To obey the Ima`m is obligatory
To obey the Ima`m is a religious obligation. Allah, the Most High, has mentioned that in the Koran: "Obey Allah and obey the apostle and those in authority among you.
2Many traditions have mentioned that. Zara`ra reported on the authority of Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, who said: "The apex of the thing, the height of it, the key to it, the gate to everything and the good pleasure of (Allah), the Most Merciful, the Blessed, is to obey the Ima`m after knowing him."Then he said: "Surely, Allah, the Blessed, the Most High, says: 'Whoever obeys the Apostle, surely obeys Allah. And whoever turns his back- We have not
sent you to be a watcher over them.
3
The Right of the Ima`m against People
The Ima`m has a right against people. Meanwhile people have a right against the Ima`m. Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him,
____________
1. Ibid, pp. 183-184.
2. Koran, al-Nisa', 59.
3. Usul al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 185.
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talked about that when Abu` Hamza asked him:
-What is the Ima`m's right against people?
-His right against them is to listen and obey (him). -What is their right against them?
- He divides among them equally and treats the subjects with justice.
1
Indeed the right of the Ima`m against people is that they should listen to him and carry out his orders, for he strives to achieve their happiness and righteousness. As for their right against him is that he should divide equally the properties of Allah among them. He should not prefer one group of people to the other. He should treat them with justice that is the shade of Allah in the earth.
The Dignity of the Ima`m
Surely, the Ima`m has a dignity and high position with Allah. No one of Allah's servants is able to obtain such a dignity and high position. Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, talked about that. He, peace be on him, said to Ja`bir b. Yazid al-Ju'fi:
"Surely, Allah took Abraham as a servant before He took him as a prophet. He took him as a prophet before He took him as an apostle. He took him as an a apostle before He took him as a friend. He took him as a friend before He took him as an Ima`m. When He gathered these things for him, He said to him : 'O Abraham, I am going to appoint you as an Ima`m over the people. ' Abraham regarded the Ima`mate as great, so he said: 'And of my offspring.’ He (Allah) said: 'My covenant does not include the unjust.’
2
The meaning of this tradition is that the Ima`mate is the highest rank with Allah. The prophets and the apostles were unable to obtain it. However, Allah singled out His friend Abraham with it. He also singled out the pure Ima`ms from the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), who were the custodians of the revelation, the doors of guidance and mercy for this community.
____________
1. Ibid, p. 405.
2. Ibid, p. 175.
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Accepting the Leadership of the Ima`ms of ahl al-Bayt
Surely, accepting the leadership of the pure Ima`ms is part of Islam and proof for belief. The Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, proclaimed this holy religious obligation among his community. He made it incumbent on the community to adopt it. He took more care of it than any other religious obligation. Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, said:
"Islam has been built on five (pillars): the prayers, zakat (alms), fasting, the hajj, and accepting the leadership (of my family). He did not proclaim a thing more than he proclaimed the leadership (of his family). However, people have adopted four (pillars) and left this (leadership).
1
It is incumbent on all Moslems to follow the good Ima`ms who are the source of light in the earth. In other words Moslems must follow the legal precepts and the rules of morals which have reported on their authority.
Al-Ba`qir praised the Ima`ms
Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, praised the good Ima`ms in many of his traditions. He talked about their high rank. The following are some of his traditions:
1. He, peace be on him, said: "We are the custodians of Allah's affairs, treasurers of
Allah's knowledge, and inheritors of Allah's revelation. It is we who know Allah's Book by heart. Our obedience is an obligation. Love towards us is belief, and spite towards us is unbelief. He who loves us is in the garden, and he who hates us is in the fire.
2. He, peace be on him, said: "We are the friends of Allah, we are Allah's choice, we are the trustees of Allah, we are the store of the inheritance of the prophets, we are the proofs of Allah, we are the
____________
1. Ibid, p. 183.
2. Manaqib Al Abi Talib, vol. 2, p. 336.
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strong rope of Allah, we are the right path of Allah. Allah, the Exalted said: 'And (know) that this is My path, the right one, therefore follow it, and follow not (other) ways. We are Allah's mercy for the believers. With us Allah started (Islam), and with us Allah will end (it). Whoever cleaves to us is safe. Whoever disobeys us goes astray. We are the noble honored leaders. Whoever knows us, recognizes our right, and obeys our order is from us and belongs to us.
