Imams of the Shi'a: Difference between revisions

[[File:Al-Baqi' before being demolished.jpg|300px|thumbnail|right|The tomb of four Imams of Shi'a in [[Maqbarat al-Baqi']] before its destruction in [[21 April]] 1926. The bodies of [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]], [[Imam al-Sajjad (a)]], [[Imam al-Baqir (a)]], and [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]] are buried in this tomb.]]

[[File:The graves of four Imams of Shi'a in al-baqi' after the destruction.jpg|300px|thumbnail|right|The graves of four Imams of Shi'a in al-Baqi' after the destruction. The graves from left to right belong to 1. [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]], 2. [[Imam al-Baqir (a)]], 3. [[Imam al-Sajjad (a)]], and 4. [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]].]]

'''Imams (a) of Shi'a''' are twelve men from the progeny of [[the Prophet (s)]] who are, according to [[Shi'a]] teachings, successors of the Prophet (s) and the guardians and leaders of the society after the Prophet (s). The first Imam (a) is [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] and the other Imams (a) are his sons and grandsons and [[lady Fatima (s)]].

These Imams (a) are appointed by [[God]] and have [[divine knowledge]], [[infallibility]] and the right of [[intercession]] [for people] and one can get closer to God through making [[Tawassul]] to them. Imams (a) have the political leadership of the society as well as their scientific authority. [[Verse]]s of [[the Qur'an]] without mentioning their names have discussed the issue of [[imamate]]; such as in verses of [[Uli al-Amr Verse|Uli al-Amr]], [[Tathir Verse|Tathir]], [[al-Wilaya Verse|al-Wilaya]], [[al-Ikmal Verse|al-Ikmal]], [[al-Tabligh Verse|al-Tabligh]] and [[Al-Sadiqin verse|al-Sadiqin]].

Also, there are many hadiths from the Prophet (s) in [[:Category:Hadith collections|hadith references]] about the imamate of Imam Ali (a) who is the first Imam (a). Also, there are hadiths from the Prophet (s) and Imam Ali (a) which have explicitly mentioned the imamate of [[Imam al-Hasan (a)|the second Imam (a)]]. Afterwards, every Imam (a) explicitly has introduced the Imam (a) after himself. According to these explicit mentioning, Imams (a) and the caliphs after the Prophet (s) are 12.

== The Position of Imams (a) among Shi'a ==

The belief in the imamate of the Twelve Imams (a) is among fundamental beliefs of the [[Twelver Shi'a]] and many reports from [[the Prophet (s)|the noble Prophet (s)]] and Imams (a) in available [[hadith]]s references support it. Shi'a exegetes and theologians believe that the glorious [[The Qur’an|Qur’an]] has referred to this belief<ref>Makarim, Nasir. ''Payam Qur'an''. vol. 9. p. 182 ff</ref> implicitly in the [[verse]]s of [[Uli al-Amr Verse|Uli al-Amr]], [[al-Tathir verse|al-Tathir]], [[al-Wilayah verse|al-Wilayah]], [[al-Ikmal verse|al-Ikmal]], [[al-Tabligh verse|al-Tabligh]] and [[Al-Sadiqin verse|al-Sadiqin]].

According to Twelver Shi'a beliefs, the [[imamate]] of the Twelve Imams (a) began with demise of the noble Prophet (s) in 11/632 and the imamate of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] and have continued until now without interruption. Since 260/874 AH, after [[Imam al-'Askari (a)|Imam al-'Askari's (a)]] demise and transition of imamate to his son, [[Imam al-Mahdi (aj)]], the imamate turned from apparent state to occultation and the long term imamate of Imam al-Mahdi’s (aj) has been in [[Occultation of Imam al-Mahdi (aj)|occultation]].

Shi'a believe that Imams (a) are [[infallible]] and have [[divine knowledge]];<ref>''Tarjumi al-mizan''. vol. 13. p. 474</ref> and also believe that one can get close to [[God]] through making [[Tawassul]] [invoking] them. Visiting the graves of Imams (a) is among Shi'a [[tradition]]s and they are known to have the position of making [[Shafa'a]].<ref>al-Shaykh al-Tusi, Muhammad b. Hasan. ''al-Tibyan fi tafsir al-Qur'an''. vol. 1. p. 214</ref>

==The Proofs for Imamate==

{{main|The Proofs for Imamate}}

Proofs for [[Imamate]] have always been an important topic of books for [[Twelver Shi'a]] and [[:Category:Shia scholars|Shi'a scholars]] have many works with different approaches about that. [[Sulaym b. Qeys Hilali's book]] written in late 1st century AH is among the oldest works in which the Twelve Imams (a) are mentioned.<ref>Sulaym b. Qeys Hilali. ''Sulaym b. Qeys Hilali's book''. p. 227 ;Najashi, Ahmad b. 'Ali. ''Rijal''. p. 440</ref>

About the explicit mentioning of the Twelve Imams (a), there are works such as [[Ibn 'Ayyash al-Jawhari]]'s [[Muqtadib al-Athar]] (d. 401/1010) and [[Khazzaz Qomi]]'s [[Kifayat al-Athar]] (late 4th century AH) in which their authors have made efforts to collect narrations about the explicit mentioning of the Twelve Imams (a) from different [[Shi'a]] and [[Sunni]] sources.

