Imam Al-Sadiq

other Musa, peace be on him, and reported many traditions on his authority. He believed in
his textual nomination. He cleaved to him strongly. He devoted himself to him. And dedicated
himself to him to learn the religious rules from him. He ('Ali) has famous matters. He learned
them from him (his brother Musa). He has some answers (for some questions). He heard them
from him.
Because of his intense piety, 'Ali recognized those Imams who came after his brother al-
Kazim peace be on him. In spite of his advanced age, his great power, and his famous
outstanding merit, he admitted the truth and conform to it.
One day a man asked 'Ali about his brother al- Kazim. 'Ali said to the man: "He (al- Kazim)
died: "The man said: "How did you know that?" 'Ali answered: "His properties have been
divided. His women have been married. And his deputy has replaced him." The man asked:
"Who was the deputy after him?" 'Ali answered: "His son." The man asked: "What did he
do?" 'Ali answered: "He died." The man asked: "How did you know that he died?" 'Ali
answered: "His properties have been divided. His woman have been married. And his deputy
has replaced." The man asked: "Who is the deputy after him?" 'Ali answered: "His son Abu
Ja'far." The man said to him: "You are an old man, you have a high social rank, and your
father was Ja'far b. Mohammed, peace be on them. Why have you believed in this boy?" 'Ali
said to him: "I do not see you but a Satan!" Then 'Ali took his beard and raised it towards the
sky and said: "I have no power, for Allah has regarded him as worthier of this position than
this white hair."(565)
By Allah, this is the piety itself, the submission of the self to the truth, and non- deception by
the affairs of the outstanding merit, advanced age, and greatness, which may deceive the soul
which incites man to evil.
'Ali's behavior with Abu Ja'far was as the behavior of the person who knew the position of the
Imam. That 'Ali was the uncle of the father of Abu Ja'far did not prevent him from adopting
that behavior for him. Moreover, he was ready to sacrifice himself for him. One day Abu
Ja'far wanted to have his vein opened. The doctor approached him to open the vein. So, 'Ali b.
Ja'far stood and said: "Would that this piece of iron had opened my vein before yours!" Then
when Abu Ja'far, peace be on him wanted to go, 'Ali b. Ja'far prepared his shoes to put them
on.(566)
One day Abu Ja'far, peace be on him, entered the Mosque of the Prophet, may Allah bless
him and his family. When 'Ali b. Ja'far saw him, he ran bare- footed towards him. Then he
kissed his hand. So, Abu Ja'far said to him: "Uncle, sit down, may Allah have mercy upon
you!" 'Ali said: "My master, how can I sit down and you are standing?" When Abu Ja'far
came back, the companions of 'Ali began blaming him ('Ali) and saying to him: "You are the
uncle of his father, while you received him in such a manner!" 'Ali said: "Keep silent! Allah,
the Great and Almighty, has regarded him as worthier of this position than this white hair.