1
3. He, peace be on him, said: "We are the treasurers of Allah's knowledge, we are the custodians of Allah's affairs. With us He started Islam, and with us He will end it. From us, you learn (Islam). By Him Who split open the seed and created the breath, Allah has never (put) His knowledge in anyone except us, and (no one) attains what Allah has except through us.
2
4. He, peace be on him, said: "We are the people of the House of mercy, the tree of Prophethood, the source of wisdom, the place of angels, and the landing place of the revelation.
3
5. He, peace be on him, said: "By Allah, we are Allah's treasurers in His heaven and on His earth. We are the treasurers, not of gold nor of silver, but of His knowledge.
4
6. He, peace be on him, said: "We are the treasurers of Allah's knowledge. We are the expanders of Allah's revelation, and we are the strong Proof for those who are under heaven and on the earth.
5
Many traditions were reported on the authority of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, concerning the outstanding merits which Allah granted to the pure Ima`ms. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, regarded them as the fountains of wisdom, and the inheritors of the sciences of prophets. He singled them out with all noble deeds. This is true. There is no doubt in it. Whoever studies their ways of life full of guidance, righteousness, and noble deeds
____________
1. 'Yyun al-Mu'jizat, p. 34.
2. A'lam al-Wara, p. 270.
3. Roudat al-Wa'izin, p. 270.
4. Usul al-Kafi.
5. Ibid.
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believes that they were the lords of creation, the trustees of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, and the custodians of his sciences. There is no exaggeration or deviation from the truth in this opinion. Allah endowed His prophets with knowledge, wisdom, and sound judgments. However, they were not better than the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. That is because they were loyal to Allah. For the sake of His obedience and religion, they made sacrifices which no reformer in the earth has made.
The Number of the Ima`ms
Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, mentioned the number of the pure Ima`ms, who were the successors of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, over his community, his testamentary trustees, and the custodians of his sciences. The following are some of what was reported on his authority:
1. Zara`ra reported on the authority of Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, who said: "The Ima`ms are twelve. Among them al-Hasan and al-Husayn, and then the Ima`ms from al-Husayn's children.
2. Abu` Basir reported on the authority of Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, who said: "We are twelve Ima`ms.
2
3. Abu` Basir reported that the Ima`m said: "There will be nine Ima`ms after al-Husayn. The ninth of them will be their Qa`'im (i. e. , the one who will undertake the office of the Ima`mate).
3
The great Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, announced that. In this connection, many traditions were reported on his authority. Salma`n, the Persian, reported. He said: "We were with Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family. Al-Husayn b. 'Ali was (sitting) on his thigh. He gazed at his face, and then he said: 'O Abu` Abd Allah, you are a lord of our lords. You are an Ima`m, the son of an Ima`m, and brother of an Ima`m, father of Ima`ms whose
____________
1. Al-Karajiki, al-Istinsar, p. 17.
2. Ibid.
3. Al-Khisal, p. 388.
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ninth will be their Qa`'im, the most knowledgeable of them, the wisest of them, and the most meritorious of them.’
1
'Abd Allah b. 'Umar reported. He said: "I heard Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, say: 'There will be twelve successors after me.’
2Shaykh Abu` Abd Allah, Ahmed b. 'Ayya`sh, commented on this tradition, saying: "This stipulated number was not of those who came after Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, nor was it of the Umayyad successors, for their number was over twelve, nor was it of those who came after them, for their number was more than them. No sect of this community has claimed this number for its Ima`ms except the Ima`mi (Shi'ites). This indicates that the number they have mentioned is correct.
3
Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, numbered the Ima`ms and mentioned their names one by one till he ended at al-Qa`'im (the one who will under take the office of the Ima`mate).
4 Thus, the poet composed:
Indeed the Ima`ms are nine and three,
as it was reported from al-Hadi (the one who guides),
the bringer of good news, the warner.
There is neither increase nor decrease in them,
as it was said (their number) as the number of the months.
Prophethood was confined to people,
and the Ima`mate was also confined to people.
5
The poet 'Abd Allah b. Ayyu`b al-Khuraybi addressed Ima`m al-Jawa`d after his father's death, saying:
O You who is the son of the murdered one,
O You who is the son of the roots of the soil,
____________
1. Ibn Hamdun ( died 401 A.H.), Muqtadab al-Athar.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Al-Saffar, Basa'ir al-Darajat, p. 108.
