Imam Muhammad b. Ali al-Jawad (a)

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Muhammad b. 'Alī
9th Imam of the Shia
Holy Shrine of Kazimayn (a), Kadhimiya, Iraq
TeknonymAbu Ja'far, Abu 'Ali
BornRajab 10, 195/April 8, 811
BirthplaceMedina, Arabia
ImamateFrom Safar 30, 203/September 6, 818(for 17 years)
Contemporary RulersAl-Ma'mun, al-Mu'tasim
MartyrdomDhu l-Qa'da 30, 220/November 25, 835 in Kadhimiya, Iraq
The Twelve Imams
Predecessor'Ali b. Musa al-Rida (a)
Successor'Ali b. Muhammad al-Hadi (a)
Father'Ali b. Musa al-Rida (a)
MotherSabika
Spouse(s)Samana, Umm al-Fadl
Son(s)'Ali, Musa
'Ali, al-Hasan, al-Husayn, al-Sajjad, al-Baqir, al-Sadiq, al-Kazim, al-Rida, al-Jawad, al-Hadi, al-'Askari, al-Mahdi


Muḥammad b. ʿAlī b. Mūsā (Arabic: محمد بن علي بن موسی) known as Imām al-Jawād (a) (Arabic: امام الجواد) was the ninth Imam of Twelver Shia. His teknonym was Abu Ja'far and he is mentioned in haidth sources as Abu Ja'far al-Thani (the second Abu Ja'far). He (a) was born on Rajab 10, 195/April 8, 811 in Medina and was Imam for 17 years. He was martyred when he (a) was 25 years old and was buried in Kadhimiya beside the grave of his grandfather Musa b. Ja'far (a). He was the youngest Imam when he was martyred.

Because Imam al-Jawad was an 8 year old child, some Shi'a followed 'Abd Allah b. Musa and some others followed Waqifids. But most Shi'a accepted the imamate of Imam al-Jawad (a) due to his scientific superiority in spite of his age. At that time, due to restrictions made for Imam (a), his connections with Shi'a were mostly made through agents.

Scientific debates of Imam al-Jawad (a) in his childhood age with religious scholars of different Islamic sects in theological issues such as the position of caliphs and in jurisprudential issues such as hajj rituals are among well-known debates of Imams (a).

Lineage, Teknonym, and Titles

Muhammad b. 'Ali b. Musa b. Ja'far b. Muhammad is the ninth Imam of Twelver Shi'a who is known as al-Jawad and Jawad al-'A'imma. His father Imam al-Rida (a) was the eighth Imam of Twelver Shia.[1] His mother was Sabika from the family of Mariya al-Qibtiyya, the wife of the Holy Prophet (s). In some sources, the name of his mother is mentioned as Khayzuran, Nawbiyya and Rayhana.[2]

His teknonym was Abu Ja'far[3] and it is mentioned in historical narrations as Abu Ja'far al-Thani so that he (a) is not mistaken with Abu Ja'far al-Awwal who is Imam al-Baqir (a).

His most famous title was al-Jawad and they have mentioned other titles for him such as al-Taqi, al-Murtada, al-Qani', al-Radi, al-Mukhtar, al-Mutawakkil, and al-Muntajab.[4]

Family tree of Ahl al-Bayt (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Khadija
 
 
 
Muhammad
 
 
 
Mariya
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Al-Qasim
 
'Abd Allah
 
Lady Fatima
 
 
 
Ibrahim
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Imam Ali
 
 
 
 
Umm al-Banin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Imam al-Husayn
 
 
Imam al-Hasan
 
Lady Zaynab
 
Umm Kulthum
 
Muhsin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Al-'Abbas
 
Abd Allah
 
Uthman
 
Ja'far
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Muhammad
 
'Awn
 
Ali
 
Al-'Abbas
 
Umm Kulthum
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Al-Hasan
 
Al-Qasim
 
'Abd Allah
 
Fatima
 
Zayd
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
'Abd Allah
 
Zaynab
 
Ibrahim
 
Al-Hasan
 
al-Hasan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Muhammad
 
Ibrahim
 
Idris
 
 
 
 
 
Nafisa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Imam al-Sajjad
 
'Ali al-Akbar
 
'Ali al-Asghar
 
Fatima
 
Sukayna
 
Ruqayya
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Imam al-Baqir
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Zayd
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Imam al-Sadiq
 
'Abd Allah
 
Ibrahim
 
'Ubayd Allah
 
'Ali
 
Yahya
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Imam al-Kazim
 
Muhammad
 
Ali
 
Ishaq
 
Umm Farwa
 
'Abd Allah
 
Isma'il
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Imam al-Rida
 
Ma'suama
 
Hamza
 
Ishaq
 
Ahmad
 
Ibrahim
 
Muhammad
 
 
 
Imam al-Jawad
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Imam al-Hadi
 
Musa
 
Fatima
 
Hakima
 
Amama
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Imam al-'Askari
 
Husayn
 
Muhammad
 
Ja'far
 
 
 
Imam al-Mahdi
 
 


Birth

Timeline of Imam al-Jawad's (a) Life
Rajab 10, 195/April 8, 811 Birth
200/815-516 Immigration of Imam al-Rida (a) from Medina to Merv
Safar 29 or Safar 30, 203/September 5 or September 6, 818 Martyrdom of Imam al-Rida (a) and the beginning of Imamate of Imam al-Jawad (a)
Dhu l-Hijja 15, 212/March 6, 828 Birth of Imam al-Hadi (a)
214/829-30 Birth of Musa al-Mubarqa'
215/830-1 Marriage of Imam al-Jawad (a) with Umm al-Fadl
Rajab 18, 218/August 9, 833 Death of al-Ma'mun and the beginning of the Caliphate of al-Mu'tasim
Muharram 28, 220/February 1, 835 Summoning of Imam Javad (a) to Baghdad by al-Mutasim
Dhu l-Qa'da 30, 220/November 25, 835 Martyrdom


