ʿUyūn akhbār al-Riḍā 1, record 263 of the digital edition

Translation

28-55 The interpreter Muhammad ibn Al-Qasim - known as Abil Hassan al-Jurjani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Yusuf ibn Muhammad ibn Ziyad and Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Say’yar quoted on the authority of their fathers, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali (s), on the authority of Ali ibn Muhammad (s), on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali (s), on the authority of his father Al-Ridha Ali ibn Musa (s), on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far (s), on the authority of his father Ja’far ibn Muhammad (s), on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali (s), on the authority of his father Ali ibn Al-Hussein (s), on the authority of his father Al-Hussein ibn Ali (s), on the authority of his brother Al-Hassan ibn Ali (s) that the Commander of the Faithful (Imam Ali) (s) said, “‘In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful’ is one of the verses from the Opening Chapter of theBook. This Chapter consists of seven verses which are perfected with ‘In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.’ I heard God’s Prophet (s) say, The Honorable the Exalted God told me, ‘O Muhammad! ‘And We have bestowed upon thee the Seven Oft-repeated (verses) and the Grand Qur’an.’’ First God honored me with the Opening Chapter and equalled it to the Grand Quran. Indeed, the Opening of the Book is the most honorable thing which exists in the Treasures of the Throne. The Honorable the Exalted God allocated it especially to Muhammad (s) and honored him with it. God did not make any of the other Prophets - except for Solomon - a partner in this honor. God bestowed the verse ‘In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful’ upon Solomon. Quoting Belqees (Balqees of Saba’), God says, ‘(The queen) said, ‘Ye chiefs! here is delivered to me - a letter worthy of respect. It is from Solomon, and is (as follows):’In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.’’ The Honorable the Exalted God will grant - whoever recites it along with belief in Muhammad and his Household’s Mastery; obeys their orders; believes in their outward appearance and inner characteristics - a reward for each letter of it that is better for him than this world, and all its goods and all the wealth in it. Whoever listens to someone reciting the Quran will receive the same reward as the recitor does. Therefore, gain more and more benefits from this good which you have been granted as it is highly valuable. It may become too late and you may feel sorry in your hearts.’”

Translation: Dr. Ali Peiravi — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.