TheLifeofImam‘Alial-Hadi,StudyandAnalysisBaqirShareefal-Qurashi-XKP
Published:2012Tag(s):islamxkp"islamicmobility""shiaebooks"shiahadinaqimahdiimammotherscienceknowledgefastcompanionsamarrairaqassassinationDeviantsufiridha
1ChapterDedication
Tothepioneerofwisdomandsocialjusticeintheearth,Totheintellectualmindofhumanity,TotheguardianoftheMessengerofAllah(peaceandblessingbeuponhim),hiscompanionand
friendAmirul-Mu’mineen,peacebeonhim,Ioffer,withallprideandfaith,thishumbleeffort,oneforwhichIhavehadthehonorofstudyingthelifeofhisgrandsonImamAlial-Hadi(peacebeuponhim),therenovatorofIslam,hopingitwillbeacceptedtobeaprovisionformeonthedaywhenIshallmeetmyLord.TheAuthor
2ChapterIntroduction
InthenameofGodtheMostGracious,theDispenserofGraceWearebefore an Imamof theAhlulBayt (peacebeupon them)who filled theworldwith their
virtues and sciences, devoted their lives to Allah, and were loyal to the truth in the full sense ofloyalty.HeisthetenthImam;Alial-Hadi(a.s.)whosenameisthesameashisgrandfather ’s:Amirul-Mu’mineen (a.s.), the pioneer of wisdom and social justice in the earth. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) wassimilartohisgrandfatherinasceticismandinrenouncingmaterialpleasures.Itwasneversaidabouthimthathehadfollowedanyfancyorsubmittedtoanydesirethatwasawayfromthetruth.Hehadpreferred the obedience ofAllah to everything else.Hewas so fond of his Lord that he spent hisnightsworshipping,supplicating,andinvokingAllahtheAlmighty.HisfaithinAllahpermeatedhisinnermostessenceuntilitwasoneofhismostprominentqualities
and constituents. Many exalted supplications, wise invocations, and wonderful maxims ofmonotheismwererelatedfromhim,showingthathewasoneofthefirstleaderswhoraisedthetorchofguidanceandfaithonEarth.AllahhadendowedtheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.)withknowledge,wisdom,andvirtuestoan
extentwhichHeneverendowedanyoneelseofHiscreation.Thegreatknowledgeandsciencesthatwere transmittedfromthemareasourceofpride.Theyoungandoldof the infallibleImams(a.s.)havebeendistinguishedwiththisphenomenon.Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)assumedthereligiousleadershipandthegeneralauthorityofthenationsincehisearlyyears.Hewasjustsevenyearsandsomemonthsold. He was asked about the most complicated philosophical, theological, and jurisprudentialquestions and he answered them all as if hewas an expert scholar though hewas a child yet. Ofcourse, there is no explanation for this except thatwhich the Twelver Shia believe, thatAllah hasendowedtheinfallibleImams(a.s.)withextraordinarypowersofknowledgeandsciences,justasHehadendowedHisArch-Prophets.AsImamal-Jawad(a.s.)wasthewonderoftheworldwithhistalentsandintellectualabilities,and
sowashissonImamAlial-Hadi(a.s.).Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasyettooyoungwhenhewasafflictedwiththedeathofhisfather.Theulama’(scholars)andjurisprudentsoftheShia,whoweresocautiousin the matter of Imamate, referred to him and researched as far as they could and with utmostaccuracyonthematterofImamate.WhentheyfoundthedefiniteproofsonhisImamate,theybelievedinhim.Theydidnotletthemselvesbecarriedawaybypassionsorfanciesinthat,buttheysawthattheywere responsible for that beforeAllah since Imamate for them is one of the foundations (or“usul”)ofreligion.Anyhow,theulama’andjurisprudentsoftheShiaaskedImamal-Hadi(a.s.),whilehewasyetvery
young, about different branches of knowledge and he answered them with answers of an expert,
whichmade them believe in his Imamate. Thismade themmore faithful and certain of what theybelievedthatanImammustbethemostknowledgeableoneofhis timeregardlessofwhetherheisyoungorold.Theknowledge,virtue,anddelvingintothesciencesoftheQur ’anandtheSunnaofImamal-Hadi
(a.s.)astonishedthemindsandsparkedmeetingsandgatheringsinallpartsoftheMuslimworldastheywerebusydiscussinghisunlimitedscientifictreasures.AgreatnumberofMuslimsbelievedintheImamateofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andfounditobligatory
on them to followandobeyhim.Greatmoniesof legaldues thatmustbegiven to the Imamwerecarriedtohim,besides thepresentsanddonationswhichMuslimsofferedtohim.Investigatorsandpolicemenreportedthisinfluxindetailtoal-Mutawakkil,theAbbasidcaliph,whowasthemostbitterenemy of the Alawis and their followers-the Shia. The caliph became very angry at this specialrespectandbegrudgedit.HeorderedImamal-Hadi(a.s.)toberelocatedto“SurraManRa’a”.[1]He imposed house-arrest on him there tomonitor all his activities, pinpoint his followers, and
preventmoniesfromcomingtohim.Hepreventedscholarsandnarratorsfromassociatingwithhim.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)sufferedalotduringthereignofal-MutawakkilwhoorderedhismenfromtimetotimetosearchthehouseofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andbringtheImam(a.s.)tohim,howeverhemaybe.Once,Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasbroughttothemeetingofal-Mutawakkilwhileglassesofwinewere
scattered about, songsters and songstresses sangwith theirmusical instruments and al-Mutawakkil,thecaliph,wasdrunkenandsurroundedbygroupsofsingersanddalliers.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)neitherrespected him nor feared his authority but began advising and reminding him of the afterlife andcriticizing the stateofdalliance,amusement,andpleasurehewas in.Weshalldiscuss this indetaillateron,insha’Allah.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wastheonlyrepresentativeofthefrontofoppositiontotheAbbasidrule,and
oneoftheprominentleadersofthenationwhostruggledagainsttyrannyandoppression.Hetookabrave and unwavering position against the kings of his age.He did not associatewith any one ofthem;ratherhepreferredtostayawayfromthem.Therefore,theyheldgrudgesandenmityagainsthimandinflictedhimwithseverityandviolence.IfImamal-Hadi(a.s.)hadhumoredorflatteredthekingsofhisage,theywouldnothaveimposed
house-arrest on him in SurraMen Ra’a, or the economical blockade that had led him to criticalinsolvency,orpreventedhimfrommeetinghisfollowers.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)preferredthecontent(Ridha)ofAllahandthebestinterestofthenationtoeverythingelse;thereforeheturnedawayfromthosekingswhoimposedtheirauthoritiesbyforceandoppression.Inthisbook,weshalldrawaclearpictureontheirpoliciesandlives,asquotedbythemostreliablesourcesofhistory.NotonlywasImamal-Hadi(a.s.)afflictedwiththeAbbasidkingsofhistime,infactallMuslims
wereafflictedwiththem.TheAbbasidsplayedwiththeprinciplesofreligiontothepointthatnotevenashadowofIslamremainedasitusedtobeduringtheirreigns.Theyexploitedtheeconomyofthenationtosatisfytheirpleasures.TheyspentthewealthofMuslimswastefullyonsingersanddalliers.Their red nights in Baghdad and Samarra’were full of all that whichAllah had prohibited. TheyabsolutelyturnedtheirbackstotheIslamicprinciplesandindulgedinpleasuresandlusts.
Thestudyofanageisoneofthesystematicresearchesinstudyingthelifeofonewholivesinthat
age,becauseituncoverstheimportantsidesoftheintellectual,social,andpoliticallifeofthatage.Inlightof this fact,wehave tostudy theageand timeof Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)andcoverall itsaspectsbecauseithadinfluenceonthelifeofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).TheageofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasrifewithterribleevents,themostprominentoneofwhichwas
the dominance of the Turks over all the affairs of the state and their possession of the generaleconomytoadegreethattheAbbasidkingshadnoinfluenceandwereawayfromalltheinteriorandforeignaffairsofthestate.WhentheTurkswerepleasedwiththeAbbasidcaliph,theykepthiminhisposition and when they were not, they deposed or killed him. Because of that, the nation faceddangerouscrisisastheTurkswerenotwell-qualifiedtoruleandrunthepoliticalaffairsofthestatesincetheywerenomadswithnocivilizationoradministration.ThebookmentionsthecompanionsofImamal-Hadi(a.s.),hisdisciples,andthenarratorsofhis
traditions.IthinkIamtheonlyonewhohasstudiedthelivesoftheinfallibleImams(a.s.)inthisway,becausethemodernstudieshavepaidnoattentiontothisaspectatallorsimplyignoredit.IbelievethatstudyingthisaspectcompletesthestudyofthelifeoftheImambecauseitshowstheaspectsofhisintellectual andcultural lifeand theextentofhis relationwithpeopleand thepeople’s relationshipwith him. At the same time, there is important information about the Imam that has not beenmentionedinthebooksofbiographiesthathaveanalyzedhislife,butismentionedinthebiographiesofhiscompanions.Thisbook isnot the first thathasbeenwrittenon the lifeof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.).AllamaSheikh
Dhabeehullahhaswrittenabouthimindetail.Hehasassignedthethirdvolumeofhisencyclopedia“Ma’athiral-Kubara”onImamal-Hadi(a.s.)whentalkingaboutthecityofSamarra’.AlsoProfessorAbdurrazakShakiral-Badriash-Shafi’iyhaswrittenabookcalled“ThelifeofthetenthImamAlial-Hadi”.IthinkthatsofarwhathasbeenwrittenonthisgreatImam,includingthisbook,doesnotcoverallhisvirtues,works,andconcerns,butitshedslightsupontheaspectsofhisgreatpersonality,whichwasthecontinuityofthelivesofhisfatherswhopossessedallthevirtuesandnobilitiesoftheworld.I find itmyduty, at the endof this introduction, to acknowledge the favor and recordmygreat
appreciationtoHisEminence,mybrother,grandAllamaSheikhHadiSharifal-Qurashi(mayAllahbless him) for his sincere help in writing this book. He reviewed many sources including someencyclopediassuchas“Wassa’ilash-Shia”andothers,andofferedmemuchinformationonthelifeof ImamAbulHasan al-Hadi az-Zakiy (a.s.). I prayAllah to rewardhimwith thebest as a sincereprayerfromabrotherforhisbrother.
HolyNajafBaqirSharifal-Qurashi
Notes:[1]Samarra’,thecapitaloftheAbbasidStateatthattime.
3ChapterHisBirthAndUpbringing
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasapurebranchfromthetreeofprophethood,andashinyboughfromthe
treeofImamate.ByhimandhisfathersAllahhasconsolidatedIslamandexaltedmonotheism.Beforetalking about the aspects of his great personality, we will discuss his pure origin, birth, andupbringing.
Part1TheOriginAndTheBirth
HisFather
ThefatherofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasImamMuhammadal-Jawadbin[2]AlibinMusabinJa’farbinMuhammadbinAlibinal-HusaynbinAlibinAbuTalib(peacebeuponthem).Itisthemostexaltedlineage in Islam.Humankind, throughout all its ages,hasneverhada lineagemorehonorable andmoreexaltedthanthislineagethathaslittheworldwiththeessenceofIslamandfaith.Tothisgreat,honorablefamilyImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasborn.Hisfather,Imamal-Jawad(a.s.),wasthewonderoftheworld throughhis talents and intellectual abilities.After thedeathofhis father, Imamar-Ridha(a.s.),heassumedthegeneralreligiousauthorityandleadershipofthenationwhilehewasonlysevenyearsandsomemonthsold.TheAbbasidgovernmentseizedthisopportunityandchargedYahyabinAktham,whowasoneof
thegreatulama’atthattime,totestImamal-Jawad(a.s.)anddenyhisstatus,sothatthefactthattheImamwasthemostknowledgeableoneofhisage,whichwasandisoneofthebasicelementsintheShiitedoctrine,wouldbeprovenwrong.YahyaaskedImamal-Jawad(a.s.)beforealargecrowdofscholars,viziersandofficialsoftheAbbasidgovernmentaboutajurisprudentialquestionandImamal-Jawad(a.s.)ramifiedthequestionintomanybranches.YahyawasastonishedandhefeltafailureandacknowledgedtheexceptionalscientificabilitiesofImamal-Jawad(a.s.).ThenewsofthiseventandofotherscirculatedinthemeetingsofBaghdadandeverywhere.
HisMother
BeforewetalkaboutthemotherofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wewouldliketosay,aswehavesaidmanytimesbefore,thatIslamhasadoptedtheunityofsocietyandstruggledagainstallthemeansthatmightleadtodisagreementorbreakthatunity.TheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.)alwaysactedinlightofthisfact.TheydidnotdifferentiatebetweentheWhiteandtheBlack.Theygotmarriedtobondmaidsinordertodoawaywithallkindsofracialsegregation.ImamAlibinal-HusaynZaynulAabidin(as-Sajjad)(a.s.)marriedabondmaidwhogavebirthtoZaydtheeternalmartyr,andImamMuhammadal-Jawad(a.s.)gotmarriedtoabondmaidwhogavebirthtoImamAlial-Hadi(a.s.).Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)boughtthisbondmaidandhehimselfeducatedher.Shelivedinthehouseof
Imamatewith theAlawiwomenand thedaughtersof themessengerofAllah (SwT),whowere theexampleofhonor,chastity,andpurity.ShewasaffectedbytheirconductsanddevotedherselftotheworshipofAllah.ShespenthernightsworshippingandrecitingtheBookofAllah.[3]ItsufficedherthatshehadgivenbirthtoamasterfromthemastersofMuslimsandanImamfrom
theAhlulBayt(a.s.)whomAllahhassentforthesafetyanddeliveranceofthepeople.Historiansdisagreedonhername.Herearesomeofthenamesasmentionedbyhistorians:1.Sumanaal-Maghribiyya[4]andknownasLadyUmmulFadhl[5]2.Mariyaal-Qubtiyya[6]3.Yadash[7]4.Haweet[8]Thereareothersayingsbutthedetailsofthisparticularpointisnotsoimportanttothesubject.
GreatNewbornBaby
Ali al-Hadi (a.s.) was born in Siriya[9] in Yathrib (Medina)[10]and by this birth the world was
delighted.Noonehadeverbeenborninthatagemorepious,moredevoted,ormoreknowledgeablethanhim.Heinheritedallqualitiesofgood,honor,andnobility.
CeremoniesoftheBirth
Imam al-Jawad (a.s.) performed the special rituals for his blessed newborn son. He performed
AzaninhisrightearandIqamaintheleft,circumcisedhimontheseventhdayafterthebirth,cutthehairofhishead,gavesilver,asmuchastheweightofthehair,tothepoor,andslaughteredaramasaqiqa[11],asitwasthenormfortheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.)todowiththeirchildrenwhentheywereborn.
BirthDate
MostofhistoriansagreedthatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasbornin212AH[12],anditwasalsosaidthat
hewasbornin214AH[13],buttheydisagreedonthemonthanddayofhisbirth.Herearesomeoftheirsayings:1.Hewasbornonthetwenty-seventhofThulHijja.[14]2.HewasbornonthethirteenthofRajab.[15]3.HewasbornonMonday,thethirdofRajab.4.SomesourcesmentionedthathewasborninRajabbutwithoutmentioningtheday.Ithasbeen
mentioned in some du’as (supplications) that, “O Allah, I ask You by the ones born in Rajab,MuhammadbinAlithesecondandAlibinMuhammadal-Muntajab”.SomehistoriansdidnotmentionthemonthandthedayofhisbirthbutsaidhewasborninMedina.
[16]
HisName
HisfatherImamal-Jawad(a.s.)namedhimAliliketheblessednameofhistwogreatgrandfathers
Amir ’ul-Mu’mininImamAli(a.s.)andImamAlibinal-HusaynZaynulAabidin(a.s.).HeresembledhisgrandfatherImamAli(a.s.)ineloquenceandrhetoric,andhisgrandfatherImamZaynulAabidininpiety,worship,andasceticism.
HisSurname
Givingasurnametoachildwasawayofhonoringthechildwhichhelpedhispersonalitygrow
welltowardsperfection.TheinfallibleImams(a.s.)paidattentiontothisimportantfactandtherefore,theysurnamedtheirchildrenintheirearlychildhood.TheArabswereproudoftheirsurnames.Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)surnamedhisson,Imamal-Hadi(a.s.),asAbulHasan,whichwasthesameas
thesurnamesofhistwograndfathersImamMusaal-Kadhim(a.s.)andImamar-Ridha(a.s.).NarratorsdifferentiatedbetweenthesethreeImamsinthissurnamebysayingAbulHasantheFirst(ImamMusaal-Kadhim),AbulHasantheSecond(Imamar-Ridha),andAbulHasantheThird(ImamAlial-Hadi).
HisEpithets
Hisepithetsexpressedthehighqualitieshepossessed.Hisepithetsareasfollows:1.An-Nasih(loyal);hewascalledsobecausehewasthesincerestadvisortothenation.2.Al-Mutawakkil(reliantonAllah);hedislikedthisepithetandorderedhiscompanionsnottocall
himwith it. I think he hated this epithet because itwas the epithet of theAbbasid caliph Ja’far al-Mutawakkilwhoheldabittergrudgeandenmity,andwasspiteful,towardstheAhlulBayt(a.s.).3.At-Taqiy (pious, devout); he was called so because he feared Allah and turned to Him. Al-
Mutawakkil, the tyrant Abbasid caliph, tried his best to attract Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) to the fields ofamusementanddebaucherybuthefailed.4.Al-Murtadha(beingpleasedwithAllah);itwashismostfamousepithet.5.Al-Faqeeh(jurisprudent);hewasthemostinformedpersonofhisageinjurisprudence,andwas
theauthoritythatjurisprudentsandscholarsturnedto.6.Al-Aalim(knowledgeable);hewas themostknowledgeableoneamong thepeopleofhis time,
notonlyintheIslamiclaws,butallbranchesofknowledgeandsciences.7.Al-Ameen(trusteeonreligionandlife)8.At-Tayyib(generous,kind-hearted,good-natured…)9.Al-Askari(military);hewascalledsobecauseheresidedinSurraMenRa’a(Samarra’)which
wascalledal-Askar.[17]10.Al-Muwadhih(explaineroftheverdictsoftheHolyBookandtheSunnah)11.Ar-Rasheed(wise,prudent);hewascalledsobecausehewasthewisestandmostprudentofhis
time.12.Ash-Shaheed(themartyr)becausehewasmartyredatthehandsoftheenemiesofAllah.13.Al-Wafiy (loyal); hewas themost loyal of his people, and loyaltywas a key element of his
personality.14.Al-Khalis(purefromeverydefectandbad)
HisLineaments
Hewasbrown[18] likehis fatherImamal-JawadandgrandfatherImamar-Ridha(peacebeupon
them).Narratorsdescribedthathewasblack-eyed,withthickhands,widechest,hookednose,prettyface,andgoodbodyodor.HewasstoutinbodylikehisgrandfatherImamAbuJa’faral-Baqir(a.s.),neithershortnortall,withwideshoulders,bigorgans[19]…straightstature.[20]
HisCharm
Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)resortedtoAllahtheAlmightytoprotecthissonImamal-Hadi(a.s.)fromthetroublesandadversitiesof timeandfromeveryevil.Everydayhecharmedhimwith thisdu’a thatshowedhisdevotednesstoAllah:“InthenameofAllah,theBeneficent,theMerciful,thereisnopowersaveinAllah,theExalted,the
Great.OAllah, theLordofangelsandGabriel,prophetsandmessengers, theOmnipotentover theinhabitantsoftheheavensandtheearth,andtheCreatorandPossessorofeverything,protectmefromthe harm of our enemies, andwhoeverwants to do uswrong from the jinn and human beings.OAllah,blindtheireyesandheartsandmakebetweenusandthemascreen,guard,anddefender.YouareourLordandthereisnopowerandmightsaveinAllah.OnHimwehavereliedandtoHimwehaveturnedandHeistheMighty,theWise.OourLord,saveusfromeveryevil,andfromtheevilofeverylivingcreatureyouhavecontrolon,andfromtheevilofeverythingthatcalmsdownonthedayandthenight,andfromeveryharmfulthing,andfromtheevilofeveryevildoer.O Lord of the worlds and the Lord of messengers, send blessings on Muhammad and all his
progenyand favorMuhammadandhisprogenywith thebestofeverything,and there isnopowersaveinAllah,theHigh,theGreat.InthenameofAllah,andinAllahIbelieve,andfromAllahIseekprotection,andtoAllahIresort,andwithAllahIseekrefuge,andbythegloryandmightofAllahIseekprotection from thedevilsof thehumansand the jinn, and from their footing,knighting, andrunning,andfromtheircunningandevil,andfromtheevilofwhat theydoundernightandunderday,fromfarandfromnear,andfromtheevilofthepresentandtheabsent,andofthewitnessandthevisitor,aliveordead…andfromtheevilofpeoplefaraway,andpeoplecloseby,andfromtheevilofmyself initsobsession,andfromtheevilof thedevils,andthesense, touch,anddubiousness,andfromtheenvyofthejinnandthehumans.Andbythename,whichthethroneofBilqees[21]shookfor,Iprotectmyreligionandself,andall
thoseundermycarefromtheevilofeveryfigureorimagination,whitenessorblackness,statueorappearance,allyornotallyofwhateverdwells in theair,cloud,darkness, light,shadow,hot,cold,seas, plains, badlands, ruins, building, hills,marshes,moors, churches, graveyards (ofChristians),desertsandcemeteries,fromtheemanationsofthosewhoappearinthenightanddisappearonday,eveningandmorning,afternoonandsunset,andfromthesuspiciousandaccusers,andthetalebearersinthenight,thedevils,thePharaohs,Satan,andfromtheirsoldiers,wives,tribes,andclans,andfromtheirbackbiting,slandering,speech,maligning,magic,beating,playing,deceit,andfromtheevilofeverywickedoneofmagicians,thejinn,theirwind,andallthattheygenerate…andfromtheevilofeverywickedcomingorgoing,accidentalorintentional,calmormoving,andthebeatingofavein,andheadacheandfever…andfromtheevilofeverylivingcreatureyouhavepoweron,Youareonthe Right Path. O Allah, have blessing onMuhammad and the progeny ofMuhammad and muchpeace…’Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)prayeduponhisgreatnewbornsonwiththisdu’asothathewouldlivewith
confidencethatthepowerwhichranandmanagedthisuniversewasnonebutAllahtheAlmighty,theCreatorofeverythingandtheMakeroflife,andanyoneotherthanHimhadnopower.Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)plantedinhissontheabsolutefaithinthepowersofAllah,andtaughthimthatresortingmustbeonlytoAllahWhosavedfromallmisfortunesanddistresses.
HisUpbringing
Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) grew up in a family different from all families in its noble conducts, high
morals, and loftyvirtues.Theiryoung revered theold and theold respected theyoung.Historiansmentionedwonderfulanecdotesofthehighconductofthemembersofthisgreatfamily.TheyrelatethatImamal-Husayn(a.s.)neverspokebeforehisbrotherImamal-Hasan(a.s.)asakindofreverence.TheysaidthatImamZaynulAabidin(a.s.)didnoteatwithhismotherornursemaidforfearthathemight eat something that his mother or nursemaid had looked at to pick and then he might beundutifultoher.Thesemoralswerelikethemoralsoftheprophetsthatwere,andarenotfound,inanyotherthanthisgreatfamily.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)grewupunder thewingofhisfatherImamal-Jawad(a.s.)whowas themost
wonderfulexampleofvirtuesandhighmorals.Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)shedlightfromhissoulonhisson and planted his virtues into him.He always praised his son and showed his admiration of histalentsandintellectualabilities.HistorianssaidthatwhenImamal-Jawad(a.s.)wantedtogotoIraq,heseatedImamal-Hadi(a.s.),
whowassixyearsthen,inhislapandsaidtohim,‘WhatdoyoulikeaspresentfromthemasterpiecesofIraq?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)smiledandsaid,‘Aswordlikeaflame.’Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)turnedtohissonMusaandsaidtohim,‘Andyou!Whatdoyoulike?’Musasaid,‘Somemats.’Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)didnothidehisadmirationandhesaidtohissonal-Hadi(a.s.),‘AbulHasan
(al-Hadi)islikeme…!’Hewasdelightedbecausethisshowedcourageandvalorthatwerefromhisandhisfathers’qualities.
HisEarlyGenius
The intelligence, intellectualabilities, and talentswhich Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)had inhischildhood
astonishedthemindsandamazedthe intellect.Hehadastrongmemory,excessive intelligence,andsharp wit. Historians have mentioned many examples of his intelligence. They mentioned that al-Mu’tasim, theAbbasid caliph, after having assassinated ImamMuhammad al-Jawad (a.s.), chargedUmarbinal-FarajtogotoYathrib(Medina)inordertochooseateacherforImamal-Hadi(a.s.)whowassixyearsandsomemonthsoldthen.Heaskedhimtochoosea teacher thatmustbeoneof theenemiesoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.)sothathe(theteacher)wouldfeedhimhatredtowardstheAhlulBayt(a.s.).WhenUmararrivedinYathrib,hemetthewalithereandinformedhimofhistask.Thewaliand
someothersdirectedhimtoal-JunaydiwhohadintenseillwilltowardstheAlawids.Umarsentforal-Junaydiwhoacceptedthetask.Amonthlysalarywasassignedtoal-JunaydiandhewaschargedtopreventtheShiafromvisitingorcontactingImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Al-JunaydibeganteachingImamal-Hadi (a.s.) but hewas astonished at his sharpwit and acute intelligence.One day,Muhammad binJa’farmetal-Junaydiandaskedhim,‘Whataboutthisboy(Imamal-Hadi)whomyouteach?’Al-Junaydisaidtohimangrily,‘Doyousay“thisboy”andnot“thissheikh”?IaskyoubyAllah;
doyouknowanyoneinMedinamoreawareinknowledgeandliteraturethanme?’MuhammadbinJa’farsaid,‘No!’Al-Junaydisaid,‘ImentionsomemattersofliteratureandthinkthatIhaveelaborateduponthem,
buthe(Imamal-Hadi)openssectionsofliteraturewhereImyselflearnfromhim.PeoplethinkthatIteachhim,but,byAllah,Ilearnfromhim…’AftersometimeMuhammadbinJa’farmetal-Junaydiagainandaskedhim,‘Whatabouttheboy?’Al-Junaydisaidtohim,‘Letyounotsayso!ByAllah,heisthebestoftheinhabitantsoftheearth
andthebestof thecreaturesofAllah.Manya time,whenhewants toenterhisroom,Isay tohim,‘Youdonotentertheroomuntilyoureciteasurah.’Hesays,‘Whichsurahyouwantmetorecite?’IaskhimtorecitelongsurahsandherecitestheminawaythatIhaveheardnorecitationbetterthanhis.HerecitesthesurahswithavoicenicerthanthepipesofProphetDavid(a.s.).Hehasmemorizedthe Qur'an from its beginning until its end and he knows its revelation and interpretation…’ Al-Junaydi added, ‘This young boy grew up inMedina between black walls. How did he obtain thisimmenseknowledge?GlorybetoAllah!’Al-Junaydi gave up his enmity towards the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) and believed in them and in their
Imamate.’[22]Ofcourse,thereisnoexplanationofthisphenomenonexceptthatwhichtheShiabelieve,thatAllah
has endowed the infallible Imams of theAhlulBayt (a.s.),whether young or old,with knowledge,wisdom,andvirtueinamannerthatHehasnotendowedanyoneelseofHispeople.
HisSolemnityandDignity
He inherited solemnity and dignity from his fathers. The mien of prophets and brightness of
guardiansappearedonhim,andnooneofhisenemiesorfollowersmethimunlesshereveredandrespectedhimhighly.Muhammadbinal-Hasanal-Ashtaral-Alawisaid,‘Oneday,Iwaswithmyfatheratthedoorofal-
Mutawkkil(theAbbasidcaliph)amongacrowdofpeople.Whilewewerewaitingthere,AbulHasan(al-Hadi)cameandallthepeopledismountedreveringandhonoringhimuntilheenteredthepalace.Someonedenied this reverence towardsImamal-Hadi (a.s.)andsaid, ‘Whydowedismount to thisboy?ByAllah,he isneither thenoblestnor theeldestofus.ByAllah,wedonotdismount tohimwhenhecomesout.’AbuHashim al-Ja’fari replied to him, ‘ByAllah, you shall dismount to himwithmeanness and
lowness.’WhenImamal-Hadi(a.s.)cameout,peoplebegancryingoutwithtakbirandtahlil[23]andallof
themstoodupglorifyinghim.AbuHashim turned topeopleandsaid, ‘Didyounotclaim thatyouwouldnotdismounttohim?’Theysaid,‘ByAllah,wecouldnotcontrolourselvesuntilwedismounted.’[24]Heartsreveredandhonoredhim,andthisreverencedidnotcomeoutofhisauthorityorrulership,
butitresultedfromhisdevotednesstoAllah,asceticismintheworldlylife,andutmostpiety.HeleftthemeannessofdisobedienceofAllahandcametothehonorofobedience.Fromtheevidencesofthegreatreverencethatpeopleheldforhim,wasthefactthatwheneverhecametoal-Mutawakkilinhispalace,everyonein thepalacehastenedtoservehim.Theycompetedtoraise thecurtains,openthedoors,etc.,andtheydidnotaskhimtodoanythingbyhimself.[25]
TheAlawids’ReverenceTowardshim
All the Alawids agreed on revering and honoring Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) and acknowledging his
leadership and virtue. Among them was the uncle of his father, Zayd, the son of ImamMusa al-Kadhim,(a.s.)whowasarespectableoldman.Oneday,ZaydaskedUmarbinal-Faraj,whowasthedoorkeeperofImamal-Hadi(a.s.),toaskpermissionforhimtoenter.HewaspermittedtocomeintohavethehonorofmeetingImamal-Hadi(a.s.).ZaydcameintoImamal-Hadi(a.s.),whowasatthefrontofthemeetingarea.HesatbeforeImamal-Hadi(a.s.)inamannerofhonoring,glorifying,andbelievinginhisImamate.Thenextday,ZaydcametothemeetingofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)whowasnotpresentyet.Zaydsatatthefrontofthemeetingarea.WhenImamal-Hadi(a.s.)came,ZaydjumpedupandseatedImamal-Hadi(a.s.)inhisplace,althoughImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wastooyoungthenandZaydwasveryold.[26]
RelationofthePeopleoftheBooktoHim
ThereverencetowardsImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasnotlimitedtoMuslimsonly.EventhePeopleofthe
BookbesidesMuslimsbelievedinhishighpositionnearAllah.Whentheyfacedamisfortune,theycarriedgiftstoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andtookhimasmeanstorelievetheirmisfortunes.HibatullahbinAbuMansural-MusilysaidthatYusufbinYa’qubtheChristianwasacquaintedwith
hisfather.Once,hecametohisfatherasguestandhisfatheraskedhimwhyhehadcometoBaghdad.Hesaid,‘Iwassentfortomeetal-MutawakkilandIdidnotknowwhatfor,butIbroughtwithmyselfonehundreddinarsthatIgavetoAlibinMuhammadbinar-Ridha(Imamal-Hadi).’Hibatullahadded,‘Myfathercongratulatedhim,andthenheleftBaghdadtowardsSurraManRa’a.[27]Hestayedthereforsomedaysandthencamebackdelightedly.Myfatheraskedhimabouthistravel
andhereplied,‘IarrivedinSurraManRa’a,whichIhadnotvisitedbefore.Iwantedtotaketheonehundreddinars to thesonofar-Ridha(Imamal-Hadi)beforegoing tomeetal-Mutawakkil. Iaskedabouthimanditwassaidtomethatal-Mutawakkilhadpreventedhimfromgoingoutandthathekepttohishouse. I feared tovisit himand refrained fromaskingabouthim. It came tomymind that IwouldrideonmystumperandgotothetownsothatImightfindoutmoreabouthimwithoutaskingconspicuously.Walkinginthestreetsandmarkets,IreachedahousewhenitstruckmethatitmightbethehouseofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Iaskedmyservanttoseewhosehouseitwas.Theservantaskedanditwassaid tohimthat itwas thehouseof thesonofar-Ridha.Myservantknocked thedoorandablackservantcameouttowardsmeandsaid,‘AreyouYusufbinYa’qub?’‘Yes!’Ireplied.Hesaid,‘Dismount!’Idismountedfrommysumpterandhetookmeintoavestibule.Hewent in
andthencameoutaskingme,‘Wherearetheonehundreddinars?’IgavethemtohimandhetookthemtotheImam.Afterawhile,hecameandpermittedmetocomein.Icamein.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasalone.Helookedatmekindlyandcompassionatelyandsaid,‘Isitnotyetenoughforyou?(Hemeant,hashenotseenenoughtobeguided).’Isaid,‘Omymaster,asufficientproofhasappearedtome!’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Howfar!YouwillnotbeMuslim,butyoursonwill,andhewillbefrom
ourShia.OYusuf,therearesomepeopleclaimingthatourguardianshipdoesnotbenefitoneslikeyou.Gotowhatyouhavecometo!Youshallseewhatyoulike.’YusufwasastonishedatthemiraclehesawfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Hewenttoal-Mutawakkiland
gotallthathewanted.Hibatullahsaid,‘YusufdiedandImethissonwhowasagoodMuslimfollowingtheAhlulBayt
(a.s.). He toldme that his father was still Christian when he died, and that he (the son) became aMuslimafterthedeathofhisfather.Heoftensaid,‘Iamthegoodtidingofmymaster ’.[28]ThepeopleoftheBookbelievedinImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andfoundinhislifeacontinuitytothelives
ofprophetsandsaints.
WhatAuthorsSayAboutHim
All those,whowroteabout the lifeof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.), sawhonor,dignity,knowledge,piety,
andcharismainhisgreatpersonalityandshowedtheiradmirationandhighregardforhim.Herearesomesayingsofhistoriansandscholarsabouthim:
1.AbulFalahal-Hanbali
AbdulHayyAbulFalahal-Hanbalisays,‘AbulHasanbinAlial-Jawadbinar-RidhabinMusaal-
Kadhim bin Ja’far as-Sadiq al-Alawi al-Husayni, who is known as al-Hadi, was a jurisprudent,worshippingImam.HewasoneoftheImamswhomtheShiiteexaggeratorsbelievetobeinfalliblelikeprophets…’[29]
2.Al-Yafi’iy
Al-Yafi’iysays,‘Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasworshipful,jurisprudent,Imam…’[30]
3.AbulFida’
He says, ‘Ali at-Taqiy (pious) is one of the twelve Imams of the Shia. He is Ali az-Zakiy binMuhammadal-Jawad…’[31]
4.Ibnas-Sabbaghal-Maliki
Hesays,“Someoneofscholarssaid, ‘ThevirtueofAbulHasanhasestablished itsdomeson the
galaxy, and stretched its ropes on the stars. No excellence is counted, unless with him is itsconclusion, and no nobility ismentioned, unlesswith him are its details and totality, and no highqualityisregarded,unlesshisproofsappearonit.Hedeservedallthatduetotheessenceofliberalqualities that he alone had, and glory that governed his lofty naturewhichwas purified from anyblemish, and sohisnatureandmoralswerepleHasant,his conductwas fair, andhisqualitieswerevirtuous.Hisgravity,calmness,certainty,chastity,honesty,andwitwereliketheProphet’sandAli’s.He had a pure soul and high determination such that no one among men resembled him (in thisrespect), andhe liveda coarse lifeof asceticismsuch thatnohumanparticipatedwithhim in it orlookedforwardtoit.’[32]
5.IbnShahrashub
Hesays,‘He(Imamal-Hadi)wasthebestandmosttruthfulofpeople.Hewasthecleverestfrom
nearandthemostperfectfromfar.Whenhekeptsilent,dignitywasobservedonhim,andwhenhespoke,splendorwasobservedonhim.HewasfromthehouseofprophethoodandImamate,andtheabodeofguardianshipandcaliphate.Abranchfromtheloftytreeofprophethoodwashe,andafruitfromthetreeofthemissionwashe…’[33]
6.Al-Qutbar-Rawandi
He says, ‘As forAlibinMuhammadal-Hadi, allqualitiesof Imamatehavegathered inhim.His
virtue,knowledge,andgoodmeritshavebeenperfected.Allhismoralswereextraordinarylikethemoralsofhisfathers.Hespentthenightworshipping,facingtheQibla,wearingawoolgarmentandsittingonamat.Ifwementionhishighqualities,thebookshallbeprolongedwiththem.’[34]
7.Ath-Thahabi
Hesays,‘AlibinMuhammadbinAlibinMusabinJa’farbinMuhammadbinZaynolAabidinbin
as-Sayyidash-Sharifal-Alawial-HusayniwasjurisprudentandoneofthetwelveImams.TheTwelverShiacallhimal-Manari.’[35]
8.IbnHajar
Hesays,‘Alial-Hadiwastheheirofhisfather ’sknowledgeandgenerosity.’[36]
9.IbnAnbasah
He says, ‘Ali al-Hadi is surnamed as al-Askari because he lived in SurraMan Ra’a whichwas
called al-Askar. His mother was Umm Walad (bondmaid) who was absolutely virtuous andnoble…’[37]
10.MuhammadbinTalha
MuhammadbinTalhaash-Shafi’iysays, ‘As for thequalitiesofAlial-Hadi,earsnever received
praisemorepleHasantthanthem(thequalities)suchthattheysurroundedhim,aspreciouspearlsintheir shells. What is witnessed in Abul Hasan Ali al-Hadi was that his soul was described withinvaluabledescriptions,andthatitwasinthepositionofprophethoodinitshonorofranksandhonorofroots…’[38]
11.AaghaBuzurgat-Tahrani
This great researcher says, ‘Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) was the best of his brothers. He inherited the
knowledge and generosity of his fathers. The Imamate transferred, and was limited to him fromamonghisbrothersbecausehehadfulfilledalltheconditionsofImamate.TheconditionsofImamateare knowledge, justice, qualifications, soundness of senses and organs that does not affect one’sdeterminationandaction,beingArabfromQuraysh,besidesbeingfromtheHashemites…’[39]
12.Khayruddeenaz-Zarkali
Hesays,‘Alial-HadibinMuhammadal-JawadbinAliar-RadhiybinMusabinJa’faral-Husayniat-
TalibiwasthetenthofthetwelveImamsfortheShiaandoneofthepiousvirtuousones…’[40]Theseweresomewordssaidbyscholarsandulama’showingtheiradmirationtowardsImamal-
Hadi (a.s.) and someof his high qualities for hewas the highest religious authority in the Islamicworld.
Notes:[2]Binmeans“sonof”andbintmeans“daughterof”.[3]RefertoUyoonal-Mu’jizat.[4]TathkiratulKhawas,p.39.[5]Biharal-Anwar,vol.13p.126,ad-Durran-Nadheem.[6]Bahral-Ansab,p.35.[7]Mir ’ataz-Zaman,vol.9p.553(manuscript).[8]Tareekhal-A’imma,p.16.[9]AvillageestablishedbyImamMusaal-Kadhim(s)aboutthreemilesfromMedina.10]Al-IttihafbihubilAshraf,p.67,JawharatulKalamfeeMadhas-Sadahal-A’lam,p.151.[11]Aqiqaisthenameofthesacrificeonthesevendayafterthebirthofachild.[12]Usulal-Kafi,vol.1p.497,al-Irshad,p.368,A’yanash-Shia,vol.4p.252.[13]Al-IttihafbihubilAshraf,p.67,Jawharatal-Kalam,p.151,Mir ’atal-Janan,vol.2p.159,Tareekh
al-Khamees,vol.2p.321.[14]A’yanash-Shia,vol.4p.252.[15]Tareekhal-Khamees,vol.2p.321,Mir ’atal-Janan,vol.2p.159.[16]Al-IttihafBihubilAshraf,p.67.[17] It ismentioned inUmdat at-Talib, p.188 and Ilal ash-Sharayi’, p.241, that the quarterwhere
Imamal-Hadi(s)livedwascalledAskarandthereforehewascalledal-Askari.[18]Nooral-Absar,p.164,Biharal-Anwar,vol.13p.127,Jawharatal-Kalam,p.151.[19]Ma’athiral-Kubara’FeeTareekhSamarra’,vol.3p.20.[20]Jawharatal-Kalam,p.151.[21]ShewasasovereignonYemen.[22]Ma’athiral-Kubara’feeTareekhSamarra’,vol.3p.95-96.[23]Takbiristhesaying“AllahuAkbar-Allahisgreat”andtahlilisthesaying“laillahaillallah-
thereisnogodbutAllah”.[24]Biharal-Anwar,vol.13,p.131,A’yanash-Shia,vol.4p.274-275.[25]Biharal-Anwar,vol.13p.129.[26]Ma’athiral-Kubara’,vol.3p.94.[27]Samarra’, thecapitalofal-Mutawakkil theAbbasidcaliph.[28]Biharal-Anwar,vol.13p.133.
[29]Shadharatath-Thahab,vol.2p.128-129.[30]Mir ’atal-Janan,vol.2p.160.[31]TareekhAbulFida’,vol.2p.47.[32]Al-Fusulal-Muhimmah,p.268.
[33]Al-Manaqib,vol.4p.401.[34]Al-Kharayij.[35]Tareekhal-Islam,vol.5.[36]As-Sawa’iqal-Muhriqah.[37]Umdatat-TalibfeeAnsabAalAbiTalib,p.188.[38]Matalibas-Sa’ool.[39]Shajaratas-Sibtayn,(manuscript).[40]Al-A’lam,vol.5p.140.
4ChapterAspectsofhisPersonality
ThequalitiesofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)werelikethequalitiesofhisfatherswhoweredistinguishedby
themoverallpeople.Allelementsofhonoranddignitymettogetherinhim.Hepossessedallvirtuesandexcellences. It sufficed forhim thathewasoneof the infallible Imamsof theAhlulBayt (a.s.)whomAllah had purified and kept uncleanness away from them.Herewe shall talk in brief aboutsomeattributesofhishonorablepersonality:
Imamate
Imamate isakindnessfromAllah toHispeoplewhichHedoesnotgive toanyonebutHis loyal
slaves,whomHehastriedbyfaith,andpurifiedfromallkindsofinjusticesanddefects.InourbooksonthelivesoftheinfallibleImamswehavediscussed“Imamate”indetailsinsomeofthemandinbriefinothers.InthisbookwetalkinbriefaboutImamateandrefertosomeofitsaspects.
TheNeedforImamate
Imamate is an affair from the affairs of the Islamic life.Without Imamate Islamic life does not
functionproperly;notonlybecauseitcontrolsreligiouslife,butalsobecauseitrunstheeconomical,political,andsociallife,andleadstothenation’sindependencyandfreedomandsecuressafety,ease,andpeace.Perhaps, the most important reason behind the need for Imamate is to make spiritual powers
dominate and to spread virtue and good between people and resist bad tendencies of selfishness,haughtiness,greed,envyandotherkindsofdeviation.AllgoodpowersintheworldarebasedonthefaithinAllah,becausethisistheonlypaththatprotectstheworldfromdestructionanddisastersofwars. The faith in Allah is the strongest weapon in the earth that keeps the world safe frommisfortunes.TheinfallibleImamscaredmuchforthisside.Theyraisedthebanneroffaithhigh,andstruggled
inthewayofAllahverydiligently.TheyleftluminousworksinthewayofinvitingtoAllah.NahjolBalaghaofAmirul-Mu’mineen(ImamAli)isfullofthefragrancesoftruefaith.Itinvitespeopletoponder on the creation of everything in the world, which inevitably leads to faith. It also invitespeopletogoodmoralsandhighqualitiesandwarnsofeviltendenciesthatleadtobackwardnessanddeterioration.Wealsofindspiritualnourishmentinas-Sahifahas-SajjadiyyaofImamas-Sajjad(a.s.)which is considered the Bible of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), and it is a fertile source of faith. In allsupplications transmitted from the infallible Imams (a.s.) we find this spiritual nourishment thatpurifiesthesoulfromthedregsofignoranceandpride.In thebooksofargumentationyou find irrefutableevidenceswhich the infallible Imamsoffered
regardingmonotheismthatconfutedtheenemiesofIslamwhodeniedtheCreator.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)praisedthejihadofhisfathersinthefieldsoffaithandtheinvitationtoAllahinhisZiyarahcalled“al-Jami’ah”.Hesaid,“PeacebeonthepropagandistsofAllah,theguidestothecontentmentwithAllah,theresidentsin
the command of Allah, the absorbed in the love of Allah, the loyal in monotheism, those whomanifestofthemissionofAllah…’He added, ‘You honored His glory, exalted His standing, glorified His generosity, kept His
remembrance,confirmedHiscovenant,confirmedHisobedience,weresinceretoHimsecretlyandopenly,calleduntoHiswaywithwisdomandgoodexhortation,sacrificedyourselvestopleaseHim,werepatientwithwhatafflictedyouforHim,offeredprayers,gavezakat,enjoinedthegood,forbadethe wrong, struggled truly in the way of Allah until you announced His mission, declared Hisobligations, spreadHis laws, fixedHisverdicts, andbecameby that in theeyeofHiscontentment,submittedtoHisfate,andbelievedinHispastprophets…’ThesewonderfullinesexpressedthestrugglethattheinfallibleImamsundertooktoraisetheword
ofmonotheismanddefendthevaluesofIslamandfaith.TheyofferedtheirlivesaspuresacrificetoAllahlookingforwardjusttoHisreward.
InfallibilityoftheImams
The infallibility of the twelve Imams (a.s.) is an important element in the Shiite doctrine. Some
peopledenythisconceptclaimingthatitcannotberealized.InourstudiesonthelivesoftheinfallibleImams (a.s.)wehave confuted thedeniersof this concept andproved the reality andpossibilityofinfallibility.Hewho reads the lives of the infallible Imams does not doubt their infallibility at all.Theynevercommittedanykindofsinordisobediencewhetherintentionallyorunintentionally.None of them ever deviated from the right path or sound conduct.All of themwere absolutely
pious.Al-Mutawakkil,theAbbasidtyrant,triedhisbestwithallthemeansavailabletohimtodeceiveImamal-Hadi(a.s.)inordertogethimtowalkinhisowndeviatedwaysandengageinthetraditionsof amusement and debauchery, but Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) abstained from all that and at last al-Mutawakkil failed in his plans to tempt him.With his great status, Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) proved hisinfallibilityaswellashispurefathers’thattheTwelverShiabelievein.
TheKnowledgeoftheImams
TheknowledgeoftheinfallibleImamswasliketheknowledgeoftheprophetswithnodifference
betweenthem.AstheknowledgeoftheprophetsandmessengersofAllahwasinspirationalsuchthatAllahhadendowedthemwithtobetheauthorityonHispeople,sowastheknowledgeoftheinfallibleImams(a.s.).Imamas-Sadiq(a.s.)spokeabout thegreat treasuresofknowledge the infallibleImams(a.s.)had
andhowtheyobtainedthatknowledgewhensaying,‘Ourknowledgeisancient,primordial,beatinginhearts,andknockinginears.Wehavetheredjafr,thewhitejafr,thebookofFatima(peacebeuponher),andal-Jami’ah(compilation),inwhichthereareallwhatpeopleneed…’Hewasaskedtoexplainwhathehadsaidandhereplied,‘Theancientknowledgeistheknowledge
ofwhat shall happen, and the primordial knowledge is the knowledge ofwhat had happened. Thebeatinginheartsisinspirationandtheknockinginearsisthetalkofangelsthatweheartheirspeechbut we do not see their figures. As for the red jafr, it is a container having the weapon of themessengerofAllah(peacebeuponhimandhisprogeny)anditshallnotappearuntilImamal-Mahdi(a.s.)reappears.ThewhitejafrisacontainerhavingtheTorahofMoses,theBibleofJesus,theBookofPsalmsof
David, and the firstBooks ofAllah. TheBook of Fatima (peace be upon her) has accounts of alleventsandnamesofthosewhoruleintheworlduntiltheDayofResurrection.Asforthejami’ah,itisabookofseventycubitslonghavingthedictationofthemessengerofAllah(peacebeuponhimandhisprogeny)writtendownbyAlibinAbuTalib(a.s.).ByAllah,ithasallthatwhichpeopleneeduntil the Day of Resurrection even the amount of blood money of a scratch, a whip, half awhip…’[41]Whatfurtherprovesthisclaimisthedifferentkindsofknowledgeandsciencestransmittedfrom
theinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.).Asanexample,ImamAli(a.s.)thegateoftheProphet’scity of knowledge, had openedmany sections of knowledge and sciences, which numbered aboutthirty-two sciences according to al-Aqqad[42]. It was he who had informed people about thetechnologicalprogressandscientificdevelopmentthatwouldappearonthestageoflife.Hesaid,‘AtimewillcomewherethepeopleintheEastcanseethepeopleoftheWest,andthepeopleintheWestcanseethepeopleintheEast.’Healsosaid,‘AtimewillcomewherethepeopleintheEastcanhearthepeopleoftheWest,andthepeopleintheWestcanhearthepeopleoftheEast.’ThissayingcametruebyinventingtheTVandtheRadio.Healsosaid,‘Atimewillcometopeople
whereironwillmove.’Itcametruebyinventingtrains,cars,andothermeansoftransportation.TherearemanyotherexampleslikethesethatImamAli(a.s.)hadinformedof.[43]Itwashewhohadsaid,‘Askme about theBook ofAllah!ByAllah, there is no verse, unless I knowwhether it has beenrevealedinthenightorday,inaplainoramountain.’[44]FromtheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.),whohadspoutedspringsofknowledgeandwisdominthe
earth,wasthemiracleofknowledgeandintellectintheworldImamas-Sadiq(a.s.).Heforetoldaboutthepollutioninspaceandseasanditsbadeffectsonman.Healsotoldabouttheexistenceoflifeon
someplanets.Itwashe,whohadestablishedthebasesofanatomyandpeculiaritiesofman’sorgansandthewondersinthem.AllthatwasmentionedinthebookTawhidal-Mufadhdhal.Hewasthefirstfounderofphysicsandchemistry.HeestablishedtheirbasesthroughhisdiscipleJabirbinHayyantheprideoftheEastandthepioneerofthehumandevelopmentintheearth.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasnotmorethansevenyearsoldwhenhisfatherImamal-Jawad(a.s.)died.
Still inhis earlyyearsyet, Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)hadknowledge that astonishedothers’minds.Greatscholars tried him by most difficult and complicated questions in jurisprudence, philosophy, andtheologybutheansweredthemallasifhewasanexpertjurisprudent.Therefore,ulama’andscholarsbelievedinhisImamate,andthusitwasclearevidencethatAllahhadendowedtheinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.)withsuchknowledge,wisdom,andvirtuethatHehadneverendowedotherswith.
AnnouncinghisImamate
TheShiapaidmuchattentiontothematterofImamatebecauseitisoneofthebasesofIslam.They
often asked the present Imam about the Imam after him so that they would refer to him in theirreligiousandworldlyaffairs,obeyandfollowhim.ManyreliableMuslimsnarratedtheassigningofAlial-Hadi(a.s.)astheImambyhisfatherImamMuhammadal-Jawad(a.s.).Herearesomeofthem:
1.Isma’ilbinMihran
WhenImamal-Jawad(a.s.)wenttoBaghdadinhisfirsttravel,Isma’ilbinMihranvisitedhimand
saidtohim,‘MayIdieforyou!Ifearforyouinthistravel(fromtheAbbasids).WhoistheImamafteryou?’Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)smiledathimandsaid,‘Itisnotasyouthought.Itisnotinthisyear.’Whenal-Mu’tasim(theAbbasidcaliph)sentforImamal-Jawad(a.s.),Isma’ilwenttotheImamto
knowtheImamafterhim.HesaidtoImamal-Jawad(a.s.),‘Youaregoing.Towhomwillthematter(Imamate)beafteryou?’Imamal-Jawad (a.s.) cried andwas anxious in his travel and thought that hewould not go back
againtoYathrib.Therefore,heappointedhissonAlial-HadiastheImamafterhim.Hesaid,‘Now,itistofearforme.Thematter(Imamate)aftermeistomysonAli…’[45]WhatImamal-Jawad(a.s.)predictedcametrue.Al-Mu’tasim,theAbbasidcaliph,assassinatedhim
whilehewasstillinthebloomofhisyouth.
2.Al-Khayrani
HewasoneofthenarratorswhonarratedtheappointmentofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)astheImamafter
hisfather.Weshallmentionthatinacomingchapter.
3.As-SaqrbinAbuDalf
As-Saqrnarrated,‘IheardAbuJa’farMuhammadbinAliar-Ridha(Imamal-Jawad)saying,‘The
Imam after me is my son Ali. His Command is my command, his saying is my saying, and hisobedienceismyobedience.Imamateafterhimistohissonal-Hasan…’[46]
4.SomeoftheShia
When Imam al-Jawad (a.s.) traveled to Baghdad, he said to some of his followers, ‘I am
going[47]andthematter(Imamate)willbetomysonAli.HewillhaverightsonyouaftermeasIhadonyouaftermyfather.’[48]5.AhmadbinAbuKhalidAhmadnarratedthatAbuJa’far(Imamal-Jawad)hadrecommendedhisson,Alial-Hadi(a.s.),tobe
theImamafterhim.Weshallmentionthetermsofthiswilllateron.[49]ThesearesomeofthenarratorswhonarratedthatImamal-Jawad(a.s.)hadappointedhissonAli
al-Hadi(a.s.)astheImamafterhim.Thetextsonthismatterweresuccessive.TheShiabelievethattheappointingofImamswasnotoutofpassionsortendencies,butitwasaccordingtothecommandofAllahWhochoseandappointedthemthroughtheProphet(S)whocarriedoutwhathewasorderedbyhisLord.TheProphet(S)announcedthatthecaliphs(successors)afterhimwouldbetwelveones,whomImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasoneof.Thetextsonthismatteraresuccessiveandtrue.[50]
HisGenerosity
OneoftheprominentqualitiesofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)washisgenerosity.Hewasthemostliberal
andgenerouspersonofhistime.Hewaslikehisfathers,whogavefoodoutofloveforHimtothepoor,theorphan,andthecaptive.Theygavefoodtoothersuntilnofoodremainedfortheirfamiliesandthemselves,andgaveclothestoothersuntilnoclothesremainedforthem.Imamas-Sadiq(a.s.)gavefoodandclothestopeopleuntilnothingremainedforhisfamily.[51]Historiansmentionedmanyexampleson thegenerosityandcharityof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) to the
poorandneedy.Wementionsomeofthemhere:1.Once,AbuAmrUthmanbinSa’eed,AhmadbinIsaaqal-Ash’ari,andAlibinJa'faral-Hamadani
wenttoImamal-Hadi(a.s.).AhmadbinIsaaqcomplainedofadebtofhis.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)turnedto his agent Amr and said to him, ‘Give him thirty thousand dinars and to Ali bin Ja’far thirtythousanddinars.’Healsogaveasumlikethattohisagent.IbnShahrashubcommentedonthisnobletraitbysaying,‘Thisisamiraclethatnoonecanperformexceptkings.Wehavenotheardofsuchagift.’[52] Doing this, Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) secured comfortable living to these notable persons andsavedthemfromthedistressofneediness.2.Isaaqal-Jallabsaid,‘OntheDayofTarwiya[53]IboughtmanyheadsofsheeptoAbulHasanal-
Hadi(peacebeuponhim)andhedistributedthemamonghisrelatives.’[54]3. Historians mentioned that one day Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) went from Samarra’ to a village he
possessed.Anomadmancametohimbutdidnotfindhiminhishouse.HisfamilytoldthenomadthatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)hadgonetohisgarden.ThenomadwentandfoundImamal-Hadi(a.s.)there.Hesaidtohimwithfaintvoice,‘OsonofthemessengerofAllah,IamfromthenomadsofKufawhobelieveintheguardianshipofyourgrandfatherAlibinAbuTalib.ThereisaheavydebtonmeandIhavenoonetogotoexceptyou…’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)hadpityonhimbuthehimselfwasinlackofmoneyanddidnothaveanything
tohelpthisnomadwith.Hewroteonapieceofpaperwithhishandwritingthathewasindebttothenomadandhementionedacertainamount.Hesaidtothenomad,‘Keepthispaperwithyou.WhenIgotoSurraManRa’a(Samarra’)andwhensomepeoplecometomymeeting,youcomeandaskmetopaybackyourdebt.YouaretoinsistuponthisfrommeandmentionthatIhavenotpaidyouyourdebt.DoexactlyasIsaytoyou!’WhenImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wenttoSurraManRa’aandagroupofpeople,amongwhomweresome
officialsandsecretpolicemen,attendedhismeeting,thenomadcame,showedthepieceofpaper,andaskedImamal-Hadi(a.s.)topaybackthedebtmentionedinthepaper.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)apologizedthat he could not pay back the debt and the nomad insisted. When people left the meeting, thepolicemenwenttoal-Mutawakkilandtoldhimaboutthismatter.Al-Mutawakkilorderedhismentosend thirty thousanddirhams to Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)and theydid.When thenomadcame, Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidtohim,‘Takethismoneyandpaybackyourdebtandspendtherestonyourfamily!’ThenomadfoundthatgreatandsaidtoImamal-Hadi(a.s.),‘Mydebtislessthanthethirdofthis
amount…butAllahismoreawarewhereHerevealsHismission.’[55]Thenomadleftforhisfamilydelightedly while praying Allah for Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) who had saved him from poverty andneediness.4.HistoriansmentionedthatonceAbuHashimal-Ja’faryunderwentaseverestateofneedinessand
he resorted to Imam al-Hadi (a.s.).When Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) saw his wretchedness, he wanted tocomforthim.Hesaidtohim,‘OAbuHashim,whichblessingofAllahyouwanttobegratefulfor?Allahhasendowedyouwithfaiththatsavesyourbodyfromfire,endowedyouwithsoundnessthathelpsyou inobedience,andendowedyouwithsatisfaction thatkeepsyouawayfromdegradation.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)gavehimonehundreddinars.[56]
HisAsceticism
Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) turned his back on all pleasures of thisworldly life and lived absolutely an
asceticlife.Hekepttoworship,piety,andasceticism.HepaidnoattentiontoworldlypleasuresandpreferredtheobedienceofAllahtoeverythingelse.HishouseinYathribandhishouseinSurraManRa’ahadnofurniture.Once,thepolicemenofal-Mutawakkilbrokeintohishouseandsearcheditbutfoundnothingofworldlyfurniture.TheyalsosearchedhisHouseinSurraManRa’aandfoundhimwearingawoolgarmentandsittingonsandandpebbles.Nothingwasbetweenhimandtheground.As-Sibtbinal-Jawzisaid,‘Alial-Hadihadnointerestinthisworldlylife.Hekepttothemosque.
