah, “My father and I went to see God’s Prophet (MGB). The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘The rule of this good nation will not terminate and it shall overcome its enemies until there come twelve rulers after me.’ Or he (MGB) said, ‘… until there come twelve Caliphs after me.’ Then the Prophet (MGB) said something quietly. I asked my father, ‘What did he (MGB) say?’ My father said, ‘The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘They are all from the Quraysh.’”

12-21 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Abdul Rahman ibn Abi Hatam quoted Abu Sa’id al-Ashj, on the authority of Ibrahim ibn Muhammad ibn Malik ibn Zayd al-Hamedany, on the authority of Zyad ibn Alaqa and Abdul Malik ibn Umayr, on the authority of Jabir ibn Samurah, “My father and I were with the Prophet (MGB). I heard the Prophet (MGB) say, ‘There will be twelve Leaders after me.’ Then the Prophet (MGB) lowered his voice. I asked my father, ‘What did he (MGB) say when he lowered his voice?’ My father said, ‘The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘They are all from the Quraysh.’”

12-22 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Abul Qasim Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Abdul Aziz al-Baqavy quoted Ali ibn al-Ja’ed, on the authority of Zahir, on the authority of Samak ibn Harb, Zyad ibn Alaqa and Haseen ibn Abdul Rahman on the authority of Jabir ibn Samurah that God’s Prophet (MGB)said, ‘There will be twelve Leaders after me.’ Then the Prophet (MGB) said something which I could not understand.” In some traditions we read, “I asked my father…” and in some other traditions we read, “I asked my father (or I asked the people), ‘What did he (MGB) say? My father (or they) said, ‘The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘They are all from the Quraysh.’”

12-23 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Abu Bakr Abdullah ibn Suleiman al-Ash’as quoted Ali ibn Khashram, on the authority of Isa ibn Yunis, on the authority of Imran - that is ibn Suleiman, on the authority of Al-Sha’abi, on the authority of Jabir ibn Samurah that he had heard God’s Prophet (MGB) say, “The rule of this esteemed nation will not terminate until there come twelve Caliphs.” Then the Prophet (MGB) said something quietly which could not be understood. I asked someone who was close to the Prophet (MGB) ‘What did he (MGB) say?’ He said, ‘The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘They are all from the Quraysh.’”

12-24 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Abdul Rahman ibn Abi Hatam quoted Ishaq ibn Ibrahim ibn Abdul Rahman Abu Yaqoob al-Sameen al-Baqavy, on the authority of Ibn Eliyeh (who is Isma’il ibn Eliyeh), on the authority of Ibn Oan, on the authority of Al-Sha’abi, on the authority of Jabir ibn Samurah, “My father and I were with the Prophet (MGB). I heard the Prophet (MGB) say, ‘This religion will always be dear and invulnerable and shall overcome anyone who opposes it until there come twelve Caliphs.’ Then the Prophet (MGB) said something which could not be heard due to the noisy people there. I asked my father, ‘What did he (MGB) say when he lowered his voice?’ My father said, ‘The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘They are all from the Quraysh.’”

12-25 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Abdul Rahman ibn Abi Hatam quoted Ahmad ibn Salamt ibn Abdullah Al-Neishaboory, on the authority of Al-Hussein ibn Mansoor, on the authority of Mobashir ibn Abdullah ibn Razin, on the authority of Sufyan ibn Hussein, on the authority of Sa’id ibn Amr ibn Ashva’a, on the authority of Amer al-Sha’abi, on the authority of Jabir ibn Samurah al-Sava’ee, “I was in the mosque with my father when the Prophet (MGB) was delivering a sermon. I heard the Prophet (MGB) say, ‘There will be twelve Leaders after me.’ Then the Prophet (MGB) lowered his voice such that I could not understand what he (MGB) said. I asked my father, ‘What did he (MGB) say when he lowered his voice?’ My father said, ‘The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘They are all from the Quraysh.’”

