HOW DID IMAM TAQI AL-JAWAD GUIDED THE SHIAS OF HIS TIME

 

A brief synopsis of how the young, brilliant Imam addressed his role in guiding the Shias of his time. He achieved this by the Divine Knowledge, extra ordinary acts, wise political measures taken against the opposition, and the educational training of scholars.

After the martyrdom of the eighth Imam Reza (a.s.), Imam Taqi al-Jawad became the next Imam as prescribed by the Divine Will. It was the first time that a child became an Imam, naturally this unprecedent event was disputed. This issue distressed, worried, and disunited the followers of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). Some of them approached Imam Reza (a.s.)’s brother Abdullah bin Musa, who was unable to answer their questions, still some others approached Imam Reza (a.s.)’s brother Ahmad ibn Musa. Some truth seeking Shias proceeded to Madinah to meet young Imam Taqi al-Jawad. They posed some questions to him and found correct answers from him thus becoming certain that he was the Imam. Imam himself introduced himself as the leader of the Ummah and the God’s Hujjat on earth. In the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)’ mosque, the famous Yahya ibn Akhtam came across the Imam and asked some questions and at the end he said, “I want to ask you something, but I feel ashamed to do so.” The Imam said, “Before you ask the question, I will inform you of it. You want to know about the present Imam?” He said, “Yes by God.” The Imam said, “I am that Imam.” Yahya said, “Show me a sign.” The the cane in Imam’s hand started speaking and said, “He is my master, leader and God’s Hujjat right now.”

After his father’s martyrdom, he went up the pulpit of Masjid al-Nabi and said:I am Muhammad ibn Ali al-Reza al-Jawad. I am fully aware of every person’s lineage. I know your overt and covert situations and your future. This knowledge God gave us before creation, and we will enjoy even after the destruction of the heavens and the earth.

Ammar ibn Zayd asked the Imam, “What is the sign of the Imam?” The Imam said, “He should be able to do this’: he put his hand on the ironstone in such a way that there were his fingerprints on it. I saw him imprint his ring on the ironstone without melting it.”

Although, the Imam was exiled in Baghdad, he always stated the truth, defined his Imamate, took negative stance against Caliphate. He used to say, “I prefer barley bread with half ground salt in the city of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s)

The Imam endeavored to preserve the Shias in various cities in the Islamic land during his forceful stay in Baghdad and in Madinah. He answered religious and legal questions through jis agents like Ali bin Mahziyar, Kheiran Khadim, Ibrahim Hamdani, Ahmed bin Isa, Saleh bin Muhammad Bin Sahl.

Throughout Shia history, the enemies plotted to disunite Shias through formimg religious sects. The most prominent among them were Waqifiyyah, Zaydiyyah, and Ghullat (Extremist). The Imam fought them and guided the shias to take appropriate stance and advised shias not to pay them zakat or have them as public prayer leaders.

The Imam trained a group of students to become religious scholars to benefit the society. Shaikh Tusi referred to 113 people who became Ima’s companions and reporters of hadiths. Nuh ibn Durraj rose to be Judge of Baghdad and then to Kufa. Similarly, Muhammad ibn Bazi and Ahmad Qummi reached high positions in Abbasi Kingdom. Muhammad Ash’ath, Ahmad Bahil, Hussain Misri and Ismail Jaffar paved the way for spread of Shism in Egypt.

                Source: The Socio-Political Measures of Imam al-Jawad to Guide the Shi’a by Abu Qasim                                   Shakir  Al-Islam.org.

THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFUL, IMAM ALI (A.S.)'S PRICE LESS ADVICE TO HUMANITY PART ELEVEN

 

Whoever complains about a need to a believer, it is as though he has complained about it to Allah; but whoever complains about it to an unbeliever it is as though he complained about Allah.

It is ‘Id for him whose fasting Allah accepts and of whose prayers He is appreciative; and (in fact) every day when no sin of Allah is committed is an ‘Id Day.

Livelihood is of two kinds: the seeker and the sought. Therefore, he who hankers over this world death traces him till it turns him out of it; but he who hankers after the next world, worldly ease itself seeks him till he receives his livelihood.

Remember pleasures will pass away while the consequences will stay.

People are enemies of what they do not know.

