Controversies surrounding Zurarah bin Ayaan

Controversies surrounding his Trustworthiness


The simple reason why Zurarah is still accepted by the Shiah as the most prolific and reliable authority for the ahadith is because, we have report where Zurarah have been critized and we also have a report for the reason why he was critizied. Although all the report crtizing him is unauthentic and has been considered weak by al-Khoei. Sayyed al-Khoei talk in detail about those hadeeth in his book Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, Volume 8 page 245. Now let us see the reason why he was critized


The reason why Imam criticized Zurarah bin Ayaan

 حدثني حمدويه بن نصير قال حدثنا محمد بن عيسى بن عبيد قال حدثني يونس بن عبد الرحمن عن عبد الله بن زرارة. و محمد بن قولويه و الحسين بن الحسن قالا حدثنا سعد بن عبد الله قال حدثني هارون بن الحسن بن محبوب عن محمد بن عبد الله بن زرارة و ابنيه الحسن و الحسين عن عبد الله بن زرارة قال قال لي أبو عبد الله (ع) اقرأ مني على والدك السلام و قل له إني إنما أعيبك دفاعا مني عنك 

Narrated to me Hamdawayh bin Nusayr who said, narrated to me Mohammed bin Isa Bin Obaid who said, narrated to me  Younis bin Abdul Rahman from Abdullah bin Zurarah. And Muhammad bin Qawlawayh and al-Husayn bin al-Hasan they said, it is narrated to me Al-Saad bin Abdullah who said, narrated to me Haroon bin al-Hasan bin Mahboob from Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Zurarah and his sons Hassan and Hussein from Abdullah bin Zurarah who said:

Abu Abdillah (as) said to me: "Convey my salam to your father, and tell him that I only slandered him to protect him"

Source: Rijaal al-Kashi by al-Kashi, pg 138, H 221
Grading:

1. Sheikh al-Bahrani: “Saheeh or Hasan” (al-Hadaiq al-nadirah 18/168)
2. Sheikh Muhsin Amin: "Saheeh Sanad" (Ayan al-Shiah 7/52)

حدثني محمد بن قولويه، قال حدثنا سعد بن عبد الله القمي، عن محمد بن عبد الله المسمعي و أحمد بن محمد بن عيسى، عن علي بن أسباط، عن الحسين بن زرارة، قال : قلت لأبي عبد الله (عليه السلام) إن أبي يقرأ عليك السلام و يقول لك جعلني الله فداك إنه لا يزال الرجل و الرجلان يقدمان فيذكران أنك ذكرتني و قلت في، فقال أقرئ أباك السلام و قل له أنا و الله أحب لك الخير في الدنيا و أحب لك الخير في الآخرة، و أنا و الله عنك راض فما تبالي ما قال الناس بعد هذا

Narrated to me Muhammad bin Qulawayh who said: narrated to me Saad bin Abdallah al-Qummiy from Muhammad bin Abdallah al-Mismaiy and Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Isa from Ali bin Asbat from al-Husayn bin Zurarah who said:

 I said to Abi Abdillah عليه السلام - my father sends to you his Salam, and says to you - may I be made your ransom, one or two people never cease coming to me and informing me that you mentioned me and criticized me, so he عليه السلام said: return the Salam to your father and say to him - I by Allah like for you the good of this world, and also like for you the good in the Akhirah, and I am by Allah pleased with you, so what do you care about what the people say after this (i.e. clarification from the Imam).

Source: Rijaal al-Kashi by al-Kashi, pg 138, H 222

Grading:

1. Abu Ghalib az-Zurari: "Muwaththaq Sanad" (Tareekh Aal Zurara, pg 66.)

Note: al-Husayn bin Zurarah is Majhool (Unknown) according to Sayyed al-Khoei

Comment: Both the hadeeth conclude that the criticism were made under Taqiyyah in order to save Zurarah from people.