Whentheysearchedhishouse,theydidnotfindinitsavecopiesoftheHolyQur'an,booksofdu’a,andscientificbooks.’Helivedinthelightofthenoblelifehisfathershadlived;inasceticismandturningawayfromthe
material pleasures of this life except that which concerned the truth. His grandfather Amir ’ul-Mu’minin(a.s.)wasoneofthemostasceticmeninthislife.DuringhisruleasthecaliphofMuslimshisshoeswerefromthefibersofpalmtreeandhehimselfmendedthemwithhishands.Hisbeltalsowasfromfibersofpalmtree.Hesufferedhungeroutofasceticismandinorder to
comfort thepoor.Hiswife theheadof thewomenof theworldFatimaaz-Zahra’ (a.s.) also turnedawayfromtheworldlylifeandlivedinasmallhousewithnofurnitureandherhandswerehardenedby thequern. In thispathdidall the infallible Imamswalk.Theydivorced this lifeand turned theirbacks on its pleasures. They turned toAllah devotedly and did all thatwhich took them nearer toAllah.
WorkinginhisFarm
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasfreeofeverymaterialtendency.Hewasfreefromanykindofselfishness
andhedidnotsubmittoanypleasureorfancy.Historianssaythatheworkedinhisfarmtosecurethelivingofhisfamily.AlibinHamzasaid,“Once,IsawAbulHasanthethird(Imamal-Hadi)workinafarmwhilehisfeetweresoakedwithsweat.Isaidtohim,‘MayIdieforyou!Wherearethemen?’Hesaid,‘OAli,one,whowasbetterthanmeandmyfather,workedwithaspadeinhisfarm.’Isaid,‘Whowashe?’Hesaid,‘ThemessengerofAllah(SwT),Amir ’ul-Mu’minin,andallmyfathersworkedwiththeir
hands.Itwastheworkofprophets,apostles,andgoodsaints…”[57]Workwas the sign of prophets. Every prophetworked in some field.We have quoted this holy
traditioninourbook“WorkandtherightsofworkersinIslam”toprovetheimportanceandhonorofworkandthatitwasfromtheconductsoftheholyprophets.
GuidingtheDeviant
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)caredmuchforguidingthedeviantswhodigressedfromthetruth.Fromamongthose,whomImamal-Hadi (a.s.)hadguided,wasal-Hasanal-Basriknownasal-Mallahwhowasawaqifite.[58]Once,Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)methimandsaidtohim,‘Untilwhenisthisslumber?Isitnotyettimeforyoutoawake?’Thesewordsaffectedhimdeeplyandsoheturnedbacktothetruthandguidance.[59]
ForbiddingfromAssociatingwithSufis
Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) warned his companions and allMuslims from associating andmixingwith
Sufisbecausetheywereasourceoferroranddeviationtopeople.Theyaffectedasceticismtoseducesimpleandnaïvepeople.Al-HusaynbinAbulKhattabsaid,‘Oneday,IwaswithAbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.)inthemosqueof
theProphet (S)when someof his companions, amongwhomwasAbuHashimal-Ja’fari, came tohim.AbuHashimwasaneloquentmanandhadahighpositionnearImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Whilewewerestanding,agroupofSufiscameintothemosque.Theysatinacornerofthemosqueandbegansaying “la ilaha illallah; there is no god but Allah”. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) turned towards hiscompanionsandsaidtothem,‘DonotpayattentiontothesedeceiversfortheyarealliesoftheDevilsanddestroyersofthebasesofreligion.Theybecomeascetictorelievetheirbodiesandwatchtohuntcattle…theydonotpracticeritesexcepttodeceivepeople,anddonotdecreasefoodexceptto…cheatthe foolish…their worship is but dancing and clapping, and their praises are but singing. No onefollowsthemexceptthestupid,andnoonebelievesinthemexceptthefoolish.Whoeverwenttovisitanyofthemaliveordead,it’sasifhewenttovisitSatanandidolaters,andwhoeversupportedanyofthem,asifhesupported,Mo’awiya,Yazid,andAbuSufyan…’Oneofthecompanionssaid,‘Evenifheacknowledgesyourrights?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)scoldedhimandshouted,‘Donotsaythat!He,whoacknowledgesourrights,
doesnotdisobeyus.Doyounotknow that theyare theworstgroupofSufis, thoughallSufis aredissentienttousandtheirwayiscontrarytoours?TheyarebutChristiansandmagiofthisnation.TheydotheirbesttoputoutthelightofAllahwiththeirmouths,andAllahwillnotconsentsavetoperfectHislight,thoughtheunbelieversareaverse…’
HonoringtheUlama’
Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)honoredpeopleof intellectandknowledge,welcomedandpreferred themto
therestofpeoplebecause theywere thesourceof light in theearth.Once, Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasinformedthatoneoftheShiiteulama’hadarguedwithanopponentoftheAhlulBayt(s)andconfutedhim. He was delighted by that.When that scholar came to Imam al-Hadi (a.s.), he welcomed himwarmlyinhismeetingwhichwasfullofAlawidsandAbbasids.Heseatedhimonasofaandbegantalkingwithhimeagerlyandrespectfully.TheHashemitesinthemeetingbecameangryandsaidtoImamal-Hadi(a.s.),‘WhydoyoupreferhimtothemastersofBani[60]Hashem?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidtothem‘BewaretobefromthosewhomAllahhassaidabout,(Haveyou
notconsideredthose(Jews)whoaregivenaportionoftheBook?TheyareinvitedtotheBookofAllahthatitmightdecidebetweenthem,thenapartofthemturnbackandtheywithdraw).[61]DoyouaccepttheBookofAllahasajudge?’Theyallsaid,‘OsonofthemessengerofAllah,wedo.’Hebeganprovinghisopinionbysaying,‘HasAllahnotsaid,(Oyouwhobelieve!whenitissaidto
you,Makeroomin(your)assemblies,thenmakeampleroom,Allahwillgiveyouample,andwhenitissaid:Riseup,thenriseup.Allahwillexaltthoseofyouwhobelieve,andthosewhoaregivenknowledge,inhighdegrees;andAllahisAwareofwhatyoudo)[62]?Allah does not accept for a knowledgeable believer but to be preferred to an unknowledgeable
believer,justasHewantsabelievertobepreferredtoanunbeliever.Allahhassaid,(Allahwillexaltthoseofyouwhobelieveandthosewhoaregivenknowledge,inhighdegrees).HasHesaid,‘Allahwillexalt those,whoaregivenhonorof lineage, inhighdegrees’?Allahhassaid, (Are thosewhoknowand thosewhodonotknowalike?)[63] Then, howdoyou denymyhonoring him forwhatAllahhashonoredhim?HisdefeatingthatopponentoftheAhlulBayt(s)withtheproofsthatAllahhastaughthimismore
honorablethaneveryhonoroflineage.’Theattendantskeptsilentafterthisreply,butoneoftheAbbasidssaid,‘Osonofthemessengerof
Allah,youhavepreferred thisman tous anddegradedus lower thanonewhohasno lineage likeours,whilesincethebeginningofIslamuntilnowthosebetterinlineagearepreferredtothoselowerthanthem.’This isanonsensicalargumentsinceIslamfocusesonlyonrightvalueswhichthatAbbasidman
didnotunderstand.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohimsaying,‘Glory be toAllah!Had al-Abbas (the Prophet’s uncle) not paid homage toAbuBakrwhowas
fromTaym[64]while al-Abbaswas aHashemite?DidAbdullah binAbbas not serveUmar bin al-Khattab who was from Adiy while Abdullah bin Abbas was a Hashemite and the father of the(Abbasid)caliphs?AndwhydidUmarappointpeoplefarinlineageintheshuraanddidnotappointal-Abbas?Ifpreferringanon-HashemitetoaHashemiteisdenied,thenyouhavetodenythehomageofal-AbbastoAbuBakrandtheserviceofAbdullahbinAbbastoUmar.Ifthatwaspermissible,thisispermissibletoo.’
TheAbbasidmanwasconfuted.[65]WhenhedidnotunderstandtheproofsderivedfromtheHoly
Qur'an,Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)arguedwithhimbythehomageofal-AbbastoAbuBakrandtheserviceofAbdullahbinAbbas toUmar though these two caliphs (AbuBakr andUmar)werenot equal inlineagetoal-AbbasandAbdullahbinAbbas.
HisWorship
WhenyoureadthelivesoftheinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(s),youfindthattheprominent
aspect of their lives was their devotedness to Allah and their spending the night in worshipping,hymning,andrecitationoftheQur'an.AbuFirasal-Hamadani,thepoet,comparestheAhlulBayt(s)totheAbbasidsbysaying,“Recitation(oftheQur'an)isheardintheirhousesuntildawn,andinyourhousesmusicandsinging.”Atthatage,peopledidnotseeaworshipper,devoutandpiouspersonlikeImamal-Hadi(a.s.).He
offered all recommendedworships (nafila). In the third rak’a of the nafila ofMaghrib (sunset) herecitedthesuraofal-Hamd(1)andthebeginningofthesuraofal-Hadid(57)untiltheendofthesixverse, and in the fourth rak’a he recited the sura of al-Hamd and the sura of al-Hujurat (49).[66]Anothernafilaof tworak’aswasreported inwhichherecited in thefirst rak’a thesuraofal-HamdandthesuraofYasin(36),andinthesecondrak’aherecitedthesuraofal-Hamdandthesuraofar-Rahman(55).[67]
HisSupplicationsinQunut[68]
ManysupplicationsweretransmittedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)whichherecitedinthequnutofhis
prayers,showingtheextentofhisdevotednessandsubmissivenesstoAllah.Herearesomeofthem.1. “OAllah, the founts ofYour gifts are brimful, the doors ofYour supplications for onewho
hopesinYouarewide-open,andYourmercifullooksononewhoresortstoYouarenotcut.Cautionisbridled,needisurgent,andpeopleofpatienceareunabletowait.OAllah,Youareinwatchoverallplaces,andYoudonotignorebut(provide)respite.WhoevertakesrefugewithYouwillbesecure,andwhoeverresortstoYouwillsucceedandgettoYourdoorsafe.OAllah,overtake thosewhopersistonoppressionandcontinue in their ignorance to theendof
disbelief.Yourpatiencewiththemhasmadethemcovetousofdoingastheydesire.TheyharmYourguardians with their evils, and hurt them with their vices, and take their harm to them in theirhabitation.OAllah,dispeltormentfromthebelieversandsenditopenlyontheunjust!OAllah,drivetormentawayfromreliersandpouritonthehaughty!OAllah,assistthefollowersofthetruth,andsurprise theassistantsof injusticewithsnap!OAllah,makeusdelightedwithgratefulness,giveusvictory,andkeepussafefromthebadbada’,[69]badend,anddanger!’[70]ThesupplicationsoftheinfallibleImamswerenotlimitedtothespiritualside,buttheyincludedall
sides of life. This supplication pictured the political life and the oppression that people sufferedduring the reignsof thosekingswhowereexcessive inoppressingpeopleand forcing them todowhat theywereunwilling todo. I think that, in this supplication, Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) invokedAllahagainstal-MutawakkilwhoexcessivelyoppressedtheAlawids.2.“OYou,Whoareuniqueindeity,andaloneinoneness,OYou,byWhosenamethedayglows,
and lights shine, byWhose commandnight darkens, andbyWhosegift rain comesdown,OYou,Whom the distressed call upon and You respond, the frightened resort to and You rescue them,obedientworshipandYouthankedthem,andthegratefulpraiseandYourewardthem.HowexaltedYouare!HowhighYourauthorityis!HowexecutableYourcommandsare!YouaretheCreator(whocreates)withouteffort,andtheJudge(whojudges)withoutinjustice.Your excuse is irrefutable, andYourwords are undeniable. ToYou I have resorted and sought
protectionfromtheblowsonknots(magic),andthewatchesoftheatheistswhodenyYourattributes,harmYourguardians,support thekillingofYourprophetsandchosenones, intendtoputoutYourlight,denyYourmessengers, resistYoursigns, takeguardiansother thanYouandYourguardians,and worship their idols instead of You, but You favor Your guardians with Your great blessings,generouslygive themYourbounties, endow themwith thebestofYour reward to save them fromopposingtheprophetsandfromthewaysofdeviation,andrespondtothemwhentheycarryoutthecovenants,andsotheturningheartssubmittoYouwithagreements.OAllah,IaskYoubyYournamewhichtheheavensandtheearthhavesubmittedto,andbywhich
Youenliven thedeadamong things,make livingbeingsdie,gather every separated thing, separateeverygatheredthing,perfect thewords,showgreatsigns,assist therepentant,anddelaytheactsofthe corruptive and make their deeds vain…to have blessings on Muhammad and the progeny of
MuhammadandmakemyShia(followers)fromthosewhohavebeenchargedandtheybelieved,andbeeninterrogatedandtheyspokewhilesafeandtrusted.OAllah, I askYou for them the success of the people of guidance, the deeds of the people of
certainty,theloyaltyofthepeopleofrepentance,thedeterminationofthepeopleofinsight,theGod-fearingnessof thepeopleofpiety, theconcealmentof the truthfuluntil they,OmyLord, fearYouwithfearthatpreventsthemfromYourdisobediencessothattheyobeyYoutoobtainYourdignity,anduntiltheybecomeloyaltoYouandforYouforfearofYou,anduntiltheybecomesinceretoYouinrepentancesothatYougivethemYourlovewhichYouhavenecessitatedfortherepentant,anduntiltheyrelyonYou inall theiraffairsoutof theirgoodwill towardsYou,anduntil theyentrust theiraffairstoYououtoftheirtrustinYou.OAllah,YourobedienceisnotobtainedexceptthroughYourreconciliation,andnodegreefrom
thedegreesofgoodnessisobtainedexceptbyYou.OAllah,theMasteroftheDayofJudgment,theAwareofthesecretshiddeninthechestsofpeople,purifytheearthfromtheimpurityofthepeopleofpolytheism,andsilencetheliarsfromfabricatingliesagainstYourmessenger!OAllah, eradicate tyrants, snap slanderers, and destroy fabricatorswho,when the verses of the
Beneficentarerecitedbeforethem,say:fablesoftheancients.OAllah,fulfillYourpromisetome,andhastenthedeliveranceofeverysuppliantseeker;Youareeverwatchful!IseekYourprotectionfromeverydubiosity,andfromeveryheart that is lockedupawayfromknowingYou,andfromasoul that disbelieves if it is distressed, and fromonewho speaks about justicewhile his deeds areopposite to justice,and fromonewhoseeks the truthwhilehe is faraway from truequalities,andfrom one who gains fame while he is lowered in his fame, and from a face which, in spite ofsuccessiveblessings,isgloomy.IseekYourprotectionfromallthatandeverythinglikeit,YouareKnowing,Wise.”
HisSupplicationAfterFajrPrayer
“OYou,thegreaterthaneverygreatone,Whohasnopartnerandnovizier,O You, the Creator of the sun and the lighting moon, the shelter to the resorting fearful, the
Liberatoroftiedcaptives,thenourisherofyoungbabies,thesetterofbrokenbones,theMercifultotheold, the lightof light, theManagerofaffairs, theResurrectorof those ingraves, theHealerofchests,theMakerofshadeandheat,theAwareofallthatisinbreasts,theRevealeroftheBook,light,thegreatQur'an,andtheBookofPsalms,OYou,Whomangelsglorifyinthemorningandnight,OYou,thePermanentandEternal,theBringerforthofplantsintheearlymorningandafternoon,
theEnlivenerofthedead,theResurrectorofdecayedbones,theHearerofsounds,theEverlasting,theDresserofbonesthatdecayafterdeath!OYou,Whomnothingdistractsfromanyotherthing,Whodonotchangefromastatetoanother,
Whodonotneedtomoveoradvance,Whomnoaffairpreventsfromanyotheraffair,Whocancelbecauseofthecharityandsupplication(ofbelievers)whathasbeendeterminedandaffirmedintheHeavenof theunfavorable judgment (that is theirdue),Whomnoplacecan includeorencompass,WhoplaceremedyinwhatYoulikeamongthings,Whokeepalivefromseriousdiseasewiththeleastofnourishment,Whoremovebytheleastofremedytheworstofdiseases,OYou,Who,ifpromise,fulfill,ifthreaten,pardon,OYou,Whopossesstheneedsofrequesters,Whoknowwhatisthereinsidetheconsciencesofthe
silent,OYou,theMostMagnificent,theGenerousinpardoning,O You,Who have a face that never becomes old,Who have unlimited sovereignty,Who have
inextinguishablelight,Whosethroneisovereverything,Whoseauthorityisoverthelandandthesea,WhosewrathisintheHell,WhosemercyisinParadise,Whosepromisesaretrue,Whosefavorsareuncountable,Whosemercyiswide,OYou,theHelperofthecallersforhelp,theRespondertothecallofthecompelled,OYou,WhoareinthehighregardandYourcreationisinlowregard,OYou,theLordofthemortalsouls,theLordofthewornbodies,themostperceptiveofseers,the
mosthearingofhearers,thepromptestofaccounters,thewisestofjudges,theMostMercifulofthemerciful, the Giver of gifts, the Releaser of captives, the Lord of glory, the One of piety andforgiveness,OYou,Whoselimitcannotbeperceived,Whosenumbercannotbecounted,Whoseaiddoesnot
cease,Ibearwitness,andthewitnesstomeishonorandsupply,andfrommeobedienceandsubmission,
andbywhichIhopedeliveranceonthedayofsighandregret,thatYouareAllah;thereisnogodbutYoualonewithnopartner,andthatMuhammadisYourslaveandmessenger,Yourblessingbeonhimandonhisprogeny,andthathehasinformedandcarriedoutonbehalfofYouwhatwashisdutyto
You, and that You always create, provide with livelihood, give, deny, exalt, humble, enrich,impoverish,disappoint,help,pardon,showmercy,forgive,overlookwhatYouknow,donotwrong,straiten,enlarge,omit,fix,initiate,reproduce,enlivenandmakedie;havemercyonMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadandguidemefromYou,givemeofYourfavor,spreadonmeofYourmercy,andsenddownuponmeofYourblessings,forYouoftenhaveaccustomedmetogoodandfavor,givenmetoomuch,anduncoveredmyuglydeeds.OAllah,haveblessingsonMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadandhastenmydeliverance,
forgivemyslips,takepitymyloneliness,takemetothebestofYourworships,giftmewithhealthfrommyillness,plentyofmysupplies,inclusivesoundnessinmybody,insightinmyreligion,andhelpmetoaskyouforforgivenessbeforedeathcomesandhopeends,andhelpmebeardeathanditsdistress,thegraveanditsloneliness,thescalesandtheirlightness,thesirat[71]anditsslipping,theDayofResurrectionanditsterror.IaskYoufortheacceptanceofdeedsbeforedeath,andaskYouforstrengthinmyhearingandsightforthedoingofthebestofthatYouhavetaughtandmademeunderstand.Youare the loftyLord and I am thehumble slave, andhowgreat a difference there isbetweenus.OYou,Compassionate,Benefactor,ofGloryandHonor,haveblessingsonMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadthegood,thepure!”[72]
HisSupplicationAftertheAsr’Prayer
“O You, Who have raised high and been great, overcome and been mighty, been mighty and
overcome,OYou,WhohavebeenmightyandsobeengreatinHismight,OYou,Whohavespreadshadeoverhiscreation,WhohaveendowedHispeoplewithfavor,Iask
You,OYouMightyofretribution,WhoavengeswithHismightonpeopleofatheism,IaskYoubytherightofYourguardianAlibinAbuTalibandImakehimthemeansbetweenYou
andmyneeds,tohavemercyonMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadandtohelpmesatisfymyneeds,performmynafilas(supererogatoryprayers)andobligationsandbepioustomybrothers,and(makeme)perfectinYourobedience,OYou,theMostMercifulofthemerciful.’[73]
TheResponsetohisSupplications
OneofthecharismataofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wastheswiftresponseofAllahtohissupplications
because of the high position he and his fathers had near Allah. Historians have mentioned manyexamplesregardingthismatter.1.Al-Mansurnarrated thathis father ’sunclesaid,“Once, Iwent toImamAlial-Hadiandsaid to
him,‘Omymaster,thisman(hemeantal-Mutawakkil,theAbbasidcaliph)hasturnedhisbacktomeandstoppedmysalary,andthisisbecauseheknowsIhavekepttoyou.’”HeaskedImamal-Hadi(a.s.)to intercede for him with al-Mutawakkil. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) said to him, ‘You shall be satisfiedinsha’Allah.’During the night, themessengers of al-Mutawakkil came to theman and he hastenedwiththemtothecaliph.Whenhegottothepalace,al-Fatahthedoorkeeperscoldedhimforhisdelayandallowedhimtogointoal-Mutawakkil.Thecaliphreceivedhimwithsmilessayingtohim,‘OAbuMusa,whatmadeyoubusyandforget
aboutus?Doyouneedanythingfromme?’Themanaskedforwhatheneededandforhissalarythatwasstopped.Al-Mutawakkilorderedhim
tobegivenmorethanwhathewanted.Themanleftdelightedly.Hesawal-Fatahatthedoorandsaidtohim,‘DidAlibinMuhammad(Imamal-Hadi)comehere?’Al-Fatahsaid,‘No.’Themansaid,‘Didhesendaletter?’Thedoorkeepersaid,‘No.’Theman left and al-Fatah followed him saying, ‘I have no doubt that you have asked him (the
Imam)toprayforyou.Please,askhimtoprayforme!’Themanwent toImamal-Hadi(a.s.),andwhenhehad thehonorofbeingbeforehim,Imamal-
Hadi(a.s.)saidtohim,‘OAbuMusa,Iseesatisfactiononyourface.’Theman said submissively, ‘It is by your blessing,mymaster. But, it was said tome that you
neitherwenttohim(toal-Mutawakkil)nordidyouaskhimforanything.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)smiledandsaid,‘AllahtheAlmightyhasknownfromusthatwedonotresort
inseriousmattersexcepttoHim,anddonotrelyinmisfortunesexceptonHim.HehasaccustomedustoHis responsewheneverwe askHim for something, andwe fear that ifwe change,He alsowillchangewithus…’ThemanunderstoodthatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)hadprayedtoAllahforhiminloneliness.Hesaidto
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.),‘Omymaster,al-Fatahasksyoutoprayforhim.’Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) did not respond and said, ‘Al-Fatah believes in us outwardly and avoids us
inwardly.WeprayforhimifheisloyaltoAllah,believesinthemessengerofAllah(peacebeonhimandonhisprogeny),andacknowledgesourrights,wetheAhlulBayt(s).’The infallibleImams(a.s.)prayedAllahforpurepersonswhobelieved inAllah,Hismessenger,
andtherightoftheAhlulBayt(s).Theydidnotprayforthosewhodonotbelieve.
ThemanaskedImamal-Hadi(a.s.) to teachhimasupplication(du’a) thatwouldbenefithimandImamal-Hadi(a.s.)guidedhimtothefollowingdu’a:“OYou,mysupply,myhopeandreliance,myresortandsupport,OYouOneandUnique,OYou,
Who“say:He,Allah,isOne”,OAllah,IaskYoubythosewhomYouhavenotcreatedliketheminYourcreation,tohaveblessingonthem…andthenyouaskforyourneed.”[74]2. There was a man in Isfahan (in Iran) called Abdur-Rahman who had embraced Shi’ism and
believedintheImamateofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Abdur-Rahmanwasaskedaboutthereasonbehindthatdecision, and he said, ‘Iwas poor, but brave and eloquent. I,with a group from the people ofmytown,wenttoal-Mutawakkiltocomplain.WhenwearrivedinSurraManRa’a,wewenttohispalace.Whilewewerewaitingatthedoorofal-Mutawakkil,anorderwasissuedfromthepalacetobringAlibinMuhammadbinar-Ridha(a.s.).IaskedabouthimanditwassaidtomethathewasanAlawidman,whom theRafidha (theShia)believed inas their Imam. Itwas said that al-Mutawakkilmightorderhimtobekilled.Isaidtomyself,‘IwillnotleavemyplaceuntilIseehim.’IwaitednotlongwhenImamal-Hadi(a.s.)cameridingasumpter.Peoplestoodupglorifyingandhonoringhim.WhenIsawhim,Ilovedhim.I began prayingAllah to keep him safe from the plotting of al-Mutawakkil. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.)
caught sight ofme.He came towardsme, and said, ‘Allah has responded to your prayer.Hewillprolongyourageandincreaseyourwealthandchildren.’I trembled because he knew what was in my mind and what I intended. We came in to al-
Mutawakkil,carriedoutouraffairsandthenI leftforIsfahan.AllahendowedmewithgreatwealththatIhadnotevendreamedof.NowIhaveonemilliondirhamsinmyhousebesidesthewealthIhaveoutside thehouse. Ihave tensonsandIamnowmore thanseventyyearsold.[75]Allof thatwasaresultoftheblessingofthedu’aofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).3.AlibinJa’farwasoneofthedeputiesofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Oneday,hewasbetrayednearal-
Mutawakkilwhothrewhiminprison.Heremainedinprisonforalongtimeandeventuallyhecouldnotbear thisany longer.Therefore,heaskedanagentof theAbbasidgovernment to intercede forhimtobesetfreeandhewouldgivehimthreethousanddinarsforthat.TheagentwenttoUbaydillah,whohadagoodpositionnearal-Mutawakkil,andaskedhimtointercedewithal-MutawakkilforAlibinJa’far.Ubaydillahrespondedtohimandintercededwithal-MutawakkiltosetAlibinJa’farfree,butal-Mutawakkil refusedandsaid tohim,‘If Idoubtedyou, IwouldsayyouareaRafidhi (Shia).ThisisadeputyofAbulHasanal-HadiandIamdeterminedtokillhim.’Ubaydillah regretted his intercession and told his friend (the agent) that al-Mutawakkil was
determinedtokillAlibinJa’farandtherewasnochanceforsettinghimfree.AlibinJa’farbecameso distressed and wrote a letter to Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) saying to him, ‘O my master, please dosomethingforme!IfearImaylosemyfaith.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohim,‘Sincethematterhasreachedthispointwithyou,IwillprayAllahforyou.’Al-Mutawakkilbecameseriouslyillandhisfeverincreased,andsoheorderedhismentosetfree
allprisonersandgaveaspecialordertosetAlibinJa’farfree.Al-MutawakkilorderedUbaydillahtosetAlifreeandtobeghimtoforgivehim(al-Mutawakkil)forwhathehaddonetohim.AliwassetfreeandwenttoliveinMeccaasImamal-Hadi(a.s.)hadorderedhim.[76]
4.Ahmadbinal-KhasibhatedImamal-Hadi (a.s.).He insisted that theImamshouldgivehimhis
housewithoutpayingaprice.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)becameveryangryandsaidtohim,‘IwillpraytoAllahthatnothingofyoursshallremain.’ItwasnotlongafterthatwhenthewrathofAllahafflictedAhmadandheperished.[77]ThesearesomeexampleshistorianshavementionedofAllah’srespondingtotheprayersofImam
al-Hadi(a.s.).Itisdefinitethattheresponsetoprayersisnotman’sdoingbutitisbythewillofAllahWhorespondstotheprayerofwhomeverHelikesofHispeople.ThereisnodoubtthattheinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.)hadaveryhighpositionnearAllahbecausetheydevotedthemselvestoHimas faras loyaltyhadmeaning,andobeyedHim in the full senseofobedience,and, therefore,Allah responded to their prayers immediately andmade their holy shrines from among the placeswhereprayersarerespondedto.Notes:[41]Al-Irshad,p.307-308,Usulal-Kafi.[42]AnEgyptianauthor,researcher,andmanofletters.[43]ThelifeofImamMuhammadal-Jawad,p.69.[44]Al-Jami’li-Ahkamal-Qur ’an,vol.1p.35.[45]Al-Irshad,p.369,Usulal-Kafi,vol.1p.323.[46]Biharal-Anwar,vol.13,p.127,Ikmaluddeenbyas-Saduq.[47]Hepredictedthathewoulddie(bekilled)anditwasso.[48]A’yanash-Shia,vol.4p.256.[49]Usulal-Kafi.[50] Sahih ofMuslim, chap. Of al-Imarah (emirate),Musnad of Ahmad bin Hanbal, vol.5 p.89,
Sahihofal-Bukhari,p.164.[51]Sifatas-Safwa,vol.2p.98.[52]Al-Manaqib.[53]Thefirstdayofthehajj.Tarwiyameanswatering.[54]Biharal-Anwar.[55]Al-IttihafBihubilAshraf,p.67-68,SharhShafiyatAbuNu’as,vol.2p.167,Jawharatal-Kalam,
p.151.[56]Amaliofas-Saduq,Biharal-Anwar.[57]ManLaYahdhuruhual-Faqih.[58]ThewaqifiteswereagroupofpeoplebelievingintheImamateofthefirstsevenImamsfrom
ImamAli (a.s.) to ImamMusabinJa’faral-Kadhim(a.s.)anddidnotbelieve in the remainingfiveImams.[59]ManLaYahdhuruhual-Faqih.[60]Banimeans“thefamilyortribeof”.[61]Qur'an,3:23.[62]Qur'an,58:11.[63]Qur'an,39:9.[64]TaymwasabigfamilyfromQuraysh.[65]Al-Ihtijajbyat-Tabarsi.[66]Wassa’ilash-Shia,vol.4p.750.[67]Ibid.,vol.5p.298.
[68]Qunutmeans“obedience, submissiveness,God-fearing…”,buthere it is apartofprayer inwhichonerecitessupplicationinaspecifiedmanner.[69]Theemergencyofnewcircumstanceswhichcauseachangeinanearlierdivineruling.[70]Muhajad-Da’awat,al-Misbah.[71]Siratmeans“way”or“path”butintheIslamicterminologyitmeansthebridgethatdominates
Hell.[72]Al-Misbahbyal-Kaf’ami,Biharal-Anwar.[73]Al-Misbahbyal-Kaf’ami.[74]Biharal-Anwar,vol.13p.129,al-Amalibyas-Saduq.[75]Biharal-Anwar,vol.13p.132.[76]Biharal-Anwar,vol.13p.142.[77]Ibid.,vol.13p.132.
5ChapterHisKnowledgeandSciences
AllahhaddilatedthechestofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)forreceivingknowledgeandexpandedhisheartforsciences. Secrets of facts and intricacies of thingswere uncovered for himwithout any request oreffort. People spoke about the vast knowledge he had, with none equal to him in his amazing,scientific treasures,coveringall sciencesofHadith, jurisprudence,philosophy, theology,andotherbranchesofknowledge.Scholarsandjurisprudentsoftenreferredtohisopinionsincomplicatedandmysteriousquestions
ontheverdictsoftheIslamicSharia.Al-Mutawakkil,theAbbasidcaliph,whowasthebitterestenemyof Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) and of his fathers, referred to the opinion of Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) in thequestionswhich theulama’ofhisagedisagreedon,andhepreferred theopinionof Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)totheopinionsoftherestofulama’.Weshalldiscussthispointinthecomingchapters.Anyhow,we shall talk in brief about the knowledge and sciences transmitted from him and his
maximsandliteraturesthatdealtwithdifferenteducationalandsocialmatters.
Traditions(Hadith)
ThetraditionstransmittedfromtheProphet(S)andtheinfallibleImamsofhisprogenywerenot
limited to legal verdicts and religious questions, but they included all aspects of life. They hadestablishedthebasesofmorals,disciplines,goodbehaviors,andotherintellectualandsocialissues.ManytraditionsweretransmittedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)-someofthemwerenarratedfromthe
Prophet(S),andsomewerenarratedfromhisinfalliblefathers(a.s.).
HisTraditionsfromtheProphet(S)
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedagroupoftraditionsfromhisfatherswhonarratedthemonebyone
fromtheProphet(S).Herearesomeofthem:1.Al-Mas’oudisaid,“Muhammadbinal-FarajtoldmeinJirjan…thatAbuDu’amahsaid,‘Ivisited
Ali binMuhammadbinAli binMusa during his illness that led to his death andwhen Iwanted toleave,hesaidtome,‘OAbuDu’amah,youhavearightonme.ShallItellyouatraditionthatshalldelightyou?’Isaidtohim,‘IaminutmostneedofthatOsonofthemessengerofAllah.’Hesaid,‘MyfatherMuhammadbinAlitoldmefromhisfatherAlibinMusabinJa’farfromhis
fatherJa’farbinMuhammadfromMuhammadbinAli fromAlibinal-Husaynfromal-HusaynbinAlifromhisfatherAlibinAbuTalibthatthemessengerofAllah(SwT)saidtohim,‘Writedown!’Alisaid,‘WhatshallIwritedown?’ThemessengerofAllah(SwT)said,‘Writedown:“InthenameofAllah, theBeneficent, theMerciful.Faith is thatwhichheartsacknowledgeanddeedsprove,andIslamisthatwhichtongueswitnessandmarriagebecomeslawfulwith.’AbuDu’amahsaid,‘OsonofthemessengerofAllah,Idonotknowwhichofthemisbetter;the
traditionor thenarrators!’Alial-Hadi (a.s.)said, ‘It isabookwrittendownby thehandofAlibinAbuTalibandthedictationofthemessengerofAllah(SwT)thatweinheritonefromtheother…’[78]This tradition shows the difference between faith and Islam (being aMuslim). Faith is to settle
insidethesoulandthedepthoftheheartandtobeprovedthroughgooddeeds,butIslam(beingorturningaMuslim) is towitness theonenessofAllahand theprophethoodofMuhammad(a.s.)andconsequentlymarriagebecomeslawfulbesidesotherpositiveordersthatrequirebeingaMusliminordertobeachieved.2.Al-HasanbinAli narrated fromAbulHasan al-Hadi fromhis fathers thatAmir ’ul-Mu’minin
said,“Once,IheardthemessengerofAllah(peacebeuponhimandhisprogeny)say,‘WhenpeoplewillberesurrectedontheDayofResurrection,acallerwillcallme:OmessengerofAllah,Allahhaspermittedyoutorewardyourloversandtheloversofyourhousehold(progeny)whohavefollowedthemforyoursake,andhavebeenopposedtotheirenemiesforyoursake.Youcanrewardthemasyoulike.’Ishallsay,‘OmyLord,Paradise!YouputtheminwhateverpartofitYoulike.ThisisthepraisedestateYouhavepromisedof.”[79]3.AbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedfromhisfathersthattheProphet(S)said,‘LoveAllahforthe
blessingsHegivesyou,andlovemefortheloveofAllah,andlovemyhouseholdformylove!’[80]4. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) narrated from his fathers that the Prophet (S) said, ‘On the Day of
ResurrectionIwillbe intercessorforfourones; the loversofmyprogeny,onewhofollowsthem,onewhoshowsenmityagainsttheirenemies,onewhocarriesouttheirneeds,andonewhorelievestheirdistresses…’[81]TheProphet(S)stressedonlovinghispureprogenyandmadethisloveasanobligationonevery
MuslimmanandMuslimwoman,becauselovingandfollowingthemwouldprotectthenationfrom
disagreement,separation,deviationandseditions.5.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedfromhisfathersthattheProphet(S)said,‘AllahtheAlmightysays:
O son ofAdam, you are not fair toMe. I endearMyself to you through blessings and youmakeyourselfhatedthroughsins.MygoodcomesdowntoyouandyourevilcomesuptoMe.Everydayandnightanhonorableangelcomes toMebringinguglydeeds fromyou.OsonofAdam, ifyouhearyourdescriptionfromotherthanyouwhileyoudonotknowwhothedescribedoneis,youwillsoonhatehim…’[82]ThetraditioninvitespeopletodogooddeedsandavoidsthedeedsthatAllahhates,becauseevery
deedgoesup toAllah.Allahhassaid, (ToHimdoascend thegoodwords;and thegooddeeds…)[83]andHerewardsHispeopleduetotheirdeedsintheworldlylife.6.ImamAbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedfromhisfathersthattheProphet(S)said,‘Mydaughter
was named Fatimabecause Allah the Almighty has weaned[84] her and whoever loves her fromFire…’[85]7.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedfromhisfathersfromhisgrandfatherImamal-Baqir(a.s.)thatJabir
binAbdullah al-Ansari said, ‘Once Iwaswith the Prophet (S). Iwas at his side andAliAmir ’ul-Mu’mininattheothersidewhenUmarbinal-Khattabcamedrawingsomemanfromthecollars.TheProphet (S) askedUmar, ‘What is thematterwith thisman?’Umar said, ‘Henarrated thatyouhadsaid: ‘He,whosays“there isnogodbutAllahandMuhammad is themessengerofAllah”willbeinParadise.Ifpeoplehearthis, theywillgiveupgooddeeds.Haveyousaidthis?’TheProphet(S)said,‘Yes,iftheykeeptotheloveandguardianshipofthisman.’HepointedtoImamAli(peacebeuponhim).’[86]8. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) narrated from his fathers from his grandfather Imam Ali (a.s.) that the
Prophet(S)said,‘OAli,AllahhascreatedmeandyoufromHislight.HecreatedAdamandputthatlightintoAdam.ThislightreachedtoAbdulMuttalibandthenitdividedandsoIwasinAbdullahandyouwereinAbuTalib.Prophethooddoesnotbefitanyoneotherthanmeandguardianshipdoesnotbefitanyoneotherthanyou.WhoeverdeniesyourguardianshipdeniesmyprophethoodandwhoeverdeniesmyprophethoodAllahwillthrowhimdownonhisnoseintoFire…’[87]AllahcreatedProphetMuhammad(a.s.)andhisguardianImamAli(a.s.)fromonelightandthen
theyilluminatedintellectualandsociallifeandliberatedtheearthfromidolatryandsuperstitionsofthe pre-Islamic era. They were but one self.Whoever denied the guardianship of ImamAli (a.s.)deniedtheprophethoodofProphetMuhammad(a.s.)andwillhavenoshareintheafterlifeandwillbeamonglosers.9.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedfromhisfathersthattheProphet(S)hadsaidtoImamAli(a.s.),‘O
Ali,he,wholovesyou,lovesme,andhe,whohatesyou,hatesme.’TherearemanyprophetictraditionsdeclaringthattheloveofImamAli(a.s.)isoutoftheloveof
theProphet(S)andthehatredtowardsImamAli(a.s.)isoutofthehatredoftheProphet(S)becauseImamAli(a.s.)wastheveryselfoftheProphet(S),thegateofthetownofhisknowledge,thefatherofhistwograndsons,andhisdefenderinallsituationsandbattles.
10. Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) narrated fromhis fathers fromhis grandfatherAmir ’ul-Mu’minin (a.s.)thattheProphet(S)said,‘He,wholikestomeetAllah(ontheDayofResurrection)safe,purified,andwithoutfearingthegreathorror,lethimfollowyouOAli,andfollowyourtwosonsal-Hasanandal-Husayn,and(yourgrandsons)Alibinal-Husayn,MuhammadbinAli,Ja’farbinMuhammad,MusabinJa’far,AlibinMusa,MuhammadbinAli,AlibinMuhammad,al-HasanbinAli,andal-Mahdithelastofthem.OAli,attheendoftimetherewillbeagroupofpeoplefollowingyouwherepeoplewillhatethem,butiftheylovethemitwillbebetterforthemiftheyknow.They(thatgroup)willpreferyoutotheirfathers,mothers,brothers,tribes,andallrelatives.ThebestblessingsofAllahbeuponthem.Thosepeoplewillberesurrectedunder thebannerofHamd(praise).Allahwill forgivetheirbaddeedsandexalttheirpositionsasrewardforwhattheyhavedone.’[88]11.HenarratedthattheProphet(S)said,‘People(afterdeath)areoftwokinds;onewillrestandthe
otherwillrelieve(others).One,whowillrest,isabeliever.HewillbefreefromthisworldwithallitstroublesandwillgotothemercyofAllahandHisgreatreward.Asfortheone,whowillrelieve,is a dissolute. People, animals, and treeswill be relieved fromhim andhewill go towhat he hasdone.’[89]
HisNarrationsfromAmir’ul-Mu’minin
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedagoodcollectionofmaximsandsayingsfromhisgrandfatherAmir ’ul-Mu’minin,thepioneerofwisdomandjusticeintheearth.Herearesomeofthem:1.Henarrated thatAmir ’ul-Mu’minin ImamAli (a.s.) said, ‘Bewareofwishesbecause theyare
fromthewaresofthedissoluteones.’[90]Islam resists all means that lead to backwardness and deterioration. Among these means is the
relyingonwishingandgivingupworkandlabor,whichmeanstheendofprogressanddevelopmentinlife.2.HenarratedthatAmir ’ul-Mu’mininsaid,‘He,whobusieshimselfthinkingoftheafterlife,will
berichwithnomoney,feelateasewithnofamily,andfeelmightywithnofellows.’[91]One,whocaresfortheaffairsoftheafterlife,willberichwithhispietyandreligiousness,willbe
happy because he satisfies his conscience through associating with his Creator, and will berespectableandhonorableamongpeoplebyhisbenevolenceandpiety.3. He narrated that Amir ’ul- Mu’minin said, ‘Knowledge is a worthy inheritance, morals are
gracefulgarments,ponderingisaclearmirror,andtakinglessonsisasincerewarner.Itsufficesforyoutohavegoodmannersbygivingupwhatyouhateofothers.’[92]4.HenarratedthatImamAli(a.s.)said,‘Whoeverfeelsconceitedwillperish.’[93]5. He narrated from Amir ’ul- Mu’minin his saying, ‘He, who is certain of recompense (from
Allah),willgivegenerously.’[94]6.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,“Once,aJewcametoAmir ’ul-Mu’minin(a.s.)andsaidtohim,‘Tell
meabout thatwhich isnotofAllah, thatwhichAllahdoesnothave,and thatwhichAllahdoesnotknow!’ImamAli (a.s.) said, ‘WhatAllahdoesnotknowis thatHedoesnotknow(accept) thatHehasa
child.Thisrefutesyour(theJews’)sayingthatUzayristhesonofAllah.AsforthatwhichisnotofAllah, it is injustice because there is no injustice with Allah against His people. And as for yoursayingaboutthatwhichAllahdoesnothave,itisthatAllahhasnopartner.’TheJewwasastonishedandbecameMuslim.Hedeclared theshahadaand thensaid toImamAli
(a.s.),‘Ibearwitnessthatyouarethetruth,fromthepeopleoftruth,andhavesaidthetruth.’[95]ImamAliwas thegateof the townof theProphet’sknowledge. Ifhewasgivenhis right (in the
caliphate),hewouldhavegivenverdictstothepeopleoftheBiblefromtheirBible,tothepeopleofthePsalms(Zabur)fromtheirPsalms,andtothepeopleoftheTorahfromtheirTorah.HeoftensaidthatifthecaliphatehadcometohimafterthedeathoftheProphet(S),everyJeworChristianwouldhaveturnedMuslimandfollowedthepathofthetruth.7.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedfromhisfathersthatamanfromIraqaskedImamAli(a.s.)whenhe
was marching (with his army) for the battle of Siffeen, ‘Tell us about our marching to fight thepeopleofSham![96]IsitbythefateofAllah?’
ImamAli(a.s.)said,‘Osheikh(oldman),yes,itis.ByAllah,youdonotmountacastleordescendintoavalleyunlessithasbeendeterminedbythefateofAllah.’Themansaid,‘IexpecttherewardofmyeffortsfromAllahOAmir ’ul-Mu’minin.’ImamAli (a.s.) explained fateby saying, ‘Osheikh,wait!Youmay think it is inevitable fateand
inescapable doom! If it is so, then reward and punishment, enjoining and forbidding, scolding,warningandthreateningwillbevoid,andabaddoerwillnottobeblamedandagooddoerwillnotberewarded.Agooddoerwillbeworthierofbeingblamedthanaguiltyone,andaguiltyonewillbeworthierofrewardthanagooddoer.Thisopinionisofidolaters,enemiesofAllah,fatalists,andthemagi.Osheikh,AllahtheAlmightyhaschargedHispeoplebuthasgiventhemtheoptiontodoornottodo,andforbiddenthemaswarning.Hegivesmuchforalittle.HeisnotdisobeyedoutofdefeatandHeisnotobeyedbyforce.Hehasnotcreatedtheheavens,theearth,andwhatisbetweentheminvain.Thatistheopinionofthosewhodisbelieve,andwoeuntothosewhodisbelievefromtheFire…’ThemangotuprecitingsomeversesofpoetryinwhichhepraisedImamAli(a.s.)andshowedhis
satisfactionregardingwhatImamAlisaid.[97]Weshalldiscussindetailthesubjectoffateinthefollowingchapterinsha’Allah.8.HenarratedthatImamAli(a.s.)said,‘Manyarethey,thoseinattentivepeople,whomayweavea
dress towear,but itbecomes theirshroud,andbuildahouse to live inbut itbecomes theplaceoftheirgrave.’[98]
HisNarrationsfromImamal-Baqir
He narrated from his grandfather Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) his saying, ‘Beware of the
physiognomyof abelieverbecausehe seesby the lightofAllah.’Thenhe recited thisverse, (Lo!thereinverilyareportentsforthosewhoreadthesigns).[99]
HisNarrationsfromImamas-Sadiq
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedmanytraditionsfromhisgrandfatherImamas-Sadiq(a.s.).Hereare
someofthem:1.Henarrated that Imamas-Sadiq (a.s.) said, ‘Thereare threeprayers thatarenotblocked from
AllahtheAlmighty;theprayerofafatherforhischildifheisdutifultohimoragainsthischildifheisundutifultohim,theprayerofanoppressedoneagainsthisoppressororforhis(oppressedone’s)supporter,andtheprayerofabelieverforhisbelievingbrotherifhecomfortshimoragainsthimifhedoesnot,whenheisabletodothat(tocomforthim)…’[100]2.Henarrated that Imamas-Sadiq (a.s.) said, ‘Keep topietybecause it is theessenceof religion
whichyoukeeptoandbelieveinAllahthroughit.ItisthatwhichAllahwantsfromthosewhofollowus.’[101]3.HenarratedthatImamas-Sadiq(a.s.)said,‘He,whodoesnotpracticetaqiyyah(dissimulation)to
keepussafefromthevillainsofpeople,isnotfromus.’[102]TheinfallibleImams(a.s.)urgedtheirfollowerstoactduetotaqiyyahtosparetheirlivesfromthe
tyrannicalgovernmentswhokilledtheShiawithoutabitofmercy.Iftaqiyyahhadnotbeenlegislated,noneoftheShiaandloversoftheAhlulBayt(s)wouldhaveremainedalive.4.Henarrated thatImamas-Sadiq(a.s.)said, ‘Thereare three timesatwhichdu’a isnotblocked
fromAllahtheAlmighty;thedu’aaftertheobligatoryprayers,thedu’aduringthefallingofrain,andthedu’awhenoneofthesignsofAllahappearsinHisearth.’[103]Allah theAlmighty likes tobesupplicatedat these timesandHehaspromised to respond toHis
suppliantsasHealsorespondstosupplicationintheholyshrinesoftheinfallibleImams.5.Hesaid,“Once,amancametoImamas-Sadiq(a.s.)andsaidtohim,‘Iamboredwiththislife.
WouldyoupleaseaskAllahfordeathtome?’Imamas-Sadiq(a.s.)said,‘Thepriceoflifeistoobeyandnottodisobey.Thatyoulivelongtoobeyisbetterforyouthantodieandneitherdisobeynorobey.’”6.Hesaid,“Imamas-Sadiq(a.s.)wasaskedtodescribedeathandhesaid,‘Forthefaithfuldeathis
sweeterthanbreezethatafaithfulsmellsandrefresheswithitandallfatigueandendspain,andfortheunbelievers it is like the stingingof snakes and scorpionsor evenbitterer.’ Itwas said tohim,‘Some people say that death is bitterer than sawing, cuttingwith scissors, stoning, and turning ofmillstoneson thepupilsofeyes.’ Imamas-Sadiq(a.s.)said, ‘Yes, it issoforsomeunbelieversandsinners.Doyounotseethatsomeofthemsuffertheseseverities?Whattheywillmeetafterthatwillbemuchmore severe. It is the torment of the afterlife which will bemuchmore severe than thetorment in this life.’ It was said to him, ‘Then, why dowe see some unbelievers die easilywhiletalkingandlaughing,andsomebelieverstoo,andweseesomebelieversandunbelieverssuffermuchwhendying?’ImamAs-Sadiq(a.s.)said,‘Theeasydeathofabelieverisanearlyrewardforhim,andwhenhe
suffersatdeath,heispurifiedfromhissinsinordertobepureandthentodeservetheeternalreward
in theafterlife.Theeasydeathof someunbelievers is that theyaregiven the rewardof theirgooddeeds in thisworldand in theafterworld theywillhave torment.And ifsomeunbelieverssufferatdeath,itisthebeginningofthetormentofAllahonthem.AllahisjustandHedoesnotwrong.’[104]7. He narrated that Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) explained the saying of Prophet Jacob (a.s.) “Comely
patience!”bysaying,‘Itisthepatiencethatoneundergoeswithoutcomplaining.’[105]8.He narrated that Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) interpreted thisQur ’anic verse (Their sides draw away
from (their) beds)[106] by saying, ‘They did not sleep until they offer the Isha’ (evening)prayer.’[107]9.Henarrated that Imamas-Sadiq (a.s.) said in interpreting thisQur ’anicverse (…Wewillmost
certainlymakehimliveahappylife),[108]‘Itmeanssatisfaction.’
HisNarrationsfromImamMusabinJa’far
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedfromhisfathersthathisgrandfatherImamMusabinJa’faral-Kadhim
(a.s.)said,‘Allahcreatedcreationandknewwhattheywouldbe.Heenjoinedthemtodosomethingsandforbadethemfromdoingotherthings.HegavethemawaytodowhatHeenjoinedthemtodoandgavethemawaytorefrainfromwhatHeforbadethemfrom.HeforcednooneofHiscreationtodisobeybutHetriedthemwithmisfortunesasHehadsaid,(Hemaytryyou;whichofyouisbestindeeds).[109]’Inthistradition,Imamal-Kadhim(a.s.)refutedtheconceptof“compulsion”whichweshalldiscuss
inoneofthecomingchapters.
HisNarrationsfromImamar-Ridha
ImamAbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedfromhisgrandfatherImamAlibinMusaar-Ridha(a.s.)
thatonedayAbuHanifahwaswithImamJa’faras-Sadiq(a.s.)andwhenhewentout,hemetImamMusaBinJa’faral-Kadhim(a.s.)andaskedhim,‘Oboy,fromwhomdoesdisobediencecome?’ImamMusaal-Kadhim(a.s.)replied,‘Itisoneofthree;iteithercomesfromAllahtheAlmighty-
andcertainlynot-anditdoesnotbehoovetheGenerousLordtopunishHisslaveforsomethinghedoesnotdo,orfromAllahandman-anditdoesnot-anditdoesnotbehoovethemightypartnertooppress theweakpartner,or fromman-and itdoes -and ifAllahpunisheshim, itwillbe forhisguilt,andifHeforgiveshim,itwillbeoutofHisgenerosityandmunificence.’[110]InthistraditiontheImam(a.s.)refutedtheconceptof“compulsion”andshowedthatmanisfreein
thislife.Heisforcedneithertoobeynortodisobey.Hiswillmakeshimfreetochoosewhateverhelikes.
ReferringObscureTraditionstotheAhlulBayt
Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) ordered his followers to be certain about the traditions narrated from the
infallible Imamsof theAhlulBayt (s). If theywerecertain that those traditionshadcome from theinfallible Imams and they understood their contents, they should act according to them; otherwise,theyshouldreferthemtotheImamstoverifyandexplainthem.Once,DawudbinFarqadal-FarisisaidinaletterhesenttoImamal-Hadi(a.s.),‘Weaskyouabout
theknowledgetransmittedtousfromyourfathersandgrandfathers.Thereissomecontradictioninthem.Howdoweactduetothemwiththiscontradiction?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohim,‘Ifyouarecertainitisoursaying,youactuponit,otherwise,
youreferit tous.’[111]HeorderedhisfollowerstorefersuchtraditionstotheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(s)sothattheywouldshowwhethertheyweretheirsorfabricated.
ContradictoryTraditions
Al-Himyariwrote to Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)askingaboutcontradictory traditionsandhowtoactuponthem.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohim,‘He,whoclingstotheheadofaspring,hisaffairswillnotbe confused because they come out white and pure.’ Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) meant that whoeverassociatedwiththeImamdirectlynothingwouldbeconfusedtohimbecausehewouldtakefactsfromtheiroriginandsource.Whenal-Himyarireadthisreply,hewrotetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.),‘Howcanwegettotheheadasit
isblockedbetweenusandit (him)?’Al-Himyarimeant that therewasnowayforpeople tocontactwith Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) because of the political pressure and severe punishment the governmentfollowedagainsttheShiawhocontactedwiththeinfallibleImams(a.s.).Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)replied,‘Thetruthisavailableforwhoeversincerelyseeksit…’[112]
Jurisprudence
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)paidalotofattentiontothespreadingoftheprinciplesoftheIslamicSharia,
theexplainingof itsverdicts,and the teachingsof its sciences. JurisprudentsandscholarsgatheredaroundhimacquiringfromthespringsofhisknowledgeandrecordinghistraditionsthatwereofthesourcesoftheIslamicrulingstotheTwelverShia.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wastheunequalledjurisprudentofhisage,toadegreethatevenal-Mutawakkil,
the Abbasid caliph, who was one of the bitterest enemies to the Alawids, referred to him incomplicatedquestionsandpreferredhisfatwastothoseofotherjurisprudents.HerewementionsometraditionsofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)thatShiitejurisprudentsrefertoinderivinglegalverdicts;
WashingtheDead
Ahmadbinal-QassimwrotealettertoImamAbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.)askingifabelieverdiedandawasher wanted to wash the corpse (perform the ritual ghusl of the dead) while there were someMurjites[113]presentwhether thewasherwouldwash thecorpseof thebeliever in thewaylike theother(sectsof)Muslimsdidwithoutputtingaturbanonhisheadandwithoutputtingapalmbranchwithhimornot.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)replied,‘Heshouldperformtheghuslofbelievereveniftheyarepresent.Asforthepalmbranch,itshouldbeputsecretlyandhe(thewasher)shouldtryhisbestnottoletthemseehimdothat.’[114]This traditionshowedclearly thatadeadbeliever shouldbewashedaccording to thewayof the
AhlulBayt(s)payingnoattentiontotheMurjites.Italsoinstructedtoplacepalmbrancheswiththecorpsesecretlyduetotaqiyyah.Therearemanytraditionsabouttherecommendationofputtingtwogreenpalmbrancheswithadeadbeliever,orelsesomebranchesoftreesotherthanpalm-tree.OneofthesetraditionsistheonenarratedbyAlibinBilalfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.),onwhichjurisprudentsdependuponinderivingtheirfatwa.[115]
OfferingPrayersin(clothesof)Fur
Shiitejurisprudentsspecifycertainconditionsofone’sclothing,whenofferingprayers(Salat)for
thevalidityoftheprayer,suchastheirpurityandtheirnotbeingillegallyobtained.TheydependintheserulingsonvalidtraditionstransmittedfromtheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(s).Ali binEesawrote to Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) asking about the permissibility of offering the prayer
withclothesoffurof theanimalswhosemeat isunlawful toeat,andImamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohimsaying,‘Idonotlikeofferingtheprayerinanyofthesefurs.’HewroteagaintoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)sayingthathe livedamongpeoplesuchthathehadtopractice taqiyyahwith themandthatnoonecouldtravelinhiscountrywithoutclothesoffur,andhefearedthathewouldbeharmedifheputoff his fur clothing. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) replied to him, ‘You wear fur of fennec andbeaver.’[116]This traditionpermittedofferingprayerwith clothes of the fur of fennec andbeaverwhenoneisobliged.
