Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

The Fifth Imam

He is Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (the splitter open of knowledge), son of Ali (a.s.) and his mother was Fatima daughter of Imam Hasan (a.s.). He was born on a Monday the 3rd of the month of Safar (it is also said to be on the 1st of Rajab) of the year 57 A.H. (16th December 676 C.E.). He is the first of the Alids who is of Alid parents. He died of poison on a Monday the 7th of the month of Dhul-.ijja in the year 114 A.H. (28th January 733 C.E.) at the age of 57 years. His funeral was conducted by his son Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s.) and he was buried in the cemetery of Baqi in Medina.

He was extremely virtuous, noble, and religious. He had abundant knowledge, great clemency, and beautiful character, and he was worshipful, humble, generous, and tolerant. Once a Christian said to him: ‘uou are a cow (baqar).’ He said: ‘Rather I am baqir. The Christian said: ‘uou are the son of a scullery maid.’ Imam Baqir said: ‘That was her profession.’ The Christian said: ‘uou are the son of a licentious black negro woman!’

He said: ‘If you have spoken the truth then may Allah forgive her, and if you have lied then may Allah forgive you.’ At this, the Christian accepted Islam.256 He was a sea of knowledge and would answer any question posed to him without hesitation. Ibn AU" al-Makk: said: ‘I have never seen anyone else before whom the scholars are so humbled more than before Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.). I saw al-.akam ibn Utayba, despite his greatness in the eyes of the people, before him like a child before his teacher.’257 Muhammad ibn Muslim said: ‘Whenever anything troubled my heart I would ask Abu Jafar (Muhammad al-Baqir) until I asked him about thirty thousand traditions.’258

He was constantly remembering Allah. His son Imam Sadiq said: ‘My father remembered Allah much. I would walk with him and he would remember Allah, eat with him and he would remember Allah, and even when he spoke to the people it would not distract him from remembrance of Allah.’259 He was much disposed to night prayer and worship and wept profusely.

Hadith from Imam Baqir (A)

‘The practice of Islam is founded on five matters: upholding of the daily prayers, purification of the wealth (giving the Khums and Zakah), performing the Hajj pilgrimage, Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, and allegiance to the authority (walayah) of the us the Ahl-ul-Bayt. Exceptions are given in four of them but none is given for the walayah. He who does not possess sufficient wealth, does not give Khums/Zakah. He who does not possess sufficient wealth, is not obliged to go to Hajj. He who is ill can perform the daily prayers in sitting mode, and does not fast during the month of Ramadan. However the walayah is obliged upon him regardless of his health and wealth.’

‘Three are amongst the noble values of this world and the hereafter: To forgive he who transgresses against you, To bond ties with he who severs ties with you, To forbear he who insults you.’ ‘The most regretting individual on the Day of Judgement is he who preaches to others to do good but does not practices it himself.’

‘He who says the truth, his acts would be purified, and he whose intention is good, his sustenance will be increased, and he who is kind to his family his lifespan would increase.’ ‘He who teaches guidance, will have a reward similar to the rewards of all of those who act upon it without reducing anything from their reward. He who teaches misguidance, will have a punishment similar to the punishments of all of those who act upon it without reducing anything from their punishment.’

What others have said about Imam Muhammad al-Baqir

Ibn Umar said indicating Imam Baqir (a.s.): ‘They, the people of the house, are endowed with [Allah given] understanding.’260 Whenever Jabir al-Juifi wanted to narrate traditions from the Imam he would say: ‘The trustee of trustees and the heir to the knowledge of the prophets, Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn, narrated to me . .’261 Ibn Abi al-.adid said: ‘Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn was the chief of the jurists of the .ijaz and it was from him and his son Jafar that the people learned jurisprudence.’262

The Sixth Imam

He is Jafar al-Sadiq (The Truthful), the son of Muhammad al- Baqir (a.s.). His mother was Fatima whose agnomen was ‘umm farwa’. He was born in Medina on Monday the 17th of the month of Rabi I in the year 83 A.H. (20th April 702 C.E.) - the date of the Prophet’s (S) birthday. He died of poisoning on the 25th of the month of Shawwal in the year 148 A.H. (14th December 765 C.E.) at the age of 65 years. His son Musa al-Kadim (a.s.) conducted his funeral and he was buried in the cemetery of Baqi in the city of Medina.