According to the report of historians, Imam al-Jawad (a) was born in 195/811 in Medina.[5] However, there is a disagreement about the day and month of his birth.[6] Some have regarded Imam's (a) birthday as Ramadan 15/June 11[7] and some others regarded it in Ramadan 19/June 15.[8] The famous and unique report is Rajab 10/April 8 which has been mentioned by al-Shaykh al-Tusi in Misbah al-mutahajjid.[9]

Blessed Child

Imam al-Jawad (a) was born in last years of Imam al-Rida's (a) life. They have said that before his birth, Imam al-Rida (a) had no children[10] and some enemies spread this rumor that Imam al-Rida (a) is not going to leave any lineage after himself and the chain of imamate will be broken. According to narrative sources, when Imam al-Jawad (a) was born and they brought him to his father; Imam al-Rida (a) said, "This is a child, more blessed than him is not born for our followers."[11] Also, a report narrated by Ibn Asbat and 'Ubbad b. Isma'il said, "We were at the presence of Imam al-Rida (a) that they brought Abu Ja'far (Imam al-Jawad (a)). We asked, 'Is this that blessed child?' Imam al-Rida (a) said, 'This is the child, no more blessed than him is ever born."[12]

Wives

Al-Ma'mun al-Abbasi married her daughter, called Umm al-Fadl, to Imam al-Jawad (a) in 202/817-8[13] or 215/830-1.[14] This marriage took place following the request of al-Ma'mun and Imam (a) expressed his consent with this marriage after specifying the dowry similar to that of Fatima al-Zahra (a) (which was 500 Dirhams).[15] Some sources have said that during Imam al-Rida's (a) stay in Khorasan, Imam al-Jawad (a) went to see him once[16] and that was when al-Ma'mun asked him to marry his daughter. According to Ibn Kathir, the marriage contract of Imam al-Jawad (a) and al-Ma'mun's daughter was made at the time of Imam al-Rida (a) but the marriage ceremony was held in 215/830-1 in Tikrit, Iraq.[17]

The marriage of Imam al-Jawad (a) with Umm al-Fadl was made by the request of al-Ma'mun.[18] Al-Ma'amun said that he sought to be the grandfather of a child who was a progeny of the Prophet (a) and Imam Ali (a).[19] Al-Shaykh al-Mufid considered that marriage because of al-Ma'mun's love for Imam al-Jawad (a).[20] Some researchers believe that this marriage had political motives, including that al-Ma'mun wanted to control Imam al-Jawad (a) and his relations with Shi'a through that marriage;[21] or to show himself interested in Alawis and prevent them from making uprising.[22] This marriage caused the opposition of some of al-Ma'mun's agents, because they were afraid of transferring caliphate from 'Abbasids to 'Alawis.[23]

Other wife of Imam al-Jawad (a) was Samana al-Maghribiyya, who was a concubine.[24] Imam (a) did not have any children from Umm al-Fadl[25] and all his children are from Samana.[26]

Children

According to al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Imam al-Jawad (a) had four children with the names, 'Ali, Musa, Fatima and Amama.[27] However some sources regarded three daughters for Imam (a) with the names of Hakima, Khadija, and Umm Kulthum.[28]

Imamate

Imamate of Imam al-Jawad (a) was contemporary with two Abbasid caliphs: the first was al-Ma'mun (r. 198/813-4 to 218/833) and Imam (a) spent 23 years of his life at the time of his caliphate. The second was al-Mu'tasim al-Abbasi (r. 218/833 to 227/841-2) two years of his caliphate were contemporary with imamate of Imam al-Jawad (a).[29] Imamate of Imam al-Jawad (a) lasted 17 years from 203/818 until 220/835.[30] After the martyrdom of Imam al-Jawad (a), his son, Imam 'Ali b. Muhammad al-Hadi (a) , took responsibility of imamate.[31]

Proofs

In the views of Shi'a, Imam will only be appointed through a prior Imam; i.e. every Imam needs to introduce, in clear words, the Imam after himself. In several cases, Imam al-Rida (a) declared the imamate of Muhammad b. Ali (a) for his companions. In all the books of al-Kafi[32], al-Irshad[33], I'lam al-wara[34], and Bihar al-anwar[35], there is a chapter about the proofs for the imamate of Muhammad b. Ali (a) which have mentioned 14, 11, 9, and 26 hadiths respectively.

