| Translator's
note: In the following narrations, the word Taboot (which literally
means a coffin in which dead bodies are placed) have been used.
It refers to the verse: …And their Prophet said to them:
A sign of His authority is that there shall come to you the Ark
of the Covenant (Taboot), with an assurance therein of security
from your Lord… (Q, 2:248). Abdullah Yusuf Ali describes
it as a chest of Acacia wood covered and lined with pure gold, about
3' x 3' x 3' (Old Testament, Exodus, 25:10-22), which contained
the Tablet of Prophet Moses (Musa) (p) with Divine Commandments
and other relics of Prophet Moses (p) and Aaron (Haroon) (p). The
Taboot a symbol of unity and authority; was a sacred and proud possession
of Bani Israel
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378.
1. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p): The weapons of the Prophet Muhammad (p)
in our possession are like the Taboot in the possession of Bani Israel.
Wherever the Taboot was placed, that place was the centre of authority.
Wherever the weapons of the Prophet Muhammad (p) are placed that will
be the centre of knowledge and similarly, wherever the possessions
of the Prophet Muhammad (p) are amongst us, there will be the centre
of knowledge.
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379.
3. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (p): The weapons of the Prophet Muhammad
(p) left with us are like the Taboot of Bani Israel. Wherever the
Taboot was taken, Prophethood was there. Thus, wherever amongst us
are the holy belongings of the Prophet, there will be the authority.
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