Story No. 371– Imam Sadegh (as): Al-Mansur, the Abbasid Caliph and the Fly

Imam Sadegh (as): Al-Mansur, the Abbasid Caliph and the FlyIt was an Abbasid court, with all the splendor. Al-Mansur was the Caliph. Just as Al-Mansur was attending the business to state, a small fly sat on his nose. With a wave of his hand, he whisked it off. But the fly sat on his nose again. This continued till at last Al-Mansur felt greatly disturbed.

 

Turning to our 6th Imam, Imam Sadegh (as), who was present that day, Al-Mansur said: O Son of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), can you tell me why Allah (SWT) created these lousy flies? “Yes”, Imam Sadegh (as), said: “So that the mighty and the proud are rendered humble and helpless.”

 

Once the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mansur, decided to kill Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (as). For this, he hired 100 illiterate people. The plan was that he would summon Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (as) and when a specified signal was given, they would cut him to pieces with their swords. However, when Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (as) came, they all showed him their respect, despite the signal being given to them. The hypocritical Abbasid Caliph also received Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (as) cordially. When Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (as) left, Abbasid Caliph Al-Mansur asked why they had not killed him, they replied, “By Allah (SWT)! We did not know that you wanted us to kill this Holy person; he is kind to us as a father and helps us day and night. How could we kill him?” Abbasid Caliph Al-Mansur had no choice but to keep quiet.