What a breaker is sleep for the resolutions of the day.

A little that lasts is better than much that brings grief.

Whoever regards small distresses as big, Allah involves him in big ones.

Whoever maintains his own respect in view, his desires appear right to him.

Whenever a man cuts a joke, he separates away a bit from his wit.

You are turning away from him who inclines towards you is loss of share of advantage while you are inclining towards him who turns away from you is humiliation for you.

What a man has to do with vanity. His origin is semen, and his end is a carcass he cannot feed himself norward off death.

Two greedy persons never get satiated: the seeker of knowledge and the seeker of this world.

Belief means you should prefer truth when it harms you rather than falsehood when it benefits you; your words should not be more than your action and you should fear Allah when speaking about others.

Forbearance and endurance are twins, and they are the product of high courage.

Backbiting is the tool of the helpless.

Contentment is a wealth that does not exhaust.

The worst sin is that which the committer takes lightly.

The worst comrade is he for whom formality must be observed.

 

There are more than 480 priceless sayings of the Commander of the Faithful, “The Nafse Rasool”, the Gateway of Knowledge, Imam Ali (a.s.). Efforts is made in these eleven parts to restrict to short sayings.

THE TRIUMPH OF THE FAITHFULLS

 

Knowing the existence is a primary stage for knowing Allah. A wise and intelligent man gains the knowledge of Allah from observing everything around him in the world.

In the Glorious Qur’an, Surah Ale-Imran Ayah 190 to 194, the matter is discussed as follows:

“Most surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day there are signs for men of understanding. Those who remember Allah standing and sitting and lying on their sides and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth, “Our Lord! Thou hast not created this in vain! Glory be to Thee; save us then from the chastisement of the Fire. Our Lord! Surely whomsoever Thou makest enter the Fire, him Thou has indeed brought to disgrace, and there shall be no helpers for the unjust. Our Lord! Surely, we heard a crier calling to the faith, saying: ‘Believe in your Lord;’ so, we did believe; Our Lord! Forgive us therefore our faults and cover our evil deeds and make us die with the righteous. Our Lord! And grant us what Thou hast promised us by Thy messengers and disgrace us not on the Day of Resurrection; surely, thou dost not break the promise.”  

Most probably, the word, “creation,” here has the comprehensive connotation, denoting as to how these things came into being, what are their characteristics, properties and other concomitants like movement and stillness, changes, and variations. In that case, the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day would encompass all the great phenomena of creation. Further, they remember Allah in every condition- whether they are standing, sitting, or lying down. Observing the signs of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day has made them always remember Allah continuously and they never forget Him in any situation. Also, that observation has led them to reflection and meditation on the creation of the heavens and the earth; through it they remember that Allah will raise them again for awarding the recompense; therefore, they ask from Allah His mercy. The Messenger has brought them the news about warnings e.g., sins and some others He has exhorted to do or seek like mercy, forgiveness.

It is stated by the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali that the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) used to recite these five ayah before reciting his night prayers and recommended the Muslims to contemplate on them.

The wise man is ready to accept the truth, accept the call of the Messenger, and seek forgiveness. They also know that death with the righteous is a gift from Allah. The wise man believes in all Messengers and promises of Allah.

It is recommended by the Sixth Infallible Imam Ja’ffar as-Sadiq (a.s.) that if a man is faced with an urgent problem, he may recite the five Ayat that contain “Rabanna” five times and promptly seek his needs and Allah will accept his wish.

Sources: Al-Mizan an Exegesis of the Qur’an by al-Allamah as-Sayyid Muhammad Huseyn                                  at-Tabatabaei

              Tafsir-e-Namounah by Ayatuallah Nasir Makarim al-Shirazi

 

THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFULL, IMAM ALI (A.S.)'S PRICELESS ADVICE TO HUMANITY - PART TEN

 

How good it is for the rich to show humanity before the poor to seek reward from Allah, but better than that is the haughtiness of the poor towards the rich with trust in Allah.

Whoever clashes with Truth would be knocked down by it.

The heart is the book of the eye.

Fear of Allah is the chief trait of human character.

It is enough for your own discipline that you abstain from what you dislike from others.

The world deceives, harms, and passes away. Allah, the Sublime, did not approve it as a reward for His lovers nor as a punishment for His enemies.