5. Ghayat al-Ikhtisar, p. 131.
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May his origin and roots be good.
O You who is the son of the eight Ima`ms,
who went westward, and father of the three (Ima`ms),
who went eastward,
Indeed you are the east and the west,
The Book has come to confirm that.
1
It is sure that the successors of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, were twelve. Many successive traditions were narrated concerning them. They were the good Ima`ms from the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. They represented the guidance and reputation of the Prophet, may Allah
bless him and his family.
The Sufferings of the Ima`ms
Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, talked to Hamra`n about the tyrants who inflicted tribulations and misfortunes on the pure Ima`ms. He told him that if the Ima`ms, peace be on
them, had asked Allah to dispel those tribulations and misfortunes, He would have responded to them. However,
they had not asked him to obtain that noble rank with Him. He, peace be on him, said: "O Hamra`n, Allah, the Great and Almighty, tested the Ima`ms. The tyrants supported each other against them. So, if they had asked Allah to drive that away from them and insisted on removing the tyrants and their kingdom, He would have answered them. Then the period of the kingdom of the tyrants would have ended. O Hamra`n, that which had hit them was not because of a sin they had committed nor was a punishment for disobedience towards Allah. However, they wanted to obtain ranks and dignity from Allah. Therefore, do not believe that concerning them.
2
____________
1. Muqtadab al-Athar.
2. Nasikh al-Tawarikh, vol. 2, p. 202.
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Al-Baqir urged Reporters and Traditionalists to proclaim
the Glorious Deeds of the Ima`ms
He, peace be on him, urged reporters and traditionalists to spread the remarkable deeds and outstanding merits of the Ima`ms of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, for they are the good example to this community. Sa'id al-Iskafi said: "I said to Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir): 'I sit down to narrate and mention your right (to authority) and your outstanding merits.’"So, the Ima`m, peace be on him, thanked him for his efforts, and then said to him: "I wish that there was a narrator like you at every thirty
cubits.
1
The Knowledge of the Ima`ms
Since the beginning of their history till this day of people, the Shi'ites have believed that Allah endowed the Ima`ms of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, with knowledge, wisdom, and sound judgments, as He endowed His prophets and apostles with that. "That is Allah's favor. He gives it to whoever He wills.
The historians and the narrators have unanimously agreed on that the Ima`ms, peace be on them, had great scientific abilities which no one of the people had, and that they exceeded all the scholars in abilities and genus. Their is no blame for this claim, for there are many proofs for it. Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, was the lord and leader of this family. Did he not say on the pulpit of Ku`fa: "Question me before you lose. Question me about the ways of the sky, for I am more knowledgeable in them than the ways of the earth?"That means that his knowledge and sciences exceeded the affairs of this planet, on which man lives, to the affairs of the space, the galaxies, and other planets. Moreover, this means that his knowledge encompassed the mysteries of the universe and the obscure things in nature.
____________
1. Al-Kashi, Rijal, p. 187.
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Did this great Figure not say: "If the cushion (on which a judge sits) was folded for me (to sit on), I could give judgments to the people of the Torah by their Torah, to the people of the Gospels by their Gospels, to the people of the Psalms by their Psalms, and to the people of the Furqa`n (i. e. , the Koran) by their Furqa`n."This indicates clearly that Ima`m 'Ali had comprehensive knowledge of all laws and religion. Besides he had knowledge of the legal precepts in those Divine Books.
Is 'Ali not the owner of Nahjj al-Bala`gha, which is the richest world book people have ever known after the Holy Koran. This is the leader of the pure family. He was the gate of the city of knowledge of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. He was his testamentary trustee (of authority), for he exceeded all the scholars of the world in talents and sciences. All the pure Ima`ms, peace be on them, had such vast knowledge. Among them was Ima`m 'Ali b. Mu`sa`` al-Ka`zim, peace be on him. Al-Ma'mu`n designated him as his successor. Then he summoned all the scholars of the world to come to Khurasa`n to test the Ima`m. He wanted them to debate with him to show his feebleness. Then he would be able to destroy the Shi'ite doctrine and to refute the Shi'ites who thought that the Ima`m was the most meritorious of the people of his time and the most knowledgeable of them. When the scholars met in Khurasa`n, al-Ma'mu`n gave them a lot of gifts and summoned them to carry out his task. 'Ali b. 'Isa` prepared many questions for them to ask the Ima`m. He said that the Ima`m was questioned about twenty-four thousand problems. The problems were about various sciences such as astronomy, stars, medicine, physics, philosophy, theology, and the like. However, the Ima`m answered them. So, the scholars who met the Ima`m believed in his Ima`mate. Then 'Ali b. 'Isa` said: "Do not believe those who say that Allah has created a person better than 'Ali b. Mu`sa.
