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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Imamate and Leadership The Sources of the Imam's Knowledge ( 193 ) Lesson Twenty-One The exceedingly precise and profound knowledge possessed by the Imams is derived from their communication with the world of the unseen and from inspiration (ilham).

The Noble Qur'an was also a rich source on which the Immaculate Imams drew for their knowledge Given the breadth of their religious vision and perception they were able to derive various ordinances from revelation and to extract all manner of truths from its innermost layers of meaning.

The third source on which they drew consisted of the books and pages which they inherited from the Most Noble Messenger peace and blessings be upon him and his family these permitted them to advance still further their level of knowledge and to broaden its scope. There are numerous traditions relating to these three sources some of which we will now cite.

Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq peace be upon him said: "The Prophet Dawud inherited the knowledge of the preceding prophets and he then bequeathed it to Sulayman. From Sulayman it was transmitted to the peace and blessings be upon him and his family and we in turn have inherited it from him." Abu Basir who was present then saw fit to remark: "There are all kinds of knowledge!" The Imam responded: "The knowledge you have in mind is not particularly valuable.

The knowledge of which I speak is truly precious; it is inspired in ( 194 ) us night and day from one hour to the next." ( 1 ) Imam 'Ali b. Musa al-Rida peace be upon him said: When someone is chosen by God to administer the affairs of men God expands his breast for him places the wellsprings of wisdom in his heart and inspires him with knowledge so that he will be able to solve any problem that arises. He will know well the straight path of the truth.

Such a one is none other than the Inerrant Imam who enjoys the aid and support of his Lord and who lies beyond the reach of all error and sin." ( 2 ) Hasan b. 'Abbas once asked Imam al-Rida peace be upon him in a letter: "What is the difference between a messenger a prophet and an Imam?" The Imam answered as follows: "The messenger (Rasul) is a person to whom Jibril descends and who both sees him and hears the words that he speaks.

He is thus in communication with divine revelation (wahy) which he sometimes receives in the form of a dream as was the case with Ibrahim peace be upon him.