Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

SECTION TWO

Chapter One: Imam Jawad's (as) upbringing

Chapter Two: The Stages of Imam Jawad's (as) life

Chapter Three: Imam Jawad (as) under the wing of his father (as)

CHAPTER ONE: IMAM JAWAD'S (AS) UPBRINGING

1. Imam Jawad (as) was from the Prophet's family, which was the holiest, most honourable family that humanity has ever known throughout the ages. He filled the world with his blessings. His father was Imam Ali al-Rida bin Imam Musa bin Ja’far al-Kadhim bin Imam Muhammad al-Baqir bin Imam Ali Zayn al-‘Abidin bin Imam al-Husayn bin Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (as).

2. His mother was from Maria al-Qubtiyyah and was from the people of ‘Nawba.’ Her name was ‘Sabikah,’ ‘Rayhanah.’ According to tradition her name was ‘Durrah.’ However, Imam Al-Rida (as) gave her the name of ‘Khayzuran.’[94]

The Prophet of Allah (sawas) referred to her as ‘the best and purest handmaiden.’[95] Imam Hassan Askari (as) said of her: She is Umm Walad and she was created very pure. She is known as“Umm al-Jawad” and“Umm al-Hasan” and she is amongst the best women of her time.”[96]

3. Imam Jawad (as) was born on the tenth day of Ramadan, 195 AH. According to some other traditions he was born in the middle of the same month in Madinah.[97]

Waves of delight and joy overcame Imam al-Rida (as) after the birth of his blessed newborn son. He began by saying:

The one who has been born is like Moses, son of Imran, the splitter of the seas, and the like of Jesus, son of Mary, blessed be the mother that bore him.[98]

4. Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (as) had the nickname of Abu Ja’far, like the surname of his grandfather Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as).[99] They can be differentiated between by saying Abu Ja’far the first for Imam al-Baqir (as) and Abu Ja’far the second for Imam al-Jawad (as). The author of ‘Dala'il al-Imamah’ believes that Abu Ali al-Khas was also an epithet of his. However, later researchers of the epithets of Imam Jawad (as) have said: He has a certain epithet which is Abu Ali; it is not Abu Ali al-Khas as stated in the book ‘Dala'il al-Imamah’ like his forefathers (as).[100]

5. Imam Jawad (as) had some epithets which show his great personality and exalted self. The most common are as follows:

A. Al-Jawad (the generous): he was thus called because of his abundant acts of good, beneficence and charity towards the people.

B. Al-Taqi (the pious): he was thus called because he feared Allah and turned and resorted to Him. He never responded to any incitement of desire or fancy.

C. Al-Qani’ (the satisfied).

D. Al-Murtadha (being satisfied with).

E. Al-Radhi (the satisfied).

F. Al-Mukhtar (the elect).

G. Bab al-Murad (the gate of desires and hopes).[101]

He had written on his ring (as his own seal) ‘Glory is (only) to Allah’ which shows that he had devoted himself to Allah.[102]

CHAPTER TWO: THE STAGES OF IMAM JAWAD'S (AS) LIFE

In 195 A.H. the people swore their allegiance to al-Mamun as the new caliph. This is also the year in which Imam Jawad (as) was born.[103] This noble newborn baby lived under the wing of his father for seven years.[104] In these years, he observed how people swore their allegiance to his father Imam al-Rida (as) as the crown successor to al-Mamun. He also saw the events occurring at the time of allegiance and those which followed. Moreover, he felt the pain of the martyrdom of his father (as) in the cruel hands of al-Mamun.

When Imam al-Rida (as) was martyred, people started blaming al-Mamun for Imam's (as) martyrdom. This protected the Imam (as) from the cunning and conspiracy of al-Mamun. However, al-Mamun did not miss even a single chance by which he could benefit from insulting Imam (as) and decreasing the love for him in the hearts of the people. Imam Jawad (as) nullified al-Mamun's every destructive attempt and strengthened the Imams' (as) school of thought. In this way, he strengthened the Shia beliefs regarding Imamah, leadership and political and social achievements.

In the year 218 A.H.[105] the rule of al-Mamun ceased on his death and his brother Mu'tasim took charge of the caliphate. His rule lasted till 227 A.H.[106] He kept a sharp eye on Imam Jawad's (as) activities and tried to stop him from social and political interaction. At last, in 220 A.H.[107] with the help of his niece ‘Umm al-Fadhl’ who was married to Imam Jawad (as), he was successful in poisoning the Imam (as). Imam (as) had no children by ‘Umm al-Fadhl.’ In this way, Mu'tasim martyred Imam Abu Ja’far Muhammad Jawad (as).

The life of Imam Jawad (as) can be divided into two phases:

The First Phase: This is a period of almost seven years in which Imam Jawad (as) lived under the wings of his father Imam al-Rida (as).

The Second Phase: This phase lasted almost seventeen years, after the martyrdom of Imam al-Rida (as).

This phase of Imam Jawad's (as) life is divided into two subdivisions as follows:

A. Fifteen years of his life were spent in the time of al-Mamun which can be called the longest phase of Imam Jawad's (as) short life.

B. Two years of Imam Jawad's (as) life were spent under Mu'tasim's rule.

Therefore, the life of Imam Jawad (as) can be explained within the following three separate periods:

1. From his birth (195 A.H.) during the government of Muhammad al-Amin Abbasi till the martyrdom of Imam Al-Rida (as) (in the month of Safar 203 A.H).[108]

2. A period of fifteen years of his life in the reign of al-Mamun Abbasi from 203 A.H. to 218 A.H.

3. The two years of his life which he spent under the rule of Mu'tasim (from 218 to 220 A.H.)