OfferingPrayerswithMan’sHair
There are many traditions from the infallible Imams of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) showing theimpermissibilityofprayerwithfurofanimalswhosemeatisunlawfultoeat,likecats,forexample.Ofcourse,thisdoesnotincludeman’shair.Once,ar-Rayyanbinas-SaltaskedImamal-Hadi(a.s.)aboutthepermissibilityofofferingprayer
withagarmentonwhichsomehairornailofmanwerepresentandImamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidtohimthatitwaspermissible.[117]
PassingBeforeaPrayer
TwelverShiajurisprudentsbelievethatprayerisnotinvalidatedwhensomeonepassesinfrontof
onewhoisofferingprayer.TheydependinthatonatraditionnarratedbyAbuSulaymanfromImamal-Hadi (a.s.) in which a man asked him (Imam al-Hadi) whether prayer would be invalidated ifsomeonepassedinfrontofoneduringofferinghisprayerandImamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘No,prayerisnotsosimplyinvalidated.Itisacceptedfromitskeeper.’[118]
OfferingPrayersintheDesert
AlibinMahziyaraskedImamAbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.),‘Ifsomeoneisinthedesertwhenthetime
ofobligatoryprayercomesandhecannotgetoutofthedesertbeforethetimeofprayerelapses,whatshouldhedowithhisprayersinceitisforbiddentoofferprayerinthedesert?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Hecanofferprayerinthedesertbutheshouldavoidroads.’[119]Itisunrecommended(makruh)toofferprayersinthemiddleofroadswhethertheyarebusywith
people or empty, and if one troubles the passers-bywhen offering prayer in themiddle of roads,prayerisunlawfulinthiscase.[120]
ProstratingonGlass
Shiajurisprudentshaveagreedthatprostrationinprayermustbeperformedontheearthorwhatis
grown from the earth.[121] They have not permitted prostration on things which are eatable orwearableandtheyhaveprohibitedprostrationonglass.TheydependinalltheseclaimsontraditionsnarratedfromtheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(s).Muhammadbinal-Husaynsaid,‘OneofourcompanionswrotealettertoImamAbulHasan(a.s.)
asking about prostratingonglass.He said, ‘When I sentmy letter, I thought tomyself and said: it(glass)isfromthatwhichisgrownfromtheearthandIdidnothavetoaskaboutit.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrotetome,‘Donotofferprayeronglassevenifyourselfsaystoyouit isgrownfromtheearthbecauseitisfromsaltandsandwhicharechanged.’[122]
AnUnconsciousPersonisnottoReofferPrayer
Jurisprudentssayamukallaf[123]mustnotbeunconsciouswhenprayersarerequiredfromhim.If
amukallafisunconsciousfromthebeginningofthetimeofchargingtotheend,heisnotchargedwithprayersneitherada’norqadha’.[124]Theydependonmany traditionsof the infallible Imams(a.s.).AlibinMahziyar asked Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) about theunconscious andhe said, ‘Anunconscious
onehasneithertoofferqadha’prayernortoperformqadha’fasting.Allahisworthierofpardoninghim.’[125]AyyubbinNoahwrote tohimaskingaboutonewhowasunconscious foradayora littlemore
whether he had to offer qadha’ prayers or not. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.)wrote to him, ‘He has to offerneitherprayersnorfasting.’[126]
OfferingQasr’PrayerintheJourneytoMecca
TwelverShiajurisprudentsmakeconditionsonqasrprayersuchthatqasrprayersshouldbeprayed
while traveling except if traveling is one’s job, like drivers, sailors, shepherds and the like. Suchpersonsoffer tamam(full)prayer in travel.A traveling jobdependsonone’swill, andpracticeoftravelatimeafteranotherinawaythatthereisnounusualbreakinit.Travelerswhotakepilgrimstothehajjeveryyeararenotpermittedtoofferfullprayerbuttheymustofferqasr(shortened)prayer.[127]Muhammad bin Jazzak said, ‘I wrote to Abul Hasan the Third (Imam al-Hadi) that I had some
camelsandhademployeesonthem(totravelincaravans),butIdidnotgoexceptinthewayofMeccatoperformthehajjandonveryfewoccasionstosomeplaces.IaskedhimwhatIshoulddowhenIwentwiththem(theshepherds),whetherIshouldofferqasrprayerandbreakmyfastingintravelornot.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrotetome,‘IfyoudonotkeeptothemanddonotgowiththemineverytravelexcepttoMecca,youhavetoofferqasrprayerandtobreakfasting.’[128]
Khums
Khums (one fifth) is one of the Islamic taxes that Islam has imposed to fight poverty, spread
culture,developintellect,andreviveIslamicsciences.Khumsisobligatoryontheprofitsof trades,industries,andotherkindsofworkthataremorethanoneandhisfamily’sexpenditureofoneyearasit is mentioned in the books of jurisprudence. Jurisprudents depend in this on the traditionstransmittedfromtheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(s).Inal-Kafi ithasbeenmentionedthatIbrahimbinMuhammadal-Hamadanisaid,“IwrotetoAbul
Hasan(al-Hadi)(a.s.)saying,‘AlibinMahziyarreadtomeyourfather ’slettersinwhichheimposed(ataxof)ahalfofthesixthontheownersofsmallvillagesafterdeductingthecosts,andone,whosevillage incomedoesnot cover the costs, doesnot have topay a half of the sixthor anything else.Somepeopledisagreedonthisandsaid,‘Thekhumsmustbepaidfromtheincomeofvillagesafterdeductingthecostsofthevillageandthetaxtakenonitbythegovernmentandnottheexpenditureofone and his family.’ Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) wrote replying, ‘After deducting his and his family’sexpenditureandafterthetaxofthegovernment.’[129]AlibinMahziyarnarratedthatAlibinMuhammadbinShuja’an-NaysaburisaidtoAbulHasanthe
Third, ‘Someman got fromhis farm one hundred kurrs[130] ofwheatwhich included zakat. Thetenth,whichwastenkurrs,wastaken,thirtykurrswerespentonrepairingthefarm,andsixtykurrsremained forhim.Whatmustbepaid toyou (askhums) from that?…’ Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)wrote,‘For me is the khums (fifth) of what remains after deducting his (the owner ’s) expenditure (of ayear).’[131]Jurisprudentshavedependedonthesetraditionsinprovidingverdictsthatkhumsisobligatoryon
whatever remains from the expenditure of a year. Jurisprudential books and practical theses havediscussedthismatterindetails.
Zakat
ZakatisoneoftheeffectiveprogramsIslamhasestablishedinitseconomicsystem.Itisoneofthe
wonderfulmeansthatpluckouttherootsofpovertyandwretchednessinsociety.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasaskedaboutsomebranchesofzakatandhegaveanswerstothemwherejurisprudentsdependedandstilldependoninderivinglegalverdicts.Amongtheconditionsjurisprudentsmakeonthedeservingofzakatisthatone,whodeservestobe
givenzakat,mustbeabeliever.Unbelieversarenot tobegivenfromthezakat.ItwasnarratedthatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasaskedwhetheritwaspermissibletogivethose,whobelievedinembodiment(ofGod),fromthezakatornotandhesaid,‘Donotgivewhoeverbelievesinembodimentfromthezakatanddonotofferprayerbehindhim!’[132]Ofcourse, there isnospecification for thosewhobelieve inembodimentandso thisprevention
fromzakatincludeseveryunbelieverwhodoesnotbelieveinAllahandtheDayofResurrection.Jurisprudentssaythatonewhoisgivenfromzakatisnottobefromthosewhoseexpenseisonthe
giver of the zakat like father or grandfather, children or grandchildren. However, al-Kulaynimentionedinal-KafithatIsma’ilbinImranal-Qummisaid,‘IwrotetoAbulHasantheThirdthatIhadmaleandfemalechildrenandaskedhimwhetherIcouldgivethemfromthezakatornot.HewrotetomethatIcould.’Thesheikh(at-Tusi)inat-Tahthibaynthoughtthistraditiontoconcernthecaseofthisman,andhislike,whosemoneydidnotsatisfytheexpenditureofhisfamily.[133]Thereisnolimitationtothemoneygiventothepoorfromzakatexceptthezakatal-fitr.[134]One
of the Shia wrote to Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) through Ahmad bin Isaaq asking him, ‘Can I give mybrothers twoor threedirhams from the zakat?’ Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)wrote tohim, ‘You cando so,insha’Allah.’[135]ThefirstkindofzakatlegislatedinIslamwasthezakatal-Fitrwhichjurisprudentscalledthezakat
of bodies. It is obligatory on all people; faithful and unfaithful, old and young,male and female.Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) wrote to Ibrahim bin Muhammad al-Hamadani saying, ‘The zakat al-Fitr is(obligatory)onyouandonallpeopleandwhoeveryouareresponsibleforwhethermaleorfemale,oldoryoung,freeorslave,sucklingorweaned.YoupaysixrotlsaccordingtotherotlofMedina.Arotlisonehundredandninety-fivedirhams,andsothezakatal-Fitrisonethousandandonehundredandseventydirhams.’[136]IbrahimbinMuhammadal-Hamadanisaid,‘Traditionsweredifferentonthezakatal-FitrandsoI
wrotetoAbulHasanaskinghimaboutthatandhewrotetomesaying,‘The(amountof)zakatal-Fitrisasa’[137]of theusualfoodinyourcountry.OnthepeopleofMecca,Yemen,Ta’if, thesidesofSham, Yamama, Bahrain, Iraq, Persia, Ahwaz, andKirman is a sa’ of dates, on the people of themiddleofShamasa’ofraisin,onthepeopleoftheisland,Mosul,andallmountainsasa’ofwheatorbarley,onthepeopleofTabaristanasa’ofrice,onthepeopleofKhurHasanasa’ofwheat,onthepeopleofMarwandRiyasa’ofraisin,onthepeopleofEgyptasa’ofwheat,andonotherpeoplesisasa’oftheirusualfoods.Onthenomadsofthedesertisasa’ofuqt(driedcheese).Thezakatal-Fitrisobligatoryonyouandonallpeople.’[138]
Thesubstanceofthezakatal-Fitristobefromtheusualfoodofthepeopleofacountrylikewheatorbarley forexample.Theobligatoryamountof thiskindofzakat isonesa’which isabout threekilograms.Onecanpaymoneyinsteadoffoodsubstancesasjurisprudentssay.
Fasting
Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) was asked about many questions about fasting and he answered them in
traditionstransmittedbyhisfollowers.
FastingonSeeingtheCrescent
ThesurestwayofascertainingthebeginningofRamadanisthesightingofthecrescent.Whoever
seesthecrescent,whetheraloneorwithothers,mustfast.AlibinRashidnarratedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)hissaying,‘Donotfastexceptonthesighting(ofthecrescent).’[139]Jurisprudentsbelieveinthe impermissibilityof fastingwith the intentionofobligationwhen thesightingof thecrescentofRamadanisnotproved.
FastingofaSucklingMother
AlibinMahziyarwrotetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)askinghim,‘Thereissomewomanwhosucklesher
sonorotherthanhersoninthemonthofRamadan.Shesuffersmuchinherfasting.Shesucklesuntilshefaintsandcannotfast.Doesshesuckleherchildandbreaksherfastandinsteadkeepitlaterifsheisable,ordoesshegiveupsucklinginordertofast?Ifshecannothiresomewomantosuckleherchild,whatdoesshedo?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrotetohimsaying,‘Ifshecanhireawetnurseforherchild,shemaydoand
keep her fasts; otherwise, she breaks fasting and continues suckling her child and performs herfastinglateronwheneversheisableto.’[140]Jurisprudentsdependonthistraditioningivingafatwathatasucklingmother,whosemilkislittle,
ispermittednottofastinRamadanifherfastingharmsherchildandshecannothireawetnurse.
Expiation(kaffara)ofSpecifiedFasts
Al-HusaynbinUbaydawrotetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)saying,‘Omymaster,somemanvowedtofastonacertainday,buthesleptwithhiswifeonthatday.Whatexpiation isonhim?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohim,‘Hehastofastforonedayinsteadofthatdayandsetfreeaslave.’[141]Inthelightofthis tradition, jurisprudents say that the kaffara of breaking one’s specified fast is the same as thekaffaraofbreakingone’soathwhichisthefreeingofaslave,orfeedingtenneedypersons,orgivingthemclothes,andifhecannotdothat,hemustfastforthreedays.
Trade
Narrators transmitted from Imam al-Hadi (a.s.)many questions about trade,which jurisprudents
dependoninderivingtheirfatwas.Herearesomeofthem:
ProhibitionofWorkingwiththeUnjust
Since theAbbasid rulerswere unjust and oppressive, workwith themwas unlawful as the Shia
believed.MuhammadbinAlibinEesawrotetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)askingwhethertheworkfortheAbbasidsandtakingfromtheirmonieswaspermissibleornot.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘ThatwhichhappensbyforceandsubjectionispardonedbyAllah,otherwise,itishated.Thereisnodoubtthatthelittleofitisbetterthantheexcess.Theexpiationofthatisthatonedoeswhatmaydelightusandourfollowers.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidinhisreplythatAllahdidnotpunishone,whoworkedfortheAbbasids,if
hisworkwasbyforceandsubjection,butifitwasbyone’swill,itwouldbehated-oritmightmeanforbiddenhere.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidthattheexpiationononewhoworkedwiththeAbbasidswastodelight theAhlulBayt(s)bycarryingout theneedsof thefaithfulandthepoorandsavingthemfrommisfortunes andoppression (of thegovernment). Jurisprudentsmentionedmany traditions intheirstudieson“workingwithtyrants”.[142]WhentheletterofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)cametoMuhammadbinAlibinEesa,hewrotetotheImam,
‘Iwanttoworkwiththemtocausethemtroubleandtotakerevengeonthemthroughbeingclosetothem.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)replied,‘Whoeverdoessohisworkisnotunlawful,butratherhewillberewarded(byAllah).’[143]
Renting
1.MuhammadbinEesaal-Yaqtiniwrote toImamal-Hadi(a.s.)saying tohim,‘Someonesenthis
sontosomemantoworkforhimasabushelerforoneyearandforspecifiedwage.Thenanothermancametothefatherandaskedhimforemployingthesonforoneyearbutmorewage.Doesthefather have the right to send his son to the secondman and is it permissible for him to annul hisagreement with the first man?’ Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) wrote to him that the father had to fulfill hisagreementwiththefirstmanexceptifhissonbecameillorweak.[144]2. Muhammad bin Isaaq said, “Iwrote toAbulHasan (peace be upon him) saying, ‘Someman
rentedafarmfromanotherman.Then,thelessorsoldthefarminthepresenceofthetenantwhodidnotdenythesale,butratherhewaspresentandasawitness.Thenthebuyerdiedandleftsomeheirs.Doesthatpropertygointotheinheritanceoritremainsinthehandofthetenantuntil theperiodofrentingends?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrote,‘untiltheperiodofrentingends.’[145]3.IbrahimbinMuhammadal-Hamadanisaid,‘IwrotetoAbulHasan(a.s.)askinghimaboutsome
womanwhorentedoutherlandfortenyearsontheconditionthattherentwastobegivenattheendofeveryyear.Nothingoftherentwouldbegiventoherexceptaftertheendofeveryyear.Before(orafter)threeyears,thewomandied.Shouldherheirscarryouttherentingtothespecifiedperiod,orwouldtherentingconditionbeinvalidatedbythedeathofthewoman?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrote,‘Iftherentinghadaspecifiedtimethatdidnotendwhenthewomandied,thentheheirswouldhavetheright todetermineon the rentingcondition, and if a thirdor ahalfor someperiodof rentinghaspassed,thentheheirscoulddecideontheremainingperiodofrentinginsha’Allah.’[146]Jurisprudentsdisagreedonrentingwhetheritwouldbeinvalidornotbythedeathofthelessoror
thetenant.Someofthemsaiditwouldnotbeinvalidandsomeotherssaiditwouldbeinvalidsincethedeathofthelessorandnotfromthebeginning.TheyreliedinthatonthissayingofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).
Entailment
AlibinMahziyarsaid,‘IwrotetoAbulHasantheThird(a.s.)thatIhadentailedapieceoflandto
mychildren,hajj,andotherwaysofcharity,andyouhavearightfromitaftermeandformeafteryou, but I changed it from thisway.’ Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) said, ‘You are free from any blame andpermittedtodoso.’[147]Sheikh al-Hurr al-Aamili understood from this tradition that the change here took place before
receivingtheentailment.Itisalsopossiblethattheentailmentheremightmean“will”becausehesaid“after me”[148] in order not to contradict entailment, which, if it takes place with its correctconditions,becomesinevitableandcannotberenounced.
Foods
Once,AyyubbinNoahaskedImamal-Hadi(a.s.)aboutbuffalo.Hesaid,‘ThepeopleofIraqsayit
hasbeenmetamorphosed-whichmeansthatitsmeatisunlawfultoeat.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohimsaying,‘HaveyounotheardthesayingofAllah,(Andtwoofcamelsandtwoofcows)[149]?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)refutedthisspuriousnessandprovedthatthebuffalowasakindofcowandnot
ametamorphosedanimal.
Judgement
Ja'farbinEesa said, ‘Iwrote toAbulHasan (al-Hadi) (a.s.) asking that, if awomandiesandher
father claims that he has lent her some things and some slaves, is his claim accepted withoutevidence?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedthatthefather ’sclaimmightbeacceptedwithoutevidence.Ialsowrote
tohim,‘If thehusbandof thedeadwoman,orhisfatherormotherclaim,likeherfatherdoes, thattheyhavelenthersomethingsorsomeslaves,aretheyconsideredlikeherfatherintheclaim?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrote,‘No…’[150]
Penalties
1.Al-HasanbinAlibinShu’bahnarratedthatAbulHasantheThird(a.s.)said,‘Asforamanwho
confesses sodomy, if there is no evidenceproved against him, but hewillingly confesses his guiltagainsthimself,andiftheImam,whoisfromAllah,istopunishonbehalfofAllah,hecanpardononbehalfofAllah.HaveyounotheardthesayingofAllah,(ThisisOurfreegift,thereforegivefreelyorwithholdwithoutreckoning)?’[151]This traditionshowsclearly thata legal Imam,who isappointedbyAllah,maypardonwhoever
confesses sodomy against himself, though he has the right to punish for that. However, if one isprovedbyclearevidencethathehascommittedsodomy,theImamisnottopardonhim.2.Ja'farbinRizqillahsaid,‘SomeChristianman,whocommittedadulterywithaMuslimwoman,
wasbroughttoal-Mutawakkil,theAbbasidcaliph,inordertobepunished.Whenthecaliphwantedtopunishtheman,themanconvertedtoIslam.YahyabinAkthamsaid,‘Hisfaith(inIslam)cancelledhispolytheismandsin.’Someotherpersonsaid,‘Heistobepunishedwiththreepenalties.’Anotheronesaid,‘Heistobepunishedwithso-and-so.’Then,al-MutawakkilorderedhismentoaskImamAbulHasan(al-Hadi)abouthisopiniononthe
matter and the Imam said, ‘He (the sinner) is to be hit until he dies.’ Yahya and the rest ofjurisprudentsdeniedthisfatwaandaskedal-MutawakkiltowritetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andaskhimfortheevidencehedependedoninhisfatwa.Al-MutawakkilwrotetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andImamal-Hadi(a.s.)replied,‘Butwhentheysaw
Ourpunishment, they said:Webelieve inAllah alone andwedenywhatweused to associatewithHim.But their faithcouldnotavail themwhen theysawOurdoom.This isAllah's lawwhichhathever taken course for His bondmen. And then the disbelievers will be ruined).’[152] Then, al-Mutawakkil ordered the sinner to be hit and he was hit until he died.’[153]Imam al-Hadi (a.s.)dependedontheBookofAllahinissuinghisfatwathatmadeal-Mutawakkilandthejurisprudentsfeelastonishedathisabundantknowledge.
DisbeliefoftheExcessive
TheShiaunanimouslybelievethattheexcessiveareunfaithfulandimpureandsoitispermissible
tokillthem.ItwasnarratedthatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidtooneofhiscompanions,‘Ifyouseeoneofthem(theexcessive)alone,youbreakhisheadwithastone.’[154]Weshalltalkindetailsabouttheminoneofthecomingchapters.WehavementionedaboveafewexamplesofImamal-Hadi’sjurisprudence.Thequestionshewas
askedshowedthathewasthehighestauthorityoffatwasintheIslamicworldathistimeandhehadgreatscientifictreasuresofknowledgeintheIslamiclaws.
TheologicalArguments
AttheageofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)manydoubtsandillusionsspreadaboutthebasicsofIslam.The
beginningwasduringtheUmayyadrulethatpavedthewayforthespreadofdeviantandmisguidingthoughts and concepts. The Umayyads encouraged those misguiding cultures which spread morestronglyduringtheAbbasidrule.Muslimulama’,attheheadofwhomweretheImamsoftheAhlulBayt (s), resisted and confuted the atheistic opinions and thoughts using irrefutable, scientificevidences.Allthesearerecordedinthebooksof“argumentation”writtenbyShiascholarstoprovethestruggleoftheirImamsinsupportingIslamandfightingagainstdisbeliefandatheism.HerewementionsomeexamplestransmittedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)inthisconcern.
TheImpossibilityofSeeingAllah
AhmadbinIsaaqwrotetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)askinghimabout (thepossibilityof)seeingAllah
andwhatpeoplesaidinthisregard.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)replied,‘seeingisnotpossibleifthereisnoair(space)betweentheseerandtheseenthingthroughwhichsightgoesthrough.Ifthereisnoairandnolightbetweentheseerandtheseenthing,therewillbenosight.Whentheseerequalstheseenthinginthecauseofsightbetweenthem,sighttakesplace,butthosewhocomparetheseer(man)toAllah,theyaremistakenbecausetheylikenAllahtoman…foreffectsmustrelatetocauses.’[155]Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) proves the impossibility of seeing where there is no air (space) and light,
becausetheeyeseesthroughthesetwomeans;airandlight,otherwise,seeingisimpossibleandthesetwopowerscannotseeAllah theAlmightybecause theyare limitedpossibilities thatcannotsee thegreatpowerthatcreatedandmanagedtheseamazingworldsanduniverseswithalltheirwonders.Thesystemofseeingseesthingswhentheyequaltheseerinthepossibleaspectofseeing,andif
thereisnoequalitybetweenthem,therewillbenosight.ProphetMosestriedhisbesttoseeAllah;(AndwhenMusacameatOurappointedtimeandhisLordspoketohim,hesaid:MyLord!show
me(Thyself),sothatImaylookuponThee.Hesaid:Youcannot(bearto)seeMebutlookatthemountain,ifitremainsfirminitsplace,thenwillyouseeMe;butwhenhisLordmanifestedHisglorytothemountainHemadeitcrumbleandMusafelldowninaswoon;thenwhenherecovered,hesaid:GlorybetoThee,IturntoThee,andIamthefirstofthebelievers).[156]ProphetMoses(a.s.)receivedthewordsofAllahandhissoullongedandwishedtoseehisLord,
buthe forgotwhoandwhathewaswhenheaskedfor thatwhichnohumanbeing in theearthwasallowed or could bear this great seeing.However, ProphetMoses (a.s.)was occupied by his greatlongingandforcedbywishuntilthedecisivewordsofAllahwokehimup,(Youcannot(bearto)seeMe).ThentheGreatCreatorpitiedHisprophetandtaughthimwhyhecouldnotseeHim,(butlookatthemountain,ifitremainsfirminitsplace,thenyouwillseeMe).Themountainisfirmerandmorefixed,thoughlesssensitiveandresponsivethanmanbutnevertheless,(whenhisLordmanifestedHisglorytothemountainHemadeitcrumble).ProphetMoses(a.s.)understoodtheaweofthesituationandfellinaswoon,andwhenhewokeup,said,(GlorybetoThee,IturntoThee,andIamthefirstofthebelievers).[157]SeehowImamal-Hadi(a.s.)spokewithhisLordwiththesebrightwords,showingtheextentofhis
recognitionofAllahtheAlmighty:‘OmyLord,thoughtsofthinkerswentastray,sightsofseersfellshort,descriptionsofdescribers
dissipated,sayingsof fabricatorsvanishedbefore thewondersofYouraffair,or the reach toYourhighness, for You are in the unreachable place, and no eye can fall upon You with a glance orexpression.Howfar,andhowfar!OYoutheFirst,theOnly,theUnique!Youhaveexaltedinhighnesswith the glory of greatness, and risen up beyond every bottom and end with the omnipotence ofpride…’[158]
ImpossibilityofEmbodiment
ItisimpossiblefortheNecessaryBeingtobedescribedwithfeaturesofembodimentbecausethis
isanaspectofpossiblebeings,whichneed,fortheirexistenceacause,andfortheirnon-existenceacause, because they are created things. Inmany traditions Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) confuted thosewhobelievedinembodiment.Herearesomeofthesetraditions:1.As-SaqrbinAbuDalfsaid,‘IaskedAbulHasanAlibinMuhammadaboutmonotheismandsaid
tohimthatIbelievedinthatwhichHishambinal-Hakambelieved.Hebelievedinembodimentbeforehis guidance. The Imam (a.s.) became angry and said, ‘What do you have to do with the saying(belief)ofHisham?He,whoclaimsthatAllahhasabody,isnotfromusandwearefreefromhiminthisworldandintheafterworld.OibnAbuDalf,body(substance)iscreatedanditisAllahWhohascreatedandembodiedit.’[159]2.Hamza binMuhammad said, ‘Iwrote toAbulHasan (a.s.) asking him about the body and the
shape(ofAllah)andhewrotetome,‘GlorybetoHim,Whomnothingislikeneitherinbodynorinshape.’[160]3.IbrahimbinMuhammadal-Hamadaninarrated,‘Iwrotetotheman(hemeantAbulHasan)saying
tohim,‘Withustherearesomeofyourfollowerswhohavedisagreedonmonotheism.Someofthemsay(Allahis)“abody”andsomesay“shape”.’Hewrotesaying,‘GlorybetoHimWhocannotbelimited,andcannotbedescribed.NothingislikeHimandHeistheHearing,theKnowing.’[161]It is impossible to describe Allah the Almighty with the limits of the created things and it is
impossibletodescribeHimwithmultiplicityofaspectsbecauseHisattributesareHisveryessenceastheologianshaveproved.
ImpossibilityofDescribingAllah
Imam Abul Hasan al-Hadi (a.s.), in his talk with al-Fatah bin Yazeed al-Jirjani, declared the
impossibilityofdescribingtheWiseCreatorwithanyattributethatmightcoverhisessenceandtruth.Hesaid,‘TheCreatorisnotdescribedexceptwiththatwhichHeHimselfhaddescribedHimselfwith.HowcantheCreator,Whomsensesfailtoconceive,mindstoarriveat,imaginationstocontain,andsightstosurround,bedescribed?ExaltedisHeabovewhatdescriberssay,andglorifiedisHeabovewhatdepictersdescribe.Heis
far inHisnearness,andnear inHis farness.Hehasadapted the“how” that it isnot said (forHim)how,andhasadaptedthe“where”thatitisnotsaid(forHim)where.Heisoutofhowandwhere.HeisOnly,One,Eternal,Absolute. Hebegettethnot,norwasbegotten,and there isnonecomparableunto Him. Glory be to Him. Or how is Muhammad (blessings be on him and on his progeny)describedinhisessencewhereAllahtheSublimecomparedhimwithHisownname,participatedhiminHisgift,andpromisedwhoeverobeyedhimtoberewardedforhisobediencewhenHesaid,(andtheydidnotfindfaultexceptbecauseAllahandHisMessengerenrichedthemoutofHisgrace)?[162]ItrelatesthesayingofthosewhogiveupHisobedienceandHetorturesthembetweenthecoversof
Hellfireanditsgarmentsoftar,(OwouldthatwehadobeyedAllahandobeyedtheMessenger).[163]Or howare those (theAhlulBayt),whomAllah theSublime compared their obediencewith the
obedienceofHismessenger,describedintheiressencewhenHesaid,(Oyouwhobelieve!obeyAllahandobeytheMessengerandthoseinauthorityfromamongyou),[164]and(andiftheyhadreferredittotheMessengerandtothoseinauthorityamongthem),[165]and,(SurelyAllahcommandsyoutomakeovertruststotheirowners),[166]and,(soask thefollowersof thereminder ifyoudonotknow)?[167]OFatah,asAllah,glorybetoHim,themessenger,theguardian(ImamAli),andthesonsofFatima
(the infallibleImams)cannotbedescribed,neithercanabelieverwhobelievesandsubmits toourmatterbe.’[168]ThetraditionshowstheimpossibilityofdescribingAllahinawaythatexpressesHisveryessence
andtruth.ItisthesamefortheProphet(S)andtheinfallibleImamsandevenabelieverwholoyallysubmits and believes in the Ahlul Bayt (s), for descriptions fail to surround a believer ’s nobletendenciesandvirtuousqualities.
Monotheism
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasaskedaboutthetruthofmonotheismandhesaid,‘AllahtheAlmightywas
still alone nothingwith Him, and thenHe created things skillfully, and chose names for Himself.NamesandwordsarestillwithHimsinceeternity.Allahwasandisstillexistent.ThenHeformedwhatHewilledandnothingcanrepelHiswillor
delayHisdetermination…’[169]
RefutingofCompulsionandFreeWill
PerhapsoneofthemostwonderfulintellectualandscientifictraditionstransmittedfromImamal-
Hadi(a.s.)wasthisletterthathesenttothepeopleofAhwaz(inIran)inwhichherefutedtheconceptof“compulsion”thattheAsh’aritesadoptedandspreadwhentheysaidthatmanwascompelledintohisactionsandhehadnowilloroption.Healsorefutedtheconceptof“freewill”thattheMu’tazilitesbelievedinsayingthatAllahhadauthorizedpeopleintheiractionsduetotheirwillandtherewerenowill or power over them. After refuting these two concepts, Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) proved withirrefutable,scientificproofstheconceptof“thematterbetweenthetwomatters;amoderateconceptbetweencompulsionandfreewill”,whichwastheconceptadoptedbytheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(s)andbytheirfollowers.Thisletterwasoneofthebestdiscussionsinthisconcern.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wroteinthisletter:‘FromAlibinMuhammad,peace,mercy,andblessingsofAllahbeuponyouanduponwhoever
follows the guidance. Your letter came to me and I understood what you mentioned of yourdisagreement inyour religion,yourplunging in thematterof “fate”, thebeliefof someofyou in“compulsion”, and others in “freewill”, and the disagreement, separation, and enmity among youbecauseofthat.Thenyouaskedmeaboutthatandtoexplainityou.Iunderstoodallthat…Know,mayAllahhavemercyonyou,thatwelookedupintheabundanttraditionsandnewsandwe
found, forallMuslimswhounderstand fromAllah, them(traditions)not free from twomeanings;either truth that is to be followed or falsehood that is to be avoided. The nation has agreedunanimouslywithnodisagreementbetweenthemthattheQur'anisthetruththathasnodoubtinitforMuslimsofallsects.TheiragreementistheproofoftheBookandthattheyarerightandguidedduetothesayingofthe
messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and on his progeny), “My nation does not agree ondeviation.” He told that what the entire nation agreed on is truth when no group disagrees withanother.TheQur'anis thetruththat thereisnodifferencebetweenthem(Muslims) in itsrevelationandtruthfulness.SowhentheQur'anwitnessesthetruthfulnessofsomenewsbutagroupofthenationdeniesit,theyshouldacknowledgeitasanecessity,forbasicallythenationhasagreedunanimouslyon the truthfulness of the Qur'an, and if they deny, this requires them to be out of the (Muslim)nation…’Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) says in this passage thatMuslimsmust refer to theQur'an,which falsehood
shall not approach frombefore it nor frombehind it, in thematters they disagree on and see thatwhichagreeswiththeQur'anisthetruthandthatwhichcontradictsitisfalsehood.WhoeverbelievesthisfalsehoodwillbeoutofIslam.Headded,‘Thefirstnewsthatisproved,witnessed,andconfirmedbytheBookisthesayingofthe
messenger of Allah (SwT), ‘I leave to you the two weighty things; the Book of Allah and myhousehold.You shallnotgoastrayas longasyoukeep to them.They shallnot separateuntil theyshallcometomeatthepond(inParadise).’WefoundtheevidencesofthistraditionintheBookofAllahwhereAllahsaid,
(OnlyAllahisyourValiandHisMessengerandthosewhobelieve,thosewhokeepupprayersandpay the poor-rate while they bow. And whoever takes Allah and His messenger and those whobelieveforaguardian,thensurelythepartyofAllaharetheythatshallbetriumphant).[170]AllMuslim sects narrated traditions thatAmir ’ul-Mu’minin (a.s.) had given his ring as charity
whilehewasbowinginprayerandAllahpraisedhimforthatandrevealedthisverse.Wefoundthemessenger of Allah (SwT) saying, ‘Whoever I was his guardian, Ali is to be his guardian’ and(addressingImamAli),‘YouaretomeaswasAarontoMosesbuttherewillbenoprophetafterme’and,‘Alirepaysmydebts,carriesoutmypromises,andheismycaliphoveryouafterme’…ThetraditionindicatedclearlythecaliphateofImamAli(a.s.)aftertheProphet(S)andthatthere
was no one worthier of the Prophet (S) than Imam Ali (a.s.), the pioneer of intellectual andcivilizationaldevelopmentintheearth.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)added,‘Thefirsttradition,fromwhichthesetraditionswerederived,isatrue
traditionthatallMuslimshaveagreedonwithnodisagreementamongthem.ItalsoconformstotheBook.WhentheBookwitnessesthetruthfulnessofthesetraditionsbesidesotherevidences,thenthenationhas toacknowledge themasanecessity, for theirevidencesareclear in theQur'anand theyconformtotheQur'anandtheQur'anconformstothem.Moreover,thetruthofthesetraditionsweretransmittedfromthemessengerofAllah(SwT)throughthetruthful(infallibleImams)andnarratedbyknown,reliablepeople.Therefore,followingthesetraditionsisobligatoryoneverybelievingmanandbelievingwoman,
andnoonedeviatesexcepttheobstinate.ThatisbecausethesayingsofthemessengerofAllah(SwT)andhisprogenyareconnectedwiththesayingsofAllah,asinthisverse,(Surely(asfor)thosewhospeakevilthingsofAllahandHisMessenger,Allahhascursedthem
in thisworldand thehereafter,andHehaspreparedfor themachastisementbringingdisgrace).[171]WefoundthelikeofthisverseinthissayingofthemessengerofAllah(SwT),‘He,whoharmsAli,
harmsme,andwhoharmsmeharmsAllah,andwhoeverharmsAllahisabouttoberevengedon(byAllah)’[172]andhissaying,‘He,wholovesAli,lovesme,andwholovesme,lovesAllah’[173],and,‘…in bani Wulay’ah…I will send to them a man who is like myself. He loves Allah and HismessengerandAllahandHismessengerlovehim.OAli,getreadytomarchtothem!’,andhissayingonthedayofKhaybar,‘Tomorrow,IwillsendtothemamanwholovesAllahandHismessenger,andAllahandHismessengerlovehim.Heisbraveandnotarunaway.HeshallnotcomebackuntilheshallconquerbythewillofAllah.’[174]ThemessengerofAllah (SwT)confirmed theconquerbefore themarching.Thecompanionsof
themessengerofAllahlookedforwardtothat,butonthenextday,themessengerofAllah(SwT)sentforAliandsenthimattheheadofthearmy.Hesingledhimoutwiththisvirtueandcalledhim“braveandnotarunaway”.Allahcalledhim“aloverofAllahandHismessenger”andinformedthatAllahandHismessengerlovedhim.Wejustintroducedthisexplanationasevidenceandconfirmationtowhatwewanttosayaboutthe
matterof“compulsionandfreewill”and“thematterbetweenthetwomatters”.WeaskAllahforhelp
andassistanceandonHimwerelyinallouraffairs.WebeginwiththesayingofImamas-Sadiq(a.s.),‘Itisneithercompulsionnorfreewillbutitisapositionbetweenthetwopositions.Itisthesoundnessofcreation,freedom,enoughtime,equipment,andthecausethatprovokesadoertowardshisdoing.’ThesearefivethingswithwhichImamas-Sadiq(a.s.)groupedtheitemsofvirtue.Ifsomeonelacksone of these items, obligations are not required from him. Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) informed of thenecessarythingthatpeoplemustknowandtheBookconfirmedit.TheclearversesoftheQur'anandthemessengerofAllahprovedit.ThemessengerofAllahandhisprogenydonotexceedbytheirsayingsthelimitsoftheQur'an.If
traditionsconformtotheQur'anandagreewithitsproofs,followingthemisobligatoryandnooneviolatesthemexceptthepeopleofintransigence.Whenweponderedonthesayingofas-Sadiqabout“thepositionbetweenthetwopositions”andhisdenyingof“compulsionandfreewill”,wefoundtheBookprovingandconfirminghissaying,besides that therewasanothersayingbyhimconfirmingthefirstone.Once,as-Sadiqwasasked,‘HasAllahforcedHispeopletocommitsins?’Hesaid,‘He(Allah)ismorejustthanthis.’Itwassaidtohim,‘HasHe,then,completelyauthorizedthemtodothat(commitsins)?’Hesaid,‘Allahismightierandmoreomnipotentoverthemthanthis.’It was narrated that he said, ‘People, in fate, are of three kinds; one claims that people are
authorizedtodoastheylikeandthushedeemsAllahweakinHisauthority,andthisonewillperish.TheotheroneclaimsthatAllahforcespeopleintosinsandchargesthemwithwhattheyareunabletodo, and thisonemistakesAllahandhewill perish.Andoneclaims thatAllahchargespeoplewithwhattheyareabletodoanddoesnotchargethemwithwhattheyareunabletodo,sowhenthisonedoesgood,hethanksAllahandwhenhedoeswrong,heasksAllahtoforgivehimandthisisatrueMuslim.’As-Sadiq(a.s.)toldthathe,whobelievedin“compulsion”or“freewill”,opposedthetruth.Ihavealreadyexplained“compulsion”and“freewill”andthatwhoeverbelievedinthemiswrong,andthereforethetruthis“thepositionbetweenthetwopositions”…’Igiveexampleoneachtopictoexplainthemeaningforrequestersandmakeresearcheasier.These
examples are confirmedby theQur ’anicverses andproved truebymenofunderstanding.WeaskAllahforsuccessandperfection.‘Asfor“compulsion”,itisthebeliefofthosewhoclaimthatAllahforcespeopleintocommitting
sinsanddisobediencesandthenHepunishesthemforthat.WhoeverbelievesinthisconceptwrongsAllah, falsifies Him and denies His saying,(and your Lord does not deal unjustly with anyone)[175]and,(Thisisduetowhatyourtwohandshavesentbefore,andAllahisnotintheleastunjustto the servants)[176]and, (Surely Allah does not do any injustice tomen, butmen are unjust tothemselves)[177] besides many other verses regarding this. He, who claims he is forced intodisobedience,ascribeshissinstoAllahandconsidersAllahasunjustinpunishinghim.Whoever considersAllah as unjust deniesHisBook, andwhoever deniesHisBookmust be an
unbelieverduetotheconsensusofthenation.Theexampleofthisisliketheexampleofamanhavingaslave,whoneitherpossesseshimselfnordoeshehaveanypropertyatall.Thelordknowsthisabouthisslave;nevertheless,heorders theslave togo to themarket tobringhimsomethingbutwithoutgivinghimthepriceofthatthing.Thelordknowswellthatthatsomethinghasanownerthatnoonecantakethatthingfromhimexceptafterpayingtheprice.Thelordoftheslaveconsidershimselfasjust,fair,wise,andfreefromanykindofinjustice.
Hethreatenshisslavewithpunishmentifhedoesnotbringhimthatthing,thoughheknowswellthatnoonecantakethatthingexceptafterpayingitspriceandtheslavedoesnothavetheprice.Whentheslavecomesbacktohislordunsuccessfully,hislordbecomesangryathimandpunisheshim.Ifthe lord is just and fair in his judgment, he should not punish his slave; otherwise, he shall beconsideredasunjustandoppressive,andifhedoesnotpunishhisslave,heshallcontradicthimselfand be a liar for he has threatened his slavewith punishment. So lying and oppression contradictjusticeandwisdom.HighExaltedisHeabovewhattheysay!‘Whoeverbelievesin“compulsion”orinwhatleadsto“compulsion”considersAllahasunjustand
oppressive ifHepunishes thosewhomHe forces into committing sins.Whoever claims thatAllahforcesHispeopleintotheirdoingsmustsaythatAllahshouldnotpunishthem,andwhoeverclaimsthatAllahdoesnotpunishsinnersdeniesAllahwhenHesays,(Yea,whoeverearnsevilandhissinsbesethimoneveryside,thesearetheinmatesofthefire;in
it they shall abide)[178] and, ((As for) those who swallow the property of the orphans unjustly,surelytheyonlyswallowfireintotheirbelliesandtheyshallenterburningfire)[179]and,((Asfor)thosewhodisbelieveinOurcommunications,Weshallmakethementerfire;sooft
astheirskinsarethoroughlyburned,Wewillchangethemforotherskins,thattheymaytastethechastisement;surelyAllahisMighty,Wise)[180]andmanyother sayings indifferentverses.Thus,whoeverdenies the threatofAllahmustbean
unbelieverandbeoneofthoseaboutwhomAllahhassaid,(DoyouthenbelieveinapartoftheBookanddisbelieveintheother?Whatthenistherewardofsuchamongyouwhodothisbutdisgraceinthe lifeof thisworld,andon thedayofresurrection theyshallbesentback to themostgrievouschastisement,andAllahisnotatallheedlessofwhatyoudo).[181]WesaythatAllahtheAlmightyrewardspeoplefortheirdoingsandpunishesthemfortheirdoings
thattheydowiththeirwillandabilityHehasgiventothem.Hehasenjoinedthemtodosomethingsandforbiddenthemfromdoingsomeotherthings.HesaysinHisBook,(Whoeverbringsagooddeed,heshallhavetenlikeit,andwhoeverbringsanevildeed,heshall
berecompensedonlywiththelikeofit,andtheyshallnotbedealtwithunjustly)[182]and,(Onthedaythateverysoulshallfindpresentwhatithasdoneofgoodandwhatithasdoneofevil,itshallwishthatbetweenitandthat(evil)therewerealongdurationoftime;andAllahmakesyoutobecautiousof(retributionfrom)Himself;andAllahisCompassionatetotheservants)[183]and,(Thisdayeverysoulshallberewardedforwhatithasearned;noinjustice(shallbedone)thisday).[184]These clear verses refute “compulsion” and denywhoever believes in it. There aremany other
verses like theseonesbutwedonotmention them inorder not to expatiate.Wepray toAllah forsuccess.‘Asfor theconceptof“freewill”,whichImamas-Sadiq(a.s.)refuted, it is theconceptofsaying
thatAllahtheAlmightyhasauthorizedHispeopletochooseHisenjoinmentsandprohibitionsandHeneglectedthem.TheinfallibleImamsoftheProphet’sprogenysaythatifAllahhasauthorizedpeopleandneglectedthem,thenhemustbepleasedwithwhattheychooseandtheydeserverewardforthatandshouldnotbepunishedforsinstheycommitifindeedthereisnegligence.
Thisbelief(offreewill)hastwomeanings;thefirstisthatpeoplehavedefeatedAllahandforcedHim,willinglyorunwillingly,toaccepttheirchoices;andthisshowsthatHeisweak,orHehasfailedtomakethemworshipHimthroughtheenjoinmentsandprohibitionsaccordingtoHiswill,whethertheywantedornot, and therefore,Heauthorized them to chooseHis enjoinments andprohibitionsaccordingtotheirwillswhenHefailedtomakethemworshipaccordingtoHiswill,andsoHegavethemtheoptioninchoosingfaithorunfaith.It is like amanwho buys a slave to serve him, acknowledge his favor, submit to his lordship,
followhisorders,andrefrainfromhisprohibitions.Thelordof theslaveclaimsheismightyandwise.Thelordordershisslavetodothingsandforbidshimfromdoingotherthings.Hepromisestheslave of great rewards if he follows his orders and threatens him with severe punishments if hedisobeys.Theslavecontradictsthewillofhislordanddoesnotsubmittohisordersandprohibitions.Whatever the lord orders or forbids the slave to do or not to do, the slave does not obey but
follows his own will and tendency and not his lord’s. The lord is not able to make the slave actaccording tohiswill, and sohe lets him free to choosebyhis ownwill and tendency and acceptswhateverhedoes.Oneday, thelordsendstheslavetodosomethingforhim.Theslavecarriesoutthatthingaccordingtohistendencyandnottohislord’s.Whenhecomesback,thelordfindsthattheslavehasdoneunlikewhathe(thelord)wants.Hesays
tohim,‘WhydidyoudounlikewhatIhaveaskedyoutodo?’Theslavesays,‘IdependedonyourauthorizationtomeanddidasIliked.’Anauthorizedoneisfreeinhisdoing;therefore,“freewill”isimpossibleforpeopletowardstheirLord…’Freewill is thebelief thatAllahhas leftHispeople free todoas they likeand thatAllahhasno
relation in people’s doings. The Imam (a.s.) refuted this belief with clear proofs and said it wasimpossible.Headded,‘Itis,duetothat,thatthelordoftheslaveiseitherabletomaketheslavefollowhisordersandrefrainfromhisprohibitionsaccordingtohiswillandnottotheslave’swill,andtogivehimabilityasmuchasthatwhichheordershimtodoandforbidshimfrom.Ifheordershimtodosomethingandforbidsfromdoinganother thing,heshould tellhimtherewardandpunishmentforeach.Heshouldwarnhimagainsthispunishmentandencouragehimtowardshisrewardsothattheslave
willknowthepowerofhislordthroughthepowerthelordhasgiventotheslavehimselfthatmakeshimable to followhisorders, refrainfromhisprohibitions,approvehisencouragement,andkeepoff hiswarning. Thus, the lordwill be just and fair to the slave and his excuse in pardoning andwarningwillbeclear.Then,iftheslavefollowshislord’sorders,heshallberewardedbyhim,andifhedoesnotrefrainfromhisprohibitions,heshallbepunished.Thesecondmeaningisthatthelordisunabletopunishtheslaveandmakehimfollowhisordersandsoheletstheslavefreetodogoodorbad,toobeyordisobey.Thisinabilitydisprovesmightanddeityandmakes“enjoiningoftherightandforbiddingfromthewrong”vain.ItcontradictstheHolyBookwhereAllahsays,(andHedoesnotlikeungratefulnessinHisservants;andifyouaregrateful,Helikesitinyou)
[185] and, (be careful of (your duty to)Allahwith the carewhich is due toHim, anddonot dieunlessyouareMuslims)[186]and,(And I have not created the jinn and the men except that they should serve Me. I seek no
livelihoodfromthem,nordoIaskthattheyshouldfeedMe)[187]and,(AndserveAllahanddonotassociateanythingwithHim)[188]and,(ObeyAllahandHisMessengeranddonotturnbackfromHimwhileyouhear).[189]He,whoclaimsthatAllahhasentrustedHisordersandprohibitionstoHispeople,describesAllah
asunableandconsequentlyHemustacceptall thatwhichHispeopledowhethergoodorbad.Thisone also denies the orders, prohibitions,warnings and threatening ofAllah.Whenone claims thatAllahhasentrustedallthattoman,itmeansthatmanisfreetobelieveordisbelieveandheshallnotbe blamed for his decision. He, who believes in “free will” in this meaning, denies the orders,prohibitions,warning,andthreateningofAllahandheisoneofthosewhoareincludedinthisverse,(DoyouthenbelieveinapartoftheBookanddisbelieveintheother?Whatthenistherewardof
suchamongyouasdothisbutdisgraceinthelifeofthisworld,andonthedayofresurrectiontheyshallbesentbackto themostgrievouschastisement,andAllahisnotatallheedlessofwhatyoudo).[190]Allahistoofarabovethatwhichthepeopleof“freewill”believein…’Afterrefutingtheconceptsof“compulsion”and“freewill”,Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)provedtheconcept
of“thematterbetweenthetwomatters”whichwasthetheoryoftheinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(s).Hesaid,‘Butwesay:AllahtheAlmightycreatedpeoplebyHispowerandgavethemtheabilityofobeyingHim.Heordered them todowhatHewanted and forbade them fromwhatHewanted.HeacceptedfromthemtheirobediencetoHisordersandHewaspleasedbyit,andHeprohibitedthemfromdisobeyingHim,dispraisedthedisobeyers,andpunishedthemforthat.AllahhasthechoiceofenjoiningHispeopleondoingsomethingsthatHeispleasedwithandforbiddingthemfromotherthingsthatHehates.HepunishesfordisobediencesduetotheabilityhehasgiventoHispeoplebywhich they can obeyHim and avoidHis prohibitions becauseHe is just, fair, wise, and has clearexcuses.He chooses from among His people as He wills to inform of His mission and authority over
people. He chose Muhammad (a.s.) and sent him with His mission to His creation, but someunbelieversfrom(Muhammad’s)peoplesaidoutofenvyandhaughtiness,(WhywasnotthisQu’ranrevealedtoamanofimportanceinthetwotowns).[191]TheywereUmayyahbinAbussaltandAbuMas’oud ath-Thaqafi. But Allah refuted their sayings and thoughts when revealing,(Will theydistribute themercy of your Lord?We distribute among them their livelihood in the life of thisworld, andWe have exalted some of them above others in degrees, that some of themmay takeothersinsubjection;andthemercyofyourLordisbetterthanwhattheyamass).[192]‘Therefore,HeenjoinedonwhatHeliked,andforbadefromwhatHedisliked.Hewouldreward
whoeverobeyedHimandwouldpunishwhoeverdisobeyedHim.IfAllahentrustedHisaffairstoHispeople,HewouldpermitQuraysh[193]tochooseUmayyahbinAbussaltorAbuMas’oudath-ThaqafifortheywerepreferredbyQurayshtoMuhammad(a.s.).When Allah disciplined the believers by saying, (And it behooves not a believing man and a
believingwomanthattheyshouldhaveanychoiceintheirmatterwhenAllahandHisMessengerhavedecidedamatter),[194]Hedidnotallowthemtochooseaccordingtotheirdesires,andHedidnotacceptfromthemexcepttofollowHisordersandavoidHisprohibitionsthathadbeeninformedby those, whom He had chosen (as prophets). He, who obeyed Him, was guided, and he, whodisobeyedHim,deviatedandwentastrayandwouldnotbeexcusedbecausehehadtheabilitytoobey
Allah’sordersandavoidHisprohibitions; therefore,AllahpreventedadisobeyerfromHisrewardandHewouldpunishhiminstead…’Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)proved in thepreviousparagraphs the theoryof“thematterbetween the two
matters”thattheImamsoftheAhlulBayt(s)believedin.Thisconceptwasestablishedonafirmbasisofunderstanding, intellect, and logic.GrandAyatollahal-Khoei, inhis studiesonUsul,proved thematter.Hesaid,‘Thematterisnotamatterofworship,butthemediumway,bywhichtheproblemof“compulsionandfreewill”canbesolved,islimitedtoit.Deedsofpeopledependontwosides;thefirstistheirlives,abilities,knowledge,andthelike,andthesecondistheirwillsanddoings.Thefirstside is from Allah and connected to His Eternal Being and is submissive to Him. It is the veryconnectionandsubmissionitselfandnotsomethingwiththisconnectionandsubmission.Inthislight,ifAllahtheAlmightystopsthatforamoment,surelylifewillstop…Thesecondsideisfrompeople.Supposingtheexistenceofthefirstside,it isconnectedwiththe
secondoneinitsessenceandbranchedwithitnaturally.Hence,nodeedcomesfrommanexceptbythecorrelationofthesetwosides.But,ifonesideprevails,nodeedisachieved.Onthisbase,itistruetoascribedeedstoAllahandtoman.Toexplainthispoint,wegiveexamplestoshowthedifferenceoftheconceptsof“compulsion”and“freewill”fromthetheoryoftheTwelverShia.Adeedofmancomesinthreekinds:First,thedeedthatcomeswithoutman’swillandchoice;aswhenwesupposethatthereissomeone
withatremblinghandwhoisunabletocontrolhishand.Ifhismastertiesaswordinhistremblinghand,supposingthatthereissomeonelyingbesidehim,thoughthismanknowsthatwhentheswordslipsfromhishandandfallsonthatsleepingperson,itwillkillhim,naturallythisdeedisnotfromhiswillandchoice.Reasonablepeopleseethatheisnotresponsibleforthisdeedandheisnottobeblamedforit.Theone,whoisresponsibleandtobeblamedforthat,istheonewhotiestheswordtothatman’shand.Thisisthethemeofthetheoryof“compulsion”.Second,thedeedsthatcomefrommanbyhiswill,choice,andindependencywithnoneedtoresort
toanyotherthanhim;itislikewhenwesupposethatamastergivesaswordtoafreepersonwhoisfree to dowhat hewants and able tomove his hand freely. In this case, if this person commits amurderintheoutside,hehimselfwillberesponsibleforthatmurderandnotthegiverofthesword,though the giver of the sword knows that giving the sword to that person leads to amurder, andbesides that, he can take the sword from that personwhenever hewants; nevertheless, themurdercannotbeimputedtothegiveroftheswordbuttothatpersonwhowasfreeinmovinghishandwithnoexternalinfluence.Thisisthethemeofthetheoryof“freewill”.Third, thedeeds thatcomefrommanbyhischoiceandpower, thoughhe isnot independentby
himselfbutinneedofotherthanhim,sothatiftheaidofthatotheronestopsatanytime,hisdeedswillstopdefinitely;asanexamplewesupposethatthemasterhasaparalyzedslavethatisunabletomove.Themasterconnectsanelectriccurrenttotheslave’sbodytoarousepowerinhismusclesandmake him able tomove and act. Themaster holds the control of the electric current,which givespowertotheslave’sbodyatalltime,withhishandthatifhecutsthecurrentforamoment,thepowerwillbecutfromtheslave’sbodyandhebecomesunabletomove.Onthisbase,ifthemasterconnectsthatpowertotheslave’sbodyandtheslavegoesbyhiswilland
killssomeonewherethemasterknowswhattheslavedoes,inthiscasethisdeedisimputedtobothof
them;totheslavebecauseheisabletoornottodothatdeedashewillsafterpowerisconnectedtohisbody,andtothemasterbecausehegivespowertotheslaveevenat thetimeofcommittingthatmurderthoughheisabletocutthatpowerfromtheslaveatanytimehewants.Thisisthethemeandfactofthetheoryof“thematterbetweenthetwomatters”…’[195]WecomebackagaintothetraditionofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Hesays,‘Thematterbetweenthetwo
mattersisneither“compulsion”nor“freewill”.ItisthiswhatAmir ’ul-Mu’minin(a.s.)toldAbayahbinRub’iyal-Asadiaboutwhenheaskedhimabouttheabilitybywhichmancouldstandup,sitdown,andact.Amir ’ul-Mu’minin (a.s.) said toAbayah, ‘Youaskedaboutability.Doyouhave itwithoutAllahorwithAllah?’Abayahkeptsilentanddidnotknowwhattosay.ImamAli(a.s.)said,‘IfyousaythatyouhaveitwithAllah,Iwillkillyou,andifyousaythatyouhaveitwithoutAllah,Iwillkillyou.’Abayahsaid,‘ThenwhatshallIsay,OAmir ’ul-Mu’minin?’ImamAli(a.s.)said,‘YousaythatyouhaveitbyAllahWhohasitwithoutyou.IfHemakesyou
possess it, it is fromhis favor, and ifHedeprivesyouof it, it is fromHis trial foryou.He is thePossessorofwhatHemakesyoupossess,andHeisthePowerfuloverwhatHegivesyoupowerin.Doyounothearpeopleasking(Allah)forabilityandpowerwhen theysay: there isnoabilityandpowersaveinAllah(lahawlawelaquwwataillabillah)?’Abayahsaid,‘OAmir ’ul-Mu’minin,whatdoesitmean?’ImamAli(a.s.)said,‘ThereisnoabilitytokeepawayfromdisobediencessavebythepreservationofAllah,andwehavenopowertoobeyAllahsavebytheassistanceofAllah.’AbayahjumpedandkissedImamAli’shandsandfeet.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)added,‘ItisnarratedfromAmir ’ul-Mu’minin(a.s.)thatonedayNajdacameto
himaskingabouthowtoknowAllah.Heasked,‘OAmir ’ul-Mu’minin,withwhatyouhaveknownyourLord?’ImamAli(a.s.)said,‘Withthethinkingthathasempoweredmeandthemindthathasledme.’Najdasaid, ‘Areyoumoldedinto that?(i.e., Is this thinkingforceduponyou)’ImamAli(a.s.)said,‘IfIammoldedintothat,Ishallnotbepraisedforgooddeedsandblamedforbaddeeds,andsoagooddoershalldeserveblamemorethanawrongdoer.IknowthatAllahisEternal,EverlastingandanythingotherthanHimistransientandmortal.TheEternal,EverlastingOneisnotlikeatransientcreature.’ Najda said, ‘I see you have becomewise.’ Amir ’ul-Mu’minin (a.s.) said, ‘I am free tochoose.IfIcommitabaddeedinsteadofgooddeed,Ishallbepunishedforit.’It is also related thatAmir ’ul-Mu’minin (a.s.) said to amanwho asked him after coming back
fromSham,‘OAmir ’ul-Mu’minin,tellusaboutourmarchingtoSham!IsitbythefateofAllah?’Amir ’ul-Mu’minin (a.s.) said, ‘Osheikh (oldman),yes.YoudonotascendupahillordescendavalleyunlessitisbythewillandfateofAllah.’Theoldmansaid,‘IexpecttherewardofmyeffortsfromAllahOAmir ’ul-Mu’minin.’Imam Ali (a.s.) explained fate by saying, ‘O sheikh, wait! Allah has rewarded you for your
marchingasyoumarch,foryourrestingasyourest,andforyourgoingbackasyougoback.Youmaythinkitisinevitablefateandinescapabledoom.Ifitisso,thenrewardandpunishment,enjoiningandforbidding,scolding,warningandthreateningwillbevoid,andabaddoershallnotbeblamedandagooddoershallnotberewarded.Agooddoershallbeworthierofbeingblamedthanaguiltyone,andaguiltyoneshallbeworthier
ofrewardthanagooddoer.Thisopinionisofidolaters,enemiesofAllah,fatalists,andthemagi.Osheikh,AllahtheAlmightyhaschargedHispeoplebutgiventhemtheoptiontodoornottodo,and
forbiddenthemaswarning.Hegivesmuchforalittle.HeisnotdisobeyedoutofdefeatandHeisnotobeyedbyforce.Hehasnotcreatedtheheavens,theearth,andwhatisbetweentheminvain.Thatistheopinionof thosewhodisbelieve, andwoeunto thosewhodisbelieve from theFire…’Theoldmangotup,kissedImamAli’shead,andrecitedsomeversesofpoetrypraisinghim.‘Amir ’ul-Mu’mininprovedwhatcompliedwiththeBookandhedenied“compulsion”and“free
will” and showed thatwhoeverbelieved in themdenied theBookofAllahandwasunbeliever.Weseek theprotectionofAllah fromdeviationanddisbelief.Webelieveneither incompulsionnor infreewill,butwebelievein“thematterbetweenthetwomatters”thatisthetrialoftheabilitywhichAllahhasgiventousinordertoworshipHimwithitastheBookwitnessedandthepureImamsoftheProphet’sprogeny(peacebeuponthem)believedin…’Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) gave an example by saying, ‘The example of the trial of ability is like the
exampleofamanwhopossessesaslaveandhehasalotofmoney.Hewantstotryhisslavethoughhe knows what his slave shall do. He gives the slave some of his money and agrees on certainconditionswithhim.Heordershimtospendthemoneyonsomethingsandforbidshimfromotherthings that he (themaster) does not like.He orders him to avoid them and not to spend from hismoneyonthosethings,thoughmoneyisspentinbothsides.Theslavespendssomemoneyinobeyingthemasterandseekinghispleasure,andsomeintheway
hehasforbidden.Themasterhousestheslaveinatemporaryhouseandinformshimthatheshallnotliveinthishouseforeverbutheshallliveinanotherhouse,whichthemasterwilltakehimto,wherethereshallbeeternalrewardandeternalpunishment.Iftheslavespendsthemoneyinthewaythatthemaster has ordered him to do, he shall be rewarded with the eternal reward as his master haspromisedtorewardhimintheotherhousethathewilltakehimto,andifhespendsthemoneyintheway that his master has forbidden him from, he shall be punished with eternal punishment in theeternalhouse.Themasterdeterminesalimitforthat.Itistheabidinginthefirsthouse.Whenthelimitisreached,themasterchangestheslaveandthemoney,thoughheisstilltheowner
of the slave andmoney in all timesbut hehaspromised that he shall not deprive the slaveof thatmoneyas longashe lives in thathouseuntil he completeshis abiding in it.Themaster fulfils thedesiresoftheslavebecausejustice,loyalty,fairness,andwisdomarefromthequalitiesofthemaster.Iftheslavespendsthatmoneyinthewayheisorderedto,themastershallcarryouthispromisetohimbyrewardinghimwitheternalbliss inaneverlastinghouse,andifhespendsthemoneyin theway he is forbidden from and contradicts the orders of hismaster, he shall be punishedwith theeternalpunishmentthatthemasterhaswarnedhimof.Doingso,themasterisnotunjusttotheslavebecausehehaspre-informedhimthathewillcarry
out his promise and threat to him. It is for this reason that themaster is described asmighty andomnipotent.ThemasterisAllahtheAlmighty,theslaveisman,moneyisthevastpowerofAllah,thetrialistheshowingofwisdomandmight,thetemporary(transient)houseistheworldlylife,thesumofmoney that themaster has given to the slave is the ability thatman has, and thewayAllah hasorderedthemoneytobespentinistheabilityoffollowingtheprophetsandacknowledgingwhattheyhavebroughtfromAllahtheAlmighty.ThewaysAllahhasforbiddenarethewaysofIblis,thepromiseoftheeternalblissistheParadise,
the transienthouse is this life,and theotherhouse is theeverlastinghouse that is theafterlife.The
moderateconceptbetween“compulsion”and“freewill”isthetrialandtestoftheabilitythattheslavehasbeengiven.ItisexplainedinthefiveexampleswhichImamas-Sadiq(a.s.)hasmentionedthattheyhavehadallvirtues.IshallinterpretthemusingproofsfromtheQur'anandreason,insha’Allah.’ThisexamplepresentedbyImamal-Hadi(a.s.)isclearthatmanhasfullcontroloverhiswilland
choice.WhenmanobeysAllah,heobeysHimoutofhissatisfactionandchoiceandheisnotforcedinto it, andwhenhedisobeyshisLord,hedoes sobyhiswill andchoice too.On thebasisof thischoice, the concept of “thematter between the twomatters” is based,which is the concept that hasbeenadoptedbytheinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.).Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)added, ‘As for thesayingofas-Sadiq (a.s.), itmeans theperfectionofman’s
morals, theperfectionof senses, constancyofmind, discernment, and eloquence.Allah says, (AndsurelyWehavehonoredthechildrenofAdam,andWecarrytheminthelandandthesea,andWehavegiventhemofthegoodthings,andWehavemadethemtoexcelbyanappropriateexcellenceovermostofthosewhomWehavecreated).[196]Allah informs that He has preferred man to all His creatures of animals, beasts, sea creatures,
birds, and all living creatures by virtue of reason and speaking.Allah says,(CertainlyWe createdmaninthebestmake),[197]and,(Oman!whathasbeguiledyoufromyourLord,theGraciousone,Who created you, then fashioned you, thenproportioned you, intowhatever formHepleasedHeconstitutedyou),[198]andinmanyotherverses.ThefirstblessingofAllahformanisthesoundnessofhismindandhispreferencetoallcreatures
with the perfection of his mind and the faculty of speaking. Every living creature in the earth isindependentinitssensesandcompleteinitsbeing,butmanispreferredbythefacultyofspeakingtoallothersensitivecreatures.ItisforthisfacultyofspeakingthatAllahhasmademanprevailoverallcreatures.Manisthecommanderwhileothercreaturesaresubmissivetohim.Allahsays,(thushasHemadethemsubservienttoyou,thatyoumaymagnifyAllahbecauseHehasguided
youaright)[199]and,(AndHeitisWhohasmadetheseasubservientthatyoumayeatfreshfleshfromitandbringforthfromitornamentswhichyouwear)[200]and,(AndHecreatedthecattleforyou;youhaveinthemwarmclothingand(many)advantages,andofthemdoyoueat.Andthereisbeauty in them for youwhen you drive themback (to home), andwhen you send them forth (topasture).Andtheycarryyourheavyloadstoregionswhichyoucouldnotreachbutwithdistressofthesouls).[201]For that, Allah invited man to follow His orders and obey Him by preferring him through
straighteninghisshapeandgivinghimthefacultyofspeakingandknowledgeaftergivinghimtheabilityofcarryingoutwhatHehasorderedhimtodo.Allahsays,(Therefore be careful of (your duty to) Allah as much as you can, and hear and obey)
[202] and, (Allah does not impose upon any soul a duty but to the extent of its ability),[203]and,(AllahdoesnotlayonanysoulaburdenexcepttotheextenttowhichHehasgrantedit),[204]andinmanyotherverses.IfAllahdeprivesmanofoneofhissenses,Heexemptshimfromhisdutybythatsense.Allahsays,(Noblameisthereupontheblindnoranyblameuponthelamenoranyblameuponthesick).[205]
Allah has exempted these persons from jihad and all duties that they cannot do. Rather, He hasimposedonwealthypeopletoofferthehajjandpaythezakatfortheyhavetheabilityofthat.Allahhas not imposed the hajj and zakat on poor people. He says, (and pilgrimage to the House isincumbentuponmenforthesakeofAllah,(upon)everyonewhoisabletoundertakethejourneytoit),[206]and,(Thosewhoputawaytheirwives(bysayingtheyareas theirmothers)andafterwardwouldgobackonthatwhichtheyhavesaid,(thepenalty)inthatcase(is)thefreeingofaslave…andforhimwhoisunabletodoso(thepenanceis)thefeedingofsixtyneedyones).[207]ThisprovesthatAllahhasnot imposedonHispeoplewhat isbeyondtheabilityHehasgivento
them,nor forbidden themfromwhat theyhavenoability to refrain from.This is thesoundnessofcreation.‘Andasforhissaying“clearingtheway”,itmeansthatthereisnowatchovermanthatprevents
himfromcarryingoutwhatAllahhasorderedhimtodo.It isdueto thesayingofAllahabout thedisabledwhoarenotfreetoactasAllahsays,(Exceptthefeebleamongmen,andthewomen,andthe children,who are unable to devise a plan and are not shown away).[208]He informs that adisabledoneisnotgivenawayandsoheisnottobeblamedifhisheartisfulloffaith.‘Asforthetimelimit,itistheageofmanwhereheisrequiredtoseekknowledge,fromthetimehe
comesofageuntildeath.He,whodieswhileseekingthetruthanddoesnotgetperfection,shallbetogood.Allahsays,(andwhoevergoesforthfromhishouseemigratingtoAllahandHisMessenger,andthendeathovertakeshim,hisrewardisindeedwithAllah).[209]‘EquipmentarewealthandpowerbywhichmanisbeabletofollowthecommandsofAllah.Allah
says, (There is no way (of blame) against the doers of good).[210]Do you not see that Allah hasaccepted theexcuseof thosewhohaveno furthermoney tospend,but imposedon thepeoplewhohave enough money and riding camels (or horses)[211]to go to the hajj and jihad? He has alsoaccepted the excuse of the poor and imposed to them a share from thewealth of the rich.He hassaid,((Almsare)forthepoorwhoareconfinedinthewayofAllah).[212]Allahhasexemptedthemandhasnotchargedthemwithwhattheyareunabletodo.‘As forhis saying “theprovoking cause”, it is the intention that leadsman to all his deeds.The
senseofthisintentionisintheheart(mind).Whoeverdoesathingwithoutintendingitbyhisheart(sincerely)itshallnotbeacceptedfromhim.Allahdoesnotacceptfrommananydeedexceptthosewithsincereintentions,andthereforeHehassaidabouthypocrites,(Theysaywiththeirmouthswhatisnotintheirhearts,andAllahisbestawareofwhattheyconceal).[213]ThenAllahrevealedtoHismessenger(a.s.)ablameonthebeliever,(Oyouwhobelieve!whydoyousaythatwhichyoudonotdo).[214]Ifmansayssomethingandbelievesinit,histrueintentionmakeshimprovehissayingbyacting
upon it, and ifhedoesnotbelieve inhis saying, the truthofhis sayingshallnotappear.Allahhasacceptedthetrueintentioneveniftheactiondoesnotcomplywiththeintentionbecauseofsomethingthatmaypreventthepersonfromachievingso,asAllahsays,(…excepthewhoiscompelledwhilehisheart is still contentwith faith)[215]and (Allahdoesnotpunishyou forwhat isvain inyouroaths,butHewillpunishyouforwhatyourheartshaveearned).[216]TheQur'anandthetraditionsoftheProphet(S)showthattheheartisthepossessorofallsenses
anditconfirmstheirdoings,andnothinginvalidateswhattheheartconfirms.Thisistheexplanationof the five examples mentioned by as-Sadiq (a.s.) which determine “the position between the twopositions”.Thetwopositionsare“compulsion”and“freewill”.Ifthesefiveitemsarefoundinaman,itisobligatoryonhimtodoasAllahandHismessengershaveordered,andifthatmanlacksoneoftheseitems,heisexemptedfromthedoingconcerningthatitem.‘AsfortheproofsintheHolyQur'anonthe“tryingaccordingtoability”whichmeanstheconcept
of“thematterbetweenthetwomatters”,aremany,suchasthisholyverse(AndverilyWeshalltryyoutillWeknowthoseofyouwhostrivehard(for thesakeofAllah)andthepatient,andtillWetestyourrecord),[217]and (And thosewhodenyOur revelations,Wedraw themnear (todestruction)step by step fromwhence they knownot),[218]and (Domen think that theywill be left alone onsaying,Webelieve,andnotbetried),[219]and(AndcertainlyWe triedSulaiman),[220]and in thestoryofProphetMoses(Hesaid:SosurelyWehavetriedyourpeopleafteryou,andtheSamirihasled themastray),[221]and thesayingofMoses (It isnaughtbutThy trial).[222]Theseverses arecomparedonetoanotherandtheyconfirmoneanother.Asfortheversesofafflictionwhichmean“trying”,theyarealsomanysuchas,(butthatHemight
tryyouinwhatHegaveyou),[223]and(thenHeturnedyouawayfromthemthatHemighttryyou),[224]and(WehavetriedthemasWetriedthepeopleoftheGarden),[225]and(Whocreateddeathand life thatHemay try you;whichof you is best in deeds),[226] and (AndwhenhisLord triedIbrahimwithcertainwords),[227]and (and ifAllahhadpleasedHewouldcertainlyhaveexactedwhatisduefromthem,butthatHemaytrysomeofyoubymeansofothers).[228]‘Theseversesandmanyotherslikethemprovethe“trying”.AllahtheAlmightyhasnotcreatedthe
creatures in vain, nor has He ignored them, nor has He showed His wisdom for play. He hassaid,(What!didyouthenthinkthatWehadcreatedyouinvainandthatyoushallnotbereturnedtoUs?).[229]Ifsomeonesays,‘DidAllahnotknowwhatHispeoplewoulddosothatHetriedthem?’Wesay,‘Yes,Heknowswhattheyshalldobeforetheydo.Hesays,(andiftheyweresentback,theywouldcertainlygobacktothatwhichtheywereforbidden).[230]AllahtriespeopletoshowthemHisjusticeandthatHedoesnot torturethemexceptbyacertain
excuseandaftercommittingtheirdeeds.Allahsays,(AndhadWedestroyedthemwithchastisementbeforethis,theywouldcertainlyhavesaid:OourLord,whydidstThounotsendtousamessenger,for thenwe should have followedThy communications before thatwemet disgrace and shame),[231]and(andWeneverpunishuntilwehavesentamessenger),[232]and((Wesent)messengersasthegiversofgoodnewsandaswarners,sothatpeopleshouldnothaveapleaagainstAllahafterthe(comingof)messengers).[233]SothetrialofAllahisontheabilitythatHehasgiventomanandthisistheconceptof“thematter
betweenthetwomatters”.AboutthistheQur'anspokeandthetraditionsoftheinfallibleImams(a.s.)confirmed.‘Ifsomeonesays:WhatistheargumentinthissayingofAllah(SurelyAllahmakeserrwhomHe
pleasesandguidesarightwhomHepleases),[234]andinotherverseslikeit?Itissaid:themetaphorinalltheseverseshastwomeanings;oneisthatAllahtellsaboutHismightthatHeisabletoguidewhomeverHepleasesandmisguidewhomeverHepleases,andifHeforces themintooneof thesetwoways,neitherrewardnorpunishmenttheywoulddeserve,andthesecondisthe“informing”like
inthisverse(AndastoThamud,Wegavethemguidance,buttheychoseerroraboveguidance).[235]ItmeansthatAllahhasshowedthemtherightway.IfHehadforcedthemintoguidance,theywould
notbeabletogoastray.Itisnotrightthat,wheneveranallegoricalverseismentioned,thatitbeusedasanargumentagaisnt theclearverseswhichwehavebeenorderedtofollow.Allahsays,(He it isWhohasrevealedtheBooktoyou;someofitsversesaredecisive,theyarethebasisoftheBook,andothersareallegorical.Thenasforthoseinwhoseheartsthereisperversity,theyfollowthepartof it which is allegorical, seeking to mislead and seeking to give it (their own) interpretation),[236]and(…givegoodnewstoMyservantswholistentotheword,thenfollowthebestofit;thosearetheywhomAllahhasguided,andthosewhoarethemenofunderstanding).[237]Thebestofthewordmeanstheclearestandmostdecisive.‘MayAllahmakeussuccessfulinsayinganddoingtowhatHelikesandpleases,andmayHekeep
usawayfromHisdisobediencebyHisfavorandgrace.MuchpraisebetoAllahasHedeserves,andHis blessings be on Muhammad and on His good progeny. Allah is sufficient for us and mostexcellentistheProtector.’[238]ThisistheendofthewonderfulletterofImamal-Hadi(a.s)inwhichherefutedtheillusionsofthe
Ash’aritesandtheMu’tazilitesandprovedwithirrefutableproofstheconceptof“thematterbetweenthetwomatters”whichtheinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s)believedin.
