Imam Muhammad b. Ali al-Jawad (a): Difference between revisions

Imamate of Imam al-Jawad (a) was contemporary with two Abbasid caliphs: the first was Ma'mun (193 to 218 AH) and Imam (a) spent 23 years of his life at the time of his caliphate. The second was Mu'tasim Abbasi (218 to 227 AH) two years of his caliphate were contemporary with imamate of Imam al-Jawad (a). Imam al-Jawad (a) went to Baghdad twice following the request of these two caliphs. His first trip at the time of Ma'mun was not long. In the second trip, Imam al-Jawad (a) stayed longer in Baghdad and was martyred there.

=== His Debates ===

==== His Debate in the Meeting of Ma'mun ====

Imam al-Jawad's (a) debate with Yahya b. Aktham was among important debates Imam (a) which took place at the time of Ma'mun Abbasi in Baghdad. According to some Shi'a sources, the cause for happening this debate was Ma'mun's proposal for the marriage of Imam (a) with Umm Fadl. After Abbasid noblemen were informed of that, objected to Ma'mun. To justify his decision, 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 [wearing Ihram for hajj] who hunts an animal. Then, Imam (a) explained different aspects of the issue and asked Yahya to define the criteria he meant. Yahya could not answer and the people there were surprised. Then, Imam (a) himself answered to the question regarding different criteria. After hearing Imam's (a) complete answer, Abbasid scholars and courtiers admitted to his competence in fiqh. It is said that upon seeing this, Ma'mun said, "I praise to God that what I had thought happened."

According to Shi'a hadith sources, in a session where Ma'mun and many fiqh scholars 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 told 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 the my conduct; 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.' (50:16) Then, was not God aware of Abu bakr's satisfaction that had to ask him?"

Then, Yahya asked about this hadith which sayd, "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 Muslim."

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 have to be cut; some said that it needs to be cut from wrist and some said that it needs to be cut from elbow. 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 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 worship belong to Allah, so do not invoke anyone along with Allah." (72:18) Mu'tasim liked Imam's (a) answer and ordered to follow his ruling.

=== His Manner towards ِDifferent Sects ===

Like the time of other Imams (a), at the time of Imam al-Jawad (a), there were sects which were active in different fields and tried to promote their thoughts and beliefs in the society and draw away Shi'a from their authentic beliefs. People of hadith were among such sects who believed in the incarnation of God. To guard authentic Shi'a beliefs, Imam al-Jawad (a) rejected connection with them and ordered Shi'a not to pray behind them and do not pay Zakat to them.

Waqifids were another active sect contemporary with Imam al-Jawad (a) who stopped over imamate of Imam Musa b. Ja'far (a) and did not accept imamate of Imam al-Rida (a). When Imam al-Jawad (a) was asked about praying behind Waqifids, he (a) prohibited Shi'a from doing so.

==== Zaidis ====

Zaidis were among other groups contemporary with Imam al-Jawad (a) who had originally branched from Shia. Their animosity with Twelver Shi'a and slander toward Imams (a) led to harsh positioning of Imams (a) towards them. For example, Imam al-Jawad (a) referred the address of the verse "Some faces on that day will be humbled, (2) wrought-up and weary" (88:2-3) to Zaidis and regarded them similar to Nasibids.

=== Connection with Shi'a ===

Through appointing agents in different parts of the Islamic world, Imam al-Jawad (a) was connected with Shia. That he (a) was not connected with Shi'a directly and benefitted 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).

Also, the connection of Shi'a with Imam (a) was through sending letters (See: Tawqi'). Much of the teachings of remained from Imam al-Jawad (a) are mentioned in his letters to Shia. In their letters, Shi'a 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 and few cases, the name of the author is not mentioned.

In Mawsu'at al-Imam al-Jawad (a), 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 Shia.

Imam al-Jawad (a) also wrote some letters to his agents in different cities such as Hamedan and Bost and also some Shi'a 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 Shia.

Since Imam al-Jawad (a) was martyred at the age of 25 and also he (a) was under surveillance and pressure of the government, he (a) did not have much time to promote Shi'a beliefs. However, even in this short period, he (a) made great efforts for educating students and explaining hadiths about jurisprudence, Tafsir, theology and supplication. What we have received from his time is around 250 hadiths in different Islamic fields.