There are many reports and proofs for Imamate of Imam al-Jawad (a) including the report that one of the companions of Imam al-Rida (a) asked about his successor, and Imam al-Rida (a) pointed with his hand towards his son Abu Ja'far (Imam al-Jawad (a)) who was standing in front of him.[36]

In another narration, Imam al-Rida (a) said, "This is Abu Ja'far I have seated in my place and I have left my position to him. We are the family, the children of whom inherit like their old ones." (which means that the same way our old ones inherit and receive knowledge, our children inherit knowledge from the old ones.)[37]

In another report, Imam al-Rida (a) said, 'Abu Ja'far is my successor among my people.'"[38]

Imamate in Childhood

Imam al-Rida (a) was martyred in 203/818 when his son, Imam al-Jawad (a) was only 8 years old[39] and became Imam and this caused disagreement among Shi'a so that some of them followed 'Abd Allah b. Musa b. Ja'far, brother of Imam al-Rida (a); but since they did not want to accept imamate of a person without any reason, some of them asked 'Abd Allah some questions and after they found him unable to answer, they abandoned him.[40] Some other Shi'a joined Waqifids.[41] Nevertheless most of the companions of Imam al-Rida (a) believed in the imamate of Imam al-Jawad (a). According to al-Nawbakhti, the reason of such a division was that they considered the age of puberty as one of the requirements of imamate.[42]

The issue of imamate in childhood was risen by some people at the time of Imam al-Rida (a), and he mentioned the prophet 'Isa (a) [Jesus] and said, "when 'Isa (a) was given prophethood his age was lower than my son".[43] The issue was risen more seriously in after the martyrdom of Imam al-Rida (a) and even some of the close companions of Imam al-Rida (a), like Yunus b. 'Abd al-Rahman, doubted about the imamate of Imam al-Jawad (a).[44] Later the same issue was risen about the imamate of Imam al-Hadi (a) and Imam al-Mahdi (a).[45] The answer was from the Qur'an about the prophethood of Prophet John (a), where the Qur'an says: "And We gave him judgment while still a child",[46] and speaking of the Prophet Jesus (a) in the first days after birth[47] Imam al-Jawad (a) answered to the issue by mentioning the successorship of Prophet Solomon (a) after Prophet David (a) and said, "When Prophet Solomon (a) was still a little child and took the sheep out for grazing, Prophet David (a) made him his successor."[48]

Testing for Certainty

Although in several cases Imam al-Rida (a) had declared the imamate of Imam al-Jawad (a),[49] but some Shi'a tested Imam al-Jawad (a) with some questions to become more certain.[50] This testing was made about other Imams (a) as well,[51] but due to the low age of Imam al-Jawad (a), Shi'as felt it was more necessary about him.[52]

There are several reports about Shi'a's questions and answers of Imam al-Jawad (a) in hadith sources. Imam's (a) answers promoted his position in the eyes of Shi'a and their acceptance of his imamate. However, Shi'a did not only tested Imam al-Jawad (a) by their questions, but they tested others, who claimed to be imam, the same way.[53] Some people from Baghdad and other cities went to Medina during hajj. In a meeting they had with 'Abd Allah b. Musa, Imam al-Jawad's (a) uncle,-who was thought to be the Imam after Imam al-Rida (a)- they asked him some questions, but his answers was not right and they became disappointed and sad. Then they went to Imam al-Jawad (a) and asked him the same questions and he (a) gave them the right answers which made them happy, praised Imam (a) and prayed for him.[54]

Activities of Other Sects

From the questions of Shi'as and the answers of Imam al-Jawad (a) mentioned in Shi'a sources, it can be learned that during the imamate of Imam al-Jawad (a), People of Hadith, Waqifids, Zaydis and Ghulat were also active that time. People of Hadith believed in the embodiment of God and Imam al-Jawad (a) prohibited Shi'a of following them in congregational prayers and paying zakat to them.[55]

In answering Abu Hashim al-Ja'fari who asked about the meaning of the verse "The sights do not apprehend Him, yet He apprehends the sights"[56], Imam al-Jawad (a) rejected the possibility of seeing God by eyes (the belief in the embodiment) and said, "fantasies of the heart are more delicate than the eyesight. Human being can fantasize things he has not seen. When fantasies of the hearts cannot perceive God, how may the eyes see Him?"[57]

There are hadiths narrated from Imam al-Jawad (a) in which he (a) considered Zaydiyya and Waqifiyya similar to Nasibis.[58] He (a) said that the verses "Some faces on that day will be humbled, (2) wrought-up and weary"[59] were revealed about them.[60] Also, Imam al-Jawad (a) prohibited his companions from following Waqifiyya in congregational prayers.[61]

Imam al-Jawad (a) also cursed Ghulat (exaggerators) such as Abu l-Khattab and his followers. He (a) also cursed those who doubted or were silent about cursing Abu l-Khattab.[62] He (a) introduced people such as Abu l-Ghamr, Ja'far b. Waqid, and Hashim b. Abi Hashim, as followers of Abu l-Khattab and said that they abuse people in our names.[63] Also in a hadith, he (a) permitted the killing of two of Ghulat who were Abu l-Mahri and Ibn Abi Razqa' because of their role in deviation of Shi'a.[64] It is said that in letters Imam (a) sent to his deputies, prohibited Shi'a of associating with Ghulat.[65]

Also, Imam al-Jawad (a) addressed Muhammad b. Sinan and rejected the claim of Mufawwida about leaving the creation and management of the world to the Prophet (s).[66]

Conduct

Some sources considered the title of "al-Jawad" (the generous) given to Imam (a) because to his great generosity and giving to people.[67] According to a letter Imam al-Rida (a) sent to his son from Khorasan, Imam al-Jawad (a) was known for his generosity since the first years of his life. When his father was in Khorasan, his companions sent out Jawad (a) from a side door of the house to meet less people who would gather at his door to receive charity. According to this report, Imam al-Rida (a) sent a letter to his son and advised him not to follow those who told him not to use the main door. In that letter, Imam al-Rida (a) advised his son, "whenever you want to go out of home, take some gold and silver with you. No one should ask you but you give them something." He (a) had also made special advice about his close relatives such as his uncles and aunts.[68]

