Maʿānī al-ʾAkhbār 1, narration 1

Translation

Sheikh Abu Ja’far, Muhammed bin Ali bin Hussain bin Musa bin Babawayh, the jurist, al-Qommi, the visitor of Ray, the compiler of this book, may Allah be pleased with him and sanctify his soul: 1. We were told by my father, and Muhammed bin Hasan bin Ahmad bin Waleed, may Allah be pleased with them both, that they both said: We were told by Sa’d bin Abdullah, and Abdullah bin Ja’far al-Himyari, and Ahmad bin Idrees, and Muhammed bin Yahya al-‘Attar, may Allah grant them mercy, that they said: We were told by Ahmad bin Muhammed bin Khalid, that he said: We were told by Ali bin Hassaan al-Wasiti, from the one he mentioned, from Dawud bin Farqad, that he said: I heard Abu Abdillah, peace be upon him, say: You are the most knowledgeable of the people if you were to know the meanings of our words. Verily, a word does indeed turn to several indications. If a person wishes, he may turn his words however he wishes, whilst not lying.

Translation: Basel Kadem — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.