Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

PUBLISHER'S PREFACE

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Man performs material deeds. We can evaluate such deeds. Man sometimes performs immaterial deeds. We cannot evaluate them. Rather, it is Allah, the Exalted, Who evaluates them and rewards man according to them. The deeds of the pure Ima`ms, peace be on them, were immaterial. Hence, we have no right to evaluate them, for they are far above evaluation. We only publish and submit them to people to make use of them.

Gentle reader, the book before you has been written by Shaykh Ba`qir Sharïf al-Qarashi, who spared no effort to report the history of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. Mr. Ja`sim al-Rasheed has honestly translated the book from Arabic into English. The book is not a mere writing about the life of one of the Ima`ms, peace be on them. Rather, it has skillfully been written about the history of Isla`m. So, we thank Allah for granting us success to translate and print and publish this valuable book.

We hope that the book will intercede with Allah for us on the Day of Judgment, “The day on which property will not avail, nor sons except him who comes to Allah with a heart free (from evil).” In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Surely Allah chose Adam and Noah and the descendants of Abraham and the descendants of Amran above the nations. Offspring, one of the other, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing. Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House, and to purify you a (thorough) purifying. Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it except love for my near relatives. And whoever earns good, We give him more of good therein. Surely Allah is Forgiving, Grateful.

Dedication

I dedicate (this book) to you... oh you who spread knowledge and light in the earth.

To you, oh Apostle of Allah. To you, oh you who were the Last of the prophets.

This humble book is about the life of your grandson, Ima`m Mohammed al-Ba`qir. You called him Mohammed and gave him the nick-name as Ba`qir al-‘Ilm (the one who splits open knowledge). Thus, he renewed your religion and enlivened your practices (sunna).

Therefore, no one is worthier of this dedication than you. Accept this and be kind to me through your pleasure. So, it will be my provision on the day when I meet Allah.

Introduction

Ima`m Mohammed al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, was unique. For he belonged to the unique members of the pure family (of the Prophet). He was among the leading Ima`ms of the House (ahl al-Bayt) peace be on them. He was among the most prominent of the men of thought and knowledge in Islam. The historians have unanimously agreed on his importance.For he played an important role in proclaiming the Islamic culture and founding the scientific movement in Islam.He dedicated himself to spread knowledge among the Moslems.That was when the intellectual lull included all the Islamic world, and when there was no scientific or intellectual renaissance. The Moslems led successive revolutions and popular uprisings.They sometimes wanted to get rid of the oppressive Umayyad regime, and they sometimes wanted to take the reins of government.Accordingly, they thoroughly neglected the scientific life. Thus, it had no existence in the arena of life.

Indeed Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, turned away completely from those political movements. He did not take part in any political act to oppose the standing regime then. He devoted himself to knowledge. So, he raised its standard, founded its bases, and fixed firmly its sources.Thus, he was the pioneer, teacher, and leader of this community during its cultural movement.He led it to wide steps in scientific studies.He played an important role in prospering the bright Islamic civilization throughout the generations that came after him. Ima`m Abu` Ja‘far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, was famous for jurisprudence. That is because jurisprudence represents the spirit of Islam, its essence, and its reaction with life.So, he took care to enliven it. Then he established his religious school that was full of main jurists such as Aba`n b. Taghlub, Mohammed b. Moslem, Barïd, Abu` Basïr al-Asadi, al-Fadel b. Sayya`r, Ma‘ru`f b. Khrbudh, Zarara b. A‘yun and the like.

These main figures were among those on whose truthfulness and jurisprudence the community has unanimously agreed. It was they who wrote down the traditions of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. Were it not for them, that large intellectual wealth would be useless. The Islamic world is proud of this wealth. Besides this wealth is among the basic sources from which the Shi‘ite jurists conclude religious rules. The act that makes us boast of the life of the Ima`m is that he took care of these jurists. He praised them, strengthened their position, and summoned the community to resort to their religious opinions. He, peace be on him, said to Aba`n b. Taghlub: “Sit down in the mosque. Give religious opinions to the people. Indeed, I am glad to see among my followers the likes of you.”[1] Indeed, he paid their expenses and what they needed during their life. He did that to make them dedicate themselves to gaining of knowledge, to achieve its rules exactly, and to write it down. Then, he asked his son, Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him, to take care of the jurists. He asked him to spend on them to help them carry out their religious duties. Thus, they played a constructive role in writing the traditions which they heard from him. Besides they taught the religious deputations what they narrated from him. Indeed, his student, Ja`bir b. Yazïd al-Ju‘fi, reported

seventy thousand traditions from him.[2] Aba`n b. Taghlub also reported a large group (of traditions) from him. The jurisprudential encyclopedias are full of their narrations from him. All the chapters of jurisprudence - such as the acts of worship, contracts, punishments, and the like - are confirmed with narrations from him. Therefore, he founded and published the jurisprudence of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. Worth mentioning, the jurisprudence of the members of the House is the best Islamic jurisprudence.

The lectures and researches of the Ima`m were not confined to jurisprudence. Rather they included all kinds of sciences such as philosophy, theology, and medicine. As for the explanation of the Koran, it engaged his care wholly. Indeed, he appointed time for it. Most commentators (of the Koran) have written what the Ima`m adopted and what he narrated from his grandfathers concerning the explanation of the holy verses. He (the Ima`m) wrote a book about the explanation (of the Koran). Zyya`d b. al-Mundher, the spiritual leader of the Jarudi group, reported the book from him.[3] This book denotes that and gives some examples of his explanations to some verses. Worth mentioning, the Ima`m, peace be on him, talked about the conditions of the prophets and the persecutions from which they suffered because of the oppressive rulers of their time. He also talked about their judgments and their morals. From him most researchers learned the situations of the prophets. Moreover, he, peace be on him, talked in an inclusive objective manner about the Prophet's life. He explained the circumstances of the great Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, his campaigns, and his wars.

The historians of the Prophetic life-such as b. Hisha`m, al-Wa`qidi, al-Halabi, and the like-reported them on his authority, on the authority of his grandfathers, peace be on them, on the authority of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. The Ima`m narrated a large group of traditions concerning behavior, good morals, and high qualities Moslems should follow to be an example to others. He reported in an inclusive way all the historic events that occurred during the early Islamic time. Al-Tabari has reported them from him in his book ‘Ta`rïkh.’ He has also reported them from him in his book ‘al-Ansab.’

The Ima`m, peace be on him, debated with some Christian scholars, the Azraqites, the atheists, and the extremists. He passed all those debates successfully. The opponent admitted the Ima`m's scientific abilities. Namely, the opponent was feeble to debate with him. This book will indicate that. The Ima`m left behind him an immense intellectual wealth. It is regarded as one of the sources and among the mines the scientific wealth in the earth. It is difficult for me to write about all what has been narrated from him. For that needs writing several books. We have referred to only some of them. We have left the door open to him who wants to study inclusively his scientific wealth.

However, the historians have never seen an Ima`m like Mohammed al-Ba`qir. That is because he devoted all his life to the spread of knowledge among the people. He was as the narrators said: “He lived in Median (Yathrib). He was a trusty custodian. He was like the mountain or the sea.

The thinkers and prominent scholars learned from him jurisprudence and knowledge. So, he developed not only the life of this community but also of all people.”

Ima`m Mohammed al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, was among the great men of thought and knowledge in Islam. He was also among the most prominent Ima`ms of the Moslems. That is because he had great morals. He freed himself from selfish materialism.

Thus his behavior represents the essence of the Islamic thought that came to guide people and to educate their manners. The historians have unanimously agreed that the Ima`m was most times busy praising Allah and that he spent his nights praying to Him and whispering to Him in prayers. The Ima`m thoroughly renounced worldly desires. He inclined with his heart and his feelings towards Allah. He preferred His obedience to all things. He followed what caused him to be close to Allah. He did not yield to any desires. Rather he got rid of them completely. Thus, they had no power over him.

The Ima`m's life was similar to the life of his grandfather, the great Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, in all qualities. Whoever reads about his life is full of admiration.

During his childhood, Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, was liable to many tribulations. Indeed, he saw the tragedies of Karbala`'. He saw the pure family of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, when they were tortured and killed. He saw the Umayyad Army murdering the innocent children, the women, and the old men. He saw that sinful army maiming the body of the great Ima`m (al-Husayn). He saw other tragedies that filled the heart with terror. He was among the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them when they were taken prisoners to b. Marjana (‘Ubayd Allah b. Zyya`d). The latter humiliated and disdained them very much. He showed his malice and he rejoiced at the murder of the progeny of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. Then he sent them to the sinful oppressive ruler, Yazïd b. Mu‘a`wiya. The latter received them with much disdain and mistreatment.

Ima`m Mohammed al-Ba`qir, peace be on him, understood fully those painful events. Thus, they filled his heart with stormy sorrow. They impressed deeply agony and sadness in his heart. They accompanied him throughout his life. Thus, his heart was full of bitter sorrow. So he died while he did not enjoy his life. Among the disasters that hit the Ima`m during his childhood was the Battle of al-Hirra. At that battle Yazïd's Army violated the Holiness of Medina, the city of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. The army raped the women, seized properties, and killed people. It violated all the things which Allah had prohibited. No one was safe from the terrors of that painful disaster except Ima`m Zayn al-‘Abidïn, peace be on him. That was because Yazïd ordered his sinful swordsman Moslem b. ‘Aqaba, not to kill him. These sad pictures left in the self of the Ima`m continual feelings full of sorrow and sadness.

The time of (the Ima`mate) of the Ima`m was among the most critical times in Islam. During this time life was very disorderly. Thus, the country was liable to many revolutions. Those revolutions from the bad Umayyad

politicians. That is because they did not take care of the interests of the Moslem nations. Rather they imposed heavy taxes on the Moslem community. They plundered its wealth and spent it on their pleasures. Moreover, they took exclusive possession of its affairs.

We must mention the government with which the Ima`m was contemporary. We also must study the political events that occurred during that time. In other words we must consider them carefully. That is because they had a close relationship with the cultural and social time when the Ima`m lived. The researcher must not ignore those events. That is because he is unable to understand fully the character of the person whom he wants to study.

It is an act of honesty for knowledge and the truth to show those events, to guide people to their references, and to discuss the references which were not based on the truth. Rather they were based on the desires that were far away from reality.

Indeed, we think that the study of such events will avail the reader very much.

The Arab library has never contained a study about this great Ima`m who is among the elements of culture and civilizational formation of this community. Indeed, it is not an act of loyalty to neglect the lives of our great Ima`ms. That is because the living nations have immortalized their great men, praised them, and showed their scientific works. That is because these nations want to enliven their own originality and their noble values. Al-‘Aqqa`d said : “The European scholars have praised their great figures and studied the sides of their glory. Rather fanaticism sometimes motivated them to increase the sides of this greatness. They have created imaginations to justify the defect and to repair the shortcoming. That is because of the enthusiasm for the self and the excitement for seeking perfection. As for us, there are dams and fences between us and our great men. They have prevented our young men from making use of them.”