In addition to the books of [[Nusus]] (explicit references), other works under the general title of "[[Dala'il al-Imama]]" (proofs for [[imamate]]) about the Imams' (a) acts of wonder and [[miracle]]s can be mentioned such as ''Dala'il al-imama'' attributed to [[Ibn Rustam Tabari]] (1383/1963, [[Najaf]]), or works under the general title of "[[al-Wasiyya]]" which explain the transmission of deputyship in the chain of the Twelve Imams (a) such as [[Mas'udi]]'s ''Ithbat al-wasiyya'' (Najaf, [[Haydariyyah library]]).

Traditional proving for the imamate of the Twelve Imams (a) has also been a focus of Twelver [[:Category:Shia theologians|Shi'a theologians]] and many important theological works have been dedicated to this topic.<ref>al-Sharif al-Murtada. ''al-Dhakhira fi 'ilm al-kalam''. p. 502-503; al-Hilli, Hasan b. Yusuf. ''Kashf al-murad fi tajrid al-i'tiqad''. p. 314</ref> Among the most famous such [[hadith]]s are [[Hadith al-Thaqalayn]], [[Hadith of Manzila]], [[Hadith of Safina]], [[Hadith of Yawm al-Dar]], [[Hadith of Madinat al-'Ilm]], [[Hadith of al-Tayr al-Mashwiyy]], [[Hadith al-Rayat]], [[Hadith al-Kisa']], [[Hadith of Jabir]] and [[Hadith of the Twleve Caliphs]].

===The Hadith of Twelve Caliphs===

{{main|Hadith of the Twleve Caliphs}}

In addition to Shi'a hadiths, there are certain hadiths narrated in Sunni sources referring to twelve caliphs or imams after [[the Prophet (s)|the glorious Prophet (s)]]. During the 1st century AH, there are hadiths narrated from some of [[the Companions of the Prophet (s)]], giving the good news about twelve imams (a) after the Prophet (s) which were being circulated in various meetings. Among those hadiths, the hadith narrated by [[Jabir b. Samura]] which is mentioned in both ''[[Sahih Bukhari]]'' and ''[[Sahih Muslim]]'' is the most famous one. In this hadith, it is mentioned that Emirs (imams or caliphs) after the Prophet (s) are 12 from [[Quraysh]].<ref>see: al-Bukhari, Muhammad b. Isma'il. ''Sahih al-Bukhari''. vol. 8. p. 127; Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj. ''Sahih al-muslim''. vol. 3. p. 1452-1453; Abu Dawud. ''Sunan''. vol. 4. p. 106</ref> This hadith which is among the most famous hadiths in the Islamic world, was first mentioned in Sunni sources and then in Shi'a sources.<ref>cf. Nu'mani, Muhammad b. Ibrahim. ''al-Ghayba''. p. 62; al-Shaykh al-Saduq, Muhammad b. 'Ali b. Babawayh . ''al-Khisal''. p. 469 ff; Khazzaz Qumi, 'Ali b. Muhammad. ''Kifayat al-athar''. p. 49 ff; Ibn A'yyash Jawhari, Ahmad. ''Muqtazib al-athar fi al-nas''.  p. 4</ref>

In a lower level, a hadith narrated from [[Ibn Mas'ud]] can be mentioned which implies that the number of caliphs after the Prophet (s) are 12 as the same number of the prophets (s) of [[Banu Israel]].<ref>see: Ahmad b. Hanbal. ''al- Musnad Ahmad''. vol. 1. p. 398-406; Hakim al-Niyshaburi, Muhammad b. 'Abd Allah. ''al-Mustadrak 'ala al-Sahihayn''. vol. 4. p. 501; cf. Nu'mani, Muhammad b. Ibrahim. ''al-Ghayba''. p. 74-75; Khazzaz Qumi, 'Ali b. Muhammad. ''Kifayat al-athar''. p. 33 ff; Ibn A'yyash Jawhari, Ahmad. ''Muqtazib al-athar fi al-nas''.  p. 3</ref> Sunni scholars give a different interpretation of these 12 imams and introduce people other than the Imams (a) of Shi'a.

[[File:Imam Ali (a)-2.jpg|300px|thumbnail|right|The Shrine of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] in [[Najaf]], [[Iraq]].]]