His knowledge and virtue, wisdom and understanding, abstinence and piety, truth and justice, nobility, generosity and bravery and all his other virtues are more than can be enumerated. Shaykh al-Mufid said: ‘The learned scholars have transmitted on the authority of no other member of the House (ahl al-bayt) as much as they have transmitted on his authority. None of them met as many of the reporters of traditions as he did, nor did the latter transmit on their authority to the same extent as they transmitted on the authority of Abu Abdullah (Jafar ibn Muhammad), peace be on him. The specialists in traditions have gathered together the names of those who narrated on his authority, who were reliable - despite differences in views and doctrines - and they were four thousand men . .’263

Both Abu .anifa the Imam of the .anafite school and Malik the Imam of the Malikite school were students of his. His abstinence was such that he used to eat [only bread with] oil and vinegar and would wear a very rough and thick shirt and would often wear patched clothes. He used to work by himself in his orchard. As for his worship of Allah, he used to pray a great deal and often fainted during prayer. One night he was summoned by the Abbasid ruler Harun al-Rashid whose servant, when he went to his door, found him in solitude with his face and hands in the dust and the dust had left marks on his face and cheeks. He was very giving, of beautiful character, softly spoken, good company and a delight to be with.

Hadith from Imam Sadiq (A)

‘Nothing other than three matters continue to bring an individual rewards after death. A charity that Allah helped him establish during his life and this (charity) continues after his death, a good practice acted upon (by others), and an offspring who prays for him.’ ‘The right of a Muslim upon another is that he is not full when his brother goes hungry, and he does not quench his thirst when his brother is thirsty, and he is not clothed when his brother is naked; it is most great the right of a Muslim upon his brother.’ ‘Love for your Muslim brother what you love for yourself.’ ‘Amongst the manners of the ignorant is to answer before he hears (the argument), to oppose before he understands, and to give a judgement upon what he does not know.’ ‘He who acts not in accordance with a vision, is like he who is going down the wrong way, and then speeding does not give him anything other than distancing him further from the truth.’ ‘The most beloved of my brothers to me is he who presents me my mistakes.’

‘Seventy sins of the ignorant are forgiven before one is forgiven for the scholar.’ ‘Make bonds with he who sever ties with you, give to he who denies you, be kind to he who was bad to you, salute he who swore at you, be fair and just to he who fought you, forgive he who oppressed you just as you would like to be forgiven, learn from Allah when He forgives you; do you not see the sun shines upon the believers and the non-believers, and the rain comes down upon the good and the bad?’

What others have said about Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq

Fuvad Saman said: ‘Imam Jafar al-Sadiq was a teacher for the other leaders of the islamic juridical schools such as Malik ibn Anas, Ahmad ibn .anbal, Abu .anifa, and al-Shafi and other leaders of sects.’ Abu .anifa said: ‘I have never seen anyone more knowledgeable than Jafar ibn Muhammad.’264 Muhammad Abu Zuhra said: ‘The Imams of the Sunnites who were his contemporaries received and took knowledge from him.’265 Ibn .ajar said: ‘The people transmitted knowledge from him far and wide and his fame spread to all lands.’266 Dr. Ahmad Amin said: ‘Imam Jafar was one of the greatest personalities to have influenced his own time and afterwards.’267

The Seventh Imam

He is Imam Musa al-Kadim, the son of Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s.). His mother was .amida al-MuNaffah. He was born at al-Abwav which is a waystation between Mecca and Medina on Sunday the 7th of the month of Safar in the year 128 A.H. (8th November 745 C.E.), and died of poison in the prison of the Abbasid ruler Harun al- Rashid after an unjust imprisonment of 14 years, on the 25th of the month of Rajab in the year 183 A.H. (1st September 799 C.E.). His funeral was conducted by his son Ali al-Riza (a.s.) and he was buried at Kadimiyya, Iraq where his shrine remains to this day. He was the most knowledgeable of his peers and the most virtuous, generous and valiant. He had a beautiful character and fine qualities and was of obvious knowledge and virtue. He was high minded and was disposed to much worship of Allah and long prostrations to Allah. He was named ‘al-Kadim’ due to his containment of his anger, and because of his righteousness he was called ‘the righteous servant of Allah.’

The evidence of his knowledge in different fields is astonishing. An example of this is the tradition narrated by Burayha the prominent Christian who was defeated intellectually by the Imam and accepted Islam and became a good Muslim.268 Once a poor person asked him for one hundred silver coins. The Imam asked him a question to test his knowledge and when he answered correctly he gave him two thousand silver coins. He was the most beautiful of reciters of the Quran and worshipped Allah and recited the Quran more than anyone else and prostrated longer than anyone and wept for the sake of Allah more than anyone. He died in a state of prostration to Allah.

Hadith from Imam Kadim (A)

‘Allah has given the people two proofs, an apparent one and a hidden one. The apparent one is His messengers, prophets and Imams, and the hidden one is the intellect.’