No one is worthier of praise than Ima`m Mohammed al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. That is because he was among the most prominent leaders of this community, and among the geniuses of the world. Among his works was that he freed the Arab Islamic criticism from the foreign domination. He made it independent from the Romanian Empire. We will mention that in detail in this book.

The old historians took care of studying the life of Ima`m Abu` Ja‘far (Mohammed al-Ba`qir). For example, al-Jaludi, ‘Abd al-‘Azïz b. Yahya` (died 304 A. H.), wrote a book. He called the book ‘Akhba`r Abï Ja‘far al-Ba`qir ’.[4] In the book he has mentioned his conditions and his affairs. However, we have not found the book among the manuscripts of which our library is full. Perhaps the book is in the other book cases in the world or it has become missing like the numerous manuscripts which the Arab Islamic world has lost.

Thank Allah! Success helped me. Thus, I studied the life of this great Ima`m. It is an act of truthfulness to say that I have not found a person more wonderful than him. That is because he represents all human values of which every person boasts. I devoted myself to reading a large group of

manuscripts and books that have mentioned some of his works and his wise sayings. I firmly believe that the careful researcher will find more information than what I have written about his (the Ima`m's) life. That is because much information has remained secret for me. In other words I do not claim that I have thoroughly studied his life and that I have mentioned all his works. Rather I have shed light on his character. I have left the door open for other researchers to write about his life. Before I end this introduction, I would particularly like to thank Sayyid ‘Abd al-Rasu`l b. Sayyid Rida al-Husayni for financing the publication of this book. I ask Allah to grant him success in all his noble efforts. Indeed success is from Allah. He grants it to whomever He wills from His servants.

6 / 11 / 1977 - 1397 A. H.

Ba`qir Sharïf al-Qarashi

Notes

[1]Al-Naja`shi, Ja`mi‘ al-Ruwa`t, vol.1, p.9.

[2]Miza`n al-I‘tida`l, vol.1, p.383.

[3]Shaykh al-Tu`si, Fihrast, p.98.

[4]Al-Dhari‘a, vol.1, p.315. Al-A‘la`m, vol.7, p.153.

CHAPTER l: THE GREAT BABY

The members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, received the baby with much rejoicing and pleasure. They were very happy with him, for he was in whom the elements of the two grandsons (of the Prophet), al-Hasan and al-Husayn, mixed. Those noble origins through which Allah strengthened the Arabs and the Moslems mixed in him, too. As for the noble backbones and the pure from which he branched, they are:

His Mother

As for his mother, she was a pure chaste woman. She was Fatima, the daughter of Imam al-Hasan, the Lord of the youth of Heaven. She was given the kunya of Umm ‘Abd Allah (the mother of ‘Abd Allah).[1] She was among the Hashimite women. Imam Zayn al-‘Abidïn, peace be on him, called her al-Siddïqa (the very truthful one).[2] Concerning her Imam Abu ‘Abd Allah al-Sadiq, peace be on him, said : “She was very truthful. No one in the family of al-Hasan looked like her.”[3] It is enough for her highness that she was part of the plant of the sweet basil of the Apostle of Allah (i. e. Imam al-Hasan), and that she grew up “in the houses which Allah permitted to be exalted and that His name may be remembered in them.”She brought up Imam al-Baqir, peace be on him, in her pure lap. She poured upon him rays of her pure soul. She fed him with her noble ideas that became part of his qualities.

We have no information about the period which he spent with his mother. That is because the references have neglected that period. Besides we have no information about all of his affairs.

His Father

His father was the Lord of the prostrators (in worship) and ornament of the worshipers. He was the best of all the Moslem figures in jurisprudence, knowledge, and religious piety. We will mention a brief study on his affairs in the following researches.

The Great Baby

The world shone on the birthday of the pure Imam (Mohammed al-Baqir). The Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, had given good news to him before his birth. The members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, waited for him impatiently. That is because he was among the Imams of Moslems. Namely the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, nominated those Imams. He made them leaders for his community and related them to the Koran. Imam Mohammed al-Baqir was born in Medina, on the third day of the month of Safar, in the year 56 A. H.[4] It was said (that he was) on Friday, during the early days of the month of Rajab.[5] He was born three years before his grandfather, Imam Husayn, peace be on him, was killed.[6] It was said (that he was born) four years, as he, peace be on him, said, (before the murder oh his grandfather).[7] It was also said (that he was born) two years and some months (before the murder of his grandfather).[8] The last date is unusual. No one accepts it.

The religious rituals such as adhan and iqama in his ears were performed for him when he was born. Other rites were also performed for him on the

seventh day of his birth: His hair was shaved. The weight of his cut hair in sliver was given to the needy as alms. A ram was sacrificed for him and was given to the poor as alms.

He was born during the time of Mu‘awiya. At that time the Islamic countries were full of oppression. Moreover, they were full of disasters and misfortunes. That was because of the oppression of Mu‘awiya and the injustice of his governors who spread terrorism and oppression in the country. Imam al-Baqir talked about that dreadful injustice. We will mention his speech in this book.

His Name

His grandfather, Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, named him Mohammed. He also gave him the Kunya of al-Baqir. That was ten years before al-Baqir was born. That was among the Prophet's prophecies, as some researchers said. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, knew from the unseen that his grandson would do such as proclaiming knowledge among his community. Thus, he gave good news to his community about him. He also sent him his greetings through the great Companion (of the Prophet), Jabir b. ‘Abd Allah al-Ansari. We will mention that in the following (chapters).

His Kunya

He had only one kunya. It was Abu Ja‘far.[9] He was called by the name of his son, Ja‘far al-Sadiq, peace be on him, who renewed the life of this community and split open the fountains of wisdom in the earth.

His Nick-Names

As for his nick-names, they indicate the qualities of his great character and his high inclinations. They are as follows:

1. Al-Amïn (the trusted one).

2. Al-Shabïh (the one who was like the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family).[10]

3. Al-Shakir (the grateful one).

4. Al-Hadi (the one who guides).

5. Al-Sabir (the patient one).

6. Al-Shahid (the proof).[11]

7. Al-Baqir (the one who split open knowledge).[12] This is the most famous nick-name of his. He and his son, Imam al-Sadiq, were given the nick-name of al-Baqirayn (the two ones who split open knowledge). They were also given the nick-name of al-Sadiqayn (the two truthful ones).[13]

The historians and the biographers of the Imam have unanimously agreed on that he was given the nick-name of al-Baqir because he split open knowledge. Namely, he studied knowledge in detail. Thus, he understood its origin and its hidden (branches).[14] Concerning him, Imam al-Rida said:

“O (you) who split open knowledge (making it available) to the people of piety and the best of those who seek to answer the call of the Exalted.”[15]

It is as if that the people called him al-Baqir because of his great knowledge and his many sciences. It was also said that he was given the nick-name of al-Baqir because of his many prostrations (in worship). Thus,

he split open his forehead.[16] Moreover, he was given the nick-name (of al-Baqir) because of these words of his: “The truth called me for help after the untruth had gathered it in its abdomen. So, I split open its flank and brought out the truth from its hiding, so it appeared and spread after it had been hidden.”[17] However, the first meaning is the most famous with the historians.

The Greetings of the Prophet to al-Baqir

The historians and the narrators have unanimously agreed that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, sent his greetings to his grandson, al-Baqir, through the great companion, Jabir b. ‘Abd Allah al-Ansari. Thus, Jabir was impatiently waiting for his birth to give him the message of his grandfather. When the Imam was born and became a grown-up, Jabir met him and gave him the greetings of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. The historians have reported that in various ways. The following are some of them:

1. Aban b. Taghlub reported on the authority of Abï ‘Abd Allah, peace be on him, who said: “Indeed Jabir b. ‘Abd Allah al-Ansari was the last of the surviving Companions of the Apostle of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family. He devoted himself to us, we, the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt). He sat at the place of the Apostle of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family. He wore a black turban. He called out:‘ O you who will split open knowledge (baqir)! O You who will split open knowledge!’ Thus, the people of Medina said: ‘Jabir is hallucinating!’ So, he (Jabir) said:‘By Allah, I have never hallucinated. However, I heard the Apostle of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family, say:‘Indeed, you will meet a man who belongs to me. His name is similar to mine. His qualities are similar to mine. He will split open knowledge thoroughly. ‘These words have motivated me to say what I say.’ He (Abï ‘Abd Allah) said: “One day while Jabir was walking through some streets of Medina, he passed by a street. Mohammed b. ‘Ali (al-Baqir) was in the street. When he looked at him he said: ‘O boy, come.’ The boy came. then Jabir said to the boy: ‘Turn back.’ The boy turned back. Then Jabir said: “By him in whose hand is my soul, (they are) the qualities of the Apostle of Allah. O Boy, what is your name?”The boy replied: “My name is Mohammed b. ‘Ali b. al-Husayn.”Jabir kissed his head and said: ‘May my farther and mother be ransom for you, your grandfather, Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, sends you his greetings.’ Abï ‘Abd Allah said: ‘Mohammed came back frightened to his father and told him about what had happened. His father said to him: ‘My little boy, has Jabir done it ?’ Mohammed replied:‘Yes.’ His father said: ‘Do not leave your house, my little boy.’”[18] As for the contents of this report, they are as follows:

A. The qualities and features of Imam al-Baqir, peace be on him, were similar to those of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family.

B. It was the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, named his grandson Mohammed and gave him the nick-name of al-Baqir. (The Prophet told the People that Imam Mohammed al-Baqir) would split open knowledge completely.

C. Imam Zayn al-‘Abidïn, peace be on him, feared for the safety of his son when Jabir reported the tradition of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, concerning him. That is because the Umayyad government imposed an intense observation on Imam Zayn al-‘Abidïn. It counted his breaths against him. It wanted to know who would succeed him to punish him severely. So, the Imam, peace be on him, wanted the affair of his son to be secret lest the Umayyads should mistreat him or subject him to misfortunes.

