The Statements and the Explicit Texts on Leadership with Divine Authority) of the Twelve Imams  عليه السلام — report 1

1. A number of our people has narrated Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Barqi from abu Hashim Dawud ibn al-Qasim al-Ja‘fari from abu Ja‘far al-Thani who has said the following. “Once Amir al-Mu’minin Ali عليه السلام came with al-Hassan and al-Husayn and he was holding the hand of Salman for support. He entered the sacred Mosque in Makka and sat down. Then a good looking and well dressed man came. He offered the greeting of peace to Amir al-Mu’minin Ali عليه السلام who answered his greetings likewise and he sat down. He then said, “I will ask you three questions. If you would answer them I will acknowledge that the people who have acted against you in the matters of leadership after the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم they have acted against their own selves. Their actions have taken away peace from them in this world as well in the next life. If it would be otherwise, (you can answer) then you and those people will be the same.” Amir al-Mu’minin Ali عليه السلام said, “Ask whatever you would like.” He said, “Tell about the man who sleeps. Where does his spirit go?” Tell about the man, how he remembers and forgets? Tell me about the man how do his children become similar to the aunts and uncles.?” Amir al-Mu’minin Ali عليه السلام turned to al-Hassan and said, “O abu Muhammad, answer him.” The narrator has said that al-Hassan answered his questions. The man then said, “I testify that there is no lord besides Allah and I continue to testify to this fact. I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and I continue to testify to this fact I testify that you are the executor of the will of the Messenger of Allah and that you are the in charge of this task ((Leadership with Divine Authority) with His authorization.” He pointed out to Amir al-Mu’minin عليه السلام with his hand. He then said, “I continue to testify to this fact.” “I testify that you are the executor of his (Amir al-Mu’minin’s عليه السلام will and the in charge of this task ((Leadership with Divine Authority) by His authorization after him (Amir al-Mu’minin عليه السلام “ He pointed out with his hand to al-Hassan عليه السلام . Then He then said, “I continue to testify to this fact.” “I testify that al-Husayn ibn Ali عليه السلام will be the executor of the will of his brother and the in charge of this task ((Leadership with Divine Authority) with His authorization after him. “I testify in support of Ali ibn al-Husayn عليه السلام that he will be the in charge of the task of al-Husayn after him. “I testify that Muhammad ibn Ali will be the in charge of the task of Ali ibn al-Husayn عليه السلام after him. “I testify that Ja‘far ibn Muhammad عليه السلام will be the in charge of the task of Muhammad ibn Ali عليه السلام . “I testify that Musa will be the in charge of the task of Ja‘far ibn Muhammad after him. “I testify that Ali ibn Musa will be the in charge of the task of Musa ibn Ja‘far عليه السلام . “I testify that Muhammad ibn Ali عليه السلام will be the in charge of the task of Ali ibn Musa عليه السلام after him. “I testify that Ali ibn Muhammad will be the in charge of the task of Muhammad ibn Ali عليه السلام after him. “I testify that al-Hassan ibn Ali عليه السلام will be the in charge of the task of Ali ibn Muhammad عليه السلام after him. “I testify in support of a man from the children of al-Hassan who will not be mentioned by his Kunya (father or son of so and so) or his name until he will rise with Divine authority to fill the earth with justice after being filled with injustice. “I offer you my greeting of peace O Amir al-Mu’minin عليه السلام and praay to Allah to grant you blessings and holiness.” He then stood up and left. Amir al-Mu’minin عليه السلام said, “O abu Muhammad follow him and see where went.” Al-Hassan ibn Ali عليه السلام went out to find out (and came back) and said, “As soon as he stepped out of the Mosque I could not figure out in which direction of the earth of Allah ddid he disappear. I returned to Amir al-Mu’minin عليه السلام and informed him.” He said, “O abu Muhammad, do you know him?” I said, Allah, the Messenger of Allah and Amir al-Mu’minin عليه السلام know best.” He said, “He was al-Khidr عليه السلام “