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

{{infobox Imam

|name =Muhammad b. 'Alī

|sequential number =<!--e.g. 1st Imam of Shi'a-->9th [[Imamate|Shi'a Imam]]

|image =کاظمین10.jpg

|caption =[[Kadhimiya]], [[Iraq]]

|kunya =Abu Ja'far, Abu 'Ali

|born =[[Rajab 10]], [[195]]/[[April 12]], 811

|birthplace =[[Medina]], [[Arabia]]

|beginning of imamate =[[Safar 29]], [[203]]/[[September 9]], 818  

|duration of imamate =17 years

|contemporary rulers =[[Al-Ma'mun]], [[al-Mu'tasim]]

|martyrdom =[[Dhu l-Qa'da 30]], [[220]]/[[November 29]], 835

|place of martyrdom =[[Kadhimiya]], [[Iraq]]

|cause of death =Poisoning

|burial place =[[Kadhimiyaa]], [[Iraq]],<br>

|predecessor =[['Ali b. Musa al-Rida (a)]]

|successor =[['Ali b. Muhammad al-Hadi (a)]]

|father ='Ali b. Musa al-Rida (a)

|mother =[[Sabika]]

|brothers =

|sisters =

|spouses =[[Samana al-Maghribiyya|Samana]], [[Umm al-Fadl]]

|sons =[[Imam al-Hadi|'Ali]], Musa

|daughters = Fatima, Amama

|titles =Abu Ja'far al-Thani, al-Jawad <small>(the generous)</small>, al-Taqi <small>(the pious)</small>, [[Ibn al-Rida]] <small>(Son of al-Rida)</small>

'''Muḥammad b. ʿAlī b. Mūsā''' (Arabic:{{iarabic|محمد بن علي بن موسی}}) known as '''ʾImām al-Jawād (a)''' ({{iarabic|امام الجواد}}) was the ninth Imam of Shia. He (a) was born on [[Rajab 10]], [[195]]/[[April 12]], 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.

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).

His father Imam al-Rida (a) was the eighth Imam of Twelver Shia. 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.<ref>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.</ref>  

His [[kunya]] was Abu Ja'far<ref>Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 1, p. 315, 492; Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 50, p. 1.</ref> 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.<ref>Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', vol. 4, p. 379; Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 50, p. 12, 13.</ref>  

== Birth ==

According to the report of historians, Imam al-Jawad (a) was born in [[195]]/811 in [[Medina]]. However, there is a disagreement about the day and month of his birth. The famous and unique report is [[Rajab 10]]/[[April 12]] which has been mentioned by [[al-Shaykh al-Tusi]] in ''[[Misbah al-mutahajjid (book)|Misbah al-mutahajjid]]'', but most sources have regarded Imam's (a) birthday as [[Ramadan 15]]/[[June 15]].<ref>Ashʿarī, ''Kitāb al-maqālāt wa al-firaq'', p. 99; Ṭabarī, ''Dalāʾil al-imāma'', p. 201.</ref>  

=== 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 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." 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."<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 50, p. 20, 23, 35.</ref>  

[[Al-Ma'mun al-Abbasi]] married her daughter, called [[Umm al-Fadal]], to Imam al-Jawad (a) in 202/818.<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī'', vol. 7, p. 149.</ref> 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).<ref>Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', vol. 4, p. 382.</ref> Imam (a) did not have any children from this wife<ref>Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', vol. 4, p. 380.</ref> and all his children are from his other wife [[Samana al-Maghribiyya]].<ref>Qummī, ''Muntahā l-āmāl'', vol. 2, p. 497.</ref>

Some sources have said that during Imam al-Rida's (a) stay in [[Khorasan]], Imam al-Jawad (a) went to see him once<ref>Bayhaqī, ''Tārīkh-i Bayhaq'', p. 46.</ref> 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 by the permission of al-Ma'mun in 215/830 in Tikrit, [[Iraq]].<ref>Ibn Kathīr, ''al-Bidāya wa l-nihāya'', vol. 10, p. 295.</ref> According to this report, there is no conflict between the report that some have said that the marriage happened in 202/817<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī'', vol. 7, p. 149.</ref> and that some reported in 215/830, but it is not in complete agreement with the famous story of a debate between [[Yahya b. Aktham]] and Imam al-Jawad (a) in Baghdad.

