ImamAlKadhim(A.S) Author:AlBalaghFoundation Foundation'sWord ImamAlKadhim HisSchoolandKnowledge PoliticalandSocialConditionsDuringImam'sTime TheImam(A.S.)andHaroonAlRasheed ImamCaliphaAliBinMusaAlRidha(A.S.) TheEternalBeacon Endnotes Foundation'sWord AllpraisebelongstoAllah,Whodestroyskingsandreplacesthemwithothers.Peaceandthe blessingsofAllahbeontheleaderoftheMuslimpreachers,theSealoftheProphetsand Messengers,Muhammad,thechosenProphet,andontheguardsofshar'iah,thesuccessors ofthegreatMessenger,hishousehold,andonhispiousfollowers.

spiousfollowers. SinceSatantemptedAdam(a.s.)toeattheforbiddenfruit,andhewasdrivenoutofParadise, whenCainmurderedhisbrotherAbel,thefierce,andbloodystrugglebeganbetweenvirtue andvice,truthandfalsehood,justiceandinjustice,humblenessandarrogance,moralityand corruption,goodandevil,guidanceanddeviation...andinanutshell,betweenIslamand

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ignorance.ThisstrugglewillgoonuntiltheAwaitedOneeliminatesallnegativecharacteristics ofman. Whenevertheswordofoppressionwasdrawn,itwasthetonguethatsaidnothingbutthe truth,thebloodofafreemanwhofortifiedhimselfwithpiety,andthetruepreacherwho heldontoAllah,theAlmighty,thatconfrontedit. EveryconflictonearthendsinthetriumphofAllah'sword,andthefulfillmentofHiswill.The tyrants'wordremainslow,andtheirpowerdiminishesliketheseafroth. TheAbbassidsinheritedthecorruptruleandunjustpowerfromtheUmayyads,butthey outrantheminbrutalityandoppression.Theypersecuted,murdered,andmadehomelessthe membersofthefamilyoftheProphet(s.a.w.),theleadersofMuslims,whostooduptotheir tyranny,andtradedtheirsoulsforthepleasureofAllah.Thesepeopleshedtheirbloodand laidouttheirsoulschallengingtheforcesofdeviation,defendingthefaith,andaidingthe Muslims.TheywonimmortalityuntiltheJudgementDay.Theirenemiesreapednothingbut disgrace,shameanddamnation. Likeahighmountain,ourrevolutionaryImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.),thescionof prophethoodandgrandsonofthepurefamilyoftheProphet(s.a.w.),stoodboldlyintheface ofcorruption.Liketrue,bravewarnors,hefoughtthepoliciesofextravagance,debauchery andterrorism.Hekeptupdefendingtheshar'iahfromthefalsehoodsoftheoppressorsand corrupters,andprotectingtheummahfromthebrutalitiesofthetyrants,untilhewas martyredbypoison,inhisshacklesinsidehisjail,andhisbodywasthrownonabridgein Baghdad. AlBalaghFoundationishonouredtopresenttoitsdearreaders,glimpsesfromthelifeofthis divinelyinfallibleImam. WepraytoAllahtograntussuccessinkeepingupourjihad,andpurifyingtheearthfromthe mischiefofthemischiefmakersandthecorruptionofthecorruptrulers,untilAllahmakesHis religiontriumphoverallreligions,evenifthepolytheistshateit. AlBalaghFoundation INTRODUCTION "..Allahonlydesirestotakeawayuncleannessfromyou,Opeopleofthehousehold,andto purifyyoua(thorough)purifying." Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

HolyQur'an(33:33) Thegreatmessagebegetsgreatmen.Theimmortalprinciplesproduceimmortalleaders.The uniquelygreatcreediscertainlyabletonurtureuniquelygreatmen. Islam,thegreatfaith,theimmortalcreedandthedivine,uniquelygreatmessage,cameto changelifeforthebetter,teardownthefoundationsofignorance,uprootthecausesof backwardnessandcorruption,andmouldman'scharacteronthebasisofdivineguidance,and inaccordancewiththemoralvaluesandtheprinciplesofequityandperfection.Bythis religion,mancanreachperfectionandjoinhimselftotheEternal,AbsoluteTruth. Islamispractical,takinglife'sfactsintoconsideration,whenitlaystheplanforman'slife, refinesbehaviour,leadshumankind,andcreatescivilization. ThephenomenonofleadershipandImamateisunmistakablythemostcriticalphenomenonin man'ssociallife.Themostcontroversialandimportantissuefacedbythecreeds,principles andvaluesistheexistenceofthepioneeringman,theexemplarypersonality,andthegood examplewhounderstandshisrole,carriesouthistask,andleadsthewayforotherpeopleto march.AllahchosetheImamsandleadersofthisummahfromtheProphetichousehold, CommanderoftheFaithful,ImamAliandhissons(a.s.).TheQur'anicexegetessaythatthe abovementionedversewasrevealedconcerningAlibinAbiTalibandhiswifeFatimah(a.s.), thedaughteroftheMessengerofAllah(s.a.w.),andtheirsons,HassanandHussein(a.s.). AbuHurayrah,quotedUmmSalamah,mayAllahbepleasedwithher,assaying,"Fatimah cametoseetheApostleofAllahwithanearthenwarepotfilledwithsweetpastesheherself hadmade.Sheplacedthepotinatrayandputitinfrontofhim.'Whereisyourcousinand yourtwosons?'askedtheProphet.'Athome,'repliedFatimah.'Callthemover'orderedthe ApostleofAllah.ShewenttoAliandsaidtohim,'TheProphet(s.a.w.)wantstoseeyouand yourtwosons.' UmmSalamahwenton,"Whenhesawthemcoming,hestretchedouthishandtoashawlon thebedandspreaditoutonthefloorandseatedthemonit.Then,withhislefthand,he grabbedthefourcornersoftheshawlanddrewthemtogetherovertheirheads.He motioned,withhisrighthand,tohisLord,mayHisNamebeexalted,andsaid,'OLord!,these aremyfamily.Removeuncleannessfromthemandpurifythem'"[1] TheApostleofAllah(s.a.w.)isreportedtohavesaid,"Allahhadcertainlymadetheoffspring ofeveryprophetinhisloins,andhasmademyoffspringintheloinsofthisman,"pointingto Ali.[2] Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Thetruthful,trustworthyProphet(s.a.w.)alsosaid,"Allthesonsofafatherareinclined towardshim,withtheexceptionofthesonsofFatimah.IamtheirfatherandIamtheoneto whomtheyarecloselyrelated".[3] IbnAbbasisreportedtohavesaid,"IheardtheMessengerofAllah(s.a.w.)saying,'IAli, Hassan,Hussein,andninemenfromtheloinsofHusseinarepurifiedandinfallible".[4] TheCommanderoftheFaithful,ImamAli(a.s.),bytheexactwordsoftheMessengerofAllah (s.a.w.)andtheconsensusofthecompanionsoftheProphet(s.a.w.),wasthemost knowledgeable,judicious,andcourageousman,amongthem.Heprecededthemin embracingIslam.Bythesevirtues,hedeservedtrulytobetheImamofMuslims.Onthe21st oftheholymonthofRamadhan,40A.H.theCommanderoftheFaithful,ImamAli(a.s.),just beforehismartyrdom,gatheredhissons,membersofhisfamilyandcompanions,and appointedhiselderson,Hassan(a.s.),asthenextImam.ImamHassan(a.s.)didthesame thingwhenhewasonhisdeathbed.Heappointedhisbrother,Hussein(a.s.),thenextImam afterhim.OnhismartyrdomdayatKarbala,ImamHussein(a.s.)appointedhisson,alSajjad AlibinHussein(a.s.),thenextImam.ImamAlSajjad(a.s.)appointedhisson,Muhammadal Baqir(a.s.),hissuccessortotheofficeofImamate.ImamAlBaqir(a.s.)appointedhisson, Ja'faralSadiq(a.s.),theImamwhowouldsucceedhim.ImamAlSadiq(a.s.)appointedhis son,MusaalKadhim(a.s.),thenextImam.ImamalKadhim(a.s.)appointedhisson,Alibin MusaalRidha(a.s.),thenextImam.ImamalRidha(a.s.),inturn,appointedhisson, MuhammadalJawad(a.s.),thenextImam.ImamalJawad(a.s.)appointedhisson,Alial Hadi(a.s.),asImamafterhim.ImamalHadi(a.s.)appointedhisson,HassanAlAskari(a.s.), thenextImamafterhim.ImamAlAskari(a.s.)appointedhisson,MuhammadbinalHassan alMahdi(a.s.),thenextImam.TheAwaitedMahdiisbelieved,byallMuslims,tobethehope ofhumanityandtheawaitedsaviourofhumankind.Muslims,fromallschoolsofthoughtand denominationsagreeonthefactthatheisadescendantoftheProphet(s.a.w.),buttheyhold diverseviewsregardingthesaying, "DaysandnightswillnorceaseuntilAllahsendsamanfrommyhousehold,whosenameis similartomine.Heshallfillitup(theearth)withjusticeandequity,thesamewayithasbeen filledupwithinjusticeandoppression."[5] Humanityisstillwaitingforthisgreatsaviour,andleadingreformer,whowillestablishthe stateofdivinejusticeandpullout,forever,therootsofloathsomejahiliyyah(preIslamicera ofignorance). HistoryrecordedtheascensionoftheImamsfromthefamilyoftheProphet(s.a.w.)tothe officeofImamate,whomtheApostleofAllah(s.a.w.)praisedbysaying,"Myhouseholdis certainlylikethearkofNoah.Hewhoembarksonitshallfindsalvation,buthewholags Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

behindshalldrown" He(s.a.w.)urgedMuslimstofollowthem.Hesaid,"Iamleavingamongyoutwoweighty things:theBookofAllahandmydescendants,myhousehold.Aslongasyouholdontothem youshallnevergoastrayafterme". Theirreligious,militaryandpoliticalroleswererecordedbyhistoryforthecoming generations.Everyoneofthemcarriedouthisresponsibility,boretheburdenofthemessage inhistime,raisedthebanner,andlaterhandeditovertothefollowingImam. IfonecloselyexaminestheProphetictraditions,historicalaccounts,Qur'anicexegesis,Islamic beliefs,biographicalbooks,Islamicsciences,andprobesthepoliticalhistoryofthedawnof Islam,andthatoftheUmayyadandAbbassideeras,hewillcertainlyfindthatthetwelve Imams,camesuccessivelyanduninterruptedlytohoisttheIslamicbanner.Eachoneofthem wastheImamofhistime,andthemostprominentandleadingmaninknowledgeandjihad. Theywerenotfuqaha'squattingintheirschoolsandclassrooms,norweretheyworshippers, shutoutofffromlife.Theywerebeaconsofguidance,andwellknownhistoricalsymbols. Theywereleaderstowhomfingerswerepointed,andleaderswhompeopleresortedtoin adversities,andindefenseofthefaithandtheummah.Thetyrantsfearedthem.Thescholars feltdwarfedbeforethem.Theminds,howeversharp,weremodestcomparedtotheirs.They wereexemplaryimagesfortheasceticsandordinaryworshippers. ThatiswhyAhlulBait(a.s.)hadenteredallthepure,faithfulheartsacrossgenerationsand decades.Theirimpactandinfluenceremainvividaslongasthefaithisimmortalonearth.This istheDivineWill. "Nay,Wehurlthetruthagainstfalsehood,soitknocksoutitsbrainsandlo!itvanishes..." HolyQur'an(21:18) "...thenasforthescum,itpassesawayasaworthlessthing;andasforthatwhichdoesgood topeople,ittarriesintheearth" HolyQur'an(13:17) Ontheotherside,theirfoesandadversariesachievednothingbutashortlivedecstasyof power,enjoyingcheapwordilygains. ThusthestudyofthehistoryofAhlulBait(a.s.),theexaminationoftheirlives,horizonsof thought,andjihadareofgreatimportanceforMuslims.TheImamsofAhlulBait(a.s.) Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

representtheschoolofIslam,thespiritualleadersofthisummahandtheleadersofits historicalmarch.Theirparamountconcernwascontinuousfightingforthesakeofpreserving Islam'soriginalityandpureness.Theresearcherwouldfindabitter,longdrawnepicof strugglebetweentheImams(a.s.)andtheirenemies.Itisastrugglethatstillpoundsonthe gatesoftime,andkeepsthespiritofjihadalive. ImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)isagoodexampletobefollowedbyMuslims,especiallyregarding hisoppositiontooppressionandinjustice.HeisamemberofahouseholdchosenbyAllah, theExalted,fromamongthesonsofAdam(a.s.).Hepurifiedthem,andsetthemasgood examplesandbeaconsofguidanceformankind.Theyare,astheApostleofAllah(s.a.w.)said regardingthem,"Wearemembersofahouseholdtowhomnoonecouldeverbecompared" ItisonlynaturalthatAhlulBait(a.s.)wouldsufferfromtheoppressionoftherulers,andthe injusticeofthetyrants. Theyweremadehomeless,hunteddown,killed,throwninprisonandintimidated.TheImams (a.s.)ledtheummah,liftedthebannerofopposition,andcalledfortheimplementationof Islam'slaws.Asaresult,people'sheartsleanedtowardthem,andtheireyeswerefixedon them.Thedowntroddenralliedaroundthem,seeinginthemthehopeofsalvation.Anditis onlynaturalthatthetyrantswouldfightthem,anduseeverymeanspossibletosilencethem. ThisisafactpointedoutbytheApostleofAllah(s.a.w.).Heisreportedtohavesaid: "WeareafamilyforwhomAllahpreferredtheHereafteroverthislife.Themembersofmy familyshallcertainlyfacetribulations,madehomeless,andexiledfromtheirhomeland.That shallgoonuntilsomepeoplecomefromtheeast,raisingblackstandards.Theyshallaskfor theirright,butshallbedeniedit.Theyshallfight,helpedbyothers,andshallbegivenwhat theyseek.Theyshallnotacceptituntiltheygiveit(theleadership)overtoamanfrommy family,whoshallfilltheearthwithjusticeafterbeingfilledwithinjustice.Whoeverisluckyto liveatthattime,lethimjointhemevenifitishardforhimtodoso,ashardascrawlingovera snowyland"[6] MuslimsagreethatthisgreatmanisfromthehouseholdoftheProphet(s.a.w.).Heisthe Mahdi,thesaviour.Heshallimplementtheshari'ah,andmakethedreamoftheprophets (a.s.)ofastateinwhichjusticeprevails,areality,andraisethebannerofmonotheismoverall partsoftheworld. ImamAlKadhim

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 ImamMusabinJa'faralSadiqbinMuhammadalBaqirbinAliZainalAbideenbinHusseinbinAli binAbiTalib(a.s.)isthesonofthehouseholdoftheProphet(s.a.w.),andthemanwhowasborn intoafamilyknownforitshonourandloftyglory.Hisfather,ImamJa'faralSadiq(a.s.),wasthe ImamofMuslims,themasterofulama'andfuqaha',andtheleadingunchallengedmasterofthe descendantsofImamAli(a.s.). ImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.)inheritedhisfather'sImamateandgreatstature.Heistheseventh ImamoftheImamsoftheJa'fari(twelveImams)schoolofthought.Hismother,Hamidah,wasa freedslavegirl,whohailedfromAndalus.ItissaidshewasaBerber,or,asothersmaintain,a Roman,butshewasmostlikelyofanAndalusianextraction.Shewasnicknamed"Lu'lu'ah"(Pearl). ImamMuhammadalBaqirboughtherandpresentedherasagiftofhissonalSadiq,whomarried her.ShegavebirthtoImamMusabinJa'faralKadhim(a.s.).AbuAbdullahJa'faralSadiq(a.s.) paidspecialattentiontoHamidah'seducation.Asaresultshebecamealeadingfaqih.Imamal Sadiq(a.s.)assignedhertoeducatewomen,andsteerthemtoIslam'steachings,beliefs,and concepts. ImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)wasbornunderthecaliphateoftheUmayyadtyrantAbdulMalikbin Marwan,atalAbwa',theveryplacewherethemotheroftheNobleProphet(s.a.w.),Aminah,the daughterofWahab,hadpassedawayandwasburied.Itislocatedmidwaybetweenthecitiesof MakkahandMadinah. OnSunday,Safar7,128A.H.,littleMusaopenedhiseyestotheworld.Thegoodnewsofhisbirth wasgiventohisfatherwhilehavinglunchwithagroupofhiscompanions.Happyandoverflowing withpaternalloveandkindness,herushedtoseehisnewbornson.NotlongafterthatImamal Sadiq(a.s.)leftalAbwa'toMadinah.AccordingtoArabtraditiononthebirthofachild,heinvited peopletoagreatfeastforthreedays.PeoplefloodedtothepresenceoftheImam(a.s.)to congratulatehim.Hecouldn'tresistmakingpublichisoverwhelmingloveforhischild.He welcomedhimbysaying,"IwishIhadnosonotherthanhim,sothatnobodywouldsharemylove forhim."[7] Thefatherknewhowgreatthebabywouldbe,andwhataleadingrolehewouldplayintheworld ofIslam.HewouldbeagreatMuslimleaderwhowoulddohisbesttoservetheDivineMessage. ImamalKadhim(a.s.)livedunderthecareofhisfather,andlearnedfromtheschoolofhisfather, towhichthescholars,jurisprudents,philosophersandpreachersflocked.Heinheritedfromhis fatherhisknowledge,mannersandmorals. Hecametoepitomizehighmorals,generosity,asceticism,patience,bravery,perseveranceand Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

jihad.DuringtheImamateofhisfatherhedirectedhisattentiontoacquiringknowledge,andafter hisfather'sdeath,heshoulderedtheresponsibilityofleadingtheummah. ImamJa'faralSadiq(a.s.)emphasizedthisfact,andpraisedhissonbysaying,"Praiseisdueto AllahWhomadeyouasubstituteformyparents,asourceofdelightamongmysons,anda replacementformyfriends."[8] ImamalKadhim(a.s.)earnedmanynicknamesforhisgreatstatusamongthepeopleandhis uniquerefinedcharacter.Hewascalledal'AbdalSalih(TheGoodServant)forhisperfect characterandmanners,ZainalMujtahideen(TheOrnamentofToilers)forhislengthyworship andsupplication,alKadhim(TheonewhocurbshisAnger)forhisextremeendurance,patience andbraveryinthefaceofadversities,hiscurbingofpainandanger,andforbeingkindtothose whoharassedhim,BabalHawa'ij(TheGatewaytoSatisfactionofpeoples'needs)forhisgreat positioninthesightofAllah,andthefulfillmentofone'sdesiresandneedswhenonebeseeches Allah,invokinghisname.HewascalledalsoAbulHassanalAwwal(FatherofHassanI)andAbu Ibrahim(FatherofIbrahim). Peopledescribedhimasbeingfairskinned,handsomeandthin. Helivedtwentyyears,ornineteenyearsaccordingtoanotherversion,intheshadeofhisfather, butremained,asImamoftheummah,thirtyfiveyearsafterhisfather.Hefirsttookonthat responsibilityattheageof20. Hissonsanddaughterswerenumerous.HissonswereAlialRidha,Ibrahim,alAbbas,alQasim, Isma'il,Haroon,alHassan,Ahmad,Muhammad,Hamzah,Abdullah,Ishaq,Ubaydullah,Zayd,al Fadhi,andSulayman. HisdaughterswereFatimahalKubra,FatimahalSughra,Ruqayyah,Hakimah,UmmAbiha, RuqayyahalSughra,Kaltham,UmmJa'far,Lubabah,Zainab,Khadijah,Aliyyah,Aminah,Hassnah, Burayhah,A'ishah,UmmSalamah,Maymoonah,UmmKulthoom.[9] AhlulBait(a.s.)wereaschoolandawellconnectedchain.Itappearspurelytransparenttothe researcher,ifstudiedfromtheApostleofAllah(s.a.w.)totheMahdioftheummah.Thehistoryof Islam,withitsvalues,itswaragainstitsenemiesconceptsaboutlife,rule,politics,andshari'ah, pointstothisfact,andoutlinesthisschool.ThatiswhyanyoftheAhlulBaitImams(a.s.)appoint theImamwhosucceedshim.Likewise,ImamJa'farbinMuhammadalSadiq(a.s.)appointedhis sonMusabinJa'far(a.s.),ashissuccessor.Numerousstatementsconcerningthisappointment exist,butwehavechosenthefollowing: "MansoorbinHazimwenttoseeImamAbuAbdullah,andaskedhimtospecifytheImamwho Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

wouldsucceedhim.'Maymyfatherandmotherbeyourransom',saidhe,'soulsshallcertainly tastedeath.Ifthatistobe,thenwhowillsucceedyou?saidtheImam,pointingto,'Thisisyour man',AbulHassanMusa.Thenheplacedhishandontheshoulderofhisson,asagestureof emphasis.Musawas,atthetime,fiveyearsold."[10] YazidbinSaleetalZaydiisreportedtohavesaid;"OnourwaytoMakkah,we,anumberof travellers,metAbuAbdullah(a.s.).'Maymyfatherandmotherbeyourransom',saidItohim'You arethepurifiedImams.Andnobodycanescapedeath.SotellmesomethingwhichImayconvey tosonsandrelatives.'Yes',repliedhe,'thesearemysons,andthisoneistheirmaster.Andhe pointedtoMusa(a.s.),hisson.nllTheperiodduringwhichheassumedImamatewastheworst, themostbrutalandtroublesomeforAhlulBait(a.s.)andthedowntrodden.ButtheImam enduredalltheatrocitieswithhisperseverance,patience,andcourage.Forhisabilitytocontain hissorrow,painandsuffering,hewonthenicknameofalKadhim. TheDevotedWorshipper WhenaMuslimknowslittleaboutAllah,andhasnoideaabouthisrelationshipwithhisLord,he endsupconfused,troubled,uncertainwhichwaytotake,withnostableandsatisfactory relationshipwithAllah.Suchconditionisexpressedinlaziness,thelackofdesiretoperformthe religiousobligations,thedisruptofone'stiewithAllah,theemergenceofatroubled,confused character,tornapartbylowdesiresandthevaluesandidealsofIslam.Tothecontrary,theman whoisneartoAllah,enjoysastrongdesiretokeephimselfclosetoHim,asHeisthesourceof graceandperfectioninthisworld.Suchamanknowsthepathhetreads,holdsfirmlyto monotheism,faithfullyworshipshisLord,andhisLordalone.Hefeelsheisaboveworldlygains, andtrivialpleasures,tiedtotheExaltedAllah. ThesecretbehindthegreatnessofAhlulBait(a.s.)andtheirperfection,whichsetsthemaside fromtherestofpeople,istheirdivineknowledge,andtheirabsolutedevotiontotheOneand OnlyAllah,theembodimentofgraceandabsolute,pureperfection.Theywerewholeheartedly devotedtoAllah,fullygraspingthemonotheisticconceptswhichwerereflectedclearlyintheir conduct,attitudes,anddeeds.Itisn'tsurprisingthentoseethemrefrainfromenjoyingthis world'spleasures,thinkinglittleofthem,whentheycontradicttheprinciplesofrightandthe marchoftheImamstowardsperfection.ItcomesasnosurprisealsotoseedevotiontoAllah,and truehumblenessencompasstheheartoftheImam,anddirecthisfeelings,desiresand aspirations.IsitasurprisethenthatImamMusabinJa'farwonthenicknamesofZainal MujtahideenandalAbdalSalih.Hewhospendshisdaysandnightsinworshipanddeepthought, riskingbeingthrownintheterribleprisons,overlookingthepleasuresoflife,givingouthimself andhiswealthsoastowinAllah'spleasure,workinghardtosavehumanityandguidingitonthe rightpath? Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

