Al-Kāfi 2, narration 49

Translation

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from ‘Isa al-Sariyy who has said the following: “Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) to teach me the principles of Islam in such a way that on holding to them my deeds can take pure and correct form and thereafter the ignorance of whatever I am ignorant of cannot harm me. The Imam said, ‘Of the principles of Islam are to testify and acknowledge that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah, and that Muhammad (a.s.) is the Messenger of Allah. Of such principles is to affirm and acknowledge that whatever he has brought is from Allah, to pay al-Zakat (charity) is a right and that al-Wilayah which Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has commanded to accept and acknowledge is al-Wilayah (Divine Authority) of Ahl al-Bayt of Muhammad (a.s.). The Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever dies while he does not know who his Imam is, he is considered as one who has died in the darkness of ignorance.” Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “Obey Allah, obey the Messenger of Allah and the persons among you who possess Divine Authority.” (4:59). Imam Ali was there (possessed Divine Authority) and after him were Imam Hassan, Imam Husayn and Ali ibn al-Husayn and after them was Muhammad ibn Ali, recipients of divine supreme covenant, successively and thus it will continue. The land will not take an ideal shape without an Imam. Whoever dies while he does not know who his Imam is, he is considered as one who has died in the darkness of ignorance. What everyone of you will need very urgently when his soul will reach here (pointing to his chest) is to know him (the Imam) so that he can say it is certain that I have been holding to a genuinely good matter.”’

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.