1
Ima`m Mohammed al-Jawa`d, 'Ali b. Mu`sa``'s son, assumed the office of the Ima`mate after his father's death. He was twenty years of age. Al-Ma'mu`n respected and glorified him. The 'Abba`sids were
____________
1. 'Yyun Akhbar al-Rida.
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jealous of him. So, they talked to al-Ma'mu`n about his affair. However, al-Ma'mu`n made them know his Ima`mate. He told them that Allah endowed the Ima`m with knowledge and merits and distinguished him from all creatures. However, the 'Abba`sids did not believe that. So, he ordered them to test the Ima`m. Thus, they hurried to Yahya b. Aktham, who was then the outstanding judge in Baghdad. They asked him to examine the Ima`m, peace be on him. He compiled with their request. They held a science meeting in the 'Abba`sid Palace. Eminent scholars attended the meeting. Then Yahya` b. Aktham came and asked them about the most complicated problems. However, the Ima`m, peace be on him, branched those problems and asked Yahya` which branch he wanted. Thus, Yahya` was astonished at the Ima`m. Feebleness appeared on his face. So, he asked the Ima`m to answer those branched problems. The Ima`m, peace be on him, answered them, and the meeting was over. All those who attended the meeting were satisfied with his scientific abilities. All the historians reported the event. For example, b. Hajar reported it in his book 'al-Sawa`'iq al-Muhriqa'. How do explain these scientific abilities of Ima`m al-Jawa`d when he was so young?
However, the knowledge of the Ima`ms, peace be on them, was exactly as that of the prophets. Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, mentioned that. He said to one of his followers:
-What do the Shi'ites think of 'Ali, Moses, and Jesus?
- May I be ransom for you, about what are you asking me?
- I am asking you about knowledge.
- By Allah, he is the most knowledgeable of them.
- Do they not say: "Indeed 'Ali had exactly the same knowledge Allah's Apostle, may Allah
bless him and his family, had?
- However, they do not prefer any apostle to Uli al-A'zm (Arch-Prophets).
- Debate with them on Allah's Book.
- At which place of it?
- Allah, the Exalted, said to Moses: "And We ordained for him in the tablets admonition of every kind.
1 He said to Jesus:
____________
1. Koran, al-A'raf, 145.
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"And that I may make clear to you part of what you differ
in.
1 However, He said to Mohammed: "And bring you as a witness against these.
2
He also said in the same verse: "And We have revealed the Book to you
explaining everything clearly.
3
The traditionalists have unanimously agreed that the Ima`ms took their knowledge from their grandfather, the Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family. The prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, bequeathed his sciences to his testamentary trustee (of authority) and the gate of the city of his knowledge, Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him. Then the pure Ima`ms from his children inherited them after him.
Al-Ba`qir predicted Events
The historians and the narrators have unanimously agreed that the Ima`ms of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, predicted many bloody fights and events. Then they occurred on the arena of life, as the Ima`ms predicted. Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, predicted that Mu'a`wiya would expose the great Companion, Hajr b. 'Adi, to various kinds of persecutions. Thus, Hajr suffered from those persecutions. He, peace be on him, predicted that the government of Marwa`n b. al-Hakam would last for a short time. He, peace be on him, said: "Indeed he (Marwa`n) will carry the standard of his error when his temples become white. He will have authority (lasts) as the dog licks its nose.