2. Ibn ‘Asakir reported that Imam Zayn al-‘Abidïn, peace be on him, and his son, al-Baqir came to Jabir b. ‘Abd Allah al-Ansari. Jabir asked him: “Son of the Apostle of Allah, who is with you?”“My son, Mohammed, is with me,”replied Imam Zayn al-‘Abidïn. Jabir embraced Mohammed. Then he wept and said: “My death is at hand. Mohammed, Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, sends you his greetings.”“What is that?”asked Imam Zayn al-‘Abidïn. Jabir replied: “I heard Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, say to al-Husayn b. ‘Ali: ‘A son will be born for this grandson of mine. The son will be the Lord of worshipers. On the Day of Judgment, a caller will call:‘Let the Lord of worshipers stand up. So, ‘Ali b. al-Husayn will rise. A son will be born for ‘Ali b. al-Husayn. The son will be called Mohammed. Jabir, when you see him, give him my greetings. Jabir, know that al-Mahdi will be among his sons. Know, Jabir, that you will stay for a short time after him.”[19]

3. Taj al-Dïn b. Mohammed, the head of Aleppo, reported on the authority of Imam Mohammed al-Baqir, who said: “I came to Jabir b. ‘Abd Allah and greeted him. He said to me: ‘Who are you?' That was after he had become blind. I said to him: ‘Mohammed b. ‘Ali b. al-Husayn.’ He said: ‘May my father and mother be ransom for you, come nearer to me.’ I came nearer to him. He kissed my hand, and then he stooped down to my foot to kiss it. However, I pulled it from him. Then he said: ‘The Apostle of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family, recites his greeting to you.’ ‘Peace and Allah's mercy and blessings be on the Apostle of Allah,’ I said. ‘How is that, Jabir?’ He said:‘One day I was with him when he said to me: ‘Perhaps you will live until you meet one of my descendants called Mohammed b. ‘Ali b. al-Husayn on whom Allah will bestow light and wisdom. Then recite to him my greetigs.’”[20]

4. Salah al-Dïn al-Safadi said: “Jabir walked in Medina and said: ‘Baqir, when will I meet you?’ One day he passed through a street in Medina. A female slave gave him the boy who was in her lap. He said to the female slave: ‘Who is this?’ ‘Mohammed b. ‘Ali b. al-Husayn,’ she replied. He embraced him, kissed his head and his hands, and then he said: ‘My little boy, your grandfather, Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, sends you his greetings.’ Then he said: ‘Baqir, my death is at hand.’ He died at that night.”[21]

5. Some Isma‘ilis reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, said to Jabir: “You will meet a son of this son of mine. He appointed at al-Husayn. When you meet him, give him my greetings. Say to him: O you who will split open knowledge, split it completely.”Jabir did that.[22]

6. Al-Hafiz Nur al-Dïn al-Haythami reported on the authority of Abu Ja‘far, peace be on him, who said: “Jabir b. ‘Abd Allah visited me while I was reading the Book. He said to me: ‘Uncover your abdomen.’ I uncovered my abdomen. He kissed it, and then he said: ‘Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, ordered me to give you his greetings.’”[23]

These are some reports that have unanimously agreed that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, ordered Jabir b. ‘Abd Allah al-Ansari to send his greetings to Imam al-Baqir, peace be on him. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, knew from beyond the unseen that his grandson would spread knowledge among people and that he would split open wisdom and light in the earth.

His Features

Jabir b. ‘Abd Allah al-Ansari said that his features were similar to those of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family.[24] His morals were also similar to the Prophet's high ones that distinguished him from the other prophets.

Some contemporary people have described Imam al-Baqir as follows: He was a man of medium height. He was brown.[25] He had soft skin with moles. He had a thin waist. His voice was good. He always bowed his head.[26]

His Early Cleverness

Imam al-Baqir, peace be on him, was clever and genius during his childhood. The reporters said that Jabir b. ‘Abd Allah al-Ansari, though an old man, came to him, sat before him, and learned from him. Jabir admired the Imam's abundant knowledge and sciences. Thus, he said: “Baqir, you have been given wisdom while you are still a boy.”[27]

The Companions (of the Prophet) knew that the Imam was endowed with outstanding merits and abundant knowledge. So, they consulted him concerning the problems which they did not understand. The historians said that a man ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Umar about a certain problem. However, ‘Abd Allah could not answer the problem. So, he said to the man: “Go to that boy, he pointed at Imam al-Baqir, ask him, and tell me about his answer.”The man went to the Imam and asked him. The Imam, peace be on him, answered his problem. Thus, the man came back to ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Umar and told him about the Imam's answer. So, the latter admired the Imam, saying : “They are the knowledgeable members of the House.”[28]

Allah singled out the Imams of the members of the House, peace be on them, with knowledge and outstanding merits. He granted them absolute perfection which He had granted to His prophets and His apostles. The historians said that the Imam was nine years of age when he was asked about difficult problems and answered them.

His Solemnity and His Prestige

The features of the Imam, peace be on him, represented the solemnity and the prestige of the prophets. Everybody respected and admired him. For example, Qattada, the jurist of the people of Basrah, met him. Still his heart trembled because of the Imam's solemnity. Thus, he said to him: “I sit

before the jurists and b. ‘Abbas. My heart does not tremble because of them as it does because of you.”[29]

The Imam was the rest of Allah in His earth. Allah bestowed solemnity and prestige on His friends and His lovers. Their qualities appeared in the Imam's character. Among those who admired the Imam's solemnity was the Moroccan poet, who described the Imam, saying:

O you who was the son of him by whose tongue and eloquence people were guided and the revelation was sent down.

The Book talked about his outstanding merits. The Torah and the Bible announced his coming.

Were it not for the cessation of the revelation after Mohammed, we would say: Mohammed was the alternative to his grandfather.

He was similar to him in outstanding merits, but Gabriel did not bring him a message.[30]

The historians reported that nobody saw the Imam, peace be on him, laughing. When he laughed, he said: “O Allah, do not detest me.”[31] Indeed, he refrained from all that which contradicts solemnity and high character. Among his prominent qualities was that he always praised Allah. We will mention that when we talk about the aspects of his character.

The Inscription of his Ring

As for the inscription of his ring, it was: “All might is for Allah.”[32] He wore the ring of his grandfather, Imam Husayn, peace be on him, whose inscription was: “Surely Allah attains His purpose.”[33] This indicates that he devoted himself to Allah and cleaved to Him strongly.

His Residence

The Imam, peace be on him, resided in Medina throughout his life. He did not leave it for another city. In it, he was the first teacher and great pioneer for scientific cultural movements. He used the Prophetic Mosque as school for him. There he gave his lectures to his students.

Notes

[1] Thahdhïb al-Lughat wa al-Asma’, vol.1, p.87. Ibn Khullakan, Wafayat al-A‘yan, vol.3, p.384. Al-Mahbar, p.57. Al-Ya‘qubi, Tarikh, vol.2, p.60. A‘yan al-Shi‘a, 1/4/464.

[2] Abu al-Hasan al-‘Amili, Diya’ al-‘Amilin, vol.2. Al-Dur al-Nazïm, serial 2879.

[3] Usul al-Kafi, vol.1, p.469.

[4] Ibn Khullakan, Wafayat al-A‘yan, vol.3, p.314. Tadhkirt al-Huffaz, vol.1, p.124. Nazhat al-Jalis, vol.2, p.36.

[5] Dala’il al-Imama, p.94. Farid Wajjdi, Da’irat al-Ma‘arif, vol.3, p.563.

[6] Ibn al-Wardi, Tarikh, vol.1, p.184. Akhbar al-Duwal, p.111. Ibn Khullakan, Wafayat al-A‘yan, vol.3, p.314.

[7] Al-Ya‘qubi, Tarikh, vol.2, p.60.

[8] Al-Husayn b. ‘Abd al-Wahab, ‘Yyun al-Mu‘jizat, serial, 975.

[9] Dala’il al-Imama, p.94.

[10] Al-Dur al-Nazim fi Manaqib al-A’imma. Diya’ al-‘Amilin, vol.2. A‘yan al-Shi‘a, 1/4/464.

[11] Jannat al-Khuld. Nasikh al-Tawarikh.

[12] Tadhkirat al-Huffaz, vol.1, p.124. Nazhat al-Jalis, vol.2, p.36. Mirr’at al-Jinan, vol.1, p.247. Farid Wajjdi, Da’irat al-Ma‘arif, vol.3, p.563.

[13] Shaykh al-Turayhi, Jami‘ al-Maqal.

[14] ‘Yyun al-Akhbar wa Funun al-Athar, p.213. ‘Umdat al-Talib, p.183.

[15] Jawhart al-Kalam fi Madh al-Sada al-A‘lam, p.133.

[16] Mir’at al-Zaman fi Tawarikh al-A‘yan, vol.5, p.78.

[17] Ibid.

[18] Usul al-Kafi, vol.1, pp.496-470. Al-Kashi, Rijal, pp.27-28.

[19] Ibn ‘Asakir, Tarikh, vol.51, p.41.

[20] Ghayat al-Ikhtisar, p.64.

[21] Al-Wafi bi al-Wafayat, vol.4, p.102.

[22] Masa’il Majmu‘a mina al-Haqa’iq al-‘Aliya wa al-Asrar al-Samiya, p.99.

[23] Majjma‘ al-Zawa’id, vol.1, p.22.

[24] Usul al-Kafi, vol.1, p.469.

[25] Akhbar al-Duwal, p.111. Jawhart al-Kalam fi Madh al-Sada al-A’lam, 132.

[26] A‘yan al-Shi‘a, 1/4/471.

[27] ‘Ilal al-Sharai‘, p.234.

[28] Al-Manaqib, vol.4, p.147.

[29] Ithbat al-Hudat, vol.5, p.176.

[30] Al-Manaqib, vol.4, p.181.

[31] Safwat al-Saffwa, vol.2, p.62. Tadhkirat al-Khawas, p.349.

[32] Hulyat al-Awliya’, vol.3, p.189.

[33] A‘yan al-Shi‘a, 1/4/169.

INTRODUCTION

One of the most wonderful pictures of intellect and knowledge in Islam is Imam Abu Ja’far Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s), who possessed the virtues and nobilities of the world, made springs of wisdom and knowledge flow in the earth and was the teacher and pioneer of the scientific and cultural revival of his age. Scholars, jurisprudents, narrators of traditions and learners of wisdom and sciences came to him to drink from the pure fount of his sciences and cultures. Jurisprudents have reported much from him concerning the verdicts of the Islamic Sharia,worships, mu’amalatand other branches of jurisprudence, and all have been recorded in the encyclopedias of jurisprudence and Hadith.

This great Imam was one of the founders of the jurisprudence of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) that represented creation, originality and progress of intellect.

Scholars have reported from him wonderful varieties of wisdom and literatures regarding noble deeds and conducts that are among the most precious maxims dealing with different educational and moral issues.

Imam Abu Ja’far al-Jawad (a.s), with his talents, geniuses and great, endless scientific ability, has proven the luminous reality adopted by the Shia that an imam must be the most aware and virtuous one of the people of his time and the one who has more knowledge than anyone else, regardless of whether he is young or old. Allah has provided the infallible imams of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) with knowledge, wisdom and sound judgment similar to how He provided the Arch-Prophets with these qualities. This concept is one of the main elements in the doctrine of the Shia.

Imam Abu Ja’far (a.s) has proven that clearly. He undertook the imamate and the religious leadership after his father’s death while he was, as historians have unanimously agreed, not more than seven years old. This great role would not allow its keeper, according to the mentality of a child, to plunge into any field of knowledge or to enter into any field of debates and controversies with great scholars and specialists because this is not possible for a little child, but Imam al-Jawad (a.s), though he was still a little child, broke that notion.

