It is mentioned in a
traditional report that Hababa Waliba came to Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and
inquired about the signs of true Imamate and Caliphate. His Eminence gestured
at a pebble and said: “Get it for me.”
Hababa said: “I gave that
pebble to His Eminence. He placed his seal upon it and it got imprinted. Then
he said: “Anyone, who claims Imamate and like me places his seal on this stone
and it leaves an imprint on it, is the true Imam.”
Hababa says: “I took the
stone to Imam Hasan (a.s.) after the passing away of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.)
and after him to the Chief of Martyrs. They placed their seals leaving a mark.”
She says: “Then I came to the
chief of those who prostrate, Imam Ali bin Husain (a.s.), while I was old and
weak and aged 113 years. Imam Sajjad (a.s.) gestured to me with his index
finger and my youth returned.”
Then the Imam (a.s.) said: “Give me that stone.” I complied. Like his father and
grandfather, the Imam placed his seal on it and it left imprint upon it. After
Imam Sajjad (a.s.) I met Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) and after him Imam Ja’far
Sadiq (a.s.).( When Hababa came to Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.), she had again
began trembling due to age and was suffering from skin disease. She cried
before His Eminence and the Imam prayed for her and she was cured). After that I met Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.) and
then Imam Ali Reza (a.s.). Each of them like their ancestors, placed the seal
on the stone leaving an imprint. After that Hababa lived for another nine months
and then passed away.
(Al-Kafi, Chapter of difference between the true and false Imam; Behaarul Anwaar, vol. 25, p. 175 (quoting from Kamaluddin and other books). Isbatul Huda (quoting from Al-Kafi); Kamaluddin, Saduq, Elamul Waraa, Kharaij Rawandi)
Allamah Sayyid Hashim Bahrani
has narrated from Rushaid Hujri that he said:
I, Sulaiman bin Waraqa, Malik
bin Taihan and Sahal bin Hunaif were present in the service of Ameerul Momineen
(a.s.) in Medina. Hababa Waliba hung a Quran from her neck and carried a rosary
made from date stones. She saluted, wept and pleaded to the Imam: “O Ameerul
Momineen (a.s.), your absence among us would be extremely tragical and painful.
That we should remain alive and not see you anymore? You know what I mean!”
His Eminence stretched out
his hand, took the white stone, which Hababa was holding. He placed his seal on
that stone leaving his imprint. Then said: “Your
implication is this!”
She said: “By Allah, this is
my implication. When I heard that your Shia would scatter and dissensions would
appear among them, I requested the sign of recognizing the true Imam, so that
if I live after you, I should be able to recognize the true Imam. May I and my
family members be sacrificed on you!”
His Eminence said:
“Keep this stone
safe; as after me, you will meet my sons Hasan and Husain, Ali bin Husain,
Muhammad bin Ali, Ja’far bin Muhammad, Musa bin Ja’far, Ali bin Musa – peace be
on them and each of them, like me, would ask for that stone. Then they would
place this seal like I have done, leaving imprint on it. Know that they are the
true Imams.
When you reach my
(grand) son, Ali bin Musa Reza (a.s.), you will see another great proof from
him and at that time you would choose death over your life. His Eminence would
also order about carrying out your last rites and would himself pray your
funeral prayer. I give you glad tidings that you will return to the world
during the time of my twelfth descendant among the people of best faith, His
Eminence, Mahdi.”
Hababa wept in eagerness and
requested: O Ameerul Momineen (a.s.), pray for me that my cognition and faith
remains steadfast and that I should remain safe during the turmoils. His
Eminence prayed for her.
Hababa says: “After the
martyrdom of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.), I met Imam Hasan Mujtaba (a.s.). He said:
“Bring the stone.” He stretched out his hand like Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and
took the stone from me. Then he placed the same seal of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.)
and it left its mark on the stone. After His Eminence, I met Imam Husain
(a.s.). He also, like his father and brother, placed the same seal on the stone
and it left its mark on it.
After the martyrdom of the
Chief of Martyrs, the Shia fell into dispute. Some Shia of Hijaz began to
believe in the Imamate of Muhammad bin Hanafiyyah. On the basis of this, some
Shia came to me and requested me to meet Imam Sajjad (a.s.) so that the truth
is revealed. I went to meet the Imam and he, like his father, grandfather and
uncle, took the stone and placed the same seal upon it and it left the mark on
the stone; thus making the Imamate of His Eminence clear.
After His Eminence, I also
went to meet Abu Ja’far Muhammad bin Ali, Ja’far bin Muhammad, Musa bin Ja’far
and Ali bin Musa (a.s.). These respected personages also acted like their purified
ancestors. When I met Imam Ali Reza (a.s.), I had reached very old age, my hair
was grey and my body was weak, but through the auspiciousness of looking at the
Imams, my eyes and ears and my intellect and perception became perfect.
When my eyes fell on the
luminous elegance of the eighth Imam, I smiled at him. Those present with the
Imam interpreted my smile as due to my ignorance. His Eminence said:
“It is not as such.
No deficiency has come in the intellect and perception of Hababa. My
grandfather, Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) informed her that she would pass away
during this period and would return to the world during the time of
reappearance of His Eminence, Mahdi (a.s.). [Therefore] she has smiled in joy.”
When the people heard this,
they sought forgiveness and excuse and said: “We did not know this.”
So the eighth Imam (a.s.)
turned to Hababa and said: “Did my grandfather, Ameerul
Momineen (a.s.) tell you what you would see from me?” She replied: “Your
grandfather said that I would see a great proof from you.”
His Eminence said: “Your white hair has turned black! They would never again turn
white. Does this proof suffice for you, or should I add to it?” She
replied: “Increase it, since divine grace is excessive on you all.”
His Eminence said: “Would you like to, in addition of your hair turning black,
regain your youth?”
She replied: “Yes, my master, this is a great
proof.” Then His Eminence said: “Greater than this is
what
I know about your opinion regarding my exalted rank in knowledge.”
Hababa says: I asked:
“Master, make me the recipient of your favors and blessings.” He supplicated
quietly and moved his blessed lips.
Hababa says: “By Allah, I
became a youthful girl, having black hair.” When I went home and checked my
body I found myself a virgin. I returned to Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) and prostrated
in thanks. Then I said: “My master, shifting to the neighborhood of divine
mercy is better for me and I have nothing to do in the world.” He said:
Hababa, go into the
house to my ladies and family members as preparation for your last rites are
ready (for journey of hereafter).
This traditional report is
also mentioned in the book of Ithbatul Huda in brief.
In another traditional
report, Muhammad bin Zaid says:
I was in the company of my
master, His Eminence, Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) and I witnessed these events. Hababa
went into the house of the Imam. Not much time passed after surveying the
preparations that she testified to the oneness of God and messengership of Prophet
and passed away. Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) said: “O Hababa, may
God have mercy on you.” I asked: “Has Hababa passed away?” His Eminence
replied: “When she saw preparations of her funeral, she was
transferred to the neighborhood of divine mercy.”
The narrator says: “Imam
(a.s.) ordered for her funeral. Upon the orders of His Eminence, they gave her
the funeral bath, shrouded her and brought her out. His Eminence prayed her
funeral prayer. We and all the Shia also prayed on her bier and then buried
her. His Eminence ordered us to visit her grave and recite the Quran there and
seek auspiciousness from supplicating there.”
(Isbaatul Wilayah of Ayatullah Haaj Shaykh Ali Namazi Shahroodi (r.a.) Section Six: Power of Prophet and Holy Imams (a.s.) on face and body of human being)
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