Abu Basir says: I visited Imam Kadhim (peace be upon him) and asked him, “May I be sacrificed for you, how can we recognize the Imam?”
The Imam replied: By several qualities:
The previous Imam (whose Imamate is established) introduces the next Imam among the people as God’s appointed leader, so that the people may have a proof. This is just as the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) introduced Amir al-Mu’minin (peace be upon him) to the people for the position of Imamate. Likewise, each Imam must introduce the Imam who follows him to the people.
He answers every question you ask.
You remain silent, and the Imam begins speaking and clarifies your intent.
He informs the people about what will happen in the future.
He speaks to each person in their own language.
I said to Imam Kadhim (peace be upon him), “May I be sacrificed for you! Does the Imam need to speak every language?” He replied, “Yes, he knows even the language of birds. Soon, I will show you a sign of this before you even stand up.”[1]
It wasn’t long before a man from Khorasan entered to speak with Imam Kadhim (peace be upon him) in Arabic. However, Imam Kadhim (peace be upon him) responded to him in Persian. The man from Khorasan said, “I didn’t speak to you in Persian, because I thought perhaps you wouldn’t understand it well?” Imam Kadhim (peace be upon him) replied, “Subhan Allah! If I am unable to respond to you properly, what merit would I have over you?”
Then Imam Kadhim (peace be upon him) said to me: “O Abu Muhammad! The Imam is one who is not unaware of the speech of any person, bird, animal, or anything that has a soul. Therefore, anyone who does not possess these qualities cannot be the Imam.”
Source: From the book “Ithbat al-Wassiyyah” by Ali ibn Hussain Masudi.[2]
Footnotes:
[1] The Holy Qur’an also mentions this characteristic for the Wali of God and, through the language of Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him), says: “And Solomon succeeded David, and said, ‘O people, we have been taught the language of the birds, and we have been given from all things. This is indeed a clear favor.’” (Surah An-Naml, 27:16)
[2] The above text is adapted from the Persian translation of “Ithbat al-Wassiyyah” by Muhammad Jawad Najafi.