SamplesofhisSupplications
ThesupplicationsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s)formawonderfulpartoftheIslamicheritage.Theyhad
establishedthebasesofbehaviorsandmoralsandthespiritualelementsofpersonality.Theyincludedimportant,politicaldocumentationthatshowedtheextentofpersecutionandoppressiontheIslamicnationfacedduringthoseagesundertheruleoftheUmayyadsandtheAbbasidswhosparednoeffortinoppressingpeopleandusingthemastoolstoservetherulersandtheirretinues.Besidesthat,thesesupplicationsshowedtherelianceanddevotednessoftheImamstoAllah,andthattheybelievedwiththeirhearts,feelings,andpassions.
HisSupplication(du’a)DuringDistress
WhenImamal-Hadi(a.s)sufferedadistressorhewantedsomeneedtobesatisfied,heprayedto
Allah with this du’a. Narrators said that before reciting this du’a Imam al-Hadi (a.s) fasted onWednesday,Thursday,andFriday,performedaghuslinthemorningofFriday,paidcharitytoapoorperson,offeredafourrak’ahprayer,andthenhespreadhispalmstowardstheheavenandinvokedsincerelybyreciting,“OAllah,praisebetoYouwiththebestpraisethatYoudeserve,themostpleHasantpraisetoYou,
themostappropriatepraisetoYou,themostbelovedpraisetoYou.PraisebetoYouasYoudeserve,and asYou accepted forYourself, and as those,whose praiseYou accepted, praisedYou from allYourcreation.PraisebetoYouasYourprophets,messengers,andangelspraisedYouwith,andasfitsYour glory, highness, and greatness. Praise be toYou that tongues are unable to express, andspeechstopsbeforereachingitsend.PraisebetoYouthatisnotlessthanYourcontentment,andthatisbetterthaneverypraise.‘OAllah,praisebetoYouinjoyandtrouble,easeanddistress,soundnessandillness,yearsand
ages.PraisebetoYouforYourfavorsandblessingstome.PraisebetoYouforwhatYouhavegiftedme,triedme,healedme,providedmewithlivelihood,givenmewhatIneed,preferredme,honoredme, dignifiedme, andguidedme toYour religion; a praise that nodescriber candescribe andnospeakercansuffice.‘OAllah,praisebetoYouforYourkindnesstome,andYourfavorsonme,andYourpreferring
metootherthanme.PraisebetoYouforYouradjustingmycreation,andforYoureducatingmewellasafavorfromYouandnotforaprecedentgoodfromme.OmyLord,thenwhichblessingshaveYounotgivenme?Andwhichgratitude isnot required fromme toYou? I amsatisfiedwithYourkindness,andYousufficemefromamongallcreation.‘OmyLord,YouaretheBestoweruponme,theBeneficent,theGracious,theBeautiful,theLord
ofgloryandhonor,andofgreatfavorsandblessings,sopraisebetoYouforallthat.OmyLord,Youdidnotdisappointmeinanydistress,didnotbetraymeforanyguilt,anddidnotexposemeforanyconcealedsin.Yourblessingsarecontinuousonmeineverydifficultyandease.Youhavealwaysdonemegoodandpardonedme.‘OAllah,makemeenjoymyhearing,sight,andorgansandallthatwhichtheearthhasforme.O
Allah,myfirstneedIaskYoufor,andmywishIrequestfromYou,andmakeitthemeansbeforemyrequest,andIcomenearertoYoubyit,isthesendingofblessingonMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammad.AndIaskYoutosendblessingsonhimandonthemasthebestblessingsthatYouhavecommandedYourpeopletosendonthem,andasthebestofthatwhichanyofYourpeoplehaseveraskedYou for, and asYou are responsible for them until theDay of Resurrection.OAllah, sendblessingontheminasmuchasallthosewhohavesentblessingsonthem,inasmuchasallthosewhoshallsendblessingsonthem;acontinuousblessingwiththemeans,exaltedness,andvirtue,andsendblessingsonYourprophets,messengers,andYourgoodslaves,andsendblessingsonMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadandsendmuchpeaceonthem!
‘OAllah,andYourgenerosityisthatYoudonotdisappointwhoeverasksYouforsomething,andlooksforwardtowhatYouhave,andYoudislikewhoeverdoesnotaskYou,andnooneissootherthanYou.OmyLord,mygreedforYourmercyandforgiveness,andmytrustinYourkindnessandfavor has ledme to call onYou, yearn forYou, and offermy need beforeYou. I have presentedbeforemyrequest,theaimingatYoubythemeansofYourProphet,whohadbroughtthetruthfromYou,andbroughtYour lightandstraightpathbywhichYouhaveguided thepeople,andbywhoselight You have enlivened the earth, and whom You have endowed with the highest dignity, andhonoredwiththeshahada,andsenthimafteracessationofthemessengers.OAllah,Ibelieveinhissecretandopenness,andinthesecretofhisprogenywhomYouhadkeptuncleannessawayfromandpurifiedathoroughpurifying…OAllah,donotcuttiesbetweenmeandtheminthislifeandintheafterlifeandacceptmydeedsbythem!‘OAllah,YouhadguidedYourpeopletoYourselfwhenYousaid,(AndwhenMyservantsaskyou
concerningMe,thensurelyIamverynear;IanswertheprayerofthesuppliantwhenhecallsonMe, so they should answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way),[239]and (Omyservants,whohaveactedextravagantlyagainst theirownsouls,donotdespairofthe mercy of Allah; surely Allah forgives the faults altogether; surely He is the Forgiving, theMerciful),[240]and(AndNoahdidcertainlycalluponUs,andbestofanswerersareWe).[241]O Lord, yes! The best of the called upon are You, the best of lords are You, and the best of
answerersareYou!Yousay,(Say:CalluponAllahorcallupontheBeneficent;whicheveryoucallupon,Hisarethebestnames),[242]andIcalluponYou,OAllah,byYournameswhichifYouarecalleduponby,Yourespond,andifYouareaskedby,Yougive.IcalluponYousuppliantly,humblywiththecallofonewhominadvertencehastakenawayandneedinesshasexhausted.IcalluponYouwiththecallofonewhohasgivenup,confessedhisguilt,andhopedforYourgreatpardon,andwidereward.‘OAllah,ifYouhavesingledoutsomeone,whofollowedwhatYouhaveorderedhimandactedas
You have created him for, with Your mercy, he would not reach that except by You and Yourassistance.OAllah…toYoumyMasterismypreparing,hopingforYourprizesandgifts.IaskYouto sendblessingsonMuhammadandon theprogenyofMuhammadand to satisfymy request andneed…‘OYou,themostgenerousofgivers,thebestofthebeneficent,sendblessingsonMuhammadand
on the progeny ofMuhammad, and whoever fromYour people wants to harmme disconcert hisheart,refutehistongue,blindhissight,curbhishead,makehimbusywithhimself,andmakemesafefromhimbyYourmightandpower!OAllah,donotmakeitthelasttimetomethatIcalluponYousuppliantly,andifYoudo,thenforgivemeallmyfaultswithforgivenessthatdoesnotleavebehindasingleguilt.Makemycallamongtherespondedcalls,mydeedamongtheaccepteddeedsnearyou,andmyspeechamongthatwhichcomesuptoYouofgooddeeds,andmakemebewithYourProphetandchosen,andtheImams,peacebeuponthemall.BythemIbeseechYou,andbythemIyearntoYou.RespondtomycallOthemostMercifulofthemerciful,andforgivememyslips.’ThenImamal-Hadi(a.s)askedforhisneedandwentdownintoprostrationandsaid,“ThereisnogodbutAllahtheForbearing,theGenerous.ThereisnogodbutAllahtheMostHigh,
theGreat.GlorybetoAllahtheLordofthesevenheavens,thelordofthesevenearths,andtheLordof the Great Throne. O Allah, I resort to Your pardon from Your punishment, and to Your
contentmentfromYourwrath,andtoYoufromYou.IcannotreachYourpraise,orthegratitudeYoudeserve.YouareasYouhavepraisedYourself.Makemylifeagrowthformeineverygoodness,andmydeatharelieftomefromeveryevil.MakethedelightofmyeyesinYourobedience.OmyTrustandHope,donotburnmyfaceinFireaftermyprostrationtoYoumyMaster.Withno favor frommeonYou,Youhave the favoruponme, sopitymyweaknessanddelicate
skin, and relieve me from the distresses of this life and of the afterlife, and favor me with thecompanyoftheProphet(a.s)andhisprogeny(peacebeuponthem)inthehighranksinParadise…OYou the Light of light, the Manager of affairs, Generous, Glorious, One, Unique, Eternal, Whoneitherbegotnorwasbegotten,andthereisnonecomparabletoYou,OYouWhoareso,andnooneissootherthanYou,OYouWhomthereisnogodinthehighheavensorinthelowearthotherthanYou, O You Who honor every humble one, and humble every mighty one, by Your glory andloftiness Ihave lostmypatience, sosendblessingsonMuhammadand theprogenyofMuhammadandrelieveme…!’
HisDu’aatSleepingTime
Whenhewenttobedorawokefromsleep,herecitedthisdu’a:“ThereisnogodbutAllahtheAlive, theEternal,andHehaspoweroverall things.Glorybeto
Allah, theLordof theworlds and theDeityof themessengers.Glorybe toAllah, theLordof thesevenheavensandall thatwhichtheyhave,andtheLordofthesevenearthsandall thatwhichtheyhave,theLordoftheGreatThrone,andpeacebeonthemessengers,andpraisebetoAllahtheLordoftheworlds.”
TheDu’aofResorting
“OYou,mysupply,myhopeandreliance,myresortandsupport,OYoutheOneandUnique,O
You,Who“say:He,Allah,isOne”,OAllah,IaskYoubythoselikewhomYouhavenotcreatedinYourcreation,tohaveblessingonthem…”
HisDu’aofSeekingProtectionfromSatan
“OYouWhoaremighty inYourmight,Whoare themightiest inYourmight,makememighty
fromYourmight, assistmewithYourhelp,keepaway fromme theevil suggestionof theDevils,defendmebyYourdefense,protectmebyYourprotection,andmakemefromthegoodpeopleofYourcreation,OYouOne,Unique,Eternal!’
ALoftyDu’a
“OYouthemosthearingofhearers,themostperceptiveofseers,thebestoflookers,thepromptest
ofaccounters,theMostMercifulofthemerciful,thewisestofjudges,haveblessingonMuhammadandontheprogenyofMuhammad,andincreasemylivelihood,prolongmyold,favormewithYourmercy, make me from those who defend Your religion and do not replace me by other thanme…!’[243]
HisCommunes
Imamal-Hadi(a.s)communedAllah theAlmighty in thedarknessofnightwithasuppliantheart
andpeacefulsoul.Itwasnarratedthathesaidinhiscommunes:1.“OmyLord,aguiltyhascome,andapoorhassought;donotdisappointhiseffort!Havemercy
onhim,andforgivehisfaults.’[244]2.“MyLord,blessMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammad,andhavemercyonmewhenmy
tracewill disappear from this life andmymentionwill be removed among people, and I shall beforgotten as those who had been forgotten. My Lord, I have become old, my skin has becomedelicate,myboneshavebecome thin, timehasaffectedme,mydeathhasapproachedme,mydayshaveelapsed,my lustshavegonebutmyguilt remained!OmyLord,havemercyonmewhenmyshapewillchange!”[245] 3. “O my Lord, thoughts of thinkers went astray, sights of seers fell short, descriptions of
describersdissipated,sayingsoffabricatorsvanishedbeforethewondersofYouraffair,orthereachtoYourhighness,forYouareintheunreachableplace,andnoeyecanfalluponYouwithaglanceorexpression.Howfar,andhowfar!OYoutheFirst,theOnly,theUnique!Youhaveexaltedinhighnesswith the glory of greatness, and risen up beyond every bottom and end with the omnipotence ofpride.”[246]
HisZiyarahs
A collection ofwonderfulZiyarahs[247]were transmitted from Imamal-Hadi (a.s) bywhich he
visited his pure fathers, the infallible Imams of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s). These ziyarahs are full ofargumentson therightof theAhlulBayt (a.s) in theIslamiccaliphate.Theyalso include importantdocumentationsoftheirachievements,morals,virtues,andqualities.Az-Ziyarahal-Jami’ahisthemostfamousandimportantziyarahoftheinfallibleImams(a.s).Itis
verywidespreadamong theShiaandall followersof theAhlulBayt (a.s)whohavememorized it.TheyreciteitonFridaysasavisittothepureImams(a.s).Ithasbeenpublishedhundredsoftimesindifferent editions and we think there is no need tomention it here for it is very well-known andwidespreadamongMuslims.
ZiyarahofAl-Ghadir
TheDayofal-GhadirisoneofthemostimportantoccasionsfortheTwelverShiawhoconsideritasanEidwheretheProphet(a.s)hadappointedImamAli(a.s)asthecaliphoverMuslimsafterhim.TheShiavisitedand still visit theholy shrineof ImamAli (a.s)on theDayof al-Ghadir everyyear toconfirmtheirguardianshipandallegiancetohim.Imamal-Hadi (a.s)visited theholyshrineofhisgrandfather ImamAli (a.s) in theyearwhenal-
Mu’tasim, the Abbasid caliph, brought him from Medina to Sammarra’.[248]Imam al-Hadi (a.s)visited his grandfatherAmir ’ul-Mu’mininwith thiswonderful ziyarah inwhich hementioned thevirtuesof ImamAli (a.s)and thepoliticalandsocialproblemshesufferedat thatage.Wementionheresomepassagesfromtheziyarah:“…AndyouwerethefirstonewhobelievedinAllahandofferedprayertoHim,foughtinHisway,
and did well in the house of polytheism where the earth was full of deviation and Satan wasworshippedopenly.Youhadthememorablesituations,famousoccasions,andgreatdays;theDay(battle)ofBadrand
theDayofal-Ahzab(whentheeyesturneddull,andtheheartsroseuptothethroats,andyoubegantothinkdiversethoughtsofAllah.Therethebelieversweretriedandtheywereshakenwithsevereshaking,andwhenthehypocrites,andthoseinwhoseheartswasadisease,weresaying:AllahandHis messenger promised us naught but delusion, and when a party of them said: O people ofYathrib, there is no place to stand for you here, therefore go back, and a party of them askedpermissionoftheprophet,saying:Surelyourhousesareexposed;andtheywerenotexposed;theyonlydesiredtoflyaway)[249]andAllahsaid,(Andwhenthebelieverssawtheallies,theysaid:ThisiswhatAllahandHisMessengerpromisedus,andAllahandHisMessengerspokethetruth;anditonlyincreasedtheminfaithandsubmission).[250]ThenyoukilledtheirAmr[251]anddefeatedtheirparties(andAllahturnedbacktheunbelieversin
their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; andAllah is Strong,Mighty).[252]And on theDay ofUhud (when you climbed (the hill) and paid noheed toanyone,while themessenger, inyour rear,wascallingyou (to fight),[253] butyoudroveawaythepolytheistsfromtheProphet(a.s)ontherightandontheleftuntilAllahdrovethemfromit(war) fearfullyandgavevictorybyyou to the (disappointers), andon theDayofHunaynasAllahsaid,(whenyourgreatnumbersmadeyouvain,buttheyavailedyounothingandtheearthbecamestrait to you notwithstanding its spaciousness, then you turned back retreating. Then Allah sentdownHistranquilityuponHisMessengeranduponthebelievers).[254]And the believers were you and your companions…And on the Day of Khaybar when Allah
showed theweaknessof thehypocrites and cut the roots of theunbelievers- praisebe toAllah theLordoftheworlds-(AndcertainlytheyhadmadeacovenantwithAllahbefore,thattheywouldnotturn(their)backs;andAllah'scovenantshallbeinquiredof).[255]Andyouparticipatedwith theProphet (a.s) in all hiswars andbattlesholding thebannerbefore
him,andbeatingwiththeswordinfrontofhim.Thenforyourwell-knownresolutionandinsightonaffairs,hemadeyoutheemirinthebattlesandtherewasnoemiroveryou…
Inyoursleeping in thebed(of theProphet)[256]youwere like theslaughtered(Prophet Ishmael)
Peace be upon him, that you responded as he responded, and you obeyed as he obeyed patientlyhopingfortherewardwhenhisfathersaidtohim,(Omyson!surelyIhaveseeninadreamthatIshould sacrifice you; consider then what you see. He said: O my father, do what you arecommanded; ifAllahplease,youwill findmeof thepatientones),[257]andsowereyouwhen theProphet (a.s)orderedyou to sleep inhisbed to savehimbyyour self andyouhurried to respondobedientlyandtoexposeyourselftokilling,andsoAllahthankedyourobedienceandshowedyourgooddeedbysaying,(AndamongmenishewhosellshimselftoseekthepleasureofAllah).[258]I witness that you contradicted desires, allied with piety, suppressed anger, pardoned people,
becameangrywhenAllahwasdisobeyed,becamepleasedwhenAllahisobeyed,carriedoutwhatyouwereentrustedwith,keptwhatyouwereconfided,achievedwhatyouwerechargedwith,andwaitedforwhatyouwerepromised,andIwitnessthatyoudidnotavoid(somepeople)outofhumbleness,nor refrained from your right (in the caliphate) with grief, nor abstained from confronting theextorters of your right out of subservience, nor you showed satisfaction unlike the satisfaction ofAllah out of flattering, nor you becameweak afterwhat you faced for the sake ofAllah, nor youweakenedorgaveupthedemandingofyourrightandlayinwait.Godforbid!Youwerenotso,butifyouwerewronged,youwerecontentwithyourLordandentrustedyouraffairstoHim.Youdidnotmindmisfortunes,anddidnotweakenatdistresses,anddidnotabstainfromfighting
against falseness…It was you who said: neither do the masses of people around me increase myglory,nordoestheirseparationfrommecausemelonelinessevenifallpeoplebetrayme…AllahtheAlmightyrespondedtoHisprophet’scallconcerningyou,[259]andthenHeorderedhim
to announce that he entrusted youwith the affair (caliphate) of his nation as glorification to you,declaringyourproof,andrefutingthefalsehoodandfabricatedexcuses.Whenhefearedaseditionfromthedissoluteandfearedforyoufromthehypocrites,theLordoftheworldsrevealedtohim,(OMessenger,deliverwhathasbeen revealed to you fromyourLord,and if youdo itnot, thenyouhavenotdeliveredHismessage,andAllahwillprotectyoufromthepeople).[260]Heburdenedhimselfwithjourney,stoppedatthehotdesert,andmadehisspeech.Hecalledoutand
made everyone hear, and asked them, ‘Have I informed?’ They said, ‘ByAllah, yes!’He said, ‘OAllah,bearwitness!’Thenhesaid, ‘AmInotworthierofMuslims than themselves to them?’Theysaid,‘Yes,youare.’Then,hetookyourhandandsaid,‘WhoeverhisguardianIam,hereisAlitobehisguardian.OAllah,supportwhoeversupportshim,beenemytowhoevershowsenmity towardshim,helpwhoeverhelpshim,anddisappointwhoeverdisappointshim!’TheydidnotbelieveinwhatAllahhadrevealedtoHisprophetconcerningyouexceptafew,andmostof themdidnotaddsaveperdition…!ThenwasyourordealontheDayofSiffinwhenthecopiesoftheQur'anwereraisedtrickilyand
cunningly. Suspicion appeared, the truthwas known, but suppositionwas followed. It was like theordealofAaronwhenMosesmadehimtheemiroverhispeoplebuttheyseparatedfromhimandlefthimalonewhileAaroncallingout,(Omypeople!youareonlytriedbyit,andsurelyyourLordistheBeneficentAllah,thereforefollowmeandobeymyorder.Theysaid:WewillbynomeansceasetokeeptoitsworshipuntilMusareturnstous).[261]
SowereyouwhenthecopiesoftheQur'anwereraisedandyousaid:‘Opeople,youaretriedbyitand deceived.’ But they disobeyed and objected to you and called for the two judges.You, beforeAllah, exempted yourself from their doing and made Allah the judge over them.When the truthshone, and their abominable doing was refuted, they confessed their fault and deviation from thetruth,andafterthattheydisagreed.Then, they forced you to accept the arbitrationwhich you denied and prohibited but they liked.
Theypermitted theirguilt that theycommitted.Youwereon insightandguidanceand theywere indeviationandblindness.TheystillinsistedonhypocrisyandwerestillinerroruntilAllahmadethemtaste theevil resultsof theirdoingandHekilled from thembyyour swordwhoopposedyouandbecamewretchedandlost,andgavelifebyyourargumenttowhoeverfollowedtheguidanceandwashappy.TheblessingsofAllahbeonyoueverywhereandeverywhen.Neithercanapraisercoveryourdescription,norcanadispraiserencompassyourvirtues…’
FromtheProphets’Stories
InsometraditionsImamal-Hadi(a.s.)toldhiscompanionssomestoriesoftheprophets.
NoahAndIblis
Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) related a dialogue betweenProphetNoah (a.s.) and Iblis.He said, ‘One day,
Iblis came toNoahand said tohim, ‘Youhavedonemeagreat favor.Trust inmeand I shall notbetray you.’ Noah became angry. Allah revealed to him to let Iblis speak out. Noah said to Iblis,‘Speakout!’Iblissaid,‘IfwefindthesonofAdamstingy,envious,arrogant,orrash,we(theDevils)snatchhimasthesnatchingofaball.Ifallthesemoralsgatherinhim,wecallhimamutinousdevil.’Noahsaid, ‘What is thegreat favor Ihavedone toyou?’ Iblissaid, ‘You invokedAllahagainst thepeopleof theearthandsent themtoHell,andsoIwasfree.Withoutyour invokingagainst them,Iwouldbebusywiththemforalongtime.’[262]
MosesAndAllah
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)related,“Mosessaid,OmyLord,whatistherewardofonewhoavoidstreason
out of being shy of You?’Allah the Almighty said, ‘He shall be safe on the Day ofResurrection.’Mosessaid,‘WhatistherewardofonewholovesthepeopleofYourobedience?’AllahtheAlmightysaid,‘IwillsavehisbodyfromMyFire.’Mosessaid,‘Whatistherewardofonewhokills a believer intentionally?’Allah the Almighty said, ‘I will not look at him on the Day ofResurrection and Iwill not pardon his sin.’Moses said, ‘MyLord,what is the reward of onewhorefrains from harming people and helps them instead?’Allah the Almighty said, ‘On the Day ofResurrection,Firewillsaytohim:Ihavenowayoveryou.’[263]Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)toldsuchstoriestohiscompanionstobeexamplesforthemongoodmoralsandmanners.
AMaximFromJesusChrist
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)narratedtohiscompanions,‘Ifoneofyougives(charity)withhisrighthand,
lethimconcealthatfromhislefthand,andifheprays,lethimconcealthat.’AllahtheAlmightylovesthatwhenabelievergivescharityordoesgood,heistokeepitsecretand
nottoannounceorspreaditamongpeoplelestheshalllosethereward,forhehastoseektherewardfromAllah.
FromTheIslamicEvents
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)talkedtohiscompanionsaboutsomeimportantIslamiceventsthathappenedat
the first Islamicage.Oneof themwas thekillingof themartyrQanbar, ImamAli’s servant, at thehandofthetyrantal-HajjajbinYusufath-Thaqafi.[264]Hesaid,‘Qanbarcameintoal-HajjajbinYusufwhoshoutedathim,‘WhatservicedidyouoffertoAlibin
AbuTalib?’Qanbarsaid,‘Ihelpedhiminperformingablution.’Al-Hajjajsaid,‘Whatdidhesaywhenhefinishedhisablution?’Qanbarsaid,‘HerecitedthisQur ’anicverse:(Butwhentheyneglectedthatwithwhichtheyhad
beenadmonished,Weopenedforthemthedoorsofallthings,untilwhentheyrejoicedinwhattheyweregivenWeseizedthemsuddenly;thenlo!theywereinutterdespair.Sotherootsofthepeoplewhowereunjustwerecutoff;andallpraiseisduetoAllah,theLordoftheworlds).[265]Al-Hajjajsaid,‘Ithinkhemeantus?!’Qanbarsaid,‘Yes,hedid.’Al-HajjajsaidtoQanbar,‘WhatdoyoudoifIbeheadyou?’Qanbarsaid,‘ThenIshallbehappyandyoushallbewretched.’Thetyrantorderedhismentobeheadthisgoodmanandhewaskilled.’[266]
TheVirtueofTheProphetandAli
Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) praised the innumerable favors the Prophet (S) and ImamAli (a.s.) did the
nation.Hesaid,‘FromglorifyingAllahis thepreferringof thetwofathersofreligionMuhammadandAlitothefathersofkinship,andfrombeingindifferenttotheloftinessofAllahistopreferthefathersofkinshiptothefathersofreligion;MuhammadandAli…’[267]Healsosaid,‘IfthetwofathersofreligionMuhammadandAliarenotglorifiedtoonemorethan
hisfathersofkinship,oneshallhavenovaluenearAllah.’[268]TheProphet(S)andhisguardianImamAli(a.s.)havehadrightsonthenationmorethantherights
offathers.BythemAllahhastakenpeopleoutofthelifeofignorance,meanness,andwretchednesstothelifeofIslamthatisfullofhonor,glory,anddignity.
TheVirtueoftheUlama’DuringtheTimeofOccultation
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.) talkedaboutthevirtueoftheulama’duringthetimeoftheoccultationofhis
grandsonImamal-Mahdi(a.s.).Hesaid,‘If,aftertheoccultationofImamal-Mahdi,therewillbenoulama’whowill invite andguide tohim,defendhis religionwith clearproofs, and save theweakfaithfulfromthetrapsofIblisandhisfollowersandfromthetrapsoftheenemiesoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.),nooneremainsunlesshewillapostatefromthereligionofAllah,butitistheywhowillholdtheheartsoftheweakoftheShiaasashipperwhenholdingtherudderofhisship.ThosearethebestofpeoplenearAllah.’
TheVirtueOfPatience
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)talkedaboutpatienceandthegreatrewardthepatientshallgetfromtheirLord.
Al-HasanbinAlinarrated,“IheardAbulHasansaying,‘OntheDayofResurrection,acallerwillcallout: where are the patient? Some people will get up. Then, a caller will call out: where are thediscerning?Somepeoplewillgetup.Thepatientarethosewhoarepatientwiththeperformingoftheobligations,andthediscerningarethosewhoarediscerninginrefrainingfromsins.’[269]
PessimismTowardsDays
Islamresistedallbadhabitsandtraditionsofthepre-Islamicera.FromthosehabitsthatIslamresistedwasthepessimismatdayswhichthepre-Islamicsocietybelievedin.Itneitherbroughtgoodnordiditsavefromevil,forallthingsweredeterminedbyAllahtheCreatoroftheuniverseandGiveroflife.Al-HasanbinMas’oud[270]said,“Oneday,IwenttoAbulHasanAlibinMuhammad(a.s.)aftermy
fingerwasscratched,andariderknockedagainstmyshoulder,andIwentintoacrowdthatsomeofmyclothesweretorn.Isaid:mayAllahsavemefromyourevilOday!Howill-omenedyouare!’AbulHasan(a.s.)saidtome,‘OHasan,yousaysothoughyoufrequentus!Youthrowyourguilton
thatwhichisguiltless!’Irecoveredmysenses,understoodmymistake,andsaid:IaskAllahtoforgiveme.’AbulHasan(a.s.)said,‘OHasan,whatistheguiltofdaysthatyouarepessimisticatwhenyouare
punishedforyourdeedsonthem?’Isaid,‘IalwaysaskAllahforforgiveness.ItismyrepentanceOsonofthemessengerofAllah.’Hesaid, ‘ByAllah, itdoesnotbenefityou.Allahpunishesyou forblamingdayswhichhaveno
guiltinwhatyoublamethemfor.OHasan,doyouknowthatitisAllahWhorewardsandpunishesfordeedswhethersoonerorlater?’Isaid,‘Oyes,mymaster.’Hesaid,‘DonotgivedaysaroleinthejudgmentofAllah!’Isaid,‘Oyes,mymaster.”[271]Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)confirmedwhat theProphet(S)hadannouncedinoneofhis traditionsthat it
wasnotfromIslamthataMuslimbepessimistic,buthemusthaveastrongwillanddeterminationindoingeverythingexceptsins.
Cleanness
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)invitedtocleannessandprettification.Hesaid,‘AllahisbeautifulandHeloves
beautyandprettification,andHehatesmiseryandmiserableones.AllahtheAlmightylikes,whenHegivesablessingtoHisslave,toseetheeffectsofthatblessingappearonhim.’Hewasasked,‘Howisthat?’Hesaid,‘Tocleanhisdress,makehissmellgood,orderhishouse,andsweeptheyard.Evenalamplitbeforesunsettakespovertyawayandincreaseslivelihood.’[272]
RarityofLawfulIncome
SayyidbinTawusnarratedthatMuhammadbinHarunal-Jallabsaid,‘IsaidtomymasterAlibin
Muhammadal-Hadi(a.s.):wenarratedfromyourfathersthatatimewouldcomewheretherewouldbenothingrarerthanafriendlybrotherorgainingalawfuldirham(well-gottenmoney).’Hesaid,‘OMuhammad,afriendlybrotherisavailable,butyouareinatimewherethereisnothingrarerthanawell-gottendirhamandaloyal,faithfulbrother.’[273]The rarity of well-gotten money results from the impiety in gaining and the greediness to get
moneyinanyway.Asforafriendlybrotherwhoseekshisownbenefits,heisavailableeverywhereandeverywhen,butas foragod-fearingbrotherwhokeepshisbrotheraway fromcommittingsinandtakeshimtodogood,heisrareatalltimes.
IgnoringtheFactofDeath
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasasked,‘WhydotheseMuslimshatedeath?’Hesaid,‘Becausetheyignore
it,andtherefore,theyhateit.IftheyknewitandwerefromthedevoteesofAllah,theywouldsurelylove it and know that the afterlifewould be better than theworldly life.’Then Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)turned tohiscompanionsandsaid, ‘Whydoachildandan insane refrain fromdrug that recoverstheirbodiesandrelievesthemfrompain?’Theysaid,‘Becausetheyignorethebenefitofdrug.’Hesaid, ‘I swearbyHimWhohadsentMuhammadwith the truthasprophet,whoeverprepares
himselftodeath,itwouldbebetterforhimthanthiscurativedrug.Iftheyknowwhatblissdeathgetsto,theywillloveitandcallforitmorethanasane,determinedmanwhencallingfordrugtocurehisdiseasesandgetsafety.’[274]InanothertraditionitwasrelatedthatonedayImamal-Hadi(a.s.)visitedasickcompanionandsaw
him cry fearing from death. He said to him, ‘O Abdullah (slave of Allah), you fear from deathbecauseyoudonotknowit.Ifyoubecomedirtyandfilthy,andyousufferfromthisdirtandfilththatcauseyousoresandmange,andthenyouknowthatwashinginthebathroomwillrelieveallthat,doyounotwanttogotothebathroomandremoveallthatfromyou,oryouhatetodothatandyouletfilth,sores,andmangeonyou?’Thesickmansaid,‘Oyes,sonofthemessengerofAllah,mayAllahhaveblessingandpeaceon
youandyourhousehold.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Deathisthatbathroom.Itisthelastthingremainingforyoutowashyour
guilt andpurifyyou fromyour sins. Ifyoucome to it andbe itsneighbor,youshallbe free fromeverydistress,grief,andpain,andshallgettoeveryhappinessanddelight.’Thesickmanwascalm.HesubmittedtodeathandpleasedwiththefateofAllah.[275]
TrueRepentance
AhmadbinHilalaskedImamal-Hadi (a.s.)about true repentanceandhe replied tohim, ‘that the
inwardandtheoutwardaretobethesameandbetter.’[276]
TheMeaningOf“Rajeem”
AbdulAdhimal-HasaninarratedthatheheardAbulHasanAlibinMuhammadal-Hadi(a.s.)saying,
‘Themeaningof“rajeem-accursed” thatSatan isdescribedwith is thathe isstonedwithcurse,andrejected from every place of good.No faithfulmentions him unless he curses him. In the eternalknowledgeofAllahthatwhenImamal-Mahdi(al-Qa’im)(a.s.)willreappears,everybelieverathistimewillstoneSatanashehadbeenstonedwithcursebefore.’[277]
Mob
Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) said, ‘Mobare thekillers of theprophets…Allahwasnot pleasedwith them
whenHecomparedthemtothelivestockandsaid,(buttheyareworse).[278]Mobsarethosegroupsofpeoplewhohavenosocialorreligiousunderstanding.Itistheywhom
tyrannicalpowerspushtokillprophetsandreformersthroughouthistory.
WordsOfLight
A collection of preciouswordswas narrated from Imam al-Hadi (a.s.). Thesewords are from thewonderful intellectual treasures in Islam, in which Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) has discussed differenteducational,moral,andpsychologicalissues.Herearesomeofhiswords:1.“Betterthangoodisitsdoer,betterthanfavorisitssayer,andmorepreferablethanknowledgeis
itsfollower.’2.Hesaidtooneofhisservants,‘Blameso-and-so(friendly)andsaytohim:ifAllahwantsgood
forsomeone,Hemadehimbepleasedwhenheisblamed.’3.“He,whoasksformorethanhismerit,isworthierofdeprivation.”4.“Therightnessofone,whoignoresdignity,ishislowness.”5.“Patienceistopossessyourselfandcontrolyourangerwhenyouareabletoshowit.”6.“People(runtheiraffairs)inthislifewithmoneyandintheafterlifewithdeeds.”7.“Whoeverispleasedwithhimself,manyarethosewhoaredispleasedathim.”8.“Fatesshowyouwhatyoudonotimagine.”9.“Theevilestofmisfortuneisbadmorals.”10. “Wealth is the littleness of wishing and the satisfaction with what suffices you, poverty is
greedinessanddespair,andlownessisfollowingthelittleandlookingforwardtoinsignificants.’11.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasaskedaboutresolutionandhesaid,‘It is toseeyouropportunityand
hurrytoachieveitaspossibleasyoucan.’12.“Theriderofareluctanthorseisacaptiveofhimself.”He,whowalksincrookedways,isled
byhisfancythatthrowshimintotheabyssofmisfortunes.13.“Anignorantoneisacaptiveofhistongue.’14.“Disputingdestroysoldfriendship,anduntiesfirmknots.Theleastofitisthatitleadstohatred
whichisthefirstcauseoftheruptureofrelations.”15.“Blamingisthekeytohaughtiness,thoughitisbetterthanspite.”16.OneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsexaggeratedinpraisingtheImamwhosaidtohim,‘Much
flatteryattacksdiscernment.Ifyouaretrustedbyyourbrother,turnfromflatterytogoodwill.”17.“Misfortuneforthepatientisone,andfortheimpatientistwo.”
18.“Envyeradicatesgooddeeds,andpridebringsdetestation.”19.“Self-conceitturnsoneawayfromseekingknowledgeandleadshimtoignorance.”20.“Stinginessistheworstofmorals,andgreedinessisabadnature.”21.“Associatingwiththewickedshowsthewickednessofonewhoassociateswiththem.”22.“Thedenyingofblessingsisasignofungratefulnessandacauseforchanging(ofblessings).”23.“Importunitytakespeacefulnessawayandleadstoregret.”24.“Mockeryisthejokingofthefoolishandthecraftoftheignorant.”25.“Undutifulness(toparents)lessensoffspringandleadstomeanness.”26.“SleeplessnessmakessleepmorepleHasant,andhungermakesfoodmoredelicious.”27.“Thinkofyourdeathbetweenyourfamilywherenophysicianshalldefendyouandnofriend
shallbenefityou!”28.“Thinkoftheregretsofwastingtobemoredetermined!”29.“Aniggardandawisemandonotrest.”30.“Thereisnocureforcorruptednatures.”31.“He,whocannotprevent,cannotgive.”32.“Worsethanevilisitsdoerandmorehorriblethanhorrorisanadventurerintoit.”33.“Bewareofenvyforitharmsyouandnotyourenemy.”34.“Inatimewherejusticeismorethanoppression,itisunlawfultosuspectanyonebeforebeing
certainofthatwhichissuspectedof,andinatimewhereoppressionismorethanjustice,oneshouldnottrustinanyoneexceptafterbeingcertainofhim.”35.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidtoal-Mutawakkil(theAbbasidcaliph),“Donotexpectgoodwillfrom
onewhomyouhaveoffended,orloyaltyfromonewhomyouhavebetrayed,orsincerityfromonewhom you have suspected, because the hearts of others towards you are like your heart towardsthem.”36. “Retain blessings by being good neighbor to them (by spending them in the right way and
helpingpeople throughcharities), expectmorebybeinggrateful toAllah for them,andknow thatsoulisverywillingtowhatitisgivenandveryunwillingtowhatitispreventedfrom,socarryitonasumpterthatdoesnotslow.”
37.“Ignoranceandniggardlinessaretheworstofmorals.”38.“Goodappearanceisapparentbeautyandgoodmindishiddenbeauty.”39.“ItisfrominadvertencetoAllahthatonekeepsondisobedienceandwishesforgivenessfrom
Allah.”40.“Ifpeoplewalked inavastvalley, Iwouldwalk inavalleyofamanwhoworshippedAllah
alonesincerely.”41.“Theangeratone,overwhomyouhaveauthority,ismeanness.”42.“Agratefuloneishappierwithgratitudethanwiththeblessingthatrequiresgratitude,because
blessingsareenjoymentandgratitudeisablessing.”43.“Allahmadetheworldlylifeaplaceoftryingandtheafterlifeaplaceofreward.Hemadethe
misfortunes of the worldly life as a means for the reward of the afterlife, and the reward of theafterlifeasacompensationforthemisfortunesoftheworldlylife.”44.“Anunderstandingoppressorisabouttotakeattentionsawayfromhisoppressionthroughhis
understanding, and a foolish just man is about to put out the light of his justice through hisfoolishness.”45.“Whoevershowsyouhissincereloveyouaretoshowhimyourobedience.”46.“Donotfeelsafefromtheevilofonewhodespiseshimself.”47.“Theworldisamarketinwhichsomepeoplegainandotherslose.”48.“Thinkofyourdeathamongyourfamilywherenophysicianshallsaveyouandnolovershall
benefityou.”[279]Notes:[78]Murujath-Thahab,vol.4p.114.[79]Biharal-Anwar,vol.3.[80]Al-AmalibySheikhat-Tusi.[81]Ibid.[82]Al-AmalibySheikhat-Tusi.[83]Qur'an,35:10.[84]InArabic“fatama”meansweaned.[85]Biharal-Anwar,vol.10.86]Biharal-Anwar,vol.8.[87]Biharal-Anwar,vol.9.[88]Biharal-Anwar,vol.9.[89]Al-Amalibyat-Tusi.
[90]Ibid.[91]Al-Amalibyat-Tusi.[92]Ma’athiral-Kubara’,vol.3p.219.[93]Wassa’ilash-Shia,vol.1p.78.[94]Ibid.,vol.11p.523.[95]Ma’athiral-Kubara’.[96]NowadaysDamascus. But then, Sham encompassed the present Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and
Palestine.[97]At-Tawhid,p.380-381.[98]UyoonAkhbarar-Ridha.[99]Ma’athiral-Kubara’,vol.3p.220.[100]Ma’athiral-Kubara’,Wassa’ilash-Shia,vol.4p.163.[101]Al-Amalibyat-Tusi.[102]Wassa’ilash-Shia,vol.11p.466.[103]Al-Amalibyat-Tusi.[104]UyonAkhbarar-Ridha.[105]Ma’athiral-Kubara’,vol.3p.228.[106]Qur'an,23:16.[107]Al-Amalibyat-Tusi.[108]Qur'an,16:97.[109]Qur'an,67:2.[110]At-Tawhid,p.96.[111]Basa’irad-Darajat.[112]Ad-Duran-Nadhim(amanuscript).[113]Or“Murji’a”:thenameofapolitico-religiousmovementinearlyIslam.[114]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.2p.737.[115]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.2p.738,al-Hada’iqan-Nadhirah,vol.4p.41.[116]Wassa’ilash-Shia,vol.3p.254.[117]Wassa’ilash-Shia,vol.3p.277.[118]Ibid.,vol.3p.334.[119]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.3p.251.[120]Al-Lum’ah,vol.1p.223.[121]Thisespeciallyconcernstheplacewheretheforeheadisputduringprostration.[122]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.4p.604.[123]Amukallafisonewhoisobligedtofulfillthereligiousduties.[124] Ada’ is to offer prayer (or other obligations) at its specified time and qadha’ is to offer
prayeroutofitsspecifiedtime.[125]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.5p.352.[126]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.5p.352.[127]Minhajas-Salihin,vol.1p.216-217.[128]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.5p.518.[129]Al-Hada’iqan-Nadhirah,vol.12p.348.[130]Kurrisaunitofweight.[131]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.6p.123.[132]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.6p.157.[133]Al-Hada’iqan-Nadhirah,vol.[134]ThezakatthatisgivenattheendoffastinginRamadan.
[135]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.6p.177.[136]Ibid.,p.237.[137]Sa’isameasureofabout3.25kilograms.[138]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.6p.238.[139]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.7p.187.[140]Ibid.,p.154.[141]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.7p.187.[142]Al-MakasibbySheikhal-Ansari.[143]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.12p.137.[144]Ibid.,vol.13p.254.[145]Wassa’ilash-Shia,Vol.13p.268.[146]Ibid.[147]Ibid.,p.299.[148]Ibid.[149]Qur'an,6:144.[150]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.18p.213.s[151]Qur'an,38:39.[152]Qur'an,40:84-85.[153]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.18p.331.[154]Wassa'ilash-Shia,vol.18p.554.[155]Usulal-Kafi,vol.1p.97,at-Tawhid,p.109.[156]Qur'an,7:143.[157]FeeDhilalal-Qur ’an(intheshadowsoftheQur ’an),vol.9p.39.[158]At-Tawhid,p.66.[159]At-Tawhid,p.104.[160]Ibid.,p.97.[161]Ad-Durran-Nadhim,at-Tawhid,p.100.[162]Qur'an,9:74.[163]Qur'an,33:66.[164]Qur'an,4:59.[165]Qur'an,4:83.[166]Qur'an,4:58.[167]Qur'an,21:7.[168]Kashfal-Ghummah,vol.3p.176.[169]Al-Ihtijajbyat-Tabarsi.[170]Qur'an,5:55-56.[171]Qur'an,33:57.[172] Mustadrak as-Sahihayn, vol.3 p.122, al-Isabah,vol.4 p.304, Kanzul Ummal, vol.6 p.152,
Majma’az-Zawa’id,vol.9p.129,ar-Riyadhan-Nadhirah,vol.2p.165.[173] Mustadrak as-Sahihayn, vol.3 p.130, Tareekh Baghdad, vol.13 p.32, Usd al-Ghabah, vol.4
p.383,Majma’az-Zawa’id,vol.9p.131.[174]SahihofibnMajah,p.12,Hilyatal-Awliya’,vol.1p.62,Khasa’isofan-Nassaei,p.32,Kanzul
Ummal,vol.6p.395.[175]Qur'an,18:49.[176]Qur'an,22:10.[177]Qur'an,10:44.[178]Qur'an,2:81.[179]Qur'an,4:10.