Addressing his son, Imam Hasan (a.s.), he said, “O my son, do not leave anything of this world behind you, because you will be leaving it for either  two sorts of persons: Either a person who uses it in obeying Allah, in this case he will acquire virtue through what was evil for you, or it will be person who uses it in disobeying Allah and in that case he will be earning evil with what you collected for him, and so you will be assisting him in his sinfulness; and neither of these two deserve to be preferred by you over yourself.”

Someone said “Astaghirullah” in the presence of Imam Ali (a.s.), he said, “Do you know what “Istighfar” (asking Allah’s forgiveness) is? Istighfar is meant for people of an elevated position. It is a word that stands on six supports. The first is to repent over the past; the second is to make a firm determination never to revert to it; the third is to discharge all the rights of people so that you may meet Allah quite clean with nothing to account for; the fourth is to fulfill every obligation which you ignored (in the past) so that you may do justice with it; the fifth is to aim at the flesh grown as a result of unlawful earning; so that you melt it  (by grief of repentance) till the skin touches the bone and a new flesh grows between them; and the sixth is to make the body taste the pain of obedience  as you (previously) made it taste the sweetness of disobedience. On such an occasion you may say “Astghfirullah.” “

How wretched the son of Adam is! His death is hidden, his ailments are concealed, his actions are preserved, the bite of a mosquito pains him, choking causes his death, and sweat gives him an unpleasant smell.

The eyes of these men are covetous (seize greedily), and this glancing is the cause of their becoming covetous. Whenever anyone of you sees a woman who attracts him, he should meet his wife because she is a woman like his wife.

Whoever sets right his inward self, Allah sets right his outward self. Whoever performs acts for his religion, Allah accomplishes his acts of this world, whoever’s dealings between himself and Allah are good, Allah turns the dealings between him and other people good.

Forbearance is a curtain for covering, and wisdom is a sharp sword. Therefore, conceal the weakness in your conduct with forbearance and kill your desires with your wisdom.

There are some creatures of Allah whom Allah particularizes with favors for the benefit of the people, therefore He places them in their hands so long as they give them to others; bur when they deny them to others, He takes away the favors from them and sends them to others.

It does not behove a man to have trust in two positions, health, and riches, because there is many a man whom you see healthy, but he soon falls sick and many a man whom you see rich but soon turns destitute.

THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFULL, IMAM ALI (A.S.)'S PRICELESS ADVICE TO THE HUMANITY

 

How many are the objects of lessons, but how few the taking of lessons.

Your messenger is the interpreter of your intelligence while your letter is more eloquent in expressing your true self.

A self-respecting man never commits adultery.

A man can sleep on the death of his child but cannot sleep at loss of property.

The belief of a person cannot be regarded as true unless his trust in what is with Allah is more than his trust in what he himself has.

Sometimes the hearts move forward and sometimes they move backward. When they move forward get them to perform the optional (as well), but when they move backward keep them confined to obligatory only.

Throw a stone in return from where it comes to you because evil can be met with evil.

I am the Ya ‘sub (leader) of the believers, while wealth is the leader of the wicked.

Beware of disobeying Allah in solitude because the witness (of that situation) is also the judge.

The age up to which Allah accepts any excuse for a human being is sixty years.

Allah, the Glorified, has fixed the livelihood of the destitute in the wealth of the rich. Consequently, whenever a destitute remains hungry because some rich person has denied (his share). Allah will question them about it.

The sovereign is the lookout guard of Allah on earth.

The person who is approached with a request is free until he promises.

Knowledge is of two kinds – that which is absorbed and that which is just heard. The one that is heard does not give benefit unless it is absorbed.

The beauty of destitution is chastity, and the beauty of riches is gratefulness.

Lack of access to sins is also a kind of chastity.

The dignity of your face is solid but begging dissolves it away: therefore, look carefully before whom you dissolve it.

Knowledge is associated with action. Therefore, he who knows should act, because knowledge calls for action, if there is a response well and good, otherwise it (i.e., knowledge) departs from him.

Certainly, right is weighty and wholesome while wrong is light and unwholesome.

Miserliness contains all other evil vices and is the rein with which one can be led to every evil.

