Read a very interesting narration here:

Why does Allah (swt) address himself in the Qur'an sometimes using 'I' and sometimes using 'We'.

Distribution of Rizq/sustenance at the hands of the Imam's (as)

Hadith 1:

حدثنا محمد بن عبد الجبار عن الحسن بن الحسين اللؤلؤي عن احمد بن الحسن الميثمى عن صالح عن ابى حمزة قال آنت عند على بن الحسين وعصافير على الحايط قبالته يصحنفقال يابا حمزة اتدرى ما يقلن قال يتحدثن ان لهن وقت يسالن فيه قوتهن يا ابا حمزة لاتنامن قبل طلوع الشمس فانى اكرهها لك ان الله يقسم في ذلك الوقت ارزاق العباد وعلى ايدينايجريها

Narrated From Abu Hamza who said:

"I was in the presence of Ali Bin al-Husain (عليه السلام), and there were sparrows on the wall, across from the courtyard.

The Imam (عليه السلام) said: "O Abu Hamza, do you know what they are saying? They are saying that there is a time for them in which they ask for their strength.

O Abu Hamza, do not sleep before sunrise, for I dislike that for you. Allah (عز وجل) distributes in that time the sustenance (Rizq) of the servants, and upon Our hands, it is carried out."

[Source: Basaair Al Darajaat, Pg. 363, Vol. 7, Chapter. 14, Hadees. 9]

Read More: Wilayat of AhleBait (as) & Tafweez

Thanking Allah (عز وجل), Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه وآله) & Aale Mohammad (عليه السلام) after eating food:

Hadith 2:

كنز الفوائد للكراجكي : ذكر أن أبا حنيفة أكل طعاما الامام الصادق جعفر بن محمد عليهما السلام فلما رفع عليه السلام يده من أكله قال : الحمد لله رب العالمين اللهم إن هذا منك ومن رسولك فقال أبوحنيفة : يا أبا عبدالله أجعلت مع الله شريكا ؟ فقال له : ويلك إن الله تعالى يقول في كتابه : ( وما نقموا إلا أن أغناهم الله ورسوله من فضله ) ويقول في موضع آخر : ( ولو أنهم رضواما آتيهم الله ورسوله وقالوا : حسبنا الله سيؤتينا الله من فضله ورسوله ) فقال أبوحنيفة : والله لكأني ما قرأتهما قط من كتاب الله ولا سمعتهما إلا في هذا الوقت ، فقال أبوعبدالله عليه السلام : بلى قد قرأتهما وسمعتهما ، ولكن الله تعالى أنزل فيك وفي أشباهك ( أم على قلوب أقفالها ) وقال كلا بل ران على قلوبهم ما كانوا يكسبون

It is written in Kanzul Fawaid by Karajaki that once Imam Sadiq Jafar bin Muhammd (عليهما السلام) was eating food with Abu Hanifa and after finisning, Imam Jafar bin Muhammad al-Sadiq (عليه السلام) said,

"All Praise/thanks is for Allah (عز وجل) the lord of the worlds, O Allah this was a blessing from You as well as from Your Prophet."

Upon hearing this Abu Hanifa said, "O Abu AbdAllah (عليه السلام)! Have you included someone else as Allahs partner (Shareeq)."

Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (عليه السلام) replied, "Woe to you. Indeed Allah (تعالى) says in His book, "……And they only stayed in opposition because Allah and His Messenger enriched them out of His grace….." (9:74)

And at another place Allah (تعالى) says, "If only they had been content with what Allah and His Messenger had gave them, and had said, "Sufficient unto us is Allah! Allah and His Messenger will soon give us out of their Kindness" (9:59)

Abu Hanifa then said, "By Allah! It seems I have never read these two verses from the book of Allah or heard someone reciting these verses before today."

Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (عليه السلام) said, "No, But you have read and even heard these Verses before, However, Allah (تعالى) says for you and people like you, "..Or are there locks on the hearts?" (47:24) and Says, "Nay, but that which they have earned is rust upon their hearts." (83:14)

[Source: Bihar Al Anwar Vol. 47 Pg. 240]

Hadith 3:

محمد بن يحيى، عن أحمد بن محمد، عن القاسم بن يحيى، عن جده الحسن بن راشد، عن ابن بكير قال: كنا عند أبي عبد الله عليه السلام فأطعمنا ثم رفعنا أيدينا فقلنا: الحمد لله . فقال: أبو عبد الله عليه السلام: اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا مِنْكَ ومِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُوْلِكَ، اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الحَمْدُ، صَلِّ عَلى‌ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Qasim ibn Yahya from his grandfather al-Hassan ibn Rashid from ibn Bukayr who has said the following:

"Once we were with Abu Abd Allah Imam Sadiq (عليه السلام), and the Imam (عليه السلام) gave us food, after eating we raised our hands and said, "All praise belongs to Allah."

Imam Sadiq (عليه السلام) then said, "O Allah, this is from You and from Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله), Your messenger, O Lord, all praise belongs to you, O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and his family."

[Source: al-Kafi, Vol. 6, Pg. 296]

Hadith 4:

السيد فضل الله الراوندي في نوادره : بإسناده عن موسى بن جعفر ( عليهما السلام ) ، قال : « وكان الصادق ( عليه السلام ) ، إذا قدم إليه الطعام يقول : بِسمِ اللَّهِ وبِاللَّهِ، وهَذَا مِن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ، وبَرَكَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ وآلِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ كَمَا أشْبَعتَنَا فَأَشبِعْ كُلَّ مُؤمِنٍ وَ مُؤمِنَةٍ، وبَارِكْ لَنَا فِي طَعَامِنَا وَ شَرَابِنَا وَ أَجْسَادِنَا وَ أَمْوَالِنَا

Narrated that Imam Moosa Kazim (عليه السلام) said,

"Imam Sadiq (عليه السلام) when food was placed in front of Him used to say, "With the name of Allah and by Allah, This is from the favor/grace of Allah (عز وجل) and blessing of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله) and progeny of the Prophet (عليه السلام). O Allah, like You made us full (with food), make every believing man and women full. And bless our food, our drink, our bodies and our wealth."

[Source: Mustadrak al-Wasael, Vol. 16, Pg. 278]

Imam's (as) asking Allah (swt) for creating/Sustenance

Hadith 5:

Sheikh Toosi Narrates:

و أخبرنا الحسين بن إبراهيم عن أبي العباس أحمد بن علي بن نوح عن أبي نصر هبة الله بن محمد الكاتب قال حدثني أبو الحسن أحمد بن محمد بن تربك الرهاوي قال حدثني أبو جعفر محمد بن علي بن الحسين بن موسى بن بابويه أو قال أبو الحسن علي بن أحمد الدلال القمي قال اختلف جماعة من الشيعة في أن الله عز و جل فوض إلى الأئمة ص أن يخلقوا أو يرزقوا فقال قوم هذا محال لا يجوز على الله تعالى لأن الأجسام لا يقدر على خلقها غير الله عز و جل و قال آخرون بل الله تعالى أقدر الأئمة على ذلك و فوضه إليهم فخلقوا و رزقوا و تنازعوا في ذلك تنازعا شديدا فقال قائل ما بالكم لا ترجعون إلى أبي جعفر محمد بن عثمان العمري فتسألونه عن ذلك فيوضح لكم الحق فيه فإنه الطريق إلى صاحب الأمر عجل الله فرجه فرضيت الجماعة بأبي جعفر و سلمت و أجابت إلى قوله فكتبوا المسألة و أنفذوها إليه فخرج إليهم من جهته توقيع نسخته إن الله تعالى هو الذي خلق الأجسام و قسم الأرزاق لأنه ليس بجسم و لا حال في جسم ليس كمثله شي‏ء و هو السميع العليم و أما الأئمة ع فإنهم يسألون الله تعالى فيخلق و يسألونه فيرزق إيجابا لمسألتهم و إعظاما لحقهم

"There was a difference among a group of Shias on whether Allah (swt) authorized the Imam's (as) to create and give livelihood. Some said that this is impossible and none other than Allah (swt) has authority to create. And others say that Allah (swt) has authorized the Imam's (as) over it and has delegated/authorized them and hence they create and give sustenance. And they (the two groups) disputed in this which was a severe dispute."

