Narrated from Abdul Aziz ibn Muslim: ,,At the times of Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha (as) we were in Marv. We had gathered together in the Jami’a mosque where the people were talking about the concept of Divine Leadership (Imamat) and the many differences which the people have with each other in that respect. I went to see my Master Imam al-Ridha (as) and told him what the people said in that regard. He (as) smiled and said, “O Abdul Aziz! The people are ignorant and have been deceived regarding their religion. Allah (swt) did not take away the life of His Prophet (S) until after He perfected the religion for him and sent him the Quran in which everything including the allowed, the forbidden, the bounds, the decrees and everything which is needed is clarified. Then Allah (swt) said, “Nothing have we omitted from the Book…” (6:38)”During the Farewell Pilgrimage, which was made in the last days of the Prophet’s (saww) lifetime, God revealed to him, “This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favors upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion” (5:3) It is the Imamat which completes the religion. The Prophet (saww) did not die until He clarified the knowledge of their religion for them, showed them their way, put them on the straight path, established Ali (as) as their Guide and Imam, and stated whatever the people needed. Whoever thinks that Allah (swt) has not completed His Religion has, in fact, denied Allah’s Book. Whoever denies Allah’s Book is a disbeliever (Kafir)””Do these people understand the rank of Imamat & its position in the community that they think its permissible for them to select Imams. Imamat is much more magnificent, exalted in status, higher in position and difficult to get near its position, and much more deep-rooted than to be understood by the intellect or opinions of the people so that they can elect an Imam by themselves”Indeed Imamat is that particular distinction with which Allah (swt) has distinguished Ibrahim (as), His very close friend (al-Khalil), the 3rd station after prophet-hood & friendship. It is a distinction with which He honored him and praised him with it. So Allah (swt) said, “Verily! I have made you an Imam for the people.” Abraham, the close friend, then out of delight said, “And it (Imamat) will be in my offspring also.”  Allah (swt) said, “My covenant does not go to the unjust ones.” (2:124) Thus, this verse has declared the leadership (Imamat) of all the unjust ones as unlawful until the Day of Judgment and it has been limited to the choicest and elite ones. Then Allah (swt) honored him in establishing Imamat in best and clean persons of his offspring. Allah has said, “We granted him Isaac and Jacob as a gift and each of them We made righteous (21:72). “And We made them Imams who guided (people) by Our command, and We revealed to them the doing of good and the keeping up of prayer and the giving of the alms, and Us (alone) did they serve” (21:73)”So Imamat remained in his offspring inheriting it from each other, generation after generation, until Allah (swt) made Prophet Muhammad (saww) to inherit it. And He (swt) said, “The nearest people to Abraham, among mankind, are those who followed him, and this Prophet (Muhammad) and the true believers. Allah is the Guardian of the true believers.” (3:68)”Imamat belonged to Him particularly, and He, then, entrusted Imam Ali (as) with it by the command of Allah (swt), as He had made it obligatory. It then came to be in his (Ali’s) purified and clean of sins offspring, to whom Allah has given knowledge and faith, as in the words of Allah, the Most High, “Those who have received knowledge and have faith will say, ‘By the decree of Allah, you have remained for the exact period, which was mentioned in the Book of Allah about the Day of Resurrection. This is the Day of Resurrection, but you did not know.” (30:56) Imamat will remain in the sons of Imam Ali (as) exclusively, till the Day of Judgment and there will be no prophet after Muhammad (saww). Where-from then have these ignorant people received the right to select Imams?”Imamat is certainly, the position of the prophets, and the inheritance of the successors. Imamat indeed, is the Vicegerency  (khilafa) of Allah and the succession of the Messenger (saww), and the position of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (as) and the inheritance of (Imam) al-Hasan (as) and al-Husayn (as).”Imamat is, in fact, the reins of religion. It is the ruling system of the Muslims. It is best for the world, and honor for the believers. Imamat is Islam’s growing foundation, and its towering branch. Through the Imam (as), the prayers, Zakat, (charity), fasting, Hajj and Jihad are completed. And the wealth of the nation (fay’) and charity (sadaqat) are increased, the laws & legal punishments are implemented and the frontiers are protected and defended.”The Imam declares as lawful what Allah has done so and prohibits what Allah has prohibited. He enforces the judicial laws of Allah and defends the religion of Allah. “The Imam calls towards the path of Allah (swt) with wisdom, good advice and with the topmost strong evidence. The Imam is like the risen sun that beautifies the world with its light and is in the horizon where the hands and eyes cannot reach it.The Imam is as the bright moon, the shining lamp, the brilliant light, and the guiding star in the depth of darkness, in the middle of the towns, in the wilderness and the at high seas. The Imam is as crystal-clear water to thirst, an indicator of true guidance and the protector against destruction. The Imam is as fire of a lighthouse that provides warmth and guidance for those who seek heat and protection against fatalities. Whoever would depart him would perish. The Imam (in terms of blessings) is as the rain-bearing cloud, the drenching rainfall, the shining sun, the shadow providing sky, the open fields, the gushing forth spring, as a pond and a garden.””The Imam is as a comforting friend, a very kind father, a real brother, and a tenderhearted mother of a small child, a refuge for people in disastrous conditions. The Imam is Allah’s trustee over His creatures, His authority over His servants, His representative in His lands, the caller towards Allah and the defender of sanctuary of Allah (swt).””The Imam is clean of sins, free of faults, choosen specially for knowledge and is distinguished in forbearance, the system of religion, honor of the Muslims, the anger for the hypocrites, and perdition/ruin for the unbelievers.The Imam is the unique person of his time, no one can reach even near his rank in virtue and no scholar is comparable to him. There is no alternative for him, nor is there anyone similar to him or just like him. Perfect virtue is dedicated to him without him seeking it or acquiring it. Rather, it is dedicated to him by the Favorer the Endower (i.e. Allah).””Who is he that can know all about the Imam, or can select him? To affirm the ability of selection is very far from the truth. (In the task of recognizing