The words of an Imam (as) or not? You the readers decide

📜 Did the Imam (as) Say This? Let the Words Speak for Themselves

Some have questioned whether this narration could truly come from the Imam (peace be upon him), arguing that it lacks the eloquence befitting such a station. I invite you to read it for yourself and reflect on its layers — cosmological, spiritual, symbolic.

From Kitab al-Tawhid and Al-Ihtijaj, the following narrations are attributed to Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (as), transmitted through reliable chains:

---

Narration 1: Celestial Configuration and the Primordial Day

Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (as) said:

“Know, O Fadhl, that the world is aligned under [the sign of] Cancer, and the stars are in their positions of dignity. Fazhal is in Libra, Jupiter in Cancer, the Sun in Aries, and the Moon in Taurus.

This is what indicates the Aries rising of the Sun in the tenth house — at the zenith of the sky. Thus, the Day was created before the Night.”

(Source: Tafsir attributed to Imam al-Sadiq, traditional astrological language consistent with early Islamic cosmology)

---

Narration 2: The Sequence of Divine Creation
From Ibn Mahboub, through Abu Jaʿfar al-Howl, from Sallaam bin al-Mustaneer:

Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (as) said:

“Allah, Exalted and Majestic, created Paradise before He created the Fire.
He created Obedience before Disobedience, Mercy before Wrath,
Goodness before Evil, the Earth before the Sky,
Life before Death, the Sun before the Moon,
and Light before Darkness.”

(Source: Kitab al-Tawhid, Sheikh al-Saduq)

---

Narration 3: Day Before Night
From Al-Ihtijaj by Al-Tabarsi (may Allah have mercy on him):

A man asked Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (as), “Did Allah create the day before the night?”

He replied: “Yes. He created the day before the night, the sun and moon before the sky, and the earth before the heavens.”

(Source: Al-Ihtijaj, Al-Tabarsi)

---

🧠 Context on the Narrators:

• Ibn Mahboub (d. 274 AH): A renowned companion of Imam al-Sadiq and a key figure in transmitting reliable hadiths, especially in jurisprudence and theology.

• Sallaam bin al-Mustaneer: Known as trustworthy among early transmitters of hadith. His narrations often appear in the major Shi’a compilations.

• Al-Tabarsi (d. 548 AH): A respected scholar and compiler of Al-Ihtijaj, known for documenting theological debates and responses of the Imams.

---

What appears simple on the surface may hold deep symbolic, cosmological, or spiritual meanings — especially when spoken by one whose words are calibrated to both the intellect and the inner heart. The question is not only about eloquence, but about the architecture of meaning.

🌓 What do you think? Does this speak with the voice of an Imam?

Let the readers reflect.