"Someone said why dont we approach Abi Jafar Muhammad bin Usman Al-Umree and ask him about this issue and make clear for you the right path in it because verily he is the way to the Imam of the Time (atfs) [Sahib Al Amr]. The group agreed on Abi Jafar and wrote the matter to Imam of the Time (atfs). And came the following letter from the Imam (atfs):"

"Verily Allah (swt) is the one who creates the bodies and distributes livelihood. Because He (swt) does not have a body and nothing is inside Him. There is none like him and He is the all-hearing and all-knowing. And the Imam's (as) ask Allah (swt) and He creates and the Imam's (as) ask Allah (swt) and He gives livelihood, answering their questions (in affirmative) and giving importance for their rights."

[Source: Al-Gaibah - Toosi, Pg.293-294 & Al-Ehtejaaj Vol.2 Pg.472]

Affairs of creation come from the house of the AhlulBait (as)

Hadith 6:

The following is part of Ziyarat of Imam Husain (as) to be recited as narrated from Imam Sadiq (as):

أَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَ مَوْلَاكَ وَ فِي طَاعَتِكَ وَ الْوَافِدُ إِلَيْكَ أَلْتَمِسُ كَمَالَ الْمَنْزِلَةِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَ ثَبَاتَ الْقَدَمِ فِي الْهِجْرَةِ إِلَيْكَ وَ السَّبِيلَ الَّذِي لَا يُخْتَلَجُ دُونَكَ مِنَ الدُّخُولِ فِي كَفَالَتِكَ الَّتِي أُمِرْتَ بِهَا مَنْ أَرَادَ اللَّهَ بَدَأَ بِكُمْ بِكُمْ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ الْكَذِبَ وَ بِكُمْ يُبَاعِدُ اللَّهُ الزَّمَانَ الْكَلِبَ وَ بِكُمْ فَتَحَ اللَّهُ وَ بِكُمْ يَخْتِمُ اللَّهُ وَ بِكُمْ يَمْحُو مَا يَشَاءُ وَ بِكُمْ يُثْبِتُ وَ بِكُمْ يَفُكُّ الذُّلَّ مِنْ رِقَابِنَا وَ بِكُمْ يُدْرِكُ اللَّهُ تِرَةَ كُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ يُطْلَبُ بِهَا وَ بِكُمْ تُنْبِتُ الْأَرْضُ أَشْجَارَهَا وَ بِكُمْ تُخْرِجُ الْأَشْجَارُ أَثْمَارَهَا وَ بِكُمْ تُنْزِلُ السَّمَاءُ قَطْرَهَا وَ رِزْقَهَا وَ بِكُمْ يَكْشِفُ اللَّهُ الْكَرْبَ وَ بِكُمْ يُنَزِّلُ اللَّهُ الْغَيْثَ وَ بِكُمْ تَسِيخُ الْأَرْضُ الَّتِي تَحْمِلُ أَبْدَانَكُمْ وَ تَسْتَقِرُّ جِبَالُهَا عَنْ مَرَاسِيهَا إِرَادَةُ الرَّبِّ فِي مَقَادِيرِ أُمُورِهِ تَهْبِطُ إِلَيْكُمْ وَ تَصْدُرُ مِنْ بُيُوتِكُمْ وَ الصَّادِرُ عَمَّا فَصَلَ مِنْ أَحْكَامِ الْعِبَادِ

“I am the slave of Allah and your servant who is at your service. I have come to you as a guest to beg for the perfection of my position with Allah and to keep my steps steady in following your way and to beg for the path which does not prevent those who follow it from receiving an assurance from you; an assurance which Allah has ordered you to give. Those who seek Allah, begin with you. Those who seek Allah begin with you. Those who seek Allah begin with you. Allah exposed the lies through you and He keeps the times of affliction away from us through you. Allah started His creation with you and He shall end it with you. And Allah cancels or confirms that which He pleases through you. Allah removes disgrace from us through you and He shall avenge the un-avenged blood of the believers through you. The trees in the earth grow through you and they become fruitful through you. And the skies rain and send down sustenance through you. Allah removes the anguish through you and He rains mercy through you. The earth which carries your bodies glorifies Allah through you and it is through you that mountains are fixed firmly in the earth. The will of Allah regarding His destined (Qadr) affairs descends to You and are issued from Your houses, and the same is true for all that is classified as being from rulings for servants of Allah."