‘Learn thoroughly the teachings of Islam for this learning is the key to the (correct) vision, perfect worship, the means to elevated stations, and honourable ranks in this world and the hereafter. For the merit of the learned scholar (Faqeeh) over the lifelong worshiper (Abid) is that of the sun over the planets. And he who does not seek knowledge about his religion, none of his achievements would be accepted by Allah.’ ‘Endeavour to divide your time into four categories: one for the supplication with Allah, another to make a living, the third for socialising with the brethrens and those trustworthy individuals who are honest to you and point out to you your mistakes in confidence, and the fourth to seek in seclusion non-forbidden pleasures, and with this you gain strength and vigour for the other three.’ 83 ‘. . and the believer is the brother of the believer even if not born by the same parents. Cursed is he who accuses his brother, cursed is he who cheats his brother, cursed is he who does not admonish and advise his brother, cursed is he who backbites his brother.’ ‘He whose two days are equal is a looser, and he whose second day is worse than his first is cursed. He who does not observe progress in himself is in retreat and he who is in retreat, death is better for him than life.’ Addressing one of his disciples:

‘O Hisham! If you had a nut in your hand and the people said you have a pearl, it would be of no benefit to you and you know it is a nut. And if you had a pearl in your hand and the people said you have a nut in your hand, it would be of no detriment to you and you know that it is a pearl.’ ‘Any word of wisdom is sought after by the faithful Muslim, so always seek knowledge...’

What others have said about Imam Musa al-Kadim

The Abbasid ruler Harun said to his son [referring to the Imam]: ‘He is the leader (imam) of the people and Allah’s proof (hujja) over his creation and His vicegerent (khalifa) for His servants.’269 Ibn Khallal the scholar of the Hanbalites said: ‘Whenever a matter concerned me and I sought out the grave of Musa ibn Jafar and asked Allah for a way (wasila) through him, Allah always made what I wanted easy for me.’270 Al-Shafi said: ‘The grave of Musa al-Kadim is a tried and tested panacea.’271

The Eighth Imam

He is Ali al-Riza (a.s.) son of Musa al-Kadim (a.s.). his mother was Lady Najma. He was born on Friday the 11th of the month of Dhul-Qada in the year 148 A.H. (2hth December 765 C.E.) in the enlightened city of Medina, Arabia and died of poisoning on the last day of the month of Safar of the year 203 A.H. (6th September 818 C.E.). His funeral was undertaken by his son Muhammad al- Jawad (a.s.) and he was buried in Mashhad (Meshed) in Khorasan, Iran where his shrine stands today.

His knowledge, virtue, nobility, generosity, good character, humility, and worship of Allah is very well known. The Abbasid ruler al-Mavmun requested of him that he assume the role of the Islamic Caliph in his place but he preferred to abstain from the things of this world and did not accept, understanding that it was not a sincere offer. Similarly, his grandfather before him, Amir al-Mo’mineen Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) had refused the Caliphate from the Council when it was offered to him because it meant he would have to lie and say: ‘I accept your allegiance on condition that I act upon the book of Allah (the Quran), the way of the Messenger of Allah (S), and the way of the shaykhayn [i.e. the two sheikhs; Abu Bakr and Umar].’ Whereas the Imam would have acted according to his own judgement after the Quran and the Prophetic way.

When Imam Riza (a.s.) refused the caliphate, al-Mavmun coerced him into accepting the regency, so he accepted on condition that he would not interfere in any of the affairs of state.272 His great knowledge of religions and schools of thought and philosophies was made evident in the great debates that al- Mavmun and others hosted.

He used to keep vigil most nights and complete a recitation of the entire Quran every three days. He would often pray one thousand units of prayer per day and prostrate to Allah for long hours. He also fasted often. He was very kind and giving and gave charity in secret especially in the dark of the night. He never spoke harsh words to anyone or insulted anyone, nor did he ever recline in front of anyone he sat with. He was not given to raucous laughter and never spat in front of anyone. When he sat at table he would invite all his family and servants and he would eat with them.

Hadith from Imam Rida(A)

‘Socialise with one another, so that you get friendlier.’ ‘He who repents is as he who has no sin.’ ‘Cleanliness and hygiene is one of the traits and manners of the prophets.’

‘The most superior knowledge is the knowledge of the self.’ ‘(In the Qur’an) Allah has commanded (us to do) three things which are linked to another three. He ordered (us to perform) the daily prayers and Zakah, and he who performs the prayers but not the Zakah, his prayers would not be accepted. He ordered (us) to be thankful to Him and to the parents, and he who is not thankful to his parents is not thankful to Allah. He ordered (us) to be pious and have fear of him, and keep close ties with the relatives, and he who does not keep close ties with his relatives is not pious.’

‘He who likens Allah to His creations is a Mushrik (polytheist), and he who attributes to Him something which He has forbidden is a Kafir (infidel).’ ‘The merit of Eman (faith) is a grade higher than that of Islam (Submission to Allah’s will), and the merit of Taqwa (Fear-of- Allah) is a grade higher than that of Eman, and the merit of uaqeen (conviction) is a grade higher than that of Taqwa, and the sons of Adam (or human beings) are not given anything better than uaqeen.’

‘Eman has four pillars: Trusting and relying on Allah, Contentment and pleasure with the will of Allah, Submittance to the ordinance of Allah, and Delegation and turning over (the affairs) to Allah.’ ‘Eman is to discharge the obligatory duties and to refrain from committing forbidden acts. Eman is recognition by heart, admission by tongue, and practicing, by all limbs, everything that has been ordered.’