the Imam) intellects have become confused, understanding has lost the meaning, awareness is frustrated, eyes have become dull and tired, the great ones have become humble, the sagacious ones have become bewildered and people of forbearance have lost patience. (In the task of recognizing the Imam) the orators have become speechless, the intelligent ones have become ignorant and the poets have become exhausted. The men-of-letters have become helpless, people of eloquence have turned wordless to speak of any of the aspects of his status or a virtue and excellence of his merits and instead have confessed their helplessness in the matter. How can one speak of him in full, or describe him in the real sense or understand anything of his affairs or find an alternative for him to be sufficient for what he (the Imam) suffices. There is no such thing and nowhere is such a thing found. He is like a star away from the reach of those who try to reach, or those who try to describe. Where does the idea of selecting him stand in such a case? How then can reason and intellect reach him and where can one find a person like the Imam?””Do you think that such a person can be found outside the family of the Holy Prophet (saww)? Their souls, I swear by Allah, have told them a lie and given them false hopes so (its like) they are climbing against an uphill difficult & invalid task, in which they would slip back to the bottom.They intend to raise the Imam by their confused, fruitless and faulty intellects and their misleading opinions. It would do nothing good except taking them away (from the truth). (May Allah be their adversary. Where are they headed?) (9:30) They have aimed at a difficult task and have spoken something meaningless. They have strayed far away from the truth and have faced huge confusions. They have knowingly ignored the Imam. “Satan has made their deeds to seem attractive to them and has blocked them from reaching the path (of guidance) when they know it fully.” (29:38)”They have turned away from the choice that Allah and His Messenger and his family to their own choice. The Holy Quran calls up on them, “Your Lord creates and chooses, they do not have the choice to choose whatever they want. Allah is far exalted to be considered equal to anything else.” (28:68) It also says, “And it is not fitting for a believing man and a believing woman that they should have any choice in their matter when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter; and whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he surely strays off a manifest straying” (33:36)It further says, “What is the matter with you? How could you judge this to be so? Do you have a book from which you study, that you have surely therein what you choose? Do you have a covenant with Us which allows you to do whatever you want until the Day of Judgment? Ask them which of them will vouch for that,  Or have they some “Partners” (in Allah)? Then let them produce their “partners”, if they are truthful!(68: 36-41) And Allah (swt), “Do they not ponder about the Quran or are there locks on the hearts?” (47:24) Or as He says, ” . . . and their hearts have been sealed. So they do not understand.” (9:87) Or like, “…they say, ‘We hear,’ though they do not hear.” (8:21)”Indeed the worst beasts in the sight of Allah are the deaf and the dumb who have no understanding” (8:22). “Had they possessed any virtue, Allah would certainly have made them hear. Even if Allah were to make them hear, they would still turn away from (the words of Allah),” (8:23)or like, “They said, we heard & (still) disobeyed.” (2:93) “It is the grace from Allah and He grants grace to whoever He wills. Allah is possesses great generosity.” (57:21)”So how can they have the right to choose the Imam? The Imam is a scholar that is not ignorant of any thing, a custodian who does not step back from his duty. He is the source of holiness, purity, piety, knowledge and worship.””For the Imam is exclusive prayers of the Messenger of Allah (swt) and of being of the progeny of the Holy Lady, al-Batul i.e Fatima (sa). There is no shortcoming in the Imam in lineage and none can come even close to His noble descent.””He is of the house of Quraysh and the top most in the clan of Hashim and of the family of the Messenger of Allah (saww). In His favour is the satifcation of Allah (swt). He is the most exalted amongst the honorable ones. He is of the offspring of Abd al-Manaf. He possesses increasing knowledge. He is complete in forbearance.He is knowledgeable of the management (of the affairs), possesses the right on the authority and obedience to him is obligatory. He establishes/rises by the command of Allah (swt). He gives advice to the servants of Allah (swt) and He is the protector of religion of Allah (swt).”Allah grants success and support to the prophets (as) and the Imams (as) through His treasured knowledge and command which is not granted to any one else. Thus, their knowledge is above the knowledge of the people of their times as mentioned in the following words of Allah, “Is He then Who guides to the truth more worthy to be followed, or he who himself does not go aright unless he is guided? What then is the matter with you; how do you judge?” (10:35)And in, “Whoever is given wisdom, certainly, has received much good . . ..” (2:269) Or as about Talut in the following words, “Surely Allah has chosen him in preference to you, and He has increased him abundantly in knowledge and physique, and Allah grants His kingdom to whom He pleases, and Allah is Amplegiving, Knowing” (2:247)Or as He has said about His Prophet (saww), “Allah has revealed the Book to you, has given you wisdom, and has taught you what you did not know. Certainly Allah’s favor to you has been great.” (4:113)He also said about the Imams from the family of the Holy Prophet (as), “Or do they envy the people for what Allah has given them of His grace? But indeed We have given to Ibrahim’s children the Book and the wisdom, and We have given them a grand kingdom” (4:54). “So some of them believed, and some of them averted their faces from him: And enough is Hell for a burning fire” (4:55).”When Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, Chooses a person for the affairs of His servants, He opens his heart for the task, places in it the fountains of wisdom and inspires him with knowledge. He then never becomes incapable of answering questions and never becomes confused/uncertain of what is the right answer. He is infallible, Divinely supported, successful and guarded. He is immune from sins and shortcomings and faults. Allah has granted him this exclusively so that he would serve as the Divine Authority over His servant, as a witness over His creations and this is the grace of Allah that He grants to whomever He wills and Allah is of great grace.”So do they (people) have the power/ability upon such things so that they can choose him (Imam)? Or can their selected person have such distinctions to be preferred over the others?” [Tuhaf-ul-Uqul of Al-Harrani, Page 436 – 442]