[180]Qur'an,4:56.[181]Qur'an,2:85.[182]Qur'an,6:160.[183]Qur'an,3:30.[184]Qur'an,40:17.[185]Qur'an,39:7.[186]Qur'an,3:102.[187]Qur'an,51:56-57.[188]Qur'an,4:36.[189]Qur'an,8:20.[190]Qur'an,2:85.[191]Qur'an,43:31.[192]Qur'an,43:32.[193]QurayshwasthetribewhichinhabitedMecca.[194]Qur'an,33:36.[195]Lecturesonusulal-Fiqh,vol.2p.87-89.[196]Qur'an,17:70.[197]Qur'an,95:4.[198]Qur'an,82:6-8.[199]Qur'an,22:37.[200]Qur'an,16:14.[201]Qur'an,16:5-7.[202]Qur'an,64:16.[203]Qur'an,2:286.[204]Qur'an,65:7.[205]Qur'an,24:61.[206]Qur'an,3:97.[207]Qur'an,58:3-4.[208]Qur'an,4:98.[209]Qur'an,4:100.[210]Qur'an,9:91.[211]Meansoftransportation.[212]Qur'an,2:273.[213]Qur'an,3:167.[214]Qur'an,61:2.[215]Qur'an,16:106.[216]Qur'an,2:225.[217]Qur'an,47:31.[218]Qur'an,7:182.[219]Qur'an,29:2.[220]Qur'an,38:34.[221]Qur'an,20:85.[222]Qur'an,7:155.[223]Qur'an,5:48.[224]Qur'an,3:152.225]Qur'an,68:17.[226]Qur'an,67:2.
[227]Qur'an,2:124.[228]Qur'an,47:5.[229]Qur'an,23:115.[230]Qur'an,6:28.[231]Qur'an,20:134.[232]Qur'an,17:15.[233]Qur'an,4:165.[234]Qur'an,35:8.[235]Qur'an,41:17.[236]Qur'an,3:7.[237]Qur'an,39:17-18.[238]Tuhafal-Uqul,p.458-475,alsomentionedinbriefinal-Ihtijajbyat-Tabarsi.[239]Qur'an,2:186.[240]Qur'an,39:53.[241]Qur'an,37:75.[242]Qur'an,17:110.[243]A’yanash-Shia,vol.4p.285.[244]Ad-Durran-Nadheem.[245]Ad’iyatal-Bihar.[246]At-Tawhid.[247]Ziyarahlinguisticallymeans“avisit”buthereitreferstothespecialsacredwordingssaidby
theinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s)andbyothersasakindofgreeting,respectandreverenceoffered to theAhlul Bayt (a.s) and other holy personalitieswhen visiting their shrines ormay berecitedoncertaindaysandoccasionswhereveroneis.[248]Mafatihal-JinanbySheikhAbbasal-Qummi,p.363.[249]Qur'an,33:10-13.[250]Qur'an,33:22.[251]AmrbinAbdWiddwasthemostfamous,andbravestheroofthepolytheistswhofoughtin
thebattleofal-Ahzab.[252]Qur'an,33:25.[253]Qur'an,3:153.[254]Qur'an,9:25-26.[255]Qur'an,33:15.[256]HereImamal-Hadi(a.s)talkedaboutthesleepingofImamAli(a.s)intheProphet’sbedwhen
QurayshdecidedtokilltheProphet(a.s)butImamAli(a.s)sacrificedhislifeforhim.[257]Qur'an,37:102.[258]Qur'an,2:207.[259]InthispassageImamal-Hadi(a.s)talkedaboutthefamouseventofal-GhadirwhenMuslims
paidhomagetoImamAli(a.s)as thecaliphafter theProphet(a.s)dueto thedecreeof theProphet(a.s)himself.[260]Qur'an,5:67.[261]Qur'an,20:90-91.[262]Qisasal-Anbiya’(Thestoriesoftheprophets)byar-Rawandi.[263]Al-Amalibyas-Saduq.[264]HewasonethemostoppressivewalisoftheUmayyads.[265]Qur'an,6:44-45.[266]Rijalal-Kashshi.[267]Ma’athiral-Kubara’,vol.3p.227.
[268]Al-Ihtijaj.[269]Biharal-Anwar.[270]Hemightbeal-HasanbinSa’eedal-Ahwazi.[271]Tuhafal-Uqul,p.482-483.[272]Al-AmalibySheikhal-Mufid.[273]Ma’athiral-Kubara’,vol.3p.227.[274]Ma’anial-Akhbarbyas-Saduq.[275]Ibid.[276]Ma’anial-Akhbarbyas-Saduq.[277]Ma’anial-Akhbarbyas-Saduq.[278]Qur'an,7:179.[279] These sayings are quoted from ad-Durr an-Nadhim, al-Ittihaf Bihubil Ashraf, Bihar al-
Anwar,al-AmaliofSheikhat-Tusi,Aa’yanash-Shia,Nuzhatan-Nadhir,Tuhafal-Uqul,al-AmaliofSheikhal-Mufid,Ma’anial-AkhbarofSheikhas-Saduq,Ma’athiral-Kubara’.
6ChapterHisCompanionsandtheNarratorsofhisTraditions
ThevastcultureandknowledgeofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)inallsciencessuchastafsir(commentaryof
theQur ’an), jurisprudence,Islamicarts,ethics,andotherfieldsmadehimtheendthatscholarsandseekersofknowledgesetofftowards.The companions of Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) represented the true mission of Islam. They saved the
missionof Islamfrom lose.Theyassociatedwith the infallible Imamsof theAhlulBayt (a.s.)whowere the flowing spring of the essence of Islam. They narrated and recorded their (the Imams’)traditionsintheirfourhundredrecords(usuls)thatwerecollectedlateroninthefourbookstowhichtheShiajurisprudentsreferredandarestillreferringtoinderivinglegalverdicts.ThesecompanionshaddonetheIslamicworldagreatfavorbywritingdowntheknowledgeand
literatureoftheinfallibleImams(a.s.);otherwise,thatgreatheritagewouldbelostandconsequentlythehumancultureandintellectwouldlosemuch.The thing that makes one pride on the jihad of those narrators is that they associated with the
infallibleImams(a.s.)andrecordedtheirtraditionsinatimethatwasmostcriticalandfullofoffenseandoppression.TheUmayyadandAbbasidgovernmentswenttoofarinoppressingtheAlawidsandtheir followers and in preventing the public from associating with them (the Alawids). Thosegovernments, with no mercy or leniency, chased everyone who tried to spread or talk about thevirtues of theAlawids or narrate their traditions and arrested him to be killed or to remain in thedarkness of prisons forever. Therefore, narrators refrained from mentioning the names of theinfallible Imamsfromwhomtheynarrated traditions.Theyreferred to thembysurnamesone timeandbytitlesothertime.Theydidnotdeclaretheirrealnames.Anyhow,wementionherethecompanionsofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andthenarratorsofhistraditions
withbrief accountson thembecause this, aswe think, shall complete the studyon the Imam that itdiscoverssomeimportantsidesofhispersonality.
1.IbrahimbinIsaaq
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidthathewasreliable.
[280]
2.IbrahimbinAbuBakrar-Razi
Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[281]
3.IbrahimbinIdris
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[282]Sodidal-Barqi.[283]
4.IbrahimbinDawudal-Ya’qubi
Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’s companions.[284]Al-Barqi saidhewas
fromImamal-HadiandImamal-Jawad’scompanions.[285]Al-KashshimentionedhimasoneofthenarratorswhonarratedfromImamAbulHasan(a.s.).[286]
5.IbrahimbinShayba
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[287]Once,hewrotealetter
to Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) complaining to him against the deviants from religion who distorted theIslamicintellect.WeshalldiscussthismatterwhenwetalkabouttheageoftheImamlateron.
6.IbrahimbinAbdahan-Naysaburi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-HadiandImamal-Askari’scompanions.[288]Al-
KashshisaidthatImamal-Hasanal-Askari(a.s.)sentalettertoIsaaqbinIsma’ilinwhichhegreetedIbrahim binAbdah and appointed him as his agent to receive the legal dues.[289]Once, Imam al-Askari(a.s.)deputedhimtoAbdullahbinHamdwayhal-Bayhaqiandsentaletterwithhimsayinginit,“IhavesentIbrahimbinAbdahsothatthe(other)districtsandthepeopleofyourdistrictpaymyduesonyoutohimandmadehimmytrustandagentbeforemyfollowersthere.LetthemfearAllahandpaytheduesandtheyhavenoexcuseinnotdoingthatordelayingit.MayAllahnotdistressthemfordisobeyingHisguardiansandmayHehavemercyonthemandonyouthroughmymercifulnesstothem,andAllahisAmple-giving,Generous.”[290]
7.IbrahimbinUqbah
Sheikh at-Tusimentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions,[291] and so did al-Barqi.
[292] He narrated traditions from ImamAbu Ja’far al-Jawad (a.s.) and ImamAbul Hasan al-Hadi(a.s.).SahlbinZiyadandothernarratorsnarratedfromhim.[293]
8.IbrahimbinMuhammadbinFarisan-Naysaburi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-HadiandImamal-Hasanal-Askari’scompanions.[294]
9.IbrahimbinMuhammadal-Hamadani
Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam ar-Ridha, Imam al-Jawad, and Imam al-Hadi’scompanions.Al-Kashshi said hewas the agent of Imamal-Hadi (a.s.).Heperformed the hajj fortytimes.[295] He was the agent of Imam al-Jawad (a.s.) who wrote to him, “Your account has beenreceived.MayAllahacceptfromyouandbepleasedwiththemandmakethemwithusinthislifeandin theafterlife.So-and-sodinarsandso-and-soclothesweresent toyou.MayAllahbless themforyouandblesseverygiftHehasgiventoyou.Ihavewrittentoan-Nadhrorderinghimtorefrainfromtroubling and objecting to you and informing him of your position tome. And I have written toAyyuborderinghimof the same too. Ihavewrittenabook tomy followers inHamadanorderingthemtoobeyyouandfollowyourordersandthatIhavenoagent(there)exceptyou.”[296]ThislettershowsthatIbrahimbinMuhammadwassotrustedandofahighpositionneartheImam
(a.s.).
10.IbrahimbinMahziyar
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-JawadandImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[297]An-
Najashisaidhehadwrittenabookcalledal-Bisharat.[298]Al-KashshimentionedatraditionnarratedbyMuhammadbinIbrahimbinMahziyarthathesaid,“Whenmyfather(Ibrahim)wasabouttodie,hegaveme somemoney and gaveme a certain sign. No one knew about this sign except Allah theAlmighty.He said tome, ‘Whoever showyou this sign, youhave to give him thismoney.’ IwenttoBaghdadandstoppedataninn.Onthefollowingday,someonecameandknockedthedoor.Iaskedtheservanttoseewhohewas.Theservantsaid,‘Anoldmanatthedoor.’Isaid,‘Lethimcomein.’Theoldmancamein,tookaseatandsaid,‘Iamal-Umari.Givemethemoneythatiswithyouwhichis so-and-so.’ He showed me the sign and I gave him the money.[299]This tradition shows thatIbrahimwastheagentoftheImaminreceivingthelegalduesanddefinitelyhewasfairandreliableinordertobetheImam’sagent.
11.Ibrahimad-Dahqan
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[300]
12.AhmadbinIsaaqbinAbdullahal-Ash’arial-Qummi
HewasthedeputyofthepeopleofQum.HenarratedtraditionsfromImamAbuJa’farthesecond
(al-Jawad) and ImamAbulHasan al-Hadi (a.s.).Hewas from the close companions of ImamAbuMuhammad al-Askari (a.s.). He hadwritten some books such as Ilal as-Sawm,Masa’il ar-Rijal ofImamal-Hadi,andIlalas-Salat.Hewasoneof thosewhosawImamal-Mahdi(a.s.)and thereweremanytraditionsnarratedonpraisinghim.
13.AhmadbinIsaaqar-Razi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[301]Henarratedtraditions
fromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andSahlbinZiyadnarratedfromhim.[302]
14.AhmadbinIsma’ilbinYaqtin
Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[303]
15.AhmadbinAbuAbdullahal-Barqi
Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’scompanions.[304]Henarratedabout fortytraditions.[305]
16.Ahmadbinal-HasanbinIsaaqbinSa’d
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[306]
17.Ahmadbinal-HasanbinAlibinMuhammadbinFadhdhal
He was eloquent and reliable in traditions. His brother Ali bin al-Hasan and other Kufi men
narratedfromhim.[307]HehadwrittensomebookssuchasthebookofSalat(prayer)andthebookofWudu’.Hediedin260AH.[308]
18.AhmadbinHamzabinal-Yasa’al-Qummi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[309]HenarratedfromImam
al-Hadi(a.s.),AbbanbinUthman,al-Husaynbinal-Mukhtar,ZakariyyabinAdam,MuhsinbinAhmad,andMuhammadbinAli.Al-HusaynbinSa’eed,AbdullahbinJa’far,AlibinMahziyarandothermennarratedfromhim.[310]
19.Ahmadbinal-Khadheeb
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[311]andsodidal-Barqi.
20.AhmadbinZakariyyabinBabaal-Qummi
Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[312]
21.Ahmadbinal-Fadhl
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[313]
22.AhmadbinMuhammadas-Siyadial-Basri
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-HadiandImamal-Hasanal-Askari’scompanions.[314]
23.AhmadbinMuhammadbinEesaal-Ash’arial-Qummi
Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam ar-Ridha, Imam al-Jawad, and Imam al-Hadi’s
companions.[315]HewasthechiefandnotableofthepeopleofQumandwastheheadwhomettherulers.Hehadwrittensomebookssuchasat-Tawhid (monotheism),TheVirtueof theProphet,al-Mut’ah (temporary marriage), an-Nawadir (rarities), an-Nasikh wel Mansukh (abrogating andabrogated),theVirtuesoftheArabs,andotherbooks.[316]
24.AhmadbinHilalas-Sabrtanial-Baghdadi
Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions (or just a narrator of his
traditions).Hewasaccusedofexaggeration.[317]Manytraditionsdispraisedhimandsaidthathewasirreligious.
25.IsaaqbinIsma’ilbinNoubakht
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[318]andsodidal-Barqi.
26.IsaaqbinMuhammadal-Basri
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasaccusedof
exaggeration.[319]Theauthorofal-Khulasahsaidhewas from thecompanionsof Imamal-Jawad(a.s.)buthewasaccusedofexaggeration.
27.AyyubbinNoahbinDuraj
Hewas trustworthyandreliable.An-Najashisaid, ‘HewasanagentofAbulHasan(al-Hadi)and
Abu Muhammad (al-Askari) (peace be upon them). He had a high position near them. He wastrustworthy,verypious,andadevotedworshipper.Hewasreliableinhistraditions.HisfatherNoahbinDurajwasajudgeinKufaandwasatruefaithful.JameelbinDurajwashisbrother.’[320]Sheikhat-Tusisaid,‘AyyubbinNoahwasreliable.HehadabookandtraditionsfromAbulHasantheThird(Imamal-Hadi).’Al-Kashshisaid,‘Hewaspious.Heleft justonehundredandfiftydinarsafterhisdeath,thoughpeoplethoughthimwealthy.HenarratedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andmanynarratorsnarratedfromhim.’
28.BishrbinBashsharan-Naysaburi
He was the uncle of Abu Abdullah ash-Shathani. He was from Imam al-Hadi’s companions as
Sheikhat-TusimentionedinhisRijal.HenarratedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.),andSahlnarratedfromhim.[321]
29.Ja’farbinAhmad
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[322]andsodidal-Barqi.He
narrated fromMuhammadbinAli,andAlibin Ibrahimal-Qumminarrated fromhiminhisTafsir.[323]
30.Ja’farbinIbrahimbinNoah
Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[324]andsodidSheikhat-Tusi.
31.Ja’farbinAbdullahbinal-HusaynbinJami’al-Qummi
Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’scompanions.Hecommunicated through
letterswithImamal-Mahdi(a.s.).[325]
32.Ja’farbinMuhammadbinIsma’ilbinal-Khattab
Sheikh at-Tusimentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions,[326] and so did al-Barqi.
Sheikhat-Tusisaidthatonce,Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrotehimaletter.[327]
33.Ja’farbinMuhammadbinYounusal-Ahwalas-Sayrafi
HenarratedfromImamAbuJa’farthesecond(al-Jawad).Hehadwrittenabook.[328]Sheikhat-
TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[329]
34.Hatimbinal-Faraj
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[330]
35.Al-HasanbinJa’far
HewasknownasAbuTalibal-Fafani.HewasfromBaghdad.Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasone
of Imam al-Hadi’s companions, and also hementioned him as one of Imam al-Hasan al-Askari’scompanions.[331]
36.Al-Hasanbinal-Hasanal-Alawi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[332]
37.Al-Hasanbinal-Husaynal-Alawi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[333]
38.Al-HasanbinKharzath
Sheikh at-Tusimentionedhimas oneof Imamal-Hadi’s companions.[334]An-Najashi said, ‘He
narratedtoomanytraditions.Hehadwrittenabookcalled“thenamesofthemessengerofAllah”anda book called “al-Mut’ah-temporarymarriage”. Itwas said that hewas excessive at the end of hislife.’[335]
39.AbuAlial-HasanbinRashid
Hewas a reliableman fromBaghdad. Sheikh at-Tusimentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s
companions.[336]Sheikhal-Mufidsaidhewasoneofthefamousjurisprudentsandchiefsfromwhompeopletooktheverdictsofhalalandharamandwhowereuncriticizedandunblameable.[337]Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)appointedhimashisagentandsenthimmanyletters.Herearesomeofthem:1.Al-Kashshimentioned thatMuhammad bin Eesa al-Yaqtini said, “Imam al-Hadi (a.s.)wrote a
lettertoAlibinBilalin232AHsayinginit,‘IpraiseAllahandthankHimforhismightandmercyand prayHim to have blessing andmercy onMuhammad the Prophet and on his progeny. I haveappointedAbuAli in thepositionofal-HusaynbinAbdRabbihandentrustedhimwith that for theknowledgehehasthatnooneispreferredtohim.IknowyouarethechiefofyourdistrictandsoIwantedtohonoryoubywritingthisbookonthattoyou.Youhave toobeyhimanddeliver tohimall thedues thatarewithyou.Youhave to informmy
manumitted slaves and recommend themof that, for thiswill support and suffice him and save useffortsandpleaseus.Doingthis,youwillhavetherewardofAllahandAllahgiveswhoeverHelikes.He is theGiver,WhorewardswithHismercyandyouare in the trustofAllah. Ihavewritten thisletterwithmyhandwritingandIpraiseAllahtoomuch.”[338]Thislettershowsthereliability,trustworthiness,andvirtueofal-HasanbinRashidwhereImamal-
Hadi(a.s.)orderedhisfollowerstoobey,follow,andpaythelegalduestohim.2.Al-KashshimentionedthatAhmadbinMuhammadbinEesasaid,‘Icopiedthebookthatwaswith
ibnRashidtothemawaliwholivedinBaghdad,Mada’in,andthevillagesaround.Thisisthetextoftheletter:‘IpraiseAllahforthehealthandsoundnessIamin,andprayHimtohaveblessing,allmercy,and
kindnessonHisProphetandhisprogeny.IhaveappointedAbuAlibinRashidinplaceofAlibinal-HusaynbinAbdRabbihwhowasmyagentbefore,andnowhe(AbuAlibinRashid)hasthepositionofhispredecessor.IhaveentrustedhimwithwhatIhadentrustedmypreviousagentswithtoreceivemyrightsfromyou.Ihaveacceptedhimtoyouandpreferredhimtotheothersinthat,andheiswell-qualifiedforthisjob.MayAllahhavemercyonyou,paytheduestohimandtomeanddonotmakeanexcuseonyourselves.HurrytoobeyAllah,makeyourmonieslawful,spareyourbloods,helponeanotheringoodnessandpiety,andfearAllahthatyoumayfindmercy,andholdfastbythecovenantofAllah all together and do not die unless you areMuslims.Obeying him is as obeyingme, anddisobeyinghimisasdisobeyingme.KeeptotherightpaththatAllahmayrewardyouandgiveyoumorefromHisfavor,forAllahis
Ample-giving,Generous,andHeisGraciousandMercifultoHispeople.Mayweandyoubeinthetrust and preservation of Allah. I havewritten it withmy handwriting, and toomuch praise be toAllah.’[339]3.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)sentalettertoAyyubbinNoahsaying,“OAyyub,IorderyoutostopdisputationbetweenyouandAbuAli,andthateachofyoushould
keeptowhathehasbeenentrustedwithandorderedtomanagetheaffairsofhisdistrict.Ifyoufollow
allthatwhichIhaveorderedyouof,youwillnolongerneedtorefertome.OAbuAli,Iorderyouof the same as I have ordered Ayyub. Do not accept anything from anyone from the peopleofBaghdadandtheothervillages.Orderanyonecomingtoyoufromotherthanyourdistricttocarrythedues to theveryagentofhisowndistrict.OAbuAli, IorderyouasIhaveorderedAyyub.LeteachofyoudoasIhaveorderedhim!’[340]Definitely,AbuAlibinRashidhadarespectablepositionnearImamal-Hadi(a.s.),andcertainlyhe
didnotobtainedthatpositionexceptthroughhispietyandreligiousness.WhenbinRashiddied,Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)prayedAllahtohavemercyonhim,toforgive,andbepleasedwithhim.
40.Al-HasanbinDharif
Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’scompanions.[341]An-Najashi said, ‘Al-
HasanbinDharifbinNasifwasareliablemanfromKufa.Heandhisfather livedinBaghdad.It issaidthathehasabookonrarities.Manynarratorsnarratedfromhim.’[342]
41.Al-HasanbinAlibinUmarbinAlibinal-HusaynbinAlibinAbuTalib
Hewas called an-Nasir lil-Haqq.Hewas from Imam al-Hadi’s companions.[343] The author of
Sharhal-Masa’ilan-Nasiriyyatsays,‘AbuMuhammadan-Nasiral-HasanbinAliwasvirtuousforhisvast knowledge and asceticism.His jurisprudencewas brighter than the bright sun. It was hewhospread Islam in ad-Daylam and made its people be guided by him after deviation. His splendidbiographyismorethantobeaccounted,andmoreobviousthantobehidden.’[344]
42.Al-HasanbinAlial-Washsha’
Sheikh at-Tusimentionedhimas oneof Imamal-Hadi’s companions.[345]An-Najashi said, ‘He
wasthesonofthedaughterofElyasas-Sayrafial-Khazzaz.Al-HasannarratedfromhisgrandfatherElyasthathesaidwhenhewasabouttodie,‘Witnessonme,andthismomentisnotoflying,thatIheardAbuAbdullah(as-Sadiq)(peacebeuponhim)saying:ByAllah,Firewillnottouchone,wholovesAllahandHismessengerandbelievesintheImams,afterhisdeath.”AhmadbinMuhammadbinEesasaid,‘Once,IwenttoKufaseekingHadith.Imetthereal-Hasan
binAlial-Washsha’andaskedhimtoshowmethebooksofal-Ala’binRazinal-QallaandAbbanbinUthmanal-Ahmar.HegavemethetwobooksandIaskedhimtopermitmetocopythem.Hesaidtome,‘Oman,whyareyouinahurry?Goandcopythem.’Isaid,‘Ifearaccidents.’Hesaid,‘IfIknewthat this traditionwouldberequestedsomuch,Iwouldwritemuchmore.Imet in thismosque(themosqueofKufa)ninehundredsheikhsthateachofthemsaid:Ja’farbinMuhammad(Imamas-Sadiq)saidtome…Thismanwasanotablescholarofthesect(theShia)andhadwrittensomebookssuchas“theRewardoftheHajj”,“al-Manasik”,andabookofrarities.’[346]
43.Al-HasanbinAlibinAbuUthmanas-Sajjadah
Hewasexcessive.Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[347]From
his excessivenesswas thatNasrbinas-Sabah said, ‘Oneday, al-HasanbinAlibinAbuUthmanas-Sajjadah said to me, ‘What do you say about Muhammad bin Abu Zaynab and Muhammad binAbdullah binAbdulMuttalib (the Prophet) (peace be upon him and upon his progeny)?Which ofthemisbetter?’Isaidtohim,‘Yousay!’Hesaid,‘MuhammadbinAbuZaynab(isbetter).DoyounotseethatAllahtheAlmightyhasblamedMuhammadbinAbdullah(theProphet)(peace
be upon him and upon his progeny) on some occasions in the Qur'an, but He has not blamedMuhammadbinAbuZaynab?AllahhassaidtoMuhammadbinAbdullah,(AndifWehadnotmadetheewhollyfirmthoumightestalmosthaveinclineduntothemalittle),[348]and(IfthouascribeapartnertoAllah,thyworkwillfailandthouindeedwiltbeamongthelosers),[349]andinotherverses,andHehasnotblamedMuhammadbinAbuZaynabforanythingofthat.’Abu
Amrsaid,‘Onas-SajjadahbethecurseofAllah,ofcursors,oftheangels,andofpeoplealtogether.Hewas from theAliya’iteswhocriticized themessengerofAllah (SwT)andwhohadnoshare inIslam.’[350]Thistraditionshowsthebadbeliefsofthisman.
44.Al-HasanbinMuhammadal-Qummi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[351]Al-Kashshisaid,‘Abu
Muhammadal-FadhlbinShathanmentionedinoneofhisbooks:“FromthefamousliarsisibnBabaal-Qummi.Sa’dsaid thatal-Ubaydisaid tohim,‘Once,(Imam)al-Askariwrote tomesaying:IamfreebeforeAllahfromal-Fihriandal-HasanbinMuhammadbinBabaal-Qummi,andyoualsobefreefromthem.Iwarnyouandallmyfollowersfromthem.Icursethem.The curse of Allah be on them. They extort themonies of people in the name of us. They are
mischievousandharmful.MayAllahharm themandplunge them intomischief. IbnBabapretendsthatIhavesenthimasaprophetandthatheisa“bab”.[352]ThecurseofAllahbeonhim.Satanhasmockedathimanddeceivedhim.Allahcurseswhoeveracceptsthatfromhim.OMuhammad,ifyouareabletosplithisheadwitharock,youdo.Hehasharmedme.MayAllahharmhiminthislifeandintheafterlife.’[353]IbnBabawasdeviantfromthetruthandfromreligionandheharmedtheImamwiththeheresiesheoriginated.
45.Al-HasanbinMuhammadbinHayy
Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions.[354] He seemed to be a
TwelverShia,buthewasunknown.
46.Al-HasanbinMuhammadal-Mada’ini
HewasfromthecompanionsofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).[355]
47.Al-HusaynbinAsadan-Nahdi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[356]andsodidal-Barqi.
48.Al-HusaynbinAsadal-Basri
Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’s companions.[357]Al-Barqi saidhewas
fromthecompanionsofImamal-Jawad(a.s.)andsaidhewasreliableandtruthful.[358]
49.Al-HusaynbinAshkib
An-Najashi said, ‘Al-HusaynbinAshkibwasa reliable,preferable sheikh fromKhurHasan.Abu
Amrmentionedhiminhisbook“ar-Rijal”asoneofthecompanionsofImamAbulHasanal-Mahdi(a.s.).Al-Ayyashinarratedmanytraditionsfromhimandconsideredhistraditionsastrueandsaidhewas trustworthy.[359] Al-Kashshi said, ‘He was a theologian, scholars, and author of somebooks.’[360]
50.Al-HusaynbinUbaydillahal-Qummi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasaccusedof
excessiveness.[361]Al-Kashshi said, ‘Hewas exiled fromQum at the timewhen those,whowereaccusedofexcessiveness,wereexiled.’[362]
51.Al-HusaynbinMalikal-Qummi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable.[363]
52.Al-HusaynbinMuhammadal-Mada’ini
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[364]andsodidal-Barqi.
53.Hafsal-Marwazi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[365]
54.HamdanbinSulaymanbinUmayrahan-Naysaburi
Hewasknownas at-Tajir.Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’s companions.
[366]An-Najashisaid, ‘HamdanbinSulaymanAbuSa’eedan-Nayshaburiwasa reliablemanfromthenotablesofourcompanions.’[367]
55.HamzabinSulaymanbinRasheed
HewasfromBaghdad.Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[368]
56.KhalilbinHashimal-Farisi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[369]
57.KhayranbinIsaaqaz-Zakani
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[370]
58.Khayranal-Khadim
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable,[371]
andsodidal-Barqi.HehadahighpositionnearImamal-Jawad(a.s.).Al-KashshimentionedsomeofhistraditionswithImamal-Jawad(a.s.).
59.DawudbinAbuZayd
Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions and said he was reliable,
truthful, and religious.He hadwritten some books asmentioned by al-Kashshi and ibn an-Nadim.[372]
60.Dawudbinal-Qassimal-Ja’fari
HewasfromBaghdadandsurnamedasAbuHashim.Hewasnotableandhadahighpositionnear
theImams(a.s.).HemetImamar-Ridha,Imamal-Jawad,Imamal-Hadi,Imamal-Askari,andImamal-Mahdi(peacebeuponthem).Henarratedtraditionsfromthemall.HehadcomposedpoetryontheImamsandwrittenabook.Hewaspreferredbyrulers.Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Jawad,al-Hadi,andImamal-Askari’scompanions.[373]Al-Kashshisaid,‘AbuAmrsaidthatDawudhad a respectable, high position near Abu Ja’far (al-Jawad), Abul Hasan (al-Hadi), and AbuMuhammad(al-Askari)(peacebeuponthem).’[374]
61.DawudbinSakhinahas-Sarimi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[375]andsodidal-Barqi.An-
Najashisaid,‘HenarratedtraditionsfromImamar-Ridha(a.s.)andremainedaliveuntilthedaysofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andhehadlettersonsomequestionswithhim.’[376]
62.Raja’binYahyabinSamanAbulHusaynal-Aqraba’iy
He narrated traditions from Imam al-Hadi (a.s.).He narrated a thesis called al-Maqna’ah on the
lawsoftheShariathatwasnarratedfromhimbyAbulMufadhdhalash-Shaybani.[377]
63.Ar-Rayyanbinas-Salt
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamar-RidhaandImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaid
he was reliable.[378]Al-Kashshi mentioned thatMa’mar bin Khallad said, ‘Ar-Rayyan bin as-Salt,whenal-FadhlbinSahlwantedtosendhimtooneofthedistrictsofKhurHasan,saidtome,‘IwantyoutoaskpermissionformetocomeintoAbulHasan(peacebeonhim)togreetandfarewellhim.Ilikehimtogivemefromhisclothesandsomedirhamsthathavebeencoinedwithhisname.’WhenIwenttohim(toImamal-Hadi),heimmediatelysaidtome,‘OMa’mar,WhereisRayyan?
DoesheliketocometoussothatIgivehimfrommyclothesandfrommydirhams?’Isaid,‘Glorybe toAllah!ByAllah, he just askedme to ask you for that.’He said, ‘OMa’mar, the faithful aresuccessful.Askhimtocome!’Iaskedhimtocomeinandhedid.HegreetedImamal-Hadi(a.s.),whogave him one of his garments.When he came out, I found thirty dirhams in his hand.’[379] Thistraditionshowsthathewasfaithfulandtrustworthy.
64.As-SariybinSalamahal-Isfahani
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhehadwrittenabook.[380]
65.SulaymanbinHafswayh
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,andsodidal-Barqi.[381]
66.SulaymanbinDawudal-Marwazi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[382]
67.As-SindibinMuhammad
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[383]
68.AbuSa’eedSahlbinZiyad
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable.[384]
An-Najashisaid,‘Hewasweakintraditionsandunreliable.AhmadbinMuhammadbinEesaaccusedhimofexcessivenessandlying,andheexiledhimfromQumwherehelivedtoar-Riy.HewrotetoImamAbuMuhammad al-Askari throughMuhammad binAbdulHamid al-Attar.He hadwritten abookcalledat-Tawhid (monotheism) thatwasnarratedbyAbulHasanal-AbbasbinAhmadbinal-FadhlbinMuhammadal-Hashimyas-SalihifromhisfatherfromAbuSa’eedal-Adami,andhealsohadabookonrarities.’[385]IbnulGhadha’irisaidabouthim,‘Hewasveryweakinnarrationsandofbadbeliefs.Ahmadbin
MuhammadbinEesa al-Ash’ari exiledhim fromQum, announced that hewas free fromhim, andforbadepeoplefromlisteningtohimornarratingfromhim.Henarratedmursal[386]traditionsanddependedonunknownnarrators.’[387]
69.AbuNu’asSahlbinYa’qubbinIsaaq
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidthatheservedImam
al-Hadi(a.s.) inSurraManRa’aandmanagedhisaffairs.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidtohim,‘YouareAbuNu’asofthetruth.’[388]
70.ShahwayhbinAbdullah
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[389]HenarratedfromImam
al-Hadi(a.s.)andIsaaqbinMuhammadnarratedfromhimthetraditionoftheappointingofAl-Hasanal-Askari(a.s.)astheImamafterhisfather.[390]
71.AbulKhayrSalihbinSalamahar-Razi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[391]
72.SalihbinEesabinUmarbinBazi’
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[392]
73.SalihbinMuhammadal-Hamadani
Hewasreliable.Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[393]andso
didal-Barqi.IbnShahrashubsaidthathewasfromthetrustworthycompanionsofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).[394]
74.Abdusal-Attar
HewasfromKufa.Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[395]
75.Abdur-RahmanbinMuhammadbinTayfur
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[396]
76.Abdur-RahmanbinMuhammadbinMa’rufal-Qummi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[397]
77.Abdas-Samadal-Qummi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[398]
78.SharifAbdulAdheemal-Hasani
Hewas from the Prophet’s progeny.Hewas knowledgeable, pious, and religious.Herewe talk inbriefabouthim.
HisLineage
HislineagebelongstoImamAbuMuhammadal-HasanbinAlibinAbuTalib(a.s.),themasterof
theinhabitantoftheParadiseandbelovedoftheProphet(S).HewasthesonofAbdullahbinAlibinal-HasanbinZaydbinal-HasanbinAlibinAbuTalib(a.s.).[399]Definitely,therewasnolineageintheworldhigherormorehonorablethanthislineagewithwhichAllahhadhonoredtheArabsandtheMuslims.
HisReliabilityandKnowledge
Hewas reliable, fair, very religious, virtuous jurisprudent.AbuTurab ar-Rouyani said, ‘I heard
AbuHammadar-Razisaying:Once,IwenttoAlibinMuhammad(al-Hadi)(a.s.)inSurraManRa’aandaskedaboutsomethingsofhalalandharamandheansweredthemforme.WhenIsaidgoodbye,hesaid tome,‘OHammad, if there issomethingdubious toyouin themattersofreligioninyourdistrict, askAbdulAdheem al-Hasani about it and give himmy regards.’ This tradition show thatAbdulAdheemwasofgoodknowledgeandjurisprudence.
HisMeetingwithImamal-Hadi
HehadthehonorofmeetingwithImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andshowinghimhisbeliefs.HesaidtoImam
al-Hadi(a.s.),‘OsonofthemessengerofAllah,Iwanttoshowyoumyreligion(beliefs).Ifitpleasesyou,Iwillfixonit.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)smiledathimandsaid,‘OAbulQassim,speakout!’AbdulAdheemsaid,‘Isay:thereisnothingwhateverlikeAllahtheAlmighty.Heisfreefromthe
twolimits;thelimitofta’til(makingAllahabareunity)andthelimitoftashbih(thecomparingofAllahtothecreatures).Heisneitheramass,norashape,norashow,norasubstance,butHeistheEmbodierofmasses,theShaperofshapes,theCreatorofshowsandsubstances,theLord,theOwner,theMaker,andtheFormerofallthings.Muhammad,Hisslaveandmessenger,isthelastofprophets.Thereisnoprophetafterhimuntilthe
DayofResurrection,andhisreligionisthelastofreligionsthatthereisnoreligionafterituntiltheDay of Resurrection. And I say: the Imam, caliph, and guardian after him (after the Prophet) isAmir ’ul-Mu’mininAlibinAbuTalib(a.s.),andthenal-Hasan,andthenal-Husayn,andthenAlibinal-Husayn,and thenMuhammadbinAli,and thenJa’farbinMuhammad,and thenMusabinJa’far,andthenAlibinMusa,andthenMuhammadbinAli,andthenyoumymaster.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)turnedtohimandsaid,‘Andaftermeismysonal-Hasan.Whatshallpeopledo
withthesuccessor(Imamal-Mahdi)afterhim?’AbdulAdheemsaid,‘Howisthatmymaster?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Becauseheshallnotbeseen,anditshallbenotpermissibletomention
himbyhisname,untilhewillreappeartofilltheworldwithjusticeandfairnessafteritisfilledwithinjusticeandoppression.’AbdulAdheem said, ‘I acknowledge that and say: their guardian is the guardian ofAllah, their
enemy is the enemyofAllah, obeying them is the obedienceofAllah, anddisobeying them is thedisobedienceofAllah…andIsay:theProphet’sascension(totheHeavens)istrue,thequestioninginthegraveistrue,theParadiseistrue,theHellistrue,theRightWay(sirat)[400]istrue,theScaleistrue,theDayofResurrectionwillcomeundoubtedly,andAllahwillresurrectallthoseingraves.I say: theobligationsafter theguardianship (to the Imamsof theAhlulBayt)areprayer, fasting,
zakat,hajj,jihad,enjoiningtheright,andforbiddingthewrong.’Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) said, ‘OAbul Qassim, by Allah this is the religion of Allah which He has
determined for His people. Keep to it, may Allah fix you on the truth in this life and in theafterlife.’[401]
Hisflighttoar-Riy
WhentheAbbasidgovernmentexaggeratedinchasingandoppressingtheAlawids,AbdulAdheem
fledtoar-RiytobesafefromtheevilsoftheAbbasids.HelivedinthehouseofanotablemanfromtheShia.Historianssaidthattherehedevotedhimselftoworship.HefastedinthedayandspentthenightworshippingandsupplicatinghisLordlikehisfatherswhospent theirnightworshippingandsupplicating.Duringhisresidinginar-RiyhewentindisguisetovisitthetombofoneofImamMusabin Ja’far al-Kadhim’s sons[402]whowas, aswe think,SayyidAhmadknownasShah Jiragh.TheShia, who lived in ar-Riy, knew about the coming of Abdul Adheem and so they visited himsecretly[403]forfearofthegovernment.
HisDeath
SayyidAbdulAdheem lived inar-Riy for some time fearfullyandhis selfwas fullof sorrowandpainforhiscousinswhometdifferentkindsofinjusticeandoppressionfromtheAbbasidswhoboreenmityandgrudgeagainsttheAhlulBayt(a.s.).They(theAbbasids)deniedthemanddeniedalltheirrightsandtheypouredonthemallkindsofmisfortunesanddistresses.SharifAbdulAdheembecameseriouslyillandsufferedseverepains,thebitterestofwhichwashis
remoteness from his relatives and country. Death came near to him but his tongue was stillmentioningandpraisingAllah.Heleftthislifeinlonelinesswherenoonefromhisfamilywaswithhim.WithhisdeathabrightpagefromthepagesoftheIslamicjihadwasfoldedandthatflame,whichlit
thewayforpeopletowardstheirhonoranddignity,wasputout.Thepeopleofar-RiyofallclasseshastenedtoescortthehonoredcorpseoftheAlawidmaster.The
funeralswereheldsplendidlyandthesacredbodywascarriedtoitslastandeternalabode.Theybuilthimagreatshrinethatwasandisstillvisitedbyhundredsofvisitorseveryday.
79.AbuAmrUthmanbinSa’eedal-Umarias-Samman
Hewastrustworthyandpious.HeservedImamal-Hadi(a.s.)sincehewaselevenyearsold.[404]He
hadahighpositionneartheImam(a.s.).AhmadbinIsaaqal-Qummisaid,‘Oneday,IwenttoAbulHasanAlibinMuhammad(Imamal-Hadi)(blessingsbeonhim)andsaidtohim:Omymaster,sometimesIamhereandsometimesIamnot.Icannotcometoyouateverytime.Whosesayingsdoweacceptandwhoseordersdowefollow?’Hesaid, ‘This isAbuAmrthe trustworthy, thefaithful.Whateverhesays toyou is frommeand
whateverheinformsyouofisinbehalfofme.’WhenAbulHasan (a.s.)died, I referred tohis sonAbuMuhammadal-Hasanal-Askari (a.s.) and
askedhimonedayasIhadaskedhisfatherbefore.Hesaidtome,‘ThisisAbuAmrthetrustworthy,thefaithful.Heisthetrustoftheformersandmytrustinlifeanddeath.Whateverhesaystoyouisfrommeandwhateverheinformsyouofisinbehalfofme.’[405]This tradition shows that he had a high position and was trusted by the infallible Imams (a.s.)
besides that it showshisvirtueandknowledgeand thathewasanauthorityof fatwasandreligiousverdicts.
80.UrwabinYahyaad-Dahqan
Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[406]sodidSheikhat-Tusibuthe
said that he was cursed and perfidious.[407] Al-Kashshi mentioned that Muhammad binMusa al-HamadanisaidthatUrwabinYahyaal-Baghdadiknownasad-Dahqan,thecurseofAllahbeonhim,fabricatedliesagainstAbulHasanAlibinMuhammadal-Hadi(a.s.)andAbuMuhammadbinAlial-Askari(a.s.)afterhimandtooktheirmoniesforhimself.HefabricatedliesagainstAbuMuhammaduntilhecursedhimandorderedhisfollowerstocurseandprayAllahagainsthim.[408]
81.AlibinIbrahimal-Hamadani
Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions.[409] He narrated from
AbdullahbinHammadal-AnsariandhissonMuhammadnarratedfromhim.[410]
82.AlibinIbrahimbinHashimal-Qummi[411]
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.Hewasoneof theprominentpersonalitiesofknowledgeinhisageandhehadwrittenmanybooks.
83.AbulHasanAlibinAbuQurrah
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[412]
84.AlibinBilalal-Baghdadi
HenarratedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andhadwrittenabook.[413]Al-Kashshisaid,‘IfoundabookwiththehandwritingofJabra’ilbinAhmadthatMuhammadbinEesaal-Yaqtinisaid,‘Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrote toAli binBilal in232Ah: “In thenameofAllah, theBeneficent, theMerciful. I praiseAllah and thank Him for his might and mercy and pray Him to have blessing and mercy onMuhammadtheProphetandonhisprogeny.IhaveappointedAbuAliinthepositionofal-HusaynbinAbdRabbihandentrustedhimwiththatfortheknowledgehehasthatnooneispreferredtohim.IknowyouarethechiefofyourdistrictandsoIwantedtohonoryoubywritingthisbookonthat
toyou.Youhavetoobeyhimanddelivertohimalltheduesthatarewithyouandyouhavetoinformmymanumittedslavesandrecommendthemofthatforthiswillsupportandsufficehimandsaveuseffortsandpleaseus.Doingthis,youwillhavetherewardofAllahandAllahgiveswhoeverHelikes.He is theGiver,WhorewardswithHismercyandyouare in the trustofAllah. Ihavewritten thisletterwithmyhandwritingandIpraiseAllahtoomuch.”[414]Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrotethisbooktoAlibinBilalforhisreliabilityandfairnessandforhisgreat
lovetotheAhlulBayt(a.s.).Ali binBilal narrated fromMuhammad bin Isma’il binBazee’, andMuhammad binAhmad bin
Yahyanarratedfromhimatraditiononthevirtueof theziyaraof thebelieversandhowit isdone.[415]
85.AlibinJa’faral-Hamadani
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewashisagentandwas reliable.[416]An-Najashi said, ‘He had some questions to Abul Hasan al-Askari(a.s.).’[417]Sheikhat-Tusiconsideredhimasoneofthepraiseddeputies(ofImamal-Mahdi)andsaid,‘Hewasagood,virtuousmanfromtheagentsofAbulHasan(Imamal-Hadi)andAbuMuhammad(Imamal-Askari)(peacebeonthem).[418]AhmadbinAliar-RazinarratedthatAlibinMukhalladal-Ayadisaid,‘AbuJa’faral-UmarisaidtomethatonceAbuTahirbinBilalwenttoperformthehajjandhesawAlibinJa’farspendtoomuchmoney.When he went back, he wrote to Abu Muhammad (Imam al-Askari) (a.s.) about that and Abu
Muhammad(a.s.)repliedtohim:‘Wehaveorderedtogivehimonehundredthousanddinarsandthenanother one hundred thousand dinars but he refused to take them so thatwewould keep them forpeople…HewenttoAbulHasan(a.s.)andheorderedtogivehimthirtythousanddinars.’[419]HewaspreferredbyImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Once,therewasadisputebetweenhimandFaris.Ibrahim
binMuhammadwrotetotheImam(a.s.)tellinghimaboutthatandaskinghimtoshowhimwhichofthemheshouldfollow.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohimsaying,“Itshouldnotbeaskedaboutonelike thismanandheshouldneverbedoubted.ThepositionofAlibinJa’far issogreat tous.MayAllahpleaseuswithhim.Heisfarabovetobecomparedwithothers.GotoAlibinJa’fartosatisfyyourneeds,andfearFarisanddonotlethiminterfereinyouraffairs.Letyouandthosewhofollowyoufromthepeopleofyourcountrydothat.Ihavebeeninformedofwhathe(Faris)misrepresentedtopeople.Donotpayattentiontohiminsha’Allah!’[420]Oneday,therewasadisputebetweenAlibinJa’farandibnal-Qazwini.IbrahimbinMuhammad
al-HamadaniwrotealettertoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)tellinghimaboutthatandaskinghimtoshowhimwhichofthemheshouldfollow.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohimsaying,“Itshouldnotbeaskedaboutonelikethisman,andthereisnodoubtinhim.Allahhasglorifiedthe
positionof thepatient (Alibin Ja’far)where al-Qazwini is compared tohim!Go tohim to satisfyyourrequestsandquestionsandletthosewhofollowyougotohimtosatisfytheirneedsandanswertheir questions and to avoid al-Qazwini and not let him interfere in their affairs for I have beeninformedofwhathefabricatedamongpeople.Donotpayhimanyattentioninshalah!’[421]InapreviouschapterwehavementionedtheprayerofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)forAlibinJa’farwhen
hewasinprisonandthattheprayerwasrespondedtoandAliwasfreedfromprison.
86.Alibinal-Hasan
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[422]
87.Alibinal-HasanbinFadhdhal
Sheikh at-Tusimentionedhimas oneof Imamal-Hadi’s companions.[423]An-Najashi said, ‘He
was the best jurisprudent of our companions in Kufa and one of the notables there. He wastrustworthyandthemostawareofHadithamongthem.Ourcompanionslistenedtoandobeyedhim.Manytraditionswereheardfromhim.Nofaultwasfoundinhimandhewasaccusedofnothing.Heseldomnarratedfromaweaknarrator.HewasFatahite[424]anddidnotnarratefromhisfatheranytradition.When Iwas eighteen years, I discussedwith himon his books, but at that time I did notunderstandtraditionsanddidnotpermitmyselftonarratethembeforehim.Henarratedfromhistwobrotherswhonarratedfromtheirfather.Hehadwrittenmanybooks suchas thebookof“Wudu’”, “HaydhandNafas;menstruationand
puerperium”, “Salat; prayer”, “Zakat and Khums”, “Fasting”, “Manasik (rituals of) al-Hajj”,“Divorce”,“Nikah;marriage”andothers.’[425]Al-Kashshi said, ‘AbuAmr said: I askedAbuan-NadhrMuhammadbinMas’oudaboutall those
narratorsandhesaid,‘AsforAlibinal-HasanbinAlibinFadhdhal,IdidnotseeamongthosewhomIhadmetinIraqandKhurHasanonemoreknowledgeableorbetterthanAlibinal-Hasan(whowas)inKufa.Therewas no book about the Imams (a.s.) unless he had a copy of it.Hewas the best ofmemorizers,buthewasaFatahitebelievinginAbdullahbinJa’far(astheImam)andthenafterhimAbulHasanMusa(a.s.).Hewasreliable.’[426]
88.Alibinal-HasanbinAbdRabbih
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[427]andsodidal-Barqi.[428]
89.Alibinal-Husaynal-Hamadani
Hewasreliable.Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[429]andso
didal-Barqi.
90.AlibinRameesal-Baghdadi
Sheikh at-Tusimentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions and added that hewasweak.[430]
91.Alibinar-Rayyanbinas-Saltal-Ash’arial-Qummi
Hewasreliable.HehadacopyofthetraditionsofImamAbulHasantheThird(a.s.)andabookof
differenttraditions.Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[431]andsodidal-Barqi.[432]
92.AlibinZiyadas-Saymari
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[433]MuhammadbinYa’qub
narrated fromAli binMuhammad that Abu Aqeel Eesa bin Nasr said, ‘Ali bin Ziyad as-Saymariwrote(toImamal-Hadi)askinghimforashroudandherepliedtohim,“Youshallneeditintheyeareighty.”Hesenthimtheshroudsomedaysbeforehisdeath.’[434]
93.AlibinShira
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable.[435]
94.AlibinAbdulGhaffar
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[436]andsodidal-Barqi.[437]
95.AlibinAbdullah
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[438]
96.AlibinAbdullahbinJa’faral-Himyari
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[439]
97.AlibinAbdullahaz-Zubayri
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[440]
98.AlibinUbaydillah
Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanion,[441]andsodidSheikhat-Tusi.[442]
99.AlibinAmral-Attaral-Qazwini
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[443]andsodidal-Barqi.He
wasoneofthenarratorswhonarratedthetraditionoftheannouncingoftheImamateofImamAbuMuhammadal-Askari(a.s.)byhisfatherafterhim.[444]
100.AlibinMuhammadbinZiyadas-Saymari
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[445]TheauthorofMu'jam
Rijalal-HadithsawthatAlibinZiyadas-SaymarimentionedbeforeandthisAlibinMuhammadas-Saymariwerebutthesamemanandnottwo.[446]
101.AlibinMuhammadbinash-Shuja’an-Naysaburi
HenarratedtraditionsfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.).[447]
102.AlibinMuhammadbinShirahal-Qashani
Sheikhat-TusisaidhewasweakfromIsfahanfromthechildrenofZiyadthemawlaofAbdullah
bin Abbas from aal Khalid bin al-Azhar.[448] Al-Barqimentioned him as Ali binMuhammad al-Qashani and said he was from Imam al-Hadi’s companions. An-Najashi said, ‘He was a virtuousjurisprudentoftoomanytraditions.AhmadbinMuhammadbinEesacriticizedhimandsaidheheardfromhimdeniedbeliefs.Hehadwrittensomebookssuchas“Prayer”,and“al-Jami’”whichwasabigbookonjurisprudence.’
103.AlibinMuhammadal-Minqari
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[449]An-Najashisaidhewas
reliablefromKufaandhadwrittenabookonrarities.[450]
104.AlibinMuhammadan-Nawfali
Sheikh at-Tusimentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions,[451] and so did al-Barqi.
[452]HenarratedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andAhmadbinMuhammadnarratedfromhim.[453]
105.AlibinMahziyaral-Ahwaziad-Dawraqi
Hewasfromtheprominentulama’andoneofthefamousdisciplesofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Here,
wetalkinbriefabouthim:
Hisworship
Ali bin Mahziyar was unequaled in his piety and obedience. Narrators said that from his
worshippingwasthatwhenthesunrose,heprostratedhimselftoAllahandhedidnotraisehisheadfromprostrationuntilheprayedAllahforonethousandofhisbrothersasheprayedforhimself.OnhisforeheadtherewaslikethekneeofacamelbecauseofhismuchprostrationforAllah.[454]
Imamal-JawadPraisesHim
Imam al-Jawad (a.s.) praisedAli binMahziyar on some occasions. Once, hewrote him a letter
saying,‘O Ali, I have tested you and tried you in loyalty, obedience, service, reverence andperformanceofyourdutiesandifIsaythatIhavenotseenanyonelikeyou,Imightbetruthful.MayAllahrewardyouwiththeGardensofParadise.Neitheryourpositionnoryourservicesinthehotandcold and in the day and night have been unknown to me. I pray Allah, when He will gather thecreaturesontheDayofPunishment,tohaveenviablemercyonyou.HeistheHearerofprayer.’[455]
HisWorks
Hehadwrittenagoodcollectionofbooksshowinghisabundantknowledge.Fromamong these
booksare thefollowing:Wudu’,Prayer,Zakat,Fasting,Hajj,Divorce,Punishments,BloodMoney,at-Tafsir,TheVirtues,SettingSlavesFreeandManagement,Gains,Defects,Supplication,Courtesyand Chivalry, al-Mazar (shrine), Refuting the excessive, Recommendations, Inheritances, Khums,Witnesses,theVirtuesoftheBelievers,Heroism,Reservation(Taqiyyah),HuntingandSlaughtering,Asceticism, Drinks, Vows and Oaths and Penances, Letters (huroof), al-Qa’im (al-Mahdi), GoodTidings,Prophets,Rarities,theLettersofAlibinAsbat,andotherbooks.MostofthesebooksareonjurisprudentialsubjectswhichshowthathewasoneofthegreatjurisprudentsinIslam.
HisNarrations
AlibinMahziyarnarratedabout437traditionsfromImamal-Jawad(a.s.),Imamal-Hadi(a.s.),and
others.[456]HewasfromthepillarsoftheShiitecultureandwasnonesuchamongthescholarsandulama’ofhisage.
106.AlibinYahyaad-Dahqan
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasaccusedof
excessiveness.[457]
107.EesabinAhmad
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[458]andnarratedfromhim
manytraditions,fromwhichwasthisone:‘AbulHasanAlibinMuhammadal-Askari(al-Hadi)toldmefromhisfatherfromhisfathersthat(Imam)Ali(a.s.)said,‘ThemessengerofAllah(blessingandpeacebeuponhim) said (toAli): lethim,who likes tomeetAllah safe andpure, and the supremehorror not to grieve him, follow you and your sons al-Hasan, al-Husayn, Ali bin al-Husayn,MuhammadbinAli,Ja’farbinMuhammad,MusabinJa’far,AlibinMusa,Muhammad,Ali,al-Hasan,andthenal-Mahdiwhoisthelastofthem.’[459]
108.FarisbinHatimal-Qazwini
Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions (or just a narrator of his
traditions)andaddedthathewascursed,excessive.[460]Al-KashshimentionedthatNasrbinas-Sabahsaid, ‘Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) cursed al-Hasan bin Muhammad known as ibn Baba, Muhammad binNusayran-Namiri,andFarisbinHatimal-Qazwini.’[461]ManytraditionswererelatedtoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)oncursingthismanandwarningtheShiafrom
associating with him because he was a source of deviation and error. Here are some of thosetraditions:1.Urwahwrote to Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) aboutFarisandhe said, ‘Denywhathe saysanddisgrace
him.MayAllahexcludeanddisgracehim.Heisaliarinallthatheclaims.Butkeepyourselvesawayfromarguingwithhimorconsultingwithhim.Donotgivehimwayforevil.MayAllahsaveusfromhisburdenandtheburdenofhislike.’[462]2. IbrahimbinDawudal-Ya’qubiwrote to Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)abouthimandImamal-Hadi (a.s.)
replied,‘Payhimnoattention,andwhenhecomestoyou,dishonorhim!’[463]WeshallmentionhisdeviantopinionswhenweshallstudytheageoftheImaminacomingchapter.Anyhow,Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)orderedhisfollowerstokillthisdeviant,misguidingmanwhensaying,‘WhowillrelievemebykillinghimandIassureParadiseforhimbythewillofAllah?’[464]
109.Al-FathbinYazidal-Jirjani
Sheikh at-Tusimentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions,[465] and so did al-Barqi.
[466]An-Najashi said that hewas the author of “theQuestions” ormight be “theAnswers of theQuestions”–aswethink-thatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasaskedabout.
110.Al-FadhlbinShathanan-Nayshaburi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[467]Hewasfromthegreat
ulama’ and themost prominentmen of the Islamic intellect in his time.He studied and dealtwithdifferentsciencesandartsandwrotebooksonthem.Hereweshallmention,inbrief,somepointsonhim:
Imamal-HasanPraisesHim
Imamal-Hasanal-Askari(a.s.)praisedal-FadhlbinShathan.Whenonce,oneofal-Fadhl’sbooks
wasshowntoImamal-Askari(a.s.),hereadsomeofit,prayedAllahtohavemercyonal-Fadhl,andsaid,‘IenvythepeopleofKhurHasanthebeingofal-FadhlbinShathanamongthem.’Onceagain,hereadanotherbookofal-Fadhl,prayedAllahthreetimestohavemercyonal-Fadhl,andsaidaboutthebook,‘Itistruethatitshouldbeactedaccordingtoit.’[468]
ConfutingtheOpponents
Al-Fadhltookuponhimselftodefendhisbeliefsandrefutethespuriositiesraisedagainsthiscult.
Hesaid,‘Iamasuccessorofthosewhopassedaway.ImetMuhammadbinAbuUmayr,SafwanbinYahyaandothersandtookknowledgefromthemsincefiftyyearsago.Hishambinal-Hakampassedaway,mayAllahhavemercyonhim,andYounusbinAbdur-Rahmanwashissuccessor.Herefutedthedissenters.ThenYounusbinAbdur-Rahmanpassedawayandleftnosuccessorsexceptas-Sakkakwhorefutedthedissentersuntilhelefttothebetterworld.Iamthesuccessorafterthem,mayAllahhavemercyonthem.’[469]Hewasthesuccessorofthosegreatscholarswhostruggledanddefendedtheirhighprinciplesthat
theinfallibleImamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.)hadadopted.
HisWorks
Thisgreatscholarwroteondifferentsciencessuchasjurisprudence,tafsir,theology,philosophy,
linguistics, logic, and other fields of knowledge. The books he had written were more than onehundredandeighty.[470]SomeofthemwerementionedbySheikhat-Tusi,[471]an-Najashi,[472]ibnan-Nadim,[473]andothers.