Imam 'Ali (a), was son of [[Abu Talib]], uncle of [[the Prophet (s)]] and an important leader of [[Banu Hashim]]. Abu Talib adopted the noble Prophet (s) in his childhood and raised him in his house. He was alive until after beginning of [[the Prophet's (s) mission]] and supported the Prophet (s) and kept away the threats of [[Arab]] disbelievers and especially [[Quraysh]] from the Prophet (s).<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 199</ref>

'Ali (a), as mostly reported, was born 10 years before the beginning of [[the Prophet's (s) mission]]. 6 years after the famine which happened in [[Mecca]] and its suburbs, 'Ali (a) moved to the house of the Prophet (s) following the Prophet's (s) request and since then was adopted and raised by him (s).<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 199</ref>

At the beginning of the Prophet's (s) mission, when he (s) went from the [[cave of Hira]] back to his house, 'Ali (a) and [[Khadija bt. Khuwaylid|Khadija (s)]], the wife of the Prophet (s) accepted [[Islam]] as [[the first Muslims]]. At the [[beginning of the Prophet's (s) public mission]], at the event of [[Yawm al-Dar]], 'Ali (a) was the first and only person who expressly announced his [[faith]] in that gathering. He (a) never [[worship]]ed anything other than One [[God]].<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 199-200</ref>

'Ali (a) always accompanied the Prophet (s) until the Prophet (s) emigrated from [[Mecca]] to [[Medina]] and on the eve of his [[immigration]], when disbelievers besieged the house of the Prophet (s) and rushed in to kill him in his bed, 'Ali (a) slept in the Prophet's (s) bed to save the Prophet's (s) life and the Prophet (s) went to Medina.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 200</ref> The cause of the [[revelation]] of the [[verse of Ishtira']] is this sacrifice.

'Ali (a) accompanied the Prophet (s) in Medina too, where he (a) married [[Fatima (s)]], the Prophet's (s) daughter. When the Prophet (s) was establishing the [[oath of brotherhood]] with his [[companions]], appointed 'Ali (a) as his brother.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 200-201</ref>

'Ali (a) participated in all the battles the Prophet (s) attended except the [[battle of Tabuk]] when the Prophet (s) had ordered 'Ali (a) to stay in Medina in his own place. 'Ali (a) never retreated in any battle or turned away from any enemies and did not disobey the Prophet (s) in any issues, as the Prophet (s) said, "'Ali (a) never separates from the truth and the truth never separates from 'Ali (a)".<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 201</ref>

On the day the noble Prophet (s) passed away, 'Ali (a) was 33 years old. He (a) was superior to anyone in all religious merits and was distinguished among the companions and in several occasions, such as the day of [[Ghadir]], when the Prophet (s) introduced him as the [[caliph]] after himself, but with the excuse that he (a) was young and had spilled much blood in the battles of the Prophet (s) which had made him had many enemies, they put him aside from [[caliphate]]. Thus he was completely removed from all public affairs. After some objections, he (a) was isolated for 25 years (which lasted to the end of caliphate of the third caliph). During these 25 years he compiled [[the Qur'an]] and trained some individuals. After [[the Third Caliph]] passed away, people gave allegiance to 'Ali (a) and chose him as the caliph.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 201</ref>

# [[The battle of Jamal]]: Some of the [[companions of the Prophet (s)]] who were led by [['A'isha]], [[Talha]] and [[Zubayr]] used the pretext of claiming the blood of the Third Caliph and rebelled and waged the [[battle of Jamal]] near [[Basra]].

# [[The battle of Siffin]]: It took place on the border of [[Iraq]] and [[Sham]] with [[Mu'awiya]]. It lasted one year and half.

# [[The battle of Nahrawan]]: The last great mischief of his time was the [[battle of Nahrawan]] with [[Khawarij]].

Most of time of his caliphate was spent for solving internal conflicts. Soon afterwards, he was hit on the head at the dawn of [[19 Ramadan|19th of Ramadan]] 40/661 in [[the mosque of Kufa]] when he was praying and passed on in the eve of [[21 Ramadan|21st of the same month]].<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 201-202</ref>

====His Merits====

As witnessed in the history and reported by his friends and enemies, [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] did not lack anything in human perfections and in Islamic merits, he was a perfect exemplar of the noble Prophet's (s) education.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 202</ref>

In knowledge, 'Ali (a) was the most knowledgeable person among the companions of the noble Prophet (s) and all other Muslims. He (a) was the first Muslim who used reasoning in his scientific opinions and made philosophical discussions in theological teachings and spoke about the heart of [[the Qur'an]]. To promote the language, he (a) established the rules of Arabic syntax and was the most competent Arab in speech.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 202-203</ref>

In bravery, he (a) was an exemplar and in piety and [[worship]]ing God was unique. There are many stories about him showing mercy to those under him and showing sympathy and generosity towards the poor.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 204-205</ref>

Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba (a) and his brother [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] were two sons of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] and [[Lady Fatima (s)]]. [[The Prophet (s)]] frequently is quoted saying, "al-Hasan (a) and al-Husayn (a) are my children".<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 205</ref>

Imam al-Hasan (a) was born 3/625 in [[Medina]] and lost his grandfather, the Prophet (s) when he was 7 years old and soon afterwards lost his mother, lady Fatima (s).<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 205</ref>

After the [[martyrdom]] of his father, he became the [[Imam]] following the [[God]]'s order and the will of Imam 'Ali (a) and for 6 months, he managed Muslims' affairs as the [[caliph]] of Muslims. During his caliphate, [[Mu'awiya]] who was a great enemy of 'Ali (a) and his family and had fought for years (seeking caliphate firstly through claiming revenge for the Third Caliph's death and then overtly claiming caliphate itself), moved his army towards [[Iraq]] which was the capital of Imam al-Hasan's (a) caliphate and began the war with him.