‘The Qur’an is the sturdy rope of Allah and His firm grip, and His perfect road that leads to paradise, and delivers from the fire. It does not pall despite the passing of aeons, and does not dissipate despite being oft repeated, because it was not created for one time rather than another but it is the argument and proof for all humanity. Falsehood does not approach it from before or from behind, a revelation from The All Wise, The All Praised.’

A narrator reports, I asked Imam al-Rida(A) ‘What do you say about the Qur’an?’ Imam Rida(A) replied:

‘It is the word of Allah, and so do not surpass it, and do not seek guidance in anything else, for you will be deviated and go astray.’

What others have said about Imam Ali al-Rida

Abu al-Salt said: ‘I have never seen anyone more knowledgeable than Ali ibn Musa al-Riza nor has any other scholar seen him without testifying the same about him.’273 The Abbasid ruler al-Mavmun said: ‘He is the most knowledgeable of the Hashimites.’274

Raja ibn zahhak said: ‘I swear by Allah that I have never seen a man who was more mindful of Allah, nor remembered Allah more at all times, nor was more in awe of Almighty Allah than him.’275

Al-Suli said: ‘I have never seen or heard of anyone better than Abu al-Hasan al-Riza and I have witnessed from him what I have not witnessed from any other . whoever claims to have seen the equal of him do not believe him!’276

The Ninth Imam

He is Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s.) son of Ali al-Rida (a.s.). His mother was Lady Sabikah. He was born on the tenth day of the month of Rajab of the year 195 A.H. (8th April 811 C.E.) in the enlightened city of Medina, and died of poisoning in Baghdad on the 30th of the month of Dhul-Qada of the year 220 A.H. (25th November 835 C.E.) at the age of 25 years. His son Ali al-Had: (a.s.) conducted his funeral and he was buried by his grandfather Musa ibn Jafar al-Kadim (a.s.) at al-Kadimiyya, Iraq where his grave remains to this day.

He was the most knowledgeable of his peers and the most virtuous and magnanimous of them and the best company and the finest character. Whenever he rode he would carry gold and silver with him and whenever anyone asked him he would give to them. If any one of his uncles asked him he would never give him less than 50 gold coins, and if any one of his aunts asked him he would never give her less than 25 gold coins. An example of his knowledge which was made manifest to the people is when eighty scholars from all over the land gathered with him after the hajj pilgrimage one year and asked him various questions all of which he answered.

It is also related that a great many scholars and notables gathered with him and, over a number of days, asked him thirty thousand questions all of which he answered without failing or erring. It is related that his age at that time was nine years. This, however, is not strange for the household of the Prophet of revelation (S). The Abbasid ruler al-Mavmun married him to his daughter after having examined him with important questions all of which he answered as is related in a well known tradition.

Hadith from Imam Jawad (A)

‘He who trusts upon Allah, He guides him to felicity and happiness. He who depends upon Allah, He suffices him the matters of his life. The trust in Allah is a fortress where no one other than the trustworthy believer is housed. Reliance on Allah is salvation from all evil and protection from all enemies. Islam is a source of honour. Knowledge is treasure.

Silence is light. The utmost degree of Zuhd (abstinence) is avoiding sin. There is no destruction for Islam like innovations (heresy). Nothing is more decadent for man then greed. Through (the pious) ruler the people are guided. Through supplication calamities are repelled. . .’ ‘If the ignorant keeps silent, people would not differ.’ ‘As the beneficences of Allah upon a person increase, the needs of the people towards him enhance. Thus he who does not meet those needs, exposes those beneficences to annihilation.’

‘uou should know that you never go out of sight of Allah, so watch in what state you are.’ ‘The one who commits aggression and tyranny, and the one who helps him to it, and the one who condones it, they are all partners in crime.’ ‘Forbearance is the garment of the scholar, make sure you clothe yourself with it.’ ‘The believer needs three qualities; facility from Allah, selfadmonishing, and acceptance of constructive criticism.’ ‘Three practices enable an individual to reach the pleasure and approval of Almighty Allah: frequent repentance, leniency, and giving to charity regularly.

And (there are) three qualities which if one possesses, he would never regret: avoiding hastiness, consulting (with others), and to rely on Allah once a decision is made.’