HistoryportraystherelationshipbetweenImamalKadhimandAllah,hisworship,asceticismand uniquespiritualcharacter.Hewas,ashisfatherandgrandfatherswere,educatedandbroughtup tolovetheQur'anandliveit,asitistheBookofAllah,the"container.oftherevelation,andthe sourceofeverygoodandguidance. ImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.)wasinthehabitofrecitingtheQur'an.Hewasatpainstolearnitby heart,reciteit,actinaccordancewithitsteachings,andholdontoitsmessageandmethodology. HewasimpressedbytheQur'anwheneverhereadit.Theverseswouldmovehimtotears. Itwassaidthat:"HewasthebestoneamongthememorizersoftheBookofAllah,theExalted.He hadamellifluousvoicewhenherecitedtheQur'an.WhenherecitedtheQur'an,thosepresent wouldbesomovedthattheywouldbreakintotearsformerelylisteningtohim.Peopleinthecity ofMadinahcalledhim'TheOrnamentoftheToilers.'"[12] HisclosenesstoAllah,hislongingtomeetHimandhisendeavourstopleaseHim,madehim journeytotheSacredHouseofAllahonfoot.ItwasreportedthathehadgonetoMakkah,along withhisbrother,AlibinJa'far,fourtimesonfoot.Ittook26daysforhimtoreachMakkahthefirst time,25daysthesecondtime,24daysthethirdtime,and21daysthefourthtime. Asforhisprayer,hewasunmatched.Thedevotedandpiousonesfollowedhisexample.Itissaid that"WhenhestoodinthepresenceofAllah,toperformhisprayer,tearswouldrolldownhis face." HeusedtoaskAllah'sforgivenessandthankHimforhisgraces.IbrahimbinalBiladsaid,"Abul Hassansaidtome;'IaskAllah'sforgivenessfivethousandtimesaday.'" HishambinAhmarisreportedtohavesaid:"IwasridingwithAbulHassan(MusabinJa'far)ona streetinMadinahwhenhedismountedandprostrated.Heremainedso,motionless,foralengthy periodoftime.Thenheraisedhisheadandremounted."MayIbeyourransom",askedI."Isaw yougoingdowninalongprostration?"Hereplied;'IrememberedagracewhichAllahfavoured mewith.IlovedtothankmyLordforit."[13] ImamalKadhim(a.s.)wasapious,monotheisticsaint.HisheartwasbrimmingwithloveforAllah. ThemostofAllah'sbelovedthingsforhimwasworshipandtheremembranceofAllah.He(a.s.) wishedthatAllahwouldgranthimanopportunitytoserveHim.Oneofthespiesplacedinthe prisonwiththeImam,tokeepawatchfuleyeonhim,reportedtothegovernorIsabinJa'far,that hehadheardtheImam(a.s.)saying,"OmyLord,YouknowthatIhadbeenaskingyoutospareme timetodevotemyselftoYourservice.Youhavedonethat.PraisebetoYou."[14] Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

TheImam(a.s.)wouldnotthinkmuchofjails.Norwouldhegetboredbythem.Hesimplydidn't feartherulers,hisopponents.Hewastoweringoverthislife,loftyandhigh,nojailwoulddeteror intimidatehim.Hehadgivenupthepleasuresoflife,foramoresublimegoal,todefendtheright, andservehisLord. Heconsideredprisonlifeadivinefavour.ItisreportedthatalRasheedwouldsitinaplace overlookingtheprison.HesawtheImaminprostration."Whatisthatgarment?",alRasheed askedalRabi',"whichIseeeverydayonthatspot?"AlRabi'replied;'Itisnotagarment.Thatis MusabinJa'far.Heprostrateseverydayfromsunriseuntilnoon'".[15] ItwasnosecretthattheImam(a.s.)lovedtoserveAllahdevotedlyandwholeheartedly. Historiansandbiographerswroteabouthisworshipandprayer. "ItbecamewidelyknownamongpeoplethatAbulHassanMusawasthehighestinstatusfrom amongalSadiq'ssons,themostdevotedinhisfaith,andthemostfluentinexpressinghismind. Notonlywashethemostdevotedinhisworshipamongthepeople,buthewasalsothemost wellversedmaninIslamicsciencesandjurisprudence.Itisreportedthathewouldperformthe optionalprayersofthenightuntilthemorningprayer.Hewouldperformitandremainawake recitingsomesupplicationsuntilsunrise.Hethenwouldgodowninprostrationduringwhichhe praised,thankedandglorifiedAllah,andwouldnotlifthisheaduntilitwasnoon.Hesaid,inhis prostration:"Thesinofyourservantisshamefullyugly.Letyourforgivenessandpardonbe bountiful"[16] QuotingalIrshad(guidance),abookauthoredbySheikhalMufid,theauthorofBiharalAnwar (SeasofLights),adds: "HeusedtoweepoutofhisfearofAllahuntilhisbeardgotwet.Hewasdistinguishedbyhiscare forhisfamilyandrelatives,whomhewouldvisitandhelpiftheyneededhim.Inthedeadofnight, heusedtocallonthepoorpeopleofMadinah,carryingtothem,inabasket,goldDinarsand ordinaryDirhams,flouranddates.Hewoulddeliverallthattothemwithoutlettingthemknow whohewas,orwhothedonorwas."[17] Hisfoeandjaileracknowledgedhisreligiousdevotionandpiety.AlFadhlbinalRabi'quoted HaroonalRasheedassaying,"ThisiscertainlyasaintfromtheHashimites;'Then,'enquiredI, 'whyhaveyouharassedhimbythrowinghimintoprison?'"Alas,"repliedhe,"ThisissomethingI cannotresistdoing."[18] Hafsreportedfromanumberoftraditiontransmitters,thefollowing:"Ihaveneverseenaman moregodfearingthanMusabinJa'far.NorhaveIseenamanmorehopingforAllah'skindness thanhe.HisrecitationoftheQur'anarousedsorrow(onthepartofthelistener.)Itwasasifhe Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

wasaddressingahumanbeingwhenhereadtheQur'an."[19] Whatahighminded,devotedmanwasImamalKadhim! GiverofForgivenessandFreedom: "Thosewhospendineaseaswellasinadversityandthosewhorestrain(their)angerandpardon people.AndAllahlovesthedoersofgood(toothers)." HolyQur'an(3:133) Islamaimedatliberatingman,andmakingslavesenjoythefavouroffreedom.Forthisgrand civilizedgoal,Islampresentedasetofconceptsandvalues,teachingsandlaws.AhlulBait(a.s.) contributedeffectivelytothiscause.ImamAlibinHusseinbinAlibinAbiTalib(a.s.),forexample, wascalled'TheLiberatorofSlaves'duetothegreatnumberofslavesheboughtandsetfree. Fatimah(a.s.),daughteroftheApostleofAllah(s.a.w.),themotherofthetwelveImams,soldher necklaceandwiththemoneyshegotsheboughtaslaveandemancipatedhimforthesakeof Allah.ImamalKadhim(a.s.),likewise,setfreenumerousslaves.Historiansnarratedthatoncea youngblackslave,burdenedwiththeshacklesofslavery,andtroubledbytheyokeofbondage, longedforthefragranceoffreedom,andthelifeofthefreemen.Hefoundnonetorelievehimof histroubleotherthanthesonofprophethood,alKadhimMusabinJa'far(a.s).Tonguetied,the slavecouldn'texpresshisdemand,sohepresentedamodestgifttotheImam(a.s.),Thestoryis asfollows: "ImamMusaKadhim(a.s.),accompaniedbyhisentourageandsomeofhissons,leftYathrib (Madinah)forhisfarmsatSayah.[20]Beforereachingtheirdestination,theystoppedtohave somerestataspotnearby.Itwasextremelycold.Theywerestillrestingwhenablackslave, speakinggoodArabic,carryingaboilingpotonhishead,approachedthem.Hesawtheservants oftheImam(a.s.)andaskedthem: "Whereisyourmaster?" "Overthere"saidtheypointingtotheImam(a.s.). "AbulHassan,"saidthey. TheyhesteppedforwardandimploringlysaidtoImamMusaKadhim(a.s.): "Thisissweetmeat.Itismypresenttoyou,sir." Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

ImamMusaKadhim(a.s.)acceptedhispresentandaskedhimtohandittotheservants.Theblack slavedidsoandwentaway.Itwasnotlongbeforehereturnedcarryingabunchoffirewood.He wentovertotheImam(a.s.)andsaid: "Thisisfirewood.Itismypresenttoyou,sir." TheImam(a.s)acceptedhispresentandorderedhimtobringfire.Themaninstantlycarriedout Imam'sorder,whereupontheImam(a.s.)orderedhisnameandthenameofhismastertobe writtendown.Herecommendedthatthenamebekeptathand.Then,theyproceededtothe farmswheretheystayedforafewdays.FromtheretheywenttotheHolyHouseofAllah.Having finishedhisumrah(Minorpilgrimage),theImam(a.s.)orderedSa'idtolookforthemasterofthe blackslave. "Shouldyoufindhishouse,tellme,soImaycallonhim.IhatetosendforsomeonewhileIneed him." Sa'idwentout.Hesearchedfortheman,andfinallyfoundhim.Herecognizedhimandlearned thathewasaShi'ite.Sa'idapproachedandgreetedhim.ThemanaskediftheImam(a.s.)had cometoMadinah,towhichquestionSa'idreplied'No.'Themanthenaskedwhyhadhecometo thecity.Sa'idtoldhimthathehadsomebusinesstodo.Unconvinced,thinkingthattheImam mightbeinthetownafterall,themanfollowedSa'idwhohadbidhimfarewell.Sa'idfelttheman followinghim,buttriedinvaintoevadehim.Resigned,Sa'idwalkedwiththemanuntilthey reachedtheImam'sresidence.Whenbothmenwentin,theImam(a.s.)severelyblamedSa'idfor tellingthemanabouthisarrivalinMakkah.Sa'idapologizedbutsaidthathedidn'ttelltheman aboutthat,butthemanhimselfhadfollowedhim,againsthiswill.Whenthemanseatedhimself, theImam(a.s.)welcomedhimandasked: "Doyousellyourslave?" "MayIbeyourransom,"saidtheman,"theslave,thefarm,andallmypropertyareallyours." "Asforthefarm,Idonotwanttostripyouofit,"repliedtheImam(a.s.). ThemanpleadedwiththeImam(a.s.)andentreatedhimtoacceptboththefarmandtheslave. TheImam(a.s.)turnedhisofferdown.Butfinallyheboughttheslave'sfreedomandgavehimthe farm.WiththeblessingoftheImam(a.s.)Allahmadetheslave'sbusinessprosperuntilhissons becameamongMakkah'smostwealthymenandmoneychangers."[21] TheImam(a.s.),historytestifies,onceboughtawholefamilyofslaves,thenheemancipated them. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 AllamahalMajlisireportsinhisfamousbook'BiharalAnwar'ontheauthorityofalKafi,froma chainoftransmitters: "MuhammadbinYahyareportedontheauthorityofMuhammadbinAhmad,ontheauthorityof AlibinalRayyan,ontheauthorityofAhmadbinAbiKhalaf,aslaveofAbulHassanwhomthe Imam(a.s.)hadbought,alongwithhisfather,motherandbrotherandsetthemallfree.Thenhe madeacontractwithAhmadbywhichAhmadbecameImam'ssteward."[22] KindnessandGenerosity: ImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.)iswidelyknownforhiskindness,altruism,generosityandhis tendencytohelpthepoorsecretlyandpublically.Hehelpedthepeopletosolvetheirproblems, settheslavesfree,paidthedebtsoftheindebted,andkeptgoodrelationswithhisrelatives. SheikhalMufid,mayAllahbepleasedwithhim,explains,inhisbook"alIrshad",Imam's attributes: "AbulHassanwasthemostdevotedworshipperamongthepeopleofhistime,andthemost versedinfiqh.Hewasthemostgenerous,andthekindestofallpeople...""Hewasverykindtohis familyandrelatives,readytohelpthemwhentheyneededhim",addedSheikhalMufid."Inthe deadofnight,heusedtocallonthepoorofMadinah,givethemmoneyandfoodsecretlysothat theydidnotknownwhohewas."[23] Historiansmaintainthatwhensomeonereviledhimorsaidsomethingbadabouthim,theImam (a.s.)wouldsendabagstuffedwith200300Dinars.Thushereturnedthebadwithgood,lavishing hiskindnessonallpeople.Suchbagsweresenttotheneedyandindebted.Themoneybagsof MusabinJa'far(a.s.)becameproverbial."[24] AboutthegenerosityofImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)MuhammadbinAbdullahalBikrisays: "IcametoMadinahseekingsomeonewhowouldlendmesomemoney.Ifoundnone.Whynotgo toAbulHassanandcomplaintohimaboutmytrouble?"Isaidtomyself.Accordingly,Iwentto seehimataplacecalledNiqma[25]wherehehadafarm.Hecameoutwithoneofhisservants carryingasievefilledwithveined,curedmeat.Isawnothingelsetobeeaten.Hesetouteating andIfollowedsuit.Thenheaskedmeaboutmytrouble,andInarratedmystory.Hewentintothe house,andreturnedshortly.'Getoff,'saidhetohisservant.Heputouthishandwithabagof money.Therewere300Dinarsinit.Thenherosetohisfeetandleftme.Istoodup,mountedmy animalandleft."[26] Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Heusedtoforgivethewrongdoers,returningtheirbadbehaviourwithgoodness."Whenheheard someonetalkingevilofhim,hesenthimamoneybagfilledwithDinars.Eachbagcontainednearly 200300Dinars."[27] Anexcellentinstanceofhistoleranceandforgivenessisdetailedinthefollowingstory: "TherewasamanwhousedtorevileAlibinAbiTalib(a.s.)whenhemetImamMusabinJa'far.He missednochanceofannoyinghimwheneverhesawhim.SomeofImam'sservantsandfollowers askedhimtopermitthemtokilltheman,buttheImamrejectedthis.Thenhemountedhis donkey,andwentacrossthefarmoftheman,crushingthegrass.'Donottrampleonthegrass!' criedouttheman.TheImam(a.s.)didnotanswerhim.Drawingneartheman,hedismounted,sat downandbegantalkingkindlyandhumorouslytotheman.'Howmuchdidyouspendonthis farm?'askedtheImam(a.s.).'OnehundredDirhams,'repliedtheman,'Andwhatprofitdoyou hopetogain?'inquiredtheImam.'Idonotknow,'saidtheman.'Ihaveaskedyou:howmuchdo youhopetoget?'repeatedtheImam.'AnextraonehundredDirhams,'answeredtheman."The Imam(a.s)gotout300Dinarsfromhispocketandhandedthemtohim.Theman,movedby Imam'sgesture,rosetohisfeetandkissedtheImam(a.s.)onthehead.WhentheImam(a.s.), afterwards,enteredthemosque,themansprangup,greetedhim,andsaid,Allahknowsbest whomtoentrustwithHismessage''Whatisthat?'thefriendsofthemanrebukedhim.Theman reviledthem. Fromthattimeon,themanbegantostandupasasignofreverenceandgreetImamMusa(a.s.) wheneverheenteredthemosque.ImamMusa(a.s.)saidtothosewhowantedtogetridofthe man'whatwasbetter,whatyouwantedorwhatIdid?'"."[28] SuchwasAhlulBait's(a.s.)manners,andtheirtolerance.Thisisoneanecdoteofnumerouswhich reflectsImam'sforgiveness,andthecurbingofhisanger.HewasnotcalledalAbdalSalih,Zayn alMujtahideenandalKadhimfornothing. "Wefeedyou,forAllah'spleasureonlyWedesirefromyouneitherrewardnorthanks." HolyQur'an(76..9) Suchgenerosity,forgiveness,openhandednessandloveoffreedomaredifferentwhentheyissue fromtheImam(a.s.).Otherpeoplespendliberally,givelavishly,andgrantboundlessly,butthey dothisonlyinpursuitoffame,socialstatus,andthebuyingofotherpeople'sconscience. AsfortheImam(a.s.),hisselfistoosereneandperfecttoseekpraise,socialpositionand reputation.Hedidgood,gavelavishly,helpedtheneedy,andemancipatedtheslavesforthesake

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ofAllah,demandingnothinginreturn. HisSchoolandKnowledge A.HisPositionasaScholar: "...Notonlywashethemostdevoutinhisworshipamongthepeople,buthewasalsothemost wellversedmaninIslamicsciencesandjurisprudence."[29] ImamMusabinJafar(a.s.)isthegrandsonoftheProphetMuhammad(s.a.w.),andtheinheritor oftheknowledgeofAhlulBait(a.s.).Hewasthediscipleofhisfather,ImamJa'faralSadiq(a.s.), thegreatspiritualleader,andthetopscholarofhistime,aboutwhomMalikbinAnas,theleader oftheMalikiyyahschoolofthought,said: "Neverhasaneyeseen,norhasanearheard,norhasamindofamaneverthoughtofaman betterthanJa'faralSadiqinhisoutstandingmerits,knowledge,worshipandpiety."[30] ThewellknownhistorianalYa'qoobiwrote,describinghim,"Hewasthebestamongpeopleand themostwellversedinthefaith.Thescholarswhoreportedfromhim,wouldopentheir narratives,iftheyconveyedthemfromhim,withthesewords,'Thegreatalimtoldusthat..."[31] ImamJa'faralSadiq(a.s.)appointedhissonMusaalKadhimashissuccessortotheofficeof Imamate.AlibinJa'far,thebrotherofImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.),adependable,trustworthy narrator,isreportedtohavesaid,"IheardAbuJa'farbinMuhammad(a.s.)sayingtosomepeople fromhisentourageandclosefriends,'Takegoodcareofthissonofmine,Musa.Heisthebestof mysons,andthebestamongwhomIleaveafterme.Heshallbemysuccessorandtheproofof Allah,theExalted,overallhisservantsafterme."[32] ImamalSadiq(a.s.)himselfoncesaidtoacompanionofhis,"Shouldyouaskthissonofmine, whomyouknow,aboutwhatisbetweenthetwocoversoftheQur'an,hewillcertainlyanswer youknowledgeably."[33] AndsoImamalKadhim(a.s.)receivedtheheavytrustofguidingtheummahfromhisfather.The Imam(a.s.)raisedagenerationof'ulama',preachersandnarratorsofProphetictraditions.His missionlasted35years. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Hiserawasabundantwithideologicalandphilosophicalcurrents.Divergentviewsonfiqh, Qur'anicexegesisandscienceoftraditionsemerged. ThaterawasthemostcriticalinthelifeofMuslims.Atheism,polytheism,andhyperbole penetratedtheMuslimsociety,andnewideologicaltrends,withconflictingbeliefsanddoctrines surfaced.Schoolsoffiqhdiversifiedandnewsciences,includinglogic,philosophy,linguistics,in additiontocomparison,appreciationandpersonaltastes,wereadoptedasbassfordeducingfiqh decrees.Somejudgesandfuqaha'distortedtheirjudgementsanddecreessoastosuittherulers. Distortedandfabricatedtraditionswerespread. Thoughextremelyrestrictedandbeleaguered,ImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)didn'tgiveuphis mission.ItwashistopprioritytocorrecttheIslamicmarchbyshowingtotheummahwhatwas originalandwhatwasnonIslamic.Aidedbyhisdisciples,hefacedthenewideologicaltrends, exactlyashis. father,alSadiq(a.s.),andhisgrandfather,alBaqir(a.s.),haddonebefore,anddisplayedtheir flaws,anddemonstratedthattheywereonlydistortedviewsoftheoriginalIslam.Asforfiqh,he enricheditwithhisexplanations,statementsanddeductions.Bysodoing,theImam(a.s.) solidifiedthepillarsofIslam,purifiedmethodologiesoffiqhandIslamiclaws.Hekepttheschool ofAhlulBait(a.s.)original,andenrichedit. Biographicalbooksandthoserelatedtotraditionsmaintainthatupwardto300menhadreported fromImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.).ProudlyhistorycitesalistofImam'sstudentswhowere distinguishedasgreatscholars,andprominentulama'.Mostofthemauthoredandcompiledrich, andgreatbooksonthedifferentsciencesofIslam. SheikhalToosiwrites,"Thefollowersofourschoolofthoughthaveagreedontheprobityand trustworthinessofsixfuqaha',whoweretaughtandeducatedbyalKadhimandalRidha(a.s.). Theywere:YunusbinAbdulRahman,SafwanbinYahya,Bayya'alSabiri,MuhammadbinAbi Umayr,AbdullahbinalMughirah,alHassanbinMahboobalRadandAhmadbinMuhammadbin AbiNasr."[34] DistinguishedamonghisstudentswerealsoHishambinalHakam,thegreataliminthescienceof monotheismandIslamicbeliefs,AlibinSuworyd,MuhammadbinSinan...etc. FollowingareverybriefbiographiesoffourofImam'sstudentsandfollowers.Thesemightgiveus anideaofhowgreatwastheimpactoftheschoolofImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)ontheummah. AlibinSuwaydalSoo'i: Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