Mu'awiya gradually enticed commanders of Imam al-Hasan's (a) army by giving them great amounts of money and seductive offers and made Imam's (a) army revolt against him so [[The Peace Treaty of Imam al-Hasan (a)|he (a) had to make peace with Mu'awiya]] and to hand the caliphate to Mu'awiya under the conditions that after the death of Mu'awiya, caliphate would return to Imam al-Hasan (a) and that his family and followers would be safe from any harms or offences.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 205-206</ref>

At the beginning of his caliphate, Mu'awiya broke his promise for observing the conditions. During his caliphate which lasted 10 years, Imam al-Hasan (a) lived having great hardships and not being safe even in his own house and he was finally poisoned and [[martyr]]ed by his wife incited by Mu'awiya in 50/670.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 206-207</ref>

[[File:The shrine of Imam al-Husayn in Karbala, Iraq.jpg|300px|thumbnail|right|The shrine of [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] in [[Karbala]], [[Iraq]]]]

Imam al-Husayn (a) known as "[[Sayyid al-Shuhada']]" (English: "Master of the martyrs"), the second son of [['Ali (a)]] and [[Fatima (s)]], daughter of [[the Prophet (s)|the noble Prophet (s)]] was born in 4/626 and became [[Imam]] after [[martyrdom]] of his brother Imam al-Hasan (a) following the order of [[God]] and the will of Imam al-Hasan (a).<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 207</ref>

Imam al-Husayn (a) was Imam for 10 years and except the last 6 months, his imamate was contemporary with the caliphate of Mu'awiya, during which he (a) lived under great hardships and severe conditions. During the last 6 months of Imam al-Husayn's (a) imamate, Mu'awiya tried to establish the caliphate of his profligate son, [[Yazid]]. In the middle of 60 AH, Mu'awiya died and his son took the thrown.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 207-208</ref>

Quickly, Yazid ordered the governor of [[Medina]] to take Imam al-Husayn's (a) allegiance with Yazid, otherwise sends his head for him. When the governor of Medina delivered the message of Yazid to Imam al-Husayn (a), he (a) asked for time to think about that and moved towards [[Mecca]] at night and took refuge in [[al-Haram al-Makki]](which is the common refuge in [[Islam]]) for four months.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 209</ref>

Meanwhile, the Imam (a) received a stream of letters from [[Iraq]] and especially from [[Kufa]], who were asking him to go there and lead the people and rises against injustice. During the rituals of [[hajj]], Imam (a) was informed that some of the agents of Yazid had entered Mecca wearing the clothes of hajj pilgrims and were ordered to kill the Imam (a).<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 209-210</ref>

In the gathering of people, the Imam (a) made a short speech and informed them of his travel towards Iraq, mentioned his [[martyrdom]] and asked them to help him in his goal and to spend their blood on the way of [[God]]. The next day, he (a) moved towards Iraq accompanied by his family and some of his companions.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 210</ref>

Some of the distinguished people tried to stop him on his way advising and reminding him of the risk of such a movement, but in reply, the Imam (a) told them, "I would not give allegiance and do not approve the government of injustice and I know that wherever I go, they will kill me. And I leave Mecca to save it from being disrespected by spilling of my blood in it."<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 211</ref>

====Karbala====

{{main|The Event of 'Ashura'}}

Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions were besieged by the army of [[Yazid]] about 70 kilometers away from [[Kufa]] in the desert of [[Karbala]]. In 8 days, the siege became tighter and tighter and the number of the enemy's army increased. Soon, Imam al-Husayn (a), his family and his few companions were surrounded by circles of 30,000 armed soldiers.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 211-212</ref>

During those days, the Imam (a) strengthened the position of his companions and refined them. He (a) gathered them at night, made a short speech and said, "we have nothing ahead but [[martyrdom]] and they have nothing to do with anyone except me. Here, I waive my rights to your allegiance with me, so anyone can benefit the darkness of night and saves his life from this horrible danger."<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 212</ref>

At the end of [[9 Muharram|9th day of Muharram]], the enemy gave the Imam (a) the final deadline and he (a) asked them for one more night and kept the night vigil and worshiped. The [[10 Muharram|10th of Muharram]] 61/680, the Imam (a) and his few companions (less than 90 people, 40 of whom were old companions of the Imam (a), thirty some others joined the Imam (a) from the enemy's army and the rest were [[Hashimi]] relatives of the Imam (a), including his children, nephews and cousins) stood against the countless number of enemy's army and the war began.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 212-213</ref>

On that day, they fought from dawn to sunset and the Imam (a) and all his soldiers were [[martyr]]ed. Among the martyrs were the two kids of [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]], a baby and Imam al-Husayn's (a) infant.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 213</ref>

{{main|The Captives of Karbala}}

After the war finished, the army of enemy looted the tents of the Imam (a) and took the heads of martyrs and the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] of the Imam (a) to [[Kufa]] and then to [[Damascus]] to [[Yazid]].<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 213-214</ref>