4 He, peace be on him, predicted the government of the 'Abba`sids. Al-Mubarrad reported: "When 'Ali b. 'Abd Allah b. al-'Abba`s was born, his father brought him to Ima`m 'Ali, peace be on him. The Ima`m said to 'Abd Allah: What have
you named him?’ Is it possible for me to name him before you name him?' asked Abd Allah. So, the Ima`m said: 'I
have named him with my name and given
____________
1. Koran, al-Zukhruf, 63.
2. Koran, al-Nahl, p. 89.
3. Nazariyat al-Imama lada al-Ithna 'Ashariya, p. 147.
4. Ibn Sa'd, al- Tabaqat, vol. 5, p. 30.
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him my kunya. He will have authority.’
1 He, peace be on him, predicted the murder of his son, the lord of martyrs, Ima`m Husayn, peace be on him. Al-Asbagh reported: "We came with 'Ali, peace be on him. We passed by the place of the grave of al-Husayn, peace be on him. So, 'Ali said: 'Their camels will kneel down here. Their baggage will be in this place. Their blood will be shed over there. Young men from the family of Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his family, will be killed on this ground. The sky and the earth will weep over them.’
2 He, peace be on him, also predicted man's technological inventions that will happen in the end of the time.
These predictions were not confined to only Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him. Rather they included all the Ima`ms from the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. For example, Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him, said to al-Mansu`r al-Dawa`niqi: "The boys from your children will play with it (i. e. , the caliphate).
3 He, peace be on him, said to his cousin, 'Abd Allah b. al-Hasan: "You will not assume the caliphate. Rather al-Saffa`h will undertake it."All these predictions took place.
Ibn Khaldu`n recognized these predictions of the Ima`ms of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. He said: "If the miracle happens for other than them (the Ima`ms), then what do you think of those (the Ima`ms) who had knowledge, religion, signs from prophethood, and good branches testify their noble origin? Islamic law has decided that people are unable to see the unseen except those whom Allah make see in sleep or spiritual office. Ja'far (al-Sa`diq) and the like from the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt) predicted many of those (unseen events). They, Allah knows better, depended on the spiritual authority in predicting that. They were the most appropriate of all the people for these noble ranks and the given miracles.
4
As for the events which Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) foresaw,
____________
1. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 7, p. 358.
2. Al-Riyad al-Nadira, vol. 2, p. 222.
3. Ithbat al-Wasiya, p. 182.
4. Al-Muqaddama, pp. 232-234.
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they are as follow:
1. He foresaw the government of the 'Abba`sids. Abu` Basir said: "I was with Mohammed (al-Ba`qir) b. 'Ali when al-Mansu`r and Da`wud b. Sulayma`n came to him. That was before the government of the 'Abba`sids. Da`wud came to the Ima`m and greeted him. The Ima`m, peace be on him, said to him: 'What prevented (al-Mansu`r) al-Dawa`niqi from coming?’ Da`wud b. Sulayma`n apologized (to the Ima`m on behalf of him). Then he said: 'He has turned away (from you).’ The Ima`m, peace be on him, told Da`wud about al-Mansu`r's future, saying: 'In the future this man will be a ruler over the creation. He will persecute the men. He will govern over the east and west (of the earth). His life will be long. No one will gather properties as he will do.’
Da`wud hurried to al-Mansu`r. He brought him the good words of the Ima`m. So, al-Mansu`r walked quickly toward the Ima`m to understand his words concerning him. He apologized to the Ima`m for being so rude. He said: "Nothing has prevented me from sitting with you but the esteem for you."Then he asked the Ima`m about what he had told Da`wud. Thus, the Ima`m, peace be on him, said:
That will happen.
Al-Mansu`r asked the Ima`m for more explanations, saying:
Will we rule before you rule?
"Yes.
Will one of my children rule after me?
Yes.
Which will be longer- the Umayyad period or ours?
Yours will be longer. Your boys will play with government as they do with the football. My father had told me about that.
Al-Mansu`r went away happy. He was sure that he would assume authority. He always remembered the Ima`m's words. When he became caliph, he admired the Imam's prediction.
1
(Al-Mansur) al-Dawa`niqi said: "My brother Abu` al-'Abba`s and
____________
1. Jami' Karamat al-Auliya', vol. 1, p. 97.
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I escaped from the Umayyads. We passed by the Mosque of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. Mohammed (al-Ba`qir) b. 'Ali was sitting there. He, peace be on him, said to a man sitting beside him: 'Those two (persons) will undertake authority.’ He pointed with his hand to us. The man came and told us about the Ima`m's words. So, we went to the Ima`m and said to him: 'O son of Allah's Apostle, what you have said?’ He, peace be on him, said: 'You will shortly assume this authority. However, you will mistreat my progeny. Then woe unto you!
