Again I laughed and said to him...

Again I laughed and said to him, “So that you may know that I did, indeed, read it as a scrutinizing researcher, I will provide you, before everyone present here, the proof which cannot be repudiated from the book itself and which you have just brought!” He and everyone else present eagerly said, “Let us hear it from you.” I said, “I do not remember the exact page number, but I do remember the title very well which is `What Shi`a Imams say about the Righteous Caliphs.'“ He asked me, “And what is wrong with it?” I said, “Look for it and read it before everybody, then I will explain to you the irrevocable proof it contains.” He found the chapter and read it to those present.

Its summary is that Imam Ja`far al-Sadiq, peace be upon him, used to express pride at being a relative of Abu Bakr “al-Siddeeq,” saying, “Abu Bakr begot me twice.” Those who quote this statement narrate saying that Imam al-Sadiq, on the other hand, used to discredit Abu Bakr. Dr. al-Musawi comments by saying, “Is it rational for Imam al-Sadiq to brag about his grandfather [Abu Bakr] on one hand then discredits him on the other?

Such talk is not coming from an ordinary ignorant person but from an Imam.” Everyone asked, “Where is the proof in all of this?! It sounds reasonable and logical.” I said, “Dr. al-Musawi concluded from Imam al-Sadiq's statement that Abu Bakr begot him twice that he used to be very proud of his grandfather, but such a statement does not indicate at all that it contains any praise of Abu Bakr.

Add to this the fact that Imam al-Sadiq was not a direct grandson of Abu Bakr but only his mother's grandfather was Abu Bakr.

Keep in mind that Imam al-Sadiq was born seventy years after the death of Abu Bakr; so, he never saw him.” They said, “We do not understand what you mean by that.” I said, “What would you say about someone who brags about his immediate grandfather, the father of his father, saying that he is the most knowledgeable man of his time, and that history never knew a match for him, then he says that he studied and learned from him: is it reasonable for us to expect him to discredit him after having thus praised him?

Can a rational person brag about someone on one hand then call him kafir on the other?!” They all said, “No, this is not reasonable, and it cannot be.” I then said, “Read what is written on the first page of the book in your hand. You will see that Dr.