HetransmittedtraditionsfromImamalKadhim(a.s.)andImamalRidha(a.s.).Hecorresponded withAbulHassanI,namelyImamalKadhim(a.s.)whenthelatterwasinprison.Judgingfromthe letterstheImam(a.s.)senthim,hewasamanofgreatsocialposition,andwasawellknown scholar.HeauthoredabookmentionedbyAhmadbinZaydalKhuza'i.[35] MuhammadbinSinan: MuhammadbinalHassanbinSinanwasknownbythenameofhisgrandfatherbecausehisfather diedwhilehewasstillachild.Hisgrandfathertookcustodyofhim.HewasnicknamedAbuJa'far andalZahiri,afterthenameofZahir,theservantofUmarbinalHumqalKhuza'i,awellknown companionofbothImamAbulHassanalKadhim(a.s.)andImamAbulHassanalRidha(a.s.).He authoredbooksmentionedby,amongothers,alHassanbinSham'oon,Muhammadbinal Hussein,AhmadbinMuhammad,andMuhammadbinAlialSayrafi.Anumberofreputedpeople likeSafwanandalAbbasbinMa'roof,andAbdulRahmanbinalHajjaj[36],quotedhim. MuhammadbinAbiUmayralAzdi: HisfatherisZiyadbinIsa.HewasBaghdadibybirthandlivedinBaghdad.Inthesightofall people,thecommonandthoseclosetotheImams,hewasoneofthemosttrustworthy,pious anddevoutamongpeople."Hewasunique,amongallpeople,inallhisqualities,"wrotealJahidh. "HewasaleadingShi'ite,"addsalJahidh."UnderalRasheedhewasthrowninprison,soasto forcehimtonametheShi'ites,andespeciallythefollowersofMusabinJa'far(a.s.).Hewasso severelybeatenthathewasabouttoconfess,whenheheardMuhammadbinYunusbinAbdul Rahmansayingtohim,'FearAllah,MuhammadbinUmay.'HebravelyenduredtortureuntilAllah grantedhimfreedom." AlKishshireportsthat,inthedaysofHaroon,Muhammadwasbeaten120timeswithathick pieceofwood.AlSindibinShahikbeathimbecauseofbeingaShi'ite.Hewasimprisonedand keptthereuntilhepaidatotalof21,000Dirhamsfromhisownmoney. ItwasalsosaidthatalMa'moon,theAbbassidecaliph,kepthiminprisonuntilheacceptedthe postofjudgeinaMuslimtown.AccordingtoSheikhalMufid,inhisbookalIkhtisas(abookof traditions)hewasimprisoned17years.Hissisterburiedhisbooksforfouryears,duringwhich periodthebooksdecayed.Itwasalsosaidthathehadkepttheminaroomwheretherain destroyedthem.Sohedependedonhismemory,oronthetraditionsandnarrativeshehad conveyedearliertopeople,whenhestartedonceagainorallynarratingthetraditionsorwriting themdown.HelivedduringtheImamateofalKadhim(a.s.)[37]butdidnotquotehim,but quotedbothalRidhaandalJawad(a.s.).Hediedin217A.H.[38]Historianssaythathewrote94 booksondifferentIslamicsciencesandarts.[39] Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

HishambinalHakam: AbulHakamHishambinalHakamalBaghdadialKindiwastheservantofthefamilyofShayban. Shi'iteagreeonhisprobityandgreatpositionintheeyesoftheImams(a.s.).Hehadlong discussionswiththosewhodifferedwithhimonmanyaspectsofthefaith.Heassociatedwith AbuAbdullahJa'faralSadiq(a.s.),thenwithhissonalKadhim(a.s.),thenwithalRidha(a.s.), untilhisdeathin179A.H.inthecityofKufa.[40] Historiansmaintainthathewasamanofprofoundknowledge,particularlyintheareasof philosophyofmonotheism,ImamateandIslamicbeliefs.Hewrote30books.[41] TheseareonlyfourleadingscholarswepickedthemfromalistofstudentsofImamalKadhim's school.SayyidIbinTawoossays,"ThecompanionsandclosefriendsoftheImamusedtoattend hisassembly,carryingebonyboardsandsticksintheirsleeves.Theywouldwritedownanything hesaid,oranyjudgementhegaveonanyaffair".[42] B.SomeofImam'sStatementsonMonotheism: Withoutanyphilosophizationorcomplication,Muslimstookplainlyandsimplymonotheismfrom thepreacherofmonotheism,Muhammad(s.a.w.).TheygraspeditfromtheBookofAllahand believedinit.Theyfullyunderstoodthisdoctrineandbelievedinprophethood,revelation,the Hereafter,Paradise,Hell,attributesofAllah,theGlorified,andHisrelationwiththedeedsofHis servants,theuniverse,sustenanceofHisservants,thingscloselyrelatedtomonotheism.But throughthepassageoftime,philosophy,logic,anddialecticsinfiltratedIslamicbeliefs,andpeople begantodifferonsuchthingsasthedivineattributes,thedeedsofpeople,theHereafterand otherthingslinkedtocoreIslamicbeliefs.SomepeoplesaidthatAllah,likeanyofhiscreatures, hadabody.OtherssaidAllahdescendedtoourskyonawhitedonkey.SomeMuslimsbelievedin fatalismandfreechoice.Agroupofpeopledeniedthetortureofthegrave,whileanothergroup deniedthatpeoplewouldberesurrectedbodilyontheJudgementDay.Somepeoplecalledfor asceticismandthecuttingofone'stieswiththislife,ImamsofAhlulBait(a.s.),especiallyalBaqir, alSadiq,alKadhimandalRidha(a.s.),withtheirstudentsstoodagainstallkindsofideological deviations,andrefutedthemwithproofs,logic,andreasonedanswers. WhensomepeopleclaimedthatAllah,theBlessedandExalted,descendedtothesky,hesaid, "Allahneverdescends.HeneednotdescendHeisthesame,whethercloseorremote.Noremote thingisfarfromHim,noraclosethingisnearHim.Heneedsnobodyandnothing,buteverybody andeverythingareinneedofHim.HeistheGenerousandPowerfulThereisnogodbutHe,the MightyandWise. AsforthosedescriberswhosaythatHedescends,theBlessedandExaltedAllahisfarabovethis Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

description.ThosewhosaysobelievethatAllahisvulnerabletodecreaseorincrease.Any movablethingneedssomeoutsideforcethatmovesisorservesasamediumforitsmovement. DoomedishewhosefaithinAllahisshaken.BewaretoattributetoAllahqualitiesthatdepictHim asdecreasingorincreasing,movingorbeingmoved,changingordescending,standingorsitting. Allah,theAlmightyandPowerful,iscertainlybeyondthewordsofthedescribers,thedepictionof depicters,andthefancyofthefanciful"[43] Somepeopleexplainedtheverse"TheBeneficentisestablishedontheThroneofPower."by sayingthatAllahsitsonathronelikeachair.Hecorrectedtheirideawhenhesaid,"Themeaning ofthis"TheBeneficentisestablishedontheThroneofPower"isthatAllahhaspoweroverall things,tinyorhuge.[44]ThatmeansHehastruepoweroverthewholeuniverse.'Sitting'hereis equal,initsmeaning,tothedescriptionofAllah,theExalted,asbeingPowerfulandenjoying masteryoverallthings.Thoughnearandpresenteverywhere,Hedoesnotgofaraway,nor diminish." Oneofhiscontemporariesarguedwithhimabouttheexegesisofthisverse.Themansaid,'Isee hereacomingoutoftheunseen,andadescensiontotheearth.IthinkMuhammad(s.a.w.)saw hisLordwithhisheartbutitwasattributedtohiseyesight.Howcanthisbeexplained?' 'Hedrewnearandcamedown,'repliedtheImam(a.s.),'ButHedidnotleaveaplace,nordidHe comedowninabody.' 'IdescribeHimbyHisowndescription,'saidtheman.'HedidnotcomedownfromHisplace withoutleavingit.Ifthematterwasnotso,HewouldnotdescribeHimselfinthisway.' 'ThisisanexpressionusedbythetribeofQuraish,'saidtheImam(a.s.).'Whenamanfromthem wantstosay'qadsam'it'Ihaveheard,hesays'qadtadallayt'Ihavecomedown.'Comingdown' meansunderstandingintheQuraishidialect."[45] InanotherstatementImamalKadhim(a.s.)explainstherelationbetweenAllah'swillandman's. Heshowshowman'sbehaviourhasdeveloped,whetheritisgoodorbad.Heemphasizesthefact thatmanisfree,andheenjoysthefullfreedomofchoice.Hecandosomethingandcanrefrain fromdoingit.Allahneverabolishesman'swill.Butthisfreedomtoactonthepartofmandoesn't meanthatAllahisunabletopreventHisservantsfromdoingevil,orthatHecan'tforcethemto dogood.Allahsimplywantstotestmaninthislife,ImamalKadhim(a.s.)says: "WhenAllahcreatedHiscreatures,Heknewwhattheirfateswouldbe.Heorderedthemtodo certainthingsandforbadethemtodootherthings.IfHeorderedthemtodocertainthings,He leftthemfreetodothemornot.TheycannotdosomethingorabstainfromdoingitwithoutHis will.NeverdidAllahforceanyofHisservantstodisobeyHim.'HesimplytestsHisservantswith Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

tribulations'."[46] C.ImamStatesKeySourcesofIslamicThoughtandLegislation: Herewehaveabrieflookatcertainideas,conceptandbasicstandardslaiddownbytheImamto controlthefoundationsoffiqh,deductionofIslamiclawsfromIslamictext,andthought.They werestatedandexplainedinaletterhewroteatthebehestoftheAbbassidcaliph,Haroonal Rasheed."Iaskyou,bythenamesofyourfathers,tosummarizethediscussionwehavejusthad innumbered,comprehensivewords,"askedHaroonalRashid."Yes,"agreedtheImam(a.s.).An inkpotandpaperwerebroughttohim.Hewrotethefollowing: "InthenameofAllah,theCompassionate,theMerciful.Allthatconcernreligionscanbesummed upinfourcategories,concerningwhichthereisnodissent:Therearematterssoclearthatpeople unanimouslyagreeontheirauthenticity,amongwhicharethereligioustextsandtraditions,the authentic,agreeduponones,inthelightofwhichdoubtedmattersareexamined,andnew judgementsareinferred.TherearemattersthatappeardoubtfulTheyaresettledbyaskingthe knowledgeable,whoseekaproof,fromtheBookofAllah,onwhichallMuslimsasauthentic,or syllogismreasonsacknowledgeitsfairness,andneitherscholarsnorthecommonpeopledoubtit. Thesetwocategoriescoverallmatters,includingmonotheismandwhatislessgrave,andthe compensationoneshouldmakeforaslightinjuryonecausestoothers,andwhatisgraver.So thesearebasicstandardsaccordingtowhichreligiousmattersarescrutinized.Whatisprovedto becorrectyoushouldaccept,andwhatremainsvagueanddoubtfulyoushouldputaside.Any oneofthesethreeistheconclusiveproofwhichAllahemphasizesisHisaddresstoHisMessenger. Suchconclusiveproofisunderstoodbytheignorant,inspiteoftheirignorance,andalsobythe knowledgeable,byvirtueoftheirknowledge.ThatisbecauseAllahisJust,andnevertreatsHis servantsunjustly.HeargueswithHisservantswithwhattheyknow.Hecallstowhattheyblow, nottowhattheydonotblowordeny."[47] TheImam(a.s.),bythesewords,statesthesourcesofthefaithandIslamiclaws,soastokeep reason,thinking,andconductfromslippingintodeviation.HenamesspecificallytheNoble Qur'an,theauthenticSunnah,andsyllogismbasedontheBookandSunnah.ImamalKadhim (a.s.)definessyllogismasawaytokeepthinking,andreligiousinferencesawayfrom methodologicalmistakes.Thatiswhyhecallstounifyourthinking,understanding,studyingand judgementinference,inordertopreservetheoriginalityofthefaithononehand,andtoenrich Islamicthoughtandlegislation,ontheotherhand.HedecidesthatweshouldmaketheQur'anic concepts,acceptedbyMuslimswithoneinterpretation,andthereligiouslyauthenticSunnah,a basisfordeducingideas,conceptsandjudgements.Healsomakessyllogism,whichisviewedas fairbymatureintellects,amethodbywhichopinions,conceptsandjudgementsarededuced fromthesetwosources.Thus,neithervariousinterpretationsofQur'anicconcepts,norevery traditionandstatementhandeddownfromeachnarrator,northefairlookingsyllogism,that Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

appearstotheresearchergood,canbejustifiablymadeabasisforthecomprehensionofthe faith,ordeductionofthelawsandjudgements. And,aswehavesaidbefore,theImam(a.s.)raisedagenerationoffuqaha',ulama',andtradition transmittershebestowedonhiscompanions,studentsandfellowulama',religiousdecrees, judgements,lessons,arguments...etc. HistoryconveyedtoussessionsinwhichtheImamhadarguedwiththeaccomplishedthinkers andfuqaha'ofhistime,amongwhomAbuHanifah,andAbuYusuf,thesupremejudge,under HaroonalRasheedandothers.TheyallacknowledgedthecorrectnessofImam'sjudgementsand decrees. ThechieffaqihofHanbalis,AhmadbinHanbal,confidentlyandrespectfullyconveyedcertain thoughtsandconceptsfromhim.Thisfactisattestedtobyagroupofnarrators,authorsandmen concernedwiththetraditions.AhmadbinHanbalisquotedassaying,"MusabinJa'farsaidtome, ontheauthorityofAbuJa'farbinMuhammad...ontheauthorityoftheProphet."Ahmadthen added:"Thischainoftransmittersissoindisputablyauthenticthatifitisreadtoafool,hewould certainlyrestorehisreason."[48] D.Reason,itsScientificandBehavioural ValueintheSightof,heImam: ReasonenjoysgreatvalueandimportanceinIslam.ByitAllah,theExaltedandHigh,isknownand Hisgreatnessisgrasped.Byitknowledgeandsciencesareacquired,andsolifeprogresses.Byit mantakesthepathleadingtogood,anddifferentiatesbetweengoodandevil.Andfinallyby virtueofreasonman'shumanityandvaluefindtheirsense.ThatiswhyIslamregardsreasonas somethingunequallyprecious.Itrespectsreasonandthemenofsoundjudgements,andattaches muchimportancetoknowledgeandtheknowledgeable.Itmakesthinkingobligatory,andurges thegooduseofreasonandtheconquestofnewhorizonsofresearchandthinking. WhenImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)describesreason,andexplainsitsvalueandimportance,hein factconveystheviewoftheQur'anandstatesthestandpointofIslam.Thefollowingadvicegiven bytheImamtoHishambinalHakam,oneofhisdisciples,isconsideredasoneofthemost valuablestatementseversaidaboutreason,itspreciousnessandresponsibility.Herewequote partsofthestatementoftheImam(a.s.): TheImam(a.s.)said,"Allah,theBlessedandExalted,certainlygavethegoodnewstothe possessorsofgoodreasonandunderstanding,inHisBook,bythesewords,"...sogivegoodnews toMyservants,wholistentotheWord,thenfollowthebestofit.SucharetheywhomAllahhas Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

guided,andsucharethemenofunderstanding." "OHisham!Allah,theAlmightyandHigh,completedHisproofstopeoplewithreason, communicatedtothemHismessagewithplaineloquence,andacquaintedthemwithHisLordship bymeansofHisguides. "OHisham!Thenheexplainedthatreasongoeswithsciencebysaying,"Andtheseparables,We sentthemforthforpeople,andnoneunderstandthembutthelearned." "OHisham!Allahsays,"AndcertainlyWegaveLuqmanwisdom,..."whichmeansunderstanding andreason."OHisham!Luqmansaidtohisson,'Behumbletowardrightandyoushallbethe sagestamongpeople.Thesagaciousaremodesttowardright.Mylittleson!Lifeisadeepsea,in whichagreatnumberofpeopledrownedSomakefearofAllahyourshiponit.Andmakefaithits contents,trustinAllahitssails,reasonitscaptain,knowledgeitsguide,andpatienceitsrudder. "OHisham!Everythinghasaguide,andtheguideofthesagaciousiscontemplation.Andthe guideofcontemplationissilence.Everythinghasamount,andthemountofthesagaciousis modesty.Itiscertainlythepinnacleofignorancetodowhatyouareforbiddentodo. "OHisham!Allahhascertainlytwoproofsbeforepeople:Arevealedproof,andahiddenone.As fortherevealed,itistheMessengers,ProphetsandImams,andthehiddenisreason. "OHisham!Whodestroyshisreason,heundoubtedlyspoilsbothhisfaithandlife. "OHisham!PeoplewerecreatedtoserveAllah.Thereisnosalvationwithoutobedience. Obedienceisthefruitofknowledge.Knowledgeisacquiredbylearning,andlearningisspurredby thedesiretoknow.Thereisnoknowledgeequaltothatacquiredfromaspiritualscholar.The learnedgainknowledgebyvirtueoftheirreason. "OHisham!Asagaciousmanagreestobegiftedwithwisdomthoughhisshareoflife'sspoilsis little.Buthecannotbesatisfiedwithalittleshareofwisdom,evenifprovidedwithluxuryinthis life. "OHisham!TheCommanderoftheFaithful,AlibinAbiTalib(a.s.)said,'Thereisnothingbetter thanreasonwithwhichAllahisserved' "OHisham!TheCommanderoftheFaithful(a.s.)said,'Nooneshouldleadanumberofpeople withoutenjoyingthreequalities:Heshouldbeabletoprovideanswersforeveryquestionposed tohim.Heshouldbeabletospeakplainlywhenotherpeoplefailtodoso.Andheshouldbeable toofferthecounselwhichbenefitspeople.Heiscertainlyafoolwholacksthesethreequalities Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

butseekstheleadership.' "HassanbinAli(a.s.)said,'Whenyouareinneedofsomething,askitfromthoseabletograntit.' 'OsonoftheMessengerofAllah,,hewasasked,'andwhoarethese?''Theyarethosewhose mentionwasmadebyAllahinHisBook,whenHesays,"...onlymenofunderstandingmind'which meansthoseendowedwithgoodreason.' "AlibinHussein(as.)said,'Sittingwiththerighteouspeopleleadsonetouprightness.Politeness ofscholarsisacomplimentaddedtotheirsoundunderstanding.Obedienceofthelegitimate rulersofjusticeisthepeakofpower.Investmentofone'smoneyistheepitomeofunselfishness. EnlighteningadviceseekersisanactofgratitudeinreturnforAllah'sfavours.Abstentionfrom harmingothersisasignofsagacity.Itisthesourceofthebody'srest,inthislife,andthenext one.' "OHisham!Asagaciousmandoesnottellsomethingtosomeonewhomhefearstogivethelieto himonaccountofit. Hewillnotaskthefavourofwhomhefearstorefuse,nordoeshepromisewhatheisnotableto deliver,nordoeshehopetogetwhathewouldbescoldedonaccountofnordoesheadvance voluntarilytodowhatheisunableto.TheCommanderoftheFaithful(a.s.)isreportedtohave givenhiscompanionsthispieceofadvice,'IadviseyoutofearAllahinprivacyandinpublic,stick tojusticeintimeofsatisfactionandanger,workispovertyandrichness,keepyourrelationswith whoeverendshisrelationswithyou,forgivewhoeverwrongsyou,andtobekindtowhoever deprivesyou.Letyourcontemplationbeforthesakeofdrawingusefullessons,yoursilencebe thinking,yourwordsberemembranceofAllah,andyournaturegenerosity,fornomiseris entitledtoenterParadise,andnophilanthropistisgoingtoenterHell' "OHisham!ThebestwaystogainclosenesstoAllah,afterknowingHim,areprayer,kindnessof one'sparents,andgivingupenvy,vanityandpride. "OHisham!Isa(a.s.)saidtohisdisciples.'People,withregardtowisdom,fallintotwocategories; thosewhomasteritinwordsandsuittheiractionstotheirwords.Andthosewhomasteritin wordsbutmissitwiththeirmisdeeds.matagreatdifferenceistherebetweenthem!Blessedbe thelearnedwiththeirgooddeeds,andwoetotheknowledgeablewhoonlytalk' "Makeyourheartsabodesofpiety,butnevermakeyourheartsthedwellingofpleasures.Those whoextremelygrieveintimeofadversityarethosewhoexcessivelylovethislife.Thosewho patientlybeartribulationsarecertainlythosewhoarelessattachedtothislife.Itisnouseto purifyyourskinsaslongasyourheartsareimpure. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

