The clarifications he makes and the deductions he draws...

The clarifications he makes and the deductions he draws being based on the principles of the Qur'an and inspired by revealed law will be decisive for all followers of Islam and capable of ending all differences of opinion; he will be like a compass in the hand of a distraught captain. If we do not have recourse to such qualified interpreters of the Qur'an we will fall prey to doubt and confusion or by following incorrect interpretations stray far from the true teachings of the Qur'an.

Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq peace be upon him established the greatest center for the teaching of Islam training a multitude of scholars whose task it was to instruct the people and draw their attention to the dangers posed by the fabricators of hadith. His scientific and intellectual activity served to offset the waves of corruption that were unfurling at the time as well as the erroneous concepts and biased theories the ground for which had been prepared by the political situation of the day.

One day a group of the companions and students of the Imam men who bequeathed to the ummah a great legacy of knowledge that they derived from him were gathered in his presence. The Imam addressed Hisham b. Hakam who was present among them: "Will you not tell us something about the conversation you had with 'Amr b. 'Ubayd?" He replied: "I would be embarrassed to say anything in your presence." But the Imam insisted and so Hisham b. Hakam spoke as follows: ( 151 ) "I learned that 'Amr b.

'Ubayd had begun to assume some religious responsibilities establishing a teaching circle in the mosque at Basrah. This news disturbed me and so I set out for the mosque where I found him sitting answering people's questions. I approached him and said: 'O scholar I am a stranger here; will you permit me to ask a question?' He replied that I might so I asked him: 'Do you have eyes?' 'Amr responded: 'Young man what kind of a question is this?

Why ask about something you can see to be true?' But I persisted asking him to answer my question. He consented so I repeated the question.