عن الحسن بن علي عن عبد العزيز بن مسلم قال: كنا مع الرضا عليه السلام بمرو فاجتمعنا في المسجد الجامع بها، فأدار الناس بينهم أمر الامامة، فذكروا كثرة الاختلاف فيها. فدخلت على سيدي ومولاي الرضا عليه السلام فاعلمته بما خاض الناس فيه. فتبسم عليه السلام. ثم قال عليه السلام: يا عبد العزيز جهل القوم وخدعوا عن أديانهم، إن الله عزوجل لم يقبض نبيه صلى الله عليه واله حتى أكمل له الدين وأنزل عليه القرآن فيه تبيان كل شئ وبين فيه الحلال والحرام والحدود والاحكام وجميع ما يحتاج إليه الناس كملا، فقال: ما فرطنا في الكتاب من شئ وأنزل عليه في حجة الوداع وهي آخر عمره صلى الله عليه واله ” اليوم أكملت لكم دينكم وأتممت عليكم نمعتي ورضيت لكم الاسلام دينا وأمر الامامة من كمال الدين. ولم يمض صلى الله عليه واله حتى بين لامته معالم دينه وأوضح لهم سبلهم وتركهم على قصد الحق، وأقام لهم عليا عليه السلام علما وإماما، وما ترك شيئا مما تحتاج إليه الامة إلا وقد بينه. فمن زعم أن الله لم يكمل دينه فقد رد كتاب الله، ومن رد كتاب الله فقد كفر. هل يعرفون قدر الامامة ومحلها من الامة، فيجوز فيها اختيارهم إن الامامة خص الله بها إبراهيم الخليل عليه السلام بعد النبوة والخلة مرتبة ثالثة وفضيلة شرفه بها وأشاد بها ذكره فقال عزوجل: وإذ ابتلى إبراهيم ربه بكلمات فأتمهن قال إني جاعلك للناس إماما قال الخليل سرورا بها: ومن ذريتي قال لا ينال عهدي الظالمين فأبطلت هذه الآية إمامة كل ظالم إلى يوم القيامة وصارت في الصفوة. ثم أكرمها الله بأن جعلها في ذرية أهل الصفوة والطهارة، فقال: ووهبنا له إسحاق ويعقوب نافلة وكلا جعلنا صالحين وجعلناهم ائمة يهدون بأمرنا وأوحينا إليهم فعل الخيرات وإقام الصلاة وإيتاء الزكاة وكانوا لنا عابدين فلم تزل ترثها ذريته عليه السلام بعض عن بعض قرنا فقرنا حتى ورثها النبي صلى الله عليه واله، فقال الله: إن أولى الناس بإبراهيم للذين اتبعوه وهذا النبي والذين آمنوا فكانت لهم خاصة فقلدها النبي صلى الله عليه واله عليا عليه السلام فصارت في ذريته الاصفياء الذين آتاهم الله العلم والايمان وذلك قوله: وقال الذين اوتوا العلم والايمان لقد لبثتم في كتاب الله إلى يوم البعث فهذا يوم البعث ولكنكم كنتم لا تعلمون على رسم ما جرى وما فرضه الله في ولده إلى يوم القيامة إذ لا نبي بعد محمد صلى الله عليه وآله فمن أين يختار هذه الجهال الامامة بآرائهم. إن الامامة منزلة الانبياء وإرث الاوصياء، إن الامامة خلافة الله وخلافة رسوله صلى الله عليه واله ومقام أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام وخلافة الحسن والحسين عليهما السلام. إن الامام زمام الدين ونظام المسلمين وصلاح الدنيا وعز المؤمنين. الامام أس الاسلام النامي وفرعه السامي. بالامام تمام الصلاة والزكاة والصيام والحج والجهاد وتوفير الفيئ والصدقات وإمضاء الحدود والاحكام ومنع الثغور والاطراف. الامام يحلل حلال الله ويحرم حرامه ويقيم حدود الله ويذب عن دين الله ويدعو إلى سبيل الله بالحكمة والموعظة الحسنة والحجة البالغة. الامام كالشمس الطالعة المجللة بنورها