That happened as the Ima`m, peace be on him, predicted. When al-Mansu`r became caliph, he mistreated the descendants of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family. He punished them severely. During the time of this tyrant, the descendants of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, suffered from various kinds of persecution to an extent that they did not suffer from such persecution during the time of the Umayyad. Generally speaking, throughout his days, they suffered from disasters, pains, and tortures.
2. Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, predicted that the Black Stone would be put into the Great Mosque in Ku`fa.
2That happened during the days of the Karmatnians. They took it from the Kaaba and put it into the Mosque of Ku`fa. They thought that the hajj would depend on it. So, it would be performed in the Mosque of Ku`fa. Thus, the Black Stone remained there for about twenty years, and then it was brought back to its place.
3. He, peace be on him, foretold that Nafi' b. al-Azraq would invade Medina (Yathrib), and that he would permit his soldiers to profane it. Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him, said: "My father was at a general meeting. He bowed his head, and then he raised it and said: 'O People, a man along with four thousand (soldiers) will enter your city. They will fight against you with the sword for three successive days. They will kill your fighters. You will be unable to face that tribulation. That will happen in the next year. Therefore, be on the alert. Know, what I have told you will surely happen.’ However, the
____________
1. Dala'il al-Imama, p. p. 96.
2. Al-Maqrizi, Itti'az al-Hunafa', p. 245.
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people of Medina paid no attention to the Ima`m's words. They said: 'That will never happen.’ In the next year Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) took his family along with a group of the Ha`shimites and went out of Medina. Then Nafi' b. al-Azraq came. He was accompanied by four thousand (soldiers). He entered Medina and permitted his (soldiers) to profane it for three days. So, they killed many people.
1Thus, the people of Media understood the Ima`m's truthful prediction.
4. He, peace be on him, foresaw that his brother Zayd would die a martyr. Zayd b. Ha`zim reported. He said: "I was with Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him. Zayd passed by us. So, Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) said to me: 'Have you not seen this? He will revolt (against the government) in Ku`fa. He will be killed. His head will be sent about.’
2Few days after that, Zayd was killed in Ku`fa and his head was sent about to countries and cities.
5. He, peace be on him, foretold that the house of Hisha`m b. 'Abd al-Malik would be demolished. It was the largest house in Medina (Yathrib). He built it of oil stones. The Ima`m, peace be on him, said: "By Allah, the house will be demolished. The oil stones will be rare."Abu` Ha`zim said: "When I heard that, I was astonished at it. Then I said: 'Who will demolish the house which Hisha`m, the Commander of the Faithful, has built?’ Then Hisha`m died. So, al-Walid assumed the Caliphate after him. He ordered the house to be demolished, and then he ordered the oil stones to be moved from it. So, they became rare in Medina (Yathrib).
3
6. Al-Fudayl reported. He said: "I asked Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir): 'We have heard that the family of Ja'far (al-Sa`diq) will have one standard and the family of al-'Abba`s will have two standards. Do you have knowledge of that?’"The Ima`m, peace be on him, said:
"As for the family of Ja'far, they will have nothing nor will my family. As for the family of al-'Abba`s, they will undertake a great kingdom. In it they will make friends with the strangers and abandon the relatives. Their authority will be rude. There will be no mercy in
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1. Nur al-Abbsar, p. 130.
2. Ibid, p. 131.
3. Dala'ilal-Imama, p. 110.
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it. When they feel safe from Allah's punishment, He will destroy then all. Then no house will gather them together nor will an ear hear them. That is due to the Words of Allah, the Great and Almighty: 'Until when the earth puts on its golden ornament.’
1
These are some of the Ima`m's predictions. They indicate that the Imam, peace be on him, had vast knowledge, and that he encompassed these affairs which Allah, the Exalted, had given to the prophets and their trustees. It is natural that the person is in need of fixed belief and steadfast conviction to accept this
phenomenon concerning the Ima`ms, peace be on them. Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, mentioned that when he said: "Indeed our speech is difficult and regarded as difficult. (No one) accepts it except a close
angel or a sent prophet or a servant whose heart Allah tests for belief.