[Source: Al Kafi, Vol.4 Pg.575 & Kamil Al Ziyarat Pg.198]

For the complete Ziyarat read here:

http://www.marefateahlebait.com/husain-and-karbala/great-ziyarat-of-imam-husain-as

Hadith 7:

The 'Amr' of the Ulil-Amr

و فيه و قد ذكر عليه السلام الحجج قال السائل: من هؤلاء الحجج؟ قال: هم الرسول الله و من حل محله من أصفياء الله و هم ولاة الأمر الذين قال الله فيهم: «أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ» و قال فيهم: «وَ لَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ وَ إِلى‏ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَنْبِطُونَهُ مِنْهُمْ» قال السائل، ما ذاك الأمر؟ قال على عليه السلام، الذي به تنزل الملئكة في الليلة التي يفرق فيها كل امر حكيم من خلق أو رزق و أجل و عمل و حيوة و موت، و علم غيب السموات و الأرض، و المعجزات التي لا ينبغي الا الله له و أصفيائه و السفرة بينه و بين خلقه

The person said, "Who are these Hujjaj?"

Imam Ali (عليه السلام) said, "They are Prophet of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله) and those who succeeded him who are selected by Allah and they are the Wali-Amr (gaurdians) regarding them Allah (عز وجل) says,

"Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you" (4:59)

And says,

"If they had only referred it to the Messenger, or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have Tested it from them" (4:83)

The person said, "What is that Amr?"

Imam Ali (عليه السلام) said, "That (Amr) is with which the angels descend in the night in which all the wise matters (Amr) are distinguished, from creation (Khalq), livelihood (Rizq) and life and death and the unseen knowledge of the heavens and the earth and the Miracles that is not for anyone but Allah and his selected ones and the means between Him and his creations."

[Source: al-Ehtejaaj Vol. 1 Pg. 375]

*Note - The matters (Amr) that descend upon the Imam on the night of Qadr are not just for Imams knowledge, but also for acting-upon/implementation. See hadith here: https://www.marefateahlebait.com/tafseer/97-al-qadr

Hadith 8:

قال علي بن إبراهيم في قوله: " الله نور السماوات والأرض - إلى قوله - والله بكل شئ عليم " فإنه حدثني أبي عن عبد الله بن جندب قال كتبت إلى أبي الحسن الرضا عليه السلام اسأل عن تفسير هذه الآية فكتب إلي الجواب

من فارقنا هلك ومن تبعنا نجا والمفارق لنا والجاحد لولايتنا كافر ومتبعنا وتابع أوليائنا مؤمن، لا يحبنا كافر ولا يبغضنا مؤمن ومن مات وهو يحبنا كان حقا على الله ان يبعثه معنا، نحن نور لمن تبعنا، وهدى لمن اهتدى بنا ومن لم يكن منا فليس من الاسلام في شئ وبنا فتح الله الدين وبنا يختمه، وبنا أطعمكم الله عشب الأرض، وبنا انزل الله قطر السماء، وبنا آمنكم الله من الغرق في بحركم ومن الخسف في بركم وبنا نفعكم الله في حياتكم وفي قبوركم وفي محشركم وعند الصراط وعند الميزان وعند دخولكم الجنان

Narrated through a chain of trustworthy narrators that Abu al-Hasan al-Rida (عليه السلام) was asked the saying of Allah "Allah is the light of the heavens and earth …." (34:35) and Imam (عليه السلام) wrote back in response:

(only a part of the hadith is quoted here)

"Whoever leaves Us is destroyed, and whoever followed Us is saved, and the one who leaves Us and rejects Our Mastership (Wilayat) is a disbeliever (kafir) and one who follows Us and is a follower of our friends is a believer. A disbeliever does not love us, and a believer does not hate Us, and whoever dies while he loves Us, it is the right upon Allah to raise him (after death) with Us."

"We are a light for those who follow Us, and a guide for those who are guided by Us and whoever is not from amongst Us does not have any thing of Islam. And through/with Us Allah has started the religion and through/with Us Allah will end/complete it."

"And through Us Allah has fed you the vegetation of the earth, and through Us Allah has sent down the rain from the sky, and through Us Allah has made you safe from drowning in your sea and from sinking in your land and through Us Allah has provided you benefit/help in your lives and in your graves and on day of your resurrection and at the path (siraat) and at the scale (Mizan) and in your entering heaven."

[Source: Tafseer al-Qummi, Vol. 2, Pg. 104]