[[The event of Karbala]], captivity of women and girls, taking them from one city to another, speeches made by [[Imam al-Sajjad (a)]] and [[Zaynab (a)]], daughter of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] who were among the captives disgraced [[Umayyads]] and neutralized [[Mu'awiya]]'s previous propaganda, so that even Yazid publicly renounced the acts of his agents. [[The event of Karbala]] was so effective in the history of [[Islam]] in a way that in a long term it caused the government of Umayyads to be ousted. It also strengthened the roots of [[Shi'a]]. Among its short term effects were the revolutions and revolts which lasted 12 years and not a single person who participated in the murder of the Imam (a) were able to escape the revenge.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 214</ref>

Imam 'Ali b. al-Husayn (a) titled as "Sajjad" and "Zayn al-'Abidin" was the third child of Imam al-Husayn (a), whose mother was [[Shahr Banu]], daughter of Yazdegerd III, the last emperor of the Sassanid dynasty of [[Iran]]. His other three brothers were martyred in [[the event of Karbala]], but he (a) was very sick so he could not go to the war and was sent to [[Sham]] together with other [[The Captives of Karbala|captives]].<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 215-216</ref>

After passing the term of captivity, Imam al-Sajjad (a) was returned to [[Medina]] respectfully by the order of [[Yazid]] to avoid the public rage. He (a) was once again arrested and chained by the order of the Umayyad [[caliph]] [['Abd al-Malik]] and brought from Medina back to Sham and returned to Medina later again.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 216</ref>

After returning to Medina, the fourth Imam (a) stayed at home, closed the door to strangers and engaged in [[worship]]ing [[God]] and did not accept to meet anyone except certain [[Shi'a]] such as [[Abu Hamza al-Thumali]], [[Abu Khalid Kabuli]] and alike. However, these certain people circulated the teachings they learned from the Imam (a) among Shi'a and doing so, Shi'a was promoted so that it bloomed at the time of [[Imam al-Baqir (a)|the fifth Imam (a)]].<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 216</ref>

[[Sahifat al-Sajjadiyya]] is a collection of 57 of his [[supplication]]s. After 35 years of his [[imamate]], Imam al-Sajjad (a) was poisoned and [[martyr]]ed in 95/713 by [[Walid b. 'Abd al-Malik]] following the inducement of [[Hisham]], the Umayyad [[caliph]].<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 216-217</ref>

Imam Muhammad b. 'Ali (a), known as "Baqir al-'Ulum". This is a title [[the Prophet (s)|the noble Prophet (s)]] had given him. Imam al-Baqir (a) was born in 57/733 and was 4 years old in [[the event of Karbala]]. After his great father, he (a) became the [[imam]] following the order of [[God]] and as his forefathers had mentioned. He (a) was [[martyr]]ed in 114/733 or 117/735. According to some [[hadith]]s from [[Shi'a]], the Imam (a) was poisoned by [[Ibarahim b. Walid b. 'Abd al-Malik]], the nephew of [[Hashim]], the Umayyad [[caliph]].<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 217</ref>

At the time of the fifth Imam (a), there were frequent fights and revolts due to oppressions of the [[Umayyads]] and these challenges kept the government busy and away from annoying the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]]. On the other hand, the occurrence of the event of Karbala and that the Ahl al-Bayt (a) were oppressed, made [[Muslim]]s attracted to them and brought the Imam (a) such good opportunities for distributing Islamic teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) that none of the Imams (a) had in the past and this is proved by the many hadiths narrated from him.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 217-218</ref>

Imam Ja'far b. Muhammad (al-Sadiq), son of [[Imam al-Baqir (a)|the fifth Imam (a)]] was born in 83/702 and was poisoned and [[martyr]]ed by the inducement of [[Abbasid]] [[caliph]] [[Mansur]] at the age of 65.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 218</ref> Except for [[Imam al-Mahdi (aj)]] who is in [[Occultation of Imam al-Mahdi (aj)|occultation]], Imam al-Sadiq (a) was the oldest [[imam]].

During his imamate, due to revolutions in Islamic countries and especially the uprising of [[al-Musawwida]] (black-worns) made to overthrow the Umayyad caliphate, and bloody wars were taken place which led to the fall of the caliphate of Umayyads. Therefore, the good grounds that the fifth Imam (a) had prepared by distribution of Islamic teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) during the 20 years of his imamate, brought up more opportunities and better atmosphere for spreading religious teachings.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 218-219</ref>

During his 34 years of imamate, Imam al-Sadiq (a) distributed religious teachings and educated many scholars in different traditional and rational sciences such as [[Zurara b. A'yan|Zurara]], [[Muhammad b. Muslim]], [[Mu'min al-Taq]], [[Hisham b. Hakam]], [[Aban b. Taghlib]], [[Hisham b. Salim]], [[Hariz]], [[Hisham Kalbi Nasaba]], [[Jabir b. Hayyan]] and others and even some [[Sunni]] scholars were honored to benefit from his classes such as [[Sufyan al-Thawri]], [[Abu Hanifa]] (leader of Hanafi school), [[Qadi Sakuni]], [[Qadi Abu l-Bakhtari]] and others. It is famously reported that 4000 [[hadith]] narrators and scholars were educated in his (a) classes. The hadiths narrated from [[al-Sadiqayn]] ([[Imam al-Baqir (a)|the fifth]] and [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)|the sixth]] Imams (a)) are more than all hadiths narrated from [[the Prophet (s)]] and the other 10 Imams (a).<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 219</ref>