111.Al-FadhlbinKathiral-Baghdadi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[474]
112.Al-Fadhlbinal-Mubarak
Henarrated traditions from Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) andMuhammadbinEesa al-Ubaydi narrated fromhim.[475]
113.Al-Qassimash-Sha’ranial-Yaqtini
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasaccusedof
excessiveness.[476]
114.Al-Qassimas-Sayqal
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[477]andsodidal-Barqi.He
narratedfromImamar-Ridha(a.s.)andImamal-Jawad(a.s.),andMuhammadbinAbdullahal-Wasitinarratedfromhim.[478]
115.Kafural-Khadim
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[479]sodidibnDawudand
saidhewasreliable.[480]
116.MuhammadbinAbuTayfural-Mutatabbib
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[481]
117.MuhammadbinAhmadbinIbrahim
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[482]
118.AbuAliMuhammadbinAhmadal-Mahmudi
Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions.[483] Al-Kashshi said, ‘I
foundinthebookofAbdullahash-Shathanithathehadwrittenwithhishandwriting:“Iheardal-FadhlbinHashimsaying,‘Al-Mahmudimentionedtomethathehadperformedthehajjmanytimes.Iaskedhimabouttheirnumberbuthedidnottellme.Hesaid,‘Ihavebeenendowedwithmuchgood(money),praisebetoAllah.’Isaidtohim,‘Doyouperformthehajjforyourselforforothers[484]?’Hesaid,‘AftertheobligatoryhajjofIslam,IperformthehajjforthemessengerofAllah(SwT)
andhisprogeny,andfor theguardiansofAllah, thebelievingmen,andbelievingwomenasfarasAllahhaspermittedme.’Isaidtohim,‘Whatdoyousayinyourhajj?’Hesaid,‘Isay:OAllah,IbeganforYourmessengerMuhammad(blessingbeonhimandonhis
progeny)andImademyrewardfromYouandhimforYourpureguardians(peacebeuponthem)anddonatedmyrewardfromthemforyourfaithfulslaveswhobelieveinYourBookandtheSunnaofYourProphet(blessingbeonhimandonhisprogeny…’[485]Thisshowshisgoodwillandbenevolence,andthattheeducationofthepureImams(a.s.)totheir
companionshasproducedsuchperfectpersons.
119.AbulHasanMuhammadbinAhmadbinUbaydillahbinal-Mansur
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[486]
120.MuhammadbinAhmadbinMutahhar
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[487]HenarratedfromImam
al-Hadi(a.s.),andAbdullahbinJa’farnarratedfromhim.[488]
121.MuhammadbinAhmadbinMihran
Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[489]
122.MuhammadbinIsma’ilas-Saymarial-Qummi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[490]
123.MuhammadbinJazzakal-Jammal
Hewas reliable. Sheikh at-Tusimentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions.[491] Ibn
ShahrashubsaidhewasfromthetrustworthycompanionsofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).
124.Muhammadbinal-HasanbinShammunal-Basri
Sheikh at-Tusimentionedhimas oneof Imamal-Hadi’s companions.[492]An-Najashi said, ‘He
wasaWaqifite[493]and thenwasexcessive.Hewasveryweakandofbadbeliefs…Hehadwritten“as-SunanwelAadabwaMakarimal-Akhlaq”,and“al-Ma’rifah”.’[494] Al-Kashshi mentioned from him his saying, ‘I wrote to Abu Muhammad (Imam al-Askari)
complainingofpovertyandthenIsaidtomyself:hasAbuAbdullah(Imamas-Sadiq)(a.s.)notsaid,‘Povertywithus (theAhlulBayt) is better thanwealthwithour enemy, andbeingkilledwithus isbetterthanlivingwithourenemy.’Thereplytomylettercamesaying,‘AllahtheAlmightytriesourfollowers,whentheirsinsincrease,bypoverty,andHemayforgivemany(ofsins),anditisasyourselfsaidtoyou:povertywithusisbetterthanwealthwithourenemy.Weareashelterforwhoeverresortstousandalightforwhoeverseekslight,andpreservationforwhoeverresortstous.Whoeverlovesuswillbewithusinthehighestposition,andwhoeverdeviatesfromuswillbeinFire.’AbuAbdullah(as-Sadiq)said,‘YouacknowledgethatyourenemywillbeinFireanddonotacknowledgethatyourguardianwillbeinParadise!Nothingpreventsyoufromthatbutweakness.’[495]Hediedwhenhewasonehundredandtwentyyears.Itwassaidthathenarratedfromeightymenof
thecompanionsofImamAbuAbdullahas-Sadiq(a.s.).[496]
125.Muhammadbinal-HasanbinAbual-Khattabaz-Zayyat
He was reliable man from Kufa. Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s
companions.[497]An-Najashisaid,‘Hewasaloftymanfromourcompanions.Hewasrespectable,reliable, and notable. He narrated many traditions and it was depended on his narrations. He hadwrittengoodbookssuchas“at-Tawhid”,“al-Ma’rifahwelBada’”,“ar-RaddalaAhlal-Qadar”,“al-Imamah”,“al-Lu’lu’ah”,“Wasayaal-A’immah”,“Rarities”.’[498]
126.MuhammadbinHamzaal-Qummi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[499]
127.Muhammadbinal-Husaynal-Fihri
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandaddedthathewascursed.[500]
128.Muhammadbinal-Husayn
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasfromAhwaz.[501]
129.AbulAbbasMuhammadbinKhalidar-Razi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[502]
130.MuhammadbinRaja’al-Khayyat
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[503]andsodidal-Barqi.
131.Muhammadbinar-Rayyanbinas-Salt
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable.[504]
An-NajashisaidtherewerequestionsbetweenhimandImamAbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.).[505]
132.MuhammadbinSa’eedbinKulthumal-Marwazi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasatheologian.
[506] Al-Kashshi mentioned from Nasr bin as-Sabah that Muhammad bin Sa’eed al-Marwazi wasfromtheprominenttheologiansinNaysabur.[507]
133.MuhammadbinSulaymanal-Jallab
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[508]
134.MuhammadbinŞayfial-Kufi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[509]
135.MuhammadbinAbdulJabbar
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliablefromQum.[510]
136.MuhammadbinAbdur-Rahmanal-Hamadanian-Nawfali
Al-BarqimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhehadletterswithAbul
Hasanal-Hadi(a.s.).[511]
137.MuhammadbinAbdullahbinMihranal-Karkhi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasaccusedof
excessiveness and weakness.[512] An-Najashi said, ‘He was excessive, a liar, irreligious, andunreliable and was famous for that. He had some books like “al-Mamdohin welMathmomin; thepraisedandthedispraised”,“Maqtal(murderof)AbulKhattab”,“Manaqib(virtuesof)AbulKhattab”,“al-Malahim; battles or heroisms”, “at-Tabsirah; enlightenment”, “al-Qibab; domes”, and “an-Nawadir; rarities” which was the nearest of them to the truth whereas the others were full offalsehood.’[513]
138.MuhammadbinAbdullahan-Nawfalial-Hamadani
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[514]
139.MuhammadbinUbaydillahat-Tahi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[515]
140.MuhammadbinAlibinEesaal-Ash’arial-Qummi
Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions.[516] An-Najashi said,
‘MuhammadbinAliwasanotablemaninQumandtheemironitappointedbytheking.Sowashisfather.HehadquestionswithAbuMuhammadal-Askari(a.s.).’[517]
141.MuhammadbinAlibinMahziyar
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable.[518]
IbnTawussaidhewasfromthewell-knowndeputiesandbabswhomtheTwelverShia,whobelievedintheImamateofal-HasanbinAli,didnotdisagreeon.[519]
142.MuhammadbinEesabinUbaydal-Yaqtini
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasweak.[520]Al-
Kashshimentionedthathehadwrittensomebookslike“al-Imamah”,“al-Wadhihal-Makshuffir-Radala Ahl al-Wuquf”, “Bu’d al-Isnad”, “Qurb al-Isnad”, “al-Wasaya”, “al-Lu’lu’”, “al-Masa’il al-Muharramah”, “adh-Dhiya’”, “Dhara’if”, “at-Tawqi’at”, “at-Tajammul wel-Muru’ah”, “al-Fay’ welKhums”,“ar-Rijal”,“az-Zakat”,“Thawabal-A’mal”,and“an-Nawadir”.[521]
143.Muhammadbinal-Farajar-Rakhji
Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions.[522] There were firm
communicationsandmanycorrespondencesbetweenhimandImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Herearesomeofthelettersthatwerebetweenthem:1.Al-KashshimentionedthatMuhammadbinal-Farajsaid,“IwrotetoAbulHasan(al-Hadi)(a.s.)
askinghimaboutAbuAlibinRashid,EesabinJa’farbinAasim,andibnBand,andherepliedtomesaying,‘YouhavementionedbinRashid,mayAllahhavemercyonhim.Helivedhappyanddiedasamartyr.’AndheprayedAllahforibnBandandbinAasim.”[523]2.Al-KulaynimentionedthatAlibinMuhammadan-Nawfalisaid,“Muhammadbinal-Farajsaidto
me, ‘AbulHasan(al-Hadi)wrote tohim, ‘OMuhammad,manageyouraffairsandbecareful!”MyaffairsweremanagedandIwascarefulandIdidnotknowwhatforhewrotetomesountilanagentfrom the government came, tied me, and carried me from Egypt after confiscating all what Ipossessed. Iwere inprison foreightyearsand thenabookcame tomefromhim(fromImamal-Hadi)inprisonsaying,‘OMuhammad,donotresideintheWesternDistrict!’Ireadthebookandsaidtomyself: hewrites tome so, though I am inprison! It iswonderful!!After a little time Iwas setfree.’ThenMuhammadbinal-Farajwrotetohim(toImamal-Hadi)askingabouthispropertiesandhe
replied that theywouldbegivenback tohim.WhenMuhammadwent toal-Askar,hewrote tohimaboutgivinghispropertiesbacktohimbuthediedbeforethat.”[524]ThislettershowsthattheImam(a.s.) trustedandassistedMuhammad.WhenMuhammadbecame ill, Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) senthimagarment.Heputthegarmentunderhisheadandwhenhedied,hewasenshroudedwithit.
144.Muhammadbinal-Fadhl
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,[525]andsodidal-Barqi.
145.Muhammadbinal-Fadhlal-Baghdadi
HenarratedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.),andAbdullahbinJa’faral-Himyarinarratedfromhim.[526]
146.AbuAbdullahMuhammadbinal-QassimbinHamzabinMusaal-Alawi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[527]
147.MuhammadbinMarwanal-Jallab
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable,[528]
andsodidal-Barqi.
148.MuhammadbinMarwanal-Khattab
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[529]
149.MuhammadbinMusabinFurat
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[530]
150.MuhammadbinMusaar-Rab’iy
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[531]
151.MuhammadbinYahyabinDaryab
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[532]
152.MasqalahbinIsaaqal-Qummial-Ash’ari
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[533]
153.Mu’awiyabinHakeembinMu’awiyabinAmmaral-Kufi
Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’s companions.[534]An-Najashi saidabout
him,‘Hewasreliable,notablefromthecompanionsofImamar-Ridha(a.s.).AbuAbdullahal-Husaynsaid,‘Iheardoursheikhssaying:Mu’awiyabinHakeemnarratedtwenty-fourtraditionsonusul,andhad written some books like “Divorce”, “Menstruation”, “Obligations”, “Marriage”, “Penalties”,“BloodMonies”,andabookofrarities.’[535]
154.Mansurbinal-Abbasar-Razi
Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’scompanions.[536]An-Najashisaid, ‘His
statewasuncertain.Hehadabigbookonrarities.’[537]
155.MusabinDawudal-Ya’qubi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[538]HewasaTwelverShia
butunknown.
156.MusabinUmarbinBazee’themawlaofal-Mansur
Hewas reliable. Sheikh at-Tusimentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions,[539] and
saidhehadabookonrarities.[540]
157.MusabinUmaral-Hadheen
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[541]
158.MusabinMurshidal-Warraqan-Nayshaburi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[542]HewasaTwelverShia
butunknown.
159.NasrbinMuzahimal-Qummi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[543]
160.An-NadhrbinMuhammadal-Hamadani
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions,andsaidhewasreliable.[544]
Allama(al-Hilli)saidinal-Hawithathewasreliable.
161.YahyabinAbuBakrar-Raziadh-Dharir
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[545]
162.YahyabinMuhammad
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[546]Hewasunknown.
163.AbuYusufYa’qubbinIsaaqad-Dawraqial-Ahwazi
Hewasknownasibnas-Sikkit.Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[547]HewaspreferredbyImamal-Jawad(a.s.)andImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Theycaredmuchforhim.HenarratedtraditionsfromImamal-Jawad(a.s.)andhadsomequestionswithhim.[548]Ibnas-Sikkitwasexpert in linguistics, literature,Poetry,andgrammarofArabicandhadwritten
manybookssuchas“Tahthibal-Alfadh”and“Islahal-Mantiq”.IbnKhillikanmentioned that some scholar said, ‘Nobookon linguistics has ever passed across
thebridgeofBaghdadlikethebookof“Islahal-Mantiq”.Thereisnodoubtthatitisfromtheuseful,interestingbooksincludingmanysidesoflanguage.Wedonotknowabooklikeitinthisconcern.Manyscholarswereinterestedinthebook.Al-Waziral-Maghribisummarizedit.Al-Khatibat-Tabrizieditedit.IbnKhillikanmentionedthatAbulAbbasal-Mubarridsaid,‘Ihavenotseenabookforthepeople
of Baghdad better than the book of ibn as-Sikkit in logic.’ Tha’lab said, ‘Our companions haveagreed on that there is no one, after ibn al-I’rabi, more aware in linguistics than ibn as-Sikkit.’[549]Al-Mutawakkil, theAbbasidcaliph,killedhimbecauseofhis loyalty to theAhlulBayt(a.s.).Weshalldetailthisinacomingchapter.
164.Ya’qubal-Bajali
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[550]HewasaTwelverShia
butunknown.
165.Ya’qubbinManqush
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-HadiandImamal-Askari’scompanions.[551]
166.AbuYusufal-KatibYa’qubbinYazidbinHammadal-Annbarias-Salami
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable.[552]
Hesaidinal-Fihristthathehadwrittensomebooksoneofwhichwasabookofrarities.An-Najashisaid,‘Hewasoneoftheclerksofal-Muntasir(theAbbasidcaliph).HenarratedfromAbuJa’farthesecond (a.s.)…He was reliable and truthful. He had some books like “al-Bada’”, “al-Masa’il”,“Nawadiral-Hajj”,and“at-Ta’nalaYounus”.’[553]
167.AbuBakrbinAbuTayfural-Fahmakial-Mutatabbib
Sheikh at-Tusi mentioned him as one of Imam al-Hadi’s companions.[554] He was from the
narratorswhonarrated the traditionof theannouncingof theImamateof Imamal-Askari (a.s.).Hesaid, ‘Abul Hasan (al-Hadi) wrote to me saying, “My son Abu Muhammad is the most loyal ofaal[555]Muhammadandthefirmestinauthority.Heistheeldestofmysonsandheisthesuccessor.TohimistheImamateanditsverdicts.Whateveryouaskedmeaboutyoucanaskhimaboutforhehasallwhatyouneed.’[556]
168.AbulHusaynbinHilal
Sheikhat-Tusimentionedhimasoneof Imamal-Hadi’scompanions.[557]Allamahal-Hilli[558]
andal-Majlisi[559]saidhewasreliable.
169.AbulHusaynal-Hudhayni
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliable.[560]
170.AbuTahir
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasthebrotherof
MuhammadbinMuhammad.[561]
171.AbuTahirbinHamzabinal-Yasa’al-Ash’ari
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasreliablefromQum.[562]
172.AbuTahirMuhammad
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[563]
173.AbuAbdullahal-Mughazi
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidhewasexcessive.[564]
174.AbuAbdullahal-Mukari
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[565]
175.AbuMuhammadbinIbrahim
Sheikhat-TusimentionedhimasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanions.[566]
176.AbuYahyaal-Jirjani
HewasAhmadbinDawudbinSa’eedal-Fazari.[567]
177.Kulthumal-Karkhiyya
Sheikhat-TusimentionedherasoneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionsandsaidthatAbdur-Rahman
ash-Sha’eeri,thefatherofAbdur-RahmanbinDawudal-Baghdadi,narratedfromher.[568]Notes:[280]Rijalat-Tusi,p.409.[281]Rijalal-Barqi.[282]Rijalat-Tusi,p.409.[283]Rijalal-Barqi.[284]Rijalat-Tusi.[285]Rijalal-Barqi.[286]Rijalal-Kashshi.[287]Rijalat-Tusi.[288]Rijalat-Tusi.[289]Rijalal-Kashshi.[290]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.1p.118.[291]Rijalat-Tusi.[292]Rijalal-Barqi.[293]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.1p.121-122.[294]Rijalat-Tusi.[295]Rijalal-Kashshi.[296]Ibid.[297]Rijalat-Tusi.[298]Rijalan-Najashi.[299]Rijalal-Kashshi.[300]Rijalat-Tusi.[301]Ibid.[302]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.2p.48.[303]Rijalal-Barqi.[304]Rijalat-Tusi.[305]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.2p.32.[306]Rijalat-Tusi.[307]Rijalan-Najashi.[308]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.2[309]Rijalat-Tusi.[310]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.2[311]Rijalat-Tusi.[312]Rijalal-Barqi.[313]Rijalat-Tusi.[314]Rijalat-Tusi.[315]Ibid.[316]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith.[317]Rijalat-Tusi.
[318]Ibid.[319]Ibid.[320]Rijalan-Najashi.[321]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.3p.307.[322]Rijalat-Tusi,p.411.[323]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.4p.49.[324]Rijalal-Barqi.[325]Rijalat-Tusi.[326]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.4p.307.[327]At-Tahthib.[328]Rijalan-Najashi.[329]Rijalat-Tusi.[330]Ibid.[331]Ibid.[332]Ibid.[333]Rijalat-Tusi.[334]Rijalat-Tusi.[335]Rijalan-Najashi.[336]Rijalat-Tusi.[337]Ar-Risalahal-Adadiyyah.[338]Rijalal-Kashshi.[339]Rijalal-Kashshi.[340]Rijalal-Kashshi.[341]Rijalat-Tusi.[342]Rijalan-Najashi.[343]Rijalat-Tusi.[344]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.5p.30-31.[345]Rijalat-Tusi.[346]Rijalan-Najashi.[347]Rijalat-Tusi.[348]Qur'an,17:74.[349]Qur'an,39:65.[350]Rijalal-Kashshi.[351]Rijalat-Tusi.[352]InearlyShiism“bab”denotestheseniorauthorizeddiscipleoftheImam.[353]Rijalal-Kashshi.[354]Rijalat-Tusi.[355]Ibid.[356]Ibid.[357]Ibid.[358]Rijalal-Barqi.[359]Rijalan-Najashi.[360]Rijalal-Kashshi.[361]Rijalat-Tusi.[362]Rijalal-Kashshi.[363]Rijalat-Tusi.[364]Ibid.
[365]Ibid.[366]Ibid.[367]Rijalan-Najashi.[368]Rijalat-Tusi.[369]Rijalat-Tusi.[370]Ibid.[371]Ibid.[372]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.7p.92.[373]Rijalal-Barqi.[374]Rijalal-Kashshi.[375]Rijalat-Tusi.[376]Rijalan-Najashi.[377]Ibid.[378]Rijalat-Tusi.[379]Rijalal-Kashshi.[380]Rijalat-Tusi.[381]Rijalat-Tusi,Rijalal-Barqi.[382]Rijalat-Tusi.[383]Ibid.[384]Ibid.[385]Rijalan-Najashi.[386]Amursaltraditionisatraditionthatisnarratedwithacutseriesofnarrators.[387]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.8p.340.[388]Rijalat-Tusi,p.415.[389]Ibid.[390]Usulal-Kafi.[391]Rijalat-Tusi.[392]Ibid.[393]Rijalat-Tusi.[394]Al-Manaqib.[395]Rijalat-Tusi.[396]Ibid.[397]Ibid.[398]Ibid.[399]Rijalan-Najashi.[400]SiratisabridgethatdominatesHellontheDayofResurrection.[401]AmaliofSheikhas-Saduq,andmentionedinbriefinWassa’ilash-Shia,vol.1p.13.[402]Rijalan-Najashi.[403]Ibid.[404]Rijalat-Tusi.[405]Al-Ghaybah.[406]Rijalal-Barqi.[407]Rijalat-Tusi.[408]Rijalal-Kashshi.[409]Rijalat-Tusi.[410]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.11p.222.[411]Ibid.p.203.[412]Rijalat-Tusi.
[413]Rijalan-Najashi.[414]Rijalal-Kashshi.[415]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.11p.301.[416]Rijalat-Tusi.[417]Rijalan-Najashi.[418]Al-Ghaybah.[419]Rijalal-Kashshi.[420]Rijalal-Kashshi.[421]Rijalal-Kashshi.[422]Rijalat-Tusi.[423]Rijalat-Tusi.[424]A sect believing thatAbdullah al-Aftah the sonof Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (s)was the Imam
afterhisfather.[425]Rijalan-Najashi.[426]Rijalal-Kashshi.[427]Rijalat-Tusi.[428]Rijalal-Barqi.[429]Rijalat-Tusi.[430]Ibid.[431]Ibid.[432]Rijalal-Barqi.[433]Rijalat-Tusi.[434]Ibid.[435]Ibid.[436]Rijalat-Tusi.[437]Rijalal-Barqi.[438]Rijalat-Tusi.[439]Ibid.[440]Ibid.[441]Rijalal-Barqi.[442]Rijalat-Tusi.[443]Ibid.[444]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.11p.114.[445]Rijalat-Tusi.[446]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.12p.154.[447]Ibid.p.60.[448]Rijalat-Tusi.[449]Rijalat-Tusi.[450]Rijalan-Najashi.[451]Rijalat-Tusi.[452]Rijalal-Barqi.[453]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.12p.193.[454]Rijalal-Kashshi,vol.2p.825.[455]Rijalal-Kashshi.[456]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.12p.194.[457]Rijalat-Tusi.[458]Rijalat-Tusi.
[459]Al-Ghaybah.[460]Rijalat-Tusi.[461]Rijalal-Kashshi.[462]Ibid.[463]Ibid.[464]Rijalal-Kashshi.[465]Rijalat-Tusi.[466]Rijalal-Barqi.[467]Rijalat-Tusi.[468]Rijalal-Kashshi.[469]Rijalal-Kashshi.[470]Rijalal-Kashshi.[471]Al-Fihristbyat-Tusi.[472]Rijalan-Najashi.[473]Al-Fihristbyibnan-Nadim.[474]Rijalat-Tusi.[475]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.12p.339.[476]Rijalat-Tusi.[477]Ibid.[478]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.13p.73.[479]Rijalat-Tusi.[480]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith.[481]Rijalat-Tusi.[482]Ibid.[483]Ibid.[484]Thattherewardofthehajjisintendedtobeforothers.[485]Rijalal-Kashshi.[486]Rijalat-Tusi.[487]Rijalat-Tusi.[488]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.15p.26.[489]Rijalal-Barqi.[490]Rijalat-Tusi.[491]Ibid.[492]Ibid.[493]ThewaqifiteswereagroupofpeoplebelievingintheImamateofthefirstsevenImamsfrom
ImamAli(a.s.)toImamMusabinJa’faral-Khadhim(a.s.)anddidnotbelieveintherestfiveImams.[494]Rijalan-Najashi.[495]Rijalal-Kashshi.[496]Rijalan-Najashi.[497]Rijalat-Tusi.[498]Rijalan-Najashi.[499]Rijalat-Tusi.[500]Ibid.[501]Rijalat-Tusi.[502]Ibid.[503]Ibid.[504]Ibid.
[505]Rijalan-Najashi.[506]Rijalat-Tusi.[507]Rijalal-Kashshi.[508]Rijalat-Tusi.[509]Rijalat-Tusi.[510]Ibid.[511]Rijalal-Barqi.[512]Rijalat-Tusi.[513]Rijalan-Najashi.[514]Rijalat-Tusi.[515]Rijalat-Tusi.[516]Ibid.[517]Rijalan-Najashi.[518]Rijalat-Tusi.[519]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.17p.34.[520]Rijalat-Tusi.[521]Rijalal-Kashshi.[522]Rijalat-Tusi.[523]Rijalal-Kashshi.[524]Usulal-Kafi.[525]Rijalat-Tusi.[526]Mu'jamRijalal-Hadith,vol.17p.152.[527]Rijalat-Tusi.[528]Ibid.[529]Ibid.[530]Ibid.[531]Ibid.[532]Rijalat-Tusi.[533]Ibid.[534]Ibid.[535]Rijalan-Najashi.[536]Rijalat-Tusi.[537]Rijalan-Najashi.[538]Rijalat-Tusi.[539]Rijalat-Tusi.[540]Al-FihristbySheikhat-Tusi.[541]Rijalat-Tusi.[542]Ibid.[543]Al-Fihristbyat-Tusi.544]Rijalat-Tusi.[545]Ibid.[546]Ibid.[547]Rijalat-Tusi.[548]Tanqihal-Maqal,vol.3p.329.[549]Al-KunawelAlqab,vol.1p.314.[550]Rijalat-Tusi.[551]Ibid.[552]Rijalat-Tusi.
[553]Rijalan-Najashi.[554]Rijalat-Tusi.[555]Theprogenyorfamilyof.[556]Usulal-Kafi.[557]Rijalat-Tusi.[558]Al-Khulasah.[559]Al-Wajizah.[560]Rijalat-Tusi.[561]Rijalat-Tusi.[562]Ibid.[563]Ibid.[564]Ibid.[565]Ibid.[566]Ibid.[567]Tanqihal-Maqal,vol.4p.39.[568]Rijalat-Tusi.
7ChapterImamal-HadiinSamarra’
Imam Ali al-Hadi (a.s.) lived most of his life in Surra Man Ra’a (Samarra’). The Abbasid
governmentimposedonhimhousearrest.Hewaslikeaprisoner.ThepolicemenandinvestigatorsoftheAbbasidssurroundedhishousewatchingallhismovementsandeveryoneassociatingwithhimorcarryingmoneytohim.Hesufferedtheseverestpoliticalpressureduringthereignofal-Mutawakkil,theAbbasidtyrant,whosavednoeffortinoppressingtheAlawids.Duringhisdarkrule,theAlawidsfaceddifferentkindsofmisfortunesanddisasters.Weshalltalkaboutthatindetailsthroughthebook.Anyhow,wetalkinbriefabouttheImam(a.s.)whenhewasinYathrib(Medina)andthereasonsthat
forcedhimtoleaveittoSurraManRa’aandwhathappenedtohimwithal-Mutawakkil.
InYathrib
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)livedinYathrib,hisbirthplaceandthecountryofhisfathers.Hespenthistime
in spreading knowledge and morals and in educating people the Islamic principles. He took theProphet’sMosque as school for that. Ulama’, jurisprudents, and narrators surrounded him takingfromthespringsofhisknowledgethatheacquiredfromhisfatherswhohadilluminatedthelifeofmanwiththelightofknowledgeandfaith.Ashewasafertilesourcefortheintellectual,scientificlifeinYathrib,hewastheonlysourcethat
providedstudentswithmoneyandmaterialmeansbesidesproviding thepoorandneedywithwhatthey needed. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) did not only help or pay charity to the people ofYathrib, but hiskindnessincludedallsidesoftheirlives.Hecomfortedtheminsorrowandinjoy.Hevisitedthesick,participatedinfunerals,showedkindnesstotheyoungandold,andcaredforwidowsandorphans.Hespared no good and favor unless he did to them. In return, they were very loyal to him. Theysurroundedhimwiththeirheartsandfeelingsandmadehimdwellinthedeepoftheirsouls.
BetrayingtheImam
Some irreligious persons, who envied people of noble birth, bore grudge against Imam Abul
Hasan (a.s.).The virtues andhigh position Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) had amongpeople displeased thosepersons. From the bitterest enemies of Imam al-Hadi (a.s.)wasAbdullah binMuhammadwho hadbeen appointed by al-Mutawakkil as the wali over Yathrib. This man often intended to harm andtroubleImamal-Hadi(a.s.).Heinformedal-MutawakkilagainsttheImam.He told the caliph that the gathering of the public around Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) caused the state
dangers, and that greatmonies came to him from thedifferent countries of the Islamicnation thatweapons might be bought with those monies to stand against the Abbasid state, and there was apossibilityofarevolttooverthrowtheAbbasidgovernment.He asked al-Mutawakkil to arrest Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) lest hewouldbe powerful enough that the
governmentwouldnotbeabletoresisthim.Al-Mutawakkilwasupsetandworriedandheinformedhisviziersofthematter.
FrustratingthePlot
WhenImamal-Hadi (a.s.)knewabout theplotof thisvillain,he feared thatal-Mutawakkilmight
facehimwithsevereproceduresforheknewthatal-MutawakkilwasoneofthebitterestenemiestotheAhlulBayt(a.s.). Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrotealettertoal-Mutawakkilcomplainingatthegrudgeandthebadtreatmentofhiswaliagainsthim(Imamal-Hadi)andinformedhimofthefalsenessofhistalebearing. Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) assuredal-Mutawakkil thathedidnot intendanyharmagainsthimanddidneverthinkofrevoltingagainsthisrule.Al-MutawakkilwascertainofthetruthfulnessofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andhisinnocenceofallthat
whichwasimputedtohim.
TheLetterofal-MutawakkiltoImamal-Hadi
Al-MutawakkilsentalettertoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)replyingtohisletterandhedeposedhisofficialthevillainwaliofYathrib.HeinvitedtheImamtocometoSurraManRa’atobeunderhousearrestsothathewouldbeunderhiswatch.Hereisthetextoftheletter:“Amir ’ul-Mu’minin(al-Mutawakkil)knowsyourposition, regardsyourkinship,considerswhat
youandyourfamilyneedtomanageyouraffairs,fixyourgloryandtheirglory,andassuresafetyforyouandfor them.Hejustwants,outof that, thecontentmentofAllahand tocarryouthisdutytowardsyouandtowardsthem.Therefore,Amir ’ul-Mu’minin thought todeposeAbdullahbinMuhammad fromhis post in the
city of the messenger of Allah (SwT) for what you have mentioned that he ignored your right,slighted your high position, and ascribed to you thatwhichAmir ’ul-Mu’minin is certain you areinnocentofandhebelievesyourgoodwill.Amir ’ul-Mu’mininappointedMuhammadbinal-Fadhlandorderedhimtorespectandglorifyyou,andtofollowyourordersandopinions,tobeclosetoAllahandtoAmir ’ul-Mu’mininthroughthat.Amir ’ul-Mu’mininlongstoyou,andlikestomeetandlookatyou.Wouldyoupleasehurrytovisitandresidewithhimasyoulike?Youarefreetobringfromyourfamily,followers,andservantswhomyoulike.Youtravelwhen
you want, come when you want, and move however you want. And if you like that Yahya binHarthama themawla of Amir ’ul-Mu’minin and the soldiers with him to accompany you in yourtravel,anditisuptoyou.Wehaveorderedhimtoobeyyou.AskAllahtochoosewhatisbestforyouuntil you will come to Amir ’ul- Mu’minin. None of his (Amir ’ul- Mu’minin al-Mutawakkil’s)brothers,hischildren,family,andclosecompanionsismorepreferredtoyounearhim,orofcloserpositiontohimthanyou,andheisnotkinder,moreloyal,ormorefaithfultowardsanyofthemthantowardsyou.Thepeace,mercy,andblessingsofAllahbeonyou.’[569]
TheworryofthePeopleofMedina
Al-MutawakkilorderedYahyabinHarthamatotraveltoYathribtobringImamal-Hadi(a.s.)toSurraManRa’aandtoinvestigatetheaccusationclaimingthatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)hadintendedtoresisttheruleandrevoltagainstthegovernment.Al-Mutawakkilgavetheletter,whichhehadwrittentoImamal-Hadi(a.s.),toYahya.YahyatraveledtoYathrib.WhenthepeopleofYathribknewabouthistask,theyworriedandfeared
toomuchforImamal-Hadi(a.s.)fromtheviolenceofthetyrantagainsthim.TheylovedImamal-Hadi (a.s.) so much, for he kept to the mosque of the Prophet (S) feeding their ulama’ with hisknowledge, giving charities to their poor, and he had no any tendency towards the worldly life.[570]Yahyabegancalmingdownpeople’sworryand fear and swore to them thathehadnotbeenorderedtodotheImamanywrong.Theybelievedhimandcalmeddown.
SearchingtheImam’sHouse
YahyaandhismensearchedthehouseofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)thoroughlybutdidnotfindanything
savecopiesoftheHolyQur'anandbooksofdu’a.itappearedthatwhatwasimputedtotheImam(thathishousewasfullofweaponsandmoney)wasfalse.[571]
SendingtheImamtoSurraManRa’a
Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)was forced to leaveYathrib toSamarra’.His family accompaniedhim in the
travel.Yahya,whoadmiredtheguidanceandpietyofImamal-Hadi(a.s.),himselfservedtheImamduringthetravel.ThecaravancoveredthedesertuntilitarrivedinBaghdad.Al-Ya’qubisaid thatwhenImamal-Hadi(a.s.)arrivedinal-Yasiriyya,IsaaqbinIbrahimreceived
himandsawhowpeoplewereeagertomeetandsitwiththeImam.SohewastakentoBaghdadinthenight.[572]YahyawenttovisitthegovernorofBaghdadIsaaqbinIbrahimadh-Dhahiriandinformedhimofthematter.Isaaqsaidtohim,‘Thisman(Imamal-Hadi)isthesonofthemessengerofAllah(SwT)andyouknowthatal-Mutawakkilisdeviant.Ifyouinformal-MutawakkilofawordagainsttheImam,hewillkillhim,andthentheProphet(S)willbeyouropponentontheDayofResurrection.’Yahyasaid,‘ByAllah,Ididnotknowfromhim(Imamal-Hadi)whatIdeny,anddidnotseefrom
himexceptgood.’They left Baghdad towards Samarra’. When they arrived inSamarra’, Yahya visitedWaseef at-
Turkiwhowasfromtheprominentstatesmen.HeinformedhimofthearrivaloftheImam.Waseefwarnedhim fromsaying toal-Mutawakkil anything thatmightharm the Imam.He said tohim, ‘OYahya,byAllah,ifonehairfallsfromhim(Imamal-Hadi),noonewillberesponsibleforitexceptyou.’YahyawasastonishedattheagreementofIsaaqandWaseefonrecommendinghimofkeepingthe
Imamsafe.[573]
InKhanas-Sa’alik
Al-MutawakkilorderedhismentoputImamal-Hadi(a.s.)upinKhanas-Sa’alik[574]todishonor
anddegradehimbeforethepublic.SalihbinSa’eedvisitedhiminthekhanandbecameuneasyforseeinghiminthatplace.HesaidtotheImam,‘MayIdieforyou!Theywantedtoputoutyourlightandtodegradeyou,sotheyputyouupinthisworstkhan(caravansary);Khanas-Sa’alik.’Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) lookedat himwithkindness and sympathy.He thankedhim forhis feelings,
comfortedhispainanduneasiness,andshowedhimfromthemiracles thatAllahhadprovidedHisprophetsandguardianswith,[575]andsoSalihcalmeddownandbecamesatisfied.
TheMeetingBetweentheImamandal-Mutawakkil
Yahyatoldal-Mutawakkilaboutthegoodconducts,asceticism,andpietyofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).He
toldhimthathesearchedhishousebutdidnotfindinitsavecopiesoftheQur'anandbooksofdu’aand thathewas innocentofall thatwhichwas imputed tohim.Thesewords removed the rageandanger of al-Mutawakkil against the Imam.Al-Mutawakkil ordered hismen to allow Imam al-Hadi(a.s.)tocomeintohim.WhenImamal-Hadi(a.s.)camein,al-Mutawakkilwelcomedhimwithmuchrespectandgavehimgoodpresents.[576]HeobligedhimtoremaininSurraManRa’atobeunderwatch.Whenal-Mutawakkilhouse-arrestedImamal-Hadi(a.s.),theImamboughtahousefromDalilbinYa’quban-Nasrani and livedwithhis family in it.He lived in thishouseuntil hediedandwasburiedinit.[577]
Al-MutawakkilReferstotheImam’sFatwas
Al-Mutawakkil found it inevitable to refer to Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) in the questions he faced. He
preferredhisfatwastothefatwasofallthejurisprudentsofhisage.Herearesomeofthequestionsthatal-MutawakkilreferredtoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)fortheiranswers:1.Al-MutawakkilhadaChristianclerkwhowaspreferablebyhim.Becausehelovedhimtoomuch
hesurnamedhimasAbuNoah.Someotherclerksdeniedthatandsaidthatitwasnotpermissibletosurnameanunbeliever.Al-Mutawakkilaskedthejurisprudentstogivehimafatwaonthatbuttheydidnotagreeononefatwa.Someofthemsaiditwaspermissibleandotherssaiditwasnot.HesentthequestiontoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)whowrotetohimwiththisanswer,(PerditionovertakebothhandsofAbu Lahab, and he will perish).[578]This answer was the most wonderful answer in the field offatwas.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)quotedthisQur ’anicversethatdeclaredthepermissibilityofsurnamingtheunbelievers.Al-MutawakkilfollowedthisfatwaofImamal-Hadi(a.s.).[579]2. Once, al-Mutawakkil became ill and he vowed that if Allah healed him, he would paymany
dinarsascharity.Whenherestoredtohealth,hegatheredthejurisprudentsandaskedthemabouttheamountofthemoneyheshouldpayascharitytofulfillhisvow,buttheydisagreedonthat.Then,heaskedImamal-Hadi (a.s.)about that. Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) said thatal-Mutawakkilhad topayeighty-threedinars.Thejurisprudentswereastonishedatthatandaskedal-Mutawakkil,‘Wherefromdidheget this answer?’ Al-Mutawakkil wrote to Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) asking him about the source of hisanswer, and Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) replied, ‘Allah theAlmighty says, (Allahhasgivenyouvictory inmany battlefields).[580] All our ancestors narrated that the battlefields were eighty-three.’[581]Hesaid in theendof theanswer,‘WhatevermoregoodAmir ’ul-Mu’minindoesshallbemoreusefulandrewardabletohiminthislifeandintheafterlife.’[582]3. One day, a Christianman, who had committed adultery with aMuslimwoman, was brought
beforeal-Mutawakkil.Whenal-Mutawakkilwanted toexecute the legalpenaltyon theChristian,heturned Muslim. Yahya bin Aktham said, ‘His faith (in Islam) cancelled his polytheism and sin.’Another jurisprudentsaid,‘Heissubjectedto threepunishments(bythewhip).’Other jurisprudentssaiddifferentthings.Al-MutawakkilaskedhismentotakeafatwafromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)aboutthismatter.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)replied,‘Heshouldbewhippeduntilhedies.’Yahyaandtheotherjurisprudents
denied this fatwaof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)andsaid thathe took this fatwaneither fromtheBooknorfromtheSunna.Al-MutawakkilwrotetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)saying,‘ThejurisprudentsofMuslimsdeniedthisfatwaandsaidthatneithertheBooknortheSunnahadsaidso.Wouldyoupleaseshowuswhyyouhaveimposedonhimthewhippinguntilhewoulddie?’Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) repliedbyquoting thisQur ’anicverse,(Butwhen theysawOurpunishment,
they said:Webelieve inAllahaloneandwedenywhatweused toassociatewithHim.But theirbeliefwasnotgoingtoprofitthemwhentheyhadseenOurpunishment).[583]’Al-Mutawakkil tookthefatwaofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andorderedthemantobewhippeduntilhedied.’[584]
Al-MutawakkilandPoets
Once,al-MutawakkilaskedAlibinal-Jahm(thepoet)aboutthebestofpoetsandhementionedto
him some poets of the pre-Islamic and the Islamic ages, but al-Mutawakkil paid no attention andturnedtoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)askinghimaboutthebestofpoets.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Al-Humaniwherehesays:“AgroupfromQurayshviedinglorywithus.Whenwedisputed,thecallofcellsjudgedtousagainstthemwithwhatweliked.Youfindussilentwhilethewitnessofourpreferencetothemisoforotundvoiceineverymosque.Ahmad,themessengerofAllahisourgrandfather,Andwearehissonslikeshiningstars.”Al-Mutawakkil turned to Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) and asked him, ‘OAbulHasan,what is the call of
cells?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Itis:“IwitnessthatthereisnogodbutAllah,andwitnessthatMuhammad
isthemessengerofAllah”.[585]IsMuhammadmygrandfatheroryours?’Al-Mutawakkilbecameangryandhesaidwithatremblingtone,‘Heisyourgrandfatherandwedo
notdenythat.’[586]Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)leftandleftsorrowerodingtheheartofthetyrantwhofoundnowaytoanswer
theImam.
Al-Mutawakkilinvitesibnas-SikkittotrytheImam
Al-MutawakkilaskedtheprominentscholarYa’qubbinIsaaqknownasibnas-SikkittoaskImam
al-Hadi(a.s.)aboutacomplicated,ambiguousquestionthathe(theImam)mightnotfindananswerand thenal-Mutawakkilwouldhaveanexcuse todefameanddegradehim. Ibnas-Sikkitpreparedaquestion to try Imam al-Hadi (a.s.). A scientific conferencewas held in theAbbasid Palacewhereprominent ulama’, jurisprudents, and theologians attended. At the head of the conference was al-Mutawakkil. Ibnas-SikkitadvancedandaskedImamal-Hadi (a.s.),“WhyAllahsentMoseswith therodandwhitehand,sentJesuswiththehealingoftheblindandleprousandgivinglifetothedead,andsentMuhammadwiththeQur'anandsword?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)showedtheperceptbehindallthatbysaying,‘AllahsentMoseswiththerodand
whitehandinatimewherethepredominantthingamongpeoplewasmagic.Therefore,Mosescameto themwith thatanddefeated theirmagic,dazed them,andprovedauthorityover them.AndAllahsentJesusChristwiththehealingoftheblindandleprousandthegivingoflifetothedeadbythewillofAllahinatimewherethepredominantthingamongpeoplewasmedicine.Therefore,JesusChristcametothemwiththatanddefeatedanddazedthem.AndAllahsentMuhammadwiththeQur'anandsword in a time where the predominant things among people were sword and poetry. Therefore,MuhammadcametothemwiththeQur'anandswordanddazedtheirpoetry,defeatedtheirsword,andprovedauthorityoverthem.’Allah the Almighty has assisted his prophets with clear signs and dazing miracles that human
beingswereunable tomake like them.Those signs andmiracles fitted the ageswhen theprophetsweredeputed.AllahhadgivenHismessengerMosestherodthatchangedintoahugeaddereatingtheropes and rodswhich themagiciansof thePharaohchanged to snakes.Themagiciansof that age,whohadreachedthetopofmagic,couldnotinvalidatethemiracleofMosesordoevenalittlelikeit.Allah had also given him the white hand that was like the sun in its light and brightness. ThemagicianswereunabletodosomethinglikethismiraclewhichwastheevidenceonthetruthfulnessofMoses.AllahhadgivenHismessengerJesusthesonofMarythemiracleofhealingtheblindandleprous
and giving life to the dead in the time where medicine had reached the top of progress anddevelopment;nevertheless,peoplecouldnotdoanythinglikethismiraclewhichdazedminds.AllahhadgivenJesusthismiracletobeasignonhistruthfulness.AllahhaddeputedMuhammadtobethelastofHisprophetsandassistedhimbytheQur'anwhich
falsehoodwouldnotcometoitfrombeforeitnorfrombehinditandwhichwasthesuprememiracleinitseloquence,rhetoric,excellentstyle,andwonderfulexpressioninthetimewhentheArabshadreachedthetopofeloquenceandrhetoric;butnevertheless,theywereunabletokeeppacewithitorcompose something like it or like a little of it.Therefore, theQur'anwas the sign that proved theprophethoodofProphetMuhammad(peacebeuponhimanduponhisprogeny.Allah theAlmighty had assisted the Prophet (S)with the defeating sword thatwas the sword of
Amir ’ul-Mu’mininAli(a.s.)whichharvestedtheheadsofpolytheistsandunbelievers.ThebraveofArabswerecowardbeforethisswordandtheysaidthatfleeingfrombattleisshameexceptfromthe
swordofAli.TheswordofAli(a.s.)waslikeathunderboltthatannihilatedthemassesofpolytheists,separatedthepartiesofunbelievers,gavethevictorytoIslam,andmadeMuslimsmighty.AfterthisanswerofImamal-Hadi(a.s.),ibnas-Sikkitsaidtohim,‘Whatistheargumentthen?’Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) said, ‘Reason! By it one, who fabricates lies against Allah, is known and
denied.’Reasonisthejudgethatdistinguishesthetruthfulfromliars,anditsjudgmentisthefinaldecision.Whenibnas-SikkitfailedtogoonwiththeImam,hesaid,‘Whatdoesibnas-Sikkithaveinarguing
withhim(withtheImam)?He(ibnas-Sikkit)isbutamanofgrammar,poetry,andlinguistics!’
TheQuestionsofYahyabinAktham
Yahya binAktham offered some questions, which he had prepared andwritten down before, to
Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) in order to try him. Here are the questions with their answers not literallymentioned:1.AllahsaysinHisBook,(OnewhohadtheknowledgeoftheBooksaid:Iwillbringittoyouin
the twinkling of an eye).[587] The asker was Prophet Solomon and the asked one was Asif.WasSolomon,whowasaprophet,inneedoftheknowledgeofAsif?Theanswer: Prophet Solomon (a.s.)was not unable to knowwhatAsif knew, but hewanted to
makehisnationofthejinnandmankindknowthattheauthorityafterhimwouldbeAsif.Itwasfromthe knowledge of Solomon (a.s.) that he had taught to Asif lest his nation would disagree on hisImamateandguardianshipafterhim,andtoconfirmtheproofbeforepeople.2.Allahsays,(Andheraisedhisparentsuponthethroneandtheyfelldowninprostrationbefore
him).[588]HowdidYa’qub(ProphetJacob)andhissonsprostratethemselvesbeforeYusuf(ProphetJoseph)whiletheywereprophets?Theanswer: theprostrationofYa’qubbeforehissonYusufwasnotforYusuf,butall thatfrom
Ya’qubandhissonswasobediencetoAllahtheAlmightyandasgreetingtoYusuf,astheprostrationoftheangelsbeforeAdamwasnotforAdam.Ya’qubandhissons,andYusufwiththem,prostratedthemselvestothankAllahtheAlmightyfortheirreuniting.DoyounotseethathesaidwhenthankingAllahatthattime,(MyLord!Thouhastgivenmeofthekingdom…)[589]?3.Allahsays,(ButifyouareindoubtastowhatWehaverevealedtoyou,askthosewhoreadthe
Book).[590]IftheaddresseewastheProphet(S),thenhewasindoubt,butiftheaddresseewasotherthantheProphet(S),thentowhomtheBookhadbeenrevealed?The answer: the addressee was the Prophet (S) and he was not in doubt about what Allah had
revealedbuttheignorantsaid:whydidAllahnotdeputedaprophetfromtheangels?WhydidHenotdifferentiate between him (the Prophet) and the rest of people in eating, drinking, andwalking inmarkets?SoAllahrevealed tohisProphet, (AndWehavenot sentbeforeyouanymessengersbuttheymostsurelyatefoodandwentaboutinthemarkets).[591]HesaidtotheProphet(S):ask,inthepresenceoftheignorant,thosewhorecitetheBook:hasAllah
sentaprophetbeforeyouthathedidnoteatfoodandwalkinthemarkets?OMuhammad,theyareexamplesforyou.Allahsaid,(ifyouareindoubt…)thoughtherewasnodoubtbutjustforshowingthe truthasHesaid, (Butwhoeverdisputeswithyou in thismatterafterwhathascome toyouofknowledge,thensay:Comeletuscalloursonsandyoursonsandourwomenandyourwomenandourselvesandyourselves, then letusbeearnest inprayer,andpray for thecurseofAllahon theliars).[592]Ifhesaid:“ComesothatwemakethecurseofAllahonyou”,theywouldnotrespond.Allahknew
thatHis Prophetwould carry outHismission and knew that hewas truthful and not a liar butHewantedtoconfirmthesituationwhensaying(ifyouareindoubt…).
4.Allahsays,(Andifallthetreesintheearthwerepens,andthesea,withsevenmoreseastohelp
it,(wereink), thewordsofAllahcouldnotbeexhausted).[593]Whatare theseseasandwherearethey?Theanswer:Yes,itisso.Ifallthetreesoftheworldwerepensandtheseaswereinksuppliedwith
othersevenseasuntiltheearthwouldexplodeintospringsasitexplodedintheflood,thewordsofAllah would not come to an end. The seas are: Ayn al-Kibrit, Ayn al-Yemen, Ayn Barhut, AynTabariya,geyserofMasidancalledLisan,anAfricangesercalledSaylan,andAynBahuran.Andwe(theAhlulBayt)arethewordsthatourvirtuescannotbeperceivedorcounted.5.Allahsays, (and therein isall that soulsdesireandeyes find sweet).[594]The soul ofAdam
desiredtoeatfromthewheatandheate.Then,whywashepunished?The answer: in the Paradise there are all kinds of foods, drinks, and entertainments that souls
desire and eyes delight in and Allah has permitted all that for Adam. But the tree that Allah hasforbiddenAdamandhiswifefromeatingfromitsfruitwasthetreeofenvy.AllahaskedthembothnottolookatthosewhomAllahhaspreferredtothemandatHiscreatureswiththeeyeofenvy,butAdamforgotandcouldnothelphimselfbeforethattree.6.Howis thewitnessofonewomanpermittedwhereasAllahsays, (andcall towitness two just
menamongyou)[595]?The answer: the woman whose witness is permitted though alone is a midwife but with
satisfaction; otherwise no less than twowomenwho stand instead of oneman. If the womanwasalone,herwitnessisacceptedwithhertakinganoath.7.Ali (a.s.) judged that a hermaphroditewas to be looked at its organ of urination to see if its
urination was like that of man, then a hermaphrodite was to be considered as a man and if theurinationwaslikethatofwomanthenthehermaphroditewastobeconsideredasawoman.Whocanlookatthehermaphrodite?Forifthelookerwasaman,thehermaphroditemightbeawoman,andifthe lookerwasawoman, thehermaphroditemightbeamanwhichwouldbenotpermissible.Andwhatabouttheinheritanceofahermaphrodite?Theanswer:ThecaseofahermaphroditeisasAlisaid.Ahermaphroditeinheritsduetoitsorgan
ofurination.Somefairandjustmenholdmirrors in theirhandsandahermaphroditestandsnakedbehindthem.Themenlookinthemirrorsandjudgewhetherthehermaphroditeisamanorawoman.8.Theownerofaherdofsheepsawtheshepherdcopulatewithaewe.Whentheshepherdsawthe
owner, he released the ewe to go in the middle of the herd. How can that ewe be known to beslaughtered?Isitpermissibletoeatitsmeatornot?The answer: if the owner, who saw the shepherd commit that sin, knew that ewe, he should
slaughterandburnit,andifnot,heshoulddividethesheepintotwodivisionsandcastlotsbetweenthe twodivisions. If the lots fellononedivision, theotherdivisionshouldbeexcluded,andsoonuntiltwosheepwouldremain.Thelotswouldbecastbetweenthetwosheepandtheone,whichthelotsfellon,shouldbeslaughtered(andburned)andtherestofsheepwouldbepreserved.[596]
10.Why,intheFajr(dawn)Prayer,thesurasarerecitedloudlythoughitisfromtheprayersofday
whereasitistheprayersofnightthatarerecitedloudly?Theanswer: as for theFajrPrayer, it is recited loudlybecause theProphet (S)offered it in the
darknessof(theendof)night,andsoitisrecitedinthenight.11. (Imam)Ali said to ibn Jarmuz, ‘Tell thekiller of the sonofSafiyyah that he shall be in the
Fire.’[597]Whydidhe(ImamAli)notkillhim(ibnJarmuz)thoughhewastheImam?Theanswer:AlisaidthatafterthesayingofthemessengerofAllah.Amir ’ul-Mu’minindidnot
killhiminBasra(onthedayoftheCamel)becauseheknewthathewouldbekilledinthebattleofan-Nahrawan.12.TellmewhyAli killed the people of (the battle of) Siffin and ordered hismen to kill them
whether theywereattackingorfleeingandhefinishedoff thewounded,butonthedayofal-Jamal(thecamel)hedidnotkillafleerorawoundedoneanddidnotorderhismentodothat.Rather,hesaid,‘Whoeverkeepstohishousewillbesafe.’Whydidhedothat?Ifthefirstdecisionwasright,sothesecondwouldbewrong.Theanswer:TheImam(leader)ofthepeopleoftheCamelwaskilledandtheyhadnoleaderto
refer to.Theywentback to theirhomeswithoutfighting,deceiving,orspying.Theyweresatisfied(after thedefeat)not tobe fought.But thepeopleofSiffinbelonged toapreparedcompanywithaleader supplying themwith spears, armors, and swords, caring for them, giving them good gifts,preparinggreatmoniesforthem,visitingtheirsick,curingtheirwounded,givingsumpterstotheirfooters,helpingtheirneedy,andreturningthemtothefight.ThematterwiththepeopleofBasra(whofoughtinthebattleofal-Jamal)wastostopfightingthem
when they laid down their arms, but thematterwith the people of Siffinwas to follow after theirfleers and finish off their wounded. Without Amir ’ul- Mu’minin and his judgments towards thepeople of Siffin and the people of al-Jamal, the judgment towards the disobedient ofmonotheistswouldnotbeknown.Whoeverdeniedthatwouldbesubjectedtothesword.13. If aman confesses, against himself, that he has committed sodomy, shall he be punished or
pardoned?Theanswer:ifamanconfessesagainsthimselfbyhimselfwithnoevidencediscoveredbyothers
againsthim,theImam,whohasbeenappointedbyAllah,hastherighttopunishinbehalfofAllah,andhealsohastherighttopardoninbehalfofAllah.HaveyounotheardthesayingofAllah,(ThisisOurfreegift,thereforegivefreelyorwithhold,withoutreckoning).[598]Allahbeganwiththegivingfirstandthenthewithholding.Weansweredallwhatyouaskedusabout.Knowthat!’Yahyawasastonishedat theanswersof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) to theseambiguousquestionsandhe
turnedtoal-Mutawakkilandadvisedhimsaying,‘Wedonotlikeyoutoaskthismanaboutanythingaftermyquestionstohim…Inshowinghisknowledgetherewillbestrengtheningtoar-Rafidha(theShia).’[599]
Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) was one of the great men of knowledge in Islam. He was the heir of the
knowledgeandsciencesofhisfatherswhoweretheleadersoftheintellectuallifeinIslam.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtotheambiguousquestionsofibnas-Sikkitimmediatelyandassoonas
helookedatthem.ThisshowedthegreatscientificabilitywhichwasoneoftheeminentaspectsofthegreatpersonalityoftheImam(a.s.).