Some hadeeth in praise of Zurarah bin Ayaan

حدثني حمدويه بن نصير ، قال : حدثنا يعقوب بن يزيد ، عن محمد بن أبي عمير ، عن جميل بن دراج ، قال : سمعت أبا عبد الله عليه السلام يقول : بشر المخبتين بالجنة : بريد بن معاوية العجلي ، وأبا بصير ليث بن البختري المرادي ، ومحمد بن مسلم ، وزرارة ، أربعة نجباء أمناء الله على حلاله وحرامه ، لولا هؤلاء انقطعت آثار النبوة واندرست

Narrated to me Hamdawayh bin Nusayr who said, narrated to me  Yaqub bin Yazid, from Muhammad bin Abi Umayr, from Jamil bin Daraj said:

‘I heard Abu Abdullah (a) saying ‘Give glad tidings to the humble ones of Paradise, Buraid bin Abi Mu'awyia al-Ejli, Abu Basir Laith bin al-Bakhtari al-Muradi, Muhammad bin Muslim and Zurara, four pious and faithful to Allah in (the matters of) Halal and Haram, without them the prophetic traditions would have been lost’’.

Source: Rijaal al-Kashi by al-Kashi, pg 138, H 286

Grading:

1. Sayyed al-Khoie:"Saheeh" (Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadeeth 4/197)
2. Sheikh al-Subhani: "Saheeh Sanad" (Kulliyat fe Ilm ar-Rijaal, pg 467)
3. Sheikh al-Basri: "Saheeh Tariq" (Fa'iq al-Maqal fe al-Hadith wa al-Rijal, pg 112)
4. Abu Ghalib az-Zurari: "Saheeh" (Tareekh Aal Zurara, pg 46.)

حمدويه، قال حدثني محمد بن عيسى بن عبيد و يعقوب بن يزيد، عن ابن أبي عمير، عن أبي العباس البقباق، عن أبي عبد الله (عليه السلام) أنه قال : أربعة أحب الناس إلي أحياء و أمواتا، بريد بن معاوية العجلي و زرارة بن أعين و محمد بن مسلم و أبو جعفر الأحول، أحب الناس إلي أحياء و أمواتا

Hamdawayh who said: narrated to me Muhammad bin Isa bin Ubayd and Yaqub bin Yazid from Ibn Abi Umayr from Abi al-Abbas al-Baqbaaq from Abi Abdillah (as), that he  said: 

‘Four people are the most lovable to me during their lives and after their deaths. Buraid bin Mu'awyia al-Ejli, Zurara bin Ayun, Muhammad bin Muslim and Abu Jaffar al-Ahwal, they are the most lovable people to me during their lives and after their deaths.’

Source: Rijaal al-Kashi by al-Kashi, pg 185, H 326 

Grading:

1. Sayyed al-Khoie:"Saheeh" (Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadeeth 18/36)

حدثني حمدويه بن نصير، عن يعقوب بن يزيد، عن القاسم بن عروة، عن أبي العباس الفضل بن عبد الملك، قال : سمعت أبا عبد الله (عليه السلام) يقول أحب الناس إلي أحياء و أمواتا أربعة بريد بن معاوية العجلي، و زرارة، و محمد بن مسلم، و الأحول، و هم أحب الناس إلي أحياء و أمواتا. 

Narrated to me Hamdawiah bin Nasir, from Yaqub bin Yazid, from al-Qasim bin 'Urwah, from Abi al-Abbas al-Fazl bin Abd al-Malik, said:

 I heard Aba Abdillah (as) saying: The most beloved people among dead and alive are four: Barid b. Mawia al-A'jli, and Zurara, and Muhammad b. Muslim, and al-Ahwal and they are the most beloved people to me among dead and alive.

Source: Rijaal al-Kashi by al-Kashi, pg 135, H 215

Grading:

1. al-Qasim bin Urwah is Majhool (Unknown), rest all narrators are Trustworthy accd al-Khoei.