Al-Qarashi introduced Imam al-Jawad (a) the most ascetic and purest of the people of his time. He also spoke about the many nafila prayers Imam al-Jawad (a) performed. According to al-Qurashi, Imam al-Jawad (a) made a nafila prayer in every rak'a of which, he (a) recited each of the suras al-Fatiha and al-Tawhid 70 times.[69] Also, according to a hadith transmitted by al-Sayyid b. Tawus, upon the coming of every new moon, Imam al-Jawad (a) performed two rak'as of prayer, in the first rak'a of which recited Sura al-Tawhid 30 times and in the second rak'a, he (a) recited Sura al-Qadr 30 times and after the prayer, he (a) give charity.[70]

Hadiths and Debates

About 250 hadiths are transmitted from Imam al-Jawad (a).[71] These hadiths are about topics in jurisprudence, exegesis of Quran, supplication, and theology. The low number of hadiths transmitted from Imam al-Jawad (a) in comparison to hadiths of other Imams (a) is because of the surveillance over Imam al-Jawad (a) and also his young age at the time of martyrdom.[citation needed]

Imam al-Jawad (a) had several debates with fiqh scholars of the court of 'Abbasids. Historical reports suggest that some of these debates were made following the requests of the courtiers of al-Ma'mun and al-Mu'tasim who wanted to test Imam al-Jawad (a) and the result astonished those who were present in those sessions.[72] Nine debates are reported, four of which were with Yahya b. Aktham and one of them was with Ahmad b. Abi Dawud, the judge of all judges of Baghdad. Also, some of his conversations with 'Abd Allah b. Musa, Abu Hashim al-Ja'fari, 'Abd al-'Azim al-Hasani and al-Mu'tasim are reported. The topics of these conversation were issues in jurisprudence, about hajj, divorce, punishment for robbery and also theological issues such as the attributes of the companions of Imam al-Mahdi (a), merits of the two Caliphs and also the attributes of God.[73]

Debate in the Meeting of al-Ma'mun

Imam al-Jawad's (a) debate with Yahya b. Aktham was among the important debates of Imam (a) which took place at the time of al-Ma'mun al-'Abbasi in Baghdad. According to some Shi'a sources, the cause for happening this debate was al-Ma'mun's proposal for the marriage of Imam (a) with Umm al-Fadl. After Abbasid noblemen were informed of that, they objected to al-Ma'mun. To justify his decision, al-Ma'mun suggested to them to test Imam al-Jawad (a) and they accepted and arranged a debate to test Imam (a).

In the debate, first Yahya mentioned a question about a muhrim (one who perform rituals of hajj) who hunts an animal. Then, Imam (a) explained different aspects of the issue and asked Yahya to define which aspect he meant. Yahya could not answer and the people there were surprised. Then, Imam (a) himself answered the question regarding different aspects. After hearing Imam's (a) complete answer, Abbasid scholars and courtiers admitted to his competence in jurisprudence. It is said that upon seeing this, al-Ma'mun said, "Praise to God that what I had thought happened."[74]

Debate about the Two Caliphs

According to Shi'a hadith sources, in a session where al-Ma'mun and many jurists and courtiers were present, Imam al-Jawad (a) had a debate with Yahya b. Aktham about the merits of caliphs (Abu Bakr and 'Umar). Yahya turned to Imam (a) and said, Gabriel conveyed the message of God to the Prophet (s): "Ask Abu Bakr if he is pleased with me? I am pleased with him." Imam (a) answered, I do not reject merits of Abu bakr but anyone who has narrated this hadith needs to pay attention to other hadiths of the Prophet (s) and that he (s) said, "when you receive a hadith from me, present it to the Book of God and my sunna; if it is in agreement with them, accept it and if it is not, do not accept it because liars and forgers of hadiths will increase." Then, Imam (a) continued that this hadith is not in agreement with the Qur'an because the Qur'an says, 'We are nearer to him than his jugular vein.'[75] Then, was not God aware of Abu bakr's satisfaction that had to ask him?"[76]

Then, Yahya asked about this hadith which said, "Abu bakr and 'Umar on the earth are like Gabriel and Michael in the skies." Imam (a) answered, "this hadith is not true because Gabriel and Michael have always served God and have not committed a sin while Abu bakr and 'Umar have long been polytheist before they become Muslims."[77]

Cutting the Hand of a Thief

When Imam (a) was living in Baghdad, events happened which promoted the position of Imam (a) among people such as his ruling about thieves. Once there was a disagreement over the question that from where the hand of a thief has to be cut; some said that it needs to be cut from wrist and some said that it needs to be cut from elbow. Al-Mu'tasim, the Abbasid caliph asked Imam al-Jawad (a) to give his opinion in this regard. After caliph insisted, Imam (a) said, "Only the four fingers of a thief have to be cut and the rest of his hand needs to remain. He referred to the following verse of the Qur'an as his reason, "The places of sajda belong to Allah, so do not invoke anyone along with Allah." [78] Al-Mu'tasim liked Imam's (a) answer and ordered to follow his ruling.[79]

Companions

There are different views of the number of companions, transmitters of hadiths, and students of Imam al-Jawad (a): in his Rijal, al-Shaykh al-Tusi mentions 117 people as “Ashab Jawad al-A'imma.”[80] In his Musnad al-Imam al-Jawad, Atarudi believes that 121 people transmitted hadiths from the Ninth Imam.[81] The number of Ashab al-Imam al-Jawad is said to be 132[82] by al-Qarashi in his Hayat al-Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a), 193[83] by Abd al-Husayn al-Shabistari in his Subul al-rashad ila ashab al-Imam al-Jawad (a), and 276 by Sayyid Muhammad Kazim al-Qazwini in his al-Imam al-Jawad min al-mahd ila al-lahd. Some companions of Imam al-Jawad were also companions of Imam al-Rida (a) and Imam al-Hadi (a), and transmitted hadiths from them as well.[84]