What others have said about Imam Muhammad al-Jawad The Abbasid ruler al-Mavmun said of him: ‘I have chosen him due to his prominence over all other virtuous and scholarly people despite his young age. He is a prodigy. I would like him to display to the public what I have witnessed from him.’277 An Archbishop said: ‘This man is probably either a prophet or descended from a prophet.’278 Ibn al-Jawz: said: ‘He followed the path of his father in terms of knowledge, piety, self-restraint and generosity.’279 Al-£ifd: said: ‘He had a magnanimous nature and for this reason he was given the name al-Jawad (the generous). He is one of the twelve Imams.’280

The Tenth Imam

He is Imam Ali al-Had: (a.s.) son of Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s.). His mother was Lady Samana. He was born in the enlightened city of Medina on the 15th of the month of Dhul-.ijja, or, according to another narration, the 2nd of the month of Rajab in the year 212 A.H. (27th September 827/6th March 828 C.E.). He died of poisoning at Samarav, Iraq on a Monday the 3rd of the month of Rajab of the year 254 A.H. (18th July 868 C.E.) at the age of 42 years. His funeral was conducted by his son Imam Hasan al- Askar: (a.s.) and he was buried at Samarav, Iraq where his shrine is to this day. He was the best of his peers and the most knowledgeable and virtuous and generous and most kindly spoken of them and the most devoted to Allah, the most pure hearted and the finest of character.

Al-Arbali relates that the Caliph once sent to Imam al-Had: (a.s.) 30,000 silver coins. He gifted them to a Bedouin Arab from Kufa saying: ‘Pay off your debts with this and spend the rest on your family and dependents and excuse me [for not giving you more].’ The man said: ‘O son of the Messenger of Allah, I didn’t ever hope for even a third of this amount but Allah knows well where he places his mission.’ Then he took the money and left.281

Hadith from Imam Had i (A)

‘Better than the good-deed is he who performs it. More striking than the beautiful words is he who says them. More worthy than knowledge is he who conveys it. More evil than evil is he who causes it. More frightening than fear is he who brings it.’ ‘Allah cannot be defined except with what he has defined himself. How can He be defined when wits are unable to perceive Him, imaginations fail to reach Him, minds cannot explain Him, and the visions cannot encompass Him?’ ‘When justice is dominant, one may not suspect another unless he is sure of his suspicion about him, and when injustice is dominant, one should not assume good thing about another unless he is sure of it.’

‘Jealousy erodes the good deeds and brings about the bad fortunes.’ ‘Beware of jealousy for it will work against you and will have no effect on your foe.’ ‘Indeed, both the scholar and the student share in prosperity.’ ‘Allah has made the world a place of calamity and the hereafter a place of outcome. He has set the calamities of the world to be the cause of the reward of the hereafter, and has made the reward of the hereafter a substitute for the calamities of the world.’ ‘Self-conceit restrains (one) from seeking knowledge and brings about scorn and ignorance.’ What others have said about Imam Ali al-Hadi Al-Junayd: said: ‘I swear by Almighty Allah that he is the best of the people of the earth and the most virtuous of Allah’s creation.’ The physician uazdad said: ‘If any created being knows the unseen then he does.’282

Al-uafi said: ‘He was a devoted worshipper of Allah, a learned jurist and an Imam.’

Ibn Hajar al-Haytham: said: ‘He was heir to his father’s knowledge and magnanimity.’283

Ibn al-Imad al-Hanbali said: ‘He was a learned jurist, an Imam, and a devoted worshipper.’284

Al-Shibrawi al-Shafi said: ‘He had many charisms (karamat).’285

The Eleventh Imam

He is Imam Hasan al-Askar: (a.s.) son of Imam Muhammad al- Had: (a.s.). His mother was Lady Jadda. He was born on Monday the 10th Rabi II in the year 232 A.H. (4th December 846 C.E.), and died of poisoning on Friday the 8th Rabi I in the year 260 A.H. (1st January 874 C.E.) at the age of 28 years. His burial was undertaken by his son Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (a.s.) and he was buried beside his father at Samarav, Iraq where his shrine remains today.

His virtues and knowledge and nobility and his worship of Allah and his humility and all his other noble traits are well known. He was of good stature, handsome and well proportioned and was very venerable despite his young age. He was like the Prophet (S) in his character.

An example of his generosity is related by Ismail who said: ‘I waited for Aby Muhammad (hasan al-Askari) (a.s.) by the side of the road. When he passed by I complained to him that I was in need and swore that I had not a silver coin to my name let alone more than that nor lunch nor dinner.’ He said: ‘Do you swear by Allah falsely when you have already saved up 200 gold coins?! And I do not say this to get out of giving to you. [Then he indicated to his squire] Give him what you have.’ Then his squire gave me 100 gold coins.’286 Once a man went to him after he had heard about his generosity and magnanimity and he needed 500 gold coins. So the Imam gave him 500 gold coins and an extra 300 gold coins. The Christians testified that he was like the Messiah, Jesus, in his virtue and knowledge and miracles.287 He was very devoted to Allah, kept constant night vigils, was righteous and very venerable.

Hadith from Imam Askari (A)

‘No respectful individual abandons the truth unless he becomes debased, and no abject individual pursues the truth unless he becomes honourable.’ ‘He who advices and criticises his brother covertly, has decorated him. He who does so in public has rebuked him.’ ‘The best of your brothers is the one who forgets your sins and remembers your favour to him.’ ‘The heart of the fool is in his mouth, and the mouth of the wise is in his heart.’ ‘He who uses false means to achieve his ends would regret his policy.’ ‘Rage is the key to every evil.’ ‘It is sufficient politeness and courtesy for you to refrain from what you dislike to see from others.’ ‘Be cautious about seeking fame and power for they lead to annihilation.’