HisVisitingtotheTombofAmir’ul-Mu’minin
In the first year when Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) came to SurraMan Ra’a, he visited the tomb of his
grandfatherAmir ’ul-Mu’mininAli(a.s.).HisvisitfellonthedayofEidal-Ghadir.TwoziyarastohisgrandfatherAmir ’ul-Mu’mininweretransmittedfromhim.Herearethey:1.“Peacebeonyou,theguardianofAllah.Iwitnessthatyouarethefirstwhowerewrongedand
yourrightwasextorted,butyouwerepatientandyouexpecteduntilcertaintycametoyou.IwitnessthatyoumetAllahandyouwereamartyr.MayAllahtortureyourkillerswithallkindsoftormentandrepeatpunishmentforthem.Icameto
you acknowledging your right, knowing your position, and opposing your enemies and opposingwhoeverwrongedyou.IshallmeetmyLordonthatinsha’Allah…OguardianofAllah,Ihavemanyfaults;pleaseintercedeformewithyourLord,OmymasterforyouhaveahighpositionnearAllah,great rank, and intercession. Allah has said, (they do not intercede except for him whom Heapproves).[600]”[601]2.ThereisanotherziyarathatwasnarratedfromImamal-Hadi(a.s.)tohisgrandfatherAmir ’ul-
Mu’mininAli(a.s.).It isoneofthemostwonderfulziyarasoftheinfallibleImams(a.s.) initshighmeaningsandinmentioningsomeeventsthattookplaceintheFirstIslamicAge.Herewementionalittlepartofthisziyara:“IwitnessthatthereisnogodbutAllahtheOnlywithnopartner,asHehaswitnessedforHimself,
andtheangels,andpeopleofunderstandingfromHiscreationhavewitnessed.ThereisnogodbutHe,theMighty,theWise.AndIwitnessthatMuhammadisHisslaveandpleasedmessengerwhomHesent with guidance and the religion of truth, that He might cause it to prevail over all religions,thoughthepolytheistsmaybeaverse.OAllah,make thebest andmostperfectofYourblessings, themostgrowingandprevailingof
Your favors, and the purest of Your compliments be on our master Muhammad Your slave,messenger,confidant,guardian,pleased,bestfriend,thechoiceofYourcreation,Yourpure,trustee,thewitnesstoYou,theguidetoYou,therevealerofYourmission,theloyaltoYou,thestrugglerinYourway,thedefenderofYourreligion,thedeclarerofYourproofs,theguidedtoYourobedience,theguider toYourpleasedness, the container ofYour revelation, thekeeper ofYour covenant, theachieverofYourcharge, theassistedwiththeilluminatinglight, thedirectedbythepleasederrand,the infallible against every error and slip, the exalted above every error, the sentwith the best ofreligionsandbeliefs…O Allah, bless Your guardian, the guard of Your religion, the executor of justice after Your
Prophet,Ali binAbuTalib the commander of the believers, the Imam of the pious, themaster ofguardians…thesuccessorofYourProphetoverthewholepeople,hisguardianinlifeandreligion,the great truthful, the distinguisher between the halal and the haram, the supporter of Islam, thedestroyerofidles,theassistantanddefenderofreligion,theprotectorandsatisfieroftheProphet…OAllah,showustherightpathsothatwefollowit,andthewayofguidancesothatwewalkinit,
andchangeourfaultsintoright,andmakenotourheartstodeviateafterYouhaveguidedusaright,andgrantusfromYoumercyOYouWhoarecalledoutofYourgenerosityal-Wahhab(theGiver),andgrantusgoodinthisworldandgoodinthehereafter,andsaveusfromthechastisementoftheFireifwedeserveit,OYoutheMostMercifuloftheMerciful!’[602]
InvokingtheShrineofImamHusayn
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)becameillandhesawthatthebestcureforhimwastoinvokethetombofthe
masteroftheyouthofParadiseandoneofthetwograndsonsofmercy(theProphet);ImamHusayn(a.s.)whomnooneresortedtohistombunlessAllahrelievedhimfromthepainsandmisfortunesofthisworld.AbuHashimal-Ja’farinarrated theresortingof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) inmanynarrations.Herewe
mentionthem:1. AbuHashim al-Ja’fari said, ‘Muhammad bin AbuHamza and I visited Abul Hasan (al-Hadi)
whenhewasill.Hesaidtous,‘Sendsomementoal-Ha’ir(Kerbala;whereImamal-Husayn(a.s.)wasburied)atmyexpense!’Whenwelefthim,MuhammadbinHamzasaidtome,‘Doeshesendustoal-Ha’irwhilehehimselfhasthesamepositionoftheone(ImamHusayn)whoisina-Ha’ir?!’Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) had the same position his grandfather Imam Husayn (a.s.) had. He was an
infallible Imam like him that Allah had kept away the uncleanness from him and purified him athoroughpurifying.AbuHashimwasaffectedbythesayingofMuhammadbinHamzaandsohewenttoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andtoldhimthat.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidtohim,‘Itisnotso.AllahhassomeplacesthatHelikestobeworshippedin,andal-Ha’irofal-Husaynisoneofthoseplaces.’[603]2.AbuHashimSaid,“IvisitedAbulHasanAlibinMuhammadwhenhewasill.Hesaidtome,‘O
AbuHashim,sendamanfromourmawalitoal-Ha’irtoprayAllahforme!’WhenAbuHashimleft,hemetAlibinBilalinthestreet.HetoldhimabouttheImamandaskedhim
totraveltoKerbalatoprayfortheImam.Aliwasastonishedandhesaid,‘Ihearandobey!ButIsay:heisbetterthanal-Ha’ir.[604]Hehasthesamepositionofthatone(Imamal-Husayn)inal-Ha’ir,andhisprayingforhimselfisbetterthanmyprayingforhim.’AbuHashimwent and told Imamal-Hadi (a.s.)whatAli binBilal said. Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) said,
‘ThemessengerofAllah(SwT)wasbetter thantheHouse(theKaaba)andthe(black)Rock,buthecircumambulated theHouseandkissed theRock.Allah theAlmightyhasplaces thatHe likes tobeworshippedin,andHerespondstowhoeverpraysHimthere.Al-Ha’irisoneofthoseplaces…’[605]InanothertraditionImamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘AllahtheAlmightyhasassignedfromHisearthsome
placescalledal-Marhumat(mercified).HelikestobeinvokedinthemandHeresponds.’[606]3. Abu Hashim said, ‘Abul Hasan (a.s.), when he was ill, sent for me and for Muhammad bin
Hamza,whoprecededmetohim.HetoldmethatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)stillsaid,‘Send(someone)toal-Ha’ir!’IsaidtoMuhammad,‘DidyounotsaytohimthatIwouldgotoal-Ha’ir?’IsaidtotheImam,‘MayIdieforyou,Igotoal-Ha’ir.’Hesaid,‘Thinkofthat!’Thenhesaid,‘MuhammadhasnosecretfromZaydbinAli(hedoesnotbelieveinthedoctrineofZayd)andIdonotwanthimtohearthat.’ImentionedthattoAlibinBilalandhesaid,‘Whatshallhedowithal-Ha’irwhereashehimselfis
al-Ha’ir?’Iwenttoal-Askar(Samarra’)andvisitedhim(Imamal-Hadi).WhenIwantedtoleave,heaskedmetositdown.WhenIsawhimfeelateasewithme,IrememberedthesayingofAlibinBilalandmentioned it tohim.Hesaid tome, ‘Youmight say tohim that themessengerofAllah (SwT)circumambulatedtheHouseandkissedtheRock,andthesanctityoftheProphet(S)andthebelievers
isgreaterthanthesanctityoftheHouse.Allahorderedhim(theProphet)tostopatArafawhichisbutaplacethatAllahlikestobementionedin.SoIliketobeprayedformewhereAllahlikestobecalledon.Andal-Ha’irisoneofthoseplaces.’[607]Imamal-Husayn(a.s.) isdearandbelovedtoAllah.HedefendedthereligionofAllahbyhis life
andbloodandofferedhischildren,family,andcompanionsaspuresacrificesforthesakeofAllah.Hefacedmisfortunesanddisastersthatnoreformerintheearthhadeverfaced.Allahhad endowed ImamHusayn (a.s.)with charismata thatHehadnot endowed anyoneofHis
guardianswith except his grandfather (theProphet) and father (ImamAli). In thisworldAllahhasgivenhimdignityandhonor thatnomanhaseverbeengiven.Allahhasmadehisholyshrineasaresortfortheyearning,andashelterforthedistressed,andhonoredtheshrinebyrespondingtotheprayer under its dome, and in the afterworld he shall be an obeyed intercessor and Allah willendowedhimwithdignityandhonorthatnoeyehaseverseenandnoearhaseverheardlikeit.
BreakingIntotheImam’sHouse
Somevillainswenttoal-MutawakkilandinformedhimagainstImamal-Hadi(a.s.)claimingthathe
hadbooks,arms,andmoniesandthathemightrevoltagainstthegovernmentofal-Mutawakkil,whobecameworriedandterrifiedwhenhearingthat.Al-MutawakkilorderedsomeofhisTurkpolicemento attack thehouseof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) in thenight and arrest him.Theyattacked Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)unexpectedlyandfoundhiminasimplehousewearingagarmentofwoolandtherewasnothingbetweenhimandthegroundsaveacarpetofsandandpebbleswhilefacingtheqiblaandrecitingthissayingofAllah,(Nay!dothosewhohavewroughtevildeedsthinkthatWewillmakethemlikethosewhobelieve
anddogoodthattheirlifeandtheirdeathshallbeequal?Baditisthattheyjudge).[608]Theytookhimtoal-Mutawakkilwhilehewasinthatstate[609]thatrepresentedtheasceticismof
prophets and spirituality of apostles. Al-Mutawakkil was drunk at the table ofwine.When he sawImamal-Hadi(a.s.),heofferedhimaglassofwine,butImamal-Hadi(a.s.)shoutedathim,‘ByAllah,ithasnevermixedwithmybloodandfleshatall.’Al-MutawakkilaskedtheImam,‘Recitemesomepoetry!’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Iseldomrecitepoetry.’Al-Mutawakkilinsistedonhimsaying,‘Youmustrecitemesomepoetry!’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.) foundhimselfobliged torecitesomepoetry,andsoherecited thefollowing
versesthatchangedtheecstasyofal-Mutawakkilintosorrowandweeping,“Theywereonthetopsofmountains,guardedbystrong,bravemen,butthosetopssufficedthemnot.Afterglory,theyweretakendownfromtheirpositions,andputintoholes.Howbadabodetheydweltin!Acriercalledthemafterbeenburied:Wherearethethrones,crowns,andtreasures?Wherearethefacesthatwereateaseandluxury,thatcurtainsandscreenswereputbeforethem?Thegraveshowedthosefaceswherewormswerefightingonthem.Howlongtheyateanddrank!Butafterthatlongeating,theywereeaten!”Al-Mutawakkil was shaken and intoxication flew from his head. He began terribly crying. The
attendantsinthemeetingfearedforImamal-Hadi(a.s.)thatal-Mutawakkilmightassaulthimandtheythoughtthatal-Mutawakkilwouldrevengeonhim.Al-Mutawakkilorderedhismentotaketheglassesofwineawayfromthemeeting.Heturnedtothe
pureImam(a.s.)andsaidtohimreverently,‘OAbulHasan,areyouindebt?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Yes,fourthousanddinars.’Al-MutawakkilorderedfourthousanddinarstobegiventoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andreturnedhim
backtohishousewithrespectandhonor.ThiseventshowedthejihadofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andhis
fixed situation towards that tyrant. He did not care for his rule and power. He preached him andwarnedhim from thepunishmentofAllah and said tohim (throughpoetry) that hewoulddie andneitherhisarmiesnorhisauthoritywouldsavehimfromdeath,andthathisdelicatebodywouldbefoodforwormsinthegrave.Certainlyal-Mutawakkilhadneverheardsuchpreachesbefore.Instead,hefilledhisearswiththevoicesofsongstersandsongstresses.Andfinallydeathcametohimwhilehe was betweenmusicians and cups of wine, and themention of Allah did not come to hismindthroughouthislife.
Al-BathawiInformsAgainsttheImam
Historians said that one day al-Mutawakkilwas afflictedwith abscesses and hewas about to die
fromthat.Al-FathbinKhaqancounseledhimtosendamessengertoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)totellhimabout his case that hemight have some remedy.Al-Mutawakkil sent amessenger to Imamal-Hadi(a.s.),whoprescribedaremedyforhim.Afterusingtheremedyal-Mutawakkilwasrestoredtohealth.When his mother was informed that he recovered, she sent Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) a pouch of tenthousand dinars and she sealed it with her seal.Muhammad bin al-Qassim al-Bathawi went to al-MutawakkilandtoldhimthatmoneyandarmswerecarriedtotheImam.Al-MutawakkilwasterrifiedandorderedSa’eedthecustodiantobreakintothehouseofImamal-
Hadi(a.s.)inthenightandfetchallweaponsandmonieshemightfindthere.Sa’eedwenttothehouseof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.).Heputa ladderandwentup to the roof. Itgot toodarkandSa’eeddidnotknowhowtogettotheyardofthehouse.Whilehewasconfused,heheardImamal-Hadi(a.s.)sayingtohim,‘OSa’eed,stayasyouareuntilwebringyouacandle!’Hewasgivenacandleandthenhecamedowntotheyard.HefoundImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wearinga
wool-garmentandawoolcap,andsawaprayer-carpetonamat.Hesearched thehousebut foundnothingexceptthatpouchandtenthousanddinars.Heliftedtheprayer-carpetoftheImamandfoundasword. He took all that to al-Mutawakkil.When al-Mutawakkil saw the seal of his mother on thepouch,hesentforherandaskedheraboutmatter.ShesaidtohimthatshehadvowedtogiveagifttoImam al-Hadi (a.s.) when al-Mutawakkil would recover from his illness, and said that when al-Mutawakkilrecovered,shecarriedouthervow.Al-Mutawakkilfeltshyandaddedanotherpouchofmoneytothatpouchofhismotherandordered
Sa’eed to take them to the Imam.He took them to the Imamandapologized tohim. Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)repliedtohimbyrecitingthisQur ’anicverse,(Thosewhodowrongwillcometoknowbywhata(great)reversetheywillbeoverturned).[610]
TheBlockadeAgainsttheImam
Al-MutawakkilimposedaseriouseconomicalblockadeonImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andimposedsevere
penaltiesonwhoeversentlegalduesorgiftstohim.Duringthereignofal-MutawakkilImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasinserioushardshipanddifficulties.Thebelieversrefrainedfromgivinghimthelegalduesas they refrained from visiting and having the honor of serving him for fear of the oppressivegovernment.
ImprisoningtheImam
ThetyrantorderedtoarrestImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andputhiminprison.Aftersomedaysinprison,
SaqrbinAbuDulafcametovisithim.Thechamberlain,whoknewhimandknewthathewasaShia,receivedandaskedhim,‘Whatdoyouwantandwhatforyouhavecome?’Hesaid,‘Ihavecomeforgood.’Thechamberlainsaid,‘Youmighthavecometoaskaboutyourmaster!’Hesaid,‘MymasterisAmir ’ul-Mu’minin(hemeantal-Mutawakkil).’Thechamberlainsmiledandsaid,‘Besilent!Yourmasteristhetruth(hemeantImamal-Hadi).Do
notfearme!Iamonyourbelief.’Saqrsaid,‘PraisebetoAllah!’Thechamberlainsaid,‘Doyouwanttoseehim?’Saqrsaid,‘Yes,Ido.’Thechamberlainsaid,‘Sitdownhereuntilthemailmancomesout.’Whenthemailmanwentout,thechamberlainsaidtohisattendant,‘TakeSaqrtotheroomwhere
theAlawidisimprisonedandleavethemalone!’WhenSaqrwentintothecell,hesawImamal-Hadi(a.s.)sitonamatandbeforehimtherewasaduggrave.Al-MutawakkilhadorderedthisgravetobeduginordertofrightentheImam.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)saidtoSaqrkindlyandfriendly,‘OSaqr,whatmadeyoucome?’Saqrsaid,‘Icametoknowyournews.’SaqrbegancryingfeelingpityandfearfortheImam.The
Imamsaidtohim,‘OSaqr,donotworry.Theycannotharmus.’Saqr calmed down and thanked Allah for that. Then he asked the Imam about some religious
questionsandtheImamansweredhisquestions.ThenhesaidfarewelltotheImamandleft.[611]ItwasnolongafterthatwhentheImamwassetfree.
AVainAttempttoAssassinatetheImam
Al-MutawakkilwasunabletobearImamal-Hadi(a.s.)anymore.Itbotheredhimthatpeopletalked
about the virtues, vast knowledge, piety, and asceticism of Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) and that the ShiabelievedinhisImamateandbelievedthathewasworthierofthecaliphatethanhim(al-Mutawakkil).Therefore,hetriedtoassassinatetheImamandgetridofhimbuthoweverhefailedtoachievehisaim.Al-FadhlbinAhmadal-Katib(theclerk)narratedthathisfather,whowastheclerkofal-Mu’tazz,
said,‘Wewerewithal-Mu’tazzwhenonedaywewenttoal-Mutawakkilwhowassittingonhisthronebutveryangrylookingaskanceathisvizieral-FathbinKhaqanandshouting,‘Thisiswhomyousaidaboutwhatyousaid!’Al-Fath tried to calm him down. He said to him, ‘O Amir ’ul-Mu’minin,[612]it was fabricated
againsthim.’Al-Mutawakkil paid him no attention and said, ‘By Allah, I will kill this…who fabricates and
defamemyrule.’HebroughtfourmenfromtheKhazar,whounderstoodnothing,gave themarmsandorderedthemtokillImamal-Hadi(a.s.)whenhewouldcometohim.Hesaidangrily,‘ByAllah,Iwillburnhisbodyinfireafterkillinghim.’Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) came surrounded by the guards of the palacewho glorified him by saying
loudly “la ilaha illallah; there is no godbutAllah” and “Allahu akbar;Allah is great”.They said,‘Thisisthesonofar-Ridha.’Whenal-Mutawakkilcaught sightofhim,hewasaffectedbyhis solemnityandAllahcast terror
intohisheart.He jumpedfromhis throne, received the Imamwarmly,kissedhimon the forehead,andsaidtohimreverently,‘Omymaster,sonofthemessengerofAllah,thebestofwhomAllahhascreated,mycousin,mylordAbulHasan…’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)advisedandwarnedhimofthepunishmentofAllah.Al-Mutawakkilaskedhim,‘Mymaster,whydidyoucomeatsuchatime?’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)said,‘Yourmessengercametomesaying;al-Mutawakkilsendsforyou.’Al-Mutawakkil said, ‘Thesonof…lied.Mymaster,goback towhereyouhavecomefrom!’Al-
Mutawakkil turned towards his viziers and sons and said, ‘Fath, Abdullah, Mu’tazz, escort yourmaster!’Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) left surrounded by a halo of reverence and glorification and the Khazars
refrained from killing him when they saw his solemnity, the honoring of the guards, and theglorificationofal-Mutawakkiltowardshim.[613]Andthustheattemptofal-Mutawakkilfailed.
Al-MutawakkilDespisestheImam
Envyfilledtheheartofal-MutawakkilwhofollowedallwaystodegradeImamal-Hadi(a.s.)and
belittlehispositionthatwasexaltedamongthepublic.HewantedtobelittletheImambymakinghimgoonfootbeforehimsothatpeoplemightdisregardhim,buthisviziercounseledhimtogiveupbecausethatwouldmakethepublicblameandcriticizehim.Al-Mutawakkil paid no attention to his vizierwho counseled him again that he could order the
officials and notables including the Imam to go on foot so that no onewould think that the Imamalonewasintended.Al-Mutawakkilrespondedtohisvizierandorderedpeopletogoonfootbeforehim and they did. It was a very hot summer day. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) oozed sweat. Zuraqa thechamberlainofal-MutawakkilsawtheImaminthatstate.Hecametohim,seatedhiminavestibulethere,tookoutahandkerchiefandbeganwipingthesweatoftheImam.HesaidtotheImamtryingtocomforthispains,‘Yourcousin(al-Mutawakkil)didnotintendyouparticularly.’Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)lookedathimandsaid,‘Stopthat!’AndthenherecitedthisQur ’anicverse,(Enjoyyourselvesinyourabodeforthreedays,thatisapromisenottobebelied).[614]Zuraqasaid,‘IhadateacherwhowasaShia.Ioftenjokedwithhim.WhenIwenthome,Isentfor
him.Whenhecametome,ItoldhimaboutwhatIheardfromtheImam(a.s.).Hechangedcolorandsaidtome,‘Becarefulandstoreallwhatyouhave!Al-Mutawakkilshalldieorbekilledafterthreedays.’HeunderstoodthatfromtheQur ’anicversethatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)recited.Iwasaffectedbyhisspeechandaskedhimtoleave.ThenIthoughtwithmyselfandsaidthatitwouldnotharmmetotake precautions. If something like that happened, Iwould have takenmy precaution, and if not, Iwould losenothing. Iwent to thehouseofal-Mutawakkiland tookallmymoney. Ideposited themwithoneofmyacquaintances.After threedaysal-Mutawakkildied.This signwas thecauseofmyguidanceandbelievinginImamate.[615]
TheImam’sPrayerAgainstal-Mutawakkil
ImamAbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.)resortedtoAllahandprayedHimwiththisholydu’a(knownasthe
du’aofthewrongedagainsttheunjust)whichwasoneofthetreasuresoftheAhlulBayt(a.s.);“O Allah, I and so-and-so (he meant al-Mutawakkil) are two slaves from Your slaves. Our
forelocks(heads)areinYourhand.Youknowourresidenceanddepository,andknowourresortandabode,andourinwardsandoutwards,andknowourintentions,andencompassourconsciences.YourknowingofwhatweshowisasYourknowingofwhatweconceal,andYourknowingofwhatwehideisasYourknowingofwhatweannounce.Nothingofourconcerns ishiddenfromYou,andnostateofours iskeptsecretbeforeYou.We
havenoshelterprotectingusfromYou,andnorefugekeepingusawayfromYou.Noescaperfromus can escape from You, and no oppressor can protect himself by his power from You, nor hissoldierscandefendhimagainstYou.NodefeatercandefeatYoubyhismight,andnomightyonecanstand against You by his abundance. You overcome him wherever he goes, and subject him towhereverheresorts.ThewrongedcometoYourdoor,andtheoppressedfromusrelyonYouandturntoYou.Theyaskyouforhelpwhenhelpersfailthem,andcryforYoursupportwhensupportersturnbacks
to them.They resort toYouwhen shelters disappoint them, and knockYour doorwhen doors areclosedbeforethem,andget toYouwheninadvertentkingshidefromthem.Youareawareofthembefore theycomplain toYou,andknowwhatbenefits thembefore theyaskYoufor it.Praisebe toYou,theHearing,theSeeing,theKind,themighty.OAllah,ithasbeeninYoureternalknowledge,clearjudgment,runningfate,irrefutabledecision,
andinevitablewillinallYourcreations;thehappyoneofthemandthewretched,thegoodoneandthe bad, that if You have given to so-and-so (he meant al-Mutawakkil) a power over me and hewrongedmeby it, oppressedme,overcamemeby thepowerYouhavegiven tohim, andbecamehaughtytowardsmebythepositionYouhavemadetohim,andYourgiftstohimseducedhim,Yourpatiencewith himmade him be tyrannical, and so he didme a distress that I could not bear, andintendedmewithevilthatIfailedtotolerate.Icouldnotdefendmyselfagainsthimformyweakness,andcouldnottakemyrightfromhimfor
myhumbleness.SoIlefthimtoYouandreliedonYouconcerninghim.IthreatenedhimwithYourpunishment,warnedhimofYourdomination,andfrightenedhimofYourrevenge,buthethoughtthatYourpatiencewithhimwasoutofweakness, andYourgivinghim timewasout inability.Nothingpreventedhimandsohewentfarinhisoppression,andexaggeratedinhisenmity,andexceededinhistyrannydaringbeforeYoumyLord,andexposinghimselftoYourwrathwhichYoudonotrepelfromtheunjust,andignoringYourpunishmentwhichYoudonotwithholdfromtheoppressive.O my Lord, here I am disabled before him, subjected under his rule, subjugated by his reins,
defeated, oppressed, distressed, afraid, terrified, suppressed. I lost my patience, and remainedhelpless.DoorswereclosedbeforemeexceptYours,anddirectionswereblockedbeforemeexceptYours.My affairs were confused to resist his hardships to me.My thoughts failed to remove his
oppression.WhoeverofYourpeopleIaskedforhelpdisappointedme,andwhoeverofYourcreationIreliedonbetrayedme.Icounseledwithmyadviceandit toldmetoresort toYou,andinquiredmyguideanditdidnot
guidemesavetoYou,soIturnedtoYoumyLordhumbly,servilely,submissively,knowingthattherewas no deliverance except near You, and no rescue except by You. Carry out Your promise ofsupportingmeandrespondingtomysupplicationforYouhavesaidandYoursayingisthetruththatisnotannulledorchanged,(andhewho retaliateswith the like of thatwithwhich he has been afflicted andhe has been
oppressed, Allahwillmost certainly aid him),[616] and, glory be toYou and sanctified areYournames,Yousaid,(calluponMe,Iwillansweryou),[617]andsoIdoasYouhaveorderedmenotasafavorfrommeonYou;howis thatwhile it isYou
Whohaveguidedmetothat?MyLord,blessMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadandrespondtomeasYouhavepromisedme,OYouWhodonotfailthepromise.MyLord,IdoknowthatYouhaveadayonwhichyouavengeontheunjustforthewronged,andI
amcertainthatYouhaveatimeatwhichYoutakefromtheoppressortotheoppressedbecausenoneofresisterscanresistYou,andnoneofopponentscanrunoffYourhold,andYoufearnonethatmayescapeYou,butmy fear and intolerance failmebeforeYourpatience, and the expectanceofYourinsight.Yourpoweroverme,myLord,isoverallpowers,andYourauthoritydefeatsallauthorities.ThereturnofeveryoneistoYouevenifYougivehimtime,andthecomingbackofeveryoppressoristoYouevenifYourespitehim.Yourpatiencewith so-and-so (hemeant al-Mutawakkil) andYour respitinghimharmedme, and
despairwasabouttoovercomemeexceptforthetrustIhadinYouandthecertaintyinYourpromise.IfitisinYourfateandeternalpowerthathewillrepentofoppressingmeorrefrainfromharmingmeorchangefromwhathehascommittedagainstme…OAllah,blessMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadandputthatinhisheartatthisverymomentbeforeremovingYourblessingsthatYouhaveendowedmewith…andifitisinYourknowledgeotherthanthisthathewillkeeponoppressingme,thenIaskYouOtheHelperofthewrongedandoppressedtorespondtomycall.BlessMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadandsnatchhim(al-Mutawakkil)fromhisshelter
withthesnatchoftheMighty,thePowerful,andsurprisehiminhisinadvertencewiththesurpriseoftheOvercomingKing!Deprivehimofhiseaseandauthority!Scatterhisgathersandassistantsfromaroundhim!Tearhiskingdomthoroughly,andseparatehissupporterswitheveryseparation!DivesthimofYourblessingwhichhedoesnot thank,and take thedressofYourgloryoffhimwhichhedoesnotrewardwithgoodness!CrushhimOYoutheCrusheroftyrants,andperishhimOYouWhohadperishedtheancientnations!TrouncehimOYoutheTrounceroftheunjustnations,anddisappointhimOYoutheDisappointer
of the transgressive parties! Overwhelm his old, destroy his kingdom, omit his trace, remove hismention,putouthisfire,darkenhisday,coverhissun,destroyhislife,increasehisdistress,degradehim, suppresshim,hastenhis death, donot let a rank tohimunlessYoudisgrace it, andnopillarunlessYoutearitdown,andnounityunlessYouseparateit,andnohighnessunlessYoudemeanit!…andshowushissupporters,soldiers,beloveds,andrelativesscatteredeverywhere,andseparatedafter
theirunity,andmaskedaftertheirpoweroverthenation!Relievethefearfulandeagerheartswiththedisappearanceofhisruleanddelighttheconfusednationandthelostpeople!Remove by his disappearance the annulled laws, ignored verdicts, forgotten heritage, distorted
traditions,desertedschools,avertedmihrabs,anddestroyedmosques!…Afflicthimwithanightthathas no like, and an hour that there is no remedy from, and a disaster that there is relief from!…Exposehishonor,anddisturbhisease!ShowhimYourgreatassault,utmost revenge,Yourpowerthatisoverallpowers,andYoursovereigntythatismightierthanhissovereignty!DefeathimformebyYourstrongpower,aborthiscunningbyYourcunning,routhiswillbyYour
will,sickenhisbody,orphanhischildren,decreasehislife,disappointhishope,removehiskingdom,increasehismisfortunes,makehimbusywithhisbody,donotrelievehimfromhissorrow,takehimintodeviation,makehisendintovain,makehisblessingdisappear,andhisgoodlucktolowness,andhissovereigntytodeclination,andhisendtothemiserableend!MakehimdiewithhisragewhenYouwanttomakehimdie,andlethimlivewithhissorrowifYou
want to let him live!Keepme safe from his evil, slandering, backbiting, domination, and enmity!Lookathimwithaglancethatdestroyshim,forYouarestrongerinmightandstrongerininflictingpunishment!AndpraisebetoAllahtheLordoftheworlds.”This du’a is from the treasures of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) which they resorted to whenever an
oppressorpouredhis spiteon them, andAllah responded to themandbroughtdownHiswrathontheirenemies.Thisdu’a shows theextentof thedistressesanddisasters Imamal-Hadi (a.s) sufferedduring the
reignofal-Mutawakkil theAbbasid tyrantwhosavednoeffort inoppressing theAlawidsand theirfollowers.
TheDeathofal-Mutawakkil
Allah responded to theprayerof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) and revengedonhisenemyseverely.After
thisprayeral-Mutawakkillivednomorethanthreedays.Aplotwasarrangedtoassassinateal-Mutawakkilandtodoawaywithhim.Thetermsoftheplot
weremadeperfectandkeptverysecretandfinallyitsucceededandtheplotterslostnooneofthem.Theplotterswereal-Muntasir,Waseefat-Turki(theTurk),andBughaat-Turki.
Al-Muntasir
Al-Muntasir(sonofal-Mutawakkil)hadspiteandmalicetowardshisfatherandthereason,aswe
think,belongedtotwopoints;Thefirst,al-Mutawakkildespisedhissonal-Muntasirandexaggeratedinthatuntilheswelledhis
nose.Al-Muntasirwasfullofspiteagainsthisfather.Adaybeforehisdeath,al-Mutawakkilbroughtal-Muntasirtohismeetingandabusedhimonetimeandmadehimdrinkoverhiscapacityanother.Hesaid to his vizier al-Fath bin Khaqan, ‘I shall be free from Allah and from my kinship to themessengerofAllahifyoudonotslaphim(al-Muntasir).’Al-Fathgotupandslappedal-Muntasirtwice.Al-Mutawakkilsaidtotheattendantsofhismeeting,
‘WitnessonmeyouallthatIhavedeposedal-Muntasir(fromthepositionofheirapparent).’Hesaidto al-Muntasir, ‘I have named you al-Muntasir and people named you al-Muntadhir for yourfoolishness,andnowyouareal-Musta’jil(reckless).’Al-Muntasirsaidtohisfather,‘Ifyouorderedtobeheadme, itwouldbebetterformethanwhat
youdidtome.’Thenheleftwhilebeingfullofspiteagainsthisfatherandthinkingofrevenge.Afterthathecarriedouttheplotofassassination.The second, al-Mutawakkil was full of spite and hatred towards Imam Ali (a.s.) whereas al-
Muntasirwascontrarytohim.HehadagreatlovetoImamAli(a.s.)andhisprogenyoftheAlawidsandthiswasthereason,ashistorianssaid,behindthekillingofhisfather.Thesethreepersonswerethemostimportantmembersinthisplot.Theyheldsecretmeetingsand
discussedthebestwaystocarryouttheirplan.Theyagreedonthefollowingpoints:1.Tocarryouttheplotunderthedarknessofnight2.ClosingthegatesofthepalaceexceptthegatethatledtotheTigrisforfearofthatsuppliesmight
cometoal-Mutawakkilfromtheguardsofthepalaceorfromaunitofthearmy3.Killingtheprimeministeral-FathbinKhaqan4. Rumoring among the public that al-Fath led a failedmilitary coup and killed the caliph al-
Mutawakkilbutal-Muntasirsuppressedthecoupandkilledal-Fathasrevengefor thekillingofhisfather.Theseweresomestepsoftheplanthattheleadersofthecoup(theplotters)agreedon.
ExecutingThePlot
TheTurks,holdingunsheathedswordsandheadedbyBaghirat-Turki,attackedal-Mutawakkilon
thenight ofWednesday the fourthofShawwal[618] in247AH.[619]Al-Mutawakkilwasdrunk.Al-FathbinKhaqanbecameastonishedandcriedout,‘Woountoyou!HeisAmir ’ul-Mu’minin!’Theypaidhimnoattention.Hethrewhimselfonal-Mutawakkiltobethescapegoatbuthesavedneitherhismasternorhimself.TheTurks tore themboth topieces that thefleshofeachof themcouldnotbedistinguishedfromtheother ’s.Theywereburiedtogether.Thusthedaysofal-Mutawakkil,whowasthebitterestenemytotheAhlulBayt(a.s.),cametoanend.TheTurksleftthepalaceandwenttoal-Muntasirwhowaswaitingforthem.Theysalutedhimwith
thetitleofthecaliphate.Al-Muntasirrumoredamongpeoplethatal-FathbinKhaqankilledhisfatherandherevengedandkilledhim.ThenhetookallegianceforhimselffromtheAbbasidfamilyandallunitsofthearmy.TheAlawidsandtheirfollowerstheShiareceivedthenewsofal-Mutawakkil’sdeathwithdelight
and joy,because the tyrant,who turned their lives tounbearabledistresses,perished.Hewaskilledbetweenthecupsofwineandmusicals.Hisbodydidnotsufferillnessesorpainsexceptalittlewhenthe swords harvested his life. Anyhow, that terrible nightmare disappeared from the life of theAlawidsandtheirfollowers.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasdelightedbecauseAllahrespondedtohisprayerandperishedthebitterestofhisenemiesandopponents.
Theruleofal-Muntasir
Al-Muntasir assumed the rule after the coup against thegovernmentof his father.All classesof
peoplefeltdelightandjoybecausetheoppressionandtyrannyofal-Mutawakkildisappeared.
WithTheAlawids
Al-Muntasir followed a rightly, fair policy towards the Alawids and the Shia. From the goodachievements he did to theAlawidswere that he returned Fadak[620]to theAlawids, cancelled theinterdictontheentailsoftheAlawidsandgavethembacktothem,deposedthewaliofYathribSalihbinAli,who treated theAlawidsbadly,andappointedAlibinal-Hasan insteadofhimandorderedhimtotreattheAlawidskindlyanddothemgood.[621]Poetspraisedal-MuntasirintheirpoemstoomuchforthemanyfavorshedidtotheAlawids.He
repaired what his father and grandfathers spoiled towards the Alawids who were their kin. Hecomforted and treated them very kindly after they suffered distresses, hardships, and deprivationfromthepreviousgovernments.
ThePermissionofVisitingtheTombofImamAli
Al-Mutawakkilhadofficiallyforbiddenthevisit to thetombofAmir ’ul-Mu’mininAli(a.s.),but
whenal-Muntasirbecamethecaliph,hepermittedpeopletovisitthetomb.
AnnullingtheInterdictofVisitingtheTombofImamHusayn
Al-MuntasirpermittedMuslimstovisitthetombofImamal-Husayn(a.s.)afteral-Mutawakkilhad
forbiddenthatanddecreedseverepenaltiesagainstwhoevervisitedthatholytomb.Thesefavorsofal-Muntasirwereandwillbementionedthroughouthistorywithhighpraiseand
gratefulness.Heprovedhisnobility,honesty,andhighpersonalityandprovedthathedidnotslipintheabysswhichhisfatheral-Mutawakkilhadslippedinandbroughthimselfdisgraceinthislifeandeternalpunishmentintheafterlife.
HisDeath
Thisnobleman,whorefreshedtheheartsoftheAlawids,didnotlivelong.Deathcameoverhimin
thebeginningofhisrule.Mostofhistorianssaidhedidnotdieanaturaldeathbuthewaspoisoned.The Turks assassinated him fearing that hemight kill them and do awaywith their influence anddominationovertheIslamicnation.TheTurksbribedhisphysicianibnTayfurbygivinghimthirtythousanddinars to assassinatehim.Al-Muntasirwas ill and thephysicianadvised tobleedhim.Hebledhimwithapoisonedbladeandhediedsoon.[622]HediedonSaturday,thefourthofRabee’ath-Thani,[623]248AHandwasburiedinal-Jawsaq.[624]Byhisdeathpeoplelostmuch.Itwashewhodestroyedhisfather ’sthronewhichwasbasedonoppressionandtyranny. Anyhow, the books of history at hand did not mention any meeting or event that took place
between Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) and al-Muntasir. The certain thing is that Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) wasdelighted for al-Muntasir ’s procedures towards the Alawids that returned to them safety andsettlementwhichtheymissedduringthereignofal-Mutawakkil.
TheReignofal-Musta’een
After thedeathof al-Muntasir al-Musta’eenassumed the ruleonSunday, the fifthofRabee’ ath-
Thaniintheyear248AH.HewasasatoolrunbytheTurks.Hehadnopoliticalinfluenceoverthebodyofhisgovernment.Oneofthepoetssaidonthat,“AcaliphinacagebetweenWaseefandBugha,herepeatedwhattheybothsaidtohimasaparrot
does.”[625]Thecaliphwaslikeaparrotinacagerepeatingunconsciouslyandunwittinglywhathisvizierssaid
tohim.TherulewasrunbyWaseef,Bugha,andotherTurks.Neitheral-Musta’eennorhisfamilyhadinfluenceorauthority.
HisWastingandLavishness
Al-Musta’eenwastedandspentmoneylavishly.Hespentallwhatthepreviouscaliphshadsparedin
their treasuriesofmonies, jewels, furniture,weapons,warequipments, andother things.Bughaat-Turkideniedthatandsaidtohim,‘OAmir ’ul-Mu’minin,thesetreasuriesarethecapitalofMuslims.The caliphs before youhave gathered for a daywhen IslamandMuslimsmay face an unexpectedmisfortuneordisaster.’Butthecaliphpaidnoattentionandwentonwastingthemoniesofthestate.Anexampleonhiswastingwasthathehadagalleryinwhichhehadputpreciousjewelries,and
splendid tools and utensils besides gold sculptures of animals, beasts, birds and humans. Thesesculptureswereinlaidwithmostpreciousstones.Heorderedtomadevesselsofgoldtobefilledwithmuskandambergris.Villagesofgoldweremadeforhiminwhichheputstatuesofcows,buffaloes,sheep,dogs,plants,andfruits.Andallthatweremadeofgold.This isanexampleontheabsurditiesof theAbbasidgovernmentswhichovercamethewealthof
Muslimsandspentitontheirlustsandwishes.
TheDepositionofAl-Musta’een
TheTurkssnubbedal-Musta’eenandfearedhim.Oneday,hesetouttowardsBaghdad.TheTurks
sentforhimaskinghimtoreturntoSamarra’.HerefusedandwentontoBaghdad.Theydeposedhimandtookal-Mu’tazzoutofprisonandpaidhimhomageasthecaliph.TheypreparedagreatarmytooccupyBaghdad.Thetwoarmiesmetandbothsidessufferedgreatlossesbutthewarcontinued.Atlast, they agreed on that al-Musta’een should announce the deposition of himself and give thecaliphatetoal-Mu’tazzonsomeconditionsthattheyagreedon.Al-Musta’eengave thecaliphate toal-Mu’tazzwhodidnotobserve theconditionsrequiredfrom
himandheputal-Musta’eenintheprisonofWasit.Heremainedforninemonthsinthatprison.TheTurksfeltfearofal-Musta’eenalthoughhewasinprison.TheytookhimoutofprisonandbroughthimtoSamarra’.Al-Mu’tazzaskedhischamberlainSa’eedtokillhimandhedid.[626]Theauthorofal-Fakhri said hewasweak inmind, reason, and administration, and thatmany seditions happenedduringhisreignandhisstatewasfulloftroublesandconfusion.[627]Weshalltalkabouttheruleofal-Mu’tazzinacomingchapterbecauseImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasmartyredinthatperiod.Notes:[569]Al-Irshad,p.375-376.[570]Mir ’ataz-Zaman,vol.9p.553.[571]Murujath-Thahab,vol.4p.113.[572]Tareekhal-Ya’qubi,vol.3p.209.[573]Mir ’ataz-Zaman,vol.9p.553,Tathkiratal-Khawas,p.359,Murujath-Thahab,vol.4p.114.[574]Itwasacaravansaryofpaupers.[575]Al-Irshad,p.376.[576]Mir ’ataz-Zaman,vol.9p.553.[577]TareekhBaghdad,vol.12p.57.[578]Qur'an,111:1.[579]Biharal-Anwar,vol.4.[580]Qur'an,9:25.[581] Tareekh al-Islam by ath-Thahabi chap. The men of the twenty-sixth class, Tathkirat al-
Khawas,p.360.[582]Al-Muntadham,vol.12p.26-27.[583]Qur'an,49:84-85.[584]SharhShafiyatAbuFiras,vol.2p.167.[585]Thecallofcellsistheazaninthemosques.[586]Al-Manaqib.[587]Qur'an,27:40.[588]Qur'an,12:100.[589]Qur'an,12:101.[590]Qur'an,10:94.[591]Qur'an,25:20.[592]Qur'an,3:61.[593]Qur'an,31:27.
[594]Qur'an,43:71.[595]Qur'an,65:2.[596]Tuhafal-Uqul,al-Manaqib.[597]ThesonofSafiyyahwasaz-Zubayrbinal-AwwamwhowaskilledbyibnJarmuzontheday
ofal-Jamal.[598]Qur'an,38:39.[599]Al-ManaqibbyibnShahrashub,vol.4p.403-406,Tuhafal-Uqul,p.477-481.[600]Qur'an,12:28.[601]Kamilaz-Ziyarat,Mazaral-Bihar.[602]Mazaral-Bihar.[603]Kamilaz-Ziyarat,p.273,Mazaral-Bihar,p.141.[604]HemeanttheholyplacewhereImamal-Husayn(a.s)wasburied.[605]Kamilaz-Ziyarat,p.274,Mazaral-Biharp.141.[606]Wassa’ilash-Shia,vol.3p.570.[607]Kamilaz-Ziyarat,Furu’(branchesof)al-Kafi,vol.4p.567.[608]Qur'an,45:21.[609]Rawdhatal-A’yan,manuscript.[610]Qur'an,26:227.[611]Biharal-Anwar.[612]Itreferstoal-Mutawakkil.[613]Al-Kharayijbyar-Rawandi.[614]Qur'an,11:65.[615]Biharal-Anwar,vol.12p.134,al-Kharayij.[616]Qur'an,22:60.[617]Qur'an,40:60.[618]ThetenthmonthoftheMuslimlunaryear.[619]TareekhibnKathir,vol.10p.349,Rawdhatal-A’yan,p.108.[620]Fadakwasaveryvast,fertilevillagethattheProphet(s)haddonatedtohisdaughterFatima
(s).Itwasrichofdate-palmsandotherfruitfultrees.[621]Tareekhibnal-Athir,vol.5p.311.[622]Tareekhal-Khulafa’byas-Sayooti,p.357.[623]ItisthefourthmonthintheIslamiclunarcalendar.[624]Al-Anba’feeTareekhal-Khulafa’.[625]Al-Anba’feeTareekhal-Khulafa’.[626]Tareekhal-Khulafa’,p.358-359.[627]Al-Fakhri,p.222.
8ChapterTheAgeoftheImam
Itmaybeveryusefulornecessary tostudytheageofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andshedlightson the
political, social, religious, cultural, and other sides of that age. Studying an age is one of themethodicalresearchesthatistoonecessaryinthemodernstudiesbecauseituncoversimportantsidesof the external influences onman and shows his intellectual and all psychological tendencies thatarisefromhisageandenvironmentsaspsychologistssays.
PoliticalLife
The political life in the time of Imam al-Hadi (a.s.)was very bad. Therewas no security in all
countries of the Islamicworld. Anarchywas everywhere because theAbbasid government lost itsauthorityandinfluenceandnolongerhaditsterriblepowerithadduringthereignsofal-Mansur,ar-Rasid,andal-Ma’mun.Thereasonsbehindthatwere:
ThePrevailingoftheTurksontheRule
TheTurkscontrolledthereinsofpowerandprevailedonallthebodiesofthestatetoadegreethat
theAbbasidcaliphhadnoauthorityorinfluence.ThedecisionswereinthehandsoftheTurks.Theyappointedanddeposedwhoever theylikedofcaliphs,viziers,andofficials.Oneofpoetsdescribedthestateofal-Musta’eenbysaying,“AcaliphinacagebetweenWaseefandBugha,herepeatedwhattheybothsaidtohimasaparrotdoes.”TheAbbasidcaliphsinthatperiodwerelikeparrots.Theyhadnothingfromthecaliphate.TheTurksdideverythingwhereas thecaliphwas innameonlywithnowilloroption.Thecaliphatedeclinedandlost itssolemnityandsuperiority,andthecaliphshadnosignificance.Itwasmentionedthatwhenal-Mu’tazzassumedthecaliphate,someofhiscompanionssentforadivinerandaskedhimhowlongthecaliphwouldsitonthethroneandhowlonghewouldlive.Ahumorousmanfromamongtheattendantssaid,‘Iknowthat.’Theyaskedhimtotellthemandhesaid, ‘Thematter is in thehandsof theTurks.Theydecidehow longhe rulesandhow longhelives.’Theallburstintolaughter.[628]Al-Mu’tasim,theAbbasidcaliph,appointedAshnastheTurkasthewaliandgavehimtherightto
appointwalis.ItwasprayedforAshnasontheminbars[629]whereasprayingwaslimitedtothecaliphsbefore.Duringhisreign,al-WathiqappointedAshnasas
thewalionBaghdadandexpandedhisauthorityuntiloverMorocco.Hegavehimtherighttoruntheaffairs of all those countries and to appointwhoever he likedwithout referring to the caliph. Thecaliph entrustedAshnaswith all the affairs of the state anddressedhimwith two sashesof jewels.[630]
IgnoranceofTheTurks
TheTurkshadnoanyexpertness in theaffairsof ruleandadministrationor in thepoliticaland
economicalaffairs.Theywerelikenomadsinalltheirbehaviors.Al-Jahidh saidabout them, ‘TheTurks arepeopleof tents, inhabitantsofdeserts, andownersof
cattle. They are the nomads of the non-Arabs. Crafts, trade, medicine, agriculture, engineering,building,diggingrivers,andyieldingdidnotattract theirattention.Their interestwas in invasions,raids,hunting,riding,fightingagainstheroes,searchingforbooties,andsubjugatingcountries.Theirdetermination towards all thatwaswell knownandallmeanings andmeanswere subjected to that.Theymastered thesemattersandwereskilled in them. It is these things thatare theircrafts, trades,pleasure,pride,discourse,andnightchat.’Theaffairsof the statewere in thehandsof these rudeswhoknewnothingaboutcivilizationor
development. Therefore, the nation faced dangerous crises, terrible problems, and too manymisfortunesandbloodyevents.
CorruptionofTheRule
FromthedirectresultsofthedominationoftheTurksovertherulewasthecorruptionoftherule
andinadvertency.Bribewaswidespreadamongtheofficialsofthestate.Theviziers,walis,andclerksembezzledthemoniesoflandtaxesandothertaxesandtheyieldsthatcametothestatefromdifferentcountries.In 229 AH, al-Wathiq, the Abbasid caliph, confiscated from the clerks of the divans about two
milliondinars,[631]andal-Mutawakkilconfiscated ibnaz-Zayyat’smoneywhichhehadembezzledandthewealthofhisclerkUmarbinal-Farajar-Rakhji.Itwassaidthatal-Mutawakkiltookfromhimabout one hundred and twenty thousand dinars and from his brother about one hundred and fiftythousanddinars.[632]HealsotookfromthechiefofjudgesYahyabinAkthamseventy-fivethousanddinars.[633] Shawqi Dhayf comments on this by saying, ‘This means that the viziers, clerks, and walis
embezzledthewealthofthestateandnation.Onethinksthattherewasnoseniorofficialinthestateunless he committed abominable crime.Thewalis bribed the vizier in order to stay in their posts.Sometimesbribewasabouttwohundredthousanddinarsbesidesgemsandothergifts.[634] Even themuhtasibs[635] took bribes and embezzledmoney through theirwatching traders and
merchantsandthemovementofbuyingandsellinginthemarkets.ItwasnarratedthatAhmadbinat-Tayyib bin Marwan ar-Rakhsi, the philosopher, breached the trust when he was the chief of themuhtasibsinBaghdad.Hetook,bythisway,aboutonehundredandfiftydinarsbesidesothergiftsandpresents.[636]Wedonotexaggerate ifwesay thatmostofficialsof the statewere involved in thatembezzlementandbribes.’[637]Thespreadofbribeinthismannerwasaclearevidenceonthecorruptionoftheseniorofficialsin
theAbbasidgovernmentandthatmostoftheofficialsembezzledthewealthofMuslimsunjustly.
TheWalisofTheIslamicDistricts
ThewalisovertheIslamiccountriesoftenboughttheirjobsandpostsfromtheviziers.Thevizier
al-Khaqanisold thepostof thewalioverKufa tonineteenwalis inonedayand tookfromeachofthembribe.Mostwaliswenttoofarinwrongingpeopleandextortingtheirmoneyunjustlywhichmademost
peoplecomplainoftheirinjusticeandoppression.Atthedaysofal-Wathiq,hisvizierMuhammadbinAbdulMelik composedapoemandascribed it tooneof the soldiers andgave it to the caliph.Hementionedaflowofgrievancesanddistressesthatthewalispouredoverthenation.Inhispoemheexpressedthemisfortunesofthenationandtheendlesssufferingspeoplereceivedduringthedaysofthose walis whom al-Wathiq set up on the Islamic districts and entrusted with all the affairs ofMuslims. Theywere excessive in oppression. They embezzled the treasury and threw the innocentintodarkprisonsandcellsoftorture.
TheHatredTowardstheAbbasidRule
Muslimsofall trendsandtendencieshatedtheAbbasidruleandwishedit todisappearamoment
afteranotherbecauseofthebad,deviouspoliciesoftheAbbasidrulerswhichweredifferentfromthelawsoftheIslamicShariainmostcases,wherethewickedbecamemastersandthefreeweresubdued.The corruption of theAbbasid governments broughtMuslimsdisasters andmisfortunes and threwthemintogreatdangers.TheAbbasid rulers and their officials extorted thewealth of the nation and killed the great and
reformers.Theykilledmanypeople like thegreatmartyrZayd thesonof ImamAlibinal-HusaynwhoweremartyredinthewayofjusticeduringthereignoftheUmayyads.TheykilledabiggroupoftheAlawidslikeYahyabinAmrbinal-Husaynandotherswhoresistedinjusticeandoppression.Anyhow,Muslimshated theAbbasidgovernmentsanddisapproved theiroppressionanddespotismagainstpeople.
OppressingTheAlawids
Fromtheworstfacesof theclumsypolitics theAbbasidfollowedwastheoppressionagainst the
AlawidswhoweretheheraldsofthesocialjusticeinIslam.TheAlawidsweretriedveryseverelyandtheysuffereddistressesthatnoonehadeversufferedintheworldofIslamandespeciallyduringthereignofal-Mutawakkilwhosparednoeffortinoppressingandpunishingthem.Hepouredonthemaflowofmisfortunesanddistresses.Historianssaid thathisvizierUbaydillahbinYahyabinKhaqanencouragedhimtooppressthem.[638]
EconomicalBlockade
Al-MutawakkilimposedaneconomicalblockadeontheAlawidsandofficiallyforbadepeoplefromhelpingordoinganygoodtothem.Wheneverhewasinformedthatsomeonedidthemgoodevenabithesubjectedhimtoseverepunishments.[639]Therefore,peoplerefrainedfromhelpingthemwithanykindofhelporgivingthemanyofthelegalduesforfearoftherevengeandpunishmentofthetyrant.TheeconomicalblockadeharmedtheAlawidsandexhaustedthemtoadegreethatonedresswas
usedbysomewomenofthem.Oneofthemworeitandofferedtheprayerandthenanotheroneandsoon.Theyalwayspatchedit.Theysatattheirspindleseminakedwithunveiledheads,[640]whereasthe tyrant al-Mutawakkil spent on his red nights millions of dinars and gifted, without measure,thousands to singers, drinking companions, and effeminates, but prevented the progeny of themessengerofAllah(SwT)fromreceiving their rightsand legalduesuntilhemade thempoorandwretched.Oneday,al-FathbinKhaqantheviziergaveal-Mutawakkilaverybeautifulmaidasapresent.She
cametohimcarryingagoldcupandavatofcrystalfullofwine.Hespenthisnightswithsingers,femaledancers,andwinewhereas theprogenyof theProphet (S)sufferedpoverty,hunger,andallkindsofdistresses.TheAbbasidwomenandthesingersanddancersaroundthemstruttedinsilkandbrocadewhilethe
daughtersofthemessengerofAllah(SwT)hadnoclothestocoverthemselveswith.Thosedarkdayspassed and al-Mutawakkil recorded in his history black pages full of sins and crimes against theprogenyoftheProphet(a.s.).
GiftingMoniesToDisparageTheAlawids
Al-MutawakkilgiftedgreatmoniestomercenarypoetswhocriticizedtheAhlulBayt(a.s.)intheir
poetry.Hegaveabundantmoneyandgold toMarwanbinAbual-JanubandappointedhimaswalionYemenandBahrainjustforhishatredandcriticisminhispoemsagainsttheAlawids.Sodidhewith other insipid poetswho sold their consciences and distorted the truth just for some transientpleasuresofthisworld.
JailingTheAlawids
Fromthehardandseveredistresses theAlawidssufferedduring the reignofal-Mutawakkilwas
imprisonment.Al-Mutawakkilarrestedandthrewmanyofthemintodarkprisonsfornoguiltbutjustbecausetheycalledfortherightsofthenationandtheyadopteditsaimsandwishes.From among the prominent Alawids, who were imprisoned by al-Mutawakkil at that time, was
Muhammad bin Salih the great-grandson of Imam al-Hasan (a.s.),[641] and Muhammad binMuhammad bin Ja’far al-Husayni who was arrested by Abdullah bin Tahir, who was one of al-Mutawakkil’sgovernors,andimprisonedinNaysabour.Heremainedinprisonuntilhedied.[642]Some other Alawids ran away and lived disguisedly in far towns and villages for fear of the
Abbasidgovernment likeAhmadbinEesabinZaydbinAlibinal-Husayn,whodied in loneliness,[643] and Abdullah bin Musa bin al-Hasan who was from the eminent Alawids and well-knownheroes.HehidhimselfforfearoftheAbbasids,[644]besidesmanyothersasmentionedbyAbulFarajal-Isfahaniandotherhistorians.
TheRevoltofMartyrYahya
YahyabinUmarbinal-HusaynbinZaydrevoltedagainsttheAbbasidgovernmentcallingforthe
rightsoftheoppressedandpersecutedpeopleandinvitingtoestablishtheruleofAllahintheearth.Hewasabraveknightfarawayfromtherecklessnessoftheyouth.Hewasnotaccusedofanydefect.[645] People loved him and were loyal to him because he began his rising by refraining fromshedding blood or taking anything from people’s properties. He treated the all with justice andfairness.ThecauseofhisrevoltwasforanisolationandmisfortuneheandotherssufferedfromtheTurks
during the reign of al-Mutawakkil.[646] Groups from the people of Kufa followed him and herevoltedwith themduring the reignof al-Musta’een.The caliph assignedMuhammadbinTahir tofightYahya.Hemarchedtowardshimwithabigarmy.AfterviolentfightingYahyawasmartyredandapagefromthebrightpagesofjihadinIslamwasfolded.After the martyrdom of Yahya, Muhammad bin Tahir sat in a public meeting to receive
congratulations for killing the progeny of the messenger of Allah (SwT). Villains and flatterersshowed him joys and delight and congratulated him for the victory of killing the grandson of themessengerofAllah.AbuHashimal-Ja’fariwenttoMuhammadbinTahirandsaidtohim,‘Oemir,youaredelighted
forkillingaman,whoifthemessengerofAllahwasalivehewouldbeconsoledforhisdeath.’MuhammadbinTahirbecamesilentandterriblesilenceprevailedoverthemeeting.ThecaptivesfromYahya’scompanionsweretakentoBaghdadafterreceivingtoosevereharmsand
torture.Historianssaysthattheyweredrawnbarefootandwhoeverofthemwaslatewouldbekilleduntilthebookofal-Musta’eenarrivedorderingthemtobesetfreeandtheyweresetfree.[647]PeoplebecamesadforthedeathofYahyaandweptforhimtoomuch.Noonewaselegizedmore
thanhim.Manywell-knownpoetselegizedhimandcriticizedtheAbbasids.Anyhow,thekillingofYahyawasoneofthegreat,shockingeventsinthatage,forbykillinghim
thesanctityoftheProphet(S)wasviolatedwhereasAllah,intheHolyQur'an,hadmadethelovefortheProphet’sprogenyastherewardfortheProphet’seffortsincarryingoutthemissionofAllah.
DestroyingtheTombofImamHusayn
Al-Mutawakkil destroyed the tomb of Imam al-Husayn (a.s.) and this was one of many other
terrible misfortunes Muslims were afflicted with at that time. Al-Mutawakkil was full of ragewheneverheheardorsawcrowdsofpeoplevisittheshrineofImamal-Husayn(a.s.)themasteroftheyouth of Paradise, whereas the graves of his (al-Mutawakkil’s) fathers and their cousins theUmayyadsturnedintodunghillsindark,drearyplaceswhichwereresortsforbeasts.Thosegraves,with their misery and gloominess, told the oppression and violence of their inhabitants againstMuslims.Thedirectreasonthatmadeal-Mutawakkildestroytheholyshrinewasthatsomesongstresssent
himhermaidsbeforeheassumedtheruletosingforhimwhenhedrank,andwhenhebecamethecaliph,hesentforhertosendhimasongstressbutshewasnotthere.Itwassaidtohimthatshehadgone to visit the holy tomb of Imam al-Husayn (a.s.). Shewas informed of that while shewas inKerbala.ShehurriedbacktoBaghdadandsental-Mutawakkiloneofhermaids.Heaskedthemaidwheretheywereandshesaid,‘Myladywenttoperformthehajj(pilgrimage)andtookuswithher.’ItwasthemonthofSha’ban.Al-Mutawakkilwasastonishedandsaidtoher,‘WheredidyouperformthehajjinSha’ban?’Shesaid,‘Tothetombofal-Husayn.’ThetyrantwasalarmedandangrywhenheheardthatthepilgrimagewastotheholytombofImam
al-Husayn (a.s.). He arrested the lady of themaid and confiscated all her wealth, and ordered hisofficials todestroy the tomb.They refused insistently todestroy the tombof thegrandsonof theirProphet. Then, al-Mutawakkil asked some Jews, headed by ad-Dayzaj, to destroy the tomb. Theyrespondedtohimanddestroyedtheholytombin237AH,[648]anddestroyedallbuildingsaroundthetomb.Theyplowedthelandaroundthetombandmadewaterflowovertheland[649]butwaterturnedaround the tomb without reaching to it; therefore, it was called al-Ha’ir. A pleHasant smell wasemittedfromthetombthatpeoplehadneversmeltlikeit.[650]AnomadfrombaniAsadgot thehonorofvisitingtheholytombafter ithadbeendestroyed.He
begansmellingtheearthsothatitmightguidehimtotheholytomb.Whenhetookahandfulofearth,smeltit,andfounditemittingaverypleHasantsmell.HecriedandaddressedImamal-Husayn(a.s.)saying,‘Maymyfatherandmotherdieforyou!Howfineyouare!Howfineyourtombis,andhowfineyourearthis!’Thenherecitedthefollowingverse,“Theywantedtohidehistombfromhiscompanion,butthefinesmellofthetomb’searthguidedtothetomb.”[651]Al-Mutawakkil wanted to remove the tomb of Imam Husayn (a.s.), the master of the youth
ofParadise,andtoremoveanytraceleadingtoitbutallhiseffortswereinvain.TheholyshrineofImamHusayn (a.s.) remained high throughout history. It was and is still the holiest place that allhumanbeingsofdifferenttrendsandbeliefssanctifiedandstillsanctify.Millionsofpeoplevisitthisholyshrineeveryyear.Professor Abbas Mahmud al-Aqqad says, ‘It is today a sanctuary that Muslims, agreeing or
disagreeing, circumambulate, and itdeserved tobecircumambulatedbyeveryman. It is aneternal
symbolofthatwhichthisalivehumangivesamongallcreatures.Thedomeoftheheavenhasnevershadedaplaceofamartyratallmorehonorablethanthosedomeswiththemeaningofmartyrdomandthememorandumofmartyrs…’[652]
ForbiddingMuslimsfromVisitingAl-Husayn
Al-MutawakkilforbadeMuslimsofficiallyfromvisitingtheholyshrineofImamHusayn(a.s.).He
establishedmilitarycheckpointsanddistributedspieseverywheretowatchandchasethevisitorsandpunish them severelywith killing, crucifying, cutting the hands, and other kinds of punishment. Inspite of all those severe punishments,Muslims did not refrain fromvisiting the grandson of theirholyProphet(S).Theycrowdedaroundtheholyshrine.Whenal-Mutawakkilknewabout that,he sentoneofhis leaderswithanarmy topreventpeople
fromvisitingtheshrine.Peopleresistedandsaidtotheleader,‘Ifyoukillusall,wewillnotrefrainfromvisitinghim(ImamHusayn).’Hewrotetoal-Mutawakkilaboutthesituationandal-Mutawakkilorderedhimtogiveup.In247AHal-Mutawakkilwasinformedthatpeopleingreatmassescametovisittheholyshrine.He
sent them a big army and ordered the caller to call out that al-Mutawakkil would be free fromwhoevervisitedal-Husayn.[653]Hekilled,imprisoned,andimposedbigtaxesonpeoplebuthefailedto stop themfromvisiting theholy shrineof Imamal-Husayn (a.s.).Peopleoffered their livesandwealthgenerouslyforthesakeofvisitingImamal-Husayn(a.s.).