2
These are some of the theological researches the Ima`m, peace be on him, carried out and some of the unseen he foresaw. He has other researches in this respect. We will mention them when we talk about his time.
Jurisprudence
As for the jurisprudence of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, most of it was taken from the two Ima`ms al-Ba`qir and his son al-Sa`diq, peace be on them. The Ima`mi jurisprudence encyclopedias - such as al-Hada'iq, al-Jawa`hir, and Mustamsak al-'Urwat al-Withqa`- are full
of the traditions reported on their authority. Ima`mi jurists depend on them when they conclude legal precepts and give religious opinions. As for traditions in the encyclopedias- such as Wasa`'il al-Shi'a, al-Tahdhib, Man La Yahdarahu al-Faqih, and the like- most of them were taken from them. These encyclopedias are regarded as important references for Islamic jurisprudence, for they wonderful and rich in traditions.
Ima`m al-Ba`qir and his son al-Sa`diq, peace be on them, did their
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1. Ithabat al-Hudat, vol. 5, p. 310.
2. A'lam al-Wara.
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best to proclaim Islamic jurisprudence. They took care of it at the time when the Moslem community was absorbed in the political events. Moreover, the governments at those times neglected completely religious affairs. Thus, Moslem communities were unable to understand their religious affairs. Dr. 'Ali Hasan said: "When we studied the historical texts, we have concluded many examples of this phenomenon (i. e. neglecting religious affairs) that included rulers, scholars, and people in the first century. By that we mean that they had no knowledge of religious affairs and were irresolute in them even in worship. Among that is when b. 'Abba`s delivered a sermon on the pulpit of Basrah in the end of (the month) of Ramada`n. He said: 'Take out the alms of your fasting.’ However, the people did not know that. Thus, he said: 'Is there anybody from Medina here? Let him stand up to teach his bothers, for they do not know anything about the obligatory zakat fitir.
1 This proves that the people in the Moslem countries did not know in detail their religious affairs. Moreover, the Syrians did not know even the number of the obligatory ritual prayers. So, they asked the Companions (of the Prophet) about it.
2 'Umar b. Abd al-'Aziz did not know the times of the prayers. Some scholars did not know. either. They thought that there was a certain year for that. However, the government opposed that. For this reason, it has been mentioned in the tradition: 'Rulers will come in the rest of time. They will deaden the prayers. Therefore, perform the prayers at their limited times.’ The early historians were unable to explain this condition for us, for they found imposed ways before them. That was the Umayyads had changed the times of the prayers according to their opinions.
Indeed, during the time of the Umayyads, who paid no attention to religious affairs, the people had little knowledge of jurisprudence and religious affairs. No one knew these religious affairs except
the people of Medina.
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1. Ibn Hazm, al-Ahkam fi Usul al-Ahkam, vol. 2, p. 131.
2. Abu Dawud, vol. 1, P. 142. Al-Nisa'i, vol. 1, p. 42.
3. Ibn Sa'd, al-Tabaqat, vol. 1, p. 47.
4. Nazra 'Ama fi Tarikh al-Fiqh al-Islami, p. 110.
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Ima`m al-Ba`qir and Ima`m al-Sa`diq played an important role in proclaiming jurisprudence and explaining the rules of Allah's law. They offered a great service for the Moslem world. Were it not for them, Moslems would lose their great religious wealth.
However, during those times, no one was more knowledgeable than the two Ima`ms, peace be on them, in the affairs of the Islamic law and the precepts of religion. So, the children of the Companions (of the Prophet) and of the next generation, and the heads of the Islamic doctrines-like Abu` Hanifa and Malik- hurried to the two Ima`ms to learn sciences from them. A large group of jurists- like Zara`ra b. A'yun, Mohammed b. Moslem, and Aba`n b. Taghlub- studied under Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him. Thanks to them the Ima`m's traditions were written. Besides they gave religious opinions to the Moslems. With that Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, was able to renew Islam and preserve the religious wealth.
Worth mentioning, the Shi'ites were the first to write down jurisprudence. Mustafa` 'Abd al-Razaq said: "It is natural that the Shi'ites were the first to record jurisprudence, for their belief in the infallibility of their Ima`ms urged them to write down their judgments and religious opinions.
