He answered...

He answered, “Everyone knew about the illegality of fighting against ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib ( ‘a ) save the infidels and unbelievers.”[^12] There have been a lot of other traditions [ hadīth s] recounted from Jābir confirming this issue.[^13] Those endowed with authority [the Ulu’l-Amr] according to Jābir A lot of people are mistaken about the meaning of Ulu’l-Amr (those endowed with authority or leadership in the Islamic community).

For this reason, they believe that every head of government is one of the Ulu’l-Amr , even if he is an oppressor and tyrant. Some people have even asserted that following and obeying this kind of ruler is obligatory **[** wājib ]. In this way, they have strengthened obstinate and tyrannical rulers and, as a result of this, created many problems for the Muslims. The Shī‘ites believe that not every ruler is one of the Ulu’l-Amr .

On the contrary, the Ulu’l-Amr are twelve people who are the rightful successors of Allah’s Prophet (S), and have been named and introduced to us by the Noble Prophet (S) himself. Following and obeying them has been compared and likened to following and obeying Allah and the Noble Prophet (S). Jābir recounts a tradition [ hadīth ] from the Noble Prophet (S) which explains this issue clearly and makes everything about the Ulu’l-Amr transparent.

He says, “When this Qur’anic verse [ āyah ] was revealed, ‘O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the apostle and those in authority (Ulu’l-Amr) from among you’.” [^14] Jābir says, “I asked Allah’s Prophet, ‘We know who Allah and the Prophet (S) are and hence we follow them, but we do not know who the Ulu’l-Amr are, whose following Allah has mentioned in the same order or rank as following Him and obeying you?’ The Noble Prophet (S) stated, ‘The Ulu’l-Amr are my successors and are the leaders [Imāms] after me.

The first of them is ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib ( ‘a ) and after him, Hasan ibn ‘Alī ( ‘a ), and Husayn ibn ‘Alī ( ‘a ), ‘Alī ibn Husayn ( ‘a ), and Muhammad ibn ‘Alī ( ‘a ) who is famously known as Bāqir in the Tawrāt . O Jābir! You will meet and see him with your own eyes. Pass my greetings [ salām ] to him when you meet him.

After him will come Ja‘far ibn Muhammad ( ‘a ), and after him Mūsā ibn Ja‘far ( ‘a ) and after him Muhammad ibn ‘Alī ( ‘a ) and after him ‘Alī ibn Muhammad ( ‘a ) and then Hasan ibn ‘Alī ( ‘a ) and after him his child whose name and pseudonym is the same as mine. The East and the West of the earth shall be conquered by him.