They helped him with vision, influence, seriousness and suffering.

They helped him with vision, influence, seriousness and suffering.’ I said, ‘So, who are your disciples, O Apostle of Allah?’ He said, ‘The leaders ( imams ) after me who are twelve from the loins of ‘Ali and Fatimah. They are my disciples and the helpers of my religion, may peace be granted to them from Allah.’”[^6] Mufaddal reported in a lengthy narration that he said to Al-Sadiq (‘a), “O my guardian and master!

Why are the people of Moses called Yahud (Jews)?” He said, “Because of the saying of Allah, the mighty and magnificent, ‘Verily, we turn (hudna) unto You’ (7:156), that is, ‘we seek Your guidance.’” He said, “What about the Nasara (Christians)?” He said, “Because of the saying of Jesus (‘a), ‘Who will be my helpers in the way of Allah?’ The disciples said, ‘We are the helpers (ansar) of Allah.

We believe in Allah and bear witness that we are ones who submit.’ (3:52) So, they were called Nasara because of their help to the religion of Allah.”[^7] It was said to Abu ‘Abd Allah (‘a), “Why is it that the companions of Jesus (‘a) walked on water, while it was not this way with the companions of Muhammad (S)?” He said, “Verily, the companions of Jesus were saved the trouble of livelihood, but the latter were tested by livelihood.”[^8] It is reported that Imam Al-Sadiq (‘a) said, “When Jesus (‘a) wanted to wish farewell to his disciples, he called them together and order them to be for weak creatures and he prohibited them from despots.

Then he sent two of them to Antioch. They arrived on the day of a festival. They found the people there had uncovered idols and were worshipping them. They hurried toward them violently. They were put in irons and thrown into prison. When Simon found out about this, he went to Antioch and visited them in the prison. He said, ‘Did I not prohibit you from despots?’ Then he left them, and sat with the weak people. He began gradually to discuss matters with them.

Then the weak spoke of these things with those who were stronger, while they kept it a most confidential secret. Their words kept ascending until they finally reached the king. He asked, ‘Since when has this man been in my kingdom?’ They said, ‘For two months.’ He said, ‘Bring him to me.’ They brought him. When the king saw Simon, he felt love for him. He said, ‘I will not sit, unless he is beside me.’ Later after having had a frightening dream, he asked Simon about it.

Simon gave a good answer that gladdened the king. Later he had another terrifying dream.