What others have said about Imam Hasan al-Askari

The vizier Ibn Khaqan said to his son: ‘O my son, were the leadership of the Islamic nation (imamate) to be taken away from the Abbasid Caliphs no-one from the Hashimites would deserve it except him [Hasan al-Askar:] because of his virtue, his piety, his self-restraint, his being guided, his worship of Allah, his beautiful character and his righteousness.’288 The physician BakhtishY! said: ‘He is the most knowledgeable in our day than everyone on earth.’289 Anush the Caliph’s scribe said addressing the Imam: ‘We have found reference to you [people of the Prophet’s house] in this Gospel and you are like the Messiah Jesus son of Mary in the sight of Allah.’ A monk of the monastery of Aqul said to him: ‘uou are the equal of the Messiah in his signs and proofs.’

The Twelfth Imam

He is ‘Allah’s proof’ (hujja) and the rightly guided Imam and the Mahdi (Mahdi) Muhammad son of Hasan al-Askar: (a.s.). His mother was Lady Narjes. He was born at Samarav on the eve of the 15th of the month of Shaban in the year 255 A.H. (2hth July 869 C.E.). This Imam is the last of the proofs of Allah on earth and the ‘seal’ of Messenger of Allah’s (S) successors and the last of the twelve leaders of the Muslims. He remains alive and on earth since, by Allah’s will, his life has been prolonged and he is hidden from view. He will appear at the end of days after the world has been filled with oppression and injustice to fill it with justice and equity. He will take charge of the entire world and propagate justice and dispose of the tyrants. As Almighty Allah has said: “It is He [Allah] who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the true religion to make it prevail over all religion even though the Polytheists may detest it”290 There are many widely known traditions in this regard related from the Prophet (S) and the Imams (a.s.) which have been narrated by Shia and Sunni scholars alike.291 As for his longevity, this is not strange since the power of Allah is all encompassing: “And He has power over all things”292 The prophet Noah (a.s.) also lived for a long time according to the Holy Quran which says: “And he [Noah] remained amongst them for a thousand years save fifty years”293 Modern science also confirms the fact that it is possible to live for thousands of years.

This great Imam became concealed from sight by the order of Almighty Allah while he was in his house, and since then, Muslims have taken the place associated with him in Samarav, Iraq - known as sirdab al-ghaybah - as a place of pilgrimage and worship.

O Allah! Hasten his victory, ease his reappearance, and make us amongst his helpers and supporters.

Hadith from Imam Mahdi (A):

‘Almighty Allah sent Muhammad peace be upon him as a Mercy to the worlds, and with him He perfected His beneficence, and sealed His prophets, and He sent him (with His message) to all people (to come).’ ‘And as for the reason of the occultation, Almighty Allah says, .O ye who believe! ask not questions about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble.1 ‘My benefit (to the people) during my occultation is similar to that of the sun when it disappears from sight behind the clouds.’

‘I am the Mahdi, and I am the leader of the time, I am the one who would fill it (the earth) with justice after it has been overcome with injustice and aggression. Indeed the earth never remains without a Proof and Authority (of Allah).’ ‘I am the seal of the awsiya (successors) and through me Allah would remove the hardship from my people and my followers (Shi’a).’

‘We have not ignored your consideration, and have not forgotten your mention; otherwise hardship would have descended upon you and your enemies would have exterminated you.’ 1 The holy Qur’an: The Table Spread (5): 101.

‘. . and if Allah give us the permission of speech, then truth will manifest and falsehood would disappear.’ ‘As for the ongoing events, refer to the narrators of our hadith (i.e. the Fuqaha), for they are my claim and proof upon you and I am the claim and proof of Allah upon them.’ ‘Let every one of you do what brings closer to our love, and abstain from what brings about our displeasure and anger.’ ‘Increase and maintain the Du’a for the Faraj (the reappearance of the Imam) for that is the relief for you too.’ ‘Allah insists that eventually Truth must hold and Falsehood must decline.’ ‘Nothing like the daily prayers forces the nose of the Satan to the ground, so perform the daily prayers and force his nose to the ground.’

‘If our Shi’a (followers), may Allah help and succeed them to His obedience, were united in wholeheartedly honouring the promise and obligation that is upon them, there would have been no delay in meeting us (i.e. in our reappearance), and bliss and felicity for them would have hastened by seeing us with full knowledge and certainty of testifying to our (leadership)’ ‘As for the Dawn of the Relief (i.e. the reappearance of the Imam), this is for Allah to say, and those foretellers (about the time of the dawn) say lies.’

‘None of my fathers, peace be upon them, but each of them had (enforced) upon him an allegiance to the tyrant of his time. However when I arise there will be no allegiance upon me for any of the tyrants.’