The most famous scholars of his time asked him some of the most complicated philosophical, theological and jurisprudential questions, and he answered them all. Among those scholars was Yahya bin Aktham, the chief of the judges of Baghdad whom the Abbasids had chosen to test Imam al-Jawad (a.s). He asked Imam al-Jawad (a.s) about a jurisprudential question, and Imam al-Jawad (a.s) ramified the question into several branches and asked Yahya which branch he meant. Yahya did not know what to say and could not save himself from that embarrassing situation, and then he confessed that he could not keep pace with Imam al-Jawad (a.s).

The arguments of Imam al-Jawad (a.s) with Yahya and with other scholars of that time occupied the public opinion in Baghdad and in other towns. They were the main topics talked of in meetings then, and the caravans transported them everywhere. They were and still are a source of admiration throughout history.

What proves the great treasure of his knowledge while he was still young is that the Shia jurisprudents, after the death of Imam ar-Redha (a.s), hastened towards Yathrib (Medina) to know the next infallible imam. The reliable people guided them to Imam al-Jawad (a.s). They went to him and asked him the most ambiguous and complicated questions, and he answered them all. Narrators say that, on another occasion, he was asked thirty thousand questions, and he answered them all. It is natural that there is no justification to this confusing and amazing matter except that which the Shia believe: Allah has endowed the infallible imams of Ahlul Bayt (a.s) with knowledge, wisdom and virtue, with the likes of which no one amongst people has ever been endowed.

Some historians say that the talents and geniuses of Imam al-Jawad (a.s) affected al-Ma’moon, the Abbasid caliph, and consequently he loved Imam al-Jawad (a.s) sincerely and preferred him to even his own children and family. He married him to his daughter Umm al-Fadhl, gifted him abundantly and ordered his government bodies and the rest of the official departments to respect and glorify him. However, this is not true, as we shall detail in this book later on.

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) did not face any economical pressures throughout his life. He lived at ease. Al-Ma’moon gave him a yearly salary of one million dirhams, which was a considerable amount at that time when one dirham equaled the price of one sheep.

This was besides the abundant amounts of the legal dues he received which the Shia believed must be paid to Imam al-Jawad (a.s), like for example, the half of the khums, which the Shia jurisprudents call as the right of the imam, the monies whose owners were unknown and other legal dues besides the incomes of the entails that some benevolent people of the Shia had entailed on Ahlul Bayt (a.s) in Qomand other places. Imam al-Jawad (a.s) economized in spending on himself. He spent those abundant monies on the poor and needy people amongst the Muslims. It is because of this unequalled generosity that he has been called al-Jawad (the generous, the liberal). This surname was the most particular and famous surname of his, to the extent that he was known amongst the people by it.

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) was surrounded by a halo of veneration and glorification and respected highly by all classes of society. People saw in his personality the scope of his great fathers who had carried the torch of guidance and goodness to mankind. However, he did not pay any attention to the manifestations of venerations and glorifications with which he was surrounded. Instead, he preferred asceticism and avoided all the pleasures of this world.

Once, al-Husayn saw him in Baghdad while the masses had crowded around him. He said to himself that Imam al-Jawad (a.s) would not return to his asceticism and sincerity to Allah. Imam al-Jawad (a.s) felt that in him. He came to him and kindly and leniently said, ‘O Husayn, the bread of barley and the ground salt in the sanctum of my grandfather, the messenger of Allah (a.s), are more beloved to me than what you see me in…’ .

This phenomenon was one of the prominent aspects in the conducts of Imam al-Jawad (a.s) as it was the prominent aspect in the conducts of all of

the infallible imams of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s). It has never been mentioned that any of them tried this worldly life or its pleasures. All of them preferred the obedience of Allah instead and looked forward to the afterlife and did everything that might take them closer to Allah.

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) lived that short period of his holy life tending towards knowledge. He established the bases and principles of knowledge and made use of the period of his stay in Baghdad in spreading knowledge, teaching different sciences and merging the intellect with the Islamic sciences and literatures.A great number of scholars and narrators joined him to learn from him the different Islamic sciences, such as theology, philosophy, jurisprudence and interpretation (tafsir). This book relates the biographies of those scholars and narrators according to the sources of biographies and history. Talking about these men completes our research on the personality of Imam al-Jawad (a.s).

The age in which Imam al-Jawad (a.s) lived was one of the best Islamic ages throughout history because civilization spread widely in that age. From among the wonderful scenes of that civilization was the development of sciences, the establishment of institutes and libraries and the translation of medical and philosophical books from Greek and other languages into Arabic. Baghdad became the capital of the greatest civilization of sciences and intellect in the history of Islam. Baghdad was full of scholars and specialists in medicine, linguistics, jurisprudence and other branches of knowledge. The economical life in Baghdad developed to a very far extent, but unfortunately great wealth accumulated in the hands of certain classes, especially the class that served the Abbasid rule and worked in the interest of the Abbasids. This class of people became terribly rich to a degree that they did not know how to spend their monies. They made the doors of their houses out of gold and wallowed in luxuries and pleasures while the masses of the Muslim people suffered from poverty, deprivation and bitter living.

We should study the age of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) and search for its civilizational, economical, political and social features for studying the age in a methodical way is necessary for researchers. This book is not a special study on the biography of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) only, but it is a comprehensive study of the Islamic age in which Imam al-Jawad (a.s) lived.

Studying the biographies of the kings who ruled during the age of Imam al-Jawad (a.s) is relevant to his life because it shows the difficulties and misfortunes from which he and the Islamic nation had to suffer during the reigns of those kings, who tried their best to wrong the people and force them to do what they disliked.

Imam Abu Ja’far Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) spent most of his life during the reign of al-Ma’moon, who was one of the most prominent Abbasid caliphs based on his intellect, intelligent policies and influential power in controlling events. We discuss his biography objectively and discuss the political events that had taken place during his reign, such as his appointing Imam al-Jawad (a.s) as his heir apparent, the bloody wars between him and his brother al-Ameen, the battle of Abu as-Saraya and others. We mention the reasons that led al-Ma’moon to marry his daughter Umm al-Fadhl to

Imam al-Jawad (a.s). We also mention the biography of al-Mu’tasim, the Abbasid caliph, during whose reign Imam al-Jawad (a.s) suffered the bitterest kinds of persecution. He forced Imam al-Jawad (a.s) to leave Yathrib (Medina) and live unwillingly in Baghdad under house arrest. He set detectors to spy on him and watch his sayings and doings and all those who visited him and had relations with him. When he saw the high personality of Imam al-Jawad (a.s) and found that he did not support him or acknowledge his policies which tended to spread injustice and corruption everywhere in the earth, he had poison injected in him by the Imam’s wife, Umm al-Fadhl (al-Ma'moon’s daughter). She assassinated him while he was still young. We have detailed that in one of the forthcoming chapters of this book.

I think that there is no benefit to the nation better than publishing the biographies of the infallible imams of Ahlul Bayt (a.s) and making their virtues and exploits known to people because they were the genuine source of man’s dignity and honor, and they were the overflowing springs of intellect and knowledge not only to this umma, but also to all people despite their different races, religions and inclinations. The infallible imams raised high the banner of truth to guide the deviant, conduct the confused, show the right path and lead to the faith in Allah, which is the basis of goodness and peace in the earth.

Researching the conducts of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) leads to shining treasures of knowledge and wisdom and unveils the souls that have been loyal to the truth, that have been created for faith, that have gone towards Allah the Almighty, that have adopted the mission to invite to Him and that have suffered, for the sake of that, from the Pharaohs of their ages, from the likes of which no reformer in the earth has ever suffered.

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) was one of that pure progeny who raised the words of Allah. He was tried as severe a trial as was possible and, therefore, faced from the tyrants of his age different kinds of persecution and oppression. This book will show all these aspects clearly.

The Arabic library has no study on the life of Imam Abu Ja’far al-Jawad (a.s) who is one of the flowing springs of intellect and knowledge in Islam and one of the prides of this nation and one of its pioneering leaders. No one has written on his life except Muhammad bin Wahban who called his book “Akhbar Abi Ja’far ath-Thani: the news of Abu Ja’far the Second” , but, unfortunately, it is not available in our libraries. It may be one of the manuscripts that the umma has lost or may be in one of the wardrobes of the manuscripts of the international libraries.

I have been successful – thanks to Allah – in researching the biography of this great Imam who has filled the world with his virtues, knowledge, asceticism and piety. I do not claim that I have covered all the sides of his shining life, for this is something far from the reality, but I have shed faint lights on some aspects of his personality, that was the scope of the lives of his pure fathers who had lit the torch of intellectual and social life in Islam.

I think it is my duty, at the end of this introduction, to offer my appreciation, gratitude and loyalty to the great scholar Sheikh Hadi al-Qurashi for his efforts in reviewing many encyclopedias such as Wassa'il

ash-Shia and other sources which provided us with a lot of information about the life of Imam Abu Ja'far al-Jawad (a.s), besides his valuable notes in this book. Also I feel it is my duty to thank the nobleman Sayyid Abdurrasool, the son of Sayyid Redha al-Husayni as-Sa'igh, for his contribution in spending towards the publication of the book in its first edition. I pray to Allah to make him successful in every noble deed.

HIS BIRTH AND UPBRINGING

Before indulging in research on the aspects of Imam al-Jawad's personality and talking about his life and other related concerns, I would like to refer to his noble lineage and that which is associated with it, concerning his birth, his qualities and other things which might be considered as clues to talk about his personality.

HIS NOBLE LINEAGE

In the world of lineages, there is no lineage nobler or more exalted than the lineage of Imam Abu Jafar al-Jawad (a.s). He was from the heart of the Prophet’s family, which was the holiest, most honorable family that humanity has ever known throughout the ages, the family that has provided the world with the elements of virtue and perfection and illuminated all the corners of life with knowledge and faith. The honored origins and pure wombs he came from are as follows:

HIS FATHER

His father was Imam Ali ar-Redha binImam Musa bin Ja’far al-Kadhim bin Imam Muhammad al-Baqir bin Imam Ali Zaynol Aabideen bin Imam al-Husayn bin Imam Ali bin Abu Talib (peace be upon them). This is the golden chain which if read on the deaf and the dumb they will recover by the will of Allah, as al-Ma’moon, the Abbasid caliph, has said.Ahmed bin Hanbal says, “If this chain of lineage is recited on a mad person, he will recover from his madness.”

Abul Ala’ al-Ma’arri,who mistrusted most people, said regarding this noble family,

“The ones whose brilliance was shown

before the creation of Mars and Libra,

before the Heavens had been created,

and their orbits had been ordered to circuit.”

From this good and noble tree, close to Allah and dear to every Muslim, Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) branched out.

