Story No. 439 – Imam Hadi (as) and the cruel Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutawakkil:

During the time of our 10th Imam, Imam Hadi (as) Al-Mutawakkil, the cruel Abbasid Caliph fell very ill. The doctors could not make him better.

 

Imam Hadi (as) and the cruel Abbasid Caliph Al-MutawakkilAl-Mutawakkil’s mother was very sad and asked Imam Hadi (as) to help him. Imam Hadi (as) told her what medicine to use to make her son, Al-Mutawakkil better and when she used what Imam Hadi (as) had told her to use, Al-Mutawakkil became well again.

 

All the doctors were very surprised.

 

Although Al-Mutawakkil was a cruel, bad man, Imam Hadi (as) still helped him, because his mother had come to him for help.

 

Moral: If anyone ever asks you for help you should help them even if they are not very nice.

Story No. 438 – Imam Hadi (as) explains Maal al-Katheer from Noble Qur’an:

Once Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutawakkil was poisoned so he kept a vow (Nadhr) saying that, “If I recover fully then I will spend ‘Maal al-Katheer’ in the cause of Allah (SWT)”.

Maal al-Katheer means ‘plenty of money’, but Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutawakkil did not specify the amount.

When he finally recovered, Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutawakkil called for his scholars, informed them about his vow and sought their guidance on the amount which he should pay so that it should be regarded as Maal al-Katheer. He got different answers. One said that he should pay 1000 dirham; the other said he should pay 10,000 dirham and the third said that the money should amount to 100,000 dirham. Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutawakkil was confused and did not know which scholar’s advice he should follow.

One of the courtiers, whose name was Hasan, said, “O Al-Mutawakkil! If you allow me then I shall acquire a correct answer to your question”. Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutawakkil said to him, “Alright, go then and acquire for me a correct answer. If you satisfy me, I will gift you 10,000 dirham other wise I will have you whipped”.

The courtier came to our 10th Imam, Imam Hadi (as) who was under surveillance. As soon as the Imam Hadi (as) saw him, he (as) said, “You have come to ask me about Maal al-Katheer. Go and tell Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutawakkil it is 80 dirham”. When Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutawakkil heard this, he asked for a proof.

Imam Hadi (as) told the courtier, “Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Qur’an to His Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): ‘Allah (SWT) rendered you with victory in many places’ Noble Qur’an (9:25) When we counted the places of victory, they were 80 in number. This therefore, shows that the interpretation of ‘Katheer’ is eighty”.

When Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutawakkil heard this, he was satisfied and extremely pleased. As promised, the courtier was awarded with 10,000 dirham.

Story No. 437 – Imam Hadi (as) and respect of Islamic Scholar:

There was a great Shia Scholar in the days of our 10th Imam, Imam Hadi (as). Once a Nasibi (a person who curses the Ahlul Bayt) had a debate with this scholar and the scholar defeated him through Qura’nic verses and Prophetic traditions.

One day this scholar came into a gathering, which consisted mostly of Alavids and people of Banu Hashim; and Imam Hadi (as) was also present. In the centre of that gathering, Imam Hadi (as) was seated and there was a huge pillow placed at that spot. As soon as Imam Hadi (as) saw this scholar, he (as) rose from his place and asked the scholar to come forward until the Imam Hadi (as) made him sit next to him and offered him the pillow to relax.

One old man from Banu Hashim did not like this, so he complained saying, “O Son of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)! How can you give preference to an ordinary person over a Sayyid who belongs to the progeny of Abu Talib and Abbas?”

When the Imam Hadi (as) heard this, he (as) was extremely furious with the old man and started quoting verses from the Noble Qur’an to prove the supremacy of a scholar over everyone else.

Imam Hadi (as) asked the people present there: “Do you believe the commands of Allah (SWT) in the Noble Qur’an?”

They all said, “Yes!”

Then the Imam Hadi (as) said, “Hasn’t Allah (SWT) said: ‘Allah will raise those who have faith and those who have been given knowledge in rank…’? Noble Qur’an (58:11)

Then know that just as Allah (SWT) loves a Mumin over a non-Mumin, similarly, He loves a Mumin with knowledge over a Mumin without knowledge. (Now tell me) Hasn’t Allah (SWT) also said, ‘Say (O Muhammad): Can those who know and those who do not know be equal? Verily only the men of understanding take the heed’? Noble Qur’an (39:9)

Then why are you people trying to stop me from giving preference to one who has been preferred by Allah (SWT)? This Scholar has utilized his knowledge, which Allah (SWT) has blessed him and defeated our enemy with it. This act is better than any family ties and relation in my eyes”.