12-26 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Abu Bakr Abdullah ibn Suleiman al-Ash’as quoted Ahmad ibn Yusuf ibn Salim al-Salami quotedUmar ibn Abdullah ibn Razin, on the authority of Sufyan ibn Hussein, on the authority of Sa’id ibn Amr ibn Ashva’a, on the authority of Amer al-Sha’abi, on the authority of Jabir ibn Samurah al-Sava’ee, “I was in the mosque with my father when the Prophet (MGB) was delivering a sermon. I heard the Prophet (MGB) say, ‘There will be twelve Leaders after me.’ Then the Prophet (MGB) lowered his voice such that I could not understand what he (MGB) said. I asked my father, ‘What did he (MGB) say when he lowered his voice?’ My father said, ‘The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘They are all from the Quraysh.’”

12-27 Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ishaq al-Qazi narrated that Abu Ya’la quoted Ali ibn al-Ja’ed, on the authority of Zahir, on the authority of Zyad ibn Khaysamat, on the authority of Al-Aswad ibn Sa’id al-Hamedany that he had heard Jabir ibn Samurah say, “I heard God’s Prophet (MGB) say, ‘There will be twelve Leaders after me. They are all from the Quraysh.”When the Prophet (MGB) returned home, Jabir ibn Samurah went to see him (MGB) in private and asked, “What will happen after them?” The Prophet (MGB) replied, “Then there will be chaos.”

12-28 Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ishaq al-Qazi narrated that Abu Khalifa quoted Ibrahim ibn Bashar, on the authority of Sufyan, on the authority of Abdul Malik ibn Umayr that he had heard Jabir ibn Samurah say, “The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘The rule of the people will not end until twelve men come to lead them.’ Then the Prophet (MGB) said something in a lowered voice. I asked my father, ‘What did he (MGB) say when he lowered his voice?’ My father said, ‘The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘They are all from the Quraysh.’”

12-29 Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ishaq al-Qazi narrated that Hamid ibn Shoayb al-Balkhi quoted Bashir ibn al-Walid al-Kindi, on the authority of Ishaq ibn Yahya ibn Talha ibn Ubaydullah, on the authority of Sa’id ibn Khalid, on the authority of Jabir ibn Samurah, on the authority of God’s Prophet (MGB), “This good religion will proceed on and no one can harm it until there come twelve Leaders after me. They are all from the Quraysh.’”

12-30 Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ishaq narrated that Abu Bakr ibn Abi Zawad quoted Ishaq ibn Ibrahim ibn Shazan, on the authority of Al-Walid ibn Hisham, on the authority of Muhammad, on the authority of Makhool ibn Zakvan, on the authority of his father, on the authority of his grandfather, on the authority of Ibn Sirin, on the authority of Jabir ibn Samurah al-Sava’ee, “I was with the Prophet (MGB). The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘Yes. There will be twelve Leaders.’ Then the people made some noise and I could not hear what the Prophet (MGB) said. I asked my father who was close to God’s Prophet, ‘What did he (MGB) say when he lowered his voice?’ My father said, ‘The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘They are all from the Quraysh.’”

12-31 Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ishaq al-Qazi narrated that Abu Ya’la al-Mooseli quoted Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shoyba’, on the authority of Hatam ibn Isma’il, on the authority of Al-Muhajir ibn Mismar, on the authority of Amer ibn Sa’ed, “I wrote a letter to Jabir ibn Samurah using my servant and asked him to inform me about any news which he had heard from God’s Prophet (MGB). He wrote, ‘On the Friday night on which Al-Aslami was stoned to death, the Prophet (MGB) said, ‘This religion will always be up until the time the Resurrection comes and there will be twelve Leaders for all of you who are from the Quraysh.’”

12-32 Abu Ali Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan - known as Ibn Abdeh Rab’beh narrated that Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Qarin quoted Ali ibn al-Hassan al-Hisinjany, on the authority of Sahl ibn Bukar, on the authority of Himad, on the authority of Ya’la ibn Ata, on the authority of Bajir ibn Abi Bajir, on the authority of Sarh al-Barmaky, that he said in writing, “There will be twelve Leaders for this Nation. Once they end there shall be rebellion and oppression all over the Earth and they will fight with each other.”

12-33 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Muhammad ibn Qarin quoted Ali ibn al-Hassan al-Hisinjany, on the authority of Sadir, on the authority of Yahya ibn Abi Yunus, on the authority of Ibn Najran that Abal Khalid swore and said, “This nation will not be destroyed until there comes twelve Caliphs all of whom act according to guidance and the true religion.”