Speak so that you may be known, since man is hidden under his tongue.

Put off boasting, give up self-conceit and remember your grave.

Nearness with people in their manners brings about safety from their evil.

THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFULL, IMAM ALI (A.S.)'S PRICELESS ADVICE TO HUMANITY - PART EIGHT

 

Bitterness of this world is the sweetness of other world; the sweetness of this world is the bitterness of the nest one.

If you want an oppressor to take an oath, ask him to swear like this that he is out of Allah’s might and His Power, because if he swears falsely in this way he will be quickly punished, while if he swears by Allah such that there is no god but He, he will not be quickly punished since he is expressing the Unity of Allah, the Sublime.

O son of Adam, be your own representative in the matter of your property and do about it whatever you want it to be done after your death.

Anger is a madness because the victim to it repents afterwards. If he does not repent his madness is confirmed.

When you fall into destitution, trade with Allah through charity.

There is many a man gradually brought towards punishment by polite treatment with him, many a man remains in deceit because his evils are covered, many a man who is in illusion because of good talk about him, while there is no greater ordeal by Allah, the Glorified, than the giving of time.

Do good with bereaved ones of others so that good is done to your bereaved ones also.

O son of Adam do not inflict the worry of the day that has not come on the day which has already come, because if that day be in your life Allah will bestow its livelihood also.

Have love for your friend up to a limit, for it is possible that he may turn into your enemy some day; and hate your enemy up to a limit for it is possible that he may turn in to your friend someday.

Do not turn your knowledge into ignorance or your conviction into doubt. When you gain knowledge act upon it and when acquire conviction proceed (on its basis).

A small action which is continued with regularity is more beneficial than a long one performed with disgust.

When optional issues stand in the way of obligations, abandon them.

Whoever keeps in view the distance of the journey remains prepared.

Perception by the eyes is not real observation because the eyes sometimes deceive people; but wisdom does not deceive whomsoever it counsels.

He whom death overtakes early seeks time while he whose death is deferred put forth excuses for postponement.

When asked about Destiny, he said, “It is a dark path, do not tread on it, it is a deep ocean, do not dive in it, and it is a secret of Allah, do not take trouble about (knowing) it.

When Allah intends to humiliate a person, He denies him knowledge.

Your friends are three and your enemies are three. Your friends are your friend, your friend’s friend, and your enemy’s enemy. And your enemies are your enemy, your friend’s enemy, and your enemy’s friend.

THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFULL, IMAM ALI (A.S.)'S PRICELESS ADVICE TO HUMANITY - PART SEVEN

The Day of Judgement is near, and our mutual company is short.

Abstention from sin is easier than seeking forgiveness afterwards.

People often hate those things which they do not know or cannot understand.

One who seeks advice learns to recognize mistakes.

One who fights for the cause of God secures victory over his enemies.

When you feel afraid or nervous to do a thing, then drive straight through it, because the intensity of abstaining from it is greater (worse) than the fear.

Your supremacy over others is in proportion to the extent of your knowledge and wisdom.

If you want to remove evil from the minds of others, then first give up evil intentions yourself.

Greed is a permanent slavery.

He who takes the lead in oppression and tyranny will repent soon.

O son of Adam! Whatever you earned beyond your basic needs, you are only a custodian for others.

Hearts become tired as the bodies become tired. You should therefore, search for beautiful sayings for them.

Silence will create respect and dignity; justice and fair play will bring more friends; benevolence and charity will enhance prestige; service to humanity will secure leadership; good behavior will overcome revengeful enemies.

Every container gets narrower according to what is placed inside it except the container of knowledge which expands.

The first reward of the exerciser of forbearance gets is that people become his helper against the ignorant.

A man’s vanity for himself is one of the enemies of his intelligence.

The tree whose trunk is soft has thick branches.

Jealousy by a friend means defect in his love.

There is no justice in passing a verdict by relying on probability.

It is strange that the jealous do not feel jealous about bodily health.

Charity given by a man (as a shorthand), Allah increases it (by long hand)

One ill-gotten piece of stone in a house is a guarantee for its ruin.

When capability increases, desire decreases.

The best act is that which you must force yourself to do it.

I came to know Allah, the Glorified, through the breaking of determinations, change of intentions and losing of courage.