Story No. 436 – Imam Hadi’s (as) attends the distressed:

Once “Younas Naqqash” came terrified and trembling to see our 10th Imam, Imam Hadi (as) and said, “Oh the son of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) I am at the verge and threshold of death, you help my family.” Imam Hadi (as) asked him as to what was the matter. Younas Naqqash said so, “one of the courtiers of Abbasid Caliphate has given me a gem to engrave a design upon it. During the work, the gem broke into two pieces. Tomorrow, he will send someone to collect the gem. If he comes to know about the matter he will kill me.”

Imam Hadi (as) bent his head downward then he raised it saying, “I prayed for you, be satisfied no harm will reach you from him, instead, this work will end to your benefit. Get up and go you will face no trouble tomorrow.”

The next day Younas Naqqash moved towards the house of that man with trembling legs along with one of the officials deputed. Not very long afterwards, the owner of the house arrived and said, “Oh Younas Naqqash it was settled that you engrave a design over that gem but two of my daughters have a conflict upon this gem.” If it is possible, break the gem into two pieces, and engrave the design on each of the two parts of it. I will give you a reward too, for that, Younas Naqqash said, “Permit me to think about this matter.”

He came out of that place and returned happily to Imam Hadi (as) and expressed his gratitude and thankfulness over the kindness he had shown to him.

Moral: No matter what trouble you are faced with always trust in Allah (SWT) and ask for His help as He can make anything happen.

Story No. 435 – Imam Hadi (as) Hafiz and Aalim of Noble Qur’an in Childhood:

Imam Hadi (as) assumed the official role of Imamate at a very young age of 7 or 8 years. At that tender age, he (as) had become a point of reference for the Muslims. People would refer to him and seek his guidance in almost everything pertaining to their lives. When the enemies of Ahlul Bayt (as) saw this, they were displeased with the situation. So, in conjunction with the Caliphate of the time, which was in opposition of Ahlul Bayt (as), they began looking for a person who was the most knowledgeable of the time yet a sworn enemy of Ahlul Bayt (as) so that Imam Hadi (as) is put under his care for training and the Muslims, particularly the Shias do not get any access to him. Also anything that Imam Hadi (as) said or did in his life would be according to the teachings that he had received from his teacher.

Finally, Ubaydullah Junaydi, a prominent scholar from Iraq and a sworn enemy of Ahlul Bayt (as) was appointed for the task. Ubaydullah Junaydi took our 10th Imam, Imam Hadi (as) into his care and did not allow any Shia to visit him. This way, the guidance of Imam Hadi (as) was suspended for his Shias.

After some time a person came to Ubaydullah Junaydi and asked him, “How is the Hashemite servant doing?” Ubaydullah Junaydi a sworn enemy of Ahlul Bayt (as) became extremely furious with the man and said to him, “Do not call him a Hashemite servant for he is not a servant but a leader of Banu Hashim. By Allah (SWT)! Despite his young age, he is more knowledgeable than I am. People think that I am disciplining him but the truth is that he is disciplining me. I swear by Allah (SWT)! He is not only the Hafiz of Noble Qur’an (Hafiz-e-Quran) but also possesses its knowledge. To be precise, he is the best of all on the face of this earth”.

Moral: Imams (as) have a supreme knowledge so that they are able to answer whatever question is put to them. What age you are does not matter but how much you know matters. People will treat you like a child unless you can show them otherwise – through your knowledge and your Akhlaq (characters).

Story No. 434 – Eleventh Infallible Sayings:

  • As a man asked him for an advice, Imam al-Jawad (A.S.) said: Put your head on steadfastness, embrace poverty, reject the lusts, oppose your passions, and know that you cannot be out of Allah’s sight. Consider how you should behave, then.
  • Allah revealed to one of His prophets: Your asceticism will give you comfort. Your devotion to Me will endear you to Me. But, did you antagonize My enemies and cherish My disciples?
  • It was related that highway robbers stole the large amounts of cloth that belonged to Imam al-Jawad (A.S.). The head of the caravan sent the Imam a message in which he informed him of that news. The Holy Imam (A.S.) answered him: Our souls and riches are within the pleasant gifts and the deposited loans of Allah Who makes us enjoy some of them pleasantly and delightedly and seizes whatever He wills with rewards and merits. He whosever intolerance overcomes his steadfastness will waste his rewards. Allah protect us against so.
  • He who detested a matter that he witnessed is as same as those who were absent from it, and he who was absent from a matter that he loved is, as same as those who witnessed it.
  • He whoever listens to a caller is serving him. If the caller was Allah’s representative, he is then serving Allah. If the caller was the Shaitan’s representative, he is then serving the Shaitan.
  • Dawud-bin-al-Qasim related: I asked Imam al-Jawad(A.S.) about the meaning of ‘Samad’. He said: Everything that lacks navel is ‘Samad’. I said that people claim that ‘Samad’ is everything that lacks interior. Imam al-Jawad(A.S.) commented: Everything that lacks interior lacks navel.
  • Abu-Hashim al-Ja’fari related: On the wedding day of Imam al-Jawad (A.S.) and Ummul-Fadhl, daughter of Al-Ma’mun. I said: O master, the blessing of this day is clearly great for us. The Holy Imam (A.S.) replied: O Abu-Hashim, Allah’s blessings in this day have been great for us. “Yes, master,” I said, “What should I say about the day?” Imam al-Jawad (A.S.) answered: Say only good things about the day so that you will be given from these good things. “Master,” I said, “I will follow this instruction completely.” Imam al-Jawad (A.S.) said: You will be guided to the right and you will see only the good if you adhere to this instruction.
  • Imam al-Jawad(A.S.) wrote to one of his disciples: We are only ladling from this world. He whose belief and religion are the same as his acquaintance will surely accompany the acquaintance everywhere. The life to come is surely the remaining abode.
  • A cameleer who took Imam al-Jawad (A.S.) from Medina to Al-Kufa asked for more money after the Imam had given him four hundred dinars. The Holy Imam (A.S.) said: How strange this is! Do you not know that Allah’s increasing gifts will be stopped when the servants stop showing Him gratitude?
  • “Toba” depends upon four things: sincere regrets, verbal “istighfar”, deeds and determination never to repeat the sin.
  • Don’t pretend to be Allah’s servant and be His enemy in privacy.
  • Don’t be God’s friend in appearance and his enemy in secret.
  • Sincerity is the best of all worships.
  • Relying on Allah is the price of every valuable thing and the ladder to every treasured thing.
  • To show a matter before preparing for it properly is spoiling it.
  • Love is attracted due to three traits: being just in social dealings, assisting others in hardships and having a pure heart.
  • Four things are required to do anything: health, independence, knowledge and divine assistance.
  • Three deeds are performed by the believers: following the wajibaat, abstaining from sins, and not neglecting the religion.
  • Whoever had three thing, will never regret: 1 – Refraining from haste, 2 – Consulting 3 – and depending upon God when decision making.
  • Our wealth and soul are of God’s pleasant gifts (to us) and deposited trusts, they cause happiness and pleasure as long as we enjoy them, and reward is for whatever is taken (from us), so whose grief overcome his patience his reward is lost, and we seek refuge to God from that.
  • Refrain from association with the evil person, because he is as the bare awars having a beautiful appearance (but) an ugly effect.
  • Delay in performing works always (cause) perplexity.
  • Increase of blessing is not interrupted by God, unless thanksgiving is interrupted by slaves.
  • Disclosing something before its firmness causes its destruction.
  • Dependence upon God is the price for any valuable thing and is the ladder for any eminent matter.
  • The one, who doesn’t know the way in, has a problem finding the way out.
  • If move calmly, get to the aim or close to it.
  • The one who leaves compromise with the people faces discomfort.
  • Whoever worked without knowledge, his destruction is more than his rectification.
  • Have precaution according to the fear.
  • Four things aid the human in his work: soundness, not needing, knowledge, and success.
  • The one aware of oppression, the aid to it, and the pleased with it, all three are partners.
  • Human’s death due to sins is more than death by fate, and his living due to benevolence is more than living due to natural life time.
  • Love and friendship is attained by three characters: fairness, accompaniment and sympathy when hardship, pure heartedness and benevolence to others.

Story No. 433 – Young age of 9th Imam, Imam al-Jawad / Imam Javad (as)

Our 9th Imam, Imam al-Jawad (as) had an uncle called Ali Ibne Jaffar, who was a very knowledgeable, pious old man. Whenever he went to the mosque, people would surround him and ask him questions.