‘O My Master! uou are the One who bestowed upon me this position and station, and with it favoured me over many of uour creatures. I ask uou to send your mercy and bliss upon Muhammad and his household, and to fulfil what uou promised, for uou are truthful and uou do not break uour promise, and uou are able upon everything.’ What others have said about Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi Al-Rifa: said: ‘Hasan al-Askar: had a child who has the sirdab (vault) in Samara. He is the awaited one, the proof and friend of Allah Muhammad the Mahdi.’

Al-Jam: said: ‘The Mahdi is a leader of the world.’294 Ibn .ajar said: ‘Abu al-Qasim Muhammad is the hujja or proof of Allah and he was five years old at the death of his father. Allah gave him wisdom at that age and he is named athe Awaited One, who will rise”.’295 Ibn Kothayr said in a tradition he narrates: ‘Jesus will pray behind the Mahdi.’296 Ibn Kothayr also said: ‘[With] black banners will come the companions of the Mahdi.’297 The role of the Imams and their followers (Shia) The Imams of the house of Muhammad (Ahl al-Bayt) gave the greatest of services to Islam and the Islamic nation, and, were it not for this, Islam would have been subject to the same storms which rocked previous religions and diverted them from their true paths.

The Shia themselves have strived in the path of Allah throughout history and helped to bring many people to the true religion of Allah. They stood in the path of various adverse (ideological) trends and currents and, were it not for the Shia, Islam and the Muslims may well have been swept away. All of this is detailed in the history books - a glance at the books ayan al-shi" of al- wmul:, and al-dhariA of al-Tehran: is sufficient to prove this fact.

Human civilisation is, in many respects, indebted to the services of Shiites and this has been recognised by secular and religious scholars alike and the Shia have finally gained the recognition they deserve.

Evidence for the Shiite Point of View

The Shia have a great deal of evidence to support their point of view, so much so that the great scholar al-.ill: composed a book named al-alfayn ‘the two thousand’ in which he mentioned two thousand proofs for the Shiite point of view many of which are sourced from Sunnite books and collections of traditions. In what follows, a few of these evidences will be mentioned:298

The Evidence for the Successorship of Ali

The Messenger of Allah Muhammad ibn Abdullah (S) alluded to and indicated, stated and reiterated time and again about the successorship of Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.). For example:

1. The Warning of his close family

This occasion known as the day of warning (yawm al-indhar) has been documented by many top Sunnite scholars such as Ibn Ishaq, Ibn Jarir, Ibn Abi .atim, al-Tabari and others.299 This happened at the beginning of the Prophet’s mission, before Islam appeared openly in Mecca after Allah had revealed to the Prophet (S) the words: “And warn thy close family”300 The Messenger of Allah (S) invited his relatives to the house of his uncle Abi Talib (a.s.) and there were forty men there more or less, including his uncles Abi Talib, Hamza, al-Abbas, and Abu Lahab. At the end of the discussions the Prophet said to them: ‘O sons of Abd al-Muttalib, I swear by Allah that I do not know of a young man of the Arabs who has brought his people something better than that which I bring you - I bring you the best of this world and the next. Allah has ordered me to invite you to this [Islam], so which of you will aid me in this affair of mine so that he will be my brother and my trustee and my successor amongst you?’

All were silent except for Ali (a.s.) who was the youngest of them. He stood up and said: ‘O Prophet of Allah, I will be your aid in this affair.’ Then the Messenger of Allah (S) put his hand on Ali’s shoulder and said: ‘This is my brother and my trustee (wasiy) and my successor (khalifa) amongst you so hear him and obey him.’

2. The Day of Ghadir

The tradition of Ghadir has been related by one hundred and twenty of the companions of the Messenger of Allah (S) and eighty-four of the generation after them (al-tabiun). The number of prominent traditionists who narrated this tradition exceeds three hundred and sixty.301 .302 Those who have written about this tradition in books from both the Sunni and Shia schools number more than 166 people. In brief, when the Messenger of Allah Muhammad (S) returned from the final ‘farewell’ .ajj pilgrimage he reached a location named ‘Ghadir Khumm’. There he halted the people and mounted a pulpit in the noonday heat and delivered a long sermon in front of more than one hundred thousand people. During this speech he took hold of the hand of Ali (a.s.) and said: ‘O people, Allah is my master (mawla) and I am the master of the believers and I have more authority over them than they do over their own selves. So whoever I am the master of then this man - Ali - is his master. O Allah, be allied with who is allied with him and the enemy of he who is his enemy. I will surely ask you, when we meet again [in the afterlife] about the two weighty matters (al-thaqalayn) and how you act towards them after I am gone - the greater weighty thing is the Quran, the book of Almighty Allah. It is a heavenly course (sabab) one end of which is in the hand of Allah and the other end is in your hands so hold firmly on to it and go not astray and do not take any substitute for it. And [secondly] my family, the people of my house, for the Subtle and All-Aware [Allah] has informed me that they will never perish until they meet me at the well of Paradise.’303

