The necessity of knowledge by the nour (Divine Light) reality

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Imam Abou Abdellah (Pbuh) that he said about the saying of Allah:{Those who follow the Messenger-Prophet, the Ummi, whom they find written down with them in the Tawrat and the Injeel commanding them virtues and prohibiting vice, making what is good as lawful and what is wicked as not lawful- until the saying - and follow the divine light (Nour) which has been sent down with him, these are the ones that are the successful.} “The Nour in this place is Ali Amir Al-Mo’mineen and the Imams (Pbut).” [1]

* Al-Sayyid Hashim Al-Bahrani states in Madeenat Al-Ma’ajiz Book: Reported from Anas bin Malik that he said that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) prayed with them the dawn prayer. Then he turned towards them with his generous face. So Anas said: “O Messenger of Allah, can you explain this saying of Allah for us: {Those are whom Allah bestowed upon them, of prophets, sincere saints, witnesses and the righteous. Those are the best of companions}.” So the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said: “{The prophets} is me. {The sincere saints} is my brother Ali Bin Abi Talib (Pbuh). {The witnesses} is my uncle Al-Hamza. {The righteous} are my daughter Fatima and her sons Hassan and Hussein.”

Al-Abbas was present so he went and sat in front of the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) and said: “Aren’t I, you, Ali, Fatima, Hassan and Hussein from one spring?” He (Pbuhp) “How is that? O Uncle” He: “because you define Ali, Fatima, Hassan and Hussein and yet you exclude us.” So the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) smiled and said: “As for you saying that we are from one spring. You are right. Yet Allah created me, Ali, Fatima, Hassan and Hussein before He created Adam when neither there was a sky nor land nor darkness nor light nor heaven nor hell nor sun nor moon.”

Al-Abbas said: “How did your creation start O Messenger of Allah?” The Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said to his uncle Al-Abbas: “O uncle, when Allah, the Most High, wanted to create us, He uttered a word by which He created a Divine Light and then He uttered a word by which He created a Soul. He combined the Light with the Soul so He created me, my brother Ali, Fatima, Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein. We exalted Him when there was no exaltation and hallowed Him when there was no hallowing. When Allah, the Most High, wanted to create the makings, He originated my Light by which He created the Throne, so the light of the Throne is from my Light and my Light is greater than the Throne’s light; and then He originated the Light of my brother Ali Bin Abi Talib (Pbuh) by which He created the light of the angles, so the light of the angels is from Ali’s Light and Ali’s Light is greater than the angels.

He originated, after that, the Light of my daughter Fatima by which He created the light of the skies and earth and the Light of my daughter Fatima is from the Light of Allah, so the Light of my daughter Fatima is greater than the light of the skies and earth; and then He originated the Light of my son Al-Hassan by which He created the Light of the sun and moon, so the light of the sun and moon is from the Light of my son Al-Hassan and the Light of Al-Hassan is from the Light of Allah and Al-Hassan is greater than the sun and moon. He originated, after that, the Light of my son Al-Hussein by which He created the Heaven and Al-Hour Al-Ein (Heavenly maids), so the light of the Heaven and Al-Hour Al-Ein is from the Light of my son Al-Hussein and the Light of my son Al-Hussein is from the Light of Allah and my son Al-Hussein is greater than the Heaven and Al-Hour Al-Ein.

Then Allah ordered the darkness to pass through the skies so the skies darkened upon the angles. Hence, the angels cried out by exaltation and glorification and said: “O our God and Master! Since You have created us and let us know these Spirits, we didn’t witness any misery, so for the sake of these Spirits we plead you to clear this darkness. Therefore, Allah took from the Light of my daughter Fatima (pbuh) lanterns hanged to the Throne. Thus, the skies and earth shined and brightened by her Light. So, that’s why she was named Al-Zahraa (The Radiant One). The angles said: “O our God and Master! Whose bright light that brightened the skies and earth is this?” Allah send a revelation upon them that says: “This is the Light that I originated from the Light of My Majesty for My servant Fatima, the daughter of My beloved and the wife of My custodian who is My Prophet’s brother and the father of My arguments over My servants in My lands. My angels, you bear witnesses that I have made the rewards of your exaltation and glorification for this women and her followers and then for her lovers until the Day of Resurrection.”

When Al-Abbas heard this from the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) he hopped and kissed the forehead of Ali (Pbuh) and said: “O Ali, I swear to Allah you are the clear incontrovertible argument to he who believes in Allah.” [2]

* Tafseer Al-Imam Al-Askari (Pbuh) Book: Imam Ali Bin Al-Hussein (Pbuh) said that his father told him that his father told him that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said: “O servants of Allah. When Adam saw the Light shining from his seed, for Allah had transferred our spirits from the topmost of the Throne to his seed, he saw the Light but he didn’t see the spirits so he said: “O Lord! What are these Lights?!” Allah the Almighty said: “They are Lights of spirits whom I transferred from the most honorable place in My Throne to your seed and for that purpose I have ordered the angels to prostrate themselves for you because you were the holder of those spirits.”

Hence, Adam said: “O Lord! Would you show them to me?” Allah the Almighty said: “Adam, look at the topmost of the Throne.” He looked and the Light of our spirits was moved from Adam’s seed to the topmost of the Throne and then the images of our spirits’ Lights that are in his seed were printed and reflected on it as someone’s face reflects on a clear mirror. Hence, he saw our spirits and said: “O Lord! What are these spirits?” Allah, the Most High, said: “O Adam, these are the spirits of my greatest creations and servants. This is Mohammad and I am Al-Mahmoud Al-Hamid (The Most Thanked) for My actions, I derived this name for him from My Name. This is Ali and I am Al-Ali Al-A’theem (The Most High and the Greatest), I derived this name for him from My Name. This is Fatima and I am (Fatir) the Originator of the skies and earth; I am the One who shall deprive my enemies from My mercy on the day of My judgment and protect my saints from what may harm them; hence, I derived this name for her from My Name and these are Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein and I am Al-Mohsen Al-Mojmel (The Most Charitable and the Most Generous); I derived their names from My Name. These are My most virtuous creations and My most dignified servants. By them, I give. By them, I punish. By them, I reward. Therefore, plead by them, O Adam, and if you face a hardship, let them be your interceders. For, I swore to Myself indeed to never disappoint anyone who hopes mercy by them and never refuse anyone who asks a request by them.” Thus, when he (Adam) did a mistake, he pleaded Allah the Almighty by them; hence, He accepted his repentance and forgave him.” [3]

* Mohammad bin Jareer Al-Tabari states in Dala’il Al-Imama Book: Reported from Salman that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) told him: “Allah made twelve custodians for every prophet and messenger he sent.” Salman: “O Messenger of Allah, I already knew that from the 2 book (Christians and Hebrews).” He (Pbuhp): “Do you know who the 12 custodians that Allah chose for this nation after me are?” Salman: “Allah and His Messenger know better.”

The Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said:” O Salman, Allah has created me from the elite of His Light and called me, thus I obeyed Him; He created from my Light Ali and called him, thus he obeyed Him; He created from Ali’s Light Fatima and called her, thus she obeyed Him; He created from me, Ali and Fatima Al-Hassan and called him, thus he obeyed Him and He created from me, Ali and Fatima Al-Hussein and called him, thus he obeyed Him and then He named us by five names of His Names. Allah is Al-Mahmoud (The All-thanked) and I am Mohammad; Allah is Al-Ali (The Most High) and this is Ali; Allah is Al-Fatir (The Originator) and this is Fatima; Allah is Thou Al-Ihsan (The All-Charitable) and this is Al-Hassan and Allah is Al-Mohsen (The All-Benevolent) and this is Al-Hussein. And then he created from us and from Al-Hussein’s Light nine Imams so He called them, thus they obeyed Him before He created a built sky, flat land, angels and humankind. We were a Light, praising Allah, listening to Him and obeying Him.”

Salman said: “O Messenger of Allah, what does who knows earn?” He (Pbuhp) said: “O Salman, he who knows them truly, follows them, pledges loyalty to their followers and becomes enemies with their enemies then he is one of us. He will be where we will be and live where we will live.” Salman: “O Messenger of Allah, can one believe in them without knowing their names and linage?” He (Pbuhp): “No Salman.” He: “O Messenger of Allah, how can I know them and I only know till Al-Hussein?” He (Pbuhp): “then, The Master of Worshipers Ali Bin Al-Hussein, then his sons Mohammad Bin Ali the Treasure of the Knowledge of the first and the last prophets and messengers, then his son Jaa’far Bin Mohammad The Honest Tongue of Allah, then his son Moussa Bin Jaa’far Al-Qa’thim (Suppressor) of Anger patiently for the cause of Allah, then his son Ali Bin Moussa The Most Content with Allah’s commands, then his son Mohammad Bin Ali The Elite of the creatures of Allah, then his son Ali Bin Mohammad Al-Hadi (The Guider) to Allah, then his son Al-Hassan Bin Ali The Quite Keeper of the secret of Allah, then his son Mohammad bin Al-Hassan Al-Hadi Al-Mahdi (the Guide) Al-Natiq (The Speaker) Al-Qa’im (the Rising) with the truth and right of Allah.”

The Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said:” O Salman, you shall meet him indeed and everyone like you and all those who followed them by true knowledge shall too.” Salman said: “I thanked Allah greatly and then said:” O Messenger of Allah! Shall I be delayed to their era?” He (Pbuhp) said:” O Salman, recite: {So when We will send over you Our servants, of mighty prowess, so they will go to and fro among the houses, and it was a promise to be fulfilled, and then We gave you back the turn to prevail against them, and aided you with wealth and children and made you more in soldiery.}”

Salman said: “ My weeping and yearning became more intense and then I said:” O Messenger of Allah, is this a promise made by you?: He said:” Yes, indeed! I swear by the One Who sent Mohammad that it is a promise made by me, Ali, Fatima, Al-Hassan, Al-Hussein, the nine Imams and everyone who is from us and oppressed for our cause! Indeed, I swear by Allah, O Salman, that Iblees (The Devil) and his soldiers, everyone who has pure believe and everyone who has pure disbelieve shall come so that there would be a punishment and revenge and your Lord does not oppress anyone and this is the interpretation of this verse: {We want to bestow upon those who were persecuted on earth and make them Imams and heirs * and give them power on earth and show Firaon and Haman what they feared.}” Salman said:” So I stood up from between the hands of the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp), caring not whether I meet death or death meets me.” [4]

* Sharaf Al-Deen Al-Husseiny states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Yunus bin Boraid that he heard Imam Abou Abdellah (Pbuh) say about this saying of Allah: {You have been given a proof from your Lord and we have made a clear light descend upon you.} Imam Sadiq (Pbuh) said:” The proof is the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) and the clear light is Ali Bin Abi Talib (Pbuh).” [5]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Abou Khaled Al-Kabouli that he asked Imam Abou Jaa’far (Pbuh) about this saying of Allah {Believe in Allah, His Messenger and the Nour that we descended}. Imam (Pbuh) said: “O Abou Khaled, I swear to Allah, they are the Imams of AL Mohammad (Pbut) till Resurrection Day. I swear to Allah, they are the Nour of Allah that was descended. I swear to Allah they are the Light of Allah in the skies and land. I swear to Allah, O Abou Khaled, the Light of the Imam in the hearts of the believers is brighter than the light of sun during the day. I swear to Allah, they are who enlighten the hearts of believers. Allah veils his light from reaching whom he pleases and thus they hearts are darkened. I swear to Allah O Abou Khaled, a servant doesn’t love us and pledge loyalty to us unless Allah purifies his heart. Allah doesn’t purify the heart of a servant unless he yields to us. If he is peaceful to us, Allah saves him from the severe judgment and protects him from the Horror of the Grandest Resurrection Day.” [6]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Ahmad bin Ali bin Mohammad bin Abdellah bin Amr bin Ali Bin Abi Talib (Pbuh) from Imam Abou Abdellah (Pbuh) that he said: “Allah was present before the creation of time and place. He created the light of lights that from which the lights were lighted. Then He made his Light flow into it that lighted the lights. This light is the light that created Mohammad and Ali. They were the first two lights and nothing was created before them. They remained flowing Pure and Purified is the pure seeds till they were separated in the Purest of All Abdellah and Abou Talib (Pbut).” [7]

* Al-Sayyid Hashim Al-Bahrani states in Madeenat Al-Ma’ajiz Book: Reported from Jaber bin Abdellah Al-Ansari that he asked the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) about the birth of Ali (Pbuh). the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said: “O Jaber, you asked about the greatest born man. Know that when Allah wanted to created me and Ali (Pbuh) before everything, He created a giant pearl that is greater than Donia is ten times. Then Allah places us in that pearl. We stayed there for one hundred thousand years exalting and hallowing. When Allah intended to created the beings He looked at this pearl with the eye of creation. Thus it blasted into two halves. Allah placed me in the half of Prophecy and placed Ali(Pbuh) in the half of Imamate. Then Allah created one hundred seas from that pearl. Some are the sea of knowledge, the sea of generosity, the sea of benevolence, the sea of contentment, the sea of compassion, the sea of mercy, the sea of chastity, the sea of virtue, the sea of bounty, the sea of courage, the sea of reverence, the sea of ability, the sea of greatness, the sea of might, the sea of pride, the sea of dominion, the sea of glory, the sea of light, the sea of highness, the sea of honor, the sea of dignity, the sea of kindness, the sea of wisdom, the sea of forgiveness, the sea of prophecy and the sea of Wilaya. We stayed in every sea of them for seven thousand years. Then Allah created the pen and told it: ‘write.’: ‘write my monotheism.’ So the pen stayed confused from this saying of Allah for ten thousand years. Then it woke up and said: ‘what shall I write?’ Allah told it, ‘write: There is no god but Allah, Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah, and Ali is the custodian of Allah.’ When the pen finished writing these words, it said: ‘O Lord, who are those whom you coupled Your name to their names?’ Allah said: ‘O pen, Mohammad is my prophet and my last prophet and custodian, and Ali is my custodian, successor and argument over my servants. I swear to my Glory and Honor if it hadn’t been for them I wouldn’t have created the Entrusted Board.’ Then Allah told it: ‘write’ Pen: ‘what shall I write?’ Allah: ‘write my descriptions and my names.’ So the pen wrote for one thousand years and wasn’t bored till Resurrection Day. Then Allah created from my light the skies, land, heaven, hell, Kawthar (divine fount), Sirat (Straight path), throne, chair, veils and clouds and created from Ali Bin Abi Talib’s Light the sun, moon and stars before He created Adam in two thousand years. Then Allah ordered the pen to write on every leaf of heaven and every door of the skies, land, mountains and seas: There is no god but Allah, Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah, and Ali is the custodian of Allah.”

“Then Allah ordered the light of the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) and the light of Ali Bin Abi Talib (Pbuh) to enter the veil of Greatness, then the veil of Honor, then the veil of Reverence, then the veil of Pride, then the veil of Mercy, then the veil of Rank, then the veil of Highness, then the veil of Happiness, then the veil of Prophecy and then the veil of Intercession. They stayed for two years in every veil.” Then he (Pbuh) said: “O Jaber, know that Allah created me from His light and created Ali from my light. We are all from one light. Allah created us when there were no sky, earth, sun, moon, darkness, light, land, sea, and air. He created us before creating Adam in two thousand years. Allah exalted Himself so we exalted. He hallowed Himself so we hallowed. Allah thanked us for this. He created the skies and lands from my exaltation. He raised the sky and stretched the earth. Then He created the angels from the exaltation of Ali Bin Abi Talib. So the reward of all the exaltation of the angels is for Ali Bin Abi Talib and his followers till Resurrection Day. When Allah blew the soul into Adam (Pbuh), He said: ‘I swear to My Honor and Glory. If it hadn’t been for two servants of my mine that I want to create I wouldn’t have created you.’ Adam (pbuh) said: ‘O Lord, Master and Sovereign, are they from my descendents or no?’ Allah: ‘Yes O Adam, raise your head and look.’ So he raised his head and saw written on the pillar of the throne: There is no god but Allah, Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah the Prophet of Mercy, Ali is the establisher of the argument. He who knows them shall be purified and win and he who is ignorant of them shall be cursed and fail.’ When Allah created Adam (pbuh) and blew the soul into him, He placed the soul of his beloved prophet and the light of his custodian in the seed of Adam (pbuh).’ the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said: “As for me, I settled on the right side. As for Ali Bin Abi Talib (Pbuh) he settled on the left side. The angels used to stand in rows behind him. So Adam said: ‘O Lord, why the angels are standing behind me?’ Allah said: ‘because of the light of your two sons that are in your seeds Mohammad Bin Abdellah and Ali Bin Abi Talib Prayers be upon them. If it hadn’t been for them, I wouldn’t have created the universe.’ Adam used to hear exaltations and hallowing in his back so he said: ‘O Lord, make them in front of me so that the angels stand in front of me.’ So Allah moved them from his back to his sides. Thus the angels stood in front of him in rows. Then Adam asked Allah to place them in a place where he can see them. So Allah moved us from his sides to his right hand.”

The Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said: “I was in the index finger; Ali was in the middle finger; my daughter Fatima was in the next finger, Al-Hassan was in the pinky finger and Al-Hussein was in his thumb. Then Allah ordered the angels to prostrate before Adam (pbuh). So they prostrated out of glorifying and honoring these spirits. Adam wondered from this and raised his head and looked at the throne. Allah uncovered his sight so he saw a light and said: ‘O Lord, Master and Sovereign, What is this Light?’ Allah: ‘this is the light of Mohammad the Elite of my creatures.’ Adam saw a light next to him. So he said: ‘O Lord, Master and Sovereign, What is this Light?’ Allah: ‘this is the light of Ali Bin Abi Talib (Pbuh) my custodian and the advocator of my religion.’ Then Adam saw three Lights next to them. So he said: ‘ O Lord, Master and Sovereign, What are these lights?’ Allah: ‘The light of Fatima, Fire is prevented from touching who love her. These two lights are her sons Hassan and Hussein.’ Adam: ‘I see nine lights staring at them.’ Then it was said: ‘these are the Imams from the sons of Ali and Fatima (Pbut).’ Adam: ‘O Allah, I ask you in the name of these five to allow me to know the 9 sons of Ali (Pbuh).’ Allah: ‘Ali Bin Al-Hussein, then Mohammad Al-Baqir, then Jaa’far Al-Sadiq, then Moussa Al-Qa’thim, then Ali Al-Rida, then Mohammad Al-Jawad, then Ali Al-Hadi, then Al-Hassan Al-Askari, then Al-Hojja Al-Qa’im Al-Mahdi Prayers be upon all of them.’ Adam: ‘O Lord and Master, You allowed me to know them, allow them to be from my descendents.’ The proof of this {He taught Adam all of the names}[8]

* Al-Allama Al-Majlisi states in Al-Bihar Book: Reported from Is’haq bin Ismaeel Al-Neisabouri from Imam Sadiq (Pbuh) from his forefathers (Pbut) from Imam Al-Hassan Bin Ali (Pbuh) that he said that he heard the Messenger of Allah(Pbuhp) say: “I was created from the light of Allah and my household we created from my light. Who love them were created from their light and the rest of creatures are in hell.” [9]

* Sharaf Al-Deen Al-Husseiny states in Ta’weel Al-Ayat: Reported from Abou Thar (Cbuh) that he was sitting with the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) at the house of Oum Salama. As they were talking, Ali Bin Abi Talib (Pbuh) came, so the face of the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) shined with light for his gladness of his brother and cousin. Then he hugged him and kissed his forehead, then looked at me and said: “O Abou Thar, do you know who came to us the right knowledge?” Abou Thar: “O Messenger of Allah, this is your brother, cousin, spouse of Fatima Al-Batoul and the father of Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein the Masters of the heaven’s youths.”

 The Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp): “This is the most shining Imam, the longest spear of Allah, the greatest door of Allah, O Abou Thar, this is the establisher of Allah’s justice, the defender of Allah’s women, the advocator of Allah’s religion, and the argument of Allah over all his creations. Allah is still holding him as an argument over his creations in every nation of a prophet. O Abou Thar, Allah made seventy thousand angels on every pillar of his throne, who have no exaltation nor worship but to ask Allah for the sake for Ali and his followers, and ask Allah to damn his enemies. O Abou Thar, if it hadn’t been for Ali, Right wouldn’t have been distinguished from Falsehood nor a believer from a disbeliever and none would have worshiped Allah. For that Ali is the one who forced the polytheists to adopt Islam and worship Allah. If it hadn’t been for him, there would be neither reward nor punishment. There is neither a veil that veils him from Allah nor a shade that overshadows him from Allah. Then the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) recited this verse {The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Nouh – and which We have sent you revelation of - and that which We enjoined on Ibrahim, Moussa, and Issa: Namely, that you should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to the polytheists, hard is the (way) which you asking them to. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him)} O Abou Thar, Allah owned his dominion solely, and his solitude lies within his singularity, then he allowed his sincere servants to know him, and he gave authority over them his heaven. So whom Allah wanted to guide him, Allah would let him know His Wilaya, and whom Allah wanted to seal his heart, He would prevent him from knowing him. Indeed O Abou Thar, this is the banner of guidance, the word of piety, the tight handhold, the Imam of my followers, the light of who obeyed me, and the word that Allah imposed on the pious. So who loves him is a believer, and who despised him is a disbeliever. He who forwent loyalty to Ali is astray and leading people astray. He who rejected his Wilaya is a polytheist. O Abou Thar, who rejected loyalty to Ali will be brought at the day of judgment, mute, blind, and deaf and then he will be thrown in the darkness calling {how sorrow am I, for that I underestimated and neglected my duties towards Allah} and around his neck  a leash of fire. A leash that has 300 branches, on each branch there is a devil that spits in his face, and he will be extracted from the depth of his grave into fire.”

Abou Thar said: “Give me more information, may my father and mother be sacrificed for your sake, O Messenger of Allah.”  The Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said: “when I ascended to the skies and reached the Sky of Donia, an angel proclaimed prayer. Then Jibraeel took my hand and told me to pray in front of the Angels as the Imam of the prayer. Then I prayed and behind me were seventy rows of angels, each row extends from the east to west, no one knows their count but Allah that created them. When we finished praying, a group of angels came to me and greeted me, and told me that they want to ask me a favor. I thought that they want to ask for intercession because Allah specialized me with it and with the Hawd over all the prophets. So I said : ‘what is your need, O angels of my Lord?’ Then the angels said: ‘When you go back to earth, tell Ali that we salute him, and tell him we have been missing him a lot’. I said: ‘do you know us, the true right knowledge?” the angels said: “How can we not, and you are the 1st creation that Allah had created. Allah created them from the light, he created the ghostly beings being out of light from light. Then He made you seats of exaltation and praising in his dominion. Then he created the angels from what he wanted out of several lights, and we used to pass by you while you were exalting Allah, hallowing, praising, thanking, and acclaiming, and so we did exalt, hallow, praise, thank, and acclaim Allah by your exaltation, hallowing, praising, thanking, and acclaiming.  You are the destination of what descends from Allah, and what ascends to Allah starts from you. So how can we not know you?’

 Then the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp): “I ascended to the 2nd sky. So the angels told me the same as what the first ones told me. I said: ‘O angels of my Lord, do you know us, the true right knowledge? The angels said: ‘why How can we not know you, and you the pure chosen ones among Allah’s creations, the treasure of his knowledge, the tight handhold, the greatest argument, and you are the side and the chair and the origins of knowledge. Tell Ali that we salute him’ Then I ascended to the 3rd sky and the angels told him the same as their companions before. So I said: ‘Do you know us, the true right knowledge?’ the angels: ‘How can we not know you and you are the door of the shrine, the argument of disputes, and Ali is leader of earth, the Judge, the holder of pole, the verdict of Hell, and the arch of salvation that which who went on board reaches salvation, and who abandoned it is in hell suffering at the day of resurrection. You are the bases of all regions and pillars, and the tents of the highest realm are on the backs of your Lights. So how can we not know you! Tell Ali that we salute him’ then I ascended to the 4th sky and the angels there told him the same as their companions did before so I said: ‘O angels of my Lord, do you know us the true right knowledge?’ The angels: ‘How can we not know you, and you are the tree of prophecy, the house of mercy, the essence of the message, the destination of angels and Jibraeel descends to you with the revelations form the sky. Tell Ali that we salute him’ Then I ascended to the 5th sky and the angels told me the same as their companions before. So I said: ‘Do you know us, the true right knowledge?’ the angels said: ‘How can we not know you, and we pass by you at every noon and night at the throne that is written on it ‘There is no God but Allah, Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah. I aided him with Ali Bin Abi Talib my custodian. Thus we knew that Ali is a custodian of Allah’s custodians, so tell him that we salute him’ Then I ascended to the 6th sky and the angels told me the same as their companions before. I said: ‘Do you know us, the true right knowledge?” the angels said: ‘How can we not know you, and Allah had created the eternal highest heaven, with a tree on its door with all its leaves written on with light ‘There is no God but Allah, Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah, Ali Bin Abi Talib is the firm tight handhold of Allah, the firm rope of Allah, and his eye on all his creations. Tell him that we salute him.’ then I ascended to the 7th sky and heard the angels saying : ‘thanks for Allah, that he was honest about He had promised us” I said: ‘what did He promise you?’ they said : ‘O Messenger of Allah, when you were created as ghostly beings Light in Light from the Light of Allah, we were asked to pledge our loyalty to you. We accepted, and we complained to Allah that we love you. As for you, He promised us that we will see you among us in the sky, and he did. As for Ali, we complained to Allah that we love him, so He created and image of him as an angel and made him sit to the right side of the throne on a bed jeweled with Dorr, above him a dome of white pearls that you can see its inner-side from the outer-side and the outer from the inner, that has no base from below and no chain from above, the owner of the throne ordered it: ‘rise by my power, and so it did. So when we miss seeing Ali we look at that angel in the sky. Tell him that we salute him.’“[10]

* Al-Allama Al-Majlisi states in Al-Bihar Book: Reported from Imam Jaa’far Bin Mohammad (Pbuh) from his father, from his grandfather from Ameer Elmo’mineen (Pbut) that he said: “Allah created the Light of Mohammad before creating the creatures in four hundred and twenty four thousand years. Then Allah created twelve mirrors from him, and the mirrors are the Imams (Pbut).” [11]

* Taj Al-Deen Al-Shaeeri states in Jamea’ Al-Akhbar: Reported from Jaber bin Abdellah Al-Ansari that he heard the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) say: “Allah created me and created Ali, Fatima, Hassan and Hussein from a light. Then he brought pressure to this light thus our followers were extracted. We exalted so they exalted, we hallowed so they hallowed, we praised so they praised, we recited the words of Monotheism so they recited it. Then Allah created the skies, lands and angels. The angels remained for a hundred years not knowing how to exalt, praise, hallow or recite the words of monotheism. Thus we exalted, then our followers exalted then the angels exalted because of our exaltation. We hallowed then our followers hallowed and then the angels hallowed because of our hallowing. We praised then our followers praised and then the angels praised because of our praising. We recited the words of monotheism then our followers recited it and then the angels recited it because of us reciting it. The angels knew neither exaltation nor praising before our exaltation and the exaltation of our followers. So we are the Monotheists when there were no monotheists but us. Truly Allah as he specialized us and our followers He will place us in the highest of the highest ranks. Allah chose us and our followers before the creation of bodies. He called us and we responded to him so he forgave us and our followers be we asked for forgiveness.” [12]

* Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Qummi states in his Tafseer Book: Reported from Abdellah bin Jundub that he wrote to Imam Abou Al-Hassan Al-Rida (Pbuh) asking him about the explanation of this verse {Allah is the Light of the Skies and Earth} so Imam wrote back: “ Mohammad(Pbuhp) is the trustee of Allah to his creatures. When Mohammad (Pbuhp) died, we inherited him so we became the trustees of Allah in his land. We have the knowledge of Death and Afflictions, we have the knowledge of the lineage of Arabs and the birth of Islam. Every party that leads a hundred persons astray or guide a hundred persons, we know about its leader and caller. We know the realities of men whether truly faithful or truly hypocrites. The names of our followers are written with their fathers’ names. Allah took the pledge from us and them. They will be where we will be and go where we will go. None is a Muslim but us and them till Resurrection Day. We are holding onto the rope of our prophet and our prophet is holding onto the rope of Allah and the rope of light, and our followers are holding onto our rope. He who leaves us will doom and he who follows us will be saved. Who abandon us and disbelieve in our Wilaya (Guardianship) are infidels and who follow us and pledge loyalty to us are believers. The believers never detest us. He who dies loving us, Truly Allah will resurrect him with us. We are the light to who follow us. We are the guide to who sought guidance. He who is not one of us then he is not a Muslim at all. By us Allah started the religion and by us He ends it. By us Allah fed you from the grass of lands, by us Allah allowed the rain to fall, by us Allah saved you from drowning in your seas and from cleavages in you lands. By us Allah benefited you in your lives, in your graves, when resurrected, on Sirat, on the Balance, and when entering heaven.”

Imam (Pbuh) continues: “Our parable in the book is the parable of the Niche and the Niche which within a lantern. We are {Niche and within it a Lamp} The Lamp is the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) {the Lamp enclosed in Glass:} from pure elements {the glass as it were a brilliant star: Lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the east nor of the west} Neither a denier nor an imposter {whose oil is well-nigh luminous, though fire scarce touched it} The Quran {Light upon Light! Allah guides whom He will to His Light: Allah sets forth Parables for men: and Allah knows all things.} The Light is Ali (Pbuhp). Allah guides whom who loves to loyalty to us. Truly Allah will resurrect our followers with shiny faces, a clear proof and a valid argument. Truly Allah will make our followers the pious, sincere saints, witnesses and the righteous {and those are the best of companions} our martyrs are better than the martyrs in ten times, the martyr of our followers is better than any martyrs in nine times. We are the elite and we are the descendents of prophets and custodians. We are the ones specialized in the Book of Allah and we are the most worthy people of the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp). We are the ones whom Allah established the religion for, so He said{  we established the same religion for you as we enjoined Nouh with and the revelation that we sent upon you} O Mohammad {and what we enjoined Ibrahim, Ismaeel, Is’haq and Yaqoub with} we acquired this knowledge and we were endowed with their knowledge. We are the inheritors of the prophets. We are the inheritors of the knowledgeable and the determined messengers {So that you establish the religion} and don’t die but being Muslims as Allah said {don’t be separated} even if {So hard on the polytheists is what you call them to} polytheists are who made Ali (Pbuh) a partner in loyalty to him {what you call them to} to be loyal to Ali O Mohammad: there is guidance in him {He guides to Him who go back to him} are who respond to you O Ali with loyalty.”

Imam continues: “I sent you a message, read it and understand it well for that it is cure for the inner-souls, a light, and the proof that this is a parable of them.” [13]

* Al-Allama Al-Majlisi states in Al-Bihar Book: Reported from Jaber bin Abdellah that he told the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp): “what is the first thing that Allah created?” The Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said: “The Light of your prophet O Jaber. Allah created it then he created every good from it. Then Allah allowed it to settle before him at the level of closeness, Mashallah. Then He made it into parts. He created the throne from a part, the chair from a part, the carriers of the throne and the holders of the chair from a part. Then made the forth part to settle at the level of Love, Mashallah. Then He made it into parts. He created the pen from a part, the board from a part, the heaven from a part and made the forth part to settle at the level of Fear, Mashallah. He made it into parts. Then He created the angels from a part, the sun from a part, the moon and planets from a part and made the forth part to settle at the level of Plea, Mashallah. He made it into parts. Then he created Mind from a part, knowledge and forbearance from a part, infallibility and success from a part and then made the forth part to settle at the level of Shyness, Mashallah. Then He looked at it with the eye of reverence. Thus this Light leaked one hundred and twenty four thousand drops. Allah created from each drop a soul of a prophet and a messenger. Then the souls of prophets breathed thus Allah created the souls of saints, witnesses and righteous ones from their breath.” [14]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Saleh bin Sahel Al-Hamadani that he said that Imam Abou Abdellah (Pbuh) said explaining this saying of Allah: “{Allah is the Light of the skies and earth. The parable of his Light is as if there were a Niche} Fatima {and within a lantern} Al-Hassan {the lantern enclosed in a glass} Al-Hussein {the glass is as a brilliant star} Fatima is a brilliant shining planet among the women of this earthly world {lit from a Blessed tree} Ibrahim {an olive tree, neither of east nor west} neither a Hebrew nor a Christian {whose oil is well-nigh luminous} the world will explode because of it {though fire scarce touched it Light upon Light!} Imam from Fatima after Imam {Allah guides whom He wills to His Light} Allah guides to the Imam whom he wills {Allah sets forth Parables for men:} Then Saleh asked: {Or like darkness}? Imam: “ the first man and his companions {overwhelmed with waves} the third man {topped by waves} the darkness of the second man {one topped by another} Moawia May Allah damn him and the turmoil of Omaya Nation {if he stretched his hand} the believer in the darkness of their turmoil {He can hardly see it. He who Allah didn’t grant his a light} An Imam from the sons of Fatima (Pbuh) {Then he has no Light} an Imam or resurrection day.”

Also Imam said about {their Light flows before them} “the Imams of the believers on Resurrection Day then walk in front of the believers and holding their hands till they lead them into their ranks in heaven.” [15]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Boraid that he heard Imam Abou Abdellah (Pbuh) say about this saying of Allah {Or he who was dead then We revived him and made him a Light that he walks with among people} “ {dead} who knows nothing {a light that he walks with among people} an Imam that is followed {is like he who is in the darkness not able to bring himself out of it} the one who doesn’t know the Imam. [16]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Mohammad bin Al-Fadeel that he asked Imam Abou Al-Hassan (Pbuh) about this saying of Allah {They want to extinguish the Light of Allah with their mouths}. Imam (Pbuh) said: “they want to extinguish the guardianship of Ameer Elmo’mineen (Pbuh) by their mouths. He: “{Yet Allah will fulfill his Light}” Imam: “Allah will fulfill the Imamate. The Imamate is the Light as Allah said {Believe in Allah, His Messenger and the Light that we descended} the Light is the Imam. [17]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Sadouq states in Kamal Al-Deen and Tamam Al-Ni’ma Books: Reported from Abdelsalam bin Saleh Al-Harawi from Imam Ali Bin Moussa Al-Rida  (Pbuh) from his father Moussa Bin Jaa’far from his father Jaa’far Bin Mohammad, from his father Mohammad Bin Ali, from his father Ali Bin Al-Hussein from his father Ali Bin Abi Talib (Pbut) that he said that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said: “ Allah didn’t create any creation that is greater than me nor more honored then me.” Imam Ali (Pbuh) said: “O Messenger of Allah, are you greater or Jibraeel?”

The Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said: “ O Ali, Allah made his messenger prophets greater than his close angels. He made me greater than all the prophets and messengers, and then greatness is to you after me and the Imams after you. The angels indeed are our servants and our followers’ servants. O Ali {those who carry the throne, and who are around him exalt with praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness to the ones who believed} believed in our guardianship. O Ali, if it hadn’t been for us Allah would have created neither Adam nor Hawwa nor heaven nor hell nor sky nor earth. How can we not be better than the angels and we were monotheists before them and we knew our lord, exalted him, praised and hallowed him before them! The first to be created by Allah were our souls then Allah made it speak with monotheism and glorification. Then Allah created the angels. So when they so our souls combined in one light, they considered our matters as huge to them. So we exalted so that the angels realize that we are created creatures and that He is exalted above our characteristics. Then the angels exalted by our exaltation and exalted Him above our characteristics. When they saw our magnificence and greatness recited “There is No God but Allah” so that the angels realize that there is no god but Allah and that we are servants and not gods that are worshiped. So they said: “There is no god but Allah.” Then when they saw how grand our rank is we said: “Allah is the Grandest” so that the angels realize that Allah is Grander than being reached and that He is of Great Rank. When they saw what Allah had granted of Honor and Power, we said: “There is neither way nor power but with Allah the Highest the Greatest” so that the angels know that there is no way nor power but with Allah. Then the angels said: “There is neither way nor power but with Allah.” Then when the angels saw what Allah had granted us and what he obligated of obeying us, we said: “Gratitude is to Allah” so that the angels realize the right of Allah of being thanked for what he granted us of bounties. Thus the angels said: “Gratitude is to Allah” the angels were guided to acknowledge the monotheism of Allah by us, as well as exalting him, hallowing and praising. After that, Allah created Adam (pbuh) and placed us in his seed and ordered the angels to prostate to him for glorifying and dignifying us. Their prostration to Allah was out of worshiping him and to Adam was out of dignifying and obeying for our presence in his seed. So how can we not be greater than the angels and all of them prostrated to Adam!

When I ascended to the sky Jibraeel proclaimed for prayer and said: ‘O Mohammad, lead the prayer.’ I said: ‘I lead the prayer in front of you?’ he said: “Indeed, because Allah made his prophets greater than his angels and you in particular.” So I led the prayer with no pride. When we reached the Veils of Light, Jibraeel told me: “You go ahead” and he stayed behind. So I said: “O Jibraeel, are you leaving me in such a place?” He said: “ O Mohammad, these are my boundaries that Allah had set for me. If I step forward my wings would burn for by that I would have crossed the boundaries of Allah. Then he impelled me into the light till I reached where Allah pleased me to reach from his dominion. I was called: “O Mohammad” I said: “At you beck and call my lord. Exalted are you in Highness” then I was called: “O Mohammad, you are my servant and I’m your lord so worship me and depend on me. You are my light among my servants, my messenger to my creatures, my argument among my beings. I created the heaven to the ones who followed you and created my hell to the ones who opposed you. My honor is the honor of your custodians and to your followers are my rewards.” So I said: “ O Lord, who are my custodians?”

I was called: “O Mohammad, your custodians are written on the pillar of the throne.” So I looked being in the presence of my lord and saw 12 lights. In every light the name of a custodian of my custodians is written in green. The first one is Ali Bin Abi Talib and the last one is Al-Mahdi of this nation. Then I said: “O Lord, are these my custodians that are after me?” then I was called: “O Mohammad, these are my custodians, loved ones, chosen ones, and my arguments after you over my beings. They are your custodians and successors. I swear to my Honor and Glory, I will reveal my religion by them, I will raise my word high by them and I will purify my land from my enemies by the last one of them. I will give him the dominion over the entire earth, its east and its west. I will subject the wind to his will, make every hard matter yield before him, I will raise him high above causes, I will advocate him with my soldiers and will aid him with my angels so that he reveals my message and gather my creatures on monotheism. Then I will prolong his dominion and will make my custodians rule across they days till Resurrection Day.” Thanks for Allah Lord of all Realms, May Prayers be upon our prophet Mohammad and His Pure and Kind Household.”[18]