AlMujtaba Islamic Articles > Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq (AS)
 

IMAM JA’FFAR IBN MUHAMMAD (A.S.)

 

Parents:     Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) & Umm Farwah Bint

                 Qasim Bin Muhammad Bin Abi Bakr        

 

Birth:         17th Rabee’ al-Awwal 83 AH in Madina

 

Title:          Al-Sadiq (The Truthful)

 

Sub-title:    Abu ‘Abdillah

 

Martyrdom: 25th Shawwal 148 AH poisoned by Mansoor Al-‘Abbasi

 

Buried:       Jannatul-Baqee’ in Madina

 

In Islam, the most popular schools of thought are five: Malikee, Hanafee, Shafe-‘ee, Hambalee and Ja’ffary. The followers of Ja’ffary sect are infact the Shia’h who believe in twelve (12) Imams, the true and rightly guided successors of the Holy Prophet (saww).

 

The reason why Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) earned a special mention is because he (a.s.) was able to spread the sciences, which he (a.s.) had inherited from his grandfather, the Messenger of Allah (saww) – an opportunity that other Imams (a.s.) did not get because of their suppression by the tyrant rulers (‘Umayyad and ‘Abbasid dynasties) of their time.

 

Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) lived during the period when there was a shift of power from Banu Marwan of ‘Umayyad dynasty to the ‘Abbasid. The authority of Banu ‘Umayyah had become weak so their focus at that time was to protect and preserve their own rule. When the ‘Abbasid overthrew them, for some time they too were busy cleansing the lands from the ‘Umayyad. Thus we see that during this shift of power, Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) made good use of the opportunity and spread the knowledge extensively which he (a.s.) had inherited from the Holy Prophet (saww)

 

Message of Taqwa

 

Abu Hazim ‘Abdul-Ghaffar has narrated that:

 

In the Days of Mansoor Dawaniqi, the ‘Abbasid ruler, I came to Kufa with Ibrahim bin al-Ad-ham. Coincidentally, Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) also happened to be present in Kufa at that time. When the Imam (a.s.) was departing from the city, many scholars and dignitaries escorted him to the outskirts of Kufa. Among them were also Sufyan al-Thauri and Ibrahim al-Ad-ham.

 

Whilst escorting the Imam (a.s.) few people happened to walk ahead and some remained with the Imam (a.s.). A lion suddenly blocked the path of those who were ahead. Not daring to move any further, those who were in front decided to wait for the arrival of the Imam (a.s.). Ibrahim bin al-Ad-ham said, “Let us wait here till Ja’ffar bin Muhammad (a.s.) arrives and see how he (a.s.) handles the situation”.

 

When the Imam (a.s.) arrived and was informed about the situation, without any fear or hesitation he (a.s.) walked to the lion and holding the ear of the beast, pulled it to a side. Thereafter, turning towards the people, the Imam (a.s.) said,

 

“If people had obeyed the commands of Allah (SWT) the way He (SWT) deserves to be obeyed then they would have been able to make use of lions in carrying their loads”.

                                                                (Ahsanul-Muqaal)

 

On the sad occasion of the Martyrdom of our 6th Holy Imam, Ja’ffar ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (a.s.), we offer our heartfelt condolences to Imam al-Hujjah (AJ) and to all the Shia’h of Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.)

 

 

Mulla Mujahidali Sheriff

mulla@almahdi.org.uk


Source: http://www.almahdi.org.uk