للعالم وهو بالافق حيث لا تناله الابصار ولا الايدي. الامام البدر المنير والسراج الزاهر والنور الطالع والنجم الهادي في غيابات الدجى والدليل على الهدى والمنجي من الردى الامام النار على اليفاع الحار لمن اصطلى والدليل في المهالك، من فارقه فهالك. الامام السحاب الماطر والغيث الهاطل والسماء الظليلة والارض البسيطة والعين الغزيرة والغدير والروضة الامام الامين الرفيق، والوالد الشفيق والاخ الشقيق وكالام البرة بالولد الصغير ومفزع العباد الامام أمين الله في أرضه وخلقه، وحجته على عباده وخليفته في بلاده والداعي إلى الله والذاب عن حريم الله. الامام مطهر من الذنوب، مبرء من العيوب، مخصوص بالعلم، موسوم بالحلم، نظام الدين وعز المسلمين وغيظ المنافقين وبوار الكافرين. الامام واحد دهره، لا يدانيه أحد ولا يعادله عالم ولا يوجد له بدل ولا له مثل ولا نظير. مخصوص بالفضل كله من غير طلب منه ولا اكتساب، بل اختصاص من المفضل الوهاب، فمن ذا يبلغ معرفة الامام أو كنه وصفه هيهات هيهات، ضلت العقول وتاهت الحلوم وحارت الالباب وحصرت الخطباء وكلت الشعراء وعجزت الادباء وعييت البلغاء وفحمت العلماء عن وصف شأن من شأنه أو فضيلة من فضائله، فأقرت بالعجز والتقصير فكيف يوصف بكليته، أو ينعت بكيفيته أو يوجد من يقوم مقامه، أو يغني غناه. وأنى وهو بحيث النجم عن أيدي المتناولين ووصف الواصفين أيظنون أنه يوجد ذلك في غير آل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وعليهم، كذبتهم والله أنفسهم ومنتهم الاباطيل إذ ارتقوا مرتقى صعبا ومنزلا دحضا زلت بها إلى الحضيض أقدامهم، إذ راموا إقامة إمام بآرائهم وكيف لهم باختيار إمام. والامام عالم لا يجهل وراع لا يمكر معدن النبوة لا يغمز فيه بنسب ولا يدانيه ذو حسب، فالبيت من قريش والذروة من هاشم والعترة من الرسول صلى الله عليه واله شرف الاشراف والفرع عن عبد مناف، نامي العلم، كامل الحلم، مضطلع بالامر عالم بالسياسة، مستحق للرئاسة، مفترض الطاعة. قائم بأمر الله، ناصح لعباد الله. إن الانبياء والاوصياء صلوات الله عليهم يوفقهم الله ويسددهم ويؤتيهم من مخزون علمه وحكمته ما لا يؤتيه غيرهم، يكون علمهم فوق علم أهل زمانهم، وقد قال الله جل وعز: أفمن يهدي إلى الحق أحق أن يتبع أمن لا يهدي إلا أن يهدى فما لكم كيف تحكمون وقال تعالى في قصة طالوت: إن الله اصطفاه عليكم وزاده بسطة في العلم والجسم والله يؤتي ملكه من يشاء وقال في قصة داود عليه السلام: وقتل دواد جالوت وآتاه الله الملك والحكمة وعلمه مما يشاء وقال لنبيه صلى الله عليه واله: وأنزل عليك الكتاب والحكمة وعلمك ما لم تكن تعلم وكان فضل الله عليك عظيما وقال في الائمة من أهل بيته وعترته وذريته: أم يحسدون الناس على ما آتاهم الله من فضله إلى قوله سعيرا وإن العبد إذا اختاره الله لامور عباده شرح صدره لذلك وأودع قلبه ينابيع الحكمة وأطلق على لسانه فلم يعي بعده بجواب ولم تجد فيه غير صواب فهو موفق مسدد مؤيد، قد أمن من الخطأ والزلل. خصه بذلك ليكون ذلك حجة على خلقه شاهدا على عباده فهل يقدرون على مثل هذا فيختارونه فيكون مختارهم بهذه الصفة