Among his famous companions are 'Abd al-'Azim al-Hasani, Ibrahim b. Hashim al-Qummi, 'Ali b. Mahziyar, Ahmad b. Abi Nasr al-Bazanti, Zakariyya b. Adam, al-Hasan b. Sa'id al-Ahwazi and Ahmad b. Muhammad al-Barqi. His companions and narrators of his hadiths were not exclusive to Shi'a and there were people from other sects including Sunni sects among them as well.[85]

Connection with Shi'as

The Darih of two Imams (a), Imam al-Kazim (a) and Imam al-Jawad (a)

Through appointing agents in different parts of the Islamic world, Imam al-Jawad (a) was connected with Shi'as. Imam al-Jawad (a) had agents in in Islamic lands including Baghdad, Kufa, Ahvaz, Basra, Hamadan, Qom, Rey, Sistan, and Bost.[86] The number of the deputies of Imam al-Jawad (a) is mentioned as 13.[87] They took religious taxes of Shi'a and delivered them to Imam al-Jawad (a). Ibrahim b. Muhammad al-Hamadani in Hamadan[88] and Abu 'Amr al-Hadhdha' in Basra[89] were deputies of Imam (a). Salih b. Muhammad b. Sahl managed donated properties in Qom[90]. Also, Zakariyya b. Adam al-Qummi[91], 'Abd al-'Aziz b. Muhtadi al-Ash'ari al-Qummi[92], Safwan b. Yahya[93], Ali b. Mahziyar[94] and Yahya b. Abi 'Imran[95] were among the deputies of Imam al-Jawad (a). Some authors referred to some evidences and mentioned Muhammad b. Faraj al-Rukhkhaji and Abu Hashim al-Ja'fari among his deputies as well.[96] Also, Ahmad b. Muhammad al-Sayyari claimed deputyship of Imam al-Jawad (a), but Imam (a) rejected his claim and asked Shi'a not to give him religious taxes.[97]

That he (a) was not connected with Shi'a directly and benefited from agents had some reasons, one was that Imam (a) was under serious surveillance and control of ruling government and another was that he (a) wanted to make preparations for the Occultation of Imam al-Mahdi (a).[98]

Imam al-Jawad (a) met Shi'a and spoke with them during hajj. Some researchers believe that the journey of Imam al-Rida (a) to Khurasan made the relations of Shi'a with their Imams (a) develop.[99] Thus, Shi'a from Khurasan, Rey, Bast and Sajistan went to visit Imam al-Jawad (a).[citation needed]

Also, the connection of Shi'a with Imam (a) was through sending letters (See: tawqi'). Much of the teachings remained from Imam al-Jawad (a) are mentioned in his letters to Shi'as.[100] In their letters, Shi'as mentioned their questions which were mostly jurisprudential issues and Imam (a) answered them. In most cases, the name of the one who has written letter to Imam (a) is mentioned[101] and few cases, the name of the author is not mentioned.

In Mawsu'at al-Imam al-Jawad (a),[102] except the names the father and son of Imam al-Jawad (a), the names of 63 people with whom Imam (a) had correspondences are collected from hadith and rijal sources; however, some letters have been written to a group of Shi'as.[103]

Imam al-Jawad (a) also wrote some letters to his agents in different cities such as Hamadan and Bost and also some Shi'as of Iran went to visit him in Medina. These visits are in addition to visits which took place during the days of hajj between Imam (a) and Shi'as.[citation needed]

Virtues and Merits

Many merits and virtues are reported for Imam al-Jawad (a). His superiority in debates and scholarly discussions with scholars in his childhood is among these mentioned virtues. Some of the wonders narrated for him are as follows:

Healing Blindness

Qutb al-Din al-Rawandi narrated from Muhammad b. Maymun, "when Imam al-Jawad (a) was a child and Imam al-Rida (a) had not yet gone to Khorasan, he (a) had a journey to Mecca and I was with him. Upon his return, I told him, 'I want to go to Medina. Please write a letter to Abu Ja'far Muhammad al-Jawad (a) I take to him.' Imam (a) smiled and wrote a letter. I took the letter to Medina. That time I had become blind. Muwaffaq, the servant of Imam, brought Muhammad al-Jawad (a) while he (a) was in his cradle and I gave him the letter. Imam (a) asked Muwaffaq to unseal the letter and open it. Then he (a) asked, 'O Muhammad! How are your eyes?' I said, 'O son of the Prophet (a), my eyes have a disease and my eyesight is lost.' He (a) then touched my eyes and by the blessings of his hand, my eyes were healed. Then, I kissed his hands and feet and went out while I was not blind anymore."[104]

Acceptance of Prayer

Dawud b. al-Qasim said, "One day, I went with Imam al-Jawad (a) to a garden. I told him, 'May I be sacrificed for you! I am greedy to eat mud. Please make a du'a for me!' (so that I give up this habit). Imam (a) did not answer and some days later, he (a) told me, 'O Abu Hashim! God removed [the habit of] eating mud from you.'" Abu Hashim says that, "Since then, there was nothing I hated more than mud."[citation needed]

Fertility of Trees

Upon the return of Imam al-Jawad (a) from Baghdad to Medina, a group of people accompanied Imam (a) out of Medina to see him off. By the time of maghrib prayer, they arrived in a place where an old mosque was located. Imam (a) went to that mosque to say his prayer. There was a cedar tree in the yard of that mosque which had not yielded any fruits until that time. Imam (a) asked for some water and made wudu beside that tree and then led a congregational prayer there and after the prayer made a sajda of gratitude. He (a) then said goodbye to people and went away. The next day, the tree yielded so much fruit and people became so surprised of that. It is narrated from al-Shaykh al-Mufid that he has seen this tree many years later and has eaten from its fruits.[105]

Martyrdom

An old photo of the Holy Shrine of al-Kazimayn (a). Photo is taken by British Air Force in 1335/1917 during World War I.

