Usul al-Kafi
Book 2: The Book of Excellence of Knowledge

Chapter 17

Traditions 111 to 119
Quoting Books and Traditions

111. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p) commenting on the verse: …Who hear advice and follow the best thereof… (Q, 39:18) said: It is the person who hears the tradition and conveys it to others without tampering with it.(B2, C17, T1)

112. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p) was told by a narrator of tradition: May I elaborate or abridge the traditions slightly (which I hear from you) while conveying it to others?
The Imam (p) said: There is no harm in it so long as you keep the meaning and substance of the traditions unchanged.(B2, C17, T2)

113. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p) was told by a believer: I hear something from you and then attempt to convey it exactly as I have heard but I fail.
The Imam (p): Do you do it intentionally?
The Believer: No.
The Imam (p): Do you intend to convey the real intention?
The Believer: Yes.
The Imam (p): Then, there is no harm.(B2, C17, T3)

114. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p) was told by a narrator of traditions: I hear traditions from you but I narrate them (to others) on the authority of your father (Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (p)). Again, I hear traditions from your father but narrate them to others on your authority.
The Imam (p): Both ways it is correct. There is nothing wrong in it. But I shall appreciate if you narrate the traditions on the authority of my father. …(B2, C17, T4)

115. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p): Put it in writing because you may not remember it (unless you write it down).(B2, C17, T9)

116. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p): Treasure your books because you will always be in need of them.(B2, C17, T10)

117. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p): Write down and spread your knowledge among your brethren. When you die, your progeny will inherit your writings. Certainly people will face a period of tension and unrest and they will not be convinced without their books.(B2, C17, T11)

118. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p): My words are the words of my father and the words of my father are the words of my grandfather and the words of my grandfather are the words of my great-grandfathers, Imam al-Hasan (p) and Imam al-Husayn (p) and their words are the words of Imam Ali (p) and the words of Imam Ali (p) are the words of Prophet Muhammad (p) and (finally) the words of Prophet Muhammad (p) are the words of God – the Almighty, the Great.(B2, C17, T14)

119. Imam Muhammad at-Taqi (p) was told by some prominent narrators of traditions: May our lives be sacrificed for you, our elders (whom we follow in quoting traditions) narrated the traditions on the authority of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (p), and Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p) and due to the conditions prevailing in those days they used to observe Taqiyyah (prudential concealment of religious beliefs). Hence, they used to conceal their records and consequently they have never quoted from them. Now they are no more and that concealed literature has now come to our hands.
The Imam (p) said: Now narrate this literature since it is quite authentic.