HIS MOTHER

His mother was one of the purest and most abstinent and virtuous of Muslim women. It was sufficient to her that she had given birth to one of the best figures of Islam and one of the best imams of the Muslims. It did not degrade her position nor harm her dignity that she was a bondmaid. Islam has declared a war against this phenomenon and considers it as an aspect of the pre-Islamic life, which Islam has done away with. In the Islamic point of view, piety and obedience to Allah are the bases of preference amongst people and nothing else.

Islam proudly annulled all kinds of racial segregation and considered them as factors of backwardness and declination in society because they divided the nation into fighting sects and parties. Therefore, the imams of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) married bondmaids in order to do away with malicious feuds and remove the causes of separation amongst Muslims. Imam Ali bin al-Husayn Zaynol Aabideen (as-Sajjad) (a.s) married a bondmaid who gave birth to the great revolutionary martyr, Zayd. Imam ar-Redha (a.s) married a

bondmaid who gave birth to Imam al-Jawad (a.s). The situation of the infallible imams in their marriages with bondmaids was a decisive refutation towards the enemies of Islam who tried their best to keep Muslims divided.

As for the name of the mother of Imam al-Jawad (a.s), historians disagree, and each group says something different. Here are some of the historians’ accounts:

1. Her name was al-Khayzuran. Imam ar-Redha (a.s) named her so when her actual name was Durrah.

2. Her name was Sukaynah al-Nawbiyyah, or al-Muraysiyyah , as was said by historians. It was said that her lineage belonged to Maria al-Qubtiyyah the wife of Prophet Muhammad (a.s).

3. Her name was Rayhanah.

4. Her name was Sabeekah.

Some sources of history neglect mentioning her name and just call her “Umm Walad.”Anyhow, it is not of great importance to know what her actual name was. Of greater interest is her life history; however, unfortunately, the sources at hand have not mentioned anything about her life.

THE GREAT NEWBORN

Imam ar-Redha (a.s) took much care of his (wife) bondmaid because he had perceived through the unseen that she would give birth to a boy that Allah had chosen for the imamate and the general guardianship of the Holy Prophet (a.s). He would be one of the Prophet’s twelve successors. Imam ar-Redha (a.s) had informed his close companions of that.

Imam ar-Redha (a.s) entrusted his honored sister Hakeemah bint Imam Musa bin Ja’far al-Kadhim (a.s) to remain with his wife until she gave birth to her child.Lady Hakeemah carried out everything her brother had asked her to do. When the bondmaid felt she was about to give birth, Imam ar-Redha (a.s) asked his sister to come with a midwife. Imam ar-Redha (a.s) lit a lamp in the houseand remained in expectation of the great newborn. It was not long until his bondmaid gave birth to a great figure of intellect and jihad in Islam.

THE DELIGHT OF IMAM AR-REDHA (A.S)

Waves of delight and joy overcame Imam ar-Redha (a.s) after the birth of his blessed newborn son. He began saying,

“The like of Moses son of Imran, the splitter of the seas, and the like of Jesus son of Mary, blessed be the mother that bore him… has been borne to me.”

Imam ar-Redha (a.s) turned to his companions and told them the good news of his newborn son. He said, ‘Allah has granted me one who will inherit me and inherit the children of Dawood….’

He told them that that newborn child would be the imam after him.He received that great newborn with tremendous joy and delight because that child was the awaited spiritual leader of the umma for that period. Amongst his companions, there was Di’bil al-Khuza’iy,a poet of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s). He participated with the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) in their joys and delights over the birth of Imam al-Jawad (a.s).

CEREMONIES OF THE BIRTH

Imam ar-Redha (a.s) took his newborn son and carried out the ritual ceremonies for him. He recited the adhan in his right ear and the iqamain his left ear and then placed him back in his cradle.

HIS SURNAME

Imam ar-Redha (a.s) gave his son Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) the surname of Abu Ja’far, like the surname of his grandfather Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s). It is differentiated between them by saying Abu Ja’far the first for Imam al-Baqir (a.s) and Abu Ja’far the second for Imam al-Jawad (a.s).

HIS EPITHETS

As regards his noble epithets, they show his great personality and exalted self. The most common are as follows:

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

2. Al-Taqiy (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. Al-Ma’moon, the Abbasid caliph, had tried him with different types of provocations, but he was not deceived. He turned to Allah and preferred His obedience to anything else.

3. Al-Qani’ (the satisfied).

4. Al-Murtadha (being satisfied with).

5. Al-Radhiy (the satisfied).

6. Al-Mukhtar (the elect).

7. Al-Mutawakkil (the reliant (on Allah)).

8. Al-Zakiy (the pure).

9. Bab al-Murad (the gate of desires and hopes).He was known by this epithet amongst the Muslims who believed that he was a gate from the gates of the Divine Mercy, to which afflicted and needy people resorted in order to rid themselves of their misfortunes and afflictions.

These are his epithets of which each and every one refers to one of his exalted qualities and noble tendencies that are a source of pride to this umma.

HIS FEATURES

His features were like those of his fathers, which in turn were like the features of the prophets. The lineaments of piety were apparent on his holy face. Some sources of history describe him as “white-faced with a moderate stature.”Other historians mention that he was very brown based on only one odd narration,which Imam al-Khoo’iy proved to be a fabricated narration.We have therefore brushed this narration away for it is odd and untrue.

HIS BIRTHDAY

Historians widely concur that Imam al-Jawad (a.s) was born on the nineteenth of Ramadan, 195 AH.It has also been mentioned that he was born on the fifth of Ramadan, 175 AH, but this is totally untrue for it is

definite that he was not been born in that year but in the year 195 instead, as narrators and historians have unanimously agreed.

THE FIGURE ON HIS RING (SEAL)

The figure on his ring showed that he had devoted himself to Allah. He had written on his ring (as his own seal) “glory is (only) to Allah”.He believed that glory was to Allah alone, the Creator of the universe and the Giver of life.

HIS UPBRINGING

Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) was brought up in the house of prophethood and imamate, that house by which Allah had honored the Muslims. He grew up in the shade of that honored house while receiving high ideals from his father, who shed rays of light from his great soul onto him. His father himself had undertaken his upbringing. He took him with him wherever he went and fed him with his own hands. Yahya as-San’ani said, “Once, I went to Abul Hasan ar-Redha (a.s) (Imam al-Jawad’s father) in Mecca while he was peeling a banana and feeding Abu Ja’far (Imam al-Jawad). I said to him, ‘May I die for you! Is this the blessed newborn?’ He said, ‘Yes, O Yahya! This is the newborn that no one in Islam has been born for our Shia more blessed than him.’”

This kind of education coupled with love and respect has a great influence on the psychological structure and success of a person, according to psychologists and educationists.

HIS INTELLIGENCE AND GENIUS

Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) displayed signs of intelligence and genius in his early years that astonished people and filled them with admiration and high regard. Historians have mentioned many signs of his intelligence. Here are some of them:

1. Umayya bin Ali narrated, “I was with AbulHasan ar-Redha in Mecca in the year that he went on pilgrimage to bid farewell to the Sacred House (the Kaaba) when he intended to travel to Khurasan (in Iran). His son Abu Ja’far al-Jawad was with him. Abul Hasan bid his farewell to the House and went to the Sanctum (of Abraham) and offered prayer there. Abu Ja’far was carried by one of Imam ar-Redha’s servants to circumambulate the Kaaba. When he (with the servant) reached the Rock of Abraham, he sat there and remained for some time. Muwaffaq, the servant, asked him to get up so they could leave, but he refused and was very sad and depressed. Muwaffaq went to Imam ar-Redha (a.s) and told him about the state of his son. Imam ar-Redha (a.s) came and asked him to get up. He responded to his father with sighs and tears saying, ‘How can I get up O father, while you have bid farewell to the House in such a way as if you shall never come back to it…?’

A wave of pain occupied Imam ar-Redha (a.s). He begged his son to come with him and the son responded to his father.”

This event shows the intelligence of Imam al-Jawad (a.s) because he understood from the farewell of his father to the Sacred House that it was his last farewell. He saw the fear and grief in his father’s expressions that

made him perceive it was the end of his father’s life. Indeed it was so, because Imam ar-Redha (a.s), after his travel to Khurasan, did not come back to the sacred lands (Mecca and Medina). He was martyred at the hands of al-Ma’moon, the Abbasid caliph, with poison.

2. Once, al-Ma’moon with his official procession passed by some children playing in a street in Baghdad, amongst whom was Imam al-Jawad (a.s). When the children saw the procession of al-Ma’moon, they ran away except Imam al-Jawad (a.s) who remained standing in his place. Al-Ma’moon, who did not know this child, became astonished and asked him, “Why did you not run away with those children?”

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) answered with a wonderful reason that affected al-Ma’moon. He said, “O Ameerul Mo’mineen,the street is not so narrow that I should clear it for you and neither have I any guilt that I should fear you. I trust that you do not harm a guiltless one.”

Al-Ma’moon was astounded and asked the child about his lineage, to which Imam al-Jawad (a.s) responded accordingly. Al-Ma'moon prayed to Allah to have mercy on Imam al-Jawad’s father.We shall discuss this point later on.

3. One of the signs of his incredible intelligence is that when he was in his early childhood, scholars and jurisprudents asked him thirty thousand questions and he answered them all. There is no way to justify this phenomenon except to say that Allah the Almighty has endowed the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) with great powers of knowledge that He has endowed to no one except His Arch-prophets.

IMAM AR-REDHA PRAISES IMAM AL-JAWAD

Imam ar-Redha (a.s) always praised Imam al-Jawad (a.s) and pointed out his virtues and talents. Once, al-Fadhl bin Sahl sent to Muhammad bin Abu Abbad, the clerk of Imam ar-Redha (a.s), asking him about the kind of relation of Imam ar-Redha (a.s) with his son Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s), and the clerk replied, “Ar-Redha does not mention (his son) Muhammad except by his surname. He often says: Abu Ja’far (Muhammad al-Jawad) wrote to me, or I wrote to Abu Ja’far…and even though he is yet a child in Medina, the letters that come to his father are so eloquent and fluent.”

Narrators have narrated of the extent that Imam ar-Redha (a.s) would glorify his son Muhammad al-Jawad. They said that once Abbad bin Isma’eel and ibn Asbaat were with Imam ar-Redha (a.s) in Minawhen Abu Ja’far was brought to his father ar-Redha (a.s). They asked him, “Is this the blessed newborn?”

Imam ar-Redha (a.s) became delighted and said, “Yes, this is the newborn that no one in Islam has been born more blessed than him.”

There are many other narrations related from Imam ar-Redha (a.s) showing that he often praised Imam al-Jawad (a.s) and pointed out his great talents and virtues.

GLORIFICATION

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) was surrounded, since his early days, with a halo of glorification and exaltation by the religious people who believed that he was

one of the Prophet’s successors, the love of whom Allah had imposed on all Muslims.

