IMAM ALI AL-HADI (AS)

Our tenth Imam is al-Imam Ali al-Hadi (a.s), who is also called al-Imam Ali-al-Naqi. He was born to al-Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a.s) on 15th Dhul al Hijjah, in one of the villages around Medina. According to the Divine decree and the command of the Prophet (s.a.w), al-Imam Muhammad al-Jawad designated Ali al-Hadi (a.s) as his successor, the Imam and leader of the people after himself.

Like his father, al-Imam Ali al-Hadi (a.s) attained the position of Imamate at a very tender age, and in this position he guided and led the people.

From his early childhood al-Imam al-Hadi (a.s) was a perfect model of Islam. He was free of all faults and defects, and was adorned with all good qualities and virtues. It was for this reason that the people called him al- "Naqi" which means pure and holy, and al- "Hadi" which means guide.

With great determination and effort al-Imam al-Hadi (a.s) worked hard to guide the people, and he taught them the correct manner of living. The people were extremely fond of him, and they benefited greatly from his guidance, his knowledge and his awareness. Through him they found the right path in life.

Al-Mutawwakkil, the bloodthirsty Abbasid tyrant, was envious towards al-Imam al-Hadi (a.s) and fearful of the Imam's powerful influence. For this reason he summoned the Imam from al-Madinah to Samarra, in present day Iraq, and placed him under surveillance in an army camp.

Al-Imam al-Hadi (a.s) lived in this world for forty years. He was always opposed to the oppression of the ruling Abbasids, and used to condemn their tyranny and oppression. The result was that on 3rd Rajab, 254 A.H, he was martyred in Samarra through poison. His sacred body was buried in Samarra. May eternal peace be upon him.