حدثني محمد بن قولويه، قال حدثني سعد بن عبد الله، قال حدثني أبو جعفر أحمد بن محمد بن عيسى و علي بن إسماعيل بن عيسى، عن محمد بن عمر بن سعيد الزيات، عن يحيى بن أبي حبيب، قال : سألت الرضا (عليه السلام) عن أفضل ما يتقرب به العبد إلى الله من صلاته فقال ست و أربعون ركعة فرائضه و نوافله، فقلت هذه رواية زرارة فقال أ ترى أن أحدا كان أصدع بحق من زرارة.

Narrated to me Muhammad bin Qawlawayh who said, narrated to me  Saad bin Abdullah who said, narrated to me Abu Ja'far Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa and Ali bin Ismail bin Isa, from Muhammad bin Umar bin Saed al-Ziyaat, from Yahya bin Abi Habib who said:

I asked Imam al Reda (as) about what is the best thing among prayers to bring people close to Allah? Imam replied: "46 rakah of obligatory and recommended prayers." I said: "This is a narration of Zurarah (i.e. I had heard same thing in hadith reported by Zurarah)" Imam said: "(Yes, and there is nothing wrong with it) And have you seen anyone more discerning of the truth than him?"

Source: Rijaal al-Kashi by al-Kashi, pg 143, H 225

Grading:

1. Yahya bin Abi Habib and Ali bin Ismail bin Isa are Majhool (Unknown), rest all narrators are Trustworthy accd al-Khoei.

محمد بن مسعود، قال حدثني علي بن الحسن بن فضال، قال حدثني أخواي محمد و أحمد ابنا الحسن، عن أبيهما الحسن بن علي بن فضال عن ابن بكير، عن زرارة، قال : قال أبا عبد الله (عليه السلام) يا زرارة إن اسمك في أسامي أهل الجنة بغير ألف، قلت نعم جعلت فداك اسمي عبد ربه و لكني لقبت بزرارة. 

Muhammad bin Mas'ud, said: Ali bin al-Hasan bin Fazal reported to me, said: my brother Muhammad son of al-Hasan reported to me, quoting their father al-Hasan bin Ali b. Fazal quoting Ibn Bakir, quoting Zurara, said: Abu Abdillah (peace be upon him) said:

O Zurara, your name is among the (names of the) people of Paradise without Alif (the letter A), I said: Yes, may I be your ransom, my name is Abd Rabbah, however they call me Zurara.

Source: Rijaal al-Kashi by al-Kashi, pg 133, H 208

Grading:

1. Abu Ghalib az-Zurari: "Muwaththaq like-Saheeh Sanad" (Tareekh Aal Zurara, pg 35.)
2. Sheikh Muhsin Amin: "Muwaththaq Sanad" (Ayan al-Shiah 7/47)

Sheikh al-Kashi's view on Zurarah bin Ayaan

قال الكشي: اجتمعت العصابة على تصديق هؤلاء الأولين من أصحاب أبي جعفر (ع) و أبي عبد الله (ع) و انقادوا لهم بالفقه فقالوا أفقه الأولين ستة: زرارة و معروف بن خربوذ و بريد و أبو بصير الأسدي و الفضيل بن يسار و محمد بن مسلم الطائفي قالوا و أفقه الستة زرارة و قال بعضهم مكان أبي بصير الأسدي أبو بصير المرادي و هو ليث بن البختري.

"al-Kashi says: There is an ijmaa` concerning the authenticity of these foremost companions of Imam al-Baqir  and Imam al-Saadiq …..Zurarah, Ma`roof bin Kharboodh, Burayd (bin Mu`aawiyah), Abu Baseer Al-Asadi, Al-Fudayl bin Yasar, and Muhammad bin Muslim. The best understanding (of) the six is Zuraarah. And Some say it is Abu Baseer Al-Asadi. Abu Baseer Al-Muraadi is (actually) Layth bn Al-Bakhtari."

Controversies surrounding his belief in Imamate of  Imam Musa al-Kazim(as)



Did Zurarah died without recognizing the Imam of Time?

Answer is No, Zurarah did send his son to inquire about the Imam of time but Zurarah died in between those time. here are those hadeeth confirming that event.

حمدويه بن نصير ، قال : حدثني محمد بن عيسى بن عبيد عن محمد ابن أبي عمير ، عن جميل بن دراج وغيره ، قال : وجه زرارة عبيدا ابنه إلى المدينة يستخبر له خبر أبي الحسن عليه السلام وعبد الله بن أبي عبد الله ، فمات قبل أن يرجع إليه عبيد

Hamdawayh bin Nasiyr who said: narrated to me Muhammad bin Isa bin Ubayd from Muhammad bin Abi Umayr from Jamil bin Darraj and others apart from him, he (Jamil) said:

Zurara sent his son Ubayd to Madina to investigate for him the matter of Abi al-Hasan عليه السلام and Abdallah bin Abi Abdillah (al-Aftah, another son of al-Sadiq who had also announced his Imamah), so he (Zurara) died before Ubyad (his son) could return to him (with news).

Source: Rijaal al-Kashi by al-Kashi, pg 155, H 255
Grading:

1. Sheikh Muhsin Amin: "Saheeh Sanad" (Ayan al-Shiah 7/53)
2. Abu Ghalib az-Zurari: "Saheeh" (Tareekh Aal Zurara, pg 57.)

حدثني بن قولويه ، قال : حدثني سعد ، عن أحمد بن محمد بن عيسى ، ومحمد بن عبد الله المسمعي ، عن علي بن أسباط ، عن محمد بن عبد الله بن زرارة ، عن أبيه قال : بعث زرارة عبيدا ابنه يسئل عن خبر أبي الحسن عليه السلام فجائه الموت قبل رجوع عبيد إليه فأخذ المصحف فأعلاه فوق رأسه . وقال : ان الامام بعد جعفر بن محمد من اسمه بين الدفتين في جملة القرآن منصوص عليه من الذين أوجب الله طاعتهم على خلقه ، أنا مؤمن به قال : فأخبر بذلك أبو السحن الأول عليه السلام فقال : والله كان زرارة مهاجرا إلى الله تعالى

Narrated to me Muhammad bin Qulawayh who said: narrated to me Sa'd from Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Isa from Muhammad bin Abdallah al-Mismaiy from Ali bin Asbat from Muhammad bin Abdallah bin Zurara from his father (Abdallah bin Zurara) who said:

 Zurara sent Ubayd his son to ask about the affair (i.e. Immamate) of Abi al-Hasan عليه السلام, so he (i.e. Zurara) died before his son Ubayd came back to him, so he (Zurara) took a Mushaf (i.e. of the Qur'an) (i.e. just before he died) and put it above his head and said: the Imam after Ja'far bin Muhammad عليه السلام is the one whose name is between the two covers (of this Mushaf) in the generality of the Qur'an, appointed (in a clear designation) by those whose obedience has been made obligatory by Allah upon His creation - and I am a believer in him, so Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام - the first - was later informed of this - so he said: by Allah - Zurara was an emigrator (Muhajir) to Allah. 

Source: Rijaal al-Kashi by al-Kashi, pg 155, H 254
Grading:

1. Shiekh Muhsin Amin: "Saheeh Sanad" (Ayan al-Shiah 7/53)

What is the case of those who died in between the search of Imam of the Time?

محمد بن يحيى ، عن محمد بن الحسين ، عن صفوان ، عن يعقوب بن شعيب قال : قلت لأبي عبد الله عليه السلام : إذا حدث على الامام حدث ، كيف يصنع الناس ؟ قال : أين قول الله عز وجل : " فَلَوْلَا نَفَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِنْهُمْ طَائِفَةٌ لِيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ وَلِيُنْذِرُوا قَوْمَهُمْ إِذَا رَجَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ" قال : هم في عذر ما داموا في الطلب وهؤلاء الذين ينتظرونهم في عذر ، حتى يرجع إليهم أصحابهم

Muhammad bin Yahya from Muhammad bin al-Husayn from Safwan from Ya'qub bin Shuayb who said: 

I said to Abi Abdillah عليه السلام: if something happens to the Imam (i.e. he dies) - what should the people do? he عليه السلام said: where is the words of Allah عز وجل (i.e. why should they not apply the words of Allah عز وجل) - 'a delegation should go forth from each of their sections to become learned (gain understanding) in the Diin, and to warn their people when they return to them - so that they may guard (beware)' (9:122); then he عليه السلام said: they (i.e. the delegation) are excused as long as they are seeking (i.e. the identity of the new Imam), and those who are waiting for them to come back have an excuse until their people (i.e. the delegation) return to them (i.e. and inform them). 

