Hadith of the Golden Chain

For other uses, see Silsila.

The Hadith of the Golden Chain on tiles on a wall in Nishapur, the city where Imam al-Rida recited the hadith during his journey from Medina to Khorasan. Thirty thousand scholars and locals were present and wrote down the hadith.

The Hadith of the Golden Chain or Hadith Silsilat al-Dhahab (Arabic: حدیث سلسلة الذهب) is a hadith narrated from Ali al-Rida, the eighth of the Twelve Imams. It is particularly renowned for its chain of transmission through members of the Prophet Muhammad's family and for its emphasis on Tawhid (the oneness of God). Al-Rida recited the hadith in Nishapur during his journey from Medina to Khorasan. The narration was written down and transmitted by thirty thousands scholars and locals present at the gathering. The addition concerning the “conditions” is especially significant in Twelver Shi'ism, connecting monotheism with acceptance of divinely appointed religious authority and Imamate. For this reason, the hadith has become one of the most important traditions associated with Imam al-Rida and the doctrine of Imamate.

The hadith is not exclusive to Shia sources. Multiple versions of it are also found in Sunni hadiths, although its wording and interpretation differ between sources. Consequently, the Hadith of the Golden Chain is significant not only in Shia Islam, but also in Sunni Islam. It is valued as among the most truthful and accurate of all hadiths in Shia Islam. The hadith is important because it states that, on the one hand, monotheism leads believers to "God's fortress," a place of protection, and on the other hand, acceptance of the Imamate is a fundamental condition for entering this fortress.