"Donotbelikeasievethatpassesthefineflourandretainsthebran.Hereyouarebringingout wisdomfromyourmouths,whileyourchestsremainfullwithrancour.Oslavesofthisworld! Youarelikeacandlewhichgiveslighttopeople,butbumsitself]OIsraelites!Payspecial attentiontoattendlearnedmen'sassemblies,evenifyouhavenootherchoicebuttocrawlon yourhandsandknees,forAllahcertainlyrevivesthedeadheartsinexactlythesamewayHe revivesthedeadearthwithadownpour.' "OHisham!matabadservantofAllahistheonewhoisdoublefaced,whopraiseshisbrother whenheseeshim,andbackbiteshimduringhisabsence,theonewhoenvieshisbrotherwhenhe acquiressomewealth,andfailshimwhenheisafflictedwithanadversity...Therewardofgood deedsiscertainlyathand,andtheretributionforaninjusticeissurelyathand.Themostevil servantsofAllaharecertainlythosewhomyoudetesttotalktoonaccountoftheirobscenity. Whatcausespeopletoenterhellfacedownotherthantheproductoftheirtongues?Asignof one'sgoodfaithisone'sleavinganythingthatdoesnotconcernone. "OHisham!Bewareofpride,fornoonewhonurturesaniotaofprideinhisheartisentitledto enterParadise.PrideisAllah'smantle,andwhoevertriestoshareitwithHim,Hethrowshiminto hellfacedown..butwhosubmitstoAllah,Allahcertainlyraiseshimup. "OHisham!Hewhodoesnotmakeareckoningwithhimselfattheendofeveryday,withthe intentionofdoingmoregoodworks,ifhehasgotmanygooddeedsonthatday,andnotasking Allah'sforgivenessandturningtoHiminrepentanceifhehasdoneevilthingsonthatday,is certainlyoutofourfold(AhlulBait). "MindtotakerefugeinAllah,putyourtrustinHim,andfightyourselftopreventitfromfollowing itsownlowdesires..."[49] ThisisabunchofrosespickedfromImam'sgardensofknowledge.Itgivesthearomaof faithfulness,andbloomswiththebeautyofworshipandspirituality.Thesearethegardensof prophethood,thefragranceoftheQur'an,andIslam'sbeautifulroses,growninImam'sserene soul. HowimportantisforustolearnfromtheImam(a.s.),andwalkinthelightofhisguidance,soas nottostrayinthewrongdirectionorhaveablurredvision.WhattheImamsleftforusisinfacta highlyvaluedintellectuallegacy,whichcontributestothemakingofman,andcorrecthismarch.It isafortunethatcan'tbefoundanywhere.Weshouldmakegooduseoftheserich,educational, andintellectualtreasures,byemployingtheminimprovingoursociallife,buildingourIslamic cultureandraisingcommitted,faithfulmen.Nootherpeople,intheworldofIslam,havethe privilegeof"designing"thecharacterofmanandlife,andplanningitsoutlinesandframe,beside Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

theguidingImamsfromthehouseoftheProphet(s.a.w.),whowereuniqueintheircharacters. Theyhadpureconscience,uprightconduct,soundreason,ripeawarenessoflife,deepspiritual sense,andthegiftoftakingthewholeshari'ah,fromtheirgrandfather,theApostleofAllah (s.a.w.),who,inturn,hadgottenitthroughJabra'il(a.s.),fromAllah. Thesearethepeoplewhomthefaithfulshouldfollow,inthelightoftheirguidancethereformers andrighteousmenshouldwalk,andtotheirprinciplesthereligiousgoodmen,whoseekthe shortestwaystoAllah'spleasure,shouldcling. E.GuidelinesonEducation: Followingareeducationalguidelinesandgeneralteachingsonsocialbehaviour,ethics,worship, andmediation,quotedfromtheImamofMuslims,theguideofpeople,martyrMusabinJa'faral Kadhim(a.s.). Heisreportedtohavesaid,"ThatwhoknowsAllahwell,shouldnevermistrustAllahwithregard toHissustenance,norshouldhethinkillofthewayHemanagesHisservants'lives." Askedaboutcertitude,hesaid,"Itisputtingone'strustinAllah,submittingtoAllah,being satisfiedwithAllah'sordinance,andcommendingoneselftoAllah." Healsosaid,"HewhodiscussesthenatureofAllahisdoomed.Hewhoseeksleadershipis doomed.Hewhothinksveryhighlyofhimselfisdoomed" "Goodneighborlinessisnotrefrainingfrommischief.Itispatienceandtolerancetowards mischief." Oncehesaidtooneofhissons,"Mylittleson,takecarenottoletAllahseeyoucommittingasin Heforbidsyoutodo.TakecarenottoletAllahmissyoudoingaritualofdevotionHeordersyou todo.NeverthinkthatyouarenotremissinworshipandobediencetoAllah,forAllahisnever servedasHeshouldbeserved.Bewareofjoking,foritremovesthelightofyourfaith,and deprivesyouofsolemnity.Bewareofdisinterestandlaziness,astheyblockyoursuccessinthis lifeandthehereafter." HesaidtoZiyadbinAbiSalamah,pointingouttheattitudeoneshouldtaketowardsthe oppressors,emphasizingthenecessitytoboycottthem, "OZiyad,beingthrowndownfromahighplace,andcutintopieces,ismorepleasingtomethan workingontheirbehalf,orsettingfootonamatofoneofthem."[50] Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

"Ifoppressionwasprevailing,andrightwasshrinking,onehadnottothinkwellofanyoneelse untilhehadknownonetoberighteous.""Workhardtodivideyourdayintofourtimes:Onefor prayingtoAllah.Oneforbreadwinning.Oneforsittingwiththebrothersandtrustworthywho knowyourfaultsandarefaithfultoyoufromthedepthsoftheirhearts.Andoneforyour pleasures,withoutdoingtheforbidden.Itisthistimethathelpsyoutomanagetheotherthree timesproperly." Donotthinkofpovertyorlonglife,forwhoeverthinksofpovertyturnstomisery,andwhoever thinksoflivinglongcovetsworldlyspoils.Letyourselvesenjoylifebymoderatelygettingwhat halalyoudesire,whichdoesnotharmyoursolemnity.Fortifyyourselveswiththis,sothatyoucan performyourreligiousduties.Itisreportedthathewhohasgivenuphisworldlylifeforthesake ofhisfaith,orhisfaithforthesakeofhisworldlylife,iscertainlynotcountedasoneofour followers." "Hewhoispunishedunjustlyknowsfullwellwhatinjusticemeans." "Acalamityisonetrialforthepatient.Butitisdoubledfortheimpatient." "Conveywhatisgood.Saywhatisgood.Donotbeanaiveimitator."'Whatismeantbynaive imitator?'askedI."Donotsay,"repliedtheImam(a.s.)"Iamwithpeople.AndIamoneof them."[51]TheMessengerofAllah(s.a.w.)isreportedtohavesaid,"Opeople!Thereareonlytwo pathsaheadofyou',thepathofgoodness,andthepathofevil,donotletthepathofevilbemore desirabletoyouthanthatofgoodness."[52] WehavequotedthesestatementsandadvicefromtheImam(a.s.)withoutcommentingonthem. Theyareselfexpressiveandclear.HowgreatisourneedtodaytostudythelivesoftheAhlulBait Imams(a.s.),andexamine,unbiasedly,theirlegacy.Weneedtomakethemourexemplaries. "ThesearetheywhomAllahguided,sofollowtheirguidance..." HolyQur'an(6:91)

PoliticalandSocialConditionsDuringImam'sTime ImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)wasbornintheclosingyearsoftheUmayyadrule.ImamalKadhim Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

(a.s.)wasn'tfiveyearsoldwhentheUmayyadswereoverthrown.Peoplewerehopingthat politicalandsocialconditionswouldgetbetter.AhlulBait(a.s.)andtheoffspringofAbuTalib,in general,borethebulkoftheUmayyadsterrorandoppression.TheUmayyadsshedthebloodof AhlulBait(a.s.)andtheleadingmenfromthedescendantsofAlibinAbiTalibandFatimahal Zahra'(a.s.)anddealtwiththeminthemostbrutalandsavageways.Themostbitterandpainful tragedyforAhlulBait(a.s.)wasthemassacreofKarbala'whichwasperpetratedbytheUmayyad dictatorYazidbinMu'awiyah,onthetenthofMuharram,61A.H,inwhichImamHusseinbinAli binAbiTalib(a.s.),thegrandsonoftheProphet(s.a.w.),alongwithanumberofthemembersof hisfamilyandfollowersweremartyred. Thesecondheartrendingtragedytookplacein121A.H,inthemonthofSafar.ZaydbinAlibin HusseinbinAlibinAbiTalibwasmartyredontheordersoftheUmayyadruler,HishambinAbdul Malik. AbulFarajalAsfahani,thefamoushistorian,mentioned33martyrsfromthedescendantsofAbu Talib,whowereslaughteredatthehandsoftheUmayyadrulers.ThelistbeginswithImams HassanandHussein(a.s.),thetwomasteryouthsofParadise,andthesonsofImamAli(a.s.)and FatimahMu'awiyahbinAbiSufyan,thefirstUmayyadruler,wasthefirstmurdererofthesonsof AbuTalib.ThevictimswerealldescendantsofImamAli(a.s.),Ja'farandAqeelbinAbiTalib, ImamsHassanandHussein(a.s.)thetwosonsofImamAli(a.s.)andFatimahalZahra'(a.s.),the MistressoftheWomenoftheWorld.Theywerealllookedatbythepeopleasmenofoutstanding meritsandpiety.TheUmayyadscouldn'ttoleratethemandunjustlyandbrutallyslaughtered them.Theyliquidatedthembecausetheywouldn'tyieldtooppressionandhatedtobe humiliated,andforsuchconsiderationstheydeclaredwarontherulers,indefenceofIslam, hopingtoimplementitsteachings.InhisbookMaqatilalTalib(MurdersoftheDescendantsof AbuTalib),AbulFarajalAsfahanisaysthat33membersofthefamilyofAbuTalibwerekilledas fromthedayAbulAbbasalSaffahseizedpoweruntilthedeathofImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.). Thethreemostwellknownmartyrsamongthemwere:MuhammadbinAbdullahbinalHassan (alNafsalZakyyah),whowaskilledin145A.H.,HusseinbinAlibinalHassan(MartyrofFakh), whowaskilledonthe8thofDulHijjah,169A.H.atthehandsoftheAbbassidruler,MusaalHadi binAbiJa'faralMansoor,nearthewellofFakhinthevicinityoftheholycityofMakkah,and ImamMusabinJa'faralKhadhim(a.s.),thechiefandImamofAhlulBaitonthe25thofRajab,183 A.H,whowaskilledontheordersoftheAbbassidrulerHaroonalRasheed.Butthese33 victimizedShi'iteswereonlytheleadingmen,famousanddistinguishedamongthedescendants ofAbuTalib.Asfortheactualnumberofthevictims,itisbelieved,basedonhistoricalaccounts, thatthenumberisatleastmanytimeslarger. ImamalKadhim(a.s.)livedinthemostcriticalandcrucialtimeinthelifeofAhlulBait(a.s.). TheAbbassidshunteddownthedescendantsofImamAlibinAbiTalib(a.s.)andtheirfollowers, Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

prosecutingthemineverypartoftheIslamicstate.Menrecruitedforthispurposeweretreated lavishly.TheirjobwasuprootingtheAlawites,gettingridoftheirleadersbecauseoftheirfearof thehostileactivitiesoftheAlawitesandthelovethecommonpeopleheldforthem. Inthiseventfulperiodoftimerevolutionserupted,followedbyarrestsandsingleormass murdersofthedescendantsofImamAlibinAbiTalib(a.s.)andtheirfollowers.Itwasadarkage, menwerecaughtandsentencedtodeathontheslightestsuspicion.TheAbbassidsmonopolized powerandthoughtlittleofpeoples'dignity.Eventually,imprisonment,beatingandkillingbecame commonpractices.TheIslamicstatewasturnedintoanempiregovernedbyahereditary dictatorshipinwhichtheIslamicstatewasdividedintofieldoms.Governorsruled,abusingpower, andactingaccordingtotheirownwishesaslongastheyremainedloyaltothecentral governmentandtheAbbassidcaliph. Therulerssoughtmenofthiscaliberwhowouldremainfaithfultothem.TheAbbassidswerenot concernedwithestablishingjustice,implementingIslamiclawsandintroducingreforms.Theyonly thoughtoftheirthronesandlusts.Theybusiedthemselveslayingplanstoeliminatetheir Entertainment,singingandbaseartspermeatedtheMuslimSociety.Thepalacesofcaliphs, princes,governors,ministersandtheirentouragewerefilledwithmaidensandmusical instrumentsanddancers,andpoetswhosemainwerecollectingmoney. Therulersbeganeagerlytobuymaidens,[53]jewels,perfumes,clothes,toolsofentertainment, pleasureandluxury. Theypilferedmillionsandsquanderedthewealthoftheummahwhichtheymilkedfromtheveins oftheoppressed,thehunted,theprisonersorthosesentencedtodeathInspiteofthis oppression,science,literatureandculturebloomed.Knowledgeingeneral,literaryworks,arts anddiscoveriesprosperedandnewschoolsinphilosophyandfiqhsurfaced.Suchtrendshadboth positiveandnegativeeffectsonthelifeofMuslims.Theydeepeneddivisionanddissension amongMuslims.Theysplitintonumerousideologicalschoolsthatledtothegrowingofdistrust, disbelief,anddistortionsinthebeliefsofMuslims.Positively,suchnewtrendscontributedtothe developmentofIslamicwayofthinking,enrichmentoftheIslamicmentalityandpushingit towardnewhorizonsofinnovationandadvancement.Islamicstudiesexpandedtonewareasand realms. ImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)followedinthefootstepsofhisfather,alSadiq(a.s.).Heplayedakey roleinstandingagainstdecadenceinpolitics,moralsandtheIslamicwayoflife,broughtaboutor helpedbytheAbbassidrule.Eveninprison,ImamalKadhim(a.s.)didn'tgiveuphisresponsibility towardsthefaithandthefaithful.Somescholars,andmanyofhisfollowersandstudents,kept contactwithhimsecretly,askinghimaboutanyaspectofIslamicthoughtandbeliefs.Hehadhis meansofwritingbacktothemansweringtotheirquestions. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 DuetotheharshconditionsImamalKadhim(a.s.)wentthrough,duringhisImamate,researchers findthatthepercentageoftraditionsandstatementsonthevariousbranchesofknowledge handeddownfromhimislesscomparedtothoseofImamalSadiq(a.s.),andImamMuhammad alBaqir(a.s.),hisgrandfather. IfhisfatherandgrandfatherweremostlybusyexplainingtheknowledgeofAhlulBait(a.s.)and outliningtheirschoolofthoughtanditsmethodologyconcerningfiqh,Islamicbeliefs,Qur'anic exegesis,politics,morals,etc.,whichtheytookfromtheirforefatherImamalSajjad(a.s.),who tookitfromhisfatherImamalHussein(a.s.),whotookitfromhisfatherImamAlibinAbiTalib (a.s.),whotookitfromtheApostleofAllah(s.a.w.);ImamalKadhim's(a.s.)rolewasmanifestin hispoliticalmilitancy.Hepeacefullychallengedtherulers,and,asaresult,wasthrowninto prison.Heactedwiselyaccordingtotheconditionsofhistime. Itisonlynaturalthatthe"official"historians,whoadheredtotherulersoutoffearoftheirpower, wouldendearthemselvestothem,falsifyingthetruth,lavishingthequalitiesofgreatness, sacrednessandidealismonthesetyrants.Theytriedhardtodrownthevoiceofrightandavoid thementionofrejectionandoppositiontotheoppressors.Theywoulddepictthepolitical opponentsintheirwritings,assubversives,mutineesandoutlaws.Muchhavewereadaboutthe Abbassiderabeingdescribedas"thegoldenage".Itiscorrectthatsciencesandknowledge,in general,advancedclearly,thankstothehardworkofthescholars,menofletters,intellectuals, fuqaha',philosophers,andresearchers,butthedynastyoftheAbbassidsonlyspreadterrorand savageness. AhlulBait(a.s.),andthereformers,fuqaha'andscholarswerethevictims,whilethemaidens, singers,entertainers,opportunists,royalpoets,judges,governors,thewelloffandtheirlikes, baskedinthewealthoftheummah. Thetruevalueofthecivilizationcanonlybejudgedthroughitshumanside,itseffortstoestablish justice,andthecourseittread,notthroughthematerialsidewhichonlyrepresentsthetoolof therulerstoplunderandexpandtheirpower. Duringthatterribleera(148183A.H.)ImamalKadhim(a.s.)tookontheresponsibilityof Imamate. FollowingisabrieflookatthedevelopmentofeventswhichweretothedisadvantageofAhlul Bait(a.s.),duringthatcriticalera. A.TheImam(a.s.)andAbuJafaralMansoor: Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

UndertheruleofAbuJa'faralMansoor,Alawitessufferedbeyonddescription.Theywere terrorizedinthemostheartbreakingway.AsthepicturewascrystalclearforImamalKadhim (a.s.),heknewinadvancethatarmedstrugglewouldyieldnothing,heavoidedmakinghisreal attitudepublic,preferringtokeephisoppositiontoAbuJa'faralMansoorsecret.Theyearsofal Mansoordraggedon,heavyandbitter,forImamalKadhim(a.s.),andthesonsofAbuTalibin particular,andtheoppositionofthebroadsectionsoftheummahingeneral.AbuJa'faral MansoorconfiscatedthepropertyoftheAlawites,threwthembehindbars,andhuntedthem down.Hesubjectedthemtounspeakabletorture,innovatednewwaysofkillingthem,andshed theirbloodruthlessly.Heputtheminhalfbuiltpillarsandcompletedthebuildingleavingthem theretodie.Healsowithheldfoodandwaterfromtheprisonerstoletthemdiefromstarvation inthedepthsofhisdarkhorriblecells.Healsousedtoweighthemdownwithshacklesandchains ofwhichtheyslowlydied.ThetermofImamalKadhim's(a.s.)Imamate,underalMansoor'srule, lastedtenyears.HistoriansagreethatalMansoordidn'timprisonImamalKadhim(a.s.),butthey saidthathewasundersurveillanceassigningafewmentospyonhim. WhenalMansoordiedonthethirdofThilHijjah158A.H.,hisson,MuhammadalMahdi,took over. B.TheImam(a.s.)andMuhammadalMahdi: TheyearsofAbuJa'faralMansoor,themiserandmurderer,whoplunderedpeople'swealth, shedblood,stifledfreedomandthrottledpeople,finallycametoaclose.Peoplereceivedthe newsofhisdeathwithreliefanddelight,fortheyfeltthechainsbrokenwhichboundthem. However,thefear,gloomandgeneralmistrustintheAbbassidpolicyremained.Inaccordance withhereditaryruleadoptedbytheAbbassids,MuhammadalMahdisucceededhisfatherand ascendedtothecaliphate.AlMahdisensedthebrutalityofthepolicyhisfatherhadtakenand triedtosoothepeople'spainsatthebeginningofhiscaliphate.Hereleasedprisonersandgave backconfiscatedproperty.ThisdecisionappliedalsotothedescendantsofAbuTalib.[54]The propertyofImamJa'farbinMuhammadalSadiq(a.s.),takenbytheAbbassidauthorities,was turnedbacktohisson,ImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.). Thatperiod,extendingfrom3ThulHijjah158A.H.to22Muharram169[55]wasabreathingspace fortheImamandthedescendantsofAbuTalib.ButfearofthestrongpersonalityofImamMusa binJa'far(a.s.)waseatingawayatalMahdi'sheart.Hesawhowthemassesralliedaroundthe descendantsofAbuTalib,andhewasworriedthattherewouldbeanuprisingagainsthisrule.His enmityforAhlulBait(a.s.)increased.Asaresult,heorderedhisgovernorinMadinahtoaskImam alKadhim(a.s.)totraveltoBaghdadtostandtrialandmaybefaceaprisonsentence.The governorinstantlydidalMahdi'sbidding.ImamalKadhim(a.s.)didn'tresist.Hesetoutonalong journey,acrossextendeddeserts,toBaghdad.Ashestartedhistrip,theheartsoftheShi'itesand hisfollowershoveredoverhiscaravan,frightenedandtroubled.ButImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.) Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

wassurethatalMahdiwouldn'tdohimanyharm.Heassuredhiscloseassociatesand companionsofthis. AssoonasImamKadhim(a.s.)arrivedinBaghdad,alMahdiorderedhisguardtoarresthimand throwhiminprison.ButAllahwouldn'tforgethisdevotedservant.Heguardedhisservantagainst anyevil. Astrangethinghappenedafterwards.AlMahdi,inadream,sawtheCommanderoftheFaithful (a.s.),threateninghimandsaying"OMuhammad,'Butifyouturnaway,youaresuretomake mischiefinthelandandcutoffthetiesofkinship."AlMahdiawoke,seizedwithgreatpanic.He sentforalRabi',hisvizier,andorderedhimtosetImamKadhim(a.s.)free. ImamKadhim(a.s.),releasedfromprison,returnedtothecityofhisgrandfather,theApostleof Allah(s.a.w.),andresumedhisreligious,educationalandculturalmission. C.TheImam(a.s.)andMusaalHadi: AlHadi'srulewasoneofthemostdifficultperiodsforthedescendantsofAbuTalib.Headopted thepolicyofhatredtowardtheAlawites,thedescendantsofAlibinAbiTalib,andthesonsof AbuTalibingeneral.Hepersecutedandharassedthem.TheAlawites,whocouldenduresuch savagenessnomore,revoltedagainsthimundertheleadershipofalHusseinbinAlinearaplace calledFakhin169A.H.ThatwasduringtheImamateofImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.). ThatrevoltreflectedthespiritofthestrugglebetweenAhlulBait(a.s.)andtheirfollowers,and thecorruptAbbassidrulers.BecausetherevolttookplaceinthetimeofImamalKadhim(a.s.), andbecauseofitshistoricalimportance,anditssignificanceasabeaconforthemilitants,we provide,inthefollowingpages,anearlydetailedaccountofit 1."Fakh":StarintheSkyofHistory: IntheSkyofIslamichistory,places,eventsandpersonalitiesshone.Fromtheheartoftheummah anditsarteriestoomuchpurebloodflowedandirrigatedthesaplingoffaith.Withglitteringtitles andshiningletters,thisbloodwrotetheepicsofgloryandjihad.ThelandofFakhisoneofthose neverforgottenplaces.Soistheleaderoftheuprising,alHusseinbinAlibinalHassanbinal HassanbinAlibinAbiTalib,andhisdevotedfollowers.FakhwasperpetuatedthesamewayBadr, Karbala'andtheirlikeswereimmortalized. ThegreattragedyofFakhisactuallyarepetitionofKarbala',andanechoofthegreatmartyr ImamHussein(a.s.). Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