ComplaintofMuslims
Muslimscomplainedofal-Mutawakkilandabusedhimintheirsocietiesandmeetings.Theywrote
the cursing against him on mosques and walls, in the streets of Baghdad and other towns. Thefollowing verses, which were composed by a poet who concealed his name for fear of thegovernment though itwasascribed to ibnas-Sikkitoral-Bastami,[654]werememorizedbypeopleandspreadamongallclassesofsociety:“ByAllah,iftheUmayyadshadkilledtheson[655]oftheProphetunjustly,hiscousins[656]didthe
same;hereishistombdestroyed!Theyfeltsorrythattheydidnotparticipateinkillinghim,Sotheychasedhiminthegrave.’[657]TheAbbasidsexceededwhattheUmayyadsdidinoppressinganddistressingtheAlawids.Infact,
inspiteofallseverityandmalicetheUmayyadtreatedtheAlawidswith,theywerebetterandnoblermuchmorethanmostoftheAbbasidkings.SomeUmayyadrulershadhadvirtuesthatthefounderoftheAbbasidstateal-Mansurad-DawaniqihadnotanyasImamas-Sadiq(a.s.)said.
EconomicalLife
The economical life in the age of Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) was absolutely confused. There was no
scientific,economicalsystemthatthestatedependedon.Thestatesankundereconomicalconfusionthatwas governedbyneither the Islamic economical systemnor others.The caliph, theTurks, theviziers, and the officials robbed the economy of the nation and extorted its wealth, and thenaccumulatedgreatcapitalsintheirprivatetreasuriesatthetimewhenpovertyandwretchednesswerewidespreadeverywhereinthenation.Themajorityofpeoplemoanedunderthepressureofpoverty.They could not have the slightest necessities of living whereas al-Mutawakkil and other Abbasidcaliphs,whowerecontemporarywithImamal-Hadi(a.s.),excessivelywastedthewealthofMuslims.
TheWasteofAl-Mutawakkil
Al-MutawakkilspentthewealthofMuslimsonhislustsandpleasuresoverthelimit.Thetreasury
wasashisownpropertyandhe spent from it ashe liked.Al-Mas’oudi says, ‘Expendituresdidnotreachatanytimewhatitreachedatthetimeofal-Mutawakkil.’[658]Thewealthwasspentonsingers,themaidsof thepalacewhowere about four thousands, clowns, and thepoetswhodisparaged theAhlul Bayt (a.s.) and this class were given great amounts. The wealth of Muslims was spentexcessively in this way while it was supposed to be spent on Muslims to better their lives andconditions.Whenoneofhissonswascircumcised,al-Mutawakkilheldafestivalandspentuncountablemoney.
Al-Imranireportedthateventbysaying,‘AtableclothwasspreadatthebankoftheTigrisandpeopleof all classes had food.Then cups ofwinewere served and people drank.Al-Mutawakkil orderedwoolsacks full of dinars and dirhamsmixed together to be brought. Heaps of money weremadebeforepeople.Acallercalledoutthatwhoeverdrankacupofdrinkcouldtakethreehandfulsofthatmoney.Everyonetookthreehandfulsanditwassoonuntilthesunset.Al-Mutawakkilalsoordereddinars
anddirhamstobepouredinthemiddleofthemeeting.Themoneywaspouredandwassomuchthatit prevented people from seeing each other. A caller called out that Amir ’ul- Mu’minin (al-Mutawakkil) allowed the attendants to loot from those monies. People threw themselves on thoseheapsofmoneyandcarriedthemoff.Whennightcame,candlesofambergriswerelit.Someofthosecandleswerelikedate-palmtreeswhichweresetupatthebankoftheTigriswhereoneattheotherbankcouldreadabookwiththelightofthosecandles.’[659]
CelebratingtheHomagetohisSons
Al-Mutawakkilspentgreatmoniesonthecelebrationheheldontheoccasionoftakinghomageto
his sonsMuhammad al-Muntasir, az-Zubayr al-Mu’tazz, and Ibrahim al-Mu’ayyad onMonday, thefirstofMuharramin236AH.Heinvitedallclassesofpeopleandspentastonishingamounts in thatcelebration. A tablecloth of about four farsakhs[660] was spread in the garden which he hadestablishedinSamarra’andbuilthispalaceknownasal-Ja’fariin.The palacewas seven farsakhs long and one farsakhwide. It was filledwith people. Statues of
ambergris, camphor, and vessels ofmuskwere put before people.Whoever drank a cup of drink,tooksomemusk,smeltit,andputitintohispocketorgaveittohisservant.Thevesselswererefilledcontinuously. It was so since the sunrise until the sunset. Al-Mutawakkil sat on a throne of goldstuddedwith jewels and theheirs apparentwere standingbeforehimwearing crowns studdedwithjewels. People of different classeswere sitting or standing. The sunrays reflected on gold vesselsspreadinthemeeting,goldbelts,andgildedswordsandshields.Theseabundantmonies,whichwere spenton suchcelebrations and festivals,were thewealthof
Muslims thatmust, according to Islam,be spent to improve theconditionsofMuslims,grow theirpowers,andincreasetheirincomes,butunfortunatelynothingofthathappenedundertheshadowofthosecorruptedregimes.
Bondmaids
The palaces of the Abbasids were crowded of bondmaids who were brought from different
countriesof theworld.Al-Mutawakkilhadabout four thousandbondmaidsandhe sleptwithallofthem.[661]Of course, millions of dinars from the treasury of Muslims were spent on thesebondmaids,andbecauseofthesebadbehaviorsthegeneraleconomyofthenationwasparalysed.
Palaces
Al-MutawakkilandotherAbbasidcaliphsbuilthugeandunequaledpalaceswherenoonehadever
seenlikethem.Oneofal-Mutawakkil’spalaceswasbuiltonaship.Millionsofdinarswerespentonthosepalaces.Ash-Shabasti said that the palaces cost al-Mutawakkil two hundred and seventy-four million
dirhamsandfivehundredandthirteenmillionandtwenty-fivethousanddinars.[662]An-Nuwayrisaidthatal-Mutawakkilspentonbuildinghispalacesaboutonehundredandfiftymilliondinarsandtwohundred and fifty-eightmillion and five hundred thousand dirhams.[663]Herewe talk about somepalacesofal-Mutawakkil:
1.Al-Ja’fari
Itwasthemostimportantpalaceofal-Mutawakkil.Thebuildingofthispalacecosthimabouttwo
milliondinars.[664]Whenthepalacewascompleted,al-Mutawakkilsentforclownsandjesters,andwhentheyperformedsomecomicscenes,hegavethemtwomilliondirhams.[665]Buttimeattackedal-Ja’fariandturneditintoruinsthatevenbeastsrejecteditbecauseittoldtheoppressionandcrueltyofal-Mutawakkil.
2.Al-Burj
Itwasaverybeautifulpalace.Hespentonthebuildingofthispalaceaboutonemillionandseven
hundred thousanddinars.[666]Ash-Shabastidescribed itbysaying, ‘Al-Burjwas themostbeautifulbuildingofal-Mutawakkil.Hemadeinitbigstatutesofgoldandsilverandawidepoolwithplatesofgoldandsilver.Beside thepool therewasa treeofgoldwithbirds thatwhistled. Itwasadornedwith jewels.He
called the placeTuba as the nameof theParadise.A big throne of gold,with two big lions and adrawerhavingpicturesofbeastsandeagles,wasmadeforhimtherewithotherthingsasthethroneofProphet Solomon (a.s.) had been described. Thewallswere covered from inside and outsidewithmosaicandgildedmarble.’[667]
3.Al-Maleeh
Itwasawonderfulpalace.Hespentonitfivemilliondirhams.[668]
4.Ash-Shabandaz
Itwasoneofhiswonderfulpalacesthatcosttenmilliondirhams.[669]
5.Al-Mukhtar
Itwasaverywonderfulpalacethatcostfivemilliondirhams.[670]Ithadwonderfulpictures,one
of which was a picture of a church with monks.[671] This showed that he was influenced byChristianity.
6.Al-Gharw
Itwasaverybeautifulpalacethatcostonemilliondirhams.[672]
7.Barkwar
It was themost beautiful andmostwonderful of al-Mutawakkil’s palaces.He spent on it twenty
milliondirhams.[673]Itwasinthispalacethatal-Mutawakkilhadheldhisexcessivebanquetontheoccasionofcircumcisinghissonal-Mu’tazzaswehavementionedbefore.
8.Al-Hayr
Itwasabeautifulpalacethatcostfourmilliondirhams.[674]Al-MutawakkilandotherAbbasidcaliphsadornedtheirpalaceswithwonderfulpoolssurrounded
by wonderful pictures and statutes. They adorned some pools with plates of gold and silver andfurniturestudwithjewelsandgems.[675]ThosepoolswereaplaceofamusementfortheAbbasidcaliphsandtheirmockatpeople.Oneday,
al-MutawakkilorderedIbadahtheeffeminatetobethrownintooneofthosepoolsinthewinterwhileitwasverycold.Ibadahwasabouttodieandthenal-Mutawakkilorderedhimtobetakenoutofwaterandtobegivennewclothestoputon.Heapproachedandaskedhim,‘Howareyounow?’Ibadahsaid,‘Ihavejustcomefromtheafterlife?’Al-Mutawakkillaughedandaskedhim,‘Howwasmybrotheral-Wathiqthere?’Ibadahsaid,‘IdidnotvisittheHell.’Al-Mutawakkillaughedandgiftedhim.[676]He shot ibn al-Abrah the foolish poet by the mangonel and when he went high in the air, al-
Mutawakkilsaid,‘Cleartheway!Themangoneliscomingtoyou.’Thepoetfellintothepool.Netswerethrownoverhimandhewascaughtlikefish.[677]Itwas required fromal-Mutawakkil tospendhis timeandefforts toserve the Islamicnationand
workforitsdevelopmentintheeconomical,cultural,social,andotherfields,buthedidnothingofthat. Instead, he spent his time and the wealth ofMuslims on vanities, amusements, and lusts. Hispalaceswereplacesforsinging,drinking,andothervices.
GiftsToThePoets
Al-MutawakkilandotherAbbasidcaliphsgiftedgreatmoniestomercenarypoetswhoformedthe
mostimportantpartofthemediaatthattime.Thepoets,whocriticizedtheAlawidsintheirpoems,gottoomuchmoneybecausetheyfixedthepositionoftheAbbasidsandmadepeoplethinkthattheywereclosertotheProphet(S)andworthierofhispositionthantheAlawids.Once,Ibrahimbinal-Mudbirrecitedapoempraisingal-Mutawakkilwhowaspleasedwithitand
gavethepoetfifty thousanddirhamsandaskedhisvizierUbaydillahbinYahyatofindhimagoodjob.HegaveAbulShiblal-Barjamithirtythousanddirhamsafterrecitinghimapoemofthirtyverses,
[678]andgaveas-Sawlionehundredthousanddirhams,andsodidhisson.[679]WhenMarwanbinAbulJanubpraisedhiminapoem,hegavehimtwohundredthousanddirhams
and new clothes. For another poem he gave him one hundred and twenty thousand dirhams, fiftygarments,amule,ahorse,andadonkey.[680]Thepoetpraisedal-Mutawakkilonanotheroccasionand got from him one hundred and twenty thousand dirhams and some clothes,[681] and fiftythousanddirhamsonanotheroccasion.[682]As for Ali bin al-Jahm the poet, al-Mutawakkil made him so wealthy because he dedicated his
poetrytopraisethecaliphparticularly.Theexcessivegiftsofal-Mutawakkilwerenotlimitedtopoetsonly,buttheyincludedsingers,clowns,anddrinkingcompanions.Al-Mas’oudisays,‘Nooneinhis(al-Mutawakkil’s) statewas expert in seriousor lovepoetryunlesshegot agood shareofmoney.[683]Thewealthofthenationanditseconomicalabilitiesweredispelledonvanities,amusements,and
pleasures.Nothingwasspentonthepublicwelfare.ShawqiDhayfsays,“…Inthiswaymillionsofdinarsanddirhamswerespent,withoutconsiderationorcontrol,onthe
partiesofthepalace;thosepartieswhichsuppliedthestoriesof“Athousandandonenights”withallwhat might come to one’s imagination of luxury and lavish spending. That wealth, which wassupposedtobespentonpreparingarmiestoresisttheTurksandtheByzantines,waswastedfoolishlywhilepeoplestroveandworkedhard,butsufferedpovertyandwretchedness.At thesame time,al-Mutawakkilandotherthanal-Mutawakkilplayedwiththepeople’swealth.Millions after millions were spent on building high palaces which were places for singing,
dancing,anddrinking,andheapsofgoldandsilverwerescatteredhereandthere.Itwasnarratedthatone day al-Mutawakkil was drunken in his palace called al-Barkwar. He said to his drinkingcompanions where it was not the season of flowers, ‘What do you think if we hold a festival offlowers?’Theysaidtohim,‘Thesedaysarenotofflowers.’HesentforUbaydillahbinYahya,whowasone
ofhisviziers,andaskedhimtocoinfivemilliondirhamseachof twoweightsofsilver.When thedirhamswerecoined,heorderedhisviziertodyesomeofthedirhamsred,someyellow,someblack,and to leavesomeas theywere.Thevizierdidashewasordered.Thenal-Mutawakkilorderedhissevenhundredservantsandretinue toprepareanewgarmentandcapdifferent incolor fromeach
otherandtheydid.Al-Mutawakkilwaiteduntilawindydaycameandheorderedalargetentoffortydoorstobeerected.Hecameintothetentsurroundedbyhisdrinkingcompanionsandhisservantswearingtheirnew
dresses. He ordered the dirhams to be scattered a group after another like flowers. They werescatteredsuccessivelyandthewindcarriedthemfortheywerelight.Theyflewintheairlikeflowersdid.[684]It was a result of idleness, and excessive luxury. The caliphs enjoyed life to the extent of
foolishnessandmania,whereasclassesofpeoplebehindthemlivedinstraitsandpressingpoverty.[685]
TheGeneralEconomicalLife
ThegeneraleconomicallifeintheIslamicnationwasabsolutelybad.Povertybitmostofpeoplewhowereinterribleneediness.Thegeneralwealthwasaccumulatednearsingers,clowns,theretinueandagentsofrulersespeciallytheTurkswhoweresowealthythattheydidnotknowhowtospendthatwealth.Theyspentgreatmoniesoneverykindofpleasureandlust.Whenevertheybecameboredwithapleasuretheyturnedtoanotherone.Thus,theirlivespassed
betweensinging,amusement,andmeetingsofdrinkingthatwereheldinthegreatpalaceswhichwerebuiltwiththemoneyofthepoor,thedeprived,andthemiserable.Anyhow,theeconomicallifeinmostoftheIslamiccountrieswasparalyzedorconfused,andthat
madereformerstoriseinarmedrevoltsagainsttheAbbasidrule.
LandTax
Thecollectionofthelandtaxwasanimportantsideintheeconomicallife.TheAbbasidgovernmentsentrusted this job to a group of severe and harsh men. They collected taxes that Islam had notlegislated.Theycollectedthosetaxeswithallsevereandviolentmeans,andpeoplesufferedtoomuchduringthosedarkperiods.
GeneralMisery
ThemajorityoftheIslamicpeoplessufferedmisery,poverty,anddeprivationduringtheAbbasid
ages. Ulama’, men of letters, and thinkers often and always complained of their difficult lives.Povertyattackedmostpeople that theyhardlyfoundabite tosatisfy theirhungerorarag tocovertheir semi-naked bodies against the cold ofwinter. Somewell-known scholars, poets, and authorslivedlivesofmisery.Many times they could not find a bit of bread to eat or to give to their families and children.
Studyingandseekingknowledgeatthattimeledscholarstopovertyanddeprivation.Asanexample,al-Jahidh, who was one of the best and most eminent scholars, authors, and men of letters andintellect, suffered pressing neediness and misery, whereas singers, dancers, and clowns lived atabsoluteease.ManypoetsofthatageinvitedintheirpoetrytowardsasceticismandSufismbecauseofthepovertyanddeprivationtheyunderwent.
TheReligiousLife
ThereligiouslifeintheageofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasconfusedandturbid.Manysuspicionsand
illusionswere raised against the Islamic belief by the powers that had spites and enmities againstIslam. Muslim ulama’, and at the head was Imam al-Hadi (a.s.), confronted those suspicions andspuriousargumentsandtheyrefutedthem.
HeresiesandErrors
Awicked group of atheists and apostates slipped among theShia and spread some heresies and
errors.Muslimswere tried toomuch by these polytheists because of the falsehood they spread bywhich theymisled simple and naïve people. The heads of those hereticswereAli binHasakah al-Qummi, al-Qassim al-Yaqtini, al-Hasan binMuhammad bin Baba al-Qummi, andMuhammad binNusayr.
TheHeresiesofIbnHasakah
IbnHasakahsaidthatImamAbulHasanal-Hadi(a.s.)wastheGod,thecreator,andthemanagerof
the universe.He claimed that he (ibnHasakah)was a prophet sent by Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) to guidepeople.HeannulledtheIslamicobligationssuchaszakat,thehajj,andfasting,forwhoeverbelievedinhisbelief.Simplepeopleofnounderstandingbelievedhimandinclinedtohisheresies.OneofImamal-Hadi’scompanionswrotealettertotheImamsaying,“MayIdieforyoumysire!AlibinHasakahclaimsthatheisfromyourguardiansandthatyouare
the First and theOld.He claims that he is your bab and your prophet, and that you yourself haveorderedhimtoinviteforthat.Heclaimsthatprayer,zakat,hajj,andfastingaretheknowingofyouandtheknowingofonewhoislikeibnHasakahwhoisthebabandtheprophet.Hesaysthatwhoeverbelievesinthisisaperfectfaithfulandthereforeprayer,fasting,hajj,andotherobligationsarenotrequired fromhim.Many people inclined to him.Would you please favor your followerswith ananswertosavethemfromperishment?’[686]
TheImamDisavowsHim
Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) disavowed ibn Hasakah and invited people to reject him and reject his
followersandkillthem.Hewrotealetterasareplytothepreviouslettersaying,“IbnHasakahtellslies.ThecurseofAllahbeonhim!Heisnotoneofmyguardians.MayAllah
cursehim.ByAllah,AllahdidnotsendMuhammadandtheprophetsbeforehimexceptwithprayer,zakat,fasting,hajj,andguardianship.MuhammaddidnotinviteexcepttoAllahalonewithnopartner.Sodowe,theguardiansfromhisprogeny.WeareslavesofAllahnotassociatingwithHimanything.IfweobeyHim,Hewillhavemercyon
usandifwedisobeyHim,Hewilltortureus.WedonothaveanyauthorityonAllahbutAllahhastheauthorityonusandonallHiscreatures. I,beforeAllah,disavowwhoeversays thatandI resort toAllahfromthissaying.Desertthem!MayAllahcursethem.Blockthemupintonarrowpassagesandifyoufindanyofthem,splithisheadwithstone!’[687]
TheHeresiesofAl-Fihri
Muhammad bin Nusayr al-Fihri an-Namiri was from the heads of atheists and the chiefs of
unbelievers.HespreadamongpeoplethatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wastheCreatorandGod.Hepermittedthemarriagewith one’smahrams (close relatives that it is unlawful to getmarried to) like one’smother, sister, daughter, and the like. He permitted sodomy and considered it as one of the goodpleasures thatAllah had not forbidden and that it was ameans of being humble beforeAllah.Hebelievedintransmigration(ofsoulsatorafterdeathintoanotherbody).BytheseheresieshetriedtofightIslamanddistorttherealityoftheinfallibleImams(a.s.).
InterpretingtheObligations
These deviant atheists interpreted the Islamic obligations according to their own corrupted
tendencies.Theysaidthattheprayer,whichAllahhadorderedtobeperformed,wasnotthatknownkindofworshipbutitwasaparticularman.TheyalsosaidthatthezakatwasnotthetaxthatAllahhadimposed, but it was a particular man. They also interpreted the sins that Allah had prohibitedaccordingtotheirowntendencies.IbrahimbinShaybahwrotealettertoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)saying,“May I die for you!There is a group of people among us disagreeing on acknowledging your
virtues and position by different sayings that hearts are disgusted of and chests cannot bear. Theynarratetraditionsonthatthatwecannotacceptbecausetheysayterriblethingsandwecannotrefuteordenyiftheyareascribedtoyourfathers.Wearesuspiciousaboutthesesayings.TheyinterpretthemeaningofthesayingsofAllah,(…surelyprayerkeeps(one)awayfromindecencyandevil),[688]and (Andkeepupprayerand
paythezakat)[689]andsaythatprayermeansamanandneitherbowingnorprostration.Theyalsosaythatzakatisa
manandnot thepayingofmoney.They interpretotherobligations in the samewayandevensins.Wouldyoupleasefavoryourfollowerswiththatwhichhastheirsafetyandrescuefromthesayings(beliefs) that take themtoperishment?Fromamong thosewhoclaim theyareguardiansand invitepeopletofollowthemareAlibinHasakahandal-Qassimal-Yaqtini.Whatdoyousayaboutthem?”Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)replied,‘Thisisnotfromourreligionandyouhavetorejectit.[690]Imamal-
Hadi(a.s.)wastriedseriouslybythosedeviantswhodisbelievedinAllahanddeniedhissigns.
TheImamWarnsAgainstThem
Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) warned his followers and the rest of Muslims from associating with those
excessiveatheists.HewrotetoAlibinMuhammadbinEesa,‘MayAllahcurseal-Qassimal-YaqtiniandAlibinHasakahal-Qummi.Satanhasappeared tohimandsohe inspires falsehood todeceiveothers.’[691]Healsowrotetoal-Ubaydiwarninghimfromtheheresiesofthoseexcessiveatheistsandinviting
him to disavow them. He said in the letter, “I disavow, before Allah, al-Fihri and al-Hasan binMuhammadbinBabaal-Qummiandyouhavetodisavowthem.Iwarnyouandallmyfollowersfromthem,andIcursethem.ThecurseofAllahbeonthem.Theyeatthemoniesofpeopleinthenameofus.Theyareseditiousandharmful.MayAllahharm
them,throwthemintocurse,andplungethemintomischief.IbnBabaclaimsthatIhavesenthim(asanapostle)andthathe isabab.ThecurseofAllahbeonhim.Satanhasmockedandseducedhim.Allahmaycursewhoeveracceptsfromhim.OMuhammad,ifyoucansplithisheadwithstone,do!Hehasharmedme.MayAllahharmhiminthislifeandintheafterlife.”[692]Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)askedhisfollowers(theShia)tokilltheheadoftheextremistsFarisbinHatim.
Hesaid,‘Farisclaimsthatheactsinthenameofme.Heisseditiouscallingforheresies.Hisbloodisto be shed by whoever can kill him. Who will relieve me from him by killing him and I willassureParadise forhimby thewillofAllah?’[693]Oneof the faithful responded to the ImamandkilledFarisandrelievedMuslimsfromhim.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)permittedthekillingoftheextremists.Hewrotetooneofhiscompanions,‘…
ifyoucanovercomeanyofthem,breakhisheadwithastone!’[694]Once,as-SariybinSalamahsentalettertoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)askinghimabouttheextremistsand
what theycalled for.The Imamreplied tohim, ‘MayAllahkeepyou safe from their extremism. ItsufficesthattheguardiansofAllahhavedisavowedthem.MayAllahfixyouonwhatyouarein…inthislifeandintheafterlifeandmakeyounotgoastrayafterHehasguidedyou.’[695]
CausesofExtremism
ThecausesthatledsuchpeopletosaythatImamal-Hadi(a.s.)wasthegodandthecreatorofthe
universewere-aswethink-asthefollowing:1.Thecharismataandmiracles thatAllahhadendowed Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) andhis fatherswith,
whichthedeviantsandthosewhohadspitetowardstheImamadvantagedoftofabricateheresiesinordertoattackIslamanddoawaywithit.2.ThedisengagementfromtheIslamicvaluesandprinciples;andsotheypermittedallwhatIslam
hadprohibited.3.Thegreedforpeople’swealth;therefore,theytookitwronglyandextortedthelegalduesthatthe
ShiapaidtotheirImams(a.s.).
WiththeWaqifites
After thedeathof ImamMusabinJa’faral-Kadhim(a.s.),asect fromtheShiacalled theWaqifitesappearedonthestageoftheIslamiclife.TheydeniedthedeathofImamMusaal-Kadhim(a.s.)andclaimedthathewasraisedtotheHeavensasJesusChrist(a.s.)was.ThechiefsofthissectclaimedsobecausethereweregreatmoniesofthelegalduesofImamMusaal-Kadhim(a.s.)withthem.Theyembezzledthesemoniesanddidnotdeliver themtoImamar-Ridha(a.s.)after thedeathof
Imamal-Kadhim(a.s.).ThissectkeptonresistingtheTwelverShiauntiltheShiacalledthemasal-Mamturah(dirtydogs thatwerewettedbyrainand theybecame(ritually) impureandconsequentlytheywouldimpurifywhoevertheymighttouch).OneoftheShiawrotetoImamal-Hadi(a.s.)askinghimifitwaspermissibleforhimtocursethose
al-Mamturahinprayer,andtheImamrepliedtohimthatitwaspermissible.[696]
TheCreationofTheQur'an
FromtheterribleproblemsMuslimsweretriedwithintheirreligiouslifewastheproblemof“the
creation of the Qur'an” which the Abbasid rulers contrived and spread to do away with theiropponents.Manypeoplewerekilledbecauseof thisheresyandspitesandhostilities spreadamongMuslims.Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)wrotealettertoAhmadbinIsma’ilbinYaqtinin227AHsayingtohim,“May
Allahsafeguardusandyoufromthesedition!IfHedoes,itshallbeagreatblessingandifnot,itshallbetheperishment.WeseethatdisputingontheQur'anisaheresythatboththeaskerandtheanswererparticipatein;theaskerdealswithwhatisnothisandtheanswererburdenshimselfwithwhatitisnothisduty.ThecreatorisbutAllahtheAlmightyandwhatsoeverelseiscreated,andtheQur'anisthespeech
ofAllah.Donotmake forHimaname fromyourself so thatyou shallbe from thedeviants.MayAllahmakeusandyoufromamongthosewhofear theirLordinsecretandtheyarefearfulof thehour(ofdoom).[697]
TheLifeofAmusement
TheAbbasidkings,whoruledatthetimeofImamal-Hadi(a.s.),indulgedinpleasures,amusement,
singing, and all lusts. Their red nights were full of drinking, singing, and dancing, but with noseriousnessoranyremembranceofAllah.Notonlyhadthecaliphsbehavedso,butalsotheirviziers,clerks,walis,officials,andinfacttherestofpeople.TheypounceduponpleasuresandamusementsandturnedawayfromthepurelifethatIslamhaddeterminedforthem.
Wining
Drinkingwinewaswidespread in that age.Al-Mutawakkil the caliph,hisviziers, andhis retinue
drankwineoftenand itwassomethingcommonfor them.Theywere indifferent to theprohibitionandtheseverepenaltythatIslamhadlegislatedfordrinkingwine.Thebottlesofwinewerefromthemost preciouspresents for theAbbasids.AbdullahbinAhmadbinHamdunnarrated that his fathersaid, ‘Wewent with al-Ma’mun andwith al-Mu’tasim to fight the Romans.Muhammad binAbdulMelikaz-ZayyatgifteduswithmaturedIraqidrinksandwrotewiththemsomeversesofpoetry.’ Al-Mutawakkil was the fondest of wine among the Abbasid kings, and all bodies of his
governmentwerelikehim.Hespentmostofhislifebetweenthecupsofwine,andhewaskilledwhilehewasdrunk.
Debauchery
Debauchery and corruption spread widely during the reigns of the Abbasid kings. It was an
outstanding phenomenon not only near the kings, but also near the rest of people. The generalconductofpeopleatthattimewascoloredwithdebauchery,dissoluteness,andvices.Itwasthekingsthemselves,whopounceduponamusement,desires,andallunlawfulpleasures, thatencouragedtherestofpeopletofollowtheseways.Thespirituallifehadinfluenceneitherinsidetheirpalacesnorontheirconductsintheoutside.Notes:[628]Al-Fakhri,p.181.[629]An-Nujumaz-Zahirah,vol.2p.229.[630]Tareekhal-Ya’qubi,vol.3p.205.[[631]Tareekhat-Tabari,vol.9p.125.[632]Murujath-Thahab,vol.4p.19.[633]Tareekhat-Tabari,vol.9p.197.[634]Al-Fakhri,p.178.[635]Amuhtasibwastheofficialwhocontrolledprices,weights,andmeasuresinthemarket.[636]Murujath-Thahab,vol.4p.170.[637]Al-Asral-Abbasiath-Thani(thesecondAbbasidage),p.120-121.[638]Maqatilat-Talibiyin,p.597.[639]Ibid.,p.599.[640]Maqatilat-Talibiyin,p.599.[641]Maqatilat-Talibiyin,p.600.[642]Ibid.,p.615.[643]Ibid.,p.619-627.[644]Ibid.,p.628.[645]Maqatilat-Talibiyin,p.639.[646]Murujath-Thahab,vol.4p.93[647]Maqatilat-Talibiyin,p.p.644.[648]Akhbarad-Duwal,p.359.[649]Maqatilat-Talibiyin,p.598.[650]Ibid[651]SharhShafiyyatAbuFiras,vol.2p.144[652]Abuash-Shuhada,byAbbasMahmudal-Aqqad.[653]SharhShafiyyatAbuFiras,p.144.[654]Fawatal-Wafiyyat,vol.1p.203.[655]ImamHusayn(a.s)[656]TheAbbasidswhowerethecousinsoftheProphet(a.s)andofImamHusayn(a.s).[657]Akhbarad-Duwal,p.159,Tareekhal-Khulafa’,p.347.[658]Murujath-Thahab,vol.4p.159.[659]Al-Anba’feeTareekhal-Khulafa’.[660]Farsang:aunitofdistanceequalto6km.[661]SiyerA’laman-Nubala’,vol.8p.153,Tareekhal-Khulafa’,p.349,Akhbarad-Duwal,p.116.
[662]Ad-Diyarat,p.102.[663]Nihayatal-Arab,vol.1p.406.[664]Mu’jamal-Buldan,vol.2p.143.[665]Tareekhat-Tabari,vol.9p.212.[666]Tareekhal-Ya’qubi,vol.3p.222,ad-Diyarat,p.103.[667]Ad-Diyarat,p.103[668]Mu’jamal-Buldan,vol.3p.175.[669]Ibid.,p.319.[670]Mu’jamal-Buldan.[671]Ibid.,vol.5p.70.[672]Ibid.,vol.4p.192.[673]Ibid.,vol.2p.328.[674]Mu’jamal-Buldan.[675]Nihayatal-Arab,vol.1p.406.[676]Al-Iqdal-Fareed,vol.6p.430.[677]Fawatal-Wafiyyatbyal-Kutubi,vol.2p.356.[678]Al-AghanibyAbulFarajal-Isfahani,vol.14p.193.[679]Ibid.,vol.10p.64.[680]Al-aghani.[681]Tareekhal-Khulafa’,p.349.[682]Al-Aghani[683]Tareekhal-Khulafa’,p.349.[684]Ad-Diyarat,p.160.[685]TheSecondAbbasidAge,p.68-69.[686]Rijalal-Kashshi.[687]Rijalal-Kashshi.[688]Qur'an,29:45.[689]Qur'an,2:43andotherverses.[690]Rijalal-Kashshi.[691]Rijalal-Kashshi.[692]Rijalal-Kashshi.[693]Ibid.[694]Wassa’ilash-Shia,vol.18p.554.[695]Ad-Durran-Nadhim.[696]Rijalal-Kashshi.[697]At-Tawhid,p.224.
9ChapterTotheParadise
Imamal-Hadi (a.s.) suffered pressingmisfortunes anddistresses from theAbbasid tyrants.They
sparednoeffortinoppressingandharminghim.Al-MutawakkilwasthemostspitefultowardsImamal-Hadi(a.s.)fromamongalltheAbbasidcaliphs.Heoppressedhimtoomuch.HemovedtheImamfrom Yathrib to Samarra’ and imposed on him house arrest, and surrounded his house withpolicemenwhowatchedevenhisbreaths.Al-Mutawakkilpreventedulama’,jurisprudents,andnarratorsfrommeetinghim,takingfromhis
knowledge and narrating his fatwas and opinions. Doing this, al-Mutawakkil committed a terriblecrimeagainstknowledge.HeimposedeconomicalblockadeagainsttheImamandpreventedpeoplefromtakingthelegaldues,whichcamefromthedifferentIslamiccountries,tohim.HelefttheImaminapressingneediness.HeorderedhismentosearchthehouseoftheImamfromtimetotimethattheymight find arms or books objecting to theAbbasid rule so that al-Mutawakkilmight find anexcusetokilltheImambutnothingwasfound.Sometimes,heorderedhismentobringhimtheImaminwhateverstatehewas.Once,theImam
wasbroughtwhileal-Mutawakkilwasdrunkandbeforehimtherewerevesselsandcupsofwineandhewas surrounded by groups ofmale and female singers, but the Imamwas sharpwith him andbeganadvisinghim,remindinghimof theafterlife,andscoldinghimfor thecorruptionhewasin.Whenal-MutawakkilsawtheImaminsistonkeepingawayfromhim, refuse toassociatewithhim,anddevotehimselftoAllah,heorderedhismentoarrestandputhimintoprison.NarratorssaidthatsomemanheardImamal-Hadi(a.s.)sayingfrominsidetheprison,‘Iammore
exaltednearAllahthantheshe-camelof(Prophet)Salih.’ThenherecitedthisQur ’anicverse,(Enjoyyourselvesinyourabodeforthreedays,thatisapromisenottobebelied).[698]]Afterthreedays,thetyrantwaskilledbyhissonal-Muntasir.[699]After the death of al-Mutawakkil, the distress of Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) did not end. The Abbasid
governmentkeptonwatchinghimandplottingdayandnighttodoawaywithhim.TheAbbasidsboremalice towards him because he was highly regarded and sanctified by all the nation, whereas theAbbasidsgotnorespectorregardlikethat.BesidesthattherewasabigpartofthenationbelievingintheImamateofImamal-Hadi(a.s.)andbelievingthathewasworthieroftheIslamiccaliphatethantheAbbasids who indulged in pleasures and lusts and governed the nation, like the Umayyads, withviolence,oppression,andhaughtiness.
TheAssassination
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)becameaheavyburdenonal-Mu’tamidtheAbbasidcaliphafterhesawpeople
talk about the virtues, knowledge, asceticism, and piety of the Imam and prefer him to all otherMuslim ulama’. He became angry, envious, and spiteful against the Imam His ill will led him tocommittheworstcrimeinIslam.HeinsertedfatalpoisontotheImam,who,afterhavingthepoison,kept tobed.Thepoison reacted inallhisbodyandhe suffered intolerablepains.TheShiaand thenotablesofthestatevisitedhim,andtheallwerecoveredwithdeepsorrow.
TheNextImam
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)appointedhissonAbuMuhammadal-Hasan(al-Askari)astheImamafterhim
andsethimasthegeneralauthorityfortheShiaafterhisdeath.Heinsinuatedtohisclosecompanionsabout the Imamate of his son AbuMuhammad (a.s.) before. Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) entrusted his sonImamal-Hasanal-Askari(a.s.)withtheproceduresoffunerals,prayer,andburialafterhisdeath,andrecommendedhimofotherrecommendationsconcerninghisaffairs.
ToParadise
Thepoison reacted inside the bodyof Imamal-Hadi (a.s.).Violent pains attackedhimanddeath
approached him quickly.When he felt the inevitable death, he turned towards the qibla and beganrecitingsomesurasoftheQur'an.HebreathedhislastwhilethementionofAllahwasstillonhislips.Hisgreat,puresoulascendedtoitsCreatorsurroundedbytheangels.TheearthlyworldturneddarkwhiletheHeavensshonebrighttoreceivehiscoming.Peoplelostmuchgoodbyhisdeathbecauseitwastheleader,guide,anddefenderoftherightsoftheweakandtheoppressedthatdied.ImamAbuMuhammadal-Hasanal-Askari(a.s.)washedthepurebodyofhisfather,enshroudedit,
andofferedtheprayerofthedeadonitwhilehisheartwasfullofpain,sorrow,andregret.
ProcessionsofEscort
Samarra’ was shocked by the great disaster. People of all classes hurried to get the honor of
escortingthepurebodyofthegreatImamwhowastheremainderofprophethoodandImamate.Stateofficesandshopswereclosed.Viziers,ulama,judges,prominentleadersofthearmy,andtheeminentmembersof theAbbasidfamilywalkedbefore thebier feeling thebigdisaster,andmentioning thevirtues and favors of the Imam, and expressing the great loss that afflicted the Islamic nation.SplendidfuneralswereheldthatSamarra’hadneverseenlikebefore.
IntheLastAbode
ThepurecorpsewascarriedunderahalooftakbirandglorificationtothelastabodeoftheImam
(a.s.) thatwashishousewhichhehadassigned tobeagraveyardforhimandhis family. Imamal-Hasanal-Askari (a.s.)put thepurecorpseofhis father into the tomb,whilehis tearswere flowingoverhischeeks.Heburiedhis fatherandburiedwithhim thevaluesofknowledge,patience,piety,andprobity.Aftertheburial,themassesofpeoplecametoImamal-Hasanal-Askari(a.s.)andcomfortedhim,
whilehewasstandingwithhisfamilytothankthecomforters.
TheDateofHisDeath
Imamal-Hadi(a.s.)diedonMonday,thetwenty-fifthofJumadial-Akhirah[700]in254AHwhenhe
wasfortyyearsold.[701]Otherthanthisdateisalsomentionedinsomesourcebooks.Notes:[698]Qur'an,11:65.[699]A’lamal-Wara,p.363.[700]ThesixthmonthintheIslamiccalendar.[701]Nooral-Absar,p.150,Kashfal-Ghummah,vol.3p.174.
10ChapterTheZiyarahofImamAlial-Hadi(a.s)
يلع نسحلا ابأ ای كیلع مالسلادشارلا يكزلا دمحم نب Peacebeuponyou,OAbu’l-Hasan,`AlisonofMuhammad,Othepiousguide
هللا ةمحرو بقاثلا رونلاهتاكربو ، Othebrightlight;andalsomercyandblessingsofAllahbeuponyou!
هللا يفص ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OthesincerelyattachedfriendofAllah!
هللا رس ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OtheconfidantofAllah!
هللا لبح ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OtheropeofAllah!
هللا لآ ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OhewhobelongstothefamilychosenbyAllahexclusivelyforHimself!
هللا ةریخ ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OtheselectofAllah!
هللا ةوفص ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OthechoiceofAllah!
هللا نیمأ ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OthetrusteeofAllah!
هللا قح ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OtheproofofAllah!
هللا بیبح ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othemost-belovedbyAllah!
راونالا رون ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othelightofthelights!
راربالا نیز ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Otheprideofthevirtuousones!
رایخالا لیلس ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othedescendantoftheuprightones!
راهطالا رصنعای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Otheessenceofthepurifiedones!
نمحرلا ةجح ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OtheargumentoftheAll-beneficentGod!
نامیالا نكر ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Otheessentialofthetruefaith!
نینمؤملا ىلوم ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othemasterofthebelievers!
نیحلاصلا يلو ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Otheguardianoftherighteousones!
ىدهلا ملع ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othesymboloftrueguidance!
ىقتلا فیلح ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Otheallyofpiety!
نیدلا دومع ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othemainstayofthereligion!
نییبنلا متاخ نب ای كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OthesonofthesealoftheProphets!
دیس نب ای كیلع مالسلانییصولا ، Peacebeuponyou,OthesonofthechiefoftheProphets’Successors!
ةمطاف نب ای كیلع مالسلانیملاعلا ءاسن ةدیس ءارهزلا ،
Peace be upon you,O the son of Fatimah, the Luminous, the prime leader of thewomenoftheworld!
يفولا نیمالا اهیأ كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othefaithfultrustee!
يضرلا ملعلا اهیأ كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othefavoriteepitome!
يقتلا دهازلا اهیأ كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Otheascetic,thepious!
ىلع ةجحلا اهیأ كیلع مالسلانیعمجأ قلخلا ،
Peacebeuponyou,Othedecisiveargumentoverallpeopleofeveryageandclime!
نآرقلل يلاتلا اهیأ كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,OhewhostudiedandinterpretedtheHolyQur'an!
لالحلل نیبملا اهیأ كیلع مالسلامارحلا نم ،
Peace be upon you, O he who taught to distinguish between the lawful and theunlawful!
حصانلا يلولا اهیأ كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Otheguardianwhoalwaysgavesincereadvice!
قیرطلا اهیأ كیلع مالسلاحضاولا ، Peacebeuponyou,Otheevidentexample!
حئاللا مجنلا اهیأ كیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou,Othebrightstar!
كنأ نسحلا ابأ ای يالوم ای دهشأهقلخ ىلع هللا ةجح ،
Ibearwitness,Omaster, Abu’l-Hasan, thatyouareverily thedecisiveargumentofAllahoverHiscreatures,
هتیرب يف هتفیلخو ، HisrepresentativeamongHiscreatedbeings,
هدالب يف هنیمأو ، HistrustedadministratorinHislands,
هدابع ىلع هدهاشو ، HiswitnessoverHisservants,
ىوقتلا ةملك كنأ دهشأو ، Ibearwitnessthat,verily,youarethewordsofpiety,
ىدهلا بابو ، Thedoortotrueguidance
ىقثولا ةورعلاو ، andtheFirmestHandle,
ضرالا قوف نم ىلع ةجحلاوىرثلا تحت نمو ،
Andyouaretheevidentproofagainstthosewhoareontheearthandthosewhoarelaydownthelayersofthesoil
بونذلا نم رهطملا كنأ دهشأو ، Ibearwitnessthatyouarepurifiedfromsins
بویعلا نم أربملا ، Andyouareinfallibleagainstdefects
هللا ةماركب صتخملاو ، AndyouarebestowedexclusivelywiththehonorofAllah
هللا ةجحب وبحملاو ، AndyouarethepreferredchoiceofAllahtodemonstrateHisproofs,
هللا ةملك هل بوهوملاو ، AndyouarethespokesmanofAllah,
دابعلا هیلإ أجلی يذلا نكرلاو ، Andyouaretheessentialprinciplewhoprotectsthepeople,
دالبلا هب ىیحتو ، andonaccountofwhomthesociallifesustainsitselfandgrows;
كئابآبو كب ينأ يالوم ای دهشأورقم نقوم كئانبأو ،
I say under oath, O master, that I have faith in and I submit to (the divinelycommissionedleadershipof)you,yourforefathersandyoursons,
، يسفن تاذ يف عبات مكلوينید عیارشو ، Ifollowallofyouinmypersonalaffairs,inmyreligiousperformance,
ياوثمو يبلقنمو يلمع ةمتاخو ، Andinmyday-to-dayconduct;andinmyreturnandinmyfinalplace.
ودعو ، مكالاو نمل يلو ينأومكاداع نمل ، Imakefriendswiththosewhobefriendyou,Istriveagainstthosewhoopposeyou;
مكلوأو ، مكتینالعو مكرسب نمؤممكرخآو ،
Ibelieve inallofyou,whether invisibleorvisible, in thoseofyouwhocamefirst; inthoseofyouwhocamelast.
كیلع مالسلاو ، يمأو تنأ يبأبهتاكربو هللا ةمحرو .
MayAllahacceptmyfatherandmotherasransomsforyou.PeaceandAllah’smercyandblessingsbeuponyou.
دمحم لآو دمحم ىلع لص مهللا ، O Allah: (please do) send blessings on Muhammad and on the Household ofMuhammad,
يفولا كتجح ىلع لصو ، andsendblessingsonYourfaithfuldemonstrator,
يكزلا كیلوو ، Yoursagaciousrepresentative,
ىضترملا كنیمأو ، Yourwell-pleasedtrustee,
يداهلا كیفصو ، Yoursincerelyattachedguide,
میقتسملا كطارصو ، YourRightPath,
ىمظعلا ةداجلاو ، themostimportantapproach,
ىطسولا ةقیرطلاو ، thejustandequitablecourse,
نینمؤملا بولق رون ، thelightofthefaithfulbelievers’hearts,
نیقتملا يلوو ، thefriendofthepiousones,
نیصلخملا بحاصو . thecomradeofthesincere.
لهأو دمحم اندیس ىلع لص مهللاهتیب ، OAllah:(pleasedo)sendblessingsonourMaster,MuhammadandonhisHousehold,
دمحم نب يلع ىلع لصو andsendblessingson`AlisonofMuhammad,
للزلا نم موصعملا دشارلا ، theinfallibleguide,
للخلا نم رهاطلاو ، Thefreefromerrorsandfaults;
لمالاب كیلإ عطقنملاو ، AndhewhokepthimselfalooffromtemptationsandservedYou,
نتفلاب ولبملا ، Andwhowastried(byYou)throughseditiousmatters
نحملاب ربتخملاو ، Andwhowastested(byYou)throughtribulations
ىولبلا نسحب نحتمملاو ، Andwhowasexamined(byYou)throughhisreactionstowardsmisfortunes
ىوكشلا ربصو ، Andthroughhissteadfastnessagainstcomplaining
كدابع دشرم ، HeisthespiritualguideofYourservants,
كدالب ةكربو ، theblessingforthehumancivilization,
كتمحر لحمو ، thedestinationofYourmercy,
كتمكح عدوتسمو ، YouentrustedhimwithYourwisdom,
كتنج ىلإ دئاقلاو ، AndheleduntoYourParadise,
كتیرب يف ملاعلا ، Heistheall-knowledgeableamongYourcreatedbeings
كتقیلخ يف يداهلاو ThetrueguideofYourcreatures
هتبجتناو هتیضترا يذلا whomYouchoseandpreferred
هتمأ يف كلوسر ماقمل هترتخاو ، andelectedtotaketheplaceofYourProphetamonghispeople,
هتعیرش ظفح هتمزلأو ، andgavehimtheresponsibilityofkeepingintacttheprescriptofhisreligion.
ةیصولا ءابعأب لقتساف So,heaccomplishedtheoneroustaskofrepresentation(oftheProphet),
اهلمحب اعلطضمو اهب اضهان ، Withfullandperfectconfidence
لكشم يف رثعی مل ، difficultiesdidnotconfusehim,
لضعم يف افه الو ، complicationsdidnotobscurehisjudgment,
ةمغلا فشك لب ، Ratherherelievedintricateissues,
ةجرفلا دسو ، Andhesealedtheloopholes,
ضرتفملا ىدأو . Andhefulfilledthemission
هب كیبن رظان تررقأ امكف مهللاهتجرد هقرف ،
OAllahjustasYoumadehimasourceofdelightforYourProphet,raisehimtothemostelevatedposition,
هتبوثم كیدل لزجأو ، Andgivehimthemostfittingrewardthatsuitshim,
ةیحت انم هغلبو هیلع لصوامالسو ، Andblesshimandconveyourgreetingsandsalutationstohim.
الضف هتالاوم يف كندل نم انتآواناسحإو andgiveus,onaccountofourloveforhim,Yourbountiesandfavors,
اناوضرو ةرفغمو Andamnestyandapproval,
میظعلا لضفلا وذ كنإ . Verily,Youarttheownerofsuperabundantbenefitsandbounties.
Afteraccomplishingthetwo-Rak`ahZiyarahPrayer,thefollowingsupplicationmaybe,advisably,
said:
ةعماجلا ةردقلا اذ ای ، OLordofomnipotentpower!
ةعساولا ةمحرلاو ، OLordofall-inclusivemercy!
ةعباتتملا ننملاو OLordofsuccessivefavors!
ةرتاوتملا ءالآلاو ، OLordofuninterruptedbounties!
ةلیلجلا يدایالاو ، OLordofmagnificentbestowals!
ةلیزجلا بهاوملاو ، OLordofabundantconferrals!
دمحم لآو دمحم ىلع لصنیقداصلا ،
(Pleasedo)sendblessingsuponMuhammadandtheHouseholdofMuhammad—theveraciousones,
يلؤس ينطعأو ، AndgrantmethatwhichIaskfromYou
يلمش عمجاو ، Andre-unifyme(withmyfamily),
يثعش ملو ، Anduniteme(withmyfamily)
يلمع كزو ، Andpurifymydeeds
ينتیده ذإ دعب يبلق غزت الو ، AndcausenotmyhearttostrayafterYouhaveguidedme,
يمدق لزت الو ، Andcausenotmyfootsteptoslip
نیع ةفرط يسفن ىلإ ينلكت الوادبأ ، Andneverrefermetomyselfevenforatimeasshortasawinkofaneye
يعمط بیخت الو ، Anddisappointnotmydesire
يتروع دبت الو ، Andexposenotmyprivateparts
يرتس كتهت الو ، Anddisclosenotmycovering
ينسیؤتالو ، ينشحوت الو ، Andcausemenottofeellonely,anddespairmenot,
امیحر افوؤر يب نكو ، Andbetomekindandmerciful
ينرهطو ينكزو يندهاو Andguideme(totherightpath),andpurifyme,andmakemegetridofimpurities,
ينصلخو ينفطصاو ينفصوينصلختساو ، Andcleanseme,andincludemewiththechosen,theselect,andthechoicestones
ينعنطصاو ينعنصاو ، AnddedicatemetoYouandrendermesuitable
كنم يندعابت الو كیلإ ينبرقو ، AnddrawmenearYouandtakemenotfarawayfromYou
ينفجتالو يب فطلاو ، Andbekindtomeanddonotturnawayfromme
ينهت الو ينمركأو ، Andhonormeanddonothumiliateme
ينمرحت الف كلأسأ امو ، AnddonotdeprivemeofallthatwhichIaskfromYou
يل هعمجاف كلأسأال امو ، AndalsogivemethatwhichIhavenotaskedfromYou
نیمحارلا محرأ ای كتمحرب ، (pleasedothat)onaccountofYourmercy,OthemostMercifulofallthosewhoshowmercy.
میركلا كهجو ةمرحب كلأسأو ، IalsobeseechYouinthenameofYourHonorableFace
كتاولص دمحم كیبن ةمرحبوهلآو هیلع ،
AndinthenameofthesanctityofYourProphet,Muhammad,mayYourblessingsbeuponhimanduponhisHousehold
كلوسر تیب لهأ ةمرحبو AndinthenameofthesanctityofYourProphet’sHousehold
نسحلاو يلع نینمؤملا ریمأنیسحلاو Namely,`AlitheCommanderoftheBelievers,andal-Hasan,andal-Husayn
رفعجو دمحمو يلعو And`Ali,andMuhammad,andJa`far,
دمحمو يلعو ىسومو AndMusa,and`Ali,andMuhammad,
يقابلا فلخلاو نسحلاو يلعو And`Ali,andal-Hasan,andtheAliveSuccessor,
مهیلع كتاكربو كتاولص MayYourbenedictionsandblessingsbeuponthem
نیعمجأ مهیلع يلصت نأ ، (IbeseechYouinthenameofthem)thatYousendblessingsuponallofthem,
كرمأب مهمئاق جرف لجعتو ، AndhastentheReliefoftheirRiserbyYourpermission
كنیدل هب رصتنتو هرصنتو ، AndsupporthimandbetakehimasthemeansofvictoryofYourreligion,
هب نیجانلا ةلمج يف ينلعجتو ، Andincludemewiththosewhoshallberedeemedthroughhim,
هتعاط يف نیصلخملاو ، Andthosewhoactsincerelyinobediencetohim,
يل تبجتسا امل مهقحب كلأسأويتوعد ، AndIbeseechYouinthenameoftheirrightthatYourespondtomyprayer
يتجاح يل تیضقو ، Andsettlemyneeds
يلؤس ينتیطعأو ، Andanswermyrequests
رمأ نم ينمهأ ام ينتیفكويترخآو يایند ،
Andsavemefromwhateveraggrievesmefromtheaffairsofthisworldaswellastheworldtocome,
نیمحارلا محرأ ای ، OthemostMercifulofallthosewhoshowmercy
ناهرب ای رون ای OLight,OEvident,
نیبم ای رینم ای OGranteroflight,OGranterofevidence
رورشلا رش ينفكا بر ای ، OLord:(pleasedo)savemefromallevils,
روهدلا تافآو ، Andfromvicissitudesoftime
يف خفنی موی ةاجنلا كلأسأوروصلا . AndIbeseechYouforredemptiontheDaywhentheTrumpetisblown.
Youmaythenmentionyourneeds,andyoumaythenrepeatthefollowingasmuchaspossible:
ددعلا دنع يتدع ای ، OmymeanswhenIlackmeans
دمتعملاو يئاجر ایو ، Omyhopeandmytrust
دنسلاو يفهك ایو ، Omyhavenandmysupport
دحأ ای دحاو ای ، OtheOne;OtheOneandOnly
دحأ هللا وه لق ایو ، O(thedescribedin)“Say:HeisAllah,theOne.”
نم تقلخ نم قحب مهللا كلأسأكقلخ ،
I beseech You in the name of those whom You created from among Yourcreations
ادحأ مهلثم كقلخ يف لعجت ملو ButYouhavenotmadeanyonelikethematall,
مهتعامج ىلع لص ، (pleasedo)sendblessingsuponthemall,
اذكو اذك يب لعفاو And…
Youmayherementionyourneeds.
11ChapterTheCommonZiyarahOfImamAl-HadiAndImamAl-Askari
هللا يیلو ای امكیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou(both);OtherepresentativesofAllah!
هللا يتجح ای امكیلع مالسلا ، Peacebeuponyou(both);OtheArgumentsofAllah(againstHiscreatedbeings)!
تاملظ يف هللا يرون ای امكیلع مالسلاضرالا ، Peacebeuponyou(both);OtheLightofAllahinthemurkoftheearth!
يف هللا ادب نم ای امكیلع مالسلاامكنأش ، Peacebeuponyou(both);OthetwowhomAllahhasdecidedonyou!
امكقحب افراع ، ارئاز امكتیتأ ، Ihavecometoyouvisitingyourtombsandrecognizingyourright,
امكئایلوأل ایلاوم ، امكئادعأل ایداعم ، And incurring the hostility of those who antagonize you and declaring myfriendlinesstothosewhoadheretoyou,
امترفك امب ارفاك ، هب امتنمآ امب انمؤمهب ،
And believing in whatever you believed in and disbelieving in whatever youdisbelieved,
امتلطبأ امل الطبم ، امتققح امل اققحم ، Anddeemingrightallthatwhichyoudeemedrightanddeemingwrongallthatwhichyoudeemedwrong.
يظح لعجی نأ امكبرو يبر هللا لأسأهلآو دمحم ىلع ةالصلا امكترایز نم ،
IthusbeseechAllah,myandyourLord,thatHemaydecidethattherewardsofmyvisittoyoutobeHissendingblessingsuponMuhammadandhisHousehold
عم نانجلا يف امكتقفارم ينقزری نأونیحلاصلا امكئابآ ،
And that Hemay grantme the favor of accompanying you both in the gardensofParadisewithyourrighteousfathers,
رانلا نم يتبقر قتعی نأ هلأسأو ، AndIbeseechHimthatHemaysavemefromHellfire,
امكتبحاصمو امكتعافش ينقزریو ، AndthatHemaygrantmeyourintercessionandyourcompany,
امكنیبو ينیب فرعیو ، AndthatHemayintroducemetoyou
امكئابآ بحو امكبح ينبلسی الونیحلاصلا ،
AndthatHemaynevertakeoutmyloveforyouandmyloveforyourrighteousfathersfrommyheart
امكترایز نم دهعلا رخآ هلعجی ال نأو ، AndthatHemaynotmakethistimethelastofmyvisitstoyou,
هتمحرب ةنجلا يف امكعم ينرشحیو . AndthatHemayincludemewithyourgroupinParadise,outofHismercy.
ىلع ينفوتو ، امهبح ينقزرا مهللاامهتلم .
O Allah: (please do) grant me love for them, and make me die following theircourse.
مهقح دمحم لآ يملاظ نعلا مهللامهنم مقتناو ،
OAllah:(pleasedo)curseandpunishthosewhousurpedtherightoftheFamilyofMuhammad.
نیرخآلاو مهنم نیلوالا نعلا مهللا OAllah:(pleasedo)cursethepastandthecominggenerationsofthosepeople
باذعلا مهیلع فعاضو Andapplytothemtwofoldsoftorture,
مهیبحمو مهعایشأبو مهب غلباومیحجلا نم كرد لفسأ مهیعبتمو
And send them, as well as their fans, their adherents, and the followers, to thedeepestareaofHellfire.
ریدق ءيش لك ىلع كنإ . Verily,Youhavepoweroverallthings.
كیلو نباو كیلو جرف لجع مهللا OAllah:(pleasedo)hastentheReliefofYourrepresentativeandthesonofYourrepresentative,
محرأ ای هجرف عم انجرف لعجاو Andcauseourrelieftoaccompanyhisrelief;OthemostMercifulofallthosewho
نیمحارلا . showmercy.
www.islamicmobility.com"WisdomisthelostpropertyoftheBeliever,lethimclaimitwhereverhefindsit"-ImamAli(as)
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