A man asked him, ‘If something bad happened to you, who should we refer to?

A man asked him, ‘If something bad happened to you, who should we refer to?’ Imam (a.s.) replied, ‘To my son, Abu Ja’far.’ That man wondered about Abu Ja’far’s little age. So Imam Ridha’ (a.s.) stated, ‘The Exalted Allah appointed Prophet Jesus (a.s.) to prophet hood when he was younger than Abu Ja’far.’”[^15] Muhammad Ibn Abi ‘Abbad –the ascribe of Imam Ridha’ (a.s.)– has said, “Imam Ridha’ (a.s.) always called his son, Muhammad, with his nickname, Abu Ja’far.

Imam Ridha’ (a.s.) always treated his son so politely, while he was a child. Abu Ja’far’s (a.s.) letters to his father, Imam Ridha’ (a.s.), was written very eloquently and sent to Khurasan. I heard from Imam Ridha’ (a.s.), ‘Abu Ja’far is my successor and caliph.’”[^16] Musafir has said, “Abul Hasan Ridha’ (a.s.) told me in Khurasan, ‘Go to Abu Ja’far!

He is your Imam and master.’”[^17] ‘Ibrahim Ibn Abi Mahmud has said, “I was with Imam Ridha’ (a.s.) in Tus when a man said, ‘If something happens to you, who should we refer to?’ Imam Ridha’ (a.s.) stated, ‘To my son, Muhammad.’ Perhaps the questioner considered the age of Abu Ja’far little.

So Ali Ibn Musa Al-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, ‘The Almighty Allah appointed Jesus, son of Mary, to prophet hood, when he was younger than Abu Ja’far.’”[^18] Ibn Bazi’ has said, “Abul Hasan Ridha’ (a.s.) was asked, ‘Is the Imamate position devolved to the Imam’s uncles too?’ Imam Ridha’ (a.s.) answered, ‘No.’ He was asked again, ‘Is it devolved to the Imam’s brother?’ ‘No,’ Imam (a.s.) answered.

He was asked, ‘Who is the Imamate devolved to?’ Imam Ridha’ (a.s.) answered, ‘To my son.’ At that time, Imam (a.s.) had no son.”[^19] Virtues As proved in previous sections, the Imam is a perfect human, possessing all humane virtues and void of any vices or imperfections. This is, in fact, one of the signs and necessities of infallibility. After someone’s Imamate is proved using certain reasons, his innate virtues are also proved.

Therefore, knowledge, piety, worships, virtuousness, and being away from vices are necessities of every Imam and there is no difference among the Imams in this regard. All of them are perfect humans with all virtues. Childhood, adolescence, youth, or old age does not affect these good qualities.

If it is observed that less information has reached us from some of the Imams or fewer traditions are cited in history books about the worship or virtues of some of them, it does not mean that they have been less perfect than other Imams.