IfyoureadtheprosecutionofZainabtothepeopleofKufa,andlistentohercomplaintand lamentation,youwillhavenodoubtsthatKarbala'wasrepeatedatFakh.Thedisasterthathad befallenAhlulBait(a.s.)atKarbala'wasrecountedonthepuredustofFakh.Zainab,thedaughter ofImamAlibinAbiTalib(a.s.),andherholinessFatimah(a.s.),hadonlyjustaddressedthepeople ofKufahaftershehadwitnessedthetragedyandsurveyedthebattlefieldexaminingthebodies ofherslaughteredfamilywiththesewords, "Woetoyou!DoyouknowhowyoutoretheliveroftheApostleofAllah?Whomofhiswomen folkyouexposed?Whatbloodofhisyoushed?Whathonourofhisyoudefamed?" Historyrepeateditself.YearsafterthetragedyofKarbala',Zainab,thedaughterofAbdullahbin alHassanbinalHassanbinAlibinAbiTalib,themotherofalHusseinbinAli,theleaderofthe uprisingofFakh,livedthesametragedy,andsufferedthesameanguish.Thiswomanmourned herfather,brother,husband,hercousinsandtheirsonswhowereputtotheswordbyAbuJa'far alMansoor,andworeonlycalloushairygarments,asasignofherdeepgriefovertheirdeath. Thisdevoutwomanusedtolamentthem,cryinguntilshefainted.Shewouldn'trevileAbuJa'far alMansoor,lestsheshouldfindconsolationinsomethingdispleasing.Shewouldsay,"OYouwho createdtheskiesandtheearth,OYouWhoknowstheunseenandthevisible,Whojudges betweenHisservants,judgebetweenusandourpeoplefairly,andYouarethebestamongthose whojudge."[56] "ZainabusedtopranceaboutwithalHussein,whowasstillalittleboy,andalHassan,his brother,chanting: "Youknow,OthesonofZainabandHind,howmanymenyouhaveinthedesertreadyforbattle. Howmanytruthful,honourablematernalunclesyouhave,howmanygreatgrandfathersyou have."[57] Timehadcomeforherson,alHussein,therevolutionaryAlawitetofollowinthefootstepsof ImamHussein(a.s.),hoistthebannerofjihadandmartyrdom,shedhispureblood,andleavethe ApostleofAllah(s.a.w.)togrieveoverhim,ashehaddoneoverthemartyrsofKarbala'.Both tragedies,FakhandKarbala',movedtheApostleofAllah(s.a.w.)andthemembersofhisfamilyto tears.Hetalkedabouttheminadvanceandcriedbitterlyforthetribulationshisfamilywould face. ShaikhAbulHassanAlibinMuhammadalMawardialShafi'i,inhisbook,A'lamalNubuwwah (SignsofProphethood),p.83,theeditionpublishedinEgypt,says: "OfhisforewarningsisthatwhichwasreportedbyUrwah,ontheauthorityofA'ishah(awifeof theProphet).Urwahsaid,'HusseinbinAli(a.s.)wenttoseetheMessengerofAllahofthetime Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

whenhewasreceivingrevelationsfromhisLord.HusseinmountedthebackoftheProphet (s.a.w.)whowasprostrate.Husseinplayedthere.'OMuhammad,'calledGabrial,'yourummah wouldcertainlysufferfromdissensionafteryourdeath.Thissonofyourswouldcertainlybekilled afteryou.'Gabrialstretchedouthishandandbroughtahandfulofwhitedust,andsaid,'Onthis landyoursonwillbeslaughtered.ItiscalledalTaff'"AfterGabrialhadgone,theApostleofAllah (s.a.w.)cameouttomeethisfollowers,includingAbuBakr,Umar,Ali,Hudaifah,AmmarandAbu Thar.TheApostleofAllah(s.a.w.)wascrying.'Whatmakesyoucry,OMessengerofAllah?'asked hisfollowers,towhichquestionhereplied,'Gabrialhasjusttoldmethatmyson,Hussein,willbe killedaftermydeathinthelandofalTaffHehasbroughttomethisdustandsaidthatitwas takenfromthespotwherehewouldbemurdered"[58] InadditiontothetragedyofKarbala',theMessengerofAllah(s.a.w.)hadtoldhiscompanions aboutthebattleofFakh.AbuJa'farMuhammadalBaqirbinAli(a.s.)isreportedtohavesaid throughachainoftransmitters,that,"theProphet(s.a.w.)oncepassedbyFakh.Hedismounted andofferedtworuk'ahprayer.Inthesecondruk'ahhiseyeswelledwithtears.Whenpeoplesaw theProphet(s.a.w.)cryingtheycriedWhentheyleftthatplaceheaskedthem,matmadeyou cry.?''Whenwesawyoucrying,wealsocried,OApostleofAllah,,saidthepeople.'Attheendof thefirstruk'ah,Gabrialdescended,'repliedtheProphet(s.a.w.),'andsaid:'OMuhammad,aman fromyourdescendentswillbemurderedinthisplace.Thedivinerewardforeveryonewhowould bemartyredwithhimshallbetwofold."[59] ImamJa'farbinMuhammadalSadiq(a.s.)stopped,ononeofhisjourneysfromMadinahto Makkah,atFakh.Thereheofferedaprayer."MayIbeyourransom,"askedalNadhrbinArwash, theownerofthecamelsrentedforthejourney,"Ihaveseenyoudosomething.Isitoneofthe ritesofhajj?" "No,"saidtheImam(a.s.),"butamanfrommyhouseholdwillbekilledrighthere,fightingalong sideabunchofmenwhosesoulswillflyaheadoftheirbodiestowardsParadise."[60] ZaydbinAlibinalHusseinisreportedtohavesaidthattheApostleofAllah(s.a.w.)had performedprayeratFakhandsaid,"Righthere,amanfrommyownfamilywillbekilledalong withagroupofdevoutmen.Theirshroudsandperfume(whichisrituallyappliedtothedead) shallbebroughttothemfromParadise.TheirsoulswilloutruntheirbodiestoParadise."[61] IftheApostleofAllah(s.a.w.)andAhlulBait(a.s.),whodidn'twitnessthemassacre,weregreatly shockedatthehorrendousnews,ImamMusabinJa'faralKadhim(a.s.),theImamofMuslims andthechiefofAhlulBait(a.s.)ofthetime,musthavebeenmovedbeyonddescriptionbythe tragedyasitunfoldedinfrontofhim.Thattragedyhadaheavyimpactonhislifeandmission. ThatisbecausethedayofFakhwasaterriblysaddeningmemoryinthehistoryofAhlulBait(a.s.). ImamMuhammadalJawad(a.s.),thegrandsonofImamalKadhim(a.s.),wasquotedassaying, Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

"AfteralTaffwewitnessednomassacremorehorriblethanthatofFakh."[62] MusaalHadi,theAbbassidcaliph,onwhoseorderthemassacrewasperpetrated,blamedthe uprisingonImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.)andthesurvivorsfromthehouseofAbuTalib.Imam Kadhim(a.s.)enduredalltheatrocitiesagainsthimandhisfollowerswithhisgreatheart,endless patienceandironwill. Thatisthegreatleader.Muslimleadershavetobegreaterthantribulations,firmerthanthe hardshipsplacedintheirpath,andbraverthantheiradversaries,sothattheycangoonwiththeir tasks.TheImamsofAhlulBait(a.s.)wereallpossessedofsuchqualities.Howtruthfularethe wordsoftheApostleofAllah(s.a.w.),"Wearemembersofahouseholdtowhomnoonecould everbecompared" 2.BloodandMartyrdomintheUprisingofFakh: MusaalHadiwasinconstantfearofAhlulBait(a.s.),whoenjoyedthesupportofthemasses.He particularlyfearedImamMusa(a.s.)andhisleadership.HisfearintensifiedwhentheAlawite revolutionaryAbuAbdullahalHusseinbinAlibinalHassanbinalHassanbinalHassanbinal HassanbinAlibinAbiTalib(a.s.)roseupinarms,inthehistoricalbattleofFakh.Bythenhehad nodoubtsthatitwastheleaderofAhlulBait,ImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.),whowasthemotivator, director,planner,andbackeroftherevolt. AhlulBait(a.s.)werealwaysthereinthearena.Hardlyfreshlyshedbloodoftheirsdriedwithout otherbloodoftheirsshed. Nosoonerdidastaroftheirsfadeintheskyofjihadthananewstarrose.Theywerethebloodof Islam,itsheart,anditsguidingbrain.Theywerethedrivingforce,andthehandthatpushed forwardthejihad,opposition,reformandchange.Theywerethearticulatetongueofright,inthe nameofthedowntroddenandvictims,andthedrawnswordoverthenecksofthetyrantsand oppressors. AlHusseinbinAlibinalHassanbinalHassanbinalHassanbinAlibinAbiTalibdeclaredwar againsttheAbbassidrulerinDulQi'dah,169A.H.,fromtheholycityofMadinahnearthetombof theApostleofAllah(s.a.w.).Hisrevoltfailed,andhewaskilledatFakhinthevicinityofMakkah. AhlulBait(a.s.)wereshockedattheresultoftheuprising,andtheyweresubjectedto persecution,oppressionandtorture.Basedonthetraditionsandstatementshandeddownfrom hisforefathers,ImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.)wasfullysure,inadvance,thatthemovementwould befoiled.ButalHusseininsistedonhisplan.Hesawnootheralternativebeyondtheuprising.He couldn'tvisiontheconsequencesasclearasImamalKadhim(a.s.).Furthermore,hecouldno Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

longerendurethebrutalitiesdonetoAhlulBait(a.s.).WhenImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)sawthat alHusseinbinAliwouldn'tyield,andthathisdecisiontorevoltwasfinal,heexpressedhisgrief overalHussein'sinevitablefate,andtookfarewellofhim,sayingthesewordswhichsignalhis convictionthathewouldseealHusseinnomore: "YouwillsurelybekilledSostrikehardinthebattle,forthosepeopleareirreligious.Theypretend tobefaithful,buttheyhidetheirhypocrisyanddisbeliefWearefromAllahandtoHimweshall return.IseekAllah'srewardbyyourloss,Ogoodpeople."[63] Historianswroteaboutthisheroicuprising,analyzingitsterribleandtragicoutcome.AbulFarajal Isfahanisays: "ThereasonwhyalHusseinbinAlibinalHassanbinalHassanbinalHassanbinAlibinAbiTalib revoltedwasthatMusaalHadiappointedIshaqbinIsabinAliasthegovernorofMadinah.Ishaq putamancalledAbulAzizbinAbdullahalUmari[64]inhisplace.AlUmarihatedthehouseof AbuTalib.Heoffendedthemandwenttoexcessivelengthsinmaltreatingthem.Heorderedthem toreporttohimeverydayatthereceptionhallofhispalace.Eachoneofthemstoodsuretyfor hiscompanionorrelative.AlHasanbinMuhammadbinAbdullahbinalHassanwasguaranteed bybothalHusseinbinAliandYahyabinAbdullahbinalHassan. AlHusseinbinMuhammadarrivedinthefirstdaysofhajj.AboutseventymenfromtheShi'ites alsocamewithhim.TheyallstayedatthehouseofIbnAflahatalBaqi'.There,theymetal Hussein,amongmanyothers.AlUmariheardofthatandheflewintoafury.Beforethat,alUmari hadarrestedalHassanbinMuhammadbinAbdullah,IbnJundubalHuthali,thepoet,andaslave ofUmarbinalKhattab[65]whiletheywerepresentatameeting.Heclaimedpublicallythatthey werecaughtdrinkingwine.HeorderedalHassantobegiven80lashes,IbnJundub15,andthe slaveofUmarbinalKhattabseven.Thenheorderedthemtobedisplayedthroughoutthecity, withbarebacks,sothattheywouldbedisgraced..."[66] Finally,hebackedoffalthoughheonceagainbegantopersecutethedescendantsofAbuTalib. AbuBakrbinIsaalHa'ik,whomheappointedinchargeoftheiraffairs,maltreatedthem.One FridayhelockedtheminthemosquetillthetimeoftheFridayprayerentered.Hethenallowed themonlytodotheirablution(wudoo').Havingfinishedtheprayer,hethrewtheminthe receptionhall.Intheafternoonhecheckedthem,lookingforalHassanbinMuhammadwhohad notpresentedhimselfforthreesuccessivedaystoAbuBakrbinIsa.Notfindinghimamongthe detainedgrouphethreatenedbothYahyaandalHussein,whostoodsuretyforhim,with imprisonmentiftheyfailedtobringalHassantohim.Yahyaspokeroughlywithhim,revilinghim. IbnalHa'ikreportedthattoalUmariwhosentforYahyaandalHusseinandscoldedthem severely.AlHusseinmanagedtopretendtobefriendlywithalUmarianddiscussedthematter calmly."IwillbringalHassanbinMuhammadtoyou,"saidYahyatoalUmari."IwillbringhimifI Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

findhimorIwillknockonyourdoorsothatyouwillknowthatIhavecalledonyou."Lateral Husseinaskedwithgreatsurprise,"HowwillyoubringalHassantohim?"Yahyaanswered,"Idid notmeanthatIwouldhandoveralHassantohim.IonlymeantthatIwouldknockonhisdoor carryingmyswordwithme.IfitwaspossibleIwouldkillhim."AlHusseinnarratedthewhole storytoalHassanbinMuhammad,andsaidinconclusion,"Youhaveheardwhattookplace betweenthisdepravedmanandus.Soyoumaygotowhereveryouwish."AlHassanrefusedand said,"RatherIwillgorightnowandputmyhandinhis.AlHusseinrejectedthisproposalandsaid toalHassan,"ImyselfwillgowithyousothatAllahmaysparemethefire." AlHusseinthencalledtheHashimites,hisfollowersandservants.twentysixmenfromthefamily ofAbuTalib,tenfromthepilgrimsandabandofservantsansweredhiscall. Whenthedawnprayerwasdue,theywentintothemosque.AbdullahbinalHassanalAftas askedthecalleroftheadan(prayercall)toinclude"hayyialakhayrilamal"(hurrytothebest deed)intohisadanasitwasrecitedinthetimeoftheApostleofAllah(s.a.w.).Frightened,the manrecitedthephraseatwhichpointalUmariknewthatanAlawiterevolutionwasannounced. Confusedandscared,alUmarilostcontrolofhimselfandbegancryingravinglyinsidehispalace, "Closethemule...thedoor,"and,"Feedmetwograinsofwater."Thesetwosentencesweresoon spreadamongthepeopleindicatinghisfear.Theynicknamedhisson,"SonofTwoGrainsof Water".TheAlawitesweretruetotheirword.TheystormedalUmari'shousebuttheman escapeddeathatthehandsofthepeoplebyprayeranddeliveredasermonattheendofthe prayer.Hethenseizedcontrolofthecity.ThatwasinthemonthofDilQi'dah,169A.H.Forthe sakeofhajj,andwinningpeopletohisside,alHusseinheadedforMakkah. Accompaniedbyabout200peoplefromhisownfamilyandfollowers,hesetoutonthejourney hopingtomeetasmanypilgrimsashecould.WhentheydrewnearMakkahandarrivedat Fakh[67]andtheValleyofBaldah,theAbbassidarmyattackedthem,andaferociousbattle ensuedbetweenthetwopartiesonthemorningofthedayofTarwiyah(theninthofDilHijjah). Duetotheirsmallnumber,thefollowersofalHassanwerecrushed.AlHussein,whowas wounded,wasofferedamnestyifhesurrendered.Hesaidtohisenemies,"ByAllah,onecannot trustyou,but,nevertheless,Iacceptyourpromiseofamnesty."Hisswordbroken,hegavehimself up.Breakingtheirword,theyputhimtotheswordafterbrutallytorturinghim. Thisheroicuprisingendedinahorribletragedyandgreatsacrifice.Morethanonehundredmen weremartyredfromtheseboldrevolutionaries.HistoriansstatedthattheAbbassidscutoffthe headsofthemartyrs.Therestofthesmallarmywastakencaptive. 3.AbbassidAuthoritiesBlametheImam(a.s.)forBattleofFakh: TheheadswerebroughttoMusaandalAbbas.PresentweremenfromthefamiliesofalHassan Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

andalHussein.AlsopresentwasImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)whowasaskedbyalAbbasaboutthe heads."IsthistheheadofHussein?" "Yes,"repliedImamKadhim(a.s.),"WebelongtoAllahandtoHimweshallreturn.Hedied,by Allah,arighteousMuslim,whokeptfasting,enjoininggoodandforbiddingevil.Inhisfamilyhe hadnomatch." ThecaptiveswerecarriedtoalHadiwhoorderedthemtobeexecuted.[68]Notonlydidthe murderersshedthebloodunjustly,mutilatethebodiesofthemartyrsandkilltheprisoners,but they,namelyalUmari,razedthevictims'housestotheground,confiscatedtheirproperty,and settheirorchardsonfire. Historianssaythen,"whenalUmari,whowasinthecityofMadinahatthetime,gotwordofthe outcomeofthebattle,heburntdownthehouseofalHusseinandthehousesofhisfamily, confiscatedtheirwealthanddatepalmorchardsconsideringthemaspartofthespoilsofwar traditionallysetasidefortheruler."[69] Anotherversionsays,"HehastenedtothehouseofalHussein,andthehousesofmembersofhis family,andotherswhotookpartintheuprisingofalHusseinandtorethemdown.Hesetthe datepalmsablaze,andtookoverthosewhichhedidnotdestroyconsideringitaspartofthe spoilsofwartraditionallysetasidefortheruler."[70] Suchisthepracticeoftyrants,anytimeandanywhere,againstthesymbolsofuprightnessand vanguardsofmujahideen.Itismotivatedbytheblackdesiretokillandplunder,confiscate propertyandfindcomfortatthepainofothers. TheheadsofthemartyrswereplacedbeforetheAbbassidcaliph,MusaalHadi.Atthatpoint,he wasboilingwithspiteandthespiritofrevenge.HewantedtorepressthefamilyofAbuTaliband itschief,theMuslims'Imam,MusabinJa'far(a.s.).Heresortedtothreats,andsworethathe wouldgetridofImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.).Hecouldn'tmakeadistinctionbetweenthe supervisionofImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)oftheuprisingandtheactualleadershipofthisgreat AlawiteIslamicrevoltwhichwasachievedbyalHussein.AlHusseinhadstressedthatheonly wantedtorestoretherightofgovernancetoAhlulBait(a.s.)andtoruleinaccordancewiththe Qur'anicteachingsandthesunnahoftheProphet(s.a.w.).Hesaid: "IgiveyoumypledgetoabidebytheBookofAllahandtheSunnahoftheApostleofAllah,that AllahshouldbeobeyedandnotdisobeyedIcallyoutopleasethehouseholdofMuhammadI promiseyoutoruleaccordingtotheBookofAllahandthesunnahofHisprophet,blessingsof Allahbeonhimandhisfamily,establishequalityamongpeople,anddistributemoneyequally amongMuslims.Idemandthatyoustaywithustotheend,fightingourenemy.Ifweweretrueto Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

ourword,sticktoyourpledgeofsupport,butifwewerenot,consideryourpledgeofallegiance tousnullandvoid."[71] Agoodlookatthesehistoricaldocumentsexplainstousthenatureofthepoliticalandsocial conditionsMuslimsingeneral,andtheAlawites,theirleadersandImamsinparticular,went throughandacquaintsuswiththegravedilemmaoftheummahandtherootcauseoftherevolts, uprisingsandcontinuousoppositiontothedifferentdespoticregimesbytheImamsofAhlulBait (a.s.).Thankstotheirunselfishness,bravery,franknessandleadershipqualifications,theywere acknowledgedasthesolecompetentleadersoftheummah.TruthfularethewordsoftheApostle ofAllah(s.a.w.)concerningAhlulBait,"Wearemembersofahouseholdtowhomnoonecould everbecompared" TheAbbassidruler,MusaalHadi,couldn'toverlookthisfact.Heknewfullwelltherealforces whichdominatedthesocialandpoliticalarena,whichactedtobringaboutasocialandpolitical changeandintroducereformstotheIslamicsociety.HeattributedtheuprisingtoImamMusabin Ja'far(a.s.)inthesamewayalMansoorbeforehimblamedtheuprisingofMuhammad(alNafsal Zakiyyah)onImamalSadiq(a.s.),thefatherofImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.),andexactlyasHisham, theUmayyadruler,hadblamedtheuprisingofZaydtoImamMuhammadalBaqir(a.s.),the grandfatherofImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.),despitethefactthatallthethreeImamshadadvised Zayd,MuhammadThulNafsalZakiyyahandalHusseinbinAli,theleaderoftheuprisingofFakh, againstresortingtoarmedstruggle,becausetheyknewbeforehandthatcourseofactionwould bringnothing.Theyspokefranklytothethreeleadersbeforetheuprisings.Butthesefacts wouldn'tconvincetherulerswhofearedeventhementionofAhlulBait(a.s.)whocommanded people'srespectandobedience.HistorianssaythatAbuHanifah,theleaderofanIslamicschool ofthought,supportedZaydandpassedareligiousdecree(fatwah)allowingMuslimstogivethe IslamictaxofZakatinfavourofZayd'smovement.AbuYousif,thewellknownjudge,the companionofAbuHanifah,andoneofthemostfamousofficialfuqaha'ofhistime,defended ImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)beforeMusaalHadiwhenthelattermadeuphismindtokillthe Imam,despitehisreligiousdifferenceswithAhlulBait(a.s.),andthefactthatheledadifferent schoolofthought. Let'shavealookatthefollowinghistoricdocument: "WhentheheadofAbuAbdullahalHusseinbinAli,theleaderofthewellknownuprisingofFakh, wasbroughttoMusaalHadiandplacedbeforehim,herecitedtheselinesofverse: "Oourcousins!Reciteversenolongerafteryouhavelaidverserhymetorest"Wearebyno meanslikethosepeoplewhomyoucanappease,andeasilyconvincewithmerewords,orthe arbitrationofajudge. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