12-34 Abul Qasim Abdullah ibn Muhammad al-Sayeq narrated that Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Sa’id quoted Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Zyad, on the authority of Isma’il al-Teeyan, on the authority of Abu Usamah on the authority of Sufyan, on the authority of Bard that Makhool was asked, “Has the Prophet (MGB) said, ‘There will come twelve Caliphs after me.’” Makhool replied, “Yes. And the Prophet (MGB) has said something else, too.”

12-35 Abul Qasim Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Muhammad narrated that Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Sa’id quoted Al-Hassan, on the authority of Isma’il al-Tayan, on the authority of Abu Usamah, on the authority of Ibn Mubarak, on the authority of Mu’amir, on the authority of someone who had heard Wahab ibn Monbat quote as follows, “There will be twelve Caliphs after me. Then there will be chaos. Then it will be such and such.”

12-36 Abul Qasim narrated that Abu Abdullah quoted Al-Hassan ibn Ali, on the authority of Al-Walid ibn Muslim, on the authority of Safvan ibn Amr, on the authority of Sharih ibn Ubayd, on the authority of Amr al-Bukaee, on the authority of Ka’eb al-Ahbar said the following regarding the Caliphs, “There shall be twelve of them. Once they come and the good class comes into power, God shall extend their lives as He has promised this nationin the following verse, ‘Allah has promised, to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will, of a surety, grant them in the land, inheritance (of power), as He granted it to those before them….’ Then he added, ‘This is the same thing God did with the Children of Israel. It is not hard for the Almighty God to unite this nation for one day or a half as ‘Verily a Day in the sight of thy Lord is like a thousand years of your Reckoning.’”

12-37 Abul Qasim Abdullah ibn Muhammad narrated that Abul Hussein Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Qasrany quoted Abu Ali Bashr ibn Musa ibn Salih, on the authority of Abul Valid Khalaf ibn al-Walid al-Juwhary, on the authority of Israel, on the authority of Samak that he had heard Jabir ibn Samurah al-Sava’ee say, “I heard God’s Prophet (MGB) say, ‘There will be twelve Leaders after me.’ Then the Prophet (MGB) said something which I did not understand. I asked the people what he had said. They said, ‘The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘They are all from the Quraysh.’”

12-38 Abul Qasim narrated that Abul Hussein quoted Abu Ali al-Hussein ibn al-Komeit ibn Buhlool al-Mooseli, on the authority of Qasan ibn al-Rabi’a, on the authority of Suleiman ibn Abdullah, on the authority of Abi Umar Amer al-Sha’abi, on the authority of Jabir that God’s Prophet (MGB) said, “The affairs of my Nation will proceed until there come twelve Caliphs all of whom are from the Quraysh.”

12-39 (The compiler of the book narrated) that his father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’ed ibn Abdullah ibn Abi Khalaf quoted Yaqoob ibn Yazid, on the authority of Hammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Abdullah ibn Miskan, on the authority of Aban ibn Taqlib, on the authority of Salim ibn Qays al-Hilaly, on the authority of Salman al-Farsi - may God have Mercy upon him, “I went to see the Prophet (MGB) when he (MGB) was holding Al-Hussein (MGB) on his lap; was kissing him in between the eyes and on the lips; and saying, ‘You are the Master! The son of the Master! You are the Divine Leader! You are the son of a Divine Leader! You are the father of the Divine Leaders! You are the Proof! You are the son of a Proof! You are the son of the Proofs!: Nine Proofs who will be of your progeny! The ninth of them will be the Riser (MGB)!’”

12-40 Hamzih ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Ja’far ibn Muhammad ibn Zayd ibn Ali ibn al-Hussein (MGB) narrated that Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Sa’id al-Kufy - a servant of the Hashemites, on the authority of Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad ibn Himad, on the authority of Qiyath ibn Ibrahim, on the authority of Hussein ibn Zayd ibn Ali, on the authority of Ja’far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq (MGB), on the authority of his father (MGB), on theauthority of his forefathers (MGB), on the authority of Ali (MGB) that God’s Prophet (MGB) said, “Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice! The similitude of my nation is like that of rain which you cannot tell whether its beginning is better or its ending. The similitude of my nation is like that of a garden from which some are fed this year and others shall be fed the next year. It may even be the case that the ones that are fed from it later shall have a better, more lasting and higher yielding crop. How could a nation be destroyed which starts out with me, and ends with twelve prosperous wise ones and Jesus - the son of Mary (MGB)? However, those who make chaos shall be destroyed. They are not of me and I am not of them.”