Imam Ahmad mentions in his musnad: ‘that the Prophet (S) took the hand of Ali (a.s.) and said to those present: ‘Do you not know that I have more authority over the believers than they do over their own selves?’ They said: ‘Indeed we do.’ He said: ‘Do you not know that I have more authority over every believer than he does over his own self?’ They said: ‘Indeed we do.’ The he said: ‘Whoever I am his master (mawla: lit. place of authority) then Ali is his master. O Allah, be allied to his allies and be an enemy to his enemies.’ The narrator continues: ‘Then Umar went to him afterwards and said to him: ‘Congratulations O son of Abi Talib, you have now become the master of every believing man and woman!’304

In his book al-wilaya, al-Tabari relates that after this the Messenger of Allah (S) ordered that his companions greet Ali in acknowledgement of him as commander of the believers. Hence, the companions used to come to him and say to him ‘Peace be upon you O Commander of the Faithful ()!’

In answer to those who say that the Prophet (S) did not nominate a successor we would say that this is not sensible or logical especially as the Prophet was the most intelligent and sensible of people. He would not ever leave Medina even for a few days without nominating someone to lead the community in his place so when it came to his death it is not possible that he should leave his community rudderless.305

3. The tradition of the ‘station’

The tradition of the ‘station’ (manzilah), which has been mentioned by Imams Ahmad and al-Nasai and others, was when the Messenger of Allah (S) said to Ali (a.s.): ‘Will you not be content for your station to me to be as that of Aaron to Moses except that there is no prophet to come after me?’306 ‘I cannot go unless you are my successor (khalifa).’307 And there are great many other traditions and evidences to this effect.

4. Successorship of other Imams from Prophet’s family

The Messenger of Allah (S) spoke, by the authority of Allah, about the successorship of the Imams after him saying: ‘There will be twelve successors after me.’308 This has been narrated by Abu Dawud, Muslim, Ahmad ibn .anbal, and others.

The Prophet (S) nominated them and mentioned their names on many occasions as is mentioned in the book yanabi almawadda309 for example related from the Messenger of Allah (S) in a tradition where someone asked him about the awsiya’ (trustees) those who would execute his will after him. The person asked him, ainform me of your was

i.” The prophet said: ‘My executor is Ali ibn Abi Talib, and after him my two grandsons Hasan and Husayn followed by nine Imams from the line of Husayn.’ The man said: ‘O Muhammad, name them!’ He said: ‘When Husayn has gone there will be his son Ali; when Ali has gone there will be his son Muhammad; when Muhammad has gone there will be his son Jafar; when Jafar has gone there will be his son Musa; when Musa has gone there will be his son Ali; when Ali has gone there will be his son Muhammad; when Muhammad has gone there will be his son Ali; when Ali has gone there will be his son Hasan; when Hasan has gone there will be his son Muhammad - the Mahdi - the Guided - the Hujjah - Proof of Allah.’

5. The tradition of the two weighty things

The Messenger of Allah (S) left two weighty things (al-thaqalayn) in his will - the Quran and his family, and he ordered the Muslims to follow these two in a well known tradition which has been recorded by both Sunni and Shia schools. The Prophet (S) said: ‘I am leaving with you the two weighty things - the book of Allah and my family the people of my house (Ahl al-Bayt). As long as you adhere to these two you will never ever go astray after me.’310 In another tradition he said: ‘I am leaving with you two successors (khalifatayn) - the book of Allah which is a rope extending between heaven and earth, and my family the people of my house (Ahl al-Bayt). They will never separate until they join me at the well of Paradise.’311

He also said: ‘I am leaving with you two successors - the book of Allah and the people of my house. These two will never separate until they both join me at the well of Paradise.’312 He also said: ‘I am leaving behind me two things so you will never go astray - the book of Allah and my lineage. They will never separate until they join me at the well of Paradise.’313 He also said: ‘I shall shortly die and I have left with you the two weighty things - the book of Allah and the people of my house. uou will never go astray with these two things.’314

6. The tradition of the Ark

The Messenger of Allah (S) likened the people of his house to the ark of the prophet Noah (a.s.) saying: ‘The similitude of the people of my house (Ahl al-Bayt) amongst you is as the ark of Noah amongst his nation - whoever boards it will be saved and whoever lags behind it will drown.’315 He also said: ‘The stars protect the people of the earth from drowning. The people of my house protect my nation from disputing. If an Arab tribe goes against them they will fall into dispute and they will become the party of the devil.’316

Shiism in the eyes of Sunni scholars

Islam makes Muslim unity mandatory as Almighty Allah has said: “This is your nation - a single nation, and I am your Lord so worship me”317

Therefore for Muslims to distance themselves from one another goes against the commandments of Islam and goes against what the great Sunni scholars have said throughout history. Here are some examples: