Jafar-e-Sadiq(A.S.) | Senile Delusions...

Why Imam Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.) was named “Musa”…

Sunday, August 3rd, 2008

During the time of Prophet Musa (A.S.) [Moses], the practice of Magic was at its peak. Everyone is familiar with the atrocities committed by the Pharaoh of that time on his people, specially the followers of Musa (A.S.).

The Pharaoh called the greatest of magicians of that time to confront Musa (A.S.). Musa’s (A.S.) brother, Harun (A.S.), was also with him in the Pharaoh’s court. All magicians threw pieces of rope on the ground which turned into snakes and started crawling towards Musa (A.S.).

Musa (A.S.) was frightened by these snakes and stepped back but Allah sent his orders to throw his Asa (stick) on the ground. The Asa turned into a python and ate all the snakes.

On watching this, the Pharaoh ran into the women’s quarters screaming. All magicians threw themselves into prostration and pronounced their faith in Musa’s (A.S.) Allah.

**************

The Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) [Abraham] had been blessed by Allah with the Knowledge of the Stars. Wherever he went, he used to teach it to the people but in the end he would always say that these stars are not Gods but only His creation. A magician named Hari used to follow him everywhere. Silently, he accumulated all taught by Ibrahim (A.S.) and used it in enhancing his magic skills.

After becoming a great magician, Hari traveled to Egypt and taught magic to the people there. Later on, he moved to India and did the same there. He died in India.

**************

During the days of Imam Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.), Magic was again at it’s peak. Egypt and India were the centers of Magic at that time, with the people having conquered magic skills beyond thought.

Knowing this and with bad intentions in his mind, Harun Rashid (L.A.) called the greatest magicians from India to face Imam Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.). He arranged for a lavish dinner with two of Imam’s (A.S.) followers, the magicians and also had the imprisoned Imam (A.S.) invited.

Harun (L.A.) was seated on his throne with a huge carpet on the wall behind him. Embroidered into the carpet was a gigantic and magnificent lion. The dinner was set out. Imam (A.S.) motioned for his followers not to touch the rotis (breads) on the dastarkhwan (dinner cloth).

Ignoring Imam’s (A.S.) orders, one follower reached out to pick a roti. Harun (L.A.) at once motioned to his magicians, one of whom made the roti fly away from the follower. The follower reached out again and the magician repeated it. This happened a third time.

On seeing the humiliation faced by his follower, Imam (A.S.) beckoned to the lion on the carpet:

O Creature of Allah, come to life and swallow this magician!

At once, the lion came to life and jumped out of the carpet with a thunderous roar. Harun fainted with fear as did the rest of those present.

It is the nature of lions that they bite and chew their food. But this time, contrary to its nature and in accordance with the Imam’s (A.S.) orders, it swallowed the magician whole.

Imam (A.S.) ordered it to go back into the carpet and it obliged, becoming lifeless once again.

When Harun (L.A.) came back to his senses, he refused to look behind him at the carpet from fear of the lion. He meekly asked Imam (A.S.) to ask the lion to return his magician.

Imam replied:

“Had Prophet Musa’s (A.S.) Asa returned the snakes, I would have returned your magician!”

**************

After the martyrdom of Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (A.S.), the world was plunged again into the darkness of Magic. Therefore to fight the forces of Magic, another “Musa” was needed to negate its powers. But this time, Magic was more powerful.

So Allah sent the Pride of all Prophets, an Imam by the name of Musa, titled Kazim, to fight off this darkness and humiliate it. But fighting magic was the least of Imam’s (A.S.) worries. He had to rebuff the Pharoah of that time, Harun Rashid (L.A.), and establish the Supremacy of Allah, alongwith the rest of the teachings of the Prophet (S.A.W.W.) and his Progeny (A.S.), while spending half of his life in prison.

03.08.2008 Amazing, General Knowledge, History, Jafar-e-Sadiq(A.S.), Muhammad(S.A.W.W.), Musa Kazim(A.S.), Religious 1 Comment

Martyrdom of Imam Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.)

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

The 25th of Rajab marks the day of martyrdom of Imam Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.), the seventh Imam in the Progeny of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.). He was the son of Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (A.S.) and Lady Hameedah Khatoon (S.A.). He was born on the 7th of Safar, 128 AH in Abwa between Makkah and Madinah.

Courtesy: Syed Awn Husain Rizvi

Family Tree

Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.), son of Ja’far-e-Sadiq (A.S.), son of Muhammad-e-Baqar (A.S), son of Ali Zain-ul-Abideen (A.S.), son of Husain (A.S.), son of Ali (A.S.) and Fatimah (S.A.), son-in-law and daughter of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) respectively.

Name, Kunniyat and Title

Imam Musa-e-Kazim was named Musa by his father. One question that arises is why was he named Musa when all the other Imams had names that had either never been used before or used only by the Bani Hashim (A.S.). The reason will be explained in a later post.

His Kunniyat was Abul Ali. Abul Hasan and Abul Ibrahim are also stated. His titles include Kazim (The Restrained or Calm One) and Abdus Sualeh (The Virtuous Slave of Allah).

Childhood

Imam Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.) spent 20 years of his sacred life under the gracious patronage of his father. His inherent genius and gifted virtues, combined with the enlightened guidance and education from his father, Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (A.S.), was manifested in his personality. He was fully versed with Divine Knowledge in his childhood as are all Imams (A.S.).

Allamah Majlisi relates that once Abu Hanifa happened to call upon the holy abode of Imam-e-Sadiq (A.S.) to ask him about some religious matters. The Imam was asleep; so he was kept waiting outside till the Imam’s awakening. Meanwhile, Imam Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.), who was 5 years old, came out of the house. After offering him his best regards, Abu Hanifah inquired, “O son of the Prophet (S.A.W.W.)! What is your opinion about the deeds of a man? Does he do them by himself, or does Allah make him do them?”

“O Abu Hanifa!”, the 5-year-old Imam replied. “The doings of a man are confined to three possibilities:

That Allah alone does them while the man is quite helpless

That both Allah and the man equally share the commitment

That the man does them alone

Now, if the first assumption is true, it obviously proves the injustice of Allah who punishes His creatures for sins which they have not committed. If the second condition be accepted, even then Allah is unjust if He punishes a man for sins in which he is equally a partner. But the undesirability of both these conditions is evident in the case of Allah. Thus, we are naturally left with the third alternative to the problem that men are absolutely responsible for their actions.”

Imamate

Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (A.S.) was martyred on the 25th of Shawwal, 148 AH by Abassid Caliph Mansoor-e-Do-Anaqi (L.A.). Imam Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.) succeeded him in the Holy Office of the Imamate as the seventh Imam. The period of his Imamate lasted 35 years. In the first decade of his Imamate, Imam Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.) could afford a peaceful execution of the responsibilities of his sacred office, propagating the teachings of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.). But soon after, he fell victim to the ruling Caliphs and a greater part of his life passed in prison.

Imam Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.) lived under the most trying times of the regimes of the despotic Abassid (L.A.) caliphs who were known for their tyrannical and cruel rule. He witnessed the reigns of Mansoor-e-Do-Anaqi (L.A.), Mehdi (L.A.), Hadi (L.A.) and Harun Rashid (L.A.). Mansoor (L.A.) and Harun (L.A.) were the despotic caliphs who put a multitude of innocent descendants of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) to the sword. Thousands of these martyrs were buried alive or put into horrible dark prisons. Many a Syed youth were “built” into the walls of the city of Baghdad. These depraved caliphs knew no pity or justice; they killed and tortured for the pleasure they derived from human suffering.

The Holy Imam (A.S.) was saved from the tyranny of Mansoor (L.A.) because, being occupied with his project of constructing the new city of Baghdad, the caliph did not have time to turn towards inflicting suffering on the Imam (A.S.). After Mansoor (L.A.), his son Mehdi (L.A.) ascended the throne. For a few years he remained indifferent towards the Imam (A.S.). When in 164 AH, he came to Madinah and heard about the great reputation of the Imam (A.S.), Mehdi (L.A.) could not resist his jealousy and the spark of his ancestral malice against the Ahle-Bayt (A.S.) was rekindled. He somehow managed to take the Imam (A.S.) along with him to Baghdad and got him imprisoned there. But after a year he realized his mistake and released the Imam (A.S.) from prison.

Hadi (L.A.), who lived only for a year, succeeded Caliph Mehdi (L.A.). In 170 AH, the most cruel and tyrannical of these caliphs, Harun Rashid (L.A.), appeared at the head of the Abasside Empire. It was during his reign that the Holy Imam (A.S.) passed the greater part of his life in a miserable prison, until his martyrdom.

The Reason For The Tital “Kazim”

Regarding Imam’s (A.S.) morality and ethical excellence, Ibne Hajar remarks, “The patience and forbearance of Imam Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.) was such that he was given the title of Al-Kazim (one who swallows his anger). He was the embodiment of virtue and generosity. He devoted his nights to the prayers of Allah, and his days to fasting. He always forgave those who did him wrong.”

A servant of Imam (A.S.) was heating a metal rod for some reason. Imam’s young son came out playing and the heated metal accidentally dropped on his head. The accident was fatal.

The servant was captured. When he was being brought before the Imam (A.S.), he was trembling and sweating profusely at the impending death sentence to be given to him.

When he looked at the Imam (A.S.), he saw tears streaming down the Imam’s (A.S.) face and his son’s body in his arms. Imam looked at him and said:

“I free you in the name of Allah.”

Such was the state of Imam’s forgiveness and generosity.

Children

Imam Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.) had 18 sons and 18 daughters. The most famous of his sons is his successor, Imam Ali-e-Raza (A.S.) and the most famous of his daughters is Fatimah Kubra known as Masuma-e-Qum who is buried in Qum, Iran.

Literary Achievements

Time and circumstances did not permit the Holy Imam Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.) to establish institutions to impart religious knowledge to his followers, as his father, Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (A.S.), and his grandfather, Imam Muhammad-e-Baqar (A.S.), had done. He was never allowed to address a congregation. He carried on his mission of preaching and guiding people quietly. He also became the author of a few books, the most famous of which is “Masnad of Imam Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.)”.

His Martyrdom

Harun Rashid (L.A.) sent his armies to Madinah to arrest the Imam (A.S.) and bring him to Baghdad. The houses of the Saadat (descendants of the Prophet [S.A.W.W.]) were burned. Women and children ran out of the houses towards the shrine of the Prophet (S.A.W.W.).

Imam Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.) was arrested from the shrine of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) and many other Syed young men and boys were captured. Imam was taken to Basra while the rest were taken to a dungeon in Naishapur (Nieshabur), Iran and cut to pieces.

Imam was then moved to Baghdad where he spent 13 years of his life in a prison with no light, so low that one could not stand inside and with only a small hole for air. He became weak and frail, such that he could be described as only skin over bones.

One of the followers of Imam (A.S.) wanted to see him. His enthusiasm was so great that he convinced one of the guards, also a secret follower of the Imam (A.S.), to help him.

The guard arranged for him to secretly peek into the dungeon through the small hole mentioned above. The man looked inside, turned back to the guard and said there was no one inside.

“What do you see?”, asked the guard.

“Only a white sheet spread flatly on the ground”, replied the man.

“That sheet is spread over Imam Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.)”, replied the guard.

On the 25th of Rajab, 183 AH, Harun Rashid (L.A.) poisoned the Imam. Four laborers were brought to take the body of Imam (A.S.) to the bridge of Baghdad on a wooden board and leave it there.

Imam’s (A.S.) burial rites were performed by his son Imam Ali-e-Raza (A.S.), also his successor as Imam, and he was buried in Baghdad. The place is now known as Kazmain. Imam’s (A.S.) grandson Imam Muhammad Taqi (A.S.) is also buried there.

Some Pictures of Kazmain

30.07.2008 Ali Raza(A.S.), Ali(A.S.), Fatimah Zehra(S.A.), General Knowledge, History, Husain(A.S), Jafar-e-Sadiq(A.S.), Muhammad Baqar(A.S.), Muhammad Taqi(A.S.), Muhammad(S.A.W.W.), Musa Kazim(A.S.), Religious, Zain-ul-Abideen(A.S.) 8 Comments

Date of Birth of Imam Muhammad Taqi (A.S.)

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008

The 10th of Rajab marks the date of birth of the 9th Imam in the Progeny of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.), Imam Muhammad Taqi (A.S.). He was born in the year 195 AH in Madinah.

Courtesy: Syed Awn Husain Rizvi

Name, Title and Kunniyat

He was born Muhammad to Imam Ali Raza (A.S.) and Bibi Sabikah Khatoon (S.A.), whom Imam Raza (A.S.) used to call by the name Khaizarun. She belonged to the tribe of Bibi Maria-e-Qibtia (S.A.), the wife of the Prophet (S.A.W.W.) from whom he had his son Ibrahim (A.S.) who died in infancy.

About Bibi Sabikah Khatoon (S.A.), the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) said:

“My father be sacrificed on the mother of the 9th Imam who will be a pure and pious Nubian.”

The most famous of his titles are Taqi (Pious) and Jawwad (Generous). His Kunniyat is Abu Ja’far, meaning father of Ja’far.

Family Tree

Muhammad-e-Taqi (A.S.), son of, Ali-e-Raza (A.S.), son of Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.), son of Ja’far-e-Sadiq (A.S.), son of Muhammad-e-Baqar (A.S.), son of Ali Zain-ul-Abideen (A.S.), son of Husain (A.S.), and Fatimah (S.A.), daughter of Hasan (A.S.), both sons of Ali (A.S.) and Fatimah (S.A.), son-in-law and daughter of the Prophet (S.A.W.W.), respectively.

Childhood

Imam was only 5 years old when his father was called to Baghdad by Mamun Rashid (L.A.), the then Abassid (L.A.) caliph, to be his ‘heir apparent’. When Imam Ali Raza (A.S.) was leaving he saw his son putting sand in his hair. He asked why and the young Imam replied that this was what an orphan did.

Imam Raza (A.S.) was poisoned by Mamun Rashid (L.A.) in 203 AH and Imam Taqi (A.S.) became Imam at the small age of 8 or 9 years.

The Level of Knowledge and Scholastic Attitude

Mamun (L.A.) called the young Imam (A.S.) to Baghdad from Madinah and offered his daughter, to try to bribe him by making him his heir and also in the hopes that the much awaited Imam Mehdi (A.S) to be born in Imam’s lineage would be from his daughter’s children. This infuriated his family (the Abassids [L.A.]). To prove to them the excellence of Imam even at a young age he arranged a meeting between Imam and the most learned of men at that time – Yahya bin Aksam.

It was a grand occasion with some 900 other scholars present.

Imam (A.S.) was first asked by Yahya:

What is the compensation (kaffara) for a person in Ehraam who hunted and killed his prey?”

Imam replied that there were many more details required before he could answer the question:

1. Did the Muhrim (one in Ehraam) hunt in the haram or outside?
2. Did the Muhrim know Sharia or not?
3. Did he hunt intentionally or not?
4. Did he hunt for the first time or was this one of many times?
5. Was he free or a slave?
6. Was his prey a bird or an animal?
7. Was it big or small?
8. Had he hunted by day or by night?
9. Was he baligh or not?
10. Was he repentant or not?
11. Was his ehraam for Hajj or Umra?

Yahya was stunned!

Although Mamun (L.A.) did succeed in forcing Imam (A.S.) to marry his daughter Ummul Fazl (L.A.), his plan never neared fruition as his daughter gave birth to none and he could not subdue Imam (A.S.) either.

Imam’s Holiness and Knowledge of All To Happen

Following the martyrdom of Imam Raza (A.S.), eighty men of wisdom traveled to perform Hajj. On the way, they arrived in Madinah and went to Imam’s (A.S.) house to pay him a visit. Imam (A.S.) who was at a young age (child), moved into the aggregation and all of them stood up to honor and respect him.

Then they asked questions about their problems and heard responses of the Imam (A.S.) and were very glad. One of them named Ishaq says, “I had written down a number of problems to ask from the Imam (A.S.) and request him to pray for me so that God gives me a son. Since the assembly was quite overcrowded I got up to go and come back the next day. Imam (A.S.) saw me and told me that O Ishaq, God has granted my demand (prayer) and will give you a son. Name him ‘Ahmad’.

“Thereafter, Imam (A.S.) answered my problems. I heard the answers to my questions without even putting them to Imam (A.S.).

“I was much surprised and said that I thank God for the benediction and boon that he has given us. He is the same proof of God (Imam) as I returned to my city, not long after God gave me a son just as Imam (A.S.) had said. I named him ‘Ahmad’.”

Ashari Qumi says, “I had the honor to visit Imam (A.S.). I humbly said that one of the ladies, who is your follower, has asked me to bring along with me one of your dresses for her so that she may use it as her coffin.

“Imam said that she did not need it any longer.

“I did not exactly understand what it meant. I did not utter a word and said good-bye to Imam (A.S.) and came back. Afterwords, I came to know that a few days before my reaching the Imam (A.S.), that woman had died.”

One day in Baghdad, some children were busy playing on a street. Standing near them was the 9th Imam (A.S.). Suddenly the children saw Mamun Rashid (L.A.), the Abbasid (L.A.) ruler passing by with his soldiers. The children quickly dispersed from that place. However, Imam (A.S.) did not run away, rather he (A.S.) stood at his place.

When Mamun (L.A.) arrived at that spot, he looked at the young boy and asked, “Haven’t you recognized me? Why didn’t you move from this place?”

The young child replied, “The path is not narrow that it would become wider by moving aside, nor have I committed any crime that I should run away from you. Moreover, I do not think that you are the sort who would punish someone who is innocent”.

This hit Mamun (L.A.) very hard. He stared at the handsome and illuminated face of this young child for sometime and was wonder-struck. He realized that this child couldn’t be an ordinary child so he asked, “Tell me what is your name?”

The child said, “I am Muhammad”.

“Whose son are you?” asked Mamun (L.A.).

The child replied, “I am the son of Ali-e-Raza, son of Musa, (A.S.)”.

When Mamun (L.A.) heard this, he praised the 8th Imam (A.S.) and left.

However, the incident does not end here.

After this brief meeting with our Imam (A.S.), Mamun (L.A.) proceeded to a nearby forest for hunting. There, he released his eagle, which flew and returned after a while with a small live fish in its beak. Mamun (L.A.) was quite surprised by this. As he returned and passed by the same spot where he had met our Imam (A.S.), he found the young child again at the same place.

So he halted and asked him, “O Muhammad! Tell me what do I have in my hand?”

Imam (A.S.) replied, “Allah has created many vast oceans from which clouds are formed. When clouds are forming, they absorb small live fish which are caught by the eagles of kings, who then use them to test the Imams of their times”.

Mamun was dumbfounded by this reply and said, “Indeed you are the son of Ali-e-Raza, son of Musa, (A.S.) – for such miracles are not impossible from his son”.

(Soure: Ahsan al-Muqaal)

Martyrdom

When Mamun (L.A.) died, Mu’tasim (L.A.) ascended the throne. He, like his Abbasid (L.A.) ancestors, was worried about the leadership of Ahle Bayt (A.S.) and their political and scholarly status. Therefore, he exiled Imam Taqi (A.S.) from Madinah to Baghdad in the year 219 AH, for fear from his popularity and extending his effect. He did this, in order to draw the Holy Imam near the center of power and scrutiny and isolate him from practicing his popular, political and scholarly role.

Imam (A.S.) stayed in Baghdad until the year 220 AH, when he was martyred from poisoning by his wife Ummul Fazl (L.A.) at the instigation of the ruling Abbasid caliph Mu’tasim (L.A.).

His short life lasted twenty five years and some months, and was full of historical, ideological and scholarly struggles and achievements. He is the Imam martyred at the youngest age, and second youngest Infallible with respect to age, behind Bibi Fatimah (S.A.), the Prophet’s (S.A.W.W.) daughter, who was martyred at the age of slightly less than eighteen.

The Holy Imam (A.S.) was martyred in Baghdad in the year 220 AH, on the 29th of Ziqa’ad and was burried in the graveyard of Quraish behind his grandfather, Imam Musa-e-Kazim (A.S.), the seventh holy Imam. The place has became famous as Kazmain, in Iraq.

Some Pictures of Kazmain

15.07.2008 Ali Raza(A.S.), Ali(A.S.), Facts, Fatimah Zehra(S.A.), General Knowledge, Hasan(A.S.), History, Husain(A.S), Imam-e-Zamana(A.S.), Jafar-e-Sadiq(A.S.), Muhammad Baqar(A.S.), Muhammad Taqi(A.S.), Muhammad(S.A.W.W.), Musa Kazim(A.S.), Religious, Zain-ul-Abideen(A.S.) 9 Comments

Date of Birth of Imam Ali Naqi (A.S.)

