Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq
By NABA Organisation
In the Name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful.
Imam Jafar Sadiq (A.S) is the sixth Imam of Shi'ite world. He attained martyrdom
on the 25th Shawwal 14 A.H. During the Caliphate of Abu Jafar Mansoor Abbasi.
Imam Sadiq (A.S) lived until 65 years. He had the longest life amongst the other
eleven Imams (A.S). Thus, he is also known as the Sheikh–ul–Aaimma.
After the martyrdom of his respected father Imam Muhammad Baqir (AS), Imam Sadiq
(A.S) held firm the Islamic flag of guidance for 34 years. During the period
when the Umayyad government was facing mutility and there was dispute with the
Abbasids, Imam Sadiq (A.S.) utilized this golden opportunity in reviving the
Prophetic customs, disseminating the Islamic culture and training students who
created epics in the Shiite history.
During the said period, the theological university of Imam Sadiq (A.S) consisted
of more than 4000 students in the different field of Figh (Jurisprudence),
Tafsir (Commentary) of Holy Quran, Kalaam, Hadith (traditions) and experimental
science. It is noteworthy to mention that two of the Imams of the Ahl–e–Sunnat
i.e., Abu Hanifa and Malik Ibn–e–Anas reaped benefits from Imam Sadiq’s
knowledge. In this regard, Abu Hanifa says, “ If it was not for those two
years (the period that Abu Hanifa was the student of Imam Sadiq A.S), Nu'man
would have perished.”
The untiring efforts, struggles and endeavors of Imam Sadiq (A.S) in the revival
and dissemination of the original Islamic culture became the cause for the
Shiite creed to be called as the Jafari religion (Fiqah e Jafaria).
A great jurisprudent of the Ahl-e-Sunnat, Malik Ibn-e-Anas says about Imam Sadiq
(A.S), “ no eyes has seen and no ear has heard and no human heart has passed
to see a man in virtue, excellence and learning to be greater that Jafar Ibn
Mohammed (A.S)”.
Abu Hanifa, one of the other four great Imams of the Ahl – Sunnat says about
his holiness, “I have not seen a man more learned and ‘faqi’ than Jafar
Ibn Mohammed (A.S)”.
Again, he says, “ On the directive of Mansoor, the Abbaside caliphate, I
prepared forty questions and went in the presence of Jafar Sadiq (A.S) and asked
him about the questions, he replied to all the questions. The answers were so
excellent and profound that I had never heard them from any one before.”
Among Imam Sadiq’s virtues, we may mention his respect and humbleness before
the Almighty Allah, his bravery and courage before the merciless tyrants, his
aid to the afflicted and the needy, his endeavors in earning a livelihood, his
awe and dignity and perseverance and steadfast. Below, are a few examples:
1- One day, when Imam Jafar Sadiq (A.S) was working in the agricultural field
with a spade in hand and he was soaked in perspiration. At that moment, Abu Omar
Shaibani saw the holy Imam and said to himself: Maybe, that Imam Sadiq (A.S) is
not having any worker or helper. So he said: Allow me to perform your work. The
holy Imam replied, “ No, I like that one should endeavor and struggle himself
to earn his livelihood”.
2- It is reported from the wife of Imam Sadiq (A.S) that: It was the final hours
of his holy life when suddenly he opened his eyes and asked all his family
members and near ones to gather around him. When all of them had gathered
besides him , the holy Imam said , “ Our Shafa’at ( intercession) will not
reach to those who degrade and undervalue their Salat (prayers).”
3- Malik Ibn Anas says : We had accompanied Imam Sadiq (A.S) for the Haj. When
he wished to recite the word ‘Labbaik’, his voice could not come out from
his throat, I told him: O son of the Messenger of Allah, it is inevitable that
you should say the Labbaik. In reply , he said “ How can I be impertinent and
dare to say Labbail when I fear that my Lord will not comply with my request and
will reply me, no Labbaik, no”.