Kitāb al-Ghayba 1, record 60 of the digital edition

Translation

(38) Muhammad bin Uthman narrated from Ahmad bin Abu Khaythama from al-Fadhl bin Dukayn from Fitr from Abu Khalid al-Walibi from Jabir bin Samra as-Sawwa’iy that the Prophet (S) had said: “This religion will not be harmed by its enemies until twelve caliphs, who all are from Quraysh, pass away.” The traditions narrated by the Sunnis concerning this subject are so many. The traditions show clearly that the Prophet (S) has meant by the twelve caliphs the twelve imams of his descendants. The tradition, saying that commotion will take place, refers to the commotion that will happen after the end of the rule of Imam al-Mahdi (al-Qa’im), the commotion that will last for fifty years. Several twelve rulers have ruled after the Prophet (S) or after Imam Ali (as), who has been the only true caliph. Definitely the Prophet (S) has referred by his sayings to the twelve infallible imams of his progeny, who are with the Qur’an and the Qur’an is with them and who will never part with the Qur’an until they come to the Prophet (S) at his pond in Paradise. Furthermore there are other evidences mentioned in the Torah confirming our subject. It has been mentioned in the first book of the Old Testament when talking about the story of Ishmael and after the end of the story of Sara. Allah has addressed Prophet Abraham (as), concerning the matter of his wife and her child, by saying: (I have responded to your prayer regarding Ishmael. I have blessed him and I will do more and more. He will beget twelve great men. I will make them imams as a great nation.) Abdul Haleem bin al-Husayn as-Samriy read to me what a Jew man called al-Husayn bin Sulayman, who was one of the Jewish jurisprudents, had dictated to him in Arrajan. The names and the number of the imams (as) had been mentioned in Hebrew. From among what he had read to me was this passage: “One of the descendants of Ishmael will be delegated (as a prophet). He is called Mabad or Mamad that it means Muhammad. He will be a master over people. From his progeny there will be twelve men. They will be imams and masters, whom people will imitate. Their names are: Taqobeet, Feethwa, Thabeera, Mafssora, Massmoo’a, Domoh, Thabo, Hathar, Yathmo, Bator, Nouqass and Qeedmuwa.” The Jew had been asked about these names and he said that they had been mentioned in the story of Prophet Solomon (as). He had mentioned another passage of the story: (From the progeny of Ishmael a blessed boy is born. My blessing and mercy be upon him. Twelve men of his progeny are honored and glorified. The name of this man is elevated and glorified and his mention is exalted.) This speech was read to Musa bin Imran bin Zakariyya the Jew and he confirmed it. Iss’haq bin Ibraheem bin Bakhtwayh Bahsoon al-Fasawi and Sulayman bin Dawood an-Noubenjani, who were Jews, confirmed it too. The Qur’an, the traditions narrated by the Shia from the Prophet (S) and the infallible imams, the traditions narrated by the Sunnis, the previous divine Books and their followers has confirmed that the imams are twelve ones. After all, is there any excuse for the deniers and the resisters? These are sufficient evidences for those, whom Allah has guided to His pure religion and straight path. Surely those, who deny the infallible imams, will lose. Allah has said addressing His prophet: You are only a warner and (there is) a guide for every people. In every age there is an imam, by whom Allah guides those who follow him and believe in him and He leaves those who deny him (the imam) and turn away from him to their own opinions and analogies.

Translation: Abdullah al-Shahin — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.