Source: al-Kafi by Kulayni,Vol 1, Pg 378, H 1
Grading:

1. Allamah Majlisi:"Saheeh" (Mirat ul Uqool 4/227)
2. Sheikh Hadi al-Najafi:“Saheeh Sanad” (Mausu'ah Ahadith Ahlulbayt 6/302)
3. Sheikh Dhiya al-Iraqi:"Saheeh" (Nihayat al-Afkar 3/127)

محمد بن يحيى، عن أحمد بن محمد بن عيسى، عن محمد بن خالد، عن النضر بن سويد، عن يحيى الحلبي، عن بريد بن معاوية، عن محمد بن مسلم قال: قلت لابي عبدالله عليه السلام: أصلحك الله بلغنا شكواك وأشفقنا، فلو أعلمتنا أو علمتنا من؟ قال: إن عليا عليه السلام كان عالما والعلم يتوارث، فلا يهلك عالم إلا بقي من بعده من يعلم مثل علمه أو ما شاء الله، قلت: أفيسع الناس إذا مات العالم ألا يعرفوا الذي بعده؟ فقال: أما أهل هذه البلدة فلا - يعني المدينة - وأما غيرها من البلدان فبقدر مسيرهم، إن الله يقول: " وما كان المؤمنون لينفروا كافة فلولا نفر من كل فرقة منهم طائفة ليتفقهوا في الدين ولينذروا قوهم إذا رجعوا إليهم لعلهم يحذرون " قال: قلت: أرأيت من مات في ذلك فقال: هو بمنزلة من خرج من بيته مهاجرا إلى الله ورسوله ثم يدركه الموت فقد وقع أجره على الله، قال: قلت: فإذا قدموا بأي شئ يعرفون صاحبهم؟ قال: يعطى السكينة والوقار والهيبة

Muhammad bin Yahya from Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Isa from Muhammad bin Khalid from al-Nadhr bin Suwayd from Yahya al-Halabiy from Burayd bin Muawiya from Muhammad bin Muslim who said:

I said to Abi Abdillah عليه السلام - may Allah keep you - it has reached us (news) that you were sick and we became worried, so if you could inform us or make us aware of who it is (i.e. the Imam after you)? he عليه السلام said: Ali عليه السلام was an Alim, and Ilm is inherited, so an Alim does not die except there remains after him someone who knows all that he (i.e. the former Alim) knew - or what Allah wishes for him to know.

I (Ibn Muslim) said: are the people excused if an Alim dies and they do not know who takes his place after him? he عليه السلام said: as for the inhabitants of this town - that is Madina - then NO (they are not excused), and as for the inhabitants of the other towns apart from it then they are excused in relation to their travel (to identify him), verily Allah says - 'And it is not for the believers that they should go out en masse, but why does a delegation not go forth from each of their sections to become learned (gain understanding) in the Diin, and to warn their people when they return to them - so that they may guard (beware)' (9:122).

I (Ibn Muslim) said: what do you say about a man who dies while doing that (i.e. travelling seeking to identify the new Imam)? he عليه السلام said: he has the position of the one who came out of his home emigrating to Allah and his messenger, then death overtakes him (in such a state), so his reward is secure upon Allah,

I (Ibn Muslim) said: if they (the delegation) come - with what thing (i.e. by which characteristics) will they identify their man? so he عليه السلام said: he (i.e. the Imam) is given serenity, dignity and awe.

Source: al-Kafi by Kulayni,Vol 1, Pg 379, H 3
Grading:

1. Allamah Majlisi:"Saheeh" (Mirat ul Uqool 4/234)
2. Sheikh Hadi al-Najafi:“Saheeh Sanad” (Mausu'ah Ahadith Ahlulbayt 12/210)

The case of Zurarah in Seeking Imam of his Age.

