The Sufficient (Vol 1) · Hadith 556 (#Ḥadīth #3)
Chapter 23 | The Imams are those who have received Knowledge and it is firmly Established in their Hearts
3ـ وَعَنْهُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ فِي هَذِهِ الايَةِ بَلْ هُوَ آياتٌ بَيِّناتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَا وَالله يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ مَا قَالَ بَيْنَ دَفَّتَيِ الْمُصْحَفِ قُلْتُ مَنْ هُمْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ مَنْ عَسَى أَنْ يَكُونُوا غَيْرَنَا.
3. It is narrated from him from Muhammad ibn Ali from ’Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘a from abu Basir from abu Ja‘far who has said the following about this verse of the Holy Quran. “In fact, the Quran consists of illustrious verses that exist in the hearts of those who have knowledge. . .” (29:49) The Imams then said, “O abu Muhammad, for the sake of Allah, be the judge and tell, of who it is spoken (so often) between the two covers of the Holy Quran?” I then asked, “Who are they, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause. The Imams said, “Who else can they be other than ourselves?”
Gradings are classical jarḥ-wa-taʿdīl, name-matched to a rijāl index (not individually re-verified).