"Nay,theedgeoftheswordishangingaboveyou.Weshallbesatisfiedassoonastheswordis satisfied. "Shouldyousaythatwehavedoneinjustice,itisnotso,butwehavegonetothewrong arbitrator. "Iamboundlesslyupsetbywhatthewarhasbroughtbetweenus,Oourcousins,ifonlythatwas aneasytask!." HethenreviledthefamilyofAbuTalibuntilhementionedImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)whomhe sworebyAllahtokill.AbuYousif,thejudgepresent,spokewellofhimuntilalHadicalmed down."[72] MusaalHadi,AllamahalMajlisireports,sentforoneofthecaptives.Hescoldedhimseverely thenkilledhim.AnothergroupofthesonsoftheCommanderoftheFaithfulAlibinAbiTalib, blessingsofAllahbeuponhim,facedthesamefateshortlyafter.ThenalHadibegantocursethe familyofAbuTalib.HedidnotspareImamMusabinJa'far,theblessingsofAllahbeuponhim, whomhereviled."ByAllah,Husseindidnotrebeluntilafterbeingorderedbyhim. Husseinhasonlydonewhathedeemedonbehalfofhim(ImamMusaKadhim(a.s.)),becausehe istheappointedtrusteeofthishousehold.MayAllahdestroymeifIsparehim."AbuYousif, Ya'qoobbinIbrahim,thejudge,whowouldnothesitatetospeakhismindwithalHadisaid,"O CommanderoftheFaithful!ShallItalkorkeepsilent?!MayAllahkillmeifIforgiveMusabin Ja'far.IfIhadnotheardaboutwhatalMahdihadsaidtoalMansoorabouttheoutstanding meritsofJa'far,hisfaith,knowledge,andrighteousness,andifIhadnotbeeninformedofal Saffah'spraiseofJa'far,Iwouldhaveduguphisgraveandsetitonfire." AbuYousif,talkedimportunately,askinghimtocalmdownuntilhedidso.[73]ButMusaalHadi wouldn'tfeelcomfortableorcontentedwithhiskingdomwhileImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)was free,playinghisculturalrole,andenjoyingaleadingsocialposition.Forthesereasons,hedecided todetaintheImamwhomhecontinuedtothreatenwithharshmeasures. ImamalKadhim(a.s.)gotwordofalHadi'srealintention.Thatdidn'tscarehim.Hegaveno thoughttoit.Hewassurethatrulerwouldfacehisgravefateandhisrulewouldsooncometoan end. AlibinYaqtin,oneofImam'sclosestcompanions,relatesthisstory: "AbulHassanMusabinJa'farwassittingwithmenfromhisownfamilywhenhewasinformedof MusabinalMahdi'sdecisionconcerninghim.'WhatdoyouthinkIshoulddo?',theImamasked Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

them.'Wethinkthatyoushouldkeepapartfromhimandavoidmeetinghim,forheisanevil man.'" AbulHassanMusabinJa'farsmiledandsaid:'SukkaynahclaimedthatshewoulddefeatherLord ButtheOneWhoalwaysdefeatstheheroesshallcertainlyprevail.'Thenheraisedhishandsin prayer,'OLord,howmanyafoehassharpenedthebladeofhisknife,honedtheedgeofhis sword,preparedformethefatalistofhispoisons,whoseeyeneverslept,alwayswatchingme. Seeingmeunabletoenduredisastersandwardoffthedisastrouscalamities,Youturnedallthat awayfrommewithYourpowerandmight.Youthrewhimintheholehehaddugforme, disappointedatnotachievingwhathehadhopedforinthisworld,beingdistancedfromwhathe wishedforinthenextworld.Forthat,IpraiseYouasmuchasYoudeserve. "'MyLord,OAllah!PunishhimwithYourmight,weakenhisstrengthwithYourpower,keephim busyfindingnowaytoachievehisends,andunabletodowhatheintendsto.OmyLord!Grant meaquickvictoryoverhimthatwouldhealmeofmyanger,andrestoremyright.OLord!Accept myprayer,andbringaboutthechangeIdesireasaresultofmycomplaint.Showhimsoonwhat Youpromisedtheunjust,andshowmewhatYoupromisedasananswertotheprayerofthe needy.CertainlyYouaretheOnewhosegraceisinfiniteandfavoursareabundant' "IbnYaqtinthensaid,'Thereafter,thepeopleScattered.Theygatheredafterthatonlytoreadthe lettersenttoImamalKadhim(a.s.)informinghimofthedeathofMusabinalMahdi."[74] ThusthestrugglebetweenthisAbbassidrulerandImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)cametoanend,but itrestartedwiththenewruler,HaroonalRasheed.

TheImam(A.S.)andHaroonAlRasheed A.ConciseAccountofAlRasheed'sPolicy: ImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.),liketheothermembersofAhlulBait(a.s.),theirfollowersandthe commonpeople,livedinanatmosphereofoppression,terror,andintimidation.Atanymoment theycouldbethrowninjailsormadehomeless. Duringthatperiodoftime,theAbbassidsgotridofmanyoftheirownsupportersandfollowers. TheBarmecides,whowerestaunchlyloyaltothem,whoshedblood,andbrutallydealtwith Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

peopletoconsolidatetheAbbassidrule,weren'tspared.Likemanyothers,theywereputtothe sword. AglanceatwhatwassaidbytheclosestalliesoftheAbbassidsandtheeventsofthatera,would revealtousthescopeoffearandterrorimplantedbythenewrulersintheheartsofpeople,and theimportanceofImam'sfirmattitudeofstandingupagainstinjusticeandterror,andtearing downthewalloffearamongtheummah. AlFadhlbinYahyabinKhalidalBarmaki,acloseassistantofalRasheed,wasstrippednaked, beaten,insultedandcursedpublicallyontheordersofalRasheed,becauseheprovidedsome comforttoImamalKadhim(a.s.)whilehewasinprison. AlFadhlbinalRabi',oneoftheclosestAbbassidofficialstoalRasheed,andapillarofthe Abbassidrule,recountsabitterexperience,whichportraysthedepthoffearandpanicwhichhe felt,duetothesuffocatingpoliticalclimatecreatedbytheAbbassids. "Onenight,"alFadhlsays,"Iwaslyinginbedwithoneofmybondsmaids.Ataboutmidnight,I heardthedoorofthemainroomrattling.Iwaspanicstricken.'Maybeitisthewind,'saidthe maid.ButitwasnotlongbeforethedoorofthebedroomopenedandMasroor,TheBig,stepped in.'Theprincewantsyou.'HesaidthatwithoutgreetingmeandsoIfeltanoverwhelmingdespair. 'ThisisMasroor,'saidItomyself.'Heenteredmyhousewithoutmypermission.Hehasnot greetedme.Nothingthenawaitsmebutdeath.'IwasuncleanbutIcouldnotaskMasroorfora delaytogotothebathroom.RealizinghowbewilderedandawkwardIwas,themaidurgedme, ,PutyourtrustinAllah,theMightyandHigh,andriseup.'Iroseupandputonmyclothes.Iwent withMasroortothecaliph'spalace.Hewaslyinginhisbed.Igreetedhim,andhereturnedmy greeting.AtthatpointIcollapsed.'Areyouscared?',askedhe.'Yes,CommanderoftheFaithful,'I replied.HeleftmealonefornearlyanhouruntilIfeltcalmagain."[75] ThereaderofthishistoricaldocumentrealizeshowtheAbbassidsabusedpeople'sliberties.The closestofficialtotheruler,andthekeypillarofalRasheed'srule,wasobsessedwithfear.What abouttheopponents,andthosewhohadnothingtodowiththeruler,especiallythecommon people? ThepolicyofterrorpractisedbytheAbbassidsisn'tinfact,differentfromthemethodsadopted bythespyingagencies,intelligenceapparatus,andpoliceunitsemployedbytheterroristregimes, imposedonthepeople.WehaveseenhowalRasheed'smessengerstormedintoalFadhl's house,whilethelatterwassleepinginhisbed,withnopriorpermission.Wehavereadhowhe wasdrivenbydespairtothepointoffainting,andhowhecouldnottalkwithalRasheeduntilone hourhadpassedandafterhecamearound. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Thisiswhatfeardoestomen'swill.Itdeprivesthemoftheirdignityandhumanity. Hereisanotherdocumenthandeddowntousbythehistorians.Thistimethemassscarefromthe Abbassidauthoritiesisfullydescribed.ItissaidthatwhenYahyabinKahlidalBarmakiarrivedat BaghdadtolaytheplansfortheassassinationofImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.),thepeoplewere shockedbyhismission.Feartookholdofthem.Rumoursspread,andstoriesofanimpendingevil wereheardeverywhere.Thehistoricaltextreads,"ThenYahyabinKhalid,himself,arrivedat Baghdadusingtheservicesofthepost.Peopleweregreatlytroubled,andtheyplungedinto unbridledrumours."[76] Thesewords,"Peopleweregreatlytroubled,andtheyplungedintounbridledrumours"reflect expresslythenatureoftherelationshipbetweentheummahandtherulers.Theydepictaclear pictureofhowthestateaffairswereconducted,howtheAbbassidsandtheirfollowers consolidatedtheirgripovertheummah,andhowtheattitudeoftheImamwas,infact,aresultof hisfeelingoftheheavyburdenofsalvagingtheummahandtearingdownthewallofterrorbuilt aroundthem. ThatistheconstantpolicyofAhlulBaitImams(a.s.)towardthesuccessivetyrants.ImamMusa binJa'far(a.s.)stayedinprisonandrefusedtogoout.Hewantedtomakeitcleartotheummah thatthestrugglebetweenthemandtheunjustrulerswouldgoonforyears,aslongasthe legitimateleadershipwasopposingoppression,whilebeingrestricted.Onthispathtreadedthe reformerswhopreferredthedarknessofjailstotheluxuryofpalaces.Withtheirswordsandthe wordsofright,theyfacedthetyrants. AhlulBait(a.s.),theirfollowers,andthedescendantsofAlibinAbiTalib(a.s.),offered,throughout thereignsofAbulAbbasalSaffah,alMansoor,alHadi,alMahdi,alRasheed,andtherestofthe Abbassiddynasty,theirbloodforthesakeofthefaith.Theyfilledupthecellsanddungeons.On theirbodiespalaceswerebuilt,andintheirpillarstheywerethrownalive.Theirheadswere carriedfromonecitytoanother. Atragic,heartrendingstoryaboutthesavageryandbrutalityoftheAbbassidswasrecountedby HamidbinQuhtubah,aseniorassistantofalRasheed,tooneofhisclosestfriends.[77] ThestorysaysthatwhenalRasheedwasinToos(KhurasanIran),hesentforHamidbinQurtubah. AlRasheedaskedhimabouthisloyaltytohim,towhichquestionHamidansweredthathewas quitereadytocarryoutwhatevertaskhemightassignhim.WhenalRasheedfeltHamidwas staunchlyloyaltohimandthathewascapableofdoingwhathewantedhimtodo,heorderedhis servanttogivehimaswordandtakehimtoaclosedhouseinwhosecentertherewasawell. Therewerethreebigroomsinthehouse.WhenHamidopenedthedoorofthefirstroom,hesaw twentymen;young,middleagedandold,fromthedescendantsofAlibinAbiTalibandFatimah Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

(a.s.).Theywereallinshacklesandchains.Theservantorderedhimtokillthemandthrowtheir bodiesintothewell,whichhedid. Inthesecondroomtherewerealsotwentymen.Hamidkilledthemallwithhissword.Andhedid thesamethingtothefetteredmeninthethirdroomwhowerealsotwentyinnumber. Thisstorywaskeptaguardedsecretforalongtime,inthecellsoftheterroristrulersand murderers.Hehadmurderedfornoconvincingreasonsatall,obsessedbythefeelingthathehad losthishumanityandwasmetamorphosedintoabloodthirstyanimal,andbeingdesperatefrom Allah'sforgiveness,HamidbinQuhtubahdivulgedthathorriblesecret. IntheholymonthofRamadham,UbaidullahalBazzazalNishapoori,anintimatefriendofHamid calledonhim.Ubaidullahhadjustarrivedfromalongjourney.HamidbinQuhtubahwas preparinghislunch.Hamidaskedhisfriendtoeat,hutUbaidullahexcusedhimselfbysayingthat hewasfasting."Maybetheprincehasanexcuseandareligiouslyacceptablereasonfornot fasting.Butforme,Iamfasting."'Iamnotsick,'repliedHamid,'andIhavenoexcuseatall.'Then tearsrolleddownhischeeksandhecried.Henarratedthedreadfulstory.'Whatkindof forgivenesscanIhopetowin?',hesaidhopelessly,'andwhatbenefitwouldmyfastingbeafterI havecommittedthiscrimeandslainsixtyinnocentmenfromthedescendantsofAliandFatimah? HowcouldImeetAllahandhisMessengertomorrow?"[78] HistoriansrecountednumeroustragicstoriesaboutthepersecutionoftheAlawitesandtheir followers,especiallythecompanions,studentsanddisciplesofImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.). MuhammadbinAbiUmayralAzadi,historianssay,wasoneofthemosttrustworthymeninthe eyesofbothSunnisandShi'ites.Hewasknownforhisasceticism,devoutnessandworship.Al Jahidh,thereputedwriter,isreportedtohavesaid,"Hewasunique,amongallpeople,in everything."Andadded,"Hewasaleadingrejectionist(oftheAbbassidrule).Inthedaysofal Rasheedhewasthrowninjailinordertoforcehimtoacceptthepostoftheseniorjudge,or,as somepeoplesaid,todisclosethenamesoftheShi'itesandthecompanionsofImamMusabin Ja'far(a.s.).Forthat,hewasseverelybeaten.Hewasabouttoconfessduetothepainwhichwas beyondhisendurance,whenheheardMuhammadbinYonisbinAbdulRahmansayingtohim, 'FearAllah,MuhammadbinAbiUmayr.'HeheldupandAllahrelievedhimwhenhewas released." AlKashshisaidthathewasflogged120timeswithapieceofwood,inthedaysofalRasheed.Al SindibinShahikfloggedhim.ThechargewasbeingaShi'ite.Hewasalsothrowninjailandnotset freeuntilhehadpaid,fromhisownwealth,21,000Dirhams.ItwasreportedthatalMa'moon, theAbbassidcaliph,hadimprisonedhimuntilheacceptedthepostoftheseniorjudgeinoneof theprovinces.InalIkhtisas,SheikhalMufidsaysthathewaslockedupfor17years,duringwhich Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

hissisterburiedhisbooks.Butafterfouryearsthebookswerefoundtohavedecayed.[79] TheannalsofhistoryrecordedmanyheroicepicsofthedisciplesofImamalKadhim(a.s.).Sheikh alMufidmentionsinhisbook,alIkhtisasthat"AlibinHashimbinalBarid,AbdullahbinAlqamah, andMukhawwalbinIbrahimalSahdiwereclosecompanionsofImamalKadhim(a.s.).Allofthem werethrowninalMatbiq.[80]There,theyremained12years."[81] B.TheImam(a.s.)isAlRasheed'sPrison: Insuchaclimateofterrorandoppression,itwasonlynaturalthatImamalKadhim(a.s.)would fallvictimtotherashpoliciesofalRasheed,andtotheliesofhisenemieswhowerecontinuously givingfalseinformationabouthim. AlRasheed,obsessedbytheideaofkeepinghispower,believedthem.Historianssaythat"the reasonwhyMusabinJa'farcametoBaghdadwasthatHaroonalRasheedwantedtoappointhis sonMuhammadbinZubaida(alAmin)asthecrownprince.Hehad14sons,fromamongwhomhe pickedthreetosucceedhim:MuhammadbinZubaidahwhomhemadethecrownprince, AbdullahalMa'moon,whomheappointedasthesuccessortoalAmin,andalQasimal Mu'taman,whowouldtakeoverafteralMa'moon. AlRasheedwantedtosettlethematterandmakeitpublicsothatallpeoplewouldbeawareofit. Hewenttoperformhajjintheyear179A.H.FromMakkahhewrotetoallfuqaha',scholars, preachersandgovernorstoattendtheseasonofhajjinMakkah.He,himself,tooktheroutethat wouldleadhimtoMadinah. AlibinMuhammadalNawfalisaid,"MyfathersaidthatthereasonwhyYahyabinKhalidspoke evilofImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)beforealRasheedwasthatalRasheedhadputhisson, MuhammadbinZubaidah,inthecareofJa'farbinMuhammadbinalAsh'ath,ashistutor,Yahya wasextremelyinfuriated.'IfalRasheeddiesandJa'farbinMuhammadalAsha'thandhissons seizecontrolofthestateaffairs,'saidYahyatohimself,'thatonlymeansthatmypowerandthat ofmysonswillcertainlycometoanend,whileJa'farbinMuhammadbinalAsha'thandhissons willenjoypower.'YahyaknewthatJa'farwasShi'ite,sohepretendedtobeShi'itebeforeJa'far whowasgreatlydelightedbythat.Asaresult,heconfidedinYahya,tellinghimallabouthis personalaffairsandhadnodoubtthathewasloyaltoImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.). WhenhegotquitesurethatJa'farwasafollowerofImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.),Yahyabeganto vilifyhimbeforealRasheedwhowaskindtohimduetothegreateffortsheandhisfatherhad madeinsupportingtheAbbassidsintheirfighttoseizepower.AlRasheedthuswasnotreadyto takeadecisivedecisionconcerninghim.Meanwhile,YahyadidnotstopaccusingJa'faroffatal charges. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 OnedayJa'farcalledonalRasheed,whoreceivedhimwarmly.TheytalkedbitterlyaboutJa'far's loyaltytotheAbbassids.Ja'farbeseechedalRasheednottolookathimwithsuspicion,reminding himofthesacrificesofheandhisfather.AlRasheedgavehimarewardof20,000Dinars.Yahya, whowaspresent,saidnothinguntilnightfall.AtthattimehesaidtoalRasheed,'Commanderof theFaithful,IhavebeentalkingtoyouaboutJa'farandhisreligiousbeliefs,butyouwillnot believeme.Hereissomethingthatwillsettlethematter.''Andwhatisthat?',enquiredal Rasheed.'Assoonashereceivesmoneyfromanyone,'explainedYahya,'hewillsendonefifthof ittoMusabinJa'far.Ihavenodoubtthathehasdonesowiththe20,000Dinarsyouhaveordered tobegiventohim.'Thatwillsettlethematter,'agreedHaroon. AlRasheedsentforJa'faratnight.Ja'farwaswellawarethatYahyahadbeeninformingal Rasheedonhim.Bothofthemshowedanimositytoeachother.SowhenalRasheed'senvoy knockedonhisdooratnighthefearedthatalRasheedmighthavelistenedtoYahya,andthathe wouldbecalledtofacedeath.Hetookabath,perfumedhimselfwithmuskandcamphor,puta cloakoverhisclothesandwenttoseealRasheed.Whenthelatterlookedathim,smelledthe odourofcamphorandsawthecloak,heinquired,"Ja'farwhatisthat?""OCommanderofthe Faithful,"repliedJa'far,"Ihaveknownthathehadtippedyouoffaboutme.Whenyour messengerarrivedatthishour,Ifeltinsecureforyoumighthavebeeninfluencedbywhathad beensaidaboutmeandasaresultyouhavesenttogetridofme.""No,"saidalRasheed,"butI wastoldthatyousendafifthofwhatevermoneyyoureceivetoMusabinJa'far.Andthatyou havedonethesamethingwiththe20,000Dinars.Ionlywantedtoknowaboutthis.""Allahu Akbar,OCommanderoftheFaithful,"saidJa'farinprotest,"sendoneofyourservants,andhe willbringthemoneytoyouintheirbagswiththesealsstillintact." AlRasheedthen,saidtoaservantofhis,"TakethesealofJa'far,andhurryupuntilyoubringme thatmoney."Ja'fargavehimthenameofthemaidinwhosepossessionthemoneywas.She handedthebagsofmoney,whichwerestillsealed,overtotheservant.Hebroughtthemtoal Rasheed."Thisisthefirstbywhichyouuncovertheliesofthosewhowantedtopityouagainst me,"saidJa'far."Youareright,Ja'far,"concededalRasheed."Goawaysecure.Iwillnever approveofanythingsaidbyanyoneagainstyou." "ButYahya,"wentonalNawfali,"didnotgiveuphisschemestotrapJa'far." "AlibinalHassanbinAlibinUmarbinAli,"addedalNawfali,"saidtome,quotingoneofhis teachers,duringalRasheed'shajj,whichprecededthislastone;AlibinIsma'ilbinJa'farbin Muhammad[82]sawmeandasked,'Whyareyousolazyandcrazy?Whydonotyoudealwiththe vizier?Hehassentafterme.Ijoinedhiminhiscamellitter,andaskedhishelpinmeetingmy needs." Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

