Kitab al-Wasiyyah – Abu Musa Isa b. Mustafad al-Bajali az-Zurair (d. 220 A.H)

Reading Time: 5 minutes

There are many books being written on the will of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) since ancient times. Books with names like Kitab al-Wasiyyah and Al-Wasiyyah abound in Islamic culture, especially in Shia literature. This proves that strong belief in the will of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) is the axis of the Shia society and it had not been impacted by historical developments and political changes.

The book that we wish to introduce in this edition of Aftab-e-Vilayat is also an ancient book on this subject called Kitab al-Wasiyyah and its author was Isa b. Mustafad al-Bajali who is considered among the close companions of Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.).

The original copy of this book is not available today, but traditions from this book are narrated in books like

Al-Kafi by Shaikh al-Kulaini (r.a.)
Khasaais al-Ameeril Momineen (a.s.) by Sayyad Sharif Razi (r.a.)
Siraat al-Mustaqeem by Ali b. Yunus al-Bayaazi al-Aamili etc

Now after twelve centuries, a contemporary researcher Shaikh Qais Attaar has collected 36 traditions from the above mentioned sources and books and compared it with the book Al-Kafi and presented it for the researchers. In a

detailed preface, the author has also mentioned the views of various scholars on the reliability of this book and its author and has given a critical analysis of the same.

After the preface, he has narrated 36 traditions in the book. As mentioned earlier, the author has relied upon six books to compile his work. These books are as follows:

Misbah al-Anwaar (this has not been printed till date and the author has written about the 3 reliable handwritten copies which he has referred to)
The Book of Taraf which has recently been made public with the efforts of the author and the preface contains the description of its 6 copies.
The remaining four books are Al-Kafi, Khasaais, Isbaat al-Wasiyyah and Siraat al- Mustaqeem whose printed copies have been referred to.

It is important to mention here that the famous traditionalist of the twelfth century Sayyad Hashim al-Bahrani in his famous book Tuhfah al-Bahiyyah fi Ithbaat al-Wasiyyah has narrated 21 traditions from the book Taraf, 20 of which have been narrated in the Al-

Wasiyyah of Isa b. Al-Mustafad. It is interesting to note that the Arabic text of this book has all the vowels and after every tradition, there is mention of difference in the text of the tradition and their sources.

Let us now take a quick glance at the traditions mentioned in this important and valuable book so that we can take some blessings from its words.

Isa b. Mustafad asked from Imam Kazim (a.s.) regarding the accepting of Islam by Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and the Mother of the Believers Hazrat Khadijah (s.a.). Imam Kazim(a.s.) replied to him referring to a tradition from his noble father (a.s.).

This tradition contains 12 points on Divine Unity, Prophethood and Resurrection, 16 points on Rulings and Morals and 10 points on Imamat love for Ahle Bait (a.s.) and hatred for their enemies. In fact, it contains certain things which have not even taken place till date and that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) took a covenant from Hazrat Khadijah (s.a.) that she will accept the Mastership of Imam Ali (a.s.).

2. After migrating to Medina and at the time of the expedition of Badr, when the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) sought allegiance from everyone, he had a personal conversation with Ameerul Momineen (a.s.), conveyed to him some points and asked him to keep these points as secret. After that, in another gathering, he called for Ameerul Momineen (a.s.), Hazrat Fatima (s.a.) and Hazrat Hamzah (a.s.) and requested the latter two to pay allegiance to Ali (a.s.). This is when the 10th verse of Surah Fath was revealed (The hand of God is above your hand)

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) sought the allegiance for the Ahle Bait (a.s.) from each person individually. The malice and enmity towards the holy family became evident from here on.

On the eve of the martyrdom of Hazrat Hamzah (a.s.), the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) explained to him the rulings of Islam and the conditions of faith in which there were 9 points concerning divine unity, prophethood and resurrection and 10 points regarding Imamat and Mastership. Hazrat Hamzah (a.s.) also announced his faith and endorsement.

In this tradition, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has explained the rulings of Islam and the conditions of faith for his trusted and just companions Hazrat Salman (r.a.), Abu Zar (r.a.) and Miqdad (r.a.) which had 8 points regarding divine unity, prophethood, Quran, Qibla and destiny, 18 pointsconcerning Imamat, 23 points regarding rulings and morals, 5 points concerning the love of the Ahle Bait (a.s.), 2 points on the relation of Quran with Ali (a.s.) and 7 points on resurrection. At the start of this tradition, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says that the rulings and conditions of Islam are too many to be explained. Then he (s.a.w.a.) explained the above mentioned 47 points in a very brief but comprehensive manner.

This book (Kitabul Wasiyyah) although may have fewer pages but is full of critical concepts. In this book, there are such traditions which have reached us from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) which range from his early days as a prophet to his last days which the tyrant and oppressive kings of Bani Umayyah and Bani Abbas tried their utmost to destroy.

This source book is from the 400 source books that were organised. The most important belief among the religious beliefs: viz Imamat and Mastership of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) have been given special emphasis. Hence due to various reasons, this source book enjoys a special position among the 400 source books. This invaluable book and its invaluable traditions have reached us through such a person whose name is Isa b. Mustafad about whom

Imam Kazim (a.s.) once said:

“All our efforts are dependent on knowledge. By God, your questions are only and only for pondering”

At another place, Imam Kazim (a.s.) said, “O Isa, you research everything in depth and do not rest until to achieve what you wish to achieve.” Isa said, “May my parents be sacrificed for you. I only ask questions concerning those matters which are beneficial to my religion and I question in order to understand religion so that I do not deviate on account of my ignorance. But I do not find anyone other than you who can make me aware of these affairs.”

However, it should be noted that Isa b. Mustafad has heard many of these traditions from his father Mustafad who was from the students of Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.). It is possible that Isa, in order for official endorsement and his satisfaction, narrated these traditions to Imam Kazim (a.s.) who endorsed them. Therefore Allamah al-Bayaazi al-Aamili (a.r.) in his book Sirat al-Mustaqeem, after mentioning the summary of Kitab al-Wasiyyah writes:

“I am presenting the summary of the traditions in this chapter so that the intellectuals derive guidance from it. I seek blessing by mentioning these traditions. I seek nearness to God by means of spreading them because these tradition contain the cure of the pain of hearts and whoever wishes to research them should rely on them.”

[Sirat al-Mustaqeem, vol. 2, p. 40]

Shaikh al-Bayaazi who was a great theologist of the ninth century, is sufficient for the researchers to understand that they have access to a valuable jewel and a great treasure in the form of these traditions. In other words, it is the effort of our ancient scholars that this valuable treasure has reached us. We pray to God that his soul gains proximity to his master and that we benefit from his knowledge.

Note: This concise but important book is so far only available in Arabic.

We request the respected religious scholars to translate it in Urdu so that Urdu and Hindi speakers can benefit from it. We also appeal to those who have been blessed with wealth to come forth and generously contribute in this effort so that these books and traditions become a cause of everlasting rewards for them.

O God! Hasten the reappearance of our Master, the Imam of the time (a.t.f.s.) so that we can listen to these traditions directly from him and benefit from his knowledge and teachings. Amen