12-41 (The compiler of the book narrated) that his father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’ed ibn Abdullah quoted Muhammad ibn al-Hussein ibn Abil Khat’tab, on the authority of Al-Hikam ibn Meskin al-Saqafy, on the authority of Salih ibn Aqabah, on the authority of Ja’far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq (MGB), When Abu Bakr died and Umar took over the Caliphate, Umar went to the mosque and sat down. A man entered the mosque and said, ‘O commander of the faithful (referring to Umar)! I am one of the Jews. I am their great scholar. I wish to ask you about some problems. I will embrace Islam if you can convince me.’ Umar said, ‘What are they?’ He said, ‘Three, three and one. I will ask you if you please or guide me to ask anyone else who is more knowledgeable if you wish.’ Umar said, ‘Go and ask that young fellow who is Ali ibn Abi Talib (MGB).’ The Jew went to Ali (MGB) and asked him questions. Ali (MGB) said, ‘Why did you say three, three and one but did not say seven?’ The Jew said, ‘That would have been due to my ignorance! If you could not answer the first three questions, there would be no need to ask the rest.’ Ali (MGB) said, ‘Will you accept Islam if I give you the correct answers?’ The Jew said, ‘Yes, I will.’ Then Ali (MGB) said, ‘Go ahead and ask.’ The Jew asked, ‘Which were the first rock placed on the Earth, the first spring which gushed out of the Earth and the first tree which grew on the Earth?’ Ali (MGB) replied, ‘O Jew! You say that the first rock placed on the Earth was the one in Bayt ul- Muqadas (Holy Shrine in Jerusalem), but you lie. It was the rock which Adam brought down to the Earth from Heaven. You say that the first spring which gushed out of the Earth was one in Bayt ul-Muqadas (Holy Shrine in Jerusalem) but you lie. That spring was the spring of youth in which Yushu ibn Noon washed the fish and the same one from which Khizr drank. Whoever drinks from it will become eternal.’ The Jew said, ‘You are right. This has been recorded in Aaron’s handwriting on the authority of Moses.’ Then Ali (MGB) continued, ‘You say that the first tree which grew on the Earth was an olive tree but you lie. It was the Al-Ajwatdate which Adam brought down to the Earth from Heaven.’ The Jew said, ‘You are right. This has been recorded in Aaron’s handwriting on the authority of Moses.’ Then the Jew asked, ‘Where in Paradise does your Prophet sit?’ Ali (MGB) said, ‘In the noblest and highest place in the Adan Gardens.’ The Jew said, ‘You are right. This has been recorded in Aaron’s handwriting on the authority of Moses.’ Then the Jew asked, ‘Who will accompany him in his place of residence?’ Ali (MGB) replied, ‘The twelve Divine Leaders.’ The Jew said, ‘You are right. This has been recorded in Aaron’s handwriting on the authority of Moses.’ Then the Jew asked the seventh question and accepted Islam. He asked, ‘For how many years will his Trustee live after him?’ Ali (MGB) said, ‘Thirty years.’ He asked, ‘Will he die or will he get killed?’ Ali (MGB) replied, ‘He will be killed with such a blow on the head that his beard will become red with his blood.’ The Jew said, ‘You are right. This has been recorded in Aaron’s handwriting on the authority of Moses.’”I have recorded this book from its various chains of narrators in Awael.

12-42 (The compiler of the book narrated) that his father - may God be pleased with him - narrated the following on the authority of Sa’ed ibn Abdullah who quoted Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Abi Umayr, on the authority of Umar ibn Azineh, on the authority of Aban ibn Abi Ayyash, on the authority of Salim ibn Qays al-Hilaly.The same has also been narrated by Muhammad ibn al-Hassan al-Walid - may God be pleased with him - on the authority of Muhammad ibn al-Hassan al-Saffar who quoted Yaqoob ibn Yazid and Ibrahim ibn Hashim, on the authority of Hammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Ibrahim ibn Umar al-Yamani, on the authority of Aban ibn Abi Ayyash, on the authority of Salim ibn Qays al-Hilaly that he had heard Abdullah ibn Ja’far al-Tayyar say, “I was in the presence of Muawiyah along with Al-Hassan (MGB), Al-Hussein (MGB), Abdullah ibn Abbas, Umar ibn Abi Salma and Usamat ibn Zayd. There was an argument between me and Muawiyah. I told him, ‘I myself heard God’s Prophet (MGB) say, ‘I am closer to the Believers than their own selves. Then my brother Ali ibn Abi Talib (MGB) is the closest one to the Believers than their own selves. Then after Ali (MGB) gets martyred, Al-Hassan ibn Ali (MGB) is the closest one to the Believers than their own selves. Then Ali’s son Al-Hussein (MGB) is the closest one to the Believers than their own selves. Then after he (MGB) is martyred, his son Ali ibn al-Hussein al-Akbar is the closest one to the Believers than their own selves. Then my (grand)son Muhammad ibn Ali al-Baqir (MGB) is the closest one to the Believers than their own selves. O Hussein! You shall understand him! Then there will be twelve Divine Leaders nine of whom shall be from the progeny of Al-Hussein - may God be pleased with him.’”Then Abdullah ibn Ja’far (al-Tayyar) added, ‘Then I asked Al-Hassan, al-Hussein, Abdullah ibn Abbas, Umar ibn Abi Salma and Usamah ibn Zayd to testify on my behalf and they all testified on my behalf before Muawiyah.”Salim ibn Qays al-Hilaly said, “I have also heard this very same narration from Salman, Abuzar and Al-Miqdad all of whom said that they had heard this from God’s Prophet (MGB).”

12-43 (The compiler of the book narrated) that his father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’ed ibn Abdullah quoted Muhammad ibn al-Hussein ibn Abil Khat’tab, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Mahboob, on the authority of Abil Jarud, on the authority of Abi Ja’far al-Baqir (MGB), on the authority of Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari, “I went to see Fatimah (MGB) and there was a Tablet in front of her on which the names of the Trustees was inscribed. There were twelve of them with the twelfth one being the Riser (MGB). Three of them were named Muhammad and three of them were named Ali.”

12-44 (The compiler of the book narrated) that his father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashim quoted Muhammad ibn Isa ibn Ubayd, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Fuzayl al-Sayrafi, on the authority of Abi Hamzih al-Sumaly that Abi Ja’far al-Baqir (MGB) said, “Indeed the Honorable the Exalted God appointed Muhammad to the genies and the men, and established twelve Trustees after him. Some of them have already come and some others shall come later. Each Trustee had some practices. The Trustees who come after Muhammad (MGB) are similar to those of Jesus (MGB). They are twelve and the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (MGB) acted like Jesus (MGB) did.”

12-45 Ja’far ibn Muhammad ibn Masroor - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Al-Hussein ibn Muhammad ibn Amer al-Ash’ari quoted Al-Mo’ali ibn Muhammad al-Basry, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Vasha, on the authority of Aban ibn Uthman, on the authority of Zurarah ibn A’ayan that he had heard Abi Ja’far al-Baqir (MGB) say, “We are the twelve Divine Leaders including Al-Hassan (MGB) and Al-Hussein (MGB) followed by the children from the progeny of Al-Hussein (MGB).”

12-46 Muhammad ibn Ali Majiluyih narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Attar quoted Muhammad ibn al-Hassan al-Saf’far, on the authority of Abi Talib Abdullah ibn al-Salt al-Qumi, on the authority of Uthman ibn Isa, on the authority of Sama’at ibn Mihran, “Abu Basir and I were in the house of Muhammad ibn Imran - the servant of Abi Ja’far al-Baqir. Muhammad ibn Imran said that he had heard Aba Abdullah as-Sadiq (MGB)say, ‘There are twelve of us.’ Abu Basir asked him, ‘By God! Did you hear that from Aba Abdullah as-Sadiq (MGB)?’ He had him swear to God two or three times and he did it. Abu Basir said, ‘However, I have heard this from Abi Ja’far al-Baqir (MGB).’”