Al-Husain (a.) reported that Imam Ali (a.) was asked: “What is meant by the statement of the Prophet (s.): “I leave you behind two weighty things: The Book of God and my lineage.” Who is his lineage?” He said: “I, Hasan, Husain and the nine Imams of the progeny of Hussain. The ninth of them is the Mahdi and Qa’im among them. Neither do they separate themselves from the Book of God nor does the Book of God separate itself from them until they meet the Messenger (s.) at his fountain.” [Ma’ani l-Akhbar of As-Saduq, page 90 – 91]

حدثنا أحمد بن زياد بن جعفر الهمداني رضي الله عنه قال: حدثنا علي بن إبراهيم بن هاشم، عن أبيه، عن محمد بن أبي عمير عن غياث بن إبراهيم، عن الصادق جعفر ابن محمد، عن أبيه محمد بن علي، عن أبيه علي بن الحسين، عن أبيه الحسين عليهم السلام قال: سئل أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام عن معنى قول رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله إني مخلف فيكم الثقلين: كتاب الله وعترتي من العترة؟ فقال: أنا، والحسن، والحسين، والأئمة التسعة من ولد الحسين تاسعهم مهديهم وقائمهم، لا يفارقون كتاب الله ولا يفارقهم حتى يردوا على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله حوضه