Historians mention that Ali bin Ja’far, the great jurisprudent and the brother of Imam Musa bin Ja’far (al-Kadhim) (a.s) and one of the famous personalities of the AlawidFamily at that time, was one of those who sanctified Imam al-Jawad (a.s) and acknowledged his virtue and imamate.

Muhammad bin al-Hasan bin Imara said, “Once, I was with Ali bin Ja’far in Medina, where I stayed with him for two years to write down what he had heard from his brother (Imam Musa al-Kadhim), when one day Abu Ja’far Muhammad bin Ali (al-Jawad) (a.s) came into the mosque of the messenger of Allah (a.s). Ali bin Ja’far suddenly jumped without shoes or garment and kissed his hand and glorified him. Imam al-Jawad (a.s) looked at him and said, ‘O uncle, sit down please! May Allah have mercy on you.’

Ali bin Ja’far bowed respectfully and said, ‘O my master, how can I sit while you are standing?’

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) went away and then Ali bin Ja’far returned to his companions. They began scolding him for glorifying Imam al-Jawad (a.s) who was very young yet. They said to him, ‘You are the uncle of his father, so why did you act in that way with him?’

He answered them with the answer of one who believed in his Lord and religion and who recognized the actual position of the imamate. He said to them, ‘Keep silent! It is Allah Who has not qualified this beard (he caught his beard with his hand) for the imamate and has qualified this young man and placed him in that position according to His will. We seek the protection of Allah from what you say. I am just a slave to him (to Imam al-Jawad).’”

Ali bin Ja’far proved that the imamate did not submit to the wish of man or his will but was instead in the hand of Allah, Who chose for it whom He willed from amongst His people, regardless of whether the imam was young or old.

IMPRESSIONS OF HIS PERSONALITY

The talents of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) occupied the passions of scholars, and they therefore recorded their admirations and glorifications of him in their books. Here is some of what they have said about him:

1. ATH-THAHABI

Ath-Thahabi has said, “Muhammad (al-Jawad) was surnamed al-Jawad (the generous), al-Qani’ (the satisfied) and al-Murtadha (been satisfied with) and he was one of the chiefs of the Prophet’s family…he was described as being generous; therefore, he was surnamed al-Jawad….”

2. IBN TAYMIYA

He has said, “Muhammad bin Ali al-Jawad was one of the notables of the Hashemites. He was famous of his generosity, and, therefore, he was called al-Jawad.”

3. AS-SAFADI

As-Safadi has said, “Muhammad (al-Jawad) was surnamed al-Jawad, al-Qani’ and al-Murtadha. He was one of the chiefs of the Prophet’s

family…he was described as being generous; therefore, he was surnamed al-Jawad….”

4. IBN AL-JAWZI

As-Sibt bin al-Jawzi has said, “Muhammad al-Jawad followed the footsteps of his father in knowledge, piety and generosity.”

5. MAHMOOD BIN WUHAYB

Sheikh Mahmood bin Wuhayb has said, “Muhammad al-Jawad inherited the knowledge and virtue of his father, and he was the loftiest amongst his brothers in position and perfection.”

6. AZ-ZARKALI

Khayruddeen az-Zarkali has said, “Muhammad bin ar-Redha bin Musa al-Kadhim, at-Talibi, al-Hashimi, al-Qurashi, Abu Ja’far, surnamed al-Jawad, the ninth of the twelve imams of the Shia, was exalted like his ancestors, intelligent, eloquent, quick-witted….’

7. KAMALUDDEN

Sheikh Kamaluddeen Muhammad bin Talha has said, ‘As for the virtues of Abu Ja’far al-Jawad, they did not last long for the Divine Fate had determined that he would stay in this world for a little while and leave for his Lord soon; so his stay was brief and his days were short.’

8. ALI BIN EESA AL-ARBALI

He has said, ‘Al-Jawad was in all cases generous (jawad)…he exceeded all people in the purity of his lineage and birth and sat on the top of glory. No one had ever approached his rank or his glory. He was exalted in position. His high position was above stars and his rank was above all ranks. When a delegation saw a fire, they said: it must be his fire.No fire was predominant over his fire. Exalted was he towards highness. Glory and honor felt proud of him. Mastership found its meaning in him. He was far from every vice and close to every virtue. Nobilities diffused from his sides and glory dripped from him. News of generosity were narrated about him, his progeny and his fathers. Blessed is he who strives to be loyal to him, and woe unto him who tries to be his opponent. When the loots of glory and loftiness are divided, the purest of them will be his, and when the backs of honor are mounted, the highest of them will be his. He matches the rain in generosity and the lion in courage and zeal and defeats conducts with his good conduct.’

INTRODUCTION

One of the most wonderful pictures of intellect and knowledge in Islam is Imam Abu Ja’far Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s), who possessed the virtues and nobilities of the world, made springs of wisdom and knowledge flow in the earth and was the teacher and pioneer of the scientific and cultural revival of his age. Scholars, jurisprudents, narrators of traditions and learners of wisdom and sciences came to him to drink from the pure fount of his sciences and cultures. Jurisprudents have reported much from him concerning the verdicts of the Islamic Sharia,worships, mu’amalatand other branches of jurisprudence, and all have been recorded in the encyclopedias of jurisprudence and Hadith.

This great Imam was one of the founders of the jurisprudence of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) that represented creation, originality and progress of intellect.

Scholars have reported from him wonderful varieties of wisdom and literatures regarding noble deeds and conducts that are among the most precious maxims dealing with different educational and moral issues.

Imam Abu Ja’far al-Jawad (a.s), with his talents, geniuses and great, endless scientific ability, has proven the luminous reality adopted by the Shia that an imam must be the most aware and virtuous one of the people of his time and the one who has more knowledge than anyone else, regardless of whether he is young or old. Allah has provided the infallible imams of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) with knowledge, wisdom and sound judgment similar to how He provided the Arch-Prophets with these qualities. This concept is one of the main elements in the doctrine of the Shia.

Imam Abu Ja’far (a.s) has proven that clearly. He undertook the imamate and the religious leadership after his father’s death while he was, as historians have unanimously agreed, not more than seven years old. This great role would not allow its keeper, according to the mentality of a child, to plunge into any field of knowledge or to enter into any field of debates and controversies with great scholars and specialists because this is not possible for a little child, but Imam al-Jawad (a.s), though he was still a little child, broke that notion.

The most famous scholars of his time asked him some of the most complicated philosophical, theological and jurisprudential questions, and he answered them all. Among those scholars was Yahya bin Aktham, the chief of the judges of Baghdad whom the Abbasids had chosen to test Imam al-Jawad (a.s). He asked Imam al-Jawad (a.s) about a jurisprudential question, and Imam al-Jawad (a.s) ramified the question into several branches and asked Yahya which branch he meant. Yahya did not know what to say and could not save himself from that embarrassing situation, and then he confessed that he could not keep pace with Imam al-Jawad (a.s).

The arguments of Imam al-Jawad (a.s) with Yahya and with other scholars of that time occupied the public opinion in Baghdad and in other towns. They were the main topics talked of in meetings then, and the caravans transported them everywhere. They were and still are a source of admiration throughout history.

What proves the great treasure of his knowledge while he was still young is that the Shia jurisprudents, after the death of Imam ar-Redha (a.s), hastened towards Yathrib (Medina) to know the next infallible imam. The reliable people guided them to Imam al-Jawad (a.s). They went to him and asked him the most ambiguous and complicated questions, and he answered them all. Narrators say that, on another occasion, he was asked thirty thousand questions, and he answered them all. It is natural that there is no justification to this confusing and amazing matter except that which the Shia believe: Allah has endowed the infallible imams of Ahlul Bayt (a.s) with knowledge, wisdom and virtue, with the likes of which no one amongst people has ever been endowed.

Some historians say that the talents and geniuses of Imam al-Jawad (a.s) affected al-Ma’moon, the Abbasid caliph, and consequently he loved Imam al-Jawad (a.s) sincerely and preferred him to even his own children and family. He married him to his daughter Umm al-Fadhl, gifted him abundantly and ordered his government bodies and the rest of the official departments to respect and glorify him. However, this is not true, as we shall detail in this book later on.

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) did not face any economical pressures throughout his life. He lived at ease. Al-Ma’moon gave him a yearly salary of one million dirhams, which was a considerable amount at that time when one dirham equaled the price of one sheep.

This was besides the abundant amounts of the legal dues he received which the Shia believed must be paid to Imam al-Jawad (a.s), like for example, the half of the khums, which the Shia jurisprudents call as the right of the imam, the monies whose owners were unknown and other legal dues besides the incomes of the entails that some benevolent people of the Shia had entailed on Ahlul Bayt (a.s) in Qomand other places. Imam al-Jawad (a.s) economized in spending on himself. He spent those abundant monies on the poor and needy people amongst the Muslims. It is because of this unequalled generosity that he has been called al-Jawad (the generous, the liberal). This surname was the most particular and famous surname of his, to the extent that he was known amongst the people by it.

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) was surrounded by a halo of veneration and glorification and respected highly by all classes of society. People saw in his personality the scope of his great fathers who had carried the torch of guidance and goodness to mankind. However, he did not pay any attention to the manifestations of venerations and glorifications with which he was surrounded. Instead, he preferred asceticism and avoided all the pleasures of this world.

Once, al-Husayn saw him in Baghdad while the masses had crowded around him. He said to himself that Imam al-Jawad (a.s) would not return to his asceticism and sincerity to Allah. Imam al-Jawad (a.s) felt that in him. He came to him and kindly and leniently said, ‘O Husayn, the bread of barley and the ground salt in the sanctum of my grandfather, the messenger of Allah (a.s), are more beloved to me than what you see me in…’ .

This phenomenon was one of the prominent aspects in the conducts of Imam al-Jawad (a.s) as it was the prominent aspect in the conducts of all of

the infallible imams of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s). It has never been mentioned that any of them tried this worldly life or its pleasures. All of them preferred the obedience of Allah instead and looked forward to the afterlife and did everything that might take them closer to Allah.

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) lived that short period of his holy life tending towards knowledge. He established the bases and principles of knowledge and made use of the period of his stay in Baghdad in spreading knowledge, teaching different sciences and merging the intellect with the Islamic sciences and literatures.A great number of scholars and narrators joined him to learn from him the different Islamic sciences, such as theology, philosophy, jurisprudence and interpretation (tafsir). This book relates the biographies of those scholars and narrators according to the sources of biographies and history. Talking about these men completes our research on the personality of Imam al-Jawad (a.s).