Thursday, July 10th, 2008

The 5th of Rajab marks the date of birth of the 10th Imam in Prophet Muhammad’s (S.A.W.W.) progeny, Imam Ali Naqi (A.S.). He was born ‘Ali’ to Imam Muhammad Taqi (A.S.) and Hazrat Samanah Khatoon (S.A.). His father Muhammad Taqi (A.S.) was the son of Ali Raza (A.S.), son of Musa-e-Kazim(A.S.), son of Jafar-e-Sadiq (A.S.), son of Muhammad-e-Baqar (A.S.), son of Ali Zain-ul-Abideen (A.S.), son of Imam Husain (A.S.) who is the brother of Hasan (A.S.) and son of Ali (A.S.) and Fatima (S.A.), the son-in-law and daughter of the Prophet (S.A.W.W.), respectively.

Courtesy: Syed Awn Husain Rizvi

Imam Ali Naqi (A.S.) spent most of his life under the tyrannical rule of Mutawakkil (L.A.), the Yazid of the Abassids (L.A.). He wasn’t more than 8 years old when his father Muhammad Taqi (A.S.) was poisoned by Mu’tasim Billah (L.A.), Mutawakkil’s (L.A.) father. He became Imam at such a small age and had the longest period of Imamate till his martyrdom at the age of 42 in Samarrah due to poisoning by Mo’taz Billah (L.A.) of the Abassids (L.A.). He spent half of the period of his Imamate teaching his followers and the other half under imprisonment by the Abassid (L.A.) Caliphs.

Titles and Kunniyat

The two most famous titles of Imam are Naqi (Pure) and Haadi (Guide). His kunniyat is Abul Hasan (father of Hasan). His son Hasan Askari (A.S.) became Imam after him.

The Ring on Imam’s finger

Each Imam used to wear a ring on his right hand however each Imam had a special Dua engraved on its stone. The 10th Imam had two such prayers which included, “Allah is my Lord and He is my protection from His creations.” The other ring had the following line inscribed upon it, “Maintaining and safeguarding one’s promises is of the etiquette of the servants (of Allah).”

Example of Imam’s Knowledge of ‘All and Everything’

In the tribe of Rabee’ah, there lived a Christian by the name of Yusuf, son of Yaqoob.
One day, Mutawakkil, the Abassid ruler, summoned this Christian to his court. Not knowing the reason, this Christian was extremely terrified. Since he was aware that Imam Ali Naqi (A.S.) was the most pious and saintly person of their time, the Christian set aside 100 ashrafis to gift to the Imam (A.S.) in hope of receiving protection from Allah. He took the money with him and proceeded to Samarrah.

Samarrah was a new place for this Christian. Neither did he know anyone there nor was he familiar with the place. When he arrived in Samarrah, he was aware that Imam (A.S.) was under house arrest and being a Christian, it would be all the more difficult for him to inquire about Imam (A.S.). Not knowing what to do, he climbed on his donkey and left the donkey free to take him anywhere in hope that he will find a solution to his problem.

The donkey moved on its own with the Christian seated on it until it came and stopped outside a house. The Christian tried his level best to move the donkey further but it would not budge. When the Christian asked a passer-by about the house, he was told that it belonged to Ali (A.S.), son of Muhammad (A.S.).

The Christian told himself, “God is great! This is sufficient for me to understand the status of this man”.

Suddenly a black slave appeared from the house and asked, “Are you Yusuf, son of Yaqoob?”

The Christian replied affirmatively and said to himself, “This is the second proof. No one here knows me, how did this man call me by my name?”

The slave asked the Christian to come and wait at the doorstep of the house while he went inside. After sometime, he appeared again and said, “The 100 ashrafis, which you have brought along, give them to me.”

The Christian handed the envelope to the slave who took it inside. He said to himself, “This is the third proof!”

Finally, the slave appeared again and invited the Christian to enter the house. Imam (A.S.) was sitting on a humble mat and as soon as he saw the Christian, he asked, “O Yusuf! Hasn’t the time of your guidance come yet?”

The Christian replied, “My Master! Today I have found such evidences that are sufficient for me to believe in you”.

Imam (A.S.) said, “What you have spoken is far-fetched. You will never become a Muslim! However, your son is our follower. O Yusuf! People say that our Mastership and friendship does not benefit people like you. They are liars! People like you also benefit from our friendship. Now go for the purpose you have taken the trouble to come here and you will be successful.”