[[Al-Mansur al-'Abbasi]] ordered his agents to arrest Imam al-Sadiq (a) in Medina. The Imam (a) was arrested once before by the order of the Abbasid caliph [[Saffah]] and brought to [[Iraq]] and before that, he (a) was also arrested in the presence of Imam al-Baqir (a) by the order of the Umayyad caliph [[Hisham]] and brought to [[Damascus]]. Mansur kept Imam al-Sadigh (a) under surveillance for a while and wanted to kill him but finally let the Imam (a) come back to Medina and the Imam (a) lived the rest of his life in isolation, practicing [[Taqiyya]]. He was finally poisoned and [[martyr]]ed by the order of al-Mansur.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 220</ref>

The seventh Imam (a) lived contemporarily with [[al-Mansur]], [[al-Hadi]], [[al-Mahdi]] and [[Harun]], in a very dark and difficult time and practiced [[Taqiyya]]. When Harun went to [[Medina]] during the time of [[hajj]], ordered to arrest and chain Imam al-Kazim (a) when he (a) was praying in [[the mosque of the Prophet (s)]] and prison him. Then he took him (a) from Medina to [[Basra]] and from Basra to [[Baghdad]]. He (a) was taken from one prison to another for many years, so that he (a) was finally poisoned and [[martyr]]ed in the prison of [[Sandi b. Shahak]] and was buried in a place called "[[Maqabir Quraysh]]" which is now located in the city of [[al-Kazimayn]].<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 221</ref>

The eighth Imam, 'Ali b. Musa al-Rida (a) was son of [[Imam al-Kazim (a)]] who was (according to most historical references) born in 148/765 and was martyred in 203/818.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 222</ref>

He (a) became the Imam (a) after his father by the order of [[God]] and following the report of his forefathers. His period of imamate was partly contemporary with the Abbasid caliph [[Harun]], then with his son [[al-Amin]] and later with Harun's other son [[al-Ma'mun]].<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 222</ref>

After his father, al-Ma'mun had challenges with his brother al-Amin which led to bloody wars and al-Amin was finally killed. Until then, the policy of the Abbasid caliphate towards supporters of the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] was aggressive and once every while one of the [['Alawi movements]] made an uprising and it was a trouble for the government. Even though, leaders of [[Shi'a]] did not cooperate with such uprisings, but Shi'a who had a great population always regarded the Imams (a) as their religious leaders and considered the caliphate an impure system far away from the holiness of their leaders.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 222-223</ref>

Continuity of such a condition was dangerous for the caliphate. So al-Ma'mun thought to make an end to these troubles that his forefathers could not solve in 70 years. He decided to announce Imam al-Rida (a) as the heir apparent, because when 'Alawis found a link to the caliphate, they would not make any uprising against it anymore. In another hand, when Shi'a saw their Imam's (a) connection with the caliphate and its rulers that he (a) had regarded as impure before, they will lose their belief and spiritual love for Imams (a) and thus their religious organization would fall and there would be no more threats from their side for the caliphate.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 223</ref> After such an achievement, killing Imam (a) would not be difficult for al-Ma'mun.

To actualize this plot, he summoned Imam (a) in 200/816 from [[Medina]] to Merv. He first offered caliphate and then succession to the thrown to the Imam (a), but for both, the Imam (a) brought excuses and refused his offer. However, al-Ma'mun forced the Imam (a) to accept the latter, thus the Imam (a) accepted it provided that he (a) would not interfere in appointing or dismissing anyone. Soon afterwards, when al-Ma'mun saw the swift progress of Shi'a, realized his mistake, so poisoned and [[martyr]]ed the Imam (a). Imam al-Rida (a) was buried in [[Tus]] which is now located in the suburb of [[Mashahd]], in North-east of [[Iran]].<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 223-224</ref>

Imam Muhammad b. 'Ali (titled as, Ibn al-Rida, al-Taqi, al-Jawad), son of [[Imam al-Rida (a)|the eighth Imam (a)]] was born in Medina in 195/811. According to Shi'a [[hadith]]s, he (a) was poisoned and martyred by his wife, daughter of [[al-Ma'mun]] induced by [[al-Mu'tasim]]. He (a) was buried in [[al-Kazimiyya]] beside his grandfather, [[Imam al-Kazim (a)]].<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 224-225</ref>

He (a) became the [[imam]] after his father by the order of [[God]] and following the report of his forefathers. Upon the demise of his father, Imam al-Jawad (a) was in [[Medina]]. [[al-Ma'mun]] summoned him to [[Baghdad]], where at the time, was the capital of [[caliphate]]. He pretended to love him (a) so much that asked her daughter to marry the Imam (a). Then, al-Ma'mun kept the Imam (a) in Baghdad and in fact wanted to keep him under full surveillance both in his house and the outside. After a while, the Imam (a) returned to Medina and stayed there until the end of al-Ma'mun's rule. After al-Ma'mun died, al-Mu'tasim took the throne and again summoned the Imam (a) to Baghdad and kept him under surveillance. Finally, the Imam (a) was poisoned and [[martyr]]ed by his wife induced by al-Mu'tasim.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 225</ref>