One day Imam Taqi (as) arrived at the mosque. When his uncle who was sitting in the middle of a large group of people saw him, he immediately got up and kissed the hand of Imam Taqi (as).

Imam Taqi (as) asked his uncle to sit down, to which his uncle replied that he could not sit while Imam Taqi (as) was standing. When Ali Ibne Jaffar returned among his friends, after Imam Taqi (as) had left, his friends told him that it was wrong for him to show so much respect to that child Imam Taqi (as) as he was an old man and the uncle of the child.

Ali Ibne Jaffar replied that he was showing respect to the child because of who he was. He continued that Imamate is an office and a station from Allah (SWT), and Allah (SWT) did not deem him an old man fit and capable for the leadership of the Ummah, but considered the child capable for it. Therefore they should all obey his (Imam Taqi (as)) commands.

Moral: The age of a person is not important but what kind of person they are. Only Allah (SWT) knows everything about everyone and therefore only Allah (SWT) is allowed to judge people, and say what they do and do not deserve.

Story No. 432 – Imam Taqi (as): Answering Fiqh questions is not easy

Mamun al-Rashid son of Harun al-Rashid called the young 9th Imam, Imam Taqi (as) to Baghdad from Medina and offered his daughter. This infuriated his family (Abbasid). To prove to them the excellence of Imam Taqi (as) even at a young age of Twelve year, he arranged a meeting between Imam Taqi (as) and the most learned of men at that time – Yahya ibn Aaktham, the Chief Justice of the Abbasid Empire.

It was a grand occasion with some 900 other scholars present. The court was full of people from near and far everyone wanted to see what the outcome would be.

Yahya asked the first question which was: What would be the kaffara of a person in Ihram who hunted and killed his prey?

Imam Taqi (as) answered that he would have to be given a lot more detail before he could even begin to answer the question.

For example:

Was the person in Ihram Baligh or not?
Was the person a free man or a slave?
Did he know the laws of Sharia on hunting or not?
Was his Ihram for Hajj or Umra?
Did he hunt intentionally or not?
Was this the first time or one of many?
Did the person in Ihram hunt inside the Haram of the Holy Kaaba or outside.
Did he hunt in the day or at night?
Was the prey big or small?
Was the prey a bird or an animal?
Was the person repentant or not?

Yahya was shocked and did not know what to say.

Mamun al-Rashid asked Imam Taqi (as) to answer, Yahya’s question for all of the above conditions, which Imam Taqi (as) did.

It was then Imam Taqi (as) to ask Yahya a question, which he did and Yahya could not answer; so Imam Taqi (as) again gave the answer.

Mamun al-Rashid’s joy knew no bounds. What he had asserted came true. Addressing the audience he said, “Did I not tell you that the people of the Ahlul Bayt of the Prophet have been gifted by Allah (SWT) with limitless knowledge? None can cope with even the children of this elevated House.”

Mamun al-Rashid took the opportunity to offer his daughter Ummul Fazl to Imam Taqi (as). Imam Taqi (as) read his own Nikah (the khutba of which is used today) with the Mehr of 500 dirhams. Imam Taqi (as) wrote a letter to Mamun al-Rashid that he would also give Ummul Fazl Mehr from the wealth of The World to Come (Aakhira). This was in the form of 10 duas which were for fulfilling any hajaat (desires). Thus his title is Al-Jawad (the generous one).

Moral: To answer a fiqh question is not as easy as you may think; this is why Ulema spend years of their lives learning and researching. And why we have to do Taqlid of a Marja (Just like we take the advice of a doctor, when we are ill, we should take the advice of a Marja in religious affairs).

Story No. 431 – Imam al-Taqi (as): Allah (SWT) can give you much more

When our 9th Imam, Imam Taqi (as) was only 9 years old, his father our 8th Imam, Imam Ali Ridha (as) was killed by the king Mamun al-Rashid.

Mamun al-Rashid decided that he would try to buy (bribe) Imam Taqi (as) into his way of life because Imam Taqi (as) was still only a child.

Mamun al-Rashid took Imam Taqi (as) to his palace and gave him whatever money could buy, but Imam Taqi (as) was not interested, because he knew Allah (SWT) could give him much much more.

No matter how much Mamun al-Rashid gave him, Imam Taqi (as) did not do anything against Allah’s (SWT) commands as Mamun al-Rashid wished.

Moral: Whatever anyone gives you always remember that Allah (SWT) can give you so much more but only if you are a good Muslim and do as Allah (SWT) tells you.

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