As the Imam (A.S.) had predicted, the Christian was successful in his trip and no harm befell upon him from Mutawakkil. He died as a Christian but one of his sons accepted Islam and became a great follower of the Ahle-Bayt (A.S.).

(Source: Ahsan al-Muqaal)

One day a person had a disagreement with his brothers about the four fasts that are highly recommended to be kept every year. So they came to Imam Ali Naqi (A.S.). At the time Imam (A.S.) was at a place called Surya on his way to Samarrah.

As soon as he saw them, Imam (A.S.) told them, “You have come here to ask me about the four recommended fasts in a year”.

They replied, “Maula! You are right. Indeed we have come to ask you the same question”.

Imam (A.S.) said to them, “The four fasts are: 17th Rabi-ul-Awwal – the day when the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) was born; 27th Rajab – the day the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) proclaimed his Prophethood; 25th Zeqa’ad – the day the Earth was spread and 18th Zilhajj – the day of Ghadeer”.

(Source: Ahsan al-Muqaal)

Sayings of Imam

“Do not expect honesty and purity of intention from someone who has suffered from your malice; do not expect loyalty from one to whom you have been disloyal; do not expect goodwill from someone whom you regard with ill-will: his heart towards you is the same as your heart towards him.”

“Others will fear him who fears Allah. He who obeys Allah will be obeyed. He who obeys Allah will not care for the dissatisfaction of the creatures. He who enrages the Creator should be sure of encountering the dissatisfaction of the creatures.”

“You should present thorough obedience to those who present for you their thorough love and advice.”

“Do not feel secure from those who disgraced their personalities.”

“He who feels secure from Allah’s unexpected retribution and painful penalty will feel arrogant until Allah’s act and inevitable decree (death) will befall him. He whomever receives evidence from his Lord will belittle the worldly misfortunes even if he is cut into pieces.”

“There are definite places in which Allah likes the servants to supplicate to Him. One of these places is the shrine of Husain(A.S.), Sayyed-ush-Shuhada (Master of all Martyrs).”

Generosity

One example of Imam’s generosity is that he paid 30,000 dirhams to an Arab man of Kufah, saying to him, “We pay your debts.”

The man then, thanking the Imam (A.S.), said: “Sir, the debts I owe are only about one-third of the amount you gave me!”

The Imam (A.S.) added, “Then spend the rest on your family and your people!”

The man in astonishment of the Imam’s (A.S.) generosity said, “Allah knows whom to entrust with His Message of Divine Guidance!”

Martyrdom

Imam Ali Naqi (A.S.) was poisoned by Mo’taz. He left the world on 3rd Rajab 254 AH. His son Imam Hasan Askari (A.S.) performed the pre-burial rites and buried him at the particular sacred spot in his special chamber, where his tomb is now situated in Samarrah, Iraq, also the site of disappearance of his grandson, Imam Mehdi (A.S.).

10.07.2008 Ali Naqi(A.S.), Ali Raza(A.S.), Ali(A.S.), Facts, Fatimah Zehra(S.A.), General Knowledge, Hasan Askari(A.S.), History, Husain(A.S), Imam-e-Zamana(A.S.), Jafar-e-Sadiq(A.S.), Muhammad Baqar(A.S.), Muhammad Taqi(A.S.), Muhammad(S.A.W.W.), Musa Kazim(A.S.), Religious, Zain-ul-Abideen(A.S.) 8 Comments

Date of Birth of Imam Muhammad Baqar (A.S.)

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008

The first of Rajab marks the date of birth of Imam Muhammad Baqar (A.S.), son of Imam Ali Zain-ul-Abideen (A.S.), son of Imam Husain (A.S.), younger grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.). His mother is Hazrat Fatima (S.A.), daughter of Imam Hasan (A.S.), elder grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.). He was the first Imam whose lineage ascended and reached Prophet Muhammad, both from the paternal and maternal sides. Therefore, it can be said that he is the first Imam where Hasani and Husaini lineages united. The year of birth is 57 AH.

Courtesy: Syed Awn Husain Rizvi

His name is Muhammad, title Baqar and kunniyat Abu Jafar. Because of the resemblance that he had with his grandfather, the Prophet, he was named Muhammad and because he analyzed knowledge and made manifest its secrets, he came to be known as Baqar.

