Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ya'qub ibn Yazid from Ziyad al- Qandi from Suma'a who has said that Imam abu 'Abdallah has said the following about the words of Allah
in the Holu Quran.
"How will it be when We call for a witness from every nation and have you, (Muhammad), testify against them all?" (4:41) The Imam (a.s.) said that this verse is was revealed about the
followers of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) in particular.
In every generation of these people there will an Imam from our family who would bear witness over their activities and Prophet Muahammad himself will bear witness over us."
H 478, Ch. 9, h 2
Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu'alla ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn al- Washsha' from Ahmad ibn 'A'idh from 'Umar ibn 'Udhayna from Buarayd al-'Ili who has said that I asked
Imam abu 'Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah: "We have made you (true Muslims) a moderate nation so that you could be (witness) an example for all people and the Prophet (a
witness) an example for you. . . ." (2:143) The Imam (a.s.) said, "We are the moderate nation and we bear witness to the activities of the people for Allah and we possess Divine authority on
earth."
I then asked about the meaning following verse of the holy Quran: ". . . the noble religion of your father, Abraham. God named you Muslims before and in this Book, so that the Messenger
will witness (your actions). . ." (22:78) The word 'your father' refers to us particularly we were called Muslims in the heavenly books that were sent before as well as this book.
The messenger of Allah bears witness over us by means of teaching us the guidance of Allah and bear witness over the people. Those who would acknowledge our authority, on the Day of
Judgment, we will acknowledge their faith and those who would reject our Divine authority, one the Day of Judgment, we will refuse to acknowledge their faith."
H 479, Ch. 9, h 3
Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from Mu'allah ibn Muhammad from al- Hassan ibn Ali from Ahmad ibn 'Umar al-Hallal who has said that he asked Imam abu alHassan (a.s.)
about the meaning of the following verse of the holy Quran:
"Should they be compared with those whose Lord has given them a guidance which is testified by a witness from among their own people . . ." (11:17) The Imam (a.s.) said, "Amir al-Mu'minin
Ali (a.s.) testified to support the holy Prophet (s.a.) and the holy Prophet received supporting evidence from his Lord."
H 480, Ch. 9, h 4
Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn abu 'Umayr from ibn 'dhayna from Yazid al-'Ijli who has said that he asked Imam abu Ja'far (a.s.) about the meaning of the
following verse of the Holy Quran.
"We have made you (true Muslims) a moderate nation so that you could be (witness) an example for all people and the Prophet (a witness) an example for you. . . ." (2:143) The Imam (a.s.)
said, "We are the moderate nation and we are the witness for Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, over the activities of His creatures and possess His authority on earth."
I then asked about the meaning of the following verse of the Holy Quran that says, "Believers, worship your Lord, bow down and prostrate yourselves before Him and do virtuous deeds so that
perhaps you will have everlasting happiness. (22:77)
Strive steadfastly for the Cause of God. He has chosen you . . Believers, worship your Lord, bow down and prostrate yourselves before Him and do virtuous deeds so that perhaps you will have
everlasting happiness. (22:77)
Strive steadfastly for the Cause of God. He has chosen you but has not imposed on you hardship in your religion, the noble religion of your father, Abraham. God named you Muslims before and
in this Book, so that the Messenger will witness (your actions) and you will be the witness over mankind.
The noble religion also is a reference to us. Allah has called us as Muslims in the heaven books that were revealed before and in this holy book (the Holy Quran) The Holy Prophet (s.a.) has
testified in our favor by conveying the message of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High.
We bear witness to the activities and on the Day of Judgment certify the faith of those who have acknowledged our Divine authority and reject those who have rejected our Divine
authority."
H 481, Ch. 9, h 5
Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn 'Isa from Ibrahim ibn 'Umar al-Yamani from Sulaym ibn Qays al-Hilali from Amir al-Mu'minin (a.s.) who has said the
following.
"Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, cleansed us, granted us protection against sins, made us to bear witness to the activities of His creatures and granted us Divine authority on earth.
He made us to be with the holy Quran and the Holy Quran to be with us. We do not depart the Holy Quran and the Holy Quran does not depart us."