Imam al-Jawad (a) went to Baghdad twice following the request of his two contemporary caliphs. The first trip at the time of al-Ma'mun was not long.[106] Al-Mu'tasim, the Abbasid caliph summoned Imam al-Jawad (a) from Medina to Baghdad. On Muharram 28, 220/February 1, 835, Imam (a) entered Baghdad and passed away in Dhu l-Qa'da/November of the same year[107] at the age of 25 and was buried beside his grandfather Imam al-Kazim (a) in Kadhimiya.[108]

The day and month of his martyrdom have been mentioned in some sources as Dhu l-Hijja 5 or 6, 220 (November 30 or December 1, 835)[109] and in some other sources as the end of Dhu l-Qa'da (Dhu l-Qa'da 30, 220 -November 25, 835).[110]

About the cause of his martyrdom, it is said that Ibn Abi Duwad, the judge of Baghdad slandered against Imam (a) after Imam's (a) opinion about cutting the hand of a thief was accepted and Ibn Abi Duwad and many other jurists and courtiers were discredited. After caliph was influenced by the words of the judge, he decided to kill Imam (a). Al-Mu'tasim used one of his ministers and poisoned Imam (a) and martyred him.[111] However, some believe that Imam (a) was poisoned by Umm al-Fadl, daughter of al-Mu'mun.[112]

Based on another hadith, when people were giving allegiance to al-Mu'tasim, he wrote a letter to 'Abd al-Malik al-Ziyyat, governor of Medina to send Imam al-Jawad (a) with Umm al-Fadl to Baghdad. When Imam (a) arrived in Baghdad, al-Mu'tasim showed a façade of respect toward him and sent some gifts for him and Umm al-Fadl. Based on this hadith, al-Mu'tasim sent an orange juice to Imam (a) by his servant (called Ashnas). Ashnas told Imam (a), "The caliph has given this orange juice to some noble people including Ahmad b. Abi Dawud and Sa'id b. Khadib before you and now has ordered that you too drink of it." Imam (a) said, "I will drink it at night." But, Ashnas insisted that he (a) should drink it as long it is cold and that its ice would melt. So, Imam (a) drink that and was martyred by it.[113]

Al-Shaykh al-Mufid (d. 413/1022) said, "Even though some have said that Imam (a) was martyred by poison; however, this has not been proved to me so that I can swear about it."[114] But al-Mas'udi (d. 346/957-8) said, "al-Mu'tasim and Ja'far b. al-Ma'mun (brother of Umm al-Fadl, wife of Imam al-Jawad (a)) were always thinking about killing Imam (a). Since Imam (a) did not have any child from Umm al-Fadl and his son 'Ali (a) was from his other wife, Ja'far induced his sister to poison Imam (a). This way, they poisoned grapes and Imam (a) ate from them." Al-Mas'udi continues that afterwards, Umm al-Fadl became so regretful of her work and cried so much and Imam (a) cursed her and she was afflicted with a severe illness."[115]

Words of Sunni Figures

Imam al-Jawad's (a) scientific dialogues and debates at the time of the government of al-Ma'mun and al-Mu'tasim which solved many scientific problems and issues in fiqh made Islamic scholars and researchers including Shi'a and Sunni ones surprised so that many of them considered Imam (a) an outstanding figure and praised him. They mentioned his knowledge, piety, and generosity.[116] some of them believe that al-Ma'mun chose him to become his son-in-law because even with being young, he was superior to all scholars in knowledge and forbearance.[117] Jahiz 'Uthman, the mu'tazili scholar, has mentioned him as knowledgeable, pious, worshiping, brave, generous, pure, with pure origin."[118]

Tawassul (Entreaty) to Imam al-Jawad (a)

According to consults of some Shi'a scholars, some Shi'as make tawassul to Imam al-Jawad (a) for increase in their daily sustenance and solution of their material problems and call him Bab al-Hawa'ij [Gate of Requests]. An example of such consults is quoted by the Second Majlisi from Abu l-Wafa' Shirazi who claimed that the Prophet (s) advised him in his dream to make Tawassul to Imam al-Jawad (a) in material issues.[119][120]

According to a hadith Dawud al-Sayrafi transmitted from Imam al-Hadi (a), visiting the shrine of Imam al-Jawad (a) has great rewards.[121] Also in a letter to Imam al-Hadi (a), Ibrahim b. 'Uqba asked about visiting the shrines of Imam al-Husayn (a), Imam al-Kazim (a) and Imam al-Jawad (a), and Imam al-Hadi (a) mentioned visiting the shrine of Imam al-Husayn (a) more important and said that visiting all the three is perfect and has many rewards.[122] The shrine of Imam al-Jawad (a) and Imam al-Kazim (a) is in Baghdad, where Muslims and especially Shi'a visit. They visit his shrine in Kadhimiya and make entreaty to him. In the martyrdom anniversary of Imam al-Jawad (a), Shi'a hold mourning ceremonies, recite elegies and beat their chests.[citation needed]