حمدويه بن نصير حدثني محمد بن عيسى بن عبيد عن...قال محمد بن أبي عمير ، حدثني محمد بن حكيم ، قال : قلت لأبي الحسن الأول عليه السلام وذكرت له زرارة وتوجيهه ابنه عبيدا إلي المدينة ، فقال أبو الحسن : اني لأرجو ا أن يكون زرارة ممن قال الله تعالى وَمَنْ يَخْرُجْ مِنْ بَيْتِهِ مُهَاجِرًا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ثُمَّ يُدْرِكْهُ الْمَوْتُ فَقَدْ وَقَعَ أَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ

Narrated to me Hamdawayh who said: narrated to me Muhammad bin Isa bin Ubayd from ..Muhammad bin Abi Umayr said: narrated to me Muhammad bin Hukaym who said:

I talked to Abi al-Hasan the first (al-Kadhim) عليه السلام and mentioned to him Zurara and his act of sending his son Ubayd to Madina, so Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام said: I hope/wish Zurara to be among those about whom Allah has said: 'and whoever comes out of his home emigrating to Allah and his messenger - and death overtakes him (in such a state) - then he has already secured his reward from Allah'.

Source: Rijaal al-Kashi by al-Kashi, pg 155, H 255
Grading:

1. Shiekh Muhsin Amin: "Saheeh Sanad" (Ayan al-Shiah 7/53)
2. Abu Ghalib az-Zurari: "Saheeh" (Tareekh Aal Zurara, pg 57)

حدثني بن قولويه ، قال : حدثني سعد ، عن أحمد بن محمد بن عيسى ، ومحمد بن عبد الله المسمعي ، عن علي بن أسباط ، عن محمد بن عبد الله بن زرارة ، عن أبيه قال : بعث زرارة عبيدا ابنه يسئل عن خبر أبي الحسن عليه السلام فجائه الموت قبل رجوع عبيد إليه فأخذ المصحف فأعلاه فوق رأسه . وقال : ان الامام بعد جعفر بن محمد من اسمه بين الدفتين في جملة القرآن منصوص عليه من الذين أوجب الله طاعتهم على خلقه ، أنا مؤمن به قال : فأخبر بذلك أبو السحن الأول عليه السلام فقال : والله كان زرارة مهاجرا إلى الله تعالى

Narrated to me Muhammad bin Qulawayh who said: narrated to me Sa'd from Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Isa from Muhammad bin Abdallah al-Mismaiy from Ali bin Asbat from Muhammad bin Abdallah bin Zurara from his father (Abdallah bin Zurara) who said:

 Zurara sent Ubayd his son to ask about the affair (i.e. Immamate) of Abi al-Hasan عليه السلام, so he (i.e. Zurara) died before his son Ubayd came back to him, so he (Zurara) took a Mushaf (i.e. of the Qur'an) (i.e. just before he died) and put it above his head and said: the Imam after Ja'far bin Muhammad عليه السلام is the one whose name is between the two covers (of this Mushaf) in the generality of the Qur'an, appointed (in a clear designation) by those whose obedience has been made obligatory by Allah upon His creation - and I am a believer in him, so Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام - the first - was later informed of this - so he said: by Allah - Zurara was an emigrator (Muhajir) to Allah. 

Source: Rijaal al-Kashi by al-Kashi, pg 155, H 254
Grading:

1. Shiekh Muhsin Amin: "Saheeh Sanad" (Ayan al-Shiah 7/53)

Imam Redha(as) Acknowledge Zurarah's belief in Imam Musa al-Kadhim(as) 