== Children ==

According to [[al-Shaykh al-Mufid]], Imam al-Jawad (a) had four children with the names, 'Ali ([[Imam al-Hadi (a)]]), Musa, Fatima and Amama.<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 284.</ref> However some sources regarded three daughters for Imam (a) with the names of Hakima, Khadija, and Umm Kulthum.<ref>Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', vol. 4, p. 380.</ref>  

Imamate of Imam al-Jawad (a) was contemporary with two [[Abbasid]] caliphs: the first was [[al-Ma'mun]] (193/809 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]] (218/833 to 227/842) 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 al-Ma'mun was not long. In the second trip, Imam al-Jawad (a) stayed longer in Baghdad and was martyred there.<ref>See: Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', vol. 4, p. 380.</ref>  

Imamate of Imam al-Jawad (a) lasted 17 years from [[203]]/818 until [[220]]/835. There are many reports and proofs for Imamate of Imam al-Jawad (a) including the report that one of the [[List of the Companions of Imam al-Rida (a)|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.<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 265.</ref>  

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.)<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 266.</ref>  

In another report, Abu l-Hasan b. Muhammad (among the companions of Imam al-Rida (a)) said that, "I heard Imam al-Rida (a) said, 'Abu Ja'far is my successor among my people.'"<ref>Ṣadūq, ''ʿUyūn akhbār al-Riḍā'', vol. 2, p. 586.</ref>  

 

Another answer was speaking of the [[Prophet 'Isa (a)]] (Jesus) in the first days after birth.<ref>Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 1, p. 382.</ref> [[Verses]] 30 to 32 of [[Sura Maryam]] narrates this issue from Jesus (a), "'Indeed I am a servant of Allah! He has given me the Book and made me a prophet. (30) He has made me blessed, wherever I may be, and He has enjoined me to [maintain] the prayer and to [pay] the zakat as long as I live, (31) and to be good to my mother, and He has not made me self-willed and wretched."<ref>Qurān, 19:30-32.</ref>  

Imam al-Rida (a) was martyred in [[203]]/818 when his son, Imam al-Jawad (a) was only 8 years old 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.<ref>Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', vol. 4, p. 383.</ref> Some other Shi'a joined [[Waqifids]]. 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.<ref>Nawbakhtī, ''Firaq, al-Shīʿa'', p. 88.</ref>  

However, even though most Shi'as mentioned the young age of Imam al-Jawad (a), but they followed him while Imam (a) answered to this question by mentioning the successorship of [[Prophet Sulayman (a)]] (Solomon) after [[Prophet Dawud (a)]] (David) 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."<ref>See: Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 1, p. 383.</ref>  

According to some [[hadiths]], when Imam al-Jawad (a) became Imam at a young age, some people from Baghdad and other cities went to see him in Medina during [[hajj]]. In a meeting they had with 'Abd Allah b. Musa (Imam al-Jawad's (a) uncle), they asked him some questions, but his answers did not seem 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 answers which made them happy, praised Imam (a) and prayed for him.<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Dalāʾil al-imāma'', p. 205-206; Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 50, p. 99-100.</ref>  

== Debates ==

=== 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 [[fiqh]]. It is said that upon seeing this, al-Ma'mun said, "Praise to God that what I had thought happened."<ref>Ṭabrisī, ''al-Iḥtijāj'', vol. 2, p. 444; Masʿūdī, ''Ithbāt al-waṣīyya'', p. 224.</ref>

=== 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.' (50:16) Then, was not God aware of Abu bakr's satisfaction that had to ask him?"<ref>Ṭabrisī, ''al-Iḥtijāj'', vol. 2, p. 446-447. </ref>  

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."<ref>Ṭabrisī, ''al-Iḥtijāj'', p. vol. 2, p. 447. </ref>  

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." (72:18) Al-Mu'tasim liked Imam's (a) answer and ordered to follow his ruling.<ref>ʿAyyāshī, ''Kitāb al-tafsīr'', vol. 1, p. 319-320; Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 50, p. 5-6.</ref>  

== Activities of 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 ===

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 not pay [[zakat]] to them.<ref>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.</ref>  

=== Waqifids ===

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.<ref>Ṭūsī, Man lā yaḥḍuruh al-faqīh, quoted from Jaʿfarīyān, ''Ḥayāt-i fikrī wa sīyāsī-yi Imāmān-i Shīʿa'', p. 603.</ref>  

=== Zaydiyya ===

Zaidiyya were among other groups contemporary with Imam al-Jawad (a) who had originally branched from Shi'a. There are some hadiths narrated from Imam al-Jawad (a) in which Imam (a) blames Zaydiyya.<ref>ʿAṭārudī, ''Musnad al-Imām al-Jawād'', p. 150.</ref>  

== Connection with Shi'as ==

Through appointing agents in different parts of the Islamic world, Imam al-Jawad (a) was connected with Shi'as. 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)]].

Imam al-Jawad (a) had agents in in Islamic lands including [[Baghdad]], [[Kufa]], [[Ahvaz]], [[Basra]], [[Hamadan]], [[Qom]], [[Rey]], [[Sistan]], and Bost.<ref>Jāsim, ''Tārīkh-i sīyāsī-yi ghaybat-i Imām Dawāzdahum'', p. 79.</ref>  

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.<ref>See: Jaʿfarīyān, ''Ḥayāt-i fikrī wa sīyāsī-yi Imāmān-i Shīʿa'', p. 603.</ref> 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<ref>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. </ref> and few cases, the name of the author is not mentioned.

In ''Mawsu'at al-Imam al-Jawad (a)'',<ref>''Mawsūʾat al-Imām al-Jawād (a)'', vol. 2, p. 416, 508.</ref> 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.<ref>''Cf.'' Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 3, p. 331, 398; vol. 5, p. 394; vol, p. 163; Kashshī, ''Ikhtīyār maʿrifat al-rijāl'', p. 783, 869.</ref>  

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.

