Imam Al-Sadiq

limited and explained punishments for people, disclosed and declared matters for his creation.
In them (the matters), there is a direction to salvation and marks summon (men) to guidance.
So, Allah's Apostle propagated what he was sent to do, declared what he was ordered to, and
fulfil led the burdens of prophethood. He was patient for his Lord, waged holy war in His
way, loyal to his nation, summoned them to Salvation, urged them (to read) the Koran,
showed them the way of guidance with methods and reasons, (which) he founded their
foundation for people, and ways which he proved for them that they will not go astray after
him, and he was compassionate and merciful to them.(300)
(The second part): It is about the qualities of the Imams, peace be on them. Al- Kulayni, may
his grave be fragrant, has mentioned this part in his book al- Kafi, Chapter: the Imam and His
Qualities. Also al- Mas'udi, 'Ali b. al- Husayn,(301) has mentioned it in his book al- Wasiya,
p.139, who said: "When the Order of Allah, the Great and Almighty, come to him (i.e. al-
Sadiq, peace be on him.), he gathered the Shi'a and addressed them. So, he praised Allah and
lauded Him. Then he (al- Mas'udi) has mentioned the part which we will mention. There is a
small difference between the report of al- Kulayni and that of al- Mas'udi. We will mention
the part according to the report of al- Kulayni because it has additions.
He (al- Sadiq), peace be on him, said: "Indeed, Allah, the Exalted, unveiled His religion
through the Imams of guidance of the family of our Prophet, has made clear through them the
direction of His path. He has opened the intermost part of the springs of His knowledge
through them. So, whoever among the community of Mohammed, may Allah bless him and
his family, knows the obligatory rights of his Imam finds the taste of the sweetness of his
belief and knows the virtue of acceptance of his Islam, for Allah, the Exalted, has appointed
the Imam as a sign for His creation and has made him as evidence for the people of his time
and his world. Allah, the Exalted, crowned him with solemnity, covered him with the Light of
His might. He made a rope to stretch up to heaven, whose provisions are not cut off from him.
Nothing can be obtained from what is with Allah but through him, not does Allah accept the
acts of men unless they know him(302), for he (the Imam) knows what reaches him of the
ambiguities of darkness, the obscurities of the paths and the complications of disturbances.
Allah the Exalted, went on choosing them for His creation from the sons of al- Husayn, peace
be on him, an Imam from the progeny of the Imam. He chose and selected them for that. He
approved them for His creation and is pleased with them. Whenever an Imam of them passed
away, He appointed an Imam from his progeny for His creation. (The Imam) is a clear sign,
brilliant guide, custodian leader and knowledgeable proof.
They were Imams from Allah, who guide to the truth and by it (the truth) Allah acts with
justice. (They were) the Proofs of Allah, His propagandists, and His guardians over His
creation. People follow their guidance. The country is lit up by their light. The unripe product
grows by their blessing. Allah has made them life for men, lamps for darkness, keys for
speech, and supporters for Islam. The unshakable decrees of Allah put into effect for them.
So, the Imam was chosen and approved. He was an elected guide, and promising responsible.
There by, Allah chosen him. He created him under His Protection. He was in the world of