Some Shia individuals were present in the company of Imam
Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.); among them was Sudair Sairafi, Abu Basir and
others. Imam (a.s.) said to Sudair: “O Sudair, have you read the
following verse of Quran:
“One who had the knowledge of the Book said: I will
bring it to you in the twinkling of an eye.”Surah Naml 27:40
He replied: “Yes, may I be sacrificed on you, I have read it.”
He (a.s.) asked: “Do you know how much ‘knowledge of Book’
he had?”
Sudair replied: “You tell us.”
His Eminence replied: “A drop of water as compared to the
green sea.”
He asked: “How less is that?!”
Imam (a.s.) replied:
“Sudair, on the contrary, how more it is?! Since
Almighty Allah attributed knowledge and perfection to
him, Sudair, have you read the verse:
“Say: Allah is sufficient as a witness between me and
you and whoever has knowledge of the Book.”Surah Raad 13:43
Sudair says: I said: “Yes, may I be sacrificed on you! I have
read it.”
So he (a.s.) said: “O Sudair, is one, who has the knowledge
of Book more knowledgeable or one, who has a part of knowledge of
Book?”
Sudair replied: “One, who has knowledge of the whole book
is more knowledgeable.”
So His Eminence pointed to his chest and
said:
“Knowledge of the book, by Allah, the whole of it is
with us. Knowledge of the book, by Allah, the whole of
it is with us.”
Al-Kafi, (Kitabul Hujjah, chapter of
miscellany regarding the unseen)
Isbaatul Wilayah (Part One) – Ayatullah AliNamazi Shahroodi (r.a.)