ThereasonbehindthatwasthatYahyabinKhalidhadoncesaidtoYahyabinAbiMaryam,"Will youguidemetoamanfromthefamilyofAbuTalibwholikesmundaneluxurysoIcouldsatisfyhis needs?""Yes,Iwillleadyoutoamanwiththisquality.HeisAlibinIsma'ilbinJa'farbin Muhammad."ThereuponYahyasentafterthemananddemanded,"Tellmeaboutyouruncleand hisfollowersandthemoneywhichissenttohim.""Iknowaboutallthis,"Aliagreed.Hedivulged thesecretsofhisuncle(ImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.))toYahya.Hesaid,"Hehassomuchmoney thatheboughtafarm,namedalBashariyyahfor30,000Dinars.Whenhebroughtthemoneythe sellersaid,'Idonotwantthismoney.Iwantthesuchandsuchmoney.'Hegaveordersthatthe moneybeputbackinthemoneychest.Thenhebroughtout30,000Dinarsfromthequalitythe farmownerinsistedtoget,weighedit,andhandedittothesellerasapriceforthefarm. AlNawfaliadded,quotinghisfather,"MusabinJa'far,peacebeuponhim,providedAlibinIsma'il withmoney.Hetrustedhimtothepointthatsometimeshewouldsendletterstohisfollowersin Ali'shandwriting.Butthenhestartedfeelinguneasyabouthim.ThenwhenalRasheedmade knownhisintentionoftravellingtoIraq,ImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)wasinformedthatAli,his nephew,wantedtojointheruleronhisjourney.Hesentafterhimandasked,'Whydoyouwant togowiththeruler?''BecauseIamindebt,'repliedAli.'Iwillpayallyourdebts,'ImamMusa(a.s.) assuredhim.'Andwhataboutmyfamily?',askedAli.'Iwillsupportthem,'saidImamMusaal Kadhim(a.s.).ButAliinsistedongoingonwithhisplan.ImamMusa(a.s.)senthisbrother, MuhammadbinJa'far,tohimwith300Dinarsand4,000Dirhams.,Putthiswithyourbelongings, anddonotleavemysonsbereavedoftheirfather,'Muhammadadvisedhim."[83] Thereareotherversionshandeddownbyhistorians. "MuhammadbinIsma'ilbinalSadiq,anephewofImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.),wasthewriterof ImamMusa'sletterstohisfollowersindifferentpartsoftheregion,butuponthearrivalofal RasheedinalHijaz,hetippedhisuncleoff.'Donotyouknowthattherearetwocaliphsonearth towhomtaxesaregiven?,'startedMuhammad.'Woeonyou!Iandwho?',theenragedal Rasheedcried.'MusabinJa'far,'saidMuhammad.Hetoldhimwhateverheknewabouthim.Al RasheedorderedthearrestofImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.),andMuhammadwonthefavourofal Rasheed.ImamMusabinJa'faralKadhim(a.s.)prayedtoAllahtopunishMuhammad.Theprayer wasanswered,andbothMuhammadandhischildrengreatlysufferedasaresultofit."[84] AlibinJa'far,abrotherofImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.),isreportedtohavesaid,"Muhammadbin Isma'ilbinJa'farbinMuhammadcalledonmeandinformedmethatMuhammadbinJa'far,a brotherofImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.),whenadmittedtoseeHaroonalRasheed,greetedhimas thecaliphofMuslims,andsaid,'IwouldhaveneverthoughtthatthereweretwocaliphsuntilI haveseenmybrother,MusabinJa'far,greetedasthecaliph.'" Ya'qoobbinDawood,whoembracedtheZaydibeliefs,wasoneofthosewhospokespitefully Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

aboutImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)beforealRasheed."[85] IbrahimbinAbilBiladisreportedtohavesaid,"IvisitedYa'qoobbinDawoodathishomein MadinahthenightbeforeMusabinJa'farwasarrested.'Ihavealreadycomefromthehouseof thevizier(i.e.YahyabinKhalid),'Ya'qoobsaid,'andhehastoldmethathehadheardalRasheed sayingneartheholytomboftheMessengerofAllah(s.a.w.)thefollowing,asifaddressinghim, 'Maymyfatherandmotherbeyourransom,OMessengerofAllah.Iamapologizingtoyoufor somethingIhavemadeupmymindtodo.IwanttodetainMusabinJa'farandthrowhimin prisonforIfearotherwisethathemightsetoffawaramongyourummahinwhichtheirblood willbeshed.'Ithinkthathewillarresthimtomorrow.'ThefollowingdayalRasheedsentalFadhl binalRabi'toImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.),whowasstandinginprayeronthesamespotthe ApostleofAllah(s.a.w.)usedtoofferhisprayers.AlFadhlorderedhimtobearrestedandthrown inprison."[86] Thisisabriefhistoricalviewdepictingthebitterpoliticalstrugglethatwasragingbetweenthe leadersofguidanceandfaith,namelythehouseholdoftheProphet(s.a.w.),andtheAbbassid rulers,theirhenchmen,stooges,opportunists,powermongers,wealthseekersandfake reputationgainers.Limitedasitis,intermsoftimeandplace,itpresentsthatperiodwithallits psychological,political,andideologicaldimensions. ThereadercanseehowImam'scharacterwasgreatandimpressive,andhowboundlesswasthe anxietyandconcernoftherulers,alongwiththeirfollowers,aboutthisgreatman.Despitetheir power,strength,stateandfinancialresources,theAbbassidsfoundnootherwaytodealwith AhlulBait(a.s.),thanprison,terrorismandrepressiontokeeptheirstateandprotecttheir thrones.HistorypresentsagoodpictureofImamKadhim'simprisonment,suffering,patienceand thebrutalityofhisenemies. Itisreportedthat,"alRasheedwent,inthatyear,toperformhajj,andstartedwiththeProphet's tomb.'OApostleofAllah.IamapologizingtoyouonaccountofsomethingIwanttodo.Iwantto putMusabinJa'farinprison.Heseekstodragyourummahintodispersionandlettheirbloodbe shed.' "ThenheorderedMusatobeletin.Heorderedhimtobeshackled.Fromhishousetwomules withdomeshapedlitterswerebroughtout,insideoneofthemhehadputMusa.Bothofthe muleswereescortedbyhorsemen.Themulesweresentintwodifferentdirections;onetoBasrah andtheothertoKufah,soastomisleadthepeople.ImamMusa(a.s.)waswiththecaravanthat wassenttoBasrah.AlRasheedhadorderedhisenvoytohandImamMusa(a.s.)overtoIsabin Ja'farbinalMansoorwhowasthegovernorofBasrah.Hekepthiminjailforoneyear,thenwrote toalRasheedaskinghimtoreceiveMusaandputhiminthecareofanyoneheliked,otherwise, Isasaid,hewouldsethimfree.Headmittedthathoweverhardhetriedtofindawayto Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

incriminatehim,hefoundnone.Inhisletter,IsasaidthatheevenlistenedsecretlytoMusa,that hemighthearhiminvokeeviluponhimoralRasheedinhisprayers,butheonlyheardhimasking themercyandforgivenessofAllah. "AlRasheedsentamessengerwhoreceivedImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.).InBaghdad,heordered alFadhlbinalRabi'toputhiminjail.There,ImamMusa(a.s.)wasleftforalongtime.AlRasheed triedtoforcealFadhlbinalRabi'todoImamMusa(a.s.)harmbuthedidnotyield.AlRasheed wrotetoalFadhlbinYahyatotakecareofImamMusa(a.s.).Heaskedhimalsotopersecutehim, butalFadhlrejectedthat,informinghimthatImamMusa(a.s.)wasprovidedwithcomfortand treatedkindlyinalRiqah,wheretheprisonwas.AlRasheedquicklydispatchedMasroorto Baghdadtakingtherouteofthestatepost.HeorderedhimtoseeImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.),as soonashearrived,andseeifalFadhlhadsaidthetruth.Ifthecasewasso,Masroorshould deliveraletterfromalRasheedtoalAbbasbinMuhammadorderinghimtocarryouthis instructions,andshouldhandasimilarlettertoalSindibinShahikorderinghimtoobeyalAbbas binMuhammad.Uponhisarrival,MasroorwenttothehouseofalFadhlbinYahya.Ofhisreal intentionsnoonewasaware. ThenhewentintotheplacewhereImamMusa(a.s.)wasdetained,andsawthatitwasasalFadhl hadinformedalRasheed.Instantly,herushedtoalAbbasbinMuhammadandalSindibinShahik andhandedthemthelettersfromalRasheed.Itwasnotlongbeforepeoplesawthemessenger runningtothehouseofalFadhlbinYahya.ThenalFadhlwasseenshockedandstunnedriding withthemessengertothehouseofalAbbasbinMuhammad.Thelatterorderedwhipsandtwo eaglesbebroughtandsenttoalSindiwhoorderedalFadhlbestrippedofhisclothesandgiven 100lashes.AlFadhlcameoutashenfaced.Hewashaggardandfatigued.Puzzled,hegreetedthe peopleonhisrightandleft. "MasroorwrotetoalRasheedaboutallthat.InresponsealRasheedorderedImamMusa(a.s.)be handedovertoalSindibinShahik." C.TheImam(a.s.)isPrison: Theearth,asawhole,wascreated,intheeyesoftheImamtobeaworshippingplace,aconcept firstpresentedbytheApostleofAllah(s.a.w.).Thislifewascreatedsothatpeoplecouldserve andglorifyAllah,theMostHigh.ItismerelyatriptowardsAllah,andanattempttoknowHim better.TheImamwouldn'tfeelachangeintimeorplace.Allthetimesandplacesforhimwere thesame.Onthecontrary,themorehewaspersecuted,thecloserhegottoAllahbymeansof patienceandprayer.Hemadehisprisonamosque,andhislonelinessandthedrearinessofthe jailapleasantplacefilledwiththeremembranceofAllah,theMostHigh.Hefastedduringthe day,andprayedandrecitedsupplicationsinthenight,stayingupuntildaybreak. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

OneofthosechargedwithkeepingawatchfuleyeontheImamintheprisonofIsabinJa'far relatedthathehadheardtheImampraying,"OAllah,YouknowthatIhadbeenaskingYoutofree mefromanyobligationexceptworshippingYou.NowYouhavedonethat.So,praisebeto You."[87] Onaccountofthat,IsabinJa'farwrotetoalRasheed,afterhehadkepttheImaminhisjail, saying,"Takehim,andputhiminthecareofanyoneyoulike.OtherwiseIwillsethimfree.Itried hardtofindawaytoincriminatehim,butfoundnone.Iwenttothepointofeavesdropping,that hemightinvokeeviluponmeoryou,butIheardhimonlyaskingAllah'smercyandforgivenessfor himself."[88] AhmadbinAbdullahisreportedtohavesaid,quotinghisfather,"IcalledonalFadhlbinalRabi. Hewassittingontheroofofhishouse.'Lookatthishouse,'saidhe,'Whatdoyousee?''A discardedgarment,'repliedI.'Lookwell,'heurged.Iexaminedthethingnarrowlyandsaid,'A prostrateman.''Doyouknowhim?'heasked.'HeisMusabinJa'far.Ikeepclosewatchonhim, duringthedayandinthenight.NeverdidIseehimanytimeinanotherposition.Hesayshisdawn prayerandrecitesthepostprayersupplications,untilsunrise.Thenhekneelsdownin prostration,andremainssountilmidday.Heaskedsomeonetotellhimprayertimes.Whenthe mantellshimaboutthetimeofacertainprayer,hejumpsperformingtheprayerwithout renewinghisablution.Thatishishabit,sayinghissunsetprayer,hebreakshisfasting.Hekeeps performingprayerinthedeadnightuntildaybreaks."[89] Inanotherversionitwasaddedthat,"thishasbeenhishabitforaboutoneyear."[90] In"BiharalAnwar"onereadsthat"alRasheedorderedImamMusa(a.s.)begivenovertoal FadhlbinYahya,whoreceivedhim,lockedhiminoneofhishousesandpostedguardsaroundthe house.ImamMusa(a.s.)gotbusyinworship.Hestayedupallnightperformingprayerand recitingtheQur'an.Duringthedayhewasoftenfasting.Heneveravertedhisfacefromhis worshippingsite.Noticingthat,alFadhlbinYahyaeasedhisrestrictionsandtreatedhim kindly."[91] ImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.)influencedhisjailers.Hepassedhistimeinprisonreciting supplications,askingAllah'sforgiveness.Hedevotedhistimetoworship,regardingthetrialof imprisonmentasafavourandmercyconferredonhimbyAllah. Whatkindofmanisthis?Whatforcecouldovercomehim?Thelightofhisheartsweptawaythe darknessoftheprison.Thefirmnessofhispatienceshatteredtheshacklesofthejailerandthe willofthetyrant.Thepleasantnessofhisprayersfilledupthegloomyprisonwithhappinessand brightness.Whatcouldthejailereverdo?Whatcouldthetyrantdo?ImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.) waswinningoverthosewhowerearoundhimwithhisgoodmanners,deepspiritualityand Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

uniquewisdom. AlAmiri,inhisbook"AlAnwar",reportsthat"HaroonalRasheedsentamaidtoImamMusabin Ja'far(a.s.)toservehiminprison.Shewasbeautiful,withabrightfaceandblackeyes.Imam MusabinJa'far(a.s.)commentedonthissaying,"Nay,youareexultantbecauseofyourgift".'I havenoneedofthisortothelikesofher.'Hearingthat,Haroongotfurious.'Gobacktohim,'he orderedhisservant,'andtellhimthatitwasnotwithyourconsentthatwehavejailedyou.Nor wasitwithyourconsentthatwehavecapturedyou.Leavethemaidthereandcomeback' Theservantdidwhathehadbeenorderedtodo.Haroonthenlefttheroomwhereheusedto receiveguestsandvisitorsandsenttheservantbacktoseethemaidandwhathadbecomeof her.Hesawherprostratesaying,'OHolyOne.GlorytoYou.GlorytoYou.''ByAllah,,Haroon commented,'MusabinJa'farhasbewitchedherwithwitchcraft..."[92,93] MaybeHaroondesiredtolureImamMusaKadhim(a.s.)awayfromhissacredobjectiveswiththe beautyofwomen,andthepleasuresoflife,actingoutofhisownflawedconvictions.Hedidn't knowthatImamalKadhim(a.s.)wastotallyabsorbedinthebeautyofright,anddissolvedinthe loveofAllah.Hehadturnedhisfaceawayfromlifeanditscheapornaments.Neithermaidscould occupyhisattention,norlife'spleasureswouldfascinatehim.Hewasamanwithamission,who dedicatedhiswholelifetohisprinciples,andsubmittedhiswholesoultoAllah,theGlorified.Asa result,hebecameamanguidingwithhiswordsandactions,andapreacherwhoshowedtheright pathwithbothhissilenceandspeech.Hisactionspokeinsteadofhistongue,andhiswords declaredthepathofright.Thatiswhyhisovercamethemaiden'smindandsoul.Shecried,"O HolyOne.OGlorifiedOne,"enrapturedinherprostration.Afterbaskinginthepleasuresof entertainment,drinkingfromthecupsoflove,passinghertimeplayingmusicalinstruments, singinglovepoems,andenjoyingwearingfineclothesandnecklaces,sheturnedtoworship.She wentonwithherprayersandpraisesofAllahuntilshepassedaway.Itissaidthatherdeath occurredafewdaysbeforethemartyrdomofImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.). ImamalKadhim(a.s.)bravedalldifficultiesandhardshipsonthethornypathoffaith.Hetaught themenwhocameafterhim,whotreadedthesamepath,howtobefirmintheirattitudes,and steadfastinsideprisons,notfrightenedbytheirjailers,ortheoppressiontheypractisedagainst themsoastosilencethem.ImamalKadhim(a.s.),ontheordersofalRasheed,wastransferred fromoneprisontoanother.HewasfirstsenttoIsabinJa'far,thentoalFadhlbinalRabi,thento alFadhlbinYahya,andfinallytoalSindibinShahik. AlRasheedmeanttohideImamMusa(a.s.),drivehimoutfromtheattentionoftheummahand killitsspiritofresistance.Theresultwasquitetheopposite.Theummahwaseagertofollowthe latestnewsaboutImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.),especiallywhenhewasmovedfromoneprisonto another,withtheauthoritiesunabletotakeadecisiveactionagainsthim.Beinginprisonwasof Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

greatvalueforImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.).Henurturedtherevolution,rejectionandresistance, conferringlegitimacyonthem.Thatiswhyheturneddownallofferstointerveneonhisbehalf withtherulers.Hefranklytoldthosewhoaskedhimtoallowthemtosendadelegationof prominentpeopletoalRasheedtopersuadehimtosethimfree,"Myfathertoldmeonthe authorityofhisfatherandgrandfathersthatAllah,theMightyandGlorified,gaveDawood(David) thispieceofadvice:'Dawood,whoeverfromMyservantsclingstooneofMycreatures,turning hisfacefromMe,insistingonthat,shallcertainlybydeprivedfromheaven'ssupportbyMe.Ishall maketheearthsinkunderhisfeet."[94] WhenalRasheedfeltthatthesilentresistanceofImamMusa(a.s.)inprisonbegantosneakinto people'ssouls,andthathisuncompromisingattitudemovedtheummah'sawarenessand feelings,feartookholdofhim,forthatawarenessmightgrowintoaviolentrevolution.He consultedhisvizier,YahyabinKhalid,whoadvisedhimtoreleaseImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.). AllamahalMajlisi,inhisbook"BiharalAnwar",saysthat,"WhenalRasheedthrewAbuIbrahim Musainprison,andsawsomemiraclesmadebyhim,hewasgreatlyperplexed.HesentforYahya binKhalidalBarmaki.'AbuAli,'hesaid,'Doyounotseewhatwonderswearewitnessing?Can youmanagethismanandspareushistroubles?''WhatIseeasthebestsolution,Commanderof theFaithful,'saidYahyabinKhalid,'isthatyoudohimafavour,bybeingkindtohimasheisyour relative.Hehas,byAllah,spoiledtheheartsofourfollowers.'YahyawasafollowerofImamMusa (a.s.)withouttheknowledgeofHaroon.[95]'Goinstantlytohim,'orderedHaroon,'relievehimof hisshackles,remembermetohim,andsaytohim,'YourcousinsaystoyouthatYahyahas intercededwithmeonyourbehalf,andthatIwillnotreleaseyouuntilyouhaveadmittedyour wrongdoingsandaskedmyforgivenessforwhatyouhavedoneagainstme.Noshamewillbe attachedtoyouradmittance;norwillitbeaflawonyourparttoaskmypardon..."[96] WhenYahyaconveyedthemessageofalRasheedtoImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.),herejectedthe offerwhichwouldhaveputhiminahumiliatingposition,asifhewereawrongdoer.Hesaidto Yahya,"Tomorrow,whenwehavekneltdownbeforeAllah,Whowouldjudgebetweenus,you wouldknowwhowastheoppressorwhohadwrongedtheother.Wassalam."[97] Inthisway,ImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.)defeatedallmeansofinjusticeandterror,likeprison, pressure,chains,distortionofthetruth,anddeceivingpublicopinion.AlRasheedwasleftwith onlyonechoice,toassassinateImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.),andputanendtohisblessedlife. Hethoughthecould,bycommittingsuchahorriblecrime,bringdownthecurtainononeofthe greatestscenesofjihadandresistanceagainsttyranny,extinguishthelightofImamateofAhlul Bait(a.s.),andgetridofthegreatestintellectualandreligiousfigureofhistime. Forsuchconsiderations,hemadeuphismindtoassassinatehim. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 D.TheMartyredImam: Byallmeans,alRasheedtriedtogetridofImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.).TheImam,beingamanof greatsocial,religiousandintellectualposition,wasanightmareforalRasheed.Heartsofpeople hoveredoverImamalKadhim(a.s.).TheylovedAhlulBait(a.s.).NoMuslimcouldeversaythathe knewnothingaboutthem.Peoplerespectedthem.Nobodydaredignoretheirgloriousposition andtheirstatusintheeyesoftheMessengerofAllah(s.a.w.),exceptthosewhogreedilysought spoilsofthislifeandtrampledallidealsandvaluesundertheirfeet.Eventheseworthlesspeople couldnotmakepublictheirenmitytowardAhlulBait(a.s.);norcouldtheyfightthemwithout twistingthefactstosuittheirpurposes.ThatiswhyIsabinJa'far,thegovernorofBasrah,refused tokillhim,askingalRasheedtorelievehimofthistaskandtransferImamMusa(a.s.)toanother prison.BeingintheprisonofalFadhlbinalRabi,ImamMusa(a.s.)impressedhim.AlFadhlbinal Rabi,likeIsa,refusedtocommitthecrime.ImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.)wasthentakentothe prisonofalFadhlbinYahyawhotreatedhimkindlyandmadehisprisonabitcomfortable.When alRasheedaskedhimtoslayImamMusa(a.s.)hedeclined.WhenwordcamethatalFadhlbin Yahyatreatedhisprisonerwell,alRasheedwasenraged.Heorderedhimtobepunished.Al Fadhlwasstrippednakedandgiven100lashesintheassemblyhallofalAbbasbinMuhammad. Castingaroundhim,alRasheedfoundnoonebetterthanthechiefofhispoliceinBaghdad,al SindibinShahik,amanknowntoberough,stoneheartedandmerciless,likeothercriminals,to murdertheImam. Aswehaveseen,alSindibinShahikreceivedImamMusa(a.s.)fromalFadhlbinYahya,andput himinhisprison.Heburdenedhimwithheavychainsandfetters,treatinghimmostbrutallyand inhumanly.YahyabinKhalid,ontheotherhand,wasagonizedbythepunishmenthisson,al Fadhl,hadreceivedfromalRasheed.HedecidedtopropitiatealRasheedandrestorehisfamily's positionbeforetheAbbassidruler.ThepricewouldbethebloodofImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.) evenifthatwouldtorturetheHolyProphet(s.a.w.). Basepeopledosuchthings.Controlledbymeanness,opportunismandsycophancy,theyseekthe closenessoftherulersandbloodthirstytyrantsbysheddingbloodandpersecutinginnocent peoplewhopreachedrighteousness.Theyaredazzledbythefakesocialreputationandpassing pleasures.Theyactoutoftheinferioritycomplexwhichoverpowersthemandprodsthemtowin other'sfavour. YahyabinKhalidtalkedthematteroverwithalRasheed.HeassuredhimthatalFadhlwasan inexperiencedyoungman.HeofferedtogotoBaghdad.[98]AlRasheedwasmostdelightedat havinganofferfromanobedient,faithfulman.Hegavehimthegreenlighttoperpetratethe crime.ArrivinginBaghdad,YahyainstantlyheldameetingwithalSindibinShahik,duringwhich Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

heexplainedtohimtheplanhehadsettogetridoftheImam.Thelatteraccepteditgratefully. Accordingtotheplan,poisonwasgiventoImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.)inaplateofdates,orin someotherfood,accordingtoanotherversion.ImamMusa(a.s.)partookfromthatfoodandfelt thepoisonsneakingthroughhispurebody.Forthreedays,hestruggledwithdeath,before breathinghislast.Onthethirdday,hediedattheprisonofalSindibinShahik,oratthemosque ofHaroon,whichwascalledAlMusayyabMosque.Hewonmartyrdomonthe25thofRajabinthe year183A.H.[99] ImamMusaalKadhim's(a.s.)starset,andhislightfadedawayfromtheskyofabereaved Baghdad.Darkdescendedonthecity,whoseskywascloudywithsorrowandanguish.Herblank eyeswereswelledwiththetearsofseparationandbereavement.Sheflungasidethefalseflagof peaceherfounderhadconferredonher,andputontheclothesofmourningandprotest.She criedout,"Iamnolongerthecityofpeace,norarestingplaceforthefree,righteousmen."The hangmansatperplexed.Beforehimthecrimewasflashing.Thehorrorofsuchaheinousactfilled himwithremorse.Thisterrorist,alSindibinShahik,feltthegravenessofthetragedy.Hesaw Baghdadseethingwithangerandtumult.Allthecriminalswhowereinvolvedintheconspiracy sawit.ThevoiceofrightwasloudoneverytonguefillingallpartsofBaghdad,"TheImamdied withoutdoinganywrong.Hewasmartyredinthetyrant'sprison." ImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.)lefthisprisoninglory.AlRasheedandalSindiwerebothstainedwith thedisgraceofthecrime."Avengethemartyr.Thedaywhenthewrongedrevengeshimselfon theoppressorwillcertainlycome."AlSindiscentedthedangerandtheconspiratorssawthe noosetighteningaroundtheirnecks.Bewilderedandcornered,theytriedtofindanexcuseto hidebehind.TheysearchedforYousif'sshirt,forthewild,ravenouswolftopresentasa scapegoat.Andsotheysaid,"Hediedanaturaldeath.Hewastreatedwithkindnessanddignityin prison.Hesimplydied. Wehavenothingtodowithhisdeath."Theyrushedseekingthehelpofthefuqaha',theleading menfromthefamilyofAbuTalib,andtheprominentfiguresofBaghdad.Theyuncoveredtheface ofImamMusa(a.s.)soastoallowthesementoexamineit.Themenwrotedowntheir testimoniesandstatementswhichdeclaredthathehaddiedanaturaldeath,andthatnoonehad killedhim. Inspiteofallthat,thecriminals'soulswerenotpurifiedoftheirevilandmalice.ThebodyofImam MusaalKadhim(a.s.)wasleftthreedaysintheprison.Thenitwastakenandlaidonthebridgeof KarkhinBaghdadwiththeheraldcallingoutforpeople,"ThisisMusabinJa'far.Heisdead.Come onandlookathim."[100] ThebodyofImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)remainedonthebridge,whilemembersofthepolice, headedbyalSindibinShahik,werestandingaroundaccusingthedeadImamoffalsecharges. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

