They also claimed that Ja'far discussed foreknowledge of worldly events through such things as bodily twitching, thunder, lightning, al-Haft, and other matters which Allah kept Ja'far and the imams of his household far above discussing. This has been explained at length elsewhere.
And (the point here is that one should distinguish sound reports from weak ones among those transmitted from the early generations of this community and its imams. The same discernment is required in rational arguments and theoretical reasoning, as well as in spiritual experiences, ecstatic states, unveilings, and inward communications. Each of these three categories contains truth and falsehood, and these must be distinguished in every category. The comprehensive principle is this: whatever agrees with Allah’s Book, the authentically established Sunnah of His Messenger, and the way of his Companions is true; whatever contradicts these is false.
For Allah says:
“O you who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. If you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is best and most excellent in outcome.”
And the Most High says:
“Mankind was one community; then Allah sent the prophets as bearers of good tidings and warners, and sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between people concerning their differences. None differed over it except those who had been given it, after clear proofs had come to them, out of mutual envy. Then Allah guided those who believed, regarding their differences, to