Hasan Ibn Ali reported that the Prophet Muhammad (s.) said: “Whoever acquired knowledge in order to quarrel with the ignorant people or to brag about it to the knowledgeable people or to attract the attention of the people so that they regard him as a great personality should take his place in the fire. No authority is good except that of God and to those whom it is due, and whoever claimed a position that God did not give him, he drew the wrath of God upon himself, and whoever called to himself and said: “I am your authority!” While he is not, God does not look at him until he withdraws what he  has said and repents to God,of what he has claimed.” [Tuhaf-ul-Uqul of Al-Harrani, pp. 43-44]

عن الحسن بن علي عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله قال: إن من تعلم العلم ليماري به السفهاء أو يباهي به العلماء أو يصرف وجوه الناس إليه ليعظموه فليتبوء مقعده من النار، فإن الرئاسة لا تصلح إلا لله ولاهلها. ومن وضع نفسه في غير الموضع الذي وضعه الله فيه مقته الله ومن دعا إلى نفسه، فقال: أنا رئيسكم وليس هو كذلك لم ينظر الله إليه حتى يرجع عما قال ويتوب إلى الله مما ادعى

Isma’il Ibn Bazi’ reported that Imam As-Sadiq (a.) said: “Cursed be the one who assumed the authority, cursed be the one who sought it, and cursed be the one who addressed himself with it.” [Al-Kafi of Al-Kulaini, Volume 2 Page 298 Hadith 4]

عنه عن محمد بن إسماعيل بن بزيع وغيره رفعوه عن الإمام الصادق عليه السلام قال: ملعون من ترأس، ملعون من هم بها، ملعون من حدث بها نفسه

Abu Ar-Rabi’ Ash-Shami reported that Imam Al-Baqir (a.) said:“Woe to you, O Father of Rabi, do not seek authority and do not be a wolf! Do not consume the property of the people, while you are referring to us, whereupon God puts you in a poor state, and do not say about us what we do not say about ourselves, because there is no doubt you will be stopped and made accountable, and if you were true, then we will declare you true, and if you lied, we will declare you a liar. [Al-Kafi by Al-Kulaini, Volume 2 Page 298 Hadith 6]