Peoplewerenoisilycomingtothebridgeandleaving.SulaymanbinAbiJa'faralMansoor,uncle ofalRasheed,heardtheuproarfromhishouseontheotherpartofthecityacrosstheriverTigris. Heaskedhisservantsaboutit."ItisthebodyofMusabinJa'far,andthepoliceofalSindibin ShahikareannouncingtothepeoplethatMusabinJa'farisdead."Thatannoyedhimbecausehe, alongwithalltheAbbassids,werenowinadefencelessposition.Hegavehisorderstohismento goandwaitontheeasternbankoftheTigris.TheyhadtopounceonthepoliceofalSindibin Shahikandwrenchthecoffinfromthem,oncetheycrossedthebridge.Themendidso.They attackedthepolice,savedthepurebodyoftheImamandbroughtittoSulaymanbinAbiJa'faral Mansoor.Thebodywasrituallywashed,sprinkledwithcamphorandwrappedupinashroud. Thenitwastakentothemosque.Therepeopleperformed"theprayerforthedead"overhim, andfromthereitwastakentobeburied. PeopleofBaghdad,headedbythecity'schiefsandleadingmen,SulaymanbinAbiJa'faral Mansoorincluded,tooktothestreets,behindthecoffin,inamostsad,dignifiedandgreat procession.Baghdadhadneverwitnessedadaylikethatone,norhaditsufferedatragedylike that.TheprocessionmadeitswaytothecemeteryofQuraishwherethebodyofImamMusaal Kadhim(a.s.)waslaidtorestPeacebeupontheImamonthedayhewasborn,onthedayhewas martyredamidthedarknessoftheprison,andonthedayheshallberesurrectedasawitness. ImamCaliphaAliBinMusaAlRidha(A.S.) EveryImamfromAhlulBait(a.s.)appointedhissuccessorwhowouldinherithisposition.This traditionwasnecessarysothattheummahwouldknowitsleaderandreligiousauthority. ImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.)wasnoexception.HenamedthenextImam,whowasImamalRidha, hisson.Heemphasizedhiswilltohisfollowersandcompanions. DawoodalRaqqi,isreportedtohavesaid,throughachainoftransmitters,"IsaidtoAbuIbrahim MusabinJa'far(a.s.),MayIbeyourransom,Iamgettingtooold,tellmewhoistheImamwho willsucceedyou.'HepointedtoAbulHassanalRidha(a.s.)andsaid,'Thisisyourmanwhowill succeedme.'"[101] Throughachainoftransmitters,AbdullahbinMarhoomisquotedassaying,"IleftBasrahheading forMadinah.IcameacrossAbuIbrahim(a.s.),whowasbeingtakentoBasrah,atastageofthe road.HesentformeandIobeyed.Hehandedtomesomelettersandorderedmetotakethem toMadinah.'MayIbeyourransom,towhomshallIgivetheseletters?''Tomyson,Ali,'hetold Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

me,'forheismytrustee,themanwhowilltakechargeofmyaffairs,andthebestofmy sons.'"[102] Throughanotherchainoftransmitters,alHusseinbinalMukhtarisreportedtohavesaid,"We receivedsomeparchmentssentbyAbuIbrahimMusa(a.s.)whowasinprison.Onthemthese wordswerewritten,'Iappointmyeldersonmysuccessor.'"[103]ThisreferredtoAlialRidha (a.s.). WecitehereonlyafewstatementsthatweregivenbyImamalKadhim(a.s.)statingtheImamate ofhisson,AlialRidha(a.s.). ThechainofImamatewasnotbroken.ImamalRidha(a.s.)carriedonafterthemartyrdomofhis father. "Theyweretheoffspringofoneanother." HolyQur'an(3:33) TheEternalBeacon ThepurebodyofImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.)waslaidtorestinBaghdadinthecemetery allocatedfortheHashimitesandthehonourableMuslimmen,calledthe"GraveyardofQuraish" orthe"GraveyardofBaniHashim."ItislocatedinthenorthofBaghdad.Originally,itwasapiece oflandsetasidebyalMansoor,afterthefoundationofBaghdad,asacemeteryforthetribeof Quraish.Formerlyitwascalled"alShoonizialSaghir,"butlaterpeoplecametonameit "CemeteryofQuraish,"andthespotwherethetomboftheImamlieswascalled"MashhadBabul Tibn"(MausoleumoftheGatewayofChoppedStraw),becauseitwasnearBabulTibnwhichlead tothewestofthetombclosetotheriverofTigris. Thisarea,historicstudiesmaintain,didn'tgrowasaplaceofgreathistoricalvalueinIslamandas acityofreligiousimportanceuntilithadembracedthebodyofImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.). PeoplegraduallycametothisareatopermanentlysettlenearImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.), particularlytheAlawitesandfollowersofAhlulBait(a.s.).Theareaexpandedandthecity grew[104,105.]Greatscholarsandfuqaha',leadingpeoplefromtheAlawitesandcommonpeople wereburiedthere.ImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.)isnowabeaconandhistombisaplacetowhich peopleyearn,andbyitssidesoulsfindrest.Thankstoitsblessings,wishesaregranted,andhence Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

thenicknameBabulHawaij(GatewaytotheFulfillmentofNeeds).Afterhisdeath,ImamMusaal Kadhim(a.s.)remainedgreatandillustriousashewasduringhislife. PeopleofallwalksoflifepaidgreatattentiontothetombofImamMusa(a.s.).Greatmen, ulama',rulers,sultans,andrichpeoplecontributedtotheestablishmentofahighedificeonthe tomb. Theshrinebuiltonthetombisvirtuallyamarvellouspieceofbeautyandperfectart,atableau reflectingIslamicculturethroughouttheages,intheartsofcalligraphy,decoration,and architecture.Hismemoryisalwaysremembered,andhisgloryiseternal.Successivegenerations payhimtributeasheisproperlyworthyofit. Fromthedarknessofdungeons,hisbodywaspulledout,andlaidonabridgeinBaghdadwiththe statepolicemaligninghim,unfairlyattributingtohimallkindsoffalsehoodsandlieswhichwere theclearexpressionofthehateandoppressiondirectedatAhlulBait(a.s.)bytherulersof Baghdad.Atthetime,nooneloyaltohimwasabletogetnearthecorpseorprepareitforburial inaccordancewiththeIslamicobligatoryrituals. Thecorpsewasvisibleforthepeopletolookat,butthemurderersandtyrantswereintheir towers,amongtheirmaidsandservants,proudoftheirtemporarypower,clingingtotheirswords andspears.Theythought,thewayallmurderersandoppressorsdo,thatthecurtainwasdrawn onthishistoricchapter,andthatthisshiningpageofhistoryofAhlulBait(a.s.)hadmeltedinthe depthsofcellsanddungeons. ImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.)hadactuallywentoutofhisprisononlytomakewayforthe oppressorsandmurderersto"live"thereforever.HeansweredthecallofhisLord,contentedand pleased.Theearthhuggedhispurebody.Thereashrinewentupasahistoricdocument,eternal andeverlasting,relatingtotheMuslimgenerationsthestoryoftheprolongedstruggleofAhlul Bait(a.s.)withtheirfoesthroughoutthehistoryofIslam.Itwarnstheoppressorsofeveryagethat thebond,prison,hangman'snooseandexecutioner'sswordcannotsubduethewillofright,or hidethelandmarksofguidanceinthecellsofprisonsandonthepagesofdistortedhistory.It givesgreatlessonstothecowardly,thedefeated,andthosewithweakfaith,whoavoidfighting theoppressorsandfindsatisfactioninhumiliationandservitude,thatthefaithfulshouldalways standsteadfastanddeterminedindefendingtheirbeliefs. AllpraiseisduetoAllah,theLordoftheworlds.

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Endnotes 1.TaqiulDaenAhmadbinAlialMiqreezi(d.845A.H.).FadhlAhlulBait(TheMeritoftheFamilyof theProphet).p.25.2nded.quotedfromTafsiralTabari(Qur'anicExegesisofalTabari).Vol.22. p.7..SahihalTirmidi(AlTirmidi'sAuthenticBookofTraditions),Vol.5,p.30. 2.MuhibulDeenalTabari,Dakh'iralUqbafiManaqibDawialQurba(TraasurasoftheHeraafter aboutVirtuesoftheKInsfolk).p.58,1967.edAlHaythamialShafi'i,Majma.alZawa'id (ComprehensiveBookofExtraTraditions).Vol.9.p.17.2.KanzalUmmal(TreasureoftheDoersof GoodDeeds).Vol.6.p.152. 3.AlTabari.lbidKanzalUmmal,Vol6,p.220. 4.AlBalakhia1Qandoozi,Yanabi.alMawwadah(SpringsofLove),Vol.2.p.105,2nded. 5.KanzalUmmal,Vol.7..p.188.SahihAbuDawood(AbuDawood'sAuthenticBookof Traditions),Vol.27..AlKashani,IlmalYaqeen(Certitude).AlHakim,AlMustadrakalaalSahihayn (TheBookwhichCollectedTraditionsleftoutbytheTwoAuthenticBooksofTraditions),Vol.3,p. 150.SahihalTirmidiVol.5,p.30. 6.AlTabari,Ibid,p.17.. 7..BaqirSharifalQurashi,HayatallmamMusabinJaf'ar(LifeofImamMusabinJa'far),Vol.1,p. 46,2nded 8.AllamahalMajlisiBiharalAnwar(SeasofLights).Vol.11,p.237.. 9.AliMuhammadDakheelAllmamMusaalKadhim.p.10.197.4ed.,quotedfromSheikhal Mufid 10.AlKulayni,UsoolalKafi(KeyQuestionsofalKafi),Vol.1,p.309. 11AllamahalMajlisi.IbidVol.48,p.12. 12.AlTabrasi.l'lamalWarabiA'lamalHuda(AcquaintingPeoplewiththeLeadersofGuidance). p.309.3rded. 13.AllamahalMajlisi,Ibid,Vol.48,p.116. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 14.Ibid,Vol.48,p.107.. 15.Ibid. 16.AlTabrasi,Ibid.,p.305,3rded 17.AllamahalMajlisi,Ibid.,p.101. 18.Ibid.,Vol.48,p.220,2nd.ed. 19.Ibid.,p.111. 20.AvalleyinHajazknownforitsorchards. 21.TarikhBaghdad(HistoryofBaghdad),Vol.13,pp.2930.AlBidayahwaalNihayah(The BeginningandtheEnd),Vol.10,p.183,quotedfromBaqirSharifalQurashi. 22.AllamahaIMajlisi,Ibid.,Vol.48,p.111. 23.Ibid.,pp.101102. 24.AlTabrasiIbid.,p.307. 25.AnareainMadinah,apropertyofthefamilyofAbuTalib. 26.AllamahalMajlisi,Ibid.,p.102. 27.AbulFarajalAsfahani,MaqatilalTalibiyyin(MartyrdomofDescendantsofAbuTalib),p.499. 28.Ibid. 29.AlTabrasi,Ibid.,p.306. 30.IbnShahrashoob,ManaqibAalAbiTalib(VirtuesoftheFamilyofAbuTalib),Vol.3,p.372. 31.AhmadbinAbiYa'qoobbinJa'farbinWahab,TarikhalYa'qoobi(HistoryofalYa'qoobi),Vol.3, p.119. 32.AlTabari,Ibid.,p.259,3rded. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

 33.AllamahalMajlisi,hid.,Vol.48,p.24,quotedfromIbnShahrashoob,ManaqibAalAbiTalib, Vol.3,p.411. 34.lbnShahrashoob,hid.,Vol.4,p.325. 35.AllamahalMajlisi,hid.,Vol.48,p.178,quotedfromSharhMashyakhatalFaqih (CommentariesonBiographyofIminentFuqaha')byalSadooq,p.89. 36.AllamahalMajlisi,Ibid.,p.179,quotedfromSharhMashyakhatalFaqih,p.15. 37HeavoidedcitingImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.)inallthetraditionshecommunicatedfrom AhlulBait(a.s.)forfearofbeingdiscoveredasafolloweroftheImamwhichwouldexposeboth himandtheImamtodanger. 38.AllamahalMajlisi,Ibid,quotedfromSharhMashyakhatalFaqih,pp.5657. 39.BaqirSharifalQurashi,Ibid,Vol.2,p.299. 40.AbuMuhammadalHassanbinAlibinalHusseinalHarraniTuhafalUqoolanAalalRasool (TreasuresofMindsHandeddownfromtheFamilyoftheMessenger),p.283,5thed. 41.BaqirSharifalQarashi,Ibid,Vol.2,p.343. 42.AdilalAdeeb,AlA'immahalIthnaAshar(TheTwelveImams),p.186,quotedformalAnwar AlBahiyyah(BrilliantLights),p.91543.AlTabrasi,Ibid.,p.386. 44.Ibid 45.Ibid. 46.Ibid.,p.87. 47.AlHarrani,Ibid.,p.300,5thed 48.AllamahalMajlisi,Ibid,Vol.48,p.106. 49.AlHarrani,Ibid,p.283,5thed. 50.AdilalAdeeb,Ibid,p.187,quotedfromSheikhalAnsari,ChapterofRuleoftheOppressor,' Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

BookofTradesandBusinesses. 51.StatementoftheImamconveysthesamemeaningofanotheronequotedfromtheApostleof Allah(s.a.w.),whichsays,.Donotbeanaiveimitator,saying'Iamwithpeople.Shouldpeopledo goodworks,soshouldI.Andiftheydoevil,sodoI;buttrainyourselves;ifpeopledogoodworks soyoushoulddo,butiftheydoevil,youhavetoavoiddoingit. 52.AllthesequoteshavebeentakenfromTuhafalUqool,ChapterofWhathasbeenhanded downfromImamMusabinJa'far." 53.HistorianssaythatalRasheed,afterhisdeath,left100millionDinars,andquantitiesofjewels andpossessionswhichwereworthmorethanthat.Hehad2000slavegirls,thepriceofoneof themamountedtooneandahalfmillionDirhams.NotonlywasalRasheedextravagant,buthis wife,Zubaydah,wastoo.Shemisusedthestatefundsandthepeople'swealth.Shehadpearl studdedpairsofsandals.ShespentmorethanonemilliongoldDinarsonmakingapuresilkmat, embroideredwithgoldthread,andhavingpicturesofbirdswithrubyeyes... 54.AhmadbinAbiYa'qoob,lbid.,DeathofalMansoorandalMahdi 55.Ibid.,p.394. 56.AbulFarajalAsfahani,lbid.,p.431. 57.Ibid. 58.SayyidSalihalShahristani,TarikhalNiyahahalaallmamalShaheedalHusseinbinAli(History ofMourningoverImamMartyrHusseinbinAli),Vol.2,p.6. 59.AbulFarajalAsfahani,Ibid.,p.436. 60.Ibid. 61.Ibid.,p.437. 62.AllamahalMajlisi,Ibid.,Vol.48,p.165. 63.AbulFarajalAsfahani,Ibid.,p.447. 64.AlTabarimaintainsthat"IshaqbinIsabinAliwasgovernorofMadinah.WhenalMahdidied andMusasucceededhim,asthenewcaliph,IshaqrushedtoIraqtoseeMusa,afterputtingUmar Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

binAbdulAzizbinAbdullahbinAbdullahbinUmarbinalKhattabinhisplace.ButalFadhlbin IshaqalHashimisaidthatlshaqbinlsabinAliaskedalHaditorelievehimofhispostasthe governorofMadinah,andallowhimtotraveltoBaghdad,andthatalHadiacceptedhisofferand appointedUmarbinAbdulAzizinhisplace..." 65.AlTabarisays,"UmarbinSalamwasaservantofthehouseholdofUmar,"whichiscorrect. 66.AbulFarajalAsfahani,lbid.,p.448. 67.Fakhwasawellabout6kilometresawayfromMakkah. 68.AllamahalMajlisi,lbid,Vol.48,p.165. 69.AbulFarajalAsfahani,Ibid.,p.455. 70.Ibid. 71.Ibid.,p.450. 72.IbnShahrashoob,Ibid.,Vol.4,p.310. 73.AllamahalMajlisi,Ibid.,p.151. 74.SheikhalSadooq,UyoonAkhbaralRidha(KeyNarrativesaboutalRidha),p.65.Al HaydariyyahPressNajaf,Iraq. 75.AllamahalMajlisi,Ibid.,Vol.48,p.213. 76.Ibid.,p.234. 77.ThistragedyoccurredintheaftermathofthemartyrdomofImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.). 78.WequotedthegistofthisstoryfromUyoonAkhbaralRidha,Vol.1,p.88. 79.SheikhalSadooq,Ibid,p.179. 80.OneofalRashid'sprisons. 81.SheikhalSadooq,Ibid.,p.187. Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

82.AlibinIsma'ilwasthenephewofImamMusabinJa'far. 83.AllamahalMajlisi,Ibid,Vol.48,p.207,2nded 84.BaqirSharifalQarashi,Ibid,p.329. 85.AllamahalMajlisi,lbid.,Vol.48,p.210. 86.Ibid.,p.213. 87.Ibid.,p.107. 88.AbulFarajalAsfahani,Ibid.,p.502. 89.AllamahalMajlisi,Ibid,Vol.48,p.60790.Ibid.,p.211. 91AlTabrasi,Ibid,p.311,3rded 92.AllamahalMajlisi,Ibid,p.239. 93.ThiseventoccurredattheprisonofalSindibinShahik,knownas"DaralaMusayyab"in Baghdad 94.BaqirSharifalQarashiIbid,Vol.2,p.499. 95.AllamahalMajlisi,Ibid.,Vol.48,p.230. 96.HistoricallyitisanestablishedfactthatitwasYahyawhomisinformedalRasheedaboutImam MusabinJa'far(a.s.),andhehimselforderedalSinditoaddpoisontothefoodoftheImam.In addition,ImamalRidha(a.s.),thesonofImamMusabinJa'far(a.s.),blamedtheBarmecidesfor thedeathofhistatherandheprayedfortheirdestruction.ThenitisincorrecttosaythatYahya wasafollower.insecret.ofImamMusaKadhim(a.s.). 97.AllamahalMajlisi,Ibid.,p.231. 98.AlRasheedwas,atthetime,onhiswayfromRiqqahtoDamascus. 99.HistoriansdifferedontheperiodtheImamspentinprison.Aversionmaintainsthatal RasheedhadgonetoMakkah,toperformhajjin179A.H.,andthengavehisordertoarrestthe ImamandtransferhimtoBaghdad,wherehewasthrow"inprison.Heremainedthereuntilhe Presentedbyhttp://www.alhassanain.com&http://www.islamicblessings.com

wasmartyredon25Rajab183A.H.Accordingtothisnarrative,Imam'simprisonmentlastedfour years.AnotherversionsaysthatalRasheedputtheImaminprisonaftersixorsevenyearsofhis assumingpower.Andsoaccordingly,ImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.)servedsixorsevenyearsin prison. 100.AfterImamMusaalKadhim(a.s.)haddied,alSindibinShahikallowedthefuqaha'andthe eminentpeopleofBaghdad,includingalHaythambinUdayandothers,toseehim,theysawno traceofmaltreatmentandgavetheirtestimonies.ThenthebodyoftheImamwastakenoutand putonthebridgeofBaghdad.Itwasannounced.ThisisMusabinJa'fardead.Lookathim..People begantostareinhisface,andhewasdead..(AlMajlisi,BiharalAnwar,Vol.48,p.234.) 101.SheikhalSadooq,Ibid.,Vol.1,p.19.AlHaydariyyahPress,Najaf,Iraq. 102.Ibid,p.22 103.Ibid.,p.25. 104.HassanalAmin,Da'iratalMa'arifalShi'iyyah(Shi'iteEncyclopedia),Vol.3,p.257105.The citywaslaternamed"alKadhimiyyah"afterthegreatImam.Itisstillknownbythisname.

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