External Links

Notes

  1. Ṭabarī, Dalāʾil al-imāma, p. 396
  2. Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 1, p. 315, 492; Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 50, p. 1; Ibn Shahrāshūb, Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 4, p. 379.
  3. Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 1, p. 315, 492; Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 50, p. 1.
  4. Ibn Shahrāshūb, Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 4, p. 379; Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 50, p. 12, 13.
  5. Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 273; Ṭabrisī, Iʿlām al-warā, vol. 2, p. 91.
  6. Ṭabrisī, Iʿlām al-warā, vol. 2, p. 91; Ibn Shahrāshūb, Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 4, p. 379.
  7. Ashʿarī, Kitāb al-maqālāt wa al-firaq, p. 99; Ṭabarī, Dalāʾil al-imāma, p. 201.
  8. Ashʿarī, Kitāb al-maqālāt wa al-firaq, p. 99.
  9. Ṭūsī, Misbāḥ al-mutahajjid, p. 805
  10. Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 1, p. 320.
  11. Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 50, p. 20, 23, 35.
  12. Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 50, p. 20, 23, 35.
  13. Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, vol. 7, p. 149.
  14. Masʿūdī, Ithbāt al-waṣīyya, p. 223.
  15. Ibn Shahrāshūb, Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 4, p. 382.
  16. Bayhaqī, Tārīkh-i Bayhaq, p. 46.
  17. Ibn Kathīr, al-Bidāya wa l-nihāya, vol. 10, p. 295.
  18. Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 281.
  19. Yaʿqūbī, Tārīkh al-Yaʿqūbī, vol. 2, p. 455.
  20. Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 281-282.
  21. Jaʿfarīyān, Ḥayāt-i fikrī wa sīyāsī-yi Imāmān-i Shīʿa, p. 478.
  22. Pīshwāyī, Sīrah-yi pīshwāyān, p. 558.
  23. Ibn Shahrāshūb, Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 4, p. 380-381.
  24. Qummī, Muntahā l-āmāl, vol. 2, p. 497.
  25. Ibn Shahrāshūb, Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 4, p. 380.
  26. Qummī, Muntahā l-āmāl, vol. 2, p. 497.
  27. Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 284.
  28. Ibn Shahrāshūb, Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 4, p. 380.
  29. Pīshwā'ī, Sīra-yi pīshwāyān, p. 530.
  30. Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 273.
  31. Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 295.
  32. Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 1, p. 320-323.
  33. Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 274-280.
  34. Ṭabrisī, Iʿlām al-warā, vol. 2, p. 92-96.
  35. Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 50, p. 18-37.
  36. Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 265.
  37. Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 266.
  38. Ṣadūq, ʿUyūn akhbār al-Riḍā, vol. 2, p. 586.
  39. Nawbakhtī, Firaq al-Shīʿa, p. 88.
  40. Ibn Shahrāshūb, Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 4, p. 383.
  41. Nawbakhtī, Firaq, al-Shīʿa, p. 77-78.
  42. Nawbakhtī, Firaq, al-Shīʿa, p. 88.
  43. Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 1, p. 322.
  44. Masʿūdī, Ithbāt al-waṣīyya, p. 220
  45. Jaʿfarīyān, Ḥayāt-i fikrī sīyāsī-yi Imāmān-i Shīʿa, p. 472.
  46. Qurān, 19:12.
  47. Qurān, 19:30-32.
  48. See: Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 1, p. 383.
  49. See: Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 1, p. 320-323.
  50. Pīshwāyī, Sīrah-yi pīshwāyān, p. 539.
  51. See: Kashshī, Ikhtīyār maʿrifat al-rijāl, p. 282-283.
  52. Jaʿfarīyān, Ḥayāt-i fikrī wa sīyāsī-yi Imāmān-i Shīʿa, p. 476.
  53. Ibn Shahrāshūb, Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 4, p. 383.
  54. Ṭabarī, Dalāʾil al-imāma, p. 205-206; Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 50, p. 99-100.
  55. Ṣadūq, al-Tawḥīd, p. 101; Ṭūsī, al-Tahdhīb, vol. 3, p. 283 quoted from Jaʿfarīyān, Ḥayāt-i fikrī sīyāsī-yi Imāmān-i Shīʿa, p. 603.
  56. Qur'an 6:103.
  57. Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 1, p. 99.
  58. Kashshī, Ikhtīyār maʿrifat al-rijāl, p. 460.
  59. Qur'an 88:2-3.
  60. Kashshī, Ikhtīyār maʿrifat al-rijāl, p. 229, 460.
  61. Ṭūsī, Man lā yaḥḍuruh al-faqīh, quoted from Jaʿfarīyān, Ḥayāt-i fikrī wa sīyāsī-yi Imāmān-i Shīʿa, p. 603.
  62. Kashshī, Ikhtīyār maʿrifat al-rijāl, p. 528-529.
  63. Kashshī, Ikhtīyār maʿrifat al-rijāl, p. 528-529.
  64. Kashshī, Ikhtīyār maʿrifat al-rijāl, p. 528-529.
  65. Ḥājīzāda, Ghāliyān dar dura-yi Imām al-Jawād wa nuʿ barkhurd-i haḍrat bā ānān, p. 226.
  66. Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 1, p. 441.
  67. Qarashī, Ḥayāt al-Imām Muḥammad al-Jawād, p. 70-71.
  68. Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 4, p. 43.
  69. Qarashī, Ḥayāt al-Imām Muḥammad al-Jawād, p. 67-68.
  70. Sayyid b. Ṭāwūs, al-Durūʿ al-wāqīya, p. 44.
  71. ʿAṭārudī, Musnad al-Imām al-Jawād, p. 249.
  72. Ṭabrisī, al-Iḥtijāj, p. 443.
  73. Ṭabrisī, al-Iḥtijāj, p. 441-449; Aḥmadī Mīyānajī, Makātīb al-aʾimma, vol. 5, p. 381, 427.
  74. Ṭabrisī, al-Iḥtijāj, vol. 2, p. 444; Nawbakhtī, Firaq, al-Shīʿa, p. 88.
  75. Quran 50:16.
  76. Ṭabrisī, al-Iḥtijāj, vol. 2, p. 446-447.
  77. Ṭabrisī, al-Iḥtijāj, p. vol. 2, p. 447.
  78. Quran 72:18
  79. ʿAyyāshī, Kitāb al-tafsīr, vol. 1, p. 319-320; Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 50, p. 5-6.
  80. Ṭūsī, al-Rijāl al-Ṭūsī, p. 373-383.
  81. ʿAṭārudī, Musnad al-Imām al-Jawād, p. 249.
  82. Qarashī, Ḥayāt al-Imām Muḥammad al-Jawād, p. 128-178.
  83. Shabistarī, Subul al-rashād, p. 19-289.
  84. Jaʿfarīyān, Ḥayāt-i fikrī wa sīyāsī-yi Imāmān-i Shīʿa, p. 491.
  85. ʿAṭārudī, Musnad al-Imām al-Jawād, p. 314, 315, 262, 283, 319, 271.
  86. Jāsim, Tārīkh-i sīyāsī-yi ghaybat-i Imām Dawāzdahum, p. 79.
  87. Jabbārī, Sāzmān-i wikālat, vol. 2, p. 427.
  88. Jabbārī, Sāzmān-i wikālat, vol. 1, p. 123.
  89. Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 5, p. 316.
  90. Ṭūsī, al-Ghayba, p. 351.
  91. Ṭūsī, al-Ghayba, p. 348.
  92. Ṭūsī, al-Ghayba, p. 349.
  93. Najāshī, Rijāl al-Najāshī, p. 197.
  94. Najāshī, Rijāl al-Najāshī, p. 253.
  95. Rāwandī, al-Kharāʾij wa l-jarāʾiḥ, vol. 2, p. 717.
  96. Jabbārī, Sāzmān-i wikālat, vol. 2, p. 532.
  97. Kashshī, Ikhtīyār maʿrifat al-rijāl, p. 606.
  98. Dashtī, Naqsh-i sīyāsī-yi sāzmān-i wikālat dar ʿaṣr-i ḥuḍūr-i Iʾmma, p. 103.
  99. Jaʿfarīyān, Ḥayāt-i fikrī wa sīyāsī-yi Imāmān-i Shīʿa, p. 494.
  100. See: Jaʿfarīyān, Ḥayāt-i fikrī wa sīyāsī-yi Imāmān-i Shīʿa, p. 603.
  101. For example refer to Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 3, p. 399; vol. 4, p. 275, 534; vol. 5, p. 347; Kashshī, Ikhtīyār maʿrifat al-rijāl, p. 783, 869.
  102. Mawsūʾat al-Imām al-Jawād (a), vol. 2, p. 416, 508.
  103. Cf. Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 3, p. 331, 398; vol. 5, p. 394; vol, p. 163; Kashshī, Ikhtīyār maʿrifat al-rijāl, p. 783, 869.
  104. Qummī, Muntahī l-āmāl, vol. 2, p. 469-470.
  105. Ibn Shahrāshūb, Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 4, p. 390; Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 278.
  106. See: Ibn Shahrāshūb, Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 4, p. 380.
  107. Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 295.
  108. Ibn Shahrāshūb, Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 4, p. 379; Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 50, p. 12, 13.
  109. Ibn Abī l-Thalj, Tārīkh al-Aʾimma, p. 13.
  110. Ashʿarī, Kitāb al-maqālāt wa al-firaq, p. 99; Ṭabrisī, Iʿlām al-warā, vol. 2, p. 106.
  111. ʿAyyāshī, Kitāb al-tafsīr, vol. 1, p. 320.
  112. Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 50, p. 13-17.
  113. Ibn Shahr Āshūb, Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib, vol. 4, p. 384; Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 50, p. 8.
  114. Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 296.
  115. Masʿūdī, Ithbāt al-waṣīyya, p. 227.
  116. Sibṭ b. al-Jawzī, Tadhkirat al-khawāṣ, p. 321.
  117. Haythamī, al-Ṣawāʿiq al-muḥriqa, p. 288.
  118. ʿĀmilī, al-Ḥayāt al-sīyāsīyya li-l-Imām al-Jawād, p. 137.
  119. Rāwandī, Daʿwāt al-Rāwandī, p. 191; Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 91; 35.
  120. Al-'Allama al-Majlisi narrated from Abu l-Wafa', "I was once arrested by son of Ilyas, governor of Kerman and was imprisoned for a while. After a while, I recognized that they are plotting for killing me. I was worried and did not know what to do to free from such a plot. One night I made entreaty to Imam al-Sajjad (a) while I was praying before God and I asked God for freedom. Instantly I fall asleep and I dreamed the Prophet (s) who said, 'Do not make entreaty to me, my daughter, al-Hasan, al-Husayn or others; but for the increase of daily sustenance and solving problems make entreaty to my son al-Jawad (a), through whom God will answer your request. Rāwandī, Daʿwāt al-Rāwandī, p. 191; Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 91; 35.'"
  121. Mufīd, al-Mazār, p. 207.
  122. Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, vol. 4, p. 583-584.

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