Imam 'Ali b. Muhammad (titled as al-Naqi and al-Hadi), son of [[Imam al-Jawad (a)|the ninth Imam (a)]] was born in Medina in 212/828 and (according to [[Shi'a]] reports) was poisoned and martyred by the Abbasid caliph al-Mu'tazz in 254/868.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 225-226</ref>

Imam al-Hadi (a) was contemporary with seven Abbasid caliphs, [[al-Ma'mun]], [[al-Mu'tasim]], [[al-Wathiq]], [[al-Mutawakkil]], [[al-Muntasir]], [[al-Musta'in]] and [[al-Mu'tazz]].<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 226</ref>

In 243/857, al-Mutawakkil summoned the Imam (a) from [[Medina]] to [[Samarra]] where was the capital at the time, due to gossips they made about the Imam (a). When the Imam (a) entered Samarra, al-Mutawakkil apparently did not do anything against him, but he prepared the ground for all means of annoying and disrespecting the Imam (a). He summoned the Imam (a) to his palace many times to disrespect or to kill him (a). He also many times searched the Imam's (a) house.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 226</ref>

Al-Mutawakkil had no peer among the Abbasid caliphs in enmity with the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] and especially a serious enemy of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] and publicly cursed him. He even had hired a clown to mimic Imam 'Ali (a) in his parties. In 237/851, he ordered to destroy [[Imam al-Husayn (a)|Imam al-Husayn's (a)]] [[shrine]] in [[Karbala]] and many houses built around it and to level them to ground. At his time, the living condition of [['Alawis]] in [[Hijaz]] became very wretched in a way that their women did not have enough clothes to wear, and some of them had only one old chador they wore in turn at the time of [[prayer]]. al-Mutawakkil would make the same pressure upon [[Alavites]] of [[Egypt]] as well. Imam al-Hadi (a) tolerated under tortures of al-Mutawakkil, then after he died, al-Muntasir, al-Musta'in and then al-Mu'tazz came to power until finally Imam (a) was poisoned and [[martyr]]ed by the plot of al-Mu'tazz.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 226-227</ref>

===Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (a)===

{{Main|Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (a)}}

Al-Hasan b. 'Ali (titled as al-'Askari), son of [[the tenth Imam (a)]] was born in 232/846 and (according to some [[Shi'a]] [[hadith]]s) was poisoned and martyred in 260/874 by the plot of [[al-Mu'tamid]], the [[Abbasid]] [[caliph]].<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 227-228</ref>

Imam al-'Askari (a) became the [[Imam]] after his father was martyred, by the order of [[God]] and following the reports of his forefathers. His imamate lasted 7 years, during which he (a) had to practice severe [[Taqiyya]] because of the caliphate's excessive harassments and closed the door of his house to people, even to the general [[Shi'a]] and did not meet anyone but elites of them. However he (a) was in prison most of his life. The first reason behind all these harassments was that the number of Shi'a was increased in that time and their power had reached a considerably high level. Also, this fact that Shi'a believed in imamate was known to everyone and Imams (a) were soon found; thus, caliphate kept them under surveillance more than before and tried to kill them in any way possible. Secondly, they knew that the elites of Shi'a believed that Imam al-Askari (a) would have a son who would be the promised [[Mahdi]] and [[the Prophet (s)|the noble Prophet (s)]] frequently had reported through Shi'a and Sunnis about his coming.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 228</ref>

Therefore, Imam al-'Askari (a) was kept under surveillance more than other Imams (a) and the caliph of his time had decided to finish the imamate of Shi'a in any way possible. As soon as they reported to him about the illness of the Imam (a), he sent a doctor to his house accompanied by some trustworthy men of his and assigned some judges to watch his house and anything that happened in it. After the Imam (a) was martyred, the caliph ordered to search his house and to check the Imam's (a) wife and slaves to found out if they were pregnant. For two years, caliph's agents were looking for the Imam's (a) son, until they were fully disappointed.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 229</ref>

Imam al-'Askari (a) was buried in his house in [[Samarra]] near his father's grave.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 229</ref>

The promised Mahdi (aj) (usually titled as "Imam al-'Asr" and "Sahib al-Zaman") is son of [[Imam Hasan al-'Askari (a)|the eleventh Imam (a)]] whose name and [[Kunya]] was the same as [[the Prophet (s)|the Prophet's (s)]]. He (a) was born in Samarra in 256/870 and lived with his father hidden from people until 260/874 when his father was martyred and just few elites of [[Shi'a]] met him. After his father's (a) martyrdom, when he (aj) became the Imam (a), he (a) became hidden from people.

# The [[Minor Occultation]], which began in 260/874 and finished in 329/940 (lasted 70 years in Hijri calendar). During this period, the Imam (aj) communicated with people through his special deputies.<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 230</ref>

# and the [[Major Occultation]] which began in 329/940 and continues until now. In a [[hadith]] which is accepted by both [[Shi'a]] and [[Sunni]], the Prophet (s) said that, "If there is nothing left from the life of this world but only one day, [[God]] will prolong that day until [[Imam al-Mahdi (a)|al-Mahdi (aj)]] from among my children reappears and fills the world with [[justice]] just like it is filled with injustice and oppression."<ref>Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. p. 231</ref>

==Sunni References about the Imams (a)==

In addition to what was mentioned above, [[Sunni]]s have always remembered the Imams (a) with great respect and dignity and this respect sometimes made an inspiration for writing books regarding their merits.