== Hadiths ==

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, [[exegesis]], [[theology]], and [[supplication]]. What we have received from his time is around 250 hadiths in different Islamic fields.<ref>ʿAṭārudī, ''Musnad al-Imām al-Jawād'', p. 249.</ref>  

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."

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.<ref>Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', vol. 4, p. 390; Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 278.</ref>  

Al-Mu'tasim, the Abbasid caliph summoned Imam al-Jawad (a) from [[Medina]] to [[Baghdad]]. On [[Muharram 28]], [[220]]/[[February 5]], 835, Imam (a) entered Baghdad and passed away in [[Dhu l-Qa'da]]/November of the same year<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 295.</ref> at the age of 25 and was buried beside his grandfather [[Imam al-Kazim (a)]] in [[Kadhimiya]].<ref>Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', vol. 4, p. 379; Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 50, p. 12, 13.</ref>  

The day and month of his martyrdom have been mentioned in some sources as Dhu l-Hijja 5 or 6 (December 4 or 5)<ref>Ibn Abī l-Thalj, ''Tārīkh al-Aʾimma'', p. 13.</ref> and in some other sources as the end of Dhu l-Qa'da/November 29.<ref>Ashʿarī, ''Kitāb al-maqālāt wa al-firaq'', p. 99; Ṭabrisī, ''Iʿlām al-warā'', vol. 2, p. 106.</ref>  

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) while he (a) was just 25 years old. Al-Mu'tasim used one of his ministers and poisoned Imam (a) and martyred him.<ref>ʿAyyāshī, ''Kitāb al-tafsīr'', vol. 1, p. 320.</ref> However, some believe that Imam (a) was poisoned by Umm al-Fadl, daughter of al-Mu'mun.

[[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."<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 296.</ref> But al-Mas'udi (d. 346/957) 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 [[Imam al-Hadi (a)|'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."<ref>Masʿūdī, ''Ithbāt al-waṣīyya'', p. 227.</ref>

{{see also|List of Companions of Imam al-Jawad (a)}}

Many of his companions who were also among the companions of his [[Imam 'Ali b. Musa al-Rida (a)|father]] and his son ([[Imam al-Hadi (a)]]) had written works in fiqh and theology and were known as influential people in their own communities. Companions of Imam al-Jawad (a) and narrators of his hadiths were about 120 people who have narrated about 250 [[hadith]]s from him. These hadiths are about different subjects in [[fiqh]], [[exegesis]] and [[theology]]. The small number of hadiths narrated from Imam al-Jawad (a) is due to his surveillance and his young age at the time of martyrdom. 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]], [[Muhammad b. Isma'il b. Bazi']], [[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.<ref>ʿAṭārudī, ''Musnad al-Imām al-Jawād'', p. 314, 315, 262, 283, 319, 271.</ref>

== 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, some cases of which are mentioned below:

* [[Sibt b. al-Jawzi]] said, "He followed his father's approach in knowledge, piety, and generosity.<ref>Sibṭ b. al-Jawzī, ''Tadhkirat al-khawāṣ'', p. 321.</ref>

* [[Ibn Hijr Haythami]] wrote, "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."<ref>Haythamī, ''al-Ṣawāʿiq al-muḥriqa'', p. 288.</ref>  

* [[Al-Fattal al-Nayshaburi]] said, "Al-Ma'mun became fond of him (Imam al-Jawad (a)) because he saw that even though he was young, he had reached such a great position in knowledge, wisdom, manner and intellectual perfection that none of the great scholars of that time had ever reached."<ref>Fattāl al-Nayshābūrī, ''Rawḍat al-wāʿiẓīn'', p. 237.</ref>  

* Jahiz 'Uthman, a [[mu'tazili]], who was among the opponents of the family of [['Ali (a)]] has mentioned Imam al-Jawad (a) among 10 Talibids (family of [[Abu Talib]]) about whom he has said, "every one of them is knowledgeable, pious, worshiping, brave, generous, pure, with pure origin."<ref>ʿĀmilī, ''al-Ḥayāt al-sīyāsīyya li-l-Imām al-Jawād'', p. 137.</ref>  

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.<ref>Rāwandī, ''Daʿwāt al-Rāwandī'', p. 191; Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 91; 35.</ref>{{enote|[[Al-'Allama al-Majlisi]] narrated from Abu l-Wafa',

*Ibn Abī l-Thalj. ''Tārīkh al-Aʾimma''. Qom: Kitābkhānih Āyat Allāh al-Marʿashī, 1406 AH.

*Ibn Shahrāshūb, Muḥammad b. ʿAlī. ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib''. Edited by Ḥāshim Rasūlī. Qom: Nashr-i ʿAllāma, n.d.

*Qummī, Shaykh ʿAbbās. ''Muntahā l-āmāl''. Seventeenth edtion. Qom: Muʾassisat Intishārāt-i Hijrat, 1386 Sh.