So, he did this.

So, he did this....”[^2] 3.Safwan ibn Yahya said, “I said to Imam Al-Ridha’ (‘a), ‘We used to ask you [about the Imam after you], before Allah had granted you Abu Ja‘far, and you used to say, “Allah will grant me a son.” Now, Allah has given him to you. Our eyes have been brightened! May Allah never show us the day [of your sorrow]! But if it should happen, whom should we follow?’ He pointed with his hand toward Abu Ja‘far, who was standing before him. Then I said, ‘May I be your sacrifice!

This boy is only three years old.’ He said, ‘That does not matter. Jesus stood as an authority ( hujjah ) when he was three years old.”[^3] Before his son (Muhammad al-Taqi) was born, Al-Ridha’ (‘a) said, “By Allah, He will make from me something by which the truth and its followers are proven, and He will destroy by it what is wrong and its followers,” then al-Taqi (‘a) was born after a year. Then he said, “This is Abu Ja‘far. I put him in my seat, and I set him in my place.

We are the Folk of the Household whose children inherit from their elders exactly.” It was said to him, “This son is only three years old.” He said, “It does not harm him.

Jesus stood as an authority ( hujjah ) when he was less than three years old.”[^4] It is reported that [Imam] Al-Ridha’ (‘a) said, “Verily Allah, the Exalted, authorized Jesus (‘a) when he was two years old.”[^5] Abu al-Hasan (‘a) said, “…On the Resurrection day there will be four people from among the first ones and four people from among the last ones on the Throne of Allah, the Mighty and Magnificent.

As for the four of the first, they are Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus and the last are Muhammad, ‘Ali, al-Hasan and al-Husayn, peace be with them.”[^6] Abu Dharr, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “The Apostle of Allah was sitting in the mosque alone when I entered it. So I took advantage of his solitude and said, “… O Apostle of Allah!

How many prophets were there?” He said, “One hundred twenty-four thousand.” I said, “How many apostles were there?” “Three hundred and thirteen all together.” I said, “Who was the first prophet?” He said, “Adam.” I said, “Was he an apostle among the prophets?” He replied, “Yes, Allah created him by His hand and blew into him from His spirit.” Then he (S) continued, “O Abu Dharr these four prophets among the prophets are Siryani: Adam, Seth, Ukhnukh, that is, Idris, who was the first person to write with a pen, and Noah, peace be with them.