علي بن إبراهيم، عن محمد بن عيسى، عن يونس، عن أبي الربيع الشامي، عن الإمام الباقر علبه السلام قال: ويحك يا أبا الربيع لا تطلبن الرئاسة ولا تكن ذئبا ولا تأكل بنا الناس فيفقرك الله ولا تقل فينا ما لا نقول في أنفسنا فإنك موقوف ومسؤول لا محالة فإن كنت صادقا صدقناك وإن كنت كاذبا كذبناك

Companions of Muhammad Ibn Abi Umair reported that Imam As-Sadiq (a.) said: “A Muslim is the one whose hand and tongue have left the people unharmed, and a believer is the one from whom the people were safe with regard to their wealth and themselves”. [Ma’ani Al-Akhbar of As-Saduq, page 239 Hadith 1]

عن أصحاب محمد بن أبي عمير عن الإمام الصادق عليه السلام قال: المسلم من سلم الناس من يده ولسانه والمؤمن من ائتمنه الناس على أموالهم وأنفسهم

Abdullah Ibn Muskan reported that Imam As-Sadiq (a.) said: “Beware of these leaders who exercise authority, for by God, none followed in someones footsteps except that he brought himself and others into destruction.” [Al-Kafi of Al-Kulaini, Volume 2 Page 297 Hadith 3]

عدة من أصحابنا، عن أحمد بن محمد بن خالد، عن أبيه، عن عبد الله بن المغيرة، عن عبد الله بن مسكان عن الإمام الصادق عليه السلام قال: إياكم وهؤلاء الرؤساء الذين يترأسون، فوالله ما خفقت النعال خلف رجل إلا هلك وأهلك

Jabir Ibn Yazid reported that Imam Al-Baqir (a.) said: “Beware from the deviating members from the family of Muhammad (s.), because the family of Muhammad (s.) and Ali (a.) has a flag and others besides them also have flags, so hold on to the earth and never follow any person from them until you see a man from the children of Husain (a.) carrying the covenant and flag and the weapon of the Prophet of God (s.).” [Al-Bihar of Al-Majlisi, volume 52 page 224]

عن جابر بن يزيد عن الإمام الباقر عليه السلام قال: وإياك وشذاذ من آل محمد عليهم السلام فان لآل محمد وعلي راية ولغيرهم رايات فألزم الأرض ولا تتبع منهم رجلا أبدا حتى ترى رجلا من ولد الحسين، معه عهد نبي الله ورايته وسلاحه

Muhammad Ibn Muslim reported that Imam As-Sadiq (a.) said: “Do you think i do not recognize your good from the bad among you? But, by Allah, the bad one among you is the one who had it in his heart to be followed. There is no escape (Budd) from a liar and a man of incompetent opinion.” [Al-Kafi of Al-Kulaini, Volume 2, Page 299, Hadith 8]

علي بن إبراهيم، عن محمد بن عيسى، عن يونس، عن العلاء، عن محمد بن مسلم عن الإمام الصادق عليه السلام قال: أترى لا أعرف خياركم من شراركم؟ بلى والله وإن شراركم من أحب أن يوطأ عقبه، إنه لا بد من كذاب أو عاجز الرأي

Ma’mar Ibn Khallad reported that he named Imam Ar-Rida (a.) a person: “The authority is dear to his heart.” He said: “Two ravening wolves in the midst of the sheeps, who left their shepherd, are not as harmful to the religion of a Muslim person, as the authorities.” [Al-Kafi of Al-Kulaini, Vol. 2 Page 297 Hadith 1]

محمد بن يحيى، عن أحمد بن محمد بن عيسى، عن معمر بن خلاد، عن الإمام الرضا صلوات الله عليه أنه ذكر رجلا فقال: إنه يحب الرئاسة، فقال: ما ذئبان ضاريان في غنم قد تفرق رعاؤها بأضر في دين المسلم من الرئاسة

Muhammad Ibn Nu’man reported that Imam Al-Baqir (a.) said: “Those who sought three things without right, for them three things are rightfully declared forbidden (Haram): Those who demanded this world without right were rightfully denied the hereafter, those who sought authority without right, to them obedience is rightfully declared forbidden (Haram), and those who demanded for possession without any right are rightfully forbidden to stay with him.” [Tuhaf-ul-Uqul of Al-Harrani, page 321]