 رواه الصدوق، عن أحمد بن زياد بن جعفر الهمداني رضي الله عنه، قال حدثنا علي بن إبراهيم بن هاشم، قال: حدثني محمد بن عيسى بن عبيد، عن إبراهيم بن محمد الهمداني رضي الله عنه قال: قلت للرضا عليه السلام، يا ابن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله، أخبرني عن زرارة، هل كان يعرف حق أبيك؟ فقال عليه السلام: نعم، فقلت له فلم بعث ابنه عبيدا ليتعرف الخبر إلى من أوصى الصادق جعفر بن محمد عليه السلام، فقال: إن زرارة كان يعرف أمر أبي عليه السلام، ونص أبيه عليه، وإنما بعث ابنه ليتعرف من أبي هل يجوز له أن يرفع التقية في إظهار أمره، ونص أبيه عليه؟ وأنه لما أبطأ عنه طولب باظهار قوله في أبي عليه السلام، فلم يحب أن يقدم على ذلك دون أمره فرفع المصحف، وقال: (اللهم إن إمامي من أثبت هذا المصحف إمامته من ولد

جعفر بن محمد عليه السلام)

Narrated to us Ahmad bin Ziyad bin Ja’far al-Hamadani from Ali bin Ibrahim bin Hashim, from Muhammad bin Isa bin Ubaid from Ibrahim bin Muhammad al-Hamadani that he said:

I asked Imam Ali Reza (a.s.): O son of Allah’s Messenger, tell me whether Zurarah was aware of the Imamate of your venerable father. He replied: Yes. I further asked: Then why he sent, Ubaid, his son to inquire who Imam Sadiq, Ja’far bin Muhammad (a.s.) had appointed as his successor? Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) said: Indeed, Zurarah was aware of the Imamate of my venerable father and also knew about the clear textual appointment (Nass) of my honorable grandfather about him. And when his son was late in returning, Zurarah was requested to mention his opinion about my father. Since he did not prefer to proceed in this matter without the leave of my father, he picked up the Quran and said: “O Lord, my Imam from among the sons of Imam Ja’far bin Muhammad is one, whose Imamate is proved in this Quran.”

Source: Kamaluddin by Sheikh Sadooq, Vol 1, Pg 75.

Grading:

1. Al Resalah: "Mo'tabar Sanad" (Mutarahat fi  al-fikr wa al-aqidah , Pg 57)

Note: Ibrahim bin Muhammad al-Hamadani is Majhool(Unknown) accd. al-Khoei

Sheikh Sadooq's View on Zurarah bin Ayaan

 فأما زرارة بن أعين فإنه مات قبل انصراف من كان وفده ليعرف الخبر ولم يكن سمع بالنص على موسى بن جعفر عليهما السلام من حيث قطع الخبر عذره فوضع المصحف الذي هو القرآن على صدره، وقال: اللهم إني أئتم بمن يثبت هذا المصحف إمامته، وهل يفعل الفقيه المتدين عند اختلاف الامر عليه إلا ما فعله زرارة، على أنه قد قيل: إن زرارة قد كان عمل بأمر موسى بن جعفر عليهما السلام وبإمامته وإنما بعث ابنه عبيدا ليتعرف من موسى بن جعفر عليهما السلام هل يجوز له إظهار ما يعلم من إمامته أو يستعمل التقية في كتمانه، وهذا أشبه بفضل زرارة بن أعين وأليق بمعرفته.

However the matter of Zurarah bin Uyun is such that he died before he met a person who could have informed him about this report and he had not heard the appointment text (Nass) of Musa bin Ja’far. And since the tradition and narration had not reached him, his excuse was acceptable because he placed the Quran on his breast and said: “O Lord, I testify for the Imamate of the one, whose Imamate is proved in this Quran.” And does any religious jurisprudent, when an issue is doubtful for him, acts in any other way? Apart from that it is also said: Zurarah believed in and knew about the Imamate of Imam Musa bin Ja’far and he sent his son, Ubaid, to Imam Musa bin Ja’far (a.s.) to inquire if he (Zurarah) was permitted to reveal what he knew about his Imamate, or that he should keep it confidential through dissimulation. And such a thing is in consonance with the position of Zurarah bin Uyun and acceptable for the level of his divine recognition (Marefat).

Source: Kamaluddin by Sheikh Sadooq, Vol 1, Pg 75.