The Imam (a.

The Imam (a.s) was asked concerning a young boy who did not attain the age of puberty and a woman whom together had killed a man by mistake? The Imam (a.s) said: Verily, the mistake of the woman and the young boy is deliberate!

Then if the family of the murdered one wish to kill both of them they may kill them…" [^137] Compatibility with facts The third general rule concerning understanding a Hadith is to examine if it is contrary to any established fact be it religious, scientific, historic, etc.

the following are some examples of such inconsistencies: 1/3: Inconsistency with the religious facts: For instance, it seems from some of the narrations of al-Kaafi that the Imams of Ahlul-Bayt (a.s) are thirteen Imams not twelve! [^138] 2/3: Inconsistency with scientific facts: An example of this type of narration is the suggestion that the blood of menstruation is discharged from the left (or right) side of the vulva whereas the blood from an injury is from the right (or left).

[^139] As explained in lesson nine there are many faults in the narration including being against scientific facts. Other examples of inconsistency with scientific facts include the Israelites that suggest Eve was created from the left rib of Adam [^140], or Adam was about 30 meters tall!

[^141] 3/3: Inconsistency with historical facts: Sadooq in his Ekmalu-Din, and 'Oyoon Akhbar al-Redha narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s) that when Imam Baqir (a.s) was on his dying bed, Zaid; the brother of the Imam was present. Zaid pleaded to the Imam (a.s) that Imam Baqir (a.s) appoints him as the next Imam. Zaid argued that as Hasan Ibn Ali (a.s) appointed his brother Husain (a.s) you can also appoint me as the next Imam.

However, Imam Baqir (a.s) did not agree explaining that the trust of Imamat is by the will of God not man's desire. He then called after Jaber Ibn Abdullah to come and verify the names of the Imams (a.s) as mentioned in the Sahifa (the Book). When Jaber confirmed the words of Imam Baqir (a.s), Zaid gave up and accepted the Imamat of Imam Sadiq (a.s). [^142] The above narration is inconsistent with historical facts. Imam Baqir (a.s) was martyred in the year 114 A.H.

Jaber Ibn Abdullah died in 78 A.H. and Imam Sadiq (a.s) was born in the year 84 A.H. Thus, Jaber could not be present at the time of the demise of Imam Baiqr (a.s). He had died even 6 years before Imam Baqir (a.s) is born.