The books written by Sunnis about the merits of the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] are not few. One of the inspirational movement for writers was an ode composed by [[Abu l-Fadl Yahya b. Salama al-Haskafi]] (b. 551/1156 or 553/1158) in which he has praised every one of the Imams (a).<ref>Sibt Ibn Jawzi, Yusif. ''Tadhkirat al-khawas''. p. 365-367; Ibn Tulun, Shams al-din Muhammad. ''al-A'imma al-ithna 'ashar''. p. 40-43</ref>

# ''Matalib al-su'ul fi manaqib Al al-Rasul (a)'' written by Kamal al-Din b. Talha al-Shafi'i (b. 562/1167), published in [[Najaf]] by Dar al-Kutub al-Tijariyya.

# ''Tadhkira khawass al-umma fi khasa'is al-a'imma'' written by the [[Hanafite]] scholar Yusuf b. Qazawaghli Sibt b. Jawzi (b. 654/1256), frequently published including in Najaf 1369/1949.

# ''Al-Fusul al-muhimma fi ma'rifat al-a'imma'' written by Ibn Sabbagh al-Maliki (d. 855/1451) which has been frequently published including in Najaf by Dar al-Kutub al-Tijariyya, and its many issues in libraries of the Islamic world show its wide circulation in different centuries. In his work, Ibn Sabbagh has frequently quoted from Shi'a sources such as [[Al-Shaykh al-Mufid]]'s [[Al-Irshad fi ma'rifat hujaj Allah 'ala al-'ibad|''al-Irshad'']] (pp. 192/807, 213/828, etc.)

# ''Al-Shadharat al-Dhahabiyya ya al-a'immat al-ithna al-'ashariyya'' written by Shams al-Din Ibn Tulun, the Hanafite scholar from [[Damascus]] (d. 953/1546), published in Beirut in 1377/1958 through the efforts of Salah al-Din al-Munjid.

# ''Al-Ithaf bi-hubb al-ashraf'' written by 'Abd Allah b. 'Amir al-Shibrawi, the Shafiite scholar from Egypt (d. 1172/1759) published in Cairo in 1313/1895.

# ''Nur al-absar fi manaqib Al Bayt al-Nabi al-Mukhtar'' written by Sayyid Mu'min al-Shablanji (d. after 1290/1873) frequently published including in Cairo in 1346/1927.

# ''Yanabi' al-mawaddah'' written by Sulayman b. Ibrahim al-Qunduzi, the Hanafite scholar (d. 1294/1877) published in Istanbul in 1302/1885.

* Abu Dawud. ''Sunan''. Cairo: Dar Ihya al-sunna al-nabawiyya

* Hakim al-Niyshaburi, Muhammad b. 'Abd Allah. ''Al-Mustadrak 'ala al-Sahihayn''. Hyderabad, 1334AH

* Hilli, Hasan b. Yusuf al-. ''Kashf al-murad fi tajrid al-i'tiqad''. Qom: Maktabat al-Mustafawi

* Ibn Tulun, Shams al-din Muhammad. ''Al-A'imma al-ithna 'ashar''. ed Munjid, Salah al-din. Beirut, 1985

* Ibn 'Ayyash Jawhari, Ahmad. ''Muqtazib al-athar fi al-nas''. Qom, 1379

* Khazzaz Qumi, 'Ali b. Muhammad. ''Kifayat al-athar''. Qom, 1401AH

* Makarim, Nasir. ''Payam Qur'an''.

* Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj. ''Sahih al-muslim''. ed Muhammad Fu'ad 'Abd al-Baqi. Cairo, 1955

* Najashi, Ahmad b. 'Ali. ''Rijal''. ed Shubiyri Zanjani, Musa. Qom, 1407AH

* Nu'mani, Muhammad b. Ibrahim. ''Al-Ghayba''. Beirut, 1983

* Sharif al-Murtada al-. ''Al-Dhakhira fi 'ilm al-kalam''. ed Husayni, Ahmad. Qom, 1411AH

* Shaykh al-Saduq, Muhammad b. 'Ali b. Babawayh al-. ''Al-Khisal''. ed Ghaffari, 'Ali Akbar. Qom 1403Ah

* Shaykh al-Tusi, Muhammad b. Hasan al-. ''Al-Tibyan fi tafsir al-Qur'an''.

* Sibt Ibn Jawzi, Yusif. ''Tadhkirat al-khawas''. Najaf, 1964

* Sulaym b. Qeys Hilali. ''Sulaym b. Qeys Hilali's book''. ed 'Alawi Hasani Najafi. Beirut, 1980

* Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn. ''Shi'a dar Islam''. Qom: Daftar Intisharat islami, 1383Sh

 

{{The excellences of Ahl al-Bayt (a)}}