Al-Ba`qir designated al-Sa`diq Ima`m Abu` Ja‘far (al-Ba`qir)...

Al-Ba`qir designated al-Sa`diq Ima`m Abu` Ja‘far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, designated his son al-Sa`diq, peace be on him, as an Ima`m. For al-Sa`diq was the pride of the world. He was the pioneer of culture and science in Islam. His father designated him to be an Ima`m and successor and general authority for the community after him. He said to his followers that it was incumbent on them to follow and obey his son.

Ima`m Abu` Ja‘far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, lauded his son, Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him. He gave an explicit designation for his Ima`mte. Abu` al-Saba`h al-Kina`ni reported. He said: [Abu` Ja‘far Mohammed looked towards his son Abu` ‘Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, and said (to us): “Do you see that man?

He is one of those of whom Allah, the Mighty and High, said: We wish to grant a favor to those who have been humiliated in the land and We will make them Ima`ms and inheritors.”[^6] ‘Ali b. al-Hakam reported on the authority of Ta`hir, who said: [I was with Abu` Ja‘far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him).

When Ja‘far (al-Sa`diq) approached, Abu` Ja‘far (al-Ba`qir) said:] “Here is the best of creatures.”[^7] His Testamentary Enjoinments Ima`m Mohammed al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, gave several enjoinments to his son, Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him.

Among them are the following: He said: “Ja‘far, I give testamentary enjoinments to you (to treat) my followers well.” So, Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him, replied: “May I be your ransom, I will make them (know their religion so well) that any man among them in the country will not (have to) ask any one (for advice).”[^8] He, peace be on him, enjoined his son to spend (money) on them and to take care of their affairs to make them devote themselves to seek knowledge, to record his traditions, and to spread his sciences and morals among the people.

He, peace be on him, enjoined his son al-Sa`diq, peace be on him, to shroud him in the cloak in which he used to perform the prayer.[^9] He wanted that to be a truthful witness with Allah for his great worship and his obedience to Him. He endowed some of his money to some female weepers to weep for him for ten years at Mina.[^10] The reason for that is that Mina was the greatest center where Moslems gathered, and that there were many female weepers at it.

This would make the Moslems ask about the reason for weeping. They would be told that the Umayyads persecuted and killed Ima`m Abu` Ja‘far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him.