Abu Basir asked Imam Musa ibn Ja’far (a): “By which signs is the Imam known?”
The Imam (a) said: “The true Imam has some attributes, the first and most important of which is that he should be introduced by his pervious Imam. As the Prophet (s) introduced Ali ibn Abi Talib (a), every Imam must be introduced by the previous Imam.” Another sign is that he should be able to answer whatever is asked from him and should not be unaware of anything. The other sign is that he should never be silent in defense of the truth, should be able to foretell the future and speak in all languages.”
Then, the Imam (a) said: “Now I show you a sign to reassure your heart”.
Meanwhile, a Khorasani man entered and began to speak in Arabic, but Imam (a) replied in Persian. The man said: “I thought you did not understand Persian.”
The Imam (a) said: “Glory be to God! If I cannot answer you in your own language, then what merit would I have over you?”
Then, Imam (a) said: “The Imam is he, from whom no one’s word is hidden. He understands the words of every person and every living being. The Imam is known by these signs and if someone does not have those signs, he is not the Imam.”
Source:
Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 48, p. 47.
