Those who believe in him...

Those who believe in him, honor and help him, and follow the light which is sent down to him, will have everlasting happiness." (7:157) The Imams (a.s.) said, "It is Amir al-Mu'minin Ali (a.s.) and the Imams (a.s.) after him who are called 'light' in the above verse of the Holy Quran." H 497, Ch. 13, h 3 Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Jabbar from ibn Fudala from Tha'laba ibn Maymun from abu al-Jarud who has said that he said the following to Imam abu Ja'far (a.s.).

"Allah has given a great deal of good to the people of the heavenly books." The Imam (a.s.) then asked, "What is it?" I then said it said in Holy Quran, "We sent Our guidance to them so that perhaps they might take heed. (28:51) (Some of) the followers of the Bible believe in the Quran (28:52). When it is recited to them, they say, "We believe in it. It is the Truth from our Lord. We were Muslims before it was revealed" (28:53).

These will receive double reward for their forbearance, replacing evil by virtue, and for their spending for the cause of God." (28:54) The Imam (a.s.) said, "Allah has given you also a great deal of good as He has given to them and he recited, 'Believers, have fear of God and believe in His Messenger. God will grant you a double share of mercy, a light by which you can walk, and forgive your sins.

God is Allforgiving and All-merciful.' (57:28) The light mentioned in this verse mean the Imam (a.s.)who you follow.'" H 498, Ch. 13, h 4 Ahmad ibn Mahran has narrated from 'Abd al-'Azim ibn 'Abdallah al-Hassani from Ali ibn Asbat and al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from abu Ayyub from abu Khalid al-kabuli who has said that he asked Imam abu 'Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, in the following verse of the Holy Quran.

"Those who believe in him, honor and help him, and follow the light which is sent down to him, will have everlasting happiness." (7:157) The Imams (a.s.) said, "O abu Khalid, the light in this verse, I swear by Allah, means the Imams. O abu Khalid the light of the Imam (a.s.) in the hearts of the true believers is more bright than the light of the sun in midday.

It is they who brighten the hearts of the true believers and Allah withholds their light from reaching whomever He would will, thus, their hearts become dark and Allah covers them with the darknesss." H 499, Ch. 13, h 5 Ali ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn al-Hassan have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan ibn sham??