25th
Shawwal: Martyrdom Anniversary of Imam Sadiq (A.S)
Imam Jafar
Sadiq (A.S) was the sixth Imam of Shi'ite world. He attained martyrdom
on the 25th Shawwal 14 A.H.
During the Caliphate of Abu Jafar Mansoor Abbasi. Imam Sadiq (A.S) lived
until 65 years. He had the longest life amongst the other eleven Imams
(A.S). Thus, he is also called as the Sheikh ul Aimue.
After the martyrdom of his respected father, Imam Mohammed Baqir (A.S0,
he undertook the flag of the guidance of Islamic hat ion for 34 years.
During the period when the Umayyad government was facing inutility and
there was dispute and feud with the Abbasids, Imam Sadiq (A.S) utilized
this golden opportunity in the revival of the Prophetic customs, the
dissemination of the Islamic culture and trained students who created
epics in the Shiite history. During the said period, the theological
university of Imam Sadiq (A.S) consisted of more than four thousand
students in the different field of Figh (Jurisprudence), Tafsir
(Commentary) of Holy Quran, Kalaam, Hadith (traditions) and experimental
science. It is noteworthy to mention that two of the Imams of the Ahl
e Sunnat (i.e.) Abu Hanifa and Malik Ibn e Anas reaped from the
harvest of the knowledge of Imam Sadiq (A.S). In this regards, Abu
Hanifa says, If it was not for those two years (the period that Abu
Hanifa was the student of Imam Sadiq A.S), No man would have been
destroyed.
It is for this reason that the untiring efforts, struggles and endeavors
of Imam Sadiq (A.S) in the revival and dissemination of the original
Islamic culture became the cause for the Shiite creed being also called
as the Jafari religion.
A great jurisprudent of the Ahl e- Sunnat Malik Ibn e- Aues says
about Imam Sadiq (A.S) thus, no eyes has seen and no ear has heard and
on no human heart has passed to see a man in virtue, excellence and
(earning to be greater that Jafar Ibn Mohammed (A.S).
Abu Hanifa, one of the other four great Imams of the Ahl Sunnat says
about his holiness thus,
I have not seen a man more learned and jurisprudent than Jafar Ibn
Mohammed (A.S).
Again, he says, On the directive of Mansoor, the Abbaside caliphate, I
prepare forty questions and went in the presence of Jafar Sadiq (A.S)
and asked him about the questions, he replied to all the questions. The
answers were so excellent and profound that I had never heard them from
any one until that time.
With regards to the virtues qualities of Imam Sadiq (A.S), it can be
said: Respect and humbleness in front of the Almighty, bravery and
courage in front of the merciless and the tyrants, helping the afflicted
and the needy endeavoring and working for earning a livelihood, awe and
dignity and perseverance and steadfast. To cite some example.
1- One day, when Imam Jafar Sadiq (A.S) was having spade in his hand and
was working in the agricultural field and he was soaked in perspiration.
During this time, Abu Omar Shaibani saw the holy Imam and said to
himself: Maybe, the reason that Imam Sadiq (A.S) is working himself with
the spade in the field is that he is having no helper of worker to me so
that I perform your work. The holy Imam replied, No, I like that one
should endeavor and struggle himself to earn his livelihood.
2- It is reported from the wife of Imam Sadiq (A.S) thus, it was the
final hours of the life of Imam Sadiq (A.S) when suddenly he opened his
eyes and said to gather all his family members and near ones. When all
of them had gathered around him , the holy Imam said , Our ( Ahlul
Bait ) Shafaat ( intercession) will not reach to those who degrade and
undervalue their prayers.
3- Malik Ibn Anas says : We were on a Hajj journey with Imam Sadiq
(A.S). when we reached to the place where we had to were and put on the
ground from the horse. When he wanted to recite the labbaik:. The voice
could not come out from his throat, I told him: O son of the Messenger
od Allah, it is inevitable that you should say the Labbaik. In my reply
, he said How can I be impertinent and dare to say Labbaik when I fear
that my Lord will not comply with my request and will reply me, no
Labbaik, no. |