12-47 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan narrated that Ahmad ibn Yahya ibn Zakariya al-Qat’tan quoted (Bakr ibn Abdullah ibn Habib, on the authority of) Tamim ibn Buhlool, “I asked Abdullah ibn Abil Huzayl about the issue of Divine Leadership as to who can hold that position and what its signs are. He said, ‘Indeed the Divine Leader, the Proof over the believers, the one in charge of the affairs; the one who speaks the Quran and is aware of the decrees is no one but the brother of God’s Prophet, the Prophet’s Caliph reigning over his nation, and his friend who is in the same position in relation to the Prophet (MGB) that Aaron was to Moses (MGB). He is the one whom we must obey as the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you…’ He is the one whom God has described as, ‘Your (real) friends are (no less than) Allah, His Messenger, and the (fellowship of) believers,- those who establish regular prayers and regular charity, and they bow down humbly (in worship).’ You are invited to accept his mastery. He is the one whose Divine Leadership was firmly established on the day of Qadir Khum when God’s Prophet (MGB) said, ‘Am I not more of a Master over you than you yourselves are?’ The people replied, ‘Yes. O Prophet of God.’ Then the Prophet (MGB) said, ‘Whomever I am the Master of, Ali is the Master of. O my God! Please be the friend of his friends and be the enemy of his enemies. Assist whoever assists him, and abandon whoever abandons him. Help whoever helps him. He is Ali ibn Abi Talib (MGB). He is the Commander of the Faithful, the Divine Leader of the pious ones, the Leader of those with white-foreheads , the Noblest of the Trustees, and the best of the people after God’s Prophet (MGB). After him come Al-Hassan ibn Ali (MGB) and Al-Hussein (MGB) - the grandsons of God’s Prophet (MGB), the sons of the best of all women. Then there is Ali ibn al-Hussein (MGB), then Muhammad ibn Ali (MGB), Ali ibn Muhammad (MGB), Al-Hassan ibn Ali (MGB), Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan (MGB) successively up to now. They are the Prophet’s progeny known by their Trusteeship and Divine Leadership. There is no time or era in which the Earth is left without one of them. They are the Reliable Grip, Leaders towards guidance, Proofs for the people of the Earth until God inherits the Earth with whatever is in it. Anyone who opposes them (the Imams) is deviant, misleading, and a deserter of the right and the guidance. They (the Imams) are the interpreters of the Quran and the spokespersons of theProphet (MGB) with directness. Whoever dies before he recognizes them is regarded as one who has died in the Age of Ignorance. Their way consists of piety; chastity; honesty; being good; struggling; returning what you are entrusted with to its owner, whether they are good or bad people; extended prostrations; staying up at night (to worship God); abstaining from the forbidden things; patiently waiting for the arrival of the Savior ; being good-tempered; being on good terms with one’s neighbors.”Then Tamim ibn Buhlool said, “Abu Muawiyah narrated that Al-A’amash quoted a similar narration on the issue of Divine Leadership on the authority of Ja’far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq (MGB).”

12-48 Muhammad ibn Musa ibn al-Mutevakil - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Attar quoted Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Abbas ibn al-Huraysh al-Razi, on the authority of Abi Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ali - the second (MGB), “The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (MGB) told Ibn Abbas , ‘Indeed there is the Night of Power every year. On this night the orders for the whole year descend. Those in charge of the affairs shall receive these orders.’ Ibn Abbas asked, ‘Who are they.’ Ali (MGB) replied, ‘Me and eleven Divine Leaders from my progeny who shall receive the traditions.’”

12-49 By the same documentation, God’s Prophet (MGB) told his companions, “Believe in the Night of Power as that belongs to Ali ibn Abi Talib (MGB) and eleven of his progeny after me.”

12-50 Muhammad ibn Ali Majiluyih - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Muhammad ibn Yaqoob al-Kulayny quoted Abu Ali al-Ash’ari, on the authority of Al-Hussein ibn Ubaydullah, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Musa al-Khishab, on the authority of Ali ibn Sama’at, on the authority of Ali ibn al-Hassan ibn Rabat, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Ibn Aziat, on the authority of Zurarah ibn A’ayn that he had heard Aba Ja’far al-Baqir (MGB) say, “There are twelve Divine Leaders from the members of the Household of Muhammad (MGB) who all narrate traditions after God’s Prophet (MGB). Ali ibn Abi Talib (MGB) is one of them.”

12-51 (The compiler of the book narrated) that his father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashim quoted his father, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Abi Umayr, on the authority of Sa’ed ibn Qazvan, on the authority of Abi Basir that Abi Ja’far al-Baqir (MGB) said, “There are nine Divine Leaders after al-Hussein ibn Ali (MGB), the ninth of whom shall be the Riser (MGB).”