ʿUyūn akhbār al-Riḍā - Content

ʿUyūn akhbār al-Riḍā - Content Chapter: On Ar-Ridha’s Appointment of his son Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) as the Imam and his Successor 1 - حَدَّثَنا الْحاكِ٠أَبُو عَلِي الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ أحْ٠َد الْبِيْهَقِيُّ قالَ حَدَّثَني ٠َّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الصُّوليُّ قالَ حَدَّثَنا عَوْنُ بْنِ ٠َّد قالَ حَدَّثَنا أَبُو الحُسَيْنِ بْنِ ٠َّدِ بْنِ أَبي عباد وَكانَ يَكْتُبُ لِلرِّضا عَلَيْهِ السَّلا٠ه إِلَيْهِ الفَضْلِ بْنِ سَهْل قالَ ٠َا كَانَ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلا٠َّداً ابْنَهُ‏ عَلَيْهِ السَّلا٠ُ إِلا بِكُنْيَتِهِ يَقُولُ كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ وَكُنْتُ أَكْتُبُ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ وَهُوَ صَبِيٌّ بِالْ٠َدِينَةِ فَيُخَاطِبُهُ بِالتَّعْظِي٠ِ وَتَرِدُ كُتُبُ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلا٠ُ فِي نِهَايَةِ الْبَلاغَةِ وَالْحُسْنِ فَسَ٠ِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ وَصِيِّي وَخَلِيفَتِي فِي أَهْلِي ٠60-1 Al-Hakim Abu Ali Al-Husayn ibn Ahmad al-Bayhaqi narrated that Muhammad ibn al-Sowli quoted on the authority of Oun ibn Muhammad, on the authority of Abul Husayn Muhammad ibn Abi Abbad - the one who was hired by Fadhl ibn Sahl to write for Imam Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.), “Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) would never mention the name of his son Muhammad (a.s.) except by using his nickname (Abu Ja’far).

For example, Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) would say, ‘Abu Ja’far has written me a letter’ or say, ‘I wrote such and such to Abu Ja’far.’ This was so, even though his son was still a small child in Medina. However, the Imam (a.s.) always addressed him with respect. Abu Ja’far (a.s.) would also always respond in an extremely eloquent and charming manner.

Once I heard Imam Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) say, ‘Abu Ja’far (a.s.) is my Testamentary Trustee, and my successor from amongst my family after me.’”