The age in which Imam al-Jawad (a.s) lived was one of the best Islamic ages throughout history because civilization spread widely in that age. From among the wonderful scenes of that civilization was the development of sciences, the establishment of institutes and libraries and the translation of medical and philosophical books from Greek and other languages into Arabic. Baghdad became the capital of the greatest civilization of sciences and intellect in the history of Islam. Baghdad was full of scholars and specialists in medicine, linguistics, jurisprudence and other branches of knowledge. The economical life in Baghdad developed to a very far extent, but unfortunately great wealth accumulated in the hands of certain classes, especially the class that served the Abbasid rule and worked in the interest of the Abbasids. This class of people became terribly rich to a degree that they did not know how to spend their monies. They made the doors of their houses out of gold and wallowed in luxuries and pleasures while the masses of the Muslim people suffered from poverty, deprivation and bitter living.

We should study the age of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) and search for its civilizational, economical, political and social features for studying the age in a methodical way is necessary for researchers. This book is not a special study on the biography of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) only, but it is a comprehensive study of the Islamic age in which Imam al-Jawad (a.s) lived.

Studying the biographies of the kings who ruled during the age of Imam al-Jawad (a.s) is relevant to his life because it shows the difficulties and misfortunes from which he and the Islamic nation had to suffer during the reigns of those kings, who tried their best to wrong the people and force them to do what they disliked.

Imam Abu Ja’far Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) spent most of his life during the reign of al-Ma’moon, who was one of the most prominent Abbasid caliphs based on his intellect, intelligent policies and influential power in controlling events. We discuss his biography objectively and discuss the political events that had taken place during his reign, such as his appointing Imam al-Jawad (a.s) as his heir apparent, the bloody wars between him and his brother al-Ameen, the battle of Abu as-Saraya and others. We mention the reasons that led al-Ma’moon to marry his daughter Umm al-Fadhl to

Imam al-Jawad (a.s). We also mention the biography of al-Mu’tasim, the Abbasid caliph, during whose reign Imam al-Jawad (a.s) suffered the bitterest kinds of persecution. He forced Imam al-Jawad (a.s) to leave Yathrib (Medina) and live unwillingly in Baghdad under house arrest. He set detectors to spy on him and watch his sayings and doings and all those who visited him and had relations with him. When he saw the high personality of Imam al-Jawad (a.s) and found that he did not support him or acknowledge his policies which tended to spread injustice and corruption everywhere in the earth, he had poison injected in him by the Imam’s wife, Umm al-Fadhl (al-Ma'moon’s daughter). She assassinated him while he was still young. We have detailed that in one of the forthcoming chapters of this book.

I think that there is no benefit to the nation better than publishing the biographies of the infallible imams of Ahlul Bayt (a.s) and making their virtues and exploits known to people because they were the genuine source of man’s dignity and honor, and they were the overflowing springs of intellect and knowledge not only to this umma, but also to all people despite their different races, religions and inclinations. The infallible imams raised high the banner of truth to guide the deviant, conduct the confused, show the right path and lead to the faith in Allah, which is the basis of goodness and peace in the earth.

Researching the conducts of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) leads to shining treasures of knowledge and wisdom and unveils the souls that have been loyal to the truth, that have been created for faith, that have gone towards Allah the Almighty, that have adopted the mission to invite to Him and that have suffered, for the sake of that, from the Pharaohs of their ages, from the likes of which no reformer in the earth has ever suffered.

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) was one of that pure progeny who raised the words of Allah. He was tried as severe a trial as was possible and, therefore, faced from the tyrants of his age different kinds of persecution and oppression. This book will show all these aspects clearly.

The Arabic library has no study on the life of Imam Abu Ja’far al-Jawad (a.s) who is one of the flowing springs of intellect and knowledge in Islam and one of the prides of this nation and one of its pioneering leaders. No one has written on his life except Muhammad bin Wahban who called his book “Akhbar Abi Ja’far ath-Thani: the news of Abu Ja’far the Second” , but, unfortunately, it is not available in our libraries. It may be one of the manuscripts that the umma has lost or may be in one of the wardrobes of the manuscripts of the international libraries.

I have been successful – thanks to Allah – in researching the biography of this great Imam who has filled the world with his virtues, knowledge, asceticism and piety. I do not claim that I have covered all the sides of his shining life, for this is something far from the reality, but I have shed faint lights on some aspects of his personality, that was the scope of the lives of his pure fathers who had lit the torch of intellectual and social life in Islam.

I think it is my duty, at the end of this introduction, to offer my appreciation, gratitude and loyalty to the great scholar Sheikh Hadi al-Qurashi for his efforts in reviewing many encyclopedias such as Wassa'il

ash-Shia and other sources which provided us with a lot of information about the life of Imam Abu Ja'far al-Jawad (a.s), besides his valuable notes in this book. Also I feel it is my duty to thank the nobleman Sayyid Abdurrasool, the son of Sayyid Redha al-Husayni as-Sa'igh, for his contribution in spending towards the publication of the book in its first edition. I pray to Allah to make him successful in every noble deed.

HIS BIRTH AND UPBRINGING

Before indulging in research on the aspects of Imam al-Jawad's personality and talking about his life and other related concerns, I would like to refer to his noble lineage and that which is associated with it, concerning his birth, his qualities and other things which might be considered as clues to talk about his personality.

HIS NOBLE LINEAGE

In the world of lineages, there is no lineage nobler or more exalted than the lineage of Imam Abu Jafar al-Jawad (a.s). He was from the heart of the Prophet’s family, which was the holiest, most honorable family that humanity has ever known throughout the ages, the family that has provided the world with the elements of virtue and perfection and illuminated all the corners of life with knowledge and faith. The honored origins and pure wombs he came from are as follows:

HIS FATHER

His father was Imam Ali ar-Redha binImam Musa bin Ja’far al-Kadhim bin Imam Muhammad al-Baqir bin Imam Ali Zaynol Aabideen bin Imam al-Husayn bin Imam Ali bin Abu Talib (peace be upon them). This is the golden chain which if read on the deaf and the dumb they will recover by the will of Allah, as al-Ma’moon, the Abbasid caliph, has said.Ahmed bin Hanbal says, “If this chain of lineage is recited on a mad person, he will recover from his madness.”

Abul Ala’ al-Ma’arri,who mistrusted most people, said regarding this noble family,

“The ones whose brilliance was shown

before the creation of Mars and Libra,

before the Heavens had been created,

and their orbits had been ordered to circuit.”

From this good and noble tree, close to Allah and dear to every Muslim, Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) branched out.

HIS MOTHER

His mother was one of the purest and most abstinent and virtuous of Muslim women. It was sufficient to her that she had given birth to one of the best figures of Islam and one of the best imams of the Muslims. It did not degrade her position nor harm her dignity that she was a bondmaid. Islam has declared a war against this phenomenon and considers it as an aspect of the pre-Islamic life, which Islam has done away with. In the Islamic point of view, piety and obedience to Allah are the bases of preference amongst people and nothing else.

Islam proudly annulled all kinds of racial segregation and considered them as factors of backwardness and declination in society because they divided the nation into fighting sects and parties. Therefore, the imams of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) married bondmaids in order to do away with malicious feuds and remove the causes of separation amongst Muslims. Imam Ali bin al-Husayn Zaynol Aabideen (as-Sajjad) (a.s) married a bondmaid who gave birth to the great revolutionary martyr, Zayd. Imam ar-Redha (a.s) married a

bondmaid who gave birth to Imam al-Jawad (a.s). The situation of the infallible imams in their marriages with bondmaids was a decisive refutation towards the enemies of Islam who tried their best to keep Muslims divided.

As for the name of the mother of Imam al-Jawad (a.s), historians disagree, and each group says something different. Here are some of the historians’ accounts:

1. Her name was al-Khayzuran. Imam ar-Redha (a.s) named her so when her actual name was Durrah.

2. Her name was Sukaynah al-Nawbiyyah, or al-Muraysiyyah , as was said by historians. It was said that her lineage belonged to Maria al-Qubtiyyah the wife of Prophet Muhammad (a.s).

3. Her name was Rayhanah.

4. Her name was Sabeekah.

Some sources of history neglect mentioning her name and just call her “Umm Walad.”Anyhow, it is not of great importance to know what her actual name was. Of greater interest is her life history; however, unfortunately, the sources at hand have not mentioned anything about her life.

THE GREAT NEWBORN

Imam ar-Redha (a.s) took much care of his (wife) bondmaid because he had perceived through the unseen that she would give birth to a boy that Allah had chosen for the imamate and the general guardianship of the Holy Prophet (a.s). He would be one of the Prophet’s twelve successors. Imam ar-Redha (a.s) had informed his close companions of that.

Imam ar-Redha (a.s) entrusted his honored sister Hakeemah bint Imam Musa bin Ja’far al-Kadhim (a.s) to remain with his wife until she gave birth to her child.Lady Hakeemah carried out everything her brother had asked her to do. When the bondmaid felt she was about to give birth, Imam ar-Redha (a.s) asked his sister to come with a midwife. Imam ar-Redha (a.s) lit a lamp in the houseand remained in expectation of the great newborn. It was not long until his bondmaid gave birth to a great figure of intellect and jihad in Islam.

THE DELIGHT OF IMAM AR-REDHA (A.S)

Waves of delight and joy overcame Imam ar-Redha (a.s) after the birth of his blessed newborn son. He began saying,

“The like of Moses son of Imran, the splitter of the seas, and the like of Jesus son of Mary, blessed be the mother that bore him… has been borne to me.”

Imam ar-Redha (a.s) turned to his companions and told them the good news of his newborn son. He said, ‘Allah has granted me one who will inherit me and inherit the children of Dawood….’

He told them that that newborn child would be the imam after him.He received that great newborn with tremendous joy and delight because that child was the awaited spiritual leader of the umma for that period. Amongst his companions, there was Di’bil al-Khuza’iy,a poet of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s). He participated with the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) in their joys and delights over the birth of Imam al-Jawad (a.s).

CEREMONIES OF THE BIRTH

Imam ar-Redha (a.s) took his newborn son and carried out the ritual ceremonies for him. He recited the adhan in his right ear and the iqamain his left ear and then placed him back in his cradle.

HIS SURNAME

Imam ar-Redha (a.s) gave his son Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) the surname of Abu Ja’far, like the surname of his grandfather Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s). It is differentiated between them by saying Abu Ja’far the first for Imam al-Baqir (a.s) and Abu Ja’far the second for Imam al-Jawad (a.s).

HIS EPITHETS

As regards his noble epithets, they show his great personality and exalted self. The most common are as follows:

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

2. Al-Taqiy (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. Al-Ma’moon, the Abbasid caliph, had tried him with different types of provocations, but he was not deceived. He turned to Allah and preferred His obedience to anything else.

3. Al-Qani’ (the satisfied).

4. Al-Murtadha (being satisfied with).

5. Al-Radhiy (the satisfied).

6. Al-Mukhtar (the elect).

7. Al-Mutawakkil (the reliant (on Allah)).

8. Al-Zakiy (the pure).

9. Bab al-Murad (the gate of desires and hopes).He was known by this epithet amongst the Muslims who believed that he was a gate from the gates of the Divine Mercy, to which afflicted and needy people resorted in order to rid themselves of their misfortunes and afflictions.

