Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad ibn 'Amir al-Ash'ari has narrated from MuAlia ibn Muhammad who has said that al-Hasan ibn Ali al-Washsha' narrated to him from Ahmad ibn 'A'idh from ibn 'Udhayna from
Burayd al-'Ijli who said that he asked abu Ja'far (a.s.) about the meaning of the following words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, "Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those who possess
(Divine) authority among you." (4:59 Holy Quran). The read the following words of Allah.
"Have you seen how those who had been given a share of the Book believe in idols and Satan and who say, "The disbelievers are better guided than the believers" (4:51) 'The say that the
leaders of misguidance and those who call people to Hell' "God has condemned them.
No one can help one whomGod has condemned. (4:52) Do they have a share in the Kingdom (Divine authority and Imamat)? Even if they did, they would not have given the smallest thing to the
people." (4:53) " People is a reference to us and the word 'Naqir' means the seed inside the nutt." The Imams (a.s.) explained and added.
"Do they enviey the favors that God has done to some people?" 'We are the ones who are envied because of the Divine authority that Allah has given us exclusively.' The Imams (a.s.)
commented. "We have given to the family of Abraham the Book, Wisdom, and a great Kingdom (4:54).
Aliah says that from the descendents of Abraham He has made His Messengers, Prophets and Imams. How is it that these people acknowledge the case about the descents of Abraham but they
refuse to accept the leadership (Imamat) in the family of Muhammad?' The Imams (a.s.) further explained. "Some have believed, others have disbelieved and tried to prevent people from
believing.
For these people, only the intense fire of hell is a sufficient punishment (4:55). We will make those who reject Our revelations suffer in hell fire. As soon as the fire destroys their
skins, We will give them new skins so that they may suffer more of the torment. God is Majestic and All-wise." (4:56 Holy Quran)
H 526, Ch. 15, h 2
A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa'id from Muhammad ibn al-Fudayl from abu al-Hassan (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of
Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, Or are they envious of the people whom Allah has granted of His bounties? ( 4:54 Holy Quran) "We are the envied ones."
H 527, Ch. 15, h 3
Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa'id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Yahya al-Halabi from Muhammad al-Ahwal from Humran ibn A'yan who has said that
when he asked Imam abu 'Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah that say, "We have given to the family of Abraham the Book, Wisdom,
and a great Kingdom." (4:54) The Imams (a.s.) said, "It means Prophet-hood." I then asked about the meaning of 'wisdom'. The Imams (a.s.) said, "It means understanding and judgment." I then
asked about the meaning of 'great kingdom.' The Imams (a.s.) said, "It means obedience."
H 528, Ch. 16, h 4
Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from MuAlia ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha' from Hammad ibn 'Uthman from abu al-Sabah who has said that when asked Imam abu 'Abdallah (a.s.) about the
meaning of the words Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, "Or are they envious of the people whom Allah has granted of His bounties? ( 4:54 Holy Quran) The Imams (a.s.) said, "O abu al-Sabah, we,
I swear by Allah, are the people who are envied."
H 529, Ch. 16, h 5
Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn abu 'Umayr from 'Umar ibn Udhayna from Burayd al-'IJli from abu Ja'far (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of
Allah, the Most Holy, ""We have given to the family of Abraham the Book, Wisdom, and a great Kingdom." (4:54)
"Great kingdom means that He set Imamat (leadership) in the descendants of Abraham, Whoever would obey them he has obeyed Allah and whoever would disobey them has disobeyed Allah and thus
is the great kingdom."