Meaning of Baqar

Baqar is a derivate of the word ‘Baqara’ which means to open up or to expand. Imam Mohammad Baqar (A.S.) was named as such since he introduced and spread the knowledge and teachings of various dimensions and implemented the knowledge streams in a manner which had never been seen earlier. Allamah Noorullah Shoostri writes in Majalis-al-Momineen: Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.W.) said that Imam Mohammad Baqar (A.S.) will introduce, spread and open up knowledge just like the ground is opened up for cultivation. Imam Muhammad Baqar (A.S.) instructed people in percepts of religion, taught tafseer-e-Quraan, taught them the ethics of life, and used to strive very hard to educate, enculture and guide the people. During the course of his life, he taught the people thousands of theological and religious principles, as well as scientific subjects, and his teachings have been handed down to us. Imam Muhammad Baqar (A.S.), like the other Imams, had no equal in knowledge and science. Great learned men benefited from his knowledge and science and used to ask him to solve their problems.
Imam Muhammad Baqar was awarded the title Baqar-ul-Ulum (Revealer of Knowledge) because of his religious and judicial knowledge and his enthusiasm to teach. Muhammad Baqar’s (A.S.) son, Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (A.S.), founded the precursor to Islamic jurisprudence. His students included prominent scholars Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik, Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal and Imam Shafei.

Jabir, son of Abdullah, faces Imam Muhammad Baqar (A.S.)

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) told one of his companions named Jabir, son of Abdullah, “Oh Jabir! You will live and will see my grandson Muhammad, son of Ali, whose name in Torah (The Old Testament) is Baqar, convey my compliments (Salam) to him.”

Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) left the world and Jabir remained alive for long times to come. He devoutly waited for the time when he would meet the fifth Imam. Each morning he would come out from his house, sit by the roadside and wait for the sound of the footsteps to recognize the fifth Imam. One such day while he was waiting in the street of Medina, he heard someone walking towards him, the sound of footsteps reminded him of the way Muhammad used to walk. Jabir stood up, stopped the man and asked his name.

He replied, “Muhammad.”

Jabir asked, “Whose son?”

He replied “Ali, son of Husain”.

Jabir immediately recognized that the man he was talking to was the fifth Imam. He kissed his hands and conveyed the message of Muhammad (S.A.W.W.).

Muhammad Al-Baqar’s eyes filled up with tears and he said, “Compliments and benediction be upon my great-great-grandfather, the Prophet of Allah, until the Sky and Earth are stable (firm) and upon you too, O Jabir, son of Abdullah, that you conveyed his compliment to me.”

Traits of Imam Muhammad Baqar (A.S.)

Ibn-e-Hajar, who is a Sunni scholar, writes about the character of Imam (A.S.), “Imam Mohammad Baqar (A.S.) had a clean, pure heart. His speech and talk was harmonious and in accordance with his practice. His conduct and dealing with people was humanly and Islamic. He was a great Gnostic and unmatched worshiper. He was so very ornamented and decorated with human qualities that I do not have the means and capacity to praise him.”

Abdullah, son of Hazrat Umar (second caliph), said about the Ahl-e-Bayt (A.S.) on seeing Imam’s wisdom, “These (men) are a family whom God has decorated with the ornament of knowledge and wisdom!”

Martyrdom

Imam Muhammad Baqar (A.S.) left this world on the 7th of Zilhajj, 114 AH, having been poisoned by Hisham (L.A.), son of Abdul Malik (L.A.), and was buried in Jannat-ul-Baqi, Madinah.

(Left to right) Graves of Hasan(A.S.), Zain-ul-Abideen(A.S.),
Muhammad-e-Baqar(A.S.) and Ja’far-e-Sadiq(A.S.) in Jannat-ul-Baqee, Madinah

Interesting Thing to Note

Imam Muhammad Baqar (A.S.) is the 5th of the 12 Imams and 7th of the 14 Infallibles. When you combine 5 and 7, you get 57. He was born in 57 AH. And when he was poisoned in 114 AH, his age was 114 – 57 = 57 years!

09.07.2008 Captives of Karbala(A.S.), General Knowledge, Hasan(A.S.), History, Husain(A.S), Jafar-e-Sadiq(A.S.), Muhammad Baqar(A.S.), Muhammad(S.A.W.W.), Religious, World, Zain-ul-Abideen(A.S.) No Comments