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Imam Ja’far al Sadiq(A.S.)
Compiled by Syed Zainul Abideen, Tehran, Iran
Name: Ja’far
Title: Sadiq , Aba A’bdillah
Father’s Name: Imam Mohammad Baqir(A.S)
Mother: Umme Farvah
Granddaughter of Mohammad bin Abu Bakr)
Date & place of Birth: 17th Rabi ol Avval 83 A.H in Madinah
Period of Imamat: 34 years (114 to 148 A.H)
Date & place of Martyrdom: 25thShavval 148 A.H in Madinah
Poisoned by Mansour Dawanaqhi
Age: 65 years (83-114 A.H).31 years before Imamat
34 years as an Imam
Shrine /cemetery: Baqie’ ,Madinah
Imam Ja’far as Sadiq (A.S) was an Imam during a very critical period of time, which was insecure and full of contradictions in religious beliefs due to poisoned thoughts and lack of concurrence about divine values and excellence of character. It was not possible for people to differentiate between right and wrong, because they were drowned in doubts and delusions and needed guidance by an Imam.
The Imam (A.S) revived many people with dead souls by liberating them from the captivity of their carnal desires. He taught his students like an affectionate father and developed their talents and capabilities.
The Umayyads were severely punished by Saffah, the Abbaside caliph for usurping the rights of Imams. Saffah had consolidated his rule on basis of love for the holy prophet’s household. It is said he imprisoned Abu Hanifa ,the founder of Hanafi sect in Islam. Imam Sadiq (A.S) perceived that the finalized true Islam as brought by Mohammad (S.A) has been mutilated to such an extent that it would not be possible to reform it soon; so the Imam paid most attention to his first duty that is teaching true Islamic laws and concepts of the religion finalized by God.
Salawat on Imam Jafar al Sadiq (A.S)
O God! Send Thy blessings upon Jafar bin Mohammad Al Sadiq, the treasurer of knowledge, truthfully inviting towards Thee with manifest light.
O God! Thou hast made him Thy word, Thy revelation and treasurer of Thy knowledge and the tongue that speaks about Thy Oneness and cognizance and Thy authority for commanding Thy decrees and guarding Thy finalized religion, so bless him with the most excellent blessings with which Thou hast blessed any of Thy distinguished ones and divine guides.
Certainly, Thou art the Most Laudable, the Most Glorious. (Imam Hassan Askari-A.S)
The fourteen sinless personalities, had defeated their severe enemy in the major warfare ‘Jihad e Akbar’ by their strong determination and freewill. They were therefore perfect models of excellent conduct and character for the entire mankind. Major Jihad is spiritual triumph over one’s own evil spirit by defeating pride, prejudice, anger, avarice and all evil qualities with complete submission to God and the divine guides, who lead humanity to perpetual life in paradise.
Status and cognizance of the Imam
The fourteen Masoomeen are the closest persons to God. If the entire world is placed in one pan of the balance and Imam Mahdi (A.S) in the other pan, the Imam will outweigh the entire universe because God, the Creator of the universe is on his side. Nothing amongst creation can excel its Creator. All the Masoomeen are alike and have the same status as Imam Mahdi (A.F) God has planned all Ma’sumeen to be in the linage of prophet Abraham (A.S).
Imam Sadiq (A.S) was not covetous for anything in the world like rulers of his time. He was engaged in carrying out his mission of character building by training his students in different fields of knowledge and religion. He explained and consolidated the shariah or laws of true Islam as brought by the last and the best messenger of God. No person should consider the explanation of the Imam as a separate Jafry sect because it is not separation from true Islam, but only a clarification of all aspect of Islam. Therefore Imams are considered as ‘Rasekhoona fil Ilm’ by God i.e deeply rooted in knowledge of Islam). More than seventy sects were created in Islam by the so called conceited scholars mostly to please oppressive rulers the test of mankind lies in obedience to God and its divine guide so there is no compulsion in religion.
All the fourteen masoomeen were martyred by the tyrannical rulers, who love power wealth and pleasure in this world and were blind towards life in the hereafter. None of the Mas’umeen died a natural death. God says: “Do not consider those who are slain while establishing the right way of God as dead, but they are alive and provided with sustenance near God”.
Some prominent students of the Imam Sadiq (A.S.)
More than 4000 students benefited from the classes held by the Imam, some of them were trained as experts in different subjects. Amongst the students of the Imam, a few prominent ones were:
1. Hisham ibne Hakam, He was expert in the discussions on religious matters.
2. Momin at-Taqh, He was once asked for a loan and the person who wanted to borrow said he will return it during Raj’at,The Momin replied please bring me a witness who will guarantee that you will return as a human being during Raj’at.
3. Jaber ibne Hayyan. He had compiled many books as taught by the Imam and they cover different subjects besides religion, such as chemistry, astronomy, natural sciences, medication etc. Some of these books have been translated into French, German and Latin and are kept in the libraries or museums in Europe.
4. Mofazzal bin Omare Jo’fi was appointed by Imam to clarify the doubts of the people in religion, a treatise famous as TohideMofazzal consists of lectures of the Imam on monotheism and similar subjects.
5. Jamil bin Durraj. He was an expert in religion. He was famous for his lengthy prostrations. He lived until the Imamat of Imam Reza (A.S).
6. Abu Hamza Somali was a contemporary of the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh Imam. Like Salmane Farsi he was an expert in the knowledge of religion.
Imam Sadiq (A.S) told him: “One who prays to God sincerely with complete submission to Him, his prayers is answered by God in a wink’s time.
7. Faiz bin MokhtarKoofi. 8. Abu Basir and others…
Memoirs of the Imam (A.S) are as follows:
1. Ziarate Arba’ieen: Every lover of the fourteen Ma’sumin recites Ziarate Arba’ieen written by Imam Sadiq (A.S).
2. Misbahushshariah, this book has one hundred chapters, which deal with excellence of perfect faith, piety, human character and cognizance of God.
3. Towhide Mofazzal A collection of notes from Imam’s sermons on monotheism
4. A treatise on important commandments of Islam.
5. A treaties for guidance of those who erroneously follow conjecture and guess.
6. A manuscript in reply to the questions of Najashi the governor of Ahwaz regarding his treatment, conduct and behavior with the people.
A healthy soul cannot perform all good deeds with a body which is unhealthy. It is obvious that major jihad needs a sound and healthy body. Therefore the sinless personalities were inspired with knowledge for maintaining good health of the soul and body.
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