Imam al-Kazim’s (as) Miracle: Tree Walks to Imam

It is narrated from Muhammad, from Muhammad Ibne so-and-so Waqifi (a certain sect), who has said:

I had a cousin called Hasan Ibne Abdullah. He was a Zahid (one who restricted himself from worldly pleasures). He was the foremost in worship in his time. Even the king would observe caution due to his assiduousness and seriousness in religious matters. Hasan would even demand the king to respect and strictly observe the lawful and unlawful matters. The king would tolerate him due to his virtuousness.

This continued every day until one day Abul Hasan Imam Musa al Kazim (a) went to him while he was in the Masjid and called him through a gesture. When he came near, Imam Musa Kazim (a) said:

O Abu Ali, I like your practice very much and it makes me happy. However, you do not have any understanding. You must seek understanding.

He said: May I be sacrificed for you, what is understanding?

The Imam said: Go and try to understand and learn traditions.

He then asked: From whom should I learn traditions?

Imam (a) said: Learn from the law specialist of Medina, then read them before me so I can check.

The narrator said that he went, wrote down some traditions, came back, and read them before the Imam. Imam (a) deleted all of them and said to him:

Go and learn how to understand.

The man was very serious in his religion. He kept observing Imam Musa Kazim (a) until one day the Imam went out to look for something that was missing. The man met him on the way and said:

May I be sacrificed for you, I will debate you before Allah unless you teach me how to have understanding.

Imam (a) explained to him about Amirul Momineen (a) and what happened after the Messenger of Allah (s). He also explained to him about the two men, and the man agreed.

Then he asked: Who was the Imam after Amirul Momineen (a)?

The Imam said: Hasan (a) was the Imam, then Husain (a).

The Imam mentioned all the Imams, one after the other, up to his own self — and then remained silent.

The narrator said that the man then asked: May I be sacrificed for you, who is the Imam today?

Imam (a) said: If I tell you, will you accept?

He said: May I be sacrificed for you, yes, I will accept.

The Imam said: I am the Imam.

The man asked: Is there any evidence I can use as proof?

Imam (a) said: Go to that tree.

The Imam pointed to a tree called Umme Ghaylan and said: Say to it: Musa Ibne Ja’far says: Come to me.

The man said: I went to the tree and, by Allah, I saw it cutting through the earth until it stood before him. Then the Imam made a gesture, and the tree returned to its place.

The narrator said that the man acknowledged his Imamat. He remained silent thereafter, devoted himself entirely to worship, and no one ever saw him speak again.

Source: Madinatul Maajiz, Vol 3, Pg 245-246