عن محمد بن نعمان عن الإمام الباقر عليه السلام قال: من طلب ثلاثة بغير حق حرم ثلاثة بحق: من طلب الدنيا بغير حق حرم الآخرة بحق. ومن طلب الرئاسة بغير حق حرم الطاعة له بحق. ومن طلب المال بغير حق حرم بقاءه له بحق

Hasan Ibn Ali reported that the Prophet Muhammad (a.) said: “The man with the most perfect reason is the one who is most fearful of God and most obedient to Him, and the man with the most defective reason is the one who is most fearful of the ruler and most obedient to him. [Tuhaf-ul-Uqul of Al-Harrani, page 50]

عن الحسن بن علي عن الرسول صلى الله عليه وآله قال: أكمل الناس عقلا أخوفهم لله وأطوعهم له وأنقص الناس عقلا أخوفهم للسلطان وأطوعهم له

Abu Mayyah reported that Imam As-Sadiq (a.) said: “Those who sought authority brought themselves into destruction.” [Al-Kafi of Al-Kulaini, Volume 2 Page 298 – 299 Hadith 7]

عدة من أصحابنا، عن سهل بن زياد، عن منصور بن العباس، عن ابن مياح عن أبيه عن الإمام الصادق عليه السلام قال: من أراد الرئاسة هلك

Muhammad Ibn Nu’man reported that Imam Al-Baqir (a.) said: “The one who speaked about God (essence) brought himself into destruction and the one who sought authority brought himself into destruction and the one who becomes astonished of himself brought himself into ruin”. [Tuhaf-ul-Uqul of Al-Harrani, page 409]

عن الحسن بن علي عن الإمام الكاظم عليه السلام قال: من تكلم في الله هلك ومن طلب الرئاسة هلك ومن دخله العجب هلك

It was reported to Abu Amir that Imam As-Sadiq (a.) said: “He who sought authority brought himself into destruction.” [Al-Kafi of Al-Kulaini, Volume 2 Page 297 Hadith 2]

عنه، عن أحمد، عن سعيد بن جناح، عن أخيه أبي عامر، عن رجل، عن الإمام الصادق عليه السلام قال: من طلب الرئاسة هلك

It was reported to Abu Amir that Imam As-Sadiq (a.) said:“Beware of authority and beware of following in the footsteps of the people.” I said:“May my  life be sacrificed to you, as far as the authority is concerned, I am aware of it, but as far as the matter of following in the footsteps of persons is concerned, two thirds of what I have in my hand comes from following in the footsteps of persons.” He said: “It is not what you think. Beware of giving someone such a position without proof that you accept everything he has said.” [Al-Kafi by Al-Kulaini, Volume 2, page 298 Hadith 5]

محمد بن يحيى، عن أحمد بن محمد بن عيسى، عن الحسن بن أيوب، عن أبي عقيلة الصيرفي قال: حدثنا كرام، عن أبي حمزة الثمالي عن الإمام الصادق عليه السلام قال: إياك والرئاسة وإياك أن تطأ أعقاب الرجال، قال: قلت: جعلت فداك أما الرئاسة فقد عرفتها وأما أن أطأ أعقاب الرجال فما ثلثا ما في يدي إلا مما وطئت أعقاب الرجال فقال لي: ليس حيث تذهب، إياك أن تنصب رجلا دون الحجة، فتصدقه في كل ما قال

Muhammad Ibn Husain reported that Imam As-Sadiq (a.) said: “Abstain from analogy and personal opinion and from that what the people have said about the religion of God without any proof.” [Al-Fusul of Al-Amili, volume 1 Hadith 773]

عن محمد بن الحسين عن الإمام الصادق عليه السلام قال: دع القياس والرأي وما قال قوم في دين الله ليس له برهان