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)
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”.