1With that the Shi'ites took part in preserving the Islamic heritage. It is necessary for us to consider carefully the jurisprudence of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. That is because they took it from the
great Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family.
Its Characteristics
The jurisprudence of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, has wonderful characteristics. They have put it in the top of Islamic and non-Islamic jurisprudence. The following are some of them:
1. Its Connection by the Prophet (may Allah bless him and his family)
The important characteristic of the jurisprudence of the
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1. Tamhid Li Tarikh Falsafa al-Islamiya, p. 202.
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members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, is that it is directly connected by the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. That is because the way to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, were the Ima`ms of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, from whom Allah took away uncleanliness, whom He purified thoroughly, and whom the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, regarded as life boats, safety for people, and equal to the Holy Koran, according to the successive traditions reported on his authority.
Without doubt, they, peace be on them, were the closest of all the people to Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, and the most knowledgeable of them in his law and its rules. So, their narration, if it is reported on their authority in a correct way, is the most correct of all narrations and the nearest of them to reality. This urged the Ima`mi jurists to rely only on the narrations of the Ima`ms in concluding legal precepts. That is because the Ima`ms' narrations have reliable original proofs on which
jurisprudence depends. Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, talked about the narrations of the Ima`ms, peace be on them. He said that the traditions did not belong to them. Rather, they belonged to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. He, peace be on him, said: "If we talked according to our opinions, then we would go astray as those who had gone astray before us. However, we talk according to the proof which Allah explained to His prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, so the latter explained it to us.
1 He was asked about the tradition which he mentioned and did not attribute to (a certain authority). So, he, peace be on him, said: "When I mention a tradition and do not ascribe it (to a certain a authority), then my authority concerning it is my father Zayn al-'Abidin on the authority of his father al-Husayn, the martyr, on the authority of his father 'Ali b. Abi Ta`lib, on the authority of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, on the authority of Gabriel on the authority of Allah.
2 Is there an authority brighter or more correct than this authority? Can the Moslem who seeks Allah's
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1. A'lam al-Wara, p. 270.
2. Ibid.
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pleasure and the hereafter find a way safer than this way to Allah?
2. Its Flexibility
The jurisprudence of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, goes along with life, keeps abreast with development, does not deviate from the natural disposition, and meets all needs of life. Praise belongs to Allah. In it there is neither sin nor narrowness nor harm nor mischief. Rather, it contains general interests and balanced rules. All of the jurists have admired it. They have testified that it is rich in deep genus and creative legislation.
Indeed the jurisprudence of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, helps researchers find the legislative power that leads people to cultural scientific development. It is a proof for absolute justice and pure truth, for it has solutions for all the problems of society.
3. It has opened a Door to Ijtiha`d
The jurisprudence of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, is distinguished from the rest of Islamic jurisprudence by opening a door to Ijtiha`d (concluding religious opinions). That proves the originality of the jurisprudence of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), its reaction with life, and its continuous solutions to man's affairs in general. In other words it gives solutions to new discoveries and inventions which people face at this time, such as artificial vaccination and transplanting organs. The great Moslem scholars of al-Azhar have felt that they are in need of opening a door to Ijtiha`d. Thus, they have supported the Shi'ites in this respect. Ahmed Amin said: "The Moslems have showed their feebleness when they have believed in closing the door to Ijtiha`d. That is because there will be no qualified mujtahid (one who gives religious opinions) among the people. This is the opinion of some of those who imitate (others), for their confidence in themselves is weak, and they mistrust the people.
1
Sayyid Rasheed Rida said: "We think that there is no advantage
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1. Youm al-Islam, p. 189.
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in leaving Ijtiha`d. As for the harms of leaving Ijtiha`d, they are many. All that has resulted from neglecting intellect, stopping the way of knowledge, and refraining from exploiting thinking. Indeed the Moslems have
neglected all knowledge when they have abandoned Ijtiha`d. So, they have come to what we see.
1
Indeed Islam, praise be to Allah, blames intellect for inactivity. It summons man to enter the fields of thinking and knowledge. It is not an act of wisdom to close the door to Ijtiha`d to impose imitation (on people).
Ijtiha`d is possible. It depends on logic and proof. As for closing the door to
Ijtiha`d, it was at a certain time. The governments standing at those times imposed it (on people), as the researchers said.