These are his epithets of which each and every one refers to one of his exalted qualities and noble tendencies that are a source of pride to this umma.

HIS FEATURES

His features were like those of his fathers, which in turn were like the features of the prophets. The lineaments of piety were apparent on his holy face. Some sources of history describe him as “white-faced with a moderate stature.”Other historians mention that he was very brown based on only one odd narration,which Imam al-Khoo’iy proved to be a fabricated narration.We have therefore brushed this narration away for it is odd and untrue.

HIS BIRTHDAY

Historians widely concur that Imam al-Jawad (a.s) was born on the nineteenth of Ramadan, 195 AH.It has also been mentioned that he was born on the fifth of Ramadan, 175 AH, but this is totally untrue for it is

definite that he was not been born in that year but in the year 195 instead, as narrators and historians have unanimously agreed.

THE FIGURE ON HIS RING (SEAL)

The figure on his ring showed that he had devoted himself to Allah. He had written on his ring (as his own seal) “glory is (only) to Allah”.He believed that glory was to Allah alone, the Creator of the universe and the Giver of life.

HIS UPBRINGING

Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) was brought up in the house of prophethood and imamate, that house by which Allah had honored the Muslims. He grew up in the shade of that honored house while receiving high ideals from his father, who shed rays of light from his great soul onto him. His father himself had undertaken his upbringing. He took him with him wherever he went and fed him with his own hands. Yahya as-San’ani said, “Once, I went to Abul Hasan ar-Redha (a.s) (Imam al-Jawad’s father) in Mecca while he was peeling a banana and feeding Abu Ja’far (Imam al-Jawad). I said to him, ‘May I die for you! Is this the blessed newborn?’ He said, ‘Yes, O Yahya! This is the newborn that no one in Islam has been born for our Shia more blessed than him.’”

This kind of education coupled with love and respect has a great influence on the psychological structure and success of a person, according to psychologists and educationists.

HIS INTELLIGENCE AND GENIUS

Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) displayed signs of intelligence and genius in his early years that astonished people and filled them with admiration and high regard. Historians have mentioned many signs of his intelligence. Here are some of them:

1. Umayya bin Ali narrated, “I was with AbulHasan ar-Redha in Mecca in the year that he went on pilgrimage to bid farewell to the Sacred House (the Kaaba) when he intended to travel to Khurasan (in Iran). His son Abu Ja’far al-Jawad was with him. Abul Hasan bid his farewell to the House and went to the Sanctum (of Abraham) and offered prayer there. Abu Ja’far was carried by one of Imam ar-Redha’s servants to circumambulate the Kaaba. When he (with the servant) reached the Rock of Abraham, he sat there and remained for some time. Muwaffaq, the servant, asked him to get up so they could leave, but he refused and was very sad and depressed. Muwaffaq went to Imam ar-Redha (a.s) and told him about the state of his son. Imam ar-Redha (a.s) came and asked him to get up. He responded to his father with sighs and tears saying, ‘How can I get up O father, while you have bid farewell to the House in such a way as if you shall never come back to it…?’

A wave of pain occupied Imam ar-Redha (a.s). He begged his son to come with him and the son responded to his father.”

This event shows the intelligence of Imam al-Jawad (a.s) because he understood from the farewell of his father to the Sacred House that it was his last farewell. He saw the fear and grief in his father’s expressions that

made him perceive it was the end of his father’s life. Indeed it was so, because Imam ar-Redha (a.s), after his travel to Khurasan, did not come back to the sacred lands (Mecca and Medina). He was martyred at the hands of al-Ma’moon, the Abbasid caliph, with poison.

2. Once, al-Ma’moon with his official procession passed by some children playing in a street in Baghdad, amongst whom was Imam al-Jawad (a.s). When the children saw the procession of al-Ma’moon, they ran away except Imam al-Jawad (a.s) who remained standing in his place. Al-Ma’moon, who did not know this child, became astonished and asked him, “Why did you not run away with those children?”

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) answered with a wonderful reason that affected al-Ma’moon. He said, “O Ameerul Mo’mineen,the street is not so narrow that I should clear it for you and neither have I any guilt that I should fear you. I trust that you do not harm a guiltless one.”

Al-Ma’moon was astounded and asked the child about his lineage, to which Imam al-Jawad (a.s) responded accordingly. Al-Ma'moon prayed to Allah to have mercy on Imam al-Jawad’s father.We shall discuss this point later on.

3. One of the signs of his incredible intelligence is that when he was in his early childhood, scholars and jurisprudents asked him thirty thousand questions and he answered them all. There is no way to justify this phenomenon except to say that Allah the Almighty has endowed the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) with great powers of knowledge that He has endowed to no one except His Arch-prophets.

IMAM AR-REDHA PRAISES IMAM AL-JAWAD

Imam ar-Redha (a.s) always praised Imam al-Jawad (a.s) and pointed out his virtues and talents. Once, al-Fadhl bin Sahl sent to Muhammad bin Abu Abbad, the clerk of Imam ar-Redha (a.s), asking him about the kind of relation of Imam ar-Redha (a.s) with his son Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s), and the clerk replied, “Ar-Redha does not mention (his son) Muhammad except by his surname. He often says: Abu Ja’far (Muhammad al-Jawad) wrote to me, or I wrote to Abu Ja’far…and even though he is yet a child in Medina, the letters that come to his father are so eloquent and fluent.”

Narrators have narrated of the extent that Imam ar-Redha (a.s) would glorify his son Muhammad al-Jawad. They said that once Abbad bin Isma’eel and ibn Asbaat were with Imam ar-Redha (a.s) in Minawhen Abu Ja’far was brought to his father ar-Redha (a.s). They asked him, “Is this the blessed newborn?”

Imam ar-Redha (a.s) became delighted and said, “Yes, this is the newborn that no one in Islam has been born more blessed than him.”

There are many other narrations related from Imam ar-Redha (a.s) showing that he often praised Imam al-Jawad (a.s) and pointed out his great talents and virtues.

GLORIFICATION

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) was surrounded, since his early days, with a halo of glorification and exaltation by the religious people who believed that he was

one of the Prophet’s successors, the love of whom Allah had imposed on all Muslims.

Historians mention that Ali bin Ja’far, the great jurisprudent and the brother of Imam Musa bin Ja’far (al-Kadhim) (a.s) and one of the famous personalities of the AlawidFamily at that time, was one of those who sanctified Imam al-Jawad (a.s) and acknowledged his virtue and imamate.

Muhammad bin al-Hasan bin Imara said, “Once, I was with Ali bin Ja’far in Medina, where I stayed with him for two years to write down what he had heard from his brother (Imam Musa al-Kadhim), when one day Abu Ja’far Muhammad bin Ali (al-Jawad) (a.s) came into the mosque of the messenger of Allah (a.s). Ali bin Ja’far suddenly jumped without shoes or garment and kissed his hand and glorified him. Imam al-Jawad (a.s) looked at him and said, ‘O uncle, sit down please! May Allah have mercy on you.’

Ali bin Ja’far bowed respectfully and said, ‘O my master, how can I sit while you are standing?’

Imam al-Jawad (a.s) went away and then Ali bin Ja’far returned to his companions. They began scolding him for glorifying Imam al-Jawad (a.s) who was very young yet. They said to him, ‘You are the uncle of his father, so why did you act in that way with him?’

He answered them with the answer of one who believed in his Lord and religion and who recognized the actual position of the imamate. He said to them, ‘Keep silent! It is Allah Who has not qualified this beard (he caught his beard with his hand) for the imamate and has qualified this young man and placed him in that position according to His will. We seek the protection of Allah from what you say. I am just a slave to him (to Imam al-Jawad).’”

Ali bin Ja’far proved that the imamate did not submit to the wish of man or his will but was instead in the hand of Allah, Who chose for it whom He willed from amongst His people, regardless of whether the imam was young or old.

IMPRESSIONS OF HIS PERSONALITY

The talents of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) occupied the passions of scholars, and they therefore recorded their admirations and glorifications of him in their books. Here is some of what they have said about him:

1. ATH-THAHABI

Ath-Thahabi has said, “Muhammad (al-Jawad) was surnamed al-Jawad (the generous), al-Qani’ (the satisfied) and al-Murtadha (been satisfied with) and he was one of the chiefs of the Prophet’s family…he was described as being generous; therefore, he was surnamed al-Jawad….”

2. IBN TAYMIYA

He has said, “Muhammad bin Ali al-Jawad was one of the notables of the Hashemites. He was famous of his generosity, and, therefore, he was called al-Jawad.”

3. AS-SAFADI

As-Safadi has said, “Muhammad (al-Jawad) was surnamed al-Jawad, al-Qani’ and al-Murtadha. He was one of the chiefs of the Prophet’s

family…he was described as being generous; therefore, he was surnamed al-Jawad….”

4. IBN AL-JAWZI

As-Sibt bin al-Jawzi has said, “Muhammad al-Jawad followed the footsteps of his father in knowledge, piety and generosity.”

5. MAHMOOD BIN WUHAYB

Sheikh Mahmood bin Wuhayb has said, “Muhammad al-Jawad inherited the knowledge and virtue of his father, and he was the loftiest amongst his brothers in position and perfection.”

6. AZ-ZARKALI

Khayruddeen az-Zarkali has said, “Muhammad bin ar-Redha bin Musa al-Kadhim, at-Talibi, al-Hashimi, al-Qurashi, Abu Ja’far, surnamed al-Jawad, the ninth of the twelve imams of the Shia, was exalted like his ancestors, intelligent, eloquent, quick-witted….’

7. KAMALUDDEN

Sheikh Kamaluddeen Muhammad bin Talha has said, ‘As for the virtues of Abu Ja’far al-Jawad, they did not last long for the Divine Fate had determined that he would stay in this world for a little while and leave for his Lord soon; so his stay was brief and his days were short.’

8. ALI BIN EESA AL-ARBALI

He has said, ‘Al-Jawad was in all cases generous (jawad)…he exceeded all people in the purity of his lineage and birth and sat on the top of glory. No one had ever approached his rank or his glory. He was exalted in position. His high position was above stars and his rank was above all ranks. When a delegation saw a fire, they said: it must be his fire.No fire was predominant over his fire. Exalted was he towards highness. Glory and honor felt proud of him. Mastership found its meaning in him. He was far from every vice and close to every virtue. Nobilities diffused from his sides and glory dripped from him. News of generosity were narrated about him, his progeny and his fathers. Blessed is he who strives to be loyal to him, and woe unto him who tries to be his opponent. When the loots of glory and loftiness are divided, the purest of them will be his, and when the backs of honor are mounted, the highest of them will be his. He matches the rain in generosity and the lion in courage and zeal and defeats conducts with his good conduct.’